Assessment of human health risk concerning edible plants contamination with toxic elements around functional and derelict mines.

Edible plants samples were analysed for non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic human health risks. The elements nickel (Ni), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr) and mercury (Hg) analysed using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The recovery, limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) ranged from 75 to 89 %, 0.001-0.003 and 0.003-0.01, respectively. The mean value of Hg (0.34 mg/kg) exceeded the limit of 0.05 mg/kg recommended by World Health Organization (WHO). The estimated daily intake (EDI) of Cd in adults ranged from 7.93 × 10-7 to 1.43 × 10-4 and that of Hg from 0.07 to 1.27 and Cd (0.08 × 10-4) in children. These are below the oral reference doses (RfD). Hazard Quotient (HQ) of Hg in children was 1.92. The elements Hg and As obtained the highest total hazard (THI) index of 2.02 in mango1 and oil palm. Arsenic possessed the highest cancer risk of 4.5 × 10-4 in children and 1.9 × 10-4 in adults. Cancer risk (CR) ranged from low to moderate (10-6-10-4), which is below the limit of 10-3. The total carcinogenic risk (TCR) of the edible plants were above the limit of 10-6. The study identified minimal As and Hg pollution and carcinogenic risks in edible plants.

A novel interpretable machine learning model approach for the prediction of TiO2 photocatalytic degradation of air contaminants.

Air contaminants lead to various environmental and health issues. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) features the benefits of autogenous photocatalytic degradation of air contaminants. To evaluate its performance, laboratory experiments are commonly used to determine the kinetics of the photocatalytic-degradation rate, which is labor intensive, time-consuming, and costly. In this study, Machine Learning (ML) models were developed to predict the photo-degradation rate constants of air-borne organic contaminants with TiO2 nanoparticles and ultraviolet irradiation. The hyperparameters of the ML models were optimized, which included Artificial Neural Network (ANN) with Bayesian optimization, gradient booster regressor (GBR) with Bayesian optimization, Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) with optimization using Hyperopt, and Catboost combined with Adaboost. The organic contaminant was encoded through Molecular fingerprints (MF). Imputation method was applied to deal with the missing data. A generative ML model Vanilla Gan was utilized to create synthetic data to further augment the size of available dataset and the SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) was employed for ML model interpretability. The results indicated that data imputation allowed for the full utilization of the limited dataset, leading to good machine learning prediction performance and preventing common overfitting problems with small-sized data. Additionally, augmenting experimental data with synthetic data significantly improved prediction accuracy and considerably reduced overfitting issues. The results ranked the feature importance and assessed the impacts of different experimental variables on the rate of photo-degradation, which were consistent with physico-chemical laws.

Geochemical modeling and hydrochemical analysis for water quality determination around mine drainage areas.

Water sources in mining areas do not retain their natural quality due to the influence of mine drainage. Water quality test was through hydrochemical analysis, speciation modeling, and saturation indices. Water samples were analyzed for pH, conductivity, nitrate, phosphate, sulfate, chlorite, sodium, magnesium, calcium, turbidity, total hardness, lead, zinc, iron, copper, cadmium, manganese, nickel, and chromium. Mean values of turbidity (0.13 mg/L), lead (0.01 mg/L), and cadmium (6.40 mg/L) exceeded their permissible values for potable water. Multivariate statistical analysis shows geogenic and anthropogenic sources of chemical species. Chemical speciation shows that the cations exist mostly in their soluble and mobile forms as free ions. Water quality index of 35-45.5 shows good water for drinking, irrigation, and industrial uses. The values of 63.8-68.8 and 103-121 reflect suitable water for industrial and irrigation uses. The research is integrated and credible in predicting groundwater pollutants to solve water pollution problems. PRACTITIONER POINTS: The mean value of turbidity, Pb, and Cd exceeded the WHO/NSDWQ standards for potable water. Correlation and principal component analyses show that the chemical species are from both geogenic and anthropogenic sources. Chemical speciation shows that the cations exist in their soluble and mobile forms as free ions except Cr. Saturation indices show that the minerals anhydrite, anglesite, vivianite, langite, larnakite, melanterite, and mirabilite are undersaturated in the water sources. Water quality index shows that the water is more suitable for irrigation than drinking and industrial uses.

Morphology of the spinal nerves from the cervical segments of the spinal cord of the African giant rat (Cricetomys Gambianus).

