Characterization of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Viruses Collected in Nigeria Between 2007 and 2014: Evidence for Epidemiological Links Between West and East Africa.

This study describes the molecular characterization of 47 foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) viruses recovered from field outbreaks in Nigeria between 2007 and 2014. Antigen ELISA of viral isolates was used to identify FMD virus serotypes O, A and SAT 2. Phylogenetic analyses of VP1 nucleotide sequences provide evidence for the presence of multiple sublineages of serotype SAT 2, and O/EAST AFRICA 3 (EA-3) and O/WEST AFRICA topotypes in the country. In contrast, for serotype A, a single monophyletic cluster of viruses has persisted within Nigeria (2009-2013). These results demonstrate the close genetic relatedness of viruses in Nigeria to those from other African countries, including the first formal characterization of serotype O/EA-3 viruses in Nigeria. The introductions and persistence of certain viral lineages in Nigeria may reflect transmission patterns via nomadic pastoralism and animal trade. Continuous monitoring of field outbreaks is necessary to dissect the complexity of FMD epidemiology in sub-Saharan Africa.

Recurrent vulvovaginal candidosis among young women in south eastern Nigeria: the role of lifestyle and health-care practices.

This work was carried out to study the association between lifestyle, health-care practices and incidence of recurrent vulvovaginal candidosis (RVVC) among young women in south eastern Nigeria. It was a multicentre case-control study of 176 women aged between 20 and 35 years recruited from the designated health facilities. Lifestyle and health-care practice structured questionnaires were used to survey the participants. Clinical examination was performed and vaginal swabs were taken from participants for microscopy, culture and sensitivity. The germ tube test was performed for identification of Candida albicans. The results of this study showed that frequent douching with water or other fluids (odds ratio [OR](adjusted) = 2.41, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.25-4.66, P = 0.000), wearing tight nylon/synthetic underwear (OR(adjusted) = 4.76, 95% CI = 2.28-9.95, P = 0.000), alternative medical treatment for repeated or recalcitrant cases (OR(adjusted) = 4.84, 95% CI = 2.94-15.91, P = 0.000), were significantly associated with higher odds for RVVC and self-diagnosis and use of over-the-counter antifungal medications (OR(adjusted) = 4.61, 95% CI = 2.29-9.32, P = 0.000) were associated with RVVC. Results of the fungal cultures showed that C. albicans and non-C. albicans were isolated from 83.7% and 16.3% of participants, respectively. Our results supported the association between some of the hypothesized risk factors and the occurrence of RVVC.

Interactions between sodium intake, calcium supplement, renal excretion and blood pressure in Sprague-Dawley rats.

INTRODUCTION: The mechanisms responsible for genesis of salt-induced hypertension and its prevention by dietary calcium supplementation are still not clear. Hence, the effect of salt (NaCl) and calcium supplement on blood pressure and renal excretion were investigated. METHODOLOGY: Daily food consumption, water, salt and calcium intake, as well as urine volume and pH were determined. At the end of the feeding period, animals were anaesthetised and the electrocardiographic and blood pressure measurements were done. RESULTS: Salt-loaded rats (SR) consumed more salt and water but less calcium, and excreted more urine and hydrogen ion than control rats (NR). There was elevation of mean arterial pressure (MAP) in SR (132.63 +/- 2.3 mmHg) compared with NR (94.00 +/- 2.2 mmHg) but there was no significant difference in their heart rates (HR) (395 +/- 11.7 vs. 429 +/- 15.4 beats/min). However, salt-loaded-calcium-fed rats (SCaR) had similar MAP as NR (99.29 +/- 1.8 mmHg) and a lower HR (379 +/- 14.9 beats/min). A reduction in water consumption and an increase in urine output as well as urinary hydrogen ion were noted in SCaR compared with SR. Calcium alone (CaR) did not have any effect on MAP (88.01 +/- 1.3 mmHg) and HR (413 +/- 7.98 beats/min). There was no difference in the organ/body-weight ratios of the aortae among the experimental rats. However, there was renal hypertrophy in SR and SCaR. Also, the hearts of SR were bigger than CaR. The mean electrical axis of hearts showed a tendency towards left ventricular hypertrophy in SR, which was greater than SCaR. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that salt loading caused renal hypertrophy and a tendency towards left ventricular hypertrophy. There are associated salt and water retention resulting in alteration of some cardiovascular function. Dietary calcium supplementation reversed these functional defects.

Impaired baroreflex sensitivity and responses to angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor in salt-induced hypertension and its prevention by dietary calcium supplement in Sprague-Dawley rats.

