ALCOHOL AND PSYCHOACTIVE SUBSTANCE USE AMONG MEDICAL STUDENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN, NIGERIA

The study was aimed at determining the prevalence and predictive factors associated with alcohol and other psychoactive substance use among medical students of the University of Ilorin. A self administered interview schedule consisting of WHO Students Drug Use Survey Questionnaire, and the General Health Questionnaire-12 were administered to a weighted proportionate sample of the respondents. The most currently used substances were mild stimulants (19.4%), alcohol (12.5%), hypnosedatives (3.4%), tobacco (1.7%), cannabis (1.7%), opioids (0.9%) and organic solvents (0.4%). Parents’ alcohol use, respondents perceived harm of alcohol use, level of religiosity, peers’ influence were found to have significant association with current alcohol use. There was no significant association between respondent’s perceived harm of substance use and current use of tobacco, hypnosedatives, mild stimulants and cannabis. Eighty five percent of respondents had a GHQ score of 0-2 (negative) while 14.7% had a score of 3-12 (positive). There was no significant association between psychiatric morbidity on one hand and current or lifetime substance use on the other. We concluded that while the prevalence of current use of some psychoactive substances has reduced over the past 6 years, others have increased. It was suggested that planners of medical education should continue to lay emphasis on the risks of psychoactive substance use as part of the medical school curriculum. Other governmental and non-governmental bodies should also continue to plan and implement campaigns against substance use, not only among medical students, but the society in general

Physico-chemical Properties of Serendipity Berry ( Dioscoreophyllum cuminsii ) Fruit

This study evaluates the physico-chemical properties of serendipity berry. Physico-chemical properties of the serendipity berries were analyzed. The total number of berries in a bunch of fruit ranged from 45 to 98. This depends on the size of the bunch. The results revealed the dry matter, moisture, soluble solids and vitamin C to be 19.56%, 80.44%, 11.20% and 12.80mg/100g respectively. Titratable acidity and pH were 0.21% and 6.6 respectively. The number of berries per bunch ranged from 45-98 and the 10-fruit weight was 5.30g. Total carotenoid value was 2.01 mg/100g in the fruit. The fruits have appreciable amount of total soluble solid which could serve as a source of energy. Serendipity berry fruits compared relatively with other fruits used in the fruit industry

Effect of Breadfruit Based Complementary Food on Weight and Haematological Parameters in Albino Rats.

In this study, the effect of breadfruit based complementary food on weight and hematological parameters was investigated. In the study forty- five (45) albino rats (Wistar  strain) were randomly distributed  into metabolic cages (8 groups) of 5 rats each, they were adapted  to a diet containing 4% casein for a period of  five days. After the acclimatization period the animals were then  re-weighed and regrouped. The average weight per group was approximately the same. One group of five animals served as control for the experimental group and blood samples were collected. The 6 grouped animals were placed on the diets formulated for a period of 28 days; while a group of 5 animals were placed on a commercial complementary food. Water and food were supplied ad libitum. Blood samples were collected through cardiac puncture at 0, 14 and 28 days for hematological parameters analyses. The results showed that there is significant increases (p>0.05) in the level of the total WBC (White Blood Cell) count, platelet count and PCV (Packed Cell Volume)  when compared  with the control group. The results suggested that incessant consumption of the complementary food may be advisable. Keywords: Breadfruit, Complimentary diet, Formulation, Hematological, Weight

DESIGN, FABRICATION AND OPTIMIZATION OF OPERATIONAL PARAMETERS OF A SMALL SCALE DE-FEATHERING MACHINE

The aim of this work is to design and fabricate a small scale de-feathering machine and investigate into the optimal operational parameters for de-feathering. The fabricated de-feathering machine has its electric motor placed by its side for easy coupling, detachability and prolonged life span of motor. It has a door by its side for easy removal of the carcass.  The materials used for the fabrication of the de-feathering machine were carefully selected to ensure minimal damage to the carcass. The optimal scalding temperature of 60 oC, scalding time of 56.56 seconds, and de-feathering time of 12 seconds was found to have the highest efficiency of 96.6 %. The machine was able to achieve the desired quality. It saves time and it is of high efficiency. Keywords:  DESIGN, FABRICATION AND OPTIMIZATION, DEFEATHERING MACHINE DOI: 10.7176/ISDE/12-3-04 Publication date:September 30th 2021

