Differences in haemostatic parameters have been reported among smokers and non-smokers. However the relationships of these parameters with other risk factors of cardiovascular diseases have not been fully determined in Nigerians. We therefore aimed at assessing the relationship between fibrinogen, factor VII (FVII), age, body mass indeks (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in smokers and non-smokers living in an Urban Nigerian city. We studied 104 male Nigerians grouped into non-smokers (n= 74) and smokers (n= 30). Fibrinogen was measured using the clot weight method of Ingram and FVII was assayed by the bioassay method. Mean fibrinogen and FVII were found to be higher in smokers than non-smokers. There was no relationship between FVII and age (r= -0.0458) in non-smokers and a weak association was found between FVII and age in smokers (r= 0.3191). Both SBP and DBP were significantly associated with BMI in smokers (r= 0.6332, p= 0.0002) for DBP and (r= 0.4869, p= 0.0064) for SBP. Fibrinogen was only associated with DBP in non-smokers (r= 0.3273, p= 0.0047). FVII and fibrinogen were found to be higher in smokers compared to non- smokers, the difference was not statistically significant (p= 0.1965). The strength of the association of BMI and fibrinogen with blood pressure is higher for DBP in Nigerians. Extensive population studies should be conducted on smokers and non-smokers to confirm these associations.

Summary: The precise mechanism by which ketamine induces relaxation of vascular smooth muscle is not clear. The goal of this study was to further characterize the vascular actions of ketamine in rabbit aortic smooth muscles. Ring segments (2mm) of rabbit aortae were suspended in 20ml organ baths containing physiological salt solution (PSS) and isometric contractions were recorded at 370C and pH 7.4. The medium was bubbled with 95% O2, 5% CO2, and rings were given an initial load of 2g. An equilibration period of 90 minutes was allowed. Three protocols were examined: (a) Effect of ketamine on baseline tension (b) relaxation-responses to ketamine following precontractions induced by 10-7M phenylephrine or high K+ (40mM) PSS and (c) Influence of presence or absence of endothelium on the relaxation response to ketamine. Ketamine produced relaxation of contractile responses induced by both phenylephrine and High K+. The respective maximum relaxation responses induced by ketamine following precontractions by phenylephrine and high-K+ were 76.8 ± 2.3 and 71.2 ± 8.0 (p > 0.05). Ach-induced relaxation was observed only in rings with intact endothelium whereas ketamine-induced relaxation was observed in intact as well as endothelium-denuded rings; this suggests that ketamine induced relaxation of rabbit aortic smooth muscle is independent of vascular endothelium.

Summary: Liberal fluid intake is one of the key management strategies in sickle cell anaemia (SCA) patients in steady state, but less work has been done on the desire of patients to drink water. Using the Visual Analogue Scale we studied thirst perception (TP) in 20 euhydrated SCA patients and 28 control (HbA) subjects, as well as during dehydration in 13 SCA patients and 9 HbA subjects. Serum and urine samples were collected and analyzed for Na, K ions, creatinine concentrations and haematocrit and specific gravity of urine were determined. During euhydration, TP was significantly [P<0.05] higher in male SCA patients compared to the HbA subjects. In females, TP in SCA patient was not statistically significant compared with HbA subjects. After 13 hours of dehydration, TP was significantly [P<0.05] reduced in female. While dehydration increased TP in HbA subjects, it reduced TP in SCA patients. Fluid intakes after dehydration in SCA patients were not significantly different from the control HbA subjects in both male and female. It can be concluded that female SCA patients do not have normal response to dehydration with regards to TP after a period of dehydration. Since dehydration stimulates the release of vasoactive hormones like vasopressin, this may explain why female patients are less prone to crisis than their male counterparts.

