New-Onset Psychosis in a Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis Patient on Cycloserine in Calabar, Nigeria: A Case Report

Drug-resistant tuberculosis poses a serious challenge to global control of TB. These forms of TB do not respond to the standard six-month treatment; it can take two years or more to treat with category IV drugs that are less potent, more toxic and much more expensive. Treatment of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis is still evolving in Nigeria. This case report highlights the side effects of cycloserine used to treat a multi-drug resistant tuberculosis patient in Calabar. Five days into therapy, he became disoriented, abusive and physically aggressive. He also displayed negativisim with paranoid delusions and insomnia. He was managed by a psychiatrist with anti-psychotic drugs. The dose of cycloserine was also reduced while that of pyridoxine was increased. He remained in a state of periodic confusion and psychosis for nine days after which his condition ameliorated. It is imperative that clinicians involved in treating multi-drug resistant tuberculosis are conversant with the side effects of category IV drugs. Acute psychosis from cycloserine toxicity requires prompt intervention by trained medical personnel using the relevant psychotropic medications. Reduction in dosage or outright stoppage of cycloserine in such situations should be considered. Use of pyridoxine in large doses also appears to be beneficial.Keywords: Psychosis, Tuberculosis, Cycloserine, Multidrug resistance, Category IV drug

SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC DETERMINANTS OF HAZARD CONTROL NEEDS OF SLAUGHTERHOUSE WORKERS IN BAYELSA STATE, NIGERIA

This study investigated the socio-demographic determinants of occupational hazard control needs among slaughterhouse workers in the Bayelsa States, Nigeria. Four research questions and four hypotheses were stated to guide the study. The descriptive research design was adopted with a population which comprised of one thousand and three (1,003) slaughterhouse workers in Bayelsa State (Bayelsa State Ministry of Agriculture, 2021). The sample size for the study was 552. A two-staged sampling technique was used to select the sample size, using proportionate sampling technique and simple random sampling technique. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire with a reliability coefficient of 0.95. Data collected were analyzed with the aid of Statistical Products for Service Solution (SPSS V-23) using bivariate and multivariate regression statistics at 0.05 level of significance. The result showed that only age was statically significant both at the bivariate (p = 0.00) and multivariate analysis (p = 0.02); educational status was significant only at the bivariate (p = 0.04), while years of work experience was significant at the multivariate analysis (p = 0.00). The result showed that on bivariate analysis, all the demographics, age (p = 0.00), education (p = 0.00) and years of experience (p = 0.00) were significant. On multivariate analysis, only education was statically significant (p = 0.004), whereas, age (p = 0.474) and years of work experience (p = 0.537) were not significant. on bivariate and multivariate analysis, all the demographics, age (p = 0.00), education (p = 0.00) and years of experience (p = 0.00) were statistically significant. It was concluded that, the socio-demographic determinants of hazard control need among slaughterhouse workers in Bayelsa State were age, educational status and years of work experience. It was recommended that, slaughterhouse site supervisors should design and implement hazard control training and retraining programmes for the workers at regular intervals with special consideration for workers’ age, educational background and years of work experience

Synthesis of Cellulose Acetate From Cashew Nut Shell Cellulose

Cashew nut was divided into its three constituent parts viz: the kernel, the testa and the shell. The shell was grated, and extracted with n-hexane using Soxhlet extractor. The Soxhlet extraction lasted for 12 hrs. The relative percent of the shell, kernel and the testa to the cashew nut were 65.49, 29.02 and 1.80 % respectively. The Deffated cashew nut shell was weighed into a thimble and extracted with eighty percent (80 %) ethanol; the extraction process was done exhaustively until the solution was colorless to yield 17.9 and 82.10 % of alcohol extractives and cashew nut shell respectively. The defatted and alcohol extracted Cashew Nut Shell was de-lignified with 17.5 % sodium hydroxide. After drying, about 2 g of the de-lignified Cashew Nut Shell cellulose was reacted with acetic acid and acetic anhydride in the presence of sulfuric acid to yield cellulose acetate. The cellulose acetate obtained was found to be soluble in acetone

Evaluation of the Effective Marketing Strategy in Revitalizing Religious Newspapers in Nigeria: Study of Enugu Catholic Diocesan Flame Newspaper

