Pharmacognostic Investigation of Leaves of Mitracarpus vilosus (S.W.) D.C

Pharmacognostic investigation on fresh, powdered and anatomical sections of leaf of Mitracarpus vilosus (S.W) D.C was carried out to determine its macromorphological, micromorphological and chemomicromorphological profiles. Qualitative and quantitative studies indicated presence ofamphicribal vascular bundle arrangement, characteristic asperites, cone-shaped clothing trichomes, simple leaf arrangement lanceolate shape, entire margin, cuneate base, parallel venation and opposite/decussate arrangement. Other features include presence of calcium oxalate crystals, lignin and oil globules with palisade ratio of 4 – 7 and stomatal number of 13.5. The relative similarities between the members of the Spermacoceae tribe, to which the plant belongs, coupled with lack of information towards monograph preparation on the plant necessitated this investigation. These findings will be useful towards establishing pharmacognostic standards on identification, purity, quality and classification of the plant which is gaining relevance in plant drug research

The Prevalence of Malaria Parasitic Infections in Cord Blood: Association with Some Socio Demographic Profile

This study aimed at investigating the relationship between some selected socio demographic profile and malaria parasitic infections in cord blood. It involved 100 cord blood samples of newly delivered babies at the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Irrua, Edo State. Samples were subjected to microscopic examinations following standard protocols and the prevalence of malaria parasitic infections in cord blood were identified using thick and thin blood films. Plasmodium species and packed cell volume were identified and determined using rapid antigen techniques and microhaematocrit respectively. Results showed that malaria parasite was present in 9.0% of samples and was higher in babies with weights ≤1.0kg (66.70%) and PCV of 25.50% (15.40%). As regards species distribution, Plasmodium falciparum had the highest prevalence (6%). Based on the methods used, microscopic method had higher prevalence (9%) over rapid detection technique (6%). On the methods used, malaria parasitic infections was also higher among the age 36-40 years (12.5%), primigravidae (15.6%), rural dwellers (16.1%), unskilled labour (22.2%), educational status ≤SSCE (12.5%) and mothers that do not use prophylaxis (45.5%). Overall, the prevalence of malaria parasites in cord blood is low in the studied area, yet the associated consequence of mother-to-child transmission can not be ignored.Keywords: Babies, Cord blood, Demographic profile, Malaria parasites, Relationship

Productivity of Malaria Vectors from Different Habitat Types in the Western Kenya Highlands

BACKGROUND: Mosquito Larval Source Management (LSM) could be a valuable additional tool for integrated malaria vector control especially in areas with focal transmission like the highlands of western Kenya if it were not for the need to target all potential habitats at frequent intervals. The ability to determine the productivity of malaria vectors from identified habitats might be used to target LSM only at productive ones. METHODS: Each aquatic habitat within three highland sites in western Kenya was classified as natural swamp, cultivated swamp, river fringe, puddle, open drain or burrow pit. Three habitats of each type were selected in each site in order to study the weekly productivity of adult malaria vectors from February to May 2009 using a sweep-net and their habitat characteristics recorded. RESULTS: All surveyed habitat types produced adult malaria vectors. Mean adult productivity of Anopheles gambiae sensu lato in puddles (1.8/m(2)) was 11-900 times higher than in the other habitat types. However, puddles were the most unstable habitats having water at 43% of all sampling occasions and accounted for 5% of all habitats mapped in the study areas whereas open drains accounted for 72%. Densities of anopheline late instars larvae significantly increased with the presence of a biofilm but decreased with increasing surface area or when water was flowing. Taking stability and frequency of the habitat into account, puddles were still the most productive habitat types for malaria vectors but closely followed by open drains. CONCLUSION: Even though productivity of An. gambiae s.l. was greatest in small and unstable habitats, estimation of their overall productivity in an area needs to consider the more stable habitats over time and their surface extension. Therefore, targeting only the highly productive habitats is unlikely to provide sufficient reduction in malaria vector densities

Comparative study of blood smears microscopy and rapid test strips in accurate malaria diagnosis

Swift diagnosis of Plasmodium falciparum remains a major problem to scientists and medical practitioners. Diagnostic tools based on the dipstick principle for the detection of plasmodium histidine rich protein 2 (HRP-2) antigens, specific parasite lactate dehydrogenase (PLDH), and antibodies of all isotypes specific for P. falciparum and P. vivax respectively have become available for the qualitative detection of malaria parasites. To evaluate two of the currently available assay methods, specimen from 200 patients admitted on provisional diagnosis of malaria were screened in this study and compared with the smear microscopy method. Our results showed a statistical significant difference (p< 0.05) between the two rapid strip methods of ACON and SD Bioline. There was also a significant statistical difference (

Absolute lymphocyte count, CD4, T cells and haematocrit as index of responses to antiretroviral therapy in party of northern Nigeria

No Abstract. IJONAS Vol. 3 (3) 2007 pp. 274-27

Nitrogen fixation and N contribution by promiscuous nodulating soybeans in the southern Guinea savanna of Nigeria

