Level of awareness and utilization of insecticide-treated bed nets among medical students as measures for reducing malaria episodes.

This study examined the level of awareness and utilization of insecticide-treated bed nets among medical students as measures for reducing malaria episodes in Delta State University, Abraka. It was a descriptive study with objectives and research questions formulated to achieve the study design. A sample size of 200 male and female students resident in the campus hostels were selected using random sampling technique. A self-structured questionnaire was designed and administered to the study participants, however, only 148 copies of the questionnaires were successfully retrieved and used for the study. Data generated were subjected to quantitative statistical analysis for frequencies, percentages, average mean and Chi-square testing. Findings revealed that the level of awareness was significantly associated with the role of health workers in the distribution of insecticide-treated bed nets in Delta State University, Abraka, although, factors hindering health workers from distributing insecticide-treated bed nets were identified. There was significant difference between perception of medical students and the utilization of insecticide-treated bed nets on risk of malaria spread. In addition, there was significant difference between the benefits of using insecticide-treated bed nets and the prevention and control of malaria. We therefore conclude that regular utilization of insecticide-treated bed nets due to adequate awareness eliminates contact with mosquitoes and prevents transmitting vectors of malaria from having contact with the users of insecticide-treated bed net. Massive health education campaign is recommended to further scale up the awareness and effective utilization of insecticide-treated bed nets towards prevention and control of malaria bites among students in Delta State University, Abraka.

Alcohol and Caffeine Co-Administration Increased Acetylcholinesterase Activity and Inflammatory Cytokines in Sleep-Deprived Rats: Implications for Cognitive Decline and Depressive-Like Manifestations.

Sleep deprivation is a major health problem in modern society; it has been worsened by alcohol and caffeine intake to stay awake and improve bodily activities, an experience common among night-shift workers. For the present study, 50 adult male Wistar rats weighing between 150 g and 200 g were randomly selected and divided into 5 groups of 10 rats each (n = 10). Group 1 was the control group; group 2 was the group of sleep-deprived (SD) rats; group 3 was composed SD rats submitted to the administration of 20% alcohol; group 4 comprised SD rats submitted to the administration of 200 mg/kg of caffeine; and Group 5 was composed of SD rats who underwent the co-administration of 20% alcohol and 200 mg/kg of caffeine. At the end of 28 days, the animals were euthanized, and blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis. Memory, anxiety, social behavior and locomotive activity were assessed using the Y-maze, the elevated plus maze, the hole-board and three-chambered social approach tests, and the open field test. The plasma levels of the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzyme and inflammatory cytokines (interleukin 6 [IL-6], interleukin 10 [IL-10], and tumor necrosis factor beta, [TNF-ß]) were also measured. Data was expressed as mean ± standard error of the mean [SEM] values, and the data were analyzed through analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by the Tukey post hoc test, with significance set at p < 0.05 . The results revealed that sleep deprivation, and the co-administration of alcohol and caffeine impair memory in rats. Sleep deprivation also caused a significant increase in anxiety and anxiety-related behavior, with decreased social interaction, in rats. Locomotive activity was improved in SD rats, especially in those to which alcohol was administered. Sleep deprivation significantly reduced acetylcholinesterase activity among SD rats and those to which alcohol was administered when compared with the controls. The plasma levels of IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-ß were significantly increased in SD rats when compared with the controls. The administration of alcohol and caffeine separately, as well as their co-administration, significantly increased cytokine levels in rats.

Modulatory role of welding fumes on serum zinc and copper levels and oxidative stress markers among welders: Considering smoking as a possible implication.

