Co-administration of caffeine and caffeic acid alters some key enzymes linked with reproductive function in male rats.

This study assessed the effects of caffeine combined with caffeic acid on some biomarkers of male reproductive function using normal albino Wistar rats. Rats were divided into four groups (n = 6) and treated for seven successive days; group 1 represents the control rats; group 2 rats were treated with 50 mg/kg body weight (BW) of caffeine only; group 3 rats were treated with 50 mg/kg BW of caffeic acid, while the rats in group 4 were cotreated with an equal combination of caffeine and caffeic acid. The results revealed significant increase in reproductive hormone, testicular and epididymal nitric oxide levels of the rats. Moreover, decreased oxidative stress in the testes and epididymides of the treated rats was evidenced by significant increase in total and nonprotein thiol levels, catalase and superoxide dismutase activities. Similarly, decreased testicular cholesterol level with concomitant elevation in testicular steroidogenic enzyme activities, glycogen and zinc levels were observed in the treated rats. No morphological changes were observed as revealed by the photomicrographs from light microscopy in treated rats. Nevertheless, the combination therapy exhibited additive/synergistic effect on these biochemical indices than when they were administered singly. This study suggests the combination therapy of caffeine and caffeic acid at the dose tested for improving male reproductive function.

Pattern of placenta histopathology in low birth weight babies seen in a tertiary health centre in South-Western Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Pre-term delivery is usually associated with low birth weight and is a known obstectrics problem in our setting. Few Histopathologists are interested in placental pathology, and this is particularly so because consent is often difficult to get from the relatives making few specimens available for study in our environment. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to evaluate the placental histopathology in low birth weight infants (LBW, birth weight < 2500 g) and to determine if placental histopathological findings are associated with low birth weight and preterm deliveries. METHODS: The placenta of thirty-eight consecutive cases of LBW deliveries at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Wesley Guild Hospital, (lesa were histologically examined. RESULTS: A total of thirty-eight LBW placentas were examined. The Male: Female ratio was 1.8:1. The maternal age range 19 - 38 years (mean age = 28.7 yrs +/- 5.37SD). The parity ranged from 0 to 5. The birth weight ranged 0.75 - 2.4kg (mean 1.84kg +/- 0.39SD). The gestational age at delivery range was 25 - 38 weeks (mean 32.85 weeks +/- 3.7SD). Histological examination of the placentae showed that 17 cases (44.7%) had evidence of placenta malaria (PM), 17 cases (44.7%) had chorioamnionitis (CA), 9 cases (23.7%) had villitis, 2 cases (5.3%) had vasculitis and 4 cases (10.5%) had no abnormality. Four sets of twins (8 cases) were among the 38 cases seen. A case of abruptio placenta was delivered by caesarean section, with histological diagnosis of active- chronic malaria. Out of the cases with CA11 (64.7%) had mild CA, 4 (23.6%) moderate while 2 (11.8) had severe infection. Placenta malaria co-infection was also found in 7 (41%) of the CA. Nine (23:7%) had villitis, only 2 cases had umbilical cord vasculitis. Of the cases with PM, 10 (58.8) had active-chronic infection while 7 (41.2%) had evidence of past infection. CONCLUSION: The main placenta findings histologically in LBW babies include chorioamnionitis and placenta malaria infection. These are known contributory factors to preterm labour. Improved maternity care, health education of pregnant women to reduce ascending infection and use of intermittent preventive treatment for malaria in pregnancy will go a long way in improving outcome of pregnancy.

Perinatal autopsies in a tertiary health facility in Southwestern Nigeria: a retrospective evaluation of 14 consecutive cases.

BACKGROUND: Perinatal autopsy remains a valuable tool in perinatal medicine. It provides an insight into the genetic implications of subsequent pregnancies and also helps reduce parental events such as maternal illness or maternal use of medications. The practice is not popularly acceptable in our environment for socio-cultural reasons. The scarcity of pathologists who are interested in this aspect of pathology is also an issue. No wonder, the literature is scanty on the cases of perinatal autopsy reported in our environment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a retrospective review of patients' medical and autopsy records to measure the perinatal autopsy rate at a tertiary health institution and identify the trends over the last 12 months (January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2010). This study also aim examining any discordance between antemortem diagnoses and postmortem diagnoses. RESULTS: Of 263 perinatal deaths, autopsies were requested and performed in 14 of the cases representing a perinatal autopsy rate of 5.3%. New information was obtained in 64.3% of the cases. The birth weights of the infants ranged from 500g to 3600g with their gestational ages ranged from 22 weeks to 41 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: This study is a preliminary report that serves principally to provide base line data for the ongoing study.

Carcinoma head of the pancreas masquerading as hepatocellular carcinoma: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Cancer of the pancreas is the primary malignant tumour of the pancreas commonly seen in the elderly. Hepatitis B virus infection is not a known marker of the disease, but patient with carcinoma head of the pancreas presenting with epigastric mass with positive hepatitis B infection in the region of the world with high endemicity for hepatitis B virus infection may cause diagnostic pitfall. OBJECTIVE: To present a case of carcinoma head of the pancreas masqueradingas hepatocellular carcinoma METHODS: A review of the case note, autopsy findings including gross and microscopic examinations and literature was done. RESULTS: An elderly woman with history of weight loss and cigarette smoking.There was an epigastric mass and the liver was enlarged. The serum hepatitis B antigen was positive. Autopsy revealed an ill-defined mass in the head of the pancreas with metastasis to the liver. CONCLUSION: Things are not always what they seem.

Human cysticercosis of the breast mimicking breast cancer: a report of a case from Ile-Ife, Nigeria. .

