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Background: Dichlorvos, the Dimethyl Dichlorovinyl Phosphate (DDVP) poisoning is common due to its frequent usage as a food preservative. This is determining to assessing the reversal of DDVP-induced neurodegeneration by Mimosa pudica Methods: Fifty (50) adult BALB/c mice were randomly assigned to five groups (A-E) of 10 mice each. Group A mice were given normal feed and water, Group B mice were treated orally with 400 mg/kg body weight (b.wt.) of Mimosa pudica, Group C mice were fed with 2.5% of 2, 2- DDVP poisoned feed (7ml of DDVP in 300ml of water, sprayed on the feed), Group D mice were fed 2.5% DDVP poisoned feed simultaneously with 400mg/kg b.wt. of Mimosa pudica (MP) orally; and Group E mice were fed 2.5% DDVP poisoned feed for 14 days and then treated orally with 400mg/kg b.wt. of Mimosa pudica for the remaining 14 days. The exposure lasted for 28 days through oral administration. Behavioural studies to assess spatial and non-spatial memory of the mice were carried out on the 27th day using the Y-Maze and Novel Object Recognition (NOR) test. On the 28th the mice were sacrificed using chloroform as anaesthesia. Immunohistochemical studies were perfused transcardially using normal saline followed by perfusion with 10% formal saline.Values were analyzed using Graphpad prism version 5.0. P values was set at 0.05, 0.01 and 0.001. Results: Neurodegeneration was observed in animals exposed to DDVP contaminated feed while treatment with MP after DDVP exposure ameliorated the degeneration taken together. Conclusion: It was concluded that exposure to DDVP contaminated feed induces damage in the hippocampus which leads to synaptic loss and neurodegeneration.

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BACKGROUND: The accurate identification of unknown human remains plays a critical role in natural disaster scenarios and medico-legal cases in forensic anthropology and forensic medicine. This study aimed to determine normal reference values for the breadth of the talus bone using ankle radiographs from a Teaching Hospital in Delta State, Nigeria. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study retrospectively reviewed 107 digital ankle radiographs from patients aged 20 to 60 years (60 males and 47 females). Ethical clearance was obtained before accessing the digital images archived in a radiological unit of a Hospital in Delta State, Nigeria. The talus breadth was measured using digital calipers and the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to compare the means based on gender and age. The association of variables was done using the Pearson's correlation test. Statistical significance was considered at P < 5%. RESULTS: The mean talus breadth was significantly larger in males (41.76 mm) than in females (38.59 mm). However, the means had no significant association with age. The right talus breadth had a strong positive correlation with the left talus breadth. CONCLUSION: The findings are useful to orthopedic surgeons managing ankle pathologies. In addition, the study reveals the potential use of the talar breadth in sex determination when other methods are inconclusive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The thickness of extraocular muscles (EOMs) is important in the management of several conditions associated with EOM enlargement. This study determined the normative values of EOM diameters in adult patients seen at a teaching hospital in Nigeria. Materials and Methods: The study measured the thickness of the EOMs and the interzygomatic line (IZL) on brain images of 300 patients with non-orbital conditions (150 computed tomography [CT] and 150 magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]) archived in the radiological database of Delta State University Hospital, Nigeria, after ethical clearance. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (version 23) was used to obtain descriptive statistics and further compare the variables based on gender, age groups and laterality. The association between parameters was tested using Pearson's correlation test. A probability value of <5% was considered significant. Results: The thickest muscles were the medial rectus (0.42 ± 0.08 cm) and superior muscle group (0.42 ± 0.33 cm) on CT and the inferior rectus (0.40 ± 0.08 cm) on MRI. The diameters were symmetrical with sexual dimorphism in the superior muscle group on CT, medial and lateral recti on MRI and sum of all EOMs on both imaging groups (P < 0.05). The superior muscle group and the sum of all EOMs showed significant age group variations and a positive correlation with age. We noted a positive correlation between each EOM diameter and the sum of all EOMs besides the IZL (P < 0.05). Conclusion: This study offers normative data regarding EOMs that radiologists and ophthalmologists can use to diagnose disease conditions that cause EOM enlargement and further assess their response to treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The measurements of the sphenoid and ethmoid sinuses (ESs) are essential in forensic investigations and during endoscopic sinus and skull base surgeries. This study aimed at assessing the dimensions of these sinuses and elucidating their role in sex determination. Materials and Methods: This retrospective assessment was conducted using brain-computed tomographic images stored in the Department of Radiology in a Tertiary hospital in Delta State, Nigeria. After institutional ethical approval, images of 292 patients (115 females and 177 males) aged >20 years, were used to measure the dimensions of the ethmoid and sphenoid sinuses (SSs) bilaterally. These