Antinociceptive Effect of the Ethanol Leaf Extract of Balanites aegyptiaca Linn in Albino Rats

Balanites aegyptiaca is a medicinal plant that has been used in a variety of folk medicines in India and Africa for the treatment of different ailments such as syphilis, jaundice, liver and spleen problems, epilepsy, yellow fever. This research aimed at investigating the phyt ochemical constituents, acute toxicity, anti inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of the ethanol extract of Balanites aegyptiaca (EEBA) leaves. The plant material was extracted using ethanol as solvent. The dried ethanol extract was screened for the presence of phytochemicals; Acute toxicity (LD50) was  determined using Lorke’s method while anti inflammatory and antinociceptive activities were evaluated using hot plate and tail immersion methods in albino rats. Results of the study revealed that phyto chemical constituents such as flavonoids, carbohydrates, saponins and glycosides were found in the EEBA, intraperitoneal LD 50 of 2154 mg/kg shows the substance is non toxic. The EEBA produced significant (p <0.05) and dose dependent anti inflammatory and a ntinociceptive activities at all test doses (200, 400 and 600 mg/kg). The presence of the phytochemicals detected might be responsible for the demonstrated anti inflammatory and antinociceptive activities in the plant extract. Keywords: Phytochemical, Anti inflammatory, Antinociceptive , Balanites aegyptiac

Determinants of learning management systems adoption in Nigeria : a hybrid SEM and artificial neural network approach

Research has shown that technology, when used prudently, has the potential to improve instruction and learning both in and out of the classroom. Only a handful of African tertiary institutions have fully deployed learning management systems (LMS) and the literature is devoid of research examining the factors that foster the adoption of LMS. To fill this void, the present research investigates the factors contributing to students’ acceptance of LMS. Survey data were obtained from registered students in four Nigerian universities (n = 1116); the responses were analyzed using artificial neural network (ANN) and structural equation modeling (SEM) techniques. The results show that social influence, facilitating conditions, system quality, perceived ease of use, and perceived usefulness are important predictors for students’ behavioral intention to use LMS. Students’ behavioral intention to use LMS also functions as a predictor for actual usage of LMS. Implications for practice and theory are discussed

Molecular diagnosis of urinary Mycobacterium tuberculosis among patients attending urology clinic in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria

Background: Tuberculosis, a communicable disease with significant morbidity and mortality. It is still among the top killers of infectious diseases; Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a successful pathogen that has evolved several mechanisms to manipulate the host immune response. Objective of the study: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of urinary tuberculosis among patients attending urology clinic in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A prospective cross-sectional laboratory based study that involved the use of questionnaire and consent/assent form prior to sample collection. Xpert MTB/Rif assay was used to analyze the urine samples. Results: The results of this study shows that, out of 71 samples analyzed along with positive control (H37RV) and molecular grade water was used as negative control. The results showed that, 2 (2.8 %) were from urine samples. Data generated were analyzed using descriptive statistics and results were presented in tables and charts. Conclusion: The study confirmed the presence of urinary tuberculosis in the study area, with prevalence of 2.8%. The pattern of tuberculosis was susceptible Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Therefore, there is need to introduce a routine screening of urinary tuberculosis among patients presenting sign and symptoms of urinary tract infection using Gene Xpert. This will be achieved through the engagement and enlightenment of the clinicians, strengthening the laboratory capacity for diagnosis and make the services available and accessible to the patients who need them. Keywords: Mycobacterium tuberculosis; Extra-Pulmonary Tuberculosis; Prevalence and Gene Xpert

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

An aristocracy in political crisis Zamanin Siyasa in the Nigerian Emirates, 1939 - 1967

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre- DSC:D175305 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

Aplasia cutis congenita in a Nigerian child: A case report

Aplasia cutis congenita (ACC) is a rare skin disorder, the cause is not known but intrauterine infections, drugs, chromosomal and genetic disorders, vascular compromise and trauma have been implicated. Clinically the diagnosis is made based on physical findings indicative of intrauterine disruption of skin development. We present an eighteen hours old neonate with Aplasia cutis congenita, this is aimed at creating awareness in view of the rarity of this condition. Conservative treatment of the ulcers has yielded excellent result but not without complication of acquired syndactyly, the child is being followed up for possible surgery to release the digits.Keywords: Aplasia cutis congenita, Epidermolysis bullosa, Neonate, Honey dressing, Frieden classification, Nigeri

Nutrients content and nutritive values of the leaves of alley woody species used in alley farming in Umudike Southern Nigeria

Alley farming is an agroforestry system that utilizes trees for maintaining soil fertility and improving livestock production. This research assessed the nutrients and nutritive values of the leaves of four alley woody species: Cajanus cajan, Gliricidia sepium, Flamingia macrophylla and Leucaena leucocephala used at the agroforestry research farm of Department of Forestry and Environmental Management, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria. Umudike. The results obtained showed that the leaves of the alley woody species contained: N, P, K, Ca, Mg and heavy metals like: Fe, Pb, Zn, and Cd in significant quantity while Cr was trace amount. Ni content was not significant (P>0.05). They also contained high moisture, Crude fibre, Crude protein, Carbohydrate and vitamins. The four alley woody species could be an ideal combination in alley farming system in revitalizing poor agricultural soil through litterfall and nutrient cycling and as well provide forage for livestock production. Keywords: Alley farming, alley woody species, nutrient content, nutritive valu

