bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mycoflora and Aflatoxin Producing Fungi from Some Storage Cereal Grains Sold in Darki Market, Wudil Local Government Area, Kano State, Nigeria
Authors: El-Hassan Farida Isah , Agbo Ediga Bede , Umar Sadisu Farouk 
Published: February 2022

Aim: The study was aimed at determining the mycoflora and aflatoxin producing fungi in some storage cereals sold at Darki market, Wudil Local Government Area, Kano State. Nigeria.
Study Design: A total of thirty samples (ten samples containing 250g each of maize, millet and wheat) were obtained from storage facilities of traders in different location of Darki, market.
Place and Duration of Study: Storage facilities of Darki market, Wudil, Kano State, between May 2021 and July 2021.
Methodology: Samples were subjected to serial dilution, enumeration of fungal load using pour plate method, inoculation and isolation of fungi using direct plating method, extraction and detection of aflatoxin using thin layer chromatography and molecular analysis using PCR.
Result: Total fungal (mold) count on Potato Dextrose Agar recorded the highest count of 6.5103 in wheat sample 4 (WH4) while the least count of 2.2102 was recorded in wheat sample 6 (WH6). The fungal isolates obtained from this study were Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Fusarium spp, Mucor spp, and Rhizopus spp. The percentage of occurrence of fungi isolated from the cereal samples was highest in Aspergillus niger (34.43%) and the least (11.48%) was recorded in Mucor spp. Extraction and detection methods revealed a blue fluorescence on the TLC plates indicating the presence of aflatoxin B in the samples. The standard calculated range of Retention factor value was between 0.58 and 0.75. After DNA extraction, the fragment size obtained by PCR reactions with primer pairs ITS1/ITS4 showed 600bp for most of the isolates. All the Aspergillus spp, Fusarium spp. and Rhizopus spp showed positivity for the molecular markers ITS1/ITS4 by having positive bands. Only Mucor spp showed negative results for ITS1/ITS4 primers and showed no band.
Conclusion: This study shows that most of the cereals were contaminated with either one or more molds but within the satisfactory and marginal limits. However, aflatoxin contamination is a threatening issue Hence aflatoxins contamination of crops at harvest conditions should be controlled to some extent by the implementation of good agricultural practices and good storage practices.
Analysis of Business Continuity in Industry Seafood Processed Product Based on Community in Bungin Island, West Nusa Tenggara Province
Authors: . Zulkieflimansyah , Nurjihadi Muhammad , Aprirachman Rozzy , Tryana Ayu Levia , Mandasari Jayanti 
Published: February 2022

Aims: This study aims to analyze the sustainability of community-based industrial businesses on Bungin Island, West Nusa Tenggara province, seen from two dimensions, namely the sustainability of the economic dimension and the sustainability of the social dimension.
Place and Duration of Study: The sample of this research is the community of criteria is the Bungin island community which is a member of the industrial community that processes marine products into finished products with a total of 100 respondents. Collecting data in this study using a questionnaire for survey the community perspective. The answers to each question were measured using a Likert scale. Ordinal data from the Likert scale is transformed using the Method of the Successive Interval approach.
Methodology: The data processing method in this study uses the composite index of each variable of the economic dimension and social dimension.
Results: The results of this study are that from the economic dimension, there are several variables that become obstacles to business continuity, namely access to financial institutions with an index of 0.395 and the constraint from the social dimension is the relatively low level of education of community members with an index of 0.348. While there are several variables that support the sustainability of community-based seafood processing businesses on Bungin Island, namely active members seeking market information (0.72), actively expanding business (0.706), labor availability (0.706) and member welfare (0.89).
Histopathology and Morphometric Characters of Tilapia guineensis as Biomarker to Evaluate Level of Environmental Stress in Badagry and Ojo Creeks, Lagos, Nigeria
Authors: Oluwatoyin Joseph Aderinola , Abosede Adu Ayotunde , Victor Kusemiju , Gabriel Olarinde Mekuleyi , Elizabeth Awopetu Oluwapelumi 
Published: February 2022

