International Journal of Science for Global Sustainability
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Acupuncture Therapy for Back Pain in Horses
Get PDFThe treatment of equine back pain (EBP) is very challenging and often not very successful. The relatively low efficacy of current treatment regimens for EBP is mainly associated with nonspecific and multifactorial causes of the condition. This has concerned the equine industry, leading equine practitioners and horse owners to seek alternative and traditional cures to treat the condition. One of the alternative therapies is acupuncture, a technique rarely used on horses with back pain. Although acupuncture is still a controversial technique among veterinarians, equine practitioners are now exploring the method to treat disease conditions in their horses. There is no doubt that acupuncture alone or as an adjunct therapy to modern medicine has significantly improved the recovery rate of equine back pain. This review looks at the use of acupuncture in the treatment of EBP. Various available acupuncture techniques and their mechanisms of action are discussed
Determination Of Natural Radionuclide Concentration in Soil Samples Within Federal College of Education (Technical) Gusau, Zamfara State
Get PDFThe Earth's environment naturally contains radioactive elements, including long-lived isotopes such as 40K, 232Th, and 238U. Excessive exposure to these elements can pose health risks to humans, animals, and plants. This research aimed to identify and quantify these radionuclides in soil samples collected from various locations within the Federal College of Education (Technical) Gusau, Zamfara State. Specifically, we focused on the School Academic Area (SAA), School Administrative Area (SADA), School Farm Area (SFMA), Students Hostel Area (SSHA), and Staff Quarters Area (SSQA). The detected radionuclide levels were compared to global acceptable limits established by the IAEA and UNSCEAR. Using a Na (Tl) detector, we examined the activity content of these elements in the soil samples. The mean average specific activities for 40K, 226Ra, and 232Th were determined to be (390.0861 ± 6.0420) Bq/kg, (22.6847 ± 2.337) Bq/kg, and (30.2855 ± 3.4990) Bq/kg, respectively. Comparison of these values with worldwide averages (40K=412 Bq/kg, 226Ra=35 Bq/kg, and 232Th=45 Bq/kg) established by the IAEA, UNSCEAR, and ICRP, as well as other global studies, indicates that both students and staff at the Federal College of Education Technical Gusau, Zamfara State, are safe from radiation hazards and can continue their studies and work without concern
Investigating the Risk Factors of Diarrhea Among Children of Under Five (5) Years Using Ordinal Logistic Regression Analysis
Get PDFDiarrhea remains a significant global health challenge, particularly among children under the age of five, where it contributes substantially to morbidity and mortality rates. Despite being a preventable and treatable condition, it is a leading cause of malnutrition and death among young children, especially in developing nations like Nigeria. This study aims to investigate the association between specific risk factors and the occurrence of diarrhea among children under five years in Sokoto State, Nigeria. Data were collected from parents and guardians of children diagnosed with diarrhea at the Specialist Hospital Sokoto. Key risk factors analyzed included child preceding birth interval, breastfeeding duration, child feeding status, size at birth, and recent history of diarrhea episodes. Using ordinal logistic regression, the findings revealed significant associations between diarrhea and the identified risk factors. Children who were still breastfeeding, had lower feeding frequencies, or were smaller in size at birth were found to have a significantly higher likelihood of experiencing diarrhea. The study underscores the critical importance of targeted health interventions to mitigate these risk factors and reduce the burden of diarrhea in children. These findings provide essential evidence to guide policy formulation, community education programs, and healthcare strategies aimed at improving child health outcomes in Nigeria and other similar settings
Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) Convective Flow through a Porous Medium with Magnetic and Chemical Reaction Characteristics
