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Annals of Science and Technology
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This is an Open Access Journal

Open Access journal
ISSN (Online) 2544-6320
Published by Sciendo

[389 journals]

Proline as an osmolyte modulates changes in morphological and
physiological attributes of under water stress
- Abstract: Water stress is an inevitable factor which limits growth, development, and production efficiency of vegetables such as Capsicum annuum (Linnaeus) (pepper). This study was carried out to investigate the use of proline as an osmolyte to ameliorate the effect of water stress on morphological and physiological attributes of Capsicum annuum. C. annuum seedlings were subjected to different levels of proline (20, 30 and 40 %) against droughted and well-watered seedlings as control in a completely randomized design. Results showed that water stress limits morphological and physiological attributes of C. annuum, while proline at different levels enhances it. Highest plant height (26.00±0.71 cm) was obtained in C. annuum sprayed with 40% proline. Well-watered seedlings of C. annuum produced the highest numbers of leaves (35.40±4.12 cm) and leaf length (12.60±0.68 cm). In addition, leaf area (89.40±2.04 cm2), specific leaf area (124.24±1.24 m2kg-1) and leaf area index (1.76±1.13 m2m-2) were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in C. annuum seedlings sprayed with 40 % proline compared with other treatments. Relative growth rate (0.30±0.09 mgg-1day-1), net assimilation rate (0.47±0.30 gm-2day-1) and leaf area ratio (0.58±0.11 m2kg-1) as well as, chlorophyll content (9.76±0.02 µgcm2), were higher in C. annuum seedlings sprayed with 40% proline. In conclusion, 20 and 30 % proline sustained morphological and physiological attributes of C. annuum under water stress, but 40% proline produced better ameliorative effects.
  PubDate: Wed, 26 Apr 2023 00:00:00 GMT
Effects of Butylated HydroxylToluene and Vitamin E on Cadmium-Lead
toxicity on the liver of rats
- Abstract: This study determined the effect of lead-cadmium toxicity in the liver of albino rats. 56 rats were divided into 7 groups of 8 rats each and were treated as follows : Group A Control (1 ml of diluent (corn oil); Group B (15mg/kg BW cadmium); Group C(50mg/kg BW lead); Group D (15mg/kg BW Cadmium and 50mg/kg BW lead); Group E (15mg/kg BW cadmium, 50mg/kg BW lead and 23mg/kg BW vitamin E);Group F (15mg/kg BW cadmium, 50mg/kg BW lead and 25mg/kg BW Butylated HydroxylToluene) and Group G (15 mg/kg BW Cd+50mg/kg BW lead+25mg/kg BW (BHT + vitamin E). Rats were sacrificed on the 29th and 56th day in sub-acute and chronic exposure respectively. Liver function, oxidative stress markers and histological examination were carried out. Results indicate that rats exposed to cadmium and lead suffered liver damage due to the significant (P<0.05) increase in Alanine Transferase, Aspartate transferase and Alkaline phosphatase, and significant decrease (P<0.05) in Total Protein and Albumin in the serum. Malonaldehyde (MDA) levels were also significantly increased (P<0.05) with a concomitant decrease in Superoxide dismutase, catalase and Glutathione peroxidase activities in both the chronic and acute exposure phase. Vitamin E and BHT singly had little ameliorative effect on the liver; however, a combination of these antioxidants reduced the enzymes levels significantly. Treatment with the antioxidants (Vitimin E and BHT) both singly and combined was also able to ameliorate the effects of the oxidative stress induced by the metals as was further confirmed by the histopathological reports.
