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Noodles are strips or strands cut from a sheet of dough made from flour, water and either common salt or a mixture of alkaline salt. Noodles consumption represents about 40% of the total wheat flour which are mainly consumed by school children. The use of composite flour has been encouraged since it reduces the importation of wheat. Utilization of locally available, inexpensive materials like cocoyam that can substitute a part of wheat flour without adversely affecting the acceptability of the product will be a product development. This study therefore studied the chemical composition and organoleptic properties of instant noodles from the blend of wheat and cocoyam starch. Cocoyam starch was substituted into wheat flour at 20, 40, 60 & 80%. Analysis revealed higher carbohydrate (63.50-70.05)%, moisture (4.54-5.07)% and vitamin A (10.01-30.47) mg/100g, B1 (11.43-32.15) mg/100g but lower protein (4.56-8.79)%, phosphorus (0.34-0.52)%, calcium (1.83-0.98)%, iron (0.15-0.32) % and ash (1.19-3.20)%. The composite noodles revealed higher carbohydrate and mineral but lower protein than the commercial noodles. The sensory analysis revealed that 20% cocoyam compared favourably with the commercial noodles in terms of all the sensory attributes evaluated. This shows the possibility of producing noodles from cocoyam tubers which serves as novel food. This will further help to promote and improve utilization of cocoyam tuber.

Cyclical cosmic conditions illuminate profound philosophical and physical implications regarding the fundamental nature of the universe. From this perspective, a singularity could actually symbolize a transformation of the underlying structures and laws of our universe, providing insights into the relationships among energy, curvature, and existence of the universe itself. In cyclical cosmology, the universe can be understood as existing in two distinct states: a static potential state and an active kinetic state. Quantum mechanics also reinforces the belief that even in seemingly empty spaces, vacuum fluctuations and differences in potential can give rise to emergent phenomena.

Taphonomic study was first time conducted in Kuala Lumpur, capital city of Malaysia. In this research model, male Oryctolagus cunicullus weighed 1.8-2.6 kg each were killed by Dolethal intravenously at the ear region. In Phase 1 study, eight subjects were wrapped in a sack and cemented within a container to be compared with the other four controls at each location labelled A (ground) and B (manmade freshwater pond). Phase 2 involved duplicating set of 15 cemented samples comparable to 1 control made up to total of 32 subjects which were all put into a compact polytank containing freshwater to simulate a case study. Taphonomic changes were observed and scored using TBS system incorporating of fresh stage, early decomposition stage, advanced decomposition stage and skeletonisation stage. The ambient temperature of surroundings with 28.81C±4.21°C and 29.21°C±4.57°C (mean±S.D.) while relative humidity of air with 74.49 %±14.61% and 79.15%±16.32% (mean±S.D.) were recorded for Phase 1 and Phase 2 study respectively. Time taken for ground control exposed and wrapped carcasses to reach first sign of skeletonised stage were four days and five days respectively. Whilst freshwater controls reached initial skeletonised stage within one week for exposed carcass and two weeks for wrapped carcass. Within the control and cemented sample carcasses, TBS scores increased from initial stages of decomposition and become plateau after advanced decomposition. The cementing factor have superseded the wrapping factor due to its stronger physical barrier effect to slow down the decomposition more than half compared to controls based on Multiple way ANOVA test. Phase 2 study has demonstrated more accurately on the decomposition rate of the cemented samples. It showed that wrapping and cementing factors have delayed the decomposition process of the rabbit carcasses about 4 times to reach the initial stage of skeletonisation compared to the control carcasses. There was absence of insect activity within the cemented samples, hence the microorganism activity would be the only contributor to the decaying process within the cemented samples at slower rate comparing to the exposed or wrapped controls.

Yaws is recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as 1 of the 20 Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), a group of communicable diseases that have subsisted in tropical and subtropical environments, and that affect people living in poor and marginalized societies [1]. Yaws also form part of a group of chronic bacterial infections, commonly known as the endemic trepanomatoses. These diseases are caused by a spiral bacteria of the genus Treponema, which also includes bejel and pinta, being yaws the most common [2]. Like syphilis, yaws have been described in three stages; primary stage characterized by granulomatous skin lesions, secondary stage by generalized spread, and tertiary stage by chronic destructive disease of skin, cartilages and bones [3].

