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The rapid increase in industrial hemp cultivation requires the use of high throughput drying approaches to prevent fresh hemp spoilage and quality degradation. The aim of this study was to understand the impact of hot air (HA), 915 MHz microwave (MW) and infrared (IR) drying techniques on the color, cannabinoids, and volatile contents of dried hemp. Fresh hemp was dried to a moisture content of 10% wet basis with HA, IR heat, and MW heat (at 2-and 3-kW power levels). Afterward, the color, cannabinoid and volatile compounds in the hemp samples were determined. There was a high total color difference (4.12) between hemp dried with HA and IR heat. Hemp dried with HA and IR had higher cannabidiol (CBD), caryophyllene, and humulene concentrations than fresh hemp However, the total cannabinoids and volatile of hemp dried with IR, MW-2 kW, and MW-3 kW were lower than that of the fresh hemp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We assessed and included 123 eligible studies across 13 countries in Africa. • An inventory of 55 Aloe species was generated as remedies against 9 disease categories. • Aloe vera was the most popular Aloe species with ethnoveterinary applications. • Aloe greatheadii had the most diverse applications and used against 8 disease categories. • Cattle and poultry were the most dominant animals treated with Aloe species. The high diversity and occurrence of Aloe species in African landscapes often translates to their frequent utilisation for meeting the medicinal needs for human health and well-being. In addition, their value in ethnoveterinary medicine has been intermittently indicated amongst ethnic groups in Africa. This review entails a critical analysis on the ethnoveterinary uses and applications of the genus Aloe in Africa. We explored different scientific databases (Google Scholar, PubMed, Sabinet and Science Direct) to extract information from 123 eligible studies that included research articles (86.2%), dissertations/theses (9.8%), books (2.4%) and reports (1.6%). We generated an inventory of 55 Aloe species with ethnoveterinary applications across 13 African countries. Tanzania (16), South Africa (15), Kenya (14) and Ethiopia (14) had the highest number of Aloe species used for ethnoveterinary purpose. On the basis of the number of citations, A. vera (31), Aloe spp. (29), A. ferox (16) and A. secundiflora (11) were identified as the most common Aloe species with ethnoveterinary applications in Africa. The identified Aloe species were indicated as remedies against nine (9) major disease categories from the analysed literature. In terms of versatility, A. greatheadii had the most diverse applications as they were indicated as remedies for the management of eight (8) disease categories. Likewise, A. ferox, A. marlothii, Aloe spp., A. secundiflora and A. vera had multi-purpose value in ethnoveterinary medicine as they were used against seven (7) diseases/health conditions. The leaves (65.4%) and whole plant (4.7%) of Aloe species were the major plant parts used to prepare the Aloe -based herbal remedies that often targeted cattle (29.3%) and poultry/chickens (28.2%). The remedies were prepared using different methods which mainly entailed infusion (17.7%), juicing (14.2%), crushing (13.8%) and decoction (12.7%). Overall, the current review established the increasing vital role of Aloe species in treatment of animal diseases and general well-being in Africa. However, the apparent gaps (e.g., absence of plant part, diseases, animal-type, preparation and administration methods) existing in some of the assessed literature mean that deliberate efforts remain essential during ethnoveterinary surveys, to ensure the reliability and trustworthiness of the generated data. This will contribute towards the establishment of a holistic inventory/database of Aloe species with ethnoveterinary applications. Subsequent in vitro and in vivo efficacy testing of priority and valuable Aloe species with applications in ethnoveterinary medicine remain pertinent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Operative Vaginal Birth (OVB) refers to the birth of a baby where the operator assists the delivery using either a forceps or vacuum device. The obstetrician in training needs to develop expertise in both vacuum and forceps for non-rotational delivery and at least one technique for rotational delivery. The aim of a successful operative vaginal birth is to expedite delivery of the baby with a minimum of maternal or neonatal morbidity. The alternatives to operative vaginal birth are expectant management or caesarean section. Expectant management may risk worsening of fetal compromise and caesarean section in the section stage of labour carries significant morbidity, and implications for future births. OVB guidelines such as those of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) provide clear recommendations for standard indications for assisted