Statistical analyses of the physiochemical properties of derived savanna, rainforest landscapes of Delta State Nigeria

The derived savanna landscape of Delta state situated within the rainforest region are always considered with apathy as they are viewed as idle, marginalized or abandoned landscapes. The study therefore focused on statistical analysis of the physiochemical properties of the derived savanna, rainforest and fallow landscapes of Delta state. The statistical analysis gave impetus for the derivation of Soil Fertility Index (SFI). The hypothesis formulated to guide the study was tested using the one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). This was used to test the variation between soil physiochemical parameters of the various landscapes at 0.05 significance level. Specifically, the study found out that the physiochemical parameters of the landscapes studied are significantly correlated. Thus, implying basic similarities in soil fertility and soil constituent tendencies between the landscapes.

Formulation and evaluation of proniosome loaded sertaconazole nitrate for topical application

Proniosomal technology is a novel solution for poorly soluble drugs. Proniosomes are water-soluble carrier particles which are coated with non-ionic surfactants. Proniosomal gels were prepared by coacervation phase separation method using non-ionic surfactants, lipid carriers and cholesterol as a membrane stabilizer. FTIR compatibility studies revealed that the drug and excipients were compatible. All formulations were evaluated for pH, drug content, extrudability, spreadability, viscosity, in-vitro, ex-vivo, skin irritation and stability studies. Among formulations prepared, F80H1 has shown higher % EE (83.02) and least diffusion through dialysis membrane i.e., 17.68%. With ex-vivo studies, F80H1 formulation has shown highest skin deposition and lower flux of sertaconazole nitrate through the rat skin. F80H1 was selected as final optimized formulation. F80H1 exhibited good stability and SEM studies revealed that the vesicles were spherical in shape. The optimized formulation was found to follow zero order release kinetics and korsmeyer-peppas release mechanism. F80H1 found to be non-irritant and stable from skin irritation and stability studies.

Microscopic features and phytochemistry of two Congolese medicinal plants: Aframomum alboviolaceum (Ridley) K. Schum, and Aframomum angustifolium (Sonn.) K. Schum. (Zingiberaceae).

The leaves and seeds of Aframomum alboviolaceum and Aframomum angustifolium are specifically used by traditional healers in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for the treatment of several pathologies. The aim of present study was to determine the microscopic characteristics and phytochemical composition of these species of the genus Aframomum. The microscopic study of these plants revealed the presence of punctate vessels, fiber cluster with calcium oxalate crystals, isolated unicellular hair, fibers, starch grains, spiral vessel fragments, fiber fragments, and indistinct parenchyma fragments. Phytochemical screening revealed several chemical groups such as phenolic acids, flavonoids, coumarins, alkaloids, terpenes, iridoids, saponins etc. The determination of total polyphenols, flavonoids and tannins gave contents ranging from 14.95 ± 0.45 and 63.98 ± 2.04 mgGAE/g, 0.16 ± 0.01 and 10.68 ± 0.32 mgQE/g and between 1.28 ± 0.03 and 28.51 ± 0.56 mg CAE/g respectively. In general, the leaves are richer in secondary metabolites, polyphenols, flavonoids and tannin than the seeds. Both plants also contain iron, magnesium, calcium and sodium. To our knowledge, this is the first time that histological elements have been identified in the leaves and seeds of A. angustifolium.

Effect of honey on performance and hematological parameters of broilers and Nigerian local chickens

A six week feeding trail was conducted to investigate the effect of honey on the performance and haematological parameters of broilers and Nigerian Local Chickens. The experiment was conducted at the Niger Delta University, Faculty of Agriculture Teaching and Research Farm. Sixty (60) day old chicks which consisted of three treatments, 20 broilers, 20 normal feather and 20 naked neck genotypes were used with each of the genotype having control. Feed and water were given ad-libitum. The experimental birds for the broiler and naked neck genotypes had the highest significant values compared to the control which had significant difference (P<0.05) in their performance, while the control of the normal feather genotype had the highest significant values compared to the experimental birds but there was no significant difference (P>0.05) in their performance. The broiler birds had the highest significant values compared to normal feather and naked neck genotypes and there was a significant difference (P<0.05) in their performance. The effect of honey on haematological parameters showed that there was a significant difference (P<0.05) in White blood cell, neutrophils, lymphocyte, monocyte, eosinophile and basophile of broiler birds, in normal feather, white blood cell, neutrophile and lymphocyte differed significantly (P<0.05) and there was a significant difference (P<0.05) in neutrophile and lymphocyte in the experimental and control for naked neck genotype. In conclusion, the study revealed that the inclusion of honey caused a positive effect on the performance of broilers and naked neck, but showed no effect or reduction in performance in normal feather genotype.

