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Spindle cell sarcomatoid carcinoma of the lung is a very rare but highly aggressive tumour. The presentation is usually non-specific and can be confused with bronchogenic carcinoma, even on imaging. Tissue biopsy, with histology and immunohistochemistry, is very helpful in diagnosing and differentiating sarcomatoid cell cancer from bronchogenic carcinoma. Surgical resection is the treatment of choice, and if it is not possible, palliative chemotherapy may be an option. This report is about a rare case of spindle cell sarcomatoid sarcoma of the left lung in a flight attendant who presented with left-sided, dull aching chest pain, associated shortness of breath, and cough that was occasionally productive, haemoptysis and weight loss of one-month duration. The tissue biopsy with histology and immunohistochemistry supported the clinical diagnosis of the tumour. Although rare, spindle cell sarcomas may occur in very few patients. The clinical history, imaging and pathologic findings are essential in preventing misdiagnosis of these patients.

Palm oil industry is currently a world leader in the supply of oils and fats which constitutes one of the major sectors of the highest economic importance in Nigeria. This study investigates the lipolytic activity of microorganisms isolated from palm oil processing cottage industries in Ekiti State. Soil samples were taken from a depth of 10 – 15 cm in six different locations within Ekiti State, Nigeria. Microorganisms were isolated from the effluents and identified using standard microbiological techniques and molecular characterization. The microbial isolates were screened for lipase production using modified mineral salt medium in submerged fermentation. Lipase production by the isolates was assessed by halo zone of clearance on nutrient agar plates after incubation at 37oC for 24 hours. The strains of molecularly identified bacteria werePseudomonas aeruginosaAE016853.1;P. syringaeCP019871.1 andP. putidaJQ782512.1. From this study, the microorganisms(P. aeruginosa, P. syringaeandP. putida) isolated from the selected palm oil processing sites display high potential of lipase production. The lipase produced from thePseudomonas aeruginosaexhibited high lypolytic activities. The POMEs could serve as source of bacteria for the production of lipases of commercial uses.

Malaria is one of the most severe public health problems and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality where children and pregnant women are the most affected groups. This may be as a result of resistant of malaria parasites which are mostly traceable to drug adulteration. In this study,Plasmodium bergheiNK65, a rodent malaria parasite was used as a model organism to simulate human malaria parasite. The efficacy of five brands of arthemeter combination therapies (ACTs) purchased from pharmacy stores in Ekiti state were evaluated. The drugs were coded Art-Ar, Art-Ph, Art-Ki, Art- Na, and Art-Gy respectively. Twenty-one mice were constituted into seven different groups of three mice. Each mouse was inoculated inter-peritoneally withPlasmodium bergheiNK65 and left for 7days for the parasite to manifest. The prepared drug solution was administered on five of the seven groups orally for 10 days, while the remaining groups were used as the positive and the negative control groups. One of the control groups was given chloroquine (positive) and the other normal saline (negative). The antimalarial efficacy of the drugs (ACTs) was determined by examining their influence on the increase or decrease in the number of parasites (parasitemia level). Giemsa stained thin blood smears from the tails were used to assess parasitemia level and the parasites clearance rate. Results show that the average parasite clearance rates were 14.1, 40.6, 25.3, 44.9 and 27.9 for Arthemeter coded as Art-Ar, Art-Ph, Art-Ki, Art- Na and Art-Gy respectively. All the brands significantly cleared all the parasites within 7-9days of the treatment, which shows that adulterated Arthemeter is not presently in the community studied. Therefore, arthemeter combination therapy is recommended as a drug of choice for the treatment of malaria fever in Ekiti State.

The ability of microorganisms to utilize used oil in contaminated soil from some selected major mechanic workshops in Ado Ekiti metropolis as a sole source of carbon and energy was studied. Soil samples collected from the two major mechanic workshops at Adebayo, and Irona Quarters in Ado-Ekiti were analyzed for the microbiological and physicochemical qualities using the basic microbiological methods. The physicochemical properties of the soil samples shows that the value of pH range from 5.45 to pH 5.58, percentage of carbon range from 3.98 % to 4.20%, nitrogen content varies from 2.20 to 2.40. The total heterotrophic bacterial counts from the mechanic workshops ranges from 7.52 x 106 to 8.25 x 106cfu/g while the total heterotrophic fungal counts ranges from 5.54 x 106 to 6.25 x 106 cfu/g. The bacterial recovered from the oil contaminated soils includeStaphylococcusspp.,Pseudomonas aeruginosa,Bacillusspp.,E. coliandAcinobacterspp. The frequency of occurrence of the microbial isolates revealed thatBacillus cereus5 (31.25%) occurred most, followed byPseudomonas aeruginosa(18.75%),Acinetobacterspp. (18.75%) andE. coli(18.75%) whileCitrobacter freundii(12.50%) had the lowest frequency of occurrence. The results of this study have showed that some of the isolated organism can be used for bioremediation of the contaminated soil.

