Medicolegal autopsies in North Central Nigeria

Objective: To determine the pattern and the causes of deaths reported to the coroner for medicolegal autopsies in North Central Nigeria. Design: A descriptive retrospective study. Setting: Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria between January1996 to December 2003. Subjects: Autopsies reports of 279 subjects whose causes of death were subjects of litigation. Main outcome measures: The causes of death in medicolegal autopsies. Results: A total of 279 cases of medicolegal autopsies with identified causes of death were recorded representing 89% of all the autopsy examinations performed within the period. In 7.6% of cases, there was no identifiable cause of death. There were 127 males against 52 females with a male: female ratio of 4.5:1 and their ages ranged between two and 74 years with a mean of 34.7 ± 8.2 years. Children aged < 15 years made up 29% of the cases and were distributed as follows: 4% of the children were aged 0-5 years, 9% between six to ten years while 17% were between 11 - 15 years. Accidental deaths made up 51% of the cases, homicides 36% and sudden deaths 13%. Road traffic accidents were responsible for 76% of all accidental deaths. Children were affected in 34% of the accidental deaths and half of them were pedestrians at the time of accident. The male: female ratio of deaths from road traffic accidents was 3:1 with mean age of 24 years. In all the accidental deaths, abdominal injuries were responsible for 47% while 30% died from chest injuries. Of the homicide cases male subjects outnumbered female in a ratio of 16:1 and children were affected in 28% of homicides. Injuries sustained during ethnic and religious crisis were responsible for 48% of the deaths from homicide and 15% of them were children. Armed robbery was responsible for 28% cases while physical assaults were responsible for 20% of homicides. Chest injuries were the causes of death in 54% and abdominal injuries in 36% of homicides. Cardiovascular deaths were responsible for 63% cases of all sudden natural deaths referred for Coroner's inquest during the period. Children made up 11% of all sudden natural deaths. Males outnumbered females in cardiovascular deaths in a ratio of 6:1 and 46% cases of them died of hypertensive heart failure, 32% had cerebrovascular accidents, pulmonary embolism in 13.6% and myocardial infarction in 9%. One case of myocardial infarction died during intercourse. Conclusion: Road traffic accidents, violent communal unrest and armed robbery were responsible for 66% of the medicolegal autopsies in our environment. Public enlightenment, good road maintenance and safe driving culture as well as sustainable security for life and property would reduce the incidence of preventable deaths. The East African Medical Journal Vol. 83 (11) 2006: pp. 626-63

Biodisinfection and Coagulant Properties of Mixed Garcinia kola and Carica papaya Seeds Extract for Water Treatment

Garcinia kola (Heckel) and Carica papaya (Linn.) seeds from ripe fruits were investigated for their disinfection and coagulation activity in water. The phytochemical analysis indicated the presence of alkaloid, saponins, flavonoid and tannins in both seeds. Physicochemical analysis of the water samples was determined before and after treatment with seed solutions. Results showed that mixed Garcinia kola and Carica papaya extracts had no significant effect (P > .05) on temperature, pH, conductivity and chloride but significantly reduced (P = .05) TDS, BOD, nitrate, nitrite and turbidity. The coagulation and antimicrobial efficiency of mixed Garcinia kola Heckel and Carica papaya seed solution at different concentrations on turbid surface water (collected from Ogbor Hill River in Aba) were studied and compared. Microbial reduction for mixed extract of Garcinia kola and Carica papaya solution showed antimicrobial efficiency of 41.67 – 83.33% for Total coliform, 47.85 – 60.89% for E. coli, 12.87-83.33% for Fecal streptococcus, 40.46 – 83.33% for staphylococcus Aureus and 50.43 – 74.36% for Total heterotrophic bacteria at different concentration. Mixed Garcinia kola and Carica papaya seed solution reduced the turbidity perfectly at the optimum doze of 3% at which 67.83% turbidity was removed by mixed solution. Garcina kola and Carica papaya seeds are non toxic and do not significantly affect the pH and conductivity of the treated water. So, as natural coagulants, both seeds may be potentially viable for treating water

