Adoption of Improved Herbicides Spraying Technology among Farmers in Ayamelum L.G.A of Anambra State, Nigeria

The study analysed the position of the farmers in Ayamelum L.G.A. of Anambra State in the adoption of improved herbicide spraying technique. A total of one hundred (100) herbicide sprayers were selected using multi-stage random sampling technique for the detailed study. Data for the study were generated through the use of structured questionnaire and oral interview during the 2010-2011 cropping season. Descriptive statistics such as percentage was used to determine the socio-economic characteristics of the farmers and constraints to their adoption of herbicide spraying technique. Logit analytical model was used to determine the levels of farmers’ adoption of the technology. The major findings of the study indicated that farmers had positive attitude towards adoption. The result further revealed that income, educational level, membership of cooperative societies/organization and extension contact were the major determinants of adoption. The major constraints to herbicide technology transfer were; poor extension contact, inadequate fund and low literary level of the respondents. Considering the impact of the aforementioned variables on the adoption process, the need to increase farmers’ access to; agricultural credit scheme, extension contact and education should be intensified

Type 2 diabetes, socioeconomic status and life expectancy in Scotland (2012-2014):a population-based observational study

Aims/hypothesis: The aim of this study was to assess the role of socioeconomic status (SES) in the associations between type 2 diabetes and life expectancy in a complete national population. Methods: An observational population-based cohort study was performed using the Scottish Care Information – Diabetes database. Age-specific life expectancy (stratified by SES) was calculated for all individuals with type 2 diabetes in the age range 40–89 during the period 2012–2014, and for the remaining population of Scotland aged 40–89 without type 2 diabetes. Differences in life expectancy between the two groups were calculated. Results: Results were based on 272,597 individuals with type 2 diabetes and 2.75 million people without type 2 diabetes (total for 2013, the middle calendar year of the study period). With the exception of deprived men aged 80–89, life expectancy in people with type 2 diabetes was significantly reduced (relative to the type 2 diabetes-free population) at all ages and levels of SES. Differences in life expectancy ranged from −5.5 years (95% CI −6.2, −4.8) for women aged 40–44 in the second most-deprived quintile of SES, to 0.1 years (95% CI −0.2, 0.4) for men aged 85–89 in the most-deprived quintile of SES. Observed life-expectancy deficits in those with type 2 diabetes were generally greater in women than in men. Conclusions/interpretation: Type 2 diabetes is associated with reduced life expectancy at almost all ages and levels of SES. Elimination of life-expectancy deficits in individuals with type 2 diabetes will require prevention and management strategies targeted at all social strata (not just deprived groups)

Toxicity studies in rats fed nature cure bitters

Graded doses of Nature Cure Bitters (NCB) were administered daily (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg p.o) to rats for 28 days and the effects on body weight, organ weight, clinical signs, gross pathology, haematology, histology and serum biochemical parameters were evaluated. The relative weights of the heart, liver and testes of treated rats were unaffected in contrast to a significant increase in the relative weights of the lungs, kidneys and spleen. The packed cell volume and haemoglobin concentrations were significantly reduced whereas total leucocyte counts and glucose levels were remarkably increased. A significant decrease in alkaline phosphatase occurred in all the groups but alanine aminotransferase and albumin levels were significantly elevated. NCB elicited hypo-cholesterolaemic effects in addition to lowering urea, uric acid, BUN and total protein concentrations. Histological findings did not reveal any treatment-related effects. The calculated therapeutic index was >37.5. These preliminary results suggest that NCB was not likely to produce severe toxicological effects on organ weights, haematological and biochemical indices when given at normal therapeutic doses. Key Words: Nature Cure Bitters, organ weight; pathology, haematology; serum biochemistry. African Journal of Biotechnology Vol.4(1) 2005: 72-7

Status of the use and compliance with malaria rapid diagnostic tests in formal private health facilities in Nigeria

