Determination of some heavy metals in groundwater and table water in Tudun Murtala, Nassarawa Local Government Area, Kano-Nigeria

This study determine the level of heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cr, Zn, Fe) in water samples obtained from different sources (well water, borehole water and table water) in Tudun Murala, Nassarawa local government area, Kano state. The concentrations of heavy metals in the water samples were determined using flame Atomic Absorption spectrometer. Results showed that the concentration of Pb, Cd, Cr and Fe in water samples were within the range: 0.295- 0.579, 0.471- 0.529, 0.550- 1.000, 0.3636 - 0.4545mg/l respectively, which were above the permissible limits set by WHO. Whereas the concentration of Zn (0.0814 - 0.173) was within the limit set. The elevated concentration of heavy metals could be linked to environmental factors and industrial pollution in the area

Adherence to intermittent preventive treatment for malaria in pregnancy in urban Kano, Northern Nigeria

Malaria in pregnancy is associated with substantial risk of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. The uptake of preventive antimalarials is low in malaria endemic countries, including Nigeria. Using a cross-sectional study design, we assessed factors associated with uptake and adherence to intermittent preventive treatment for malaria in pregnancy (IPTp) among antenatal attendees in primary health centers in Kano, northern Nigeria (n=239). A total of 137 respondents (57.3%) reported receiving preventive antimalarials, but only 88 respondents (36.8%) [95% confidence interval (CI): 30.7-43.3%] reported ingesting pills in the clinic under supervision. Factors associated with adherence to IPTp after adjustment for potential confounding included: advanced maternal age [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) (95%CI) = 2.1 (1.3-6.37)], higher educational attainment [AOR (95%CI) = 3.2 (1.32-6.72)], higher parity [AOR (95%CI) = 1.6 (1.07-3.94)], lower gestational age at booking [AOR (95% CI) = 1.72 (1.24-3.91)], and use of insecticide-treated nets [AOR (95%CI) = 2.03 (1.13-3.26)]. There is a need for strengthening health systems and addressing cultural factors that impede efforts at expanding coverage of malaria prevention strategies in Nigeria

Effect of replacement levels of Red Finger millet-based diets on growth performance of broiler chickens fed with and without phytase enzyme supplementation

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding red finger millet variety as replacement for maize with and without phytase (Ronozyme®) enzyme supplementation on the growth performance of broiler chickens. A total of 600 chicks were allotted in to 10 treatments, each treatment had 3 replicates containing 20 chicks each with and without enzyme supplementation at the rate of 100g/100kg diet in a completely randomized design (CRD). Red finger millet was included at 0,25,50,75 and 100% with phytase supplementation and at 0,25,50,75 and 100% without enzyme supplementation. This represents treatments (T) 1 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 and 10 respectively where 0% inclusions are the controls at both the starter and finisher phases. Result showed significant (P<0.05) differences across the treatments with and without enzyme supplementation. The highest final weight (766.20) in the starter was recorded in the control with enzyme, all the others had similar lower weights, and the same control recorded the best FCR (1.70). At the finisher phase there was no significant (P>0.05) differences recorded in final weight, weight gain and FCR. The highest final weight (2534) was recorded in 75% replacement with enzyme and the least FCR appeared in diets with enzyme. Therefore, it can be concluded that finger millet based-diets with enzyme supplementation can enhance and give better growth performance without any adverse effects in broiler chickens

In-silico comparative study of three (3) bioactive compounds from methanol extracts of Combretum micranthum leaf, and diazepam with Gabaa receptor molecule

Stress affects monoamine neurotransmitter in the central nervous system such as GABA (a major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain). GABAA receptor is hetero-oligomeric Cl-channel that is elective blocked by the alkaloid, bicuculline and modulated by steroids, barbiturates and benzodiazepines. The anticonvulsant activity of Diazepam may be mediated by enhancement of inhibition involving gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Combretum micranthum is one of the maximum effective medicinal plants of therapeutic importance. Thus this study is to examine the effect of Combretum micranthum methanol leaf extract on GABAA Receptor via In-Silico analysis. Combretum micranthum methanol leaf extract was found using GC-MS to contain bioactive compounds (3,5-dichlorophenylhydrazine, guanidine and aminooxyacetic acid) with GABAergic functions. And the popular docking programs PatchDock and AutoDockVina were then used to predict computationally binding modes of these compounds with GABAA receptor. The molecular docking analyses indicated highly and effectively interactions (binding energy in kcal/mol) between GABAA receptor and the Combretum micranthum compounds (ligands): 3,5-dichlorophenylhydrazine (-193.85 and-5.6), guanidine (-87.63 and -3.3) and aminooxyacetic acid (-85.3 and -3.2) for both PatchDock and AutoDock Vina respectively. Results shows that 3,5-dichlorophenylhydrazine has a close binding energy in kcal/mol to that of Diazepam (-200.68 and -6.1 respectively). Findings of the study shows that the interaction between Combretum micranthum compounds (3,5-dichlorophenylhydrazine, guanidine and aminooxyacetic acid) with GABAA receptor can be explore for the development of new therapeutics to manage mental disorders.   Keywords: Gamma-aminobutyric acid, Combretum micranthum , AutoDockVina, PatchDoc

