Objective: H omalium letestui Pellegr (Flacourtiaceae) has been traditionally used by the Ibibios of Southern Nigeria to treat stomach ulcer, malaria and other inflammatory diseases and Yorubas of western Nigeria as an antidote. This study evaluates the hepatoprotective properties of the ethanol extract of the plant stem.Materials and Methods:The hepatoprotective effect of the extract of the stem of the plant (200-600 mg/kg) was evaluated by the assay of liver function parameters, namely total and direct bilirubin, serum protein and albumin, total cholesterol, alanine aminotransaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransaminase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase activities (ALP), antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), reduced glutathione (GSH) and histopathological study of the liver. Also, GCMS analysis of n-butanol fraction of the extract was carried out. Results:Administration of the extract of the stem of the plant caused a significant (p<0.05 – 0.001) dose-dependent reduction of high levels of liver enzymes (ALT, AST and ALP), total cholesterol, direct and total bilirubin as well as elevation of serum levels of total protein, albumin and antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GPx and GSH). Histology of the liver sections from extract and silymarin-treated animals showed reductions in the pathological features compared to the paracetamol-treated animals. The chemical pathological changes were consistent with histopathological observations suggesting marked hepatoprotective effect of the extract of H. letestui stem. GCMS analysis of n-butanol fraction revealed the presence of 16 bioactive compounds.Conclusion:The results show that the extract of H. letestui has hepatoprotective potential which may be due to the antioxidant activity of its phytoconstituents.

Glucocorticoid-induced diabetes mellitus (GIDM) is an abnormal increase in blood glucose associated with the use of glucocorticoids in a patient with or without a prior history of diabetes mellitus. This is a common and potentially harmful problem in clinical practice, affecting almost all medical specialties, but is often difficult to detect in clinical settings. The objective of this study was to determine effect of Parkia biglobosa extract on open wound healing in dexamethasone induced hyperglycaemia. Effect of three different doses of P. biglobosa extract (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg body wt.) for 14 consecutive days on open skin wound healing before and after dexamethasone-induced hyperglycaemia was investigated; histological assessment was also conducted on the fourteenth day. The three different doses of P. biglobosa extract decreased the serum glucose concentration in pre and post-treatment dexamethasone-induced hyperglycaemic animals; the percentage reduction was greater in the 50 and 100 mg/kg of P. biglobosa-pretreated groups (14.9 and 19.21%, respectively) as compared to that of ketoconazole, where it was only 16.5%. In the post treatment groups, the percentage reduction was greater in 100 mg/kg of P. biglobosa (17.7%) as compared to that of ketoconazole, where it was only 16.6%. Histological evaluation showed that the pretreated group of animals had higher performance scores on the grading scale and improved healing when compared with the post-treated groups. There was a demonstrable reduction in the wound healing process in the pre-treatment group that was dosed dependent.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus. The virus that causes COVID-19 spreads mainly when an infected person is in close contact with another person. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of COVID-19 on different countries, using USA as comparism factor. Ninety four countries were selected based on their continents, countries and cases of infection. Data from each country were obtained from United Nations Geoscheme and WHO and were analyzed and compared to that of the United State of America (USA). Data analyzed revealed that most countries in Africa appears to be least affected by the virus. Data also revealed that many countries have been able to understand and manage the spread and infectivity of the virus compared to the USA. Result from the study also showed that the many countries have been able to improve on managing the infection when compared to USA mortality. This may be due to among other factors a more robust immune response, herd immunity and united approach in the management of the disease. The result also helps to provide insight as to how significant developing and providing vaccine may be to this part of the world. Result from the study suggests that while Africa has a better immunity for the virus, there seems to be improvement the management of disease by other continent.

There are several competing theories about the ultimate fate of the universe and possibility of anything preceding the Big Bang, while other physicists and philosophers refuse to speculate, doubting that information about prior states will ever be accessible. Some scientist have suggested various multiverse hypotheses, in which our universe might be one among many universes that likewise exist. There has been so many possibilities that are yet to be explored and investigated about our earth. The Earth is strangely different from other member of the universe. This study and observation intended to interpret the likelihood of our Earth been a stranger in a foreign universe.

Background: Nurse practitioners play a vital role in wound care and management because of the prevalence of wounds in the community and hospital setting. Aims and objectives: The purpose was to identify current knowledge and practices of nurses with respect to wound management. Method: A qualitative descriptive research was designed, nineteen nurses in wound care wards in Bingham University teaching hospital were recruited into this study. This was achieved with the aid of a self-administered questionnaire for a two-week period. Results: Three groups of nurses responded to this survey (73.7% males; 31.6% aged 31-40 years). Registered nurses dominated (68.4%), majority of them worked in male ward (36.8%) and private ward (36.8%). Almost on full-time (94.7%), more than half were diploma holders (57.9%) with 1 to 5 years of experience (47.4%). Majority (84.2%) were involved in wound treatment and management, there were significant association between years of experience and wound classification, wound treatment, treatment failure and treatment failure factors. Conclusion: Wound care practices require accurate knowledge and assessment skills, a better understanding of wound management provides comprehensible, rapid patient wound care and minimizes patient mortality as well as reduces health services financial costs.