bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
All the world’s polar research data in one place
Authors: Abu-Alam Tamer
Published: October 2019

Data from the Polar Regions are of critical importance to modern research. Regardless of their disciplinary and institutional affiliations, researchers rely heavily on the comparison of existing data with new data sets to assess changes that are taking effect. In turn, knowledge based on as broad and comprehensive a selection of polar data sets as possible is used to inform politicians and decision makers. Although individual researchers and their institutions are aware of the importance of making collected data openly available through institutional websites, the infrastructures that are used for these purposes at many institutions, are often poorly interoperable, and therefore make valuable data difficult to find and reuse. In a recent survey of 113 major polar data providers, we found that an estimated 60% of the existing polar research data is unfindable through common search engines and can only be accessed through an institutional webpage. This findability gap limits the ability of researchers to establish robust models by which changes in the polar regions can be predicted. In this contribution, we present a new, free-to-use discovery service covering the global output of openly accessible polar research data and publications, with the purpose of rendering polar research more visible and retrievable to the research community as well as to the interested public, teachers and students and public services. The new service is currently under construction and will be hosted by UiT The Arctic University of Norway in close collaboration with the Norwegian Polar Institute.
Full genome sequence analysis of a 1-7-4-like PRRSV strain in Fujian Province, China
Authors: Liu Jiankui , Wei Chunhua , Lin Zhifeng , Xia Wei , Ma Ying , Dai Ailing , Yang Xiaoyan
Published: October 2019

PRRS virus (PRRSV) has undergone rapid evolution and resulted in immense economic losses worldwide. In the present study, a PRRSV strain named FJ0908 causing high abortion rate (25%) and mortality (40%) was detected in a swine herd in China. To determine if a new PRRSV genotype had emerged, we characterized the genetic characteristics of FJ0908. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that FJ0908 was related to 1-7-4-like strains circulating in the United States since 2014. Furthermore, the ORF5 sequence restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) pattern of FJ0908 was 1-7-4. Additionally, FJ0908 had a 100 aa deletion (aa329–428) within nsp2, as compared to VR-2332, and the deletion pattern was consistent with most of 1-7-4 PRRSVs. Collectively, the data of this study contribute to the understanding of 1-7-4-like PRRSV molecular epidemiology in China.
The bZIP gene family in watermelon: genome-wide identification and expression analysis under cold stress and root-knot nematode infection
Authors: Yang Youxin , Li Jingwen , Li Hao , Yang Yingui , Guang Yelan , Zhou Yong
Published: October 2019

The basic leucine zipper (bZIP) family transcription factors play crucial roles in regulating plant development and stress response. In this study, we identified 62 ClabZIP genes from watermelon genome, which were unevenly distributed across the 11 chromosomes. These ClabZIP proteins could be classified into 13 groups based on the phylogenetic relationships, and members in the same group showed similar compositions of conserved motifs and gene structures. Transcriptome analysis revealed that a number of ClabZIP genes have important roles in the melatonin (MT) induction of cold tolerance. In addition, some ClabZIP genes were induced or repressed under red light (RL) or root-knot nematode infection according to the transcriptome data, and the expression patterns of several ClabZIP genes were further verified by quantitative real-time PCR, revealing their possible roles in RL induction of watermelon defense against nematode infection. Our results provide new insights into the functions of different ClabZIP genes in watermelon and their roles in response to cold stress and nematode infection.
Household Indigenous Drought Coping and Adaptation Strategies in Baringo County, Kenya
Authors: Manyonge Pepela Maurice , Nabiswa Ferdinand , Mugalavai Edward
Published: October 2019

Coping and adaptation to the impacts of climate change such as drought is increasingly necessary. Due to the expanding global impacts of climate change coping and adaptation agenda among various agencies, it is of primary importance to understand the coping and adaptation strategies in order to generate the most appropriate and effective interventions. The study established drought coping and adaptation strategies employed by households in Baringo County and this was based on Pressure and Release (PAR) model which grounds the framework for understanding vulnerability to disasters and adaptation. The 224 household heads were selected by simple random sampling out of which 204 completed the questionnaire. The study adopted description research design. Data was analyzed by both descriptive and qualitative statistics where the SPSS package version 22 was used in the analysis where the chi – square and percentages were obtained. The study established that households had various drought coping and adaptation strategies where 77 (37.7%) informed the study that during drought season they normally shift to other ways or sources of livelihoods, herd splitting were 58 (28.4%) while 44 (21.6%) do herd and crop diversification. A calculated chi – square (χ2 =79.186, p–value=0.000 df=4) of the main coping mechanisms indicated that the variation was statistically significant. The study provided baseline information for further research. However, there is need for outside intervention or strategies for effectiveness since the community does not have well laid down strategies for climate change coping and adaptation.
Adsorbents for Noxious Gas Sequestration: State of the Art
Authors: Aimikhe V. J. , Eyankware O. E.
Published: October 2019

Adsorbents such as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), polymers, activated carbon (AC), and membranes are becoming prominent for CO2, SO2, H2S and NH3 capture and in some cases, storage. Using the standard adsorbent properties (SAPs) such as adsorption capacity, selectivity, permeability/permeance, regenerability and reusability, ease of functionability and tunability, thermal and chemical stability, suitable candidates for noxious gas sequestration can be determined. To foster the development and selection of a more efficient adsorbent, proper documentation of adsorbent performance in terms of SAPs is crucial. In this study, a critical review of metal-organic framework (MOF), polymer, activated carbon (AC) and membrane adsorbents was performed. Using the SAPs, an up to date comparative analysis was done to select the best performing adsorbents. The results of the comparative analysis were then used to categorize the adsorbents' suitability for pre-combustion and post-combustion applications. A perspective of future study on adsorbents for noxious gas sequestration was also presented.
Effect of Soil Physicochemical Parameters and Seasonal Variations on the Occurrence of Keratinophilic Fungi of Murtala Amusement Park in Minna, Niger State, Nigeria
Authors: I. Hamza U. , C. Emere M. , Bulus T.
Published: October 2019

