Survey of Animal Neoplastic Cases Diagnosed in Nigerian Veterinary Teaching Hospitals, 2000-2017.

Incidence data from 17-year veterinary neoplasm surveillance and registration were reviewed. Most of the neoplastic cases diagnosed in Nigerian veterinary teaching hospitals (VTHs) were in the avian (49%) and canine species (44%). Fewer cases were recorded in the equine (3.2%), bovine (2.4%), ovine (1.5%), caprine (0.3%) and porcine (0.15%) species. Marek's disease was the most prevalently diagnosed neoplastic disease of domestic animals in Nigerian VTHs from 2000-2017. Also, the Nigerian local breed had a higher mean distribution than any other dog breed and this was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Nearly all of the neoplastic cases diagnosed, were found in females (60.4%) and so the mean distribution of sex was statistically significant (p < 0.05). The digestive system, with 296 (46.25%) cases, was the anatomic location where the majority of the neoplastic cases were found. However, the mean distribution of different neoplastic anatomic sites was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). In conclusion, little emphasis is given to the appropriate diagnosis and recording of neoplastic cases that are diagnosed. The study provides information regarding the prevalence and distribution of tumours in different animal species consulted in Nigeria veterinary teaching hospitals. To illustrate all of this, ArcGIS software was used. Veterinary clinicians, pathologists and epidemiologists from Nigeria may benefit from the results of this study by freely accessing some specific data regarding the breed, the age group or the gender of some animal species diagnosed with different tumours.

Hematological changes, oxidative stress assessment, and dysregulation of aquaporin-3 channel, prolactin, and oxytocin receptors in kidneys of lactating Wistar rats treated with monosodium glutamate.

High consumption of locally produced delicacies could expose nursing mothers to high monosodium glutamate (MSG) levels, frequently used as a necessary condiment in low-income countries. Thus, this study evaluated some novel preliminary changes in renal hormonal receptors, the aquaporin-3 channel, oxidative stress markers, and hematological indices induced by monosodium glutamate in lactating rats. Post-parturition, twenty-four (24) lactating Wistar rats were divided into four (4) groups of six rats each (n = 6). Oral administration of distilled water and MSG started three (3) days postpartum as follows: group 1: distilled water (1 ml/kg BW), group 2: MSG (925 mg/kg BW), group 3: MSG (1850 mg/kg BW), and group 4: MSG (3700 mg/kg BW). At the end of the experiment, which lasted fourteen (14) days, animals were sacrificed and samples of blood and tissues were obtained for biochemical analysis. MSG administration significantly (p < 0.05) increased ROS and MDA, with a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in kidney antioxidants. Serum creatinine, total, conjugated, and unconjugated bilirubin significantly (p < 0.05) increased with MSG administration. The prolactin receptor was significantly reduced (p < 0.05), while the oxytocin receptor and aquaporin-3 channel were significantly (p < 0.05) increased in the MSG-administered groups. There were significant (p < 0.05) changes in the hematological indices of the MSG-administered animals. Thus, the findings of this study suggest that high MSG consumption causes hematological alterations and may alter renal function via increased ROS production and dysregulation of the AQP-3 channel, prolactin, and oxytocin receptors in the kidneys of lactating Wistar rats.

MEDICAL OUTREACH AND IMPROVED ACCESS TO SPECIALIST SERVICES FOR THE RURAL COMMUNITY OF BAUCHI STATE, NIGERIA: THE REQUIREMENTS FOR SUSTAINABILITY.