birth but less guidance on circumstances that deviate from routine care. This case-based article gives three illustrative scenarios that highlight the decision-making processes that are required when providing complex care and includes suspected fetal macrosomia, preterm birth, and management of the second twin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a highly toxic substance produced mainly by Aspergillus spp. , which are known to contaminate a wide variety of foods and feeds. The objective of this study was to understand the growth and AFB1 production rate of Aspergillus flavus NRRL 3357 and investigate the impact of different infrared (IR) heat intensities on the growth and aflatoxin-producing potential of A. flavus. Thirty healthy corn kernels were inoculated with 1 × 106 spores/mL of A. flavus spores and incubated at 25 °C. Then, A. flavus plate count, ergosterol, and AFB1 were measured every 24 h. In another experiment, inoculated corn incubated for 24 h was exposed to different IR heat intensities and heating durations. Afterward, the IR-exposed A. flavus were incubated for additional 3 and 6 days (4 and 7 days of incubation in total), and the ergosterol and AFB1 concentrations were measured. For non-IR exposed A. flavus , the highest AFB1 concentration (32.2 μg/g) was observed after 6 days of incubation. Treatment at high IR heat intensities and heating duration resulted in low AFB1 and ergosterol concentrations. However, IR heat treatment at low intensities (e.g., 1.86 kW/m2) for 20 s resulted in high AFB1 and ergosterol concentrations (97.83 and 34.84 μg/g, respectively). The sublethal IR heat intensity may have increased the potential of the exposed A. flavus NRRL 3357 to grow and produce AFB1. The outcome of this study will contribute to and enhance the continual efforts of mitigating AFB1 contamination of economically important grains. • A. flavus inoculated on corn produced aflatoxin B1 after 24 h of incubation. • Strong correlation exists between ergosterol and aflatoxin B1 produced by A. flavus. • High infrared heat intensity had lethal effect on the exposed A. flavus. • Surviving A. flavus exposed to infrared heat produced high aflatoxin B1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To understand the drying and storage behaviors of industrial hemp flower and leaf, their sorption isotherms must be determined. This study aims to determine the moisture sorption isotherms, fitting mathematical models, and predicting the shelf-life of samples with different mass ratios of powdered hemp flower/leaf at different temperatures. The sorption isotherms of powdered hemp flower to leaf ratios (1:0, 0.75:0.25, 0.5:0.5, 0.25:0.75, 0:1) were determined and shelf-life predicted at different temperatures (20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 °C) using a vapor sorption analyzer; afterward, the adsorption and desorption equilibrium moisture contents (EMC) of different ratios of powdered hemp flower to leaf were modeled using six common empirical models. Both adsorption and desorption EMC of all ratios of powdered hemp flower to leaf decreased as temperature increased. Furthermore, shelf-life of the powdered hemp samples decreases as temperature increases. Modified Halsey and Henderson equations were the best models for the hemp sample isotherms. • Moisture isotherms of powdered industrial hemp flower-leaf composite are described. • Different ratios of powdered hemp flower to leaf absorb moisture differently. • Temperature increase caused a decrease in hemp powder adsorption and desorption. • Modified Henderson's model was best in describing moisture isotherm of hemp powder. • The predicted shelf-life of hemp powder reduced as storage temperature increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malaria remains a major public health problem that is made worse by poor implementation of control measures, and by the spread of drug- and insecticide-resistant parasites and vectors, respectively. Availability of the Anopheles gambiae genome sequence will accelerate identification and exploitation of new target genes in this insect vector. This provides unique opportunities to improve on existing vector control tools and to generate new tools within a global partnership. However, significant capacity needs to be built for investigators in disease-endemic countries to exploit the genome data. When integrated with existing strategies, the new tools will form an effective package for selective vector control in an effort to prevent mortality and morbidity due to malaria. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Mold contamination, especially with aflatoxin-producing Aspergillus species, poses a notable issue for rice, particularly in ready-to-eat (RTE) items, turning them inedible for both humans and animals due to the possible presence of aflatoxins (AFs). Understanding accumulation of the molds and their resulting toxic metabolites is critical in designing quality control strategies in the production of RTE rice-based products such as germinated instant rice, extruded rice cakes and crispies, rice-derived malted beer and flour. There is no clear understanding of the growth of A. flavus and AF accumulation on various fractions of hybrid rice cultivars utilized in the manufacture of the RTE rice-derived food products. In the present work, different experiments were conducted to identify the extent to which temperature (20°C, 25°C, and 30°C), relative humidity (RH) (75%, 85%, and 95%), storage period, storage moisture content (MC), and initial spore concentration impacted the growth of AF-producing A. flavus NRRL 3357. The study also examined how these factors affected ergosterol content and aflatoxin B 1 (AFB 1) production in different hybrid rice fractions including rough, brown, and milled rice, at different MCs (12%, 15%, and 18% w.b.). The samples, both autoclaved and non-autoclaved rice fractions, were inoculated with different A. flavus spore concentrations (1 × 104 and 1 × 106 spores/mL) and incubated at different temperatures and RHs. A. flavus plate count, ergosterol and AFB 1 production were measured over time for up to 60 days. The maximum A. flavus growth was observed in brown rice (autoclaved) at 30°C and 95% RH. Brown rice fraction (non-autoclaved) had the highest AFB 1 concentration (9.20 μg/g) which was determined after 15 days of incubation at 30°C and 75% RH. Aflatoxin B 1 concentration in brown rice (non-autoclaved) fraction inoculated with the highest concentration of A. flavus and stored at 30°C and 95% RH initially increased after 20 days and then decreased towards the end of the storage period. The findings from this research provide important data related to the growth behavior of A. flavus on various rice fractions. The results contribute to understanding of the safety of RTE foods derived from various fractions of rice that is utilized by the food industry. • Growth of A. flavus and total fungi in brown and milled rice occurred over a wider range of storage factors. • Brown rice had the highest concentration of AFB 1 after 15 days. • Aflatoxin B 1 concentration peaked after 20 days and subsequently declined. • Conditions that promote fungal growth may not necessarily promote AFB 1 production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• An inventory of 46 indigenous fruits and vegetables (IFVs) from 19 families were recorded • Ageratum conyzoides, Citrus aurantiifolia, Talinum fruticosum were the most popular IFVs • Asteraceae (8) and Malvaceae (6) were the dominant families for the 46 IFVs • Food (53%), medicine/health benefits (46%) and fuel/energy source (1%) were the major use-categories • Elaeis guineensis was recorded as the most diverse IFV with applications in the 3 use-categories Plants including indigenous/naturalised fruits and vegetables (IFVs) have the potential towards meeting the food and nutrition needs of humans. Currently, IFVs are threatened by human activities such as deforestation, environmental degradation and acculturation. As a result, the need for ethnobotanical surveys that focuses on the documentation of IFVs remains pertinent. This study explored the utilisation pattern of IFVs among participants in 40 rural communities of Ondo state, Nigeria. Ethnobotanical information was collected among 400 participants using semi-structured questionnaires. Thereafter, the frequency of citation (FC, %) was calculated. An inventory of 46 indigenous and naturalised plant species from 19 families were identified as a source of food, nutritional and therapeutic purposes as well as energy source (fuel) in the study area. The FC ranged from approximately 32-90% and IFVs such as Ageratum conyzoides (L.) L. (89.5%), Citrus aurantiifolia (Christm.) Swingle (89.5%), Talinum fruticosum (L.) Juss. (88.8%), Amaranthus hybridus L. (87.8%), Vernonia adoensis var. adoensis (86.8%) and Vernonia amygdalina Delile (86.8%) were the most commonly cited plants. The dominant plant families were Asteraceae (8 IFVs) and Malvaceae (6 IFVs) while the leaves (35%) and fruit (21%) were the most frequently used plant parts. In terms of use-categories, the IFVs served as food (53%), medicine/health benefits (46%) and fuel/energy source (1%), which is an indication of their diverse potential in the study area. Elaeis guineensis Jacq. was recorded as a highly diverse IFV with applications in the three aforementioned use-categories. Overall, the current findings contribute to the on-going global research efforts aimed at the documentation of indigenous plants. However, the determination of the nutritional and phytochemical content of identified IFVs collected from the study area will be essential for their characterisation which may enhance their acceptance among the local and wider populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have earlier reported antidepressant-like effect of Cnestis ferruginea and its bioflavonoid constituent, amentoflavone in behavioural