Exploring Serum Vitamin D, Sex Hormones, and Lipid Profile Disparities in Women With and Without Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: A Case-Control Study.

Background Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder affecting women of reproductive age. It is characterized by dyslipidemia, hormonal imbalances, and metabolic dysfunctions. Vitamin D deficiency may be implicated in the pathogenesis of PCOS, potentially exacerbating its metabolic syndrome. However, the exact interplay between these factors remains underexplored. Aim This study aimed to evaluate serum levels of vitamin D and its association with modalities of PCOS among women with PCOS and healthy controls.  Methods This was a hospital-based case-control study where 60 women newly diagnosed with PCOS and 56 non-PCOS controls were consecutively recruited within a 10-month period. The women aged 20-40 were recruited at the gynecology clinics of Lagos State University Teaching Hospital and Lagos Island Maternity Hospital. PCOS was diagnosed using the Rotterdam's criteria. The biodata, anthropometry, clinical features, serum vitamin D, cortisol, progesterone, testosterone, estradiol, prolactin, anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), thyroid-stimulating hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), insulin, fasting blood glucose (FBG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglyceride (TG), and very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) levels of PCOS-diagnosed women were assessed and compared with those of women without PCOS. The exclusion criteria comprised known diabetics, women with gynecological pathologies such as fibroids, and women on medications affecting the study analytes or hormones. Statistical analyses included chi-square or Fisher's exact tests for categorical variables, student t-test for continuous variables, and Pearson's correlation for assessing relationships between continuous variables. The significance level was set at p<0.05 and a confidence interval of 95%. Results Individuals with PCOS exhibited a younger mean age (26.90±3.73 versus 29.95±5.00 years, p=0.001) and a higher prevalence of irregular menstrual patterns (46.7% versus 14.3%, p=0.0001) and acne (58.3% versus 37.5%, p=0.025). Moreover, PCOS was associated with elevated levels of TC (p = 0.03), TG (p = 0.03), LDL-C (p = 0.014), FBG (p = 0.001), LH:FSH ratio (p = 0.002), AMH (p = 0.0001), and testosterone (p = 0.003), but low progesterone (p = 0.001) and vitamin D (p = 0.033), alongside a higher incidence of vitamin D deficiency (33.3% versus 26.1%) and insufficiency (66.7% versus 56.5%). Additionally, significant but weak correlations were observed between serum vitamin D levels and waist-hip ratio (r = 0.4, p = 0.016) and FBG (r = -0.4, p = 0.036) in the PCOS group, suggesting potential metabolic implications. Conclusion The PCOS subjects in this study had decreased vitamin D and progesterone levels, with elevated concentrations of testosterone, AMH, lipid profile (TC, LDL, and TG), FBG, and LH:FSH ratio. Studies on the therapeutic effect of vitamin D administration in managing PCOS will need to be further evaluated.

Severe Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone Secretion (SIADH) Following the Initiation of Valbenazine for Tardive Dyskinesia: A Case Report.

Hyponatremia, a common electrolyte disorder, usually has a benign clinical course. However, patients with the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) can suffer unfavorable outcomes, including mortality. Atypical antipsychotics, which are among the drugs associated with SIADH, also cause tardive dyskinesia, a condition that physicians can now effectively manage with the recently approved agent - valbenazine. We herein report a case of severe hyponatremia due to SIADH in a 58-year-old man who developed hyponatremia-induced generalized seizures six weeks after valbenazine was added to his regimen to mitigate olanzapine-associated tardive dyskinesia. His electrolyte derangement and clinical course improved following prompt recognition and treatment of SIADH. The temporal association between the commencement of valbenazine and the onset of SIADH suggests a possible but previously unreported link between valbenazine and the development of SIADH. Awareness of this uncommon association is relevant to patient safety.

Transverse Myelitis: An Adverse Reaction to Abatacept.

Immunotherapies are powerful disease-modifying agents in treating autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, their unique mechanisms of action confer a broad spectrum of immune-related adverse events (irAEs), which tend to be rare but complex, with significant risk for morbidity and mortality. We report a case of transverse myelitis in a patient with RA whose joint disease had been well-controlled with long-term intravenous abatacept. Suspicion of an unusual irAE in this elderly patient, whose neurologic symptomatology was gradual and protracted, prompted the discontinuation of abatacept and the rapid initiation of corticosteroid therapy. These interventions yielded a favorable clinical outcome for the patient. We must draw clinicians' attention to this rare but potentially consequential adverse drug reaction.

