Effect of Nigerian citrus (Citrus sinensis Osbeck) honey on ethanol metabolism

The effect of Nigerian citrus (Citrus sinensis Osbeck) honey on ethanol metabolism was tested using 45  consenting individuals in apparent good health and between the ages of 25 and 35 years. The subjects were moderate social drinkers matched in terms of body weight and build. The results obtained showed that on average, honey significantly (p < 0.05) increased the blood ethanol clearance rate by 68% and decreased the  intoxication period by 43%, but insignificantly (p > 0.05) reduced the degree of intoxication by 9%. Honey could be a promising anti-intoxicating agent, but its long-term biochemical evaluation, possibly as a complement in the management of alcohol intoxication, deserves further study

Influence of fructose on the mechanisms for ethanol-induced hypertriglyceridaemia

Twelve adult albino rabbits with an average weight of 1.42kg were purchased and divided equally into the normal saline, ethanol and ethanol+fructose-treated groups. The ethanol-treated group orally received 1.5g (40%) ethanol/kg body weight as single daily dose, while the ethanol +fructose-treated animals also received the same ethanol dose, but were given in addition, 0.25gfructose/kg body weight after about 10 min of the ethanol administration. The normal saline-treated rabbits were given the equivalent amount of normal saline in lieu of ethanol. The animals were exposed to these various treatments along with their usual feeding pattern for a regular period of 15 weeks. Results showed that the progressive increase (P0.05) but decreased (

Strategies for boosting students’ enrolment into business education programme of colleges of education

A close observation in recent times has shown a steady decline of students’ enrolment into business education programme especially in the colleges of education. The situation is becoming worrisome considering the social implications it has on the education industry. Thus, the study was conducted to determine strategies for boosting students’ enrolment into business education programme of colleges of education in Delta State.  Design of this research was descriptive survey and 118 business education lecturers in the colleges of education in Delta State participated in the survey. Data were collected with questionnaire. The results of data analysis showed that the respondents agreed that the attracting and retaining strategies considered in the study were necessary frameworks for boosting students’ enrolment into business education programme. The test of hypotheses showed that irrespective of the years of work experience of the respondents, their responses did not differ significantly. This indicated that the examined attracting and retaining strategies were critical for boosting students’ enrolment. It was concluded that the attracting and retaining strategies determined by the study are effective means of reversing the steady decline of students’ enrolment experienced in recent years at the colleges of education in Delta State, Nigeria

Efecto de dosis aguda de alcohol sobre las características bioquímicas del síndrome X en distintas categorías de bebedores nigerianos hombres y mujeres en aparente buen estado de salud

