STUDIES ON THE EFFICACY OF BRIDELIA FERRUGINEA BENTH BARK EXTRACT FOR DOMESTIC WASTEWATER TREATMENT

The efficacy of Bridelia ferruginea Benth bark extract in wastewater treatment was investigated. Chemical analysis found the bark to contain potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, manganese, iron and copper. Phytochemical tests revealed the bark to contain tannins, phlobatannins, saponins, alkaloids, and steroids. Comparative studies using varying concentrations (0.5, 1.0, 2.5 and 5.0 % w/v) with alum and ferric chloride showed that the bark extract was effective in the clarification and sedimentation of total solids in the waste water sample. The optimum dose achieved was 2.5 % w/v with a minimum of 24 hours contact time. The total bacteria counts were reduced by 46 % after 24 hours when the extract was used whereas ferric chloride achieved 50 % reduction and alum achieved 55 % reduction under similar conditions. The feasibility of using the bark extract as an additional coagulant is therefore discussed. KEYWORDS: Bridelia ferruginea, Sedimentation, Total bacteria count, Wastewater treatment Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2007, 21(2), 205-211

Comparative biocidal activities of some crude plant species powders against the cowpea weevil (Callosobrochus maculatus (F.)(Coleoptera: bruchidae))

Callosobruchus maculatus is one of the most important pests of cowpea in storage causing severe economic damage to the grain. This study investigated the efficacies of three plant materials (Azadirachta indica, Calotropis procera and Chromolaena odorata) leaves against the cowpea weevil. Concentrations of 0.1, 0.25 and 0.5g of the plant powders were used on 10g of grains with 10 adult weevils in each and a Control (untreated) in triplicates. The results showed significant (P< 0.05) negatively effects of the plant materials on the survival of C. maculatus at the highest concentration. In all trails, mean daily mortality in adult C. maculatus were significantly(p<0.05) increased. All plant powder type were effective but concentration-dependent, with C. procera recording significantly (P < 0.05) higher mortality at the various concentrations while C. odorata, elicited the least mean daily mortality. The lowest LD50 (0.63g) was obtained with C. procera. These plants materials were found to also affect the egg-laying capacity of C. maculatus. Treatment with C. odorata recorded significantly(P<0.05) higher number of eggs laid at all concentrations, though the egg-laying capacity was also concentration-dependent; whereas C. procera recorded the least number of eggs laid. All the three plants powders tested demonstrated significant insecticidal potency on stored cowpea weevils, with C. procera and C. odorata showing significantly higher and lower insecticidal potentials respectively. These findings will help in solving problem associated with food security especially with respect to stored produce

The effect of using solid-state fermented peeled and unpeeled cassava root tubers and limiting amino acid supplementation on metabolisable energy for meat-type cockerels

A preliminary in-vitro solid-state fermentation of peeled (PCRM) and unpeeled cassava root tuber meal (UCRM) using Aspergillus niger van Tieghem, was conducted, followed by a force-feeding experiment to investigate the effects of a diet of solid state fermented peeled (PCRM) and unpeeled (UPCRM) cassava root, supplemented with limiting amino acid, on metabolizable energy (ME) for meat-type cockerels. Forty eight, 84 d-old meat-type cockerels (Ross 308) were assigned to 8 treatments consisting of 6 birds per treatment laid out in a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatment consisting of PCRM and UCRM subjected or not to solid-state fermentation and supplemented with or without limiting amino acids. An additional 6 cockerels were used for endogenous study. Peeling of cassava root increased (P < 0.05) gross energy content of the resultant cassava meal when compared with UCRM. Solid-state fermentation using Aspergillus niger increased (P < 0.05) the crude ash, ether extract and arginine concentration of PCRM and UCRM. Solid-state fermented PCRM recorded the highest (P < 0.05) amylopectin, least (P < 0.05) resistant starch and hydrocyanide concentration. Highest (P < 0.05) apparent metabolizable energy (AME) and nitrogen corrected AME (AMEn) values were obtained for cockerels fed with solid-state fermented PCRM supplemented with or without amino acid. However, supplementation of solid-state fermented PCRM with amino acid resulted in highest (P < 0.05) true metabolisable energy (TME) and nitrogen corrected TME (TMEn) for meat-type cockerels. Reduced (P < 0.05) AME and AMEn values were recorded for UCRM, regardless of solid-state fermentation and amino acid supplementation. In conclusion, solid-state fermentation and amino acid supplementation of PCRM resulted in improved AME, AMEn, TME and TMEn values for meat-type cockerels. Amino acid supplementation had no improvement on AME, AMEn and TME values of UCRM for meat-type cockerels

