Research Articles in Biochemistry

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://repository.nileuniversity.edu.ng/handle/123456789/67

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Start date: 2020End date: 2025

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Now showing 1 - 9 of 9
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    Outlier and Normality Testing of the Residuals for the Morgan-Mercer-Flodin (MMF) Model Used for Modelling the Total Number of COVID-19 Cases for Brazil
    (Hibiscus Publisher, 2021-02-02) Garba Uba; Nuhu Danladi Zandam; Abdurrashed Mansur; Mohd Yunus Abd Shukor
    Traditionally, testing for outliers is performed by first creating a null hypothesis, H0, indicating that the suspected results do not differ significantly from those of other members of the data set, and then rejecting it if the likelihood of getting the experimental results is extremely low (e.g., p=0.05). Similarly, if H0 can be rejected, the questionable findings may be discarded as outliers as well. If H0 is retained in the data set, it is important to keep the dubious findings in the data set. In general, in nonlinear regression, the residuals of the curve must be normally distributed before any test for the existence of outliers is performed. This is often accomplished through the use of normalcy tests such as the Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Wilks-Shapiro, D'Agostino-Pearson, and Grubb's tests, the latter of which checks for the presence of an outlier and is the subject of this study. Normality tests for residues used in general nonlinear regression revealed that the usage of the Morgan-Mercer-Flodin (MMF) Model used for Modelling the Total Number of COVID19 Cases for Brazil was adequate due to lack of an outlier. The critical value of Z from statistical table for Grubbs’ test for a single outlier using mean and SD was 0.114 (n=50). The Grubbs (Alpha = 0.05) g value was 3.597. Individual Z value indicates that the residual with a value of 3 (row 3) was far from the rest and is deemed a significant outlier (p < 0.05). This outlier was removed, and subsequent Grubb’s test show the absence of other outliers. As the Grubbs’ test require for the normality of the residuals, several normality tests (Kolmogorov-Smirnov, WilksShapiro, Anderson-Darling and the D'Agostino-Pearson omnibus K2 test) were carried out and the results were found to conform to normality. In addition, a visual inspection of the model’s normal probability or Q-Q plot shows a nearly straight and appeared to exhibit no underlying pattern. The resulting histogram overlaid with the ensuing normal distribution curve also reveals that the residuals were truly random and that the model used was adequately fitted.
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    Response Surface Methodology Optimization and Kinetics of Diesel Degradation by a Cold-Adapted Antarctic Bacterium, Arthrobacter sp. Strain AQ5-05
    (MDPI (Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute), 2020-02-02) Abdulrasheed Mansur; Azham Zulkharnain; Nur Nadhirah Zakaria; Ahmad Fareez Ahmad Roslee; Khalilah Abdul Khalil; Suhaimi Napis; Peter Convey; Claudio Gomez-Fuentes; Siti Aqlima Ahmad
    Petroleum hydrocarbons, notably diesel oil, are the main energy source for running amenities in the Antarctic region and are the major cause of pollution in this area. Diesel oil spills are one of the major challenges facing management of the Antarctic environment. Bioremediation using bacteria can be an effective and eco-friendly approach for their remediation. However, since the introduction of non-native organisms, including microorganisms, into the Antarctic or between the distinct biogeographical regions within the continent is not permitted under the Antarctic Treaty, it is crucial to discover native oil-degrading, psychrotolerant microorganisms that can be used in diesel bioremediation. The primary aim of the current study is to optimize the conditions for growth and diesel degradation activity of an Antarctic local bacterium, Arthrobacter sp. strain AQ5-05, using the Plackett-Burman approach and response surface method (RSM) via a central composite design (CCD) approach. Based on this approach, temperature, pH, and salinity were calculated to be optimum at 16.30 ◦C, pH 7.67 and 1.12% (w/v), respectively. A second order polynomial regression model very accurately represented the experimental figures’ interpretation. These optimized environmental conditions increased diesel degradation from 34.5% (at 10 ◦C, pH 7.00 and 1.00% (w/v) salinity) to 56.4%. Further investigation of the kinetics of diesel reduction by strain AQ5-05 revealed that the Teissier model had the lowest RMSE and AICC values. The calculated values for the Teissier constants of maximal growth rate, half-saturation rate constant for the maximal growth, and half inhibition constants (µmax, Ks, and Ki), were 0.999 h−1, 1.971% (v/v) and 1.764% (v/v), respectively. The data obtained therefore confirmed the potential application of this cold-tolerant strain in the bioremediation of diesel-contaminated Antarctic soils at low temperature.
