Search

Herbal medicines are presently widely used in developed and developing countries for health care due to their affordability, accessibility and availability. Objective: The microbial quality of selected herbal remedies sold in open markets in Owerri, South Eastern, Nigeria was studied. Methods: The samples were bulked according to type and then serially diluted. The spread plate technique was used in inoculating the samples on the appropriate culture medium and then incubated. Standard laboratory protocols for microbiological studies and biochemical tests were employed for the identification of the microorganisms present in the samples. Results: The presence of bacterial species namely Bacillus, Corynebacterium, Micrococcus, Enterococcus and Staphylococcus spp was recorded. They were all gram positive and bacterial counts ranged from 1.0 x 106 to 7.8 x 107cfu/ml. Fungal isolates included Mucor, Saccharomyces and Penicillium spp. and fungal counts ranged from 3.0x103 to 1.3x108 cfu/ml respectively. Conclusion: The presence of these microorganisms in herbal remedies do not only make them hazardous, but might also change the physical, chemical and natural properties of the herbal remedies by altering the contents of active ingredients or converting them to toxic products. The production and consumption of herbal remedies should be properly supervised and monitored to ensure that only good quality products get to the consumers.

The Schrödinger equation was solved for the Hulthén plus screened Kratzer Potential (HSKP) via the Nikiforov–Uvarov – functional analysis (NUFA) method. The bound-state energy and wave function for the HSKP were obtained in a closed form by applying the Greene–Aldrich approximation scheme to the inverse-square term. Using the resulting energy equation, we computed the energy spectra for 12 diatomic molecules (CuLi, TiH, VH, TiC, HCl, LiH, H2, ScH, CO, I2, N2, and NO) for various quantum states. To show the accuracy of our procedure, four special cases of the collective potential were obtained, and the results are in excellent agreement with the existing literature.

Resistance to antibiotics is one of the greatest problems to the success of modern medication. Due to the emergence of multi-drug resistant bacteria, selection of effective antibiotics for suppression of microbial activity has been an incidental issue. The aim of this study is to determine the antimicrobial activities of sweet orange juice on isolated, , which were subjected to different concentrations of sweet orange juice to determine their response to the juice concentrations. 25%, 50%, & 100% concentrations were used respectively using a well-in-agar diffusion method and it was discovered that all the microorganisms were sensitive to the sweet orange juice at 100% concentration only with zones of inhibitions as follows: This shows that the juice may not be recommended as alternative for antibiotics development since it only inhibited the microbial growth at 100% concentration only, and its respective zones of inhibition were minimal or less effective.

Abbattoir waste water is of a complex composition. When discharged without being treated, poses a threat to human health and the environment. This is the practice common in Nigeria, and is worrisome. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the physico-chemical and microbiological qualities of waste water from Egbu abattoir discharged into ‘Otamiri’ river in Owerri North local government area, Imo State, Nigeria. Methods: The microbial quality of abattoir wastewater was studied. The duration of the study was three months, from June to September, 2019. Sample collection was done in the morning (8-10am) and in the evening (4-6pm). A total of thirty samples (30) were collected from two sampling points, at the place of generation of the wastewater (Effluent source) and at the point of discharge into the river (POE). Standard methods were employed to assess the microbiological and physiochemical quality of the effluent. The microorganisms isolated from the samples included Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Staphylococcus, Aspergillus, Mucor, Listeria, Micrococcus and Candida species. The Total Heterotrophic Count (THC) of effluent samples, at source and POE were 8.51log10 cfu/ml and 6.15log10cfu/ml respectively, Total Coliform Count (TCC) for same samples were 6.77log10 cfu/ml and 4.56log10 cfu/ml respectively. The Total Fungal Count (TFC) of the effluent samples at source and at POE was 5.19log10 cfu/ml and 4.18log10 cfu/ml respectively. Results further revealed that the pH of the effluent at source was 6.58 while that at Point of Entry into the river was 7.30. The temperature of both samples was 25oC. The Total Dissolved Solid values of the effluent collected at source was higher, having a value of 1400mg/L against 1000mg/L at Point of Entry. Also the Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) values of the effluent at source were 5.10mg/L and 8.58mg/L respectively, while the BOD and COD of the water at the POE were 4.3mg/L and 7.9mg/L respectively. Conclusion: Abattoir wastes are becoming a major environmental health challenge and being discharged into the Otamiri River indiscriminately is of public health concern. The potential public health implications associated with discharging untreated abattoir wastewater into the environment and thus, the need for adequate treatment to ensure decontamination as well as providing wastewater treatment facility is imperative.

The consumption of fresh vegetables has great health benefits. However, this has been linked to several food borne infections and disease outbreaks in the past because some of these vegetables have been identified as agents in the transmission of human food pathogens. This study examined the coliform bacteria profile of raw salad vegetables sold in open markets in Owerri metropolis, South Eastern Nigeria. The samples of different raw salad vegetables (cabbage, cucumber, carrot and tomatoes) bought from different vendors in open markets were examined for the presence of coliform bacteria. Surface wash water of samples were used for the enumeration of total and fecal coliforms. The results from the study showed that all the samples harboured coliform bacteria with the cabbage recording the highest coliform count (CA3= 2.8 x 107cfu/g on MacConkey agar) while the highest E. coli count occurred in tomato (TO3=2.7 x 106cfu/g on EMB agar); carrot (CB3= 2.6 x 104cfu/g on MacConkey agar)and cucumber (CU2= 3.9 x 102cfu/g on EMB agar) recorded the lowest coliform and E. coli counts respectively. The percentage prevalence of the isolates on the samples were Enterobacter species (83.3%), Escherichia coli (66.6%) and Klebsiella species (33.3%).The counts were obviously above the coliform acceptable limit (

Climate change is directly and indirectly linked to human health, including through access to treatment and care. Our systematic review presents a systems understanding of the nexus between drought and antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence in HIV-positive individuals in the African setting. Narrative synthesis of 111 studies retrieved from Web of Science, PubMed/MEDLINE, and PsycINFO suggests that livelihoods and economic conditions, comorbidities and ART regimens, human mobility, and psychobehavioural dispositions and support systems interact in complex ways in the drought-ART adherence nexus in Africa. Economic and livelihood-related challenges appear to impose the strongest impact on human interactions, actions, and systems that culminate in non-adherence. Indeed, the complex pathways identified by our systems approach emphasise the need for more integrated research approaches to understanding this phenomenon and developing interventions.

