Non-enzymatic antioxidant status of women using four different methods of contraception

To investigate antioxidant status of women on four different methods of contraception. Sixty non-pregnant women aged 16-45 years on oral contraceptive pills, injectables, Norplant and intra-uterine contraceptive devices [IUD] attending the Family Planning Clinics of the University College Hospital [UCH] and Adeoyo Maternity Hospital, Ibadan were recruited for the study. Fifty-eight apparently healthy women aged 16-45 years who were not on any contraceptive served as a control group. The body mass index [BMI] of all participants [subjects and controls] was determined following standard protocol. Serum levels of ascorbic acid, tocopherol, malondialdehyde, bilirubin, creatinine, uric acid, total protein and albumin were determined using standard spectrophotometric methods. Progesterone was estimated by the chemilumiscence method while selenium was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry [AAS]. The BMI was significant in women on oral contraceptive pills [OCP] when compared to the control group [P<0.05] but insignificant [P>0.05] in intra-uterine device [IUD], injectables and Norplant users. The mean serum ascorbic acid [P<0.01], tocopherol [P<0.05], total protein [P<0.01], albumin [P<0.05], uric acid [P<0.05], selenium [P<0.01] of women on OCP were significantly lower when compared to the control group but insignificant [P>0.05] in users of other contraceptive methods. Serum levels of malondialdehyde was significantly elevated in women on OCP [P<0.01] than in control group and insignificant P>0.05] in users of other contraceptive methods. There was no significant association between progesterone and antioxidants in women on OCP, IUD, injectables and Norplant. Oral contraceptive pills showed a significant decreasing effect on the antioxidant status of its users while IUD, injectables and Norplant did not indicate any significant effect. Routine monitoring of the antioxidant status of women on different methods of contraceptive particularly those on OCP is recommended

relationship between body mass index and physical activities among medical students in Saint Lucia

To assess the relationship between body mass index [BMI] and physical activities among preclinical medical students at the Spartan Health Sciences University in St. Lucia, West Indies. This is a cross-sectional study. Two hundred and fifty questionnaires were distributed, 194 were correctly completed, resulting in a response rate of 78%. Body mass index was calculated by using self-reported height and weight. The results showed that 20.1% spend more than seven hours per week in some form of active motion. Twenty four [14.4%] of the respondents indicated that they are smokers and ninety four [48.5%] said that they consume alcohol. The mean BMI of the students was 21.9 Kg/m2. This study demonstrates that students participate less in organised physical activity. It is therefore suggested that students should be encouraged to become more engaged in physical activities to prevent future possible health risks associated with sedentary lifestyle

Assessment of antigravity and postural control in healthy children in Ibadan, Nigeria

This study determined the relationship between antigravity and postural control in apparently healthy children. Two hundred and fifty subjects [125 males and 125 females], aged 4-12 years participated in the study. The participants were divided into 9 groups based on their chronological age with a minimum of 10 males and 10 females in each group. A non-probability sample of convenience was used to choose schools in Ibadan North Municipality and simple random sampling method was used to recruit participants from the schools. Antigravity and postural indices were assessed qualitatively and quantitatively. Analysis of data was performed using descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviation and inferential statistics of Pearson product moment correlation co-efficient [r], independent t-test and ANOVA and the level of significance was set at 0.05. A relationship between antigravity and postural control in healthy children was established at six years of age. Antigravity control was more related to static balance than dynamic balance in late childhood while supine flexion rather than prone extension was more related to quality of postural control in late childhood. There was no significant gender difference in antigravity control, however there were significant [P<0.05] gender differences in postural control at ages 5, 8, 9, 10 and 12 years. No significant [P>0.05] difference was observed in each of prone extension quality, supine flexion quality and supine flexion quantity in late childhood [7-12 years of age] and no significant difference was observed in prone extension quantity amongst children 5-12 years of age. In postural control, no significant age differences were observed in each of quality of static and dynamic balance amongst children aged 6-12 years. Quantity of static balance right did not differ significantly amongst children aged 10-12 years, also quantity of static balance left did not differ significantly in children aged 8-12 years. A relationship between antigravity and postural control is established at six years of age and that antigravity control is more related to static balance than to dynamic balance and supine flexion rather than prone extension posture is more related to quality of postural control

