The Cytoarchitectural alterations in the neocortex of Wistar rats: Effects of aqueous tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) leaves extract exposure

This study investigated the effects of corresponding 11.7 mg/kg body weight and 5.8 mg/kg body weight/day of the tobacco leaves aqueous extract for a period of 20 days on the functions of rats’ brain after extract administration. Nicotiana tabacum is the scientific name of the tobacco plant grown in several countries of the world. It has been used in variables ways such as smoking, snuffing, even chewing, etc. 24 young rats of both sexes were used. They were divided into 3 groups, A, B, C of 8 rats each (Female (n = 4) and male (n = 4)). Group A were given 11.7 mg of the extract per kg body weight, group B 5.8 mg of the extract per kg body weight in 0.5 ml of distilled water per day throughout the 20 experimental days while group C were given equal volume (0.5 ml) of distilled water as well. The rats were sacrificed at day 21 by cervical dislocation and the brains were excised and fixed in formol calcium for 4 days and processed using Haematoxylin and Eosin staining method and Cresyl Fast Violet (CFV) staining technique. There was a statistical significant decrease in the body weight, brain weight and relative brain weight between groups A and B compared to the control group (p < 0.05). There was enlargement of the somata in the group A administered with 11.7 mg/kg B.Wt per day of the extract while those in group B appeared more spindle compared to those cells in group C. Also, the non – homogenous appearance of myelinated neocortex of the neuropil appear clearly in the treated groups compared to control (Figure 3). Therefore, the results suggested that the consumption of the aqueous extract of N. tabacum leaves may alter the normal functions of the brain which may lead to brain dysfunction, despite its “pleasant” effects and also help in reduction in weight gain

Intraperitoneal drain placement and outcomes after elective colorectal surgery: international matched, prospective, cohort study

Despite current guidelines, intraperitoneal drain placement after elective colorectal surgery remains widespread. Drains were not associated with earlier detection of intraperitoneal collections, but were associated with prolonged hospital stay and increased risk of surgical-site infections.Background Many surgeons routinely place intraperitoneal drains after elective colorectal surgery. However, enhanced recovery after surgery guidelines recommend against their routine use owing to a lack of clear clinical benefit. This study aimed to describe international variation in intraperitoneal drain placement and the safety of this practice. Methods COMPASS (COMPlicAted intra-abdominal collectionS after colorectal Surgery) was a prospective, international, cohort study which enrolled consecutive adults undergoing elective colorectal surgery (February to March 2020). The primary outcome was the rate of intraperitoneal drain placement. Secondary outcomes included: rate and time to diagnosis of postoperative intraperitoneal collections; rate of surgical site infections (SSIs); time to discharge; and 30-day major postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo grade at least III). After propensity score matching, multivariable logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards regression were used to estimate the independent association of the secondary outcomes with drain placement. Results Overall, 1805 patients from 22 countries were included (798 women, 44.2 per cent; median age 67.0 years). The drain insertion rate was 51.9 per cent (937 patients). After matching, drains were not associated with reduced rates (odds ratio (OR) 1.33, 95 per cent c.i. 0.79 to 2.23; P = 0.287) or earlier detection (hazard ratio (HR) 0.87, 0.33 to 2.31; P = 0.780) of collections. Although not associated with worse major postoperative complications (OR 1.09, 0.68 to 1.75; P = 0.709), drains were associated with delayed hospital discharge (HR 0.58, 0.52 to 0.66; P &lt; 0.001) and an increased risk of SSIs (OR 2.47, 1.50 to 4.05; P &lt; 0.001). Conclusion Intraperitoneal drain placement after elective colorectal surgery is not associated with earlier detection of postoperative collections, but prolongs hospital stay and increases SSI risk

Target = nidgaʔ (nonword); prime = hitxanex (real word)

Currently, the treatment of choice of HIV/AIDS in South Africa is the multidrug combination regimen known as HAART (highly active antiretroviral treatment). HAART, which commonly consists of nucleoside or non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors and protease inhibitors, has radically decreased mortality and morbidity rates among people living with HIV/AIDS. The emphasis of the original development of the antiretroviral drugs was on clinical effectiveness (reducing mortality). Presently, emphasis has shifted from the initial short- term considerations to the long-term undesirable or harmful effects induced by this treatment regimen. Whether antiretroviral compounds are oncogenic is widely speculated, which led to this investigation into the effects of protease inhibitors on the expression of key apoptotic regulatory genes, BAX and BCL-2, in two human breast cell lines, MCF-7 and MCF-10A by real-time qPCR gene expression and immunofluorescence. The anti-apoptotic effects of the protease inhibitors – LPV/r were also investigated by cell death detection ELISA and acridine orange staining. This study also evaluated the cytotoxicity of the antiretroviral drugs in normal and cancer cell lines of the breast (at clinically relevant concentrations of the drugs and at different time points, 24–96 h), employing the neutral red uptake assay. The drugs and combinations tested did not alter BAX and BCL-2 gene expression and protein expression and localisation in both cell lines. In addition, the protease inhibitors–LPV/r did not inhibit camptothecin-induced apoptosis in both cell lines. We have shown that the protease inhibitors demonstrated varying degrees of cytotoxicity in the breast cells. The resulting DNA damage associated with cytotoxicity is strongly implicated in the processes of tumour initiation

