Optimization of Phytosynthesis of Magnesium Oxide and Magnesium Chloride Nanoparticles

In the present study, magnesium oxide (MgO) and magnesium chloride (MgCl) nanoparticles were phytosynthesized. Selected parameters like leaf extracts from Moringa oleifera, Vernonia amygadalina and Occimum gratissimum, time of reaction, precursor salts of magnesium oxide and magnesium chloride at varying concentrations, plant extracts to precursor salts volume ratio, pH of the medium and light sources were optimized for a better production of the nanoparticles. The phytosynthesized MgO and MgCl nanoparticles were characterized using UV- Vis spectroscopy technique. The study revealed that the leaf extracts of Moringa oleifera and Vernonia amyg dalina yielded more nanoparticles; the period of 24 hours incubation was enough time for nanoparticles formation and the 0.1 and 0.01 molar concentrations of the precursor salts gave optimal yields of the nanoparticles. The plant extracts at ratio two (2) to precursor salt solution at ratio three (3) resulted in better yield of the nanoparticles; the alkaline pH of 9 and 11 gave better nanoparticles synthesis and the visible light source and dark room environments were better exposure conditions for the nanoparticles formation. Keywords: Leaf extracts, Magnesium chloride nanoparticles, Magnesium oxide nanoparticles, Phytosynthesis, UV- Vis spectroscopy

Development of a semi-active car suspension control system using magneto-rheological damper model

In this paper, the development of a semi- active suspension control of quarter car model using fuzzy-based controller has been done. The quarter car model to be used here can be described as a nonlinear two degrees of freedom system which is subject to excitation from different road profile. The semi-active control is designed as the fuzzy control inferred by using two single input rule fuzzy modules, and the road model is used as the control force is released by actuating an electromagnetic shaker. To implement semi-active suspension system experimentally, the MR damper is used here as the adjustable damper. The MR damper is a control device that consists of a hydraulic cylinder filled with magnetically polarizable particles suspended in a liquid. MR dampers dissipate vibration by absorbing energy. Magnetorheological (MR) fluids dampers are very effective to control vibration, which use MR fluids to produce controllable damping force and provide both the reliability of passive systems and the facility of active control systems with small power supply. Due to their mechanical simplicity, high dynamic range, low power requirements, large force capacity, and robustness, offer an attractive means of vibration protection. The objectives of this are modeling of semi-active suspension system, developing controller and understanding the characteristics of the MR damper to provide effective damping for the purpose of suspension isolation or suppression car model. In this work pid, fuzzy logic and fuzzy-hybrid controller are used to control semi-active car suspension system

The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance

INTRODUCTION Investment in Africa over the past year with regard to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing has led to a massive increase in the number of sequences, which, to date, exceeds 100,000 sequences generated to track the pandemic on the continent. These sequences have profoundly affected how public health officials in Africa have navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. RATIONALE We demonstrate how the first 100,000 SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Africa have helped monitor the epidemic on the continent, how genomic surveillance expanded over the course of the pandemic, and how we adapted our sequencing methods to deal with an evolving virus. Finally, we also examine how viral lineages have spread across the continent in a phylogeographic framework to gain insights into the underlying temporal and spatial transmission dynamics for several variants of concern (VOCs). RESULTS Our results indicate that the number of countries in Africa that can sequence the virus within their own borders is growing and that this is coupled with a shorter turnaround time from the time of sampling to sequence submission. Ongoing evolution necessitated the continual updating of primer sets, and, as a result, eight primer sets were designed in tandem with viral evolution and used to ensure effective sequencing of the virus. The pandemic unfolded through multiple waves of infection that were each driven by distinct genetic lineages, with B.1-like ancestral strains associated with the first pandemic wave of infections in 2020. Successive waves on the continent were fueled by different VOCs, with Alpha and Beta cocirculating in distinct spatial patterns during the second wave and Delta and Omicron affecting the whole continent during the third and fourth waves, respectively. Phylogeographic reconstruction points toward distinct differences in viral importation and exportation patterns associated with the Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants and subvariants, when considering both Africa versus the rest of the world and viral dissemination within the continent. Our epidemiological and phylogenetic inferences therefore underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic on the continent and highlight key insights and challenges, for instance, recognizing the limitations of low testing proportions. We also highlight the early warning capacity that genomic surveillance in Africa has had for the rest of the world with the detection of new lineages and variants, the most recent being the characterization of various Omicron subvariants. CONCLUSION Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve. This is important not only to help combat SARS-CoV-2 on the continent but also because it can be used as a platform to help address the many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats in Africa. In particular, capacity building for local sequencing within countries or within the continent should be prioritized because this is generally associated with shorter turnaround times, providing the most benefit to local public health authorities tasked with pandemic response and mitigation and allowing for the fastest reaction to localized outbreaks. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

Prevalence and pattern of sexual assault among undergraduates attending Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Irrua, Edo State

Aim/Background: Sexual assault is a major problem globally. It affects the victim physically, mentally, emotionally and psychologically. Most victims are women and seldom report the crime to relevant authorities. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and pattern of sexual assault among undergraduates attending Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Irrua, Edo State. Materials and Methods: The study was a hospital based descriptive, crosssectional study. Three hundred and sixty female undergraduates  attending the hospital were consecutively selected and a semi structured questionnaire administered. The data was analysed using epi-info statistical software. Results: Of the 360 female undergraduates studied, 7 (1.94%) reported being sexually assaulted. Victims were all single, were assaulted on/before the age of 18years, majority knew their assailants but none reported to the police. Conclusion: The study found a prevalence of sexual assault of 1.94% among undergraduates attending Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital with  majority of victims being assaulted by family and friends and none reporting to the police. Key Words: sexual assault, undergraduate, victim, assailan

Review of Grandmultiparity as an obstetric risk factor at the irrua specialist teaching hospital, Irrua.

