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Abstract Background Celiac disease (CD) affects the small intestine and can hinder nutrient absorption. It is found worldwide and common in certain groups of people including individuals with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM). However, the prevalence of CD in the West African region is not documented. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and pattern of CD autoimmunity in Nigerian children and adolescents diagnosed with T1DM. Methods This was a cross-sectional descriptive study of children and adolescents with T1DM at the Paediatric Endocrinology Clinic of seven selected tertiary health facilities in Nigeria. Information was collected on socio-demographics, clinical characteristics and anthropometrics. The subjects were screened for markers of CD autoimmunity using anti-tissue transglutaminase antibody (tTG) and anti-endomysial antibody (EMA). Endoscopy and duodenal biopsy were recommended for participants with elevated CD-specific antibodies. Results The study recruited a total of 104 children and adolescents with TIDM, out of which six participants (5.8%) had CD autoimmunity. All six participants were females, aged between 3 and 12 years, with a mean age of 9.2 ± 3.7 years. Participants with CD autoimmunity were more likely to have DM diagnosed before the age of 10 years compared to those without CD autoimmunity (83.3% vs. 37.7%, p = 0.149). Except for two participants, all individuals with CD autoimmunity experienced gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and bloating. Conclusion This study highlights the occurrence of CD autoimmunity in Nigerian children and adolescents with TIDM. Healthcare providers should consider screening for celiac disease in children and adolescents with T1DM, particularly in females and when gastrointestinal symptoms are present. Additionally, the findings from this study suggest that there is a high probability of a significant burden of CD, even within the general population in Nigeria. Therefore, it’s important to maintain a high level of suspicion and to actively screen at-risk groups in clinical settings to ensure early diagnosis of CD.

Abstract This study employed low-cost biomass wastes for the synthesis of biodiesel that is cost-effective and environmentally friendly. The major raw material (oil) was obtained by steam distillation (SD) from Croton heliotropiifolius Kunth leaf (CHKL) and was characterized for its aptness for biodiesel production. Dwarft green coconut husk ash (DGCHA) was used as a bio-adsorbent for acid value reduction of Croton heliotropiifolius Kunth leaves oil (CHKLO). A novel, highly potassium-based catalyst was derived from Karpuravalli banana peels (KBP), calcined, and characterized using TGA, ZETA, FTIR, SEM-EDX, XRF-FS, and BET analysis. Biodiesel was synthesized using a microwave-assisted method, characterized, and compared with the recommended standard. The catalytic strength of the calcined Karpuravalli banana peel powder (CKBPP) was tested using a reusability test, and the cost evaluation of production was estimated. Results showed that the CHKL was rich in oil (43% wt./wt.), and the oil is highly acidic (5.23 mg KOH/g oil). At high particle size, the dwarf green coconut husk ash (DGCHA) bagasse reduced the acid value to a minimum (1.4 mg KOH/g oil) at 3 days. The developed novel catalyst from CKBPP indicated high potassium-calcium contents for base transesterification. Process optimization indicated that the predicted response data of 95.285% (wt./wt.) at T1 = 90 min, T2 = 60 oC, T3 = 4.5% (wt.), and T4 = 9 (vol./vol.) was validated in triplicate, and the average data value of 95.10% (wt./wt.) was established. Dataset on the quality of biodiesel showed that the produced biodiesel properties were in line with recommended standards. Economic appraisal data showed that the cost of producing 20 L of CHKLOB (biodiesel) was $4.73 at 1,500 to $1. The study concluded that the production of biodiesel from waste can be cost-effective and environmentally friendly if wastes are harness. Graphical Abstract

