Cigarette smoke pollution promotes oxidative stress imbalance and hormonal changes affecting pregnancy outcome in rats

Background: The deleterious effect of cigarette smoke on several health parameters due to pollution of air is of international concern. How these affect all living organisms and their wellbeing is a major research area. The development of oxidative stress, alteration in lipid peroxidation, thyroid and pregnancy hormone pattern was examined in pregnant rats exposed to cigarette smoke throughout the gestation period. Methods: Cigarette smoke exposed and control pregnant rats were sacrificed at gestational day 6, 12 and 20. Serum was collected for hormonal assay. Some vital organs were also dissected out, homogenized and used for oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation assay. Gestational weights, corporal luteum and implanted embryos were also recorded. Results: There was a significant increased loss of corpora lutea, embryonic implants and a disruption of the hormonal pattern of LH, progesterone and estradiol during pregnancy in cigarette smoke exposed rats. A significant increase in serum cortisol and brain tissue level of MDA, SOD and a significant decrease in GSH in cigarette smoke exposed rats was recorded. Conclusion: Exposing pregnant rats to cigarette smoke precipitated oxidative stress, early loss of corpora lutea, disruption in hormonal pattern and an increasing loss of embryonic implants.Keywords: Cigarette smoke, implantation, corpus luteum, pregnancy, female sex hormone, thyroid hormone, oxidative stres

Comparative Assessment of Growth Structure and Litter Size of Grasscutter (Thryonomys Swinderianus Temminck, 1872) Bred In Captivity

Cane rats under domestication and multiplication in Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, Ibadan were assessed for their population growth, structure and analysis over a period of five years (2009-2013). On the basis of weight gain, fecundity and docility, thirty-two (32) female grass cutter were selected for reproduction. A buck (male) was provided with one to three does (females) for mating and the mating group continued to live together until pregnancy was observed. These animals were housed in floor hutches constructed with 6-inch hollow blocks. The off springs were monitored for sex ratios and population growth and data generated were subjected to analysis using both continuous statistics of percentages and inferential statistics of X2.  Continuous statistics results revealed that more cases of parturition occurred during rainy season than dry season probably due to high quality forage that is always available during the season but inferential statistics did not establish it  Analysis also showed that more female grass cutter were produced than males on yearly basis but mortality affected more females than males probably because the stress of continuous parturition coupled with age may weaken their   resistance against diseases and environmental fluctuations. Also, mortality figure was higher during wet than dry season, implying that the animals need more care and medical care during rainy season. These observations are subjects of further research. Keywords. Cane rat, domestication, parturition, litter, sex ratio, mortality

The Effects of Population Growth on Deforestation in Nigeria: 1991 – 2016

This study examines the effects of population growth on deforestation in Nigeria between 1991 and 2016. Anthropogenic factors especially population growth were identified to be the major forces responsible for deforestation in Nigeria. The Augmented Dickey Fuller (ADF) test was used to establish stationarity among the variables and the Johansen cointegration test was used to establish a long run relationship between population growth and deforestation in Nigeria. Population growth was found to have a negative effect on the available forest cover in Nigeria. The study therefore recommends the development of rural areas, enactment of policies aimed at reducing population growth and sensitization to protect the available forest resources in Nigeria. Keywords: forests, deforestation, population growt

PROXIMATE AND MINERAL COMPOSITION OF SPICED, SMOKED CATFISH Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822)

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Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon and microbial load of naturally preserved smoked African mud catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822)

 Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) and microbial load of naturally preserved smoked African mud catfish (Clarias gariepinus Burchell, 1822) were examined. The experimental design was Complete Randomized Design (CRD) with the treatments been the variously preserved C. gariepinus catfish (garlic, ginger, garlic-ginger homogenate preserved and the control without spices). PAH and the microbial load were determined using standard experimental procedures. All PAH values were within internationally recommend value for human consumption, the aerobic mesophilic counts of unpreserved smoked catfish was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than other preserved smoked C. gariepinus (2.51 ± 0.01- 8.98 ± 0.02 log cfu/g); while garlic-ginger preserved smoked catfish product had the lowest aerobic mesophilic counts (2.48 ± 0.01-8.92 ± 0.01 log cfu/g) during the period of the experiment. Similar trends were observed in the mould fungal, Staphylococcal, coliform, Salmonella and Shigella counts. However, Staphylococcal counts, coliform count and Salmonella and Shigella counts were not detected in the samples at the onset of the experiment. The preserved smoked fish are good and safe for human consumptions when stored at ambient temperatures (25-36oC) for 56 days. The combination of garlic and ginger provide a much stronger antibiotic effect than the individual ingredients

