ANTI-INFLAMMATORY AND ANALGESIC EFFECTS OF AQUEOUS LEAF EXTRACTS OF Gomphrena celosioides AND Momordica charantia

This   study  reports the   anti-inflammatory   and  analgesic  properties  of   aqueous leaf   extracts  of  Gom-        phrena celosioides and Momordica charantia in rats and mice.   Hot plate latency test and acetic acid        induced writhing movement method were used as the model for analgesic evaluation, while the carra-        geenan-induced rat paw oedema was used as the model for anti-inflammatory activity.    The result of        the study revealed that the leaf extracts of the two plants possess anti-inflammatory property as they        were found to significantly (p<0.05) inhibit oedema induced by carrageenan in the rat paws. The leaf        extract of Momordica charantia was also found to significantly (p<0.05) increase the reaction time of        the mice in hot plate test method, while the number of writhing movement of the mice was also signifi-        cantly(p<0.05) reduced in dose-dependent manner. Similar result was observed for mice treated with        extract   of  Gomphrena   celosioides. The  pilot toxicity   study   revealed   the   plants  to   have  appreciable        safety margin, but high dose of Momordica charantia could cause purgation in rats. The results of the        study   suggest   the   anti-inflammatory   and   analgesic   effects   of   the   aqueous   leaf   extracts   of   the   two        plants.&nbsp

Development of Thermomechanical Model for the Analysis of Effects of Friction and Cutting Speed on Temperature Distribution around AISI 316L During Orthogonal Machining

In metal cutting,severe deformation takes place in the vicinity of the cutting edge of the high strain-rate and an increase in temperature is observed. Deformation behaviour of the work material in the primary and secondary zones is highly sensitive to the cutting conditions. Also, the frictional conditions between the tool and the chip and tool and the workpiece are highly complex and sensitive to the cutting conditions. As a result, the stresses and temperatures at tool-chip interface and around the cutting edge can be critically high in some cutting conditions and can cause excessive tool wear or premature tool failure. This research work focuses on the accurate prediction of the distribution of the process variables such as stresses and temperatures with the Finite Element (FE) Analysis to identify optimum cutting conditions, tool material, edge geometry and coating in order to help improve productivity and quality of machining operations. Effects of work material flow stress and interfacial friction at chip-tool interface on the accuracy of the predicated process variables in FE simulations are also analyzed. Specifically, friction models and cutting speed are varied to predict the effect on the temperature distribution, stresses and strain on the workpiece and tool chip during orthogonal cutting process. The result showed that an increase in coefficient of friction will cause an increase in thermal, force and mechanical variables during machining. Thus, the higher the coefficient of friction, the higher, the cutting forces, temperature, stress, and strain

Approximation of the Cox survival regression model by MCMC Bayesian hierarchical Poisson modelling of factors associated with childhood mortality in Nigeria

The need for more pragmatic approaches to achieve sustainable development goal on childhood mortality reduction necessitated this study. Simultaneous study of the influence of where the children live and the censoring nature of children survival data is scarce. We identified the compositional and contextual factors associated with under-five (U5M) and infant (INM) mortality in Nigeria from 5 MCMC Bayesian hierarchical Poisson regression models as approximations of the Cox survival regression model. The 2018 DHS data of 33,924 under-five children were used. Life table techniques and the Mlwin 3.05 module for the analysis of hierarchical data were implemented in Stata Version 16. The overall INM rate (INMR) was 70 per 1000 livebirths compared with U5M rate (U5MR) of 131 per 1000 livebirth. The INMR was lowest in Ogun (17 per 1000 live births) and highest in Kaduna (106), Gombe (112) and Kebbi (116) while the lowest U5MR was found in Ogun (29) and highest in Jigawa (212) and Kebbi (248). The risks of INM and U5M were highest among children with none/low maternal education, multiple births, low birthweight, short birth interval, poorer households, when spouses decide on healthcare access, having a big problem getting to a healthcare facility, high community illiteracy level, and from states with a high proportion of the rural population in the fully adjusted model. Compared with the null model, 81% vs 13% and 59% vs 35% of the total variation in INM and U5M were explained by the state- and neighbourhood-level factors respectively. Infant- and under-five mortality in Nigeria is influenced by compositional and contextual factors. The Bayesian hierarchical Poisson regression model used in estimating the factors associated with childhood deaths in Nigeria fitted the survival data.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Antispermatogenic Activity Of Morinda Morindoides Root Bark Extract In Male Wistar Rats

