21 research outputs found
Haematological Parameters in Open Angle Glaucoma Patients
There is potential for blood related factors to affect aqueous
production or optic nerve functions. There have been relationships
between inflammatory cell count and glaucoma. Eosinophils have inverse
relationship with steroids which is used to induce ocular hypertension.
Here we compare hematological parameters for a group of 68 chronic
open-angle glaucoma (OAG) patients and a non-glaucomatous group of 71.
In our hematological analysis we determined the concentration of the
various white blood cells (WBC), and packed cell volume (PCV). In the
blood cell analysis, we found a significantly lower eosinophil in the
glaucoma group (2.54% to 4.03%). There were no significant differences
for the PCV, (40.47% to 41.97%), white blood cell total/mm3 (5105.97 to
4802.98) Lymphocyte, (50% to 50.73%), Neutrophil, (44.8% to 42.5%),
Monocyte, (1.76% to 1.97%), Basophil (0.35% to0.53%). Of the
hematological characteristics considered, in the blood analysis we
found only the eosinophil count to have a significant relationship to
glaucoma
Impact of Noise on Hearing Amongst Commercial Motor Bike Riders in Benin- City, Nigeria.
The ambient noise level and noise-induced hearing impairment (NIHI) in
200 motorbike riders from six motorbike parks were evaluated. All were
males aged between 20- 62 years. Subjects were sampled using a cluster
sampling technique. Parameters measured were environmental noise using
the noise meter (peters) and hearing function using an audiometer
(amplaid). A control group of 150 males was selected from amongst the
staff of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital and students of
University of Benin after informed consent was obtained. The mean
ambient noise for motor bike riders was 90 \ub110 dB a level
significantly (x=0.000), higher than the International Standard
Organization (ISO) standard of 60dB. That for control group was 50
\ub1 10dB. While there was no NIHI in control group, a significant
hearing impairment for both air conduction (AC) and Bone conduction
(BC) was observed in the study group. Unlike previous observations AC
and BC impairment were predominantly in the left ear. Development of
both AC and BC impairments increased with period of exposure.
Environment noise impacts adversely on hearing and is a risk factor in
commercial motorbike riders. Development of NIHI is significantly
higher in the left ear than right unlike in other occupations
Relevance of the MicroRNA (Mirna) Processor DICER Expression in the Biological Behaviour and Pathological Response of Nigerian Breast Cancer Tissues
Background: Breast cancer (BC) among Nigerians is characterised by high grade, triple negative, basal-like phenotype tumours with high proliferation indices and poor prognosis. The loss of Dicer expression has been speculated to play a key role in BC with similar features among the women in the Western countries.
Objectives: To demonstrate the role of the Dicer expression in relation to pathological response in BC, in order to determine the biological behaviour and its prognostic significance in BC among Nigerian women using immunohistochemistry and Tissue microarray (TMA).
Methods: This study investigated the immune profiles of the Dicer in 241 tissue microarray of breast cancer tissue of Nigerian women and correlated the protein expression with the pathological response and the other biomarker expressions to determine the functional significance in Nigerian women.
Results: Protein expression of Dicer as compared with other biomarkers expression showed there was significant association between the loss of Dicer expression and the down-regulators of Breast Cancer Associated Gene-1 (BRCA1), metastasis tumour antigen-1(MTA 1) (p = 0.004), Inhibitor differentiation-4 (ID4) (p = 0.002), ubiquitin conjugating enzyme-9 (UBC9) (p = 0.008) and protein inhibitor of activated signal transducer gamma PIASγ (p = 0.002). Other relevant Homologous repair pathway markers included poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1(PARP1) (p < 0.001) and RAD51 (p < 0.001), cell cycle regulator protein-27(p27) (p = 0.024), the proliferation kinetic protein ( Ki-67) (p = 0.003) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression (p = 0.013). Survival analysis also showed that there was no significant correlation between tumours negative for Dicer and patient outcome.
Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the loss of Dicer is associated with intermediate to higher grade tumour, discrepant MI/Ki-67 expression, p27 loss, homologous recombination response dysregulation, high EGFR and Ki-67 expression. Therefore, Dicer expression appears to play a major role in the biology of BC among Nigerian women. A targeted therapy on Dicer expression would enhance the management of BC among Nigerian women
Short communication - PEAK EXPIRATORY FLOW RATE (PEFR) IN YOUNG ADULT NIGERIANS FOLLOWING INGESTION OF GARCINIA KOLA (HECKEL) SEEDS.