Studies on how the body senses the need to correct extracellular and intracellular volumes and ionic concentration changes is relatively scanty. The present studies were designed to determine the effect of oral distilled water (DW) and saline loads, gargling with DW and DW preload on thirst perception (TP) and drinking in euhydrate and dehydrated subjects. The subjects were healthy male volunteers between the ages of 17 and 35 years. Group A subjects were given DW or various concentrations of sodium chloride (NaCl) orally. Subjects in groups B, C and D were dehydrated for 18 hours before the experiment. Group B gargled 500ml of DW in divided volume of 50ml at five minutes interval over a period of 50 minutes. Group C gargled with DW and different concentrations of NaCl. Group D were preloaded with four volumes of DW before ad libitum DW intake. TP was rated using the Visual Analogue Scale. Results showed that in Group A, drinking DW reduced TP, suggesting that baseline TP in normal euhydrate subjects is slightly elevated. Drinking DW reduced TP more than drinking NaCl solutions. Gargling resulted in a gradual fall in TP. The decrease in TP was statistically significant after 30 minutes of gargling. Gargling with different concentrations of NaCl solutions resulted in significant reductions in TP in all the groups. There was a significant decrease in TP in the group preloaded with 1000ml of distilled water at 5 minutes of rehydration. At 20 minutes TP was abolished suggesting that approximately 1000ml of water was needed for the rehydration. These results show that baseline TP in euhydrates is elevated and that TP increases in dehydrated subjects. Gargling reduces TP, but did not abolish thirst. It is suggested that a fall in plasma osmolality due to drinking may be responsible for abolishing thirst.

Background: In Gondar University Teaching Hospital standardized tuberculosis prevention and control programme, incorporating Directly Observed Treatment, Short Course (DOTS) started in 2000. According to the proposal of World Health Organization (WHO), treatment outcome is an important indicator of tuberculosis control programs. This study investigated the outcome of tuberculosis treatment at Gondar University Teaching Hospital in Northwest Ethiopia. Methods: We analyzed the records of 4000 tuberculosis patients registered at Gondar University Teaching Hospital from September 2003 to May 2008. Treatment outcome and tuberculosis type were categorized according to the national tuberculosis control program guideline. Multivariate analysis using logistic regression model was used to analyse the association between treatment outcome and potential predictor variables. Results: From the total of 4000 patients, tuberculosis type was categorized as extrapulmonary in 1133 (28.3%), smear negative pulmonary tuberculosis in 2196 (54.9%) and smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis in 671 (16.8%) cases. Of all patients, treatment outcome was classified as successfully treated in 1181(29.5%), defaulted in 730 (18.3%), died in 403 (10.1%), treatment failed in six (0.2%) and transferred out in 1680 (42.0%) patients. Males had the trend to be more likely to experience death or default than females, and the elderly were more likely to die than younger. The proportion of default rate was increased across the years from 97(9.2%) to 228(42.9%). Being female, age group 15-24 years, smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis and being urban resident were associated with higher treatment success rate. Conclusion: The treatment success rate of tuberculosis patients was unsatisfactorily low (29.5%). A high proportion of patients died (10.1%) or defaulted (18.3%), which is a serious public health concern that needs to be addressed urgently.

Background: Intestinal parasitic infections (IPI) cause serious public health problem in Ethiopia. They are more prevalent in the poor segments of the population with low household income, poor handling of personal and environmental sanitation, over-crowding and limited access to clean water.Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence and distribution of common IPs inMetema District Hospital (MDH). Methodology: This retrospective study was undertaken in MDH from September 14, 2005 to April 21, 2008. The study subjects were those who gave stool samples for IPs investigation in the laboratory. Stool specimens were examined microscopically for the presence of protozoan, cysts and trophozoites. Results: Of the total 2592 (44.5%) had one or more intestinal parasitic infections. E. histolytica, G. lamblia, the Hookworm species, and A. lumbricoides were detected as single infection in 1435(24.8%), 694(12.0%), 215(3.7%) and 112(1.9%) of the infected study subjects, respectively. Multiple infection was found in 125 (4.8%) of the total examined. The prevalence of amoe-biasis was significantly high in infants less than 1 year and teenagers than other age groups (P<0.05).In addition, higher pro-portions of teenagers were infected by Hookworm, 46 (13.3%). Conclusion: Intestinal parasitoses, particularly protozoan infections, were highly prevalent in the study area. Periodical de-worming (once in 3 to 6 months) in addition to health education on how to practice personal hygiene, food and water sanita-tion, and the proper use of the latrine should be given to reduce the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections. Keywords: intestinal parasite, protozoan, multiple infection

