Use of Diverse Extraction Protocols to Decide the Integrity of Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) Samples Extracted from Bovine Bone Samples of Different Ages obtained from an Abattoir in Ikorodu, Lagos State, Nigeria

Techniques for the identification human and non-human biological samples are developing at very high rates with the advent of different DNA extraction methods and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based assays. This study aimed at using different extraction protocols to determine the integrity of DNA samples extracted from bovine bone samples of different ages collected from abattoir in Ikorodu, Lagos State, Nigeria. The DNA was extracted using CTAB, PCI protocols and a DNA kit (Quick DNA MiniPrep Plus Kit). Bovine mtDNA fragment containing the gene encoding ATPase 8 was amplified via Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). The PCR products were analysed on 1.8% agarose gel. It was observed that the DNA samples extracted using the PCI method at 48 h incubation time had the highest purity (1.68) and concentration (336 ng/µl) compared to other extraction methods employed in the study. However, DNA kit extracted samples had mean ± SE purity (1.52 ± 0-05) and concentration (192.25 ± 31.41 ng/µl) values that were higher than CTAB protocol values but lower than PCI protocol values.  All isolated DNA samples were PCR-worthy and thus yielded PCR products which were within the expected amplicon size of 126-bp. All DNA extraction protocols employed in this study are stable and efficient for use in the identification of aged non- human bones. This study also revealed that these protocols can be used to isolate PCR amplifiable DNA from old bones

Hepatoprotective Potential and Histological Studies of Effects of Celosia Argentea L. on Paracetamol-Induced Liver Damage

Celosia argentea L. is a common vegetable known to possess anti-oxidative and other therapeutic properties. This study evaluates the hepatoprotective activities and histological effects of aqueous extract of Celosia argentea L. on acetaminophen-induced liver damage in rats, compared to the effects of a standard drug –silymarin. Twenty-five male rats were used in this study. These were divided into five groups of five animals each. Animals in group 1 were given 1ml/kg body weight (b.w)distilled water (control [C]), group 2 were given 100mg/kg b.w silymarin for 4 days plus acetaminophen for 3 days [SL], groups 3 and 4 were given 250 and 500mg/kg b.w aqueous extract of C. argentea for 4 days plus acetaminophen for 3 days (CA1 and CA2, respectively) and group 5 were given 1 ml/kg b.w. distilled water for 4 days and 1g/kg b.w acetaminophen (PCM) for 3 days. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and total bilirubin activities were assessed on day 8, values of mean and standard error were compared at significance level of p 0.05). Mean values in control group were similar to CA2 but significantly lower than PCM and CA1. Total bilirubin was higher but not significantly different compared to C group, suggesting a lack of effect on total bilirubin. C. argentea ameliorates and protects against acetaminophen-induced liver damage in rats, with a comparable effect with silymarin at a dose of 500mg/kg b.w. A regular consumption of the vegetable can play a role in sustaining health and can be used in place of long term therapy in individuals with compromised liver or actively exposed to chemotherapeutic drugs with adverse effects on liver

Influence of well-being and quality of work-life on quality of care among healthcare professionals in southwest, Nigeria

The Nigerian healthcare industry is bedevilled with infrastructural dilapidations and a dysfunctional healthcare system. This study investigated the influence of healthcare professionals' well-being and quality of work-life (QoWL) on the quality of care (QoC) of patients in Nigeria. A multicentre cross-sectional study was conducted at four tertiary healthcare institutions in southwest, Nigeria. Participants' demographic information, well-being, quality of life (QoL), QoWL, and QoC were obtained using four standardised questionnaires. Data were summarised using descriptive statistics. Inferential statistics included Chi-square, Pearson's correlation, independent samples t-test, confirmatory factor analyses and structural equation model. Medical practitioners (n = 609) and nurses (n = 570) constituted 74.6% of all the healthcare professionals with physiotherapists, pharmacists, and medical laboratory scientists constituting 25.4%. The mean (SD) participants' well-being = 71.65% (14.65), QoL = 61.8% (21.31), QoWL = 65.73% (10.52) and QoC = 70.14% (12.77). Participants' QoL had a significant negative correlation with QoC while well-being and quality of work-life had a significant positive correlation with QoC. We concluded that healthcare professionals' well-being and QoWL are important factors that influence the QoC rendered to patients. Healthcare policymakers in Nigeria should ensure improved work-related factors and the well-being of healthcare professionals to ensure good QoC for patients

The genetic architecture of the human cerebral cortex

The cerebral cortex underlies our complex cognitive capabilities, yet little is known about the specific genetic loci that influence human cortical structure. To identify genetic variants that affect cortical structure, we conducted a genome-wide association meta-analysis of brain magnetic resonance imaging data from 51,665 individuals. We analyzed the surface area and average thickness of the whole cortex and 34 regions with known functional specializations. We identified 199 significant loci and found significant enrichment for loci influencing total surface area within regulatory elements that are active during prenatal cortical development, supporting the radial unit hypothesis. Loci that affect regional surface area cluster near genes in Wnt signaling pathways, which influence progenitor expansion and areal identity. Variation in cortical structure is genetically correlated with cognitive function, Parkinson's disease, insomnia, depression, neuroticism, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Survey for incidence of "Okra mosaic virus" in northern Nigeria and evidence for its transmission by beetles: short communication