Introduction: The West African College of Physicians (Nigeria) conducted its Annual General and Scientific Meeting (AGSM) in Bauchi State, Nigeria on 11th-15th of July, 2023. The theme of the AGM is HEALTH-RELATED SDGs IN NIGERIA: THE PROGRESS SO FAR. The sub- themes included challenges of health care in the face of Disaster and the menace of brain drain on health care manpower and medical education. Part of the activities for the AGSM was a medical outreach conducted at Durum community of Bauchi LGA, Bauchi State on Saturday, 8th July, 2023 between 8:00AM to 5:00PM at Durum primary school premises. Objectives: We examined the role of specialist medical outreach in supporting primary health care services and overcoming the barriers to health care faced by the rural dwellers and also examined issues affecting sustainability. Methods: Durum community was chosen from the list of 3 rural communities submitted to the Local Organizing Committee (LOC). A community entry was conducted to the relevant stakeholders. A descriptive cross-sectional design was used for the study. A semi-structured data form was used to collect information from 1062 participants. The activities included health talk and consultations on common health problems in the community as well as referral services. Relevant screenings tests for HBV, HCV, DM, Kidney diseases (Urinalysis), HIV and Tuberculosis were conducted. Medications for common diseases affecting the community were prescribed by the Doctors and dispensed during the outreach. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 26 at 5% significance level and 95% confidence interval. Results: A total of 1,062 filled forms were retrieved. The results show that majority of the participants are females 615(58%) while 447(42%) are males. Half of the respondents are illiterate 526(50%) and only 1%(11) attended tertiary institution. Majority are unemployed 646(61%) and only 1%(13) are civil servants. The commonest existing chronic medical conditions among the participants are hypertension 43(4%) and diabetes 15(1%). The commonest presenting complaints of the respondents are fever 404(38%), headache 170(16%), cough 53(%), dizziness 53(5%), skin rashes 43 (4%), abdominal pain 159 (15%), diarrhoea 53(5%) and vaginal discharge 127(12%). Regarding medical check-up, 481(45%) of the respondents have never ever had a medical check-up. 44(4%) had a check-up in the last preceding month, 41(4%) had check-up in the last preceding week, 40(4%) had check up in the last 6 months, while 34(3%) had check-up in the last one year. 84(42%) and 81(41%) among those tested had positive results for hepatitis B and C respectively and were counseled and referred. None tested positive for Tuberculosis and 1(1%) tested positive for HIV among those screened. 301(80%) among those tested had positive results for malaria and were counseled and offered treatment. The commonest health problems in the community were malaria (41%), enteric fever (26%), PUD/Dyspepsia (19%), UTI (9%) and skin diseases (5%). Conclusions: The study found out that half of the participants are illiterate and unemployed. The commonest health problems in the community were malaria, enteric fever, PUD/Dyspepsia, UTI, skin diseases, Hepatitis B & C. Thus, we recommend that the Primary Health Care Centre in the community should continue to provide the basic health services to the community. The Drug Revolving Fund (DRF) of the facility should be upgraded with relevant drugs and medical consumables at an affordable cost and a Doctor should be posted to the centre on temporary basis. These require the support of Ward Development Committee, Department of Primary Health Care of Bauchi Local Government Area, Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Agency and the Bauchi State Ministry of Health. In addition, the State Government should improve the allowances for the health care personnel working in the rural areas and support the community in educational enrollment and poverty alleviation as well as collaborating with health institutions like the WACP in providing quality services to the State.

An assessment of the highly pathogenic avian influenza resurgence at human-poultry-environment interface in North-central Nigeria: Sociocultural determinants and One Health implications.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 resurgence has occurred in Nigerian domestic bird flocks with public health concern. This study assessed poultry farmers' knowledge, perceptions, and biosecurity and biosafety practices regarding H5N1 resurgence, explore risk pathways for viral dissemination and associated socio-cultural and economic drivers in poultry flocks in Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey was carried out in randomly selected two poultry production systems, commercial intensive poultry production system and the backyard traditional free-range poultry production system. A One Health framework model was conceptualized to assess inter-links of biophysical, environmental, and sociocultural activities that interface to drive resurgence for better interventions. Descriptive and analytical statistical analyses were performed at 95% confidence level. Of the 422 recruited poultry farmers, 98.6% (n = 416) participated. Majorities of smallholder commercial farmers (93.5%) and backyard poultry keepers (97.7%) engaged in intensive and extensive management, respectively. Identified significant zoonotic risk pathways for H5N1 virus spread were through consumption of undercooked poultry meat and products, and contacts with infected birds and contaminated fomites. Separation of sick birds from apparently healthy ones, frequent cleaning and disinfection of equipment and premises, movement control of birds to nearby water bodies, use of personal protective equipment, and movement control of persons and vehicles into the flock settlements were significantly practiced biosecurity measures. Presence of nearby water bodies (ponds) close to flock settlements (p < 0.001), frequent contact of wild and domestic birds (p < 0.001), cultural practice of bird exchange between flocks (p < 0.001), and wild waterfowls' seasonal migrations (p < 0.001) significantly influenced resurgence. Understanding determinants interactions in the 'Conceptual One Health framework model' is required for better intercontinental intervention against HPAI H5N1. Reform of socio-cultural and economic activities using One Health approach will not only assure food safety and food security, but also guarantee public and environmental health.