Background: «Syndrome X», known since the 1980’s is a disease condition precipitated by insulin resistance. Insulin resistance causes glucose and insulin to accumulate in the blood. Syndrome X is characterized by abnormal values of triacylglycerol (TAG), blood pressure (BP), glucose and HDL-cholesterol-all risk factors for heart disease. Insulin resistance may be exacerbated by bad diet, poor lifestyle, absence of physical activity, genetic predisposition and being overweight. However, recent reports have shown that poor lifestyle is likely to be the main cause rather than bad diet or being overweight. Even though heavy consumption of alcohol could be regarded as a poor lifestyle, its relationship to the biochemical features and symptoms of syndrome X in both genders is yet to be properly documented among Nigerian drinkers of alcohol. Methods: To establish a baseline information on the relationship between alcohol consumption and Syndrome X among Nigerians, two hundred and seventy-four consenting individuals in apparent good health and who were either light (53 male, 44 female), moderate (51 male, 42 female) or heavy (46 male, 38 female) drinkers of alcohol were selected. They had no personal or familial history of CHD, stroke, cancer or related diseases. The drinkers were tested using an acute dose (1 g ethanol/kg body weight) of alcohol. Results: Results show that the administered acute dose (1 g ethanol/kg body weight) increased serum glucose, (p>0.05), TAG (p<0.05) and BP (p<0.05) (some biochemical risk factors of Syndrome X) in both genders irrespective of the drinking category. However, alcohol-induced changes were highest among the female heavy drinkers. Thus, observations from this study suggest that heavy consumption of alcohol by especially the female folk could alter the pathways that metabolize carbohydrates and lipids and this may increase the risk of Syndrome X. Conclusions: Based on the available evidence, it would be reasonable to conclude that heavy consumption of alcohol by Nigerian women especially may be yet another predisposing lifestyle to Syndrome X. The incidence of Syndrome X among drinkers of alcohol should be further investigated in order to provide clues to the underlying molecular mechanisms. This is important in order to strategize therapeutic approaches, since individuals with the disease may not recognize it. Antecedentes: Desde la década de 1980 se conoce el síndrome X, entidad patológica que se precipita por la resistencia a la insulina. A su turno, esta resistencia hace que la glucosa y la insulina se acumulen en la sangre. El síndrome X se caracteriza por valores anormales de triacilglicerol (TAG), presión sanguínea (PS), glucosa y colesterol de alta densidad (HDL), que son todos elementos de riesgo para enfermedades cardíacas. La resistencia a la insulina se puede aumentar por malos hábitos dietéticos, falta de actividad física, predisposición genética y sobrepeso. Sin embargo, varios informes recientes demostraron que un estilo de vida poco saludable puede ser también una causa principal del síndrome, quizá más que los malos hábitos dietéticos o el sobrepeso. Aunque el consumo alto de alcohol se podría considerar como un estilo de vida poco saludable, su relación con los factores bioquímicos y los síntomas del síndrome X, en ambos géneros, aún no se ha documentado de manera precisa entre los nigerianos consumidores de alcohol. Métodos: Establecer una información de base acerca de las relaciones entre consumo de alcohol y síndrome X para 264 nigerianos en aparente buen estado de salud que participaron de modo voluntario en el estudio. Aunque todos consumían alcohol, entre ellos había consumidores ligeros (53 hombres, 44 mujeres); consumidores moderados (51 hombres, 42 mujeres); y consumidores pesados (46 hombres, 38 mujeres). Ninguno tenía historia familiar de enfermedad cardíaca coronaria (ECC), accidentes cerebro-vasculares, cáncer, y otras enfermedades relacionadas. A todos se les examinó con una dosis de prueba (1 g de etanol/kg peso corporal) de alcohol. Resultados: Se comprobó que la dosis de prueba administrada (1 g de etanol/kg peso corporal) aumentó los niveles sanguíneos de glucosa (p>0.05) y TAG (p<0.05), así como la PS (p<0.05), factores de riesgo para el Síndrome X en ambos géneros, sin tener en cuenta la categoría del consumidor. Sin embargo, los cambios inducidos por el alcohol fueron más altos en las mujeres de consumo pesado. Así, pues, las observaciones de este estudio sugieren que el consumo alto de alcohol, sobre todo en las mujeres, puede alterar las vías del metabolismo de carbohidratos y lípidos y de esta manera aumentar el riesgo del síndrome X. Conclusiones: Con base en la evidencia disponible, es razonable concluir que el consumo elevado de alcohol especialmente en las mujeres nigerianas puede ser otro estilo de vida poco saludable que predispone al síndrome X. La incidencia del síndrome X entre los consumidores de alcohol se debería investigar más a fin de suministrar sugerencias e indicios acerca de los mecanismos moleculares subyacentes. Esto es importante para diseñar estrategias en los manejos terapéuticos, pues los individuos con la enfermedad no la pueden reconocer

Changes in some haematological parameters in Nigeria children with Burkitt's lymphoma

In order to investigate the prevalence of anaemia and related haematological disorders, fifty-seven Nigerian children with Burkitt's Lymphoma, (BL) between the ages of 4-14 years were randomly selected from the paediatric Ward, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria and Kaduna. Twenty-eight age-matched children in apparent good health were included as control subjects. Results show that BL patients had significant (

Effect of Processing Techniques on The Contents of Flatulence Factors and Emulsion Properties of Cowpea ( Vigna unguiculata )

The effect of some processing techniques (germination boiling and dehulling) on the soluble sugar contents and the emulsion property of processed flour were studied. Results show that germination significantly reduced the raffinose level from the third to the fifth day sprouting period (P&lt;0.05). Boiling and dehulling also reduced the content of this flatus oligosaccharide (raffinose) but not to a significant proportion (P&gt;0.05). The contents of other soluble sugars-galactose, glucose and sucrose were increased by germination (P&lt;0.05) and boiling (P&gt;0.05) but reduced by dehulling (P&gt;0.05). Germination, dehulling and boiling lowered the emulsion stability property of cowpea flour. Even though, it is not conventional to either malt or dehull cowpea seeds before cooking, individuals should be advised to do so, in order to minimize the flatus potential and the accompanied discomfort associated with beans consumption. However, such processing techniques would not be appropriate for foods that need good emulsion. @JASEM

