Mistletoe is a hemiparasitic medicinal plant traditionally used for several human and animal ailments. This study evaluated the phytochemical constituents and antibacterial activity of aqueous and methanolic leaf extracts of Nigerian mistletoe parasitic on Stereospermum kunthianum. The leaves were air-dried, powdered, and extracted using 80% methanol or de-ionised distilled water. Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analyses were performed, and antibacterial activity was assessed against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa using the agar diffusion method. Both extracts contained alkaloids, saponins, tannins, flavonoids, and steroids, whereas anthraquinones were absent. The extraction yields of the methanolic and aqueous extracts were 16.12% and 15.62%, respectively. The methanolic extract showed higher measured values for the assessed phytochemicals than the aqueous extract. Antibacterial activity varied with extract concentration and test organism. The highest inhibition zone, 27 mm, was recorded for the methanolic extract at 10,000 µg/ml against Staphylococcus aureus, whereas the smallest inhibition zone, 9 mm, was recorded for the aqueous extract at 1,000 µg/ml against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Overall, the methanolic extract demonstrated greater antibacterial activity than the aqueous extract under the experimental conditions. The findings indicate that the aqueous and methanolic extracts differed in their measured phytochemical composition and antibacterial activity. These results provide a comparative assessment of the two extraction solvents under the study conditions.
Methamphetamine overstimulates brain regions such as the striatum and hippocampus by increasing neurotransmitter activity, thereby causing neurotoxicity, whereas vitamin A may help protect neurons through anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects. This study investigated the neuroprotective effects of an elevated dose of vitamin A on the hippocampus of adult male Wistar rats exposed to toxic doses of methamphetamine (METH). Twenty adult male rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 5): Group A (control) received feed and water only; Group B received METH at 5 mg/kg at 3-hour intervals within 12 hours; Group C received vitamin A only (2.5 mg/kg); and Group D received the combined treatment of METH (5 mg/kg at 3-hour intervals within 12 hours) and vitamin A (2.5 mg/kg) for 28 days. After the final administration, the animals were sedated and sacrificed; their brains were harvested, fixed in 10% neutral formol saline, and processed for histological examination using haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Body-weight analysis revealed weight loss in methamphetamine-intoxicated Wistar rats. Methamphetamine increased MDA levels and reduced GSH and SOD levels, indicating oxidative stress. Hippocampus-dependent cognitive performance assessed using the Morris water maze indicated impaired learning after methamphetamine exposure, whereas vitamin A improved cognition and antioxidant status. Histological analysis revealed better-preserved hippocampal architecture in the vitamin A-treated groups than in the METH-only group. Overall, vitamin A provided partial neuroprotection against METH-induced hippocampal toxicity but did not completely reverse the damage.
Changes in tissue and organ morphology can occur with the use of herbs for prophylactic and chemotherapy purposes and are mainly detected using expensive biochemical markers. This study therefore examined the histomorphological effects of Azadirachta indica leaves extract on the visceral organs of streptozotocin-induced hyperglycaemic Wistar rats using special histological stains. Thirty-five streptozotocin-induced hyperglycaemic male Wistar rats were grouped into five groups (n=7): diabetes not induced–control; diabetic not treated–control; diabetic treated with Metformin–control; and diabetic treated with 250mg/kg and 500mg/kg per body weight. All groups were treated for 42 days. Fasting blood glucose was measured every week. The rats were sacrificed on day 42, and blood collected through cardiac puncture was used for liver and kidney function tests, while the harvested liver, kidney and pancreas were used for oxidative stress and inflammatory tests, histologically processed and stained with special histological stains for microscopic examination. Data were subjected to statistical analysis using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0, and P<0.05 was considered significant. Fasting blood glucose levels significantly decreased every week in Wistar rats treated with 250mg/kg and 500mg/kg (P<0.05). The liver and kidney enzymatic activities, superoxide dismutase, Malondialdehyde, interleukin 6, caspase and tumour necrotic factor in diabetic groups treated with 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg increased tremendously (P<0.05). In untreated diabetic Wistar rats, the kidney, liver and pancreas tissues showed gross inflammation, atrophic glomeruli, degenerated epithelial cells, thickened basement membranes, collagen fibre deposition, glycogen accumulation, fibrosis, weakened reticulin fibres and degenerated islets of Langerhan’s, whereas all these features were absent in Wistar rats treated with 500 mg/kg ethanolic leaves extract of Azdirachta indica. Histological special stains revealed that Azadirachta indica ethanolic leaves extract preserved and repaired the tissue architecture of the liver, kidney and pancreas against diabetes-associated abnormalities in these visceral organs.
