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Prevalence of Operable Intracranial Lesions from Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in a National Trauma Centre
No full textEgyptian Journal of Neurosurgery (2024) Volume 39 Number 5 https://doi.org/10.1186/s41984-024-00268-7Background: Mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) occupies majority of head traumas in most emergency units. Although patients with mild TBI can be reviewed and discharged on head injury advice, a sizeable number require admission for observation or intervention due to operable intracranial lesions. The aim of the study was to establish the preva lence of operable lesions in patients with mild TBI.
Materials and methods: This was a prospective study of consecutive adult patients with mild TBI who had cranial computerized tomography (CT) done at the National Trauma Centre, Abuja. All participants gave informed consent and the study had ethical clearance in the Hospital.
Results: One hundred and three mild TBI patients with cranial CTs were recruited aged 16–76 years with mean age of 32.25±12.35 years. With intention to treat, twenty (20.4%) of them were diagnosed with operable intracranial lesions on CT scans, 19 males and 2 females. Majority of them (14; 66.7%) were young adults within 20–40 years
of age. The lesions were 16 extradural haematomas (76.2%), 3 subdural haematomas (14.3%) and 2 depressed skull fractures (9.5%) of the operable cohort.
Conclusions: Significant number of patients with mild TBI had operable intracranial lesions. Therefore, there is need to screen patients with mild TBI appropriately in order to avoid missed operable lesions.
Keywords: Mild traumatic brain injury, Computerized tomography scan, Haematoma, Clinical decision rule, Operable
intracranial lesions, Nigeri
Micro and vermicompost assisted remediation of heavy metal contaminated soils using phytoextractors
No full textHeavy metals (HMs) contamination is a serious environmental concern in different parts of the world. In this study, two indigenous phytoextractors, Sida acuta and Melissa officinalis L. were used and assisted with plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) and vermicompost by-product (vermicast) produced for remediation purposes. The concentration of heavy metal accumulation in plants were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry and analyzed by canonical discriminant analysis (CDA). Pre- and post-remediation analysis of the physico-chemical properties of the soil was conducted. M. officinalis L components in the primary location were able to remove HMs, particularly lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) with metalloid (arsenic (As) concentration in plant ranges from 0.09 to 4.39 ppm, 0.07–10.35 ppm and 0.007–0.33 ppm, correspondingly. In the contaminated soil after remediation, the amount of Pb varied from 5.88 to 12.37 ppm, Cd concentration was between (0.026–0.58 ppm) while As was between 0.32 and 5.48 ppm. HMs concentration of soil remediated with Sida acuta had Pb, Cd, As varied from (1.68–10.7 ppm), (0.002–0.43 ppm) and As (0.27–3.79 ppm) individually. The organic carbon and nitrogen concentration before (C: 0.27; N: 0.01) and after (C:6.40; N: 0.70) the remediation process showed a significant increase, pointing to less contaminated soil. The role of vermitechnology in phytoremediation is important and could be employed to restore a contaminated soil with HMs as reported in this study
In, Naga Raju Maddela, Sesan Abiodun Aransiola, Chizoba I. Ezugwu, Lizziane Kretli Winkelstroter Eller, Laura Scalvenzi, Fangang Meng (eds.), Microbial Biotechnology for Bioenergy
No full textProspects For Soil Regeneration and its Impact on Environmental Protection
No full textThe aim of this study was to clean up toxic element polluted soil in Madaka, Niger State, Nigeria. Standard techniques were used to determine the soil physicochemical properties. To aid the plants (Melissa officinalis L and Sida acuta) during the remediation process, standard methods were used to make chicken dropping vermicompost and goat manure vermicompost. M. officinalis L mopped up toxic elements in the first location (Angwan Kawo), with concentrations of cadmium, arsenic, and lead ranging from 0.007 to 0.33 mg/kg, 0.09 to 4.39 mg/kg, and 0.07 to 10.35 mg/kg, respectively, while toxic elements, cadmium, arsenic, and lead in S. acuta, ranged from 0.002 to 0.43 mg/kg, 0.27 to 3.79 mg/ kg, and 1.68 to 10.7 mg/kg, respectively. The two plants mopped up toxic elements at different rates in the second location of the polluted soil (Angwan Magiro). Cadmium, arsenic, and lead concentrations in M. officinalis L ranged from 0.03 to 0.41 mg/kg, 0.65 to 4.65 mg/kg, and 1.93 to 11.49 mg/kg, respectively, while toxic element concentrations in S. acuta ranged from 0.06 to 0.66 mg/kg, 0.68 to 4.64 mg/kg, and 1.53 to 11.53 mg/kg, respectively. Melissa officinalis L and Sida acuta were found to be the most suitable plants for phytoextraction of toxic element-contaminated sites because their bioconcentration factor, translocation factor, and biological accumulation coefficient were all greater than one (> 1), and both plants had bioconcentration and translocation factor < 1; they were also classified as phytostabilizers. As a result, the plants could be used to clean up Madaka soil polluted with toxic element
In: Aransiola, S.A., Atta, H.I., Maddela, N.R. (eds) Soil Microbiome in Green Technology Sustainability.
