Two-Dimensional Ultrasound Assessment of Long-Term Intra-Abdominal Organ Changes in Children with Sickle Cell Anemia during Steady State: A Comparative Study.

BACKGROUND: Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is a hereditary blood disorder with global prevalence, including in Nigeria. Despite advancements in SCA care management, understanding the long-term impact on organs during steady state has remained inconclusive. AIM: This study aimed to investigate the long-term changes in intra-abdominal organs of SCA children compared with non-SCA children during steady state using two-dimensional ultrasound assessment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 116 children (58 SCA and 58 controls) were enrolled between June 2021 and July 2022. Clinico-demographic data were collected through an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Two-dimensional ultrasound was used to measure the liver, spleen, kidneys, and inferior vena cava in all subjects. Age-matched controls had AA or AS genotypes. RESULTS: Of the 58 patients with SCA, 65.5% were males with an overall mean age of 8.1 ± 3.4 years, while among the non-SCA cohort (n = 58), 48.3% were males with an overall mean age of 8.7 ± 3.9 years. There was no statistically significant difference in the age and gender distribution between the SCA and non-SCA cohorts (P = 0.390 and P = 0.091, respectively). SCA subjects had a larger mean hepatic size than non-SCA subjects (12.09 cm ± 2.23 vs. 11.67 cm ± 1.96; P = 0.276) but smaller mean splenic size (8.01 cm ± 1.89 vs. 8.19 cm ± 1.61; P = 0.577) and inferior vena cava diameter (1.16 cm ± 0.29 vs. 1.25 cm ± 0.33; P = 0.100). Left kidney length and breadth were significantly greater in SCA patients (8.91 ± 1.16 vs. 8.27 ± 1.30; P = 0.006 and 4.15 ± 0.92 vs. 3.79 ± 0.48; P = 0.008, respectively). CONCLUSION: This study highlights the utility of two-dimensional ultrasound assessment in monitoring intra-abdominal organ changes in SCA children, suggesting its cost-effective benefits in monitoring health outcomes in SCA patients.

Mammographic findings of breast cancer screening in patients with positive family history in South-East Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: A positive family history of breast cancer is an important risk factor associated with the development of breast cancer in women. Early detection required regular screening in these women. OBJECTIVE: To determine the mammographic findings of breast cancer screening in patients with a positive family history in Iyienu, Southeast Nigeria. METHODOLOGY: Forty-three consenting females with a positive family history of breast cancer who underwent mammographic screening at Radiology Department, Iyienu Mission Hospital, Anambra State, were enrolled in the study. Mammographic findings were compared with those of females with a negative family history. RESULTS: The mean age was 49.6 years with a range of 35-69 years. The mammographic findings were asymmetric density, nipple retraction, tissue retraction, skin thickening, lymphadenopathy, and calcification within a mass with varying frequency for the right and left breasts. CONCLUSION: A significant statistical difference was found in lymphadenopathy and calcification for the right and left breasts, respectively, when compared with those without positive family history.

Can common carotid intima media thickness serve as an indicator of both cardiovascular phenotype and risk among black Africans?

BACKGROUND: It is not known whether common carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) can serve as a surrogate marker of cardiovascular risk among black Africans. Therefore, we examined whether CIMT differed significantly among individuals with distinct cardiovascular phenotype and correlated significantly with traditional cardiovascular risk factors in a black African population. METHODS: CIMT was measured in 456 subjects with three distinct cardiovascular phenotypes - 175 consecutive Nigerian African stroke patients, 161 hypertensive patients without stroke and 120 normotensive non-smoking adults. For each pair of cardiovascular phenotypes, c-statistics were obtained for CIMT and traditional vascular risk factors (including age, gender, weight, waist circumference, smoking, alcohol, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, fasting plasma glucose, fasting total cholesterol). Pearson's correlation coefficients were calculated to quantify bivariate relationships. FINDINGS: Bilaterally, CIMT was significantly different among the three cardiovascular phenotypes (right: p < 0.001, F = 33.8; left: p < 0.001, F = 48.6). CIMT had a higher c-statistic for differentiating stroke versus normotension (c = 0.78 right; 0.82 left, p < 0.001) and hypertension versus normotension (c = 0.65 right; 0.71 left, p < 0.001) than several traditional vascular risk factors. Bilaterally, combining all subjects, CIMT was the only factor that correlated significantly (right: 0.12 ≤ r ≤ 0.41, 0.018 ≤ p < 0.0001; left: 0.18 ≤ r ≤ 0.41, 0.005 ≤ p < 0.0001) to all the traditional cardiovascular risk factors assessed. CONCLUSION: Our findings support CIMT as a significant indicator of both cardiovascular risk and phenotype among adult black Africans. However, specific thresholds need to be defined based on prospective studies.

