Abstract: Child mortality from infectious diseases is still high in Nigeria. Appropriate illness concepts (IC), healthseeking behaviours (HSB) and breastfeeding practices (BFP) of mothers are critical to addressing child mortality arising from infectious diseases. This study seeks to determine the relationship between mothers’ formal education and IC, HSB, BFP, family structure and parity, in market women in rural Plateau State, Nigeria, with a view to making policy recommendations from the data. A total of 993 women from three rural markets in Plateau State were effectively recruited and studied. A structured questionnaire was used to elicit information from the women. Appropriate descriptive and inferential statistical tools were used for data analyses. About 70% of the women had received some formal education while 62.4% of them reported an infectious disease in their homes within the month prior to the study. Exclusive breastfeeding for more than 6 months was practiced by 78% of the population. Almost all the mothers had appropriate IC (99%) and proper HSB (92%). Whereas length of formal education was significantly and negatively correlated with age of mother (r = −0.525; p < 0.001), number of children (r = −0.213; p < 0.001) and family structure (r = −0.494; p < 0.001), it was not significantly correlated with IC, HSB or BFP. Informal modes of education are apparently critical to the dissemination of messages related to proper IC, HSB and BFP among rural market women, and are thus recommended.

OBJECTIVES:Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation, pain, and cartilage and bone damage. There is currently no cure for RA. It is however managed using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids and disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, often with severe side effects. Hidden within Africa's lush vegetation are plants with diverse medicinal properties including anti-RA potentials. This paper reviews the scientific literature for medicinal plants, growing in Africa, with reported anti-RA activities and identifies the most abundant phytochemicals deserving research attention. A search of relevant published scientific literature, using the major search engines, such as Pubmed/Medline, Scopus, Google Scholar, etc. was conducted to identify medicinal plants, growing in Africa, with anti-RA potentials.KEY FINDINGS:Twenty plants belonging to 17 families were identified. The plants are rich in phytochemicals, predominantly quercetin, rutin, catechin, kaempferol, etc., known to affect some pathways relevant in RA initiation and progression, and therefore useful in its management.SUMMARY:Targeted research is needed to unlock the potentials of medicinal plants by developing easy-to-use technologies for preparing medicines from them. Research attention should focus on how best to exploit the major phytochemicals identified in this review for the development of anti-RA 'green pharmaceuticals'.

This study analyzed the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on household income and the determinants of coping strategies in Nigeria, using the combination of the COVID-19 National Longitudinal Phone Survey data and the fourth wave of the General Household Survey, Panel 2018-2019. The fourth wave of General Household Survey, Panel 2018-2019 data is part of the World Bank's Living Standards Measurement Study–Integrated Surveys on Agriculture (LSMS-ISA) and the National Bureau of Statistics of Nigeria collected the data in collaboration with the World Bank and funded by the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The COVID-19 National Longitudinal Phone Survey 2020, Baseline was implemented by the National Bureau of Statistics in collaboration with the World Bank. The analyses were based on multinomial logistic and multivariate probit models. Multinomial logit regression analysis shows that households that consider the pandemic a substantial threat and households with older heads were more likely to have decreased income while households that received transfer income and self-employed were more likely to have increased income. Several household characteristics exhibited different levels of influence on the choice of coping strategies during the lockdown. Therefore, policy options and support facilities should be developed to foster meaningful (wage/self) employment and coping strategies to achieve optimal results in response to the pandemic.

Objective: The prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infections and their co-infection are rarely reported among undergraduate Nigerians. This study sought to provide data in the said direction and discuss policy imperatives. Methods: A population of 4,876 undergraduate students of the Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike (AEFUNAI), Nigeria (52.7% females; mean age: 20 ± 2 yrs, females; 20 ± 3 yrs, males) was studied. Standard procedures were used for collection and analysis of peripheral blood specimen. Results: HIV prevalence was found to be 0.0-0.34% (females) and 0.0-0.61% (males). There was a 34-folds increase in prevalence over the 4-year period irrespective of sex. HBV prevalence was found to be 0.8-1.8% (females) and 2.6-3.8% (males), with a clear decline in prevalence among males and a marginal accent in prevalence among females, over the years. HIV/HBV co-infection prevalence was very low, as no female and only 0.09% of all males studied had both HIV and HBV at the same time. Conclusion: Though HIV and HBV prevalence rates were low, the rate of increase (for HIV) and sex-related differences in trend (for HBV) is worrisome. Further studies to unravel the drivers of these phenomena and the low co-infection rates are warranted. The intensification of appropriate health education in secondary and tertiary institutions is advocated.

Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) are well reported to exhibit pharmacological activities both in vitro and in vivo. However, literature is devoid of studies on the impact of SeNPs and/or metformin (M) against streptozotocin (STZ)-mediated oxidative brain injury and behavioral impairment. Consequently, to fill this gap, diabetes was induced in male Wistar rats by feeding with 10% fructose solution for 2 weeks, followed by a single dose intraperitoneal injection of STZ (40 mg/kg body weight [bwt]). After rats were confirmed diabetic, they were treated orally with 0.1 mg/kg bwt of SeNPs ± M (50 mg/kg bwt), and normal control (NC) received citrate buffer (2 mg/mL) for 5 weeks. In comparison with the diabetic control (DC), SeNPs, and/or M significantly (p < 0.05) lowered blood glucose levels, but increased insulin secretion and pancreatic β-cell function. An increase in locomotor and motor activities evidenced by improved spontaneous alternation, locomotor frequency, hinding, and increased mobility time were observed in treated groups. In addition, there was enhanced brain antioxidant status with a lower acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and oxidative-inflammatory stress biomarkers. A significant downregulation of caspase 3 and upregulation of parvalbumin and Nrf2 protein expressions was observed in treated groups. In some of the studied parameters, treated groups were statistically (p < 0.05) insignificant compared with the normal control (NC) group. Overall, co-treatment elicited more efficacy than that of the individual regimen.

Abstract: Various medicinal plants contain phenolic compounds, which are useful in the treatment of many disease conditions. Particularly, vitexin and its isomer, isovitexin, possess many pharmacological effects including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antidiabetic, neuroprotective, and antinociceptive activities. Current research has provided evidence for the prospective use of vitexin and isovitexin in the formulation of medicinal products useful in the prevention and treatment of specific ailments. The aim of this review was therefore to examine the influence of vitexin and isovitexin on the vascular system as well as the possible mechanisms through which the flavonoids exert their effects. The review also discussed the importance of vitexin and isovitexin in cardiovascular health through the vascular endothelium. In vivo and in vitro studies suggest that vitexin and isovitexin play a cardioprotective role during ischaemic reperfusion injury and angiogenesis, while isovitexin decreases perfusion pressure and increases the bioavailability of nitric oxide. Taken together, vitexin and isovitexin are promising as therapeutic agents for the formulation of nutraceuticals for the prevention, management and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

Background: Proteins are essential macronutrients of the human diet. Currently, major dietary sources in developed countries are of animal origin. However, the association of red meat consumption to the increased risks of some health conditions and its unsustainable pressure on the environment have increased the interest in plant proteins as healthier and sustainable alternatives. Of these, legumes have a great potential, but part of their proteins are indigestible due to interaction with other components such as phytate and polyphenols. As such, the quest to improve protein accessibility has become of interest to many researchers. Germination is proposed to be a bioprocess method to improve protein digestibility and protein biological properties. Scope and approach: This review discusses the importance of plant proteins and the hindrance of protein digestibility. This paper also highlights the role of germination in the deactivation of antinutritional factors, hydrolysis of indigestible proteins, and improvement of properties and content of proteins of different legume seeds. Key findings and conclusions: Protein digestibility is dependent on the nature of antinutritional factors (e.g. trypsin inhibitors and phytate) in the food matrix. Germination represses the activity of trypsin inhibitors and removes the phytate-related inhibition through hydrolysis. Protein content increases in germinated seeds when compared to non-germinated ones, suggesting that proteins were either hydrolysed or dissociated from anti-nutritional factors. Germination seems like an adequate bioprocessing method to improve the content and nutritional quality of legume seed proteins.