BACKGROUND: Human cystericosis is the infection caused by the larvae of pork tapeworm Taeniasolium. The infection commonly affects the muscle, the central nervous system and subcutaneous tissues. The involvement of the breast is unusual. OBJECTIVE: To present a 54 years old postmenopausal woman, a petty trader and a Jehovah witness who presented with a painless lump in the right breast which was increasing in size. The mass was clinically diagnosed by the Surgeon who examined her as a case of right breast cancer and an excisional biopsy was done. METHOD: A review of the case note, autopsy findings including gross and microscopic examinations and literature was done. RESULTS: A histopathological appraisal of biopsy revealed the presence of the typical cysticercus larva and a definitive diagnosis of right breast Cystericosis was made. The diagnosis of cysticercosis in unusual sites such as breast may be clinically difficult and this supports why all biopsies must be sent to the pathologists for definitive diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Human cystericosis of the breast is rare, nevertheless, this should be considered as a differential diagnosis for amass in the breast particularly in the tropics and developing countries. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case from our centre.

Pseudoangiosarcomatous squamous cell carcinoma in an old surgical scar of an African woman.

BACKGROUND: Squamous cell carcinoma, a malignant proliferation of keratinocytes, can be found in many regions of the body covered by stratified squamous epithelium and in areas covered by other epithelia but which had undergone squamous metaplasia. Squamous cell carcinoma has many variants. METHODOLOGY: We, retrospectively, reviewed the case file and histological features of a 75 year old trader with a rare variant of squamous cell carcinoma arising from an old surgical scar. CASE REPORT: The 75-year-old African female trader presented to the hospital with three and a-half month history of a swelling in the anterior aspect of the left leg arising from an old surgical scar. Clinical examination showed an irregularly shaped ulcer measuring 14 x 16 cm with an everted edge and a hyperpigmented floor. Histologic sections of the specimen showed the infiltration of the papillary and reticular dermis of the skin by sheets of atypical spindle cells with areas of squamous differentiation. There was a contiguous area of capillary-like structures constituting about 30% of the sections examined. The neoplastic cells were positive for vimentin and cytokeratin but were negative for CD34. The diagnosis was pseudoangiosarcomatous squamous cell carcinoma. CONCLUSION: This tumour can be found in Africans and in an old surgical scar. It can coexist with other variants of squamous cell carcinoma. There may be need in the future to add a new mixed variant to the current classification scheme.

Clinicopathological review of schistosomal appendicitis in south western Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal schistosomiasis may involve the appendix and there is no specific clinical picture associated with the same. METHODS: The clinical records and histopathological slides of all patients diagnosed with schistosomal appendicitis between January 1989 and December 2006 in Ile-Ife, south west Nigeria, were reviewed. RESULT: Of 956 patients who had appendectomy at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital within the study period, 22 (2.3%) had histopathological diagnosis of schistosomal appendicitis. Eighteen (81.8%) were male whilst 4 (18.2%) were female. Their ages ranged between 15 and 63 years with a mean of 28.2 (+/- 5.6) years. The mean duration of right lower quadrant abdominal pain was 4.2 years. Appendiceal and periappendiceal adhesions were noted intraoperatively in 17 (77.3%) and the appendix was adjudged grossly inflamed in 9 (40.9%) patients. Submucosal fibrosis and eosinophilia were the common histopathological findings aside from submucosal oviposition. All patients received antischistosomal drugs and one patient developed adhesive intestinal obstruction 9 months after surgery. CONCLUSION: Schistosomal appendicitis may present acutely but diagnosis is only reliably made at histopathological examination. Adequate follow-up is however required to ascertain long-term outcome.

Wound-healing and potential anti-keloidal properties of the latex of Calotropis procera (Aiton) Asclepiadaceae in rabbits.

Calotropis Procera (CP) has been used in the management of toothache, fresh skin burns, gum bleeding as well as others to make it qualify as a medicinal plant. This study was designed to assess its wound-healing property in rabbits and its potentials for anti keloidal activity.Fresh latex of Calotropis were obtained and evaluated phytochemically. Fifteen male rabbits were used and four excisional wounds were created on each rabbit. The rabbits were divided into five groups of three each. Group 1 was the negative control and received no treatment. The wounds of group 2 animals were treated with 2mL of Calotropis latex; group 3 with 2mL honey; and group 4 with a mixture of 1ml honey and 1 mL of the latex. The animals in group 5 were given 2mg triamcinolone intramuscularly. All the groups had their wounds treated daily for 21 days. The wounds' diameters were measured on the day of wound creation, thereafter on days 7, 14 and 21 post wound creation. Biopsies of the wounds were taken on days 3 and 21 and viewed histologically. Phytochemical study of the latex revealed the presence of glycosides, tannins and alkaloids. The wounds were found to be significantly (p<0.05) reduced in groups treated with 50% latex in honey and triamcinolone, respectively, on day 7 post wound creation while there was a significant (p<0.05) reduction in wound surface area in all treated groups on days 14 and 21 post wound creation. Histological findings in untreated group showed thick bundle of collagen fibres some of which had broad based configurations, reminiscent of keloid. The group treated with 2mL of Calotropis latex revealed the presence of florid granulation tissues on day 3 while there was a marked reduction in quantity and size of collagen fibres on day 21 post wound creation which was comparable with what was seen for the triamcinolone-treated group.The general effect of Calotropis latex on wound-healing was noted. Likewise it's similarity to that of triamcinolone, an anti-keloidal agent; this makes it a probable candidate for future anti-keloidal study using a suitable model.