The prescribing of generic medicines in Nigeria : knowledge, perceptions and attitudes of physicians

Generic medicines have the same efficacy and safety as originators at lower prices. However, there are concerns with their utilization in Nigeria. Evaluate physicians’ understanding and perception of generics. Questionnaire among physicians working in tertiary healthcare facilities in four geo-political regions of Nigeria. Response was 74.3% (191/257) among mainly males (85.9%). The mean knowledge score regarding generics was 5.3 (maximum of 9) with 36.6%, 36.1% and 27.2% having poor, average and good knowledge respectively. Cross-tabulation showed statistical significance (P = 0.047) with the duration of practice but not with position, subspecialty or sex. The majority did not agree that generic medicines are of lower quality than branded medicines. Therapeutic failure was a major concern in 82.7%, potentially discouraging prescribing of generics. Majority (63.9%) did not support generic substitution by pharmacists. Knowledge gaps were identified especially with the perception of generics. These need to be addressed

In vivo Evaluation of Microorganisms Isolated from Peels of Selected Carbohydrate Rich Tubers

Aims: To detect the effect of microbes isolated from peels of Carbohydrate-rich tubers on Albino rats. Study Design: The study was a comparative and descriptive study. Cassava and cocoyam peels were bought from Obanla market, Federal University of Technology, Akure. Those samples were put into a sterile polythene bag and transported to microbiology laboratory for microbiological analysis. Place and Duration of Study: Microbiology Laboratory, Elizade University, Department of Animal Production and Health Research Laboratory, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State. The study was performed between September, 2015 and March, 2016 Methodology: Two gram of the samples was grounded in a mortar with pestle. The serial dilution method was aseptically used to reduce the microbial load present in the collected samples. Nutrient agar and potato dextrose agar were used to isolate the bacteria and fungi respectively from the samples under aseptic condition. Biochemical tests and sugar fermentation were carried out on the bacterial isolates after pure culture was obtained. Results: The isolated bacteria were Streptococcus faecalis, Corynebacterium fascians, Micrococcus luteus, Alcaligenes faecalis and Aeromonas hydrophila. Fungal isolates were identified using lactophenol cotton blue. Fungi isolated includes: Articulospora inflata, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, Geotrichum albidum, Torula herbarum and Halosporangium panum. All the bacteria isolates were used to infect Albino rat. The uninfected rats were used as control. The histopathological and haematological analysis carried out on liver and intestine of the albino rats showed that the microorganisms caused a pathological change that ranges from necrosis of the liver hepatocytes, hepatocellular drainage and hemorrhage to vacuolation and inflammatory cell infiltrations of the intestinal wall. Conclusion: This study has shown that cassava and cocoyam peels can act as vehicles for disseminations of pathogenic microorganisms and should therefore be properly disposed

Disaggregated Public Expenditure Patterns and Private Investment Outcomes in Nigeria

This study sought to find out the extent of relationship (if any) between the short- and long-term effects of the disaggregated component of government expenditure on private investments. Using the Auto Regressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model, the study determined that components of both recurrent expenditure and capital expenditure are significant determinants of the relationships with private investment in the long run only. The results indicates that there is a significant crowding-in effect between components of government expenditure and private investments in Nigeria. This is consistent with the Keynesian school, particular for Nigeria’s economy which requires government to spend heavily in order to create the enabling environment for inflows of private investment while increasing aggregate demand and jobs. The study determined the optimal recurrent and capital expenditure models for the economy and also showed that lending rates inflation rates, exchange rates, and GDP growth rates, are significant determinants of private investments. Keywords: ARDL, Capital Expenditure, Private Investment, Recurrent Expenditure DOI: 10.7176/JESD/14-16-03 Publication date: October 202

Antibiotic Susceptibility Profile of Bacteria Isolated from Fitness Machines in Selected Fitness Centers at Akure and Elizade University in Ondo State Nigeria

Aim: This study seeks to determine the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of bacteria isolated from surfaces of fitness machines at fitness center located at Elizade University and Akure town. Methods: Samples were collected from the different site of gym equipment including thread mill (handle, floor), bicep bench (handle), bike (handle, paddle), cruncher (handle, elbow) using sterile swab stick moistened with sterile buffered physiological solution. The swab sticks were immediately transferred to the laboratory for analysis. Standard microbiological techniques were used to identify the bacterial isolates. The antibiotic susceptibility profile of the isolates was determined by using standard antibiotics discs. Results: Out of the 31 isolates identified, Staphylococcus aureus 12(38.7%) was the predominant bacteria followed by Bacillus spp. 11(35.5%), Klebsiella spp. 4(12.9%), E. coli and Staphylococcus saprophyticus 2(6.45%) and Enterococcus spp. 1(3.23%). The susceptibility profile showed that all isolates were resistant to Amoxicillin (AM) and Augmentin (AU), Staphylococcus spp. isolated from different surfaces shows different susceptibility pattern to the used antibiotics, while Bacillus spp. Klebsiella spp. and E. coli also confer resistance to more than one commonly used antibiotic. Conclusion: The results showed the occurrence of potentially pathogenic bacteria in which their presence on the equipment surfaces could easily be transmitted between users and to the environment generally. The spread of these potential pathogenic microorganisms in the fitness center can be prevented through frequent hand washing and use of hand sanitizer as well as daily cleaning of equipment surfaces before and after activities with disinfectants