Effect of variation in temperature and relative humidity on the reproductive performance of grasscutters held in captivity

This study investigated the reproductive performance of grasscutter through oestrus, mating, parturition, abortion and litter size in establishing the success of this performance during the rainy season and dry season. Effects of the atmospheric temperature and relative humidity on the reproductive performance of grasscutter in captivity were duly observed. Twenty female grasscutters were used with ten males for mating and were subsequently individually caged to determine the outcome of male-female contact (i.e. mating, conception and parturition). The signs of mating were detected by observing the marks of climbing at the back of the female grasscutter (doe),observing the changes in the perineum of the female before and after mating, monitoring the changes in weight gained post-mating and presence of fetuses by abdominal palpation. Parturition was detected by monitoring the expectant mothers with successful mating signs and distended abdomens. Keywords: Grasscutter, reproductive performance, reproduction, parturition, mating

Microsatellite markers-based characterisation of elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) harvested from selected locations in South-West Nigeria

This study was carried out to characterise Pennisetum purpureum harvested from some selected locations in S outh-W estern Nigeria using microsatellite markers. Leaf parts of growing young elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) were harvested and immediately preserved in ethanol solution before DNA extraction. Two (2) SSR primers (CTM59 and Xtxp278) were used to assess genetic diversity in Pennisetum purpureum. The result shows that 72% of the molecular variations in the elephant grass exists within the population with 28% among the population; there were no unique characteristics among the Nine (9) populations. Nei genetic index ranged from 0.067 (lowest) observed between Isokan and Odeda populations to 0.158 (highest), between Ifedore and Ikoyi Populations. Morphological characterization showed moderate diversity with two major clusters and one minor cluster. Keyword: Elephant grass; cultivars; locations; marker

Burden of cytopaenias among HIV positive pregnant women at the University College Hospital, Ibadan

Introduction: Few studies have examined cytopaenia among HIV positive pregnant women.Objectives: To assess burden of cytopaenia among HIV positive pregnant women.Methodology: This cross-sectional study of women on HAART <6months, defined anemia as hematocrit <33%, leucopenia as total white blood cell count <3,000 cells/mm3 and thrombocytopenia as absolute platelet count <100,000 cells/mm3. Univariate and bivariate analyses were performed.Results: Over 8 years, of 1,197 women, the mean age was 29.02(±5.4) years and mean gestational age 25.9(±8.1) weeks. Prevalence of anaemia was 76.8%, leucopaenia 6.9% and thrombocytopenia 4.7%. The mean haematocrit was 28.5%(±4.5); median white blood count 5,500/mm3 ; median platelet count 200,000/mm3 and median CD4 323 cells/mm3.Mean haematocrit was highest (29.7%±5.3) in women in the first trimester but lowest (28.4% ±4.6) in women in second trimester (p=0.04). Compared with earlier trimesters, women in the third trimester had higher median white blood count (5,600 cells/mm3), higher neutrophil (61.0% ±11.2) but lower lymphocytes(28.3%± 9.2) (p=0.18; 0.00, 0.00). Median absolute platelet count was highest (206,000 cells/mm3) in the first trimester but lowest (195,000 cells/mm3) in third trimester (0.04). Women with lower CD4 had higher prevalence of cytopaenias.Conclusion: Cytopaenias are not uncommon in this population especially with lower CD4

