African Journal of Immunology Research

African Journal of Immunology Research ISSN 2756-3375 Vol. 9 (8), pp. 001-012, August, 2022. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

B cell immunophenotyping reveals decreased frequency of CD11c⁺ B cells expressing FcRL5⁺ subset in naturally malaria-exposed Fulani adults 

Charles Arama^1*, Bourèma Kouriba¹, Issa Nébié², Moussa Djimdé¹, Henda Doucouré¹, Seydou Arama¹, Bakary Koné¹, Salif Yirampo¹, Amatigue Zeguimé¹, Karim Bengaly¹, Amidou Diarra², Mohamadou Siribié², Sodiomon B Sirima², Ann-Kristin Östlund Farrants³, Silvia Portugal⁴ and Marita Troye-Blomberg³ 

^*1Malaria Research and Training Centre PO Box, 1805 Point G Bamako Mali.

¹Malaria Research and Training Centre, Department of Epidemiology of Parasitic Diseases, International Center of Excellence in Research, University of Sciences, Technique and Technology of Bamako, Mali.

²Groupe de Recherche Action en Santé, BP 10248 Ouagadougou 06, Burkina Faso,

³Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.

⁴Department of Infectious Diseases, Parasitology Heidelberg University Hospital, Germany.

Accepted 27th June, 2022 

Abstract

The Fulani populations are more resistant to malaria than genetically distinct populations of the Mossi ethnic group. The Fulani mount an enhanced and broadly reactive immunoglobulin M (IgM). However, which B-cell subsets that are contributing to this enhanced IgM response is not known. In naturally malaria-exposed Fulani (n=30) and Mossi (n=30) adults in Burkina Faso, B cells immunophenotypes were assessed using monoclonal antibodies and flow cytometry. Frequencies of IgM⁺ naïve B cells (“40.96 ± 1.72” vs “53.84 ± 1.84”; p=0.0001), IgM⁺ activated memory Bcells (MBC) (“17.79 ± 1.09” vs “21.71 ± 1.64”; p=0.04), IgM⁺ atypical MBC (“15.73 ± 1.81” vs “34.64 ± 2.57”; p=0.00002) and IgM⁺ CD11c⁺ FCRL5⁺ subsets (“6.73 ± 1.23” vs “19.22 ± 2.40”; p=0.00013) were significantly higher in the Fulani than in the Mossi. The frequency of CD11c⁺ B-cell subset expressing FcRL5 (“34.08 ± 1.70” vs “23.96 ± 1.15”; p=0.0001) was significantly lower in the Fulani than in the Mossi. Levels of IgM⁺ atypical MBC were positively correlated with those of IgM⁺ CD11c B cells expressing FCRL5⁺.CD11c⁺ B cells expressing FcRL5⁺ subset markedly highlights differences in the Fulani versus the Mossi adults. B cells carrying the FcRL5 negatively affect the acquisition of protective immunity to malaria.  

Keywords: CD11c B cells, atypical memory B cells, Fulani, malaria, P. falciparum, susceptibility, immunity.

African Journal of Immunology Research ISSN 2756-3375 Vol. 9 (5), pp. 001-013, May, 2022. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Synthesis, characterization and biological activity of vic-dioxime derivatives containing benzaldehydehydrazone groups and their metal complexes

Ilknur Babahan¹*, Esin Poyrazo lu² Çoban, Ali Özmen², Halil Biyik² and Burcu I man²

¹Department of Chemistry, Adnan Menderes University, 09010, Aydin, Turkey.

²Department of Biology, Adnan Menderes University, 09010, Aydin- zmir, Turkey.