BACKGROUND: Nigeria has the largest number of malaria-related deaths, accounting for a third of global malaria deaths. It is important that the country attains universal coverage of key malaria interventions, one of which is the policy of universal testing before treatment, which the country has recently adopted. However, there is a dearth of data on its implementation in formal private health facilities, where close to a third of the population seek health care. This study identified the level of use of malaria rapid diagnostic testing (RDT), compliance with test results and associated challenges in the formal private health facilities in Nigeria. METHODS: A cross-sectional study that involved a multi-stage, random sampling of 240 formal private health facilities from the country’s six geo-political zones was conducted from July to August 2014. Data were collected using health facility records, healthcare workers’ interviews and an exit survey of febrile patients seen at the facilities, in order to determine fever prevalence, level of testing of febrile patience, compliance with test results, and health workers’ perceptions to RDT use. RESULTS: Data from the 201 health facilities analysed indicated a fever prevalence of 38.5 % (112,521/292,430). Of the 2077 exit interviews for febrile patients, malaria testing was ordered in 73.8 % (95 % CI 71.7–75.7 %). Among the 1270 tested, 61.8 % (719/1270) were tested with microscopy and 38.2 % (445/1270) with RDT. Compliance to malaria test result [administering arteminisin-based combination therapy (ACT) to positive patients and withholding ACT from negative patients] was 80.9 % (95 % CI 78.7–83 %). Compliance was not influenced by the age of patients or type of malaria test. The health facilities have various cadres of the health workers knowledgeable on RDT with 70 % knowing the meaning, while 84.5 % knew what it assesses. However, there was clearly a preference for microscopy as only 20 % reported performing only RDT. CONCLUSION: In formal private health facilities in Nigeria there is a high rate of malaria testing for febrile patients, high level of compliance with test results but relatively low level of RDT utilization. This calls for improved engagement of the formal private health sector with a view to achieving universal coverage targets on malaria testing

Prevalence and Predictors of Diarrhoea in Under-Fives Presenting with Malaria in University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria

Introduction: Malaria and diarrhoea are the two of the most common childhood killer diseases world-wide. There have been varying findings from published data on the interaction between malaria and diarrhoea.Objective: To determine the prevalence and to identify predictors of diarrhoea in under-fives with malaria.Subjects and Methods: Subjects were children (6 months – 59 months) diagnosed with malaria using blood film microscopy seen from June 2012 to July 2013 in University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria. Interviewer administered-questionnaires were used to obtain data from caregivers about symptoms of malaria and diarrhoea. Malaria was categorized as complicated or uncomplicated using the World Health Organization criteria.Results: Two hundred well-nourished children [male 118 (59.0%); female 82 (41.0%)] malaria positive children; mean ± (SD) age 20.8 ± 14.2 months were recruited for this study. Prevalence of diarrhoea in malaria was 33.5%. Age was significantly associated with the presence of diarrhoea in children with malaria; infants (aged 6 – 11 months) (49.5%) being significantly more likely to have malaria-diarrhoea co-morbidity (β = -0.04, OR = 1.0, p = 0.002). The mean ± (SD) parasite count of children with malaria-diarrhoea co-morbidity (2085.82 ± 1500.02 per μL) was higher than those with malaria and no diarrhoea (1828.65 ± 1216.66 parasites per μL). Severe anaemia, hyperpyrexia and multiple convulsions significantly predicted diarrhoea as co-morbidity in children with malaria.Conclusion: A significant proportion of under-fives with malaria also had diarrhoea. Infants and children with malaria associated with severe anaemia, hyperpyrexia and multiple convulsions are more likely to have diarrhoea as co-morbidity.Keywords: co-morbidity, diarrhoea, malaria, microscop

Carbon Monoxide Decreases Leukocytosis in Murine Sickle Cell Disease Models Via Decreased Granulopoiesis.

