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Introduction: The collodiaphyseal angle (CDA) is an angle formed between the femoral neck and femoral shaft axes. It is a vital determinant of femoral neck fracture as narrower angle is often used as a predictor of stress fracture. It is also important in orthopedic treatment planning, especially hip replacement surgery. Aim:Thisstudy was carried out to evaluate theCDAvalues among theBini tribe and elucidate itssignificance. Methodology: This study employed 200 anterior-posterior pelvic radiographs of the Bini tribe (100 males and 100 females) aged between 25 and 55 years obtained from selected radiological diagnostic centers in Benin City, Nigeria, after obtaining the Institutional Ethical Approval. They were used to evaluate the right and left CDA as an angle formed by intersection of the femoral neck and shaft axes and measured using the goniometer. Data were statistically analyzed using IBM-SPSS (version 20) with the mean, standard deviation, and range evaluated, and side and gender comparisons were done using t‑test, and P < 0.05 was set as statistically significant level. Results: The average CDA was 135.56° ± 5.75° and 131.67° ± 6.15° in males and females, respectively. This angle showed significant gender differences bilaterally (P < 0.05). However, the bilateral differences in the CDAwere not statistically significant among either male or female Binis (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The CDA can be employed as a morphometric indicator of sexual differences and for other clinical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: to avoid the disruption of 2019-2020 academic year in our institution during the Covid-19 pandemic, online learning and assessment was activated for all courses including anatomy. This study assessed the performance, perception and preference of students during online examination in anatomy courses compared to classroom examination. Materials and Methods: the academic performance of eighty five subjects including Nursing science (45), Physiotherapy (27) and Human anatomy (13) students during the classroom examination (pre-pandemic semester) and online examination (pandemic semester) in three anatomy courses (gross anatomy, histology & cytology and human embryology) was comparatively assessed. Furthermore, a survey was conducted to assess their perception and preference regarding the classroom and online examinations. The data obtained from the study was statistically analyzed. Results: there was significant (p = 0.05) improvement in the participants' academic performance during online examinations in anatomy courses compared to classroom examinations. Majority (>70%) of participants opined that online learning enabled successful assessments; effective time management was hampered; online examinations were not more effective instead, the standard of questions were comparable to classroom examinations. Majority (> 60%) indicated that learning outcome and level of knowledge acquired during online learning was satisfactory but they still miss classroom examinations. In addition, home distraction, anxiety and stress affected the preparation for online examinations. Conclusion: the application of technology has enabled an effective students' assessment in anatomy courses during the pandemic. The academic records showed an improvement during the online examination. However, the participants are more inclined towards classroom learning and assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: the nasal morphometry is an integral part of cephalometry which has been described as second most reliable indicator of sexual differences after pelvimetry. Other applications include reconstructive surgery and ergonomics. This study was aimed to assess the nasal morphometry of the Bini and Ibibio tribes in Southern Nigeria and its significance. Methods: this study involved 300 adult Bini and 300 adult Ibibio tribes of Southern Nigeria. The nasal length and width of subjects were evaluated using appropriate anatomical landmarks. The nasal index was calculated as the percentage ratio of nasal width to the nasal length and the nasal morphological distribution was assessed among the study population. Results: the mean nasal length of male Binis (47.10 ± 4.63) and Ibibios (44.35 ± 7.84) was significantly (p<0.05) higher than female Binis (42.45 ± 5.75) and Ibibios (39.77 ± 5.93) respectively. Similarly, the mean nasal width of the male Binis (42.14 ± 6.35) and Ibibios (39.53 ± 6.56) was significantly (p<0.05) higher than the female Binis (37.53 ± 5.68) and Ibibios (34.62 ± 5.45) respectively. The nasal indices of the male Binis (90.55 ± 5.66) and Ibibios (88.95 ± 4.22) and female Binis (87.95 ± 4.13) and Ibibios (86.17 ± 4.57) respectively showed the dominance of platyrrhine nasal morphology among the study population. Conclusion: aside the applications of nasal morphometry in the forensic identification and reconstructive surgeries among the study population, it would serve as a source of crucial anthropometric parameters in ergonomic design and production of face or medical masks and respirators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: α-tocopherol is an antioxidant which protects tissues from oxidative stress via inhibition of free radicals production and lipid peroxidation after exposure to tissue toxicants. The potassium bromate is a food additive which causes toxic effects on tissues through generation of reactive oxygen species and impairment of antioxidant system. The current study was aimed to assess the mitigating activity of α-tocopherol on adverse effects of potassium bromate on haematological parameters and hepatic function markers in rats. Materials and Methods: Twenty Wistar rats were equally grouped into four (1-4) and respectively administered with distilled water, α-tocopherol (50mg/kg), potassium bromate (25mg/kg) and α-tocopherol (50mg/kg) + potassium bromate (25mg/kg) for twenty eight days. Blood sample of study animals was collected and employed for haematological and hepatic fucntion analysis. Results: The findings of this study showed that