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Abstract Natural plant parts such as seeds of Azadirachta indica (neem seeds) and peels of Citrus sinensis (sweet orange) have been used as house-hold remedies against various ailments and bio-pesticides for agricultural purpose due to their repellent, growth regulatory and anti-feedant properties against insects. Despite their beneficial role, these natural insecticides could also have toxic effects on some vital organs of human. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the sub-acute toxicity of smoke of the Seeds of Azadirachta indica and Peels of Citrus sinensis on the liver, kidney, lungs and heart of swiss albino rats. In this study, three groups of white swiss albino rats were exposed to the smoke of A indica seeds, peels of C sinensis and their combination at different duration of one hour and two hours respectively. The Control group were not exposed to any of the natural insecticides and were fed normal diet and water. After four weeks of the treatment, the animals were all sacrificed and their liver, kidneys, lung and heart were evaluated using standard biochemical and histopathological techniques. The levels of serum biochemical indices for liver (aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin and protein), kidneys (urea, creatinine and electrolytes), and heart (creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase) were found to be significantly higher at (p<0.05) for all the groups treated with the two natural insecticides when compared to control group. Histopathological changes including fibrosis, hemorrhages, vascular congestion and necrosis were observed in the liver, kidneys and lungs tissues of the rats exposed to the smoke of the seeds of A indica. However, no histopathological changes were observed in all organs of rats exposed to the smoke of the peels of C sinensis compared to control group. Moreover, the severity of the effects of smoke of these natural insecticides on both biochemical and histopathological indices increases with increase in duration of exposure. The results of this study revealed that seeds of A indica have significant toxic effects on both the tissue and biochemical markers of all the major organs of the Swiss albino rats, while peels of C sinensis shows effect on only the biochemical indices at the specific duration of time studied.

Improper treatment during recycling of e-waste materials by means of open burning is on the rise which has led to an increase in air pollution. This study looked at heavy metal concentrations, concentrations in relation to threshold values, and assessments of risk for noncarcinogenic and cancer risk threat. The Microwave Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometry (MP-AES 4210) series instrument of Agilent Technology, United States of America (USA), was used in analyzing heavy metal (Cd, Cu, and Pb) concentrations. The result of the analysis of the Kuka Bulukiya treatment point revealed that Pb has the highest mean concentration of 0.0693 ppm, Cu 0.0525 parts per million (PPM), and Cd 0.0042 ppm. The mean concentration at PRP Gidan Ruwa for Cd was found to be 0.0059 ppm, Cu 0.0363 ppm, and Pb 0.049 ppm. The result of the adult and children population calculated shows that the hazard quotient (HQ) and hazard index (HI) values are not up to 1 in all the pathways (inhalation, ingestion, and dermal) at both treatment points (1.2 ˟ 10 −4 and 9.8 ˟ 10 −5 ) and (6.4 ˟ 10 −4 and 5.9 ˟ 10 −4 ), respectively. The cancer risk for Kuka Bulukiya 6 ˟ 10 −10 and PRP G/Ruwa 5 ˟ 10 −10 for adults and 7 ˟ 10 −10 and 4 ˟ 10 −10 for children were both lower than the threshold set for cancer risk by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). This meant that both adults and children were not at risk of cancer and noncarcinogenic threat based on the assessment in this study. The study concluded that informal e-waste burning has substantially helped in the relatively high levels of air pollution identified in the treatment points and in turn posed environmental and public health concerns to people around the area. This study recommends that samples of the vegetable products at the PRP G/Ruwa treatment point should be investigated immediately and adequate restrictions and regulations should be enacted and enforced in order to safeguard the environment and the populace. There is need for caution from the authorities to avert the possible implications (e-waste extractors and the public) of being affected with noncarcinogenic or carcinogenic ailments over time.

