Histological changes in the heart of rats fed diet containing Mondia Whitei

This study investigates the effects of Mondia Whitei on the heart of rats. Sixteen adult Wistar rats (151.67 ± 2.89 grams) were involved. They were divided into four groups: a control (A) and three test groups (B, C and D). For 3 weeks, group A (control) received normal feed (growers mash), while test groups B, C, and D, received graded doses of Mondia Whitei (4.5; 9.0; and 13.5g respectively) in feed daily. Histological investigations revealed that Mondia  Whitei induced severe fibrillolytic changes with pale staining hypertrophic myofibres, extensive myocardial necrosis, inflamatory cell infiltration, and oedema, in a dosage-duration-dependent manner. These results suggest therefore, that Mondia Whitei has cardio-toxicity potentials and as such, there is a need to regulate the inclusion of Mondia Whitei in consumable products.Keywords: Mondia whitei, cardiac infarction, cardio-toxicity, myocardial necrosis

Weight changes induced by ingestion of Alomo bitters (A combination of herbal constituents): Experimental study on wistar rats

This study investigates Weight changes induced by ingestion of Alomo bitters (A combination of herbal constituents): Experimental study on  Wistar rats. The sixteen Wistar rats (151.67 ± 2.89 grams) involved in thestudy were divided into four groups; a control (Group A) and three test groups (B, C and D). For 3 weeks, group A (control) received normal feed (growers mash) with distilled water only, while groups B-D (test) received normal feed with water mixed with graded quantities of Alomo Bitters: B (7.5ml/kg), C (15ml/kg) and D (22.5ml/kg). Comparatively, the results showed that body weight gain was highest in the test groups (B-D) in a dosage duration fashion and lowest in the control group (22.40 ± 11.21g). Also, a non-significant variation in organ-weight was observed for the testis. The observed changes on body weight and weights of the liver, kidney and testis were dosage and duration dependent. Thus, alomo bitters may be important in weight and appetite management considering its effect on body weight. However, further investigations are required in this regard.Keywords: Mondia whitei, Herbs, Weight, Obesity, Appetite, Public Health issues

Chronic subdural haematoma:Clinical presentation, surgical treatment and outcome at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital

Background Chronic subdural haematoma (CSDH) is a relatively common problem in neurosurgical practice worldwide with favourable prognosis when treated adequately. The incidence is about five per 100,000 per year in general population. Incidence is higher in the elderly, about 58 per  100,000 per year. Diagnosis of CSDH is still frequently missed or delayed in our environment with many patients often admitted and managed for various medical conditions before finally being referred for brain computerized tomographic scan.Objective To determine the surgical outcome of patients treated for chronic subdural Haematoma in our environment.Methods A surgical audit of 73 patients consecutively treated for CSDH at our institution between May 2005 and September 2010 to determine their demographic characteristics, clinical presentations and management outcome.Results Majority of the patients were between 61 - 70 years. Sixty four percent of the patients had history of trauma; Only 2 patients were on anticoagulant therapy prior to presentation. The diagnosis was delayed or initially missed in 50% of the patients. Burrhole evacuation under general anaesthesia was the commonest operative procedure (96%). Five patients developed post operative complications; outcome was favourable in the majority (91.3%) of patients with a recurrence rate of 12.5% and mortality rate of 6.3%. Conclusion Despite frequent delay in diagnosis and  institution of treatment, surgical outcome is favourable in the majority of patients with CSDH many of whom are elderly

Comparative effect of ridge furrow and zero tillage on cowpea at Abeokuta and Akure, Nigeria

Trials were carried out to compare effect of different seedbeds on cowpea at Abeokuta and Akure in different microclimates of Nigeria. The values of selected soil physical properties, plant nutrient status and growth and yield of cowpea given by zero tillage, manual clearing, ridge top, ridge side, ridge base, and furrow were compared. At Abeokuta with drier microclimate, coarser and denser soil, seedbed type significantly influenced cowpea yield. Root growth, number of leaves, grain yield and leaf P and K were grater at side and top of ridge with lower soil bulk density values. The furrow with highest soil bulk density had least grain yield. Cowpea grown at ridge base and on untilled manually cleared and zero tillage soils with relatively high soil densities had lower grain yield. Seedbed did not influence cowpea yield at Akure with less dense and coarse soil, and more humid climate. Nigerian Journal of Soil Science Vol. 15 2005: 54-5

Spinal Neural Tube Defects in Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria

Background: The incidence of neural tube defects is known to vary among regions. Very little has been reported about the incidence in Sub-Saharan Africa except for the general impression that the prevalent rates are low.Objective: To determine the profile of patients presenting with neural tube defects in Lagos , NigeriaMethods: We studied all patients with congenital midline back swellings presenting to one of two neurosurgical services in the state over a 5-year period to establish the incidence of spina bifida and develop demographic data. Data collected included the age at presentation, maternal age, education and parity, presence of co-existing anomalies and the social status of the parents.Results: One hundred and eight patients with congenital midline swellings of the back were studied. Meningomyelocele accounted for 96% of the cases seen. Half the patients presented within the first two weeks of life and although fifty percent of mothers had ultrasound scans done during pregnancy none of the patients were diagnosed prenatally. Seventy-three percent of mothers of affected children were from a low socio-economic class. The commonest co-existing congenital anomaly was lower limb deformity (Talipes equino-varus).Conclusion: Spina bifida is the commonest indication for neurosurgical clinic referral with the exception of trauma in our environment. The prevalence is higher among women in the lower socio-economic groups. Improved perinatal care is required to ensure that children with such birth defects get prompt medical attention and thereby preventworsening of an already complex problem.Keywords: Neural tube defects, Spina Bifida, Myelomeningocele

Congenital inclusion cysts of the subgaleal space

No Abstrac

Antimicrobial Properties of Grape Fruit, Pawpaw and Black Pepper Extracts on Organisms associated with Fish Spoilage

On average, Nigeria loses 30-50% of its fish harvest to spoilage. This exacerbates her fish demand-supply gap; hence the need to devise means of mitigating the spoilage. This paper reports the findings of a study that delved into the antimicrobial properties of Grape Fruit (Citrus paradisa), Pawpaw (Carica papaya) and Black Pepper (Piper guineese) extracts on organisms associated with fish spoilage. In the study, the antimicrobial effect of five concentrations (0.1, 0.2., 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5g/ml) of ethanolic, cold and hot water extracts of these plants on spoilage organisms associated with catfish (Clarias gariepinus) were assessed, through measuring inhibition zones, using the cup plate diffusion method. The inhibition zones were found to significantly differ, across extraction method; plant material and extract concentration. Hot water was found to be the best extraction method, with a mean inhibition zone of 4.42 +- 0.38mm; followed by ethanolic and cold water methods, with 3.55 +- 0.47 mm and 0.60 +- 0.15 mm respectively. Among the plant materials, grape peel had the best antimicrobial activity, with a mean inhibition zone of 3.70 + 0.40mm against the eleven microorganisms tested, followed by black pepper (2.68 + 0.42mm) and then pawpaw seed (2.1 + 0.32mm). Key words: Antimicrobialactivity; Piper guineese; Citrus paradisa; Carica papay

Implications of human migration on onchocerciasis prevalence in Ogun State, south-western Nigeria

This study reports information on human migration and its possible role in the spread of onchocerciasis in Ogun State. Employing structured questionnaire, information on history of migration and residency was obtained from a total of 2,169 participants selected from 32 communities (four from each of the eight meso-endemic LGA’s) receiving treatment with ivermectin. The study which was conducted between March and June 2015 also investigated the sero prevalence of Onchocerca volvulus using onchocerciasis IgG4 RDT. Data were analysed using SPSS 20 software. Demographic information revealed that 43.3% (939/2,169) were males while 56.7% (1,230/2,169) were females. 37.9% (823/2,169) were non-natives of the communities in a ratio 1:3. Assessing information on migration history, 49.5% (1,074/2,169) of total population had at one point lived outside the communities in the past 10 years while 50.5% (1,095/2,169) had not. Result on sero-prevalence revealed an overall sero-prevalence of 9.9% (214/2,169) across all LGA’s studied, non natives of communities recorded the leastsero-positive 5.8% (48/823), followed by residents that had at one time lived outside the communities in the past 10 years 6.1% (66/1,074) while highest sero prevalence was recorded among permanent residents 13.5% (148/1,095). Sero-prevalence and migration history of participants were negatively correlated with no significant difference r=-0.4619 p>0.05). The results revealed the diverse population of people resident in onchocerciasis communities and also informs on the implication of human migration on exposure to O. volvulus in Ogun State.Keywords: migration, onchocerciasis Ov16 RDT, O. volvulus, Ogun State, Nigeri