Production of biosurfactant by crude oil degrading bacteria for use in microbial enhanced oil recovery was investigated. Crude oil utilizing bacteria were isolated from soil by enrichment method on ...oil agar at 30 °C for 5 days. The isolates were identified and screened for biosurfactant production using blood haemolysis and emulsification tests. IR and GC–MS analyses were carried out to detect the type of biosurfactant. The biosurfactant was purified and its stability at various pH, temperature and salinity levels was studied. The organisms were identified as: Achromobacter xylosoxidans subspecies xylosoxidans, Bacillus licheniformis, Proteus vulgaris, Proteus mirabilis, Serratia marcescens, Sphingomonas paucimobilis and Micrococcus kristinae. Emulsification test (E24) revealed that Serratia marcescens had the highest emulsification index of 87%. GC–MS indicated the biosurfactants as lipopeptides. The biosurfactant can be used in EOR under various environmental conditions.
► Bacteria identified in this study were active crude oil degraders and biosurfactant producers. ► Serratia marcescens was the most potent biosurfactant producer mainly, lipopeptide with high emulsification index (87%). ► The biosurfactant is apparently a new type of lipopeptide. ► The biosurfactant had high emulsification activity and exhibited stability in a wide range of pH, temperature and salinity. ► Sand pack column experiment revealed the potential of the biosurfactant to be used for EOR.
Oxidative stress is known to play a role in the pathophysiology of metabolic syndrome and its components. Racial differences may exist in the level of markers of oxidative stress and antioxidants in ...patients with metabolic syndrome.
The aim of this study was to determine the oxidative stress and antioxidants status in subjects with metabolic syndrome in Sokoto, North-Western Nigeria.
A cross-sectional community-based study was carried out. Two hundred subjects (96 males and 104 females) were recruited for the study using a multi-stage sampling technique. Demographic data were obtained from the participants. Evaluation of anthropometric variables, blood pressure, blood glucose levels, lipid profiles, plasma insulin levels, total antioxidant status, and oxidative stress markers was performed.
The subjects with metabolic syndrome had significantly higher malondialdehyde as compared to those without metabolic syndrome (236.4 92.2 vs. 184 63.2 nmol/l). The antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase) were significantly lower in subjects with metabolic syndrome than in those without metabolic syndrome (11.3 4.2 vs. 13.9 4.1 U/ml, 16042 vs. 22032 U/ml, and 2.12 0.2 vs. 2.42 0.2 U/ml, respectively). Similarly, the antioxidant Vitamins (A, C, and E) levels were significantly lower in subjects with metabolic syndrome than in those without metabolic syndrome (7.1 4.1 vs. 7.7 4.2 μmol/L, 225 55.3 vs. 227.6 62.3 μmol/L, and 75.9 13.9 vs. 82.8 18.6 mg/dl, respectively). There was a positive correlation between components of metabolic syndrome and free radicals.
Significantly increased oxidative stress and diminished antioxidant defenses were found among Nigerians with metabolic syndrome.
Rotavirus has been identified among the most important causes of infantile diarrhoea, especially in developing countries. The present study was undertaken to determine the occurrence and clinical ...symptoms of human rotavirus disease among children presenting with varying degree of diarrhoea in selected urban hospitals in Sokoto metropolis, Nigeria. Diarrhoea samples were collected from 200 diarrheic children younger than 5 years of age and tested using a commercially available DAKO Rotavirus ELISA kit which detects the presence of human group A rotaviruses. A questionnaire, based on WHO generic protocol, was completed for each child to generate the primary data. Of the total number of samples collected, 51 were found to be positive for human group A rotavirus indicating 25.5% prevalence of the disease in Sokoto state. The symptoms associated with the disease were analyzed and discussed.
Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is one of the most common human enzyme deficiencies in the world. It is particularly common in populations living in malaria-endemic areas, ...affecting more than 400 million people worldwide. This present study was conducted with the aim of determining the prevalence of G6PD deficiency among children visiting the Emergency Paediatric Unit of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital for pediatric-related care. The study included 118 children, made up of 77 (65.3%) males and 41 (34.7%) females aged ≤5 years with mean age of 3.26 ± 1.90 years. Randox G6PD quantitative in vitro test screening was used for the diagnosis of G6PD deficiency. Of the 118 children tested, 17 (14.4%) were G6PD-deficient. Prevalence of G6PD deficiency was concentrated predominantly among male children (22.1%). Male sex was significantly correlated with G6PD deficiency among the children studied (r = 7.85, P = 0.01). The highest prevalence occurred among children in the 2- to 5-year age-group. Of the 17 G6PD-deficient children, twelve (70.2%) were moderately deficient, while five (29.4%) were severely deficient. Blood film from G6PD-deficient children indicated the following morphological changes; Heinz bodies, schistocytes, target cells, nucleated red cells, spherocytes, and polychromasia. This present study has shown a high prevalence of G6PD deficiency among children residing in Sokoto in the northwestern geopolitical zone of Nigeria. The study indicated a male sex bias in the prevalence of G6PD deficiency among the children studied. There is a need for the routine screening of children for G6PD deficiency in our environment, to allow for evidence-based management of these children and to ensure the avoidance of food, drugs, and infective agents that can potentially predispose these children to oxidative stress as well as diseases that deplete micronutrients that protect against oxidative stress. There is need to build capacity in our setting among pediatricians to ensure the effective management of children with G6PD deficiency.
The subchronic effect of aqueous stem bark extract of Khaya senegalensis on some biochemical, haematological, and histopathological parameters of rats was investigated. The rats were divided into six ...groups of five rats per group. Groups I to VI were administered graded doses of 0, 400, 800, 1200, 1600, and 2000 mg/kg bw, respectively. The result of study revealed that administration of the Khaya senegalensis for twenty-eight days at the experimental dose resulted in significant (P<0.05) increase in urea, electrolytes (Na+, K+), and creatinine levels. The extract also significantly (P<0.05) increased serum activity of ALT, AST, and ALP. The levels of protein, albumin, and bilirubin were significantly changed when compared to their control values, but they were not dose dependent. The hematological indices assayed in this study were not significantly affected at the experimental dose when compared to the control values. Histological studies of the liver showed cellular degeneration and necrosis and bile duct hyperplasia and fibrosis with lymphocytic infiltration of the hepatocyte, providing supportive evidence for discussing the biochemical findings, indicative of functional derangement. The histological architecture of the kidney and that of the heart were however preserved. The result of this study indicates that the aqueous stem bark extract of K. senegalensis may affect the cellular integrity of vital organs of the body.
Patients with type 2 diabetes (normotensives, n=59; hypertensives, n=56) and matched controls (n=60) had salt taste perception determined using graded NaCl solutions ( 0-400 mmol 1(-1)). Diabetic ...hypertensives, diabetic normotensives and controls differed significantly in taste threshold to NaCl recognition (F=4.4, P=0.01) and prevalence of NaCl taste insensitivity (P=0.003). Taste threshold to NaCl recognition correlated positively with duration of diabetes (r=0.402, P=0.04) and was associated with mean arterial pressure (P<0.001), the association being significant after adjustment for age (P<0.001), gender (P< 0.001), family history of hypertension ( P< 001), body mass index (P<0.01), antihypertensive medication ( P<0.01) and proteinuria ( P<0.04).
This study was conducted to detect and characterize prevalent human group A rotavirus strains from 200 diarrheic children in Sokoto, Nigeria, by ELISA, monoclonal antibody (Mab) serotyping and ...Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) techniques. Rotavirus was detected in 25.5% of the children. The G-serotypes observed in circulation were G4: 16 (59.3%), G1: 4 (14.8%), G2: 3 (11.1%), G3: 3 (11.1%), and G12: 1 (3.7%). The monoclonal antibody (Mab) serotyping detected G1 and G3 but did not detect G4 and G2 serotypes. The Mab typing of the G1 and G3 serotypes was consistent with the result of the RT-PCR. The VP4 genotypes detected were P 6 3 (13%), P 8 11 (47.8%), and the rare human P genotype (P 9 ), found in 9 patients (39.1%). Nine strains identified with the common G and P combinations were G4 P 8 5 (56%), G4 P 6 1 (11%), G1 P 8 2 (22%), and G3 P 8 1 (11%), while seven strains with unusual combinations or rare G or P genotypes identified were G12 P 8 1 (14%), G2 P 8 2 (29%), and G4 P 9 4 (57%). To our knowledge this is the first molecular study of human rotavirus and report of rare human G and P serotypes in Sokoto State.