This study provides detailed description of the gross morphology and distribution of the nerves arising from the cervical segments of the spinal cord of the African Giant Rat (AGR). Two (2) AGRs were used for this study. The rats were euthanized using halothane. The skin and superficial fascia were removed, and dissection of the muscles in the cervical region and thoracic limbs was carried out. The vertebral canal was opened by means of a rongeur. Eight (8) pairs of spinal nerves (C1-C8) arose from the cervical segments of the spinal cord of the AGR by means of dorsal and ventral roots which merged lateral to the spinal cord to form spinal nerves. Each cervical spinal nerve divided into a dorsal and ventral ramus just before exiting the intervertebral foramen. The dorsal rami divided into medial and lateral branches distributed on the medial faces of the semispinalis and splenius muscles, respectively. The ventral rami of C1, C2 and a branch from C3 interconnected to form the cervical plexus from which branches were distributed to the M. cleidomstoideus, M. cleidooccipitalis, M. occipitoscapularis, M. omotransversarius and M. trapezius. The ventral rami of C5, C6, C7, C8 and T1 (first thoracic spinal nerve) interconnected to form the brachial plexus. The cervical spinal nerves gave rise to dorsal rami or primary branches that supplied the skin and muscles of the dorsal part of the neck and the ventral primary branches which interconnected to give rise to the cervical plexus and brachial plexuses of the AGR.

Reflections on setting up a nurse-led paediatric peripherally inserted central catheter service.

The aim of this article is to present the experience of starting a paediatric peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) service and setting up a nurse-led paediatric PICC insertion service. The periods in review are divided into two: the trial phase and the interim service phase. The trial phase took place between October 2014 and December 2016. During this period, a total of 55 lines were inserted. The interim service phase, which is ongoing, pending the ratification of the business case, has resulted in 301 inserted PICC lines. The interim period discussed covers January 2017 to December 2019.

Energy generation from anaerobic co-digestion of food waste, cow dung and piggery dung.

The study investigated bioenergy generation from anaerobic co-digestion of food wastes (FW), cow dung (CD) and piggery dung (PD). The physicochemical parameters of the substrates were determined before and after digestion following standard procedures after mechanical pretreatment. Throughout the study, pH remained slightly alkaline while temperature varied between 26 and 32 °C. The highest cumulative biogas yield of 0.0488 L was recorded from the digestion of FW + CD + PD on the ninth day. After analyses, the highest methane content of 64.6 was obtained from the digestion of FW + PD while the lowest (54.0%) was from the digestion of FW only. Overall, cumulative biogas production for the four digestion regimes followed the order: FW + CD + PD, FW + PD, FW + CD and FW only respectively. Accumulation of VFAs was recorded at a slow rate during the digestions.

Calcaneal pitch and lateral talocalcaneal angle among nigerians / Inclinación calcáneo y ángulo talocalcáneo lateral en nigerianos

Various papers in the fields of Radiology, orthopaedics and radiographic anatomy have employed the use of angles measured on X-rays to make diagnoses, select treatment modalities in the management of foot disorders as well as predicting the outcome of interventions to these disorders. Calcaneal pitch (CP) and lateral talocalcaneal angle (L TCA) are angles that can be drawn on lateral standing radiographs of the foot and are used widely in the diagnosis, prognosis and choice of treatment modalities for various disorders of the foot. Data on these important radiological tools are lacking in Nigeria. Hence, the study is an attempt to bridge this gap. Using a hinge goniometer, the angles were measured from normal lateral standing radiographs of the foot. Mean CP was found to be 15.08 +/- 2.87 (n=63) and the mean L TCA was found to be 38.85°+/-8.20° (n=130). Differences in the means of the angles seen between the sexes were not statistically significant (CP, p=0.70; L TCA, p=0.60). No such significant difference was also observed in mean of the angles with respect to the sides of the body (CP, p=0.58; L TCA, p=0.13) or between ethnic groups (CP, p=0.30; L TCA, p=0.40).

Diversos trabajos en las áreas de la radiología, ortopedia y anatomía radiográfica han empleado los ángulos medidos en las radiografías para hacer diagnósticos, seleccionar las modalidades de tratamiento en el manejo de los trastornos del pie, así como para predecir el resultado de las intervenciones para estos trastornos. La inclinación calcánea (PC) y el ángulo talocalcáneo lateral (L TCA) son los ángulos que se pueden extraer desde las radiografías laterales de los pies y ser utilizados ampliamente en el diagnóstico, pronóstico y elección de modalidades de tratamiento para diversos trastornos del pie. Los datos sobre estos importantes instrumentos radiológicos no existen en Nigeria, y su estudio es un intento de obtener esta información. Usando un goniómetro bisagra, los ángulos se midieron a partir de radiografías normales permanentes lateral del pie. La media de CP se fue 15,08+/-2,87 (n = 63) y la media de TCA L fue 38,85°+/-8,20° (n = 130). Las diferencias en las medias de los ángulos observados entre los sexos no fueron estadísticamente significativas (CP, p = 0,70; L TCA, p = 0,60). No hubo diferencias significativas en la media de los ángulos con respecto al lado (CP, p = 0,58; L TCA, p = 0,13) o entre grupos étnicos (CP, p = 0,30; L TCA, p = 0,40).

