The Wound Healing Effects of Aqueous Leave Extracts of Azadirachta Indica on Wistar Rats.

The wound healing effect of the aqueous leave extracts of Azadirachta indica (neem tree)was investigated on adult male wistar rats. The aim of this study is to scientifically determine if the aqueous leave extracts of Azadirachta indica has wound healing abilities. Twenty male wistar rats (two groups of 10 control and 10 experimental rats)of average weight 150-200g were used for this study. A 2cm by 2cm2 area of wound was made at the dorsolateral aspect of the rats and an aqueous leave extract of Azadirachta indica was applied on the wound of experimental rats while normal saline was used on the control rats. All animals had their wound dressed every three days, wound dimension measured and morphometry assessed. Wound biopsy was collected by random selection in each group on day 9 and on the day of complete reepithelialization. Tissue processing was done using paraffin wax method. Slides were stained with haematoxilin and eosin for histological assessment of fibroblast, neovascularization, granulation and end scar tissue profile. Results showed significant wound contraction at day 6 (p<0.05).The mean percentage wound contraction for experimental rats was 72.34± 2.49 while the control group was 62.39± 7.94. Mean percentage wound contraction for experimental group at day 9 was 92.20± 6.66 while that of the control group was 85.19± 7.84. The mean of the percentage wound contraction on day 9 was insignificant (p>0.05). The extracts of   Azadirachta indica significantly increased (p<0.05) the day of complete wound closure in experimental group compared to control group. Aqueous leave extracts of Azadirachta indica promotes wound healing activity through increased inflammatory response and neovascularization. KEY  WORDS: Azadirachta indica, wistar rats, wound healing

Exponentiated Inverse Power Pranav distribution: Properties and Application

In this article, we proposed a new distribution known as the Exponentiated Inverse Power Pranav distribution for modeling lifetime data sets with monotone and non-monotone shapes in their hazard rates. Along with some of the basic properties, we however, studied the maximum likelihood estimation of the parameters of the proposed distribution. The model was subjected to life application with a dataset and compared to other sub-models. The new distribution was found to have a best fit more than the competing sub-models. Keywords: Pranav distribution, Inverse Power Pranav distribution, Exponentiated distributions, Maximum Likelihood estimation, Exponentiated Inverse Power Pranav distributio

Information Deficit on Injection of Drugs: Implications for Social and Behaviour Change Communication Intervention for Illicit Drugs Use in Lagos State

This study investigated the strategies and channels used by NGOs and NDLEA in the campaign against the injection of illicit drugs and the knowledge of People Who Inject Drugs (PWIDs) regarding the harm associated with drug injection before they engaged in act. The study participants include officials from NGOs (three) and NDLEA (one), and four PWIDs selected from Ikeja and Agege Local Government Areas in Lagos state. This study adopted a qualitative approach, using the in-depth interview method. The study was guided by five research questions which informed the development of the interview guide used in data collection. Constant comparative analysis was used to sort the data gathered while the thematic method was employed in data analysis. The findings of this study suggest that interpersonal communication channels in form of peer education and community outreach/engagement are the major communication strategies used by NGOs and NDLEA in the campaign against the injection of illicit drugs in Lagos state. The sampled PWIDs had no prior awareness and knowledge of harm related to the injection of illicit drugs. The NGOs and NDLEA perceived that the communication strategies and channels used in the campaign against the injection of drugs were effective but stimulating positive behaviour changes and inadequate resources were the major challenges encountered in the treatment and rehabilitation of PWIDs. The selected PWIDs were struggling to abstain from drugs but expressed positive intentions toward community-based campaigns against illicit drugs. Based on the study findings, we recommended; more preventive campaigns on drugs abuse highlighting injection of illicit drugs and their consequences, adoption of the seven Cs of effective communication and communication interventions based on Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) strategies, adequate funding of NDLEA and NGOs as well as engagement of fully rehabilitated and stable PWIDs in community-based campaigns against injection of illicit drugs

Appraisal of Widows Support Groups in Contemporary Societies: A Study of Widows in Ota Metropolis

This paper examined the nature and quality of support rendered to widows during and after the mourning period by support groups in Ota. The role of support groups ranging from family members, friends, associations, religious institutions in widows’ wellbeing was examined using survey questionnaire and in-depth interview. Findings from the study informed the basis for conclusion and recommendations for policy making and implementation at individual(s), groups, local, state and national levels in Nigeria DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2016.v7n5p15

Epidemiological profile of the Ebola virus disease outbreak in Nigeria, July-September 2014

