Multiple congenital anomalies: A suspected case of alagille syndrome variant in a Nigerian child

Congenital cardiac malformations co-existing with gastrointestinal anomalies have been fairly well reported.The authors report autopsy findings in a Nigerian child estimated to be about 3 months old who was born with imperforate anus, rectovaginal fistula, splenopancreatic fusion anomaly, biliary cirrhosis with cholestasis, truncus arteriosus, and ventricular septal defect. To our knowledge, this combination of defects is not common and has not been observed in literature.This case highlights the need to thoroughly investigate a child with gastrointestinal malformations in view of the possible association with multiple cardiac and other system anomalies

Clerodendrum volubile Ethanol Leaf Extract: A Potential Antidote to Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity in Rats

Doxorubicin is widely applied in hematological and solid tumor treatment but limited by its off-target cardiotoxicity. Thus, cardioprotective potential and mechanism(s) of CVE in DOX-induced cardiotoxicity were investigated using cardiac and oxidative stress markers and histopathological endpoints. 50–400 mg/kg/day CVE in 5% DMSO in distilled water were investigated in Wistar rats intraperitoneally injected with 2.5 mg/kg DOX on alternate days for 14 days, using serum troponin I and LDH, complete lipid profile, cardiac tissue oxidative stress marker assays, and histopathological examination of DOX-treated cardiac tissue. Preliminary qualitative and quantitative assays of CVE’s secondary metabolites were also conducted. Phytochemical analyses revealed the presence of flavonoids (34.79 ± 0.37 mg/100 mg dry extract), alkaloids (36.73 ± 0.27 mg/100 mg dry extract), reducing sugars (07.78 ± 0.09 mg/100 mg dry extract), and cardiac glycosides (24.55 ± 0.12 mg/100 mg dry extract). 50–400 mg/kg/day CVE significantly attenuated increases in the serum LDH and troponin I levels. Similarly, the CVE dose unrelatedly decreased serum TG and VLDL-c levels without significant alterations in the serum TC, HDL-c, and LDL-c levels. Also, CVE profoundly attenuated alterations in the cardiac tissue oxidative stress markers’ activities while improving DOX-associated cardiac histological lesions that were possibly mediated via free radical scavenging and/or antioxidant mechanisms. Overall, CVE may play a significant therapeutic role in the management of DOX-induced cardiotoxicity in humans

An autopsy review of five hundred and sixty nine non-traumatic brought in dead patients in Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract Background There are many cases that present to the emergency room as brought in dead (BID) and in such cases, previous medical history of the deceased is unknown. Many of the medical problems are either preventable or treatable if managed on time. This study is aimed to determine the age, gender and causes of BID. Results This is a 6 year retrospective autopsy study of all BID patients in Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja between 1st January 2010 and 31st December 2015. The data were retrieved from the autopsy reports and were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 18. Test for statistical significance was set as p < 0.05. There were 1016 BID recorded representing 9.3% of all deaths during the period under study. A total of 569 cases of BID that were analysed in this study after excluding hypertension related deaths. The male to female ratio was 1.37:1. The 4th decade was the predominant age group (22.7%). Cardiovascular (25.5%), Asphyxia related (23.0%), Gastrointestinal tract [GIT] (16.5%) and respiratory (15.1%) were the common system seen. Thromboembolism and haemorrhage, drowning, severe dehydration and tuberculosis were the most common causes of cardiovascular, asphyxia, GIT and respiratory system deaths respectively. Conclusions Cardiovascular system related death was the most common cause of BID with thromboembolism and haemorrhage as major secondary causes. Tuberculosis was the commonest cause of respiratory system death. BIDs are seen more in male than the female gender. There is need for the government to increase the awareness and health seeking behaviour among the populace