A study of abundance of planktonic organisms in Lekan-Are Lake, Ogun State, Nigeria

A study of the plankton abundance in the shore, surface and bottom of Lake Lekan-Are Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria was carried out between January 2007 and August 2008 at three stations along the entire stretch of the lake. The numerical abundance of the plankton in this lake was investigated. There were marked seasonal variations in the zooplankton and phytoplankton of the lake. Four major groups of phytoplankton were identified Baccilariophyceae (diatoms), Chlorophyceae (green algae) and Cyanophyceae (blue green). The green algae dominated the phytoplankton constituting 63.3% in the surface and 54.8% in the bottom zone of the lake. The phytoplankton density was at its peak in sunny months of January to early June that coincided with the period of high temperature. The three major groups of zooplankton observed in the lake were Cladocera, Copepoda and Rotifera. The Copepoda dominated the three habitats 83.37% (shore), 82.73% (surface) and 80.26% (bottom). Copepoda also dominated at the three stations of the lake. The  seasonality of zooplankton followed a similar pattern with that of the phytoplankton reaching a peak between February and May.Keywords: Numerical abundance, plankton Lekan Area, Nigeri

Incidence and susceptibility pattern of clinical isolates from pus producing infection to antibiotics and Carica papaya seed extract

The prevalence of bacterial pathogens isolated from pus producing infections (wound, eye and ear) randomly collected from the Medical Microbiology Laboratory of University College Hospital (UCH),Ibadan, Nigeria was determined. Their susceptibility to selected antibiotics and Carica papaya seed extracts was investigated. Bacterial pathogen identity was confirmed based on standard methods which included, Gram stain reaction, colonial morphology on media, lactose fermentation, catalase,oxidase,coagulase and indole tests. The antibiogram was carried out using standard disc agar diffusion method employing commercially prepared antibiotic disc (Abtek Limited) of amoxycillin (25mcg), co-trimoxazole (25 mcg), nitrofurantoin (300 mcg), gentamicin (10 mcg), nalidixic acid (30 mcg),ofloxacin (30 mcg), augmentin (30 mcg) and tetracycline (10 mcg). A total of 58 isolates were obtained out of which 31 were from wound, 12 from ear and 15 from eye. 41 of the isolates wererecovered from adults, while 17 were from children. Staphylococcus aureus was found to be the most common organism recovered (51.7%), followed by Klebsiella spp. (11%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (11%),Proteus spp. (6.9%) and Escherichia coli (3.4%). From wound swabs, S. aureus isolates was the highest (51.6%) followed by Klebsiella spp. (22.6%),  Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus spp. (9.7% each) and E. coli (6.45%). In ear infection, P. aeruginosa accounted for 58.3%, S. aureus 25%, while Klebsiella spp. and Proteus spp. accounted for 16.6% each. In eye infection, S. aureus and Klebsiella spp. were more frequently isolated with 73.3 and 20%, respectively. The antibiogram studies showed that all the organisms were highly sensitive to ofloxacin as follows: S. aureus (80%), Klebsiella spp. (100%), P. aeruginosa (100%), Proteus spp. (100%) and E. coli (100%) while P. aeruginosa (63.6%), S. aureus (76.6%) and E. coli (100%) were sensitive to gentamicin and Klebsiella spp. (18.2%) and Proteus spp. (25%) were resistant. The organisms were resistant to all the other antibiotics tested namely: amoxycillin, co-trimoxazole, nitrofurantoin, nalidixic, augmentin and tetracycline. C. papaya extract showed antimicrobial activity which compared favourably with the commercial antibiotic discs against the Gram positive and negative bacteria tested, except Klebsiella spp. The highest activity was demonstrated against P. aeruginosa.Key word: Susceptibility, bacterial pathogens, pus, infection, antibiotics, Carica papaya extract

