Short-term Effects of Garlic-Based Diets on mRNA Expression of Angiotensinogen, Angiotensin-1 Converting Enzyme, and Atrial Natriuretic Peptide in Cyclosporine-Induced Prehypertensive Rats

The short-term effects of garlic, Allium sativum L., on the mRNA expression of angiotensin-1 converting enzyme (ACE), angiotensinogen (AGT), and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in cyclosporine-induced prehypertensive rats were investigated in this work. Seven (7) groups of animals totaling n=7 were created. Prehypertensive (induced with 25mg/kg cyclosporine) and normal rats were given 10% and 20% diets based on garlic for 7 days. Alteration of Na+ and K+ levels, increased systolic and diastolic blood pressures, and ACE, AGT & ANP mRNA expressions were all associated with cyclosporin-induced prehypertension. In rats placed on garlic-based diets, these effects were reversed.

Colour Profile, Pasting and Sensory Properties of Processed Sweet Potato Flour

In this study, sweet potato was purchased and processed using different methods to obtain 4 different sweet potato flour samples. Sample A was unfermented sweet potato flour, sample B was fermented spontaneously, while sample C and D were produced by fermentation using indigenous starter cultures of lactic acid bacteria and yeast for 48 h and 72 h respectively. Colour profile, Pasting and Sensory evaluation was conducted. The whiteness (L* value) obtained in this study is within the range of value (87.29-89.52), Also, the redness value (a*) and yellowness value (b*) of the sweet potato flour samples also showed a significant difference (p<0.05). Sample a had a higher value when compared with samples B,C and D. Pasting properties such as peak viscosity, trough viscosity, breakdown viscosity, setback, pasting temperature were determined. It was noticed that fermentation process and increase in fermentation time significantly (p<0.05) decrease the peak viscosity in this research work and all samples had a higher cooled paste viscosity than their corresponding hot paste viscosity. Nevertheless, sensory evaluation was carried out using thet 9-point hedonic scale, samples A,B,C,D are significantly different (P < 0.05).

Rheological variations among Nigerians with different hemoglobin genotypes

A total of one hundred and Forty-five (145) subjects comprising of 50 homozygous Hemoglobin A subjects (HbAA); 50 heterozygous hemoglobin AS (HbAS) subjects and 45 homozygous hemoglobin S (HbSS) subjects were recruited for this study with a view to ascertain variations in the Hemorheological values possibly associated with the inherited hemoglobin genotype. Some Hemorheological determinants such as whole blood viscosity (WBV) and plasma viscosity (PV) and Plasma Fibrinogen Concentration (PFC) were measured with standard methods. We recorded a relatively unchanged whole blood viscosities in subjects with various hemoglobin genotypes (AA; AS and SS; P0.05; respectively). Also; there were no significant differences in PV values of HbAA and HbAS while there were significant increases in PV and PFC of HbSS compared with others (P0.05; respectively). However; relative erythrocyte viscosity (REV) of HbSS became significantly reduced when repeated with saline after replacing plasma with saline (P0.05; respectively); to ascertain the erythrocytic cellular viscosity. We conclude that increased plasma viscosity coupled with that of PFC in HBSS could be due to plasmatic components and that cellular rheologic properties of the erythrocytes may be dependent on its content of hemoglobin while whole blood viscosities are stable in native blood irrespective of haemoglobin genotypes

Contraceptive knowledge and compliance with guidelines for providing contraceptive services by patent medicine vendors in Ibadan North Local Government Area, Nigeria

Previous studies conducted in Nigeria have shown that Patent Medicine Vendors (PMVs) provide a substantial proportion of contraceptive services. The Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) provided guidelines for the delivery of contraceptive services by PMVs. This study was therefore designed to identify types of contraceptives dispensed by PMVs and determine their compliance with the FMOH guidelines in Ibadan North Local Government Area. An observational check-list and a validated interviewer administered questionnaire containing a 47- point knowledge scale were used for data collection. Data were analysed using descriptive and Chi-square statistics. Respondents' mean age was 32.8±7.0 years, 80.9% were females, 63.5% were West African School Certificate holders. Most respondents (98.2%) were trained through the apprenticeship system. Only 17.4% were formally trained on the provision of contraceptive services. Contraceptive- related services offered by PMVs as stipulated by the guidelines were: counselling (96.5%), community sensitization (46.3%) and referral (96.4%). Virtually all (98.6%) respondents had ever dispensed contraceptives. A large proportion (72.7%) of respondents dispensed oral contraceptives contrary to the FMOH guidelines. The contraceptives ever dispensed by respondents included: male condoms (96.1%), female condoms (4.3%), doufem (72.3%), pregnon (18.8%), spermicide (4.9%) and intrauterine device (1.8%). Respondents' mean knowledge score was 25.9±5.8. Mean knowledge score on the provision of contraceptives services among males and females were 27.7±5.9 and 25.6±5.7 respectively. On compliance 3.7% of respondents complied fully with the FMOH guidelines on contraceptive service delivery. Compliance with stipulated guidelines by the Federal Ministry of Health on the provision of contraceptive services was low among the study population. The patent medicine licensing authorities should ensure that all patent medicine vendors are provided with the Federal Ministry of Health guidelines relating to the dispensing of contraceptives. Patent Medicine Vendors should be trained on the effective use of the guidelines

Preliminary Phylogenetic Analysis and Comparative Study on the Molecular and Conventional Identities of Bacteria Isolated from Typhoid Fever Patients Attending Some Hospitals in Ondo State, Nigeria.

