A Tribute to Prof Folagbade Olusoga Peter Oriola

No Abstrac

Sperm parameters of male Wistar rats treated with Anacardium occidentale L. leaf extract

Objective: Annacardium occidentale is a medicinal plant with several biological properties. Phytochemical screening of its leaf and stem bark was reported to be rich in alkaloids, polyphenols, tannins and saponins. Many plant extract with these phytochemicals are reputed for their antifertility activities. This study was therefore designed to investigate the effects of Annacardium occidentale leaf extract (AOLE) on sperm parameters of male rats.Methods: Fifteen male rats were randomly assigned to 3 groups (n=5). Group 1 served as the control and received 0.5 ml of the vehicle (distilled water). Groups 2 and 3 received 50 and 200 mg/kg respectively (daily, p.o) for 6 weeks. All rats were sacrificed by cervical decapitation. Organ weights and sperm analysis (motility, viability, count, volume and morphology) were determined.Results: AOLE had no effect on total body weight, visceral organ weights and weights of testes, caudal epididymis, seminal vesicle and prostate gland. Also sperm viability, sperm count, sperm volume and the percentage of sperm cells with abnormal morphology was not affected by AOLE treatment.Conclusion: AOLE at doses administered caused a slight decline in sperm motility but had no effect on other male reproductive parameters.Keywords: Annacardium occidentale, sperm, antifertility, phytochemical

Assessment of Activity Concentration and Health Effects of Radiation Exposure from Dumpsite Soil Samples Within Kaduna Metropolis, Nigeria

The concentration of naturally occurring radionuclides 238U, 232Th and 40K in soil samples from eighteen selected dumpsites within Kaduna metropolis  were analyzed using NaI(Tl) γ– spectrometry in order to determine their activities and assess the potential radiological health hazards associated with the  soils. In comparison with the recommended limit, activity concentrations of the radionuclide 40K are higher than the worldwide average value in four  of the sites while 238U is higher than the world average value in six of the sites. Whereas for 232Th, values were below the recommended average  value in all except two sites. To assess the radiological hazards of the soil samples, twelve radiological and health hazard indices were calculated. The  results indicated that in twelve out of the eighteen sites analyzed, some of the health hazard parameters were higher than the recommended levels.  Hence, there is a fingering potential radiological hazard directly associated with the soils from these twelve locations. In the remaining six sites, the  hazard parameters were below the recommended average level, and poses no health risk to people living around the sites. A comparison between the  values obtained from dumpsites and that obtained from the control site shows that the effect of NORM on dumpsite is considerably less significant to  NORM from farming locations as a result of extensive use of fertilizers and chemicals during the farming seasons.&nbsp

In vivo anti-malarial activity of propranolol against experimental Plasmodium berghei ANKA infection in mice