Antibody And Complement Levels In Patients With Burkitt's Lymphoma

The concentration of immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG, and IgM) and complement (C3 and C4) were measured in fifty-seven (57) Nigerian children with Burkitt's lymphoma (BL), and in twenty-eight (28) apparently healthy control subjects, using the single radial immunodiffusion (SRID) technique. The sera analyzed were obtained from the four clinical stages of BL. There were high titres of IgA (stage I: n=22; 667.27 \ub1 509.16; stage II:n=11; 616.82 \ub1 408.55; stage III: n=20; 695.65 \ub1 699.93 and stage IV: n=4, 485.75 \ub1 289.90); IgG (stage I: n=22, 260.59 \ub1 232.56; stage II:n=11 195.18 \ub1 102.86;stage III:n=20, 309.65 \ub1 276.43; stage IV:n=4, 244.85 \ub1 400.107). IgM (stage I:n=22, 253.55 \ub1 104.99, stage:II n=11, 217.82 \ub1 77.8; stage III:n=20, 419.20 \ub1 74.21, stage IV:n=4, 233.35 \ub1 108.84). These values are significantly higher (P&lt;0.05) than the values for the control subjects (IgA, 330.11\ub1260.55; IgG, 288.29 \ub1 346.95, IgM, 201.82 \ub1 64.132). Higher complement titres were also observed in the various clinical stages of BL C3 (stage:In=22, 177.25 \ub1 5172; stage II:n=11, 197.36 \ub1 65.40; stage III:n=20, 190.05 \ub1 60.91; stage IV:n = 4, 142.25 \ub1 81.40); C4 (stage I:n=22,288.68 \ub1 181.84, stage II:n=11, 207.91 \ub1 67.64; stage III:n=20,243.30 \ub1 164.70, stage IV:n=4, 331.75 \ub1 275.59). The complement values for control subjects were significantly lower than the BL patients; (C3:157.04\ub1 37.76; C4 256.39 \ub1 181.93). These results show relative higher immnoglobulins and complement responses in Nigerian children with BL

Hepatoprotective Potentials Of Hibiscus rosasinensis Petal anthocyanin Extracts Against Carbon tetrachloride-Induced Acute Liver Damage in Wistar Rats.

Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is haloalkane that possesses a hepatotoxic effect. Material and Methods: The impact of anthocyanin fractions obtained from Hibiscus rosasinensis petal on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced acute liver damage in wistar rats was studied using a combination of alanine transferase (ALT) activity value and liver: body weight gain ratio as indices. Results: CCl4 treatment significantly increased both ALT value and the liver: body weight gain ratio at the 1% probability level when compared with the control values. Conclusion: Pre-treatment with the anthocyanin fractions reduced the levels of these markers and hence, the degree of liver damage, though with varying potentials. The lead precipitated, non slimy red fraction possessed the greatest protective property on the rat liver when compared with the other anthocyanin fractions so tested. Keywords: Anthocyanin, carbon tetrachloride, alanine transferase, Hibiscus rosasinensis, liver damage.Sudan Journal of Medical Sciences Vol. 3 (1) 2008: pp. 33-3

Reforming Entrepreneurship Education Curriculum of Nigerian Tertiary Institutions for Graduates Empowerment

Abstract Entrepreneurship education is a potent tool in the fight against youth unemployment. However, the system of education in Nigeria has been structured in such a way that it is employment oriented to the detriment of employment generation by the individuals. Hence, youth unemployment is soaring unabatedly in Nigeria. However, if the entrepreneurship education curricula of tertiary institutions are properly reformed and reviewed to keep in touch with the current economic trend, then youth unemployment would certainly nosedive into the dustbin of history. This is the main thrust of the paper. Similarly, the paper gave an overview of entrepreneurship education and its curriculum issues. Based on the discourse, conclusion was drawn and it was recommended amongst others that there should be a bridge in the gap between curriculum of theory and curriculum of practice to make it more practical oriented