Showing papers by "Ladoke Akintola University of Technology published in 2015"
TL;DR: A literature survey of about 283 recently published papers shows that low-cost adsorbents have demonstrated outstanding removal capabilities for dye removal and the optimal equilibrium time of various dyes with different charcoal adsorbent from agricultural residues is between 4 and 5h as mentioned in this paper.
405 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors reviewed various types of mineral scale deposits as well as the thermodynamics and kinetics prediction of the potential mineral scale formation potentials and the mitigation strategies of oilfield mineral scale mines and chemical stimulation techniques used in oil industry to improve well productivity.
149 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a crude extracellular keratinase obtained from a novel keratin-degrading bacterial strain, Bacillus safensis LAU 13 (GenBank accession No. KJ461434) was used for the synthesis of silver nanoparti-cles (AgNPs).
Abstract: In this study, crude extracellular keratinase obtained from a novel keratin-degrading bacterial strain, Bacillus safensis LAU 13 (GenBank accession No. KJ461434) was used for the synthesis of silver nanoparti- cles (AgNPs). The particles were characterised by UV- Visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The biosynthesised AgNPs exhibited maximum absorbance at 409 nm. They are spherical in shape with the size ranging 5-30 nm. The FTIR spectrum showed peaks at 3410, 2930, 1664, 1618, 1389 and 600 cm -1 , indicating that proteins were the capping and stabilisation molecules in the syn- thesis of AgNPs. Data obtained from XRD showed that the particles have face-centred cubic phase and are crystalline in nature with average size of *8.3 nm. The particles showed effective inhibitory activity against five clinical isolates of Escherichia coli. Therefore, the keratinase of this strain could be used to develop an environmental friendly method for the rapid synthesis of AgNPs. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of green synthesis of AgNPs using the metabolite of B. safensis, and the report adds to the growing relevance of B. safensis as a potential industrially viable organism.
138 citations
TL;DR: It is feasible to scale up mental health services in primary care settings in Nigeria, using the mhGAP-IG and a well-supervised cascade-training model, and holds promise, especially in settings where there are few specialists.
Abstract: The World Mental Health Surveys conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) have shown that huge treatment gaps for severe mental disorders exist in both developed and developing countries. This gap is greatest in low and middle income countries (LMICs). Efforts to scale up mental health services in LMICs have to contend with the paucity of mental health professionals and health facilities providing specialist services for mental, neurological and substance use (MNS) disorders. A pragmatic solution is to improve access to care through the facilities that exist closest to the community, via a task-shifting strategy. This study describes a pilot implementation program to integrate mental health services into primary health care in Nigeria. The program was implemented over 18 months in 8 selected local government areas (LGAs) in Osun state of Nigeria, using the WHO Mental Health Gap Action Programme Intervention Guide (mhGAP-IG), which had been contextualized for the local setting. A well supervised cascade training model was utilized, with Master Trainers providing training for the Facilitators, who in turn conducted several rounds of training for front-line primary health care workers. The first set of trainings by the Facilitators was supervised and mentored by the Master Trainers and refresher trainings were provided after 9 months. A total of 198 primary care workers, from 68 primary care clinics, drawn from 8 LGAs with a combined population of 966,714 were trained in the detection and management of four MNS conditions: moderate to severe major depression, psychosis, epilepsy, and alcohol use disorders, using the mhGAP-IG. Following training, there was a marked improvement in the knowledge and skills of the health workers and there was also a significant increase in the numbers of persons identified and treated for MNS disorders, and in the number of referrals. Even though substantial retention of gained knowledge was observed nine months after the initial training, some level of decay had occurred supporting the need for a refresher training. It is feasible to scale up mental health services in primary care settings in Nigeria, using the mhGAP-IG and a well-supervised cascade-training model. This format of training is pragmatic, cost-effective and holds promise, especially in settings where there are few specialists.
114 citations
TL;DR: In this article, mesoporous-activated carbon from durian seed (DSAC) was used as adsorbent for the removal of methyl red (MR) dye from aqueous solution.
Abstract: Mesoporous-activated carbon from durian seed (DSAC) was prepared; it was used as adsorbent for the removal of methyl red (MR) dye from aqueous solution. Textural and adsorptive
characteristics of activated carbon prepared from raw durian seed (DS), char durian seed (char DS) and activated durian seed (DSAC) were studied using scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infra red spectroscopy, proximate analysis and adsorption of nitrogen techniques, respectively. Acidic condition favors the adsorption of MR dye molecule by electrostatic attraction. The maximum dye removal was 92.52 % at pH 6. Experimental data were analyzed by eight model equations: Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, Dubinin–Radushkevich, Radke–Prausnitz, Sips, Vieth–Sladek and Brouers–Sotolongo isotherms and it was found that the Freundlich isotherm model fitted the adsorption data most. Adsorption rate constants were determined using pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, Elovich, intraparticle diffusion and Avrami kinetic model equations. The results clearly showed that the adsorption of MR dye onto DSAC followed pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Both intraparticle and film diffusion were involved in the adsorption process. The mean energy of adsorption calculated from D–R isotherm confirmed the involvement of physical adsorption. Thermodynamic parameters were obtained and it was found that the adsorption of MR dye onto DSAC was an endothermic and spontaneous process at the temperatures under investigation.
