Effect of Ethanolic Stem-Bark Extract of Anacardium Occidentale (Cashew) on the Histology of the Pancreas of Diabetic Wistar Rats

This study was designed to investigate the effect of aqueous ethanolic bark extract of Anacardium Occidentale (Cashew) on the histology of the pancreas of streptozotocin induced diabetic wistar rats. Twenty-four wistar rats weighing 150-170g were grouped into four (A, B, C and D) of six rats each. Streptozotocin was used in the production of diabetic models in groups B, C and D by subcutaneous injection of 65mg/kgbwt after an overnight fast. Groups A and B served as the normal and diabetic controls respectively and received 0.5ml of normal saline, twice daily. Groups C and D are the treatment groups that were treated with 300mg/kgbwt and 500mg/kgbwt of plant extract pre os respectively, twice daily. All the rats were given growers’ mash and water. The experiment lasted for 28 days.  After the expiration of extract administration, rats were anaesthetized using chloroform and the peritoneum stripped open to excise the pancreas which were prepared for histological studies using haematoxylin and eosin staining technique. The result of this study showed regeneration of beta cells, but it was more significant in the group that received 500mg/kgbwt of the extract. The extract is therefore dosage dependent. Keywords: Anacardium occidentale, Pancreatic (beta) Cells, Diabetes mellitus, streptozotocin, wistar rats and Histology

Study of the Nasal Indices and Bialar Angle of the Ibo and Yoruba Ethnic groups of Nigeria

This study was designed to determined and compare the nasal indices and bialar angles of the Ibo and Yoruba ethnic groups in order to classify their nose types and to analyze the presence or absence of sexual dimorphism, also to provide base line data for anthropologists, aesthetic and reconstruction surgeons. The current study sample consists of 384 subjects, 228 Ibo subjects and 156 Yoruba subjects were measured for nasal length and nasal breath thereafter nasal indices were calculated from the measurements while bialar angle was measured in 220 Ibo subjects and 143 Yoruba subjects. Results obtained showed that Ibo males and females had a mean nasal index of 10762+ 1-09 and 98-89+1.30, bialar angle of 107.12+ 1.08 and 100.57+ 1.35 respectively while Yoruba males and females has a mean nasal index of 110.30+ 1.92 and 97.07+ 2.11, bialar angle of 99.29+ 1.12 and 95.48+ 1.05 respectively. Sexual dimorphism was observed with significantly higher values of all parameters measured in males compared to females of both ethnic groups. The data of this study have shown that both ethnic groups have platyrrhine nose type (Broad nose) and an obtuse bialar angle with Ibos having broader nose than the Yorubas. Keywords: Bialar angle, nasal index, sexual dimorphism, platyrrhine, Ibo, Yoruba, ethnic groups

Gender differentiation in the adult human sacrum and the subpubic angle among indigenes of cross river and Akwa Ibom states of Nigeria using radiographic films

A research study for sexing the sacra and sub-pubic angle of indigenes of Cross River and Akwa Ibom States was carried out using radiographic films of adults aged 18 -80 years. The aim of the study was to determine whether there is any difference in the measurements of the sacrum and pubic angle of males and females of Cross River and Akwa Ibom states origin; and to compare the findings with those obtained in other African population groups. The parameters that were assessed and measured included the length and width of the sacrum, the sacral index, and the sub-pubic angle. The measuring instruments used were a protractor for the sub-pubic angle and a ruler for the sacrum. The sex differences of the sacral length marked a greater mean in males but were not statistically significant (P>0.05) as it ranged from 92-126mm in males and 80-119mm in females. The sacral breadth marked a mean slightly higher in females than in males with insignificant statistical differences (P>0.05). It ranged from 99-134mm in males and 92- 138mm in females. The sacral Index which was calculated as Width (maximum breadth) x 100 divided by maximum length was higher in females than in males with a significant statistical difference (P<0.05) ranging from 94.9 to 118.2mm and 97.6-124.4mm in male and female respectively. The sex difference of the sub-pubic angle was found to be statistically significant in females when male and female x-ray films were compared (P<0.05) with a range of 80-144º in males and 96-142º in females. The sacral index and sub-pubic angle are therefore useful parameters in sexing of the pelvic bone since they were found to be significant by statistical analysis.Keywords: Gender, sacrum, pubic angle, radiograph, dimorphis

