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- ItemOpen AccessAssessment of Indices of Cardiac, Haematologic, Autonomic Functions and Intelligence in Young Adults with sickle cell Anaemia in Ile ife,Nigeria(Faculty of Medical Sciences ,Obafemi Awolowo University, 2023) Asafa Murital AbiolaThis study determined the effect of haemoglobin (Hb) SS on body mass index, body surface area, cormic index and subischial leg length of the subjects; evaluated the effect of Hb SS on red blood cell indices and morphology, platelet count and white blood cell count; investigated the effect of Hb SS on cardiac autonomic functions; resting blood pressure indices and electrocardiogram of the subjects, assessed the effect of Hb SS on oxygen saturation and some markers of oxidative stress; and determined the effect of Hb SS on intelligence. These were with a view to providing information on the influence of Hb SS on growth, physiology of blood, cardiovascular health and cognitive function. This was a comparative descriptive study of 100 young adult (18 – 40 years) participants. They were classified into two groups; 50 cases (participants with Hb SS) and 50 control (participants with Hb AA). The cases and controls were age-and sex-matched. Ethical approval was granted by Ethics and Research Committee of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. The anthropometric measurement was obtained by using Seca stadiometer-model 216, blood pressure indices by using a validated digital sphygmomanometer, electrocardiogram, oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry method, level of intelligence using Modified Ravens Progressive Matrices tool and cardiac autonomic functions by non-invasive method (blood pressure (BP) response to standing, BP response to sustained handgrip, heart rate (HR) response to Valsalva maneouvre, HR variation with deep breathing and HR response to standing) of the participants were obtained following standard protocol and formulae. Blood samples were also collected for full blood count and oxidative stress markers. The data were analyzed using student t-test, pearson correlation and chi-square. The p-value of p < 0.05 was taken as statistically significant. The mean values of weight in kg [54.39 ± 5.54 vs 60.48 ± 8.65 (t=-4.195, p = 0.0001], body mass index in kg/m2 [19.58 ± 2.08 vs 21.48 ± 2.91 (t = 6.068; p = 0.0001)], cormic index in cm [44.71 ± 6.05 vs 50.03 ± 1.33 (t = -3.760; p = 0.0001)] and body surface area in m2 [1.59 ± 0.09 vs 1.68 ± 0.14 (t = -3.798, p = 0.0001)] were significantly lower while subischial leg length in cm [92.22 ± 10.76 vs 83.84 ± 4.41 (t = 5.092, p = 0.0001)] were significantly higher in Hb SS than Hb AA respectively. The mean values of red blood cells [2.82 x 106 ± 0.53 x 106 vs 4.76 x 106 ± 0.48 x 106 (t =-18.937, p = 0.0001)] were significantly lower while the platelet [365.22 x 103 ± 150.31 x 103 vs 213.44 x 103 ± 70.28 x 103 (t = 6.468, p = 0.0001)] were significantly higher in Hb SS than Hb AA respectively. The mean values of systolic blood pressure in mmHg [110.78 ± 10.82 vs 114.94 ± 9.49 (t = -2.044, p = 0.044)], mean arterial blood pressure in mmHg [82.02 ± 8.38 vs 89.69 ± 7.92 (t = -4.702, p = 0.0001)] were significantly lower while the pulse pressure in mmHg [43.14 ± 7.78 vs 37.88 ± 8.14 (t=3.303, p = 0.0001)] were significantly higher in Hb SS than Hb AA respectively. The mean values of oxygen saturation in % [95.52 ± 3.00 vs 98.06 ± 0.79 (t=-5.779, p = 0.0001)] and intelligence [99.24 ± 15.17 vs 107.96 ± 10.00 (t = -3.397, p = 0.001)] were significantly lower in Hb SS than Hb AA respectively. The mean resting heart rate in beats per minute [73.97 ± 10.05 vs 69.42 ± 7.10 (t=2.628, p = 0.010)], left ventricular voltage in mV [4.44 ± 2.00 vs 2.85 ± 0.98 (t = 5.052, t = 0.0001)] were significantly lower in Hb SS than Hb AA respectively. In conclusion, this study showed that Hb SS causes lower weight, sitting height, BMI, BSA and cormic index but higher subischial leg length, low red blood cells with high platelet and white blood cells, altered heart rate variability and increased left ventricular voltage which is an independent risk factor for sudden cardiac death.
