Amino acid composition of two masticatory nuts (Cola acuminata and Garcinia kola) and a snack nut (Anacardium occidentale)

The amino acid compositions of Cola acuminata, Garcinia kola and Anacardium occidentale were evaluated by ion-exchange chromatography. Glutamic acid was the most concentrated acid in the samples. In all the amino acids determined, A. occidentale had the most concentrated acid on a pairwise basis. The total amino acids were 356.24 mg/g protein, 112.90 mg/g protein and 659.17 mg/g protein for C. acuminata, G. kola and A. occidentale, respectively. The percentage total essential amino acids were 38.39% (C. acuminata), 47.05% (G. kola) and 51.04% (A. occidentale). Also the percentage total acidic amino acids were 38.16% (C. acuminata), 30.61% (G. kola) and 30.35% (A. occidentale). The calculated isoelectric points were 2.0 (C. acuminata), 0.7 (G. kola) and 3.9 (A. occidentale), showing they can all be precipitated at acidic pH. While threonine was the limiting amino acid in A. occidentale, it was valine in both C. acuminata and G. kola. The percentage cystine (Cys) levels in the total sulphur amino acid were 44.27% (C. acuminata), 37.75% (G. kola) and 50.51% (A. occidentale). The aim of this work was to compare the amino acid profile of the samples. It is recommended that C. acuminata and G. kola consumption be avoided by ulcer patients because of their high levels of acidic amino acids. A. occidentale amino acid scores ranged from 42% to 127%, suggesting that it could be used to enhance the protein quality of cereals through food complementation.     

Patterns of soil-transmitted helminth infection and impact of four-monthly albendazole treatments in preschool children from semi-urban communities in Nigeria: a double-blind placebo-controlled randomised trial

Background  

Children aged between one and five years are particularly vulnerable to disease caused by soil-transmitted helminths (STH). Periodic deworming has been shown to improve growth, micronutrient status (iron and vitamin A), and motor and language development in preschool children and justifies the inclusion of this age group in deworming programmes. Our objectives were to describe the prevalence and intensity of STH infection and to investigate the effectiveness of repeated four-monthly albendazole treatments on STH infection in children aged one to four years.     

The prevalence and intensity of soil-transmitted helminthiases in rural communities in southern Nigeria.

An investigation of the prevalence and intensity of soil-transmitted helminthiases was undertaken in four villages in Oyo state, Nigeria. Diagnosis was based on examination of stool samples for the presence of helminth ova in all age classes. The prevalence of Ascaris lumbriocoides ranged from 61.5-72.2%, of Trichuris trichiura from 65-74%, and of hookworm from 52.4-63% depending on the village concerned. Intensity, assessed indirectly as the mean eggs per gram of faeces (epg), varied with regard to the four villages. The mean egg count of A. lumbricoides varied from 6815-10,823 per gram, of T. trichiura from 127-246, and of hookworm from 122-267. Host age, sex and household size were found to be significant factors influencing faecal egg output, and indirect measure of the intensity of the helminth infections.     

Water level regulation and control of schistosomiasis transmission: a case study in Oyan Reservoir, Ogun State, Nigeria.

The effect of different water discharge patterns from the artificial Oyan Reservoir in Ogun State, Nigeria, on water level fluctuations and on schistosomiasis transmission was investigated between August 1990 and March 1993 to determine the impact of water level regulation on schistosomiasis transmission and control. The results show that transmission was greatly influenced by the pattern of water discharge during the hot dry season (January-April). A high discharge during this period of no rainfall, high temperatures, and intense sunshine stimulated rapid water level fluctuations and lake draw-down, which led to significant reductions in all indices of schistosomiasis transmission, i.e. snail density, snail infection rates, human water contact patterns, and incidence of infection. Although these results support continuous water discharges from the reservoir during the hot dry season, this may run counter to current water management policies. Further investigation is therefore required to harmonize the potential benefits in this type of discharge pattern with the objectives of efficient water management in artificial reservoirs.     