The Potential of South African Herbal Tisanes, Rooibos and Honeybush in the Management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease that can lead to high morbidity, mortality and long-term complications. Available treatment strategies, which are mainly based on treating hyperglycemia, with insulin and other pharmacological agents are not completely efficient and can even lead to development of unwanted side effects. Scientific evidence suggests that bioactive compounds from teas and other plant-based foods, which are known source of natural antioxidants, could be an attractive strategy to preferentially treat and manage type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and thus, have significant therapeutic implications. In this review, we attempt an in-depth analysis and discussion of the current progress in our understanding of the antidiabetic potential of two commercialized South Africa herbal tisanes&#8212;Rooibos and Honeybush and their polyphenols

Knowledge of Nigerian laboratory technologists and mortuary attendants on various methods of embalming techniques

Embalmment is the method of preservation of bodies after death and in recent times, different methods have been developed in order to preserve the bodies more accurately and more perfectly. This study wasdesigned to test the knowledge of Nigeria laboratory technologists and mortuary attendants on various methods of embalmment techniques. Semi structured questionnaire was administered to 72 randomly selectedrespondents comprising of laboratory and mortuary attendants (94.4% males and 5.6% females) from different Medical schools, teaching and general hospitals and funeral homes across the country. 41.7% of therespondents are laboratory technologists in anatomy departments, 48.6% are mortuary attendants and 7.9% are embalmers at funeral homes. All the respondents are very knowledgeable about the arterial embalmment while about 2.3% have some knowledge about plastination method of embalmment. We came to the conclusion that the respondents need to have training and re-training in various methods of modern embalmment techniques in order for them to cope with the day to day challenges required in embalmment services

TRADITIONAL MEDICINE PRACTICES IN NIGERIA: A SWOT ANALYSIS

The paper presents SWOT analysis of Traditional Medicine (TM) in Nigeria using various results in scientific research and author's critical opinion on the past, present and future of this important sector of agriculture. The paper is based on the study of many published articles closely connected with the topic. The results emphasized that Nigeria has a long history and culture of TM, conducive climate for the growing of herbs and other materials related to it. Also, TM is available, accessible, acceptable, affordable, widely used, and perceived as effective by the people with virtually no side effects. The weaknesses are: the unverifiable and inexplicable aspects of occultic/witchcraft practices; the practitioners lack the skill for correct diagnosis of serious disorders, inadequate coordination of practitioners activities giving room to dubious and unscrupulous elements. Also, opportunities that exists for TMP are: existence of a virile Herbs and Leaves Traditional Medicines Practitioners’ Association of Nigeria, large number of population of TM practitioners with great spread over all ethnic groups coupled with a large Nigerian population of about 170million consumers. The threats: the activities and practices of charlatans, the importation of higher quality TM products and the reality of some herbs are going into extinction. It is concluded that TM occupies a pivotal position in the Nigerian rural health service delivery system which cannot be neglected. Therefore, there is the need to create an enabling environment for the development of traditional medicine and its eventual integration into the health care delivery system of the countr

The Cytoarchitectural alterations in the neocortex of Wistar rats: Effects of aqueous tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) leaves extract exposure Adeniyi

This study investigated the effects of corresponding 11.7 mg/kg body weight and 5.8 mg/kg body weight/day of the tobacco leaves aqueous extract for a period of 20 days on the functions of rats’ brain after extract administration. Nicotiana tabacum is the scientific name of the tobacco plant grown in several countries of the world. It has been used in variables ways such as smoking, snuffing, even chewing, etc. 24 young rats of both sexes were used. They were divided into 3 groups, A, B, C of 8 rats each (Female (n = 4) and male (n = 4)). Group A were given 11.7 mg of the extract per kg body weight, group B 5.8 mg of the extract per kg body weight in 0.5 ml of distilled water per day throughout the 20 experimental days while group C were given equal volume (0.5 ml) of distilled water as well. The rats were sacrificed at day 21 by cervical dislocation and the brains were excised and fixed in formol calcium for 4 days and processed using Haematoxylin and Eosin staining method and Cresyl Fast Violet (CFV) staining technique. There was a statistical significant decrease in the body weight, brain weight and relative brain weight between groups A and B compared to the control group (p &lt; 0.05). There was enlargement of the somata in the group A administered with 11.7 mg/kg B.Wt per day of the extract while those in group B appeared more spindle compared to those cells in group C. Also, the non – homogenous appearance of myelinated neocortex of the neuropil appear clearly in the treated groups compared to control (Figure 3). Therefore, the results suggested that the consumption of the aqueous extract of N. tabacum leaves may alter the normal functions of the brain which may lead to brain dysfunction, despite its “pleasant” effects and also help in reduction in weight gain.Key words: Nicotiana tabacum, cerebrum, frontal lobe, cytoarchitecture, neocortex