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The emergence of pathogenic bacteria that are resistant to several antibiotics has recently presented a significant challenge to the healthcare system. Therefore, an alternative source of antimicrobial agents is needed. The study aimed to compare the antibacterial activities of aqueous and ethanol extracts of ripe and unripe fruits of red and yellow varieties of Anacardium occidentale against Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. Cold maceration method of extraction was used using water and ethanol. Antibacterial activities of the extracts against the isolates were evaluated by agar diffusion method while minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined using broth dilution method. In the determination of the antibacterial activities of all the extracts, the highest zones of inhibition were shown by ethanolic extracts of both ripe red cashew (25 mm) and yellow cashew (26 mm) against Escherichia coli. Both the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of unripe red and yellow cashew had no antibacterial effect against Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. As well, both aqueous and ethanol extracts of ripe red and yellow cashew and ethanolic extract of ripe yellow cashew inhibited all the test organisms. Minimum inhibitory concentration ranged from 50 to 150 mg/ml. At 100 mg/ml, both ethanolic extracts of ripe red and yellow cashew were bactericidal to Escherichia coli while aqueous extract of ripe red cashew was bactericidal to Escherichia coli at 150 mg/ml. The antibacterial activities of A. occidentale apple (fruit) extracts underscore the credence to the efficacy of their use as traditional remedy against some human ailments.
Subject(s)
AnacardiumABSTRACT
Background:Pelvic pain is abdominal pain located below the level of umbilicus, including frequent lower back pain with or without radiation to the thighs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the common ultrasound findings in subjects with pelvic pain. Methods:Itwas a retrospective study and involved collection of information from the folders of the subjects. A total of 820 folders were used for this study. Information collected from these folders included; the age, sex, provisional diagnosis and ultrasound findings. Data collected was arranged and statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 20 was used for analysis. Descriptive statistics was used and results arranged in frequency tables and percentages. Results:The result showed that males were 160 (20%) and females were 660 (80%). The age ranged from < 20years to 70 years and above. The mean age of the subjects was 35.66�.82 years. The mean age of the male is 51.83�.56 years and that of the females is 31.77�.02 years. Normal scan was the predominant ultrasound finding. The most common pathological finding was uterine fibroid (21.3%) and followed by pelvic inflammatory disease (15.2%).Conclusions:Ultrasound is an essential tool in the diagnosis of pelvic pain in males and females. Uterine fibroid was the most common pathological finding in females while benign prostate hypertrophy was the most common in males.
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Human bite injuries of the eyelids are particularly rare. In most reported cases of human bites to the eyelids associated with tissue loss, the avulsed tissue was viable and available for reconstruction. Herein we reported successful reconstruction of eyelid defect due to human bite injury in which the avulsed eyelid tissue was not available for reconstruction
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Corneal thermal burn from domestic electric clothes pressing iron is a very rare occurrence among teenagers in Nigeria. We report the case of thermal burn to the ocular surface of a 16-year-old female, at home, from the sole plate of an electric clothes pressing iron. She presented with superficial eyelids and corneal burns (RoperHall Classification Grade II; Dua Classification Grade II). The patient was successfully managed with topical cyclopentolate 2%, topical moxifloxacin 0.5%, and tetracycline ointment. Well-documented causative agents of domestic eye injuries in the young in Nigeria are usually flying missiles. Thermal ocular injuries are quite uncommon, and when they occur, are likely due to steam burns. This report highlights the electric clothes pressing iron as a domestic hazard that caregivers must be mindful of.