Antidepressant and anxiolytic effects of the methanol root extract of Capparis thonningii: involvement of monoaminergic, cholinergic and GABAergic systems.

BACKGROUND: Capparis thonningii Schum. (Capparaceae) is used in traditional African Medicine for the treatment of mood disorders. OBJECTIVE: The study investigates antidepressant and anxiolytic activities of methanol root extract of C. thonningii (CT). METHODS: CT (25-100 mg/kg, p. o.) was administered 1 h before behavioral studies were carried out in mice. Antidepressant effect was investigated using the forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST). The anxiolytic effect was evaluated using the elevated-plus maze test (EPM), hole-board test (HBT), and light-dark test. RESULTS: CT (25 and 50 mg/kg) increased swimming activity (P<0.05) by 92.73% and attenuated immobility time by 35.72%, similar to anti-immobility effect of imipramine (33.87%) in FST. In addition, CT (50 mg/kg) significantly (P<0.01) reduced immobility time by 30.24% in TST. -However, the antidepressant-like effect elicited by CT was reversed by metergoline, cyproheptadine, and sulpiride (40.81, 45.93, and 48.52%, respectively) pretreatment but prazosin, and yohimbine failed to reverse this antidepressant-like effect. Similar to diazepam, CT (25 mg/kg) increased duration of open arms exploration (P<0.05) by 43.73% in EPM, number of head-dips (HBT) (90.32%), and time spent in the light compartment by 45.77% in light/dark test indicating anxiolytic-like effect. The anxiolytic-like effect of CT was reversed by flumazenil pretreatment. CONCLUSION: The findings from this study suggest antidepressant-like effect of C. thonningii involving interaction with serotonergic (5-HT2), dopaminergic (D2), noradrenergic (α1 and α2), and muscarinic cholinergic systems; and anxiolytic effect through an interaction with GABAA benzodiazepine receptor.

Ultrasound evaluation of intima-media thickness of carotid arteries in adults with primary hypertension at Ibadan, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Ultrasound measured Carotid Intima-Media Thickness (CIMT) is a simple and inexpensive tool for assessing the cumulative effects of hypertension on the carotid arterial walls. It is also an independent predictor of future myocardial infarction and stroke risk. OBJECTIVES: This study compared ultrasound measured CIMT in hypertensive adults with non-smoking normotensive controls. It also documented variations in CIMT with subjects' age and sex. METHODOLOGY: Hypertensives (120) of both sexes aged 18 years and above were recruited from the Hypertension Clinic at University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan. Normotensive controls (120) were also recruited from the general public. The CIMT was measured on B- mode ultrasound using the technique of 'Multiple Carotid Sites Measurement' RESULTS: Mean CIMT values were 0.756 mm ± 0.130 and 0.751 mm ± 0.129 for the hypertensive group and 0.638 mm ± 0.088 and 0.67 0mm ± 0.107 for the control group on the left and right sides respectively (P=0.000). Higher CIMT values were noted among male hypertensive subjects (P=0.030). CIMT values also showed positive correlation with subjects' age. CONCLUSION: There was a significant difference in CIMT for hypertensives when compared with normotensives in the study area. CIMT also varies with subjects' age and sex.

The pattern of hysterosalpingographic findings in women being investigated for infertility in Nnewi, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Tubal occlusion is the commonest cause of female infertility in the developing societies. Hysterosalpingography remains a vital method of assessing tubal patency especially in resource limited settings such as ours. OBJECTIVE: To review the pattern of hysterosalpingographic findings among women being investigated for infertility in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi, Nigeria over a period of five years (2001-2005). METHOD: The data obtained from the request forms and radiologists' reports were analyzed using SPSS version 11. The level of statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: Of the 320 studied, 230 were found suitable for analysis. Their ages ranged from 20 to 44 years (mean 32.8 +/- 5.8 years). The indications were primary infertility in 103 (44.8%), secondary infertility in 88(38.3%), while in 39 (16.9%) patients the type of infertility was not specified. The reports revealed that 67 (29.1%) had normal HSG Cervical abnormalities were found in 34 (14.8%), uterine cavity abnormalities in 108 (47.0%). Tubal pathologies were seen in 100 (43.5%) with bilateral tubal occlusion in 43 (18.7%) and bilateral hydrosalpinges in 6 (2.6%) patients. CONCLUSION: Tubal pathology remains a major contributor to female infertility in this part of the world.