110 citations
TL;DR: The results presented show that the amygdalin contents of commercially-available apple juices are unlikely to present health problems to consumers.
108 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, mutation by UV-radiation and medium optimization were used to enhance production of citric acid through the screening of five local strains of Aspergillus niger using hydrolyzed cassava peel medium.
Abstract: In this study, mutation by UV-radiation and medium optimization were used to enhance production of citric acid through the screening of five local strains of Aspergillus niger using hydrolyzed cassava peel medium. Mutant strains were evaluated for citric acid production, and the physico-chemical parameters for citric acid production were further optimized using Central Composite Design (CCD) of Response Surface Methodology. Among the wild strains, a strain (FUO 2) gave highest citric acid yield of 1.93 g/l, while the mutant strain FUO 1 10 obtained after 10 min of exposure to UV-radiation yielded 9.4 g/l, an improvement of 4.87 fold. Process optimization using the mutant strain (FUO 1 10 ) on the input parameters of substrate concentration, process time, inoculum size and initial pH gave a process model with a coefficient of determination R 2 of 0.75 and a validated citric acid yield of 88.73 g/l, an improvement of 45.97 fold over the best wild strain. The response surface graphs showed significant interactive effects of input parameters on citric acid formation. This study established the usefulness of UV-mutation and medium optimization in improving the yield of citric acid. This study highlights the practicability of enhancing citric acid yield using mutant strains of A. niger on agro waste such as cassava peels, coupled with a suitable combination of optimal operational parameters. To the best of our knowledge, this work represents the first reference to the utilization of cassava peel-malted sorghum blend in submerged condition for the production of citric acid by A. niger .
72 citations
01 Jun 2015
TL;DR: In this article, the applicability of biodiesel in compression ignition engines (CIE) was investigated and it was found that biodiesel has relatively close BTE and BSFC values with petro-diesel, hence, is suitable for CIE operation without any modification.
Abstract: Biodiesel is a sustainable and renewable source of fuel. It has been considered as a comparable substitute to petro-diesel, which is a fast depleting resource. Many studies have been undertaken on biodiesel production from various feedstock as a result of its importance. The differences between the physico-chemical properties of biodiesel and petro-diesel were considered with the aim of justifying the applicability of biodiesel in compression ignition engines (CIE). It was established that biodiesel has relatively close BTE (brake thermal efficiency) and BSFC (brake specific fuel consumption) values with petro-diesel, hence, is suitable for CIE operation without any modification. The exhaust from CIE using biodiesel was lower compared to petro-diesel and this confirms the environmental friendliness of biodiesel. The catalyst being an important substance in the transesterification reaction of vegetable oil/animal fat to produce biodiesel was comprehensively discussed, and heterogeneous catalysts were established to be preferred due to several advantages over homogenous catalysts. This paper reviews biodiesel production, prospects, benefits and challenges as a replacement for petrol diesel.
71 citations
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that the biosynthesized Ag-NPs have potent biological activities, which can find applications in diverse areas, and adds to the growing biotechnological relevance of B. safensis.
Abstract: The cell-free extract of Bacillus safensis LAU 13 strain (GenBank accession No: KJ461434) was used for green biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs). Characterization of Ag-NPs was carried out using UV-VIS spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Evaluation of synthesized Ag-NPs as antimicrobial agents was done using multi-drug resistant clinical isolates as well as their synergistic effects when combined with some selected antibiotics. Furthermore, potential of Ag-NPs as antimicrobial additives in paint was demonstrated. The Ag-NPs have maximum absorbance at 419 nm, with peaks at 3308, 2359, 1636, and 422 cm-1, indicating that proteins were the capping and stabilisation molecules in the synthesis of Ag-NPs. The particles were spherical shaped having size of 5–95 nm, with silver as the prominent metal from the energy dispersive X-ray analysis, while selected area electron diffraction pattern agrees well with the crystalline nature and face-centred cubic phase of Ag-NPs. Inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella granulomatis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was achieved at 100 μg/mL. Improvement of activities of augmentin, ofloxacin and cefixime to the tune of 7.4-142.9% was achieved in synergistic study, while total inhibitions of P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus fumigatus were achieved in Ag-NPs-paint admixture. The Ag-NPs showed potent antioxidant and larvicidal activities with IC50 and LC50 of 15.99 and 42.19 μg/mL, respectively. The present study demonstrated that the biosynthesized Ag-NPs have potent biological activities, which can find applications in diverse areas. The report adds to the growing biotechnological relevance of B. safensis.
70 citations
TL;DR: A newly isolated bacterium identified as Bacillus safensis based on biochemical tests and 16S rRNA analysis and its mutant variant created by exposure to ultraviolet radiation at 254 nm were investigated for keratinolytic activity as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: A newly isolated bacterium identified as Bacillus safensis based on biochemical tests and 16S rRNA analysis and its mutant variant created by exposure to ultraviolet radiation at 254 nm were investigated for keratinolytic activity. The wild-type strain produced 35.4–50.4 U/mL keratinase over a period of 120 h, while the mutant one yielded 64.4–108.5 U/mL keratinase for the same period of 120 h. The optimal conditions for the enzyme activities were pH 7.5 and 40 °C. The mutant and wild-type strain keratinases retained 59% and 54% of their activity after 12 h pretreatment at 40 °C, and 64% and 60% of their activity after 12 h at pH 7.5, respectively. The keratinases showed high substrate specificity for feathers, but low specificity for human and bovine hairs. The enzymes were activated by Na+, Ca2+, Fe2+ and Mg2+. However, while Mn2+ activated the enzyme from the mutant strain, it inhibited that of the wild type. The mutant and wild-type strain completely degraded whole chicken feathers after 6 and 9 days ...
70 citations
TL;DR: In this article, seed and seed shell extracts of Cola nitida were investigated for the biogenic synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) under ambient condition, and the biosynthesized AgNPs were characterized through visual development of colour, UV-vis spectroscopy, FTIR and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).
Abstract: In this study, seed and seed shell extracts of Cola nitida were investigated for the biogenic synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) under ambient condition. The biosynthesized AgNPs were characterized through visual development of colour, UV–vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The antibacterial activities of the AgNPs were determined using some multidrug-resistant clinical isolates. The biosynthesized AgNPs depicted brown and yellowish orange colour using seed and seed extract, respectively, with maximum absorbance readings at 457.5 and 454.5 nm. The FTIR spectrum showed strong peaks at 3292.49, 2086.98 and 1631.78 cm−1 for seed extract-mediated AgNPs, while peaks of 3302.13, 2086.05 and 1633.71 cm−1 were obtained for seed shell extract-mediated AgNPs, all indicating that proteins were the capping and stabilization molecules in the biogenic synthesis of AgNPs. The AgNPs were spherical in shape with sizes ranging from 8 to 50 and 5 to 40 nm for seed and seed shell-mediated AgNPs, respectively. The energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis showed the presence of silver as a prominent metal, while the selected area electron diffraction (SAED) pattern conformed to the face-centred cubic phase and crystalline nature of AgNPs. At various concentrations ranging from 50–150 μg/ml, the AgNPs inhibited growth of multidrug-resistant strains of Klebsiella granulomatis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli to the tune of 10–32 mm. Comparatively, seed shell extract-mediated AgNPs had better activities with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 50 μg/ml against all the tested isolates, while the MICs of seed extract-mediated AgNPs were obtained as 50, 80 and 120 μg/ml against E. coli, P. aeruginosa (wound) and P. aeruginosa (burn), respectively. This study has demonstrated the feasibility of eco-friendly biogenic synthesis of AgNPs using seed and seed shell extracts of C. nitida, and the report to the best of our knowledge is the first reference to extracts of C. nitida for the green synthesis of AgNPs.
TL;DR: This study signifies the high prevalence of OBI and proposes blood donor samples in Nigeria should be pre-tested for OBI by nucleic acid testing (NAT) and/or anti-HBc prior to transfusion to minimize the HBV infection risk.
Abstract: Background
Occult hepatitis B virus infection (OBI) characterized by the absence of detectable HBsAg remains a potential threat in blood safety. We investigated the actual prevalence, viral factors and genotype of OBI infections in Nigerian blood donors.
TL;DR: The ecology, physiology, genetics, and biotechnological applications of B. safensis are presented in this first compendium of information on its attributes and applications that may be useful in opening a new vista of research on the bacterium.