Forty wild adult Tilapia guineensis were sourced from Ojo and Badagry creeks between January and March 2021, to investigate its morphometric character (total length, body weight, standard length, and head depth) and tissues structure (gill, muscle and small intestine) differences. Samples were collected and analysed using standard methods. The results showed no significant difference (P<0.05) between the mean total length, body weight, standard length, and head depth of Tilapia guineensis recorded from both creeks. Length-weight relationships of T. guineensis obtained from both creeks showed negative allometry(b<3) growth pattern while its condition factor (k) value was more significant than one, which indicated that the fishes are in good condition. Muscle of T.guineensis from Ojo creek showed a severe lesion of muscle bundle, degeneration of muscular bundle and shortening of bundles. Similarly, the gills structure of T. guineensis from Ojo creek showed severe degeneration, hyperplasia of secondary gill lamellae, and curling of secondary lamellae with unclear water channels. It is also characterized by hypertrophy of lamellae, and there is evidence of partial fusion of lamellae and dilation of gill filament. The observation of none lesion or degenerated tissues of T. guineensis in Badagry creek could suggest that Ojo creek is more subjected to effluents or other environmental stressors than Badagry creek. In conclusion, T. guineensis from Badagry creek is less affected by any environmental contaminants than T. guineensis from Ojo creek. Therefore, a collective effort towards ensuring reduction in direct discharge of untreated effluent or avoidance of another unhygienic usage of the creeks is very pertinent.
Hospital Acquired Infection among Surgical Patients in a Selected Secondary Level Hospital
Authors: Imtiaz Ahmed , Shahadat Md. Anowar , Hossain Monowar , Khatun Mst. Shahana , Ferdoushi Hasina Mahmuda , Akhter Rafia , Rana Md. Sohel , Hasan Md. Toufic , Al Noman Md. Abdullah 
Published: February 2022

Introduction: Hospital-acquired infection is a major global issue for patient safety. Understanding the potential risk factors is important to appreciate the local context. At least 1.2 million people are affected globally by nosocomial infections at any time, the vast majority of these occurring in low-income countries. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and contributing factors of hospital-acquired infections among surgical patients in a selected secondary level hospital.
Methodology: A hospital-based cross-sectional study carried out in a selected secondary level hospital; from October 2019 to December 2019 among 137 respondents. The purposive sampling technique was followed to select the study participants; the interview was taken by using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS program version 23. The level of significance was taken 95% and standard error 5%.
Results: Out of all the patients 83.2% were admitted to Out Patient Department and 16.8% to emergency. Among them, 0.7% of the respondents were found to develop hospital-acquired infection. About 44.5% having infection before admission and more than three visitors visit a patient per day 65.7%. The scanty number of patients had used blood transfusion, urinary catheter for their treatment. The provisional and final diagnosis was almost the same.
Conclusion: Hospital-acquired infections usually only receive public attention when there are epidemics. Although hidden from public attention, HAIs are a very real endemic and on-going problem. Maintaining a safe and hygienic work environment prevents the spread of HAIs.
Anti-ulcer Activity of Ethanolic Extract of Alstonia scholaris Bark: An in vivo and in silico Approach
Authors: Raju M. Ganga , Manisha R. , Reddy V. N. V. L. Suvarchala , Niharika M. 
Published: February 2022