Cost Evaluation of Commonly Prescribed Antihypertensive Drugs and the Pattern of Prescription among Doctors in the Lagos University Teaching Hospital

Pharmacological anti-hypertensive prescriptions of 600 randomly selected mild to moderate hypertensive patients were reviewed for 3 years in four Clinics of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital namely Cardiology, Endocrine, Nephrology and Neurology Clinics. Calcium channel blockers were the most frequently prescribed drugs (24.8%) followed by Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (12.5%). Others included combined Amiloride/Hydrochlorothiazide (Co-amilozide) (10.6%), Alpha methyl dopa (10%), Beta Blockers (8.5%), combination of Co-amilozide and Alpha methyl dopa (6.8%), Co-amilozide,Calcium channel/Beta blockers (6.0%) etc. Brand name prescription was predominantly high in all the four Clinics (Cardiology 87.4%, Endocrine - 86.8%, Nephrology 74.6% and Neurology 87.9%) as compared to low generic prescription. The overall Brand name prescription was (83.4%) compared with Generic of (16%). The monthly cost difference between Generic anti-hypertensive single drug treatment and Brand named single drug treatment was between N500.00 to N600.00. It was concluded that the prescribing of the new generation drugs i.e. Calcium channel blockers, ACE inhibitors with supposedly little or no metabolic side effects is a new trend which should be scientifically evaluated vis--vis cost effectiveness and adverse drug reaction. It was also concluded that generic prescription should be encouraged among prescribers to lessen the financial burden of patients because drugs marketed under generic names are usually cheaper than those with brand names. Key words: Brand, Generic,Prescription, Antihypertensives,Cost. [Nig. Jnl Health & Biomedical Sciences Vol.1(2) 2002: 68-70

<b>Studies on the efficacy of <i>Bridelia ferruginea</i> Benth bark extract for domestic wastewater treatment</b>

The efficacy of <i>Bridelia ferruginea</i> Benth bark extract in wastewater treatment was investigated. Chemical analysis found the bark to contain potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, manganese, iron and copper. Phytochemical tests revealed the bark to contain tannins, phlobatannins, saponins, alkaloids, and steroids. Comparative studies using varying concentrations (0.5, 1.0, 2.5 and 5.0 % w/v) with alum and ferric chloride showed that the bark extract was effective in the clarification and sedimentation of total solids in the waste water sample. The optimum dose achieved was 2.5 % w/v with a minimum of 24 hours contact time. The total bacteria counts were reduced by 46 % after 24 hours when the extract was used whereas ferric chloride achieved 50 % reduction and alum achieved 55 % reduction under similar conditions. The feasibility of using the bark extract as an additional coagulant is therefore discussed

The Hazards of Non-Ionizing Radiation of Telecommunication Mast in an Urban Area of Lagos, Nigeria

The health hazards of non-ionizing radiation from telecommunication mast on the exposed community were assessed using a descriptive cross-sectional survey. The socio-demographic pattern and hazard profile of the respondent were documented. The results of the data showed that majority of respondents (60.8%) were youth within age range of 20 – 30 years. Hazard profile showed majority (62%) having different symptoms with headache being the most frequent (51.6%), similar to other established findings. There is a significant synergistic relationship between high voltage cable and telecom mast on the health effect, with p value < 0.05. It was also shown that proximity and duration of exposure to mast radiation is directly proportional to hazard effect, with p value < 0.05. This study therefore establishes that there are health implications of exposure to mast radiation and minimizing them will go a long way to improve healthy living

Combination antihypertensive drug use amongst private medical practitioners in Lagos, Nigeria

