The Unknown Risk of Vertical Transmission in Sleeping Sickness—A Literature Review

Children with human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) present with a range of generally non-specific symptoms. Late diagnosis is frequent with often tragic outcomes. Trypanosomes can infect the foetus by crossing the placenta. Unequivocal cases of congenital infection that have been reported include newborn babies of infected mothers who were diagnosed with HAT in the first 5 days of life and children of infected mothers who had never entered an endemic country themselves

Trigonometrically-Fitted Simpson’s Method for Solving Volterra Integro-Differential Equations

In this study, a third derivative trigonometrically fitted Simpson’s method is developed andapplied to approximate the solution of Volterra Integro-Differential Equations (VIDEs) via the multistep collocation method. The VIDEs are first transformed to IVPs by the Leibnitz rule of differentiating integral. A continuous third derivative trigonometrically fitted method is constructed with the trigonometric basis function from which both the main and the complementary discrete formulas are generated. The two discrete formulas are then applied as simultaneous integrators in a block by block form to solve the VIDEs. Whereas numerical properties of the proposed method are investigated, its accuracy is demonstrated through some standard examples

Reversibility, Body Weight and Histo-architectural Alterations in the Anterior Pituitary Gland of Aqueous Azadirachta indica Extract Fed Wistar Rats

Several studies have reported the importance of neem plant (Azadirachta indica) with results showing it to be both medicinal and pharmacological in the property. However, little or no available record(s) relates its effect on body weights and the anterior pituitary gland. Consequently, the current study investigated the effect of aqueous extract Azadirachta indica on the anterior pituitary gland using Wistar rats as an experimental model. Twelve (12) healthy male Wistar rats of between 130 – 150 g were grouped as follows; Group I (normal control) received normal rat feed ad libitum, experimental groups II and III received normal feed + 200 mg/kg and normal feed + 300 mg/kg of aqueous leave extract of Azadirachta indica respectively. For each group, Body weights were checked weekly for a total of three (3) weeks. At the end of the experiments, the animals were sacrificed, and histology of the pituitary glands was assessed. Result in a statistically insignificant increase (p&lt; 0.05) in body weights of control compared with experimental rats, with mild observational elevation in pituitary histo-architecture for experimental compared to the control group. Thus, reversal weights are very supportive factors of Wistar rats and the histological effect of Azadirachta indica on the anterior pituitary gland in Wistar rats. The study also observed axonic fibres (using H and E x 10) with neural tissues in 200 mg/kg extract-treated rats, implicating an increase in cellularity, mild vascular congestion and tissue separation on Wistar rats.</jats:p

Gastroprotective Effects of DAS-77 (a Phytomedicine) in Ulcer Models in Rats

Purpose: DAS-77 is a phytomedicine that contains the dried bark of Mangifera indica and root of Carica papaya . This study investigated the antiulcer effects of DAS-77 in rats. Methods: DAS-77 was administered orally twice daily for five consecutive days at doses of 50 - 400 mg/kg. Ulcer was induced in rats with ethanol, indomethacin, pylorus ligation (PL) and cold restraint stress (CRS). Ulcer scores were recorded based on examination of excised stomachs. Estimations of gastric content volume, pH and titratable acidity in the PL model and determination of the levels of antioxidants and malondialdehyde (MDA) in gastric tissues in the CRS model were also done. Results: In all the models, DAS-77 produced significant dose-dependent reductions in ulcer score. Peak effects were produced at the dose of 400 mg/kg with ulcer inhibition values of 98.57, 76.23, 99.28 and 96.70 % compared to 100.00, 93.79, 98.92 and 96.79 % for misoprostol/cimetidine, respectively, for the ethanol, indomethacin, PL and CRS models. In the PL model, DAS-77 caused a significant increase in pH of gastric content but a reduction in volume and titratable acidity. At doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg in the CRS model, DAS-77 significantly increased the level of reduced glutathione (GSH) and diminished MDA. Conclusion: The results obtained in this study suggest that DAS-77 possesses gastroprotective activity possibly due to reduced gastric secretion and acidity, and antioxidant activity

Gastroprotective Effects of DAS-77 (a Phytomedicine) in Ulcer Models in Rats

Purpose: DAS-77 is a phytomedicine that contains the dried bark of Mangifera indica and root of Carica papaya . This study investigated the antiulcer effects of DAS-77 in rats. Methods: DAS-77 was administered orally twice daily for five consecutive days at doses of 50 - 400 mg/kg. Ulcer was induced in rats with ethanol, indomethacin, pylorus ligation (PL) and cold restraint stress (CRS). Ulcer scores were recorded based on examination of excised stomachs. Estimations of gastric content volume, pH and titratable acidity in the PL model and determination of the levels of antioxidants and malondialdehyde (MDA) in gastric tissues in the CRS model were also done. Results: In all the models, DAS-77 produced significant dose-dependent reductions in ulcer score. Peak effects were produced at the dose of 400 mg/kg with ulcer inhibition values of 98.57, 76.23, 99.28 and 96.70 % compared to 100.00, 93.79, 98.92 and 96.79 % for misoprostol/cimetidine, respectively, for the ethanol, indomethacin, PL and CRS models. In the PL model, DAS-77 caused a significant increase in pH of gastric content but a reduction in volume and titratable acidity. At doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg in the CRS model, DAS-77 significantly increased the level of reduced glutathione (GSH) and diminished MDA. Conclusion: The results obtained in this study suggest that DAS-77 possesses gastroprotective activity possibly due to reduced gastric secretion and acidity, and antioxidant activity