Cystic Ameloblastoma: A Clinico-Pathologic Review

Objective: Cystic ameloblastoma represent 10-15% of all intra osseous ameloblastomas and appear to be less aggressive than the solid ameloblastomas. The aim of this study was to examine the clinico-pathologic characteristics of cystic ameloblastomas seen at a tertiary health care centre.Materials: All cases diagnosed as cystic ameloblastoma in the Oral Pathology Department of University College Hospital, Ibadan over a 10 year period were investigated for age, gender, location of lesion, treatment, and follow-up. The cases were classified as luminal, intraluminal or mural, based on Ackermann classification. The data was entered into the statistical package for the social sciences version 18 (SPSS 18) and results expressed as percentages.Results: Fifteen cystic ameloblastomas, representing 14.3% of a total of 105 ameloblastoma cases were seen. The mean age was 28.9(±14.5) years with 73.4% occurring in the second and third decades. The male:female ratio was 2:3. Fourteen (93.3%) of the lesions were in the mandible while only one (6.7%) was in the maxilla. The mural variant was the most common histological variant with 6(40%) cases while the luminal and intra-luminal had  4(26.7%) and 5(33.3%) respectively. The multilocular radiologic appearance was more common than the unilocular in this study (ratio 8:4). Cystic ameloblastoma with multilocular appearance occurred in a higher age group (mean age 31yrs) when compared with the unilocular type which had a mean age of 16.3years.Conclusion: This study shows similar findings with previous studies but shows a higher multilocular radiological appearance as compared to unilocular variant and no case of recurrence.Keywords: Cystic ameloblastoma, Clinico-pathologic review, Uni-locular, Multi-locula

Florid cemento-osseous dysplasia: a report of two cases seen at The University College Hospital Ibadan

Florid cemento-osseous dysplasia (FCOD) is commonly seen in black women, but few cases have been reported in sub-Saharan Africa. This article presents two cases of FCOD seen at the University College Hospital Ibadan. Two women aged 70 and 60 years were initially diagnosed as chronic osteomyelitis but both were eventually diagnosed as florid cementoosseous dysplasia after radiological examination by orthopanthomogram. Diagnosis of florid cemento-osseous dysplasia is possible by clinical examination and the distinct radiological presentation, especially on orthopanthomogram and a biopsy may not be required.Keywords: Florid cemento-osseous dyplasia, women, Ibadan

Spatial modelling of population at risk and PM2.5 exposure index: A case study of Nigeria

Particulate matter is a primary air pollutant, widely reported as important for public health especially for respiratory problems. However, monitoring, spatial representation and development of associated risk indicators have been major problems undermining formulation of relevant policy on air quality. This study used remotely sensed PM data complemented with population data to quantify population at risk and develop an Exposure Index (EI). Population at risk was computed from the population density data using the percentage contribution of two different ages groups (ages of 0-19 and 65+) and intersecting this with the PM concentration classes. EI is the sum product of the air quality measure and the population of vulnerable group per unit area. Almost the entire study area has PM2.5 concentration above the WHO guideline. Change in PM2.5 concentration showed that, around 54% of the study area remains the same, 43% improved and the remaining areas showed reduction. Between 77million and 81million of young vulnerable people were at risk over the period and about 4million elders were at risk. EI ranges between 1.5 x 10-4 and 8.3 x 10-2 per capita in 2001 and 1.9 x 10-4 and 1.5 x 10-1 per capita in 2010. This situation presents an environmental health burden in relation to potential risk of continuous exposure to dangerous levels of PM2.5. This information is necessary for rapid assessment of environmental health risk. However, research on the computation and exploration of other risk measures such as relative and attributable risks would further enhance policy making in relation to environmental health.Key Words: Population at risk, PM2.5; Spatial modeling, GIS, Exposure index, environmental healt

Drug use among people who patronize beer parlours: The function of big five personality factor s and self-monitoring