Many researchers have differed on the optimum values of Daylighting and Passive Indoor Thermal Comfort (DPITC) determinants in tropical climates. The study is aimed at developing a framework for optimising DPITC in singled-banked office buildings, during the activity period (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.), in the temperate dry climate of Nigeria. It was achieved by evaluating the effects of orientation, window-to-wall ratio (WWR), R-values of external wall insulation material, and shading devices on DPITC. A quantitative research design using an explorative design approach was employed in the study as well as an experimental research strategy through simulation method to optimise DPITC. The study used the Federal Secretariat building of Nigeria as a prototype of a single-banked office building. The Google SketchUp Pro 2022 and OpenStudio 3.3.0 simulation tools were used to evaluate the prototype building from January to December 2023. The data generated was analysed using relevant statistical tools (MANOVA, ANOVA, column charts, graphs, and tables). The findings revealed that the best WWR for daylighting and passive indoor thermal comfort are 20% and 15% respectively, while the compromise value was 20%. It was also noted that the R-value of the external wall insulation material does not affect the daylighting of an office building but affects the passive indoor thermal comfort, where the optimum R-value was of 3.26 m2·K/W. The mathematical model was developed as = 224.58 − 1254.84 + 102.87 − 4.11 … … .1 where A is orientation, WWR window-to-wall ratio, PF projection factor, and R is the R-value of the external wall materials.

ABSTRACT Streptococcus iniae infection of cultured fish species is in an alarming trend, due to the possible emergence of antibiotic resistant strains. The bacteria was responsible for the disease outbreak that caused massive mortality of Chinese sturgeon(Acipenser sinensis) in 2016. We isolated the pathogenic bacteria(HNM-1) from the infected A. sinensis and identified its identity by conventional physiological, biochemical, and molecular techniques. Virulence and pathogenesis of the disease were determined by intraperitoneal injection of the etiological agent to the healthy A. sinensis. Physiological and 16s rRNA molecular analysis identified Streptococcus iniae as the causative agent of the disease outbreak. The bacteria has a unique biochemical profile compared with most of the previously isolated strains. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests revealed that S. iniae HNM-1 is resistant to most of the important antibiotics, including Kanamycin, Amoxicillin, gentamycin, Penicillin G and spectinomycin. The bacteria is pathogenic to Chinese sturgeon via intraperitoneal injection. It instigated pathological changes in vital organs that lead to mortality of the infected A. sinensis with a cumulative mortality of 40% to 100%. S.iniae HNM-1 ability to evade the innate immune system was determined by whole blood killing, exposure to hydrogen peroxide, and biofilm assays. This study represents the first Report of S. iniae infection of Chinese sturgeon(Acipenser sinensis).

The principal objective of this paper was to assess the physical properties and weight or structural implications of some potential green roof growth media compositions practicable for use in the Nigerian built environment. The study carried out an essential selection of material constituents of growth media blends mixed in a 3:1:1 ratio of natural stone-based gravels, soil and compost respectively. Six substrate blends based on later-ite stones, ory and empirical field evaluation methods. The results revealed that the granite-based blend is the heaviest sample with 1,713.30 kg/m in its saturated state, while the lightest in weight is the pumice blend with 869.30 kg/m which is 50.7% less than the granite blend. The heaviest and the lightest outlined models were subsequently subjected to a weight analysis on a proposed reinforced concrete flat-roofed structure. The results showed that all the extensive green roof samples fall within the IBC stipulated range. The heaviest granite substrate obtained a design load of 0.951 kN/m , while the lightest pumice blend recorded a design load of 0.576 kN/m . Hence, it stands to offer an optimum alternative in green roof retrofitting projects for existing flat-roofed buildings. The study, therefore, submits that all samples evaluated involve readily available materials in the studied area and can be used with respect to their characteristic properties as presented in this study. It also serves as a reference point for all stakeholders in the research and building construction industry in Nigeria and beyond.

This Briefing analyses the large volume and value of smuggled Chinese textile products through the Sahara into the Kano market from 2000 to 2015. The evidence indicates that China’s involvement has displaced local manufacturers in the historic textile city of Kano.

Background Aeromonas hydrophila is an opportunistic pathogen of poikilothermic and homoeothermic animals, including humans. In the present study, we described the role of Alanine racemase ( alr -2) in the virulence of A. hydrophila using an alr -2 knockout mutant ( A.H.Δalr ). Results In mouse and common carp models, the survival of animals challenged with A.H.Δalr was significantly increased compared with the wild-type (WT), and the mutant was also impaired in its ability to replicate in the organs and blood of infected mice and fish. The A.H.Δalr significantly increased phagocytosis by macrophages of the mice and fish. These attenuation effects of alr -2 could be complemented by the addition of D-alanine to the A.H.Δalr strain. The histopathology results indicated that the extent of tissue injury in the WT-infected animals was more severe than in the A.H.Δalr -infected groups. The expression of 9 virulence genes was significantly down-regulated, and 3 outer membrane genes were significantly up-regulated in A.H.Δalr. Conclusions Our data suggest that alr -2 is essential for the virulence of A. hydrophila. Our findings suggested alanine racemase could be applied in the development of new antibiotics against A. hydrophila .

