Archives-November 2025

The demand for commercial nanoparticles are on the increase due to their wider applications in many fields, the biological synthesis provides a cost-effective, more stable materials using eco-environmental friendly routes to reduce health risk and hazardous waste into the environment. Nanoparticles are products of a rapidly growing technology which is widely applied in many fields. The use of toxic organic solvents and strong reducing agents are not environmental friendly which results in producing hazardous wastes that poses serious threat on the environment. The aim of this study is to synthesize zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) and composite ZnO nanoparticles (CZnO NPs) using cassava leaf extract. Chemical precipitation method was used to synthesize ZnO NPs and CZnO NPs. Both nanoparticle samples were characterized using analytical techniques such as Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The XRD results revealed the 6 mineral phases in cassava leave, 7 mineral phases in composite ZnO NPs and 7 mineral phases in ZnO NPs. SEM morphology revealed large, rough, irregular shaped particle sizes which looks like particle agglomeration. The FTIR results showed the broad band at 3276.33 cm-1, 2046.31 cm-1, 1606.48 cm-1, 1158.2 cm-1, 868.47 cm-1 stretching which indicate O-H, C=O, C-O, and ZnO stretch respectively. The TGA results showed thermal stability of 100 g of ZnO samples up to over 300 oC before decreasing. In conclusion, the ZnO NPs and its composite ZnO NPs were successfully synthesized and exhibited close similar qualities.

 Healthcare workers are particularly concerned about burnout, which is characterised by depersonalization (DP), emotional exhaustion (EE), and decreased personal accomplishment (PA). Among 160 healthcare workers in Odisha, India, this study examined the predictive functions of psychological flexibility and mindfulness in connection to burnout. Multiple regression analysis, two-way ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation, and descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data. Mindfulness showed a positive correlation with PA (r = 0.44, p <.01) and a negative correlation with EE (r = -0.56, p <.01) and DP (r = -0.47, p <.01). Psychological flexibility showed a positive correlation with PA (r = 0.37, p <.01) and a negative correlation with EE (r = -0.49, p <.01) and DP (r = -0.41, p <.01). Regression studies showed that psychological flexibility (B = -0.64, ? = -0.36, t = -5.79, p <.001) and mindfulness (B = -0.48, ? = -0.41, t = -6.78, p <.001) were significant predictors of burnout. Main effects of gender on EE (F (1,156) = 6.84, p =.01) and DP (F (1,156) = 5.92, p =.02) were found by two-way ANOVA. Additionally, a gender × psychological flexibility interaction on EE was found (F (1,156) = 4.77, p =.03). Males reported higher DP, whereas females reported higher EE. The results support mindfulness and flexibility-based therapies in healthcare and highlight the value of psychological resources in lowering burnout. 

The management of osteochondral tumors is a major challenge due to their rarity, diagnostic complexity, morbidity, and mortality. The objective was to assess the epidemiological, diagnostic, and therapeutic aspects of osteochondral tumors in Bamako (Mali). A retrospective, multicenter, descriptive, and analytical study was conducted over a five-year period (January 2019 to December 2023) in three university hospitals of Bamako, Mali. Patients admitted during the study period with complete medical records who were followed for at least six months were included. The prevalence was 6.2 cases per 10,000 patients. The mean age of patients was 35.3 ± 20 (range: 2 to 82 years). Pain was the most common presenting symptom in 90.6% (184 cases). Pelvic localization represented 166 cases (81.3%). There were 154 cases of malignant tumors, including 140 primary cases (70%) and 14 secondary cases (7%). Stage IV according to the TNM classification represented 26.1% of cases. Surgical treatment was the most common, accounting for 61.6% (125 cases), combined with chemotherapy in 106 cases (52.2%) and/or radiotherapy in 7 cases (3.4%). The outcome was favorable in 59.1% of cases. Recurrence and death were associated with malignant tumors in 16 cases (7.9%) and 19 cases (9.3%), respectively.