PEFR was measured in 82 male students following the ingestion of 15gm
of Garcinia kola . Overall, PEFR increased with age, height,
weight and chest circumference. The lowest control PEFR was 450 L/min
and the highest control PEFR was 647 L/min. Following the ingestion of
Garcinia Kola, PEFR decreased to 445 L/min and 615 L/min respectively
at the end of 90 mins. Mean control PEFR was 576.17 ± 20 and mean
PEFR 90min after Garcinia Kola consumption was 542 ± 26 (P <
0.05). Garcinia Kola may clear the airway, but does not improve the
airflow in young adults
VARIATIONS OF PEAK EXPIRATORY FLOW RATE WITH ANTHROPOMETRIC DETERMINANTS IN A POPULATION OF HEALTHY ADULT NIGERIANS.
PEFR was measured in 300 healthy adult male and female staff and
students of the University of Benin, Benin City, and the College of
Education, Ekiadolor, near Benin. The variations of Peak Expiratory
Flow Rate (PEFR) with respect to height (ht), weight (wt) and chest
circumference (cc) were determined in these subjects. PEFR values fell
within the middle to the lower limits of the range for the general male
and female populations. There was a linear increase in PEFR with
respect to the three anthropometric variables (ht, wt and cc) only in
the young adult males, whereas in the older adult males and females,
PEFR fluctuated considerably with the variables. PEFR correlates more
with ht, wt and cc in young adults than in older adults. Respiratory
function indices collected from healthy young adults may be more
reliable and predictable than those from older adults
A Study of Possible Sleep Deprivation in Medical Students.
Two hundred medical students were investigated for possible sleep deprivation using questionnaires. The use of drugs in form of stimulants, use of sleeping pills, and the nature of hostel space accommodation for the students were also investigated. A similar sizeable number of non-medical students were also investigated. The results show that the medical students have far less sleep per night, compared to the non-mdeical students while in session. This obviously is indicative of sleep deprivation in the medical students. There was nothing in the results to suggest possible contributions to the observed scarcity of sleep in the medical students from use of stimulants or the nature of hostel space accommodation. Only a very small proportion of the students use sleeping pills. Keywords: Sleep, deprivation, medical students.Nigerian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences Vol. 6 (2) 2007: pp. 78-8
Haematological Parameters in Open Angle Glaucoma Patients
There is potential for blood related factors to affect aqueous
production or optic nerve functions. There have been relationships
between inflammatory cell count and glaucoma. Eosinophils have inverse
relationship with steroids which is used to induce ocular hypertension.
Here we compare hematological parameters for a group of 68 chronic
open-angle glaucoma (OAG) patients and a non-glaucomatous group of 71.
In our hematological analysis we determined the concentration of the
various white blood cells (WBC), and packed cell volume (PCV). In the
blood cell analysis, we found a significantly lower eosinophil in the
glaucoma group (2.54% to 4.03%). There were no significant differences
for the PCV, (40.47% to 41.97%), white blood cell total/mm3 (5105.97 to
4802.98) Lymphocyte, (50% to 50.73%), Neutrophil, (44.8% to 42.5%),
Monocyte, (1.76% to 1.97%), Basophil (0.35% to0.53%). Of the
hematological characteristics considered, in the blood analysis we
found only the eosinophil count to have a significant relationship to
glaucoma
Breathing Patterns In The Newborn And Related Cardiovascular Adjustments
The transition from foetal to neonatal life is a dramatic one; it demands considerable and effective physiological alteration in the newborn to ensure survival. Simultaneously cardio-respiratory adjustments are initiated and breathing maintained on a continuous basis. The basic movements in the human foetus being about 8 weeks after conception, and by 12 weeks some of these foetal breathing movements have attained a pattern similar to respiration. At birth also, the regulatory neural network responsible for respiratory control is capable of generating robust rhythm-driven ventilation that can adjust to homeostatic needs. The so far unexplained conversion from episodic to continuous breathing with the onset of birth remains one of the mysteries of perinatal medicine. The initiation and establishment of breathing is of paramount importance to the survival of the newborn. Normal breathing requires pre-Botzinger complex neuro-kinin-1 receptor-expressing neurons. Some respiratory reflexes have been demonstrated in the newborn that control respiration. One of such is the Hering-Breuer Inflation Reflex (HBIR). The conversion from intrauterine to extrauterine life is accompanied by adjustments in virtually every organ system but the focus of this review is on that of the respiratory system and its effects on the cardiovascular system. These changes ensure that the newborn adjusts quietly and uniquely to its new environment at birth. Keywords: Breathing patterns, newborn, cardiovascular adjustments.Journal of Mining and Geology Vol. 5 (1&2) 2006: pp. 23-3
Epidemiologic Studies of the Prevalence of Arterial Hypertension among Commercial Motor Bike Riders in Benin City, Nigeria.
An epidemiologic study was carried out in the dry season on 250 male commercial motor bike riders from five different parks. 69% of the bike riders were in the (year) 31– 40 and 41–50 age range while 31% were in 21–30, 51– 60 and 61 – 70 age range. Half of the population studied were normotensive. Arterial hypertension was found in 63 (25%) of the examined workers (