Objective: Adherence of erythrocytes infected with Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) to microvascular endothelial cells (sequestration) is considered to play an important role in parasite virulence and pathogenesis. In this study, we have examined the possibility that there is altered vascular reactivity due to the direct interaction between the parasitized erythrocytes and vascular endothelial cells and that it could be tissue specific. Method: Ring preparations of blood vessels from the rabbit carotid and rat aorta were studied using standard organ bath techniques. Dose response curves for phenylephrine (PE) and acetylcholine (Ach)-induced relaxation were constructed in rings pre-contracted with PE. Results: Incubation of rat aortic rings with parasitized blood resulted in a significant (p<0.05) increase in maximum contractile response to phenylephrine in the rat aortic rings but there was no effect on the rabbit carotid artery. The dose-response curve showed a significant (p<0.05) left-ward shift following the addition of parasitized blood. Parasitised blood had no effect on baseline in both tissues. Following exposure to parasitized blood, the magnitude of Ach-induced relaxation responses reduced significantly (p<0.05) in rat aortic rings and (p<0.05) in rabbit carotid rings; relaxations to acetylcholine was more pronounced in the aortic compared to the carotid rings. Conclusions: Malaria altered vascular reactivity through an endothelium-dependent mechanism. The regulation of vascular tone by various vasoactive agents following exposure to malaria parasites might be altered in a vessel-specific manner. This may contribute to or exacerbate the abnormal haemodynamics observed in the microcirculation of numerous vascular beds in malaria.

Objective: In this study, we have examined the possibility that there is altered vascular reactivity due to the direct interaction between parasitized erythrocytes and vascular endothelial cells. Method: Ring preparations of rat aorta were studied using standard in vitro techniques, the rings were mounted in 20 ml organ baths containing PSS under an initial load of 1g, maintained at 37°C at pH 7.4 and isometric contractions were recorded electronically. Rings were allowed 90 minutes to equilibrate before the commencement of the various protocols: * Dose responses to phenylephrine (PE) and other vasoactive agents (high-K+) * Acetylcholine (Ach) – induced relaxation in phenylephrine-contracted rings (pre-contraction was induced by EC70 concentration of phenylephrine) * Ach-induced relaxation in PE-precontracted, endothelium-denuded rings * Also, relaxation responses to acetylcholine was investigated through application of a single (EC70) concentration of acetylcholine in rings exposed to blood with varying concentrations and dilutions of parasitized blood and varying durations of exposure. Results: Incubation with parasitized blood resulted in a significant increase in maximum contractile response to phenylephrine in the rat aortic rings (p < 0.05) but no effect to the base line. Analysis of the whole dose-response curve (using paired t-test) showed a significant left-ward shift following the addition of parasitized blood (p < 0.05), EC70 (M) values increasing from 7 x 10-7 to 5 x 10-6M. Following exposure to parasitized blood, the magnitude of Ach-induced relaxation responses reduced significantly from 73 ± 3.6 to 24.75 ± 7.25% in rat aortic rings (p < 0.05). Ach relaxations were significantly enhanced (p < 0.05) at 5-minute exposure; however at longer durations, Ach-relaxations were variable and inconsistent. The lesser the dilution, due to increased volume of parasitized blood, the lesser the relaxation response. Following endothelium removal, there was a marked impairment in endotheliumdependent relaxation responses to ACh in both the control and incubated vessels. Exposure to parasitized blood did not significantly alter contractile responses induced by potassium depolarization. Conclusions: This gives evidence in support of an endothelium-dependent action of malaria parasites as vascular effects of malaria parasites are mediated, at least in part, via endothelium-dependent mechanism(s).

