Table of Contents

Chemical Composition and Physicochemical characteristics of Tropical Almond

 Nuts (Terminalia Catappia l) Cultivated    in South West Nigeria.

Olatidoye, O.P, Sobowale S.S, Akinlotan, J.VandOlorode, O.O……………………………………                   1-10

Phytochemical Screening and Antimicrobial Efficacy of Extracts from Ficus

Exasperata against Human Pathogenic Bacteria

M. H. Shagal, D. Kubmarawa, and F. Hassan……………………………………………………………..           11-18

Nutritional Knowledge of Hypertensive Patients in Abeokuta, Nigeria

Nupo S .S Bello T. K; Oladapo A. A. and Olunusi P. A.………………………………………………..        19-25

Antibacterial Activity of Crude Extracts of Daniella Oliveri against some

Bacteria Associated with Enteric Infections

O Yahaya, MB Tijjani, OJ Abraham, I. O Umar O. E Miachi and B Usman…………………….            26-31

Cloning: The Good, the Bad, the Ugly

Abalaka M. and Fatele A. J.…………………………………………………………………………………….             32-40

A Medical Diagnostic Support System for the Management of Hypertension

 (Meddiag)

X.Y. Djam, Y. H. Kimbi………………………………………………………………………………………….              41-55

Optimal Patient Service Design in a Radio diagnostic Medical Facility

C. O. Arimie and E. H. Etuk……………………………………………………………………………..            56-64

Single and Multiple Dose Effects of Ethanol Consumption on the Rate of

Gastric Emptying and Absorption of Food Materials in the Small Intestine

of Wistar Rats

Anthony.E. Ojieh, Simon.I. Ovuakporaye, Ighele E. Awire, Harrison. O. Otamere………                  65-72

SINGLE AND MULTIPLE DOSE EFFECTS OF ETHANOL CONSUMPTION ON THE RATE OF GASTRIC EMPTYING AND ABSORPTION OF FOOD MATERIALS IN THE SMALL INTESTINE OF WISTAR RATS

¹Anthony.E. Ojieh, ¹Simon.I. Ovuakporaye, ²Ighele E. Awire, ³Harrison. O. Otamere

¹Department of Physiology, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria

²Department of Medical Biochemistry, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria

³Department of Physiology, Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria

Email: tonniojie@yahoo.com, ighele@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The rate at which the stomach empties is regulated by signals from both the stomach and duodenum. Usually, chyme empties into the duodenum at a rate not greater than the rate at which it can be digested and absorbed into the small intestine. The present study was undertaken to determine the effects of multiple and single dose of ethanol on the rate of gastric emptying and absorption of food materials in the small intestine. Eighteen male rats with an average weight (220±0.67) were divided into 3groups (n=6). They were each feed with the 11g of the prepared test meal. The control rats were allowed free access to water, while the experimental rats were given 2.73g/kg ethanol orally. Once for the single dose group, and daily for 2weeks for the multiple dose group. At the end of three hours, blood samples were collected for analysis and the abdomen of the rats were cut open after being anaesthetized, to determine the quantity of food left in the stomach in each group. The result showed a statistically significant difference in mean blood levels of plasma triglycerides, proteins and glucose. Triglycerides (control –117.08±9.27mg/dl, single dose –151.67±6.79mg multiple dose – 185.35±2.11mg/dl). (glycerol phosphate oxidase  method- Tietz, 1995) Glucose (Control – 87.49±1.67mg/dl, Single dose—76.92±2.22mg/dl, Multiple dose-68.82±1.41mg/dl). (Glucose oxidase method- Teuscher and Richterich, 1971). Proteins (Control –7.08±0.19g/dl, Single dose – 6.01±0.05g/dl, multiple doses – 5.35±0.09g/dl). (Biuret method-Tietz, 1995). Rate of gastric Emptying, gotten by dividing the gastric emptying by 180minutes showed, (0.025±002g/dl – control, 0.021±0.01g/min – single dose, 0.019±0.01g/min –multiple doses). Ethanol consumed either as a single dose or multiple doses can alter the rate of gastric emptying and absorption of food material in the small intestine.

Keywords: Ethanol, Absorption, Small intestine, Chyme.