Cephalofacial Indices of the Ibo and Yoruba Ethnic groups in Southern Nigeria

Cephalofacial analysis is an important parameter useful anthropologically to ascertain racial, ethnical and sexual differences. This work aimed at determining cephalic and facial indices and the anatomical types of head and face found among the Ibo and Yoruba tribes. Study was cited in two geographical locations in southern Nigeria depending on the ethnic group. Five hundred human subjects were randomly selected,  comprising 300 and 200 subjects of the Ibo and Yoruba ethnic groups respectively with age range of 18-35 years. Results obtained showed that Ibo males and females had mean cephalic indices of 81.79±0.43 and 81.68±0.52 respectively and facial (prosopic) indices of 75.49±0.50 and 73.76±0.54 respectively while the Yoruba males and females had mean cephalic indices of 80.40±0.49 and 78.47±0.66 respectively and facial indices of 77.60 ± 2.82 and 73.72±1.05 respectively. Based on the Cephalic Index, the dominant head form found among the Ibo ethnic group was brachycephaly while the Yoruba ethnic group had a head form ranging from brachycephaly to mesocephaly. Facial indices showed dominant hypereuriprosopic face type for the two ethnic groups. The cephalic index only showed sexual dimorphism  in the Yoruba ethnic group but the facial index  showed significant gender difference in the two ethnic groups studied.Data got from this research could be useful in forensic medicine and reconstructive surgeries. Keywords: Cephalic index, facial index, sexual dimorphism

Neurobehavioral and Immunohistochemical Assessment of the Cerebellum in Adult Male Albino Wistar Rats Following Cannabis Sativa Administration

Reports abound on the use and effects of Cannabis sativa. High consumption may result in schizophrenia. It put some consumers in a state of coma, while some become unconscious after its consumption. Besides, it restores emotional stability in others and fills some consumers with a sense of wellbeing. Epidemiologic data suggest that Cannabis sativa use is a serious public health problem because it is highly addictive and is associated with a variety of neurological complications. The cerebellum is implicated in locomotor  activity and is richly endowed with cannabinoid-1, CB1 receptors; there was the need to assess the microstructure of the cerebellum and to evaluate locomotor activity on an animal model  following consumption of Cannabis sativa via various routes of administration. Graded doses of various preparations of Cannabis sativa were administered daily for 28 days as follows: Group B: 0.41 mg/kg, 0.2 mg/kg, and 0.13 mg/kg body weight of soxtlet extract of Cannabis sativa via oral ingestion. Group C: 4grams, 2grams and 1grams of grounded dried leaves of Cannabis sativa via inhalation.  Group D: A mixture of 8grams, 4grams and 2 grams of grounded dried leaves of Cannabis sativa and 90grams of animal feed in each case. Group A served as the control while rats in Group E were given 1gm of 10% Tween 80 via oral ingestion. Before and after 28 days of administration of Cannabis sativa, the  open field maze and Morris water maze experiments on neurobehavioral were carried out. Data were expressed as means ± standard error of the mean (M±SEM) and subjected to one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) using PRIMER, EXE, version 3.01. Significant difference between means was assessed by Student-Newman-Keuls post hoc test. 95% level of significance (P = .05) was used for the statistical analysis; while Microsoft excel 2010 package was used for graphs and error bars.  The findings of this study thus suggest that the extract of Cannabis sativa obtained via soxtlet extraction technique has a mild and lesser psychoactive effect compared to other preparations of Cannabis sativa, thus presents a better method to be adopted in preparation of medical Cannabis. Keywords: Cannabis sativa. Cerebellum.  Albino  Wistar rat

Peer Group Influence, Teacher-Student Interaction, and Indiscipline as Predictors of Students' Dropout Tendency in an Evening Continuing Education Programme

The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive relationship of peer group influence, teacher-student interaction and indiscipline to students' dropout tendency in evening continuing education programmes. The context of this study is the southern senatorial district of Cross River State, Nigeria. The study adopted a predictive correlational research design, and the sample comprised 554 students randomly selected from 11 centres in the district. This represents 20% of the total population of students. The instrument used for data collection was a questionnaire titled: "Social Indicators and Dropout Tendency Scale" (SIDTS). The researchers collected the data that were analysed using Pearson product-moment correlation and multiple linear regression analyses at the .05 level of significance. The results revealed that peer group influence, teacher-student interaction and level of indiscipline collectively and individually predicted dropout tendency among students in evening continuing education programmes. It was recommended, among others, that the teachers discover diverse ways of making their teaching process lively by devising ways of engaging the students in the learning process by forming discussion groups that will promote healthy peer groups, which will increase their eagerness to come to school

