Effect of Heat on Antioxidant Activity of Some Tropical Leafy Vegetables

The present study examined the effect of different cooking times on total phenolics, total flavonoids, ascorbic acid content and antioxidant properties of seven tropical leafy vegetables: Pterocarpus mildbraedii, Gongronema latifolium, Ocimum gratissimum, Solanecio biafrae, Piper guineense, Celosia argentea and Solanum melongena. The thermal treatments employed were both long simmer (20 minutes at 80oC) and short simmer (5 minutes at 80oC). The result show that both short and long simmer results to a significant decrease (P< 0.05) in the ascorbic acid content in all the vegetables. There was a significant increase in the total phenol, total flavonoid, DPPH radical scavenging ability, reducing property, Fe2+ chelating ability and hydroxyl radical scavenging ability. In like manner, short simmer treatment enhances the total antioxidant activities of all the vegetables. These results suggest that although thermal treatments enhances the nutritional value of vegetables by increasing the bio-accessible phenolic content and total antioxidant activity, long simmer treatment results in the disruption of the phytochemicals constituents present. The study therefore concludes that short time simmer treatment may result to optimum yield of antioxidant activities in leafy vegetables.Keywords: Antioxidant activity, Ascorbic acid, Leafy vegetables, Total flavonoids, Total phenolic

PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF AQUEOUS EXTRACTS OF AFRAMOMUM MELEGUETA ON γ-RADIATION-INDUCED LIVER DAMAGE IN MALE WISTAR RATS

This study was carried out to evaluate the radioprotective potential of aqueous extract of seeds of Aframomum melegueta (A.M.) against gamma radiation-induced (6Gy) liver damage in male Wistar rats. Thirty male rats were randomly distributed into six groups of five animals each and aqueous extract of A.M. was administered at a dose of 200 or 400 mg/kg b. wt., orally for 2 weeks prior to irradiation and 4 weeks after irradiation, when they were sacrificed. The hepatic antioxidant status; reduced glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) as well as the extent of lipid peroxidation (LPO) were estimated. The activities of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were determined and histological examination was carried out. Exposure of animals to irradiation significantly increased LPO levels in comparison with the normal control group, reduced the level of GSH as well as CAT and GPx activity. On the other hand, there was a significant elevation in the activities of serum ALT and AST after irradiation exposure. Administration of aqueous extract of A.M. at a dose of 200 or 400 mg/kg before and after irradiation significantly decreased the elevated levels of LPO, restored GSH level near normal and enhanced CAT and GPx activities as well as significantly decreasing the elevated levels of serum ALT and AST activities. The histological examination and results from this study collectively indicate that aqueous extracts of A.M. could protect the liver from radiation-induced damage probably by enhancing the hepatic antioxidant defense mechanism in rats

Serological Screening for Ante-Natal Toxoplasmosis in Maiduguri Municipal Council, Borno State, Nigeria

Toxoplasma gondii infection causes devastating defects including,  blindness, neurological impairment and mental retardation in congenitally infected children. Congenital infection occurs when a woman becomes infected during pregnancy; and the severity of the illness is related to the trimester period. This research was designed to evaluate the  seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis amongst pregnant women (n=90) using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit (Cortez Diagnostics Inc. USA). A structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic data. A significant (x2 Cal 233.0/ x2 tab 124.1, p=0.01) overall prevalence of 22.2% (20/90) was obtained. Pregnant women within 25-29years had the highest prevalence of 33.3% (3/9); this was significant (x2 Cal 35.85/ x2 tab 9.21, p=0.01). An association between high levels of toxoplasma IgG and miscarriage was established in four of twenty five women who had suffered miscarriage (t cal 5.3/t tab 2.81, p=0.01). The results presented indicate that toxoplasmosis is a significant public health burden in the area of study, which requires drastic remedial measures.Key words: Toxoplasmosis, pregnant women, miscarriage, Nigeria L’infection de Toxoplasma gondii provoque des malformations dévastatrices, y compris, la cécité, des troubles neurologiques et un retard mental chez les enfants infectés congénitalement. L'infection congénitale se produit quand une femme est infectée au cours de la grossesse, et la gravité de la maladie est liée à la période de trimestre. Cette recherche a été conçue pour évaluer la séroprévalence de la toxoplasmose chez les femmes enceintes (n = 90) à l'aide de dosage immunoenzymatique (ELISA) (Cortez Diagnostics Inc. USA). Un questionnaire structuré a été utilisé pourrecueillir des données socio- démographiques. Une prévalence importante globale de 22,2 % (20/ 90) a été obtenu (p =0,01). Les femmes  enceintes dans les tranche d’âge25- 29 ans ont eu la plus forte prévalence de 33,3 % (3/9)qui était significative (p = 0,01). Une association entre des niveaux élevés de Toxoplasme IgG et fausse couche a été établie dans quatre des vingt-cinq femmes qui avaient subi une fausse couche (p = 0,01). Les résultats présentés indiquent que la toxoplasmose est un problème de santé publique dans cette localité, ce qui nécessite des mesures correctives drastiques.Mots clés: Toxoplasmose, femmes enceintes, fausses couches, Nigeria

Seroprevalence Survey of Rubella Antibodies among Pregnant Women in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria

Rubella is a vaccine- preventable viral infection. Its etiologic agent, rubella virus was identified as a human teratogencapable of causing spectrum of birth defects described as congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) if the pregnant mother isinfected within the first trimester of pregnancy. A total of 90 pregnant women attending a secondary health carefacility in Maiduguri were screened for IgM and IgG antibodies using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)kit (Cortez Diagnostics Inc. USA). Of these, 37.8% (34/90) and 83.3% (75/90) were seropositive for anti-rubella IgM (x2Cal 5.1; p=0.05) and IgG respectively. Chi-square analysis (x2 Cal 38.38, p=0.05// x2 tab 31.41, p=0.05) revealed anassociation between miscarriage and IgG antibody level in twenty-one subjects. Pregnant women within 20-24yearshad the highest prevalence of 40% (36/90)( x2 Cal 4.22, p=0.05) : 44.4% (16/36) of them were seropositive for IgM (x2 Cal4.31, p=0.05). A marked surge in IgG antibody level, which tantamount acute infection, was observed in 15.6% (14/90)(x2 Cal 19.85, p=0.05) of the pregnant women. Pregnant women in the first trimester seropositive for anti-rubella IgMwere 36.4% (4/11), inferring that the fetuses of these women are susceptible to sequelae of rubella. This resulthighlights the consequence of rubella infection and confirms continuous circulation of rubella virus in the study area.There is need for vaccination of vulnerable population in order to ensure the control /elimination of rubella virus inNigeria.Key words: Rubella virus, teratogen, antibodies, Maiduguri La rubéole est une infection virale évitable par la vaccination. Son agent étiologique, virus de la rubéole a été identifiécomme un tératogène humain capable de provoquer le spectre de malformation congénitale décrite comme lesyndrome de rubéole congénitale (SRC) si la femme enceinte est infectée au cours du premier trimestre de lagrossesse. Au total, 90 femmes enceintes fréquentant un établissement de soins de santé secondaires à Maiduguri ontété dépistées pour le dosage des anticorps IgM et IgG à l'aide de kit immunoenzymatique (ELISA) (CortezDiagnostics Inc. USA). Parmi elles, 37,8% (34/90) et 83,3% (75/90) étaient séropositives respectivement pour lesanticorps anti-IgM (X2 Cal. 5,1, p=0,05) et IgG de la rubéole. L’analyse Chi-carré (X2 Cal. 38,38, p=0,05 /X2Tab. 31,41,p=0,05) a révélé une relation entre la fausse couche et le niveau d'anticorps IgG dans vingt-et-un sujets. Les femmesenceintes de 20 à 24 ans ont eu la plus forte prévalence de 40% (36/90) (X2 Cal. 4,22, p=0,05): 44,4% (16/36) d'entre ellesétaient séropositives pour les IgM (X2 Cal. 4,31, p=0,05). Une augmentation remarquable de taux d'anticorps IgG, équivalent à l’infection aiguë, a été observée chez 15,6% (14/90) (X2 Cal. 19,85, p=0,05) de femmes enceintes.Les femmesenceintes au premier trimestre, séropositives aux IgM anti-rubéole, ont été de 36,4% (4/11), déduisant que les foetus deces femmes sont sensibles aux séquelles de la rubéole. Ce résultat souligne la conséquence de la rubéole et confirme lacirculation continue du virus de la rubéole dans la zone d'étude. Il est nécessaire de vacciner la population vulnérableafin d'assurer le contrôle et/ou l’élimination du virus de la rubéole au Nigeria.Mots clés: virus de la rubéole, tératogènes, anticorps, MaiduguriArticle in English

HIV sero-positive status among clients aged ≥ 50 years that presented for care in a tertiary health facility in northeastern Nigeria.

The introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has transformed HIV infection from hopeless to manageable health condition comparable to non-infectious diseases such as asthma and diabetes mellitus. This modest achievement has reduced morbidity and mortality and increased longevity and quality of life among HIV infected persons. Although reports from developing countries such as Nigeria, shows that youth within the reproductive are most affected by the scourge of HIV/AIDS. Older patients with features that may be indicative of HIV infection are often overlooked in favour of other differential diagnosis. Objective: To document HIV positive sero-status among client aged 50 years and above that necessitated HIV test as part of their clinical evaluation after voluntary counseling and testing at a tertiary health facility. Method: Record of 1674 adults participants that presented for care between January 2009- December 2013, were retrieved for this study. Results: The HIV-seropositive status among the participants was 370 (22.1%). It showed a female preponderance of 136 (26.0%) than 234 (20.0%) in males. The peak annual prevalence was observed in the year 2010, steady decline was observed thereafter. Overall, older participants between 60-70 years had higher HIV-seropositivity status. This study shows one out four males and five females with index of suspicion either based on clinical presentation or risky sexual behavior are positive for HIV infection. Conclusion: This report underscores the need to explore other risk factors that may be peculiar to older segment of the society and introduce HIV intervention strategies for the older populations. Delivery of HIV intervention measures and services to this segment of the population is expedient. Measures and interventions should take into consideration the peculiarities, specific vulnerabilities and HIV-related challenges faced by this group of clients

Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

Background: Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. // Methods: We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung's disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. // Findings: We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung's disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middle-income countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in low-income countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. // Interpretation: Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030