Background: Clinical hypertension guidelines support the use of combination therapy in patients with severe hypertension or patients not responding to current monotherapy. Most patients with hypertension at least two antihypertensive agents to reach BP target, so a combination antihypertensive medication can increase the likelihood of meeting blood pressure treatment goalsObjective: The study is to evaluate the use of combination antihypertensive therapy by private medical practitioners in Lagos, Nigeria.Methods: A prospective observational design was used. The participating hospitals were randomly selected from a list of hospitals and local government Areas in Lagos State using a multistage something technique. A pretested self administered questionnaire was used to collect data.Results: Results from this study show high utilization of private health facilities. Ten percent of the hospitals see over 500 patients in a month . Eight (twenty percent) of the hospitals see over 50 hypertensive patients monthly. There is a good prescription of RAAS combination therapy with a good number of hospitals having patients who reach blood pressure goals. Comorbidities include diabetes, renal disease, cerebrovascular disease and some hospitals see elderly hypertensives.Conclusion: In conclusion, current guidelines strongly support the use of combination therapy as first-line treatment in hypertensive patients. The result of this present study shows. good knowledge and use of hypertension guideline recommendations by private medical practitioner in Lagos,Keywords: Combination antihypertensive treatment, Blood pressure goal, private hospital, guidelines, hypertension, Lagos, Nigeri

Protective effect of vitamin C and or vitamin E on micronuclei induction by rifampicin in mice

Rifampicin which is a known antituberculous agent has been reported to induce both chromosomal breakage and numerical chromosomal abnormalities. This study was carried out to determine the mutagenicity of rifampicin and more importantly to investigate the protective roles of antioxidants-vitamin C and E individually and in-combination therapy against rifampicin mutagenicity using micronucleus assay. Therapeutic concentrations of rifampicin alone (9mg/kg), rifampicin plus vitamin E (5mg/kg), rifampicin plus vitamin C (8mg/kg) and rifampicin plus vitamin C plus vitamin E were administered orally for 28 consecutive days using 6 mice in each group. The negative and positive control mice received same volume of distilled water and cyclophosphamide (40 mg/kg) intraperitoneally 6 hours before sacrifice, respectively. The results showed rifampicin alone treated group to demonstrate significant (P<0.05) increase in the proportion of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocyte (MPCE) to polychromatic erythrocyte (PCE) compared with the negative control group while a significant decrease (P≤0.05) in the proportion of MPCE to PCE was demonstrated in the rifampicin plus vitamin E; rifampicin plus vitamin C plus E and rifampicin plus vitamin C groups compared with cyclophosphamide treated group and rifampicin treated group. These findings suggest that rifampicin has damaging effects on the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). However, co-administration of rifampicin and antioxidants (vitamin C and E) has protective effect on the damaging potentials of rifampicin

Pattern of medication use and adverse drug reactions among chronic kidney disease patients attending the nephrology clinic of a tertiary hospital

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with many adverse health outcomes 1,2. Patients with CKD are often given several medications for the management of the disease, its attendant complications and other comorbidities. These drugs often have drug-drug interactions which increase the risk of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) that may lead to more frequent hospital visit/admissions. This will further worsen morbidity and mortality.Objective: This study was carried out to highlight the additional risk that adverse drug reactions pose to the CKD patients in terms of morbidity and mortality.Methods: A hundred and twenty patients with CKD in various stages (stage1-5) were studied. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire administered to participating patients after explanations had been made to them. Information on age, sex, types of medication, side effects of medications experienced by patient were obtained. The Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was also calculated for each patient using the Cockroft-Gault and CKD-EPI formulae to stage the disease. The Naranjo algorithm was used to determine whether an adverse drug reaction is actually due to the drug rather than the result of other factors.Results: Most patients (51%) were middle-aged and were on at least seven different medications. Common medications used included: Lisinopril (57%), Lorsartan (7%), Alpha methyldopa (9%), Atenolol (20%), Furosemide (46%), Simvastatin (18%), Calcium carbonate (35%), Nifedipine (32%), Moduretic (15%), and Alphacalcidol (15%). Using Naranjo scoring system, about 20% of the patients were found to have definite ADR, 34% probable ADR, 44% possible adverse drug reaction and 2% doubtful ADR.Conclusion: This study shows that adverse drug reactions are common in CKD patient as up to 20% of patients had ADR. Therefore, physicians should look for ADR in CKD patients and treat appropriately.Keywords: Multiple drug use, adverse drug reactions, chronic kidney diseas