Preliminary Study on Open Labelled Randomized Controlled Trial of the Safety and Efficacy of Hydroxychloroquine and Chloroquine Phosphate for the Treatment of Persons Infected with 2019 Coronavirus Disease in Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a causative agent of COVID-19 is a leading cause of ill-health and deaths worldwide. Currently, COVID-19 has no known widely approved therapeutics. Thus, the need for effective treatment. OBJECTIVES: We investigated the safety and efficacy of two (2) therapeutic agents; chloroquine phosphate (CQ), 2- hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and a control (standard supportive therapy) among hospitalized adults with COVID-19. METHODS: The clinical trial was done in accordance to the World Health Organization master protocol for investigational therapeutics for COVID-19. Atotal of 40 participants with laboratory-confirmed positive COVID-19 were enrolled. Blood samples and oropharyngeal (OP) swabs were obtained on days 1,3,15 and 29 for safety and efficacy assessments. RESULTS: The baseline demographics showed that the median ages in years (range) were 45 (31-57) in CQ, 45 (36.5-60.5) in HCQ, 43 (39.5-67.0) and 44.5 (25.3-51.3) in the control (P<0.042).At randomization, seven (7) participants were asymptomatic, thirty-three (33) had mild symptoms, eight (8) had moderate symptoms while three (3) had severe symptoms. The average day of conversion to negative COVID-19 was 15.5 days for CQ, 16 days for HCQ and 18 days for the control(P=0.036). CONCLUSION: The safety assessment revealed no adverse effect of the drugs in COVID-19 patients after treatment. These findings proved that chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine are effective for the treatment of COVID-19 among hospitalized adults. It also confirmed that they are safe.

CONTEXTE: Le coronavirus du syndrome respiratoire aigu sévère 2 (SARS-CoV-2),agentcausaldelaCOVID-19, est l'unedes principales causes demaladie et de décès dans le monde. À l'heure actuelle, il n'existe aucun traitement largement approuvé pour la COVID-19. Ainsi, ilya un besoin de traitement efficace. OBJECTIFS: Nous avons étudié l'innocuité et l'efficacité de deux (2) agents thérapeutiques, le phosphate de chloroquine (CQ) et l'hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), ainsi qu'un groupe témoin (traitement de soutien standard) chez des adultes hospitalisés atteints de la COVID-19.MÉTHODES: L'essai clinique a été mené conformément au protocole maître de l'Organisation mondiale de la santé pour les thérapeutiques à l'étude de la COVID-19. Au total, 40 participants atteints de la COVID-19, confirmée en laboratoire, ont été in scrits. Des échantillons de sang et des prélèvements oropharyngés (PO) ont été effectuésauxjours1,3,15et29pourévaluerl'innocuitéetl'efficacité. RÉSULTATS: Les données démographiques initiales ont révélé que l'âge médian en années (plage) était de 45 (31-57) pour le groupe CQ, de 45 (36,5-60,5) pour le groupe HCQ, de 43 (39,5-67,0) et de 44,5 (25,3-51,3) pour le groupe témoin (P<0,042). À la randomisation, sept (7) participants étaient asymptomatiques, trente-trois (33) présentaient des symptômes bénins, huit(8) avaient des symptômes modérés, tandis que trois(3) avaient des symptômes graves. Le jour moyende conversionentest COVID-19 négatif était de 15,5 jours pour le groupe CQ, de 16 jours pour le groupe HCQ et de 18 jours pourle groupe témoin (P=0,036). CONCLUSION: L'évaluation de la sécurité n'a révélé aucun effet indésirable des médicaments chez les patients atteints de la COVID-19 après le traitement. Ces conclusions ont prouvé que la chloroquine et l'hydroxychloroquine sont efficaces pour le traitement de la COVID-19 chez les adultes hospitalisés. Cela a également confirmé qu' ilssont sûrs. Mots-clés: COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, essai clinique, innocuité, efficacité, thérapeutiques.

Clinical predictors of Covid-19 mortality in a tertiary hospital in Lagos, Nigeria: A retrospective cohort study.

