Cancer genetics in oncology practice

Cancer is a genetic disease caused by the progressive accumulation of mutations in critical genes that control cell growth and differentiation. Completion of the Human Genome Project promises to revolutionize the practice of Medicine, especially Oncology care. The tremendous gains in the knowledge of the structure and function of human genes will surely impact the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of cancer. Moreover, it will lead to more effective cancer control through the use of genetics to quantify individual cancer risks. This article reviews the current status of genetic testing and counseling for cancer risk assessment and will suggest a framework for integrating such counseling into oncology practic

Morphometrics of foramen magnum in African four-toed hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris)

The purpose of this study was to examine the morphometry of the foramen magnum of African four-toed hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) in Maiduguri. Fourteen hedgehog skulls (7 male and 7 female each) were used for this study. The overall mean value of foramen magnum height and width were 0.51 ± 0.05 cm and 0.64 ± 0.04 cm while occipital condylar and interparacondylar widths were 1.00 ± 0.12 cm and 1.62 ± 0.07 cm, respectively. There was no significant difference between the two sexes. The foramen magnum index was 83.4 ± 5.51 cm in males and was significantly higher than 76.3 ± 6.37 cm observed in females. The presences of dorsal notches (occipital dysplasia) were observed, that were of three distinct types. It is envisaged, that the study will provide a valuable database on the anatomy of foramen magnum of hedgehogs in Nigeria for morphological, neurological, zooarchaeological, and comparative anatomical studies

Heuristic Evaluation of an Institutional E-learning System: A Nigerian Case.

Many African academic institutions have adopted the use of elearning systems, since they enable students to learn at their own pace, time, and without restriction to the classroom. However, evidence of usability evaluation of e-learning systems in Africa is mostly lacking in the literature. This paper reports the experimental heuristic evaluation of the e-learning system of a Nigerian University. The objective is to demonstrate the application of expertbased usability evaluation techniques such as Heuristic evaluation for assessing the attributes of existing e-learning systems. The study revealed that while the e-learning system has strong credentials in terms of support for Web 2.0 activities, good learning content and boasts of useful e-learning features, improvements are necessary in other areas such as interactive learning, assessment and feedback, and quality of learning content. The study adds to the body of extant knowledge in the area of usability evaluation of e-learning systems in African institution

Morphometric studies of the mandibular and maxillofacial regions of the Kuri cattle and the implications in regional anaesthesia

This work investigated and analysed some morphometrical measurements of mandibles and maxillofacial regions of ten adult Kuri cattle (above 5 years) skulls that were apparently free from musculoskeletal deformity. A total of 19 (13 mandibular and 6 maxillofacial) parameters were taken. The mean mandibular length and height were found to be 41.3 ± 2.35 cm and 22.6 ± 1.40 cm, while the mean mental foramen height and width were 0.8 ± 0.08 cm and 1.5 ± 0.25 cm, respectively. The mean distances from lateral alveolar root to mental foramen and from the latter to the most caudal border of the mandible were 4.8 ± 0.61 cm and 34.2 ± 1.93 cm, respectively. The mean mandibular foramen width was 1.1 ± 0.14 cm, while the distance from this foramen to the caudal border of mandible at that level was 4.0 ± 0.32 cm. The mean distances from facial tuberoses to the infraorbital foramen and from the latter to the alveolar root ventral to it were 5.3 ± 0.63 cm and 3.7 ± 0.47 cm, whereas the mean infraorbital foramen height and width stood at 1.2 ± 0.18 cm and 1.0 ± 0.22 cm, respectively. The infraorbital foramens in 60% of the specimen were located above the first upper premolar, while 20% were above second premolar, and another 20% at the junction above first and second upper premolars. These findings provide important landmarks needed for clinical manoeuvres on the head of the Kuri cattle for regional anaesthesia in procedures like trephination, dehorning, tooth extraction and oral and dental surgeries

The ameliorative effects of a phenolic derivative of Moringa oleifera leave against vanadium-induced neurotoxicity in mice

Vanadium, a transition series metal released during some industrial activities, induces oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation. Ameliorative effect of a pure compound from the methanolic extract of Moringa oleifera leaves, code-named MIMO2, in 14-day old mice administered with vanadium (as sodium metavanadate 3 mg/kg) for 2 weeks was assessed. Results from body weight monitoring, muscular strength, and open field showed slight reduction in body weight and locomotion deficit in vanadium-exposed mice, ameliorated with MIMO2 co-administration. Degeneration of the Purkinje cell layer and neuronal death in the hippocampal CA1 region were observed in vanadium-exposed mice and both appeared significantly reduced with MIMO2 co-administration. Demyelination involving the midline of the corpus callosum, somatosensory and retrosplenial cortices was also reduced with MIMO2. Microglia activation and astrogliosis observed through immunohistochemistry were also alleviated. Immunohistochemistry for myelin, axons and oligodendrocyte lineage cells were also carried out and showed that in vanadium-treated mice brains, oligodendrocyte progenitor cells increased NG2 immunolabelling with hypertrophy and bushy, ramified appearance of their processes. MIMO2 displayed ameliorative and antioxidative effects in vanadium-induced neurotoxicity in experimental murine species. This is likely the first time MIMO2 is being used in vivo in an animal model

Waist–Hip Ratio and Breast Cancer Risk in Urbanized Nigerian Women

Background: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between waist–hip ratio and the risk of breast cancer in an urban Nigerian population. Methods: Between March 1998 and August 2000, we conducted a case–control study of hospital-based breast cancer patients (n = 234) and population-based controls (n = 273) using nurse interviewers in urban Southwestern Nigeria. Results: Multivariable logistic regression showed a significant association between the highest tertile of waist–hip ratio and the risk of breast cancer (odds ratio= 2.67, 95% confidence interval = 1.05–6.80) among postmenopausal women. No association was found in premenopausal women. Conclusion: The present study, the first in an indigenous African population, supports other studies that have shown a positive association between obesity and breast cancer risk among postmenopausal women