A Need to Protect the Health and Rights of Anatomists Working in Dissection Laboratories.

Anatomy in the context of medical or health science often requires dissection. Anatomical dissection is the purposeful and procedural exploration of the human tissues and organs by physically cutting through defined body planes, regions, and organs to access, define and explore the structures in a manner that facilitates learning. Anatomical dissection is a basic requirement for anatomical and medical education. It is a requirement in certain other fields of health sciences as well. Unfortunately, in many instances, the prosector and dissector in the anatomy laboratories are not considered for the hazards to which they are exposed whether in their health plans or remuneration package. Dissectors, unlike conventional hospital laboratory workers are often considered routine workers or teaching assistants. This is the case, for example, in many African medical institutions. Administrators possibly presume that hazards are only associated with service laboratories in the hospital or teaching hospital departments. It would therefore serve the purpose of advocacy, education, and orientation to highlight the hazards that these individuals who serve as dissectors, prosectors and laboratory staff members are exposed to. This commentary highlights the nature and sources of risks that anatomists who dissect, prosect and work in anatomical laboratories are exposed to. It also highlights how the rights and health of anatomists who dissect can be protected with specific recommendations. Hence, the recommendations speak to policies and practices that are required to serve this purpose. After highlighting the major risks that anatomists who dissect might face, and the major causes of the risks, we wish to propose ways by which these could be addressed based on these key considerations: protect, prevent, and compensate. This is what we have also termed the PPC principle for protecting the health and professional rights of anatomists who dissect and work in anatomical laboratories.

Experimental study of pre- and postnatal caffeine exposure and its observable effects on selected neurotransmitters and behavioural attributes at puberty : Caffeine exposure and its observable effects on selected neurotranmitters and behaviour.

Caffeine is globally consumed as a stimulant in beverages. It is also ingested in purified forms as power and tablets. Concerns have been raised about the potential consequences of intrauterine and early life caffeine exposure on brain health. This study modeled caffeine exposure during pregnancy and early postanal life until puberty, and the potential consequences. Caffeine powder was dissolved in distilled water. Thirty-two (n = 32) pregnant mice (Mus musculus) (dams) were divided into four groups- A, B, C and D. Group A animals served as a control, receiving placebo. Caffeine doses in mg/kg body weight were administered as follows: Group B, 10 mg/kg; Group C, 50 mg/kg; Group D, 120 mg/kg. Prenatal caffeine exposure [phase I] lasted throughout pregnancy. Half the number of offspring (pups) were sacrificed at birth; the rest were recruited into phase II and the experiment continued till day 35, marking puberty. Brain samples were processed following sacrifice. γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), acetylcholine (ACh), and serotonin (5Ht) neurotransmitters were assayed in homogenates to evaluate functional neurochemistry. Anxiety and memory as neurobehavioural attributes were observed using the elevated plus and Barnes' mazes respectively. Continuous caffeine exposure produced positive effects on short and long-term memory parameters; the pattern interestingly was irregular and appeared more effective with the lowest experimental dose. Anxiety test results showed no attributable significant aberrations. Caffeine exposure persistently altered the neurochemistry of selected neurotransmitters including ACh and 5Ht, including when exposure lasted only during pregnancy. ACh significantly increased in group BC+ to 0.3475µgg-1 relative to control's 0.2508µgg-1; pre-and continuous postnatal exposure in Group B increased 5Ht to 0.2203 µgg-1 and 0.2213 µgg-1 respectively relative to control's 0.1863 µgg-1. From the current investigation, caffeine exposure in pregnancy had persistent effects on brain functional attributes including neurotransmitters activities, memory and anxiety. Caffeine in moderate doses affected memory positively but produced negative effects at the higher dosage including increased anxiety tendencies.

Neuroepidemiology: Perspectives from Africa.

