Jobelyn suppresses hippocampal neuronal apoptosis and necrosis in experimental alcohol-induced brain stress.

Neurodegeneration in the hippocampus is a consequence of alcohol abuse which compromises the survival of the CNS tissue and its self-renewal capacity. So far, conventional drugs have not been clinically satisfactory in ameliorating neurodegeneration, therefore there has been a surge towards exploring the potentials of nutraceuticals since they mediate their action in a multi-mechanism fashion and may have high therapeutic potentials in CNS diseases. This study, therefore, evaluated the effect of Jobelyn® supplementation in ethanol-induced neurodegeneration of the hippocampus. Adult male rats received a regimen of ethanol or ethanol plus Jobelyn®, three times daily over four days. Histological results show that Jobelyn® supplementation significantly lowered neurodegeneration in the dentate gyrus, CA1 and CA3 areas. Furthermore, IHC studies show that Jobelyn® triggered an increased expression of p53 proteins in neurons of areas CA1 and CA3, with a reduction of p53 expression in the DG and also caused reduced expression of ɤ-enolase protein in these regions. These findings suggest that Jobelyn® may be able to help to maintain neuronal survival via control of tumor antigen p53 and ɤ-enolase regulated apoptotic and necrotic processes.

Effects of chronic administration of efavirenz on the chromatophilic substance of the intracranial auditory relay centres of adult Wistar rats / Efectos de la administración crónica de efavirenz sobre la sustancia cromatofílica de los centros de relevo auditivos intracraneales de ratas Wistar adultas

The effects of chronic administration of efavirenz commonly used as part of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for the treatment of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) type-1 therapy on the chromatophilic substance of the intracranial auditory relay centre namely the inferior colliculus and medial geniculate body of adult wistar rats were carefully studied. The rats of both sexes (n=20), with an average weight of 200g were randomly assigned into treatment (n=10) and control (n=10) groups. The rats in the treatment group received 600 mg/70kg body weight of efavirenz dissolved in distilled water daily for 30 days through the orogastric tube. The control group received equal volume of distilled water daily for 30 days through the same route. The rats were fed with grower's mash obtained from Edo Feeds and Flour Mill Limited, Ewu, Edo state, Nigeria and given water liberally. The rats were sacrificed by cervical dislocation method on the thirty-first day of the experiment. The inferior colliculus and medial geniculate body were carefully dissected out and quickly fixed in 10 percent formal saline for histological study. The histological findings indicated that the treated sections of the inferior colliculus and medial geniculate body showed that the chromatophilics substances were less intensely stained as compared to the control. The parenchyme was vacuolated and with evidence of hypertrophy and more spaces between the axonal mesh around the sparsely distributed neurons as compared to the control group. The treated section of the inferior colliculus showed neurons with faintly stained chromatophilics substances in large, medium and small sized neurons while that of the medial geniculate body showed less intense and enlarge chromatophilics substances with some vacuolations. Chronic administration of efavirenz may therefore have an adverse effect on the chromatophilics substances of the inferior colliculus and medial geniculate body of adult wistar rats...

Fueron estudiados los efectos de la administración crónica del efavirenz, comúnmente utilizado como parte del tratamiento antirretroviral de gran actividad para el VIH tipo 1, sobre la sustancia cromatofílica del centro de relevo auditivo intracraneal, el colículo inferior y cuerpo geniculado medial, en ratas Wistar adultas. Ratas de ambos sexos (n = 20), con un peso promedio de 200g fueron asignadas aleatoriamente a tratamiento (n = 10) y control (n = 10). Las ratas del grupo tratado recibieron 600mg/70kg peso corporal de efavirenz disuelto en agua destilada durante 30 días a través de sonda orogástrica. El grupo de control recibió un volumen igual de agua destilada durante 30 días por la misma vía. Las ratas fueron alimentadas con puré agricultor obtenido de Edo Feeds and Flour Mill Limited, Ewu, estado de Edo, Nigeria y agua ad-libitum. Las ratas se sacrificaron por dislocación cervical el día 31. El colículo inferior y el cuerpo geniculado medial fueron disecados cuidadosamente y se fijaron en solución de formalina salina al 10 por ciento. Los hallazgos histológicos indicaron que en las secciones tratadas del colículo inferior y el cuerpo geniculado medial la sustancia cromatofílica fue menos intensamente teñidas en comparación con el control. El parénquima se vacuoló, con evidencia de hipertrofia y más espacios entre la red axonal alrededor de neuronas escasamente distribuidas en comparación con el grupo control. La sección tratada del colículo inferior mostró neuronas con sustancia cromatofílica débilmente teñida en las neuronas de tamaño grande, mediano y pequeño, mientras que las del cuerpo geniculado medial mostraron sustancia cromatofílica menos intensa, con algunas vacuolaciones amplias. La administración crónica de efavirenz puede tener un efecto adverso sobre las sustancias cromatofílica del colículo inferior y del cuerpo geniculado medial de ratas Wistar adultas. Se recomienda realizar estudios adicionales...