The Magnitude and Impact of Food Allergens and the Potential of AI-Based Non-Destructive Testing Methods in Their Detection and Quantification.

Reaction to food allergens is on the increase and so is the attending cost on consumers, the food industry, and society at large. According to FDA, the "big-eight" allergens found in foods include wheat (gluten), peanuts, egg, shellfish, milk, tree nuts, fish, and soybeans. Sesame was added to the list in 2023, making the target allergen list nine instead of eight. These allergenic foods are major ingredients in many food products that can cause severe reactions in those allergic to them if found at a dose that can elicit a reaction. Defining the level of contamination that can elicit sensitivity is a work in progress. The first step in preventing an allergic reaction is reliable detection, then an effective quantification method. These are critical steps in keeping contaminated foods out of the supply chain of foods with allergen-free labels. The conventional methods of chemical assay, DNA-PCR, and enzyme protocols like enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay are effective in allergen detection but slow in providing a response. Most of these methods are incapable of quantifying the level of allergen contamination. There are emerging non-destructive methods that combine the power of sensors and machine learning to provide reliable detection and quantification. This review paper highlights some of the critical information on the types of prevalent food allergens, the mechanism of an allergic reaction in humans, the measure of allergenic sensitivity and eliciting doses, and the conventional and emerging AI-based methods of detection and quantification-the merits and downsides of each type.

Date (Phoenix dactylifera L. Mill) fruit enhances sexual performance via modulation of oxido-inflammatory mediators and purinergic signaling in hypertensive male rats.

INTRODUCTION: The present study aimed at investigating the effect of dietary supplementation of Phoenix dactylifera, an important component of aphrodisiac supplements, on sexual performance, oxido-inflammatory mediators and purinergic signaling system in hypertensive rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Hypertension was induced via oral administration of 40 mg/kg L-NAME. Thereafter, the sexual performance of the experimental animals was determined and the hypertensive rats with impaired sexual activities were placed on P. dactylifera-supplemented diet for 21 days, and the effects of the treatment on the overall sexual behavior, antioxidant status, oxido-inflammatory biomarkers, and enzyme activity of the purinergic system were assessed. RESULTS: Hypertensive rats showed a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in sexual performance, elevated level of oxido-inflammatory mediators, and altered purinergic enzymes activity when compared with the control. However, sub-chronic feeding with P. dactylifera-supplemented diet improved sexual performance, significantly lowered oxido-inflammatory biomarkers, and enhanced the activity of purinergic enzymes in hypertensive rats. CONCLUSION: Findings presented in this study suggest that dietary inclusion of P. dactylifera could be useful in managing erectile dysfunction (ED) commonly observed in subjects with hypertension. Findings highlighted in this study thus provide the scientific basis supporting the folkloric use of P. dactylifera as a key ingredient in aphrodisiac supplements.

Chemical composition, antioxidant, and enzyme inhibitory properties of Rauwolfia vomitoria extract.

OBJECTIVES: Rauwolfia vomitoria is one ethno-botanicals in Nigeria used by traditional health practitioners in managing several human diseases. However, necessary information regarding its effect on enzymes implicated in the development and progression of erectile dysfunction is missing in the literature. Thus, this study investigated the antioxidant property and impact of Rauwolfia vomitoria extract on erectile dysfunction-related enzymes in vitro. METHODS: High performance liquid chromatography was used to identify and quantify Rauwolfia vomitoria's phenolic components. Then, utilizing common antioxidant assays, the extract's antioxidant properties were evaluated and finally the effect of the extract on some enzymes (AChE, arginase and ACE) implicated in erectile dysfunction was investigated in vitro. RESULTS: The results showed that the extract inhibited AChE (IC50=388.72 µg/mL), arginase (IC50=40.06 µg/mL) and ACE (IC50=108.64 µg/mL) activities. In addition, phenolic rich extract of Rauvolfia vomitoria scavenged radicals and chelated Fe2+ in concentration dependent manner. Furthermore, rutin, chlorogenic acid, gallic acid, and kaempferol were found in large quantities by HPLC analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, one of the potential reasons driving Rauwolfia vomitoria's use in folk medicine for the treatment of erectile dysfunction could be its antioxidant and inhibitory activities on several enzymes linked to erectile dysfunction in vitro.

