bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phytochemical Evaluation and Antioxidant Capacity of Ganoderma lucidum and Pleurotus pulmonarius in Ibadan, Nigeria
Authors: Aruwa G. , Adenipekun C. O. , Ogunbanwo S. T. , Akinbode E. O. 
Published: March 2021

Aims: To evaluate the phytochemical constituents and antioxidant properties of two selected mushrooms in Ibadan, Nigeria.
Study Design: An experimental and descriptive study was conducted using the fruit bodies of Ganoderma lucidum collected from the Botanical garden University of Ibadan and Pleurotus pulmonarius which was bought from a local store in Ibadan. Successive extraction was done on the mushrooms with four solvents of increasing polarity that is from the non-polar (N-hexane) to a more polar solvent(water).Phytochemical and antioxidant analysis were then carried out on the extract fractions.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Botany, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria and Department of Microbiology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria between May 2018 and February 2020.
Methodology: The N-Hexane, Ethyl acetate, Ethanol and Aqueous extract fraction of Ganoderma lucidum and Pleurotus pulmonarius were analyzed in different system, including DPPH, Ferric ion Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) and Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC). The various antioxidant activities were compared to the standard ascorbic acid. Phytochemical include: Phenol, Alkaloids, Flavonoids, Tannins, Steroids, Saponins, Terpenoids Anthraquinones, and Cardiac glycosides were also analysed.
Results: The Phytochemical screening result shows the presence of Phenol, Alkaloids, Flavonoids, Tannins, Steroids, Saponins, Terpenoids Anthraquinones, and Cardiac glycosides. The quantitative phytochemical screening revealed that the Ethyl acetate fraction of Ganoderma lucidum recorded the highest percentage of Alkaloids (41.70±0.14%) while the Ethanolic fraction of Pleurotus pulmonarius has the lowest percentage of Tannins (0.10±0.24%). DPPH scavenging activity of the Ethanolic extract fraction of Ganoderma lucidum (at 200 µg/ml) was 94.96% higher than that of Pleurotus pulmonarius (22.39%). The extract fraction of all the mushrooms possesses significant TAC content with N-Hexane and Ethyl acetate fraction having the highest. The results of the DPPH, FRAP, and TAC assays indicate that both mushrooms examined showed significant antioxidant activities. Among these, Ganoderma lucidum extract seems to be more effective antioxidant. The antioxidant activity of theses mushrooms has significant importance as it greatly contribute to their nutraceutical properties thus enhancing their nutritive value. Cultivation and production of dietary supplements from Ganoderma lucidum is highly recommended.
Conclusion: The Mushrooms species analyzed have demonstrated to be good sources of phytochemical and antioxidants hence it can be recommended to pharmaceutical industries for the manufacturing of drugs.
Cajanus Cajan (l.) Millsp Aqueous Extracts against Melanoma Cell Line and their Proteases
Authors: Teixeira E. M. G. F. , Silva-López R. E. , Silva B. R. A. Da , Fontão A. P. G. A. , Sampaio A. L. F. 
Published: March 2021