The Pattern of Hysterosalpingographic Findings in Women Being Investigated for Infertility in Nnewi; Nigeria

Background: Tubal occlusion is the commonest cause of female infertility in the developing societies. Hysterosalpingography remains a vital method of assessing tubal patency especially in resource limited settings such as ours. Objective: To review the pattern of hysterosalpingographic findings among women being investigated for infertility in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi; Nigeria over a period of five years (2001- 2005). Method: The data obtained from the request forms and radiologists' reports were analyzed using SPSS version 11. The level of statistical significance was set at p

The socio-economic effects of tropical diseases in Nigeria.

Urinary schistosomiasis is the most prevalent of the endemic tropical diseases: 48% of the population is afflicted in the study area. The socio-economic, environmental and health-seeking behavioural characteristics of the population are conducive to the spread of urinary schistosomiasis. The attitudes considered include knowledge of what causes the disease and how to control it, attitude toward the disease, care of oneself, hygiene and sanitation. The effect of such social variables as stigmatisation, and environmental variables such as water source is also considered. We find that a unit increase in the hygiene/sanitation index for adult males and adult females lead to a reduction of about 7.3 and 4.0 eggs S. haematobium in 10 ml urine sample, respectively. Thus, simple hygienic activities such as keeping the immediate environment of the household free from human wastes contribute substantially to disease control. Furthermore, prevalence of the disease is higher among males. Losses from work attributed to urinary schistosomiasis are high. Average values of key socio-economic variables-labour flow for land clearing, farm size and cash income-computed for farm families with high urinary schistosomiasis intensity in the sample are 1085 h, 1.4 ha and N 1,432 (US dollars 65) respectively. The corresponding figures for farm families free from the disease are significantly higher: 1325 h, 1.9 ha and N 3,759 (US dollars 171), respectively.

Impact of urinary schistosomiasis on rural land use: empirical evidence from Nigeria.

There are two essential foci in this study. First, to attempt to determine land use differences, if any, between households in Nigeria, based on their level of urinary schistosomiasis. Second, to ascertain if land use has any effect on schistosomiasis prevalence and intensity in the study area. The objective is to encourage participatory urinary schistosomiasis control in the endemic tropical areas of the world. Research is based on 315 household surveys (201 low- and 114 heavy-urinary schistosomiasis). Descriptive statistics indicate significant mean differences in land use and land use determinants between the two sample categories. A discriminant function strongly discriminates between the two sample groups while multiple regression analysis establishes a causal relationship for land use and land use determinants. The policy implication of the study is disease control through a participatory approach as the disease victims attempt to deal with the negative impact of the disease.

Isolation and characterization of a toxic intracellular protein from Vibrio parahaemolyticus.

A toxic factor released from disrupted cells of Vibrio parahaemolyticus was partially purified by gel filtration after precipitation with (NH4)2SO4 at 40% saturation. The factor, which was a thermostable protein of 63 kDa, lysed human erythrocytes at a concentration of 0.15 µg ml(-1). Its LD50 by intravenous injection into mice was 6.4 µg. Fluid accumulated in suckling mice force-fed with the toxic material (1 to 25 µg). Haemolytic activity, which occurred maximall at 37°C and pH 7.0 was enhanced by Ca(2+), Cu(2+) and Zn(2+), each at 1 mM. Anti-toxic-factor serum agglutinated V. parahaemolyticus cells. The factor may play a role in the pathogenesis of V. parahaemolyticus infections and in the host's defence mechanisms against infection by the microorganism.

The effect of trace levels of cyanide on the formation of mercury-iodide complexes.

The interference of trace levels of cyanide with the formation of iodo-mercury complexes is made the basis of a method of trace analysis for cyanide. The decrease in absorbance of the iodo-mercury complexes is a linear function of total cyanide concentration up to about 5 x 10(-5)M in 0.1M sodium hydroxide medium when the iodide and mercury total concentrations are 0.05 M and 3 x 10(-5)M respectively. Several cyano-mercury complexes are formed simultaneously, and quite a large fraction of the cyanide remains uncomplexed.