Keratinophilic fungi are the prime cause of various mycotic infections among children. Murtala Amusement Park is one of the preferred recreation grounds in Minna. The aim of this research was to investigate the occurrence of fungal species at Murtala Amusement Park, Minna, with the goal of identifying keratinophilic species among them. A total of 360 soil samples from six different important sites in the Park were collected during dry and rainy seasons. A total of 542 isolates from eleven genera were identified; Aspergillus, Candida, Fusarium, Paecilomyces, Mucor, Chrysosporium, Alternaria, Penicillium, Trichoderma, Microsporum, and Rhizopus.  A total of 142 and 399 fungal isolates were isolated during dry and rainy seasons respectively. Out of the soil physicochemical parameters analyzed, only Ca and Mg showed significant correlation with a number of the fungal colony at 1 % and 5 % levels of significance respectively and it occurred during dry season. There was no association between the numbers of fungal isolates recorded across the two seasons. Maximum percentage of contribution was observed with Aspergillus niger in both seasons. While the minimum percentage of contribution was observed with Microsporum gypseum (1.40 %) and Paecilomyces variottii (2.51 %) during the rainy and dry seasons respectively. Simpson’s dominance of fungal species showed 10.86 and 9.84 for dry and rainy season respectively. Evenness of fungal species at dry and rainy seasons were 0.0759 and 0.0247 respectively. Diversity index of fungal species were 2.531 and 0.908 for Shannon’s Index and Simpson’s Index respectively. A very high incidence of keratinophilic fungi demonstrated in the soil of Murtala Amusement Park is a noteworthy finding for public health significance.
Isolation of Hydrocarbonoclastic Bacteria and Plasmid Analysis for alk B Gene Primers
Authors: O. Edet U. , P. Antai S. , D. Asitok A. , A. Brooks A.
Published: October 2019

Hydrocarbonoclastic microorganisms elaborate a number of hydrocarbons utilising genes that enable them to use crude oil hydrocarbons as carbon sources. These genes could either be located on the plasmid or chromosome. The primary aim of this study was, therefore, to isolate hydrocarbon utilising microbes and profile their plasmid for alkB gene. The physicochemical, microbiological and plasmid analyses were done using standard methods described previously. Plasmid profiling for the alkB gene was carried with four selected bacteria isolates using the universal degenerate primers Rh alkB1-F: ATCTGGGCGCGTTGGGATTTGAGCG,  Rh alkB1-R: CGCATGGTGATCGCTGTGCCGCTGC and Pp alkBP-F: TGGCCGGCT ACTCCGATGATCGGAATCTGG, Pp alkBP-R:  GCGTGGTGATCCGAGTGCCGCTGAAGGTG. Physicochemical analysis revealed anthropogenic influence on the environment as iron and copper levels were higher than permissible international levels. Aerobic counts for bacteria were higher than those of fungi with values that ranged from 70 to 92 (x106) CFU/g for bacteria and 14 to 19 (x103) CFU/g for fungi. Microbiological and biochemical characterisation revealed that the hydrocarbonoclastic bacterial isolates were Enterobacter sp, Bacillus sp, Micrococcus sp, Pseudomonas sp, Corynebacterium sp and Klebsiella sp while the fungal isolates were Penicillium sp, Aspergillus flavus, Fusarium sp, Rhizopus sp and Aspergillus sp. Molecular characterisation revealed that the selected isolates for plasmid profiling were Bacillus thuringiensis, Pseudomonas stutzeri, Bacillus cereus and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Plasmid profiling revealed that none of the isolates were positive for the monoxygenase (alk B) genes. The findings in this study support earlier findings that indicated that the chromosome could indeed a preferred location for domiciliation of functional genes.
Isolation, Identification and Production of Biobutanol by Different Clostridium species Isolated from Soil Using Waste Paper and Sugar Cane Molasses
Authors: Owuna G. , Makut M. D. , Ekeleme I. K. , Obiekezie S. O.
Published: October 2019

Butanol as fuel component has some advantages compared to ethanol. The Study was aimed at isolation of different types of Clostridium species from the soil and screening for their ability to produce bio-butanol. Soil samples were collected from three different areas in keffi. Clostridium species were isolated using Reinforce Clostridial media and identified using standard microbiological methods, mutation was induced in the Clostridium isolates and 16s rRNA identification technique was used to identify the isolates. Quantitative screening of the Clostridium species isolates capacity in bio-butanol was carried out using sugar cane molasses and waste paper substrate. The result of 16s rRNA of the Clostridium isolated from old barracks was C. acetobutylicium the one isolated from Angwan kwara was C. perfringenes and C. difficile was isolated from Angwan Jaba. Screening for bio-butanol producing ability of the clostridium isolates, shows that C. acetobutylicium produce highest bio-butanol before been exposed to UV light to induce mutation with 9.61± 0.94 mg/l using sugar cane molasses and 4.89± 0.19 mg/l using waste paper followed by C. perfringenes 6.24± 0.61 mg/l using molasses and 3.21±0.11 mg/l using waste paper. After exposing to UV light to induce mutation C. acetobutylicium produced 18.03 ± 0.17 mg/l using molasses and 8.63± 0.06 mg/l using waste paper substrate follow by C. perfringenes 14.19 ± 0.11 mg/l and 5.99 ± 0.31 mg/l. From this study it was observed that C. acetobutylicium has the capacity to produce bio-butanol and also inducing mutation will enhance the capacity of Clostridium species in the production of bio-butanol.
Evaluation of the Microbial Quality of ‘Nono’ Sold in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria
Authors: Dafur G. S. , Iheukwumere C. C. , Azua E. T. , Dafur B. S.
Published: October 2019

Aim: To assess the microbial quality and safety or otherwise of ‘nono’ sold to the public for consumption.

