Diabetes-induced congenital malformations commonly affect organs and tissues that are derived fromectomesenchymal cells, such as the neural tube and cardiovascular structures. Human diabetic pregnancy has also been strongly associated with DiGeorge anomaly, Goldenhar and the axial mesodermal dysplasia syndromes. The cellular and molecular mechanisms of these malformations are still poorly understood, including their effects on the migration and proliferationof the ectomesenchymal-derived cells. Diabetes (IDDM) was induced in female MF1 mice with 150mg/kg of Streptozotocin one week before mating. Pregnancy was terminated on E9.5. E10, E11 or E12 and the embryos were examined for gross structural malformations. The distributions of immunoreactivity for migrating neural crest cells, permissive ECM substrate molecules (fibronectin andlaminin) and proliferating cells were investigated in histological sections of the malformed embryos. The absolute number of migrated cells in the trigeminal ganglion was also stereologically estimated. It could not be deduced from the results that the diabetic milieu directly affected the migratory pattern of the cranial neural crest cells and ECM molecules along the migratory pathways. However, the proliferative cycle and interkinetic migration of neuroepithelial cells were distorted in the malformed embryos from the diabetic mice. An average deficit of 11.2%-13.5% in the estimated absolute number of cells in the trigeminal ganglion was also observed. It is probable that the teratogenic effects of the diabetic state involve inhibition of the developmental processes of ectomesenchymal cells,including progenitor cells' differentiation and cell proliferation, through interference with the expression of a variety of the cells'developmental regulating genes and molecules....
The health implications and complications of cigarette smoking are still prevalent worldwide. This study demonstrates the effects of chronic exposure to cigarette smoke on the Nissl bodies and the anti-oxidant status of the cerebelli of adult Wistar rats. Twelve male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups: Control Group A was exposed to fresh air, while Treatment Groups B, C and D were exposed to smoke from one, two and three sticks of cigarette (Pall Mall®) respectively, daily, over a period of 28 days. Each stick contained an average of 0.8375 g of tobacco, completely burnt during exposure. At the end of exposure, the tissues were removed and weighed. Specimens for histological studies were fixed in formol calcium and processed using cresyl fast violet techniques, while tissues for anti-oxidant studies were homogenised using cold 0.25 M sucrose solution, centrifuged at 5000 rpm for 5 min, and put in freezer. Biochemical kit from Randox® was used to determine the tissue activity of glutathione peroxidase, as a marker for endogenous anti-oxidant status. Exposed animals showed reduction in body weights and cerebellar weights. Tissue glutathione peroxidase levels decreased. Histochemical changes include progressive loss of white matter, reduced cortical thickness, and Nissl granules distribution. Most of these effects were dose-dependent. Cigarette smoking produced deleterious changes in the normal histochemistry and the anti-oxidant status of the cerebellum, and could predispose to abnormal functioning of the cerebellum....
Muscular exercise has long been known to play a vital role in health and maintenance of body fitness.To assess and compare cardiovascular responses to isotonic and isometric exercise in young healthy subjects.Ten apparently healthy male subjects aged16 to 26 years, who were not accustomed to physical exercise, performed different levels of isotonic and isometric exercise. Heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were determined before and after the exercise. Isotonic (dynamic) exercise was achieved on bicycle ergometer, based on the modified Leeds University method while the two (sub-maximal and maximal) levels of isometric exercise were achieved by lifting loads of varied weights in static position.In maximal isotonic exercise, it was observed that the HR was significantly increased by 67.3 ± 9.0% (p < 0.001). In sub-maximal and maximal levels of isometric exercise, the HR was elevated by 12.3 ± 2.7% (p < 0.05) and 24.4 ± 5.0% (p < 0.001), respectively. In maximal isotonic exercise, the SBP was also increased significantly by 21.8 ± 3.9% (p < 0.01) whereas in sub-maximal isometric exercise, it was slightly elevated by 5.0 ± 1.8% (p > 0.5) but significantly increased in maximal isometric exercise, by 24.4 ± 5.0% (p < 0.001). However, in maximal isotonic exercise, DBP was slightly elevated by 12.4 ± 5.0% (p > 0.5) but significantly increased in sub-maximal and maximal isometric exercise by 20.4 ± 4.0% (p < 0.01) and 30.9 ± 5.0% (p ...
