Biosciences

The causative agent for the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2). SARS-COV-2 makes entry into host cell via ACE2 receptor. The binding interaction of SARS-COV-2 with ACE2 receptor has been presented along with the mechanism of viral infection. In addition to lungs, other tissues viz heart, brain, kidneys etc. become potential targets of SARS-COV-2 infection owing to the expression of ACE2 in them. Understanding of damage in such tissues has been addressed along with some preventive therapeutics.

The amino acid composition of the muscle and skin of the matured female African giant pouch rat (Cricetomys gambianus) was determined on a dry weight basis. The total essential amino acids ranged from 29.8-41.2 g/100 g crude protein or from 48.6-53.2 % of the total amino acid. The amino acid score showed that lysine ranged from 0.73-1.06 (on whole hen’s egg comparison), 0.82-1.20 (on provisional essential amino acid scoring pattern) and 0.78-1.14 (on suggested requirement of the essential amino acid of a preschool child). The predicted protein efficiency ratio was 1.89-2.41 and the essential amino acid index range was 0.84-1.21. The correlation coefficient (rxy) was positive and significant at r = 0.01 for the total amino acids, isoelectric points and amino acid scores (on whole hen’s egg basis) in the two samples. Comparison of the samples with the muscle and skin amino acid compositions of the Greater Cane Rat showed that positive and significant differences existed at r = 0.01 between their muscles and their skins respectively. Results have good comparison with whole hen’s egg protein.

Bat guano is an old faecal matter of bat was collected from the old temples located in the rim of Lonar crater of Lonar, Buldana District, Maharashtra (India). It is known for the degradation of pollutants. The sugar factory effluent has the characteristics of hardness due to the presence of Ca++ and Mg++. In the present study an attempt has been made to employ the Bat guano to reduce the hardness of the reclaimed water from sugar factory. There was a significant decrease of hardness against controls. There were 10.47, 14.82, 22.63 and 31.88% reduction at the interval of 10, 20, 30, 40 days in the water after application of Bat guano. The results are discussed with hardness pollution reduction. Our investigation indicates that bat guano used for degradation of water pollutants and bioremediation of aquatic ecosystem and also for waste water treatments.

Quality Protein Maize (QPM) is bred for its high protein content compared to conventional varieties. To study the genetic effect of grain yield and other agronomic traits, field experiments were conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti and Saint Michael’s Catholic Grammar School Farm, Efon-Alaaye, Ekiti State during 2011 cropping season in a complete diallel analysis using eight QPM inbred lines as parents with the objective to determine SCA and GCA among some selected Quality Protein Maize varieties. The mean values were significant with respect to grain yield with an average of 3.64 tha-1 for parents, 5.58 tha-1 for hybrids and 5.25 tha-1 for reciprocals, the hybrids had significantly higher grain yield than the parents. The GCA effects were significant for plant aspect, plant height, ear height, stalk lodge, ear drooping, ear rot, ear aspect and weight of 100seeds.However, the SCA was significant for all the traits. P1 (ACR,94TZECOM5-Y), P2 (OBATANPA/TZLCOM.1), P3 (POP66-SRQPM) and P4 (POP15-SR) are good combiners with P8 (POP66-SR). The crosses between P1 (ACR,94TZECOS5-Y), P2 (OBATASNPA/TZLCOMP.1), P4 (POP15-SR) and P8 (POP66-SR) have the potentials for superior hybrids formation.

There is growing interest in research and development to develop novel tools to study, detect, and characterize microbes and their communities in various areas. However, knowledge about their validity in practical is still scarce. This review describes the advantages of safety security in the laboratory and microbial screening and molecular methods used for identifications. In addition, the review addresses the importance of isolating the microorganisms from different agro ecology and the possibilities and future prospects for exploiting the described methods in different biotechnology areas. 