To survive in this era of competitive marketing, practitioners need to reassess, or if need be, reconstruct the whole concept of its marketing strategies and allow effective communication as it progressively move from a sellers’ market to a buyers’ market. In the words of the economists, It is either he works creatively hard to keep his clients or have them kick him out. Being able to identify the consumer and his needs is the starting points towards success in any business. The Flame Newspaper has been facing a lot of problems and challenges in the church print media category. The paper has not achieved much success in the church print media niche market due to some existing unsatisfied needs of consumers. However, this study therefore seeks to find out effective marketing strategies in revitalizing religious papers, (a study of Flame newspaper) so as to attract brand awareness, quality, affordability and profitability by gaining more customers in the ecclesiastical regions of Onitsha and Owerri. A qualitative method was used in order to evaluate and find out more about The Flame and ways to revitalize it. The process of information collection was carried out through phone in-depth interviews conducted with some selected parishioners as well as the newspaper's management. Data generated were presented in prose-like manner for analysis.Findings indicate that Flame newspaper has to engage in an integrated marketing communication program targeting its segment market; this has been its major setbacks from its inception in 1992. Therefore, lack of a proper internal organization and positive external presentation of the paper and its product was found to have reduced the paper's popularity, value, and sustainable ranking among other church papers in the region. The results of the data generated also showed the need to provide good customer services and better welfare packages for the staff.In order to treat these problems accordingly and achieve sales growth, awareness, consistency and quality, the following recommendations were made: The paper should engage in consistent promotional efforts that will focus on the consumers and their needs through innovative product and services that can satisfy their unique goal or motives. In other to target effectively their male and female urban and rural segments: There has to be a budgeting policy. It must engage both traditional and internet marketing tools to achieve their mission statements, business philosophy and vision. Keywords: Evaluation. Effective. Marketing Strategies.  Revitalizing. Religious Newspapers

Glycemic control, micronutrients and some metabolic enzyme activity in type 2 diabetes

Background: Alterations in the metabolism of some essential micronutrients and activities of some metabolic enzymes have been reported in diabetes mellitus. These changes have been attributed to hyperglycemia and increased protein glycosylation associated with diabetes and seems to be more pronounced in poor glycemic states. The influence of glycemic control on serum levels of calcium (Ca), Iron (Fe), phosphorus (P), vitamin C, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and amylase activity in type 2 diabetes were determined in this study.Methods: Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), serum calcium (Ca), Iron (Fe), phosphorus (P), vitamin C, LDH and amylase activity were determined in fifty type 2 diabetic subjects aged between 40-70 years and fifty age matched apparently healthy non-diabetic subjects in Calabar, Nigeria using colorimetric methods. Socio-demographic characteristics, anthropometric indices (body mass indices (BMI), waist to hip ratio (WHR)) and blood pressure were determined using standard methods. Data was analyzed using t-test, ANOVA and Pearson correlation analysis at p = 0.05.Results: The FPG, HbA1c, serum vitamin C, Iron and calcium levels were significantly higher and serum phosphorus lower in diabetics than in non-diabetics. Diabetics with poor glycemic control (HbA1c >8.0%) have higher serum calcium and LDH activity compared to those with good glycemic control (HbA1c <8.0%).Conclusions: Diabetes may alter the metabolism of vitamin C, Iron, calcium and phosphorus while poor glycemic control may be associated with changes in calcium and LDH activity.

Impaired expression of testicular androgen receptor and collagen fibers in the testis of diabetic rats under HAART: the role of Hypoxis hemerocallidea

