Case Report: Unilateral post-tuberculosis lung destruction and massive haemoptysis in pregnancy with successful outcome

Post-tuberculosis destroyed lung is a fatal complication of pulmonary tuberculosis which can manifest with severe life-threatening haemoptysis. Its occurrence during pregnancy is rare and challenging because of the significant risk to both the mother and the foetus. We present an unbooked 36 year old G6P4+1 (4 alive) woman who presented with chronic cough, massive haemoptysis and multiple pregnancy (twin) at 35 week gestation. She had completed anti-tuberculosis treatment twice at and over nine years prior to presentation. On evaluation, there were clinical and radiological evidences of unilateral (right) destroyed lung but no evidence of active tuberculosis; resuscitation was with antibiotics, blood transfusion and oxygen therapy followed by an emergency caesarean delivery due to significant maternal compromise. The  symptoms resolved following antibiotic therapy and she was subsequently discharged home. Post-tuberculosis destroyed lung is a fatal uncommon condition that may present during pregnancy and requires a multi-disciplinary specialist care to ensure good maternal and foetal outcome. Keywords: Unilateral post-tuberculosis lung destruction; Massive haemoptysis; Twin pregnanc

Microalbuminuria, Other Markers of Nephropathy and Biochemical Derangements in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Relationships and Determinants

Background: Microalbuminuria is an early indicator of Diabetic nephropathy and cerebrovascular disease.Objective: To evaluate relationships between microalbuminuria and other predictors of morbidity and mortality in type 2 DM.Methods: Fifty type 2 diabetic subjects were recruited each for three groups separated by disease durations. Thirty non-diabetic subjects were recruited to control each group. Urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) was estimated. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), serum creatinine, urea, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high- and low density lipoprotein (HDL, LDL) were measured.Results: The diabetics with longest disease duration of >10 years were the oldest (65.86±1.71), had highest systolic BP (147.12±3.39mmHg) and least BMI (27.20±0.71Kg/m2); they had poorest lipid control (TC:5.54±0.26mmol/L),though with the least TG (0.97±0.09mmol/L); they also had the most severe microalbuminuria (33.63±8.03g/L) and ACR (65.85±10.38mg/gm). Patients with diabetes of 5-10 years had the poorest glycaemic control:FPG- 7.82±0.47mmol/L; HbA1c-13.09±0.74%). Significant negative correlations exist between microalbuminuria,HBA1c(r=-2.28, p=0.028) and serum creatinine(r=-2.11,p=0.042) in patients with 5-10 years disease; a positive correlation between the ACR and TC(r=1.00,p<0.01) in those with >10 years disease. In multivariate analysis, independent predictors of microalbuminuria were disease duration (OR 2.2, p< 0.001); HBA1c (OR 7.3, p=0.02); LDL/HDL ratio (OR 13.4, p< 0.001).Conclusion: The severity and progression of albuminuria are associated with longer duration of diabetes and poor glycaemic control. Significant relationships exist between ACR and HBA1c, TC, HDL-C, TG, creatinine. Disease duration, ethnicity, HBA1c, TC, TG, HDL-C and LDL/HDL ratio are independent predictors of albuminuria.Keywords: diabetes, microalbuminuria, albumin-to-creatinine ratio, dyslipidaemia, nephropathy, cardiovascular diseaseFunding: None declare

Development of an Anaerobic Digester for Animal Waste

Advancement in biotechnology and bioengineering has provided ways that resources, which hitherto were classified as wastes, now form the basis for energy production. Anaerobic digestion is a highly promising technology used for processing biomass materials (crop residue, human excreta, animal waste and food) in the absence of oxygen to a methane-rich biogas. This work developed a small-scale anaerobic digester to produce biogas from animal waste. The anaerobic digester consisted of three major components: bioreactor with an incorporated stirrer driven by an electric motor, gas scrubber and gas collector.  Batch feeding operation was adopted while pig waste was used as test material. Lime water was used as a scrubbing medium for methane enrichment.  Loading result revealed that there was seven days delay in gas production from day of loading. The daily temperatures and pH recorded for a period of 50 days were in the range of 29 - 34°C and 5.5 - 7.5 respectively, and the average yield of clean biogas was 0.13 l/kg of slurry/day. Biogas generation increased with days in digester and was a two-stage process with a peak production day between 40 and 45 days.  There was observed reduction in carbon dioxide content and methane enrichment as the days increased confirming the effectiveness of the scrubber. The biogas produced comprised between 55.1 and 74.1% of methane, and a range of 22.5 to 38.2% of carbon dioxide and was combustible after the 10th day of digestion. The results obtained showed the overall functionability of the developed anaerobic digester. The digester could be deployed and adopted in farmsteads as well as household to meet their energy deman

