September 2023

The first step in drug discovery is, in many cases is to test compounds in cell culture to find out the activity in terms of pharmacological actions. In vitro cell culturebasedstudies in the non-clinical laboratory serve various functions along the path from the discovery of new molecular entities to approval and marketing of a therapeutic. Various techniques have been developed to study many aspects of drug disposition including absorption, metabolic stability, elucidation of elimination pathways, potential for inhibition and induction of CYP450 enzymes, metabolite profiling in various model species and humans. Typically, this means that the drug product must undergo a series of robust tests and experiments using in vitro, in vivo, ex vivo, and in silico models as per the needs of the focused indication and regulatory guidelines. A thorough understanding of the metabolic profile in various species and man is crucial in successful evaluation of potential of new therapeutics. This is also particularly important as it will assist in minimizing dosing levels in toxicology studies which are chosen on the basis multiples of the pharmacologically effective doses. For pharmacokinetic in vitro absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME) studies, various models of cell lines grown in 2D are generally used. Human colon carcinoma cells (Caco-2) are used for absorption analyses, and canine kidney cells (MDCKII-MDR1) are generally employed in distribution studies, while hepatocytes are utilized in metabolism and excretion investigation. The pharmaceutical industry presently relies on several widely used in vitro models, including two-dimensional and three-dimensional cell culture models.

Environmental degradation is a process which lowers the current and/ or the potential capability of land to produce goods or services in terms of qualitatively. Soil degradation and deterioration of the physical chemical and biological characteristic of soil is one facet of environmental degradation since soil is an integral component of environment. The rate at which environmental degradation occur differs from a climatic zone to another in terms of its causes, short and long term consequences. The northern states of Nigeria (11 states) which is 43% of Nigeria land mass are the most vulnerable for environmental and soil degradation. Some environmental degradation indicators identified in Northern Nigeria includes wind erosion, drought, deforestation, desertification, alkalinisation, salinization on the degradation of the environment, deterioration of vegetation cover and its biodiversity, soil crusting, sealing, salinization and hydrological degradation. The country is losing over 350,000 ha of the land yearly to desertification as a result of degradation. The main driving forces of these process includes scarcity or insufficient of rainfall and wind erosion. These effects can be overcome by increasing the number of adequately equipped metrological stations, irrigation, comprehensive ecological survey on soils, water and vegetation, scale afforestation projects, Shelter belt construction, Biochar amendment, green walling etc

Self medication is the use of medication for self treatment without consulting a physician either for diagnosis, prescription or surveillance of treatment. This study is a descriptive study that determined the psychosocial factors that influence the involvement in self medication and the perceived health implications among students of College of Health Sciences of Tertiary Institution in Anambra State, Nigeria. Structured questionnaire developed by the researchers which was validated and pilot-tested for internal consistency using Cronbach’s Alpha with reliability index of 0.839, was used for data collection. Data were collected from the three academic faculties in the College with 340 respondents. Descriptive and inferential statistics analyses were applied in data analysis using SPSS version 21. Study revealed that psychological factors influence the students’ involvement in self medication. Such factors include but not limited to: need for quick relief from pain (78.5%), bad experiences with health personnel (71 .5%) and previous experiences with symptoms of disease (66.2%). The socio-economic factors such as high cost of medical consultation (77.9%) and peer influence (68.5%). The students also showed positive perception of the health implications of self medication with average mean score of 3.08. Study also revealed that is correlation between socio-economic and psychological factors in self medication practices (Rho- 0.721,p< 0.001) and perceived health implications of self medication is correlated to psychological factors.

Several attempts have been made to relate soil properties to slope position for many landscapes essentially due to the realization of the role toposequence plays in influencing runoff, soil erosion and hence soil formation. However, information remains fragmentary on the relationship between toposequence and changes in the properties of soils of Ekiti State. In this study, selected physical, hydraulic and chemical properties of the soils along a toposequence in Ado Ekiti were evaluated. Textural class of the soils changed from loamy sand at the upper slope to sandy loam at the middle down to lower slope with sand content varying from 81.3, 73.4 to 72.3% respectively. Bulk density was highest at the upper slope with 1.72g/cm3 and lowest (1.61g/cm3) at lower slope. Total porosity and particle density of the soils followed similar trend as they decreased down the slope. However, hydraulic properties followed a different pattern. For instance, while water content values increased down the slope as follows: 9.6, 10.5, and 13.5%; Ksat ranged from 45, 30 to 20 cm/hr down the slope. In addition, infiltration rates also varied from 90, 70 to 55 cm/hr down the slope. The soils at the different slope sections were slightly acidic with pH of between 5.6 and 5.8 and they had low soil organic carbon (SOC)) content, generally below 2%; the highest being 1.9%. These findings demonstrated that soils deposited at the upper slope were more fertile and less prone to water erosion because of higher OM and greater permeability. Bush fallowing and appropriate tillage practices could assist in achieving sustainable crop production on these soils.

The fight against HIV/AIDS is based on screening, treatment and biological examination. Access to antiretroviral (ARV) treatment, the second component of the fight against HIV/AIDS, is effective in the Sakassou Health District. Despite these efforts, the Sakassou Health District remains a high-risk area. The aim of this study is to analyze the determinants of access to antiretroviral drugs for people living with HIV (PLHIV) in the Sakassou Health District. The study revealed that 91.5% of PLHIV are over 18 years of age. In terms of gender structure, 80% of PLWHA are women and 20% men. In terms of geographical accessibility, 63.5% of PLWHA are more than 5 km from a health center. The remoteness of the majority of PLHIV from health centers is an obstacle to access to antiretroviral treatment. Some 96.8% of PLHIV are regularly taking their antiretroviral treatment. However, 3.2% have experienced interruptions in their antiretroviral treatment. Interruption of antiretroviral treatment among PLWHA is significantly associated with excessive alcohol consumption, recourse to prayer camps, food insecurity, denial of HIV status and stigmatization. This study leads to the conclusion that improving access to antiretrovirals is a guarantee of health security for PLWHA.