Study Design: A cross sectional study design was employed for the study.

Place and Duration of Study: Mangu Local Government Area, Plateau State is the study area. The study lasted between May 2017 and June 2018.

Methodology: Questionnaire was administered to 300 ‘nono’ sellers and subsequently, 300 ‘nono’ samples were randomly collected (30 samples collected at intervals) from 10 markets and the samples were transported to central diagnostic laboratory of the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI) Vom, Plateau State for laboratory analyses of the samples using serial dilution and spread-plate technique.

Results: Results showed that majority (86.0%) of the respondents depends on selling ‘nono’ as the only source of income, and 75.7 % of them had no formal education. An overall mean total bacterial count (TBC) of 6.09 Log10cfuml-l was recorded from all the samples. Majority of the ‘nono’ samples collected from the different markets had significantly higher bacterial count than the recommended level of 5.0 Log10cfuml-1 set by the International Farm Comparison Network (IFCN) for a minimum acceptable level of bacterial count in milk and milk products. Bacteria isolated were Coliforms, Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus with overall prevalence of 52.7%, 43.0%, 10.0%, 8.3%, 5.0%, and 16.3% which recorded overall mean counts of 4.37, 3.56, 0.83, 0.69, 0.41 and 1.30 Log10cfuml-1, respectively. Aspergillus niger, A. flavus, Penicillium spp., Mucor spp., Rhizopus spp. and Candida spp. isolated from the products had an overall prevalence of 25.7 % and overall mean fungal count of 2.13 Log10cfuml-1. A statistically significant (P<0.05) difference was established among the means of the microbial groups.

Conclusion: Microbiological safety of ‘nono’ sold in Mangu is not guaranteed as at time of study possibly as a result of unhygienic practices during ‘nono’ production and product contamination from the vendors.
Antiplasmodial Activity of Ethanolic Leaf Extract of Eucalyptus citriodora in Swiss Albino Mice Infected with Plasmodium berghei NK 65
Authors: Muhammed D. , Dada E. O. , Muazu M. , Jumbo E. I. , Uzokwe V. I.
Published: October 2019

Malaria is a life-threatening disease and emergence of malaria parasite resistance to antimalarial drugs, has necessitated the need for discovery and development of an alternative to malaria medicine. This study assessed the ethanolic leaf extract of Eucalyptus citriodora for the presence of bioactive components qualitatively and efficacy of the extract against the malaria parasite. Standard methods were used to determine the bioactive components of the leaf extract. Twenty (20) albino mice of body weight between 18-25 g were randomised into 5 groups of four mice each for acute toxicity test, while twenty-four (24) mice were randomised into six groups of four mice each (group 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6) for antiplasmodial activity. All the groups were infected with P. berghei, except group 3 (normal control). Group 4, 5 and 6 were treated with 0.2 mL of 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg body weight of extract respectively. Group 2 (positive control) were treated with 0.2 mL of 5 mg/kg body weight of chloroquine. Group 1 (negative control) were administered with 0.2 mL of normal saline, while group 3 (normal control) were administered with 0.2 mL of normal saline for four consecutive days. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, tannins, anthraquinone, flavonoids and cardiac glycosides and the extract was found safe and nontoxic. The antiplasmodial investigation revealed a decrease in percentage parasitaemia level in mice of group 4, 5 and 6 (extract treated group) compared with mice of group 1 (infected and not treated). The parasitaemia reduction was higher in group 6 (800 mg/kg). This significant decrease (P<0.05) in percentage parasitaemia level in the study was dose and time-dependent. The study revealed the potency of E. citriodora leaf extract as a future herbal candidate for the treatment of human malaria infection.
Antibiotic Susceptibility of Resistant Pseudomonas Species Generated Through the Use of Differential and Selective Media for Isolation of Pseudomonas from Environmental Samples
Authors: Pedro Peekate, Lekiah , Chioma Woha, Queeneth
Published: October 2019

Water and soil samples were cultured on Cetrimide agar, Kings B agar, and nutrient agar supplemented with 50 μg.mL-1 chloramphenicol for the isolation of greenish pigment producing Pseudomonas species. Greenish pigment producing colonies that grew on the media were subjected to microscopic examination and selected physicochemical/biochemical tests to confirm that they belong to the Pseudomonas genus. Isolates confirmed to belong to the Pseudomonas genus were subjected to antibiotic susceptibility testing to various antibiotics using the disc diffusion method. The antibiotic sensitivity testing showed that two of the Pseudomonas isolates from nutrient agar plates supplemented with chloramphenicol showed resistance to Ampiclox, Rifampicin, and Norfloxacin. Also, one of the isolates showed resistance to Gentamycin, Amoxicillin, and Amoxicillin clavulanate. Two of the isolates from Kings B medium showed resistance to Ampiclox; another isolate showed resistance to Rifampicin, and one of the isolate that showed resistance to Ampiclox also showed resistance to Rifampicin, Chloramphenicol and Norfloxacin. Only one isolate from Cetrimide agar showed resistance to Ofloxacin and Nalidixic acid. Based on the EUCAST Breakpoint Table for P. aeruginosa, 12 out of the 14 Pseudomonas isolates (85.7%) were susceptible to Levofloxacin and Gentamycin, while 8 (57.1%) of the isolates were susceptible to Ciprofloxacin. The results indicate that Pseudomonas species isolated from the environment through the use of differential and selective media can become resistant to some antibiotics, and that Levofloxacin and Gentamycin could be used in the treatment of infections caused by antibiotic resistant Pseudomonas.
Nutritional Status of Diarrhoeic Patients under Five Years Attending Selected Hospitals in Kaduna State, Nigeria
Authors: Mzungu I. , Orpin J. B. , Chioma R. O.
Published: October 2019