Get PDFIn this analysis, MHD convective flow in a porous medium with magnetic and chemical reaction characteristics were examined. We modeled the governing Partial Differential Equations (PDEs) in dimensional form viz: continuity, momentum, energy and mass. Furthermore, using suitable dimensionless quantities they were transformed and Finite Difference Method (FDM) was employed to deduce approximations for the velocity, temperature and concentration. Numerical experiments were conducted to study and explain the influence of parameters of physical interest associated with the fluid flow. It is found that the concentration and velocity of the fluid rise with increase in negative values of chemical reaction and an opposite trend was seen when increased with positive values. It is also exhibited that the momentum boundary layer becomes lower as the Hartman number becomes significant
Characterization Of Herbal Mixture Solution And In Vivo Modulation of Metabolites Associated with Risk Factors of Erectile Dysfunction
Get PDFBackground: Erectile dysfunction is well known to be associated with hypertension and diabetes. Homeostasis of blood glucose and lipid profile could help lower some risk factors of erectile dysfunction. This study examined the effect of Syzygium guineense, Allium sativum, potash and Syzygium aromaticum mixture (herbal mixture solution and potash locally used as an aphrodisiac) on fasting blood glucose level and lipid profile. Method: The plant solution was also subjected to preliminary characterization using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy as well as acute toxicity study. Thirty (30) male and six female Wistar rats were used. Varying concentrations (100, 200, 400 mg/kg) of the extract were administered to the test groups while 5 mg/kg of Sildenafil citrate was administered to the positive control group. The normal control received distilled water. The control and test groups contained six rats per group each. Animals were treated for 2 weeks. The female rats were used for the acute toxicity study (Up and Down procedure). Results: The LD50 was above 5000 mg/kg. FTIR characterization revealed 4 spectra. Each spectrum is a reflection of the functional groups present in the mixture. Fasting blood glucose (6.60 ± 0.30a mmol/L) and lipid profile(TG: 71.20 ± 3.28a; HDL-C: 27.00 ± 2.35 a mg/dl) were not altered significantly by the plant solution and Sildenafil citrate. Conclusion: These findings indicate that the plant solution was able to maintain homeostasis of blood glucose and lipid profile, hence would not vary the levels of these metabolites that are risk factors to erectile dysfunction
Assessment of the Risk of Heavy Metals Contamination in Infant Formulas and Children Food Products Available in Gusau, Zamfara State, Nigeria
Get PDFInfants and children are highly susceptible to contaminated foods, evaluating the presence of toxic metals in commercial infant formulas and children food products is prerequisite to ensuring good and safe nutrition for infants and children. The study was conducted to determine the concentration of selected heavy metals in infant formulas and children food products sold in Gusau, Zamfara State Nigeria. The concentrations of Cd, Co, As, Pb, Cr and Al in infant formulas and children food products were analyzed using Microplasma atomic emission spectrophotometer (MP-AES). The mean concentrations of Cd, Co, As, Pb, Cr and Al in infant formula samples were 2.500, 0.859, 0.796, 0.563, 0.484 and 1.641µg/g, respectively. The concentrations of metals in children food products were in the decreasing order of Al > Cd > Cr > Pb > As > Co. The calculated EWI (estimated weekly intakes) for all the analyzed metals in the samples were within the PTWI (provisional tolerated weekly intakes) values established by FAO/WHO. The THQ values of Cd, As, Pb, and Al were greater than the threshold value of 1. This implies that the infant formulas marketed at the time of this study in the area have likelihood to induce non-carcinogenic health risk over long term consumption. Based on CR values established in this study, Cd, As, Cr and to some extent Pb have values above 10-6. Thus, making them unfit for human consumption and demonstrating potential health risk to infants. Therefore, monitoring and evaluation of manufacturing steps, packaging, storing and preparation of infant formulas and children food products is very crucial to reduce exposure to toxic metals
Molecular Docking Modeling Using In-silico Inhibitory Potentials of Parkia biglobosa Compounds against a Resistant Trypanosoma brucei brucei strain