Subject(s)
Humans , Eye Burns , Contact Lenses , Corneal Transplantation , NigeriaABSTRACT
Background: During an epidemic, an associated rise in mental health concerns is usually observed. The impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown on mental health of adults residing in Nigeria is unknown. The current study attempts to determine the prevalenceof psychological distress among adult residents in Nigeria and explore any potential risk factors. Methodology: An online survey developed with Google form was distributed to willing respondents using social media platforms between the time period of 24thof April to 30thof May 2020. Kessler psychological distress scale was used to assess for prevalence of mental health morbidity. Results: Overall, 815 adults responded to the survey, of which 344(42.2%) were males and 471(57.8%) females with a Male:Female ratio of 1:1.4. Overall, the top 3 sources of information on facts concerning COVID-19 were television (28.1%), WhatsApp (16.5%) and health care providers (14.3%), while the least source of information was the Nigerian Center for Disease Control (NCDC) (0.8%). 47.3% of the respondents had psychological distress: medium risk (41.4%) and high risk (5.9%). Significant predictors include age, occupation, income, working status, and perception of how likely the respondent believe that he or she can be infected with the disease.Conclusion: A high prevalence of psychological distress was detected among adults living in Nigeria. This calls for an urgent review of the existing national protocol on the management of COVID-19 to include strategies and programs that will promptly detect and address the mental health needs of at-risk populations
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Extracts of Hibiscus sabdariffa (HS) and Azadirachta indica (AI) are widely used in Nigeria for medicinal purposes and have also been shown to affect weight changes anecdotally through mechanisms not yet defined. There are reports of decreased food consumption and weight gain in rats consuming HS extracts as the drinking solutions but there is paucity of data on the effect of these two extracts, administered by gavage, on weight changes during pregnancy and lactation. This study was therefore designed to investigate this in relation to food and fluid intake. 40 pregnant rats weighing 150-200 g were used for this study. They were divided into three groups: control, HS and AI groups. HS and AI groups were subdivided into two subgroups of low and high doses. Extract administration was orally by gavage and commenced on day 1 of pregnancy and ended on postnatal day 21. Food and fluid consumption were monitored throughout pregnancy and lactation. The results showed that the aqueous extract of HS and AI increased consumption of food and fluid during pregnancy and lactation, increased maternal weight gain during pregnancy and lactation. From the results of the present study, it can be concluded that consumption of aqueous extracts of HS and AI during pregnancy and lactation increased fluid and food intake and weight gain of dams with a possible potential to accelerate weight loss or decrease postpartum weight retention during lactation.
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Background: Kidney disease is more common in people of African descent in developed countries. Studies reporting estimate Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) in African populations and people living with HIV have been carried more frequently on adults than children. The study aimed to assess eGFR by use of the SCHWARTZ formula in HIV infected children seen at tertiary hospital.Methods: A descriptive, prospective and cross sectional study of 221 children with HIV infection. Schwartz formula was used to determine eGFR. The main outcome measures were eGFR. The study population comprised HIV infected children attending Paediatric out-patients' clinic and those admitted into the Paediatric wards, aged between 6 months and 15 years. Data was analysed using SPSS version 20 and results presented in tables and figures. Results: The age range of the study subjects was 12 months to 15 years with the mean age and SD of 8.21'3.61 years. There were 129 (58.4%) male and 92 (41.6%) female children with male to female ratio 1: 0.7.' The mean age for males was 7.87'3.49 years while that for females was 8.70'3.71 years. The eGFR for the study as determined by Schwartz formula had a range of 49.21 to 463.67 ml/ min/ 1.73m2 with the mean of 159.56'59.04 ml/min. The mean eGFR for the males and females were 166.39'63.54ml/ min and 149.99'45.01 ml/ min respectively. Conclusion: The study, in comparison with other studies, observed a lower prevalence of CKD in HIV infected children. Detection of CKD in HIV infection children may be more optimal if combined methods are employed.
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The maize value chain in the Kogi State and most parts of the country from where maize is purchased into the State lacks mechanisms that ensure grain quality and safety. Against the above-backdrop, this study was designed to evaluate toxigenic fungi and associated mycotoxins in maize produced within different agro-zones of Kogi State. Harvested and stored maize seeds under different storage conditions were collected from three different zones (Zone B Bassa, Zone C Lokoja, and Zone D Idah) and cultured. Different fungal species were isolated by culturing using the spread plate technique on potato dextrose agar (PDA) and identified microscopically. Mycotoxin production by isolated fungi was subsequently evaluated for Deoxynivalenol (DON) contamination using the High-Performance Liquid Chromatography technique (HPLC). The outcome of the study was statistically analysed using simple frequencies and percentages. Aspergillus spp. and Penicillium spp. were the fungi found to be associated with the stored seeds in Kogi, while Fusarium spp. Mucor spp. and Rhizopus spp. were the field fungi identified. Of the thirteen samples collected, the most common genera were Aspergillus (isolated from 41.67% of the evaluated samples), Fusarium (27%) and in a lesser extent Rhizopus spp. (8.33%). The result also shows DON was detected in 92.3% of the stored maize samples, making it one of the widespread mycotoxin contaminants of maize grain. Implications of this study for human and animal health and economic development were discussed and appropriate recommendations made especially for adoption of proper storage technology among small-scale farmers for improved maize quality and safety.
