INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADVANCED BIOLOGICAL AND BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH (IJABBR)
Year:2024 | Volume:12 | Issue:4|Papers Count:7

Hepatitis B viral infection is one of the major global public health problems which are a hushed killers in the world. This virus infection is transmitted through body fluid with an infected individual. This study focuses on the prevalence of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, specifically examining the presence of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibodies (HBsAb) among individuals in Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria. The research which was conducted in Wukari metropolis, sampled 100 persons of which male were 35 and female were 75 with age range from 15 to 45 years, using standard serological procedures, specifically Combo Rapid test immunochromatographic test strips. This study showed an 18% prevalence of HBsAg and a 15% prevalence of HBsAb, revealing a relatively low overall occurrence of active HBV infections. The results also show Sero- positive of HBsAg was more in male (20%) compared to females (16.9%). In contrast, the HBsAb Sero- positive was more in female (14.7%) than in male (11.4%). In terms of age group 21-25 years has the highest age based HBsAg prevalence of 40%. Also, gender disparities and age-based trends suggest higher susceptibility among certain demographics which is notably among males demonstrating a higher prevalence of HBsAg which is possibly influenced by behavioral factors and healthcare-seeking behaviors. However, females exhibited a higher prevalence of HBsAb, indicating potential immunity from past infection or vaccination. In conclusion, the findings of this study underscore the importance of encouraging individuals to undergo screening and ascertain their hepatitis B virus (HBV) status. This proactive approach is essential for effective management, thereby reducing the risk of developing cirrhosis and liver cancer, as well as preventing transmission to others. Therefore, for individuals who test positive for HBV, early diagnosis, appropriate treatment, and vaccination are crucial preventive measures. It is imperative to emphasize the necessity of enhancing vaccination rates and healthcare assessments in Wukari to mitigate the risks associated with HBV infection effectively.

One of the most significant seeds crops in the world, Sorghum bicolor, is recognized for its vibrant phytochemicals, which may have medicinal uses. The aim of this study is to determine the antioxidant and hypoglycemic properties of Sorghum bicolor seeds. The ethanol and methanol extracts of these plants were subjected to antidiabetic conditioning using methods such as glucose adsorption capacity, muscle glucose uptake, and yeast glucose uptake, while iron-sulphate and sodium nitroprusside-induced lipid peroxidation were used to analyse the antioxidant capabilities. The results demonstrate that Sorghum bicolor's ethanol and methanol extracts adsorbed glucose, with the concentration of glucose adsorption rising as extract concentrations did. The muscle glucose uptake levels and glucose adsorption capabilities differed significantly (p ≤0.05). The yeast cells' ability to absorb glucose was likewise enhanced by the plant extracts, and glucose uptake was measured. In the brain and liver of iron-sulfurate-induced lipid peroxidation, the MDA (malondialdehyde) product was considerably (p ≤0.05) elevated. However, there was no significant change in the MDA product of sodium nitroprusside-induced lipid peroxidation. The ethanol and methanol extracts of Sorghum bicolor were found to have further potential as antioxidant and anti-glycemic agents, respectively, in this study.

Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), known as fall armyworm (FAW), poses a significant economic threat to maize and other agricultural crops in Egypt and worldwide. Research on sub-lethal effects of new compounds on FAW is important for controlling resistance of this pest to many conventional insecticides. Sub-lethal effects of chlorantraniliprole were evaluated through exposure of third-instar larvae to LC10, and LC25 values into an artificial diet. FAW showed high susceptibility to chlorantraniliprole with a low LC50 value (0.25 μg.g-¹ at 72 h). The development time of the larval and pupal stages as well as total pre-oviposition period were significantly prolonged after exposure to chlorantraniliprole at sublethal concentrations (LC10 and LC25), compared to the control treatments. Relative to the control treatment, chlorantraniliprole at sub-lethal concentrations significantly reduced the adult emergence ratio and egg hatching rate while increasing the pre-oviposition period. The net reproductive rate (R0), intrinsic rate of increase (rm), and gross reproduction rate (GRR) at LC10, LC25 concentrations were significantly lower than that of the control. Furthermore, compared to those treated with the control, FAW larvae treated with low concentrations of chlorantraniliprole decreased food utilization and nutrient content (protein, lipid, and carbohydrate). This study provides information to evaluate the rational application of chlorantraniliprole for effective control of this pest.