Recurrent Galactorrhoea: A consequence of unheeded primary hypothyroidism

Background: Primary hypothyroidism can lead to hyperprolactinemia through several mechanisms in both men and women, manifesting as galactorrhoea, loss of libido, and infertility in both sexes, as oligomenorrhea/amenorrhea in women, and as gynecomastia and erectile dysfunction in men. Case presentation: Here presented is a 28-year-old Nigerian woman with a history of recurrent bilateral painless galactorrhoea of 12 years’ duration and persistent low mood. Physical examination was unremarkable. The hormonal assay revealed elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone, elevated serum prolactin, low thyroxine, and low triiodothyronine levels. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed normal findings. A diagnosis of hyperprolactinemia secondary to primary hypothyroidism was made. Pharmacological therapy began with thyroid hormone replacement therapy and a dopamine agonist: 75 micrograms of levothyroxine daily and 0.5 micrograms of cabergoline twice weekly for 8 weeks. After 8 weeks of pharmacological therapy, hormonal assay revealed values within the reference range with significant symptomatic improvement evidenced by cessation of galactorrhoea and low mood. Conclusion: Primary hypothyroidism has been proven to be one of the numerous causes of hyperprolactinemia and it could be unheeded in a patient who does not present with the typical signs and symptoms of primary hypothyroidism

Colorimetric Assay Of Naproxen Tablets by Derivatization Using 4-Carboxyl-2,6-Dinitrobenzene Diazonium Ion

A colorimetric assay of naproxen tablets based on chemical derivatization with the chromogenic reagent 4-carboxyl-2,6-dinitrobenzene diazonium ion was developed. The optimal reaction time was found to be 5 min at 30 oC after vortex mixing of the drug/reagent mixture for 10 s. The optimal analytical wavelength was found to be 470 nm and linearity of response was obtained between 1-7 μgml-1 of naproxen. The diazo coupling reaction occurred in a 2:1 reagent-drug stoichiometric ratio. The method is sensitive, accurate (mean recovery 101.06±3.06 %), reproducible (imprecision 3.03 % CV) and has a low limit of detection (0.95 μgm-1). It was applied in the assay of naproxen tablets with equivalent accuracy (p>0.05) to the official (BP) UV spectrophotometric method but combined the advantages of speed and more affordable instrumentation. The method can be applied in the in-process quality control of naproxen tablets.Keywords: Naproxen assay, 4-carboxyl-2,6-dintrobenzene diazonium ion (CDNBD), colorimetry, diazo coupling reactionEast and Central African Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Vol. 12 (2009) 8-1

Novel colorimetric assay of mefenamic acid using 4-amino-3,5-dinitrobenzoic acid (ADBA)

Purpose: To develop a novel colorimetric assay method for mefenamic acid capsules. Method: The new method (aromatic ring derivatization technique) is based on a diazo coupling reaction using diazotized 4-amino-3,5-dinitrobenzoic acid (ADBA) as a chromogenic derivatizing reagent. Result: Optimization studies showed that the coupling reaction is very fast and completed in less than 1 minute. A 1:1 drug to reagent stoichiometric ratio was obtained for the azo dye formed. The azo adduct formed exhibits bathochromic shift with absorption maximum (lmax) at 490 nm, which was selected as the analytical wavelength. Lower limit of quantitation of mefenamic acid was 1 mg/ml. The assays were linear over the concentration range of 1 - 6 mg/ml and reproducible. This new method has been successfully applied in the assay of mefenamic acid capsules with accuracy similar to the official (B.P) titrimetric method of assay (p>0.05) and has the advantages of speed, high sensitivity, lower limit of detection and can be automated. Conclusion: The method developed could find application in in-process quality control of mefenamic acid capsules. Keywords: Mefenamic acid assay, 4-amino-3,5-dinitrobenzoic acid, colorimetry, diazotization Trop J Pharm Res, June 2002; 1(1): 15-2

An assessment of the effect of industrial pollution on Ibese River, Lagos, Nigeria