Aims: Extract proteins with protease inhibitor (PI) activity from fresh organs of Cajanus cajan, using aqueous systems; study the activity of melanoma secreted proteases; investigate inhibitory effect of C. cajan extracts on melanoma proteases; and evaluated the effect of the extract, with the most protease inhibitor activity, on melanoma cell line (SK-MEL-28) viability.
Material and Methods: Extracts of C. cajan leaves, stems, and roots were prepared using different aqueous systems. Protein content was evaluated by Bradford method, protein profile by gel electrophoresis by Laemmli method and, extracts PI activity against trypsin, papain, and pepsin. Melanoma cell line was cultured in Dulbecco's medium, and secreted proteases was obtained from culture supernatant. Characterization of melanoma proteases included substrates activity, optimum pH, and effect of specific PIs and cations on protease activity. Anticancer activity was investigated using C. cajan extracts (containing PIs) and SK-MEL-28 extracellular fraction (containing proteases). Cytotoxic effect of extract was assayed on SK-MEL-28 cells line using methylthiazol tetrazolium method. CC-P was submitted to thin layer chromatography to identify alkaloids, coumarins, flavonoids, saponins and terpenes.
Results: C. cajan extracts showed different protein contents and protein profiles in electrophoresis analysis. C. cajan organs presented PIs activities against serine, cysteine, and aspartic proteases. Leaf extract prepared using phosphate buffer (CC-P) and stems extract prepared with water (CC-CA) had the best inhibitory activities against trypsin (~58%). Pepsin was the lowest inhibited (11-29%) and papain was the most inhibited (14-100%). Protease activity of melanoma fraction was the highest using casein as substrate, and two proteins with 150 and 100 kDa with gelatinase activity. These proteases has maximal activity at pH 7.0 and 9.0, and was importantly inhibited by benzamidine, 1,10-phenanthroline and EDTA, suggesting that serine and metalloproteases are secreted by SK-MEL-28 cells. CC-P was the most important inhibitor of melanoma proteases, and induced cytotoxicity on SK-MEL-28 cells in culture. Although there is correlation between melanoma protease inhibition and cell death, CC-P has secondary metabolites, as coumarins, flavonoids and terpenes that can have synergy of antitumor activity.
Conclusion: C. cajan extracts have serine, cysteine, and aspartic protease inhibitor activities. CC-P had the best inhibition on melanoma proteases and it was also cytotoxic to melanoma cell in culture. Therefore, these PIs can be important strategy for cancer treatment because tumor cells secrete proteases that are crucial to cancer progression.
Parasitic Infections among Independent Refuse Disposal Workers in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
Authors: Nwadiuto Eze Chinwe , Sam Mbah Kelechi 
Published: March 2021

Background: A study was carried out to ascertain the prevalence of parasitic infections among independent refuse disposal workers in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria, and to ascertain the risk factors that enhance their vulnerability to parasitic infections.
Aims: The study was undertaken to determine parasitic infections among independent refuse
disposal workers in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Methods: Urine, stool and blood specimens were collected from 210 male refuse disposal workers. Standard parasitological procedures were employed in sample collection and examinations for the presence of various parasitic organisms.
Results: Results showed 86.2% of the subjects were infected with Plasmodium sp, 94.3% were infected with one or more of 9 parasitic species, of which hookworm had the highest prevalence (91.4%). Others included are Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, Taenia sp, Strongyloides stercoralis, Enterobius vermicularis, Schistosoma mansoni, Entamoeba hystolytica, Girdia lamblia. Schistosoma haematobium was not recovered from the urine specimens. Age group 26-29 years had the highest malaria prevalence of 89.1%, followed by age group 18-21 years (88.4%) while parasitic infection rate was highest among the age group 18-21(97.6%). Refuse disposal workers who reside in Rumuokoro camp had the highest malaria and intestinal parasites followed by Eneka. Poly-parasitism with A. lumbricoides and hookworm recorded the highest prevalence of 58 (27.8%) and fifteen subjects had triple poly-parasitism, with A. lumbricoides, hookworm and T. trichiura. Only 49 of the 210 respondents used one or more of the various personal protective equipment, while 161 used none at all.
Conclusion: Intestinal parasitic infection is highly prevalent among the independent refuse disposal workers in Port Harcourt. Inadequate use of personal protective equipment, poor personal hygiene and deplorable living conditions were identified as the major risk factors that enhanced transmission. It is therefore, imperative that the government enforces the use of personal protective equipment, implementation of preventive chemotherapy with health education to reduce morbidity and control transmission among the workers.
COVID-19 Knowledge among Healthcare Professionals in Gombe, Northeast, Nigeria: A Quick Online Cross-Sectional Survey
Authors: Ibrahim Rabiu , Yakubu Abdulsalam , Girei Ahmed Iya , Umar Danladi Muhammed 
Published: March 2021