Background: Diarrheal diseases are the major causes of morbidity and mortality in developing world. Understanding the etiologic agents of diarrheal diseases and their association with socio-demographic characteristics of patients would help to design better preventive measures. Thus, this study was aimed to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites and enteropathogenic bacteria in diarrheic patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 384 consecutive diarrheal patients who visited Gondar teaching hospital, Gondar, Ethiopia from October 2006 to March 2007 was conducted. Stool specimens were collected and examined for intestinal parasites and enteropathogenic bacteria following standard parasitological and microbiological procedures. Results: Intestinal parasites were diagnosed in 36.5% of the patients. The most frequently encountered protozoan parasite was Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (7.3%) followed by Giardia lamblia (5.0%), Cryptosporidium parvum (1.8%) and Isospora belli (1.3%). The dominant helminthic parasite identified was Ascaris lumbricoides (5.5%) followed by Strongyloides stercoralis and Schistosoma mansoni (3.1% each), hookworm infection (1.8%), and Hymenolepis species (1.3%). Multiple infections of intestinal parasites were also observed in 6.3% of the patients. Among the enteropathogenic bacteria Shigella and Salmonella species were isolated from 15.6% and 1.6%, respectively, of the patients. Escherichia coli O57:H7 was not found in any of the stool samples tested. Eighty eight percent and 83.3% of the Shigella and Salmonella isolates were resistant to one or more commonly used antibiotics, respectively. Intestinal parasitosis was higher in patients who live in rural area, in patients who were washing their hands after visiting toilet either irregularly with soap and without soap or not at all, in patients who used well and spring water for household consumption, and in patients who had nausea (P < 0.05). Statistically significant associations were also observed between Shigella infections and patients who were using well and spring water for household consumption, and patients who had dysentery and mucoid stool (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The high prevalence of intestinal parasites and Shigella species in diarrheic patients calls for institution of appropriate public health intervention measures to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with these diseases. The rational use of antibiotics should also be practiced. Keywords: Intestinal parasitosis, Shigellosis, Gondar

Objective: Malaria causes more deaths worldwide than anyother parasitic disease. Many aspects of the biology that governs the pathogenesis of this parasite are still unclear. Therefore insight into the complexity of the pathogenesis of malaria is vital to understand the disease, particularly as it relates to blood pressure. Methods: In vivo and in vitro experimental models were used for this study. In the in vivo study, mean arterial pressure, pulse rates and heart rates were recorded by cannulation of the carotid artery of rats. In the in vitro study, ring preparations of blood vessels from the rat aorta were studied using standard organ bath techniques. Dose–response curves for phenylepherine (PE)- and acetylcholine (Ach)-induced relaxation were constructed for rings pre-contracted with PE. Results: Our results showed a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in the mean arterial pressure and pulse rates, while the heart rates remained unaltered in rats with malaria parasites, compared with the controls. Incubation of rat aortic rings with parasitised blood resulted in a significant (p < 0.05) increase in maximum contractile response to phenylephrine in the rat aortic rings but there was no effect on the baseline. The dose–response curve showed a significant (p < 0.05) leftward shift following the addition of parasitised blood and the EC70 (M) values increased from 7 × 10-7 to 5 × 10-6 M. Following exposure to parasitised blood, the magnitude of Ach-induced relaxation responses reduced significantly (p < 0.05) from 73 ± 3.6 to 24.75 ± 7.25% in the rat aortic rings. Conclusions: The results suggest that malaria parasitaemia caused in vivo reduction in blood pressure, and enhanced the responses to contractile agents and reduced relaxation responses to acetylcholine in vitro. This appears to be a paradox but is explainable by the complex cardiovascular control mechanisms in vivo. This may be independent of direct action on vascular smooth muscle.

BACKGROUND: Recently, not only the medical school curriculum but also medical students’ attitude towards cadaver-based learning of anatomy has changed. This investigation is therefore designed to analyse students’ attitudes towards human cadaveric dissection before and after exposure to dissection. METHODS: A longitudinal survey was conducted among second year medical students in 2010 at the college of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar. All second year medical students (n=147) were included in the study where their attitudes were surveyed at three time points (one week prior to dissection session, a week after the initiation of dissection and eight weeks after the second survey). Three standardized and pretested questionnaires prepared in English were used to collected relevant data from the subjects. RESULTS: Out of the 147 students 85.7% were males. The subjects’ age ranged between 18 and 23 with a mean and standard deviation of 19.5+1 years. This study has revealed that among majority of the students fear and nausea have decreased while their interest and excitement has increased on subsequent exposure to dissection (P<0.05). About 75% of students considered the dissection room as slightly or highly stressful. Smell of the cadaver and eye irritation as a result of the chemicals in it were the major aspects identified as making the dissecting room stressful. The result also showed that almost all (99%) considered cadaver dissection had very important educational value for anatomy learning. CONCLUSION: In the majority of the students fear and nausea had decreased while interest and excitement had increased on subsequent exposure to dissection. It also showed that chemical odour and eye irritations were the leading factors which create discomfort in the dissection room even though anatomical dissection by itself was not considered as a stressor. Thus, instructors are recommended to adequately prepare students mentally and emotionally before the commencement of the dissection session for an exciting and stress free anatomy learning though dissection. KEYWORDS: Cadaver, dissection, attitude, Ethiopia

