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Quantitative analysis of heavy metals and nutrients in food helps indicate the safety and quality of food for final consumers. The present study was conducted to assess the presence of heavy metals (arsenic, copper, mercury, chromium, and lead) and the nutritional value of calcium in branded milk and yogurt to evaluate health risks for consumers. Ten (10) samples of branded milk and dairy products manufactured in Nigeria were purchased. The metal contents of the samples were determined using atomic absorption spectroscopy. The concentrations of calcium in the milk samples were between 9.33 ± 0.0023 and 18 ± 0.0071 ppm and were detected in all samples. Arsenic concentrations ranged from 0.45 ± 0.00042 to 2.48 ± 0.00064 ppm in eight branded samples but were undetected in two samples. Chromium levels were undetected in most samples, except for two with concentrations of 0.12±0.00049 ppm and 0.23±0.00021 ppm, respectively. Copper ranged from 0.032±0.00021 ppm to 0.129±0.00021 ppm in six samples. Mercury levels were detected in six samples at a concentration of 1.0±1.0 ppm. Lead concentrations ranged from 0.15±0.00064 to 0.29±0.00028 ppm in three samples. The study found heavy metals above the ideal concentration in branded milk and dairy products in Nigeria, highlighting the need for quality control measures during production to prevent contamination.
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Aim: The study's objective was to examine the anti-inflammatory activity and leucocyte mobilization of a methanol extract of leaves from Acalypha ciliata in adult Wistar rats. Study Design: Egg albumin-induced edema was used for anti-inflammatory test and leucocyte mobilization test was carried out to check for total leucocyte cout and differentials. Place and Duration of the Study: This original study was conducted between January and June 2013 at the Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Nigeria Nsukka. Methology: The pulverized leaf of Acalypha ciliata was extracted using cold maceration, and the Treas and Evans technique of phytochemical screening was used. The anti-inflammatory study was conducted using the method of Winter et al., and the acute toxicity study was assessed using Lorke's method. ANOVA was used to statistically examine the collected data. Results: Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, soluble carbohydrates, phenols, glycosides, saponins, terpenoids and steroids. Flavonoids, Alkaloids, and Soluble carbohydrates appeared in abundant concentration (2199.76±10.81, 2141.6±7.583, 913±21.06). Acute toxicity tests showed no toxicity and mortality at doses up to 5000 mgkg-1. Anti-inflammatory study revealed that group treated with 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg b.w of extract significantly (P =0.05) and in a dose dependant manner decreased in TLC when compared with normal control. Moreover, the group treated with 100,200,400 mg/kg b.w of extract and reference drug(Indometacin) mobilized the leucocyte at the rate of 36, 22, 12 and 62 % respectively. A significant (P = 0.05) reduction in the mean paw oedema was observed for all the treatment groups from 1 hour to 5 hours when compared to the toxic group. Conclusion: As a result of this study's findings, it can be concluded that methanol extract of the Acalypha ciliata leaf has anti-inflammatory characteristics. High dosages of the extract resulted in a better decrease of oedema and an increase in leukocyte mobilization in response to agar suspension than low doses. Many anti-inflammatory herbs and substances alter inflammatory reactions by hastening the breakdown of or reversing the effect of the inflammatory mediators. The plant's anti-inflammatory properties could potentially result from the interaction of different photochemical substances present. The findings suggest that, if used, the plant may serve as a source of anti-inflammatory compounds.