Background: The predictors of mortality among patients presenting with severe to critical disease in Nigeria are presently unknown. Aim: The aim of this study was to identify the predictors of mortality among patients with COVID-19 presenting for admission in a tertiary referral hospital in Lagos, Nigeria. Patients and Methods: The study was a retrospective study. Patients' sociodemographics, clinical characteristics, comorbidities, complications, treatment outcomes, and hospital duration were documented. Pearson's Chi-square, Fischer's Exact test, or Student's t-test were used to assess the relationship between the variables and mortality. To compare the survival experience across medical comorbidities, Kaplan Meir plots and life tables were used. Univariable and multivariable Cox-proportional hazard analyses were conducted. Results: A total of 734 patients were recruited. Participants' age ranged from five months to 92 years, with a mean ± SD of 47.4 ± 17.2 years, and a male preponderance (58.5% vs. 41.5%). The mortality rate was 9.07 per thousand person-days. About 73.9% (n = 51/69) of the deceased had one or more co-morbidities, compared to 41.6% (252/606) of those discharged. Patients who were older than 50 years, with diabetes mellitus, hypertension, chronic renal illness, and cancer had a statistically significant relationship with mortality. Conclusion: These findings call for a more comprehensive approach to the control of non-communicable diseases, the allocation of sufficient resources for ICU care during outbreaks, an improvement in the quality of health care available to Nigerians, and further research into the relationship between obesity and COVID-19 in Nigerians.

Presentation and Management of Atypical Orofacial Clefts: A Single-Institution Experience for 13 Year Period.

This study reviews the craniofacial clefts that presented at a Nigerian tertiary health facility, highlighting our experience with the pattern of presentation and surgical care of these patients.A retrospective review of the smile train database and medical records of all individuals who had been diagnosed with any of the Tessier craniofacial clefts and managed between 1st January 2007 and 31st December 2020 was done. The data were presented as numbers and percentages of cases.The cleft clinic of a tertiary health facility and a major cleft referral center in South-West Nigeria.Forty-five patients with craniofacial clefts were managed over the study period. 15.6% had associated syndromes, 2.2% had a family history of similar craniofacial cleft and 11% had a history of a possible teratogen. There were 21 (46.7%) middle clefts, 14(31.1%) lateral clefts and 10(22.2%) oblique clefts. The most common type of cleft was Tessier 0 while the Tessier 6 was the least common type. The median age at surgery was 10 months for male and 5months for female subjects, 15.3% complication rate was found in this study. Four patients had revision surgeries to correct residual deformities in this study.The diverse presentations and occurrence of the rare craniofacial clefts present complex aesthetic and functional problems that require individualized often multidisciplinary care. The execution of a properly planned treatment will reduce complications and the need for revision surgeries.

Knowledge of Environmental and Genetic Risk Factors for Cleft Lip and Palate among Dwellers of a Suburban Community in Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Cleft lip and/or cleft palate (CLP) is a prevalent condition with a multifactorial etiology. An understanding of its etiologic factors discourages harmful habits and promotes societal acceptability. OBJECTIVES: To assess the knowledge of environmental and genetic risk factors of CLP and determine its effect on predisposing social habits in a suburban community in Nigeria. METHODS: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted at Ifo Local Government Area (LGA), Ogun state, Nigeria. Participants were adult residents of Ifo L.G.A. Knowledge of CLP categorized into description, environmental risk factors and genetic factors were assessed using a well structured interviewer administered questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 300 adults (104 males; 196 females) aged 44.3 + 13.17 years with predominantly secondary level education participated in the study. Majority of participants (89.7%) had low overall knowledge of CLP including low knowledge on description of CLP (81.7%), environmental factors of CLP (81.3%), and genetic factors of CLP (93.7%). High level of education was significantly associated with increased knowledge on description of CLP (P < 0.05). No other significant association was noted between sociodemographic factors and knowledge of CLP. Decreased smoking history was associated with high knowledge on description of CLP (P = 0.043). CONCLUSION: Majority of the population had low knowledge of CLP which was to an extent influenced by their lack of high level of education. This low knowledge was significantly associated with increased practices of social habits such as cigarette smoking that predispose unborn children to CLP. The low knowledge of CLP shown in this study highlights the need for increased community education and health promotion to encourage avoidance of risk factors that predispose to the condition and promote societal acceptability and quest for treatment of the condition.