To investigate the effect of the aqueous extract of the root bark of Morinda morindoides (Rubiaceae) on the reproductive activity of male Wistar rats, three groups (A, B and C) of six rats each were treated with 400,800 and 1600 mg/kg/day of Morinda morindoides root bark extract respectively for 28 days while 5mls/kg of distilled water was given to the control group D. At the end of the experimental period, animals were sacrificed and sperm characteristics, histology of the testes and epididymis were assessed. Morinda morindoides root bark extract caused a significant reduction (p<0.05) in sperm motility, a significant dose dependent reduction in the sperm count and a significant (p<0.05) dose dependent increase in morphological abnormalities of the spermatozoa of the treated rats. Histopathological evaluation of the testis and epididymis revealed varying degrees of degeneration and necrosis of the germinal epithelia cell of the seminiferous tubules and spermiostasis. Morinda morindoides root bark extract has significant anti-spermatogenic effects on adult male Wistar rats which could impair reproductive activities in these male Wistar rats. &nbsp

Rainfall Variability and Trend Analysis over Lokoja, Nigeria

Studies on rainfall variability and trends are of great importance, particularly to the nations where rainfed agriculture is predominant. This study used CRU data (CRU_TS 4.01) to examine the temporal variability of rainfall data over Lokoja. Statistical tests were employed to examine variability and trend in monthly, seasonal and annual time series. Analysis of variability showed that the rainy seasons and annual rainfall had less variability (CV 30) in some months in the rainy season (April, July and August). Standardised precipitation index showed alternation of wet and dry period conditions had been witnessed in the study area. Trend analysis showed more positive trends had been experienced from 1970 through 2010. The variability in rainfall and the increasing trend may have a tremendous effect on water resources availabilities and vulnerabilities of Lokoja

Repurposing of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine for the management of COVID-19

The Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted adversely on the global health and socio-economic activities. There is currently no evidence-based anti-SARS-CoV-2 drug for COVID-19 therapy. This review highlights some pharmacological properties of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine and prospects of repurposing them for the treatment of COVID-19. Google scholar was employed in searching relevant published journal articles (n=118) in English. The search was later narrowed down to SARS-CoV-2, pathophysiology of COVID-19, available drugs for the management of COVID-19, clinical trials on repurposing drugs for COVID-19 therapy, and the role of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine in the treatment of COVID-19. Documented evidence revealed that chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine have antiviral and immune-modulatory properties. Their antiviral effect is due to inhibition of the spike proteins of SARS-CoV-2 from binding to the cellular transmembrane receptors, angiotensin converting enzyme-2 thereby preventing viral infections. Also, sequestration of these drugs into the lysosomes elevates lysosomal pH thus inhibiting lysosomal enzymatic functions vital for viral replication in those cells. Whereas, their immune-modulatory activity averts the inflammatory complications of COVID-19, particularly acute respiratory syndrome, by preventing cytokine storm through suppression of the production and putative release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The adverse effects from these drugs, notably irreversible retinopathy and cardiac arrhythmia are rare but become life-threatening when they occur. These are minimal with hydroxychloroquine compared to chloroquine. Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine could be repurposed for managing COVID-19 cases because they are already extensively used for treating acute nonresistant malaria and auto-immune diseases. Also, a viable vaccine cannot be available in the near future while there is a pressing need for treatments to lower the daily rise in morbidity and mortality associated with the disease. Nevertheless, we suggest that emphasis should be on hydroxychloroquine because of its superior antiviral effect and clinical safety

Production of Biodiesel from Soybean Oil Using Calcium Oxide and Cow Bone as Catalysts