were analyzed and summarized using descriptive statistics. Their association with gender, side, or age was assessed using inferential statistics and considered statistically significant at P < 0.05. Discriminant function analysis of the sinus measurements was conducted to evaluate their accuracy in correct sex prediction. Results: Both sphenoid and ESs showed significant sexual dimorphism. The ESs showed significant asymmetry (P < 0.05). The anterior width of the left ES (79.8%) was the best sex-discriminating variable. The combination of the left sinus dimensions was more accurate (74.3%, 85.3%) than the right sinuses (72.6%, 81.2%) in sex allocation. Using the bilateral ES dimensions yielded a higher accuracy (89.0%) than using bilateral SS parameters (80.1%). Conclusion: The sphenoid and ESs may be used in predicting the sex of an unknown skull bone recovered within the studied population with acceptable accuracy levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Concha bullosa (CB) with an associated nasal septum deviation (NSD) compromises the paranasal sinus drainage through the osteomeatal complex hence predisposing to sinus disease. This study aimed at elucidating the concomitant existence of CB and NSD in adult Nigerians. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Following institutional ethical approval, brain computed tomography images of 336 patients (199 males and 137 females) aged = 20 years were analyzed for CB and NSD in the Radiology Department of a Teaching Hospital. Using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software version 23, the prevalence of these variants was expressed in percentages, and their association was probed using the Chi-square test. The angle of septum deviation was summarized in means and standard deviations. The differences in deviation angle in the presence of either ipsilateral or contralateral CB were assessed using the independent t-test. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The prevalence of coexisting CB and NSD was 77, 22.9%. There was a significant preponderance of NSD away from a unilateral or dominant CB (54, 84.4%) (P = 0.022). This deviation occurred at a significantly higher angle (11.82° ± 2.21°) than deviation toward a CB (9.86° ± 2.63°) (P = 0.036). CONCLUSION: The awareness of the association between CB and NSD in our population emphasizes on mandatory preoperative radiological evaluation to aid in planning for safe endoscopic surgeries through the nose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sexual dimorphism of the foramen magnum has increased its interest in forensic science. Gender determination is an important preliminary step in the identification of unknown skeletal remains. This study aimed at determining the dimensions of the foramen magnum in Delta State Nigeria and their role in gender discrimination. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed computed tomographic images of 336 patients (199 males and 137 females) aged ≥18 years, archived in the Radiology Department of a Teaching Hospital in Nigeria. Ethical approval was granted by the hospital's ethical board. The length, width, and area of the foramen magnum were measured and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software version 23. We used an independent t-test and analysis of variance to evaluate the association of these dimensions with sex and age, respectively. The percentage accuracy of sex discrimination and the association between variables were assessed using discriminant functional analysis and Pearson,s correlation test correspondingly. The results were considered significant at P < 0.05. Results: The foramen magnum length, width, and area showed a statistically significant gender difference (P < 0.05). The width was the best sex discriminating variable (64.3%) and the overall accuracy of correct sex allocation using all the variables was 75%. All the parameters measured showed a significant strong positive correlation with each other (0.5 ≤ r < 1, P < 0.05). Conclusion: The foramen magnum length width and area were sexually dimorphic. Their high overall accuracy (75%) in gender discrimination implies that they may collectively be utilized in the sex estimation of unknown skulls in Delta State Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: With the advent of endoscopic sinus surgery, the variant neurovascular relations of the sphenoid sinus are important to surgeons to minimise the iatrogenic complications. This study elucidates the variant neurovascular relations of the sphenoid sinus in adult Nigerians. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted at the Radiology Department of Delta State University Teaching Hospital after institutional approval. Brain computed tomography images of 336 patients, aged ≥20 years and spanning over 5 years' duration were utilised. We evaluated the sphenoid sinus for protrusion and dehiscence of neurovascular structures bilaterally. The position of the optic nerve in relation to the sinus was classified from Type 0-4. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software version 23 was used for the data analysis. The Chi-square test was used to probe for the association between the variants with regard to side and gender. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Dehiscence and protrusion of the internal carotid artery (ICA) occurred in 34, 10.1% and 83, 24.7% patients correspondingly. The dehiscence of optic, maxillary and Vidian nerves was (26, 7.7%), (60, 17.9%), and (53, 15.8%), whereas the frequency of their protrusion was (50, 14.9%), (76, 22.6%) and (87, 25.9%), respectively. All these variants except the ICA and maxillary nerve dehiscence showed a significant association with the side of occurrence (P = 0.001). Out of the 672 optic canals evaluated bilaterally, a preponderance of Type I (534, 79.5%) was observed followed by II (96, 14.3%), IV (35,5.2%), III (7, 1.0%) and Type 0 (0, 0%). Conclusion: Our study has shown that the neurovascular relations of the sphenoid sinus vary from previously documented reports, thus confirming the need for pre-operative evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A comparison of the finger and toe ridge patterns can reveal their genetic interdependence. This cross-sectional study aimed at analyzing and correlating the corresponding finger and toe ridge counts. Materials and Methods: The hands and feet of 100 subjects (50 males and 50 females) from the Anioma tribe of Nigeria were scanned with Hewlett placard G4010 photo scanner following ethical approval. Evaluation of the finger and toe prints was carried out using AutoCAD version 2010. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package of the Social Sciences version 23 and presented using descriptive statistics. Chi-square test was used to test for association between nonparametric variables while Pearson's correlation was used to assess for the relationship between corresponding finger and toe ridge counts. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The predominant finger and toe ridge patterns were loops (73%, 79.7%) followed by arches (18.4%, 15.1%) and finally whorls (8.6%, 5.2%). There was a significant association between gender and the combined print patterns of all the five digits on a limb (P ≤ 0.05). A significant positive correlation existed between the mean ridge counts of some of the corresponding fingers and toes in females. This correlation was weak in the corresponding 1st right and 1st and 3rd left digits (0 < r < 0.5) (P ≤ 0.05) and strong in the corresponding 3rd to 5th right digits and 2nd, 4th, and 5th left digits (0.5 ≤ r < 1) (P ≤ 0.05). Conclusion: The study has clearly shown that sexual dimorphism is displayed only by a combination of the print patterns in all digits of a limb as against individual digits. Using correlation of digital mean ridge counts, the right 3rd to 5th and the left 2nd, 4th, and 5th digits from either the hand or the foot in females can be used to predict the corresponding digit among the Anioma people of Nigeria, hence their importance in forensic sciences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The effects of chronic administration of efavirenz commonly used as part of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for the treatment of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) type-1 on the weight of the brain and inferior colliculus of adult Wistar rats was carefully studied. Methods and Materials: The rats of both sexes (n = 24), with average weight of 200g were randomly assigned into two treatment (A & B) (n=16) and Control (c) (n=8) groups. The rats in the treatment group received 600mg/70kg bogy weight of efavirenz dissolved in distilled water daily for 30days through the orogastric tube. The control group received equal volume of distilled through the same route. All rats were fed with grower's mash and given water liberally. The rats were sacrificed by cervical dislocation method on the thirty-first day of the experiment and the lateral geniculate body was carefully dissected out and quickly fixed in 10% formal saline for histological study. Results: The findings indicate that rats in the treated group showed some cellular degenerative changes like sparse cellular population, pyknotic nuclei with some microcystic changes and edema in the stroma of the lateral geniculate body as compared to the control group. Conclusion: Chronic administration of efavirenz may have an adverse effect on the visual sensibilities by affecting the microanatomy of the lateral geniculate body of adult Wistar rats. It is recommended that further studies aimed at corroborating these observations be carried out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim of the Work: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to a substantial psychological burden among students. This study aimed at evaluating the impact of the COVID-19 on the mental health of university students and determining the prevalence of anxiety and depression., Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study utilized an online questionnaire sent to students in the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Delta State University after ethical approval. The Generalized Anxiety and Disorder Scale-7 (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scores were analyzed using the Statistical Package of Social Sciences and expressed using descriptive statistics and percentages. An independent t-test was used to determine the gender differences in the GAD-7 and PHQ-9 scores while Pearson's correlation was used to establish a relationship between these scores with age., Results: The 259 respondents comprised 118, 45.6% males and 141, 54.4% females with an average age of 21.50±2.04 years. The majority (149, 57.5%) were aged 21-25 years. The scores did not show significant differences in age and gender. Moderate to severe anxiety and depression was established in 22.4% and 28.2% of the respondents respectively., Conclusion: This study has shown that the prevalence of anxiety and depression due to the pandemic bears no relationship with age and gender. This is however different from previous reports due to the differences in the sample size, resource setting, timing of the study, and the courses the students studied.