Anatomical Structure of the Umbilical Cord in Sudanese and Correlation with Neonatal Outcome

Background The neonatal morbidity and mortality is very high in the Sudan, the umbilical cord association and contribution to this is planned to be answered. Therefore the present study was designed to provide some information on the morphological variations of human umbilical cord via gross anatomical assessment and their correlation with foetal factors such as foetal weight and length. Methods A prospective hospital - based study conducted in Wad Madani Maternity Teaching Hospital Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology between July 2014 and March 2018 Results The mean diameter of the 371 umbilical cords was 2.1±0.24cm. Length was 53.8±3.8 cm length ranging from 48 – 62 cm and 10 (2.7%) of 371 umbilical cords were uncoiled. of which, 1 (0.3%) cords were with absent Wharton’s Jelly. The mean neonatal indices were 2.95 kg, 33.19 cm and 44.42 cm for weight, head circumference and length respectively. There was just significant strong positive correlation between umbilical cord length and length of neonates. Also Umbilical cord diameter had a positive correlation with length of neonates and negative correlation with weight of neonates and APGAR Score. Conclusion The present study suggests that ‘normal’ cord length should be between 40 cm and 70 cm in length. Umbilical cord diameter had a positive correlation with fetal length and negative correlation with fetal weight and APGAR score. The diameter range of 1-2 cm suggests that a normal cord must not exceed 2 cm in diameter. However the umbilical cord index had negative correlation with length of neonates.

Assessment of Body Size by Structural Equation Model Using Anthropometric Traits of Fishermen Community: A Methodological Approach

Objectives Aim of the study was to develop a ‘composite body size score’ (CBSS) using anthropometric traits to estimate body size and to assess the nutritional status of each study individual on the basis of CBSS. Materials and Methods Data on seventeen anthropometric traits were collected from 710 individuals (Male, Female) from fishermen community inhabiting coastal villages of West Bengal, India. For estimating body sizes, Structural Equation Model (SEM) was constructed with Path Analysis (PA). Later, second order Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was applied on SEM to determine CBSS. It was hypothesized in the models that CBSS is composed with three sets of latent variables viz., linear, circular and skinfold, constructed from anthropometric traits. Applying new derived optimal cut off points of CBSS was used to determine lean, normal and robust body sizes. Individuals with negative values of CBSS were categorised as lean body size,. Positive values of CBSS were categorised into two categories- normal and robust body size. Results On the basis of CBSS, result showed that 50.6%, 48.8% and 0.6% of the individuals were categorised under lean, normal and robust body size respectively. Females showed relatively higher percent of lean body size i.e. under nutrition (73.8%) compared to males (26.2%). Conclusion The hypothesized model estimate more accurate composite body size score, based on anthropometric traits. All the traits are highly significant on the model. The lean body size category can be use in predicting ‘Undernutrition’.

Morphological Study of the Posterior Tibial Nerve in Tarsal Tunnel of the Human Foot

The passage of the posterior tibial nerve in the tarsal tunnel has a great clinical significance, thus detailed anatomical knowledge is mandatory for safe clinical intervention. This study was to identify the morphological appearance of the tibial nerve and its bifurcation. Sixty lower limbs of formalin embalmed cadavers were randomly selected. Data were collected through the application of standard dissection method of the tarsal tunnel of lower limbs (30 rights and 30 left) of formalin embalmed cadavers. The posterior tibial nerve and its branches were exposed from the distal end of the leg toward plantar surface beyond its bifurcation by resecting the skin and flexor retinaculum. The study triggered several findings: The posterior tibial nerve is flattened shaped in 21 specimens 70% and has a rounded shape in 9 specimens 30%in the right foot. In the left foot it is flattened in 17 specimens 56.7% and rounded shape in 13 specimens 43.3%. Posterior tibial nerve bifurcates into medial and lateral planter nerves inside tarsal tunnel in 20 specimens 66.7% in the right foot and in 21 specimens 70% in the left foot. This study concludes that posterior tibial nerve commonly has flattened shape and divided into medial and lateral planter nerves inside tarsal tunnel.