Introduction. Wide spectrum of alterations associated with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has been reported. The current study aimed at evaluating the role of Hypoxis hemerocallidea (HH) aqueous extract on the testosterone levels, expression of androgen receptors and collagen fibers in the testes of streptozoto­cin-nicotinamide-induced diabetic rats under HAART regimen. Material and methods. Sixty two adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (189.0 ± 4.5 g) were divided into eight groups (8 animals in each treatment groups and 6 rats in the control group). Diabetes was induced by a single intraperi­toneal injection of nicotinamide (110 mg/kg bw) followed by streptozotocin (45 mg/kg bw) and the animals were then subjected to various treatments with HAART, HH extract or melatonin. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected to measure serum testosterone levels. Testes were fixed in buffered formaldehyde and paraffin processed. The expression of androgen receptor (AR) was assessed by immunohistochemistry and collagen fibers were visualized by Masson trichrome staining. Results. Serum testosterone level was drastically (p &lt; 0.0001) reduced in all rats with induced diabetes. In the testis of diabetic rats increased collagen fibers deposition with varying derangements in germinal epithelium of spermatogenic layers were observed. Intertubular hemorrhages and absence of spermatozoa were also noted in the testes of diabetic rats subjected to HAART. Reduced immunoexpression of ARs was found in the nuclei of Sertoli cells and the cytoplasm of spermatogonia and spermatocytes in III–IV stages of the seminiferous epithelium cycle of diabetic animals treated with different dosages of HH alone and those treated with HAART concomitantly with melatonin and HH. The expression of ARs was almost negative in the testes of rats treated with HAART alone. Conclusions. Concomitant treatment of rats with aqueous HH extract during the HAART did not change se­rum testosterone level nor mitigate the altered expression of collagen fibers and androgen receptor resulting from STZ-nicotinamide-induced diabetes. Therefore, anti-diabetic properties of Hypoxis extract require further investigation

Knowledge of HIV/AIDS Among Secondary School Adolescents in Calabar -Nigeria

Background:Awareness about HIV/AIDS has been created through the media, workshops, and peer education and printed materials. The aim of this study was to establish the impact of these awareness programmes on student. Method:An observational study using structured questionnaire among secondary school students. Results:About 181 (31.2%) of the adolescents did not know the aetiological agents of HIV/AIDS. Majority, 522 (90%) knew HIV/AIDS was transmitted through sexual intercourse. This level of knowledge was related to sex and class of study. Only 78 (13.4%) of them knew that HIV carriers might look normal. Majority, 519 (89.5%) did not know the features of AIDS. Only a few, 281 (48.4%) of the adolescents knew that avoidance of sex, keeping one sexual partner, 15 (2.6%), use of condom 101 (17.4%) and screening blood before transfusion, 31 (5.3%) could prevent HIV/AIDS transmission. Mass media was the main source of information on HIV/AIDS to these adolescents. About 191, (32.9%) of them believed HIV/AIDS cannot be prevented; 228 (39.3%) felt HIV/AIDS is common among the uneducated; 127 (21.9%) thought it is not common in Nigeria and 143 (24.7%) believed it is not common among the youths. Conclusion:Although awareness on HIV/AIDS is high among Secondary School adolescents in Calabar, the knowledge of the disease is still poor. Mass media as a source of information does not allow in-depth knowledge of the disease. Parents, teachers, as well as Health workers should be more involved in educating the youth on this dreaded disease.Fond: la Conscience de VIH/SIDA a \ue9t\ue9 cr\ue9e par la presse, les ateliers, l'\ue9ducation de pair et les mat\ue9riels imprim\ue9s. Le but de cette \ue9tude \ue9tait d'\ue9tablir l'impact de ces programmes de conscience sur l'\ue9tudiant. M\ue9thode: une \ue9tude d'observation en utilisant le questionnaire structur\ue9 parmi les \ue9tudiants d'\ue9cole secondaire. R\ue9sultats: \ue1 peu pr\ue8s 181 (31,2 %) des adolescents n'ont pas connu les agents a\ue9tiologiques de VIH/SIDA. La majorit\ue9, 522 (90%) a connu que VIH/SIDA a \ue9t\ue9 transmis par les relations sexuelles. Ce niveau de connaissance a \ue9t\ue9 attribu\ue9 au sexe et \ue1 la classe d'\ue9tude. Seulement 78 (13,4 %) d'eux ont connu que les porteurs de VIH peuvent para\ueetre normaux. La majorit\ue9, 519 (89,5 %) n'ont pas connu les caract\ue9ristiques de SIDA. Seulement quelques-uns, 281 (48,4 %) des adolescents ont connu que l'abstinence, gardant un partenaire sexuel, 15 (2,6%), l'usage de pr\ue9servatif 101 (17,4 %) le criblage de sang avant la transfusion, 31 (5,3 %) pourrait emp\ueacher la transmission de VIH/SIDA. Les m\ue9dias \ue9taient la source principale d'information sur VIH/SIDA \ue1 ces adolescents. Environ 191, (32,9 %) d'eux ont cru que VIH/SIDA ne peut pas \ueatre prevenu; 228 (39,3 %) ont pens\ue9 que VIH/SIDA est commun parmi les incultes; 127 (21,9 %) ont pens\ue9 qu'il n'est pas commun au Nig\ue9ria et 143 (24,7 %) ont cru qu'il n'est pas commun parmi les jeunes. Conclusion: bien Que la conscience sur VIH/SIDA est haute parmi les adolescents d'\ue9cole secondaires \ue1 Calabar, la connaissance de la maladie est toujours inad\ue9quate. Les m\ue9dias comme une source d'information ne permet pas la connaissance approfondie de la maladie. Les parents, les enseignants, de m\ueame que les ouvriers de sant\ue9 devrait \ueatre plus impliqu\ue9s dans l'\ue9ducation des jeunes sur cette maladie redout\ue9e

