Antibacterial Activity of Extracts of Mistletoe (Tapinanthus dodoneifollus (Dc) Dancer) from Cocoa Tree (Theobrama cacao)

This study to investigate the antibacterial activities of mistletoe grown on cocoa trees, 4 different extracts (1% HCl, ethanol, acetone and 5% acetic acid) were prepared and tested against some strains of bacterial organisms (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphyloccocus aureus and Klebsiella aerogenes). Following standard laboratory procedures, the extracts were prepared and the minimum inhibitory concentration (lowest concentration of extract that did not allowed growth within the incubation period) was determined. The results showed extract of 5% acetic acid to act against the four test organism. Ethanolic extract of mistletoe showed antibacterial potential against S. aureus, P. aeruginosa and K. aerugenes. Except for E. coli, ethanolic extract presented the best antibacterial potential followed by 5% acetic acid, acetone and lastly 1% HCl. The MIC activity ranged from 8.6μg/ml for ethanolic extract on K. aerogenes to 150μg/ml for 1% HCl on S. aureus. The present study reveals that the antibacterial activities of mistletoe depend on the extraction solution and the bacterial type. This result points to the role mistletoe could play as an antibacterial and as a precursor for the preparation of drugs.Keywords: Antibacterial, Mistletoe, Microorganisms, Traditional medicin

Physico-chemical characteristics of Anopheles breeding sites: Impact on fecundity and progeny development

Mosquitoes exploit almost all types of aquatic habitats for breeding. Prevailing physicochemical parameters in these habitats are important factors for survival and development of mosquito. Here, six water samples from Atlantic Ocean, River, well, distilled (control), rain and borehole water were used to culture Anopheline eggs collected from pure bred of Kisimu species. The development of eggs to 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th instars larval, pupal and adult stages were observed from day 1 to 6 using six replicates of each water sample. The number of eggs laid (fecundity) by the emerged adults were estimated using counting microscope. Level of development in emerged adults was determined using the wing size. The analysis of the physicochemical parameters of the water samples was carried out in the Nigerian Institute of Marine and Oceanography. The physicochemical characteristics were compared with the rates of development and fecundity of the Anopheline species. Statistical analysis using ANOVA indicates no significant difference (P > 0.05) in the hatchability of the eggs. However, the rates of larval development to pupal stage and subsequent adult emergence showed a level of significant difference (P 0.05). This study provides information on mosquito ecology in relation to breeding habitat which may have bearing on vector population and distribution as well as malaria transmission in a particular area

Identifying key challenges facing healthcare systems in Africa and potential solutions

Introduction: Healthcare systems in Africa suffer from neglect and underfunding, leading to severe challenges across the six World Health Organization (WHO) pillars of healthcare delivery. We conducted this study to identify the principal challenges in the health sector in Africa and their solutions for evidence-based decisions, policy development and program prioritization. Methods: The study was conducted as part of a recent African Epidemiological Association Meeting in Maputo, Mozambique with participants drawn from 11 African countries, Cuba, Portugal and the United Kingdom. Participants were divided into ten groups, consisting of 7 to 10 persons each. Brainstorming approaches were used in a structured, modified nominal group process exercise to identify key challenges and strategies to mitigate healthcare service challenges in Africa. Identified challenges and solutions were prioritised by ranking 1-5, with 1 most important and 5 being least important. Results: The first three challenges identified were inadequate human resources (34.29%), inadequate budgetary allocation to health (30%) and poor leadership and management (8.45%). The leading solutions suggested included training and capacity building for health workers (29.69%), increase budgetary allocation to health (20.31%) and advocacy for political support and commitment (12.31%). Conclusion: The underdeveloped healthcare systems in Africa need radical solutions with innovative thought to break the current impasse in service delivery. For example, public-private initiatives should be sought, where multinational companies extracting resources from Africa might be encouraged to plough some of the profits back into healthcare for the communities providing the workforce for their commercial activities. Most problems and their solutions lie within human resources, budget allocation and management. These should be accorded the highest priority for better health outcomes

In Vivo Anti-Plasmodial Activity and the Effect of Ethanolic Leaf Extract of Rauvolfia Vomitoria on Hematological and Lipid Parameters in Swiss Mice Infected with Plasmodium Berghei NK 65

Rauvolfia vomitoria is a medicinal plant used locally in Nigeria for the management of malaria and other ailments. The study was conducted to determine the effect of ethanolic leaf extract of R. vomitoria on  hematological and lipid parameters in mice infected with Plasmodium berghei NK65. Swiss mice were inoculated intraperitoneally with P.berghei NK65. The mice were grouped into six groups, of five per group. Only Group A were not infected with P.berghei, Groups B and C served as both positive and negative control while Groups D, E, and F were treated with 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg body weight of R. vomitoria extract. The phytochemical constituents of the extract showed the presence of secondary metabolites like tannin, flavonoids, steroids and saponin. The extract of R.vomitoria showed marked anti-malaria effects in dose seeming fashion from the percentage parasitaemia computed after carrying out suppressive and curative test. The hematological parameters showed that R. vomitoria had a significant increase in HCT, RBC, HGB, and platelet values when compared to negative control. There was a significant increase in plasma TC, TG, VLDL, HDL-C and LDL-C in the infected untreated group compared to other groups. This study showed that R. vomitoria extract suppressed the growth of P. berghei NK65 and it had antihyperglycemic and hypolipidemic effect on animals infected with P. berghei NK65.Keywords: Rauvolfia vomitoria, Anti-plasmodial, Swiss albino mice, Plasmodium berghei NK 65 and Biochemical parameters

Scheffe’s polynomial optimisation of laterite concrete incorporating periwinkle shells and coir

This is the author accepted manuscriptRecent emphases on minimising the carbon footprint of concrete have focused on the use of non-conventional materials for the production of low-cost concrete. Such materials include laterite, periwinkle shells and coir which have been reported as suitable for use as fine and coarse aggregate replacements in specified proportions. However, the use of two or more unconventional materials in a concrete mix would require significant experimental effort that is time- and resource-consuming and usually performed by trial and error to determine the optimum mix design. A popular optimisation technique used for concrete mix design is Scheffe’s second-degree polynomial modelling. However, the application of a more accurate Scheffe’s third-degree polynomial optimisation technique in designing cementitious composites incorporating unconventional aggregates is rare. This study, therefore, presents the use of Scheffe’s third-degree model to determine the optimum proportions of coir, laterite and periwinkle shell aggregates in a concrete mix in order to obtain the best mechanical properties of the hardened concrete. The constituents of the concrete were optimised for seven components of water, cement, fine-aggregate, laterite soil, coarse aggregate, periwinkle shell and coir on an N(7, 3) Sheffe’s factor space. The optimal mix ratio for compressive and flexural strengths of 11.33 and 1.20 MPa, respectively, was 0.5149, 1.044, 3.009, 0.126, 3.934, 0.054, and 0.0046 for pseudo-components X_i:{∀ i=1,2,3,4,5,6,7}. The coefficients of determination (R^2) were 98.74% and 98.53% for the compressive and flexural response models, respectively, while the p-values obtained for the response coefficient fit parameters β_i, β_ij, β_ijk for (i=1,2,3,4,5,6,7) were 96.77% and 91.49% for the compressive and flexural strength models, respectively. The optimised Low-Performance Concrete (LPC) is about 4% cheaper than LPC made from conventional aggregates and is adequate for patio slabs, pedestrian footpaths, kerbs, and floorings in residential buildings. The use of Sheffe’s third-degree model eliminates the significant experimental efforts needed in the design of concrete mixes incorporating unconventional aggregates