Globally the rate of deforestation and forest degradation is around 13million hectares, occurring mostly in developing countries. This study aimed at assessing the impact of deforestation on livelihood sources in Mbieri a rural community in Imo State, Southeast Nigeria. Multi-Temporal Satellite Images were analyzed for changes in land use and land cover in the area, while random sampling method was used to administer the questionnaire, and participatory rural appraisal (PRA) method was used to elicit information on drivers of deforestation, income levels and perceived effects of deforestation in the study area. Six land use/cover types were identified namely; farmland, bare soil, built-up surface, water bodies, secondary forest and primary forest. GPS coordinates of the sampled deforested areas were also recorded and used to overlay on the Satellite processed data on land use and land cover. Data were further obtained from the satellite imageries of Landsat 4, thematic mapper (TM) and Landsat 7 and 8 ETM+ covering the year 1986, 2000, and 2016 respectively. Results from satellite image analysis revealed that land use changes have negatively impacted deforestation leading to loss of primary forest and reduction in secondary forest. Built-up areas and farmland increased from 13.92% and 11.47% in 1986 to 32.86% and 21.97% in 2016 respectively. While the primary forest reduced from 35.94% in 1986 to 10.78% in 2016. Population increase and agricultural expansion were identified as the major drivers of deforestation in Mbieri. Impacts of deforestation on the people include loss of valuable species of flora and fauna, decreased earnings from the sale of forest resources and loss of farmland to erosion of exposed surfaces. It is recommended that forest plantations be increased by using vacant and unused lands which will have net positive benefits also, deliberate reforestation should be embarked on to avoid environmental degradation and possible increase in ambient temperature.

This paper discusses climate change and poultry production as their interaction impacts on unemployment in Nigeria. Climate change and animal production have always had a negative impact on each other, with animal production accounting for about 15-18% global anthropogenic greenhouse gases (GHGs) emission in form of carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4) which are emitted when animals respire. On the other hand, the effect of climate change and global warming on animal production is on the increase and will continue to increase with the high rate of man's industrial activity if not checked. In Nigeria, there is an increasing demand for animal protein and the unemployment rate is increasing yearly because of high increase in population. In order to meet up with this increase in demand for food and reduce youth unemployment in an environment with less climate change challenge, more youth involvement in Agriculture is needed. But, this agricultural revolution will have great challenge on the environment because of the high rate of climate change that goes with industrialization and agriculture. Because poultry have low global warming potential, it has an edge over other animals or livestock such as cattle, sheep, and goat. This is because poultry has low GHGs emission as a result of its low enteric methane production rates compared to ruminant animal species. Apart from poultry being cheap, it is nutritious and readily marketable. In addition, it can be a nice source of investment and income generation for Nigerian youths, if harnessed properly. It is therefore, concluded and recommended that to meet up with the ever-increasing demand for jobs in an environment having less climate change challenges, various government agencies, banks, private sectors, civil society, rural co-operative societies, youth agencies in Nigeria with the assistance of various international donor agencies can collaborate and play a more facilitating role through giving of loans, grants and adequate extension services to ensure that food security and youth empowerment is achieved within an eco-friendly environment through profitable poultry production. Cet article discute du changement climatique et de la production de volaille comme leurs effets d'interaction sur le chômage au Nigéria. Le changement climatique et la production animale ont toujours eu un impact négatif l'un sur l'autre, la production animale représentant environ 15 à 18% des émissions mondiales de gaz à effet de serre (GES) anthropiques sous forme de dioxyde de carbone (CO2), d'oxyde nitreux (N2O) et de méthane (CH4) qui sont émis lorsque les animaux respirent. En revanche, l'effet du changement climatique et du réchauffement planétaire sur la production animale est en augmentation et continuera d'augmenter avec le taux élevé de l'activité industrielle de l'homme s'il n'est pas maîtrisé. Au Nigéria, il y a une demande croissante de protéines animales et le taux de chômage augmente chaque année en raison de la forte augmentation de la population. Afin de répondre à cette augmentation de la demande alimentaire et de réduire le chômage des jeunes dans un environnement où les défis du changement climatique sont moins importants, une plus grande implication des jeunes dans l'agriculture est nécessaire. Mais, cette révolution agricole aura un grand défi sur l'environnement en raison du taux élevé de changement climatique qui accompagne l'industrialisation et l'agriculture. Parce que la volaille a un faible potentiel de réchauffement planétaire, elle a un avantage sur les autres animaux ou le bétail comme les bovins, les moutons et les chèvres. En effet, la volaille a de faibles émissions de GES en raison de ses faibles taux de production de méthane entérique par rapport aux espèces animales ruminantes. En plus d'être bon marché, la volaille est nutritive et facilement commercialisable. En outre, il peut être une belle source d'investissement et de génération de revenus pour les jeunes Nigérians, s'il est correctement exploité. Il est donc conclu et recommandé que pour répondre à la demande toujours croissante d'emplois dans un environnement ayant moins de défis liés au changement climatique, diverses agences gouvernementales, banques, secteurs privés, société civile, sociétés coopératives rurales, agences de jeunesse au Nigéria avec l'aide de divers organismes donateurs internationaux peuvent collaborer et jouer un rôle plus facilitateur en accordant des prêts, des subventions et des services de vulgarisation adéquats pour garantir la sécurité alimentaire et l'autonomisation des jeunes dans un environnement respectueux de l'environnement grâce à une production avicole rentable.