Identification of a High Diversity of Cryptosporidium Species Genotypes and Subtypes in a Pediatric Population in Nigeria

A longitudinal study was conducted to determine the epidemiology of Cryptosporidium in 1,636 children in Nigeria. Oocyst prevalence ranged from 15.6% to 19.6% over one year. Cryptosporidium hominis (34), C. parvum (25), C. parvum/C. hominis (4), C. meleagridis (5), Cryptosporidium rabbit genotype (5), Cryptosporidium cervine genotype (3), and C. canis (1) were identified by polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Glycoprotein 60 subgenotyping showed that 28 amplifiable C. hominis isolates consisted of 12 subtypes that belonged to 5 subtype families (Ia, Ib, Id, Ie, and 1 novel subtype family, Ih) and 23 amplifiable C. parvum isolates consisted of 6 subtypes that belonged to 4 subtype families (IIa, IIc, Iii, and IIm). Three C. meleagridis isolates sub-genotyped by sequence analysis of the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene fragment were type 1. This study is the first one to genetically characterize Cryptosporidium species and subtypes in Nigeria and highlights the presence of a high Cryptosporidium diversity in this pediatric population.     

Amino acid composition of two masticatory nuts (Cola acuminata and Garcinia kola) and a snack nut (Anacardium occidentale)

The amino acid compositions of Cola acuminata, Garcinia kola and Anacardium occidentale were evaluated by ion-exchange chromatography. Glutamic acid was the most concentrated acid in the samples. In all the amino acids determined, A. occidentale had the most concentrated acid on a pairwise basis. The total amino acids were 356.24 mg/g protein, 112.90 mg/g protein and 659.17 mg/g protein for C. acuminata, G. kola and A. occidentale, respectively. The percentage total essential amino acids were 38.39% (C. acuminata), 47.05% (G. kola) and 51.04% (A. occidentale). Also the percentage total acidic amino acids were 38.16% (C. acuminata), 30.61% (G. kola) and 30.35% (A. occidentale). The calculated isoelectric points were 2.0 (C. acuminata), 0.7 (G. kola) and 3.9 (A. occidentale), showing they can all be precipitated at acidic pH. While threonine was the limiting amino acid in A. occidentale, it was valine in both C. acuminata and G. kola. The percentage cystine (Cys) levels in the total sulphur amino acid were 44.27% (C. acuminata), 37.75% (G. kola) and 50.51% (A. occidentale). The aim of this work was to compare the amino acid profile of the samples. It is recommended that C. acuminata and G. kola consumption be avoided by ulcer patients because of their high levels of acidic amino acids. A. occidentale amino acid scores ranged from 42% to 127%, suggesting that it could be used to enhance the protein quality of cereals through food complementation.     

In-vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of ethanol stem-bark extract of Blighia sapida K.D. Koenig

Blighia sapida (B. sapida) K.D. Koenig (Family Sapindaceae) is a branchless straight bole approximately 15 m in length. The study evaluated the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of ethanol extract and fractions of B. sapida stem-bark using in vitro methods. Ethanol extract and its fractions were investigated for 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and quantitative phenolic and flavonoid contents. Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using albumin denaturation and membrane stabilization assays. The extract and its fractions exhibited radical scavenging and anti-inflammatory properties. The ethyl acetate fraction possessed maximum phenolic and flavonoid contents (136.67 ± 1.55 gallic acid equivalent mg/g and 75.76 ± 4.03 quercetin equivalent mg/g, respectively). Antioxidant studies revealed that the ethyl acetate fraction displayed superior activity with an IC₅₀ = 0.09 ± 0.03 mg/mL DPPH, and values of 146.96 ± 3.81 ascorbic acid equivalent (AAE) mg/g and 359.20 ± 4.98 AAE mg/g for FRAP and TAC, respectively. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory activity was revealed by inhibition of heat-induced albumin denaturation and red blood cell membrane stabilization at concentrations of 200–1000 μg/mL and 50–250 μg/mL, respectively. The ethanol extract and fractions exhibited antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, with ethyl acetate fraction showing superior activity, which could be attributed to secondary metabolites, mainly phenolic compounds. Overall, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of B. sapida can be exploited by ethnomedicinal users.     

Kentucky Health Access Nurturing Development Services Home Visiting Program Improves Maternal and Child Health

Maternal and Child Health Journal - Background and Objectives: Home visitation programs are one of the numerous efforts to help reduce the rates of preterm birth and low birth weight as well as...