Honey Attenuates the Detrimental Effects of Nicotine on Testicular Functions in Nicotine Treated Wistar Rats.

Effect of honey on reproductive functions of male rats exposed to nicotine was examined in this study. Thirty-two adult male wistar rats (n=8/Group) were grouped as Control (distilled water), Nicotine (1.0mg/kg bwt), Honey (100mg/kg bwt) and Nicotine with Honey. The animals were orally treated for 35 days consecutively. Epididymis sperm motility, viability, morphology and counts were estimated, serum Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Leutinizing Hormone (LH) and Testosterone were assayed using ELISA method and testicular histology were also assessed. Significant reduction in percentage sperm motility, viability, morphology and counts were observed in nicotine group compared to control. Serum FSH, LH and testosterone levels were significantly reduced in nicotine group when compared with the control. There was significant improvement in sperm motility, viability, morphology, counts, FSH, LH and Testosterone in group co-treated with nicotine and honey  relative to nicotine group. Also, the degenerative seminiferous tubule architecture due to nicotine was improved by honey. In conclusion, honey may suppress nicotine toxic effect on reproductive functions in male Wistar rats.

Levels of serum immunoglobulins in apparently healthy children and adults in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

Serum levels of the immunoglobulins: IgG, IgA and IgM were determined by the single radial immunodiffusion technique of Mancini in a total of 122 apparently healthy subjects consisting of 43 children (20 males; 23 females) aged 5-12 years and 79 adults (39 males; 40 females) aged 18-65 years resident in Port Harcourt, southeastern Nigeria. The effects of age and sex on the serum levels of the various immunoglobulin types were also determined. The mean values and ranges for the various immunoglobulin types are presented for both children and adults. Although, female children were found to have significantly lower mean values of IgA compared to male children (p<0.05), there were no significant differences in the mean values of both IgG and IgM between male and female children involved in the present study (p>0.05). However, female adults had significantly higher mean values of IgG and significantly lower mean values of IgA compared to male adults (p<0.05); suggesting a significant gender difference in the value of both IgG and IgA amongst adult subjects. No significant differences were observed in the mean values of any of the various types of immunoglobulin between adults and children. The present study reports mean values of the various types of immunoglobulin in apparently healthy children and adults resident in Port Harcourt, southeastern Nigeria. Significant gender differences were observed for some of the immunoglobulin types only amongst adults. Our results suggest that these gender differences amongst adults were apparently a gradual build-up from childhood. The results also confirm suggestions that levels of some immunoglobulin types seen amongst African adults may have possibly been attained during childhood. Our study could be of value since previous reports in this regard have been relatively scanty especially in this part of Nigeria.

Prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy in hypertensive and normotensive type 2 diabetic females in Port Harcourt.

This study investigated the prevalence of electrocardiographically determined left ventricular hypertrophy in hypertensive and normotensive type 2 diabetic females who went for consultation at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Rivers State, Nigeria. Two hundred participants mean age 52 years, attending the medical outpatient clinic over a 6-month period were recruited for the study. Of the population studied, 16.5% of the hypertensive and 13.0% of the normotensive diabetics had left ventricular hypertrophy. Cardiovascular abnormalities notably bifascicular block, left atrial block, right ventricular enlargement, and right atrial enlargement were predominately among hypertensive diabetes and also notably was arrhythmia and atrial flutter among normotensive diabetes. The significance of these findings is discussed.

Haematological values in pregnant women in Port Harcourt, Nigeria II: Serum iron and transferrin, total and unsaturated iron binding capacity and some red cell and platelet indices.