Accepted 13 October, 2021

Abstract

In this study, three new vic-dioxime derivatives containing benzaldehydehydrazone groups (L¹H₂: 4-methoxybenzaldehydehydrazone glyoxime, L²H₂: 4-methylbenzaldehydehydrazone glyoxime and L³H₂: 3-methylbenzaldehydehydrazone glyoxime) and their Ni(II), Cu(II) and Co(II) complexes are used. The biological activity of these aromatic hydrazone- oxime derivatives has been determined in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems. For evaluating the antimicrobial activity disc diffusion method has been used and for determining the antiproliferative effect on neoplastic cells, HL 60 (Human promyelocytic leukemia cells) cell line was cultured. The antimicrobial activities of compounds (L¹H₂, L²H₂, L³H₂ and their Ni(II), Cu(II) and Co(II) complexes) were evaluated against 13 bacteria and 5 yeasts. Besides they were evaluated using the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) dilution method against 1 bacterium and 5 yeasts. The obtained results from disc diffusion method are assessed in sideby-side comparison with those of Chloramphenicol, Gentamycin, Tetracycline, Erytromycine, Ampicillin well-known antibacterial agents and Nystatine antifungal agent. The results from dilution procedure are compared with Streptomycine as antibacterial and Nystatine as antifungal. The antifungal activities are reported on five yeast cultures namely, Candida utilis, C. albicans, C. glabata, C. trophicalis and Saccharomyces cerevisiae ATCC 9763 and the results are referenced with Nystatine, a commercial antifungal agent. As a result of this study, among the test compounds attempted 1, 2, 7 and 9 showed slightly higher activities against B. thrungiensis and some of yeasts that are comparatively higher or equipotent to the antibiotic and antifungal agents in the comparison tests. Furthermore Co(II) complexes of these derivatives can be described as potent anti-cancer agents due to their antiproliferative effects with an I_pC ₅₀ between 5 to 40 µM concentrations. The strongest antiproliferative activity was determined with the Co(II) complex of L³H₂ at 5 µM.

Key words: Vic-dioximes, hydrazone, transition metal complexes, antimicrobial activity, antiproliferative, leukemia.

African Journal of Immunology Research ISSN 2756-3375 Vol. 9 (1), pp. 001-009, January, 2022. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

In vitro creation of artificial nitrogen fixing Cyanobacterium (Nostoc muscorum) association with wheat

E. M. Fadl-Allah¹, H. M. El-komy¹, N. A. Al-Harbi^2,3,4* and E. N. Sholkamy²

¹Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, Minia University, Minia 61519, Egypt.

²Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, P. O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia.

³Addiriyah Chair for Environmental Studies, College of Science, King Saud University, P. O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia.

⁴Center of Excellence in Biotechnology Research, King Saud University, P. O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia.

Accepted 18 October, 2021

Abstract

Using sonication technique and addition of 2,4 dichlorophenoxyacetic acid to wheat roots, increasing colonization of Nostoc muscorum on roots and enhancement of nitrogen fixation as novel associations between nitrogen fixing Nostoc muscorum and nonlegume wheat, had been occurred. Sonication of roots (10 and 20 s) enhanced abundance of N. muscorum within / on the root tissue.The N. muscorum penetrated the roots in the form of motile filaments (hormogonia) and once inside, they divided and transformed into aseriate packages. Sonication technique does not have significant effect on root growth, and there are no significant differences in shoot growth. Treatment of wheat roots with low concentrations of 2,4 dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (0.5, 1.0 and 3.0 ppm) developed nodule like structures (para-nodules) mainly along primary roots. N. muscorum colonized the paranodules externally at the junction of the paranodules. Addition of 2,4 dichlorophenoxyacetic acid significantly enhanced the rate of acetylene reduction of inoculated plants, and also abundance of N. muscorum on 2,4 dichlorophenoxyacetic acid induced wheat root compared to untreated wheat roots. Reduction of the growth of both root and shoot occured at a tested concentrations of 2,4 dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. Nitrogenase activity of N. muscorum co-cultivated with wheat roots was increased up to 1.9 times in the absence of combined nitrogen (nitrates) compared with nitrate treated plants, and also abundance of N. muscorum on roots increased in absence of combined nitrogen (nitrates). Results of this study revealed that N. muscorum is a promising organism for achieving efficient association between N₂ fixing cyanobacteria and nonlegumes by using sonication technique or 2,4 dichlorophenoxyacetic acid at low concentrations.

Key words: Nostoc muscorum, sonication, 2,4 dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), nonlegume.

African Journal of Immunology Research ISSN 2756-3375 Vol. 8 (4), pp. 001-008, April, 2021. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Vegetation indices as indicators of damage by the sunn pest (Hemiptera: Scutelleridae) to field grown wheat

H. Genc¹*, L. Genc ², H. Turhan³, S. E. Smith⁴ and J. L. Nation⁵

¹Department of Plant Protection, Agricultural Faculty, Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University, 17020 Canakkale, Turkey.

²Agricultural Data Processing and Remote Sensing Laboratory, Department of Agricultural Engineering, Agricultural Faculty, Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University, 17020 Canakkale, Turkey.

³Department of Field Crops, Agricultural Faculty, Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University, 17020 Canakkale, Turkey.

⁴Department of Geomatics, School of Forest Resources and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida USA 32611.

⁵Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida USA 32611.