Neuronal cell membrane protective effects of Combretum micranthum methanol leaf extract on lead-induced brain damage in Swiss albino mice

Combretum micranthum is used traditionally for many therapeutic purposes such as fatigue, liver ailments, headache, convalescence, blood disease, weight loss among others. Studies suggested that free radical production may be one main reason behind stress induces neurochemical changes that include neurotransmitter imbalance and histopathological alterations in the brain cell. Thus this study examined the relationship between brain histopathological alterations and neurotransmitter imbalance (gamma aminobutyric acid - GABA) in lead exposure, and possible neuroprotective role of Combretum micranthum  methanol leaf extract in mice. Thirty six (36) Swiss Albino mice (19 - 22g body weight) were used for the study, randomized equally into six groups and treated for the period 14days:  a) Normal Control (Distilled water), b) Negative control (40 mg/kg lead acetate), c) lead acetate + 100 mg/kg b.w. extract, d) lead acetate + 50 mg/kg b.w. extract,  e) lead acetate + 25 mg/kg b.w. extract and f) positive control (lead acetate + diazepam 0.5 mg/kg b.w). The study assayed for protective potential of Combretum micranthum on neuronal cell membrane through determination of the brain cells malondialdyhyde (MDA) levels, morphology and GABA levels. Result of the study showed a significantly increase level of GABA in the brain of mice administered doses of the extract with a decreased level of MDA, as compared to those mice treated with 40 mg/kg lead acetate alone, which showed decreased level in GABA (310.83pg/ml), but an increased level of MDA (30.03μmolTBARS/mg). Also the mice administered doses of the extract showed normal neurons while intensive neuronal necrosis was observed on those mice treated with 40mg/kg lead acetate alone. However, mice administered with the doses of the extract shows no any significant difference with those in the normal control and positive control treatment groups.  Also the Combretum micranthum  methanol leaf extract was found, using GC-MS, to contain propargylamine, a compound known to possess anti-apoptosis functions, and also those with GABAergic functions 3,4-dichlorophenylhydrazine, guanidine and aminooxyacetic acid. Findings of the present study has proven Combretum micranthum to be a potential plant in managing and preventing brain structural damage induced by lead administration. Keywords: Lead, Combretum micranthum, GABA, malondialdyhyde (MDA) and histopatholog

A longitudinal study of the role of Dichelobacter nodosus and Fusobacterium necrophorum load in initiation and severity of footrot in sheep

Footrot is an infectious bacterial disease of sheep that causes lameness. The causal agent is Dichelobacter nodosus. There is debate regarding the role of Fusobacterium necrophorum in disease initiation. This research used an observational longitudinal study of footrot, together with quantitative PCR (qPCR) of bacterial load of D. nodosus and F. necrophorum, to elucidate the roles of each species in the development of disease. All feet of 18 a priori selected sheep were monitored for five weeks assessing disease severity (healthy, interdigital dermatitis (ID) and severe footrot (SFR)) and bacterial load. A multinomial model was used to analyse these data. Key results were that D. nodosus was detected more frequently on feet with ID, whereas F. necrophorum was detected more frequently on feet with SFR. In the multinomial model, ID was associated with increasing log10 load of D. nodosus the week of observation (OR = 1.28 (95% CI = 1.08-1.53)) and the week prior to development of ID (OR = 1.20 (95% CI = 1.01-1.42). There was no association between log10 load^2 of F. necrophorum and presence of ID (OR = 0.99 (95% CI = 0.96-1.02))). SFR was associated with increasing log10 load of D. nodosus the week before disease onset (OR = 1.42 (95% CI = 1.02-1.96)) but not once SFR had occurred. SFR was positively associated with log10 load^2 of F. necrophorum once disease was present (OR = 1.06 (95% CI = 1.01-1.11)). In summary, there was an increased risk of increasing D. nodosus load the week prior to development of ID and SFR and during an episode of ID. In contrast, F. necrophorum load was not associated with ID before or during an episode, and was only associated with SFR once present. These results contribute to our understanding of the epidemiology of footrot and highlight that D. nodosus load plays the primary role in disease initiation and progression, with F. necrophorum load playing a secondary role. Further studies in more flocks and climates would be useful to confirm these findings. This study identifies that D. nodosus load is highest during ID. This supports previous epidemiological findings, which demonstrate that controlling ID is the most effective management strategy to prevent new cases of ID and SFR