Antioxidant-rich Terminalia catappa fruit exerts antihypertensive effect via modulation of angiotensin-1-converting enzyme activity and H2S/NO/cGMP signalling pathway in Wistar rats.

INTRODUCTION: The present study aimed at investigating the effect of Terminalia catappa fruits on blood pressure, NO/cGMP signalling pathway, angiotensin-1-converting enzyme and arginase activity, and oxidative stress biomarkers in L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-two Wistar rats were divided into seven groups. Hypertension was induced via oral administration of 40 mg/kg of L-NAME for 21 days. Thereafter, the hypertensive rats were treated with Terminalia catappa fruit-supplemented diet and sildenafil citrate for 21 days. The blood pressure was measured and cardiac homogenate was prepared for biochemical analyses. RESULTS: The results showed that L-NAME caused a significant (p < 0.05) increase in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate as well as ACE, arginase and PDE-5 activity, with a simultaneous decrease in NO and H2S levels as well as increased oxidative stress biomarkers. However, treatment with Terminalia catappa fruits-supplemented diets and sildenafil citrate lowered blood pressure and modulated ACE, arginase, and PDE-5 activity, improved NO and H2S levels, as well as antioxidant status. CONCLUSION: Findings presented in this study provide useful information on the antihypertensive property of Terminalia catappa fruits, alongside some possible mechanisms. Hence, Terminalia catappa fruits could be considered a dietary regimen and functional food in alleviating hypertension.

Associations between oral habits, dental anxiety, dental service utilization, and maternal mental health status among 6- to 12-year-old children in Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

PURPOSE: The current study sought to determine the associations between maternal mental health and oral habits, dental anxiety, and dental service utilization of 6- to 12-year-old children in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. METHODS: Data were obtained from a household survey involving 1411 mothers and their 6- to 12-year-old children. Data collected were the confounding (maternal age, child's age at last birthday, sex at birth and socioeconomic status), independent (maternal psychological distress, and depression status) and dependent (child's non-nutritive oral habits, dental anxiety level, and most recent dental visit) variables. Bivariate analyses were conducted to test the associations between the dependent and independent variables. After controlling for confounding variables, the associations between the dependent and independent variables were determined using multivariable linear and logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Overall, 479 (33.9%) reported one oral habit, 189 (13.4%) reported two and 99 (7.0%) children reported three or more oral habits. Only 25 (1.7%) children reported a dental visit in the year preceding the study. Higher maternal psychological distress was associated with higher dental anxiety in children (AOR: 0.094; 95% CI - 0.080 to - 0.293; p < 0.001). There was no significant association between maternal psychological distress, child's non-nutritive oral habits, and the child's most recent dental visit. There was also no association between maternal depression and the child's non-nutritive oral habits, dental anxiety level, and most recent dental visit. CONCLUSION: Maternal psychological distress was a significant risk indicator for dental anxiety, but not for dental service utilization or non-nutritive oral habits among children in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Maternal educational status was also associated with dental anxiety. Further research is needed to elucidate the study's findings.

EGFR and HER2 expression in cervical cancer patients in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Cervical cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths in developing countries, including Nigeria where it is the second most common female malignancy. Studies from elsewhere have demonstrated the relationship between epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) and advanced cervical cancer. However, we are not aware of such studies in Nigerian patients. The main objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of EGFR or HER1 and HER2 protein expression in cervical cancers and to determine their impact on overall survival. Clinical data and formalin-embedded tissue blocks of 124 patients who presented in the Radiation Oncology Department, University College Hospital (UCH), from 2006 to 2015 and had their histological diagnosis at the Pathology Department, UCH were retrieved and analysed for EGFR and HER2 expression using immunohistochemistry. EGFR expression was analysed using the immunoreactivity score by Remmele and Stegner. HER2 was analysed using the Hercep® test kit guidelines. Survival analysis was done using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analysis. Missing data were reported as missing, not documented. EGFR (immunoreactivity score > 4) was overexpressed in 26.6% of the 124 cervical tissue samples tested. Most patients whose samples were positive for EGFR were young, had squamous cell carcinoma and advanced diseases. HER2 was overexpressed in two samples (1.6%). The 5-year overall survival rate of the patients was 28.3%. The 5-year survival rate of patients who were EGFR positive was 9.5% and 34.1% for those who were EGFR negative. Screening for EGFR should be considered in cervical cancer patients. HER2 was overexpressed in two cervical tissue samples in this study and may be of poor interest as a potential target in the management of cervical cancer patients. Large prospective multi-institutional studies should be considered to further explore the relationship between EGFR and survival in cervical cancer patients.