En 2003 y 2004 se llevó a cabo una prospección de síntomas del virus del mosaico del kimbombó (OkMV, género Tymovirus) en plantas de kimbombó (Abelmoschus esculentus) en tres localidades del norte de Nigeria. La incidencia de OkMV más alta se detectó en Samaru (16,50 y 17,10% en 2003 y 2004, respectivamente), seguido de Shika (13,02 y 14,82%) y Bomo (12,31 y 8,10%). En las tres localidades la severidad de la enfermedad siguió la misma tendencia. Escarabajos de Podagrica spp. naturalmente infectados fueron vectores eficientes en la transmisión de OkMV.A two year survey was conducted in 2003 and 2004 in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) plants for Okra mosaic virus (OkMV; genus Tymovirus) symptoms at three locations in northern Nigeria. It showed that the highest incidence of OkMV occurred at Samaru (16.50 and 17.10% in 2003 and 2004, respectively), followed by Shika (13.02 and 14.82%) and Bomo (12.31 and 8.10%). Disease severity followed the same trend. Beetles of Podagrica spp. naturally infected were efficient vectors in the transmission of OkMV

A chemotaxonomic approach to the alkane content of three species of Anthocleista Afzel. (Loganiaceae)

The chemotaxonomic significance of leaf wax n-alkanes was studied in three species of Anthocleista Afzel. Identification of alkane components were determined by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography -mass spectrometry (GC-MS) data. In all, fourteen alkanes were identified, ranging from tetracosane (C 24 H 50 ) to heptriacontane (C 37 H 76 ). Tetracosane, pentacosane and heptriacontane were the major components in all the three species of Anthocleista. A. djalonensis and A. vogelii were characterized by high percentages of tetracosane (28.81 and 39.14%, respectively), whereas in A. nobilis heptriacontane (C 37 H 76 ) was the major component being 24.76%. Significant correlation between A. djalonensis and A. vogelii (r = 0.884 and p = 0.000) at 0.01 implies a probable closeness between these species. However, the result obtained in this study provides further evidence of chemotaxonomic significance

Hepatoprotective Potential and Histological Studies of Effects of Celosia Argentea L. on Paracetamol-Induced Liver Damage

Celosia argentea L. is a common vegetable known to possess anti-oxidative and other therapeutic properties. This study evaluates the hepatoprotective activities and histological effects of aqueous extract of Celosia argentea L. on acetaminophen-induced liver damage in rats, compared to the effects of a standard drug –silymarin. Twenty-five male rats were used in this study. These were divided into five groups of five animals each. Animals in group 1 were given 1ml/kg body weight (b.w) distilled water (control [C]), group 2 were given 100mg/kg b.w silymarin for 4 days plus acetaminophen for 3 days [SL], groups 3 and 4 were given 250 and 500mg/kg b.w aqueous extract of C. argentea for 4 days plus acetaminophen for 3 days (CA1 and CA2, respectively) and group 5 were given 1 ml/kg b.w. distilled water for 4 days and 1g/kg b.w acetaminophen (PCM) for 3 days. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and total bilirubin activities were assessed on day 8, values of mean and standard error were compared at significance level of p < 0.05. Overall, mean ALT, AST and ALP levels in CA2 (21.8 ± 1.4, 84.2 ± 8.2 and 175.9 ± 36.9 U/L, respectively) was lower than PCM group and similar to SL group (37.6 ± 3.9, 97.2 ± 5.2 and 151.1 ± 21.91, respectively, p > 0.05). Mean values in control group were similar to CA2 but significantly lower than PCM and CA1. Total bilirubin was higher but not significantly different compared to C group, suggesting a lack of effect on total bilirubin. C. argentea ameliorates and protects against acetaminophen-induced liver damage in rats, with a comparable effect with silymarin at a dose of 500mg/kg b.w. A regular consumption of the vegetable can play a role in sustaining health and can be used in place of long term therapy in individuals with compromised liver or actively exposed to chemotherapeutic drugs with adverse effects on liver

Hydrostatic Reduction of Intussusception under Ultrasound Guidance: An Initial Experience in a Developing Country

Intussusception is one of the most common causes of acute intestinal obstruction in children. Hydrostatic reduction with barium enema is the widely accepted and preferredmode of treatment of uncomplicated intussuception. The aim of this study was to report our initial experiencewith hydrostatic reduction of intussusception. We present our initial experience in which 8 patients had ultrasound guided hydrostatic reduction of intussusception over a period of 2 years. All patients that presentedwithin 48hours of onset of symptoms were recruited into the study. Clinical diagnosis of intussusceptions was made in all of them while abdominal ultrasoundwas used to confirm the diagnosis. Half of the patients presented after 24 hours of onset of symptoms. Five patients (62.5%) had a successful reduction of their intussusception while three patients (37.5%) had incomplete reduction which was completed by surgery. There was only one (12.5%) recurrence and there was no peritonitis. Ultrasound guided hydrostatic reduction of intussusceptions in this environment is possible when patients present early with low risk of complication and low recurrence rate. Keywords: Intussusception, ultrasound guided, hydrostatic reduction, recurrence. African Journal of Paediatric Surgery Vol. 4 (2) 2007: pp. 68-7