Evaluation of phytochemicals and anti-inflammatory effects on methanol extracts of Aeschynomene uniflora

Studies on Aeschynomene uniflora was carried out with the aim to establish scientific validation by evaluating the phytochemical constituents, toxicity and anti-inflammatory effects of the Methanol extract in order to probe its ethnomedical uses. Various phytochemical constituents from the plant were evaluated using standard method which reveals the presence of carbohydrates, cardiac glycoside, flavonoids, saponins, steroids, triterpenes and tannins were present in the crude extract. Toxicity studies by using oral route showed no death in any group even at 5000 mg/ kg indicating its safety. Anti- inflammatory effects indicates its efficacy in which the dose at 1000 mg/kg showed more activity compared to Control followed by 250 mg/kg and then 500 mg/kg. The results obtained in this present study indicates the plant to have the potential to act as a source of useful drugs because of the presence of various primary and secondary metabolites. The results were very much encouraging but more scientific validation is necessary before being put into practice.Keywords: Aeschynomene uniflora, Anti-inflammatory, Phytochemicals, Toxicit

Inhibitory effect of isolated Lupeol from stem bark of Diospyros mespiliformis Horsch (Ebenaceae) against some microbial pathogens

Powdered stem bark of plant material (1000g) of Diospyros mespiliformis was extracted with hexane using Soxhlet apparatus and concentrated on a water bath at 600C. The extract was later subjected to column chromatography techniques using gradient elution in which various fractions were obtained and monitored using thin layer chromatography. The structure of the isolated compound were suggested by 1D and 2D spectroscopic analysis and by direct comparison of the data obtained with those reported in literature to be Lupeol.Antimicrobial screening of the lupeol compound and control drugs were carried out using agar well diffusion method. Significant zones of inhibition of lupeol compound were observed from (30-24mm) and standard control drugs range from (40-32mm). Minimum Inhibitory Concentration(MIC) of the lupeol compound was observed at 6.25-12.5ug/ml and Minimum Bacteriacidal Concentration (MBC) /Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) ranged from (12.5-25ug/ml).Lupeol compound revealed significant antimicrobial activity against some selected clinical isolates in this study and thus validated the traditional claims ofDiospyros mespiliformis used for the treatment of antimicrobial based infections.Keywords: Diospyros mespiliformis, Column Chromatography, Lupeol, Inhibitory Effects,Antimicrobial effect

Risk factors assessment of bovine tuberculosis among abattoir personnel in Gombe State, Northeastern Nigeria: A One-Health approach

Aim: Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is an important milk-borne zoonosis that affects cattle production and poses serious threat to public health. This study aimed at assessing the risk factors as well as the level of awareness, attitude, and practices of abattoir personnel toward bTB in Gombe Township Abattoir, Gombe State. Materials and Methods: A prospective survey was conducted between October 2015 and December 2015. During the survey, a total of 112 close-ended structured questionnaires were administered to the abattoir personnel to assess their level of awareness of bTB. Results: Of these respondents, the majority were males (79%), butchers (49%) and about 40% were under the productive age brackets of 26-35 years. Majority of the respondents (85.7%) were aware of the zoonotic nature of the disease. However, only a few of the respondents (44.6%) wear personal protective equipments (PPEs) clothes while handling or in contact with carcasses during the slaughtering process. Only a few among the respondents (24.1% and 31.2%) consumed unpasteurized milk and unaware of eating of improperly cooked meat as a risk factor of bTB, respectively. About 75.7% of the respondents believed that the habit of eating and drinking inside the abattoir and during slaughtering operations has no any significant effects on their health. The results obtained show a statistically significant association between respondents' awareness of bTB and their occupational status, duration of exposure to cattle carcasses, and knowledge about the disease (p<0.05); and the odds of being aware of bTB was 10.0, 5.07, and 4.2, respectively. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the need for public health authorities to intervene in bTB prevention and control through the creation of avenues for enlightenment on the zoonotic risk associated with bTB. The risk factors associated with bTB transmission as indicated by the personnel's practice and awareness levels in Gombe township abattoir are preventable through the use of PPEs clothing

Knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions associated with antimicrobial stewardship among veterinary students : a multi-country survey from Nigeria, South Africa, and Sudan

