Bunch Ash biomass source for the synthesis of Al2(SiO4)2 magnetic nanocatalyst and as alkali catalyst for the synthesis of biodiesel production

This work employed the Admixture of oil from winter squash seed oil and duck waste fat for the synthesis of biodiesel using a derived heterogeneous catalyst from burnt Arecaceae kernel empty bunch (BAKEB). The admixture oil was obtained using the gravity ratio method and the properties of the oils were determined. The developed BAKEB was characterized using SEM, FTIR, XRF-FT, BET-adsorption, and qualitative analysis. Transesterification of the admixture oil to biodiesel was carried out in a single transesterification batch reactor, while Process optimization was carried out via RSM-CCD with four constraint variables namely: reaction period, catalyst conc., reaction temperature, and E-OH/OMR, respectively. The spent catalyst was recycled and reused and the quality of the produced biodiesel was compared with the recommended standard. Results showed the admixture oil ratio of 48:52 was sufficient to produce a validated optimum biodiesel yield of 99.42% (wt./wt.) at the reaction time of 55 min, catalyst conc. of 3.00 (%wt.), reaction temperature of 60 °C, and E-OH/OMR of 5.5:1 (vol./vol.), respectively. ANOVA analysis indicated that all variables were mutually significant at p-value<0.0001.The developed BAKEB was found to contain high percentages of Al-K-Na-Ca. The catalyst recyclability test indicated that BAKEB can be refined and reused. The produced biodiesel qualities have fuel properties similar to conventional diesel when compared with ASTM D6751 and EN 14,214. The study concluded that the blending of winter squash seed oil with duck waste fat in the ratio of 48:52 as feedstock for biodiesel synthesis is viable.

SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells are rapidly expanded for therapeutic use and target conserved regions of the membrane protein

T-cell responses to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have been described in recovered patients, and may be important for immunity following infection and vaccination as well as for the development of an adoptive immunotherapy for the treatment of immunocompromised individuals. In this report, we demonstrate that SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells can be expanded from convalescent donors and recognize immunodominant viral epitopes in conserved regions of membrane, spike, and nucleocapsid. Following in vitro expansion using a good manufacturing practice-compliant methodology (designed to allow the rapid translation of this novel SARS-CoV-2 T-cell therapy to the clinic), membrane, spike, and nucleocapsid peptides elicited interferon-γ production, in 27 (59%), 12 (26%), and 10 (22%) convalescent donors (respectively), as well as in 2 of 15 unexposed controls. We identified multiple polyfunctional CD4-restricted T-cell epitopes within a highly conserved region of membrane protein, which induced polyfunctional T-cell responses, which may be critical for the development of effective vaccine and T-cell therapies. Hence, our study shows that SARS-CoV-2 directed T-cell immunotherapy targeting structural proteins, most importantly membrane protein, should be feasible for the prevention or early treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection in immunocompromised patients with blood disorders or after bone marrow transplantation to achieve antiviral control while mitigating uncontrolled inflammation.

Data on the derived mesoporous based catalyst for the synthesized of fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) from ternary oil blend: An optimization approach

This work presents datasets on fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) synthesized from the ternary blend of Cucurbita pepo-chrysophyllum albidum -papaya mix oils via methanolysis of mesoporous CaO heterogeneous catalyst derived from the mixture of Citrullus lanatus and Musa acuminate peels. The oils were extracted from the milled powdered using the solvent extraction method. Ternary oil mixed ratio of 33:33:34 with low acid value and density was achieved using simplex lattice design software. Characterization of the mixed calcined catalyst powder (MCCP) at 700 °C for 4 h was carried out using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscope (EDS), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), and BET analysis. The thermal decomposition of mixed calcined catalyst powder (MCCP) produced 78.74% CaO with a strong basic site of 143 (μmole.g⁻¹). Fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) was synthesized through the based catalyst transesterification of a derived catalyst by considering four variables data (reaction time, reaction temperature, catalyst amount and methanol/oil molar ratio) using response surface methodology (RSM). The maximum experimental FAME data of 94.29 (wt. %) was achieved at run 16, but the central composite design (CCD) software predicted value of 98.00 (wt. %) at a reaction time of 70 min, reaction temperature of 80 °C, catalyst amount of 5.0 (wt.) and methanol to oil molar ratio (MeOH/OMR) of 6.97, at the desirability of 97.90%. This was validated in triplicate, and the average FAME data obtained was 93.45 (wt. %). The produced FAME properties dataset meets the standard recommended value of ASTM and EN14214.

