Phyto-Metallic Nanoparticles: Biosynthesis, Mechanism, Therapeutics, and Cytotoxicity

Nanoparticles synthesized from noble metals have wide applications in therapeutics and medicine due to their excellent properties. Properties such as surface plasmon resonance, low toxicity, biocompatibility, and ease of surface modification account for the recent surge in nanoscience and technology. Noble metals such as gold, silver, copper, iron, and platinum with nano size are well-known metallic nanoparticles with increasing applications in nanomedicine. Biomedical applications of these particles especially for diagnosis and targeted drug delivery in living systems require considering the toxicity level. Because of their surface electrons, metal ions in solution affect cellular activities via cell division, apoptosis, DNA replication, homeostasis etc. They influence cell viability through metabolic outputs in both desired and undesired paths which may result in chemical and or biological toxicity to cells. Phyto-metallic nanoparticles biosynthesised from plant extracts are reported with improved functionalities for biomedical applications over those from chemical and physical methods. The synergies from the natural organic properties of the plant and the metallic properties elicit minimal cytotoxicity paving way for their different biomedical applications. This chapter is intended to provide an overview of recent advances and new perspectives in phyto-metallic nanoparticles, their biosynthesis and mechanism, therapeutics, and cytotoxicity to biomedical industries, research centres, and academia

Assessment of growth variables and regression models for the tree volume prediction of Azardirachta indica (a. Juss) at Warwade plantation, Dutse, Jigawa state, Nigeria

Savannah is well known with less diverse ecosystem. Tree growth dynamics is a major technique in quantifying the forest composition. However, there is need to determine community structure and model which is suitable for Azadiractha indica in arid land.Therefore, the experiment was carried out to assess the tree growth variables and regression models for tree volume prediction of Azadiractha indica in Warwade plantation. Four (4) plots of 25m x 25m were using random sampling technique at interval of 100m from each other. Tree growth variables such as: diameter at breast height (DBH), diameter at the base (Db) middle (Dm), top (Dt) and height were taken with aid of Spiegel relascope. Frequency of occurrence of all tree with diameter at breast height (DBH) ≥10cm were measured. Three regression models were developed which are exponential, Quadratic and Vapour pressure. A total of eighty-one (81) stems ha-1 of the species were identified and counted. The tree growth variables measure showed that Azadiractha indica plantation had total volume of 14126.59m3 per ha-1 and basal area was 339998.19m2. The range of 61-70cm of diameter class had the highest number of terms per hectare (33.33%). The models developed showed that exponential model volume was found to be more suitable and good fit for tree volume prediction in the context of the data used. Therefore, exponential model generated in this study is recommended for volume prediction at Warwade Forest Reserve, Dutse, and Jigawa State. Keywords: Growth Assessment, Regression Models, Tree Volume Prediction, Azardirachta indica and Warwade

Ornithodoros savingyi – the tick vector of Candidatus Borrelia kalaharica in Nigeria

Endemic tick-borne relapsing fever (TBRF) has not been documented in Nigeria, yet clinically compatible cases have been described and soft tick species are endemic in surrounding countries. Consequently, our aim was to investigate if TBRF associated Borrelia were present in Nigeria. To address this, we examined 49 soft tick pools to identify the tick species and screen for Borrelia. The tick species was revealed by 16S 32 rRNA amplification and Sanger sequencing to be Ornithodoros savignyi, an aggressive multi-host rapidly feeding species with significant veterinary impact. We detected Borrelia in three of 49 pooled samples (6%). Molecular analysis of amplified 16S rRNA, flagellin and intragenic spacer fragments disclosed that this Borrelia was synonymous with the recently described Candidatus Borrelia kalaharica described in a tourist returning to Germany from South Africa. Given the widespread endemic range of this tick vector, TBRF should be considered as part of the differential diagnosis in patients with fever returning from arid areas of Africa and further afield

Antimicrobial profiles of Salmonella species isolated from ruminants slaughtered at the two major abattoirs in Ilorin, Nigeria

