iosr-JPBS   Volume-10 ~ Issue-3 ~ May-June 2015

Abstract: According to recent findings both X and Y chromosome could have evolved from autosomal ancestors about 300 million years ago. In humans, the typical male has a diploid karyotype of 46 chromosomes i.e. 22 pairs of autosomes and XY pair of gonosomes(46,XY).A standard female karyotype is 46 XX.Thus humans are dimorphic: there is one type of humans who are males and the other type is female. The basis of sexual dimorphism in mammals derives from evolution of sex chromosomes (1). Probably a failure occurred in homologous recombination which resulted in the formation of a small area that was not identical to the two participating chromosomes.

Abstract: The study was carried out to determine the prevalence of some skin diseases among pupils in primary schools, in this case, class five students aged between 12 – 16 years were used. Skin diseases which include athlete's foot, ringworm and scabies which are common on African children were studied. A simple questionnaire The was designed and administered to each of the randomly selected pupils, in addition, the pupils were also interviewed to establish a relationship between their responses and what the interviewer gathered and observed from the pupils body as these diseases can be seen physically by the interviewer. Out of the 500 pupils sampled, one hundred and fourty seven (147) an equivalent of 24.9 % suffered from one or two of these diseases.

Key words: skin infection, children, prevalence, primary schools, Kano

Abstract: BACKGROUND:Emblicaofficinalis (EO), popularly known as amla is a common household remedy used in Indian indigenous system of medicine for several common ailments. Objectives:To evaluate the role of serotonergic system in the anxiolytic-like effect of EO aqueous extract in mice after acute and chronic administration using hole board test. Materials And Methods:Hole board test (Brown et al) was used to evaluate the anxiolytic-like effect of EO extract in mice after acute and chronic administration (10 days). Probable mechanism of action of the extract was investigated by pretreatment with pindolol (a β-blocker with 5HT1A antagonist activity). The number of dips &locomotor activity of mice were the parameters recorded and analyzed using One-way ANOVA statistical test.

Abstract: Microbiological and physicochemical analysis of 30 samples of Sachet–packaged drinking water popularly called "Pure Water‟ procured from 5 villages in BorguLocal Government Area of Niger State Nigeria,namely: New Bussa, Wawa, Malale, Dogongari and Sabo were carried out to evaluate their suitability for drinking. Microbiological examination for total counts of bacteria such as faecalColiform, Escherichia coli, Vibrio sp; Salmonella sp; Streptococci and Staphylococci sppwas performed. Coliform counts of 10-200cfu/ml; E. coli counts of 0.2-8.0cfu/ml;Staphylococcus aureus counts 10-2000cfu/ml and total plate count of 120-1400cfu/ml were obtained in 4, 2,3,3, and 5 samples respectively out of the 6 tested from each village.

Abstract: The work outlines the fungicidal properties of silver nanoparticles synthesized through a simple and an effective reduction technique using silver acetate and dodecylamine in a single step, and the synthesized silver nanoparticles are encapsulated into the scaffolds of bovin serum albumin(BSA) conjugates, which offers enhanced stability and performance for both the host and and the guest. The average size, size distribution, morphology, and structure of particles were determined by UV/Visible spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and X-ray Diffraction analysis (XRD). We determined the fungal inhibition in order to evaluate the antifungal efficacy of silver nanoparticle encapsulated BSA against selected fungal strains using well diffusion method, which ensures its potential ability as an antimicrobial agent for therapeutic purposes as well as for antimicrobial coating materials. Keywords- antifungal, bovin serum albumin, encapsulation, silver nanoparticle.

