CHOOL OF BASIC MEDICAL SCIENCES, COLLEGE OF MEDICAL SCIENCES

The increasing reliance on diagnostic radiography in modern medicine has made patient safety a critical component of healthcare delivery. Among the essential radiation protection measures
employed during X-ray procedures are lead aprons and gonad shields, which serve to limit exposure to ionizing radiation, particularly to radiosensitive organs. The study aimed to assess the use of lead aprons and gonad shields during routine X-ray examinations at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) and Raytouch diagnostics with emphasis on frequency, knowledge, attitudes, and influencing factors. A descriptive cross sectional survey was adopted, census sampling technique was used to select a total of 37 radiographers participated, and data were analysed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. The findings revealed that most radiographers demonstrated good knowledge of radiation protection principles and recognised the importance of shielding in reducing unnecessary exposure. The frequency of lead apron use
was high, particularly for paediatric and routine examinations, while gonad shield use was moderate due to issues such as limited availability, perceived interference with image quality, and time constraints. Despite these challenges, radiographers generally acknowledged the ethical responsibility of maintaining radiation safety and prioritised shielding where feasible. Institutional support through policies, training, and equipment availability was identified as a strong motivating factor for compliance. The test of hypothesis confirmed a significant association between radiographers’ knowledge and their use of radiation protection tools, implying that the more informed a radiographer is, the more consistent their protective practice becomes.

Background/Purpose of Study: High-heeled shoes are widely used among females for aesthetic, social, and cultural reasons. However, empirical studies examining the effects of high- heeled shoes on biomechanical alterations and energy expenditure of different body somatotypes are scarce. Aim: The study investigated the effect of 3-inch high-heeled shoe on selected biomechanical parameters (lumbar flexibility (LF), quadriceps angle (QA), limb length discrepancy (LLD), quadriceps muscle length (QL) and gastrocnemius muscle length (GL) and aerobic capacity (total lap covered (TLC), oxygen saturation rate (SPO2), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), pulse rate (PR)) in female undergraduate's body somatotypes (ectomorph, mesomorph and endomorph) in the University of Benin. Method: A single-blind randomized controlled trial of 75 female undergraduates recruited through consecutive sampling and blocked randomized into ectomorph, mesomorph, and endomorph using Sheldon’s body types classification questionnaire. Participants biomechanical parameters (LF, QA, LLD, QL and GL) were measured using standardized procedures. Aerobic capacity of TLC was assessed using the 6-minute walk test, while SBP, DBP, SPO2 and PR were measured using Omron digital blood pressure. All measurements of biomechanical parameters and aerobic capacity of participants were taken under two footwear conditions: normal heel and 3-inch high-heeled shoes. Descriptive statistics of mean, standard deviation, frequency and percentages were used to summarise data. Inferential statistics of Wilcoxon’s test, paired t-test, Kruskal Wallis, Mann Whitney-U, ANOVA were used to analyse data at p<0.05. Results: Biomechanical parameters (LF, QA, LLD, QL and GL) and aerobic capacity of TLC were significantly (p<0.001) reduced following the application of 3-inch heel shoe in the three body types, whereas aerobic capacity of SBP, PR, and SPO2 were significantly (p<0.001) increased. Only DBP of mesomorph was significantly (p<0.001) increased. Conclusion: This study indicates that 3-inch high-heeled shoe has significant effects on biomechanical parameters and aerobic capacity of female undergraduate’s body somatotype.

Background: Knee injuries are among the most prevalent musculoskeletal problems affecting student- athletes, often resulting in pain, impaired performance, and limited participation. Despite the growing engagement of university students in organized sports, limited research has addressed the prevalence and contributing factors of knee injuries within Nigerian university settings. Aim: This study aimed to determine the prevalence, types, risk factors, and socio-demographic correlates of knee-related injuries among student-athletes at the University of Benin. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional research design was employed. A total of 207 student-athletes from various faculties of the University of Benin participated in the study. Data were collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire assessing socio-demographic characteristics, types of knee injuries, associated risk factors, and management strategies. Descriptive statistics summarized the data, while inferential analysis using Chi-square tests assessed associations between variables at a 0.05 significance level. Results: Findings revealed a high prevalence of knee injuries, with 185 respondents (89.4%) reporting a history of knee injury. The most common types were fractures (45.4%), ligament tears (24.9%), and meniscus injuries (15.7%). Injuries were mostly sports-related (29.7%) or caused by sudden movement (25.9%), and the left knee was the most frequently affected (36.8%). More than half of the injured athletes (51.9%) sought treatment—mainly through medication and physiotherapy—while 39.5% reported persistent pain during activity. iv Statistical analysis showed no significant relationship between intrinsic risk factors (flexibility, previous lower limb injury, and muscle imbalance) or extrinsic risk factors (training intensity, surface type, warm-up routine, and use of protective gear) and knee injury occurrence (p > 0.05). However, sport type was significantly associated with knee injury prevalence (χ² = 17.12, p = 0.029), with football and volleyball athletes being more affected. Age, gender, body mass index (BMI), and level of study were not significantly related to knee injury prevalence. Conclusion: Knee injuries are highly prevalent among student-athletes at the University of Benin, primarily associated with the type of sport rather than intrinsic, extrinsic, or demographic variables. There is a critical need for improved injury prevention programs, enhanced warm- up and training protocols, better facility maintenance, and accessible physiotherapy services to reduce the burden and recurrence of knee injuries in university sports settings

