Lipid Profiles in Different ABO Blood Groups in Owerri Metropolis, South East Nigeria- A Preliminary Study

Abstracts

Objective: The study investigated the possibility of using blood groups as predictive indices for diseases associated with lipid metabolism.

Methods: Lipid profiles were examined in 100 apparently healthy male (40) and female (60) subjects of different ABO blood groups aged between 18-30 years from Imo State University.  Of these, 20 were blood group A, 30 were B blood type, 4 were  AB blood type, and 46 were blood group O. Lipid profile parameters were determined according to enzymatic assay using a commercial kit from Randox Laboratories, United Kingdom and calculation using Friedewald’s equation. Monoclonal ABO blood grouping reagent by CLAS Technology, United Kingdom was used to determine the blood group. 

Results: Total Cholesterol (140.62 ± 21.66 mg/dl) and High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) (96.20 ± 40.32 mg/dl) were highest in blood group B. Blood group A had the highest level of Triglyceride (80.84 ± 18.60 mg/dl) and Very Low-Density Lipoprotein (VLDL) (15.21 ± 6.24 mg/dl). Blood group O showed TC level of 130.60 ±34.76 mg/dl with the highest level of LDL (70.74 ± 20.15 mg/dl) and the lowest level of HDL (51.68 ± 20.50 mg/dl) compared to non- O blood types (P < 0.05).

 Conclusion: The study revealed that blood group O might have a higher propensity for dyslipidemia, suggesting an increased risk for disease associated with lipid metabolism.

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Comparative Studies of Spawning Potentials in Female African Bonytongue Heterotis niloticus (Curvier 1829) between Cross River and Great Kwa River, Nigeria

Abstracts

The spawning potentials of Heterotis niloticus from Great Kwa River and Cross River was compared in a twelve-month study. Forty-nine female H. niloticus was sampled from Cross River and thirty four from Great Kwa River from January to December 2014.  Gonadosomatic index (GSI), fecundity and histological examinations were investigated in the Institute of Oceanography laboratory. Each month of this study recorded at least one female specimen with eggs at different stages of development. In Cross River, the months of August and September recorded one hundred per cent female with eggs, while Great Kwa River exhibited such performance in July, an indication of spawning activities by the fish. Cross River had a major GSI peak in July with a minor one in August, but Great Kwa River did not exhibit any significant GSI peak throughout the study, and no significant difference in GSI between the rivers when compared with T-test (0.22; P>0.05). There was a significant difference (0.02, P<0.05) in fecundity of H. niloticus between the population in Cross River and Great Kwa River. Regression analysis of fecundity and body weight showed a positive correlation (P<0.05)(r=0.3686). Histological changes in the gonad of the fish showed no disparity between the rivers. H. niloticus has the ability to spawn all year round, but in the Cross River, the fish has high reproductive potentials than those in the Great Kwa River.

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The Prevalence of Symptomatic Vulvo-vaginal Candidiasis and Trichomonas vaginalis Infection and Associated Risk Factors among Women in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

Abstracts

Aims: This study aims to determine the prevalence of symptomatic vulvo-vaginal candidiasis and trichomoniasis and risk factors among women presenting at the outpatient departments of two tertiary health institutions in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.

Study Design:  A prospective cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital (NDUTH), Okolobiri and the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Yenagoa, both in Bayelsa State, Nigeria between February 2012 and May 2013.

Methodology: 1240 patients presenting with vaginal symptoms: discharge, itching, soreness or burning sensation were consecutively recruited for the study. High vaginal and endocervical swabs were taken from the women and examined microscopically for motile trichomonads and yeasts, and cultured on appropriate media. Gram staining and Germ tube test were used to identify the organisms. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain patient information relevant to the study. IBM SPSS 21 for Windows® was used for statistical analysis. Variables were compared using the Student’s t-test and Fisher’s Exact test. P values less than 0.05 were considered significant.

