Traditionally, histologists and histopathologists have relied heavily on verbal and qualitative descriptions of tissue structure. Histological sections are used to define the normal appearances of cells, tissues and organs. These slides, therefore, also define pathological appearances which may be a consequence of a disease affecting an organ. The traditional approach to morphological analyses was mainly descriptive and therefore largely influenced by the researcher or observer and insensitive to minute changes. In certain pathological cases, quantitative analysis may be required to detect subtle morphological changes, such as small changes in cell number. Relatively new design based methods provide the tools for obtaining accurate, precise quantitative structural data from tissue sections. These tools are sensitive enough to detect small changes by combining statistical sampling principles with geometric analysis of the tissue microstructure. The estimates yielded by these methods are statistically valid, truly three-dimensional, and referential of the entire organ. Though, the new unbiased methods (including computer software) have been in use for some years, these tools and their uses are still poorly understood by many researchers. These new tools are commonly referred to as unbiased stereological methods. Stereology being the quantitative study of three-dimensional structures from their two-dimensional images or profiles is ideally suited to the quantitative analysis of tissues and organs.A lot of quantitative estimations encountered in biological science(especially by histologists and histopathologists) often involve estimation of cell population and volume. This paper traces a little of the past of stereology, gives an overview of unbiased stereology and discusses some of the stereological approaches for obtaining unbiased estimation of cell population and volume in biological tissues in very simple and easy-to-apply formats by researchers (based on personal experience acquired in Nigeria teaching Stereology at the postgraduate level for over ten years at the College of Medicine of the University of Lagos and expertise acquired from training at the Morphometry and Stereology Laboratory, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, California, USA).When used correctly, these tools offer a statistically relevant and practical approach to achieve number and volume estimation without bias from cell size, shape, or orientation. ...
The present study examined the possible effects of long term exposure of wistar rats to refuse dump site. Young adult wistar rats of approximately 70 days old were housed in the vicinity of a refuse dump site for 5 months, and studied in the Morris water maze (MWM) for learning and memory, in open field for exploratory and locomotor activity and in elevated plus maze for measures of anxiety. The rats were again taken back to the site and kept for a total of 8 months and again studied in the same apparatus. The histology of the experimental animals showed increase vacuolations in the medulla. Also few classic appearance of eosinophilic (degenerating) purkinje neurons with condensed nucleus and bright eosinophilic cytoplasm were seen. There was significant decrease in the % Time in open arms entry after 5 and 8 months (7.45±3.43, 5.744±1.31) of exposures, when compared to control (35.18±13.55). There was no significant difference in % Open arms entry and number of exploratory head dips on the elevated plus maze. In the open field activity, there was significant difference in line crossings only after 8 months (0.71±0.47) of exposure when compared to control (2.83±0.54) and also to 5 months group (3.25±0.30). There was no significant difference in Latency both at 5 months and 8 months of exposure compared to control. Also there was no significant difference in probe trial value of the exposed rats....
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....
Hip bone is an ideal bone for sex determination because it not only reflects the general differences between the two sexes but also the special adaptation of female hip bone for childbearing. The accurate determination of sex and race are important tools to forensic scientist and physical anthropologist. This retrospective study was conducted in order to determine pubic length, ischial length and ischiopubic index in adult male and female Ijaws of Nigeria. Standardanterio-posterior (AP) pelvic radiographs of 200 normal adults comprising of 90 females and 110 males age ranged 18-65yrs. were employed in this study. The pubic lengths and ischial lengths were measured and the ischio-pubic index was calculated. From the parameters taken, the mean pubic length of adult ijaw male was 90.20mm, mean ischial length was 106.00mm, and ischio pubic index of adult ijaw male was 81.82, while the mean pubic length of an adult ijawfemale was100.00mm, mean ischial length was 121.00mm, and ischio pubic index 94.00. The result showed the mean pubic length, mean ischial length were significantly higher in females than males (P...
