Quality evaluation of Oral Rehydration Salt (ORS) products marketed in Abuja, Nigeria

Medicine security remains one of the public health challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa as the report by World Health Organization (WHO) shows that 10.5% of medicines in low and middle-income countries worldwide are falsified or substandard. The study aimed to evaluate the quality of Oral Rehydration Salt (ORS) products sold in pharmacy outlets in Abuja, Nigeria. Seventeen different commercial brands of WHO recommended low-osmolarity ORS finished pharmaceutical products (FPP) were randomly selected from pharmacy outlets in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Gwagwalada Area Council in Abuja. They were assessed for quality based on physicochemical properties and the content of active pharmaceutical ingredients in accordance with the International Pharmacopeia (IP) guidelines. The shelf lives of all the samples were valid, and they all met the visual inspection test, labelling, pH (7.4‒8.0 between23.3‒23.9°C) and moisture content (1‒9 mg/g) requirements. The content assay revealed 88.2%, 88.2%, 64.7%, 47.1%, and 35.3% compliance of the samples for glucose, chloride, citrate, sodium and potassium, respectively. Twelve (76.5%) of the brands failed at least one content assay and 8 (47%) had zero potassium content. The study underscores the need for regular, periodic post-market surveillance on essential medicines sold in the Nigerian market

EFFECT OF GRADED DOSES OF AQUEOUS EXTRACTION OF GARCINA KOLA SEEDS ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND HAEMATOLOGICAL RESPONSE OF BROILER CHICKS

This study on the effects of graded doses of aqueous extract of Garcina kola seeds on growth performance and haematological response of broiler chicks was carried out to investigate the effects of different dosage regimen of the extract on growth performance and haematological indices of body homeostasis. A total of 30 broilers Chicks of anak 2000 strain were assigned into 3 treatment groups of ten birds each. Group A (control) received 0.0ml of aqueous extract of Garcina kola seeds / kg body mass of bird. Group B and C received1.0 and 2.0 ml extract of Garcina kola seeds per kilogram body mass of birds. The growth performance indices of feed consumption, live body mass were taken on weekly basis while dressed body mass and selected organs mass were taken at the end of experiment. Uncoagulated blood was collected 12 h post treatment. The result obtained showed a significant (p<0.05) dose dependent reduction in growth performance whereas there were no significant (p<0.05) changes in haematological indices of body homeostasis except for percentage parked cell volume, haemoglobin concentration, eosinophils, lymphocyte and monocyte (agranulocyte) counts which revealed a significant (p<0.05) increase at both doses. The above findings imply that aqueous extract of Garcinia kola seeds should not be used above 0.5ml (100mg/kg) body mass even for medicinal purposes in broilers

Influence of soy fortification on microbial diversity during cassava fermentation and subsequent physicochemical characteristics of garri

This study investigated the influence of the addition of soy products on the microbiology, nutritional and physico-chemical characteristics of garri, a fermented cassava product. Malted soy flour (MSF) and soy protein (SP) were separately added (12% w/w) to cassava mash prior to controlled fermentation, while non-supplemented cassava mash served as a control. Identification of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and aerobic mesophilic bacteria was accomplished by repetitive sequence based (rep)-PCR analysis and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Physicochemical, nutritional and sensory characterisation of control and soy-fortified garri was performed using conventional methods. rep-PCR allowed differentiation of 142 isolates into 41 groups corresponding to 6 species of LAB and 25 species of aerobic mesophiles. LAB isolates belonged to the genera Lactobacillus, Weissella, Leuconostoc and Lactococcus with Leuconostoc mesenteroides being the dominant species in control and MSF-cassava while Weissella cibaria dominated SP-cassava fermentation. Aerobic mesophiles included Gram positive and negative bacteria such species of the genera Bacillus, Clostridium, Staphylococcus, Serratia, Acinetobacter and Raoultella. Diversity of aerobic mesophiles varied between control, MSF- and SP- cassava mash. Protein content of soy-fortified garri increased from 0.73% to 10.17% and 10.05% in MSF and SP garri respectively with a significant decrease in total cyanide from 26 to 11 ppm. Results from physicochemical and organoleptic evaluation indicate that supplementation of cassava with soy products prior to fermentation can produce acceptable garri. Soy products can be considered a viable option for protein fortification of garri, a low protein food with the aim of combating malnutrition

Physicochemical properties of teas sold in Abuja, Nigeria, and evaluation of their caffeine content using HPLC

Tea is commonly consumed in Nigeria. Caffeine, a major constituent in tea, has some beneficial pharmacological properties, but can negatively affect human health if consumed excessively. The objective of the study was to evaluate some physicochemical properties and caffeine content of teas marketed in FCT, Abuja, Nigeria. Ten commercial brands of teas (8 black teas and 2 green teas) were assessed for weight variation, moisture content and pH tests using standard methods. Extraction of caffeine was carried out and the identity determined by thin layer chromatography and melting points, respectively. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for analysis of caffeine was developed, validated, and applied to determine caffeine content in the tea brands. Results of the weight, moisture content and pH tests of the samples ranged from 2.07–2.33 g, 5.65–11.0 % and 4.9–5.5, respectively. Caffeine was isolated from all the samples and showed same Rf value (0.46) with that of the reference standard. Melting points ranged from 236.0–238.5 °C. Caffeine content ranged from 12.25–21.76 mg/g for black teas and 13.35–15.05 mg/g for green teas. The study provides information on the stability, acidity and caffeine content in some commercially available tea brands

