FUOYE Journal Of Biomedical Research

Evaluation of computed tomography patterns in adult patients with cerebrovascular accidents in Kano

Y.M. Dambele — 2025-05-06

Cerebrovascular accidents (CVA) strokes are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Computed Tomography (CT) remains an essential imaging modality in its management because of its timely and accurate diagnosis which further improves patients’ outcomes. This study aims to assess the patterns of CT findings, prevalent types of stroke and associated radiological features in CVAsdiagnosed patients in Kano Metropolis. Following ethical approval, a retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at Muhammad Abdullahi Wase Teaching Hospital. An exhaustive review of medical records and corresponding CT scan reports from December 2022 – February 2023 was conducted. Recruited patients (200) were those with confirmed clinical and CT scan findings while patients with incomplete medical records or non-diagnostic quality CT scans were excluded. Statistical analysis of the prevalence and types of stroke (ischemic vs. hemorrhagic), age and gender distribution and differences were explored. Ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke were diagnosed in 60% and 30.5% respectively and CT diagnosed cerebral infarct was higher than hemorrhagic CVA. Ischemic CVA was prevalent and males had a higher prevalence (n = 120) across all the diagnosed CVAs. Patients within the age group of 60-69 years had a higher prevalence (n = 63) of CVAs while those with the least (n = 7) were those in the age group 30-39 years. No gender difference was established. However, males were higher at risk to the commonly diagnosed CVAs and ischemic CVA was the frequent occurrence. These findings underscore the importance of targeted preventive and management strategies for ischemic stroke, particularly in older adults and male populations.

Dose-dependent alterations in dorso-ventral and anteroposterior ventricular diameters of the brain in juvenile Wistar rats following intracisternal Kaolin injection

O.B. Abe — 2025-05-06

Kaolin is a clay mineral known to induce dose-dependent hydrocephalus following intra-cister injection. Their effect on the ventricles remain to be fully studied. This study therefore aimed at evaluating the dorso-ventral and antero-posterior diameters of the lateral ventricles of juvenile Wistar rats administered with different concentrations of sterile kaolin. A total of 18 juvenile male Wistar rats (5 to 6 weeks old; 95-100grams) were randomly grouped into a control (n = 3) and five experimental groups (n = 3 each) administered an intra- cisternal injection of 0.02ml of 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 mg/ml of sterile kaolin while the control group received a sham procedure. The animals were weighed weekly for four weeks and then the brain harvested. The lateral ventricles of the harvested brain specimens were measured at the dorso-ventral height and antero-posterior width dimensions. Data were analyzed using GraphPad prism. Intra-cisternal injection of sterile kaolin induces dome-shaped heads, hunched back, unsteady gait and body weight loss compared with the control. The 150 to 250mg/kg and 200 to 250mg/kg groups presented significant higher right and left dorso-ventral diameters respectively compared with the control. On the other hand, the 200 to 250mg/kg and 150 to 250mg/kg treated groups presented significant higher right and left anteroposterior diameter respectively compared with the control. The dorso-ventral diameter of the left ventricle in the 250 mg/ml group was significantly higher than corresponding 50, 100 and 150 mg/ml groups. Findings from this study showed that kaolin- induced enlargement within the lateral ventricles of juvenile Wistar rats was dose-dependent.

Acute cigarette smoke exposure alters lungs, liver, and brain histological structures and functions in rats

O.M. Ujaddughe — 2025-05-06

Cigarette smoke contains over 4000 toxic substances known to interfere with physiological processes. While the lungs served as route of exposure, the liver and brain can also get their share through the circulatory system. This study therefore investigated the acute effect of exposure to cigarette smoke on the lung, liver and brain of adults male Wistar rats. Fifteen rats (100-120g) were divided into 3 groups as; group I (control, unexposed rats), with groups II and III exposed to a stick or 10 sticks of cigarette smoke daily for a period of 7 days. At the end of exposure, rats behavioural assessment was done and the body and organ weights were determined and blood sample taken for liver enzymes estimation. The organs; liver, lungs and brain, were fixed in 10% formaline for histological processing. Percentage body weight gain was higher in the cigarette exposed groups and was significant by day 3 compared with the control. Relative weight of the lungs and lungs tissue GSH were non-significantly decrease while MDA was non-significantly increased in the exposed groups compared with the control. Serum concentrations of alanine amino transferase, aspartate amino transferase, and alkaline phosphate were significantly higher in the 10 sticks exposed rats. The duration and number of time spent in open arm was increased while there was reduced rearing time in cigarette smoke-exposed rats. There was congestion, secretion and emphysematous alveoli space in the lungs and sign of hepatic injury in the 10 sticks exposed rats while the brain show no sign of distortion. These findings suggest that cigarette smoke is not without effect on the functions and structures of the organs studied even at acute exposure.

