Phytochemical Screening and Mosquito Repellent Activity of the Stem Bark Extracts of Euphorbia Balsamifera (Ait)

The phytochemical screening of extracts from Euphorbia balsamifera was carried out, and the results revealed that the stem bark contains alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, saponins, glycosides, terpenoids and sterols. The ethanol extract of the stem bark of Euphorbia balsamifera (commonly known as Ayyara in Hausa) was sequentially partitioned with petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol. The extracts were respectively labeled EB1, EB2, EB3, and EB4, with the ethanolic extract labeled EB. The extracts, 12.5% and 25% w/v, were tested for repellency against Anopheles gambiae, and the repellent activity was assessed using the human-bait technique. Five volunteers participated in the laboratory tests to ascertain the repellent activity of the extracts, and each volunteer was test with one extract, with each test repeated in triplicate. The chloroform extract labeled EB1-02 was found to be the most active, (97.2% and 100% repellency), while the extract labeled EB1-03 recorded the least activity of 32.4% and 21.6%. It can be concluded that the chloroform extract labeled EB1-02 is responsible for repellent activity of Euphorbia balsamifera.Keywords: Anopheles gambiae, Euphorbia balsamifera extracts, Human-bait technique, Phytochemicals, Repellenc

Effect of Hippocratea Obtusifolia Extracts on Lactation Inducement

The crude extract of the leaves and stalk of Hippocratea obtusifolia (commonly known as gwadayi in Hausa) was sequentially extracted with petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol. The extracts were subjected to bioactivity testing against lactation inducement in 24 female guinea pigs. The experimental animals with average weight of 200g were randomly grouped into six; the first five groups A, B, C, D and E were force-fed with feeds mixed with a measured portion of the extract, while the last group was force-fed with food mixed with distilled water only serving as control. The chloroform extract was found to be the only active extract, and this confirms the use of Hippocratea obtusifolia in lactation inducement.Keywords: Lactation, Hippocratea obtusifolia, force-fed, galactagogue, endogastric tub

Impact of management systems on selenium and zinc levels, heterophil: Lymphocyte ratio as biomarkers of immunity in chickens

This study investigated the impact of poultry management systems (intensive and extensive) on selenium and zinc concentrations and heterophil to lymphocyte ratio in chickens. Sixty chickens comprising 20 broilers, 20 local chickens and 20 layers obtained from poultry markets and houses around Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria were used in this study. Five millilitres of blood were collected through the brachial vein to analyse for selenium, zinc and complete blood count using atomic absorption spectrophotometry and standard haematological methods, respectively. There was a significantly (P<0.05) higher red blood cell, haemoglobin and pack cell volume values in local chickens raised in the extensive management system compared to broilers and layers raised in the intensive management system. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the white blood cell count between layers and local chickens. However, layers had higher white blood cell counts than local chickens. In contrast, local chickens had significantly (P<0.05) lower white blood cell count than broilers. The respective lymphocyte and heterophil counts were significantly (P<0.05) higher and lower in local chickens raised extensively compared to layers raised intensively. There were no significant differences (P>0.05) in monocyte, eosinophil and basophil count in chickens raised from both management systems. Chickens raised in the extensive management system had a significantly (P<0.05) higher selenium concentration with a lower heterophil to lymphocyte ratio than those raised in the intensive management system but had a significantly (P<0.05) lower zinc concentration. Therefore, high selenium levels and low heterophil to lymphocyte ratio could contribute to the resistance of chickens to various stressors associated with an extensive management system as selenium is a known immunomodulator

Effect of sodium selenite on sub-acute paraquat-induced toxicity in male rats

Acute paraquat (PQ) toxicity induces redox cycling leading to fatality in both man and animals with clinical management being supportive therapy due to lack of specific and effective antidote. This study thus aimed at determining the sero-biochemical and pathological changes induced by acute PQ administration in male rats and the mitigating role of sodium selenite. Forty male rats were used for the study and were grouped into 5 of eight rats viz: Group I (control) administered distilled water (2 ml/kg), group II (15 mg/kg of PQ), group III (15 mg/kg of PQ + 0.3 mg/kg sodium selenite), group IV (30 mg/kg of PQ) and group V (30 mg/kg of PQ + 0.3 mg/kg sodium selenite). Administration were achieved per os and lasted for a week. Sera, lungs, liver and kidney samples were harvested at the end of the experiment. Result showed a significant (p < 0.05) higher liver enzymes, urea and creatinine in treated groups when compared to control. Biomarkers of oxidative stress revealed a significant (p < 0.05) increased superoxide dismutase and malondealdehyde activities of the lungs and liver. A dose-dependent pathologic lesion was also observed with milder lesions in selenium supplemented groups. The results demonstrate that selenium supplementation may be a promising therapy and should further be clinically validated

Activation of Kaolin Minerals from Ketapang Regency as Cu Metal Adsorbent Material