  PubDate: Wed, 26 Apr 2023 00:00:00 GMT
Mn(II), Fe(III) and Ni (II) Complexes of Mixed Citric acid -
- Abstract: Three mixed ligand complexes of sulphamethoxazole and citric acid have been synthesized using Mn(II), Fe(III) and Ni(II) chlorides. The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, melting point, conductivity test, magnetic measurement, UV-Visible and infrared spectroscopy. The infrared spectra data revealed that the ligands act as bidentate, in which citric acid coordinate through C=O of the carboxyl and oxygen of the hydroxyl groups, while sulphamethoxazole coordinates through nitrogen atom of the primary amine group and O=S=O of the sulphonyl group. The result of the elemental analysis was consistent with the proposed pattern for the complexes, while the melting point determination confirmed that the synthesized compounds were pure. Antibacterial activity of metal complexes were screening against five strain bacteria microorganism of g(+)Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Eschericia coli, g(+)Klebsiella pneumonia, g(+)Staphylococcus aureus and g(+)Candida using Muller Hinton diffusion method. The result showed that the overall zone of inhibition against bacterial isolate follows an increasing order of priority Fe(III)˃ Ni(II)˃ Mn(II) complexes.
  PubDate: Sat, 22 Apr 2023 00:00:00 GMT
Phytochemical, Proximate and hypoglycemic Potential of for Management of
in Nigeria
- Abstract: Synsepalum dulcificum, a potent natural sweetener, is notably used in the traditional treatment of Diabetes mellitus in Nigeria though scientific explanation for its use is not well known. In this study, the phytochemical, proximate and hypoglycemic potential of the leaf and stem extracts (ethanol and aqueous) of S. dulcificum were investigated. The phytochemical and proximate analysis were carried out using a standard protocol. In-vivo assay protocols on alloxan-induced diabetic albino rats was followed in determining the hypoglycemic potentials of the extracts (concentrations: 100 mg/Kg, 200 mg/Kg, 400 mg/Kg), using glibenclamide as a standard drug. The aqueous leaf extract gave a higher yield (19.67%) compared to ethanolic extract (17.15%). Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of flavonoids, saponins, terpenoids, tannins, phenols, steroids, cardiac glycosides and alkaloids in varying degrees in the plant’s parts. Proximate analysis showed higher lipid (23.30%) and protein (12.94%) in leaves and higher fibre content in stems (30.00%). The aqueous leaf extract at a high dose (400 mg/kg) gave the best glucose lowering effect (66.67 mg/dL) compared to the medium dose (78.33 mg/dL) and the standard drug (70.00 mg/dL). The albino rats were unable to survive at the lower dose (100 mg/kg) of all the extracts. The observed hypoglycemic effect of the aqueous leaf extract may be linked to significant tannins, flavonoids and saponins in the extract, as these phytochemicals have been reported to exhibit blood sugar lowering potentials. The results from this study confirmed that the leaf aqueous extract as a potential anti-diabetic agent and justified the folkloric use of Synsepalum dulcificum in the management of diabetes mellitus in Nigeria.
  PubDate: Sat, 22 Apr 2023 00:00:00 GMT
Effects of capacity building on rural women involvement in Climate Smart
Agriculture initiatives in Rivers state, Nigeria
- Abstract: The study assessed the effects of capacity building on rural women involvement in Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA)initiative in Rivers State, Nigeria. Respondents were leaders of rural women cooperative societies in Rivers State who were randomly selected from 23 Local Government Areas in the State. Structured questionnaire administration and Key Informant Interview was used to collect data while frequency counts, mean and percentages were employed to analyze the data collected. Results showed that the rural women interviewed were mostly adults, as majority (71.8%) were within the age range of 40 - 59 years. Majority (62.52%) were engaged in business/trading and other non-agricultural income generating activities, such as civil service (21.89%), income from pensions (3.13%), while 12.5% of the respondents had no other income generating activity aside farming. Some (40.63%) of the rural women had Senior Secondary Certificate as the highest form of education. Only 43.75% were aware of CSA, with 62.51% of them indicating low level of CSA knowledge. The major CSA management practices they know include mixed farming (50.0%), crop management practices (40.63%), application of indigenous knowledge and practices (25.0%) and soil management practices (25.0%). Approximately 84% have not attended CSA training before now. All the rural women (100%) used for the study upheld that CSA training is helpful in improving their CSA knowledge, imparted their readiness to adopt CSA practices (94%) and equipped them to be more involved in CSA initiative (100%). The major effects of capacity building on rural women involvement in CSA initiative are better knowledge of CSA for increased use of CSA practices (X̄ = 3.72), capacity to add value to their farm products (X̄= 3.69) and capacity to train others on CSA practices (X̄= 3.50). Regular training on CSA components by both government and private agencies could help in strengthening and sustaining rural women active participation in CSA initiative in the state and beyond.
