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Globally, as human population and industries grow, so does the creation of agricultural, industrial, and demolition waste. When these wastes are not properly recycled, reused, or disposed of, they pose a threat to the environment. The importance of this study lies in the beneficial use of coconut fibre and mineral wool in the form of fibres in cement mortar production. This study examines the use of coconut and mineral wool fibres in the production of fibre-reinforced mortar. Five different mortar mixtures were prepared, having one control mortar along with four fibre-reinforced mortars. The control mortar is denoted as CM while 1% and 1.5% of mineral wool are incorporated into this mortar mix and denoted as RMM-1.0 and RMM-1.5, respectively. Additionally, the mortar sample configurations contain 1% and 1.5% coconut fibers, designated as RCM-1.0 and RCM-1.5. These samples were subjected to different strength and durability tests to determine their suitability for use in mortar production. The testing findings show that mortar containing 1.5% mineral wool has better compared flexural strength and durability properties. The investigation results will form part of the database for the efficient utilization of natural and waste fibres in the construction and building sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Talinum triangulare leaf flavonoid extract (TTFE) was evaluated for its effects on streptozotocin‐hyperglycemia and associated complications especially as it relates to dyslipidemia, lipid peroxidation, and renal dysfunction in rats. Two normoglycemic rat groups designated: control (administered distilled water) and control + TTFE (administered 10 mg/kg b.w. TTFE) and two streptozotocin‐induced (STZ) diabetic rat groups designated: STZ‐control (administered distilled water) and STZ + TTFE (administered 10 mg/kg TTFE). The treatment was given orally once daily for 21 consecutive days. Body weight and insulin concentration showed significant improvement while blood glucose, uric acid, creatinine, and total bilirubin concentrations were significantly reduced in diabetic rats administered TTFE compared to diabetic untreated rats. Furthermore, triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL‐cholesterol, and malondialdehyde concentrations were significantly lowered in diabetic rats administered TTFE compared with diabetic untreated rats. Key enzymes involved in carbohydrate breakdown and cholesterol synthesis, α‐amylase and 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl‐CoA (HMG‐CoA) reductase, respectively, were significantly inhibited in TTFE‐treated diabetic rats compared to diabetic control. Results presented in this study suggest that administration of TTFE for 21 days normalized STZ‐induced hyperglycemia and its associated dyslipidemia by a mechanism involving inhibition of α‐amylase and HMG‐CoA reductase activities, respectively, in rats. The study describes the potential antihyperglycemic effect of Talinum triangulare leaf flavonoid extract in streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rats. In addition to restoring blood glucose level in diabetic rats, significant improvement in blood lipid profile, as well as upregulation of antioxidant enzyme activities, was also observed. The extract was also observed to inhibit alpha‐amylase and 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl‐CoA reductase activities thus providing possible mechanistic justification for its observed antihyperglycemic and antilipidemic activities, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The nutritional and anti‐nutritional compositions of cassava flour (gari) processed from white (TMS 30572) and vitamin A‐biofortified yellow (TMS 07/0593) cassava cultivars were evaluated using standard methods. In addition, the glycemic index (GI) of eba (local food made from the two gari samples) was also evaluated. The yellow gari had significantly higher crude fiber and sugar but lower starch contents compared to the white gari. Similarly, β‐carotene (7.34 µg/g) and total carotenoids (13.10 µg/g) levels were significantly higher in yellow gari compared to white gari with 4.97 µg/g and 8.75 µg/g β‐carotene and total carotenoids levels, respectively. Eba from yellow gari eba showed a significant (p < .05) lower GI (76.3) compared to white gari eba (85.7). Data obtained from this study showed that eba made from yellow gari had an intermediate GI while eba from white gari had a high GI value. Practical applications: Vitamin A‐biofortified cassava varieties have been developed as a sustainable strategy to reduce the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency (VAD) in areas where cassava is a staple food. However, information on its nutritional and health promoting potentials is limited. Hence, the current trend in terms of acceptability and production of vitamin A‐biofortified cassava is low when compared with the white cassava varieties in Nigeria. Thus, results obtained in this study would further provide the needed information to enhance general perspectives on the inherent potentials these new cassava varieties has to offer. Furthermore, data obtained from this study could serve as a valuable source of information for dietitians and other health professionals in proper menu planning, in the management of hyperglycemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims at investigating the antiplasmodial activity of methanolic extract of Asparagus officinalis L. stem on Plasmodium berghei infected mice. To investigate this, the mice were infected with P.berghei to cause malaria. The mice were simultaneously given oral doses (20, 40 and 60 mg/kg body weight) of methanolic extract of A. officinalis L. stem. The phytochemical constituents of the extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, phenolics, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, terpenoid and steroid. The extract administered to the infected mice significantly suppressed the parasite. The extract also significantly (P<0.05) reduced the activities of serum aspatate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphate (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT). White blood corpuscles (WBC), red blood corpuscles (RBC), hemoglobin (HGB), packed cell volume (PCV), platelets (PLT) and the mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) showed significant (P<0.05) increase after the administration of the extract while mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and the mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) showed significant (P<0.05) reduction. Present findings suggests that the plant extract contains phytochemicals that have antiplasmodial and hepatoprotective properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zinc and essential fatty acid deficiencies manifest similar syndromes provoking investigations into the mechanisms underlying their metabolic interactions. This article presents a lucid and concise review of literature on the possible connection between these important dietary nutrients as exemplified by the role of zinc in modulating intestinal lipid transport and prostaglandins metabolisms as well as maintenance of membrane structural and functional integrity. Reports of investigations on zinc and essential fatty acid deficiencies, regarding their pleitropic effects on clinically important enzymes, from the laboratory of the authors were also considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]