Abstract: Bacillus safensis colonizes a wide range of habitats, many of which are stringent for the survival of some microorganisms. Its survival in extreme environments relies on its unique physiological and genotypic characteristics. It was originally identified as a recalcitrant contaminant in a spacecraft-assembly facility (SAF) at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, USA, from which it derived its specific epithet, safensis. The bacterium belongs to the Bacillus pumilus group, and is closely related to Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus altitudinis, Bacillus xiamenensis and Bacillus invictae. At times, B. safensis has been erroneously identified as B. pumilus, especially when extensive molecular analyses and some mass spectroscopic methods, such as matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-fiight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS), are not considered. B. safensis possesses some plant growth-promoting traits and also has promising biotechnological applications due to its ability to produce various industrial enzymes and industrially applicable secondary metabolites. It may be regarded as a safe industrial microorganism because its pathogenicity has never been evidenced. This review attempts to chronicles the biology of B. safensis and its exploit as a potential industrially important bacterium. The ecology, physiology, genetics, and biotechnological applications of B. safensis are hereby presented in this review. This represents the first compendium of information on its attributes and applications that may be useful in opening a new vista of research on the bacterium.
TL;DR: In this paper, a multi-step mutagenesis of Lentinus edodes was reported for optimization of the production of laccase and novel application of Laccase in the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) which could be used to develop an eco-friendly method for the rapid synthesis of AgNPs.
Abstract: This study reports the multi-step mutagenesis of Lentinus edodes towards optimization of the production of laccase and novel application of laccase in the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) which could be used to develop an eco-friendly method for the rapid biosynthesis of AgNPs. The wild strain of L. edodes was subjected to UV irradiation at 254 nm and the resultant viable mutant was further treated with acridine orange, a chemical mutagen. The strains were evaluated for the production of laccase and the crude laccase of the UV mutant (UV 10 ) was used for the green synthesis of AgNPs. The particles were characterized by UV-Visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Laccase activities of wild, UV 10 and UV 10 ACR 8 strains of L. edodes were obtained as 2.6, 10.6 and 2.8 U/ml/min respectively after 7 days of fermentation, showing laccase yield improvement of 4.08-fold for UV 10 mutant. UV-Visible spectroscopy indicated the formation of AgNPs at absorption band of 430 nm. FTIR result indicated that proteins were responsible for AgNP synthesis, while SEM analysis confirmed the formation of walnut-shaped nanoparticles with size range of 50-100 nm. The biosynthesized nanoparticles revealed effective inhibition against clinical isolates of Escherichia coli , Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae . To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this result represents the first report on the biosynthesis of AgNPs using L. edodes metabolite . The report adds to the growing relevance of L. edodes as potential industrially viable organism, used for diverse biotechnological applications.
TL;DR: Adherence of diabetes patients in the study sample to their medications was satisfactory and there is a need for the integration of generic medicines into routine care as a way of further reducing the burden of healthcare expenditure on the patients.
Abstract: Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is now prevalent in many countries in sub-Saharan Africa, with associated health and socioeconomic consequences. Adherence to antidiabetic medications has been shown to improve glycaemic control, which subsequently improves both the short- and longterm prognosis of the disease. The main objective of this study was to assess the level of adherence to antidiabetic drugs among outpatients in a teaching hospital in southwestern Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out using the eight-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8) among diabetic patients attending the medical outpatients’ diabetes clinic of Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital, in Ogbomosho, Oyo State in southwestern Nigeria, during a three-month period (October to December 2013). Results: A total of 129 patients participated in the study with a male-to-female ratio of 1:1.5. Seventy-eight (60.5%) patients had systemic hypertension as a comorbid condition while the remaining were being managed for diabetes mellitus alone. Only 6 (4.7%) of the patients had type 1 DM while the remaining 123 (95.3%) were diagnosed with type 2 DM. Metformin was the most prescribed oral hypoglycaemic agent (n = 111, 58.7%) followed by glibenclamide (n = 49, 25.9%). Medication adherence was classified as good, medium, and poor for 52 (40.6%), 42 (32.8%), and 34 (26.6%) patients, respectively. Medication costs accounted for 72.3% of the total direct cost of DM in this study, followed by the cost of laboratory investigations (17.6%). Conclusion: Adherence of diabetes patients in the study sample to their medications was satisfactory. There is a need for the integration of generic medicines into routine care as a way of further reducing the burden of healthcare expenditure on the patients.
TL;DR: In this paper, the effects of natural bioattenuation, bioventing, and brewery waste effluents amendment as biostimulation-bioaugmentation agent on biodegradation of diesel oil in unsaturated soil were investigated and evaluated.
