Role of Free Radicals in Pathogenesis of Diabetes Nephropathy

Diabetes mellitus has assumed epidemic proportions in most parts of the world including the developing countries, and one of its ominous complications, diabetes nephropathy represent today the leading cause of end-stage renal disease in the developed countries. However, the pathogenesis of diabetes nephropathy remains illusive, notwithstanding, free radicals seem to be the most favorable linkage between all the associated factors suggested. Consequently, free radicals, oxidative stress and antioxidants have become commonly used terms in modern discussions of renal disease mechanisms, making the kidney unique among other organs as the site in which a spectrum of seemingly unrelated diseases involves reactive oxygen species. Importantly, hyperglycaemia and its attendant metabolic syndromes, smoking and the use of xenobiotics have been shown to accelerate free radical generations and attenuate the antioxidant system creating oxidative stress. The management of diabetes nephropathy is extremely expensive and frustrating. Therefore, prevention is better. Sources of antioxidants, especially antioxidant vitamins are available and affordable in most environments. These may be adjunct to other ways of preventing the development of diabetic nephropathy. Reviews like this are necessary to stimulate stakeholders in management of diabetes mellitus and modern nephrologists

HAEMOGRAM OF NIGERIAN MONGREL BITCH AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF THE REPRODUCTIVE CYCLE

The haematologic parameters of the Nigerian Mongrel bitch were investigated at different stages of the reproductive cycle to determine their clinical values. Results showed that red blood cell (RBC) counts were highest during anoestrus, with a mean of 5.09  0.62 x 106/µL, while lowest values were recorded during pregnancy, the difference was significant (P<0.05). White blood cell (WBC) counts, packed cell volume (PCV) and haemoglobin concentration (Hb) showed an increasing pattern from anoestrus to proestrus and then decreased with transition from proestrus to oestrus. Total WBC counts were highest during dioestrus and almost twice the value recorded in pregnancy. It appears that WBC count may be used for pregnancy diagnosis in the Nigerian Mongrel bitch

Qualitative evidence syntheses : assessing the relative contributions of multi‐context and single‐context reviews

Aims To examine the strengths and weaknesses of multi‐context (international) qualitative evidence syntheses in comparison with single‐context (typically single‐country) reviews. We compare a multi‐country synthesis with single‐context syntheses on facility‐based delivery in Nigeria and Kenya. Design Discussion Paper. Background Qualitative evidence increasingly contributes to decision‐making. International organisations commission multi‐context reviews of qualitative evidence to gain a comprehensive picture of similarities and differences across comparable (e.g. low‐ and middle‐income) countries. Such syntheses privilege breadth over contextual detail, risking inappropriate interpretation and application of review findings. Decision‐makers value single‐context syntheses that account for the contexts of their populations and health services. We explore how findings from multi‐ and single‐context syntheses contribute against a conceptual framework (adequacy, coherence, methodological limitations and relevance) that underpins the GRADE Confidence in Evidence of Reviews of Qualitative Evidence approach. Data sources Included studies and findings from a multi‐context qualitative evidence synthesis (2001‐2013) and two single‐context syntheses (Nigeria, 2006‐2017; and Kenya, 2002‐2016; subsequently, updated and revised). Findings Single‐context reviews contribute cultural, ethnic and religious nuances as well as specific health system factors (e.g. use of a voucher system). Multi‐context reviews contribute to universal health concerns and to generic health system concerns (e.g. access and availability). Implications for nursing: Nurse decision‐makers require relevant, timely and context‐sensitive evidence to inform clinical and managerial decision‐making. This discussion paper informs future commissioning and use of multi‐ and single‐context qualitative evidence syntheses. Conclusion Multi‐ and single‐context syntheses fulfil complementary functions. Single‐context syntheses add nuances not identifiable within the remit and timescales of a multi‐context review

Susceptibility of Japanese quails (Cortunix cortunix japonica) to experimental infection with Newcastle disease virus, Kudu 113 strain