Aims: Despite control measures adopted to check the rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria, healthcare workers still face a serious threat to infection due to SARS-CoV-2 virus. Adherence to control measures by healthcare workers depends on their knowledge. This study aimed to determine the knowledge of COVID-19 and related infection control practices among healthcare professionals in Gombe State.
Mythology: A cross sectional study was conducted among healthcare professionals in Gombe. Relying on our network with the healthcare professionals, 500 participants were recruited into the study using simple random sampling method. The data were collected using online questionnaire consisting of socio-demographic questions and 17questions based on knowledge and infection control practices related to COVID-19 disease in the healthcare setting adapted from a study in India. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 23 at uni-variate and bivariate levels with p value at < 0.05.
Results: Close to three-fourth (72.1%) of the participants reported correct answer about knowledge of COVID-19, thus overall knowledge was found to be adequate for all subgroups. About four-fifth (78.9%) of doctors’ responses were correct. and the lowest (65.5%) was from CHOs, Laboratory assistants and health recorders. 43.7% of the participants could correctly define “close contact.” More than three-fourths of the participants knew the various infection control measures like rapid triage, respiratory hygiene, and cough etiquette and having a separate, well ventilated waiting area for suspected COVID-19 patients. However, less than half (47.8) of the participants were aware of the correct sequence for the application of a mask/respirator, and 62.2% of them knew the preferred hand hygiene method for visibly soiled hands.
Conclusion: Regular health educational programs aimed at improving COVID-19 knowledge and infection control are needed.
History in Store: A Study of a Prototype Archaeology Site at Gbaagbum Village in Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria
Authors: Thaddeus Kyegh, Aov 
Published: March 2021

Aim: To bring to light a prototype archaeology site at Gbaagbum village in Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria. Data for the study was gotten through primary and secondary sources. These includes oral interviews, observation and documentation from field work, and written / archival records respectively.
Study Design: The study items were from Gbaagbum village and the research evaluation of the items found at the site revealed that the site was home to unknown occupants before the present settlers.
Place and Duration of Study: Gbaagbum village in Gwer West Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State, Nigeria.
Methodology: There was physical observation of the culture materials found at the site and through oral interview sessions conducted further revelations were made.
Results: Findings revealed that it was once an abandoned site for an unknown migrant community who occupied the area, but relocated before the present occupants. Furthermore, the study revealed a tunnel with complete and pieces of pots and a human jaw in the first chamber. There was a big open pot which serve as a lid to the second chamber. The paper suggests that a more comprehensive and professional archaeological / historical study be conducted at the site and within the Ityôshin area to unearth a history of the originators of the cultural materials that were accidentally discovered. The use of modern archaeological equipment, methods and principles can be greatly relied upon in this regard. To conclude a lot still needs to be done in archaeology especially in the remote areas like the Gbaagbum Village of Benue State, Nigeria.
Geno-Protective, Free Radical Scavenging and Antimicrobial Potential of Hyptis suaveolens Methanolic Fraction: An In-Vitro Study
Authors: Iqbal Danish , Dukhyil Abdulaziz Bin , Khan M. Salman 
Published: March 2021

Aims: Hyptis suaveolens (L.) Poit, is one of the natural herbs with several medicinal properties. However, many medicinal aspects of this herb still need to be explored. Therefore, our aim was to examine the antioxidant, antimicrobial properties and genoprotective effect of H. suaveolens methanolic extracts (HSME) of seed, stem, and root.
Study design: extraction and therapeutic aspects of H. suaveolens.
Place and Duration of Study: 1) Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Majmaah University, Al-Majmaah and 2) Clinical Biochemistry & Natural Product research laboratory, Department of Biosciences, Integral University, lucknow between 2018-2020.
Methodology: HSME were extracted through soxhlet extractor and further analyzed for TPC, antioxidant activity through DPPH and FRAP assay followed by antimicrobial potential through zone of inhibition and MIC/MBC assay. We also examined the genoprotective properties of HSME on oxidative DNA damage.
Results: Our results showed that TPC (180±5 mg GAE/g dw), DPPH scavenging activity (IC50 value = 72±0.45 µg/ml) and FRAP value (1.443±0.02 µM ferrous ion/mg extract) was highest in HSME seeds followed by root and stem. The results also illustrated that the antimicrobial activity of HSME (seed and stem) against five bacterial strain were found very effective than root part. Moreover, genoprotective effect of HSME seeds (80±3 % retention) was better than stem (41±2 %) and root (32±2 %) extract.
Conclusion: The study revealed that HSME seed extract showed potential bioactivities might be due to presence of high TPC and can be used to treat diseases related with oxidative stress or microbial infections.
In Hospital Frequency of Heart Failure in STEMI after Thrombolysis in Patient with Diabetes
Authors: Mueed Abdul , Rathi Nandlal , Kazi Shazia , Sachdewani Raj Kumar , Shahzad . , Ashraf Jibran 
Published: March 2021

