VASCULAR PERMEABILITY- INCREASING EFFECT OF THE LEAF ESSENTIAL OIL OF OCIMUM GRATISSIMUM LINN AS A MECHANISM FOR ITS WOUND HEALING PROPERTY.

Persistent microvascular hyperpermeability to plasma proteins is a characteristic feature of normal wound healing. Does the leaf essential oil of Ocimum gratissimum heal wounds by promoting this feature? Evan’s blue dye (20mg/kg body weight) in normal saline was administered intravenously through marginal ear vein of experimental rabbits (n=5). Each animal served as its own control. One hour after Evan’s blue dye administration, 0.1ml each of Ocimum oil, histamine dihydrochloride (30µg/ml) and normal saline were randomly administered by intra-dermal injection at the prepared sites on each of the animals. Increase in vascular permeability was assessed by dye effusion test. Analysis of the differences in vascular permeability between treatment groups showed that, Ocimum oil, in intensity and duration, was significantly (

Full Length Research Article - Malaria Prevention: Knowledge, Attitude And Practice In A Southwestern Nigerian Community.

Assessing and analyzing local malaria problems are a prerequisite for successful control interventions. We sought to assess the knowledge of the symptoms of malaria, attitude towards preventive measures as well as treatment seeking behaviors among members of the Ile-Ife community in southwestern Nigeria. A cross sectional study was carried out using a questionnaire, which was self or researcher administered to community members of semi-urban Ile-Ife.Analysis of "what respondents will do first" during malaria attack showed that 35.5%, 0.9% and 13.4% of respondents will use synthetic anti-malarials, consult a herbalist and use local herb, respectively, while 27.3%, 1.7% and 18.2% will go to the hospital, take spiritual/ritual waters for cure and just pray, respectively, with 3.0% of the respondents indicating that they will ignore the signs. Factors influencing respondents' choice of malaria treatment and preventive methods included cost, religious beliefs, perceived safety, convenience and respondents' state of health for 22.7%, 5.4%, 20.8%, 26.5% and 24.6% of the respondents, respectively. The use of insecticide impregnated net are uncommon amongst the respondents (0%). Treatment seeking practice in malaria was related to level of education and religion. We found that convenience and the severity of the disease affected respondents' choice of treatment in more than 50% of the cases. We suggest that malaria public enlightenment efforts should be intensified, effective malaria preventive methods be made affordable and that support be provided to make malaria treatments at public hospitals free

Research Paper - VASCULAR PERMEABILITY- INCREASING EFFECT OF THE LEAF ESSENTIAL OIL OF OCIMUM GRATISSIMUM LINN AS A MECHANISM FOR ITS WOUND HEALING PROPERTY.

Persistent microvascular hyperpermeability to plasma proteins is a characteristic feature of normal wound healing. Does the leaf essential oil of Ocimum gratissimum heal wounds by promoting this feature? Evan's blue dye (20mg/kg body weight) in normal saline was administered intravenously through marginal ear vein of experimental rabbits (n=5). Each animal served as its own control. One hour after Evan's blue dye administration, 0.1ml each of Ocimum oil, histamine dihydrochloride (30μg/ml) and normal saline were randomly administered by intra-dermal injection at the prepared sites on each of the animals. Increase in vascular permeability was assessed by dye effusion test. Analysis of the differences in vascular permeability between treatment groups showed that, Ocimum oil, in intensity and duration, was significantly (p<.05) more effective in increasing cutaneous capillary permeability over a 24h period after treatment. The ability of Ocimum oil in increasing vascular permeability may be one of the factors that contribute to its wound healing property

Full Length Research Article - Prevalence of Hypertension in a University Community in South West Nigeria