This study was carried out to determine the response of Japanese quails experimentally infected with Newcastle disease virus (NDV) kudu 113 strain using a haemagglutination inhibition test and the ability of the species to transmit the infection to chickens. The administration of kudu 113 strain of Newcastle disease virus (108.5 /ml) orally at 0.1ml/quail in the infected group (group B) resulted in an antibody response with a geometric mean titre of 23.79 on day 32 when compared to non-infected quails (group A) which did not show (p&gt;0.05) evidence of Newcastle disease antibodies throughout the experiment and also differed significantly (p&lt;0.05) from group B, indicating that oral inoculation of the virus was successful and the birds were infected. Clinical signs of ND were first observed in the quails 7 days post-infection (pi) with effects on egg production and egg quality. The transmission of the velogenic NDV from the quails (group B) to the sentinel chickens was clinically evident 4 days after they were placed in close contact with the infected quails. There was 100% mortality in the sentinel chickens between 4 to 7 days post contact. Thus, quails could serve as a potential source of ND for chickens

Inhibitory effect of isolated Lupeol from stem bark of Diospyros mespiliformis Horsch (Ebenaceae) against some microbial pathogens

Powdered stem bark of plant material (1000g) of Diospyros mespiliformis was extracted with hexane using Soxhlet apparatus and concentrated on a water bath at 600C. The extract was later subjected to column chromatography techniques using gradient elution in which various fractions were obtained and monitored using thin layer chromatography. The structure of the isolated compound were suggested by 1D and 2D spectroscopic analysis and by direct comparison of the data obtained with those reported in literature to be Lupeol.Antimicrobial screening of the lupeol compound and control drugs were carried out using agar well diffusion method. Significant zones of inhibition of lupeol compound were observed from (30-24mm) and standard control drugs range from (40-32mm). Minimum Inhibitory Concentration(MIC) of the lupeol compound was observed at 6.25-12.5ug/ml and Minimum Bacteriacidal Concentration (MBC) /Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) ranged from (12.5-25ug/ml).Lupeol compound revealed significant antimicrobial activity against some selected clinical isolates in this study and thus validated the traditional claims ofDiospyros mespiliformis used for the treatment of antimicrobial based infections.Keywords: Diospyros mespiliformis, Column Chromatography, Lupeol, Inhibitory Effects,Antimicrobial effect

Heavy metal contents of sachet water in Gombe, Nigeria.

The provision of adequate clean drinking water is a basic human need in every society. In Nigeria, like many developing countries, the provision of clean drinking water is not adequate. The introduction of sachet water is seen by many as a solution to the problem. This is because it is affordable where more than a litter of it is sold at ten Naira or even less. The availability and affordability of sachet water have made it a preferred choice for most people despite questions being raised about the purity and potential toxicity. Objectives: To evaluate the heavy metal contents of sachet water in Gombe, Nigeria. Methodology: Forty samples of sachets water were bought randomly from the streets of Gombe and were analyzed for heavy metals content (lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic and nickel) using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The data obtained were analyzed for frequencies and percentages for qualitative data and minimum and maximum for quantitative data using the system for statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) version 20.00 for windows. Results: None of the sachet water samples had the date of manufacture or expiry date while about 23% had no National agency for food and drug administration and control (NAFDAC) registration numbers. All the samples had lead levels above the WHO safety limits of 0.01mg/L. Mercury, cadmium and arsenic levels were higher than the safety limits in 23%, 15% and 5% of the samples respectively. No nickel was detected in all the samples. Conclusion: The majority of the sachet water in Gombe is contaminated with heavy metals lead, mercury and cadmium in concentrations above the WHO safety limits. Processes of water purification should be put in place to reduce the heavy metal contents of sachet water in Gombe

Can Action Research Strengthen District Health Management and Improve Health Workforce Performance? A Research Protocol.