Results: The prevalence of VVC was 25.7% (319 subjects), and only Candida albicans genus was isolated from the samples. Bacterial culture was positive in 34.3% of the subjects and Trichomonas vaginalis identified in 6.5% of the samples. Prevalence of co-infection with C. albicans and T. vaginalis was 2.6%.  Most of the subjects with VVC and T. vaginalis infection were in the 21 years to 30 years age group. Diabetes mellitus (p<0.01), being a student (p<0.01) and being single (p<0.01) were significantly associated with C. albicans infection and T. vaginalis infection. Pregnancy was significantly associated with C. albicans infection (p=0.04).  The use of low-oestrogen oral contraceptives had no significant association with C. albicans or T. vaginalis infection.

Conclusion: Symptomatic VVC and T. vaginalis infection were found to be common in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Risk factors include diabetes mellitus, pregnancy, being single and being a student. Clearly defined clinical guidelines for symptomatic vulvovaginitis management are needed.

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Do Iron Chelators Affect Fertility in Thalassemic Men?

Abstracts

Background: Iron overload is a major complication in patients with thalassemia, however, development of iron-chelating therapy has partly overcome this problem.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of iron chelator drugs on testicular volume, semen parameters and serum FSH, LH, and Testosterone concentrations in 62 young male patients with major and intermedia thalassemia.

Materials and Methods: Sixty two young male patients with major and intermedia thalassemia, aged 18–41 years who had different iron chelator drug using status were evaluated.

Results: At the time of the study their serum ferritin levels ranged from 182 to 11053 ng/mL (mean 2067 ng/mL). The mean volume of patients’ ejaculate was 2.3 cc. The mean concentration of sperm was 61.04 million per milliliter. The mean size of right testis was 11.4 cc and the mean size of left testis was 11.7 cc. Hypogonadism and hypothyroidism were seen in 22.6% and 17.7% of patients, respectively. The mean level of FSH was 3.7 mIU/ml, LH was 4.6 mIU/ml, and Testosterone was 4.8 ng/dl. The mean level of serum ferritin was 2067 ng/dl.

Conclusion: This study suggests that in thalassemic men, concentrations of serum Testosterone, LH, FSH has significant correlation with sperm parameters and testicular volume but iron chelators mostly do not impact the elements of fertility in these patients.

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Effects of Fermented Soya Bean Supplements on Thyroid Profile and Serum Electrolytes of High Fat Diet-induced Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Rabbits

Abstracts

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of fermented soya bean supplements on thyroid profile and serum electrolytes of high fat diet-induced type 2 diabetes in rabbits.

Twenty rabbits weighing between 1 kg – 1.5 kg were used for the study. Diabetes was induced by feeding the animals with high fat diet for eight weeks. Rabbits having fasting blood glucose levels of 7.2 mmol/L and above after the induction were used for the study. The animals were grouped into four groups of five rabbits each: Group 1 (diabetic control) received distilled water ad libitum for six weeks; Groups 2, 3 and 4 were fed with 12.5%, 25% and 50% fermented soya bean supplements respectively for six weeks. At the end of the treatment period, the rabbits were euthanized by cervical dislocation and blood samples were collected through cardiac puncture. The serum was extracted after clotting and centrifugation for the determination of thyroid profile and electrolyte levels. The results showed a significant decrease (P ≤ 0.05) in serum T₃ and T₄ concentrations, and a significant increase (P ≤ 0.05) in the serum TSH concentration in the groups fed with the supplements when compared with the diabetic control. Furthermore, as regards to the serum electrolytes concentrations there was  a significant increase (P ≤ 0.05) in sodium ion concentration in the group fed 12.5% soya bean supplement when compared with the control and a significant decrease (P ≤ 0.05) in potassium ion concentrations in all the groups fed with the soya beans supplements, as  compared to control. Chloride ion concentrations were significantly decreased (P ≤ 0.05) in groups fed 25% and 50 % supplement as compared to control, while bicarbonate ion concentrations were significantly increased (P ≤ 0.05) in groups fed with 25% and 50% supplement when compared with the control. In conclusion fermented soya bean supplementation suppressed thyroid activity and improved serum electrolyte concentrations; it may be used to alleviate hyperthyroidism and electrolyte disturbances in diabetes patients.