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Anthropogenic activities around the sea ports are capable of causing changes on the physicochemical and microbiological quality of water bodies along the port terminals. Such activities can cause an ecological imbalance in the water quality /ecosystem resulting in extinction of aquatic resources. The aim of this study therefore was to investigate the physicochemical and microbiological quality of surface water along the busy port terminals. Surface water samples were collected from Onne port terminal using sterile containers. The samples were collected during the wet and dry seasons between January to June 2021. The sterile bottles were filled with surface water samples and transported in an ice packed container to the Department of Microbiology Laboratory of the Rivers State University for analyses using standard analytical methods. Statistical analyses were carried out using ANOVA and All pairs tukey-kramer. Results of the physicochemical parameters showed that temperature, total dissolved solids, total suspended solids, nitrate and heavy metals were significantly higher during the dry season than the wet season at P ? 0.05 levels of significance. Seasonal variation with respect to microbial counts shows that Total Heterotrophic Bacteria, Total Heterotrophic Fungi, Total coliforms and Faecal coliforms had a mean value of 3.9±1.77 x 106; 0.8 ±0.05 x 104 ; 7.4 ±1.3 x 104 and 3.6 ±0.17 x 104 colony forming unit per millilitre respectively for wet season while the dry season had 1.6±0.77 x 106 , 0.5 ±0.01 x 104 , 4.6 ±0.17 x 104 and 2.7 ±1.03 x 104 cfu/ml respectively. In this study, the predominant bacterial isolates belonged to the genera of Vibrio, Pseudomonas, Klebsiella, Bacillus, Shigella, Staphylococcus, Salmonella, Proteus, Bacillus and Escherichia. coli. The results of physicochemical and microbiological characteristics including the heavy metals, were detected at concentrations on or below detection limits.. It is therefore suggested that relevant environmental regulatory bodies should maintain regular check to ensure that appropriate standards are maintained around seaports due to beehive of activities.
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The present century health care system has made great innovations for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Despite this, the diagnosis of parainflammation is difficult due to absence of symptoms in individuals. The development of diseases could generally be mitigated by early detection and control of parainflammation since it appears to be a unifying factor for infectious and non-infectious diseases. The present review describes the value of the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio as a biomarker for the detection of parainflammation in disease asymptomatic (apparently healthy) individuals
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Background and Objective: Plantain (Musa paradisiaca L) remains one of themost important staple food crop and perhaps, one of the oldest cultivated fruit tree crop in the humid tropics of Africa, Central Asia, South America and the West Indies.Fourteen (14) elite plantain cultivars were evaluated for genetic diversity using agro-morphological yield related attributes and simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Materials and Methods: Six (6) microsatellite markers that showed distinct fragments varying from 50 bp to 3.0 Kbp in size of polymorphic bands were selected and used for molecular characterization and fingerprinting, while agro-morphological (yield杛elated) attributes assessed included bunch weight, number of hands/bunch, number of fingers/hands, number of fingers/bunch, harvest interval, length of plant cycle, pulp hardness and pulp to skin weight ratio of the elite plantain cultivars. Results: The total number of amplified bands (TNB), mean percentage polymorphism (%P), mean polymorphic information content (PIC), average marker index (MI) and mean gene diversity for the SSR assay were 59, 70.24%, 0.79, 3.74 and 0.832 respectively. Results of agro-morphological fingerprint study revealed a significant variations in terms of the bunch weight, number of finger per hands/bunch, number of fingers per hand, number of fingers /bunch, harvest interval, length of crop cycle, pulp hardness and pulp/wt. ratio all showed significant variations among the cultivars. The distribution of the elite cultivars along with the principal components showed cluster pattern of distribution within the study location. Principal component analysis revealed four principal components contributing 99.91% to the observed morphological variations while analysis of molecular variance revealed 96.00% contributed by molecular characteristics to observed variations. The yield displayed revealed significant contributions of bunch weight, fingers/hand and fingers/bunch as the main indices for plantain yield. The dendrograms for both morphological and molecular characteristics delineated the cultivars into four distinct cluster groups and subgroups each varying in genetic distance. Conclusion: These good cultivars can be exploited for the improvement of low yielding cultivars in other region to increase and improve plantain yield, promote food security and income generation especially under the present economic realities where food security is threatened by the global food crises and declining crop productivity.
