Association between anthropometric parameters in relation to body mass and measures of adiposity in adolescent Nigerian males

Objective: Anthropometric indices are valid proxies for predicting the risk of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases across age groups and gender. The objective of the present work was to study some anthropometric measures of body mass and adiposity in male Nigerian adolescents. Methods: In a population of male Nigerian adolescents (n=400; age: 13-19 years), data was collected for standing height, body weight and circumferences (hip, waist, neck, and mid-upper arm); and the body mass index (BMI), waist to hip ratio (WHpR) and waist to height ratio (WHtR) were then calculated. Moreover, using Pearson's correlation coefficient, we studied the association between BMI and other anthropometric variables. Results: Average BMI was 18.38 kg/m2 for adolescent males aged 13-15 years (n=217), and 19.03 kg/m2 for males aged 16-19 years (n=183). In the former category (13-15 years), BMI as a measure of body mass was best positively and significantly associated with the mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) (r=0.673,

Abrasive Wear Resistance, Mechanical Behaviour, Water Transport Phenomena and Biocorrosion of Epoxy/Femora Biocomposites

Of late, some biological wastes have proven to be reliable candidates in promoting the economic viability of developing polymeric composites. However, the field-proven reliability prediction of such materials during service life requires extensive characterization. In this research, the influence of 75 µm bovine femur ash subjected to two-step calcination process on spectroscopic, wear, mechanical, water absorbent and biocorrosive properties of epoxy/femur waste biocomposites was investigated. The test materials were developed via open mould casting and subjected to preferred characterizations apropos of the abovementioned properties. Elemental constituents of the biocomposites and the ash were determined by energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy with scanning electron microscopy and x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, respectively. The investigated properties were studied dependent on predetermined volume fractions of the ash in epoxy matrix. Observations from the experimental results revealed that properties’ enhancement was not specific to either low or high volume fraction of the ash in epoxy. Different properties were enhanced at different volume fractions of the ash. Nonetheless, one biocomposite approaching intermediate volume faction of the ash used, exhibited optimum combination of the investigated properties. This is a clear indication that bovine femur waste can be successfully exploited for engineering applications, especially in the areas of materials development

Morphological evaluation of the superior colliculus of young Wistar rats following prenatal exposure to Carica papaya leaf extract

Aim: This study was carried out to determine the effects of prenatal administration of Carica papaya on the superior colliculi (SC) of Wistar rats.Materials and Methods: Twenty adult female Wistar rats were mated and randomly assigned to 4 groups, each comprising of 5 rats. The aqueous leaf extract of C. papaya was prepared at a concentration of 100 mg/kg, and administered to rats on days 9 and 10 of gestation (Group A); days 16 and 17 (Group B); and on days 9, 10, 16 and 17 (Group C); while Group D represented the control, and received distilled water throughout gestation. The grouping was designed to represent 2nd gestational week (Group A), 3rd gestational week (Group B), and a combination of 2nd and 3rd gestational week (Group C). After the pregnant rats had littered, the pups were sacrificed on postnatal days 1, 14 and 35. The SCs was identified in the brain specimen and fixed in 10% formol calcium, and the tissue was processed for histological studies using hematoxylin and eosin stains.Results: The leaf extract of C. papaya was associated with low birth weight, changes in growth rate and morphological changes in the histology of SCs, especially in animals exposed during the 3rd week of gestation.Conclusion: The use of C. papaya leaf extract during pregnancy is detrimental to fetal development and can affect the morphology and function of the SCs, with possible neurologic deficits after birth.Keywords: Carica papaya, histology, prenatal, superior colliculu

Marketing and utilization survey of some forest plant tubers sold in Abeokuta Metropolis

A marketing and utilization survey of some forest plants tubers sold in Abeokuta markets was conducted. Four markets were chosen namely, Itoku, Kuto, Adatan and Iberekodo with ,35, 25, 20, and 20 herb sellers respectively. Hundred percent enumerations of questionnaire were administered in the Markets. The number of respondents in Itoku, Kuto, Adatan and Iberekodo were 20, 20, 16, and 15 respectively. The survey revealed that 21 plant tubers were sold and utilized for medical purposes. The tubers are used to cure 14 ailments/disease conditons and symptoms among which are malaria, convulsion, dizziness, pile, rheumatism, cough and stroke. Due to their perishable nature, these tubers are either stored in a ventilated areas or buried in the ground. The survey also revealed that married people (48%) engaged fully in the business to support their dependants.Most of them are (55%) illiterates since the business has been associated with the aged over the years. The price of each plant tuber ranged from N10 to N50; the cost of each tuber in all the four markets were the same. It is recommended that more work be done on the contribution of these forest plant tubers to the national economy and the likely consequences of their unregulated exploitation