The Cytoarchitectural alterations in the neocortex of Wistar rats: Effects of aqueous tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) leaves extract exposure

This study investigated the effects of corresponding 11.7 mg/kg body weight and 5.8 mg/kg body weight/day of the tobacco leaves aqueous extract for a period of 20 days on the functions of rats’ brain after extract administration. Nicotiana tabacum is the scientific name of the tobacco plant grown in several countries of the world. It has been used in variables ways such as smoking, snuffing, even chewing, etc. 24 young rats of both sexes were used. They were divided into 3 groups, A, B, C of 8 rats each (Female (n = 4) and male (n = 4)). Group A were given 11.7 mg of the extract per kg body weight, group B 5.8 mg of the extract per kg body weight in 0.5 ml of distilled water per day throughout the 20 experimental days while group C were given equal volume (0.5 ml) of distilled water as well. The rats were sacrificed at day 21 by cervical dislocation and the brains were excised and fixed in formol calcium for 4 days and processed using Haematoxylin and Eosin staining method and Cresyl Fast Violet (CFV) staining technique. There was a statistical significant decrease in the body weight, brain weight and relative brain weight between groups A and B compared to the control group (p < 0.05). There was enlargement of the somata in the group A administered with 11.7 mg/kg B.Wt per day of the extract while those in group B appeared more spindle compared to those cells in group C. Also, the non – homogenous appearance of myelinated neocortex of the neuropil appear clearly in the treated groups compared to control (Figure 3). Therefore, the results suggested that the consumption of the aqueous extract of N. tabacum leaves may alter the normal functions of the brain which may lead to brain dysfunction, despite its “pleasant” effects and also help in reduction in weight gain

Antidiabetic and anti-oxidant activities of the methanol leaf extract of <i>Vernonia amygdalina</i> in alloxan-induced diabetes in Wistar rats

The methanolic leaf extract of Vernonia amygdalina (MLVA) was assessed to evaluate its antidiabetic potential in rats. Diabetes was induced in male Wistar rats by the administration of alloxan monohydrate at 100 mg/kg of body weight. After 48 h, rats with fasting blood glucose levels of 200 mg/dL and above were considered diabetic and used for the study. The experimental animals were grouped into five groups (A–E) of 10 animals each. Group A rats were non-diabetic normal control, Group B consisted of diabetic control rats that received no treatment, groups C, D and E rats were diabetic rats but treated with glibenclamide, 200 and 400 mg/kg doses of MLVA respectively. Blood samples were collected at days 14 and 28 after induction for haematological and serum biochemical indices such as triglycerides, LDL, cholesterols etc. The intestine was collected and intestinal homogenate was prepared for the antioxidant studies. The extract at 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg doses significantly (p < 0.05) reduced blood glucose levels in extract-treated diabetic rats and also significantly increased weight gain in these rats. Most haematological parameters in treated rats experienced, while platelets and neutrophils were decreased. Biochemical indices measured were reduced in MLVA-treated groups compared with diabetic control. Treatment with MLVA also produced significant (p < 0.05) decrease in markers of oxidative stress but increased levels of enzymic and non-enzymic antioxidant markers in intestinal homogenates of treated groups compared with diabetic control. This study showed that V. amygdalina has antihyperglycaemic and in vivo antioxidant effects

Cardioprotective effects and antioxidant status of Andrographis paniculata in isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction in rats

Background: Myocardial infarction has been regarded as one of the fastest killer diseases of modern-day man. Aim: The protective effect of Andrographis paniculata on isoproterenol (ISO)-induced myocardial infarction in rats was investigated. Setting: The study was carried out in a laboratory setting. Methods: Animals were randomly divided into six groups of seven animals per group, and the treatment was as follows: normal control received normal saline for 9 days, isoproterenol group; three extract-treated groups in pre-treatment phase and an extract-treated group in post-treatment phase. The doses were given at 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight for pre-treatment phase respectively while 200 mg/kg dose was given to the post-treatment phase group. Blood and heart tissues were collected for biochemical assays, haematological and histological analyses. Results: Myocardial infarction was recorded in ISO group but was corrected by the extracts in both pre-treatment and post-treatment phases. The ISO group experienced a significant decrease in antioxidant parameters, whereas the extract at all doses caused a significant increase in the activities of in these parameters. The extract caused a significant decrease in malondialdehyde content and hydrogen peroxide generation, whereas reverse was the case for the ISO group. Although no significant histopathological changes were recorded for the extract, the ISO group showed marked histopathological changes. ISO caused higher expressions of cardiac C-reactive protein (CRP) and CTnI and decreased the expressions of IL-10β; but this was the opposite for the extract. Conclusion: The ethanol leaf extract of A. paniculata significantly exhibits cardioprotective effects