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Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) has been described as an ‘equal opportunity’ pathogen affecting both sexes and the leading cause of cervical cancer. Vaccination against oncogenic HPV types is a significant step towards decreasing the prevalence, morbidity, and mortality associated with cervical cancer. Objectives: To investigate attitude and perceived barriers to uptake of HPV vaccine among female students in a Nigerian Tertiary Institution. Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study that was conducted in the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus from March 01 to April 01, 2017. The representative sample size of 320 female undergraduates was selected using a multistage sampling technique. Data were entered using Microsoft Excel Windows 7 and exported to IBM SPSS version 20.0 software for analysis. Results: Total 38 (13.0%) participants had received HPV vaccine. Majority of the participants had a positive attitude towards HPV vaccination (2.5 ± 6.4). The major perceived barriers to uptake of vaccination were: exorbitant cost of the vaccine (94.1%) and lack of time due to lectures (53.0%). Age of the participants had no influence on the uptake of HPV vaccine whereas department, ethnic group, and marital status had a strong influence on vaccination uptake (p<0.05). Conclusion: A low proportion of the participants had received the HPV vaccine. Majority of the participants had a positive attitude towards HPV vaccination. The major perceived barrier to vaccination was the exorbitant cost of the vaccine. The university in collaboration with the Ministry of Health should design strategies to enlighten the university community on HPV infection through seminars and workshops.
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The efficacy of repeated doses of Dinazene® in Albino rats experimentally infected with Trypanosoma brucei [Gboko strain] was investigated. A total of 30 adult female Albino rats weighing 130-190 g were used for the study. They were assigned to six groups [groups A-F] of five rats each. Groups A-D were infected intraperitoneally with 1.0 × 106 trypanosomes in 400 microL of PBS diluted blood while groups E [uninfected treated] and F [uninfected untreated] served as controls. The rats in the groups A-D as well as those in group E were treated with 7.0 mg/kg body weight at day 11 post infection. Groups B, C and D however received two, three and four repeated doses of the drug at weekly intervals following initial treatment. There was complete clearance of the parasite within 120 h post treatment. Parasitaemia, packed cell volume [PCV], total red blood cell [RBC] and white blood cell [WBC] counts, haemoglobin concentration [Hb], rectal temperature, and body weight were used to assay the efficacy of treatment. Following treatment and parasite clearance from the blood, there was improvement [P<0.05] in the values of parameters measured when compared to the uninfected controls. However, relapse infection was observed in the rats of group A, B and C, with a resultant decline in clinical condition and values of parameters used to assess efficacy. We concluded that four consecutive treatments using same dose at weekly intervals proved efficacious in the experimental management of T. brucei infection in rats
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Phytochemical, pharmarcognostic and microscopy analysis were carried out on the leaves of Clerodendrum polycephalum Baker in order to determine the secondary metabolites present in the plant and the pharmacognostic parameters and microscopic structures of the leaf of the plant. The phytochemical screening indicated the presence of carbohydrate, reducing sugar, tannins, saponins, flavonoids, resins, balsams, alkaloid and phlobatannins and the absence of monosaccharide, combined reducing sugar, pentose sugar, ketoses, cardiac glycosides, sterols, flavonoids aglycone and anthraquinone. The pharmacognostic analysis for moisture content and extractive values showed moisture content of 7.4%, and alcohol and water extractive value of 23.00% and 22.67% respectively. Microscopic studies revealed the presence of anomocytic Stomata on the lower surface and absence of it on the upper surface. The thin layer chromatographic study showed 5 spots for the hexane extract, 4 spots for ethyl acetate extract, while the methanol extract gave 3 spots. The information obtained would be useful for the authentication of the plant leaf samples, and in development of monograph for the plant.
