Explorative in vitro evaluation of the inhibitory effect of Vitellaria paradoxa seed oil extract on Staphylococcal conjunctivitis

More exploration on medicinal plants and other natural products in the present era of increase in poverty level and multi-drug resistance has become crucial. The aim of this study is to explore the inhibitory activities of Vitellaria paradoxa seed oil extract on isolated staphylococcal conjunctivitis. Cultured sample of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from a patient’s eye discharge in the Teaching Hospital Laboratory of the Imo State University, Nigeria having been diagnosed with bacterial conjunctivitis at the eye Clinic. After the incubation period, the diameter of zones of inhibition both horizontal and vertical were measured. Concentrations (100, 50 and 25mg/ml) of the ethanolic seed oil extract of V. paradoxa were assayed for the antibacterial activity - Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) using the agar well diffusion method. Ethanolic seed oil extract of V. paradoxa at concentration of 100mg /ml exhibited the highest zone of inhibition at 37.4mm for 24hrs followed by 50mg /ml and lowest using 25mg/ml (5.0mm) indicating a concentration-dependent inhibitory effect on Staphylococcal conjunctivitis. S. aureus isolated from conjunctivitis swab was susceptible to ethanolic seed oil extract of V. paradoxa at 100mg/ml, 50mg/ml and 25mg/ml concentrations, suggesting ethanolic extract of V. paradoxa oil as possessing antimicrobial property. Further exploration for its use as an ocular anti-bacterial agent is recommended.

Effect of calcitor fertilizer and neem leaf extract concentration on production and quality of siam orange fruits

This research was conducted in Belancan Village, Kintamani District, Bangli Regency, Bali, Indonesia, from December 2020 to July 2021, which aimed to increase production and fruits quality of Siam orange with calcitor fertilizer and concentration of neem leaf extract. The study used a randomized block design, factorial with 2 factors and 3 replications. The first factor was calcitor fertilizer consisting of 4 concentration levels, i.e., 0 cc/l/tree (K0); 2 cc/l/tree (K1), 4 cc/l/tree (K2), and 6 cc/l/tree (K3), while the second factor was neem leaf extract consisting of 3 concentration levels, i.e., 0% (M0), 5% (M1), and 10% (M2). The results showed that the interaction between calcitor fertilizer and neem leaf extract concentration had no significant effect on all observed variables. Calcitor fertilizer with a concentration of 6 cc/l/tree could improve the quality of Siam orange fruit, which was reflected by the increase in the number of fruit per tree (106.44 fruit), weight per fruit (114.08 g), weight of fruit per tree (14 .37 kg), fruit diameter (6.89 cm) and total dissolved solids (11.52 %brix) or increased by 27.56%, 7.54%; 40.74%; 12.58% and 44.72%, respectively, than those of control. While in the treatment of neem leaf extract at a concentration of 10% increase the number of fruit per tree (107.73 fruit), weight per fruit (117.44 g), fruit weight per tree (16.04 kg), fruit diameter (7.58 cm) and total dissolved solids (10.83% brix), or an increase of 69.44%; 18.76%; 78.84% and 42.31%, respectively, than those of control.

Assessment of physicochemical, microbiological, mineral and heavy metal parameters of honey

The qualities of the honey were evaluated using the following attributes Physico-chemical, Microbiological, minerals and metallic contaminants respectively. The Physico-chemical analysis revealed a moisture content of 17.45%, Ash 0.64%, Total solid 81.25%, Fat 0.64%, Protein 0.25%, Fibre 0.03%, Total carbohydrate81.22%, Energy value of 329.5 Kcal, [email protected], Sucrose content 5.48%, Nitrogen content 0.004%, Total acidity 3.45%, Reducing sugar 61.82%, insoluble water content 0.06%, Refractive index of 1.477, and Specific gravity of 1.234 respectively. The microbiological analysis showed a total bacterial count TBC of 7x102 cfu/g, Yeast count 2x101cfu/g and Mould count 2x101cfu/g, which was within the national standards range by SON as 1x102 cfu/g, 5x101 cfu/g, and 5x101 cfu/g respectively while the Coliform count, Escherichia count, Salmonella count, Staphylococus count and Clostridium count were not detected this research. Generally, honey may contain organisms from bees, soil, air and dust that may be introduced during post-harvest handling. This is evidence that honey is well preserved against bacteria so that these organisms would not survive unfavourable conditions. The mineral analysis showed the presences of potassium{K), Calcium (Ca), Sodium (Na), Magnesium (Mg), Zink (Zn), Iron (Fe) Arsenic (As) respectively with values of 70.5, 21.0, 95.0,12.0, 1.3, 1.0, and 1.0 (Mg/100g) while Cupper and Lead were not detected.

