This 6-week study investigates the effect of Yaji on body and organ weights of rats averagely weighing 229g. The rats (n=32) were divided into 4 groups (A-D) with 2 subgroups (A1-D1 and A2-D2) respectively. Group A served as the control, while B-D served as tests. B1, C1, and D1 (n=8 each), received 80g/20g, 60g/40g and 40g/60g of feed/ Yaji respectively for a period of 3 weeks (acute period), while B2, C2 and D2 (n=4 each) received 40g/10g, 30g/20g and 20g/30g of feed/ Yaji respectively for the remaining 3 weeks (chronic period). Control subgroups A1 (n=8) and A2 (n=4) received normal feed. Throughout the study, the physical and behavioral changes of the rats were recorded as well as the body and organ weights of the rats before and after the rats were sacrificed. Results showed statistically significant weight changes (weight loss in group B during the acute and chronic periods and in C and D during the acute period only) and weight gain in C and D during the chronic period only. Although human data remains yet undetermined, our findings however, supports earlier claims that Yaji has potentials for weight management, while suggesting a working reference weight reduction rat-dose of 20g. Keywords : Yaji , Addictives, Spices, Nutrition, Weight changes, Physical observations.

This experiment was designed to study the histological effects of oral administration of normal and double normal doses of artesunate on the histology of the liver in wistar rats. The rats were divided into three groups (A, B and C) of five rats each. A and B served as the treatment groups, while C served as the control group. Group A rats were given 4 mg/kg b. w of artesunate daily for 3 days followed by 2 mg/kg b. w daily for next for 4 days. Group B rats were given 8 mg/kg^2 b. w of artesunate daily for 3 days followed by 4 mg/kg b. w daily for next 4 days, while group C rats were given only distilled water. The rats were fed with grower's mash purchased from Edo feeds and Flour Mill Ltd, Ewu, Edo state and were given water ad libitum. On day eight of the experiment, the rats were weighed and sacrificed by cervical dislocation. The livers were carefully dissected out and quickly fixed in 10% formal saline for histological studies. The histological findings after H and E method showed sinusoidal congestion with cytoplasmic vacuolation (hepatocyte oedema) and mild inflammation of the portal tracts. Our study suggests that artesunate at normal dose has a toxic effect on the liver cells and could be a potential hepatotoxic drug. It is therefore recommended that further studies aimed at corroborating these observations be carried out and self-medication with artesunate should be discouraged.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of oral administration of artesunate on the histology of the testis in wistar rats. Adult male wistar rats used in the study were divided into 3 groups: Group A received 4mg/kg b.w of artesunate daily for 3 days followed by 2mg/kg b.w daily for next for 4 days; group B received 8mg/kg/kg b.w of artesunate daily for 3 days followed by 4mg/kg b.w daily for next 4 days and group C were given only distilled water and served as control. The rats were fed with grower's mash purchased from Edo feeds and Flour Mill Ltd, Ewu, Edo state and were given water ad libitum. On day eight of the experiment, the rats were weighed and sacrificed by cervical dislocation. The testes were carefully dissected out and quickly fixed in 10% formal saline for routine histological study after H&E method. The histological findings indicated that the treated sections of the testes showed mild sloughing of germ cells from the basement membrane and varying degrees of reduced population of germ cells. These findings suggest that artesunate at normal dose has a deleterious effect on the histology of the testis and could be a potential male antiferftility agent. It is therefore recommended that further studies aimed at corroborating these observations be carried out.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of Mangifera indica L. (mango) stem bark crude Aqueous Extract (AE) on the morphology and biochemical functions of the liver in wistar rats. Adult wistar rats used in the study were divided into 2 groups: Group 1 rats were untreated and served as control and Group 2 experimental rats were orally given 1 mL (100 mg) daily of aqueous extract for a period of 14 days. The body weight changes and the weight of the liver were measured and the serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alanine Transaminase (ALT), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), Total Bilirubin (TB) and Conjugated Bilirubin (CB) levels were determined. There was no significant difference (p＜0.05) in body weight gain between the two groups at the end of the experiment. The treated group had a significant decrease in liver weight (p＜0.05) when compared with control. The treated group also had a significant increase in AST when compared with control. There were no significant increases in ALT, ALP and total bilirubin when compared with the control. The study suggests derangement of liver function and possible damage to the hepatocytes by the crude AE at this dose and duration.

Colorectal cancer is a common malignant neoplasm in adults, with a peak incidence of 60–79 years. About 1 million cases of the disease and half a million deaths associated with it are reported world-wide each year. Colorectal cancer, however, is very uncommon in children and adolescents. This is a presentation of 3 cases of colon cancer in Nigerians aged 17 and 19 years. Two of them were adenocarcinoma and the other leiomyosarcoma. The pathogenesis and aspects of management are discussed.

