Ameliorative potential of Aframomum melegueta extract in cadmiuminduced hepatic damage and oxidative stress in male Wistar rats

The present study was undertaken to explore the ameliorative potential of aqueous extract of Aframomum melegueta (AM) on cadmium-induced hepatic damage in rats. Toxicity was induced by daily administration of 200 mg/L cadmium: Cd (Cd as CdCl2) in the animals’ main drinking water for 21 days. Lipid peroxidation (LPO), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were determined in the liver while total protein, albumin, direct bilirubin and t otal bilirubin concentration as well as alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities were monitored in the serum and histological examination was carried out. Exposure to cadmium resulted in various alterations in all the evaluated parameters. Treatment with AM (200 or 400 mg/kg bw) extract showed a significant (P <0.05) reversal effect that mitigated the deleterious effect of cadmium. Results of the histological examination also support the above findings. The results suggest that aqueous extracts of A. melegueta when administered orally, could ameliorate cadmium-associated oxidative stress in male Wistar rats in a dose dependant manner via its free radical-scavenging mechanism which could be linked to the synergetic effects between the bioactive constituents present in the extract

The impact of systemic hypertension on outcomes in hospitalized COVID-19 patients – a systematic review

Background: Several observational reports from different parts of the world have shown that systemic hypertension (hypertension) was the single commonest comorbid condition in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Hypertension is also the most prevalent comorbidity reported among patients who developed severe disease, were admitted to Intensive Care Unit, needed mechanical ventilatory support, or who died on admission. The objective of this systematic review is to study the association between hypertension and specific clinical outcomes of COVID-19 disease which are- development of severe COVID-19 disease, need foradmission in the intensive care unit (ICU) or critical care unit (CCU), need for mechanical ventilation or death Methods: We searched the PubMed, SCOPUS, and Google Scholar databases up till June 28, 2020 for original research articles that documented the risk factors of mortality in patients with COVID-19 using the PRISMA guideline. Results: One hundred and eighty-two articles were identified using pre-specified search criteria, of which 33 met the study inclusion criteria. Only three were prospective studies. Most studies documented hypertension as the most prevalent comorbidity. The association of hypertension with development of severe COVID-19 disease was not conclusive, majority of studies however found an associated with mortality. Conclusion: Hypertension affects the clinical course and outcome of COVID-19 disease in many cohorts. Prospective studies are needed to further understand this relationship. Keywords: Hypertension and COVID-19; SARS –Cov-2; severity; mortality; ICU care; mechanical ventilation

VDR Potentiation and NMDA R Inhibition Facilitates Axo-Dendritic Process Formation in Melanocyte Model for Pigmented Cells in Parkinsonism

Background: A major cellular change in dopaminergic neurons leading to Parkinsonism is the alteration of microtubule proteins that causes accumulation of tau protein, α-syn and β-amyloid plaque in the cells. In this study we investigate the role of Vitamin D 3 in relieving the symptoms of Parkinsonism as it is capable of stimulating polymerization of microtubules. The Microtubules (MT) system in the fish scale melanocytes has been modeled for the dopaminergic neurons of the Substantia Nigra (SN). These cells are capable of forming cellular processes similar to what is seen in the dopaminergic neurons; in this study, we investigate the protective effect of Vitamin D 3 Receptor Agonist (VDRA) and N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor (NMDA R) inhibition in process formation, synaptic denervation and melanin loss in fish scale melanocytes modeled as pigmented adrenergic cells. Method: The Tilapia scale was isolated and sub cultured in Ringer’s solution following which the cells were prepared for imaging. We incubated the cells with VDRA, Ketamine and a combination of Ketamine and VDRA in separate set ups for 60 minutes. Using brightfield imaging techniques, the cells were viewed during the incubation period and recorded using a Cameroscope connected to a computer interface. Results/Conclusion:The cells incubated with VDRA and NMDA R inhibitor, showed an increase in the number of process and extent of the process formation; the increased number of process is an indication of a rapid rate of polymerization of microtubules. Also, the processes formed are combined long processes peculiar to the NMDA R1 inhibition and short processes characteristic of VDR potentiation as seen in VDRA treatment only. Most of the effects of the VDRA were restricted to process formation around the cell body; this is similar to the microtubule cytoskeletal system found in the dendritic nucleation assembly. This finding confirms the presence of VDR and its likely restriction to d cell body plus its role in facilitating short dendrite-like process formation while NMDA R is located on the processes and facilitates long process formation

In vitro antioxidant potential and inhibitory effect of hydro-ethanolic extract from African black velvet tamarind (Dialium indium) pulp on type 2 diabetes linked enzymes

