To assess the awareness and knowledge of aflatoxin contamination in groundnut and the risk of its ingestion among health workers in Ibadan. Methods: The study was a descriptive cross-sectional study. Study instrument was a semi-structured self administered questionnaire. The respondents were health workers from a public health facility. Results: A total of 417 health workers participated out of which males were 60.2%. The mean age of respondents was (28.0±4.9) years old. Doctors made up 83.0% while others were nurses. 95% of the respondents had previous awareness of aflatoxin and class room lectures was the most common source of information (56%). Occupation and religion both showed a significant association with previous awareness of aflatoxin (P<0.05). Knowledge regarding aflatoxin contamination in groundnut and the risk of its ingestion was obtained showing knowledge score range of 0 to 14. In all, 80.6% had good scores of 11 to 14. None of the respondents had ever told their patients about the risk of aflatoxin ingestion.Conclusions:There is a need to explore the possibility of incorporating aflatoxin awareness into routine health talk to increase the level of awareness of patients and their relatives.

Protein-energy malnutrition is increasing among children in developing countries due to low nutrient density of traditional complementary diets. Therefore, this study aimed at determining the protein quality of a complementary food produced from cooking banana fruits and bambara groundnut seeds. The cooking banana and bambara groundnut seeds are locally available in both urban and villages markets in Nigeria. The cooking bananas (CB) and bambara groundnut (BG) seeds were processed into flours using standard procedure. The flours were mixed in a ratio of 70:30 (CBR1) and 60:40 (CBR2) of CB and BG respectively. A commercial weaning food (Nutrend) and traditional weaning food, ogi(corn gruel), were used as control food samples. The amino acid content and protein quality of the food samples were determined using standard procedures. Glutamic acid (CBR1 = 4.353 g/100g, CBR2 = 5.804 g/100g) was the highest while cysteine (CBR1= 0.252 g/100g; CBR2 = 0.336 g/100g) was the lowest of the amino acids in the food samples. The amino acids composition increased as the percentage supplementation of bambara ground nut increased in the mixtures. The formulated food sample showed that CBR1 and CBR2 met 31.8% and 42.4% respectively of the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) fulfilment of essential amino acids. The biological value (BV) of CBR2 (90.5%) was significantly high when compared with CBR1 (75.9%) and ogi (52.4%). There was no significant difference between the BV of CBR2with the BV of Nutrend (93.8%). Also, the net protein utilisation (NPU), total digestibility (TD), protein efficiency ratio (PER), feed efficiency ratio (FER) and nitrogen retention (NR) of CBR2 were within a similar range as those for Nutrend. As for the haematological variables, there were no significant differences between those fed the formulated diets and the control samples. The rate of weight gain for the animals fed with CBR2 food sample was higher than those fed with CBR1 and ogi but were lower than those for animals fed with Nutrend and casein. The study established that the CBR2 samples contained the essential amino acids needed to support infant growth and development.

Introduction: The medicinal properties of Moringa oleifera plants have been extensively investigated but less is known of its nutrients and phytochemical components. This study evaluated the nutritional and phytochemical profiles of Moringa leaves. Methods: Moringa leaves were freshly harvested from Federal University of Technology community in Akure. The leaves were processed into flour and evaluated for nutritional qualities after being subjected to shade drying, blanching and fermentation techniques. Results: The moisture contents of flour from raw, blanched and fermented leaves ranged from 6.88�0.70g/100g to 7.19�0.64g/100g, while the protein contents were between 24.39�0.18g/100g and 29.93�2.77g/100g. Among the minerals present, potassium had the highest concentration, while copper the lowest value. The Ca/P and Na/K molar ratios of the samples ranged between 18.3 to 24.5 and 0.3 to 0.4 respectively. Total essential amino acids plus histidine and arginine ranged between 38.16g/100g and 42.24g/100g. The phytochemical/antinutrient concentrations in fermented leaf flour had significantly lower tannin, phytate, trypsin, oxalate, phenolic, alkaloid, flavonoid, saponin and terpenoid contents when compared with the flour of blanched and raw leaves. The predicted protein efficiency ratio, essential amino acid index and biological values were highest in raw leaf flour and lowest in blanched leaf flour. The digestible indispensable amino acid index ranged from 51.7% in raw leaf flour to 85.2% in fermented samples. Conclusion: Flour from fermented Moringa oleifera leaves had better nutrient composition, nutritional quality, and a reduction in some antinutrients/phytochemicals than flour from blanched leaves.

