Cancerous and Non-Cancerous Brain MRI Classification Method Based on Convolutional Neural Network and Log-Polar Transformation.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers visual representations of the interior of a body for clinical analysis and medical intervention. The MRI process is subjected to a variety of image processing and machine learning approaches to identify, diagnose, and classify brain diseases as well as detect abnormalities. In this paper, we propose an improved classification method for distinguishing cancerous and noncancerous tumors from brain MRI images by using Log Polar Transformation (LPT) and convolutional neural networks (CNN).

Contrasting epidemiology of urogenital schistosomiasis among pastoral communities surrounding three Ramsar wetland in Nigeria.

Suspected changes in the epidemiology of schistosomiasis due to several hybridization reports between human and livestock species in Africa calls for epidemiological investigations among potential high-risk groups and sites. Although the use of wetlands for pastoralism has been linked to schistosomiasis, there is limited information on the epidemiology of the disease among pastoralists in Nigeria. In this study, urine samples from 355 participants from pastoral communities settled around three Ramsar wetlands (Wetlands of International Importance) in Nigeria, (Dagona Sanctuary, Maladumba, and Pandam-Wase) were screened for the eggs of .

Non-compartmental toxicokinetic studies of the Nigerian venom.

Snakebite envenoming (SBE) is a neglected public health problem, especially in Asia, Latin America and Africa. There is inadequate knowledge of venom toxicokinetics especially from African snakes. To mimic a likely scenario of a snakebite envenoming, we used an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) approach to study the toxicokinetic parameters in rabbits, following a single intramuscular (IM) administration of Northern Nigeria venom.

prediction of nuclear receptor binding to polychlorinated dibenzofurans and its implication on endocrine disruption in humans and wildlife.

Polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) are known to cause endocrine disruption in humans and wildlife but the mechanisms underlying this disruption have not been adequately investigated. In this paper, the susceptibility of the endocrine system to disruption by PCDF congeners via nuclear receptor binding was studied using molecular docking simulation. Findings revealed that some PCDF congeners exhibit high probabilities of binding to androgen receptor in its agonistic and antagonistic conformations.

A decade development in the application of chitosan-based materials for dye adsorption: A short review.

The presence of dyes in the aquatic environment as a result of anthropogenic activities, especially textile industries, is a critical environmental challenge that hinders the availability of potable water. Different wastewater treatment approaches have been used to remediate dyes in aquatic environments; however, most of these approaches are limited by factors ranging from high cost to the incomplete removal of the dyes and contaminants. Thus, the use of adsorption as a water treatment technology to remove dyes and other contaminants has been widely investigated using different adsorbents.

Multiparametric MRI for the improved diagnostic accuracy of Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment: Research protocol of a case-control study design.

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a major neurocognitive disorder identified by memory loss and a significant cognitive decline based on previous level of performance in one or more cognitive domains that interferes in the independence of everyday activities. The accuracy of imaging helps to identify the neuropathological features that differentiate AD from its common precursor, mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Identification of early signs will aid in risk stratification of disease and ensures proper management is instituted to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with AD.

Toxicity of Nanoparticles in Biomedical Application: Nanotoxicology.

Nanoparticles are of great importance in development and research because of their application in industries and biomedicine. The development of nanoparticles requires proper knowledge of their fabrication, interaction, release, distribution, target, compatibility, and functions. This review presents a comprehensive update on nanoparticles' toxic effects, the factors underlying their toxicity, and the mechanisms by which toxicity is induced.

Real time monitoring of dopamine release evoked by mitragynine (Kratom): An insight through electrochemical sensor.

Background: Mitragynine, the major indole alkaloid from Mitragyna speciosa has been reported previously to possess abuse liability. However, there are insufficient data suggesting the mechanism through which this pharmacological agent causes addiction.

Aims: In this study, we investigated the effects of mitragynine on dopamine (DA) level and dopamine transporter (DAT) expression from the rat's frontal cortex.

Two decades of neuroscience publication trends in Africa.

