Tactile Acuity among Commercial Motorcyclists in Uturu, Nigeria.

Aims: To determine and compare tactile acuity of commercial motorcyclists with that of their age and sex matched controls. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was done in Uturu, a suburban university town in South Eastern Nigeria, from July 2014 to August 2014. Methodology: We determined two point discrimination threshold distances on the right thumbs of two hundred (200) consenting commercial motorcyclists aged between 18 to 60 years and two hundred (200) of their age and sex matched controls. Results: The mean values of two point discrimination threshold distances were 6.03 mm (Standard Deviation = 2.484) and 4.31 mm (Standard Deviation = 2.046) in the test and control subjects respectively (t =7.558; p < .001). There was positive linear association between two point discrimination threshold distance and the age of the subjects, and their duration of operation as commercial motorcyclists (r = .752; p < .001 and r = .770; p < .001), respectively. Duration of service as a commercial motorcycle operator (p < .001), age (p = .004) and impaired sense of fine touch (p < .001) were independent predictors of deficits in tactile acuity. Conclusion: Tactile acuity was impaired in the assessed Nigerian commercial motorcycle operators compared with their controls. Measures of mitigating effects of the occupation on tactile acuity should be explored.

The Effect of Long Term Consumption of Powdered Tobacco Diet on Learning and Memory in Swiss White Mice.

Aim: The effects of long term consumption of powdered tobacco (snuff) diet on learning and memory was studied in 30 Swiss white mice. Design: The mice were randomly assigned into two groups (n = 15 each). Mice in group 1 (test group) were fed 1% tobacco diet while mice in the other group (control) were fed normal rodent chow only. Both groups were fed for 31 days before carrying out behavioural testing. All mice were given free access to clean drinking water. Methodology: Food and water consumption by the animals were measured daily while their body weight was measured every two days. The Morris water maze was used to assess Learning and Memory in the mice. Results: The mean daily water and food intake was significantly higher (p<0.01; 0.001 respectively) in the tobacco diet-fed group than in control. The tobacco diet fed group also had a significantly higher (p<0.05) body weight gain than control. The swim latency during the reversal training was shorter in the tobacco diet-fed mice compared to their controls (p<0.01), showing better learning among the tobacco diet-fed group of mice. Southeast (reversal/retention) quadrant duration was also higher in the tobacco diet-fed mice (p<0.01) showing better memory than control. Conclusion: Long term consumption of 1% tobacco diet increased food and water intake, weight gain and improved learning and Memory in mice.

Comparative Effects of Garcinia kola and Coffee Diets on Learning and Memory in Mice.

Background: Garcinia kola (bitter kola) is one of the most common masticatories in Nigeria having social and ethnomedicinal applications. G. kola seeds are believed to contain caffeine, one of the major constituent of coffee which is also believed to improve memory. Aim: This study was set to ascertain the caffeine content of G. kola and compare the effects of G. kola and coffee diets on learning and memory in mice. Methodology: Thirty male CD1 mice were randomly assigned into three groups, viz; control, Garcinia kola diet (30%w/w) and coffee diet (2%w/w) groups. Chemical content and LD50 of the Garcinia kola and coffee were determined using standard methods. Daily food intake, water intake and body weight changes were also measured for 31 days before testing for learning and memory. The Morris water maze was used to assess learning and memory. Results: The major constituents of Garcinia kolawere alkaloids (high quantities), saponins, tannins, flavonoids, glycosides, sterols and phenols found in moderate quantities. The coffee contained high quantity caffeine (4.7%) whereas alkaloids, saponins, tannins, flavonoids, and phenols were present in slight quantities. Coffee diet decreased food intake, water intake body weight change in the mice when compared to G. kola and control diet groups (p<0.05). On the other hand, coffee diet fed mice showed better learning and memory when compared to G. kola diet-fed and control mice. Garcinia kola diet did not affect learning and memory. Conclusion: Coffee diet decreased food and water intake and body weight, but improved learning and memory in mice when compared to Garcinia kola.