Nutritive contents of Allanblackia floribunda Oliv. (Guttiferae) forage in sylvopastoralism in southeastern agroecological zone of Nigeria

Nutrition is one of the major constraints to livestock production in the tropics. This research aimed at assessing the nutritive contents of Allanblackia floribunda leaves from different sylvopastoralism locations in the southeastern agroecological zone of Nigeria: Ikwuano L.G.A. in Abia state, Ikom L.G.A. in Cross River state and Eleme L.G.A. in Rivers State. Leaf samples were analysed in the laboratory to determine their nutritive contents. The results of the proximate, minerals and vitamins analysis of Allanblackia floribunda leaves from Ikwuano, Ikom and Eleme as follows; crude protein: 9.51%, 8.46%, 9.86%; fat: 4.64%, 3.69%, 4.19%; Crude fibre: 17.32%, 15.24%, 17.12%; ash: 5.26%, 4.10%, 4.50%; carbohydrate: 0.46%,0.41%, 0.46% and moisture: 10.07%, 9.90%, 9.60%. For the mineral contents, calcium:14.70mg/100g,14.6970mg/100g, 15.37mg/100g; magnesium: 11.20 mg/100g, 11.33 mg/100g, 10.40 mg/100g; phosphorus: 287.88 mg/100g, 280.53 mg/100g, 290.05 mg/100g; potassium: 217.67 mg/100g, 219.12 mg/100g, 220.13 mg/100g and sodium: 21.07 mg/100g, 21.70 mg/100g, 20.67 mg/100g. For the vitamins, vitamins C: 15.25 mg/100g, 11.73 mg/100g, 14.66 mg/100g; thiamine: 0.04 mg/100g, 0.06 mg/100g, 0.04 mg/100g; riboflavin: 0.06 mg/100g, 0.06 mg/100g, 0.04 mg/100g; niacin: 0.18 mg/100g, 0.22 mg/100g, 0.16 mg/100g. The Anova results showed significant differences (p<0.05) in the proximate, minerals and vitamins contents, and such could reflect the variation in the types of soil and water availability in the areas. Generally, Allanblackia floridunda leaves are good source of forage for livestock. Keywords: Nutritive contents, Allanblackia floribunda leaves, sylvopastoralism, southeastern agroecological zon

Ethnomedical plants for the treatment of hypertension in Abia State: A case study of Bende Local Government Area, Nigeria

An ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used for local treatment of hypertension in Abia State was conducted in Bende Local Government Area. The study adopted the use of Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) comprising elderly men, women, hunters, farmers and herbalists, with the view to obtaining vital information about the plants, parts used for medicine, mode of preparation and administration of medicinal preparations. Results showed that 26 plant species belonging to 23 families were identified. Investigations on the plant part(s) used and mode of preparation and administration indicated that water was the main medium for all medicinalpreparations. Treatment regimes generally included drinking the aqueous preparation at certain specifications until symptoms disappear. Although the anti-hypertensive efficacy of the plants described in this paper is not known with certainty, this survey adds to the efforts of the World Health Organization (WHO) in the search for natural anti-hypertension medicines and provides a basis for future research on these plants. Key words: ethnobotanical survey, medicinal plants, local treatment, hypertension, Abia Stat

Serum total protein and albumin levels among malnourished children aged 6- 59 months in Zaria

Background: Children with PEM have greater deficiency of total protein and albumin and in severe cases the total protein may be reduced to about 50 percent.Objective: To determine the serum protein and albumin levels among children with Protein Energy Malnutrition and the controls at Institute of Child Health, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH) Zaria.Method: This study was a case control health- based descriptive study to estimate the prevalence of serum protein and serum albumin in undernourished children in Zaria.Using systematic sampling method, a total of 132 children (cases and controls) between 6 and 59 months of age were selected for assessment of their serum protein and serum albumin. Both the total serum protein and albumin levels were analysed on the Boerhringer Mannheim Automated Hitachi system 704 using the Biuret and colour change methods respectively.Results: The prevalence of low serum protein levels (<60g/l) in this study among the cases was 46.9% with highest prevalence of 33.3% seen in severe wasting. While the prevalence of low serum proteins for the control was 1.5%. The prevalence of low serum albumin levels (< 25 g/l ) among the cases was found to be 24.2% with severe stunting accounting for 15.2%, while for the controls, a low serum albumin levels of 3.0% occurred in this study.Conclusion: This study has been able to establish low serum levels of protein and albumin among under-nourished children in Zaria.Keywords: Serum protein; Albumin; under-nutrition; childre