Microbial isolates and HIV infection in couples attending fertility clinics in Sagamu, Nigeria.

This observational study was designed to determine the prevalence of HIV infection and the microbial isolates from the genital tracts of couples attending the fertility clinics of Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, Ogun State, Nigeria between January 2001 and December 2002. A total of 110 women and 49 of their male partners were recruited into the study. The majority of the patients were between 25 and 34 years (women: 71.8%; partners: 65.3%), though the men were significantly older than the women (p < 0.001). The overall prevalence of HIV infection in those who consented to screening was 8.2%, which was over twice the reported prevalence among the general population in Ogun State, Nigeria during the study period. Candida albicans (32.5%) and Staphylococcus aureus (27.5%) were the most frequently isolated microorganisms from the endocervix while Trichomonas vaginalis (37.9%) and Staphylococcus aureus (24.1%) were the most common microbes isolated from the posterior vaginal fornix. Of all the seminal qualities, only the volume showed a significant difference between the infected and non-infected samples (p < 0.004). This study suggests a higher prevalence of HIV infection among the infertile couples in our environment and it may be advisable to have them screened for HIV in the face of the present HIV situation in sub-Saharan Africa.     

The rise in caesarean birth rate in Sagamu, Nigeria: reflection of changes in obstetric practice.

A retrospective and comparative study of women delivered by caesarean section over two different 3-year periods was conducted at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, Nigeria. The caesarean section rate (CSR) increased from 10.3% in 1989-1991 to 23.1% in 2000-2003. The most frequent indication in both periods was different: prolonged/obstructed labour (20.0%) in 1989-1991 and antepartum haemorrhage (14.9%) in 2000-2003. Malpresentation, antepartum haemorrhage and pre-eclampsia/eclampsia were responsible for 51.7% of the difference in the CSR recorded between both periods. The CSR rose from 13.3% to 25.0% while the instrumental vaginal delivery (IVD) rate decreased significantly by 11.4% among the nulliparous women between the periods. Increase in CSR can be attributed mainly to reduction in IVD rate and alteration in the management of labour complications and induction policy. Strategies to reduce the CSR should cut across all indications and focus on encouraging instrumental vaginal deliveries, especially among nulliparous women.     

Elective abdominal hysterectomy in Nigerian Jehovah's Witnesses.

In a retrospective study at a university hospital, the perioperative morbidity associated with elective total abdominal hysterectomy in 23 Jehovah's Witnesses was compared with that of 46 non-Witness controls. The mean operative blood loss was significantly less, the procedure was lengthier and the average postoperative hospital stay was longer in the study than in the control group. Febrile morbidity was insignificantly more frequent among the study group (OR: 2.05, CI: 0.61-6.88) and there was no significant difference between the overall morbidity experienced by patients in both groups (study: 43.5% versus control: 39.1%; P = 0.73). The perioperative morbidity associated with elective abdominal hysterectomy in patients unwilling to accept blood transfusion does not justify the denial of this important gynaecological surgery when indicated. Gynaecologists in poor resource settings should consciously aim at providing 'bloodless' care for all their patients undergoing abdominal hysterectomy as this may translate to reduced blood loss and decreased need for blood transfusion.     

Structural polymorphism of glycophorins demonstrated by immunoblotting techniques

We have explored the polymorphism of the glycophorin system in the human erythrocyte membrane using the immunoblotting techniques and examining 52 individuals selected without prior bias as to their serologic state and ten documented serologic variants of M, N, S, s blood group system. Polyclonal antisera to alpha glycophorin and to alpha glycophorin CNBr carboxyl terminal fragment C (residues 82-131) and M and N specific monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) were used. The first two reagents detect specific regions of the alpha glycophorin molecule and all electrophoretically resolved species of glycophorins immunologically related to alpha and delta glycophorins (delta glycophorin, [alpha-delta] hybrids and other glycophorins with an alteration in the carboxyl terminal segment); the M and N MoAbs identified the glycophorin species containing or lacking the M or N determinant in the amino terminal octapeptide structures. We find that immunoblotting confirmed in all cases the serologically determined phenotype; we also find that polymorphic forms of the glycophorin system are relatively infrequent; immunoblotting, independent from serologic testing, was capable of detecting five mutants, two most likely S-s-U-phenotypes; a new glycophorin species was detected in normal red cells with both antiglycophorin and antipeptide C sera, which is not evident with MoAbs; immunoblots of known glycophorin variants (En(a-), U-, Mg, Mi I, II, III, V, and Sta) confirmed but also extended our knowledge of the abnormal glycophorins involved; and the He+ and Wrb(-) cells showed normal patterns.     

Role of CaMKII in the regulation of fatty acids and lipid metabolism

Background & aimsPrevious studies have reported the beneficial roles of the activation of calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaMK)II to many cellular functions associated with human health. This review aims at discussing its activation by exercise as well as its roles in the regulation of unsaturated, saturated, omega 3 fatty acids, and lipid metabolism.MethodsA wide literature search was conducted using online database such as ‘PubMed’, ‘Google Scholar’, ‘Researcher’, ‘Scopus’ and the website of World Health Organization (WHO) as well as Control Disease and Prevention (CDC). The criteria for the search were mainly lipid and fatty acid metabolism, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome (MetS). A total of ninety-seven articles were included in the review.ResultsCalmodulin-dependent protein kinase activation by exercise is helpful in controlling membrane lipids related with type 2 diabetes and obesity. CaMKII regulates many health beneficial cellular functions in individuals who exercise compared with those who do not exercise. Regulation of lipid metabolism and fatty acids are crucial in the improvement of metabolic syndrome.ConclusionsApproaches that involve CaMKII could be a new avenue for designing novel and effective therapeutic modalities in the treatment or better management of metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and obesity.     

Experience with unoperated cleft lip and palate patients in a Nigerian teaching hospital

A review of 31 cases of unoperated cleft lip and palate patients aged 10 years and above managed over a 6 years period at a suburban Nigeria teaching hospital is presented. There was an overall preponderance of the female gender and isolated cleft lip (58%) was the most predominant. Although clefts were very wide on presentation, there was adequate well-developed soft tissue in adults to achieve a cosmetically and functionally acceptable repair. This study also confirms the views that late primary repair of facial cleft is less likely to produce impaired growth of the maxillaas is commonly observed in early repair. However, the advantages of early repair cannot be over-emphasized.     

Assisted reproductive technologies in Africa: first results from the African Network and Registry for Assisted Reproductive Technology, 2013

Research question

What were utilization, outcomes and practices in assisted reproductive technology (ART) in Africa in 2013?