Methanol extract of Monodora myristica seeds ameliorates lead acetate-induced leucocytosis and hematological alterations

I. Aikpitanyi — 2025-05-06

Lead acetate (PbAc) exposure-induced leucocytosis and haematological alterations are responses to stress or inflammation. The present study investigates the phytochemical properties of Monodora myristica seed (MMS) and its ameliorative potentials on PbAc-induced leucocytosis and haematological alterations. The methanol extract of MMS was obtained by maceration extraction and characterized using Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Thirty-six (36) male Wistar rats (180-200g) were grouped as: control (given distilled water), positive control (exposed to PbAc; intraperitoneal injection of 15mg/kg, once per week for 8 weeks), normal rats treated with 200 or 400mg/kg of MMS, and PbAc-exposed rats treated with 200 or 400mg/kg of MMS. Treatments were given orally and lasted for 56 days. Phytochemical analysis was done on the extract. At the end of administration, blood sample was collected by cardiac puncture for full blood count using haematology auto analyser. The data were analysed using one-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni post hoc test with GraphPad prism and mean differences between groups were considered significant at P<0.05. Qualitative phytochemical analysis revealed various secondary metabolites like flavonoids, alkaloid, saponins, sterol, tannins and glycosides. GC-MS analysis of the seed extract revealed 23 compounds. There was a significant dose dependent decreased in WBC, Neutrophil and Lymphocyte count in the MMS co-treated groups compared to PbAc group. RBC, haemoglobin and haematocrit values were significantly increased in a dose dependent manner in MMS co-treated groups compared to PbAc group. The presence of antioxidant and anti- inflammatory agents in the extract may be responsible for the ameliorative actions observed against PbAc-induced leucocytosis and haematological changes.

Immuno-oxidative and histological evaluation of Vernonia amygdalina and Aframomum melegueta ethanolic leaf extracts in cadmium-induced cardiopulmonary toxicity in rats

A.A. Oyeleke — 2025-05-06

This study investigated the immuno-oxidative and histological effects of Vernonia amygdalina and Aframomum melegueta ethanolic leaf extracts against cadmium chloride (CdCl₂)-induced cardiopulmonary toxicity in rats. Twenty-five adult male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to 5 groups. Group A served as the control while group B received a single oral dose of CdCl₂ (12 mg/kg body weight) and groups C, D and E received in addition to CdCl₂, 500mg/kg V. amygdalina; A. melegueta and the combination respectively daily for four weeks. The lungs and heart were harvested for immuno-oxidative biochemical parameters and processed for histological analysis using hematoxylin and eosin staining. Analysis of variance was used to compare categorical variables with p<0.05 taken as significant. The results revealed that CdCl₂ exposure significantly decreased the activities of Superoxide dismutase and Glutathione peroxidase and increased Interleukin- 6, and Tumour necrosis factor alpha with presence of inflammation and congestion in the lungs and heart compared to the control. Treatment with V. amygdalina and A. melegueta leaf extracts significantly reversed CdCl₂-induced alterations in the antioxidant enzymes, inflammatory markers and histological findings with co-administration displaying synergistic impact. Hence, co- treatment with V. amygdalina and A. melegueta is likely to be more beneficial.

