Knowledge of Risk Factors and Preventive Measures of Hypertension Among Child Bearing Mothers

The purpose of the study was to elicit the knowledge of risk factors and preventive measures of hypertension among Child Bearing Mothers (CBMs) in Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State, Nigeria. The study adopted the descriptive research design. Specifically, three objectives with three corresponding research questions and two hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. The multi-staged sampling procedure using simple random sampling techniques of balloting without replacement was used to select 246 CBMs in Udenu LGA. Data were collected using researchers’ self-developed questionnaire and data collected were analyzed using percentages to answer the research questions. Chi-square statistics was used to verify the null hypothesis at .05 level of significance. The result showed that majority of CBMs in Udenu LGA do not have enough knowledge of risk factors of hypertension, CBMs in Udenu LGA had moderate knowledge of preventive measures of hypertension and that educational qualification had influence on the knowledge of risk factors and preventive measures of hypertension possessed by CBMs in Udenu LGA. Based on the above findings, the researchers recommended among other things that ante-natal and infant clinic health-talk should be given adequate attention in all health facilities.Keywords: Hypertension, knowledge, risk factors, preventive measure

Screening of malting sorghum samples for lactic acid bacteria with potentials for antimicrobial activity

Three varieties of sorghum grains (SK 5912, KSV 400 and KSV 8) undergoing malting process were screened for lactic acid bacteria (LAB) with antimicrobial activity and characterized using standardmethods. Out of fifty-seven lactic acid bacteria isolates, eighteen isolates with antimicrobial producing potential were selected for further study. The isolates displayed significant (p < 0.05) inhibitory activityagainst two indicator strains Escherichia coli ATCC 111755 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 12600. Eleven of these inhibitor-producing isolates secreted inhibitory compounds that were sensitive tocatalase while compounds from the other seven isolates continued to display inhibitory effect against the indicator strains after treatment with catalase. The proteinaceous nature and inactivation bycatalase of these inhibitory compounds from the seven bacteria identified them as bacteriocins. Based on standard biochemical and microbiological tests, the isolates were tentatively identified as belonging to Lactococcus spp., Leuconostoc spp., Lactobacillus spp. and Streptococcus spp. However, three isolates (GS3A, S6A and S10B) were tentatively identified as Lactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillusfermentum and Lactobacillus acidophilus, respectively. LAB isolated from three varieties of sorghum grains undergoing malting exhibited the ability to produce bacteriocin and hydrogen peroxide

Poultry farmers’ adaptation to climate change in Enugu North Agricultural Zone of Enugu State, Nigeria

The study surveyed the perceived effect and adaptation of climate change on poultry production in Enugu-North Agricultural Zone of Enugu State. A questionnaire/interview schedule was used to collect information from 60 poultry farmers. Percentage and mean score were used to analyze the data. Reduced body weight (M=3.1); reduced fertility (M=3.3) and reduced feed intake (M=3.1) were perceived by farmers as effects of climate change on poultry. Coping strategies used by farmers included keeping of resistant varieties (56.5%); adapting extensive poultry management (65.8%) and keeping other livestock (53.8%). Respondents perceived climate change as excessive sunshine (90%); excessive rainfall (80%) and increased incidence of drought (66%). The perceived causes of climate change included burning of fossil fuels from industries (M=4.2); burning of firewood (M=4.0) and deforestation (M=3.7). Sources of information available to the farmers were radio (33.3%); farmers’ meeting (28.3%), and friends (26.7%). Technical innovations (adaptation measures) should be made available to farmers to enable them cope with the challenges of climate change.Keywords: Climate change, poultry farmers, adaptatio

Sustained-release liquisolid compact tablets containing artemether-lumefantrine as alternate-day regimen for malaria treatment to improve patient compliance

Petra Obioma Nnamani,1,2 Agatha Adaora Ugwu,1 Emmanuel Chinedu Ibezim,1 Franklin Chimaobi Kenechukwu,1 Paul Achile Akpa,1 John-Dike Nwabueze Ogbonna,1 Nicholas Chinedu Obitte,3 Amelia Ngozi Odo,4 Maike Windbergs,2 Claus-Michael Lehr,2,5,6 Anthony Amaechi Attama1 1Drug Delivery and Nanomedicines Research Group, Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria; 2Department of Drug Delivery, Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Saarland University, Saarbr&uuml;cken, Germany; 3Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 4Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria; 5PharmBioTec GmbH, 6Department of Biopharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Saarland University, Saarbr&uuml;cken, Germany Abstract: The present study aimed to develop low-dose liquisolid tablets of two antimalarial drugs artemether&ndash;lumefantrine (AL) from a nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) of lumefantrine (LUM) and estimate the potential of AL as an oral delivery system in malariogenic Wistar mice. LUM-NLCs were prepared by hot homogenization using Precirol&reg; ATO 5/Transcutol&reg; HP and tallow fat/Transcutol&reg; HP optimized systems containing 3:1 ratios of the lipids, respectively, as the matrices. LUM-NLC characteristics, including morphology, particle size, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, yield, pH-dependent stability, and interaction studies, were investigated. Optimized LUM-NLCs were mixed with artemether powder and other dry ingredients and the resultant powder evaluated for micromeritics. Subsequent AL liquisolid tablets were tested for in vitro drug release and in vivo antiplasmodial activity in mice infected with Plasmodium berghei berghei (NK 65). Results showed that optimized LUM-NLC were stable, spherical, polydispersed but nanometric. Percentage yield and encapsulation efficiency were ~92% and 93% for Precirol&reg; ATO 5/Transcutol&reg; HP batch, then 81% and 95% for tallow fat/Transcutol&reg; HP batch while LUM was amorphous in NLC matrix. In vitro AL release from liquisolid compacts revealed initial burst release and subsequent sustained release. Liquisolid tablet compacts formulated with Precirol&reg; ATO 5/Transcutol&reg; HP-AL4 achieved higher LUM release in simulated intestinal fluid (84.32%) than tallow fat/Transcutol&reg; HP-BL3 (77.9%). Non-Fickian (anomalous) diffusion and super case II transport were the predominant mechanisms of drug release. Equal parasitemia reduction was observed for both batches of tablet compacts (~92%), superior to the reduction obtained with commercial antimalarial formulations: Coartem&reg; tablets (86%) and chloroquine phosphate tablets (66%). No significant difference (P&lt;0.05) in parasite reduction between double (4/24 mg/kg) and single (2/12 mg/kg) strength doses of AL compacts was observed. Our result highlights that AL could be formulated in much lower doses (4/24 mg/kg), for once-in-two days oral administration to improve patient compliance, which is currently not obtainable with conventional AL dosage forms. Keywords: malaria, artemisinin-based combination therapy, antiplasmodial activity, liquisolid compacts, nanostructured lipid carrier