Biochemical, morphological and molecular assessments of n butanol fraction of Phoenix dactylifera L. following exposure to inorganic mercury on the liver of Wistar rats.

BACKGROUND: Mercury chloride (HgCl2) damages tissues it comes in contact with in sufficient concentration. This study evaluated the protective effects of n-butanol fraction of Phoenix dactylifera (BFPD) on mercury-triggered liver toxicity in Wistar rats. 25 male rats were divided into 5 groups of 5 rats each. Group I was administered 2 ml/kg of distilled water; group II was administered 5 mg/kg of HgCl2; group III was administered 500 mg/kg of BFPD + 5 mg/kg of HgCl2; group IV was administered 1000 mg/kg of BFPD + 5 mg/kg of HgCl2, while group V was administered 100 mg/kg of silymarin + 5 mg/kg of HgCl2. orally for 2 weeks. The rats were euthanized and liver tissue blood samples were collected for histological, histochemical, stereological, immunohistochemical, molecular, and biochemical studies. RESULTS: The results revealed that HgCl2 induced oxidative stress in the rats evident by histoarchitectural distortions and altered levels of liver enzymes, proteins, and oxidative stress biomarkers when compared to the control. However, BFPD treatment restored these changes. Glutathione peroxidase levels decreased (p < 0.05) in the HgCl2-treated group when compared to the control and BFPD-treated groups. HgCl2 group revealed reduced reactivity with histochemical and immunohistochemical stains (Masson's Trichrome and B cell Lymphoma 2) when compared to the control, with a significant decrease in quantified liver Bcl-2 stain intensity when compared to the silymarin-treated group. BFPD administration revealed normal staining intensity comparable to the control. HgCl2 administration revealed a remarked decrease in the number of hepatocytes when compared to the control, BFPD, and silymarin groups. BFPD preserved (p < 0.05) the stereological features when compared to the HgCl2-treated group. GPx activity in the liver decreased (p < 0.05) with HgCl2 administration when compared to the control and silymarin-treated groups. BFPD attenuated GPx gene activity to levels similar to the control indicating some level of amelioration against HgCl2-induced toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: The ability of BFPD to mitigate HgCl2 triggered liver alterations could be attributed to the antioxidant property of its flavonoid content. Therefore, BFPD may be a potential candidate for treating and managing liver-induced mercury intoxication.

Study of lip print types among Nigerians.

Lip prints in a narrow sense are normal lines and fissures in the form of wrinkles and grooves present in the zone of transition of lips. The aims of this study were to determine the types and association of lip prints as well as the role of the lip print as genetic marker in ethnic differentiation in multi-ethnic population of Nigeria. A total of 820 individuals (414 males and 406 females) participated. The study sample was drawn from different ethnic groups of Nigeria. The three major ethnic groups were identified and the minor groups were lumped together. This was to provide clear evidence on the ethnic differentiation based on lip print types among Nigerians. The lip prints were collected on microscopic glass slides and developed using carbon black powder. Each print was then divided into 10 compartments and analyzed using a magnifying lens. Chi-squared test was used for association between ethnicity and lip print types; p<0.05 was set as a level of significance. The result of the study showed the following lip print pattern in Nigerian population where Type V (31.39%) was predominant, followed by Type III (24.18%), Type IV (18.70%), Type I (14.87%), Type II (10.29%) and least frequent was Type I' (0.57%). Statistically significant association (p<0.05) of lip print types with ethnicity was found in upper left lateral compartments (ULL). It was concluded that lip prints show ethnic differences. Hence, they may hold potential promise as a supplementary tool in ethnic differentiation and in personal identification.

Nutritional Evaluation Using Dfferent Anthropometric Variables in Nigerian School Children

The anthropometric characteristics of 600 apparently healthy children of ages between 5 and 10 years of Gbagyi tribe of Abuja Nigeria; consisting of males (n = 300) with a mean age of 7.10 ? 1.98 and females (n = 300) with a mean age of 7.68 ? 1.86 were selected for the evaluation of their nutritional status using different anthropometric variables. The anthropometric characteristic of their height; age; weight; mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC); chest circumference and body mass index (BMI) was measured and analysed statistically for any significant difference; and correlation between the parameters studied. The results show some significant differences (P = 0.05) between the anthropometric parameters and a significant correlation (=0.001) between the height and BMI; and other parameters in males and females. The study derived a linear regression and a multiple linear regression equations for Gbagyi children from which height; age; weight; MUAC; chest circumference and BMI could be predicted if one factor is known. The results from the present study provided an insight into the nutritional status of Nigerian school children of Gbagyi tribe of Abuja using the BMI and MUAC which showed if a child is malnourished; overweight or obese. The results from the present study show that there is a positive correlation between height and age; and other parameters indicating that height could be predicted using age; weight; BMI; chest circumference and MUAC; while BMI and mid upper arm circumference could be a useful tool in the estimation of nutritional status among Nigerian school children of Gbagyi tribe of Abuja