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Third trimester of pregnancy is characterised by profound changes in the haemodynamic system, predicated by the climax of the pregnancy hormones profiles. The blood pressure (BP) is lower and the haemoglobin levels are lower, necessitating an increased circulatory work to maintain tissue perfusion of the new maternal-fetal placental bed and for the expectant blood loss during childbirth. However, the mechanisms by which this is achieved is poorly understood. The present study aimed to assess the mechanisms by which the mother’s systems adjust to meet its haemodynamic gaps at the third trimester of a normal pregnancy. One hundred and fifty normal third trimester pregnant women undergoing antenatal care at the State Specialist Hospitalist Sokoto were assessed for blood pressure, haemoglobin concentration and anthropometries and the results compared with those of a group comprising 115 non-pregnant control women. While the pregnant group had lower BP parameters, it has significantly higher PR (P

Welding poses potential and chemical hazards because its fumes consist of a wide range of complex metal oxide particles which can be deposited in all regions of the respiratory tract. We aimed in the present study to determine lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status of Iron welders in Sokoto. The study involves 54 active welders and 20 age matched control males. Their lung function test (LFT) was carried out using spirometry and their blood was collected by venipuncture and analyzed for oxidative stress, antioxidant enzymes, vitamins and minerals via spectrophotometric methods. Serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase (Cu-ZnSOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase (CAT) were significantly higher in welders (p < 0.05) when compared to non-welders. Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) is significantly higher in welders (P < 0.05) than in non-welders. Across duration of occupational age exposure, levels of MDA,Vitamin A and GPx were significantly higher (p

Background: There is emerging interest in the potential of vanillic acid to induced oxidative stress. Hence, this study evaluated the involvement of oxidative stress in bactericidal activity of vanillic acid. Materials and Methods: The antibacterial activities of vanillic acid against Staphylococcus aureus was tested at different concentrations

Mosquitoes are tiny insects that can serve as vectors for numerous infectious diseases like malaria. Malaria is considered as one of the major causes of mortality, loss of productivity and a major contributor of poverty in the African continent. In 2020, most global malaria cases (94%) were recorded in the Africa Region. In Nigeria, about 97% of the estimated populations are at risk of malaria, with up to 27% and 24% of Africa and global malaria deaths respectively in 2018. Malaria control programmes in Africa have challenge of rising insecticide resistance in the main anopheline vectors, this affects primary malaria vector control interventions. In Africa, the dominant mosquito species that transmit malaria parasites are mainly Anopheles gambiae s.s. A key control strategy against major mosquito- borne diseases involves targeting mosquito vectors to disrupt the transmission of diseases. Environmental changes can alter the genetic structure, protein profiles and enzymes of mosquitoes leading to increase in insecticide resistance. Knowing the ecology, spatial distribution of mosquito larvae, and some environmental features like physicochemical factors are important in tackling insecticide resistance. Water and larval samples were collected from three Anopheles mosquito breeding sites in August, September and October, 2019. Physicochemical parameters, larval densities and morphological specie identifications were determined. Results from this study reveal variation in levels of each studied parameter according to the site of the study. These variations can be attributed to differences in activities that occur in each site of the study.. Correlation studies indicated a significantly higher larval density in agricultural site relative to industrial and residential sites, this was by a magnitude of 10.65 and 41.30 respectively. Anopheles gambiae s.s. complex was found to be predominant in all the three study sites. These physicochemical parameters can either have negative or positive effect on mosquito biology depending on their levels, hence can affect vector control measures making it significant in terms of vector control programmes.

Upper gastrointestinal tract symptoms are associated with a major morbidity and mortality globally. Endoscopy offers direct visualization of the pathology and enables both diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. Request for the procedure is on the increase probably due to exposure to more risk factors or because of increased awareness about the disease. We aimed to study the indications and findings in patients referred for endoscopy. We enrolled a total of 1747 patients between January 2013-December 2019.Their demographic characteristics and findings on endoscopy were extracted from the endoscopy register. Males constituted 937 (53.7%), with a mean age of 42.50 ± 14.13 and females 41.38 ± 16.73. The age range of patients was 15-87 years. The commonest indication was dyspepsia 1122(64.2%).There was no significant statistical difference between gender with respect to dyspepsia (ꭓ2= 0.8511 p-value = 0.3563. Upper gastro-intestinal bleeding (UGIB) was the second most common 10.3%, Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) 9.9%, and chronic liver disease (CLD) 8.0%.There was significant statistical difference in gender presentation of UGIB ( ꭓ2= 6.49 p-value= 0.0109 and CLD ꭓ2= 21.109 p-value= 0.00001).Gastritis was the predominant endoscopic finding, 628(35.9%). Esophageal varices were the c ommonest etiologic finding for UGIB (51.6%) and commoner in males (ꭓ2= 11.083 p-value= 0.0009), then gastric and duodenal ulcers, 11.4% and 2.7% respectively. Hiatus hernia was 157(9.0%) Upper gastrointestinal malignancies were 2.4%. In conclusion, dyspepsia is a common clinical presentation in patients with GIT symptoms. Variceal bleeding is a significant cause of UGIB, therefore early endoscopic CLD screening will help reduce morbidity and mortality in Nigeria.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a leading indication for gastroscopy and a common cause of serious complications among patients with dyspeptic symptoms. Ethnic variability, gender and geographical locations are some of the factors that determine severity index and complications of GERD. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is a reliable method used in confirming clinical suspicion of GERD. This study aimed to determine the endoscopic correlation of clinical presentations and frequency of complications among patients with clinical diagnosis of GERD referred for gastroscopy. Hospital-based cross sectional study conducted between 1stJanuary, 2013 to 31stDecember, 2016. Sociodemographic characteristics and clinical diagnosis of GERD were evaluated alongside endoscopic findings. Endoscopic findings of oesophagitis, strictures, Barrett’s oesophagus or oesophageal adenocarcinoma were classified as endoscopy positive while those with symptoms but with normal endoscopic finding were classified as endoscopy negative or Non-erosive reflux Disease. One thousand, five hundred and ninety seven patients were referred for gastroscopy within the study period of which 226 were GERD (14.2%) using the self-administered questionnaire. One hundred and seven (47.3%) were males, with M: F ratio of 1:1.1. Mean age 38.5, SD± 13.1, and range of 15-75 years. The peak age occurred within the fourth decade of life (32.7%). One hundred and seventy seven (78.3%) were endoscopy positive, while 49 (21.7%) were endoscopy negative GERD. Los Angeles grade B was the highest prevalence 41.2%. GERD is not uncommon in our study and younger age groups are particularly more affected. Erosive esophagitis is the commonest complication encountered.