Morphological and morphometric studies of the aorta, pulmonary trunk, and heart of streptozotocin-induced diabetic Wistar rats

Micro-anatomical changes in the aorta, pulmonary trunk, and left ventricle of Wistar rats were studied after the administration of streptozotocin. Twenty adult Rattus norvegicus were randomly assigned into two groups (control and diabetic) of ten rats each. Diabetes mellitus was experimentally induced in the diabetic group of rats by daily intra-peritoneal administration of multiple doses of 40 mg/kg streptozotocin dissolved in 0.1 M sodium citrate buffer for five consecutive days. The control group was given the equivalent volume of citrate buffer. The animals were monitored for four weeks after streptozotocin administration. Post sacrifice, the left ventricle, aorta, and pulmonary trunk were excised, weighed, and fixed by immersion in 10% formol saline. The tissues were processed for paraffin embedding, and sections of 6 &#956;m thickness were produced and stained with H & E for general histological observations, and Verhoeff-van Gieson elastic fibre stain to demonstrate elastic fibres in these cardiovascular structures. The data obtained were analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics. Histopathological and morphometric examinations of the stained sections showed a significant increase in the thickness of the tunica intima of aorta (t = &#8211;7.49; df = 9; p < 0.05) and pulmonary trunk (t = &#8211;10.81; df = 9; p < 0.05) in diabetic rats (14.59 &#177; 1.189 mm and 11.307 &#177; 0.863 mm, respectively) when compared to that of the control group (3.62 &#177; 0.353 mm and 3.22 &#177; 0.244 mm, respectively). In addition, the distribution of elastic and collagen fibres was sparse in the hearts of the diabetic group when compared to that of the control group. The findings of this study demonstrated that diabetes mellitus might cause some alterations in the microanatomy of cardiovascular structures

Changes in Functional and Pasting Properties of Trifoliate Yam Flour during Storage

This work aimed at determining the changes in functional and pasting properties of trifoliate yam flour during storage. Freshly harvested trifoliate yam tubers were processed into flour and stored in sealed low density polyethylene polyester for four months. Functional and pasting properties of the flour were evaluated monthly. Moisture contents ranged from 7.49 to 15.30 %. Moisture contents increased with month of storage. Bulk density ranged from 0.58 to 0.69 g/cm3, water absorption capacity 1.44 to 1.93 ml H2O/g and swelling index 1.38 to 2.22. The functional properties decreased with length of storage. Flour obtained at the initial period had the least peak viscosity (3180 cP) while the highest value (3338 cP) was at the second month of storage. Storage of trifoliate yam flour improved the holding strength and final viscosities of the flour. Holding strength and final viscosities increased with length of storage. Flour stored at fourth month had higher setback value (1098.5 cP). There were reductions in the pasting time of the flour with storage periods. There were no significant differences (p&gt;0.05) in pasting temperatures of the flours. Storage of trifoliate yam flour for three months is advisable due to high moisture contents which may be detrimental to keeping quality of the flou

Comparative study of treatment outcome in apicectomies with or without root-end filling

Background: High success rate has been reported widely with conventional endodontic. When failure occurs, re-treatment alone or with surgical endodontics is the recommended treatment.Objective: To compare the treatment outcome following apicectomy techniques, apicectomy with and without retrograde root – end filling.Methods: Fifty three patients presenting with clinical and radiological evidence of pulpal and periapical pathology ≥5mm that will require apicectomy were randomly recruited into the study groups A or B over a period of 12 month. In group A apicectomy was performed without root - end filling and in group B apicectomy was performed with root – end filling. Patients were recalled 12 months and assessed clinically and radiologically.Results: 35 out of 53 recruited patients reported for 12 month re-call visit. Two were excluded because of missing baseline radiographs. 33 patients that reported at 12months recall visit with complete radiographs were used for analysis. Patients age ranged from 16 – 66 years, with those in age group 21 – 30 years predominant, Majority (57.6%) were males. Forty teeth were treated, 14 had root – end filling and 26 without root – end filling. Maxillary incisors were the most frequently apicectomized teeth. 32 (80%) out of 40 apicectomized teeth were successful, 14 (88.5%) out of 26 teeth treated without root end filling were successful, while 9 (64.3%) out of 14 teeth treated with apicectomy with retrofil were successful.Conclusion: Though apicectomized teeth without root-end filling had a higher percentage of success it was not statistically significant (p=0.15)

