Evaluating the effects of Moringa oleifera on atherogenic lipoprotein indices of HIV infected Nigerian adults on tenofovir-based antiretroviral regimen

Background: The administration of tenofovir (TDF) based (tenofovir/ lamivudine/efavirenz) antiretroviral regimen for the management of HIV has remained a concern to both clinicians and patients, thus necessitating the need for suitable supplement for the management of ART induced metabolic abnormalities. The study evaluated the effects of Moringa supplementation on the atherogenic lipoprotein indices of HIV patients on TDF-based regimen at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers State, Nigeria.Methods: The study was designed as a time dependent investigation structured into 3 visits, visit 1 (cross sectional, baseline), visit 2 (4 weeks after administration) and visit 3 (12 weeks post administration). Subjects recruited (140) into this study comprised of two groups, TDF-M (n=56, administered Moringa Supplement) and TDF-NM (n=84, no supplement).Results: At baseline, more than 50% of the patients had at least one abnormal atherogenic lipoprotein indices (Log (TC/HDL-C) = 85.7%, TC/HDL-C=58.5% and LDL-C/HDL-C=51.4%), although at lower limits. At the end of 12 weeks of Moringa supplement administration, the results showed subjects in the TDF-M group who were at risk of CVD had fallen to 20%, indicating a dramatic (40.4%) decrease, while the prevalence of TDF-NM subject at risk of CVD rose to 53.6% (χ2=26.67, P <0.001). HIV patients on TDF-based regime, who were at risk of CVD had elevated triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein cholesterols which inversely affected the levels of high-density lipoprotein and negatively impacting the atherogenic indices.Conclusions: Moringa oleifera supplementation may be helpful in ameliorating the metabolic abnormalities associated with HIV patients on TDF-based regimen

Accuracy and Limits of Lamendin’s Age Estimation Method in a Sample of Nigerian Population

This study compared the accuracy and limits of Lamendin’s age estimation method to age estimation by subset regression analysis in a sample of Nigerian population. The research was a cross-sectional study involving 81 single-rooted teeth obtained from 45 females and 36 males between ages 20 and 90 years. Extracted teeth samples were disinfected and stored, and directly measured using a digital vernier caliper on a 16 W X-ray box. Periodontosis (P) and Translucency (T) were derived using standard formulae from the root height (RH), translucency height (TH), and periodontal height (PH). Data were managed in an excel spreadsheet, then analyzed (stratified by sex) using Lamendin’s equation (Age = 0.18P + 0.42 T + 25.53) in SPSS (IBM® version 23, Armonk, USA) and Minitab® 2017 (version 18.1) best subset regression for males (Age = 6.23TH + 0.113P + 7.7) and females (Age = 14.90PH + 0.330 T − 2.12). Chi-square analysis tested the distributional deviations from actual age (using error ranges). From the analysis, 33.3% of the total population (M: 30.0% and F: 35.6%) were predicted within the suggested limit compared to 61.7% (M: 75.0% and F: 51.0%) for the best subset model. The distributional errors difference in both methods was not significant for males (χ2[df = 3] = 1.810, P = 0.405), females (χ2[df = 3] = 1.275, P = 0.528), and total samples (χ2[df = 3] = 4.960, P = 0.084). Lamendin’s formula did not provide accurate age estimates for a large proportion of sample population. More accurate estimates were limited to age ranged between 30 and 70 years. The study recommended that further studies using a larger sample be conducted to validate the findings of this study

Evaluation of nose shape as a Mendelian‑inherited trait in the determination of parentage among Nigerians in Port Harcourt

Background: Nose shape might be environmentally influenced; however, there are evidences of it being inherited in simple Mendelian dominant‑recessive patterns. In such instance, a nose can be broad or narrow with respect to its wideness in comparison to the intercanthal bridge. Therefore, this study was aimed at determining the inheritance pattern of nose shape in the bid to ascertain its usability in parentage determination.Methods: Three hundred and thirty‑seven subjects from 101 families comprising 202 parents and 135 offspring were recruited for this study. The families were randomly selected from within Port Harcourt by a multistage sampling technique. Their nose shape were observed physically in the father, mother, and at least a child in each family and documented. The offspring traits were tabularized in patterns of parental combinations (when both parents’ nose are broad, both parents’ nose are narrow, and a combination of broad and narrow). SPSS IBM (r) version 20 was used to analyze the data. Descriptive statistics and test for association between sex and nose shape was carried out by Chi‑square analysis and the conformance to Mendelian inheritance pattern was analyzed using Mendelian Chi‑square gene distribution model.Results: Broad nose shape was more frequent with 298 (88.4%) when compared to narrow nose shape (11.6%). About 46.9% of males had broad nose against 41.5% for females. However, this distribution was not observed to follow any sexual preference (χ2 = 0.141, P &gt; 0.932). The observed and expected outcome were tested for significance on the assumption that offspring outcome conforms to Mendelian simple dominant‑recessive monohybrid cross; conformance was observed.Conclusion: The distribution of nose shape was observed to be genetically determined and follows Mendelian single gene dominant‑recessive pattern with the allele for narrow nose dominant over the allele for broad nose. This result can be used for preliminary screening in parentage dispute. It can also be useful in forensic and genetic studies.Keywords: Mendelian pattern, Nigerians, nose shape, Port Harcourt, trai

Knowledge, attitude, and practice toward cervical cancer screening among female university students in Ishaka Western Uganda

Purpose: Cervical cancer (CC) is the leading cause of cancer-related death among women living in third-world countries. CC is preventable, with the possibility of complete treatment if detected early. The objective of the study was to assess the level of knowledge, attitude, and practice on CC screening (CCS) among female university students (FUS) in Ishaka, western Uganda. Methods: The study was a descriptive cross-sectional study among FUS (n = 407) in western Uganda conducted after the first nationwide lockdown in Uganda. Information was collected using a questionnaire and descriptively presented as frequency and percentages. Results: The majority of our respondents were medical students 283 (69.5%), below 25 years 339 (83.3%), with Anglican Christian religious background 150 (36.9%). Respondents above the age of 25 years (p = 0.0052) and those in the medical profession (p \u3c 0.001) had more knowledge. More medical students had a better attitude (p = 0.0043) and favorable practices (0.0134) compared to their non-medical counterparts. There is a weak correlation between attitude (r = 0.206, p \u3c 0.001) and practice (r = 0.181, p = 0.0003) with knowledge on CCS. Conclusion: Observation from the present study suggests the need for more efforts in the fight against cervical cancer and encouragement of positive attitude and practice towards cervical cancer screening and uptake of vaccination