Echocardiographic findings in non-hypertensive subjects in Bayelsa, Nigeria

Background: Echocardiography is one of the tools for the assessment of patients with hypertensive disease. Differences in  parameters have been described based on race, gender and environment.Aim: In order to define what should be considered abnormal, we set to find out what the normal cardiac parameters are in our environment. Methods: This was a cross sectional of 80 non hypertensive adults. Transthoracic 2D echocardiography was performed with patients in the left decubitus position using standard techniques. Results: From this study, we found the left ventricular mass to be 129 ± 37.61, the ejection fraction (%) 62.77 ± 10.55 and the fractional shortening (%) to be 34.18 ± 7.49. Values for the intraventricular septal thickness, posterior wall diameter, left ventricle internal diameter (in diastole and systole) are (0.92±0.19, 1.43±0.24), (0.91±0.17, 1.47±0.23) and (4.32±0.50, 2.83±0.42) respectively. All the  parameters other than relative wall thickness and ejection fraction showed  statistically significant difference (P<0.05).Conclusion: We hope that the findings from this study will provide direction on what to consider as normal regarding echocardiographic findings in our environment.Key words: Echocardiography, hypertension, cardiometabolic disorder, cardiovascular disorder, BMI, ventricular mas

Effects of Septrin Administration on Blood Cells Parameters in Humans

The hematological changes associated with septrin administration in humans were investigated. One hundred (100) male patients (aged 18-40 years) who were placed on the therapeutic dose of septrin were divided into four groups based on the prescribed duration of their septrin intake. Twenty (20) healthy males served as the control. At the end of the treatment period, blood was obtained from each subject for the estimation of blood parameters following standard procedures. The results showed that the packed cell volume (PCV), total white blood cell count (WBC), neutrophils and platelets were significantly decreased (p<0.05), especially after 7-10 days of septrin administration, compared to the control values. On the other hand, the reticulocytes, lymphocytes, eosinophils and prothrombin time (PT) showed significant increases (p<0.05), compared to the value for the control. The observed changes in blood parameters in this study were all duration-dependent. It is concluded that septrin administration can cause alterations in blood parameters, and these duration-dependent changes should be put into consideration when recommending its intake.Key words: Septrin, Hematological parameters, Humans, Therapeutic dos

Effect of Intramuscular Hyoscine-N-Butyl Bromide on Tubal Spasm and Pain Perception in Women with Infertility Undergoing Hysterosalpingography: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Background: A tubal patency test is essential in evaluating women with infertility. Hysterosalpingography (HSG) is the investigation of choice for assessing tubal patency. Objective: To evaluate the effect of intramuscular hyoscine-N-butyl bromide on tubal spasms and pain perception during hysterosalpingography. Methods: This randomized, controlled trial was conducted at the Radiology Departments and Infertility Clinics of four health institutions in Bayelsa State, Nigeria, between January 2021 and April 2022. Five hundred and twenty infertile women undergoing hysterosalpingography were randomized into two groups. Women in group I (control) received a placebo, while women in Group II (experimental) received 20 mg of intramuscular hyoscine-N-butyl bromide. Pain scores at different steps of the procedure were recorded. Results: The overall mean pain scores progressively decreased from contrast instillation (4.97 ± 2.08) through 30-minutes post-procedure (3.54 ± 1.54) to 24 hours post-procedure (1.96 ± 1.78). Pain scores at contrast instillation, 30 minutes and 24 hours after HSG were significantly lower in the hyoscine group compared to the placebo group (p = 0.001 each). There were significantly fewer women with tubal blockage in the hyoscine group compared to the placebo group [78 (30.0%) vs 131 (50.4%); p = 0.001]. Conclusion: Intramuscular hyoscine-N-butyl bromide before hysterosalpingography significantly reduces pain and tubal spasm during the procedure

Dietary Xylopia Aethiopica Reduces Fertility Capacity of Male Wistar Rats

The study assessed the effect of dietary intake of whole fruits of Xylopia aethiopica on the gonads of male Wistar rats. Ten (10) mature male Wistar rats, weighing 220-240g, were used in this study. Five (5) rats received the 5 % w/w dietary dosage of Xylopia aethiopica, and 5 others received the control diet, with clean drinking water, ad libitum, for 21 days. Thereafter, the rats were weighed, sacrificed and the gonads were isolated for use in determining testicular weight, semen parameters and histology of the testes. Xylopia aethiopica caused significant decreases in ratio of testicular weight to body weight, sperm motility, sperm count, and alterations in the histology of the testes. High intake of whole fruits of Xylopia aethiopica has adverse effects on semen quality parameters and gonadal histology, and may compromise male fertility. Keywords: Xylopia aethiopica, fertility capacity, Wistar rats