The role of renin-angiotensin system and baroreceptors in the pathogenesis and prevention of hypertension due to salt-loading and concurrent dietary calcium for 6 weeks in Sprague-Dawley rats were studied. Blood pressure measurements were done in anaesthetized animals while the activities of renin-angiotensin and parasympathetic nervous systems were determined by the effect of their inhibition on the arterial pressure and baroreflex sensitivity, via captopril infusion and vagotomy respectively. The sympathetic nervous system activity and its effect on baroreflex response were estimated by combined captopril infusion and vagotomy. There was elevation of mean arterial pressure (MAP) in salt-loaded rats (SR) relative to controls (NR) (140.5 +/- 2.18 vs 98.0 +/- 1.38 mmHg) without any significant effect on heart rate (HR) (406 +/- 8.58 vs 428 +/- 11.20 beats/min). Calcium supplement abolished the rise in MAP of salt-loaded-calcium-fed rats (SCaR) (102.8 +/- 2.30 mmHg) but led to reduction in their HR (389 +/- 10.21 beats/ min) relative to control. Renin-angiotensin system inhibition led to fall in MAP in all groups of rats with the greatest reduction observed in SR. Inhibition of parasympathetic effects resulted in elevation of MAP in all thegroups. with SCaR and CaR having the highest rise. SR and SCaR had higher sympathetic activity than NR and CaR. Bilateral carotid occlusion test showed decrease baroreflex sensitivity in SR compared with NR while those of SCaR were enhanced without significantly affecting CaR. Also, there was enhanced baroreflex response (BRR) due to renin-angiotensin system inhibition in NR and SR while it was significantly reduced in SCaR but none in CaR. However, there was reduced BRR to parasympathetic inhibition in experimental groups except in CaR. Unmodified sympathetic activity resulted in enhanced BRR in all the groups. The results of the present study suggests that renin-angiotensin and autonomic nervous systems are impaired by dietary salt-loading, while prevention of salt-hypertension by calcium supplement is through modulation of these actions.

Effect of petroleum products inhalation on some haematological indices of fuel attendants in Calabar metropolis, Nigeria.

The Haematotoxic implications of exposure to petroleum fumes through inhalation in human subjects were investigated. A total of 400 subjects (200 males and 200 females) aged between 18-30 years participated. Each gender was further categorized into two groups of 100 each for control and test, respectively. The test group was again subdivided into test 1 (T1) and test 2 (T2) in both sexes. T1 subjects were exposed to petroleum fumes for two years and below while T2 subjects were exposed for more than two years. Samples of blood were collected daily and subjected to haematological analysis. The results obtained showed that in males and females, red blood cell counts (10(6) /mm3) was significantly [P < 0.001] decreased in T1 (4.4 +/- 0.13) and T2 (3.85 +/- 0.07) compared to control (4.76 +/- 0.01). White blood cell counts, haematocrit, haemoglobin concentration and mean corpusclular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were significantly [P < 0.01] decreased in both sexes of test groups when compared with control. There was also a significant [P < 0.001] decrease in mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) in test 2 males compared with control. Most subjects exposed for longer than two years (T2) had significantly [P < 0.001] lower values of red blood cell count, haemoglobin concentration and haematocrit than those exposed for less than two years. The odds/odds ratio that a subject would become anaemic progressively rose from less than 1 in the control to greater than 1 or infinity on exposure to petroleum fumes. These results indicate that the petroleum fumes cause a reduction in haematological indices which worsens with prolonged exposure.

Safety and hypoglycaemic properties of aqueous leaf extract of Ocimum gratissimum in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.

The claim by Nigerian traditional herbal medicine practitioners that Ocimum gratissimum leaves has antidiabetic properties was investigated. Diabetes mellitus was induced with streptozotocin and graded doses of the aqueous leaf extract were administered orally to the experimentally diabetic rats for 28 days. Administration of the aqueous leaf extract caused a statistically significant reduction in plasma glucose level in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. The extract appeared nontoxic as evidenced by normal serum levels of AST, ALT, ALP, TPT, ALB and bilirubin. These data appear to agree with claimed hypoglycaemic effects of Ocimum gratissimum.

Changes in blood pressure in the rat induced by the venom extract from a sea anemone-Bunodosoma cavernata.

