Gastric Acid Secretion, Mucus Concentration and Ulceration Following Orogastic Feeding of Cannabis Sativa to Albino Wistar Rats

This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of consumption (ingestion) of Cannabis sativa on the gastrointestinal tract using mucus concentration, acid secretion and ulceration in animal (rats) model as indices. Three groups of six (6) rats each were used. The control group were fed on rat chow only while another group were fed on low dose of Cannabis sativa 0.5gm/100g body weight and another group were fed on high dose of Cannibis sativa 0.8mg/100g body weight for 28 days respectively and allowed free access to food and water. At the end of 28 days, the results showed that the acid secretion in the high dose group was significantly (P<0.001) higher than in low dose group while the mucus concentration in low dose and high dose group respectively were significantly lower (P<0.01) than control. The mucus concentration in high dose was significantly lower (P<0.001) than low dose group when the test groups were compared. Similarly the ulcer scores were higher in low dose group (P<0.05) and in high dose group (P<0.001) respectively when compared with control group. The ulceration in high dose group was significantly higher (P<0.001) than the low dose group. In conclusion, ingestion of Cannabis sativa causes decrease in adherent gastric mucus, increase acid secretion and increase in gastric ulceration in a dose dependent fashion. The liberal use of Cannabis sativa should therefore be discouraged

Aqueous Leaf Extract Of Rothmannia Longiflora Improves Basal Metabolic Rate And Electrolyte Parameters In Alloxan Induced Diabetic Rats

Summary: This study evaluated the action of aqueous leaf extract of Rothmannia longiflora on basal metabolic rate and electrolyte profile of alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Fifteen male Wistar (135 – 140g) were assigned to 3 groups of 5 rats each. Group 1 which served as control received placebo treatment; Group 2 - the diabetic (untreated) group also received placebo treatment whereas Group 3 – the extract treated diabetic group was administered the extract (15g/kg body weight) by oral administration for 14 days. Results of BMR measurement showed a significant increase (

Entomological and transmission risk indices of malaria vectors in selected communities in Osun state, Nigeria

Baseline survey is an integral component of a malaria vector control programme, providing valuable information on mosquito behaviour that guide the suitability of chosen interventions. A need assessment of baseline entomological indices towards the future implementation of indoor residual spray (IRS) was conducted in Osun State, Nigeria. Indoor resting mosquitoes were collected in human households from three LocalGovernment Areas. These were morphologically identified, subjected to species specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay and analyzed for sporozoite infection and blood meal origin using enzyme linked   immunosorbent assay (ELISA). All female Anopheles identified fed on human blood but tested negative to Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite antigen. The PCR analysis showed a predominance of An. gambiae s.s. (95%) over An. arabiensis (5%). The preponderance of indoor resting An. gambiae s.s and the incidence of exophilic An. arabiensis suggest a combination of IRS and long lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) for this region.Keywords: Malaria vectors, Transmission risk indices, Species specific PCR, Plasmodium falciparum, Circumsporozoite antigen, Long lasting insecticidal nets, Osun State, Nigeri

Ulcerogenic and gastric acid stimulating actions of ethanolic root extract of Gonglonema latifolium in rats

This study on the effect of ethanolic root extract of Gonglonema latifolium on gastric acid output and ulceration was undertaken due to paucity in scientific reports on the medicinal properties of the root extract especially on gastrointestinal functions. Eighteen (18) albino Wistar rats were randomly assigned into 3 groups of 6 rats each. The control group was fed on normal rat chow + drinking water while the test groups in addition received extract treatment (p.o) at a dose of 100mg/kg and 200mg/kg respectively. The feeding regimens lasted for 14 days. Gastric acid secretion and ulcer studies were done using standard procedures. Results obtained from this study shows that the mean basal gastric acid output (MBGAO) was significantly (P<0.001) higher in the high dose (4.00 ± 0.12mmol/L/hr) and lower in low dose (2.50 ± 0.06mmol/L/hr) extract treated groups compared with control (3.65 ± 0.05mmol/L/hr). The high dose group also showed significant (P<0.05) potentiating effect on histamine induced gastric secretion compared to other groups. The effect of carbachol and atropine on MBGAO was not significantly different among the groups. Mean ulcer scores were also significantly higher in the low dose (P<0.01) and high dose (P<0.001) groups compared with controls. We therefore conclude that ethanolic root extract of Gonglonema latifolium contains phytochemical agents that increase gastric secretion at high doses probably via H2-histaminergic receptors, suppressing gastric acid production at low doses. The extract also has an ulcerogenic effect on gastric mucosa. Hence the use of crude root extract of Gonglonema latifolium should be taken with caution

