BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE LABORATORY TECHNOLOGY

Herbal medicine has a long history as part of traditional healthcare systems. Sphenocentrum jollyanum, a medicinal plant, has shown promise due to its phytochemical properties and potential health benefits. This study investigated the antidiarrheal efficacy of Sphenocentrum jollyanum leaf aqueous extract (SJLAE) in animal models. Fresh leaves of Sphenocentrum jollyanum were collected and processed by air-drying and aqueous extraction. The crude aqueous extract was prepared by maceration. Twenty Swiss albino mice were acclimatized and divided into control and experimental groups. Diarrhea was induced using castor oil and magnesium sulfate. The mice received different doses of SJLAE, with loperamide used as a standard reference drug. Defecation frequency, stool weight, and diarrhea onset were monitored for six hours. SJLAE administration significantly delayed stool onset and reduced the total number of stools, the number of diarrhea episodes, and stool weight in a dose-dependent manner compared to the control group. The results suggest that SJLAE's antidiarrheal effects may involve mechanisms such as inhibiting intestinal motility, reducing fluid secretion, and potentially through anti-inflammatory or antioxidant pathways. These findings support the potential of Sphenocentrum jollyanum as a source for further research and development of plant-based diarrhea treatments.

This study aimed to isolate and identify airborne bacteria present in the Hall 2 reading room using the passive settle plate method. Ten nutrient agar plates were exposed at different locations within the room, while a control plate was kept sealed to ensure sterility. After 24–48 hours of incubation, all exposed plates showed visible bacterial growth. This growth indicates
spatial variation in airborne microbial load likely influenced by airflow, human activity, and proximity to ventilation sources. A total of seven distinct bacterial isolates were obtained through subculturing and were characterized based on colony morphology, including size, color, shape, elevation, and texture. Cream to off-white colonies were the most common, while golden
and yellow colonies suggested the presence of Staphylococcus aureus and Micrococcus luteus, respectively. Slimy or irregular colonies pointed to the presence of encapsulated or motile species such as Bacillus spp. Gram staining and microscopic examination revealed that 6 of the 7 isolates were Gram-positive, with both rod- and cocci-shaped bacteria present. Rods in singles,
chains, or clusters were indicative of Bacillus species, while cocci in clusters suggested Staphylococcus spp. The only Gram-negative isolate, Sub 10, appeared as rod-shaped cells loosely clustered, consistent with environmental bacteria such as Escherichia coli or Enterobacter. The predominance of Gram-positive bacteria reflects their ability to survive desiccation and environmental stress, making them common in indoor air. The presence of a Gram-negative species, though limited, may indicate localized moisture or surface contamination. Overall, the study demonstrates that the Hall 2 reading room contains a diverse
airborne bacterial population, primarily originating from human activity and environmental sources. These findings emphasize the need for routine microbial air quality assessments in public and academic spaces to maintain hygienic indoor environments.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the Anyi field's seismic volume in order to provide the best structural frameworks for the D5000 reservoirs, which would be utilized to create precise static models. Using fault representations and depth-converted surface maps, the reservoir's structural model was built. There are two main East-West oriented faults that define the reservoir's structural structure. The Amosi growth fault borders it to the north, while the Klin boundary fault borders it to the south. It is structurally an elongated rollover anticline that is oriented east-west. Channels and shorefaces make up the majority of the reservoir. The data was revalidated and quality-checked, and a thorough literature study was carried out. A MADCOW bandpass filter was used to reduce both coherent and random noise in the seismic data. Well-toseismic calibration was then performed utilizing Anyi-001's sonic log. They interpreted the fault and horizon. Checkshots from Anyi-006, from which the time and depth map was constructed, were used to simulate velocity. Amplitude extraction was then used to improve seismic visualization and find characteristics or anomalies associated with reservoir characteristics, including fluid connections, channels, fractures, and changes in porosity. The results of this investigation indicate that the D5000 reservoir has a limited potential for hydrocarbon recovery and accumulation in the Anyifield (Anyi-006) but a high potential in the Okoko field (Okoko-001). In order to maximize gas recovery from this significant reservoir, the results provide a better knowledge of the stratigraphic disposition of the reservoir, which will aid in better interpretation, lower drilling risk, and well-informed economic decisions. Additionally, this study's results confirm that seismic interpretation, velocity modeling, and attribute analysis techniques are trustworthy and efficient means of evaluating the Niger Delta's reservoir features and volumetric analysis

The rapid adoption of cashless transactions in Nigeria, particularly in bustling commercial areas like the Uselu to Textile Mill Junction, Benin City, Edo State, has led to the widespread use of Point-of-Sale (POS) machines. These devices, frequently handled by multiple users with varying hygiene practices, have raised concerns about their potential as fomites for microbial contamination and the spread of infectious diseases. The aim of this study was to isolate and identify bacteria associated with POS machines, determining their total heterotrophic count, assessing their distribution across different locations, and evaluating their susceptibility to commonly used antibiotics. Swab samples were collected from 20 POS machines (designated POS 1 to POS 20) during peak usage hour. The bacterial isolates were purified and identified based on standard cultural, morphological and biochemical characteristics. The results revealed significant bacterial contamination, with total viable counts ranging from 5.0 ×10² to 8.1 × 10⁴cfu/ml. The predominant bacterial genera identified were Micrococcus spp., Pseudomonas spp., Staphylococcus spp., Streptococcus spp., and Bacillus spp. Micrococcus spp. and Pseudomonas spp had the same percentage occurrence of 21.67% being the most frequent bacterial isolates. The antibiotic susceptibility tests showed varying resistance patterns, with many isolates resistant to β-lactam antibiotics like ampicillin and ceftriaxone, raising concerns about the potential spread of antimicrobial resistance. This study highlights the urgent need for regular disinfection of POS machines, improved hygiene practices among users and operators, and public awareness campaigns to promote hand hygiene, the high microbial loads and presence of resistant strains underscore the public health risks posed by POS machines in high-traffic settings. These measures are critical to reducing the risk of fomite-mediated infections and combating the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance in community settings like Uselu to Textile Mill Junction