The alarming rate of diabetes mellitus (DM) globally is bothersome and has drawn the search light of researchers on naturally endowed phytonutrients being an alternative in managing the menace. Therefore, the current study was designed to investigate some antioxidant parameters embedded in the extract of Dialium indium (DI) fruit pulp and also, to elucidate its antidiabetic potentials through the inhibition of two key carbohydrate-metabolizing enzymes such as &alpha;-amylase and intestinal &alpha;-glucosidase. Hydro-ethanolic extract of DI fruit pulp was used for the antioxidants and enzyme inhibitory bioassays through various convectional antioxidant assay methods in vitro. In the results, total phenolic content of the extract had; 6.74 &plusmn;3.38 mg GAE.g-1, total flavonoid contents; 0.02 &plusmn;0.01 mg QE.g-1 and FRAP; 0.84&nbsp; &plusmn;0.47 mg AAE.g-1 dried sample. Also, there was a marked significant (p&nbsp;&lt;0.05) difference observed in the inhibition of &alpha;-amylase and intestinal &alpha;-glucosidase by the different concentrations of the extract used in concentration-dependent manner with their different EC50. The inhibition demonstrated against these two carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes possibly could be through the embedded antioxidant potentials of the fruit pulp and this if properly harnessed, it could be helpful in the management of type 2 diabetes

In vitro antioxidant potential and inhibitory effect of hydro-ethanolic extract from African black velvet tamarind (Dialium indium) pulp on type 2 diabetes linked enzymes

The alarming rate of diabetes mellitus (DM) globally is bothersome and has drawn the search light of researchers on naturally endowed phytonutrients being an alternative in managing the menace. Therefore, the current study was designed to investigate some antioxidant parameters embedded in the extract of Dialium indium (DI) fruit pulp and also, to elucidate its antidiabetic potentials through the inhibition of two key carbohydrate-metabolizing enzymes such as &alpha;-amylase and intestinal &alpha;-glucosidase. Hydro-ethanolic extract of DI fruit pulp was used for the antioxidants and enzyme inhibitory bioassays through various convectional antioxidant assay methods in vitro. In the results, total phenolic content of the extract had; 6.74 &plusmn;3.38 mg GAE.g-1, total flavonoid contents; 0.02 &plusmn;0.01 mg QE.g-1 and FRAP; 0.84&nbsp; &plusmn;0.47 mg AAE.g-1 dried sample. Also, there was a marked significant (p&nbsp;&lt;0.05) difference observed in the inhibition of &alpha;-amylase and intestinal &alpha;-glucosidase by the different concentrations of the extract used in concentration-dependent manner with their different EC50. The inhibition demonstrated against these two carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes possibly could be through the embedded antioxidant potentials of the fruit pulp and this if properly harnessed, it could be helpful in the management of type 2 diabetes.</p

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

Studies of arsenicals in some marine algae of British Columbia

Arsenic determination in some marine algae of British Columbia was carried out by using Hydride Generation and Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometzy (HGAAS and GFAAS) following a two-hour wet digestion procedure. The total arsenic concentration in Fucus distichus and other brown algae determined by using the continuous HGAAS was found to vary with species and the collection sites, ranging from 1.8 μg/g As to 36.9 μg/g As (dry weight basis). Similarly, the arsenic concentrations determined in red algae were found to vary from a low 1.3 μg/g As to a high 39.7 μg/g As (also on a dry weight basis). Also, the arsenic concentrations determined in green algae were found to vary quite widely as in the other two classes of macroalgae, ranging from 0 μg/g As (not detected) to 27.2 μg/g As. These widely varying arsenic concentration results suggest that the amount of arsenic accumulated by seaweed is not only related to the class of the macroalgae as well as the particular species, but also to the sampling location and its soil conditions. Both the continuous HGAA and the semi-continuous HG-GC-AA techniques were employed for the examination of the selective reduction of four arsenic species, namely arsenate [As(V)], arsenite [As(III)], monomethylarsonic acid (MMAA) and dimethylarsinic acid (DMAA). The response profiles of the four arsenic species were plotted and the optimum arsenic analytical conditions were determined from these plots. By using a combination of extraction followed with sodium hydroxide digestion of the freeze dried seaweed, the reducible and “hidden” arsenic species in the extracts and digests were determined by using the semi-continuous mode HG-GC-AAS. Greater than 90% of the total arsenic in the seaweeds was found in the “hidden” arsenic forms. On-line detection techniques of High Performance Liquid Chromatography Microwave Oven Assisted Decomposition Hydride Generation Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (HPLC-Mic-HGAAS) and High Performance Liquid Chromatography Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (HPLC-ICPMS) were employed for the characterization of arsenic species in water soluble extract of F. distichus collected from Head of Hastings Arm, British Columbia. Prior to the use of these techniques for arsenic species identification, arsenic containing fractions were isolated via the use of several combinations of chromatographic procedures such as gel permeation chromatography (gpc), ion exchange chromatography (IEC), thin layer chromatography (tlc) and reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The water soluble extract of F. distichus was found to contain two major arsenosugars*, 11a and 11b, as well as several minor, unidentified arsenic species, likely to be other arsenosugar derivatives. The biotransformation studies of “hidden” organoarsenicals in F. distichus were carried out by using anaerobic decomposition conditions in “open” and “closed” systems. Two arsenic species, 2-dimethylarsinylethanol (DMAE) and dimethylarsiic acid (DMAA) were identified from the “open” system decomposition products by using the HPLC ICPMS technique. In the “closed” system, DMAE was characterized as a major decomposition product and DMAA was observed as another main component. Other minor arsenic species were found in the decomposition products, however, these were not identified. [chemical compound diagrams]Science, Faculty ofChemistry, Department ofGraduat

