Associated risk factors of Toxoplasmosis in Pregnant Women attending Antenatal care at Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital, Birnin Kebbi, Northwestern Nigeria

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Evaluation of antiulcer activity of aqueous ethanol extract of Thesium viride on ethanol and aspirin induced models in rats

Thesiumviride Hill (Santalaceae) is a sub-shrub hemiparasite that grows up to 45cm tall and widely distributed in Europe, Asia and Africa. It is used in treatment of ulcer and jaundice. Phytochemical screening was carried out on the aqueous ethanol extract of the whole plant by using standard phytochemical methods. Acute oral toxicity test was carried out and antiulcer activity was conducted using absolute ethanol and aspirin as the ulcerogenic agents on rats where the ulcer index was the parameter and percentage preventive index was determined. The aqueous ethanol extract of the plant was found to contain flavonoids,  anthraquinones, glycosidesand alkaloids. Acute toxicity test showed an oral LD50 greater than 5000 mg/kg. In ethanol model, aqueous ethanol extract at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg exhibited significant (P<0.0001) protection against ulcer with mean ulcer indices of 4.40 ± 0.60 and 1.80 ± 0.37 respectively as compared with negative (12.80 ± 0.97) and positive (4.00 ± 0.71)control mean ulcer indices. In aspirin model, aqueous ethanol extract at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg demonstrated  significant (P<0.05) protection against ulcer with mean ulcer indices of 3.20 ± 0.80 and 2.60 ± 0.24 respectively ascompared with negative (5.60 ± 0.97) and positive (1.00 ± 0.44) controlmean ulcer indices. The higher dose of the extract demonstrated greater protective ability with percentage preventive index 85.94% in ethanol induced model and 53.57% in aspirin induced model. The aqueous ethanol extract of the plant was found to be non-toxic and contains some phytochemicals that could be responsible for its antiulcer activity.Keywords: Thesiumviride, Phytochemical, LD50, Ulcer index, Aqueous ethanol extrac

Rehabilitation of Inmates in Nigeria:: A Study of Nigerian Correctional Service, Medium Security Custodial Centre, Sokoto, Nigeria

Preparing inmates for re-integration into the community is one of the primary goals of prisons and jails. However, the problems of care and rehabilitation of inmates is a major social problem in almost all the security custodial services in Nigeria. Sokoto Medium Security Custodial Centre in particular needs much attention. Medium Security Custodial Centre in Sokoto today holds more than its capacity and insufficiency of funds has made the upkeep of the inmates a difficult task. Despite various reforms embarked by government geared towards care and rehabilitation of prisoners in Nigeria, the conditions of these inmates left much to be desired as the inmates are faced with moral condemnation and rejection from the society. The study attempts examination of the condition of the inmates as well as the rehabilitation programmes available at the custodial centre. The research was purely a quantitative study. Data were collected through the use of questionnaire and interview schedule. A total of 264 questionnaires were administered, 220 were retrieved and analysed using descriptive statistics, specifically using percentages, distribution tables, charts, means, Likert-type scale and other measures of central tendencies by the help of Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS version 22).   The research found that the living condition of inmates in Sokoto Medium Security Custodial Centre is very poor, and that there is a relationship between the general condition of the inmates and the effectiveness of the rehabilitation of inmates in the Centre, as well as a relationship between the methods of rehabilitation and its effectiveness on inmate

Acute toxicity and anti-inflammatory activity of hydromethanol leaves extract of Allophylus africanus Beauv in rats