Forensic science and anthropometry are inseparable as evidence from most anthropometrical analysis can be used for decision making. Anthropometric details of the ribs are important in defining the relationship between them and how they apply to forensic studies. The aim of this study is to determine the anthropometrical relationship between two morphologically similar ribs (rib 3 and 4) and its relevance to forensic medicine. One hundred and Seventy three (173) macerated rib bones of Nigerian origin; comprising of eighty four (84) third ribs (R3) [48 right (R ) and 36 left (L ) ribs] and eighty nine (89) fourth ribs (R4) [55 right (R ) and 34 left (L ) ribs] from different Universities in Nigeria were used for this study. Three anthropometrical parameters using a digital venier caliper were measured (Maximum Superior-Inferior Height [MSIH], Maximum Anterior-Posterior Width [MAPW] and Maximum Pit Depth [MPD]). The mean±S.D of R3-MSIH was 11.417±2.533 (R = 11.171±2.236 and L = 11.604±2.742) while R4-MSIH was 11.843±2.880 (R = 11.618±2.984 and L = 12.210±2.706); R3-MAPW was 5.548±1.492 (R = 5.646± 1.644 and L = 5.420±1.273) while R4-MAPW was 5.753±1.237 (R = 5.836± 1.229 and L = 5.621±1.256); R3-MPD was 2.060±1.176 (R = 2.309± 2.008 and L = 5.621±1.256) while R4-MPD was 2.258±1.755 (R = 2.309± 2.008 and L = 2.18±1.267). No statistical difference exits between the left rib and its corresponding right side (P>0.05). There was no significant difference between the MSIH, MAPW and MPD of R3 and R4 (P>0.05); hence rib three and four are anthropometrically similar for the measured parameters which indicates a possibility of a reconstruction of R4 from R3 and vice-versa. Evidence from this study can aid in decision making for possible reconstruction of damaged skeletal part and Identification; which can be partial or complete....
Femoral shaft fractures had been noted to be life-threatening. The purpose of this radiologic study was to investigate the patterns of femoral shaft fractures among patients admitted in the University of Benin Teaching Hospital between 2007 and 2011. Plain films from a total number of 203 patients aged between eighteen and sixty seven years were collected, comprising of 118 males and 85 females, from the Department of Radiology, University of Benin Teaching Hospital in Benin City, Edo state, Nigeria. Fracture morphology was classified according to the AO (Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen), the Association for the Study of Internal Fixation. The frequency of femoral shaft fracture was significantly higher in males than in females. There was no significant difference in frequency of femoral shaft fracture between the right and left sides. The highest frequencies of femoral shaft fracture were recorded between ages 18 to 47 years. After age 47, there was a significant reduction in the frequencies of femoral shaft fracture. The most frequent type of femoral shaft fracture is the simple types. The most frequent type of femoral shaft fracture is road traffic accident. The most prevalent group of simple femoral fracture type is the transverse group. All the simple fractures studied occurred in the middle zone. In conclusion, since femoral shaft fracture is an issue of harsh economic consequences, various should be taken by all the parties involved so as to address this menace. ...
Limited information is available about the skeletal frame-size of urban dwelling adolescent West African children. This study assessed variation in truncal skeletal breadths of adolescent male Nigerian children from two different socioeconomic backgrounds in urban Lagos. Anthropometric measurements of biacromial, bicristal, bitrochanteric and chest breadths were taken from 354 adolescent male school children aged 10-17 years selected from public and private schools in urban Lagos using a systematic random method according to protocols recommended by the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK). The socioeconomic status (SES) of the subjects was classified on the basis of attendance of either fee paying private or non fee-paying public schools. The data obtained was collated and analyzed for mean and standard deviation, whilst the variations between independent groups were analyzed using students t-test. Statistical significance was set at p...
The science of Stereology deals with a body of methods for the exploration of three-dimensional space, when only two-dimensional sections through solid bodies or projections on a surface are available. It provides practical techniques (model- or design-based techniques) for extracting quantitative information about a three-dimensional material from measurements made on two-dimensional planar sections of the material. African giant rat (AGR) is in general appearance, much like an extremely large rat. The tail however, is distinctive; it is long and robust with the proximal portion dark, like the body of the animal, while the terminal part is white. Cheek pouches are present hence the animal is sometimes referred to as the pouched rat. However, there is dearth of information regarding the animal's testis, hence the purpose of this study was to obtain morphometric information on some parameters of its testis. In this study, the testicular volume and weight, total number of seminiferous tubules and numerical density of seminiferous tubules, as well as volume fraction of interstitium and volume fraction of testicular capillaries were investigated. The results showed that the mean body weight and testes weight of the adult AGR was 848.14g and 0.95g respectively, with no significant correlation ( p...