The Diego and Wright blood group systems are clinically important because antibodies directed against their antigens may cause haemolytic transfusion reactions (HTRs) and haemolytic disease of the foetus and newborn (HDFN). Despite their relevance in transfusion medicine, limited information is available regarding the prevalence of Diego and Wright blood group alleles in Malta. Molecular genotyping provides a reliable alternative to conventional serological methods, particularly for rare antigens for which suitable antisera may be unavailable or difficult to obtain. This study aimed to establish a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay for the molecular detection of the Diego and Wright blood group alleles in blood donors in Malta and to determine the distribution of these alleles within the donor population. A total of 403 randomly selected blood donor samples were collected between February and July 2024. Genomic DNA was extracted and amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis was performed using NaeI and Hpy188I restriction enzymes to differentiate the DI*A/DI*B and DI*02.03/DI*02.04 alleles, respectively. A subset of samples underwent Sanger sequencing to validate the genotyping results. Donor demographic information relating to parental ancestry was also collected to assess population diversity. The donor cohort was composed predominantly of individuals with Maltese ancestry, although 11.7% of participants reported at least one parent of foreign origin. PCR-RFLP analysis demonstrated the complete absence of the DI*A allele encoding the Dia antigen and the DI*02.03 allele encoding the Wra antigen. All successfully genotyped samples (403) carried the DI*B and DI*02.04 alleles, corresponding to the high-frequency Dib and Wrb antigens, respectively. Sequencing results showed complete concordance with PCR-RFLP findings and confirmed the presence of the DI*B and DI*02.04 alleles in all samples analysed. The study provides the first molecular data describing the distribution of Diego and Wright blood group alleles in blood donors in Malta. The exclusive detection of DI*B and DI*02.04 alleles is consistent with findings reported in other predominantly Caucasian and Middle Eastern populations. PCR-RFLP proved to be a reliable and cost-effective genotyping method and may serve as a useful tool for rare blood group screening and future implementation of molecular transfusion medicine strategies in Malta.
Environmental genotoxins are exogenous chemical agents or complex particulate mixtures capable of damaging DNA, chromosomes or genome-maintenance systems. Their public-health importance extends beyond cancer because persistent or poorly repaired lesions may contribute to reproductive impairment, developmental disturbance, haematological toxicity and other chronic disease pathways. This critical narrative review integrates evidence on major environmental genotoxin classes, exposure routes, molecular mechanisms, human biomonitoring, disease associations and risk-assessment practice. Literature published from 1 January 2000 to 31 May 2026 was examined through accessible scholarly indexes and authoritative sources, with earlier foundational studies retained where necessary. The evidence is strongest when exposure characterisation, mechanistic plausibility, internal-dose biomarkers and prospective health outcomes converge. Such convergence is clearest for aflatoxin B1 and hepatocellular carcinoma, benzene and haematological malignancy, inorganic arsenic and several cancers, inhaled hexavalent chromium and respiratory cancer, and ambient particulate pollution and lung cancer. For many pesticides, drinking-water by-products, metals and emerging particulate contaminants, genotoxic signals are credible but heterogeneous because exposure mixtures, assay protocols, tissue choice, confounding and dose relevance differ markedly. Comet, micronucleus, chromosome-aberration and DNA-adduct assays provide complementary information, yet none independently quantifies disease risk. Mutational signatures and adductomics offer stronger source attribution, but translation from experimental systems to population-level causation remains incomplete. Current single-chemical regulation also underrepresents cumulative exposure, susceptibility, co-exposures and environmental inequity. More defensible risk assessment requires harmonised longitudinal biomonitoring, repeated personal exposure measurement, mechanistically anchored dose-response analysis, transparent mixture methods and explicit separation of hazard identification from exposure-specific risk. Prevention should prioritise source control for well-established hazards while uncertainty is reduced for less mature evidence domains.
