Examination of Vitamin and Amino Acid Profiles of Gmelina (Gmelina Arborea) Fruit and Fruit Pulp

The study examined the vitamin and amino acid profiles of Unripe Gmelina Whole Fruit (UGWF), Ripe Gmelina Whole Fruit (RGWF) and Ripe Gmelina Fruit Pulp (RGFP). The combined riboflavin, thiamin, niacin, ascorbic acid, vitamins A and E of all the samples ranged from 0.09-0.30 mg/100g, 0.22-0.88 mg/100g, 0.12-0.64 mg/100g, 5.75-22.88 mg/100g, 4.60-13.60 IU/100g and 0.0-6.09 mg/100g, respectively. They were poor in all the vitamins except the vitamin E content of RGWF. The total essential amino acid (TEAA), percentage total non essential amino acid (%TEAA), total semi essential amino acid (TSEAA), percentage total semi essential amino acid (%TSEAA), total non essential amino acid (TNEAA) and percentage total non essential amino acid(%TNEAA) ranged from 13.28-23.77 g/100g protein, 31.43-40.75%, 3.79-5.11 g/100g protein, 8.92-8.97%, 25.18-29.45 g/100g protein and 50.49-59.60%, respectively. The ingredients were high in %TEAA, valine (1.63-3.66 g/100g protein), isoleucine (1.90-3.76 g/100g protein) but low in TEAA, TSEAA, %TSEAA, TNEAA and %TNEAA, phenylalanine (1.61-2.70 g/100g protein), lysine(2.09-2.63 g/100g protein), leucine (2.03-4.72 g/100g protein), threonine (1.72-2.50 g/100g protein), methionine (0.36-0.70 g/100g protein), cystine (0.66-0.80 g/100g protein), tyrosine (1.28-2.30 g/100g protein), histidine (1.07-1.61 g/100g protein), arginine (2.72-3.50 g/100g protein), aspartic acid (3.65-7.80 g/100g protein), serine (2.05-3.10 g/100g protein), glutamic acid (10.16-13.63 g/100g protein), proline (1.91-2.34 g/100g protein), glycine (2.14-3.25 g/100g protein) and alanine (1.80-2.80 g/100g protein). RGFP had the highest (p<0.05) value for all the amino acids except glutamic acid. The use of gmelina fruit in monogastric feeding may require supplementation with other sources rich in the deficient vitamins and essential amino acids.Key words: Amino acid, vitamin, gmelina, fruit, pulp, livestock, feed

Contact and repellent effects of essential oils of Chromolaena odorata (L.) and Uvaria chamae (P. Beauv) against Macrotermes bellicosus (Smeathman)

Macrotermes bellicosus, though a beneficial termite species causes serious damage to wood and wood products, fabrics and many agricultural crops and ornamental trees. This study was conducted to assess the potentials of essential oils of the leaves of Chromolaena odorata and roots of Uvaria chamae in the control of M. bellicosus. The repellency, knockdown and insecticidal effects of the oils to M. bellicosus were tested using the filter paper and cotton ball impregnation technique. Each test oil (0.05, 0.075 and 0.10 ml) was separately used in the repellency assay, for an exposure period of 30 and 60 minutes. For the knockdown and toxicity test, termites were exposed to 0.05, 0.075, 0.10, 0.125 and 0.15 ml of each oil for an exposure period of 60 minutes and 6 hours, respectively. Each test and control (untreated) group had three replicates and in each experiment twenty active workers of M. bellicosus were exposed. Repellency results were somewhat irregular and oil volume and exposure, time independent. Knockdown effect of 56.67 and 86.67 % were observed for C. odorata and U. chamae oils (0.15ml), respectively at the 60th minute. Contact toxicity test with 0.15 ml of the oils resulted in 100 % and 86.67 % mortalities for U. chamae and C. odorata, respectively. No knockdown or mortalities were observed in the controls. The difference between the repellency of both oils at 30 and 60 minutes was not significant (p>0.05; p= 0.842 and 0.212 respectively), whereas for knockdown and insecticidal effects of both oils the difference was significant Q3(p<0.05; p= 0.000 and 0.001 respectively).. Essential oils of C. odorata and U. chamae are potential agents for the control of M. bellicosus

In Vivo Comparative Evaluation of Effects of Artemeter-Lumefantrine, Sulphadoxine-Pyrimetamine and Halofantrine on G6PD Activities, Haemoglobin Concentration and Malaria Parasite Clearance Rate in Malaria Infected Adults

