Cultivars of Codiaeum variegatum (L.) Blume (Euphorbiaceae) show variability in phytochemical and cytological characteristics

In the course of their evolution, plant developed chemical defences when attacked. These phytochemicals inadvertently protect humans against pathogens as antimicrobial medicines. Thus, six clone cultivars of Codiaeum variegatum (Spirale, Royal, Broad Spotted Guinea, Punctatum, Sunray and Royal-like) were chemically and cytologically investigated to evaluate their therapeutic potentials, values and variability. The shoots were relatively rich in alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, saponins, tannins, cardenolides, steroids, and phyllates. Flavonoids, phlobatannins, phenols and anthraquinoneswere sparingly present. Anthraquinones and cardenolides were absent in ‘Spirale’ while ‘Sunray’ lacked tannins, phlobatannins and phenols. Terpenes were found only in ‘Sunray’. Overall, alkaloids were themost abundant with the highest mean value of 1.46% in ‘Royal’ while flavonoids and anthraquinones were trace, 0.002 and 0.003%, in ‘Sunray’ and ‘Royal-like’. Five pigments, carotene (yellow-orange),phaeophytin (grey), chlorophyll a (blue-green) and b (green), and xanthophyll (yellow) were determined. ‘Spirale’, ‘Royal’, ‘Broad Spotted Guinea’ and ‘Punctatum’ had diploid chromosme number of 2n = 60while ‘Sunray’ and ‘Royal-like’ possessed 2n = 30 and 24 respectively. ‘Spirale’ and ‘Sunray’ appeared to have reasonably diverged from the rest. Genetic mutation and chromosomes variability couldaccount for the wide morphological variation and morphotypes in this plant species

Awareness of Menstrual Abnormality Amongst College Students in Urban Area of Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria

<b>Background:</b> Disturbances of menstrual bleeding are major social and medical problem for women and account for high percentage of gynecological visit. <b> Objectives:</b> The objective of the study was to document menstrual abnormalities experienced by female college students, their awareness and health seeking behavior. <b> Materials and Methods:</b> A cross-sectional survey was undertaken, 400 students were selected using stratified sampling technique and interviewed using semi-structured self-administered questionnaire. Inferential statistical analysis such as Chi-square test and logistic regressions were carried out. <b> Results:</b> The mean age at menarche was 14.18 years. Irregular menstrual cycles were reported in 9.0&#x0025;. Dysmenorrhea was present in 62.5&#x0025;, and 12.5&#x0025; reported school absenteeism. Students&#x2032; awareness of menstrual abnormalities was poor (29&#x0025;). A few of them (10.5&#x0025;) decided to seek help for menstrual abnormalities. The awareness of students on menstrual abnormalities was significantly influenced by their age (OR = 2.33, <i> P</i> = 0.03); however, age at menarche and level of study did not influence their awareness (OR = 0.45, <i> P</i> = 0.24 and OR = 1.42, <i> P</i> = 0.12). History of dysmenorrheal (OR = 10.2, <i> P</i> = 0.001) and academic disturbance (OR = 5.45, <i> P</i> = 0.001) had significant influence on the health seeking behavior of the students. <b> Conclusion:</b> There was a general lack of information about menstrual issues and when to seek help. There is a need to educate female college students about menstrual issues in order to improve their health seeking behavior as regards menstrual abnormalities

Differential Cell Count of Bone Marrow Aspirates in Steady-state Sickle Cell Anaemia Patients

Background: Megaloblastic arrest of the bone marrow is one of the causes of anaemic crises in patients with sickle cell anaemia. The diagnosis of this condition will require that the reference level of megaloblastosis during steady state be properly documented. Objectives:To document a reference differential cell count in the bone marrow aspirates of patients with sickle cell anaemia and determine the level of megaloblastosis that can be regarded as indicating megaloblastic crisis in such patients. Design: Systematic counting of haematopoietic cells in the bone marrow of children with confirmed Hb phenotype SS who are in steady state. Subjects and Methods: The subjects were 11 of 68 children with sickle cell anaemia attending the paediatric outpatient clinic at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, in respect of whom parental consent for bone marrow aspiration was obtained. About 4.5 ml of blood was obtained from the antecubital vein of each child, for full blood count. Bone marrow was aspirated from the posterior superior iliac spine. Slides were stained with MayGrünwald-Giemsa stain. Proportions of erythroid, myeloid, lymphoid and megakaryocytic cells out of 250 nucleated bone marrow cells were determined. Results: Steady state mean packed cell volume (PCV) was 0.2 ± 0.017 L/L. The mean reticulocyte count was 5.9 percent (95% CI, 5.3 – 7.0%) and the mean cell volume was 91.8 ± 2.7 fl. Erythroid precursors constituted 34.5 percent of the total nucleated bone marrow cells (NBMC). Of these, polychromatic and orthochromatic erythroid blasts predominated, constituting 49 and 36percent respectively, of total erythroid precursors. Polychromatic and orthochromatic megaloblasts constituted 16.5percent (95% CI, 7-25%) of total NBMC or 47.8 percent of erythroid precursors. The myeloid erythroid ratio was 1:1. The reference range of megaloblasts was 8-26 percent of the NBMC. Conclusion: Patients with sickle cell anaemia in steady-state may show megaloblastic bone marrow changes even with routine folate supplements. Megaloblastic crisis should not be diagnosed until megaloblasts are in excess of 26 percent of the total NBMC. Nigerian Journal of Paediatrics2003;30:54-5

