Combretum micranthum is used traditionally for many therapeutic purposes such as fatigue, liver ailments, headache, convalescence, blood disease, weight loss among others. Studies suggested that free radical production may be one main reason behind stress induces neurochemical changes that include neurotransmitter imbalance and histopathological alterations in the brain cell. Thus this study examined the relationship between brain histopathological alterations and neurotransmitter imbalance (gamma aminobutyric acid - GABA) in lead exposure, and possible neuroprotective role of Combretum micranthum  methanol leaf extract in mice. Thirty six (36) Swiss Albino mice (19 - 22g body weight) were used for the study, randomized equally into six groups and treated for the period 14days:  a) Normal Control (Distilled water), b) Negative control (40 mg/kg lead acetate), c) lead acetate + 100 mg/kg b.w. extract, d) lead acetate + 50 mg/kg b.w. extract,  e) lead acetate + 25 mg/kg b.w. extract and f) positive control (lead acetate + diazepam 0.5 mg/kg b.w). The study assayed for protective potential of Combretum micranthum on neuronal cell membrane through determination of the brain cells malondialdyhyde (MDA) levels, morphology and GABA levels. Result of the study showed a significantly increase level of GABA in the brain of mice administered doses of the extract with a decreased level of MDA, as compared to those mice treated with 40 mg/kg lead acetate alone, which showed decreased level in GABA (310.83pg/ml), but an increased level of MDA (30.03μmolTBARS/mg). Also the mice administered doses of the extract showed normal neurons while intensive neuronal necrosis was observed on those mice treated with 40mg/kg lead acetate alone. However, mice administered with the doses of the extract shows no any significant difference with those in the normal control and positive control treatment groups.  Also the Combretum micranthum  methanol leaf extract was found, using GC-MS, to contain propargylamine, a compound known to possess anti-apoptosis functions, and also those with GABAergic functions 3,4-dichlorophenylhydrazine, guanidine and aminooxyacetic acid. Findings of the present study has proven Combretum micranthum to be a potential plant in managing and preventing brain structural damage induced by lead administration. Keywords: Lead, Combretum micranthum, GABA, malondialdyhyde (MDA) and histopathology

Stress affects monoamine neurotransmitter in the central nervous system such as GABA (a major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain). GABAA receptor is hetero-oligomeric Cl-channel that is elective blocked by the alkaloid, bicuculline and modulated by steroids, barbiturates and benzodiazepines. The anticonvulsant activity of Diazepam may be mediated by enhancement of inhibition involving gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Combretum micranthum is one of the maximum effective medicinal plants of therapeutic importance. Thus this study is to examine the effect of Combretum micranthum methanol leaf extract on GABAA Receptor via In-Silico analysis. Combretum micranthum methanol leaf extract was found using GC-MS to contain bioactive compounds (3,5-dichlorophenylhydrazine, guanidine and aminooxyacetic acid) with GABAergic functions. And the popular docking programs PatchDock and AutoDockVina were then used to predict computationally binding modes of these compounds with GABAA receptor. The molecular docking analyses indicated highly and effectively interactions (binding energy in kcal/mol) between GABAA receptor and the Combretum micranthum compounds (ligands): 3,5-dichlorophenylhydrazine (-193.85 and-5.6), guanidine (-87.63 and -3.3) and aminooxyacetic acid (-85.3 and -3.2) for both PatchDock and AutoDock Vina respectively. Results shows that 3,5-dichlorophenylhydrazine has a close binding energy in kcal/mol to that of Diazepam (-200.68 and -6.1 respectively). Findings of the study shows that the interaction between Combretum micranthum compounds (3,5-dichlorophenylhydrazine, guanidine and aminooxyacetic acid) with GABAA receptor can be explore for the development of new therapeutics to manage mental disorders.   Keywords: Gamma-aminobutyric acid, Combretum micranthum , AutoDockVina, PatchDock

Background: COVID-19 affects the respiratory tract leading to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and serious pneumonia. Severe cases of COVID-19 are associated with hyperactive immune response characterized by the release of interleukins, interferons, chemokines, tumor-necrosis factors, and various other mediators. Use of CytoSorb ® , an extracorporeal hemadsorption has been observed to alleviate the cytokine storm, hence ameliorate the pulmonary function and hemodynamic stability. Case Summary: A 42-year-old man, a case of post-COVID-19 pneumonia was admitted in hospital with the complaints of headache, vomiting, and abdominal discomfort associated with generalized weakness. He had pre-existing comorbidities of diabetes, hypertension, and acute kidney injury. The blood parameters showed increased levels of inflammatory biomarkers which indicated the presence of cytokine storm and sepsis. The patient was given CytoSorb ® therapy after 7 days of admission in ICU in two sessions of 18 and 20 hours using two separate devices at the interval of 6 hours. After the treatment, remarkable decreased in CRP values (39%), S. Creatinine (6.52%), S. Lactate (54%), leucocytes (44%) and PCT (33%) was observed. A reduction in IL-6 levels (from 5975 to 3171 pg/ml, 46.9%) and norepinephrine dose (from 8 to 0.2 mcg/kg/hr, 25%) was reported. The patient was discharged from hospital in 54 days in stable condition. Conclusion: CytoSorb ® therapy was effective in providing hemodynamic stability, improving organ dysfunction, and modulating the cytokine storm.

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In this study, the influence of different ZnO particle sizes and the oxygen annealing process on the microstructure, and electrical properties of ZnO-based varistors was investigated. ZnO-Bi2O3-Mn2O3 discs based varistors with different size of ZnO particles were prepared by conventional ceramic method. Then half of varistors discs were annealed in oxygen atmosphere at 700 °C. SEM, Raman spectroscopy, and current-voltage (I–V) measurement were used. The results showed a significant improvement in distribution and growth of grain sizes in nano-size samples compared to that of micro-size samples. The electrical properties including nonlinear coefficient and breakdown voltage improved to 49 and 2555 V in nano-size compared with 32.5 and 201V in micro-size.