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    Nanofiltration as an advanced wastewater treatment technique: a comprehensive review
    (Springer, 2025-02-02) Djadjiti Namla; Mohammad Oves; Majed Ahmed Alshaeri; Saleh M. Al‑Maaqar; Hamdy Nasr Youssef Issa; George Mangse
    Nanofiltration (NF) is a membrane-based filtration method that has gained prominence in modern technology because of its superior separation efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and ease of operation. With pore sizes ranging from 1 to 10 nm, and a molecular weight cut-off (MWCO) ranging from 100 to 2000 Da, NF membranes bridge the gap between reverse osmosis (RO) and ultrafiltration (UF) processes—and effectively removing a wide range of contaminants including suspended particles, oil emulsions, bacteria, cells, colloidal haze, viruses, macromolecules, proteins, sub-molecular organic groups, monovalent and divalent ions, and heavy metals. To enhance membrane selectivity and permeability, NF membranes have been fabricated from a variety of materials including polymer thin films, metals, polymers with inorganic nanofillers, carbon compounds, metal composites, and nano-semiconductors. Each of these materials contributes unique properties to NF membranes, such as high aspect ratios, biocompatibility, chemical resistance, and thermal stability, making them valuable in various separation processes. Despite the advancements in NF membrane materials, challenges such as membrane fouling and low permeate flux persist. This review provides an in-depth examination of NF as an innovative solution for wastewater treatment, focusing on its principles, applications, and recent advancements in NF technology. This highlights the challenges of current wastewater treatment methods and explores how NF offers a viable alternative for improving treatment efficiency and sustainability. This review also discusses the potential of integrating various membrane materials to optimize NF performance and outlines future trends and challenges in the widespread adoption of NF in wastewater management systems
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    Antioxidant, Dermal and Acute Toxicological Effects of Eucalyptus camaldulensis (Dehn-Blakely) Essential Oil on Male Wistar Rats
    (National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development, 2022-02-02) Uju Dorathy Iliemene Ejike; Anunobi Oluchukwu Ogechukwu
    During the era of the COVID-19 lockdown, many Nigerians resorted to home remedies like herbal mixtures for therapy because they could not have access to orthodox medicine. Eucalyptus camaldulensis (E. camaldulensis) essential oil was one of such remedies as many believed it had the potential to treat colds, flu, sore throats, bronchitis and even prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection. The objective of the study is to check the antioxidant, dermal and acute toxicological effects of the E. camaldulensis essential oil. Rats were grouped into 8 of 5 each. Normal and corn oil (2ml/kg body weight) control groups. E. camaldulensis essential oil from Jos, Niger, Nasarawa, Kogi, Kwara, and Benue zones were given at 2ml/kg body weight for 14 days as well as applied on the shaved skin of the rats. No mortality was recorded in the sub-acute toxicity study at low and high doses (10mg/kg and 5000mg/kg). The levels of AST, ALT, TNF-α and IL-6 did not significantly differ from normal control rats. Lungs Investigation recorded a significant increase in the TNF-α. Antioxidant enzyme assays showed a significant increase in catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione-s-transferase. Histological examination showed focal inflammation with moderate cytoplasmic clearing in the liver and focal mild epidermal sclerosis of the skin. Dermal application of the oil shows no significant toxic effect except some mild inflammation (skin irritation). Oral administrations were relatively safe with mild adverse effect observed in the lung inflammatory markers.
