Antidiarrhoeal property of the methanol extract of Anacardium occidentale Linn stem bark in laboratory rodents

Diarrhoea is a disease characterised by gut secretory and motility dysfunction. Anacardium occidentale stem bark decoction is used locally in management of diarrhea. This study investigated the antidairrhoeal property of the methanol extract of Anacardium occidentale stem bark in laboratory rodents. The antidiarrhoeal property of the stem bark methanol extract of Anacardium occidentale was investigated using castor oil induced diarrhoeal model in mice and Charcoal meal transit in Albino rats. There were no incidences of mortality recorded up to the dose of 5000 mg/kg extract used in the acute toxicity test. The Gas chromatography mass spectrophotometry revealed oleic-acid (45.51 %) as the predominant component. The Phytochemistry showed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, steroids, flavonoids and tannins. In the castor oil model, all the test doses of the extract significantly delayed the onset of diarrheoal and decreased the total number loose faeaces. Significant reduction in the whole number and weight of feaces were observed only with 400 and 800mg/kg doses. All the three doses of the extract delayed the gastrointestinal transit of charcoal meal. The present findings demonstrated the antidiarheoal property of the stem bark extract of Anacardium occidentale being able to delay the onset of diarrhea and decrease gastrointestinal transit.Keywords: Anacardium occidentale, Diarrheoal , motility, castor oil, charcoal mea

Natural radioactivity measurement of water and sediment from the historic Ikogosi warm and cold spring, Nigeria

Natural radioactivity measurement and the resultant risk assessment in the water and sediments from the historic Ikogosi warm and cold spring were carried out. A total of 8 samples (4 water and 4 sediment samples) were collected from the Ikogosi spring resort. A sample each was collected from the warm spring, cold spring, meeting point and a sample outside the resort. The samples were thoroughly prepared following the IAEA recommended procedures and analyzed for 40K, 238U, and 232Th using NaI(Tl) detector. The activity concentrations of 40K, 238U and 232Th in water samples range from 40.14 ± 17.83 to 67.59 ± 19.87 Bq L-1, 8.15 ± 2.84 to 11.14 ± 3.78 Bq L-1 and 5.71 ± 1.32 to 8.24 ± 2.61 Bq L-1 respectively. The activity concentration of sediment samples range from 136.31 ± 17.01 to 246.21 ± 34.93 Bq kg-1, 17.98 ± 7.64 to 28.32 ± 5.98 Bq kg-1 and 9.57 ± 3.15 to 16.12 ± 3.41 Bq kg-1 respectively. These values compared reasonably well with the worldwide average concentrations of 400 Bq kg–1, 40 Bq kg–1, 40 Bq kg–1 for 40K, 238U, and 232Th respectively. The mean absorbed dose rate in air obtained for sediment was 40.33 nGy h–1, while the annual outdoor effective dose equivalent was 49.46 μSv y-1, which is lower than the world average of 70 μSv y-1 specified by UNSCEAR for an outdoor effective dose. The total annual effective dose due to ingestion of radionuclides in the water for 3 age groups range from 13.414.87 to 18.856.43 mSv y-1, 2.751.03 to 5.722.13 mSv y-1 and 2.621.01 to 4.951.43 mSv y-1 for infants (0 – 1 y), children (7 – 12 y) and adult (>17 y) respectively. These values were higher than 1 mSv y-1 recommended by ICRP.Keywords: Natural Radioactivity, Activity concentrations, Cold spring, Ikogosi, Nigeri

Anti – inflammatory and antioxidant effects of Tetrapleura Tetraptera (Schumach & Thonn.) taub. fruit extract in Carrageenan/Kaolin-induced acute monoarthritis in rats