No full textThe soil microbiome, which comprises diverse microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, viruses and archaea; which play a fundamental role in ecosystem functions, from primary production to carbon storage. Likewise, soil microbiomes influence vital processes such as nutrient cycling and water regulation. However, soil health is under threat by different factors, including industrialization, population growth, climate change, and human activities such as erosion and pollution. Heavy metals, hydrocarbons and other contaminants from anthropogenic activities alter microbial communities, harming vital soil functions such as nutrient cycling and the decomposition of organic matter. Additionally, contaminants such as pesticides and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons alter the composition of the microbiome, hindering its ability to biodegrade. For centuries, scholars have explored soil microbiomes using ‘omics’ technologies to understand their genetic and biochemical makeup. Interaction mechanisms between soil microbiomes and contaminants reveal microbial capabilities to detoxify, sequester or degrade contaminants. Certain bacteria, such as rhizobacteria, that promote plant growth, help in metal chelation, nutrient solubilization and promotion of root growth, mitigating polluting effects. Efforts to restore soil microbiomes are supported by a variety of innovative and effective techniques that seek to comprehensively combat environmental pollution. These strategies range from approaches that use the biological activity of microorganisms to methods that take advantage of the ability of plants to absorb and detoxify soil. Such approaches, developed with the common goal of improving soil quality and mitigating environmental impacts, represent a constantly evolving field of study and exploration of new sustainable solutions for the restoration of terrestrial ecosystems. Understanding the intricate relationship between soil microbiomes and contaminants is vital to designing effective strategies to restore soil health and ensure environmental sustainability. Taking advantage of the diverse capacities of the microorganisms present in the soil, the impacts of pollution could be reduced, in order to preserve the vital functions of terrestrial ecosystems. Keeping in view of the importance of soil microbiome in environmental sustainability, following topics were deeply discussed in this chapter: (i) fundamentals of the soil microbiome, (ii) Impact of soil contaminants on microbiome diversity, (iii) mechanisms of interaction of the soil microbiome on contaminants, (iv) rhizobacteria as plant growth promoters (PGPR) in soil pollution mitigation, and (v) tool and strategies for the restoration of the soil microbiome
Phytoremediation in Food Safety: Risks and Prospects
No full textFood and food products are essential commodities globally and the factors affecting its general acceptability need to be critically reviewed. Phytoremediation is one of the most cost-effective remediation options, but as a stand-alone technology, it is often not lucrative enough to make it appealing for farmers, especially in economically vulnerable regions. Phytoremediation is a costeffective and environmentally friendly technology, but if most of its postharvest protocols are not
handled professionally, it could become a threat to food safety. Plants possess the natural ability to accumulate nutrients and any contaminants present in the soil. However, this technology when used for remediation processes accumulates the pollutants from the soils through the root and mostly store these toxicants in the plants’ edible parts. When these are not checked or extracted from the plants, they pose a danger to human and animal health if they enter the food chain and are consumed. This book, Phytoremediation in Food Safety: Risks and Prospects, was conceived to provide in-depth information on the role of phytoremediation in food safety. Generally speaking, soil is polluted with both organic and inorganic contaminants and there is a need to employ an environmentally friendly technology in its remediation processes. Phytoremediation involves the use of green technology plant to remediate the polluted soils.