CONTEXTE: La fente labiale et/ou la fente palatine (CLP) sont répandues condition avec une étiologie multifactorielle. Une compréhension de son les facteurs étiologiques découragent les habitudes néfastes et favorisent la société acceptabilité. OBJECTIFS: Évaluer la connaissance de l'environnement et de la génétique facteurs de risque de CLP et déterminer son effet sur les réseaux sociaux prédisposants habitudes dans une communauté de banlieue au Nigeria. MÉTHODES: Il s'agissait d'une étude transversale descriptive menée à Ifo Local Government Area (LGA), État d'Ogun, Nigéria. Participants étaient des résidents adultes d'Ifo L.G.A. Connaissance du CLP catégorisée dans la description, les facteurs de risque environnement aux et les facteurs génétiques étaient évalué à l'aide d'un intervieweur bien structuré administré questionnaire. RÉSULTATS: Un total de 300 adultes (104 hommes; 196 femmes) âgés de 44,3 ans+ 13,17 ans avec un enseignement principalement secondaire ont participé à l'étude. La majorité des participants (89,7%) avaient un faible taux connaissance globale du CLP, y compris faible connaissance de la description de CLP (81,7%), facteurs environnement aux de CLP (81,3%) et génétique(93,7 %). Le niveau d'éducation élevé était significatif associé à une connaissance accrue de la description du CLP (P <0.05). Aucune autre association significative n'a été notée entre les facteurs sociodémographiques et la connaissance de la CLP. Diminution du tabagisme l'histoire était associée à une grande connaissance de la description du CLP (P = 0,043). CONCLUSION: La majorité de la population avait une faible connaissance du CLP qui a été dans une certaine mesure influencée par leur manque de niveau élevé de éducation. Cette faible connaissance était significativement associée àdes pratiques accrues d'habitudes sociales telles que le tabagisme qui prédisposer les enfants à naître à la CLP. La faible connaissance du CLP montrée dans cette étude souligne la nécessité d'une éducation communautaire accrue et la promotion de la santé pour encourager l'évitement des facteurs de risque qui prédisposer à la condition et promouvoir l'acceptabilité sociétale et quête de traitement de la maladie. Mots-clés: Connaissances, facteurs de risque, fente labiale et palatine, suburbaineNigéria.

Genome-wide Gene-by-Sex Interaction Studies Identify Novel Nonsyndromic Orofacial Clefts Risk Locus.

Risk loci identified through genome-wide association studies have explained about 25% of the phenotypic variations in nonsyndromic orofacial clefts (nsOFCs) on the liability scale. Despite the notable sex differences in the incidences of the different cleft types, investigation of loci for sex-specific effects has been understudied. To explore the sex-specific effects in genetic etiology of nsOFCs, we conducted a genome-wide gene × sex (GxSex) interaction study in a sub-Saharan African orofacial cleft cohort. The sample included 1,019 nonsyndromic orofacial cleft cases (814 cleft lip with or without cleft palate and 205 cleft palate only) and 2,159 controls recruited from 3 sites (Ethiopia, Ghana, and Nigeria). An additive logistic model was used to examine the joint effects of the genotype and GxSex interaction. Furthermore, we examined loci with suggestive significance (P < 1E-5) in the additive model for the effect of the GxSex interaction only. We identified a novel risk locus on chromosome 8p22 with genome-wide significant joint and GxSex interaction effects (rs2720555, p2df = 1.16E-08, pGxSex = 1.49E-09, odds ratio [OR] = 0.44, 95% CI = 0.34 to 0.57). For males, the risk of cleft lip with or without cleft palate at this locus decreases with additional copies of the minor allele (p < 0.0001, OR = 0.60, 95% CI = 0.48 to 0.74), but the effect is reversed for females (p = 0.0004, OR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.15 to 1.60). We replicated the female-specific effect of this locus in an independent cohort (p = 0.037, OR = 1.30, 95% CI = 1.02 to 1.65), but no significant effect was found for the males (p = 0.29, OR = 0.86, 95% CI = 0.65 to 1.14). This locus is in topologically associating domain with craniofacially expressed and enriched genes during embryonic development. Rare coding mutations of some of these genes were identified in nsOFC cohorts through whole exome sequencing analysis. Our study is additional proof that genome-wide GxSex interaction analysis provides an opportunity for novel findings of loci and genes that contribute to the risk of nsOFCs.

Dental Caries Severity and Nutritional Status of Nigerian Preschool Children.