Aims: The present research is focused on screening in vivo anti-ulcer activity using pylorus ligation and ethanol induced ulcer model.
Study Design: Fourty eight rats, randomly divided into eight groups, were used in this study. Bark of Alstonia scholaris were air-dried, ground into fine powder and used in the preparation of an ethanolic extract.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pharmacology, Osmania University, Hyderabad between December 2020 and September 2021.
Methodology: Ethanol related ulcer was induced using 1 mL/kg b.w, p.o. Treated rats received ethanolic extract of Alstonia scholaris at various doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg b.w. Ulcer index, % ulcer protection were calculated and histological studies were conducted at 6 hr after pylorous ligation respectively.
Results: Pharmacological estimations were done by means of 200 mg/kg, b.w. and 400 mg/kg, b.w. The total acidity and free acidity were decreased, pH was increased and ulcer index was decreased by Ethanolic extract of Alstonia scholaris (EEAS 200 and 400 mg/kg b.w., p.o.) in pylorus ligation model. Treatment with EEAS (200 and 400 mg/kg b.w. p.o.) has significantly decreased the ulcer index by ethanol induced ulcer model. To appreciate the ligand-binding attraction of the dynamic ingredients of the excerpt, docking trainings were accomplished for natural compounds against protein data bank (PDB) ID: 5A5N, PDB ID: 6Q2T, PDB ID: 7MBX, PDB ID: 2FV5. The results revealed that vanillic acid, venoterpine, loganetin, dibutyl phthalate, guaia-3,9- diene, 3,6-Bis[2-methylphenyl]-2,5-dihydropyrrolo[3,4-c] pyrrole-1,4- dione, 2H-1-Benzopyran- 2-one,7-acetyl-8-[acetyloxy]-4, n-hexadecanoic acid, stigmasterol, diospyrolide, D- Friedoolean-14-en-3-one, betulin, lupeol acetate, pentanoic acid and standard drug omeprazole had shown highest glide scores with all the selected proteins which indicate a stronger receptor-ligand binding affinity.
Conclusion: From in vivo and in silico results it is evident that ethanolic bark extract of Alstonia scholaris possessed significant anti-ulcer activity.
Geo-spatial Assessment of Soil Quality Index of Alirajpur District of Madhya Pradesh, India
Authors: Yadav T. C. , Tagore G. S. , Padwar Garima , Sahu R. K. 
Published: February 2022

Information regarding spatial variability and distribution of soil properties is critical for stakeholders attempting to increase nutrients use efficiency and crop productivity. The soils of Alirajpur district having the bulk density, pH, EC, OC and CaCO3 varied from4.70 to 8.40, 0.03 to 0.90 dSm-1, 0.47 to 12.92 g kg-1 and 5.0 to 115.0 g kg-1 soil, respectively. Available N, P, K and S content in soils of Alirajpur district ranged from 76.0 to 382.0 kg ha-1, 1.34 to 62.13 kg ha-1, 53.52 to 529.85 kg ha-1 and 0.55 to 33.90 mg kg-1 soil, respectively. Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn and B contents in soil varied from 0.03 to 1.98, 0.06 to 3.74, 1.07 to 36.0, 1.34 to 43.0 and 0.03 to 4.76 mg kg-1 soil, respectively. The categories of the soil fertility status were made with respect to N, P, K and S as medium, high, medium and low (M-H-M-L). The 64.71%, 93.01% and 25.37% soil samples were observed to be low in S, Zn and Fe, respectively. The results revealed that none of the samples were tested low in Cu and Mn and these are not a major problem in Alirajpur district. Correlation analyses among the above highly weighted variables were done to remove the redundant variables, accordingly OC and N, Fe and Mn, CaCO3 and Zn were highly correlated, and finally OC, Fe and Zn were retained owing to their high factor loading. The sensitive indicators (Minimum dataset) under the soils of Alirajpur District in descending order of importance as revealed by factor analysis were as follows: OC > Fe > Zn > B > EC > K > MBC.
The sensitive indicators under the soils of Alirajpur district in descending order of importance as revealed by factor analysis were as follows: OC > Fe > Zn > B > EC > K > MBC. This suggests that these indicators may be used in future for characterizing the state of soil conditions of district. Soil quality index rating ranged from 0.22 to 0.31 under the different blocks and 0.22 for district as whole with l parameter soil quality index 0.31 for Alirajpur district.
Socio-Economic Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic on Health Status in Ekiti and Ondo States, Nigeria
Authors: Bosede Awoyemi Olanike , Bukola Falaju Elizabeth , Adeyiola Ayobami Ibidapo , Odiaka Keziah 
Published: February 2022

