Antinutritional factors, toxic elements and phytochemicals present in jatropha curcas fruits, kernels, seeds and ethanol seed extract

Jatropha curcas (J. curcas) seeds have been exploited as a source of biodiesel and for its ethnomedicinal uses and agro feed potential, however, toxic properties have been associated with the seeds. The study was aimed at determining the toxic constituents present in J. curcas fruits, seeds and kernels and ethanol seed extract. Standard methods were employed in the investigations, including those of the Association of Analytical Chemists and Trease and Evans. J. curcas fruits, seeds and kernels from Sierra Leone contained cyanogenic glycosides (in mg/100g) of 7.10, 5.10 and 16.96 while the corresponding values for the Nigeria samples were 11.60, 10.15 and 15.92; all greatly above the maximum permissible limits of 0.05-0.35. Similarly, the tannin contents of the fruits, seeds and kernels from Sierra Leone (1.66, 1.46, and 1.80) and of the seeds and kernels from Nigeria (1.40, 1.48) approximated the maximum permissible limits of 1.5 mg/100g or were higher. In contrast, the phytates and saponins which ranged from 1.78-2.14 and 1.64-2.42 for both sources of J. curcas were significantly below the maximum permissible levels of 500 mg/100g (for phytates) and 100 mg/100g (for saponins). Heavy metals like cadmium, copper, chromium and lead were also detected, but their concentrations were below the maximum permissible limits. These constituents were mostly similar regardless of the country source of Jatropha. Ethanol extract of J. curcas seeds was found to contain toxic phytochemicals and heavy metals. J. curcas as food cannot be ruled out especially for animals since cooking, fermentation and heat treatment can significantly reduce some of these antinutritional factors

Some socio-demographic features of mood disorders presented by patients attending a northern Nigerian tertiary health institution clinic.

The aim of this study was to document some socio-demographic features of mood disorders in a Northern Nigerian tertiary health institution clinic. A retrospective evaluation of patients’ hospital records from1st January to 31st December 2006, using structured data forms which were analyzed with SPSS. All patients diagnosed of mood disorders (n=145) were included in the study sample. Mood disorders accounted for 26.0% of all patients who attended the Psychiatry clinic during the 1-year period, second only to schizophrenia (39.8%). Depression was the most prevalent sub-type of mood disorders (54.5%) followed by bipolar affective disorders (32.4%), hypomania (9.0%) and mania (4.1%). Majority of the patients with mood disorders were female (62.1%), below thirty years of age (57.2%), married (57.2%), had tertiary education (41.8%) and were unemployed (60.7%). Other features seen were: family history of psychiatry disorders in (29.0%) and substance abuse (13.1%), non-psychiatry co-morbid physical conditions (38.0%) were more prevalent than psychiatry co-morbid disorders (27.6%). These known features of mood disorders in this tertiary health institution clinic form valuable baseline data and would contribute to the pharmacological and other managements of the patients.

Start-off HIV/AIDS clinic situation and patient's socio-demographic data in a northern Nigerian hospital.

The aim of this study was to determine the HIV/AIDS clinic situation and patients’ socio-demographic data at start-off in a northern Nigerian hospital. Data was collected from clinic records and patients’ folders covering the period between September 2004 and August 2005 and analysed with SPSS. Thirty-four clinics were held for 497 registered persons who made 2,047 attendances. The patients were attended to by 5 doctors, 2 counsellors, 4 pharmacists, 2 nurses and 2 laboratory scientists. Clinics held which hit the 100% weekly mark by June 2005, have since become twice a week. Most of the patient population were female (58.6%), and married (73.5%). The vast majority were in their work-productive years – 20s (23.4%), 30s (41.9%) and 40s (26.2%), although more than half (53.7%) were unemployed. The patients were equally distributed between the two predominant religions – Christianity and Islam. That most of the patients were Hausa by tribe, from Kaduna State in the North-West Geo-political Zone, and resident in Zaria was adjudged to be incidental and due to the location of the hospital. Availability of antiretroviral drugs and regular holding of clinics is very crucial in the management of HIV/AIDS patients, hence current trend of 100% clinics held in addition to free drugs should be continued for effective management.