Coronary artery aneurysms as seen on multidetector computed Tomography angiography

Coronary artery aneurysms (CAA) are present in 1.4–5.3% of the population (Nichols, Lagana, Parwani. Arch Pathol Lab Med 2008; 132:823–828). While angiography remains the gold standard for evaluating CAAs, multidetector computed tomography angiography (MDCTA) is an emerging way of assessing CAAs (Pahlavan and Niroomand. Clin Cardiol 2006;29:439–443). With the increasing clinical utilization of MDCTA, CAAs are often initially diagnosed using this method. Since MDCTA is used largely in lower risk and asymptomatic patients, understanding the etiology and treatment is paramount for clinicians reading these studies. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Early detection of Pre-XDR TB with line probe assay in a high TB burden country

BackgroundWorldwide, tuberculosis (TB) is one of the top 10 causes of death. Drug resistant tuberculosis has lately become a major public health problem that threatens progress made in Tuberculosis (TB) care and control worldwide. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Pre-extensive drug resistant TB among MDR TB in North Central of Nigeria.MethodsThis study was conducted from October, 2018 to August, 2019 with 150 samples. In Nigeria, guidelines for DR-TB as recommended by WHO is followed. All the samples from the patients who gave their consent were transported to a zonal reference TB laboratory (ZRL).ResultsMean age was 38.6 ± 13.4 years with peak age at 35–44. Out of these 103 samples processed with LPA, 101(98%) were rifampicin resistant and 2 were rifampicin sensitive, 99(96%) were INH resistant and 4 (4%) were INH sensitive, 5(5%) were fluoroquinolone resistant, 98(95%) were fluoroquinolone sensitive, 12 (12%) were Aminoglycoside + Capreomycin resistant, 91(83%) were Aminoglycoside + Capreomycin sensitive.ConclusionMultidrug resistant TB and its severe forms (Pre-extensive & extensively drug resistant TB) can be detected early with rapid tool- Line Probe Assay rapid and prevented timely by early initiation on treatment.     

Statistical correlations between mineral element composition,product information and retail price of powdered cocoa beverages in Nigeria

A study of the mineral element composition, labelled product information and retail prices of 30 Nigerian made powdered cocoa beverages (PCBs) was carried out. The objective was to determine statistical correlations between retail price, mineral element composition and the practice of PCB manufacturers towards providing product information as an index of good manufacturing practice (GMP). The products were generally found to be rich sources of Ca and P. Fe, Cu and Cr were found in trace amounts. Most PCB sample had Pb content above the maximum permissible level of 1.0 μg/g, The calcium content correlated significantly with phosphorus content (r = 0.919, P < 0.01) and GMP score (r = 0.639, P < 0.01). Based on products’ mineral element composition, the use of some multivariate pattern recognition techniques successfully clustered the PCB brands into two main groups. The first group consisted mainly of unregistered samples with GMP scores ≤8 (maximum score = 12) while the second group consisted mainly of registered products with GMP scores ≥8. Based on the mineral element composition, the extreme positions of Pb and P in the clustering tree indicated that they are contaminant and nutritional supplements, respectively. Finally, the retail prices, Ca and P contents were shown to be reliable indices of GMP in PCBs.     

Wound infections in two health institutions in Ile-Ife,Nigeria: results of a cohort study

The control of wound infections is increasingly complicated, yet treatment is not always guided by microbiological diagnosis. To describe the distribution of wound infections and causative agents, a prospective, 6-month cohort study involving 102 outpatients was conducted at the University Teaching Hospital and the Health Center in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Location and type of infected wounds were recorded and bacterial isolates were identified by standard microbiological techniques. Almost half (40%) of all infected wounds were attributed to trauma and, in most cases, located on the extremities. Of the 162 bacterial isolates obtained from wound cultures, 39 were monomicrobial and 55 were polymicrobial; no bacterial isolate was obtained in eight cases. Staphylococcus aureus was the predominant micro-organism (25%), followed by Escherichia coli (12%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (9%), and Staphylococcus epidermidis (9%). The diversity of micro-organisms and the high incidence of polymicrobic flora in this study give credence to the value of identifying one or more bacterial pathogens from wound cultures. The recognition of causative agents of wound infections can assist wound care practitioners in taking appropriate measures. Continuous dialogue between the microbiology department and wound care practitioners is strongly advised in order to improve treatment outcomes and slow the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.     

