Seroprevalence of HIV and frequencies of haemoglobin genotypes, ABO and Rh blood groups among premarital couples in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Background: Premarital screening is fast gaining grounds as a pre-requisite condition for the solemnization of holy matrimony by many faith based organizations in Nigeria yet there is scanty literature on the subject. Methods: Fifty (50) premarital heterosexual couples (50 males and 50 females) were screened for the presence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), haemoglobin genotypes, ABO and Rh blood groups using standard laboratory procedures. Results: The prevalence of HIV in this study was found to be 2.0%. The frequencies of the haemoglobin genotypes were as follows; HbAA (72%), HbAS (26%) and HbAC (2.0%) while that of ABO and Rh blood groups were: group A (22%), B (14%), AB (0%), 0 (64%), Rh ‘D' Positive (96%) and Rh ‘D' Negative (4.0%). The distribution of these variables between the sexes was statistically significant. (&#967;2 = 21.630, p< 0.01). The frequencies of the haemoglobin genotype combinations of the intending couples were as follows; HbAA/AA (52%), AA/AS (36%), AA/AC (4.0%) and AS/AS (8.0%). This distribution pattern was also found to be highly statistically significant (&#967; 2 = 38.957, p < 0.0001), the mean ages of the participants were 35.48 ± 12.26 years for men and 26.32 ± 7.31 years for women (t = 10.538, p < 0.05). Conclusions: This study observed a low prevalence of HIV among the premarital couples and a relatively high frequency of HbAS/AS couples. ABO and Rh blood groups were found to be stable and consistent with previous reports. For the prevention of hereditary blood diseases, haemolytic disease of the newborn and transmission of HIV to off springs, premarital testing should be encouraged South African Family Practice Vol. 49 (2) 2007: pp. 1

Energy Demand Assessment Between Exercising and Non-Exercising Young Female Collegiate During a Single Exercise Bout

Balancing energy requirement with energy availability during determination for any exercise is of importance to performance. This study was set up to evaluate the influence of regular exercise on energy demand for a given exercise bout among exercising and non-exercising young female College students from University of Lagos using the different energy determining equations available. Sixty volunteer young female students were grouped into two: exercising (Ex-Sub) and non-exercising (NonEx-Sub) subjects. Their heights, weights, ages were recorded, while their blood glucose and blood pressure levels, as well as heart rates were measured before and after the exercise. Two minutes warm-up on the cycle ergometer at 40 km/hr was allowed while gradually increasing the speed to 70km/hr lasting for five minutes. Using the Heart Rate and the estimated VO2max (VO2) the energy demand was determined. The basal systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and heart rate were significantly lower in Ex-Sub compared with NonEx-Sub. Although, both ExSub and NonEx-Sub recorded a significantly lower SBP after exercise, Ex-Sub result before and after the exercise were significantly lower compared with that of NonEx-Sub. Both ExSub and NonEx-Sub recorded a significant reduction in heart rate after the exercise. The basal and after exercise heart rate in Ex-Sub was significantly lower, while both the estimated VO2max and energy demands were significantly higher in ExSub compared to NonEx-Sub. Regular exercise confers an advantage by modifying cardiovascular parameters with an added advantage on efficient and reduced energy utilization in the exercising subjects

Energy Demand Assessment Between Exercising and Non-Exercising Young Female Collegiate During a Single Exercise Bout

Balancing energy requirement with energy availability during determination for any exercise is of importance to performance. This study was set up to evaluate the influence of regular exercise on energy demand for a given exercise bout among exercising and non-exercising young female College students from University of Lagos using the different energy determining equations available. Sixty volunteer young female students were grouped into two: exercising (Ex-Sub) and non-exercising (NonEx-Sub) subjects. Their heights, weights, ages were recorded, while their blood glucose and blood pressure levels, as well as heart rates were measured before and after the exercise. Two minutes warm-up on the cycle ergometer at 40 km/hr was allowed while gradually increasing the speed to 70km/hr lasting for five minutes. Using the Heart Rate and the estimated VO2max (VO2) the energy demand was determined. The basal systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and heart rate were significantly lower in Ex-Sub compared with NonEx-Sub. Although, both ExSub and NonEx-Sub recorded a significantly lower SBP after exercise, Ex-Sub result before and after the exercise were significantly lower compared with that of NonEx-Sub. Both ExSub and NonEx-Sub recorded a significant reduction in heart rate after the exercise. The basal and after exercise heart rate in Ex-Sub was significantly lower, while both the estimated VO2max and energy demands were significantly higher in ExSub compared to NonEx-Sub. Regular exercise confers an advantage by modifying cardiovascular parameters with an added advantage on efficient and reduced energy utilization in the exercising subjects

