Glocalization Nature of Covid-19 Pandemic: The Nigerian Experience

COVID-19 has come as a global phenomenon with some globally agreed guidelines to curtail the pandemic, yet the approaches in each nation, localities, and communities differ, in order to embrace the peculiarities of local needs, which lead to the essentiality of the concept of glocalization. Although, the pandemic is global phenomenon, but the ideal approach and application is glocalized in nature. Nigeria nation adopts different measures to cushion the effect of the pandemic in accordance with WHO guidelines. The paper looks at the Nigerian experience and peculiarities as regards to the global standard. Primary and secondary source of data were utilized. The paper reveals some peculiarities in Nigerian localities in respect to face masking, lockdown order, hand washing, social distancing, palliative measures and other local innovations. The paper concluded that though, the vaccine for the pandemic has been detected globally but it has not been administered in Nigeria as of now, the citizens must continue to obey the WHO guidelines as they embrace the peculiarities of their local need

Effects of gender, age and treatment duration on lipid profile and renal function indices in diabetic patients attending a teaching hospital in South-Western Nigeria

Background: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is associated with diabetic nephropathy and hyperlipidemia. Gender, age, medication adherence, lifestyle, culture and socioeconomic status could be sources of diversity in T2DM leading to differences in predisposition, development and clinical presentation. Objectives: Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the influence of gender, age and treatment duration on kidney and lipid-related biochemical indices of T2DM patients attending Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria (EKSUTH).Methods: Blood from diabetic patients and healthy subjects was analysed for fasting blood glucose (FBG), renal function parameters and lipid profile. Influence of age, gender and treatment duration on indices was assessed using standard baseline values.     Results: Dyslipidemia was pronounced among female diabetics while the incidence of diabetes was found to be higher in middle-age. The percentage of diabetics with high levels of FPG, urea, creatinine, cholesterol, triglyceride and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol after 9-10 years of treatment were lower compared with the percentage after 5-6 years of treatment.    Conclusion: Gender, age and treatment duration influenced clinical course of T2DM among patients presenting at EKSUTH but long term treatment appeared to improve T2DM among patients.Keywords: Fasting blood glucose, dyslipidemia, creatinine, atherogenic index, diabetes, Ekiti State

HPLC quantification of phenolic content and assessment of methanolic extract of Antiaris africana for toxicological study

The study was aimed at evaluating the toxicological and antioxidant activities of Antiaris africana Engl. (family Moraceae), that is used in Nigeria and other West Africa countries as a panacea for the treatment of several ailments. The methanolic extract of A. africana (MEA) obtained was analysed for antioxidant activities in vitro and screened for various phytochemicals present. Phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined followed with high performance liquid chromatography -diode-array detection (HPLC-DAD) fingerprinting of phenolic content. Furthermore, the sub-acute toxicity of MEA was determined via oral administration of varying doses for 14 consecutive days (0, 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) in rats. After oral administration for 14 consecutive days in male rats, the toxicity effect was assayed by determining aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) for hepatic function; urea and creatinine for renal function; creatinine kinase (CK) for cardiac function; and lipid profile. HPLC results showed that the major phenolics present are quercetin, rutin, caffeic acid, garlic acid and quercetin. MEA was able to scavenge diphenyl picryl hydrazyl, hydroxyl and nitric oxide radicals and prevent lipid peroxidation induced by ferrous sulphate at all concentration tested. The toxicology investigation showed that at low doses, A. africana is non-toxic, while at high doses; it is moderately toxic to the animals. In conclusion, A. Africana is generally non-toxic; however, care must be taken in administration at higher doses.Keywords: Toxicology, HPLC, phytochemicals, Antiaris african

HEMATOLOŠKI PARAMETRI U TOVU NIGERIJSKIH DOMAĆIH PILIĆA HRANJENIH RAZLIČITIM UDJELIMA POGAČE PALMINOGA SJEMENA

The effect of feeding varying dietary levels of Palm Kernel Cake (PKC) on the haematological parameters of the Nigerian local grower chicken was investigated. Sixty (60) nine-week old local chickens were randomly allotted to five experimental diets at four birds per three replicates. Five isonitrogenous (17% CP) grower diets containing 2,813 to 3,070 Kcal ME/kg with varying levels of 10, 15, 20 and 25% PKC used to replace maize and soybean in diets 2, 3, 4 and 5 were formulated respectively. Diet 1 without PKC (0% PKC) was the control. Feed and water were supplied ad libitum for ten weeks. Packed cell volume, haemoglobin, red blood cell, platelets, heterophil and eosinophil were similar (p>0.05) among birds across diets whereas variations in white blood cell (15.95 to 19.53 x 106/mm3), lymphocytes (60.00 to 67.00%) and monocytes (0.67 to 2.00%) were significant (p0.05) u svim skupinama pilića, ali su promjene u bijelim krvnim stanicama (15.95 do 19.53 x 106 /mm3), limfocitima (60.00 do 67.00%) i monocitima (0.67 do 2.00%) bile signifikantne (p<0.05). Hematološki parametri bili su u granicama normale za zdrave piliće. Dodatak pogače palminoga sjemena do 25% u hranu nigerijskih domaćih pilića nije negativno utjecao na hematologiju

