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Velaphi C Thipe,1 Nya Hall,1 Amoolya Pandurangi,2 Samuel Ajayi,3 Prosper Emeh,3 Iti Gauttam,3 Rania Ghamgui,3 Fatima Hameedat,3 Sihem Khelil,3 Nhu Ky Ly,3 Mahmoud Salim,3 Anum Shahid Waleed,3 Prajna Hegde,4 Vrushali Hegde,4 Deepa Prakash,4 Ilaadevi Hegde,4 Kavita Katti,1 Alice Raphael Karikachery,1 Emilie Roger,3,5 Anne Landreau,3,6 Kattesh V Katti1,7,8 1Department of Radiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65212, USA; 2Department of Biology, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, 63103, USA; 3Pharmacy School, UNIV Angers, Angers, F-49000, France; 4Kadamba Intrac Private Ltd, Bangalore, KA, 560011, India; 5MINT, INSERM 1066, CNRS 6021, University of Angers, Angers, France; 6Univ Angers, Univ Brest, IRF, SFR ICAT, Angers, F-49000 France; 7Departments of Physics, Medical Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA; 8Department of Biotechnology and Food Technology, University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein, 2028, South AfricaCorrespondence: Kattesh V Katti, Department of RadiologyUniversity of Missouri-ColumbiaOne Hospital Drive, Columbia, Missouri, 65212, USA, Tel +1 573 882 5656, Fax +1 573 884 5679, Email KattiK@health.missouri.eduPurpose: Breast cancer is a significant global health issue, contributing to 15% of cancer-related deaths. Our laboratory has pioneered a novel approach, combining Ayurvedic principles with green nanotechnology, to develop a scientifically rigorous medical modality referred to as Nano-Ayurvedic Medicine, recently approved by the US Patents and Trademarks Office. Here in we report a new Nano-Ayurvedic medicine agent derived from gold nanoparticles encapsulated with phytochemicals from Ginkgo biloba plant (GB-AuNPs).Methods: We have developed biocompatible gold nanoparticles using electron-rich phytochemicals from Ginkgo biloba as reducing agent cocktail. Ginkgo biloba phytochemical-encapsulated gold nanoparticles (GB-AuNPs) were fully characterized, and their anticancer activity, including immunomodulatory profiles, were evaluated against breast (MDAMB-231) cancer cell lines.Results: Characterization revealed spherical morphology for GB-AuNPs and possessed optimum in vitro stability through high zeta potential of − 34 mV for optimum in vivo stability. The core size of GB-AuNPs of 19 nm allows for penetration into tumor cells through both EPR effects as well as through the receptor-mediated endocytosis. The Antitumor efficacy of this nano-ayurvedic medicine agent revealed strong antitumor effects of GB-AuNPs towards MDAMB-231. Our investigations reveal that GB-AuNPs enhance anti-tumor cytokines (IL-12, TNF-α, IFN-γ) and reduce pro-tumor cytokines (IL-10, IL-6), promoting the conversion of protumor M2 macrophages into M1-like macrophage antitumor phenotype. Cellular studies show that GB-AuNPs offer superior anti-tumor efficacy and a better safety profile against breast tumors compared to cisplatin.Conclusion: Our investigations have demonstrated that the nano-ayurvedic medicine agent, GB-AuNPs, treats cancers through an immunomodulatory mechanism facilitated by elevated levels of anti-tumor cytokines (TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-12) with concomitant downregulation of pro-tumor cytokines expression (IL-6 and IL-10). The green nanotechnology approach for the development of nano-ayurvedic medicine agent (GB-AuNPs), as described in this paper, presents new and attractive opportunities for treating human cancers and other debilitating diseases and disorders.Keywords: Ginkgo biloba, gold nanoparticles, anticancer, Nano-Ayurvedic

In achieving accelerated and sustaining economic growth and development in Nigeria, there is need for domestication of finished goods production through sustainable industrialization. Foundry technology is one of the vital bases for rapid industrial development of any nation. Samples of moulding sand at green state were collected from four different moulding sand deposits within Ado-Ekiti in Nigeria. The samples were prepared using ASTM and British standards, while the materials Physico-mechanical properties were evaluated using American Foundry Society (AFS) guidelines. The results obtained from the tests were compared with the AFSs satisfactory mould sand properties for various types of metal castings. The sand samples were found to meet the requirements for casting various metals of different types like Aluminum, brass and bronze, light and malleable iron, light and medium grey iron, except heavy steel. The presence of red oxide in the sands and the specimens higher compressive strength values show that the natural sands will be suitable for casting of non- ferrous metal of low temperature. Effective application of the sample sands in casting will also enhance industrialization, job creation and the nation self-reliance through reduction in importation of foundry sand and foundry products into the country.