Oxidative stress has been implicated in various pathologies, including hypertension, atherosclerosis, diabetes, and chronic renal disease. The current work was designed with the aim of investigating ...the potentials of antioxidants copper, manganese, and zinc in the treatment of hypertension in Wistar rats. The rats were fed 8% NaCl diet for 5 weeks and treatment with supplements in the presence of the challenging agent for additional 4 weeks. The supplementation significantly decreased the blood pressure as compared with hypertensive control. The result also indicated significant decreased in the levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, malondialdehyde, insulin and increase in the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total antioxidant activities, and nitric oxide of the supplemented groups relative to the hypertensive control. The average percentage protection against atherogenesis indicated 47.13 ± 9.60% for all the supplemented groups. The mean arterial blood pressure showed significant positive correlation with glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, atherogenic index, insulin resistance and malondialdehyde while high density lipoprotein-cholesterol and total antioxidant activities showed negative correlation. The result therefore indicated strong relationship between oxidative stress and hypertension and underscores the role of antioxidant minerals in reducing oxidative stress, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance associated with hypertension.
Obesity and metabolic syndrome increase the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Oxidative stress seems to be involved in the path physiology of cardiovascular complications of metabolic ...syndrome. In this study we investigated the effects of vitamins A, C, and E in the management of metabolic syndrome traits condition in albino rats fed with high salt diet. The rats were placed on 8% NaCl diet for 5 weeks and then supplemented with these vitamins for additional 4 weeks in the presence of salt diet. Supplementation with vitamins significantly (P<0.01 ) decreased blood pressure of the rats as compared with the control. Supplementation also significantly (P<0.05) reduced serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and total antioxidant status as compared with untreated group. The percentage protection of the supplemented groups against atherogenesis indicated 55.50±3.75%. Percentage weight gain indicated significant positive correlation with triglyceride, insulin resistance, and malondialdehyde while total antioxidant status and nitric oxide showed significant negative correlation. Salt diet significantly (P<0.05) induced features of metabolic syndrome. The result, therefore, indicated strong relationship between obesity and metabolic syndrome and underscores the role of these vitamins in the management of metabolic syndrome.
The aim of this research was to evaluate the potential of six legumes:
Medicago sativa
L.,
Glycine max, Arachis hypogea
,
Lablab purpureus, Pheseolus vulgaris
and
Cajanus cajan
to restore within a ...short period of time soil contaminated with 3% crude oil. The legumes in five replications were grown in crude oil-contaminated and crude oil-uncontaminated soil in a completely randomized design. Plants were assessed for seedling emergence, plant height and leaf number. GC–MS was used to analyze the residual crude oil from the rhizosphere of the legumes. Plant growth parameters were reduced significantly (
P
< 0.05) for legumes in contaminated soil compared to their controls. In the 4th week after planting (WAP), shoot height increased across the species up to the 8th WAP. However, in the 12 WAP no significant increase in the shoot of all species was observed. Two WAP legumes planted in contaminated soil had significantly (
P
< 0.05) higher leaf number than these planted in uncontaminated soil with the exception of
M. sativa
. In the 4th WAP, only
A. hypogea
and
P. vulgaris
had increased leaf number, while in the 6th WAP, only
L. purpureus
had increased leaf number and survived up to the 12th WAP while most of the legumes species died. Chromatographic profiles indicated 100% degradation of the oil fractions in
C. cajan
and
L. purpureus
after 90 days. For other legumes however, greater losses of crude oil fractions C
1
–C
10
and C
10
–C
20
were indicated in rhizosphere soil of
P. vulgaris
and
G. max
, respectively. The most effective removal (93.66%) of C
21
–C
30
components was observed in
G. max
-planted soil even though vegetation was not established. The legumes especially
C. cajan, L. purpureus
and
A. hypogea
are promising candidates for phytoremediation of petroleum hydrocarbon-impacted soil.
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