The presence of heavy metals in welding fumes and the numerous metals that make up welding gases expose welders to numerous occupational dangers, including major occupational health issues worldwide. The gases from welding are a significant and highly skilled process that have a considerable negative impact on welders' overall health and wellbeing. This study evaluated the influence of welding fumes on serum zinc and copper levels and oxidative stress biomarkers in welders considering smoking as a potential risk factor. The study used a case-control experimental design. Forty (40) healthy adult males were randomly selected comprising twenty (20) in the experimental group involving smokers and nonsmokers with welding experience and twenty (20) in the control group involving smokers and nonsmokers without welding experience. Data are expressed as the mean±SEM, and comparisons of means across groups were performed using one-way ANOVA, followed by Turkey's multiple comparisons test. The results showed that the serum zinc and copper levels of smokers were significantly (p < 0.05) increased in comparison to the control group, and a graded increase in the serum GST and MDA levels was observed across groups. The serum SOD level of smoker nonwelders was significantly (p < 0.05) increased when compared with the control group. Smokers who did not weld had significantly (p < 0.05) higher serum SOD levels. The results likewise showed a statistically nonsignificant reduction in glutathione levels and a substantial decrease in total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in the experimental group. Overall, changes in the antioxidant parameters showed that smoking and welding fumes can exacerbate an increase in the activity of reactive oxygen species (ROS), resulting in deteriorated health conditions.

Oxidative stress-induced by different stressors alters kidney tissue antioxidant markers and levels of creatinine and urea: the fate of renal membrane integrity.

The cellular integrity of the kidney in homeostatic regulation has constantly been compromised by oxidative stress following exposure to varying nature of stressor present within the environment. The objective of the work was to evaluate the renal effect of the different stressor stimuli applied. Twenty-four adult female rats weighing averagely 160-200 g and within the ages of 12-14 weeks were used for experiment-1, while 12 offspring were utilized for experiment-2. Three stress models namely; restraint, mirror chamber and cat intruder stressors were used. Tissues were isolated from the animal and homogenized for tissue antioxidant assay. Serum was collected for assays of urea and creatinine for the kidney function test using ELISA. Data collected were analyzed for Mean ± SEM using One Way ANOVA. The present study revealed that exposure of rats to different stressors reduced relative kidney weights but did not significantly alter serum creatinine concentration in the Wistar rats, although the concentrations were slightly increased compared to controls. Urea concentration was significantly (p < 0.05) increased in rats exposed to restraint and intruder stressors. Exposure to a mirror chamber stressor did not significantly alter urea concentration. Offspring from parents of stressed female rats exhibited a significant (p < 0.05) increase in serum urea level, minimal increase in serum creatinine levels. GSH and GST levels showed no significant difference when compared to control group, whereas, GPx were significantly (p < 0.05) decreased irrespective of the stressor applied. SOD activity were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced in the group exposed to restraint or cat intruder stressor. CAT activities were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced in the rats exposed to restraint or cat intruder stressor. In all, the different stress model altered the antioxidant capacity of the kidney tissues. Exposure of rats to a stressful condition of the different nature of stressor has the tendency of compromising the functional integrity of the kidney, thus, with the potency of complicating female renal function.

Comparative Analysis of Fasting Blood Glucose and Salivary Electrolytes Concentrations among Individuals with Type II Diabetes: A Randomized Controlled Hospital Based Study.

Salivary gland dysfunction is common in people with diabetes. This study aimed to compare the measurements of salivary electrolytes (SE); Na+, K+, Cl- and HCO3 - between diabetes and an age matched control group, and assess the relationship between fasting blood glucose (FBG) and salivary electrolytes, and salivary glucose (SG). Eighty-five human participants [diabetes group, n = 45 (23 males and 22 females) and control group, n = 40 (20 males and 20 females)] aged between 25 and 65years were tested. Saliva samples were taken between 7.00 am and 8.00 am after an overnight fast and SG and SE concentrations were analysed. Diabetes mellitus was defined using FBG ≥ 126 mg/dl. SG and SE concentrations were analysed using t-test and Pearson Correlation Coefficient tested the relationship between FBG and Salivary electrolytes and glucose. The participants were matched in their baseline demographic characteristics with a mean age of 49 years (standard deviation SD, 11 years), body mass index (25.7 kg/m2 (SD, 3.6). Half of them were males (50.6 %) and predominantly traders (30.6 %). However, the mean values for the salivary sodium, potassium, chloride and bicarbonate electrolytes were significantly higher in the diabetes group compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Of the salivary electrolytes, only the bicarbonate was significantly correlated with FBG (r = -0.594, p = 0.004) in female participants. This study found that people with diabetes have elevated salivary electrolytes which were not dependent on their age and gender. Although this study suggests some potential for saliva as an alternative in monitoring of diabetes mellitus, extensive research is required before we can reach any firm conclusion.