BACKGROUND Symptoms suggestive of peripheral neuropathy (PN) in diabetes mellitus (DM) do not always indicate presence ofunderlying PN. OBJECTIVE A pioneering study among Nigerian diabetic subjects to evaluate the objectivity of their symptoms of PN using two objective diagnostic instruments for PN the United Kingdom Screening Test (UKST) and Bio-Thesiometry. SUBJECTS AND METHODS One hundred and twenty diabetic participants and a similar number of non-diabetic controls were screened for symptoms of PN using the UKST symptoms score and subsequently separated into two groups those with symptoms ofPN and those without. The "symptomatic" cases and controls were further evaluated with the UKST signs score and Bio-Thesiometry to assess the objectivity of the symptoms. RESULTS Among 120 diabetic participants, 83(69.2%) had neuropathic symptoms (the symptomatic cases) while 10 (8.3%) of the 120 non-diabetic controls had neuropathic symptoms (the symptomatic controls). Among the cases, UKST signs score detected PN in 89.2% (74/83) and Bio-Thesiometry 71.1% (59/83), the difference in the ability of the two methods to detect PN in this group being statistically significant (X2 = 8.51, df = 1, p < 0.01). Among the controls, UKST detected PN in 100.0% (10/10) compared to Bio-thesiometry (50.0%; 5/10), the difference in the ability of the two methods to detect PN in this group also being statistically significant (X2 = 4.27, df = 1, p < 0.05, using continuity correction factor). The difference in the ability of both methods to detect PN between the cases and controls was however not statistically significant (X2 = 0.68, df = 1, p > 0.3) CONCLUSION The symptoms of PN among Nigerian diabetic subjects when evaluated with a gold standard for scoring the symptoms (the UKST symptoms score) are real, objective and truly indicate presence of underlying PN. Diabetic subjects presenting to medical clinics with symptoms of PN should receive serious attention and evaluation using this gold standard to detect early those with genuine PN and are at risk of foot ulceration from PN.

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the relationship between measles virus (MV) antibodies (abs) in sera and breast milk of nursing mothers, their contributions in seroconversion of children (0-9 months) post vaccination, prevalence of prevaccination measles abs in sera of children brought for measles vaccination and seroconversion rate in vaccinees from nursing and lactating mothers. Also to determine the potency of vaccines available in Nigeria in relation to seroconversion.METHODS:One hundred and twenty pre- and post-vaccination sera and breast milk samples were collected from each nursing mother while corresponding number of finger prick pre- and post-vaccination sera samples were collected from children on filter papers. These were tested for mv abs using serological techniques.RESULTS:Eighty (20.0%) mothers had measles haemagglutination inhibition (HI) abs in sera and 88 (27.2%) had mv HI abs in breast milk. Eight (2.0%) children who had prevaccination mv abs in sera came from mv ab negative mothers. Forty-four (37.0%) came back for post vaccination sera, sero-converted while 76 (63.3%) gave low sero-conversion rate of 37.0%. Results showed that mv abs in sera or breast milk of mothers did not interfere with mv vaccination in children. The low sero-conversion rate obtained was due to low vaccine potency with titres ranging between (log10-10 - log10-2.5)TCID/per dose, besides non-specific antiviral substances exhibited virus neutralizing activity.CONCLUSION:Poor sero-conversion due to loss of passive immunity arose from undernourishment while low ab titres came with natural infection. This suggested mv vaccination did not immunize following natural mv infection or any other previous immune status.

