iosr-JPBS   Volume-9 ~ Issue-1 ~ Jan-Feb 2014

Abstract: The aim of the present research was to study the relationship between handgrip strength with body mass index in 400 randomly selected Secondary School Students in Kano metropolis, Nigeria. The students were from Two Secondary Schools and were aged between 14-18 years with mean age of 16.00±1.35. Various anthropometric variables studied include, the height, weight, BMI, hand width and length, upper and lower arm length, mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) and handgrip strength were measured using standard anthropometric measurement techniques. The results show that male students had higher mean values in height (16.00±1.35kg), weight (46.34±8.30cm), hand length (19.34±0.98cm), hand width (10.45±0.90cm), forearm length (27.93±1.92cm), arm length (31.93±2.46cm) and handgrip strength (35.63±17.17), while having lower mean values in BMI (17.45±2.30) and MUAC (24.23±2.26cm). Male students had a higher mean handgrip strength which is significantly correlated (P≤0.01) with all the variables studied while female students had handgrip strength with a significant positive correlation (P≤0.01) with some of the variables. It may be concluded that handgrip strength had strong positive correlations with all the anthropometric variables associated with BMI in Nigerian Secondary School Students of Kano metropolis.

Keywords: Hand grip; BMI, Anthropometric Variables; Weight; Height; Hand; Students; Kano

Abstract: The present study was carried out to find out the antibacterial activity and phytochemical study of Mangifera indica (leaf) and Musa paradisiaca (root) extracts against some common pathogens. In this study, the leaf and root extracts of M. indica and M. paradisiaca respectively were subjected to screening against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Antimicrobial analysis was done by using agar well diffusion and the MIC values were determined by using macro-broth dilution method. The ethanol extract of M.paradisiaca produced the highest antibacterial activity against S.aureus (10.40 + 0.04) followed by the ethanol extract of M.indica against P.mirabilis (9.52 + 0.06). The antimicrobial activity of standard antibiotics Gentamycin and Trimethoprim were studied in comparison with the plant extracts. The phytochemical analysis showed the presence of alkaloid, flavonoid, tannins, saponins, glycosides and anthraquiones. Biological active compounds present in these plant extracts have always been of great interest to scientist as they play an important physiological and etiological role hence they are of great commercial interest with multiple application on pharmaceutical industries.

Keywords: Antibacterial activity, Extracts, Phytochemical study, some common pathogens.

Abstract: The antibacterial activities of Eucalyptus officinalis extracts were studied. The antibacterial efficiency of the above mentioned plant was evaluated according to agar diffusion and broth dilution methods by using Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis and Pseuomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates and typed cultures. The most susceptible bacteria were E. coli followed by S. aureus while the most resistant bacteria were Pseud. aeruginosa followed by P. mirabilis and Strept. Pneumoniae. From the screening experiment, the hot water extract produced the highest inhibitory effect 17.22+0.14 and 17.63+0.06 against the clinical isolated and typed culture respectively, hence this plant can be further subjected to isolation of the therapeutic antimicrobials and pharmacological evaluation.

Keywords: antibacterial activity, bacterial strains, crude leaf extract, Eucalyptus officinalis, pathogenic,

Abstract: Phytochemical screening and antidiabetic effects of methanolic extract of Azadirachtaindica leaf was investigated in Alloxan induced diabetic rats. The phytochemical screening indicates the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, steroids, tannins and phenolic compounds. The methanolic leaf extract of A. indica administered orally, significantly (P<0.05) lowered blood glucose concentration (mg/dl) in alloxan induced diabetic rats from (444.75 + 36.36) to (83.00 + 4.26) at 500mg/kg b.w while the standard drug Glibenclamide significantly (P<0.05) lowered blood glucose from (350.75 + 60.91) to (84.50 + 569) at 0.6mg/kg b.w. The methanolic leaf extract had no significant (P>0.05) effect on the weight of the rats. However, there was significant weight (g) loss for the untreated rats from (167.25 + 2.01) to (129 + 1.89). In this study, the results obtained revealed that A. indica is a potent hypoglycemic agent as Glibenclamide and could serve as a remedy in the management and treatment of diabetes mellitus.

Keywords: Hypoglycemia, diabetes, phytochemical, extracts

Abstract: A simple, accurate and precise HPTLC method for simultaneous estimation of Cefoperazone sodium and Sulbactam sodium as bulk and dry powder for injection in combined dosages form is described in this paper. A mobile phase of Chloroform: Ethyl alcohol: Diethyl amine: Water (14: 16:8:1.2 v/v) was used after optimization at different concentrations for the development of densitogram. Aluminum plate coated with the silica Gel 60 F254 was used as stationary phase. Densitometric evaluation of the separated bands was performed at 274 nm. The Rf values of Cefoperazone sodium and Sulbactam sodium were 0.41 ± 0.01 and 0.56 ± 0.01respectively.