Cucumeropsis mannii seed oil ameliorates Bisphenol‐A‐induced adipokines dysfunctions and dyslipidemia

From Wiley via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: received 2022-12-25, rev-recd 2023-01-07, accepted 2023-02-06, pub-electronic 2023-02-18Article version: VoRPublication status: PublishedThis study demonstrated the therapeutic potentials of Cucumeropsis mannii seed oil (CMSO) capable of alleviating BPA‐induced dyslipidemia and adipokine dysfunction. In this study, we evaluated the effects of CMSO on adipokine dysfunctions and dyslipidemia in bisphenol‐A (BPA)‐induced male Wistar rats. Six‐week‐old 36 albino rats of 100–200 g weight were assigned randomly to six groups, which received varied doses of BPA and/or CMSO. The administration of BPA and CMSO was done at the same time for 42 days by oral intubation. The adipokine levels and lipid profile were measured in adipose tissue and plasma using standard methods. BPA induced significant (p < .05) increases in triglycerides, cholesterol, leptin, LDL‐C, and atherogenic and coronary risk indices in adipose tissue and plasma, as well as a decrease in adiponectin and HDL‐C levels in Group II animals. BPA administration significantly (p < .05) elevated Leptin levels and reduced adiponectin levels. BPA plus CMSO reduced triglycerides, cholesterol, leptin, LDL‐C, and atherogenic and coronary risk indices while increasing adiponectin levels and HDL‐C in adipose tissue and plasma (p < .05). The results showed that BPA exposure increased adipose tissue as well as serum levels of the atherogenic index, triglycerides, cholesterol, coronary risk index, LDL‐C, leptin, and body weight with decreased adiponectin levels and HDL‐C. Treatment with CMSO reduced the toxicities caused by BPA in rats by modulating the body weight, adiponectin/leptin levels, and lipid profiles in serum and adipose tissue. This study has shown that CMSO ameliorates BPA‐induced dyslipidemia and adipokine dysfunctions. We suggest for further clinical trial to establish the clinical applications

Monadologism, Inter-subjectivity and the Quest for Social Order

Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz presents the idea of monads, as non-communicative, self-actuating system of beings that are windowless, closed, eternal, deterministic and individualistic. For him, the whole universe and its constituents are monads and that includes humans. In fact, any ‘body’, such as the ‘body’ of an animal or man has, according to Leibniz, one dominant monad which controls the others within it. This dominant monad, he often refers to as the soul. If Leibniz’s conception of monads is accepted, it merely establishes human subjectivity, idiosyncrasies, biases, prejudices and individual points of view as the norm. How then do we ensure inter-subjectivity and the kind of social interaction requisite for the achievement of social order, since Leibniz’s system forecloses the possibility of interaction and communication among monads? In this essay, we argue that just as Leibniz’s monads synchronize only through the Supreme Monad (Monas Monadum), humans as social monads should also interact through a matrix of ideals like truth, honesty, sincerity, integrity, altruism, impartiality, compassion and trust. Since social order is actualised only within the context of linked social structures, relations and values, these utopian ideals would form the fulcrum through which humans relate and the very foundation that would anchor a viable social order. Our aim here is to establish a relationship between Leibniz’s metaphysics and the physical domains of life by showing that metaphysical constructs can impinge on human social relations and wellbeing. The study employed the qualitative method of research through critical analysis of texts, library and archival materials