  PubDate: Sat, 22 Apr 2023 00:00:00 GMT
Frequency of ABH secretor status: a cross-sectional study in Lagos,
Southwestern Nigeria
- Abstract: The mucosa contains soluble antigens of the ABO blood group system. Secretor status as a trait has been linked to a variety of clinical diseases and is determined by the individual’s fucosyltransferase 2 (FUT2) allele. The distribution of secretor status in relation to ABO blood group phenotypes varies from region to region, with medicolegal significance. There is a dearth of information on the secretor status of the studied population. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the secretor status of the ABH in a Nigerian population. To achieve this, fresh saliva samples (~5 ml) were collected from 325 (181 males and 144 females) apparently healthy individuals in the urban city of Lagos. Secretor status was determined by haemagglutination inhibition test with the saliva samples of participants. Results showed that 85% of the participants were secretors and 15% were non-secretors with no statistically significant differences (p>0.05) between male and female gender. The frequencies of the Secretor, Se and Non-secretor, se genes were 0.543 and 0.457, respectively while the frequencies of the SeSe, Sese, and sese genotypes were 0.294, 0.496, and 0.209, respectively. The participants’ ABO blood group distributions were 65.5% group O, 16.6% group A, 15.1% group B, and 2.8% group AB. The incidence of secretors across blood group was 89% in group O, 85% in A, 79% in B and 67% in AB. However, there were no statistically significant variations in secretor status and ABO blood group (p>0.05). In conclusion, the study shows that there are more secretors than non-secretors, and the ability to secrete the ABH antigens are independent of ABO blood of individuals.
  PubDate: Tue, 07 Feb 2023 00:00:00 GMT
Enterocytozoon bieneusi Infection in Livestock from selected farms in
Lagos, Nigeria
- Abstract: Microsporidia are enteric intracellular pathogens infecting animals and humans. It causes life-threatening diarrhoea in humans. Microsporidia species have been isolated from several domestic and wild animals, however, data on microsporidia infection in animals in Nigeria is still very scanty. This study was conducted to clarify and improve our knowledge of the possibility of the zoonotic origin of Enterocytozoon species in the environment. Two hundred and fifty (250) animal faecal samples from various farm animals were examined for their frequency of microsporidia spores using Weber’s chromotrope stain and Indirect Fluorescence Antibody Test (IFAT). Enterocytozoon bienuesi were detected in 6 (24.0%) turkeys, 2 (8.0 %) goats, 3(12.0 %) cattle, and 4(16.0%) rams. No reactivity was detected with other species of microsporidia by IFAT. This study confirms the presence of E. bienuesi in the animals examined and shows that animals can be a significant source of zoonotic transmission in the environment.
  PubDate: Tue, 07 Feb 2023 00:00:00 GMT
Evaluation of proximate compositions and heavy metal concentrations of L.
