ANALGESIC EFFECT AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF BOSWELLIA DALZIELII (BURSERACEAE) STEM BARK

Objective: To evaluate the analgesic effect and anti-inflammatory properties of Boswellia dalzielii (Burseraceae), a medicinal plant commonly used in northern Nigeria as an anti-diarrhoeal, antipyretic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent.Methods: Three doses (25 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg) of the crude aqueous extract of Boswellia dalzielii were evaluated for analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities using the acetic acid-induced writhing test, formalin-induced nociception and formalin-induced hind paw oedema in rats. The acute oral toxicity was carried out using the up and down procedure as described by the OECD guidelines.Results: All doses (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg) of the extract tested were effective against acetic acid induced abdominal constrictions producing a percentage inhibition of (55.43, 69.56 and 71.73%) respectively. A percentage inhibition of the formalin-induced nociception of (7.31, 31.70 and 48.78%-early phase) and (12.82, 21.79 and 48.71%-late phase) respectively was also produced. For the acetic acid writhing test, the percentage inhibition obtained at the dose of 50 and 100 mg/kg (69.56 and 71.73%) were higher than that of the standard drug (Piroxicam, 10 mg/kg) (59.78%). For formalin-induced nociception, the test extract at 100 mg/kg showed a higher percentage inhibition compared to Piroxicam, in early (48.78 and 43.90%) and late phase (48.71 and 39.74 %) respectively. The extract, however, did not show a significant activity against formalin-induced paw oedema at all the doses used.Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that Boswellia dalzielii has significant analgesic properties comparable to that of the standard drug (10% Piroxicam), thus validating the traditional claim of its antinociceptive property

Import as a Function of Income in Nigeria from 1970-2016

This research work aims at investigating import as a function of income in Nigerian economy between 1980 and 2014. The econometric techniques used for this thesis are Unit Root Tests, Cointegration, Vector Error Correction, and Granger Causality Methods. These techniques were consistent with seven of the previous studies in the literature review, and the other seven previous studies used other econometric techniques in their papers. Annual time series data was taken from the World Bank Database. The regression model was in logarithms transformation form purposely to linearize the model, to reduce the impact of outliers and thus to avoid spurious regression result. The theoretical expectation is that there is a positive relationship between the IMPORTS and GNI in Nigeria that is the higher is the GNI, the higher will be the consumption and thus the import. One Other variable was introduced to independent variable and the other variable is Real Exchange Rate (REXRt).  LN(IMPORTSt), LN(GNIt) and LN(REXRt) have Unit Roots problem at level but were stationary at first difference statistics. Furthermore, Trace and Max. Eigen Value Test indicates one cointegrating equations at 5% significance level. This thesis shows that there is a long-run relationship between the Imports and the Income in Nigeria between 1980 and 2014. The long-run shows positive relationship while the short-run shows no significant relationship. Keywords: Stationary, Cointegration, VECM, Granger Causality, Import, Incom

Neonatal malaria in Nigeria -a 2 year review

BACKGROUND: In view of the fact that a significant proportion of neonates with malaria may be missed on our wards on the assumption that the disease condition is rare, this study aims at documenting the prevalence of malaria in neonates admitted into our neonatal ward. Specifically, we hope to describe its clinical features and outcome of this illness. Knowledge of these may ensure early diagnosis and institution of prompt management. METHODS: Methods Hospital records of all patients (two hundred and thirty) admitted into the Neonatal ward of Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu between 1st January 1998 and 31(st )December 1999 were reviewed. All neonates (fifty-seven) who had a positive blood smear for the malaria parasite were included in the study. Socio-demographic data as well as clinical correlates of each of the patients were reviewed. The Epi-Info 6 statistical software was used for data entry, validation and analysis. A frequency distribution was generated for categorical variables. To test for an association between categorical variables, the chi-square test was used. The level of significance was put at values less than 5%. RESULTS: Prevalence of neonatal malaria in this study was 24.8% and 17.4% for congenital malaria. While the mean duration of illness was 3.60 days, it varied from 5.14 days in those that died and and 3.55 in those that survived respectively. The duration of illness significantly affected the outcome (p value = 0.03). Fever alone was the clinical presentation in 44 (77.4%) of the patients. Maturity of the baby, sex and age did not significantly affect infestation. However, history of malaria/febrile illness within the 2 weeks preceding the delivery was present in 61.2% of the mothers. Maternal age, concurrent infection and duration of illness all significantly affected the outcome of illness. Forty-two (73.7%) of the babies were discharged home in satisfactory condition. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that taking a blood smear to check for the presence of the malaria parasite should be included as part of routine workup for all neonates with fever or those whose mothers have history of fever two weeks prior to delivery. In addition, health education of pregnant mothers in the antenatal clinic should include early care-seeking for newborns

