Predicted peak expiratroy flow in human and the clinical implications of differences across related formulae: a proposed guideline standard reference for Asthma

In an attempt to examine the differences between Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) formulae in the literature so as to assess the potential impact of those differences on the interpretation of clinical guidelines for asthma management, the present study was carried out. We calculated 100% PEF values using formula developed by (Gregg, 1973) at 50th percentile for age, height and weight obtained from our study (Salisu et al., 2007) and classified the percent predicted PEF in to severity groups according to national asthma guidelines (NAEPP, 1991 and 1997). Choosing different formulae could give an individual in the age range of 15-19 years a 100% predicted PEF as low as 402 L/min and as high as 412 L/min; and another woman in the age range of 30-34years a classification of severe (47%) using one, but moderate (71%) using another. This indicates that predicted PEF varied widely across formulae and choice of a particular formula may alter guidelinebase care. This work has therefore accepted a recently published population-base equation proposed as the reference standard for future asthma guidelines. Keywords Peak expiratory flow, Asthma, Practice guidelines, reference value

Erythrocyte osmotic fragility of pigs administered ascorbic acid and transported by road for short-term duration during the harmattan season

The experiment was carried out with the aim of investigating the effect of an antioxidant ascorbic acid on erythrocyte osmotic fragility of pigs transported by road for 4 h during the harmattan season. 16 pigs administered with ascorbic acid at the dose of 250 mg/kg per os and individually served as experimental animals and 13 others administered orally with sterile water were used as control animals. The animals were then transported for 4 h at a speed of 40 - 50 km/h covering a distance of 140 km. Blood samples for erythrocyte osmotic fragility determination which was done using standard procedure, were taken early in the morning a day before transportation, immediately after and a week after transportation. Erythrocyte osmotic fragility decreased significantly (P < 0.05) at NaCl concentration of 0.85, 0.80 and 0.70% in both experimental and control pigs following road transportation and the difference in the post-transportation values was higher (P < 0.05) in experimentalcompared to control pigs. The results indicated that ascorbic acid protected the integrity of the erythrocyte membrane in experimental pigs administered ascorbic acid following road transportation as demonstrated by lower percentage haemolysis immediately after road transportation and thus may alleviate the risk of increase in haemolysis due to road transportation stress in pigs during the harmattan season

Ameliorative effects of selenium and vitamin e supplementation on some haematological parameters and red blood cell osmotic fragilty in wistar rats subjected to water immersion restraint stress

The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of selenium and vitamin E supplementation on some haematological parameters and red blood cell osmotic fragility in Wistar rats subjected to water immersion restraint stress (WRS) (n= 35). Male Wistar rats, weighing 200-220 g were divided in to five groups of seven rats each, viz: (i) passive control (non-stress rats), (ii) active control (WRS + distilled water), (iii) WRS + vitamin E, (iv) WRS + vitamin E + selenium, and (v) WRS + selenium. The WRS procedure lasted for 3.5 hours. Blood samples were collected through cardiac puncture for the investigation of some haematological parameters and red blood cell osmotic fragility. The results of the present study showed that there were no significant changes (P > 0.05) in PCV, Hb, RBC, WBC, MCV, MCH, MCHC, Lymphocytes and monocytes and there was a significant decrease(P > 0.05) in neutrophil count in response to WRS for 3.5 hours. Some of the haematological values (PCV, RBC, WBC, Hb, neutrophils and lymphocytes) showed significant increase (P < 0.001) in selenium and vitamin E pre-treated groups. The result of the erythrocyte osmotic fragility showed that 3.5 hours of WRS increased haemolysis in the rats. The percentage haemolysis was significantly highest in the active control group. Pre-treatment with selenium and vitamin E decreased the percentage haemolysis significantly. It was concluded that acute WRS exposure for 3.5 hours did not exert considerable effects on blood-forming organs, such that there was no inhibition of erythropoiesis and consequently, haemosynthesis.The MCV, MCH and MCHC remain normal because there was no significant destruction in RBC (size and shape) and decrease in haemoglobin content in the active controls and the decrease in neutrophil count was because neutrophils were involved in phagocytosis,during which some of the neutrophils have ruptured. The erythrocytes were susceptible to oxidative stress. Administration of selenium and vitamin E singly or in combination ameliorated WRS-induced changes of the abovestudied parameters.Keywords: Erythrocyte, Haemolysis, Neutrophil, Stress, Selenium, Vitamin E, Water immersion

Relationship between anthropometric and haematological parameters among third trimester pregnant women in Sokoto State, Northwest Nigeria

