A case of polydactyly in the hind-limbs of a West African Dwarf goat in South-West Nigeria

This report describes a case of polydactyly in the hind-limb of a West African Dwarf goat kid in South West Africa. Physical examination revealed the presence of four digits in each of the hind limbs. Radiological examination and macerated bones of the animal showed a bifid shape of each metatarsal that was more prominent from the distal half of the diaphysis. This resulted in the presence of four articulating surfaces per limb at the distal extremity. Though this condition is rare in goats, we advise that continuous reporting by researchers can give a better prevalence statistics of these occurrences

Antimicrobial and toxic potential of aqueous extracts of Allium sativum, Hibiscus sabdariffa and Zingiber officinale in Wistar rats

AbstractAllium sativum, Hibiscus sabdariffa and Zingiber officinale are medicinal plants with wide use in traditional medicine; however, the increasing use of crude extracts for traditional medicine applications raises safety concerns. We made a preliminary determination of the phytochemical constituents and antimicrobial and safety profiles of aqueous extracts of A. sativum, H. sabdariffa and Z. officinale. The extracts were administered orally to Wistar rats for 30 days: a control group received distilled water, three groups received the three extract, and a fifth group received a combination of the three extracts. All three extracts, either individually or in combination, had antimicrobial activity, and all extracts influenced the activities of marker enzymes. The evidence lends credence to use of these plants in traditional medicine but also suggests the probable toxic potential of crude plant extracts

Sensitive and selective electrochemical detection of bisphenol A based on SBA-15 like Cu-PMO modified glassy carbon electrode

This work reports the electrochemical detection of bisphenol A (BPA) using a novel and sensitive electrochemical sensor based on the Cu functionalized SBA-15 like periodic mesoporous organosilica-ionic liquid composite modified glassy carbon electrode (Cu@TU-PMO/IL/GCE). The structural morphology of Cu@TU-PMO is characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET). The catalytic activity of the modified electrode toward oxidation of BPA was interrogated with cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) in phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.0) using the fabricated sensor. The electrochemical detection of the analyte was carried out at a neutral pH and the scan rate studies revealed that the sensor was stable. Under the optimal conditions, a linear range from 5.0 nM to 2.0 mu M and 4.0 to 500 mu M for detecting BPA was observed with a detection limit of 1.5 nM (S/N = 3). The sensor was applied to detect BPA in tap and seawater samples, and the accuracy of the results was validated by high-performance l

An Exfoliated Graphite-Based Electrochemical Immunosensor on a Dendrimer/Carbon Nanodot Platform for the Detection of Carcinoembryonic Antigen Cancer Biomarker

An electrochemical immunosensor for the quantification of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) using a nanocomposite of polypropylene imine dendrimer (PPI) and carbon nanodots (CNDTs) on an exfoliated graphite electrode (EG) is reported. The carbon nanodots were prepared by pyrolysis of oats. The nanocomposites (PPI and CNDTs) were characterized using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The proposed immunosensor was prepared on an exfoliated graphite electrode sequentially by drop coating CNDTs, the electrodeposition of G2-PPI (generation 2 poly (propylene imine) dendrimer), the immobilization of anti-CEA on the modified electrode for 80 min at 35 °C, and dropping of bovine serum albumin (BSA) to minimize non-specific binding sites. Cyclic voltammetry was used to characterize each stage of the fabrication of the immunosensor. The proposed immunosensor detected CEA within a concentration range of 0.005 to 300 ng/mL with a detection limit of 0.00145 ng/mL by using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The immunosensor displayed good stability and was also selective in the presence of some interference species such as ascorbic acid, glucose, alpha-fetoprotein, prostate-specific antigen and human immunoglobulin. Furthermore, the fabricated immunosensor was applied in the quantification of CEA in a human serum sample, indicating its potential for real sample analysis

Daily Fluctuation of Orexin Neuron Activity and Wiring: The Challenge of “Chronoconnectivity”

In the heterogeneous hub represented by the lateral hypothalamus, neurons containing the orexin/hypocretin peptides play a key role in vigilance state transitions and wakefulness stability, energy homeostasis, and other functions relevant for motivated behaviors. Orexin neurons, which project widely to the neuraxis, are innervated by multiple extra- and intra-hypothalamic sources. A key property of the adaptive capacity of orexin neurons is represented by daily variations of activity, which is highest in the period of the animal’s activity and wakefulness. These sets of data are here reviewed. They concern the discharge profile during the sleep/wake cycle, spontaneous Fos induction, peptide synthesis and release reflected by immunostaining intensity and peptide levels in the cerebrospinal fluid as well as postsynaptic effects. At the synaptic level, adaptive capacity of orexin neurons subserved by remodeling of excitatory and inhibitory inputs has been shown in response to changes in the nutritional status and prolonged wakefulness. The present review wishes to highlight that synaptic plasticity in the wiring of orexin neurons also occurs in unperturbed conditions and could account for diurnal variations of orexin neuron activity. Data in zebrafish larvae have shown rhythmic changes in the density of inhibitory innervation of orexin dendrites in relation to vigilance states. Recent findings in mice have indicated a diurnal reorganization of the excitatory/inhibitory balance in the perisomatic innervation of orexin neurons. Taken together these sets of data point to “chronoconnectivity,” i.e., a synaptic rearrangement of inputs to orexin neurons over the course of the day in relation to sleep and wake states. This opens questions on the underlying circadian and homeostatic regulation and on the involved players at synaptic level, which could implicate dual transmitters, cytoskeletal rearrangements, hormonal regulation, as well as surrounding glial cells and extracellular matrix. Furthermore, the question arises of a “chronoconnectivity” in the wiring of other neuronal cell groups of the sleep-wake-regulatory network, many of which are characterized by variations of their firing rate during vigilance states