The single biggest barrier for countries in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) to scale up the necessary health services for addressing the three health-related Millennium Development Goals and achieving Universal Health Coverage is the lack of an adequate and well-performing health workforce. This deficit needs to be addressed both by training more new health personnel and by improving the performance of the existing and future health workforce. However, efforts have mostly been focused on training new staff and less on improving the performance of the existing health workforce. The purpose of this paper is to disseminate the protocol for the PERFORM project and reflect on the key challenges encountered during the development of this methodology and how they are being overcome. The overall aim of the PERFORM project is to identify ways of strengthening district management in order to address health workforce inadequacies by improving health workforce performance in SSA. The study will take place in three districts each in Ghana, Tanzania and Uganda using an action research approach. With the support of the country research teams, the district health management teams (DHMTs) will lead on planning, implementation, observation, reflection and redefinition of the activities in the study. Taking into account the national and local human resource (HR) and health systems (HS) policies and practices already in place, 'bundles' of HR/HS strategies that are feasible within the context and affordable within the districts' budget will be developed by the DHMTs to strengthen priority areas of health workforce performance. A comparative analysis of the findings from the three districts in each country will add new knowledge on the effects of these HR/HS bundles on DHMT management and workforce performance and the impact of an action research approach on improving the effectiveness of the DHMTs in implementing these interventions. Different challenges were faced during the development of the methodology. These include the changing context in the study districts, competing with other projects and duties for the time of district managers, complexity of the study design, maintaining the anonymity and confidentiality of study participants as well as how to record the processes during the study. We also discuss how these challenges are being addressed. The dissemination of this research protocol is intended to generate interest in the PERFORM project and also stimulate discussion on the use of action research in complex studies such as this on strengthening district health management to improve health workforce performance

Urine Burn Dermatitis in a Two Year-Old Sudanese Ewe

Nigerian Veterinary Journal, Vol. 32(3): 2011; 238 - 24

Effects of menotrophin and chorulon on superovulation in Red Sokoto does

The aim of this study was to compare the efficiency of menotrophin, chorulon and their combinations in superovulation in Red Sokoto does. Fifteen healthy does weighed  between 14 and 25 kg were divided into 3 groups of 5 (n=5) each. All does in the 3 groups were synchronized with CIDR for 14 days. Superovulation was performed as follows: Group 1 were treated with 37.5 IU menotrophin for three days, group 2 were treated with 500IU chorulon for 1 day and group 3 were treated with 18.75 iμ  menotrophin for 3 days and 250IU chorulon for one day. The mean SEM superovulatory response in group 1, 2 and 3 was (2.6 0.92, 3.2 0.58 and 9.4 0.68) respectively. The superovulatory response showed no significant differences between group 1 and 2  however, there were statistically significance differences (p&lt;0.01) between groups 1 and 3 and between 2 and 3. These result showed that the combination of Menotrophin and Chorulon effectively produces multiple ovulations as a result the use this  combination is advocated.Keywords: Chorulon, CIDR, Doe, Menotrophin, Sokoto, Superovulatio

A multinational cross-sectional survey of the management of patient medication adherence by European healthcare professionals

Objectives To examine which interventions healthcare professionals use to support patients with taking medicines and their perceptions about the effectiveness of those actions. Design Cross-sectional multinational study. Setting Online survey in Austria, Belgium, England, France, Germany, Hungary, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal and Switzerland. Participants A total of 3196 healthcare professionals comprising doctors (855), nurses (1047) and pharmacists (1294) currently registered and practising in primary care and community settings. Main outcome measures Primary outcome: Responses to the question ‘I ask patients if they have missed any doses of their medication’ for each profession and in each country. Secondary outcome: Responses to 50 items concerning healthcare professional behaviour to support patients with medication-taking for each profession and in each country. Results Approximately half of the healthcare professionals in the survey ask patients with long-term conditions whether they have missed any doses of their medication on a regular basis. Pharmacists persistently report that they intervene less than the other two professions to support patients with medicines. No country effects were found for the primary outcome. Conclusions Healthcare professionals in Europe are limited in the extent to which they intervene to assist patients having long-term conditions with medication adherence. This represents a missed opportunity to support people with prescribed treatment. These conclusions are based on the largest international survey to date of healthcare professionals’ management of medication adherence