Gastro-retentive drug delivery system: A better approach of drug delivery system

The oral route is the best and most popular route for the administration of drugs in the systemic circulation. There are number of drugs which are given through the oral route. Gastro-retentive drug delivery system is very important system for the drug delivery system. The gastro-retentive drugs prolonged the drug time in the git and also improve their their bioavailability. These are widely used for site specific for the treatment of git disorders and diseases. There are number of approaches for gastro retentive drug delivery system such as floating system, mucoadhesive system, swelling system, high density system etc. In this review we discussed about approaches and various perspectives of gastro retentive drug delivery system.

Two worst pandemics- Spanish Flu and COVID-19: A review

1918 Spanish flu and COVID-19 can be considered as most hazardous pandemics earth has ever witnessed. They are results of what mayhems an organism not even visible with naked eye can cause. Causative agent for both the diseases is a virus but, they are not same. 1918 Spanish flu gave major indications that it has the existence of the new strain of flu and lasted for longer duration affecting lives in various ways. COVID-19 is again an indication of another emerging worst pandemic. Here, we have reviewed the overall factors that contributed to the severity of these two pandemics and comparison of the same. The main motive of this paper is to put together, compare and analyze versatility of both the pandemics and to discuss implications of the same.

Proximate, microbial and mineral compositions of Millet Pennisetum gluacuum L. and sorghum bicolor compounded straw feed for ruminant

The study was aimed for the production and determination of the proximate, microbiological and mineral compositions of Millet Pennisetum gluacuum L. and Sorghum bicolor compounded straw feed for ruminant production. The result revealed a pH 5.791 which is suitable for fibre in the feed and promote chewing and rumination processes in the rumen, low percentage moisture content of 1.37 was recorded due to high drying in the field, high percentage fat and crude protein of 4.67 and 6.97 respectively this was as a result of the inclusion of groundnut cake as source of protein and fat in the feed, percentage digestible protein was 3.58, crude fibre value of 27.56 which satisfied the 18% requirement in the diet of ruminants, percentage carbohydrate was 54.2, and estimated energy value (Kcal) 286.95. Microbiological analysis showed a total plate count of 5 x10-4 cfu/g, Mould count of 1 x10-3 cfu/g, while Yeast, Staphylococcus, Coliform, Shigella, Salmonella and Escherichia coli count were not detected respectively. Mineral composition of sorghum and millet Pennisetum gluacuum compounded straw feed showed the presence of Fe, Na, K, Mg, Zn, Cu Mn, and Cr as 120.4189mg/kg, 570.9844 mg/kg, 227.1493 mg/kg, 568.2669 mg/kg, 12.9195mg/kg, 14.0666mg/kg, 62.9926mg/kg respectively and 18.584 mg/kg while Ni and Pb were not detected in the formulated ruminant feed.

Seroprevalence of HIV infection among cataract surgery patients in south-east Nigeria: A retrospective cross-sectional study

Background: Human Immunodeficiency Virus remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite the availability of highly active antiretroviral therapy, many people with this disease still present with its ocular complications. Cataracts remain the commonest reason for blindness in Nigeria and globally. The prevalence of HIV infection among cataract patients in south east Nigeria has remained unknown. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus among cataract patients in south east Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study. The case files of all who had cataract surgery between September 1st, 2020 to March 31st, 2021 at City of Refuge Specialist Eye Clinic Onitsha, Nigeria was obtained from the Medical Record Department of the hospital to extract relevant information and demographic data. The outcome measures included the prevalence of HIV, as well as the gender and the age of affected cataract patients. Data was analyzed using SPSS 26.0 IBM Corporation. Fisher’s exact test was performed for categorical data, and Student’s t-test was applied to continuous variables depending on their distribution. A p value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: In this study, 423 participants who underwent cataract surgery were included for analysis of which 16 were HIV positive. The overall seroprevalence of HIV among the study population was 3.78% with HIV prevalence showing the female to male ratio of 1:1. Up to 70.81% of the patients were at least 60 years of age. Although there was a statistically significant difference between the prevalence of HIV and seasonal presentation (p=0.015), there was no statistically significant relationship between the participants age and gender (p=0.195), prevalence of HIV and the participants’ age categories (p=0.149) or participants’ settlements (p=0.219). Conclusion: The prevalence of HIV among cataract patients in this study was 3.78%. This study confirms that HIV infections are an important public problem among cataract patients in Nigeria. Our findings draw attention to the significant burden HIV has on cataract surgery in Nigeria. We recommend advocacy for the national policymakers to initiate HIV tests in routine ophthalmology services.

