| 1 |
Author(s):
Onuoha Chinyere, Chukwudoruo C.S., Ezenwaka C.O., Ujowundu F.N..
Page No : 1-8
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Investigating the Efficacy of Potential Diet-Derived Phytochemicals on LNCaP Cell Lines Under Physiological Conditions
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is increasingly prevalent in Nigeria and chemoprevention has a potential role to stem the initiation, promotion and progression of prostate carcinogenesis. The in vivo efficacy of phytochemicals depends on bioavailability, as the concentration of the compounds reaching target sites are known to reduce tremendously. With lower concentrations being achieved in target organs, the outcome on key players of carcinogenesis needs to be understood. The effect of curcumin, 3,3’-Diindolylmethane and epigallocatechin-3-gallate were interrogated on LNCaP cell lines by imitating in vivo conditions. The LNCaP cell lines were firstly, treated with low doses of curcumin, DIM and EGCG respectively. Subsequently, to investigate chemopreventive potentials of selected phytochemicals, cell lines were pre-treated and subsequently stimulated with testosterone. Lastly, to investigate the therapeutic potential of selected phytochemicals, cell lines were pre-stimulated before receiving respective treatments. From results, the effect of low dose treatments on the androgen receptor (AR) was dose-dependent. AR inhibition was observed more with cell lines that received a pre-treatment than cell-lines that received a pre-stimulation. All findings indicate that the investigated phytochemicals are potential chemopreventive regimens than curative regimens, since inhibitory effects on AR were enhanced more with a pre-treatment than a pre-stimulation. Furthermore, increased bioavailability of chemopreventive regimens will enhance efficacy.
| 2 |
Author(s):
Onuoha Chinyere, Ikimi Charles German.
Page No : 9-16
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In Vitro Assessment of Diet-Derived Phytochemicals on PSA Secretion
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is increasingly a global public health burden. The prostate specific antigen (PSA) is the major biomarker for diagnosing and managing PCa. Due to the importance of PSA as a biomarker and as a downstream product of the androgen receptor (AR), it was imperative to expose LNCaP cells to selective diet-derived phytochemicals and investigate the effect on PSA protein secretion. The phytochemicals: Curcumin, 3,3’-Diindolylmethane (DIM) and Epigallcatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) were utilised singly and in paired combinations as in vitro treatments. The ELISA technique was utilised to assess secreted PSA levels. Results obtained indicated that DIM posed inhibitory effects to PSA production and secretion. Uniquely, DIM lowered PSA levels significantly when compared to curcumin and EGCG. This finding corroborates with previous reports where DIM was observed to inhibit AR protein expression. It is suggestive that DIM targets the androgen receptor and its downstream pathway that produces PSA. In conclusion, DIM may hold overwhelming potential chemoprevention and management of PCa, and can be harnessed for enhanced clinical applications.
| 3 |
Author(s):
Opatola Kikelomo O., Professor Moturanyo F. Olanrewaju, Professor Atulomah N.O..
Page No : 17-38
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Knowledge, Attitude, Perception of Covid-19 Prevention Practices Among Residents in Selected Local Government Areas in Lagos State Nigeria
Abstract
Background: COVID-19 has no effective cure, yet early recognition of symptoms and timely seeking of supportive care and preventive practices enhance recovery from the illness and combat the spread of the virus. To reduce the risk of transmission in the community, individuals should be advised to wash hands diligently, practice respiratory hygiene (cover their cough), avoid crowds and close contact with ill individuals (WHO,2019). This study was a cross sectional descriptive study carried out in January, 2021 designed to assess the knowledge, attitude, perception of covid-19 prevention practices among residents in selected local government areas in Lagos State Nigeria. The knowledge obtained from this research should act as a framework for educating the population about the triggers, modes of infection and, most specifically, disease prevention. Methods: The data was collected and analyzed using the statistical package of social (SPSS) version 28. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics were used. Inferential statistic that was used is Chi-square and was adopted in testing the hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance. Four hundred and twenty questionnaires (420) were administered, and four hundred were completely and correctly filled. The response rate was 95.2%. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 38.43±16.4years. The ages of the majority 118 (29.5%) of the respondents, fell within the 30 to 39 years age range. Most 251(62.8%) of the respondents were female while less than half 158(39.5%) of the respondents were Muslims. More than half 208(52.0%) of the respondents were married. Few 135(33.8%) of the respondents had tertiary education, with less than half 151(37.8%) of the respondents without formal education. Most 174(43.4%) of the respondents are Artisans. More than half 241(60.3%) of the respondents had fair knowledge about COVID19, with 159(39.8%) of the respondents having good knowledge. Most 279(69.8%) of the respondents had low perception of COVID19 prevention while 121(30.2%) of the respondents had high perception. All 400(100%) of the respondents had negative attitudinal disposition towards COVID19 prevention. Slightly half 262(67.8%) of the respondents had poor prevention practices, while 198(49.5%) of the respondents had good prevention practices. Conclusion: This study provided a comprehensive look at the knowledge, attitude and perception of COVID19 prevention practices among residents of selected local government areas in Lagos Nigeria. The participants had a high level of knowledge about the virus and good practice towards using protective measures, which is significant towards controlling the spread of the virus. But the attitudinal disposition of the respondent’s was negative; this could be because of inadequate information regarding the virus. This study recommends developing informative COVID-19 related campaigns, and providing necessary protective mask and hand sanitizers for the residence of this community. Effective health education campaigns aimed at enhancing attitude of COVID-19 are therefore desperately needed to promote positive mindset and maintain appropriate preventive practices and health campaigns should be more focused on practices such as regular hand-washing with soap and water and social distancing, which protect against transmission of COVID-19 among community members irrespective of their sex.
