Conjoined Twins in Red Sokoto Goat

ΔΕΝ ΔΙΑΤΙΘΕΤΑΙ ΠΕΡΙΛΗΨΗA case of female conjoined twins was found in Red Sokoto goat, delivered alive along with a free male kid without obstetrical assistance. The abnormal twins were examined clinically and at postmortem. Based on morphological features, they could be classified as thoraco-omphalopagus symmetrical conjoined twins. Autopsy showed that fusion occurred at ventral-midline from the cranial region of the thorax to abdomen caudal to the umbilicus; thus, only head, neck and pelvis were separated. Genetic factors could be suspected in this case. This is the first report of thoraco-omphalopagus symmetrical twinned goat in Nigeria

Comparative Effect of Concentration and Exposure Time on Corrosion Inhibition of Alkaloids and Tannins Extracts of Jatropha Curcas and Parkia Biglobosa on Mild Steel in Acidic Media

Comparative corrosion inhibition of mild steel in 0.5 H2­SO4 by the total alkaloids and tannins extracted from Parkia biglobosa seed bark and Jatropha curcas stem bark was investigated using gravimetric method at 300C. Results showed that these phytocompounds inhibit the corrosion process of mild steel in the test solution and the inhibition efficiency depends on the concentration of the alkaloids and tannins as well as the exposure time. Their adsorption was found to obey the Temkin and Langmuir adsorption isotherms and this suggested that the inhibitor molecules have been spontaneously adsorbed onto the surface of mild steel through a physical adsorption mechanism. The inhibition efficiency is markedly higher in addition of alkaloid extracts when compared with that of tannins extracts.  The inhibition efficiency increased with an increase of inhibitor concentration but decreased with exposure time. Keywords: Corrosion, Inhibition, Mild steel, Alkaloids, Tannin

Effect of Hibiscus sabdariffa (Calyxes) water extract on the in vitro availability of lisinopril

Background: The concurrent use of herbs and drugs for the treatment of various ailments is a common practice amongst patients; a practice that could result in drug-herb interaction.Objectives: This study is aimed at evaluating the effects of Hibiscus sabdariffa on in vitro availability of lisinopril.Method: The availability of lisinopril alone and in presence of Hibiscus sabdariffa calyxes water extract was determined using dissolution apparatus (BP, 2013) set at 50 rpm and 37 °C in 900 mL of three different dissolution media [0.1 M HCl (simulated gastric pH), phosphate buffers pH 6.8 (simulated intestinal pH) and phosphate buffers pH 7.4 (simulated blood pH)]. Samples (5 mL) were withdrawn from the media at 5, 10, 15, 30, 45, and 60 min and replaced immediately with the same medium. Each sample was analysed for the lisinopril content released using UV spectrophotometry at 215, 210 and 215 nm in 0.1 M HCl, phosphate buffers pH 6.8 and phosphate buffers pH 7.4 respectively.Results: Results showed that the media has no effect on the dissolution profile of lisinopril alone, however, it was observed that 89.40 (lisinopril alone) and 92.62 % (lisinopril in the presence of Hibiscus sabdariffa) was released in simulated gastric pH. The corresponding contents of lisinopril observed in simulated intestinal pH were 89.40 and 92.51 %, while in simulated blood pH 89.40 and 91.95 % of lisinopril was released. The presence of Hibiscus sabdariffa significantly (p < 0.05) increased the in vitro availability of lisinopril in all the media.Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that coadministration of lisinopril with Hibiscus sabdariffa could enhance its in vitro availability consequent to the increased dissolution of lisinopril in simulated gastric, intestinal and blood pH.Keywords: Lisinopril, Interaction, Hibiscus sabdariffa, dissolutio

Effect of Pressure on Structural, Elastic and Electronic Properties of Perovskite PbTiO3

We study the effect of pressure on Structural, elastic and electronic properties of Cubic and Tetragonal Perovskite using density function theory. The equilibrium parameters obtained are in good agreement with the available literature both experimental and theoretical. We found out that there is transition from tetragonal to cubic at a pressure of around 30GPa. Both crystals are stable in the pressure range of this study (0 – 50 GPa), and the stability increases with increasing pressure. The bulk modulus (B), Young modulus (E) and Shear modulus (G) all increase with increasing pressure. The band-gap increases and decrease around (X-Gamma) and (M-Gamma) for the case of Cubic and decrease for the case of Tetragonal Crystal around (X-Gamma), (Z-Gamma) and (Z-X) which converges at pressure of around 30GPa

An analysis of postdural puncture headache in obstetric patients: A study from Kano, Nigeria

