Evaluation of CD4 count progression in HIV-infected patients on different classes of antiretroviral regimens

Background: Understanding the expected effects of different antiretroviral regimens on CD4 count will guide therapeutic decision and monitoring treatment progress that will improve patients’ outcomes.Objective: To evaluate the effects of two first line and one second line antiretroviral regimens on annual changes in CD4 count of HIV-infected patients at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto.Method: A retrospective analysis of patients’ records between 2011 and 2015 which were selected using systematic random sampling was conducted. A total of 423 records of patients that met the inclusion criteria were evaluated for changes in CD4 count. The data were analysed using descriptive, correlation and linear regression statistics, with p<0.05 considered statistically significant.Results: Majority of the patients were females (75.4%) and their mean age was 37.1±9.1 years. Correlation analysis showed that increasing duration of the disease state (p=0.001) and treatment (p=0.001) were significantly associated with low annual percentage increase in CD4 count. Linear regression models showed that among patients with CD4 cell counts of ≤300 cells/mm3, the annual percentage increase of those on Tenofovir (TDF) + Emtricitabine (or Lamivudine) (XTC) + Efavirenz (EFZ), Zidovudine (AZT) + Lamivudine (3TC) + Nevirapine (NVP)and TDF+XTC + Lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r) regimens were 41.1%, 16.9% and 4.9% respectively. Patients with CD4 counts >300 to 500 cells/mm3 mostly had insignificant increase of 4.5%, 1.3% and 2.9% respectively. All patients with CD4 >500 cells/mm3 had insignificant decrease.Conclusion: Significant increase in annual percentage CD4 count is observed only when the CD4 count is low with patients on TDF+XTC+EFZ regimen showing the best increase. Increase in duration of the disease and treatment were associated with low annual increase.Keywords: Antiretroviral regimen, CD4 count, HIV, Highly active antiretroviral therap

Comparative phytochemical and in vitro antimicrobial activities of the leaf extracts of two medicinal plants growing in North-East, Nigeria

Introduction: The use of plants as medicine is as old as chemistry and common to all societies including the African, notably some parts of Northern Nigeria. Infectious diseases are among the causes of mortality and morbidity in rural areas endemic with hygienic problems in most developing countries including Nigeria. Two plant species with similar ethnomedical reports from different families were used in this study against some microorganisms. Their phytochemicals were also evaluated. Methods: The leaf samples of Punica granatum and Waltheria indica were prepared and independently extracted with 80% methanol using maceration technique. The extracts were concentrated to dryness at reduced pressure and then subjected to phytochemical evaluation. Antimicrobial activities were evaluated using hole-in-plate disc diffusion technique. Results: The phytochemical results of both extracts revealed the absence of anthraquinones. However, both extracts showed the presence of cardenolides, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, saponins, tannins and terpenoids; while alkaloids were found in W. indica. The antimicrobial susceptibility study showed dose-dependent pattern with the highest dose (80 mg/hole) showing inhibition zone of 23.67±0.47 and 23.33±0.47 mm, respectively by P. granatum and W. indica against Streptococcus pyogenes while at 20 mg/hole inhibition was noted as 8.67±0.47 and 7.00±0.00 mm against Escherichia coli for P. granatum and W. indica, respectively. Conclusion: The findings of this study scientifically support the use of P. granatum and W. indica in folklore medicine for the cure of infections by microbes

Depositional environment of the Gombe Formation in the Gongola sub-basin of the northern Benue trough: Using grain size parameters

The depositional environment of the Gombe Formation was determined using grain size parameters in which sixteen sandstone samples and ninety nine pebbles were subjected to granulometric and pebbles morphometric analysis respectively. The granulometric analysis for the sixteen (16) samples of the Gombe Formation show an average graphic mean of 2.51ϕ (fine grained sandstone), mean standard deviation of 0.58ϕ (moderately well sorted sandstone), mean skewness value of 0.09ϕ (nearly symmetrical) and mean kurtosis value of 0.89ϕ (platykurtic). The Bivariate plot of standard deviation vs. skewness indicated dominance of fluvial environment. While the probability curves plots showed a dominance of three sand populations  indicating influence of marine processes. Environmental discrimination formulae for Y1, Y2 and Y3 indicated dominance of Aeolian, shallow agitated marine environment and shallow marine environment respectively. The plots of Y2 vs.Y1 and Y3 vs. Y2 showed a dominance shallow marine environment. The morphometric analysis indicates both fluvial and beach environment with dominance of fluvial environment.Keywords: Gombe Formation, Gongola Sub-Basin, Pebbles Morphology,  Granulometric analysis, grain siz