INTRODUCTION: Malnutrition in children is one of the most prevalent global health challenges, and malnourished children have a higher risk of death from childhood diseases. Early childhood caries (ECC) is the most common chronic disease of childhood. Complications from ECC such as pain, loss of tooth/teeth, and infection can undermine a child's nutrition and growth. AIM: This study aims to evaluate the severity of decay, missing, and filled tooth (dmft) by nutritional status using the z scores of the anthropometric measurements: height for age (HFA), weight for age (WFA), weight for height (WFH), and body mass index for age (BMIA) among children with ECC in Nigeria. STUDY DESIGN: This is a cross-sectional study conducted in 5 local government areas (LGAs) in Lagos State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was used. RESULTS: A total of 273 cases of ECC were included in the analyses (mean age 4.19 ± 0.96 y). Overall, the mean dmft was 3.04 ± 2.28, and most (96%) were accounted for by untreated decay. The distribution of dmft within the different z score categories of BMIA (<-3 = severely wasted, -2 to -3 = wasted, -2 to +2 = normal, +2 to +3 = overweight and >+3 = obese) showed the highest dmft scores among the combined severely wasted and wasted groups, lowest among children with normal z scores, and intermediate in the overweight and obese groups. There was a significant negative correlation between BMIA z score, WFH z score, and dmft (r = -0.181, P < 0.05 and r = -0.143, P < 0.05, respectively). However, the correlations between HFA z score, WFA z score, and dmft were positive but not significant (r = 0.048, P = 0.44 and r = 0.022, P = 0.77, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our study showed an increased severity of dental caries among severely wasted or wasted children with ECC compared to those of normal or overweight. KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER STATEMENT: The results from this study will raise awareness among clinicians and policy makers on the need for a primary prevention program for early childhood caries in countries with high burden of malnutrition and limited resources. Also, it will help draw the attention of clinicians to the caries status of malnourished children that can be managed to improve the nutritional outcomes.

Ivermectin shows clinical benefits in mild to moderate COVID19: a randomized controlled double-blind, dose-response study in Lagos.

INTRODUCTION: In vitro studies have shown the efficacy of Ivermectin (IV) to inhibit the SARS-CoV-2 viral replication, but questions remained as to in-vivo applications. We set out to explore the efficacy and safety of Ivermectin in persons infected with COVID19. METHODS: We conducted a translational proof of concept randomized, double blind placebo controlled, dose response and parallel group study of IV efficacy in RT-polymerase chain reaction proven COVID 19 positive patients. Sixty-two patients were randomized to three treatment groups. (A) IV 6 mg regime, (B) IV 12 mg regime (given Q84 h for 2 weeks) (C, control) Lopinavir/Ritonavir. All groups plus standard of Care. RESULTS: The Days to COVID negativity (DTN) was significantly and dose dependently reduced by IV (P = 0.0066). The DTN for Control were, = 9.1+/-5.2, for A 6.0 +/- 2.9 and for B 4.6 +/-3.2. Two way repeated measures ANOVA of ranked COVID 19 +/- scores at 0, 84, 168 and252h showed a significant IV treatment effect (P = 0.035) and time effect (P < 0.0001). IV also tended to increase SPO2% compared to controls, P = 0.073, 95% CI-0.39 to 2.59 and increased platelet count compared to C (P = 0.037) 95%CI 5.55-162.55 × 103/ml. The platelet count increase was inversely correlated to DTN (r = -0.52, P = 0.005). No SAE was reported. CONCLUSIONS: 12mg IV regime given twice a week may have superior efficacy over 6mg IV given twice a week, and certainly over the non IV arm of the study. IV should be considered for use in clinical management of SARS-COV2, and may find applications in prophylaxis in high risk areas.

Application of the research electronic data capture (REDCap) system in a low- and middle income country- experiences, lessons, and challenges.

The challenges of reliably collecting, storing, organizing, and analyzing research data are critical in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa where several healthcare and biomedical research organizations have limited data infrastructure. The Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) System has been widely used by many institutions and hospitals in the USA for data collection, entry, and management and could help solve this problem. This study reports on the experiences, challenges, and lessons learned from establishing and applying REDCap for a large US-Nigeria research partnership that includes two sites in Nigeria, (the College of Medicine of the University of Lagos (CMUL) and Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH)) and Northwestern University (NU) in Chicago, Illinois in the United States. The largest challenges to this implementation were significant technical obstacles: the lack of REDCap-trained personnel, transient electrical power supply, and slow/intermittent internet connectivity. However, asynchronous communication and on-site hands-on collaboration between the Nigerian sites and NU led to the successful installation and configuration of REDCap to meet the needs of the Nigerian sites. An example of one lesson learned is the use of Virtual Private Network (VPN) as a solution to poor internet connectivity at one of the sites, and its adoption is underway at the other. Virtual Private Servers (VPS) or shared online hosting were also evaluated and offer alternative solutions. Installing and using REDCap in LMIC institutions for research data management is feasible; however, planning for trained personnel and addressing electrical and internet infrastructural requirements are essential to optimize its use. Building this fundamental research capacity within LMICs across Africa could substantially enhance the potential for more cross-institutional and cross-country collaboration in future research endeavors.

