Spatial diarrheal disease risks and antibiogram diversity of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli in selected access points of the Buffalo River, South Africa.

Freshwater sources, often used for domestic and agricultural purposes in low- and middle-income countries are repositories of clinically significant bacterial pathogens. These pathogens are usually diversified in their antibiogram profiles posing public health threats. This study evaluated the spatial diarrhoeal disease risk and antibiogram diversity of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) in four access points of the Buffalo River, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa using standard epidemiological, culture, and molecular methods.

Inter-species differences between humans and other mammals in the in vitro metabolism of carbofuran and the role of human CYP enzymes.

This study investigated the metabolic transformation of carbofuran in seven species of mammals using LC-MS/MS and liver microsomes. The results revealed species-specific differences in metabolite formation, indicating the potential role of metabolic pathways in toxicity and risk assessment. The majority of carbofuran was metabolized through the 3-hydroxycarbofuran pathway, with the highest levels observed in dogLM and the lowest in humanLM.

Pollution and Potential Ecological Risk Evaluation Associated with Toxic Metals in an Impacted Mangrove Swamp in Niger Delta, Nigeria.

Anthropogenic activities along coastal areas have contributed to the unwarranted discharge of toxic metals into mangrove swamps, posing risks to marine deposits and ecological environments. In this research, we studied the Isaka−Bundu tidal swamp area in the Niger Delta, which is an impacted mangrove creek located along the Bonny river, exposed to pollution pressures. The ecological risks (Er) of toxic metals in the sediments and water of the Isaka−Bundu tidal mangrove swamp followed a decreasing order (Cu > Zn > Cd > Cu > Pb > As), according to our results, while the potential ecological risk index (PERI) of the toxic metals in the sediments and water of the Isaka−Bundu tidal mangrove swamp can be said to have a very high ecological risk (PERI ≥ 600).

Multi-organ protective effect of on low concentration toxic metal mixture in albino rats.

Heavy metal mixture can induce multiple organ damage through oxidative stress and inflammatory processes. Dietary intervention using natural antidotes in resource poor countries where classical metal chelators are either not affordable or available can be explored as an alternative means of management of public health effects of chronic heavy metal exposure. The search for natural antidote against the deleterious effects of heavy metals gives the thrust for this study.

Protective Effect of Aqueous Leaf Extract (CALE) on Low-Dose Heavy Metal Mixture-Induced Alterations in Serum Lipid Profile and Hematological Parameters of Male Wistar Albino Rats.

The present work investigated the protective effects of Ker Gawl. aqueous leaf extract (CALE) on lipid profile and hematological changes induced by exposure to low-dose heavy metal mixture in male albino rats. The experimental animals were divided into six weight matched groups.

Neuroprotective effect of on low dose heavy metal mixture (lead, cadmium and mercury) induced neurotoxicity via antioxidant, anti-inflammatory activities.

Humans are constantly exposed to heavy metals due to their ubiquity in the environment. Hence, this study investigated the possible protective effect of aqueous leaf extract (CALE) against low dose heavy metal mixture (LDHMM)-induced neurotoxicity. Male albino rats were divided into 6 equal groups.

Current mechanistic perspectives on male reproductive toxicity induced by heavy metals.

Environmental and occupational exposures to heavy metals have led to various deleterious damages to the biological system of which infertility is one of them. Infertility is a global public health concern, affecting 15% of all couples of reproductive age. Out of the 100% cases of reported infertility among couples, 40% of the cases are related to male factors; including decreased semen quality.

Low-dose heavy metal mixture (lead, cadmium and mercury)-induced testicular injury and protective effect of zinc and Costus afer in wistar albino rats.

The study evaluated the protective effect of Costus afer on low-dose heavy metal mixture (LDHMM)-mediated effects in the testis of albino rats. The weight-matched animals were divided into six groups: normal control, metal mixture of (PbCl  + CdCl + HgCl ), combination of metal mixture + Costus afer at 750 mg/kg, combination of metal mixture + Costus afer at 1,500 mg/kg, combination of metal mixture + Costus afer at 2,250 mg/kg and combination of metal mixture + (ZnCl ). LDHMM reduced (p < .

Heavy Metal Mixture Exposure and Effects in Developing Nations: An Update.

The drive for development and modernization has come at great cost. Various human activities in developed and developing countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) have given rise to environmental safety concerns. Increased artisanal mining activities, illegal refining, use of leaded petrol, airborne dust, arbitrary discarding and burning of toxic waste, absorption of production industries in inhabited areas, inadequate environmental legislation, and weak implementation of policies, have given rise to the incomparable contamination and pollution associated with heavy metals in recent decades.

Neonatal care - what do mothers in a rural Nigerian community know and practice?

Background: Nigeria ranks among developing countries with poor neonatal health indices. This underscores the need for households and healthcare providers to understand the concept of newborn care and react appropriately and timely too.

Objective: To determine the knowledge and practices of mothers in the Elele community regarding neonatal care.

Cerebrovascular disease among patients from the Indian subcontinent.

In this study, the authors document the characteristics of South Asian (SA) cerebrovascular patients. A retrospective medical record review comparing SA (n = 99) and European-American (n = 106) patients was performed. SA patients were younger and had a greater prevalence of diabetes, but lower prevalences of hyperlipidemia and tobacco use.

Phytotherapeutic profile of Nigerian herbs. I: Anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic agents.

From a survey of anti-arthritic remedies used in Igbo tribal ethnomedicine, three plants--Lonchocarpus cyanescens, Costus afar and Terminalia ivorensis--were selected for closer study. Twenty-five volunteers were monitored while receiving treatment from two reputable herbalists, and the result of the clinical investigation prompted the pharmacological and phytochemical studies on the herbs. Differential solvent extracts of the herbs reduced carragenin-induced oedema of the rat paw, checked diarrhoea due to arachidonic acid and castor oil, and ameliorated all signs associated with adjuvant-induced polyarthritis in rats.