Activation of pro-apoptotic cells, reactive astrogliosis and hyperphosphorylation of tau protein in trimethyltin-induced hippocampal injury in rats

Neurodegenerative diseases cause neural cells to lose both the functional and sensory abilities as a result of genetic factors, proteopathies and mitochondrial dysfunction. Neurodegeneration forms the basis of most neurodegenerative disorders for example Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s diseases, and Parkinson’s diseases. The mechanism that underlines the process of neurodegeneration is not well understood. Understanding the process and mechanism involved in neurodegeneration might offer a better therapeutic approach to positively manage cases of neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, this study’s target was to create an animal model to study neurodegeneration. Sixteen adult male Wistar rats were used in the study and divided into two groups. Control (0.2 mL of normal saline (NS)), and trimethyltin-treated (TMT, 8 mg/kg stat dose only). These animals underwent perfusion with 4% paraformaldehyde, brain excision and analysis of p53 antigen, GFAP and Bielshowsky on these tissues. The results showed that animals in the control group showed presence of activated p53 antigen, reactive astrogliosis, neurofibrillary tangles, and amyloid plaques within the cytoplasm of the hippocampal cells. Cornus Ammonis (CA2) and (CA3) showed more of the trimethylrtin injury than CA1 and CA4. This study thus revealed that, intra-peritoneal administration of single dose of 8mg/kg of trimethyltin can offer an attractive disease model to study some neurodegenerative diseases. Keywords: p53 antigen, Bielshowsky, Glia fibrillary acidic protein, Trimethyltin, Hippocampus

Orange peel extract corrected lipid dysmetabolism and pro-inflammation, but not deranged antioxidant and hormonal status in orchidectomised rats

Background: Testosterone is a metabolic hormone; therefore, its absence would affect food metabolism, and subsequently a wide array of associated endogenous processes, including oxidative and inflammatory events. Contrarily, orange peel is known to be rich in flavonoids, which have strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, asides from their modulatory roles on lipolysis and lipogenesis. Hence, we investigated the effects of ethanolic extract of orange peel (EEOP) on antioxidant, inflammatory, and lipid and reproductive hormonal profiles in experimental animal. Methods: The rats were divided into four groups (N=10), which included: Control (Sham orchidectomised) (group 1); Orchidectomised (Orchid) (group 2); Orchidectomised + Low dose of orange peel (Orchid + LDOP) (group 3); and Orchidectomised + High dose of orange peel (Orchid + HDOP) (group 4). EEOP was administered at a low and high dose of 200 and 600 mg/kg BW, p.o. respectively; however, normal saline (vehicle) was administered at 1 ml/kg BW, p.o. to groups 1 and 2 throughout the four weeks duration of the experiment. Results: Castration was accompanied by dsylipidaemia, without alteration of oxidative, inflammatory, and reproductive hormonal status. Although EEOP reversed alterations in lipid metabolism back to the baseline, it neither showed significant effects on oxidative markers (SOD, catalase, total antioxidant capacity and malondialdehyde) nor reproductive hormone (testosterone, FSH and LH) profile, even though it significantly reduced uric acid. The effects of EEOP were not dose-graded, except in the MDA result, which was significantly higher in group 3, relative to group 4. Conclusion: EEOP corrected lipid dysmetabolism and pro-inflammation, but not deranged antioxidant and hormonal status in a dose-independent manner in orchidectomised rats. Kewords: Orange peel extract, Oxidative stress, Inflammation, Lipid profile; Hormon

Preliminary Investigations Of Effectiveness Of Herbal Remedies Used For HIV Infection In Nigeria

