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The Nigerian judiciary with the Supreme Court at its apex, is an essential integral arm in the governance of the nation. It is the guardian of the Constitution charged with the sacred responsibility of dispensing justice for the purpose of safe guarding and protecting the Constitution and its goals. The judiciary, when properly invoked, has a fundamental role to play in the structure of governance by checking the activities of the other organs of government and thereby promoting good governance, respect for individual rights and fundamental liberties and also ensuring the achievement of the goals of the Constitution. It should not allow the defeat of such good goals and intendments. It is the duty of the court to keep the government faithful to the goals of justice democracy and good governance for the benefit of the citizens as demanded by the Constitution. The Supreme Court has the sacred duty to translate into actuality the noble ideas expressed in the basic law, give flesh and blood, in fact life, to the abstract concepts of freedom, liberty, transparency, a society free from corruption, abuse of power and all the noble goals articulated and reiterated in the Constitution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inherited mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are the strongest genetic predictors of breast cancer and are the primary causes of familial breast/ovarian cancer syndrome. The frequency, spectrum and penetrance of mutant BRCA1/BRCA2 alleles have been determined for several populations, but little information is available for populations of African ancestry, who suffer a disproportionate burden of early onset breast cancer. We have performed complete sequence analysis of all BRCA1 and BRCA2 exons and intron-exon boundaries for 434 Nigerian breast cancer patients from the University College Hospital in Ibadan, Nigeria. In contrast to previous suggestions that BRCA1/BRCA2 mutation frequencies are low or undetectable in African American populations, we find that Nigerian breast cancer patients have an exceptionally high frequency of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations (7.1 and 3.9%, respectively). Sixteen different BRCA1 mutations were detected, seven of which have never been reported previously, while thirteen different BRCA2 mutations were seen, six of which were previously unreported. Thus, our data support enrichment for genetic risk factors in this relatively young cohort. To improve breast cancer outcomes, we suggest that family-based models of risk assessment and genetic counseling coupled with interventions to reduce breast cancer risk should be broadly disseminated in Nigeria and other underserved and understudied populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Children tend to lack knowledge of, and hold negative attitudes towards mental illness. However, most of the work undertaken in Nigeria has been done with adults. Aims: To establish the views and knowledge about mental health and illness in pupils at four secondary schools in rural and urban Southwest Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional survey based on a questionnaire previously used in the UK and adapted to Nigeria. Results: Data from 145 Nigerian schoolchildren showed little knowledge of, negative attitudes and social distance towards persons with mental health problems. Urban participants and boys appeared less knowledgeable than rural children and girls. Conclusions: Nigerian schoolchildren, as with Nigerian adults and young people in Western countries, show stigma towards mental illness. This may be underpinned by a lack of knowledge regarding mental health problems. Educational interventions need to be appropriate to area, age and gender to effectively improve mental health literacy, which in turn will influence attitudes and social distance. However, the fact that the schoolchildren were optimistic about recovery is a strength that could be built upon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is uncommon in the tropics and sub-tropics. We report a case of UC in a 7 year old girl whose parents were both Nigerians. This report is to alert healthcare professionals in sub-Saharan Africa that UC is not a rare health problem, especially in children. Case presentation: The patient presented with frequent passage of blood stained stool, abdominal pain and significant weight loss. The diagnosis was entertained after she was investigated for common causes of chronic diarrhea in our setting and the findings were negative. The patient symptoms abated after she was commenced on steroid therapy. Conclusion: Under-diagnosis and misdiagnosis may account for a dearth of information on UC in African children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia is a reactive proliferative lesion of endothelial cells in blood vessels. It typically presents as a painless, reddish purple lesion in the sites affected. The orbit remains an uncommon site of affectation of this relatively common disease. It is noteworthy that this is the first reported case, to the best of our knowledge, of orbital intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia in a Nigerian child. Case presentation: The case reported here is an orbital intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia causing non-axial proptosis and loss of vision in a 14-year-old Nigerian boy. We describe the clinical and histological findings of intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia in the orbit of this 14-year-old boy. The key distinguishing features are discussed and relevant literature is reviewed. Conclusion: Although unusual in presentation, intravascular papillary endothelial proliferation should be considered in the list of differentials of proptosis due to mass lesion in young Nigerians and, possibly, Africans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of West African Journal of Medicine is the property of West African Journal of Medicine and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of West African Journal of Medicine is the property of West African Journal of Medicine and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objective Dental anxiety is a common psychological complication seen in dental practice with up to 6%~15% attendees of dental clinic believed to suffer from the problem. Methods A descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out on attendees of a general Oral Diagnostic Unit (ODU) of a teaching hospital in Nigeria with apparently healthy age and sex-matched controls. Subjects were selected from this population by simple random sampling technique. They were assessed with State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Results A total of 300 subjects and 87 age and sex-matched healthy controls were studied. The mean age of subjects was 32. 0±12. 1 years, and made up of 161 (53. 7%) males and 139 (46. 3%) females. The commonest dental complaint by the subjects was dental pain, 226 (75. 3%) followed by aesthetic problems, 26 (8. 72%),halitosis and routine dental check, 18 (6%) each. Greater percentage of subjects, 103 (34. 3%, n=300) compared to 22 (25. 3%, n=87) controls had anxiety as measured with STAI, that is ⩾37. 5 scores on STAI, and the difference was statistically significant with χ2=48. 6, df=1 and P<0. 01. Conclusion Dental anxiety is an important psychological complication seen among dental clinic attendees in the study centre. To reduce this to the barest minimum, dental health workers are advised to among other measures carry out comprehensive dental health education on their clients and make their procedures as painless as possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BRCA1/2 germline mutations predispose to breast and ovarian cancer. Large genomic rearrangements (LGRs) have widened the mutational spectrum of the BRCA1 gene, but the frequencies vary in different populations. In this study, we want to determine the spectrum of LGRs in BRCA1 gene in Nigerian breast cancer patients. The multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) assay was used to screen BRCA1 rearrangements in 352 patients who previously tested negative for BRCA1 and BRCA2 point mutations and small insertions/deletions. Positive MLPA result was confirmed and located by long-range PCR. The breakpoints of the candidate rearrangement were characterized by sequencing. A novel deletion of BRCA1 exon 21 (c.5277 + 480_5332 + 672del) was detected in 1 out of 352 Nigerian breast cancer patients (0.3% occurrence frequency). Further analysis of breakpoints revealed that the deletion involves two Alu-elements: one AluSg in intron 20 and the AluY in intron 21. These data suggest that while BRCA1 genomic rearrangement exists, they do not contribute significantly to BRCA1-associated risk in the Nigerian population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Due to resistance of plasmodium to the traditional antimalarial drugs, artemisinin combination therapies (ACTs) are currently indicated as the first line drugs for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria in Nigeria, with Artemether-lumenfantrine specified as the drug of choice. There exist a slight difference in the cost and efficacy of these ACTs. The use of the most cost-effective ACT would amount to a great resource saving in Nigeria. Aim: This prospective study aimed at comparing the cost-effectiveness of Artemether-Lumefantrine (AL) with Artesunate plus Amodiaquine (AAQ) and Dihydoartemisinin-Piperaquine (DAP) for treatment of uncomplicated malaria in a Nigerian hospital.Method: The study population included all patients presenting with uncomplicated malaria and treated presumptively based on clinical symptoms. They were grouped into 3 groups corresponding to the ACT prescribed to them. Costing was done from health provider's perspective. Efficacy estimate was obtained from a subset of the study population. These patients used for establishing efficacy of the ACTs were adults aged 15 years, and with parasite density above 2000 parasite/μl. They were followed up with laboratory assessment on day 3 and day 14. Percentage parasitemia reduction on the 14th day served as main efficacy measure.Result: Incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of 37,000 and 4,500 was obtained by comparing AAQ to DAP and AL to AAQ respectively. AAQ was dominated extendedly by a blend of DAP and AL. The major CEA conclusion stands after parameter alterations in sensitivity analyses carried out. Conclusion: The findings of the study showed that DAP was the most cost-effective in the secondary health care facility used, indicating that there could be greater resource