Abstract: This study aimed at assessing the probiotic potential of two folate producing strains Streptococcus thermophilus NCIM 2904 and L. helveticus NCIM 2733, yogurt starter culture by in vitro tests. S. thermophilus was better able to survive at pH 1 and 2% bile salt with a positive bile salt hydrolase activity, good cell surface hydrophobicity, moderate antimicrobial activity against almost all the tested clinically important indicator strains except Shigella flexneri and sensitivity to most of the clinically important antibiotics. On evaluation gastric acidity tolerance, S. thermophilus showed viable count of 4.7±0.56 log c.f.u. ml-1 after 3 h of incubation at pH low as 1.0 indicated good degree of acid tolerance whereas L. helveticus showed very less tolerance as viable count was found to be 2.35±0.35 log c.f.u. ml-1. For intestinal adaptability, S. thermophilus showed better survival than L. helveticus at 2% bile as viable count was 7.15±0.2 log cfu mL-1 and 4.8±0.14 log cfu mL-1 respectively. S. thermophilus showed better percentage of cell surface hydrophobicity i.e. 19.2 % with xylene than n-hexadecane indicating ability to adhere to intestinal cells.

Abstract: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is the most common entrapment neuropathy, caused by compression of median nerve in the Carpal Tunnel at wrist, presenting with tingling and numbness of the thumb, index and middle fingers. Aim: To study the signs and symptoms and various Electrophysiological parameters in patients suggestive of CTS. Materials And Methods: A Total number of 50 patients suggestive of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome were examined in both the hands. A of total number of 30 healthy volunteers served as controls. Electro Physiological evaluation was done bilaterally using neuro perfect model – Medicaid system..

Abstract: Coriandrum sativum Linn (Dhanyaka; Apiaceae) is a widely used medicinal plant throughout India and popular in various Indigenous System of Medicine like Ayurveda, and Siddha. Plants have been used for medical purposes since the beginning of human history and are the basis of modern medicine. Most chemotherapeutic drugs for cancer treatment are molecules identified and isolated from plants or their synthetic derivatives. Isolation of Umbelliferone belongs to sesquiterpene coumarin and β-Ionone to monoterpenoids are the first time record from this species.The main objective of the study was designed to isolate of Umbelliferone(C9H6O3) and Beta – Ionone(C13H20O) from aerial part of the Coriandrum Sativum Linn by Column chromatography and structure of the compounds were identified by UV ,IR,1H-NMR ,13C-NMR and HMBC techniques respectively by direct comparison of the spectra with those reported in literature The MTT assay results for 24 hrs and 72 hrs incubation of RR 2386(Umbelliferone) and RR2387(β-Ionone ) samples at the concentrations 1000,500,250,125 and 62.5% showed increased A-549 (Human Small Lung Cacinoma), HT-29 (Human Colon Carcinoma), HeLa (Human Cervical Carcinoma) RPMI (Human Nasal Septum Cacinoma) and HEp G2 (Human Liver Carcinoma) Cells viability as the concentration got diluted. In the present study, the treatment with the 2386 (Umbelliferone) and RR2387(β-Ionone ) suppressed the cell viability up to 62.5% at 1000 and 500 μg/ml concentrations when compared to the untreated cells.

Abstract: It is incredible to all that, even the modern genetic scientists show gender discrimination. But, it is true. Logical thinking itself reveals us that certain secrets, which cannot be observed through an electron microscope, exist.

Abstract: This study was carried out to evaluate antidiabetic activity of chloroform extracts of the root of Nauclea latifolia in both normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Phytochemical analysis of the root extracts of Nauclea latifolia revealed the presence of bioactive compounds such as alkaloids, tannins, saponins, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, steroids and terpenoids capable of eliciting biochemical and pharmacological actions and may be responsible for it significant antidiabetic action in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. This is an indication that chloroform is suitable in extracting the active phytochemicals present in the plant.

Abstract: Antimicrobial resistance is a growing threat worldwide. Predominant mechanism for resistance to the β -lactam antibiotics in Gram negative bacilli is the production of β -lactamases. The present work was aimed to evaluate the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of 368 isolates, isolated from more than 563 clinical samples towards Piperacillin/tazobactam, Imipenem/cilastatin, Amoxacillin/Clavulanic acid and compared its efficacy with a new antibiotic adjuvant entity Elores (ceftriaxone+sulbactam with adjuvant ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid/EDTA). Among the samples which showed the presence of pathogens, around 47.3 % samples were of urine followed by blood, pus and sputum samples which contributed to 36.0 %, 8.7% and 5.2 % respectively. Among the isolates, E. coli (61.4 %) was found to be the most dominant pathogen. Klebsiella species (22.0 %), and P. aeruginosa (14.4 %), also contributed significantly to the isolated pool of pathogens followed by A. baumannii (1.1 %), and P. mirabilis (1.1 %).