Background: Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease caused by Plasmodium spp, which is widespread in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. The objective of this study is to evaluate in vivo antimalarial activity of propranolol against experimental Plasmodium berghei ANKA (PbA) infection in a mouse model.Methods: A total of 36 mice weighing between 15 to 18g were randomly divided into six groups of six mice each. Mice in the first group (SAL) were non-infected with P. berghei but received normal saline (control), second group (PbA) were mice infected without treatment (control), third group (PRL) were non-infected mice treated with propranolol at the dose of 7.5 mg/kg/bid, fourth group (PbA+PRL) were mice infected and treated with same dose of propranolol, fifth group (QUN) were non-infected mice treated with quinine at a dose of 20 mg/kg stat, then 10 mg/kg bid, and sixth group (PbA+QUN) were infected mice treated with quinine. Parasitaemia, physiological conditions (cognitive function, temperature) and lethality of infected mice were monitored over 7-day period to assess the antimalarial activity of propranolol and quinine. The Y-maze paradigm was used to assess cognitive impairment induced by PbA infection. The effects of propranolol on malaria indices and cognitive impairment were compared with that of quinine and the control using T-test statistical method.Results: Mortality of mice at day 7 in the infected group without treatment (PbA) was 100% (6/6) while mortality was 50% (3/6) in infected group treated with propranolol (PbA+PRL) and 33.3% (2/6) in infected group treated with quinine (PbA+QUN) (OR=2.000, p=1.000). No mortality was recorded in any of the three groups of uninfected mice. Propranolol reduced parasitaemia to a trough level of 1.40±0.07 three days after treatment, comparable to trough level of 1.39±0.0633 by quinine but did not reverse PbA-induced hypothermia, which quinine did.Conclusion: Propranolol demonstrated in vivo antimalarial activity against experimental PbA infection in mice comparable to that of quinine. Keywords: malaria, propranolol, quinine, Plasmodium, cerebral malaria French Title: Activité antipaludique in vivo du propranolol contre l'infection expérimentale par Plasmodium berghei ANKA chez la souris   Contexte: Le paludisme est une maladie infectieuse transmise par les moustiques causée par Plasmodium spp, qui est répandue dans les régions tropicales et subtropicales du monde. L'objectif de cette étude est d'évaluer l'activité antipaludique in vivo du propranolol contre une infection expérimentale à Plasmodium berghei ANKA (PbA) dans un modèle murin. Méthodes: Un total de 36 souris pesant entre 15 et 18 g ont été réparties au hasard en six groupes de six souris chacun. Les souris du premier groupe (SAL) n'étaient pas infectées par P. berghei mais ont reçu une solution saline normale (contrôle), le deuxième groupe (PbA) était des souris infectées sans traitement (contrôle), le troisième groupe (PRL) était des souris non infectées traitées par propranolol à la dose de 7,5mg/kg/bid, le quatrième groupe (PbA+PRL) étaient des souris infectées et traitées avec la même dose de propranolol, le cinquième groupe (QUN) étaient des souris non infectées traitées avec de la quinine à une dose de 20mg/kg stat, puis 10mg/kg bid et le sixième groupe (PbA+QUN) étaient des souris infectées traitées avec de la quinine. La parasitémie, les conditions physiologiques (fonction cognitive, température) et la létalité des souris infectées ont été surveillées sur une période de 7 jours pour évaluer l'activité antipaludique du propranolol et de la quinine. Le paradigme du labyrinthe en Y a été utilisé pour évaluer les troubles cognitifs induits par l'infection au PbA. Les effets du propranolol sur les indices du paludisme et les troubles cognitifs ont été comparés à ceux de la quinine et du témoin à l'aide de la méthode statistique du test T. Résultats: La mortalité des souris au jour 7 dans le groupe infecté sans traitement (PbA) était de 100% (6/6) tandis que la mortalité était de 50% (3/6) dans le groupe infecté traité avec du propranolol (PbA+PRL) et 33,3% ( 2/6) dans le groupe infecté traité par la quinine (PbA+QUN) (OR=2.000, p=1.000). Aucune mortalité n'a été enregistrée dans aucun des trois groupes de souris non infectées. Le propranolol a réduit la parasitémie à un niveau minimum de 1,40±0,07 trois jours après le traitement, comparable au niveau minimum de 1,39±0,0633 de la quinine, mais n'a pas inversé l'hypothermie induite par le PbA, ce que la quinine a fait. Conclusion: le propranolol a démontré une activité antipaludique in vivo contre l'infection expérimentale au PbA chez la souris comparable à celle de la quinine. Mots-clés: paludisme, propranolol, quinine, Plasmodium, paludisme cérébra

Prevalence and Correlates of Reproductive Morbidity among Female Traders in Ibadan Nigeria

