Evaluation of the Occupational Health Hazards among Workers in Quarry Industry in Abakaliki Using Biochemical Markers

Serum transaminases are highly diagnostic of hepatobiliary, cardiac, muscular, and other organ damages, while bicarbonates are useful index in assessment of pulmonary and respiratory problems. Reviews on the usefulness of these tools in evaluation of occupational health risks in quarry workers are hitherto limited. 57 and 22 workers of Abakaliki quarry industry and ministry of health respectively, who have worked for more than 10 years, were involved in the study. Alanine transaminases (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) were analysed by enzymatic methods while measurement of bicarbonates (HCO3-) and chlorine (Cl-) was done by titrimetry. In males, AST, ALT, and HCO3- was significantly higher (

Determination of amylase activity of crude extract from partially germinated mango seeds (Mangifera oraphila)T

Amylase activity of crude extract from partially germinated mango seeds ( Mangifera oraphila) was determined using Caraway-Somogyi  iodine/potassium iodide (IKI) method. The effects of varied pH and temperature were also investigated. The amylase was extracted with 0.1 M acetate buffer (pH 4.2). Amylase activity of the crude extracts was measured by monitoring the amount of starch hydrolyzed by the crude extract over time. The result showed the presence of amylase activity in the extract, depicted by its ability to gradually decrease the concentration of the starch solution used as substrate. The optimum pH and temperature of the crude enzyme were about 6.0 and 60°C respectively. This study demonstrated that the abundant waste mango seeds in the south-eastern Nigeria, particularly Ebonyi state, could be exploited for production of amylase

Changing trends in cardiovascular risk factors among adults in southern Nigeria

Background: Globally, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) cause 17.9 million deaths yearly. In nations like Nigeria, diabetes, hypertension, and obesity, coupled with modifiable behaviors such as physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, smoking, and alcohol use, are rising. This study focused on assessing the evolving prevalence and distribution of CVD risk factors among adults in southern Nigeria. Methods: This cross-sectional study, conducted in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, was part of world heart day celebrations over three years (September 2019-September 2023). 309 adults participated, undergoing screening for blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, lipid profile, and body mass index calculated from weight and height measurements. Results: Over three years, 309 subjects (mean age 46.63±12.03) were studied, with 53.40% females and 46.28% males. Most cardiovascular risk factors occurred in the 41-50 age group. Hypertension rose from 65.63% (2019) to 75.29% (2023), dipping to 64.79% (2022). Obesity decreased from 29.69% (2019) to 24.71% (2023), rising to 30.99% (2022). Diabetes increased from 23.44% (2019) to 27.59% (2023), decreasing to 19.71% (2022). Total cholesterol rose from 1.56% (2019) to 2.9% (2023). High LDL increased from 3.12% (2019) to 12.7% (2023). Low HDL and high TRIG decreased from 2019 to 2023. Conclusions: From 2019 to 2023, cardiovascular risk factors like hypertension, obesity, diabetes, and dyslipidemia increased, with a slight fluctuation in 2022. Heightened awareness and preventive measures against adult CVD risk factors are imperative. National education on risk factors is vital for individuals to monitor their blood pressure, weight, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels

Effects of Salt, Detergents and Alum on Fatty Acid Profile in Cooked Eggs

In Abakaliki, as in most other parts of Nigeria, it is a common practice among commercial sellers of boiled eggs to boil them with chemicals such as omo, klin, table salt and alum, which gives the egg ashy appearance after cooking.  The effects of cooking with these chemicals on the fatty acid profile of eggs from four species of birds (gallus gallus): Quail (corturnix delegorgei), Guinea fowl (Numida meleagris), local chicken (Gallus varius) and high-breed chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) were investigated. Fifteen eggs from each bird were bought from various places where they are reared in Abakaliki. Eggs were divided into five groups: A, B, C, D and E, with three eggs in each group. Eggs in groups A, B, C, and D were boiled with omo, klin, table salt and alum, respectively. Group E eggs served as the control group and were boiled with water only. Fatty acid profile was determined using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC, AKAPTA). The results showed significant (P<0.05) reduction of fatty acids contents of the eggs compared to the control. The effects which were species-dependent were found to be least in the quail egg and highest in the high-bred chicken. The detergents (klin and omo) had more devastating effects compared to alum and table salt. Thus boiling eggs with any of the chemicals studied reduces their nutritional quality and should be discouraged. Keywords: Egg, fatty acid profile, detergents, salt and alu

Current trends in drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics.

Pharmacokinetics (PK) is the study of the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) processes of a drug. Understanding PK properties is essential for drug development and precision medication. In this review we provided an overview of recent research on PK with focus on the following aspects: (1) an update on drug-metabolizing enzymes and transporters in the determination of PK, as well as advances in xenobiotic receptors and noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) in the modulation of PK, providing new understanding of the transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulatory mechanisms that result in inter-individual variations in pharmacotherapy; (2) current status and trends in assessing drug-drug interactions, especially interactions between drugs and herbs, between drugs and therapeutic biologics, and microbiota-mediated interactions; (3) advances in understanding the effects of diseases on PK, particularly changes in metabolizing enzymes and transporters with disease progression; (4) trends in mathematical modeling including physiologically-based PK modeling and novel animal models such as CRISPR/Cas9-based animal models for DMPK studies; (5) emerging non-classical xenobiotic metabolic pathways and the involvement of novel metabolic enzymes, especially non-P450s. Existing challenges and perspectives on future directions are discussed, and may stimulate the development of new research models, technologies, and strategies towards the development of better drugs and improved clinical practice

Biochemical survey of Copper, Zinc, Iron and Lead status in the Serum of VVF Patients attending Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki

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The prevalence of Nitrate in potable water sources i Ihiala LGA of Anambra state, Nigeria

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The role of LysS gene product of Lysyl-tRNA synthetase in E.coli K12

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Anion levels in staple food crops, soil and water samples from Abakaliki, Ohaozara and Ohaukwu Areas of Ebonyi State Nigeria

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Sociodemographic and Workplace Determinants of Quality of Life (Qol) Among Quarry Workers in Nigeria: A Cross Sectional Study

By engaging in one form of works, people earn means of support, establish their identities, perceive life as meaningful and establish social network with others. The quality of life is a product of several factors inherent in the work environment. Quality of life is an important topic in every organization as it determines the future of the organization. This study assessed the sociodemographic and workplace determinants of Quality of life (Qol) among quarry workers in Nigeria. A cross-sectional study was conducted among the respondents. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires consisting of socio-demographic characteristics, Standard Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire and World Health Organization Quality of life BREF questionnaires (WHOQOL-BREF). A total of 266 quarry workers involved in this study were selected through systematic random sampling technique. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 26. Simple and multiple logistic regression were used to identify the determinants of quality of life among the respondents. The result showed that majority of the respondents (74.1%) had poor quality of life with variation across four domains of physical, environmental, socio relationship and psychological. Following multiple logistic regression modeling, WRMSDs (ORadj 4.24, 95% CI [1.84, 9.77], p -value = .001) and the poor work design (ORadj 3.22, 95% CI [1.52, 6.82], p -value = .002) remained significant determinants of Qol. This study showed poor quality of life among quarry workers in Ebonyi state, Nigeria. Those with WRMSDs and had poor work design were more likely to have poor quality of life compared to those who had no WRMSDs and work in well-designed workplace