Obesity in adult Nigerians: a study of its prevalence and common primary co-morbidities in a semi-urban Mission General Hospital in South-Eastern Nigeria.

Background: Obesity is socially and culturally acceptable in Nigeria and therefore not usually recognized as a medical problem. This study is aimedat determining the prevalence of obesity using body mass index(BMI) criterion and its common primary comorbiditiesamong adult Nigerians attending a semiurban Mission General Hospital in Imo state, South- Eastern, Nigeria. Methods: A descriptive study using primary data collection technique was carried out from October 2007 to December 2008. A total of 9296 consecutive new adult patients aged 18-88 years were screened for obesity using BMI criterion and 684 patients who had BMI=30 kg/m2 met the inclusion criteria. The data collected included age, sex, marital status, education, occupation, weight(kilogram), height(meters), andblood pressure; fasting blood sugar and fasting lipid profile. Obese patients' perception of their obese condition and knowledge of lifestyle modification werealso assessed. Results: Six hundred and eighty-four(7.4%) out of a total of 9296 patients screened for obesity were obese.Hypertension(18.4%) was the commonest primary comorbidity, others include high triglyceridaemia(9.2%), high total cholesterol(8.2%), high LDLcholesterol( 6.0%) and diabetes mellitus(3.4%). One hundred and one(14.8%) obese patients were aware of their obese condition and majority, 72(71.3%) of them were informed of their obese condition by healthcare professionals. Forty seven(46.5%) of those who were aware of their obese condition had knowledge of lifestyle modification. However, majority(72.3%) of those who had knowledge of lifestyle modification demonstrated low knowledge level of lifestyle modification. Conclusion: This study has shown the existence of obesity and its common primary co-morbidities among the study population. Anthropometric determination of obesity and screening for its common primary comorbidities should be integrated as part of clinic baseline assessment of adult Nigerians attending semiurban hospitals. Those who had obesity-related primary co morbidities should become secondary target for risk reduction therapy and appropriate management. Key words: Adult, Obesity, Prevalence, Comorbidities, Semi-urban, Hospital, Nigeria

Quality Assessment of Surface and Groundwater Sources in Lugbe, Abuja, North-Central Nigeria

Lugbe is one of the satellite towns in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria. It is situated between latitudes 08º55´N to 09º00´N and longitudes 07º19´E to 07º26´E covering an area of about 50 km2.  The area is underlain by crystalline rocks of Precambrian age mainly the older granite and the Migmatite-gneiss. Groundwater and surface water samples were collected and analyzed for their physical, chemical and microbial parameters. Results of the analyses indicate that the physical parameters falls within the acceptable limit except pH which ranged from 5.8 and 6.9 indicating slightly acidic environment. Concentrations of the chemical parameters analyzed are within the permissible limits except copper and lead whose concentration in few locations where found to be higher than the WHO and NSDWQ recommended limits for safe drinking water. The water is poor bacteriologically as total coliform and E.coli were determined in both the surface and groundwater samples which is an indication of faecal contamination. The dominant water type from Piper diagram and Schoeller plot is Ca-Mg-Cl-SO4. Due the poor quality of surface and groundwater sources in Lugbe, treatment of the water before domestic usage is recommended. The observed anomalies in the water sources are finger-prints of anthropogenic contamination due to upsurge in population and urbanization without proper sanitary measures as well as rock-water interaction mechanism. Keyword: Quality Assessment, Surface water, Groundwater, Lugbe, Abuja, North-Central Nigeri

Effects of pharmaceutical effluents on germination, growth and development of Amaranthus hybridus L

The growth and development of Amaranthus hybridus polluted with pharmaceutical effluents were studied. Preliminary experiments were carried out in the Laboratory and Screen house with Paracetamol (P) and Amoxicillin (B) effluents. Distilled water served as the control. Media utilized for the main experiment was remediated with poultry manure and compost from Delonix regia leaves. Results from the preliminary experiments in the laboratory showed that seedlings germinated on effluent P had significantly (p < 0.05) higher shoot length, root length and percentage germination. Results from screen house experiments showed yellowed, stunted seedlings for the polluted treatments at week 3; control had significantly (p < 0.05) the highest leaf area, shoot and root lengths. Seedlings grown on effluent P had the lowest growth parameters. In the experiment with remediated soil, both polluted and unpolluted plants showed morphological similarities. T3 (Soil + Poultry manure + effluent B) recorded the highest mean fresh weight of leaves, stem and root at week 7. T2 (Soil + Poultry + effluent P) recorded the highest mean leaf area, plant height, stem girth and root circumference at week 10. A. hybridus adapted to and utilized pharmaceutical pollutants better while under natural attenuation (outdoor, with access to unsterilized soil and direct sunlight). These findings suggest caution in the use of effluents in agricultural practices