Weight changes in clients on hormonal contraceptives in Zaria, Nigeria

Misconceptions exist in Nigeria about the effects of hormonal contraceptives on weight, which may have negative effects on contraceptive use. Data from case notes of clients attending the reproductive health centre at the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, between 1993 and 1995, were analysed to determine the effects of hormonal contraceptives on body weight, comparing them to clients using intrauterine contraceptive devices. Weight changes were not significantly different in clients using hormonal contraceptives and those using intrauterine contraceptive devices. This information will be beneficial in contraceptive counselling for clients in this environment and provide a baseline for further research.     

Indomethacin-induced gastric ulceration in rats: Ameliorative roles of Spondias mombin and Ficus exasperata

Context: Spondias mombin Linn (Anacardiaceae) and Ficus exasperata Valh (Moraceae) are botanicals with known phytotherapeutic potentials in the traditional system of medicine in the world.

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the quantitative polyphenolic constituents and gastroprotective effects of aqueous leaf extracts of Spondias mombin and Ficus exasperata against indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer in rats.

Materials and methods: Ulceration was induced by a single oral administration of indomethacin (30?mg/kg body weight (b.w.)). Ulcerated rats were orally administered with esomeprazole (a reference drug) at a dose of 20?mg/kg body weight, and Spondias mombin and Ficus exasperata at a dose of 100 and 200?mg/kg b.w. once daily for 21 d after ulcer induction. Gastric secretions and antioxidant parameters were thereafter evaluated.

Results: The significantly increased (p?<?0.05) ulcer index, gastric volume, malondialdehyde level, and pepsin activity by indomethacin were effectively reduced by 65.40, 36.47, 45.71, and 53.79%, respectively, following treatment with F. exasperata at 200?mg/kg b.w. S. mombin at this regimen also attenuated these parameters by 71.70, 46.62, 50.16, and 55.73%. Moreover, the extracts significantly increase the reduced activity of superoxide dismutase as well as pH and mucin content in the ulcerated rats.

Discussion and conclusion: These findings are indicative of gastroprotective and antioxidative potentials of the extracts which is also evident in the degree of % inhibition against ulceration. The available data in this study suggest that the extracts proved to be capable of ameliorating indomethacin-induced gastric ulceration and the probable mechanisms are via antioxidative and proton pump inhibition.     

Evaluation of subchronic chlorpyrifos poisoning on hematological and serum biochemical changes in mice and protective effect of vitamin C

Chlorpyrifos (CPF) is one of the most widely used organophosphorous insecticides in agriculture with its attendant adverse health outcomes. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of subchronic oral CPF administration on hematological and serum biochemical indices, and the possible ameliorating effect of vitamin C on the indices in mice. Thirty mice divided into 3 groups of 10 mice each were used for this study. Mice in group I (control) were dosed with vegetable oil, while those in group II were given CPF (21.3 mg/kg~ 1/5(th) LD(50)) only. Mice in group III were pretreated with vitamin C (100 mg/kg) prior to dosing with CPF 30 min later (Vitamin C + CPF-treated group). This regime was given to each group of mice three times a week for a period of ten weeks. During the study period, mice were examined for signs of toxicity, and weight of each mouse was measured every week. At the end of the study period, blood samples were collected from the mice and analyzed for packed cell volume (PCV), total red blood cell (RBC), white blood cell (WBC) and total protein (TP). Serum obtained from the blood was analyzed for Na( +, K+ and Cl-), urea, creatinine, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). The results showed that mice in the vitamin C + CPF-treated group exhibited milder signs of toxicity and significant increase in weight gain (p<0.01) compared to the CPF-treated group. No significant increase in weight in the CPF-treated group was observed compared to the control. There was a significant increase in PCV, RBC, Hb, TP and creatinine, but a significant decrease was obtained in WBC, ALT and AST in the CPF-treated group compared to the control. All the parameters with the exception of WBC, ALT and AST (which increased significantly), were significantly decreased in the vitamin C + CPF-treated group compared to CPF-treated group. ALP was significantly elevated in the CPF-treated group compared to both the control and vitamin C + CPF-treated group. No significant changes in urea and the measured electrolytes in all three groups, except a significant decrease in the concentration of Na(+) was observed in the CPF-treated group compared to the control. The study demonstrated that pretreatment of CPF-administered mice with vitamin C significantly altered some important hematological and serum biochemical parameters, revealing the protective action of the vitamin against some organ damage induced by CPF.