Effect of Hibiscus sabdariffa calyx extract on carbon tetrachloride induced liver damage

The effect of aqueous ethanol (1:1) extract of the calyx of Hibiscus sabdariffa on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced liver damage was investigated. Oral administration of the extract following a single CCl4 dose promoted the healing of oxidative liver damage as determined by serum aminotransferases, ALT, AST, levels and liver thiobarbituric acid reactive substances levels. It appeared from the study that the extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa enhances the recovery from hepatic damage induced by CCl4.Key words: Carbon tetrachloride, Hibiscus sabdariffa, Liver damage

The Effects of Crude Extracts of Ginger (Zingiber officinale) On Some Lipid Profile Parameters In High Fat Fed Rats.

The effects of various doses of ginger (Zingiber officinale) on lipid profile parameters of rats fed high fat diets for six (6) weeks were determined. Results obtained shows that the administration of crude extract of ginger for two weeks at 200mg/kg body weight significantly (p<0.05) reduced the level of cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoproteins (LDL) and increase High density lipoproteins (HDL) (69.15±4.69, 100.00±3.91, 6.90±1.96, 20.00±0.78 and 41.05±2.99) respectively compare to value obtained in rats fed normal diet (71.50±7.75, 120.63±4.54, 20.85±1.18, 18.32±0.90 and 26.12±4.82) respectively. This shows that consumption of ginger at higher doses may be beneficial in reducing some lipids profile parameter and body weight which could aid in preventing cardiovascular diseases. Keywords: Lipid profile, Zingiber officinale, cardiovascular disease, High fat diet

Fracture patternsas seen at the accident and emergency department of the university of maiduguri teaching hospital Nigeria: - a five year prospective study

Most trauma resulting from vehicular accidents or otherwise, often involve the skeleton (made up of 206 bones), resulting into a fracture. Fractures are a cause of high morbidity and occasionally mortality. Objective: The aim of this study is to analyze the anatomical regions most involved, fracture types, their causes, outcome of treatment and the commonest complication of the fracture in our environment. Method: A five year prospective study (January 2005 to December 2009) was undertaken. All patients presented at the Accident and Emergency Unit of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, both fresh and old fractures were included. All were followed up to discharge from the hospital and some years after. Those that died were noted. A proforma was used to collect the data. Follow up was between 2 to5 years. Results: During the period of the study, there were 24, 041 emergencies that reported to UMTH, 6,535(27.2%) were due to RTA and 596 (2.5%) had fractures, presenting with 677 fractures. There were 477(80.2%) males and 189(19.8%) females, giving a ratio of 4:1. The lower limbs were affected in 247(41.5%) patients, upper limbs in 146(24.6%), more than one region 54(9.1%), maxillofacial 47(7.9%), skull 41(6.9%), spinal fractures 33(5.5%) andpelvic fractures 28(4.7%). There were 435(73.2%) motor vehicular cases, (3.4%) follows domestic accidents and11(1.9%) from assaults. There were 66 associated injuries. Conclusion: Fractures occurred in about 10% of RTAs with males more involved than Females (4:1) and motor vehicular accidents causing most of the fractures. The lower limbs were more involved and most of the fractures were closed. Association with head injury leads to more mortality

Religious Diversity and National Integration in Nigeria

Nigeria is a diverse country with about 150 Million people; it is multi-cultural, multi-ethnic and multi-religious; hugely pluralistic and clearly heterogeneous. In fact, the beauty and strength of its existence as a nation lie in the variety and unity of its set up. Imagine the complexities and divergences that exist in the stretch from Port Harcourt to Sokoto; from Lagos to Maiduguri, or from Enugu to Yola.  The geographical landscape of the country varies, stretching from the Sahel Savannah in the far North to the rain forest down South, just like the people who are also remarkably unique in their individual outlooks and orientations, but united in their humanity. These diversities are evidently manifested in the citizens’ cultural and religious practices. For instance, there are more than 400 documented ethnic groups across the land comprising of millions of people who are adherents of the two major religions of Islam and Christianity and, to a lesser extent, the traditional religion (Albert, 2002). The citizens are religious in profession and even the Constitution is religious, as it begins with the words “UNDER GOD”, though the Nation has not adopted any religion as a State Religion. God is centrally considered in the affairs of the people

