Cardiometabolic Disorder and Erectile Dysfunction.

Erectile dysfunction (ED), which is defined as the inability to attain and maintain a satisfactory penile erection to sufficiently permit sexual intercourse, is a consequence and also a cause of cardiometabolic disorders like diabetes mellitus, systemic hypertension, central obesity, and dyslipidemia. Although there are mounting and convincing pieces of evidence in the literature linking ED and cardiometabolic disorders, impairment of nitric oxide-dependent vasodilatation seems to be the primary signaling pathway. Studies have also implicated the suppression of circulating testosterone, increased endothelin-1, and hyperactivation of Ang II/ATIr in the pathogenesis of ED and cardiometabolic disorders.

Correction: A Randomized Controlled Trial to Examine the Relationship Between Peer Mentoring for Physical Activity and Cardiometabolic Health.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.5334/joc.1268.

Awareness and Attitudes of Secondary School Students about Physiology Discipline in Southwest Region, Nigeria.

Physiology remains one of the core disciplines on which all biological and medical sciences were founded. In Nigeria, it is known that most students study Physiology at the undergraduate level by chance and not by choice and end up performing poorly, which could be mainly due to low awareness and knowledge of the discipline, its opportunities, and prospects. Therefore, this study investigated the awareness, attitude, and knowledge about physiology among senior secondary school students in Southwest Nigeria.

Acetate attenuates cyclophosphamide-induced cardiac injury via inhibition of NF-kB signaling and suppression of caspase 3-dependent apoptosis in Wistar rats.

Aim: The goal of the current study was to examine the potential therapeutic effects of sodium acetate on cardiac toxicities caused by cyclophosphamide in Wistar rats. The possible involvement of NF-kB/caspase 3 signaling was also explored.

Main Methods: Thirty-two male Wistar rats were divided into four groups at random.

A Randomized Controlled Trial to Examine the Relationship Between Peer Mentoring for Physical Activity and Cardiometabolic Health.

Background: Studies examining the effect of peer mentoring on physical activity levels have been conducted in mostly elderly and young populations, and the results have been inconsistent. This study examined the impact of one-on-one peer mentoring on physical activity and cardiometabolic parameters in urban adults.

Methods: The study participants were 353 overweight or obese adults residing in Abuja, Nigeria.

Sodium acetate ameliorates doxorubicin-induced cardiac injury via upregulation of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling and downregulation of NFkB-mediated apoptotic signaling in Wistar rats.

Despite the effectiveness of doxorubicin (DOX) in the management of a wide range of cancers, a major challenge is its cardio-toxic effect. Oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis are major pathways for the cardiotoxic effect of DOX. On the other hand, acetate reportedly exerts antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic activities.

Zinc protects against lead-induced testicular damage via modulation of steroidogenic and xanthine oxidase/uric acid/caspase 3-mediated apoptotic signaling in male Wistar rats.

Aim: This study evaluated the effect of lead, with or without zinc co-administration, on steroidogenic and xanthine oxidase (XO)/uric acid (UA)/caspase 3-mediated apoptotic signaling in the testis.

Materials And Methods: Forty male Wistar rats were divided into four groups at random; vehicle-treated control, zinc-treated, lead-treated, and lead + zinc-treated groups.

Results: Lead exposure significantly lowered overall weight gain, testicular, epididymal, seminal vesicle, and prostate weights.

Zinc improves sexual performance and erectile function by preventing penile oxidative injury and upregulating circulating testosterone in lead-exposed rats.

Aim: The present study evaluated the effect of lead exposure with and without zinc therapy on male sexual and erectile function.

Methods: Twenty male Wistar rats were randomly assigned into four groups; the control, zinc-treated, lead-exposed, lead + zinc-treated groups. Administrations were per os daily for 28 days.

Buchholzia coriacea seed induce antifertility by interfering with steroidogenic enzymes and inflammatory cytokines in rat testis.

Buchholzia coriacea has been reported to possess antifertility activities but little is known of the mechanisms responsible. This study was therefore designed to examine the mechanism responsible for the action of Buchholzia coriacea. Eighteen male Wistar rats (180-200 g) were used for this study.

Atorvastatin-mediated downregulation of VCAM-1 and XO/UA/caspase 3 signaling averts oxidative damage and apoptosis induced by ovarian ischaemia/reperfusion injury.

Background: Oxidative damage is critical in the pathogenesis of ovarian ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury, and statins have been reported to exert antioxidant activity. However, the role of VCAM-1 and xanthine oxidase (XO)/uric acid (UA) in ovarian I/R injury is not known. Also, whether or not atorvastatin exerts antioxidant activity like other statins is unclear.

Impact of COVID 19 on erectile function.

COVID-19, a novel infection, presented with several complications, including socioeconomical and reproductive health challenges such as erectile dysfunction (ED). The present review summarizes the available shreds of evidence on the impact of COVID-19 on ED. All published peer-reviewed articles from the onset of the COVID-19 outbreak to date, relating to ED, were reviewed.

Lead nitrate toxicity: its effects on hepatic extracellular matrix fibers, filamentous cytoskeleton and the mitigative potentials of extract.

In this study, the effect of orally administered methanolic extract of stem bark (MLSB) was tested for its efficacy to reverse lead nitrate-induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats. Thirty-six female rats were assigned into six groups (n = 6). Rats in group I received 2.

Morinda lucida stem bark reversed the pattern and extent of lead nitrate-induced liver injury in Wistar rats.