Abstract Chromosomal instability (CIN) is a pivotal factor in gliomas, contributing to their complexity, progression, and therapeutic challenges. CIN, characterized by frequent genomic alterations during mitosis, leads to genetic abnormalities and impacts cellular functions. This instability results from various factors, including replication errors and toxic compounds. While CIN’s role is well documented in cancers like ovarian cancer, its implications for gliomas are increasingly recognized. CIN influences glioma progression by affecting key oncological pathways, such as tumor suppressor genes (e.g., TP53), oncogenes (e.g., EGFR), and DNA repair mechanisms. It drives tumor evolution, promotes inflammatory signaling, and affects immune interactions, potentially leading to poor clinical outcomes and treatment resistance. This review examines CIN’s impact on gliomas through a narrative approach, analyzing data from PubMed/Medline, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and Scopus. It highlights CIN’s role across glioma subtypes, from adult glioblastomas and astrocytomas to pediatric oligodendrogliomas and astrocytomas. Key findings include CIN’s effect on tumor heterogeneity and its potential as a biomarker for early detection and monitoring. Emerging therapies targeting CIN, such as those modulating tumor mutation burden and DNA damage response pathways, show promise but face challenges. The review underscores the need for integrated therapeutic strategies and improved bioinformatics tools like CINdex to advance understanding and treatment of gliomas. Future research should focus on combining CIN-targeted therapies with immune modulation and personalized medicine to enhance patient outcomes.

Objectives: To describe the participants of a university-based COVID-19 contact tracing course and determine whether the course changed knowledge, attitudes, and intention to participate in contact tracing. Participants: Faculty, staff, and students were eligible. Methods: Surveys evaluated the impact of the course on participant intentions to engage in contact tracing. Logistic regression identified characteristics associated with increased likelihood of participating in contact tracing. Results: Nearly 800 individuals participated, of whom 26.2% identified as Hispanic/Latino and 14.0% as Black. Nearly half (48.8%) planned to conduct contact tracing. While attitudes did not change, knowledge improved (67.9% vs. 93.8% scores on assessments; p < 0.001). Younger participants and Black individuals were more more likely to be confident that they would participate in contact tracing. Conclusions: Course completion was associated with increased knowledge. Participants were racially and ethnically diverse, highlighting how universities can partner with health departments to develop workforces that reflect local communities.

This research investigates the intersection of hygienic practices and biodiversity conservation attitudes among Herbal Medicine Dealers (HMDs) in Liberia using appropriate standard method with 62 respondents, 20 Herbal Medicine Practitioners and 42 Herbal Product Venders. Data obtained reveals disparities in container sanitation and hand washing practices among herbal mixture practitioners. 40.3% rinse containers with water, 69% wash them after every use, and 35.4% use previously washed knives. 70% buy previously used containers, and 62.9% ensure they are washed before use. A significant portion (30.6%) do not wash their hands, and 46.7% do not use any hand hygiene methods. Most respondents do not wear face masks, indicating a lack of awareness about health risks. 43.5% believe harvesting plants does not negatively affect biodiversity. The research underscores the need for tailored interventions to promote hygienic practices and biodiversity conservation within the herbal medicine sector. Policy recommendations include enhancing education and training programs, improving access to resources, and developing supportive regulatory frameworks. By addressing these challenges, Liberia can harness the potential of herbal medicine while safeguarding public health and preserving environmental integrity.

In the past 2 years, remarkable advances have been made in shortening tuberculosis (TB) treatment. In particular, four clinical trials (Study 31/A5349, Nix-TB, ZeNix and TB-PRACTECAL) have provided evidence of the efficacy of regimens based on new and repurposed drugs: the 4-month regimen for drug-susceptible TB, and the 6-month bedaquiline-pretomanid-linezolid regimen with or without moxifloxacin for multidrug-resistant/rifampicin-resistant TB. Even if the evidence at the basis of these new regimens is compelling, several questions remain open, particularly concerning linezolid dose finding, the upsurging threat of bedaquiline-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis and the feasibility of applying these results to the paediatric population. Several ongoing trials may fill the remaining gaps and produce further reliable evidence to address the outstanding questions in TB treatment shortening.

