Mating dynamics of a sperm-limited drosophilid, Zaprionus indianus.

When males have large sperm, they may become sperm limited and mating dynamics may be affected. One such species is Zaprionus indianus, a drosophilid that is an introduced pest species in the Americas. We examined aspects of mating behavior in Z. indianus to determine the senses necessary for mating and measure female and male remating habits. We found that vision is necessary for successful copulation, but wings, which produce courtship song, are not needed. Males need their foretarsi to successfully copulate and although the foretarsi may be needed for chemoreception, their role in hanging on to the female during copulation may be more important for successful mating. Females that mate once run out of sperm in approximately five days, although mating a second time greatly increases offspring production. Females do not seem to exert pre-mating choice among males with respect to mating with a familiar versus a novel male. Males are not capable of mating continuously and fail to produce offspring in many copulations. Overall, females of this species benefit from polyandry, providing an opportunity to study sexual selection in females. In addition, the dynamics of male competition for fertilizing eggs needs to be studied.

Sexual dimorphism and determination using foot outlines, foot print angles, and foot indices.

Sex determination is one of the fundamental procedures in the forensic investigation during personal identification. Foot dimensions, prints, indices, and angles are assessment tools used by podiatrists and forensic anthropologists. The arch index remains a tool for clinical evaluation of the incidence of pes planus by clinicians. This cross-sectional study was performed to investigate sexual dimorphism and discriminate sex using foot and footprint dimensions, foot angles, and foot indices among the Ebira ethnic group of Nigeria. Bilateral foot outlines and prints were obtained from 317 females and 283 males using a digital Vernier caliper, improvised footpad, and A4 paper. The results revealed that in the right foot and print, the males' bare right foot length (BRFL), bare right foot breadth (BRFB), right arch index (RAI), right Chippaux-Smirak index (RCSI), right footprint angle (RFPA), right ball angle (RBA), and all the measurements of the corresponding toes in the prints are significantly greater (p < 0.05) than the females. The same trend was also observed in the left footprint except for the left ball angle (LBA). The stepwise, binary logistics regression model for sex determination showed that bare left foot breadth (BLFB) and bare right foot length (BRFL) were the single best predictors of sex with an accuracy of 72.5% and 71.7% accuracy. Other foot variables marginally increased the percentage accuracy at each step. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis confirmed the sexing potential of the bare left foot breadth and bare right foot length to be 79%. Sexual dimorphism exists in all the foot dimensions, arch indices, Chippaux-Smirak indices, footprint angles, and ball angles, except the left ball angle. The sexual dimorphism in the foot variables forms the basis of sex determination, with left foot breadth and right foot length as the best sex predictors. Therefore, 25 cm can be regarded as the cut-off point for foot length and 9 cm as the cut-off point for foot breadth among this tribe.

Comparison of diagnostic criteria and prevalence of metabolic syndrome using WHO, NCEP-ATP III, IDF and harmonized criteria: A case study from urban southeast Nigeria.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a worldwide public health problem, affecting not just developed countries but also developing countries and impacts all age groups. Different criteria are available for its assessment. The present study aims at comparing the prevalence of MetS using four criteria. METHODS: A total of 4202 (male: 2772 and female: 1430) with mean age 41.23 ± 9.58 years participated in the study. For all definitions, presence of 3 abnormalities out of 5 qualify an individual for MetS. Various statistical analyses including unpaired student's t-test, chi-square crosstabs (or Fisher's exact test where appropriate), analysis of variance, logistic regression, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and Cohen's Kappa were performed. RESULTS: The prevalence of MetS were 17.1%, 21.8%, 11.4% and 23.6% for National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Adult Treatment Panel (ATP) III (NCEP-ATP III), International Diabetes Federation (IDF), World Health Organization (WHO) and the Harmonized definitions respectively. Further, the order of significance of screening components for MetS is elevated blood pressure (BP) > impaired fasting glucose > abdominal adiposity. Whereas, the order of significant performance of the four screening tools are Harmonized > IDF > NCEP-ATP III > WHO. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of MetS among young adults in southeast Nigeria was moderately high. The Harmonized definition was the best screening tool for MetS. High BP was the most sensitive and specific screening tool for detecting risk of MetS.

Knowledge, Attitude, Practice and Stigma Related to COVID-19: A Nigerian Perspective.

