Synergetic responses of haematopoietic hormones on dietary protein supplementation in phlebotomized New Zealand white rabbits

Background: Nutrition plays an important role in the management of blood dyscrasia due liver and kidney diseases. These disease conditions are usually accompanied by haematopathology which requires separate managements. There is need to provide information on the role that major components of the diet play in these conditions. This study compared at intervals, the values of erythropoietin and thrombopoietin in phlebotomized New Zealand white rabbits. Aim: To determine the levels of haematopoietic hormones (erythropoietin and thrombopoietin) in phlebotomised New Zealand white rabbits maintained on protein rich and hypoproteic diets. Materials and Methods: Twenty (20) New Zealand white rabbits were maintained on a diet containing 30% Protein for a period of four weeks (BASELINE), bled and grouped (TREATMENT) as follows A (n=5)– hypoproteic diet, B (n=5)–30% Protein rich diet, C (n=5)–hypoproteic diet (Phlebotomized), D (n=5)–30% Protein (Phlebotomized). Blood samples were obtained from the marginal earvein of the Rabbits after the period of acclimatization (4 weeks) to obtain baseline data. The animals were maintained on the indicated feed and also bled every other day to reduce the haematocrit by 20% and determine erythropoietin and thrombopoietin levels. The animals were sacrificed and the kidney and liver were harvested for histological studies. Result: There was a significant decrease (p≤0.05) in the response of thrombopoietin and erythropoietin in New Zealand white rabbits fed with hypoproteic diet as compared to those fed with protein rich (30% protein) diet. Conclusion: The outcome of this study suggests that dietary protein supplementation can improve blood dyscrasia resulting from active bleeding, malnutrition and thrombocytopenia caused by increased platelet loss due to bleeding. Keywords: New Zealand White rabbits, Dietary Protein, Thrombopoietin, Erythropoietin, Phlebotomy

Perception des prestataires de soins sur l’utilisation du partogramme au Burundi

Introduction: Le partogramme est un outil de surveillance du travail  d'accouchement, qui est peu utilisé de façon régulière dans certains pays,dont le Burundi. L'objectif de cette étude avait pour objectif de documenter la perception des prestataires de soins à l'utilisation du partogramme et les barrières à son utilisation dans les formations sanitaires du Burundi. Méthodes: Des interviews et focus groups ont été réalisés avec des prestataires, en français et en langue locale le Kirundi. Des questionnaires en français ont été distribués aux prestataires qui ont répondu aux interviews. Les renseignements obtenus grâce aux interviews et focus groups ont été transcrits par thème et analysés par le logiciel Weft QDA. Les réponses au questionnaire ont été saisies par Microsoft Access. Résultats: Le partogramme est apprécié par les répondants pour sa facilité de montrer la progression du travail et de permettre la  communication entre soignants. Cependant, plusieurs d'entre eux trouvent que le partogramme ne donne pas de valeur ajoutée. Les facteurs  décourageants son utilisation sont une surcharge du travail pour les prestataires et le manque de personnel formé à son utilisation. Conclusion: Bien que le Ministère de la Santé Publique et de la Lutte contre le SIDA (MSPLS) ait couvert presque tous les districts sanitaires en matière de formation sur l'utilisation du partogramme, ces formations n'ont pas suffit pour déclencher et perpétuer son utilisation. Cette étude montre en particulier le rapport entre la motivation d'utilisation du  partogramme et la vérification de cette utilisation par les superviseurs et les médecins

The role and scope of practice of midwives in humanitarian settings:a systematic review and content analysis

Abstract Background Midwives have an essential role to play in preparing for and providing sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services in humanitarian settings due to their unique knowledge and skills, position as frontline providers and geographic and social proximity to the communities they serve. There are considerable gaps in the international guidance that defines the scope of practice of midwives in crises, particularly for the mitigation and preparedness, and recovery phases. We undertook a systematic review to provide further clarification of this scope of practice and insights to optimise midwifery performance. The review aimed to determine what SRH services midwives are involved in delivering across the emergency management cycle in humanitarian contexts, and how they are working with other professionals to deliver health care. Methods Four electronic databases and the websites of 33 organisations were searched between January and March 2017. Papers were eligible for inclusion if they were published in English between 2007 and 2017 and reported primary research pertaining to the role of midwives in delivering and performing any component of sexual and/or reproductive health in humanitarian settings. Content analysis was used to map the study findings to the Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) for SRH across the three phases of the disaster management cycle and identify how midwives work with other members of the health care team. Results Fourteen studies from ten countries were included. Twelve studies were undertaken in conflict settings, and two were conducted in the context of the aftermath of natural disasters. We found a paucity of evidence from the research literature that examines the activities and roles undertaken by midwives across the disaster management cycle. This lack of evidence was more apparent during the mitigation and preparedness, and recovery phases than the response phase of the disaster management cycle. Conclusion Research-informed guidelines and strategies are required to better align the scope of practice of midwives with the objectives of multi-agency guidelines and agreements, as well as the activities of the MISP, to ensure that the potential of midwives can be acknowledged and optimised across the disaster management cycle

