Samuel A. Ojo

Vitamin E protects Wistar rats from chlorpyrifos-induced increase in erythrocyte osmotic fragility

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of chronic chlorpyrifos (CPF) exposure on erythrocyte osmotic fragility, the role of lipid peroxidation and the ameliorative effect of vitamin E on the erythrocyte fragility. Twenty young adult male Wistar rats divided into four groups of five animals each served as subjects for this study. Groups I (control) and II were exposed to soya oil (2 ml/kg) and vitamin E (75 mg/kg), respectively. Rats in group III were exposed to CPF (10.6 mg/kg 1/8th of the previously determined LD50 of 85 mg/kg over a period of 48 h), while those in group IV were pretreated with vitamin E (75 mg/kg) and then exposed to CPF, 30 min later. The regimens were administered orally by gavage once daily for a period of 17 weeks. Blood samples collected at the end of the test period were analyzed for erythrocyte osmotic fragility, while the washed erythrocytes were used to evaluate malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, as an index of lipid peroxidation. The study showed that repeated CPF exposure caused increased erythrocyte fragility and MDA concentration. Pretreatment with vitamin E ameliorated CPF-induced increase in erythrocyte fragility and lipoperoxidative changes in Wistar rats.

Ameliorative effect of vitamin C on chronic chlorpyrifos-induced erythrocyte osmotic fragility in Wistar rats.

Chronic exposure to chlorpyrifos (CPF) has been shown to cause increased lipoperoxidative changes in the erythrocyte membranes. The relationship between chronic CPF-induced lipoperoxidative changes and erythrocyte fragility has not been elucidated. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the role of lipoperoxidation on CPF-induced erythrocyte fragility and the ameliorative effect of vitamin C. Twenty animals divided at random into four groups of five animals each served as subject for this study. Rats in group I served as the control group and were given only soya oil at a dose of 2 mL/kg body weight (b.w.). Rats in group II were dosed with vitamin C (100 mg/kg b.w.) and then supplemented with soya oil (2 mL/kg b.w.), while those in group III were administered with CPF only at a dose of 10.6 mg/kg b.w. (∼one-eighth of the previously determined median lethal dose [LD50]). Rats in group IV were pretreated with 100 mg/kg b.w. of vitamin C, and then dosed with CPF at a dose of 10.6 mg/kg b.w., 30 min later. The different treatment regimens were orally administered daily for a period of 17 weeks. Blood collected from the animals at the end of the test period were analyzed for erythrocyte osmotic fragility and malonaldehyde (MDA) concentration as an index of lipid peroxidation. The study showed that CPF caused significant increase in erythrocyte fragility and MDA concentration, which were ameliorated by pretreatment with vitamin C. In conclusion, the study showed that CPF-evoked erythrocyte fragility due to increased lipoperoxidative changes was ameliorated by pretreatment with vitamin C.

Hemotoxicity Induced by Chronic Chlorpyrifos Exposure in Wistar Rats: Mitigating Effect of Vitamin C

The study evaluated the ameliorative effect of vitamin C on chronic chlorpyrifos-induced hematological alterations in Wistar rats. Twenty adult male rats divided into 4 groups of 5 animals each were exposed to the following regimens: group I (S/oil) was administered soya oil (2 mL/kg b.w.), while group II (VC) was given vitamin C (100 mg/kg b.w.); group III was dosed with CPF (10.6 mg/kg b.w.); group IV was pretreated with vitamin C (100 mg/kg) and then exposed to CPF (10.6 mg/kg b.w.), 30 minutes later. The regimens were administered by oral gavage once daily for a period of 17 weeks. Blood samples collected at the end of the study revealed reduction in the levels of pack cell volume, hemoglobin, red blood cells, leukocytes (attributed to neutropenia, lymphopenia, and monocytopenia), and platelets in the CPF group, which were ameliorated in the vitamin C- pretreated group. The elevated values of malonaldehyde, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio in the CPF group were restored in those pretreated with vitamin C. The study has shown that chronic CPF-induced adversity on hematological parameters of Wistar rats was mitigated by pretreatment with vitamin C.