Abstract: Impact of aqueous extracts of leaves of Tithonia diversifolia (Mexican sunflower) and Vernonia amygdalina (bitter leaf) on aspects of Sitophilus zeamais bionomics were investigated at concentrations of 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 % under fluctuating ambient temperature and relative humidity in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria. T. diversifolia recorded higher toxicity (43.0 %) at concentration of 1.5 % after 96 hours of exposure. The plant failed to match the efficacy of permethrin insecticide (P < 0.05) that killed 70 % of the weevils in 24 hours, causing 100 % mortality after 72 hours at a lower concentration of 0.5 %. However, at concentrations of 1.0 and 1.5 %, hot water leaf extract of T. diversifolia in particular, matched the efficacy of the conventional synthetic insecticide (P > 0.05) in deterring oviposition in female S. zeamais.

Abstract: The ultimate purpose of this study was to assess that the t,t CLA (trans trans Conjugated Linoleic Acid) is a powerful anticancer agent in a number of tumor model systems. Here, we report that a mixture of t,t CLA isomers was able to significantly inhibited mammary tumorigenesis with the reduction of phospholipase A2 (PLA2) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression levels referenced with c9,t11 CLA, t10,c12 CLA, and Linolieic Acid (LA). Female Sprague Dawley rats were intraperitoneally injected with MNU and were subjected to five diets groups for 16 weeks. COX-2 and cPLA2 are associated with cancer cell survival and tumor angiogenesis, consequently arachidonic acid itself is a strong apoptotic signal that may facilitate cancer cell death.

Abstract: Assessment of heavy metal contents in soil samples from seven roadside sites of Agra district was undertaken. The present study was conducted in pre and post monsoon seasons to find the variations in heavy metal contents in soil samples. Topsoil samples (0-15 cm) were taken at various sites, the metal analyzed were Cd , Cu , Pb , and Zn . Soil samples were taken at three different distances away from each roadside site. some physicochemical parameters of soils(pH, ECe ,OC , CO3-2 , HCO3 -) in both seasons were also studied .The heavy metals concentrations in most of the soil samples were found to be significantly higher in pre monsoon season. The effect of season on heavy metals concentration was found significant at 5% levels in most of the soil samples which shows that the difference between the concentrations of metals in two seasons were significantly different. Levels of Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn in pre monsoon soils were ND- 7.8, ND- 14.7, 8.0- 41.4 and 17.7- 70.4 mg/kg respectively while in post monsoon soils, it were found to be ND-7.2, ND-13.9, 3.0-38.3 and 14.4- 68.6 mg/kg respectively.

Keywords: Heavy metal, seasonal variations, physicochemical parameters, pre monsoon soils, post monsoon soils

Abstract: Hypoglycemia is a common complication associated with treatment of diabetes. Often mild, in its more severe forms, hypoglycemia can cause seizures, coma, and even death. [1] Hypoglycemia is a condition characterized by abnormally low blood glucose (blood sugar) levels, usually less than 70 mg/dl. The spectrum of symptoms depends on duration and severity of hypoglycemia and varied from autonomic activation to behavioral changes to altered cognitive function to seizures or coma.

Abstract: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, a viral disease, is of great concern to health community due to its adverse effect on the liver of infected individual. This is a retrospective study that was designed to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B infection among intending blood donors in Ogbomoso. Paucity of data as regards prevalence of HBV among blood donors in Ogbomoso necessitated this study. A total number of two thousand three hundred and twenty nine (2329) blood donors were recruited within the period of two years (2012-2013) for this study. Out of eight hundred and fifty seven (857) prospective donors recruited in year 2012, ninety eight (98) were tested positive to HBsAg giving a prevalence rate of 11.4% while one hundred and sixty three (163) donors were tested positive.