A worksite study of hypertension prevalence was carried out in a university community in Southwestern Nigeria. Overall crude prevalence was 21% in the respondent population. About 16% of these were already on treatment with medicines. The study established no significant (p>0.05) relationship between coffee consumption and hypertension. Prevalence was 32% in subjects with over 3 children, while among subjects with eye problem, diabetics and those who took local kola nuts and it was 18.6%, 1.9% and 7.4%, respectively. There is need for increased awareness of the disease and other cardiovascular risk factors within the populace and to encourage the possession or provision of self-measurement blood pressure devices

Peroxynitrite stimulates pulmonary artery endothelial and smooth muscle cell proliferation : Involvement of ERK and PKC

There is evidence that peroxynitrite is generated in pulmonary hypertension and we have therefore investigated whether peroxynitrite can cause proliferation of pulmonary artery cells. Bovine pulmonary artery endothelial (PAEC) and smooth muscle cells (PASMC) were exposed to peroxynitrite solution or to the peroxynitrite generating compound, 3-morpholinosydnonimine (SIN-1). Vascular cell proliferation was determined by cell count and H-3-thymidine incorporation. Protein biochemistry was by western blot analysis. Transient exposure to peroxynitrite stimulated the proliferation of PASMC (peroxynitrite 0.2 nM -2 mu M) and PAEC (peroxynitrite 0.2 mu M). Peroxynitrite 0.2 mu M stimulated DNA synthesis in PASMC cell by 200 +/- 22% and in PAEC by 137 +/- 4%. DNA synthesis in PAEC and PASMC was also stimulated by the peroxynitrite generator SIN-1 2 mu M. Cell proliferation was accompanied by activation of ERK, which peaked at 15 min and remained elevated for 12 h in PASMC. However peroxynitrite at the concentrations used in this study did not activate the stress pathways p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) or Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Peroxynitrite-induced proliferation and ERK phosphorylation in PASMC were abolished by the peroxynitrite scavenger ebselen 5 mu M. Peroxynitrite-induced proliferation and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation in PASMC was prevented by selective inhibitors of MAP kinase kinase (MEK) (U0126 5 mu M, PD98059 50 mu M), Raf-1 (Raf-1 kinase inhibitor 10 mu M), Ras (FPT II and FPT III 10 mu M) and protein kinase C (PKC) (GF109203X 10 mu M). Inhibition of EGF or PDGF receptor signaling using AG-1296. AG-1478 or imatinib prevented peroxynitrite-induced cell proliferation and ERK phosphorylation in PASMC. Peroxynitrite can stimulate proliferation of pulmonary artery cells, involving ERK, PKC and EGF or PDGF receptors

Laboratory Techniques Used to Diagnose Constitutional Platelet Dysfunction

International audiencePlatelets play a major role in primary hemostasis, where activated platelets form plugs to stop hemorrhaging in response to vessel injuries. Defects in any step of the platelet activation process can cause a variety of platelet dysfunction conditions associated with bleeding. To make an accurate diagnosis, constitutional platelet dysfunction (CPDF) should be considered once von Willebrand disease and drug intake are ruled out. CPDF may be associated with thrombocytopenia or a genetic syndrome. CPDF diagnosis is complex, as no single test enables the analysis of all aspects of platelet function. Furthermore, the available tests lack standardization, and repeat tests must be performed in specialized laboratories especially for mild and moderate forms of the disease. In this review, we provide an overview of the laboratory tests used to diagnose CPDF, with a focus on light transmission platelet aggregation (LTA), flow cytometry (FC), and granules assessment. Global tests, mainly represented by LTA, are often initially performed to investigate the consequences of platelet activation on platelet aggregation in a single step. Global test results should be confirmed by additional analytical tests. FC represents an accurate, simple, and reliable test to analyze abnormalities in platelet receptors, and granule content and release. This technique may also be used to investigate platelet function by comparing resting- and activated-state platelet populations. Assessment of granule content and release also requires additional specialized analytical tests. High-throughput sequencing has become increasingly useful to diagnose CPDF. Advanced tests or external research laboratory techniques may also be beneficial in some cases