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PIG SLAUGHTERING IN SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIA: PECULIARITIES, ANIMAL WELFARE CONCERNS AND PUBLIC HEALTH IMPLICATIONS
Get PDFBackground: Pig slaughtering methods influence the quality of pig products and also serves as a critical point for the control of
zoonosis and other food-borne infections. This study aimed at assessing the peculiarities, the animal welfare concerns and the public
health implications of pig slaughtering activities was conducted on three major abattoirs in Southwestern Nigeria. Materials and
Methods: Information on pre-slaughter handling, slaughtering and carcass processing were obtained by observation over a continuous 2-
week period of normal abattoir activities in each abattoir by the authors. Structured questionnaires were administered and focus group
interviews were conducted to obtain information from the abattoir workers and health officials. Data were analyzed using descriptive
statistics.
Result and Conclusion: The pig slaughtering methods in the three locations vary considerably with some identified areas of animal
welfare concerns which include inhumane transportation , restraining, lairaging, and stunning practices.s. These amount to excessive
stress and poor animal welfare. The abattoir findings with public health implications include floor slaughtering, inadequate water supply,
excessive biological intrusions, poor environmental hygiene, poor waste disposal and failure of abattoir workers to use protective
clothing. The implications of the findings are discussed
HIV/AIDS KNOWLEDGE AND PRIOR TESTING AT ‘AFRICA GOAL’ OUTREACH EVENTS IN EAST AND SOUTHERN AFRICA
Get PDFBackground: A quality improvement initiative was created during the 2014 Africa Goal campaign, which uses live screenings of
FIFA World Cup football matches as a platform for local organizations to provide HIV outreach and services in East and Southern
Africa.
Materials and Methods: Survey data assessed attendees’ baseline knowledge of HIV and prevalence of prior testing.
Results: The data showed a high level of knowledge and prior testing among both men and women, with no statistical differences
based on gender.
Conclusion: The level of knowledge about HIV may be higher than previously thought in some parts of East and Southern Africa
and this should inform future HIV outreach efforts
THE PREVALENCE OF TUBERCULOSIS IN CATTLE AND THEIR HANDLERS IN NORTH TONGU, VOLTA REGION, GHANA
Get PDFBackground: The need to understand the contribution of bovine tuberculosis (BTB) to the general tuberculosis burden in a poor resource setting is paramount. The aim of this study is to determine the burden of BTB among herdsmen and cattle in the North Tongu district of Volta Region in Ghana.
Materials and Methods: A cross- sectional study was conducted in the North Tongu District of the Volta Region between the period of October 2011- March 2012. A well-structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic information and possible risk factor information on cattle from participants. Sputum samples from 68 herdsmen and blood samples from 200 cattle belonging to these herdsmen were also collected. Sputum samples were analyzed using Ziehl- Neelsen staining while Anigen Rapid BTB Test was used for Cattle blood samples.
Results: Ninety percent (61/68) of respondents were also found to consume fresh milk while 84% (57/68) do not use protective clothing. Of a total of 1580 cattle owned by the herdsmen, 200 cattle consisting of 14 bulls and 186 cows were screened where the prevalence of bovine TB was 19% (38/200) and those affected were all females. All (100%) human sample tested negative for Acid- Fast Bacilli (AFB). However, the seropositivity of cattle and kraal density were statistically associated (p= 0.001).
Conclusion: Bovine TB is prevalent in cattle in North Tongu district. Although herdsmen indulge in risky lifestyles that expose them to BTB, a zero prevalence of BTB was observed, further study is envisaged using a larger sample size
EVALUATION OF HYPOGLYCEMIC AND HYPOLIPIDEMIC EFFECTS OF INTERNAL SEPTUM OF WALNUT FRUIT IN ALLOXAN-INDUCED DIABETIC RATS
Get PDFBackground: Todays, the popularity of herbal medicine is increasing worldwide. Due to importance the evaluation of medicinal
herbs efficacy and safety, the present study was conducted to investigate the antidiabetic and hypolipidemic effects of internal
septum of walnut fruit (ISWF) ethanolic extract in diabetic rats.
