A Treatment Option or Source of Bacterial Pathogen Transmission? The Case of Herbal Mixture in Nigeria

Herbal mixture such as agbo, has been used in recent years in Nigeria to treat various sicknesses including malaria, typhoid, dysentery and cholera. However, the bacteriological quality and safety is of paramount importance spurring the argument whether it is treatment option or sources of pathogen transmission. Hence this study was conducted to investigate the bacteriological analysis of agbo herbal preparations. Samples of herbal mixture were purchased from five different markets (Uselu, New Benin, Oba, Santana and Ogida Markets) in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Bacteriological analysis was carried out using pour plate isolation method. Identification of isolated bacteria was based on their cultural, morphological, biochemical and molecular techniques. Antibiotic sensitivity pattern was carried out using disk diffusion method. The plasmid profile of multiple drug resistance bacterial genes isolated was also analyzed. Bacteriological analyses showed that the total bacterial counts (TBC) of all the test herbal samples obtained from the various markets ranged from 0.04 x 104 to 1.13 x 104cfu/ml. Eight bacterial species were identified and they include; Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Lactobacillus casei, Serratia marcescens, Micrococcus varians, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. The least occurring bacterial isolates were Serratia marcescens and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (5.26%) while the highest occurring was Bacillus cereus (21.05%). Isolated bacteria were resistant to commonly used antibiotics. Plasmid profile revealed presence of plasmid genes in the bacterial isolates. Since applications of herbal medicines for curative purposes is on the increase, there is need to monitor and ensure its bacteriological quality before distributing to final consumers

Application of vertical electrical sounding method to decipher the existing subsurface stratification and groundwater occurrence status in a location in Edo North of Nigeria

The interpretation of two resistivity curves over Iyakpi town within geologic terrain often referred to as Ajali formation which bears false-bedded sandstone with associated clay and shale intervals in the bottom section indicates that the area has an abundant groundwater potential. Existence of productive borehole in the study area was field-confirmed. The study area is said to have a standing history of abortive boreholes, resulting from failed drilling attempts. No dug well was sited in the community. The study showed that the main lithologic units penetrated by the sounding curves are laterite, sandstone, sandstone (dry with some clay/shale). This study revealed the possibility of having a maximum drill depth to water table of 260 m (865.80 ft)

In vitro Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Antidiabetic Activities of Extracts of Senecio Abyssinicus Leaves

Despite advancement in technology and healthcare delivery, infectious diseases still ravage humanity, plants-based remedies still remain our major kick back against them. The phytochemical screening, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-hyperglycemic activities of n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanolic extracts of Senecio abyssinicus leaves were investigated in this study, in line with SDG 3, 9 and 12 goals, following standard methods. The in vitro antioxidant properties were tested using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2ʹ-azinobis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonate) (ABTS·+) radical scavenging assays. Agar diffusion-pour plate methods was used to evaluate the antimicrobial activities of the extracts. The phytochemical evaluation of the extracts unveiled the presence of polyphenols, steroids, terpenoids, alkaloids, and cardiac glycosides. The methanol extracts showed varying degrees of antibacterial activity against the tested bacterial: Klebsiella pneumonia, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Salmonella typhi at concentrations between 6.25 – 200 mg/mL relative to Gentamycin. Furthermore, it showed significant activity on the tested fungal strains: Rhizopus stolons,, Aspergillus niger, Pneumonae notatum, and Candida albicans between 12.5 – 200 mg/mL, with regards to Tioconazole. The methanol extract had the greatest inhibitory effect (IC50, 26.59µg/mL) on α-glucosidase enzyme, with respect to Acarbose (IC50 11.31 µg/mL). Similarly, it showed low ABTS·+ and DPPH antioxidant activity (IC50 ˃50 µg/mL) when compared to the standard Trolox (IC50 5.91 µg/mL) and Ascorbic acid (IC50 12.24 µg/mL) respectively. These findings demonstrated that S. abyssinicus leaves exhibits moderate to significant antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antidiabetic activities. Thus, could be considered as a good source of antioxidant, hypoglycemic, and antimicrobial agents for good health and well-being

Energy generation from anaerobic co-digestion of food waste, cow dung and piggery dung.

