Micromedex: a brief review for a UK School of Pharmacy

Micromedex is one of the most popular tools used by pharmacists to provide medicines information. This paper outlines a brief review of the product to determine whether it would be suitable for use by undergraduates in a particular UK School of Pharmacy, that of UCL London

An Appraisal of Marketing Strategies of the Multinational Companies in Nigeria

The purpose of this paper was to examine and identify the marketing strategies adopting by multinational companies operating in Nigeria. The descriptive and inferential research designs was used for the study with the finding that multinational companies operating in Nigeria embraces the adaptation marketing strategy by adjusting its marketing elements of product, price, promotion and place for the market in order to meet the local preferences and competitions. Recommendations made include the following: multinational companies operating in Nigeria should embark on test marketing of products to identify consumers’ preference before any adaptation strategy is adopted, multinational companies should embrace societal marketing policy and educate the consumers in Nigeria on usage and safety of their products while pursuing corporate profit and government should ensure that control mechanism and regulations are put in place to monitor the operations of the multinational companies operation in Nigeria etc. Keywords: Marketing strategies, multinational companies, Nigeria

Carcass and economic value of rabbits raised on ripe Gmelina fruit pulp based diets

Carcass and economic indices of rabbits fed dietary ripe Gmelina fruit (RGFP) pulp were assessed. Sixty rabbits, aged six weeks (New Zealand White x Chinchilla cross) of mixed sexes (25 males and 35 females) were shared into five groups of 12 animals each and balanced on sex and initial weight and randomly allotted to the five experimental diets. Maize, the only energy source of diet I was replaced with 25, 50, 75 and 100% RGFP in diets II, III, IV and V, respectively in the 16 weeks trial. Carcass characteristics were determined pre-chill. Completely Randomized Design, one-way analysis of variance was used and significant (p<0.05) means were separated using least significant difference. The cost of feed (N/kg), cost of feed consumed (N/animal), cost of feed per weight gain (N/kg weight gain), final weight, fasted weight, percentage weight loss, dressed weight and dressing percentage ranged from 55.07 – 28.21, 407.07 – 213.55 and 307.68 – 207.34, 1900 – 1605g, 1884.90 – 1589.78g, 15.23 – 15.09%, 1206.42 – 1017.46g and 64.01 – 63.97%, respectively. As a percentage of the dressed carcass, the shoulder, loin, rack, thigh, head, tail, belly fat, lung, kidney, liver and heart weights (g) ranged from 33.53 – 33.47, 8.97 – 8.74, 6.28 – 6.18, 35.29 – 35.16, 5.20 – 5.13, 3.29 – 3.19, 3.30 – 2.89, 0.32 – 0.30, 1.50 – 1.47, 2.80 – 2.77 and 0.18 – 0.15, respectively. Diet I had the highest cost of feed, cost of feed consumed, cost of feed per kilogramme weight gain, pre-slaughter weight and percentage belly fat, while diet V had the least values of the above parameters except percentage belly fat and dressed weight. Also, the values for these indices decreased as dietary RGFP increased. Though undesirable, the meat of control rabbits was the fattiest. Dietary inclusion of RGFP did not affect percentage weight loss, shoulder, loin, thigh, head, tail, lung, kidney, liver, heart and dressing percentage. For optimal returns on investment, RGFP may not replace above 75% of maize in rabbit diets.Keywords: Rabbit, New Zealand white x Chinchilla cross, Gmelina, Fruit pulp, Carcass, Economic valu

Antiulcerogenic activity of ethanolic leaf extract of Lasianthera africana

The effect of ethanolic leaf extract of Lasianthera africana on experimentally induced ulcer was studied in rats. The extract (1000 – 3000mg/kg) inhibited ethanol-induced, indomethacin – induced and reserpine –induced ulcer models in a dose dependent fashion. The various degrees of inhibitions were statistically significant (

Knowledge and perception of microbicides among healthcare providers in Calabar, Nigeria

Background: With the worldwide spread of HIV/AIDS, the absence of a known cure and the challenges associated with existing prevention  methodologies, there is need for new prevention technologies. The  successful uptake of healthcare products and services depend, to a large extent, on healthcare providers’ knowledge, perception and attitude  regarding them.Objectives: To determine the knowledge and perception of healthcare providers regarding microbicides.Methods: A semi-structured questionnaire was administered on 400  randomly selected health care providers in Calabar, Cross River State of Nigeria. Data obtained from the 350 returned questionnaire were analyzed using EPI –Info software version 3.5.1Results: One hundred and sixty-four (46.9%) respondents were medical doctors while 157 (44.9%) were nurses, 7 (2%) were Pharmacists and 22 (6.2%) belonged to “other” categories. Thirty- two percent knew the  advantages of microbicides over condoms. Sixty-eight percent indicated that microbicides would benefit only women while to 27%, it would benefit both men and women. Seventy-five percent of respondents would be willing to act as community advocates for microbicides while 21% would not be willing and 4% were not decided. There was a statistically significant association between professional group and willingness to act as  community advocates for microbicides. Medical doctors were more likely to act as advocates than other professional groups (p<0.05). Female  respondents were more likely to have correct knowledge regarding  microbicides than males (p<0.05)Conclusion: There are gaps in knowledge regarding microbicides among the health care providers. Capacity building would be successful since the majority are willing to act as community advocates

Chemical composition and growth promoting effect of Piper guineense leaf and seed meals on broiler chicks at starter phase

