Subnasale To Gnathion Distance And Nasal Index Of Children With Homozygous Sickle Cell Disease In Port-Harcourt

Aim: This study is designed to determine changes in some of craniofacial parameters such as subnasale to gnathion distance and nasal index in sickle cell anaemia in comparison to the healthy children in Port-Harcourt. Method: In this research which span over a two year period, measurements were taken of the facial indices (nasal and the subnasale to gnathion distances) of 100 confirmed homozygous (SS) children who attended the Sickle cell clinic of the University of Port Harcourt teaching Hospital and 500 normal growing children, drawn from the University of Port Harcourt Day Care Centre and Demonstration Nursery, Primary and Secondary Schools. Result: Results from the study showed that mean values for nasal index were lower, though, not statistically significant, showing tendency towards more platyrrhine noses which is most prominent between ages 2-5 years when skull growth is at its peak. Mean values of subnasale to gnathion distance were higher but also not statistically significant among age groups for sickle cell anaemia. Conclusion: These features were put forward to explain the possible facial dysmorphology associated with the long term effect of haemolytic anaemia at the different stages of postnatal skull growth

Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein Expression in the Hippocampal Formation of Mefloqine Induced-Seizured Rats Treated with Aqueous Leaf Extract of Luffa aegyptiaca Mill

This study investigates the expression of Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein and effects of aqueous leaf extract of Luffa aegyptiaca Mill on the hippocampus of the brain of Albino Wistar rats with Mefloquine induced seizure. Thirty albino wistar rats (190-250 g) were grouped into 6 groups of 5 rats each. Group 1 was control. Group 2 rats were induced with mefloquine only (4.28 mg/kg). Group 3 were given average dose of luffa extract only (800 mg/kg). Group four rats were induced with mefloquine (4.28 mg/kg) and treated with diazepam (5 mg/kg). Group 5 rats were induced with (4.28 kg/kg) with mefloquine and treated with low dose luffa aegyptiaca mill (400 mg/kg). Group 6 were induced with mefloquine (4.28 mg/kg) and treated with high dose luffa aegyptiaca mill (1200 mg/kg). The rats were then perfused transcardially and sacrificed. Brain sections were analyzed for histological (H&E) and immunohistochemical staining using glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP), marker for astrocytes. The histological results showed disruption of pyramidal cells layer in CA3 subfield of hippocampus and regional selectivity of pyramidal cell loss in seizured rats indicating induction of seizure with mefloquine. There was some restoration of pyramidal cells with the treated groups but no disruptions in the control group. There was less expression of GFAP positive cells in the control group and treated groups and more expression in the seizure rats. The expression of GFAP positive cells was an indication of different levels of neuroinflammation. The reactive astrocytes being predominant in the seizure group. The present study therefore provides empirical data on GFAP expression in the hippocampus of seizure animal model treated with aqueous leaf extract of luffa

Photogrammetric Analysis of Soft Tissue Profile of the Face of Igbos in Port Harcourt

Abstract: The understanding of soft tissues of the face in relation to the underlying dentoskeletal tissues is an essential guide in aesthetic treatment plan. The present study quantify the average parameters that define the soft tissue norms for young Igbo adults by means of linear and angular measurements. Standardized photographic records of 200 (100 males and 100 females) subjects taken in the Natural Head Position (NHP) were analyzed. Igbo male subjects had a mean percent ratio of 41.85± 0.03 for middle face and 58.15±0.03 ratio for lower face, a nasofrontal angle of 130.18±8.84º, a nasofacial angle of 39.92±4.720º, a nasomental angle of 112.99±8.91º and a mentocervical angle of 91.11±2.25º. In Igbo female subjects the mean values for middle face, lower face, nasofrontal angle, nasofacial angle, nasomental angle and mentocervical angle were 43.03±0.03º, 56.97±0.03º, 134.29±9.18º, 38.06±5.22º, 117.25±8.240º and 90.37±1.280º, respectively. Statistical analysis (using the z score) showed significant gender differences for all parameters (p<0.05). The data presented in this study could be potentially useful in orthodontics and facial plastic surgery