Background: Acute appendicitis is one of the main causes of abdominal pain that requires surgical treatment, it occurs at any stage of life with a lifetime risk of 7% in general population; clinical findings are usually sufficient to make diagnosis, but definitive diagnosis is made at the moment of surgery; there isn´t a reliable marker of acute apendicitis but it has been hypothesized that serum bilirrubin levels increase in complicated appendicitis cases and that it can be measured before appendectomy to predict severity levels. Objective: To determine if the increase in serum bilirrubin levels has a positive predictive value of severity in patients with acute appendicitis. Material and methods: Observational, prospective and analytical cross-sectional study in patients diagnosed with acute appendicitis, who attended the Emergency Department to identify the positive predictive value of bilirubin. Bilirubin levels were determined by obtaining a cut-off point greater than 1.0 mg/dl for total bilirubin, >0.8 mg/dl for indirect bilirubin and >0.2 for direct bilirubin; considering the standard Gold the diagnosis with the intraoperative macroscopic findings. Sampling was random and the sample size was probabilistic. It was analyzed with descriptive statistics in addition to diagnostic tests with 95% CI, using the statistical package SPSS. Results: 59 patients with acute appendicitis were selected, mean age 34.4 ± 14.3 years, 34 (58%) were female, 20 (33.9%) were overweight, 4 (6.8%) had arterial hypertension. Of the complications corresponded to abscess and perforation in 9 (31%), perforation with 8 (27.6%). The severity of the episodes of acute appendicitis occurred in 41 (69%). The effectiveness of bilirubins to detect severity, showed in the total with 82% (95% CI 64-92), the direct 73% (95% CI 58-84), indirect in 62% (95% CI 31-83) . The discriminative capacity of indirect bilirubin with 0.52, the direct one with 0.44 and total with 0.35. Conclusions: total bilirubin has a higher positive predictive value of severity in patients with acute appendicitis and the indirect higher discriminative value.

A 31 year old primigravida with previous history of myomectomy, had a scan done at 28 weeks period of gestation showing vascular lakes and lacunae in the placenta. During elective lower segment cesarean section, placenta was found to be adherent. It was left in-situ and was managed conservatively by methotrexate and suction and evacuation.

Unclassified mixed germ cell and sex cord stromal tumor with yolk sac and dysgerminoma component is an infrequent ovarian neoplasm. Mixed germ cell and sex cord stromal tumors are categorized into two subtypes - gonadoblastoma and unclassified mixed germ cell and sex cord stromal cell tumor (UMGSCT) . The subtype unclassified mixed germ cell and sex cord stromal tumor is rareand usually occur in females less than 10 years of age. Here we report an uncommon case of unclassified mixed germ cell and sex cord cell stromal tumor in a 22 year old female patient. CECT lower abdomen showed a multiloculated cystic left adnexal mass. Germ cell tumour marker like alpha feto protein (AFP) level was elevated. Serum testosterone and, DHEAS were also raised. Combining histomorphological and immunohistochemical findings a definitive diagnosis of unclassified mixed germ cell and sex cord stromal tumor was made. Conservative surgical removal is treatment of choice considering age of patient. During follow up after 6 months patient is found asymptomatic.

The transition from Neolithic to the Early Medieval period covers a vast span of time and witnessed significant cultural, social and technological changes across different regions. It's important to note that the transition from the Neolithic to the Early Medieval period was not a uniform process, and different regions experienced these changes at different times. The present paper in intending for a comprehensive overview of an archaeological site in Balasore district of Odisha, which has given the surface findings ranging from Neolithic to Early Medieval period, highlighting key findings, methodologies and significance of the total findings. Beginning with Neolithic period, characterized by the shift from hunting-gathering to agriculture, this prominent site has provided insights into early human settlements. The site has evidenced fortification, Eolithic tools and other materials and several pottery belonging to Chalcolithic to early medieval period shedding light on the emergence of settled communities. This archeological site spanning from Neolithic to early Medieval period offer invaluable insights into diverse aspects of human History. The study enables us to comprehend the evolution of social structure, technological advancements, artistic expressions and cultural exchanges across different regions of Odisha. Systematic excavation and analysis of this site will unravel the mysteries of our ancestors, illuminating the tapestry of human existence throughout the ages.

Background: Cervical spondylosis is a generalized disease process affecting all levels of the cervical spine. Cupping Therapy (CT) is an ancient method and currently used in the treatment of a broad range of medical conditions such as cervical spondylosis. Nitric Oxide (NO) is a signaling gas molecule that mediates vasodilation and regulates blood flow and several lines of evidence have indicated that NO plays a complex and diverse role in the modulation of pain. Purpose of Study was to investigate the effect of cupping therapy on pain intensity, cervical range of motion, neck function and nitric oxide level in patients with cervical spondylosis. Subjects and Methods: Sixty Patients with cervical spondylosis from both sexes referred from the orthopedic clinics for this study. They received 3 sessions of cupping once per month and each patient was evaluated for Pain intensity by the numerical analogue scale, cervical ROM by Cervical Range of Motion goniometer, Function by neck disability index and NO levels by the spectrophotometer, just before the treatment and after the three sessions. Results There was a significant decrease of pain level, cervical ROM, and function in addition there wasa significant increase in NO level and a direct correlation between NO level and NDI score improvement (p=0.037*) (r= 0.270). Conclusion: The findings of this study demonstrate that there is a direct effect of cupping therapy on reducing pain, improving cervical ROM and function, and increasing NO level in treating patients with cervical spondylosis.