Previous studies on the normal values of serum iron, unsaturated iron binding capacity, total iron binding capacity, serum transferrin, percent transferrin saturation, red cell distribution width, and various platelet indices: Platelet count, mean platelet volume, platelet distribution width, plateletcrit and platelet larger cell ratio in pregnant subjects in Nigeria are relatively scanty. Present study aims to determine the values of these parameters in apparently healthy pregnant subjects residing in Port Harcourt south eastern Nigeria; and help establish normal reference ranges of these parameters for the population under reference. Cross sectional prospective study involving 220 female subjects attending for the first time, the ante-natal clinics of a tertiary health care facility in Port Harcourt. Subjects were divided into 73, 75 and 72 subjects in the first, second and third trimester of pregnancy respectively. Serum iron and unsaturated iron binding capacity, red cell distribution width, platelet count and platelet distribution width were determined by automated methods; total iron binding capacity, serum transferrin concentrations, percent transferrin saturation, mean platelet volume and plateletcrit were calculated using appropriate formulas. The values of serum iron, unsaturated iron binding capacity, total iron binding capacity and serum transferrin concentrations were found to show significant variations between the various trimesters of pregnancy. However, while serum iron showed significant decreases during pregnancy; unsaturated iron binding capacity, total iron binding capacity and serum transferrin concentrations were found to show significant increases during pregnancy amongst our subjects (p<0.05). By contrast the values of red cell distribution width, platelet count, mean platelet volume, platelet distribution width, plateletcrit and platelet larger cell ratio did not show any significant differences at the different trimesters of pregnancy in our subjects (p>0.05). The present study reports, for the first time, normative values for these parameters in apparently healthy pregnant subjects in Port Harcourt south eastern Nigeria. Apparently, increases in unsaturated and total iron binding capacity and serum transferrin values seen amongst our subjects with increasing gestation may perhaps be a mechanism to ensure a fetal adequate iron delivery on account of the decreasing serum iron concentration with gestation in our subjects. The study suggests that values of serum transferrin are perhaps a more useful screening tool for iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy amongst our subjects.

Changes in Total and Differential white Cell Counts; Total Lymphocyte and CD4 Cell Counts during the Menstrual Cycle in Healthy Female Undergraduate Students in Port Harcourt; Nigeria

Background: Published reports on the possible changes in the various immune cell populations; especially the total lymphocyte and CD4 cell counts; during the menstrual cycle in Nigerian female subjects are relatively scarce. Aim: To determine possible changes in the total and differential white blood cell [WBC] counts; total lymphocyte count [TLC] and CD4 cell count during the menstrual cycle in apparently healthy reproductive aged female undergraduate students in Port Harcourt; Nigeria. Methods: A total of 61 apparently healthy HIV sero-negative female undergraduate students of the University of Port Harcourt; Nigeria aged between 17 and 30 years; were recruited into the study. Subjects were allowed their normal daily routines but restricted from excessive physical activities for the duration of the study. After a menstrual history; blood was collected from each subject at the different phases of the menstrual cycle: menstrual; follicular; ovulatory and luteal. Total WBC and differential counts were determined manually; TLC was obtained by multiplying the percentage lymphocytes by the total WBC count; CD4 cell counts were determined by flow cytometry. Results: Single factor analysis of variance showed significant differences only in the values of total WBC; and differential neutrophils; lymphocytes; and eosinophil counts [p0.05]; no significant differences were observed in the values of monocytes; basophils; TLC and CD4 cell count during the phases of the menstrual cycle.Conclusion: The present study confirms previous reports of significant physiological variations in the leukocyte counts during the phases of the normal menstrual cycle. However; our results suggest that apparently TLC and CD4 cell count do not undergo a similar physiological variation

Some haematological reference values for pre-primary and primary school aged children in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Published reports of haematological reference values for pre-primary and primary school aged residents of Port Harcourt, Nigeria are relatively scanty. AIM: To determine the reference ranges of some haematological parameters for pre-primary and primary school aged children resident in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. METHODS: A total of 250 pre-primary school subjects consisting of 124 males and 126 females aged between 1 to 5 years and 536 primary school children consisting of 262 males and 274 females aged between 6 and 13 years resident in Port Harcourt, Nigeria were randomly recruited into the study. 3-5 ml of venous blood was collected with minimum stasis and the values of the following haematological parameters determined by the indicated methods: Haematocrit was determined using Hawksley micro-capillary tubes centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 10 minutes. Red blood cells, white blood cells [including a differential count] and platelet cells were counted manually using the improved Neubauer counting chamber. Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) was determined using the Westergren method. Haemoglobin concentration was determined by the cyanmethaemoglobin method. RESULTS: The reference ranges for haematocrit, total white blood cell, differential neutrophils and lymphocyte counts, platelet cell counts and erythrocyte sedimentation rates; haemoglobin concentration and red cell counts are presented for male and female pre-primary and primary school children in Port Harcourt. There were no significant gender variations in the values of these parameters in both pre-primary and primary school children. However, primary school subjects, irrespective of sex, were found to have significantly higher values of lymphocyte differential counts and erythrocyte sedimentation rates and significantly lower platelet counts and total white cell counts and differential neutrophils counts compared to their pre-primary school counterparts [p<0.05]. There were no significant differences in the values of haematocrit between the two subject groups; though the values in primary school subjects were marginally higher. CONCLUSIONS: The present study reports values and reference ranges of some haematological parameters for pre-primary and primary school aged children in Port Harcourt, Nigeria; no significant gender variations were observed in these parameters. The results indicate that significant differences exist in the values of some of the haematological parameters under investigation between pre-primary and primary school subjects. This suggests a distinction in the haematological parameters of both populations.