Perioperative Quality Initiative (POQI) Consensus Statement on Perioperative Assessment of Right Ventricular Function

BACKGROUND: The right ventricle (RV) plays a central role in the maintenance of effective cardiac pump function. Despite overwhelming evidence that perioperative RV dysfunction (RVD) and failure (RVF) are associated with poor clinical outcomes, there are very few published recommendations or guidelines for comprehensive, evidence-based RV assessment on the risk of developing either during the perioperative period. MAIN TEXT: To address this gap, the Perioperative Quality Initiative-IX (POQI-IX) investigators group, comprised of clinical experts in anesthesiology, cardiovascular surgery, internal medicine, critical care medicine, and advanced practice nursing, has developed a consensus statement based on current literature, published society recommendations, and the clinical expertise of the group. Herein, the group provides recommendations and evidence-based tools related to perioperative RV assessment, functional screening, staging, and the clinical implications of each. These assessment tools are based on comprehensive patient evaluation consisting of physical examination, biomarker data, imaging, and hemodynamic assessment. CONCLUSION: This review presents a comprehensive tool for assessing perioperative RV function. We hope that this simple, intuitive tool can be applied to all phases of perioperative care and thereby improve patient outcomes

Evaluation of the environmental noise levels in Abuja Municipality using mobile phones

Background: Noise remains a nuisance which impacts negatively on the physical, social and psychological wellbeing of man. It aggravates chronic illnesses like hypertension and other cardiopulmonary diseases. Unfortunately, increased activities from industrialization and technological transfers/drifts have tumultuously led to increased noise pollution in most of our fast growing cities today and hence the need for concerted efforts in monitoring and regulating our environmental noise.Objectives: To assess the equivalent noise level (Leq) in Abuja municipality and promote a simple method for regular assessment of Leq within our environment.Methods: This is a cross-sectional community based study of the environmental Leq of Abuja municipality conducted between January 2014 and January 2016. The city was divided into 12 segments including residential, business and market areas via the Abuja Geographic Information System. The major markets were captured separately on a different scale. Measurements were taken with the mobile phone softwares having validated this withExtech 407730 digital sound level meter, serial no Z310135 . Leq(A) were measured at different points and hours of the day and night. The average Leq(A) were classified according to localities and compared with WHO standard safety levels.Results: LeqD ranged 71-92dB(A); 42-79dB(A) and 69-90dB(A) in business/ parks, residential and market places respectively. The Night measurements were similar 18dB(A)-56dB(A) and the day-night Leq(A)=77.2dB(A) and 90.4dB(A) for residential and business zones.Conclusion: The night noise levels are satisfactory but the day and daynight levels are above the recommended tolerable values by WHO and therefore urgently call for awareness and legislative regulations

Structural Racism and Immigrant Health: Exploring the association Between Wage theft, Mental Health, and injury among Latino Day Laborers

BACKGROUND: Although wage theft has been discussed primarily as a labor and human rights issue, it can be conceptualized as an issue of structural racism with important consequences for immigrant health. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to: 1) identify sociodemographic, employment, and stress-related characteristics that increase Latino day laborers\u27 odds of experiencing wage theft; 2) assess the association between wage theft and serious work-related injury; 3) assess the association between wage theft and three indicators of mental health-depression, social isolation, and alcohol use-as a function of wage theft; and 4) assess serious work-related injury as a function of wage theft controlling for mental health. METHODS: Secondary data analyses were based on survey data collected from 331 Latino day laborers between November 2013 and July 2014. Regression analyses were conducted to test the relationships described above. RESULTS: Approximately 25% of participants reported experiencing wage theft and 20% reported serious work-related injury. Wage theft was associated with working in construction and was initially associated with work-related injury. Wage theft was not significantly associated with mental health indicators. The association between wage theft and injury became non-significant when controlling for the mental health variables. CONCLUSIONS: The hardship and stress associated with wage theft incidents may ultimately lead to more frequent injury. Although we expected an association of wage theft with mental health, we found vulnerability to physical health as indicated by injury incidents. Thus, our basic premise was partially supported: wage theft may act as a stressor that stems from conditions, in part, reflecting structural racism, making workers vulnerable to poorer health

Challenges and Frugal Remedies for Lowering Facility Based Neonatal Mortality and Morbidity: A Comparative Study

Millennium development goal target on infant mortality (MDG4) by 2015 would not be realised in some low-resource countries. This was in part due to unsustainable high-tech ideas that have been poorly executed. Prudent but high impact techniques could have been synthesised in these countries. A collaborative outreach was initiated to devise frugal measures that could reduce neonatal deaths in Nigeria. Prevailing issues of concern that could militate against neonatal survival within care centres were identified and remedies were proffered. These included application of (i) recycled incubator technology (RIT) as a measure of providing affordable incubator sufficiency, (ii) facility-based research groups, (iii) elective training courses for clinicians/nurses, (iv) independent local artisans on spare parts production, (v) power-banking and apnoea-monitoring schemes, and (v) 1/2 yearly failure-preventive maintenance and auditing system. Through a retrospective data analyses 4 outreach centres and one control were assessed. Average neonatal mortality of centres reduced from 254/1000 to 114/1000 whilst control remained at 250/1000. There was higher relative influx of incubator-dependent-neonates at outreach centres. It was found that 43% of mortality occurred within 48 hours of presentation (d48) and up to 92% of d48 were of very-low birth parameters. The RIT and associated concerns remedies have demonstrated the vital signs of efficiency that would have guaranteed MDG4 neonatal component in Nigeria