Case Report Rhinosinusitis; A Potential hazard of Nasogastric tube insertion

The nasogastric tube has been used frequently for enteral feeding and as anintranasal oxygen catheter. This practice is however associated with complications. We present a case of rhinosinusitis and sepsis in a diabeticpatient following the insertion of a nasogastric tube. Physicians should be aware of sinusitis as a possible cause of sepsis in patients with nasogastric tube insertion.Key words: Rhinosinusitis, Nasogastric Tub

Physicochemical and Bacteriological Assessment of Tannery Effluent from Samaru - Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Physicochemical and bacteriological assessment of tannery effluent from Samaru -Zaria was carried out. A total of six (6) tannery effluent samples (from site A- point of discharge, site B- 20m from point of discharge, site C- 40m from point of discharge, site D- 60m from point of discharge, site E- 80m from point of discharge and site F- 100m from point of discharge) were collected from the Nigerian Leather and Science Technology, Samaru - Zaria, Kaduna State in sterile labeled screw capped bottles. Physicochemical and bacteriological analysis was carried out using standard techniques. The physicochemical analysis revealed the appearance of the effluent to be dark-brown with unpleasant odour. the effluent further revealed the presence and at different concentrations of total solids, total suspended solids, total dissolved solids, total hardness, magnesium, sodium, potassium, iron, manganese, nitrite, nitrate, chloride, fluoride, sulphate, phosphate, cadmium, zinc and copper, chemical oxygen demand (COD), biological oxygen demand (BOD), oil and grease all in mg/L except pH. Bacillus sp had percentage occurrence of 100%, Pseudomonas sp had 83.3%, Flavobacterium, Micrococcus and Staphylococcus sp had 66.7% each, Proteus and Klebsiella sp had 50.0% occurrence each, Streptococcus had 33.3% while Escherichia coli had the least percentage of occurrence of 16.7 from the samples of the tannery effluent analyzed respectively. The highest viable count was observed from site F which is 100m away from the point of discharge and had 4.09 x 107 cfu/ml and the lowest from site A (point of discharge) with 1.2 x 107cfu/ml. The treatment of tannery effluents before discharge into the environment is necessary using biotreatment. This will reduce or eliminate environmental pollutions which could be detrimental to humans, animals and plants.Keywords: Physicochemical, bacteria, COD, BOD, effluen

Soil Fertility Assessment of The Lugu Main Canal Of Wurno Irrigation Project, Sokoto State, Nigeria, Five Years After Rehabilitation.

A study was conducted during the 2000/2001 irrigation season to assess the soil fertility and the pattern of its variation with depth in the Lugu main canal of Wurno Irrigation Project. Soil samples were collected from four randomly chosen transects across the field at two sampling spots in each transect. The samples were taken at 0 - 15, 15 - 30 and 30 - 45 cm depths from each spot. Soil chemical properties such as pH, total N, available P, CEC and exchangeable bases were determined. The soils had average pH of 7.09, 6.92 and 6.87 at the 0-15, 15-30 and 30-45 cm depths, respectively. The CEC, available P, and total N were very low at all depths. CEC and total N decreased with depth. Ca and K were also very low while Mg was moderate at all depths. Na on the other hand, was high at the surface and moderate at lower depths. The % base saturation was high at all depths. The soils were low in fertility and need the adoption of proper management in terms of organic and inorganic fertilizer application and quality irrigation practices to resuscitate and sustain the soil fertility

ETHNOBOTANY, PHYTOCHEMISTRY AND PHARMACOLOGY OF OCHNA SCHWEINFURTHIANA: A REVIEW

Ochna schweinfurthiana (Os, Family: Ochnaceae) is a small evergreen tree used in ethnomedicine to treat different ailments; it is also used in agri-horticulture and as ornaments, dyes among others. It is a rich source of complex dimers of flavonoids and used for treatment of pain, inflammation, and arthritis. Chemical investigations carried out on the different parts of the plant have been confined to phenolic compounds majorly, bioflavonoids, glycosides, steroids and terpenes. The plant, O. schweinfurthiana have shown a wide spectrum of biological and pharmacological properties which include antimicrobial, cytotoxic/antiproliferative, genotoxicity, antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antiplasmodial.  This review comprehensively summarizes the potential effects of the plant O. schweinfurthiana, chemically and pharmacologically. However, more researches in the aspect of phytochemical and biological studies are needed to exhaustively isolate bioactive compounds and evaluate their effects on other ailments as claimed by the traditional healers.                    Peer Review History: Received 20 Nov 2019;   Revised 19 December; Accepted 28 December, Available online 15 January 2020 Academic Editor: Ahmad Najib, Universitas Muslim Indonesia,  Indonesia, [email protected] UJPR follows the most transparent and toughest ‘Advanced OPEN peer review’ system. The identity of the authors and, reviewers will be known to each other. This transparent process will help to eradicate any possible malicious/purposeful interference by any person (publishing staff, reviewer, editor, author, etc) during peer review. As a result of this unique system, all reviewers will get their due recognition and respect, once their names are published in the papers. We expect that, by publishing peer review reports with published papers, will be helpful to many authors for drafting their article according to the specifications. Auhors will remove any error of their article and they will improve their article(s) according to the previous reports displayed with published article(s). The main purpose of it is ‘to improve the quality of a candidate manuscript’. Our reviewers check the ‘strength and weakness of a manuscript honestly’. There will increase in the perfection, and transparency. Received file:                Reviewer's Comments: Average Peer review marks at initial stage: 5.5/10 Average Peer review marks at publication stage: 7.5/10 Reviewer(s) detail: Dr. Mohamed Derbali, Faculty of Pharmacy, Monastir, Tunisia, [email protected] Ahmad Najib, Universitas Muslim Indonesia, Makassar, Indonesia, [email protected]  Similar Articles: ANTIHYPERGLYCEMIC AND ANTI-OXIDANT POTENTIAL OF ETHANOL EXTRACT OF VITEX THYRSIFLORA LEAVES ON DIABETIC RAT