Poor nutritional status show physical, mental and health wise consequences such as diarrhoea, stunting, wasting and underweight and often times lead to death, depending on their severity. This study evaluated the nutritional status of diarrhoeic children under five years in Kaduna State, Nigeria, using standard isolation methods, VTEC-ELISA tests, latex agglutination tests, Chi-square (SPSS Version 19) and World Health Organisation Antro (Version 3.2.2). Random sampling was used to select 350 children presenting with diarrhoea in six government hospitals within the three senatorial zones of Kaduna State. The nutritional status assessment showed 34.3, 24.3 and 13.1% of the children were stunted, wasted and underweight, respectively and Kaduna South senatorial zone also recorded the highest prevalence of undernutrition, indicating poor nutrition and poor health accumulated overtime. The study therefore recommends the implementation of programmes geared towards good hygiene, good nutrition and good health.
Isoalation of Multidrug Resistant Bacterial Pathogens from Human Hair Obtained from Barbing Salons Located within Benin City, Nigeria
Authors: Evbuomwan Lucky , Chukwuka Patrick Emeka , Ebiala Fortune Itojie
Published: October 2019

This study was carried out to investigate the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of bacterial pathogens isolated from human hair in barbing salon. Hair samples were collected from ten different barbing saloons in Benin City and immediately transported to the laboratory for microbiological analysis using pour plate isolation method. Isolated bacteria were identified based on their cultural, morphological and biochemical characteristic. Antibiotics sensitivity was carried out using commercially available antibiotic disks. Total bacteria counts ranged from 2.80x104±0.8cfu/g to 6.13x104±0.21 cfu/g. Bacterial isolated included Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris, Streptococcus viridians and Corynebacterium sp. The least occurring bacteria were Escherichia coli and Proteus vulgaris with percentage distribution of 40% each while the most widely distributed was Corynebacterium sp. (80%). All the bacterial isolates were observed to be multiple drug resistant. The most effective drugs were sparfloxacin, perfloxacin, gentamicin, erythromycin and ciprofloxacin. This study has shown that high densities of multiple drug resistant pathogenic bacteria are usually associated with human hair.
Production of Plant Growth Regulators by Some Fungi Isolated under Salt Stress
Authors: Solyman Samah N. El-Dien , Abdel-Monem Mohamed O. , Abou-Taleb Khadiga A. , Osman Hany S. , El-Sharkawy Reyad M.
Published: October 2019

Fifty-eight fungal isolates were isolated from salt soil, whey and salt fish on medium supplemented with 0.5% NaCl. Out of 58 isolates, 49 were capable to grow on medium supplemented with 1 % NaCl. These halo-tolerant isolates were tested to produce plant growth regulators (PGR) on solid or in broth medium. On solid medium, 9 halo-tolerant isolates out of 58 isolates were gave indole acetic acid (IAA) which appeared red zone around growth zone with index ranged from 0.25 to 0.56. While in broth medium, 9 isolates were tried to produce IAA and gibberellic acid (GA) in presence of NaCl at 0.5 or 1%. The maximum IAA and GA production were obtained by FS12 isolate (4.32 and 4.52 mg/100ml) and by FW2 isolate (2.71 and 2.92 mg/100ml) at 0.5% and 1% NaCl, respectively. FS12 was selected as the most efficient isolate for plant growth regulators (PGR) production and identified as Aspergillus niger. Carbon and nitrogen sources were studiedfor PGR optimization by the tested strain. Whey and peptone were used as a sole carbon and nitrogen source, where increased the IAA and GA production about 15.4% and 71.3% as compared to control (basal medium).
Biosynthesis and Characterization of Silver Nanoparticles Produced by Plant Extracts and Its Antimicrobial Activity
Authors: Samy Marwa A. , Abbassy Moustafa A. , Hafez Elsayed E. , Rabea Entsar I. , Aseel Dalia G.
Published: October 2019

Solanum tubersum is the fourth most challenging plant in Egypt, affected by several fungi, viral and bacterial diseases. Bacterial and fungal isolates (Brown rot disease (Ralstonia solaniserum), soft root disease (Pectobacterium carotovora) and dry rot disease (Fusarium oxisporum) were collected. The green extracts of silver nanoparticles were prepared by means of aqueous extracts of three wild plants, Physalis peruviana (leaves, red and green fruits) (N1, N2 and N3), Solanum nigrum (fruit) (N4) and Moringa oliefera (leaves) (N5). SEM, TEM, FT-IR and X-RD obtained the characterization of the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles. The results indicated that nanoparticles were spherical, smooth and the sizes varied between 12 and 33 nm. The activity of the nanoparticle formulations was tested against the bacterial isolates using agar diffusion method and one fungus using mycelial growth method. The results also elucidated that N5 formulation showed a significantly potent antibacterial activity against R. solanacearum. However, N1 formulation was the highest active one against P. carotovra. In addition, the antifungal activity indicated that N1 had the highest effect (EC50 = 687.03 mg/L) followed by N3 (EC50 = 981.61 mg/L) against F. oxysporium. Nanoparticles synthesized by wild plants could be used as safe alternatives to harmful microbicides.
Microbiological and Proximate Analyses of Lebanese Bread (Pita) from Akure Metropolis
Authors: Aruwa Christiana E. , Farotimi Ayobami R.
Published: October 2019

Aim: This study aimed at evaluating the microbial quality and proximate composition of pita samples from Akure metropolis.