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    Computational and Preclinical Evidence of Anti-ischemic Properties of L-Carnitine-Rich Supplement via Stimulation of Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Events in Testicular Torsed Rats
    (Hindawi, 2021-02-02) Janet Olayemi Olugbodi; Keren Samaila; Bashir Lawal; Anunobi Oluchukwu Ogechukwu; Roua S. Baty; Omotayo Babatunde Ilesanmi; Gaber El-Saber Batiha
    Ischemia-reperfusion injury is a urological emergency condition that could lead to necrosis, testicular damage subfertility, and infertility. The purpose of this study was to identify changes taking place in the rat testis at short-term (4hr) as well as long term (7 days) reperfusion following testicular torsion and to evaluate the effects of Proxeed Plus (PP), L-carnitine-rich antioxidant supplement, on preventing these changes using the biochemical parameters and histopathology. Thirty adult male rats were divided into five groups: in groups, 1-4 testicular ischemia was achieved by rotating the left testis 720° clockwise for 4h and dividing into the sham, torsion/detorsion (T/D), T/D+1000mg/kg BW PP, and T/D+5000mg/kg BW PP groups, respectively. PP was administered intraperitoneally 30min before detorsion while group 5 served as the normal control. All rats were sacrificed 4h after detorsion. The same experimental design was set up, and animals were sacrificed after 7 days of detorsion. The testicular levels of human cyclooxygenase-2; tumor necrosis factor; interleukins-1β, 6, and 10; hydrogen peroxide; malonaldehyde; superoxide dismutase; catalase; glutathione transferase; glutathione peroxidase; glutathione reductase; and histopathological damage were evaluated. Our results revealed that rats in the torsion/detorsion group exhibited elevated testicular levels of oxidative markers and proinflammatory cytokines, low levels of antioxidant enzymes, and severe histological alterations relative to the control and sham groups. Treatments with 1000 and 5000mg/kg BW of PP for 4hr and 7 days significantly (p <0:05) decreased the levels of the proinflammatory and oxidative markers while increasing the spermatogenesis, testicular levels of antioxidant enzymes, and anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10) in a dose-dependent manner. This suggested that PP exhibited anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities against I/R testes thus serving as an effective supplement to protect against testicular assault
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    Draft metagenome-assembled genomes of Pseudomonas putida isolated from human gut microbiome in Nasarawa State, Nigeria
    (The African Journal of Clinical and Experimental Microbiology (AJCEM), 2024-02-02) Anunobi Oluchukwu Ogechukwu
    The metagenome-assembled genome (MAG) sequences of Pseudomonas putida PP14A and PP20A were obtained by metagenomic sequencing from the gut microbiomes of a female and a male patient both 24 years old from the same household presenting to a health outreach laboratory with complaint of headache, and occasional diarrhoea in Mararaba, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. The phylogenetic relationship observed between the two PP MAGs with other Pseudomonas spp MAGs from human, points to the global spread of Pseudomonas putida through human activity and migration.
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    Microbiota Modulation in Oncology: Implications For Cancer Development And Therapeutic Strategies
    (Published by Living Science Foundation, 2024-02-02) Okunlola Felix Oladele; Omowumi, O. S; Abidaku, O. M; Olajide, P. A; Ojueromi, O
    In oncology, microbiota balance studies the complex relationship between the body’s microbial networks and cancerous development. The billions of microbes that comprise the human microbiota are essential for maintaining homeostasis and affecting a number of physiological functions. Recent research suggests that modifications to this microbial ecosystem may have an impact on the onset and course of cancer. An imbalance in the microbiota known as dysbiosis has been linked to irritability, safe brokenness, and—surprisingly—direct effects on carcinogenesis. Comprehending the relationships between microbiota and malignant growth facilitates the development of innovative restorative techniques. Analysts are investigating the potential implications of targeted microbiota modification for malignant growth therapy outcomes. It is becoming evident that probiotics, prebiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation may be utilized to improve the efficacy of traditional cancer therapies by reestablishing the microbial balance. Moreover, there is a growing body of research on the influence of the microbiome on immunotherapy responses. All things considered, deciphering the astounding relationship between microbiota and cancerous development promises to advance our understanding of the causes of disease and improve treatment approaches. In this review, the part microbiota plays in carcinogenesis, how microbiota can lead to cancer and different therapeutic strategies such as diet, probiotics, phytochemical and so on were discussed.