Improvement of the fuel properties of dairy manure by increasing the biomass-to-water ratio in hydrothermal carbonization.

There are many advantages to liquid-based hydrothermal carbonization (L-HTC) but the need to immerse the biomass in water generates more post-process water, hindering the commercialisation of HTC. To address this issue, this study investigated the feasibility of vapour-based HTC (V-HTC), which minimizes the water required. Dairy manure was hydrothermally treated at temperatures of 200, 230, 255 and 270°C and biomass-to-water ratios (B/W) of 0.1, 0.18, 0.25, 0.43, 0.67 and 1.0 for 20 minutes, then the produced hydrochars were characterized by calorific, proximate, ultimate and thermogravimetric analyses. The results showed that the mass yields of hydrochar decreased with increasing temperature but were essentially stable at high B/W ratios. Notably, the calorific values of the hydrochars increased with increasing temperature and B/W ratio, and the energy density increased by 46%. Due to the higher mass yield and increased energy density, maximum energy yields at each temperature (86.0-97.4%) were observed at a B/W ratio of 1.0. The proximate and ultimate analyses revealed that the degree of coalification, such as the increase in carbon content and decrease in oxygen and volatile matter, progressed more under V-HTC than L-HTC conditions, likely because the lower liquid content in V-HTC facilitates the formation of secondary char and increases the reaction severity due to higher acidity. This study showed a potential approach for upgrading a semi-solid-state biomass by V-HTC.

Attitudes and Practices of Healthcare Professionals and Clinical Medical Students on Contraception: A Cross-Sectional Study in Cape Coast, Ghana.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare providers play a major role in the implementation of family planning policies. In Ghana, there has been a conscious effort to improve the knowledge of preservice and practicing health professionals on family planning. However, there have been concerns about the appropriateness of the attitudes and practices of these health cadres and, hence, their propensity to become barriers to the uptake of contraception in the general population. This study is aimed at assessing the attitudes and practices of healthcare workers and clinical-year medical students in contraceptives use, advocacy, and service provision. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among health workers and clinical-year medical students from January 1 to June 30, 2018. Variables assessed included sexual activity status, previous and current contraceptive use, and satisfaction with contraceptive use among others. Data from 400 self-administered, structured questionnaires comprising close- and open-ended questions was entered in SPSS version 22 and analysed using same. The variables assessed were presented as means, frequencies, and percentages. RESULTS: About 58% of the respondents were sexually active. Half of the participants (50.2%) had used a form of contraception before, with condoms and other barrier methods being the most preferred (67.7%). However, only 18% of respondents were on a form of contraceptive at the time of the survey. Four out of five (82.6%) of the users of these contraceptives were satisfied with their past use. A little over half of the participants had discussed contraception with their partners. Over four-fifths of participants thought family planning was beneficial and were willing to encourage others to use a method of family planning. Majority (63.7%) of the participants had had formal training in family planning, but only 72 (18%) were actively involved in the provision of family planning services. CONCLUSIONS: Although the attitudes of the health workers and trainees toward family planning were excellent generally, only a few were using a method of contraception at the time of the survey despite the fact that most of them were sexually active. There is a need to intensify communication on behaviour change towards contraception among health professionals and clinical-year medical students in order to strengthen their role as change agents in an effort to improve community uptake.

