CD4 cell count (CD4 count) is pivotal in determining when to initiate antiretroviral therapy and in staging of human immunodeficiency virus infection/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS). It gives information on possible treatment failure. This study was undertaken to evaluate the CD4 count of treatment naïve HIV-positive patients who registered at HIV clinic of Anambra State University Teaching Hospital Awka, Anambra State. 460 case notes of all confirmed, HIV-positive patients who enrolled at the HIV clinic of Anambra State University Teaching Hospital Awka between Jan 2011-June 2013 were retrieved from the medical records. Baseline CD4 count, sex, age, ethnicity, occupation and religion were recorded and reviewed.143 patients (31.09%) were males, while 317 (68.91%) were females with male to female ratio being 1:2.2. 39.13% were between 21-30 age range, closely followed by 31-40 age range with 33.48%. Only one patient (0.22%) belonged to above 70 age group. The occupation of most patients was business/trade which had 165 patients (35.87%). 22.61% were self-employed. The least was professional with 15 patients (3.26%). Those with CD4 count of less than 350 cells/mm 3 were 240 (52.17%) while 220 (47.83%) had above 350 cells/mm 3 . 119 patients (25.9%) had CD4 count of 200 cells/mm 3 or less. Based on current guidelines, most HIV positive patients in this study require antiretroviral therapy.

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The hepatotoxic effects of ethanolic leaf extract of Breynia nivosa in male albino Wistar rats were studied. The Breynia nivosa leaves were extracted using 70% ethanol. The phytochemicals were evaluated and found to contain – tannin, flavonoids, saponins, cardiac glycosides and cyanogenic glycosides. Twenty (20) adult male albino Wistar rats were randomly divided into four (4) groups – three tests of A, B, C and one control – and were administered with 400mg/kg, 200mg/kg and 100mg/kg of the ethanolic leaf extract of Breynia nivosa respectively for 21days after two weeks of acclimatization. The animals were sacrificed under anaesthesia after the experiment and blood samples collected for determination of the antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase), malondialdehyde, and liver enzyme: aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and alanine transaminase (ALT). The results showed that there was a significant decrease in superoxide dismutase level (P<0.05). Changes in other markers (malondialdehyde and glutathione peroxidase) were however not statistically significant (P>0.05) when compared with the control. The extract significantly increased ALT, AST, ALP levels (p<0.05). Hence Breynia nivosa may be toxic and caution should be exercised in its consumption.

Smoking has been recognized as a major risk factor for respiratory diseases especially, chronic obstructive airway disease, lung cancer and cardiovascular diseases. This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of smoking (cigarette and marijuana) on the peak expiratory flow rate among undergraduates. The study was carried out at both campuses (Igbariam and Uli) of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Anambra state. Three hundred and fifty (350) students participated in the study after informed consent was obtained. The respondents were divided into four groups. Group A consisted of cigarette smokers. Group B was marijuana smokers. Group C was cigarette and marijuana smokers. Group D was control (non-smokers).Questionnaires were distributed to the respondents .ASSESS peak flow meter (RESPIRONICS, U.S.A) was used to measure peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR).The results revealed that cigarette smokers had a mean PEFR of 396±12 LPM. Marijuana smokers had a mean PEFR of 586±16 LPM. Cigarette and marijuana smokers had a mean PEFR of 555±20 LPM. The control (non-smokers) had a mean PEFR of 506±12 LPM. Cigarette smoking significantly decreased PEFR, while marijuana smoking had a positive effect on PEFR.

Extracts of roots, stem, bark, leaves and sap of some medicinal plants have been known to have effect against the most dreaded pathogenic organism like the bacteria, Fungi, viruses (Russel et al, 1997). Soldiers need training, men and women do engage in exercises, children play in the field, most times people are not allowed to partake in their trainings, exercises or play due to bleeding from minor injuries which could be arrested using simple remedies from plants that could be found around the bush. Hence the effect of pawpaw (Carica papaya) latex on the haemostatic mechanism and biochemical profile of male albino wistar rats was studied to show the ability of Carica papaya latex to enhance haemostatic mechanism and stop bleeding.Forty (40) male albino rats weighing 200-250g were selected for the study. Group 1 (10 rats) is the control group. Group 2 (10 rats) received topical application of the latex after wound laceration, Group 3 (10 rats) was fed orally (Enteral) with the latex for 5 days, while Group 4 (10 rats) was injected (Parenteral) with the latex (0.5ml) for 5 days. Thereafter, blood samples were collected from Groups 1, 3 and 4 for analysis such as Full blood count, Platelet count, Prothrombin time test, Partial thromboplastin time test, bleeding time, clotting time, biochemical test such as serum total bilirubin, conjugated bilirubin, alkaline phosphatise, aspartate transaminase and alanin transaminase.Calcium and alkaloids (protein precipitates) was discovered present in the latex of Carica papaya. They are known to be involved in the precipitation of coagulation factors (Tafeeq, et al 2008) which promotes clotting in rats. The latex of Carica papaya reduced haemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume and white blood cell count significantly (p<0.05) but the platelet count was very high (p<0.05). It also increased the total bilirubin, conjugated bilirubin and the liver enzymes but shortened bleeding and clotting times in vitro. It could be deduced that the presence of calcium and papain helped to reduce the bleeding and clotting times.