Objective: To determine the frequency of heart failure after thrombolysis in STEMI patients with diabetes mellitus.
Methodology: Through a prospective study we have enrolled all the diabetic patients who presented with acute ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) having age more than 35 years and less than 70 years who underwent pharmacological revascularization both males and females were included in this study. Patients with previous history of revascularization, end stage kidney, liver or heart disease, known advanced valvular heart disease, pregnant women, and those who develop serious complication related to streptokinase were excluded from our study. Echocardiography was done immediately after thrombolysis then after 3 days and then before discharge of the patients to determine the frequency of heart failure. Baseline and clinical data were entered and analysed using SPSS and a chi square test and p-value ≤0.05 was considered as significant.
Results: A total of 175 patients were finally analysed and most of them were males as compared to females, 63.42% (N = 111) vs. 36.57% (N = 64), respectively. Mean age and SD of the patients was 55.90±10.49 years and mean duration of DM was 12.95±8.40 years. The overall frequency of heart failure in patients with post-STEMI was 56% (N = 98) and their mean ejection fraction was 38.46±8.20%. Frequency of heart failure in diabetic post-STEMI thrombolysed patients was significantly observed higher with increased age, increased duration of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and smoking (p≤0.05).
Conclusion: High prevalence of heart failure was observed in diabetic patients admitted with acute STEMI and underwent thrombolysis. The burden is even higher in males having age more than 55 years.
Chemical composition and nutritional value of leaves and pods of Leucaena leucocephala, Prosopis laevigata and Acacia farnesiana in a xerophilous shrubland
Authors: Campos Cecilia C. Zapata- , García-Martínez José E. , Chavira Jaime Salinas , Valdés Juan A. Ascacio , Morales Miguel A. Medina , Mellado Miguel 
Published: March 2021

The objective of this study was to determine the nutritional value of three leguminous trees heavily selected by goats in a xerophilous shrubland. Chemical composition and in vitro dry matter disappearance (IVDMD) of leaves and pods from leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala), mesquite (Prosopis laevigata), and huisache (Acacia farnesiana) is presented. Crude protein (CP) ranged from 17.3% for leaves of huisache to 21.9% for leucaena. The neutral detergent fiber (NDF) content ranged from 39.0 to 40.3 with no difference among fodder threes. Across tree species, mean IVDMD was 61.6% for pods and 52.2% for leaves. IVDMD for leaves was highest (p < 0.01) for leucaena (54.9%) and lowest for huisache (47.3%). Condensed tannins in an acetonic extract were highest for leaves of huisache (45.3 mg CE/g DM) and lowest for mesquite (25.9 mg CE/g DM). Pods and leaves of huisache presented the highest number of secondary metabolites, mainly related to hydroxybenzoic acid and flavonols; leucaena and mesquite presented mainly flavonols and anthocyanins. It was concluded that leaves and pods of leucaena, mesquite, and huisache constitute valuable forages for ruminant livestock due to their low fiber, high CP levels, moderate in vitro fermentation characteristics and high mineral content.
Pro-/antioxidant and antibacterial activity of olive leaf extracts according to bioavailability of phenolic compounds
Authors: D. Martín-Vertedor J. Rocha-Pimienta, , Delgado-Adámez R. Ramírez, J. 
Published: March 2021

