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Abnormal vessel formations contribute to the progression of specific angiogenic diseases including age-related macular degeneration. Adequate vessel growth and maintenance represent the coordinated process of endothelial cell proliferation, matrix remodeling, and differentiation. However, the molecular mechanism of the proper balance between angiogenic activators and inhibitors remains elusive. In addition, quantitative analysis of vessel formation has been challenging due to complex angiogenic morphology. We hypothesized that conjugated double bond containing-natural products, including anthocyanin extracts from Hibiscus sabdariffa, may control the proper angiogenesis. The current study was designed to determine whether natural molecules from African plant library modulate angiogenesis. Further, we questioned how the proper balance of anti- or pro-angiogenic signaling can be obtained in the vascular microenvironment by treating anthocyanin or fatty acids using chick chorioallantoic membrane angiogenesis model in ovo. The angiogenic morphology was analyzed systematically by measuring twenty one angiogenic indexes using Angiogenic Analyzer software. Chick chorioallantoic model demonstrated that anthocyanin-rich extracts inhibited angiogenesis in time- and concentration-dependent manner. Molecular modeling analysis proposed that hibiscetin as a component in Hibiscus may bind to the active site of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) with ΔG= −8.42 kcal/mol of binding energy. Our results provided the evidence that anthocyanin is an angiogenic modulator that can be used to treat uncontrolled neovascular-related diseases, including age-related macular degeneration.

Supplementary material for the Evaluation of Seasonal Variation of Heavy Metal Contamination and Health Risk Assessment in Sabore Field Adamawa State, Nigeria

Supplementary material for the Evaluation of Seasonal Variation of Heavy Metal Contamination and Health Risk Assessment in Sabore Field Adamawa State, Nigeria

The current study tested the hypothesis whether common plant extracts could be used as redox molecules in biobattery. Natural quinone molecules were extracted from Lawsonia inermis (henna) via sequential extraction using hexane, ethyl acetate, methanol and 80% methanol in water, followed by purification using column chromatography to examine their potential function as redox molecules in biobattery. A combination of UV–visible spectroscopy and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis confirmed the presence of quinones in the extracted fractions. UV analysis showed maximum absorbance at 295 nm and 450 nm which correspond to 4-t-butyl-1,2-benzoquinone and duroquinone. In addition, GC–MS analysis of the henna extract confirmed the presence of tocopherol (vitamin E) as a potential redox molecule. We determined the impact of the type of electrolyte, electrode, salt bridge and volume of extract on the overall efficiency of biobattery. Among the different cell combinations tested, the optimum battery with a maximum voltage of 0.97 V was achieved using a carbon||quinone cathodic half-cell, copper||sulphuric acid anodic half-cell and a KCl (1.0 M) salt bridge. Our experiments demonstrate that natural redox molecules from common African plants, including L. inermis extracts, can serve as source of electrical energy and alternative materials for the renewable battery.

Recycled water at a facility in Yola, Nigeria was studied for its suitability for irrigation. Biological and physicochemical analyses of the recycled water samples from four different points namely; A (inside pool; chlorinated), B (outlet 1; after chlorination), C (outlet 2; before receiving tank) and D (outlet 3; for irrigation) were carried out for four weeks. The physicochemical analysis include temperature, pH, turbidity, NO3-, total dissolved solids (TDS), Cl-, heavy metals and alkalinity were studied. The pH values obtained varied between 6.9 and 8.1 and were within the acceptable values for irrigation water. The water samples obtained in week 4 had higher turbidity and TDS values as against samples obtained in weeks 1, 2, and 3. High NO3- concentration was found in the water sample taken in weeks 1 and 2 compared to weeks 3 and 4 water samples. Meanwhile, Cl- concentrations were low in the water samples obtained in weeks 1 and 2 relative to concentrations in weeks 3 and 4 water samples. Metals detected from AAS were copper with 4 x 10-5 ppm in all the points (A, B, C and D). The concentrations of iron were 2.72 x 10-3, 5.54 x 10-3, 3.62 x 10-3 and 2.98 x 10-3 ppm in samples A, B, C and D, respectively. Fecal coliforms present were pathogenic coliforms and the Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) analysis showed negative values due to presence of chlorine in the water samples. There are benefits of availability of recycled water for irrigation but care must be taken not to infect users with pathogenic coliforms which are hazardous to health.