Prevention of the onset of hyperglycaemia by extracts of Aloe barbadensis in rabbits treated with alloxan

The ability of a home-made aqueous extract of Aloe barbadensis to prevent the onset of alloxaninduced hyperglycaemia was examined and compared with that of a factory-produced gel. Three groupsof animals were administered 200 mg/kg body weight of alloxan intraperitoneally. A fourth group of animals was left uninjected. Animals in group 2 also received a uniform administration of 1 mg/ml twicedaily oral intake of Aloe gel (the home-made extract) commenced at the same time the alloxan was administered and continued thereafter for the next six days. Animals in group 3 were administered the factory-produced extract in a similar way as was done for animals in group 2. Plasma glucose levels at the end of the experiment were 142.50±6.28, 82.50±2.72, 88.17±1.92 and 94.17±1.51mg/dl for animals in groups 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. Alloxan administration possibly resulted in an increase of 51% in the plasma glucose level of animals in group 1 relative to animals in group 4 (

Energy manipulation of isonitrogenous diets for broiler chickens

A total of 378 unsexed Anak broiler chicks were used to assess the effects of varying energy levels and manipulation on growth, haematology, and carcass traits. The experiment was conducted in two phases. First, one-day-old chicks were randomly assigned to one of three starter diets, which differed in their energy density (LSE: 2786.80 Kcal/kg; OSE: 3015.40 Kcal/kg; and HSE: 3252.20 Kcal/kg). The chicks were assigned to seven replicates per treatment with 18 chicks per replicate. When the chicks were 27 days old, they were randomly re-allocated to three finisher diets (LFE: 2770.66 Kcal/kg, OFE: 2961.74 Kcal/kg, and HFE: 3150.43 Kcal/kg). Thus, there were seven replicates of nine treatments with six chicks per replicate in the finishing phase. The starter and finisher diets were isonitrogenous. Birds fed the OSE and HSE starter diets gained more weight and were heavier at 27 days than birds fed LSE. Energy intake by birds fed HSE was greater than by birds fed OSE, and birds fed OSE had greater energy intake than birds fed LSE. Feed conversion ratio was improved for birds fed OSE and HSE. Birds fed LSE and then HFE consumed the least feed and gained as much or more weight during the finisher phase as any other group. Overall, FCR between days 27 and 50 tended to differ among the treatments (P =0.06). Total protein intake increased with decreasing dietary energy in both phases. Varying dietary energy levels did not affect the haematological parameters, carcass traits and internal organ weights

Fetal imaging and diagnosis services in developing countries – A call to action

Fetal congenital anomalies are among the leading causes of perinatal death or survival with disability worldwide. Their accurate antenatal detection  employing a range of fetal imaging techniques enables parental choices to be made and for postnatal care of affected babies to be planned. While such  prenatal care is well developed in developed countries of the world, it remains poor in many low‑ and middle‑income countries (LMICs). This review article  examines the scope of the problem and proffers strategies for service  organization and fetal imaging that will improve care in LMIC settings.Key words: Congenital abnormalities; fetus; imaging; pregnancy; ultrasound

Transvaginal ultrasound during pregnancy: Perception and acceptability of Antenatal Clinic Attendees at the University College Hospital, Ibadan

Introduction: There has been a tremendous increase in the use of transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) in pregnancy. With the use of high‑resolution transducers, the transvaginal probe has proved to be particularly useful for finding the location and dating of early pregnancies when compared with transabdominal sonography (TAS). It has also been shown to be a reliable method for confirming complete miscarriage. This study aims at determining the perception and acceptability of TVS in  pregnancy.Materials and Methods: This is a descriptive cross‑sectional study of 424  consenting pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic at the University College Hospital, Ibadan. Using a self‑administered questionnaire, we obtained information on their socio‑demographic characteristics, awareness of ultrasound and TVS and opinion about TVS including acceptability and perceived complications.Results: The mean age of the respondents was 31.6 ± 4.7 years. Majority (410; 96.7%) had heard about ultrasound scanning, and 395 (93.2%) had undergone at least one type. Approximately two‑fifth (177; 41.7%) had heard about TVS, mostly from antenatal clinic, with two‑third having a good knowledge. Only 90 (21.2%) had personal experiences, and 144 (34%) believed it is harmful; however, about  three‑fifths (256; 60.4%) were willing to do TVS if indicated. Perceived  complications of TVS  included abortion, infection and bleeding. Awareness and perception were strongly associated with acceptability of TVS but not with education or previous experience.Conclusion: This study shows that the perception and acceptability of TVS by pregnant women is dependent on their level of awareness. There is an urgent need for proper information dissemination on the usefulness, safety and advantages of TVS in pregnancy.Key words: Acceptability; antenatal clinic; perception; pregnancy; transvaginal ultrasound