| 4 |
Author(s):
Dr. Samuel G.K., Kue Jane Baridah.
Page No : 39-48
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Knowledge of Sexually Transmitted Infection among Secondary School Students in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State
Abstract
This study assessed the knowledge of sexually transmitted infection among secondary school students in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State. Five research questions and four hypotheses guide the study. The cross-sectional survey design was adopted for the study. A structured questionnaire with a reliability co-efficient 0.81 was used for data collection. Data was analysed using percentages and chi-square. The result showed that the knowledge of sexually transmitted infection among secondary school students in ONELGA was high as majority 370(93.0%) have ever heard about STIs. The types of STIs known to the respondents were gonorrhea 387(97.2%), syphilis 388(97.5%), HIV/AIDS 398(100%), Hepatitis B 365(91.7%), Chlamydia 363(91.5%) and Herpes 364(91.5%). Majority 390(98.0%) knew that sexual intercourse is the transmission route of STIs. There was no significant influence of gender and age on student’s knowledge of sexually transmitted infection among secondary school students in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State (p>0.05). It was recommended among others that health educators should mobilize resources and take measures to improve young people’s awareness and knowledge about STIs prevention through educational training and guidance to maintain active and healthy lives.
| 5 |
Author(s):
Oniso Juliet Imawaigha, Tawari Erebi Patricia.
Page No : 49-58
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Assessment of the Usage of Contraceptive among College of Health Sciences Students of Niger Delta University, Amassoma Bayelsa State, Nigeria
Abstract
Background: Contraceptives are the of use artificial devices to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease such as HIV/STIs. Despite the existence of numerous family planning programmes in recent years, the prevalence rate of contraceptive use remains low in several developing countries. Therefore, this study was conducted to examine the use Contraceptive among students in the College of Health of Health Science, Niger Delta University, Amassoma. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was conducted among two hundred (200) students of the College of Health of Health Science, Niger Delta University aged 16-30 years. Data collection was carried out using both self-administered questionnaire Results: Data showed that majority of the students in College of Health Science, Niger Delta University are about (84%) sexually experience with most of the first sexual experiences occurring within the 16-20 years’ age group. 47 % identified that they discuss contraceptives the first time they had sex while 22.0 % of the respondents revealed that they did not discuss any contraceptives with their partner the first they had sex. 30.5% sexually active females stated that they have been pregnant and 34.1% sexually active males had impregnated a girl, (50%) ended up in abortion while (6.8%) respondents are currently pregnant. Conclusion: A sizable number of respondents revealed that they did not use any contraceptives the first time they had sex. Therefore, there is a need to improve the awareness and encourage the use of conceptive among youths.
| 6 |
Author(s):
Josephine Chiogo Ochu, Ethel-Doris N. Umeh, Victor S. Njom.