Prevalence of surgically correctable conditions among children in a mixed urban-rural community in Nigeria using the SOSAS survey tool:Implications for paediatric surgical capacity-building

BackgroundIn many low- and middle-income countries, data on the prevalence of surgical diseases have been derived primarily from hospital-based studies, which may lead to an underestimation of disease burden within the community. Community-based prevalence studies may provide better estimates of surgical need to enable proper resource allocation and prioritization of needs. This study aims to assess the prevalence of common surgical conditions among children in a diverse rural and urban population in Nigeria.MethodsDescriptive cross-sectional, community-based study to determine the prevalence of congenital and acquired surgical conditions among children in a diverse rural-urban area of Nigeria was conducted. Households, defined as one or more persons 'who eat from the same pot' or slept under the same roof the night before the interview, were randomized for inclusion in the study. Data was collected using an adapted and modified version of the interviewer-administered questionnaire-Surgeons OverSeas Assessment of Surgical Need (SOSAS) survey tool and analysed using the REDCap web-based analytic application.Main resultsEight-hundred-and-fifty-six households were surveyed, comprising 1,883 children. Eighty-one conditions were identified, the most common being umbilical hernias (20), inguinal hernias (13), and wound injuries to the extremities (9). The prevalence per 10,000 children was 85 for umbilical hernias (95% CI: 47, 123), and 61 for inguinal hernias (95% CI: 34, 88). The prevalence of hydroceles and undescended testes was comparable at 22 and 26 per 10,000 children, respectively. Children with surgical conditions had similar sociodemographic characteristics to healthy children in the study population.ConclusionThe most common congenital surgical conditions in our setting were umbilical hernias, while injuries were the most common acquired conditions. From our study, it is estimated that there will be about 2.9 million children with surgically correctable conditions in the nation. This suggests an acute need for training more paediatric surgeons

Women’s use of information and communication technology in accessing maternal and child health information in Nigeria

This study investigated the use of information and communication technology (ICT) by women in Nigeria to access maternal and child health (MCH) information, as well as the influence of its use on their health practices. As the relevance of ICT increases as a vital tool for communicating MCH information, an understanding of its use by women to access such information becomes pertinent. A total enumeration of health facilities in Nigeria with on-going e-health projects was conducted. A short questionnaire was completed by 1001 women selected out of 4975 registered mothers at these health facilities using the convenience sampling technique. Nine focus group discussion sessions were also conducted with 30 mothers. MCH information was accessed through mobile phones (76.0%), radio (66.9%), television (55.1%), the Internet (27.3%) and the public address system/projector (2.5%). The MCH information themes accessed were on: appointment reminders (45.0%), emotional changes (39.5%), family planning (34.0%), nutrition (32.8%), medication (30.6%) and breastfeeding (26.0%). Constraints such as unreliable power supply, cost associated with the use of ICT and poor mobile phone network limited the use of ICT. This study has identified the mobile phone as an important ICT tool used in accessing MCH information. It also showed that the use of ICT tools to access MCH information can influence the health practices of women, either positively or negatively. This has implications for policy formulation and design of ICT-powered MCH intervention programmes

Massive Congenital Chylous Ascites in a Nigerian infant: A Case Report

Chyle leakage into peritoneal cavity is an uncommon disorder that may present at any age. It has been reported in many parts of the world particularly Europe, North America and Asia. However, reports from other parts like African and South America are virtually non-existent. We report a case of abdominal distension and bilateral giant inguinoscrotal hernia in a 2-day old neonate that presented at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu. Physical examination and abdominal ultrasonography revealed a massive ascites, among other findings. Peritoneal tap yielded free-flowing fluid that was milky-white in appearance, thus confirming the diagnosis of chylous ascites. Key Words: Chyloperitoneum, Congenital chylous ascites, Neonatal ascites. Nig. Medical Practitioner Vol. 44(2) 2003: 26-2

