Haematologic Indices in Pulmonary Tuberculosis with or without HIV Co-Infection in South Eastern Nigeria

To evaluate the changes in haematologic indices in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) with or without Human Immune Deficiency Virus (HIV) co-infection in South Eastern Nigeria. The study population included 116 subjects (60 = males; 56 = females), recruited from 2 study centers: mile 4 Hospital Abakaliki Ebonyi State and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Teaching  Hospital Nnewi, Anambra State, both in Nigeria. PTB + HIV (n = 20); PTB infection ( n = 27) and HIV sereopositive (n = 28). The PTB and HIV negative; control subjects were 41 (n = 41). Blood samples collected from subjects in Ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA) container were used for the analysis of the Haemtological cells count,  packed cell volume (PCV) and Haemoglobin estimation using routine methods as described (Dacie and Lewis, 1984). HIV screening was done with Stat pak kit and confirmatory test by Western blot method. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was by Westergren method. Haemoglobin estimation (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV) values were significantly lower in patients with PTB (11.27±1.62 g/dl, 0.35±0.04 l/l) compared with control values (13.67±1.46 g/dl 0.41 ± 0.05 l/l) (p < 0.05). Patients with HIV seropositive showed significantly low PCV values of (0.36 ± 0.04 l/l) compared with the control subjects (0.41 ± 0.05 l/l) (p < 0.05). PTB patients showed higher TWBC counts (6062.5 ± 1481.83109/l) when compared those with HIV infection (3841.38±735.58 x 109/l) as well as normal control value (4363.64±551.66 x 109/l) (p < 0.05). Male and female values compared in this work showed no significant difference (p > 0.05). The results showed that the effect of PTB and HIV infection have caused some haematological deregulation. It also showed that sex has little or no effect on the studied parameters. Keywords: Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB); Human ImmunoDeficiency Virus (HIV) and Hematologic Indice

Preliminary report on magnetic susceptibility measurements on rocks within the Zaria granite batholith, Nigeria

Low field magnetic susceptibility measurements have been carried out within the Zaria granite batholith. The result has shown that magnetic susceptibility within the batholith varies between 29´10 -6 SI to 3506´10 -6 SI, with an average value of 684´10 -6 SI. The large variation in the measured values of the susceptibility is as a result of large variation of magnetic mineral content within an outcrop and the diversity of rock types within individual suite. Thin section observation of representative samples shows the major mineral to be feldspar, quartz and biotite, while magnetite, ilmenite and hematite occur as trace minerals. The frequency distribution shows a bimodal distribution, which is typical of granites due to a low-k peak for paramagnetic dominated specimens and high-k peak for magnetite/hematite dominated specimens. The occurrence of hematite and ilmenite may be due to the alteration of magnetite

Serum Lipid and Glucose Concentration in Relation to Some Physiological Varibles in College Students From Nnewi, Nigeria

Background: Serum lipid and glucose levels are largely determined by and or related to certain physical, physiological and biochemical parameters/variables. This study therefore, is aimed at determining the levels of serum lipid and glucose and the relationship between the serum lipid and glucose concentrations and the physical and physiological parameters/variables of apparently healthy individuals. Method: The blood samples of twenty-five medical students in the age range of 20 and 25 years were analyzed, for the serum glucose, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc) levels after overnight fast, and LDLC calculated. Result: The mean serum glucose, HDLc, TC and LDLc were not significantly different in females and males students. The serum TG was however significantly lower in females than in the males (90.22 \ub1 25.17 vs. 116.93 \ub1 21.54 mg/dl; P< 0.05). Furthermore, females are significantly lower in weight than the males (61.2 \ub1 6.91 vs. 69.96 \ub1 9.30 kg; P< 0.05). Significant correlations were also recorded. Conclusion: The results presented showed that the slight difference seen in males and females was a factor of growth and diet and activity.Introduction :S\ue9rum lipide et niveau du glucose sont en grande partie d\ue9termin\ue9s par ou li\ue9s aux certains physique physiologique et variables/param\ue8tres biochimiques. Donc, l'objet de cette \ue9tude est de d\ue9terminer les niveaux de s\ue9rum lipide et du glucose et le rapport entre le s\ue9rum lipide et concentration du glucose et des variables/param\ue8tres physiques et physiologiques des individus apparemment en tr\ue8s bonne sant\ue9. M\ue9thodes : La prise de sang de vingt cinq \ue9tudiants en m\ue9decine dans la tranche d'\ue2ge de 20 - 25 ans ont \ue9t\ue9 \ue9tudi\ue9s pour le s\ue9rum glucose, cholest\ue9rol total (CT) triglyc\ue9ride (TG), et les niveaux de la densit\ue9 \ue9lev\ue9e du cholest\ue9rol lipoprot\ue9ines (HDLc) apr\ue8s un je\ufcne d'une nuit, et LDLc calcul\ue9. R\ue9sultats : Le s\ue9rum glucose, HDLc, TC et LDLc moyen n'\ue9taient pas sensiblement diff\ue9rents chez des \ue9tudiants du sexe f\ue9minin et masculin. Le s\ue9rum TG toutefois \ue9tait sensiblement inf\ue9rieur chez le sexe f\ue9minin et le sexe masculin (90,22+- 25,17 contre 116, 93+-21,54mg/dl ; P<0,05). Par ailleurs sexe f\ue9minin sont sensiblement inf\ue9rieurs en poids plus que chez le sexe masculin. (61,2+-6,91 contre 69,96+-9,30kg : P<0,05). Des corr\ue9lations importantes ont \ue9t\ue9 \ue9galement not\ue9es. Conclusion :À travers des r\ue9sultats, nous notons que la diff\ue9rence l\ue9g\ue8re vue chez le sexe masculin et le sexe f\ue9minin \ue9tait un facteur d'activit\ue9, d'alimentation et de la croissance