Background: Tetrapleura tetraptera has been reported traditionally for the treatments of various ailments, which include convulsion, leprosy, inflammation and rheumatic pains, schistosomiasis, asthma and hypertension. The antiinflammatory activity of the aqueous extract of T. tetraptera fruit in egg albumin-induced paw oedema as well as in vitro anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity had been documented. However, there had been no studies on the antiarthritic properties of the plant.Objectives: The present study was designed to investigate in vivo anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities of the methanol extract Tetrapleura tetraptera in carrageenan/kaolin-induced acute monoarthritis in rat.Materials and methods: The acute toxicity of the methanol plant extract was determined using Lorke’s method. In vivo carrageenan/kaolin induced arthritis assay was performed on Tetrapleura tetraptera (TtME) extract (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) using albino rats. Indomethacin (10 mg/kg) and normal saline were employed as positive and negative controls, respectively. Histological study was performed on the knee joint of the animals after collection of blood for antioxidants analysis.Results: Acute toxicity study showed that TtME is safe by oral administration up to 5000 mg/kg body weight. Oral administration of TtME and indomethacin (10 mg/kg) produced a significant (p < 0.05) time and dose-dependent decrease in joint diameter. There was a decrease in malondialdehyde and increase in glutathione and superoxide dismutase. The histological assessment revealed no major adverse effects on the animals.Conclusion: Tetrapleura tetraptera fruit extract possesses anti-arthritic activity, which may be attributed to its antiinflammatory and antioxidant activity.Keywords: Tetrapleura tetraptera, Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-arthritic activity, Histopatholog

Nigerian Psychoactive Alcoholic Herbal Mixture Impacts Behavioural Performance and Caused Brain Biochemical and Histopathological Alterations in Mice

Psychoactive alcoholic herbal mixture is popularly consumed because of the belief on its stimulant and curative effects. This study investigated the neurobehavioral, biochemical and histopathological consequences following its single and repeated co-administration with ethanol to mice. Mice were assessed for sensorimotor, anxiety and memory functions following acute and repeated administration of alcohol herbal mixture (AHM). Alterations in brain acetylcholineterase, nitrite, reduced glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde levels were assessed in striatum, prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus. Neuronal cells counts were determined in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampal tissues. In the acute study, AHM significantly impaired locomotor activity and motor coordination in mice. Repeated administration of AHM and AHM combined with ethanol caused significant impairment of locomotor and motor coordination, increased anxiety-like behavior and impaired memory in mice. Acetylcholinesterase activity was significantly increased in the PFC while nitrite level was elevated in the striatum and PFC. There was significant elevation of malondialdehyde and depletion of GSH in all brain regions as well as reduced neuronal cell counts in the PFC and hippocampus. This study showed evidences of behavioral perturbation and brain biochemical changes in mice, hence repeated consumption of alcoholic herbal mixture might produce substance-attributable harm and quicken neurodegenerative diseases in humans

Community Perceived Attitude on Forest Related Environmental Issues using Mass Media in Osun States, Nigeria

This paper examines community perceived attitude on Forestry Related Environmental Issues (FREI) in Osun state with a view to strengthening mass media use. Data collected from primary and secondary sources were analyzed qualitatively. The pooled data on frequency distribution of perceived attitude on forest related environmental issues reveals that majority of the end users (75percent) agreed minimally that it is important to pay attention to FREI to eco-balance the environment while 60percent respondent said it is a mere threat, that FREI cannot have adverse effect on the stability of the environment. This suggests that attitude to forest related environmental issues with respect to community awareness on forestry mitigation approaches have been ranked very low while more end-users/ farmers considered average mass media efforts as town criers a mere threat, and thus FREI cannot have adverse effect on the stability of the environment. The need to undertake community perceived attitude on FREI in Osun state with a view to strengthening sustainable livelihoods approach using mass media coverage is essential. The results of this study brought into focus the involvement of mass media in disseminating environmental issues as watchdogs for a good environment but that is currently dominated by incidental reporting from actual assessment. Most mass media do not channel feedback to appropriate body such as FRIN for processing, therefore this disposition becomes imperative for collaboration and coordination among government agencies horizontally and vertically. Community forestry awareness supports livelihood assets such as social capital and community organization, as well as diversified livelihoods and the protection of the natural resource base on which they depend. Keywords: perceived attitude; Mass media; Forestry Related Environmental Issues; Mitigation