Giant scrotal leiomyoma: Report of a rare case and Review of literature

Background: Leiomyoma is a benign tumour of smooth muscles that can arise almost anywhere in the body; however, scrotal Leiomyomais a rare entity. It may originate from dartos muscle, epididymis or spermatic cord. The neoplasm has an insidious course, and clinically it may mimic many intrascrotal tumours, including testicular cancers, resulting in diagnostic challenges.Case report: A 20-year-old student evaluated for a painless right testicular swelling of 1year duration, suspicious of right testicular cancer. He had right radical orchidectomy done, but the histology result of the specimen came out to be paratesticular leiomyoma compressing and causing total atrophy of the right testis, the specimen measured 10x7x6cm and weighed 600g. Post-operative condition and follow up were satisfactory.Conclusion: Scrotal leiomyoma is rare and when it presents as huge mass can cause challenges in diagnosis and treatment, particularly in developing countries. Close follow-up and molecular testing are important in detecting renal cell carcinoma in case of hereditary autosomal dominant disorders that may coexist with this tumour. Keywords: Paratestisticular, Giant, Dartos muscle, Leiomyoma

Phytoconstituents evaluation and antimicrobial efficacy of the crude flavonoids and saponins rootbark extracts of Terminalia avicennioides and Ficus polita

Introduction: Plant is a friend to man in survival as it gives him food, shelter and medicine beyond the ages of human civilization. This paper evaluates the phytochemical constituents and the antimicrobial activities undertaken on Terminalia avicennioides and Ficus polita. Methods: Phytochemical screening was conducted on the root extracts according to the standard procedures. The hole-in-plate disc diffusion technique was used to determine the antimicrobial activities of the crude saponins and crude flavonoids against the tested microorganisms used in this study. Results: The results revealed the presence of alkaloids flavonoids, saponins, sterols, phlobatannins and terpenoids. The antimicrobial activities presented as diameter of inhibition zones showed high activity value of 34.70±0.57 mm against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa at a concentration of 100 mg/mL and by crude flavonoids portion of T. avicennioides while the least activity was shown by crude saponins portion of F. polita at a concentration of 25 mg/mL with value of 9.67±0.58 mm against Shigella dysenteriae. The crude flavonoids inhibited the growth of Candida albicans at all concentrations while resisitances were found towards the crude saponins portion of both plants. Hence, flavonoids extractives from the two plants appeared to be more effective than the saponins against the tested microorganisms. Conclusion: These findings justify their potential use as drug-plant against bacterial-related infections in African traditional medical system and also suggest a possible insight for the isolation of bioactive chemotherapeutic agents from T. avicennioide

Occurrence and antibiogram of bacteria isolated from some sachet drinking water brands sold in Gombe metropolis, Gombe State, Nigeria

Background: Diseases contracted through consuming contaminated water present health challenges globally, hence this study aimed to assess occurrence and antibiogram of bacteria isolated from various brands of sachet drinking water sold in Gombe metropolis. Methods: Twenty brands of samples were collected randomly, serially diluted, and cultured on nutrient agar (NA). Isolates were identified morphologically and biochemically, with antibiogram determined using Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. Results: All the 20 samples produced positive bacterial growths with counts ranging from 1.0x103 to 9.8x103 CFU/ml with identified colonies of Escherichia coli (E. coli), Staphylococcus aureus ( S. aureus), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae). Antibiogram revealed the isolates were all resistant to augmentin, cefixime, cefuroxime and ceftazidime, but E. coli and S. aureus were also resistant to gentamicin. Conclusion: The samples were contaminated with potentially pathogenic bacteria that were resistant to some antibiotics. Hence there is need for enforcement of drinking water standards to avoid consequences of unsafe drinking water, thus improving the health of the population

Estimation of zinc levels among children with malnutrition at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Northwestern Nigeria

Objective: Zinc plays a critical role in many body functions and its deficiency is associated with impaired cognitive function, behavioral problems, memory impairment, growth retardation, increased incidence of diarrhoea and recurrent infections. Although severe zinc deficiency is not common, mild to moderate deficiency is quite common globally. It is estimated that some form of zinc deficiency affects about one third of the world population, with estimates ranging from 4% to 73% across sub Saharan Africa. To determine the prevalence of zinc deficiency among malnourished children at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), Sokoto.Methods: Study was descriptive cross-sectional, carried out at the Paediatric department of UDUTH, Sokoto from April 2013 to June 2014. It was conducted among children aged between 6 and 60 months who presented to the OPD and those that were admitted into paediatric wards of UDUTH with malnutrition. Children with similar characteristics that were well nourished served as controls. Cohorts were recruited consecutively until the required sample size was obtained. 5mls of venous blood was taken for serum zinc analysis from each child.Results: A total of 550 children were studied with 275 apiece for cohorts. The mean age of the malnourished children was 26.2±14.6 months compared to 28.2±17.0 months recorded for the controls (p=0.157).The mean serum zinc levels for the study subjects 13.5±3.3μmol/Lwas significantly lower than that of the controls (15.8±1.9μmol/L) (t=9.42, df=548, p=0.0001).Conclusion: The prevalence of zinc deficiency among both malnourished children and the controls was 0% using WHO reference value for children below the age of 5 years. Prophylactic doses of zinc should be given in all malnourish children in situation where mineral mix is not added to feed or f75 and f100 are not available. There is need to adhere to and use recommended cut off values recommended by WHO for defining zinc deficiency by researchers.Keywords: zinc, malnutrition, Sokot

