Handedness and Footedness in Footballers in Jos, Nigeria

This study was carried out to compare handedness and footedness in a sample of 50 footballers in Jos, Nigeria and also to determine if any significant relationship exists between handedness of the footballers and that of their first degree relatives. 25 self-professed right handed and 25 self professed left handed were randomly selected from various teams in Jos and compared on preference measures. Their ages range between 18 -35 years. All information was obtained using a standard questionnaire and the data generated analyzed using ANOVA. The results showed that 84% of right handed footballers were also right footed, 4% were left footed, and 12% were mixed footed with no particular foot preference. Of the 25 left handed footballers, 28% were right footed while 72% were left footed. This shows that the left handed footballers were significantly less lateralized than the right handed footballers. Statistical analysis showed that the observed difference between the two groups was not significant (P > 0.05). The results showed that the incidence of left handedness was significantly higher among the male siblings of the left handed footballers. This study also showed that lateral preference between right handedness and left handedness is not significant and there was possibility of genetic factor involvement in the occurrence of left handedness among males.Keywords: Handedness, footedness, footballers, Jo

Orbital measurements among the ethnic groups of Plateau State, Nigeria

Cephalomerty is a branch of anthropometry that describes measurement of head and face in cadaveric, living, or radiological specimen. This aspect of physical anthropology has been widely used in a substantial aspect of medicine. Of particular relevance in this study is its application in the field of ophthalmology and optometry. The aim of this study is to provide a baseline measurements of these orbital parameters for plateau state indigenes of various ethnic groups and to compare with other studies in Nigeria and other countries. The subjects used in this study were 213 medical students of Plateau state studying at University of Jos. Out of the four parameters, namely outer canthal distance, papebral fissure length, intercanthal distance and interpupillary distance, only outer canthal distance and papebral fissure length show any significance difference (p-valu

Age dependant somatometric and cephalometric variables among Nigerians.

Background: The process of growth passes through stages of developmental processes. This stage is the age. Age is known to affect many parameters in the body and this includes somatometric and cephalometric variables. Methods: The study was conducted with a total number of 409 students of university of Jos, St Murumba and School of Higher Islamic Secondary School Jos. The following cephalometric and somatometric parameters were measured viz; Age, Weight, Height, Head width, Bizygomatic distance, Upper facial height, Outer canthal distance, Palpebral fissure length,Exaphthalmometric value, Ear width, Nose width were measured. Result: This study showed a positive relationship between age and weight, height, outer canthal distance, papebral fissure length, exophthalmometric value, nose width, bizygomatic distance (p 0.01) and head width (p 0.05). But it showed a negative significant relationship with ear width and upper facial length (p 0.01). Conclusion: It is concluded that the interrelation of age and the above studied somatometric and cephalometric parameters may give an understanding of craniofacial development and congenital anomalies.Key words: Age, Somatometric, Cephalometric

The Effects of Induced Physical and Oxidative Stress on the Cortisol Levels of Female Wistar Rat

Background: Emotions may not only play a role in the foetal development in pregnant women, but the associated increase in cortisol level following stress stimulates hormones and other chemical release that can cause disturbances in fertility and sexuality. The purpose of this study was to measure the effects of induced physical and oxidative stress on the cortisol levels in non-pregnant Wistar rats.Methodology: Forty (40) matured Wistar rats were grouped into four of 10 each (Group 1,control, Group 2,mono enucleation, Group 3, bilateral enucleation and Group 4, alcohol treated ). They were subjected to induced physical and oxidative stress over a period of six weeks. Cortisol levels were measured twice a week and averages calculated. Results of cortisol levels in the groups were analysed using SPPSS.Results: At the end of the study, there was no change in cortisol levels in the controlled group however,the cortisol levels showed initial increase in the mono and bilateral enucleation groups( groups 2 and 3) which subsequently returned to normal in the 2nd to 6th weeks. The cortisol level in the alcohol treated group ( group- 4) continued to rise over the same period showing significant difference compared to the control(

Discriminant Function Analysis as a Proof for Sexual Dimorphism among the Yoruba Ethnic Group of Nigeria: A Cephalometry Study

Background: Forensic scientists study human skeleton in legal setting. Discriminant function analysis has become important in forensic anthropology. The aim of this study was to determine the sex of adolescent Yoruba ethnic group of Nigeria using iscriminant function analysis. Methodology: One thousand (500 males and 500 females) were used. Eight cephalometric parameters were measured, namely head length, head width, bizygomatic distance, skull height, upper facial height, lower facial height, total facial height and nose width. Discriminant function analysis was done Results: Discriminant function score equation was determined for both direct and stepwise approach for the determination of the adolescent Yoruba population of Nigeria with between 89.70 %( direct) and 91.10% (stepwise) Conclusion: This study shows that these cephalometric parameters are sexually dimorphic and therefore could be used in sex determination especially in crime scenes where the body is mutilated but the head is left intact.Key Words discriminant function analysis, sex determination, Yoruba, Nigeri

The comparative study of the body mass index of Hausa and Yoruba children aged 2-5 in Jos, Plateau state, Nigeria

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