Hemotoxicity induced by chronic chlorpyrifos exposure in wistar rats: mitigating effect of vitamin C.

The study evaluated the ameliorative effect of vitamin C on chronic chlorpyrifos-induced hematological alterations in Wistar rats. Twenty adult male rats divided into 4 groups of 5 animals each were exposed to the following regimens: group I (S/oil) was administered soya oil (2 mL/kg b.w.), while group II (VC) was given vitamin C (100 mg/kg b.w.); group III was dosed with CPF (10.6 mg/kg b.w.); group IV was pretreated with vitamin C (100 mg/kg) and then exposed to CPF (10.6 mg/kg b.w.), 30 minutes later. The regimens were administered by oral gavage once daily for a period of 17 weeks. Blood samples collected at the end of the study revealed reduction in the levels of pack cell volume, hemoglobin, red blood cells, leukocytes (attributed to neutropenia, lymphopenia, and monocytopenia), and platelets in the CPF group, which were ameliorated in the vitamin C- pretreated group. The elevated values of malonaldehyde, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio in the CPF group were restored in those pretreated with vitamin C. The study has shown that chronic CPF-induced adversity on hematological parameters of Wistar rats was mitigated by pretreatment with vitamin C.

Ameliorative effect of vitamin C on chronic chlorpyrifos-induced erythrocyte osmotic fragility in Wistar rats.

Chronic exposure to chlorpyrifos (CPF) has been shown to cause increased lipoperoxidative changes in the erythrocyte membranes. The relationship between chronic CPF-induced lipoperoxidative changes and erythrocyte fragility has not been elucidated. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the role of lipoperoxidation on CPF-induced erythrocyte fragility and the ameliorative effect of vitamin C. Twenty animals divided at random into four groups of five animals each served as subject for this study. Rats in group I served as the control group and were given only soya oil at a dose of 2 mL/kg body weight (b.w.). Rats in group II were dosed with vitamin C (100 mg/kg b.w.) and then supplemented with soya oil (2 mL/kg b.w.), while those in group III were administered with CPF only at a dose of 10.6 mg/kg b.w. (~one-eighth of the previously determined median lethal dose [LD(50)]). Rats in group IV were pretreated with 100 mg/kg b.w. of vitamin C, and then dosed with CPF at a dose of 10.6 mg/kg b.w., 30 min later. The different treatment regimens were orally administered daily for a period of 17 weeks. Blood collected from the animals at the end of the test period were analyzed for erythrocyte osmotic fragility and malonaldehyde (MDA) concentration as an index of lipid peroxidation. The study showed that CPF caused significant increase in erythrocyte fragility and MDA concentration, which were ameliorated by pretreatment with vitamin C. In conclusion, the study showed that CPF-evoked erythrocyte fragility due to increased lipoperoxidative changes was ameliorated by pretreatment with vitamin C.

Vitamin E protects Wistar rats from chlorpyrifos-induced increase in erythrocyte osmotic fragility.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of chronic chlorpyrifos (CPF) exposure on erythrocyte osmotic fragility, the role of lipid peroxidation and the ameliorative effect of vitamin E on the erythrocyte fragility. Twenty young adult male Wistar rats divided into four groups of five animals each served as subjects for this study. Groups I (control) and II were exposed to soya oil (2 ml/kg) and vitamin E (75 mg/kg), respectively. Rats in group III were exposed to CPF (10.6 mg/kg 1/8th of the previously determined LD50 of 85 mg/kg over a period of 48 h), while those in group IV were pretreated with vitamin E (75 mg/kg) and then exposed to CPF, 30 min later. The regimens were administered orally by gavage once daily for a period of 17 weeks. Blood samples collected at the end of the test period were analyzed for erythrocyte osmotic fragility, while the washed erythrocytes were used to evaluate malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, as an index of lipid peroxidation. The study showed that repeated CPF exposure caused increased erythrocyte fragility and MDA concentration. Pretreatment with vitamin E ameliorated CPF-induced increase in erythrocyte fragility and lipoperoxidative changes in Wistar rats.