Abstract Cooking bananas is a major beneficial food in developing countries that is involved in improving human well-being and health. However, owing to its high moisture content, it quickly deteriorates. Understanding the dehydration mechanism of raw banana slices is important for subsequent processing, preservation, transportation, and product quality. Thus, this study investigates the influence of slice thickness (5, 10, and 15 mm) at varying temperatures (45, 55, and 65 °C) in a convective oven dryer on thin-layer drying kinetics and extrapolates their effect on the drying kinetics of cooking banana slices. As the temperature and slice thickness increased, the drying time also increased. Midilli’s model was found to be the best for explaining the experimental data. The effective moisture diffusivity ranged from 1.393 × 10 −8 to 8.889 10 −8 m2/s. The dependence of moisture diffusivity on temperature was described by an Arrhenius-type equation, and the activation energies were found to be 23.599, 24.804, and 24.223 kJ/mol for thicknesses of 5, 10, and 15 mm, respectively.

Accurately predicting a fetus’s gestational age (GA) is crucial in prenatal care. This study aimed to develop an artificial intelligence (AI) model to predict GA using biometric measurements from fetal brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We assessed the significance of using different reference standards for interpreting GA predictions. Measurements of biparietal diameter (BPD), fronto-occipital diameter (FOD), and head circumference (HC) were obtained from 52 normal fetal MRI cases from Rush University. Both manual and AI-based methods were utilized, and comparisons were made using three reference standards (Garel, Freq, and Bio). The AI model showed a strong correlation with manual measurements, particularly for HC, which exhibited the highest correlation with actual values. Differences between GA predictions and picture archiving and communication system (PACS) records varied by reference, ranging from 0.47 to 2.17 weeks for BPD, 0.46 to 2.26 weeks for FOD, and 0.75 to 1.74 weeks for HC. Pearson correlation coefficients between PACS records and GA predictions exceeded 0.97 across all references. In conclusion, the AI model demonstrated high accuracy in predicting GA from fetal brain MRI measurements. This approach offers improved accuracy and convenience over manual methods, highlighting the potential of AI in enhancing prenatal care through precise GA estimation.

An important complaint of mothers is the stool form of their infants. In the evaluation of stool forms, healthcare workers usually depend on mothers’ reports which are subjective and influenced by interpretation bias by health care personnel. There is therefore the need for an objective method of describing stool forms. In the present study, we evaluated the utility of the 7-point Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS) when used by mothers of healthy Nigerian infants. Materials and Methods: The mothers of 122 healthy infants delivered at term, with infants less than six months of age attending the Infant Welfare Clinics of two health facilities in Ibadan, South West, Nigeria for routine immunisation were enrolled. Mothers were requested to identify their child’s most recent stool form using the 7-point BSFS. Results: The mean ± SD age of the 122 study infants was 80 ±41.6 days (range 4-180 days). Eighty- eight (72.1%) infants were exclusively breastfed and 34 (27.9%) were on mixed feeding. Almost all (120; 98.4%) mothers felt that the BSFS adequately described their infants’ stools. The most commonly reported stool types were Type 6 (56.7%) and Type 7 (33.3%). There was no association between reported stool consistency and infant feeding type, level of maternal education and number of previous babies nursed. Conclusion: This study indicated that BSFS may be a reliable tool for mothers to describe stool consistency in healthy Nigerian infants.

Abstract: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a relapsing, idiopathic chronic inflammatory disorder of colon characterised by ulcerations of the colon with bleeding, mucosal crypt abscesses and inflammatory pseudo polyps associated with abdominal pain with tenesmus and significant weight loss. Ulcerative colitis has rarely been reported in sub-Saharan African children. In this report we present 2 cases of ulcerative colitis in Nigerian children confirmed by barium enema, colonoscopy and histology. A review of the current literature on ulcerative colitis is also discussed.

