Title: Primary Dysmenorrhea: Associated Symptoms, Impact and Management among Females in the Menoua Division of the West Region of Cameroon. Cross-sectional Study Running Title: Primary Dysmenorrhea in the Menoua Division

Primary dysmenorrhea, or painful menstruation in the absence of pelvic pathology is a common and often debilitating gynecological condition that affects between 45% and 95% of women at reproductive age. The current study aimed to assess the prevalence of dysmenorrhea and associated menstrual symptoms and their self-management techniques among females. This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Menoua Division, which has six subdivisions namely: Fokoue, Dschang, NKongni, Penka Michel, Santchou and Fongo tongo .For this purpose, 668 women aged from 12 to 38 years were considered. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. The main results revealed that dysmenorrhea was reported on almost two-thirds of the women (66.17%). In the 442 girls who reported dysmenorrhea Severe pain was reported by 20.71 % of respondents. More than one-third of the respondents (39.75%) reported using pain relief medications with 23.38 % of herbal medicine and 76.54 % of synthetic medicines. The gastrointestinal problems (diarrhoea and vomiting were the most common symptoms experienced. Less than 19.41% of respondents reported having consulted a doctor for their dysmenorrhea, while most of them consulted friends and family.Dysmenorrhea is a very common problem among university students. A number of symptoms were related to dysmenorrhea. Even though it is common, and may not have a pathological cause, few women seek medical advice. Increasing the awareness might help in relieving the burden of this common health problem

Risk assessment of hepatotoxicity among tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus/AIDS-coinfected patients under tuberculosis treatment

Objective/background: Tuberculosis (TB) is a worldwide public health problem. It is a contagious and grave disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Current drugs such as isoniazid, pyrazinamide, and rifampicin used for the treatment of tuberculosis are potentially hepatotoxic and can lead to drug hepatitis. In order to improve the follow-up of TB patients in Cameroon, we carried out a study which aimed to evaluate the hepatotoxicity risk factors associated with anti-TB drugs. Methods: The studies were performed on 75 participants who had visited the Loum District Hospital located in the littoral region of Cameroon for their routine consultation. Participants have been selected based on pre-established criteria of inclusion and exclusion. Prior to the informed consent signature, patients were given compelling information about the objective and the result output of the study. They were questioned about antioxidant food and alcohol consumption as well as some clinical signs of hepatotoxicity such as fever, nausea, vomiting, and tiredness. The collected blood was tested for the determination of biochemical markers (transaminases and C-reactive protein) using standard spectrophotometric methods. Results: Biochemical analysis of samples showed a significant increase (p < .05) of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase values in TB patients coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus/AIDS (33.28±16.58UI/L and 30.84±17.17UI/L, respectively) compared with the respective values of the controls (16.35±5.31UI/L and 16.45±4.83UI/L). Taking individually, the liver injury patient percentage of TB patients was significant compared to TBC when considering alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase parameters. When considering risk factors, antioxidant food consumption significantly reduced the liver injury patient percentage for the above parameters, whereas an opposite situation was observed with alcohol consumption between TB-coinfection and TB patients. Regarding the C-reactive protein results, the percentage of positive tests was very high among coinfected patients (40%) compared with the control (15%). The interactions between parameters related to alcohol consumption and intake of antioxidant foods showed a slight decrease in activity compared with interactions without food. Conclusion: The results showed that human immunodeficiency virus status and alcohol consumption constitutes aggravating factors for the occurrence of hepatic toxicity. In addition, the consumption of antioxidant foods simultaneously with TB drugs help in reducing the hepatotoxic effects of these drugs

Prevalence and correlates of low serum calcium in late pregnancy: A cross sectional study in the Nkongsamba Regional Hospital; Littoral Region of Cameroon.

INTRODUCTION:Women from low and middle income countries are generally more likely to have sub-optimal calcium intake. The objective of this study was to assess serum calcium disorders and correlates in late pregnancy. METHODS:We conducted from December 2018 to April 2019, a cross-sectional hospital-based study targeting pregnant women in late pregnancy in the Nkongsamba Regional Hospital. Data were collected by measurement of parameters (weight, height, blood pressure and foetal birthweight), administration of a semi-structured questionnaire and analysis of blood samples collected from each participant. Absorption spectrophotometry was used to measure serum calcium and albumin concentrations and corrected serum calcium calculated from the Payne's equation. With a statistical significant threshold set at p-value = 0.05, the odds ratio was used as a measure of the strength of association between hypocalcaemia and maternofoetal variables. RESULTS:We enrolled a total of 354 consenting participants with a mean age of 27.41±5.84 years. The prevalence of hypocalcaemia in late pregnancy was 58.76 [53.42-63.90]%. The rate of calcium supplementation in pregnancy was 57.63[52.28-62.80]% with a mean duration of supplementation of 3.69±1.47 months. When controlled for marital status, age, level of education, and gestational age at delivery, pregnant women with systolic blood pressures below 130 mmHg were significantly less likely to have hypocalcaemia than their counterparts with higher systolic blood pressures (Adjusted Odds Ratio = 0.41[0.18-0.89], p-value = 0.020). No statistically significant associations were found between diastolic blood pressure, body mass index, foetal birth weight and hypocalcaemia. CONCLUSION:Hypocalcaemia in late pregnancy is highly prevalent (59%) among women accessing reproductive services at the Nkongsamba Regional Hospital. There is also a wide gap in calcium supplementation compared to World Health Organization recommendations. Hypocalcaemia is significantly associated to higher systolic blood pressure in pregnancy. Systematic calcium supplementation and consumption of high calcium containing locally available meals should be encouraged