Antioxidant properties of Myristica fragrans (Houtt) and its effect on selected organs of albino rats

Aqueous extract of the seed of Myristica fragrans (nutmeg) was evaluated for its phytochemical constituents, antinutrients and antioxidant properties. Toxicological investigation was also carried out using six groups of Wistar albino rats. The treatment groups were administered varying doses (100-500mg/kg body weight) of the extract for a period of 28 days. The animals were sacrificed and their livers, kidneys, hearts, spleen and testes harvested for histopathological studies. The results showed thatalkaloids, saponins, anthraquinones, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids and phlobatanins were present while tannins were absent in the aqueous extract. The phytate content was 564.11 mg/100 g while theantioxidant indices of 100 mg/100 g, 44% and 0.6 were obtained for the ascorbic acid value, free radical scavenging activity and reducing power, respectively. The results of the histopathological studiesshowed pathological features of various degrees in the organs with severity corresponding to the concentration of extract. There was lymphoid depletion of the follicles in the spleen, degeneration ofthe germinal epithelial cells in the testes, bile duct proliferation and congestion of blood vessels in the liver, degeneration, necrosis with desquamation of tubular epithelial cells and congestion of renal bloodvessels in the kidney and degeneration of myocardial fibres and myocardial necrosis in the heart in the treatment groups compared with the control. The present results suggest that nutmeg popularlyconsumed as food and for various medicinal purposes may contain some active principles with antioxidant properties. However, prolonged use at high doses (400-500 mg/kg) could be very toxic to the studied organ

Team approach to management of oro.facial cleft among African practitioners: A survey

Background: An interdisciplinary team approach concept has been proposed for management of oro.facial cleft in the last two decades. Our objective was to evaluate the practice of the team approach concept and practices of the specialists involved in oro.facial cleft care in Africa.Materials and Methods: A snapshot survey was conducted among the attendees of the 2nd Pan.African Congress on Cleft Lip and Palate, at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Nigeria, in February 2007.Result: Of the 120 questionnaires distributed, 91 were returned for analysis (75.8% response rate). Mean age of respondents was 43.6 } 4.97 years and the range was 36-62 years. Male.to.female ratio was 3.5:1. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and Plastic Surgeons constituted the majority of respondents (34.1% and 29.7% respectively). Only 48.4% (44 respondents) of the specialists belonged to cleft teams. Majority of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and Plastic Surgeons belonged to cleft teams (65.9 and 79.5% respectively), while Speech Pathologists and  Orthodontists were less represented (18.2% and 40.9% respectively).Conclusion: Findings from this study have shown that interdisciplinary care for the cleft patient is not yet fully established in Africa. The result obtained also suggests that cleft care in African population is young, and team care is perhaps many years behind the global trend. This may be a result of several reasons ranging from lack of sufficient specialistsin African population generally to the relatively young age of cleft care practice in that part of the world Key words: Africa, cleft, interdisciplinary care, lip, palat

Late third trimester ultrasound diagnosis of duodenal atresia - the importance of detailed prenatal ultrasound screening

Duodenal atresia (DA) is the commonest type of congenital small bowel obstruction usually presenting in the neonatal period. About half of fetuses with duodenal atresia have other associated anomalies, and these associations often contribute to morbidity and mortality. DA can be fatal unless promptly diagnosed and treated surgically. In experienced hands and in countries where prenatal ultrasound screening for anomalies is routine, DA can be confidently diagnosed prenatally, which can help in reducing the perinatal morbidity and mortality associated with diagnosis after delivery.We report a case of DA diagnosed by ultrasonography at 36 weeks gestation in a 34 year old multiparous woman in a hospital where targeted prenatal ultrasound screening for fetal anomalies was recently introduced, and reviewed relevant literatureKeywords: Prenatal Ultrasound screening, Duodenal Atresi