Determinants of preterm survival in a tertiary hospital in Ghana: A ten-year review.

BACKGROUND: Prematurity (gestational age <37 completed weeks) accounts for the majority of neonatal deaths worldwide and most of these occur in the low-resource countries. Understanding factors that determine the best chances of preterm survival is imperative in order to enhance the care of neonates and reduce adverse outcomes in such complicated births. AIM: This was to find out the proportions of preterm babies who survived at the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) in the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital (CCTH) and the factors which influenced their survival. METHOD: This was a retrospective review of data on all the live preterm babies seen at the SCBU of CCTH from 2010 to 2019. Data on 2,254 babies that met the inclusion criteria were extracted. Descriptive statistics were generated and tests of association done with chi-square and multivariable logistic regression. OUTCOME: The main outcome measure was the proportion of live preterm neonates who were discharged after SCBU admissions. RESULTS: The CCTH had a total of 27,320 deliveries from 2010 to 2019. Of these, 1,282 were live preterm births, giving a prevalence of live preterm babies over the ten-year period of 4.7% (1,282/27,320). An increasing trend in prevalence was observed with 2019 recording the highest at 9% (271/3027). Most (48.8%) of the deliveries were vaginal, 39.2% were by caesarean section (CS); the mode of birth for 12% of the women were not documented. The mean gestational age was 31.8 (±2.77) weeks. Of the birth weights documented, <1000g babies accounted for 11.9%, 1000-1499g babies made up 34.8%, while 1500g to 2499g babies accounted for 42.6%. The babies with weights >2500g made up only 3.7%. The average length of hospital stay was 8.3 (±9.88) days. Regarding the main outcome variable, 67.6% were discharged alive, 27.6% died and 4.9% were unaccounted for due to incomplete documentation. Factors which influenced survival were: birth weight (p <0.001); gestational age (p <0.001); mode and place of delivery (p <0.001 for both); APGAR scores at 1st and 5th minutes (p <0.001); and length of stay at the SCBU (p <0.001). No association was found for sex of the baby, maternal age and parity. CONCLUSION: This study shows the possibility of achieving good preterm survival rates through the provision of specialised neonatal care, even in resource-constrained countries. This provides an updated benchmark for clinical decision-making and antenatal counselling. It also highlights the problem of inadequate data capture in our part of the world, which needs considerable improvement.

Profile of children with COVID-19 infection: a cross sectional study from North-East Nigeria.

INTRODUCTION: available evidence suggests that children infected with COVID-19 tend to have a less severe form of the disease. However, most of the studies that have established this largely emanate from outside sub-Saharan Africa. The pandemic nature of the infection makes it instructive to evaluate its pattern among children across different climes, including ours. This study was set out to describe the clinical characteristics of children with COVID-19 in Bauchi State, North-East Nigeria. METHODS: this was a cross sectional study that involved 53 children between the ages of 0 and 18 years, who had RT-PCR confirmed COVID-19 infection between March and June 2020 in Bauchi State, Nigeria. Data on epidemiological and clinical characteristics was analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics V 21.® Relationship between categorical variables was established using the chi square test. The level of statistical significance was set at < 0.05, at a confidence interval (CI) of 95%. RESULTS: the mean age was 12.63 ± 4.31 years with a slight preponderance of males (1.1: 1). Majority were asymptomatic (60.4%), while 32.1% and 7.5% had mild and moderate diseases respectively. The most common symptoms were cough (20.8%), fever (17%), and sneezing (15.1%). Five children (9.4%) complained of loss of taste while anosmia was documented in one child (1.9%). We observed a significant relationship between age category and the presence of symptoms. In fact, children younger than 10 years (pre-adolescents) were five times more likely to be symptomatic when compared to those above this age (p = 0.029, C I 1.08-21.56). CONCLUSION: our findings have shown a mild pattern of disease and good outcome among infected children. However, we must be mindful of the higher vulnerability among younger children, especially those below 10 years.

