Morphological and morphometrical studies on the tongue of the juvenile cattle egret (Bulbucus ibis).

Cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis) is a cosmopolitan heron species, with least concern conservation status. There are limited literatures on the anatomy of this bird, especially in relation to its sensory organs, hence we here investigated the gross morphological and histomorphometric features of its tongue. The tongues of twelve healthy juvenile cattle egrets were examined in situ for morphological appearance and gross morphometric measurements were determined ex situ. Routine histology was conducted on the tongue tissue with parameters such as epithelial and lamina propia heights, lingual muscle and entoglossal cartilage heights evaluated. Grossly, the tongue was divided into three parts name; apex, body and the root. It was arrow shaped, conforming to the shape of the beak, with a laryngeal mound bounded caudally by the pharyngeal papillae at its root. A massive entoglossal cartilage formed the core of the cranial apex, ventral body portion, and caudal aspect of the root. Histologically, the lingual mucosa possessed keratinized squamous epithelium in all its divisions, with spinous conical papillae being characteristic of the cranial apical mucosa. The body lingual mucosa possessed foliate papillae on the dorsal aspects, while filiform papillae were prominent in the ventral portions. The lingual root uniquely possessed numerous glandular ducts in its lamina propia as well as localized adipocytes. Overall, the regression analysis data showed that the body weight can be conveniently predicted from tongue parameters. This study has thus provided additional knowledge on the anatomy of the birds and the generated data could prove useful in comparative regional anatomy.

SKINFOLD MEASUREMENTS AS DETERMINANTS OF BLOOD PRESSURE LEVELS AMONG ADULT HYPERTENSIVES ATTENDING A SECONDARY HEALTHCARE CENTRE IN NIGERIA.

Background: Background: The prevalence of obesity is increasing globally, making it a growing pandemic affecting adults and children. Obesity is associated with multiple morbidities and mortalities increasing the burden on the health care system. Objective: There is inadequacy of data in Nigeria on the prevalence of obesity among adult patients with hypertension and adequate data on these conditions would help in their comprehensive management. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 354 patients with hypertension, and the systematic sampling technique was used to recruit patients. The data were analysed using SPSS software version 23. Logistic regressions and linear regressions were done to determine the predictors of obesity and blood pressure levels. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 52.60(SD±8.26) years and the prevalence of obesity was 53.1%. After adjusting for other variables, the predictors of obesity were female sex. Females were about six times more likely to be obese than males (OR=6.23; 95%CI= 3.16 - 12.32). For every 1 unit increase in triceps skinfold, there was a statistically significant increase in diastolic blood pressure by about 2.77units (95% C.I equals 2.63 to 2.91, p-value= 0.0001). Also, for every 1 unit increase in biceps skinfold, there was a statistically significant increase in systolic blood pressure by about 5.78 units (95% C.I equals 5.46- 6.10, p-value= 0.0001). Conclusion: The prevalence of obesity was high, and the predictors of obesity were female sex. Triceps skinfold measurements were predictors of diastolic blood pressure while biceps skinfold measurements were predictors of systolic blood pressure.

Two decades of neuroscience publication trends in Africa.

Neuroscience research in Africa remains sparse. Devising new policies to boost Africa's neuroscience landscape is imperative, but these must be based on accurate data on research outputs which is largely lacking. Such data must reflect the heterogeneity of research environments across the continent's 54 countries. Here, we analyse neuroscience publications affiliated with African institutions between 1996 and 2017. Of 12,326 PubMed indexed publications, 5,219 show clear evidence that the work was performed in Africa and led by African-based researchers - on average ~5 per country and year. From here, we extract information on journals and citations, funding, international coauthorships and techniques used. For reference, we also extract the same metrics from 220 randomly selected publications each from the UK, USA, Australia, Japan and Brazil. Our dataset provides insights into the current state of African neuroscience research in a global context.

TREATMENT RESPONSE IN ADULT PATIENTS WITH HYPERTENSION ATTENDING A SECONDARY HEALTH CARE CENTER IN SOUTH-WEST NIGERIA.