In African countries, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) issue remains pertinent. Despite this, little efforts have been made to assess the future veterinary prescribers on their knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) related to antimicrobial usage. This multi-country survey attempts to explore the KAP of future veterinarians on stewardship of antimicrobial and identify knowledge gaps. Eight veterinary schools participated from Nigeria, Sudan and South Africa. Data regarding perceptions and knowledge were analyzed using Chi-square χ² test, Spearman’s (Rho) Rank order correlation and factor analysis using principal component factoring extraction method. Fifty-two percent of the study participants were final year veterinary students, respectively, and majority (77.2%) had no previous knowledge of biomedical sciences. Majority age were 22–27 years (24.7 ± 2.8) 79% and multiple career fields post-graduation were preferred. Overall, poor perceptions and knowledge of antimicrobial stewardship were observed with variations among countries and only 36.3% (n = 123) of the students were confident in their ability to choose the ideal antimicrobial agents for a specific patient/group of animals. The majority of the final year students were confident of their knowledge regarding AMR (68%), making of Gram staining (69.2%) and in choosing the most ideal route for administering a specific antimicrobial (74.7%). The final year students had significantly (p < 0.05) higher confidence level for knowledge compared with the pre-final year students. Tetracyclines, penicillins, and sulphonamides represent the three most abused veterinary antimicrobials with similar ranking across countries. South African (69.7 ± 20.5) and Sudanese (68.1 ± 15.4) had significantly (p < 0.0001) higher mean scores compared to the Nigerian students (44.3 ± 6.8) in the student’s ability to correctly match some specific antimicrobials against their classes but Nigerian students performed better in ranking antimicrobials. This survey revealed poor to average knowledge of antimicrobial stewardship among veterinary students with significant knowledge gaps across the countries. It is recommended that the relevant regulatory and standardization authorities should make concerted efforts and interventions to regularly review curricula to ensure the delivery of targeted formative and normative training, and improved lectures on antimicrobial usage and stewardship in order to improve the awareness and behaviors of future prescribers. The identified knowledge gaps of veterinary medical students on antimicrobial stewardship must be bridge to safeguard the future.The Peer Enhanced Scholarship of Teaching and Learning under the Vice-Principal, Research and Postgraduate Education, University of Pretoria; Education Innovation Project under the Department of Education Innovation, University of Pretoria; Department of Higher Education and Training, Cost Centre: UP-A0W589.http://frontiersin.org/Public_Healthpm2021Nursing ScienceParaclinical SciencesProduction Animal StudiesVeterinary Tropical Disease

Anticonvulsant activity of the methanol root bark extract of Ficus sycomorus Linn. (Moraceae)

Context: Ficus sycomorus Linn. (Moraceae) is used in Northern Nigeria for the management of grand mal epilepsy without any scientific validation. Aims: To evaluate the phytochemical constituents, acute toxicity study and anticonvulsant properties of the methanol root bark extract of F. sycomorus. Methods: The basic phytochemical screening, Lorke’s method and three models of epilepsy were employed, which include the maximal electroshock test in chicks, and pentylenetetrazole- and 4-aminopyridine-induced seizures in mice. Results: The extract revealed the presence of tannins, saponins, carbohydrate, alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, terpenoids and cardiac glycosides. The intraperitoneal LD50 in mice was estimated to be 565.69 mg/kg body weight. The extract afforded a slight protection, 30% (highest dose used) to the laboratory animals against the maximal electroshock test. The duration of convulsion decreased, which was not statistically significant (p>0.05) when compared to the untreated group. Also, the extract did not protect the animals against the chemically induced seizures by pentylenetetrazole and 4-aminopyridine. Conclusions: The data suggest that the methanol root bark extract of F. sycomorus, at the doses tested and under the experimental conditions reported, may not contain psychoactive principles that are relevant to the management of grand mal epilepsy as claimed by the traditional medicine practitioners

Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Injuries Among Factory Workers in Kano Metropolis, Nigeria

Background. Kano is a metropolis and commercial centre in northern Nigeria; it is highly industrialized. Most of the population does factory work. Purpose. The survey was undertaken to identify the prevalence of musculoskeletal injuries (MSIs) and other related occupational hazards among factory workers in Kano Metropolis. Method. Five hundred questionnaires were distributed to respondents recruited from tannery, steel rolling, textile and agrochemical factories at the 3 industrial estates of the metropolis. Only unskilled and manual labourers were considered. The respondents were selected using the nonprobability sample of convenience. Results. Only 420 questionnaires were returned duly completed. Three hundred and fifty-three (84.05%) respondents were male and 67 (15.95%) were female. Their ages ranged between 21 and 58 years (M = 38.99 ± 1.01). Results. Low back complaints had the highest prevalence (360, 85.71%), followed by upper limb injuries (171, 40.71%), shoulder complaints (156, 37.14%) and hip injuries (34, 8.10%). About 41% of the respondents reported 2 or more work-related MSIs. Conclusion. The study uncovered that a substantial percentage of factory workers had sustained MSIs. Body ache/discomfort in the low back region was the most common injury sustained among the subjects surveyed