Background: One of the complications of spinal anesthesia is postdural puncture headache. Many risk factors have been identified which when addressed could reduce the incidence.Objectives: This was a prospective study that analyzed the incidence, onset and severity of postdural puncture headache among pregnant women who had cesarean section under a subarachnoid block in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria.Patients and Methods: Spinal anesthesia was performed on 146 patients using size 25‑ or 26‑gauge Quincke, Whitacre, or Sprotte needles. Patients were followed up to determine the incidence, onset, and severity of post spinal headache. The data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 18.0 (SPSS Inc., SPSS Statistics for Windows, Chicago, IL, USA). Demographic variables were presented using tables while summary was done using means, standard deviation, and percentages. Test of association was done using Fisher’s Exact test. A P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: The overall incidence of postdural puncture headache was 15.8% with all cases presenting within the first 24 hours. Most patients rated their headache as mild to moderate on a 10‑cm visual analogue scale.Conclusion: Traumatic Quincke spinal needle is associated with high incidence of postdural puncture headache and therefore we recommend the use of atraumatic pencil tip needle especially in obstetric anesthesia.Key words: Cesarean section; postdural puncture headache; spinal anesthesia

Analysis of the distribution of heavy metals in the soils of Bagega mining area Zamfara state, Nigeria

Uncontrolled exploitation and degradation in the environment over the past few decades as the result of urbanization and poverty has caused a serious damage to lives and properties. The study analysed the spatial distribution of heavy metal (Fe, Cu and Zn) in Bagega, Zamfara state. Three mapping units were identified and samples were collected from the top soil (0-15cm) horizon using stratified random sampling techniques. These include the Mining Processing Environment (MPE), Residential exterior (RE) and Surrounding Farmlands (SF). In each mapping units, twelve (12) samples were collected randomly. Coordinates of all samples points were recorded using GPS. The soil sample were analyse for heavy metals using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) and the result were recorded in Microsoft excel and later transformed into GIS environment in the Arc GIS 10.1 version. Krigging model was used for mapping the spatial distribution of the heavy metals in the study area. The result shows that there are more concentrations of heavy metals (Fe and Cu) in the Residential exterior (RE) and streams sites. The level of heavy metal in the soils of the area were below the acceptable toxic level of and this can be attributed to the number of years quarry activities in the study area have been in operation. The study concluded that Fe and Zn are more concentrated to the mining and river sites areas, while Cu is highly concentrated at the farmlands areas. The study recommends for continuous monitoring and mining should be avoided especially closer to the residential areas.Keywords: Spatial distribution, Mapping, Heavy metals, Bageg

EFFECTS OF HUMAN ACTIVITIES ON THE UTILIZATION OF SOME DAMS IN KANO STATE

Rapid population growth coupled with climate variability especially inconsistent rainfall necessitates the construction of dams/reservoirs to augment the inadequacy of rainfall for food production, water supply and sustainable development. This study identified and assessed the effects of human activities on the function and utilization of some dams in Kano State, through field observations, interview and analysis of relevant data. The results indicated that various human activities such sand excavation along the spillway, clearing of vegetation for irrigation and farming within the perimeters of the dams have led to serious gulley erosion and consequently large quantities of sediment transported and deposited (siltation) in the bed of the dams, while the use of agrochemical for irrigation led to rapid emergence and growth of aquatic grasses due to eutrophication, thus leading to increase in turbidity and channel blockage which impedes smooth water supply in the downstream areas. The result also shows that the reservoirs installation capacities are declining with age at different alarming rates due to sedimentation. Marashi dam remarkably declined by 18%, Pada and Magaga dams each reduced by 15.5% and Guzu-Guzu dam suffered 15.4% reduction. Watari dam is reduced by 14% while Gari, Tomas, Karaye and Challawa-Gorge dams declined by 6.4%, 7.5%, 8.5% and 9.08% respectively. This rate of capacity reduction of the reservoirs due to sedimentation spanned within 45years of existence (1971-2016) which makes the state losing a whopping 5.75M 3 Mil of water annually. The study thus; proffer some precautionary measures on the optimal functioning and utilization of the dams.   &nbsp

The effect of rutin on lipid profile and liver function enzymes on alloxan induced hyperglycaemic wistar rats

The aim of this research was to investigate the effects of rutin on lipid profile and liver function enzymes on alloxan induced hyperglycaemia in Wistar rats. Hyperglycaemic was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 150 mg/kg alloxan monohydrate. The rats were grouped into five groups of five rats each. Group 1 served as the diabetic negative control, Group 2 served as positive control and was treated with 2 mg/kg glibenclamide, while Groups 3, 4 and 5 were treated with 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight of rutin respectively. Rutin was administered to the animals orally for a period of four weeks. At the end of the experimental period, the rats from each experimental group were sacrificed using light chloroform and sera were collected for the determination of lipid profile and liver function enzymes. There was a significant (p<0.05) decreased in the total cholesterol, triglyceride and low density lipoprotein as compared to control. However, there was a significant (p<0.05) increased in the level of high density lipoprotein when compared to diabetic control. Furthermore, there was a significant (p<0.05) decreased in the serum liver enzymes; Aspartate transaminase (AST) Alanine transaminase (ALT) and Alkaline phosphates (ALP) as compared to control. As regards to the reference drug 2mg/kg glibenclamide there was a significant (p<0.05) increased in the liver enzymes function as compared to control. Conclusion, rutin has hypolipidemic effect and also decreased liver function enzymes activity on alloxan induced hyperglycaemic rats.Keywords: Rutin, Hyperglycaemia, Alloxan, Lipid profile, Liver enzyme