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Phyllantus amarus and P. muellerianus are herbs reported to possess anti-inflammatory activity. Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of alginate-based microsphere loaded with extracts of P. amarus and P. muellerianus was here reported. The extract-loaded microspheres were prepared using the ionotropic gelation method. The particle size, swelling index, entrapment efficiency, and FTIR spectroscopy were determined. Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of extract-loaded microspheres were evaluated in hotplate-induced nociception in mice and carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema, respectively. The physicohemical results showed rigid, free-flowing and spherical microspheres, with particle sizes ranging from 985.977±13.65 to 1232±12.99 µm and entrapment efficiencies of 20.9 ± 0.341 to 45.0 ± 0.002 %. Polymer-drug interaction revealed bands indicating aromatics, alcohols and alkenes. The extract-loaded microspheres showed improved antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities when compared to the extracts alone. The sodium alginate-based microspheres loaded with Phyllanthus amarus and Phyllanthus muellerianus extracts showed acceptable physicochemical properties and had improved antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activity compared to the extracts alone.

This study focused on designing a WASH Index for assessing the status of WASH in Primary Healthcare Facilities (PHCs) especially for low- and middle-income countries. To assess the effectiveness of the WASH Index in evaluating the WASH in PHCs, PHCs were selected from 70 Local Government Areas (LGA) across 3 Southwestern States in Nigeria. The WASH index comprises of the five Joint Monitoring Programme service ladders as outlined in the World Health Organization Global Baseline Report for monitoring basic WASH services in health care facilities: water, sanitation, hygiene, waste management and environmental cleaning. The 5 service elements (termed as components) assessed were based on 10 indicators and 30 sub-indicators. The results of the WASH Index of the PHCs were compared statistically on LGA and State basis with emphasis on the status of WASH facilities. The study concludes that the result would further provide baseline information on the status of WASH in PHCs in the selected States in the quest to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This study recommends that the WASH Index could be adopted an assessment tool for evaluating WASH in PHCs in other to ensure communication of results to policy makers and other relevant stakeholders, for effective monitoring healthcare facilities.

From preclinical and clinical findings, it has been shown that the amygdala is a critical mediator of stress and primary target for stress effects in the brain. We investigated the neuroprotective effect of Ginkgolide B (GB) in repeated restraint stress-induced behavioral deficit and amygdalar inflammation in mice. Mice were orally pre-treated with GB 20 mg/kg 1 h prior to 4 h restraint stress for 21 consecutive days. Behavioural deficit and serum and amygdalar biochemical changes were estimated using spectrophotometric and ELISA techniques. The results showed that GB pre-treatment inhibited spatial memory deficit, renounces neuropsychiatric phenotypes and metabolic redox activity by augmenting the endogenous antioxidant system via Nrf2 levels in the mice. The HPA axis activity impaired by the restraint stress induction was abated with marked reduction of corticosterone, hypertrophy of the adrenal gland and blood glucose level. Meanwhile, our data further reveals that GB pre-treatment inhibited the release of neuroinflammatory mediators (MPO, TNF-α, IL-6, MAPK, COX-2) and elevated CREB production via activation of BDNF protein. Further, the acetylcholinesterase activity was inhibited while the level of glutamate release remains unchanged in the amygdala of the restraint mice. The GB treatment also up-regulate the release of BCL-2 proteins. This study suggests that GB could be considered as a therapeutic agent in the management of memory impairment, neuropsychiatric phenotypes and neuropathological alterations.

Abstract This paper reports a rational design of branched titanium (Ti) nanorods formed by glancing angle physical vapor deposition and their applications as substrates for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). Ti nanorods with branches have larger surface areas than non-branched nanorods. However, Ti surface oxidizes easily resulting in very little SERS effect. The SERS sensitivity of the branched titanium nanorod is improved by annealing Ti nanorods in nitrogen in an effort to reduce oxidation. Additionally, the plasmonic resonance of the branched titanium nanorod is further improved by coating the top of the nanorods and branches with silver (Ag). The sensitivity of the SERS substrates is about 3700% that of as-deposited branched Ti nanorods with a native oxide layer. Our investigation provides a mechanism to fabricate sensitive SERS sensors of Ti nanorods that are known to be thermally and chemically stable and compatible with silicon-based electronics.