This study analysed some of the widely publicised herbal remedies in use for HIV infection in Nigeria, and investigated their efficacy scientifically. Those found to be efficacious will be subjected to further analysis to identify their active chemical components. The research deals directly with patients living with HIV/AIDS that are seeking treatment in herbal homes and hospitals. The herbal homes are regularly visited and newly diagnosed patients living with HIV/AIDS are recruited after confirmation of the disease. The herbal centres of priority are those located in Zaria (Kaduna state) and Osogbo (Osun state), Nigeria with all the nearby tertiary hospitals serving as diagnostic and treatment centres for HIV infection. Assessment of the effectiveness is based on laboratory and clinical parameters using World Health Organisation (WHO) and United State Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) criteria. Parameters will be assessed before commencing medication and periodic intervals up to two years when patients started medication of herbal remedies. There are variable significant laboratory and clinical findings depending on the type of herbal therapy used by the patient with about 20% of the herbal homes have potential effective herbal remedies for HIV infection, 60% with symptomatic treatment and 20% with potential toxic products. The patients taking Zam- z (Herbal home A treatment) improved clinically and with laboratory parameters within the three months of the normal treatment, however, study is still in progress to determine the withdrawal effects of the medication and role as complementary or alternative therapy to Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART).Key Words: herbal medicine, HIV infection, Nigeri

Effect Of Delonix Regia Leaf Extract On Glucose Tolerance In Glucose-Induced Hyperglycemic Mice

This study was to determine the effectiveness (CD4 count and viral load) of a safe herbal concoction, α-Zam used by clients seeking herbal remedy for treatment of HIV infection in Nigeria. 51 patients taking α-Zam as complementary and alternative therapy through the herbal therapist were studied for a period of 16 months. Preliminary medical and laboratory examinations using WHO and CDC criteria were done after confirmation of HIV infection by Western blotting in the nearest teaching hospitals to the residence of the patients. Regular visits were paid to the patients after commencement of the α-Zam to assess the side-effects, drug interactions, toxicity and effectiveness of the herbal remedy. There was a statistical significance (P<0.05) between pre-treatment and post-treatment CD4 count. 4 (7.8%) of the patients had average increase in CD4 count of 262±16 cell/µL, 23 (45.1%) patients with average increase 310±16 cell/µL, 16 (31.4%) patients with average increase 456±25 cell/µL and 8 (15.7%) patients with average increase 510±36 cell/µL( %) were at WHO staging I , II, III and IV respectively within 4 months on herbal therapy. There was very marked reduction in viral (HIV-RNA) load with 41 (80.4%) and10 (19.6%) HIV infected patients had undetectable viral load and <1000 copies/ml respectively after the therapy. All symptoms and signs associated with HIV infection in all patients fully subsided within 4 weeks of commencement of α-zam therapy and there was no evidence of negative drug interaction in those HIV patients using both the herbal and highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART). The study is in progress to determine periodic immunological outcomes of post therapy in all patients

Anatomical practices of preserving, handling and management of human remains: A proposition for an act in the laws of Nigeria

The anatomical practices of handling, managing, preserving and disposing human remains should be adequately regulated. It is not uncommon to observe poor management of human remains especially with regards to preservation, handling, treatment and transportation. Deaths resulting from disasters as well as some unwholesome practices are major factors that affect the quality of practices. Yet, the management of human remains requires utmost attention for the purpose of health, ethics and environment. Outbreaks of diseases and the spread of such, for instance, the case of Ebola virus, in Liberia and Guinea are obvious pointers to the need to pay adequate attention to the management of human remains.  Though this was originally partly addressed by the Anatomy Act of 1933, currently found in the Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; changes and advancements in societal life and circumstances have however limited the practicability of some aspects of the old Anatomy Act, especially as it relates to the management of human remains for non-dissection educational purposes. To this end; a conscientious review of the old act relative to the current scenarios was carried out with the aim of proposing an effective system of taking care of human remains. The result of this review is that an act will be required to address the management of human remains as well the regulation of the anatomical practices of preserving, handling and management of human remains. Human remains as used in this context includes established lifeless or dead whole human body otherwise known as corpse or cadaver, or dead organs and tissues that require disposal.Keywords: anatomical practices, human remains, mortuary and funeral homes, act     

Attitude of working-class nursing mothers towards exclusive breastfeeding in Lokoja Metropolis, Nigeria: implications to counselling practice