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Aim: This study was carried out to investigate the antibacterial properties and efficacy of mango (Mangifera indica) leaf extracts on some clinical isolates as test rganisms. Study Design: The study employed statistical analysis of the data and interpretationPlace and Duration of Study: Young and mature mango leaves were collected from the Botanical Garden, Kenule Beeson Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic, Bori, Nigeria, and taken to the laboratory for analyses. Methodology: The samples were dried in an oven at 80oC for 3 days. Thereafter, 50 g of each ground mango leaf (young and mature leaves) were soaked separately in 500 ml of water, ethanol (95% v/v), and acetic acid (99.9% v/v) respectively for another 3 days. The soaked materials were filtered through Whatman No. 1 filter paper into sterile beakers and evaporated to dryness in a water bath at 80oC. The dried extracts obtained were reconstituted with water at concentrations of 100, 75, 50, and 25 mg/ml. Test organisms, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, Proteus mirabilis, Bacillus cereus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were obtained after proper laboratory screening of isolates from the diagnostic laboratory of the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Nigeria, for confirmation of identity and storage in universal bottles in a refrigerator. Sensitivity tests were carried out with the agar well diffusion method against the test organisms, using tetracycline as the standard control drug, with cultures incubated accordingly. The measured zones of inhibition were compared with the controls and interpreted as resistant, intermediate, or susceptible to mango extracts in accordance with the interpretive guidelines published by the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS). Assay for minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) was also carried out. Results: Results obtained showed that acetic acid young leaf extract at 100mg/ml produced 50 % susceptibility and 50 % intermediate response of test bacterial species. Generally, at 100 mg/ml, acetic acid young leaf extracts yielded 50% susceptibility and 50% intermediate response among both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Ethanolic extracts gave 100% intermediate sensitivity of Gram-negative species and 50% each of resistant and intermediate response in Gram-positive forms. Aqueous extracts also produced no susceptibility among the test organisms as there was 100% resistance. Extracts of mature mango leaves of all solvents and at all concentrations used yielded no susceptibility response among the test bacterial species on the NCCLS scale. Minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations were found to range from 25 mg/ml to 50 mg/ml. Additionally, it was observed that the sensitivity of organisms to mango extracts increased with concentration.Conclusion: In conclusion, acetic acid has a better extracting potential than ethanol and water as a solvent for the extraction of mango parts. More so, young mango leaves extracted with acetic acid possess higher broad-spectrum antibacterial properties than the mature mango leaves extracted from the same plant. It is therefore recommended that young mango leaves, extracted with acetic acid, be used for the treatment of microbial infections at concentrations not below 50 mg/ml.
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Malaria remains a global health threat. Approximately 97% of the population is at risk in sub-Saharan countries, particularly Nigeria. This study compared the performance of 2 diagnostic methods in assessing malaria endemicity in the rural communities of Ebonyi State, Nigeria. A total of 1,140 study participants were screened for malaria parasite using Rapid Diagnostic Test kits (RDT) in the field, while thick and thin films for microscopy were examined in the laboratory. Our result showed that malaria prevalence was 56.8 by RDT and 38.6% by microscopic test. Age group under 10 years had the highest prevalence of 28.9% (RDT) and 23.6% (microscopy), respectively. The highest prevalence of 19.5% by RDT was recorded in Onicha Local Government Area, while the highest prevalence of 13.4% with microscopy was recorded in Ezza North Local Government Area. The sensitivity and specificity of microscopic examination were both 100%, while those of RDT were 95.5% and 75.9%, respectively.
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Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID19) accounts for over 92 million confirmed cases worldwide, with over 2.06 million deaths. In the past year, more than 290 candidate vaccines have been tested; COVID-19 vaccine development was sped up, with shortened timeline, due to the urgent global need in the face of the pandemic. In addition, people with the highest risk of contracting the disease, such as health workers with a high risk of exposure, elderlies, and people with underlying comorbidities, were prioritized with vaccination rollout. The article narratively reviewed original and review articles available on PubMed and Google Scholar related to the theme to provide uptodate information. The different templates developed and studied for COVID-19 vaccines include the whole-virus vaccine, viral vector vaccine, nucleic acid (deoxyribonucleic acid and ribonucleic acid), and protein subunit vaccine. Myths impede vaccine uptake in this part of the globe. Adopting these myths leads to sharing and spreading, which negatively impacts the prevention of COVID-19 and vaccine uptake. Adverse event following immunizations (AEFIs) is classified based on severity, from minor to severe. The minor ones are common events that pose no potential health risks to the receiver of the vaccine. The type determines the safety profile, severity, and frequency of AEFIs observed with the vaccine administration. Overall, this pandemic has heightened the global level of threat awareness; it has also provided motivation to prepare for future pandemics by developing new vaccines.