Summary: The pregnancy state in a womanfs life is a unique state in terms of the desirable physiological changes and the exciting reversal of the changes soon after the termination of the pregnancy. It is considered essential that to guarantee a good feto-maternal outcome the attainment of optimum anthropometric and haematological parameters are key. Our study assessed the anthropometric and haematological changes and also looked at the relationship that exists between these parameters among pregnant women.We carried out a cross-sectional descriptive study which considered 160 apparently healthy, singleton, third trimester pregnant women attending ANC at the State Specialist Hospital and 58 apparently healthy non-pregnant controls sourced from the Sokoto metropolis  population. Each subject or control enrolled was contacted 3 times at 2 weekly intervals. And at each occasion they are assessed for changes in the anthropometric and haematological parameters. The response rate was 93.6% (3 pregnants and 11 controls were loss to follow up). The pregnant and control subgroups mean ages were 28.02 } 6.81 years and 26.89 } 5.84 years respectively (p = 0.265). Weekly weight gains of 0.48kg among the pregnant sub-group against 0.13kg obtained in the control group were recorded. BMI increase of about 0.19kg/m2 per week among the pregnant sub-group and only 0.05kg per week in the controls. 95% of the distribution of pregnant sub-group has haemoglobin and haematocrit of .8.9g/dL and .26% respectively. Among the pregnant sub-group, mean weekly haemoglobin and haematocrit drop of 0.24g/dL and 0.74% were respectively recorded. A steady rise in WBC was recorded but platelets counts dropped at an average of 5.04 x 103 /ƒÊL per week. A positive correlation between BMI and haemoglobin levels was observed (r > 0 and p < 0.05). No particular regularity in the relationship between BMI and WBC was noticed. We conclude that there was optimum weight gain and good haematological indices for those with good BMI during the third trimester of pregnancy. There was a positive correlation between BMI and plasma haemoglobin level but WBC showed no particular relationship with the anthropometric changes. We therefore, recommend that good education to improve the socio- economic wellbeing of the girl-child be encouraged to boost self sufficiency for better weight gains and to facilitate access to good healthcare so that the ideal anthropometric and haematological parameters can be achieved during pregnancy to guarantee good feto-maternal outcome.Keywords: Singleton, Trimester, Anthropometry, Haematological, Gestation, Parity

Effects of methanolic extract of Tephrosia vogelii leaves on contraction of isolated rabbit jejunum

No Abstract.Nigerian Journal of Natural Products and Medicine Vol. 10 () 2006: pp.26-3

Modulating effects of ascorbic acid on rectal temperature of pigs transported by road during the harmattan season

The experiment was carried out with the aim of investigating the effect of ascorbic acid (AA) administration on fluctuations in rectal temperature (RT) of pigs transported by road during the harmattan season. Sixteen pigs administered orally with AA at the dose of 250 mg/kg served as experimental animals, and 13 others administered orally with sterile water were used as control animals. The RT was measured in all the pigs before and immediately after loading. Meteorological parameters as well as RT were also recorded concurrently at 30 min., 2 and 4 h of the journey, and at 3 h post-transportation and also three consecutive days  post-transportation. The RT value of 38.24±0.16oC recorded immediately after loading in experimental pigs was significantly (

Modulatory Role of Ascorbic Acid on Behavioural Responses of Pigs Transported By Road during the Harmattan Season

Experiments were performed on adult local pigs with the aim of investigating the modulatory role of ascorbic acid (AA) on their behavioural responses to 4-h, road transportation during the harmattan season. Sixteen adult pigs administered with AA at the dose of 250 mg/kg dissolve in sterile water served as experimental animals, and 13 others administered with sterile water were used as control animals. All the pigs were transported for 4-h at speed of 40-50 km/h covering a distance of 140 km. The behavioural activities were determined before and after road transportation. The behavioural activities were higher (P<0.05) in the experimental than control pigs immediately after transportation. In conclusion, AA ameliorates behavioural stress induced by road transportation of pigs for 4 h and may be of value in reducing adverse effects of road transportation in pigs. Keywords: Ascorbic acid, Behavioural responses, Harmattan season, Pigs, Road transportation Nig. J. Physiol. Sci. 26(June 2011) 061 – 06

A short report on the mid-upper arm circumference (muac) pattern in children in Jos

Objective: This study was done to report the mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) pattern in children aged 2-5 years in Jos. Study Population and Methods: Data was collected in May 2002 and permission was granted for this study to be carried out. Children were selected from both groups of sexes (males and females). A tape measure was used; this is strictly speaking, a Population Study so every child aged five years and below was recruited in this study. 173 pupils (89males and 84females) had MUAC measurements taken. Results:The Mean (±SEM) MUAC by age distribution: 15.8 ± 0.68 cm and 16 ± 0 cm for males and females 2 year old respectively (

Effect of acute bilateral adrenalectomy and reserpine on gastric mucus secretion and mucosal injury in pyloric ligated rats

Adrenalectomy produces many changes in gastric functional parameters including gastric acid secretion, gastric motility and mucosal blood flow. The present study was undertaken to assess theeffect of acute bilateral adrenalectomy and reserpine on gastric mucus secretion and degradation in the pyloric ligated rats. Groups of Wistar rats of mixed sexes were adrenalectomized or administered with 5mg/kg reserpine intraperitoneally or given both treatment followed by pyloric ligation. Adherent mucus was assessed by the alcian blue binding technique while erosion of the surface gel was assessed fromthe appearance of sialic acids and galactose in the gastric juice. Gastric mucosa injury was quantified by measuring the area of gastric mucosa damage. The amount of alcian blue bound to adherent mucusand soluble mucin concentration were not significantly affected by adrenalectomy (P > 0.05). Reserpine diminished adherent mucus secretion and increased soluble glycoprotein in the gastric juice.Adrenalectomized animals (40%, n = 5) developed haemorrhagic lesions as compared to 100% (n = 5) in animals treated with reserpine. Adrenalectomy or propranolol did not protect the animals against thereserpine induced injury. It is concluded that the adrenal glands seem to be of no importance in the secretion of gastric mucus but reserpine inhibits mucus release and stimulates surface mucus gel breakdown via β-adrenoceptor stimulation