Leptin Concentrations in Non-Obese and Obese Non-Diabetes Nigerian-Africans.

Background: Controversial findings exist on the role of leptin in obesity and its correlation with metabolic variables, with few data emanating from Nigerian-Africans. Plasma leptin was therefore determined in obese and non-obese. Its relationship with obesity indices and metabolic variables were further envisaged.

Leptin concentrations in type 2 diabetes and non-diabetes Nigerian-Africans.

Most studies on leptin in diabetes mellitus (DM) compared to healthy controls were done in Caucasians, with conflicting findings. Paucity of data on this exists in Nigerian-Africans. Therefore, the study determined plasma leptin concentrations in newly diagnosed type-2 diabetes versus controls and its relation to obesity/demographic-metabolic indices.

Cardiovascular risk factors in adult general out-patient clinics in Nigeria: a country analysis of the Africa and Middle East Cardiovascular Epidemiological (ACE) study.

Background: With globalization and rapid urbanization, demographic and epidemiologic transitions have become important determinants for the emergence of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of CVD risk factors in adult out-patients attending general practice and non-specialist clinics in urban and rural Nigeria.

Methods: As part of the Africa and Middle East Cardiovascular Epidemiological (ACE) study, a cross-sectional epidemiologic study was undertaken for the presence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, obesity, smoking and abdominal obesity in Nigeria.

Cerebral atrophy and dementia in type 2 diabetes mellitus: report of two cases and review of literature.

A report of two cases of cerebral atrophy and dementia possibly arising as a result of poor control of type 2 Diabetes Mellitus are presented The two elderly patients presented to the old age Psychiatric clinic with history of impairment in memory and changes in personality. They had a history of long standing poorly controlled diabetes mellitus. They were assessed using psychometric instruments, laboratory investigation and neuro-imaging.

Clinical presentation and outcome of toxoplasma encephalitis in HIV-infected patients from Zaria, Northern Nigeria: a case series of 9 patients.

Toxoplasma encephalitis (TE) is the most common cause of focal deficits in patients living with HIV/AIDS. Among 257 HIV-infected adult patients seen between January 2006 and December 2010 in a tertiary hospital in Zaria, northern Nigeria, 9 (3.5%) patients had clinical, serological, and brain imaging evidence of TE.

Seroprevalence of IgM and IgG antibodies to Toxoplasma infection in healthy and HIV-positive adults from Northern Nigeria.

Introduction: We examined the seroprevalence of toxoplasma infection in HIV-negative and -positive adults from Zaria, Northern Nigeria, and assessed its relationship with demographic, clinical, and immunological findings.

Methodology: In a six-month cross-sectional study undertaken in 2008, sera of 219 adults, including 111 consecutive HIV-infected adults and 108 healthy HIV-negative adult volunteers from Zaria, Northern Nigeria, were examined for IgG and IgM antibodies to toxoplasma by ELISA. Clinical characteristics of the HIV-infected patients were documented.

Smoking prevention and cessation in the Africa and Middle East region: a consensus draft guideline for healthcare providers--executive summary.

Despite the abundance of scientific evidence confirming the health consequences of smoking and other forms of tobacco use, the tobacco epidemic remains an important public health problem and by 2030 it is predicted that more than 80% of tobacco deaths will be in developing countries. In Africa and the Middle East, many local factors contribute to the initiation and maintenance of tobacco use. Although efforts to reduce the mortality and morbidity associated with smoking and tobacco dependence are underway, there is a need for guidance on how to utilize appropriate tobacco control policies and psychology- and pharmacology-based therapies to counter tobacco dependence as recommended by the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).

Serum sialic acid levels in Vibrio cholera serotype Hikojima infected Nigerian patients.

Background And Aims: Vibro cholera neuraminidase is known to cleave sialic acid in the gut to expose receptors for cholera enterotoxin. This study determined if cholera neuraminidase crosses significantly into the circulation of patients with cholera to cause cleavage of sialic acid on circulating blood cells.

Methods: Systemic cholera neuraminidase activity was determined by measuring serum sialic acid levels (thiobarbituric method) in 20 consecutive adult cholera patients (12 females, 8 males) with severe diarrhea before rehydration was commenced at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria.

Human Herpesvirus 8 Infections and AIDS-Associated Kaposi Sarcoma in Zaria, Northern Nigeria.

Background/objectives: Studies on human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8) infection in patients with AIDS-associated Kaposi sarcoma (AIDS-KS), from Nigeria are lacking. We examined the seroprevalence of HHV8 infection in patients with AIDS-KS presenting to Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria, Nigeria, and also described their clinical presentation.

Methods: A total of 20 (11 males and 9 females) histologically confirmed adults with AIDS-KS were recruited consecutively in 2007.

Pattern of serum cytokine expression and T-cell subsets in sickle cell disease patients in vaso-occlusive crisis.

The pathogenesis of sickle vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) in sickle cell disease (SCD) patients involves the accumulation of rigid sickle cells and the stimulation of an ongoing inflammatory response, as well as the stress of infections. The immune response, via cytokine imbalances and deregulated T-cell subsets, also has been proposed to contribute to the development of VOC. In this study, a panel of high-sensitivity cytokine kits was used to investigate cytokines in the sera of SCD patients in VOC.

Genital tuberculosis presenting as pyrexia of undetermined origin.

A case of Genital tuberculosis in a female patient is presented. The key presenting features in this lady were chronic weight loss, colicky lower abdominal pains, fever, and amenorrhea. The fact that tuberculosis is still very much around and could present in unpredictable ways is emphasised.

Left ventricular function in type 2 diabetes patients without cardiac symptoms in Zaria, Nigeria.

Fifty type 2 diabetes patients (25 of them being hypertensive) who had no cardiac symptoms had their left ventricular function assessed. There were 24 female and 26 male diabetes patients evaluated, along with a control group of 50 healthy subjects. The patients and controls underwent full clinical evaluation, which included physical examination, blood biochemistry (urea and electrolyte; creatinine, creatinine clearance; fasting blood and two-hour postprandial glucose levels, lipid profile), electrocardiograph, chest radiograph, and echocardiograph.