Despite advances in ACTs, drug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum strains necessitates new therapeutics. While neem’s broad-spectrum bioactivity is well-known, our recent identification of host-plant synergies prompted this focused investigation into neem’s plasmepsin II inhibitors. This study explores Azadirachta indica (neem) phytochemicals as plasmepsin II (Plm-II) inhibitors—a key enzyme in the parasite’s hemoglobin degradation. Using molecular docking (PDB: 1LF3), pharmacophore modeling, induced fit docking (FID), and 100-ns molecular dynamic simulations (MDS), 320 neem compounds were screened, identifying five top candidates: Cerebroside C (highest affinity: -10.665 Kcal/mol, IFD: -14.785 Kcal/mol), Apigenin-7-O-β-D-glucoside, L-Epicatechin, (-)-Epigallocatechin, and Met-pent-carboxylate, all outperforming the standard ligand (-9.573 Kcal/mol). ADMET prediction revealed that while Cerebroside C exhibited the strongest Plm-II interactions (Tyr77/Asp214), it violated Lipinski’s rule and was a P-glycoprotein substrate, limiting bioavailability. In contrast, Apigenin-7-O-β-D-glucoside demonstrated optimal drug-likeness, solubility (-2.69 LogS), and no Pgp efflux. MD simulations further confirmed Apigenin-7-O-β-D-glucoside’s stability, with the Plm-II complex showing low RMSD (≤ 2.6 Å), RMSF (≤ 1.0 Å), 91% hydrogen bond occupancy, and sustained target interactions (Try77/Aps214) via hydrophobic contacts and hydrogen bonds, while radius of gyration (4.5 Å) and SASA analyses affirmed structural integrity. Cerebroside C demonstrates significant plasmepsin II inhibitory potential, while MD simulations establish Apigenin-7-O-β-D-glucoside as a stable Plm-II inhibitor with targeted interactions under dynamic conditions. Notably, the improved drug-likeness and absence of Pgp-mediated efflux of Apigenin-7-O-β-D-glucoside makes it a better pharmaceutically acceptable candidate over Cerebroside C regardless of the latter’s improved binding affinity. Graphical abstract

is a pathogenic and zoonotic bacteria that impacted high mortality to many fish species as well as capable of causing serious disease to humans. Alanine racemase (Alr, EC 5.1.1.1) is a pyridoxal-5’-phosphate (PLP)-containing homodimeric enzyme that catalyzes the racemization of L-alanine and D-alanine. In this study, we purified alanine racemase from that was isolated from an infected Chinese sturgeon ( ), as well as determined its biochemical characteristics and inhibitors. The gene has an open reading frame (ORF) of 1107 bp, encoding a protein of 369 amino acids, which has a molecular mass of 40 kDa. The enzyme has optimal activity at a temperature of 35°C and a pH of 9.5. It belongs to the PLP-dependent enzymes family and is highly specific to L-alanine. Alr (SiAlr) could be inhibited by some metal ions, hydroxylamine and dithiothreitol (DTT). The kinetic parameters and of the enzyme were 33.11 mM, 2426 units/mg for L-alanine, and 14.36 mM, 963.6 units/mg for D-alanine. Finally, the 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC ) values and antibiotic activity of two alanine racemase inhibitors (homogentisic acid and hydroquinone), were determined and found to be effective against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria employed in this study.

Indeed, China’s ascent is significantly changing the landscape in aid-donor and aid-recipient relationship for African countries, despite the changes, empirical studies on the determinant and motive is lacking. Therefore, this paper examines the determinants of China’s financial aid to oil/ minerals exporting African countries. By using China’s loan data obtained from the China Africa Research Initiative, Johns Hopkins University and UN-COMTRADE product data classified into oil/ minerals, agriculture and manufacturing, this study employs fixed effects, generalised least squares and Pesaran dynamic fixed effects to analyse the motives. The results indicate that oil/minerals are not the motives behind China’s aid to Africa. However, China’s aid is driven by its manufacturing exports, suggesting that aid may be tied to trade. Also, the institutional structure enhances more financial aid to Africa. The findings of this study serve as recommendations for policymakers to improve trade policies that will enhance the sustainability of Africa’s engagement with China.