Effects of Raw Ethanolic Seed Extract of Tetracarpidium conophorum on Heamatological and Histopathological Parameters in Swiss Albino Mice Infected with Plasmodium berghei

Study was carried out to determine the heamatological and histopathological effects of raw ethanolic seed extract of Tetracarpidium conophorum in swiss albino mice infected with Plasmodium berghei (NK65). Standard methods were employed to determine the heamatological, histopathological indices and biochemical assay. The experimental mice were acclimatized for seven days before the commencement of treatment. Mice were grouped into six groups (A, B, C, D, E and F) of four mice each. The mice in group B were treated with a standard antimalarial drug (chloroquine as positive control) at a dose of 5 mg/kg body weight, while mice in groups D, E and F was administered with increasing dosages (200, 400, 600 mg/kg body weight) of seed extracts for four consecutive days respectively. Group C (Normal control) served as mice that was not infected and treated. Heamatological analysis revealed an increase in Packed Cell Volume, Red Blood Cells, Heamoglobin and Platelet values of all mice in groups D, E and F (mice administered different concentrations of the extract). Mice in group B (chloroquine treated group) have the highest value. Mice in group A (negative control) exhibited lowest values of Heamoglobin, Platelet, Red blood cells, and Packed Cell Volume. There was significant increase in the levels of Alanine Transaminase and Aspartate Transaminase in group A (infected and not treated) compared to mice in groups C, D, and E. Restorative effects of seed extract was observed on the liver and kidney of mice at dose levels (400 and 600 mg/kg) used, but the seed extract at the dose of 600 mg/kg was observed to have adverse effects on the liver of the mice. This study therefore shows that Tetracarpidium conophorum was able to boost the formation of heamatological indices and was not toxic to the organs (liver and kidney) in mice

Evaluation of Refractivity Gradient and k-factor within the Lower Troposphere of Maiduguri and Enugu under Two Climatic Zones in Nigeria

Estimation of radio refractivity is important in the planning and design of terrestrial radio communication links for the availability and accessibility of strong networks and signals. This paper investigates the refractivity gradient, effective earth radius factor (k), and the geo-climatic factor K in the first 1km of the troposphere of two selected stations (Maiduguri and Enugu) under different climatic zones in Nigeria. The indirect method of measuring radio refractivity was employed in this study to take measurements over the two selected stations. Vertical profile values of pressure (hPa), Temperature (°C), and Relative humidity (%) within the first 1 km were extracted from MERRA MAIMCPASM V5.20 database profile obtained from a satellite sounding instrument by NASA in the United States. MatLab programming language was used to evaluate the refractivity gradient, k-factor, and geo-climatic factor using the equations recommended by ITU. The results showed that Enugu was predominantly sub-refractive due to the tropical savannah climate while Maiduguri encountered both sub-refractive and normal refractive conditions due to the hot semi-arid climate, and unstable and extreme weather conditions in the region