Evidence that behavioral depression does not influence airway cell influx in allergic rats.

This study was designated to evaluate the influence of behavioral depression on the airway leukocyte recruitment in allergic animals. To achieve this, total and differential cell counts in bronchoalveolar (BAL) fluid of ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized and depressed rats was evaluated. Inescapable electric footshock, applied on day 0, 7 and 13 after OVA sensitization, was used as a model to induce depression. In both nondepressed and depressed groups, the number of total and differential cells (eosinophils and mononuclear cells) in BAL fluid was significantly larger in sensitized compared with non-sensitized animals. However, no statistical differences were found between these groups with respect to the number of total and differential leukocytes, irrespective of the day inescapable shock was applied. Thus, behavioral depression does not influence the pattern of cell infiltration into the airways of allergen-induced airway inflammation

Evidence That Behavioral Depression Does Not Influence Airway Cell Influx In Allergic Rats.

This study was designated to evaluate the influence of behavioral depression on the airway leukocyte recruitment in allergic animals. To achieve this, total and differential cell counts in bronchoalveolar (BAL) fluid of ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized and depressed rats was evaluated. Inescapable electric footshock, applied on day 0, 7 and 13 after OVA sensitization, was used as a model to induce depression. In both nondepressed and depressed groups, the number of total and differential cells (eosinophils and mononuclear cells) in BAL fluid was significantly larger in sensitized compared with non-sensitized animals. However, no statistical differences were found between these groups with respect to the number of total and differential leukocytes, irrespective of the day inescapable shock was applied. Thus, behavioral depression does not influence the pattern of cell infiltration into the airways of allergen-induced airway inflammation.10229-3

Assessment of Information Technology Adoption in Project Information Exchange in Nigerian Construction Industry

Information Technology (IT) has been applied by various industries with significant improvement in the practice and strategic standing of the industries. Its successful application is evident in manufacturing, petroleum, banking, aerospace and military industries. However, despite this evidential benefit as a result of IT adoption, delayed receipt of project information and/or loss of the project data/information are still prevalent in the Nigerian construction industry. To reduce these inefficiencies in the data management of the industry, this study investigates the medium of project information exchange and examine the order of IT adoption in the Nigerian Construction industry. A quantitative approach using questionnaire survey was employed. Structured questionnaires were distributed among quantity surveyors in contracting, consulting and public sector. The resultant data was analyzed using descriptive statistical tool. The results revealed the dominance of the paper-based medium over the use of IT tools in information acquisition and dissemination in the construction industry. About three-quarter of drawings, specifications and schedules were acquired through printed copy (paper based), and only about one-tenth of these information were acquired through email and disk/flash. While about four-fifth of the bills of quantities, claims and final account documents/information were being disseminated through the traditional paper-based printed copy, and less than one-tenth of these information are being disseminated through email and disk/flash. The order of IT adoption and use in information acquisition in the Nigerian Construction industry was found to be paper based medium, then followed by online medium, email and others (mobile) came third and fourth respectively, while disk/flash and came fifth and sixth in ranking. Furthermore, in contrast to the order of IT adoption and use in information acquisition in the Nigerian Construction industry, paper-based and disk/flash medium came first and second in order of information dissemination. Emails and online medium came 3rd and 4th in place, while fax and others (such as mobile phone), came 5th and 6th in adoption and use. Thus, for construction professionals in developing countries to reap the benefit of IT, it must go beyond the use of paper based medium to the use of IT tools for the acquisition and dissemination of information in the industry

Phytochemical Screening and Antimicrobial Activity of Leaves and Fruits Extract of Ficus sycomorus

The leaves and fruits of Ficus sycomorus were collected, air dried and grounded. Each of the samples (100g) was extracted with 400ml each of n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and methanol sequentially, using Soxhlet extraction technique. They were labeled as FS1-1 to FS1-4 for leaves extract and FS2-1 to FS2-4 for fruit extract. Each of these fractions was phytochemically screened to investigate the presence of certain class of secondary metabolites. The extracts obtained were subjected to brine shrimp larvae test and antimicrobial bioassay. Some of the fractions were found to be active against the brine shrimp larvae and the tested organisms, with FS1-1 being the most active.Keywords: Antimicrobial, Cytotoxicity, Ficus sycomorus, Phytochemicals