OPTIMAL PATIENT SERVICE DESIGN IN A RADIODIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL FACILITY

C. O. Arimie^*1 and E. H. Etuk²

¹Department of Radiology, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt

²Department of Mathematics/Computer Science, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt

E-mail: codarimie@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Queuing theory is a powerful quantitative tool that enables healthcare facilities to uncork chronic bottlenecks in the flow of patients but, healthcare systems have some peculiar features that impact on their modeling in the framework of the queuing theory. To redesign the radiodiagnostic facility of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (U.P.T.H) using queuing theory, and to assess the impact of the time lag between patients arrival and the commencement of imaging procedures, occasioned by absences and lateness to work by healthcare personnel and other logistic problems, on the operating characteristics and the optimality criterion. The patients’ service schedule was altered so that only outpatients were allowed service during the peak period of 8.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. daily. Arrival and service rates data were collected and used to fit the Poisson model. Prior to this time, data were not available on arrival rates and service times. The steady-state probabilities, measures of performance, the probability of an arrival joining the queue, and the joining rate were calculated. The rescheduling revealed that the system was M/M/c/GD/¥ /¥ as the patients’ arrival and service rates data collected fitted the Poisson model. We discovered an improvement in the various measures of performance especially, the throughput of outpatients although, the time lag between arrival and commencement of service increased the queue length and waiting time. Patient service in the radiodiagnostic facility can be optimized using the queuing theory but, service must commence as the patients arrive in order to achieve optimal performance. Secondly, performance of a queuing system may just be specified in terms of probabilities.

Key words: Queuing, Optimization, Markov chain, Radiodiagnostic facility, Medical.

A MEDICAL DIAGNOSTIC SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF HYPERTENSION (MEDDIAG)

X.Y. Djam¹, Y. H. Kimbi²

¹Department of Mathematics, Gombe State University, Gombe State, Nigeria

²State Specialist Hospital, Gombe, Gombe State, Nigeria

 E-mail: dxaveria@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Hypertension is one of the silent killer diseases and the need to optimize the management using fuzzy logic approach is a dual need. Hypertension directly or indirectly concerns us in one way or the other. As far as hypertension is concerned, one can be a patient, a patient’s relative or a wise counselor. A little more knowledge and understanding will make a wiser counselor. In this paper, a medical diagnostic support system for the management of hypertension (MEDDIAG) is presented. MEDDIAG diagnoses the possibility of the disease and its severity using fuzzy logic approach. Fuzzy logic technology provides a simple way to arrive at a definite conclusion from vague, ambiguous, imprecise or noisy data (as found in medical data) using linguistic variables that are not necessarily precise. In order to achieve this, a study of the knowledge base system for the management of hypertension was undertaken. MEDDIAG applied forward chaining method in making inferences and the Root Sum Square (RSS) of drawing inference was employed to infer the data from the rules developed. The defuzzification technique employed is the Centroid approach. MEDDIAG was implemented in the Fuzzy Logic Toolbox in MATLAB 7.10.0. Diagnostic data from 30 patients with confirmed diagnosis of hypertension were evaluated and the computed results were in the range of the predefine limits by the domain experts. Fuzzy diagnosis had 85% exact diagnosis. Based on the results obtained, fuzzy diagnosis resembles human decision making with its ability to work from approximate reasoning and ultimately find a precise solution.

Keywords: Medical diagnosis, Fuzzy Logic, Knowledge-base, Hypertension

ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF CRUDE EXTRACTS OF Daniella oliveri AGAINST SOME BACTERIA ASSOCIATED WITH ENTERIC INFECTIONS

*¹O Yahaya, ²MB Tijjani, ¹OJ Abraham, ¹I. O Umar ¹O. E Miachi and ¹B Usman

¹Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Federal Polytechnic,    Idah, Kogi State, Nigeria

²Department of Microbiology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

E-mail: ocholiahmed@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Daniella oliveri powderd plant materials was extracted using methanol and sterile distilled water. The Agar diffused methods was used to determine the antimicrobial activity of the plant against Salmonella typhi, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.  The methanolic and water both provide higher yield from different parts of the plant and both showed effectiveness except against Pseudomonas aureginosa. Phytochemical screening of the crude extract revealed the presence of tannins, saponins, phenolcs, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, anthroquinones, and alkaloids and the growth of all bacteria were inhibited though to varying degrees thus justifying their use in traditional medicines in treating enteric infection and other diseases across Africa.

Key words: Daniella oliveri,  Phytochemicals, methanolic extract, Enteric infections.

NUTRITIONAL KNOWLEDGE OF HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS IN ABEOKUTA, NIGERIA

Abalaka M.  and Fatele A. J.