Impact of an Innovative Patient Navigation Project in Nigeria: Preliminary Results

Background: Cancer patients in Nigeria are known to present late and have poor awareness of their disease. Among the factors which limit early presentation are aversion for orthodox medicine due to perceived complexity of health institutions, and belief in superiority of traditional medicine. Patient navigation has been shown to improve patient treatment adherence. There is limited evidence on the impact of PN in Nigeria, and other resource-limited settings. Aim: Study sought to introduce a hospital-based patient navigation program (PNP) and evaluate its impact. Methods: PNP was initiated at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital in June 2016 with focus on breast cancer patients. A young, male public health officer, who spoke the local language was recruited and trained to guide cancer breast patients through the hospital. Training focused on hospital services, sensitive communications, patient management process, confidentiality and resource identification. The service was announced to the hospital community, and his contact information was advertised. Patients and hospital community could contact the navigator via phone calls and text messaging. Impact data collection included services provided, patient characteristics and feedback on services. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Results: In the first year of the PNP (June 2016-17), 202 breast cancer cases were seen, and 137 connected with the navigator; service utilization rate was 67.8% (137/202). More patients in the PNP received diagnosis within 90 days of their first visit, 58.4% (80/137) presented with stage 4 disease, and 20 had mastectomy. Most patients had low income and low education. Two patients died after completing three courses of chemotherapy. Finance, transportation and poor social support were the most common barriers to access. Health care providers positively reviewed the PNP, often saying that “it made their work” and “added value to hospital care and cancer management”. Physicians who did not speak the local language often used the navigator as a translator. Most patients echoed “God bless you” in prayers offered to appreciate the navigator. They agreed that the PNP reduced some barriers to hospital service utilization, although 32 patients (23%) expressed frustration over unmet expectations financial support from the navigator. Physicians who manage other cancers have started referring patients to the PNP since its initiation. Conclusion: This evaluation showed that PNP program was well used and led to improvements in breast cancer patient management. It proves that patient navigation is feasible in a resource-limited setting. Funding to sustain and expand the program is a limitation. More patient satisfaction and outcome studies are needed to evaluate PNP impact.

Development and Evaluation of the Use of Local Materials for Medical Simulation in Cancer Education in Nigeria

Background: Lower competence and poorer training of healthcare professionals (HCP) are among the many limitations of cancer control in Nigeria. These manifest as deficiencies in advocacy, screening/diagnostic practices, and patient management. Medical simulation (MS) using models is an effective approach for sustainably improving the competence of HCP. Access to modern, silicone-based simulation models is limited in Nigeria. Cassava starch and papaya fruits are widely available in Nigeria and the tropics, but not widely used for MS. Aim: Study describes the development and evaluation of the use of locally-available materials (cassava starch and immature papaya) as MS models for Papanicolaou test and breast biopsy. Methods: Immature papaya fruits were harvested and using a sharp knife, the stalk was removed to reveal the moist cavity. The space housing the stalk was simulated as the external cervical os ( Fig 1 ). Dried cassava starch was sourced as waste from the pulp. About 100 g of starch was dissolved in a cup using cold water. Boiling water at 100°C was added to the cup and stirred into a thick gel. Gel was poured into a clear polythene bag and shaped into a broad-based dome, to simulate a breast. About 2 cm cuts of ripe plantain were embedded into the gel to simulate breast mass (Fig 2). Clinicians attending a cancer education course were trained on Papanicolaou test using the papaya model, and breast core-biopsy using the gel, respectively. Training also covered clinical breast (CBE) and pelvic examinations (PE). Pre and posttraining surveys with comments evaluating self-reported comfort levels were basis for comparison. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, Wilcoxon signed rank test, χ2 and thematic analysis. Results: Of the 92 course participants (physicians-36, nurses-16), 51 completed the course evaluation forms (response rate=55.4%; 51/92), and average number of years in practice was 8 (±5.2) years. Only 3 physicians had performed Tru-Cut biopsy previously. There was significant improvement in median self-reported comfort level for Tru-Cut (pre=2 {IQR 2-2}, post=4 {4-5}, P < 0.001). Significant improvements were also recorded for median comfort-levels on CBE (4 vs 5, P < 0.01) and PE (4 vs 5, P < 0.01). According to some participants, “it gives a visual view of organs that are not obvious. It is excellent” (#2). “it is very good semblance of a living structure; this goes to enhance hands-on practice” (#41); “simulation helps to build up confidence and improves precision prior to using actual patients” (#19); “excellent! it should be highly recommended for medical training” (#49). Conclusion: Locally-available immature papaya and cassava starch are good MS materials. Their use improved self-reported comfort levels in patient evaluation. Participants recommend widespread use of MS for continuing medical education and undergraduate training. Further studies should evaluate use of cassava starch for breast ultrasound training.[Figure: see text][Figure: see text]