Biodiesel was produced from the transesterification of soybean oil using calcium oxide and cow bone (an animal waste bone that contains hydroxyapatite, a calcium phosphate mineral) as heterogeneous catalysts. The soybean oil used was characterized using gas chromatography mass spectrometer (GCMS) and the cow bone catalyst produced was characterized using X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer. The effects of the variation of methanol/oil mole ratio (9–15), catalyst concentration (10–20 wt/wt%) and reaction temperature (55–65 °C) on biodiesel yield during the transesterification of soybean oil with methanol was investigated. Reaction time of 3 hours and stirring rate of 500 rpm were kept constant. It was observed that the calcination of cow bone catalyst (at 800 °C) enhanced its conversion to apatite [Ca5(PO4)3OH] and increased the yield of biodiesel obtained. Biodiesel yield results revealed an optimum condition of methanol/oil mole ratio of 9, catalyst concentration of 15 wt/wt% and reaction temperature of 55 °C. Also, the results obtained showed that the performance trends of the two catalysts used were similar. And the close values of highest biodiesel yields obtained when the two heterogenous catalysts were used separately (yields of 94.8 and 92.2% using calcium oxide and calcined cow bone catalysts respectively) implies that the use of low-cost and readily available calcined cow bone catalyst is a promising alternative to CaO catalyst

A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS ON THE CLARIFICATION EFFICIENCY OF LIME AND MORINGA OLEIFERA ON CANE SUGAR JUICE

A comparative analysis of the clarification efficiency of lime and moringaoleifera on cane sugar juice was investigated. Moringa pods were collected and their seeds ground into powder. The seed oil was extracted using a crude method. Calcium oxide and moringaoleifera seed cake were used to effect colloid coagulation in sugarcane juice. The dosages by weight were varied. The settling time was also varied. Clarification was measured as a function of absorbance. The absorbance was measured at different wavelengths. A wavelength of 600nm was used in the results and discussion. The absorbance of the clarified sugarcane juice over a period of five hours was obtained. A cost analysis was also investigated. The results suggest that Moringaoleifera is a more efficient coagulating aid at 1g Moringa/100ml of sugarcane juice with an absorbance of 1.803 after one hour although calcium oxide (lime) is cheaper

Toxicological study on the edible larva of Cirina forda (Westwood)

Toxicity of the aqueous extracts of raw and processed larva of Cirina forda (Westwood) administered orally were studied in white albino mice and albino rats. Preliminary investigation showed that the raw extract was toxic to mice, showing sign of irritability and muscular tremor. An LD50 value of 7,000mg/kg body weight was obtained for the raw extract using mice. The effects of sub lethal dose of the extract on hematological and serum biochemical parameters were also studied in rats for 14 days. No significant effect was observed on most of the hematological and biochemical indices estimated (P> 0.05). Activities of some serum enzymes were normal in all the rats. However, the serum total protein and globulin levels were significantly higher in the control and the group that received processed larva than in the group administered with the raw larva (P<0.05). The albumin level was not affected by the extracts. Boiling of the larva in water followed by sun drying treatment (processed larva) was associated with an increase in the serum total protein and globulin levels in rats. However, the neurotoxic nature of the raw extract needs further investigation

Full Length Research Article - Effects of chromatographic fractions of Euphorbia hirta on the rat serum biochemistry.

The effects of the chromatographic fractions of Euphorbia hirta Linn on the serum biochemical parameters in rats were investigated. The ethanolic extract of this plant was subjected to chromatographic separation using the vacuum liquid chromatographic technique, a modified form of classical column chromatography. With the aid of thin layer chromatography, six fractions of this plant were obtained and were administered to rats in graded doses of 400mg/kg, 800mg/kg and 1600mg/kg orally for fourteen days. Some fractions of this plant caused significant increase in the levels of total protein, albumin, globulin, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin, creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). Some fractions also caused significant decrease in the level of conjugated bilirubin. The result from this study thus showed that some chromatographic fractions of Euphorbia hirta have potentially deleterious effects on the serum chemistry of rats; therefore caution should be exercised in the use of Euphorbia hirta as medicinal plant. It also means that the presence of this plant in the pasture could serve as a source of toxicosis to grazing animals