Organ characteristics of male growing male pigs fed low crude protein and low energy diets supplemented with multi-enzyme were determined using 36 hybrid (Landrace x Large white) male pigs of 8-10 weeks old. Two metabolizable energy (3000 and 2600 Kcal ME/kg) and three crude protein levels (14, 16 and 18 % CP) were used to formulate six dietary treatments; T1: control (3000 Kcal ME/kg; 18 % CP), T2 (3000 Kcal ME/Kg; 16 % CP), T3 (3000 Kcal ME/kg; 14 % CP), T4 (2600 Kcal ME/kg; 18 % CP), T5 (2600 Kcal ME/kg; 16 % CP) and T6 (2600 Kcal ME/kg; 14 % CP). The enzyme was added to all the treatments at 1g/kg diet except the control. The treatments were replicated three times with two pigs per replicate. The experiment was a 2 x 3 factorial. The pigs were starved for 12 hours but allowed access to drinking water, stunned and bled completely. It was cut open though the thorax region along the underline to the abdomen, exposing the entire internal organs and GIT contents. The heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, spleen and other internal organs were examined, carefully removed and weighed with a sensitive electronic kitchen scale, model SF-400. Higher (P

Seventy two (72) sexed crossbred rabbits aged 6 months were used to determine the effect of ginger rhizome powder (GRP) supplementation on reproductive organ and serum sex hormonal characteristics of pubertal rabbits. The experimental rabbits were divided into 2 treatment groups comprising 36 males and 36 females. Each group was divided into 4 dietary treatments (BT1, BT2, BT3 and BT4 ) of 9 animals and replicated thrice with 3 animals per replicate in a completely randomized design (CRD). The animals were fed formulated diet containing 2900 Kcal ME kg-1 and 18% crude protein supplemented with GRP at the rate of 0, 5, 10 and 15 g kg-1 feed respectively. Rabbits in each dietary group were fed 50gms of Guinea grass leaf meal containing 27.6% CF (dry matter basis) occasionally as additional fibre sources. Feed and water were offered ad libitum and the study lasted for 10 weeks. Testosterone values of BT (5.83 ng mL-1) and BT (6.28 ng mL-1) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels of BT (1.15 mIU mL-1) were significantly influenced (p

A 35-day feeding trial involving three hundred (300) five (5) week old broilers was carried out in a completely randomized design to evaluate the haematology, serum biochemical and gastro-intestinal characteristics of broiler finishers fed diets containing a mixture of fermented bovine blood and rumen digesta (FBBRD) meal at dietary levels of 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 %, respectively. The birds were randomly grouped into five, with sixty birds each and four replicates of fifteen birds per treatment. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected from eight birds randomly selected from each treatment for haematological and biochemical analyses. The group on 10 % FBBRD diet had significantly (P

The management, haematological, serum biochemical and reproductive parameters of rabbits reared in the 3 zones (Okigwe, Orlu and Owerri) of Imo State were investigated. Data for this study were collected through questionnaire, on-the-farm assessment and fluid sample (blood and semen) from the rabbits. The hutch/cage type of housing is the most prevalent in Imo State, constituting 73.58 %. Most rabbit farmers in Imo State (45.28 %) combine concentrate and forage in rabbit feeding, 47.17 % of the rabbit house/environment were fairly clean, 30.19 % dirty and 22.64 % were clean. Rabbits with ages ranging from 5 – 8 months recorded average live weight of 1.91 kg, while annual average kindling and litter size of rabbit does reared in Imo State were 5.67 and 7.43, respectively; with average litter survival rate of 60.16 % between parturition and weaning. Haematological analysis of the adult rabbits recorded 27.80 %, 9.56 g/dl and 3.40 x 106/ml in packed cell volume, haemoglobin concentration and red blood cell count, respectively, which were lower than normal reference values. Total serum protein, globulin and urea values were lower than normal reference values recording 4.44 g/dl, 1.57 g/dl and 16.56 mg/dl, respectively. Semen parameters obtained from adult rabbit bucks were inferior to semen parameters of adult rabbit bucks reared in similar geographical locations and environment, but under standard management practices. This study was therefore designed to assess the level of management, blood and reproductive parameters of rabbits in Imo State.Keywords: Management, rabbits, blood parameters, reproductive parameters, Imo State

One of the reliable information for evaluating nutritional status, performance and physiological state of farm animals to nutrient utilization is through haematological indices assessment. Haematological parameters of grower pigs fed low crude protein and low energy diets supplemented with multi-enzyme (enziblend plus+) were determined using 36 hybrid (Landrace x Large white) male pigs of 8-10 weeks old. Two metabolizable energy (3000 and 2600 Kcal ME/kg) and three crude protein levels (18, 16 and 14 % CP) were used to formulate Six dietary treatments; T1 (3000 Kcal ME/Kg; 18 % CP), T2 (3000 Kcal ME/Kg; 16 % CP+ 1g of enzyme/kg diet), T3 (3000 Kcal ME/Kg; 14 % CP+ 1g of enzyme/kg diet), T4 (2600 Kcal ME/Kg; 18 % CP + 1g of enzyme/kg diet), T5 (2600 Kcal ME/Kg; 16 % CP + 1g of enzyme/kg diet) and T6 (2600 Kcal ME/Kg; 14 % CP + 1g of enzyme/kg diet). The treatments were replicated three with two pigs per replicate. The experiment was a 2 x 3 factorial, and T1 served as the control. Blood samples were collected (3mls) via the ear vein from one pig in each replicate, three from treatment for haematological analysis. The results of this study recorded significant differences (P

This study was conducted for 4 months in the quest to discover natural materials, especially of plant origin, capable of substituting the roles of synthetic materials, especially drugs, in reproductive enhancement of livestock species. Such natural materials will help eliminate the menace of residual effects of synthetic materials on livestock products and probably attract more revenue from them. A total of 24 New Zealand White (NZW) weaned rabbit bucks were used and the study was carried out in a Complete Randomized Design (CRD), comprising three treatments replicated four times; MT1 (control), MT2 and MT3 , containing 0, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight of Panax ginseng extracts (PGEs), respectively. Assessment for attainment of puberty started from the age of 11 - 14 weeks on a weekly basis and at 72 h interval thereafter by examining their ejaculate and preputial fluid smeared on a glass slide under a microscope for sperm cells. Semen was collected twice a week for 3 weeks after maturity (6 months old) with the aid of an artificial vagina (AV), using rabbit does as teasers. Semen analysis was done within 20 minutes of collection, following standard procedures. Libido was determined weekly for 3 weeks by recording the time it took the matured rabbit bucks to sniff, groom, and mount the rabbit doe in the initial instance (reaction time); and by counting the number of times the matured buck attempts to mount the doe per minute (libido score). Data generated from this study was analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Age at puberty (MT1 = 116.00 days; MT2 = 112.50 days; MT3 = 100.50 days) was significantly (P

