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Despite the use of Terminalia catappa (TC) leaf by traditional fish farmers around the world to improve the health status of cultured fish, there is a paucity of information on comprehensive metabolite profile and the maximum safe dose of the plant. This study aims at profiling the methanol leaf extract of T. catappa, quantifying total phenolic content (TPC) as well as the total flavonoid content (TFC) and evaluating its acute toxicity on blood, plasma biochemical parameters and histopathology of some vital organs in red hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis sp.). The experimental fish were acclimatised for 2 weeks and divided into six groups. Group (1) served as a control group and was administered 0.2 ml,g-1 of phosphate buffer saline (PBS). Groups 2-6 were orally administered T. catappa leaf extracts (0.2 ml.50 g-1 ) in the following sequence; 31.25, 62.5, 125, 250 and 500 mg.kg-1 body weight. The metabolites identified in T. catappa using liquid chromatography-tandem mass electrospray ionisation spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) revealed the presence of organic acids, hydrolysable tannins, phenolic acids and flavonoids. Phenolic quantification revealed reasonable quantity of phenolic compounds (217.48 µg GAEmg-1 for TPC and 91.90 µg. QCEmg-1 for TFC). Furthermore, there was no significant difference in all the tested doses in terms of blood parameters and plasma biochemical analysis except for the packed cell volume (PCV) at 500 mg.kg-1 when compared to the control. Significant histopathological changes were observed in groups administered with the extract at 125, 250 and 500 mg.kg-1 doses. To a very large extent it is therefore safe to administer the extract at 31.25 and 62.5 mg.kg-1 in tilapia.

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This study was designed to explore and record various medicinal plants integrated into the traditional system of medicine for the treatment of cancer. The traditional system of medicine is a routine practiced among the indigenous ethnic groups of Sokoto state. A semi-structured questionnaire was designed and used for data collection around the selected Local Government Areas. A substantial number of plant species were identified, recorded, and collected for preservation. Data collected for each specie was analysed to assess its frequent use among the medicinal plants. A total of 67 species belonging to 31 families have been identified and recorded. Out of the 473 frequency of citation (FC), Acacia nilotica was the most frequently cited specie (32 FC, 64% FC, 0.6 RFC), followed by Guiera senegalensis (27 FC, 54% FC, 0.5 RFC), Erythrina sigmoidea (17 FC, 34% FC, 0.3 RFC), and subsequently Combretum camporum (15 FC, 30% FC, 0.3 RFC). The most common parts of the plants used include the barks (55.2%), the roots (53.2%), and the leaves (41.8%). Additionally, decoction (74.6%), powdered form (49.3%), and maceration (46.3%) are the most frequently used mode of preparation. The historical knowledge of a traditional system of medicine practiced by the native traditional healers of Sokoto for the treatment of cancer has been documented. The present study further provides a baseline for future pharmacological investigations into the beneficial effects of such medicinal plants for the treatment of cancer.

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This study sought to establish the effectiveness of water washing pre-treatment on the quality of municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) fly ash (FA) for reuse and solidification or stabilization (S/S). Initial analysis of the FA sample shows that it did not meet the USEPA-1311 toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) regulatory limits of 2011. As a result, a two-stage water washing process was carried out an attempt to improve the quality of the MSWI FA. After the washing pre-treatment, the heavy metals in the FA sample met the regulatory limits, thereby making it non-toxic for reuse or safe disposal. The leachate from the washing process also passed regulatory standards of China (GB 8978 - 1996) and the 2011 USEPA-1311. The washing process successfully removed more than 98% of each heavy metal under study. The process was excellent at removing cadmium (99.99%) and very good at removing the rest of the heavy metals. The 28-day compressive strength increased as the quantity of FA decreased. Also, all the heavy metals in the samples prepared with the pre-treated FA met the USEPA-1311 TCLP regulatory limit for reuse and safe disposal. The heavy metals leachability and compressive strength tests showed that the effect of cement-based S/S was largely influenced by its quantity in the samples. The highest compressive strength was attained by using 55% of the FA as replacement for cement. However, FA replacements of up 70% also yielded good results that met the 1989 USEPA standard of 0.34 MPa (50 psi).