Palmar and digital dermatoglyphic patterns in the Ndokwas of Delta State, Nigeria.

We determined asymmetry, complexity and pattern polarization of dermal ridges and palmar variables of atd angle, a - b ridge count and total finger ridge count of dermal ridges among the Ndokwa people of Nigeria. 400 healthy students who are Ndokwas were studied. Ink prints of their fingers and palms were obtained. Counting and classifying of Palmar and digital ridge pattern configurations of arches, loops and whorls was based on standard techniques. Ulnar loops polarized preferentially to digits III, IV and V and radial loops to digit II. Female subjects had higher counts of radial loops (p < 0.001) than the males. Male subjects had a higher whorl count than the females (p < 0.05). Our findings form useful baseline data for subsequent longitudinal cytogenetic studies on the Ndokwa people.

Digital and palmar dermatoglyphics of the Ijaw of Southern Nigeria.

Dermatoglyphics are polygenic markers useful in studying population dynamics. The digital and palmar ridge pattern characteristics of 390 subjects of Ijaw ethnicity were evaluated using standard methods. The most prevalent digital ridge pattern type was ulnar loops followed by whorls, arches and the least prevalent was radial loops. Gender dimorphism was not observed with digital ridge pattern types. However, females showed significantly greater atd angle than males (p < 0.05) while males had a greater Pattern Intensity Index. No significant gender disparity was seen in total finger ridge count and a-b ridge count. We compared our findings to those of other populations previously studied,

Palmar and digital dermatogylyphic patterns of the three major ethnic groups in Nigeria.

Palmar and digital dermatoglyphic patterns of the three major ethnic groups in Nigeria were taken and their variability examined. Six hundred people were assessed, consisting of 200 Hausas (156 males, 44 females), 200 Ibos (98 males, 102 females), 200 Yorubas (112 males and 88 females). Clear prints were obtained by ink procedure and classified into patterns. It was found that ulnar loop was the most predominant among the ethnic groups. Comparison of digital and palmar ridge patterns among the ethnic groups revealed significant differences. The study established that digital and palmar ridge patterns vary significantly for the three ethnic groups. It was concluded from the study that dermatoglyphic traits of the digits and the palm may be used to differentiate the three ethnic groups.

The position and dimensions of the mental foramen in adult Malawian mandibles.

BACKGROUND: The mental foramen is found on the anterolateral aspect of the mandible and transmits the mental nerve and vessels. The identification and actual location of this foramen is very important in clinical dentistry as well as in the microscopic and macroscopic evaluation of the morphology and maturity of the human mandible. METHODOLOGY: We determined the position and dimensions of this foramen from seventy adult indigenous Malawian mandibles of both sexes. The shape, number and orientation of the mental foramen were determined by visual examination and its transverse and vertical diameters measured using a digital venier caliper. RESULTS: In the majority of cases, the mental foramen was oval in shape, oriented posterosuperiorly, and bilaterally symmetrical. The modal position of the foramen with respect to the mandibular teeth was inferior to the second premolar tooth. Its vertical position was slightly below the midpoint of the distance between the lower border of the mandible and the alveolar margin. CONCLUSION: The shape and orientation of the mental foramen shown in our study correspond to what have been documented in most previous studies. However, variations do exist in the modal position of this foramen in different population groups. We therefore stress the importance of palpation of the foramen during administration of local anaesthesia and in the interpretation of radiographs prior to surgery.