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to investigate and evaluate the effects of natural bioattenuation, bioventing, and brewery waste effluents amendment as biostimulation-bioaugmentation agent on biodegradation of diesel oil in unsaturated soil. A microcosm system was constructed consisting of five plastic buckets containing 1 kg of soil, artificially contaminated or spiked with 10% w/w of diesel oil. Biodegradation was monitored over 28 days by determining the total petroleum hydrocarbon content of the soil and total hydrocarbon degrading bacteria. The results showed that combination of brewery waste effluents amendment and bioventing technique was the most effective, reaching up to 91.5% of diesel removal from contaminated soil; with the brewery waste effluents amendment (biostimulation-bioaugmentation), the percentage of diesel oil removal was 78.7%; with bioventing, diesel oil percentage degradation was 61.7% and the natural bioattenuation technique resulted in diesel oil removal percentage be not higher than 40%. Also, the total hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria (THDB) count in all the treatments increased throughout the remediation period. The highest bacterial growth was observed for combined brewery waste effluents amendment with bioventing treatment strategy. A firstorder kinetic model was fitted to the biodegradation data to evaluate the biodegradation rate and the corresponding half-life time was estimated. The model revealed that diesel oil contaminated-soil microcosms under combined brewery waste effluents amendment with bioventing treatment strategy had higher biodegradation rate constants, k as well as lower half-life times, t1/2 than other remediation systems. This study showed that the microbial consortium, organic solids, nitrogen and phosphorus present in the brewery waste effluents proved to be efficient as potential biostimulation-bioaugmentation agents for bioremediation processes of soils contaminated with diesel oil.
TL;DR: In this paper, Durian seeds were chemically modified using KOH as an impregnating agent to prepare durian seed activated carbon (DSAC), which was characterized using FTIR, BET, SEM, and proximate analysis techniques and used for the adsorption of Remazol brilliant blue reactive (RBBR) dye.
Abstract: In this study, durian seeds were chemically modified using KOH as an impregnating agent to prepare durian seed activated carbon (DSAC). DSAC was characterized using FTIR, BET, SEM, and proximate analysis techniques and used for the adsorption of Remazol brilliant blue reactive (RBBR) dye. The effects of pH, contact time, initial dye concentrations, and solution temperature on the adsorption process were investigated experimentally in batch process. Maximum dye removal was obtained at pH 2 to be 95.17%. Experimental data were analyzed using eight model equations: Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, Dubinin–Radushkevich, Radke–Prausnite, Sips, Viet–Sladek, and Brouers–Sotolongo isotherms and it was found that the Freundlich isotherm model fitted the adsorption data most. Adsorption rate constants were determined using pseudo first-order, pseudo second-order rate equation, Elovich, and Avrami kinetic models. The adsorption of RBBR dye onto DSAC followed pseudo second-order model and the mechanism of adsorption was...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors used Canna x generalis reeds to remove contaminants from secondary wastewater of NMAM Institute of Technology (NMAMIT), Nitte, Udupi District, India.
26 Oct 2015
TL;DR: The main challenges encountered by rice processors in Nigeria are to find appropriate solutions for quality rice processing and to guide decision-making to be self-sufficient in rice production, thereby making some improvement in Nigerian economy.
Abstract: Rice is the most economically important food crop in many developing countries and has also become a major crop in many developed countries where its consumption has increased considerably. It has become necessary to meet the demand of the world’s current population growth rate, and the least costly means for achieving this aim is to increase rice productivity, wherever possible. The main challenges encountered by rice processors in Nigeria are to find appropriate solutions for quality rice processing. Therefore this work provides basic information about the challenges of rice processing and focuses on the challenges faced by the small scale rice processors and reasons for continuous rice importation with a view to guiding decision-making to be self-sufficient in rice production, thereby making some improvement in Nigerian economy.
TL;DR: The findings indicate that in contrast to strengthening a dose-dependent effect phenomenon, the two forms of inorganic arsenic induced lipotoxic and non-lipotoxic dyslipidemia at “low” or “medium” doses might be responsible for the cardiovascular and other disease endpoints of in organic arsenic exposure through drinking water.
