Methanol fraction of Calliandra portoricensis root bark activates caspases via alteration in mitochondrial viability in vivo

Introduction: Dysregulated apoptosis is associated with a number of disease conditions. Traditionally, Calliandra portoricensis is used in the management of prostate enlargement. This study investigates the in vivo effect of potent methanol fraction of C. portoricensis (MFCP) on mitochondrial permeability transition (mPT) pore, an important pharmacological target in treatment of various diseases, and examines the toxicities associated with its oral administration. Methods: Forty-two male Wistar strain rats (70-80 g) were divided into 6 groups of 7 animals each. Each group was orally administered 25, 50, 100, 200, 400 mg/kg MFCP and the control group received distilled water for 21 and 30 days, respectively. mPT, assay for serum enzymes and hematological parameters were assessed spectrophotometrically while activation of caspases 3 and 9 was done by ELISA technique. Histological assessment of vital organs (liver, kidney, prostate) was carried out according to standard procedures. Results: There were no significant effects on mPT pore at all doses administered after 21 days of oral administration. However, after 30 days of administration, MFCP induced mPT pore opening at doses 100 and 200 mg/kg with induction folds of 2.6 and 3.3, respectively while there was no induction of mPT pore opening at lower doses of 25 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg. Furthermore, significant (P < 0.05) increases in serum enzymes (ALT, AST) were observed at all doses administered when compared with control after 30 days of oral administration. Cell counts (Hb, PCV, RBC, WBC) were adversely affected at the highest dose (200 mg/kg) compared with control and other treated groups (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg) after 30 days of administration. Similarly, activation of caspases 9 and 3 were observed in rat liver homogenate at high doses of the fraction while histological evaluation showed degeneration and distortion of organs at the highest dose. Conclusion: MFCP contains phytochemicals that elicit the opening of the pore and induction of mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis. This would be relevant in treatment of degenerative diseases that results from down-regulation of apoptosis. However, caution should be exercised in using high doses of the plant

Rural, urban and migrant differences in noncommunicable disease risk-factors in middle income countries: a cross-sectional study of WHO-SAGE Data

Understanding how urbanisation and rural-urban migration influence risk-factors for non-communicable disease (NCD) is crucial for developing effective preventative strategies globally. This study compares NCD risk-factor prevalence in urban, rural and migrant populations in China, Ghana, India, Mexico, Russia and South Africa.Study participants were 39,436 adults within the WHO Study on global AGEing and adult health (SAGE), surveyed 2007-2010. Risk ratios (RR) for each risk-factor were calculated using logistic regression in country-specific and all country pooled analyses, adjusted for age, sex and survey design. Fully adjusted models included income quintile, marital status and education.Regular alcohol consumption was lower in migrant and urban groups than in rural groups (pooled RR and 95%CI: 0.47 (0.31-0.68); 0.58, (0.46-0.72), respectively). Occupational physical activity was lower (0.86 (0.72-0.98); 0.76 (0.65-0.85)) while active travel and recreational physical activity were higher (pooled RRs for urban groups; 1.05 (1.00-1.09), 2.36 (1.95-2.83), respectively; for migrant groups: 1.07 (1.0 -1.12), 1.71 (1.11-2.53), respectively). Overweight, raised waist circumference and diagnosed diabetes were higher in urban groups (1.19 (1.04-1.35), 1.24 (1.07-1.42), 1.69 (1.15-2.47), respectively). Exceptions to these trends exist: obesity indicators were higher in rural Russia; active travel was lower in urban groups in Ghana and India; and in South Africa, urban groups had the highest alcohol consumption.Migrants and urban dwellers had similar NCD risk-factor profiles. These were not consistently worse than those seen in rural dwellers. The variable impact of urbanisation on NCD risk must be considered in the design and evaluation of strategies to reduce the growing burden of NCDs globally

Differential protection of neuromuscular sensory and motor axons and their endings in Wld(S) mutant mice