The study was designed to compare the chemical composition of Piper guineense leaf and seed meals, and their effect on the performance of broilers at starter phase. The P. guineense leaves and seeds were processed and their chemical composition determined. Seven (7) broiler starter diets were formulated, with the control without the test samples, while diets 2, 3 and 4 were formulated to include 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6 % of P. guineense seed meal, respectively. P. guineense leaf meal was included at 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6 % respectively in diets 4, 5 and 6. Two hundred and ten day-old broiler chicks were divided into seven groups and each group assigned to one of the experimental diets in a randomized complete block design and data generated were analyzed using SPSS 17.0. P. guineense leaf meal was superior (p<0.05) in crude protein (15.87 %) and ether extract (2.52 %), relative to the seed meal with higher crude fibre (6.30 %) and ash (3.60 %) contents. P. guineense seed meal contained lower phytochemical compounds compared to the leaf meal. Broiler chicks fed P. guineense seed and leaf meals supplemented diets were superior (p<0.05) to those fed on control diet in their mean daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio. Within the treatment groups, birds on 0.4 % P. guineense seed meal diet recorded the best performance. It was concluded that broiler diets could be supplemented with P. guineense seed meal at 0.4% during the starter phase.Keywords: Piper guineense leaf, Piper guineense seed, Mineral composition, phytochemical composition, Broiler performanc

Effect Of Sub Chronic Administration Of Ethanolic Leaf Extract Of Croton zambesicus On Hematological Parameters Of Rats

Ethanolic leaf extract of Croton zambesicus was administered to rats at doses of 100 – 400mg / kg for 21 days to investigate its effect on the haematological indices of rats. Haematological indices, namely packed cell volume (PCV), Haemoglobin concentration (Hb) Red blood cell count (RBC), Mean cell Haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), Mean cell volume (MCV), and Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin (MCH) were assessed from whole blood obtained from the treated animals as well as those in the control group. The extract at the doses administered was found to caused reductions in PCV, HB, RBC, MCH, MCH and WBC, in a dose – dependent fashion. However elevation of MCV was observed. This results indicate that the extract has the potential of suppressing haemopoiesis and causing anaemia. Key words: Croton zambesicus, haemotological indices, anaemia, rats. Nigerian Journal of Physiological Sciences Vol.19(1&2) 2004: 10-1

Antidepressant activity of ethanol extract of Zea mays husk

Background and aims: Zea mays L. (Poaceae) husk extract is used traditionally in Ibibio traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases such as malaria, pains, inflammatory diseases and central nervous system disorders. Methods: The husk extract (187-748 mg/kg) was evaluated for antidepressant activity in mice using open field, force swimming and tail suspension tests. Determination of median lethal dose (LD50) and phytochemical screening of the husk extract were also carried out using standard methods. Results: The husk extract increased significantly the line crossing, walling and rearing activities of mice in open field test (P<0.05-0.001) and reduced significantly the immobility time in force swimming test (P<0.05-0.001). However, the immobility time in tail suspension tests was significantly increased by the extract (P<0.05-0.001). Conclusion: The husk extract of Z. mays has prominent antidepressant activity which is due to the activities of its phytochemical constituents such as phenolic compounds

Analysis of Market Prices of Selected Agricultural Commodities in Akwa Ibom State (1996-2014)

The study analyzed the market prices of selected agricultural commodities in Akwa Ibom State (1996 – 2014). Specifically, a trend analysis of prices of selected agricultural commodities in Akwa Ibom State from 1996 – 2014 was carried out. Secondary data were obtained from the Statistics Division, Ministry of Finance and Economic Development Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. Data obtained was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study revealed that the retail market prices of the selected agricultural commodities moved in the same direction. The mean annual percentage changes in the retail market prices of the selected agricultural commodities were high as the trend analysis showed a strong upward trend in prices overtime. Based on the findings, it was recommended that, there is need for current information especially in the area prices as it affects production and distribution of these commodities as this shapes expectations about future prices thus enabling the markets to function effectively. Also, policy measures that will encourage the collection of information on food stock should be adopted as this would better inform market participants and help avoid panic-induced price surges resulting from misinformation. Keywords: agricultural commodities, market prices, trend analysi

Immunomodulatory, Cytotoxic and Antileishmanial Activity of Setaria Megaphylla

Cytotoxic, antioxidative burst and antileishmanial properties of leaf extract and fractions of Setaria megaphylla were investigated to ascertain the folkloric claims of its potency in inflammatory diseases and infections. The leaf extract and fractions of Setaria megaphylla were investigated for anticancer activity against HeLa cells using SRB method and DNA interaction activity using gel electrophoresis. Antioxidative burst activity of the extract in whole blood, neutrophils and macrophages was also investigated using luminol/lucigenin-based chemiluminescence assay. The extract and fractions were similarly screened for antileishmanial activity against promastigotes of Leishmania major in vitro. The GCMS analysis of the most active fraction against HeLa cells was carried out. The leaf extract was found to exert significant anticancer activity with the hexane fraction exhibiting the most pronounced effect. The crude extract and the fractions did not interact with DNA when investigated using electrophoresis. The extract prominently inhibited oxidative burst activity in whole blood, isolated polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) and mononuclear cells (MNCs) when two different phagocytosis activators (serum opsonizing zymosan-A and PMA) were used. The extract also exhibited moderate antileishmanial activity against promastigotes of Leishmania major in vitro. GCMS analysis of active fraction revealed pharmacologically active compounds. These results suggest that the leaf extract/fractions of S. megaphylla possesses cytotoxic, antioxidative burst and antileishmanial activities and these justify its use in ethnomedicine to treat inflammatory diseases and microbial infections and can be exploited in primary healthcare