Jewel Journal of Scientific Research

Prevalence of Carbapenem Resistant Enterobacteriaceae across One Health Interface from selected Abattoirs in Abeokuta, Ogun State

2024-09-26T08:31:50+00:00

Carbapenem Resistance Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) are commonly detected infectious bacteria in livestock. These pathogens have emerged a global health concern due to their vital roles as vectors for the transfer of resistance genes. This study investigated the prevalence of CRE from selected abattoirs across one health interface. Fifty (50) samples which include; cow beef, soil, water and hand swabs were purposively collected from three major slaughterhouses in Abeokuta Ogun State and assessed phenotypically for CRE after cultural characterization, biochemical and antibiotic susceptibility test. Isolates were confirmed for carbapenemase production using Modified Hodges test (MHT). Four members of Enterobacteriaceae were identified from 56 isolates namely; Escherichia coli (10.7 %), Klebsiella spp. (59 %), Proteus spp. (19.6 %) and Enterobacter spp. (10.7 %). Antibiotic susceptibility test showed that all Bacteria except Enterobacter spp. showed resistance with highest prevalence of 59 % from Klebsiella spp. Further screening showed that 33 out of 46 MDR isolates were carbapenem resistant but confirmatory analysis with MHT proved all CRE negative for carbapenemase production. The study revealed that CRE was significantly high in samples from the abattoir with cattle beef having the highest proportion of Enterobacteriaceae.

Influence of Biochar on Lead –Induced Oxidative Damage and Anti-Oxidative Defense Mechanisms on the Leaf of Solanum lycopersicum (L.) (Tomato)

2024-07-05T08:30:39+00:00

This study examined the impact of biochar derived from kolanut pods on the growth of Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) and its ability to mitigate oxidative stress caused by lead (Pb) toxicity. A pot experiment was conducted in artificially Pb-contaminated soil, utilizing various levels of biochar application (1%, and 3% w/w). Tomato seedlings were cultivated under four treatment conditions for 74 days; control, soil spiked with 250 mg Pb/kg, soil spiked with 250 mg Pb /kg and treated with 1% biochar, and soil spiked with 250 mg Pb and treated with 3% biochar. Growth parameters, which include the plant height, leaf number, stem girth, leaf area, number of petiole and petiole length were monitored. The findings indicated heightened oxidative stress in plants grown in soil solely spiked with Pb. Application of 1% biochar enhanced plant growth, whereas a higher dose (3%) hindered growth. Both 1% and 3% biochar treatments reduced oxidative stress and improved antioxidant activities compared to the control and Pb-contaminated soil without biochar amendment. Consequently, the application of biochar to soil contaminated with Pb shows promise in mitigating the hazards posed by lead (Pb) toxicity in plant.

Enhancing Image-Based Captcha Scheme Using Cycle-Consistent Generative Adversarial Network

2024-06-20T17:43:38+00:00

Researchers have carried out extensive work on improving Completely Automated Public Turing Test to Tell between Computers and Humans Apart (CAPTCHA) to prevent malware or bots from compromising information, this has led to the development of the most secure and user-friendly form of CAPTCHA popularly known as image-based CAPTCHA. It is best used as a shield that protects unauthorized access to information available online. As more sophisticated algorithms emerge, attacks on image-based CAPTCHA have also increased, and using deep learning algorithms attacks on CAPTCHA design have become more vulnerable. Research has proven that Adversarial has a promising direction in overcoming such challenges, hence we proposed an image-based CAPTCHA scheme as an effort to enhance the CAPTCHA design through the use of cycle-consistent generative adversarial network which was minimized with Mean Square Error and Mean Absolute Error and Inception Score was used to evaluate the quality of generated image with an average difference of 0.025 when compared with the existing scheme. That is to say our scheme effectively produces a synthetic image that is indistinguishable from the real image, which can easily fool the DeCAPTCHAs while solving an automated CAPTCHA challenge.

Arbuscular Mycorrhiza-Induced Drought Stress Mitigation on Savanna Species

2024-09-27T23:49:36+00:00

In many arid and semi-arid regions, drought stress continues to be the primary factor limiting crop and ecosystem productivity, highlighting the implications of climate change. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are a flexible group that forms plant–fungal symbiotic relationships that mitigate the effects of drought stress. Developing innovative management techniques to lessen the negative consequences of drought stress is imperative in order to improve ecosystem health and food security. By causing oxidative stress, altering membrane integrity, plant water relations, nutrient uptake, photosynthetic activity, photosynthetic apparatus, and anti-oxidant activities, drought stress dramatically affects plant growth and development. Plant resistance to drought stress can be considerably increased using AMF. AMF helps plants thrive under drought stress by preserving membrane integrity and enhancing plant water levels, nutrient and water uptake, and water-use efficiency (WUE). AMF also lessens the buildup of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by boosting antioxidant activities and gene expression that give plants resistance against drought-induced oxidative stress. It also enhances photosynthetic efficiency, osmolytes, phenols, and hormone accumulation. This review discussed the various roles that AMF plays in the various ways that plants react to drought stress. We have given a thorough overview of the various pathways that AMF mediates to help plants develop drought resistance.