Blood chemistry of growing male pigs fed low crude protein (CP) and low-energy diets supplemented with multi-enzyme was determined using 36 male pigs aged 8–10-weeks old. Two metabolizable energy (3000 and 2600 kcal ME /kg) and three protein (18, 16, and 14% CP) levels were used to formulate 6 treatment diets: T1 (3000 kcal ME/kg and 18% CP), T2 (3000 kcal ME/Kg and 16% CP), T3 (3000 kcal ME/kg and 14% CP), T4 (2600 kcal ME/kg and 18% CP), T5 (2600 kcal ME/kg and 16% CP) and T6 (2600 kcal ME/kg and 14% CP). T1 served as the control diet, while T2–T6 was supplemented with 1.0 g enzyme/kg feed each. The treatments were replicated thrice with two pigs per replicate in a 2 × 3 factorial and analysed statistically. Serum total protein, albumin, globulin, albumin/globulin ratio, urea, creatinine, urea/creatinine ratio, cholesterol, alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were analysed. Low-energy diets (3000 and 2600 kcal ME/kg) plus enzyme supplementation did not affect (P > 0.05) any of the serum parameter measured. Also, dietary low CP level plus enzyme supplementation influenced (P < 0.05) aspects of the serum parameters. Higher (P < 0.05) total protein, albumin and creatinine were noticed in pigs fed with T2 diet; while pigs fed with T4 diet had higher (P < 0.05) urea compared with those on the other 5 treatment diets. Significant dietary interaction effects (P < 0.05) were observed on cholesterol, ALT, AST and ALP. The quadratic regression model revealed that aspects of serum parameters in pigs were optimized at different low-protein and low-energy levels. In conclusion, the results suggest that pigs on T2 diet had the best serum parameters.

IntroductionYoung people have a disproportionate burden of sexually transmitted infections. Despite strengthening HIV prevention with the introduction of PrEP, STI services have remained relatively unchanged, and the standard of care remains syndromic management. We used a discrete choice experiment to investigate young people’s preferences for the diagnosis and treatment of STIs in South Africa.Methods and FindingsBetween 1 March 2021 and 20 April 2021, a cross-sectional online questionnaire hosted on REDCap was administered through access links sent to WhatsApp support groups for HIV PrEP users and attendees of two primary healthcare clinics and two mobile facilities in the Eastern Cape and Gauteng provinces aged between 18-49 years. Participants either self-completed the questionnaire or received support from a research assistant. We used a CLOGIT model for the initial analysis and latent class model (LCM) to establish class memberships with results displayed as odds ratios and probabilities.We enrolled 496 individuals, the majority were female (69%) and The LCM showed two distinct groups within the respondent sample with different preferences for STI care. The first group comprising 68% of participants showed a strong preference for self-sampling compared to sampling by a healthcare professional (HCP) [OR 2.32; 95%-CI (1.79-3.00)] and viewed no sampling as similar to HCP sampling [OR 1.08; 95%-CI (0.92-1.26)]. There was a lower preference to receive results within 4 hours versus 2 hours [OR 0.63; 95%-CI (0.51-0.77)] and the later was viewed as equal to the receipt of results in 1-7 days by SMS or online [OR 1.03; 95%-CI (0.88–1.21). A clinic follow-up appointment for treatment was less preferable than same-day treatment [OR 0.78; 95%-CI (0.63–0.95)] while treatment from a local pharmacy was viewed with equal preference as same-day treatment [OR 1.16; 95%-CI (1.04-1.29)]. Contact slip from index patient [OR 0.86; 95%-CI (0.76-0.96)] and HCP-initiated partner notification [OR 0.63; 95%-CI (0.55-0.73)] were both less preferable than expedited partner treatment (EPT). The second group included 32% of participants with a much lower preference for self-sampling compared to sampling by HCP [OR 0.55; 95%-CI (0.35–0.86)]. No sampling was not significantly different to HCP-sampling [OR 0.85; 95%-CI (0.64-1.13)]. There was a strong preference for a 4-hour wait than a 2-hour wait for results [OR 1.45; 95%-CI (1.05-2.00)]. There was no treatment option that was significantly different from the others, however there was a strong preference for HCP-initiated partner notification than EPT [OR 1.53; 95%-CI (1.10-2.12)]. Participants were more likely to be members of group 1 than group 2 if they were aged 25-49 years compared to 18-24 years (p=0.001) and receive care from a rural compared to urban facility (p=0.011). Employed individuals were more likely to be in group 2 than group 1 (p=0.038).ConclusionsOur results suggest that health service users preferred to undergo STI testing prior to treatment but there were subgroups who differed on how this should be done. This highlights the need for STI care to be flexible to accommodate different patient choices.

