Soluble fluoride levels in drinking water-a major risk factor of dental fluorosis among children in Bongo community of Ghana

Background: The purpose of the study was to investigate the relationship between fluoride ions in drinking water and the incidence of dental fluorosis in some endemic areas of Bongo District, Ghana.Method: Two hundred children were randomly selected from various homes and taken through a questionnaire. Their teeth were examined for thedetection of dental fluorosis using the Dean’s specific index. Samples of their permanent sources of water were taken for the determination of soluble fluoride levels by SPADNS spectrophotometric method.Results: The study revealed that the incidence of dental fluorosis among the children in the main Bongo township was 63.0%, whereas villages  outside the township recorded less than 10.0%. The respondents from the various communities had similar age group, educational background, sources of drinking water, oral hygiene habits and usage of oral health products, p-value > 0.05. However, there were statistically significant differences in the cases of dental fluorosis and fluoride ions among the communities, p-value <0.05. The fluoride ion concentration in the Bongotownship was above the WHO requirement of 1.50 ppm, whereas the nearby villages showed acceptable fluoride levels. Statistically, there was no significant relationship between the presence of dental fluorosisand the other characteristics, except the age group and fluoride ion concentration of the area.Conclusion: These findings strongly support the association between the dental fluorosis and the high fluoride levels in the underground water of Bongo community. Therefore, policy makers need to consider an alternative source of drinking water for the area.Keywords: Fluorosis, Fluoride, Drinking water, Risk factor, Childre

Toxicity and Safety Implications of Herbal Medicines Used in Africa

The use of herbal medicines has seen a great upsurge globally. In developing countries, many patronize them largely due to cultural acceptability, availability and cost. In developed countries, they are used because they are natural and therefore assumed to be safer than allopathic medicines. In recent times, however, there has been a growing concern about their safety. This has created a situation of ambivalence in discussions regarding their use. Some medicinal plants are intrinsically toxic by virtue of their constituents and can cause adverse reactions if inappropriately used. Other factors such as herb-drug interactions, lack of adherence to good manufacturing practice (GMP), poor regulatory measures and adulteration may also lead to adverse events in their use. Many in vivo tests on aqueous extracts largely support the safety of herbal medicines, whereas most in vitro tests on isolated single cells mostly with extracts other than aqueous ones show contrary results and thus continue the debate on herbal medicine safety. It is expected that toxicity studies concerning herbal medicine should reflect their traditional use to allow for rational discussions regarding their safety for their beneficial use. While various attempts continue to establish the safety of various herbal medicines in man, their cautious and responsible use is required

An assessment of the risk of Bt-cowpea to non-target organisms in West Africa

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata Walp.) is the most economically important legume crop in arid regions of sub-Saharan Africa. Cowpea is grown primarily by subsistence farmers who consume the leaves, pods and grain on farm or sell grain in local markets. Processed cowpea foods such as akara (a deep-fat fried fritter) are popular in the rapidly expanding urban areas. Demand far exceeds production due, in part, to a variety of insect pests including, in particular, the lepidopteran legume pod borer (LPB) Maruca vitrata. Genetically engineered Bt-cowpea, based on cry1Ab (Event 709) and cry2Ab transgenes, is being developed for use in sub-Saharan Africa to address losses from the LBP. Before environmental release of transgenic cowpeas, the Bt Cry proteins they express need to be assessed for potential effects on non-target organisms, particularly arthropods. Presented here is an assessment of the potential effects of those Cry proteins expressed in cowpea for control of LPB. Based on the history of safe use of Bt proteins, as well as the fauna associated with cultivated and wild cowpea in sub-Saharan Africa results indicate negligible effects on non-target organisms

Host plant-selection by Helicoverpa-Armigera (Hubner) (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae) - role of certain plant attributes

Factors found to positively influence host plant selection included presence of flowers, plant height and application of soil fertiliser. Moths may use silhouette as a cue to locating plants. -from Author

Host plant selection by Helicoverpa armigera (lepidoptera, Noctuidae) - the role of some herbivore attributes

The effect of various 'herbivore' attributes on oviposition in Helicoverpa armigera were considered in a series of laboratory experiments. Larval diet did not influence the rank order of adult host preference, but early adult experience around a host increased oviposition on that host in subsequent trials. The presence of eggs laid 12 h before did not influence subsequent oviposition on a plant, although newly laid eggs may have. The presence of larvae, larval damage to plants and larval frass reduced oviposition on a plant. These results are discussed in relation to polyphagy in H. armigera