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In the year 2000, the World Health Organization launched the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which were to be achieved in 2015. Though most of the goals were not achieved, a follow-up post 2015 development agenda, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) was launched in 2015, which are to be achieved by 2030. Maternal mortality reduction is a focal goal in both the MDGs and SDGs. Achieving the maternal mortality target in the SDGs requires multiple approaches, particularly in developing countries with high maternal mortality. Low-income developing countries rely to a great extent on macro determinants such as public health expenditure, which are spent mostly on curative health and health facilities, to improve population health. To complement the macro determinants, this study employs the systematic review technique to reveal significant micro correlates of maternal mortality. The study searched MEDLINE, PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Science Direct, and Global Index Medicus of the World Health Organization. Our search was time framed from the 1st January, 2000 to the 30th September, 2016. In the overall search result, 6758 articles were identified, out of which 33 were found to be eligible for the review. The outcome of the systematic search for relevant literature revealed a concentration of literature on the micro factors and maternal mortality in developing countries. This shows that maternal mortality and micro factors are a major issue in developing countries. The studies reviewed support the significant relationship between the micro factors and maternal mortality. This study therefore suggests that more effort should be channelled to improving the micro factors in developing countries to pave the way for the timely achievement of the SDGs' maternal mortality ratio (MMR) target.

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Pre-treatment process carried out on raw municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) fly ash (FA) sample that did not comply initially with the USEPA method 1311 toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) regulatory limits of 2011 reduced its chloride and heavy metal content appreciably, thereby making it compliant with the aforementioned regulatory requirement. More than 98% of each heavy metal was successfully removed. The process was excellent in removing cadmium (Cd) (99.99%) and very good at removing the rest. About 99.96% of Cu was eliminated, 99.96% of cobalt (Co), 99.95% of Zn, 98.61% of Cr, and 98.12% of nickel (Ni). Also, the leachate resulting from these pre-treatment steps met the China (GB 16889-2008) and USEPA method 1311 regulatory standards for safe discharge. The density and compressive strength of all the samples prepared increased as the FA content decreased. The compressive strength of all the samples passed the 1989 USEPA-recommended value of 0.34 MPa (50 psi), thereby making them suitable for industrial application. The sample that attained the highest compressive strength (2.08 MPa) after 28 days of curing incorporated 55% fly ash (FACS55), while the one with the least compressive strength (0.65 MPa) after the same period was made from only fly ash (FACS100). Moreover, the concentration of heavy metals in all the samples generally decreased with the FA content. Chromium was not detected in all the samples, thereby making this an excellent method for its immobilization. From the leachability test results, all the samples prepared met the USEPA method 1311 TCLP regulatory limits.

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Fly ash (FA), a product of municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI), has been classified as a kind of hazardous waste due to its high content of heavy metals. FA may be reused in the construction industry or disposed of at landfill sites, and thus poses threats to both the environment and human health. This study sought to establish a scientific basis for accurate selection of suitable pH storage conditions for the FA. We evaluated the potential of MSWI FA sample from the Xinghuo waste incineration power plant, Wuhan, to solidify/stabilize the heavy metal (Cu, Pb, Zn, Cr, Cd, As and Mn) contents, when leached under different pH conditions. The concentration of a heavy metal in the leachate was assumed to inversely reflect the extent of its solidification/stabilization (S/S). The study findings showed that the raw FA contained higher levels of the heavy metals, which were above the acceptable limits. Extremely acidic conditions favoured heavy metal leaching compared to extremely alkaline conditions. The extent of S/S of heavy metals was generally very low under highly acidic conditions (pH ≤ 4), but increased with increasing pH. All the metals solidified/stabilized in pH media of 5-11, except Zn which was detected in the entire pH range. We conclude that changing landfill conditions which can affect the pH environment, will increase heavy metal leaching when the pH ≤ 4. As a result, waste which was initially classified as non-hazardous may later pose harmful risks to both humans and the environment alike. We propose pH of 5-11 as the optimum pH range for the treatment, reuse, and disposal of the ash sample.

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