Tympanometric findings among Nigerian prison inmates: A cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUND: Prisoners, due to confinement, are isolated from contact with society and access to many of the facilities, including medical care. There is paucity of data on the middle ear function of prison inmates in the English literature globally. We aimed to assess the middle ear function of prison inmates in Kaduna, Nigeria. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional comparative study of prison inmates at the Kaduna convict prison. Ethical approval was obtained from the Kaduna State Ministry of Health and the Nigerian Prison Service. Prison inmates aged 18-55 years in the Kaduna convict prison with an equal number of age and sex-matched controls from the community were enrolled. Consent was obtained from the participants. Data were collected using a structured pre-tested questionnaire. Participants had a thorough physical examination of the ears. Tympanometry was conducted on suitable participants to assess the middle ear function. Statistical Product and Service Solutions version 20.0 was used to analyse the data. RESULTS: Four hundred and thirty inmates with an equal number of controls were enrolled for the study. The mean age for the inmates and controls was 30.2 ± 7.51 and 30.4 ± 8.02 years, respectively. There were 47 female and 383 males, with a female: male of 1:8.1. Forty-six (46/397, 11.6%) of the inmates and 15 (15/423, 3.5%) of the controls had abnormal tympanograms on the right while on the left, it was 12.4% and 3.8%, respectively. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (χ2 = 40.071, P = 0.0001). CONCLUSION: : Middle ear abnormalities are more prevalent among prison inmates than the general population. Middle ear effusion and ossicular chain disruption were the most common middle ear abnormalities affecting the prison inmates.

Profile of children with COVID-19 infection: a cross sectional study from North-East Nigeria

Introduction: available evidence suggests that children infected with COVID-19 tend to have a less severe form of the disease. However, most of the studies that have established this largely emanate from outside sub-Saharan Africa. The pandemic nature of the infection makes it instructive to evaluate its pattern among children across different climes, including ours. This study was set out to describe the clinical characteristics of children with COVID-19 in Bauchi State, North-East Nigeria.Methods: this was a cross sectional study that involved 53 children between the ages of 0 and 18 years, who had RT-PCR confirmed COVID-19 infection between March and June 2020 in Bauchi State, Nigeria. Data on epidemiological and clinical characteristics was analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics V 21.® Relationship between categorical variables was established using the chi square test. The level of statistical significance was set at < 0.05, at a confidence interval (CI) of 95%.Results: the mean age was 12.63 ± 4.31 years with a slight preponderance of males (1.1:1). Majority were asymptomatic (60.4%), while 32.1% and 7.5% had mild and moderate diseases respectively. The most common symptoms were cough (20.8%), fever (17%), and sneezing (15.1%). Five children (9.4%) complained of loss of taste while anosmia was documented in one child (1.9%). We observed a significant relationship between age category and the presence of symptoms. In fact, children younger than 10 years (pre-adolescents) were five times more likely to be symptomatic when compared to those above this age (p = 0.029, C I 1.08-21.56).Conclusion: our findings have shown a mild pattern of disease and good outcome among infected children. However, we must be mindful of the higher vulnerability among younger children, especially those below 10 years

Survey on antimicrobial usage in local dairy cows in North-central Nigeria: Drivers for misuse and public health threats.