Attention is being paid to improving the N2 fixation of promiscuous nodulating soybeans in an attempt to develop sustainable cropping systems in the moist savanna. There is however a dearth of reliable estimates of N2 fixation by these promiscuous soybeans and hardly any quantitative information is available on their residual N benefits to subsequent cereal crops grown in the southern Guinea savanna zone. The 15N isotope dilution method was used to assess symbiotic N2 fixation and response to inoculation and N contribution of three IITA promiscuous and two Brazilian soybean lines grown in the field at Mokwa (southern Guinea savanna) for two years. Rhizobial inoculation increased total N and grain yield of early maturing cultivars IAC 100 and TGX 1456–2E but did not affect the late maturing cultivar TGX 1660–19F. Both fixed N (Ndfa) and N derived from the soil were the major sources of N accounting for 84 and 75 kg N ha1 or 46 and 43%, respectively, of the plant total N. A line effect was, however, apparent with the late maturing line TGX 1660–19F deriving on the average 126 kg N ha1 or 52% of plant total N from N2 fixation compared to the early maturing line IAC 100 with 37 kg N ha1 or 38%. Total N accumulated and amounts of N2 fixed were low during early growth (V2/V3 and R1/R2 stages), but increased rapidly after this period to reach the maximum at R3/R4 and then dropped after R3/R4. The proportion of Ndfa, however, increased with the growing period. At the physiological maturity (R8), N2 fixed accounted for an average of 70% of total N accumulated in the seeds. Roots accumulated about 13% while leaves and stems had 53 and 32% of the entire plant N at R3/R4, respectively. It was estimated after grain removal, that soybean growth led to a net contribution of an average of 18 kg N ha1 to soil N. However, the N contribution ranged from - 8 to 43 kg N ha1 depending on the soybean cultivars and inoculation trea

Nodulation and estimation of symbiotic nitrogen fixation by herbaceous and shrub legumes in Guinea Savanna in Nigeria

Twelve herbaceous and shrub legume species were grown in pot and field experiments in five sites representing three agroecological zones in moist savanna in Nigeria. The objectives were to: (1) assess natural nodulation of the legumes and characterize their indigenous rhizobia, (2) determine their need for rhizobia inoculation and (3) estimate the amount of N2 fixed by each of these legumes. At 4 weeks after planting (WAP), Crotolaria verrucosa was not nodulated at any of the sites while Centrosema pascuorum had the highest number of nodules in all sites. At 8 WAP, all legumes were nodulated, with Mucuna pruriens having the least number of nodules and Stylosanthes hamata the highest. The number of nodules, however, was inversely correlated to the mass of nodules. Significant differences in nodulation of the legume species grown in the field also occurred between and within sites. Mucuna pruriens and Lablab purpureus produced more shoot and nodule biomass than the other legumes in all sites. Growth of most of these legumes responded to fertilizer application, except for C. verrucosa and Aeschynomene histrix. Except for C. verrucosa, average proportion of N2 fixed was about 80% and this was reduced by about 20% with N fertilizer application. The majority of rhizobia isolates (60%) were slow growing, belonging to the Bradyrhizobia spp. group. Selected rhizobia isolates evaluated on Cajanus cajan, C. pascuorum, M. pruriens and Psophocarpus palustris varied from ineffective to highly effective in Leonard jar conditions. However, only growth of M. pruriens responded to inoculation in potted soils, whereas it was lower than that obtained with N fertilizer application. This indicated the need to screen more rhizobia in order to improve N2 fixation and growth of legume species such as M. pruriens when it is introduced in soils deficient in N

Comparative study of the effects of four anti-malaria preparations on human rheological indicators

The effects of 4 anti-malaria chemotherapeutic agents namely Artimisinin, Amodaquin, Sulphadoxin/Pyrimethamin and Halofantrin on human rheological and haematological indices were investigated in 28 apparently healthy subjects made up of 7 non-malarious control subjects and 21 malaria infected subjects. Investigations were carried out on whole blood. Haematocrit, Relative Plasma Viscosity (RPV), Relative Whole Blood Viscosity (RWBV), Platelets count (PC) and Plasma Fibrinogen Concentration (PFC) were determined using standard laboratory techniques. The malaria status of subjects was determined using thick and thin blood films. Our results showed statistical significant difference in the haematocrit and platelets count of malarious subjects at pre (0hrs), 24hrs and 48hrs post administration of Artimisinin, Amodaquin, Sulphadoxin/Pyrimethamin. There was also a statistical significant difference in the relative plasma viscosity and plasma fibrinogen concentration of malarious subjects in the study. An elevated plasma fibrinogen concentration, platelets count and relative plasma viscosity are indicatives of drug induced debility irrespective of malaria infection. The statistically significant change in haematocrit is suggestive of malaria associated hemolysis and a marginal drug toxicity. We suggest further studies on the effect of these anti-malaria drugs on a wider range of haemorheological and hematological parameters on a larger population. IJONAS Vol. 3 (1) 2007: pp. 111-11