Background: Nurse empowerment is a critical factor influencing clinical performance, decision-making, and patient safety in high-acuity critical care settings. However, there is a lack of context-specific, structured empowerment training programs for critical care nurses in Saudi Arabia, highlighting the need for expert-driven educational interventions. Aims: The study aims to develop and validate an empowerment training program for critical care nurses in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, using a modified Delphi process. Study Design: Delphi study employing a three-round modified Delphi technique. Place and Duration of Study: Critical care nursing experts in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Methodology: Ten experts, comprising nurse educators, nursing managers, critical care nurse specialists, and psychologists with at least eight years of experience, participated in the Delphi panel. In Round 1, they rated 20 proposed session topics and contents using a 5-point Likert scale and provided qualitative feedback. Consensus was defined as a percentage agreement score (PAS) of at least 80%, a median of at least 4.00, and an interquartile range (IQR) of 1.00 or less. Emerging topics from panel feedback were incorporated into Rounds 2 and 3. Content validity ratio (CVR) was calculated, with a critical CVR value of 0.62 for the 10-member panel. Results: A participant response rate of 100% was achieved for all three rounds of the Delphi panel. In round 1, all 20 proposed program session content topics met the threshold for consensus, with PASs ranging from 88% to 96% and medians of 4.50 or 5.00. Three additional content topics were derived from the qualitative comments: communication and assertiveness in high-stakes situations, competence in crisis management, and proactive decision-making. Agreement for the revised program content in round 2 increased, with an overall PAS of 93.82% and a mean score of 4.69. In round 3, consensus further increased, with an overall PAS of 98.91%, 17 of the 22 items having a 100% agreement, and all of the items attaining a CVR of 1.00. The final validated program contained 22 content items, comprised 6 sessions, lasted 4 hours, and included quizzes to assess understanding. Conclusion: A legitimate and contextually relevant empowerment training program that addresses a major gap in Saudi Arabia's critical care nursing education was created through the Delphi approach. The program's creative approach to tackling the particular difficulties faced by nurses in hierarchical healthcare settings is demonstrated by its inventive integration of crisis management, assertive communication, and emotional resilience training. The 4-hour modular structure with interactive teaching methods offers practical viability for application within current continuing education frameworks.
Background: Burnout is a major occupational problem among nurses, characterised by emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation, and reduced personal accomplishment, with negative consequences for both healthcare workers and patient care. Aims: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesise evidence on the effectiveness of resilience-training interventions in reducing burnout among nursing staff. Study Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Methodology: A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. Eligible studies included randomised controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies involving registered nurses in clinical settings that reported sufficient data to estimate effect sizes. The risk of bias was assessed using the RoB 2 and JBI tools. Data were pooled using a random-effects meta-analysis. Results: Eight studies (496 nurses) met the inclusion criteria. Resilience training significantly reduced total burnout (mean difference = −6.53, 95% CI: −11.43 to −1.64, P=.008) with substantial heterogeneity (I² = 69.2%). Emotional exhaustion also significantly improved (standardised mean difference = −0.48, 95% CI: −0.73 to −0.24, P=.001) with low heterogeneity (I² = 20.7%). Effects on depersonalisation (SMD = −0.17, 95% CI: −0.63 to 0.30, P=.47) and personal accomplishment (SMD = −0.08, 95% CI: −0.61 to 0.46, P=.77) were not statistically significant, with high heterogeneity (I² = 78.6% and 82.1%, respectively). Egger’s test showed no publication bias (P=.13). Conclusion: Resilience training effectively reduces total burnout and emotional exhaustion among nursing staff but does not significantly improve depersonalisation or personal accomplishment. Healthcare administrators should consider integrating these interventions into workplace wellness initiatives, particularly for nurses in high-acuity settings.
Public health is greatly impacted by peptic ulcer disease, a chronic illness marked by sores in the lower oesophagus, duodenum, or stomach. In ethnomedicine, Chromolaena odorata has long been used to treat ulcers. The study evaluated the anti-ulcer properties of the methanol extract and fractions of C. odorata leaves. The methanol extract and its n-hexane, ethyl-acetate, and n-butanol fractions were subjected to anti-ulcer screening using the in vivo ulcer models in ethanol and indomethacin-induced experimental rats. Important parameters, such as the pH, total acidity, free acidity, and ulcer index, were measured from the rats treated with extract and fractions (200 and 400 mg/kg doses) and standard omeprazole. The extract (4.67 %w/w yield) and its fractions contained different amounts of flavonoids, steroids, terpenoids, saponins, phenol, tannins, alkaloids, and cardiac glycosides. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s t-test, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. The ethyl acetate (400 mg/kg) exhibited a 56.7% gastroprotective effect with an ulcer index of 1.30 ± 0.20, while the crude (400 mg/kg) showed an inhibition rate of 50.0% with an ulcer index of 1.50 ± 0.25, lower than omeprazole (63.3%) in the ethanol-induced model. In the indomethacin-induced ulcer model, the 400 mg/kg extract (400 mg/kg) and ethyl acetate fraction (400 mg/kg) elicited 77.6% and 63.5% ulcer inhibition compared with the omeprazole standard (83.11%). All the fractions significantly decreased stomach acidity by elevating pH. Significant anti-ulcer efficacy is demonstrated by C. odorata, with the most effective portion being ethyl acetate, which could provide anti-ulcer lead compounds. The gastroprotective properties are probably aided by the presence of bioactive substances, including flavonoids and tannins.