Background Separation of a parent from the family as a result of incarceration has both short-term and long-term effects on the family, even after release from prison. This study is a report of factors and challenges of the family left to adapt to the changed circumstances of separation from parent(s) who are incarcerated. Methods: This was a cross sectional study carried out on 89 care -givers of children whose parents are incarcerated at the Agodi prison, Ibadan who gave informed and written consent to interview their families. Results: Most caregivers had little or no formal education (69.7%) and 67.4% are into petty trading or subsistence farming. A majority of the caregivers reported the need of schooling (85.4%), provision of food (84.3%) and medical care (71.9%) as major challenges, only 25% received any form of support to meet these needs. Twenty-nine (32.6%) respondents reported receiving financial support to provide for the child’s feeding. Some care-givers 21 (23.6%), obtained loans to cope with the financial needs of the children while only 3 (3.4%) received support from family or other non- governmental organisations. Conclusion: The caregivers of children of prison inmates face significant challenges in meeting the needs of feeding, health and schooling. Support structures and policies to address these gaps are required

In an attempt to model and optimize the biodiesel production from the binary oil blends, a BTO40 obtained from the mixture of Dennettia tripetala (DTO) and Luffas cylindrical (LCO) oilseeds was employed in a double-stage microwave-assisted batch process (DSMABP). The DTO40 was esterified with iron (III) sulfate (Fe2(SO4)3) and then transesterified with catalyst selectivity between calcined fermented sweet corn stock (CFCS) and calcined non-fermented sweet corn stock (CNFCS). Catalyst characterization was carried out using analyzers, while process modeling and optimization were carried out using statistical tools. The produced biodiesel qualities were evaluated, and the catalyst potential was tested by a catalyst reusability test. Results show that a BTO40 was suitable for maximum biodiesel yield of 98.92% (wt./wt.) with HHV of 43.84 MJ/kg, CN of 79.73, flash point of 120 °C, cloud point of -3 °C, pour point of -6 °C, cold filter plugging point of +2 °C, oxidative stability of 4.6 h, and carbon residue of 0.02% nm. The statistical modeling and optimization by RSMI-Optimal predicted a mean value of biodiesel to be 99.28% (wt./wt.), the ANNGA predicted a mean biodiesel yield of 99.78% (wt./wt.), and γGCFW predicted 99.82% (wt./wt.), respectively, at different variable conditions. These values were validated in triplicate, and the average means were obtained as 98.57% (wt./wt.), 99.69% (wt./wt.), and 99.71% (wt./wt.), respectively. Catalyst usability tests show DFSCS has high alkali potential as a base catalyst. The produced biodiesel properties are in total agreement with the recommended biodiesel standard. The study concluded that BTO40 treated with a 0.1 M Fe2(SO4)3 solution in a base-catalyzed calcined fermented sweet corn stock for biodiesel synthesis can be used as an alternative fuel.

Background: An appraisal of the profile of ophthalmic surgeries performed at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital (LAUTECHTH), Ogbomosho, Nigeria over a seven-year period with a view to harnessing their potentials for maximising ophthalmic experiences of medical students. Methods: A retrospective review of ophthalmic surgery records over a seven-year period (2013–2019) at LAUTECHTH. Results: There were 386 eye surgeries, mean ophthalmic surgeries: 4–5/month or 55/year. Most (329, 85.2 %) surgeries were performed on individuals aged at least 45 (range 10–95) years with slight male dominance (1.1:1). The most common indication for surgery was cataract (307, 79.6 %). Most surgeries were elective (362, 93.8 %) and performed under local anaesthesia (367, 95.1 %). Despite the highest number of surgeries being performed in the months of April and September; and lowest during the months of May and October; there was fair distribution across and over the years. Small incision cataract surgery with or without intraocular lens implant (307, 79.6 %) was the most common surgery followed by pterygium excision with adjuvant therapy (37, 9.6 %). Conclusion: The study showed a broad spectrum of eye surgeries, including cataract and pterygium, performed at the teaching hospital, encompassing common conditions that lead to visual impairment or blindness. This exposure provides valuable training opportunities for undergraduate medical students to become physicians especially those aspiring to become ophthalmologists. However, there is a need to increase the overall volume of eye surgeries to enhance the learning experience and potentially influence career choices.

