Preparation and characterization of chloridazon-loaded alginate/chitosan nanocapsules.

In addition to the detrimental environmental effects of herbicides, including the pollution of soil, atmosphere, groundwater aquifers and run-off water, the lack of caution and direct or indirect exposure to these products can cause short-term and long-term human health effects. However, nanotechnology, with its many applications, can be very helpful in improving agriculture and reducing the side effects of chemicals used in agriculture. Nano-encapsulation of chemicals used in agriculture is one of the strategies to improve precision agriculture. Nano-encapsulated herbicides are controlled membrane systems in which the active ingredient is coated with semi-permeable membranes, which may be organic or inorganic polymers. In our study, chloridazon herbicide was selected as the active ingredient for Nano-encapsulation. Like many other agricultural herbicides, the major problem with this herbicide is environmental pollution and its adverse health effects. The ionic gelation method was used to synthesize nanocapsules consisting of alginate and chitosan for chloridazon encapsulation. Alginate-chitosan nanoparticles were prepared in a two-step process involving the ionotropic pre-gelation of an alginate core and then the formation of a chitosan polyelectrolyte complex. The alginate-chitosan nanocapsules containing chloridazon were synthesized at a size of 253 nm with a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.266 and a zeta potential of -1.43 mV. The loading capacity and entrapment efficiency of these nanocapsules were 14% and 57%, respectively. The study of chloridazon release from formulated alginate-chitosan nanocapsules was performed using dialysis tube testing and UV spectroscopy. The results of our study showed controlled release of chloridazon from loaded alginate-chitosan nanocapsules. In general, alginate-chitosan nanocapsules as a Nano-carrier, have the potential to become a commercial formulation for chloridazon encapsulation. On the other hand, controlled release and increasing the duration of action of chloridazon, along with reducing the required dose, is promising in reducing the adverse health and environmental effects caused by chloridazon and improving precision agriculture.

Removal of acetylsalicylate and methyl-theobromine from aqueous environment using nano-photocatalyst WO3-TiO2 @g-C3N4 composite.

Highly efficient, visible light-driven and a novel ternary hybrid photocatalyst WO3-TiO2-g-C3N4 with robust stabilities and versatile properties has been synthesized through facile hydrothermal method. This study considers the photo-degradation of aspirin (acetylsalicylate) and caffeine (methyl-theobromine) via photocatalysts (WO3, WO3/TiO2, and WO3/TiO2/g-C3N4 (WTCN) composite) under visible-light irradiation. The SEM and TEM images show the formation of WO3 nanoparticles with orthorhombic structure and average particle size of 65 nm. The photocatalyst WTCN composite possesses higher-catalytic activity when compared to that of WO3 and WO3/TiO2 for degradation of aspirin and caffeine. The incorporation of g-C3N4 in WO3/TiO2 composite exhibited significant influence on the photocatalytic performance for both pollutants. Excellent photocatalytic performance of WTCN composite was observed owing to hydroxyl radical (OH) and superoxide radical (O2-) as main active species. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of WTCN composite can be attributed to following three reasons: (1) extended visible-light absorption; (2) extended surface area; (3) efficient charge-separation due to synergistic effects between g- and WO3/TiO2 composite. The removal efficiency of aspirin and caffeine (Methyl theobromine) could be achieved as much as 98% and 97% for acetylsalicylate and methyl-theobromine using WTCN composite material, respectively. This study could provide new insights into the synthesis of novel WO3-based materials for environmental and energy applications.