Identification, assessment of diseases and agronomic parameters of Curcuma amada Roxb (Mango ginger)

Many diseases affect plants, causing physiological dysfunctions and structural deviation from normal. The effects of plant diseases on yield and quality of crops have been documented. Little, however, is known about the pathology and agronomy of Mango ginger (Curcuma amada Roxb.), an under-cultivated crop. The present study was carried out to assess disease incidence and severity of associated fungal diseases of Mango ginger; assess rhizome yield loss due to disease; isolate and identify fungal pathogens associated; evaluate growth parameters of Mango ginger. Mango ginger plants began showing symptoms of leaf spot and leaf blight at first week and at fifth week after emergence, respectively; at twenty-fourth week some rhizomes were visually observed to be affected with rot. Cercospora curcumae, Phyllosticta zingiberi and Colletotrichum capsici; C. gloeosporioides, Alternaria alternata and Rhizoctonia solani; R. solani, Fusarium solani and Pythium aphanidermatum were frequently found associated with leaf spot, leaf blight and rhizome rot, respectively. Correlation coefficient of: Spot Disease Incidence with plant height was −0.04 and −0.05 for 2016 and 2017, respectively; number of leaves in progression with age was significant at p < 0.01 in 2016 (0.63) but insignificant in 2017 (0.32). Also, correlation coefficient of Blight Disease Incidence: with plant height was significant at p < 0.01 in the year 2016 (0.94) and 2017 (0.92); with number of leaves as age progressed was 0.54 and 0.70 for 2016 and 2017, respectively, and significant at p < 0.01. Percentage losses of 3.25 and 3.02, at harvest, due to rhizome rot were recorded for 2016 and 2017, respectively. This study revealed the occurrence of diseases, associated with fungi and fungus-like organisms, and their effect on Mango ginger plants. Keywords: Mango ginger (Curcuma amada Roxb.), Leaf spot, Leaf blight, Rhizome rot, Fungal disease

Exploring People’s Perception on Pros and Cons of Human-Bat Coexistence in Urban Environs in Southwestern Nigeria

This research intricately explores the dynamics surrounding the coexistence of humans and roosting bats in urban areas, meticulously examining both the advantageous and detrimental aspects of their living arrangement. The study conducted a comprehensive survey with 286 residents in Iwo and Ogbomoso, where Eidolon helvum bats are known to roost, generating a robust dataset for thorough analysis. Rigorous statistical assessments, including the KMO and Bartlett’s tests, confirmed the data’s reliability at a significance level of P  < .05. The respondent demographic revealed a predominance of 65% male participants, with an overwhelming 85% claiming familiarity with bats in their respective domains. Utilizing factor analysis, the study identified 8 salient variables from the initial 26, shedding light on diverse perceptions regarding bats: (i) Urban roosting (16.729%); (ii) Impact on tree growth (12.607%); (iii) Failed dislodgement attempts (11.504%); (iv) Medicinal value (10.240%); (v) Co-habitation preference (9.963%); (vi) Costly dislodgment consequences (9.963%); (vii) Beautification disruption (5.615%); and (viii) Structure defacement (5.510%). These factors were systematically categorized into 4 distinct themes: (A) Forced cohabitation (26.762%); (B) Environmental degradation by bats (23.732%); (C) Consequences of dislodging bats (21.477%); and (D) Acknowledged benefits of bats (10.240%). Co-habitation with bats becomes a necessity for ecological balance and, importantly, to safeguard the livelihood of roosting bats within their natural ecology, which man has encroached upon through urbanization, making all negatives arising from such existence self-inflicted by man. However, this study underscores the importance of human-bat cohabitation for mutual benefits, emphasizing potential detrimental consequences, including significant costs, associated with displacing bats from their natural ecosystem. These consequences may exacerbate the impacts of climate change, environmental degradation, and ecological imbalance. Further research is recommended to explore the positive aspects of the sustainable roosting bats’ existence in the natural environment