Risk of congenital cardiovascular anomalies in patients with non-syndromic orofacial cleft: A preliminary case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Orofacial clefts (OCs) are one of the most common craniofacial anomalies and are reported to be associated with congenital cardiovascular anomalies (CCAs). However, there is paucity of data in African populations on the risk of CCAs in OC patients compared to the general population. AIMS: This study aims to determine the odds of congenital cardiovascular anomalies in patients with OC compared to the general population. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A case-control study design was used. Case subjects were non-syndromic OC subjects, while controls were non-syndromic subjects without OC. All subjects were thoroughly assessed by a pediatric cardiologist for CCAs; and grouped by OC phenotypic type (cleft lip and/or alveolus, cleft lip and palate, cleft palate only and Tessier cleft). Statistical analysis was done using STATA version 14 (College Station, Texas), and significance was placed at P value ≤0.05. RESULTS: A total of 120 subjects (60 cases and 60 controls) were enrolled in the study. In total, 23.3% of the subjects had CCAs. Among the case group, 40% had CCAs compared to 6.7% in the control group. Patent foramen ovale (18.3%) and atrial septal defects (10.0%) were the most common type of CCAs in cases, respectively. Further, cases had significantly higher odds of CCAs compared to controls (OR: 9.3; CI: 2.8, 39.4). CONCLUSIONS: Our finding reveals that the odds of CCAs are significantly higher in patients with OC than the general population. Future studies could assess the effect of CCAs on surgical outcome.

Loss-of-Function GRHL3 Variants Detected in African Patients with Isolated Cleft Palate.

In contrast to the progress that has been made toward understanding the genetic etiology of cleft lip with or without cleft palate, relatively little is known about the genetic etiology for cleft palate only (CPO). A common coding variant of grainyhead like transcription factor 3 ( GRHL3) was recently shown to be associated with risk for CPO in Europeans. Mutations in this gene were also reported in families with Van der Woude syndrome. To identify rare mutations in GRHL3 that might explain the missing heritability for CPO, we sequenced GRHL3 in cases of CPO from Africa. We recruited participants from Ghana, Ethiopia, and Nigeria. This cohort included case-parent trios, cases and other family members, as well as controls. We sequenced exons of this gene in DNA from a total of 134 nonsyndromic cases. When possible, we sequenced them in parents to identify de novo mutations. Five novel mutations were identified: 2 missense (c.497C>A; p.Pro166His and c.1229A>G; p.Asp410Gly), 1 splice site (c.1282A>C p.Ser428Arg), 1 frameshift (c.470delC; p.Gly158Alafster55), and 1 nonsense (c.1677C>A; p.Tyr559Ter). These mutations were absent from 270 sequenced controls and from all public exome and whole genome databases, including the 1000 Genomes database (which includes data from Africa). However, 4 of the 5 mutations were present in unaffected mothers, indicating that their penetrance is incomplete. Interestingly, 1 mutation damaged a predicted sumoylation site, and another disrupted a predicted CK1 phosphorylation site. Overexpression assays in zebrafish and reporter assays in vitro indicated that 4 variants were functionally null or hypomorphic, while 1 was dominant negative. This study provides evidence that, as in Caucasian populations, mutations in GRHL3 contribute to the risk of nonsyndromic CPO in the African population.

Association Studies and Direct DNA Sequencing Implicate Genetic Susceptibility Loci in the Etiology of Nonsyndromic Orofacial Clefts in Sub-Saharan African Populations.