and (L.) Juss. harvested on some poultry dumpsites in Badagry, Lagos
State, Nigeria
- Abstract: Poultry waste as enhancement for crop development has become a norm for nutrients’ source but their pollution potentials is a source for concern. Thus, this study aimed at assessing proximate compositions and heavy metal accumulation in organs of Amaranthus spinosus and Talinum fruticosum handpicked from three poultry faecal sites in Badagry, Lagos State. Leaves and roots of A. spinosus and T. fruticosum as well as soil samples were collected from Yafin, Agric and Badagry dumpsites in Badagry Local Government and these were subjected to proximate and heavy metal analyses using standard analytical procedures. Data obtained were analyzed using mean-standard deviation. Proximate analyses of A. spinosus and T. fruticosum from three faecal sites contained appreciable Moisture, protein, carbohydrate, fiber, ash, and fat contents. Also, heavy metal analyses of the vegetables from the three faecal sites ranged as follows: Cd: 0.01-0.05mg/100g in leaves; 0.04-0.12mg/100g in roots, Co: 0.04-0.05 in leaves; 0.04-0.12mg/100g in roots, Cr: 0.58-0.84mg/100g in leaves; 0.91-1.01mg/100g in roots, Cu: 0.27-70.51mg/100g in leaves; 0.50-58.55mg/100g in roots for A. spinosus; Cd: 0.04-0.07mg/100g in leaves; 0.06-0.12mg/100g in roots, Co: 0.02-0.06mg/100g in leaves; 0.08-0.34mg/100g in roots, Cr: 0.05-0.12mg/100g in leaves; 0.04-0.23mg/100g in roots, Cu: 61.55-121.81mg/100g in leaves; 48.45-147.45mg/100g in roots for T. fruticosum and Cd: 3.53-9.05mg/100g, Co: 0.14-0.69mg/100g, Cr:0.14-4.22mg/100g: and Cu: 2.59-8.11mg/100g in soils for all three dumpsites sampled. However, all metals analysed were below WHO limits for vegetable and soils except cobalt, copper and chromium. Thus, locals should be advised against consumption of vegetables from dumpsites since toxic substances often accumulates in the environment and maybe hazardous to man’s health.
  PubDate: Tue, 07 Feb 2023 00:00:00 GMT
Exploring DNA methylation data for diagnostic classification of Diffuse
large B-cell lymphoma in Dogs
- Abstract: Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a common B-lymphocyte tumor in dogs, making up 60-70% of cases. We assessed the utility of DNA methylation data for the diagnostic classification of DLBCL in dogs. We also assessed the utility of the classification features identified in cDLBCL for diagnostic classification of DLBCL in humans. The GSE94913 cDLBCL DNA methylation dataset from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) was used for analysis. Differential methylation analysis was performed between the 37 cDLBCL and seven control lymph node samples in the dataset. 1701 differentially methylated probes were identified between the cDLBCL and control lymph nodes groups. Applying recursive feature elimination on the 1701 significant probes, 20 probes were selected for machine learning classification tasks. The methylation values of these 20 probes were used to build an SVM model and create the training and testing set. 100% of the test samples were accurately classified by the SVM model. The diagnostic classification utility of the identified differentially methylated CpGs/CDS was also assessed in humans using the GSE28094 human DLBCL dataset. 95% of 98 DLBCL and leukocyte samples obtained from this dataset was correctly classified using clustering techniques on 11 CpG sites of 5 genes (ERBB4, IGF2, PGF, PITX2, TJP1). The utility of DNA methylation data for the diagnostic classification of DLBCL in dogs is demonstrated. Further exploration of this data type for potential biomarker discovery in cDLBCL is necessary.
  PubDate: Tue, 07 Feb 2023 00:00:00 GMT
Adsorption Study of Paracetamol with Graphene oxide Synthesized from
Agricultural waste
- Abstract: The production of cheap and eco-friendly graphene material for the removal of contaminants in wastewater is necessary for sustainable water treatment. In this study, the production of graphene oxide from agricultural wastes (rind of orange and palm kernel shell) for the adsorption of paracetamol from aqueous solution was examined. The Graphene Oxides (GO) were produced using modified Hummer method and characterized using XRD and FTIR analyses. The kinetic data were analyzed using the pseudo-first and pseudo-second order equations, while the equilibrium isotherm data were fitted into Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. FTIR spectral indicated mainly the presence of oxygen containing functional groups such as Hydroxyl group (OH) and Carbonyl group (C=O, C-O) confirming the synthesis of graphene oxide. The highest percentage removal of 76.6 from the aqueous paracetamol solution was established at pH 7, adsorbent dose of 0.4 g and contact time of 80 minutes with graphene oxide from palm kernel shell. The adsorption data was best described by pseudo-second-order model (R2---gt--- 0.900) and Freundlich isotherm. Therefore the rind of orange and palm kernel shell can be suitable cheap alternatives to graphite for the synthesis of GO. Modification and further purification of the GO can be carried out to enhance their adsorption capacities.