Background: Efforts to mobilise resources for reproductive health services require data on common reproductive morbidities which constitute a significant proportion of global ill-health among women of reproductive age. This study assessed the prevalence and correlates of reproductive morbidity among female traders of reproductive age in Ibadan, Nigeria.Methods: Using systematic random sampling, 410 female traders aged 15-49 years were selected and data collected with interviewer-administered structured questionnaires in a cross-sectional study at a major Ibadan market. Univariate, bivariate and multivariate analysis were done using SPSS version 23.0 and WINPEPI version 11.65 at 5% significance level.Results: The respondents’ mean age was 34.6±7.8 years and 223 (58.7%) had secondary education. Most 349 (91.8%) had experienced reproductive morbidity, of which 279 (79.9%) had gynaecologic morbidities with menstrual problems (273; 97.8%) being the commonest; 262 (75.1%) had obstetric morbidities among whom 221 (84.4%) had pregnancy complications while 185 (53.0%) experienced intimate partner violence (IPV). Women aged 30-39 years had lower odds of any reproductive (OR=0.27; 95% CI=0.08–0.89) and obstetric morbidities (OR=0.18; 95% CI=0.10–0.31) while those ≥40years had twice the odds of gynaecologic morbidity (OR=2.18; 95% CI=1.22–3.90) as those <30 years. The odds of IPV and of experiencing any reproductive morbidity reduced with increasing wealth status.Conclusion: Reproductive morbidity is common among traders in Ibadan. Obstetric and gynaecological morbidities were commoner among older women while higher wealth status was a protective factor. Reproductive health interventions should prioritise older and poorer women as at-risk groups for gynaecological interventions. Keywords: Reproductive morbidity; Female traders; Pregnancy complications; Menstrual problems; Intimate partner violence; Ibada

Tree Species Diversity and Abundance of Akure Forest Reserve, Ondo State, Nigeria

This study was carried out to examine the tree species diversity and abundance in a natural forest ecosystem in the Southwestern region of Nigeria. Data were collected from a four equal size sampling plot of 50×50m in a permanent sample plot section of Akure Forest Reserve. All living trees with DBH ≥ 10cm were measured and identified. A total of 956 trees were encountered. These trees were from 42 genera and 20 families. Celtis zenkeri belonging to the family of Ulmaceae was the species with the highest population distribution while Sterculiaceae was the dominant family in the study area. The Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index (Hˈ) of 3.196 and species evenness of 0.84 were obtained from the study area. The high values of diversity indices obtained indicated that the forest is rich in biodiversity and hence should be protected from any forms of disturbance to enhance sustainability as well as protect the rare species in it from going into extinction

Linear Body Measurement Relationship in White Fulani Cattle in Derived Savannah zone of Nigeria

The study was conducted to evaluate genetic relationship between linear body measurements of white Fulani cattle in the derived savannah zone of Nigeria. Data was collected on 45 white Fulani cattle (19 female and 26 male). Linear body measurement (LBM) traits measured were Body length (BDL), Hip height (HPH), Heart girth (HG), Horn length (HL), Tail length (TL), Ear length (EL) and Thoracic length (THL). Data generated were analyzed using SAS procedure. The mean of BDL, HPH, HG, HL, TL, EL, and THL of both female and male were 39.65-33.07, 57.28-48.55, 8.10-7.69, 18.92-9.73, 36.73-32.15, 49.10-46.06, and 28.73-20.73 respectively. Result indicated that Body length was significantly (p<0.05) different in favor of female cattle. Similar result was obtained for other LBM. HG gave highest coefficient of determination in both sexes (0.92; female and 0.89; male) followed by HL (0.82; female and 0.64; male). Relationships between the variables were positive and significant, highest values were obtained between body length and hearth girth (0.823) while lowest value was obtained between ear length and tail length. Relationships between the variables were positive and significant, highest values were obtained body length and hearth girth while lowest value was obtained between ear length and tail length. Conclusively, relationship that existed between body measurement can be exploited for selection and breeding programme in white Fulani cattle. Keywords: Genetic, Variables, coefficient and selectio

Influence of sintering temperature on hardness and wear properties of TiN Nano reinforced SAF 2205