Morphological effects of long term consumption of energy drink commonly use as flavored beverage drinks on the kidney of adult wistar rats was carefully studied. The rats of both sexes (N = 20), with average weight of 200g were randomly assigned into treated(n1=10) and control (n2=10) groups. The rats in the treated group received energy drink on a daily basis for 10hrs and 14hrs of distilled water liberally in thirty days, while the control group received equal amount of distilled water daily for thirty days. The growers mash feeds was obtained from Edo Feeds and Flour Mill Limited, Ewu, Edo state, Nigeria and the rats were given feeds liberally. The rats were sacrificed by cervical dislocation on the thirty-first days of the experiment; the kidneys were carefully dissected out, weighed and quickly fixed in 10% formal saline for further histological study. The findings indicated that there was a significant (p < 0.05) increase in left kidney weight (g) of the treated group as compared to the control group. The histological findings revealed that the treated group showed some level of distortion and disruption of the cytoarchitecture of the renal cortical structures. The treated renal cortical structures was associated with an enlarged Bowman's space, distortion of the glomerular capsule, diffuse glomerulonephritis, and some marked signs of tubular distortion and necrosis as compared to the control group. Long term consumption of energy drink may therefore have an adverse effect on the cytoarchitecture and functions of the kidney of adult wistar rats. It was thereforerecommended that further studies aimed at corroborating these observations be carried out....
The patterns of articulating facets between the talus and the calcaneus have been studied in various geographic population groups (Sudanese, Indian, Egyptian, Spanish, and British populations). The posterior articulating facets on the calcaneus for the talus articulate in a regular manner. However, the anterior and middle facets on the calcaneus for the talus show variation causing various researchers to group them into types and subtypes as observed. The variation in talar articular facets on sample of 74 male adult Nigerian calcanei (aged 18 years and above) was observed and classified. Four distinct faceted patterns were seen and identified. Type 1(64.86%, 48 cases) showed a continuous facet of the middle and anterior, Type II showed a separate anterior and middle facets with variable degree of separation and thus grouped into 3 subtypes. Subtype 11A (10.8%, 8 cases) showed a moderate degree of separation, subtype 11B (8.10%, 6cases) showed a wide separation, while subtype 11C (5.4%, 4cases) showed a narrow separation. Subtype 111 (9.46%, 7cases) showed a single well-defined facet on the sustentaculum tali. Type 1V calcanei have a single facet on the sustentaculum tali extending into the anterior medial corner of the distal part of the calcaneus, but this facet is continuous with the posterior talar facet of the calcaneus (1.35%, 1case) subsequently, the various calcanei were group into right and left and percentages of incidences calculated. This present study shows a remarkable correspondence between our Nigerian sample and those of Indians with type 1 being more frequent (64.86%, 48 cases), type 11 in second place (24.3%, 18cases), types III and IV (9.46%, 7cases) and (1.35%, 1 case) respectively....
Amlodipine Besylate is a long-acting calcium channel blocker used in Man for the treatment of hypertension and angina. The treatment regimen is 5 or 10mg daily. This study tested the hypothesis that prolonged oral administration of Amlodipine Besylate impairs fertility in adult male wistar rats. Twenty - nine normotensive adult male wistar rats (150 - 250g) were employed in the study: Rats of Control Group I (comprising of four rats) received 4mls of Normal Saline while rats of Experimental Groups II – VI (each comprising of five rats) received 5, 10, 15, 20 and 40mg/kg BW of Amlodipine Besylate respectively for 56 - 65 days. Gross morphology evaluations showed reduced bodyweight, hair loss, ataxia, dysmorphology and paralyses of limbs, vertebral anomalies and loss of movements in rats of Groups IV - VI in weeks 4 – 9 in a dose-dependent manner. No adverse effects were observed on testosterone levels in rats treated with Normal Saline, 5, 10 and 15mg/kg bodyweight of Amlodipine Besylate. However, significantly reduced serum testosterone was observed in treated with 20mg/kg bodyweight of Amlodipine Besylate. Histological analyses showed dose – dependent anomalies of the testes such as scanty and destroyed seminiferous tubules, wider tubular lumen and significantly reduced sperm cells in rats that received 20 and 40mg/kg BW of Amlodipine Besylate. This study observed skeletal dysmorphology, anomalies of behavioural functions and impaired fertility in adult male rats treated with 15mg/kg BW and higher doses of Amlodipine Besylate....