Synthesis Of A New And FirstTriazadibenzo[A,N]Triphenodithiazine

A new angular triazadibenzo[a,n]triphenodithiazine is synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic methods. The new compound 1,15,17-triazadibenzo[a,n]triphenodithiazine-5,11-dione was obtained by base catalyzed condensation reaction of 2,6-diaminopyridine-3,5-dithiol with 7-chloro-5,8-dioxoquinoline in anhydrous sodium carbonate. 2,6-diaminopyridine-3,5-dithiol was prepared by alkaline hydrolysis of 2,6-diamino-3,5-dithiacyanopyridine in 40% KOH solution while 7-chloro-5,8-dioxoquinoline was prepared by 4 reaction steps conversion of 8-hydroxyquinoline to 5-amino-7-chloro-8-hydroxyquinoline which was subsequently oxidized with acidified potassium dichromate. Keywords: 2,6-Diaminopyridine-3,5-dithiol, 7-Chloro-5,8-dioxoquinoline, anhydrous sodium carbonate, alkaline hydrolysis, condensation reaction

The Exposure Of Heterobranchus bidorsalis Juveniles To Different Concentrations Of Bonny-Light Crude Oil And Their Effects On Amylase And Cretinine Kinase Activities

The effects of exposing Heterobranchus bidorsalis juveniles (14.08 ± 0.12 g) to diferent concentrations of Bonny-light crude oil (BLCO) on amylase and cretinine kinase activities were studied The exposure of the fsh to 1.00, 2.00, 400, 8.00 ml L-1 BLCO and a control for 4 days toxicity period indicated that the signiicant increases (P < 0.01) in the serum amylase (SRA) and the hepatic cytosolic amylase (HCA) activities in the fish were BLCO concentrations dependent. Reduced SRA and HCA activities noticed within the first 14 days o the recovery period implied thatthe removal o the oil polutant from the ambient water chemistry probably lowered the pressure on the blood serum and liver amylase enzyme to catalyse the metabolism o the ingesed carbohydrates. Signicant increases (P < 0.05) in the serum cretinine kinase (SRCK) and the hepatic cytosolic cretinine kinase (HCCK) activities in the fish also followed the pattern shown by the SRA and the HCA activities. The increased SRA, HCA, SRCK and HCCK activities in the blood serum and liver of the fish were indications o a shit in the carbohydrate metabolism due to crudeoil exposure. Keywords: Heterobranchus bidorsalis, Bonny-light crude oil, Serum, Cytosolic, Amylase, Cretinine kinase.Animal Research International Vol. 3 (3) 2006 pp. 516-52

Effects of Neem Aqueous Extract (Azadirachta indica) against Aphids and Aphid-borne Virus in Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp)

Pests and diseases are among the major factors limiting plant growth and yields. Pests are known vectors of pathogens including viruses. Proper management of plant pests is an indirect means of controlling viral diseases in plants. This study aimed at comparing the potential of neem extract and a synthetic insecticide (lambda cyhalothrin) for the management of aphids and Cowpea aphid-borne mosaic virus (CABMV) in five different cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) genotypes and to determine the residual effects of the insecticide in the cowpea grains. The experimental field was laid out in randomized complete block design with three replicates. Treatments included; spraying of cowpea plots with aqueous neem extract and lambda cyhalothrin (LC) twice at foliage stage, once at flowering and podding stages. Control plots were left unsprayed. Data were obtained on growth and yields of cowpea genotypes as well as the pest and virus disease traits. Results of the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) revealed that variations attributable to genotypes were significant (p ≤ 0.01) for cowpea yields and virus disease traits. Treatments applied influenced the occurrence of pests and virus diseases. Neem extract reduced aphid infestations and virus diseases as much as the insecticide. Ife BPC accumulated a very high level of LC (1.14 ppm) in its grain when compared with the maximum residue level (MRL) for lambda cyalothrin in cowpea seeds. The study concludes that the use of eco-friendly bio-pesticide such as neem aqueous extract is effective for the management of aphids and aphid-borne virus in cowpea fields. Keywords: Aphids; aqueous extract; cowpea; neem; pesticide; viru