The inverted flag configuration is inspired by biological structures (e.g. leaves on a tree branch), showing rich dynamics associated with instabilities at lower flow speeds than the regular flag configuration. In the biological counterpart, the arrangement of leaves and twigs on foliage creates a complex interacting environment that promotes certain dynamic fluttering modes. While enabling a large amplitude response for reduced flow speeds is advantageous in emerging fields such as energy harvesting, still, little is known about the consequence of such interactions. In this work, we numerically study the canonical bio-inspired problem of the flow-structural interaction of a 2D inverted flag behind a cylindrical bluff body, mimicking a leaf behind a tree branch, to investigate its distinct fluttering regimes. The separation distance between the cylinder and flag is gradually modified to determine the effective distance beyond which small-amplitude or large-amplitude flapping occurs for different flow velocities. It is shown that the flag exhibits a periodic large amplitude−low frequency response mode when the cylinder is placed at a sufficiently large distance in front of the flag. At smaller distances, when the flag is within the immediate wake of the cylinder, the flag undergoes a high frequency−small amplitude response. Finally, the flag’s piezoelectric power harvesting capability is investigated numerically and experimentally for varying geometrical and electrical parameters associated with these two conditions. Two separate optimal response modes with the highest energy output have also been identified.

The bistable fluttering response of heavy inverted flags with different aspect ratios ( $AR$ ) is investigated to determine how the vortical structures affect the intermittent vibration response of the flag. A heavy inverted flag in a uniform flow may exhibit several response modes; amongst them are three major modes that occur over an extended velocity range: stationary, large-scale periodic oscillation and one-sided deflected modes. Significant hysteretic bistability is observed at the transition between these modes for all $AR$ , which is notably different from the conventional flag vibration with a fixed leading edge and free trailing edge where no hysteresis is observed at the lower $AR$ limit ( $AR ). The difference is associated with the distinct roles of vortices around the flag. Experiments with flags made of spring steel are conducted in a wind tunnel, where the flow speed is steadily increased and later decreased to obtain different oscillatory modes of the heavy inverted flags. The experimental results are used to validate the numerical model of the same problem. It is found that different critical velocities exist for increasing and decreasing flow velocities, and there is a sustained hysteresis for all $AR$ controlled by the initiation threshold and growth of the leading-edge and side-edge vortices. The effect of the vortices in the bistable oscillation regime is quantified by formulating a modal force partitioning approach. It is shown that $AR$ can significantly alter the static and dynamic vortex interaction with the flexible plate, thereby changing the flag's hysteresis behaviour and bistable response.

This study examined the probable effects of graded doses of Cannabis sativa (C. sativa) extract on the gene expressions of monoamine oxidase B and serotonin receptor 2C (HTR2C) in an attempt to correlate the duration of use with neurodegeneration tendencies in chronic marijuana users. Male Wistar rats weighing between 90 g ± 100 g were treated with graded doses of petroleum ether extract of C. sativa (12.5, 25 and 50 mg/kg body weight) orally. The exposure was monitored at 4, 8, and 12 weeks for each of the doses employed, after which the brain was removed. The gene expressions were determined by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Cannabis considerably (p < 0.05) reduced the relative expression of MAOB at 4 weeks. At 8 weeks, cannabis upregulated the relative expression of the MAOB gene by 60%. Following 12 weeks of exposure to the 50mg/kg body weight dose of C. sativa, 80% increase in the expression of MAOB was observed compared to the control group. C. sativa (50 mg/kg body weight) extract at 8 weeks resulted in about 47.7% decrease in the expression of the gene, however, prolonged exposure (12 weeks) to the extract significantly (p < 0.05) increased the relative expression of HTR2C. Cannabis-induced dysregulation of the MAOB genes may be one mechanism linking chronic use of cannabis to cognitive decline and improved likelihood of developing neurological diseases. Alterations observed in HTR2C gene expression as a result of exposure to high doses of C. sativa extract may partly account for the depression and aggressive tendencies observed in chronic users.