savings with the use of DAP in relation to AL and AAQ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tuberous sclerosis is a rare neuro-cutaneous syndrome, one of the phakomatosis, characterized by facial angiofibromas (adenoma sebaceum), mental retardation and epilepsy. This classic triad occurs in less than one half of patients, probably in one-third, thus requiring a high index of suspicion to diagnose. Consequently it may easily be misdiagnosed as neurofibromatosis or other medical conditions. This is a case report of tuberous sclerosis in a 13-year-old Nigerian girl that was misdiagnosed as neurofibromatosis because of her cutaneous lesions. This paper discussed the case and reviewed the literature. A comprehensive medical clerkship, thorough physical examination, high index of clinical suspicion and neuroimaging investigations are required to confirm diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) of the orbit, initially thought to be rare, is being increasingly documented in the medical literature. We here present the case of a 37-year-old Nigerian man who presented with left sided painless, vision-sparing proptosis. Cranial computed tomography scan showed a globular, left medial, orbital extraconal mass. The mass was excised, en bloc, via a medial orbitotomy procedure aided by left ethmoidectomy. Surgery was uncomplicated and histology of the excised tissue was reported as compatible with SFT. There was also a strong and diffuse immunostaining with CD 34. At 6-month follow-up, the left-sided proptosis has completely regressed. To the best of our knowledge, this is the second case of orbital SFT to be reported in an African. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine the prevalence, types and correlates of intimate partner violence (IPV) in pregnant Nigerian living with HIV. Cross sectional study. HIV positive pregnant women. A large HIV comprehensive treatment centre. A cross sectional study of 652 HIV positive pregnant Nigerians seen at Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Lagos, Nigeria over a 24 months period. Prevalence of intimate partner violence after HIV diagnosis. Among the women interviewed, 423 (65.8%) reported abuse. In 74.0% of abused women, the abuse started after HIV diagnosis. Though having a HIV negative spouse and disclosure of HIV status were associated with abuse, only having a HIV negative partner retained its association with IPV (OR 3.1; CI 2.4–5.3) after controlling for confounding variables. Sixty-two (9.6%) women have not disclosed their HIV status because of fear of rejection. Verbal abuse (51.7%), threat of violence in 97 (22.9%) and sexual deprivation in 91 (21.5%) were the common forms of abuse reported. IPV is common among HIV positive pregnant Nigerians; with a threefold increased risk in women in HIV serodiscordant relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pattern of and relationship between motor function and participation among community-dwelling stroke survivors in Ibadan, Nigeria was studied over a 6-month period. Twenty post stroke individuals were recruited out of which 16 (9 males and 7 females) completed the study. Motor function and participation were assessed within 4 weeks after stroke (baseline) and the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and the 5th month at the respective residence of the patients using the Modified Motor Assessment Scale (MMAS) and London Handicap Scale (LHS) respectively. Results showed statistically significant increase in both motor function (Friedman's ANOVA 37.50; p=0.00) and participation (Friedman's ANOVA = 41.87; p< 0.001) across 6 months. Significant correlation was observed between overall total scores of the motor function and participation measures at the 1st month. The Orientation and Economic Self-Sufficiency domains of the LHS were however not significantly correlated with the MMAS items (p > 0.05). At the 6th month, LHS did not correlate with MMAS items except between physical independence and sitting to standing, occupation and sitting to standing, and physical independence and walking. The results show that recovery of motor function and increase in level of participation occurred progressively across six months post stroke. This apparent association between motor function and participation suggest that as patients were regaining motor function, their participation level was also improving. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A survey of ten selected anthropometric dimensions of two Nigerian major ethnic groups (Hausa and Yoruba) living in southwestern Nigeria was conducted. The aims were to obtain anthropometric data that could be useful for design purpose and to examine possible differences between the data of the two ethnic groups and likely implications on equipment and workplace designs. A total of 306 subjects took part in the study. The results indicate that the Hausas generally have larger dimensions than their Yoruba counterparts. The differences in the dimensions were found to be statistically significant for height, overhead reach, popliteal height, sitting height and arm span (for males) and height, overhead reach, head height, hand breadth at the thumb, knee height, popliteal height, and arm span for the females at p < 0.05. The need to design equipment and workplaces taking into consideration the data