Get PDFIn this study, the molecular docking model was used to investigate the antitrypanosomal inhibitory potential of Parkia biglobosa. Twenty-eight different compounds were identified as potential candidates; however, the returned binding energy (kcal/mol) suggested four suitable candidates (beta-sitosterol, epi-gallocatechin, epi-catechin-3-O-gallate, catechin and taraxerone). The antitrypanosomal activity of these compounds was investigated using a molecular docking assay against two proteins from T. brucei brucei, namely arginine kinase 3 (Accession No. EAN76668.1) and trans-sialidase (AlphaFold ID: AF-Q57YTZ-F1). Using the SwissAdme server (SwissADME), all herbal substances were screened in silico for drug-likeness according to the guidelines of Lipinsk, Egan and Veber. Molecular docking was performed to identify putative binding orientations and binding energies (BE) of drugs at the selected binding domains of trans-sialidase and arginine kinase 3 using Auto Dock Vina in the open-source Python Prescription 0.8 program. The returning binding energy (kcal/mol) of P. biglobosa's druglike compounds indicates that they bind well to the active sites of both proteins. However, additional investigation is needed to test P. biglobosa in vitro or in vivo to see if it may be used as an effective and less expensive drug because it is a more accessible plant
Evaluation Of Haematological Effect and Testosterone Levels in Rattus Norvegicus Administered Pausinystalia Yohimbe
Get PDFThis study focused on the effects of Pausinystalia yohimbe ethanolic extract on the hematological parameters and testosterone levels in Wistar rats. Forty-two rats were grouped into six groups (A–F) of seven animals each (4 males and 3 females) and were administered P. yohimbe extract at doses of 25 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg, 75 mg/kg, and 100 mg/kg, with a positive control group receiving Sildenafil citrate at 5 mg/kg and a negative control group receiving distilled water for 14 days. The rats were sacrificed, and 5 ml of blood was collected for hematology tests. There was an increase in hematological parameters (PCV, WBC, hemoglobin, and lymphocytes) as the concentration of P. yohimbe extract increased, except for RBC and platelet levels which decreased. RBC levels decreased from (8.80 ± 0.12) at 25 mg/kg to (8.52 ± 0.02) at 100 mg/kg compared to the control (8.70 ± 0.06). Platelet levels decreased from (764.00 ± 0.58) at 25 mg/kg to (5.70 ± 1.73) at 100 mg/kg compared to the control (532.00 ± 1.15). There was a significant increase in testosterone levels with increasing concentrations of the extract: 25 mg/kg (8.52 ± 0.02) and 50 mg/kg (6.70 ± 0.06), but a decrease at 100 mg/kg (5.40 ± 0.12) compared to the control (3.00 ± 0.12). The study reveals that P. yohimbe ethanolic extracts have a significant effect on the hematological parameters and testosterone levels of Wistar rats
An Improved Beta Ridge-Type Estimator For Regression Problem
Get PDFThe shrinkage-based estimators have been shown to be effective in regression problems such as multicollinearity which voids the independently identically distributed (IID) assumption on which most regression analysis is based. Estimation based on minimizing the sum of squares is not satisfactory because it is practically impossible to interpret the regression coefficient estimates optimally. The ridge parameter and other shrinkage parameters can be applied to improve the efficiency of the estimators when the explanatory variables are too related. We proposed a modified estimator for the beta regression by augmenting the ridge parameter to optimize industrial and traditional processes, modelling the dependence of a continuous random variable that assumes values in the standard unit interval [0,1], called the beta modified ridge-type estimator (BMRT) to cushion the effect of multicollinearity. Finally, simulation and real-life data are used to show the advantages of the proposed estimator over similar existing ones
Radiographic Management of Impacted Fracture of the Left Distal Metatarsal Bone in a 7-Month-Old Ram (Case Report)
Get PDFFracture is the act of breaking or dissolution in the continuity of a bone, with or without displacement of bone fragments. A 7-month-old Balami-Ouda cross Ram was presented at the Large Animal Clinic of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto with a complaint of lameness on the left hind limb which was noticed 3 days prior to presentation. Radiography of the limb, revealed a swollen left metatarsophalangeal joint with an impacted fracture at the distal end of the metatarsus and a valgus deviation of the phalanges. History further disclosed that the ram might be a victim of stampede by some cows in the farm, as it was managed semi-intensively with other animals (8 ewes, 6 rams and 5 cattle). The fracture was managed by closed reduction and external fixation using Plaster of Paris (POP) and a splint to redirect the valgus deviated limb back to its original position. This POP was removed on the 6th week after complete healing was ascertained on a radiograph and complete weight bearing was achieved. The ram was fully discharged at week 7. The fracture healed successfully without any form of complication