Background: Fluoxetine, which is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), is commonly prescribed for the treatment of major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Fluoxetine (FLX), a widely prescribed SSRI, induces testicular toxicity, raising concerns about male fertility. This study evaluated the protective effects of Phoenix dactylifera L. (PDL) methanolic fruit extract against FLX-induced reproductive dysfunction. Aim: The aim of the study is to Dose-Dependent Antioxidant Effects of Phoenix Dactylifera on Fluoxetine-Induced Testicular Oxidative Damage in Rats. Methods: Thirty-six male Wistar rats (200-250 g) were divided into: Control, PDL (200/400 mg/kg), FLX (20 mg/kg), and FLX+PDL groups (n=6/group). Treatments were administered orally for 57 days. We assessed testicular weight, oxidative stress markers (SOD (Superoxide Dismutase), GSH(Glutathione) and MDA(Malondialdehyde)) and histopathology (H&E, Masson's trichrome) after 57 days of treatment. Results: FLX significantly reduced body weight (p<0.05) and testicular weight while increasing MDA (38.19±3.28 vs control 20.10±3.63; p<0.05) and depleting GSH (0.63±0.07 vs 1.14±0.21; p<0.05). Histology revealed seminiferous tubule atrophy, fibrosis and spermatogenic arrest. PDL co-treatment (400 mg/kg) normalized oxidative stress (MDA: 20.28±9.99; GSH: 0.75±0.09) and enhanced SOD activity (12.44±2.59 vs FLX 16.17±3.29). Notably, PDL at 400 mg/kg was more effective than 200 mg/kg in restoring GSH and reducing MDA., showing intact germinal epithelium (higher sperm count) and reduced fibrosis (less collagen). Conclusion: PDL extract effectively ameliorates FLX-induced testicular damage through antioxidant and anti-fibrotic mechanisms, demonstrating potential as an adjunct therapy for SSRI-associated male infertility. These findings support further investigation of PDL for fertility preservation during antidepressant treatment. This study demonstrates that Phoenix dactylifera L. (PDL) methanolic extract effectively mitigates fluoxetine-induced testicular toxicity by attenuating oxidative stress, reducing fibrosis, and preserving spermatogenesis. Future studies should validate these effects in clinical populations and explore the bioactive compounds responsible for PDL’s therapeutic actions.
Background: Left ventricular hypertrophy due to hypertension (LVH) is one of the most important cardiac manifestations of chronic hypertension and is strongly associated with heart failure, atrial fibrillation, stroke, and death. While traditionally thought of as an adaptive response to an increase in afterload, recent advances in the understanding of LVH suggest that this condition is a composite myocardial phenotype resulting from several processes, including fibrosis, impaired microvascular function, activation of the neuro-hormonal axis (e.g., catecholamines, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone systems), metabolic stress, as well as co-morbidity of cardiorenal syndrome. Objectives: The purpose of this literature review is to provide an organized clinical approach to the epidemiology, pathophysiology, phenotyping, diagnostic evaluation/prognosis, and current treatment of hypertensive left ventricular hypertrophy, specifically, left ventricular hypertrophy. Methodology: This review draws on global guidelines for hypertension, cardiac imaging, major longitudinally studied cohorts, randomized control studies for antihypertensive treatments, and select existing reviews/meta-analyses pertaining to hypertensive heart disease/reverse remodeling. Main Findings: Current evidence shows that hypertensive LVH is a continuum that spans all stages, from an early concentric remodeling phase to a diffuse fibrosis phase, and has all of the following end-points: atrial dysfunction, arrhythmias, heart failure, and death. The ECG provides prognostic information but has limited predictive value; echocardiography is the primary method of assessing the patient's geometry and how the patient functions with their condition, while cardiac MRI is useful for providing information when the phenotype is atypical, presents with severe symptoms, or when the diagnosis is not known. The primary focus of treatment (ie, reversing LVH) continues to be controlled blood pressure (BP) combined with weight, kidney dysfunction, and Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Conclusion: LVH should be seen as a target organ damage that can be modified rather than as a static imaging diagnosis. In other words, LVH should lead to precise phenotyping (BP), broader cardiometabolic assessments, and treatments directed not just towards lowering BP, but precluding future progression to heart failure and arrhythmia.