Impact of opioid-free analgesia on pain severity and patient satisfaction after discharge from surgery: multispecialty, prospective cohort study in 25 countries

Background: Balancing opioid stewardship and the need for adequate analgesia following discharge after surgery is challenging. This study aimed to compare the outcomes for patients discharged with opioid versus opioid-free analgesia after common surgical procedures.Methods: This international, multicentre, prospective cohort study collected data from patients undergoing common acute and elective general surgical, urological, gynaecological, and orthopaedic procedures. The primary outcomes were patient-reported time in severe pain measured on a numerical analogue scale from 0 to 100% and patient-reported satisfaction with pain relief during the first week following discharge. Data were collected by in-hospital chart review and patient telephone interview 1 week after discharge.Results: The study recruited 4273 patients from 144 centres in 25 countries; 1311 patients (30.7%) were prescribed opioid analgesia at discharge. Patients reported being in severe pain for 10 (i.q.r. 1-30)% of the first week after discharge and rated satisfaction with analgesia as 90 (i.q.r. 80-100) of 100. After adjustment for confounders, opioid analgesia on discharge was independently associated with increased pain severity (risk ratio 1.52, 95% c.i. 1.31 to 1.76; P < 0.001) and re-presentation to healthcare providers owing to side-effects of medication (OR 2.38, 95% c.i. 1.36 to 4.17; P = 0.004), but not with satisfaction with analgesia (beta coefficient 0.92, 95% c.i. -1.52 to 3.36; P = 0.468) compared with opioid-free analgesia. Although opioid prescribing varied greatly between high-income and low- and middle-income countries, patient-reported outcomes did not.Conclusion: Opioid analgesia prescription on surgical discharge is associated with a higher risk of re-presentation owing to side-effects of medication and increased patient-reported pain, but not with changes in patient-reported satisfaction. Opioid-free discharge analgesia should be adopted routinely

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Corporate Sustainability Practices and Corporate Financial Performance of Selected Breweries in Nigeria

Purpose: The nexus between Corporate Sustainability Practices (CSP) and Corporate Financial Performance (CFP) has over the years yielded a mix of positive, negative, and neutral associations across industries and territories. Considering the paradox of economic benefits against negative sustainability implications of manufacturing and consuming alcoholic beverages, the researchers examined the influence of CSP on the CFP of selected breweries in Nigeria. In two hypotheses, the proxies for CSP are Social-Infrastructural-Development Cost, Community-Education-and-Training Cost, and Community-Health-Related Cost, whereas the determinants for CFP are return on equity and prices of shares. Methods: Adopting a causal-comparative research design, data were obtained from the annual financial reports of the companies and the Nigerian Stock Exchange factbooks. The multivariate regression analysis was deployed for estimating the results. Results: The general models for testing hypotheses one and two indicated that corporate sustainability practices do not significantly influence either the return on equity or the market prices of the shares of breweries in Nigeria. Implications: The researchers concluded that changes in the level of CSP were not enough for predicting variations in the CFP of breweries in Nigeria. It was, however, observed that awareness about CSP and the related value is still low among capital market investors and consumers in Nigeria. Hence, breweries are encouraged to be consistent with such practices as the associated benefit may be incremental

Effect of Calabash Chalk on the Histomorphology of the Gastro-Oesophageal Tract of Growing Wistar Rats

Background: Calabash chalk is a naturally occurring mineral consumed by members of some Nigerian communities for pleasure and by pregnant women as a remedy for morning sickness. The consumption of this geophagic material motivated our interest on the effect of the chalk on the histomorphology of the gastro-oesophageal tract. Methods: Twenty-eight young Wistar rats, 4 weeks old, were divided into 4 groups of equal size. Group 1 animals served as controls and received 1 mL of distilled water. Groups 2, 3, and 4 received orally 1 mL of a Calabash chalk suspension containing 40 mg/mL for 14, 21, and 28 days, respectively. Upon completion of the treatments, the animals in groups 2, 3, and 4 were sacrificed on days 15, 22, and 29, respectively, and the control group animals were sacrificed on day 29. All animals were euthanised using chloroform anaesthesia. The oesophagus and the stomach of each animal were dissected out and routinely processed for histological studies. Results: There was oedema with haemorrhages in the mucosa of the stomach, and acanthosis, hyperkeratosis, and koilocytic changes were observed in the mucosa of the oesophagus of the groups treated with 40 mg/mL of Calabash chalk suspension. Conclusion: Calabash chalk caused histological changes to the stomach and the oesophagus that may lead to other pathophysiological conditions