Relationship between Digit Ratio (2D:4D) and Birth Weight in Nigerians

Abstract Recently the subject of 2D:4D ratio has been receiving great attention from investigators. This present study investigated the association between 2D:4D ratio and birth weight in Nigerians. Subjects consisted of 215 males and 190 females with mean age (20.64 ± 6.94). Finger lengths were measured from the basal crease to the tip of the finger and second digit (2D) was divided by fourth digit (4D) to obtain 2D:4D ratio. 2D:4D ratio were categorized according to three birth weights categories and correlated with digit ratio in both males and females. In males only left 2D:4D showed significant difference within the 3 birth weight group s (F=5.94 and P = 0.003) a similar result was also seen in the females (F = 3.75 and P = 0.03). Overall in males there was a significantly negative relationship between right and left 2D:4D with birth weight (r = -0.15, P<0.05 and r = -0.21, P<0.01) respectively. In females positively significant relationship was obtained in both right and left hands (r = 0.16, P<0.05 and r = 0.24, P<0.01) respectively. Regression analysis of 2D:4D and birth weight yielded a positive result, but the predictive ability lies more in the left hands in both males and females: BW = 7.767 – (4.669 x left 2D:4D) and BW = 0.627 + (2.746 x left 2D:4D). This study has demonstrated the association between 2D:4D and birth weight and birth weight could be predicted most especially form the left hands.

EFFECTS OF ALUMINIUM CHLORIDE EXPOSURE ON THE HISTOLOGY OF THE LIVER OF ADULT WISTAR RATS

Aluminium is presents in many manufactured foods, medicines and is also added to drinking water for purification purposes. It presence has so heavily contaminated the environment that exposure to it is virtually inescapable. The liver is the largest gland of the body that processes blood and breaks down nutrients, drugs into forms that are easier to use for the rest of the body. This study was aimed at evaluating the possible effects that aluminium chloride exposure could have on the histology of the liver. Ten wistar rats were used and were divided into five groups; group I was the control, group II received 475mg kg -1 , group III received 950mgkg -1 , group IV received 1,425mg kg -1 and group V received 1,900mg kg -1 via oral intubation for duration of eight weeks. The liver tissues was fixed, processed, stained in H&E and slides viewed under light microscope. Our observations showed that aluminium chloride exposure was detrimental to the liver of wistar rats, as indicated by congested central vein and distorted sinusoids.

Sex prediction using ridge density and thickness among the Hausa ethnic group of Kano state, Nigeria

Abstract The aim of the study was to determine sexual dimorphism and to predict sex using thumbprint ridge density and thickness among the Hausa ethnic group of Nigeria. A total of 283 subjects comprising 147 males and 136 females participated in the study. The density was determined from the count of ridges found diagonally within 25 mm2 using an indirect method of ridge thickness measurement. The results showed that the ulnar ridge density of males (10.01 ± 1.31) was significantly (p < 0.05) lower than that of females (10.91 ± 1.69) in the right thumb. The ridge thickness was observed to have an inverse relation with ridge density. It was also noted that the right ulnar ridge count was the single best variable to predict sex (63.4% accuracy). For the left thumbprints, the proximal ridge thickness predicted the sex (62.8% accuracy). The predicted probabilities of binary logistic regression showed that ulnar ridge count and proximal ridge thickness were the best predictors with a higher area under the curve (>0.5) in the right and left thumbprints respectively. In conclusion, different regions of thumbprints have different potentials in term of sex prediction. Ridge density and thickness hold potential as tools for sex inference among the Hausa population of Nigeria.

Effect of Season on the Reproductive Organs of the Female African Giant Rat (Cricetomys gambianus) in Zaria, Nigeria

Este estudio se llevo a cabo para determinar el efecto de las estaciones en los organos reproductores femeninos de la rata gigante Africana mediante los metodos estandar, con el objetivo de obtener los valores basales. El peso del oviducto/utero, vagina y el organo tubular completo fueron consistentemente mas altos durante harmattan (la estacion seca en Nigeria) (0,789±0,07 g, 2,708±0,19g y 3,455±0,25, respectivamente) que la estacion seca-calurosa (0,591 ± 0,02 g, 2.239 ±0,13g y 2.831±0,14, respectivamente) y la estacion de lluvias (0,723±0,04 g, 2,412±0,01 y 3,148±0,12 g, respectivamente). La media de peso y longitud del ovario no fueron significativamente diferentes a lo largo de las estaciones, lo que sugiere que la rata gigante africana puede reproducirse durante todo el ano. El ligero aumento en el peso del organo tubular en las estaciones de harmattan (noviembre - febrero) y de lluvias (junio-octubre), sugiere que las estaciones pueden ser favorables para la reproduccion, probablemente debido a la abundancia de alimentos disponibles para los roedores silvestres durante estas temporadas. La disminucion en el peso de los organos durante la estacion calida y seca (marzo - mayo) fue, al parecer, debido a las desfavorables condiciones climaticas y la escasez de alimentos durante la estacion. En conclusion, los resultados de este estudio proporcionan una linea base de datos morfometricos para los organos reproductores de la rata gigante africana hembra a traves de las estaciones.

Calcaneal pitch and lateral talocalcaneal angle among nigerians

Diversos trabajos en las areas de la radiologia, ortopedia y anatomia radiografica han empleado los angulos medidos en las radiografias para hacer diagnosticos, seleccionar las modalidades de tratamiento en el manejo de los trastornos del pie, asi como para predecir el resultado de las intervenciones para estos trastornos. La inclinacion calcanea (PC) y el angulo talocalcaneo lateral (L TCA) son los angulos que se pueden extraer desde las radiografias laterales de los pies y ser utilizados ampliamente en el diagnostico, pronostico y eleccion de modalidades de tratamiento para diversos trastornos del pie. Los datos sobre estos importantes instrumentos radiologicos no existen en Nigeria, y su estudio es un intento de obtener esta informacion. Usando un goniometro bisagra, los angulos se midieron a partir de radiografias normales permanentes lateral del pie. La media de CP se fue 15,08±2,87 (n = 63) y la media de TCA L fue 38,85°±8,20° (n = 130). Las diferencias en las medias de los angulos observados entre los sexos no fueron estadisticamente significativas (CP, p = 0,70; L TCA, p = 0,60). No hubo diferencias significativas en la media de los angulos con respecto al lado (CP, p = 0,58; L TCA, p = 0,13) o entre grupos etnicos (CP, p = 0,30; L TCA, p = 0,40).

Evaluation of Facial Proportions and Their Association with Thumbprint Patterns among Hausa Ethnic Group

Background. Evolutionary forces such as founder effect resulted in reproductive isolation and reduced genetic diversity may have led to ethnic variation in the facial appearance and other features like fingerprints pattern. Aim. To determine the pattern of facial proportion based on neoclassical facial canon. The associations between facial proportions and thumbprint patterns were also investigated. Subject and Methods. A total of 534 subjects of 18–25 years of age participated. Direct sensing and photographs methods were used to determine fingerprint and facial features, respectively. Fisher’s Exact test was used to test for association between variables. Results. It was observed that in both males and females there was no (0%) occurrence of classical canon of facial proportion. There was also no association between sex and facial proportions. A significant association was found in between thumbprint patterns and vertical class III neoclassical facial proportion only when the frequency of both left and right thumbprint patterns was considered a single entity. There is no significant association between the thumbprint patterns of the right and left thumbs with vertical horizontal facial proportions in male and female participants. It was observed that right and left thumbs have more tendency of significance with facial proportion in males and females, respectively. Conclusion. Fingerprint pattern and its associated features may be controlled by a different mechanism such that the two may correlate differently with other features as the case may be with facial features.

Prediction of Nasolabial Distance using Thumbprint Ridge Density among the Hausa Population of Nigeria

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the potentials of thumbprint ridge count in the prediction of nasolabial facial distances among the Hausa population of Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study in which a total of 457 subjects participated. Plain fingerprints were captured using a fingerprint scanner. Three areas, ulnar, radial and proximal were defined for determination of ridge counts. A photographic method was used to capture the facial images. Pearson’s correlation analysis was used to measure the linear dependence between thumbprint ridge density and Nasolabial distances. Stepwise linear multiple regression analysis was used to predict nasolabial distances from thumbprint ridge density. SPSS statistical software version 20 was used for the statistical analysis and a p -value of < 0.05 was set as a level of significance. Results: Results showed that in males left proximal ridge count correlates negatively with nasal length, philtrum length, and upper lip length and mouth width. The upper lip length and nasal width correlate negatively with left ulnar ridge count and right radial ridge counts, respectively. A positive correlation was observed between ulnar ridge count with nasal length and lower vermilion width. In females, appositive correlation was observed only between lower vermilion width and left proximal ridge counts. Left proximal ridge counts predict most of the nasolabial distances in males. In females, only the left proximal ridge counts showed potential in the prediction of facial distances. Conclusion: The study concluded that the thumbprint correlates with facial distances of the nasolabial region. The proximal part of the thumbprint may respond to the same instruction in utero with the lower part of the face, hence leading to the prediction of nasolabial facial distances from the proximal ridge counts among the Hausa population of Nigeria.