GeneXpert contribution in the diagnosis of multi-resistant tuberculosis in new cases at the National University Hospital Centre of Pneumo-Phtisiology of Cotonou (Benin)

The diagnosis of bacteriologically confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis in Benin and in other developing countries relies on the search for acid-fast bacilli through microscopy despite its limited sensitivity. The objective of this study is to evaluate the contribution of the Xpert test in the diagnosis of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in all new suspects received at the Centre National Hospitalier Universitaire de Pneumo-Phtisiologie de Cotonou (CNHU-PPC) of Benin. The biological material consisted of sputum from new suspected TB patients received at CNHU-PPC during the third quarter of 2018. A total of two thousand three hundred and seventy-five (2375) suspected patients were included in the study, of which 52% were men and 48% were women. The most representative age range was 15-24 years, 28%. GeneXpert was able to diagnose pulmonary tuberculosis in 10.02% of patients, including 9.7% rifampicin-susceptible and 0.3% rifampicin-resistant patients who could not be detected by microscopy. This molecular diagnostic tool is of great value for the diagnosis of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in new suspects.

Economic analysis of cassava production in Ogbia Local Government Area, Bayelsa State

The study was carried out to analyze “the Economics of cassava production in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Nigeria”. The specific objectives of the study were to describe the socio-economic characteristics of cassava farmers; analyze costs and returns of producing cassava; determine technical efficiency; determine factors influencing technical efficiency of cassava farmers; and Identify constraints associated with cassava production in the study area. The sample of (94) cassava farmers was drawn from (10) communities in Ogbia and structured questionnaires were administered. Descriptive statistics, Translog Stochastic Frontier Production Model (SFPM) and budgetary model were used to analyze the data. Female (87.23%) dominated cassava production. 74% falls within the age of 21-50 years. Majority were married (65%) and 54.26% had a family size of 6-10. 52.13% of the respondents were basically farmers and all of them get there source of income for farming from personal savings and 72.34% used both family and hired labour in the production of cassava with 58.51% of them having farm size ≤0.5. The study further reveals that the gross margin was ₦521,313.50 and the profitability index was 64.07, while the rate of return on investment was 178.31, benefit-cost ratio of 2.8 proving the viability of cassava production in the study area. Lack of credit facilities, high spread of disease, lack of land were the major constraints faced by the farmers. Loans and grants should be made available to farmers either by government agencies or rather programs to fund cassava production should be created.

Manifestation of cardiopulmonary exercise testing in an HIV-infected patient with highly active anti-retroviral therapy: A Case Report

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that causes severe immunodeficiency syndrome in most patients if left untreated. It has been a reportable disease in Taiwan since 1984, and was diagnosed in 41,679 patients until June 2020. However, there is no previous study evaluating aerobic capacity in HIV-infected patient in Taiwan. Case report: A 50-year-old male with HIV infection visited our rehabilitation center for cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) due to dyspnea on exertion sometimes. He received a highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) regimen since 2015. He could achieve VO2max during CPET. The maximal aerobic ability was about 91.95% of the predicted, and functional aerobic impairment (FAI) was within normal limit. His VO2 peak was 8.3 MET, equal to 29.05 mL/kg/min. Additionally, VO2 AT was 4.5 MET, equal to 15.75 mL/kg/min. We make recommendations of physical exercise training program according to CPET results. Conclusion: The difference of disease duration, HAART regimen and time of HAART will affect the cardiopulmonary fitness results. However, our HIV-infected patient showed normal aerobic fitness following the CPET, and aerobic capacity did not impair in HIV-infected patient receiving HAART due to personalized life-style modification.

Anxiety and change in eating habits and health behaviors among adult women during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in Alexandria, Egypt

Background: COVID-19 pandemic is the major health problem facing the world recently, causing variable effects on mental health and eating behavior. Aim of the study: Identifying changes in eating pattern and other health behaviors in relation to the anxiety caused by the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in adult females in Alexandria, Egypt. Method: 344 adult females (20+ years old), were included in online self-administered questionnaire. Results: Severe anxiety symptoms was among 34.6% of the studied females especially; those aged 25-40 years, married, non-working or student females, females who had change in their work routine (half or full time from home). Homemade pastries and bakery product then beverages followed by fresh fruits and vegetables were frequently consumed by the studied females than before lockdown while fast foods were decreased during lockdown. Overweight and obesity were high among most of the participants with different grades of anxiety symptoms. Females with moderate and severe anxiety symptoms reported increase in appetite and body weight with irregular sleeping during lockdown. Conclusion: The current study concluded that stressful situations like lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic is associated with anxiety (severe, moderate, mild then minimal, respectively) along with changes in eating habits, physical activity, sleeping pattern and smoking.