Ocularhaemodynamics Parameters of Asymptomatic HAART Experienced HIV-Infected Under-Five Children

Objectives: Study aimed at evaluating the impacts of HAART on retinal blood flow of a symptomatic HAART - experienced HIV-infected underfive children. Method: Ethical approval and patient consents were obtained before commencement of the study in the selected hospitals. Thirty asymptomatic HAARTexperienced HIV-infected children and three seronegative children aged 0-5 year-old fulfilled conditions for ocular ultrasonography among 60 convenience sampled under-fives. Ocular ultrasonography was done on the patients in supine position with eyes closed as instructed by the radiologist. Maximum velocity (Vmax); pulsatility index (PI); resistive index (RI); optic nerve diameter; lens thickness and axial diameter were measured. Results of HAART-experienced children were not compared with the control children because of unequal size. Data were analysed by using ANOVA and level of significance was considered at p0.05. Results: Vmax of blood flow in central retinal artery (CRA) of asymptomatic HAART - experienced HIV infected children was 12.2cm/s while that of seronegative children was 13.4 cm/s. The PI and RI of blood flow in CRA of asymptomatic HAARTexperienced HIV-infected children were 0.8 and 0.5 respectively while those of the seronegative children were 0.6 and 0.4 respectively. Reduced Vmax of blood flow of CRA was significantly associated with both increased PI and RI of asymptomatic HAARTexperienced HIV-infected underfive children.Discussion: Vmax of CRA of asymptomatic HAART-experienced HIV-infected children was reduced because of their increased PI and RI suggesting an increased resistance to blood flow in asymptomatic HAART experienced HIVinfected children.Conclusion: Reduced Vmax of blood flow to CRA was significantly associated with increased PI and RI of asymptomatic HAARTexperienced HIV-infected children

Ethnomedicinal Survey of Botanicals Used by Herbal Practitioners in Yagba East Local Government of Kogi State, Nigeria.

Despite the great values and importance of ethnobotany to the lives of men, a large percentage of distribution and utilization are yet to be identified and appropriately documented. This survey aims at identifying and documenting the medicinal plants as well as their methods of formulation for use among the people of Kogi State, Nigeria. A combination of semi-structured open ended questionnaires and guided interactive survey techniques were used to obtain information as a total of 70 respondents were interviewed. Guided direct field observation method was used for collection of cited specimen which was identified in accordance with standard taxonomic practices. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. A total of 53 medicinal plant species belonging to 36 families were identified among others as reported in this survey with the Fabaceae family being the most abundantly utilized. Leaves (47.8%), fruits (19.5%) and stem bark (10.8%) are most frequently employed and the remedies are administered mostly as decoction (s) and infusion. Ailments such as gynecological disorders, mental and nervous malfunctioning, GIT infection and disturbances, and fever, are mostly reported as commonly treated. The survey provides a veritable source of information and a reliable documentation of medicinal plants from flora of Nigeria and their uses. A further study is suggested on pharmacological evaluations of reported activities and pharmacological acceptable packaging of these medicaments.

Impact of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) on Organs of HIV Infected Children in Abia State, Nigeria.

Aim: The aim of the study is to detect effect of zidovudine + lamivudine+nevirapine (AZT+3TC+NVP) on liver and kidney. Study Design: Sixty-four children age 0 to 5 years attending FMC Umuahia were enrolled for the study in four groups. Place of Study: Study was carried out in Antiretroviral Clinic and Pediatrics Clinic of Federal Medical Center, Umuahia in Abia State, Nigeria from February 2012 to December 2012. Methodology: Fourteen asymptomatic immunocompromised HIV-infected children receiving HAART, AZT+3TC+NVP were in Group A. Thirty-five HIV-exposed children who initially received nevirapine for six weeks and later continued with co-trimoxazole were in Group B. Eight non-immunocompromised HIV-infected children who only received cotrimoxazole were in Group C. Group D had seven normal HIV-seronegative children who served as control for the study. A 2 ml blood was collected from the children, centrifuged to obtain serum which was analyzed in the laboratory for liver function test (AST, ALT) and kidney function test (creatinine, creatinine clearance). Result: Thirty-three (51.6%) of the participants were male while thirty-one (48.4%) were female. ALT was highest in Group A (14.69 IU/L) followed by Group B (13.54 IU/L), Group D (7.77 IU/L) and Group C (6.12 IU/L) respectively. AST was highest in Group A (39.42 IU/L), followed by Group B (32.22 IU/L), Group C (18.66 IU/L) and Group D (14.46 IU/L) respectively. Creatinine was highest among children in Group A (57.17 μmol/l) followed by Group C (56.49 μmol/l), Group B (53.06 μmol/l) and Group D (35.42 μmol/l). Creatinine clearance was highest in Group A (100.58 ml/min/1.732m2), followed by Group D (84.48 ml/min/1.732m2), Group C (74.69 ml/min/1.732m2) and Group B (61.17 ml/min/1.732m2) respectively. The BMI was highest in Group A (32.89 kg/m2), followed by Group B (26.33 kg/m2), Group C (22.03 kg/m2) and Group D (17.34 kg/m2) respectively. Conclusion: The study showed that HAART has significant effect on elevation of BMI and serum creatinine.

Nutritional Composition of Ten Ethnobotanicals Used for the Treatment of Anaemia in Southwest Nigeria.

Aim: Ethnobotanical investigation revealed that Parquetina nigrescens, Sorghum bicolor, Terminalia catappa, Trema orientalis, Mangifera indica, Waltheria indica, Theobroma cacao, Harungana madagascariensis, Tetracera alnifolia and Detarium microcarpum are used traditionally for the treatment of anaemia in southwestern Nigeria. This study screened the plants for their proximate constituents and phytochemical compounds to provide scientific details for their therapeutic use for the treatment of anaemia. Study design: Proximate and phytochemical analyses of ten ethnobotanicals. Place and Duration of Study: Departments of Botany, Pharmacognosy and Animal Nutrition, University of Ibadan, between January and September, 2010. Methodology: Proximate and phytochemical analyses of plant parts of ten ethnobotanicals were carried out using standard laboratory methods. Data were analysed using Statistical Analysis System (SAS). Differences between means were assessed for significance at p<0.05 by Duncan’s Multiple range test (DMRT). Results: The habits of the tested plants were 60% trees, 30% shrubs and 10% herbs. The use-value of plant parts were 60% barks and 40% leaves. The highest value (19.95%) of crude protein was recorded for P. nigrescens. S. bicolor showed significantly (P < 0.05) high content of crude fibre (30.00%) and highest dry matter was obtained from T. cacao and T. catappa. Anthraquinones were present in Harungana madagascariensis, Theobroma cacao, Mangifera indica and Waltheria indica, 70% of the test plants contained tannins, and cardiac glycosides were present in all plant samples. This study, thus confirms the nutritional potential of the test plants in addition to their active phytochemical constituents. Their nutrients might complement the active phytocompounds in therapeutic activities. Conclusion: It was concluded that there is need for the isolation and identification of the active compounds responsible for their antianaemic activities. Furthermore P. nigrescens, M. indica and T. cacao could be used as food supplements in weaning food because of their significant crude protein and fibre constituents in addition to their therapeutic potential.