Nutraceutical potential of almond fruits in managing diabetes-related erectile dysfunction: Effect on Nrf-2 level and smooth muscle/collagen ratio.

Oxidative stress is one of the major crosstalk between diabetes and erectile dysfunction. Tropical almond is a natural antioxidant that works in a way to neutralize the effect of reactive oxygen species in disease management. This study therefore aimed to evaluate the effects of tropical almond on the nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor-2 (nrf-2) level and smooth muscle/collagen ratio, as well as other biochemical indices in the penile tissue of diabetic rats. Six non-diabetic male rats (control) and 36 diabetic male rats were divided into six groups (n = 6). The diabetic male rats were placed on almond-supplemented diets except for the diabetic control group. Thereafter, the rats were sacrificed penile tissues were excised for nrf-2, smooth muscle/collagen ratio, and other biochemical analyses. The results revealed a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in nrf-2 level, smooth muscle/collagen ratio, and total thiol level, with a concomitant increase in acetylcholinesterase activity in comparison to the control group. Interestingly, therapy with diets high in almond fruits significantly enhances the nrf-2 level, smooth muscle/collagen ratio, and total thiol level in comparison with the untreated diabetic group. In addition, dietary inclusion of almond fruits significantly reduced acetylcholinesterase activity in diabetic male rats. Therefore, the preventive management with almond fruits could be beneficial in combating erectile dysfunction associated with diabetes. The activities of almond fruits reported in this study could be due to their antioxidant property and the inherent phytoconstituents (amino acids, phenolic compounds, and flavonoids).

Almond and date fruits enhance antioxidant status and have erectogenic effect: Evidence from in vitro and in vivo studies.

This study was designed to investigate the efficacies of almond and date fruits on redox imbalance and enzymes relevant to the pathogenesis of erectile dysfunction. The total polyphenol contents, ferric reducing antioxidant power, and vitamin C content were determined spectrophotometrically. Phenolic and amino acid compositions were quantified using HPLC; meanwhile, the antioxidant activities were determined using DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, and metal chelation. Also, the effect of almond and date extract on advanced glycated end-products (AGEs) formation, arginase, and phosphodiesterase-5 activities was evaluated in vitro. Thereafter, the influence of almond and date supplemented diets on copulatory behaviors in normal rats was assessed, followed by arginase and phosphodiesterase-5 activities determination in vivo. The results revealed that date and almond extracts exerted antioxidant properties, prevented AGEs formation in vitro, and inhibited arginase and phosphodiesterase-5 activities in vitro and in vivo. Besides, almond and date supplemented diets significantly enhance sexual behaviors in normal rats when compared with the control. Among the active compounds identified were gallic acid, ellagic acid, quercetin, and rutin. All the 20 basic amino acids were identified. Given the aforementioned, date and almond could represent a reliable source of functional foods highly rich in compounds with antioxidant activity, and arginase and PDE-5 inhibitory properties. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Fruits are essential part of the human diet that furnish the body with important nutrients. Despite the crucial roles of fruits in human diets, some fruits like almond and date are underutilized among Nigerians. However, we characterized the important compounds present in these fruits and how their presence contributes to the biological activities of the fruits. Finally, we relate the chemical composition and the observed biological activities to the overall health and wellness of the consumers.

Persea americana seed extract restores defective sperm quality and biochemical parameters relevant to reproduction in male wistar rats treated with cyclosporine A.