INFLUENCE OF A LOW TEMPERATURE AGEING ON THE PROPERTIES OF AL-6.5%SI-0.35%MG ALLOY

The effect of a low temperature ageing treatment on the hardness, tensile and corrosion characteristics of sand cast Al-6.5%Si-0.35%Mg alloy was studied. The temper conditions are low temperature ageing at 90oC, 95oC, 100oCand 105oC respectively followed by ageing to 180oC for 2 hrs. This was compared with the control sample which was aged directly to 180oC for 2hrs. The hardness of the Al-6.5%Si-0.35%Mg alloy was measured using the Rockwell-HRB scale hardness tester, while the tensile characteristic was evaluated using a graphical tensometer. The corrosion resistance of the alloy was evaluated using weight loss analysis in simulated sea water environment. An increase in the hardness characteristic was observed in the low temperature ageing at 90oC (7.8 HRB) as compared with (6.0 HRB) that was obtained for the control. From the tensile results obtained, the extension value for the control samples was (1.4 mm) while the sample with a low temperature ageing of 105oC gave the highest extension of (2.26 mm). Remarkable decrease in corrosion rate was observed at 95oC (2.3373 mm/yr x10-7) as compared with the control of (5.2049 mm/yr x10-7). From the Optical Microscope (OPM) and Scanning electron microscope (SEM) results, it was observed that the microstructures were refined for low temperature ageing when compared with the control samples. From these results, it can be deduced that the low temperature ageing treatment had an appreciable influence on the properties of this alloy. http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/njt.v35i3.1

Morphometric and Histological Characteristics of the Uterus of Rusa Deer (Rusa timorensis) during Oestrus

The purpose of this study was to provide baseline data on the histological characteristics of the uterus of an uncommon tropical deer species, Rusa deer (Rusa timorensis) in captivity. Samples (1cm3) of the the entire parts of the uterus (horn, body and neck) from seven (n = 7) Rusa timorensis hinds in oestrus (exhibiting receptivity to the stag the day before slaughter) were obtained from Universiti Putra Malaysia deer breeding unit and fixed in 10% formalin and 4% gluteraldehyde for light and scanning electron microscopy respectively. In the utero-tubal junction, simple tubular glands, similar to endometrial glands were observed. In the endometrium, ciliated cells were scattered among the secretory cells with proliferation of straight endometrial uterine glands which are lined by tall columnar cells with plasma cells at the basement membrane. These glands were extremely well developed and their histological structure indicates increased secretion preparatory to pregnancy. The study demonstrated that the Rusa deer showed increased reproductive parameters as well as parameters manifested in venison production. The microstructure of uterus of Rusa deer shows extremely positive characteristics for nidation of the egg cell and normal development of the embryo. From these investigations, it is clear that the microstructure of the uterus shows favourable conditions that allow for proper development of a healthy embryo even in captivity.Key words: Captivity, histology, oestrus, Rusa timorensis, uterus

Cadmium geochemistry and groundwater pollution status evaluation using indexing and spatial analysis for Keffe community and Environs Sokoto Basin, North Western Nigeria

Representative groundwater samples were collected from the Kaffe community and environs to evaluate the concentrations and geochemical constraints for mobilizing cadmium (Cd) and selected heavy metals. Field-based in-situ measurements of physicochemical parameters were combined with Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer analysis of dissolved elemental concentrations. Pollution indices (i.e. heavy metal pollution index; HPI, heavy metal evaluation index; HEI, contamination degree; Cd, metal index; MI, synthetic pollution index; SPI, ecological risk index; ERI and Nemerow index; NI) evaluations highlighted the levels of heavy metals in the groundwater. Cadmium and iron (Fe) concentrations exceeded the recommended limits in 97% of the analysed samples, with an average pH of 6.3. Strong positive correlations were observed between cadmium and the computed pollution indices (p 0.774 to p 0.100), suggesting significant Cd pollution of the groundwater. Components analysis grouped Cd, Fe, and the pollution indices in the first PC. This was favourably compared to the correlation analysis result. Cluster analysis categorized Cd, Zn and pH in the first cluster consistent with the suggested dissolution and enrichment of Cd and Zn in the groundwater under similar geochemical conditions. The study area is medium and moderately polluted based on HPI, HEI, Cd, and NI

