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

Evaluation of probiotic content of common complementary foods used in Mubi Metropolis, Adamawa State, Nigeria

Background: Probiotic bacteria are becoming increasingly important in the context of human nutrition based on the role they play in immunological, digestive and respiratory functions. Objective: This study investigated the probiotic content and strengths of some complementary foods commonly used in Mubi Adamawa state, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: Locally made cereal pastes (kamu) made from cereal grains sorghum, millet, and maize were purchased from the Mubi general market and coded as LSG, LMT and LMZ, respectively. Three most commonly used commercial complementary foods in Mubi metropolis were also purchased from Mubi market packed in cans of 450g each and coded as CC1, CC2, and CC3 respectively. The basic ingredients in each commercial product were recorded from the labels on the packages. De ManRogasa Agar was used to isolate the probiotic bacteria in all the samples using standard methods of AOAC (2000). Colony count and fungi identification were carried out.All analyses were done in triplicates.Data was analysed for means and standard deviation using Statistix 9, version 9.1(2012). RESULT: Commercial complementary foods CC1 and CC2 had Lactobacillus species isolated with bacteria count of 7.5 x 102 and 8.7 x 102 Cfu / g respectively while CC3 had no bacterial specie isolated. Local complementary food LSG had no probiotic bacteria isolated while LMTand LMZ had Lactobacillus species isolated with bacteria count of 5.4 x 102 and 6.5 x 102 (Cfu/g) respectively. Commercial complementary foods CC1, CC2 and CC3 had no yeast isolated. Local complementary food LSG had the least yeast count of 1.01 x 103 (Cfu / g) of Saccharomycescerevasiae. LMT had 6.06 x 102Cfu /g and LMZ had the highest yeast count of 9.26 x 102(Cfu / g ) of Saccharomyces Cerevasiae. CONCLUSION: Local complementary foods used in this study contained both probiotic bacteria (Lactobacillus species) and yeast (Saccharomyces Cerevasiae)

Study of The Lumbosacral Angles of Males In Port Harcourt, South- South, Nigeria

Background: This study was carried out to evaluate the lumbosacral angles of males in the south south geopolitical region of Nigeria in the age group.Methods: A total of 100 lumbosacral lateral radiographs of normal from subjects South South geopolitical region of Nigeria taken in the department of Radiology, UPTH were evaluated. The lumbosacral angles were measured using Ferguson's method.Results: The mean lumbosacral angle in the sample o o population is 36.1 +/- 9.41 .The lumbosacral angle was found to increase with age up to a maximum in the age group of 36-40years.It remains fairly constant there after until the seventh decade.Conclusion: The normal range of lumbosacral angles in Nigerians of South-South geopolitical zone is demonstrated and it does not increase significantly after the age 36-40years

Luminosity distance and redshift in the Szekeres inhomogeneous cosmological models

The Szekeres inhomogeneous models can be used to model the true lumpy universe that we observe. This family of exact solutions to Einstein's equations was originally derived with a general metric that has no symmetries. In this work, we develop and use a framework to integrate the angular diameter and luminosity distances in the general Szekeres models. We use the affine null geodesic equations in order to derive a set of first-order ordinary differential equations that can be integrated numerically to calculate the partial derivatives of the null vector components. These equations allow the integration in all generality of the distances in the Szekeres models and some examples are given. The redshift is determined from simultaneous integration of the null geodesic equations. This work does not assume spherical or axial symmetry, and the results will be useful for comparisons of the general Szekeres inhomogeneous models to current and future cosmological data.Comment: 14 pages, 1 figure, matches JCAP accepted versio

Use of cast immobilisation versus removable brace in adults with an ankle fracture: multicentre randomised controlled trial

Objectives To assess function, quality of life, resource use, and complications in adults treated with plaster cast immobilisation versus a removable brace for ankle fracture. Design Multicentre randomised controlled trial. Setting 20 trauma units in the UK National Health Service. Participants 669 adults aged 18 years and older with an acute ankle fracture suitable for cast immobilisation: 334 were randomised to a plaster cast and 335 to a removable brace. Interventions A below the knee cast was applied and ankle range of movement exercises started on cast removal. The removable brace was fitted, and ankle range of movement exercises were started immediately. Main outcome measures Primary outcome was the Olerud Molander ankle score at 16 weeks, analysed by intention to treat. Secondary outcomes were Manchester-Oxford foot questionnaire, disability rating index, quality of life, and complications at 6, 10, and 16 weeks. Results The mean age of participants was 46 years (SD 17 years) and 381 (57%) were women. 502 (75%) participants completed the study. No statistically significant difference was found in the Olerud Molander ankle score between the cast and removable brace groups at 16 weeks (favours brace: 1.8, 95% confidence interval −2.0 to 5.6). No clinically significant differences were found in the Olerud Molander ankle scores at other time points, in the secondary unadjusted, imputed, or per protocol analyses. Conclusions Traditional plaster casting was not found to be superior to functional bracing in adults with an ankle fracture. No statistically difference was found in the Olerud Molander ankle score between the trial arms at 16 weeks. Trial registration ISRCTN registry ISRCTN15537280

