Morbidity pattern of underfives with moderate acute malnutrition in southern Nigeria

Background:Moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) is a leading cause of childhood morbidity and mortality globally. The morbidity pattern of underfives with this condition is yet to be described. Objective: To describe the morbidity pattern of underfives with MAM.Method: Across sectional study was conducted in two Primary Health Centres in Uruan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. Caregivers'brought children aged 6- 59 months to the health facilities following community mobilization. Eligible children were recruited into the study after obtaining parental consent. Avalidated proforma was used to obtain the biodata and symptoms of common illnesses in the children. Ageneral physical examination, anthropometric measurements and systemic examination were performed. Results: Atotal of 162 children were recruited into the study. Their mean (±SD) age was 20.4 ± 13.0 months. Over 70% of them were 6 - 23 months of age. Their mean (±SD) length/height was 77.3 ± 29.6 cm, mean (±SD) weight was 8.3 ± 3.4 kg and mean (±SD) mid upper arm circumference was 12.4 ± 4.5 cm. The main symptoms noted in the children were; fever 99 (61.1%), cough 84 (51.9%), weight loss 81 (50.0%), diarrhoea 40 (24.7%) and vomiting 40 (24.7%) while pallor 77 (47.5%), lymphadenopathy 56 (34.6%), hair changes 49 (30.2%), skin changes 27 (16.6%) were the main signs in them.Conclusion: The main symptomatology of underfives with MAM were fever, cough and weight loss

A fast and cost-efficient method to detect ethanol as adulterant in gasoline.

Adulteration of fuel is a global problem that needs to be curbed. Studies have proved that no technically easy solution has been developed and easily accessible to the Oil and gas industry to detect adulterated gasoline. The need therefore arises for adequate and substantial methods for easy detection of adulterated gasoline.•This study developed an effective and cost-efficient method to detect adulterated gasoline at the point of sales of Petroleum Product through the means of piece of litmus paper testing.•The method provides the marketers and gasoline users to easily detect adulterated fuel at the point of sales of Petroleum Product, to avoid damage to the combustion engine.•This method of developing a paper indicator is however efficient and meets the requirements of the issue of detection of gasoline adulteration.

Prostate-specific antigen density values among patients with symptomatic prostatic enlargement in Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to estimate the prostate-specific antigen density (PSAD) cutoff level for detecting prostate cancer (CAP) in Nigerian men with "grey zone PSA" (4-10 ng/ml) and normal digital rectal examination findings. We addressed this research question: Is the international PSAD cutoff of 0.15 ideal for detecting CAP in our symptomatic patients with "grey zone PSA?" AIM: To estimate the prostate-specific antigen density (PSAD) cutoff level for detecting CAP in Nigerian men with "grey zone PSA" (4-10 ng/ml) and normal digital rectal examination findings. DESIGN: Prospective. SETTING: A tertiary medical center in Enugu, Nigeria. PARTICIPANTS: Two hundred and fifty-four men with either benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or CAP were recruited. INTERVENTION: Patients with PSA above 4 ng/ml or abnormal digital rectal examination or hypoechoic lesion in the prostate were biopsied. OUTCOME MEASURES: PSAD and histology report of BPH or CAP. RESULTS: Ninety-seven patients had CAP while 157 had benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Seventy-two patients had their serum PSA value within the range of 4.0 and 10 ng/ml. PSAD cutoff level to detect CAP was 0.04 (sensitivity 95.88 %; specificity 28.7 %). CONCLUSIONS: The PSAD cutoff level generated for Nigerian men in this study is 0.04 which is relatively different from international consensus. This PSAD cutoff level has a positive correlation with histology and could detect patients with CAP who have "grey zone PSA."

D-Optimal mixture experimental design for stealth biodegradable crosslinked docetaxel-loaded poly-ε-caprolactone nanoparticles manufactured by dispersion polymerization.

We report here our efforts on the development of stealth biodegradable crosslinked poly-ε-caprolactone nanoparticles by free radical dispersion polymerization suitable for the delivery of bioactive agents. The uniqueness of the dispersion polymerization technique is that it is surfactant free, thereby obviating the problems known to be associated with the use of surfactants in the fabrication of nanoparticles for biomedical applications. Aided by a statistical software for experimental design and analysis, we used D-optimal mixture statistical experimental design to generate thirty batches of nanoparticles prepared by varying the proportion of the components (poly-ε-caprolactone macromonomer, crosslinker, initiators and stabilizer) in acetone/water system. Morphology of the nanoparticles was examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Particle size and zeta potential were measured by dynamic light scattering (DLS). Scheffe polynomial models were generated to predict particle size (nm) and particle surface zeta potential (mV) as functions of the proportion of the components. Solutions were returned from simultaneous optimization of the response variables for component combinations to (a) minimize nanoparticle size (small nanoparticles are internalized into disease organs easily, avoid reticuloendothelial clearance and lung filtration) and (b) maximization of the negative zeta potential values, as it is known that, following injection into the blood stream, nanoparticles with a positive zeta potential pose a threat of causing transient embolism and rapid clearance compared to negatively charged particles. In vitro availability isotherms show that the nanoparticles sustained the release of docetaxel for 72 to 120 hours depending on the formulation. The data show that nanotechnology platforms for controlled delivery of bioactive agents can be developed based on the nanoparticles.

PIXE analysis of some medicinal plants used in cleaning teeth in southwestern Nigeria.