Background: The prevalence of diabetes mellitus is increasing globally. Risk scores are useful tools for identifying individuals at risk of developing the disease. There is a dearth of data on the diabetes risk profile and indices of adiposity in young adult Nigerians. Objective: The study was aimed at determining the prevalence of some adiposity indices and predict the 10-year risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus in a young adult population in Umudike, South East, Nigeria using the FINDRISC tool. Data source: This study was carried out in Umudike, Nigeria and involved a total of 165 participants (90 males and 75 females), aged 18-30 years. Methods: Blood pressure measurements and anthropometrc readings were taken based on standard procedures and body mass index was determined. Diabetes risk scoring was done using the validated Finnish Diabetes Risk Scoring (FINDRISC) tool. Results: Overweight and obesity was tound in 27.9% and 3.6% of the population while hypertension was found in 18.8% of the population. The females had a higher mean BMI (24.7 +/- 2.9 vs 22.0 +/- 2.4), waist circumference (77.7 +/- 7.8 vs 75.9 +/- 5.9), waist-to-height ratio (0.47 +/- 0.05 vs 0.43 +/- 0.03), risk score (6.1 +/- 4.0 vs 4.3 +/- 3.3) and a higher prevalence of overweight and obesity, abdominal obesity, waist-to-height ratio and high risk score relative to males. Conclusion: The study reported a 66.7% low risk, 24.2% slightly elevated risk, 8.5% moderately elevated risk and 0.6% high risk of developing diabetes mellitus within the next 10 years. There is an urgent need for lifestyle modification in the population with particular emphasis on the females. This will prevent a potential boom in diabetes prevalence in the future. Summary: This population based study was carried out amongst young adults in Umudike, Nigeria. The study was carried out to assess the risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus using the validated Finnish Diabetes Risk Scoring (FINDRISC) tool. The young adults in the study population had a 9.1% moderate to high risk of developing diabetes with a female preponderance of diabetes risk. An urgent lifestyle modification is recommended.

The usefulness of tigernut milk (TNM) in reversing acetaminophen-induced liver injury was investigated. Twenty-five rats were randomized into five equal groups. Four groups were challenged on day 0 with 2500 mg/kg bodyweight (bw) acetaminophen. Subsequently, from days 1 to 7, they were treated with 0, 500, 1000 and 2000 kg/mg bw TNM, respectively, per os. The fifth group served as the normal control group. On the 8th day, the rats were sacrificed humanely and biochemical markers of toxicity and oxidative stress were determined in their sera. TNM at the tested concentrations significantly reversed liver injury as shown by liver function markers. For example, serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) concentrations decreased dose-dependently and significantly (p<0.001) from 298.9±32.3 in the negative control group to 159.3±22.1 in the 2000 mg/kg bw TNM group. In fact, the serum ALP concentrations of all test rats were statistically similar (p>0.001) to those of the normal control rats. These biochemical data are corroborated by histological findings. Superoxide dismutase activity (U/mg protein) was increased significantly (p<0.001) from 108.0±7.4 in the negative control group to 283.9±20.5 in the 500 mg/kg bw TNM group, and indeed in all test groups. Malondialdehyde concentrations in the test rats suggest less efficient clearance of the break-down products of lipid peroxidation. Phytochemicals in the TNM may have acted directly as antioxidants, or induced the synthesis of glutathione (which exerts downstream positive effects on antioxidant systems), thereby aiding recovery from drug-induced liver damage.

Artisanal miners (AM) and farmers who use water from abandoned mines for irrigation (FA) are occupationally exposed to heavy metals. Understanding their antioxidant-responses to such stressors warrants investigation. The oxidative stress levels and antioxidant-responses in 45 test subjects (AM, 30; FA, 15) and 15 control subjects who live far away from any mine (CS) were investigated. Blood concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) and the activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione s-transferase (GST) and catalase (CAT) of the 60 subjects were determined/assayed using standard methods. Appropriate statistical tests were used to analyze the data. MDA concentrations were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the AM and FA groups relative to the CS/control group. GSH concentrations, GPx and CAT activities were statistically similar (P > 0.05) in all groups. However, GST activity (µmol/min/ml) was significantly reduced in the AM (8.8 ± 1.0) and FA (8.7 ± 0.5) groups compared to the CS group (10.4 ± 2.3). The inability of subjects occupationally exposed to heavy metals to increase the activity of their antioxidant enzymes and the concentration of GSH may be responsible for the heightened lipid peroxidation found in them.

