Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of polyphenols from ethnomedicinal plants of Nigeria

The antioxidant properties and antimicrobial potential of three ethnomedicinal plants, (Momordica charanta, Senna alata and Nauclea lafifolia) extracted with acetone were investigated. Polyphenols fromthe medicinal plants were screened for their antioxidant and antimicrobial activities against pathogenic micro organisms (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Esherichia coli and Candida albicans). The medicinal plants displayed different polyphenols contents and antioxidant activities. In addition, varying antimicrobial susceptibility patterns were exhibited. The highest amount of total phenolic compounds was shown by S. alata and the lowest one was M. charanta. The extract of S. alatashowed the highest antioxidant activity. Some micro organisms (S. aureus and C. albicans) were susceptible to the polyphenol extracts with minimum inhibitory concentration values between 1.25 to 5.00 mg/ml while other microorganisms (S. pyogenes and E. coli) appeared to be resistant to theextracts. The results suggested that these plants are not only potential sources of phenolic antioxidants but also potentially, good source of antimicrobial agents

Blood pressure profile in Nigerian children

Objective: To observe blood pressure (BP) pattern and its correlates in primary school children of northern Nigeria.Design: Sitting BP and pulse were measured in quadruplicate, then repeated after four weeks in 1,721 healthy children aged five to 16 years. Body weight and height were also measured in their school environment.Setting: Primary schools located in three communities in Zaria Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State, Nigeria. The communities were Tudun Wada (University community of migrants with some indigenous Hausa settlers), Zaria City (traditional Hausa community) and Zaria Kewaye (a rural Hausa settlement).Results: BP rose with age. However, BP levels particularly systolic was highest in children from Tudun Wada (TW) (urban), followed by those from Zaria city (ZC) (semi urban), and Zaria Kewaye (ZK) (rural). The mean systolic/diastolic BP (mmHg) were: 99/61, 94/62 and89/60 in children aged five to ten years; and 112/69, 109/68 and 107/68 in those older than 10 years respectively. The differences in BP levels were evident even as early as the age of five years and appears largely independent of physical stature and gender.Conclusion: These observations suggest that place of residence and ethnicity may be important factors in the progression of BP with age in some children in northern Nigeria

Falls among pregnant women in Enugu, Southeast Nigeria

Background: Falls during pregnancy are major public health issues and a common cause of maternal injury during pregnancy. There is paucity of data on prevalence and risk factors of falls during pregnancy in African population including Nigeria.Objective: To determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with falls during pregnancy in Enugu, Nigeria.Materials and Methods: This was a cross.sectional study of 332 consecutive pregnant women presenting in labor for delivery at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Enugu, Nigeria between 1st May and 31st December, 2012.Results: The mean age of the women was 32.2 } 2.7 (range: 20.42) years. One hundred and eight women (32.5%) reported falling at least once during the index pregnancy. Women aged . 30 years had twofold risk of falling during pregnancy than women aged > 30 years [41.1% (69/168) vs. 23.8% (39/164); odds ratio (OR): 2.23; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.39.3.58; P < 0.001)]. Similarly, women . 160 cm in height had significantly higher risk of falling during pregnancy than women < 160 cm in height [43.5% (70/161) vs. 22.2% (38/171); OR: 0.37; 95% CI: 0.23.0.60; P < 0.0001)]. Furthermore, primigravidae had almost threefold risk of falling during pregnancy than multigravidae [45.3% (63/139) vs. 23.3% (45/193); OR: 2.73; 95% CI: 1.70.4.37; P < 0.0001)].Conclusion: Falls during pregnancy is common in Enugu, Nigeria. It is, therefore, recommended that women should be counseled during pregnancy on this public health problem and the above.identified risk factors emphasized in order to reduce the prevalence and morbidity.Key words: Enugu, falls, Nigeria, pregnant women, prevalence, risk factor