Many working-class nursing women put up questionable attitude when it comes to exclusively breastfeeding their babies. The purpose of this study therefore, is to investigate the attitude of working-class nursing mothers in Lokoja Metropolis towards exclusive breastfeeding. Variables such as age, type of occupation and educational attainment were also examined if they would affect the respondents’ expressions. Descriptive survey method was adopted for the study. A total of 200 respondents who were selected using a two-stage sampling procedure participated in the study. An instrument entitled ‘Attitude towards Exclusive Breastfeeding Questionnaire’ was used to collect data for the study. The instrument was validated by five experts in the 5 experts in the Departments of Counsellor Education and Adult &amp; Primary Education, University of Ilorin, Nigeria. The reliability of the instrument was ascertained through test re-test reliability method with a reliability co-efficient of 0.83. ANOVA statistical method was used to test the formulated hypotheses at 0.05 alpha level. Result showed that the attitude of working-class nursing mothers in Lokoja Metropolis towards exclusive breastfeeding is positive. There was no significant difference in the attitude of working-class nursing mothers towards exclusive breastfeeding in Lokoja Metropolis based on age but there were significant differences on the bases of type of occupation and educational attainment. It was concluded that counsellors should encourage and counsel working-class mothers to adopt benefitting coping strategies so that they can maintain their positive attitude towards exclusive breastfeeding of their babies.Keywords: Attitude, Working Class, Nursing Mothers, Exclusive Breastfeeding, Lokoja Metropolis

Assessment of Perceived Family Psychological Support among Depressed Patients in two Psychiatric Hospitals Kaduna State

A family member experiencing mental illness or any other challenge usually finds the family as the first point of support. Family members supply the required psychological support and care for the affected family member.&nbsp; This study assessed the perceived family psychological support among depressed patients in Psychiatric Hospitals, Kaduna State Nigeria. &nbsp;The study adopted a descriptive cross sectional research design. One hundred and forty-four (144) depressed patients were randomly selected from Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital and Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital (FNPH) both in Kaduna State. Statistical package social sciences (SPSS) version 22, was used to analyse the data. The results showed that 40% of the 144 participants claimed to be psychologically supported by their families.&nbsp; This means that less than half of the depressed patients under review, had high level of perceived psychological support from their family members. Females received more family psychological support than their male counterparts. Recovery rate, using the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS), was significantly correlated with the level of family members’ psychological support. It is therefore, recommended that more focus should be placed on enhancing more family psychological supports for depressed patients most especially in the areas of encouragement towards health education, religious and / or spiritual activities, brightening the moods of their patients, and&nbsp; more moral support. Also, family focused psycho education should be provided to family members of depressed patients by the professional care givers. Keywords: Psychological Support, Family, Care, Depression, Tertiary Hospital

Prevalence of Snoring among Stroke Patients and Associated Factors: Case Study of Ilorin Metropolis

Snoring is a hoarse or harsh sound from nose or mouth that occurs when breathing is partially obstructed during sleep, and it has been implicated as a predisposing factor to stroke in some individuals. Unfortunately, the association between snoring and stroke have not been fully explored in Nigeria, hence the need for this study. This study involves 182 stroke patients from two public hospitals in Ilorin Metropolis. Patients were interviewed with the aid of questionnaire to determine the percentage of some specific parameters associated with snoring, which include; stroke patients that snore, stroke onset, sleeping position and snore severity. The result revealed that out of 182 stroke patients, 131 (72%) snores while 51 (28%) do not snore. Consequently, out of this 131 stroke patients that snore, 27 patients (20.6%) were mild, 92 patients (70.2%) were moderate, 12 patients (9.2%) were severe. Thirty eight patients (29%) experienced stroke while sleeping, 93 patients (71%) experienced stroke while awake. Sleeping position enquiry revealed that 58 patients (44.3%) often sleep supine (back), 65 patients (49.6%) often sleep on their side and 8 patients (6.1%) often sleep prone (chest) before the onset of their stroke. This study revealed that snoring is highly prevalent among stroke patients in Ilorin metropolis which indicates possibility of an association between snoring and stroke. Key words: stroke, snoring, prevalence, epidemiology