- ItemOpen AccessEvaluation of the role of omega-3 acids in nicotine-induced neurotoxicity in pregnant wistar rats and their pups(Department Of Physiological Sciences, Faculty Of Basic Medical Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University., 2023) Omole, Joseph GbengaThis study evaluated the sensorimotor reflexes, motor strength and co-ordination in the mother Wistar rats and their pups, and the effects of nicotine and treatment with Omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy and lactation on memory of mother rats and their pups. It also determined the levels of markers of brain injury such as, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF -α) in the mother rats and their pups, assessed the effect of nicotine and Omega-3 fatty acids on the brain metabolic enzymes such as acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase (G6P) as well as brain neurotransmitters such as dopamine (DA) in the brain of the mother Wistar rats and their pups; determined the effects of nicotine and Omega-3 fatty acids on the enzymatic anti-oxidants such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and nonenzymatic anti-oxidant such as reduced glutathione (GSH) in the brain of the mother rats and their pups; and assessed the histology of cerebellum and hippocampus of the mother rats and pups. Ethical clearance (IPH/OAU/12/1925) for the study was obtained from Health Research Ethics Committee (HREC) of the Institute of Public Health, College of Health Sciences,Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State. Thirty adults female Wistar rats and ten adult male Wistar rats of 10-12 weeks of age were used for this study. The female rats were randomly divided into six groups such that each group contained five rats. Ten male rats were distributed into five out of the six cages, such that the male: female ratio in the five cages was 2:5. Groups I and II (non- Pregnant and pregnant rats) were treated with 1ml/kg/day of normal saline for 42 days; III (pregnant rats) were treated with 4 mg/kg/day of nicotine for 42 days; IV (pregnant rats) were co-administered nicotine 4 mg/kg/day and 100 mg/kg/day of Omega-3 fatty acids for 42 days; V (pregnant rats) were co-administered nicotine 4 mg/kg/day and 300 mg/kg/day of Omega-3 fatty acids for 42 days, and VI (pregnant rats) were co-administered nicotine 4mg/kg/day and 600 mg/kg/day of Omega-3 fatty acids for 42 days. Nicotine and Omega-3 fatty acids were administered orally. Neurobehavioral tests were performed on the mother rats and their pups following standard protocol. Biochemical parameters such as DA, SOD, GSH, AChE, G6P, IL-6, TNF-alpha and cas-3 were assayed in the brain tissue homogenate using appropriate biochemical kits. Histology of the cerebellum and hippocampus was carried out using Hematoxylin & Eosin stain. Data was analyzed using One-way Analysis of Variance followed by Neuman keul’s post hoc tests. The results were considered significant when P<0.05. The beam walk time of the mother rats in groups III and IV (9.00 ± 0.32 and 8.00 ± 0.32 seconds) were significantly higher (F= 11.59; p= 0.0001) when compared with groups I, II, V and VI (6.00 ± 0.45; 6.40 ± 0.51; 5.80 ± 0.37 and 6.00 ± 0.32 seconds, respectively). Similarly, the beam walk time of the pups in groups III and IV (17.20 ± 0.97 and 15.60 ± 0.81 seconds)were significantly higher (F=40.67; p=0.0001) when compared with the pups in groups II, V and VI (6.80 ± 0.58; 9.60 ± 0.51 and 8.20 ± 0.66 seconds respectively). The brain DA levels of mother rats in groups III, IV and V (24.12 ± 1.74; 18.43 ± 1.64 and 13.97 ± 1.57 pg/ml) were significantly higher (F= 56.45; p=0.0001) when compared with groups I, II and VI (5.37 ± 0.83; 5.13 ± 0.75 and 6.38 ± 1.20 pg/ml respectively). Similar result was obtained for brain DA levels of the pups in groups III and IV when compared with the pups in groups II, V and VI. The GSH of groups III and IV (7.01 ± 0.46 and 10.94 ± 0.95 μ/mg protein) were significantly lower (F= 13.10; p= 0.0001) when compared with groups I, II, V and VI (11.63 ± 0.70; 11.41 ± 0.84; 10.55 ± 0.50 and 13.07 ± 1.21 μ/mg protein). Similarly, Pup rats in groups III and IV (9.20 ± 0.79 and 7.81 ± 1.28 μ/mg protein) had significantly lower (F= 7.208; p= 0.0019) GSH when compared with the pup in groups II, V and VI (15.35 ± 1.74; 12.43 ± 0.81 and 13.56 ± 0.87 μ/mg protein.Photomicrographs of cerebellum and hippocampus of the rats treated with nicotine showed scattered arrangement of pyramidal cells with vacuolated neurons. These alterations were significantly reversed with Omega-3 fatty acids following nicotine exposure. The study concluded that Omega-3 fatty acids at 300 and 600mg/kg ameliorated nicotineinduced neurotoxicity in rat. However, the highest dose seems to be most effective in ameliorating nicotine-induced neurotoxicity in rats
