http://repository.unizik.edu.ng/handle/123456789/155 Scholarly Works Mon, 06 Apr 2026 14:00:04 GMT 2026-04-06T14:00:04Z http://repository.unizik.edu.ng/handle/123456789/298 Title: Safety evaluation in mice of the childhood immunization vaccines from two south-eastern states of Nigeria Authors: Esimone, Charles Okechukwu; Nnamdia, Oli Angus; Uchenna, Agu Remigus; Chinedum, Oli Ugochukwu; Ugochukwu, Nwoye Charles; Shedrack, Ejiofor Obiora Abstract: Objective: To check the effects of the vaccines on the hematopoietic system and weight of mice after immunization. Methods: The study was done with the Expanded Programme on Immunization vaccines donated by the Ministries of Health of Abia and Imo States of Nigeria. The vaccines were collected from the cold-chain stores and transported in vaccine carriers to the cold-chain facility in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital within 3 hours of collection. They were used to immunize a total of 160 mice. The Ethics Committee of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi of Anambra State, Nigeria approved the protocol. Results: Mice body weight changes test showed that the mice all had increased body weight at Days 3 and 7 post-immunization and none died during the 7 d post-immunization observation. The percentage weight gains of the mice compared with the control were 69%, 70%, 64%, 63%, 65% and 68% for oral polio vaccine, diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus, bacillus Calmette–Guérin, measles, yellow fever and hepatitis B vaccines respectively collected from Imo State. The mice immunized with oral polio vaccine, pentavalent, bacillus Calmette–Guérin, measles, yellow fever and hepatitis B vaccines collected from Abia State had 123%, 114%, 121%, 116%, 142% and 119% weight gain respectively compared with the control. Leukocytosis promoting toxicity test showed that none of the vaccines was able to induce proliferation of leukocytes up to ten folds. Leukopenic toxicity test showed that all the vaccines had an leukopenic toxicity test value higher than 80% of the control (physiological saline). Conclusions: The vaccine samples tested were safe and did not affect the hematopoietic system adversely. The storage conditions of the vaccines in the States’ cold-chain stores had not compromised the safety of the vaccines. Sun, 01 Feb 2015 00:00:00 GMT http://repository.unizik.edu.ng/handle/123456789/298 2015-02-01T00:00:00Z http://repository.unizik.edu.ng/handle/123456789/297 Title: The isolation, identification and antimicrobial activities of endophytic fungi from Azadirachta indica Authors: Esimone, Charles Okechukwu; Treasure, Ujam Nonye; Abba, Chika Christiana; Maduabuchi, Eze Peter; Nnamdi, Oli Angus; Ebiye, Ejikeugwu Chika; Chigozie, Ugwu Malachy; Chiedu, Okoye Festus Basden Abstract: Endophytic microorganisms are the storehouse of novel secondary metabolites that can serve as an excellent source of drugs for different ailment. In this study, we isolated endophytic fungi associated with Azadirachta indica collected from Agulu, Awka, Anambra State, South Eastern Nigeria, identified some of their bioactive secondary metabolites and evaluated their antimicrobial properties. The endophytic fungi were isolated following standard method and the pure culture of the isolates identified morphologically and molecularly. The fungi were subjected to solid-state fermentation on rice medium and the metabolites were extracted using ethyl acetate. The fungal crude extracts were screened for antimicrobial activity. The extracts were further subjected to high-performance liquid chromatography-diode-array detection (HPLC-DAD) analysis for the identification of the bioactive compounds. A total of four endophytic fungi identified as Aureobasidium sp. (AIL1), Sodaria sp. (AIL3), Aspergillus sp. (AIS1) and Penicillium sp. (AIS2) were isolated from the Azadirachta indica. The crude extracts at 1 mg/mL, showed varying degrees of antimicrobial activity against the test fungi and bacteria Iinhibtion zone diameter (IZD) ranged from 2 to 11 mm. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the fungal extracts ranged from 0.0625 to 0.25 mg/mL. The HPLC-DAD analysis revealed the presence Glucobrassicin, Ferulic acid, 4-methoxybenzaldehyde, 12-Hydroxy-16-scalaren, 12-O-deacetyl-12-epi-scalarin, Ixoside, Citreodrimene F, and Cytosporin D, some of which has been reported to have shown antimicrobial activity. Azadirachta indica possess sundry groups of fungal endophytes that contain secondary metabolites with interesting antimicrobial properties that could be explored in drug discovery. Fri, 19 Jun 2020 00:00:00 GMT http://repository.unizik.edu.ng/handle/123456789/297 2020-06-19T00:00:00Z http://repository.unizik.edu.ng/handle/123456789/295 Title: Effects of some common additives on the antimicrobial activities of alcohol-based hand sanitizers Authors: Esimone, Charles Okechukwu; Thaddeus, Nzekwe Ifeanyi; Francis, Egbuna Chukwuemeka; Jane, Okpara Ogonna; Obumneme, Agubata Chukwuma Abstract: Objective: To study the effects of some common additives on the antimicrobial activities of alcohol-based hand sanitizers. Methods: The antibacterial activities of varying aqueous concentrations of ethanol and isopropyl alcohol were tested by the agar well diffusion method. The influences of different concentrations of glycerin was similarly tested. Finally, isopropyl alcohol and benzalkonium chloride were combined in different ratios within the safe use concentrations of each, and the effects of these combinations were compared with values obtained for the two agents used alone. Statistical methods, such as student t test and one-way ANOVA were used when appropriate to evaluate the differences in activity. Results: The activities of the alcohols showed marked concentration dependence, and both showed peak activity at 85%–95% concentration range. Over the concentration range of 60%–100%, isopropyl alcohol inhibited more bacterial and fungal organisms than ethanol, though the inhibition zone diameters it produced were not statistically different from those of ethanol for organisms which were sensitive to both of them. Addition of glycerin reduced the antimicrobial activities of the isopropyl alcohol, as shown by reduction in the inhibition zone diameters produced in vitro, which may be due to reduced drug diffusion with increase in viscosity. Addition of benzalkonium to isopropyl alcohol systems improved the activity of the alcohol, but the overall activity of the combination was not superior to that seen in the use of benzalkonium alone. Conclusion: Alcohol-based hand sanitizers should not be used outside the concentration range of 85%–95% and isopropyl alcohol inhibits more bacterial and fungal organisms than ethanol for most concentrations. Inclusion of benzalkonium improves the antimicrobial spectrum and activity of isopropyl alcohol, and the combination may justifiably be used to achieve both immediate and long lasting effect. Glycerin may adversely affect the antimicrobial activities of isopropyl alcohol-based hand sanitizers and should be used with caution. Wed, 28 Mar 2018 00:00:00 GMT http://repository.unizik.edu.ng/handle/123456789/295 2018-03-28T00:00:00Z http://repository.unizik.edu.ng/handle/123456789/293 Title: Risk-reducing bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy in women with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations (Review) Authors: Ikechebelu, Joseph I; Eke, A.C; Eleje, G.U; Ezebialu, I.U; Ugwu, E.O; Okonkwo, O.O Abstract: The presence of deleterious mutations in breast cancer 1 gene (BRCA1) or breast cancer 2 gene (BRCA2) significantly increases the risk of developing some cancers, such as breast and high-grade serous cancer (HGSC) of ovarian, tubal and peritoneal origin. Risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO) is usually recommended to BRCA1 or BRCA2 carriers aJer completion of childbearing. Despite prior systematic reviews and meta-analyses on the role of RRSO in reducing the mortality and incidence of breast, HGSC and other cancers, RRSO is still an area of debate and it is unclear whether RRSO diHers in eHectiveness by type of mutation carried. Objectives To assess the benefits and harms of RRSO in women with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations. Search methods We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; 2017, Issue 7) in The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE Ovid, Embase Ovid and trial registries, with no language restrictions up to July 2017. We hand searched abstracts of scientific meetings and other relevant publications. Selection criteria We included non-randomised trials (NRS), prospective and retrospective cohort studies, and case series that used statistical adjustment for baseline case mix using multivariable analyses comparing RRSO versus no RRSO in women without a previous or coexisting breast, ovarian or fallopian tube malignancy, in women with or without hysterectomy, and in women with a risk-reducing mastectomy (RRM) before, with or aJer RRSO. Data collection and analysis We extracted data and performed meta-analyses of hazard ratios (HR) for time-to-event variables and risk ratios (RR) for dichotomous outcomes, with 95% confidence intervals (CI). To assess bias in the studies, we used the ROBINS-I 'Risk of bias' assessment tool. Mon, 01 Jan 2018 00:00:00 GMT http://repository.unizik.edu.ng/handle/123456789/293 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z