Dynamics of malaria vector indices in two vegetation zones within North Eastern Adamawa State, Nigeria

@#Studies profiling community and zonal malaria entomological risk indices are required to identify high risk areas where targeted control resources are most needed or likely to have the greatest impact on reducing risk of malaria infection. This study presents a first report on malaria vector risk indices in two vegetation zones within Adamawa state, Nigeria. Endophilic mosquitoes were collected for one year in selected communities in the Guinea and Sudan savanna zones within the State. Plasmodium falciparum Sporozoite and human blood meal ELISA assays were carried out on the female Anopheles mosquitoes collected. Sibling species composition of the An. gambiae complex were determined using PCR assays. Mean numbers of mosquitoes in the Guinea savanna communities were significantly (t = 7.73, DF = 11, p < 0.001) higher than the Sudan. Man-biting rates (F = 2.76, p = 0.13) of Anopheles mosquitoes were higher in the Guinea but not significantly different from Sudan savanna. Sporozoite rates of mosquitoes within the Guinea savanna were 2.7 times higher than the Sudan. The predominant Anopheles coluzzii species encountered in the state had higher overall human blood indices (0.63) and sporozoite rates (6.9%) compared to An. gambiae (0.39, 1.9%) and An. arabiensis (0.58, 2.3%) respectively. Overall annual human blood indices (0.59) of mosquitoes in Adamawa were lower compared to reports from other States. Prevalence and higher transmission risks indices of endophilic An. coluzzii mosquitoes reveal the need for LLIN and management of relatively permanent An. coluzzii breeding sites in the State. Widespread cattle rearing lifestyle and lower human blood indices of mosquitoes in the study area suggest the need to investigate cattle blood indices of the mosquitoes in the state. Higher entomological risk indices in the Guinea Savanna zone provide baseline information for prioritization of malaria vector control supplies within the State.

Hematological and Immunological Effect of Cannabis sativa on Albino Wistar Rats.

The present study is aimed at ascertaining the effect of oral feeding of Cannabis sativa on blood parameters and immunity in rats. Administration of Cannabis sativa was done by orogastric feeding. All the groups had free access to water and food. The experiment lasted for 28 days. At the end of the 28 days of feeding, we observed that the mean red blood cell count was 5.68±0.09 x 106/mm3, 5.90±0.04 x 106 mm3 and 6.38 ±0.22 x 106 mm3 for control, low dose (LD) and high dose (HD) respectively. The red blood cells count in high dose was significantly higher (P<0.05) than low dose and control (P<0.01) respectively. However there was no significant difference between control and low dose. The total white blood cell count for control, LD and HD groups was 2.26±0.13 x 103/mm3, 1.69±0.04 x 103 mm3 and 1.58±0.09 x 103mm3 respectively. There was however no significant difference between the LD and HD even though both test groups were each significantly (P<0.001) lower than control. There was no significant difference in the pack cell volume (PCV) among the groups. The haemoglobin concentration (Hb) did not show any significant difference between LD and HD, but between the control and HD there was significantly higher (P<0.05) Hb concentration in HD. The mean platelet count for control, LD and HD were 252±14.94 x 103/mm3, 364±7.47 x 103/mm3 and 424±7.47 x 103/mm3 respectively. Both experimental group were each significantly higher (P<0.001) than control group. Platelet in the high dose was significantly higher (P<0.01) than in the low dose. In the differential count, the lymphocytes, monocytes and neutrophils were significantly (P<0.001) reduced in high and low dose groups when compared with control. Eosinophils and basophils increased significantly (P<0.001) in both high and low dose groups when compared with control. Mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) showed a significant increase (P<0.05) in the high dose when compared with control but mean corpuscular Hb was unaffected.

Vitamin C improves basal metabolic rate and lipid profile in alloxan-induced diabetes mellitus in rats.

Diabetes mellitus (DM)is a multi-factorial disease which is characterized by hyperglycaemia, lipoprotein abnormalities and oxidative stress. This study evaluated effect of oral vitamin C administration on basal metabolic rate and lipid profile of alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Vitamin C was administered at 200 mg/kg body wt. by gavage for four weeks to diabetic rats after which the resting metabolic rate and plasma lipid profile was determined. The results showed that vitamin C administration significantly (p less than 0.01) reduced the resting metabolic rate in diabetic rats; and also lowered plasma triglyceride, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. These results suggest that the administration of vitamin C in this model of established diabetes mellitus might be beneficial for the restoration of basal metabolic rate and improvement of lipid profile. This may at least in part reduce the risk of cardiovascular events seen in diabetes mellitus.

A controlled study of anxiety and depression in mothers of children with learning disability in Lagos, Nigeria

BACKGROUND:Parents of children with learning disability have been reported to suffer great stress and frustration due to increased burden of care. The manifestation of stigmatization by familial environment and the collective effect of the children with adverse impact on mothers predispose them to mental shock or a variety of neurotic symptoms and other psychiatric conditions including anxiety and depression. The objectives of the study were: to determine the general Health Questionnaire (GHQ) score of mothers of children with learning disability. To identify sociodemographic variables and to assess anxiety and depression in them.METHODS:Using structured questionnaires between March and May 2002, 106 mothers of children with learning disability in a Mentally Handicapped Home for children in Lagos, Nigeria were assessed and compared with mothers of normal healthy children in Lagos.RESULTS:The mean age of the subjects was 40.0 +/- 6.6 years. More of the subjects (26.4%) compared with mothers of normal healthy children (9.9%) had a high GHQ score and high levels of anxiety (25.5%) and depression (10.4%). Marital difficulties were associated with learning disability.CONCLUSION:Mothers of children with learning disability are prone to emotional and psychological disorders. In order to improve the well-being of children with learning disability, there is need to look into the mental and physical health of mothers. Early and prompt treatment of associated anxiety and depression will no doubt help the children

Carbamazepine in the management of premenstrual tension syndrome

Three patients with premenstrual tension syndrome; several days before their menses are presented. They were successfully treated with carbamazepine and the psychiatric episodes have not recurred. Pharmacodynamics of carbamazepine is briefly considered

How the senior medical students see the psychiatrists

The views of 103 fourth year medical students; using a 41-items questionnaire; on their teachers in psychiatry are presented. Their perception of the course in psychiatry and the teachers after their 4 week course in psychiatry is worthy of interest. Views from students should be sought continually