BACKGROUND: There has been an increase in prevalence of hypertension worldwide and a trend towards poor control of hypertension. Despite the development of new guidelines on management of hypertension, it remains a difficult disease to control. METHODS: The study was a prospective cohort study of 386 patients aged 18 to 70 years with uncontrolled hypertension. A simple random sampling technique with computer generated random numbers was used for selection. RESULTS: Majority (58.3%) of the respondents who were overweight had diastolic blood pressure of less than 100 mmHg while 55 (41.7%) respondents who were overweight had diastolic blood pressure of 100mmHg to 110mmHg. Forty (42.1%) of the respondents who were obese had diastolic blood pressure of less than 100mmHg while 55 (57.9%) respondents who were obese had diastolic blood pressure of 100mmHg to 110mmHg. The association was statistically significant (χ2 = 9.845, p-value = 0.02). There was a significant difference between the mean first Systolic Blood pressure and the mean third systolic blood pressure. (< 0.001, 95% CI 19.01- 23.04). Also there was a significant difference between the mean first Diastolic Blood pressure and the mean third Diastolic Blood pressure. (p < 0.001, 95% CI 11.13-11.56). CONCLUSION: This study has shown that increasing body weight was associated with high blood pressures and health education on management of hypertension had significant effect in reducing blood pressures and subsequently leading to better control of hypertension.

CASE FINDING OF HYPERTENSION AT A SECONDARY HEALTH CARE FACILITY IN SOUTH-WEST NIGERIA.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of hypertension is higher in Semi-urban areas than in rural areas. There is a rising prevalence of hypertension in developing countries. Significant independent association has been found between age, family history and prevalence of hypertension according to the literature. This study sought to determine the prevalence of hypertension at the State Hospital Oyo and provide evidence for routine checks of blood pressure (BP) for adult patients. METHODS: A Cross-sectional study was conducted at the General Outpatient Clinic of the State Hospital Oyo. 350 adults between the ages of 18 and 70 years were recruited for the study. A total sampling technique was used to recruit consecutive patients until a sample size of 350 was achieved. RESULTS: The prevalence of hypertension was 102/350 = 29%. Thirty (29.70%) of respondents who were 55 years and above had systolic hypertension while 24 (23.80%) had normal BP (χ2 = 87.62, p-value = 0.0001). Majority (57.6%) of respondents who had tertiary education had normal blood pressure while 24 (20.3%) had systolic hypertension (χ2 = 39.88, p-value = 0.0001). Twenty one (36.8%s) of respondents who were obese had systolic hypertension while 16 (28.1%) had normal blood pressure (χ2 = 20.61 , p-value = 0.02). Thirteen (12.80%) of respondents who were 55 years and above had diastolic hypertension while a majority (58.40%) had normal BP (χ2 = 33.40, p-value = 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Age, obesity and education were found to be risk factors for developing hypertension. However after adjusting for other variables, the predictor of risk of developing hypertension was age of respondents.

ASSESSMENT OF SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS AND CONTROL OF ASTHMA IN ADULTS.

BACKGROUND: Asthma is a chronic disease which places considerable economic, social and public health burdens on the society. Education, occupation and income are the most widely used indicators of socioeconomic status (SES). Studies have shown increased asthma hospital admissions for those who are materially deprived and increased asthma severity in low social class groups. The aim of this study is to determine the impact of socioeconomic status on control of asthma in adults. METHOD: The study was a cross-sectional analytical one, conducted over a year at the Medical Outpatient Clinic of the University College Hospital Ibadan. The study population was composed of 355 randomly selected adults aged between 18years and 55years with an established diagnosis of asthma already on treatment. RESULTS: Respondents with monthly income of 40000 and above had a higher proportion with good asthma control (74.1%) compared to those that earned 10000 to 39999 (69.0%) and less than 10000 (47.8%). This was statistically significant. Respondents in occupational class I/II had a slightly higher proportion with good asthma control (70.9%) compared to those in occupation class III/IV (70.1%) and occupation class V/VI (50.6%). This was statistically significant at p = 0.003. CONCLUSION: Respondents in the higher occupational class had better asthma control than respondents in the lower occupational class. Respondents who were earning 40000 and above as monthly income had better control of asthma than other respondents. After adjusting for other variables, the predictor of good asthma control was monthly income of the respondents.