Effects of cassia tora leaf extracts on blood glucose and lipid profile of alloxan - induced diabetic Rats.

Background: Many leafy vegetables and their extracts have been found to be effective in the management of many non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Objective: The study investigated the effect of methanol extract of Cassia tora leaf on blood glucose and lipid profile of alloxan – induced diabetic rats. Materials and methods: Two kilogramme of fresh Cassia tora leaves (tabsa) was bought from Mubi daily market, Adamawa state Nigeria. The vegetables were picked, cleaned and pulverized using gallenkamp mixer kenwood – MPR 201. Methanol (extracting solvent) was used to produce the leaf extracts. A half of the vegetable extracts were used to determine the proximate, some minerals, vitamins, antinutrients and phytochemical compositions of the leaves using standard methods. The other half of the extracts was used with rat chow for feeding rats to ascertain the effect of the compositions on blood glucose and lipid profile of alloxan - induced diabetic rats using standard methods.A standard antidiabetic drug served as the standard control. Rat chow and Water was given adlibitum. Means and standard deviation of the triplicate determinations of all the data were calculated with Statistical Product and Service Solution (SPSS) version 20. Results: The results revealed high amounts of proximate components, minerals, vitamins, phytochemicals and low levels of antinutrients in the Cassia tora leaf extracts. The animal studies showed that the rats fed with 1000mg / kg BW of Cassia tora leaf extract had reduced blood glucose concentration (23.92%) more than the group fed with standard antidiabetic drug used (17.23 %) (p<0.05). It also improved the lipid profile. Conclusion: The methanol extracts of Cassia tora leaf have antidiabetic potentials

Evaluation of techniques for removal of spacecraft contaminants from activated carbon

Alternative techniques for the regeneration of carbon contaminated with various spacecraft contaminants were evaluated. Four different modes of regeneration were evaluated: (1) thermal desorption via vacuum, (2) thermal desorption via nitrogen purge, (3) in-situ catalytic oxidation of adsorbed contaminants, and (4) in-situ non-catalytic oxidation of adsorbed contaminants

Animal Cruelty: A Review

Animal Cruelty cases make headlines around the world every day, whether it’s the person who kills the neighbour’s cat, the hoarder of sick and dying animals or the family whose freezing, starving dog is tied up outside in the middle of the winter. Animal Cruelty has several types which may be one of Simple Neglect, Gross Neglect, Intentional Abuse, Animal Hoarding, Organized Abuse, Ritualistic Abuse or Animal Sexual Assault. These cases of Cruelty cannot be overlooked as it has proven to have severe implications ranging from the fact that it is linked to other crimes, to the factual truth that these practises inflict great pain on these animals that have nobody to speak for them. Combating this menace of Animal Cruelty is a Journey that must be undertaken and everybody including the Government, NGOs and even Culture has a major role to play in this.  This review looks at Animal Cruelty in the world while paying a little more attention to Nigeria

Duration of Exposure and Mortality of Different Strains of Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) (Coleoptera: bostrichidae) Exposed to Bifenthrin Insecticide in the Laboratory

The length of exposure time to Bifenthrin on four strains of larger grain borer Prostephanus truncatus Horn (Coloeoptera: Bostrichidae) was studied in the laboratory at 28 -330C and 7

The Relationship between Selected Anthropometric Indices and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Apparently Healthy Young Adults in a Nigerian Community

Background and Aim: Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is a useful tool for establishment of baseline fitness status and monitoring of physical activity level. Therefore, it may by extension serve as health risk index. However, studies that have determined the correlation between anthropometric indices and CRF in apparently healthy young adults is difficult to find in other to preempt preventive actions before pathology develops. Materials and Methods: Using a descriptive correlational research design, 325 participants (160 males, 165 females) with mean age of 21.87±2.41 years were sampled. Tape measure, stop watch, metronome, sphygmomanometer, stethoscope, height meter, bathroom weighing scale, modified Borg’s exertion scale and step benches were used to obtain the blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, rate of perceived exertion, height, weight, waist circumference and cardiorespiratory fitness was estimated using the mean heart rate responses of the participants. The data was summarized using frequency count, percentages, range, mean, standard deviation, Independent t-test and Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation at alpha level of 0.05. Results: CRF significantly correlated with post-test systolic blood pressure (p= 0.004), post-test diastolic blood pressure (p= 0.010) and resting heart rate (p= <0.0001) but not with BMI (p= 0.133), waist circumference (p= 0.098), pre-test systolic blood pressure (p= 0.155), pre-test diastolic blood pressure (p= 0.121), resting respiratory rate (p= 0.631), and respiratory rate recovery (p= 0.478). Conclusion: CRF can be used as an index to quantify in apparently healthy participants, level of cardiovascular and respiratory related disease risks. It is necessary to emphasize the importance of physical activity in order to improve one’s cardiorespiratory fitness and minimize the risk of cardiorespiratory associated diseases

