Mapping Angiogenic Cells CD31 (PECAM1) and CD45 in PCa and BPH Biopsies

Molecular characterization of PCa and BPH using the angiogenic tissue markers CD31 and CD45 to differentiate between the two major types of prostate gland disorders is investigated. 8 clinically characterized biopsies were analyzed at the Histopathology Laboratory of the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital; the tissue sections were processed for antigen retrieval and were labeled with antiCD45 and anti-CD31 to map the location of angiogenic cells and vascularization in BPH and PCa. The results showed that PCa biopsies expressed embryonic stem cell status of CD31+/CD45+, while BPH showed CD31-/CD45+. This suggests the presence of migrating blood cells (vascularization) in PCa and the absence of such in BPH. It also confirms the role of platelets in endothelial activation that can result to cell proliferation and apoptosis in the prostate gland of either BPH or PCa diagnosed patients

Factors influencing the outcome of elective paediatric orthopaedic operations in Ile-Ife, Nigeria

There is a paucity of published data on the types of paediatric orthopaedic conditions that require surgery and factors influencing their outcome in most parts of Sub-Saharan Africa. This is a necessary audit to improve paediatric orthopaedic practice. We carried out an audit of all elective orthopaedic operations performed in children at Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex in Ile-Ife, Nigeria from January 2000 through December 2005. The aim was to document the clinical outcomes and the factors that influence them. This is with a view to instituting necessary measures to improve paediatric orthopaedic practice in the area. A total of 146 children who had elective operations on 210 limbs were included in the study. Their mean age was 75.6±66.8 months (range 0.3-396 months). The commonest indications for surgery were angular knee deformities (from Blount’s disease and rickets) and club foot. The mean hospital stay before surgery was 12±8.8 days (range 1-38days). The mean duration of operation was 78.4±36min. (range 30-195 min). The total length of hospitalization was 34.97±19.91 days in males and 41.97±25.15 days in females. Wound infection was the commonest postoperative complication (8.2%). The patient’s age (P=0.002), indication for surgery (P=0.008), length of preoperative hospital stay (P=0.048), length of operation (P<0.001) and intraoperative blood loss above 200ml (P<0.001) were found to be statistically significant factors adversely affecting the surgical wound outcome. We conclude that most of the factors that predicted poor outcome in this study were patient and environment-related and are preventable. There is need to upgrade facilities in health institutions in Nigeria

Effects of selected green manure on the growth of Tetrapleura tetraptera (Schum and Thonn) Taubert seedlings

Despite the high medicinal properties of Tetrapleura tetraptera to most of the people of Nigeria and other nations of the world, it only exist as a protected and semi domesticated plant. This study was carried out to determine the effect of green manure (Chromolena odorata and Tithonia diversifolia) on the growth of Tetrapleura tetraptera seedlings with a view to enhancing growth without causing any damage to the environment. The treatments were Chromolena odorata leaves (5g, 10g, 15g and 20g), Tithonia diversifolia leaves (5g, 10g, 15g and 20g) and the control. Thirty-six (36) healthy seedlings were selected and transplanted into polythene pots filled with 1 kg of loamy soil with different levels of C. odorata and T. diversifolia. Each treatment was replicated four times and laid out in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Initial growth parameters were taken after transplanting into polythene pots and every other data were collected every two weeks for the period of 12 weeks. The data collected were height growth (cm) collar diameter (cm) and leaf production. Data collected were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Results from ANOVA revealed that there was no significant (p&gt;0.05) difference among the treatments used at 5% level of probability which implies that varying level of green manure employed shows no significant effect on the height, stem diameter and leaf production of T. tetrapleura seedlings