A study to access the level of acceptance/adoption of agricultural innovations by farmers in Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State was carried out. The aim was to find out the reasons behind the low acceptance/adoption of agricultural innovations by farmers in the area and to suggest possible strategies to address this ugly situation; as a way to increase food production amongst farmers in the study area. One hundred farmers from 5 communities in the study area and 10 staff of 2 agricultural Research Institutes were randomly selected as the major population for this study. Three (3) Alternate Hypothesis set for this study were tested using Chi-square statistical tool at 0.05 probability level of significance and at 4 degrees of freedom; and only one was rejected. Structured questionnaire and scheduled interviews were used to collect data from farmers and staff of the Research Institutes. Results from the study showed that services of extension agents in the rural areas are inadequate and ineffective. It was also found that extension agents are faced with many challenges in their efforts to introduce new agricultural innovations to farmers; most farmers were reluctant to adopt new agricultural innovations/technologies for various reasons. Increasing the ratio of extension agents to farmers, use of indigenous extension agents and local interpreters to disseminate new innovations and technologies, training of model farmers as change agents, use of demonstration method and subsidizing agricultural inputs were recommended as strategies for encouraging acceptance/adoption of agricultural innovations and technologies by rural farmers.

Vegetation structures have been used to describe the habitat of wildlife species. Therefore, the assessment of the habitat of Aardvarks is very strategic to its conservation. Using field observational methods, the Global Positioning System, and the assistance of experienced Park rangers, this study located the Aardvark burrows to map out their coordinates. Two tracks were purposively selected based on a reconnaissance survey. Animal activities, inventory, size, the distance between burrows, number of active and abandoned burrows were recorded. Four borrows were randomly sampled using a 50 m x 50 m plot to identify trees and shrub species on each plot and a 10 m x 10 m plot was used to identify grass species. Soil samples were collected and analyzed. Overall, 12 (35%) active and 22 (65%) inactive burrows were identified. The average circumference of the burrows on the tracks was 2 m and the average distance from one burrow to another in the same area was 10 m. The wild animals associated with the burrows were Agama Lizard (Agama aculeate), and the cane rat (Thrynomyms swinderianus). Also, the dominant tree species enumerated within their habitat include Burkea africana, Ficus thonnigii, while the dominant shrub species were Grewia molle, and Securidata longipendiculata. Furthermore, Andropogon gayanus and Pennisetum purperium were the predominant grass species. The soil types from the burrow extract were mostly sandy/loamy. The study observed that Aardvarks prefer mixed woodland vegetation, on sandy/loamy soil as their habitat in Kainji Lake National Park. This habitat type must be maintained so that the existing population can thrive in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The foundation for Baptist work in Nigeria was laid in 1850 and owed its origin to the efforts made by the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). Organized in 1845 when the [...]