Nutritionally Improved Cookies from Composite Flour: African Walnut (Tetracarpidium conophorum) with Wheat

African walnut seed (Tetracarpidium conophorum) is rich in protein and phytochemical with great potentials for food application, but has limited uses in food industry. The African walnut seed was procured from Oje market and commercial wheat flour in Aleshiloye market, Ibadan. The commercial wheat and African walnut flours were composites of varying ratios; 100:0, 90:10, 80:20, 70:30 and 60:40 to prepare cookies and labeled samples X, A, B, C and D respectively. The proximate composition, anti-nutrients (oxalates, phytate and protease inhibitor), phyto-chemical (tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, saponins, and Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) and sensory evaluation of the cookies were determined using standard methods. The result of proximate composition of cookies showed that carbohydrate (47.0-52.36%), protein (16.3-19.6%) and fat (18.5-19.2%) were the major components in the cookie samples. Other components including; moisture (7.7-8.4%), ash (4.1-4.2%) and fibre (0.9-1.8%) were generally low. Anti-nutrient factors of cookie samples ranged from 11.3-17.7mg/100g for Phytate and no traces of oxalates and protease inhibitors in all cookie samples. Control cookie sample had no traces of tannin, flavonoids and saponins, but enriched cookie ranged from 10.3-14.7mg/100g; 3.4-5.7mg/100g and 10.7-15.3mg/100g, respectively. Phytochemical constituents of cookie samples in ORAC ranged from 3.4-12.0mg/100g and alkaloids (3.7-7.7mg/100g). Organoleptic panelists preferred sample X to all other samples, followed by sample A. Inclusion of 10% African walnut flour compared favorably with wheat cookie in terms of sensory quality

Ultrastructural studies of acrosomal formation in the testis of male greater cane rat (Thryonomys swinderianus)

Purpose: In furthering the understanding of the process of spermatogenesis in the greater cane rat, this study describes the ultrastructural spermiogenic transformation and acrosomal formation in the testes of this hystricomorphic rodent that is currently undergoing domestication in parts of West Africa. Materials and Methods: Testicular samples were obtained from ten sexually mature cane rats that were perfused-fixed using Karnovsky\u27s fixative (phosphate buffered 2% paraformaldehyde – 2.5% glutaraldehyde fixative at pH 7.4). The samples were processed for ultrastructural analysis and examined under the transmission electron microscope. Results: The testes of the cane rat showed uniqueness in its cellular associations and the ultrastructure of the spermatogenic cells especially in the formation of the acrosome. The spermatid differentiation and acrosomal formation occurred in 12 steps with the first three steps being the Golgi phase and the next three steps making up the cap phase. While the three steps that follow constitute the acrosomal phase, the last 3 steps make up the maturation phase. At the cap and acrosomal phases, the entire acrosomal system comprising the vesicle and granule covers the head of the spermatids with no clear indentation of the nuclear surface by the formed acrosome. Furthermore, elongated spermatids at the maturation phase contained abundance of nuclear vacuoles. Conclusion: This work has not only provided information that will further the understanding of spermatogenesis but also aid the understanding of acrosomal reaction in the reproduction of the greater cane rat

Toxic effect of carica papaya bark on body weight, haematology, and some biochemical parameters

Toxic effect of Carica papaya bark on body weight, haematology and some biochemical parameters was investigated. Two-five out of thirty-five male albino rats allocated to five groups were sacrificed for the analysis. One group served as the control and the rest were test groups. The control group was placed on pelletized rat feed while that of the test groups were compounded feed of pelletized rat feed and ground sample of C. papaya bark. The rats were placed on tap water while the feed administration lasted. Results obtained showed that % average weight change, haematological and some biochemical parameters were significantly (p<0.05) affected in test rats against those of the control. This study has shown the toxic effect of C. papaya bark on body weight, haematology and some biochemical parameter

Variations in Confinement of Bioactive Components in Different Sections of Spondias mombin Tree