of the ethnic groups was emphasised. Similarly, the importance of having a larger anthropometric database for the whole Nigerian population was also stressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A combination of factors has prevented the exploitation of the Nigerian tar sand deposits to date, among which is the environmental factor which may pose some dangers to both physical and biological components of the area of occurrence. Gamma ray spectrometric analysis was carried out on samples of bituminous sand deposits in parts of Southwestern Nigeria. The aims were to determine the presence and level of radioactivity of selected radionuclides and to assess the possible impact on the environment, and provide geochemical baseline that could be useful in planning appropriate environmental management programs that will reduce potential negative effect of exploiting the resources on the environment. Twenty air-dried samples collected for this study were weighed and sealed for 28 days to enable them attain a state of secular equilibrium. They were subsequently analyzed for gamma-emitting radionuclides using Gamma-ray Spectrometer fitted with a calibrated Canberra vertical coaxial High purity Germanium Detector (HpGe) system. The radio nuclides identified with reliable regularity belong to the decay series of naturally occurring radio nuclides headed by 238U, 232Th and naturally occurring 40K. Result showed that the radiogenic composition of the clay overburden (0.631mSvy-1), shale-(0.193mSvyr-1), and bituminous sand (0.446mSvyr-1), are lower than the normal background value considered harmful to man. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The aim of the study was to establish the risk factors of bronchial asthma in a Nigerian adult population. Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria and selected 805 subjects from the study area by multi-stage cluster sampling. The European Community Respiratory Health Services (ECRHS) asthma-screening questionnaire was administered by trained assistants to collect demographic information, asthma symptoms in the preceding 12 months (Current asthma) and risk factors of asthma. The body weight (kg) and height (metre) were measured and the body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Odd ratio was calculated to determine the association between current asthma and risk factor of asthma. Results: Current asthma in this study was 12.8%. Family history of asthma was the strongest risk factor of asthma in this study (OR=5.32), followed by allergic rhinitis (OR=5.29), outdoor pollutants (OR=3.51), tobacco smoking (OR=3.47), and indoor pollutants (OR=3.32), as well as a family history of allergic diseases (OR=2.38) and obesity (OR=1.87). Age, sex, educational achievement, home and socioeconomic status were not strong determinants of asthma (p>0.05). The majority of these identified factors were environmental factors with the exception of family history of allergy and asthma. Conclusion: We identified family history of asthma, allergic rhinitis, outdoor pollutants and indoor pollutants, tobacco smoking and obesity as the risk factors of asthma. There is an urgent need to increase the awareness of the risk factors and promote preventive strategies to control the diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the study was to determine the mineral and heavy metal composition of twenty standardized dishes commonly consumed in Nigeria. Twenty standardized dishes more frequently consumed were cooked in triplicate and their major elements (Ca, Mg, Na, K, P) and trace elements (Se, Mn, Pb, Cd) content were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry by standard methods of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC, 2005). Dry weights varied from 18.33 ± 0.20 to 63.77 ± 0.30% fresh matter. Calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, selenium, and potassium contents expressed in mg/100 g ranged from 45.96 ± 0.33 to 421.94 ± 0.56, 20.56 ± 0.64 to 309.77 ± 2.89, 38.34 ± 0.81 to 270.32 ± 4.21, 0.01 ± 0.01 to 0.45 ± 0.01, and 413.17 ± 0.63 to 654.21 ± 4.87 mg/100 g, respectively. Their sodium, manganese, lead, and cadmium contents were between 16.86 ± 0.28 and 67.54 ± 2.10 mg/100 g, 0.03 ± 0.01 and 0.22 ± 0.02 mg/100 g, 0.03 ± 0.01 and 0.65 ± 0.05, and 0.01 ± 0.01 and 0.28 ± 0.01 mg/100 g, respectively. There were statistically significant (p ≤ 0.5) differences in the mean values of all the parameters determined. Most of these recipes could adequately contribute to dietary minerals intake in most of the recipes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of West African Journal of Medicine is the property of West African Journal of Medicine and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper examined rejoinders by corporate bodies and public figures to news stories and editorials in two Nigerian newspapers from 1999-2001 with a view to determining which type of rejoinders - mild or adversarial - were favoured. The findings of the paper clearly indicates that majority of rejoinders were adversarial containing abusive language directed at journalists and media organizations. The paper takes the position that these rejoinders point to the scant regard in which the Nigerian print media is held and recommends that the cherished value of balance in helping to reverse this worrisome trend.