Orofacial clefts (OFCs) are congenital dysmorphologies of the human face and oral cavity, with a global incidence of 1 per 700 live births. These anomalies exhibit a multifactorial pattern of inheritance, with genetic and environmental factors both playing crucial roles. Many loci have been implicated in the etiology of nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCL/P) in populations of Asian and European ancestries, through genome-wide association studies and candidate gene studies. However, few populations of African descent have been studied to date. Here, the authors show evidence of an association of some loci with NSCL/P and nonsyndromic cleft palate only (NSCPO) in cohorts from Africa (Ghana, Ethiopia, and Nigeria). The authors genotyped 48 single-nucleotide polymorphisms that were selected from previous genome-wide association studies and candidate gene studies. These markers were successfully genotyped on 701 NSCL/P and 163 NSCPO cases, 1,070 unaffected relatives, and 1,078 unrelated controls. The authors also directly sequenced 7 genes in 184 nonsyndromic OFC (NSOFC) cases and 96 controls from Ghana. Population-specific associations were observed in the case-control analyses of the subpopulations, with West African subpopulations (Ghana and Nigeria) showing a similar pattern of associations. In meta-analyses of the case-control cohort, PAX7 (rs742071, P = 5.10 × 10(-3)), 8q24 (rs987525, P = 1.22 × 10(-3)), and VAX1 (rs7078160, P = 0.04) were nominally associated with NSCL/P, and MSX1 (rs115200552, P = 0.01), TULP4 (rs651333, P = 0.04), CRISPLD2 (rs4783099, P = 0.02), and NOG1 (rs17760296, P = 0.04) were nominally associated with NSCPO. Moreover, 7 loci exhibited evidence of threshold overtransmission in NSOFC cases through the transmission disequilibrium test and through analyses of the family-based association for disease traits. Through DNA sequencing, the authors also identified 2 novel, rare, potentially pathogenic variants (p.Asn323Asp and p.Lys426IlefsTer6) in ARHGAP29 In conclusion, the authors have shown evidence for the association of many loci with NSCL/P and NSCPO. To the best of this knowledge, this study is the first to demonstrate any of these association signals in any African population.

Quality of life of family caregivers of children with orofacial clefts in Nigeria: a mixed-method study.

BACKGROUND: Orofacial clefts (OFCs) are common birth defects that may impose a large burden on the health and psychosocioeconomic well-being of affected individuals and families. This study aims to identify qualitative factors that affect the quality of life (QOL) of family caregivers of children with OFCs. METHODS: A mixed-method study in which family caregivers of OFCs children were consecutively recruited from cleft clinics over a 3-month period. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS version 17 and focus group discussion by framework analysis. RESULTS: A total of 107 caregivers participated in the entire study, and 24 caregivers participated in the focus group discussions. About 50% of the children had cleft lip and palate (CLP), 28% with cleft lips only (CL) and 23.4% with cleft palate only (CP). Poor access to specific information and lack of empathy of professionals affected the quality of life and delivery of family-centered care. CONCLUSIONS: To improve the quality of life of family caregivers, individual-focused counseling sessions should be organized for caregivers soon after birth. This will provide an opportunity to discuss the laid out plans for supportive care. It will also be as an avenue to address the arising social issues by health professionals and counselors.

A prospective epidemiological study on odontogenic tumours in a black African population, with emphasis on the relative frequency of ameloblastoma.

The persistent view in the literature is that the relative frequency of ameloblastomas is higher in the black population than in Caucasians. The aim of this study was to determine the relative frequency of all odontogenic tumours (OT) in a 100% black population and to compare our findings with those of previous studies. A prospective study was undertaken of all patients presenting with OT to all 16 Nigerian departments of oral and maxillofacial surgery over a 4-year period. The following data were obtained: patient demographics, delay to presentation, extent of the lesion, and histological diagnosis. Six hundred and twenty-two cases were studied. A slight male preponderance was observed (male to female ratio 1.17:1). Patients ranged in age from 5 to 89 years, with a peak incidence in the third decade. The relative frequency of OT was 0.99 per million and that of ameloblastoma was 0.76 per million. Ameloblastoma was the most prevalent OT (76.5%), followed by adenomatoid odontogenic tumours (5.6%), odontogenic myxoma (4.5%), and keratocystic odontogenic tumours (KCOT) (3.1%). The relative frequency of ameloblastoma among Nigerians was not different from frequencies reported previously among Caucasian and Tanzanian black populations. KCOTs were, however, rarely diagnosed in Nigerians as compared to the white population in the Western world.

Prevalence of orofacial clefts in Nigeria.