Studies have shown that some drugs impair spermatogenesis, thereby causing infertility. Thus, this study aims at investigating the effect of Persea americana seed extract on the male reproductive system in cyclosporine-induced rats. Thirty male albino rats were randomly divided into five groups; all groups were induced with cyclosporine except the control group. Group 3 was treated with 10 mg/kg of lisinopril, groups 4 and 5 received 50 and 100 mg/kg of PAE, respectively. The experiment lasted for 7 days. The antioxidant enzymes [superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT)], and arginase activities were evaluated, nitric oxide (NO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) level of the penile tissue homogenate were determined with serum hormonal (follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone and testosterone) concentration and sperm quality. This study showed that cyclosporine induction caused a significant (p < .05) decrease in the SOD, CAT, sperm quality, NO, and hormonal level as compared to the control group, with a simultaneous increase in arginase activity and MDA level. However, treatment with PAE and lisinopril significantly (p < .05) increase antioxidant enzyme activities, sperm quality, NO, and serum hormonal level, with a decrease MDA level and arginase activity when compared with cyclosporine-induced group. This study showed that P. americana seed extract could be useful in the management of hormonal disruption resulting from oxidative stress in male folks. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Some pharmaco-agents have been reported to alter spermatogenesis, thereby causing infertility. Plants represent natural resources use in the management of several human diseases from time immemorial. Persea americana seed is a part of the fruit that most people do throw away after consuming the edible portion of the fruit. However, the therapeutic and pharmacological activities of P. americana seed have been reported. Therefore, this study sought to investigate the effects of P. americana seed extract on cyclosporine-induced reprotoxicity.

Grapefruit peel extract mitigates paroxetine-induced erectile dysfunction in rats through stimulation of erectile response, antioxidant status, and inhibition of key enzymes related with impaired penile erection.

Despite the antidepressant potency of paroxetine, its side effect of erectile dysfunction is burdensome. Grapefruit peels (GFPs) are underutilized cultivar wastes with wide range of therapeutic potentials which have been attributed to their antioxidant behavior and phenolic contents' abilities to effectively inhibit enzymatic activities and manage endothelial dysfunction in cardiovascular disorders. This study aims to investigate the erectogenic potentials of GFP extract in a rat model of paroxetine-induced ED. Experimental rats were sectioned into five groups: [1: control; 2: paroxetine (10 mg/kg); 3: paroxetine + sildenafil (5 mg/kg); 4: paroxetine + GFP (50 mg/kg); 5: paroxetine + GFP (100 mg/kg)] and treated for 28 days. Sexual behavior of rats was assessed and effect of GFP on ecto-5' nucleotidases, phosphodiesterase-5, and adenosine deaminase (ADA) activities was determined in rats' penile tissues. The levels of malondialdehyde, nitric oxide (NO) as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities were also determined. HPLC-DAD analysis showed the presence of naringin, rutin, caffeic acid, quercitrin, quercetin, and kaempferol glycoside. Oral administration of paroxetine reduced erectile response as revealed by their low intromission and mounting numbers as well as high intromission and mounting latencies. Paroxetine caused a significant elevation of ADA and phosphodiesterase-5 activities and malondialdehyde levels with drastic reduction in levels of NO, SOD, and catalase activities in rats' penile tissues. However, GFP extract reversed PDE-5, ADA, and antioxidant activities to normal levels, raised the concentration of NO. These results suggest the erectogenic effects and protective potentials of GFP extract against paroxetine-induced erectile dysfunction. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Grapefruit peels are an environmental menace in many countries and this study showed that the peels can be used in the prevention / management of erectile dysfunction. The therapeutic potentials of the peels are due to the presence of bioactive compounds such as flavonoids and phenolic acids. Therefore, exploring the erectogenic potentials of the peels will translate to conversion of the wastes to therapeutic products.

An interprofessional model of care for oral health during pregnancy.

The study aim was to appraise the relevance and appropriateness of an interprofessional prenatal oral care model among pregnant women and healthcare providers in British Columbia (BC), Canada. Audio-recorded semi-structured interviews with 39 purposefully selected participants (13 pregnant women and 26 healthcare professionals) were used qualitatively to appraise relevance of an existing model. The existing model emphasizes communication and collaboration among multiple health providers for the delivery of integrated prenatal oral care. All interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using an inductive thematic approach and N-Vivo® software. During the first round of interviews, most participants considered the existing model as simple and well-defined but not fully relevant to the BC context. The participants suggested revisions to Steven's model to incorporate facilitators of integrated care, including interprofessional education, oral health funding, and advocacy for oral healthcare. Participants suggested a different graphical portrayal for the revised model; an implementation guide was also suggested. A revised model based on participants' feedback, was shared with 14 of the initial participants during secondary interviews. Further evaluation of the appropriateness of the revised model is warranted.