Use of Polyethylene Tube Biodigester for fish production and Processing -A Review

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Toxicity, Growth And Survival Of Clarias Gariepinus Juveniles Exposed To Different Concentrations Of Crude Oil Fractions-Polluted Water

Studies were carried out on the toxicity, growth and survival of Clarias gariepinus juveniles exposed to different concentrations of oil-polluted water. Thirty-nine aerated aquaria (60 × 30 × 30 cm3), arranged in a 4 × 3 Complete Randomized Block Design were used for the study. Three oil types: the Bonny light crude oil (BLCO), the premium motor spirit (PMS) and kerosene (DPK) at oilconcentrations of 1.00, 1.50, 2.00 and2.50 ml L -1 were used in triplicates of 5 ml to contaminate 15L of dechlorinated tap water and 20 fingerlings o Clarias gariepinus (22 ± 0.24 g) exposed to it. A control treatment (0.00 ml L-1) of non-oil contamination was aso used in riplicates. A 96-hour toxicity phase in the oil-polluted water preceded a 42 days recovery phase. 38% crude proein dietwas fed to fish during exposure and recovery phases at 3% and 5% body weight per day respectively. Water temperature, pH, fish mortality and normalized biomass index (NBI) of each aquarium were monitored. The total organic nitrogen, soluble organic nitrogen and colloidal organic nitrogen in addition to soluble and adsorbed ammonia in the aquaria water and sediments were analyzed using standard methods. Results showed that the water temperature was 26 ± 2.04° C, pH was 6.50 ± 0.30 and fortnighty eed intake of fish increased between days 14 and 42. This increase, which corresponded wth the increase in the fortnightly weight gain, could be attributed to the reduction of stress caused during the 96-h toxicity phase. The increase in the soluble ammonium and the exchangeable ammonium concentrations o water correlated with the increase inthe concentrations (1.50 – 2.50 ml L-1) ofBLCO, PMS and DPK. Percent mortality of fsh reduced between days 14 and 42 irrespective o oil treatment while fish exposed to the control treatment had lower percent mortality than those exposed to the oil treatments. This trend was corroborated by the relatively higher NBI for the control during the exposure (-0.02) and recovery{0.08 (14 days), 0.08 (38 days) and 0.21 (42 days)} periods than those of oi treatments (-49.64 to-0.10). Keywords: Clarias gariepinus, Toxicity, Soluble ammonium, Feed intake, Weight gainAnimal Research International Vol. 3 (2) 2006 pp. 466-47

Physicochemical Assessment of Broiler Chickens Fed Diets Supplemented with a Mixture of Ginger, Garlic and Cinnamon

Some physicochemical changes in broiler chickens fed diets supplemented with a mixture of ginger, garlic and cinnamon was evaluated. During starter phase, 150 broiler chicks were divided into groups A and B of 75 birds each, and were randomly fed diets 1 and 2 respectively for 3 weeks. The average weekly weight gain by the chickens maintained on the mixed spices supplemented diet (235.15±15.55g) was significantly lower (p&lt;0.05)compared with the weight gain by the control (274.26±20.23g) in the Starter phase. In the Finisher phase, group A was sub-divided into groups C and D while group B was subdivided into groups E and F and fed for additional 3 weeks. The average weekly weight gain by groups C (242.31±4.97g), D (282.46±15.04g), E (260.14±81.11g) and F (236.67±24.29g) did not vary significantly. The evaluated carcass characteristics and haematological indices when compared with the control did not vary significantly. The serum cholesterol levels (mg/dl) in groups D (101.40±4.13), E (106.60±4.59) and F (100.20±9.83) were significantly lower (p&lt;0.05) in comparison with the level in group C (127.00±8.83). Groups E (46.96±8.62mg/dl) and F (47.44±6.35mg/dl) had significantly (p&lt;0.05) lower LDL-C compared with the control (70.56±8.75mg/dl). Therefore, mixture of ginger, garlic and cinnamon may have no effects on the overall weight gain, carcass traits and haematological profiles but could decrease the risk of atherogenesis and CVD in broiler chickens. Keywords: Cinnamon; ginger; garlic; spices; physicochemica