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Genetic Screening of Cowpea Varieties [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] for Aphis craccivora Resistance in the Sudano-Sahelian Zone of Cameroon

Abstracts

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) is a highly sought after legume of populations in the Sudano-Sahelian zone of Cameroon. Its multiple uses meet the needs of farmers because it contributes to food security and contributes to people's incomes. The use of resistant varieties is the most advantageous method because of its compatibility with integrated pest management. The objective of this study was to identify with the marker CP171 / 172 the cowpea varieties resistant to A. craccivora.Ten (10) varieties are conducted in Greenhouse for tested of resistance to aphids. The seedlings were artificially infested with five aphid nymphs and the assessment of their responses to symptoms of aphid damage was made on the basis of qualitative and quantitative criteria, namely: stem height, number of leaves, leaf surface primary, number and damage of A. craccivora. After DNA Extraction and Polymerization Chain Reaction in the Laboratory, two varieties (ENMD2 and NML50) revealed aphid resistance: these results show the effectiveness of Marker Assisted Selection in Varietal Selection programs to conserve and sustainably manage these resources.

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How Useful is the Widal Test in Modern Clinical Practice in Developing Countries? A Review

Abstracts

Background: It has been over a century since the Widal test was developed for diagnosing typhoid fever. Yet, the test remains the major means of diagnosing the disease in many of the developing countries where it remains endemic. This review appraises the Widal test in regard to its performance techniques, its various drawbacks and the available alternative diagnostics methods.

Methods: The study was a non-systematic review. A literature search was conducted for relevant original and review articles primarily in MEDLINE database through PubMed. Relevant references in the articles at hand were searched manually with Google search engine. Related articles during the manual search were also reviewed. Inclusion criteria were the date of publication from 2,000 to 2017, original research conducted on human subjects and publication in the English Language. All articles that did not meet these criteria were excluded.

Results: The Widal test is a relatively cheap and readily available test in developing countries where more sophisticated tests like culture and polymerase chain reaction are either not available or unaffordable where available. It is, however, difficult to interpret the result because of various reasons that may cause either a false positive or a false negative result. Although several alternative rapid diagnostic tests are now available, there is still no sufficiently reliable one that can replace the traditional diagnostic gold standard, which is culture isolation of the organism.

Conclusion: The Widal test is grossly inadequate to be relied upon as a diagnostic tool for typhoid fever in an endemic area, culture isolation of the causative organism remains the gold standard for diagnosing the disease, and the quest to develop highly effective rapid diagnostic tests for the disease should continue.

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Marijuana Use and Its Effects on the Kidney

Abstracts

Cannabis (marijuana) continues to be the most commonly used illicit psychoactive substance globally. However little is known about trends of marijuana use in a large proportion of the world’s population, including in India. Some countries such as the United States have legalised marijuana use in some states for recreational and medicinal uses. In animal models, the endogenous cannabinoid (eCB) system plays a role in regulating kidney hemodynamics and sodium transport and may contribute to the pathogenesis of diabetic and obesity related nephropathy and kidney fibrosis. Although there is no evidence currently that marijuana use plays a role in the pathogenesis of kidney disease, data in humans are limited to case reports of AKI in the setting of synthetic cannabinoid use. The present review focuses on the role of the eCB system in normal kidney function and in various diseases.

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Volatile Constituents of Essential Oils from the Leaves, Stems, Roots and Fruits of Vietnamese Species of Alpinia malaccencis