Microbial degradation of emulsion paints poses significant challenges in industrial and environmental settings, often leading to discoloration, structural breakdown, and reduced durability of coated surfaces. Among the key microbial agents, Bacillus spp. and Escherichia coli have been identified for their enzymatic capabilities and metabolic versatility in degrading paint components such as binders, pigments, and additives. These bacteria utilize organic
compounds in paint as carbon sources, contributing to biodeterioration through acid production, biofilm formation, and enzymatic hydrolysis. This study presents a comparative analysis of the physiological and growth responses of Bacillus spp. and Escherichia coli over a 21-day incubation period under ambient laboratory conditions. Key parameters monitored included pH, optical density (OD), temperature, and total viable count (TVC), providing insights into microbial adaptation and proliferation trends. For Bacillus, the pH remained stable at 7.0 until Day 7, then declined to 6.0 by Day 14, suggesting increased metabolic activity and acid production, followed by a slight recovery to 6.2. OD values fluctuated, peaking at Day 14 (0.40), indicating active biomass accumulation, while TVC rose progressively from 0.675 ×10⁷ CFU/mL to 9.60 ×10⁷ CFU/mL by Day 21, reflecting robust growth. Temperature varied
modestly between 24°C and 27°C, with no apparent inhibitory effect. In contrast, E. coli exhibited a sharper pH decline from 6.8 to 5.6 by Day 14, consistent with its fermentative metabolism. OD decreased steadily from 0.51 to 0.26, suggesting reduced cell density or viability over time. However, TVC increased significantly, from 0.5 ×10⁷ CFU/mL to 8.35 ×10⁷ CFU/mL, indicating sustained proliferation despite declining OD. Temperature ranged from
26°C to 30°C, with peak microbial activity observed at higher temperatures. The results highlight distinct metabolic and growth profiles between the two species. Bacillus demonstrated resilience and biomass recovery, while E. coli maintained high cell counts despite reduced optical density. These findings underscore the importance of multi-parameter monitoring in microbial ecology and have implications for bioprocess optimization, environmental microbiology, and industrialfermentation systems.

Sand production is one of the most troublesome issues in oil and gas development, especially in unconsolidated reservoirs where the formation lacks natural strength. It often leads to equipment wear, production losses, and higher maintenance costs. This study looks at better ways to predict and manage sand production by bringing together different techniques such as geomechanical modeling, log analysis, and real-time monitoring. Traditional control methods like gravel packing, sand screens, and chemical consolidation are compared with more recent innovations
such as the Tixier log-based approach and Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS). Insights drawn from field experiences in Nigerian reservoirs show that when prediction, control and monitoring are combined in a single system, sand problems can be handled more effectively and at a lower cost. Overall, this research highlights that a well-integrated sand management strategy can greatly improve production stability and extend the life of oil wells in challenging reservoir environments.

This study investigated the isolation and characterization of Lactobacillus species isolated from Mason’s Natural Probiotics and the production of bacteriocin with antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. The isolate was identified as a Gram-positive, catalase- and oxidase-negative rod that fermented galactose, lactose, and D-fructose without gas formation. Bacteriocin activity was assessed using the agar well diffusion method, while enzyme (trypsin) and hydrogen-peroxide neutralization (sodium pyruvate) tests confirmed the proteinaceous nature of the
compound. The absence of blue-black coloration in the potassium iodide–starch assay indicated that no hydrogen peroxide was produced. HPLC analysis revealed the
presence of bioactive phenolic and flavonoid compounds, including catechin, naringenin, and caffeic acid, which may contribute synergistically to antimicrobial activity. The bacteriocin demonstrated notable inhibition of S. aureus comparable to some standard antibiotics. These findings indicate that bacteriocin from Lactobacillussp. possesses strong antibacterial potential and could serve as a safe, naturalbio-preservative and alternative to synthetic antimicrobials.

Melon is a popular soup or stew condiment in Nigeria. Melon soup is usually prepared with or without vegetables. Seeds obtained from melon (Citrullus vulgaris) were analysed for their proximate composition.The seeds contained a high percentage of unsaturated fatty acids, which totalled $159.57\%$. Gas chromatographic analysis of the oil revealed the presence of 8 fatty acids varying from C-16 to C-32 with the exception of C-18, C-20, C-21, C-22, C-23, C-24, C-26, C-27, C- and C-31.The concentrations of individual fatty acids varied from trace (less than $0.06\%$) quantities to about $52.74\%$. Linoleic, oleic, Iso-Oleic, palmitic, and stearic acids were the principal fatty acids contributing to $132.76\%$, $1.36\%$, $8.85\%$, $10.06\%$ and $14.52\%$, respectively, of the total fatty acids which had a relatively high percentage ($159.57\%$) of unsaturated fatty acids. The P/S index of the mechanically extracted seed oil was found to be $2.30$, $3.37$, $12.15$ respectively. The P/S value greater than 1 indicates that the melon seed oil has good nutritional value; hence Citrullus vulgaris is edible for consumption .Mechanically extracted melon seed oil has a potential role in lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease, blood cholesterol and LDL cholesterol concentrations, synthesis of steroid hormones. It can also be use as anti-inflammatory agent and antiallergic agent. Would you like a simplified list of the key health benefits m