Effects of ethanolic extract of Euphorbia hirta leaf on the biochemical parameters and histology of liver and kidney in rats

A.M. Izunya — 2025-05-06

Herbal medications are widely used in many parts of Nigeria and has become highly acceptable, accessible, cheap, readily available, potent, and relatively safe. This study evaluated the effects of ethanolic leaf extract of Euphorbia hirta (ELEEH) on the biochemical parameters and histology of the liver and kidney in rats. Twenty (20) adult male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to four groups of 5 animals each; a control group and treated groups vis 50mg/kg, 100mg/kg or 500mg/kg ELEEH for 14 days. Body weight was determined and the relative weights of the liver and kidney were evaluated and the tissues examined histologically. Serum biochemical analysis of the liver and kidney function were performed. Data were analysed using SPSS (version 23) and p≤0.05 was considered significant. Percentage body weight gain was non-significantly decreased while relative weight of the kidney was significantly decreased in the 50 and 100mg/kg treated groups compared with the control. There was no significant different in the relative weight of the liver, serum alkaline phosphatase and alanine aminotransferase and kidney histological architecture was comparable with control. However, serum aspartate aminotransferase, total protein, albumin, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine were significantly increased; especially in the 500mg/kg in the treated group, with signs of liver damage compared with the control. These findings suggest that ELEEH has the potentials of deleterious effects on the biochemical and physiological functions of the liver and kidney as well as liver histoarchitecture in a rat model. Thus, caution should be exercised in the use of Euphorbia hirta as a medicinal plant.

Knowledge and adherence to standard precautions among student nurses on clinical placement in a secondary healthcare facility, Kaduna State, Nigeria

J.G. Joseph — 2025-05-06

Healthcare associated infections has remained commonest adverse effects in hospital settings. One of the strategies of reducing these infections is the promotion of high level adherence to Standard Precautions (SPs) by health-care workers especially student nurses who are the majority group in clinical placement areas spending much hours in the care of patients under supervision, hence, the present study. Descriptive cross-sectional design was used. Census was adopted in drawing all the study population of 105 student nurses who were administered semi-structured questionnaires on knowledge and adherence to SPs. The data was analysed using SPSS (version 23) and results presented using discriptive and inferential statistics at p<0.05 confidentitial interval. Mean age of respondents was 25.2 ± 0.7 years. They were mostly females (75.5%) who were in Basic Nursing program (48.0%), in second year of study (49.0%) and were on clinical placement in maternity units (37.3%). Overall, 72.5% of them have received training on SPs, 56.9%, 58.8% and 61.8% have had previous exposure to needle stick, splashes and are on clinical placement in units/wards having regular supply of running water respectively. Also, 65.7% of the wards have fully displayed standard operating procedures for hand washing, sharp disposal or wearing of PPE. They demonstrated adequate knowledge of SPs (76.2%) which could not translate to adequate adherence (40.0%) and there were significant association between adherence and previous exposure to needle stick injury (p = 0.022). Student nurses demonstrated adequate knowledge of SPs that could not translate to adequate adherence to SPs explaining the fact that other factors other than knowledge influence adherence to SPs in the study setting.

Cues to action for basic life support among teachers in Ibadan: A descriptive cross-sectional study

B.T. Olonisakin — 2025-05-06

Medical emergencies such as Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest (OHCA) may occur anytime, anywhere and to anyone including students in schools. Teachers are the first bystanders to take initiative at resuscitation of learners while in the school environment. Outcomes of OHCA are better when the bystander adequately recognize and optimize cues to action for BLS, especially Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). Hence, the present study was set out to assess cues to action for BLS among teachers in Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria. Descriptive cross-sectional design was used. Multi-stage sampling was adopted in selecting 440 teachers out of 1586 who were given semi-structured questionnaire for their responses. For cues to action for Basic Life Support, items were scored. Score ≤60% was categorized as insufficient cues to action while score >60% was considered sufficient cues to action for BLS. Most of the teachers were from secondary schools (65.9%) who were female (70.0%) and were aged above 40 years (69.1%) as mean age ± SD was 45.1±10.2 years. Overall, teachers had insufficient cues to action (Mean score 49.3%) as only 123 (28.1%) of them reported sufficient cues to action for providing BLS. Less than one-third of teachers reported having sufficient cues to action for BLS. To ensure optimal cues to action for BLS as an important public health practice, improvement in all the types of cues, especially environmental, social and cognitive cues should be prioritized.