Background: Foodborne illness due to the genus Salmonella is one of the major challenges affecting public health worldwide and a threat to socioeconomic activities especially in the developing countries. The present study was carried out to determine the isolation rate and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of Salmonella species from ruminants slaughtered for human consumption at the two major abattoirs in Ilorin, Kwara State. Methods: Between November, 2019 and February, 2020, a total 500 samples were collected from the two major abattoirs in Ilorin metropolis (cattle, n = 240; goat, n = 260). Salmonella species were isolated and identified using standard bacteriological techniques. The isolates were subjected antimicrobial susceptibility test using Kirby Bauer disk diffusion assay. Results: 20 (4 %) Salmonella isolates were obtained, there was no significant statistical difference between the isolation rates from cattle (3.75 %) and the small ruminant (4.23 %). Varying degree of resistance patterns were obtained with high proportion of the isolates (> 60 %) displaying resistance to penicillin and cephalosporin tested while low resistant phenotypes (5 %) were observed against quinolones. The isolates were pan-susceptible to gentamicin. Conclusion: The study documented multidrug resistant Salmonella isolates from ruminants slaughtered for human consumption. It is recommended that further studies to characterize the isolates will assist in recommending the appropriate control strategies to prevent the transmission of resistant Salmonella strains to human via food chain

Salmonella enterica isolated from selected poultry farms in Kwara State, Nigeria between 2015 and 2016 showed resistance to critical antimicrobials

Salmonellosis is a major public health hazard globally. This study was designed to determine the antimicrobial resistance among Salmonella serovars isolated from selected poultry farms in Kwara State, Nigeria between 2015 and 2016 using a cross sectional approach. A total of 58 Salmonella isolates were serotyped, 13 different serovars were identified and subjected to antibiotic susceptibility test using disc diffusion method. All the isolates (100%) exhibited resistance to at least one antimicrobial agent. All of the isolates exhibited 100% resistance to ampicillin, 65.5% of the isolates showed resistance to cefotaxime while 63.8% of the isolates were resistant to either of ciprofloxacin and nalidixic acid. Low level of resistance was observed for neomycin (22.4%) compare to other antimicrobials. S. enterica ser. 4, 12, 27: z: - exhibited resistance to all antimicrobial agents. Considering the types of samples that were positive for Salmonella across different local government areas, frequencies of resistance were statistically significant only to gentamicin (P =0.016) in Ilorin west local government area, only nalidixic acid (P =0.014) in Irepodun local government area, only compound sulfonamide (P =0.002) in Asa local government area and streptomycin (P =0.025) in Ilorin-South local government area. The results indicated the relatively high resistance to the antimicrobial agents tested and the multi-drug-resistance among the Salmonella serovars. These observations pose therapeutic concerns on poultry farms in the study area and may serve as potential sources of multi- drug-resistant Salmonella transmission to the humans

Kinetics and thermodynamic studies of adsorption of malachite green onto unmodified and EDTA-modified groundnut husk

A batch experiment was applied to study the adsorption of malachite green from aqueous solution by unmodified and ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA)-modified groundnut husk. The effect of initial dye concentration, temperature, contact time and pH on the sorption process was investigated. The Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms were applied to test the experimental data. The chemically modified groundnut husk agreed well with both the Langmuir and Freundlich models at the temperature below the room temperature (25°C) and above the room temperature. Unmodified groundnut husk showed poor agreement with the isotherm at temperature below the room temperature but fits well into the model at higher temperature. Kinetics of the adsorption with respect to the initial dye concentration and temperature was also investigated. The pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order and intraparticle diffusion models were used to test the kinetic data. Obtained data were fitted properly in the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The thermodynamic parameters such as change in free energy (∆G°), enthalpy (∆H°) and entropy (∆S°) were also determined and the results obtained confirmed that the sorption process is feasible, spontaneous, and endothermic

Conversational agents for depression detection: a systematic review

Depression is a non-cognitive disturbance that can be seen among different people all over the world. This pertains to disorders that have affected cognitions and behaviors that arise from overt disorders in cerebral function. It is more common for young adults to elderly people based on lifestyles, work pressure, personal problems, diseases, people who had strokes or hemorrhages, certain brain diseases, and paralysis. This paper is focused on reviewing the research papers previously done on detecting depression. Utilizing predefined search systems, we have gone through a couple of studies zeroing in on gloom and involved conversational information for location and conclusion. The objective of this research is to review large research studies on whether conversational agents can detect and diagnose depression by using smart texting analysis. The study was done by searching IEEE Xplore, Sci-hub, Doi, Scopus, and Pubmed using a predefined search strategy. This review was focused on studies that include the possibilities and steps of detecting depression and diagnosis that involved conversational data or analysis agents after assessing them by independent reviewers and relevancy for eligibility. After retrieving more than 117 references initially it was narrowed down to 95 references that were found relevant as most of them applied analytical techniques and technology-based solutions. Detecting depression and diagnosing it through smart texting analysis is a broad and emerging field and has a promising future but not every research studies were robust enough to get valid results in the end. This study aimed to keep the review as precise and informative as possible