Orofacial clefts are the most common malformations of the head and neck. In Africa, orofacial clefts are underascertained, with little or no surveillance system in most parts for clefts and other birth defects. A Nigerian craniofacial anomalies study, NigeriaCRAN, was established in 2006 to support cleft research specifically for epidemiological studies, treatment outcomes, and studies into etiology and prevention. We pooled data from seven of the largest Smile Train treatment centers in the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria. Data from September 2006 to June 2011 were analyzed and clefts compared between sides and genders using the Fisher exact test. A total of 2197 cases were identified during the study period, with an estimated prevalence rate of 0.5 per 1000. Of the total number of orofacial clefts, 54.4% occur in males and 45.6% in females. There was a significant difference (P = .0001) between unilateral left clefts and unilateral right clefts, and there was a significant difference (P = .0001) between bilateral clefts and clefts on either the left or right side. A significant gender difference (P = .03) was also observed for cleft palate, with more females than males. A total of 103 (4.7%) associated anomalies were identified. There were nine syndromic cleft cases, and 10.4% of the total number of individuals with clefts have an affected relative. The significant difference between unilateral clefts and the gender differences in the proportion of cleft palate only are consistent with the literature. The present study emphasizes the need for birth defects registries in developing countries in order to estimate the exact prevalence of birth defects including orofacial clefts.

An evaluation of surgical outcome of bilateral cleft lip surgery using a modified Millard's (Fork Flap) technique.

BACKGROUND: The central third of the face is distorted by the bilateral cleft of the lip and palate and restoring the normal facial form is one of the primary goals for the reconstructive surgeons. The history of bilateral cleft lip repair has evolved from discarding the premaxilla and prolabium and approximating the lateral lip elements to a definitive lip and primary cleft nasal repair utilising the underlying musculature. The aim of this study was to review surgical outcome of bilateral cleft lip surgery (BCLS) done at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A review of all cases of BCLS done between January 2007 and December 2012 at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital was done. Data analysis included age and sex of patients, type of cleft deformity and type of surgery (primary or secondary) and whether the cleft deformity was syndromic and non-syndromic. Techniques of repair, surgical outcome and complications were also recorded. RESULTS: A total of 39 cases of BCLS involving 21 males and 18 females were done during the period. This constituted 10% (39/390) of all cases of cleft surgery done during the period. There were 5 syndromic and 34 non-syndromic cases. Age of patients at time of surgery ranged between 3 months and 32 years. There were 24 bilateral cleft lip and palate deformities and 15 bilateral cleft lip deformities. Thirty-one of the cases were primary surgery, while 8 were secondary (revision) surgery. The most common surgical technique employed was modified Fork flap (Millard) technique, which was employed in 37 (95%) cases. CONCLUSION: Bilateral cleft lip deformity is a common cleft deformity seen in clinical practice, surgical repair of which can be a challenge to an experienced surgeon. A modified Fork flap technique for repair of bilateral cleft lip is a reliable and versatile technique associated with excellent surgical outcome.

Acceptance and perception of Nigerian patients to medical photography.

The aim of the study was to determine the acceptance and perception of Nigerian patients to medical photography. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed among Nigerian patients attending oral and maxillofacial surgery and plastic surgery clinics of 3 tertiary health institutions. Information requested included patients' opinion about consent process, capturing equipment, distribution and accessibility of medical photographs. The use of non-identifiable medical photographs was more acceptable than identifiable to respondents for all purposes (P = 0.003). Most respondents were favourably disposed to photographs being taken for inclusion in the case note, but opposed to identifiable photographs being used for other purposes most especially in medical websites and medical journals. Female respondents preferred non-identifiable medical photographs to identifiable ones (P = 0.001). Most respondents (78%) indicated that their consent be sought for each of the outline needs for medical photography. Half of the respondents indicated that identifiable photographs may have a negative effect on their persons; and the most commonly mentioned effects were social stigmatization, bad publicity and emotional/psychological effects. Most of the respondents preferred the use of hospital-owned camera to personal camera/personal camera-phone for their medical photographs. Most respondents (67.8%) indicated that they would like to be informed about the use of their photographs on every occasion, and 74% indicated that they would like to be informed of the specific journal in which their medical photographs are to be published. In conclusion, non-identifiable rather than identifiable medical photography is acceptable to most patients in the studied Nigerian environment. The use of personal camera/personal camera-phone should be discouraged as its acceptance by respondents is very low. Judicious use of medical photography is therefore advocated to avoid breach of principle of privacy and confidentiality in medical practice.

Pattern of presentation and management of lip injuries in a Nigerian hospital.