Background: Hypercholesterolaemia is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD) especially in industrialized societies. Coronary heart disease is becoming an increasing cause of death even in the developing world.Objective: To determine the prevalence of dyslipidaemia in apparently healthy professionals in a developing economy.Method: One hundred apparently healthy professionals were recruited from several professions by stratified random sampling. This population was believed to be at higher risk of dyslipidaemia considering their more likely "western diet" lifestyle. Total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and Triglycerides were determined using standard cholesterol LDL precipitating reagents/kits.Results: The mean age of the subjects was 41.59 +/- 8.22 years (range 29 to 58 years) with male to female ratio of 1:1.2. Mean total cholesterol was 180.69 +/- 36.248 mg/dl (4.67 +/- 0.94 mmol/L), LDL cholesterol 122.68 +/- 44.42 mg/dl (3.17 +/- 1.15 mmol/L), HDL-cholesterol 37.47 +/- 9.91 mg/dl (0.96 +/- 0.26 mmol/L) and Triglyceride 83.139 +/- 66.888 mg/dl (0.94 +/- 0.76 mmol/L). Using the Third Report of the NCEP Expert Panel on Detection. Evaluation and Treatment of high blood cholesterol in Adults (ATP III) definition and risk classification, 5% of the study population had hypercholesterolaemia, 23% elevated total serum cholesterol, 51% elevated LDL-cholesterol and 60% low HDL-cholesterol, with females recording better overall lipid profile.Conclusion: Dyslipidaemia was highly prevalent in the population studied, with low HDL- cholesterol being the most frequent lipid abnormality. Dyslipidaemia is becoming a serious health problem in the developing world also, even among the apparently healthy, and necessitates periodic lipid profile screening.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is commonly complicated by peripheral neuropathy (PN). Symptoms suggestive of peripheral neuropathy (PN) in diabetes mellitus (DM) do not always indicate presence of underlying PN, while absence of symptoms does not rule out presence of underlying PN. To determine the prevalence of asymptomatic PN in diabetic patients using two methods--the United Kingdom Screening Test (UKST) and Bio-Thesiometry. 120 diabetic participants and a similar number of non-diabetic controls were screened for symptoms of PN using the UKST symptoms score and subsequently separated into two groups--those with symptoms of PN and those without. The "asymptomatic" cases and controls were further screened for underlying PN using the UKST signs score and Bio-Thesiometry Among 120 diabetic participants, 37 (30.8%) had no symptoms of PN (the asymptomatic cases) compared to 110 (91.7%) of the 120 non-diabetic controls (the asymptomatic controls). The UKST signs score detected PN more significantly among the cases than the controls (43.2% (16/37) vs 9.1% (10/110); /2 = 22.5, df = I, p < 0.01). Similarly, Bio-thesiometry detected PN more significantly among the cases than the controls (29.7% (11/37) vs 9.1% (10/110); X2 = 9.57, df = 1, p < 0.01) Asymptomatic PN is present among Nigerian diabetic subjects and the absence of "alarm" symptoms of PN does not exclude the presence of genuine PN.

Allergic reactions have been associated with cloves, black pepper and mast cells. The presence of mast cells and renal fibrosis has also been reported and in line with an ongoing investigation on the effects of excessive consumption of Yaji the complex Nigerian meat sauce, this study was designed to correlate the individual and combined effects of the excessive consumption of Yaji-spices (ginger, clove, red pepper and black pepper) on the histology of the kidney, using 12 adult rabbits. The animals were divided into six groups of two (2) each (A, B, C, D, E and F). Groups B, C, D, E and F were the test groups whereas group A is the control. For 21 days, test group B was fed with feed and a combination of all the yaji-spices (3g each) while test groups C, D, E, and F were fed with feed and 3g each of the spices per day respectively. The histological observations showed that there were no effect on the kidneys in test groups C and E whereas in B, D and F, there were distinct round basophilic bodies in the interstitium of the renal cortex, which were suspected to be mast cells, and hence, implicating cloves and black pepper. This result suggests a possible mechanism of renal damage that is clove and black pepper feeding-induced, duration dependent and with mast cell mobilization into the kidney, that may then trigger renal fibrosis.

Ectopic breast tissues are subject to the similar physiological and pathological alterations seen in breast tissues situated in their normal anatomical positions. We report a 34-year old multiparous woman who presented with a right axillary lump of about 1 year duration, for which clinical impression of axillary lymphadenopathy was made and lumpectomy carried out. Histology of excised lump revealed fibroadenoma. We discussed possible pathogeneses and consequences of this lesion.

The vitamin A and ocular lesions in 98 rural Nigerians who excreted microfilariae in their skin tissues and had at least one clinical manifestation of onchocerciasis were investigated. The highest prevalence rate of 18 ( 69.2%) occurred among adult males with leopard skin. The overall mean vitamin status of (20.3 +/- 2.6 mu/ dl) was comparatively lower ( (2) = 41.0; p > 0.05) than the control inhabitants (76.2.3 +/- 3.8 mu g/ dl). The mean vitamin status was higher among the infected children (22.7 +/- 0.5 mu g/dl) than their adult counterparts (17.9 +/- 6.1 mu g/dl). Also the mean vitamin A status of their infected children ( 22.7 +/- 5.0 mu g/ dl) was lower ( (2) = 31.1; p > 0.05) than their control subjects ( 73.5 +/- 2.1 mu g/ dl). The vitamin A status of the infected adults ( 17.9 +/- 6.1 mu g/ dl) was lower ( (2) = 47.2; p > 0.05) than their control counterparts ( 78.9 +/- 4.1 mu g/dl). The mean microfilarial load of the different age groups of the infected volunteers showed negative correlation with the mean vitamin A status ( r = -0.93). In all, five different ocular lesions namely cataract, optic atrophy, chroroidoretinitis, iriodocyclitis and sclerosing keratitis were reported. Visual impairment was absent and the ocular lesions were low among the children as they had only optic atrophy and sclerosing keratitis among the five different lesions encountered.