Materials and methods: Alloxan diabetic rats treated orally with ethanolic extract of ISWF (0-400mg/kg) for 28 days. To evaluate
its anti-diabetic activity, the animals fasting blood glucose were determined on the first, 14th and 29th days. Moreover, oral glucose
tolerance test (OGTT) was performed in diabetic rats at the last day of the study. After 24h of last administration, the blood samples
were collected, and the Plasma lipids and liver enzymes levels were measured in fasting overnight rats.
Results: The extract significantly decreased blood glucose (
EFFECTS OF ACUPUNCTURE ON RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS
Get PDFBackground: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture for treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Materials and Methods: The literature were searched using 6 databases, including Pubmed, Embase, Chinese Biomedical
Literature Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP and Wanfang database up to December 2013, without language
restrictions. All randomized clinical trials (RCTs) comparing acupuncture treatment with non-acupuncture treatment of RA was
considered. Methodological quality was assessed using the Jadad score.
Results: After strict screening, a total of 21 studies containing 1772 participants were included. The meta-analysis indicated that a
significant benefit of acupuncture compared with non-acupuncture on improving the symptoms of RA (pooled RR = 1.19, 95% CI
1.08–1.31, Z = 3.47, P = 0.001). In the subgroup analysis, 9 RCTs showed significant effects of acupuncture for response rate
compared with western medicine (RR = 1.26, 95% CI 1.02–1.55, Z = 2.19, P = 0.028); 5 RCTs showed significant effects of
acupuncture plus traditional Chinese drug compared with traditional Chinese drug (RR = 1.17, 95% CI 1.07–1.29, Z = 3.31, P =
0.001); 5 RCTs showed beneficial effects of acupuncture plus western medicine compared with western medicine (RR = 1.27, 95%
CI 1.06–1.53, Z = 2.56 P = 0.01).
Conclusion: This meta-analysis demonstrates that acupuncture may have a favorable effect on treating RA. However, the evidence
was limited by the small sample size and the low methodological quality. Considering the potential of acupuncture, more researches
and well-designed, rigorous and large clinical trials are needed
TRADITIONAL, COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE USE IN A COMMUNITY POPULATION IN LAO PDR
Get PDFBackground: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and associated factors of Traditional, Complementary and
Alternative Medicine (TCAM) use in a community setting in a central province of Lao PDR.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional community survey in 4 urban and 4 rural districts was conducted with the International
Complementary and Alternative Medicine Questionnaire (I-CAM-Q).
Results: Of the 1600 participants in the survey, the overall prevalence of any TCAM use (providers, products or self-care) was
40.2% (TCAM provider= 14.8%, TCAM products=34.1%, and self-help TCAM=4.5%) in the past 12 months.The most frequently
used herbal medicines were Maringa pterygosperma (12.6%), followed by Curcuma longa L. (9.4%), Curcuma xanthorrhiza (9.4%)
and Centella asiatica (7.2%). Many of the TCAM products were used for the purpose of health tonic or nourishments and for a
number of chronic conditions (gout, dyslipidaemia, hypertension, diabetes, asthma, cancer, migraine, mental disorder, and
gastrointestinal disorders). In multivariate logistic regression, lower educational level, rural residence and having chronic conditions
was associated with any TCAM use.
Conclusions: TCAM use seems to be common in Lao PDR and better knowledge on the use of different TCAM modalities in this
population may improve patient management
MEDICINAL HERBS USED BY HIV-POSITIVE PEOPLE IN LESOTHO
Get PDFBACKGROUND: The use of medicinal herbs whose efficacy and toxicities are not known by HIV-positive people in Lesotho is a threat to the effectiveness of antiretroviral treatment.
OBJECTIVES: This study explored some medicinal herbs used by HIV-positive people in Lesotho and the reasons for their use.
METHODS: This was a cross sectional study based on a questionnaire distributed to purposively-sampled HIV-positive people in Leribe and Maseru districts of Lesotho. The participants’ socio-demographic and clinical variables were summarized using frequency tables in Stata version 13 statistical software. Data variables for medicinal herbs used, frequency of use, uses by the participants and in the literature, parts of plants used and the method of preparation were also explored.