Assessment of anti-corrosion potentials of extract of Ficus asperifolia -Miq (Moraceae) on mild steel in acidic medium

FullThe inhibitory potentials of ethanolic extracts and four fractions of the stem bark of Ficus asperifolia Miq. for the corrosion of mild steel were assessed using weight loss method, Fourier atomi absorption spectroscopy,scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The effects of varying immersion period,concentration of the inhibitors and temperatures for mild steel corrosion in 5 M HCl acid solution were carried out. A detailed kinetic reaction, thermodynamic (Ea, ∆H, ∆S) and adsorption isotherm studies were obtained. The crude extract of F. asperifolia (EFA) has the highest inhibition efficiency of 55%. The inhibitory efficiency of the four fractions of F. asperifolia (EFA) compared with the crude extract was in the order ethyl acetate > n-hexane > butanol > EFA > Aqueous. The inhibition efficiency was found to increase with increase in the extracts concentration but decreased with temperature. Corrosion rate increases with time but decreases with extracts concentration. The kinetic studies of the data followed a first order reaction. Thermodynamic studies revealed that corrosion inhibition may be due to spontaneous mixed adsorption of the plant constituents on the metal surface. Experimental data were fitted to Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin adsorption isotherms. The plant investigated showed a good potential for green corrosion inhibitors. Investigation of phytochemical constituents showed that the extracts contain alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins anthraquinones and reducing sugars

Genetic diversity of antibiotic and plant extract resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from hospitalized patients in Ekiti State, Nigeria

This study aimed to determine the genetic diversity of antibiotics and plants extract resistant Staphylococcus aureus using molecular technique. A total of 106 human clinical samples were collected from patients in three different hospitals within Ekiti State. Microbiological and molecular analyses were performed using standard methods. Antimicrobial susceptibility test with common antibiotics and plant leaves extracts was carried out using disk and agar well diffusion methods. Urine samples from male patients recorded a high percentage of S. aureus (57.1%) as compared to female patients (43.1%). Percentage of S. aureus recorded from the ear swab samples in male patients (58.3%) was also high as compared to the female (41.7%). From the nose swab samples, female patients recorded 60% as compared to their male counterparts (40%). Equal percentage (50%) of wound infection caused by S. aureus was observed in both male and female patients. Of the eight antibiotics used in this study, the S. aureus isolated were susceptible to ofloxacin (25 to 36 mm), gentamycin (16 to 23 mm) and erythromycin (11 to 25 mm). All the isolates confirmed resistance to ceftaxidime and cloxacillin. Nine isolates were susceptible to cefuroxime with zones of inhibition that ranged from 10 to 25 mm, while 11 were susceptible to ceftriaxone with zone of inhibition between 11 and 20 mm. Only one isolate was sensitive to augmentin (amoxicillin/clavulanate) with zone of inhibition of 20 mm. Out of three plant extracts used in this study, aqueous leaf extract of Terminalia catappa demonstrated highest antibacterial activity on the test isolates with zone of inhibition of 16 to 36 mm followed by Mangifera indica with inhibition ranging from 11 to 32 mm, while least inhibition ranging from 11 to 20 mm was exhibited by Acalypha wikesiena. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) proved to be useful as genetic markers in determining genetic diversity among antibiotic and plant extract resistant S. aureu

p53 suppresses type II endometrial carcinomas in mice and governs endometrial tumour aggressiveness in humans

Type II endometrial carcinomas are a highly aggressive group of tumour subtypes that are frequently associated with inactivation of the TP53 tumour suppressor gene. We show that mice with endometrium-specific deletion of Trp53 initially exhibited histological changes that are identical to known precursor lesions of type II endometrial carcinomas in humans and later developed carcinomas representing all type II subtypes. The mTORC1 signalling pathway was frequently activated in these precursor lesions and tumours, suggesting a genetic cooperation between this pathway and Trp53 deficiency in tumour initiation. Consistent with this idea, analyses of 521 human endometrial carcinomas identified frequent mTORC1 pathway activation in type I as well as type II endometrial carcinoma subtypes. mTORC1 pathway activation and p53 expression or mutation status each independently predicted poor patient survival. We suggest that molecular alterations in p53 and the mTORC1 pathway play different roles in the initiation of the different endometrial cancer subtypes, but that combined p53 inactivation and mTORC1 pathway activation are unifying pathogenic features among histologically diverse subtypes of late stage aggressive endometrial tumours

Haematological and Pathological Effects of Bacteria from Vegetable Wastes in Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State

