183 research outputs found
Acute toxicity, lipid peroxidation and ameliorative properties of Alstonia boonei ethanol leaf extract on the kidney markers of alloxan induced diabetic rats
Get PDFThe lethal toxicity and lipid peroxidation studies of Alstonia boonei on alloxan induced diabetic rats were analysed. The effect of ethanol leaf extract of A. boonei on the kidney markers of diabetic rat was also determined. The acute toxicity of the ethanol extract of A. boonei was found to be more than 5000 mg/kg body weight of the extract after 24 h of constant observation. The malondialdehyde concentration of the rats treated with 200 and 400 mg/kg body weights of the extract significantly decreased (p < 0.05) when compared with the untreated diabetic rats. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) when malondialdehyde concentrations of rat treated with 200 and 400 mg/kg body weights of the extracts were compared with the standard control. But the creatinine concentration decreased significantly (p < 0.05) when 200 and 400 mg/kg body weights of the extract of the treated diabetic animals were compared with the diabetic control.Keywords: Alstonia boonei, diabetic rats, malondialdehyde, creatinine and ureaAfrican Journal of Biotechnology, Vol. 13(5), pp. 678-682, 29 January, 201
Outcome of neonatal surgeries in Nnewi, Nigeria
Get PDFBackground: A surgical neonate is a challenge, especially in developing countries such as Nigeria, where neonatal surgical practice is still evolving. Mortality is still high compared with developed nations. Data from developing countries on this emerging aspect of paediatric surgery, however, are scarce. We reviewed all neonatal surgical cases that were managed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi, a tertiary institution located in the South Eastern region of Nigeria, with a view of determining the outcome.Patients and methods: This was a retrospective review of Hospital records of infants aged 0–28 days who were treated at the Special Baby Care Unit of the hospital from January 2009 to June 2012.Results: Out of 1863 babies admitted to the Special Care Baby Unit of the hospital, 147 (8%) were surgical cases. There were 91 males and 56 females (M: F=1.6 : 1). The mean weight of the babies was 2.5 kg (range=0.1–4.3 kg). Thirty-two babies (16.9%) were premature. The most frequent indication for admission is gastrointestinal conditions, accounting for 78.2% of all neonatal surgeries. The most common procedure carried out was intestinal anastomosis and repair (36%). One hundred and thirteen neonates (76.9%) presented beyond 48 h of onset of symptoms. Of the delayed cases, 65% sought medical attention early at the primary and secondary health centres, but referral was delayed from periods ranging from 2 to 21 days (mean=5 days). Only 15 of the neonates had a valid prenatal ultrasound diagnosis. In only three of the cases were the mothers referred for planned delivery and specialist care. Infective conditions (sepsis, surgical site infection, respiratory tract infections) accounted for 45.4% of morbidity. Mortality was higher in the late presenters, premature babies, babies with weight less than 2.5 kg and in thoracic surgeries. Overall, 41 neonates died, yielding a mortality of 27.9%.Conclusion: The high morbidity and mortality from neonatal surgeries still persists. Factors that negatively affect the outcome include late presentation, prematurity, low birth weight and thoracic surgeries. Enhanced prenatal diagnosis,early patient referral, further personnel training and improvement in facilities will improve outcome.Keywords: late presentation, mortality, neonatal surgery, Nigeria, outcom
A Protective Role of FAM13A in Human Airway Epithelial Cells Upon Exposure to Cigarette Smoke Extract
Get PDFBACKGROUND: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive lung disease characterized by chronic inflammation upon inhalation of noxious particles, e.g., cigarette smoke. FAM13A is one of the genes often found to be associated with COPD, however its function in the pathophysiology of COPD is incompletely understood. We studied its role in airway epithelial barrier integrity and cigarette smoke-induced epithelial responses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Protein level and localization of FAM13A was assessed with immunohistochemistry in lung tissue from COPD patients and non-COPD controls. In vitro, FAM13A expression was determined in the absence or presence of cigarette smoke extract (CSE) in primary airway epithelial cells (AECs) from COPD patients and controls by western blotting. FAM13A was overexpressed in cell line 16HBE14o- and its effect on barrier function was monitored real-time by electrical resistance. Expression of junctional protein E-cadherin and β-catenin was assessed by western blotting. The secretion of neutrophil attractant CXCL8 upon CSE exposure was measured by ELISA. RESULTS: FAM13A was strongly expressed in airway epithelium, but significantly weaker in airways of COPD patients compared to non-COPD controls. In COPD-derived