Background Unresectable locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) is generally managed with chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy, but prognosis is poor with a median survival of ∼13 months (or up to 19 months in some studies). We assessed a novel brachytherapy device, using phosphorous-32 (32P) microparticles, combined with standard-of-care chemotherapy. Patients and methods In this international, multicentre, single-arm, open-label pilot study, adult patients with histologically or cytologically proven unresectable LAPC received 32P microparticles, via endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle implantation, planned for week 4 of 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, irinotecan and oxaliplatin (FOLFIRINOX) or gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel chemotherapy, per investigator’s choice. The primary endpoint was safety and tolerability measured using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.0. The lead efficacy endpoint was local disease control rate at 16 weeks. Results Fifty patients were enrolled and received chemotherapy [intention-to-treat (ITT) population]. Forty-two patients received 32P microparticle implantation [per protocol (PP) population]. A total of 1102 treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were reported in the ITT/safety population (956 PP), of which 167 (139 PP) were grade ≥3. In the PP population, 41 TEAEs in 16 (38.1%) patients were possibly or probably related to 32P microparticles or implantation procedure, including 8 grade ≥3 in 3 (7.1%) patients, compared with 609 TEAEs in 42 (100%) patients attributed to chemotherapy, including 67 grade ≥3 in 28 patients (66.7%). The local disease control rate at 16 weeks was 82.0% (95% confidence interval: 68.6% to 90.9%) (ITT) and 90.5% (95% confidence interval: 77.4% to 97.3%) (PP). Tumour volume, carbohydrate antigen 19-9 levels, and metabolic tumour response at week 12 improved significantly. Ten patients (20.0% ITT; 23.8% PP) had surgical resection and median overall survival was 15.2 and 15.5 months for ITT and PP populations, respectively. Conclusions Endoscopic ultrasound-guided 32P microparticle implantation has an acceptable safety profile. This study also suggests clinically relevant benefits of combining 32P microparticles with standard-of-care systemic chemotherapy for patients with unresectable LAPC., Highlights • PanCO is the first prospective study of intratumoural 32P microparticles for locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC). • This single-arm study assessed a novel brachytherapy (32P microparticles) combined with standard-of-care chemotherapy. • Treatment-emergent adverse events attributable to 32P microparticle implantation were relatively infrequent. • Local disease control rate at 16 weeks (82%) and resection rate (20%) suggest a clinical benefit of 32P microparticles. • The results suggest that 32P microparticles may address a significant unmet need in patients with unresectable LAPC.

Introduction The pharynx is an important site with respect to transmission and development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) to gonorrhoea particularly in men who have sex with men. Maintaining culture-based sensitivity testing is important as part of wider efforts to prevent transmission of high level AMR strains of gonorrhoea. The sensitivity of gonorrhoea culture at the pharynx is low and is dependent on several factors including sampling technique by clinicians. There is no consensus on the length of time taken to sample the pharynx for culture. We aimed to explore knowledge of pharyngeal sampling among sexual health clinicians to gain a consensus on optimal time for pharyngeal sampling for gonorrhoea culture specimens. Method An online anonymous survey was sent to clinicians in our local sexual health network. We included pictorial diagrams of the pharynx and asked clinicians which sites in the pharynx they sample and to estimate how long for when taking gonorrhoea culture specimens. Result 110 clinicians responded to the survey of whom 98 regularly take pharyngeal gonorrhoea cultures specimens: 54(55%) had more than 10-years of experience in sexual health. 82(84%) sample the tonsils, 75(77%) sample the posterior pharyngeal wall and 94(96%) sample either the tonsils or the posterior pharyngeal wall. 30(31%) always attempt to elicit the gag reflex and 52(53%) do not. The average time taken sampling the pharynx was 4.63(SD±2.04) seconds. There was no significant difference in time taken to sample the pharynx according to years of experience (4.7(SD±2.02)v4.6(SD±2.3),p=0.45). Conclusion Experienced sexual health clinicians are mostly appropriately sampling the tonsils and posterior pharyngeal wall for gonorrhoea culture specimens, and the median time taken to sample the pharynx was 4.63 seconds. Standardisation of pharyngeal sampling for the pharynx for gonorrhoea culture specimens could improve the sensitivity of culture and educational tools for clinic staff to support this are needed.

Treatment with Panax ginseng has been reported to elicit various biological effects in both animal and human models. Among the reported effects on animal are protein synthesis and growth promoting ability. For a better understanding, the current experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of oral administration of P. ginseng extracts (PGEs) on growth performance parameters of growing New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits. A total of 48 NZW male and female rabbits, with the average age of two months were used for the experiment, conducted in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). The rabbits were organized into 3 groups of 16 rabbits each (8 males and 8 females), on weight equalization basis and randomly assigned to 3 treatments: T1, T2 and T3, containing PGEs at 0.0, 200.0 and 400.0 mg/ml, respectively. Final body weight and total body weight gain of the male rabbits on T2 and T3 were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than those of male rabbits on T1, while feed conversion ratio for the male rabbits recorded a higher (p < 0.05) value in T1 than in T2 and T3, which were similar (p < 0.05). Trunk length and breast girth of the male rabbits were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in T3 than in T1 and T2. Feed intake pattern was similar among the male rabbits, but different between males and females. Significant (p < 0.05) differences were not observed in all parameters measured among female rabbits, but all experimental rabbits followed the same pattern of body weight gain. Oral administration of Panax ginseng extracts at 200 and 400 mg/ml levels enhanced feed conversion ratio in male NZW rabbits, thereby increasing body weight gain, trunk length and breast girth, while feed intake patterns slightly differed between the male and female growing rabbits.

Objectives: To investigate the biochemical effects of oral doses of Piper guineense (P. guineense) leaf extract on female diabetics using experimental animals. Methods: The animals, albino wistar rats, were divided into six groups (n=7). Animals in group 1 received water and feed only. Animals in groups 2 to 6 were induced with diabetes using alloxan. Methanolic leave extracts of P. Guineense were administered to groups 2 to 4 in 40 mg/kg, 80 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg body weights representing low, medium and high doses respectively. Group 5 animals were treated with 10 mg/kg body weight of Glibenclamide (Antidiabetic drug) and group 6 animals were left untreated. All treatments were carried out orally and lasted for a period of 14 days. At the end of the 14 days, the animals were humanely sacrificed through cardiac puncture and the blood samples collected for the analyses of some liver and kidney function parameters using assay kits. Results: The results showed that the oral doses of methanolic leave extract of P. guineense had no negative alterations on the biochemical parameters analyzed namely, 1) Lipid profile (Triglyceride, Low Density Lipoprotein, Total Cholesterol and High Density Lipoprotein levels), 2) electrolytes profile (Sodium, Potassium, Chloride, Bicarbonate, 3) Urea) and 4) Creatinine levels. Furthermore, there was a significant reduction in the urea levels of treated animals and marked but insignificant reduction in the total cholesterol level and increase in High Density Lipoprotein at P