Primary gastric tuberculosis – report of 5 cases

BACKGROUND: Gastric tuberculosis is rare, and usually associated with pulmonary tuberculosis or an immunodeficient state. Here, we report five cases of gastric tuberculosis in immunocompetent patients without evidence of pulmonary involvement. CASE PRESENTATION: Three patients presented with gastric outlet obstruction that required surgery to relieve the obstruction as well as to confirm the diagnosis. The remaining two had involvement of gastroesophageal junction. All of them responded well to standard antitubercular treatment. CONCLUSION: Though gastric tuberculosis is rare, it should be considered a possibility when patients present with gastric outlet obstruction or with endoscopic evidence of diffuse chronic inflammatory activity, particularly in areas endemic for tuberculosis

The Human Sweet Tooth

Humans love the taste of sugar and the word "sweet" is used to describe not only this basic taste quality but also something that is desirable or pleasurable, e.g., la dolce vita. Although sugar or sweetened foods are generally among the most preferred choices, not everyone likes sugar, especially at high concentrations. The focus of my group's research is to understand why some people have a sweet tooth and others do not. We have used genetic and molecular techniques in humans, rats, mice, cats and primates to understand the origins of sweet taste perception. Our studies demonstrate that there are two sweet receptor genes (TAS1R2 and TAS1R3), and alleles of one of the two genes predict the avidity with which some mammals drink sweet solutions. We also find a relationship between sweet and bitter perception. Children who are genetically more sensitive to bitter compounds report that very sweet solutions are more pleasant and they prefer sweet carbonated beverages more than milk, relative to less bitter-sensitive peers. Overall, people differ in their ability to perceive the basic tastes, and particular constellations of genes and experience may drive some people, but not others, toward a caries-inducing sweet diet. Future studies will be designed to understand how a genetic preference for sweet food and drink might contribute to the development of dental caries

Choice of Antihypertensive Therapy in Black Africans with type 2 Diabetes

The presence of elevated blood pressure amplifies the risk of early death and poor health related to type 2 diabetes. Lowering blood pressure (BP) however reduces this risk far more than tighter glucose control and appears independent of therapy adopted to lower BP. Measures such as reduced salt intake and low doses of aspirin and thiazide are effective in reducing blood pressure in many instances initially. Where this is not the case, Calcium channel blockers (CCB) can be added or combined with low dose thiazide to achieve greater control. However, in individuals not responding adequately to these measures or already presenting with diabetic complications, angiotensin converting enzymes inhibitors (ACEIs) should be added, if response to CCB is either unsatisfactory or intolerable. Nigerian Medical Practitioner Vol. 53 (1&2) 2008: pp. 11-1

Urbanization and social services administration in Nigeria

No Abstract

Agronomic and pathological factors affecting soybean seed quality and health in Benue State, Nigeria

No Abstract.Nigeria Agricultural Journal Vol. 35 2004: pp. 86-9

Factors influencing attitude towards kidney donation for transplantation in Ilorin.

Background: Chronic renal failure (CRF) is a major cause of premature death and morbidity in Nigeria. Majority of patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) are in the productive age bracket. Haemodialysis is the most commonly available mode of renal replacement therapy. The quality of life of the few that can afford the cost of haemodialysis is poor when compared to the transplanted patients. A survey is carried out to assess factors affecting attitudes towards kidney donation in Ilorin, Nigeria.Methods: A total of 600 self administered, semi-structured questionnaires were distributed amongst asymptomatic adults (aged > 17years) with a response rate of 88%. Data analysis was done using statistical package for social studies (SPSS) version 14.Results: There were 282 males (53.4%) and 246 females (46.6%) with age range of 17-65years and a mean of 34.76+14.9. Two hundred and ninety two (55%) were willing to donate a kidney (165 males,127 females). Majority of the willing donors (86%) were between 30 and 50 years of age. Though educational level positively influenced the knowledge about the kidney failure, it did not influence willingness to donation of a kidney. There was religion related gender disparity in the willingness todonate a kidney as more male Christians and Muslims were willing to donation than their females.Conclusions: The main constraints to kidney donation were fear of surgical pains, belief in life after death and uncertainty of donor outcome. This calls for awareness programmes on the safety of kidney donation for transplantation