Vitamin D and associated factors, among pregnant women in southeastern Nigeria.

In this prospective study on vitamin D and its associated factors conducted on 256 pregnant women from Anambra state of southeastern Nigeria, Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) occurred in 36 (14.1%). Vitamin D levels were significantly associated with parity, gestational age, social class, place of abode, skin colour, workplace location, and compliance to ANC drugs.

The effects of highly active antiretroviral therapy on the serum levels of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in HIV infected subjects.

Background: Cytokines play an important role in controlling the homeostasis of the immune system and infection with Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) leads to deregulated production of both pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. This study was designed to determine the effects of HIV and Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) on the levels of pro-and anti-inflammatory cytokines in HIV infected subjects.

Method: A total of 50 HIV infected and 50 HIV seronegative control participants were recruited for the study.

Impact of thyroid function abnormalities on reproductive hormones during menstrual cycle in premenopausal HIV infected females at NAUTH, Nnewi, Nigeria.

Background: This was a prospective study designed to evaluate the impact of thyroid function abnormalities on reproductive hormones during menstrual cycle in HIV infected females at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi, South-East Nigeria.

Methods: The study randomly recruited 35 Symptomatic HIV infected females and 35 Symptomatic HIV infected females on antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for not less than six weeks from an HIV clinic and 40 apparently heathy control females among the hospital staff of NAUTH Nnewi. They were all premenopausal females with regular menstrual cycle and aged between 15-45 years.

Evaluation of antioxidant status of female diabetic patients in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Anambra State, Nigeria.

Diabetes mellitus has become an onerous disease to developing countries such as Nigeria. Rapid acceptance of urbanisation and sedentary life styles pose an encumbrance to its prevention and management. Increased oxidative stress in diabetes mellitus has been implicated as a culprit in perpetuating antioxidant depletion and diabetic complications in diabetes mellitus individuals.

Lipid and Some Other Cardiovascular Risk Factors Assessment in a Rural Community in Eastern Nigeria.

Background: Continuous re-evaluation of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors (cardiovascular diseases [CVDs]) in developing nations is imperative as it lays foundation for early preventive/intervention measures at grass root level to improve/prevent CVD morbidity and mortality in those nations where health indices still score below the standard.

Aim: The aim was to assess CVD risk factors as a continuous re-evaluation of these may underscore the need for early intervention measures at grass root level.

Subjects And Methods: A total of 257 apparently healthy inhabitants aged 18-85 years were recruited in a rural community in South Eastern Nigeria by convenient sampling.