Cellulase Production Potentials of the Microbial Profile of Some Sugarcane Bagasse Dumping Sites in Ilorin, Nigeria

This research work investigated cellulase production potentials of the microbial profile of three sugarcane bagasse dumping sites at Zango area, Ilorin, Nigeria. The microbial isolates were screened for cellulase production with a view to select the best organism for eventual cellulase production. Pour Plate method was used for the isolation and a total of thirteen (13) different organisms including both fungal and bacterial species were isolated and screened. Six (6) fungal isolates identified as Mucor racemosus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Neurospora sitophilus, Penicillium oxalicum and Penicillium citrinum were isolated, while seven (7) different bacterial species isolated include Clostridium cellobioparum, Clostridium thermocellum,Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus pumillus, Lactobacillus spp, Pseudomonas flavescens and Serratia spp. Generally, bacterial isolates were more in abundance than fungal species. However; fungal isolates were constant and were isolated through the experimental period of three weeks. All the isolates showed cellulase production potential in varying degrees as reflected in the clearance zone around their colonies. Fungal isolates produced more cellulase than the bacterial isolates. Mucor racemosus had the highest clearance zone (75.0 mm) among the fungal isolates while Clostridium cellobioparum (35.0 mm) were the best producer among bacterial isolates. The least producer among fungal isolates, Penicillium citrinum (40.0 mm), is a little more than the bacterial cellulase producer (35.0 mm) and is far greater than the least bacterium Serratia spp (14.0 mm)

Synthesis of I@MPA-Mn:ZnSe as an efficient contrast agent for CT/ fluorescence bi-modal imaging application

Bi-modal imaging contrast agent has attracted considerable attention in medical physics research field via quantum dots (QDs) fabrications. Doped quantum dots are playing an important role in seeking alternatives to conventional heavy metal-containing particles for medical applications. In order to improve imaging diagnosis, herein we report the design and synthesis of I@MPA-Mn:ZnSe as an efficient contrast agent. The medium, mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) capped Mn:ZnSe QDs surface-conjugated with a commercial contrast agent (Iohexol), was synthesized in seeking to overcome the limitations of Iohexol, also towards advancing bi-modal imaging approaches. In this study, morphology, elemental, absorption and fluorescence analysis were investigated, followed by a preliminary study of CT contrast enhancement and cell viability. In comparison to Iohexol, the fluorescence of I@MPA-Mn:ZnSe is observed at 585 nm. The CT Hounsfield unit (HU) increases linearly with mass concentration, with a four-fold increment in HU over that of Iohexol, producing greater than 328 ΔHU at similar concentrations, confirming the CT contrast efficiency of I@MPA-Mn:ZnSe. Cytotoxicity studies have confirmed that the medium possesses good biocompatibility and low toxicity to cells (HepG2 and MDA-MB-321). Present results for CT enhancement and brightness of fluorescence of I@MPA-Mn:ZnSe point to its great potential as a bi-modal contrast medium for further diagnosis applications

BJS commission on surgery and perioperative care post-COVID-19

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was declared a pandemic by the WHO on 11 March 2020 and global surgical practice was compromised. This Commission aimed to document and reflect on the changes seen in the surgical environment during the pandemic, by reviewing colleagues' experiences and published evidence

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination modelling for safe surgery to save lives: data from an international prospective cohort study

Background: Preoperative SARS-CoV-2 vaccination could support safer elective surgery. Vaccine numbers are limited so this study aimed to inform their prioritization by modelling. Methods: The primary outcome was the number needed to vaccinate (NNV) to prevent one COVID-19-related death in 1 year. NNVs were based on postoperative SARS-CoV-2 rates and mortality in an international cohort study (surgical patients), and community SARS-CoV-2 incidence and case fatality data (general population). NNV estimates were stratified by age (18-49, 50-69, 70 or more years) and type of surgery. Best- and worst-case scenarios were used to describe uncertainty. Results: NNVs were more favourable in surgical patients than the general population. The most favourable NNVs were in patients aged 70 years or more needing cancer surgery (351; best case 196, worst case 816) or non-cancer surgery (733; best case 407, worst case 1664). Both exceeded the NNV in the general population (1840; best case 1196, worst case 3066). NNVs for surgical patients remained favourable at a range of SARS-CoV-2 incidence rates in sensitivity analysis modelling. Globally, prioritizing preoperative vaccination of patients needing elective surgery ahead of the general population could prevent an additional 58 687 (best case 115 007, worst case 20 177) COVID-19-related deaths in 1 year. Conclusion: As global roll out of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination proceeds, patients needing elective surgery should be prioritized ahead of the general population

BJS commission on surgery and perioperative care post-COVID-19

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was declared a pandemic by the WHO on 11 March 2020 and global surgical practice was compromised. This Commission aimed to document and reflect on the changes seen in the surgical environment during the pandemic, by reviewing colleagues experiences and published evidence. Methods: In late 2020, BJS contacted colleagues across the global surgical community and asked them to describe how severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) had affected their practice. In addition to this, the Commission undertook a literature review on the impact of COVID-19 on surgery and perioperative care. A thematic analysis was performed to identify the issues most frequently encountered by the correspondents, as well as the solutions and ideas suggested to address them. Results: BJS received communications for this Commission from leading clinicians and academics across a variety of surgical specialties in every inhabited continent. The responses from all over the world provided insights into multiple facets of surgical practice from a governmental level to individual clinical practice and training. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has uncovered a variety of problems in healthcare systems, including negative impacts on surgical practice. Global surgical multidisciplinary teams are working collaboratively to address research questions about the future of surgery in the post-COVID-19 era. The COVID-19 pandemic is severely damaging surgical training. The establishment of a multidisciplinary ethics committee should be encouraged at all surgical oncology centres. Innovative leadership and collaboration is vital in the post-COVID-19 era