MODULATION OF KEY BIOCHEMICAL MARKERS RELEVANT TO STROKE BY ANTIARIS AFRICANA LEAF EXTRACT FOLLOWING CEREBRAL ISCHEMIA/REPERFUSION INJURY

Background: Oxidative stress plays a significant role in stroke pathogenesis. Hence, plants rich in antioxidant phytochemicals have been suggested as effective remedies for prevention and treatment of stroke and other neurological diseases. Antiaris africana Engl. (Moraceae) is traditionally used for the management of brain-related problems but there is paucity of data on its anti-stroke potential. Materials and Methods: Ischemia/reperfusion injury was induced by a 30 min bilateral common carotid artery occlusion/ 2 h reperfusion (BCCAO/R) in the brain of male Wistar rats. A sham-operated group which was not subjected to BCCAO/R and a group subjected to BCCAO/R without treatment with MEA served as controls. The ameliorative effect of 14 days of pretreatment with 50 mg/kg or 100 mg/kg A. africana methanol leaf extract (MEA) on BCCAO/R-mediated alterations to key markers of oxidative stress (malondialdehyde, reduced glutathione, xanthine oxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase) and neurochemical disturbances and excitotoxicity (myeloperoxidase, glutamine synthetase, Na+/K+ ATPase, acetylcholinesterase and tyrosine hydroxylase), was evaluated and compared with the effect produced by treatment with 20 mg/kg quercetin as a reference standard. Results: Results show that pretreatment with MEA significantly mitigated or reversed BCCAO/R-induced changes in the level or activity of the evaluated biochemical markers of oxidative stress, neurochemical dysfunction and excitotoxicity compared with the BCCAO/R untreated control group (p < 0.05). The effect produced by 100 mg/kg MEA was similar to that of the reference standard, quercetin. Conclusion: These results revealed the neuroprotective potential of A. africana in stroke and other ischemia-related pathologies. Key words: brain ischemia

Effects of gender, age and treatment duration on lipid profile and renal function indices in diabetic patients attending a teaching hospital in South-Western Nigeria

Background: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is associated with diabetic nephropathy and hyperlipidemia. Gender, age, medication adherence, lifestyle, culture and socioeconomic status could be sources of diversity in T2DM leading to differences in predisposition, development and clinical presentation. Objectives: Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the influence of gender, age and treatment duration on kidney and lipid-related biochemical indices of T2DM patients attending Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria (EKSUTH). Methods: Blood from diabetic patients and healthy subjects was analysed for fasting blood glucose (FBG), renal function parameters and lipid profile. Influence of age, gender and treatment duration on indices was assessed using standard baseline values. Results: Dyslipidemia was pronounced among female diabetics while the incidence of diabetes was found to be higher in middle-age. The percentage of diabetics with high levels of FPG, urea, creatinine, cholesterol, triglyceride and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol after 9-10 years of treatment were lower compared with the percentage after 5-6 years of treatment. Conclusion: Gender, age and treatment duration influenced clinical course of T2DM among patients presenting at EKSUTH but long term treatment appeared to improve T2DM among patients

High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) Fingerprinting, Mineral Composition and In Vitro Antioxidant Activity of Methanol Leaf Extract of Synsepalum dulcificum (Sapotaceae)

This study was carried out to identify the phytochemicals and in vitro antioxidant activity of methanol leaf extract of Synsepalum dulcificum (MSD). Standard protocols were used to evaluate the total phenols, total flavonoids and total antioxidants content of the extract. Nitric oxide (NO), hydroxyl radical (OH), ABTS ·+ and 2 ,2 - diphenyl - 1 - picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals scavenging activity, inhibition of lipid peroxidation and the ability of MSD to chelate ferrous ion as well its reductive potential were also evaluated. High Performance Liquid Chromatography ( HPLC) was used to confirm the presence of polyphenols and carotenoids. Results showed the presence of flavonoids, saponins, terpenoids and cardiac glycosides in the extract. Among others, appreciable levels of potassium, calcium, sodium and magnesium were detected in the e xtract. The IC 50 of the extract for DPPH, NO, OH - , and ABTS ·+ radicals scavenging assays were 139.45 μg/ml, 119.17 μg/ml, 147.65 μg/ml, and 135.83 μg/ml respectively . It could be inferred that MSD showed appreciable in vitro antioxidant activity and could be useful in preventing and ameliorating diseases in which free radicals are implicated

