Effect of particle size on adsorption of heavy metals using chemically modified and unmodified fluted pumpkin and broad-leafed pumpkin pods

The effect of particle size on the bioremediation of Pb(II), Zn(II), Cd (II) and Hg(II) ions from synthetic aqueous effluents using unmodified and carboxymethylated fluted pumpkin and broad-leafed pumpkin pods was investigated in a batch system. 1.2 g of adsorbents was used in each sorption experiment at 25 °C and pH 6.5-8.5 for one hour interval. The results showed that the two adsorbents were good for the removal of these metal ions. Unmodified fluted pumpkin pod was found to be better than the other tested adsorbents with removal efficiencies of 92.62%, 81.88%, 75.21% and 49.67% for Pb (II), Zn (II), Cd (II) and Hg (II), respectively. Carboxymethylation decreased the adsorption capacity of the cellulose materials mostly for fluted pumpkin pod. Particle size below 600 μm was found to be the optimum size for unmodified absorbent, while 600-1000 μm was observed for modified adsorbent. Fluted pumpkin pod was found to be a more effective adsorbent for these metal ions than the broad leafed pumpkin pod especially when unmodified. Therefore these results show that fluted pumpkin and broad-leafed pumpkin pods could serve as very good adsorbents in the treatment of these metal ions from aqueous effluents.Keywords: agricultural waste, bioremediation, heavy metals, pollution control, surface chemistry

The influence of cooking methods on the antioxidant status of Tetrapleura tetrapetra

Africa is blessed with a rich array of local spices such as Tetrapleura tetraptera. The culinary uses of T. tetraptera are many. The seed of Uhiokirihio is majorly used in the preparation of ‘Banga’ (palm fruit) soup, meat pepper soup and other types of soup in the southern part of Nigeria. It is also commonly used in soups of nursing mothers to prevent post-partum contractions. The rich antioxidant activity of this spice has been reported. There is, however, a dearth of information on the effect of different cooking methods on its antioxidant activity. This study, therefore, evaluated the effect of cooking methods on the antioxidant status of the seeds of Tetrapleura tetraptera. The raw seeds of the spice were both toasted and boiled separately for 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 minutes, respectively. The samples were analysed for anti-nutrients, vitamin contents and antioxidant properties. Anti-nutrient evaluation of the ethanolic (80% ethanol) extract revealed that both toasting and boiling time caused significant (p<0.05) variations in all the anti-nutrients studied. Total phenolics increased (p<0.05) from 20.80mg/100g to 28.53mg/100g for toasted samples and from 20.80mg/100g to 30.51mg/100g for boiled samples, respectively. Both cooking methods caused significant reduction in the phytate and tannin levels of the seeds. At the end of the cooking processes, tannin level was reduced by 62.07 % for boiling and 75.68 % for toasting treatment. The cooking methods led to significant reduction in both the vitamin C and β- carotene levels of the samples. Boiling for 20 min caused a 91.98% decrease in vitamin c and a 59.52 % decrease in β-carotene while toasting reduced these nutrients by 86.73 % and 39.88 %, respectively. Antioxidant activity as measured by DPPH scavenging activity and FRAP showed a significant rise with increase in cooking time. The DPPH activity of the toasted samples increased from 22.06μg/ml to 27.64 μg/ml while the boiled samples increased from 22.06μg/ml to 43.26μg/ml. It was observed that boiling led to a greater increase in total phenolics and antioxidant activity than toasting. It could, therefore, be concluded that cooking T. tetraptera seeds would improve its antioxidant properties

Pattern and clinical profile of children with complex cardiac anomaly at University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku‑Ozalla, Enugu State, Nigeria

