Biological activities (anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant) of fractions and methanolic extract of Philonotis hastate (Duby Wijk & MargaDant).

Background: Bryophytes like other lower plants (non-vascular plants) are not traditionally employed for therapeutic purposes. Hence this study evaluated the in vitro anti-oxidant potentials and anti-inflammatory activities of the fractions and methanolic extract of Moss (Philonotis hastata, Duby) with a view to studying its biological activities.Methods: Plant materials were collected, identified, dried, pulverized and extracted with 70% (v/v) methanol to afford methanolic extract (ME). The ME was fractionated using solvent of increasing polarity and followed by phytochemical screening of the extract and fractions. The anti-oxidant potentials (total phenolics and flavonoids), anti-oxidant activities (DPPH-radical scavenging, reductive power, hydroxyl radical scavenging and ABTS+ radical scavenging) and anti-inflammatory activity (red blood stabilizing) of the extract and fractions were investigated.Results: Phytochemicals detected included alkaloids, steroids and cardiac glycosides. The fractions and methanolic extract exhibited moderate antioxidant potentials with various models. The flavonoid contents of the methanol extract and fractions ranged between 1.70 ± 0.05 and 129.70 ± 1.00 mg/g extract RE (Rutin Equivalent) and total phenol content ranged between 1.84 ± 0.62 and 136.25 ± 0.18 mg/g extract TAE (Tannic Acid Equivalent). The reductive power activity ranged between 5.71 ± 0.02 and 40.40 ± 0.30 mg/g Vitamin C equivalent, the hydroxyl radical scavenging (15.54 ± 0.02 to 30.07± 0.29 %), and the ABTS+- radical scavenging activity (11.59 ± 2.85 to 40.50 ± 1.35%). The membrane stabilizing potentials of the fractions and extract (methanol) ranged between 19.19 ± 2.66% and 78.26 ± 2.60%. The activities were comparable to standard antiinflammatory drugs and chemicals.Conclusion: It could be concluded that the fractions and methanol extract of P. hastata exhibit moderate, potent and appreciable anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities with aqueous and ethyl acetate fractions elicited highest activities. As such, bryophytes possess therapeutic potentials and could be employed in the treatment and management of anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory disorders.Key words: Philonotis hastata, bryophytes, membrane - stabilizing, flavonoids, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory

Re-usable low density polyethylene arm glove for puerperal intrauterine exploration

Objective: To design a long arm glove that can be used within a puerperal uterus to prevent the health-care worker contracting HIV from an infected patient. The designed long arm glove should be cheap (affordable) and readily available in low resource centres and must have proven sterility assurance and tensile strength to confer protection for the health worker. Design: Prospective study. Setting: Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria from 1st December 2006 to 31st May, 2007. Subjects: Fifty medical students of both sexes were selected randomly and the average length from the styloid process to the mid upper-arm of each was measured and the average length was later determined. This was to determine the length of the low density polyethylene long arm gloves to be made from virgin polyethylene material. Consecutive cases of patients with retained placentae in the puerperium who were scheduled for manual removal of the placenta within the period. Results: Packs of low density polyethylene (LDPE ) long arm gloves were made from virgin polyethylene material. When subjected to bacteriological analysis, three out of four glove packs were contaminated with Staphylococcus, Bacillus and Klebsiella species of bacteria. Gamma irradiation ranging from 28.133 to 83.35 kiloGray of gamma-irradiation (kGy) sterilised all the gloves as postirradiation glove specimens showed no bacterial contamination. However, at doses up to 50 kGy gamma irradiation caused “strengthening” of the polyethylene gloves. While at doses greater than 50 kGy, gamma irradiation caused “embrittlement” of the material. Thus, 50 kGy of gamma irradiation was found to be an ideal dose to strengthen and to sterilise the glove for usage. The sterilized gloves were found to be effective when used in consecutive cases of retained placenta in protecting the health care workers (HCW) from contamination by possibly HIV contaminated blood. Conclusion: There is a risk of contracting HIV for the health-care worker while carrying out a procedure within the puerperal uterus. The low density polyethylene arm glove was designed to prevent this in low resource centres as it would be affordable, available, with proven sterility assurance and mechanical properties to confer protection for the healthcare worker. East African Medical Journal Vol. 85 (7) 2008: pp. 355-36

Variability of the lateral ligamentous complex of the knee

The current study examined the prevalence and morphometric values of three extracapsular ligaments on the lateral aspect of the knee namely lateral collateral ligament, anterolateral and triradiate collateral ligaments in human cadavers. Twenty knees were used. The lateral collateral ligament, anterolateral and triradiate collateral ligaments were present in 70%, 5% and 25% of the cases respectively. The triradiate collateral ligament had three parts namely femoral, tibial and fibular arms with average lengths of 20.03mm, 18.14mm and 16.20mm respectively. The lateral collateral ligament was attached on the lateral condyle of femur and the apex of head of fibula. The anterolateral ligament was attached on the lateral epicondyle of femur anterior to the origin of the lateral collateral ligament and both posterior to the Gerdy’s tubercle and on the lateral meniscus. The triradiate collateral ligament attached on the lateral condyle of femur, descends as the femoral arm and divides at the joint line as the tibial arm (anteriorly) and fibular arm (posteriorly). The tibial arm was attached on the posterior aspect of the Gerdy’s tubercle while the fibular arm was attached on the anterior aspect of head of fibula. The triradiate collateral ligament and the anterolateral ligaments possessed internal attachment to the lateral meniscus and could potentiate meniscal damage. There are considerable ligament variations at the lateral side of knee which should be brought to the knowledge of surgeons and radiologists.Keywords: Knee, Lateral complex, lateral collateral ligament, anterolateral ligament, triradiate collateral ligamen

