This study was conducted to assess the occurrence and nature of extended-spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL) producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates from patients who presented with urinary tract infection at Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe. Isolates collected were recovered on MacConkey agar at 35˚C and were identified as members of Enterobacteriaceae, and further screened for antimicrobial susceptibility and resistance by disc diffusion method. Isolates resistant to oxyimino-cephalosporins were confirmed as ESBL producers using Double Disks Synergy Test (DDST). The study shows 66% resistance to ceftriaxone (30 µg) in K. pneumoniae, which was the highest value recorded and a 51% resistance to cefpodoxime (10 µg) in E. coli. The sensitivity of E. coli and K. pneumoniae isolates to cefpodoxime (10 µg) were 49% and 33.9% respectively. ESBLs were detected among 40% (40/100) of E. coli and 54.13% (59/109) of K. pneumoniae isolates. Molecular characterization of ESBL encoding genes among E. coli isolates using multiplex-PCR showed 10% prevalence of SHV gene and 5% prevalence for CTX-M gene while TEM gene was not detected. In K. pneumoniae isolates, 5% prevalence was recorded for each of the three genes screened. The study revealed a co-occurrence of SHV and CTX-M in 75% of the E. coli and 70% of the K. pneumoniae isolates; the occurrence of all the three genes was seen in 10% and 5% of K.
Aim: To demonstrate the importance of molecular identification of G. lucidum basidiomata, used as nutraceutics, in Abuja - Nigeria. Study Design: Molecular characterization via comparative genomics and vitro regeneration of selected specimens of local G. lucidum from Abuja, Nigeria. Place and Duration: Department of Biological Sciences, Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna Nigeria and Biotechnology Advanced Research Center, Sheda Science and Technology Complex, Abuja between February 2018 to June 2019. Methodology: Genomic DNAs of twelve (12) selected specimens were isolate in good quantities and qualities that were amenable to sharp and distinct PCR amplifications and Sanger’s sequence analyses. The molecular identification was performed using the internal transcribed spacers (ITS) sequences amplified from the samples to run similarity search with reference database sequences in the gene bank. In-vitro regeneration of the samples using tissue culture techniques in the laboratory was carried out following optimization of the surface sterilization, regeneration of pure mycelia and pure spawn formation. Results: Nucleotide sequence data mining of the national centre for biotechnology information (NCBI) with the query sequences using basic local alignment search tool (BLAST) showed that 25% of the samples are not G. lucidum. This implies a significant difference between the morphological and molecular identification at (n-1) degree of freedom with (p= .01). Conclusion: The molecular identification and in-vitro regeneration of local G. lucidum is indeed a necessity for proper and effective utilization of the mushroom because there is a significant potential margin of error in the use of morphological characteristics for G. lucidum identification as observed through this molecular analysis.
The relationship between hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and C-reactive protein (CRP), which is an inflammatory biomarker, is limited in studies on the general population. Thus, this study aimed at determining the relationship between CRP levels and Hepatitis B surface antigen in patients with hepatitis B. A total of 70 samples were screened for the presence of hepatitis surface antigen by one step hepatitis B Surface antigen test strip (serum/plasma) package insert. The samples were further subjected to ELISA test and quantitative real time PCR to determine the viral load. The performance of the assay on the 70 samples showed 17 (24.29%) patients were positive and 53 (75.71%) patients were negative for serological test. Out of the 17 samples which were positive for HBV, CRP was positive in 5 patients while 12 patients were negative for CRP. While out of 53 patients who were negative for HBV, 9 were positive for CRP and 44 were negative for CRP. For the significance of viral load for clinical monitoring, three titer groups were presented. Among the 70 samples tested for viral load of HBV, 50% (35/70) of samples showed low titer by the Ct˂30, while only 15.71% (11/70) of samples were detected with high viral load by Ct˃30. Statistical analysis showed insignificant relationship between CRP and HBV. Positive predictive value of CRP was lower;it is revealed that the presence of HBV infection cannot be predicted on the basis of CRP analysis only. The reason behind lower CRP concentration in HBV positive cases remains unclear but there is a perception that high CRP levels in the blood can be a marker of inflammation.
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a long term disorder of metabolism characterized by high level of blood sugar (hyperglycemia) due to insufficient secretion of insulin, insulin resistance, or both, as well as poor lipid, protein and carbohydrate metabolism. These complications occur as a result of derangement in glucose storage for the regulatory system and metabolic fuel mobilization, including carbohydrate, protein and lipid anabolism and catabolism emanating from impaired action of insulin, secretion of insulin, or both. The in silico study was conducted with the help of molecular docking to treat diabetes to inhibit the activities of α-amylase and α-glucosidase by drug molecule. All the studies were based on docking with molecules. The docking was done using a docking software between all the ligands and the target protein receptors. Natural compounds, such as Conduritol A, Catechin and Quercetin were picked, and protein targets as α-amylase and α-glucosidase. Ligands were imported for visual screening into PyRx software while Biovia Discovery Studio Visualizer was used for protein preparation. Analysis of the properties of drug likeliness of the ligands was done via SwissADME online server according to Lipinski’s Rule of Five. Final docking analysis was done through AutoDockVina and Biovia Discovery Studio client 2020. Molecular docking analysis of the ligands Conduritol A, Catechin and Quercetin showed strong binding interaction with both α-amylase and α-glucosidase. The test revealed different binding affinities, hydrogen bond interactions, hydrophobicity, solvent accessibility surface (SAS), root mean square deviation lower bound (RMSD LB) and root mean square deviation upper bound (RMSD UB). Conduritol A was the strongest compound against the protein targets, with its low binding strength, according to the PyRx test and Lipinski 's Rule of Five. The same molecules were further docked, and the interactions were visualized under PyMol Via Biovia Discovery Studio. According to the in silico study, we have found that these natural compounds can inhibit the activities of α-amylase and α-glucosidase which can be promising drugs for the treatment of diabetes after subjecting them to in vitro and in vivo studies.
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