Black seed oil ameliorated scopolamine-induced memory dysfunction and cortico-hippocampal neural alterations in male Wistar rats

This study was conducted to evaluate cognitive enhancing effect and ameliorative effects of black seed oil in scopolamine induced rat model of cognitive impairment. These effects were investigated on scopolamine-induced dementia model in Morris water maze test (MWM) and Y maze test. The hippocampal histoarchitectural responses to scopolamine and Nigella sativa oil were also examined. Scopolamine (1 mg/kg ip) was given to induce dementia, followed by oral administration of BSO (1 ml/kg) for 14 consecutive days. MWM and Y-maze paradigms were used to assess hippocampal and frontal dependent memory respectively, thereafter the rats were sacrificed and brains were removed for histopathologic studies. Scopolamine resulted in memory impairment, by delayed latency in the MWM, reduced percentage alternation in the Y maze that was coupled by alterations in the cortico-hippocampal neurons. Posttreatment of rats with BSO mitigated scopolamine-induced amnesia, by reducing latency period and increasing percentage alternation and histological changes. The observed anti-amnestic effect of BSO makes it a promising anti-amnesic agent for clinical trials in patients with cognitive impairment

The impact of surgical delay on resectability of colorectal cancer: An international prospective cohort study

Aim The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has provided a unique opportunity to explore the impact of surgical delays on cancer resectability. This study aimed to compare resectability for colorectal cancer patients undergoing delayed versus non-delayed surgery. Methods This was an international prospective cohort study of consecutive colorectal cancer patients with a decision for curative surgery (January-April 2020). Surgical delay was defined as an operation taking place more than 4 weeks after treatment decision, in a patient who did not receive neoadjuvant therapy. A subgroup analysis explored the effects of delay in elective patients only. The impact of longer delays was explored in a sensitivity analysis. The primary outcome was complete resection, defined as curative resection with an R0 margin. Results Overall, 5453 patients from 304 hospitals in 47 countries were included, of whom 6.6% (358/5453) did not receive their planned operation. Of the 4304 operated patients without neoadjuvant therapy, 40.5% (1744/4304) were delayed beyond 4 weeks. Delayed patients were more likely to be older, men, more comorbid, have higher body mass index and have rectal cancer and early stage disease. Delayed patients had higher unadjusted rates of complete resection (93.7% vs. 91.9%, P = 0.032) and lower rates of emergency surgery (4.5% vs. 22.5%, P < 0.001). After adjustment, delay was not associated with a lower rate of complete resection (OR 1.18, 95% CI 0.90-1.55, P = 0.224), which was consistent in elective patients only (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.69-1.27, P = 0.672). Longer delays were not associated with poorer outcomes. Conclusion One in 15 colorectal cancer patients did not receive their planned operation during the first wave of COVID-19. Surgical delay did not appear to compromise resectability, raising the hypothesis that any reduction in long-term survival attributable to delays is likely to be due to micro-metastatic disease

The impact of surgical delay on resectability of colorectal cancer: An international prospective cohort study

Aim The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has provided a unique opportunity to explore the impact of surgical delays on cancer resectability. This study aimed to compare resectability for colorectal cancer patients undergoing delayed versus non-delayed surgery. Methods This was an international prospective cohort study of consecutive colorectal cancer patients with a decision for curative surgery (January-April 2020). Surgical delay was defined as an operation taking place more than 4 weeks after treatment decision, in a patient who did not receive neoadjuvant therapy. A subgroup analysis explored the effects of delay in elective patients only. The impact of longer delays was explored in a sensitivity analysis. The primary outcome was complete resection, defined as curative resection with an R0 margin. Results Overall, 5453 patients from 304 hospitals in 47 countries were included, of whom 6.6% (358/5453) did not receive their planned operation. Of the 4304 operated patients without neoadjuvant therapy, 40.5% (1744/4304) were delayed beyond 4 weeks. Delayed patients were more likely to be older, men, more comorbid, have higher body mass index and have rectal cancer and early stage disease. Delayed patients had higher unadjusted rates of complete resection (93.7% vs. 91.9%, P = 0.032) and lower rates of emergency surgery (4.5% vs. 22.5%, P < 0.001). After adjustment, delay was not associated with a lower rate of complete resection (OR 1.18, 95% CI 0.90-1.55, P = 0.224), which was consistent in elective patients only (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.69-1.27, P = 0.672). Longer delays were not associated with poorer outcomes. Conclusion One in 15 colorectal cancer patients did not receive their planned operation during the first wave of COVID-19. Surgical delay did not appear to compromise resectability, raising the hypothesis that any reduction in long-term survival attributable to delays is likely to be due to micro-metastatic disease.Scientific Assessment and Innovation in Neurosurgical Treatment Strategie