Human cervical cancer tumours expressing the IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) were induced in the peritoneal cavity of nude mice. The tumours were significantly reduced by the i.p. administration of either free IL-2 or liposomes containing this growth factor. No toxicity was observed in the mice even at the highest doses of IL-2 in liposomes. We did not detect any IL-2 in the blood plasma pointing to a strong retention of the liposomes on the cavity. We concluded that this preclinical study for the treatment of tumours expressing IL-2R in the peritoneal cavity is effective and safe. The liposomes were stable and their IL-2 active for up to one year when kept at -14oC in a cryopreservation media approved by the FDA for human use.

Introduction: Cervical cancer remains one of the most common malignancies affecting women worldwide, with over 600,000 patients globally every year, and is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality in women. Although there have been advancements in both screening and prevention, radiation therapy, with or without chemotherapy, is the standard of care for treating locally advanced cervical cancer. Radiation typically consists of two methods, external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) and brachytherapy, which have both evolved in their own respective ways technologically and for patient accessibility. This article aims to review the different cervical cancer brachytherapy techniques, such as intracavitary and interstitial approaches, including their advantages and drawbacks.Methods: Resources on PubMed between the years 2000 and 2024 were reviewed based on their relevance to the approaches of brachytherapy. Articles were found through the use of key terms and Boolean operators such as ("cervical cancer,” AND “brachytherapy," OR “high dose rate brachytherapy,”) OR (“intracavitary,” OR “interstitial brachytherapy,” OR “hybrid brachytherapy,”). Discussion: Three techniques of brachytherapy are de: intracavitary brachytherapy (ICBT), interstitial brachytherapy (ISBT), and hybrid intracavitary/interstitial brachytherapy (HBT).Conclusion: Brachytherapy is a vital part of definitive cervical cancer treatment. While ICBT remains the standard of care for most cervical cancers, ISBT and HBT approaches remain important treatment options. HBT has been shown to address variances in patient anatomy and tumor geometry, resulting in better tumor dose coverage and improved outcomes through minimizing toxicity.

Acha (Fonio) Digitaria sp. is a valuable cereal crop widely cultivated in several African countries. The genetic improvement of Acha through induced mutagenesis has gained attention for enhancing desirable traits. Colchicine, a mitotic inhibitor, is commonly used to induce polyploidy, which can lead to alterations in plant characteristics. This study aimed to investigate the effects of colchicine treatment on germination, plant height, and leaf count of two Acha species. Seeds from two Digitaria species, Digitaria exilis, and Digitaria iburua, were subjected to colchicine treatment using different concentrations (0.05, 0.10, 0.15, and 0.20g/dL). The control group was treated with distilled water. Germination rates were assessed by measuring the percentage of seeds that successfully sprouted. Plant height and leaf number were measured at maturity and analyzed using ANOVA on SPSS Version 26. The results indicated that colchicine treatment significantly affected germination, plant height, and leaf number in both Digitaria species. Germination rates varied depending on the concentration, with lower germination observed at higher concentrations (70.70% and 74.3% for 0.20g/dL treatment in both species). In terms of plant height, colchicine-treated Acha plants exhibited significant differences compared to the control group. The majority of treated plants showed increased growth (57.00 cm to 60.70 cm in D. exilis and 114.10 to 122.40 cm in D. iburua) compared to the control. Variability in plant height was observed among the treated plants, suggesting that colchicine-induced polyploidy had varying effects on height across different genotypes. Similarly, the number of leaves was affected by colchicine treatment. Treated plants exhibited an increase in leaf number (56.70 to 60.7 for D exilis and 32.60 to 36.30 for D. iburua), compared to the control group (49.7 and 29.7 respectively). This variability suggests that colchicine-induced polyploidy may have influenced leaf development and growth patterns in Acha. Colchicine treatment had significant effects on germination, plant height, and leaf count in both varieties of Acha. The results suggest that colchicine-induced polyploidy can alter these plant characteristics. These findings provide insights into the potential use of colchicine treatment for inducing desirable traits in Acha through polyploidization, which may have implications for crop improvement and breeding programs. Further research is warranted to explore the underlying mechanisms and assess the impact of these alterations on overall agronomic performance and yield potential.