Introduction: The coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has become a serious threat to human existence and at the same time causing a lot of traumatic socio-economic losses to people and nations globally. To this effect, studies have examined the impact of the pandemic in Nigeria, but not much has been said on the socio-economic effects of the pandemic on health status. This research work therefore, examines the socio-economic effects of COVD-19 pandemic on health status of people in Ekiti and Ondo States in Nigeria. Data from 663 respondents was obtained from the cross-section of adults age 18-65, using a self-structured open and close-ended questionnaire. Variables such as health status, occupation, income, education among others were used.
Methods: Ordered Probit model was specified to investigate the effect of the pandemic on health status and the maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) was used as the estimation technique. Also, descriptive statistics was conducted to examine the demographic features of the respondents.
Results and Findings: The results show that COVID-19 pandemic has both negative and positive socio-economic effects on health status among the majority of the participants. A decrease in school closure and job loss/ business closure makes respondents more likely to be in good health with 6.562% and 7.194% probabilities respectively. However, the probability that a respondent will be in a good health as a result of a positive change in income is 0.463%. This indicates that a positive change in income has a positive effect on health status, while school closure and job loss/business closure during COVID-19 have negative effects on health status. The study recommends that welfare benefits, financial incentives, stimulus package to both individuals and firms, while remote learning strategies are implemented to rebalance and boost people’s welfare in both states.
Preparation of Ethanolic Extract of Cassia auriculata and Its Anti-Diabetic Activity
Authors: Sitaram T. Srinivasa Surya , Arivarasu Lakshminarayanan , Rajeshkumar S. , Thangavelu Lakshmi 
Published: February 2022

Introduction: Diabetes has caused a major burden to the health sector in the developing countries and has shown an increasing trend among the urban population. It is estimated that most patients are with type II diabetes which could be easily treated with dietary changes, exercise, and medication. Sri Lanka carries a long history of ayurvedic medicine where it uses the plant for treating many diseases. Therefore it is important to screen medicinal plants scientifically so they could be used safely and effectively in the traditional medical system and also be used for further investigations. Cassia auriculata is a plant used in the Ayurvedic medical system in Sri Lanka for treating many diseases including diabetics. We evaluated the anti-diabetic properties and the antioxidant properties of Cassia auriculata leaves.
Methods: The methanol extract of the leaves was sequentially extracted with petroleum ether and thereafter was partitioned between EtOAc, and water. The α-amylase inhibition assay was performed using the 3,5- dinitrosalicylic acid method. The antioxidant activities were measured using the DPPH free radical scavenging activity and the total phenolic content using Folin-Ciocalteu’s reagent. The cytotoxicity of the extract was evaluated using the Brine shrimp bioassay.
Results: The extract shows very good anti-diabetic activity for the Cassia auriculata extract by using BSA and EAA Assay.
Conclusion: The leaf extracts of cassia auriculata exhibit remarkable α-amylase inhibitory activity in the crude methanolic extract. Hence leaves of cassia auriculata have a potential to be used as a regular green vegetable and also be investigated further in isolating pure compounds with anti-diabetic activity.
Evaluation of Antitumour Activity of Ethanolic Extract from Tribulus terrestris in Human Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Kamalli M. , Raghunandhakumar S. , Ezhilarasan D. , Lakshmi T. 
Published: February 2022

Introduction: Breast cancer is the form of cancer that occurs in the breast cells. After skin cancer, breast cancer is considered to be the most common cancer diagnosed in women. The number of deaths associated with this disease was increased in case of lack of early detection. Tribulus terrestris is an annual herb belonging to the Zygophyllaceae family. Flavonoids, alkaloids, and saponins are some of the main phytoconstituents of the herb. They are known for their pharmacological actions such as anti carcinogenic, anti inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant properties.
Aim: The aim of the present study is to evaluate the antitumor activity of ethanolic extract from Tribulus terrestris in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells.
Materials and Methods: The effect of Tribulus terrestris on cell viability was measured by MTT assay carried against breast cancer cells and morphological changes were investigated with phase contrast microscopy to confirm its antitumor activity.
Results: the cell viability assay results indicate that 24hrs treatment with ethanolic extract of significantly reduces the cell viability in dose dependent manner. At 40 μg/ml of the Tribulus terrestris extract inhibits 50% cell viability and it has been fixed as IC50 value for further Tribulus terrestris experiments.
Conclusion: From the results, the extracts were cytotoxic to the human breast cancer cell and it might be a good therapeutic value for further investigations needed to understand the mechanisms to develop antitumor agents.
Anti-Cancer Effects of Saraca asoca Flower Extract on Prostate Cancer Cell Line
Authors: Choudhary Apurva , Elumalai P. , Raghunandhakumar S. , Lakshmi T. , Roy Anitha 
Published: February 2022