Proinflammatory and Anti-inflammatory Cytokine Response to Isometric Handgrip Exercise and the Effects of Duration and Intensity of the Isometric Efforts in Prehypertensive Participants.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the responses of selected inflammatory cytokines to isometric handgrip exercise and identify possible effects of intensity and duration of the isometric effort on these variables. Methods: A total of 192 sedentary prehypertensive Nigerian participants aged between 30 and 50 years were recruited into the study and randomly distributed into 3 groups of 64 participants each. The participants performed 24 consecutive days of isometric handgrip exercise at 30% maximum voluntary contraction. At the end of the 24 days, group 1 discontinued the exercise protocol, while group 2 continued the exercise protocol for another 24 consecutive days, and group 3 continued with the exercise protocol for another 24 consecutive days but at 50% maximum voluntary contraction. The parameters used to assess the inflammatory cytokine variables included interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Results: There was an increase in the resting values of IL-10 across the 3 groups, while the resting values of IL-6 and TNF-α were reduced significantly across groups. Generally, the exercise-induced changes in the levels of these cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10) should improve inflammatory and metabolic abnormalities. Conclusion: The isometric handgrip exercise protocols in this study resulted in elevation of anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10) and reductions in the values of proinflammatory cytokines TNF- α and IL-6.

Immune system response to isometric handgrip exercise and effects of duration and intensity of the exercise protocol on selected immune system parameters in prehypertensives.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have shown that physical exercise significantly modulates immunocyte dynamics and possibly plays a significant role on immune function. This study examined the responses of some selected immune system parameters to isometric handgrip exercise and identified possible effects of intensity and duration of the exercise protocols. METHODS: One hundred and ninety-two (N=192) sedentary pre-hypertensive subjects, aged between 30-50 years were recruited into the study. They were randomly distributed into three groups of 64 subjects each. A detailed explanation and a demonstration of the exercise protocol were given to the subjects and they were asked to report at the Exercise Physiology unit of the Physiotherapy department, Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, Delta State at 4.00 pm daily for the exercise practice. The training session for each day took place between the hours of 4.00 pm and 8.00 pm daily (FMC/ASB/A81.VOL.XII/101). The subjects performed a 24 consecutive day's isometric handgrip exercise at 30% Maximum Voluntary Contraction (MVC). At the end of the 24 days, group one (GP1) discontinued with the exercise protocol, while group two (GP2) and group three (GP3) continued with the exercise protocol for another 24 consecutive days nevertheless GP3 performed at an increased intensity of 50% MVC. The clinical trial was registered with Nigeria Clinical Trial Registry, Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja Nigeriawith Trial No: 1216582 (https://www.nctr.nhrec.net/viewTrials.php?TID=1216582). RESULTS: At the end of the study, the result shows thatthe number of CD4 cells and CD4/CD8 ratio significantly (P<0.05) increased while the CD8 cell decreased in GP2 and GP3. It was further shown that increase in duration produced a more significant change compared to an increase in intensity of the isometric effort. CONCLUSION: The study established that isometric handgrip exercise alters the circulating levels of the immune system parameters which could have positive beneficial effects on the prehypertensive individuals as the number of CD4 cells and CD4/CD8 ratio increased especially when practiced over a longer duration.

Cabbage juice protect against lead-induced liver and kidney damage in male Wistar rat.