Prevalence and risk estimates of Cryptosporidium oocysts infection associated with consumption of raw-eaten vegetables in Maiduguri metropolis LGAs, Northeast Nigeria

Cryptosporidium is one of the most important protozoan parasitic pathogens, and it is a common cause of diarrhoea in humans, domestic animals, and wild vertebrates and has serious public health threats. A cross-sectional study was designed to determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium oocysts in raw-eaten vegetables in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC) and Jere Local Government Areas (LGAs). A total of 400 samples were collected from four (4) different locations, namely Tashan Bama, Gomboru, and Monday Markets (n = 100), while fifty (n = 50) each from 202-Vegetable-Vendors and Unimaid Commercials. A total of 16 visits were conducted in all the sampling areas (twenty-five samples per visit). The Cryptosporidium oocysts were detected using the Modified Ziehl–Neelsen Staining Technique. The locations, sources, and types of raw-eaten vegetables were also assessed. The oocysts were confirmed (100×) as bright pink spherules. Data generated were analyzed using IBM-SPSS V23.0, and p ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. Out of the total samples (n = 400) analyzed, cabbage appeared to have the highest number of 10 (12.5%) of Cryptosporidium oocysts detected, while Tomato and garden egg had 9 (11.3%) and 1 (1.2%), respectively. There was a statistically significant association (χ2 = 12.5, P = 0.014) between the presence of Cryptosporidium oocysts in raw-eaten vegetables and vegetable types. Among the sources of the vegetables sampled, Alau had the highest number of Cryptosporidium oocysts, 15 (12.5%), followed by Kilari-Abdullahi and Zabarmari sources with 4 (10.0%) and 4 (5.0%), respectively. However, Jetete appeared to have the least number 2 (2.5%) of oocysts, and there was a statistically significant association (χ2= 10.4, P = 0.034) between the presence of Cryptosporidium oocysts and the sources of vegetables and fruits. The study concludes that the raw-eaten vegetables sampled from Maiduguri Metropolis were contaminated with Cryptosporidium oocysts. The study recommends that all raw-eaten vegetables should be from cleaned sources and washed before consumption. Consumers should be enlightened on the hygienic measures in the food chain in line with the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) principles

Prevalence and risk estimates of Cryptosporidium oocysts infection associated with consumption of raw-eaten vegetables in Maiduguri metropolis LGAs, Northeast Nigeria

Abstract Cryptosporidium is one of the most important protozoan parasitic pathogens, and it is a common cause of diarrhoea in humans, domestic animals, and wild vertebrates and has serious public health threats. A cross-sectional study was designed to determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium oocysts in raw-eaten vegetables in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC) and Jere Local Government Areas (LGAs). A total of 400 samples were collected from four (4) different locations, namely Tashan Bama, Gomboru, and Monday Markets (n = 100), while fifty (n = 50) each from 202-Vegetable-Vendors and Unimaid Commercials. A total of 16 visits were conducted in all the sampling areas (twenty-five samples per visit). The Cryptosporidium oocysts were detected using the Modified Ziehl–Neelsen Staining Technique. The locations, sources, and types of raw-eaten vegetables were also assessed. The oocysts were confirmed (100×) as bright pink spherules. Data generated were analyzed using IBM-SPSS V23.0, and p ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. Out of the total samples (n = 400) analyzed, cabbage appeared to have the highest number of 10 (12.5%) of Cryptosporidium oocysts detected, while Tomato and garden egg had 9 (11.3%) and 1 (1.2%), respectively. There was a statistically significant association (χ2 = 12.5, P = 0.014) between the presence of Cryptosporidium oocysts in raw-eaten vegetables and vegetable types. Among the sources of the vegetables sampled, Alau had the highest number of Cryptosporidium oocysts, 15 (12.5%), followed by Kilari-Abdullahi and Zabarmari sources with 4 (10.0%) and 4 (5.0%), respectively. However, Jetete appeared to have the least number 2 (2.5%) of oocysts, and there was a statistically significant association (χ2= 10.4, P = 0.034) between the presence of Cryptosporidium oocysts and the sources of vegetables and fruits. The study concludes that the raw-eaten vegetables sampled from Maiduguri Metropolis were contaminated with Cryptosporidium oocysts. The study recommends that all raw-eaten vegetables should be from cleaned sources and washed before consumption. Consumers should be enlightened on the hygienic measures in the food chain in line with the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) principles