Evaluation of safety of Azdirachta indica seed oil on Albino rat through haematological and some antioxidants by the rotatable central composite design (RCCD) of the response surface methodology (RSM)

Raw Azdirachta indica seed oil is gradually adopted by local farmers as a protector of stored grains and legumes against the common insects, but with some reservations on its safety. The study investigated the safety A. indica on mammalian objects using haematological and antioxidant indixes. A. indica seed was obtained from the trees in the same location in Utu Ikot Ukpong, Essien Udim Local Government Area, Nigeria. The Albino rats were obtained from the Animal House of Biochemistry Department of the University of Calabar, Nigeria. The animals were treated with varied A. indica seed oil at varied concentrations, periods of exposure and age. Haematological analyses revealed that models of packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell (RBC), white cell count (WCC) and hemoglobin content (Hb) were not significant. Catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione (GSH) were also not significant (p>0.05). Linearity coefficients of the models however appeared to be significant (R2≤0.8000). The mathematical and pictorial models showed slight influence of the test substance on the parameters. The investigation revealed that A. indica seed oil showed no adverse effect on the haematological and antioxidant profile of the animal models at the level of administration, the slight statistical significance could be attributed to other experimental values. A. indica oil seems to be safe on mammalian subjects. More work is recommended on the topic using higher levels of the plant materials at a longer period of exposure

Depression and loneliness in Jamaicans with sickle cell disease

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the commonest genetic disorder in Jamaica, and has life-long implications for those afflicted with it. It is well known that depression and loneliness may exist in those with chronic diseases, but the coexistence of depression and loneliness in people with sickle cell disease is not clear. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of and factors associated with depression and loneliness in the Jamaica Sickle Cell Cohort Study and its age and sex matched controls.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>277 patients with SCD and 65 controls were administered a questionnaire that studied demographics, disease severity, depression, and loneliness. Regression analyses were done to examine relationships between outcomes and associated variables.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Depression was found in 21.6% of patients and 9.4% in controls. Loneliness scores were also significantly higher in patients (16.9 ± 5.1) than in controls (14.95 ± 4.69). Depression was significantly associated with unemployment [OR = 2.9, p-value: < 0.001], whereas unemployment (p-value: 0.002), and lower educational attainment were significantly associated with loneliness.</p> <p>In patients with SCD, depression was significantly associated with being unemployed (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.2,4.6, p-value:0.01), presence of a leg ulcer (OR = 3.8, 95% CI: 1.7, 8.4, p-value: 0.001), frequent visits (OR = 3.3, 95% CI: 1.2, 8.9, p-value: 0.019), and frequent painful crises (OR = 2.5, 95% CI: 1.1, 5.8, p-value: 0.035). Not being employed (Coef.: 2.0; p-value: 0.004) and higher educational attainment (tertiary vs. primary education, Coef.: -5.5; p-value: < 0.001) were significant associations with loneliness after adjusting for genotype.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Health workers need to actively look for and manage these problems to optimize their patients' total biopsychosocial care.</p

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) and Yam (Dioscorea spp.) Crops and their derived foodstuffs: Safety, security and nutritional value

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) and yam (Dioscorea spp.) are tropical crops consumed by ca. 2 billion people and represent the main source of carbohydrate and energy for the approximately 700 million people living in the tropical and sub-tropical areas. They are a guarantee of food security for developing countries. The production of these crops and the transformation into food-derived commodities is increasing, it represents a profitable business and farmers generate substantial income from their market. However, there are some important concerns related to the food safety and food security. The high post-harvest losses, mainly for yam, the contamination by endogenous toxic compounds, mainly for cassava, and the contamination by external agents (such as micotoxins, pesticides, and heavy metal) represent a depletion of economic value and income. The loss in the raw crops or the impossibility to market the derived foodstuffs, due to incompliance with food regulations, can seriously limit all yam tubers and the cassava roots processors, from farmers to household, from small-medium to large enterprises. One of the greatest challenges to overcome those concerns is the transformation of traditional or indigenous processing methods into modern industrial operations, from the crop storage to the adequate package of each derived foodstuff