Perceived Threat of Malaria and the Use of Insecticide Treated Bed Nets in Nigeria

Using multiple qualitative methods, this study investigated the perceived threat and perceived susceptibility of children under five years of age to malaria, and willingness of the caregivers to use the ITNs in the prevention of malaria in selected rural and urban areas of Nigeria. The health belief model (HBM) is the theoretical anchor of the study. Samples included mothers, fathers and grandparents whose child/ward had manifested malaria symptoms at one time or another and who had reported or failed to report such cases at the available health centres. Other respondents were community leaders, health workers and traditional pharmacists popularly known as elewe-omo. The study found that malaria was perceived as a serious health problem and a threat to the children by the majority of the respondents. However, high perceived threat of malaria did not guarantee widespread use of the ITNs owing to limited access and poor distribution networks. Some measures for equitable and sustainable distribution and use of the ITNs in local communities have been recommended.Keywords: malaria; children; insecticide treated nets; health belief model; caregivers; Nigeria

Contemporary Discourses in Qualitative Research: Lessons for Health Research in Nigeria

Quantitative research has permeated and dominated health research in Nigeria. One of the oldest and the most commonly used quantitative research designs are KAP (knowledge, attitude and practice) surveys. Although KAP surveys are important approaches to assessing distribution of community knowledge in large-scale projects, such surveys are often inundated by challenges, especially with regard to accurate measurement and understanding of social construction of health and illness. This paper examines contemporary ontological, epistemological, axiological and methodological discourses in the qualitative research approach and argues for adequate utilisation of the qualitative approach in health research in Nigeria. The qualitative approach deepens understanding of cultural milieu regarding health beliefs and socio-cultural issues surrounding medical therapy, as well as health seeking behaviour. Therefore, this paperargues for a more participatory research methodology in the understanding of health, illness and disease in Nigeria. Some case studies of qualitative research from Nigeria and abroad were reviewed from which health researchers (clinical managers and health social scientists and public health experts) could learn. The paper is thus a contribution to the ongoing discourses in global qualitative health research.Keywords: Qualitative research; quantitative research; ontology; epistemology; developing countries; Nigeria

Effect of homogenates of avocado pear (Persea americana) seeds and fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis) leaves coadministered with anti-tuberculosis drugs on liver enzymes of albino rats

This study evaluated the effects of aqueous homogenates of avocado pear (Persea americana) seeds and fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis) leaves co-administered with anti-tuberculosis drug on liver enzymes of albino rats. Twenty (20) albino rats were divided into five (5) groups (of four rats each) designated as I, II, III, IV and V (which is the normal control). A dose of 5.14mg/kg body weight of a first line anti-tuberculosis drug (a combination of isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide and ethambutol) was administered orally to two (2) rats in group I, II, III, and IV for seven (7) days and the remaining two rats in each group for fourteen (14) days. The homogenates of avocado pear seeds (at a dose of 250mg/kg body weight), fluted pumpkin leaves (at a dose of 250mg/kg BW) and a mixture of avocado pear seeds and fluted pumpkin leaves (at a dose of 250mg/kg BW, and 125mg/kg BW respectively) were co-administered with the anti-TB drug to groups II, III and IV respectively. Group I rats served as the positive control (i.e. treated with only 5.14mg/kg BW of anti-TB drug). The results indicated that the activities of serum AST, ALT and ALP were significantly higher (P<0.05) in rats administered with 5.14 mg/kg BW first line anti-TB drugs only when compared with that of the rats co-administered with the same anti-TB drug and 250mg/kg BW plant homogenates (avocado pear seeds, fluted pumpkin leave, and a combination of the two homogenates). The mean serum AST, ALT and ALP activities were found to have decrease (P<0.05) in groups II, III, and IV rats from the beginning to the end of the treatment periods. Similarly, mean serum activities of AST, ALT and ALP in group III rats decreased (P<0.05) significantly when compared with that of group II rats. Moreover, the serum activities of these enzymes were significantly lower (P<0.05) in group V rats compared to that of groups II and III rats. The rise in the mean serum activities of liver enzymes in group I rats when compared to that of group V rats indicated that the anti-TB drug is hepatotoxic. The findings of this research work predicts that the aqueous homogenates of both avocado pear seeds and fluted pumpkin leaves have hepatoprotective abilities but, the combination of these plant parts shows more hepatoprotective function (i. e. exhibits synergy).Key words: Avocado pear, fluted pumpkin, homogenates, anti-tuberculosis, isoniazid