The latest reform in the Nigerian criminal justice system is in line with the global trend to shift from a retributive penal system, where the well being of offenders was a trivial issue, to a rehabilitative system where the welfare of offenders is given a pride of place. The issue of HIV/AIDS in prisons has however not been considered from this perspective. This study was carried out among inmates and officers in selected prisons in Nigeria focusing on institutional policies, level of awareness as well as the various risk practices engaged in by inmates regarding HIV/AIDS. Majority (76.3%) of the respondents heard of HIV/AIDS through the radio prior incarceration, HIV/AIDS testing was not voluntary as the prison rules stipulated that inmates be screened on admission. In-depth interviews with prison officials also revealed that they had a very low knowledge of HIV/AIDS. Some of the prison rules still reflect the retributive penal philosophy despite several reforms in the system. The study concluded that there is a need for the relevant authorities on HIV/AIDS control to begin to shift their focus to the prisons, and certain rules, which still reflect the old penal system be relaxed to demonstrate the global reform in penology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Posterior urethral valve (PUV) obstruction is the most common cause of bladder outlet obstruction in boys. Currently, the diagnosis of PUV is commonly made prenatally. In our environment, however, prenatal diagnosis is rare and the diagnosis is usually made postnatally from the clinical and radiological features. This study therefore examines the clinical and radiological spectrum of boys with PUV in our environment. We examined the clinical presentations, ultrasonographic and the micturating cystourethrographic (MCUG) features of boys with PUV in our institution over a 22-month period from June 2006. There were 28 patients with PUV over this period. The age at presentation ranged from 11 days to 11 years (mean age = 2.7 years). Although prenatal ultrasound scan was done in 23 (82.1%) patients, no prenatal diagnosis was made in any of the patients. The diagnosis was made after infancy in 16 (57.1%) patients. Recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI) was the most common mode of presentation occurring in 14 (50.0%) patients with 7 (50.0%) of the patients with UTI presenting with septicaemia. Voiding dysfunctions, which occurred in all the patients, were the primary mode of presentation in 12 (42.9%) patients. Three (10.7%) patients presented with renal insufficiency, which was significantly associated with the age at presentation ( P = 0.026). Ultrasound scan done in the postnatal period strongly suggested the diagnosis of posterior urethral valves in 22 (78.6%) patients in whom the posterior urethra was found to be dilated, associated with thick-walled urinary bladder and bilateral hydronephrosis. Trabeculations of the bladder was a constant feature on MCUG. Other features on MCUG included dilatation of the posterior urethra in 26 (92.8%), bladder diverticuli in 15 (53.6%) and unilateral and bilateral vesicoureteric reflux in 3 (10.7%) and 1 (3.6%) patient(s), respectively. The diagnosis of PUV obstruction which is often made late in our environment, is mainly by clinical, sonographic and MCUG features in the postnatal period. A majority of patients present late, with recurrent UTI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. The main objective of this paper is to review the literature on the term 'Black African' with respect to a number of themes: its use in the census and official data collections; the acceptability of a colour-based term; the heterogeneity concealed within the 'Black African' collectivity; the invisibility of distinct populations; the concealment of disparities in health, health care, and determinants; the capture of 'Black Africans' in other countries; and a set of possible alternatives for classifying this population. Design. Structured searches were undertaken on a wide range of government and other grey literature sources and on two biomedical databases (Medline and EMBASE), using combinations of search terms for the collectivity and specific national origin groups. Results. Analyses of the data show that the term 'Black African' conceals substantial heterogeneity with respect to national origins, religion, and language. It includes many who have come to the UK since the 1960s from former colonies but also sizeable groups arriving as refugees and asylum seekers from a wide range of African countries. Moreover, its boundaries are fuzzy, especially with regard to those originating in Horn of Africa countries. Marked variations are found in the (albeit limited) available disaggregated data on health and the determinants of inequalities. Conclusions. Given the substantial increase in the size of the group, the