The bicondylar angle of adult Malawians.

We measured the bicondylar angle on 260 unilateral anteroposterior radiographs of the knee of adult Malawians, 134 men and 126 women, aged 18 to 54 years. The angle ranged between 1.50 degrees and 12.00 degrees in both genders, with a mean of 6.13 degrees +/- 1.88 degrees SD in men and 7.75 degrees +/- 1.62 degrees SD in women, respectively. The angle exhibited sexual dimorphism, and comparison with previous studies demonstrated regional and racial variations. The importance of the angle in human bipedalism to ascertain the hominid character of human remains and in the reconstruction of the total length of the femur is stressed, and hence its mean value is essential for practicing orthopedic surgeons.

Palmar and digital dermatoglyphic traits of Kenyan and Tanzanian subjects.

UNLABELLED: Dermatoglyphic traits, along with other morphological, molecular and biochemical markers have traditionally been used in biological anthropology to explore affinities and differences among human groups. METHODOLOGY: We carried out a cross-sectional study of healthy able-bodied volunteers of indigenous Kenyan and Tanzanian subjects to establish their palmar and digital dermatoglyphic traits, by counting and classifying their ridge pattern configurations of arches, loops, whorls and ridges based on standard techniques. RESULTS: Ulnar loops were the most prevalent digital ridge patterns and arches were the least in our samples with significant sex differences exhibited in arches, ulnar loops and whorls (P < 0.05). Similarly, men had significantly higher TFRC than women in Kenyans (P < 0.001), while Tanzanians showed no sex difference (P < 0.5). Women, however, had higher PII than men in Kenyans but the reverse was true in Tanzanians. In both groups, men showed significantly higher mean a-b ridge counts than women (P < 0.001, Kenyans; < 0.01, Tanzanians), and women showed greater mean atd angles than men (P > 0.5). The TFRC, atd angle and a-b ridge count were significantly different between Kenyans and Tanzanians (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This study documents probably for the first time the normal and comparative dermatoglyphic traits of two East African populations, indicating that Tanzanians are dermatoglyphically closer to Malawians than Kenyans.

Dermatoglyphics of mothers of Malawian children with spina bifida cystica: a comparative study with female controls.

UNLABELLED: Dermatoglyphic traits are formed under genetic control early in development and do not change thereafter, thus maintaining stability not affected by age. METHODOLOGY: We determined the dermatoglyphic traits of mothers of children with spina bifida cystica and compared then with controls matched for number, age and parity, by counting and classifying palmar, plantar and digital ridge pattern configurations of arches, loops, whorls and ridges based on standard techniques. RESULTS: Palmar pattern types, showed absence of arches, significantly higher frequency of whorls (P > 0.05), lower total finger ridge count (TFRC) and higher Pattern Intensity Index (PII) in these mothers than in the controls (P > 0.001). However, no significant differences were observed between both groups in atd angle and a-b ridge count (P = 130, 0.70 respectively). Plantar pattern types showed loops restricted to the first two digits and absence of arches in the first digit in these mothers compared to controls in whom there were loops in the first four digits and a 100% frequency of arches. Similarly, PII was higher and Dankmeijer's Index (DI) lower in these mothers than in controls. CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrate dermatoglyphic differences between both groups that suggest that mothers presenting with these traits are more predisposed to giving birth to children with spina bifida cystica.

The sub-pubic angle in adult indigenous Malawian subjects.

