Anti-trypanosomal effects of aqueous extract of Ocimum gratissimum (Lamiaceae) leaf in rats infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei

The anti-trypanosomal effects of aqueous extract of the leaf of Ocimum gratissimum were evaluated in both in-vitro and in-vivo studies. The anti-trypanosomal activity of the extract against Trypanosoma brucei was investigated in-vitro. The survival and motility of the trypanosomes were completely inhibited within two hours of incubation in various concentrations of the extract. Parasite survival time was concentration dependent being longer in lower (25 and 12.5 mg/ml) than higher (100, 75 and 50 mg/ml) concentrations of the extract. The invivo anti-trypanosomal effect of the leaf extract of the leaf extract was investigated in rats infected with Trypanosoma brucei and treated with the extract. The infected rats treated with the extract had less dramatic clinical manifestations and mortality, survived longer and higher PCV values than their untreated counterparts, however, parasitaemia was not significantly reduced. The results suggest that the folkloric medicinal application of the aqueous extract of Ocimum gratissimum has no possible pharmacological basis.Key words: Anti-trypanosomal, Leaf, Ocimum gratissimum, Rat

Effects of Phoenix dactylifera Tree Fruit Extract on Cadmium Induced Renal Damage in Adult Wistar Rats

The objective of the study is to investigate the ameliorative potential of date palm tree (Phoenix dactylifera) fruit on cadmium induced kidneydamage in adult Wistar Rat using standard technique. Thirty (30) adult Wistar rats were divided into six groups of five rats per group.  Group A (control); Group B (0.1ml/kg body weight of cadmium); Group C (200mg/kg body weight of Phoenix dactylifera); Group D (600mg/kg body weight of Phaoenix dactylifera); Group E (0.1ml/kg body weight of cadmium and 200mg/kg body weight of Phoenix dactylifera); Group F (0.1ml/kg body weight of cadmium and 600mg/kg body weight of Phoenix dactylifera). Treatments were administered once daily for 30 days. After day 30, biochemical and histopathological studies were conducted to appraise oxidative stress and renal toxicity. Serum levels of creatinine, urea, catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were quantified. Animals treated alone with cadmium (Group B), showed significant (P < 0.05) increase in serum urea, serum creatinine and CAT, SOD levels statistically. Treatment of rats with Phoenix dactyliferaalongside cadmium (Group E and F) showed significant (P < 0.05) improvement in renal function and restoration of biochemical parameters mentioned earlier. Histopathological findings confirm these conservations. Therefore, the administration of aqueous extract of Phoenix dactylifera has protective effect on cadmium-induced renal toxicity and oxidative stress in wistar rats which can be attributed to Phoenix dactylifera antioxidant activity

Evaluation of Dar Zarrouk Parameters of Parts of Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, Nigeria

This work evaluated the Dar Zarrouk parameters of parts of Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, Nigeria. The aim of the study is to use Dar Zarrouk parameters to determine the groundwater quality and potentials of the study area. Four (4) Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) were conducted with maximum electrode spacing of 200 m. The data was acquired using ABEM SAS 4000 Terrameter and processed using IPI2win and Interpex softwares. The Dar Zarrouk parameters evaluated in this work include Longitudinal Conductance (S), Transverse Resistance (T), Coefficient of Electrical Anisotropy (λ), Resistivity for the Formation (ρm), Reflection Coefficient (RC) and Resistivity Contrast (FC). Results obtained in this work showered that the study area revealed five (5) geologic layers. Resistivity of the aquifer layer ranged from 364.55 (layer 4, VES 3) to 567.66 (layer 4, VES 4). Depths to aquifer level for the study area are 15.06 m (VES 1), 14.31 m (VES 2), 12.15 m (VES 3) and 13.79 m (VES 4). All the four VESs showed a poorly protected aquifer of the study area. The Dar Zarrouk parameters evaluated showed that the study area has good groundwater potentials with values of Reflection Coefficient ranging from 0.87 to 0.97, Resistivity Contrast values ranged from 13.78 t0 71.59 while that of Coefficient of Anisotropy ranged from 1.39 to 2.01.Keywords: Aquifer, Aquifer Protective Capacity, Dar Zarrouk Parameters, Resistivit