Background: Complex congenital cardiac abnormalities are rare among children and contribute to mortality and morbidity. The prevalence and pattern of presentation vary from lace to place.Materials and Methods: The objective of this study was to determine the clinical profile and pattern of presentation of complex congenital cardiac malformations among children attending a tertiary hospital in Enugu State. A cross‑sectional retrospective study in which a review of the records of children who attended the children outpatient clinic of University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku‑Ozalla, Enugu State over a 5‑year period (January 2007‑June 2012) was undertaken.Results: Thirty one thousand seven hundred and ninety‑five (31,795) children attended the outpatient clinic of the hospital over the study period, of these, 65 had cardiac diseases, from which 16 were found to have congenital complex cardiac abnormalities of various types, giving a prevalence of 0.05%. Complex abnormalities seen in these children are Tricuspid atresia with various associations, cor triatriatum, single ventricle, and large ASD (atrio‑septal defect) with complete AVCD, cor triatriatum sinistrum with cardiomyopathy, DORV (double outlet right ventricle) with left sided aorta, hypoplastic tricuspid valve with a PDA (patent ductus artriosus), TOF (tetralogy of fallot), prolapse of aortic valve, and pulmonary regurgitation. One of these complex cardiac anomalies presented with Turner’s syndrome and another with VACTERAL association.Conclusions: The results of this study show that 0.05% of children who presented at cardiology clinic of a teaching hospital in Enugu State had congenital complex cardiac abnormalities and that the commonest forms seen were those with cor triatriatum and TOF.Keywords: Abnormalities, children, complex congenital cardiac, Enugu, presentationNigerian Journal of Clinical Practice • Oct-Dec 2013 • Vol 16 • Issue

Right colon interposition in corrosive esophageal long segment stricture: Our local experience

Background: Aim of our study is to highlight technical details in pedicled right colon interposition locally in cases of long segment corrosive  esophageal stricture. Lesion results from cicatrization of burns wound inflicted by chemicals. Restoration of swallowing is of paramount importance.Materials and Methods: It was a retrospective study involving adult and adolescent patients who had surgery because of corrosive esophageal stricture between January 2001 and December 2010. Hospital records were reviewed for age, sex, radiological findings, detail of anesthesia, operative procedure, and follow up. The steps which included mobilization of colon with intact marginal blood supply, safeguarding the middle colic artery that forms the pedicle, and doing three anastomoses that were leak proof were ascertained.Result: There were 12 males (70.5%) and six females (29.4%) and age ranged from 14 to 45 years. Caustic soda caused the problem among 10 (58.8%) patients while liquid acid battery was involved in three (17.6%) patients. The rest were distributed equally between native concoction and unknown substance. All were done under general anesthesia and mean duration of the procedure was 306.8 ± 54.6 min with an average intra operative blood loss of 823.1 ± 428.5 m. Sixteen (94.1%) had successful pedicle isolation and 15 (82.3%) patients had neither dysphagia nor reflux at follow.up.Conclusion: Securing a pedicled right colon based on middle colic artery was a critical step. This surgical technique should be used to restore  swallowing among patients with long segment esophageal stricture. Key words: Colon interposition, corrosive esophageal stricture, nutrition, vascular pedicl

Mothers’ knowledge, perception and practice of childhood immunization in Enugu

Introduction: Immunization has been shown to be the most successful and cost-effective public health intervention in the 20th century. In the developing world, it does not only prevent about three million child deaths annually, but also has the potential to prevent additional two million deaths if coverage improves. However, immunization coverage has remained low in Nigeria although vaccines are provided relatively free by the government. Efforts have focused on the health worker, health system and logistics with little attention being paid to maternal factors like knowledge, perception, beliefs and practice.Objectives: To assess mothers’ knowledge, perception and practice of routine and campaign immunization in Enugu.Methods: A structured questionnaire was administered to 207 mothers who have at least one child less than 5 years of age, attending children outpatient and immunization clinics at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu.Results: Forty-eight per cent of the mothers had tertiary education, 42% had secondary education, and 9% had primary education while 1% had no formal education. Eighty-two per cent knew that children are immunized to prevent major killer diseases, 14% and 3.4% believed it was to prevent all diseases, and to treat diseases respectively. Most mothers took their children to health facilities for routine immunization (95.2%) and also accepted immunization on immunization campaign days (75.4%). However, 23.6% had never immunized their children during campaigns. On the other hand, 13% (27) of mothers had out-rightly rejected immunization during campaign while 85% (177) had never rejected immunization. The remaining 2% were not immunized due to reasons other than rejection. More mothers significantly rejected campaign immunization than the number that did not go for routine immunization (p=0.000). Maternal highest educational level was significantly associated with knowledge of reason for immunization and acceptance of immunization (p=0.000). Religious denomination was not significantly associated with rejection of campaign immunization (p=0.056).Conclusion: Most mothers studied had good knowledge and positive perception and practice of immunization. However, the Campaign immunization rejection rate was relatively high for the south eastern Nigeria where it is often assumed that non-compliance is not a problem. Similarly, the proportions of mothers with wrong knowledge and poor perception of immunization require policy attention. Maternal education was significantly associated with knowledge and acceptance of immunization. These findings are important in the design and implementation of childhood immunization programmes