Accepted 04 January, 2021

Abstract

The sunn pest, Eurygaster integriceps Put. (Hemiptera: Scutelleridae), also known as sting or cereal pest, is one of the most economically important pests of wheat in the world. In this study, a collapsible nylon cloth cage experiments were conducted to determine the feasibility of using remote sensing techniques to detect stress in wheat caused by the density of sunn pests. The results show we can detect the amount of stress in wheat caused by different life stages of sunn pest with a hand- held radiometer. Normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) based indices; NDVIsg, NDVId, NDVIr, and structure insensitive pigment index (SIPI) were chosen out of 19 indices initially tested. The NDVI based vegetation indices derived from hyperspectral data, recorded by a hand held spectroradiometer, were used to determine the predicted indices using the initial number of Sunn Pest (NOSP). Overall, r² values of all predicted indices calculated for 3^rd instars were lower than those of 4^th and adult stage. When r² was considered separately, predicted NDVIr index value (87.4) was the highest and predicted SIPI index value is lowest (80.7) in 3^rd instars. The highest r² value was obtained in adult stage of sunn pest is NDVIsg (96.9) compare with NDVId (95.5), NDVIr (92.4) and SIPI (94.2). It was also concluded that remote sensing could detect not only the different stages pest damage on wheat, but also the number of sunn pest stages density affect in controlled experiments.

Key words: Remote sensing, Eurygaster integriceps, insect damage, NDVI, spectroradiometre.

African Journal of Immunology Research ISSN 2756-3375 Vol. 8 (3), pp. 001-004, March, 2021. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Antimicrobial activity of the ethanol extract and fractions of the seeds of Garcinia kola Heckel (Guttiferae)

John, O. Akerele^1*, Osahon, Obasuyi¹, Maureen, I. Ebomoyi² Israel, E. Oboh³, Osamuyi, H. Uwumarongie³

¹Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria.

²Department of Physiology, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria.

³Department of Pharmacognosy, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria.

Accepted 14 October, 2020

Abstract

The crude ethanol extract, aqueous and chloroform fractions of the seeds of Garcinia kola Heckel (Guttiferae) was investigated for antimicrobial activity. Agar well diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration determinations were the methods employed for the study. Clinical bacterial and fungal isolates were used as indicator organisms while standard antimicrobial agents were included in the study. The crude ethanol extract showed significant inhibitory activity against clinical isolates of both Gram positive and Gram negative organisms. It was active against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Streptococcus viridans, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeroginosa and Klebsiella pneumonia. It also showed significant inhibitory activity against fungi like Penicillium notatum, Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans. Both the aqueous and chloroform fractions showed activity against the clinical isolates of S. aureus, E. coli and P. aeruginosa. The MIC values obtained ranged between 2.5 and 7.5 mg/ml for bacteria and fungi isolates. The results showed that the crude ethanol extract has broad spectrum of activity, while the fractions exhibited narrow spectrum of activity, since they were active against S. aureus, E. coli, and P. aeruginosa only. These observations could be the basis for the usefulness of the seeds of G. kola in the treatment remedies for microbial infections.

Key words:  Garcinia kola, ethanol extract, antimicrobial activity.

African Journal of Immunology Research ISSN 2756-3375 Vol. 8 (2), pp. 001-005, February, 2021. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Physical, chemical and microbiological changes in alcoholic fermentation of sugar syrup from cassava flour

F. C. K. Ocloo¹* and G. S. Ayernor²

¹Biotechnology and Nuclear Agriculture Research Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, P.O. Box LG 80, Legon, Ghana.

²Department of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana.

Accepted 14 May, 2020

Abstract

Changes in alcoholic fermentation of sugar syrup produced from cassava flour with Saccharomyces cereviseae (baker’s yeast) were investigated. Cassava flour paste was hydrolysed using rice malt to produce hydrolysate (sugar syrup), which was fermented at 28 – 30°C for 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 days. The fermented sugar syrup was analysed for alcohol content, reducing sugars, specific gravity, soluble solids, pH, volatile acids and total acidity using standard analytical methods. Yeast growth was also monitored. Results showed that pH values decreased with increased total acidity with concomitant increase in yeast growth (biomass) and alcohol contents of the fermenting sugar syrup. There were decreases in soluble solid contents, refractive indices of the fermenting medium. Volatile acids (as acetic acids), increased with alcoholic fermentation. Fermentation of sugar syrup from cassava flour is associated with physical and chemical changes that occur in other form of fermentation alongside increased in biomass.

Key words: Fermentation, biomass, alcohol, sugar syrup, Saccharomyces cereviseae.