Previous studies on low blood pressure in patients with homozygous sickle cell disease (SCD) have sought various hypotheses on the mechanism of their low blood pressure. However, these studies have not compared the role of the single inheritance of the s-gene in the variations in blood pressures as well as relating the blood pressures in different haemoglobin (HB) genotypes to each other. Blood pressures in 20 steady and crisis states SCD patients respectively with 40 apparently healthy heterozygous HB AS and HB AA genotype (age and sex –matched). They were aged between 20 and 40 years. Results showed a significantly (p<0.05) lower blood pressure (systolic and diastolic) in SCD in stable (but not in crisis) state compared with the normal controls. The systolic blood pressures in control (HB AA) and SCD patients were 125.33 ± 2.25 versus 115.25 ± 2.9 (stable state); 125.33 ± 2.25 versus 124.83 ± 2.88 (crisis state, p>0.05), 82.33 ± 1.2 versus 72.25 ± 1.81 (stable state, p<0.05) and 82.33 ± 1.2 versus 99.5 ± 5.81 (crisis state, p<0.05). Also, HB AS subjects exhibited significantly higher diastolic pressure than HB AA and HB SS subjects during crisis. In conclusion, this study shows that systolic and diastolic blood pressures are lower in SCA patients in stable state (compared with control, HB AA subjects) but are relatively higher during crisis while diastolic blood pressure is significantly higher in HB AS than HB AA and HB SS subjects in crisis. Further work needs to be done to determine the mechanism for this variation.

There is a paucity of information concerning the variability of Na+-K+-ATPase activity in various vascular preparations. In this study, we have investigated, comparatively, K+-induced relaxation in different vascular tissues, to establish the heterogeneity of the activity of this enzyme. Isometric contractions of ring preparations of porcine tail artery and rat aorta as well as longitudinal strips of rat portal vein, mounted in 20ml organ baths were studied, under an initial load of 1g, at 37oCand pH of 7.4. The protocols examined were: Contractile responses to phenylephrine, 80mM K+ and K+-free exposure as well as relaxation responses to K+ following exposure to K+-free PSS. Phenylephrine, 80mM K+ and K+-free exposure elicited contractile responses in all tissue preparations. Following 30 minutes exposure to K+-free PSS and pre-contraction induced by EC70 (M) concentration of phenylephrine, addition of 5mM K+ elicited relaxation responses only in rat aortic rings and rat portal vein strips. Rings from Porcine tail artery failed to relax to K+ in all experiments. The magnitude of K+-induced relaxation was in the order: Rat Portal Vein > Rat Aorta. The times-to-peak of K+-free-induced contractile responses were 2.0 ± 0.0, 3.5 ± 0.5 and 6.25 ± 3.13 minutes for rat portal vein (n=6), rat aorta (n=6) and porcine tail artery (n=6), respectively. The magnitudes of relaxation in response to 5mM K+ for rat portal vein and rat aorta were 86.5 ± 16.75 and 60.00 ± 10.0%, respectively while the respective durations of K+-induced relaxation were: 30 ± 0 and 180 ± 22 seconds (n=6). The results suggest considerable heterogeneity in the activity of Na+-K+-ATPase enzyme in vascular smooth muscles from the rat portal vein, rat aorta and porcine tail artery.

ABSTRACT Coagulation profile(prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time( APTT) are screening test for Haemostasis. 40 patients consisting of male and female, undergoing surgery at National Hospital Abuja were recruited for this research work, and were screened for PT and APTT. The result shows an increase in the value PT and APTT at one hour of sample collection among the study subjects and decrease in the subsequent hours to the normal value. The result shows an increase in the male compared to the female one even though the increase was not significant, this could raise a concern of a bleeding disorder, severe deficies of factor XII, and factor VII activity and fibrinolysis. This work is aim at determining the activity of coagulation profiles of older people who are undergoing surgery and it consequences.