Hibiscus sabdariffa L. - A phytochemical and pharmacological review

Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (Hs, roselle; Malvaceae) has been used traditionally as a food, in herbal drinks, in hot and cold beverages, as a flavouring agent in the food industry and as a herbal medicine. In vitro and in vivo studies as well as some clinical trials provide some evidence mostly for phytochemically poorly characterised Hs extracts. Extracts showed antibacterial, anti-oxidant, nephro- and hepato-protective, renal/diuretic effect, effects on lipid metabolism (anti-cholesterol), anti-diabetic and anti-hypertensive effects among others. This might be linked to strong antioxidant activities, inhibition of α-glucosidase and α-amylase, inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzymes (ACE), and direct vaso-relaxant effect or calcium channel modulation. Phenolic acids (esp. protocatechuic acid), organic acid (hydroxycitric acid and hibiscus acid) and anthocyanins (delphinidin-3-sambubioside and cyanidin-3-sambubioside) are likely to contribute to the reported effects. More well designed controlled clinical trials are needed which use phytochemically characterised preparations. Hs has an excellent safety and tolerability record. © 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd

UTJECAJ SUŠENOGA PIVSKOGA JEČMA S DODATKOM ENZIMA NA PRODUKTIVNOST ISA-BROWN NESILICA

This study investigated the effect of dietary inclusion of Brewers Dried Grains (BDG) supplemented with Grandizyme® enzyme as a partial substitute for maize in layers diets. One hundred and twenty Isa-Brown laying hens were randomly allotted to three diets formulated with 0 (control), 10% and 20% BDG, and fed for 12 weeks. There were 4 replicates of 10 birds each in a dietary treatment. Feed mintake, hen day production and net profit generated from the sales of eggs were msignificantly (p<0.05) highest for diet 3. Cost of feed /kg significantly (p<0.05) reduced from N35.50 (€0.17) for diet 1 to N33.69 (€0.16) and N31.38 (€0.15) respectively for diets 2 and 3. Substitution of maize with 20% BDG supplemented with Grandizyme® enzyme resulted in better performance and gave a higher net profit compared with other treatments; and could be adopted to alleviate the problem of high cost of maize.U radu se istražuje utjecaj sušenoga pivarskoga ječma (BDG) s dodatkom Grandizyme® enzima kao djelomičnom zamjenom za kukuruz u hranidbi nesilica. Stotinu i dvadeset Isa-Brown nesilica nasumično su podijeljene u tri hranidbena tretmana: 0 (kontrola), 10% i 20% BDG i hranjene 12 tjedana. U svakom hranidbenom tretmanu bilo je 10 nesilica u četiri ponavljanja. Unos hrane, dnevna proizvodnja i neto dobit od prodaje jaja bili su značajno najviši (p<0,05) kod 3. hranidbenog tretmana. Troškovi hrane/kg značajno su smanjeni (p<0,05) s N35.50 (0,17 €), koliko su iznosili u 1. tretmanu, na N 33.69 (0,16 €) u 2. i 31.38 N (0,15 €) u 3. tretmanu. Zamjenom kukuruza s 20% BDG s dodatkom Grandizyme® enzima postignuta je bolja produktivnost i veća neto dobit u usporedbi s drugim tretmanima. Na taj način bi se problem visoke cijene kukuruza mogao riješiti

THE EFFECT OF BREWERS DRIED GRAINS SUPPLEMENTED BY ENZYME ON PERFORMANCE OF ISA-BROWN LAYING HENS

This study investigated the effect of dietary inclusion of Brewers Dried Grains (BDG) supplemented with Grandizyme® enzyme as a partial substitute for maize in layers diets. One hundred and twenty Isa-Brown laying hens were randomly allotted to three diets formulated with 0 (control), 10% and 20% BDG, and fed for 12 weeks. There were 4 replicates of 10 birds each in a dietary treatment. Feed mintake, hen day production and net profit generated from the sales of eggs were msignificantly (p<0.05) highest for diet 3. Cost of feed /kg significantly (p<0.05) reduced from N35.50 (€0.17) for diet 1 to N33.69 (€0.16) and N31.38 (€0.15) respectively for diets 2 and 3. Substitution of maize with 20% BDG supplemented with Grandizyme® enzyme resulted in better performance and gave a higher net profit compared with other treatments; and could be adopted to alleviate the problem of high cost of maize