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating central nervous system disorder that disrupts the structural integrity of the spinal cord causing motor, sensory and autonomic dysfunction leading to permanent paralysis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on histological changes following SCI in rats. A total of 25 female Wistar rats were assigned into 5 groups, with 5 rats in each group; Sham, SCI without treatment, SCI with 5 µL PRP, SCI with 10 µL PRP, and SCI with 15 µL PRP. The Sham group underwent laminectomy at the T9-T10 level only. All rats in the SCI groups underwent laminectomy followed by one minute compression of the spinal cord with an aneurysm clip to establish spinal cord injury. Appropriate volumes (5 µL, 10 μL and 15 µL) of activated PRP were injected intrathecally 24 hours post injury through a very tiny longitudinal incision between L4-L5 per rat in the different SCI + PRP groups. The rats were sacrificed on the 28th day and spinal cord tissue harvested, fixed and histologically processed. Sections stained by H&E and Cresyl fast violet techniques revealed normal histological appearance in the sham group, severe changes in the SCI only group, and the SCI + PRP groups showed different degrees of histopathological changes. In conclusion, administration of activated PRP post injury has shown neuroprotective and neuroregenerative effects on histological changes following SCI in Wistar rats in a dose dependant manner.
Background: Hypertension is associated with renal morbidity, and serum urea and creatinine remain commonly used biochemical markers for routine assessment of renal function, particularly in settings where advanced renal investigations may be limited. This study assessed demographic and clinical variations in serum urea and creatinine levels among hypertensive patients attending a tertiary hospital in Enugu, Nigeria. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 hypertensive patients receiving care at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu. Participants with chronic kidney disease, diabetes, cardiovascular conditions other than hypertension, pregnancy, use of smedications known to affect kidney function, or other chronic illnesses that could influence blood urea and creatinine levels were excluded. Sociodemographic and clinical variables, including age, sex, duration of hypertension, and blood pressure control status, were recorded. Venous blood samples were collected, and serum creatinine was determined using the modified Jaffe kinetic method, while serum urea was analysed using the Diacetyl Monoxime method. Data were analysed using GraphPad Prism version 8.0. Continuous variables were summarised as mean ± standard deviation, and group comparisons were performed using Student’s t-test and one-way analysis of variance, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Serum urea and creatinine levels differed significantly across demographic and clinical categories. Mean urea and creatinine increased across age groups from 6.25 ± 1.74 mmol/L and 1.01 ± 0.27 mg/100 ml in participants aged 40 years to 8.77 ± 1.82 mmol/L and 1.33 ± 0.16 mg/100 ml in those aged 51–60 years. Males had higher mean urea and creatinine levels than females. Patients with hypertension for more than 10 years had higher mean values than those with shorter disease duration. Uncontrolled blood pressure was associated with higher urea and creatinine levels than controlled blood pressure. Conclusion: Age, sex, duration of hypertension, and blood pressure control status were associated with variations in serum urea and creatinine among hypertensive patients in this hospital-based study.
Pulmonary Embolism (PE) remains a relevant source of morbidity in women of reproductive age, although it is often unrecognized. Hormonal contraception is a well-established acquired risk factor for PE because of its association with venous thromboembolic events; however, it has varying effects on different patients based on their risk profiles and the forms of hormonal contraception they are receiving. This narrative review summarizes the evidence regarding hormonal contraception and its relationship to PE, with an emphasis on the biological mechanisms involved in this process, the differences in risk associated with different types of hormonal contraceptives, and the clinical implications (as well as various other factors) that the clinician may need to consider when counseling a patient regarding hormonal contraceptives (i.e., potential benefits versus risks). Available data consistently show that estrogen-containing combined hormonal contraceptives increase the risk of venous thromboembolism compared with nonuse, although the absolute risk remains low in otherwise healthy young women. The degree of excess risk appears to vary according to estrogen dose, progestin type, and route of administration. Thrombosis rates are generally lower with the levonorgestrel-containing estrogen-containing contraceptives; however, many non-oral combined contraceptive methods and some third- and fourth-generation hormone contraceptives did not appear to be as favorable based on observational studies. In addition to the effect of hormones on thromboembolic (TE) events, other risk factors such as obesity, smoking, thrombophilia, prior venous thromboembolism and transient provoking factors such as surgery or prolonged immobilization also affect the overall clinical significance of hormone use. By contrast, most progestin-only methods appear to have little or no meaningful effect on venous thromboembolism risk, making them important alternatives for women in whom estrogen is not appropriate. Taken together, current evidence supports an individualized approach to contraceptive choice, based on careful assessment of baseline thrombotic risk, thorough clinical history taking before prescription, and reassessment of contraceptive options after a thromboembolic event.
Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most prevalent form of dementia, is characterized by a progressive decline in memory, thinking, and behavior. Given the absence of a definitive cure for AD, there is an urgent need for accessible therapeutic strategies that can halt or slow its progression. Aim: To investigate the neuroprotective effect of lycopene on the prefrontal cortex in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced rat model of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) by assessing neurobehavioral changes and histoarchitectural alterations. Methodology: Fifty adult male Wistar rats (195-220g) were randomly assigned to five groups (n=10). Group A (Control) received water and non-pellitized feed ad libitum. Group B (LPS) received 15mg/kg LPS intraperitoneally (IP) for 20 days. Group C (Curative) received LPS for 10 days, followed by 15mg/kg lycopene orally for 10 days. Group D (Preventive) received lycopene for 10 days, followed by LPS for 10 days. Group E (Lycopene) received 15mg/kg lycopene orally for 20 days. Neurobehavioral assessments (Y-maze for spatial working memory and Elevated Plus Maze for anxiety/exploration) were conducted. Prefrontal cortex tissues were processed for Haematoxylin and Eosin (H & E) and Bielschowsky’s silver staining for histological evaluation. Results: LPS administration (Group B) caused significant cognitive deficits, evidenced by decreased spontaneous alternation (P < 0.0001) and increased same-arm returns (P < 0.0001) in the Y-maze. In the Elevated Plus Maze, LPS-treated rats showed significantly fewer open arm entries (P < 0.0001) and more closed arm entries (P < 0.0001), indicating heightened anxiety. Histologically, the prefrontal cortex of LPS-treated rats exhibited pyknotic pyramidal neurons and loosely arranged nerve fibers. Lycopene treatment, in both curative and preventive regimens (Groups C and D), significantly ameliorated these behavioral deficits and preserved neuronal architecture. Conclusion: Lycopene demonstrated significant neuroprotective effects against LPS-induced prefrontal cortex damage in a rat model of AD. These benefits are likely mediated through its potent antioxidant properties. This study supports the potential of lycopene as a therapeutic nutritional supplement to combat the progression of Alzheimer's disease.
Background: Women are among the most vulnerable populations affected by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. A Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS report revealed that women accounted for 53% of all people living with HIV globally as of 2024. And one of the structural factors identified to predispose women to HIV risk is intimate partner violence. This scoping review aimed to synthesize evidence on the mechanistic pathways linking intimate partner violence to HIV infection, treatment engagement, and clinical outcomes among women globally. Method: This scoping review followed the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) and was guided by the Arksey and O’Malley framework. The Population, Concept, and Context framework was used to define eligibility. A thorough search in PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar identified articles that were published between January 2015 and March 2026. Studies that examined intimate partner violence and HIV outcomes among women were eligible. Result: There were 1,847 studies that were obtained in the database search. Following the selection process, 29 studies were found eligible and included in the final synthesis. The most assessed forms of intimate partner violence were physical and sexual. Across studies, intimate partner violence was associated with decreased condom negotiation, less autonomy, as well as poor treatment outcomes, including antiretroviral therapy adherence, interruption in treatment, reduced viral suppression, and poor mental health outcomes. Conclusion: Intimate partner violence operates through mechanistic pathways to influence HIV outcomes among women globally. The findings underscore the urgent need for integrated, trauma-informed, and gender-responsive approaches to HIV prevention and treatment. Addressing intimate partner violence is not peripheral to HIV programming, it is key to achieving equitable outcomes for women globally.