This study examined access to, and use of remote patient monitoring (RPM), medical applications, and wearables in a racially diverse, lower-income population. Data were obtained via a cross-sectional survey of adults from low-income communities in Houston, Los Angeles, and New York between April and August 2023. The survey examined access to, and use of RPM, medical applications, and wearables, among respondents. Binary responses to the following questions were examined using logistic regression models: In the past 12 months, have you (i) used RPM, (ii) used a medical app, and (iii) used an electronic wearable device to monitor or track health or activity? A total of 305 surveys were returned, of which 212 were complete (69.5% completion rate). Demographically, 22% self-identified as Hispanic, 41% as non-Hispanic Black individuals, and 33% as non-Hispanic White individuals. Overall, 69% of respondents reported a pre-tax annual household income of less than $35 000 and 96 % indicated they own a smart phone. However, only 3 of 10 reported using RPM, 15% reported using a medical app, and 14% reported using wearables. Race was strongly associated with RPM usage, with Black respondents significantly less likely to have used RPM, compared to their white counterparts (OR: 0.31, P = .002). Education (bachelor’s degree or more OR: 4.79, P = .03) and higher income ($35 001 + OR: 4.68, P = .008) were strongly associated with medical app usage. In the wearables model, the same trend was observed with education (bachelor’s degree or more OR: 4.45, P = .04), and higher income ($35 001 + OR: 5.49, P = .01). Compared to earlier studies that have reported utilization rates of between 50% and 60%, our finding of much lower utilization in economically disadvantaged populations that are at greater risks for sub-optimal health outcomes gives cause for greater concern. Considering the ongoing proliferation of digital health technological modalities, this further highlights the need to explore and address equity-based barriers to these health tools.

The Water-Energy-Food (WEF) nexus is a paradigm that emphasises the interconnectedness and collaborative effects of water, energy, and food systems. This study presents a bibliometric analysis of South Africa's WEF nexus research landscape between 2011 and 2024 using the Scopus database. The article highlights the interconnectedness of sustainable development, resource management, sustainability challenges, and resilience strategies in the WEF Nexus in South Africa. The study also identifies critical research gaps in addressing socio-economic dimensions, policy and governance aspects, technological innovation, and human resource development within the WEF Nexus framework. The article reveals the transformative potential of blockchain technology in revolutionising resource management in South Africa. By leveraging blockchain's decentralised and transparent nature, the country can enhance efficiency, transparency, and sustainability in resource allocation and distribution.

Background: Mental health disorders may have a negative influence on health outcomes in patients with HIV; however, these conditions are under-diagnosed among adolescents living with HIV. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of mental health distress and associated factors among adolescents living with HIV attending Antiretroviral Therapy clinics in Nigeria. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 212 HIV-infected adolescents attending routine HIV clinic visits across five high patient-density clinics in southwestern Nigeria. Mental health distress was assessed using the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12) and data was analyzed using IBM-SPSS Statistics for Windows version 22.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Results: The prevalence of mental health distress among participants was 34.9 %. On bivariate analysis, respondents who consumed alcohol sometimes had significantly higher mental health scores than those who never took alcohol (t-test 2.738; P = 0.007). There were no significant differences in the mean mental health scores of respondents with regards to social factors (smoking, experience of rape, disability status, mode of payment for health services, and number of living companions) and clinical factors (duration of diagnosis and treatment of HIV, the type of HAART regimen, and whether there had been a change in regimen). On multivariate analysis no social or clinical factor was found to be independently associated with mental health distress. Conclusions: The prevalence of mental health distress among adolescents living with HIV in southwestern Nigeria is high. Respondents who consumed alcohol had significantly higher mental health scores than those who never took alcohol. Future studies should explore psychosocial stressors that could be determinants of mental health distress among adolescents living with HIV in Nigeria.

Nauclea pobeguinii is a plant in the Rubiaceae family endemic to the swamp forest region of the world. Its extract is widely used in traditional medicine for the treatment of a wide variety of ailments such as malarial, Jaundice, gonorrhea, fever, and stomach discomfort. While other parts of the plant have been examined for the bioactive principles responsible for the medicinal properties, limited information is available in the literature as regards the leaves, hence this study. N. pobeguinii leaves were collected, air-dried, and pulverized. The pulverized sample was extracted with solvents (n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and ethanol) of varying polarity to obtain the crude extracts. Repeated column and thin layer chromatographic separation of the crude extracts afforded three compounds, which were characterized by their IR, 1H, 13C-NMR, and 2D-NMR spectral data. A comparison of the data with literature confirmed the compounds to be 2-hydroxylstigmastane acetate (1), Ergosta-5,6-epoxy-22-en-3-yl-acetate (2), and β-sitosterol (3). Compounds 1 and 2 are novel to N. pobeguinii.