Green synthesis of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MNPs) is a highly fascinating research area and has gained importance due to its reliable, sustainable, and eco-friendly protocol for synthesizing nanoparticles, along with the easy availability of plant materials and their pharmacological significance. This study introduces an inexpensive, environmentally friendly, and simple method for producing maghemite (γ-Fe2O3) using the extract from the outer layer (papery husk) of physalis angulata fruit, and then apply a silica coating. Afterwards, the surface of produced γ-Fe2O3@SiO2 magnetic nanoparticles (γ-Fe2O3@SiO2 MNPs) is modified with the antiviral drug "cidofovir" (CDV). The aim of this study is to create a dual-purpose treatment that has both antiviral and anticancer effects. The nanoparticles were characterized using various methods including FTIR, VSM, TEM, SEM-EDX, zeta potential measurements, and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) analysis. The results indicated that the average sizes of γ-Fe2O3@SiO2-CDV MNPs were about 20.45 nm. The cytotoxicity effect of γ-Fe2O3 MNPs, CDV, and γ-Fe2O3@SiO2-CDV MNPs was tested toward MCF-7 cell line using MTT assay. The loading of CDV on γ-Fe2O3 MNPs leads to a remarkable enhancement of the anticancer and biological effect of CDV.

Morinda lucida, known as the Brimstone tree in Nigeria, is valued for its medicinal and agricultural uses in West Africa. This study investigates the antifungal properties of methanolic extracts from Morinda lucida against common fungal pathogens. Fresh leaves were collected from Ogbomosho, Oyo state, Nigeria, authenticated, and processed into powder. Methanolic extraction yielded a crude extract, which underwent phytochemical screening, revealing various bioactive compounds. The antifungal activity was evaluated against fungi like Aspergillus flavus and Rhizopus oryzae, showing significant inhibitory effects comparable to Nystatin. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined for each strain, highlighting broad-spectrum efficacy, particularly against Trichoderma harzianum. A pathogenicity test on oranges confirmed the extract's ability to inhibit fungal growth. This study contributes to research on natural antifungal agents, supporting Morinda lucida's traditional use in agriculture and healthcare. The extract shows promise for further development, pending studies on its mechanism, safety, and applications.

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition that poses a major health burden worldwide, including in Africa. The disease is made worse by complications that lower life expectancy, quality of life, and raise death rates. Although conventional treatments have remained the mainstay of managing diabetes, new pharmacological strategies with better potential for results include SGLT2 inhibitors and the incretin-based therapies. This study evaluates the role of these more recent medications in the healthcare landscape of Africa by looking at their effectiveness, financial obstacles, and assimilation into the current health systems. The general efficacy, adverse effects, popularity, and particular clinical trials carried out in Africa or involving African populations were the main topics of the methodical analysis of the literature. Based on this study, these innovative medications have major advantages for glycaemic control and managing secondary complications. Still, they also present major limitations due to their high price and restricted availability. The introduction of these expensive medicines has the potential to increase the already high financial burden of diabetes care in many African countries, restricting access for the vast majority of the population. To customize therapies to African populations' genetic and socioeconomic circumstances, policy options should include negotiating cheaper drug pricing, improving the overall regional healthcare system, and supporting regional clinical research. To improve adherence to these therapies, future strategies should concentrate on broadening the evidence base through local trials and enhancing drug access. This review highlights the critical need for a systematic approach to diabetes care in Africa that compromises innovative treatment options and realistic financial and infrastructure.

Background: Type 1 diabetes mellitus manifests as a chronic autoimmune condition typically diagnosed in early childhood. Probiotics have been demonstrated in studies to stick to mucosal surfaces, block pathogenic bacterial attachment, release substances that improve barrier integrity, and control immune cell function. Concerning the importance of assessing the probable health benefits of probiotics on inflammatory markers, we aimed to review the effect of probiotics on inflammatory markers in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus.Methods: In this narrative review, we conducted a thorough search and retrieval of relevant English publications from databases including Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. We utilized keywords such as "Type 1 diabetes mellitus," "Probiotics," "Inflammatory Markers," "Cytokines," "Interleukins," "C-reactive protein," and "Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha".Results: Lately, there has been a growing interest in employing probiotics to reduce biomarkers linked with inflammation and oxidative stress. The significance of probiotics in inflammation management is reviewed, with evidence indicating that their use may be associated with reduced inflammatory responses.Conclusions: Although previous studies have indicated positive impacts of probiotics on inflammatory markers among those with type 1 diabetes mellitus, a more comprehensive investigation is essential to understand the potential mechanisms and clinical significance of their use.