Place and Duration of Study: Microbiology and Industrial Chemistry laboratories of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Ondo State, Nigeria, between January 2016 and June 2016.

Methodology: Pita samples were evaluated using standard microbiological techniques to ascertain microbial load and types after purchase from vendors utilizing them alone or in production of other foods. Antibiotic susceptibility profile of isolates was also determined. Proximate composition analysis of samples was also performed.

Results: Average bacterial count was 1.0±0.9 cfu/g, while average fungal count was 2.0±1.2 sfu/g. The fungi isolated were Rhizopus stolonifer, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Aspergillus niger; while the bacteria isolated were Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus sp., Micrococcus luteus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Proteus vulgaris. Microbial zones of inhibition ranged from 17 mm to 23.50 mm. Micrococcus luteus, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were most susceptible to gentamycin, pefloxacin and amoxycillin, respectively. Staphylococcus aureus showed the widest antimicrobial resistant pattern. The highest carbohydrate content was recorded as 78.99 %, while bread samples showed low ash content (0.65 %).

Conclusion: Pita bread is not a common staple compared to leavened breads but provides appreciable level of nutrients. Pita bread requires regular microbial assessment to determine their safety for direct consumption or use in production of other food products.
Antibacterial Activity of Zingiber officinale (Ginger) against Clinical Bacterial Isolates
Authors: Mohammed Walla Fadel , Saleh Bushra Hindi , Ibrahim Reem Naem , Hassan Mohammed Bdaiwy
Published: October 2019

Aims: The objective of the present study was to investigate the phytochemical constituents and antibacterial activity of ginger extracts against some pathogenic bacteria responsible for Urinary tract infection.

Study Design:  A total of 35 samples were collected from patients with UTIs and wound infections.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at 2 hospitals in Baghdad from1/7/2017 to 1/9/2017

Methodology: The urine sample was collected using a sterile container, while a swap from the infected wound was also taken. The classical methods for diagnosis pathogenic bacteria in urine and wound are based on culture on different microbiological media including. Blood agar, nutrient agar, then incubated at 37°C for 24 hrs. The diagnostic procedures consisted of direct microscopy observation, Gram staining, Biochemical tests, Catalase and coagulase tests.

Results: Results show that 30.55%, 38.8%, 19.46% and 11.11% isolates gave typical morphological characteristics and biochemical test for Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumonae and Staphylococcus aureus respectively. Antibiotic susceptibility test reveals that Escherichia coli isolates were 100% sensitive to gentamicin, tetracycline, streptomycine. Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates reveal that 100% of them were sensitive to gentamicin, Imipenem, ampicillin and streptomycine. Staphylococcus aureus isolates reveal that 100% of them were sensitive to Gentamycine, tetracycline and streptomycine. Klebsiella pneumonae isolates reveal that 100% of them were sensitive to nitrofurantoin and Imipenem.  Ginger roots extract at high concentration (250,500 mg/ml) have strong antibacterial activity against pathogenic bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumonae).

Conclusion: This study has shown that ginger extracts possess medicinal properties, antibacterial activity and that the inhibition of bacterial growth was dose dependent. The results of the present study show that ginger extracts are more effective against all tested bacterial strains. The results of present study have provided the justification for therapeutic potential of ginger and also used as dietary supplement for food preservation.
Preliminary Screening for Antibacterial Properties of the Male Flowers of Phoenix dactylifera
Authors: Abdallah Emad M.
Published: October 2019

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial potential of the male flowers of Phoenix dactylifera (date palm tree) against five Gram-positive and five Gram-negative bacteria.

Methods: Male flowers were collected and extracted by maceration using 80% methanol and the antibacterial activity was determined using cup-plate diffusion test, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) tests.

Results: The methanol extract of male flowers of Phoenix dactylifera showed varying degrees of antibacterial activity against tested bacterial strains, the most susceptible Gram-positive bacteria were Bacillus cereus and Streptococcus pneumonia which recorded 12.2±0.3 and 9.0±0.0 mm zone of inhibition (ZI), MIC values were 50 and 100 mg/ml, MBC values were 200 and ˂200 mg/ml, respectively. The most susceptible Gram-negative bacteria were Proteus vulgaris, Klebsiella pneumonia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa which recorded 10.0±0.0, 9.7±0.3 and 9.0±0.0 mm ZI, MIC values were 100 mg/ml and MBC values were 200 mg/ml, respectively.  Based on MBC/MIC ratio, the extract has some degree of bactericidal effect. However, the results were not competitive with the standard drug (Chloramphenicol).

Conclusion: As a result, the tested methanol extract of male flowers of date palm tree exhibited some degree of antibacterial activity with a bactericidal property. More future studies such as fractionation process are required to isolate and investigate its bioactive compounds.
First Case of Qnr B6 and Qnr B7 Genes in Enterobacteriaceae Producing Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamases in Abidjan, Côte D'ivoire
Authors: Victoire Gadou , Anatole Toty Abalé , Fernique Konan , Bertin Tiékoura Konan , Baguy Ouattara Mohamed , Nathalie Guessennd Kouadio , Joseph Djaman Allico
Published: October 2019

Aims: The aim of this study was to characterize fluoroquinolone resistance genes in enterobacteriaceae that produce extended-spectrum β-lactamases, isolated in Abidjan.

