Extraction and characterization of mucilage from Crotalaria senegalensis Linn (Family – Fabaceae)

Mucilages from the leaves, stem and root of Crotalaria senegalensis Linn. (Fam. Fabaceae) has been extracted using both the cold and hot extraction methods. The results obtained showed that the hot extraction method (HEM) is a better extraction method than the cold extraction method (CEM) as the yields were:- 10.2%; 5.9% and 1.2% w/w (HEM) as opposed to: 8.0%; 3.7% and 1.0% w/w (CEM) for the leaves, stem and root respectively. Characterization of the mucilage showed that it is composed of galacturonic acid, fructose, arabinose, galactose and xylose. The elemental analysis indicated the presence of magnesium. Key words: Crotalaria senegalensis; Mucilage; Extraction; Characterization Nig. J. Pharm. Res. 3(1) 2004: 106-10

Comparison of physico-chemical parameters with macroinvertebrate and vertebrate fauna of Lake Ogelube and Lake Ojii, Opi-Agu, south-eastern Nigeria

The physico-chemical parameters of water provide crucial information on the condition of a waterbody at a point in time. Physico-chemical parameters determine the primary and secondary productivity of an aquatic ecosystem. Data on water temperature, pH, turbidity, water depth, total dissolved solids, total hardness, biochemical oxygen demand, dissolved oxygen, chloride, nitrate and phosphate, together with information on the aquatic macroinvertebrate and vertebrate species composition and abundance were collected for two Nigerian lakes, Lake Ogelube and Lake Ojii at Opi-Agu. The physico-chemical parameters were analysed using standard methods. Macroinvertebrate and vertebrate (Actinopterigii and Amphibia) species composition and abundance in the lakes were correlated with the physico-chemical parameters. Temperature, depth, biochemical oxygen demand and phosphate were significantly higher in Lake Ojii than in Lake Ogelube, while pH, turbidity and nitrate were significantly higher in Lake Ogelube (p < 0.05). In total, 1 442 animals were collected from the lakes of which 1 101 were macroinvertebrates and 341 vertebrates. The family Libellulidae (Order: Odonata) and the species Coptodon zillii (synonym: Tilapia zillii) (Gervais, 1848) (Perciformes: Cichlidae) were the most abundant macroinvertebrate and vertebrate taxa, respectively. Libellulidae were negatively associated with biochemical oxygen demand, temperature, turbidity, phosphate and chloride and Coptodon zillii was positively associated with dissolved oxygen

A Ten-Year Review of Ovarian Cancer in Enugu, South East Nigeria

Objective: To review the pattern and management of ovarian cancer over a ten-year period at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu. Methods: A retrospective review of cases of histologically diagnosed primary ovarian cancers from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2009. Results: Out of 20,227 gynaecological admissions during the study period, 200 cases of primary gynaecological cancers were involved. Ovarian cancer constituted 25.0% of all gynaecological malignancies giving an incidence rate of 1 per 405 gynaecological admissions per year. The mean age of cases at presentation was 45.4 ± 17.1years. Epithelial ovarian cancer constituted 68.0% of ovarian cancer. Approximately 60.0% of women who had epithelial ovarian cancer were aged 50 years or below. Parous women constituted 72.4% of epithelial ovarian cancer out of which 38.0% were grandmultiparous women. All the cancers in pre-menarcheal girls were germ cell tumours. Most of the cases had surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy. However, most patients (68.0%) had only one or two courses of cisplatinum based combination chemotherapy only to abandon further treatment. Conclusion: This study supports an emerging pattern of early onset of, and substantial involvement of multiparous women in, epithelial ovarian cancer among patients treated at the study centre. The management challenge posed by the pattern of presentation of a majority of cases is compounded by a trend towards abandonment of chemotherapy by most patients. Key Words: Review, Ovarian cancer, Enugu. Afrimedic Journal 2011;2(1):8-1

Cytologic surveillance versus immediate colposcopy for women with a cervical smear diagnosis of low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion in a poor setting in Nigeria

LO Ajah,1,2 CO Chigbu,1 HE Onah,1 CA Iyoke,1 OL Lawani,2 PO Ezeonu2 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, 2Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Nigeria Background: Ideally, all patients with abnormal Papanicolaou smear cytology results should undergo colposcopic examination of the cervix, but low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSILs) can also be followed up with further Papanicolaou smear surveillance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of cytologic surveillance versus immediate colposcopy in women with a cervical smear diagnosis of LSIL. Methods: This was a prospective comparative study of 240 eligible consenting women consecutively grouped into cervical surveillance for 6 months versus immediate colposcopy at a ratio of 1:1. Free cervical smear cytology, colposcopy, and biopsy, as well as histology, were provided for all study participants. Results: The regression, persistence, and progression rates with 6 months of cytologic surveillance of LSIL were 46.1%, 43.4%, and 3.9%, respectively. The difference between the proportions of women who had an eventual histologic diagnosis of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2+ in both groups was not statistically significant (4.9% versus 8.7%; P=0.68). The default rates among women on cytologic surveillance and immediate colposcopy were 37% and 12.5%, respectively (P=0.0002). Conclusion: Although the progression rate of LSIL is low, a high persistence rate and higher default rate from cytologic surveillance highlight the need to consider immediate referral for colposcopy, where available, for all women with a Papanicolaou smear diagnosis of LSIL in this environment. Keywords: cytologic surveillance, immediate colposcopy, low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, Enug

Availability of Resources for Provision of Child Health Services at the Primary Health Care Level in Nnewi, Nigeria

No Abstract