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Humanos , Vacunas contra la COVID-19 , COVID-19 , Vacunas de ADN , Subunidades de Proteína , NigeriaRESUMEN
Materials and methods@#Twenty-one studies out of 2,215 available articles were eligible and included for this systematic review. Relevant articles were searched, screened and included in this study according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and MetaAnalyses (PRISMA) criteria. The risk of bias in primary studies was assessed by Cochrane's method. Heterogeneity of pooled prevalence was calculated using the chi-square test on Cochrane's Q statistic, which was quantified by I-square values. The random-effects analyses of proportions were used to determine the pooled prevalence of DENV antibodies, antigen and RNA from eligible studies. @*Results@#Of these, 3 studies reported co-circulation of all the 4 serotypes, while 2 separately reported co-circulation of DENV-1 &2 and DENV-1 to -3. All the antibody-based studies had significantly high heterogeneity (I2 >90%, P 0.05). The pooled prevalence of DENV IgM, IgG, RNA, NS1 and neutralizing antibodies were 16.8%, 34.7%, 7.7%, 7.7% and 0.7%, respectively. Southeast Nigeria had the highest pooled DENV-IgG seropositivity, 77.1%. Marital status, gender, educational level and occupation status, the proximity of residence to refuse dumpsite, frequent use of trousers and long sleeve shirts were significantly associated with DENV IgG seropositivity (P <0.05). @*Conclusion@#Based on these findings, it can be inferred that Nigeria is hyperendemic for Dengue fever and needs concerted efforts to control its spread within and outside the country.
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Materials and methods@#Twenty-one studies out of 2,215 available articles were eligible and included for this systematic review. Relevant articles were searched, screened and included in this study according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and MetaAnalyses (PRISMA) criteria. The risk of bias in primary studies was assessed by Cochrane's method. Heterogeneity of pooled prevalence was calculated using the chi-square test on Cochrane's Q statistic, which was quantified by I-square values. The random-effects analyses of proportions were used to determine the pooled prevalence of DENV antibodies, antigen and RNA from eligible studies. @*Results@#Of these, 3 studies reported co-circulation of all the 4 serotypes, while 2 separately reported co-circulation of DENV-1 &2 and DENV-1 to -3. All the antibody-based studies had significantly high heterogeneity (I2 >90%, P 0.05). The pooled prevalence of DENV IgM, IgG, RNA, NS1 and neutralizing antibodies were 16.8%, 34.7%, 7.7%, 7.7% and 0.7%, respectively. Southeast Nigeria had the highest pooled DENV-IgG seropositivity, 77.1%. Marital status, gender, educational level and occupation status, the proximity of residence to refuse dumpsite, frequent use of trousers and long sleeve shirts were significantly associated with DENV IgG seropositivity (P <0.05). @*Conclusion@#Based on these findings, it can be inferred that Nigeria is hyperendemic for Dengue fever and needs concerted efforts to control its spread within and outside the country.
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This study was carried outtodetermine the antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles synthesized using goat milk against pathogens of selected vegetables. Synthesis of Silver nanoparticles was done usingGoat milk, and characterized using Ultra Violet-Visible absorption spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR),X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Maximum absorbance of Goat milk synthesized AgNPs was observed at 417 nm, with FTIR peaks at3455 cm−1, 1628 cm−1,1402 cm−1, 1081 cm−1and 517 cm−1, indicating that proteins in Goat milk (GM) were the capping and stabilization molecules involved the synthesis of AgNPs. Transmission electron microscopy analysis showed that the biosynthesized particles were spherical in shape having a size of 10-100 nm, X-ray diffraction (XRD)pattern agreed with the crystalline nature and face-centered cubic phase of AgNPs. Evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of AgNPs synthesized using GM against the indicatorstrains (Staphylococcus aureusCIP9973, Pectobacterium carotovorumPec1, Enterobacter cloacaeAS10, Klebsiella aerogenesOFM28, Proteus mirabilisUPMSD3 and Escherichia coli 2013C-3342) isolated from selected vegetables, was carried out using the Agar diffusion assay at different concentrations of 25, 75 and 100 μl/ml. The present study demonstrated that the AgNPs synthesized using Goat milk have potent biological activities, which can find applications in diverse areas.
