The Pattern and Distribution of Cancers in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Introduction: The pattern of cancer is known to vary by location based on people’s lifestyle and socioeconomic development status. Aim: The aim of this study is to describe the pattern of cancers seen in University of Uyo Teaching Hospital. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective study of all cancer cases that were histologically diagnosed in the Histopathology Department of University of Uyo Teaching Hospital for 9 years (January 2007–December 2015). Results: There were 1186 cases, identified and included in this study. Females accounted for 59.7% of cases while males accounted for 40.3% of cases, with the mean ages for females and males being 45.69 ± 14.38 and 59.63 ± 17.77 years, respectively. Age group 60–69 years accounted for most cases (20.4%). The common cancers in both sexes were breast (33%), prostate (25.8%), cervix (11.1%), skin (4.9%), sarcoma (4.8%), and colorectal (3.8%). Conclusion: There is a variation between the pattern of cancer in Akwa Ibom and other regions of Nigeria warranting further clinicopathological evaluation, and these results will be useful in the overall context of planning and evaluation of cancer control activities in Akwa Ibom State. A population‑based cancer registration in Uyo is suggested.Keywords: Akwa Ibom, cancer, patter

Sonographic Evaluation of Renal Parameters in Individuals with Essential Hypertension and Correlation with Normotensives

Background: Hypertension can secondarily involve the kidneys, and renal sonographic parameters can be used to indirectly assess renal function or status. Ultrasound is an inexpensive and safe modality for evaluating the kidneys. The purpose of this study was to sonographically assess renal parameters in patients with essential hypertension to determine the parameters that may indicate increased risk of renal damage. Materials and Methods: One hundred and fifty individuals (96 females and 54 males) with essential hypertension attending consultant outpatient clinic in University of Benin Teaching Hospital were evaluated. An equal number of nonhypertensive volunteers comprising of 80 females and 70 males were studied as controls. For individuals and controls, the renal length, width, anteroposterior diameters, renal parenchymal volume, cortical thickness, and echogenicity were assessed. Serum creatinine was also obtained. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS version 17.0) was used in data analysis. Results: The mean renal parenchymal volume and cortical thickness were 99.1 ± 25.8 cm3 and 1.0 ± 0.2 cm on the right and 113.8 ± 35.8 cm3 and 1.0 ± 0.2 cm on the left for the hypertensive individuals. The values for the normotensives were 100.5 ± 19.8 cm3 and 1.2 ± 0.2 cm on the right and 118.7 ± 27.4 cm3 and 1.3 ± 0.2 cm on the left. The difference in cortical thickness between the two groups was statistically significant. No significant difference was noted between renal parenchymal volume of the right and left kidneys in the individuals and controls. The variation in cortical echogenicity between the hypertensives and controls was statistically significant; 74.0% and 75.3% of hypertensives and 28.0% and 26.0% of normotensives had increased cortical echogenicity on the right and left kidneys, respectively. The serum creatinine value was significantly higher in the hypertensive group. Conclusion: Cortical echogenicity grading was significantly higher among hypertensives than normotensives while renal parenchymal volume and cortical thickness were lower among hypertensives. In the hypertensives and normotensives, renal parenchymal volume, cortical thickness, and renal length were higher in males compared to the females and in the left kidney compared to the right. Hypertension seems to have more effect in the renal cortex than the medulla.Keywords: Cortical thickness, essential hypertension, renal parenchyma, ultrasoun

Effects of Ocimum Gratissimum on the Hematological Parameters of Albino Wistar Rats

The effects of crude extract of Ocimum gratissimum on some hematological parameters was studied in 32 albino Wistar rats weighing between 150 and 180 g. Increasing doses of 0.4, 0.8 and 1.2 ml of the extract were administered orally to different groups of rats for 30 days. Significant decreases were recorded in red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), packed cell volume (PCV) and haemoglobin concentration HBC. These blood parameters decreased with increase in the doses of the extract. Ocimum gratissmus therefore may have anti-haemopoietic effects in albino Wistar rats. Keywords: Ocimum gratissimum, basil, blood, Wistar rat