The effect of graded doses of crude sea anemone extract from Bunodosoma cavernata on rat blood pressure was investigated with a view to accessing its effects on the status of the cardiovascular system. From the results, the extract (2-8 ug protein/kg, i.v.) caused only transient hypotension. With higher doses of the extract (10-20 ug protein/kg, i.v.), the transient hypotension was accompanied by a dose-dependent increase in blood pressure. Atropine, mepyramine and propranolol failed to affect the transient hypotension. Of these drugs, only propranolol decreased the extract-induced hypertension. Doses of the extract above 20 ug protein/kg, i.v. produced a decrease in pulse rate and an increase in pulse pressure. We suggest that the extract-induced transient hypotension could be due to the presence of a less potent agent in the extract with acetylcholine-like action, and the hypertensive action of the extract was probably due to the stimulation of the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system by agent(s) in the extract.

Biological properties of a venom extract from the sea anemone, Bunodosoma cavernata.

Crude extract was prepared from the sea anemone, Bunodosoma cavernata. The protein content of the extract was estimated to be 0.52 mg protein/ml. The extract was standardized based on the percentage inhibition of histamine-induced contraction of the guinea pig ileum, to determine the biological unit of activity (AU) of the extract. As extracts prepared on different occasions lost potency on storage, the stability of the extract was also investigated. Extracts prepared from fresh animals were about 15% more potent than those prepared from freeze-dried animals. However, freeze-dried animal extracts maintained their potency for about 6 months under storage at -20 degrees C. Lethality studies gave an LD50 of 40 microg protein/kg mice i.p. Also, the crude extract dose-dependently hemolyzed human erythrocytes at room temperature. This activity was favoured by higher temperatures, which peaked at about 60degrees C, and by pH in the alkaline range. We conclude that the crude extract from B. cavernata, though highly toxic, may also contain some biologically active agents which include a haemolytic factor and antihistamine(s), as indicated by its histamine-blocking action.

Suppression of food intake by porcine gastrin (possible role as satiety factor).

In this study 150 male and female albino rats were divided into 5 groups (30 per group) for control (physiological saline) 4, 6, 8 and 10 micrograms.kg-1 b.wt. intraperitoneal injection of crude porcine gastrin, after 12 h fast. All the animals were given normal rat chow and drinking water following the injection of crude gastrin. It was found that the crude gastrin administered significantly decreased food intake by 21.7, 25.4, 29.8 and 32.0% at gastrin doses of 4, 6, 8 and 10 mg.kg-1 b.wt. respectively (P less than 0.01, t-test). Suppression of food intake was significantly correlated with dose of gastrin r = -0.984 (P less than 0.01). It is concluded that crude gastrin suppresses food intake in rats and many act as a satiety factor in these animals.

Heartwater infection (cowdriosis) in a sitatunga (Tragelaphus spekei) in Nigeria.

Cowdria ruminantium was isolated from a natural infection of heartwater in a captive sitatunga (Tragelaphus spekei) which died after a short illness in Jos Zoo, Nigeria. The isolate killed laboratory mice in a shorter period of time than did isolates of C. ruminantium recovered from natural cases in cattle. This is the first confirmed case of heartwater in a captive wild ruminant in Nigeria, where the disease is endemic.

Interactions between monosaccharides and disaccharides during uptake by the perfused liver of rat.

The extractions of D-glucose, L-glucose, D-fructose and D-galactose by the isolated liver of rat perfused at constant flow were estimated by paired tracer dilution. The effects on these of 25 mM concentrations of these monosaccharides, of alpha-methyl-glucoside and of the disaccharides sucrose, maltose, and lactose were measured. Inferences were drawn from these data about the transport of monosaccharides at the sinusoidal surface of the liver cells. The hepatic clearances of the isomeric monosaccharides consistently ranked D-glucose (at 5.5 X 10(-3) M) greater than D-galactose (2.5 X 10(-5) M) greater than D-fructose (3.2 X 10(-7) M) much greater than L-glucose (2 X 10(-6) M). This implies at least that there are membrane transport mechanisms with distinctly lower affinity for the other sugars than for D-glucose. Glucose entry was stereoselective, and interactions amongst some of the sugars were demonstrated. A reproducible pattern of differential inhibition of D-glucose entry by the competing sugars at 25 mM was found. The consistent lack of effect of sucrose excluded a mere osmotic effect. The pattern of inhibition of D-fructose entry by the same sugars was qualitatively similar to that of D-glucose, whereas that of D-galactose was distinctive. The disaccharide competitors, lacking cell entry, can exert their effects only at the external surface. These markedly discriminate between D-glucose and D-galactose. The penetrating sugars, however, show mutual competition.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Plasma ascorbic acid levels in Nigerian children of Niger delta region of Nigeria.