Environmental toxicants, such as arsenic, pose significant health risks, particularly to vital organs like the kidneys. As key organs responsible for filtration and detoxification, the kidneys are especially vulnerable to the oxidative stress and inflammation caused by arsenic exposure. Inorganic arsenic, a highly toxic form found in contaminated water, food, and soil, accumulates in kidney tissues, leading to cellular damage, impaired function, and an increased risk of chronic kidney disease and other renal disorders. The generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by arsenic disrupts cellular homeostasis, damages mitochondrial function, and triggers proinflammatory responses, exacerbating kidney injury. Nutrient-rich foods like Persea americana offer a potential protective strategy against arsenic-induced kidney damage. Persea americana are abundant in antioxidants, phenolic compounds, and unsaturated fatty acids that combat oxidative stress, reduce inflammation, and enhance cellular resilience. These bioactive compounds help neutralize ROS, improve mitochondrial
function, and mitigate arsenic's toxic effects on kidney tissues, supporting overall renal health and function. Accordingly, this study aimed to investigate the effect of aqueous extract of Persea americanaon arsenic-induced kidney damage in fully-grown Wistar rats. Thirty (30) fully-grown Wistar rats were used weighing between 130g and 150g. They were grouped into six groups (A, B, C, D, E, and F). The rats in Group A served as the control, and the rats in Group B were administered10mg/kg of Arsenic Trioxide, the rats in Group C were administered 140mg/kg body weight ofSilymarin and 10mg/kg of arsenic trioxide, the rats in Group D were administeredwith125mg/kg of Persea americana and 10mg/kg of arsenic trioxide, the rats in Group Ewere administered with 250mg/kg of Persea americana and 10mg/kg of arsenic trioxide and the rats in Group F were administered with 10mg/kg of arsenic trioxide for 14 days and allowed to recover. The administration period spanned 28 days after which they were sacrificed and the kidneys harvested were collected for biochemical and histological assessments. Results showed no significant difference (p>0.05) in the kidney weight, and Reno-somatic index across the experimental groups, there was a significant decrease in the weight of the group treatedwith10mg/kg of arsenic trioxide compared to the control group. In the case of the oxidative stress parameters arsenic, caused a is significant decrease in SOD, and GPX activities and a significant
increase in MDA activities when compared with control while treatment group was able to reverse these significant changes except for the recovery group. For the urea and creatinine level, there was a significant increase in the groups given 10mg/kg of arsenic trioxide and the group that was given 10mg/kg of arsenic trioxide and left to recover. The other groups had no significant difference in the urea and creatinine level when compared to the control group. Inconclusion, this study suggests that Persea americana provides protection against arsenic trioxide-induced nephrotoxicity in Wistar rats.

Arsenic exposure remains a major environmental health concern due to its ability to generate oxidative stress and induce tissue injury, particularly in the liver. This study investigated the protective potential of rutin against sodium arsenite-induced hepatic oxidative damage in Wistar rats. The experiment involved the administration of sodium arsenite to induce oxidative stress,
while rutin was concurrently given at different doses to evaluate its antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects. Following treatment, liver antioxidant status was assessed through the measurement of key biochemical parameters including reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Histopathological examination of liver tissues was also carried out to determine structural alterations associated with arsenite toxicity and the possible protective influence of rutin. The results indicated that exposure to sodium arsenite caused a pronounced decline in endogenous antioxidant defenses, reflected by reduced levels of GSH and decreased activities of SOD, CAT, and GPx. These biochemical disruptions were accompanied by noticeable histological abnormalities in hepatic tissue, suggesting oxidative damage and cellular
degeneration. However, rats that received rutin alongside sodium arsenite demonstrated marked improvement in antioxidant enzyme activities and glutathione levels compared with animals treated with arsenite alone. The degree of improvement was more pronounced at higher rutin doses, indicating a dose-dependent protective effect. The findings suggest that rutin exerts significant antioxidant activity capable of counteracting arsenite-induced oxidative stress in the liver. This protective action may be attributed to its ability to scavenge reactive oxygen species and enhance endogenous antioxidant defense mechanisms.
onsequently, rutin may serve as a promising natural compound for reducing oxidative damage associated with heavy metal toxicity. In conclusion, the study demonstrates that rutin effectively mitigates sodium arsenate-induced hepatic oxidative injury in Wistar rats by restoring antioxidant balance and improving liver tissue integrity.

roponin I (TnI) is a crucial component of the troponin complex in striated muscle, playing a central role in regulating contraction and relaxation through calcium interaction. Heat stress refers to the overall response of the human body to the combined effects of environmental factors and temperature. It indicates how much heat the body is exposed to within its thermal surroundings. The justification for studying troponin I levels in heat-exposed Sprague-Dawley female rats is grounded in the need to understand cardiac responses to hyperthermia. Elevated troponin I levels can indicate myocardial injury, which is critical during heat stress conditions. The study aimed to explore the connection between heat exposure and myocardial damage by
examining variations in cardiac troponin I (cTnI) levels in heat-exposed Sprague-Dawley female rats. The rats were randomly divided into four groups (1, 2, 3 and 4) for a period of eight weeks. The rats were exposed to heat for 1 to 2 hours daily at a temperature of 38°C to 40°C. Group 1 served as the control group which were not exposed to heat. Group 2 was exposed to heat for 14 days and group 3 and 4 were exposed to heat for 28 days and 42 days respectively. At the end of the experiment, each animal was first anaesthetized using chloroform vapour, followed by a dissection procedure to harvest the heart tissue. After harvesting the heart tissue, it was minced into small pieces and homogenised using phosphate buffer solution, thereafter spun and the supernatant was collected and sent for biochemical analysis. Statistical analysis was done using graph pad prism version 10.4. Results were presented as mean ± standard error of mean. One Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the means of tests and control value while post hoc test was done using Dunnett's multiple comparison test and a P-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The result gotten from this research shows that mild heat exposure may not induce noticeable cardiac stress. In conclusion, long periods of high temperature exposure may indicate possible myocardial alteration, so heat exposure should be kept within reasonable limits