Lead toxicity remains one of the most important occupational and environmental health problems with characteristic features that are incompatible with life. Considering the foregoing, we investigated the ameliorative potentials of Morinda lucida stem bark (MLSB) extract on lead nitrate-induced hepatic injury with particular emphasis on its effects on the pattern and extent of lead nitrate toxicity. Thirty-six adult Wistar rats were randomly assigned into six groups (n=6).

Glutamine prevents upregulation of NF-kB signaling and caspase 3 activation in ischaemia/reperfusion-induced testicular damage: An animal model.

Aim: Testicular ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is a major consequence of testicular torsion with possible attendant risk of male infertility. Glutamine, on the other hand, is a known antioxidant with anti-inflammatory potential. The present study evaluated whether or not glutamine would improve I/R-induced testicular injury in torsion/detorsion (T/D).

Characterization of a New and Efficient Polyvalent Phage Infecting O157:H7, spp., and .

Ongoing outbreaks of foodborne diseases remain a significant public health concern. Lytic phages provide promising attributes as biocontrol agents. This study characterized KFS-EC3, a polyvalent and lytic phage, which was isolated from slaughterhouse sewage and purified by cesium chloride density centrifugation.

The relationship between the neighborhood built and social environment and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: A scoping review.

Background: Theory and limited empirical research suggest that the neighborhood environment influences maternal health outcomes. The goal of this scoping review is to summarize extant research considering the impact of the built and social environment of resident neighborhood on hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) globally.

Methods: We performed a systematic search of the literature using four databases, PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, and Embase on July 15, 2020.

Hibiscus sabdariffa renews pancreatic β-cells in experimental type 1 diabetic model rats.

This study evaluated the antidiabetic potentials of flavonoid-rich aqueous fraction of methanolic extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa calyx (HSCE) on the pancreatic β-cells of experimental type I diabetic model rats. Type 1 diabetes mellitus was induced in Wistar rats by a single intraperitoneal injection of 80mg/kg b/w streptozotocin (STZ) dissolved in 0.1M citrate buffer (pH 6.

Curcuma longa extracts suppress pathophysiology of experimental hepatic parenchymal cell necrosis.

The study sought to investigate the protective potentials of Curcuma longa rhizome following potassium bromate-induced liver injury in Wistar rats. Thirty-five male Wistar rats were divided into 7 groups of 5 rats each (n = 5). Control group received normal saline while the other groups received oral administration of 100 mg/kg potassium bromate daily for two weeks to induce hepatic injury.

Ethanol extract of Curcuma longa rhizome mitigates potassium bromate-induced liver changes in the Wistar rat: Histological, histochemical and immunohistochemical assessments.

The effects of Curcuma longa rhizome on hepatic cells, glycogen, connective tissue fibres and filamentous cytoskeleton were evaluated following KBrO-induced liver injury in Wistar rats. Thirty-five male rats were randomly divided into seven groups (n=5). Group 1 were normal saline treated rats.

Testosterone and testicular changes in F1 offspring of Wistar rats maternally exposed to nicotine during gestation.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the effect of intrauterine exposure to nicotine in the first fourteen days of gestation on the testicular function of male Wistar rats.

Methods: Pups of both control and nicotine-treated groups were selected and sacrificed on day 60 after birth. Birth weight, weight of reproductive organs, hormonal profile, and histopathology were determined in the first filial (F1) generation.

Nicotine alters progesterone and estradiol levels during the first trimester of pregnancy in Wistar rats.

Objective: This study was designed to investigate the effect of nicotine on serum progesterone and estradiol levels as possible cause of abortion during first trimester of gestation in female Wistar rats.

Methods: Fourteen female rats with regular estrous cycles in the same phase of cycle were divided into two groups (Control and Nicotine-treated) with each group receiving 1ml of distilled water and 1mg/kg of nicotine respectively for the first seven days of pregnancy (GD1-7). The animals were sacrificed on the 8th day and blood samples were collected for hormonal analyses.

Fatty Acid Composition of Dried Fruits of Sclerocarya birrea, Diospyros blancoi and Landolphia kirkii.

Wild fruits are commonly consumed in the rural communities of South Africa. The information on their nutritionally important fatty acids is, however, limited. Three wild fruit species, , and from Limpopo Province were selected for evaluation of fatty acid content.

A Mixed-Methods Study on Acceptability, Tolerability, and Substitution of Brown Rice for White Rice to Lower Blood Glucose Levels among Nigerian Adults.

Background: Whole-grain products such as brown rice have been associated with lower risk of metabolic disorders including diabetes. We examined the acceptability and tolerability of substituting brown rice for white rice and the feasibility of introducing brown rice into the diet through a long-term trial to lower the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Methods: Fifty-one adults residing in Abuja, Nigeria, participated in this study.

ISOLATION, CHARACTERIZATION AND IMMUNOCHEMICAL STUDIES ON FIBROUS PROTEINS FROM COWRY SHELL , LINNAEUS).

Background: Biomaterials are non-drug substances used to treat, enhance or replace functions of body tissues or organs. Natural sources of biomaterials have recently become the focus of several research activities. Cowry shell constitutes one of the most promising natural sources of biomaterials because of its chemical stability, biodegradability and biocompatibility in the body.

Protective effects of Vitex doniana (Black plum) against ischemic testes torsion injury: Histological and morphometric features.

We evaluated the effects of Vitex doniana leaves on testes histology and morphometry in Wistar rats following testicular torsion. Thirty male Wistar rats (120-160g) were randomly assigned into six groups (n=5). Surgical procedures were performed under ketamine anaesthesia (5mg/kg i.