Electrocardiography (ECG) is an investigative procedure in PPCM screening and monitoring. Although ECG features among PPCM patients have been shown to vary among different ethnicities, this has not been fully described among the Hausa/Fulani ethnicity. In the present study therefore, we described the ECG features of PPCM among Hausa/Fulani ethnic group of Nigeria and we relate same with left ventricular (LV) functions and dimensions. One hundred women who fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for PPCM were evaluated. A standard resting 12-lead ECG and echocardiographic examination were performed on the patients. Data analysis was done using IBM SPSS statistical software (version 22). Mean age of the patients was 27.11 ± 7.83 years and were 98% of the Hausa/Fulani ethnicity. The heart rate (HR) was fast (117.54 ±15.02). Most patients had abnormal ST and T-waves (70% and 83%, respectively). The mean QTc index was 460.97 ±40.69, with 47% of them having prolonged QTc. However, the mean QRS interval was within normal (89.89 ±20.00ms). Although, ejection fraction (EF) showed a significant inverse relationship with the left ventricular internal diameter in diastole (LVIDd) (r = - 0.234, p = 0.021, β-coefficient =-0.013, R2 =0.027), neither of the EF nor the LVIDd showed significant relations with the indices of QRS voltage amplitudes, even though about 82% of the patients had LV dilatation. We conclude that ECG abnormalities are rife among PPCM patients of Hausa/Fulani extraction of Nigeria and may be used alongside other standard protocols to screen and monitor treatment of the patients in this region.

Background Emergency Contraception EC will help forestall unintended pregnancies following an unprotected sexual intercourse or failure of regular family planning methods EC knowledge is essential for every woman in the reproductive age group especially single women who are unable to abstain from unprotected sex Nevertheless this knowledge and the utilization of this essential reproductive health product is poor among women across the globe The female NYSC member of Nigeria stand a greater risk of unintended pregnancies but little or no attention has been paid to this Objectives The present study is informed by the necessity to asses among female NYSC members rsquo knowledge and utilization of EC and come out with information that may help the public and policy makers in fighting unintended pregnancies and its consequences in Nigeria Methods self structured validated questionnaires were distributed among consenting female NYSC members systematically drawn from the Local Government Areas of Sokoto State SPSS version statistical package was used to manage the database Results of the respondents were found to have good knowledge of EC Only of this group believed it is morally alright to use EC of the respondents that confirmed being involved in an act that required EC ever used it We also found that tribe ethnicity and geopolitical zones of respondents influenced their EC knowledge c p and c p respectively Conclusion To address unintended pregnancies and the consequences among our young female graduates who stand a huge risk in this respect formal sex education advance provision of EC services and handy information strategies such as handbills on EC need be encouraged

This study examined the blood pressure (BP) patterns, anthropometric and parity factors that can affect the BP pattern among third trimester normal, singleton pregnant women in Sokoto. A total of 129 subjects were recruited for the study including 88 pregnant women and 41 non-pregnant, age matched controls. The age ranges were 18-40 years and 19-40 years and the mean ages were 27.0+6.0 years and 28.1+6.8 years for the pregnant and non-pregnant groups, respectively (p=0.580). Majority (82%) of the pregnant women unlike the non-pregnant group, (44%) were parous. Most subjects of both groups fell in the BMI range 18.5-24.9 Kg/m2 (normal); 37.5% and 53.7% for the pregnant and non-pregnant groups, respectively. The mean BP of the pregnant women was 109.1 ± 10.4/67.8 ± 8.0mmHg and the non-pregnant controls was 113.8 ± 11.7/71.7 ± 9.5 mmHg. Also the mean BP of the various categories of BMI and the mean for the parous and nulliparous sub-groups for both pregnant and non-pregnant controls were recorded separately and their means compared for statistical significance. Blood pressures in normal singleton third trimester pregnant women tend to fall as the pregnancy age advances, especially the systolic BP. But BP tends to increase as the BMI increases from underweight, normal weight, through over weight to obesity in both pregnant and non-pregnant groups. Also BP values appear to be higher among the parous sub-groups in both pregnant and non-pregnant groups.