Awareness, knowledge and attitude on cleft lip and palate among antenatal clinic attendees of tertiary hospitals in Nigeria

Background: Adequate knowledge and awareness of cleft lip and palate (CLP) deformity may help to counter the negative beliefs and attitudes toward the condition. The objective of this study was to assess the level of awareness, knowledge and attitude of women attending antenatal clinics about CLP.Materials and Methods: A cross‑sectional descriptive study with the aid of a structured interview administered questionnaire was conducted among 200 women attending antenatal clinics in three Federal Government Teaching Hospitals in the Northern and Southwestern regions of Nigeria. The main outcome measure was the level of awareness and the mean cumulative knowledge score.Results: The mean age of the subjects was 28.9 ± 5.1 years (age range: 16‑42 years). Half of the women (50.5%) reported that they had seen or heard about CLP. The mean cumulative knowledge score was 6.9, with only 19.8% having adequate knowledge. Many respondents had neither read an article on CLP nor participated in any public enlightenment program, and 31.5% indicated that they would like to know more about the condition. Level of educational attainment had a statistically significant effect on the level of awareness and knowledge on CLP, as more educated respondents tend to be more aware and knowledgeable (P < 0.001).Conclusion: There is need for increased public enlightenment/health education to increase awareness and subsequently help develop more positive attitudes toward children with CLP. Such programs should include distribution of pamphlets on CLP at clinics, especially antenatal clinics, media campaigns on radio, TV and newspaper as well as establishment of cleft support groups by the relevant governmental and professional organizations.Key words: Antenatal clinics, awareness, cleft lip, knowledge, pregnant wome

Effect of prolonged birth spacing on maternal and perinatal outcome

Background: Researchers have held varied opinions on the effect of prolonged birth spacing on maternal and perinatal outcome. Objectives: To determine the reasons for prolonged birth spacing and to compare the maternal and perinatal outcome compared to shorter normal birth spacing. Design: Comparative case - controlled study between January 1st, 2001 to December 31st, 2002. Setting: Obstetric Unit of Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, Ile- Ife, Nigeria. Subjects: Fifty cases consisted of multiparae with prolonged birth spacing (³6 years) and controls consists of similar number of multiparae with shorter normal birth spacing (2 - 5 years) matched for age, parity and socio-economic status. Main Outcome Measures: Labour outcome, Apgar scores, operative and vaginal delivery rates, perinatal and maternal outcome, reasons for prolonged birth spacing. Results: There was no significant difference observed with respect to spontaneous onset of labour, induction or argumentation of labour, duration of labour, spontaneous vaginal delivery rates, Caesarean section rates, instrumental vaginal deliveries, analgesic requirement, postpartum haemorrhage, and Apgar scores in both groups. There were no perinatal or maternal deaths. The commonest reason adduced for prolonged birth spacing is failed contraception (56%), followed by secondary infertility (24%) and to a lesser extent re-marriage, improved income and sheer desire. Conclusion: There was no significant difference in maternal and perinatal outcome in pregnancy between women with prolonged birth spacing and those with normal shorter birth spacing. East African Medical Journal Vol.81(8) 2004: 388-39

Prevalence of Swine Diseases in Ijebu Division of Ogun State

This study was carried out by visiting 20 towns/ villages in Ijebu-division of Ogun State, where a total of 5,043 pigs were observed for various disease conditions. Blood and faecal samples and skin scrapings were collected from 137 sick animals, of which 3.65% were positive for the presence of Trypanosoma brucei. The following gastrointestinal nematode eggs were found in the faecal samples evaluated: Ascaris sp. (45.26%), Strongyles (10.22%), Strongyloides sp. (5.11%) and Trichuris sp. (2.92%). Sarcoptes scabiei which was the only ectoparasite of pigs encountered in this study accounted for 12.41% of the 137 skin scrapings collected. A total of 606 out of 5,043 animals were found to be clinically sick. Identified disease conditions include wound infection (33.50%), diarrhoea (22.11%), piglet anaemia (15.84%), mange (10.89%), tail sore (6.44%), foot rot (4.95%), mastitis (2.97%), metritis (1.82%) and pneumonia (1.49%). Keywords: Prevalence, Swine Diseases, Parasites, Ogun State

Case Report: Hepatocelluar Carcinoma In Pregnancy And Postpartum Period: A Study Of 6 Cases In Nigerian Women.

Six Nigerians women with hepatcocelluar carcinoma (HCC) in pregnancy and the postpartum period were studied. Their ages ranged from 22 to 37 year with a mean of 28.2 years. Five (83.3%) of the women presented in the postpartum while 1 (16.7 %) presented during pregnancy.There was co – existing cirrhosis in 5 (83.3%) of them. All the 4 women tested for HBsAg were positive. Rapid tumour growth was observed in 2 women who were breastfeeding their babies while on admission. One of the 6 women had a fresh stillbirth at 32 weeks gestation but the other 5 had normal deliveries. Five out of 6 patients died on admission (after an average of 20 weeks of illness) while 1 patient discharged herself against medical advice. The major causes of death were hepatic failure and intra – peritoneal haemorrhage. This study shows that the pregnant Nigeria with women with HCC may carry her pregnancy to term and have normal delivery. Those women who do not present pregnancy may do so in the postpartum period. It is suggested that breastfeeding may ad rapid HCC growth and rupture. Key Words: Hepatocellular Carcinoma, pregnancy, postpartum period, Breastfeeding Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice Vol.7(1) 2004: 46-4