This study was carried out with the aim of radiologically determining any differences in the cephalometric and facial indices between SCA and non-SCA subjects of same age and sex and determine values for cephalic and Nasal Indices of SCA subjects. A total of 286 skull radiographs of subjects aged 3 – 30 years, comprising 250 radiographs of non-SCA and 36 radiographs of SCA patients were used for this study. Measurements were carried out using a Digital Venier's Caliper to determine values for calculation of cephalic and Nasal indices for the different ages and sexes. Occipito-frontal and Lateral radiographs of non-SCA subjects were obtained from the Radiology Departments of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) and Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital (BMSH) while radiographs of SCA subjects were shot at the Radiology Department of UPTH. Occipito frontal and Lateral radiographs of non-SCA subjects were obtained from the Radiology Departments of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) and Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital (BMSH) while radiographs of SCA subjects were shot at the Radiology Department of UPTH. The data were statistically analyzed using Z-test at 95% confidence interval. From the results obtained, mean cephalic index of non-SCA subjects was found to be 76.66±10.67 while those of SCA subjects was 76.21±3.11 which was not statistically significant(p>0.05). Male mean cephalic index for non-SCA subjects was determined as 78.29±4.72 while SCA subjects was 75.99±3.22 and was statistically significant(p0.05). Mean Nasal index of non-SCA subjects was 74.71±9.23 and SCA subjects was 72.90±4.80. The results indicated growth retardation in SCA subjects which can be used as diagnostic tool in the management of sickle cell anaemia patients by maxillofacial surgeons, paediatricians, medical radiologists and forensic anthropologists. ...
Mesenteric ossification is an uncommon reactive condition that usually follows trauma or infection to the intra abdominal structures. Here we report a case of rapidly occurring heterotopic mesenteric ossification (HMO) following Laporatomy for a ruptured gangrenous appendicitis.
The effects of Vitamin E on Phostoxin-induced changes on the hematological indices and the histology of the lungs in adult Wistar rats were studied. Thirty adult Wistar rats were obtained and acclimatized for three weeks and were randomly divided into six (6) groups of five rats each. Group 1, was the Control and was given distill water while Group 2 was exposed to Phostoxin for one and half hours and administered Vitamin E at a concentration of 112mg/kg body weight. Group 3 was exposed to phostoxin for three hours and was administered with Vitamin E at concentration of 112mg/kg body weight while, Group 4 was exposed to phostoxin only for three hours. Group 5 was exposed to phostoxin only for one and half hours while Group 6 was administered with Vitamin E only at the concentration of 112mg/kg body weight. The administration lasted for seven days after which the rats were sacrificed after anesthetizing them with chloroform. Blood was collected in containers for hematological analysis while the lungs were harvested and fixed in 10% buffered formalin. The lung tissues were processed and stained with hematoxylin and eosin, and Masson Trichrome stains. The results showed non-significant reductions in the hematological indices in phostoxin treated animals with reduced effects in rats co-administered phostoxin with Vitamin E. The results of histological observations revealed damages to the alveolar sacs, loss of lung cells and reduction in elastic fibers while rats co-treated with Vitamin E, showed reduced damages in the tissues of the lung. The results of the present study showed that Vitamin E have some level of protection on phostoxin-induced toxicity on the lung tissues and hematological parameters of the adult Wistar rats. ...
10 Albino Wister rats of about the same post-pubertal age, size and weight were used in this study. 7 of them were castrated and sacrificed in succession of four days interval to observe the effects of castration on the prostate gland. The other 3 served as the control. Paraffin wax sections were made, stained with Weiggert's Haematoxylin and Van Gieson's stain and studied under the light microscope. There was rapid loss of stereocilia, secretory granules and rapid reduction in height from Pseudostratified columnar epithelium to simple cuboidal cells. The interacinar tissue increased with reduction in size and diameter of acini. The nuclei became pyknotic. These go to show the dependence of the prostate gland on functional testes....
Nasal parameters are important cephalometric measurements useful in forensic medicine, plastic surgery and rhinoplasty. This study was aimed at providing empirical data of nasal parameters in Urhobos. It involved 500 Urhobo volunteers (220 male and 280 female) whose nasal parameters were measured using a vernier calliper after obtaining consent from each subject. The nasal index calculated as the percentage ratio of the nasal width to the nasal height and the results of this study showed that male subjects had significantly higher nasal dimensions than their female counterparts (P...