Assessment of liver function, bile secretory rate and liver histological changes in type 1 diabetes mellitus rats treated with ocimum gratissimum

Background: The liver plays an important role in nutrient metabolism and alterations in the liver function, biliary secretion and cyto-architecture are common in diabetes mellitus (DM). Aim: Ocimum gratissimum (OG) has been reported to exert hypoglycaemic effect in DM. The study was undertaken in order to assess the impact of OG in the treatment of diabetic complications. Materials and Methods: Phytochemical and toxicity tests were conducted. Eighteen rats divided into three groups of six rats each were used. Group 1 was the control and given normal feed only. Group 2 was diabetic untreated rats (DM) while group 3 was OG treated diabetic rats (DMT) at a dose of 1500 mg/kg. All groups had access to food and water ad libitum. After 28 days, serum was obtained for analysis of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotranferase (AST). The bile content was collected at 3 hours interval to determine the bile secretory rate. Routine biopsy method was employed for histological studies. Results: Results showed that AST in the DM and DMT groups were signifi cantly higher (P < 0.001) than the control group; DM was signifi cantly higher (P < 0.001) than the DMT. ALT and ALP levels in DM and DMT groups were signifi cantly (P < 0.001) higher than the control; DM was signifi cantly higher (P < 0.001) than DMT. Conclusion: Structural and functional hepatic impairments were observed in DM. OG treatment appeared to effectively ameliorate these complications including enhancement of bile secretion. Key words: Bile secretion, Liver function test, Liver histology, Ocimum gratissimum, Type 1 diabetes mellitu

Evaluation of equity in informal land development systems in two Nigerian cities

The informal land development system in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is perceived to promote equity and could be leveraged to support sustainable urban development and management. However, scanty empirical evidence exists on the extent of the system’s provision of equity to support policy formulation and practice in the region. Based on stakeholder workshops, focus group discussions and questionnaire surveys, this study analyses the system’s provision of equity in Nigeria. The study finds all categories of people undertake informal developments. Consistent with literature, this finding reflects wide patronage of the informal land development system and its relevance. Nevertheless, contrary to the existing perception, the system’s provision of equity is low. The study recommends for the institution of pro-poor and gender sensitive land development and management policies and programmes to increase the levels of equity to support the achievement of the country’s sustainable urban development and management agenda

Key mechanisms by which post-ICU activities can improve in-ICU care: results of the international THRIVE collaboratives

Objective: To identify the key mechanisms that clinicians perceive improve care in the intensive care unit (ICU), as a result of their involvement in post-ICU programs. Methods: Qualitative inquiry via focus groups and interviews with members of the Society of Critical Care Medicine’s THRIVE collaborative sites (follow-up clinics and peer support). Framework analysis was used to synthesize and interpret the data. Results: Five key mechanisms were identified as drivers of improvement back into the ICU: (1) identifying otherwise unseen targets for ICU quality improvement or education programs—new ideas for quality improvement were generated and greater attention paid to detail in clinical care. (2) Creating a new role for survivors in the ICU—former patients and family members adopted an advocacy or peer volunteer role. (3) Inviting critical care providers to the post-ICU program to educate, sensitize, and motivate them—clinician peers and trainees were invited to attend as a helpful learning strategy to gain insights into post-ICU care requirements. (4) Changing clinician’s own understanding of patient experience—there appeared to be a direct individual benefit from working in post-ICU programs. (5) Improving morale and meaningfulness of ICU work—this was achieved by closing the feedback loop to ICU clinicians regarding patient and family outcomes. Conclusions: The follow-up of patients and families in post-ICU care settings is perceived to improve care within the ICU via five key mechanisms. Further research is required in this novel area

Enablers and Barriers to Implementing ICU Follow-Up Clinics and Peer Support Groups Following Critical Illness: The Thrive Collaboratives

OBJECTIVES: Data are lacking regarding implementation of novel strategies such as follow-up clinics and peer support groups, to reduce the burden of postintensive care syndrome. We sought to discover enablers that helped hospital-based clinicians establish post-ICU clinics and peer support programs, and identify barriers that challenged them. DESIGN: Qualitative inquiry. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research was used to organize and analyze data. SETTING: Two learning collaboratives (ICU follow-up clinics and peer support groups), representing 21 sites, across three continents. SUBJECTS: Clinicians from 21 sites. MEASUREMENT AND MAIN RESULTS: Ten enablers and nine barriers to implementation of "ICU follow-up clinics" were described. A key enabler to generate support for clinics was providing insight into the human experience of survivorship, to obtain interest from hospital administrators. Significant barriers included patient and family lack of access to clinics and clinic funding. Nine enablers and five barriers to the implementation of "peer support groups" were identified. Key enablers included developing infrastructure to support successful operationalization of this complex intervention, flexibility about when peer support should be offered, belonging to the international learning collaborative. Significant barriers related to limited attendance by patients and families due to challenges in creating awareness, and uncertainty about who might be appropriate to attend and target in advertising. CONCLUSIONS: Several enablers and barriers to implementing ICU follow-up clinics and peer support groups should be taken into account and leveraged to improve ICU recovery. Among the most important enablers are motivated clinician leaders who persist to find a path forward despite obstacles