Selenium: its potential role in male infertility

Currently, biomedical research is showing interest in the anti-oxidant activity of selenium. This could be due to compelling evidence that reported that oxidative damage to cells and cell membranes is one of the causative agents in the pathogenesis of many disease states including male infertility. Selenium is a trace element which may be found in soil, water and some foods and is considered to be an essential element which plays an active role in several metabolic pathways and is believed to perform several important roles in the human body. These roles include anti-oxidative activities at cellular level and participating in different enzyme systems. Selenium also serves as a vital component in the maintenance of muscle cell and red blood cell integrity, playing a role in the synthesis of deoxyribonucleic acid [DNA] and ribonucleic acid [RNA]. It has also been reported that selenium is essential in the detoxification of toxic metals in the human system, foetal respiration and energy transfer reactions as well as in the production of sperm cells. It is thought that male infertility can be the result of a selenium deficiency as the absence of selenium in the testicular tissues induces degeneration which results in the active impairment of sperm motility as the first indication of impending infertility. This review paper investigates the role of selenium in male infertility

Relationships between the malaria parasite density and anaemia in children

The relationship between malaria parasite density and anaemia was investigated in 250 children [aged 1-5 years] at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex [OAUTHC] I1e-Ife, Nigeria. Blood samples collected from the children were examined for malaria parasites and the packed cell volume [PCV] determined using standard methods and procedures. The PCV was used as an index of anaemia. There was an association between malaria parasite density and PCV with malaria parasite density range from 3000-22500 parasites per micro l of blood and a corresponding PCV level of 33.5-8%. The low PCV value with a corresponding high density of malaria parasite was suggested to be due to excessive destruction of the red blood cells by the malaria parasites. Recommendations for reducing mortality and morbidity in children due to malaria are proposed and strategies for the provision of affordable and cost-effective intervention programmes are therefore, suggested

prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] and hepatitis B virus [HBV] in preoperative patients

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] and Hepatitis B virus [HBV] infections in preoperative patients admitted for surgical operations at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital [LUTH], Lagos, Nigeria. Two hundred patients [200 samples tested for HIV] and [100 samples tested for HBV] comprising 90 males [45%] and 110 females [55%] were recruited into the study. Sixty eight of the 200 patients [34%] were scheduled for emergency surgery [group A] and 132 [66%] listed for elective surgery [group B]. Seven [3.5%] of the 200 patients tested positive for HIV 1 and 2 using the Well-coenzyme method. Five [2.5%] and 2 [1%] of the 200 patients confirmed HIV-positive were females and males respectively. Sixty-one [61%] of the 100 patients tested for Hepatitis B surface antigen were males and 39 [39%] females. Eighteen [18%] of the 100 patients examined were positive for [HbsAg]. Ten [10%] of the 18 HBsAg-positive patients were males and 8 [8%] were females. This study therefore showed the prevalence rate of HIV and Hepatitis B in preoperative patients at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital. It also to some extent reflects the prevalence of HIV and HBV in the general population

Occurrence of pseudomonas aeruginosa in post-operative wound infection

To determine the prevalence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Post-Operative Wound Infection. Design: Swab samples were collected from patients who had undergone operation, sinks, washbasins, floor and nursing staff within the different wards of Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, Lagos, Nigeria. Settings: The samples were obtained from the wards in the hospital and processed in the department of Medical Microbiology of the hospital. Main Outcome Measures: Assessment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa as an agent of nosocomial infections. Out of the 60 bacterial isolates found in post-operative wound infection, 20 [33.3%] were Pseudomonas aeruginosa, followed by Staphylococcus aureus 13 [21.7%], Klebsiella species 10 [16.7%], Escherichia coli 7 [11.7%], Atypical coliform 4 [6.7%], Proteus species 4 [6.7%], Streptococcus pyogenes 1 [1.7%] and Enterococcus faecalis 1 [1.7%] in that order. Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection was higher in female than male, ratio 3:2 and was found more among young and elderly debilitated patients. The in vitro sensitivity pattern of 20 isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa showed colistin [100%], gentamicin [75%], streptomycin [30%], and tetracycline [10%]. The role of Pseudomonas aeruginosa as an agent of nosocomial infections is re-emphasised