Relationships of Anthropometric Indices of Centripetal Adiposity With Essential Hypertension and Type - 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Kano Metropolis

The use of centripetal indices of adiposity for cardiovascular risk prediction is gaining popularity over body mass index (BMI). This study seeks to investigate the relationships of centripetal adiposity indices with essential hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus and find sexual  dimorphism in such relationship in Kano. It also investigates the correlation between centripetal adiposity indices and BMI. The study included 405 registered hypertensive, diabetic or  hypertensive – diabetic subjects (215 females and 190 males) with mean age of 53.4±0.36. The adiposity indices [BMI, waist circumference (WC) hip circumference (HC) and waist to hip ratio (WHR)] were obtained using standard protocol.  Chi-square and Pearson correlation were used to test for the relationship as described. The results showed that WC was not significantly associated (p>0.05) with essential hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus in females, but was significant in males (P = 0.04). In both sexes, WHR was significantly associated with essential hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, a stronger relationship was observed in males (P < 0.0001). Where both WC and WHR correlated positively with essential  hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus in males, the  relationship was stronger for WHR (P < 0.0001) compared to WC (P = 0.04). In conclusion, WHR in both sexes had significant association with essential hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus while WC in males correlated strongly with BMI compared to WHR.Keywords: Centripetal adiposity, essential hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, Sexual  dimorphism

Evaluation of the influence of maternal parity on neonatal anthropometric parameters among Hausas in Kano state

Maternal Parity has been shown to increase the risk of adverse neonatal outcomes, such as intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), prematurity, and mortality. The study was designed to evaluate the influence of maternal parity on neonatal anthropometric parameters among Hausas in Kano. Five hundred and twenty one subjects (mothers and babies) participated in the study. Questionnaire was used to collect the biodata, parity and other anthropometric variables (birth weight, birth length, head circumference, chest circumference, thigh circumference, mid upper arm circumference, hand length, hand breadth, foot length, foot breadth).The anthropometric variables were measured using standard procedures.One way ANOVA was used to determine the differences in neonatal variables across different categories of parity. SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Science) version 20 statistical software was used for data analyses. The result shows that the mothers within the 1st category of parity give birth to babies with lower birth weight and smaller thigh circumference when compared with 2nd, 3rd and 4th. However, in birth length, head circumference and chest circumference of the neonate the differences (p < 0.001) were observed only between 1st and 2nd category of parity. Moreover, the mid upper arm circumference has similar pattern with addition to 3rd categories. In conclusion, the parity of the mother was found to influence the neonatal  anthropometric variables.Keywords: Maternal Parity, Neonatal Anthropometry, Hausa

Age specific sex differences in BMI and skin fold thickness among children of Kazaure Emirate, Nigeria

An important phenomenon occurring in human population is the variation in their physical morphology. The physical dimensions of human body are influenced by geographical, racial, age and gender factors. Physical anthropometry provides the technique by which human body dimensions can be evaluated and measured. The aim of the study was to determine age specific sex differences in height, weight, BMI and skin fold thickness among children aged 5- 12 years from Kazaure emirate, Jigawa State, Nigeria. The objective of the study was to investigate sexual dimorphism in the measured variables. A total of 1212 primary school pupils aged 5-12 years (659 males and 553 females) were involved. All the anthropometric variables were taken using standard protocols. An independent t-test was used to determine gender differences using SPSS version 20.0and P ≤ 0.05 considered a level of significance. The results showed a significant gender difference in height and weight at age of 8 years (P = 0.009) and (P< 0.001), respectively. For bicep skin fold thickness (BSF), the gender difference was observed at 7 to 12years of age with (P< 0.001). Similar pattern in triceps TSF) and suprailiac (SISF), showed significant difference at age six (P< 0.001) and (P =0.01), respectively. All ages showed differences in subscapular skin fold thickness (SSF)(P< 0.001). In the SSF, female had higher mean value while for height and weight the reverse trend was the case. In conclusion, the gender differences in SSF may be linked with higher adipose tissue in female than in the male counterparts in childhood.Keywords: Anthropometry, BMI, Skin fold thickness, age, sex, Nigeri

PI3K/AKT/mTOR inhibition in combination with doxorubicin is an effective therapy for leiomyosarcoma.