This study investigates big five personality factors and self-monitoring as predictors of drug use among people who patronize beer parlours within Ibadan metropolis. The study adopted expost facto design. Two hundred and twenty eight (228) people who patronize beer parlours were sampled using purposive sampling technique. The participants responded to Big five personality, self-monitoring and drug use scales with their demographic information. Two hypotheses were tested using multiple regression and independent t-test. Extraversion, agreeableness, neuroticism, conscientiousness, openness and self-monitoring jointly predicted drug use. Agreeableness, conscientiousness and self-monitoring independently predicted drug use. Gender difference was found in the level at which participants use drugs. It is concluded that personality factors suchas extraversion, agreeableness, neuroticism, conscientiousness, openness and self-monitoring are relevant in understanding the dynamics of drug use in Nigeria. Men use drugs more than women.Key Words: Drug use, big five personality factors, self-monitoring, beer parlours

Variation in Metal Contents of Plants in Vegetable Garden Sites in Kano Metropolis

The concentrations (mg/Kg) of Cr, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn were determined in seven different vegetables which were obtained from sharada, kwakwachi and Jakara irrigation gardens in the Kano metropolis using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). Samples were collected during both dry and rainy seasons. The mean levels of metals obtained ranged widely from 0.34 mg/Kg Cr to 27.35 mg/Kg Fe. The relative abundance of metals in vegetables analyzed followed the sequence Fe > Zn > Mn > Cu > Ni > Pb > Co > Cr. Reductions of metal levels ranging from 8.25% Fe in onion to 45.19% Ni in Okra were recorded in rainy season samples over those of the dry season. @JASE

Informed Consent In Surgery: An Audit Of Practice In Ile-ife, Nigeria

Objectives: This study was conducted to assess patients\' knowledge of their diagnoses and proposed surgical procedures before giving consent for such procedures in the various surgical units of Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife. Materials and Methods: A structured questionnaire was administered to 80 consecutive patients who had just undergone an elective major surgery in general surgery, gyneacology, orthopaedics and surgical subspecialty units of the hospital. Results: Sixty patients (75%) gave consent themselves, while other consents were obtained from close relations. Thirty-seven (46.25%) respondents were informed of the diagnoses and procedure by the unit consultants but no consultant was involved in the completion of the consent form. Seventy-five (93.75%) respondents had a knowledge of the diagnoses, 68(85%) understood the procedure but only 21(26.25%) knew any alternative to the procedure, 29(36.25%) knew at least one complication of the procedure and 12(15%) knew an option or complication of anaesthesia. Forty-five (56.25%) of the consent forms were properly filled while other forms had one error or another. Conclusion: Well structured and standardized method of obtaining informed consent from surgical patients should be adopted. While educating patients, the various alternatives to the procedure and possible complications should be carefully explained to the patients who should be carried along in decision making. Keywords: Informed consent, Surgical practice. Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice Vol. 11 (3) 2008: pp. 206-21

Effect of Spinal Anaesthesia on Hearing Threshold

Background: Hearing loss following spinal anaesthesia is a known yet uncommonly reported complication. This study was aimed at determining the incidence and type of hearing loss (HL) following spinal anaesthesia (SA) and the relationship with the size of spinal needle.Methods: A prospective study of patients scheduled for spinal anaesthesia for surgery at the Operating room and Otorhinolaryngology department in a tertiary centre was undertaken. The audiometry was done and the pre- and post – anaesthesia results were compared.Results: Ninety – four ears of 47 patients, 16 males and 31 females, age range between 21 and 63 years (mean + SD= 41± 5) were included. The duration of anaesthesia was between 90 and 150 minutes (mean ± SD= 116+9). HL was seen in 9 ears of 7 patients (15%) and tinnitus in 14 ears. The preoperative and postoperative BC PTA were 10 – 45dB (mean ± SD= 26± 5) and 25 – 65dB (mean ± SD=38±5) respectively, (P= 0.02) while the preoperative and postoperative AC PTA in the early frequency range (0-100Hz) were between 5 – 45dB (mean ± SD= 20± 5) and 25 – 50dB (mean ± SD=25±7) respectively, (P= 0.08). There was significant difference in the mean BC PTA between those who had procedure less than 1 hour, 37.2dB and those greater than 1 hour 38.4dB, (P=0.004). According to the Quincke needle sizes, the mean BC PTA among those who had 26G and 27G were 37.4dB and 38.1dB respectively (P=0.2).Conclusion: HL complicating SA is significant and associated with duration of procedure thus should be included in informed consent for medico-legal and ethical reasons and measures must be taken to avoid the leak of cerebrospinal fluid