Abstract: Recent epidemiological evidences indicate close association between inorganic arsenic exposure via drinking water and cardiovascular diseases. However, the exact mechanism of this arsenic-mediated increase in cardiovascular risk factors remains enigmatic. In order to investigate the effects of inorganic arsenic exposure on lipid metabolism, male albino rats were exposed to 50, 100 and 150 ppm arsenic as sodium arsenite and 100, 150 and 200 ppm arsenic as sodium arsenate respectively in their drinking water for 12 weeks. Dyslipidemia induced by the two arsenicals exhibited different patterns. Hypocholesterolemia characterised the effect of arsenite at all the doses, but arsenate induced hypercholesterolemia at the 150 ppm As dose. Hypertriglyceridemia was the hallmark of arsenate effect whereas plasma free fatty acids (FFAs) was increased by the two arsenicals. Reverse cholesterol transport was inhibited by the two arsenicals as evidenced by decreased HDL cholesterol concentrations whereas hepatic cholesterol was increased by arsenite (100 ppm As), but decreased by arsenite (150 ppm As) and arsenate (100 ppm As) respectively. Brain cholesterol and triglyceride were decreased by the two arsenicals; arsenate decreased the renal content of cholesterol, but increased renal content of triglyceride. Arsenite, on the other hand, increased the renal contents of the two lipids. The two arsenicals induced phospholipidosis in the spleen. Arsenite (150 ppm As) and arsenate (100 ppm As) inhibited hepatic HMG CoA reductase. At other doses of the two arsenicals, hepatic activity of the enzyme was up-regulated. The two arsenicals however up-regulated the activity of the brain enzyme. We observed positive associations between tissue arsenic levels and plasma FFA and negative associations between tissue arsenic levels and HDL cholesterol. Our findings indicate that even though sub-chronic exposure to arsenite and arsenate through drinking water produced different patterns of dyslipidemia, our study identified two common denominators of dyslipidemia namely: inhibition of reverse cholesterol transport and increase in plasma FFA. These two denominators (in addition to other individual perturbations of lipid metabolism induced by each arsenical), suggest that in contrast to strengthening a dose-dependent effect phenomenon, the two forms of inorganic arsenic induced lipotoxic and non-lipotoxic dyslipidemia at “low” or “medium” doses and these might be responsible for the cardiovascular and other disease endpoints of inorganic arsenic exposure through drinking water.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors used Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) for the modelling of bio-hydrogen yield in microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) by using a committee of five ANNs.
Abstract: The enhancement of hydrogen yield in microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) requires a robust process model that accurately relates the effect of anodic physicochemical input variables to the process output. Artificial neural networks (ANNs) have been used for the modelling of complex and non-linear processes. This paper reports the modelling of biohydrogen yield in MECs by using a committee of five ANNs. A topology of 6–(6, 8, 11, 12, 14)–1 was adopted, corresponding to the number of neurons of inputs, hidden (varied) and output layers. The ANN inputs were substrate type, substrate concentration, pH, temperature, applied voltage and reactor configuration. Model development was carried out with 50 data points from 15 published studies. The coefficients of determination (R2) between the experimental and predicted hydrogen yields for the five models were as follows: 0.90, 0.81, 0.85, 0.70 and 0.80. Model validation on new MEC processes showed a strong correlation between the observed and predicted hydrogen yie...
TL;DR: In this article, an Activated Carbon produced from pomelo peels (PPAC) was tested for its effectiveness in the removal of malachite green (MG) dye from aqueous solution.
Abstract: Activated carbon produced from pomelo peels (PPAC) was tested for its effectiveness in the removal of malachite green (MG) dye from aqueous solution. The PPAC prepared was characterized using TGA, BET, FTIR, SEM, pHpzc, Elemental analysis and Boehm titration, respectively. The extent of dye adsorption was investigated as a function of pH, contact time, adsorbate concentration and solution temperature. Dye removal was pH dependent, resulting in 95.06% removal at pH 8.0. Quantum chemical studies suggested that the cationic MG dye possessed minimal molecular size at planar geometry coupled with high-electrostatic interaction thereby, enhancing the adsorption at high pH. Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin–Radushkevich (D–R) equilibrium isotherms were used to fit the adsorption data. Langmuir isotherm fit the adsorption data most with maximum monolayer adsorption capacity of 178.43 mg/g. The kinetic data fitted the pseudo-second-order model with correlation coefficient greater than 0.99. The mean free en...
TL;DR: The Logarithmic and Parabolic model was found to best describe the oven and sun drying of cocoyam respectively and the vitamin C and beta-carotene value of the dried cocoysam slicesgenerally decreased with an increase in drying temperature.
Abstract: The effect of pretreatment and drying temperature on the drying kinetics and quality of cocoyam was investigated in this study. The best model to predict the drying kinetics was also determined. Cocoyam slices were pretreated by water blanching (WB) and soaking in sodium metabisulphite (SM) and dried in a hot air oven at temperatures of 50, 60 and 70 °C while untreated samples were sun dried. Seventhin layer drying models (Exponential, Generalized Exponential, Page, Logarithmic, Parabolic, Wang and Singh and Two-term) were fitted to the experimental data and selection was done basedon model with highest correlationcoefficient (R2), and lowest reduced chi-square (χ
2), sum square error (SSE) and root mean square error (RMSE) respectively. The Logarithmic and Parabolic model was found to best describe the oven and sun drying of cocoyam respectively. The vitamin C and beta-carotene value of the dried cocoyam slices, which varied from 0.0038 to 0.0075 and 4.1 to 5.888 mg/100 g respectivelygenerally decreased with an increase in drying temperature.