The prevalence of obesity as indicated by BMI and waist circumference among Nigerian adults attending family medicine clinics as outpatients in Rivers State.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of overweight and obesity in most developed countries and in urban areas of many less developed countries has been increasing markedly over the past twenty years. This study's aims were to determine the prevalence of obesity using BMI and waist circumference among Nigerian adults attending Family Medicine Clinics as outpatients and to assess the relative associations with CVD risk factors. METHODS: Subjects, who all volunteered for this study reported at the study centres after an overnight fast, to be weighed (in kg), for their heights (in metres), blood pressure and waist circumference (in cm) measured, and their venous blood samples taken for lipid studies and fasting blood glucose estimation. Results were analysed using SPSS for windows software (version 11) and Epi Info (version 6. 04d). RESULTS: The prevalence of obesity as determined by large waist circumference was 31.7% at the Okrika (rural) centre and 16.9% at the Port Harcourt centre. It was 16.3% at the Okrika centre and 14% at the Port Harcourt centre, as determined by BMI > or = 30 kgm(-2). Obesity as determined by BMI > or = 30 kgm(-2) is more prevalent among young adults (< 40 years) in Port Harcourt than at Okrika. Obesity by both definitions is more prevalent among females than among males (p < 0.01) and more among subjects older than 40 years. Both indices of obesity appear to be significantly associated with CVD risk factors. CONCLUSION: Obesity in our environment is strongly associated with a family history of obesity and a sedentary lifestyle. It is therefore not surprisingly more prevalent among females and older members of society. Healthier eating and social habits, and increased physical activity need to be strongly encouraged.

The prevalence of obesity as indicated by BMI and waist circumference among Nigerian adults attending family medicine clinics as outpatients in Rivers State

Background: The prevalence of overweight and obesity in most developed countries and in urban areas of many less developed countries has been increasing markedly over the past twenty years. This study's aims were to determine the prevalence of obesity using BMI and waist circumference among Nigerian adults attending Family Medicine Clinics as outpatients and to assess the relative associations with CVD risk factors. Methods: Subjects, who all volunteered for this study reported at the study centres after an overnight fast, to be weighed (in kg), for their heights (in metres), blood pressure and waist circumference (in cm) measured, and their venous blood samples taken for lipid studies and fasting blood glucose estimation. Results were analysed using SPSS for windows software (version 11) and Epi Info (version 6. 04d). Results: The prevalence of obesity as determined by large waist circumference was 31.7% at the Okrika (rural) centre and 16.9% at the Port Harcourt centre. It was 16.3% at the Okrika centre and 14% at the Port Harcourt centre, as determined by BMI > or = 30 kgm(-2). Obesity as determined by BMI > or = 30 kgm(-2) is more prevalent among young adults (< 40 years) in Port Harcourt than at Okrika. Obesity by both definitions is more prevalent among females than among males (p < 0.01) and more among subjects older than 40 years. Both indices of obesity appear to be significantly associated with CVD risk factors. Conclusion: Obesity in our environment is strongly associated with a family history of obesity and a sedentary lifestyle. It is therefore not surprisingly more prevalent among females and older members of society. Healthier eating and social habits, and increased physical activity need to be strongly encouraged

Antiplasmodial effects of the aqueous extract of Phyllantus amarus Schumach and Thonn against Plasmodium berghei in Swiss albino mice.

