Anti-Inflammatory and Immunomodulatory Properties of a Crude Polysaccharide Derived from Green Seaweed : Computational and Experimental Evidences.

In this study, we investigated for the first time the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties of crude polysaccharide (PSHT) extracted from green marine algae . PSHT exhibited anti-oxidant activity in vitro through scavenging 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydroxyl free radical, reducing Fe/ferricyanide complex, and inhibiting nitric oxide. PSHT maintained the erythrocyte membrane integrity and prevented hemolysis.

First evidence of the utility of cephalopods for biomonitoring program in the field: case of Sepia officinalis south west of Mediterranean Sea (Gulf of Gabes, Tunisia).

This study was carried out to determine the concentration of selected heavy metals in common cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) caught in the south west of Mediterranean Sea (Gulf of Gabes, Tunisia). To reach this objective, cuttlefish samples were collected from each area (Sfax and Djerba) situated along the Gulf of Gabes, and the concentrations of heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd) were measured in the gills, gonads, digestive glands, and muscles. Sample preparation and quantification of the metals were accomplished via the wet digestion method and atomic absorption spectroscopy.

Sugarcane bagasse: a biomass sufficiently applied for improving global energy, environment and economic sustainability.

Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) bagasse (SCB) is a biomass of agricultural waste obtained from sugarcane processing that has been found in abundance globally. Due to its abundance in nature, researchers have been harnessing this biomass for numerous applications such as in energy and environmental sustainability. However, before it could be optimally utilised, it has to be pre-treated using available methods.

Ecotoxicology of glyphosate and recent advances in its mitigation by adsorption.

Glyphosate (N-[phosphonomethyl]glycine) is one of the most popular herbicides now used in agricultural practice. The aim of this paper was to discuss the research progress and innovations in recent years on the mitigation of glyphosate (GLY) from aqueous media by adsorption. The ecotoxicology of GLY was discussed in the domain of its chronic and sub-chronic toxicity, genotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, and carcinogenicity, and potential risks of food contamination were discussed.

Nano-synthesis of solid acid catalysts from waste-iron-filling for biodiesel production using high free fatty acid waste cooking oil.

Waste-iron-filling (WIF) served as a precursor to synthesize α-[Formula: see text] through the co-precipitation process. The α-[Formula: see text] was converted to solid acid catalysts of RBC500, RBC700, and RBC900 by calcination with temperatures of 500, 700 and 900 °C respectively and afterwards sulfonated. Among the various techniques employed to characterize the catalysts is Fourier transforms infrared spectrometer (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Insectifugal and insecticidal potentials of two tropical botanical essential oils against cowpea seed bruchid.

Essential oils (EO) obtained from Xylopia parviflora root bark and Hoslundia opposita leaf via hydro distillation were analysed by GC-MS and evaluated for their insectifugal (repellent) and insecticidal activities against cowpea seed bruchid (Callosbruchus maculatus Fabricius), a cosmopolitan pest of cowpea seeds. X. parviflora was predominated by sesquiterpenes (59.

Chemical Composition of the Essential Oil of Nigeria Grown Hoslundia opposita Vahl (Lamiaceae) Dried Leaves and Its Bioactivity against Cowpea Seed Bruchid.

Due to several ecological and human hazards of synthetic pesticides in postharvest crop protection, there is the need to search for eco-friendly alternatives. In this study, chemical composition and insecticidal activities of essential oil (EO) obtained from Hoslundia opposita dried leaves were evaluated against cowpea seed bruchid. Eight constituents, predominated by oxygenated monoterpenes (78.

Age-specific Serum Prostate Specific Antigen Ranges Among Apparently Healthy Nigerian Men Without Clinical Evidence of Prostate Cancer.

Introduction: Serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels increase with age and varies among different races and communities. The study was aimed at defining the age-specific reference ranges of serum PSA in our environment.

Methods: We evaluated the relationship between age and serum PSA levels and the age-specific reference ranges of serum PSA among civil servants in Lagos, who underwent routine medical checkups.

The effect of a membrane dialyzer during hemodialysis on the antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation of patients with end-stage renal disease.

Renal failure is accompanied by oxidative stress, which is caused by enhanced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and an impaired antioxidant defense. We studied 73 hemodialysis (HD) patients (39 males and 34 females) aged 24-75 years; the patients were randomized into two subgroups according to the type of hemodialysis membrane (35 patients were dialyzed on cellulose and 38 patients on polysulfone F7/F9 membrane dialyzers) and we assessed their antioxidant and lipid peroxidation status levels. The total antioxidant status (TAS) levels including whole blood levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH); glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) activities were measured, before and after hemodialysis.

First report of toxicity of Xylopiaparviflora (A. Rich.) Benth (Annonaceae) root bark's essential oil against cowpea seed bruchid, Callososbruchus maculatus Fabricius (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae).

The fumigant toxicity of Xylopia parviflora (A. Rich.) Benth (Annonaceae) root bark's essential oil (EO) against cowpea seed bruchid, Callosobruchus maculatus, was investigated in the laboratory.

Adrenocortical function in Nigerians with human immunodeficiency virus infection.