Neuroscience research in Africa remains sparse. Devising new policies to boost Africa's neuroscience landscape is imperative, but these must be based on accurate data on research outputs which is largely lacking. Such data must reflect the heterogeneity of research environments across the continent's 54 countries.

Phylogenic analysis of coronavirus genome and molecular studies on potential anti-COVID-19 agents from selected FDA-approved drugs.

The emergence of 2019 novel Coronavirus (COVID-19 or 2019-nCoV) has caused significant global morbidity and mortality with no consensus specific treatment. We tested the hypothesis that FDA-approved antiretrovirals, antibiotics, and antimalarials will effectively inhibit COVID-19 two major drug targets, coronavirus nucleocapsid protein (NP) and hemagglutinin-esterase (HE). To test this hypothesis, we carried out a phylogenic analysis of coronavirus genome to understand the origins of NP and HE, and also modeled the proteins before molecular docking, druglikeness, toxicity assessment, molecular dynamics simulation (MDS) and ligand-based pharmacophore modeling of the selected FDA-approved drugs.

A computational insight into endocrine disruption by polychlorinated biphenyls via non-covalent interactions with human nuclear receptors.

Production of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) was banned a long time ago because of their harmful health effects but humans continue to be exposed to residual PCBs in the environment. In this study, the susceptibility of human nuclear receptors to binding by PCBs was investigated using molecular docking simulation. Findings revealed that PCBs belonging to ortho-substituted, mono-ortho-substituted and non-ortho-substituted congeners could bind to agonistic conformations of androgen (AR), estrogen (ER α and ER β), glucocorticoid (GR) and thyroid hormone (TR α and TR β) receptors as well as antagonistic conformation of androgen receptor (AR an) but only ortho-substituted and mono-ortho-substituted PCBs could bind to estrogen receptors in their antagonistic conformations (ER α an and ER β an).

Molecular basis for the repurposing of histamine H2-receptor antagonist to treat COVID-19.

With the world threatened by a second surge in the number of Coronavirus cases, there is an urgent need for the development of effective treatment for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Recently, global attention has turned to preliminary reports on the promising anti-COVID-19 effect of histamine H2-receptor antagonists (H2RAs), most especially Famotidine. Therefore, this study was designed to exploit a possible molecular basis for the efficacy of H2RAs against coronavirus.

Efficacy of Aqueous and Methanol Extract of Against the Motility of .

Gastrointestinal nematode infections can cause great losses in revenue due to decrease livestock production and animal death. The use of anthelmintic to control gastrointestinal nematode put a selection pressure on nematode populations which led to emergence of anthelmintic resistance. Because of that, this study was carried out to investigate the efficacy of aqueous and methanol extract of against the motility of Bristol N2 and DA1316.

Adsorption and desorption of malachite green by using chitosan-deep eutectic solvents beads.

Chitosan-deep eutectic solvent (DES) beads were prepared from chitosan and DESs. The DESs used were choline chloride-urea (DES A) and choline chloride-glycerol (DES B). Both chitosan-DES beads were used to remove malachite green (MG) dye from an aqueous solution.

The Nigerian Bioinformatics and Genomics Network (NBGN): a collaborative platform to advance bioinformatics and genomics in Nigeria.

Africa plays a central importance role in the human origins, and disease susceptibility, agriculture and biodiversity conservation. Nigeria as the most populous and most diverse country in Africa, owing to its 250 ethnic groups and over 500 different native languages is imperative to any global genomic initiative. The newly inaugurated Nigerian Bioinformatics and Genomics Network (NBGN) becomes necessary to facilitate research collaborative activities and foster opportunities for skills' development amongst Nigerian bioinformatics and genomics investigators.

Theoretical study on endocrine disrupting effects of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins using molecular docking simulation.

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) are hypothesized to exert their toxic effects in wildlife and humans via endocrine disruption. However, very scanty information is available on the underlying molecular interactions that trigger this disruption. In this study, molecular docking simulation was used to predict the susceptibility of 12 nuclear receptors to disruption via PCDD bindings.

