Vol 22, No 4

Modulatory Effects of Curcumin on Antioxidant Status of Benzo[a]pyrene Treated Albino Rats

This study examined the modulatory effects of Curcumin on the antioxidant status of benzo[a]pyrene-treated albino rats. Thirty albino rats were divided into five treatment groups (n=6) namely: control, benzo[a]pyrene only (1 mg/kg), benzo[a]pyrene (1 mg/kg) + Curcumin (50 mg/kg), benzo[a]pyrene (1 mg/kg) + Curcumin (100 mg/kg), Benzo[a]pyrene (1 mg/kg) + Curcumin (200 mg/kg) for 6 weeks. Rats were administered the drug (benzo[a]pyrene and Curcumin) orally, thrice a week.

Bioconcentration and Translocation Factors of Heavy Metals in Rhizophora racemosa and Sediments from Egbokodo Mangrove Swamp, Delta State, Nigeria

The mangrove ecosystem is well known to be impacted by anthropogenic activities such as oil spillage, agricultural run-off, industrial effluents, and mining in coastal areas. These activities increase heavy metals accumulated by mangroves, which are eventually released back into the environment via decomposition. This study aimed to analyze the concentration of heavy metals including cadmium (Cd), Zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), and copper (Cu) in the roots and leaves of Rhizophora racemosa and mangrove sediments obtained from Egbokodo mangrove swamp in Delta State, Nigeria.

Bioconcentration and Translocation Factors of Heavy Metals in Rhizophora racemosa and Sediments from Egbokodo Mangrove Swamp, Delta State, Nigeria

The mangrove ecosystem is well known to be impacted by anthropogenic activities such as oil spillage, agricultural run-off, industrial effluents, and mining in coastal areas. These activities increase heavy metals accumulated by mangroves, which are eventually released back into the environment via decomposition. This study aimed to analyze the concentration of heavy metals including cadmium (Cd), Zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), and copper (Cu) in the roots and leaves of Rhizophora racemosa and mangrove sediments obtained from Egbokodo mangrove swamp in Delta State, Nigeria.

Bioconcentration and Translocation Factors of Heavy Metals in Rhizophora racemosa and Sediments from Egbokodo Mangrove Swamp, Delta State, Nigeria

The mangrove ecosystem is well known to be impacted by anthropogenic activities such as oil spillage, agricultural run-off, industrial effluents, and mining in coastal areas. These activities increase heavy metals accumulated by mangroves, which are eventually released back into the environment via decomposition. This study aimed to analyze the concentration of heavy metals including cadmium (Cd), Zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), and copper (Cu) in the roots and leaves of Rhizophora racemosa and mangrove sediments obtained from Egbokodo mangrove swamp in Delta State, Nigeria.

Development of Congenic Mutants and Genetic Analysis of Virulence in Cryptococcus Neoformans

Cryptococcus neoformans strains were isolated from clinical source taken from the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) and environmental source taken from New Benin Market. Two strains were selected; clinical isolate 4832 and environmental isolate NBM5. They were determined to be of two different mating types, due to differences in their susceptibility to the antifungal agent fluconazole. In order to check the involvement of mating type locus in the virulence of C. neoformans, congenic mutants were developed.

Development of Congenic Mutants and Genetic Analysis of Virulence in Cryptococcus Neoformans

Cryptococcus neoformans strains were isolated from clinical source taken from the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) and environmental source taken from New Benin Market. Two strains were selected; clinical isolate 4832 and environmental isolate NBM5. They were determined to be of two different mating types, due to differences in their susceptibility to the antifungal agent fluconazole. In order to check the involvement of mating type locus in the virulence of C. neoformans, congenic mutants were developed.

Biomarkers of Female Infertility: Exposure, Effect and Chemical Modification of Biomolecules

Female infertility is a health condition that affects the ability of woman to conceive over a period of continuous sexual intercourse. This condition has led to psychological and social anguish, anxiety, and depression resulting from hormonal impairment, disease infection, oxidative stress, xenobiotics, environmental pollutants, and other factors. Need to say, extensive studies on the biomarkers for female infertility are still in the developmental stage in reproductive medicine to unravel remedies based on improved technologies.

Biomarkers of Female Infertility: Exposure, Effect and Chemical Modification of Biomolecules

Female infertility is a health condition that affects the ability of woman to conceive over a period of continuous sexual intercourse. This condition has led to psychological and social anguish, anxiety, and depression resulting from hormonal impairment, disease infection, oxidative stress, xenobiotics, environmental pollutants, and other factors. Need to say, extensive studies on the biomarkers for female infertility are still in the developmental stage in reproductive medicine to unravel remedies based on improved technologies.

Detection of icaD and MecA Genes and Antibiogram Profiling of Ear Swab Borne Staphylococcus aureus Isolates

Bacteriological analysis of fifty (50) ear swabs, collected from fifty (50) consenting male undergraduate students was conducted using routine procedures which included pour plating. Thirty one (31) Staphylococcus aureus were tentatively identified and subjected to biofilm production test and antibiotic susceptibility assay using Congo red agar and disc diffusion procedure. The presence of icaD and MecA genes students in the respective bacterial strains was ascertained using polymerase chain reaction and agarose gel electrophoresis.

Detection of icaD and MecA Genes and Antibiogram Profiling of Ear Swab Borne Staphylococcus aureus Isolates

Bacteriological analysis of fifty (50) ear swabs, collected from fifty (50) consenting male undergraduate students was conducted using routine procedures which included pour plating. Thirty one (31) Staphylococcus aureus were tentatively identified and subjected to biofilm production test and antibiotic susceptibility assay using Congo red agar and disc diffusion procedure. The presence of icaD and MecA genes students in the respective bacterial strains was ascertained using polymerase chain reaction and agarose gel electrophoresis.