Dexamethasone versus a combination of dexamethasone and ondansetron as prophylactic antiemetic in patients receiving intrathecal morphine for caesarean section

Background: Intrathecal morphine for caesarean delivery provides excellent postoperative analgesia but it is commonly associated with nausea and vomiting. This prospective, randomized, double blind study was carried out to compare the effectiveness of a combination of dexamethasone and ondansetron with dexamethasone alone for prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) following intrathecal morphine injection for caesarean section.Methods: A total of 108 parturients aged 18-40 years for elective caesarean section were randomized into 2 groups (n=54) to receive either intravenous dexamethasone 8mg (Group A) or a combination of intravenous dexamethasone 8mg and ondansetron 4mg (group B). The study drug for each group consisted of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine and 0.2mg morphine. The primary outcome variables were postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) which were assessed for a period of 24 hours. The patient’s vital signs were monitored and documented.Results: The incidence of nausea and vomiting was significantly reduced in patients who received a combination of dexamethasone and ondansetron compared with dexamethasone alone (9.3% Vs 37%, respectively, P = 0.003).Conclusion: This study showed that a combination of dexamethasone and ondansetron administered prophylactically significantly reduced the incidence of PONV in pregnant women on intrathecal morphine for caesarean section.Keywords: Dexamethasone; Ondansetron; Nausea and Vomiting;Morphine; Caesarean Section

Improved Colorimetric Determination of Reserpine in Tablets Using 4-Caboxyl-2,6-dintrobenzene diazonium ion (CDNBD)

Purpose: To develop a simple, rapid and improved colorimetric method for the assay of reserpine in tablets Method: The method is based on the aromatic ring coupling of reserpine with 4-carboxyl-2,6-dinitrobenzene diazonium ion with the consequent formation of an azo adduct. Optimization of reaction conditions and validation were carried out and the method applied to assay of reserpine in tablets. Result: Reserpine coupled readily with CDNBD and optimization of experimental conditions showed the reaction to be completed in 10 min at room temperature. A 1:1 drug to reagent stoichiometric ratio was obtained for the azo adduct formed. The adduct exhibited a bathochromic shift with respect to the drug and pronounced hyperchromic shift with respect to the reagent. Sample analyses were done using a colorimeter at 470 nm. The assays were linear and reproducible over the concentration range of 2.25 -24 µg/mL. The new method was successfully applied in the assay of reserpine in tablets with a performance similar to the official (USP) spectrophotometric method (p > 0.05). This method represents a profound improvement on the previously reported colorimetric method for reserpine. Conclusion: The method developed is rapid and could find application in in-process quality control of reserpine. Keywords: Reserpine, colorimetry, 4-Caboxyl-2,6-dintrobenzene diazonium ion (CDNBD), diazo coupling > Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research Vol. 6 (2) 2007: pp. 695-70

Improving Nutritional quality of Millet (Pennisetum americanum) by solid state fermentation and the effects on the growth performance of African Cat Fish.

Millet is becoming prominent in fish feed formulation as energy source but there is need to increase its protein level and remove the antinutrient for its maximum utilization to be effected. The objective  of this study to determine the level of improving the nutritive value, removing the antinutrient of millet by solid state fermentation process using Aspergillus niger and effect of the product on the growth performance of African catfish fingerlings. Millet seeds were sterilized for 30 minutes, inoculated with Ammonium sulphate and urea at 10gNKg-1 substrate, spores of Aspergillus niger and sulphuric acid to obtain initial pH of 3.5-40. The mixture was fermented for 84h at 350C and 90-95% RH in the laboratory, then sundried for 48hrs, five diets(40% Crude protein) were formulated, containing 0, 4, 8, 12 and 16% inclusion levels of fermented millet . The diets were fed to 225 fingerlings (two week old) weighing 1.28+0.2, stocked at density of 15 fingerlings per tank in triplicate. Millet protein increased from 10.9% to 17.0%, phytic acid reduced significantly from 0.02mg/100g to 0.014mg/100g. fingerlings fed 4% inclusion has the highest value of Percentage weight gain (PWG) 110.2%, Protein Efficiency Ratio (PER) 1.4 and lowest value of Feed conversion ratio (FCR) 1.8 while fingerlings fed diet containing 8% and 12% inclusion levels had the lowest value of PWG 26.7%, 37.5% and PER 0.66, 0.68 respectively with highest FCR 3.6.  Therefore,4% of  fermented millet could be included in the nutrition of African cat fish fingerlings  any adverse eefect. Keywords: Pennisetum americanum, Fermentation, Haematology, Feed conversion ratio and percentage inclusion leve