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ABSTRACT: The high rate of food insecurity in Nigeria has resulted to malnutrition and sicknesses especially in the rural areas. To address this challenges, this study assessed the levels of biologically active compounds, some essential proximate, vitamin and mineral in leaves of Mango, Avocado pea and Sour sop to determine their nutritional and health benefits. The results indicate that the highest significant (P<0.05) values of crude protein (17.94±0.99 %), calorific value (370.47±1.01 KJ), carbohydrate (66.04±1.00 %), thiamine (0.52±0.01 mg), beta-carotene (115.50±0.01 mg) and K (0.60±0.01 %), alkaloid (2.26±0.01 %) and saponin (1.33±0.01 %) were observed in Avocado pea while ether extract (4.30±0.95 %), ash (8.24±0.99 %), crude fiber (10.60±0.95 %), ascorbic acid (13.20±0.90 mg), riboflavin (0.21±0.01 mg), Ca (4.41±0.01 %), P (0.40±0.01 %), tannin (1.38±0.01 %), flavonoid (0.85±0.01 %) and phenol (0.37±0.01 %) were obtained in Mango. The highest content of niacin (0.41±0.01 mg), Mg (1.70±0.01 %), N (2.98±0.99 %) and phytate (0.30±0.01 %) were recorded in sour sop. The highest values of Na was statistically the same (P>0.05) in Mango (0.23±0.01 %) and Sour sop (0.23±0.01 %) but significantly (P<0.05) higher than 0.19±0.01 % in Avocado pea. Similarly the highest moisture content was observed in Avocado pea (21.74±0.99 %) which is statistically equal with 20.10±0.90% in Mango but significantly (P<0.05) higher than 16.58±1.00 % in Sour sop. The leaves of Mango and Avocado pea are potential source of vitamins, mineral, phytochemical and proximate composition and is strongly recommended for nutritional and therapeutic uses to enhance good health of people
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Minerales , Fitoquímicos , VitaminasRESUMEN
Background: This research investigated the recuperative (restorative) effect of aqueous extract of Carica papaya fruit on cadmium induced prefrontal-cortex damaged in adult Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus). Previous research reports have confirmed that cadmium toxicity results in cellular damage which is due to an increase in production of reactive oxygen species and prevention of the activities of antioxidant enzymes. Various parts of the brain (prefrontal cortex, hippocampus and so on) are majorly affected by cadmium as its induced damage. Methods: 30 Wistar rats (70 g-190 g) were used for this research. The rats were randomly selected into six groups of five animals each. A single dose of 3CdSO4.8H2O (Cadmium sulphate octahydrous) 3.5 mg/kg body weights was administered intraperitoneally to three of these groups against control a group that was not exposed to Cadmium. Two groups were treated with different doses of Carica papaya fruit extract for the period of four weeks. After four weeks, the rats were sacrificed and organs excised, weigh and fixed in fixative for histological processing. The photomicrographs of the normal control, induced control and treated groups were observed and compared for histomorphological similarities and differences. Results: Cadmium was observed to have caused a distortion, disruption and calcification in the cells and tissue of the prefrontal cortex. There was shrinkage of nuclei of the neurons in cadmium induced rats. It was also observed that cadmium caused a loss in function of cell in the process of protein biosynthesis. The morphology of the neuronal cells of rats treated with high and low doses of Carica papaya extract was found to be slightly normal with increased viable neuronal cells as compared with the neurons of the normal control group 1 animals, though the restorative effects of the high dose treated rats were more pronounced. Also, it was observed that the damage to the brain section neurons treated with vitamins C and E before induction was not pronounced. Moreso, loss in body weight were observed in cadmium induced group animals and over treatment with Carica papaya, gain in the rats body weight was observed in the treatment animal groups as compared with the body weight of rats in normal control. Animal body weight before cadmium inoculation, after inoculation and before animal sacrifice were compared across all the groups and it was found that, there was a progressive increase in rats body weight (99±2,35≤ 150 ±3.21), (120±2.32≤189±3.21) and (135±1.35≤175±2.15) respectively which was significant at P ≤ 0.05. Conclusion: It can be ascertained from this present study that Carica papaya has ameliorative properties against deleterious effects of cadmium on the neurons and neuroglia of the prefrontal-cortex in Wistar rats which is dose dependent.