Anatomy of the female reproductive system of Rusa deer (Rusa timorensis)

The study aims to present baseline data on the reproductive anatomy of a poorly known tropical deer  species, Rusa deer (Rusa timorensis). The anatomy of female reproductive system is described using  seven uniparous hinds, aged between four and eight years. The various reproductive structures were  studied via standard descriptive methods. There was a significant difference in the length and width of both  right and left ovaries. The left ovary was slightly larger than the right ovary which indicates that it is physiologically more active. The results of the study showed that the anatomy of female reproductive  system of R. timorensis was similar to that observed in domestic ruminants except that the uterus did not  have an interconual ligament and this implies that the uterine horns are anchored in such a way that sperm deposited into only one uterine horn of the Rusa deer will be transported to the other uterine horn  (interconual transport). Unlike the red brocket deer and pampas deer, the cervix of R. timorensis was  characterized by six cervical rings projecting into the cervical canal. This feature should be taken into  account when designing effective instrumentation and techniques for transcervical passage of semen during  artificial insemination in this species. The results from this study have provided baseline data on the reproductive anatomy of this vulnerable species, and the knowledge generated can be useful in the  development of appropriate reproductive techniques in order to increase its population in captivity and also enable easy detection of its reproductive anomalies, thus strategies to propagate and conserve the species can be established.Keywords: Anatomy, Female, Reproductive system, Rusa deer, Timorensi

Child bed net use before, during, and after a bed net distribution campaign in Bo, Sierra Leone

Background: This analysis examined how the proportion of children less than 5-years-old who slept under a bed net the previous night changed during and after a national long-lasting insecticidal net (LLIN) distribution campaign in Sierra Leone in November–December 2010. Methods: A citywide cross-sectional study in 2010–2011 interviewed the caregivers of more than 3000 under-five children from across urban Bo, Sierra Leone. Chi squared tests were used to assess change in use rates over time, and multivariate regression models were used to examine the factors associated with bed net use. Results: Reported rates of last-night bed net use changed from 38.7 % (504/1304) in the months before the LLIN campaign to 21.8 % (78/357) during the week of the campaign to 75.3 % (1045/1387) in the months after the national campaign. The bed net use rate significantly increased (p \u3c 0.01) from before the campaign to after the universal LLIN distribution campaign in all demographic, socioeconomic, and health behaviour groups, even though reported use during the campaign dropped significantly. Conclusion: Future malaria prevention efforts will need to promote consistent use of LLINs and address any remain- ing disparities in insecticide-treated bed net (ITN) use

Enabling methods for community health mapping in developing countries

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Spatial epidemiology is useful but difficult to apply in developing countries due to the low availability of digitized maps and address systems, accurate population distributions, and computational tools. A community-based mapping approach was used to demonstrate that participatory geographic information system (PGIS) techniques can provide information helpful for health and community development.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The PGIS process allowed for the rapid determination of sectional (neighborhood) boundaries within the city of Bo, Sierra Leone. When combined with data about hospital laboratory visits, a catchment area for one hospital in Bo could be established. A survey of households from within the catchment area determined that the average population per household (about 6 individuals) was similar to that found in the 2004 census. However, we also found that the average house was inhabited by more than one household, for an average of 17.5 inhabitants per residential building, which is critical information to know when estimating population size using remote imagery that can detect and enumerate buildings.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The methods developed in this paper serve as a model for the involvement of communities in the generation of municipal maps and their application to community and health concerns.</p