Pandemics have claimed an estimated 414 million lives from 165 AD to present, with COVID-19 pandemic killing close to 2 million people. The best counter for pandemics has been the use of vaccines, but before it is widely available, the best strategy is to avoid being infected. COVID-19 pandemic was met by behaviours and attitudes ranging from unbelief to fear of dying and stigmatisation of those who have contracted the virus or recovered from the disease. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, practices (KAP), fear and stigma of the populace towards COVID-19 from state to state. This research was a cross-sectional study carried out from April to October 2020. Data was obtained through a structured questionnaire distributed to 650 individuals. Respondents who participated were 591 (males n= 335 and females n= 256) and aged 18-60 years (mean age 30.25 ± 10.45 years, range 18-60) drawn from five states in the north-central region of Nigeria. The results show that 98.3% of participants believe that COVID-19 disease exists. Still, not everyone wears face masks, avoid crowded places, practice social distancing or follow the WHO-hand-washing technique as measures to curb the spread of the disease. Only 60.5% of the participants believe that lockdown is an effective measure to reduce transmission risk. 55.6% will stigmatise those who just recovered from the disease, 75.3% are afraid to visit high-risk areas as part of the protective measures, but only about 12% believe that every infected person will die. More males (28.3%) than females (17.6%) believe that taking herbs can cure the disease (P<0.01). All government and nongovernmental organizations must develop more awareness programs to win the battle against COVID-19 disease as the second wave is emerging.

Computerized tomographic study of normal Evans index in adult Nigerians.

BACKGROUND: The evaluation of degree of ventricular enlargement should be based on established indices rather than on personal experience as this is highly subjective. Our aim was to establish normal values for Evans index in a Nigerian adult population as none has been found in the Nigerian medical literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Axial computerized tomographic brain scans of 488 normal subjects were reviewed retrospectively. Of them, 319 (65.36%) of the patients were males and 169 (34.63%) were females; their ages ranged from 18 to 84 years with a mean age of 37.26 years. The images were acquired using a multi-slice GE Sigma excite scanner. Evans index was measured as the linear ratio of the total width of the frontal horns of the cerebral lateral ventricles to the maximum intracranial diameter. RESULTS: The mean value for Evans index for the studied population was 0.252 ± 0.04. The EI increased with age and it was slightly higher among males. The difference in Evans value in males and females was not statistically significant. Individuals above 60 years old had the highest Evans values in both sexes. CONCLUSION: This study has established ranges of normal value for Evans index in a Nigerian population. It agrees with the diagnostic cut-off value of > 0.3 for hydrocephalus and it compares well with that of the Caucasians.

Calcaneal pitch and lateral talocalcaneal angle among nigerians / Inclinación calcáneo y ángulo talocalcáneo lateral en nigerianos

Various papers in the fields of Radiology, orthopaedics and radiographic anatomy have employed the use of angles measured on X-rays to make diagnoses, select treatment modalities in the management of foot disorders as well as predicting the outcome of interventions to these disorders. Calcaneal pitch (CP) and lateral talocalcaneal angle (L TCA) are angles that can be drawn on lateral standing radiographs of the foot and are used widely in the diagnosis, prognosis and choice of treatment modalities for various disorders of the foot. Data on these important radiological tools are lacking in Nigeria. Hence, the study is an attempt to bridge this gap. Using a hinge goniometer, the angles were measured from normal lateral standing radiographs of the foot. Mean CP was found to be 15.08 +/- 2.87 (n=63) and the mean L TCA was found to be 38.85°+/-8.20° (n=130). Differences in the means of the angles seen between the sexes were not statistically significant (CP, p=0.70; L TCA, p=0.60). No such significant difference was also observed in mean of the angles with respect to the sides of the body (CP, p=0.58; L TCA, p=0.13) or between ethnic groups (CP, p=0.30; L TCA, p=0.40).

Diversos trabajos en las áreas de la radiología, ortopedia y anatomía radiográfica han empleado los ángulos medidos en las radiografías para hacer diagnósticos, seleccionar las modalidades de tratamiento en el manejo de los trastornos del pie, así como para predecir el resultado de las intervenciones para estos trastornos. La inclinación calcánea (PC) y el ángulo talocalcáneo lateral (L TCA) son los ángulos que se pueden extraer desde las radiografías laterales de los pies y ser utilizados ampliamente en el diagnóstico, pronóstico y elección de modalidades de tratamiento para diversos trastornos del pie. Los datos sobre estos importantes instrumentos radiológicos no existen en Nigeria, y su estudio es un intento de obtener esta información. Usando un goniómetro bisagra, los ángulos se midieron a partir de radiografías normales permanentes lateral del pie. La media de CP se fue 15,08+/-2,87 (n = 63) y la media de TCA L fue 38,85°+/-8,20° (n = 130). Las diferencias en las medias de los ángulos observados entre los sexos no fueron estadísticamente significativas (CP, p = 0,70; L TCA, p = 0,60). No hubo diferencias significativas en la media de los ángulos con respecto al lado (CP, p = 0,58; L TCA, p = 0,13) o entre grupos étnicos (CP, p = 0,30; L TCA, p = 0,40).