- ItemOpen AccessDose optimisation and effectiveness of vertical oscillatory pressure on some clinical and psychosocial variables of patients with chronic lowback pain(Department of Medical Rehabilitation, Faculty Basic Medical Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria., 2022) TAOFIK Oluwasegun AfolabiThis study was aimed to assess the feasibility and validation of a Digital Pressure Sensor Machine (DPSM) for pressure magnitude detection during Vertical Oscillatory Pressure (VOP), predicted and characterised the optimal dosage for VOP based on the Digital Pressure Magnitude (DPM), number of oscillation and frequency of treatment, somatotype and pain intensity. Also, the study evaluated the dose-response of VOP on clinical variables (Pain Intensity (PI), spinal range of motion (SROM) and Disability Level (DL)) and psychosocial variables (fear avoidance belief (FABQ) and Health-Related Quality of life (HQol)) domains of patients with Low Back Pain (LBP). Furthermore, the effects of dose-specific (dVOP) and non-dose specific VOP (ndVOP) based on clinical and psychosocial variables of the patients with LBP were compared.. These were with a view to determining the usability and validity of DPSM and optimising dose of VOP required for effective treatment of patient with LBP. Eighty-seven participants (Physiotherapist (n=14), patient with chronic LBP (n=63)) were purposively recruited for this three-stage research which involved feasibility, validation and implementation of DPSM. In stage 1, 14 Physiotherapists tested the feasibility and validity of DPSM using System Usability Scale (SUS) and Pain Pressure Threshold Scale. For stage 2, predicting the optimal dose of VOP based on DPM, number of oscillation, frequency of treatment among patient with chronic LBP (n=24) was carried out. In stage 3, Implementing the DPSM for VOP application was by a randomized control trial involving group I ( dVOP;n=24) and group 2 (ndVOP; n= 25).Relative effectiveness of both dVOP and ndVOP were tested in term of PI, SROM, FAB, DL and HRQol domains using QVAS, Finger to Floor method, FABQ, ODI and HSQ (SF-12) respectively at baseline, week 3 and 6 respectively of the study. Alpha level was set at p< 0.05. The study showed that DPSM had a usability rating of 50% and 14.3% of good and excellent respectively. The mean SUS score was 74% out of 100% . also, DPSM has 50% sensitivity, 33% specificity, 20% positive prediction and 67% negative prediction values . PI (β= 0.288, p= 0.181), somatotype (β = -112, p=0.624), weight (β= 0.379, p=0.102), height (β=- 017, p=0.935) were not significant predictors of DPM. Within group comparison across week indicated that there dVOP has significant effect on PI (F= 561.44, p=0.000), SROM (FF (F=27.02,p=0.000; BB(F=528.19,p=0.000), HRQol (PH (F= 1309, p= 0.000; MH(F=1309,p= 0.000), FAB (F=522.27, p=0.000), DL (F= 320.64, p=0.000). Between group comparison showed that dVOP had more effect on PI (p<0.05) and FAB (p< 0.05) compared to ndVOP. This study concluded that DPSM had good to excellent usability during VOP. Also it was 50% sensitive and 33% specific rating in application. Both dVOP and ndVOP were effective on clinical and psychosocial variables. Moreover, dVOP has superior effect on PI and FAB.
- ItemOpen AccessA study of carbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacilli among clinical isolates of tertiary hospital in Osun State, Nigeria(Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University., 2023) Olayinka, Ademola AdetayoThis study characterised Gram-negative clinical isolates obtained from the culture of clinical samples, determined the prevalence of carbapenem-resistance (CR) in Gram-negative bacilli (GNB) isolates, assessed the susceptibility of carbapenem-resistant isolates to selected antibacterial agents, and identified genetic determinants and relatedness of carbapenem-resistance in the GNB isolates. These were with a view to providing informationon the basis for appropriate therapeutic interventions in the management of Carbapenem-Resistance Gram-negative-bacilli \(CR-GNB) infections.