The Distribution of the Inverse Square Root Transformed Error Component of the Multiplicative Time Series Model

The probability density function, mean and variance of the inverse square-root transformed left-truncated N(1,σ2) error component e*t(=1/ √et) of the multiplicative time series model were established. A comparison of key-statistical properties of e*t and et confirmed normality with mean 1 but with Var(e*t) ≈1/4Var(et) when σ≤0.14. Hence σ≤0.14 is the required condition for successful transformation

JMASM42: An Alternative Algorithm and Programming Implementation for Least Absolute Deviation Estimator of the Linear Regression Models (R)

We propose a least absolute deviation estimation method that produced a least absolute deviation estimator of parameter of the linear regression model. The method is as accurate as existing method

Funding Youth Entrepreneurship in SMEs: A Panacea for Youth Unemployment in Niger-Delta , Nigeria

The objective of this study was to identify profitable and viable small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which could form a basis for a youth economic empowerment programme in the crisis-torn Niger  Delta Region. Data analysed formed a basis for identifying profitable enterprises, and preparing financial proposals. The proposals can be used to source funds, which would enable youth to either work with  the identified SMEs or expand existing ones

Association of Meniscal Status, Lower Extremity Alignment, and Body Mass Index With Chondrosis at Revision Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

BACKGROUND: Knees undergoing revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (rACLR) have a high prevalence of articular cartilage lesions. HYPOTHESIS: The prevalence of chondrosis at the time of rACLR is associated with meniscal status and lower extremity alignment. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: Data from the prospective Multicenter ACL Revision Study (MARS) cohort were reviewed to identify patients with preoperative lower extremity alignment films. Lower extremity alignment was defined by the weightbearing line (WBL) as a percentage of the tibial plateau width, while the chondral and meniscal status of each weightbearing compartment was recorded at the time of surgery. Multivariable proportional odds models were constructed and adjusted for relevant factors to examine which risk factors were independently associated with the degree of medial and lateral compartment chondrosis. RESULTS: The cohort included 246 patients with lower extremity alignment films at the time of rACLR. Mean (+/-SD) patient age was 26.9 +/- 9.5 years and body mass index (BMI) was 26.4 +/- 4.6. The medial compartment had more chondrosis (grade 2/3, 42%; grade 4, 6.5%) than did the lateral compartment (grade 2/3, 26%; grade 4, 6.5%). Disruption of the meniscus was noted in 35% of patients on the medial side and 16% in the lateral side. The mean WBL was 0.43 +/- 0.13. Medial compartment chondrosis was associated with BMI (P = .025), alignment (P = .002), and medial meniscal status (P = .001). None of the knees with the WBL lateral to 0.625 had grade 4 chondrosis in the medial compartment. Lateral compartment chondrosis was significantly associated with age (P = .013) and lateral meniscal status (P \u3c .001). Subjects with intact menisci were found to decrease their odds of having chondrosis by 64% to 84%. CONCLUSION: The status of articular cartilage in the tibiofemoral compartments at the time of rACLR is related to meniscal status. Lower extremity alignment and BMI are associated with medial compartment chondrosis

Collecting biological material from palliative care patients in the last weeks of life: a feasibility study

Objective To assess the feasibility of prospectively collecting biological samples (urine) from palliative care patients in the last weeks of life. Setting A 30-bedded specialist hospice in the North West of England. Participants Participants were adults with a diagnosis of advanced disease and able to provide written informed consent. Method Potential participants were identified by a senior clinician over a 12-week period in 2014. They were then approached by a researcher and invited to participate according to a developed recruitment protocol. Outcomes Feasibility targets included a recruitment rate of 50%, with successful collection of samples from 80% who consented. Results A total of 58 patients were approached and 33 consented (57% recruitment rate). Twenty-five patients (43%) were unable to participate or declined; 10 (17%) became unwell, too fatigued, lost capacity, died or were discharged home; and 15 (26%) refused, usually these patients had distressing pain, low mood or profound fatigue. From the 33 recruited, 20 participants provided 128 separate urine samples, 12 participants did not meet the inclusion criteria at the time of consent and 1 participant was unable to provide a sample. The criterion for a urinary catheter was removed for the latter 6 weeks. The collection rate during the first 6 weeks was 29% and 93% for the latter 6 weeks. Seven people died while the study was ongoing, and another 4 participants died in the following 4 weeks. Conclusions It is possible to recruit and collect multiple biological samples over time from palliative care patients in the last weeks and days of life even if they have lost capacity. Research into the biological changes at the end of life could develop a greater understanding of the biology of the dying process. This may lead to improved prognostication and care of patients towards the end of life