Orthograde Wallerian degeneration normally brings about fragmentation of peripheral nerve axons and their sensory or motor endings within 24-48 h in mice. However, neuronal expression of the chimaeric, Wld(S) gene mutation extends survival of functioning axons and their distal endings for up to 3 weeks after nerve section. Here we studied the pattern and rate of degeneration of sensory axons and their annulospiral endings in deep lumbrical muscles of Wld(S) mice, and compared these with motor axons and their terminals, using neurone-specific transgenic expression of the fluorescent proteins yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) or cyan fluorescent protein (CFP) as morphological reporters. Surprisingly, sensory endings were preserved for up to 20 days, at least twice as long as the most resilient motor nerve terminals. Protection of sensory endings and axons was also much less sensitive to Wld(S) gene-copy number or age than motor axons and their endings. Protection of γ-motor axons and their terminals innervating the juxtaequatorial and polar regions of the spindles was less than sensory axons but greater than α-motor axons. The differences between sensory and motor axon protection persisted in electrically silent, organotypic nerve-explant cultures suggesting that residual axonal activity does not contribute to the sensory-motor axon differences in vivo. Quantitative, Wld(S)-specific immunostaining of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurones and motor neurones in homozygous Wld(S) mice suggested that the nuclei of large DRG neurones contain about 2.4 times as much Wld(S) protein as motor neurones. By contrast, nuclear fluorescence of DRG neurones in homozygotes was only 1.5 times brighter than in heterozygotes stained under identical conditions. Thus, differences in axonal or synaptic protection within the same Wld(S) mouse may most simply be explained by differences in expression level of Wld(S) protein between neurones. Mimicry of Wld(S)-induced protection may also have applications in treatment of neurotoxicity or peripheral neuropathies in which the integrity of sensory endings may be especially implicated

Strategic Approach for Controlling Soil and Groundwater Contamination in Urban and Rural Areas of Nigeria

Soil pollution and groundwater contamination are rampant in urban and rural areas of various developing countries including Nigeria. The quality of groundwater is a vivacious concern for human beings since it is directly associated with the human welfare and it is needed to conserve water resources. This paper x-rays strategic approach for controlling soil and groundwater contamination to enhance the efficiency of civil and environmental engineering design through recent trends and practice which will play a vital role in handling environmental pollution. Strategic approach highlighted involves the formulation and implementation of the major goals and initiatives based on consideration of resources and an assessment of the internal and external environments in which the organization competes. One or more of these approaches are often combined for more cost-effective treatment. The field studies for assessment of contamination comprised of detailed hydro-geological investigations which include geophysical investigations, borehole drilling, development of monitoring wells, followed by collection and analysis of existing field samples (dumpsite, subsurface soil and groundwater) are very critical for efficient handling of environmental pollution. It has been concluded that basic necessities for a healthy environment and public health include clean air, safe and sufficient water Safe and adequate food, safe and peaceful settlements, stable global environment in order to achieve excellent public health without soil pollution and groundwater contamination. Strategic approaches to remediation of contaminated soils include isolation, bioremediation, immobilization, toxicity reduction, physical separation and extraction

Development of Hydropower Turbines Powered by Dam Overflow

The epileptic power supply in most rural areas in Nigeria and its attendant negative impact on the economy of the Nation, Agricultural productivity and huge rural emigration, is a serious source of concern. This necessitated the development of two hydro-power turbines powered by the overflow (which was rather considered a waste) from University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) dam. A portion of the overflow was channeled into a Polyvinyl Chloride&nbsp;(PVC) pipe and the flow rate was calculated to be 0.017m3/sec using the bucket method. The change in elevation between the overflow and the point of usage was reported to be 4m. The flow (Q) and Head (h) were typical values for many streams and rivers in different rural areas of Nigeria, hence its suitability and adoption for this study. Two turbines viz: Pelton Wheel (PW) and Cross Flow (CF) were developed and tested. The PW generated a speed of 538.4rpm and a torque of 46.2kNm at off load condition while the CF generated a speed of 330.1rpm and a torque of 39.07kNm at the same condition. During loading – when the alternator had been connected to the turbine - the PW turbine speed and torque became 392.0rpm and 36.5kNm respectively, while that of the CF became 197.7rpm and 25.0kNm respectively. A belt and pulley mechanism was used to deliver the rotational speed to the alternator and this increased the alternator speed from the PW and CF turbines to 1768.6rpm and 879.24rpm respectively. The speed from the PW was enough to power the alternator as the alternator only requires 1500rpm to function optimally. The PW was thus adjudged the most suitable for use