Abstract: 16 accessions of Marchantia nepalensis were studied for mycorrhizal invasion in the rhizoids and thallus. fungal hyphae/vesicles/arbuscules were recorded in all the samples. The fungal hyphae never colonized the sporophytic tissue. The fungal structures observed in M. nepalensis during the present study are similar to those reported for the plant host-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) interactions. Spores of seven species of Glomus have also been isolated from rhizosphere soils of M. nepalensis. Keywords: Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, bryophytes, hepatics

Abstract: Meloidogyne incognita is one of the major disease causing agents of Mulberry. This pathogen causes root knot disease in mulberry which causes 12-25% yield loss. There are a number of management techniques for the management of nematode but no single method alone can control this problem. So, in the present study an integration of different ecofriendly biocontrol methods were selected to know their efficacy on the management of root knot nematode in different mulberry varieties viz.Tr10, DD,V1RFS175,K2 and MS8. It was found that this integrated nematode management method can control nematode problem up to 83.30 % in Tr10 variety which is highest among the six varieties selected. And the less percentage of reduction and growth of plants was observed in MS8 variety. Highest percentage of growth and yield was observed in Tr10 variety.

Key words: Meloidogyneincognita, Verticilliumchlamidosporium, Vesicular Arbuscular mychorrhizae(VAM), Neem cake, Mulberry Yield, Yield loss,Root gall.

Abstract: The antibacterial activities of Eucalyptus officinalis extracts were studied. The antibacterial efficiency of the above mentioned plant was evaluated according to agar diffusion and broth dilution methods by using Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis and Pseuomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates and typed cultures. The most susceptible bacteria were E. coli followed by S. aureus while the most resistant bacteria were Pseud. aeruginosa followed by P. mirabilis and Strept. Pneumoniae. From the screening experiment, the hot water extract produced the highest inhibitory effect 17.22+0.14 and 17.63+0.06 against the clinical isolated and typed culture respectively, hence this plant can be further subjected to isolation of the therapeutic antimicrobials and pharmacological evaluation.

Keywords: antibacterial activity, bacterial strains, crude leaf extract, Eucalyptus officinalis, pathogenic,

Abstract: Diabetes is one of the most challenging health problems in 21 century and insulin is the only effective treatment for type 1 diabetes mellitus and also an alternative treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus in some conditions, and since the cost of insulin increased dramatically since 1990s, herbs and medicinal plants with a hypoglycemic effect become more popular especially in developing countries as a lower cost alternatives, Bauhinia varigta leaves alcoholic extract hypoglycemic activity were evaluated and compared to that of soluble insulin in alloxanized diabetic mice. HPLC analysis was applied to identify the presence of protiens similar to soluble insulin, also biological effects of the extract on sperm head morphology was evaluated.

Abstract: Schistosomiasis in humans is a major public health problem worldwide. Schistosomiasis occurs in 76 tropical countries and it is estimated that 85% of the infections are in Africa. In Kenya, it is estimated that 3 million people are infected. The Conventional drugs are effective in the treatment of the disease but very little progress has been achieved on treatment of Schistosomiasis in Kenya. Any effort towards developing alternative drugs for the disease is worthwhile.

Abstract: The present investigation focuses on the floristic composition in wet temperate forests of Pakistan. This area was selected as it has variation and diversity i.e. downward the tropical thorn forests and upward the alpine meadows. Wet temperate forest has high diversity of vulnerable plant species. It is situated in the Galiat Forest plants division of Abbottabad between 34◦-1' to 34◦-3.8' N latitude and 73◦-2222.8' to 73◦-27.1' E longitude over an area of about 1684 hectares. Five hierarchy levels of classification of 27 sites were analyzed by (DCA). Four plant associations were recognized on the basis of cluster analysis. Deterended Correspondence Analysis (DCA) and Correlation Coefficient to detect the relationship between altitude and some environmental factors with the composition and structure of plants communities. The major families were Rosaceae, Pteridaceae, Pinaceae, Lamiaceae and Asteraceae.

Abstract: The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of copper stress on FH 810 and Yousaf wala cultivars of Zea mays. From the study it is cleared that high concentrations of copper had negative effect on growth and photosynthetic attributes of both cultivars, as growth of plant decreased with increasing copper levels, same is the case with chlorophyll and carotenoid contents. FH 810 was more tolerant to copper stress than Yousaf wala cultivar. So, it is recommended that at high copper stress levels cultivation of FH 810 would be promoted than other one.

Key Words: Copper, Zea mays, growth and pigments

Abstract: Lacosamide is a newer antiepileptic drug with a novel mode of action and is being increasingly used in children as an add-on drug in the treatment of refractory epilepsy. Its safety, efficacy and tolerance in adults, favorable pharmacokinetic profiles are encouraging its use in children. Because of lack of large studies in children the full spectrum of side effects of this drug in children is not clear.