Screening of Locally Available Lemon Grass (Cymbopogon citratus) for Repellency Action against Aedes aegypti

In Nigeria, re-emergence of diseases caused by Aedes mosquito borne pathogens, and challenges associated with existing control tools occur. This necessitates an improved insecticide-based tool for use in Integrated Vector Management. So, repellent action of Cymbopogon citratus essential oil (EO) on Aedes aegypti (Linn.) was tested. The EO from C. citratus plant sourced from Awka, was extracted by hydro distillation, and the phytochemicals analyzed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. Repellent action of the EO on unfed Ae. aegypti was assessed using "WHO arm-in-cage" method. In triplicate, arms of human volunteers were treated with different concentrations (50.0, 25.0, 12.5, 6.25 and 3.125 % v/v) of the EO and submitted to 25-caged, unfed Ae. aegypti for 1 minute in every 30 minutes. β-cedrenes, kaempferol, and thujopsene dominated the 13 phytochemicals identified. The standard (Odomos®) and all EO concentrations recorded 100 % repellency on application. At 30 minutes, EC99.9 value was25.0 %, concentrations ≥ 62.5 % v/v gave 100 % repellency (p > 0.05). At 60 minutes, EC99.9 value was 30.68 %, concentrations ≥ 12.5 % v/v gave 100 % repellency (p > 0.05). At 90 to 120 minutes, 50 % concentration maintained 100 % repellency (p < 0.05), EC99.9 value was 48.79 % at 120 minutes. Recording 120 minutes protection time with no adverse effect, 50 % concentration showed equal potency as Odomos®. Research to isolate the active ingredients in the EO for incorporation into beneficial health and economic products is desirable.

COVID-19 associated pulmonary aspergillosis in patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation treatment-a retrospective study

BACKGROUND: The incidence and outcome of pulmonary aspergillosis in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) are unknown and have not been fully addressed. We investigated the incidence, risk factors and outcome of pulmonary aspergillosis in COVID-19 ECMO patients. In addition, the diagnostic utility of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and CT scans in this setting were assessed. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study on incidence and outcome of pulmonary aspergillosis in COVID-19 ECMO patients by reviewing clinical, radiological, and mycological evidence. These patients were admitted to a tertiary cardiothoracic centre during the early COVID-19 surge between March 2020 and January 2021. Results and measurements: The study included 88 predominantly male COVID-19 ECMO patients with a median age and a BMI of 48 years and 32 kg/m2, respectively. Pulmonary aspergillosis incidence was 10% and was associated with very high mortality. Patients with an Aspergillus infection were almost eight times more likely to die compared with those without infection in multivariate analysis (OR 7.81, 95% CI: 1.20-50.68). BALF GM correlated well with culture results, with a Kappa value of 0.8 (95% CI: 0.6, 1.0). However, serum galactomannan (GM) and serum (1-3)-β-D-glucan (BDG) lacked sensitivity. Thoracic computed tomography (CT) diagnostic utility was also inconclusive, showing nonspecific ground glass opacities in almost all patients. CONCLUSIONS: In COVID-19 ECMO patients, pulmonary aspergillosis incidence was 10% and associated with very high mortality. Our results support the role of BALF in the diagnosis of pulmonary aspergillosis in COVID-19 ECMO patients. However, the diagnostic utility of BDG, serum GM, and CT scans is unclear

The Impact of Space Radiation Environment on Satellites Operation in Near-Earth Space

Energetic particles and electromagnetic radiation (EM) from solar events and galactic cosmic rays can bombard and interact with satellites’ exposed surfaces, and sometimes possess enough energy to penetrate their surface. Among other known effects, the scenario can cause accelerated orbit decay due to atmospheric drag, sporadic and unexplainable errors in functions of sensitive parts, degradation of critical properties of structural materials, jeopardy of flight worthiness, transient and terminal health hazard to both onboard passengers and astronauts, and sometimes a catastrophic failure that can abruptly end satellite mission. The understanding of the dynamics of the space radiation environment and associated effects is critically important for satellites design and operation in ionospheric plasma environment, in which satellites are designed to function. In this chapter we review some satellite anomalies associated with the space radiation environment and conclude with mitigation effort that can reduce such impact