Abstract: Conventional duplex stainless steel degrade in wear and mechanical properties at high temperature. Attempts have been made by researchers to solve this problems leading to the dispersion of second phase particles into duplex matrix. Powder metallurgy methods have been used to fabricate dispersion strengthened steels with a challenge of obtaining fully dense composite and grain growth. This could be resolved by appropriate selection of sintering parameters especially temperature. In this research, spark plasma sintering was utilized to fabricate nanostructured duplex stainless steel grade SAF 2205 with 5 wt.% nano TiN addition at different temperatures ranging from 1000 °C to 1200 °C. The effect of sintering temperature on the microstructure, density, hardness and wear of the samples was investigated. The results showed that the densities and grain sizes of the sintered nanocomposites increased with increasing the sintering temperature. The microstructures reveal ferrite and austenite grains with fine precipitates within the ferrite grains. The study of the hardness and wear behaviors, of the samples indicated that the optimum properties were obtained for the sintering temperature of 1150 °C

Wear behaviour of cast aluminium silicon (Al-Si) alloy in dot 4 brake fluid

Abstract : The frictional sliding behaviour of cast Al-Si alloy was investigated with and without DOT 4 hydraulic brake fluid lubrication/environments. Cast Al-Si specimen was produced from wrought alloy and the specimen surface was metallurgically prepared. The as- cast product was characterized with aid of micro-hardness tester, the chemical composition was analysed by X-ray fluorescence (XRF), while X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to identify phases present, microstructures and surface examinations were done on a high resolution metallurgical Optical Microscope. The properties of the polished and worn sample surfaces were examined by Scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped with Energy dispersive X- ray (EDS) facilities. A 6mm diameter alumina ball under varying normal loads (3-10 N) was rubbed against the surface of the cast Al-Si coupon specimen. The dry and wet sliding wear behaviour was assessed based on the CoF-sliding time behaviour. From the results, the average CoF values of 0.9064 for dry and 0.2038 for wet contacts were obtained. Comparatively, 1.03E-06 and 4.21E-07 minimum wear intensities; and 467290 and 132170 wear resistances were obtained for dry and wet contacts respectively. Behaviour of cast Al-Si in DOT4 were compared with its performance in DOT3 regarding the hydraulic brake system application

Comparing neonatal outcomes in women with preeclampsia and those with normal pregnancy

Background: Preeclampsia has remained an important public health problem in the developing world where it is associated with a five-fold increase in perinatal morbidity and mortality. Objective: We set out to compare neonatal outcomes between women with preeclampsia and those with normal pregnancy. We also sought to evaluate factors associated with poor outcome in the neonates. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective cohort study that enrolled 90 women (45 with preeclampsia and 45 with normal pregnancy) after 20 weeks gestation. Maternal socio-demographic and clinical information was obtained at enrolment and delivery using questionnaire. Neonatalanthropometric and physiologic data was obtained at delivery and used for classifying the birth weight according to the WHO classification. APGAR score was used to evaluate the presence of birth asphyxia. We defined poor outcome as the presence of at least one of low birth weight,  prematurity, birth asphyxia and need for admission. SPSS version 25 was used in all analysis. Significance testing was set at p=0.05. Results: The women with preeclampsia were significantly heavier at booking (BMI 29.0±6.9 Kg/ m2 vs 25.0±5.2. p=0.005), have higher mean booking systolic blood pressure (122.±22.6 mmHg vs 111.5±12.7mmHg, p=0.003) and diastolic blood pressure ( 7 9 . 8 ± 1 4 . 3mm Hgvs 68.8±9.0mmHg, p<0.001). Neonates of women with preeclampsia were significantly more premature ( meangestational age = 36 . 8 ± 3 . 2 week svs 38.7±2.0weeks, p=0.001) and lighter (mean birth weight =2,529±817.5g vs 3,079.2±527.4g, p<0.001). Overall, 22 (49.4%) of the neonates of women with preeclampsiahad significantly poor outcome compared with 12(27.4%) of the neonates of women with normal pregnancy (p=0.01). Univariate logistic analysis showed only being a male neonate, maternal preeclampsia and admission in index pregnancy were significantly associated with poor outcome.  Multivariable logistic regression showed only being a male neonate to be 3 times more likely to have a poor outcome (Wald=5.34. OR=3.2, p=0.02) Conclusions: Intrauterine exposure to preeclampsia is associated with poor neonatal outcomes especially in males Key words: infant outcome, preeclampsia, Nigeri