  PubDate: Fri, 23 Dec 2022 00:00:00 GMT
Comparative Study of the Phytochemical Profile, Proximate Content and
Antioxidant Properties of Leaves, Seeds and Pods of
- Abstract: Moringa oleifera (Moringa) is a highly valued plant and various parts of this plant are employed for the therapeutic purposes in the indigenous system of medicine. This study was undertaken to compare the phytochemical, mineral, proximate and antioxidant constituents of the aqueous, ethanol and coconut oil extracts of M. oleifera leaf, seed and pod. Pulverized samples of the leaves, seeds and pods were extracted separately with distilled water, ethanol and coconut oil. The proximate analysis was carried out using standard AOAC protocols while the mineral contents were analyzed through atomic absorption spectrometry. The phytochemicals and antioxidants constituents of the extracts were analysed using standard protocols. The phytochemical screening of M. oleifera revealed the presence of alkaloids in each extract of the leaf, seed and pod in varying concentrations with the absence of phlobatannins in all sampled parts. Proximate composition of M. oleifera revealed higher percentage of crude protein (26.05±0.01 %) and total fatty acid (5.42±0.01 %) in the seed, while the leaf had higher percentage of fibre (8.12±0.02 %) and ash (7.82±0.02 %). The pod showed higher percentage of carbohydrate (72.05±0.2 %) and the seed revealed lowest moisture content (3.12±0.01 %) compared to other sampled parts. Sodium was revealed as the highest composition of mineral in each part of the plant. The result for antioxidant activity revealed that the leaf, seed and pod extracts have stronger scavenging effect on nitric oxide radical compared to the standards (ascorbic acid 8467.15μg/ml) and the least scavenging effect on FRAP. The results obtained from this study validate the pharmacological and nutritional potentials of M. oleifera and its use in treating different ailments as used in traditional medicine.
  PubDate: Fri, 23 Dec 2022 00:00:00 GMT
Optimizing Silver Extraction Potential from Waste X-Ray Films Using Acid
and Alkaline Leaching Agents
- Abstract: In this study, the silver extraction potential from waste x-ray films using sodium hydroxide and nitric acid was studied. Sodium hydroxide and nitric acid of different concentrations were used as stripping solutions to determine the optimum leaching concentration. Optimum leaching time and leaching temperature were also investigated by varying the time and temperatures, respectively. The stripped solutions were analysed for silver concentration using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Results obtained revealed that, for sodium hydroxide stripping, 26.6 mg kg−1 of silver ion was obtained at an optimum leaching concentration, time and temperature of 1.5 M, 900 minutes and 30 °C. For nitric acid stripping, a maximum concentration of 9830.6 mg kg−1 was obtained at optimum concentration, time and temperature of 4 M, 1,440 minutes and 30 °C. The result revealed that the concentration of leaching agent was a significant factor affecting silver recovery, with nitric acid possessing a much higher recovery rate compared to sodium hydroxide.