Effects of Aluminium Sulphates on Weight and Structure of Adrenal Gland of Adult Wistar Rats

This study evaluated the effects of aluminum sulphate exposure on the histology of adrenal gland of Wistar rats. Thirty adult Wistar rats were used for this study. The Wister rats were divided into three groups; group A was the control animals and tagged C, group B animals received 10g of alum dissolved in 1000cm3 of distilled water and were tagged T1, group C animals received 50g of alum dissolved in 1000cm3of distilled water and were tagged T2, via drinking water for duration of four weeks. Twenty-four hours after the last administration, the rats were sacrificed by cervical dislocation. The adrenal gland was excised and preserved in 10 % formosaline after which it was routinely processed for hematoxylin and eosin staining (H&E). Histological observations showed normal cell distribution in the control group but treated group revealed evidences of cellular obliteration& hemorrhagic necrosis. The results obtained from this study suggest that aluminum sulphate has a damaging effect on the structure of the adrenal gland.

Assessment of Sex from the Anthropometric Measurements of the Foot in Ogbomosho North Local Government Area

The aim of this physical anthropometric study is to determine sex by foot measurements. Dismembered human remains are frequently found in cases of mass disasters and criminal mutilation. It is therefore of interest to use foot dimensions for the determination of sex (gender) of an individual in order to assist in establishing personal identity. Another application of anthropometrical measurement is in ergonomics which is the design of working space and the development of industrialized products such as furnishing, cars, tools, shoe designing etc. 500 adult subjects(250 males, 250 females)aged 18-50 years without any foot disability within Ogbomosho North Local Government, Oyo State were randomly selected for the study. The males had an average foot length about 1cm greater than females and foot breadth in males was about 1cm greater as compared to females. Difference in foot length and foot breadth in males and females of the population was highly significant. With the statistical analysis, any foot with length lesser than 26cm and breadth lesser than 11cm can be suggested to be that of a female while any foot with length greater than 26cm and breadth greater than 11cm can be suggested to be that of a male. Therefore, 26cm can be taken as the cut-off point for foot length and 11cm as the cut-off point for foot breadth in this locality.

Histological and Biochemical Study on Mitigation of Dichlorvos-Induced Hepatotoxicity by Mimosa Pudica in Mice

Objective Exposure of dichlorvos-contaminated foods, water and environment can lead to decrease in proper liver function. Thus, Mimosa pudica(MP)is being investigated in the present study to determine its protective effect on dichlorvos induced hepatotoxity in Mice. Methods Fifty adult male BALB/c mice weighing between 20-30g were randomly assigned into 5 groups of 10 animals each (Groups A, B, C, D, and E). Group A as the control Group received normal feed, group B received 0.1 ml of MP, group C was given 40 g of 2.5% Dichlorvos (DDVP) for 28 days. While, group D were given 40 g of 2.5% DDVP with 0.1ml of MP and group E animals were given DDVP for half the period of administration, normal feed and 0.1ml MP for 14 days. Histological and biochemical preparations of the liver were processed and data were expressed as mean± SEM. Significant difference was set at p<0.05. Results ALT activity and the total protein level of the liver show no significant increase (P < 0.005) when compared with the control. AST and ALP activities were significantly increased in animals given DDVP with subsequent MP treatment when compared with the controls. Histological studies revealed distortion of normal hepatic histoarchitecture in DDVP group B and MP groups mitigated these changes in the treated groups. Conclusion Dichlorvos caused tissue distortion in the mice with prominent toxic effects on the liver while MP extract showed ameliorative effects on the liver that was exposed to DDVP

Abelmoschus Esculentus (Moench.) Seed Derived Flavonoids Antioxidant Protect the Heart Against Experimental Oxidative Injury

Since oxidative stress impairs the cardiovascular function, the hypothesis from the present study is that the treatment of paraquat-exposed adult Wistar rats with methanolic extract of Abelmoschus esculentus seed would reduce paraquat-induced cardiovascular damage. Thirty healthy female Wistar rats weighing 120-150 g were randomly assigned into 6 groups of 5 rats each (Groups A, B, C, D, E and F). Rats in groups A served as control and received normal saline while groups B, C, D, E and F received a single dose of paraquat (7mgkg-1i.p.). Rats in group B was sacrificed 24hours following paraquat administration while daily administration of 100 mg kg-1and 200 mg kg-1 of methanolic extract of Abelmoschus esculentus seed extract were given orally to groups C and D while group E received daily oral dose of Vitamin E at 100mgkg-1 and group F was left untreated. Histological and biochemical preparations of the heart was made and data were expressed as mean± SEM. Significant difference was set at p<0.05. Results showed no significance difference (p<0.05) in nitric oxide activity, Glutathione reductase activity, and troponin I activity across the paraquat-exposed groups when compared with control. Histological studies reveal distortion of normal cardiac histo-architecture in paraquat-exposed group B compared with control rats while Abelmoschus esculentus reversed these changes in other treated groups. The study concluded that paraquat caused significant distortion of the cardiac histo-architecture and methanolic extract of immature Abelmoschus esculentus seed had antioxidant and ameliorative effects similar to Vitamin E on paraquat-induced myocardial injury.