paradigms but its effects on neurochemical and neuroendocrine systems are yet to be elucidated. This study sought to investigate the effect of subchronic treatment of C. ferruginea (CF) on monoamines system, hypothalamo-pituitary adrenal axis and nitrosative/oxidative stresses. Male albino rats (150–200 g) randomly divided into seven groups; Group I: vehicle treated (0.2% v / v Tween 80 in normal saline (10 ml/kg; p.o .; unstressed), Group II: vehicle treated + restraint stress, Group III: imipramine (20 mg/kg; p.o .), Group IV–VI: CF (12.5, 50, or 100 mg/kg; p.o., respectively), Group VII: CF 6.25 + imipramine 5 mg/kg. One hour post-treatment, animals were subjected to 20 min restraint stress and 6 min, forced swim test (FST) for a period of 14 days. CF (12.5, 50 and 100 mg/kg) produced significant reduction in immobility time and an increase in climbing behaviour. CF attenuated repeated restraint stress × FST-induced serum corticosterone [F(6,28) = 5.45,P < 0.01]. Exposure of rats to FST + restraint stress paradigms produced significant (P < 0.05) increase in malondialdehyde and nitrite level, also reduced the glutathione level and superoxide dismutase activity which was reversed by subchronic treatment of rats with CF. Restraint stress × FST significantly decreased NA, DA and 5-HT concentrations, with increased DA and 5-HT turnover ratios in discrete brain regions which was ameliorated by CF or imipramine subchronic treatment. These results suggest that the antidepressant-like effect of C. ferruginea involved enhancement of monoamines and antioxidant as well as normalization of neuroendocrine systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Significant amount of keratins in the form of feather, hair, hoof and horn are generated annually by the livestock industry. Keratinases are increasingly important in the reprocessing and environmental pollution control of keratin wastes. The aim of this study is to isolate a microbial strain of high keratinase activity and to evaluate its feather degrading potential. Thirty-two keratin degrading microbial strains from farmyard wastes and primary effluent were isolated using a selective medium containing feather meal at 30, 37 and 50 °C. One of the isolates, which demonstrated the highest keratinolytic activity (11.00 ± 0.71 U ml−1) was identified as a species of Bacillus licheniformis based on the 16S rDNA analysis, designated as strain N22 and deposited in a culture collection. Optimum keratinase production by this bacterium was achieved in 32 h using a minimum growth medium containing 1.1% (w/v) feather meal at 50 °C and pH 8.5. The molecular weight of the keratinase was ≈28 kDa as determined using sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analysis and confirmed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). The keratinase reported here significantly degraded melanised feather in 48 h in the absence of reducing agents. There are few reports on the evaluation of feather degrading ability of keratinases using highly resistant melanised feather. The efficient degradation of melanised feathers by this keratinase may offer an environmentally friendly solution to the degradation of feather waste and other organic matter of similar molecular composition. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The ethnographic study was conducted in two communities in Oyo State in Southwestern Nigeria. The study sites consisted of a rural and an urban local government area located in the tropical rain forest zone of Nigeria. The study was designed to obtain information on febrile illnesses and herbal remedies for treatment with the aim of identifying potential antimalarial drugs. The study revealed that fever is a general term for describing illnesses associated with elevated body temperature. The indigenous Yoruba ethnic population has categorized fever based on symptoms and causes. The present communication is the result of focus group discussion and semi-structured questionnaire administered to traditional healers, herb sellers, elders and mothers. This was on types of fevers, symptoms and causes of febrile illnesses. The investigation also included use of traditional herbs in the prevention and treatment of the illnesses in the two communities.A total of 514 respondents were interviewed. This was made up of 266 (51.8%) from Atiba local government area (LGA), an urban centre while 248 (48.2%) respondents were interviewed from Itesiwaju LGA, a rural community. The LGAs are located in Oyo State of Nigeria. The respondents proffered 12 types of febrile illnesses in a multiple response answering system in Yoruba language. The most common ones (direct translation into English) were: yellow fever (39.1%), typhoid (34.8%), ordinary (28.8%), rainy season (20.8%) and headache (10.5%) fevers, respectively. Perceived causes of each of the febrile illnesses included stress, mosquito bites, unclean water, rains and over exposure to the sun. Methods of fever prevention