Abstracts

The essential oils obtained from different parts of Alpinia malaccencis (Burm f.) (Zingiberaceae) collected from Kỳ SÆ¡n Districts, Nghệ An Province, Vietnam, has been studied. Determination of essential oil components from the leaves, stems, roots and fruits of A. malaccencis was performed by gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID) and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). β-Pinene (leaf: 56.%; stem: 46.0%; root: 31.7% and fruit: 18.5%) and α-pinene (leaf: 10.3%; stem: 9.8%; root: 6.3% and fruit: 5.9%) were the major constituents of the oils. In addition, β-phellandrene was present in the amount of 12.1%, 12.9% and 12.9% in the stem, root and fruit oils but absent in the leaf. Methyl cinnamate (27.8%) was identified in higher quantity only in the fruit oil but absent in the leaf while α-phellandrene (5.7%) was present in the stem and α-selina-6-en-4-ol (5.5%) was a significant compound of the root oil. The compositions of the root and fruit essential oils were reported for the first time.
Aims: The aim of the research is to investigate for the first time the volatile constituents from A. malaccencis collected from Kỳ SÆ¡n Districts, Nghệ An Province, Vietnam.
Study Design: Extraction of essential oils from the air-dried leaves, stems, roots and fruits samples of A. malaccencis and investigation of their chemical constituents.
Place and Duration of Study: Leaves, stems, roots and fruits of A. malaccaencis were collected from plants growing in Kỳ SÆ¡n Districts, Nghệ An Province, Vietnam, in May 2014.
Methodology: Air-dried and pulverized samples were hydrodistilled in a Clevenger-type apparatus according to Vietnamese Pharmacopoeia to obtained volatile oils whose chemical constituents were analyzed by GC and GC/MS.
Results: Monoterpene hydrocarbons were the dominant class of compound in the leaf oil (74.0%) and stem oil (81.3%) of A. malaccencis. Sesquiterpene compounds (21.5%) were identified in appreciable quantity in the roots oil, although monoterpene hydrocarbons (59.3%) are abundant. Oxygenated monoterpenes (31.1%) and monoterpene hydrocarbons (46.7%) constituted the main classes of compounds identified in the fruit oil.
Conclusion: The literature about the oils of A. malaccencis indicates a high variability in the chemical composition of the essential oils.

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Qualitative Exploration of Ebola Risk Perception among Mortuary Workers in Ibadan Metropolis, Nigeria

Abstracts

Aim:  To explore the risk perception of Ebola virus disease (EVD) among mortuary workers in Nigeria.

Study Design:  A qualitative research approach method, using Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), conducted among 36 mortuary workers in Ibadan.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted between October and November 2014 in Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria.

Methodology: A structured moderating approach with a non-directive style was developed. A Focus Group Discussion (FGD) guide was used to explore participants’ ideas and opinions. The FGD guide consisted of five sections. Each section was framed to probe into the following issues: (1). Knowledge of EVD (2). Participant’s attitude to EVD (3). Adherence to infection control practices (4). Risk perception of EVD; and (5). Behavioural predisposition to the risk of mortuary-related infections. A total of six FGD sessions were conducted among 36 mortuary attendants, drawn from two government and four private health facilities in Ibadan. Six participants made up each focus group and one focus group discussion was conducted at a time in the respective health facilities.

Results: The qualitative exploration of mortuary workers revealed gaps in the knowledge of workers with regards to EVD, the high-risk perception of mortuary workers to Ebola virus disease and the unavailability of PPE in conducting autopsies and daily operations. In addition, a poor attitude to convalescent individuals and certain harmful behavioural practices in the morgue were revealed as key findings.

Conclusion: Efforts at bridging the knowledge gaps concerning EVD among mortuary workers should be sustained, despite the decline in Ebola outbreaks. It is also recommended that standard precautions should be followed when handling corpses due to the risk of infection.

Keywords :

Ebola viral disease; FGD; risk perception; mortuary workers; Ibadan.

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Geospatial Profiling for Threshold Mapping of Hydrothermal Alterations within Kushaka Schist Belt, North Central Nigeria: Implications for Mineral Exploration

Abstracts

Determining thresholds are very useful and efficacious in hydrothermal alteration mapping because of their association with mineral deposits. Thus, quantifying the degree of association can serve as a reliable and definitive way of separating highly to less altered zones. This can be achieved through the application of the knowledge of the threshold values. The aim of the study is to propose a new and more effective method for defining thresholds from spatial profiles in thematic images. To achieve this, band ratio technique and threshold mapping of the study area were carried out. The band ratio method was used to delineate clay alteration by dividing band 5 on band 7. Ten (10) profiles each were generated within the study area and the maximum and minimum threshold values were determined. The results showed a close agreement and consistency between the thresholds values derived from spatial profiling method with the values computed from other established method of threshold determination. It is also important to note that known gold mineralization points in the study area were observed to occur within the highly clay altered zones. Therefore, this study have shown that spatial profiling technique can be regarded as a valid and plausible method for determining threshold values in thematic images.

Keywords :

Threshold; band ratio; spatial profiling; thematic images; hydrothermal alterations.

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