Condylar Disarticulation; Analysis of 20 Cases from a Nigerian Tertiary Centre

Background: A disarticulation resection is a variant of mandibular segmental resection in which the condylar articulation is sacri.ced. Indication varies from primary condylar lesions to jaw conditions involving the condyle.Aim: This retrospective analysis was carried out to highlight the pattern of disarticulation resections carried out in our centre over a five-year period.Materials and Methods: Cases of mandibular resection were identified from the operation book. The medical records of patients who had disarticulation resection were then retrieved and analyzed for demography,indications for disarticulations, methods of reconstruction and complications.Results: A total of 20 cases of disarticulation with complete records were obtained, this constituted 24.7% of total mandibular resections in the department. There were 9 males and 11 females with a male: female ratio of 1:1.2. The age ranged between 13 and 59 years with a mean of 30.4 years (std. 12.0). Sixteen patients received autogenous bone graft;two were stabilized using Steinman’s pins and two with reconstruction plates. One bone graft and one reconstruction plate were removed because of infection and exteriorization respectively. Condyle was not replaced in any case. Outcomes were satisfactory but jaw deviation on opening was a common complaint in all cases.Conclusion: Condylar disarticulation accounts for a considerably high percentage of mandibular resection in our centre. Non vascularized immediate bone grafting without actual joint reconstruction was common. No disarticulation was carried out for traumatic reasons.Keywords: Condylar, disarticulation, patter

Prevalence of prenatal ultrasound diagnosed single umbilical artery in a cohort with associated congenital malformations

Introduction: Single umbilical artery (SUA), a developmental abnormality of the umbilical cord occurs following primary agenesis or secondary atrophy of one of the arteries. It occurs in 0.08%–2% of pregnancies and associated with intrauterine growth restriction, preterm delivery, stillbirth, and congenital anomalies. Usually, the attending midwife or doctor determines the number of umbilical arteries at delivery. However, with the advent of prenatal ultrasound screening, the umbilical cord vessels can be determined as early as 14 weeks prenatally. The study aimed at determining the prevalence of SUA in University College Hospital (UCH), Nigeria, with associated anomaly (ies).Materials and Methods: This is a prospective cohort study of 989 fetuses who had detailed anomaly scan over 4 years at the ultrasound unit of the antenatal clinic, UCH.Results: Sixty‑two fetuses had various anomalies, of which three had SUA, and these cohorts were followed up. The prevalence of SUA was 0.3% in both singleton and multiple gestations. Other anomalies detected with SUA include abnormal‑shaped head, hypoplastic cerebellum, bilateral renal pyelectasis, bilateral ventriculomegaly, cavum septum defect, and ventricular septal defect.Conclusion: SUA is more common in twin gestations than in singletons, and if found in a fetus, it is a high risk for other anomalies which must be determined prenatally.Keywords: Congenital anomalies; prenatal; prevalence; single umbilical arter

Self-medication profile of dental patients in Ondo state, Nigeria

The practice of selfmedication has been extensively researched but there is dearth of information about its modality among dentalpatients in developing countries. Hence, this study was designed to determine the proportion of dental patients who practice, medications employed and the reasons for resorting to self medication in general dental populations in Ondo State, Nigeria and tomake appropriate recommendations. This study was conducted between June 2007 and June 2008 at the Federal Medical Centre, Owo and State Specialist Hospital, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria. Five hundred and thirty six consenting respondents were selected by multistage sampling technique and interviewed with the aid of semi structured questionnaire.Results: Almost half of the respondents (42% or n=225) admitted to self medication while the majority (58%) did not practice it. Drugs utilized are usually singly (56.4%) rather than in combination(43.6%), commonly analgesics (50.1%) and antibiotics (30.4%), with themajority (45.8%) using the medications for at least one week. The reasons cited by respondents for self medication were theirperception that they know what to do and it saves time andmoney. A sizable majority of the respondents admitted to self-medication usually with analgesics. Adequate health education of the populace on the use and misuse of analgesics needs to be mounted, while dental services should be made readily available and affordable so that self medication among dental patients can be reduced to the barest minimum.Keywords: self-medication, profile, dental patients, OndoState, Nigeri