Modelling of Hydration Characteristics of Five Varieties of Cowpea Grains

Introduction: The hydration of grains is a process that consists of soaking them in water in order to increase their moisture content and this is a crucial step in industrialized processing and provides several beneficial effects on their physicochemical and nutritional qualities. Aims: This study focused on modeling of hydration characteristics of five varieties of cowpea which are: Gombe, Oloyin white, Drum, Oloyin brown and Sokoto cultivated in Nigeria. Methodology: The experiments were carried out using electronic water bath at five temperatures (30, 40, 50, 60, and 70°C) in three replications. The amount of water absorption by five selected varieties of cowpea grains was calculated by measuring the increase in the mass of soaked grains per time. Five standard models of water absorption were fitted to the experimental data. Coefficient of determination (R2), chi-square (x2) and root mean square error (RMSE) were used to evaluate the models. Results: The initial moisture content of the saturated cowpea was estimated as 13.56 ±1.15, 15.05 ±2.27, 13.30 ±0.37, 10.85 ±0.13, 12.40 ±0.13 for Gombe, Oloyin white, Drum, Oloyin brown and Sokoto varieties respectively. The water uptake of the cowpea was faster at the initial stage and gradually slow down until the equilibrium moisture content was attained for all the varieties. Conclusions: Weibull model was adjudged as the best fitted model for describing the water absorption property of all the varieties of the cowpea and the Activation energy of Gombe, Oloyin white, Drum, Oloyin brown and Sokoto varieties are 42.26 ± 4.65, 40.36 ±8.90, 39.47 ±8.62, 43.08 ±5.25 and 39.66 ±6.72 respectively

The global met need for emergency obstetric care: a systematic review.

Of the 287 000 maternal deaths every year, 99% happen in low- and middle-income countries. The vast majority could be averted with timely access to appropriate emergency obstetric care (EmOC). The proportion of women with complications of pregnancy or childbirth who actually receive treatment is reported as 'Met need for EmOC'

Feeding behaviour, weight gain and blood sugar of male wistar rats fed on a high-calorie diet and vegetables

The transition in eating behaviour toward a diet rich in calories and low in vegetables is a major factor responsible for the rapid increase in the incidence of obesity and diabetes. The research aimed at investigating the effect of a high-calorie diet and vegetables on feeding behaviour, weight gain and blood sugar in male Wistar rats. The vegetables were dried, blended, and preserved in airtight containers. Thirty male Wistar rats weighing an average of 127.4 g were housed in 6 cages with 5 rats in each cage. There were six groups comprising the positive control which was fed standard rat feed and water, also the negative control which was given a high-calorie diet (high-fat feed and sugar water) and four treatment groups. The four treatment groups were fed on a high-calorie diet with a 5 % concentration of either Corchorus olitorius, Crassocephalum crepidiodes, Amaranthus hybridus or Solanecio biafrae respectively. Water (or sugar water) and feed intake of each group were measured and recorded daily. Weekly consumption of water and feed was computed for the entire 5 weeks of the experiment. The fasting blood sugar and weight of the test rats were recorded at baseline and weekly. Oral glucose tolerance test and serum insulin were determined at the end of the experiment using blood samples from the test rats. All results were analysed using ANOVA at p≤0.05 and means were separated with the use of Duncan’s multiple range tests (SPSS 20.0). The high-fat feed was significantly different from the standard rat feed in the composition of fat (26.79 g) and calories (422.67 kcal). The negative control and the treatment groups got adapted to feeding on the high-calorie diet before the end of the experimental period. Water and feed intakes of the positive control were only significantly higher during the first three and four weeks, respectively. At the end of the experiment, the positive control had the highest weight gain of 22 g which was significantly different at p≤0.05. C. crepidioides and S. biafrae significantly lowered the blood sugar (62.75 and 62.50 mg/dL) of the test rats. A. hybridus prevented insulin resistance by the attainment of peak level at 30 min alongside the positive control. There was a significant increase in the insulin level of the negative control while the vegetables prevented increased production of insulin