Aqueous extract of unripe Carica papaya fruit (AEUCPF) was investigated for its anti-ulcer, mucus secretion, anti-acid secretory and pepsin binding effects in rats. Ethanol/HCl and Indomethacin were used to induce ulcers while acid and mucus secretion was measured in ulcerated and treated animals. The animals were divided into five groups for each of the anti-ulcer studies and each group was made up of five animals each. These groups included a control and reference groups administered saline and cimetidine (Kg/Kg b.w), while the remaining three groups were administered with 2.5, 3.5 and 4.5ml/Kg of the decoction of the unripe fruits. The extract, cimetidine and saline were all administered orally twice daily for ten days while necrotizing agents were administered (p.o) once daily from day 8 through day 10. The results showed that higher doses of the extract significantly (p<0.05) reduced the ulcer index from 3.6± 0.24 (control) – to 0.70 ± 0.37 (4.5ml/Kg) in the ethanol induced ulcer. The extract also produced similar effects in the indomethacin induced ulcer and in both cases the gastric acidity was significantly reduced. The extract did not increase mucus secretion but it bind substantially with pepsin. In conclusion this study has shown that AEUCPF has beneficial effects on the normal function of the stomach. It has the capacity to ameliorate gastric ulcer as suggested by local traditional medical practitioners.

Objective: To evaluate the antimicrobial, antioxidant, cytotoxicity and anticancer activity of fractions from Jatropha zeyheri roots and to explore the phytochemical profile of the most biologically active fraction. Methods: Fractions from Jatropha zeyheri ethyl acetate extract were investigated for antimicrobial activity against a plethora of pathogenic microorganisms of different origins. The cytotoxicity studies of fractions were evaluated in vitro using tetrazolium-based calorimetric assay against human dermal fibroblast, colon adenocarcinoma (Caco-2), breast cancer (MCF-7) and lung cancer (A547) cell lines. The anti-oxidant activity of fractions was determined in vitro against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) and chelation of iron (Fe2+). Gas chromatography mass spectrometry analysis was performed to detect phytochemical constituents in fraction with potent biological activity. Results: Fraction 2 of Jatropha zeyheri roots exhibited the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration of 40 μg/mL against Klebsiella pneumoniae and 80 μg/mL against Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus and Mycoplasma hominis. The fractions revealed some varying degrees of cytotoxicity against human dermal fibroblasts yielding LC50 values ranging from 28.96 to 166.52 μg/mL. Fraction 3 exhibited the highest selectivity index value of 2.08 against Klebsiella pneumoniae. Moreover, fraction 2 selectively inhibited the growth of Caco-2 with LC50 of 8.83 μg/mL, compared to other cancerous cell lines. Fraction 2 of Jatropha zeyheri further exhibited IC50 of 19.66, 22.63 and 1.82 μg/mL against DPPH, ABTS and Fe2+, respectively. Gas chromatography mass spectrometry analysis revealed the presence of cyclotetracosane (10.08%), 9-hexacosene (9.40%), hexadecanoic acid (3.90%), (Z)-9-octadecenamide (3.63%), octacosane (2.27%), 11-n-decylheneicosane (2.23%), ethyl vallesiachotamate (2.17%), heneicosanoic acid (2.10%), and octadecanoic acid (2.08%) in fraction 2 of Jatropha zeyheri. Conclusions: These identified compounds, particularly cyclotetracosane (hydrocarbon), may well explain the biological activity of fraction 2 of Jatropha zeyheri, which possesses higher biological activity than other fractions. These compounds can be further investigated for use in treating various bacterial and fungal opportunistic infections associated with HIV-AIDS and related cancers.

Background: Visual images are used to communicate health effectively, yet visual gender representation in the context of health is not well established as most studies focused on effectiveness, awareness, adoption, or behavior change. Objectives: This study explored emerging gender myths in visual images used to communicate reproductive health, maternal health, family and nutrition, breastfeeding, and childcare with the premise that visuals may shape notions of gender roles and identities. Methodology: Selected images from flipcharts produced by development communication practitioners were analyzed using Kress and Van Leeuwen's social semiotics (2006). Interpretive visual analysis was used to analyze visual impacts (denotation) and cultural meanings (connotation) by Barthes' Order of Signification, and gender roles and identity naturalized by the images. Results: Images for health communication used more women as subjects relative to the topics that are primarily women's concern. The subject's gaze were indirect offered as items of information, showing a relation of symbolic equality, and implying that health topics are part of the social discourse. Visual impacts and cultural meanings of images uncovered myths that embody the roles, and identities, and social expectations of men and women in health. Emerging gender myths have to do with anatomy, mainly as basis for the role, identity, and expectations, especially of women as main actors in health. Conclusion This study reveals that gender roles and identities portrayed in health are still universal and are not historically and culturally contingent.
Gender Role ; Gender Identity

One hundred and fourteen cases of lumbar herniated nucleus pulposus were studied retrospectively. I reviewed the clinical records and radiographs of patients treated with diskectomy and anterior interbody fusion. I followed the patients from 2 years up to 15 years, for an average of 2.9 years. The results were calculated statistically by Fisher exact test and Chi-square test. Among 114 patients, 69 patients (60.5%) were male and 45 patients (39.5%) were female. The most common age group was in its twenties (28.1%), while the whole study group ranged from 19 to 65 years. The most commonly involved level was L4-5 (73 cases, 60.4%). In clinical results, 83.3% of cases were excellent or good. The rate of solid fusion was 87.8%. The most common type of fusing pattern was type 1. The satisfying clinical result had statistical correlation with the solid union of grafted bone and the fusion state of maintained intervertebral disk height, respectively, by Fisher exact test (p < 0.001). The affecting factors in clinical results were the solid fusion and fusion with the state of maintenance of intervertebral disk height (fusing pattern type I and II). I concluded that anterior diskectomy and interbody fusion is a recommendable method of treatment for lumbar herniated nucleus pulposus.
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Human ; Intervertebral Disk Displacement/surgery* ; Intervertebral Disk Displacement/radiography ; Lumbar Vertebrae/surgery* ; Lumbar Vertebrae/radiography ; Male ; Middle Age ; Myelography ; Postoperative Complications ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fusion/methods* ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer (LC) is the leading cause of cancer death. Patients treated with chemotherapy are at risk of developing chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia (FN), a potentially life-threatening complication. The aims of this study were (1) to characterize FN admissions of patients with LC in a pulmonology department, and (2) to determine associations between patient profiles, first-line antibiotic failure (FLAF) and mortality. METHODS: Retrospective observational case-series, based on the analysis of medical records of LC patients that required hospitalization due to chemotherapy-induced FN. RESULTS: A total of 42 cases of FN were revised, corresponding to 36 patients, of which 86.1% were male, with a mean age of 66.71±9.83 years. Most patients had a performance status (PS) equal or less than 1, and metastatic disease was present in 40.5% (n=17). Respiratory tract infections accounted for 42.9% (n=18) of FN cases, and multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was the most isolated agent. The mortality rate was 16.7% (n=7), and the FLAF was 26.2% (n=11). Mortality was associated with a PS≥2 (P=0.011), infection by a Gram-negative agent (P=0.001) and severe anemia (P=0.048). FLAF was associated with longer hospitalizations (P=0.020), PS≥2 (P=0.049), respiratory infections (P=0.024), and infection by a Gram-negative (P=0.003) or multidrug-resistant agent (P=0.014). CONCLUSIONS Lower PS, severe anemia, and infections by Gram-negative or multi-resistant agents seem to be associated with worse outcomes in FN patients.
Aged ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/adverse effects* ; Female ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Male ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies

Several reports of coccygodynia have been confined to the causes, the methods of treatment, and the methods of radiological examination. As far as we know, there has been no previous study about the objective measurement of the coccyx. The purpose of this study was to find the possible cause of idiopathic coccygodynia by comparing the clinical and radiological differences between traumatic and idiopathic coccygodynia by innovative objective clinical and radiological measurements. Thirty-two patients with coccygodynia were evaluated retrospectively. We divided the patients into two groups. Group 1 consisted of 19 patients with traumatic coccygodynia and group 2 consisted of 13 patients with idiopathic coccygodynia. We reviewed medical records and checked age, sex distribution, symptoms, and treatment outcome in each group. We also reviewed coccyx AP and lateral views of plain radiological film and measured the number of coccyx segments and the intercoccygeal angle in each group. The intercoccygeal angle devised by the authors was defined as the angle between the first and last segment of the coccyx. We also checked the intercoccygeal angle in a normal control group, which consisted of 18 women and 2 men, to observe the reference value of the intercoccygeal angle. The outcome of treatment was assessed by a visual analogue scale based on the pain score. Statistical analysis was done with Mann-Whitney U test and Chi-square test. Group 1 consisted of 1 male and 18 female patients, while group 2 consisted of 2 male and 11 female patients. There were no statistically significant differences between the traumatic and idiopathic coccygodynia groups in terms of age (38.7 years versus 36.5 years), male/female sex ratio (1/18 versus 2/11), and the number of coccyx segments (2.9 versus 2.7). There were significant differences between the traumatic and idiopathic coccygodynia groups in terms of the pain score (pain on sitting: 82 versus 47, pain on defecation: 39 versus 87), the intercoccygeal angle (47.9 degree versus 72.2 degrees), and the satisfactory outcome of conservative treatment (47.4% versus 92.3%). The reference value of the intercoccygeal angle in the normal control group was 52.3 degrees, which was significantly different from that of the idiopathic group. In conclusion, the intercoccygeal angle of the idiopathic coccygodynia group was greater than that of the traumatic group and normal control group. Based on the results of this study, the increased intercoccygeal angle can be considered a possible cause of idiopathic coccygodynia. The intercoccygeal angle was a useful radiological measurement to evaluate the forward angulation deformity of the coccyx.
Adult ; Coccyx/radiography* ; Coccyx/physiopathology* ; Female ; Human ; Male ; Pain/therapy ; Pain/surgery ; Pain/radiography* ; Pain/physiopathology* ; Pain/etiology ; Spinal Injuries/complications ; Treatment Outcome

The widespread growth of arthroscopic techniques and their use has dramatically changed the practice of orthopaedic surgery. A high degree of clinical accuracy and minimally invasive procedure with a low surgical morbidity have encouraged the use of arthroscopy to assist in diagnosis, to determine prognosis and to provide treatment. In particular, the knee is the proper joint in which arthroscopy has its diagnostic and intraarticular surgical application. The rapid advancement of arthroscopic techniques has demonstrated a variety of surgical techniques in procedures such as meniscectomy, meniscal repair and cruciate ligament reconstruction during the last decade. This article reviews the past history of arthroscopy and technical evolution of arthroscopy in knee surgery in our department.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament/surgery ; Arthroscopy* ; Human ; Knee/surgery* ; Menisci, Tibial/surgery ; Patella/surgery ; Posterior Cruciate Ligament/surgery