The consequences of family breakdown in post-independence Nigeria : a case study of Borno state

This is a study of the social and legal consequences of family breakdown in Nigeria as a whole but with specific reference to Borno State. It examines the effects of family breakdown on the husband and wife or wives and their children under the General Laws, Customary Law and Islamic Law of the people of Maidugurij Biu, and Gwoza areas of Borno State. The study covers the post-Independence period-i. e from 1960 to today. The aim of the study is to show how the social and economic changes in society affect the family at divorce. Although social change is part of any society, this study shows that the formal law on family breakdown and its consequences have not kept pace with social change, and that the dichotomy between state law and customary or Islamic law on family breakdown exists only in court. Thus the authority of the extended family, and within it, the dominance of men over womens, has not been specifically disturbed by the increasing Westernisation and rural-urban migration that has taken place since Independence. It is under this situation that the rights of women, property settlement on divorce, maintenances, and custody of children, as the main indicators of the consequences of family breakdown in any society has to be gauged. The role of the law and the state is also discussed. We argue that all the post-Colonial governments in the Federation were responsible for the present deplorable condition of victims of family breakdown not only in Borno State but throughout the country. Thus there has been no state-provided Social welfare to cater for deserted wivest children, and destitutes despite the ever increasing needs of such persons in a society that is rapidly changing. It is within this context that the effect of family breakdown on the people of Borno State is examined. The study argues that the various state authorities in Nigeria tend to abandon their responsibility to the family to the traditional customary institutions, such as the extended familyf which are now incapable of meeting the needs of victims of family breakdown. Moreoveri, the traditional family based economic system does not help women on divorce because it is predicated on the traditional power structure within the home which is in favour of men. on divorce, women are invariably left high and dry# and with few alternatives than to return home to their parents or other extended family members for support

Comparative phytochemical and in vitro antimicrobial activities of the leaf extracts of two medicinal plants growing in North-East, Nigeria

Introduction: The use of plants as medicine is as old as chemistry and common to all societies including the African, notably some parts of Northern Nigeria. Infectious diseases are among the causes of mortality and morbidity in rural areas endemic with hygienic problems in most developing countries including Nigeria. Two plant species with similar ethnomedical reports from different families were used in this study against some microorganisms. Their phytochemicals were also evaluated. Methods: The leaf samples of Punica granatum and Waltheria indica were prepared and independently extracted with 80% methanol using maceration technique. The extracts were concentrated to dryness at reduced pressure and then subjected to phytochemical evaluation. Antimicrobial activities were evaluated using hole-in-plate disc diffusion technique. Results: The phytochemical results of both extracts revealed the absence of anthraquinones. However, both extracts showed the presence of cardenolides, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, saponins, tannins and terpenoids; while alkaloids were found in W. indica. The antimicrobial susceptibility study showed dose-dependent pattern with the highest dose (80 mg/hole) showing inhibition zone of 23.67 ± 0.47 and 23.33 ± 0.47 mm, respectively by P. granatum and W. indica against Streptococcus pyogenes while at 20 mg/hole inhibition was noted as 8.67 ± 0.47 and 7.00 ± 0.00 mm against Escherichia coli for P. granatum and W. indica, respectively. Conclusion: The findings of this study scientifically support the use of P. granatum and W. indica in folklore medicine for the cure of infections by microbes

Phytoconstituents evaluation and antimicrobial efficacy of the crude flavonoids and saponins rootbark extracts of Terminalia avicennioides and Ficus polita

Introduction: Plant is a friend to man in survival as it gives him food, shelter and medicine beyond the ages of human civilization. This paper evaluates the phytochemical constituents and the antimicrobial activities undertaken on Terminalia avicennioides and Ficus polita. Methods: Phytochemical screening was conducted on the root extracts according to the standard procedures. The hole-in-plate disc diffusion technique was used to determine the antimicrobial activities of the crude saponins and crude flavonoids against the tested microorganisms used in this study. Results: The results revealed the presence of alkaloids flavonoids, saponins, sterols, phlobatannins and terpenoids. The antimicrobial activities presented as diameter of inhibition zones showed high activity value of 34.70±0.57 mm against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa at a concentration of 100 mg/mL and by crude flavonoids portion of T. avicennioides while the least activity was shown by crude saponins portion of F. polita at a concentration of 25 mg/mL with value of 9.67±0.58 mm against Shigella dysenteriae. The crude flavonoids inhibited the growth of Candida albicans at all concentrations while resisitances were found towards the crude saponins portion of both plants. Hence, flavonoids extractives from the two plants appeared to be more effective than the saponins against the tested microorganisms. Conclusion: These findings justify their potential use as drug-plant against bacterial-related infections in African traditional medical system and also suggest a possible insight for the isolation of bioactive chemotherapeutic agents from T. avicennioides