Development of an Anaerobic Digester for Animal Waste

Advancement in biotechnology and bioengineering has provided ways that resources, which hitherto were classified as wastes, now form the basis for energy production. Anaerobic digestion is a highly promising technology used for processing biomass materials (crop residue, human excreta, animal waste and food) in the absence of oxygen to a methane-rich biogas. This work developed a small-scale anaerobic digester to produce biogas from animal waste. The anaerobic digester consisted of three major components: bioreactor with an incorporated stirrer driven by an electric motor, gas scrubber and gas collector. Batch feeding operation was adopted while pig waste was used as test material. Lime water was used as a scrubbing medium for methane enrichment. Loading result revealed that there was seven days delay in gas production from day of loading. The daily temperatures and pH recorded for a period of 50 days were in the range of 29 - 34°C and 5.5 - 7.5 respectively, and the average yield of clean biogas was 0.13 l/kg of slurry/day. Biogas generation increased with days in digester and was a two-stage process with a peak production day between 40 and 45 days. There was observed reduction in carbon dioxide content and methane enrichment as the days increased confirming the effectiveness of the scrubber. The biogas produced comprised between 55.1 and 74.1% of methane, and a range of 22.5 to 38.2% of carbon dioxide and was combustible after the 10th day of digestion. The results obtained showed the overall functionability of the developed anaerobic digester. The digester could be deployed and adopted in farmsteads as well as household to meet their energy deman

Unilateral post-tuberculosis lung destruction and massive haemoptysis in pregnancy with successful outcome

Post-tuberculosis destroyed lung is a fatal complication of pulmonary tuberculosis which can manifest with severe life-threatening haemoptysis. Its occurrence during pregnancy is rare and challenging because of the significant risk to both the mother and the foetus. We present an unbooked 36 year old G6P4+1 (4 alive) woman who presented with chronic cough, massive haemoptysis and multiple pregnancy (twin) at 35 week gestation. She had completed anti-tuberculosis treatment twice at and over nine years prior to presentation. On evaluation, there were clinical and radiological evidences of unilateral (right) destroyed lung but no evidence of active tuberculosis; resuscitation was with antibiotics, blood transfusion and oxygen therapy followed by an emergency caesarean delivery due to significant maternal compromise. The symptoms resolved following antibiotic therapy and she was subsequently discharged home. Post-tuberculosis destroyed lung is a fatal uncommon condition that may present during pregnancy and requires a multi-disciplinary specialist care to ensure good maternal and foetal outcome

The Cytoarchitectural alterations in the neocortex of Wistar rats: Effects of aqueous tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) leaves extract exposure Adeniyi

This study investigated the effects of corresponding 11.7 mg/kg body weight and 5.8 mg/kg body weight/day of the tobacco leaves aqueous extract for a period of 20 days on the functions of rats’ brain after extract administration. Nicotiana tabacum is the scientific name of the tobacco plant grown in several countries of the world. It has been used in variables ways such as smoking, snuffing, even chewing, etc. 24 young rats of both sexes were used. They were divided into 3 groups, A, B, C of 8 rats each (Female (n = 4) and male (n = 4)). Group A were given 11.7 mg of the extract per kg body weight, group B 5.8 mg of the extract per kg body weight in 0.5 ml of distilled water per day throughout the 20 experimental days while group C were given equal volume (0.5 ml) of distilled water as well. The rats were sacrificed at day 21 by cervical dislocation and the brains were excised and fixed in formol calcium for 4 days and processed using Haematoxylin and Eosin staining method and Cresyl Fast Violet (CFV) staining technique. There was a statistical significant decrease in the body weight, brain weight and relative brain weight between groups A and B compared to the control group (p &lt; 0.05). There was enlargement of the somata in the group A administered with 11.7 mg/kg B.Wt per day of the extract while those in group B appeared more spindle compared to those cells in group C. Also, the non – homogenous appearance of myelinated neocortex of the neuropil appear clearly in the treated groups compared to control (Figure 3). Therefore, the results suggested that the consumption of the aqueous extract of N. tabacum leaves may alter the normal functions of the brain which may lead to brain dysfunction, despite its “pleasant” effects and also help in reduction in weight gain.Key words: Nicotiana tabacum, cerebrum, frontal lobe, cytoarchitecture, neocortex