RESULTS: Out of 400 questionnaires distributed to the participants, 389 were returned with data acceptable for analysis. Ages of the participants ranged from 18 to 75 years (Mean=43 + 11.6). Out of the 272 (69.9%) participants who conceded that they had used medicinal herbs at least once, 30 (7.7%) participants used medicinal herbs frequently while 242 (62.2 %) rarely used the herbs. At least 20 plant species belonging to 16 families were reportedly used by the participants. Asteraceae was the most common plant family reportedly used by the participants. Allium sativum and Dicoma anomala, reportedly used by 21.0% and 14.3% respectively, were the most commonly used medicinal herbs in this population. In addition, boosting the immune system and treating gastrointestinal ailments, apparently cited by 32% and 28% participants respectively, were the most commonly reported reasons for using medicinal herbs.
CONCLUSION: A considerable proportion (69.9%) of HIV-positive people use medicinal herbs in this population, while 7.7% use them frequently. At least 20 plant species belonging to 16 families were reportedly used by the participants. HIV counselling protocols in Lesotho should emphasize the dangers of using medicinal herbs whose safety and compatibility with antiretroviral drugs is not known. The efficacy and toxicity profiles of the medicinal plants identified in this study need to be investigated. Furthermore, the effects of these plants on antiretroviral treatment outcomes including herb-drug interactions need to be explored
FOLIAR MICROMORPHOLOGY OF LIPPIA JAVANICA (BURM.F) SPRENG
Get PDFBackground: Lippia javanica (Burm.F.) Spreng is an aromatic indigenous South African plant with culinary and medicinal values.
This study investigated the foliar morphology and elemental composition of the plant because not much data concerning the
anatomical and micro-morphological features can be found in literature
Materials and Methods: Fresh leaves of the plant were investigated using light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The
elemental composition of the leaf was determined by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy.
Results: The leaves of L. javanica were amphitrichomic while the stomata distribution was amphistomatic. These stomata were
more or less randomly distributed over the epidermis lying almost close to each other and were fewer in number in between the veins
and over the finer veins. The major constituents of crystals found in the plant were Ca, Na, S, Al, P, Cl, K, Mg and Fe. The presence
of long glandular trichomes on the leaf surfaces of the plant could indicate secretory sites where secondary metabolites are produced.
Conclusion: Secretions from the glandular trichomes and the presence of these elements, which are vital in maintaining good health,
are probably responsible for the culinary and medicinal properties of L. javanica
PHYSIO-CHEMICAL EVALUATION AND BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY OF AJUGA BRACTEOSA WALL. AND VIOLA ODOROTO LINN
Get PDFBackground: Ajuga bracteosa and Viola odorata are frequently used by the native people of Swat-Pakistan for the curing of fever,
malaria, cough, urinary and stomach disorders with slightly different practice of usage like raw powdered, extracts, decoction etc.
Methods and Materials: Disc Diffusion Method was used for determination of antimicrobial activities of both plants. Nutrient Agar
Media was used for the culturing and growth of all microbial strains. Vitamin C and minerals contents were determined by standard
method of AOAC. Na and K were analyzed by using flame photometric technique. Micro minerals i.e. “Ni, Cr, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, Ca, Pb,
and Mg” were determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). Total Soluble Solid (TSS) was determined by using abbe
refractometer and pH was determined by using pH meter.
Results: The present study demonstrates that both plants exhibited antibacterial activities against P. aeruginos, E. coli, S. typhi, B.
subtilis and S. aureus. The examined plants showed zone of inhibition for aqueous fraction (50.90, 45.90 %) against P. aeruginosa; for
EtOAc fraction (41.37, 57.62%) against C. Albicans and for hexane fraction (25.86, 40.57%) against K. pneumoniae, respectively. Total
of 14 different minerals (Na, K, P, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Mn, Co, Cr, Ni, Cu, Pb, Cd) were determined and it was also observed that both the
examined plants contained significant level of these analyzed minerals. The subject plants contained highest level of magnesium (295.75,
145.85 mg 100-1g) and calcium (212.49, 44.00 mg 100-1g) and potassium (152.6, 437.45 mg 100-1g) while moderate level P, Zn, Na and
lower amount of Cd, Ni, Mn and Cu using Atomic Absorption, Flame Photometry and spectrophotometric techniques. V. odorata was
found to contain a higher amount of vitamin C (64.05±12.37mg 100-1g) as compared to A. bracteosa (45.45 ± 7.29 mg 100-1 g).
Conclusion: Findings of this study can persuade researchers for future comprehensive phytochemical study of these plants using state of
art techniques and instruments, which include not only isolation of secondary metabolites from these plants but biological evaluation of
isolated compounds both in vivo and in vitr