Packed cell volume and serum iron in subjects with HIV-malaria co-infection in Nnewi, South-Eastern Nigeria

The present study was designed to assess the PCV and serum iron in HIV-malaria co-infected subjects in Nnewi, South Eastern Nigeria. 207 participants aged between 16-72 (44 ± 28) years were recruited andclassified as follows based on standard screening and WHO criteria: (i) Asymptomatic HIV stage I subjects with or without malaria. (ii) Symptomatic HIV stage II subjects with or without malaria and not on (ART). (iii) HIV/AIDS subjects with or without malaria and on ART. (vi) HIV seronegative control subjects with or without malaria. Blood sample from these participants were analyzed for HIV seroreactivity, Plasmodium falciparum antigen, parasite density, serum iron concentrations and PCV using Standard Laboratory methods. The result showed that serum iron and PCV were significantly reduced amongst all the groups studied when compared with the control (

Sex hormones and biochemical profiles of male gossypol users in South-West Nigeria

The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of gossypol administration on sex hormones and biochemical parameters of male subjects. Twelve male subjects receiving 20mg daily gossypol at the family planning clinic of University College Hospital, Ibadan were studied. Blood samples collected from the subjects before, at 16 weeks and 28 weeks of treatment with gossypol were used to determine the blood levels of sex hormones and biochemical parameters. There were significant reduction in spermatozoa count (P<0.01), motility (P<0.01) and testosterone concentration (P<0.01) but elevated concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH) (P<0.05) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) (P<0.01) following treatment with gossypol. However, the seminal fluid volume was unchanged (P>0.05). Serum concentrations of sodium, potassium, transaminases, and alkaline phosphatases during the period of treatment showed a significant downward trend (P<0.05 in each case). Whereas there was no consistent pattern, in the serum concentrations of bilirubin, total protein and albumin. The findings of the present study suggest that gossypol is a potent male antifertility agent with capability of causing organ impairment

Abnormal reproductive hormone profiles amongst infertile married women attending fertility support laboratory.

The present study was designed to use the reproductive hormone profiles to identify and classify infertility amongst married Nigerian women. 125 married women aged 20-38years; requiring laboratory investigations for reproductive hormone profile in order to determine the cause of their respective infertility were used. Serum levels of FSH, LH and progesterone were determined by Radioimmunoassay and the serum level of prolactin was determined by immunoradiometric assay. The results showed that 53 subjects (42%) were confirmed to be ovulating while 72(58%) were confirmed as having endocrine problems as the cause of infertility. The mean serum progesterone levels were significantly reduced in subjects identified as anovulatory of ovarian and idiopathic causes compared with corresponding level in the ovulating subjects,

EFFECT OF MAGNESIUM SUPPLEMENTATION ON PLASMA GLUCOSE IN PATIENTS WITH DIABETES MELLITUS

Magnesium depletion and/or deficiency are known feature of diabetes mellitus, and could lead to increased insulin resistance and diabetic complications. This study therefore looked at the potential benefit of magnesium administration on the management of diabetic mellitus. Twelve apparently healthy and 6 non-insulin dependent diabetic (NIDDM) subjects received 15mmol (360 mg) elemental magnesium as NUG2 (Meram Laboratories, France) in 500 ml of 0.9% saline intravenously over four hours. Blood samples were collected at baseline and at hourly intervals. The diabetic subjects had lower ionized (0.41±0.03 vs 0.48±0.01 mmoIAL; P< 0.05) and total (0.73±0.04 vs 0.88±0.02 mmol/L; P< 0.05) plasma magnesium concentrations than the non-diabetic subjects, reflecting a depletion of body magnesium. The administration of magnesium led to a significant increase in ionized and total plasma magnesium in both non-diabetic and diabetic subjects. Similarly, plasma glucose and insulin were significantly decreased, and homeostasis model assessment showed an increase in insulin sensitivity in diabetic subjects. In established cases of magnesium depletion and/or deficiency in diabetes mellitus, magnesium supplementation could be of great benefit in diabetic management

Relationships between P. Falciparum Density, Haptoglobin, Transferrin and Packed Cell Volume in Apparently Healthy Pregnant Women.