extent to which such heterogeneity can continue to be tolerated in a single term must be questioned. The 'Black African' collectivity merits categorisation that addresses this issue and the proposed regional subdivisions in the Scotland 2006 Census Test currently offer the best solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seeds of Cucumeropsis edulis, Hevea brasiliensis, Hura crepitans, Jatropha curcas, Khaya ivorensis and Citrus sinensis were evaluated for their proximate composition, chemical properties and fatty acid profiles. The moisture contents of the seeds ranged from 5.3 to 9.0% while the oil content was between 32.5% for Cucumeropsis edulis and 48.3% for Khaya ivorensis. The ash content ranged between 3.6 and 5.0%. Protein content ranged from 15.8 to 45.9% while the fibre value was in the 8.2-20.5% range. Carbohydrate content varied between 2.4 and 15.4%. The seeds were rich in potassium (349.0-468.6 μg/g of seed) and magnesium (83.7-150.19 μg/g of seed). The extracted oils had saponification value between 202.0 and 210.4; iodine value, 75.6 to 148.2; peroxide value, 4.7 to 13.3; and unsaponifiable matter content, 0.7 to 1.7%. The major fatty acids identified were oleic (14.6-72.1%) and linoleic (10.6-96.3%). Hura crepitans oil was characterized by a high content of linoleic acid (96.3%). The fuel value (Hμ) of the extracted oils ranged from 8276.6-8433.2 kJ/kg. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the recurring theme in Wole Soyinka's prose works "The Interpreters," "Season of Anomy," "Aké" and "Isara." The recurring theme among these works is the return of the educated Nigerian to his hometown. The author also traces the way both the return and the sender evolved over the course of the four literary works.

Investigations into fungi associated with sorghum grain in Nigeria indicate the occurrence of a newly described fungus, Fusarium andiyazi alongside F. nygamai . These fungi have earlier been reported as F. moniliforme . Our results highlight the need to re-evaluate Fusarium species associated with sorghum in Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An anthropometric survey measuring 18 dimensions of the right hand in 37 female rural farm workers living in Ibadan, western Nigeria was conducted. The means, standard deviations and percentile values are reported for these. The means of the collected data are compared with those for females from the UK, from Hong Kong and from America, using data from other published studies. The results suggest that the Nigerian female hand is wider and thicker, but shorter than that of their foreign counterparts. Such differences have implications for design and evaluation of hand tools for the Nigerian female population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The cystine-cystine chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) is the primary HIV co-receptor involved in the viral entry process into human cells. The 32 bp deletion variant within the CCR5 gene (CCR5-Δ32) plays a very important role in viral recognition and progression of AIDS., Objective: The current study was aimed at evaluating the CCR5-Δ32 gene variation frequency in Nigerian and Zimbabwean populations residing in Northern Cyprus., Methods: A total number of 211 subjects (103 Nigerians and 108 Zimbabweans) were analyzed. Nigerian population was further analyzed with respect to the three major ethnicities: Igbo, Hausa, and Yoruba. Polymerase Chain Reaction was used to determine the CCR5-Δ32 gene variant status., Results: All studied subjects from both sampling groups were homozygous for the CCR5 wild type gene (CCR5-wt), meaning neither heterozygous nor homozygous genotypes of CCR5-Δ32 gene variant were observed., Conclusion: This study observed the absence of CCR5-Δ32 deletion gene in the Nigeria and Zimbabwean populations living in Northern Cyprus. These populations lack the genetic advantage over HIV infection and may also show a rapid progression towards AIDS. Additionally, these populations could impact the local gene frequency as these two populations interact more and more., (© 2022 Ndikom BC et al.)

Ascorbic acid contents of some common local fruits and vegetables was determined. The ascorbic acid contents of the fruits ranged from 21.8 to 98.0 mg per 100 g sample while that of vegetables ranged from 21.3 to 98.8 mg per 100 g sample. The traditional processing of some of the fruits resulted in losses of ascorbic acid of between 43 and 58%. The traditional processing of the vegetables also resulted in losses of ascorbic acid of between 32 to 68%. On environmental exposure (storage) in the shade (27°C) for four hours the losses ranged from 22 to 34%. The peels of mango and African apple, which are normally discarded by the natives, contained higher contents of ascorbic acid than the edible portion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]