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Background: Spilanthes filicaulis (Schumach. & Thonn.) C. D Adam is a shrubby plant of the Asteraceae family that has medicinal benefits for the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of Spilanthes filicaulis leaf extract in a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced rat model and the associated signaling pathways. Methods: A sample of 25 male Wistar rats was randomly assigned to groups I, II, III, IV, and V. Each group included five animals, i.e., control rats, diabetic control rats, diabetic rats treated with metformin, and diabetic rats treated with 150 mg/kg/bw and 300 mg/kg/bw of the methanolic extract of S. filicaulis leaves (MESFL). Treatment was administered for 15 successive days via oral gavage. After 15 days, the rats were evaluated for fasting blood glucose (FBG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), lipid peroxidation (MDA), hexokinase, and glucose-6-phosphatase activities. Gene expression levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ), kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1), protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) and the antiapoptotic protein caspase-3 were examined. Results: MESFL was administered to diabetic rats, and changes in body weight, fasting blood glucose (FBG) and HbA1c were restored. Furthermore, in diabetic rats, S. filicaulis significantly reduced the levels of triglycerides (TGs), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and significantly increased HDL. S. filicaulis improved ALT, AST, and ALP enzyme activity in diabetic rats. MDA levels decreased considerably with increasing activity of antioxidant enzymes, such as GST, SOD, CAT and GSH, in diabetic liver rats treated with S. filicaulis. Diabetic rats treated with MESFL and metformin exhibited upregulated mRNA expression levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ). Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) and protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) mRNA expression in the liver was downregulated in diabetic rats treated with MESFL and metformin. In addition, MESFL downregulated the mRNA expression of caspase-3 in diabetic rats. Conclusion: It can be concluded from the data presented in this study that MESFL exerts a protective effect on diabetic rats due to its antidiabetic, antioxidant, antihyperlipidemic and antiapoptotic effects and may be considered a treatment for T2DM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recognizing the significance of maize cultivation, it is imperative to determine the appropriate levels of NPK fertilizer along with the supplementary inclusion of bio-digestate (an organic fertilizer), to achieve optimal soil chemical properties and crop yields. Hence, a field study was conducted in 2022 at the Teaching and Research Farm of Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State, Nigeria. The study evaluated the effects of bio-digestate fertilizer (D), applied alone and integrated with urea (N), single superphosphate (P) and muriate of potash fertilizers (K) at low (N1K1P1) and high (N2P2K2) rates on soil chemical properties, growth, and yield of maize (Zea mays (L.). The treatments consisted of application of: D at 2500 L/ha alone, D + N1 P1 K1, D + N1 P1 K2, D + N1 P2 K1, D + N1 P2 K2, D + N2 P1 K1, D + N2 P1 K2, D + N2 P2 K1, D + N2 P2 K2, Control. N1 = 60 kg N/ha, N2 = 120 kg N/ha, P1 = 30 kg P2O5/ha, P2 = 60 kg P2O5/ha, K1 = 30 kg K/ha, K2 = 60 kg K/ha. The 10 treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design and replicated three times. Results showed that bio-digestate (D) fertilizer applied alone or integrated with NPK fertilizers improved soil chemical properties, growth, and yield of maize compared with the control. High rate of fertilizer DN2P2K2 increased soil chemical properties and growth parameters of maize relative to low rates DN1P1K1 whereas a higher yield was recorded at a low rate DN1P1K1 relative to a high rate of fertilizer DN2P2K2. Overall, the treatment DN1P1K1 demonstrated the highest grain yield. D alone increased shelled maize yield by 187.9 % relative to no application of any amendment (control), also integrating D with N1P1K1 (DN1P1K1) increased maize yield by 97.2% relative to D alone.  Bio-digestate can be used for maize cultivation in lonely soil especially when integrated with NPK fertilizer. Therefore, to avoid waste of fertilizer due to cost and negative environmental effects of excessive fertilization, the lower rate of NPK fertilizer: N (60 kg N/ha), P (30 kg P2O5/ha), and K (30 kg K/ha) with 2500 L/ha of bio-digestate (DN1P1K1) is recommended for sustainable maize production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fertilizing effects of biodigestate produced from biogas plants on crop and soil productivity are very scarce. Hence, a field study was conducted in 2022 at the Teaching and Research Farm of Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State, Nigeria. The study evaluated the effects of biodigestate fertilizer, applied alone or in combination with urea, single superphosphate, or muriate of potash fertilizers at low (N1, K1, and P1) and high (N2, P2, and K2) rates on soil chemical properties, growth, and yield of maize (Zea mays (L.)). The treatments were biodigestate alone (D), D + N fertilizer (urea) at 60 kg·ha−1 (DN1), D + N at 120 kg·ha−1 (DN2), D + P fertilizer (single superphosphate) at 30 kg·ha−1 (DP1), D + P at 60 kg·ha−1 (DP2), D + K fertilizer (muriate of potash) at 30 kg·ha−1 (DK1), D + K 60 kg·ha−1 (DK2), D + N1 + P1 + K1 (DN1P1K1), D + N2 + P2 + K2 (DN2P2K2) (10), and control. The 10 treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design and replicated three times. Results showed that both low and high rates of fertilizer application improved soil chemical properties, growth parameters, and yield of maize compared with the control. High fertilizer rates (N2, P2, and K2) significantly enhanced soil chemical properties and growth parameters, but lower rates (N1, P1, and K1) resulted in higher maize yield. DN1 fertilizer significantly increased maize yield compared with