This paper deals with pollution aspect of environmental management and monitoring of the river for its sustainable development. The water quality assessment of Ibese River, which is the principal river of the Igbogbo Abayeku Areas of Ikorodu in Lagos, was performed. Assessment was undertaken according to different physical and chemical parameters including biological oxygen demand (BOD), dissolved oxygen (DO), electric conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), alkalinity, acidity, total hardness (TH), grease content, major cation and anion, and some heavy metals. Results showed that the river, which was of good water quality at its upstream, in terms of the aforementioned parameters, becomes progressively polluted by the waste materials discharged along its course. A general downstream trend of increase in organic and inorganic pollution was declared. Thus, Ibese River currently faces a number of serious environmental and ecological challenges. Urbanization and industrialization of the watershed at Ibese area in Ikorodu contributed to the water quality deterioration with regional consequences on the aquatic ecosystem and on the health of the downstream’s user groups. This synergetic effect is of concern for the sustainable use of the resources.Key words: Nigeria, Ibese River, water pollution, major cation and anion, heavy metals, water quality deterioration

From traditional birth attendants to hospital: a maternal near-miss

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A New Bioactive Thiophenolic Glycoside From The Leaf Of Massularia Acuminata (G. Don Bullock) Ex Hoyle (Rubiaceae)

Background: Massularia acuminata is a small tree or shrub of tropical rainforest. The leaves are used in Nigerian ethno-medicine for the treatment of microbial infections and pharmacological report suggested the leaf extract as possessing antioxidant activity. This study was therefore carried out to determine the most antioxidant and antimicrobial active  fraction(s) of Massularia acuminata leaf and the constituent(s) responsible for the activities.Matherials and Methods: The leaf of Massularia acuminata was investigated for in vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, using a  2,2- diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay and agar  dilution method respectively.Results: The ethyl acetate fraction demonstrated the best activities among the partitioned fractions tested. Bioassay guided purification of the most active ethyl acetate fraction led to isolation of a new thiophenolic glycoside, characterized as 4-(3´,3´-dihydroxy-1-mercaptopropyl)phenyl glycosylpyranoside.Conclusion: The isolated compound from the leaf of Massularia acuminata demonstrated antioxidant and antimicrobial activities and may be responsible for the activities of leaf extract and its ethyl acetate fraction, hence this may justify its ethnomedicinal use.Key words: Massularia acuminata, antioxidant, antimicrobial, DPPH, agar dilution, thiophenolic glycosid

Injection-induced Sciatic Nerve Injury Among Children Managed in a Nigerian Physiotherapy Clinic: A Five-Year Review

Injection-induced sciatic nerve injury is a well-known complication of intra-muscular gluteus muscle injections. Affected individuals usually present with foot drop and this results in varying degrees of motor disability depending on the timing, quality and duration of the remedial measures instituted. This study was carried out to evaluate the pattern of cases of injection-induced sciatic nerve injury among children referred to the Outpatient Physiotherapy Clinic of the Federal Medical Centre, Ido-Ekiti, Nigeria. A retrospective review of the case notes of all paediatric patients referred to the physiotherapy clinic on account of injection-induced sciatic nerve injury from November 2005 to October 2010 was done. Information obtained included age, gender, side affected, personnel/place where injection was administered, the mode of physiotherapy intervention, number of sessions, impairment variables at presentation and underlying indication for injection administration. A total of 33 (19.64%) cases of sciatic nerve palsy out of 168 paediatric patients managed at the physiotherapy clinic within this 5-year period were reviewed. The ages of the participants ranged from 0-14 years. Sixteen (48.5%) of the patients were male while 17 (51.6%) were female. The side affected in 17 (51.6%) of the patients was the right while the left was affected in 16 (48.5%) patients. The right side was more affected in the females (12) while the left side was more affected in the males (11). Most incidences of injection-induced sciatic nerve palsy occurred in private hospitals (45.5%). A majority of the patients (69.7%), as reported by their carers and relatives, had the injections administered by nurses. The results revealed that a lot of effort should be made by the relevant authorities to ensure that medical and health professionals who administer injections adhere strictly to safe ethical practices and that unqualified personnel are not allowed to operate. Keywords: children, sciatic nerve palsy, injectio