Influence of plant population on fruit and seed yield characters of cayenne pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.) genotypes

This study assessed the influence of three plant populations (18518, 27777 and 40000 plants ha-1) on fruit and seed yield characters in 16 genotypes of Capsicum frutescens in 2010 and 2011 cropping years using a 3 x 16 split plot arrangement fitted into a randomized complete block design. Plant population and genotype formed main and sub-plots, respectively. Data collected on fruit and seed yield characters were subjected to analysis of variance after which means were separated using Fisher’s Least Significant Difference. Correlation analysis was also carried out among the characters. Significant and highest (P < 0.01) number of fruits per plant, single fruit weight, fruit weight per plant, number of seeds per fruit, 100 seed weight, seed weight per plant and seed weight per fruit were obtained under 18518 plants ha-1 while highest (P < 0.05) fruit yield ha-1 (11.3 tons) and seed yield ha-1 (698.7 kg) were obtained under 40000 plants ha-1. Top fruit and seed yielding genotypes across the three plant population were PP9955-15 and Chilli 14, respectively. Number of fruits per plant showed negative and highly significant correlation with single fruit weight, fruit length, fruit width, number of seeds per fruit, 100-seed weight and seed weight per fruit. Significant positive or negative correlations were also observed among other characters. Plant population of 40,000 ha-1 using 50 x 50 cm spacing is recommended for high fruit and seed yield in C. frutescens production.Key words: Cayenne pepper, plant population, seed production efficiency, seed yiel

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance

INTRODUCTION Investment in Africa over the past year with regard to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing has led to a massive increase in the number of sequences, which, to date, exceeds 100,000 sequences generated to track the pandemic on the continent. These sequences have profoundly affected how public health officials in Africa have navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. RATIONALE We demonstrate how the first 100,000 SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Africa have helped monitor the epidemic on the continent, how genomic surveillance expanded over the course of the pandemic, and how we adapted our sequencing methods to deal with an evolving virus. Finally, we also examine how viral lineages have spread across the continent in a phylogeographic framework to gain insights into the underlying temporal and spatial transmission dynamics for several variants of concern (VOCs). RESULTS Our results indicate that the number of countries in Africa that can sequence the virus within their own borders is growing and that this is coupled with a shorter turnaround time from the time of sampling to sequence submission. Ongoing evolution necessitated the continual updating of primer sets, and, as a result, eight primer sets were designed in tandem with viral evolution and used to ensure effective sequencing of the virus. The pandemic unfolded through multiple waves of infection that were each driven by distinct genetic lineages, with B.1-like ancestral strains associated with the first pandemic wave of infections in 2020. Successive waves on the continent were fueled by different VOCs, with Alpha and Beta cocirculating in distinct spatial patterns during the second wave and Delta and Omicron affecting the whole continent during the third and fourth waves, respectively. Phylogeographic reconstruction points toward distinct differences in viral importation and exportation patterns associated with the Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants and subvariants, when considering both Africa versus the rest of the world and viral dissemination within the continent. Our epidemiological and phylogenetic inferences therefore underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic on the continent and highlight key insights and challenges, for instance, recognizing the limitations of low testing proportions. We also highlight the early warning capacity that genomic surveillance in Africa has had for the rest of the world with the detection of new lineages and variants, the most recent being the characterization of various Omicron subvariants. CONCLUSION Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve. This is important not only to help combat SARS-CoV-2 on the continent but also because it can be used as a platform to help address the many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats in Africa. In particular, capacity building for local sequencing within countries or within the continent should be prioritized because this is generally associated with shorter turnaround times, providing the most benefit to local public health authorities tasked with pandemic response and mitigation and allowing for the fastest reaction to localized outbreaks. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century