The study investigated bioenergy generation from anaerobic co-digestion of food wastes (FW), cow dung (CD) and piggery dung (PD). The physicochemical parameters of the substrates were determined before and after digestion following standard procedures after mechanical pretreatment. Throughout the study, pH remained slightly alkaline while temperature varied between 26 and 32 °C. The highest cumulative biogas yield of 0.0488 L was recorded from the digestion of FW + CD + PD on the ninth day. After analyses, the highest methane content of 64.6 was obtained from the digestion of FW + PD while the lowest (54.0%) was from the digestion of FW only. Overall, cumulative biogas production for the four digestion regimes followed the order: FW + CD + PD, FW + PD, FW + CD and FW only respectively. Accumulation of VFAs was recorded at a slow rate during the digestions

A randomised controlled trial to assess the clinical effectiveness and safety of the endometrial scratch procedure prior to first-time IVF, with or without ICSI

STUDY QUESTION: What is the clinical-effectiveness and safety of the endometrial scratch (ES) procedure compared to no ES, prior to usual first time in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment? SUMMARY ANSWER: ES was safe but did not improve pregnancy outcomes when performed in the mid-luteal phase prior to the first IVF cycle, with or without intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: ES is an 'add-on' treatment that is available to women undergoing a first cycle of IVF, with or without ICSI, despite a lack of evidence to support its use. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: This pragmatic, superiority, open-label, multi-centre, parallel-group randomised controlled trial involving 1048 women assessed the clinical effectiveness and safety of the ES procedure prior to first time IVF, with or without ICSI, between July 2016 and October 2019. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: Participants aged 18-37 years undergoing their first cycle of IVF, with or without ICSI, were recruited from 16 UK fertility clinics and randomised (1:1) by a web-based system with restricted access rights that concealed allocation. Stratified block randomisation was used to allocate participants to TAU or ES in the mid-luteal phase followed by usual IVF with or without ICSI treatment. The primary outcome was live birth after completing 24 weeks gestation within 10.5 months of egg collection. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: In total, 1048 women randomised to TAU (n = 525) and ES (n = 523) were available for intention to treat analysis. In the ES group, 453 (86.6%) received the ES procedure. IVF, with or without ICSI, was received in 494 (94.1%) and 497 (95.0%) of ES and TAU participants respectively. Live birth rate was 37.1% (195/525) in the TAU and 38.6% (202/523) in the ES: an unadjusted absolute difference of 1.5% (95% CI -4.4% to 7.4%, P = 0.621). There were no statistical differences in secondary outcomes. Adverse events were comparable across groups. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: A sham ES procedure was not undertaken in the control group, however, we do not believe this would have influenced the results as objective fertility outcomes were used. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: This is the largest trial that is adequately powered to assess the impact of ES on women undergoing their first cycle of IVF. ES was safe, but did not significantly improve pregnancy outcomes when performed in the mid-luteal phase prior to the first IVF or ICSI cycle. We recommend that ES is not undertaken in this population. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): Funded by the National Institute of Health Research. Stephen Walters is an National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Senior Investigator (2018 to present) and was a member of the following during the project: National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Clinical Trials and Evaluation Committee (2011-2017), NIHR HTA Commissioning Strategy Group (2012 to 2017); NIHR Programme Grants for Applied Research Committee (2020 to present); NIHR Pre doctoral Fellowship Committee (2019 to present). Dr. Martins da Silva reports grants from AstraZeneca, during the conduct of the study; and is Associate editor of Human Reproduction and Editorial Board member of Reproduction and Fertility. Dr. Bhide reports grants from Bart's Charity and grants and non-financial support from Pharmasure Pharmaceuticals outside the submitted work. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN number: ISRCTN23800982. TRIAL REGISTRATION DATE: 31 May 2016. DATE OF FIRST PATIENT’S ENROLMENT: 04 July 2016

The self retraining Catheter for long term gastrostomy and cystostomy

Objective: The use of Foley's Catheter as a self – retaining catheter in Gastrostomy and Cystostomy are frequently complicated by dislodgement. A method for use of the catheter is designed. Design: An extra Foley's Catheter is used to design a cuff to provide secure positioning of the catheter. Results: Application of the designed Catheter has been used in Gastrostomy and Cystostomy for various indications, with very good effect. Conclusion: The described method of use of Foley's catheter for Gastrostomy and Cystostomy will be found to be necessary and very useful, especially for long term indwelling device. [Nig J Clinical Practice Vol.5(1) 2002: 14-15

Confirmation of malaria parasitaemia and management of postoperative pyrexia

Background: Patients who undergo surgical operations sometimes develop fever in the post-operative period. Full examination of the patient is essential to detect any obvious pathology. Often, Malaria is considered as a possible cause. Method: Seventy consecutive patients who had operations under general anesthesia were studied. Each had blood examination for malaria parasites pre-operative and post-operative. Pyrexia was fully investigated, including laboratory investigation for Malaria parasitaemia. Results: Thirty patients developed fever in the post-operative period; in 11 of them had malaria parasites were detected in the blood and responded to anti-malaria drugs. Of the other 19, no surgically related cause of the fever could be found in 10 and these were empirically treated for malaria; 6 had good response. Six other patients had positive post-operative malaria parasitaemia but had no fever, demonstrating the endemicity of malaria. Conclusion: There is benefit in the use of anti-malaria drugs in fever where there is no obvious pathology, even when laboratory confirmation of malaria parasitaemia cannot be done. (Nig J Surg Res 2003; 5: 62 – 66) Key words: Malaria parasitaemia, postoperative pyrexi