  PubDate: Wed, 16 Nov 2022 00:00:00 GMT
Nicotine content and Dietary composition of some cultivated Species of
Solanaceae family
- Abstract: Despite the fact that vegetables are consumed in large quantities in our environment, there is a dearth of literature that focused on the optimum benefits to man especially in the management of disease like Parkinson’s Disease (PD). Nicotine, the major phyto-constituent of Nicotiana tabacum of the family Solanaceae has been reported to be present in some other species of the family. This study investigated the nicotine content and the dietary components in the leaves and fruits of selected species of cultivated vegetable plants belonging to Solanaceae family. Edible plants from Solanaceae family were grown till the fruiting stage in the experimental farm of Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, while Nicotiana tabacum was used as the control plant. Plants samples from mature leaves and fruits of each plant were harvested washed with de-ionized water, oven dried at 30°C. Powdered samples were analyzed for mineral and proximate components according to standard procedure and nicotine content were determined with GC-MS. Nicotine remained the major constituent of tobacco. Nicotyrine, a product of nicotine dehydrogenation was also detected in all the plant samples. Capsicum annum var. accuminatum fruit displayed the highest nicotine content (0.5543 mg/L) compared to the others with relatively lower quantities. Nicotyrine content was more available in the plant fruits than nicotine, with C. annum var abbreviatum displaying more of nicotyrine content (75.3456 mg/L). Solanum lycopersicum displayed the highest moisture contents (19.94 %), followed by tobacco leaf (11.88%). N. tabacum leaf displayed high quantity of protein (56.52%) than other members. The fruits of the solanaceae plant species were rich in carbohydrate, protein with very low amount of fat. This study revealed that the solanaceae plants contained more of nicotyrine than nicotine. In contrast to the previous studies, the nicotine content was higher in the eggplant leaves than the fruits. Eggplant and Capsicum species can be recommended for patient suffering from neurodegenerative diseases like PD.
  PubDate: Wed, 16 Nov 2022 00:00:00 GMT
Antitubercular activities, antioxidant properties and GCMS fingerprinting
of , and .
- Abstract: Background: It is a practice to use traditional medicine for curing various illnesses in West Africa. Acacia hebecladoides, Acacia albida and Gmelina arborea were selected based on their traditional belief for treating various ailments such as: hallucinations, inflammation and tuberculosis. The study sought to validate the antitubercular activity, antioxidant properties and phytochemical components of extracts and fractions of the leaves of selected plants.Method: The antitubercular activities of the plants were evaluated against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and non-mycobacterium tuberculosis (NTM) using the Lowenstein Jensen (LJ) proportion method. Gas chromatography mass spectrometer (GCMS) assay and the antioxidant assays (1,1- diphenyl -2-picryhydrazyl (DPPH) radical assay, total phenolic content (TPC), β-carotene bleaching activity and nitric oxide scavenging activity) were all carried out.Results: All three plant extracts used in the study inhibited Mycobacterium tuberculosis with G. arborea showing the lowest MIC value of 31.25μg/ml. Also, G. arborea inhibited MDR-TB with an MIC value of 125μg/ml. The most active plant, G. arborea was fractionated into four partitions, three (aqueous, n-hexane and ethyl acetate) fractions showed inhibitory activity against MTB with an MIC value of 62.5μg/ml. Also n-hexane and chloroform fractions of G. arborea showed inhibitory activities against MDR-TB with the lowest MIC value of 31.25μg/ml. The nitric oxide activity of the plant fractions showed that ethyl acetate fraction of G. arborea had high nitric oxide antioxidant activity. The ethanolic extract A. hebecladoides and G. arborea, while fractions of G. arborea (aqueous, ethyl acetate and chloroform) showed DPPH scavenging activity. The ethanolic extract A. hebecladoides and A. albida, while aqueous fraction of G. arborea had high total phenolic content. The ethanolic extract G. arborea and its fractions (aqueous and n hexane) showed β-carotene bleaching inhibition. Twelve compounds were found in the n-hexane fraction of G. arborea as 2,3-dihydro-3,5,-6-methy 4H-Pyran-4-one and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural were abundant with 35.81% and 19.03% respectively, followed by 3,5-dihydroxy-2-methy-4H-Pyran-4-one (9.82%) and n-Hexadecanoic acid (8.45%).Conclusions: The study carried out showed that ethanolic extract and fractions of G. arborea possess inhibitory activities against MTB and MDR-TB. Also ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions of G. arborea showed high antioxidant activities.