Introduction: The leaves of Allophylus africanus are traditionally used for the treatment of various ailments such as arthritis, rheumatism, gout, hemorrhoids, dysentery, venereal diseases and malnutrition. This study was carried out to evaluate the acute toxicity and antiinflammatory activity of the hydro-methanol leaves extract of A. africanus on laboratory rats. Methods:Allophylus africanus leaves were extracted with 80% methanol using cold maceration for 5 days. The extract was subjected to phytochemical analysis, acute toxicity study and antiinflammatory evaluation using carrageenan induced paw edema in laboratory rats. Results: The phytochemical screening of the aqueous methanol leaves extract revealed the presence of carbohydrates, tannins, steroids/triterpenes, flavonoids, alkaloids and cardiac glycosides. The extract was found to have median lethal dose (LD50) of 3807.89 mg/kg body weight orally and the aqueous methanol leaves extract at doses 250 and 1000 mg/kg produced significant anti-inflammatory effect at the 3rd, 4th and 5th hours with the effect being dose dependent at the 4th and 5th hours. There were remarkable reductions of paw edema in the rats. Conclusion: Allophylus africanus leaves has anti-inflammatory activity which explains the basis of its use in traditional medicine in the management of inflammation and related inflammatory disorder

Effect of Additives on Polypropylene/Kaolin Composite Prepared via In-situ Process

Polypropylene/Kaolin (PP/K) composites were prepared by in-situ process with additives, in particular ungrafted maleic anhydride (MA) and dicumyl peroxide (DCP) each at varied parts per hundred resin (1 phr, 3 phr, and 5 phr). The two-roll mixer machine was used in compounding of the PP/K composite, then all the samples were moulded through the injection moulding machine. The synthesized samples were investigated with the aim to seek the one with the best property among the composites. These samples were characterized by Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR), Melt flow index (MFI), and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The FTIR spectrum reveals new peaks different from the PP bands signifying successful coupling and formation of the expected composite.  There were variations in respect of the values of index of fluidity 2.04 to 1.72 g/10min for PP/UK and between 2.04 to 1.98 g/10 min in favour of PP/TK as observed in the MFI result. SEM which studies the morphology of the composite demonstrates indication for delamination and eventually intercalation of the composite. Accordingly, there is promising effect in preparation of composite through this process

A furostan saponin isolated from the rhizome of C. spectabilis (Costaceae) exerts cataract ameliorative effect in-vitro

Background & Aim: Extracts from plants, such as C. spectabilis (rhizome) traditionally used for the treatment of cataract may potentially contain anticataract lead compound(s). The current study aimed to isolate the constituent(s) of the extract of C. spectabilis and evaluate its anticataract effect. Experimental: The isolation of the constituent was achieved using silica gel, sephadex column chromatography and preparative thin layer chromatography of the n-butanol fraction of aqueous ethanol extract of the rhizome, followed by analysis using NMR spectroscopy. The anticataract effect was investigated using H2O2-induced cataract model. Lenses freshly obtained from rats were cultured in the presence or absence of hydrogen peroxide (0.5 mM), and or in the presence of H2O2 (0.5 mM) with any of the three concentrations of compound SL1 (0.5 mgmL-1, 0.25 mgmL-1, or 0.125 mgmL-1 ) over a period of 24 hrs. Lens opacity (index of cataract) was quantified by scoring and image analysis. The lens total protein, antioxidant bio-molecules (GSH, SOD) and lipid peroxidation (MDA level) were determined according to standard methods. Results: Chromatographic fractionation of the extract led to the isolation of a compound characterised as 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1→2)-α-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (25R)-furost-5-ene-3β, 22α, 26-triol-26-O- β-D-glucopyranoside based on its NMR data. The lenses treated with hydrogen peroxide (only) demonstrated significantly higher indices of opacity compared to the normal or compound treated. The groups treated with the compound (at 0.5 and 0.25 mgmL-1 concentrations) significantly (P≤ 0.001) exhibited lower score of opacity and grey image pixel intensity compared to the untreated group. Although the compound significantly (P≤0.05) prevented the depletion of lens total protein at all concentrations used, the loss of GSH, SOD and increase in MDA levels induced by H2O2 were not prevented significantly. Recommended applications/industries: The compound isolated can serve as a promising lead for the development of anticataract drug

Acute toxicity and anti-inflammatory activity of hydro-methanol leaves extract of Allophylus africanus Beauv in rats