The present study investigates possible evidence of anaemia in apparently healthy pregnant women with P. falciparum parasiteamia. Hence, 82 apparently healthy pregnant women aged 20-39 years reporting for routine antenatal care were recruited for the study. They were screened for P. falciparum parasiteamia, those with positive P.falciparum became 'Asymptomatic group' (n=60), while those with negative P.falciparum became 'aparasitaemia group, (n=22). Further analysis made on the blood samples collected from both groups includes serum estimations of haptoglobin and transferrin and packed cell volume (PCV). The result showed no significant difference in packed cell volume, serum transferrin and haptoglobin concentrations between both groups (P>0.1 for each case). Different levels of associations were observed between P.falciparum density and packed cell volume (r = -0.3, P<0.01); haptoglobin concentration (r = -0.319, P<0.05) but no such association was observed with transferrin concentration This study shows that continued increase in P. falciparum density might affect haptoglobin metabolism and may result in anaemia

Tetanus toxoid antibody level in asymptomatic plasmodium falciparum malaria parasiteamic pregnant women

The present study was designed to investigate if the presence of asymptomatic malaria parasiteamia in pregnant women will compromise their ability to respond to full dose of tetanus toxoid immunization during their antenatal clinic visits. Hence, 90 apparently healthy pregnant women who had completed the tetanus toxoid immunization during the current pregnancy were recruited at the antenatal clinic and were divided into two groups based on the antenatal record of malaria paras during the immunization period. Sixty (66.7%) of the pregnant women were seroreactive for Plasmodium falciparum histidine rich protein- (HRP)-2 while 30 (33.3%) were seronegative for Plasmodium falciparum HRP-2. The malaria parasite density range for the seroreactive group was between 322 and 1045 parasites per ml of blood. The blood concentration of Tetanus toxoid antibody response in both groups of seroreactive and seronegative HRP-2 pregnant women did not show any significant difference in tetanus toxoid antibody response (p>O.2). This result showed that the presence of asymptomatic IPlasmodium falciparum malaria parasiteamia in the pregnant women during the immunization schedule did not compromise the ability to respond to tetanus toxoid immunization. Hence asymptomatic malaria may not contribute to the prevalence of neonatal tetanus in Nigeria , however, there is need to treat these pregnant women for asymptomatic malaria when detected in order to reduce the burden of malaria on them

Preliminarno izvješće o mjerenjima magnetske susceptibilnosti granit-batolit stijena na području Zarie u Nigeriji

Low field magnetic susceptibility measurements have been carried out within the Zaria granite batholith. The result has shown that magnetic susceptibility within the batholith varies between 29 10–6 SI to 3506 10–6 SI, with an average value of 684 10–6 SI. The large variation in the measured values of the susceptibility is as a result of large variation of magnetic mineral content within an outcrop and the diversity of rock types within individual suite. Thin section observation of representative samples shows the major mineral to be feldspar, quartz and biotite, while magnetite, ilmenite and hematite occur as trace minerals. The frequency distribution shows a bimodal distribution, which is typical of granites due to a low-k peak for paramagnetic dominated specimens and high-k peak for magnetite/hematite dominated specimens. The occurrence of hematite and ilmenite may be due to the alteration of magnetite.Mjerenja susceptibilnosti u slabom magnetskom polju provedena su na granit-batolit stijenama u Zariji. Rezultat je pokazao da se magnetska susceptibilnost batolita mijenja između 29 10–6 SI i 3506 10–6 SI, sa srednjom vrijednošću od 684 10–6 SI. Široki interval mjerenih vrijednosti susceptibilnosti posljedica je velike raznolikosti magnetskih minerala unutar izdanka i raznovrsnosti tipova stijena. Proučavanje reprezentativnih uzoraka tankog presjeka pokazuje da su glavni minerali feldspat, biotit i kvarc, dok su magnetit, ilmenit i hematit minerali u tragovima. Raspodjela učestalosti je bimodalna, koja je tipična za granite zbog niskog k-šiljka kod dominirajućih paramagnetskih uzoraka i visokog k-šiljka kod magnetita/hematita. Hematit i ilmenit mogu se pojaviti zbog trošenja magnetita