Phenotypical characteristics of breast lesions in Bowen University Teaching Hospital (BUTH), Ogbomosho, Oyo State, Nigeria

Background: Breast lesions are major health concern worldwide with significant psychological stress and economic burden.Objective: To study the characteristics of breast lesions in semi-urban area.Design: A 2-year prospective study of 100 patients with breast lesions in Bowen Teaching Hospital (BUTH), Ogbomosho, Oyo state, Nigeria, was carried out between November 2014 and October 2016.Results: Of 100 patients, 96 were females, 4 males. Age ranged from 18 - 86years with mean age at 38.8years ± 16.8. Breast lesions frequently occurred between age 30-39years, constituting 30% study populace. Benign breast lesions (BBL) constituted49%, while malignant breast lesions (MBL) constituted 51%. Fibroadenoma was the most common BBL (34%), while invasive ductal carcinoma was the most common MBL (34%). The Right breast had 59% lesions, while the left breast had 39%. Only two patients (2%) had bilateral breast lesions. Seventy-seven percent were pre-menopausal (44% benign, 33% malignant), while 19 (19%) were post-menopausal (3% benign, 16% malignant). Majority (42%) presented in late stage with average breast masses between 5 x 3 x 1 cm and 10 x 4 x 2 cm.Overall: 71% of patients had breast mass only; 8% had fungating mass with chest wall attachment while another 8% had peaudorange, pain and nipple retraction; 9% had diffuse breast swelling; 2% had breast ulcer, mass and pain; while another 2% had breast mass fixed to the skin.Conclusion: Malignant breast lesions (MBL) were more common in these communities during the study period.Keywords: Breast lesions, Phenotypical characteristics, Ogbomosho, Nigeri

A Review of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Heavy Metal Contamination of Fish from Fish Farms

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals contribute to pollutants in aquaculture facilities and thus need to be further investigated. Besides, there is little information regarding PAHs and heavy metals in the tissues of cultured fish, and the risks associated to consumption. In this review, emphasis has been made on the detection of PAHs and heavy metals in cultured fish species which has relatively received little attention in the aquaculture industry compared to researches on the levels of PAHs and heavy metals from the wild catch. The review also focuses on the detection of PAHs and heavy metals in most of the feed ingredients commonly used in the formulation of feed for farmed fish species. The use of chemicals like antibiotics, feed additives, soil and water treatment and other products used in the aquaculture facility or site is also well emphasized and need to be well documented. Future research goals are well stressed and need to be given more attention in aquaculture

NUTRITIONAL STUDY ON THE SEEDS AND FRUITS OF THREE CUCURBITS IN SOUTH WESTERN NIGERIA.

A comparative study was carried out on the nutritional contents of the seeds and fruits of Cucumis melo (L.),Lagenaria breviflora (Benth) and Citrullus lanatus (Thunb). Proximate composition, Vitamin C content and phytochemical analysis of air-dried, powdered epicarp, mesocarp and seeds of the mature fruits were also carried out using standard procedures. Data on nutritional and phytochemical characteristics were collected andsubjected totwo - way analysis of variance (ANOVA)at p<0.05. Means were compared using LSD.Total sugar and vitamins C were detected in the other parts of the fruits except the seeds in the three Cucurbits. Percentage dry matter, fat, ash and crude protein were significantly (p<0.05) higher in the seeds than in the epicarp and mesocarp. Crude fibre was highest in the epicarp for C. melo(1.75 0.13), L. breviflora (1.85 0.07)and C. lanatus (2.18 0.07)

COMPARATIVE STUDY ON THE PHYTOCHEMICAL CONTENT OF THE SEEDS AND FRUITS OF THREE CUCURBITS.

A comparative study was carried out on the phytochemical cotent of the seeds and fruits of Cucumismelo(L.), Lagenariabreviflora(Benth) and Citrulluslanatus(Thunb). Phytochemical analysis of air-dried, powderedepicarp, mesocarp and seeds of the mature fruits were carried out using standard procedures. Data on phytochemical characteristics were collected andsubjected totwo - way analysis of variance (ANOVA)at p<0.05. Means were compared using LSD. Phytochemicals such as glycosides, tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids, phlobatanin, anthraquinone and saponin were detected in the epicarp, mesocarp and seeds of the Cucurbits under investigation

Complement factor H levels in steady state sickle cell anaemia

Objective: The red cell membrane of sickle cell anaemia is vulnerable to attack from the alternative complement pathway. The activation of the alternative complement pathway is initiated by externalization of  phosphatidylserine on red cell membrane. Serum and cell bound regulators normally prevent amplification of the cascade. However, red blood cells in sickle cell anaemia appear to be exposed and the cell lysing membrane attack complex is ubiquitous on irreversible sickle red blood cells. It is possible that there are deficiencies (either functional or quantitative) of  complement regulators. In this study the quantitative defects of the most abundant serum phase regulator,   complement factor H in sickle cell anaemia was investigated.Methods: We compared the plasma levels of complement factor H (a serum phase regulator of the alternative pathway) in 61 steady state Hb SS with 60 healthy Hb AA using an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay to analyze complement factor H level in the plasma. The full blood count parameters were estimated using flow cytometry.Results: There was no significant difference in the serum complement factor H levels between the steady state Hb SS and healthy Hb AA.  Significant inverse relationships existed between complement factor H, total white cell count, granulocyte cell count and platelet count as well as  significant direct relationships between complement factor H, haematocrit, and the haemoglobin concentration.Conclusion: Complement factor H in patients with sickle cell anaemia who are in steady state is not significantly lower than in controls.Keywords: Complement factor H, sickle cell anaemia, alternative pathwa