Impact of Temperature Degrees and Periods of Exposure on Adult Emergence and Mortality of Red Flour Beetle, Tribolium castaneum Herbst [Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae] on Sorghum Flour

2024-08-11T23:53:32+00:00

The impact of temperature degrees and time of exposure on Red Flour Beetle, Tribolium castaneum was evaluated in the Laboratory of the Department of Crop Science, Adamawa State University, Mubi. The beetles were exposed to different temperature degrees of 50, 55, 60, 65 and 70 ̊C and varying exposure periods of 10, 15, 20 and 25 minutes respectively. The results obtained shows that, increase in both temperature degrees and time of exposure resulted in an increase in average mean adult mortality of T. castaneum (50 ̊C/20 = 65%; 60 ̊C/10 = 37%; 60 ̊C/15 = 100%; 65 ̊C/10 = 85.7%; 65 ̊C/15 = 100%; 70 ̊C/15 = 100%). Similarly, the average mean adult emergence of T. castaneum and percentage loss of Sorghum flour were significantly decreased (P˂0.05) with increasing temperature levels and exposure times as shown by the results (50 ̊C/15 = 97.00%; 60 ̊C/15 = 79.00%; 70 ̊C/15 = 50.20% and 50 ̊C/15 = 39.00%; 60 ̊C/15 = 36.00%; 70 ̊C/15 = 21.00%). There was no significant negative effect of temperature and exposure time on Sorghum flour which suggested that, thermal treatment of stored produce and products is one of the effective physical control methods of insect pests especially within the storage environment. Therefore, it is recommended for adoption and use to farmers and householders alike especially in the study area.

Enhanced water regulation, antioxidant capacity, and resilience of Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench in drought stress

2024-06-20T18:19:47+00:00

The discovery of plants that are capable of tolerating severe abiotic pressures is vital for the development of environmentally friendly agriculture. This is because a variety of metabolic functions, especially photosynthesis, are inhibited as a result of high heat and drought. Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench, more generally known to as okra, is a member of the Malvaceae family. It is resistant to harsh climatic circumstances, mainly drought and heat, and its leaves and berries continue to offer a substantial quality of nutrients. The current investigation was conducted to assess the effects of drought stress on the growth, physiology, enzyme activity, and water consumption efficiency of Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench. Twenty-five potting pots, one of which acted as a control, were utilized in the experiment, which was developed following a pattern called Completely Randomized Block Design. Plant height, leaf number, stem girth, root length, shoot length, shoot weight, relative water content, and leaf area ratio were all shown to decrease when the plant was exposed to drought stress. Additionally, the efficiency with which water was utilized also dropped. The length of time that the stress treatment was delivered, as well as the activity of antioxidant enzymes including the enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POD), were all elevated. Nevertheless, both the stress tolerance index and the chlorophyll levels were lower than they were previously. The plants that were treated to drought displayed improved antioxidant capacity, water regulation, and drought stress resistance when compared to the group that acted as the control. Underscoring the adaptability of Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench to locations prone to drought is the fact that these observations were achieved. They supply important data for exploring drought tolerance in this species and creating water management approaches for its production.

Medical Significance of Camel Urine and Camel Milk: A review

2024-06-13T18:56:34+00:00

The quest for an alternative form of medicine aside from the orthodox one is ever-increasing. Nowadays, herbal medicine and other forms of alternative medicine are now being integrated into modern medicine. For more than 14 centuries, the Arabian Peninsula has used mammary secretions and urine of camels in the treatment of chronic infections. Camellus spp (Camel) are the most common animal whose milk and urine are used in traditional medicine. In the last decade, various studies have documented the potential antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antioxidant properties of camel urine and milk. . The major challenges in camel urine and camel milk research are low public awareness, accessibility, availability, religious beliefs and non-authorization by health regulatory agencies. However, Chemical synthesis, clinical trials, and elucidation via advanced research of bioactive elements of camel urine and camel milk are potential possibilities where researches can be channeled.

Effect of Azadirachta indica leaf extract on in vitro enteric gas production, protozoan, bacteria and methanogen populations in cattle rumen

2024-06-10T10:34:10+00:00

Several mitigation approaches including drugs, antibiotics, vaccines and chemical supplements have been adopted to mitigate methane emission from ruminants but found to be toxic to the host animal and sometimes expensive. This work studied the effect of methanolic extract of neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf as a cost effective and nontoxic supplement in cattle feed. The study determined the effect of increasing doses of neem leaf extract on bacterial, protozoa, methanogen population and total gas production in 24hrs of in vitro incubation. Treatments were designed to 9 doses of percentage methanolic extract of neem leaf (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, and 80 %) supplemented to the cattle feed. Increased percentage of neem leaf extract resulted in significant (p ˂ 0.05) decreased in total gas production. The highest inhibitory effect was recorded at 60% neem extract which reduces total gas produced from 23. 47 mL/g DM to 4.23 mL/g DM. The least inhibitory effect at 10% neem extract reduces gas production to 20.43 mL/g DM. Increased percentages doses of neem leaf extract also resulted in significant decrease (p ˂ 0.05) in protozoa and methanogen counts as compared with the control. However, neem leaf extract at 10 – 20 % increased total bacteria count to 26. 67 × 10⁶CFU/mL as compared to control (25.33 × 10⁶ CFU/mL) but increased percentage of neem leaf at 30% and above reduced total bacteria count as compared to the control. Therefore, this study shows that methanolic extract of neem leaf is a promising feed additive as rumen modifying agent. It has the potential to reduce enteric gas production and consequent emission from ruminants.