Effects of Fermented Soya Bean Supplements on Serum Insulin and Leptin Levels of High Fat Diet-induced Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Rabbits

Background: Increase in body fat and obesity are the main risk factors for type 2 diabetes mellitus which leads to several complications that affect many organs of the body when poorly controlled. Plant food sources rich in fibre and antioxidants play an important role in the management of diabetes mellitus. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of fermented soya bean supplements on serum insulin and leptin levels of high fat diet-induced type 2 diabetes mellitus in rabbits. Methods: Twenty rabbits of both sexes weighing, 1–2kg were used. Type 2 diabetes was induced by feeding the animals with a high fat diet for eight weeks. Blood glucose levels were determined after the induction period and rabbits having 130 mg/dL and above were selected for the study. The animals were grouped into four groups with five (n=5) rabbits in each group: Group 1 (diabetic control), received distilled water ad libitum for six weeks; Groups 2, 3 and 4 (diabetic rabbits) were fed with 12.5%, 25% and 50% fermented soya bean supplements respectively for a period of six weeks. Fasting blood glucose levels were determined at weekly interval during the treatment period. At the end of the experiment, the rabbits were euthanized by cervical dislocation and blood samples were collected for the determination of insulin, and leptin levels. Data obtained were analysed using ANOVA. Results: The result showed a significant decrease (P≤0.05) in leptin levels (ng/mL) in groups 2, 3 and 4 (11.30 ± 0.20, 9.20 ± 2.06 and 6.40 ± 1.36, respectively) as compared with the control (18.8 ± 1.59). Insulin levels were also decreased in all the treated groups when compared with the control, though not statistically significant, it may be biologically significant. Conclusion: The results of the study show that fermented soya bean supplementation possesses anti-diabetic properties and may help in the control of hyperleptinaemi

Individual differences in perception and response to experimental pain in a young Nigerian population

Background: Pain is a protective sensation that alerts an individual to injury from the environment. Experience of pain is characterised by robust individual differences and complex environmental and genetic factors lead to individual variations in pain. Studies of experimental pain are free from the confound of disease progression, but can be highly relevant to clinical pain states. The aim of this study is to evaluate individual differences in perception and response to experimental pain among young Nigerian population. Methods: One hundred and thirty apparently healthy subjects (age 12 to 20 years) were used. Pain was accessed using cold pressor test and ischemic pain models. VAS and VRS were used to access pain catastrophizing. Data were presented as mean ± SD. Differences and statistical significance between the means were determined using t test. Values of P < 0.05 were considered significant. Results: The results showed significant differences among the study population in experimental pain threshold and tolerance. Conclusion: The study proved that there is variation in perception and response to experimental pain among secondary school students in Zaria, Northern Nigeri

Estimation of live weight in Red Sokoto kids using linear body traits

The study was carried out in Akko, Kwame and Yamaltu/Deba Local Government Areas of Gombe State, between August and November, 2019 to estimate body weight of Red Sokoto kids using linear body measurements. A total of 460kids (219 males and 241 females) were used to obtain the following parameters; live weight (LW), body length (BL), chest girth (CG), wither height (WH), leg length (LL), loin girth (LG), ear length (EL) and face length (FL). The animals were sampled from four local markets across the study area (Kashere, Kumo, Malam Sidi and Kwadom). Data generated were subjected to descriptive statistics, analysis of variance, Pearson’s correlation and linear regression analyses. The coefficients of variation of the variables observed ranged from 21.14 % for body weight to 7.86 % for chest girth. The mean LW, BL, CG, WH, LL, LG, EL and FL were 11.09 kg, 37.94 cm, 50.95 cm, 43.84 cm, 14.21 cm, 54.47 cm, 11.13 cm and 8.23 cm, respectively. Location had effect on leg (P<0.01), ear and face lengths (P<0.001). Similarly, significantly wider chest, longer ear and face (P<0.05) were observed in males. The correlation coefficients observed among the parameters were mostly moderate to high, positive and significant (P<0.01). The step-wise multiple regression analysis showed that CG had coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.44 (44 %) when used in the prediction of LW, while subsequent inclusion of LG and BL yielded better result (0.47 and 0.49, respectively). Therefore, the study revealed that both location and sex had no effect on most of the linear body measurements and the accuracy of these traits (linear body measurements) in the prediction of LW is moderate. Keywords: Red Sokoto kids, Prediction, Body weight, Linear body trait

Electrolyte and oxidative stress profile of healthy adult population in Zaria, Nigeria, and their relationship with experimental pain response

Background: Electrolyte imbalance and oxidative stress (OS) are known to impair physiological functions, which can alter health and wellbeing. The reactive species produced due to OS are detoxified by endogenous antioxidants to maintain homeostasis. This study investigated the electrolyte and oxidative stress profile of a healthy adult population in Zaria, Nigeria and their relationship with experimental pain outcome. Method: Participants were apparently healthy adult volunteers between the ages of 20 to 65 years and drawn from the city of Zaria and its environs. Experimental pain was induced using pressure algometry. About 5 ml of blood was collected for determination of serum electrolytes, malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Result: The results showed that serum concentrations of sodium, potassium and chloride as well as oxidative stress profile did not vary with sex, age and ethnicity among the studied population. There was a significant negative correlation between pressure pain threshold and serum concentration of potassium (r = 0.2330, p = 0.003) and chloride (r = 0.2126, p = 0.007), while serum sodium correlated positively (r = 0.3439, p = 0.000). Serum MDA, SOD and GSH did not show statistically significant correlation with pressure pain threshold (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Serum electrolytes, but not oxidative stress markers, correlate significantly with experimental pressure pain threshold among healthy adult population in Zaria, Nigeria Keywords: Electrolytes, oxidative stress, pressure pain, sex, age, ethnicit