AIM: Liver and kidney has been implicated in Lead toxicity and this has been linked to oxidative damage. On the other hand, cabbage is one of the widely consumed vegetables with a plethora of health benefits. This present study investigated the protective effect of cabbage juice on lead-induced toxicity in male Wistar rats. METHODS: Twenty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 5) and were treated with distilled water (1 ml/100 g b.wt), Lead acetate (25 mg/kg b.wt), cabbage juice (1 ml/100 g b.wt) and Lead acetate plus cabbage juice respectively. All treatments were administered orally for 28 days. Following euthanasia, blood was collected and serum decanted for biochemical assay and liver and kidney tissues were harvested, prepared for antioxidant activity and histological study. RESULT: Cabbage juice significantly attenuated Lead-induced liver and kidney dysfunction by lowering serum concentrations of urea, creatinine, ALP, AST and ALT. Antioxidants (SOD, CAT, GSH) were also upregulated in liver and kidney tissues. Cabbage juice restored the histoarchitectural changes caused by lead intoxication. CONCLUSION: Cabbage juice consumption protected the liver and kidney against lead-induced toxicity by enhancing in vivo anti-oxidant defense system.

In Vivo Attenuation of Alcohol- and Cadmium Chloride-Induced Testicular Toxicity Modulated by Silymarin in Male Wistar Rat.

The aim of the study is to investigate the in vivo attenuation of alcohol- and cadmium chloride-induced testicular toxicity modulated by Silymarin in male Wistar rats. A total of fifty-six (56) Wistar rats were used for this study and they were randomized into seven (7) groups of eight (8) rats each. Group 1 was control rats; Groups 2-7 served as the experimental groups. After 6 weeks treatment duration, the rats were euthanized, semen was collected for semen analysis, blood samples for testosterone, and FSH and LH assay determination, and left testes was harvested for histological analysis. One-way ANOVA was used to compare means at p-level < 0.05 was considered significant. Findings from this study have shown that alcohol and cadmium chloride adversely affected semen parameters, testosterone, and FSH and LH hormone milieu. Data also showed that Silymarin administration attenuated the adverse effect of alcohol and cadmium chloride on semen quality and hormones associated with reproductive functions. Hence, Silymarin mopped the effect of in vivo attenuation of alcohol and cadmium chloride testicular damage. The findings of this study have further established that alcohol and cadmium chloride adversely affected semen parameters, testicular alterations, and serum hormonal milieu. However, the effect was more significantly deleterious in rats exposed to cadmium chloride when compared to rats exposed to alcohol, subsequently alcohol- and cadmium chloride-induced degeneration of testicular tissues. Furthermore, Silymarin administration attenuated the adverse effect of alcohol on semen quality and hormones associated with reproductive functions.

Down regulatory response of reproductive potentials in stress-induced rats supplemented with clomifene citrate: The fate of infertility.

This study was designed to physiologically investigate the fate of stress related infertility conditions to focus on the regulatory response of reproductive potentials in stress-induced female Wistar rats supplemented with clomifene citrate. 42 apparently healthy female Wistar rats weighing about 120-160 g were used in the study. The animals were randomly distributed into 3 groups after acclimatization for 2 weeks. Group 1 served as the control pregnant rats not induced by restraint, mirrored and intruder stressors, group 2 consisted of rats treated with 0.013 mg/g of clomifene citrate drug and exposed to three different stressors while group 3 represented pregnant rats exposed to different stressors but not treated with clomifene citrate. At the end of 3weeks, the rats were euthanized via cervical dislocation. The uterus and ovary organs were carefully isolated, weighed and examined for histological changes. The reproductive capacities studied were gestation period, mean pup weight, litter size and survival rate respectively. Data collected is expressed in Mean±SEM and one way ANOVA statistics was used for comparison of means while Fisher's LSD was employed for post hoc test and the level of significance is determined at p-value < 0.05. Results from our study revealed that restraint and intruder stressors following supplementation with clomifene citrate produced similar stress response in the gestation length, pub-weights, litter size and percentage of survival. Stress of different nature altered the histoarchitecture of the ovary and the uteri of rats exposed to restraint or intruder stressor. Meanwhile, Clomifene citrate administration produced effect on ovulation and pregnancy outcome of stressed pregnant rats and the survival ratio of the offspring.