Introduction: The leaves of Allophylus africanus are traditionally used for the treatment of various ailments such as arthritis, rheumatism, gout, hemorrhoids, dysentery, venereal diseases and malnutrition. This study was carried out to evaluate the acute toxicity and anti-inflammatory activity of the hydro-methanol leaves extract of A. africanus on laboratory rats. Methods: Allophylus africanus leaves were extracted with 80% methanol using cold maceration for 5 days. The extract was subjected to phytochemical analysis, acute toxicity study and anti-inflammatory evaluation using carrageenan induced paw edema in laboratory rats. Results: The phytochemical screening of the aqueous methanol leaves extract revealed the presence of carbohydrates, tannins, steroids/triterpenes, flavonoids, alkaloids and cardiac glycosides. The extract was found to have median lethal dose (LD50) of 3807.89 mg/kg body weight orally and the aqueous methanol leaves extract at doses 250 and 1000 mg/kg produced significant anti-inflammatory effect at the 3rd, 4th and 5th hours with the effect being dose dependent at the 4th and 5th hours. There were remarkable reductions of paw edema in the rats. Conclusion: Allophylus africanus leaves has anti-inflammatory activity which explains the basis of its use in traditional medicine in the management of inflammation and related inflammatory disorders

Prevalence and risk factors associated with intradialysis mortality among renal failure patients in a tertiary hospital in a developing nation

Background: Hemodialysis is associated with potential risk of intradialysis death as a complication. We set out to determine some predialysis factors associated with intradialysis death in hemodialysis patients. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 457 patients who had hemodialysis at our facility over a 5-year period. Demographic and clinical data of patients who died during dialysis were compared with a control group made of the survivors of hemodialysis. Data was analyzed using SPSS IBM version 20. Numerical data were reported as mean ± SD. Comparison of means of continuous variables was done using student t-test. Chi square was used for comparing proportions. Multivariate logistic regression was done to determine the independent determinants of intradialysis mortality. P value < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Of the 457 patients who had hemodialysis, 20 (4.4%) died while on hemodialysis during the review period. They were aged 47.35 ± 21.16 years (range, 16-85 years). The deceased were more likely to be elderly (P = 0.003), have pre dialysis hypotension (P < 0.004), depressed level of consciousness (P < 0.0001), predialysis pulmonary edema, and hospital admission (P = 0.047). Multivariate regression analysis identified low Glasgow coma scale (coma) as an independent risk factor for intradialysis death (P < 0.017). Conclusion: Intradialysis mortality risk is increased in a setting of elderly patients, impaired level of consciousness, pulmonary edema, and predialysis hypotension

Trend and current practices of coagulation-based hybrid systems for pulp and paper mill effluent treatment : mechanisms, optimization techniques and performance evaluation

This paper presents an overview of pulp and paper mills (PPM) production processes, the resulting release of wastewater effluent loaded with wide range of pollutants and associated environmental impacts. The review highlighted the different types of functional materials and their modified forms employed as coagulants for pulp and paper mills industries effluent (PPME) treatment that have been intensively studied as a promising strategy for PPM to achieve cleaner and sustainable treatments in accordance with sustainable development goals (SDGs) “6-Clean water and sanitation”, “9-Industry, innovation, and infrastructure”, and “12-Responsible consumption and production”. Standalone coagulation treatment processes are inherently ineffective towards meeting the increasingly stringent discharge requirements, coupled with their higher energy demand, and increased operational and maintenance costs. Owing to the recalcitrant nature of PPME contaminants, this review explored the effectiveness of the coagulation processes for decontamination of PPME. Furthermore, the review provides a state-of-the-art coagulation-based hybrid systems employed for enhanced PPME treatment. The process limitations, influencing factors and optimization techniques are highlighted. The review also highlights how sustained research in the subject area impacts on achieving cleaner production. The review also discusses coagulant classifications and the synergistic, antagonistic and shock load toxic effects of hybrid coagulants on toxicant biodegradation and their associated system efficiency. Moreover, it offers a guide for the development and application of sustainable hybrid-based coagulants for PPME treatment. The findings presented herein provide a vital theoretical foundation for sustainable solutions to improve coagulation-based hybrid systems efficiency and their scale-up towards potential commercialization