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Background: Cadmium is a carcinogenic agent in humans, and therefore, a cancer causing substance. In the body it is extensively circulated, but it is bound mainly to erythrocytes. Though cadmium binds to various macromolecules and proteins in the body, it is not well metabolized. Cadmium intensifies oxidative damage in the nervous system (and various other organ systems) thereby causing harm. The damage results from an increase in production of reactive oxygen species and inhibition of antioxidant enzymes as shown by previous researches. This study investigated possible effects of Carica papaya as an antioxidant in the damage of the brain caused by cadmium. Methods: Thirty Wistar rats weighing between 120 g-180 g of both sexes were divided into six groups of five animals each and used in this study. Six groups were induced intraperitoneally with a single dose of 3.5 mg/kg body weight of cadmium sulphate. Two out of these six groups were treated with high and low doses of Carica papaya, 250 mg/kg and 400mg/kg body weight respectively for the period of four weeks. After sacrifice, enzyme assays were carried out on the tissue supernatant homogenates. Results: The investigation showed that MDA level of activities decreased in the prefrontal cortex supernatant of groups 1, 2 and 6 animals and an increase in the MDA level of activities were observed in groups 4 and 5 rats which was significant at p<0.05. There was a decrease in catalase activities in groups 2 and 3 rats, also, an increase in CAT activities in groups 4 and 5 rats, the decrease was significant in groups 2 and 3 animals as compared with the control group 1 rats. GST activities decreased in groups 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 rats and the decreased activities were significant at p<0.05 when compared with control group 1 animals. Progressive increase in the superoxide dismutase was observed in groups 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 rats and this increase in activities was found significant at p<0.05 in groups 4, 5 and 6 rats when compared with the control group 1 rats. Conclusion: The present study has justified the ameliorative properties of Carica papaya in scavenging the free oxygen radicals and supplement the cellular antioxidant systems.
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This study was carried out to establish the antidiarrhoeal and antioxidant properties of the ethanol leaf extract of Pseudocedrela kotschyi in wistar albino rats. The effect of the ethanol extract on castor oil induced diarrhoea, motility of the GIT using the charcoal plug method and castor oil induced intestinal fluid accumulation in rats were evaluated. The antioxidant potential of the leaf extract was investigated by measuring its capability for scavenging 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical. The phytochemical constituents and the oral acute toxicity of ethanol leaf extract were also determined in rats. Generally, the ethanol leaf extract at all doses used, was found to posses significant (P<0.05) concentration dependent antidiarrhoeal, antimotility and antienteropooling activity. The leaf extract also exhibited strong antioxidant activity. The phytochemical studies revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannin, cardiac glycosides, steroids, flavoniods and saponins. The LD50 in rats was above 5000 mg/kg. The ethanol leaf extract of Pseudocedrela kotschyi has demonstrated strong antidiarrhoeal, antimotility, antienteropooling and antioxidant activities, supporting previous claims of its traditional use in the treatment of different diseases.
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To investigate the ethanolic root bark extract of Icacina senegalensis for antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities in rats and mice. Acetic acid-induced abdominal constriction and tail immersion tests were used to evaluate the antinociceptive activity of the extract. Egg albumin and carrageenan-induced paw oedema were used to study the anti-inflammatory activity, whereas the anti-pyretic studies were evaluated on yeast and amphetamine-induced pyrexia. The root bark extract (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) significantly (P<0.05) showed inhibitory activity for all the models in the antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic assayed. Result shows that ethanolic root bark extract of Icacina senegalensis possesses phytochemicals with therapeutic potential against painful, inflammatory and feverish conditions, and thus explain the use of Icacina senegalensis for similar ailments in traditional medicine.
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Summary: Extradural hematoma (EDH) has been seen as a neurosurgical emergency since eighteenth century. Efforts have been on since then to reduce the mortality associated with this entity. The mortality has dropped from around 80% in late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries to below 20% in many centers now. Improving quality of care and, constant assessment of outcome and factors affecting outcome are the driving forces leading to reduction in mortality. Objectives: To determine the functional outcome and the effect of level of consciousness on traumatic extradural hematoma patients who had surgery in our centers. Patients and Methods: It was a prospective observational study carried out on forty three patients with traumatic extradural hematoma who had surgical evacuation of the hematomas in our centers over a five year period. Data were collected using structured proforma in accident and emergency, theater, intensive care unit, wards and in outpatient clinic. The data were analyzed using Environmental Performance Index (EPI) info 2007 software. Results: Forty three patients had surgery for traumatic extradural hematoma during the five year period. There were thirty eight males (88.37%) and five females (11.63%). Road traffic accident was the most common aetiology. The functional outcome was 83.72% and mortality was 13.95%. Glasgow Coma Score prior to surgery and age significantly affected the outcome, P = .002 and P = .00 respectively. Conclusion: The favorable functional outcome from our study (83.72%) was within the current range in the world. Level of consciousness prior to surgery and age significantly affected outcome.