Place and Duration of Study: Pasteur Institute of Côte d'Ivoire and research unit on emerging tropical infectious diseases of Aix-Marseille University from January 2017 at July 2017.

Methodology: The study included 90 enterobacteriaceae producing extended-spectrum β-lactamases isolated from biological products from various hospital services in Abidjan. These strains have been pre-identified and stored at the Center for Biological Resources (CeReB) of Pasteur Institute of Côte d'Ivoire. The identification of the strains was confirmed using the mass spectrometry MALDI-TOF (MS) and the antibiotic sensitivity test was performed using Müeller Hinton's agar diffusion method. The fluoroquinolone resistant genes were detected by conventional PCR and then, sequenced.

Results: The strains studied were Escherichia coli (44), Klebsiella pneumoniae (31) and Enterobacter cloacae (15). High resistance rates to ceftriaxone (96.7%), cefotaxime (95.6%), aztreonam (95.6%) and cefoxitin (72.2%) were observed in all strains producing broad spectrum β-lactamases. The resistance rate to fluororquinolones represented by ciprofloxacin was 86.7%. The fluoroquinolone resistance genes detected were qnr A (3.3%) and qnr B (42.2%). Sequencing identified the qnr A1 (3.3%), qnr B1 (31.1%), qnr B6 (2.2%) and qnr B7 (1.1%) genes.

Conclusion: This study made it possible to identify fluoroquinolone resistance genes in enterobacteriaceae producing β-lactamases which have an extended spectrum in Abidjan.
Fosfomycin an Alternative for the Treatment of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
Authors: Sattar Madiha , Mubashir Farheen , Ibrahim Urooj M. , Buksh Ahmad Raheem , Siddiqui Fraz , Hafiz Saleem
Published: October 2019

Introduction: Fosfomycin an antibiotic having unique chemical structure possess broad-spectrum activity against numerous pathogenic organisms including both gram negative and gram positive bacteria including multi-resistant strains. In early 1970 this antibiotic was accepted in clinical practice, but for several years the use of fosfomycin was limited for treating uncomplicated lower urinary tract infections. However, fosfomycin achieves clinically relative concentrations in serum, cerebrospinal fluid, other body fluids, lung, kidney, bladder wall, prostate gland, heart valve tissues, other inflamed tissues, abscess, and bone as well and has shown the good activity in treating severe infections caused by multi-resistant pathogens at various body sites. The objective of the study was to evaluate fosfomycin as an alternative treatment against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in a tertiary care hospital.

Materials and Methods: The Prospective Descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Clinical Microbiology Laboratory at the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT) Hospital, Karachi, June 2017 till January 2018. A total of 147 specimens were collected from various body sites include blood, fluids like pleural fluid, synovial fluids, broncho-alveolar lavage, urine, pus and tissues were identified to genus level by a routine biochemical test. Antimicrobial sensitivity was determined by Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. All fosfomycin susceptible isolates i.e. Zone size of ≥16 mm and resistant isolates as zone size <16 mm were evaluated.

Results: Out of 147 isolates 113 (76.9%) isolates were from blood, 12 (8.2%) were from other body fluids, 14(5%) were from pus and 8 (4%) from Urine. All 147 isolates were resistant to methicillin. Out of 147 isolates of MRSA 143(97.3%) were sensitive to fosfomycin and only 4 (2.7%) were found to be resistant.

Conclusion: Fosfomycin proved to be a very good alternative for treating MRSA because of good activity against this pathogen as well as good penetration of fosfomycin in serum; tissues, cerebrospinal fluid and other body fluids make this drug effective in treating infections at various body sites.
Microbiological and Nutritional Changes Associated with the Thermal Processing and Fermentation of African Oilbean (Pentaclethra macrophylla) Seeds for ugba Production
Authors: Obi C. N. , James M. U.
Published: October 2019

Boiled slices of African oil bean (Pentaclethra macrophylla) seeds were subjected to a 72-hour traditional fermentation to produce ugba for the evaluation of the effect of boiling and fermentation on the nutritional status of the seeds.  Bacterial isolates recovered from the fermenting substrate include Bacillus, Streptococcus, Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus, Klebsiella, Micrococcus, Lactobacillus and Proteus  species while Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Penicillium, Aspergillus, Fusarium and Rhizopus spp were the fungi isolated. Bacillus and Lactobacillus spp were the predominant bacterial starter cultures because they persisted from the beginning till the end of the fermentation. Saccharomyces cerevisiae was the predominant fungus. Fermentation and boiling improved the nutritional values of the protein, fat, fibre, moisture and ash contents of the ugba samples after 72 hours of fermentation with an increase in pH value towards alkalinity. However, both processes decreased the carbohydrate content of the ugba. Sensory evaluation showed that the laboratory-produced ugba sample compared with the local market sourced ugba in sensory properties. At the end of the fermentation, food borne spoilers and pathogens that were part of the contaminats of the fermenting samples were eliminated by the microbial metabolites thus making ugba safe for human consumption. The ugba can also stay for some days without spoilage in the absence of refrigeration.
Influence of Different Families of Commercial Antibiotics on Controlling Nosocomial Infections
Authors: Abdel-Raouf Mohamed , Aldeweik Hisham M. , Albannan Mohamed S. , Zaki Mohamed M. , Abdelkader Ahmed E. , Moemen Dalia
Published: October 2019

Aims: Nosocomial infection (NI) is one of the most important problems facing the world. This work is dedicated to investigating the prevalence rates of NI in addition to estimating the minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) of commercial antibiotics on isolated bacteria in order to determine the most diluted antibiotic that performed well with more efficiency and minimal toxicity.