TL;DR: This study showed high resistance of E. coli to antibiotics, particularly to the third generation cephalosporins, and regular monitoring and regulated use of antibiotics in livestock should be encouraged.
Abstract: Production of extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) producing E. coli in animals and different methods of identifications from Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria, were investigated. Three hundred and fifty fecal samples, collected from apparently healthy cattle and pigs, were cultured and identified following standard procedures. ESBL phenotypic detection was carried out using combination disc test, double disc synergism test, and ESBL brilliance agar screening. Molecular detection of TEM, SHV, and CTX-M genes was carried out using standard molecular method. One hundred and fourteen E. coli isolates were recovered from the 350 samples processed, out of which 72 (63.2%) isolates were positive for ESBLs with multiple resistance to the antibiotics used. Eighty-one (71%) isolates were positive for ESBL by combination disc test, 90 (78.9%) were positive for double disc synergism test, and 93 (81.6%) were positive for ESBL brilliance agar. TEM and CTX-M genes were detected in 48 (42.1%) and 51 (44.7%) isolates, respectively. SHV gene was not detected in any of the isolates while TEM and CTX-M were detected in 33 (28.9%) isolates. This study showed high resistance of E. coli to antibiotics, particularly to the third generation cephalosporins. Regular monitoring and regulated use of antibiotics in livestock should be encouraged.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated the effect of plantain peels as co-substrate in the co-digestion of cow dung for efficient and high biogas production.
Abstract: This work investigated the effect of plantain peels as co-substrate in the anaerobic digestion of cow dung for efficient and high biogas production. The biogas experiments were carried out in two different 5 L anaerobic digesters and incubated for 40 days at ambient mesophilic temperatures (28 o C to 34 °C). The results showed that co-digestion of cow dung with plantain peels as co-substrate reduced start-up time for biogas generation and increased biogas yield by 18% as compared to cow dung alone. Peak biogas production was obtained for both digesters at pH of 6.7 and 6.9 as well as temperature of 29 and 30 o C, respectively. Modelling study revealed that exponential plot simulated better in both ascending and descending limb than the linear plot the biogas production rates in biogas production from cow dung co-digested with plantain peels and cow dung alone, respectively. Logistic growth model and modified Gompertz plot showed better correlation of cumulative biogas production than exponential rise to maximum plot. These results show that biogas production can be enhanced efficiently through co-digestion process.
TL;DR: Most participants did not have a good level of knowledge about risk factors, prevention, treatment and association with diabetes as it relates to heart diseases, and effective education on heart disease risk factors and appropriate preventive strategies are indeed important to reduce cardiovascular disease burden in Nigerian University communities.
Abstract: Introduction: Cardiovascular disease is the commonest cause of mortality worldwide. Many risk factors predate the development of cardiovascular diseases. Adequate knowledge of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases is the first step towards effective preventive strategies to combat the cardiovascular diseases burden in any population. This study aims to determine the knowledge of workers in a Nigerian University on risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 206 academic and non-academic staff of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria using the Heart Disease Fact Questionnaire (HDFQ). Demographic data were taken. The lipid profile and random blood sugar were taken. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS 17.0. Results: The mean age of the study participants was 45.3 7.9 years. There were 96 males (46.6%). The mean HDFQ score was 48.6%. Only 41 (19.9%) of participants were assessed to have good knowledge of heart disease risk factors. Majority, 101 (49.0%) had poor knowledge while 64 (31.2%) had fair knowledge of heart disease risk factors. There was no significant difference between prevalence of CV risk factors between those with good or fair or low level of knowledge. Most participants did not have a good level of knowledge about risk factors, prevention, treatment and association with diabetes as it relates to heart diseases. Conclusion: Knowledge of heart disease risk factors is low among University workers in Nigeria. Effective education on heart disease risk factors and appropriate preventive strategies are indeed important to reduce cardiovascular disease burden in Nigerian University communities.
TL;DR: The data support the effectiveness of stroke-specific task-shifting training for non-neurologist health workers in a low resource setting and Interim studies with intermediate outcomes are needed to show that improved knowledge results in better care despite resource limitation.
TL;DR: Economic burden of DM was high for PLWD who also suffered high catastrophic costs due to the impact of out of pocket payment, and all socio-economic status groups suffered catastrophic expenditure but the poorest quartile had the highest incidence.
