Genomic Epidemiology of Human Papillomavirus and the Adoption of Health Belief Model to Explicate Compliance with the Prophylactic Vaccine

ABTRACT This study reviewed gene mutations associated with the human pappiloma virus (HPV). For the first time the health belief model (HBM) developed by Geoffrey Hochbaum was utilized to explicate the exposure of at risk population to the viral disease. The precursors of HPV infections were identified as stemming from the phenomenological background of the under-age children and their teenage counterparts. The major parental traits include illiteracy, poverty, denial and neglecting the functions of parent-child bonding. The investigators recommended abstinence education for the under-age K-8 th grade students, and the integration of the comprehensive sex education instructions for the adolescents; emphasizing the importance of abstinence from sexual intercourse before taking HPV vaccine. Compliances with abstinence from sexual intercourse are recommended for the prophylaxis to be most effective. KEY WORDS: Genomic epidemiology, Human Pappilomavirus (HPV) The health Belief model(HBM) abstinence and the prophylactic vaccine

Genomic Epidemiology of BRCA1/BRCA2; Breast Cancer Associated Genes and Use of Electronic Health Record to Reduce the Escalating Cost of Treatment

This project reviewed gene mutations which are associated with BRCA1 and BRCA2. From epidemiological perspective, the escalating cost of breast cancer management is due to the aging phenomenon of the female cohort in United States population. Innovative genomic sequencing techniques could continue to augment gene mutations beside the BRCA1/BRCA2 and TP53, PTEN, ST11/LKB1, CDH1, CHEK2, and ATM among others. To reduce the escalating cost of breast cancer management, the application of pharmacogenomic techniques, use of electronic health record and the most appropriate software could be applied for both primary prevention and chemoprevention. Physicians and other clinicians must hone their skills in advanced Mendelian genetics to become proficient in using statistical risk analysis and the appropriate IT software to recommend primary prevention to at risk breast cancer patients

Short communication - PEAK EXPIRATORY FLOW RATE (PEFR) IN YOUNG ADULT NIGERIANS FOLLOWING INGESTION OF GARCINIA KOLA (HECKEL) SEEDS.

PEFR was measured in 82 male students following the ingestion of 15gm of Garcinia kola . Overall, PEFR increased with age, height, weight and chest circumference. The lowest control PEFR was 450 L/min and the highest control PEFR was 647 L/min. Following the ingestion of Garcinia Kola, PEFR decreased to 445 L/min and 615 L/min respectively at the end of 90 mins. Mean control PEFR was 576.17 ± 20 and mean PEFR 90min after Garcinia Kola consumption was 542 ± 26 (P < 0.05). Garcinia Kola may clear the airway, but does not improve the airflow in young adults

Original article - SOME FACTORS WHICH MAY AFFECT BLOOD PRESSURE IN NIGERIAN CEMENT FACTORY WORKERS.

Objective: To investigate the influence of age, nature of job and duration of employment on the blood pressure of the workers of a cement factory in Nigeria. Design: BP was measured using the standard sphygmomanometer and stethoscope. Workers were classified based on age, type of job, and the number of years they have worked in the factory. Setting: The factory is located in a village and has an ill-equipped clinic run by a nurse. Participants: All the workers present in the factory for the three days of the study participated. Results: Blood pressure increased with age. Increases in blood pressure were not influenced by "cement related jobs" in the factory. The administrative staff had the highest number of "hypertensives". Newly employed workers were found to have higher mean systolic and diastolic pressures than others. Conclusion: Pollution in the cement factory may not influence blood pressure directly, but inactivity and the psychological stress associated with working in a potentially hazardous environment are factors to consider

Effect of alligator pepper (zingiberaceae aframomum melegueta) on first trimester pregnancy in Sprague dawley rats

Alligator pepper (Aframomum melegueta) is a spice that is widely used in many cultures for entertainment, religious rites, food flavor and as a part of many traditional doctors medications. Pregnant women are among those who ingest Alligator pepper in these activities. This experiment was carried out to determine the health risk or benefit of Alligator pepper to pregnant women if any. Fifteen male rats and fifteen female rats of proven fertility from a pilot study were randomly paired in fifteen cages in a well ventillated room. After three days of mating, the males were withdrawn from the females, which were allowed to stay in their separate maternity cages for 18-25 days. The females in the control group were fed with normal rat chow and clean drinking water ad libitum for the duration of the experiment. Each of the rats in the experimental group was served 20 g of rat chow mixed with 50mg of Alligator pepper for one day only and thereafter fed with normal rat chow and clean drinking water ad libitum for 18-25 days. The rats in the control group had a mean of 7 litters each, while the rats in the experimental group did not litter at all. It was concluded that ingestion of large quantities of Alligator pepper poses a health risk to women in their first trimester of pregnancy