Therapeutic effects of hydro-ethanolic extract of nigella sativa (black seed) on some haematological parameters of Albino rats after lead exposure

Lead poisoning is a great public health concern in Africa and Nigeria, especially regions where illegal mining activities occurs such as widespread gold ore mining in Zamfara by artisan miners using rudimentary and unsafe processing techniques. Lead (Pb) which often have no biological function remain in the system causes havoc and distortion of normal physiologic functions. Currently, the toxic effects of lead poisoning are clinically treated using chelation therapy which have been associated with many side effects and setbacks. Since ancient times, medicinal plants have been used as a major source of treatment for numerous human diseases. Plants that possess hematinic and antioxidant properties in the plant kingdom are often used in such scenarios. One of such plants is Nigella sativa commonly known as black cumin. Objectives: In this study, therapeutic effects of hydroethanolic extracts of Nigella sativa was assessed on hematological parameters of lead- poisoned albino rats as a curative therapy for management of lead poisoning. Method: Thirty- five (35) adult albino wistar rats of both sexes were used for this study. Group I (Normal control) received 2ml/kg of distilled water, Group II (Negative control), Group III treated with 10 mg/kg of Meso-2,3 Dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA), IV treated with 200 mg/kg of Nigella sativa seed extract, V treated with 400 mg/kg of Nigella sativa seed extract, and VI treated with 800mg/kg of Nigella sativa seed extract for Group VII (Recovery) were allowed to recover without treatment. The study lasted for a duration of 21days. Blood samples were collected from the rats through cardiac puncture after anesthetizing the animals and analysed for haematological parameters which included RBC count, PCV, Hb concentration, platelet count, WBC profile and haematological indices using an automated digital blood analyser. Results: Nigella sativa seed extract significantly (P<0.05) reversed the adverse effect of Lead exposure on RBC count, PCV, Hb concentration, platelet count, WBC profile and haematological indices. Conclusion: Nigella sativa showed therapeutic effects on hematological parameters and indices of lead poisoned albino rats

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

Abstract 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

GEOPHYSICAL INVESTIGATION OF GROUND SUBSIDENCE: A CASE STUDY OF A BEVERAGE FACTORY SITE IN EDO STATE, NIGERIA

A geophysical investigation involving the electrical resistivity and gravity methods was carried out within the premises of a Beverage Factory in Edo State. The investigation was to enable the determination of the cause(s) of a ground subsidence within the premises of the boilers. The vertical electrical sounding interpretation results show that the premises is underlain by sands with intercalation of clay/sandy clay in places. The layers show lateral continuity. The residual gravity anomalies are generally flat indicating near homogeneous subsurface sequence devoid of lateral discontinuities such as sinkholes/ cavities or faults. A synthesis of the results show that the ground subsidence is not precipitated by collapsed geologic feature such as sinkholes/ cavities but boiler load induced differential settlement arising from near surface incompetent (clayey) substratum, in the premises of the boilers. KEY WORDS: Ground subsidence, Vertical electrical sounding, Gravity anomalies, and Incompetent substratum. Global Jnl Geological Sciences. Vol.2(1) 2004: 153-16

Effective borehole design in difficult crystalline rock terrain; a case study of the Abakaliki pyroclastic rocks

The Ebonyi State Police Headquarters, Abakaliki is within the area underlain by the pyroclastic rocks that are generally known to have low prospect for groundwater. Yet, a borehole with sustainable yield was required to supply part of the increased population of the barracks through a newly constructed 40,000 litres capacity overhead tank Modified borehole design and yield enhancement procedure along with pre- drilling electrical resistivity survey were used to achieve sustained yield of 1500 litres per hour from a motorized borehole. KEY WORDS: Pyroclastic rocks; borehole design; sustainable yield. Global Journal of Geological Sciences Vol.2(2) 2004: 183-19

Stratigraphic influence on some engineering properties of the foundation soils in parts of South West of Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria

No Abstract. Global Journal of Geological Sciences Vol. 4(1) 2006: 65-7

Cassava root meal as substitute for maize in layers ration

The effect of replacing maize with graded levels of cassava root meal (CRM) as energy source in the diet of laying hens was evaluated during the eight weeks of feeding experiment on performance and cost benefits on layers. Forty-five Nera black laying hens of 24 weeks of age were allocated to five dietary treatments, with nine birds per treatment in a completely randomized design. CRM was used to formulate the diets at 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100%. The result showed that the feed intake of birds in the control group was significantly (p<0.05) different from those fed the CRM diets. The average weight gain of layers receiving up to 50% CRM was similar to the control birds, but significantly different from layers fed 75 and 100% CRM. No mortality was recorded. Egg production per hen per day and average egg weight were significantly different (p<0.05) for birds consuming more than 50% CRM in T4 and T5. Layer feed ration was made cheaper by the replacement of maize with cassava root meal in the diets

Allelic frequency and genotypes of prion protein at codon 136 and 171 in Iranian Ghezel sheep breeds

PrP genotypes at codons 136 and 171 in 120 Iranian Ghezel sheep breeds were studied using allele-specific PCR amplification and compared with the well-known sheep breeds in North America, the United States and Europe. The frequency of V allele and VV genotype at codon 136 of Ghezel sheep breed was significantly lower than AA and AV. At codon 171, the frequency of allele H was significantly lower than Q and R. Despite the similarities of PrP genotypes at codons 136 and 171 between Iranian Ghezel sheep breeds and some of the studied breeds, significant differences were found with others. Planning of effective breeding control and successful eradication of susceptible genotypes in Iranian Ghezel sheep breeds will not be possible unless the susceptibility of various genotypes in Ghezel sheep breeds to natural or experimental scrapie has been elucidated