Place and Duration of Study: Gastroenterology Surgical Center, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt, between July 2017 and July 2018.

Methodology: This study included 368 different samples (urine, stool, sputum and surgical wounds) from 100 patients A total of 15 commercial antibiotics selected from seven families having different mode of action were used.

Results: Our findings demonstrated that the highest prevalence rate of NI was detected in K. pneumoniae (40%, n=56) followed by MRSA (22.85%, n=32), E. coli (20%, n=28), P. mirabilis (7.85%, n=11), P. putida (5%, n=7) and finally P. aeruginosa (4.3%, n=6). In addition, the results showed variable MICs of various antibiotics on isolated bacteria associated with NI.

Conclusion: Interestingly, our findings showed that quinolones family had the highest impact on all types of isolated bacteria associated with nosocomial infections.
Bacteriological Quality of Fresh Salad Vegetables Sold in Calabar Road and Marian Markets, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria
Authors: Ekong Mercy Okon , Ebob Tarh, Jacqueline , Ukwuoma Iroegbu, Christian
Published: October 2019

The consumption of fresh vegetables is on the increase because of the recent awareness of the numerous health benefits. Most people prefer them raw inform of salads to retain the natural taste and heat-labile nutrients. Thus, evaluating the bacteriological quality of these vegetables for public safety is of primary importance. The bacteriological quality of fresh salad vegetables sold in Calabar markets was evaluated using standard techniques. The mean bacterial cell counts ranged from 2.44x108 Cfu/mL to 1.00 x108 Cfu/mL. In Calabar road market, the highest cell counts were observed in leeks with 2.44 x108 Cfu/mL followed by cabbage with 2.13 x108 Cfu/mL both for Bacillus species. The least count, 1.08 x108 Cfu/mL was obtained from green peas for Listeria and Staphylococcus species. In Marian market, the highest counts were 2.13 x108 Cfu/mL for Bacillus species obtained from cabbage while the lowest count was 1.00 x108 Cfu/mL for Staphylococcus species from green peas and cabbage. The most prevalent bacterial isolate was Staphylococcus species with percentage occurrence of 30% in Marian market and 24% in Calabar road. The most contaminated of the vegetables was carrots with the percentage occurrence of 18% (7 out of 37). The order of contamination in analysed vegetables was; carrots > leeks = cucumber > lettuce = green beans = green peas > cabbage = onion = green bell pepper in both markets. The significance of the findings is that vegetables used as salad recipe could be sources of foodborne infection, particularly during the beginning of the rains when new vegetables are harvested from the ground level. This calls for thorough washing of salad vegetables before consumption.
H
ydrogenophilalia
Authors: Boden Rich , Hutt Lee P , Rae Alex
Published: October 2019

Hy.dro.ge.no.phi.la'li.a. N.L. masc. n.
Hydrogenophilus
type genus; suff. ‐
alia
suffix to denote a class; N.L. neut. pl. n.
Hydrogenophilalia
the class of the
Bacteria
having 16S rRNA gene sequences and ribosomal protein amino acyl sequences related to those of the order
Hydrogenophilales
.

Proteobacteria / Hydrogenophilalia

Cells are rods and are motile by means of a single polar flagellum. Gram‐stain‐negative. Endospores, exospores, and cysts are not produced. Obligately respiratory metabolism using molecular oxygen or nitrate as terminal electron acceptors. Members of the class grow heterotrophically or facultatively autotrophically. Fatty acids, amino acids, aromatic compounds, and complex media support heterotrophic growth and molecular hydrogen acts as the electron donor for autotrophic growth. Thermophiles with optimal growth between 50 and 65°C. Cytochrome
c
oxidase‐positive, catalase‐positive. The major respiratory quinone is ubiquinone‐8 (UQ‐8). Dominant fatty acids are C
16:0
, C
19:0
cyclo
, and C
17:0
cyclo
—the high proportions of
ω
‐cyclohexyl fatty acids being distinctive of the class versus the
Betaproteobacteria
. The class accommodates the single order
Hydrogenophilales
. Members of the class were isolated from waters and soils obtained from both natural (
viz
. thermal springs in Iceland, the United States of America, India and Japan, and from the oilfields of Australia) as well as from anthropogenic environments (high‐temperature sludge digester in Portugal).

DNA G + C content (mol%)
: 58.6–65.0.

Type order
:
Hydrogenophilales
Garrity, Bell and Lilburn 2006, 2
VP
(Effective publication: Garrity, Bell and Lilburn 2005, 763).
T
issierella
Authors: Lawson Paul A.
Published: October 2019

Tis.sier.el'la. N.L. dim. ending ‐
ella;
N.L. fem. dim. n.
Tissierella
, named after Henry Tissier, who first described the organism that was originally isolated from the feces of an infant.

