Maternal Consumption of Aqueous Extract of Hibiscus Sabdariffa During Pregnancy Attenuates Pregnancy Weight Gain and Postpartum Weight Loss

The effect of maternal consumption of aqueous extract of Hibiscus Sabdariffa during pregnancy on pregnancy weight gain and postpartum weight loss was investigated in Sprague-Dawley rats. Fifteen in-bred pregnant female Spague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to groups A, B and C on day one of pregnancy. Group C rats had tap water while groups A and B rats had 0.6g HS extract and 1.8g HS extract respectively in 100ml tap water to drink throughout pregnancy and through 34 days postpartum. All the rats in all the groups were fed normal rat chow ad libitum. Dam weights were measured daily throughout pregnancy and at delivery, 10, 14, 20 and 34 days postpartum. Results of the present study show a significant concentration dependent decrease in both pregnancy weight gain and postpartum weight loss at the doses tested

Immunohistochemical Characteristics Of Breast Cancers In South East Nigeria

Breast cancer is a common disease in Nigeria and immunohistochemical characteristics of such tumours in south east Nigerian women show that they are of the triple negative subtype (45%, 44/98) and of invasive ductal carcinoma (85%, 69/79). They are 83% ER negative, 83% PR negative and 36% HER2 positive with an average age of 44years and most likely to affect the left breast (54%).( Keywords: Breast, Growth, Prognosis,Analysis,Markers Ebonyi Medical Journal Vol. 6 (1) 2007 pp. 9-1

Evaluation of the neuropharmacologic potentials of methanol leaf extract of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius in mice

Background and Aim: Despite the plethora of drugs currently available, neurodegenerative diseases are leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Hence, there is a need for the development of more alternatives that are safe, efficient, and effective. In Nigeria, the leaves of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius are used ethnomedicinally for the management of central nervous system related disorders such as convulsion and anxiety. In this study, we evaluated some neuropharmacological effects of the methanol leaf extract of C. aconitifolius (CAE) in mice. Methods: Different groups of mice (n = 5) were administered 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of CAE and then evaluated for sedative-hypnotic, anxiolytic, antidepressant, anticonvulsant, and muscle relaxant properties using standard protocols. Results: The onset of sleep was significantly reduced (P < 0.001), and sleep duration was significantly (P < 0.01) prolonged at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg. All doses of the extract significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the number of head dips in hole-board test. In elevated plus maze test, the dose of 400 mg/kg increased (P < 0.05) the number of open arm entries without altering the time spent in the open arms of the maze. At 400 mg/kg, there was a significant (P < 0.05) reduction in the duration of immobility in forced swimming test. Doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg of the extract reduced (P < 0.05) the duration of immobility in the tail suspension test. The extract did not exhibit any anticonvulsant effect either in chemically induced or electrically induced models, and there was no significant alteration in motor coordination in extract-treated mice. Conclusion: Our results showed that CAE possesses sedative-hypnotic and antidepressant properties but lack anticonvulsant, anxiolytic and muscle relaxant actions in mice

Receptor-defined subtypes of breast cancer in indigenous populations in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the most common female cancer in Africa. Receptor-defined subtypes are a major determinant of treatment options and disease outcomes but there is considerable uncertainty regarding the frequency of poor prognosis estrogen receptor (ER) negative subtypes in Africa. We systematically reviewed publications reporting on the frequency of breast cancer receptor-defined subtypes in indigenous populations in Africa. METHODS AND FINDINGS: Medline, Embase, and Global Health were searched for studies published between 1st January 1980 and 15th April 2014. Reported proportions of ER positive (ER+), progesterone receptor positive (PR+), and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 positive (HER2+) disease were extracted and 95% CI calculated. Random effects meta-analyses were used to pool estimates. Fifty-four studies from North Africa (n=12,284 women with breast cancer) and 26 from sub-Saharan Africa (n=4,737) were eligible. There was marked between-study heterogeneity in the ER+ estimates in both regions (I2>90%), with the majority reporting proportions between 0.40 and 0.80 in North Africa and between 0.20 and 0.70 in sub-Saharan Africa. Similarly, large between-study heterogeneity was observed for PR+ and HER2+ estimates (I2>80%, in all instances). Meta-regression analyses showed that the proportion of ER+ disease was 10% (4%-17%) lower for studies based on archived tumor blocks rather than prospectively collected specimens, and 9% (2%-17%) lower for those with ≥ 40% versus those with <40% grade 3 tumors. For prospectively collected samples, the pooled proportions for ER+ and triple negative tumors were 0.59 (0.56-0.62) and 0.21 (0.17-0.25), respectively, regardless of region. Limitations of the study include the lack of standardized procedures across the various studies; the low methodological quality of many studies in terms of the representativeness of their case series and the quality of the procedures for collection, fixation, and receptor testing; and the possibility that women with breast cancer may have contributed to more than one study. CONCLUSIONS: The published data from the more appropriate prospectively measured specimens are consistent with the majority of breast cancers in Africa being ER+. As no single subtype dominates in the continent availability of receptor testing should be a priority, especially for young women with early stage disease where appropriate receptor-specific treatment modalities offer the greatest potential for reducing years of life lost. Please see later in the article for the Editors' Summary

Determinants of government size: evidence from China

Government size, Wagner’s law, Scale effects, Openness to trade, Fiscal decentralization, H11, H61,