Aim: This study aimed at determining the molecular and conventional identities of bacteria associated with presumptive typhoid fever patients in Ondo State, Nigeria. Study Design: The study attempted a comparative study of the conventional and molecular identities of bacteria isolated from presumptively diagnosed typhoid patients. Place and Duration of the Study: The study was conducted in three different hospitals in Ondo State, Nigeria viz; State Specialists’ Hospital, Akure, Don Bosco Clinic, Akure and Federal Medical Centre, Owo, between February and May, 2013. Methodology: A total of 520 blood samples were collected from presumptively diagnosed typhoid fever patients attending Don Bosco Clinic Akure, Federal Medical Center, Owo and State Specialists’ Hospital, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria. The samples were screened for the presence of Salmonella typhi and other co-existing bacteria through blood culture. Initial identification of the isolates was carried using their culture morphology, Gram stain and biochemical tests, while their identities were verified using molecular techniques like PCR analysis, gene sequencing and blasting. The genetic relatedness of the bacterial isolates was investigated by constructing a phylogenetic tree using neighbor-joining (NJ) method. Results: The traditional identities of the bacteria were Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella flexneri, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter aerogenes, Serratia marcescens and Pseudomonas aeruginosa while their molecular identities were Enterobacter cloacae, Shigella flexneri, Enterococcus casseliflavus, Achromobacter xylosoxidans, Bacterium species clone BAO 14, Serratia marcescens and Pseudomonas aeruginosa respectively. Most of the isolates fell within the same clade on the phylogenetic tree signifying that they had a common ancestor. Conclusion: Molecular biology techniques are more reliable, sensitive and accurate for bacterial identification than the conventional methods.

The Role of EDTA on Heavy Metals Phytoextraction by Jatropha gossypifolia Grown on Soil Collected from Dumpsites in Ekiti State Nigeria.

Jatropha gossypifolia has been known to thrive well in tropical climate, most importantly in Nigeria where they are found to grow naturally on dumpsites. The potential use of this robust tropical plant in phytoremediation technology should be advocated especially for developing countries. This study investigates the effect of enhanced phytoextraction on the accumulation of the following heavy metals; (Cd, Cr, Fe, Mn, Pb, Zn, Ni, Cu, Co and Sn) by J. gossypifolia cultivated on soil collected from dumpsites in Ekiti state, South Western Nigeria, with application of 1g/kg EDTA (Experiment) and without (control). Application of 1g/kg EDTA did not adversely affect plant growth, except at preflowering stage where were yellowing of leaves. The concentration of heavy metals in tissues of plant were higher in the experiment than control, with concentration of Pb (376.0, 350.0, 355.2 and 328 mg/kg; experiment, 184.0, 180.0, 169.0 and 159.0 mg/kg; control), Cu ( 962.0, 958.0, 898.0 and 818.0; experiment, 650.0, 526.0 464.2 and442.0 mg/kg; control) and Cd (416.8, 418.2, 399.0 and 377.5; experiment, 167.3, 164.2, 147.8 and 142.2 mg/kg) at Aba Egbira, Atikankan, Igbehin and Moshood street dumpsites respectively in the shoot of the plant. Highest concentrations of heavy metals were obtained in leaves of the plant. Notably, concentration of Pb, Cu and Cd were greater than the threshold value of 100mg/kg, indicative of the fact that J. gossypifolia could be a good candidate for Pb, Cu and Cd-phytoextraction. Bioaccumulation factor (BF), translocation factor (TF) and remediation ratio (RR) values greater than one also revealed the effectiveness of the plant to translocate Pb, Cu and Cd to their harvestable portion and phytoextraction efficiency under the chelant-assisted phytoremediation. However, the concentration of heavy metals did not vary significantly at p<0.05, least significant difference (LSD test) in all dumpsites investigated. Therefore, the use of J. gossypifolia is advocated as a candidate plant for restoring dumpsites polluted with heavy metals.