Abstract: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a life-long illness that affects the quality of life, requiring close monitoring and control. Type 2 DM is preventable and controllable but increasing cost of care could hinder access to quality care because of inability to pay leading to high morbidity, mortality and productivity losses. The people living with diabetes mellitus (PLWD) in Nigeria have high risk for high economic burden and catastrophic expenditure not only because they make frequent visits to the health facilities, report late with complications but also pay out of pocket at the point of accessing care. The aim of this study was to assess the magnitude of economic burden borne and catastrophic costs incurred by PLWD in Nigeria. Cross-sectional descriptive survey design was used to study a sample of 308 type2 PLWD managed at a tertiary health institution, South east Nigeria using semi-structured, prevalidated questionnaire. Data collection period was 2 months. The major findings were economic burden of type 2 DM of N56,245 ($356). Catastrophic direct cost was 45 % at 30 % threshold (the determinant level for catastrophic spending set). All socio-economic status (SES) groups suffered catastrophic expenditure but the poorest quartile had the highest incidence. Economic burden of DM was high for PLWD who also suffered high catastrophic costs due to the impact of out of pocket payment. PLWD need financial protection especially for the poorest since they buy from the same market and incur same costs. Policy decision making to assist the PLWD cope with cost of care is needful in Nigeria and nations with related problems.
TL;DR: Hypertensive subjects attending specialty clinic seems to have a better adherence to antihypertensive medications possibly due to the level of health education and information provided to patients, and those with good adherence were likely to be older, had a higher level of education and higher average monthly income than those with poor adherence.
Abstract: Background: Poor adherence to antihypertensive medications has been linked with increased cardiovascular risk and mortality in many population. Africans have been shown to have a worse prognosis from hypertension, poorer blood pressure control, and increased risk of complications arising from hypertension compared to Caucasians. Aim: The aim was to describe the level of adherence to antihypertensive medications, its determinants and whether any difference exist between those attending specialty clinic or general outpatient department (GOPD) Clinic in a Nigerian University Teaching Hospital. Subjects and Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study. The Morisky scale was used to assess for adherence to antihypertensive medications. Clinical and demographic data were taken. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 17.0. (Chicago, IL, USA). P Results: A total of 114 hypertensive subjects were recruited for this study. Seventy-nine were from the cardiology clinic whereas 35 were from the GOPD. They consisted of 60 males (52.6%, 60/114) and 54 females (47.4%, 54/110). The mean age was 63.6 (14.1) years. High adherence, low adherence and medium adherence as defined by Morisky scale was found in 36.8% (42/114), 23.9% (27/114) and 39.5% (45/114), respectively. Adherence level was higher among those attending specialty clinic despite shorter duration of hypertension and use of more medications. More than four-fifth of those attending cardiology clinic had at least medium level of adherence compared to a little bit over half of those attending GOPD clinic. Those with good adherence were likely to be older, had a higher level of education and higher average monthly income than those with poor adherence. Conclusion: Poor adherence to medications is very common in the hypertensive Nigerians. Hypertensive subjects attending specialty clinic seems to have a better adherence to antihypertensive medications possibly due to the level of health education and information provided to patients. Effective health education and regular screening for compliance and adherence is a potential way to reduce cardiovascular risk associated with uncontrolled hypertension.
TL;DR: Behavioural response to varying doses of MSG as observed in the open field is affected by modifications such as foraging enrichment, which can reverse or dampen the central effects seen irrespective of duration of administration.
Abstract: BACKGROUND Environmental enrichment can enhance expression of species-specific behaviour. While foraging enrichment is encouraged in laboratory animals, its impact on novelty induced behaviour remain largely unknown. PURPOSE Here, we studied behavioural response of mice to acute and subchronic oral monosodium glutamate (MSG) in an open field with /without foraging enrichment. METHODS Adult male mice, assigned to five groups were administered vehicle (distilled water), or one of four selected doses of MSG (10, 20, 40 and 80 mg/kg) for 21 days. Open field novelty induced behaviours i.e. horizontal locomotion, rearing and grooming were assessed after the first and last doses of MSG. Results were analysed using MANOVA followed by Tukey HSD multiple comparison test and expressed as mean ± S.E.M. RESULTS Following acute MSG administration without enrichment, locomotor activity reduced, grooming increased, while rearing activity reduced at lower doses and increased at higher doses. Subchronic administration without enrichment was associated with increased locomotor activity and reduction in grooming, rearing activity however still showed a biphasic response. Addition of enrichment with acute administration resulted in sustained reduction in locomotor and rearing activities with a biphasic grooming response. Subchronically, there was reduction in horizontal locomotion, biphasic rearing response and sustained increase in grooming activity. CONCLUSION Behavioural response to varying doses of MSG as observed in the open field is affected by modifications such as foraging enrichment, which can reverse or dampen the central effects seen irrespective of duration of administration.