exposure to potassium bromate causes adverse effect on haematological parameters (erythrocyte count, haematocrit, haemoglobin, platelet count, neutrophil count, leucocyte count, lymphocyte count and monocyte count) and markers of hepatic function (ALP, ALT and AST) in the study animals. However, co-treatment with α-tocopherol showed significant mitiagtion on the adverse effect of the potassium bromate exposure. Conclusion: The potency of α-tocopherol as an antioxidant demonstrated its efficacy in mitigating the adverse effects of potassium bromate on haematological parameters and markers of hepatic tissue function. Hence, α-tocopherol may provide a possible solution to tissue toxicities mediated by exposure to potassium bromate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To compare the ameliorative effects of ascorbic acid and Camellia sinensis extract on renal histomorphology of lead-induced nephropathic rats. Material and methods: Twenty four rats were randomly grouped into four groups (I–IV) as follows: Normal control group I administered distilled water (5 ml/kg), Test control group II administered lead acetate (2 mg/ml), Treated group III administered lead acetate (2 mg/ml) + ascorbic acid (100 mg/kg), Treated group IV administered lead acetate (2 mg/ml) + Camellia sinensis extract (10 mg/kg). All administrations were done through oral route and lasted for 30 days. Results: Body and renal tissue weight of study animals were significantly reduced (p < 0.05) in test control relative to normal control while treated groups showed non-significant reduction. Histological examination of renal tissue showed significant prominence of histopathological features such as inflammation, necrosis and glomerular congestion in test control group while treated groups showed marked reduction. Conclusion: According to the findings of this study, treatment with ascorbic acid or Camellia sinensis extract comparatively exert ameliorative effects on lead-induced nephropathy in Wistar rats which in turn culminates into reparative influence on their renal histomorphology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CTLA-4 protein expressed on activated T-cells is an important molecule involved in T-cell homeostasis and mutations in CTLA-4 gene have been linked with autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). T1DM is caused by selective destruction of pancreatic â-cells and its onset is characterized by infiltration and accumulation of T-cells in pancreatic tissue until the trigger of autoimmune destruction of â-cells is activated. As a negative regulator of T-cell activation, the CTLA-4 gene expression may result in suppression of T1DM development. This study was carried out to assess the role of CTLA-4 gene in amelioration of alloxan-induced T1DM in rats treated with ethanolic extracts of Allium sativum. This study involved 40 adult male Wistar rats divided into five groups: Group 1 was the control while groups 2-5 were induced with a single intraperitoneal dose of alloxan (120mg/kg). Groups 3-5 were treated for 21 days with 100, 250 and 500mg/kg ethanolic extracts of A. sativum respectively. After the study period, experimental animals were sacrificed; pancreatic tissue was harvested for histological study. Blood was collected for genomic DNA extraction and CTLA-4 gene amplification done using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The PCR amplicons were run through agarose gel to produce visible DNA bands and 1kb plus DNA ladder was used as DNA molecular weight marker. The result showed regeneration of pancreatic parenchyma and islet cells in diabetic animals treated with ethanolic extracts of A. sativum. The observed up-regulation of CTLA-4 gene expression in treated animals is believed to contribute to down-regulation of autoimmune responses triggered by alloxan exposure and inhibit selective destruction of â-cell of pancreatic islets. Hence, activation of CTLA-4 gene may contribute to inhibition of onset and progression of autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes mellitus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several medicinal plants have been documented for their haematological effects either at low or high concentration but very little is known about Aspilia africana. The aim of the study was to investigate the acute effects of aqueous leaf extract of Aspilia africana at different concentrations on some haematological parameters in rats. Following 14 days of oral administration of aqueous extract of A. africana, Haematocrit (HCT), Haemoglobin concentration (HB), Mean Cell Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC), Red Blood Cell Count (RBC Count), Total White Blood Cell Count (Total WBC Count), Absolute Neutrophils count (NEUT#), Absolute Lymphocytes count (LYM#), Absolute Eosinophils Count (EOSIN#) and Absolute Monocytes (MONO#) were evaluated in twenty (20) male Wistar albino rats. The rats weighed 174 ± 20 g, and were randomly assigned into 4 groups viz: Group 1, Control; Group 2, 250 mg/Kg/d aqueous extract; Group 3, 500 mg/Kg/d aqueous extract; and Group 4, 750 mg/Kg/d aqueous extract. HCT, HB, MCHC, RBC Count, Total WBC Count, NEUT#, LYM#, EOSIN# and MONO# were significantly increased (P<0.001) in 500 mg/Kg/d of A. africana extract (61.13 ± 1.65%, 13.5 ± 1.29 g/dl, 23.33 ± 0.0.02 g/dl, 3.68 ± 0.02 X 10(12)Cells/l, 2.33 ± 0.02 X 10(9)Cells/l, 1.32 ± 0.04 X 10(9)Cells/l, 1.43 ± 0.05 X 10(9)Cells/l, 0.47 ± 0.02 X 10(9)Cells/l and 0.47 ± 0.04 X 10(9)Cells/l, respectively) when compared to the Control (51.13 ± 0.85%, 9.56 ± 0.43 g/dl, 19.22 ± 0.19 g/dl, 2.69 ± 0.01 X 10(12)Cells/l, 1.79 ± 0.01 X 10(9)Cells/l, 0.80 ± 0.00 X 10(9)Cells/l, 0.83 ± 0.00 X 10(9)Cells/l, 0.18 ± 0.00 X 10(9)Cells/l and 0.24 ± 0.00 X 10(9)Cells/l, respectively) which received no extract at all. The 500 mg/Kg of A. africana extract proved to be the most effective, while the 750 mg/Kg proved to be the least effective in comparison with the control. The results of this study further strengthened the earlier works on the medicinal benefits of Aspilia africana and its virtue as a good pharmacological source of haematopoiesis.