Page No : 59-68
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Seasonal Larval Abundance of the Blackfly, Simulium damnosum Complex and the Physico-chemical Properties of their Breeding Sites in Oji River System, Enugu State, Nigeria
Abstract
Seasonal larval abundance of the blackfly, Simulium damnosum complex, and the physico-chemical properties of their breeding sites in Oji river system was carried out, with the aim of finding out the season that promotes the breeding of S. damnosum complex and the effect of the physico-chemical properties of the breeding sites of S. damnosum complex on larval abundance. Larvae of S. damnosum complex were collected monthly from forty-eight (48) breeding sites in four sampling units for three years, in dry and wet seasons. The physico-chemical properties of the breeding sites of S. damnosum complex studied were copper, dissolved oxygen, magnesium, nitrate, pH, phosphate, potassium, temperature, and water velocity. A total of six hundred and ninety one (691) larvae of S. damnosum complex were collected in the Oji river system in both seasons. Wet season catch was more and comprised 82% of the total catch, while dry season catch comprised 18% of the total catch. Dry and wet seasons catches in the sampling units were found to differ statistically. All the physico-chemical properties of the breeding sites of S. damnosum complex determined showed positive correlations with total larval abundance in both seasons, except copper which showed no correlation with total larval abundance in the dry season. Wet season promotes larval abundance of S. damnosum complex, and the physico-chemical properties of the breeding sites of S. damnosum complex play some roles (in varying degrees) in larval development.
| 7 |
Author(s):
Josephine Chiogo Ochu, Ethel-Doris N. Umeh, Victor S. Njom.
Page No : 69-78
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Identification of the Sibling Species of the Blackfly, Simulium damnosum Complex Using their Polytene Chromosomal Banding Patterns in Oji River System, Enugu State, Nigeria
Abstract
Identification of the sibling species of the blackfly, S. damnosum complex using their polytene chromosomal banding patterns in Oji river system was carried out with the aim of accurately identifying the particular sibling species of S. damnosum complex involved in the transmission of onchocerciasis in Oji-river LGA and environ. Simulium damnosum complex larvae were collected monthly in forty eight (48) breeding sites in four sampling units for three years in the Oji river system in wet and dry seasons. Collected larvae were preserved in cold Carnoy’s solution prior to processing. Salivary gland chromosomes were extracted, processed and analyzed microscopically for polytene chromosomal banding patterns. Three sibling species of Simulium damnosum complex that breed in the Oji river system were identified in varying degrees. They included S. squamosum, S. yahense and S. damnosum sensu stricto (s.s.). Variation in the occurrence of the sibling species was statistically significant. Dry and wet season catches for all the sibling species in the sampling units were found to differ statistically. The identified sibling species of S. damnosum complex are known to be vectors of Onchocerca volvulus, the causative agent of onchocerciasis, a disease highly prevalent in Oji-river LGA and environ.
| 8 |
Author(s):
Ogugua Jane Uzoma, Chiejina Edith Nkechi.
Page No : 79-91
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Knowledge and Barriers to Use of Low-Osmolarity Oral Rehydration Solution and Zinc Supplementation in the Management of Childhood Diarrhea Among Primary Health Care Providers in Imo State, Nigeria
Abstract
Low-Osmolarity Oral Rehydration Solution (L-ORS) and zinc supplementation remain the recommended gold standard for the management of childhood diarrhoea. However, since 2005, there has been little or no progress in increasing the use of L-ORS and zinc supplementation in the management of children under 5 years with diarrhoea. The study, therefore, assessed the knowledge and barriers to the use of low osmolarity ORS and zinc supplementation among primary healthcare providers. The study was a descriptive cross-sectional design carried out among health care providers working in government-owned primary health centres across the 27 LGAs of Imo State Nigeria. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was used to collect data from randomly selected 340 health care providers. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and a chi-square test. Out of the 340 healthcare providers who participated in the study, a higher proportion of respondents demonstrated a moderate level of knowledge (75.86%), which was reflected in their moderate extent of use of L-ORS and zinc supplementation in the management of childhood diarrhoea. Major barriers contributing to the suboptimal use of L-ORS and zinc included poor availability of L-ORS and zinc supplementation (85.9%), limited training and re-training of health care workers (60.9%) and poor communication of current public trends among health providers (81.5%). Findings from the study also indicated that the level of knowledge on the use of L-ORS - zinc and cadre of the health providers were significantly associated with the use of L-ORS and zinc: p-value 0.01, p-value < 0.01 respectively. Despite the moderate level of knowledge on the use of L-ORS and zinc, there still remained identifiable knowledge gaps on key factors underlying the use of the recommended L-ORS and zinc, hence there is a need for continuous training and re-training programs for health care workers to improve their knowledge and skillsets towards promoting sustainable use of Low ORS and Zinc supplementation in the management of childhood diarrhoea.
| 9 |
Author(s):
Aminu Y., Bichi B. S., R. M. Kutama, Yassar Z. R..