The nutrition transition being faced by most economically developing countries has resulted in changes in chronic diseases patterns in such countries, yet such diseases are rarely studied in rural areas, where the majority of the population live. The prevalence of diabetes/impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and overweight/obesity was therefore studied in a population of adults in Ikwo LGA, Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Standard internationally accepted methods were used for this cross-sectional population study. A total of 720 subjects (53.1% females) were recruited and studied. Diabetes was found in 4.0% of the subjects (3.0% for males and 5.0% for females) while 7.1% of the population (6.5% for males and 7.6% for females) had IFG. About 20% of the entire population (and a quarter of the females) were overweight/obese yet, 11.7% of them (10.7% males, 12.6% females) were underweight. The modal age range for those who were diabetic or overweight/obese was 26-40 years irrespective of sex. Blood glucose concentration was found to be significantly correlated only with BMI (r = +0.116; P < 0.01). The preponderance of both diabetes/IFG and overweight/obesity in women as seen in this study is indeed a double jeopardy, requiring urgent interventions.

Redox-related diseases are prevalent globally. Given the cost of allopathic medicines, “green preparations” are often relied on in economically developing countries. This review sought to identify medicinal plants of sub-Saharan Africa which have scientifically validated antioxidant properties, the compounds responsible for these properties, and to highlight the role of nanosizing of such plant materials in the medical future for the region. Eighteen plants (from 13 families) with reported antioxidant properties were identified. The Euphorbiaceae (3 plants) and Capparaceae (2 plants) were the most represented families. Most of the plants were reported to be used in folk medicine for the treatment of infections and inflammation, and water and methanol were the most widely used solvents for preparing the bioactive extracts. In vitro studies (13 cases) predominated. Forty-six different bioactive compounds were reported in the 18 plants identified. Catechin/epicatechin (13 plants), gallic acid (7 plants), caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, and vitexin/isovitexin (5 plants each) were the most widely reported antioxidant phytochemicals. Given that synergism can occur to enhance the antioxidant activities of phytochemicals, nanosizing the plant leaves identified may open new vistas of opportunities in the development of redox active green pharmaceuticals. Given the abundance of antioxidant phenolics in the plants of sub-Saharan Africa, and the challenges of solvent extraction techniques (with respect to upscaling), nanosizing presents an eco-friendly means of sustainably exploiting these plant resources for medicinal purposes. Therefore, it appears that “a small green red-ox carries a bright medical future for sub-Saharan Africa.”

The investigation of potential health benefits of nano-sized nutriceuticals is recently a major scientific interest. The present study investigated the effect of Selenium and Loranthus micranthus leaves nanoparticles (SeNPs and LMLNPs), on streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetes induced hepato-renal dysfunction in rats. Adult rats were rendered diabetic by a single i.p exposure to 40 mg/kg STZ. Thereafter, rats were treated with 0.1 mg/kg SeNPs or 200 mg/kg LMLNPs, or a combination of both, while 50 mg/kg metformin was used as a standard therapeutic drug. Results indicated that STZ-diabetic rats experienced liver and kidney damage evidenced by a significant elevation in serum activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and 5' nucleotidase (5'NT) when compared to non-diabetic control rats. Furthermore, a decrease in activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), Glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and glutathione (GSH) levels was observed, whereas myeloperoxidase (MPO) activities and lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels increased significantly in the negative control group compared to the test groups. Immunohistochemical and western blot analyses showed a corresponding elevation in the expression of apoptotic biomarker-caspase 3 and nuclear erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) protein in STZ-diabetes group relative to the test groups. SeNPs and/or LMLNPs significantly ameliorated the various alterations imposed by STZ-diabetes relative to the control group. The chemotherapeutic influence in STZ-diabetic rats could be elicited via augmentation of antioxidant defence systems, regulation of Nfr2 expression, decrease in lipid peroxidation and regulation of apoptosis in the studied tissues.