Body size and adiposity indicators and their relationship with blood pressure levels in Ibos of Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Racial Predisposition to Hypertension, obesity and other cardiovascular diseases (CVD) have been the subject of some recent researches. The various anthropometric and obesity indicators and their relationship with blood pressure parameters in the Ibos of Nigeria were studied. METHOD: Using the simple random design, 569 males and females Nigerians of Ibo ethnicity, ages 20 to 80 years were enrolled for this study. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP & DBP), body mass index (BMI), waist hip ratio (WHR), waist height ratio (WHTR), waist circumference (We), triceps, subscapular, calf and sum of three skin fold thicknesses (TSF, SSF, eSF,& STS respectively) and other anthropometric parameters were measured. RESULT: The mean SBP for the study was 119.6 +/- 23 mmHg and DBP 79.8 +/- 13mmhg. Males showed higher mean values of 5mmHg in SBP and 3mmHg in DBP than the females. we was 3cm larger in the females than the males. BMI, WHTR, and STS were all larger in the females than in the males. The highest level of association noted in the study was between we and WHTR (r = 0.926, P < 0.01). The levels of correlations of the blood pressure parameters with the obesity indices were higher with DBP than SBP. For both sexes; we was the highest predictor of DBP, followed by WHTR. Age gave the highest prediction of SBP. CONCLUSION: This work notes WHTR as the best predictor of central obesity and also a better index for screening CVD risk factors in the Ibos.

Impact of urbanization on obesity, anthropometric profile and blood pressure in the Igbos of Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension in developing setting is often attributed to westernization of life style and stresses of urbanization, some of these increases have been noted in Nigeria. AIM: This is a study on rural-urban differences on the blood pressure, obesity and anthropometrics among a major ethnic group in Nigeria. PATIENTS AND METHOD: A total of 325 men and 242 women aged 20 to 80 years, of the Igbo ethnicity were selected for this study. The samples were selected from the rural and urban subgroups of the Igbo population. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure, body mass index, waist- hip ratio, waist-height ratio, waist circumference, triceps, subscapular, calf and sum of the three skin fold thicknesses and other anthropometric measurements were obtained using standard procedures. RESULT: Blood pressure correlated with age and most of the anthropometric parameters (p< 0.05 ). All adiposity and blood pressure indicators were higher in the urban than in the rural sample. Women showed higher predisposition to both general and abdominal obesities in both samples. High blood pressure occurred more often in the urban sample than the rural. Urban men had the highest mean blood pressure (p< 0.05). High blood pressure appeared much connected with the pressures of city life. Regression formulae were derived for all the adiposity measures of Igbos in both rural and urban locations. CONCLUSION: High rates of obesity and hypertension are noted among Igbos in both rural and urban areas. This is especially in the urban setting. The finding is indicative of a low level of attention on hypertension and obesity in the Igbos. The data reported here call for intervention programs on the risks, preventions and management of obesity and obesity related conditions.

Impact of education on obesity and blood pressure in developing countries: A study on the Ibos of Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Increase in the prevalence of hypertension, obesity and obesity related diseases has become significant cause of disability and premature death in both developing and newly developed countries, with over bearing demand on national health budgets. AIM: To evaluate the impact of various levels of education on obesity and blood pressure. MATERIALS AND METHOD: 325 male and 254 female Nigerians of ages 20-80 years of the Ibo ethnicity through random sampling, were selected for this study. The participants were broken into three major groups based on their educational levels; primary, secondary and tertiary levels. systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP & DBP) levels, body mass index (BMI), waist hip ratio (WHR), waist height ratio (WHtR), waist circumference (WC),various skin fold thicknesses, and other anthropometric parameters were measured. RESULT: For all the indicators of subcutaneous fat, general obesity, and central obesity, largest mean deposition was noted to be highest in the lowest education group and least in the highest education group. Mean blood pressure parameters were also highest in the least education group. While fat deposition was noted to be highest in all the females of all the groups, the males showed larger mean BP values. Education was noted to have a significant inverse relationship with most of the fat indicators and blood pressure parameters and cardiovascular disease risk highest in the least education groups. CONCLUSION: Education showed a significant impact on obesity and blood pressure and could be one of the major tools to reduce the high prevalence of obesity, hypertension and other obesity associated diseases.