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The extensive application of Paraquat in agricultural and non-agricultural sectors has led to severe physiological and environmental consequences. Hence, this paper was aimed at investigating the Paraquat-induced acute toxicity response for 98 hours in juvenile African catfish Clarias gariepinus using standard methods. The mean weight and mean total length of the fish were 60.67 ± 0.2 g, and 23.06 ± 0.2 cm. The fish were randomly distributed into a transparent plastic aquarium (22.6 x 18.5 cm). Paraquat was introduced at concentrations of 0.00, 0.4, 0.8, 1.2, 1.6, and 2.0 mg/l into the aquaria with the corresponding percentage mortality for 0, 30, 40, 55, 75, and 100% respectively. The observed behavioral changes and mortality were time and concentration-dependent. Symptoms of toxicity exhibited by the fish include loss of equilibrium, startle responses, hyperactivity, abnormal swimming, hemorrhage, and general restlessness. The median lethal concentration (LC50) estimated by probit analysis was 1.017 mg-l. The physicochemical parameters of the aquaria were in the following range DO, 3.00 - 5.80 mgL-1, temperature, 19.75 - 21.90 oC, TDS 10.10 - 20.20 mgL-1, alkalinity 40.80 - 91.00 mgL-1, and pH, 6.7 - 8.04 respectively. The measured haematological parameters showed a concentration-depending pattern of alterations due to paraquat exposure. The highest haematological parameters such as TWBC, 124.50 ×109L-1, TRBC, 2.01 ×1012L-1, Tplt, 85.00 ×109L-1, and LYM, 84 % were recorded in 2.0 mgL-1 paraquat concentration. This result revealed the toxic effects of Paraquat on juvenile Clarias gariepinus. Hence, the need for its regulation in both agricultural and nonagricultural sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To determine the analgesic, anti-inflammatory and toxicological effects of Vigornatural herbal powder, derived from the leaves of Nicotiana tabacum L. (Solanaceae) and the seeds of Buchholzia coriacea Eng. (Capparaceae). Methods: Analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of the herbal powder were assessed using acetic acid-induced writhing and egg-albumin-induced edema models, respectively. Drugs were administered orally to animal groups (n = 4) at a dose of 400 mg/kg using paracetamol and Tween-80 as positive and negative controls, respectively in writhing test, while in egg albumin model, drugs were administered at a dose range of 100 - 400 mg/kg using diclofenac sodium and Tween 80 as controls respectively. Acute toxicity was evaluated using modified Lorke's protocol. Sub-acute toxicity was investigated in Wistar rats after 14 days of oral administration of 400 mg/kg per day via its effect on hematological and serum biochemical parameters. Qualitative phytochemical analysis was carried out using standard protocols. Results: The herbal powder gave a median lethal dose (LD50) > 5000 mg/kg and significantly provoked 38 % inhibition of acetic acid-induced writhing in mice at 400 mg/kg dose, relative to negative control (p < 0.05). It also significantly inhibited both phases of egg-albumin-induced edema with 9.5 and 16.5 % inhibition at 1st and 4th hours, respectively when compared to standard diclofenac which gave 4.2 and 17.3 %, respectively (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the treated and control groups with regard to all hematological and biochemical parameters tested after 14 days. Qualitative phytochemical tests showed the presence of alkaloids. Conclusion: Vigornatural herbal powder possesses fairly good analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties and does not have any significant adverse effect on hematological, hepatic and renal functions. Further studies to develop it as a potential novel analgesic and anti-inflammatory pharmacotherapeutic agent is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Petersianthus macrocarpus(Lecythidaceae) is commonly used in traditional medicine in southeastern part of Nigeria for treating infectious diseases. In the current study, qualitative and quantitative phytochemical composition, and antimicrobial properties of 95% aqueous methanolic stem bark extract, and various solvent fractions of P. macrocarpus, were evaluated. The total phenolics content (TPC) and total tannins content (TTC) were evaluated spectrophotometrically according to the Folin-Ciocalteu's protocol, while the total flavonoids content (TFC) was assessed according to the aluminum chloride colorimetric assay. The aqueous methanolic extract showed 706.61 ± 0.20 mg gallic acid equivalents GAE/g of extract, 131.42 ± 0.06 mg GAE/g of extract and 249.6 ± 0.14 mg quercetin equivalents QE/g of extract for TPC, TTC and TFC respectively. The ethyl acetate fraction showed higher TTC than the absolute methanol fraction but lower TPC and TFC. The antimicrobial properties of the extracts were evaluated against clinical strains of bacteria and fungi using the agar disc diffusion technique. All the evaluated samples showed inhibitory effect at 5.0 mg/mL against the tested bacteria and fungi, with the inhibition zone diameter (IZD) values ranging from 10 - 20 mm. The ethyl acetate fraction of the extract showed minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of 0.81 mg/mL and 0.82 mg/mL against Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans respectively. P. macrocarpus stem bark is a rich source of phenolics, tannins and flavonoids which may be responsible for its ethno-medicinal use in treating microbial infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The importance of diet and lifestyle in maintaining overall health has long been recognised. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as key players in the intricate interplay between health and disease. This study, including 305 participants, examined the role of miRNAs from capillary blood as indicators of individual physiological characteristics, diet, and lifestyle influences. Key findings include specific miRNAs associated with inflammatory processes and dietary patterns. Notably, miR-155 was associated with subjects with metabolic diseases and upregulated in age. Additionally, the study revealed diet-related miRNA expressions: high consumption of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains correlated with increased levels of miR-let-7a and miR-328, both implicated in anti-inflammatory pathways, and decreased expression of pro-inflammatory miR-21. In the context of smoking, we found a significant decrease in miRNA-142, known for its downregulation in lung cancer. We observed a sex-biased expression of various miRNAs with significant upregulation of miR-151a in females and a higher expression of miR-155 in ageing females, representing a possible mechanism for the increased susceptibility to autoimmune diseases. In conclusion, the study underscores the significant influence of lifestyle, nutrition, and sex on miRNA profiles. Circulating miRNAs demonstrate significant potential as biomarkers in personalized medicine, highlighting their utility in tailoring healthcare to individual needs.

The dataset presents a compilation of stomach contents from six demersal fish species from two functional groups inhabiting the Baltic Sea. It includes detailed information on prey identities, body masses, and biomasses recovered from both the fish's digestive systems and their surrounding environment. Environmental parameters, such as salinity and temperature levels, have been integrated to enrich this dataset. The juxtaposition of information on prey found in stomachs and in the environment provides an opportunity to quantify trophic interactions across different environmental contexts and investigate how fish foraging behaviour adapts to changes in their environment, such as an increase in temperature. The compilation of body mass and taxonomic information for all species allows approaching these new questions using either a taxonomic (based on species identity) or functional trait (based on body mass) approach., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Effective policies to halt biodiversity loss require knowing which anthropogenic drivers are the most important direct causes. Whereas previous knowledge has been limited in scope and rigor, here we statistically synthesize empirical comparisons of recent driver impacts found through a wide-ranging review. We show that land/sea use change has been the dominant direct driver of recent biodiversity loss worldwide. Direct exploitation of natural resources ranks second and pollution third; climate change and invasive alien species have been significantly less important than the top two drivers. The oceans, where direct exploitation and climate change dominate, have a different driver hierarchy from land and fresh water. It also varies among types of biodiversity indicators. For example, climate change is a more important driver of community composition change than of changes in species populations. Stopping global biodiversity loss requires policies and actions to tackle all the major drivers and their interactions, not some of them in isolation.