University of Nigeria, Nsukka

About: University of Nigeria, Nsukka is a education organization based out in Nsukka, Nigeria. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Health care. The organization has 10211 authors who have published 13685 publications receiving 138922 citations.

Role and use of evidence in policymaking: an analysis of case studies from the health sector in Nigeria

Abstract: Health policymaking is a complex process and analysing the role of evidence is still an evolving area in many low- and middle-income countries. Where evidence is used, it is greatly affected by cognitive and institutional features of the policy process. This paper examines the role of different types of evidence in health policy development in Nigeria. The role of evidence was compared between three case studies representing different health policies, namely the (1) integrated maternal neonatal and child health strategy (IMNCH); (2) oral health (OH) policy; and (3) human resource for health (HRH) policy. The data was collected using document reviews and 31 in-depth interviews with key policy actors. Framework Approach was used to analyse the data, aided by NVivo 10 software. Most respondents perceived evidence to be factual and concrete to support a decision. Evidence was used more if it was perceived to be context-specific, accessible and timely. Low-cost high-impact evidence, such as the Lancet series, was reported to have been used in drafting the IMNCH policy. In the OH and HRH policies, informal evidence such as experts’ experiences and opinions, were reported to have been useful in the policy drafting stage. Both formal and informal evidence were mentioned in the HRH and OH policies, while the development of the IMNCH was revealed to have been informed mainly by more formal evidence. Overall, respondents suggested that formal evidence, such as survey reports and research publications, were most useful in the agenda-setting stage to identify the need for the policy and thus initiating the policy development process. International and local evidence were used to establish the need for a policy and develop policy, and less to develop policy implementation options. Recognition of the value of different evidence types, combined with structures for generating and using evidence, are likely to enhance evidence-informed health policy development in Nigeria and other similar contexts.

Bioaccessibility of bioactive peptides: recent advances and perspectives

Abstract: Food-derived bioactive peptides are gaining popularity for their vast amount of potential health benefits against diseases such as obesity, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and many more. However, many of these bioactivities are demonstrated using in vitro models, which do not completely reflect the true conditions that peptides experience upon oral ingestion. Furthermore, results obtained from in vivo studies are not entirely reproducible in other in vivo models due to systemic physiological differences. This review discusses the different bioaccessibility challenges, such as gastrointestinal tract hydrolysis by proteases, food matrix interactions, and intestinal barrier interaction that must be considered when developing peptide-based nutraceuticals or functional foods. The paper also discusses the potential avenues for improving bioaccessibility of bioactive peptides, amongst other factors that should be considered, during the design and production phases.

Preliminary evaluation of dika fat, a new tablet lubricant.

Abstract: Dika fat, a solid vegetable oil extracted from the kernels of Irvingia gabonensis var excelsia has been evaluated as a lubricant on the basis of its effect on the flow rate of granules, disintegration time and dissolution rate of tablets The fat shows a maximal effect on flow at a concentration of 25% w/w It produces better disintegration and dissolution profiles than magnesium stearte at all concentrations tested The indication is that there is less degradation of aspirin in tablets containing this oil than there is in tablets containing magnesium stearate The use of Dika fat (mp 39--40 degrees C) eliminates the hydrogenation step often necessary for vegetable oils

Anti-inflammatory activity of extracts of root bark of securidaca longipedunculata fres (polygalaceae)

Abstract: The effect of extract and fractions of the root bark of Securidaca longipedunculata Fres (Polygalaceae) on acute inflammation was evaluated. Solvent extraction yielded the crude methanol extract (ME) while solvent–guided extraction yielded a petroleum ether fraction (PF) and methanol fraction (MF). The extract and fractions inhibited topical edema induced by xylene in the mouse ear. In the systemic edema of the rat paw, the methanol extract (ME) and methanol fraction (MF) significantly (P PF > ME. Phytochemical tests showed that ME and MF tested positive for carbohydrates, reducing sugars, glycosides, flavonoids, terpenoids, sterols and saponins while PF gave positive reaction for resins only. Acute toxicity test for ME in mice established an i.p and p.o LD50 of 11 and 282 mg/kg respectively.