Optimization of the Operational Conditions for Cross Flow Turbine Developed for Power Generation

In a bid to optimize the performance of a Cross Flow Turbine designed and fabricated by Oyebode (2014), the performance evaluation of the turbine at various conditions was carried out using a portion of the overflow from the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) dam. The Dam has a net head of 4 m, flow rate of 0.017m3 and hence theoretical hydropower energy of 668W. The turbine was tested and the optimized value of operating conditions namely; angle of inclination of the water jet (15o above tangent, tangential and 15o below tangent), height of water jet to impact point (200mm, 250mm and 300mm) and length of the water jet to impact point (50mm, 100mm and 150mm) were pre-set at their various levels while testing the Turbine. The measured outputs were Turbine Speed, Turbine Torque, Alternator Speed as well as the output voltage. The optimum values of the process output or measured parameters were determined statistically using a 33X2 factorial experiment in three replicates. An optimum turbine speed of 330.09 rpm was achieved by pre-setting 250mm height to impact point, 100mm length to impact point and the water jet 15º below tangent. Same combination also yielded an optimum turbine torque of 39.07kNm. During loading (i.e. when the alternator becomes connected to the turbine), an optimum Turbine Speed of 197.66rpm was achieved by pre-setting 250mm height to impact point, 100mm length to impact point and the water jet 15º below tangent. Same combination also yielded an optimum Turbine Torque of 25.02kNm, optimum Alternator speed of 879.24rpm and an optimum output voltage of 4.05V. The results therefore show that the turbine must be set at these operational conditions for it to perform optimally. Key words: Micro hydropower, Cross Flow turbine, Power generation, Dam overflo

Evidence on physical activity and sedentary behaviour in Ghana: A rapid scoping review

In Ghana, more than four in ten deaths in 2016 resulted from non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Physical inactivity and sedentary behaviours are important risk factors for NCDs. No previous systematic reviews examining physical activity and sedentary behaviour among Ghanaians were identified. Therefore, this rapid scoping review was conducted to find and synthesise what is known about the epidemiology of physical activity and sedentary behaviour of children and adults in Ghana. MEDLINE was searched for eligible studies and a narrative synthesis was conducted based on 17 identified papers as well as the 2008 Demographic and Health Survey report. Little recent high-quality data on prevalence of physical activity or sedentary behaviour in Ghana was found. Existing nationally representative data is now more than ten years old. The data identified suggest that the majority of Ghanaian adults, aged 18+ years, are physically active, achieving or exceeding World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations (84.3% according to data collected in 2007-2008). Studies reporting sedentary behaviour in adults further suggest that the majority of Ghanaians are minimally sedentary. The most consistent associations with physical activity were by gender (men achieved more than women), employment (the employed, particularly in skilled manual jobs, achieved more than the unemployed), urban or rural residence (rural inhabitants achieved more than urban inhabitants) and socio-economic status (lower physical activity with increasing socio-economic status). Meanwhile, the few existing studies of physical activity in children (all of which investigated children aged 12+ years) suggest that the proportion of children achieving WHO recommendations on physical activity may be lower than for adults. A similar gender trend exists for children as in the adult data, with boys achieving more physical activity than girls. Physical activity is accrued most frequently through active travel, and active occupations, while leisure time physical activity is low. This means that the Ghanaian population may be vulnerable to becoming increasingly inactive as work and travel become more frequently mechanised and sedentary.&nbsp