This study was conducted to evaluate the hematological and serum biochemical parameters of growing New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits administered Panax ginseng extracts (PGEs). A total of 48 NZW growing male (M) and female (F) rabbits (24 each) were used and the experiment lasted for 28 days. It was carried out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD), made up of T1 (0.0 mg/ml of PGEs), T2 (200.0 mg/ml of PGEs), and T3 (400.0 mg/ml of PGEs) which was replicated thrice and sex served as the block. Packed cell volume (PCV) (34.03%), red blood cell (RBC) (5.52 × 106/μl), white blood cell (WBC) (7.60 × 103/μl), and heterophil (34.00%) counts of the growing male NZW rabbits were significantly (P

There is no known drug that has prevented or cured reoccurrence of epileptic seizures, hence the need to explore and compare natural remedies that are employed in folkloric treatment of convulsion. The aim of the present was to assess comparatively, the anticonvulsant activity of methanol extracts of Crinum jagus and Solanum indicum. The crude methanol extracts of the bulbs and fruits of C. jagus and S. indicum, respectively, obtained by 72 h maceration in methanol. The extracts were evaluated for anticonvulsant activity using mice and electroconvulsive shock equipment (Ugobasile ECT UNIT 7801). Four groups of six animals each were used for each extract. Group I received no extract serving as control in both cases. Groups II, III and IV received varying concentrations (32.50, 25.50; 41.50, 51.50; and 64.50, 112.50 mg/kg) for C. jagus and S. indicum respectively. All medicaments were protective against electrically induced convulsion. C. jagus showed protection after administration of 64.50 mg/kg body weight while S. indicum was at 112.50 mg/kg body weight. The two extracts justified their use in traditional and folkloric setting with the bulb extract of C. jagus possessing greater anticonvulsant effect than the fruit extract of S. indicum.

This paper focuses on the investigation of GSM networks’ signal strength coverage in rural communities in the South-Eastern region of Nigeria. The Network Cell Info Lite application installed in two Gionee M5 phones was used to carry out measurement of the signal strength received from the transmitting stations of various GSM networks. Signal strength obtained from the application was compared with the Gionee android inbuilt signal meter for authentication purposes. The signal strength measurements were conducted in Amaigbo from 18th August to 26 th August 2018, Uli from 29th August to 6 th September 2018 and Amasa from 8 th September to 16th September 2018, all in South-Eastern region of Nigeria. The data obtained was analyzed to determine the GSM networks coverage levels, the availability of the networks, and the quality of the network provided in the aforementioned rural communities. The result of the study shows that most rural communities in the South-East region of Nigeria, like Amaigbo and Amasa, experiences a lot of periods of out of service as a result of poor network coverage level. It was also observed that in some rural communities in the east with high population density such as Uli, the network coverage level is relatively high. Thus, quality network services were recorded in Uli. It is therefore recommended that more booster stations be sited to enhance good network coverage level in rural communities within the South-Eastern region of Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Despite improvements in multidisciplinary management, patients with biliary tract cancer have a poor outcome. Only 20% of patients are eligible for surgical resection with curative intent, with 5-year overall survival of less than 10% for all patients. To our knowledge, no studies have described a benefit of adjuvant therapy. We aimed to determine whether adjuvant capecitabine improved overall survival compared with observation following surgery for biliary tract cancer.METHODS: This randomised, controlled, multicentre, phase 3 study was done across 44 specialist hepatopancreatobiliary centres in the UK. Eligible patients were aged 18 years or older and had histologically confirmed cholangiocarcinoma or muscle-invasive gallbladder cancer who had undergone a macroscopically complete resection (which includes liver resection, pancreatic resection, or, less commonly, both) with curative intent, and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of less than 2. Patients who had not completely recovered from previous surgery or who had previous chemotherapy or radiotherapy for biliary tract cancer were also excluded. Patients were randomly assigned 1:1 to receive oral capecitabine (1250 mg/m 2 twice daily on days 1–14 of a 21-day cycle, for eight cycles) or observation commencing within 16 weeks of surgery. Treatment was not masked, and allocation concealment was achieved with a computerised minimisation algorithm that stratified patients by surgical centre, site of disease, resection status, and performance status. The primary outcome was overall survival. As prespecified, analyses were done by intention to treat and per protocol. This study is registered with EudraCT, number 2005-003318-13.FINDINGS: Between March 15, 2006, and Dec 4, 2014, 447 patients were enrolled; 223 patients with biliary tract cancer resected with curative intent were randomly assigned to the capecitabine group and 224 to the observation group. The data cutoff for this analysis was March 6, 2017. The median follow-up for all patients was 60 months (IQR 37–60). In the intention-to-treat analysis, median overall survival was 51·1 months (95% CI 34·6–59·1) in the capecitabine group compared with 36·4 months (29·7–44·5) in the observation group (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 0·81, 95% CI 0·63–1·04; p=0·097). In a protocol-specified sensitivity analysis, adjusting for minimisation factors and nodal status, grade, and gender, the overall survival HR was 0·71 (95% CI 0·55–0·92; p=0·010). In the prespecified per-protocol analysis (210 patients in the capecitabine group and 220 in the observation group), median overall survival was 53 months (95% CI 40 to not reached) in the capecitabine group and 36 months (30–44) in the observation group (adjusted HR 0·75, 95% CI 0·58–0·97; p=0·028). In the intention-to-treat analysis, median recurrence-free survival was 24·4 months (95% CI 18·6–35·9) in the capecitabine group and 17·5 months (12·0–23·8) in the observation group. In the per-protocol analysis, median recurrence-free survival was 25·9 months (95% CI 19·8–46·3) in the capecitabine group and 17·4 months (12·0–23·7) in the observation group. Adverse events were measured in the capecitabine group only, and of the 213 patients who received at least one cycle, 94 (44%) had at least one grade 3 toxicity, the most frequent of which were hand-foot syndrome in 43 (20%) patients, diarrhoea in 16 (8%) patients, and fatigue in 16 (8%) patients. One (INTERPRETATION: Although this study did not meet its primary endpoint of improving overall survival in the intention-to-treat population, the prespecified sensitivity and per-protocol analyses suggest that capecitabine can improve overall survival in patients with resected biliary tract cancer when used as adjuvant chemotherapy following surgery and could be considered as standard of care. Furthermore, the safety profile is manageable, supporting the use of capecitabine in this setting.FUNDING: Cancer Research UK and Roche.