Abstract: This study evaluated some serum biochemistry in albino wistar rats treated with tobacco diet. Twenty wistar rats weighing between 80-190g were randomly assigned into two groups of ten (10) each. Group A were fed normal rat chow, while group B were fed with tobacco diet of 80g of animal chow mixed with 20g of granulated tobacco. They were fed for 28 days and had free access to drinking water. The result showed that the mean total protein concentration in the tobacco group (18.40+2.74g/l) was not significantly different (P<0.05) when compared to the control. Glucose was significantly lower compared to the control while the lipid concentration was significantly higher (P<0.001) when compared to the control group. Intake of tobacco, is capable of altering the protein, lipid and blood glucose concentration indicating that tobacco consumption may be dangerous to health.

Key words: Tobacco, Wistar rats, serum biochemistry

Abstract: It is estimated that the people affected by Hepatitis C worldwide is around 250 million and chronic carrier of hepatitis B are around 400 million. In present study a total of 450 young adults apparently healthy from Bannu district were screened for anti-HCV antibodies by using Immunochromatographic kits. Among them the male young adults were 280 and female young adults were 170 of the age 15 to 26 years of age. The positive samples were further proceeds for ELISA. The ELIZA positive samples were further conformed for RNA (HCV) in the blood by real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The PCR positive samples were further genotyped.

Abstract: hydroxyapatite (HAP, Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2) nanoparticles are important biocompatible materials and were successfully synthesized by a new and simple precipitation process using calcium hydroxide, phosphoric acid as phosphorus (P) and calcium (Ca) precursors and sodium hydroxide (NaOH). The crystal structures and morphologies of the as synthesized hydroxyapatite were analyzed by X-ray diffractions (X-ray), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Single phase HAP, with an average grain size of about 19 nm and surface area of 61 m2/g, was obtained. Additionally, the antibacterial activity of the as synthesized HAP nanoparticles related to gram positive and gram negative bacteria's were examined, too. Finally, the obtained results indicated that the HAP nanoparticles possess excellent and a broad spectrum antibacterial activity and it can potentially be applied in medical and environmental fields.

Key Words: hydroxyapatite nanoparticles, microstructure, antibacterial activity

Abstract: The present study deals with the improvement of the Vitamin B12 production by newly isolated Rhizobium sp. For this purpose various medium components were studied with Statistical approach to design fermentation medium. Eight variables were screened using Plackett Burman design. Further four selected variables were preceded with full factorial. Three significant variables from full factorial design such as mono sodium glutamate, cobalt nitrate and choline chloride concentration were optimized by using central composite design with response surface methodology.

Abstract: Herbal cardio protective preparations are often used as an add-on therapy in cardiac disorders and such herbal preparations often contain multiple components which are responsible for Herb-Drug Interaction. Hence, the effect of mandarin oil on the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic of nicorandil was studied on normal as well as on cardiotoxic male wistar rats. The influence of Mandarin oil on pharmacokinetics of nicorandil was determined by HPLC method, while pharmacodynamic interaction was studied in animals with myocardial infarction (Doxrubicin 10 mg/kg, i.p, for last 2 days).

Abstract: The phytochemical constituents aqueous and ethanolic leaf extracts of Moringa oleifera Lam. were assessed and compared. The mineral and proximate analyses were done on the whole leaf extract. The result of the qualitative phytochemical constituents of both leaf extracts of Moringa oleifera showed presence of all the tested phytochemicals (flavonoids, anthraquinone, alkaloids, saponins, steroids, terpenoids, cardiac glycosides, anthocyanin, tannins and carotenoids) with water extracting more of the phytochemicals. Results showed the presence of iron (0.03g/100g), calcium (2.09g/100g), magnesium (0.48g/100g), potassium (1.62g/100g), phosphorus (0.04g/100g), zinc (0.005g/100g), copper (0.01g/100g) and sulphur (0.85g/100g). Proximate analysis revealed the presence of carbohydrate (57.01%), protein (18.92%), fats (2.74%), fibre (9.31%), moisture (4.09%) and ash (7.95%). The results from this study prove the extensive use of the leaves of this plant in ethnomedicine and its potentials in drug formulation.

Key words: ethnomedicine, leaf extracts, Moringa, nutrients, phytochemicals

Abstract: Fluid biopsies dependent upon recognition and profiling of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) offer a non-obtrusive instrument, encouraging unanticipated disease analysis and treatment monitoring. CTCs attack the remote organs by means of the circulatory framework. It has been assessed that primary tumor tosses a million cells day by day into dissemination. Notwithstanding, the majority of these cells bite the dust in the circulatory framework and just the fittest achieve the ordained area to cause secondary tumors.