Factors influencing the ownership and utilization of long-lasting insecticidal nets for malaria prevention in Ethiopia

Background Utilization of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) is regarded as key malaria prevention and control strategy. However, studies have reported a large gap in terms of both ownership and utilization particularly in the sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). With continual efforts to improve the use of LLIN and to progress malaria elimination, examining the factors influencing the ownership and usage of LLIN is of high importance. Therefore, the current study was conducted to examine the level of ownership and use of LLIN along with identification of associated factors at household level. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in Mirab Abaya District, Southern Ethiopia in June and July 2014. A total of 540 households, with an estimated 2690 members, were selected in four kebeles of the district known to have high incidence of malaria. Trained data collectors interviewed household heads to collect information on the knowledge, ownership and utilization of LLINs, which was complemented by direct observation on the conditions and use of the nets through house-to-house visit. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to determine factors associated to LLIN use. Results Of 540 households intended to be included in the survey, 507 responded to the study (94.24% response rate), covering the homes of 2759 people. More than 58% of the households had family size >5 (the regional average), and 60.2% of them had at least one child below the age of 5 years. The ownership of at least one LLIN among households surveyed was 89.9%, and using at least one LLIN during the night prior to the survey among net owners was 85.1% (n = 456). Only 36.7% (186) mentioned at least as the mean of correct scores of all participants for 14 possible malaria symptoms and 32.7% (166) knew at least as the mean of correct scores of all participants for possible preventive methods. Over 30% of nets owned by the households were out of use. After controlling for confounding factors, having two or more sleeping places (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.58, 95% CI 1.17, 5.73), knowledge that LLIN prevents malaria (aOR = 2.51, 95% CI 1.17, 5.37), the presence of hanging bed nets (aOR = 19.24, 95% CI 9.24, 40.07) and walls of the house plastered or painted >12 months ago (aOR = 0.09, 95% CI 0.01, 0.71) were important predictors of LLIN utilization. Conclusions This study found a higher proportion of LLIN ownership and utilization by households than had previously been found in similar studies in Ethiopia, and in many studies in SSA. However, poor knowledge of the transmission mechanisms and the symptoms of malaria, and vector control measures to prevent malaria were evident. Moderate proportions of nets were found to be out of use or in poor repair. Efforts should be in place to maintain the current rate of utilization of LLIN in the district and improve on the identified gaps in order to support the elimination of malaria

The global distribution of fatal pesticide self-poisoning: Systematic review

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Evidence is accumulating that pesticide self-poisoning is one of the most commonly used methods of suicide worldwide, but the magnitude of the problem and the global distribution of these deaths is unknown.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We have systematically reviewed the worldwide literature to estimate the number of pesticide suicides in each of the World Health Organisation's six regions and the global burden of fatal self-poisoning with pesticides. We used the following data sources: Medline, EMBASE and psycINFO (1990–2007), papers cited in publications retrieved, the worldwide web (using Google) and our personal collections of papers and books. Our aim was to identify papers enabling us to estimate the proportion of a country's suicides due to pesticide self-poisoning.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We conservatively estimate that there are 258,234 (plausible range 233,997 to 325,907) deaths from pesticide self-poisoning worldwide each year, accounting for 30% (range 27% to 37%) of suicides globally. Official data from India probably underestimate the incidence of suicides; applying evidence-based corrections to India's official data, our estimate for world suicides using pesticides increases to 371,594 (range 347,357 to 439,267). The proportion of all suicides using pesticides varies from 4% in the European Region to over 50% in the Western Pacific Region but this proportion is not concordant with the volume of pesticides sold in each region; it is the pattern of pesticide use and the toxicity of the products, not the quantity used, that influences the likelihood they will be used in acts of fatal self-harm.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Pesticide self-poisoning accounts for about one-third of the world's suicides. Epidemiological and toxicological data suggest that many of these deaths might be prevented if (a) the use of pesticides most toxic to humans was restricted, (b) pesticides could be safely stored in rural communities, and (c) the accessibility and quality of care for poisoning could be improved.</p