  PubDate: Wed, 16 Nov 2022 00:00:00 GMT
A Multilateral Privacy Impact Analysis Method for Android Applications
- Abstract: Most people’s private lives can be monitored by smartphone applications (apps). Apps have the potential to invade private spaces, access and map social interactions, track users’ whereabouts, and track their online activities. Our interest is in the volume of data that a specific app can and seeks to retrieve on a smartphone. Smartphone app privacy friendliness is normally evaluated based on single-source analyses, which often do not offer a thorough assessment of the app’s actual privacy threats. In order to analyze Android apps’ privacy, this study proposes a multi-source methodology. Our data sets and methodology from app manifestos, privacy policies, vulnerability analysis and user reviews were described. Results from a case study on ten well-known finance applications operating in Nigeria were provided in order to assess our methodology. Our findings showed distinct patterns regarding the possible privacy implications of apps, with some of the apps in the data set infringing fundamental privacy principles. The case study’s findings reveal significant differences that can guide users in making relevant app choices.
  PubDate: Wed, 16 Nov 2022 00:00:00 GMT
Ethnomedicinal study and in vitro validation of medicinal plants used for
treating Jaundice in Zuru emirate of Kebbi State, Nigeria
- Abstract: Background: For decades, the resident of Zuru emirate have used herbal medicine to treat liver-related diseases including jaundice. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate and document the herbal medicine used for treating jaundice in Zuru emirate.Method: Oral interviews and questionnaire were used to document information on medicinal plants, medicinal practices, and demographic profiles of respondents. The medicinal plants that were mentioned were collected, identified, and assigned voucher numbers. The names were further authenticated using www.theplantlist.org and theworldfloraonline.org. Thereafter, the methanol stem bark extracts of three of the most frequently mentioned plants were subjected to in vitro bilirubin degradation assay.Result: A total of 46 TMPs Traditional medicine practitioners responded and cited 28 medicinal plants and medicinal practices used to treat jaundice. The most frequently mentioned plants were Erythrina senegalensis (19.6%) followed by Cochlospermum planchonii (13%), and Anogeissus leiocarpus (13%). The herbal remedies were prepared using different parts of the plants as boiled juice or powder and mostly taken as juice with pap or fresh raw cow milk. The in vitro bilirubin degradation assay revealed a time-dependent and dose-dependent bilirubin degradation by Anogeissus leiocarpus (63.05 %), Erythrina senegalensis (46.33%), and Cochlospermum planchonii (27.45%).Conclusion: The present findings revealed the medicinal plants that are used to treat jaundice and the potential jaundice ameliorative effect of these plants may involve bilirubin degradation. Future in vitro and in vivo mechanistic studies should investigate the jaundice ameliorative potency of these plants.
  PubDate: Wed, 16 Nov 2022 00:00:00 GMT
A Cross-Sectional Study of Sialic Acids Level in Breast Cancer Patients
Attending Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Zaria, North-Western
Nigeria: Preliminary investigations and Implications on Disease Subtypes,
Grade and Chemotherapy Courses
- Abstract: Due to the challenges associated with breast cancer prognosis, this study examined sialic acid levels based on subtypes, grades and therapeutic courses among breast cancer patients presenting at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH) in North-Western Nigeria between June 2019 and December 2020. This was a cross-sectional study. Sociodemographic characteristics, total sialic acid (TSA), free sialic acid (FSA), bound sialic acid (BSA) and haematological parameters were determined. The mean age of the respondents was 47.46 ± 10.71 years, and the modal age range was 41-50 years. About 40% of the patients had triple-negative breast cancer subtype, and 83.1% had invasive carcinoma. There was an association between breast cancer grade and body mass index (χ2= 26.306, P= 0.001). The TSA, FSA and BSA concentrations were significantly (P<0.05) higher in luminal A and triple-negative breast cancer patients when compared to apparently healthy controls and were highest in stage IV patients. The TSA correlated with the third and sixth chemotherapy courses. Significant (P<0.05) decrease was observed in PCV and Hb among the breast cancer patients irrespective of subtype compared to healthy control. The results suggest that TSA, FSA and BSA were higher in breast cancer patients, necessitating further research on their possible prognostic implications.