Presumptive diagnosis of Avian encephalomyelitis in Japanese quail in Ibadan, Nigeria

A report of Avian encephalomyelitis outbreak in two flocks of adult Japanese quail is presented. High mortalities, tremor, ataxia and lateral recumbency were the prominent clinical signs observed. Absence of gross pathology and microscopic lesions of gliosis, neuronal degeneration, meningitis, congested blood vessel with perivascular cuffing, suggestive of acute to subacute encephalitis gave a presumptive diagnosis of Avian encephalomyelitis. However, this outbreak in adult birds, being the first in Japanese quail in Nigeria, is at variance with previous reports on the disease occurring in young flocks. It is believed that the relative small body size of the Japanese quail is a contributory factor to their susceptibility even as adult birds. Routine vaccination is therefore recommended.Keywords: Avian Encephalomyelitis, Japanese quail, Clinical signs, Pathology, Nigeria

A huge low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma of small bowel mesentery simulating hyper immune splenomegaly syndrome: a case report and review of literature

Introduction: Low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma (LGFMS) is a rare non epithelial tumour. It usually arises from the smooth muscles of the extremities. It is, however, occasionally reported to arise from other regions of the body. Case report: We report the case of a 32 year old man who complained of a progressive abdominal swelling of 4 months duration. There was associated abdominal discomfort and weight loss. Abdominal examination revealed a non-tender intra abdominal mass filling the abdomen completely. Abdominal ultrasound suggested a massive splenomegaly. Abdomina Computerized Tomography (CT) scan was not done due to financial constraints. At laparotomy, a large, pearl-coloured mass was found within the mesentery of the proximal jejunum, with dilated, tortuous vessels. It was resected along with the overlying 60cm of jejunum. It weighed 7.5kg. Histology and immunohistochemistry confirmed the diagnosis of lowgrade fibromyxoid sarcoma. Post-operative period was uneventful and there were no features of recurrent after 2 year of follow up. Conclusion: LGFMS may cause a diagnostic dilemma, especially in a third world setting where preoperative diagnosis is hampered by lack of facilities and poverty. A high index of suspicion is needed for preoperative diagnosis, which is necessary for proper planning of the operation

A huge low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma of small bowel mesentery simulating hyper immune splenomegaly syndrome: A case report and review of literature

INTRODUCTION: Low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma (LGFMS) is a rare non epithelial tumour. It usually arises from the smooth muscles of the extremities. It is, however, occasionally reported to arise from other regions of the body. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 32 year old man who complained of a progressive abdominal swelling of 4 months duration. There was associated abdominal discomfort and weight loss. Abdominal examination revealed a non-tender intra abdominal mass filling the abdomen completely. Abdominal ultrasound suggested a massive splenomegaly. Abdomina Computerized Tomography (CT) scan was not done due to financial constraints. At laparotomy, a large, pearl-coloured mass was found within the mesentery of the proximal jejunum, with dilated, tortuous vessels. It was resected along with the overlying 60cm of jejunum. It weighed 7.5kg. Histology and immunohistochemistry confirmed the diagnosis of lowgrade fibromyxoid sarcoma. Post-operative period was uneventful and there were no features of recurrent after 2 year of follow up. CONCLUSION: LGFMS may cause a diagnostic dilemma, especially in a third world setting where preoperative diagnosis is hampered by lack of facilities and poverty. A high index of suspicion is needed for preoperative diagnosis, which is necessary for proper planning of the operation