Prostaglandin levels and semen quality in male partners of infertile couples in Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Objective: To provide data on semen prostaglandins in Nigerian men and relate this to fertility potential as provided by semen analysis results.Design: Prospective studySetting: Infertility Clinic of Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, NigeriaSubjects: All male partners of infertile couples who reported for male factor test at the clinic and agreed to be part of the study by completing informed consent forms.Results: The study revealed a high percentage of men with sub-normal semen .Range of PGF2a in the subjects was 0.15-11.05ƒÊg/ml with a mean of 2.77} 0.23 ƒÊg/ml while that of PGE was 21.8- 652.0 ƒÊg/mlwith a mean of 248.79} 13.88 ƒÊg/ml. Among men with normal semen profile, mean PGF2a and PGE levels are 2.1} 0.32 ƒÊg/ml and 325.1} 28.3 ƒÊg/ml respectively while that in semen of men with subnormal semen are 3.0} 0.28 ƒÊg/ml and 225.1 } 15.1ƒÊg/ml respectively. Despite the wide range of PG values in all the groups, significant differences(P&lt;0.05) were found to exist between the PG values of men in the normal and sub normal semen groups. Significant differences were also found when theywere grouped according to sperm count alone. However, differences observed when in the grouping according to other individual semen characteristics are not significant.Conclusion: The wide range of PG values obtained in all the groups make it difficult to make far reaching conclusions as to the relationship between PG levels and semen quality. Further research is desirable in establishing the role of PGs in sperm function

Hypoglycemic efficacy of Ocimum gratissimum and Vernonia amygdalina compared with insulin and glibenclamide in type I and type II diabetic rat models

Objective: To compare the efficacy of Ocimum gratissimum (O. gratissimum) and Vernonia amygdalina (V. amygdalina) with those of insulin and glibenclamide. Methods: Type I and II diabetes mellitus (DM) were induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of 65 mg/kg of streptozotocin and intraperitoneal administration of nicotinamide (100 mg/kg) along with streptozotocin, respectively. The state of diabetes was confirmed weekly by testing blood glucose level using a glucometer. Results: The weekly blood glucose levels were higher in type I DM than in type II DM. Type I DM plus O. gratissimum showed a weekly progressive significant reduction in blood glucose compared to type I DM control. Type I DM control showed a duration dependent significant higher blood glucose concentration compared to normal control. Type I DM plus V. amygdalina also showed a time dependent significant lower glucose level compared to normal control and type I DM control. Combination treatment of type I DM (O. gratissimum plus V. amygdalina) showed a significantly elevated glucose concentration compared to normal control which was similar to type I DM control. Insulin treatment in type I DM showed a weekly progressive significant reduction of glucose concentration compared to normal control and type I DM control. Type II DM control showed a fairly constant blood glucose concentration throughout the duration of treatment that was significantly higher than that of the normal control. Type II DM plus O. gratissimum showed a fairly steady significant reduction of glucose concentration compared to type II DM control and normal control. Type II DM plus V. amygdalina also showed a fairly constant significant reduction of glucose concentration compared to type II DM control and normal control. Type II DM (O. gratissimum plus V. amygdalina) showed a slightly progressive significant reduction of glucose concentration compared to normal control and type II DM control. Type II DM with glibenclamide showed almost steady significant reduction in glucose concentration compared to normal control and type II DM control. Conclusions: From the result, it is evident that O. gratissimum and V. amygdalina administration produces more potent hypoglycemic activity than insulin and glibenclamide in type I and II DM models, respectively. Keywords: Ocimum gratissimum, Vernonia amygdalina, Insulin, Glibenclamide, Diabetes mellitus, Blood glucos