  PubDate: Mon, 11 Jul 2022 00:00:00 GMT
Subsurface Investigation for Road Construction Using Electrical
Resistivity Method along Oloko road, Apatapiti, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria
- Abstract: Evaluation of the shallow geologic materials in terms of types, nature, and bedrock structure as possible causes of pavement failure was carried out along Oloko road Apatatpiti, Akure, Nigeria, using Schlumberger vertical electrical sounding and 2-D imaging dipole-dipole techniques. Three lithological layers, namely thin top soil, weathered layer and weathered basement, were revealed by the 2-D resistivity structure. Vertical electrical soundings were made at locations with a very low resistive medium typical of linear features such as fractures/faults at some distances on the 2-D resistivity structure. Four geologic layers, namely the top soil, clay/sandy clay, fractured basement, weathered/fresh basement, were identified by the geoelectric section. The geoelectric section and the 2-D resistivity structure revealed that the upper 0-6m, which constitutes the subgrade, has a low resistivity (36 Ωm to 108 Ωm) characterised to be clayey materials and suggestive of weak zones that might impair the stability of the road. A relatively shallow depth, ranging from 3.7 m to 4.29 m, was the depth to the water table of the four wells close to the road. Therefore, the possible causes of pavement failure are the thick and low resistive layer, the near-surface linear features suspected to be fractures/faults, and the water table’s shallow depth.
  PubDate: Mon, 11 Jul 2022 00:00:00 GMT
Mechanical characteristics of Biomaterial Particles Reinforced Epoxy Resin
Composites for Automobile Accessories
- Abstract: In this study, rattan corncob composite materials were developed and their mechanical properties were determined. This was with a view to producing alternative composite materials for automobile applications. Dried corncobs and rattan cane were crushed, treated with caustic alkali NaOH (aq) and transferred into a water bath machine to reduce the hydrophilic nature of the fibres in the polymer. The shredded corncobs and rattans cane were sun-dried after the treatment to remove the moisture content and were further pulverized and sieved to obtain 400μm particle size. Compositions of the particles were varied for seven samples with the binder kept constant at 80wt% of the whole mixture and forming them into particle panels using a metal mould. The process was repeated in order to obtain three replicates to get the exact mean value. The produced panels were tested for density, water absorption, tensile strength and modulus, flexural strength and modulus, and optical microstructure. The results revealed that the densities ranged between 1.06g/cm3 to 1.30g/cm3, the water absorption properties ranged between 0.87% to 4.55%, tensile strength ranged between 42MPa to 90MPa, tensile modulus ranged between 2.2GPa to 5.9GPa, flexural strength ranged between 50MPa to 70MPa and flexural modulus ranged between 1.5GPa to 2.7GPa. It was concluded that the developed composite materials have good mechanical properties and could serve as alternative materials for making automobile accessories like bumpers and spoilers. It could also help in solving the problem of environmental pollution caused by open burning.
  PubDate: Mon, 16 May 2022 00:00:00 GMT
An Evaluation of a Language Processor for an African Native Languagebased
Programming Language
- Abstract: The design and prototype implementation of a subset of an African indigenous language-based programming language has been carried out and reported. In this study, an evaluation of the processor developed for the native language-based programming language was carried out in order to assess its level of conformance to the characteristics required of a good software product as set by the international organization for standardization (ISO). The developed language processor was evaluated using some metrics for evaluating the quality of software systems including structural and time complexity. A usability test was also conducted to assess users’ perception of the system concerning its relevance and ease of use. The result of system evaluation indicated that the system contains 1558 lines of code, its cyclomatic complexity is 14 and its asymptotic time complexity is of order big oh O (n3), where n is the size of the input to the system. Over 86% of the participants in the usability test attested to the system’s relevance while the usability rating was 86%. The developed system can be inferred to be of good quality as the results of its evaluation are positively on the high side for satisfying most of the ISO criteria for adjudging a software product as being of good quality. Furthermore, the high usability rating for the system indicates that the programming language whose compiler was evaluated satisfies most of the criteria set by the Department of Defense (DOD) for assessing the ‘goodness’ or otherwise of a programming language.
  PubDate: Fri, 06 May 2022 00:00:00 GMT