Antibacterial and antifungal activities of methanol extracts of Desmodium adscendens root and Bombax buonopozense leaves

In-vitro antibacterial and antifungal activities of methanol extracts of Desmodium adscendens (Sw.) DC root and Bombax buonopozense P. Beauv. leaves against some bacterial and fungal isolates implicated in oro-dental, urogenital and other opportunistic infections were investigated using standard microbiological methods. The extracts of D. adscendens exhibited significant inhibitory action against all twelve organisms tested at a concentration of 2.00 mg/ml, while that of B. buonopozense inhibited nine organisms at the same concentration and conditions. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) exhibited by extract of D. adscendens ranged between 0.0625 and 0.25 mg/ml while that of B. buonopozense ranged between 0.125 and 0.50 mg/ml. Phytochemical analysis of the two plant extracts revealed the presence of tannins and saponins while D. adscendens has alkaloids and flavonoids in addition. Between 92 and 100% of Staphylococcus aureus SA 1199 were killed within 120 minutes of contact time with a concentration of 0.25 - 0.50 mg/ml, while 98 - 100% of Candida albicans ATCC 90029 were killed within the same period and  concentration by the same extract (D. adscendens). Therefore, this study justified the antimicrobial properties of these plants, hence the plants could be recommended for use as source of new drugs for fungal and bacterial infections. © 2013 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved.Keywords: Desmodium adscendens, Bombax buonopozense, antibacterial, antifungal, Minimum Inhibitory Concentratio

Prevalence and awareness of hypertension and associated risk factors among bank workers in Owerri, Nigeria

Background: Hypertension is largely asymptomatic and common among adult Nigerians, and considered to be of public health importance. Banking work is associated with stress, a risk for hypertension.Aim: To evaluate the prevalence and awareness of hypertension and its associated risk factors among bankers in Owerri.Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was aimed at determining the knowledge, prevalence of hypertension and other risk factors for cardiovascular disease among bank workers in Owerri. We randomly selected banks by balloting in Owerri and assessed 194 bankers using a self-administered questionnaire on their knowledge and social habits. Their blood pressure (mmHg), weight (Kg) and heights (meter) were measured. Results are presented in proportions and odds ratio.Results: We studied 194 bankers; 100 males and 94 females. Most respondents (98%) had a good knowledge of hypertension but 80.4% (156) had poor knowledge of the risk factors of hypertension; 86.6% (118) and 59.3% (115) had poor knowledge of its treatment and complications respectively. The prevalence of hypertension was 12.4% with odds of a male being hypertensive 4.2 (95% CI 1.5 – 11.7), P-value= 0.006. Thirteen (68.4%) bankers with hypertension had good blood pressure control. Alcohol consumption in 12 (50%) and obesity in 9 (37.5%) bankers were the commonest cardiovascular risk factors.Conclusion: Bank workers in Owerri have a good knowledge of hypertension despite a low prevalence of hypertension. Additional educational effort aimed at addressing blood pressure control and life style modification is necessary among bankers.Keywords: Hypertension, prevalence, bankers, awareness, risk factors, cardiovascular diseas

Accuracy of Prader orchidometer in measuring testicular volume

Background: Seminiferous tubules comprise 80‑90% of testicular mass. Thus, the testicular volume is believed to be an index of spermatogenesis. Therefore, accurate testicular volume is one way to assess testicular function.Objective: To determine the accuracy of Prader orchidometer for measuring the testicular volume by comparing the resultant measurement with the actual testicular volume in humans.Materials and Methods: The testicular volumes of 121 testes from 62 patients with prostate cancer (mean age 72.74 ± 9.38 years) were measured using Prader orchidometer before therapeutic bilateral orchidectomy. The actual testicular volumes were then determined by water displacement of the testis.Results: The mean testicular volume of the 121 testes was 10.60 ± 3.5 ml and13.26 ± 5.2 ml for water displacement and Prader orchidometer measurements, respectively. A strong correlation was found between the actual testicular volume and volumes obtained by Prader orchidometer (r = 0.926, P = 0.0001). The Prader orchidometer however, over‑estimated the mean actual testicular volume by 2.66 ± 2.37 ml (25.10%).Conclusion: The result of this study has shown that measuring the testicular volume by Prader orchidometer overestimates the actual testicular volume.Key words: Accuracy, prader orchidometer, testicular volum

A randomised controlled study comparing the efficacy of once-daily triple therapy with twice-daily triple therapy in the eradication of Helicobacter pylori

published_or_final_versio

A computational fractional order model for optimal control of wearable healthcare monitoring devices for maternal health

The post-COVID-19 landscape has propelled the global telemedicine sector to a projected valuation of USD 91.2 billion by 2022, with a remarkable compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.6% from 2023 to 2030. This paper introduces an analytical wearable healthcare monitoring device (WHMD) designed for the timely detection and seamless transmission of crucial health vitals to telemedical cloud agents. The fractional order modeling approach is employed to delineate the efficacy of the WHMD in pregnancy-related contexts. The Caputo fractional calculus framework is harnessed to show the device potential in capturing and communicating vital health data to medical experts precisely at the cloud layer. Our formulation establishes the fractional order model's positivity, existence, and uniqueness, substantiating its mathematical validity. The investigation comprises two major equilibrium points: the disease-free equilibrium and the equilibrium accounting for disease presence, both interconnected with the WHMD. The paper explores the impact of integrating the WHMD during pregnancy cycles. Analytical findings show that the basic reproduction number remains below unity, showing the WHMD efficacy in mitigating health complications. Furthermore, the fractional multi-stage differential transform method (FMSDTM) facilitates optimal control scenarios involving WHMD utilisation among pregnant patients. The proposed approach exhibits robustness and conclusively elucidates the dynamic potential of WHMD in supporting maternal health and disease control throughout pregnancy. This paper significantly contributes to the evolving landscape of analytical wearable healthcare research, highlighting the critical role of WHMDs in safeguarding maternal well-being and mitigating disease risks in edge reconfigurable health architectures