BackgroundLeiomyosarcoma (LMS) is a common type of soft tissue sarcoma that responds poorly to standard chemotherapy. Thus the goal of this study was to identify novel selective therapies that may be effective in leiomyosarcoma by screening cell lines with a small molecule library comprised of 480 kinase inhibitors to functionally determine which signalling pathways may be critical for LMS growth.MethodsLMS cell lines were screened with the OICR kinase library and a cell viability assay was used to identify potentially effective compounds. The top 10 % of hits underwent secondary validation to determine their EC50 and immunoblots were performed to confirm selective drug action. The efficacy of combination drug therapy with doxorubicin (Dox) in vitro was analyzed using the Calcusyn program after treatment with one of three dosing schedules: concurrent treatment, initial treatment with a selective compound followed by Dox, or initial treatment with Dox followed by the selective compound. Single and combination drug therapy were then validated in vivo using LMS xenografts.ResultsCompounds that targeted PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways (52 %) were most effective. EC50s were determined to validate these initial hits, and of the 11 confirmed hits, 10 targeted PI3K and/or mTOR pathways with EC50 values <1 μM. We therefore examined if BEZ235 and BKM120, two selective compounds in these pathways, would inhibit leiomyosarcoma growth in vitro. Immunoblots confirmed on-target effects of these compounds in the PI3K and/or mTOR pathways. We next investigated if there was synergy with these agents and first line chemotherapy doxorubicin (Dox), which would allow for earlier introduction into patient care. Only combined treatment of BEZ235 and Dox was synergistic in vitro. To validate these findings in pre-clinical models, leiomyosarcoma xenografts were treated with single agent and combination therapy. BEZ235 treated xenografts (n = 8) demonstrated a decrease in tumor volume of 42 % whereas combining BEZ235 with Dox (n = 8) decreased tumor volume 68 % compared to vehicle alone.ConclusionsIn summary, this study supports further investigation into the use of PI3K and mTOR inhibitors alone and in combination with standard treatment in leiomyosarcoma patients

Uterine Prolapse Following Fundal Pressure in the First Stage of Labour: A Case Report

The use of fundal pressure to assist a woman in labor is a controversial procedure. Its benefits are yet to be scientifically confirmed and it is associated with complications such as perineal lacerations, uterine rupture and uterine inversion. A case is reported of a 28year old Gravida 5 Para 4\u2009+\u20090 (3 Alive) who presented to Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, (AKTH) Kano, Nigeria with uterine prolapse following fundal pressure done in the first stage of labor in a peripheral hospital. She was delivered by Cesarean section and the prolapse successfully reduced under general anesthesia. Health workers need education on the risks associated with fundal pressure. Alternative methods of aiding women in labor should be promoted.L'utilisation de la pression fundale pour assister une femme en travail est une proc\ue9dure controversiale. Ses b\ue9n\ue9fices m'ont pas encore \ue9t\ue9 scientifiquement confirmes et il est associe aux les complications tels que: lac\ue9ration perinale, rupture de l'ut\ue9rus et inversion de l'ut\ue9rus. Il y a eu un reportage d'une femme de 28 ans, G5P4+0 (3 envie) qui s'est pr\ue9sent\ue9e au centre universitaire hospitalier de Kano, Nigeria avec une prolapse ut\ue9rine sur venue apr\ue8s une pression fundale faite pendant la premi\ue8re \ue9tape de l'accouchement dans un autre h\uf4pital. L'accouchement s'est fait par caesarienne et la prolapse a \ue9t\ue9 r\ue9duite sous anaesthesie g\ue9n\ue9rale. Les personnels de sant\ue9 ont besoin d'\ueatre \ue9duquer sur les risques associes a la pression fundale. D'autres m\ue9thodes pour aider les femmes en travail doivent \ueatre encourag\ue9es. Les personnels de sant\ue9 doivent \ueatre \ue9duquer sur les dangers associes a la pression fundale et sa pratique doit \ueatre d\ue9courager