Misoprostol and oxytocin versus oxytocin alone in the active management of the third stage of labour: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

We investigated whether the use of misoprostol plus oxytocin in the active management of the third of stage of labour (AMTSL) would reduce the rate of primary postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) compared with intramuscular oxytocin alone. This was a multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised trial where 1036 pregnant women, in addition to intramuscular oxytocin (10 IU) in the third stage of labour, randomly received either 400 µg sublingual misoprostol (519 women) or a placebo (517 women). The primary outcome measure was the mean blood loss (MBL) within 1 h of delivery. The trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02424201). The MBL in the oxytocin plus misoprostol group was 229.73 ± 108.12 compared to 274.58 ± 121.09 in the oxytocin plus placebo group (t = 6.289, p < .001). Twenty-eight (5.4%) women in the misoprostol group had a blood loss ≥500 ml versus 39 (7.5%) women in the placebo group (risk-ratio [RR] - 0·72, 95%CI 0.45-1.14; p = .1616). The combination of misoprostol with oxytocin in the AMTSL reduces MBL post-delivery but is not superior to oxytocin alone in the reduction of the rate of PPH.IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known on this subject? The routine use of 10IU of intramuscular oxytocin in the active management of the third stage of labour reduces the rates of postpartum haemorrhage.What do the results of this study add? The addition of 400ug of sublingual misoprostol to the routine use of 10IU of intramuscular oxytocin in the active management of the third stage of labour reduces mean blood loss when compared with intramuscular oxytocin alone, but is not better in reducing the rates of postpartum haemorrhage.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Routine use of misoprostol as adjuncts to the active management of the third stage of labour does not reduce the rate of PPH.

Shaddock (Citrus maxima) peels extract restores cognitive function, cholinergic and purinergic enzyme systems in scopolamine-induced amnesic rats.

This study investigated the effect of shaddock peels extract on cognitive function in scopolamine-induced amnesic rats. Wistar rats were pretreated with shaddock peels extract (50 and 100 mg/kg) and donepezil (5 mg/kg) for fourteen days via oral administration. Memory impairment was induced at the end of the treatment period via a single intraperitoneal administration of scopolamine (3 mg/kg). Thereafter, the animals were subjected to behavioral studies (Morris water maze and Y-maze tests). Finally, the rats were sacrificed and the hippocampus of the rat's brain was isolated for biochemical analyses. The results showed a significant decrease in memory and cognitive function as revealed by Morris water maze and Y-maze tests in scopolamine-induced rats which were reversed by shaddock peels extract. Also, there was a significant decrease in the activity of adenosine monophosphohydrolase (AMPase) with a simultaneous increase in activities of adenosine deaminase (ADA), adenosine triphosphate diphosphohydrolase (ATPdase), acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) in scopolamine-induced rats when compared with the control. Besides, a significant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were observed in scopolamine-induced rats. However, donepezil or shaddock peels extract (50 and 100 mg/kg) caused a significant inhibitory effect on AChE, and ADA activities when compared to scopolamine-induced rats. Rats treated with shaddock peels extract also showed a significant reduction in MDA and ROS levels compared to scopolamine-induced rats. Therefore, our findings showed that the cognitive-enhancing effects of shaddock peels extract could be due to antioxidant activities and modulation of some enzymes linked with cognitive dysfunction.

KNOWLEDGE OF EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION AND PREDICTORS OF ITS USE AMONG FEMALE UNDERGRADUATES IN TWO NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES.

Background: Unintended pregnancies contribute to the high burden of unsafe abortion, maternal deaths and morbidities among undergraduates. Objective: To assess the determinants of good knowledge and evaluate the trends in the practice of Emergency Contraception (EC) among female undergraduates. Methods: This was a cross sectional study involving four hundred and twenty female undergraduates from two universities in Ibadan, Nigeria. Participants were recruited from their hostels and classrooms. Data collection was done using self-administered questionnaires and good knowledge was defined as three correct answers to five questions testing knowledge. The questionnaires also addressed their practices of EC. The data was stored on the computer, cleaned and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22. Statistical significance was set at p <0.05. Results: Two hundred and fourteen (51.0%) participants were aware of EC and the common sources were friends (43.4%), media (42.9%) and pharmacies (42.0%). One hundred and sixty-four participants (39.1%) had good knowledge of EC. Participants in the age group 20-24 years, second year of study, those who were aware of EC and had ever used EC were associated with good knowledge. Less than half (48%) of the sexually active participants used EC in the past six months and Levonogestrel (51%) was the commonest EC used. Menstrual irregularity and abdominal pain were the major side effects of EC. Conclusion: The practice of EC is poor and with poor knowledge demonstrated among female undergraduates. There is therefore the need to improve information and access to EC in the university community.