In this study, we investigated the effects of ethanolic leaf extract of Senna fistula on the histopathology of the testicles of alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Adult male Wistar rats were randomly assigned into 5 groups (n=7); Groups A and B served as Normal control [normal saline] and diabetic control (untreated). Groups C, D, and E served as the Diabetic treated groups receiving 5mg/Kg glibenclamide, 100mg/Kg Senna fistula and 200mg/Kg Senna fistula respectively. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 100 mg/kg Alloxan monohydrate. Treatment lasted for 28 days after which animals were sacrificed. Haematoxylin and eosin were employed for the histological examination of the testes, while tissue homogenates were assayed for testosterone, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) levels. The examination of the testicles of diabetic rats revealed reduction in diameters, thickening in the wall, and degenerative changes in the seminiferous tubules in addition to reduction in the number of spermatogenic cells which were ameliorated in the treated groups. Activities of testosterone, SOD and GPx were significantly increased in the treated groups when compared with the diabetic untreated group. Extract of Senna fistula ameliorates the oxidative stress-induced degenerative changes in the testis of alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Key words: Diabetes, Senna fistula, histopathology, oxidative stress, testosterone

Azathioprine is a purine analogue immunosuppressive drug used to prevent organ rejection following organ transplantation and to treat a vast array of autoimmune diseases. In this work, we studied the effects of ascorbic acid on immunosuppressive drug-azathioprine-induced alterations in the liver and kidney of adult male Wistar rats. Thirty Rats with mean weight 210±2.65 g were randomly assigned into four-treatment and control groups [n=6]. The rats in the treated groups II and IV received 10 and 20 mg/kg/bwt of azathioprine, rats in the treated groups III and V received 10 and 20 of AZA in combination with 25 mg/kg/Bwt and 50 mg/kg/Bwt of ascorbic acid respectively, while rats in control group received normal saline orally for 21 days. After the expiration of the drug administration, rats were sacrificed; the liver and kidney were excised and fixed in Haematoxylin and Eosin for histological examinations. The tissue homogenate were assayed for activities of SOD and GPx, while the plasma was assayed for levels of ALT, AST, Urea and Creatinine. The histological findings of liver and kidney sections indicated that there were cyto-architectural distortions in the treated animals compared with the control animal. The treated groups show significant [p<0.05] decrease in homogenate SOD and GPx, however, plasma ALT, AST, Urea and Creatinine level significantly increased [p<0.05] in the treated animals compared with the control animals. Ascorbic acid could not ameliorate the untoward degenerative changes in the liver and kidney of azathioprine-induced alterations. Keywords: azathioprine, ascorbic acid, liver, kidney, oxidative stress

Propolis is used by the Fulani Nomads in Nigeria to manage diabetes. This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of Nigerian propolis on hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress and hyperlipidemia in diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced with Alloxan (100mg/Kg). Animals were divided into 6 groups (n=5); Grp. A & B were non-diabetic receiving normal saline and 200mg/Kg propolis respectively. Grp. C, D, E, & F were diabetic receiving normal saline, 150mg/Kg metformin, 200mg/Kg propolis, and 300mg/Kg propolis respectively for 28 days. Hyperglycemia, elevated serum levels of low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), Very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine transferase (ALT), urea, malonaldehyde (MDA) and decreased levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione (GSH) were observed in the diabetic untreated animals. Diabetes had no effect on serum creatinine level. Propolis decreased blood glucose level and serum levels of LDL-C, TC, and elevated HDL-C. AST, ALT, and urea levels decreased. MDA level decreased with increase in SOD and GSH levels. These changes were significant (P<0.05). Propolis of Nigerian origin possesses hypoglycemic and antihyperlipidemic activities in addition to its ability to ameliorate oxidative-stress induced organ dysfunction. Key words: Nigerian propolis, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, oxidative stress.