Abstract Background COVID-19 pandemic widely disrupted health services provision, especially during the lockdown period, with females disproportionately affected. Very little is known about alternative healthcare sources used by women when access to conventional health services became challenging. This study examined the experiences of women and adolescent girls regarding access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services during the COVID-19 lockdown in Nigeria and their choices of alternative healthcare sources. Methods The study sites were two northern states, two southern states, and the Federal Capital Territory. Qualitative data were obtained through 10 focus group discussion sessions held with married adolescents, unmarried adolescents, and older women of reproductive age. The data were transcribed verbatim and analysed using a thematic approach and with the aid of Atlas ti software. Results Women reported that access to family planning services was the most affected SRH services during the COVID-19 lockdown. Several barriers to accessing SRH services during COVID-19 lockdown were reported, including restriction of vehicular movement, harassment by law enforcement officers, fear of contracting COVID-19 from health facilities, and fear of undergoing compulsory COVID-19 tests when seeking care in health facilities. In the face of constrained access to SRH services in public sector facilities during the COVID-19 lockdown, women sought care from several alternative sources, mostly locally available and informal services, including medicine vendors, traditional birth attendants, and neighbours with some health experience. Women also widely engaged in self-medication, using both orthodox drugs and non-orthodox preparations like herbs. The lockdown negatively impacted on women’s SRH, with increased incidence of sexual- and gender-based violence, unplanned pregnancy resulting from lack of access to contraceptives, and early marriage involving adolescents with unplanned pregnancies. Conclusion COVID-19 negatively impacted access to SRH services and forced women to utilise mostly informal service outlets and home remedies as alternatives to conventional health services. There is a need to ensure the continuity of essential SRH services during future lockdowns occasioned by disease outbreaks. Also, community systems strengthening that ensures effective community-based health services, empowered community resource persons, and health-literate populations are imperative for overcoming barriers to healthcare access during future lockdowns.

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound impact on healthcare and ophthalmology services globally. Numerous studies amongst various medical and surgical specialties showed a reduction in patient attendance and surgical procedures performed. Prior published ophthalmic literature focused on specific types of procedures and were usually single centre. The current study attempts to quantify the impact on a larger scale, namely that of sub-Saharan Africa, and to include all ophthalmic subspecialties. Methods This is a retrospective analysis of the surgical records from 17 ophthalmology centres in seven countries located in East, Central, West and Southern Africa. The date of declaration of the first lockdown was used as the beginning of the pandemic and the pivot point to compare theatre records one year prior to the pandemic and the first year of the pandemic. We examined the total number of surgical procedures over the two year period and categorized them according to ophthalmic subspecialty and type of procedure performed. We then compared the pre-pandemic and pandemic surgical numbers over the two year period. Results There were 26,357 ophthalmic surgical procedures performed with a significant decrease in the first year of the pandemic (n = 8942) compared to the year prior to the pandemic (n = 17,415). The number of surgical procedures performed was lower in the first year of the pandemic compared to the year prior to the pandemic by 49% [Incidence rate ratio (IRR) 0.51, 95% CI 0.41–0.64), 27% (0.73, 0.55–0.99), 46% (0.54, 0.30–0.99), 40% (0.60, 0.39–0.92) and 59% (0.41, 0.29–0.57) in sub-Saharan Africa (4 regions combined), West, Central, East and Southern Africa, respectively]. The number of surgical procedures in the different sub-specialty categories in sub-Saharan Africa (4 regions combined) was significantly lower in the first year of the pandemic compared to the year prior to the pandemic, except for glaucoma (IRR 0.72, 95% CI 0.52–1.01), oncology (0.71, 0.48–1.05), trauma (0.90, 0.63–1.28) and vitreoretinal (0.67, 0.42–1.08) categories. Conclusion This study provides insight into the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in multiple regions and countries on the African continent. The identification of which surgical subspecialty was most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in each region allows for better planning and resource allocation to address these backlogs.