BACKGROUND: A number of parameters are used to assess the pelvis for clinical, physical and forensic anthropological reasons. When it is adequately assessed within any population group, the pelvis displays wide variations. Although the sub-pubic angle is one of the three forensically important angles of the pelvic outlet, literature is scanty or lacking on East and Central Africans, and no published report is available on indigenous Malawian subjects. OBJECTIVES: To determine the sub-pubic angle in indigenous Malawians and compare them with angles from other population groups previously reported. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. SETTING: Queen Elizabeth Central and Blantyre Adventist hospitals in the city of Blantyre. SUBJECTS: One hundred and nineteen antero-posterior radiographs of pelves of adults indegenous Malawians aged 20-84 years to determine their sub-pubic angle. RESULTS: Women showed significantly wider sub-pubic angles than men (129.07 +/- 14.190 SD women and 99.16 +/- 15.730 SD men; P < 0.001), confirming similar results previously studied in other population groups. We have demonstrated that the sub-pubic angle alone could accurately assign sex to 67.12% of males and 63.04% of females, and race could be accurately assigned to 21.92% of men and 89.96% of females. Malawians showed significantly wider angles than Amerindians, Black and White Americans (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This study documents sexual and racial differences and for the first time (on comparison) the sub-pubic angles indicate geographical variations, underpinning the need to establish normal ranges of these angles in any given population. We recommend the establishment of local references of the sub-pubic angle to other countries in the sub-region.

Age estimation of Malawian adults from dental radiographs.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that with advancing age the size of the dental pulp cavity is reduced as a result of secondary dentine deposit, so that measurements of this reduction can be used as an indicator of age. Age estimation is one of the indicators used in forensic identification and teeth are biological markers for human age estimation. METHODOLOGY: We measured the height (mm) of the crown (CH = Coronal Height) and the height (mm) of the coronal pulp cavity (CPCH = Coronal pulp cavity height) of premolars and molars of 134 adult Malawians (77 males, 57 females) aged 20 - 80 years from dental radiographs. The Tooth-Coronal Index (TCI) was computed for each tooth and regressed on real age. RESULT: The correlation coefficients ranged from r -0.650 to -0.799 and were significant in both gender, in premolars and molars (P < 0.01). The equations obtained allowed estimation of age with an error of +/- 5 years in our studied population, the molar equation estimated age better for males while the premolar equation was for female and combined samples. The percentage accuracy levels of our sample population were higher than Caucasians previously reported using similar methods. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates the potential value of this method of age estimation which is precise, simple, non invasive and applicable to both living individuals and skeletal materials of unknown age.

Epidemiology of humeral fractures in Malawi.

We analysed and determined retrospectively the location, age, gender and side of the body of humeral fractures from 258 antero-posterior radiographs of all patients aged 3-81 years over a 5-year period. It was observed that 160 fractures occurred on the left side while 98 were on the right side with 156 occurring in males and 102 in females. Forty-eight percent of the fractures occurred at the lower end of the humerus while 41% occurred at the mid-shaft with only 10% occurring at the upper end. Furthermore, the age group of 3-12 years had the highest incidence of fractures (40.7%) with the age group of 30-39 years the lowest incidence (6.2%). Most supracondylar fractures (75.4%) occurred in children, with teenagers accounting for the majority of mid-shaft fractures (51.9%). However, middle-aged and elderly individuals had the highest incidence of upper humeral fractures (73.1%). There was significant relationship between the site of these fractures, age, gender and body side of the patients studied (p<0.001). These results are, however, not in agreement with some previously documented studies. The importance of epidemiological study of humeral fractures in planning, training and resource management in a given population is therefore stressed.

Normal axial angles of the knee joint in adult indigenous Malawians.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the normal axial angles of the knee joint in adult indigenous Malawians. DESIGN: A retrospective study. SETTING: Radiographs were collected from the archives of the X-ray Department on subjects investigated from Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre City. SUBJECTS: X-ray films of 271 adult black subjects aged 18-67 years were studied. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Normal axial angles of the knee joint using standard methods were determined and compared with those reported for Caucasians previously studied. RESULTS: The mean femoral and mechanical angles of the femur and the knee joint were greater in Malawian subjects than in Caucasians previously reported, but the tibial angle of Malawians was less than those of Caucasians. The angle between the mechanical and anatomical axes of the femur was 3 degrees in Malawians, but 6 degrees in Caucasians. Malawians, had wider range of the mechanical angle of the Knee joint than Caucasians. These angles did not show significant sex differences in Malawians (P>0.1; 0.5, respectively) but significant differences were observed in these angles between Malawians and Caucasians (P>0.001). CONCLUSION: Our study has demonstrated comparative variations in means and ranges of normal axial angles between Malawians and Caucasians previously reported. Thus as a prerequisite for proper orthopaedic clinical practice in this part of the world, there is need for reference values of these angles.

