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In treating preeclampsia-induced wistar rats, this study examined the effects of methanol plant extracts of Jatropha curcas, Alchonnea cordifolia, and Secamone afzelii, respectively, on the evaluation of HELLP syndrome. Fifteen sets of age-matched female Wistar rats were employed, with one serving as a control group. The Adriamycin Model was used to induce preeclampsia. The rats were then administered 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg of the extracts. Another group was administered methyl DOPA (at 10 mg/kg). At the end of the study, the arts were anesthetized and sacrificed humanely. Platelet counts, hemoglobin, and liver enzymes were measured following standard procedure. The study found that extracts of plant extracts did not cause any toxic effects on test animals, and there was no mortality at 5000 mg/kg. Aspartate transaminase levels increased during preeclampsia, but J. curcas and A. cordifolia extracts at low-to-moderate concentrations reduced these levels. Post-partum AST levels decreased from 60.7 U/l during preeclampsia to 25.3 - 39.2 U/l. There were no significant alterations in total protein levels (p>0.05). Preeclamptic Wistar rats treated with theextracts showed higher packed cell volume and platelet counts during preeclampsia. Upon administration of 100 mg/kg J. curcas and 200 mg/kg S. afzelii, the prognosis of preeclampsia was generally better after postpartum than during the third trimester. The study reveals that preeclampsia treatment with J. curcas, A. cordifolia, and S. afzelii extracts improves liver enzymes, total protein levels, packed cell volume, and platelet counts, suggesting potential therapeutic options. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Within a multicentre prospective study of prostate cancer genetics, we analysed some parameters of cases seen in our centre over a 2-year period to see if there are any changes in histological grades and age compared to previous studies in this environment., Methods: Histological grading and scoring had been done using the revised International Society of urologic pathology (ISUP) system and cases were classified into Grade groups. Gleason grades less than 3 were not assigned and Scores less than 6 not assigned. The Prostatic Specific Antigen (PSA) levels as well as the average tumour percentage in the biopsy specimens were determined., Results: A hundred and forty-five (145) patients were seen. The majority of patients seen were in Grade group 5 (30.3%), followed by grade group 4 (26.2%) and then groups 1, 3 and 2 in that order. Patients' ages ranged from 47 years to 86 years, with peak age incidence in the 7th decade. PSA values ranged from 3.6 to 22,130ng/ml and tumour volumes ranged from 5% of biopsy tissue to 95%. The lowest PSA value was seen in a patient in grade group 1 but the highest PSA value was recorded in a patient in Grade group 3. The lowest and highest tumour volumes were seen in patients in grade group 4. The PSA and tumour volumes did not vary in linear fashion with Gleason grade., Conclusion: The results show that the majority of patients in Ibadan present with high grade prostatic carcinoma even using the new ISUP grading system but the proportion of highgrade tumours seems higher than in the previous study, likely because more diagnostic tissue has become available per case. Examining a minimum of 12 cores have definitely created an opportunity for proper grading. Peak incidence is in the 7th decade followed by the 8th decade. Very high PSA values recorded in our patients with prostatic carcinoma do not show linear relationship with prostatic carcinoma volume or grade.

Haemorrhagic stroke in pyogenic meningitis is a rare complication accounting for about 2% of all complications1,2. It often results from disseminated intravascular coagulation, which is a complication of bacterial meningitis and portends a poor prognosis. A superimposed intracranial haemorrhage, although extremely rare, is associated with high mortality rate. We report a child who had haemorrhagic stroke during the acute phase of bacterial meningitis. The diagnosis was made during post mortem examination. It was discovered that she had suffered haemorrhagic necrosis of both basal ganglion nuclei. Early imaging is advised in meningitis patient presenting with altered levels of consciousness to detect cerebrovascular complications., (© Association of Resident Doctors, UCH, Ibadan.)