Kaolin is a term given to a group of phyllosilicate minerals whose layers have a 1:1 structure with Al2Si2O5(OH)4 composition. This type of kaolin phyllosilicate mineral is commonly known as a clay mineral. The kaolin clay group consists mainly of the kaolinite mineral or better known as white clay. Kaolin is widely applied in industries such as paper, ceramics, rubber, plastic, paint, fiberglass, cosmetics, etc. The processing of kaolin as an adsorbent can be carried out using physical activation, where the kaolin is washed and separated from the impurities and dried into a powder. Then the chemical activation of kaolin will go through a leaching process using HCl with optimal concentrations aimed at separating kaolin from impurities that are still chemically bound to kaolin. The results of the characteristics show recovery of 71.42% to 81.2% and moisture content <2%. The chemical composition of kaolin containing SiO2 was 53.32–67.32%, Al2O3 was 28.22–30.47%, Fe2O3 was 1.32%, CaO was 0.03%, MgO was 0.20%, MnO2 was 0.01%, K2O of 0.86%, NaO of 0.01%, Cr of 0.01%, LOI of 11.03%. The adsorption test results on Cu metal in CuSO4 solution showed the absorption of 62–93% of Cu metal which was adsorption

Natural coagulates for wastewater treatment; a review for application and mechanism

The increase of water demand and wastewater generation is among the global concerns in the world. The less effective management of water sources leads to serious consequences, the direct disposal of untreated wastewater is associated with the environmental pollution, elimination of aquatic life and the spread of deadly epidemics. The flocculation process is one of the most important stages in water and wastewater treatment plants, wherein this phase the plankton, colloidal particles, and pollutants are precipitated and removed. Two major types of coagulants are used in the flocculation process included the chemical and natural coagulants. Many studies have been performed to optimize the flocculation process while most of these studies have confirmed the hazardous effects of chemical coagulants utilization on the ecosystem. This chapter reviews a summary of the coagulation/flocculation processes using natural coagulants as well as reviews one of the most effective natural methods of water and wastewater treatment

Bidirectional regulation of bone formation by exogenous and osteosarcoma-derived Sema3A

Semaphorin 3A (Sema3A), a secreted member of the Semaphorin family, increases osteoblast differentiation, stimulates bone formation and enhances fracture healing. Here, we report a previously unknown role of Sema3A in the regulation of ectopic bone formation and osteolysis related to osteosarcoma. Human recombinant (exogenous) Sema3A promoted the expression of osteoblastic phenotype in a panel of human osteosarcoma cell lines and inhibited the ability of these cells to migrate and enhance osteoclastogenesis in vitro. In vivo, administration of exogenous Sema3A in mice after paratibial inoculation of KHOS cells increased bone volume in non-inoculated and tumour-bearing legs. In contrast, Sema3A overexpression reduced the ability of KHOS cells to cause ectopic bone formation in mice and to increase bone nodule formation by engaging DKK1/β-catenin signalling. Thus, Sema3A is of potential therapeutic efficacy in osteosarcoma. However, inhibition of bone formation associated with continuous exposure to Sema3A may limit its long-term usefulness as therapeutic agent

Decrease of CD68 Synovial Macrophages in Celastrol Treated Arthritic Rats

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory disease characterized by cellular infiltration into the joints, hyperproliferation of synovial cells and bone damage. Available treatments for RA only induce remission in around 30% of the patients, have important adverse effects and its use is limited by their high cost. Therefore, compounds that can control arthritis, with an acceptable safety profile and low production costs are still an unmet need. We have shown, in vitro, that celastrol inhibits both IL-1β and TNF, which play an important role in RA, and, in vivo, that celastrol has significant anti-inflammatory properties. Our main goal in this work was to test the effect of celastrol in the number of sublining CD68 macrophages (a biomarker of therapeutic response for novel RA treatments) and on the overall synovial tissue cellularity and joint structure in the adjuvant-induced rat model of arthritis (AIA).FCT fellowship: (SFRH/BPD/92860/2013)

Laparoscopy in management of appendicitis in high-, middle-, and low-income countries: a multicenter, prospective, cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Appendicitis is the most common abdominal surgical emergency worldwide. Differences between high- and low-income settings in the availability of laparoscopic appendectomy, alternative management choices, and outcomes are poorly described. The aim was to identify variation in surgical management and outcomes of appendicitis within low-, middle-, and high-Human Development Index (HDI) countries worldwide. METHODS: This is a multicenter, international prospective cohort study. Consecutive sampling of patients undergoing emergency appendectomy over 6 months was conducted. Follow-up lasted 30 days. RESULTS: 4546 patients from 52 countries underwent appendectomy (2499 high-, 1540 middle-, and 507 low-HDI groups). Surgical site infection (SSI) rates were higher in low-HDI (OR 2.57, 95% CI 1.33-4.99, p = 0.005) but not middle-HDI countries (OR 1.38, 95% CI 0.76-2.52, p = 0.291), compared with high-HDI countries after adjustment. A laparoscopic approach was common in high-HDI countries (1693/2499, 67.7%), but infrequent in low-HDI (41/507, 8.1%) and middle-HDI (132/1540, 8.6%) groups. After accounting for case-mix, laparoscopy was still associated with fewer overall complications (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.42-0.71, p < 0.001) and SSIs (OR 0.22, 95% CI 0.14-0.33, p < 0.001). In propensity-score matched groups within low-/middle-HDI countries, laparoscopy was still associated with fewer overall complications (OR 0.23 95% CI 0.11-0.44) and SSI (OR 0.21 95% CI 0.09-0.45). CONCLUSION: A laparoscopic approach is associated with better outcomes and availability appears to differ by country HDI. Despite the profound clinical, operational, and financial barriers to its widespread introduction, laparoscopy could significantly improve outcomes for patients in low-resource environments. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02179112

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication