Neuroprotective aftermath of and against cassava diet containing vacuum gas oil induced brain injury in Wistar rats.

Vacuum gas oil (VGO) is a hydrocarbon combination formed during crude oil extraction, and its consumption may have neurological repercussions. This study investigated the neuroprotective properties of and in rats given cassava flour diet containing vacuum gas oil (CFD-VGO). Thirty rats were separated into six groups and treated as follows: Group 1 severed as normal control.

Safety and antimalarial therapeutic index of alkaloid-rich extract of Schumach. & Thonn. in mice.

Background: Malaria fever is known to cause around one million passings per annum. This life-threatening infection is predominant in most part of Africa. Malaria vaccinations are challenging in Nigeria, particularly in rural areas.

An in vitro evaluation of antitumor activity of sirolimus-encapsulated liposomes in breast cancer cells.

Objectives: Design and examine the effect of sirolimus-PEGylated (Stealth) liposomes for breast cancer treatment. In this study, we developed conventional and Stealth liposome nanoparticles comprising of distearoylphosphatidylcholine (DSPC) or dipalmitoyl-phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) and DSPE-MPEG-2000 lipids loaded with sirolimus as an anticancer agent. The effect of lipid grade, drug loading and incubation times were evaluated.

Phyto suppression of Plasmodium berghei Multiplication by Nauclea latifolia improves the Indices of Pancreatic Beta Cell Function and Anaemia in Experimental Mice.

Background: Malaria remains one of the major causes of childhood mortality in many parts of the world, especially in the sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria. Increasing chemotherapeutic failure and side effects of available antimalarial drugs have promoted the use of natural herbs for the treatment of malaria in Nigerian communities.

Objective: To study the phytosuppression of P berghei by Nauclea latifolia and its effects on the indices of anaemia and pancreatic beta cell function in experimental mice.

Sirolimus encapsulated liposomes for cancer therapy: physicochemical and mechanical characterization of sirolimus distribution within liposome bilayers.

Sirolimus has recently been introduced as a therapeutic agent for breast and prostate cancer. In the current study, conventional and Stealth liposomes were used as carriers for the encapsulation of sirolimus. The physicochemical characteristics of the sirolimus liposome nanoparticles were investigated including the particle size, zeta potential, stability and membrane integrity.

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles in nanotechnology.

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) are a versatile drug delivery system that can be used for loading of different guest molecules such as peptides, proteins, anticancer agents, and genetic material. MSNs are considered promising drug carriers due to their tuneable particle size, pore structure, and surface functionalization. Thus, MSNs provide opportunities for their effective application in a wide variety of fields.

Serum total anti-oxidant capacity of some Nigerian cigarette smokers.

Cigarette smoke has been reported to contain free radicals. The interaction of these free radicals with the body defense system and associated health risk among Nigerian smokers have remained scarcely investigated despite the high numbers of smokers in our society. This study thus, investigates the serum total antioxidant capacity of some Nigerian cigarette smokers in apparent good health and who have been smoking between 1.

Levels of some micronutrients in some Nigerian hypertensives.

A total of seventy (70) consenting subjects were recruited for this study. The subjects consist of fifty (50) hypertensive subjects yet to receive treatment and twenty (20) normotensive (control) subjects. Subjects' blood pressure values were measured and serum was obtained from the whole blood collected by vene puncture using centrifugation technique.

Relationship between placental alkaline phosphatase activity and cord blood glucose, albumin and neonatal birth weight at term.

It has been observed that placental alkaline phosphatase (PAP) activity progressively rises as pregnancy advances, possibly, because of its increasing synthesis by placental tissue. The present investigation therefore, examines the relationship between placental alkaline phosphatase activity and the biochemical indices of foetal nutrition (cord blood glucose, albumin) and growth (neonatal birth weight). Placental and umbilical cord blood samples were collected from one hundred and five deliveries and prepared for both, placental alkaline phosphatase assay, and glucose and albumin estimations using standard procedures.

Fructose-induced increase in ethanol metabolism and the risk of Syndrome X in man.

Syndrome X is biochemically characterized by impaired glucose tolerance, hypertriacylglycerolemia, altered HDL-cholesterol content and high blood pressure. In different isolated studies, alcohol and fructose have been observed to increase the risk of Syndrome X. However, several reports have recognized the potential of fructose in stimulating the elimination of alcohol from the bloodstream, but the effects of such an anti-intoxicating property of fructose on the biochemical features of Syndrome X have remained scarce.

Knowledge attitude to modern family planning methods in Abraka communities, Delta State, Nigeria.

Objective: To assess the level of regard and misconceptions of modern family planning methods in Abraka communities.

Methods: The interviewer's administered questionnaire method was used to gather the required information from 657 respondents randomly chosen from PO, Ajalomi, Erho, Oria, Otorho, Umeghe, Urhuoka and Uruagbesa communities in Abraka kingdom.

Results: Results show that 75.

Quantitative analysis of nitrate and nitrite contents in vegetables commonly consumed in Delta State, Nigeria.

Plasma thiocyanate has been reported to be high among cassava-eating populations such as that in Nigeria because of the cyanide content of cassava. Thiocyanate, which is secreted into the stomach contents of animals, has been demonstrated to catalyse the formation of nitrosamines (potent carcinogens) in the stomach from secondary amines and nitrite. The main source of the nitrite precursor in this environment is vegetables, primarily eaten as the chief supplier of proteins.

Honey-induced stimulation of blood ethanol elimination and its influence on serum triacylglycerol and blood pressure in man.

The effect of honey on blood alcohol metabolism and the accompanying changes in serum triacylglycerol and blood pressure were investigated using volunteers. Fifty consenting undergraduates in apparent good health, between the ages of 15 and 30 years (23.6 +/- 7.

Oral fructose-induced changes in blood ethanol oxidokinetic data among healthy Nigerians.

Reports on the influence of fructose on blood alcohol clearance have not always been consistent. Notwithstanding, information concerning the Nigerian population is yet to be documented. In this present study, ten consenting adults in apparent sound health, and who did not have any traceable history of alcohol or drug abuse were selected.

Effect of Nigerian citrus (Citrus sinensis Osbeck) honey on ethanol metabolism.

The effect of Nigerian citrus (Citrus sinensis Osbeck) honey on ethanol metabolism was tested using 45 consenting individuals in apparent good health and between the ages of 25 and 35 years. The subjects were moderate social drinkers matched in terms of body weight and build. The results obtained showed that on average, honey significantly (p < 0.