AECs, but not those of controls, FAM13A was significantly downregulated by CSE. 16HBE14o- cells overexpressing FAM13A built up epithelial resistance significantly more rapidly, which was accompanied by higher E-cadherin expression and reduced CSE-induced CXCL8 levels. CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that the expression of FAM13A is lower in airway epithelium of COPD patients compared to non-COPD controls. In addition, cigarette smoking selectively downregulates airway epithelial expression of FAM13A in COPD patients. This may have important consequences for the pathophysiology of COPD, as the more rapid build-up of epithelial resistance upon FAM13A overexpression suggests improved (re)constitution of barrier function. The reduced epithelial secretion of CXCL8 upon CSE-induced damage suggests that lower FAM13A expression upon cigarette smoking may facilitate epithelial-driven neutrophilia
Evaluation of introduced pigeonpea (cajanuscajan (l.) Millsp.) Genotypes for growth and yield performance in Sudano-Sahelian ecology of Nigeria
Get PDFEvaluation study is essential to ascertain performance and adaptation of improved genotypes across new environment.
Field experiments were conducted at the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Research Farm, Minjibir, Kano State,
Nigeria over two years to assess the performance of twelve improved pigeonpea genotypes comprising of early (ICPL
84031, ICPL 85010 and ICPL 87), medium (ICP 7120, ICP 8863, ICPL 161, ICPL 85063, ICPL 87051 and ICPL 87119)
and late (ICP 7035, ICP 8094 and ICPL 9145) flowering groups introduced from International Crops Research Institute
for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Patencheru, India. Effects due to genotype, year and genotype x year interactions
were significant (P=<0.01) for most characters evaluated. Grain yield ranged from 723 kg ha-1
to 2,710 kg ha-1 with ICP
7120 having the highest grain yield followed by ICPL 87119 and then ICPL 84031genotype. The two highest grain
yielding genotypes (ICP 7120 and ICPL 87119) were medium flowering type, followed by ICPL 84031, an early
flowering genotype whose grain yield did not differ significantly from that of the two medium flowering genotypes. The
high yielding and early flowering genotype (ICPL 84031) is a candidate genotype recommended for promotion in short
rainfall environments of northern Nigeria. Significantly higher grain yields were obtained during second year with mean
yield of 3,118 kg ha-1 compared with 838 kg ha-1 recorded in first year, an indication that delayed planting in first year
affected yield and that genotypes responded differently to year and soil effects. Correlation analysis (pooled over two
seasons) revealed that number of primary branches plant-1 and pod weight were the most important traits influencing
grain yield in pigeonpea
From Differential DNA Methylation in COPD to Mitochondria:Regulation of AHRR Expression Affects Airway Epithelial Response to Cigarette Smoke
Get PDFCigarette smoking causes hypomethylation of the gene Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Repressor (AHRR), which regulates detoxification and oxidative stress-responses. We investigated whether AHRR DNA methylation is related to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and studied its function in airway epithelial cells (AECs). The association with COPD was assessed in blood from never and current smokers with/without COPD, and in AECs from ex-smoking non-COPD controls and GOLD stage II-IV COPD patients cultured with/without cigarette smoke extract (CSE). The effect of CRISPR/Cas9-induced AHRR knockout on proliferation, CSE-induced mitochondrial membrane potential and apoptosis/necrosis in human bronchial epithelial 16HBE cells was studied. In blood, DNA methylation of AHRR at cg05575921 and cg21161138 was lower in smoking COPD subjects than smoking controls. In vitro, AHRR DNA methylation at these CpG-sites was lower in COPD-derived than control-derived AECs only upon CSE exposure. Upon AHRR knockout, we found a lower proliferation rate at baseline, stronger CSE-induced decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential, and higher CSE-induced late apoptosis/necroptosis. Together, our results show lower DNA methylation of AHRR upon smoking in COPD patients compared to non-COPD controls. Our data suggest that higher airway epithelial AHRR expression may lead to impaired cigarette smoke-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis/necroptosis, potentially promoting unprogrammed/immunogenic cell death
Paratesticular myxoid liposarcoma in a 23-year old Nigerian
Get PDFParatesticular liposarcomas are rare tumors and are usually seen in patients in middle age or older. Optimal treatment is radical orchidectomy. Radiotherapy or chemotherapy is added for advanced disease or recurrences. These practice guidelines often vary from the experience in developing countries
Patients' Experiences of "Long COVID" in the Community and Recommendations for Improving Services: A Quality Improvement Survey.
Get PDFINTRODUCTION: "Long COVID" is a multisystem disease that lasts for 4 or more weeks following initial symptoms of COVID-19. In the UK, at least 10% of patient report symptoms at 12 weeks following a positive COVID-19 test. The aims of this quality improvement survey were to explore patients' acute and post-acute "long" COVID-19 symptoms, their experiences of community services and their recommendations for improving these services. METHODS: Seventy patients diagnosed with COVID were randomly selected from 2 large socially and ethnically diverse primary care practices. Of those contactable by telephone, 85% (41/48) agreed to participate in the quality improvement survey. They were interviewed by telephone using a semi-structured questionnaire about community services for COVID-19 patients. Interviews lasted 10 to 15 minutes. RESULTS: Forty-nine percent of patients reported at least 1 post-acute COVID-19 symptom. The most common were severe fatigue (45%), breathlessness (30%), neurocognitive difficulties (such as poor memory), poor concentration and "brain fog" (30%), headaches (20%), and joint pain (20%). Many patients felt isolated and fearful, with scant information about community resources and little safety netting advice. Patients also expected more from primary care with over half (56%) recommending regular phone calls and follow up from healthcare staff as the most important approach in their recovery. CONCLUSIONS: In line with patients' requests for more support, the practices now routinely refer patients with long COVID to an on-site social prescriber who explores how they are getting on, refers them to the GP or practice nurse when required, and sign posts them to support services in the community
Co-administration of artemisinin and Ricinodendron heudelotii leaf extract—effects on selected antioxidants and liver parameters in male Wistar rats
Get PDFStartling rate of malaria parasite resistance to artemisinin and its derivatives has led to possible herb–drug antimalarial combination therapy. This study assessed the effect of co-administration of artemisinin and Ricinodendron heudelotii extract on certain liver and antioxidant indices in rats. Four groups containing ten rats each were administered distilled water (group A), artemisinin only (group B), artemisinin with R. heudelotii extract (group C), and R. heudelotii extract only (group D). Serum biochemical values and antioxidant parameters were determined using standard methods respectively. The results revealed that the total protein level increased significantly (p < 0.05) in group C. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities increased significantly (p < 0.05) in the group administered artemisinin only but was regulated to control level both in groups C and D. The liver reduced gutathione (GSH) concentration decreased in the group administered artemisinin only. Similarly, malondialdehyde (MDA) level significantly increased (p < 0.05) in group A while groups C and D showed decrease in MDA and catalase concentrations. Histological examination showed that few of the hepatocytes were necrotic in the group administered artemisinin only while the group administered artemisinin and extract showed mild to moderate central venous congestion and periportal cellular infiltration. The study indicates that the bioactive constituents of the R. heudelotii extract might either have a regulatory effect on artemisinin toxicity or synergistically enhance its activity. Such bioconstituents can further be isolated and characterized for drug development to tackle Plasmodium falciparum resistance
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