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Schistosoma haematobium is one of the most prevalent parasitic flatworms, infecting over 112 million people in Africa. However, little is known about the genetic diversity of natural S. haematobium populations from the human host because of the inaccessible location of adult worms in the host. We used 4 microsatellite loci to genotype individually pooled S. haematobium eggs directly from each patient sampled at 4 endemic locations in Africa. We found that the average allele number of individuals from Mali was significantly higher than that from Nigeria. In addition, no significant difference in allelic composition was detected among the populations within Nigeria; however, the allelic composition was significantly different between Mali and Nigeria populations. This study demonstrated a high level of genetic variability of S. haematobium in the populations from Mali and Nigeria, the 2 major African endemic countries, suggesting that geographical population differentiation may occur in the regions.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Animals , Child , Female , Humans , Male , Genetic Variation , Genotype , Mali , Microsatellite Repeats , Nigeria , Schistosoma haematobium/classification , Schistosomiasis haematobia/parasitologyABSTRACT
Schistosoma haematobium is one of the most prevalent parasitic flatworms, infecting over 112 million people in Africa. However, little is known about the genetic diversity of natural S. haematobium populations from the human host because of the inaccessible location of adult worms in the host. We used 4 microsatellite loci to genotype individually pooled S. haematobium eggs directly from each patient sampled at 4 endemic locations in Africa. We found that the average allele number of individuals from Mali was significantly higher than that from Nigeria. In addition, no significant difference in allelic composition was detected among the populations within Nigeria; however, the allelic composition was significantly different between Mali and Nigeria populations. This study demonstrated a high level of genetic variability of S. haematobium in the populations from Mali and Nigeria, the 2 major African endemic countries, suggesting that geographical population differentiation may occur in the regions.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Animals , Child , Female , Humans , Male , Genetic Variation , Genotype , Mali , Microsatellite Repeats , Nigeria , Schistosoma haematobium/classification , Schistosomiasis haematobia/parasitologyABSTRACT
Aim: For an affordable therapy for Human immune-deficiency virus (HIV) infections, antiretroviral effects of a synthetic aluminum-magnesium silicate (AMS) were tested. Materials and Methods: Plasma that tested positive to HIV and the AMS were mixed, on equal volume to weight basis, incubated one hour at room temperature and centrifuged for ten minutes at 3,000 revolutions per minute. These procedures were repeated on each supernatant. HIV titres of the two sets of supernatants and the titres in portions of the plasma, not incubated with the AMS were assessed by direct passive hemagglutination test. Results: Mean HIV titres of the plasma increased from 4.00±1.60 to 14.00±2.00 when incubated with the AMS. Repeating the incubation, reduced mean HIV titres in plasma from 14.00±2.00 to 6.50±1.50 (P=0.024). Conclusion: It was concluded that the AMS has antiretroviral effects and could be an inexpensive antiretroviral therapy for regular treatment to reduce high rate of HIV infection among low income groups.
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OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effect of diminazene aceturate (DA) alone or in combination with either levamisole and/or Vitamin C in albino rats experimentally infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei.@*METHODS@#Thirty adult male albino rats, randomly assigned into 6 groups (A-F) of 5 rats each were used. They were either infected with 1×10(6) trypanosomes intraperitoneally (groups A-E) or uninfected (group F). The different groups were treated respectively as follows: group A-with 3.5 mg/kg DA; group B-3.5 mg/kg DA and 7.5 mg/kg levamisole; group C-3.5 mg/kg DA and 100 mg/kg vitamin C; and group D-3.5 mg/kg DA and 7.5 mg/kg levamisole and 100 mg/kg vitamin C. Group E was left untreated. Parameters assessed include: rectal temperature, body weight changes, packed cell volume (PCV), Haemoglobin concentration (Hb), total leucocyte count (TLC) differential leucocyte count (DLC), parasitaemia, clinical signs and survivability.@*RESULTS@#Average pre-patent period of 5 days was recorded. Parasites in the blood were cleared in all treated groups (A-D) within 48 hours post treatment (PT). Untreated rats in group E died between 25 and 32 days post infection (PI). Relapse was not recorded in all the treated groups (A-D). The initial reduction in PCV, Hb, TLC and increases in rectal temperature following infection were reversed by the treatments. The rats that received drug combinations (groups B, C and D) showed faster and higher recovery rates than the uninfected control and group A.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Levamisole and/or Vitamin C combination with DA were more effective in the treatment of rats infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei.