The olive leaf extract (OLE) is an aqueous extract from dried olive leaves which contains high amount of phytochemicals with biological activities. The aim of this work was to study the changes in phenolic compounds content, antibacterial and antioxidant activity of the OLE after an in vitro gastrointestinal process in presence of intestinal microorganisms. In addition, the matrix effect of major individual phenolic compounds was evaluated. The OLE individual phenolic compounds quantification was determined by HPLC. The OLE contained different phenolic compounds, such as hydroxytyrosol, oleuropein and tyrosol and after digestion, these amount bioavailable detected decreased. Additionally, the antibacterial and antioxidant activity of the extract was also significantly reduced after gastrointestinal digestion. Individual phenolic compounds of OLE showed a high antimicrobial activity against pathogenic bacteria and these showed a synergic and matrix effect in extract. Besides, these compounds showed a concentration-depend pro-/anti-oxidant activity. Therefore, although the extract is rich in phenolic compounds, the levels of these were reduced along digestion process advances, and also their antioxidant and antibacterial activity. In addition, the pro-/anti-oxidant activity shown by the extract and its major phenolic compounds must be delved into, as this may or may not be convenient depending on the future application of the extract.
Devices for dosimetric measurements and quality assurance of the Xstrahl 300 orthovoltage unit
Authors: Lim Tze Yee , Mirkovic Dragan , Wang Xin , Tailor Ramesh 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe Xstrahl 300 orthovoltage unit is designed to deliver kilovoltage radiation therapy using the appositional technique. However, it is not equipped with some typical linear accelerator features, such as mechanical distance indicator and crosshair projection, which are useful for facilitating equipment setup during various quality assurance (QA) and research activities. Therefore, we designed and constructed slip‐in devices to facilitate QA for dosimetric measurements of our Xstrahl 300 unit. These include: (a) an ion chamber positioning system for dosimetric measurements, (b) a mechanical pointer for setting dosimeter distance to a nominal 50 cm, and (c) a crosshair projector with built‐in light to facilitate alignment of dosimeter to the center of the radiation field. These devices provide a high degree of setup reproducibility thereby minimizing setup errors. We used these devices to perform QA of the Xstrahl 300 orthovoltage unit. One of the QA tests we perform is a constancy check of beam output and energy. Our data since start of clinical use of this unit (approximately 2.5 yr) show dose outputs to be remarkably reproducible (2σ = ±0.4%) for all three clinical beams (75, 125, and 250 kVp). These devices have provided both convenience and high‐precision during the unit’s commissioning, and continue to provide the same for various QA activities on the Xstrahl 300 orthovoltage unit.
Interfacially Super‐Assembled Asymmetric and H2O2 Sensitive Multilayer‐Sandwich Magnetic Mesoporous Silica Nanomotors for Detecting and Removing Heavy Metal Ions
Authors: Qiu Beilei , Xie Lei , Zeng Jie , Liu Tianyi , Yan Miao , Zhou Shan , Liang Qirui , Tang Jinyao , Liang Kang , Kong Biao 
Published: March 2021

AbstractAsymmetric hollow and magnetic mesoporous silica nanocomposites have great potential applications due to their unique structural–functional properties. Here, asymmetric multilayer‐sandwich magnetic mesoporous silica nanobottles (MMSNBs) are presented through an interfacial super‐assembly strategy. Asymmetric hollow silica nanobottles (SNBs) are first prepared, and Fe3O4 nanoparticles monolayers and mesoporous silica layers are uniformly super‐assembled on the surfaces of SNBs, respectively. The high Fe3O4 nanoparticles loading endows MMSNBs with a high magnetization (8.5 emu g−1), while the mesoporous silica layers exhibit high surface area (613.4 m2 g−1) and large pore size (3.6 nm). MMSNBs can be employed as a novel type of enzyme‐powered nanomotors by integrating catalase (Cat‐MMSNBs), which show an average speed of 7.59 µm s−1 (≈25 body lengths s−1) at 1.5 wt% H2O2. Accordingly, the water quality can be monitored by evaluating the movement speed of Cat‐MMSNBs. Moreover, MMSNBs act as a good adsorbent for removing more than 90% of the heavy metal ions with the advantage of the mesoporous structure. In addition, the good magnetic response enables the MMSNBs with precise directional control and is conducive to recycling for repeated operation. This bottom‐up interfacial super‐assembly construction strategy allows for a new understanding of the rational design and synthesis of multi‐functional nanomotors.