Abstract Elevated white blood cell counts (WBC) in sickle cell disease (SCD) are risk factors for morbid vaso-occlusive events including acute chest syndrome and stroke. The mechanisms of leukocytosis in SCD include increased inflammation, oxidative stress, increased hematopoiesis, and hyposplenism. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) plays critical roles in metabolizing the excess heme generated during hemolysis and in modulating vaso-occlusion in murine models of sickle cell disease (SCD). The products of HO-1 activity, carbon monoxide (CO), Fe2+/ferritin, and biliverdin/bilirubin have demonstrable anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. We have previously demonstrated that inhaled CO treatments decrease white blood cell counts (WBC), as well as liver redox-active iron and heme content in heterozygous BERK mice, a mouse model for sickle cell trait. To dissect the mechanism of this decrease in leukocytosis, we hypothesize that prolonged treatment with inhaled CO significantly decreases granulopoiesis in SCD mice. For this study, we exposed S+S-Antilles mice to 250 ppm inhaled CO for 1h 3X/week for 8–10 weeks. Upon completion of the treatment period animals were euthanized, blood was removed by cardiac puncture, and bone marrow and organs were harvested for analysis. Treatment for 10 weeks with 250 ppm CO significantly decreased total WBC (19.19±1.29 × 1000/ul (untreated) to 12.8±1.30 × 1000/ul (CO treated), p&amp;lt;0.05). The decrement in total WBC count was primarily due to a significant decrease in neutrophils (p&amp;lt;0.05) and lymphocytes (p&amp;lt;0.005), There was no significant change in the reticulocyte count, hematocrit, or bilirubin in CO-treated animals compared to controls. The spleens of the control and CO-treated animals had similar weights but no differences in their histopathology, ruling out the possibility of increased sequestration as a cause of the decrease in total WBC. Bone marrow staining reveals that CO-treated mice have a significant decrease in polymorphonuclear (PMN) precursors in bone marrow (p&amp;lt;0.05). Flow cytometry on bone marrow stained for hematopoietic markers CD117, CD45R/B220, SCA1, CD90.1, and CD135 demonstrates a significant (p&amp;lt;0.005) decrease in common lymphoid progenitor (CLP) and common myeloid progenitor (CMP) cells in CO-treated animals compared to controls. Flow cytometry for myeloperoxidase (MPO) and the granulocyte differentiation marker GR-1 (Ly-6G/6C) also demonstrates a significant (p&amp;lt;0.05) decrease in mature granulocytes cells in CO-treated mice. Colony-forming cell (CFC) assays verify the flow cytometry data, with a significant decrease (p&amp;lt;0.05) in CFU-GM in 250 ppm treated bone marrow compared to controls. Consistent with the lack of effect on hematocrit, CO had minimal effects on the erythroid marrow compartment since total CD71 positive erythroid cells were unchanged. In summary, we conclude that inhaled CO treatments decrease total WBC by decreasing granulopoiesis. We speculate that inhaled CO treatments may be a potential therapy for patients with SCD by acting as a modulator of oxidative stress and inflammation.</jats:p

Full Length Research Paper - Toxicity studies in rats fed nature cure bitters

Graded doses of Nature Cure Bitters (NCB) were administered daily (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg p.o) to rats for 28 days and the effects on body weight, organ weight, clinical signs, gross pathology, haematology, histology and serum biochemical parameters were evaluated. The relative weights of the heart, liver and testes of treated rats were unaffected in contrast to a significant increase in the relative weights of the lungs, kidneys and spleen. The packed cell volume and haemoglobin concentrations were significantly reduced whereas total leucocyte counts and glucose levels were remarkably increased. A significant decrease in alkaline phosphatase occurred in all the groups but alanine aminotransferase and albumin levels were significantly elevated. NCB elicited hypo-cholesterolaemic effects in addition to lowering urea, uric acid, BUN and total protein concentrations. Histological findings did not reveal any treatment-related effects. The calculated therapeutic index was >37.5. These preliminary results suggest that NCB was not likely to produce severe toxicological effects on organ weights, haematological and biochemical indices when given at normal therapeutic doses

Evaluation of the capacity of Pediatricians in Nigeria to conduct research: A nationwide survey

Abstract: Background Research is key to quality healthcare. Clinicians should possess adequate research capacity to generate evidence. This study aimed to evaluate the research capacity of pediatricians in Nigeria. Methods: The study was a cross- sectional using a questionnaire developed from the Research Capacity Assessment Framework. Information on previous research work, challenges encountered, and utilization of research outcome were obtained. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 20. Qualitative variables were grouped under thematic headings. Results: Paediatricians who had received grants for research were 21 (19.4%). Those whose research outcomes had informed policy and practice were 20 (18.2%). Less than 40% of the participants had received training on research capacity areas. Conclusion: The research capacity among pediatricians was low partly due to underfunding and lack of research training programs. Improvement on government fund allocation for research and introduction of short research trainings programs will improve research capacity in Nigeria

Evaluation of the capacity of Pediatricians in Nigeria to conduct research: A nationwide survey

Background: Research is key to quality healthcare. Clinicians should possess adequate research capacity to generate evidence. This study aimed to evaluate the research capacity of pediatricians in Nigeria.Methods: The study was a crosssectional using a questionnaire developed from the Research Capacity Assessment Framework. Information on previous research work, challenges encountered, and utilization of research outcome were obtained. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 20.Qualitative variables were grouped under thematic headings.Results: Paediatricians who had received grants for research were 21 (19.4%). Those whose research outcomes had informed policy and practice were 20 (18.2%). Less than 40% of the participants had received training on research capacity areas.Conclusion: The research capacity among pediatricians was low partly due to underfunding and lack of research training programs. Improvement on government fund allocation for research and introduction of short research trainings programs will improve research capacity in Nigeria. Key words: Clinical research; Pediatrician; Research Capacity; Policy-Practice Chang