X-ray Equipments and Accessories as possible Vectors of Nosocomial Bacteria in Anambra State, Nigeria.

Background of Study: Nosocomial infections have become a major challenge in health institutions, as they affect the quality of health care delivered. The radiology department is one of the mainstays of modern medicine. It is therefore necessary to assess its role in the spread of nosocomial infections.Aim: To assess the presence and specie of nosocomial bacteria on x-ray equipments and accessories as well as their prevalence in public and private hospitals in Anambra state.Method: Sterile swab sticks were used daily to swab the surfaces of selected x-ray equipments and accessories, at the close of work in public and private hospitals in Anambra State. MacConkey and Blood agar media were used to prepare the culture media. The prepared media were put in petri dishes andswab samples were inoculated onto the culture plates. Culture plates were then incubated for 24 hours, at a temperature of 37oc. Bacterial identification was done microscopically under bright light based on their colonial characteristics.Results: Bacteria were isolated in 43/50 (86%) samples collected. Bacteria isolated were; Staphylococcus aureus (36.1%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (22.7%), Proteus spp (7. 2%), Streptococcus (13. 4%), and Coliform spp. (20.6%). X-ray cassettes had the highest bacterial load followed by X-ray tube handles and couch.Conclusion: Radiology equipment and accessories in Anambra State have high bacterial load and therefore are potential sources of nosocomial infection

Cor triatriatum sinistrium in a 10 year old Nigerian: A case report

We present a rare and first case of Cor triatriatum sinistrum (CT) in a patient who presents with dyspnoea, easy fatigability, chest pain, murmurs and typical ECG and 2D-echo findings. The purpose of presenting this casereport is to highlight the distinctive manifestation of Cor triatriatumsinistrum and to provide a concise report of this disease with the hopethat such information will help identify patients earlier in the course of their disease. Surgical correction offers good and long term results for both classicand atypical types. In a resource poor country like ours, high index of suspicion, early diagnosis and timely referral are warranted so as to avert death

Comparative Evaluation of the Effects of Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy and Amodiaquine Monotherapy in G6PD Activity, Fasting Glucose Level and Parasite Clearance Rate in Malaria-infected Adults in Abakaliki, Nigeria.

Background: Antimalaria combination therapy with regimen containing an artemisinin-based compound has been recommended as a gold standard and first-line treatment for malaria by WHO. Studies have also proven the effectiveness of Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT) in the treatment of uncomplicated Plasmoduim falciparum and delaying the emergence of drug resistance. However, limited reports exist on the effects of ACT on some vital biochemical parameters such as glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) and blood glucose concentration. This study therefore investigates and compares the effects of Artesunate-Amodiaquine combination therapy and Amodiaquine monotherapy on G6PD activity, fasting blood glucose level and parasite clearance rate in malaria-infected adults in Abakaliki, Nigeria. Methodology: Twenty adults aged between 20 and 30 years were used for the study. The patients were divided into two groups-A and B of 10 individuals each. Group A was given Artesunate-Amodiaquine (AS-AQ) while group B was given Amodiaquine (AQ). Blood samples were collected from each individual at baseline (Day 0) and after drug treatment (Day 4) for the comparative analysis of G6PD activity, fasting blood glucose level and parasite clearance rate. Result: There was an increase in G6PD activity after drug treatment in the two groups but the increase was not statistically significant. Glucose levels decreased after treatment in both groups but the decrease was also insignificant. There was a significant (P<0.001) difference in malaria parasite density of both groups after drug administration. The percentage parasite clearance of AS-AQ treated group and the AQ treated group were 67% and 47% respectively. Conclusion: There were no significant differences in the AS-AQ and AQ effects on the G6PD activity and fasting glucose level. In contrast, AS-AQ therapy indicated higher parasitic clearance rate compared to the AQ therapy. This further proves that Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT) is more effective than monotherapy in the treatment of malaria. Keywords: Artemisinin- Amodiaquine, Combination therapy, Amodiaquine, Parasite clearance, G6pd, Glucose

