Proximate and phytochemical compositions of leaf and root of (cattle stick) Carpolobia lutea G. Don

ABSTRACT: Carpolobia lutea is a medicinal plant commonly utilized in Nigeria to boost libido. The ethnomedicinal importance of any plant lies in some secondary metabolites. Hence, the present study was carried out to investigate the proximate and phytochemical composition of roots and leaves of this plant using standard methods. The proximate composition of leaves and roots showed moisture, ash, fibre, protein, fat and carbohydrate contents with values that ranged between 8.84-9.55, 3.48-3.65, 1.10-1.06, 6.64-8.39, 1.80-1.80 and 76.16-77.47% respectively. The leaves contained higher amount of ash, crude protein and fat than the roots. The results of ethanolic extracts showed the presence of alkaloids, anthraquinones, steroids, saponins, tannins, phenols, terpenoids, anthocyanin, carotenoids and flavonoids in both the leaves and roots. These phytochemicals were found to be significantly higher in roots except for anthraquinones, flavonoids and steroids which were significantly higher in the leaves. Among the phytochemicals, alkaloids were found to be highest in concentration followed in decreasing order by saponins, steroids, tannins, flavonoids, anthraquinones, anthocyanin, terpenoids, phenols and carotenoids. The results indicated that, C. lutea leaf and root have high nutritive and medicinal values and this could be explored for pharmaceutical purposes

Survey of Medical Specialists on their Attitudes to and Resources for Health Research in Nigeria

Aim: To study the views of medical specialists on their attitude to and the resources for health research in Nigeria and draw appropriate policy implications. Materials and Methods: Structured questionnaires were distributed to consenting 90 randomly selected medical specialists practising in six Nigerian tertiary health institutions. Participants' background information; importance attached to research; motivations for conducting research; funding; ethical oversight; literature search; and statistical support were probed. The coded responses were stored and analyzed using the statistical SPSS software. Results: Fifty-one out of the 90 questionnaires distributed were returned; giving a response rate of 63.3. Research function was rated third by 64.7of the respondents after hospital service (72.5) and teaching (66.0). Advancement of knowledge was the strongest motivating factor for conducting research (78.4). Securing funding (94) and finding time (80) were their major constraints. Only a minority of the respondents; 20and 14; respectfully; positively rated the quality and promptness of the decisions of their institutions' ethical organs in the highest category. Most of their literature search was conducted on the internet (96.1) and they stored and analyzed their research data with commonly available statistical software. Conclusion: Our study respondents regarded research highly but were severely constrained in conducting research by lack of access to sources of funding from within and outside Nigeria and finding time from core hospital functions. We recommend periodic (re)training in research particularly on how to apply for research grants and giving some protected research time for Nigerian medical specialists in order to boost their research function

Visual Outcome of Cataract Outreach Services in Zamfara State; Northwestern Nigeria

Background: The Ministry of Health in Zamfara State organised a cataract outreach program with the aim of operating 700 patients in 14 local government areas of the state. The programme is described and evaluated in this study. Methods: An outreach team comprising of 8 personnels of diverse background screened and operated on patients in Zamfara State. Patients with mature age related cataracts; briskly reacting pupils; accurate four quadrant light projection and normal intraocular pressures were selected for surgery. All patients were planned for extra capsular cataract extraction with posterior chamber intra-ocular lens implantation (ECCE + PC IOL) unless contra indicated. Post operative visual acuity was measured with Snellen's or Illiterate acuity chart at 2 weeks follow up. Results: A total of 784 patients between the age of 40 and 80 years consisting of 479 males and 307 females were operated. Six hundred and ninety four patients (88) had PCIOL inserted. Post operative visual acuity of 6/18 or; better was obtained in 322(41) patients. Conclusion: Cataract outreach is an effective tool of eye care services in the underserved rural areas

Causes of bone injuries and patronage of traditional bone setters in maiduguri; Nigeria

The study as an opinion survey identified Road Traffic Accidents (RTA); falling from height and gunshots/matchets as the causes of bone injuries in Maiduguri; Nigeria. Injuries sustained include fracture and dislocation. Structured Interview Schedule (SIS) and Focused Group Discussion (FGD) were the instruments used to obtain data. Population of study comprised of those involved in bone injuries between January and December; 2008. The sample size of 700 respondents was selected using stratified random sampling technique. Frequency distribution and percentages were employed to analyze data. Findings of the study revealed parents/families; relatives and friends as some of the sources of decision to patronize Traditional Bone Setting (TBS) while culture; phobia for hospitalization; no amputation and less expensive were some of the reasons adduced for patronage. Based on the findings; enactment of stringent laws/bye-laws or re-enforcement of existing ones (if any); counselling and enlightenment were suggested/recommended

Testicular Torsion : a Fifteen Year Review in a Nigerian Teaching Hospital

Aim and Objectives: To determine the prevalent age; presentation; duration of symptoms before intervention; and outcome of management of testicular torsion (TT) in our community. Design: A fifteen-year retrospective study. Setting: University Teaching Hospital. Materials and Method: Records of patients managed for TT; January 1992- Decem- ber 2006; were reviewed. Records of 91 out of 106 patients managed during the period were available for review. The age of patient; presentation; duration of symptoms; predisposing factors; interval between presentation and operation; and outcome of management were extracted and analyzed. Results: Ninety-one patients; mean age 20.1yrs (range 8-34) were reviewed. The average duration of symptoms at presentation was 26.7hrs (range 1.5- 168). The patients were mostly 74(81.3) students. All of them presented with scrotal pain; and 66(72.5) had scrotal swelling (Left: Right=1.8:1). Torsion was partial (180-270o) in 14(15.4); and complete (360o-1440o) in 77(84.6). Intra-scrotal anatomic abnormalities were observed in 77(84.6) patients. Testes were viable in 59(64.8) patients offered bilateral orchidopexy and gangrenous in 32(35.2) that had orchi- dectomy with contralateral orchidopexy. The average duration of hospital stay was 2.8days. Most of the patients 76(83.5) were lost to follow up within 3 weeks postoperative. Conclusion: TT occurs in patients aged 8-34yrs in our immediate community. Presentation is late and most patients 77(84.6) have predisposing congenital abnormalities. There is a need for increase awareness by the general public and the health personnel's of the danger posed by delay in treating TT. Where doubts exist; early scrotal exploration should be the investigation and intervention of choice to prevent irreversible damage to the germ cells