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    Liver Enzymes and Blood Lactate Profile of Patients Diagnosed with Typhoid Fever in Abuja, Nigeria
    (National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), 2023-02-02) Anunobi Oluchukwu Ogechukwu; OJO, Ewela Rita
    Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi antibiotics resistance is on the increase and this frustrates efforts at treatment. Persistence of drug-resistant typhoid fever leads to higher mortality rate because treatment is evasive. Lactate is a marker of the severity of stress response in illnesses and liver function enzymes are indicative of the health of the liver. This study intended to identify the effect of drug resistant typhoid fever infection on liver enzymes and blood lactate levels of patients diagnosed with typhoid fever. Fifty subjects were recruited, forty-five were positive for Widal test and further subjected to stool culture examination for the identification of Salmonella Typhi. All patient’s blood were analysed for lactate, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Salmonella Typhi were identified in eight out of forty-five Widal positive test patients. The eight positive Salmonella Typhi isolates showed resistance to the Amoxicillin (30 mcg), Tetracycline (30 mcg), Cotrimoxazole (25 mcg), Ceftriazone (30 mcg), Levofloxacin (5 mcg), Gentamicin (30 mcg) and Netillin (30 mcg) but showed susceptibility to ofloxacin (5 mcg). ALP (158.1±8.32 IU/L), AST (55.1±6.78 U/L), ALT (65.2 ±4.96U/L) and blood lactate (10.5±2.4 mmol/L), were elevated in all drug resistant patients when compared to reference standard ALT (7-56 U/L), AST (10-40 U/L), ALP (20-120IU/L), lactate (0.8-2.2 mmol/L). ALT, AST and ALP enzyme levels increased with increasing number of resistances to antibiotics. Untreated typhoid fever infection exerts metabolic toll on liver functions.
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    Assessment of Heavy Metal Bioremediation Potential of Microbial Isolates Collected from Wupa Wastewater Treatment Plant Abuja
    (Nile University of Nigeria, 2025-01-02) Ibrahim Umar Farouk; Adamu, K.M.; Mohammed, S.D.; Chukwu, M.N.; Mohammed, A.P.
    Background: Municipal wastewater is a major source of pollution, accumulating contaminants into sludge. Discharge reduces dissolved oxygen levels and nutrient enrichment, allowing microorganisms to survive. Utilizing microorganisms to clean up the environment is known as bioremediation. Because it is safe, effective, and environmentally benign, biological treatment has been the method of choice for metal remediation in wastewater. This study was conducted to assess the physicochemical and microbial characteristics of Wupa wastewater and the potential of indigenous microbes in the bioremediation of heavy metals. Materials and Methods: Samples of wastewater from the Wupa Abuja treatment plant were analyzed for physicochemical parameters, including pH, electrical conductivity, and oxygen demand. Bacteria and fungi were isolated, and their bioremediation potential was assessed using a heavy metal solution. Results: The study found significant differences in physicochemical parameters between treated and untreated wastewater, except for pH and temperature. Heavy metals showed significant differences between influent and effluent, with manganese, iron, and zinc values varying. Eight bacterial and fungi species were isolated, with Aspergillus terreus having the highest bioremediation potential. Duganella callida had the highest absorbance. Conclusion: The Wupa Wastewater Treatment Plant’s assessment of microbial communities revealed potential for heavy metal remediation, serving as a baseline for removing toxic metals