The plasma level of ascorbic acid has been used as a measure of both dietary intake and body reserve of the vitamin. In growing children, ascorbic acid is particularly important for the enhancement of the formation of bone matrix. Although the occurrence of scurvy in the tropics is exceptional and rarely reported in children, available data on plasma ascorbic acid level in children especially in Nigeria is almost non-existent. An earlier report found the mean plasma ascorbic level for Nigerian children to be 0.25mg/100ml. Using a modification of Kuther's method, blood plasma from 50 subjects was analysed for plasma ascorbic acid concentration. The subjects were primary school children in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria, both sexes, aged between 8 and 12 years. Their mean plasma ascorbic acid level was found to be 0.71mg/100ml with a standard deviation of 0.118mg/100ml.68% of them were normal and 32% subnormal. None was deficient. There was no relationship among the children, between plasma ascorbic level and sex, age, weight or environment.

Anthropometric estimation of basal metabolic rate in Nigeria children and adolescents of Niger delta region of Nigeria.

Most data on basal metabolic rates (BMR) obtained are from developed countries of the world and a few from Asian countries. No literature is available on BMR in Nigerian children, hence this investigation was carried out in a total of 801 randomly sampled human subjects 606 of whom are children (ages 6 to 17 years) and 195 adolescents' (ages 14 to 19 years). Among the children, 264 were boys while 342 were girls. In adolescents, 119 were boys and 76 were girls. It was found that the BMR in Nigerian children ranged between 33.3 and 58.42 in males, 37.54 and 53.42 in females. The BMR's were higher at lower age groups than in the older children. The BMR's were higher than those of their counter part caucasian or Asian children. But the results were within the 15% deviation set as normal standards by Mayo foundation standard charts of BMR.

Cytoprotective effect of pirenzepine and palm wine on rats gastric mucosa.

Pirenzepine (Gastrozepin--Boechringer Ingelheim) is selective antimuscarinic blocker (MI-blocker) which has been used in the treatment of peptic ulcer because of its ability to reduce gastric acid secretion. But pirenzepine has also been found to have a cytoprotective effect on gastric mucosa in rats. The aim of the present investigation was to find out if palm wine also has any cytoprotective effect on rat gastric mucosa. Gastric mucosal ulcerations were induced with absolute ethanol. It was found that Pirenzepine induced 57% cytoprotection while palm wine induced 24% cytoprotection in rat gastric mucosa. The protection with the latter substance was not statistically significant, while the effect with pirenzepine was significant.

The effect of cola acuminata and cola nitida on gastric acid secretion.

Cola nuts are obtained from cola trees growing both wild and cultivated in the equatorial rain forest belf of Nigeria and the rest of West Coast of Africa. There are two common species namely cola accuminata which is multicotyledonous and cola nitida which is dicotyledonous. The cola nitida has two subspecies, alba and rubra (white and red respectively). The cola accuminata is more popular in the Ibo and Igedde tribes of the Eastern and Middle Belt regions respectively in Nigeria, while cola nitida is preferred by the Hausa-Fulani tribes of the Northern part of Nigeria. Both cola species contain xanthines--the same type of alkaloids found in tea and coffee. Common among these xanthine derivatives are caffeine, theophylline and theobromine. These xanthines are known to stimulate gastric acid secretion. We therefore decided to find out the effect of both species of the cola on gastric acid secretion, since this has not been reported previously. We found that both cola species significantly induced gastric acid secretion. This corroborates our clinical advice to peptic ulcer patients not to eat cola nuts.

The inhibitory effect of phlorhizin and phloretin on hexose transport in the liver.

The inhibitory effect of phlorhzin on renal tubular glucose absorption has been known for a long time now. But its aglycone, phloretin is almost completely devoid of such an action in the kidney although it is more active than phlorhzin on sugar transport mechanism in human erythrocytes. The present investigation was designed to find out the effects of these two chemically related substances on hexose transport in the liver. The effect of 1mM phlorhzin or ImM phloretin on the transport of D-stereoisomers of glucose, galactose and fructose using the first pass extraction technique. It was found that phloretin was a better inhibitor of hexose transport in the liver. The difference between the effect of phlorhizin, and the phloretin was highly significant. The inhibitory pattern of the two chemical substances on the three hexoses indicate a discrimination between galactose transport and glucose or fructose transport in the liver.

Effect of Nigerian bottled palm wine on gastric acid secretion.

Palm wine is the sap of palm tree (family Palmeae) obtained as the fermentation product of a 24 hour tapping. The effect was studied in 40 albino rats of both sexes. It was found that palm wine per orally caused 21.8% decrease in gastric acid secretion (P less than 0.01). But 4% ethanol caused significant increase, while 12% sucrose caused significant decrease in gastric acid secretion in rats. This inhibitory effect of palm wine may be of clinical significance in the management of peptic ulcer patients and ulcer prone subjects in this region.