Introduction: The relationship between grandmultiparity and reproductive outcome has always been controversial. However, few of such reports have compared pregnancy outcome in grandmultipara to age–matched multipara as control. Methods: This was a retrospective case control study. The obstetric case records of 135 grandmultipara who delivered between the 1st of January 2001 – 31st of December 2005 were compared with same number of age-matched multipara, who delivered at the same period and reproductive outcomes compared.Results: The incidence of ante-partum haemorrhage, abnormal lie, mal-presentation, caesarean section and primary post-partum haemorrhage were all statistically significant findings among the grandmultipara as opposed to age-matched multipara. Conclusion: Grandmultiparity by itself constitutes an increased obstetric risk. Female education, empowerment and use of effective contraception are suggested ways to reduce the incidence of grandmultiparity in our environment.Keywords: Grandmultiparity, pregnancy, haemorrhage, caesarean section

Phytochemical constituents and wound healing properties of ointment formulations of Ocimum gratissimum crude aqueous leaf extracts

There is need for safe, acceptable and cost-effective wound healing remedies. In this work, the phytochemical constituents of the aqueous leaf extract of Ocimum gratissimum and its wound healing properties were evaluated using the excision wound healing model. The leaves were air-dried and extracted with Soxhlet extractor. Phytochemical constituents of the crude extract were evaluated. The extract was used to formulate simple ointments containing 1 and 2 % w/w of the extract. Male albino rats weighing 65 – 180 g were divided into 4 groups, shaved, inflicted with circular wounds of 2 mm diameter and treated with the ointment formulations. Animals in Group I were treated with the formulation containing 1% of extract, animals in Group 2 with ointments containing 2 % of extract, animals in Groups 3 with a bland ointment and animals in Group 4 with Cicatrin powder (a standard wound healing agent. Groups 3 and 4 animals served as controls. Wound healing degree was determined by the size of the wound over a period of 21 days. The extract contain alkaloids, glycosides, tannins, flavonoids and resins but not saponin. Concentration- independent, timedependent wound healings were observed in the animals treated with the ointment formulations containing Ocimum gratissimum aqueous leaf extract, superior to those observed in animals treated with the blank ointment and Cicatrin® powder. The aqueous leaf extract of Ocimum gratissimum can be formulated into ointments for use in wound treatments.Keywords: Ocimum gratissimum, wound healing, aqueous extract, excision wound mode

Wound healing properties of ointment formulations of Ocimum gratissimum crude n-hexane bark extracts using the excision wound model

present work evaluated the phyto-constituents and wound healing  properties of ointments formulated with the n-hexane crude bark extract of a plant used folklorically in wound healing, Ocimum gratissimum. The excision wound model was employed in the wound healing studies. The air-dried, size-reduced barks were subjected to Soxhlet extraction using n-hexane. The resulting n-hexane extract was subjected to phytochemical screening to identify the phytochemical constituents present.  Subsequently, the extract was employed at two concentrations (1 % w/w and 2 % w/w) in the formulation of simple ointments which were applied to excision wounds inflicted on male albino rats. The wound healings were evaluated in the animals over a period of 21 days. Results obtained showed that the ointments formulated with n-hexane bark extract of Ocimum gratissimum showed superior wound healing properties  compared to those exhibited by Cicatrin®, a standard wound healing agent, thus predisposing the extract as a potential wound healing agent when formulated as ointments.Keywords: wound healing, ointment, Ocimum gratissimum, bark, methanol extract, Cicatrin

Evaluating the ethyl-acetate fraction of crude methanol leaf extract of Ocimum gratissimum formulated as ointments for wound healing properties using the excision wound model

Ointment formulations of the ethyl acetate fraction of the crude methanol leaf extract of <i>Ocimum gratissimum</i> was in this study evaluated for wound healing activities in rat using the excision wound model. The air-dried and pulversied leaves were extracted with methanol in a Soxhlet extraction apparatus to obtain the crude methanol extract. This was  subsequently shaken with ethyl acetate and to obtain the ethyl acetate fraction, which was later dried and used in two different concentrations ( 1% w/w and 2 % w/w to formulate simple ointments. The ointments were evaluated for wound healing properties using male albino rats (65 – 180 g) aged 3 – 4 months. Prior to this, the crude methanol extract and ethyl acetate fraction were subjected to phytochemical studies to ascertain their phyto-constituents .The phytochemical studies showed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids and resins and absence of glycosides and saponins. The ointment formulations had wound healing activities which were time-dependent, but concentration independent. The ointment formulations containing the extracts showed more effective wound healing than the positive control, Cicatrin® a standard wound healing agent, with the ointment containing 1 % w/w extract having superior effects than the batch containing 2 % w/w, implying that the extract, at 1 % w/w concentration, can be exploited in ointment form, as a potential wound healing remedy.Keywords: wound healing, ointment, ethyl acetate fraction, methanol extract, Ocimum gratissimum, Cicatrin