Maternal Gestation Induced-stress Alters Reproductive Outcome in Adult Female Rats, Offspring Survival Rate and Sex–ratio

@#Introduction: Investigations relating to the effect of stress on reproductive outcome, offspring survival rate and chances of still births are currently attracting global concern. The present study evaluated the effect of maternal gestation induced-stress in the altered reproductive outcome of adult female Wistar rats, offspring sex – ratio and survival following exposure to different stress models. Methods: The study protocol involved two parts. Seventy-eight adult healthy female Wistar rats aged between 12 – 14 weeks and weighing between 150-180g were procured and utilized for part 1 study. The rats were exposed to three stressors; restraint, mirror and intruder, respectively, for three hours per day for three weeks. For part 2 experiment twenty-four female offspring rats from the part 1 study were used. Results: Exposure of rats to the varying stressors increased gestate on length, decreased mean pup weights and litter size at birth especially when the rats were stressed by exposure to restraint or intruder stressor. The effect of stress on gestation period, pup weights and litter size were largely variable and dependent on the nature of stressor applied. There was significant (p<0.05) reduction in the survival rates of offspring of rats exposed to the different nature of stressors especially when stressed with restraint or intruder stressors. The stressors’ impact was greatest when the rats were exposed to the varying stressors up to the end of the 2nd trimester and beyond. Furthermore, the male sex ratio of offspring of stressed rats was significantly (p<0.05) reduced than the females. Conclusion: Stressful maternal condition tends to compromise the fetal outcome, sex ratio specificity and the survival rate of offspring.

Prenatal and early postnatal food restrictions cause changes in brain oxidative status and orexigenic/anorexigenic hormones in the offspring of rats: prevention by quercetin and kaempferol.

Brain oxidative signaling pathways have been identified as important targets for alleviating food deprivation-induced changes in metabolic gate-ways. Previous studies have shown that prenatal and early postnatal malnutrition alters leptin and ghrelin signaling via oxidative pathways. Thus, it has been hypothesized that agents with antioxidant properties might be beneficial for the mitigation of prenatal and early postnatal food scarcity-induced oxidative damage. Quercetin and kaempferol are natural bioflavonoids with proven antioxidant properties. In this study, we evaluated their effects on prenatal maternal food consumption, maternal and pup weights, biomarkers of orexigenic and anorexigenic hormones and oxidative stress in rats. Rats were allotted into different treatment groups (n â€‹= â€‹6) in three different experiments (prenatal, postnatal food-deprivations or both). Prenatal-food restriction (PrNFR) was induced by 50% of ad libitum accessible diet during pregnancy till parturition and postnatal-food restriction (PsNFR) was simulated by litter-enlargement to 16 pups per mother from postnatal day (PND) 2. Rats in each experiment were concurrently treated with vehicle (10 â€‹mL/kg), quercetin (50, 100 and 200 â€‹mg/kg, p.o.) or kaempferol (50, 100 and 200 â€‹mg/kg, p.o.) respectively. A third experimental group consisted of both protocols. Quercetin and kaempferol dose-dependently increased the body weights of pups exposed to PrNFR, PsNFR and PrNFR-PsNFR at PNDs 1-22 respectively. Both compounds increased maternal body weights but attenuated maternal food-intake at prenatal days 7 and 14 due by PrNFR. Quercetin and kaempferol reduced brain malondialdehyde concentrations and increased glutathione levels in PrNFR, PsNFR and PrNFR-PsNFR-exposed offspring of rats. Importantly, quercetin and kaempferol significantly (p â€‹< â€‹0.05) prevented PrNFR-, PsNFR- or PrNFR-PsNFR-induced alterations in leptin and ghrelin levels. Cumulatively, quercetin and kaempferol increased pup and maternal weights and attenuated maternal food-intake of rats submitted to PrNFR, PsNFR and PrNFR-PsNFR respectively, likely via nutrigenomic modulations of orexigenic/anorexigenic hormones and inhibition of brain oxidative stress.