Enhancing the antimalarial activity of artesunate.

The global challenge to the treatment of malaria is mainly the occurrence of resistance of malaria parasites to conventionally used antimalarials. Artesunate, a semisynthetic artemisinin compound, and other artemisinin derivatives are currently used in combination with selected active antimalarial drugs in order to prevent or delay the emergence of resistance to artemisinin derivatives. Several methods, such as preparation of hybrid compounds, combination therapy, chemical modification and the use of synthetic materials to enhance solubility and delivery of artesunate, have been employed over the years to improve the antimalarial activity of artesunate.

Can clean biomass energy use lower CO emissions in African economies? Empirical evidence from dynamic long-run panel framework.

This paper seeks to answer an empirical question of whether clean biomass energy consumption lowers CO emissions while controlling for technical innovation in eight selected countries from Africa for the 1980-2015 period. The countries which are chosen based on availability of data on biomass energy and technological innovation include Egypt, Algeria, South Africa, Mauritius, Kenya, Morocco, Tunisia, and Zambia. Applying pooled mean group, mean group, and dynamic fixed effect panel estimators, the results indicate that clean biomass energy use decreases CO emission in the long run.

Spectrum of pulmonary fungal pathogens, associated risk factors, and anti-fungal susceptibility pattern among persons with presumptive tuberculosis at Gombe, Nigeria.

Background: Pulmonary mycosis (PM) poses a great diagnostic challenge due to the lack of pathognomonic and radiological features, especially in the absence of mycology laboratory tests. This study was aimed to isolate, phenotypically identify, determine the prevalence of pulmonary fungal pathogens and antifungal susceptibility pattern of isolates of presumptive tuberculosis (PTB) patients attending Federal Teaching Hospital (FTH) Gombe, Nigeria.

Methods: After ethical approval, three consecutive early morning sputa were collected from 216 participants with presumptive of PTB attending FTH Gombe, between May 2, 2017 and May 30, 2018.

Inhibitory Effect of Eco-Friendly Naturally Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles from the Leaf Extract of Medicinal Detarium microcarpum Plant on Pancreatic and Cervical Cancer Cells.

Background: Recently, nanoparticle synthesis by eco-friendly methods has received tremendous attention due to the method advantages and also because of the application of the nanoparticles in cancer research. Therefore, in this study, we synthesized silver nanoparticles from Detarium microcarpum leaf phytochemicals and evaluated its inhibitory effect on pancreatic and cervical cancer cells.

Materials And Methods: Silver nanoparticles (dAgNps) were synthesized by reacting phytochemicals of D.

Repurposing of chloroquine and some clinically approved antiviral drugs as effective therapeutics to prevent cellular entry and replication of coronavirus.

The reemergence of coronavirus prompts the need for the development of effective therapeutics to prevent the cellular entry and replication of coronavirus. This study demonstrated the putative inhibitory potential of lopinavir, remdesivir, oseltamir, azithromycin, ribavirin, and chloroquine towards V-ATPase, protein kinase A, SARS-CoV spike glycoprotein/ACE-2 complex and viral proteases. The pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties were predicted through the pkCSM server while the corresponding binding affinity of the selected drugs towards the proteins was computed using AutodockVina Screening tool.

Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells-mediated Transcriptomic Regulation of Leukemic Cells in Delivering Anti-tumorigenic Effects.

Treatment of leukemia has become much difficult because of resistance to the existing anticancer therapies. This has thus expedited the search for alternativ therapies, and one of these is the exploitation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) towards control of tumor cells. The present study investigated the effect of human umbilical cord-derived MSCs (UC-MSCs) on the proliferation of leukemic cells and gauged the transcriptomic modulation and the signaling pathways potentially affected by UC-MSCs.

Targeting Glycoproteins as a therapeutic strategy for diabetes mellitus and its complications.

Objectives: Glycoproteins are organic compounds formed from proteins and carbohydrates, which are found in many parts of the living systems including the cell membranes. Furthermore, impaired metabolism of glycoprotein components plays the main role in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of glycoprotein levels in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.