Left atrial myxoma: Case report and literature review

Myxomas are the most common cardiac neoplasm accounting for 50% of all tumours. Usually symptomatic at diagnosis, the advent of routine echocardiogram in clinical practice has enabled earlier diagnosis before onset of symptoms. There however have been few reports in black Africans, and so we are reporting a male patient who presented with heart failure secondary to a large left atrial myxoma mimicking mitral stenosis from diastolic flow obstruction across the valve. He underwent successful resection and to the best of our knowledge is the first reported resected surgical case in Nigeria

An Overview of the Potential Impacts of Climate Change on Groundwater Resources

Climate change has been consistently observed over the past decades to be associated with changes and/or modifications of components of the hydrological systems. Observational records and global and regional climate projections indicate that both surface-water and groundwater resources are vulnerable to climate change and variability. Thus, understanding the impacts of climate change and variability on groundwater systems is integral to better planning and efficient management of groundwater resources. However, assessing and predicting the effects of climate change on groundwater systems is relatively difficult due to the uncertainties associated with the spatial and temporal prediction of future climates. This review provides an overview of the key components of groundwater hydrology in relation to climate change. The effects of changes in climate on groundwater in soil, deep vadose and saturated zones are assessed. The responses of groundwater recharge, discharge, quality and changes in storage to climate change are assessed on inter-annual to multi-decadal or longer geologic time scale

Evaluation of the Nutritive Importance of Fresh and Dry Cyperus esculentus (Tiger nut) Available in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria

Fresh and dried Cyperus esculentus nuts were obtained from a local market (Sabo market) in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria. These nuts are chew, serve as snacks and used as sources of food and medicine in Nigeria. In this study; proximate, mineral content (using AAS), vitamins and sugar compositions were determined using standard methods [1] The results of the proximate composition revealed that the dry nuts contained higher amount of the nutrients present (fat 35.43 %, protein 9.70 % and ash 4.25 %) than the fresh nuts (32.13 %, 7.15 % and 3.97 %). The result of the mineral content shows that, calcium, iron and manganese were higher in the dry nut than the fresh nut.Sugar composition result shows that sucrose and glucose were the prominent sugar present and were higher in the dried nut than in the fresh nut.The result of the vitamin compositions revealed that vitamin A was equally present in both fresh and dried nut, while fresh nut contained higher amount of vitamin B1(2.25 mg/100g) and B3(3.47 mg/100g) other vitamins were in traces in both nuts.The result of this study showed that both fresh and dried nuts of C. esculentus are of high nutritional value based on their proximate, mineral, vitamin and sugar contents. Keywords: Proximate, mineral, vitamin, sugar, nuts DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/11-16-05 Publication date:August 31st 202

An ethnobotanical study of plants used for the treatment of diabetes in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

Diabetes mellitus is one of the commonest diseases affecting the citizens of both developed and poor countries. In South Africa, the number of people suffering from diabetes is believed to be rising steadily. An ethnobotanical study of plants used by the traditional healers, herbalists and rural dwellersfor the treatment of diabetes mellitus was conducted in the Eastern Cape Province. The study revealed 14 plant species belonging to six families namely; Asteraceae, Hypoxidaceae, Apocynaceae, Asphodelaceae, Apiaceae and Buddlejaceae. The use of infusions from plant leaves and roots was thecommonest method of herbal preparation. In all cases, the treatment involved drinking the extracts for a long period of time. There was a general belief on the efficacy of the prepared extracts

SOME CHEMICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF NITRIC OXIDE: A MINI REVIEW

Nitric oxide (NO) is a simple odd-electron molecule that is a primary pollutant. It transmits signals between neurons; playing a role in blood flow and sexual arousal. In this mini review we try to make accessible the properties and functions of this lipophilic molecule to non-specialists

SOME CHEMICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF NITRIC OXIDE: A MINI REVIEW

Nitric oxide (NO) is a simple odd-electron molecule that is a primary pollutant. It transmits signals between neurons; playing a role in blood flow and sexual arousal. In this mini review we try to make accessible the properties and functions of this lipophilic molecule to non-specialists

Assessment of Appalachian Hardwood Residue Properties and Potentials for Bioenergy Utilization

Logging residue specimens of yellow-poplar and red oak were collected from 15 previously harvested sites across West Virginia. Sites were selected with respect to the varying soil compositions based on a USDA soil survey as well as to the average annual precipitation regions. Wood specimens were then analyzed for their physical, chemical, and thermal properties. Results indicated that logging residues of yellow-poplar and red oak were dried in nature to 7.4 - 39% MC. Yellow-poplar sapwood-specific gravity reduced by 15 and 26.5% on average after 2 and 3 yr of ground contact, respectively. Red oak sapwood-specific gravity was lower than its heartwood by 26.6, 25.3, and 8.2% for the 2005, 2006, and 2007 harvest years, respectively. Chemical analysis showed higher extractives and lignin contents for decayed wood samples collected in 2005 harvested sites. Heating value showed no significant difference between sapwood and heartwood residues of undecayed and decayed material. Our analysis on the potential sugars available showed that about 85 - 90% of 1.02 billion kg of sugars derivable from wood residues in West Virginia could be fermented to ethanol or butanol

Chemical and biological studies of Lobelia flaccida (C. Presl) A.DC leaf: a medicinal plant used by traditional healers in Eastern Cape, South Africa

Purpose: To investigate the phytochemical constituents, acute toxicity and biological activities of Lobelia herb (dried leaf of Lobelia flaccida; family: Campanulaceae), a popular medicinal agent used to manage pain and epilepsy among other indications in Eastern Cape Region of South Africa.Methods: Essential oil (EO) obtained from the dried leaf was analysed with gas chromatography-mas spectroscopy GC/MS while an infusion extract of the herb was obtained by soaking in hot boiled water (100 oC) for 24 h, filtered and the filtrate dried in vacuo. Phytochemical screening of the infusion extract was performed to detect the presence of secondary plant metabolites and relative abundance of some of the metabolites. The aqueous extract was evaluated for oral (p.o.) acute toxicity (LD50) using the Lorke’s method [30];, thereafter the extract was tested for anti-inflammatory activity on carrageenaninduced rat paw oedema at 250 and 500 mg/kg, p.o., normal saline and aspirin (100 mg/kg, p.o.) used as negative and positive controls respectively. Finally, the extract at 500 and 1000 mg/kg, p.o. was tested for anticonvulsant activity on pentylene tetrazol (85 mg/kg, intraperitoneally)-induced convulsion model in mice, normal saline and diazepam (1 mg/kg, i.p.) served as negative and positive control groups respectively.Results: EO yield was 0.022 % w/w and the two major compounds identified were acetophenone (26.37 %) and caryophyllene (17.35 %). Phytochemical screening showed high concentration of alkaloids, saponins and flavonoids among other constituents. LD50 of the aqueous extract was ≥ 5000 mg/kg per oral while the aqueous extract exhibited significant (p < 0.01) anti-inflammatory activity on carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema comparable to aspirin but insignificant anticonvulsant activity on pentylene tetrazol-induced convulsion when compared with diazepam.Conclusion: Lobelia herb is non-toxic, and possesses significant anti-inflammatory and mild anticonvulsant activities. It is suggested that the essential oil of this herb should be screened for pharmacological activities.Keywords: Lobelia flaccida, Essential oil, Gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy analysis , Infusion extract, Acute toxicity, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-convulsan