BACKGROUND: Antimicrobials are used as a measure to maintain good health and productivity of lactating cows. This study assessed pastoralists' knowledge and practices regarding AMU in lactating cows; and risk pathways for AMR dissemination from cow milk to humans. METHODS: Interview questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Fulani pastoral communities. Frequencies and proportions were used for descriptive statistics. Chi-square test and multivariable logistic regressions were used for analytic statistics at 95% confidence level. RESULTS: All recruited 384 pastoral households participated. About 11% of participants indicated antimicrobials misuse as when given at under-dose, while 58.9% had no knowledge of what antimicrobial misuse entailed. Most participants (51.6%) were unaware about effects of improper AMU. Most respondents (61.7%) reported self-prescription of antimicrobials used on cows. Also, 67.4% of respondents reported arbitrary applications of antimicrobials used in cows, while 15% used antimicrobials to increase milk yield. Frequently used antimicrobials were: tetracycline (98.7%), penicillin (96.6%), streptomycin (95.8%) and sulfonamides (95.3%). Consumption of raw milk and milk products (p = 0.010); contacts with contaminated udder (p = 0.002); and aerosols of discarded contaminated milk P = 0.001) were perceived risk pathways for spread of antimicrobial resistance from cow milk. Improper AMU (p<0.001), non-enforcement of regulating laws (p<0.001), weak financial status (p<0.001), and low education and expertise (p<0.001) influenced antimicrobials misuse in lactating cows. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlighted low levels of knowledge, risk perceptions and practices regarding AMU and AMR among survey pastoralists. This calls for education of the vulnerable populations on promotion of prudent AMU in lactating cows through 'One Health' approach, to assure food safety, food security, and public and environmental health.

Antibiotic Sensitivity Pattern of Bacterial Isolates in Patients with Chronic Rhinosinusitis in Kaduna, Nigeria.

Introduction A common practice in the management of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), the empirical use of antibiotics may contribute to treatment failure and to the development of antimicrobial resistance. Objective To determine the antibiotic sensitivity pattern of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria associated with CRS. Methods This was a prospective cross-sectional study in which endoscopically guided middle meatal swabs (IBM Spss, version 16.0, Chicago, IL, USA) were aseptically taken from patients diagnosed with CRS after obtaining informed consent and ethical clearance. The samples were sent to the laboratory for qualitative and semiquantitative analysis via gram stain, aerobic, anaerobic cultures and antibacterial sensitivity tests. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS for Windows, version 16 (SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL, USA). Simple statistical parameters and paired sample t -test were used, as appropriate. Results There were 74 (56.92%) bacterial growths, out of which 55 (74.32%) were aerobic and 19 (25.68%) were anaerobic isolates, from a total of 130 patients. About 13 (17.5%-18%) of these bacterial growths yielded a mixed growth of aerobic and anaerobic isolates. The most common bacterial isolates were 26 (35.14%) Staphylococcus aureus , Haemophilus influenzae 9 (12.16%), Streptococcus viridians 8 (10.81%), and Streptococcus pneumoniae 5 (6.76%). Augmentin, ciprofloxacin, and Peflacine were found to be most effective, followed by levofloxacin, Rocephin, erythromycin and Zinat in that order. Conclusion Augmentin, ciprofloxacin and Peflacine have a sensitivity of 100%, while most of the organisms show resistance to Ampiclox, amoxicillin, and Septrin.

Antibiotic sensitivity pattern of bacterial isolates in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis in Kaduna, Nigeria

Introduction: A common practice in the management of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), the empirical use of antibiotics may contribute to treatment failure and to the development of antimicrobial resistance. Objective: To determine the antibiotic sensitivity pattern of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria associated with CRS. Methods: This was a prospective cross-sectional study in which endoscopically guided middlemeatal swabs (IBMSpss, version 16.0, Chicago, IL, USA) were aseptically taken from patients diagnosed with CRS after obtaining informed consent and ethical clearance. The samples were sent to the laboratory for qualitative and semiquantitative analysis via gram stain, aerobic, anaerobic cultures and antibacterial sensitivity tests. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS for Windows, version 16 (SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL, USA). Simple statistical parameters and paired sample t-test were used, as appropriate. Results: There were 74 (56.92%) bacterial growths, out of which 55 (74.32%) were aerobic and 19 (25.68%) were anaerobic isolates, from a total of 130 patients. About 13 (17.5%- 18%) of these bacterial growths yielded a mixed growth of aerobic and anaerobic isolates. Themost common bacterial isolates were 26 (35.14%) Staphylococcus aureus, Haemophilus influenzae 9 (12.16%), Streptococcus viridians 8 (10.81%), and Streptococcus pneumoniae 5 (6.76%). Augmentin, ciprofloxacin, and Peflacine were found to bemost effective, followed by levofloxacin, Rocephin, erythromycin and Zinat in that order (AU)

Dry Gangrene in Children with Typhoid Intestinal Perforation: A Report of Two Cases.

Intestinal perforation is a life-threatening complication of typhoid fever commonly seen in developing countries, but extraintestinal complications are infrequently reported. We report herein two cases of gangrene seen in children managed for typhoid intestinal perforation, highlighting the challenges faced in their management.

Changing patterns of cataract services in North-West Nigeria: 2005-2016.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to assess the impact of the eye care programme on cataract blindness and cataract surgical services in Sokoto, Nigeria over a 12 year period 2005-2016. METHODS: Data from the 2005 population based cross-sectional study of blindness in Sokoto state was re-analysed to obtain baseline estimates of the prevalence of cataract blindness and cataract surgical coverage for persons 50 years and over in Wurno health zone. A population based survey of a representative sample of persons 50 years and over in Wurno health zone was conducted in July 2016. Data on eye health workforce, infrastructure and cataract surgical services between 2005 and 2016 were analysed from relevant documents. RESULTS: In 2005 the unadjusted prevalence of bilateral cataract blindness (<3/60) in people 50 years and over in Wurno health zone was 5.6% (95% CI: 3.1, 10.1). By 2016 this had fallen to 2.1% (95% CI 1.5%, 2.7%), with the age-sex adjusted prevalence being 1.9% (95% CI 1.3%, 2.5%). The CSC for persons with visual acuity <3/60, <6/60, <6/18 for Wurno health zone was 9.1%, 7.1% and 5.5% respectively in 2005 and this had increased to 67.3%, 62.1% and 34.7% respectively in 2016. The CSR in Sokoto state increased from 272 (1005 operations) in 2006, to 596 (2799 operations) in 2014. In the 2005 survey, couching (a procedure used by traditional practitioners to dislocate the lens into the vitreous cavity) accounted for 87.5% of all cataract interventions, compared to 45.8% in the 2016 survey participants. In 2016 18% of eyes having a cataract operation with IOL implantation had a presenting visual acuity of <6/60 (poor outcome) with the main causes being postoperative complications (53%) and uncorrected refractive error (29%). CONCLUSION: Between 2005 and 2016 there was a doubling in cataract surgical rate, a 7 times increase in cataract surgical coverage (<3/60), and a decrease in cataract blindness and the proportion of eyes being couched. However, there remains a high prevalence of un-operated cataract in 2016 indicating a need to further improve access to affordable and good quality cataract surgical services.

Some Strychnos spinosa (Loganiaceae) leaf extracts and fractions have good antimicrobial activities and low cytotoxicities.

BACKGROUND: Strychnos spinosa Lam. is a deciduous tree used in traditional medicine to treat infectious diseases. This study is designed to determine the antimicrobial, antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of extracts and fractions from leaves of S. spinosa. METHODS: Extracts were obtained by maceration with acetone, methanol and dichloromethane/methanol (1/1) while fractions were prepared by liquid-liquid fractionation of the acetone extract. A broth serial microdilution method with tetrazolium violet as growth indicator was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against fungi, Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The antioxidant activity was determined using free-radical-scavenging assays, and the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide reduction assay was used to determine cytotoxicity. RESULTS: Four extracts and five fractions had good to weak antimicrobial activity with MICs ranging from 0.04 to >1.25 mg/ml against both fungi and bacteria. The chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions had an MIC of 0.08 mg/ml against Aspergillus fumigatus. The n-butanol fraction had an MIC of 0.04 mg/ml against Cryptococcus neoformans. The hexane and chloroform fractions had an MIC of 0.08 mg/ml against Staphylococcus aureus. The antioxidant activities were much lower than that of the positive controls. Except for the alkaloid extract, all the extracts and fractions had free-radical-scavenging activity (IC50 ranging from 33.66 to 314.30 µg/ml). The cytotoxicity on Vero cells was reasonable to low with LC50 values ranging between 30.56 and 689.39 µg/ml. CONCLUSION: The acetone extract and the chloroform fraction had the highest antibacterial activity. By solvent-solvent fractionation it was possible to increase the activity against A. fumigatus and to decrease the cytotoxicity leading to a potentially useful product to protect animals against aspergillosis. Our results therefore support the use of S. spinosa leaves in traditional medicine to treat infectious diseases.

