Effects of aqueous extract of Allium cepa (red onion) on ovalbumininduced allergic asthma in wistar rats

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of airways that involves inflammatory cells and mediators to elicit inflammatory response. Allium cepa is a common plant used as condiment and has anti–inflammatory, antifungal and antibacterial properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of aqueous extract of Allium cepa (EAC) on leucocytes infiltration and lung histology in Ovalbumin-induced allergic asthma in Wistar rats. Allergic asthma was induced in rats by systemic sensitization with ovalbumin (OVA) via intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections followed by intranasal (i.n.) challenge. Extract of Allium cepa at doses of 150mg/kg and 300mg/kg b.w. ; and dexamethasone (1mg/kg) were given to the treated groups. The asthmatic group showed a significant (p<0.05) increase in number of eosinophil and lymphocyte in the Blood and bronchoalveolar fluid (BALF), which was  significantly (p<0.05) decreased in Allium cepa treated groups. Histological assessment of the lung tissue showed various degrees of inflammation in all OVA-induced animals, but a decreased inflammation was observed in those treated with Allium cepa and dexamethasone. It is therefore, concluded that aqueous extract of Allium cepa reduced cellular infiltration and lung inflammation of allergic asthmatic Wistar rats.Key words: Asthma, Ovalbumin, Allium cepa, Leucocytes, Ra

Undergraduate students' understanding of physiology subject, opinions and perception: the case of Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria

Summary: Human Physiology courses are compulsory in medical education but many students encounter challenges in studying them. This study investigates understandings, opinions and perceptions of students about physiology subject and the challenges they encounter in their study. Two hundred and eighty (280) students were interviewed using structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS statistics 22. The mean age of the students was 22.8 ± 4.1 years. Males constituted 174(62.1%), while females were 106 (37.9%). Majority of the respondents were in 300 level of study in the university 178(63.6%) as of the time of conducting this research. Most of the participants 257(91.8%) claimed to have good to excellent understanding of the physiology subjects. One hundred and nine (39.1%) alleged that academic staff had unfriendly attitude like rushing lectures, commencing lectures late and fixing tests and other continuous assessment close to examinations, and that lecturers have poor communication/ teaching skills. Less than one-third (28.7%) believed that the subjects have bulky course contents, and 56(20.1%) were of the opinion that the students' lack of seriousness or interest is among the reasons for failing physiology courses. On binary logistic regression, being of female sex, and in 300 level of study emerged as the independent predictors of the students' perception of physiology. Improving the pedagogy 102(36.4%), good attitude of staff towards students and teaching 73(26.1%), improving infrastructure and equipment 35(12.5%); and instituting guidance and counseling unit for both staff and student 31(11.1%) were the ways suggested by the students for improving performance in physiology subject. Most of the students had poor and negative perception about physiology subjects (83.2%). Guidance and counseling for students, through the level coordinators and the mentor-mentee program should be strengthened in all departments. Basic infrastructure and equipment, and teaching techniques should also be upgraded.Keywords: Undergraduate students, Understanding of Physiology Subject, Opinions, Perceptions, Kano-Nigeri

Outcome of sub-acute insulin administration on long-term visuo-spatial and short-term working memory in mice

Background: In the past, insulin was considered a peripheral hormone, unable to affect the central nervous system. Now, it is well established that insulin occurs in the brain where it exerts regulatory and trophic effects. This study was undertaken to determine the effect of sub-acute insulin administration on long-term visuo-spatial and short-term working memory.Methods: Twenty four mice, weighing between 18 – 22 g, were used. Two groups of six mice each were used during elevated plus maze and Y-maze, to determine long-term visuo-spatial and short-term spatial working memory, respectively. Control group received deionized water, while insulin group received insulin at 10 I.U./kg/day, subcutaneously.Results: In the elevated plus maze, acquisition and retention latencies were the same (P > 0.05) when compared between the groups. In the Y-maze test, number of entries into arms was similar (P > 0.05) within and between groups. Time spent in the novel arm by mice in the insulin (103.83 ±7.4 seconds) and control (108.00 ± 13.6 seconds) groups was higher (P < 0.05) when compared to time spent in arm A (68.33 ± 10.0 and 74.50 ± 5.6 seconds, respectively) and B (59.17 ± 9.5 and 69.67 ± 10.7, respectively). Number of triads and percent alternations were also the same (P > 0.05) when compared between the groups.Conclusion: It was concluded, that sub-acute insulin administration did not affect long-term visuo-spatial memory and short-term working memory in mice.Keywords: insulin, long-term visuo-spatial memory, short-term spatial memory, working memory, sub-acute treatmen

Trends and ethnic disparities in oral and oro-pharyngeal cancers in South Africa, 1992-2001

OBJECTIVE: To describe trends in the epidemiology of oral and of oro-pharyngeal (OAP) cancers in South Africa for the latest period available. METHODS: Data were obtained from the South African pathology- based National Cancer Registry. All new cases of OAP cancers diagnosed and confirmed histologically from 1992 to 2001 are included for the ICD-10 sites C00 to C14, excluding those involving the major salivary glands (C07- C08) and the nasopharynx (C11). OAP cancer incidence is reported by demographics (gender, age, race/ethnicity) and the anatomical sites involved. The analysis on anatomical sites was restricted to squamous cell carcinomas. RESULTS: Overall, males had a much higher OAP cancer incidence rate (world age-Standardised incidence rate [ASIR]= 7.01/100 000 per year) than females (ASIR=1.99). However, among Asian/Indian South Africans, OAP cancer incidence was higher among females (ASIR=4.60) than among males (ASIR=3.80). OAP cancer, excluding those involving the lip, was highest among Coloureds (ASIR=5.72) and lowest among Blacks (ASIR=3.16). OAP cancer incidence was stable overall, but incidence rates increased significantly among Coloured South Africans over the period under review (p≤0.05). Cancer specifically involving the oro-pharyngeal was most common among Coloureds and showed an increasing trend during the period under review. CONCLUSIONS: Variations in the incidence of OAP cancers by gender, race/ethnicity and anatomic site indicate a need for culturally-targeted reductions in major risk factors, including promoting tobacco cessation and prevention of risky alcohol use. The implications of the role of the human papillomavirus (HPV) in the prevention of squamous cell carcinomas involving the oro-pharyngeal in South Africa require further investigation.The authors thank Patricia Kellet for her valuable support in extracting the data and the National Cancer Registry for making the data available.http://www.sada.co.zaam2013ay201