Introduction: In July 2014, Nigeria experienced an outbreak of Ebola virus disease following the introduction of the disease by an ill Liberian Traveler. The Government of Nigeria with the support of Technical and Development Partners responded quickly and effectively to contain the outbreak. The epidemiological profile of the outbreak that majorly affected two States in the country in terms of person, place and time characteristics of the cases identified is hereby described. Methods: Using field  investigation technique, all confirmed and probable cases were identified, line-listed and analysed using Microsoft Excel 2007 by persons, time and place. Results: A total of 20 confirmed and probable cases; 16 in Lagos (including the index case from Liberia) and 4 in Port Harcourt were  identified. The mean age was 39.5 ± 12.4 years with over 40% within the age group 30-39 years. The most frequent exposure type was direct physical contact in 70% of all cases and 73% among health care workers. The total case-fatality was 40%; higher among healthcare workers (46%) compared with non-healthcare workers (22%). The epidemic curve initially shows a typical common source outbreak, followed by a propagated pattern. Conclusion: Investigation revealed the size and spread of the outbreak and provided information on the characteristics of persons, time and place. Enhanced surveillance measures, including contact tracing and follow-up proved very useful in early case detection and containment of the outbreak

The risks and benefits of long-term use of hydroxyurea in sickle cell anemia: A 17.5 year follow-up.

A randomized, controlled clinical trial established the efficacy and safety of short-term use of hydroxyurea in adult sickle cell anemia. To examine the risks and benefits of long-term hydroxyurea usage, patients in this trial were followed for 17.5 years during which they could start or stop hydroxyurea. The purpose of this follow-up was to search for adverse outcomes and estimate mortality. For each outcome and for mortality, exact 95% confidence intervals were calculated, or tests were conducted at alpha = 0.05 level (P-value \u3c0.05 for statistical significance). Although the death rate in the overall study cohort was high (43.1%; 4.4 per 100 person-years), mortality was reduced in individuals with long-term exposure to hydroxyurea. Survival curves demonstrated a significant reduction in deaths with long-term exposure. Twenty-four percent of deaths were due to pulmonary complications; 87.1% occurred in patients who never took hydroxyurea or took it for \u3c5 years. Stroke, organ dysfunction, infection, and malignancy were similar in all groups. Our results, while no longer the product of a randomized study because of the ethical concerns of withholding an efficacious treatment, suggest that long-term use of hydroxyurea is safe and might decrease mortality

A global research priority agenda to advance public health responses to fatty liver disease

Background & aims An estimated 38% of adults worldwide have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). From individual impacts to widespread public health and economic consequences, the implications of this disease are profound. This study aimed to develop an aligned, prioritised fatty liver disease research agenda for the global health community. Methods Nine co-chairs drafted initial research priorities, subsequently reviewed by 40 core authors and debated during a three-day in-person meeting. Following a Delphi methodology, over two rounds, a large panel (R1 n = 344, R2 n = 288) reviewed the priorities, via Qualtrics XM, indicating agreement using a four-point Likert-scale and providing written feedback. The core group revised the draft priorities between rounds. In R2, panellists also ranked the priorities within six domains: epidemiology, models of care, treatment and care, education and awareness, patient and community perspectives, and leadership and public health policy. Results The consensus-built fatty liver disease research agenda encompasses 28 priorities. The mean percentage of ‘agree’ responses increased from 78.3 in R1 to 81.1 in R2. Five priorities received unanimous combined agreement (‘agree’ + ‘somewhat agree’); the remaining 23 priorities had >90% combined agreement. While all but one of the priorities exhibited at least a super-majority of agreement (>66.7% ‘agree’), 13 priorities had 90% combined agreement. Conclusions Adopting this multidisciplinary consensus-built research priorities agenda can deliver a step-change in addressing fatty liver disease, mitigating against its individual and societal harms and proactively altering its natural history through prevention, identification, treatment, and care. This agenda should catalyse the global health community’s efforts to advance and accelerate responses to this widespread and fast-growing public health threat. Impact and implications An estimated 38% of adults and 13% of children and adolescents worldwide have fatty liver disease, making it the most prevalent liver disease in history. Despite substantial scientific progress in the past three decades, the burden continues to grow, with an urgent need to advance understanding of how to prevent, manage, and treat the disease. Through a global consensus process, a multidisciplinary group agreed on 28 research priorities covering a broad range of themes, from disease burden, treatment, and health system responses to awareness and policy. The findings have relevance for clinical and non-clinical researchers as well as funders working on fatty liver disease and non-communicable diseases more broadly, setting out a prioritised, ranked research agenda for turning the tide on this fast-growing public health threat