Prostaglandin levels and semen quality in male partners of infertile couples in Ile-Ife, Nigeria

The study revealed a high percentage of men with sub-normal semen .Range of PGF2á in the subjects was 0.15-11.05µg/ml with a mean of 2.77± 0.23 µg/ml while that of PGE was 21.8- 652.0 µg/ml with a mean of 248.79± 13.88 µg/ml. Among men with normal semen profile, mean PGF2á and PGE levels are 2.1± 0.32 µg/ml and 325.1± 28.3 µg/ml respectively while that in semen of men with subnormal semen are 3.0± 0.28 µg/ml and 225.1 ± 15.1µg/ml respectively. Despite the wide range of PG values in all the groups, significant differences(P<0.05) were found to exist between the PG values of men in the normal and sub normal semen groups. Significant differences were also found when they were grouped according to sperm count alone. However, differences observed when in the grouping according to other individual semen characteristics are not significant. Conclusion: The wide range of PG values obtained in all the groups make it difficult to make far reaching conclusions as to the relationship between PG levels and semen quality. Further research is desirable in establishing the role of PGs in sperm function

“In Limbo”—use of, and alterations to, modified diets by nursing home staff in the absence of timely specialist support

BackgroundDysphagia is common in nursing home (NH) residents. Staff may not always be able to access speech and language therapist (SLT) assessments in a timely manner and there are some reports of nurses initiating or changing modified diets in these circumstances.MethodsA mixed quantitative and qualitative approach was used to analyse responses to an online anonymized survey of senior nurses working in Irish NHs. They were asked about their experience of delays accessing SLT services and whether they would ever initiate or change modified diets. Respondents were asked if they would give water to a thirsty resident, prescribed mildly thick liquids, who demanded it on a hot day because thickened fluid was not thirst quenching.ResultsOf 77 nurses surveyed, 63 (82%) responded. Three quarters reported delays accessing SLT services sometimes or often. Thirty-four (54.0%) would not give the thirsty resident water. About 70% reported that thickened fluids or modified texture diets were started without SLT sometimes or often. A third of respondents would thicken fluids or modify food to a greater extent than previously recommended but very few would make a diet less restrictive. The main themes that emerged from the comments provided were related to the uncertainty and dilemmas created for staff, what mitigating actions they might take in those circumstances and the need for better guidance and better access to SLT services.DiscussionDelays accessing SLT services are common for Irish NHs, and staff may initiate or change modified diets themselves in these circumstances. The responses suggest a widespread, and unjustified, belief that thicker or more modified is better for those with dysphagia. Clear and accurate guidance, and a better SLT service, is needed for NH staff

Epidemiological and diagnostic aspects of spontaneous miscarriage in the department of gynecology-obstetric of the university hospital of Treichville in Abidjan

Background: Describe the epidemiological and diagnostic of spontaneous aspects of early miscarriage in the department of the Gynecology Obsteric of Treichville University Teaching Hospital of   Treichville in Abidjan.Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed from January 2016 to March 2017 on patients received for an early miscarriage (gestational age less than 14 weeks of amenorrhea).Results: We recorded 337 cases of miscarriage and it shows that miscarriage was frequently estimated at 58 percent. Our patients had a average age of 32.9 years, 60.4 percent of them with primary education and 48 percent are housewives. The patients were paucigestes in 46 percent and the majority of them were nulliparous (62 percent). 6 percent with history of high blood pressure; diabetes (3 percent) and 31 percent of patients were HIV positive. Patients had pelvic pain at the admission in (55 percent). A miscarriage appears before 10 weeks of amenorrhea (76.1 percent) of cases. Ultrasound showed ovular debris (47 percent) of patients and (55.4 percent) were chromosomal abnormalities on anatomy-pathological examination.Conclusions: Spontaneous abortions are common and pathological examination is essential for diagnosis