Safety Evaluation of Lawsonia inermis on Physiological, Andrological and Haematological Parameters of Male Wistar Rats

The leaves of Lawsonia inermis Linn are used in the treatment of many diseases such as diabetes, poliomyelitis, measles and gynecological disorders such as menorrhagia, vaginal discharge and leucorrhoea. This study was designed to investigate the safety evaluation of Lawsonia inermis Linn leaves (acutely and sub-chronically) on physiological, biochemical and histopathological changes seen in Wistar rat. Acutely, female rats were divided into four groups (n=3) and treated as thus A (untreated control); B (1000 mg/kg); C (2000 mg/kg) and D (5000 mg/kg). Sub-chronically, 25 male Wistar rats were grouped into five (n=5). Groups: A (control), B (100 mg/kg); C (200 mg/kg); D (400 mg/kg) and E (800 mg/kg). Lawsonia inermis Linn leaves have a wide safety margin (>5000mg/kg) and no mortality or visible toxic reaction was observed in acute phase. Lawsonia inermis extract did not inhibit physiological weight gain, except the highest dose that caused some weight loss. Haematological result showed that PVC, RBC, haemoglobin and platelets had no significant (P>0.05) effect unlike white blood cell and differentials (neutrophils, lymphocytes and monocytes) which decrease significantly (P <0.05) across all the treated groups compared to untreated control. Serum chemistry showed a significant (P <0.05) decrease AST. ALT, ALP, creatinine, urea, Total protein and Total bilirubin had no significant (P <0.05) effects. Serum electrolytes; calcium ion, potassium ion, sodium ion and chloride ion had no significant (P <0.05) changes. Lawsonia inermis is safe at acute administered dosages while nephrotoxicity and spermiotoxicity may occur following subchronic administration

Effects of hospital facilities on patient outcomes after cancer surgery: an international, prospective, observational study

Background Early death after cancer surgery is higher in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) compared with in high-income countries, yet the impact of facility characteristics on early postoperative outcomes is unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the association between hospital infrastructure, resource availability, and processes on early outcomes after cancer surgery worldwide.Methods A multimethods analysis was performed as part of the GlobalSurg 3 study-a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study of patients who had surgery for breast, colorectal, or gastric cancer. The primary outcomes were 30-day mortality and 30-day major complication rates. Potentially beneficial hospital facilities were identified by variable selection to select those associated with 30-day mortality. Adjusted outcomes were determined using generalised estimating equations to account for patient characteristics and country-income group, with population stratification by hospital.Findings Between April 1, 2018, and April 23, 2019, facility-level data were collected for 9685 patients across 238 hospitals in 66 countries (91 hospitals in 20 high-income countries; 57 hospitals in 19 upper-middle-income countries; and 90 hospitals in 27 low-income to lower-middle-income countries). The availability of five hospital facilities was inversely associated with mortality: ultrasound, CT scanner, critical care unit, opioid analgesia, and oncologist. After adjustment for case-mix and country income group, hospitals with three or fewer of these facilities (62 hospitals, 1294 patients) had higher mortality compared with those with four or five (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 3.85 [95% CI 2.58-5.75]; p&lt;0.0001), with excess mortality predominantly explained by a limited capacity to rescue following the development of major complications (63.0% vs 82.7%; OR 0.35 [0.23-0.53]; p&lt;0.0001). Across LMICs, improvements in hospital facilities would prevent one to three deaths for every 100 patients undergoing surgery for cancer.Interpretation Hospitals with higher levels of infrastructure and resources have better outcomes after cancer surgery, independent of country income. Without urgent strengthening of hospital infrastructure and resources, the reductions in cancer-associated mortality associated with improved access will not be realised

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries