Mokutima A. Eluwa

Prevalence of congenital malformations in Cross River and Akwa Ibom states of Nigeria from 1980-2003.

ABSTRACT  A retrospective study was conducted on the prevalence of congenital malformations in Cross River and Akwa Ibom states of Nigeria from 1980–2003. These states lie in the South‐South geopolitical zone of Nigeria. The aim of the study was to determine the percentage of occurrence of birth defects and provide reference data for this part of the country. Details of congenital malformations were compiled by reviewing the delivery register of the records departments of maternity sections of University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, St Lukes Hospital Anua and St Marys Hospital Uruakpan. A total of 127 929 births were recorded, of which 452 cases of malformations were recorded. The anomalies recorded in the skeletal system were the highest with 132 cases (29.2%) detected. Other malformations were found to be associated with the central nervous system with 111 cases (24.6%) detected. Those associated with the urogenital system were found in 83 cases (18.4%). Congenital anomalies of the lip, palate and jaw were found in 56 cases (12.4%), while those of the eye and ear were found in 12 cases (2.7%). Those of the gastrointestinal tract were found in 29 cases (6.4%), while those of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems were found in 28 cases (6.2%) and in one case (0.2%), respectively. Fifteen cases (3.3%) were associated with chromosomal abnormalities, such as Down syndrome. However, these results do not provide a complete incidence of congenital malformations in the two states studies because most anomalies are not recorded in rural health and traditional birth centers.

Comparative study of teratogenic potentials of crude ethanolic root bark and leaf extract of Rauwolfia vomitoria (apocynaceae) on the fetal heart

Background: Rauwolfia vomitoria, a tropical shrub, is a medicinal plant used in the treatment of a variety of ailments. It is popular to the locals because of its anti-hypertensive and sedative properties. Aim: This is to find the probable teratogenic effects of ethanolic leaf and root bark extracts of Rauwolfia vomitoria on the morphological and histological features of the fetal heart. Material and Methods: Twenty five female rats weighing between 170-200g were used for this study. The rats were divided into five groups labeled A, B, C, D and E, with each group consisting of five rats. Pregnancy was induced by caging the female rats with sexually matured males. The presence of vaginal plug and tail structures in the vaginal smear the following morning confirmed coition, and it was regarded as day 0 of pregnancy. Group A was given sham treatment of distilled water. Group B and C received respectively 150mg/kg and 250mg/kg body weight doses of ethanolic leaf extract of Rauwolfia vomitoria, and those in groups D and E received respectively 150mg/kg and 250mg/kg body weight doses of ethanolic root bark extract of Rauwolfia vomitoria. These treatments were on days 7-11 of gestation (5 days) with the aid of an orogastric tube. On the day 20 of gestation, the rats were sacrificed and the fetuses examined for gross anomalies, preserved and latter process for histological studies. Results: There were no mortality in this study, and no obvious gross malformations in the fetuses. Histological observations of the fetal heart showed marked distortion of the cardiac muscle nuclei and myocardial fibers in the treated groups particularly those whose mothers received 250mg/kg of the extracts. These effects were more pronounced in the groups whose mothers received the root extract when compared with the control and the groups whose mothers received the leaf extract. Conclusion: This result suggests that high doses of ethanolic leaf and root extracts of Rauwolfia vomitoria may be cardiotoxic to the developing rats heart.

Teratogenic Effects of Crude Ethanolic Root Bark and Leaf Extracts of Rauwolfia vomitoria (Apocynaceae) on the Femur of Albino Wistar Rat Fetuses

Introduction. Rauwolfia vomitoria is a plant used as a sedative and in the treatment of psychotic tendency. This study was on the teratogenic effects of its root bark and leaf extracts on Wistar rat’s fetal femurs. Materials and Methods. Twenty-five female rats weighing between 180 and 200 g were divided into 5 groups, of 5 rats each. Group A was the control, while Groups B, C, D, and E were the experimental. The female rats were mated with mature male rats to allow for pregnancy. Groups B and C animals received orally 150 mg/kg each of the root bark and leaf extracts of Rauwolfia vomitoria, respectively, while Groups D and E animals received 250 mg/kg bodyweight each of the root bark and leaf extracts of Rauwolfia vomitoria, respectively, from day 7 to day 11 of gestation. On day 20 of gestation, the rats were sacrificed, the fetuses were examined, and their femurs were dissected out and preserved, decalcified, and routinely processed using the Haematoxylin and Eosin staining method. Results. Histological observations of the fetal femur bones showed numerous osteoblast and osteoclast, hypertrophy, and hyperplasia of bone cells compared with the control. Conclusion. Ethanolic root bark and leaf extracts of Rauwolfia vomitoria may lead to advanced skeletal development.

Teratogenic Effect of Crude Ethanolic Root Bark and Leaf Extracts of Rauwolfia vomitoria (Apocynaceae) on Nissl Substances of Albino Wistar Rat Fetuses.

Rauwolfia vomitoria is a plant used for the treatment of insanity. The possible adverse effects of crude ethanolic root bark and leaf extract of the plant on Nissl substances of albino Wistar rat fetuses were studied using 25 mature female Wistar rats. The animals were divided equally into 5 groups, labeled A, B, C, D, and E. Group A was the control, while groups B, C, D, and E were the experimental. The female rats were mated with the males overnight, and the sperm positive day was designated as day zero of pregnancy. Oral doses of 150 mg/kg and 250 mg/kg body weight of the root bark extract were administered to groups B and C animals, respectively, while groups D and E animals received 150 mg/kg and 250 mg/kg body weight of the leaf extract, respectively, from day 7 to 11 of gestation. On day 20 of gestation, the rats were sacrificed, the fetuses brains extracted, and the cerebral cortices excised and routinely processed for Nissl substances using Cresyl fast violet staining method. Results showed reduced staining intensity of Nissl substances in the treated groups, especially those that received the root extract. Thus, the herbs may have adverse effects on protein synthesis within the cerebral cortex.

The effect of calabash chalk on some hematological parameters in female adult Wistar rats

OBJECTIVE Calabash chalk is a naturally occurring mineral consumed among the Nigerian community for pleasure and commonly by pregnant women as a remedy for morning sickness. Reports have shown that it contains different toxic substances, with lead being the most abundant. This study was therefore undertaken to ascertain the effect of two commonly available preparations of this chalk on some hematological parameters. METHODS Twenty-four adult female Wistar rats with average weight of 100 g were assigned into three groups (1, 2, 3). Group 1 served as the control and the animals received distilled water, while Groups 2 and 3 were treated by oral gavage with 40 mg/kg of non-salted (NSCC) and salted calabash chalk (SCC), respectively, for 14 days. RESULTS The hemoglobin (Hb) concentration and red blood cell (RBC) count were significantly (p<0.05, 0.001 respectively) lower in the NSCC group, while erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was significantly (p<0.05) higher in the NSCC group compared to the control. There were no significant differences in packed cell volume (PCV), white blood cell (WBC) and platelet (Pl) counts compared to the control. The SCC group presented no significant difference in all blood count parameters compared to the control. CONCLUSION This infers that calabash chalk, particularly the non-salted form, alters the normal concentration of Hb, RBC and Pl counts, and ESR, as observed in the female Wistar rats studied.

Calabash Chalk's Geophagy Affects Gestating Rats' Behavior and the Histomorphology of the Cerebral Cortex

Introduction. Calabash chalk contains heavy metals, and this lead to this study on the effect of this chalk on the behavior and the histomorphology of the cerebral cortex of gestating rats. Material & Methods. 24 female rats were equally divided into 4 groups and were mated at preostrous with the males. The day after mating was designated as day 1 of gestation. On gestation days 7–20, groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 animals were treated with 1 mL of distilled water, and 1 mL (200 mg/kg), 2 mL (400 mg/kg), and 3 mL (600 mg/kg) of calabash chalk suspension, respectively. On pregnancy day 21, behavioral tests using the open field and the light/dark mazes were carried out and the animals subsequently euthanized and their brains were routinely processed. Results. There was no difference in ambulatory activities, but group 4 animals had more () transition frequency and were more averse to the dark in the light and dark field, while sections of the cerebral cortex showed a higher () cellular population, hypertrophied pyramidal cells, and vacuolations in the treatment groups. Conclusion. Calabash chalk may have anxiolytic effect especially at high dose in the light and dark field but not in the open field and can stimulate maternal cerebral cortical cellular changes.

Efficacy of Histochemical Staining Techniques in the Detection of Plasmodium falciparum Histidine-Rich Proteins in Blood of Children with Malaria

Objective: Falciparum malaria predominates in sub-Saharan Africa and children below five years are the most vulnerable. Giemsa-stained microscopy is the gold standard in malaria diagnosis. Diagnosis with rapid diagnostic test (RDT) kit is also common and over 80% of available malaria RDT kits is Plasmodium falciparum histidine-rich protein 2-based (Pfhrp2). However, these histidine-rich protein 2-based kits have been observed to give false positive and negative results due to persistent antigenemia and low parasitaemia respectively. Thus, the methods of Pauly, Perls, and Means & Feeney were adopted to explore the advantage of using microscopy for specific detection of these histidine-rich proteins and their usefulness in detecting low parasitemia in children. Methods: Children aged 0-5 years (n=200) visiting three hospitals and private laboratories in Calabar were recruited. Whole blood samples were tested with CareStart Malaria HRP2-based kit, and blood films were made and stained with Giemsa, Pauly, Perls and Means & Feeney for microscopy. Results: The sensitivity and specificity were Giemsa (56.4%, 79.8%), Means & Feeney (52.5%, 77.8%), Perls (47.5%, 85.9), Pauly (45.5%, 86.9%), and RDT (23.8%, 96%). Pauly method had the highest area under the curve of 0.830 while RDT method had the lowest of 0.661. Among the positive cases low parasitemia detected by the histochemical methods was Perls 36 (75%), Pauly 32 (69.6%), and Means & Feeney 34 (64.2%), and for Giemsa method 40 (70.2%). Conclusion: Pauly method was the most accurate. All three methods were sensitive in detecting low parasitemia. These diagnostic methods are useful in malaria diagnosis in this endemic population. J Microbiol Infect Dis 2018; 8(2):55-60

