Hysterectomies amongst teenagers in Calabar, Nigeria

A 10-year retrospective study of hysterectomies performed on teenagers in Calabar was carried out.     

The Equivalent Uniform Dose as a severity metric for radiation treatment incidents.

In allocating resources within a risk management program, ideally we would like to know both the probabilities and consequences of potential incidents. We simulate, on a treatment planning computer, several commonly reported incidents in radiation treatment and explore their consequences for the EUDs of targets and organs at risk.     

Aggressive chemotherapy for acute leukemia relapsed after bone marrow transplantation: a second chance?

Eight patients, 5 with acute non lymphoid leukemia and 3 with lymphoid leukemia, were treated at relapse after bone marrow transplantation (BMT; 4 autologous BMT and 4 allogeneic BMT). Of these, 2 relapsed within 3 months after BMT (2 allogeneic BMT) and 6 (2 allogeneic and 4 autologous BMT) after more than 9 months after BMT. The 2 patients relapsing early showed no response to treatment and died. Five out of 6 patients relapsing late achieved complete remission (4 of them with intensive chemotherapy). Four patients are currently alive. Aggressive combination chemotherapy can produce long-term survival in selected patients relapsed after BMT.     

Antiplasmodial and antipyretic studies on root extracts of Anthocleista djalonensis against Plasmodium berghei

ObjectiveTo evaluate the antimalarial activities of ethanolic root extract/fractions of Anthocleista djalonensis (A. djalonensis) in Plasmodium berghei (P. berghei) infected mice.MethodsA. djalonensis root extract (175–1 000 mg/kg) and fractions (chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol; 250 and 500 mg/kg) were investigated for antiplasmodial activity against chloroquine-sensitive Plasmodium berghei infections in mice and for antipyretic activity against dinitrophenol, amphetamine and yeast-induced pyrexia. The antiplasmodial activity during early and established infections as well as prophylactic were investigated. Artesunate (5 mg/kg) and pyrimethamine (1.2 mg/kg) were used as positive controls. Antipyretic activity of the crude extract was also evaluated against dinitrophenol, amphetamine and yeast-induced pyrexia.ResultsThe extract and its fractions dose-dependently reduced parasitaemia induced by chloroquine sensitive Plasmodium berghei infection in prophylactic, suppressive and curative models in mice. These reductions were statistically significant (P<0.001). They also improved the mean survival time from 13 to 28 days relative to control (P<0.001). The activities of extract/fractions were comparable to that of the standard drugs used (chloroquine and pyrimethamine). On pyrexia induced by dinitrophenol, amphetamine and yeast, the extract inhibited significantly (P<0.05 – 0.001) and in a dose-dependent fashion temperature rise caused by these pyrogens.ConclusionsA. djalonensis root extract has antiplasmodial and antipyretic activities which may in part be mediated through the chemical constituents of the plant.     

Congenital malaria in Calabar, Nigeria: the molecular perspective

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has been shown to be more sensitive in detecting low-level parasitemia than conventional blood film microscopy. We estimated the prevalence of congenital malaria using nested PCR amplification of the small subunit 18S RNA gene to detect low-level parasitemia and identify Plasmodium species in 204 mother-neonate pairs. Cord-blood parasitemia was detected in four babies by PCR, giving a prevalence of 2.0%. The newborns of primidgravidae were more susceptible to congenital malaria than those of multigravidae (P < 0.0001). There was a strong correlation between placental malaria and congenital malaria (odds ratio = 10.1, 95% confidence interval = 1.3-76.1, P = 0.0487). We conclude that the prevalence of congenital malaria in Calabar detected by PCR is lower than has been reported in this environment through microscopy.     

Pattern of paediatric renal disease in inpatients in Calabar, Nigeria

A 10-year retrospective review of inpatients in Calabar showed that of 5641 children admitted,182 (3.2%) had renal disease. The major lesions were acute glomerulonephritis (36.9%) and nephrotic syndrome (30.7%), while less common ones included urinary tract infection (8.9%), obstructive uropathy, acute renal failure (6.7%, each) and nephroblastoma (6.2%).     

Acute toxicity,biochemical and haematological study of Aframomum melegueta seed oil in male Wistar albino rats

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Aframomum melegueta is a popular medicinal plant in Nigeria believed to have many agents acting in different ways to bring about human health benefits. This study aimed to determine the acute toxicity, identify some phytochemicals known to be present in this plant and the possible effects on lipid profile, haematological indices and biomarker of prostate and cardiac dysfunction.

Materials and methods

Twenty four Wistar rats (284–326 g) were used in four groups of six animals. Group 1 (control) received normal saline; groups 2, 3 and 4, received intraperitoneal injection of 27.39, 54.77 and 82.16 mg/kg body weight of the extract respectively for 7 days. Haematological and biochemical parameters were measured.

Results

Alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, cardiac glycosides, terpenoids and steroids were identified in this plant extract. The LD₅₀ was 273.86 mg/kg body weight. Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) decreased significantly in group 2. Testosterone increased significantly in all the test groups compared to the control. Cardiac troponin I (0 ng/dl) was recorded for the test groups while the control had 1.69±0.12 ng/dl. Lipid profile results showed increase in HDL and decrease in total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol. Haemoglobin (Hb) and Red Blood Cells count (RBC) decreased significantly in group 4. White Blood Cells count (WBC), Mean Cell Volume (MCV), Mean Cell Haemoglobin (MCH) and Mean Cell Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) did not change significantly.

Conclusion

Aframomum melegueta seed oil has the potential of ameliorating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and cardiac dysfunction as indicated by testosterone, PSA, lipid profile and troponin I levels. The LD₅₀ of 273.86 mg/kg body weight is indicative of mild toxicity. The lower than normal Hb, RBC confirms the possibility of toxicity.     

Current pharmacotherapy for gambling disorder: a systematic review

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Gambling disorder is classified as an addictive disorder and is associated with significant distress and impairment in personal, social, occupational or other important areas of functioning. Although no pharmacotherapy has a formal indication for gambling disorder, data suggest potential benefits of specific medications.

Area covered: This systematic review evaluated findings from 19 randomized controlled trials testing pharmacotherapies for the treatment of gambling disorder.

Expert opinion: Few randomized controlled trials have studied pharmacotherapies for gambling disorder. Though results are limited, opioid antagonists like naltrexone showed promise in the pharmacological treatment of gambling disorder. Pharmacotherapy combined with psychotherapy treatments for gambling disorder may provide better rates of patient retention in comparison to pharmacology-only treatments, though further research is needed in this area. Future studies should address gaps relating to considerations of racial, ethnic, gender and other individual differences in clinical studies. Because gambling disorder often co-occurs with other psychiatric disorders, additional research is needed to test treatments for dually diagnosed patients.