Racial and gender variations in adult hip morphology.

Pelvic X-rays of 99 adult patients (198 hips) were analysed in 58 men and 41 women to determine the morphology of the adult hip in Malawians. For each hip the centre edge angle of Wiberg, the acetabular angle of Sharp and the acetabular head index were measured. For each parameter, women were more dysplastic than men, and for the acetabular angle of Sharp there was a significant gender difference ( p<0.05, t test). Our figures were compared to those of Fujii et al. who had measured the same parameters in Japanese and British hips. His results taken with ours showed that within a racial group, women were more dysplastic that men and that Japanese hips were more dysplastic than British hips, which were in turn more dysplastic than Malawian hips.

Collo-diaphysial angle of the femur in East African subjects.

The collo-diaphysial angle of East African subjects was investigated using 860 unilateral anteroposterior radiographs of the hip from 400 Ugandan and 460 Kenyan subjects, aged between 18 and 65 years using the standard techniques of Singh and Singh (1975). The angle ranged from 125-144 degrees with a mean of 133.3 degrees and a standard deviation (SD) of 5.3 degrees for Ugandan males; and 119-139 degrees, mean 123.4 degrees, SD 5.8 degrees for Ugandan females. The Kenyan values were 125-159 degrees, mean 140.2 degrees, SD 6.2 degrees for males; and 117-134 degrees, mean 125.7 degrees, SD 5.1 degrees for females, respectively. There were significant differences between males and females in both groups as well as between Ugandan and Kenyan males (P < 0.05). Using the demarking points method, only 19.0% of male Ugandans, 41.7% of male Kenyans, and 18.2% of female Kenyans could be identified by gender. This study documents for the first time the collo-diaphysial angle of East African subjects and has further confirmed that the angle is wider in men than women.

Calcaneal angle in Ugandans.

We investigated the calcaneal angle from 206 unilateral radiographs of the lateral aspect of the foot in Ugandans, comprising 114 males and 92 females, aged 20-40 years. The mean angle in males was 35.1 degrees with a standard deviation (SD) of 7.5 degrees and, in females, 37.6 degrees with SD 5.6 degrees. The range of the angle for both sexes together was 20-50 degrees with females having a significantly higher mean value than males (P < 0.01). There was also a significant difference in the angle between Ugandan and Nigerian men (P < 0.01) and between Ugandan and Nigerian women (P < 0.001). Our reported range was the widest so far documented in Africans. Our study reinforces the need to establish the normal range of the angle in a given population and also highlights the clinical importance of the angle to orthopedic surgeons managing calcaneal fractures in this part of the world.

Geometric measurements of the acetabulum in adult Malawians: radiographic study.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the acetabular depth as well as acetabular and centre edge angles; to assess the influence of sex, if any, in these geometric measurements; and to determine the prevalence of hip dysplasia in adult Malawians. DESIGN: A retrospective study. SETTING: Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH) and Blantyre Adventist Hospital (BAH). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The acetabular and centre edge angles, acetabular depth and the prevalence of hip dysplasia were determined. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred and fifty three bilateral radiographs of the hip from adults, 133 men and 129 women, were used to measure the acetabular depth, angle and centre edge angle using a calliper and goniometer. The radiographs were taken from patients with no underlying bone disease between January 1997 and February 2001 at QECH and BAH. RESULTS: The prevalence of hip dysplasia was 11.54% for men and 13.16% for women with respect to centre edge angles but this difference by sex was not significant (P>0.1). However, the prevalence of hip dysplasia with respect to centre edge angle showed significantly more dysplasia in Malawian men than Nigerian and Chinese men (P<0.001 and P<0.05, respectively). Centre edge angles also showed a wider range in Malawian men (19-51 degrees right, and 15-52 degrees left) than women (18-45 degrees right, 20-46 degrees left). In both hips, the acetabular angles were more obtuse in men (35.52 degrees right, 34.21 degrees left) than women (29.43 degrees right, 29.29 degrees left), and this difference was significant (P<0.001). The ranges of acetabular angles were wider in women (11-38 degrees right, 8-40 degrees left) than men (24-49 degrees right, 20-40 degrees left). Acetabular depth was also greater in men than in women (P<0.01 right hip, P<0.02 left hip). CONCLUSION: Sex influences geometrical measurements of the acetabulum. The prevalence of hip dysplasia with respect to centre edge angle was significantly higher in women than men and the prevalence for men with respect to centre edge angle was significantly different when compared with Nigerian and Chinese men. This information will assist clinicians in the region and Malawi in particular to interpret hip X-rays of African patients.