Molecular profiles of hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity markers in dysmenorrheic (on treatment or not) students

Background: Dysmenorrhea is menstrual disorder that affects about 40% - 90% of women worldwide, it is associated with oxidative stress. The current treatment of this condition is administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which when frequently used, may affect organs. Objective: Assess the hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity side effects related to dysmenorrhea and its treatment Materials and methods: A survey (questionnaire) was designed and implemented on 689 female students of the University of Dschang. After this, and following the inclusion criteria, 191 blood samples were collected for assay of hepatotoxicity markers (transaminases, albumin), nephrotoxicity indicators (creatinine, urea, total protein) and the inflammation associated indicators. The measurements were performed on fully automated Olympus AU 400 Analyzer, using standard reagent kits. Results: Subjects with untreated dymenorrhea lasting more than five years had a significantly high level (p &lt; 0.05) of ALT (39.47 &plusmn; 15.74 IU/L) and AST (44.37 &plusmn; 13.74 IU/L). Transaminases levels were significantly associate (p &lt; 0.01) and positively correlate (0.251 for ALT and 0. 223 for AST) with the disease duration. Dysmenorrheic individuals on medication for more than 9 years had significantly higher ALT (25.14 &plusmn; 7.85 IU/L) and AST (35.26 &plusmn; 0.70 IU/L) levels (p &lt; 0.05) compared to those under treatment for less than 5 years (19.37 &plusmn; 8.27 UI/L and 27.68 &plusmn; 8.56 UI/L). The use of analgesics, regardless of the duration of treatment, had normal creatinine clearance (107.44 &plusmn; 30.86 ml/min), compared to those treated with either anti-inflammatory drugs (71.56 &plusmn; 26.44 ml/min), or a combination of analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs (81.34 &plusmn; 31.97 ml/min), which was significantly reduced (p &lt; 0.05). Conclusion: Dysmenorrhea duration, type and duration of treatment potentially expose participants to liver and kidney disorders

Hypocalcaemia and calcium intake in pregnancy: A research protocol for critical analysis of risk factors, maternofoetal outcomes and evaluation of diagnostic methods in a third-category health facility, Cameroon.

IntroductionHypocalcaemia in pregnancy remains a major health issue, particularly in the developing world where daily calcium intakes are suboptimal. This electrolyte imbalance can lead to severe maternofoetal and childhood consequences. Calcium supplementation, amongst others, contributes significantly to meeting calcium demands in pregnancy. With ionised calcaemia as the gold standard for diagnosis, total calcaemia and albumin-corrected calcaemia in other pathological states have been found to overestimate the burden of hypocalcaemia. The main objectives of this study are to describe the blood calcium level (total, albumin corrected, and ionised calcaemia) and associated maternofoetal outcomes while identifying determinants of calcium supplementation and ionised hypocalcaemia. This study will also evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of albumin corrected calcaemia as a diagnostic tool for hypocalcaemia (ionised calcaemia as the gold standard) among pregnant women in the Nkongsamba Regional Hospital, Cameroon.MethodsOur study will target a total of 1067 term pregnant women who shall be included consecutively into the study as they arrive the maternity of the Nkongsamba Regional Hospital for their last antenatal care visit. Data shall be collected using a semi-structured interview-administered questionnaire and blood samples collected for total plasma calcium, albumin and serum ionized calcium assays. Additional data will be collected at birth (maternal and foetal variables; foetal outcomes evaluated as secondary outcomes). Total calcaemia and albuminemia shall be measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, while ionised calcaemia will be measured by ion-selective electrode potentiometry(using MSLEA15-H electrolyte analyzer) per standard BIOLABO and MSLEA15 protocols, respectively. Data will be analysed using the statistical softwares epi-Info version 7.2.2.16 and STATA version 16.Expected research outcomeThis study will present a more precise estimate of the burden of hypocalcaemia in late pregnancy as well as identify and analyse the different factors associated with calcium supplementation and ionised hypocalcaemia among term pregnant women in a developing world setting. Maternofoetal outcomes associated with hypocalcaemia will be determined as well as the sensitivity and specificity of total and albumin-corrected calcaemia in diagnosing hypocalcaemia. Our findings will contribute significantly to designing or strengthening interventions to control this electrolyte imbalance

Inductive effect of the leaf extract, ADHJ, on ovarian activity and LH secretion in anoestrus adult ewe

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Evaluation in vivo de l'activité FSG et de l'oestrogénicité de l'extrait aqueux du mélange de feuilles d'Aloe buettneri, Dicliptera verticillata, Hibiscus macranthus et Justicia insularis chez la rate immature

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Anti-androgenic, anti-oestrogenic and antioxidant activities of aqueous extract of Laportea ovalifolia on adults rats.