Blood Parameters and Spleen Histology Following Chronic Consumption of Ethanolic Extract of Costus afer Stem and Juice on Albino Wistar Rats

Aim: Costus afer is a medicinal plant used as a therapy for diabetes and hypertension. This study investigated the effect of crude ethanolic extract of Costus afer (Monkey sugar cane) stem and its juice on the histology of the spleen and some blood parameters of albino wistar rats. Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out in the Department of Human Anatomy, University of Calabar, Nigeria for four weeks. Methodology: Twenty four (24) rats were divided into four groups of six (6) animals each. Group one (I) served as control, Group two (II) served as experimental group and received 200 mg /kg Original Research Article Akpantah et al.; BJMMR, 13(12): 1-10, 2016; Article no.BJMMR.23414 2 body weight (low dose) of the crude ethanolic extract. Group three (III) also served as experimental group, tested with 500 mg/kg body weight (high dose) of the crude ethanolic extract and Group four (IV) was tested with 5 mls /kg body weight of Costus afer stem juice. Treatment was orally using orogastric tube for twenty eight (28) days after which the animals were sacrificed within twenty four hours after the last dose. Results and Conclusion: Results showed no morphological changes. Histological sections of the spleen from experimental animals in the control group showed normal histology of the spleen with well distinct lymphatic tissue. Sections of the spleen from animals tested with 200 mg /kg ethanolic extract showed no pathological changes compared with the control group. Sections of the spleen from animals tested with 500 mg/kg body weight of the crude ethanolic stem extract were observed to have more red pulp than the white pulp. Animals tested with 5mls /kg body weight of Costus afer stem juice showed no pathological observations. Hematological observations showed decreased Packed Cell Volume (PCV) and increased Platelet count (P =.05), but had no significant effect on total white blood cell count and differential count. In conclusion, Costus afer at the administered dose had no pathological effect on the spleen histology, but increased platelet count and decreased packed cell volume.

Stavudine, an anti-retroviral drug induces reactive astrocytes in motor cortex of albino mice

Objectives: Anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs are medications used for the treatment and management of retrovirus infections. Stavudine, one of the commercially available ARVs, is a synthetic ARV agent active against the human immunodeficiency virus type 1. In this study, the effect of stavudine on reactive astrocytes on the motor cortex of albino Wistar mice was investigated. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four albino mice weighing 30 g on the average were equally assigned into three groups, A, B and C (i.e., eight mice in each group). Group A served as the control, while Groups B and C were the experimental groups. Group B received 0.6 mg/kg of stavudine, while Group C received 1.2 mg/kg of stavudine by orogastric tubes twice a day for 21 days. No treatment was given to the control group, and all the animals received feed and water ad libitum throughout the experimental period. Results: Light microscopic study of the reactive astrocytes in the motor cortex of mice revealed few astrocytes stained black in the control group, Groups B and C revealed a significantly (P < 0.05) higher reactive astrocytes population, with Group C (P < 0.05) having higher reactive astrocytes population compared to Group B. Conclusions: These results revealed that stavudine caused hyperplasia of astrocytes in the motor cortex of albino mice, and this may affect astrocyte activity and consequently impair motor functions. The effect was dose dependent.

Studies On The Effectiveness of Mixed Diet of Garden Egg, Groundnut And Garlic With Rat Chow On The Haematological Parameters of Anaemia Induced Adult Wistar Rats.

The use of medicinal plants as food supplements and in the treatment of specific diseases dates back to antiquity. Age old anecdotal reports from many cultures strongly suggests a role for diet of plant origin in preventive and therapeutic medicine. Anaemia remains a major public-health problem especially in developing countries. This study aimed at investigating the antianaemic potentials of combined diet of garlic (Allium sativum), garden egg (Solanum melongena) and groundnut (Arachis hypogaea).Twenty five wistar rats of both sexes weighing 160-200g were divided equally into five groups. Group 1 served as the non-anaemic control and fed with normal rat chow. Groups 2, 3, 4 and 5 were induced with anaemia by oral administration of phenylhydrazine (PHZ) given at 50mg/kgBW. Group 2 served as anaemic control, fed with normal rat chow; Group 3 were fed with 20g (75%ww) of garlic, garden egg and groundnut in the ratio of 1:1:1 with normal rat chow; Group 4 fed with 10g of garden egg (50%ww) in the ratio 1:1 with normal rat chow and Group 5 fed with 10g of ground, nut (50%ww) in the ratio 1:1 with normal rat chow. Animals were sacrificed at the end of fourteen days of dietary feeding using chloroform vapour with blood collected at the left ventricle to test for haematological parameters such as red blood cell (RBC) count, white blood cell (WBC) count, hemoglobin concentration (Hb) and packed cell volume (PCV). Results showed that RBC, WBC, Hb and PCV values increased in all the experimental as compared to anaemic control with a significant (P<0.05) in WBC values of groups 3 and 4 as compared to the anaemic control. This suggests a consumption of garlic, garden egg and