Chlamydia trachomatis is an obligate intracellular bacterium associated with sexually transmitted genital tract infection in humans and cause genital infection in both men and women. It is one among the major causes for complications in pregnancy. In this study prevalence of the C trachomatis genital infection among the pregnant women of reproductive age group has been studied. A total of 300 pregnant women with symptomatic genital infections were included in this study. Blood samples were collected from them and screened for Chlamydia trachomatis specific IgM antibodies by Micro Immuno Fluorescence (MIF). The results showed an overall 16% prevalence of C trachomatis infection among the various age groups of the pregnant women . From this informations, we conclude that the C.trachomatis infection is quite prevalent among the pregnant women belongs to our area - south India. Hence, we suggest the need of implementing the screening programme as mandatory for the detection of Chlamydial genital infection among pregnant women, in view of preventing the adverse effects related to pregnancy outcomes.

Disorder of urea and electrolytes is a potential health hazard. However, the determination of these parameters in human blood was neglected by laboratories in many hospitals. Here, standard methods and procedures adopted by World Health Organization (WHO) were used to determine percentage disorders from the amount of urea and electrolytes obtained in human blood of patients attending department of chemical pathology, Ahmadu Bello University teaching hospital, Shika, Zaria. Out of one hundred and thirty (130) blood samples, 48(36.92%) were significantly positive. It was found that disorders increased with age, with percentage disorders of 30.76% among those aged 35-54 years. The disorder has no any gender difference but it varies significantly among patients with kidney and heart problems (29.92%). The determination for amount of urea and electrolytes in human blood using the standard methods adopted by WHO is therefore necessary for early diagnosis.

It has been already noted and explored by many authors that the association /occurrence of the bacterial vaginosis ( BV) among majority of women at greater risk. Countless publications indicating the risk of bacterial vaginosis and the ascending infection to the female reproductive tract, which may create/affect the morbidity and mortality of fetus in case of pregnant women infected with bacterial vaginosis. In our study we made an attempt to screen the biofilm producing Klebsiella in the vaginal secretions of the pregnant women, sero positive for C.trachomatis IgM antibody, those who had symptomatic genital infection . Biofilm forming klebsiella was identified by both microscopic and klebsiella phenotyps on culture media. We could able to record a significant percentage of the biofilm producing Klebsiella within our study population. It was interesting to note that all these biofilm forming Klebsiella found in the vaginal secretions found as Multidrug Resistant (MDR) bacteria. From this we conclude that the occurrence of biofilm forming, multidrug resistant bacteria among the pregnant women is possible, that too, while it emerge as co-infection along with C.trachomatis infection, that need special attention of the public and health care professionals. It is suggested that the need of screening these culprits during pregnancy to eradicate it in view of preventing ascending infection which may involve with the adverse pregnancy outcomes.

In this work two samples of a (Pandanus amaryalifolious) leaves extracts, were exposed to sound waves length of (528 nm and 741 nm) while the third sample of the leaves was left without exposure to any sound. The effect of different wave lengths absorption shows a dramatic difference at the organic compounds and sulfur compounds of each sample, these differences were detected using spectroscopic techniques.

Piroxicam, an anti-inflammatory drug, exhibits poor water solubility, dissolution and flow properties. Thus, the aim of the present study was to improve the solubility and dissolution rate of Piroxicam by preparing microspheres by spray drying technique. Piroxicam microspheres containing different ratio of F127 were produced by spray drying using dichloromethane as solvent to enhance solubility and dissolution rate. The prepared formulations containing different ratio of drug and polymer were evaluated for in vitro dissolution and solubility. The prepared formulations were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimeter, X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Dissolution profile of the spray dried microspheres was compared with its physical mixture and pure sample. Spray dried microspheres exhibited decreased crystallinity and the solubility and dissolution of the microspheres containing different ratio of drug and pluronic F127 were significant improved compared with its physical mixture and pure sample of piroxicam. Dissolution of microspheres containing 1:3 w/w (SD 3) showed higher % release i.e. 94 % in 60 min compare to other formulation. Consequently, Hence, From the above result it can be conclude that spray dried microspheres of Piroxicam is a useful technique to improve the solubility and dissolution of poorly water soluble drug like Piroxicam.