Sixteen medicinal plants used for cleaning teeth in southwestern Nigeria were analyzed using the particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) technique. These medicinal plants have other therapeutic uses, but the emphasis and main focus were on their beneficial effects on human teeth. PIXE measurements were carried out using 1.8 MeV collimated proton beam from the 2.5 MV AN 2000 Van de Graaff accelerator at the Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Laboratori Nazionali di Legnaro, Padova Italy. The results showed the presence of 18 different elements at different concentrations, 2 plants had traces of gold, and none of the plants contained any toxic heavy metals. The metabolic roles of the detected elements were discussed especially as they affected the formation, growth, development, and protection of human teeth. The results of this study are presented and discussed.

Formation of particles in aqueous infusions of the medical plant Harungana madagascariensis.

In some aqueous plant extracts the formation of nanoparticles, microparticles and macroparticles has been observed. In the present investigation the particle formation in aqueous infusions of Harungana madagascariensis LAM. EX. POIR., a medicinal plant, was investigated using photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results show that nanoparticles with mean diameters of 220 nm are formed in aqueous infusions of the dried leaves of Harungana. The particles have an almost spherical shape. In aqueous infusions of the dried stem bark nanoparticles with a mean diameter of 242 nm (PCS) are observed at 25 degrees C. The particle size distribution has a maximum in the range of 200 nm to 300 nm. Nanoparticles can be detected in infusions of the leaves and the bark in the range of 25 degrees C to 55 C. The mean diameter of the nanoparticles in preparations of the bark is temperature dependent: At 55 degrees C the mean diameter is 144 nm, at 30 degrees C 197 nm and at 25 degrees C 242 nm. Lower temperatures result in higher count rates. In infusions of the leaves the mean diameters vary between 220 (25 degrees C) and 139 nm (55 degrees C). The particle formation was investigated at pH 2.2, 4.0 and 7.4 at 37 degrees C. Nanoparticles are detected in infusions of the leaves and the stem bark at each pH. The pH value has an influence on the mean diameter and the count rate.

New constituents of Piper guineense fruit and leaf.

Fourteen compounds were isolated from the fruits and leaves of Piper guineense Schum and Thonn (Piperaceae). Two of those were regarded to be new natural compounds, N-pyrrolidyl-2,4-octadecadienamide and N-piperidyl-2,4-octadecadienamide.

GC/MS investigations of the minor constituents of Piper guineense stem.

Chemical investigations by GC/MS-analysis of stem extracts of Piper guineense resulted in the detection and identification of thirty-nine new constituents of the stem, apart from previously isolated constituents. These are isobutyl, pyrrolidyl and piperidyl amide alkaloids. Fifteen new natural products have been identified. Four of these natural products have been designated iyeremide A and B (these are pyrrolidine and piperidine analogues of pellitorine) and cycloguineense A and B, which are also piperidine analogues of cyclostachine A and B. There is a need to confirm the structures of some of these new constituents by synthesis. Apart from these amide alkaloids, many volatile oil components-monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, terpenoids, lignans and sterols--were detected.

Antimicrobial constituents of the leaves of Acalypha wilkesiana and Aacalypha hispida.

An activity directed fractionation of a 50% aqueous ethanol extract of A. wilkesiana and A. hispida leaves resulted in the isolation of gallic acid, corilagin and geraniin as the compounds responsible for the observed antimicrobial activity. Quercetin 3-O-rutinoside and kaempferol 3-O-rutinoside were also isolated from the inactive fraction of A. hispida. The structures were established by permethylation, 2D - NMR ((1)H and (13)C) and MS data.

New amides from Zanthoxylum lemairie pericarps.

Two new aromatic amides were isolated from the pericarps of Zanthoxylum lemairie. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and confirmed by synthesis. A known aromatic amide, zanthosinamide, and four dibenzylbutyrol-actone lignans were isolated.

Three New Amides from Zanthoxylum rubescens.

ZANTHOXYLUM RUBESCENS stem bark has afforded three new unsaturated aromatic amides identified as N-methyl, N-(3,4- methylenedioxyphenylethyl),3',4-dimethoxycinnamoylamide ( 1), N-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenylethyl)-3'-4'-dimethoxycinnamoylamide ( 2), and N-(3,4-dimethoxyphenylethyl), 3',4'-methylenedioxycinnamoylamide ( 3). The structures of these TRANS-cinnamoylamides have been derived on the basis of spectral studies which have been confirmed by synthesis.

Nigerian flora and its pharmaceutical potential.

The use of plants by man came about through observation of their definite effects on man and animals. Herbalists employ both physical and psychological treatments and herbal medicines can be used in powders, concoction, decoction, soup or ointment. Various plants used as anti-infective agents, antimalarials, laxatives, cardiovascular and nervous remedies, or containing proteolytic ferments, steroid sources, sweeteners, anti-tumour substances and as source for materials for dosage forms are discussed. Generally, plants useful in pharmaceutical and food industries and those with substances of general economic importance are also described.

Anti-implantation activity of the fruit of Lagenaria breviflora Robert.

The fruit of Lagenaria breviflora Robert (Adenopus breviflorus Benth) family Cucurbitaceae used by natives as an abortifacient in Nigeria, was investigated for anti-implantation activity. The ethyl acetate extract of the whole fruit and methanol extract of the seed were very toxic to rats. Using ten female virgin albino rats for each extract, the World Health Organization special protocol and doses on a moisture-free basis: 20 g/kg whole fruit methanol extract gave 60% anti-implantation activity, 2.5 g/kg fruit pulp gave 80% and 5 g/kg fruit pulp gave 100% activity while 2 g/kg seed also gave 100% activity but four of the rats died. Statistical evaluation of the data showed that the results were significant.