Cancer is one of the most life-threatening diseases in which deregulating proliferation of abnormal cells invades and disrupts surrounding tissues. It constitutes seriouspublic health problems in both developed and developing countries.To evaluate the anti-androgenic, anti-estrogenic and antioxidant activities of Laportea ovalifolia (L. ovalifolia) in order to contribute to the search and the valorization of medicinal plants which could reduce mortality related to prostate cancer.The evaluation of the anti-androgenic activity were carried out on castrated male rats receiving simultaneous daily administration of testosterone and different doses of aqueous extract of L. Ovalifolia during a period of 10 days. That of the anti-estrogenic activity was carried out on mature ovariectomized female rats receiving for a week simultaneous daily administration of estradiol and different doses of plant extract. The evaluation of the in vivo antioxidant activity of L. Ovalifolia aqueous extract was carried on adult male rats receiving simultaneous daily administration of naphthalene and different doses of extract, for 15 days. For its in vitro antioxidant activity, the amounts of phenolic compounds in plant extracts were determined as well as the total flavonoid contents of the crude extracts. Also, the DPPH scavenging activity of the plant extract was determined as well as its reducing power.As compare to the 0 mg/kg testosterone primed castrated rat, those treated with the various dose of the plant extract presented either a significant decrease in weights of all their reproductive tissues (P˂0.01 - P˂0.001) or a significant increase (P˂0.001) in their serum level of testosterone. For all the plant extract treated ovariectomized rats, similar trends were observed for the relative uteri weight (P˂0.01) and that of the serum level of estradiol (P˂0.001). Plant extract contains 13.33±0.1 mg GAE/g and 05.27±0.17 mg CATE/g of phenolic and flavonoids compounds respectively and exhibits DPPH radical scavenging ability as well as ferric-reducing antioxidant power. Relatively to animals treated at 0 mg/kg, the various doses of the plant extract significantly increased (P˂0.05 - P˂0.001) the activity of catalase (in liver, lungs and the serum), SOD (in liver and heart) and peroxidase (in liver, heart, serum and lungs). It also significantly reduces (P˂0.001) the level of nitric oxide in the liver, heart, lungs, kidneys and serum.Globally, these results denote the anti-androgenic, anti-estrogenic and antioxidant potential of L. ovalifolia. 

Anti-androgenic, anti-oestrogenic and antioxidant activities of aqueous extract of Laportea ovalifolia on adults rats.

Cancer is one of the most life-threatening diseases in which deregulating proliferation of abnormal cells invades and disrupts surrounding tissues. It constitutes seriouspublic health problems in both developed and developing countries.To evaluate the anti-androgenic, anti-estrogenic and antioxidant activities of Laportea ovalifolia (L. ovalifolia) in order to contribute to the search and the valorization of medicinal plants which could reduce mortality related to prostate cancer.The evaluation of the anti-androgenic activity were carried out on castrated male rats receiving simultaneous daily administration of testosterone and different doses of aqueous extract of L. Ovalifolia during a period of 10 days. That of the anti-estrogenic activity was carried out on mature ovariectomized female rats receiving for a week simultaneous daily administration of estradiol and different doses of plant extract. The evaluation of the in vivo antioxidant activity of L. Ovalifolia aqueous extract was carried on adult male rats receiving simultaneous daily administration of naphthalene and different doses of extract, for 15 days. For its in vitro antioxidant activity, the amounts of phenolic compounds in plant extracts were determined as well as the total flavonoid contents of the crude extracts. Also, the DPPH scavenging activity of the plant extract was determined as well as its reducing power.As compare to the 0 mg/kg testosterone primed castrated rat, those treated with the various dose of the plant extract presented either a significant decrease in weights of all their reproductive tissues (P˂0.01 - P˂0.001) or a significant increase (P˂0.001) in their serum level of testosterone. For all the plant extract treated ovariectomized rats, similar trends were observed for the relative uteri weight (P˂0.01) and that of the serum level of estradiol (P˂0.001). Plant extract contains 13.33±0.1 mg GAE/g and 05.27±0.17 mg CATE/g of phenolic and flavonoids compounds respectively and exhibits DPPH radical scavenging ability as well as ferric-reducing antioxidant power. Relatively to animals treated at 0 mg/kg, the various doses of the plant extract significantly increased (P˂0.05 - P˂0.001) the activity of catalase (in liver, lungs and the serum), SOD (in liver and heart) and peroxidase (in liver, heart, serum and lungs). It also significantly reduces (P˂0.001) the level of nitric oxide in the liver, heart, lungs, kidneys and serum.Globally, these results denote the anti-androgenic, anti-estrogenic and antioxidant potential of L. ovalifolia.