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Aim: To achieve, at least, 95% clearance of loads of treated infections so that pathogens do not develop resistance against drugs used for treatment. Materials and Methodology: Lower doses of Aluminum-magnesium silicate (AMS)-stabilized antimicrobials (Piparazine, Ampicillin, Chloroquine and Sulphadimidine), supported with immune stimulants, were used to treat respective sensitive and resistant infections. Results: Recommended doses of Piparazine, Ampicillin and Chloroquine cleared only 82.94%, 80.68% and 20% of Helignosomoides bakeri, Salmonella gallinarum and Plasmodium berghei infections, respectively. Lower doses (75%) of the AMS-stabilized Piparazine and Ampicillin cleared 96.82% and 97.84% of the treated infections. Supporting the lower doses of AMS-stabilized Chloroquine and AMS-stabilized Ampicillin with immune stimulants led to 100% clearance of P. berghei infection and 95.80% clearance of Ampicillin-resistant Escherichia coli infection, respectively. Conclusion: Prolonging bioavailability of drugs with AMS, minimizing side effects of drugs by using their lower doses for treatment, and enhancing immune responses of treated patients, help treatments to prevent and cure resistant infections.
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Aims: Garcinia kola is used in West African countries for the treatment of various ailments such as cough, tooth decay, asthma and menstrual cramps. The inhibitory effect of Garcinia kola seed extract (GKE) on drug-induced contractions was studied on iliac smooth muscle preparations of guinea pig to ascertain the validity of the use of Garcinia kola in traditional medicine and to elucidate its possible mechanism of action. Place and Duration of Study: The study was done in Post Graduate Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology, College of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar-Nigeria, between November 2013 and April 2014. Methodology: The antispasmodic influence of GKE (0.02 – 1 mg/ml) on acetylcholine, histamine and potassium chloride -induced contractions were carried out. The effect of GKE in a Ca2+-free Tyrode medium and in the presence of adrenergic antagonists was also investigated. Results: The results revealed that GKE inhibited or attenuated the spasmogenic effects of histamine and potassium chloride in a dose-dependent manner and shifted their log. doseresponse curves to the right, with pA2 values of 2.09±0.06 and 3.25±0.07 respectively. Preadministration of propranolol, prazosin or labetalol had no attenuating influence on the antispasmodic effect of GKE. Iliac smooth muscle responses to cumulative increased [Ca2+] in a depolarizing bathing medium and in a Ca2+- free Tyrode solution were also blocked. Comparative antispasmodic potencies indicated that papaverine and aminophylline were more potent than the extract. Conclusion: These findings suggest that Garcinia kola seed extract acts neither via cholinergic nor adrenergic receptor mediation, but may involve interference with Ca2+ mobilization, thus sharing with papaverine and/or aminophylline similar mechanism(s) of action.
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Hypertension is a chronic medical condition where the systemic arterial blood pressure is elevated. It is taken as blood pressure reading greater than or equals to 140/90 mmHg systolic and greater than or equals to 90 mmHg diastolic. Recently, there is an upsurge in the diagnosis of essential hypertension among young people attending the general outpatient clinic so this generated the interest to study the socio-demographic variables and symptom presentation of these young people diagnosed with hypertension. Aim: To determine the socio-demographic features of young people diagnosed with essential hypertension and the common clinical features. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study of young people aged 20-44 years diagnosed with essential hypertension over a one year period January –December 2013 at General outpatient department of University of Uyo teaching hospital were recruited into the study. The questionnaire sought information on socio-demographic characteristics and symptoms presented by the respondents. Blood pressure was measured and classified into stage 1 and stage 2 hypertension according to JNC 7. Results: One hundred and fifty one respondents with essential hypertension were recruited into the study. 62.8% of them had stage 2 hypertension, most of them were in age group 35-39 years n=44 (29.1%), were females n=84 (55.6%). More than half of respondents had tertiary education n=70 (46.4%), traders were more than others in terms of occupation n=46 (30.5%). Common symptoms presented were headache n=106 (70.2%), dizziness n=77 (51.0%) insomnia n=76 (50.3%), palpitation n=88 (58.3%). Insomnia and palpitation were significantly associated with stage 2 hypertension with p value of 0.031 and 0.013 respectively. Conclusion: Hypertension is becoming common among young people in our facility; insomnia and palpitation are associated with stage 2 hypertension among these young people, so there is need to screen young people that present with these symptoms for high blood pressure.