Electrocautery remains one of the most ubiquitous and indispensable instruments in the contemporary operating theatre, enabling surgeons to achieve precise tissue dissection and reliable haemostasis across virtually every subspeciality of general surgery. The two principal modalities — monopolar and bipolar electrocautery — operate on fundamentally distinct electrophysical principles and confer different clinical profiles with respect to cutting efficiency, haemostatic capacity, lateral thermal spread, and safety. Despite their widespread adoption, a significant proportion of surgical practitioners retain incomplete knowledge of the underlying biophysical mechanisms and the associated complication profiles of these devices. Simultaneously, the combustion by-products generated during electrocautery — collectively termed surgical smoke — represent an underappreciated occupational health hazard for surgeons, theatre nurses, anaesthetists, and other perioperative personnel. Surgical smoke contains ultrafine particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and viable biological material including bacterial and viral fragments, all of which carry carcinogenic, mutagenic, and infective potential. This narrative review synthesises the current published evidence on the biophysical principles and comparative clinical performance of monopolar and bipolar electrocautery systems in general surgical practice, and critically evaluates the chemical composition, health implications, and mitigation strategies associated with surgical smoke. The review identifies that monopolar devices offer superior cutting versatility but produce greater lateral thermal spread and substantially higher volumes of surgical smoke than bipolar counterparts. Advanced bipolar vessel-sealing platforms provide safer haemostasis in proximity-sensitive anatomical regions. Smoke evacuation using high-efficiency local exhaust ventilation represents the primary recommended protective strategy, yet compliance remains globally suboptimal. Formal training programmes in surgical energy safety are essential but inconsistently implemented. This review underscores the urgent need for standardised institutional protocols, enhanced educational curricula, and updated regulatory frameworks to protect both patients and operating theatre personnel.
Mercury-induced pancreatic dysfunction is primarily driven by oxidative stress, inflammatory signaling, and metabolic dysregulation, underscoring the need for multi-target therapeutic candidates from natural sources. This study evaluated the therapeutic potential of bioactive compounds from Tetracarpidium conophorum (African walnut) using a combined in silico workflow involving molecular docking, pharmacokinetic profiling, and toxicity prediction. A total of seven key protein targets associated with pancreatic function, oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, insulin resistance, lipid metabolism, and glucose regulation were analyzed. The highest binding affinity for the pancreatic function target (PDB: 1V4S) was observed with [2-(2-benzoylphenyl)-4-(1-hydroxycyclohexyl)phenyl]-[4-(1-hydroxycyclohexyl)phenyl]methanone (–8.4 kcal/mol). For the oxidative stress target (PDB: 1DGB), 7-chloro-10-hydroxy-1-(2-pyrrolidin-1-ylethylimino)-3-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-3,4-dihydro-2H-acridin-9-one exhibited the strongest binding affinity (–11.5 kcal/mol), indicating strong potential interaction with redox-regulatory proteins. Across the evaluated targets, several ligands demonstrated comparable or improved binding affinities relative to standard reference compounds, including metformin, sitagliptin, butylated hydroxytoluene, and ascorbic acid, suggesting broad-spectrum inhibitory potential against key pathological pathways. ADME profiling indicated generally favorable gastrointestinal absorption, moderate-to-high plasma protein binding (>90%), and acceptable oral bioavailability for selected compounds, although variability in absorption and distribution parameters was observed across the dataset. Toxicity predictions suggested low risks of mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, and organ-specific toxicity for most lead compounds, supporting a favorable preliminary safety profile. Drug-likeness evaluation further indicated that several compounds complied with Lipinski, Veber, and Egan rules, suggesting acceptable oral drug-like properties. Overall, the results suggest that T. conophorum phytoconstituents may exert multi-target modulatory effects on pathways implicated in mercury-induced pancreatic injury. However, these findings remain computational in nature and require further validation through molecular dynamics simulations and in vivo experimental studies to confirm pharmacological efficacy and safety prior to clinical translation.