Background: Prostate cancer is the second most common cause of cancer deaths for men. The role of plants in the prevention and treatment of disease has been known from the dawn of civilization. Plants maintain the health and vitality of individuals and also cure diseases, including cancer without causing toxicity. More than 50% of all modern drugs in clinical use are of natural products, many of which have the ability to control cancer cells. Saraca Asoca (Roxb.), De. Wild or Saraca indica is one of the most ancient trees of India
Aim: Aim of this study is to investigate the anti-cancer effects of Saraca Asoca flower extract on prostate cancer cell line.
Materials and Methods: The anti-cancer effects of Saraca Asoca extract on prostate cancer cell lines was assessed by cell viability assay, cell and nuclear morphological studies. The multiple concentration of Saraca Asoca extract (0, 20, 40, 60, 80, 100 and 120 µg/ml) was used and IC50 doses were calculated.
Results: The MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2yl]-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide) assay results showed the percentage of cell viability significantly decreased in treated cells compared to control groups without any treatment was represented as 100% and we observed inhibitory concentration was 60µg/ml. Morphologic changes observed showed cell shrinkage, and cytoplasmic membrane blebbing, were observed under phase-contrast microscope. The apoptotic nuclei (intensely stained, fragmented nuclei, and condensed chromatin) were viewed under a fluorescent microscope.
Conclusion: Overall, the present study results demonstrated the cytotoxic and proapoptotic effects of Saraca Asoca flower extract on prostate cancer cell line. However, more research is needed to understand the active prinsciple compounds present in the extract and molecular mechanisms of its anti-cancer effects.
Stevia and Peppermint Herbal Formulation Based Mouthwash and Its Efficacy in Antimicrobial and Cytotoxic Activities
Authors: Yuvashree C. S. , Varghese Sheeja S. , Kumar Rajesh 
Published: February 2022

Background: Dental caries is a condition induced by the microbial fermentation of dietary carbohydrates in the biofilm that is connected to the teeth, which results in the disintegration of local chemical surfaces of the teeth. The predominant microbial pathogen in the aetiology of caries is Streptococcus mutans. Caries can be avoided by brushing and flossing regularly, as well as using antimicrobial mouthwash.
Aim: The aim of the study is to prepare the Stevia and Peppermint formulation mouthwash and evaluate the antimicrobial property and cytotoxic effect of the formulated mouthwash at varying concentrations.
Materials and Methods: A herbal mouthwash consisting of Stevia and Peppermint as the chief ingredients was prepared in the laboratory and its antimicrobial activity of various concentrations (25 µL, 50 µL,100 µL) against S. mutans, S. aureus, E. faecalis, C. albicans were tested by the agar well diffusion method. The cytotoxic activity of the prepared herbal mouthwash was checked using lethality of the nauplii which hatched from brine shrimp eggs, which was inoculated for over 24 hours. The results obtained were statistically analysed using IBM SPSS software and the results interpreted in graphs and tables.
Results: The antimicrobial activity of prepared mouthwash against different microorganisms at 25 µL was significantly lesser than the standard but there was a concentration dependent increase in the antimicrobial property. The cytotoxic effect of formulated mouthwash was found to be within limits at all concentrations. At low concentration the cytotoxic effect was found to be negligible and the cytotoxic effect also had a concentration dependent increase.
Conclusion: The formulated Stevia and Peppermint mouthwash was ound to have effective antimicrobial properties and negligible cytotoxic effect. The antimicrobial property against different microorganisms at 25 µL is significantly less than the standard but the antimicrobial property increases as the concentration increases