Antifertility Efficacy of n-Hexane Seed Extract of Ricinus communis Var Minor in Wistar Rats Uterus In Vitro

The seed of Ricinus communis var minor (RICOM 1013-J) is a popular contraceptive among the tribal women in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria. Several reports have confirmed the efficacy and safety of different fractions of RICOM 1013-J, particularly the n-Hexane fraction. RICOM 1013-J appears to possess a unique contraceptive effect. This study aimed to provide further insight into the impact of RICOM 1013-J on the reproductive organs compared with the activity profile of some uterotonic drugs. A total of 20 adult albino rats (15 females and five males) weighing 150-200 g were initially divided into five groups of 3 female rats each with treatments via the oral route as follows: Groups A (2ml olive oil), others n-Hexane extract of Ricinus communis seeds (RICOM 1013-J) B (5 mg/kg), C (10 mg/kg), D (20 mg/kg) and E (30 mg/kg). After three days, the five male rats were introduced into each group (ratio of 3 females to 1 male per cage) till the end of experiments for mating. The effect of the pretreatment with the n-hexane extract of RICOM 1013-J on the rat uterus was evaluated after days 10, 30, 60 and 90. RICOM 1013-J (20 mg/kg and 30 mg/kg) demonstrated potent anti-conceptive effects, protecting female Wister albino rats against pregnancy for over five gestational periods. RICOM 1013-J statistically altered the regular basal activity of the uterus in a time-dependent manner (10, 30, 60 and 90 days pretreatment). Furthermore, pretreatment with RICOM 1013-J decreased the reactivity of the uterus to some uterotonic drugs, including oxytocin (2x10-3 iu/ml), ergometrine (1x10-3 mg/ml), misoprostol (2x10-3 mg/ml), Ach (1x10-5 gm/ml) and potassium chloride (1x10-3 gm/ml). The contraction to misoprostol and potassium chloride in the uterus was abolished on day 90 of pretreatment. This study has demonstrated the dose-dependent efficacy of RICOM 1013-J in protecting against pregnancy for over five gestation periods in rats. This protective effect may be due to the alterations in the activity profile of smooth muscle quiescence and inertia in the uterus. In addition, the changes in the responsiveness of the uterus to the uterotonic drugs further confirm the anti-conceptive effects of RICOM 1013-J

Serological Qualitative Diagnoses of Helicobacter pylori in Patients Accessing Care at the Bingham University Teaching Hospital Jos, Nigeria

The widespread Helicobacter pylori infection is a substantial global health problem affecting approximately 50% of the worldwide population, with 50% infection rates in developed countries and 80% in developing countries, mainly concentrating in resource-limited settings. The mode of transmission is through the faecal-oral route, contamination of food and water, where inadequate sanitation practices, low socioeconomic status and overcrowdedness seem to relate to the high prevalence of H. pylori infections. This study sought to serologically determine the prevalence of H. pylori and the disease-associated burden in patients accessing care in a Tertiary Hospital. This hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at the Bingham University Teaching Hospital, North-Central Nigeria, for four months (September to December 2022). There, 551 blood specimens were collected from the patients into plain tubes and spun to obtain serum for the serological qualitative analysis. Out of the 551 screened specimens for H. pylori, 79% (n=437) were 58.4% reactive female and 41.6% male. Ages 15-49 had 62%, 50-70 yrs had 26.5%, and less than 14 yrs had 11.4% respectively. Furthermore, 64.3% of female patients presented with burning pains, nausea/vomiting, and trouble breathing.In comparison, 35.5% of the male counterparts presented symptoms of dyspepsia, and 32.1% had either taken one of the Nonsteroidal-inflammatory drugs. 86.7% of the suspected patients were hand washed after using the toilet, 83.3% had a loss of appetite, 55.4% reported alcohol intake and 35.9% smoked instead. 47.7% ate from mama-put, 30.1% from street-vended foods and 22.2% from classified restaurants, while 94.7% got their drinking water from sachet, bottled, borehole or tap, and well water, respectively.Serum antibody detection of H. pylori infection was higher in female than male patients accessing care at the Bingham University Teaching Hospital, Jos. This revealed that gender could be considered a potential risk factor. Thus, early risk identification factors, such as other transmission routes, are urgently needed in defining clinical and epidemiological characteristics to facilitate appropriate supportive care and prompt treatment

Reducing the burden of diarrhea among children under five years old: lessons learned from oral rehydration therapy corner program implementation in Northern Nigeria

Background: In Nigeria, diarrhea remains one of the leading causes of death among children under five years old. Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT) corners were introduced to health facilities in Bauchi and Sokoto states to serve as points of treatment for sick children and equip caregivers with necessary skills in case management of diarrhea and diarrhea prevention. Objectives: The operations research study examined the effect of facility-based ORT corners on caregivers\u2019 knowledge and skills in management of simple and moderate diarrhea at home, as well as caregivers\u2019 and service providers\u2019 perceived facilitators and barriers to utilization and delivering of ORT corner services. It also examined whether ORT activities were conducted according to the established protocols. Methods: This quantitative study relied on multiple sources of information to provide a complete picture of the current status of ORT corner services, namely surveys with ORT corner providers (N = 21), health facility providers (N = 23) and caregivers (N = 229), as well as a review of service statistics and health facility observations. Frequency distribution and binary analysis were conducted. Results: The study revealed that ORT corner users were more knowledgeable in diarrhea prevention and management and demonstrated better skills for managing diarrhea at home than ORT corner non-users. However, the percentage of knowledgeable ORT users is not optimal, and providers need to continue to work toward improving such knowledge. ORT corner providers identified a lack of supplies as the major barrier for providing services. Furthermore, the study revealed a lack of information, education and communication materials, supportive supervision, and protocols and guidelines for delivering ORT corner services, as well as inadequate documentation of services provided at ORT corners. Recommendations: Recommendations for ORT corners program planners and implementers include ensuring all ORT corners have oral rehydration salt (ORS) packages and salt, sugar, and zinc tablets in stock, a secured commodity supply chain to avoid stockouts, and adequate policies and procedures in place