ALTERATIONS IN LIPID PROFILE OF NORMAL MALE WISTAR RATS ADMINISTERED AQUEOUS EXTRACTS OF PHOENIX DACTYLIFERA,CYPERUS ESCULENTUS,SOYBEAN AND LIQUID COD-LIVER OIL

This research study was designed to determine changes in lipid profile of normal male wistar rats subjected to daily oral administration of 1000mg/kg phoenix dactylifera, 1600mg/kg Cyperus Esculentus, 1000mg/kg soybean aqueous extracts and 0.5ml liquid cod liver oil for five weeks. The lipids profile analyzed in this study includes total serum cholesterol, triglyceride, high density, low density, and very low density lipoproteins using enzymatic point millimoles and precipitant methods measured in mill moles per liter. Other parameters examined are weight measurement in grams and fasting blood sugar level in millimoles per liter respectively. Results: The result from this study shows an increase in serum total cholesterol (4.10mmol/l), triglyceride (1.71mmol/l), HDL (1.78mmol/l) and low density lipoprotein (3.09mmol/l) compared with the control group. There was an increase in LDL among the test groups except in group 4 that received 1000mg/kg extract of soybean having a decrease of 2.08mmol/l compared with control (2.22mmol/l). A non-significant decrease in very low density lipoprotein was also observed among the test groups except in grop2 (0.73mmol/l) compared with the control (0.70mmol/l). More findings from this study revealed a very strong positive correlation between serum total cholesterol versus other lipoproteins and between HDL versus other lipid parameters examined. Further observation from this study indicate a decrease in weight among the test groups at the end of the 5ͭᵗͪ week of the study compared with week one and the control. The FBS level was significantly decreased among the entire test group that received the aqueous extract of Cyperus Esculentus and phoenix dactylifera. Conclusion: The aqueous extract of phoenix dactylifera and Cyperus Esculentus significantly and effectively reduces the weight, fasting blood sugar and triglyceride levels with an inverse increase in the concentration of good cholesterol (HDL) needed for the maintenance of cardiovascular health status among study groups

Maternal hydronephrosis in normal pregnancy in Bayelsa state, South-South Nigeria

Background: Hydronephrosis is a common finding in normal pregnancy. It is the dilatation of the renal calyces and pelvis by urine, as a result of obstruction of the outflow of urine distal to the renal pelvis. It is usually physiological. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of maternal hydronephrosis, and correlate it with age, parity and gestational age in normal pregnancy in Bayelsa State, Nigeria.Methods: This prospective study was conducted at the obstetrics and gynaecology, and radiology departments of the two tertiary hospitals in Bayelsa State, Nigeria, over a six-month period. Sonographic measurements of pelvicalyceal diameters of 400 consecutive normal pregnant women were done, after written informed consent. Data were entered into a pre-designed proforma, and analysed using Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) version 25.0. Results were presented in frequencies and percentages for categorical variables; mean and standard deviation for continuous variables; Student’s t-test to compare sample means; and Chi-square for associations.Results: Four hundred pregnant women were scanned. Pelvicalyceal dilatation was present in 144 (36%) women; it affected one kidney in 108 (27%) women; while in 36 (9%) women, the two kidneys were affected. Renal calculi were present in 16 (4%) women. The right kidney was affected in 12 (3%) women and the left kidney in 4 (1%) women.Conclusions: The prevalence of hydronephrosis in this study is lower than that from many centres. Pelvicalyceal dilatation was more on the right, and the degree of dilatation increased with increasing gestational age