Salmonella in Broiler Litter and Properties of Soil at Farm Location

Contamination of litter in a broiler grow-out house with Salmonella prior to placement of a new flock has been shown to be a precursor of the flock's Salmonella contamination further down the production continuum. In the southern USA, broiler grow-out houses are primarily built on dirt pad foundations that are placed directly on top of the native soil surface. Broiler litter is placed directly on the dirt pad. Multiple grow-out flocks are reared on a single litter batch, and the litter is kept in the houses during downtime between flocks. The effects of environmental determinants on conditions in broiler litter, hence Salmonella ecology within it, has received limited attention. In a field study that included broiler farms in the states of Alabama, Mississippi and Texas we assessed Salmonella in broiler litter at the end of downtime between flocks, i.e. at the time of placement of a new flock for rearing. Here we utilized these results and the U.S. General Soil Map (STATSGO) data to test if properties of soil at farm location impacted the probability of Salmonella detection in the litter. The significance of soil properties as risk factors was tested in multilevel regression models after accounting for possible confounding differences among the farms, the participating broiler complexes and companies, and the farms' geographical positioning. Significant associations were observed between infiltration and drainage capabilities of soil at farm location and probability of Salmonella detection in the litter

Family doctor-driven follow-up for adult childhood cancer survivors supported by a web-based survivor care plan

To facilitate family doctor-driven follow-up for adult childhood cancer survivors, we developed a survivor care plan (SCP) for adult survivors and their family doctors. The SCP was accessible for survivors and their family doctors on a secure website and as a printed booklet. It included data on diagnosis, treatment and potential risks as well as recommendations for follow-up. Childhood cancer survivors who were off-treatment >= 5 years, aged >= 18 years and not involved in a long-term follow-up program were eligible. They were advised to visit their family doctor. The endpoints were numbers of participants, adherence of family doctors to the guidelines and satisfaction ratings. The eligibility criteria were fulfilled by 108 survivors. Three family doctors and 15 survivors refused, 10 survivors were non-responders. Of the remaining 80 survivors, 73 survivors visited 72 family doctors. Sixty-nine (96%) family doctors returned data of whom 60 (83%) fully adhered to the recommended tests. The majority of survivors and family doctors were satisfied about the SCP. A (web-based) SCP for survivors and family doctors can serve as an effective communication vehicle to provide adequate shared care by the long-term follow-up clinic and family doctors

HIVAN and medication use in chronic dialysis patients in the United States: analysis of the USRDS DMMS Wave 2 study

BACKGROUND: The use and possible effects of factors known to improve outcomes in patients with human immunodeficiency virus associated nephropathy (HIVAN), namely of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE) and antiretroviral therapy, has not been reported for a national sample of dialysis patients. METHODS: We conducted a historical cohort study of the United States Renal Data System (USRDS) Dialysis Morbidity and Mortality Study (DMMS) Wave 2 to identify risk factors associated with increased mortality in these patients. Data were available for 3374 patients who started dialysis and were followed until March 2000. Cox Regression analysis was used to model adjusted hazard ratios (AHR) with HIVAN as a cause of end stage renal disease (ESRD) and its impact on mortality during the study period, adjusted for potential confounders. RESULTS: Of the 3374 patients who started dialysis, 36 (1.1%) had ESRD as a result of HIVAN. Only 22 (61%) of patients with HIVAN received antiretroviral agents, and only nine patients (25%) received combination antiretroviral therapy, and only 14% received ACE inhibitors. Neither the use of multiple antiretroviral drugs (AHR, 0.62, 95% CI, 0.10, 3.86, p = 0.60), or ACE inhibitors were associated with a survival advantage. Patients with HIVAN had an increased risk of mortality (adjusted hazard ratio, 4.74, 95% Confidence Interval, 3.12, 7.32, p < 0.01) compared to patients with other causes of ESRD. CONCLUSIONS: Medications known to improve outcomes in HIV infected patients were underutilized in patients with HIVAN. Adjusted for other factors, a primary diagnosis of HIVAN was associated with increased mortality compared with other causes of ESRD

H. pylori eradication vs H. pylori eradication combined with proton pump inhibitor in prevention of aspirin induced peptic ulcer complications

Oral Presentationpublished_or_final_versio

Evaluation of Biologically Active Compounds from Calendula officinalis Flowers using Spectrophotometry

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This study aimed to quantify the active biological compounds in <it>C. officinalis </it>flowers. Based on the active principles and biological properties of marigolds flowers reported in the literature, we sought to obtain and characterize the molecular composition of extracts prepared using different solvents. The antioxidant capacities of extracts were assessed by using spectrophotometry to measure both absorbance of the colorimetric free radical scavenger 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) as well as the total antioxidant potential, using the ferric reducing power (FRAP) assay.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Spectrophotometric assays in the ultraviolet-visible (UV-VIS) region enabled identification and characterization of the full range of phenolic and flavonoids acids, and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to identify and quantify phenolic compounds (depending on the method of extraction). Methanol ensured more efficient extraction of flavonoids than the other solvents tested.</p> <p>Antioxidant activity in methanolic extracts was correlated with the polyphenol content.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The UV-VIS spectra of assimilator pigments (e.g. chlorophylls), polyphenols and flavonoids extracted from the <it>C. officinalis </it>flowers consisted in quantitative evaluation of compounds which absorb to wavelengths broader than 360 nm.</p