The book is divided into three sections. Section 1 is titled “Prospects of Phytoremediation for a Safe Environment and Safe Food,” section 2 is “The Risks of Phytoremediation in Food Safety,” and section 3 is “Bringing Safe Foods Home through Phytoremediation.” The chapters were contributed by 68 academicians, scientists, and researchers from nine different countries (the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Nigeria, India, the United States, Australia, Canada, Germany and Malaysia) across the world
Assessing the Prevalence and Antibiotic Resistance of Staphylococcus aureus in Powdered Milk Sold in Owerri Municipal and Surrounding Areas: Implications for Food Safety and Public Health
No full textMilk, a nutritious food source, can support the growth of various microbes, including Staphylococcus aureus. This study investigates the prevalence and antibiotic resistance patterns of Staphylococcus aureus in powdered milk sold in Owerri Municipal and surrounding areas. A total of 50 exposed powdered milk samples were collected from different vendors at retail points in Relief Market. The samples were analyzed for Staphylococcus aureus using cultural methods, with identification based on colonial morphology, microscopy, and biochemical tests. The antibiotic susceptibility of the isolates was assessed using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Results indicated that the highest mean Staphylococcus aureus count was 1.44 x 10^4 CFU/g in samples exposed outside, while the lowest was 1.19 x 10^4 CFU/g in samples stored inside. Out of the 50 samples, 15 tested positive for Staphylococcus aureus, representing a 30% prevalence rate. Samples exposed outside had a higher occurrence (40%) compared to those stored inside (20%). The antibiogram revealed that the isolates were highly susceptible to Ciprofloxacin (100%), Gentamicin (93.33%), Erythromycin, and Chloramphenicol (73.33%). However, resistance was observed against Norfloxacin (66.67%) and Ampicillin-cloxacillin (26.67%). Notably, five isolates exhibited multi-drug resistance, with a Multiple Antibiotic Resistance Index (MARI) ranging from 0.3 to 0.4. The study highlights a
significant prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus in powdered milk and its resistance to commonly used antibiotics, posing a potential public health risk to consumers.Self Sponsore
Ecological Interplays in Microbial Enzymology
No full textThis contributed volume compiles the latest developments in the field of microbial enzymology. It focuses on topics such as distribution of microbial enzymes in natural habitats, microbial enzymes in environmental sustainability, and environmental disturbances on microbial enzymes, which are organized into three parts, respectively. Ranging from micro-scale studies to macro, it covers a huge domain of microbial enzymes and their interplay between the components of the environment. Overall, the book portrays the importance of microbial enzyme technology and its role in solving the problems in modern-day life. The book is a ready reference for practicing students and researchers in environmental engineering, chemical engineering, agricultural engineering, and other allied fields
Micro and Nanoplastics in Environment – Degradation, Detection, Ecological Impact.
No full textMicroplastics and also nanoplastics are tiny pieces of plastics that have been a rising source of worry due to their ubiquitous occurrence and possible environmental effect. This article dives into the presence, origins, and degrading processes that cause microscopic and nanoplastics in the natural environment, illuminating the complexities of this worldwide issue. Micro- and nanoplastics have become increasingly common in the environment during the last few decades. Microplastics have negative effects on aquatic habitats when they enter water bodies. Atmospheric deposit (microplastics are substances that have been found in the upper atmosphere, primarily originating compared to the breakdown of bigger polymers and the everyday use of car tires), splitting at sea in the marine environment, materials are confronted with constant both chemical and physical stressors, leading to dispersion into smaller pieces along with land-based runoff; storm water drainage from urban areas can transport polymer content, and particle size all impact the breakdown of micro- and nanoplastics. While plastics are known for their durability, they can be degraded through a variety of mechanisms, including mechanical weathering, photodegradation, corrosion by chemicals, biological degradation, and fragmentation. The widespread presence and persistence of micro- and nanoplastics in the surroundings has raised concerns about their potential effects on ecosystems and human health. Particles like these can be consumed by a variety of creatures, ranging from zooplankton to bigger marine animals, resulting in the spread of plastics throughout the food chain. The occurrence and degradation of micro- and nanoplastics is therefore focused in this review