Firmicutes / Clostridia / Tissierellales / Tissierellaceae / Tissierella

The genus
Tissierella
is phylogenetically placed within the family
Tissierellaceae
, the order
Tissierellales
, and in the phylum
Firmicutes
.
Tissierella
forms a coherent group with the members of the genera
Anaerosalibacter
,
Keratinibaculum
,
Sporoanaerobacter
,
Soehngenia
, and
Tepidimicrobium
and the misclassified species
Clostridium ultunense
. The genus consists of four species,
Tissierella praeacuta
, the type species,
Tissierella carlieri, Tissierella creatinophila, and Tissierella creatinini
. Although placed within the Gram‐positive bacteria, the cells of some species may appear as Gram‐stain‐positive or ‐negative. Cells are rod shaped and nonsporulating. Can be either nonmotile or motile via peritrichous flagella that occur singly, in pairs, or in short chains. They are obligately anaerobic and grow optimally at 37°C. When grown on solid medium, colonies are distinct, flat or low convex, white to gray. Weak or nonfermentative. Creatine or creatinine is required for growth, and the end products of this metabolism are typically acetate, ammonia, and CO
2
. When grown in peptone–yeast extract–glucose broth, the predominant metabolic end products are acetic, butyric, and isovaleric acids. Fatty acids are nonhydroxylated and 3‐hydroxylated long‐chain fatty acids that are straight‐chained saturated and
iso
‐methyl branched‐chain types; iso‐C
15:0
or C
18:1 c11/12
predominates. Where reported, the cell‐wall peptidoglycan contains
meso
‐diaminopimelic acid or
d
‐ornithine, and respiratory menaquinones are absent. Chromosomal genomic size ranges from 3.24 to 3.56 Mb, with four
rrn
operon copies. Isolated from various infected sites in humans, human feces, and environmental sources, depending on the species.

DNA G
 + 
C content
(
mol
%): 28–32.

Type species
:
Tissierella praeacuta
(Tissier 1908) Collins and Shah 1986, 462
VP
(
Bacteroides praeancutus
Holdeman and Moore, 1970) emend. Bae, Park, Chang, Rhee, Kim and Park 2004, 948, emend Alauzet, Marchandin, Courtin, Mory, Lemée, Pons, et al. 2014, 31.
Smithella
Authors: Galushko Alexander , Kuever Jan
Published: October 2019

Smith.el'la. N.L. fem. n.Smithellanamed for Paul H. Smith in honor of his many contributions to the understanding of methanogenic propionate degradation.

Desulfobacterota / Syntrophia / Syntrophales / Smithellaceae / Smithella

Elongated, slightly sinuous rods, 0.5 µm × 3.0–5.0 µm (some cells up to 10.0 µm), with round ends. Weakly motile. Gram‐stain‐negative. Endospores have not been observed. Strictly anaerobic having a fermentative type of metabolism. Mesophilic. Chemoorganoheterotroph. Grows on crotonate as energy source; also capable of using butyrate, propionate, malate, and fumarate in syntrophic association with H2‐ or formate‐utilizing microorganisms. The genusSmithellacontains one described species. Mesophilic and neutrophilic.Smithellaspecies occur in methanogenic environments in which propionate is degraded, such as anaerobic digestors.

DNA G + C content (mol %): unknown.

Type species:Smithella propionicaLiu, Balkwill, Aldrich, Drake and Boone 1999, 553VP.
A
naerosalibacter
Authors: Fardeau Marie‐Laure , Cayol Jean‐Luc , Ollivier Bernard
Published: October 2019

An.a.e.ro.sa.li.bac'ter. Gr. pref.
an
not; Gr. n.
aer
,
aeros
, air; L. neut. n.
sal
,
salis
, salt; N.L. masc. n.
bacter
, a rod; N.L. masc. n.
Anaerosalibacter
, an anaerobic halotolerant rod.

Firmicutes / Clostridia / Clostridiales / Tissierellaceae / Anaerosalibacter

The genus
Anaerosalibacter
comprises two species with validly published names,
Anaerosalibacter bizertensis
, isolated from storage tanks holding waste generated by the recycling of discarded motor oils in north Tunisia; and
Anaerosalibacter massiliensis
, obtained from a stool sample of a 49‐year‐old Brazilian man as part of a culturomics study aiming at cultivating individually all bacterial species of the human gut microbiota. The species are thermotolerant, moderately halophilic, and strictly anaerobic and grow by fermentation of carbohydrates. Phylogenetic analyses using 16S RNA gene sequences placed the two species in the
Clostridiaceae
family.

DNA G + C content (mol%)
: 31.1.

Type species
:
Anaerosalibacter bizertensis
Rezgui, Maaroufi, Fardeau, Ben Ali Gam, Cayol, Ben Hamed et al. 2012, 2473
VP
.
H
erminiimonas
Authors: Albuquerque Luciana , Rainey Fred A. , da Costa Milton S.
Published: October 2019

Her.mi.ni.i.mo'nas. L. masc. n.
Mons Herminius
a mountain range of Lusitania; L. fem. n. monas, a unit, monad; N.L. fem. n.
Herminiimonas
a monad from
Mons Herminius
.

Proteobacteria / Betaproteobacteria / Burkholderiales / Oxalobacteraceae / Herminiimonas

Rod‐shaped cells, 0.3–1.2 µm in width and 0.8–4.0 µm in length. Motile. Endospores are not observed. Stain Gram‐negative. Colonies are yellow‐pigmented or nonpigmented. Mesophilic. Chemoorganotrophic. Strictly aerobic. Cytochrome
c
oxidase and catalase positive. Organic acids and complex mixtures of amino acids or a few single amino acids are used as carbon and energy sources. Major respiratory quinone is ubiquinone 8. Major polar lipids are phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, and diphosphatidylglycerol; some species also possess phosphatidylserine. Fatty acids are straight‐chain, saturated, and unsaturated; some species have large amounts of C
17
:0
cyclo; C
10
:0
3‐OH is present in moderate amounts in all species. Isolated from pristine environments such as drinking water, sources of bottled mineral water, glacial ice, lichen‐colonized rock, as well as contaminants of biopharmaceutical processes and from arsenic‐contaminated industrial wastewater.

DNA G + C content (mol%)
: 52.2–59.0 (HPLC).

Type species
:
Herminiimonas fonticola
Fernandes, Rainey, Nobre, Pinhal, Folhas and da Costa 2005b, 2236
VP
(Effective publication: Fernandes, Rainey, Nobre, Pinhal, Folhas and da Costa 2005a, 602).