Histomorphological and morphometric studies of the pancreatic islet cells of diabetic rats treated with extracts of Annona muricata

Microanatomical changes in the pancreatic islet cells of streptozotocin induced diabetic Wistar rats were studied after treatment with methanolic extracts of Annona muricata leaves. Thirty adult Wistar rats were randomly assigned into three groups (control, untreated diabetic group, and A. muricata-treated diabetic group) of ten rats each. Diabetes mellitus was experimentally induced in groups B and C by a single intra-peritoneal injection of 80 mg/kg streptozotocin dissolved in 0.1 M citrate buffer. The control rats were intraperitoneally injected with an equivalent volume of citrate buffer. Daily intra peritoneal injections of 100 mg/kg A. muricata were administered to group C rats for two weeks. Post sacrifice the pancreases of the rats were excised and fixed in Bouin&#8217;s fluid. The tissues were processed for paraffin embedding and sections of 5 &#956;m thickness were produced and stained with H & E, Gomori aldehyde fuchsin, and chrome alum haematoxylin-phloxine for demonstration of the &#946;-cells of islets of pancreatic islets. Histomorphological and morphometric examination of the stained pancreatic sections showed a significant increase in the number, diameter, and volume of the &#946;-cells of pancreatic islets of the A. muricata-treated group (5.67 &#177; 0.184 N/1000 &#956;m2, 5.38 &#177; 0.093 &#956;m and 85.12 &#177; 4.24 &#956;m3, respectively) when compared to that of the untreated diabetic group of rats (2.85 &#177; 0.361 N/1000 &#956;m2, 2.85 &#177; 0.362 &#956;m and 69.56 &#177; 5.216 &#956;m3, respectively). The results revealed regeneration of the &#946;-cells of islets of pancreatic islet of rats treated with extract of A. muricata. (Folia Morphol 2010; 69, 2: 92-100

Effects of Farmers’ Demographic Factors on the Adoption of Grain Storage Technologies Developed by Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI): A case study of selected villages in Ilorin West LGA of Kwara State.

This study was carried out to identify the factors that determine farmers’ adoption of NSPRI grain storage technologies in selected villages of Ilorin West Local Government Area of Kwara State. Data used were collected from a total of 120 respondents who were randomly selected from 6 villages of the Local Government Area. 10% of all the farmers in each of the villages were interviewed. The variables examined in the study are sex, age, marital status, primary occupation, secondary occupation, level of education, number of dependents, years of farming, farm size, years of grain production, means of farm land acquisition and types of grain produced. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression model were used to analyze data. The inferential statistical tool used indicated significant relationship between sex and NSPRI grain storage technologies’ adoption.  Level of education and occupation were also significantly related to adoption of NSPRI grains storage technologies. This study recommends a wholesome dissemination model that will benefit both educated and uneducated farmer and also the involvement of farmers’ group or representatives in participatory approach of technology development, introduction and use. Keywords: Education, farming, occupation, participatory development, logit regression model

Acute aflatoxin B1 – Induced hepatotoxicity alters gene expression and disrupts lipid and lipoprotein metabolism in rats

In this study, alterations in lipid metabolism associated with acute aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) induced hepatotoxicity and gene expression changes underlying these effects were investigated. Rats were orally administered three doses (0.25 mg/kg, 0.5 mg/kg and 1.0 mg/kg) of AFB1 for seven days; after which blood was collected and liver excised. Lipid profiles of plasma and liver were determined spectrophotometrically while the expression of genes associated with lipid and lipoprotein metabolism was assayed by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Acute exposure to AFB1 increased the levels of plasma and liver cholesterol, triglycerides and phospholipids. AFB1 at 0.5 mg/kg and 1.0 mg/kg resulted in a dose-dependent (1.2 and 1.5 fold, respectively) downregulation of hepatic Cpt1a with a concomitant 1.2 and 1.5 fold increase in the level of plasma FFA, respectively. A similar observation of 1.2 and 1.3 fold increase was also observed in plasma triglyceride concentration, at both respective doses. AFB1 also decreased the relative expression of Ahr, Lipc and Lcat whereas, it upregulated Scarb1 in a dose dependent manner. AFB1-induced dysregulation of the expression of lipid and lipoprotein metabolizing genes may be one mechanism linking AFB1 to altered lipid metabolism and ultimately risk for coronary heart disease