HEMATOLOGICAL RESTORATION EFFECT OF HUNTERIAL UMBELLATA FRUIT EXTRACT ON PHENYLHYDRAZINE INDUCED ANEMIA IN WISTAR RATS

This study investigated the hematological potential abilities of Hunteria Umbellata whole fruit aqueous extract in normal and phenylhydrazine-induced anemia in male Wistar rats. The research animals were divided into four groups of ten per group Anemia was induced in group 3 and group 4 with phenylhydrazine at 0.5ml body weight. Group3 was treated at 500mg/kg body weight orally with the fruit extract daily while group 4 was treated at 250mg/kg daily. Group 2 was treated at 200mg/kg extract daily without induction of anemia with phenylhydrazine to test the proactiveness of the whole fruit extract in the normotensive group. The group1 was administered feeds and water daily ad libitum. The results from the present study shows that the group3 treated at the high dose of 500mg/kg extract daily had the highest full blood counts with regards to hemoglobin concentration, red blood cell, white blood cell, and platelets counts (82.85g/dl), (44.60) x10¹², (101.85)10⁹ and platelets (480)10⁹ respectively at the end of the twenty-eight days of study. The basophil percentage were all 0% in both groups. However, the neutrophil count was elevated in group 2 (27.00%) and group 3 (13.50%) followed by the control (13.00%) group and finally group 4 with (12.50%0 respectively. Furthermore, the percentage of the eosinophils and monocytes was elevated in group 2 above other groups during the course of the study. The correlation of PCV and HB versus other blood parameters all shows a positive correlations and significant p-values among the variables. This study has proved the hematological restorative potentials of Hunteria Umbellata whole fruit extract Physio pharmacological dose effect during anemic conditions back toward normal by stimulating mechanisms that will lead to erythropoiesis, leukocytosis, and thrombocytosis

PHYSIOLOGICAL ROLE OF HUNTERIA UMBELLATA FRUIT EXTRACT ON HORMONAL AND RENAL PROFILE IN CADMIUM INDUCED TOXICITY MALE WISTAR RATS

The present study was design with an objective to investigate the toxicity level of cadmium chloride on hormonal and biochemical markers and the restoration strength of Hunteria umbellata aqueous fruit extract administered at various dosage level of treatment in induced male wistar rats. The parameters investigated includes LH,FSH, Testosterone, Prolactin, Urea, Creatinine, and Uric acid following 0.07ml and 0.06ml single dose cdcl₂ induction of group2 and group3.However group4 was administered 0.03ml cdcl₂ daily while group1 serve as the control.Group2 was treated at 400mg/kg and group3 at 200mg/kg extract daily while group4 received no treatment but feed  and water ad libidum.Results from this study shows higher FSH (0.52 m/u/ml), LH (1.32 m/u/ml) and Prolactin (1.17ng/ml) among group3 treated at 200mg/kg extract of the Hunteria umbellata fruit. This was closely followed by group2 treated at 400mg/kg body weight ie LH (0.74 m/u/ml), Prolactin (1.04ng/ml) compared with group4 FSH of (0.25 m/u/ml), LH (0.37 m/u/ml) and control. The testosterone level was higher in group2 (4.65 ng/ml) compared with other groups. The study shows higher renal markers in group4 administered cdcl₂ without treatment. However in group2 treated at 400mg/kg extract had decreased renal markers followed by group3 treated at 200mg/kg extract.ie results from this study further indicate higher renal indices among group4 administered oral cdcl₂ daily with urea having (10.70mmol/l), Creatinine (178.5µmol/l) and uric acid (430.0µmol/l) compared with the control group of (9.6mmol/l),(165µmol/l) and (375µmol/l) respectively. This study have shown clearly the physio-pharmacological effect of Hunteria umbellata fruit extract in increasing glomerullar filtration rate to clear off these parameters from the blood and restore normal renal function

The use of NAAT- PCR to determine asymptomatic chlamydia and gonorrhoea infections in infertile patients undergoing hysterosalpingogram at the federal medical centre, Yenagoa, South-South Nigeria

Background: The roles of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae in the aetiology of infertility due to tubal occlusion have been established by various studies. These organisms may lead to pelvic infection by ascending into the upper genital tract through any instrumentation like hysterosalpingography. The objectives were to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic chlamydial and gonorrhoeal infections of the genital tract among women being investigated for infertility referred for hysterosalpingography; the relationship of these infections with tubal pathologies; and if routine endo-cervical screening and prophylactic antibiotics be recommended for these patients.Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. The study population consisted of consecutive 220 infertile women that met the inclusion criteria for this study. Consent was obtained. Endo-cervical swab was taken for NAAT-PCR for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Hysterosalpingography was carried out. Data was analyzed using SPSS (version 22).Results: Amongst the 220 women, 9 (4.1%) had asymptomatic chlamydia infection. None had gonorrhoea infection and 211 (95.9%) had none of these two organisms. Forty-eight (21.9%) of the 220 women had bilateral tubal blockage and 9 (18.8%) out of these 48 women had asymptomatic infection with Chlamydia trachomatis.Conclusions: There is a statistically significant association between tubal blockage and chlamydia infection (p = 0.00) [RR 4.31 (3.37-5.50)]. There was no evidence to recommend routine screening/antibiotics considering the low prevalence of microbes and the absence of post-HSG pelvic infection. Results from a multicenter randomized controlled trial will be more representative