AIM: Human lip injuries, although uncommon, present major challenges in terms of reconstructive options and the outcome of surgical management. The reconstructive techniques are usually varied but the ultimate objectives of treatment are to achieve healing, function, and aesthetics. The aim of this study was to report the etiology, pattern of presentation, and surgical management of lip injuries in Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective study of consecutive cases of lip injury was conducted at the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Clinic of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital. Data collected included age and sex of patients, etiology, pattern of presentation, and surgical techniques of repair. RESULTS: A total of 13 patients with lip injury to the lip were included in the study (M = 6, F = 7). Human bite (11 cases) was the most common cause of injury followed by electric burns (2 cases). The most (81.8%) frequently affected site was the lower lip. Most patients presented within 72 hours after injury with infected wound. Treatment offered included thorough debridement and primary repair using various surgical techniques. A one-stage surgical technique was employed in all cases. Healing was uneventful in all cases and satisfactory. CONCLUSION: Most of the lip injuries in the present study were due to human bites with almost equal sex distribution. Lower lip was most commonly affected. All cases were successfully treated by debridement, broad spectrum antibiotic coverage, and one-stage surgical repair with a favorable outcome.

Clinicohistopathological analysis of 5 Nigerian cases of malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the jaws.

BACKGROUND: Malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH), is a soft tissue sarcoma that occurs predominantly in the soft tissue of the extremities. It rarely occurs in facial bones. Few cases in the jaws have been reported. OBJECTIVE: To report and review the relevant clinicopathologic features of 5 cases of jaw MFHin Nigerians. METHODS: All cases in the records of the Department of Oral Pathology of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital which were histologically diagnosed as MFH were retrieved. Hematoxylin and eosin slides of cases were re-examined to confirm diagnosis. Information retrieved included age, sex, location, x-ray, estimated duration, recurrence, and histological presentation. Data was analyzed using SPSS statistical package. RESULTS: Age ranged between 12-42 years with a male sex predilection (3 cases/60.0%) and sole maxillary site predilection (5 cases/100.0%). Estimated duration of lesion ranged from 2 -12 months. Two cases recurred post surgical treatment. All cases presented as the storiform-pleomorphic type with one case presenting with a delicate/scanty connective tissue stroma. Chronic inflammation was scanty in the two cases that recurred. CONCLUSION: MFH of the jaws is rare among Nigerians. Its clinico radiological presentation maymimick other more aggressive or less benign lesions of the jaws thereby resulting in misdiagnosis and in appropriate patient management.

An overview of biological basis of pathologic scarring.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To review the current mechanisms and biologic processes leading to the formation of pathologic scars. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A computerised literature search was carried out using MEDLINE for all published articles on ''pathologic scarring''. The medical subject headings ''scarring'' were combined with ''mechanisms''. A review of selected relevant literature was then undertaken. RESULTS: Scarless embryonal healing tends to be characterised by minimal inflammatory reaction mediated by reduced IL6,IL8 and hyaluronidase while there are elevated levels of hyaluronic acid MMP1to3, as well as IL10.The multifunctional cytokine TGF-B, its several isoforms as well as its postreceptor signalling mechanisms appears to play the key role in the scarring process . There is also evidence to show that PDGF, IGF and other cytokines regulate scarring . While conventional antiscarring agents target the fibroplasia phase, others such as tamoxifen ,calcium channel blockers, and imidazolaquinolines targets various phases of the scarring process . CONCLUSION: It appears that multiple mechanisms are involved in the phenotypical appearance of abnormal scarring. A deeper understanding of these mechanisms is pivotal to the development of better antiscarring therapies in the very near future .

Evaluation of risk of injury to the inferior alveolar nerve with classical sagittal split osteotomy technique and proposed alternative surgical techniques using computer-assisted surgery.

Neurosensory disturbance after sagittal split osteotomy is a common complication. This study evaluated the course of the mandibular canal at three positions using computed tomography (CT), assessed the risk of injury to the inferior alveolar nerve in classical sagittal split osteotomy, based on the proximity of the mandibular canal to the external cortical bone, and proposed alternative surgical techniques using computer-assisted surgery. CT data from 102 mandibular rami were evaluated. At each position, the distance between the mandibular canal and the inner surface of the cortical bone was measured; if less than 1mm or if the canal contacted the external cortical bone it was registered as a possible neurosensory compromising proximity. The course of each mandibular canal was allocated to a neurosensory risk or a non-neurosensory risk group. The mandibular canal was in contact with, or within 1mm of, the lingual cortex in most positions along its course. Neurosensory compromising proximity of the mandibular canal was observed in about 60% of sagittal split ramus osteotomy sites examined. For this group, modified classic osteotomy or complete individualized osteotomy is proposed, depending on the position at which the mandibular canal was at risk; they may be accomplished with computer-assisted navigation.