Knowledge and attitude of primary healthcare workers towards rational prescription of artemisinin-based combination therapy in the treatment of uncomplicated malaria in Ondo State, Southwestern Nigeria

Introduction and objective. For an effective and desired outcome of therapy to be achieved, the technical capacity of the healthcare worker is a key factor. The aim of the study is to assess knowledge and attitudes of primary healthcare (PHC) workers towards rational artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) prescribed in the treatment of uncomplicated malaria. Materials and method. This is a descriptive cross-sectional survey in which a self-administered structured questionnaire was used. A combination of stratified and multistage sampling techniques where utilized in the selection of the healthcare workers (HCWs). Results. Of the 422 respondents, 100 (23.7%) were males and 322 (76.3%) were females. Respondents with less than five years in practice accounted for 36%, while 64% had six years and above of practice. Community health extension workers (CHEW) accounted for 54%, while 46% were either community health officers (CHO), nurses, midwives, Bachelors of Science (BSc) in community health, or with other qualifications. A total of 390 (92.4%) were aware of the availability of ACTs and used the malaria treatment protocols, whereas 28 (6.6%) still used monotherapy for simple malaria treatment, and 2.7% did not use any form of test before initiating treatment. Co-administration of non-ACTs with ACTs accounted for 12%, with 88% prescribing paracetamol with ACTs. 67% of the respondents required capacity building in rational ACT use. Conclusion. The majority of the respondents had the requisite knowledge and skills coupled with positive attitudes in prescribing ACTs. Some respondents could not distinguish between an ACTs and a monotherapy. This may affect the exact application of the malaria treatment protocols, especially at the PHC level

Functional analysis of a novel androgen receptor mutation, Q902K, in an individual with partial androgen insensitivity.

Androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS) is caused by defects in the androgen receptor (AR) that render the AR partially or completely inactive. As a result, embryonic sex differentiation is impaired. Here, we describe a novel mutation in the AR found in a patient with partial AIS. The mutation results in a substitution of a glutamine (Q) by a lysine (K) residue at position 902, Q902K. The AR Q902K mutation was investigated in vitro with respect to its functional properties. The equilibrium dissociation constants (K(d)s) of AR Q902K in the presence of either the synthetic androgen R1881 or the natural ligand DHT were slightly elevated. The R1881 dissociation rate (t(1/2)) was increased 3-fold for AR Q902K compared with wild type. Transcriptional activity was decreased to 85% of wild type, and the dose-response curve revealed that the sensitivity to hormone was decreased due to the mutation. Furthermore, the 114-kDa androgen-induced phosphorylated AR protein band was not detectable in genital skin fibroblasts. However, it could be detected in transfected CHO cells expressing the mutant receptor in the presence of 10 and 100 nm R1881. Functional interaction assays and a GST pull-down assay showed that the interaction between the NH2 and COOH terminus of AR Q902K was reduced to 50% of wild type. Furthermore, the transactivation by the coactivator TIF2 (transcriptional intermediary factor 2) was decreased 2- to 3-fold. The half-maximal response in both assays was shifted to a higher hormone concentration compared with wild type. These results indicate that residue Q902 is involved in TIF2 and NH2/COOH interaction and that the Q to K mutation results in a mild impairment of AR function, which can explain the partial AIS phenotype of the patient

Pharmacognostic, elemental and acute toxicity study of Fadogia agrestis root

An aphrodisiac is a type of food or drink that has the effect of making those who eat or drink it more aroused in a sexual way. Aphrodisiacs can be categorized according to their mode of action into three groups: substances that increase libido (i.e. sexual arousal), substances that increase sexual potency (i.e. effectiveness of erection) and substances that increase sexual pleasure. Fadogia agrestis (Schweing. Ex. Hiern), Rubiacea (Hausa: Bakin gagai; English name: Black aphrodisiac) is an erect shrub 1-3 feets high. Fadogia agrestis is a medicinal plant widely used for its reported antibacterial and aphrodisiac activities. The aim of this work is to carry out pharmacognostic standardization and safety profile on Fadogia agrestis root. Chemomicroscopic, physicochemical, elemental, phytochemical and acute toxicity studies were carried out using standard methods. The results obtained also provided scientific basis for the use of in folklore medicine. Chemomicroscopic characters present include; cellulosecell wall, lignified cell wall, tannins, starch, calcium oxalate and cutin. The physicochemical parameters evaluated include: moisture content (7.0%), total ash (10.5%), water soluble ash (4.1%), acid insoluble ash (8.33%), ethanol extract (15.0%), and water extractive value (12.0%). The quantitative phytochemical analysis showed that alkaloids (84.0 mg/g) was the highest phytochemical detected in the stem bark while the lowest was saponins (4.0 mg/g).LD50 of both extracts was above 5000 mg/kg and did not cause mortality in all the tested rats. The results of this investigation may be useful for deriving doses that are safe for human consumption of F. agrestis root.&nbsp

Potasssium chloride as a nutrient seed primer to enhance salt‑tolerance in maize

The objective of this work was to determine if KCl could be a useful nutrient primer for safe seed germination in maize crop under salt stress conditions. Seed priming was done using 50 mmol L‑1 of muriate of potash, and germination and seedling growth were evaluated after salt stress with NaCl up to 50 mmol L‑1. Another set of seeds was tested under the same salt stress conditions without priming. Under salinity stress, germination percentage, germination rate index, germination coefficient, and seedling vigor indexes were higher in primed seeds. In unprimed seeds, mean germination time increased, while the germination rate index and the fresh and dry matter mass decreased more sharply with salinity stress. The Na/K ratio was higher in unprimed seeds