BackgroundPulmonary rehabilitation is a program commonly structured for the rehabilitation of chronic lung diseases like COPD, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema. It aims to increase the patients’ quality of life by decreasing the symptoms frequently experienced from respiratory diseases.MethodsForty-two (42) patients aged 40 and above with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorders will be assessed for eligibility for the study. The study design will be a double-blinded, randomized control trial with three intervention groups and three parallel placebo control groups.ACBT, Autogenic drainage, and Reciprocal pulley exercise will be administered as an intervention in various body positions for 5 minutes, respectively. Ten continuous outcome variables at a different point with a minimum repeated measurement of six per subject will be utilized as an outcome measure. Baseline Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) will be assessed on entry into the study and after every procedure. MRC breathlessness scale, six minutes’ walk (6MWT) test, and CAT assessment test will be assessed at every two (2) weeks of the study. Data will be analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics of repeated ANOVA; PDiscussionThe study outcome will determine pulmonary rehabilitation’s efficacy in various body positions on selected pulmonary parameters of COPD patients and identify the most productive approach among upper limb exercises, autogenic drainage, or ACBT in different fundamental body positionTrial Registrationwww.pactr.org: PACTR202005890624077

Wind-induced stress is the primary mechanical cause of tree failures. Among different factors, the branching mechanism plays a central role in the stress distribution and stability of trees in windstorms. A recent study showed that Leonardo da Vinci’s original observation, stating that the total cross section of branches conserved across branching nodes is the optimal configuration for resisting wind-induced damage in rigid trees, is correct. However, the breaking risk and the optimal branching pattern of trees are also a function of their reconfiguration capabilities and the processes they employ to mitigate high wind-induced stress hotspots. In this study, using a numerical model of rigid and flexible branched trees, we explore the role of flexibility and branching patterns of trees in their reconfiguration and stress mitigation capabilities. We identify the robust optimal branching mechanism for an extensive range of tree flexibility. Our results show that the probability of a tree breaking at each branching level from the stem to terminal foliage strongly depends on the cross section changes in the branching nodes, the overall tree geometry, and the level of tree flexibility. Three response categories have been identified: the stress concentration in the main trunk, the uniform stress level through the tree’s height, and substantial stress localization in the terminal branches. The reconfigurability of the tree determines the dominant response mode. The results suggest a very similar optimal branching law for both flexible and rigid trees wherein uniform stress distribution occurs throughout the tree’s height. An exception is the very flexible branched plants in which the optimal branching pattern deviates from this prediction and is strongly affected by the reconfigurability of the tree.

Protein hydrolysates usually possess higher nutritive value than an equivalent mixture of free amino acids. This study was aimed at determining the antioxidant activities of protein hydrolysates of

The transformation of wind energy into low-power electricity using piezoelectric materials enables the possibility of powering wireless electronic components especially in high wind areas. This work thoroughly explores the effect of aspect ratio (length/width) on the performance of inverted flag-based piezoelectric energy harvesters. Wind tunnel experiments are conducted for a range of electrical loads to quantify the optimal power output. Conclusions are drawn regarding the overall dynamics of the multiphysics system for the design and optimization of this new class of scalable wind energy harvesters.

Cooking with dirty-burning fuels is associated with health risk from household air pollution. We assessed the prevalence of and factors associated with the use of cooking fuels, and attitudes and barriers towards use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). This was a cross-sectional, population-based survey conducted in 519 households in Lagos, Nigeria. We used a structured questionnaire to obtain information regarding choice of household cooking fuel and the attitudes towards the use of LPG. Kerosene was the most frequently used cooking fuel (n = 475, 91.5%; primary use n = 364, 70.1%) followed by charcoal (n = 159, 30.6%; primary use n = 88, 17%) and LPG (n = 86, 16.6%; primary use n = 63, 12.1%). Higher level of education, higher income and younger age were associated with LPG vs. kerosene use. Fuel expenditure on LPG was significantly lower than for kerosene ( N (Naira) 2169.0 ± 1507.0 vs. N 2581.6 ± 1407.5). Over 90% of non-LPG users were willing to switch to LPG but cited safety issues and high cost as potential barriers to switching. Our findings suggest that misinformation and beliefs regarding benefits, safety and cost of LPG are important barriers to LPG use. An educational intervention program could be a cost-effective approach to improve LPG adoption and should be formally addressed through a well-designed community-based intervention study.