Implementing tobacco dependence treatment during clinical consultations : a qualitative study of clinicians’ experiences, perceptions and behaviours in a South African primary health care setting

BACKGROUND : Evidence suggests that healthcare providers (HCPs) in South Africa do not consistently offer tobacco dependence treatment (TDT) during clinical consultations. In order to understand and explain this behaviour in a South African context, we conducted a qualitative exploration of HCPs’ experiences, perceptions and behaviours regarding TDT. METHODS : Individual qualitative interviews were conducted with physicians and nurses who were purposively selected. Themes were identified from interview transcripts using content analysis. Findings were triangulated and peer-reviewed, and were also verified by the participants. RESULTS : Fifteen physicians and four nurses were interviewed, none of whom used tobacco. These participants perceived TDT as an important task, but could not consistently implement it during clinical consultations due to health systems constraints (time-constraints because of patient-overload, the unavailability of cessation medications and a lack of support for referrals), misperceptions and misconceptions (negative outcome expectations about the effectiveness and feasibility of TDT), socio-cultural barriers (counselling older persons was perceived as challenging) and personal limitations (perceived low self-efficacy, poor knowledge and skills on implementing any evidence-based TDT framework). Patients are therefore selectively screened based on clinical relevance and offered only prescriptive brief advice. Participants recommended several systems changes, including academic detailing of tobacco status, training HCPs and incorporating tobacco cessation medications in the Essential Drug List. CONCLUSION : The reported selective screening and limited TDT interventions offered by HCPs are related to interactions between health systems constraints, personal limitations, and misperceptions and misconceptions about the effectiveness and feasibility of TDT during clinical consultation. Implementing the recommended systems changes has the potential to improve the implementation of TDT in South African primary health care (PHC).This report is support by grant to OAA from the South African National Research Foundation (Grant # 80843).http://www.biomedcentral.com/bmcfampract/am201

The Effect of Wood Dust on Lung Function of Woodworkers in Na’ibawa Wood Market Kano State, Nigeria

Background The wood industry is one of the occupations where exposure to wood dust has been shown to lead to chronic lung diseases long after such exposure has ceased. This study assessed the effect of wood dust and other irritants on lung function of wood workers in Na’ibawa market, Kano. Method Using a descriptive cross-sectional design, 370 wood workers and 150 controls were studied. The forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) of the subjects were measured using Compact II Computerized Electronic Spirometer. Data collected were analyzed using Minitab 12.21 and Epi info 3.2.02 Computer Statistical Softwares. Results The percentage predicted mean FEV1 for majority of the wood workers were lower than the 75% limit for normal subjects. The percentage predicted mean FEV1/FVC for the wood workers across most of the age groups was normal except for age groups 25-29 and 30-34 years. The percentage predicted mean FVC for both study and control groups were within normal limit. This study observed significant differences in lung function parameters between subjects in the study and control groups. Recommendations The government, development partners and professional groups should strengthen activities for improving awareness of the wood workers on the hazards associated with wood work and the available methods of preventing and/ or mitigating exposures. Key words: Wood dust; Exposure; Lung function; Impairment; Kan

Missed opportunities for tobacco use screening and brief cessation advice in South African primary health care: a cross-sectional study

BACKROUND: Primary health care (PHC) settings offer opportunities for tobacco use screening and brief cessation advice, but data on such activities in South Africa are limited. The aim of this study was to determine the extent to which participants were screened for and advised against tobacco use during consultations. METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved 500 participants, 18 years and older, attended by doctors or PHC nurses. Using an exit-interview questionnaire, information was obtained on participants’ tobacco use status, reason (s) for seeking medical care, whether participants had been screened for and advised about their tobacco use and patients’ level of comfort about being asked about and advised to quit tobacco use. Main outcome measures included patients’ self-reports on having been screened and advised about tobacco use during their current clinic visit and/or any other visit within the last year. Data analysis included the use of chi-square statistics, t-tests and multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Of the 500 participants, 14.9% were current smokers and 12.1% were smokeless tobacco users. Only 12.9% of the participants were screened for tobacco use during their current visit, indicating the vast majority were not screened. Among the 134 tobacco users, 11.9% reported being advised against tobacco use during the current visit and 35.1% during any other visit within the last year. Of the participants not screened, 88% indicated they would be ‘very comfortable’ with being screened. A pregnancy-related clinic visit was the single most significant predictor for being screened during the current clinic visit (OR = 4.59; 95%CI = 2.13-9.88). CONCLUSIONS: Opportunities for tobacco use screening and brief cessation advice were largely missed by clinicians. Incorporating tobacco use status into the clinical vital signs as is done for pregnant patients during antenatal care visits in South Africa has the potential to improve tobacco use screening rates and subsequent cessation

IARC perspective on oral cancer prevention

An expert panel review of strategies for preventing oral cancer report that the use of tobacco (both smoking and smokeless), areca nut exposure, and heavy alcohol consumption are major contributors to this illness