Mass Media as Means of Initiating Community Developmental Programmes in Akoko North West Local Government Area, Ondo State, Nigeria

The study examined the mass media as means of initiating community developmental programmes in Akoko North West Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria. The study adopted descriptive research design of the survey type.The sample for the study consisted of 120 respondents in Akoko North West Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria.  The study raised four research questions which the data were collected through questionnaire and also tested and analyzed with descriptive statistics. The findings showed that the mass media was the best platform for mobilizing people of the community for participation and also attracts government attention to communities for developmental programmes. Based on the findings of the study, it is recommended that residents’ collaboration and empowerment form of participation is encouraged by NGOs and development agencies

STUDIES ON GENITAL DISORDERS OF COWS SLAUGHTERED AT ZURU, KEBBI STATE, NIGERIA

In a survey carried out between April and December, 2003 to investigate the incidence of reproductive pathology among cows slaughtered at Zuru central abattoir and some selected slaughter slabs within Zuru emirate, Kebbi State, a total of 84(16.8%) abnormalities were recorded from 500 female genitalia examined. The incidence of various abnormalities observed included bilateral Ovarian follicular cysts (1.6%), Endometritis (0.4%), Uterine hypoplasia (1.0%), Pyometra(1.2%), Ovarian tumour (0.2%), Cystic endometrial hyperplasia (0.4%), Para ovarian cyst (0.2%), Vulvo-vaginitis (1.6%), Salpingitis (2.0%), Ovarian abscess (0.2%), Ovarian agenesis (2.0%) and vulva tick infestation (6.0%). From this study, tick infestation of the vulva ranked the highest genital pathological condition recorded and the ticks were identified as Boophilus spp. This was closely followed by Salpingitis and Ovarian agenesis. These conditions most times result into conception failures, abortions or still births, situations that often lead to the culling of the animals by their owners. It is suggested that timely medical interventions to diagnose and treat these genital disorders will however save some of these economic losses. This study provides information on the diseases affecting reproductive tracts as well as their adverse effects and significance in cattle production and breeding in Nigeria. It recommends a close watch on the cattle industry by relevant stake holders with a view to preventing unwarranted slaughter of viable cows erroneously believed to be unproductive. &nbsp

Good Agricultural Practices Could Help to Attain Environmental Sustainability in Ginger Production in Nigeria

This review was undertaken to identify the specific market requirements of major international buyers of Nigerian ginger (Zingiber officinale) and how adoption of good agricultural practices (GAP) could help to attain these standards. The paper carefully discussed the standards and compliance requirements for Nigerian ginger meant for export, review the activities of the agencies responsible for monitoring and ensuring compliance with the standards and concluded by evaluating how good agricultural practices (GAPS) could help to attain environmental sustainability in ginger production. Given that the GAPs certification is the precondition for admission of produce’s sale in the international markets, adoption of GAPs such as soil and water resources management, improved land use management, restoration of degraded land, biodiversity conservation, integrated pest and fertilizer management amongst other agronomic practices would be necessary to attain these standards. However, current challenges in the adoption and application of GAP in ginger value chain in Nigeria include poor farming and marketing practices, lack of knowledge of the principles, practices and protocols of GAPs, lack of awareness on the availability of premium prices for organically - produced ginger, inadequacy of organic farm inputs, availability of diverse country specific standards, make it difficult for farmers to meet the GAP standards. These challenges notwithstanding, organization of Nigerian ginger farmers into easily accessible and manageable clusters/cooperatives is one of the major ways of addressing the challenges of adoption of GAPs in the ginger value chain

Design of an Intelligent Poultry Feed and Water Dispensing System Using Fuzzy Logic Control Technique

Prohibitive cost of production and laborious human involvement in poultry farms in the tropics could lead to low profit yield and low return on investment. Unfortunately, over-involvement of humans in the feeding system of poultry could lead to disease outbreak, undue fatigue and malnutrition of birds. These flaws in the poor feeding system of birds prompted this research work by developing an intelligent fuzzy logic based system that could mimic the roles of the poultry attendants in delivering water and feed dispensing for birds at specified time intervals. Water and feed level in the trough would be sensed by the designed system and dispense intelligently with respect to the variations in water and feed level as birds consume the feed and water. This system reduces workload of the poultry attendants, increases cost benefits and generates better return on investment in a deep litter poultry farming system Keywords: Microcontroller, Fuzzy Logic, Artificial Intelligence, Poultry Control System, Intelligent Water Dispensing, Deep Litter Syste

