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.

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

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.

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).