Antibiotic resistant Salmonella and Escherichia coli isolated from day-old chicks, vom, Nigeria

Reports of large scale mortality of day-old-chicks were received at the National Veterinary Research Institute; Vom; Nigeria in 2007 to 2008. We investigated the cause of death using several virological and bacteriological techniques; isolated the pathogenic agents and carried out sensitivity tests. Our investigation revealed that Escherichia coli and Salmonella organisms were isolated in the outbreaks. A pattern of antibiotic resistance that seems to be increasing was also found. Considering the role of chickens and its products in the human food chain in Nigeria; and the close interaction between poultry and man; these resistant organisms may pose dangers to humans through the food chain or zoonotic infection and precipitate a similar pattern of resistance in man. We advocated for informed use of antibiotics in the food animals; especially poultry

An Analysis of Listening Skills of Healthcare Students in Nigeria

BACKGROUND: Listening is a primary communication skill essential for human learning and reported to be positively correlated with school achievement. It enables the healthcare professional to explore fully the ideas and concerns of the patient during a healthcare encounter. It is especially needed by healthcare students and professionals in light of the study showing that the typical physician will interrupt a patient after about 18-23 seconds. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to measure the listening skills of the undergraduate health sciences students in a Nigerian setting and to attempt to explain different levels of individual listening skills. METHODS: Selected undergraduate students in medicine; dentistry; nursing and physiotherapy who volunteered to complete a self-administered questionnaire were studied. The questionnaire contained seventeen items; ranked on a 5-point Likert scale on the various habits people adopt when listening to others and the students' three most recent academic test scores. RESULTS: The mean (SD) score for the seventeen items was 2.72 (1.14) out of 5. Seven items had mean scores greater than 3.00; eight items had mean scores between 2.00 and 3.00; and two items had mean less than 2.00. The students had a minimum score of 27 and a maximum score of 67 compared with a possible 17 and 85. The mean (SD) score for the listening scale by the students was 46.87 (7.33). Eighty percent of the respondents had good listening skills. There were no statistically significant associations between the listening skills scores of the students and several possible explanatory variables - age; gender; course being studied and test scores. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that neither males nor females are the better listeners. It showed impressively high levels of listening skills among the respondents. There was the absence of explanatory variables which were significant in explaining differences between individual listening skill scores

Pregnancy Epulis Associated With Life Threatening Haemorrhage in a Nigerian Woman

Pregnancy tumour is a clinical term used to identify a pyogenic granuloma that occurs in pregnant women. Pregnancy tumour is not uncommon; but severe bleeding associated with the lesion necessitating blood transfusion is rare. We report a rare case of mandibular gingival pregnancy tumour with a life-threatening haemorrhage in a 25-year-old Nigerian woman. The patient had lost an estimated 2 litres of blood before presentation. Her packed cell volume was 8at presentation. The patient was managed by infusion of fluid; transfusion of 4 units of blood and ligation of the facial artery; and excision of the lesion. Following an uneventful healing; she was discharged 10 days later with a PCV of 40.5. Following subsequent review there was a recurrence 2 months later that regress after 1 month. She was subsequently lost to further follow up

The Effects of Static Stretch Duration on the Flexibility of Hamstring Muscles

The effects of duration of a static stretching protocol (Intervention) on hamstrings tightness were evaluated.Sixty purposively sampled subjects with unilateral hamstring tightness that had no history of low back and lower extremity dysfunctions that necessitated medical intervention participated in the study. They were randomly assigned into one of 5 intervention and one control groups. Groups a, b, c, d, e subjects had their hamstrings passively stretched for 120, 90, 60, 30, and 15 seconds respectively, while group f served as control. This intervention was carried out on alternate days for 6 consecutive weeks. Knee extension deficit (KED) was measured for all groups at baseline, weekly and 7days post cessation of the intervention (carry-over). Data were analysed using one-way ANOVA and paired t-test at 0.05 alpha.Asignificant reduction (P<0.05) was observed in the KED of subjects in all the intervention groups across the 6 intervention weeks. There was no significant difference between the immediate post intervention and carry-over KED values (p>0.05). The study shows that statically stretching tight hamstrings for any duration between 15 and 120 seconds on alternate days for 6 weeks would significantly increase its flexibility. The effect was also sustained for up to 7 days post intervention

Frequency of human toxocariasis in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria

The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Elisa) was used to examine sera of 104 children and adults in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria for anti-toxocaral antibodies, out of which 31 (29.8) were reactive. The seropositive rates were 30.4 for adults, 29.6 for children, 34 for females and 25.9 for males. However, the differences were not significant by age and sex. A highly significant association (p < 0.001) was observed between seropositivity and geography but none between seropositivity and dog ownership (p > 0.05).

Ontogeny of stool passage in low birth weight infants < or = 1500 grams.

The onset of stool passage, timing of transition to yellow stools and the pattern of stooling frequency over the first 4 weeks were studied in infants < 1500 g at birth. The time of passage of the first stool (median, 19) correlated with birth weight and gestational age but not with presence or severity of respiratory distress; fourteen percent passed stool after 1st 48 hours. Transition to yellow occurred at 17.6 +/- 6.4 days and was related to the onset of feeding and birth weight. Stooling frequency was similar in Wk 2 as Wk 1, increased in Wk 3 and plateaued on Wk 4. Volume of feeding/day increased each week over that of preceding week but stooling frequency was not related to the increased volume or any of the other variables.