Fertility Status of Fadama Soils in Gantsare Village, Wamakko Local Government, Sokoto State As Affected by Cement Dust

A study was conducted in Gantsare village, Wamakko local government, Sokoto state to determine the effect of cement dust emitted from Sokoto cement factory on the fertility of fadama soils. Soil samples were collected in June, 2008 from the eastern, northeastern, and southeastern parts of the village and Girabshi; a nearby village with least effect of the dust. The samples were collected at two depths (0-15 and 15-30 cm) using simple random sampling method. Randomized complete block design (RCBD) was employed, replicated three times, making a total of 24 samples. The samples were analyzed for pH, OC, CEC, total N, available P, exchangeable bases (Ca, Mg, K and Na) and particle size. Almost all parameters determined were found to be statistically significant (P < 0.01). OC was found to be lower in concentration in the areas closer to the factory; eastern part6.25 respectively, likewise CEC and exchangeable bases. The trend in the results observed may be attributed to possible adverse effects of the dust on microbial population, reduction in the availability of some nutrients and a favour on the concentrations of exchangeable bases and CEC. The topsoils showed better results of all the soil chemical properties. The study recommends minimization of the amount of dust reaching agricultural soils and the use of phosphorus and nitrogen fertilizer supplements as soil management practices to enhance soil fertility status and enhance adequate crop yield in the area. Key words:Cement dust, fertility status, fadama soils, soil chemical properties, soil management

Reconstruction of the chest wall after excision of a giant malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor

Primary chest wall tumors are uncommon and constitute 0.2-2% of all tumors. Metastatic tumors and tumors of local extension are more common. Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) of the chest wall is even rarer and its incidence on the chest wall not stated in the literature. The incidence in the general population is 0.0001% while therisk is approximately 4600 times higher in patients with type I  neurofibromatosis and 3-13% of them will finally develop into MPNST, usually after latent periods of 10-20 years. Clinically, these tumors are aggressive, locally invasive, and highly metastatic. Excision of giant chest wall tumor leaves a defect that is reconstructed using musculocutaneous flaps with or without a mesh. We report the case of a 24-year-old man who presented at the surgical outpatient clinic with 7 months history of persistent left sided chest pain minimally relieved by analgesics, 5 months of cough and worsening dyspnoea, and 3 months history of anterior chest swelling on the left side of the manubrium. Following evaluation and investigations, the tumor was excised and the residual defect closed with methylmetacrylate sandwiched between two prolene meshes and overlaid with both pectoralis major muscles. The histology of the excised mass revealed MPNST He made an uneventful postoperative recovery, but died barely 3 months later from widespread pulmonary metastases.A review of the literature revealed that such tumors hardly ever reach such large-size as in our case

Ipomea asarifolia (Desr), A Potential Cover Crop for Soil Fertility Improvement in The Sudan Savanna Region, Nigeria

The effect of Ipomea asarifolia on physico - chemical properties of the soils at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto main campus, in the Sudan Savanna of Nigeria was investigated. The study determined the effect of the plant on some physical and chemical properties of soils, found out the nutrient retention ability of the plant in the soils and the variation of the effect with distance within the plants’ canopy. A total of 48 samples were collected from four different sites within Usmanu Danfodiyo University main Campus; VC complex area, University stadium area, Behind new library area and opposite IBB centre area and four distances from the plant (control, plant base, 0.5 m and 1 m from the plant base). Samples were collected for use in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) experiment with three replicates. Soil pH, Organic C, CEC, total N, available P, K, Ca and Mg concentrations were determined, particle size analysis was also carried out. The results were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA), where significant F values were obtained, the means were separated by Duncan multiple range tests (DMRT). The difference among the sites and the distances were found to be statistically significant (P VC complex area > New library area > IBB centre area. On the other hand, the effect on all the parameters was found to decrease with distance from the plant with the base of the plant having the highest organic C, CEC, total N, available P and exchangeable K, Ca and Mg; 6.83 g kg-1, 5.00 cmol kg-1, 0.42 g kg-1, 10.82 mg kg-1 and 0.26, 0.50 and 0.97 cmol kg-1 respectively, while the control soils had the least values; 3.46 g kg-1, 4.00 cmol kg-1, 0.12 g kg-1, 7.43 mg kg-1, 0.21, 0.38, and 0.45 cmol kg-1 respectively. The effect was attributed to the accumulation of organic matter around the plant and its ability to prevent erosion by both water and wind thus retaining nutrients making it a suitable cover crop for soil fertility improvement