Objective: This study sets out to determine the prevalence of adrenocortical insufficiency in persons with HIV infection by determining the response to low-dose (1 µg) ACTH stimulation.

Design: An experimental study involving people with HIV infection and healthy people.

Setting: The study group and the controls were recruited from the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).

CD4 count as a predictor of adrenocortical insufficiency in persons with human immunodeficiency virus infection: How useful?

Objective: To determine the usefulness of CD4 count in predicting adrenocortical insufficiency (AI) in persons with HIV infection.

Design: Experimental study involving people with HIV infection and healthy people.

Participants: The participants were recruited from the Lagos University Teaching Hospital.

Relationship between liver function tests and thyroid hormones in thyroid disorders.

Aims And Objectives: To evaluated the effect of thyroid dysfunction on liver function tests and if there is any correlation between them.

Materials And Methods: A total of 68 subjects (40 hyperthyroid and 28 hypothyroid) between the ages of 20-60 years old and 40 healthy euthyroid volunteers of the same age groups were studied. Plasma albumin, bilirubin (total and conjugated), thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH); activities of aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT) were estimated in the plasma of the participants.

Prevalence and characteristics of prostate cancer among participants of a community-based screening in Nigeria using serum prostate specific antigen and digital rectal examination.

Introduction: Prostate cancer (CaP) is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among Nigerian men but CaP screening is not a common practice. The true burden of the disease in Nigeria is not known. The study was aimed at studying the community burden of CaP in Lagos.

Effect of obesity on serum prostate-specific antigen in Nigerian men.

Objective: Lower serum total prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels (tPSA) have been reported in obese men. It has not been confirmed if this association truly exists in all ethnic groups. Thus, we evaluated the relationship between tPSA and obesity among Nigerian men.

Effect of hemodialysis on total antioxidant status of chronic renal failure patients in government hospitals in Lagos Nigeria.

Background: Renal failure is accompanied by oxidative stress, which is caused by enhanced production of reactive oxygen species and impaired antioxidant defense.

Aim: To assess the effect of hemodialysis (by cellulose membrane dialyzer) on plasma total antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation of patients in chronic renal failure before and after dialysis.

Objective: The finding would serve as guide to administration or otherwise of supplementary therapeutic antioxidant before or after hemodialysis.

Adrenocortical function in Nigerian patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB).

Addison's disease was frequently consequent upon affectation of the glands by tuberculosis. Pulmonary Tuberculosis (PTB) is still very common in Nigeria but no report on the functional status of the adrenal cortex in patients with PTB in Nigeria exists. It is very important to note that subclinical adrenocortical failure in tuberculosis is an entity that should be considered as cortisol deficiency could be responsible for unexpected sudden death in this category of patients.

Comparison of low dose and standard dose adrenocorticotropin stimulation tests in healthy Nigerians.

Hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysfunction is a potentially life-threatening condition. It is of paramount importance that safe, reliable diagnostic tests be available to identify patients at risk for adrenal insufficiency. The 250 microg Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test is commonly used to assess adrenocortical function.

Serum concentration of acute phase protein and lipid profile in HIV-1 seropositive patients and its relationship to the progression of the disease.

Aims And Objectives: To evaluate the effect of HIV-1 infection and its progression on lipid profiles, acute-phase proteins and to determine which of the parameters may serve as an early indicator of the progression of HIV infection.

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on sixty-two HIV-1 infected subjects attending HIV clinic, the patients consisted of 29 males and 33 females aged between 20-60 years (mean age 31+/- 7 years) who were screened for HIV-1 by ELISA test. Absolute CD4+ T lymphocyte was counted and HIV infected individuals were classified according to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Criteria; CD4+ counts e"500/mm3 (asymptomatic), CD4+ counts 200-499/mm3 (symptomatic) and CD4+ counts d"199/mm3 (symptomatic) with full blown AIDS.

Quinine lowers serum and testicular testosterone in adult Sprague-Dawley rats.

We have earlier demonstrated that quinine (QU) is a testicular toxicant. This present study was aimed at evaluating the effects of QU on both the serum and testicular levels of testosterone (TT) in an attempt to elucidate one of the potential mechanisms of QU-induced testicular toxicity. Thirty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 180-200g were used and were randomly divided into 3 groups of 10 rats each.

Total antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation in HIV-1 infected patients in a rural area of south western Nigeria.

Total serum antioxidant status (TAS) and lipid peroxidation were evaluated in 62 HIV-1 seropositive patients before the commencement of antiretroviral drug therapy. Twenty-four (24) age-marched and apparently healthy HIV-1 seronegative subjects were recruited as control subjects. HIV-1 seropositive patients were classified according to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Criteria.

Ascorbic Acid and Alpha Tocopherol Antioxidant Status of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients seen in Lagos.

Summary: This study was carried out with the aim of assessing the plasma status of ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol in Nigerian type 2 diabetes mellitus patients It was a cross sectional study, made up of 70 type 2 diabetes mellitus patients and 40 healthy controls. The plasma levels of vitamins C and E were measured, so also were the fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1C). Results showed significantly lower plasma levels of vitamin C and vitamin E in the patients, compared with the controls.