The Effect of Aqueous Extract of Ocimum gratissium (Linn) on 1, 2 - Dimethyl Hydrazine induced Colon Cancer in Male Wistar Rats

Background Colon cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer death world-wide. There is a steady increase in incidence over the past four decades in developing countries. This has been partly attributed to increasingly low intake of vegetables among other causes. Aims Therefore this study aims to evaluate the protective effect of aqueous extract of Ocimumgratissimum (OG) leaves (a staple vegetable) on experimental model of colon carcinogenesis induced with 1, 2 Dimethylhydrazine (DMH). This is compared with celecoxib (a cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor) which is used in the chemoprevention of colon cancer. Methods Sixty adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups: A to F, n=10. Group A was the normal control, Group B was given only DMH weekly for 16 weeks,Groups C, D and E were given graded doses of OG for two weeks prior to cancer induction by DMH. After which both OG and DMH were given for 16weeks. Group F received celecoxib daily for two weeks prior to cancer induction. Colonic wall was analysed grossly, histologically and biochemically. The induced lesions were staged investigated and staged using Duke’s Staging method. Results The result showed tumour incidence in groups B and C while no evidence of primary colonic tumour was observed in groups A, D, E and F. There was a dose dependent increase in the goblet cell count in the groups treated with OG with group E being statistically higher than group F. There was a significant reduction in collagen staining intensity (F = 129.74, p < 0.0001) for the colonic wall in group B when compared to other groups. There was a decreased nucleo-cytoplasmic ratio in groups C, D, E and F when compared to group B. There was a significant increase in the concentration of nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2in group B when compared to other groups D, E and F. Conclusion In conclusion, this research showed a protective effect of Ocimumgratissimum leaves on 1, 2-dimethylhydrazine-induced colon cancer which further corroborated its ethno-medicinal use.

Anatomical Variants of the Placenta in Sudanese and their Relation to the Neonatal Outcome

Background In recent years great attention has been focused on the structural and histological structures of the placenta and the umbilical cord due to their vital roles in fetal development and neonatal survival. While extensive studies have been documented in this area in the developed world, there is very little published information about the morphological variations that occur in human placenta in Sudan. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the structural variations in placental indices and its relation to neonatal outcome. Methods A prospective hospital - based study conducted in Wad Madani Maternity Teaching Hospital Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology between July 2014 and March 2018. Results Mean placental indices for weight, diameter and thickness were 515.51 g, 18.80 cm and 2.43 cm respectively. The mean neonatal indices were 2.95 kg, 33.19 cm and 44.42 cm for weight, head circumference and length respectively. Neonatal weight correlated significantly with placental weight, neonatal length and neonatal head circumference (P < 0.000). On the contrary, neonatal weight had no significant correlation with placental thickness and diameter Conclusion In this study, there was a strong relationship between the placenta and the fetus suggesting that the well-being of the fetus is highly dependent on the placenta since it serves as a link between the mother and the fetus.

Chondroplasty Efficacy of Bone Matrix

Aim To study the chondroplasty efficacy of the bone matrix obtained using an original technology in restoring cartilage defect of the knee joint. Material and Methods Marginal defects were modeled on the surface of the distal end of the femur in 40 adult male Wistar rats. The bone matrix obtained using an original technology was implanted in the damaged area in animals of the experimental group. Material was investigated by means of light microscopy, transmission and scanning electron microscopy, and electron probe X-ray microanalysis. Results It was found that the bone matrix implanted did not cause an immune rejection reaction, activated reparative chondrogenesis for a prolonged period. In the area of articular cartilage lesion, the regenerate acquiring cellular and histochemical characteristics of the hyaline cartilage tissue was formed. The chondroinductive properties for the bone matrix were ensured by localized growth factors and morphogenetic proteins released during osteoclastic resorption. Conclusion The application of the bone matrix as a stimulator of chondrogenesis is theoretically reasonable and has a good perspective in treatment of damages and diseases of the articular cartilage.