- ItemOpen AccessEffects of glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate iontophoresis on Cartilage thickening, clinical variables and selected biomarkers in patients with knee osteoarthritis.(Department of Medical rehabilitation, Faculty of Basic medical sciences. Obafemi Awolowo University., 2022) LASISI, KamilThis study determined the extent of cartilage degeneration and concentration of interleukin-6 and uric acid in knee osteoarthritis (OA); evaluated the effects of glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate iontophoresis on clinical variables and selected biomarkers among patients with knee OA; assessed the effects of chondroitin sulphate iontophoresis on clinical variables, cartilage thickening and selected biomarkers among patients with knee OA. It also compared the effect of glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate iontophoresis on clinical variables and selected biomarkers among patients with knee OA. These were with a view to providing information on the role of glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate iontophoresis in cartilage remodeling using interleuking-6 and uric acid as biomarkers.The participants for this randomized case control study were 78 purposively selected individuals with grade II knee OA who were randomly assigned to three groups with 26 participants in each group. Group one participants received 1g of glucosamine sulphate (GS) through iontophoresis while group two received 1g of chondroitin sulphate (CS) iontophoresis using trans-arthral electrode placement technique (40mA- min as dosage). Group three served as control and had baseline intervention in form of quadriceps muscle exercise (1RM, 10 reps and 3 sets) twice a week for 12 weeks. Quadruple Visual Analogue Scale (QVAS) was used to rate the pain while goniometer was used to assess the active knee flexion motion. Physical function was assessed using the WOMAC Questionnaire. The concentrations of interleukin (IL)–6 and uric acid were determined by enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA). The cartilage thickening (Joint spaced with [JSW]) was measured using a 7- to 12-MHz linear probe. Standard procedures were used for all measurements at baseline, 4th, 8th and 12th week. Descriptive statistics of means and standard deviation were used to summarize the data. The Inferential statistics of Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Kruskawallis test were used to compare the variables. Alpha level was set at p < 0.05. There were significant reductions in the serum concentrations of interleukin-6 (21.274 ± 3.183pg/ml to 18.977 ± 3.271pg/ml) and uric acid (6.589 ± 1.401 pg/ml to 5.106 ± 1.705 pg/ml at 12th week), (p = 0.001) for Glucosamine Sulphate group. Similar reductions were observed for both Chondroitin Sulphate and the control groups (p = 0.001 and p = 0.022) respectively. The serum concentration of interleukin-6 of participants in CS group (16.984 ±2.384 pg/ml) was significantly lower compared to that of the Glucosamine sulphate group (18.976 ± 3.271 pg/ml), (p = 0.001) at the 12th week. However, there were no significant changes in uric acid concentrations and the JSW after 12 weeks across the 3 groups. Both interventions significantly alleviated pain (66.538 ±8.918 to 30.769 ± 6.884 and 71.538 ± 6.748 to 15.7659 ± 9.021within the GS and CS groups respectively on a QVAS scale of 100 (p = 0.001). There were significant improvements in the Functional Activity Level (FAL) for the GS group (62.533 ±7.206 to 37.053 ± 5.916; H= 205.625, p = 0.001) and CS (57.428 ± 5.844 to 29.976 ± 3.223, H= 423.374, p = 0.001) on the WOMAC scale. The administration of CS (Mean rank = 29.977) iontophoresis significantly improved the Functional Activity Level than Glucosamine sulphate (Mean rank = 7.053; H = 19.89, p = 0.001). The ranges of motion also significantly increased within the GS and CS groups at the 12th week (96.385 ±8.859 to 119.23 ±5.44 degrees and 92.365 ±10.280 to 124.42 ±5.64 degrees respectively (p = 0.001). However; there was no significant difference in the range of motion across the 3 groups. The study concluded that both Glucosamine and Chondroitin sulphate iontophoresis are effective in alleviating pain and improving physical functions but the later showed higher efficacy. However, the interventions did not show significant chondroprotective effects on cartilage thickening.