The footprint ratio as a predictor of pes planus: a study of indigenous Malawians.

The footprint ratio or arch index is the ratio of the middle third of the toeless footprint to the total toeless footprint area. This ratio was determined in an indigenous Malawian population to classify the foot arch type and the incidence of pes planus. The dynamic footprints of 305 able-bodied subjects, free from foot pain, comprising 139 males and 166 females aged between 13 and 17 years, were studied from randomly selected secondary schools in the city of Blantyre. Males had higher arch index than female, but this was not statistically significant (p > .5). The incidence of pes planus was 242.6/1000 using the arch index method. This incidence was higher when it was compared to other methods. Furthermore, the index was found to be statistically higher in Malawians than Caucasian Americans (p < .001) and Europeans (p < .01) previously studied using similar methods. The study has shown probably for the first time the arch index of an African population, and it shows racial variations between Caucasians and Africans. Also the reliability and reproducibility of the arch index method in determining the incidence of pes planus in a given population has been confirmed.

Tibiofemoral angle in Malawians.

We determined the tibiofemoral angle from 323 unilateral radiographs of the knee joint in adult black Malawians, comprising 219 males and 104 females, aged 18-55 years. The mean tibiofemoral angle in males was 174.14 with a standard deviation (SD) of 3.47 degrees and, in females, 174.46 SD 4.30 degrees. The range of the angle for both genders was 164-185 degrees. There was no significant difference in the angle between male and female Malawian subjects (P > 0.1). The results showed ethnic differences from Caucasian values (often quoted in standard textbooks of anatomy and orthopedics) and did not show the sexual dimorphism seen in Caucasian subjects. Comparison of the results with those in Nigerians and East Africans demonstrated regional and country-to-country variations. The clinical importance of the angle in the diagnosis and management of valgus and varus deformities is stressed for practicing orthopedic surgeons.

Alternative methods for assessing growth in children under five years of age.

OBJECTIVE: To establish alternative methods for growth assessment in children under five years of age. DESIGN: A cross sectional study of healthy Malawian children. SETTING: Postnatal wards and under-five clinics at the Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Ndirande and Chilomoni Health Centres in Blantyre city, Malawi. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Cephalic, thoracic and pelvic measurements and their indices were examined for assessment of growth in these children. Thoracic and pelvic measurements were found to be the most appropriate alternative parameters to weight. RESULTS: All measurements significantly correlated positively with weight but their indices did not. The degree of significance, however, was higher in pelvic and thoracic dimensions (P = 0.000) than in cephalic ones (P < 0.001 for maximal cephalic length (MCL) and P < 0.022 for maximal cephalic breadth (MCB), respectively. The MCL also showed a high correlation with age (R = 0.842, P = 0.002) but age only correlated moderately with the MCB (R = 0.569). The thoracic circumference (TC) and inter-nipple distance (IND) showed a very high positive correlation with age (R = 0.908, P = 0.005) and R = 0.870, P = 0.001), respectively. Similarly, a high positive correlation was shown with age by pelvic circumference (PC) and inter-spinous distance (ISD), (R = 0.891, P = 0.006 and R= 0.692, P = 0.027), respectively. Whereas the pelvic index positively correlated with age (R = 0.040), cephalic and thoracic indices significantly correlated negatively with age. Skull shapes were dolicocephalic in 43.6% of the children, mesocephalic in 31.1% and branchycephalic in 25.3%, a clear difference from Caucasian children reported earlier by other authors. CONCLUSION: We have established that cephalic, thoracic and pelvic dimensions significantly correlate positively with weight as age does but their indices remained relatively constant. More importantly, thoracic and pelvic measurements were the most appropriate alternative methods for growth assessment in our studied population.