Does an innovative paper-based health information system (PHISICC) improve data quality and use in primary healthcare? Protocol of a multicountry, cluster randomised controlled trial in sub-Saharan African rural settings

INTRODUCTION: Front-line health workers in remote health facilities are the first contact of the formal health sector and are confronted with life-saving decisions. Health information systems (HIS) support the collection and use of health related data. However, HIS focus on reporting and are unfit to support decisions. Since data tools are paper-based in most primary healthcare settings, we have produced an innovative Paper-based Health Information System in Comprehensive Care (PHISICC) using a human-centred design approach. We are carrying out a cluster randomised controlled trial in three African countries to assess the effects of PHISICC compared with the current systems. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Study areas are in rural zones of Côte d'Ivoire, Mozambique and Nigeria. Seventy health facilities in each country have been randomly allocated to using PHISICC tools or to continuing to use the regular HIS tools. We have randomly selected households in the catchment areas of each health facility to collect outcomes' data (household surveys have been carried out in two of the three countries and the end-line data collection is planned for mid-2021). Primary outcomes include data quality and use, coverage of health services and health workers satisfaction; secondary outcomes are additional data quality and use parameters, childhood mortality and additional health workers and clients experience with the system. Just prior to the implementation of the trial, we had to relocate the study site in Mozambique due to unforeseen logistical issues. The effects of the intervention will be estimated using regression models and accounting for clustering using random effects. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethics committees in Côte d'Ivoire, Mozambique and Nigeria approved the trials. We plan to disseminate our findings, data and research materials among researchers and policy-makers. We aim at having our findings included in systematic reviews on health systems interventions and future guidance development on HIS. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: PACTR201904664660639; Pre-results

Distribution and diversity of alternate hosts of Maruca vitrata Fabricius in three West African countries

The evolution of resistance to the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxins by insect pests is a major threat to Bt technology. However, the rate of resistance can be slowed with appropriate integrated insect resistance management (IRM) strategies. Surveys were conducted to identify alternate host species for Maruca vitrata (commonly called the legume pod borer or Maruca) that could serve as refuges for Pod-Borer Resistant (PBR) cowpea in three West African countries (Ghana, Nigeria, and Burkina Faso). Survey sites included 25 in northern Ghana, 44 in northern Nigeria, and 52 in north-central and southwestern Burkina Faso. Alternate hosts of Maruca identified from plant species belonging to the Fabaceae family that showed signs of Maruca damage on cowpea tissues were collected and dissected. Larvae that were found during these dissections were reared to adult moths in the laboratory then identified to species. The alternate host plants including species of Crotolaria, Sesbania, Tephrosia, and Vigna were the most frequently encountered among sites and locations. Flowering and podding of these plants overlapped with flowering and podding of the nearby (~200 m) cowpea crop. Abundance of these wild hosts and overlapping flowering patterns with the cowpea crop in most locations have the potential to sustain ample numbers of Bt susceptible Maruca that will mate with possible resistant Maruca and deter resistance development. Further quantitative studies, however, are required from each location to determine if actual Maruca production from alternate hosts is sufficient for a PBR IRM strategy. If verified, this approach would be compatible with the high dose/refuge IRM strategy that includes alternate hosts and non-Bt crops as refuges

Atypical pathogens in hospitalized patients with community-acquired pneumonia: A worldwide perspective

Background: Empirical antibiotic coverage for atypical pathogens in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) has long been debated, mainly because of a lack of epidemiological data. We aimed to assess both testing for atypical pathogens and their prevalence in hospitalized patients with CAP worldwide, especially in relation with disease severity. Methods: A secondary analysis of the GLIMP database, an international, multicentre, point-prevalence study of adult patients admitted for CAP in 222 hospitals across 6 continents in 2015, was performed. The study evaluated frequency of testing for atypical pathogens, including L. pneumophila, M. pneumoniae, C. pneumoniae, and their prevalence. Risk factors for testing and prevalence for atypical pathogens were assessed through univariate analysis. Results: Among 3702 CAP patients 1250 (33.8%) underwent at least one test for atypical pathogens. Testing varies greatly among countries and its frequency was higher in Europe than elsewhere (46.0% vs. 12.7%, respectively, p < 0.0001). Detection of L. pneumophila urinary antigen was the most common test performed worldwide (32.0%). Patients with severe CAP were less likely to be tested for both atypical pathogens considered together (30.5% vs. 35.0%, p = 0.009) and specifically for legionellosis (28.3% vs. 33.5%, p = 0.003) than the rest of the population. Similarly, L. pneumophila testing was lower in ICU patients. At least one atypical pathogen was isolated in 62 patients (4.7%), including M. pneumoniae (26/251 patients, 10.3%), L. pneumophila (30/1186 patients, 2.5%), and C. pneumoniae (8/228 patients, 3.5%). Patients with CAP due to atypical pathogens were significantly younger, showed less cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic comorbidities in comparison to adult patients hospitalized due to non-atypical pathogen CAP. Conclusions: Testing for atypical pathogens in patients admitted for CAP in poorly standardized in real life and does not mirror atypical prevalence in different settings. Further evidence on the impact of atypical pathogens, expecially in the low-income countries, is needed to guidelines implementation