Food and Feeding Habits of the Guppy, Poecilia reticulata, from Drainage Canal Systems in Lagos, Southwestern Nigeria

The food and feeding habits of the Guppy, Poecilia reticulata, from drainage canal systems in Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria, was investigated over a period of 24 months. Fish samples were collected monthly from 15 study sites. A total of 2400 fish stomachs were analyzed using the numerical and frequency of occurrence methods. P. reticulata fed mainly on algae, organic detritus, diatoms, mosquito larvae parts, protozoan, zooplankton and fish parts while algae form the most abundant and important food item, constituting 79.03% of food items by numerical and 33.17% by occurrence of stomachs examined. Amongst the algae, Ulothrix sp. was the most preferred, constituting 33.17% by numerical and 20.82% by occurrence. The least eaten food item was fish parts constituting 4.46% by numerical and 1.19% by occurrence. There was a significant difference (P < 0.05) in the number of algae and mosquito larvae consumed, while there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in the number of other food items consumed for both seasons. However, by occurrence method there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in food items consumed for both seasons. The three size classes of P. reticulata exhibited similar food habits with the presence of eight categories of food items in their stomachs. The largest size class ate more of algae, organic detritus and fish parts, followed by the medium size class while the small size class ate less of these food items. The species is an opportunistic benthopelagic omnivores, whose preference for food fluctuates with season, with a peak in diversity of food types occurring in the rainy season

Serum Uric Acid Levels in Oral Cancer Patients Seen at Tertiary Institution in Nigeria

Introduction: Toxicity by oxygen radicals has been considered as an important cause of cancer. It is proposed that the antioxidant properties of uric acid may act to prevent formation of oxygen radicals and thereby protect against carcinogenesis. This study aims to assess the role of uricacid in the aetiology of oral cancer.Materials and Methods: Thirty one oral cancer patients and thirty normal patients had serum uric acid measured using spectophotometer. The data obtained was analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 19.0 (SPSS19). Statistical significance was determined at P < 0.05. Results: The mean serum uric acid level in oral cancer patientswas 5.18 mg/dl (SD±1.96) while the mean was 7.09 mg/dl (SD±1.84) for the control group and this difference was statistically significant (p=0.000, t= -3.914, C.I. = - 2.885 to - 0.933). The risk of oral cancer was 3.98 times more in patients who had low serum uric acid.Conclusion: This study showed that serum uric acid was lower in oral cancer patients compared with healthy volunteers and low serum uric acid was associated with increased risk of oral cancer development. However, further prospective cohort studies are suggested to better understand the role of serum uric acid in aetiology of oral cancer

The effect of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius on multi-drug resistant micro-organisms

This study was carried out to investigate possible bacteriostatic and bactericidal activities of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius leaf extract on multi-drug resistant micro-organisms. The antimicrobial property of C. aconitifolius leaf extract was carried out on the following multi-drug resistant microorganisms;Escherichia coli, Klebsiella species, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enterica Gallinarum and Candida albicans. The results from this study show that none of the multi-drug resistant micro-organisms was sensitive to the leaf extract of C. aconitifolius.Key words: Cnidoscolus aconitifolius, bioactivity, multi-drug resistant micro-organisms