Co-administration of sodium arsenite and ethanol: Protection by aqueous extract of Aframomum longiscapum seeds.

BACKGROUND: Human exposure to arsenicals, its toxicity, subsequent adverse effects on health has been widely reported and implicated in the etiology of several cancers. OBJECTIVES: We investigated the effect of Aframomum longiscapum (AL) extracts on sodium arsenite (SA) and ethanol (EtOH)-induced toxicities in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male rats were fed SA, EtOH, and SA + EtOH, with or without AL for 5 weeks. Hepatic transaminases were assessed in serum, micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (mPCEs) from bone marrow, liver histopathology, and semen quality from caudal epididymis were assessed, respectively, and data were represented as mean ± SD, analyzed by ANOVA. RESULTS: SA, SA + EtOH, and AL alone induced mPCEs formation in rat bone marrow (P < 0.05). A decrease (P < 0.05) in mPCEs in AL + SA + EtOH-treated rats compared with SA, and SA + EtOH was observed. SA and EtOH treatment increased serum hepatic transaminases (P < 0.05) relative to control, while AL treatment resulted in a decrease (P < 0.05). AL, SA, and SA + EtOH treatment decreased sperm count and motility (P < 0.05) with no effect on viability compared with control. Semen morphological abnormalities showed no difference (P > 0.05) across the treated groups. Hepatic histopathology indicated mild mononuclear cellular infiltration in the control group. Necrotic hepatocyte were observed in SA, SA + EtOH treated groups, with no visible lesions seen in the AL treated group. Mild hepatocyte congestion of the portal vessels was observed in AL + SA + EtOH-treated groups. CONCLUSION: The AL extract exhibited anticlastogenic and hepatoprotective potentials, reduced sperm count, motility, with no effect on viability and morphology. Our findings suggest that AL may mitigate the effect of arsenicals-induced clastogenicity implicated in chemical carcinogenesis.

Influence of processing cassava peels on the hydrogen cyanide concentration, nutritive value and performance of growing rabbits.

Forty-eight rabbits used to investigate the response of growing rabbits to diets containing differently processed cassava peel meals were divided into four groups balanced for sex and weight. These groups were then assigned at random to the experimental treatments. Four diets were formulated such that the diets contained 200 g/kg of the experimental feedstuffs, sun-dried cassava peel meal (S), ensiled cassava peel meal (E) and retted cassava peel meal (R), and the control did not contain any cassava peels. Hydrogen cyanide (HCN) concentration in the processed cassava peel meal was lower relative to the unprocessed meal. It was, however, lowest in R and highest in E. With the exception of S, fibre fractions were lower in the processed meal compared to the unprocessed meal. The E depressed (p < 0.05) feed and digestible nutrient intakes, weight gain, nutrient digestibility, digestible protein (DP), digestible energy (DE) and DP/DE ratio but increased protein intake to gain and feed to gain ratios compared to other diets. Intake of HCN decreased (p < 0.05) successively in this order: R, S and E. The results indicate that retting and sun-drying are more effective in cassava peel detoxification than ensiling, and dietary HCN concentration and intake of 56 and 4 mg/kg BW, respectively, were not toxic under the conditions of the experiment.