Infertility in females is a major social and gynecological problem in Nigeria. It is either primary on secondary. Amongst the many causes of secondary infertility are complications of a preceding pregnancy. We present the cases of two women who became infertile as a result of fetal bone retention during termination of pregnancy. They later achieved normal pregnancy with successful outcome after removal of the retained bone. We highlight the burden of unsafe abortion, and make a case for improved abortion laws and practices in the developing world.

Yaji, otherwise ‘suya sauce’, used in serving the meat delicacy called ‘Suya’, is a complex mixture of spices and additives whose active ingredients on individual basis, are known to have side effects if consumed in excess. The growing concern is that the excessive consumption of Yaji signifies an excessive consumption of a combination of these constituents amongst which are ginger, cloves, red pepper and black pepper; which are mixed without a standardized format. This study was therefore designed to correlate the individual with the combined effects of the excessive consumption of these spices on the histology of the liver of adult rabbits. Involved in this study were 12 rabbits that were divided into six groups of two (2) each (A, B, C, D, E and F). Those in groups B, C, D, E and F, constituted the test groups whereas group A served as the control. For 21 days, test group B were fed with a combination of Ginger (3g), Clove (3g), red Pepper (3g) and Black Pepper (3g) per day while test groups C, D, E and F were fed with ginger (3g), Clove (3g), Red pepper (3g) and Black Pepper (3g) per day respectively. The histological observations show that the excessive consumption of these spices can cause necrosis of liver hepatocytes and therefore acute hepatitis.

"Squamous cell carcinoma of the vagina: An unusual presentation." Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 26(3), pp. 282–283

Introduction Teratomas are tumours derived from all three embryonic germ cell layers. Histologically, they may be mature, immature or malignant. They are found commonly in the midline or the gonads. The most common site is the sacrococcygeal region (Broadbent, 1999). Sacrococcygeal teratomas occur in one in 20 000 – 40 000 live births, four times more frequently in girls that in boys (Schofield and Cotran, 1999). These tumours may be associated with nonimmune hydrops fetalis or polyhydramnios and, depending on their size, may necessitate delivery by caesarean section (Schofield and Cotran, 1999). Teratomas of the face are very rare. Of 254 cases of teratomas in infancy and childhood reported in a study only four involved the face (Tapper and Lack, 1989). We report a case of very large teratoma of the face diagnosed by prenatal ultrasonography.

The objective of this report is to highlight the problems encountered in managing thoracic aortic aneurysm in a third-generation teaching hospital serving a purely rural community in the heartland of Anambra State, in the southeastern part of Nigeria. This report also proffers solutions aimed at assisting in providing better care for patients afflicted with this condition. From time to time, patients present with vascular diseases, including aneurysm, but the condition is only occasionally suspected and sparingly investigated. This is a report of two cases within the setting of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi Nigeria. After the death of these two patients, one of whom was a member of the staff of the hospital, post mortem examinations revealed that they had died of ruptured thoracic aortic aneurysm. Their medical records were retrieved from the Medical Records Department and reviewed with the aim of analyzing their clinical features and management in the light of the unexpected post-mortem examination results. The survey of the patient records revealed that the diagnosis of thoracic aortic aneurysm was not suspected in either patient even though both had symptoms pointing to this condition. The staff member was a 55-year old man and the other patient was a 31-year old woman in her 30thweek of pregnancy. We conclude by drawing the attention of medical practitioners in our community to the fact that thoracic aortic aneurysms are probably more common than we thought. Only a high index of suspicion will lead to clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to determine if a patient's protein values using the protein /creatinine ratio correlates with the 24hour value to confirm the diagnosis of preeclampsia. Study Design: The study population included 86 patients with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Patients' urine was collected over 24 hours. The urine volume, and total protein in the 24-hour samples was evaluated. Urine distick test and the Protein /creatinine ratio in a spot urine sample were compared to the 24-hour results. The test of validity and reliability was done using the sensitivity, specificity, false positive and the false negative rate. Also assessed were the positive and negative predictive value and the accuracy. Results: Eighty-six pregnant patients completed the study. There was a strong correlation between the random urinary proteinto-creatinine ratio and the quantitation of 24-hour proteinuria. Conclusion: The presented data support a strong correlation between random urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio and quantitation of 24-hour proteinuria in hospitalized pregnant patients with preeclampsia.