were mainly with the use of herbal decoctions, powdered herbs, orthodox medications and maintenance of proper hygiene.Of a total of 112 different herbal remedies used in the treatment of the febrile illnesses compiled from the study, 25 recipes are presented. Recipes consisted of 2–7 ingredients. Oral decoctions (84%), oral powders (63%), use as soaps and creams (40%) in a multiple response system, were the most prevalent routes of administration of prepared herbs used in the treatment of the fevers. Boiling in water or alcohol was the most common method used in the preparation of the remedies. The four most frequently mentioned (multiple response system) plants in the Southwest ethnobotany for fevers were Azadirachta indica (87.5%), Mangifera indica (75.0%), Morinda lucida (68.8%) and Citrus medica (68.8%). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Amodiaquine (AQ) is currently being used as a partner drug in combination with artesunate for treatment of uncomplicated malaria in most endemic countries of Africa. In the absence of molecular markers of artemisinin resistance, molecular markers of resistance to AQ may be useful for monitoring the development and spread of parasites resistance to Artesunate–Amodiaquine combination. This study was designed to assess the potential role of polymorphisms on pfcrt and pfmdr1 genes and parasite in vitro susceptibility for epidemiological surveillance of amodiaquine resistance in Plasmodium falciparum. The modified schizont inhibition assay was used to determine in vitro susceptibility profiles of 98 patients’ isolates of P. falciparum to amodiaquine. Polymorphisms on parasites pfcrt and pfmdr1 genes were determined with nested PCR followed by sequencing. The geometric mean (GM) of AQ 50% inhibitory concentration (IC-50) in the 97 P. falciparum isolates was 20.48nM (95% CI 16.53–25.36nM). Based on the cut-off value for AQ in vitro susceptibility, 87% (84) of the P. falciparum isolates were sensitive to AQ (GM IC-50=16.32nM; 95%CI 13.3–20.04nM) while 13% were resistant to AQ in vitro (GM IC-50=88.73nM; 95%CI 69.67–113.0nM). Molecular analysis showed presence of mutant CVIET pfcrt haplotype, mutant pfmdr1Tyr86 allele and the double mutant CVIET pfcrt haplotype+ pfmdr1Tyr86 in 72%, 49% and 35%, respectively. The GM IC-50 of isolates harboring the wild-type pfcrt CVMNK haplotype+ pfmdr1Asn86 allele (3.93nM; 95%CI 1.82–8.46nM) was significantly lower (p =0.001) than those isolates harboring the double mutant pfcrt CVIET haplotype+ pfmdr1Tyr86 allele (50.40nM; 95%CI 40.17–63.24nM). Results from this study suggest that polymorphisms in pfcrt and pfmdr1 genes are important for AQ resistance and therefore may be useful for epidemiological surveillance of P. falciparum resistance to AQ. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The prevalence of pyrimethamine–sulfadoxine (PS)-resistant Plasmodium falciparum malaria has been increasing in sub-Saharan Africa or other parts of the world in the last one or two decades. The factors that identify children at risk of treatment failure after being given PS were evaluated in 291 children with acute, symptomatic, uncomplicated, P. falciparum malaria. The children took part in four antimalarial drug trials between July 1996 and July 2004 in a hyperendemic area of southwestern Nigeria. Following treatment, 64 (22%) of 291 children failed treatment by day 7 or 14. In a multivariate analysis, an age ≤1.5 years (AOR=2.9, 95% CI 1.3–6.4, P =0.009) and presence of fever (AOR=3.3, 95% CI 1.28–7.14, P =0.01) were independent predictors of the failure of treatment with PS at presentation. Following treatment, delay in parasite clearance >3 days (AOR=2.56, CI 1.19–5.56, P =0.016) was an independent predictor of the failure of treatment with PS. In addition, compared with the children who had no fever then, children with fever three or more days after starting treatment were more likely to be treatment failures. These findings may have implications for malaria control efforts in some sub-Saharan African countries where treatment of malaria disease depends almost entirely on PS monotherapy, and for programmes employing PS or PS-based combination therapy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Setting priorities for health research is a difficult task, especially for the neglected diseases of the poor. A new approach to priority setting for tropical diseases research has been adopted by the UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (known as the TDR). Priorities are defined on the basis of a comprehensive analysis of research needs and research opportunities for each of the ten major tropical diseases in the TDR portfolio. The resulting strategic emphases matrix reflects the priorities for tropical diseases research from the perspective of the TDR. Its purpose is not to impose global research priorities, but we believe the results could be useful to other organizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]