Subject(s)
Animals , Male , Rats , Ascorbic Acid , Therapeutic Uses , Body Temperature , Body Weight , Diminazene , Therapeutic Uses , Drug Therapy, Combination , Hemoglobins , Leukocyte Count , Levamisole , Therapeutic Uses , Parasite Load , Trypanocidal Agents , Therapeutic Uses , Trypanosoma brucei brucei , Trypanosomiasis, African , Drug TherapyABSTRACT
Body Mass Index (BMI) has been described as a significant predictor of Blood Pressure (B.P) but few studies have demonstrated this association in our environment. The study aims to determine the pattern of relationship between BMI and blood pressure in our environment Two thousand and ninety six (2096) students in two Universities located in Enugu; South East Nigeria completed the study. The blood pressure; weight and height were measured. Body mass index was calculated as weight in Kilograms divided by height in meters square (kg/m ). More females than males were underweight (9.4versus 4.7). More males than females were overweight (8versus 4).Obesity occurred more in males than females (7versus 0.9).Blood pressure parameters increased significantly with BMI (p
Subject(s)
Blood Pressure , Body Mass Index , Risk Factors , StudentsABSTRACT
Sickle cell disease [HbSS] is a major health problem in Nigeria and malaria has been implicated as a leading cause of morbidity/mortality in sickle cell disease patients. Few reasons were put forward to explain the observed morbidity/mortality of HbSS subjects due to Plasmodium falciparum [P. falciparum] malaria. To determine the level of immunoglobulin classes [IgM, IgA, and IgG] and regulators of complement system [C1 inhibitor and C3 activator] in Nigerian HbSS patients with and without P. falciparum parasitemia. A total of 64 subjects were considered, including 10 HbSS genotypic subjects with P. falciparum parasitemia [HbSS+PfM], 18 HbAA genotypic subjects with P. falciparum parasitemia [HbAA+PfM], 20 HbSS without P. falciparum parasitemia [HbSS-PfM], and 16 HbAA genotypic subjects without P. falciparum parasitemia [HbAA-PfM]. IgM, IgA, IgG, C1 inhibitor, and C3 activator titers were quantified by single radial immunodiffusion method. The mean levels of IgG in HbSS+PfM [2373.90 +/- 1772.81mg/dl] and HbAA+PfM [1868.80 +/- 0.00mg/dl] were significantly higher compared with HbSS-PfM [644.55 +/- 171.15mg/dl] or HbAA-PfM [659.75 +/- 158.01mg/dl] patients. HbAA-PfM subjects had the lowest level of IgM [67.27 +/- 63.7mg/dl], though no significant difference was observed comparing mean levels of IgM between the four groups. IgA titer was significantly higher in HbSS-PfM patients [249.00 +/- 94.8mg/dl] compared with HbAA-PfM [p<0.05], HbAA+PfM [p<0.05], or HbSS+PfM [p<0.05]. The mean values of C1 inhibitor were lower in HbSS+PfM and HbAA+PfM compared with HbSS-PfM or HbAA-PfM. However, HbAA+PfM had a significantly lower value of C1 inhibitor compared with HbAA-PfM [p<0.01]. C3 activator was highest in HbSS-PfM [17.10 +/- 7.35mg/dl] and was significantly higher compared with HbSS+PfM [p<0.05]. Increased C1 inhibitor and decreased C3 activator in HbSS+PfM compared with HbAA+PfM shows that deranged regulation of complement factors may be responsible for increased susceptibility of HbSS to P. falciparum malaria