Traditional eye medicine use by newly presenting ophthalmic patients to a teaching hospital in south-eastern Nigeria: socio-demographic and clinical correlates

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This study set out to determine the incidence, socio-demographic, and clinical correlates of Traditional Eye Medicine (TEM) use in a population of newly presenting ophthalmic outpatients attending a tertiary eye care centre in south-eastern Nigeria.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In a comparative cross-sectional survey at the eye clinic of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu, between August 2004 - July 2006, all newly presenting ophthalmic outpatients were recruited. Participants' socio-demographic and clinical data and profile of TEM use were obtained from history and examination of each participant and entered into a pretested questionnaire and proforma. Participants were subsequently categorized into TEM- users and non-users; intra-group analysis yielded proportions, frequencies, and percentages while chi-square test was used for inter-group comparisons at P = 0.01, df = 1.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Of the 2,542 (males, 48.1%; females, 51.9%) participants, 149 (5.9%) (males, 45%; females, 55%) used TEM for their current eye disease. The TEMs used were chemical substances (57.7%), plant products (37.7%), and animal products (4.7%). They were more often prescribed by non-traditional (66.4%) than traditional (36.9%) medicine practitioners. TEMs were used on account of vision loss (58.5%), ocular itching (25.4%) and eye discharge (3.8%). Reported efficacy from previous users (67.1%) and belief in potency (28.2%) were the main reasons for using TEM. Civil servants (20.1%), farmers (17.7%), and traders (14.1%) were the leading users of TEM. TEM use was significantly associated with younger age (p < 0.01), being married (p < 0.01), rural residence (p < 0.01), ocular anterior segment disease (p < 0.01), delayed presentation (p < 0.01), low presenting visual acuity (p < 0.01), and co-morbid chronic medical disease (p < 0.01), but not with gender (p = 0.157), and educational status (p = 0.115).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The incidence of TEM use among new ophthalmic outpatients at UNTH is low. The reasons for TEM use are amenable to positive change through enhanced delivery of promotive, preventive, and curative public eye care services. This has implications for eye care planners and implementers. To reverse the trend, we suggest strengthening of eye care programmes, even distribution of eye care resources, active collaboration with orthodox eye care providers and traditional medical practitioners, and intensification of research efforts into the pharmacology of TEMs.</p

Positively selected modifications in the pore of TbAQP2 allow pentamidine to enter Trypanosoma brucei

Mutations in the Trypanosoma brucei aquaporin AQP2 are associated with resistance to pentamidine and melarsoprol. We show that TbAQP2 but not TbAQP3 was positively selected for increased pore size from a common ancestor aquaporin. We demonstrate that TbAQP2’s unique architecture permits pentamidine permeation through its central pore and show how specific mutations in highly conserved motifs affect drug permeation. Introduction of key TbAQP2 amino acids into TbAQP3 renders the latter permeable to pentamidine. Molecular dynamics demonstrates that permeation by dicationic pentamidine is energetically favourable in TbAQP2, driven by the membrane potential, although aquaporins are normally strictly impermeable for ionic species. We also identify the structural determinants that make pentamidine a permeant although most other diamidine drugs are excluded. Our results have wide-ranging implications for optimising antitrypanosomal drugs and averting cross-resistance. Moreover, these new insights in aquaporin permeation may allow the pharmacological exploitation of other members of this ubiquitous gene family