Hydroxyapatite (HAp) is a popular ceramic biomaterial, which has extensively been employed in numerous biomedical applications. It has drawn the attention of scientists primarily owing to its properties similar to the bones and teeth of human beings. Due to its organic similarity, HAp has exceptional biocompatibility and can activate osteoconduction and osteoinduction occurrence. Hence, HAp has been used in a broad collection of healing applications extending from common dental implant, and bioactive coatings on grafts to purposefully premeditated drug delivery methods, and even for tissue engineering (TE) applications. The production method is essential in controlling the physicochemical properties of HAp, which in turn affects its mechanical and biological properties. The anticipated physiognomies of HAp can be accomplished using a suitable technique of production and sources. This in-depth review discussed the various natural sources of HAp, and synthesis techniques for producing HAp, alongside their advantages and disadvantages, applications, and essentials of HAp for therapeutic applications. From the review, it was found that the sol–gel route is preferred over other routes because of its even molecular mixing, high purity of products, low production temperature, and ability to synthesize nanosized particles of HAp. As a result, it is provisional that upon the cautious blend of key considerations such as sources, synthesis technique, and production parameters for the manufacture of natural HAp (NHAp), mechanical properties can be improved and the product can be employed as a drug delivery system. These are important extents for the prospect of the research.

Previous studies revealed that the used of acid (HCl/H2SO4) have widely used to reduce Jatropha curcus oil (JCO) acid value for an effective biodiesel production. However, the use of acid is difficult to handle, increase the cost of biodiesel production, and can be time consuming. Furthermore, calcined stalk powder have been reportedly used as bio-base catalyst for the synthesis of biodiesel, but no single report ever identified the varieties of the maize stalk used. Therefore, this study introduced a novel pathway to examine the adsorption of high-free fatty acid JCO in sugar cane bagasse as a bio-adsorbent for the production of biodiesel (JCOB). Oil was extracted from the Jatropha curcus seed, and its properties were determined. A new novel catalyst was developed from a new variety of calcined Sartaj maize stalk powder and was characterized by utilizing Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR), X-ray fluorescence (XRF-FS), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Scanning electron microscope (SEM-EDX), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Zeta potential (ZETA), and Brunauer-emmett-teller (BET) analyzers. A single-step transesterification procedure was used to convert the oil to biodiesel. Response Surface Methodology and Artificial Neural Networks were used for modeling and optimizing the transesterification process. The base-strength of the catalyst was ascertained using a catalyst reusability test, and the characteristics of the biodiesel produced were assessed using conventional (standards) techniques.The results indicate that higher temperatures caused breaks in the oil's double bond during the extraction process, thereby raising the JCO free fatty acid (FFA) value (13.2 %). However, sugar cane bagasse, a bio-adsorbent with the smallest particle size (210 μm), was found to be effective in lowering the FFA of JCO from 13.20 % to 0.38 %. Catalyst analysis indicated K2O (38.30 % wt.), Cl (16.41 % wt.), CaO (13.01 % wt.), SiO2 (10.99 % wt.), P2O5 (4.30 % wt.), and MgO (3.69 % wt.) concentration by weight were the main components detected in the catalyst, according to catalyst characterization and analysis. The highest verified output (optimum validated yield) was at 3.10 % (wt.) catalyst concentration, a reaction time of 74.60 min, a 56.20 °C reaction temperature, and a methanol-oil molar ratio of 7.80 (vol/vol). The optimum validated biodiesel yield of 99.42 % (wt./wt.) was determined. After five rounds of the catalyst reusability test, the yield of biodiesel decreased, hence the reusability test was altered.The research concluded that sugar cane bagasse is a new novel material for an effective bio-adsorbent high-FFA oil of JCO, and that the novel catalyst developed can be utilized as a nano-catalyst in CPIs (chemical processing industries).