DN2, DP1, DP2, DK1, and DK2. Overall, the treatment of DN1P1K1 demonstrated the highest grain yield, likely due to optimal nutrient supply from N, P, and K fertilizers, along with an improved soil environment facilitated by the biodigestate. The study recommends a balanced and sustainable fertilizer application strategy of 60 kg·N·ha−1, 30 kg·P2O5·ha−1, and 30 kg·K·ha−1 with 2500 L·ha−1 of biodigestate to enhance maize production while minimizing cost and environmental impact. However, for those aiming for maize fodder production, a higher fertilizer rate of 120 kg·N·ha−1, 60 kg·P2O5·ha−1, and 60 kg·K·ha−1 with 2500 L·ha−1 of biodigestate is advised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Purpose: Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious bacterial disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). It is a matter of serious public health concern in lower-income and lower-middle-income countries. Methods: In this study, a comparative analysis of stool samples from 101 adult (91 pre-confirmed pulmonary TB patients, 10 sputum negative patients) and 99 children (presumptive TB patients). Their stool samples were collected, processed and analyzed using Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra technique and AFB microscopy. Results: While using Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra assay as our "reference standard", a sensitivity of 96 %, Specificity of 83%, Positive Predictive Value (PPV) of 87 %, and Negative Predictive Value (NNP) of 87 % was observed with stool Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra technique. Also, Ziehl Neelsen's Stain Microscopy has a Sensitivity of 64%, Specificity of 12%, PPV of 80% and NNP of 20% while Fluorescence Stain Microscopy reveal a Sensitivity of 94 %, Specificity of 20 %, PPV of 80 %, and NNP of 20 % in stool sample. Conclusion: This study has elucidated Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra assay in stool samples provide an alternative option to sputum in the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis with high level of diagnostic accuracy and precision. Furthermore, Fluorescence Stain Microscopy has shown to be more sensitive and specific than Ziehl Neelsen's stain Microscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adsorption of caffeine from an aqueous solution was carried out using Velvet Tamarind-Pericarp, activated with H3PO4. The adsorbent was characterized using a scanning-electron microscope and the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller. Parameters such as activating agent concentration (80 wt.% in 100 mL solution), initial caffeine concentration of 5−40 g/L, pH of 0−14, and residence time 0−90 minutes, were investigated. Improved adsorptive capacities were seen at increased acid concentrations, with the highest removal rate obtained at a pH of 6. The highest residence time and adsorbent concentrations were obtained at 40 min and 10 g/L. The surface adsorption of the adsorbent obeyed the Langmuir Isotherm, while the regression coefficients conformed to the pseudo-second-order kinetic model for the remediation of caffeine with DG-AC. The highest amount of caffeine removed per gram DG is 72.60 mg.g−1. From the thermodynamic study, the caffeine adsorption was feasible, spontaneous, entropy-driven, and endothermic. These data show that the use of DG-AC can be a good alternative to other expensive methods for caffeine remediation. The Pseudo – first/second-order kinetic results gave R2 values of 0.95 and 0.99, other parameters such as entropy ( Δ S °) and enthalpy ( Δ H °) are 0.06 (k J molK) and (19.21) (k J molK). Novelty statement The novelty of the work is that the adsorption of caffeine from an aqueous solution/pharmaceutical wastewater was carried out on activated carbon produced from African velvet tamarind (pericarp) and phosphoric acid as activating agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fertilizing effects of biodigestate produced from biogas plants on crop and soil productivity are very scarce. Hence, a field study was conducted in 2022 at the Teaching and Research Farm of Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State, Nigeria. The study evaluated the effects of biodigestate fertilizer, applied alone or in combination with urea, single superphosphate, or muriate of potash fertilizers at low (N 1 , K 1 , and P 1 ) and high (N 2 , P 2 , and K 2 ) rates on soil chemical properties, growth, and yield of maize ( Zea mays (L.)). The treatments were biodigestate alone (D), D + N fertilizer (urea) at 60 kg·ha -1 (DN 1 ), D + N at 120 kg·ha -1 (DN 2 ), D + P fertilizer (single superphosphate) at 30 kg·ha -1 (DP 1 ), D + P at 60 kg·ha -1 (DP 2 ), D + K fertilizer (muriate of potash) at 30 kg·ha -1 (DK 1 ), D + K 60 kg·ha -1 (DK 2 ), D + N 1  + P 1  + K 1 (DN 1 P 1 K 1 ), D + N 2  + P 2  + K 2 (DN 2 P 2 K 2 ) (10), and control. The 10 treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design and replicated three times. Results showed that both low and high rates of fertilizer application improved soil chemical properties, growth parameters, and yield of maize compared with the control. High fertilizer rates (N 2 , P 2 , and K 2 ) significantly enhanced soil chemical properties and growth parameters, but lower rates (N 1 , P 1 , and K 1 ) resulted in higher maize yield. DN 1 fertilizer significantly increased maize yield compared with DN 2 , DP 1 , DP 2 , DK 1 , and DK 2 . Overall, the treatment of DN 1 P 1 K 1 demonstrated the highest grain yield, likely due to optimal nutrient supply from N, P, and K fertilizers, along with an improved soil environment facilitated by the biodigestate. The study recommends a balanced and sustainable fertilizer application strategy of 60 kg·N·ha -1 , 30 kg·P 2 O 5 ·ha -1 , and 30 kg·K·ha -1 with 2500 L·ha -1 of biodigestate to enhance maize production while minimizing cost and environmental impact. However, for those aiming for maize fodder production, a higher fertilizer rate of 120 kg·N·ha -1 , 60 kg·P 2 O 5 ·ha -1 , and 60 kg·K·ha -1 with 2500 L·ha -1 of biodigestate is advised., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Aruna Olasekan Adekiya et al.)