Phyllantus amarus Schumach and Thonn is a medicinal plant used commonly for the treatment of malaria-related symptoms by the general public in southeastern Nigeria. The present study determines the possible antiplasmodial effects of the aqueous extract of the leaves and stem of the plant against Plasmodium berghei infection using Swiss albino mice as models. The blood schizonticidal activity of the aqueous extract in early infection and in established Plasmodium berghei infection was assessed and compared to the activities of chloroquine and sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine. The repository activity of the extract was also assessed and compared to the activity of pyrimethamine. The LD50 of the aqueous extract of the leaves and stem of the plant was also determined using albino Wistar rats. The results show that the LD50 of the aqueous extract of Phyllantus amarus Schumach and Thonn was 650 mg/kg. In early infection, the extract at doses of 108.33 mg/kg, 165 mg/kg and 325 mg/kg was found to cause a significant dose-dependent suppression of P berghei parasites [P < P0.05] sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine caused a similar significant suppression of P berghei parasites [P < 0.05] while chloroquine at a dose of 5 mg/kg did not cause a significant effect on P berghei parasites. Similarly, the extract was found at all doses to cause a statistically significant [P < 0.05] suppression of P berghei parasites via a repository action. This effect was comparable to the effects of pyrimethamine a standard repository agent. In established infection, the extract at all doses administered, was found to significantly suppress P berghei parasites at 24 and 72-hour periods [P < 0.05]. Comparatively, sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine caused a similar statistical [P < 0.05] suppression of the parasites of P. berghei. However, the effects of sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine were more sustained over the 72-hour period. The present study therefore validates the local use of the extracts of Phyllantus amarus Schumach and Thonn as an antimalarial agent. Further studies are however recommended to identify and possibly characterize the potential antiplasmodial agents in the aqueous extract of the plant.

Haemorheological parameters of umbilical cord blood of Nigerian newborns: correlations with maternal parameters.

BACKGROUND: Published reports of haemorheological values of umbilical cord blood in Nigerian newborns are relatively scanty. The present study therefore aimed to determine the values of some basic haemorheological parameters in the umbilical cord blood of Nigerian neonates and in the venous blood of their respective mothers. The study also aimed to determine if any significant differences or correlations exist in these haemorheological parameters between maternal and umbilical cord blood. DESIGN: Cross sectional prospective study involving 60 subjects consisting of 30 newborn neonates and their respective mothers. METHODS: The values of haematocrit, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, haemoglobin concentration, red blood cell count, white blood cell count, whole blood relative viscosity, relative plasma viscosity, fibrinogen concentration, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration were determined in the umbilical cord blood of Nigeria neonates and in the respective mothers at the time of birth. RESULTS: Significantly higher values of haematocrit, haemoglobin concentration, red blood cell count, whole blood relative viscosity and relative plasma viscosity and significantly lower values of erythrocyte sedimentation rates were found in umbilical cord blood compared to maternal blood (p < 0.05). Significant positive correlations were found only in the values of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), haemoglobin concentration, white blood cell count, whole blood relative viscosity and relative plasma viscosity between maternal and umbilical cord blood (p < 0.05). Both mean corpuscular haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration showed a negative but non-significant correlation between maternal and umbilical cord blood (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The present study reports values of basic haemorheological parameters in maternal and umbilical cord blood of newborn Nigerian neonates and reports significant differences and correlations in these parameters between the two groups. This we hope would provide information on umbilical cord haemorheology for Nigerian neonatologist since up to the present time similar studies have been scanty.

Haematological values in pregnant women in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Conflicting results have been documented regarding the statistical significance of variations in some haematological parameters at different trimesters of pregnancy. Environmental factors, ethnic and tribal peculiarities have variously been implicated. The values of eight important haematological parameters: Haematocrit (Hct), Haemoglobin concentration (Hbc), Red Blood Cell (RBC) count, White Blood Cell (WBC) count, Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV), Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin (MCH), Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) were therefore determined in healthy pregnant subjects receiving antenatal care at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. METHOD: Cross-sectional prospective study involving 130 pregnant subjects aged between 18 and 43 years. The subjects were divided into three groups consisting of 46 subjects in the first trimester, 36 subjects in the second trimester and 48 subjects in the third trimester of pregnancy. The height, weight and body mass index of all subjects were also determined. RESULTS: Results obtained for the haematological parameters indicate that only Haematocrit (Hct) showed significant differences amongst the three groups; highest amongst subjects in the third trimester and lowest amongst subjects in the second trimester (p < 0.05). Haemoglobin concentration (Hbc), Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV), Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin (MCH), Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC), and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) were found to be highest amongst subjects in the second trimester; Red Blood Cell (RBC) count and White Blood Cell (WBC) count were highest amongst subjects in the first trimester of pregnancy. These differences were however, not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Among the anthropometric parameters studied, only weight showed significant differences in the three groups of pregnant subjects (p < 0.05); being highest amongst subjects in the third trimester and lowest in subjects in the first trimester. CONCLUSION: The present study provides additional baseline data for basic haematological parameters in healthy pregnant Nigerian women. This would be of immense benefit especially in the antenatal assessment of pregnant Nigerian women.