The second to fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) has been proposed as a putative biomarker for prenatal testosterone and co- varies with the sensitivity of the androgen receptor (AR). Lateralization of the brain is strongly influenced by prenatal androgens, with differential exposure thought to account for cognitive sex differences. This study examines the possibility that prenatal hormones, as measured by the 2D:4D length may influence career choice. A total of 1210 academic staff drawn from all the tertiary institutions in Rivers State was used for this study. 679(56.12%) were males while (43.88%) were females. The subjects were grouped into two: hardcore sciences (A) and Biological sciences (B), according to their departments. The second to fourth digit length on both hands were measured with a digital venier caliper and the ratio calculated by dividing 2D by 4D. Data was analyzed using SPSS software. Result obtained showed no sexual dimorphism in hardcore science (0.96). There was sexual dimorphism in the biological sciences. A same sex difference was observed in the males across the two groups (A-0.96, B-0.97). The differences were statistically significant (p...
Damage to the human spermatozoa membrane due to oxidative stress caused by the toxic effects of metronidazole has been implicated as an important pathophysiological mechanism in male fertility. This study was designed to investigate the direct effects of metronidazole on the testicular tissue and that of the introduction of vitatmin E to metronidazole treated rats. It also looked at the natural reversal effects on abstinence from medication for 8weeks. A total of 105 adult male and 50 female wistar rats weighing 170±10g (70-90 day old) were used for the experiment. The rats were randomly divided into a control and experimental groups. There were four major groups with 5 subgroups consisting of 5 rats each. Varying doses of 15 mg/kg, 30 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg of metronidazole were administered in experiment 1 to 4 respectively. Each experimental has 5 sub-groups: A; control, B; group administered with the experimental dose, C; experimental dose with vitamin E, D; experimental dose with testosterone, E; treated with experimental dose, vitamin E and testosterone. Sub-group F is a reversal group which was left for 8 weeks after cessation of treatment. At the end of the experiment, animals were scarified and testicular tissues were dissected out and weighed. Tissues were preserved in 50% Bouin fluid and thereafter prepared for histological studies. Results showed that metronidazole at the therapeutic dose of 15 mg/kg did not have significant negative effect on histology of the testis. At the dose of 30 mgkg, 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg some pathological changes were observed which were dose depended raging from mild interstitial edema, loss of germinal epithelium, foci of tubular wall thickening and widening of the interstitial spaces. Groups in which metronidazole was concurrently administered with vitamin E and or testosterone showed some levels of protection. The reversal groups showed normal to near normal histological features. The results of this study indicate that metronidazole administration (200 mg/kg or 400 mg/kg), for 8weeks, caused a harmful effect on the architecture of the testes and these effects were reversible after 8 weeks of abstinence....
Today, there is a worldwide move of anatomy-based teaching away from dissection to prosection. Cadaver dissection is viewed as an occupation quite divorced from living human beings. Educators should be aware of the dramatic change of attitudes among students and the process of professionalization which might influence their caring of future patients. The art and science of medicine is defining the problem of a patient with as much precision as possible. Defining the anatomical site of the lesion is crucial if the physician is to resolve the problem effectively and compassionately. Therefore, a sound knowledge of anatomy is essential from the beginning of a medical education. This can only be achieved by exposing and examining the body, best revealed and studied by dissection.The value of the dissecting room in the medical school curriculum should be debated by the concerned stakeholders. The dominance of research should be revisited so that a balanced consideration is established with teaching. Dissection based instruction is indispensable for the achievement of the goal of producing qualitative, active, caring, compassionate and reliable medical doctors and who are committed to patient care. The cadaver must not be dismissed as obsolete, for the patient is paramount. Computers should be used to enhance anatomical education and to assist the dissecting room, not to replace it....