Background: Flames from burning scrap tyres are used in de-furring animals for human consumption in most parts of Nigeria. Emissions from tyres are known to contain a myriad of toxic mixtures especially particulate matter (PM), volatile organic compounds, hazardous air pollutants, and inspirable metals, some of which are known human carcinogens. This cross-sectional study investigated the deleterious health effects of these emissions in occupationally-exposed workers at the Dei-Dei Abattoir, Abuja, Nigeria. Methods: A total of 156 respondents were divided into two groups. Group 1 (124 butchers) and group 2 [ 32 administrative staff (AS)]. Data from digital spirometry were used to determine the association between chronic exposure to tyre emissions and lung function. Urinary 1-Hydroxypyrene concentration, phenolic compounds levels and heavy metal concentrations were determined. Also ambient PM and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) concentrations at 3 delineated points in the abattoir were measured. Findings: Spirometry results showed significant deterioration of lung function in the butchers. The concentration of 1-Hydroxypyrene (mu g/molCret) in the post-shift urine samples of the butchers was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in butchers relative to the AS (0.52 +/- 0.13 Vs 0.20 +/- 0.07, respectively). Similarly the concentrations of zinc and nickel (mg/l) were significantly higher in the butchers compared to the AS (zinc: 0.91 +/- 0.19 Vs 0.31 +/- 0.28, respectively; nickel: 0.11 +/- 0.06 Vs 0.06 +/- 0.02, respectively). Anthracene, fluoranthene, pyrene, benzo-a-pyrene, and PM concentrations were significantly higher at the de-furring point when compared to the wash bay and the administrative building, especially between 8.00 and 8.30 am. Conclusion: Occupational exposure to scrap tyre emissions resulted in significant adverse health effects. The existing laws banning the use of burning tyres in meat processing should be enforced while the use of personal protective equipment should be encouraged in abattoirs.

Nanosizing represents a straight forward technique to unlock the biological activity of complex plant materials. The aim of this study was to develop herbal nanoparticles with medicinal value from dried leaves and stems of Loranthus micranthus with the aid of ball-milling, high speed stirring, and high-pressure homogenization techniques. The milled nanoparticles were characterized using laser diffraction analysis, photon correlation spectroscopy analysis, and light microscopy. The average size of leaf nanoparticles was around 245 nm and that of stem nanoparticles was around 180 nm. The nanoparticles were tested for their antimicrobial and nematicidal properties against a Gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli, a Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus carnosus, fungi Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and a nematode Steinernemafeltiae. The results show significant activities for both leaf and (particularly) stem nanoparticles of Loranthus micranthus on all organisms tested, even at a particle concentration as low as 0.01% (w/w). The results observed indicate that nanoparticles (especially of the stem) of Loranthus micranthus could serve as novel antimicrobial agents with wide-ranging biomedical applications.

Aim/Background: Given the prevalence of toxicants in foods, beauty products, etc., and the increasing demand for “green” products, there is a need for the development of “nutri-drinks” with hepatoprotective properties. The usefulness of tigernut milk (TNM) in preventing acetaminophen (APAP)-induced liver injury was, therefore, investigated. Materials and Methods: A total of 25 rats were randomized into five equal groups. Four groups were treated with 0, 500, 1000, and 2000 kg/mg body weight (bw) TNM, respectively, per os for 2 weeks before they were challenged with 2500 mg/kg bw APAP. Biochemical markers of hepatotoxicity and oxidative stress were determined in the sera of the rats at the end of the study. Results: Serum alanine aminotransferase concentrations decreased significantly (P < 0.001) and dose-dependently from 334.3 ± 16.1 in the negative control group to 65.4 ± 8.3 in the 2000 mg/kg bw TNM group. Other studied liver enzymes were similarly dose-dependently reduced. These data are corroborated by histological findings. Superoxide dismutase activity (U/mg protein) was increased significantly (P < 0.001) from 108.0 ± 7.4 in the negative control group to 291.0 ± 11.3 in the 2000 mg/kg bw TNM group, and indeed all the test groups. The malondialdehyde concentrations in the test rats were slightly lower than that of the negative control group. Conclusion: TNM at the tested concentrations significantly prevented liver injury. Phytochemicals in TNM, working directly as antioxidants or indirectly by inducing the synthesis of glutathione, may be responsible for the observed effect.

Pollution due to oil exploration activities in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria and government under-investments in potable water infrastructure has led to the dependence of the population on personal boreholes. Yet, there are little quality or surveillance reports on such waters. The concentrations of heavy metals in underground water samples from an oil producing area, Umuebulu, in the Niger Delta were therefore investigated. Water samples were collected from three test points, each approximately 300 m from (1) wellhead area (WHA), (2) flare area (FA) and (3) effluent discharge area (EDA), and one control point located 10 km away from any oil-related activity. The concentrations of lead, arsenic and cadmium were determined in the samples using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. All three heavy metals were present in the test, and control water samples at concentrations significantly (P < 0.05) exceeding the maximum contaminant levels recommended by the World Health Organization. The total hazard index of the water samples showed that their consumption constituted significant health risks in the order EDA > FA > WHA > Control. Appropriate water treatment and surveillance is warranted and therefore recommended for underground water resources of the studied community.