Haemorheological parameters of umbilical cord blood of Nigerian newborns: correlation with maternal parameters

Background: Published reports of haemorheological values of umbilical cord blood in Nigerian newborns are relatively scanty. The present study therefore aimed to determine the values of some basic haemorheological parameters in the umbilical cord blood of Nigerian neonates and in the venous blood of their respective mothers. The study also aimed to determine if any significant differences or correlations exist in these haemorheological parameters between maternal and umbilical cord blood. Design: Cross sectional prospective study involving 60 subjects consisting of 30 newborn neonates and their respective mothers. Methods: The values of haematocrit; erythrocyte sedimentation rate; haemoglobin concentration; red blood cell count; white blood cell count; whole blood relative viscosity; relative plasma viscosity; fibrinogen concentration; mean corpuscular volume; mean corpuscular haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration were determined in the umbilical cord blood of Nigeria neonates and in the respective mothers at the time of birth. Results: Significantly higher values of haematocrit; haemoglobin concentration; red blood cell count; whole blood relative viscosity and relative plasma viscosity and significantly lower values of erythrocyte sedimentation rates were found in umbilical cord blood compared to maternal blood (p0.05). Significant positive correlations were found only in the values of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR); haemoglobin concentration; white blood cell count; whole blood relative viscosity and relative plasma viscosity between maternal and umbilical cord blood (p0.05). Both mean corpuscular haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration showed a negative but non-significant correlation between maternal and umbilical cord blood (p0.05). Conclusion: The present study reports values of basic haemorheological parameters in maternal and umbilical cord blood of newborn Nigerian neonates and reports significant differences and correlations in these parameters between the two groups. This we hope would provide information on umbilical cord haemorheology for Nigerian neonatologist since up to the present time similar studies have been scanty

Haematological reference values for healthy adults in Port Harcourt; Nigeria

Background: Published reports of the basic haematological parameters of apparently healthy subjects in Port Harcourt; Nigeria are relatively scanty. This has resulted in an apparent unavailability of laboratory reference values for haematological parameters for the population. Aim: To determine the reference values of some basic haematological parameters in apparently healthy adult subjects in Port Harcourt; Nigeria. Methods: Two hundred and fifty apparently healthy adults consisting of 150 males and 100 females; aged between 15 and 55 years; residing in Port Harcourt were randomly selected via a cross sectional prospective study. The following haematological parameters were determined by the indicated methods: haematocrit (Hct) was determined using Hawksley micro-capillary centrifugation; haemoglobin concentration (Hbc) was determined using the cyanmethaemoglobin method; red blood cell count and white blood cell count were both determined manually using the improved Neubauer counting chamber; mean corpuscular volume (MCV); mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were calculated from the appropriate haematological parameters; erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was determined using the Westergren method. Results: The reference values; modes and ranges of all haematological parameters determined are presented. The mean values of haematocrit; haemoglobin concentration; red blood cell count; white blood cell count; mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) were found to be significantly higher in male subjects; while the mean values of mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and ESR were found to be significantly higher in female subjects (p 0.05). Conclusion: The present study reports reference values of basic haematological parameters for healthy adult residents of Port Harcourt; Nigeria. Significant gender variations possibly exist in the basic haematological parameters of the population under investigation