Utilization of Tender Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) in Nigeria

The utilization of tender pigeon-pea as vegetable in the preparation of rice dishes was investigated.  Tender pigeon-pea pods were harvested, sorted, dehulled and the seeds were washed with water.  Rice dishes were prepared using tender pigeon-peas, green peas and green beans. Preparations with green peas and green beans served as the controls.  Proximate analysis of the vegetables was determined.  Sensory evaluation of the rice dishes were carried out by 20 panelists using a 9-point hedonic scale at p<0.05.  Tender seeds of pigeon-pea, green beans and green peas comprised protein (6.60%, 8.40%, 5.40%), moisture (64.95%.69.92%.64.20%), fat (13.75%, 7.28%, 7.40%), crude fiber (2.95%, 3.20%, 5.1%), ash (3.92%, 3.32%, 3.40%) and carbohydrate (7.852%, 7.88%, 14.85%) respectively.The proximate composition of pigeon-pea (protein 6.60%, fat 13.75%, fiber 2.95%, and ash 3.92%) has shown that it could be a good source of fat, protein, dietary fiber and minerals. In organoleptic characteristics of the rice dishes, panelists rated the pigeon-pea samples “moderately liked” in color, aroma, texture and overall acceptability, but taste was “very much liked”. Rice dishes with pigeon-peas compared favorably with green beans and green peas samples in all sensory attributes, hence tender pigeon-pea could be an alternative vegetable in preparation of rice dishes and salad. Keywords: Green beans, green peas, organoleptic characteristics, pigeonpeas, rice dishes, vegetables

Pubertal lipid levels are significantly lower in youth with type 1 diabetes who experienced partial clinical remission

Importance: The physiologic changes in lipids during puberty in type 1 diabetes (T1D) is unclear as subjects in previous studies were not stratified by partial clinical remission (PCR) status. Aim: To determine the effect of PCR on lipid changes during puberty in youth with T1D. Subjects and Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study of 194 subjects consisting of 71 controls of age 12.9±1.3y and 123 subjects with T1D stratified into remitters (n=44, age 13.0±0.8y) and non-remitters (n=79, age 11.2±0.6y). PCR was defined as insulin-dose adjusted HbA1c of ≤9. Pubertal status was determined by Tanner staging. Results: Among the pubertal cohort, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration was significantly higher in the non-remitters compared to the remitters, 91.1±25.6mg/dL vs 77.2±25.8mg/dL, p=0.018; and the normal-weight controls, 91.1±25.6mg/dL vs 70.4±22.9 mg/dL, p=0.009; but was similar between the overweight/obese controls and non-remitters, 89.7±28.9mg/dL vs 91.1± 25.6mg/dL, p=0.81, and similarly between the normal-weight controls and remitters, 70.4±22.9mg/dL vs 77.2±25.8mg/dL, p=0.39. Total cholesterol was also significantly higher in the non-remitters compared to the remitters, 167.8±30.5 mg/dL vs 149.8±32.1mg/dL, p=0.012; and normal-weight controls, 167.8±30.5mg/dL vs 143.2±30.1mg/dL, p=0.011; but similar between the non-remitters and overweight/obese controls, p=0.098; and remitters and normal-weight controls, p=0.51. Non-HDL cholesterol was equally significantly higher in non-remitters compared to remitters, 111.3±30.1mg/dL vs 95.9±29.1mg/dL, p=0.028; and normal-weight controls, 111.3±30.1mg/dL vs 86.2± 32.2mg/dL, p=0.028; but similar between non-remitters and overweight/obese controls, p=0.48; and remitters versus normal-weight controls, p=0.39. Conclusions: Puberty-related reductions in LDL, TC, and non-HDL occur in remitters and normal-weight controls, but not in non-remitters and overweight/obese controls