Background: Essential workers are imperative in the fight against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Aim: To assess the prevalence and factors associated with anxiety and depression among essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown. Setting: This study was set in Ekiti State, Nigeria. Method: This was a cross-sectional study involving essential workers in Ekiti State Nigeria, during the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown. A total of 588 essential workers were sampled. Online socio-demographic variables and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, a 14 item self-reported questionnaire were used. Results: The prevalence of anxiety and depression among the respondents was 93.4% (CI = 91.2–95.2) and 64.3% (CI = 60.4–68.4) respectively. Among the health workers, the prevalence of anxiety and depression were 96.5% (CI =94.8–98.1) and 66.5% (CI = 60.5–69.8) respectively while the prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms among non- health workers were 84.6% (CI = 78.7–90.1) and 61.5% (CI = 54.2–69.4) respectively. The odds ratio (OR) of depressive symptoms was increased among, respondents who were not satisfied with the support they received from the government during the pandemic (AOR = 2.071, CI = 1.350–2.213), respondents that were 35 years and younger (AOR = 1.512, CI = 1.033–2.213) and reduced amongst Christians (AOR = 0.501, CI = 0.286–0.879). The odd of anxiety was increased among health workers compared to non-health workers (AOR = 3.700, CI = 1.744–7.851) and the odds of anxiety was reduced among respondents with previous history of mental illness (AOR = 0.215, CI = 0.049–0.943). Conclusion: Anxiety and depressive symptoms were common mental illness among essential workers working during the COVID-19 lockdown, therefore their mental health should be adequately considered to sustain the fight against the virus.

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a highly contagious viral disease that mainly affects goats and sheep in Asia, Africa and the Middle East, and threatens Europe [R.E.1]. The disease is endemic on the African continent, particularly in West Africa, and is a major factor driving food insecurity in low-income populations. The aim of this research study was to carry out surveillance, genetic characterisation and isolation of recently circulating PPR viruses (PPRV) in sheep and goats from the six agro-ecological zones of Nigeria. A total of 268 post-mortem tissue samples of lung and mesenteric ganglia were collected from clinically suspected sheep and goats in 18 different states, of which five never previously sampled. The presence of PPRV was confirmed using a reverse-transcription coupled with a polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay. A total of 72 samples, 17 sheep (6%) and 55 goats (21%), were found to be PPR positive. Positive samples were distributed in almost all states, except Kano, where PPR was detected in previous studies. The PPRV-positive samples were further confirmed by sequencing or virus isolation in areas where the infection had never previously been detected. These results confirm the active circulation of PPRV across all six agro-ecological zones of Nigeria, and consequently, the need for introducing strict measures for the control and prevention of the disease in the country.

Trastuzumab (TZM) treatment is known to be associated with arrhythmogenic potential which primarily is the basis for its cardiotoxicity. The purpose of this study was to investigate the acute influence of oral pretreatments with 100 mg/kg/day of Ocimun gratissimum ethanolic leaf extract (OG) and its fractions (petroleum ether, PEOG; ethyl acetate, EAOG; and ethanolic extract, EOG) as well as valsartan-lisinopril fixed dose combination (VAL-LSP) on electrocardiogram (ECG) of Wistar rats intaperitoneally treated with 2.25 mg/kg/day TZM for 7 days. Young adult male Wistar rats were randomly allotted into 12 groups of 6 rats per group. The rats were subjected to electrocardiograms (ECG) measurement using non-invasive procedures on days 1 and 7 of the experiment. Results showed that oral pretreatment with OG and its fractions (except EOG) as well as VAL-LSP fixed dose combination did not cause any remarkable changes in the ECG patterns of TZM-treated rats indicating that their relative oral safety in TZM chemotherapy. On the other hand, EOG pretreatment caused significant shortening of the OT/QTc interval in the TZM-treated rats highlighting the arrhthymogenic potential of this fraction. Overall, the study highlighted the arrhythmogenic potential of EOG in TZM chemotherapy while OG and its other solvent fractions as well as VAL-LSP could be considered relatively safe for use as adjuvants in TZM chemotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background To investigate the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of aqueous extract of a blended mixture of dried leaves of Ocimum gratissimum and Psidium guajava, a traditional analgesic drug polyherbal (TADP) used as a remedy for pain-related conditions. Methods Antinociceptive activity of TADP (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) was evaluated in the hot plate test and acetic acid-induced nociception in mice while the anti-inflammatory was evaluated in carrageenan-induced paw oedema in rats. Levels of nitrite, myeloperoxidase, glutathione and malondialdehyde were assayed in carrageenan-induced paw tissue. Results TADP (200 and 400 mg/kg) significantly prolong the latency time in the hot-plate test. TADP (100–400 mg/kg) produced a dose-dependent significant inhibition of the acetic-acid induced abdominal constriction. The antinociceptive activity of TADP in the presence of naloxone and atropine was not reversed whereas yohimbine and glibenclamide significantly reversed it. TADP (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) significantly reduced the swelling in the carrageenan-induced oedema model and also produced a reduction in the nitrite and myeloperoxidase level. TADP (400 mg/kg) significantly reduced malondialdehyde concentration and increase glutathione level in the carrageenan-induced rat paw. TADP significantly decrease the number of cellular infiltrates in the histopathological assessment. Conclusion These results indicate that polyherbal product containing blended leaves of Ocimum gratissimum and Psidium guajava possess antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties, hence represents a promising alternative remedy in inflammation-induced pain.