ABSTRACT
The extract of Jatropha Gossypifolia stem was obtained by cutting the stem with a sharp knife and the fluid expressed out. The suitability of the stem latex extract as a precipitant for biochemical analysis was determined. The precipitating efficacy of the extract for creatinine and protein estimation was found to be optimum at 1/4 and 1/5 dilutions respectively aqueous solution. Plasma protein was precipitated with stem extract of J. Gossypifolia at the stated dilution. The mean plasma creatinine values obtained from 0.5 % sodium tungstate as a protein precipitant were compared with the values of plasma creatinine obtained when » dilution of stem extract of J. Gossypifolia was used as protein precipitant. Similarly mean cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and urinary protein values obtained from 3 % Tricholoro-acetic acid as protein precipitant were compared with values obtained from 1/5 dilution of stem extract of J. Gossypifolia as protein precipitant. The values obtained from the stem latex extract at the stated dilutions were comparable with values obtained from the conventional protein precipitants (p < 0.05). The stem latex extract of J. Gossypifolia is suitable as a protein precipitant for creatinine, CSF and urinary protein estimations. However further work need to be done to purify the extract and determine the exact concentration at the stated dilutions as well as the active ingredient in stem latex.
ABSTRACT
PIP: Questionnaires completed by 700 secondary school teachers in Nigeria's Lagos, Kaduna, and Cross-River States revealed a generally positive attitude toward family life education. 53.56% of respondents were female and 31.5%% were or had been married. Their average age was 28.3 years. One third of the teachers were not parents, and only 15.5% had children as old as their students. The teachers expressed agreement with the importance of school-based sex education (71.6%), the potential for family planning to improve health (82.9%), concern with rapid population growth (68.7%), and awareness that teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases are major social problems in Nigeria (84.7% and 74.9%, respectively). Most identified ages 10-14 years as the ideal time to talk to children about sex. Half considered it the mother's responsibility to provide sex education, and most felt it is easier to talk to a female child. 45% of teachers agreed that contraceptive services should be available to adolescents. The factors associated with a positive attitude toward family life education were female sex, single marital status, Christian religion, and teaching in a coeducational school.^ieng
