Gadau Journal of Pure and Allied Sciences

On the Mathematical Analysis of a Campylobacteriosis Model for Human and Animal Population

2025-01-24T10:00:09-07:00

Campylobacteriosis, a major cause of foodborne illnesses has continued to claim millions of lives globally. Thus, concerted needs to be put in place in order to curtail further loss of lives due to the disease. In this study, an analysis is conducted on the reproduction number, sensitivity analysis is also carried out on the parameters of the model connected to the reproduction number and the possibility of backward bifurcation of the campylobacteriosis mathematical model is explored. Results from the sensitivity analysis show that the most sensitive parameters are the infection rates, progression rate and the treatment rate for humans. It is further observed that as the human recruitment rate and treatment rate for symptomatic human population increases, the reproduction number also increases. This implies that it will not be possible to eliminate campylobacteriosis in the community with at least 70% treatment rate administered to the symptomatic human population. The analysis of the campylobacteriosis model reveals that the model exhibits the phenomenon of backward bifurcation under certain conditions, where a stable disease-free equilibrium (DFE) coexists with a stable endemic equilibrium (EE) when the associated reproduction number is less than unity. It is further shown for a special case that, a unique endemic equilibrium exists whenever the associated reproduction number is greater than unity.

The Histopathological Changes in the Gills and Liver of the African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) Juveniles Exposed to Crude Stem Bark Extracts of Adenium obesum (Desert Rose)

2024-07-11T17:56:39-06:00

Histopathological alterations in fish organs are among the biomarkers used to measure the impact of toxicants, providing insights into the effects of environmental contamination on aquatic organisms. This study investigated the effects of acute concentrations (0.00, 6.5, 8.0, 9.5, 11.0 and 12.5 mg/L) of stem bark crude extract of Adenium obesum on the histopathological changes in the liver and gills of Clarias gariepinus juveniles over a period of 96 hours in a static non-renewable bioassay. Mean water quality parameters (free carbondioxide, dissolved oxygen content, pH and total alkalinity levels) and histo-architectural integrity of liver and gills were determined using standard methods. Statistically significant differences (p<0.05) were found in all the studied physico-chemical parameters of the water compared with control. There was marked pieces of evidence of concentration-dependent alteration to the gills and liver histological organizations. The acute investigations revealed that acute exposure of catfish juveniles to A. obesum stem bark crude extract culminated in both water quality parameters and histological alterations in gills and liver more particularly the higher concentrations of extract in the acute exposure.

Flavonoid-rich extract of unripe Terminalia catappa Modulates Redox Status and Aging in Lead-Induced Neuro-genotoxic Drosophila

2024-11-27T09:17:00-07:00

Terminalia catappa (Indian almond) fruit is an oval fruit in shape, growing on a large tree found mostly in the tropical region. The tree has wide health applications and benefits various African and Asian communities. However, there is little documented evidence of its effects on neuroprotection and longevity. This study explored the neuroprotective potential of the flavonoid content from the unripe fruit part of the plant against lead-induced neurogenotoxicity in a fly model (Drosophila melanogaster). Two to three days old male and female flies were harvested and used for the experiment. Negative geotaxis and flies’ pupation assays were employed for the assessment of the flies' behavior. Phase II antioxidant enzymes’ activities and their expression levels were evaluated to ascertain the redox status of the flies before and after the toxicants exposure. Following the effective dose determination assay, 3.0 and 5.0 mg/g diets were found to be highly effective, meanwhile a concentration of 0.1 µg/g diet of lead (Pb) successfully induced neuro and genotoxicity. There was a remarkable improvement in the emergence of new and the locomotor function of the matured flies fed with the extract before their exposure to the toxic environment compared to the control group. Significant increase in the activity of Catalase, Superoxide dismutase (SOD), and Glutathione-s-transferase (GST) with concurrent reduction of AChE activity in the extract pre-fed flies. A similar effect was also recorded in the mRNA expression level of the corresponding genes when evaluated using a polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The collective findings of the present study revealed the potential neuro and gene protection effect of the studied extract through antioxidant and antiaging enzyme activities against Lead-induced toxicity in D. melanogaster. Showcasing the potential of the fruit as a source of nutraceuticals that could improve the wellness and quality of human lives when further studied.