Covenant Journal of Physical and Life Sciences

Tissue antioxidant enzyme activities and lipid profile of experimental rats fed with Waltheria indica leaf diets

2024-09-18T23:18:02+00:00

Hypercholesterolemia is a specific genetic condition characterized by excessively increased plasma cholesterol concentrations. Although treatments through statins have recorded exponential success over time, regrettably, several patients have yet to attain the minimum levels of low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-Ch), evidenced by the high cardiovascular outcomes after treatment. Hence, this research aimed at evaluating the effect of Waltheria indica leaf diets on the lipid profiles and antioxidant activities in male albino rats weighing 40-45 g, which were grouped into three: Group A (basal group without cholesterol), Group B control (diet + 1% cholesterol) and Group C test diet (1% cholesterol + 10% Waltheria indica leaf sample) and fed for 21 days and weighed before sacrifice. After the last day of feeding, the Serum and liver were excised, and lipid profile and antioxidant enzyme activities were analyzed using standard methods. Serum total cholesterol (mg/dl) decreased significantly (p<0.05) from 83.88 ± 2.74 in control rats (group B) to 23.14 ± 1.05 in group C rats. Also, serum high-density lipoprotein (mg/dl) increased significantly (p<0.05) from 17.09 ± 0.71 in control rats to 33.25 ± 4.01 in group C rats. The serum malondialdehyde level decreased markedly from 8.68 ± 0.07 in group B rats to 5.74 ± 0.40 in group C rats. The activity of Serum Catalase significantly increased from 2.29 ± 0.15 in group B rats to 3.75 ± 0.13 in group C rats. This study demonstrates the lipid-lowering potential of Waltheria indica leaf diets and its protective effects against oxidative stress, which holds promise in managing and treating hypercholesterolemia.

MICROBIAL CONTAMINATION AND ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE IN SELECTED YOGHURT BRANDS IN ELELE, RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA

2024-09-16T23:18:50+00:00

Yogurt, a widely consumed fermented dairy product, offers numerous nutritional benefits but is susceptible to microbial contamination, posing potential public health risks. This study evaluates the microbial contamination in twelve brands of yogurt sold in Elele, Rivers State, Nigeria, analyzing ambient and frozen samples. The results revealed higher bacterial loads in yogurt stored at room temperature, with Bacillus sp (40%) being the most prevalent contaminant, followed by Lactobacillus bulgaricus (30%) and Salmonella sp (35%)., the latter of which is particularly concerning due to its potential to cause foodborne illnesses. Additionally, antibiotic susceptibility testing demonstrated that the isolated bacteria exhibited significant multi-drug resistance, especially Salmonella sp., which was resistant to eight of ten antibiotics tested. These findings highlight the importance of proper storage conditions, strict hygiene practices, and the need for enhanced safety measures during yogurt production to minimize health risks associated with contaminated yogurt products.

Patients’ Satisfaction with waiting time and healthcare givers’ attitude: outcome of patient’s compliance to treatment at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital and Central Hospital, Benin City Edo State, Nigeria

2024-09-18T23:09:42+00:00

The growing concern about the importance of patient satisfaction as an essential tool in assessing the quality of care is a recent trend in the health sector in Nigeria. This study underscores the urgent need for a shift towards patient-centred care, a model that has proven successful in developed countries. The same cannot be said of developing countries like Nigeria and Ghana. This study evaluated patients' satisfaction with service delivery in tertiary and secondary health institutions in South-South Nigeria. It was a quantitative and qualitative study on 200 inpatients and outpatients at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) and Central Hospital, both located in Benin City, Edo state, Nigeria Data were collected using a pretested structured questionnaire, Focus Group Discussion, and Non-participant Observation. Data from the quantitative study were analysed using the statistical package for Social Science (SPSS) version (20) in the form of frequencies, percentages and chi-square to determine the association among variables. Reports of Focus Group Discussions and Observations were written in summary paragraphs. Findings revealed that patients' dissatisfaction with waiting times and workers’ attitudes did not deter them from complying with the treatment process; they continued using health units and recommended health units to others. Patients’ satisfaction with waiting time and staff patients’ relationships were poor. These, though, do not affect patients’ compliance with the treatment process, continued utilisation of health units and recommendation of health units to others.