Page No : 92-98
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Comparison of Growth and Yield Performance of (UC-82B & Local) Varieties of Tomatoes (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill.) by Grafting, Mutation and Seasonal Variations
Abstract
The Comparison of Growth and Yield Performance of (UC-82B & Local) Varieties of Tomatoes (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill.) by Grafting, Mutation and Seasonal Variations was investigated with the aim of inducing variability that could be exploited in the improvement of some quality traits in Tomato plants. The seeds of two varieties of tomato: UC-82B and Local varieties were treated at three different concentrations of sodium azide (1.0mM, 1.5 mM, 2.0 mM and 0.0 mM as control). The results obtained revealed highly significant difference (P≤0.01) in the effects of sodium azide on survival rates, number of fruits, and fruit weight. Similarly, highly significant differences (P≤0.01) was found between the treatments in Survival rate, except on the number of fruits and fruit weight, where no significant differences exist. More so, significant differences were found in the traits between the seasons except in fruit number. The result shows that 1.0 mM concentration of Sodium Azide and grafting improves some important quality traits of tomato that could be utilized for further improvement of tomato crop. However, the response of variety UC to grafting was higher. Highly significant difference (P≤0.01) was found among the seasons in terms of fruit weight, and significant difference (P≤0.05) was found among the seasons on survival rate, while no significant difference was found among the seasons in terms of fruits number. More so, highly significant difference (P≤0.01) was found in the interaction of varieties with seasons on Survival rate and number of fruit tomato varieties except on fruit weight, where no significant difference was found.
| 10 |
Author(s):
Eyi-Ndong H. C., Iwangou G., Orango-Bourdette J. O..
Page No : 99-107
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Mycochemical Analysis and Prediction of Pleurotus Tuber-Regium’s (Pleurotaceae) Pharmacological Activities, A Food and Medicinal Fungi from Gabon
Abstract
Pharmaceutical activities of a fungus depend on its bioactive compounds composition. Pleurotus tuber-regium (paleotropical species) is a fungus used in Gabon and throughout tropical Africa for its culinary and medicinal properties. The aim of this study was to predict the therapeutic potential of this species, in particular of its carpophore and its sclerotia, based on the main chemical groups highlighted during the chemical screening of aqueous, hydro-ethanolic and ethanolic extracts. Chemical screening revealed that the three extracts (aqueous, hydro-ethanolic and ethanolic) prepared from the carpophore are rich in total polyphenols, alkaloids, coumarins and proanthocyanidins. Aqueous and hydro-ethanolic extracts are moderately rich in tannins and coumarins while the ethanolic extract is very rich in reducing sugars. About the sclerotia, the three extracts are rich in total polyphenols, alkaloids, reducing sugars and proanthocyanidins. Aqueous and hydro-ethanolic extracts are moderately rich in tannins, total flavonoids and coumarins. The dosage of phenolic compounds carried out on aqueous and hydro-ethanolic extracts confirmed the richness of this fungus in total polyphenols and proanthocyanidins, as well as its deficiency in flavonoids and tannins. The chemical groups thus identified in the carpophore and the sclerotium of P. tuber-regium allow to predict its antioxidant, antiallergic, antiplasmodial, anesthetic, analgesic, anticancer, vasodilator, anti-inflammatory and ant-mutagenic activities.
| 11 |
Author(s):
Aliyu A.S., Ahmed I., Abdulmalik I., Shamsiyya M.S., Usman Y.S., Sadisu F.U., Haruna M..
Page No : 108-118
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Invitro Analysis of Time-Kill Curves of Some Antimicrobial Agents Against Salmonella Typhi
Abstract
Due to the high prevalence of typhoid fever and Salmonella infections' periodic nature despite the various antimicrobial agents used to treat this infection, the need to open up new strategies for antimicrobial susceptibility rather than the MIC alone arises. This study determines the time-kill curves using four different antimicrobial agents; Gentamicin, Ceftriaxone, Cloxacillin, and Ofloxacin at different concentrations of 1x, 2x, and 4x of their MICs. The finding of this study reveals that at 1x MIC all the antimicrobial used except for gentamicin shows non-bactericidal activity against the isolates after eight hours of exposure. This study suggests that analyzing the time-kill curves in typhoid fever treatment will help determine the appropriate dose to treat the infection.
Key Words; Antimicrobial, Time-kill Curves, Salmonella Typhi,
