No abstract

Cancer remains the second major cause of death in the world. Thus, there is a pressing need to identify potential synthetic route for the development of novel anticancer agents which will serve as lead compounds to effectively combat this life-threatening epidemic. Pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepines (PBDs) have sparked a great interest as lead compounds because of their cancerostatic and anti-infective properties. The twisted molecular structure of PBD analogs provides both helical and chiral elements. In an effort to expand novel PBDs that interact with the key exocyclic amino group of the DNA-guanine base, we hypothesized that construction of a fused cyclic active system, would likely serve as an electrophilic site when compared to traditional electrophilic C11-N10 imine group. To examine our theory, we report herein the synthesis and cell viability/cytotoxicity of a series of PBD analogs using NCI-60 cell lines screening. Thus, compounds 1–13 were synthesized and fully characterized. The selected PBDs were found to have marginal inhibition of growth, up to 30%, for certain cell lines.

The indiscriminate use of antibiotics by individuals as well as in food production has been tagged one of the major reasons for the spread of antibiotic resistance in pathogens. Thus, there is a concern that foodborne bacteria may act as reservoirs of antibiotic resistance genes when distributed in large doses with food. This study aimed at determining the antibiotic susceptibility, plasmid isolation and curing of foodborne bacteria isolated from ready to eat (RTE) foods and salads in eating centers at the Benson Idahosa University, Benin City. Isolates were Enterobacter aerogenes, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus spp., Micrococcus sp. and Salmonella sp with S. aureus occurring most frequently. Total resistance to cefuroxime and augmentin as well as considerable resistance to ceftazidime and cefixime were observed in all isolates in antimicrobial susceptibility tests were done on Mueller-Hinton agar. Relative sensitivity to gentamicin, ofloxacin, nitrofurantoin and ciprofloxacin were observed. Plasmid profiling indicated that all isolates possess plasmids ranging from 100 bp to 1 kbp. Plasmid curing using sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) improved the sensitivity of isolates to antibiotics they were previously sensitive to but most isolates remained resistance to ceftazidime, cefuroxime, cefixime, and augmentin. This study shows that foodborne bacteria can possess and possibly transfer persistent antibiotic resistance plasmids thus calling for more caution in the use of antibiotics in food production and reduced antibiotics abuse. Further research is currently ongoing to cure the isolates of all plasmids and to elucidate how these plasmids are being transferred.

Survey of dumpsite plant composition, assessment of rhizosphere microorganisms and growth performance of Sphenostylis stenocarpa grown on two dumpsite (CAPITOL and NITEL ROAD) soils in Benin City was investigated. Control treatment was top soil. A total of 9 and 30 flora were observed at the CAPITOL and NITEL ROAD dumpsites respectively. Analysis of the rhizosphere soils of the plants grown in dumpsite soils at different amendments showed a total heterotrophic bacterial count ranging from 1.57 x 10 4 to 4.18 x 10 4 cfu/g and a total heterotrophic fungal count in the various rhizosphere soils ranged from 5.05 x 10 3 to 1.68 x 10 4 cfu/g. The bacterial isolates from the rhizosphere soil samples were Arthrobacter sp., Bacillus sp, Pseudomonas sp., Escherichia coli, Enterobacter sp., Klebsiella sp., Micrococcus sp. and Staphylococcus sp. The fungal isolates were Aspergillus sp, Mucor sp, Fusarium sp, Penicillium sp, Trichoderma sp. and Saccharomyces sp. Bacillus sp., Pseudomonas sp., Penicillium sp. and Aspergillus sp. Aspergillus sp. 100 % (present in all dumpsite soils analyzed) had the highest frequency of occurrence amongst the isolates.Percentage seedling emergence was significantly reduced from 86.67± 13.33 % -100.00 ± 0.00 % in control (top) soil to 60.00 ± 0.00 % to 93.33 ± 6.67 % in CAPITOL dumpsite soil. Shoot height at 6 weeks after planting (WAP) was significantly (p < 0.05) increased from 78.33± 18.53 cm in the control soil through 131.50 ± 18.79 cm in the CAPITOL dumpsite soil to 186.33 ± 13.68 cm in NITEL road dumpsite soil, all without amendment. Number of leaves at 6 WAP increased on addition of FYM in both soil types. Chlorophyll content was not significantly different (p > 0.05) from control plants. Leaf area in both dumpsite soils was found to be significantly different (p < 0.05) from the control soil but leaf area increased on addition and increase in amendment in both soil types. In all parameters observed, it was noted that the control treatment did better than the plants grown in the dumpsite soils with increased amendment.Values represent mean ± standard error of six determinations. Means with same alphabets as control within the same row do not differ significantly (p>0.05) from the control. Means with same alphabetical letters within the same row do not differ significantly (p>0.05) from each other. FYM = Farm Yard Manure.