Proximate, phytochemical screening and mineral analysis of <i>Crescentia cujete</i> L. leaves

Background: One of the uses of Crescentia cujete leaves is in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, which necessitated the evaluation of its chemical composition. Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate the chemical composition of C. cujete leaves. Setting: Fresh, mature leaves were harvested from the Herbal Garden, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, Jericho Hill, Ibadan, Nigeria. The plant samples were identified at Forest Herbarium, Ibadan, Nigeria, sorted to eliminate extraneous matter and then air-dried on a cabinet dryer for five days at ambient temperature and oven-dried at 40°C for five minutes. The dried leaves were milled to powder using a medium-sized milling machine and stored in an air-tight container until needed for analysis. Methods: The proximate composition, phytochemical screening and mineral analysis were determined using standard analytic methods. Minerals such as iron, zinc, calcium, manganese and magnesium were determined by the atomic absorption spectrophotometer; sodium and potassium by the flame photometer and phosphorus by the spectrophotometer. Results: The proximate analysis results revealed that the samples contained carbohydrate (40.46%), crude protein (16.15%), crude fibre (19.71%), crude fat (2.91%), ash (9.77%) and moisture (11.03%), while the phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of cardiac glycosides, saponins, tannins, anthraquinones and flavonoids. The mineral compositions (mg/g) decreased in the order Ca (6.0) > K (5.0) > Mg (2.2) > P (1.5) > Na (0.2) > Fe = Zn (0.6) > Cu = Mn (0.03). Conclusion: These results conceivably indicate that C. cujete is a good source of essential minerals and phyto-nutrients which possess strong pharmacological activities, providing scientific credence for its therapeutic usage in folklore medicine

Physicochemical Properties of Palm Kernel Oil

Abstract: Physicochemical analyses were carried out on palm kernel oil (Adin) and the following results were obtained: Saponification value; 280.5±56.1 mgKOH/g, acid value; 2.7±0.3 mg KOH/g, Free Fatty Acid (FFA); 1.35±0.15 KOH/g, ester value; 277.8±56.4 mgKOH/g, peroxide value; 14.3±0.8 mEq/kg; iodine value; 15.86±4.02 mgKOH/g, Specific Gravity (S.G) value; 0.904, refractive index; 1.412 and inorganic materials; 1.05%. Its odour and colour were heavy burnt smell and burnt brown, respectively. These values were compared with those obtained for groundnut and coconut oils. It was found that the physico-chemical properties of palm kernel oil are comparable to those of groundnut and coconut oils except for the peroxide value (i.e., 14.3±0.8 mEq) which was not detectable in groundnut and coconut oils. Also the odour of both groundnut and coconut oils were pleasant while that of the palm kernel oil was not as pleasant (i.e., heavy burnt smell)

EMPLOYEE MOTIVATION AND PUBLIC SECTOR FRAUD: EVIDENCE FROM KWARA STATE, NIGERIA

This study examines the relationship between fraud and employee motivation in the Kwara State public sector with a view to ascertain what will happen to fraud occurrence if good salary, allowances and perquisites, effective working hours, conducive environment, timely promotion are put in place. Multistage sampling technique was used in obtaining the primary data used from 870 respondents selected from 7 local governments in the state and were analysed using Ordinary Least Square Regression and Friedman ANOVA test but interpreted using R2, adjusted R2, Durbin Watson Statistics, F statistics and t statistics. The results show that employee motivational factors (salary, perquisites and regular promotion) can reduce fraud activities among the state employees; this is in consonance with theoretical expectations (Douglas McGregor’s theory Y, Abraham Maslow’s needs theory and Fredric Herzberg’s two-factor theory). Contrarily, allowances, conducive environment and training show a positive relationship with fraud and this is at variance with a-priori expectations. The study recommends that government should improve the working conditions of its employee including the provision of improved salary structure, prompt payment of entitlements and regular promotions as well as provided adequate training to motivate employees towards efficiency, commitment and inhibit fraud inclinations. If all these are in place and erring officials are made to face the full wrath of the law without bias, the state economy in particular and Nigeria economy in general will be better for it.Â