Evidence on physical activity and sedentary behaviour in Ghana: A rapid scoping review

In Ghana, more than four in ten deaths in 2016 resulted from non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Physical inactivity and sedentary behaviours are important risk factors for NCDs. No previous systematic reviews examining physical activity and sedentary behaviour among Ghanaians were identified. Therefore, this rapid scoping review was conducted to find and synthesise what is known about the epidemiology of physical activity and sedentary behaviour of children and adults in Ghana. MEDLINE was searched for eligible studies and a narrative synthesis was conducted based on 17 identified papers as well as the 2008 Demographic and Health Survey report. Little recent high-quality data on prevalence of physical activity or sedentary behaviour in Ghana was found. Existing nationally representative data is now more than ten years old. The data identified suggest that the majority of Ghanaian adults, aged 18+ years, are physically active, achieving or exceeding World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations (84.3% according to data collected in 2007-2008). Studies reporting sedentary behaviour in adults further suggest that the majority of Ghanaians are minimally sedentary. The most consistent associations with physical activity were by gender (men achieved more than women), employment (the employed, particularly in skilled manual jobs, achieved more than the unemployed), urban or rural residence (rural inhabitants achieved more than urban inhabitants) and socio-economic status (lower physical activity with increasing socio-economic status). Meanwhile, the few existing studies of physical activity in children (all of which investigated children aged 12+ years) suggest that the proportion of children achieving WHO recommendations on physical activity may be lower than for adults. A similar gender trend exists for children as in the adult data, with boys achieving more physical activity than girls. Physical activity is accrued most frequently through active travel, and active occupations, while leisure time physical activity is low. This means that the Ghanaian population may be vulnerable to becoming increasingly inactive as work and travel become more frequently mechanised and sedentary

Improving the health and welfare of people who live in slums

Summary In the first paper in this Series we assessed theoretical and empirical evidence and concluded that the health of people living in slums is a function not only of poverty but of intimately shared physical and social environments. In this paper we extend the theory of so-called neighbourhood effects. Slums offer high returns on investment because beneficial effects are shared across many people in densely populated neighbourhoods. Neighbourhood effects also help explain how and why the benefits of interventions vary between slum and non-slum spaces and between slums. We build on this spatial concept of slums to argue that, in all low-income and-middle-income countries, census tracts should henceforth be designated slum or non-slum both to inform local policy and as the basis for research surveys that build on censuses. We argue that slum health should be promoted as a topic of enquiry alongside poverty and health

Meat versus meat alternatives: which is better for the environment and health? A nutritional and environmental analysis of animal-based products compared with their plant-based alternatives.

BACKGROUND: Poor diets lead to negative health outcomes, including increased risk of noncommunicable diseases. Food systems, most notably agriculture, contribute to greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE) that lead to climate change. Meat consumption plays a role in both health and environmental burden. Consumption of meat alternatives may reduce these harms. The aim was to compare meat products and their plant-based alternatives on nutritional parameters, GHGE and price to examine if it is feasible and beneficial for policymakers and health professionals to recommend meat alternatives. METHODS: Data on nutritional information and cost for 99 selected products were collected from five UK supermarkets. Estimates for GHGEs for 97 of these products were found through secondary articles. Median values for nutritional value, GHGE (kgCO2 e) and price per 100 g were calculated to allow comparisons between meat products and their alternatives. Mann-Whitney U tests were used to look for significant differences for each nutrient, emissions and price. RESULTS: Meat alternatives contained significantly more fibre and sugar and were significantly higher in price compared to the equivalent meat products. Meat alternatives had a significantly lower number of calories, saturated fat, protein and kgCO2 e than meat products. There was no significant difference in the amount of salt between meat and meat alternatives. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, this paper found that meat alternatives are likely to be better for health according to most parameters, while also being more environmentally friendly, with lower GHGEs. However, the higher price of these products may be a barrier to switching to meat alternatives for the poorest in society