Stroke in Africa: Profile, progress, prospects and priorities

Funding text 1 R.O.A. is supported by the UK Royal Society/African Academy of Sciences FLAIR Grants FLR/R1/191813 and FCG/R1/ 201034, and a GCRF Networking Grant from the UK Academy of Medical Sciences. R.O.A., M.O.O., B.O. and F.S.S. are also supported by grants U54HG007479 and U01HG010273 from the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) as part of the H3Africa Consortium. M.O.O., B.O., R.O.A. and F.S.S. are further supported by NIH grant R01NS107900. R.N.K.’s research on elderly survivors of stroke has been supported by the Medical Research Council, RCUK Newcastle Centre for Brain Ageing and Vitality (MRC G0500247), Alzheimer’s Research UK, the Dunhill Medical Trust, UK, and the Newcastle National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre in Ageing and Age-Related Diseases, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals National Health Service Foundation Trust. Funding text 2 funds provided by the Wellcome Trust and the NIH. The NIH-funded SIREN study is exploring the genetic architecture of stroke among Indigenous Africans. More than 4,000 case–control pairs have already been recruited to the study and several publications on stroke phenom-ics and preliminary candidate gene analyses have been generated. The SIREN study has also undertaken the first-ever GWAS to unravel the genetic architecture of stroke in Indigenous Africans and the results are eagerly awaited. Stroke neurobanking resources consisting of blood fractions, extracted DNA, neuroimages and databases of clinical information are also being built in Africa and could facilitate data science-driven trans-omics research (including epigenomics, tran-scriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics) as well as the development of precision medicine products such as Afrocentric risk calculators, polygenic risk scores, biomarkers and drug targets23–25,227,307,308. The SIREN neurobiobank comprises a group of constantly monitored ultra-low-temperature (–86 °C) freezers located in Ibadan, Nigeria, constantly powered –20 °C chest freezers located in Ibadan and other recruitment sites, barcode scanners and printers, a laboratory information management system, a secure multi-terabyte server,Stroke is a leading cause of disability, dementia, and death worldwide. Approximately 70% of deaths from stroke and 87% of stroke-related disabilities occur in low-income and middle-income countries. At the turn of the century, the most common diseases in Africa were communicable diseases, whereas non-communicable diseases, including stroke, were considered rare, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. However, evidence indicates that today, Africa could have up to 2–3-fold greater rates of stroke incidence and higher stroke prevalence than western Europe and the USA. In Africa, data published within the past decade show that stroke has an annual incidence rate of up to 316 per 100,000, a prevalence of up to 1,460 per 100,000, and a 3-year fatality rate greater than 80%. Moreover, many Africans have a stroke within the fourth to sixth decades of life, with serious implications for the individual, their family, and society. This age profile is particularly important as strokes in younger people tend to result in a greater loss of self-worth and socioeconomic productivity than in older individuals. Emerging insights from research into stroke epidemiology, genetics, prevention, care, and outcomes offer great prospects for tackling the growing burden of stroke on the continent. In this article, we review the unique profile of stroke in Africa and summarize current knowledge on stroke epidemiology, genetics, prevention, acute care, rehabilitation, outcomes, cost of care, and awareness. We also discuss knowledge gaps, emerging priorities, and future directions of stroke medicine for the more than 1 billion people who live in Africa. © 2021, Springer Nature Limited.Newcastle National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre in Ageing and Age-Related Diseases Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals National Health Service Foundation Trust RCUK Newcastle Centre for Brain Ageing and Vitality Royal Society/African Academy of Sciences: FCG/R1/ 201034,FLR/R1/191813 National Institutes of Health (NIH): R01NS107900 Wellcome Trust (WT) Medical Research Council (MRC): G0500247 Dunhill Medical Trust (DMT) Academy of Medical Sciences: U01HG010273,U54HG007479 Alzheimer’s Research UK (ARUK

Global, regional, and national life expectancy, all-cause mortality, and cause-specific mortality for 249 causes of death, 1980�2015: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015

