Benjamin Onyema Eledo

Evaluation of Total White Blood Cells and Cluster of Differentiation 4 Cells among Post-Menopausal Women in Elele, Nigeria

This study investigated some immune system related parameters among post-menopausal women in Elele, River state, Nigeria. Forty-two individuals participated in this study and forty control subjects were established as well. Blood was collected from the participants, and CD4 cells and total white blood cells count were analyzed using standard procedures. Result showed that test subjects and control values were 5.46 ± 1.64 × 109/L and 7.24 ± 1.47 × 109/L, respectively for total white blood cell and 1265.19 ± 458.56 cells/μl and 2159.53 ± 400.02 cells/μl respectively, for CD4 cells. There was significant difference (P < 0.001) among the test subject and control for both parameters. The results in the test subjects for both parameters were significantly lower compared to the control. The decline in immune system related parameters among the test subjects may predispose them at risk of multiple infections and other associated health conditions.

Assessment of some haemostatic parameters at different stages of pregnancy

Anaemia has been recognized as one of the adverse health conditions during pregnancy.3,4 According to American Pregnancy Association,5 Chowdhury et al.,3 Eledo et al.2 anaemia is a health situation that results from insufficient healthy red blood cells that could transport oxygen to body tissues and system. Authors have indicated that anaemia during pregnancy is a contributing factor to low birth weight, maternal mortality and premature birth.2,4,5 Anaemia symptom at pregnancy are mainly fatigue, low concentration, breath shortness, irregular heartbeat, chest pain, dizziness, pale skin, lips, and nails, cold hands and feet,2,5 weakness, tiredness, anorexia, swollen legs, trembling and palpitation.2,3

Medicinal Potentials of Buchholzia coriacea (Wonderful Kola)

Wonderful kola ( Buchholzia coriacea ) is geographically distributed in some Africa countries. The seed of the kola contain phytochemicals/bioactive, compounds, while the essential oil contains several chemical compounds that depict the medicinal properties of the plant. Several traditional claims and scientific validations have been made on the efficacy of leaves and seeds of the wonderful kola plant. Hence, this study reviews the medicinal properties of the plant. The study found that it has been scientifically validated that wonderful plant have analgesic, anti-depressant, anti-malaria, anti-anxiety, anti-diabetes, anti-microbial, anti-oxidants, anti-helminthes, anti-ulcer, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidants, hyperlipidemia, anti-hypercholesterolemic, anti-atherogenic, anti-trypanosomal, anti-modulatory, anti-spasmodic, anti-diarrhoea and anti-fertility activities. Therefore, there is the need for research to focus on other traditional claim that the plant effective toward including fever, cough, hypertension, headache, sinusitis, catarrh, small pox, scabies, chest pains, boils, syphilis, earache, headache, gonorrhea, rheumatism, cold and catarrh. Based on scientific validation, research should also focus on the actual dose, purification of the chemical constituents, mechanisms of action, most suitable solvent needed for extraction for each of the disease condition that have been scientifically proven.

Assessment of Some Haemostatic Parameters Among Diabetes Mellitus Patients in Bayelsa State: A Case Study at the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by elevated blood glucose levels. This study investigated some haemostatic parameters among diabetes mellitus patients attending diabetes clinic at the Federal Medical Centre Yenagoa; A tertiary health institution. One hundred and eleven individuals participated in this study, comprising 31 females and 25 males (diabetes mellitus patients) and 30 females and 25 males (control subjects). Blood was collected from the participants and the prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time and platelets count were analyzed using standard procedures. Results showed mean values in females and males as 10.84±2.18 and11.28±0.86seconds respectively (prothrombin time), 29.26±2.16 and 30.93±2.43seconds (activated partial thromboplastin time), 401.94±59.20 and 402.20±41.72x10 9 /L respectively (platelets counts) for the diabetes mellitus patients and 12.74±1.42 and 12.34±1.09seconds respectively (prothrombin time), 32.81±1.76 and 32.77±1.46seconds (activated partial thromboplastin time), 263.33±55.32 and 282±51.03 x10 9 /L respectively (platelets counts) for the control groups. There was significant variation (P<0.002) among both group of subjects for each of the sex. Prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time were significantly lower while platelets counts were significantly higher in the diabetes mellitus patients compared to the control. Lower prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time suggest hyper-coagulability which may lead to adverse cardiovascular and thrombotic complications among the diabetes mellitus patients. While an elevated platelets counts is an indication of increased platelets function which could lead to vascular complications.

Effect of Exercise on Some Haemostatic Parameters Among Students in a Tertiary Educational Institution in Nigeria

This study investigated the effect of exercise on some haemostatic parameters among students from a tertiary institution in Nigeria. Fifty four individuals participated in this study, comprising 28 males and 26 females. Blood was collected from the participants before and after the rigorous exercise and the prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and platelets count (PLT) were analyzed using standard methodology. Results showed mean values before and after the exercise were 217.31 and 238.27 x10 9 /L for female, 228.75 and 240.18 x10 9 /L for male respectively (platelets counts), 14.25 and 12.08 seconds for female, 14.29 and 12.35 seconds for male respectively (prothrombin time) and 31.71 and 24.29 seconds for female and 30.62 and 23.43 seconds for male respectively (activated partial thromboplastin time). Statistically, there was significant variation (P 0.05) for PLT count before and after exercise. PT and APTT showed significant decline after the exercise indicating activation of the coagulation cascade which may lead to hypercoagulability predisposing the subjects to an increased risk of cardiovascular derangement; while PLT showed no variation suggesting no risk of thrombocytopenia or thrombocytosis.