A comparative study of the physicochemical properties and antimicrobial qualities of Abuad moringa soap with conventional medicated soaps

The study was aimed at assessing the physicochemical properties and antimicrobial qualities of 'ABUAD moringa soap', a herbal soap produced with Moringa oleifera leaf by 'ABUAD Farm', Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria. The physicochemical properties and antimicrobial qualities of&nbsp; ABUAD moringa soap on some selected bacteria and fungi were evaluated and compared with those of some conventional medicated and herbal soaps commonly used in Nigeria, such as Dettol,&nbsp; Tetmosol, Tura, Septol, Delta and Dudu Osun (herbal), as well as Lux, which serves as a control soap. The results of the physicochemical analyses revealed that all the soaps fall within the pH range of 8.83 and 9.83. All the soaps possess low values of free caustic alkali and detectable free fatty acid, as well as moderate values of total fatty matter. In-vitro antibacterial and antifungal activities of the soaps were investigated against microbial agents commonly found in association with skin infections, using the well-agar diffusion technique. The bacteria tested were Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and Proteus mirabilis (ATCC 12453), as well as four clinical isolates namely, Escherichia coli, Leutococcus sanguinis, Corynebacterium accolens and Burkholderia cepacia. The fungi were Candida albicans ATCC 10231, Malassezia furfur ATCC 44349, and Cryptococcus neoformans ATCC 23645. All the soaps, with exeption of lux, produced varied degrees of antibacterial activities, but ABUAD Moringa soap and Dudu Osun indicated superior effectiveness against the bacteria tested. Antifugal activities were produced by ABUAD moringa and Dudu Osun soaps only, on the fungi tested.&nbsp; ABUAD Moringa produced significantly higher antifungal activities on Malassezia furfur ATCC 44349 and Candida albicans ATCC 10231 than Dudu Osun, but no significant difference was observed between the two soaps on their activities against Cryptococcus neoformans ATCC 23645. The study showed that ABUAD Moringa soap possesses high therapeutic potentials against agents of bacterial and fungal skin infections. </p

Exchange Characteristics of Lead, Zinc, and Cadmium in Selected Tropical Soils

Conducting binary-exchange experiments is a common way to identify cationic preferences of exchangeable phases in soil. Cation exchange reactions and thermodynamic studies of Pb 2+ /Ca 2+ , Cd 2+ /Ca 2+ , and Zn 2+ /Ca 2+ were carried out on three surface (0-30 cm) soil samples from Adamawa and Niger States in Nigeria using the batch method. The physicochemical properties studies of the soils showed that the soils have neutral pH values, low organic matter contents, low exchangeable bases, and low effective cation exchange capacity (mean: 3.27 cmolc kg −1 ) but relatively high base saturations (≫50%) with an average of 75.9%. The amount of cations sorbed in all cases did not exceed the soils cation exchange capacity (CEC) values, except for Pb sorption in the entisol-AD2 and alfisol-AD3, where the CEC were exceeded at high Pb loading. Calculated selectivity coefficients were greater than unity across a wide range of exchanger phase composition, indicating a preference for these cations over Ca 2+ . The eq values obtained in this work were all positive, indicating that the exchange reactions were favoured and equally feasible. These values indicated that the Ca/soil systems were readily converted to the cation/soil system. The thermodynamic parameters calculated for the exchange of these cations were generally low, but values suggest spontaneous reactions

Exchange Characteristics of Lead, Zinc, and Cadmium in Selected Tropical Soils

Conducting binary-exchange experiments is a common way to identify cationic preferences of exchangeable phases in soil. Cation exchange reactions and thermodynamic studies of Pb2+/Ca2+, Cd2+/Ca2+, and Zn2+/Ca2+ were carried out on three surface (0–30 cm) soil samples from Adamawa and Niger States in Nigeria using the batch method. The physicochemical properties studies of the soils showed that the soils have neutral pH values, low organic matter contents, low exchangeable bases, and low effective cation exchange capacity (mean: 3.27 cmolc kg−1) but relatively high base saturations (≫50%) with an average of 75.9%. The amount of cations sorbed in all cases did not exceed the soils cation exchange capacity (CEC) values, except for Pb sorption in the entisol-AD2 and alfisol-AD3, where the CEC were exceeded at high Pb loading. Calculated selectivity coefficients were greater than unity across a wide range of exchanger phase composition, indicating a preference for these cations over Ca2+. The Keq values obtained in this work were all positive, indicating that the exchange reactions were favoured and equally feasible. These values indicated that the Ca/soil systems were readily converted to the cation/soil system. The thermodynamic parameters calculated for the exchange of these cations were generally low, but values suggest spontaneous reactions