We have previously reported raised resting diastolic blood pressure (BP) in subjects with single S-gene inheritance – although the mechanism was unclear. The goal of this study was to characterize, in vitro, the modulatory role of erythrocyte components from subjects with different Hemoglobin (Hb) genotypes on contractile responses induced by phenylephrine (PE) in isolated rabbit carotid arterial smooth muscle. Carotid arteries were isolated from rabbits and cut into 2mm rings, suspended in 20ml organ baths and bubbled with 95% O2, 5% CO2 and isometric contractions examined under an initial load of 1g, at 37oC and pH 7.4. Contractile responses to EC70 (M) PE in arterial rings exposed to various erythrocyte components obtained from subjects of different Hb genotypes (AA, AS and SS) were examined in control rings as well as in rings exposed for 30 minutes to (a) intact washed erythrocytes (b) erythrocyte ghosts and (c) haemoglobin solution. Arterial rings were exposed to 50μl of each of the erythrocyte constituents at an adjusted haematocrit of 0.6. The magnitudes of the PE-induced contractions with intact erythrocytes were: 1180±202, 1700±260 and 900±302 for Hb AA, Hb AS and Hb SS respectively (n=13); these values were significantly increased following exposure to various erythrocyte components in the order: RBC> HB > Ghost (P<0.05, respectively). There were no significant differences in PE contractions following exposure to intact erythrocytes and ghosts from subjects with different Hb genotypes; however, exposure to haemoglobin solution significantly enhanced PE contractions in Hb AS subjects than in Hb AA and Hb SS (P<0.05 respectively). In conclusion, we reason that the haemoglobin content of Hb AS erythrocytes may be responsible for the enhanced contractile responses to PE and may explain in part, why diastolic BP values remain high in Hb AS subjects.

There are conflicting reports concerning vascular reactivity changes in sickle cell anaemia (SCA). The goal of the present study was to examine possible interactions between components of sickle erythrocytes and the vascular endothelium, that may alter vascular reactivity in isolated rabbit carotid arteries. Endothelium-dependent acetylcholine (Ach)- induced relaxation responses (following phenylephrine pre-contractions) were examined in control rabbit carotid artery rings as well as in rings exposed for 30 min to various erythrocyte components obtained from subjects of different Haemoglobin (Hb) genotypes (AA, AS and SS), under standard organ bath conditions: 2 mm rings suspended in 20ml organ baths containing physiological salt solution (PSS) bubbled with 95% O2, 5% CO2, at 37oC and pH 7.4 and isometric contractions measured, under an initial load of 2g. Arterial rings were exposed to 50µl of each of the erythrocyte constituents at an adjusted haematocrit of 0.6. Intact Erythrocytes of Hb AA and SS had no effect on Ach relaxation while AS erythrocytes caused a significant inhibition (P<0.05) by 25%. Exposure to Hb solutions from Hb AA and AS subjects had no inhibitory effect on Ach relaxation whereas a 30% inhibition occurred in Hb SS. Erythrocyte ghosts produced no inhibition with Hb AA, AS and SS. We propose that the haemoglobin content of Hb SS appears likely to be associated with an enhanced inhibition of endothelial function in Hb SS subjects and may predispose more cardiovascular complications especially during haemolytic crisis in SCA.

Back ground: Infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis(IHPS) is a common infantile disorder characterized by enlarged pyloric musculature and gastric outlet obstruction(1). IHPS typically presents with progressive projectile non-bilious vomiting this usually commences between second and eighth week of age. To date there is only one article written 23 years ago about IHPS in Ethiopia (9). The objectives of this study were to determine the incidence of IHPS at the Tikur Anbessa teaching referral hospital (TAH) over a period of 2 years, analyze the clinical presentations, mode of treatment and outcomes of treatment. Methods: In this retrospective analysis, medical records of patients admitted to TAH, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with a diagnosis of IHPS in the years 2011 and 2012 were revised; information on age, sex, birth order, clinical presentation, treatment and outcomes of treatment were collected and analyzed. Results: Sixty one infants with a diagnosis of IHPS were admitted to TAH, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia over a period of 2 years (2011-2012). The clinical records of 55 infants were retrieved and analyzed. The prevalence was 12.9/1000 admissions. The male to female ratio was 6.86:1. The mean age at admission was 44.47days. The mean duration of illness was 26.91 days. A palpable mass was found in 14(25.5%) of infants and constipation is reported in 14(25.5%). The treatment was Ramstedt’s pyloromyotomy in all cases. There were 6 (10.9%) intra-operative mucosal perforation. Eight patients developed postoperative complications - 6(10.9%) wound infections, and 2(3.8%) pneumonia. Two patients died. Conclusions: This study has shown that IHPS is a common condition affecting infants with a prevalence of 12.9/1000 admissions. There was prolonged duration of illness, prolonged preoperative hospital stay and high proportion of dehydration and electrolyte disturbance. To avoid delay in diagnosis physicians should have high index of suspicion in infants with non-bilious vomiting.