Background: The use of antimalaria combination therapy especially regimens containing an artemisin-based compound has been recommended as a good first-line treatment for malaria by WHO. However, limited reports exist on the effects of the ACT and other antimalarial drugs on some vital biological parameters such as G6PD activity and haemoglobin concentration. In this study, we investigated the effects of Artemeter-Lumefantrine, sulphadoxine-pyrimetamine combination therapies and Halofantrine monotherapy on G6PD activity, Haemoglobin level and parasite clearance rate in malaria-infected adults treated with the drugs in Enugu, Nigeria. Methodology: Forty malaria-infected adults aged between 20 and 30 years were used. The subjects were divided into four groups (A, B, C and D). The groups A, B and C were given Artemeter-Lumefantrine, sulphadoxine-pyrimetamine and halofantrine respectively, while group D was a control group (malaria-positive control). Blood samples of the subjects were collected through venepuncture at baseline (Day 0) and after treatment on Day 4, for comparative analysis of G6PD activity, haemoglobin concentration and parasite clearance for each group. Results: The result of this study showed that sulphadoxine-pyrimetamine significantly (p<0.05) lowered haemoglobin concentration as compared with Halofantrine, Artemeter-lumefantrine and control. The haemoglobin concentration of the last three groups did not show any significant difference (p>0.05) between each other. The G6PD activity of the group treated with sulphadoxine-pyrimetamine was significantly (p<0.05) higher as compared with that treated with Artemeter-lumefantrine but non-significant (p>0.05) as compared with halofantrine and control. Parasite clearance rate was significantly (p<0.05) highest with the Halofantrine group (76%, p< 0.05) while Sulphadoxine-pyrimetamine had the lowest (52%) parasite clearance. Conclusion: This study therefore indicated that antimalaria drugs as well as malaria parasite could cause a reduction in haemoglobin concentration with sulphadoxine-pyrimetamine causing significant (p<0.05) increase in G-6-PD activity. Keywords: Antimalarials, Artemether-Lumefantrine, G6PD, sulphadoxine-pyrimetamine, Parasite clearance, Halofantrine, Haemoglobin concentratio

International Consortium for Health Outcome Measurement Set of Outcomes That Matter to People Living With Inflammatory Arthritis: Consensus From an International Working Group

© 2018, The Authors. Arthritis Care & Research published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American College of Rheumatology. Objective: The implementation of value-based health care in inflammatory arthritis requires a standardized set of modifiable outcomes and risk-adjustment variables that is feasible to implement worldwide. Methods: The International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement (ICHOM) assembled a multidisciplinary working group that consisted of 24 experts from 6 continents, including 6 patient representatives, to develop a standard set of outcomes for inflammatory arthritis. The process followed a structured approach, using a modified Delphi process to reach consensus on the following decision areas: conditions covered by the set, outcome domains, outcome measures, and risk-adjustment variables. Consensus in areas 2 to 4 were supported by systematic literature reviews and consultation of experts. Results: The ICHOM Inflammatory Arthritis Standard Set covers patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), axial spondyloarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). We recommend that outcomes regarding pain, fatigue, activity limitations, overall physical and mental health impact, work/school/housework ability and productivity, disease activity, and serious adverse events be collected at least annually. Validated measures for patient-reported outcomes were endorsed and linked to common reporting metrics. Age, sex at birth, education level, smoking status, comorbidities, time since diagnosis, and rheumatoid factor and anti-citrullinated protein antibody lab testing for RA and JIA should be collected as risk-adjustment variables. Conclusion: We present the ICHOM inflammatory arthritis Standard Set of outcomes, which enables health care providers to implement the value-based health care framework and compare outcomes that are important to patients with inflammatory arthritis

Acute in-vivo gastrrointestinal effect of food colourants, bright red and egg yellow in rats

No Abstract.Global Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences Vol. 13 (1) 2007: pp. 99-10

Motorcycle Related Abdominal Trauma in Children in Calabar – Nigeria

Between January 1998 and December 2001, 38 children aged between 1-15 years were admitted to the UCTH with the history of motorcycle related abdominal trauma. A male preponderance was observed and incidence of trauma increases with age. It was lowest at preschool age under five years (16%) but peaked at post elementary school age of 11-14 years (45%). Children were injured as passengers (61%) and as pedestrians (38%). Majority of the children presented with blunt abdominal injury (79%) while 21% sustained penetrating abdominal injury. Laporatomy was carried out in all cases of penetrating injury while increasing abdominal tenderness; haemodynamic instability or a positive abdominal paracentesis was considered in blunt abdominal injuries. With blunt injuries, the solid viscera were commonly injured, whereas penetrating injuries involve hollow organs. Motorcycle related injuries are preventable conditions and require the enforcement of traffic regulations, provision of basic but necessary footpaths and public enlightenment on the dangers of child abuse as pedestrian child hawker. Mary Slessor Journal of Medicine Vol.3(2) 2003: 47-5