The present study investigated the effects of colchicine treatment on leaf length, leaf width, and leaf area index (LAI) in two species of Acha (fonio), namely Digitaria exilis and Digitaria iburua. Colchicine, a potent mitotic inhibitor, has been widely used to induce polyploidy and in studying the effects of genome duplication on various morphological traits. This study aimed to explore if colchicine treatment could alter the leaf morphology of the two Acha species. Seeds of the two species were treated with colchicine solution at various concentrations (0.05, 0.10, 0.15, and 0.20 g/dL), while a control group was maintained without any treatment. Leaf length and width were measured using a meter rule, and LAI was calculated by multiplying the leaf length and leaf width with the constant for both species. Statistical analysis was performed using the Analysis of Variance on SPSS to determine significant differences between treated and control groups. The results showed that colchicine treatment had a significant effect on leaf morphology in both Acha species. Leaf length and width increased significantly in response to colchicine treatment, with the degree of increase depending on the concentration. Moreover, the LAI also exhibited a significant increase in treated plants compared to the control group. Colchicine concentration level of 0.10 g/dLproduced the best results that can be exploited to enhance the morphological characteristics of both Acha species. The findings suggest that colchicine-induced polyploidy can enhance leaf growth and overall leaf area in Acha plants, leading to potential implications for agricultural productivity and yield improvement. Further studies are needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and long-term effects of colchicine-induced polyploidy on other growth parameters, reproductive traits, and yield in Acha. Understanding the genetic and physiological changes associated with polyploidy in Acha species will contribute to the development of improved breeding strategies and cultivation practices for this important cereal crop.

Introduction: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common issue impacting millions of men around the globe, with notable effects on both life quality and mental health. This clinical trial evaluated the clinical efficacy, onset of action, safety, and patient satisfaction of Tadaflexe (Tadalafil 10 mg) formulated as an oral gel in Yemeni honey sachets. The formulation was designed to enhance absorption and provide a natural delivery vehicle for Tadalafil, a selective phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor used for erectile dysfunction (ED). This study aimed to assess the effectiveness, safety, and tolerability of Seldiflexe, which is a new oral gel sachet formulation of Tadaflexe (Tadalafil 10 mg) with 5 g of Yemeni honey, in comparison with standard Tadalafil 10 mg tablets. Materials and methods: A randomized, double-blind, controlled trial was carried out with 80 male participants who had been diagnosed with erectile dysfunction (ED). Subjects were divided into two groups: the Tadaflexe (Tadalafil 10 mg) oral gel sachet group A (n = 40) and the standard Tadalafil 10 mg tablet group B (n = 40) for a duration of 4 weeks. The main measures included changes in the scores of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), time until effects began, and the profile of any adverse events.Results: The analysis revealed a statistically significant improvement in erectile function scores post-treatment with Tadaflex oral gel. The onset of action was notably faster compared to standard Tadalafil tablets. Adverse effects were minimal, and overall satisfaction was high among participants. The time it takes for Tadaflexe (Tadalafil 10 mg) in Yemeni honey oral gel sachet to start working is 22.5 ± 4.2 minutes, which is significantly faster than Tadalafil 10 mg tablets was 38.7 ± 5.6 minutes at p < 0.001. However, after four weeks, there was no significant difference in the IIEF scores between Tadaflexe oral gel (20.1 ± 2.8) and Tadalafil tablets (18.2 ± 3.1) were significantly different at p < 0.05. On the other hand, the adverse effects were significantly less with Tadaflexe oral gel sachet as compared with Tadalafil tablets.Conclusion: The study demonstrated a significantly faster onset of action, excellent tolerability, and improved patient preference compared with conventional tablet formulations.

Nosocomial infections are infections acquired during a stay in a healthcare facility, representing a major public health challenge worldwide, and particularly in Africa, due to their frequency, potential severity, and associated costs. In Congo, their epidemiological profile is not yet well understood. It’s in this context that we undertook to conduct a retrospective descriptive study on nosocomial infections between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2016, in the internal medicine department of the Army Central Hospital of Brazzaville, in order to analyze the bacteriological profile of nosocomial infections.The study involved 189 patients. The results revealed that hospital-acquired infections were frequent, with a female predominance (71.43%), an average age of 32 years, and risk factors including self-medication with antibiotics (51%) and urinary catheterization (39%). Urinary tract infections were the most common (57%), with Escherichia coli as the main pathogen (17%), and mortality from these infections reached 53%.The study highlighted a high mortality rate linked to hospital-acquired infections, primarily associated with HIV status and self-medication. Management, prevention, and infection control measures, including improved antibiotic stewardship, are necessary to reduce mortality.