Brain Gross Anatomy and Cerebellar Histology of the Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis)

The structural parts of brain are similar in all vertebrates, but they differ in their complexity and organization. The avian brain for instance, is organised differently compared to mammals, with variations existing in the relative size and location of their structures. The cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis) is a cosmopolitan avian species native to Africa. Despite their economic importance as excellent sentinels in assessing environmental pollutants, there is a dearth of information on their neuroanatomy. Hence, we here investigated their gross morphological features and morphometric parameters, and the cerebellar histology. Twelve transcardi-ally perfused juvenile cattle egrets were studied, with the body and brain weights and brain linear measurements considered. The brain weight constituted 0.46 % of the total body mass, with a strong positive correlation recorded between the body and brain weights (r = 0.9204). Morphologically, the brain was lissencephalic, with the corpus callosum absent and the olfactory bulbs rudimentary with no discernible division into the olfactory bulb, olfactory tract and olfactory lobe. We observed prominent sagittal eminence and vallecula telencephali, as well as an obvious fovea limbica on the dorsal and lateral surfaces of the cerebral hemispheres, respectively. The diencephalic structures were completely covered by telencephalon, with the pineal gland occupying the polygonal space between cerebrum, optic lobe and cerebellum. The mesencephalic tectum appeared as a large oval bilaterally bulging structure with prominent optic tracts and constituted the bulk of the midbrain. There was a dorsal extension of the fourth ventricle into the cerebellum known as the ventriculus cerebelli and the cerebellar histology presented a persistent external granular layering suggestive of a potential for adult neurogenesis. Our data has added relevant literature on the cattle egret brain and could prove useful in comparative, developmental and evolutionary avian neuroanatomy

Advances in Metal-based Vanadate Compound Photocatalysts: Synthesis, Properties and Applications

Among the ongoing research on photocatalysis under visible-light, it has been shown that doped or hybrid catalysts are more active than a single catalyst alone. However, problems including visible light absorption, a low quantity of energetic sites on surfaces, and rapid recombination of the photo-electron hole pair produced by light have prohibited photocatalysts from being used in a practical and widespread manner. To overcome these problems, synthesis of nanostructure hybrid catalyst using several methods has attracted much attention. Several procedures have been suggested for the preparation of photocatalysts with the desired structure and morphology. Preparation methods similar to partial modification may lead to diverse structures and qualities. In this regard, the development of efficient, low-cost photocatalysts and rapid synthesis is the most important issues that should be considered. This review discusses various methods and mechanisms that work with the modification of vanadium compounds as photocatalysts to progress their photocatalytic efficiency. In addition, the effects of synthesis temperature, solution pH and concentration on the photocatalytic performance are also described in detail

Neuroinflammatory response in chronic hydrocephalus in juvenile rats

Hydrocephalus is especially prevalent in countries with limited resources, where its treatment is still a challenge. However, long-term neuropathological changes in untreated hydrocephalus remain largely unexplored. The present study looks at cortical parenchyma and neuroinflammation in acquired, chronic hydrocephalus. Intracisternal kaolin injections were performed in 3\u202fweek-old rats, followed by 1, 4 and 8\u202fweek survival; matched control rats received saline injections. Ventriculomegaly has been previously reported to stabilize by the third week in this model. Single and triple immunocytochemical approaches were used to highlight neurones, astrocytes, microglia, and the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-1\u3b2 in the parietal cortex, utilizing cell counts and densitometry. Microglial protein ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba1) and IL-1\u3b2 expressions were monitored with Western blotting in the parietal cortex and hippocampus. In the parietal cortex, which showed progressive disruption of cytoarchitecture, neuronal density was significantly increased at 8\u202fweeks post-induction but not at earlier time points, indicating on-going cortical damage in chronic hydrocephalus. Astrocyte and microglia hypertrophy, and Iba1 expression indicated glial cell activation which peaked at 4\u202fweeks. IL-1\u3b2 expression also peaked at 4\u202fweeks and was then down-regulated. Overall the findings indicate that neuroinflammatory features build up in the first month after hydrocephalus induction implicating marked IL-1\u3b2 upregulation. The data also show that astrocytes are the main source of IL-1\u3b2 in this disorder

Solar-light-responsive nanomaterials for the photoelectrocatalytic degradation of stubborn pollutants

Due to the ever increasing demand for cleaner water, a remarkable focus has been on the use of nanomaterials in wastewater treatment application. Photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) degradation, an advanced oxidation process which combines light and electrical energy, has been identified as a suitable technique capable of achieving total mineralisation of recalcitrant organic pollutants in wastewater. PEC degradation is non-selective, environmentally friendly and possesses great efficiency. The efficiency of PEC degradation has been enhanced by fabricating the photoanodes on a nanoscale with distinct morphologies. These nanostructured photoanodes have been extensively used for the removal of pharmaceuticals, dyes and phenolic water from wastewater. In many cases, total degradation of the pollutants is achieved within 2 h with significant TOC removal. This review presents an overview of the remarkable success that has been recorded with the use of nanostructured photoanodes in PEC degradation in the presence of visible light. The techniques that are commonly employed to improve the solar light responsiveness of these photoanodes are well discussed. Additionally, the use of nanostructured photoanodes consisting of heterojunction in PEC degradation is also presented. It is our aim that this review will help researchers to make informed decisions regarding the use of nanomaterials in PEC water treatment