This study assessed the comparatively antimicrobial activity of ethanol extracts of Commiphora Africana and Boswellia dalzielii. The crude ethanol extracts of their dried stem bark were obtained by macerating powdered in ethanol for 72 h. The extracts were evaluated using modified agar-well diffusion technique. All extracts showed strong activity against the test gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms. C. Africana (IZD, 20 mm and 15 mm) exhibited greater potency than B. dalzialii (IZD, 12 mm and 10 mm) against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa, respectively at the same concentration (100 mg/mL). S. aureus showed greatest susceptibility while P. aeruginosa was the least for both extracts. The stem bark extract of C. Africana possess greater antimicrobial activity compared to B. dalzielii.

Earth resources are the essential basis for an economy of a country and well-being of her citizens. Their exploitation is a key factor in economic growth and development of the nation, but one that can have serious negative environmental and socio-economic impacts. Therefore it is important to understand their origin/occurrence and exploitation in terms of environmental sustainability. The human society has profited from exploitation of earth resources, precisely when energy use became much more efficient during the industrial era. Some of these earth resources (renewable and non-renewable) are oil and gas, coal, water, metal ore, wind, air etc. and their methods of exploitation are surface and subsurface mining methods [1]. Thus the geological perspectives of earth resources refer to origin and occurrence of these earth resources while the engineering perspectives refer to the processes involved in the extraction (mining), processing and utilization of the resources. To fulfill the requirement of sustainable development, the efficiency with which resources are utilized has to be improved. The main concerns associated with earth resources, therefore, are generally the costs and environmental impacts of extracting, transporting, and refining them. The economics of earth resources deals with the supply, demand and allocation of the resources.

BackgroundUniversal antiretroviral therapy (ART), as per the 2015 WHO recommendations, might reduce population HIV incidence. We investigated the effect of universal test and treat on HIV acquisition at population level in a high prevalence rural region of South Africa.MethodsWe did a phase 4, open-label, cluster randomised trial of 22 communities in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. We included individuals residing in the communities who were aged 16 years or older. The clusters were composed of aggregated local areas (neighbourhoods) that had been identified in a previous study in the Hlabisa subdistrict. The study statisticians randomly assigned clusters (1:1) with MapInfo Pro (version 11.0) to either the control or intervention communities, stratified on the basis of antenatal HIV prevalence. We offered residents repeated rapid HIV testing during home-based visits every 6 months for about 4 years in four clusters, 3 years in six clusters, and 2 years in 12 clusters (58 cluster-years) and referred HIV-positive participants to trial clinics for ART (fixed-dose combination of tenofovir, emtricitabine, and efavirenz) regardless of CD4 cell count (intervention) or according to national guidelines (initially ≤350 cells per μL and FindingsBetween March 9, 2012, and June 30, 2016, we contacted 26 518 (93%) of 28 419 eligible individuals. Of 17 808 (67%) individuals with a first negative dried blood spot test, 14 223 (80%) had subsequent dried blood spot tests, of whom 503 seroconverted after follow-up of 22 891 person-years. Estimated HIV incidence was 2·11 per 100 person-years (95% CI 1·84–2·39) in the intervention group and 2·27 per 100 person-years (2·00–2·54) in the control group (adjusted hazard ratio 1·01, 95% CI 0·87–1·17; p=0·89). We documented one case of suicidal attempt in a woman following HIV seroconversion. 128 patients on ART had 189 life-threatening or grade 4 clinical events: 69 (4%) of 1652 in the control group and 59 (4%) of 1367 in the intervention group (p=0·83).InterpretationThe absence of a lowering of HIV incidence in universal test and treat clusters most likely resulted from poor linkage to care. Policy change to HIV universal test and treat without innovation to improve health access is unlikely to reduce HIV incidence.FundingANRS, GiZ, and 3ie.

Aims: This study is designed to identify minor bioactive compounds present in 80% aqueous-methanol chloroform fraction of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius (CA) air-dried leaves using proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H NMR) spectrometry. Methodology: The air-dried leaves of CA were pulverized and Soxhlet-extracted with aqueous-methanol (1:4, v/v). The dried leaf extract obtained was purified in chloroform and analyzed with 1H NMR- spectrometry using dimethyl sulphoxide solvent. Results: The proton NMR spectra were interpreted to indicate the presence of major phytochemicals like flavonoids, anthraquinones anthranoids), saponins and alkaloids with their minor bioactive compounds. Some of the identified compounds included eupafolin, hispidulin, oleonolic acid, β-sitosterol, isoquecetin, kaempferol 3-O- gentiobioside, rhamnopyranosyl-(1)-glucopyranosyl-(1)-glucopyranoside, Seneciomine, Retrorsine and Seneciphylline. Conclusion: The proton NMR-spectrometry characterized and aided the identification of phyto-compounds present in chloroform fraction of C. aconitifolius leaf extract. These phytochemicals could be medicinally and toxicologically potent and responsible for the reported effects of the extract. However, bioassay-guided fractionation using HPTLC is still recommended for better extrapolations.

Background: Diabetes is an umbrella term for a number of metabolic diseases that affects the body’s ability to control blood glucose levels. The hormone insulin is produced in the pancreas, and helps to metabolize glucose for energy. Diabetes occurs when insulin production is impaired. Objective: The present study was to examine the effect of smoking on type 2 diabetic patients visiting Federal Medical Centre. Materials and Methods: The sample size was 97 respondents while the major instrument for data collection was a well constructed, validated and reliably tested questionnaire, including observations made on secondary existing record data of the hospital. Data obtained was analyzed using frequency distribution, means, standard deviation and fisher’s exact test. Results: Results of the study indicated that majority of the diabetic patients 78(80.4%) were non smokers, while 8(8.2%) and 11(11.3%) respondents were current and past smokers respectively. Maintainance of good glycaemic control should be considered as the therapeutic goal for prevention of diabetic complications. Conclusion: A comprehensive programmes should be initiated to prevent smoking in type 2 diabetic patients such as: regular physical activity, health education on diabetes, smoking cessation, home blood sugar monitoring - minimize smoking impact to body organs that may lead to many complications. Asian Journal of Medical Science, Volume-5(3) 2014: 63-71 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ajms.v5i3.8950

Background and context: Prostate cancer is the commonest cancer affecting Nigerian men, with worse outcome compared with men from the developed world. There is limited public awareness about prostate cancer in Nigeria. Oga Blue 4 Prostate Awareness (OB4PA) was created by a consortium of Nigerian nonprofits for prostate cancer advocacy (PCA). Aims: -Design PCA using videos, printed brochure and social media -Implement PCA in five Nigerian states -Evaluate the reach and impact of PCA campaign Program/Policy process: Community-based participatory process, involving the medical community, prostate cancer survivor, and the public was used. Multimedia teaching was used to enhance learning and retention; social media was used to engage groups and individuals. Content development involved iterative consultation among project leaders, medical experts and target audience, often on social media. High-quality teaching videos were recorded in English and Nigerian Pidgin languages. Videos ensured consistency and ease of broadcast. Videos were accessed by OB4PA partners through cloud computing (OneDrive). Facebook was used to promote the campaign, engage local audience, and for Facebook Live presentation. Local health professionals projected the video in appropriate language to audiences in religious and community groups. Brochure detailing clinical features and local service providers was distributed. Audience evaluation was obtained following each interaction. Outcomes: In 6 weeks, 20 presentations were made to 1800 persons. The Facebook Live presentation had 1500 views, reached 9302 people and was shared 107 times. A total of 25 Facebook posts were made, resulting in 628 like, 1908 video views, 160 shares, and reached 14,222 people. Almost all participants had positive feedback on the free and detailed advocacy. Most questions focused on the causes and prevention of prostate cancer, especially on the use of nutritional supplements. What was learned: Cloud computing enabled us to have one presenter; this eliminated the need to find a presenter for each organization. Audience appreciated simplified videos used in explaining the disease process and need for personalized early detection. Facebook live presentation attracted the most reactions on social media, with most comments showing that people liked the intervention. Audience feedback showed that adding advocacy cellphone video by a survivor helped demystify prostate cancer. Having the main presentation video in different file formats and sizes enhanced sharing on social media, as most Nigerians access the Internet on cell phones. Reliable access to projectors was challenging, especially in remote areas. Overall, use of cloud computing and social media were crucial in the success of the PCA project. Lessons from OB4PA informed the design of the current We Can, I Can Conquer Cervical Cancer Awareness project in Nigeria.

The primary purpose of this paper is to adequately motivate the biomedical engineering community, especially from the developed countries to help develop and strengthen biomedical engineering in the developing countries. Specific challenges were identified in the WC2006 and WC2009 where the primary author noted that many of the developing countries, especially those of the sub-Saharan Africa were note usually represented due mainly to those factors that made them really developing. Nevertheless, a few organisations from the developed countries have strengthened and will continue to strengthen biomedical engineering in the developing countries. A few of them have been taken as a case study in this paper including Global Assistance for Medical Equipment (GAME), World Health Organisation (WHO), Northwestern University, USA and Engineering World Health (EWH), USA. Though, this few is not enough, especially as the strengthening is not equitably distributed in some cases. The various programmes from the developed countries targeted to the developing nations are so nice. In particular those of the EWH for the developing countries are strategic, especially for the activities of the IFMBE Working Group on Developing Countries.

This study was aimed at evaluating the relationship between body mass index, sex hormones and semen characteristics in male adults. 120 male adults aged 20 to 50 years who consented to participate in the study were used. Serum samples collected from each subject were analyzed for luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin (PRL), progesterone, estradiol and testosterone by classical ELISA method. Semen samples obtained by masturbation after 72 hours of abstinence were analyzed for sperm count and motility. The results showed statistically significant correlations at 99% confidence level between body mass index and serum concentrations of progesterone and oestradiol and sperm count. No significant correlations were observed between body mass index and sperm motility, serum concentrations of prolactin, testosterone and luteinizing hormone. In conclusion, this study has shown that statistically significant correlations exist between body mass index, semen characteristics and male sex hormones and may broaden our understanding of the physiology of male fertility/infertility.

We compared morbidities in HIV-1-infected patients before and after the introduction of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in a rural Ugandan cohort followed from 1990 to 2008. ART was introduced in 2004.Random-effects Poisson regression models were used to estimate incidence rates of World Health Organization (WHO) stage-defining diseases in HIV-infected individuals aged 13 years or older with known seroconversion dates, and in an age-stratified sample of HIV-negative individuals.The most common morbid event was bacterial pneumonia, with an incidence of 7.4/100 person-years (pyr) among 309 HIV seroconverters and 1.3/100 pyr among 348 HIV-negative participants [hazard ratio (HR) 5.64; 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.6-8.8]. Among seroconverters, the incidence of the acquisition of any WHO stage-defining disease rose from 14.4/100 pyr (95% CI 11.1-18.6) in 1990-1998 to 46.0/100 pyr (95% CI 37.7-56.0) in 1999-2003. Following the introduction of ART, the incidence among seroconverters declined to 36.4/100 pyr (95% CI 27.1-48.9) in 2004-2005 and to 28.3/100 pyr (95% CI 21.2-37.8) in 2006-2008. At the individual level, a higher rate of acquiring any WHO stage-defining disease was independently associated with lower CD4 cell count, longer duration of HIV infection and older age. In addition, individuals who had been on ART for longer than 12 months had a substantially lower rate of any WHO stage disease than those not yet on ART (adjusted HR 0.35; 95% CI 0.2-0.6).Morbidity in HIV-positive participants decreased following the introduction of ART, and this decline was more marked with increasing duration on ART. The benefits of decreased HIV-related morbidity from ART lend support to urgent efforts to ensure universal access to early diagnosis of HIV infection and to ART, especially in rural Africa.