Effect of Exercise Interventions on Health-Related Quality of Life After Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attack: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Exercise interventions have been shown to help physical fitness, walking and balance after stroke, but data is lacking on whether such interventions lead to improvements in health-related quality of life (HRQoL). In this systematic review and meta-analysis, thirty randomised controlled trials (n=1,836 patients) were found from PubMed, OVID MEDLINE, Web of Science, CINAHL, SCOPUS, The Cochrane Library and TRIP databases when searched from 1966 to Feb 2020, that examine the effects of exercise interventions on HRQoL after strokem or transient ischaemic attack (TIA). Exercise interventions resulted in small to moderate beneficial effects on HRQoL at intervention end (standardised mean difference (SMD) -0.23; 95% CI -0.40 to -0.07) that appeared to diminish at longer term follow up (SMD -0.11; 95%CI -0.26 to 0.04). Exercise was associated with moderate improvements in physical health (SMD -0.33; 95% CI -0.61 to -0.04) and mental health (SMD -0.29; 95% CI -0.49 to -0.09) domains of HRQoL while effects on social or cognitive composites showed little difference. Interventions that were initiated within 6 months, lasted at least 12 weeks in duration, involved at least 150 minutes per week, and included resistance training appeared most effective. Exercise can lead to moderate beneficial effects on HRQoL and should be considered an integral part of stroke rehabilitatio

Neuroimaging in Selected Nigerian Epileptic Patients: A Decade of Experience

Background: There is currently a general agreement that in the evaluation and management of epilepsy brain computed tomography-CT and nuclear magnetic resonance imaging-MRI complement the clinical and electrophysiological information obtained. Most of the studies on CT and epilepsy are from elsewhere. The study sets out to highlight the relevance of neuroimaging in the management of epilepsy in selected Nigerian patients. Objective: This study examines the incidence of cerebral abnormalities using optiminsed brain CT scanning in Nigerian patients with intractable epileptic seizures and relates these to clinical and electroencephalographic localisation of seizures. Methods. A prospective descriptive study was undertaken on 344 consecutive Nigerian patients with various epileptic syndromes of whom only 238 (173 children and 65 adults) completed a follow-up of between 0.5 to 8.8 years. Of these, 87 (64 children and 23 adults) satisfied the defined selection criteria for neuroimaging, but only 33 patients were able to obtain the investigation which consisted of CT scan in 31 and MRI in 2 patients. The neuroimaging was done in various centres in Nigeria and abroad. For CT scanning, the Somatom-AR. T (Siemens system) total body scanner and its varieties were used, and for MRI, done in the United Kingdom, a 1.5 Tesla Siemens system with a 25cm circularly polarised head coil used as both transmitter and receiver was employed. All electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded with 8,12 or 16 channel EEG machines. Results. Altropic changes dominated with neurimaging abnormalities in one-third of the patients scanned. The vast majority of patients with generalised tonic-clonic seizures (9 out of 12) had no demonstrable abnormalities, and the reverse was the case in complex partial seizures in which 9 out of 13 patients had demonstrable structural lesions on CT. Conclusion: This study further supports the relevance of CT scanning whenever partial seizures are associated with abnormal neurological signs during the interictal period. Though CT abnormalities may not always be amenable to surgical correction or alter significantly clinical management, CT findings can definitely alter the initial clinical or EEG classification of type of epilepsy in a few patients leading to alteration of drug therapy with rewarding results. In additon, brain tumour, brain abscess and obstructive hydrocephalus are known conditions that are amenable to surgical correction and are detectable on CT. Computerised tomography is expensive and must be justifiable on clinical grounds, and reserved for patients whose epilepsy is unresponsive to drug treatment rather than for all patients at presentation. Nigerian Quarterly Journal of Hospital Medicine Vol. 9, No. 2 (June 1999) pp. 104-11