ABSTRACT
Several toxic effects of crude oil and some of its products on reproduction have been reported. High rate of child malnutrition and mortality, including increased birth defects and rashes have also been reported in areas impacted by oil development. This study therefore considers the impact of crude oil on reproduction as information in this area is still scanty. With informed consent, blood samples were collected (through the median cubital vein) from a total of one hundred and eighty apparently healthy human subjects (60 males and 30 females) from two locations; Olomoro (an oil producing community) and Owa (a non-oil producing community). Next, socio-economic and educational status of participants where ascertained. Using the Z statistics, student’s t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA), Statistical measures for such parameters as RBC, WBC, PCV, Total serum protein (TSP), serum Albumin (SA), Haemoglobin concentration (Hb), FSH, Estrogen and Testosterone were conducted. A Significant reduction was observed in Haemoglobin concentration, TSP and SA of subjects in oil impacted community. Also, Significant reduction in number of surviving children, save deliveries and ante natal attendance was seen, along with a significant increase in the number of assisted delivery, still births, complications and gestation periods in oil impacted community, suggesting a poorer maternal and child health indication in crude oil impacted community. Study also observed a significant reduction in WBC, RBC and PCV of inhabitants of the crude oil impacted community.
ABSTRACT
In humans, one of the major complications of chronic Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is Peripheral Neuropathy. Apparently linked to ischemic Nerve damage, a ravaging puzzle on its pathophysiology, onset prediction, and prognosis is yet to be fully uncovered. Today, what seems to be a major “breakthrough” is the discovery that chronic DM damages signal transduction across Nerve and Muscle tissues, leading to a bad and/or poorly coordinated reflex. The goal of this study was to find in humans, the relationship that binds fasting blood sugar (FBS) with grip muscle strengths and reflex response time. To achieve this, 387 humans were ethically sourced from Ethiope East Local government area of Delta State, Nigeria. Based on their glucometer readings, subjects were then gender-sorted and classified into 3 groups; A (hypoglycaemic), B (normoglycaemic or control), and C (hyperglycaemic). Using the hand-grip dynamometer (HGD) and Meter rule, subjects’ Grip Muscle strengths (GMS) and Reflex Response times (RRT) were respectively obtained and mapped against their corresponding glucometer reading (FBS). Using the Pearson Product moment correlation coefficient, Statistical measure of association (correlation) was conducted on obtained variables, and ANOVA was used to analyse the differences between means of each groups. Though no actual difference(s) was/were found between GMS and RRT, apparently, there was a weak Auditory-FBS relationship in hypoglycaemic females, and a weak GMS-FBS, plus Tactile-FBS correlations in hypoglycaemic males and females respectively.
ABSTRACT
The antisickling and membrane stabilizing effect of aqueous extract of Carica papaya leaf was investigated. Fifty confirmed HbSS patients on routine clinical checkup were involved in this experiment after their consent has been obtained. 50 samples of HbSS blood were collected. The samples were divided into five groups, with ten (10) samples in each group. The samples in the different groups were treated with different concentration of the extract ranging from 2mg/ml to 10mg/ml. In group 1 the samples were treated with 2mg/ml concentration of Carica papaya leaf extract. In group 2 the samples were treated with 4mg/ml concentration of Carica papaya leaf extract. In group 3 the samples were treated with 6mg/ml concentration of Carica papaya leaf extract. Group 4 samples were treated with 8mg/ml concentration of Carica papaya leaf extract. While group 5 samples were treated with 10mg/ml concentration of Carica papaya leaf extract. For each sample three different tests were carried out (osmotic fragility, sickling test and reversal sickling test). For each test, two test tubes were set up; control without Carica papaya leaf extract and Experiment with Carica papaya leaf extract. Data obtained was analysed using Student’s Ttest on SPSS software computer package. Results showed a dose dependent significant reduction (p<0.05) in sickling of Reb Blood Cell treated with different doses of the extract, also the extract show ability to reverse already sickled Red Blood Cells as there was significant reduction (p<0.05) in sickling of Red Blood Cells after treatment. There was also significant reduction (p<0.05) in osmotic fragility of Red Blood Cells treated with the extract. We therefore conclude that aqueous extract of Carica papaya leaf has anti-sickling effect which may be related to its direct action on HaemoglobinS and also its membrane stabilizing ability. This extract therefore may be a good candidate in Sickle Cell Disease therapy.