Levels of heavy metals in pelagic and benthic fish species in river Nun at Amassoma, Bayelsa State, Nigeri

The heavy metals content in three fish species from River nun Amassoma axis was investigated. This was done in order to gauge the concentration of heavy metals in fish tissues and to estimate the safety of consuming these fish species on human health. Three species (pelagic and benthic fishes) were collected from local fishermen at the landing jetty and analyzed for heavy metals in the soft tissues using standard procedures. The heavy metals investigated are Cadmium (Cd), Nickel (Ni), Lead (Pb) and Chromium (Cr). Result indicates that Cd>Ni>Pb>Cr in the fish samples analyzed while Chrysichthys auratus showed the greatest abundant characteristics of Cr, Pb, Ni, Cd. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in concentrations of Cr and Ni for all fish species. However, the results showed that there is a significant difference (P<0.05) in Pb concentration between Chrysichthys auratus, Chrysichthys aluuensis and Petrocephalus bane bane. Cd concentration in the fish species reveal that there is a significant difference (P<0.05) between Chrysichthys auratus and Petrocephalus bane bane but no significant difference (P>0.05) between Chrysichthys auratus and Chrysichthys aluuensis and between Chrysichthys aluuensis and Petrocephalus bane bane Heavy metal in the fish species showed that Chrysichthys auratus>Chrysichthys aluuensis>Petrocephalus bane bane. All metal characteristics were lower than the suggested WHO permissible limit. Benthic fish species have a greater heavy metal concentration than the pelagic fishes. Based on the observation from this study, the continuous and sustained consumption of Chrysichthys auratus and indeed benthic fish species possess a higher risk to health, while Cd poisoning in fish is most culpable of pollution in River Nun at Amassoma. axis.

Foot and mouth disease virus: A review

As seen by prior tragic outbreaks in many places throughout the world, the foot and mouth disease virus, or "FMDV," is one of the most critical challenges in animal health. In this review, the major features of FMDV, as well as aspects of its interactions with cells and hosts, were discussed. On the other hand, present and upcoming FMD treatment approaches. The first vertebrate virus found was the foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV). A capsid protein and the viral genome (+ve sense single strand RNA) make up FMDV. The icosahedral symmetry of the viral structure is made up of structural proteins (VP1, VP2, VP3, and VP4) as well as non-structural proteins (L, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 2A, 2B, 2C, 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D). The viral replication takes place in the cytoplasm of the cell. Because FMDV has a short incubation period, it spreads quickly. Direct contact is the most often used method of FMDV transmission. The occurrence of direct contact via aerosol and mechanical transmission (fomites, feed, and water). The immunological response is stimulated by the infection with FMD. However, due to virus antigenic diversity, the immune response does not always protect against FMD (antigenic shift). FMDV is divided into seven serotypes based on antigenic variation. O, A, C, SAT-1, SAT-2, SAT-3, and Asia-1 are the serotypes in question. O is the most frequent serotype.

A review of toxicology studies on mammals

Chlorinated cyanurates are added to swimming pools as disinfectants. In the presence of water, these materials hydrolyze to yield cyanurate and hypochlorous acid. To evaluate the safety of exposure to these materials, a comprehensive testing program was undertaken. This review summarizes the results of acute and subchronic tests on chlorinated isocyanurates. Findings from acute, subchronic, reproduction, metabolism, mutagenicity, and chronic/carcinogenicity tests on cyanurate are also summarized. Results from these tests indicate that chlorinated isocyanurates are safe for use in swimming pools.