Department of Microbiology

Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

Cloning is the creation of almost genetically identical organism from which the nuclear DNA is taken. The main aim of this paper is to examine the arguments for and against reproductive cloning. It is to show that there is a very strong case for banning human cloning, but also have tried to present the counter-arguments fairly. The popular responses to cloning are grounded in very valid concerns, for example, about relationships between human beings and also between humans and nature. Another clear conclusion is that cloning very starkly exemplifies the clash between a liberal worldview, which tends to see all scientific advances as progress, and a more skeptical, conservative attitude, based on traditional beliefs about human nature. This second view is not confined to religions and political conservatives, and, at least when it comes to cloning, includes the majority of people.Keywords: Cloning, Nuclear DNA, Liberal, Conservative

PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING AND ANTIMICROBIAL EFFICACY OF EXTRACTS FROM FICUS EXASPERATA AGAINST HUMAN PATHOGENIC BACTERIA 

*M. H. Shagal, D. Kubmarawa, and F. Hassan

Department of Chemistry

Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola, Nigeria

Email: hassanm962@gmail.com 

ABSTRACT

Ethanol and water extracts of Ficus exasperata were screened for their phytochemical and antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, streptococcus spp., Salmonella  typhi, Alpha heamolytic Strephtococcus and Klebsiella pneumonia. The result indicated that saponins, tannins, flavonoids, glycosides and steroids were present in all the plants part except for flavonoids which is absent in leave of water extract.  The root, stem bark and leaves of the water extract were active on most of the microorganisms.  But Salmonella  typhi developed resistance against the leave for the water extract and Escherichia coli and Protus (Mirabilis) developed resistance against the root for the water extracts.  The stem bark of the ethanol extracts was active on most of the microorganisms except for Staphylococcus aureus which developed resistance.  The roots of the ethanol extract which developed resistance against most of the microorganism except for Alpha heamolytic streptococcus which developed zone of inhibition.  The leaves of the ethanol extracts developed zone of inhibitions on Protus (mirabilis) and Alpha heamolytic streptococcus but the other microorganisms are resistance.  This attest to the fact that Ficus exasperata contains bioactive compounds of potentially therapeutic and prophylactic significance and thus could by a promissory candidate for drug development and validates folkloric claim, as a cure for ulcer, cancer, intestinal pains and other stomach related problems, typhoid and asthma. Key word: Ficus exasperate, klebsiella pneumonia, extracts, steroids, microorganisms

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF TROPICAL ALMOND NUTS (TERMINALIA CATAPPIA L) CULTIVATED IN SOUTH WEST NIGERIA.

Olatidoye, O.P^1*, Sobowale S.S², Akinlotan, J.V²   andOlorode, O.O²

¹Department of Food Science and Technology, Igbinedion University Okada, Nigeria

²Department of Food Science and Technology, Moshood Abiola Polytechnics, Nigeria

E-mail: waledoye@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Proximate, mineral and functional properties of flour and physicochemical properties of oil of tropical almond (Terminalia catappa) nut were investigated using standard methods. Fresh almond nut were screened, cut into two halves and then dried in forced air oven at 40⁰C for 6hrs, milled and stored for analysis. The mean values of various parameters for proximate composition (%) were: moisture (9.3±0.2), ash (4.8±0.1), ether extract (3.3±0.1), crude protein (32.6±0.2), crude fibre (0.4±0.3) and carbohydrate (by difference) (49.90).The calculated fatty acids were noted to be 29.4% and energy was 1531.04KJ/100g. Minerals (mg/100g) included: Na (27.72±0.2), K (42.17±0.1), Ca (27.17±0.3), Mg (35.92±0.2), Mn (1.6±0.2), Cu (0.4±0.1), Zn (0.8±0.1), Fe (6.38±0.1) and P (24.26±0.2) while Pb, Cd and Hg were not detected. The relationship between Na and K and Ca and P; are desirable with the respective ratios of Na/K (0.66) and Ca/P (1.12). The physicochemical properties of almond nut oil were:- colour (yellow), refractive index (1.465), specific gravity (0.981), acid value (1.3±0.4mgKOH/g, saponification value (128.0±0.3mg KOH/g), iodine value (65±0.1mg Iodine/g), peroxide value (2.8±0.2) and free fatly acids (0.64±0.1mg/g). The physico-chemical properties of the oil indicated that it is edible, non-drying and may not be suitable for soap making. The data obtained from the study clearly show the nutritional potentials of the nut as alternative food ingredient for protein supplementation and its reliability as a good source of amino acids for school children and adults.

Key words: Almond nut flour, Almond oil, chemical composition, physicochemical properties, seed flour