Aims: Different selling points or markets in Ilara-Mokin town were visited after the market session and a day after to collect vegetable wastes. This research aimed to isolate bacteria and fungi from selected waste vegetables, to infect laboratory animals with the bacterial isolates and to study the effect of the isolated bacteria on the laboratory animals. Methodology: Three major vegetable wastes were commonly found in the markets and they are Amaranthus cruentus (Arowojeja), Senecio biafrae (Worowo) and Spinacia oleracea (Amunututu). Sufficient quantity of these decaying wastes were collected and sterile crucible was used to grind the waste samples. On each sample, serial dilution was done using 2g. Nutrient Agar and potato dextrose agar were used for isolation of bacteria and fungi respectively. Standard Microbiological methods were used for the identification of the microorganisms. Results: Five bacteria were isolated from the waste, which are: Salmonella spp, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis. Also six fungi were isolated from the waste vegetable. They are: Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus flavus, Penicillium chrysogenum, Geotrichum spp. and Articularia quercina. All of the bacteria were sensitive to commercial antibiotics like ciprofloxacin and gentamicin, except Salmonella spp that showed resistance to Tetracycline, Augmentin and Ceftriaxone. The bacterial isolates were then used to infect Albino rats and haematogical analysis was performed on the animals’ blood. The result showed that Proteus, and Pseudomonas reduced the PCV from 45.55±1.67% (in control group) to 36.75±0.55% and 37.25±0.33% respectively. The haemoglobin concentration was decreased from 15.00±0.00 (in control group) to 12.33±0.67 in the group infected with Pseudomonas. The white blood cell count was highest on the group infected with Salmonella with a count of 12.2±0.96×105 mm-3 . Histopathological Analysis of the liver and intestine of the rats showed that the pathogenic microorganisms cause negative pathological effects such as the absence of sinusoid in the liver hepatocytes, hepatocellular drainage and necrosis, while only necrosis and haemorrhage were prominent in their intestine. Conclusion: The result obtained has shown that pathogenic microorganisms from these vegetable wastes can cause serious health problem for the public if not disposed adequately, especially when these vegetable vendors place freshly harvested ones on the same ground the next market day; and when such is bought and not properly washed or cooked

Evaluation of the Environmental and Social Benefits of Conversion Process of Open Cycle to Combined Cycle Gas Power Plant

Worldwide concern on reducing global warming consequences and combating energy crisis has motivated the development of power generation technologies to move towards sustainable energy production with higher efficiency and low environmental impacts. This study evaluated the environmental and social benefits of converting open cycle to combined cycle gas power plants in electric power generating system in Nigeria. All the current operational open and combined cycle gas power plants were considered. Green House Gas (GHG) emission data were collected for both open and combined cycle plants. The results showed that after conversion from open cycle to combined cycle, society bears a lesser cost of generating electricity as there is a minimum difference of 3.78 N/kWh (Calabar NIPP), which is about 23.34% change in cost and a maximum of 4.00 N/kWh (Omotosho Pacific Energy plant), which is about 25.20% change in cost for a minimum range of emission cost (40USD/tCO2e). There is a minimum difference of 8.54 N/kWh (Calabar NIPP), which is about 28.57% change in cost and a maximum of 8.76 N/kWh (Omotosho Pacific Energy plant) which is about 29.64% change in cost for a maximum emission cost (100USD/tCO2e). The study concluded that it costs less to reduce GHG and air pollution damage during the process of conversion from open cycle to combined cycle gas. Also, it is more beneficial to generate electricity using combined gas turbine and the society bears less cost for a higher electricity generation by a combined cycle when compared with an open cycle

Knowledge and Attitude of Pregnant Women towards Management of Pregnancy-induced Hypertension in Southwest Nigeria

The study explores the knowledge and attitude of pregnant women towards the management of pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH). It was a descriptive study, sampling technique was purposive and data was collected using a self-administered structure questionnaire. A sample of two hundred pregnant women was selected and data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Almost half of the participants were between the ages of 21 to 30 years (49.0%), with highest level of education as tertiary (58.0%) and 26.5% are currently pregnant for an average of 21 to 29 weeks. Knowledge and attitudes assessment indicated a high proportion of awareness (82.0%), hospital’s education (65.5%), and the majority (58.0%) believed that anybody can have pregnancy induced hypertension and (75.5%) relate the possible causes to eating too much salt, stress (57.5%) and over weight (49.5%). Most of the participants prefer to visit hospitals/clinics whenever they have headache (63.5%), abdominal pain (72.5%), swollen face and leg (65.5%), reduced foetal movement (77.5%), high blood pressure (65.0%), nausea and vomiting (60.0%) and blurred vision (62.5%). The study recommended that consideration be given to richer advocacy beyond creating awareness on PIH but also advocacy for women and girl children to acquire formal education so as to better appreciate modern medical services in Nigeria. Higher formal education and the urban place of residence of the participants’ accounts for increased application of knowledge on pregnancy induced hypertension; this makes them visit the clinics in the event of any observed issue in relation to their health as pregnant women