Characterization and Taxonomic Classification of Soils in Onigambari Forest Reserve South Western Nigeria

A soil survey of Onigambari forest reserve in Oyo State, Nigeria was carried out. Three soil mapping units Established-Teak-Plantation (ETP), Natural-Forest (NF) and Farm-Land (FL) were identified with observation base on vegetative pattern. Morphological properties of the study area show that the soil unit ETP is deep and texture ranges from loamy-sand at the surface to sandy clay loam in the subsurface. The soil unit NFand FL is not deep due to presence of hard pan but the texture ranges from sandy-loam to sandy-clay and loamysand to sandy-clay respectively. Physical properties of the soils showed the bulk density of the soils to be moderately good for growing plant with high porosity. The soils chemical properties indicate that the pH value of the soils in ETP, NF and FL are slightly acidic and organic-matter was very low in the soils of ETP compared to NF and FL soils. The total-nitrogen values of the soils in the area changed irregularly with depth and values ranged from 0.028 to 0.1g kg1 in ETP, 0.05 to 0.25g kg-1 in NF, the value ranged from 0.03 to 0.26 g kg-1 in FL. 0.03 to 0.26 g kg-1. According to USDA soil Taxonomy system, all the profiles pits in the study area showed distinguishing characteristics of the order Alfisols, therefore the soils are classified as Alfisols. Profile in the Established-Teak-Plantation is classified as Typic isohyperthermic paleustalfs, Profiles Natural-Forest and Farm-Land with petro-plinthic material within 100cm of the soil surface qualified as plinthic isohyperthermic paleustalfs

Phytochemical, Antimicrobial and Gc-Ms of African Nutmeg (Monodora Myristica).

The quest to continue searching for new antibiotic, anti-parasites necitate this project as African nutmeg is a very useful plants medically and all its parts are useful. The major aim of this research work was to examine the monodora myristica for its secondary metabolites, antimicrobial analysis and to characterize the oil using gas chromatography mass spectrophotometer. The antimicrobial screening was done using agar method and the isolates used were obtained from the microbiology laboratory, Federal University of Technology, Akure, saponin, alkaloid, tannin and flavonoids were determined using standard methods. The results of the characterization of oil showed that organic compounds and fatty acids were present, the fatty acids present included, Palmitic acid, Eicosanoic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, the results showed that the plants contained essential fatty acids useful for both adult and infant. The result of antimicrobial screening showed that the oil was very sensitive against the tested isolates. After 24hours incubation, the zone of inhibitions against Escherichia coli was (11millimetre), Bacillus substilis (8millimetre) and Staphylococcus aureus (11millimeter). The result compares favorably with standard streptomycin, the result of zone of inhibition against Escherichia coli of the sample (11millimetre) was better than that recorded for standard streptomycin (7millimetre).These may be as a result of presence various secondary metabolites which were discovered in the sample during analyses. These are flavonoids, tannin, saponin and alkaloids

A Review of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Heavy Metal Contamination of Fish from Fish Farms

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals contribute to pollutants in aquaculture facilities and thus need to be further investigated. Besides, there is little information regarding PAHs and heavy metals in the tissues of cultured fish, and the risks associated to consumption. In this review, emphasis has been made on the detection of PAHs and heavy metals in cultured fish species which has relatively received little attention in the aquaculture industry compared to researches on the levels of PAHs and heavy metals from the wild catch. The review also focuses on the detection of PAHs and heavy metals in most of the feed ingredients commonly used in the formulation of feed for farmed fish species. The use of chemicals like antibiotics, feed additives, soil and water treatment and other products used in the aquaculture facility or site is also well emphasized and need to be well documented. Future research goals are well stressed and need to be given more attention in aquaculture

A Review of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Heavy Metal Contamination of Fish from Fish Farms

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals contribute to pollutants in aquaculture facilities and thus need to be further investigated. Besides, there is little information regarding PAHs and heavy metals in the tissues of cultured fish, and the risks associated to consumption. In this review, emphasis has been made on the detection of PAHs and heavy metals in cultured fish species which has relatively received little attention in the aquaculture industry compared to researches on the levels of PAHs and heavy metals from the wild catch. The review also focuses on the detection of PAHs and heavy metals in most of the feed ingredients commonly used in the formulation of feed for farmed fish species. The use of chemicals like antibiotics, feed additives, soil and water treatment and other products used in the aquaculture facility or site is also well emphasized and need to be well documented. Future research goals are well stressed and need to be given more attention in aquaculture