Background: Traditional Nigerian soup thickeners Achi (Brachystegia eurycoma) and cocoyam powder (Colocasia esculenta) are widely consumed yet are often produced, processed, and marketed under conditions of limited hygiene control. Consumer complaints of gastrointestinal disturbances following their use and a lack of microbiological safety data on these commodities constitute a significant public health gap. Aims: The present study aimed to isolate, identify, and determine the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of bacterial contaminants in Achi and cocoyam powder sold in selected markets in Enugu metropolis, Nigeria. Methodology: A laboratory-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 samples collected from open markets across the three local government areas of Enugu metropolis. Bacterial isolation was performed using peptone water enrichment followed by culture on nutrient agar, MacConkey agar, and blood agar. Identification of pure isolates used colonial morphology, Gram staining, and standard biochemical tests. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was carried out by the Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method and interpreted according to CLSI breakpoints. Data were analysed using SPSS version 26.0 with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: A total of 242 bacterial isolates representing 14 species were recovered. The overall distribution was statistically non-random (p = 0.008). Bacillus cereus was the most prevalent isolate (26.9%), followed by Staphylococcus aureus (20.7%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (16.5%). Proteus vulgaris distribution differed significantly between the two thickeners (p = 0.042). Widespread antimicrobial resistance was detected, including multidrug-resistant profiles, particularly among Gram-negative isolates. Conclusion: Achi and cocoyam powder sold in Enugu markets are contaminated with diverse pathogenic and multidrug-resistant bacteria, reflecting systemic hygiene deficiencies during processing and vending. Improved hygiene standards, routine microbiological surveillance, and strengthened food safety regulation are urgently required.
Background: Ensuring the quality and stability of pharmaceutical formulations, especially peptide-based drugs like Liraglutide, requires reliable analytical methods. The simultaneous estimation of active drugs and preservatives using Reverse Phase High Performance Liquid Chromatography is essential for effective quality control and stability assessment. Aim: To develop and validate a simple, precise, accurate and stability-indicating reverse phase high-performance liquid chromatography method for simultaneous estimation of Liraglutide and Phenol in injectable dosage form. Study Design: An experimental analytical study aimed at the development and validation of a stability-indicating RP-HPLC method. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in the pharmaceutical analysis laboratory during the period of dissertation research work. Methodology: Simultaneous estimation of Liraglutide and Phenol was achieved via chromatographic separation on a C18 column under optimized mobile phase conditions. Standard and sample solutions were prepared and analyzed using reverse phase high-performance liquid chromatography. The method was validated as per ICH guidelines, including specificity, linearity, accuracy, precision, robustness and sensitivity (LOD/LOQ). Forced degradation studies were performed under acidic, alkaline, oxidative, thermal and photolytic stress conditions to evaluate the stability-indicating nature of the method. Results: Liraglutide and Phenol showed well resolved peaks with retention times of 8.586 min and 3.265 min respectively. The method exhibited linearity in the concentration range of 30–90 µg/mL for Liraglutide and 27.50–82.50 µg/mL for Phenol, with correlation coefficients of 0.993 and 0.996 respectively. System suitability parameters were within acceptable limits, with a percentage relative standard deviation below 2%, theoretical plates above 2000, and a tailing factor below 2%. Moreover, forced degradation studies demonstrated that degradants from the major analytes did not interfere in the analysis Conclusion: This study confirms that the developed method is reliable, precise and efficient. It is suitable for the routine quality control and stability studies of Liraglutide injectable containing Phenol as a preservative.
The escalating global crisis of antimicrobial resistance necessitates innovative therapeutic strategies, with efflux pump inhibitors emerging as a promising avenue to restore the efficacy of existing antibiotics. Multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria pose a significant global health threat, largely due to the pervasive role of multidrug efflux pumps in mediating antibiotic resistance by extruding various antimicrobial compounds. This review aimed to explore the current literature on restoring antimicrobial efficacy against formidable Gram-negative bacteria by the strategic molecular redesign of phenylalanine-arginine-β-naphthylamide and other biocompatible efflux pump inhibitors to circumvent resistance mechanisms. The current published literature findings and evidence on molecular redesign of phenylalanine-arginine-β-naphthylamide and biocompatible efflux pump inhibitors were synthesized from authentic sources. Findings revealed that a distinctive architecture of Gram-negative bacterial envelopes, characterized by an outer membrane, periplasmic space, and inner membrane, presents a formidable barrier to antibiotic entry, with efflux pumps serving as a primary resistance mechanism. Specifically, Resistance-Nodulation-Division efflux pumps, prominent in Gram-negative bacteria, actively transport a broad spectrum of structurally diverse antibiotics out of the cell, contributing significantly to intrinsic and acquired multidrug resistance. This efflux mechanism, a natural process for substrate removal in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, renders many antibiotics ineffective by actively expelling them from the bacterial cytoplasm. Consequently, the development of efflux pump inhibitors has emerged as a crucial strategy to re-sensitize resistant bacteria to existing antibiotics, thereby enhancing therapeutic outcomes against persistent infections.