Testicular and paratesticular non- neoplastic lesions in university of maiduguri teaching hospital: a 10-year retrospective review

Objectives: The present study is undertaken to describe the spectrum of histopathological features and age distribution of non-neoplastic testicular and paratesticular lesions in the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH). Materials and methods: A retrospective descriptive study of 70 testicular and paratesticular nonneoplastic lesions was conducted over a period of 10 years; between January-2005 and December2014 in the Department of Histopathology, UMTH. Histopathological examination was done after routine processing and staining with Haematoxylin and Eosin. Special stain (Ziehl-Neelsen stain) was done to confirm the presence of acid fast bacilli in cases of tuberculous epididymoorchitis. Results: There were of which (24.3%) followed by testicular torsion and infarction (14.3%). The youngest patient was 2 years old and the oldest was 80 years of age. The highest incidence occurred in the age range of 30 ­ 59 years with a total of 25 cases representing 35.7%. The lowest incidence was observed in the elderly (= 60 years) with a total of 21 cases (30%). Conclusion: This study shows that inflammatory disorders are the predominant causes of the testicular and paratesticular non-neoplastic lesions capable of interfering with fertility and mimicking malignancy. There is also the need to emphasise the necessity of proper evaluation and treatment of acute orchitis and microabscess to avoid unnecessary orchidectomy.70 cases of non-neoplastic testicular and paratesticular lesions the majority were inflammatory disorders accounting for 53 cases (75.7%). They included acute orchitis (4.3%), tuberculosis (12.9%), schistosomiasis (8.6%), hydrocoele (24.3%), chronic orchitis (10.0%), epididymal cyst (11.4%) and tumoral calcinosis (4.3%). Other categories of the lesions included congenital abnormalities (10.0%) and traumatic disorder (14.3%). Long-standing hydrocoele was the commonest lesion

Correlation between histopathologic and fine needle aspiration cytology diagnosis of palpable breast lesions: a five-year review.

Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of the breast has been used as an initial investigative procedure of palpable breast lesions. The purpose of this study is to evaluate our experience with Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) and to correlate between histopathologic and FNAC diagnoses of palpable breast lesions. A 5-year retrospective study was performed using records of all patients who had had both FNAC and histopathologic results of breast lumps. This is a retrospective study of 220 diagnosed cases of breast lesion at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), Nigeria between the periods of January 2001 and December 2005. The results of the FNAC were interpreted as inflammatory, benign, suspicious or malignant. A total of 220 patients had both cytopathologic and histopathologic diagnoses and therefore fulfilled the criteria for this study. There were 11 (5%) cases of inflammatory, 140 (63.6%) cases of benign and 69 (31.4%) cases of malignancy. There were two cases that were suspicious of malignancy and for the purpose of this study were considered as malignant. There were five (5) cases of cytologically interpreted errors which were three cases of false negative and two cases of false positive. The diagnostic accuracy was 97.7%, sensitivity was 95.7%: and specificity was 98.7%. The false negative and false positive rates were 2.9% and 1.9% respectively. FNAC of breast lesions is sensitive, specific, and highly accurate as the initial investigation of palpable breast lesions in our tertiary hospital. We therefore implore clinicians to embrace this procedure in the management of patients.

Prostate cancer in Maiduguri.

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer is the sixth most important cancer in the world, and its incidence in blacks has been on the increase. It is a very important cause of morbidity and mortality. In North-eastern Nigeria, reports on prostate cancer have been scarce. The aim of this paper is to highlight the clinico-pathological features and management of prostate cancer in north-eastern Nigeria. STUDY DESIGN: The clinical records and histopathological slides of all prostate cancer patients seen at the UMTH from January 1987 to December 2004 were retrospectively reviewed. The total number of cancers diagnosed during this period was also obtained from the cancer registry. RESULTS: Prostate cancer was seen in 165 patients and accounted for 6.15% of cancers diagnosed in this hospital. Majority of patients (56%) were aged 65 years and below and most presenting symptoms were similar to those of benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). The diagnosis was made in most cases on the basis of DRE, USS, PSA, and confirmed by trucut prostatic biopsy. Since most cases were advanced, the most frequent palliative treatment was subcapsular orchidectomy, which was psychologically satisfying to patients. Follow-up was very poor, only 26% at 3 years. CONCLUSION: Since most patients present late we conclude that prostate cancer should be suspected in men of 50 years and above who present with symptoms of prostatism and should be investigated promptly. Furthermore, aggressive screening of men in this age group would facilitate early diagnosis.