Good combination and significant concentration of phytochemicals and minerals are responsible for medicinal potentials of most plants. Spondias mombin is a medicinal plant, whose parts are relied upon for herbal remedies to numerous disease conditions. Result obtained from the GC-MS analysis of the the leaf extract shows n-Propyl 11-octadecenoate, Squalene and 2,2-Dimethyl-3-vingl-bicyclo (2,2.1) heptane as the most predominant amongst the seventeen bioactive components with percentage values of 19.675, 16.569 and 14.997. 9, 12-Octadecadienoic acid was the highest amongst the four bioactive components observed in the stem bark with a percentage value of 75.720 followed by n-Hexadecanoic acid with a total percentage concentration of 21.186. Amongst the eleven bioactive components in the root bark extract, 9, 12-Octadecadienic acid was also the most predominant with a total percentage value of 91.423, while n-Hexadecanoic acid, and Diethyl phthalate had percentage concentrations of 3.359 and 2.046 respectively. These bioactive components exhibited various pharmacological and biochemical properties which may be responsible for the use of this plant in traditional medicine

Serum uric acid as a prognostic marker for preeclampsia at a tertiary hospital in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Background: Preeclampsia is a recognized cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Some biomarkers such as uric acid are increased in the presence of the disease. This could serve as a marker of severity and provide a basis for making management decisions. This study sought to determine the association between elevated serum uric acid and adverse pregnancy outcomes in preeclampsia.Methods: A prospective case-control study was carried out on consenting preeclamptic (95) and normotensive (95) pregnant women in their third trimester of pregnancy. Blood samples were taken for serum uric acid estimation at recruitment and delivery. Their Socio-demographic information was collected through a structured proforma. Data were analyzed using Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 23. A p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: The mean serum uric acid level was higher in the preeclamptic than in the normotensive controls (400.0±105.27 versus 256.31±67.18; p=0.001). High serum uric acid levels were associated with a higher incidence of AKI (p=0.005), birth asphyxia (p=0.002), and low birth weight (p=0.006) compared to preeclamptics with normal uric acid levels. The sensitivity of high uric acid in predicting the outcomes was 78-81% while the specificity was 48%. Serum uric acid ≥334 µmol/l was the threshold for predicting adverse outcomes.Conclusions: Women with preeclampsia had significantly higher serum uric acid levels. Hyperuricaemia in preeclampsia was associated with a high incidence of acute kidney injury, Birth asphyxia, and low birth weight. Serum uric acid ≥334 µmol/l was the threshold for the prediction of adverse outcomes.

Connective tissue, glial and neuronal expressions in testis of the African giant rat (Cricetomys gambianus)

Introduction: This study was carried out to investigate the expression of connective tissue (Collagens I and III), glia and neuronal markers in the testis of the African giant rat using histology and immunohistochemistry techniques. Materials and Methods: Eight (8) apparently healthy wild male African giant rats were used for this experiment, divided into 2 groups (juvenile and adult) of 4 animals each. The testes were harvested following intracardial perfusion of the rats and histology was performed using Haematoxylin-Eosin stain and Mallory-Heideinhain rapid one- step staining for connective tissue. Immunohistochemical identification was achieved using the following antibodies: anti-collagen type I, anti-collagen type III, anti-glial fibrillary acidic protein and anti-p75 nerve growth factor for the expression of collagen type I, collagen type III, astrocyte-like cell and neuronal cells respectively. Photomicrography was achieved using Axioskop® microscope and quantitative data were analyzed using student t-test. Results: The cyto-architecture of the testis was typical in the African giant rat. The connective tissue expressed in the juvenile and adult group, signaling of glial-like cells were seen in the perivascular region across the experimental groups. Immuno-localization of neuronal cells were seen in the interstitial spaces across all the groups, but with more expressions in the juvenile. Conclusion: This work has provided a clear description of the expression of connective tissue, neuronal and glial cells in the testis of the African giant rat and their possible relationships across juvenile and adult groups

Quantum flux effects on the energy spectra and thermo-magnetic properties in 2D Schrodinger equation with Mobius square potential

A 2D Schrodinger equation with interacting Mobius square potential model is solved using Nikiforov-Uvarov Functional Analysis (NUFA) formalism. The energy spectra and the corresponding wave function for the linearly and exponentially varying quantum magnetic flux are obtained analytically in a closed form. The evaluated energy spectra are used to obtain an expression for the partition functions for the two cases comprises of the linearly and exponentially varying quantum magnetic flux and vis-a-vis is use to evaluate other thermodynamic and magnetic properties for the system. The results are used to study the free energy, mean energy, the entropy, specific heat, magnetization, magnetic susceptibility and the persistent current of the system. The numerical bound state energies are computed.Comment: 39 Pages, 64 figure