Background: The use of herbal mixtures in the treatment of diseases is on the rise. Many of these herbal drugs are not produced under hygienic conditions and safety issues associated with herbal medicines may have an exacerbated impact in immunocompromised and elderly individuals. This study aimed to determine the microbial loads of locally prepared herbal mixtures and detect extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) genes in any isolated Gram-negative bacteria pathogen. Methodology: Fifty local herbal mixtures were purchased randomly from three locations in Sagamu town (Sagamu market, Ita-Oba Road and Isale Oko) in Ogun State, Nigeria. The mean total viable bacterial (MTVB), mean total coliform (MTC), and mean total fungal (MTF) counts were determined by the plate count method. The bacterial isolates were streaked on differential bacteriological media while the fungi isolates were grown on potato dextrose agar. The isolates were identified upon growth on culture media using conventional biochemical tests. Antibiotic susceptibility pattern of the isolates was determined using Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion technique. Phenotypic detection of ESBL was done by the modified double disc synergy test followed by amplification detection of blaTEM, blaCTX-M and blaSHV genes with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Results: Bacteria and fungi were isolated from 38 (76.0%) and 25 (50.0%) of the herbal samples respectively. Ten (20.0%) and 14 (28.0%) of the samples had mean bacterial and fungal load that exceeded 105CFU/mL or g, respectively. Nineteen (38.0%) of the herbal samples analyzed had total coliforms. Fifty-one isolates belonging to eight bacterial genera and 28 fungi isolates belonging to four fungal genera were obtained. Thirty-two (62.7%) of the bacterial isolates were Gram-negative while 19 (37.3%) isolates were Gram-positive. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common bacterial isolate (33.3%) while Aspergillus species was the most prevalent fungus (60.7%). Sixteen (84.2%) S. aureus and 26 (81.3%) Gram-negative isolates were multidrug resistant, and 6 (18.8%) of 32 Gram-negative isolates were ESBL producers. ESBL-encoding genes were detected in 7 (27%) of the 26 multidrug resistant Gram-negative bacteria with TEM and SHV being the most prevalent 4 (14.8%) while CTX-M was identified in only one isolate. Conclusion: This study reported the presence of microbial contaminants which exceeded the safety limits of 105 CFU/g according to World Health Organization. The use of locally prepared herbal medicines poses a major health risk due to the lack of microbial quality standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND Apolipoprotein L1 gene (APOL1) variants are risk factors for chronic kidney disease (CKD) among Black Americans. Data are sparse on the genetic epidemiology of CKD and the clinical association of APOL1 variants with CKD in West Africans, a major group in the Black population. METHODS We conducted a case-control study involving participants from Ghana and Nigeria who had CKD stages 2 through 5, biopsy-proven glomerular disease, or no kidney disease. We analyzed the association of CKD with APOL1 variants among partici- pants with high-risk genotypes (two APOL1 risk alleles) and those with low-risk genotypes (fewer than two APOLI risk alleles) by fitting logistic-regression models that controlled for covariates, including clinical site, age, and sex. RESULTS Among 8355 participants (4712 with CKD stages 2 through 5, 866 with glomeru- lar diseases, and 2777 with no kidney disease), the prevalence of monoallelic APOLI variants was 43.0% and that of biallelic APOL1 variants was 29.7%. Partici- pants with two APOL1 risk alleles had higher odds of having CKD than those with one risk allele or no risk alleles (adjusted odds ratio, 1.25; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11 to 1.40), as well as higher odds of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (adjusted odds ratio, 1.84; 95% CI, 1.30 to 2.61). Participants with one APOL1 risk allele had higher odds of having CKD than those with no risk alleles (adjusted odds ratio, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.33), as well as higher odds of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (adjusted odds ratio, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.04 to 2.48). The inclusion of covariates did not modify the association of monoallelic and biallelic APOLI variants with CKD or focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. CONCLUSIONS In this study, monoallelic APOLI variants were associated with 18% higher odds of CKD and 61% higher odds of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis; biallelic APOL1 vari- ants were associated with 25% higher odds of CKD and 84% higher odds of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Snake habitat is reducing rapidly due to anthropogenic factors. Information on snake habitats and distribution in Kainji Lake National Park (KLNP) is scarce despite their socio-economic importance. Therefore, snake habitats preferences in KLNP Nigeria were investigated. Ten transect strips of 2 km x 10 m each were laid in five ranges (Oli, Ibbi, Kuble, Doro and Kali) randomly selected from seven ranges in KLNP. Visual Encounter Survey was conducted along each transect to assess snake diversity and relative abundance in various vegetation structures along transects during the day (09.00 - 12.00hrs) and at night (19.00 - 21.00hrs). Visit was replicated twice in each month both in dry (December - April) and wet (June - October) seasons in two consecutive years (2013 - 2014). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Most Vipers (90.0%) were usually found on the ground resting or waiting for their prey while the rest (10.0%) of them were found hidden in the hole. Pythons utilize the holes (50.0%) and were equally found on the land (50.0%). The Culubrids, among which were water snakes were uniquely found in water (56.0%) while some were found on the ground (38.0%). The Elapids were found on the ground (48.0%), on the trees (27%) and in the hole (25.0%). Pythons were found mostly in the riparian forest (50.0%) and woodland vegetation (50.0%) of the study area. In contrast, culubrids were mostly found in the grassland (70.0%) while others (30.0%) were found in the woodland. Elapids were found in both the grassland (50.0%) and the woodland (50.0%) while all vipers (100.0%) were found in the grassland of the study area. The study highlighted the Checklist of snake species in Kainji Lake National Park. Abundance and distribution of snake species in KLNP were established and basic information that will enhance ecotourism management plan for snake View in the study area were provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pangolins populations are threatened due to indiscriminate exploitation and incessant destruction of their habitats. They have been ranked as the most trafficked mammals in the world. This study investigates the extent of exploitation of Pangolin in North Central and Southern parts of Nigeria. A structure questionnaire was administered to bush meat marketers and hunters in six states across three vegetation belts of the country. The studied states include; Niger and Kwara in the Guinea Savanna, Oyo in the Southern Guinea Savanna, Ekiti, Ondo and Edo states in the Rain Forest zone of the country. In all, 67 hunters and 27 bush meat marketers were interviewed. The study was carried out in five Months (August-December, 2019). Snowball sampling technique was used to locate the respondents in the study. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Wildlife trading activities in Nigeria were dominated by females (100%). All respondents trading on bush meat in all the states visited were females, many (56%) in their middle and were mostly married (93%) with primary (63%) or secondary (25%) education. Hunting profession due to its nature was however dominated by males (100%) comprises married men (67.2%), widower (19.4%), and singles (13.4%). The survey revealed that 42% of the hunters interviewed were living below poverty line ($1.9 / ₦684 per day). The price range for a matured pangolin in the study areas falls between ₦5,000-₦10,000 only. Almost half (45%) of the respondents agreed that they used pangolin for traditional, food and medicinal purposes in their culture. Pangolin's meat was generally accepted for consumption by all (100%) respondents. Many Marketers (70%) confirm that the animals were available for sale in the study area. More than half (59%) of respondent were of the view that pangolin are available for harvest all year round while some held the view that the month of January (17%), April (13%), and September (9%) tend to favoured the harvest of pangolin. Most of the Pangolins (73%) reported by hunters under this study were Terrestrial while few (27%) of them were Arboreal. Hunters (73%) and marketers (82%) observed reduction in pangolin population in recent years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assessed the conservation status and habitat preference of Common warthog in Old Oyo National Park, Nigeria using direct sighting and line transect method. The abundance estimate and encounter rate of common Warthog in the study area from 2018-2019 showed that year 2018 recorded 213 individuals at an encounter rate of 0.38/km while year 2019 recorded 184 individuals at an encounter rate of 0.32/km while the mean abundance estimate of common Warthog are 4.65±0.64 and 1.71±0.48 which represents 156 and 58 individuals at encounter rate of 0.55/km and 0.20/km in the wet season and dry season of year 2018 compared to year 2019 with average abundance estimate value of 4.00±0.85 and 1.41±0.61 which represents 135 and 48 individuals at an encounter rate of 0.47/km and 0.17/km for wet and dry season respectively. The mean age structure and sex ratio of the observed warthog population during dry and wet seasons revealed that juveniles had highest mean of age structures among the populations observed across the seasons. The habitat preference of common warthog revealed that they are mostly found in mixed woodland and open savanna with 112 observation and the lowest was recorded in the outcrop vegetation and open savanna with 21 individuals.in the wet season. During the dry season, mixed woodland/open savanna and Riparian grassland had the highest sightings of 45 and 33 individuals each. The outcrop vegetation/open savanna had the lowest observation of 1 individuals only. The study also recommends that more aspect of the ecology of the animal should be studied in details and emphasis should be placed on the habitat requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study compared the gastrointestinal parasites of captive and wild Olive Baboon (Papio anubis). A total of 15 and 50 fresh faecal samples were collected in both Federal College of Wildlife Management Mini Zoo and Kainji Lake National Park (Borgu Sector). The study covered a period of 5 months (January to May, 2018), the faecal sample were taken to the laboratory for examination using floatation method to determine the prevalence of gastro-intestinal parasites. Out of 65 samples collected, 51(78.46%) were infected with one or more gastrointestinal parasite. The highest prevalence was recorded amongst Baboons in captivity (100%). All the parasites encountered in the different samples were nematodes for both captivity and wild Olive baboons. Parasite ova recovered in captive Baboons are Trichuris trichuria, Ascaris lumbricoides and Haemonchus contortus while that of the wild includes Hookworm spp, A. lumbricoides and Strongyle stercolaris. The study advocates periodic monitoring of the health status of the animals in order to reduce the high prevalence of parasites observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]