Neuroepidemiology is an important field that deserves critical attention globally and more specifically on the African continent. The African continent currently has less than adequate and reliable data on mental health generally or neurological disorders. Only few prevalence and incidence studies' reports are available. Africa is affected by diverse neurological problems that deserve epidemiological attention ranging from chronic neurological disorders to outbreaks of epidemics of neurological importance, including konzo, lead poisoning, and infectious diseases of neurological importance. The current effort is an attempt to report perspectives about neuroepidemiology from Africa and to critically appraise the current scenarios toward deciphering the factors that have limited the development and advancements of the field in Africa. This article highlights specific points on needs as found and provides suggestions and recommendations on the way forward. The study was conducted in Nigeria through a network named ANDEN. Questionnaires were administered through all neuroscience-related platforms. Ninety-two respondents completed the questionnaires properly. Most respondents were young scientists with bachelors' and master's level of training and were almost equally divided between males and females. Their responses were analysed and presented as descriptive statistics and thematic summary of free responses. The interest of these African neuroscientists in neuroepidemiology ranked between high and very high. A good proportion rated the likelihood of a career path in neuroepidemiology between high and very high. The importance and relevance of the field to the advancement of mental health was also rated very high. The current attention and commitment of research efforts and funding to neuroepidemiology was, however, rated low. Many potential African neuroscientists would agree that their current greatest need is the knowledge of the subject and field of neuroepidemiology. By implication, there is a great need for them to be educated in this area. The findings showed that neuroepidemiology is a relatively neglected aspect of neurology and neuroscience research on the continent. The interest of respondents in this field underscores the critical and urgent need to develop the field, promote training and research funding toward developing capacities, and carrying out cutting edge research.

Anatomy Education in Nigeria: An Empirical Study of Students' Knowledge and Perceptions on Training and Prospects Towards Meeting the Country's Need.

INTRODUCTION: Anatomy is currently a basic medical science bachelor program in Nigerian universities. The roles of anatomists in the Nigeria health, education and other relevant sectors are vaguely defined. Career prospects have been perceived to be very limited. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a total population survey of all Nigerian private university students that were enrolled in the Anatomy programs. Structured questionnaires were distributed to the students after securing their written informed consent. Data were obtained about the structure of their training and the program, knowledge of career prospects, motivation, potential career paths and employment prospects, as well as general opinions of the program. The target population was estimated at 1000 [N=1000]. RESULTS: A total of 902 [n=902] properly completed and returned questionnaires were considered suitable for analysis. The results showed that 55% of the respondents were female. Half of the respondents (50.8%) had a moderate interest in Anatomy as a career while others had an interest in alternative careers. Training was found to include intensive classroom teaching and laboratory work mainly in the Gross Anatomy and Histology. Hands-on training in forms of clinical, field and industrial experiences was limited. Furthermore, slightly more than half of the respondents (51.7%) had poor attitudes towards the bachelor's degree in Anatomy. They also perceived their job or career prospects in Anatomy as poor, citing perceived unfavorable governmental policies and very limited professional opportunities in relevant sectors including health, research, education and the public as the major influencing factors. CONCLUSION: These results showed that the students had a moderate interest in pursuing a career in Anatomy. Their training was however limited in the aspects of practical and experiential learning. Their attitude was also negatively influenced by their perception of limited career prospects. Training was therefore robust in the cognitive domain but limited in psychomotor and affective. Curricular review and strategic restructuring of training methods in line with the competencies that are expected of the Anatomy program graduates would help.

Nickel-induced neurodegeneration in the hippocampus, striatum and cortex; an ultrastructural insight, and the role of caspase-3 and α-synuclein.

Human overexposure to nickel (Ni) emanating from the increasing application of Ni compounds in modern technology is a major public health concern. Nickel has been shown to be teratogenic, immunotoxic, genotoxic and carcinogenic. The current knowledge on Ni neurotoxicity is still relatively limited. We have previously demonstrated that Ni treatment alters cognitive and locomotor behaviors, induces oxidative stress and neurodegeneration in brains of rats. In this study, we examine the ultrastructural changes to neurons in the hippocampus, striatum and cortex of the brain following Ni treatment, as well as attempt to delineate the roles for caspase-3 and α-synuclein in Ni-induced neurodegeneration. Rats were treated with either saline, 10 or 20 mg/kg of nickel chloride for 4 weeks via oral gavage. Electron microscopy analysis revealed ultrastructural alterations in neurons of the hippocampus, striatum and cortex following Ni treatment. Mitochondria structural integrity within neurons were markedly compromised. We also detected elevated caspase-3 activity in hippocampus and striatum, as well as overexpression of α-synuclein in the cortex following Ni treatment. Our study demonstrates that mitochondria are a key target in Ni-induced neurodegeneration. Additionally, we implicate apoptotic pathway via caspase-3 action as the executioner and perturbation of α-synuclein expression in Ni-induced neurodegeneration.