Atlanto-occipital gap in Nigerians: Its relationship to difficult intubation

Background: Half of persons living with HIV/AIDS are below 25 years and majority of the remaining are believed to have been infected in their youth. The impact of HIV on young people has continued to generate increasing global medical; social; economic; political and academic interests. Aim: This paper reviews the pattern of existing documentation on HIV/AIDS regarding young people in Nigeria in presentations on this subject at international meetings and conferences. Methods: The review relied on a bibliography of 364 presentations from 17 books of abstracts and several solicited submissions; spanning 18 years; collated; indexed and published by the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research and the National Action Committee on AIDS. A matrix was constructed to categorize and tally the abstracts by several technical themes against the characteristics of the young people; aged 10 to 24 years that they reported on. Results: Eighty-five (23.5) out of the 364 were articles on adolescent/youths; the 18-year period; giving a rate of 4.7 articles per year. Regarding the context; 67 (78.8) concerned adolescents/ youths of both sexes. About half (47 or 55.3) were conducted among schooling adolescents/youths; and 23 (27.1) involved out-of-school youths. Twenty-three (27.1) titles were socio-medical research exploring knowledge; attitude; behaviour and practice; while three (3.5) were studies of biomedical nature; involving serologic investigations. Reports of interventions accounted for over half (47 or 55.3) of the presentations; most of which were on HIV awareness and prevention programmes. Conclusion: A low rate of reports on HIV/AIDS specific to young people at international conferences was observed; which does not reflect the level of importance and impact of the infection on this group of individuals. Amongst them; socio-medical studies; and interventions featuring awareness and prevention among schooling youths predominate. Interventions involving testing; treatment and care; and bio-medical studies especially involving vulnerable non-schooling youths; remain a challenge that must be faced

Sex variations in the haemorheological parameters of some hypertensive nigerians as compared to normotensives.

Sex variations in some haemorheological parameters: Haematocrit (Hct), Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR), Hemoglobin concentration (Hbc), Fibrinogen concentration (FC), Relative Plasma Viscosity (RPV) and Whole Blood Relative Viscosity (WBRV) were determined in 30 male and 20 female hypertensive subjects without complications, aged between 30 and 70 years. 30 male and 20 female normotensive subjects aged between 29 and 71 years, matched for age, weight and height with the hypertensive group served as control. In both groups all the parameters were determined using methods previously described by various workers. Results obtained in normotensives showed a significantly lower systolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, haematocrit and whole blood relative viscosity and a significantly higher erythrocyte sedimentation rate in female subjects compared to male subjects, no significant correlation was found between any of the haemorheological parameters and the blood pressure indices in both sexes. In the hypertensives, only whole blood relative viscosity was found to be significantly higher in females compared to males. In male hypertensives significant positive correlations were found between erythrocyte sedimentation rate and all the blood pressure parameters and between relative plasma viscosity and systolic and mean arterial pressures; negative correlations were found between haematocrit and systolic and mean arterial pressures. In female hypertensives there were positive correlations between relative plasma viscosity and all the blood pressure parameters and between whole blood relative viscosity and systolic blood pressure. The present study confirms that significant sex variations occur in the various haemorheological parameters in both normotensive and hypertensive Nigerian subjects.

Joint hypermobility syndrome among undergraduate students.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of joint hypermobility syndrome among undergraduate students of the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria using the Beighton's criteria. DESIGN: Cross- sectional prospective study of 550 randomly selected undergraduate students. SETTING: Departments of Anatomy and Human Physiology, College of Health Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The overall prevalence, and the male/female prevalence of joint hypermobility syndrome. RESULTS: Five hundred and fifty subjects (250 males and 300 females) were assessed. Seventy one (12.91%) subjects consisting of 20 (8.0%) males and 51 ( 17.0%) females, had features of joint hypermobility syndrome, suggesting a higher female prevalence. Knee joint, back and wrist joint pains, in descending order were found to be the commonest type of joint complaints. CONCLUSION: The study indicates that joint hypermobility syndrome is not rare in Nigerians and suggests that it should attract the attention of Nigerian medical practitioners.

Haemorheological changes during the menstrual cycle.

OBJECTIVE: To determine changes in some haemorheological parameters: haematocrit (Hct), Whole Blood Relative Viscosity (WBRV), Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) and Fibrinogen Concentration (FC) during the menstrual cycle. DESIGN: Cross-sectional prospective study. SUBJECTS: Three hundred and fifty randomly selected female undergraduate students of the University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. SETTING: Departments of Human Physiology and Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Significant variation (p<0.05) were found in the values of all four haemorheological parameters assessed in the various phases of the menstrual cycle. RESULTS: Both haematocrit (Hct) and Whole Blood Relative Viscosity (WBRV) showed a similar trend, being highest in the ovulatory phase, followed by the luteal phase and follicular phase, and lowest in the menstrual phase. The Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) however, showed a pattern opposite to both Hct and WBRV, being highest in the menstrual phase followed by the luteal phase, and the follicular phase, and lowest in the ovulatory phase. The Fibrinogen Concentration (FC) was highest in the menstrual phase, followed by the ovulatory phase, the luteal phase and was lowest in the follicular phase. CONCLUSION: The study shows that significant variation could occur in some haemorheological parameters during the phases of the normal menstrual cycle.