Evaluating the impact of neurosurgical rotation experience in Africa on the interest and perception of medical students towards a career in neurosurgery: a protocol for a continental, cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Africa has the second highest neurosurgical workforce deficit globally. Despite the many recent advancements in increasing neurosurgical access in Africa, published reports have shown that the vast majority of undergraduate students have little or no exposure to neurosurgery. The lack of exposure may pose a challenge in reducing the neurosurgical workforce deficit, which is one of the long-term strategies of tackling the unmet burden of disease.

Evaluating the Impact of Neurosurgical Rotation Experience in Africa on the Interest and Perception of Medical Students Towards a Career in Neurosurgery: A Continental, Multi-Centre, Cross-Sectional Study.

Objective: Africa has the second highest neurosurgical workforce deficit globally and many medical students in Africa lack exposure to the field. This study aims to assess the impact of a neurosurgical rotation during medical school in shaping the perception and interest of students toward a career in neurosurgery.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Stroke mimics which complicate the clinical management of 'stroke patients'.

Not all patients presenting as 'stroke patients' have cerebrovascular disease, as some conditions mimic stroke clinically. A significant degree of misdiagnosis of stroke has been documented. Clinical presentation of patients with stroke mimics can confound emergency care physicians and lead to significant morbidity and mortality for the patient, if unrecognised.

Management of ischaemic stroke: the role of the neurosurgeon.

Background: Neurosurgeons are often not involved in the management of patients with stroke in Nigeria.

Objective: To discuss the role of neurosurgeons in the management of ischaemic stroke.

Methods: We looked at the contributions that a neurosurgeon may be able to make in the care of the patient with an ischaemic stroke.

Pharmacological effects of Synclisia scabrida alkaloid B on some isolated muscle preparations.

Alkaloid B reversibly blocked the responses of rat diaphragm to electrically induced stimulations via the phrenic nerve. The alkaloid had no effect on the responses of the diaphragm elicited by direct electrical stimulation. The responses of frog rectus abdominis muscle to acetylcholine were inhibited by alkaloid B.