Background Improving survival and extending the longevity of life for all populations requires timely, robust evidence on local mortality levels and trends. The Global Burden of Disease 2015 Study (GBD 2015) provides a comprehensive assessment of all-cause and cause-specific mortality for 249 causes in 195 countries and territories from 1980 to 2015. These results informed an in-depth investigation of observed and expected mortality patterns based on sociodemographic measures. Methods We estimated all-cause mortality by age, sex, geography, and year using an improved analytical approach originally developed for GBD 2013 and GBD 2010. Improvements included refinements to the estimation of child and adult mortality and corresponding uncertainty, parameter selection for under-5 mortality synthesis by spatiotemporal Gaussian process regression, and sibling history data processing. We also expanded the database of vital registration, survey, and census data to 14�294 geography�year datapoints. For GBD 2015, eight causes, including Ebola virus disease, were added to the previous GBD cause list for mortality. We used six modelling approaches to assess cause-specific mortality, with the Cause of Death Ensemble Model (CODEm) generating estimates for most causes. We used a series of novel analyses to systematically quantify the drivers of trends in mortality across geographies. First, we assessed observed and expected levels and trends of cause-specific mortality as they relate to the Socio-demographic Index (SDI), a summary indicator derived from measures of income per capita, educational attainment, and fertility. Second, we examined factors affecting total mortality patterns through a series of counterfactual scenarios, testing the magnitude by which population growth, population age structures, and epidemiological changes contributed to shifts in mortality. Finally, we attributed changes in life expectancy to changes in cause of death. We documented each step of the GBD 2015 estimation processes, as well as data sources, in accordance with Guidelines for Accurate and Transparent Health Estimates Reporting (GATHER). Findings Globally, life expectancy from birth increased from 61·7 years (95 uncertainty interval 61·4�61·9) in 1980 to 71·8 years (71·5�72·2) in 2015. Several countries in sub-Saharan Africa had very large gains in life expectancy from 2005 to 2015, rebounding from an era of exceedingly high loss of life due to HIV/AIDS. At the same time, many geographies saw life expectancy stagnate or decline, particularly for men and in countries with rising mortality from war or interpersonal violence. From 2005 to 2015, male life expectancy in Syria dropped by 11·3 years (3·7�17·4), to 62·6 years (56·5�70·2). Total deaths increased by 4·1 (2·6�5·6) from 2005 to 2015, rising to 55·8 million (54·9 million to 56·6 million) in 2015, but age-standardised death rates fell by 17·0 (15·8�18·1) during this time, underscoring changes in population growth and shifts in global age structures. The result was similar for non-communicable diseases (NCDs), with total deaths from these causes increasing by 14·1 (12·6�16·0) to 39·8 million (39·2 million to 40·5 million) in 2015, whereas age-standardised rates decreased by 13·1 (11·9�14·3). Globally, this mortality pattern emerged for several NCDs, including several types of cancer, ischaemic heart disease, cirrhosis, and Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. By contrast, both total deaths and age-standardised death rates due to communicable, maternal, neonatal, and nutritional conditions significantly declined from 2005 to 2015, gains largely attributable to decreases in mortality rates due to HIV/AIDS (42·1, 39·1�44·6), malaria (43·1, 34·7�51·8), neonatal preterm birth complications (29·8, 24·8�34·9), and maternal disorders (29·1, 19·3�37·1). Progress was slower for several causes, such as lower respiratory infections and nutritional deficiencies, whereas deaths increased for others, including dengue and drug use disorders. Age-standardised death rates due to injuries significantly declined from 2005 to 2015, yet interpersonal violence and war claimed increasingly more lives in some regions, particularly in the Middle East. In 2015, rotaviral enteritis (rotavirus) was the leading cause of under-5 deaths due to diarrhoea (146�000 deaths, 118�000�183�000) and pneumococcal pneumonia was the leading cause of under-5 deaths due to lower respiratory infections (393�000 deaths, 228�000�532�000), although pathogen-specific mortality varied by region. Globally, the effects of population growth, ageing, and changes in age-standardised death rates substantially differed by cause. Our analyses on the expected associations between cause-specific mortality and SDI show the regular shifts in cause of death composition and population age structure with rising SDI. Country patterns of premature mortality (measured as years of life lost YLLs) and how they differ from the level expected on the basis of SDI alone revealed distinct but highly heterogeneous patterns by region and country or territory. Ischaemic heart disease, stroke, and diabetes were among the leading causes of YLLs in most regions, but in many cases, intraregional results sharply diverged for ratios of observed and expected YLLs based on SDI. Communicable, maternal, neonatal, and nutritional diseases caused the most YLLs throughout sub-Saharan Africa, with observed YLLs far exceeding expected YLLs for countries in which malaria or HIV/AIDS remained the leading causes of early death. Interpretation At the global scale, age-specific mortality has steadily improved over the past 35 years; this pattern of general progress continued in the past decade. Progress has been faster in most countries than expected on the basis of development measured by the SDI. Against this background of progress, some countries have seen falls in life expectancy, and age-standardised death rates for some causes are increasing. Despite progress in reducing age-standardised death rates, population growth and ageing mean that the number of deaths from most non-communicable causes are increasing in most countries, putting increased demands on health systems. Funding Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. © 2016 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY licens