The Role of Ethnic Directors in Corporate Social Responsibility: Does Culture matter? The Cultural Trait Theory Perspectives

This paper investigates the effect of cultural differences between ethnic directors on corporate social responsibility (CSR) of Public Liability Companies (PLCs) in Nigeria. Using the cultural trait theory, the study focuses on how the ethnic directors are influenced when making decisions concerning CSR. Adopting multiple regression analysis of data, the study investigates the three major ethnic groups (Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa) and finds cultural differences between the ethnic directors affect the adoption of CSR. Empirical results indicate that ethnic directors (Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa) were positively and significantly related to CSR. The paper contributes to the corporate governance and CSR debate concerning how ethnic directors’ decisions impact on CSR activities, particularly on the directors who are individualistic and collectivists towards CSR

EFFECTS OFA CARBENDAZIM-MANCOZEB FUNGICIDAL MIXTURE ON SOIL MICROBIAL POPULATIONS AND SOME ENZYME ACTIVITIES IN SOIL

The effects of a Carbendazim-Mancozeb fungicidal mixture on microbial populations and some enzyme activities of three selected soils of Kwara State, Nigeria were studied. The soil dilution method was used to isolate bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes and some functional microbial groups from treated soils. Cultivation and enumeration of the soil microorganisms were made on different selective media. Assays for cellulases and pectinases in the treated soils were carried out. The populations of actinomycetes, bacteria and fungi were reduced significantly by the application of the fungicide. The fungicide applied at a concentration of 2.34mg/kg soil had a greater (p < 0.05) inhibitory effect than the recommended concentration of 1.67mg/kg soil. The populations of nitrogen fixers nitrifying bacteria and cellulolytic organisms were also significantly (p < 0.05.) reduced at the two concentrations. The fungicidal mixture equally lowered the cellulose and pectinase enzyme activities in soil significantly, with a return to normalcy by 60 days after treatment. A re-establishment of the soil microbial populations was observed by 21 days after treatment. It was concluded that the use of the Carbendazim-Mancozeb mixture should be with caution since it reduced the populations of ecologically important non-target organisms and that the recommended concentration should be adhered to

Assessing the role of traditional birth attendants (TBAs) in health care delivery in Edo State, Nigeria

This study was conducted to assess the role of traditional birth attendants (TBAs) in modern health care delivery in Edo State, Nigeria. A total of 391 respondents comprising 48 TBAs, 309 childbearing mothers and 34 medical and para-medical professionals constituted the study sample. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions as well as validated questionnaires were the tools used for data collection. The results reveal that respondents believe that TBAs can play meaningful roles in family planning, screening of high-risk pregnant mothers, fertility/infertility treatment and maternal and child care services. Rural dwellers prefer to use the services of TBAs, as compared to their urban counterparts. Reasons for the preference included TBAs, availability, accessibility, cheap services and rural dwellers' faith in the efficacy of their services. There is, therefore, the need to restructure the training of TBAs as well as to fully integrate their services into the Nigerian orthodox healthcare delivery system especially as they affect rural settings. (Afr J Reprod Health 2002; 6[2]: 94-100

Heat-induced gelation of whole egusi (Colocynthis citrullus L.) seeds

Despite the use of whole egusi (Colocynthis citrullus L.) seeds as a food ingredient for generations, there is no report on its gelling ability. This study evaluates the potentials of egusi seeds as a structure enhancer in food systems. Gelation and thermal characteristics of egusi seeds were examined by dynamic rheological testing and differential scanning calorimetry. Rheological data of gels, prepared at varied protein concentrations (3%, 6%, 10% and 20%, w/v) in 0.15 M NaCl, indicated that 6% (w/v) egusi protein was sufficiently high to produce properly-crosslinked networks (G\u27=8724 Pa). Gels prepared at 10% (w/v) protein in 0.15 M NaCl, (G\u27=22,530 Pa) were superior to gels treated with 0.5 M NaCl (G\u27=8385 Pa). Structural stability of egusi meal increased as salt level increased. Elastic gels developed above the denaturation temperature (Td=93.7 °C) in the heating phase and continued during cooling, indicating that egusi seeds can be used as a gelling food ingredient