Antenatal Clinic Waiting Time, Patient Satisfaction, and Preference for Staggered Appointment-A Cross-Sectional Study.

Time spent in the antenatal clinic (ANC) is a major disincentive for pregnant women and constitutes a barrier to the utilization of ANC. Long waiting time and poor patient satisfaction may contribute to poor utilization. This study assessed waiting time, patients' satisfaction, and preference for staggered ANC appointments. A cross-sectional study was conducted; information obtained includes sociodemographic and obstetric characteristics, and time spent at ANC service points. Data were analyzed using International Business Machines (IBM) Statistical Products and Service Solutions (SPSS) software version 23. Descriptive statistics and chi-square test were conducted. Level of significance: P < .05. One hundred and twenty-two participants were interviewed. Mean age was 30.52 (±4.65) years, they were mostly multi-gravid, married, and with tertiary education. Mean time spent in ANC and waiting time were 191 min and 143 min, respectively. Waiting time was longest at doctor's consultation (59 min), laboratory services (38 min), and the cash pay-point (18 min). About 68.9% were satisfied with services and highest at doctors' consultation. Satisfaction was associated with waiting time of <45 min. Dissatisfaction was high at the cash pay-point (28.7%), followed by the laboratory (16.4%). About 56.5% preferred staggered appointments. Time spent in ANC should be reduced and staggered appointments may be a useful strategy to reduce waiting time and patient load.

Digital morphometrics: Application of MorphoLeaf in shape visualization and species delimitation, using Cucurbitaceae leaves as a model.

PREMISE: Plant leaves are one of the most important organs for plant identification due to their variability across different taxonomic groups. While traditional morphometrics has contributed tremendously to reducing the problems accompanying plant identification and morphology-based species delimitation, image-analysis digital solutions have made it easy to detect more characters to complement existing leaf data sets. METHODS: Here, we apply MorphoLeaf to generate a morphometric data set from 140 leaf specimens of seven Cucurbitaceae species via landmark extraction, the reparameterization of leaf contours, and data quantification and normalization. A statistical analysis was performed on the resulting data set. RESULTS: A principal component analysis revealed that leaf blade area, blade perimeter, tooth area, tooth perimeter, the measure of the distance from tooth position to the tip, and the measure of the distance from tooth position to the base are important and informative landmarks that contribute to the variation within the species studied. DISCUSSION: MorphoLeaf can be applied to quantitatively track leaf diversity, thereby functionally integrating morphometrics and shape visualization into the digital identification of plants. The success of digital morphometrics in leaf outline analyses presents researchers with opportunities to carry out more accurate image-based research in areas such as plant development, evolution, and phenotyping.

Contraceptive potential of Andrographis paniculata is via androgen suppression and not induction of oxidative stress in male Wistar rats.

Andrographis paniculata has been shown to be associated with male reproductive dysfunction, although the available data are scarce and inconsistent, and the associated mechanisms are elusive. Hormonal mechanism via hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis, and non-hormonal mechanism primarily through oxidative stress, are involved in the modulation of male reproductive function. We therefore, hypothesized that suppression of hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis and/or oxidative stress is involved in Andrographis paniculata-induced reproductive dysfunction. Male Wistar rats received either vehicle or Andrographis paniculata in varying doses of 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg body weight daily for 8 weeks. Treatment with Andrographis paniculata led to reduced sperm count, motility, and viability. Andrographis paniculata treatment also resulted in distorted spermatogenesis and reduced serum testosterone. On the other hand, Andrographis paniculata led to reduction in the testicular content of malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, TNF-α, and IL-6, and testicular activities of xanthine oxidase and myeloperoxidase, but raised testicular levels of reduced glutathione content and enhanced activity of super oxide dismutase. However, body weight gain, and absolute and relative reproductive organ weights were similar across all the groups. These findings demonstrate that Andrographis paniculata induces reproductive toxicity via suppression of testosterone and not induction of oxidative stress. Therefore, Andrographis paniculata could be a potential and safe male contraceptive.