SCHOOL OF BASIC MEDICAL SCIENCES, COLLEGE OF MEDICAL SCIENCES

Background: Foot health is an important but often neglected component of overall well-being. Despite the high prevalence of foot ailments globally, there is a paucity of research on the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to foot health among the general adult population in Nigeria. Aim: This study aimed to determine the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of foot health and care among apparently healthy adults in Benin City, Nigeria. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 1000 apparently healthy adults (598 males, 402 females) residing in Benin City. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire developed by the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA). It assessed sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge of foot health, attitudes towards foot care, self-reported foot health, and foot care practices. Data collected was summarized using descriptive statistics and Chi-square test was used to determine associations between variables. Alpha level was set at p<0.05. Results: 41.7% of respondents rated foot care as 'Very Important', and 48.0% reported giving their foot health 'No thought at all'. Foot ailments were common, with pain in the ball of the feet being the most frequent (56.5%). This pain significantly impacted daily life, inhibiting sleep for most respondents (56.3%). Foot care practices were reactive, with a preference for informal information sources like specific health websites (57.5%) over professional consultation. Sociodemographic factors such as age (p < 0.001) and gender (p < 0.05) were significantly associated with knowledge and attitudes towards foot health and care. Conclusion: Apparently healthy adults in Benin City possess fair to good knowledge and attitudes towards foot health but foot care practices are reactive. Their foot health is impacted by common among them. These findings underscore the need for targeted public health initiatives to improve foot health literacy and promote preventive care practices in Benin City.

Isotretinoin (Accutane), a retinoid widely used for severe acne, has been reported to induce hippocampal toxicity through oxidative stress, apoptosis, and neuroinflammation, which can impair prenatal development. The hippocampus, being particularly vulnerable to oxidative damage, may contribute to learning and memory deficits when exposed to Isotretinoin during gestation. This study evaluates the protective efficacy of Vitamin E, and quercetin against Accutane-induced hippocampal toxicity in prenatal Wistar rats. Four groups were examined in this: control, Accutane only, Accutane + quercetin + vitamin E, and Accutane + vitamin E. Administration was carried out from GD 14-21 of pregnancy. After littering, the neonates were left until PND 31 (postnatal day 31) before sacrifice. Histological analysis of hippocampal integrity, and developmental parameters in offspring (birth weight, neurobehavioral testing) were assessed. Results showed that Accutane exposure led to reduced birth weight and brain weight, along with neuronal degeneration in the hippocampal cells. Co-administration of vitamin E and quercetin significantly improved hippocampal morphology and restored neurobehavioral activity. Neurobehavioral results revealed that Accutane increased transfer latency and reduced exploratory activity, whereas combined antioxidant treatment improved behavioral performance. Offspring from the co-treated group also exhibited higher body weight and brain weights compared to the Accutane-only group. In conclusion, quercetin and vitamin E effectively counteracted Accutane-induced prenatal toxicity in the hippocampus of Wistar rats. The synergistic antioxidant action of both compounds preserved neural architecture and improved developmental outcomes, suggesting
their potential as therapeutic agents against retinoid-related neurotoxicity in pregnancy.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways, characterized by recurring episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing. Ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma models are widely used to study allergic asthma and its systemic effects, including alterations in red blood cell (RBC) indices. This study investigates the impact of varying methods of OVA administration on RBC indices in female Wistar rats. This study involved 42 female Wistar rats weighing 140-180g who were acclimatized for one week. They were divided into six different groups of 7 rats. During the experimental process, all groups (2-6) were sensitized with 1 mg OVA and 20 mg AlOH dissolved in 0.9 saline on days 1, 7 and 14, then challenged with 1 % OVA biweekly for 28 days. Group 1 control; Group 2 sensitised on days 1 and 7; Group 3 sensitized on days 1, 7 and 14; Group 4 sensitised on day 1 and challenged; Group 5 sensitised on days 1 and 7 and challenged; Group 6 sensitised on day 1, 7 and 14 and challenged. All animal were euthanized at the end of 28 days. Statistical analysis was performed using one- way variance analysis (ANOVA). The result showed no statistically significant difference in red blood cell count, haemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration and red cell distribution in all the groups compared to the control (p>0.05); also, there was a significant decrease in haematocrit and mean corpuscular volume in the group sensitised on days 1, 7 and 14 compared to control (p<0.05). In conclusion, these ovalbumin-induced asthma methods did not affect red cell indices except on haematocrit and mean corpuscular volume in female Wistar rats.

Antimicrobial resistance poses a major threat to global health, necessitating the exploration of alternative therapeutic options from natural sources. This study evaluated the antimicrobial activity of the methanolic extract of brown mustard seed against selected clinical isolates. The antimicrobial activity of the extract was tested at concentrations ranging from 50–600 mg/ml using agar well diffusion assay. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), and Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) were determined using broth dilution and subculture techniques. Phytochemical screening was conducted to identify the bioactive constituents of the extract. Data were analyzed using SPSS version XX, with chi-square tests applied to assess associations between extract concentrations and microbial growth responses. The results revealed that Staphylococcus aureus recorded the highest mean zone of inhibition (17.50 ± 2.49 mm), followed by Candida albicans (8.67 ± 4.26 mm), while Escherichia coli (6.50 ± 2.95 mm) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (6.00 ± 4.10 mm) showed lower susceptibility. Post hoc analysis indicated concentration-dependent inhibition in Candida albicans and Escherichia coli, while inhibition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was observed only at the highest concentration. MIC values were established at 100 mg for Staphylococcus aureus, 400 mg for Escherichia coli and P. aeruginosa, and 600 mg for Candida albicans. MBC values confirmed bactericidal activity at 100 mg for Staphylococcus aureus and 600 mg for Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, whereas the MFC for Candida albicans was 600 mg. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenes, steroids, tannins, phenols, and resins, with saponins absent. These findings demonstrate that brown mustard seed possesses broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties, with S. aureus being the most sensitive organism, supporting its potential as a source of plant-based antimicrobial agents.

Background Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is a rare autoimmune neuropathy, with limited data on its prevalence and characteristics in Nigeria. This study aimed to assess the prevalence, risk factors, demographic profile, and demographic-prevalence relationships of GBS at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Edo State, Nigeria, from 2019 to 2024. Methods A retrospective review of 20 Neurology ward patient records was conducted. Data on demographics, clinical presentation, antecedent events, comorbidities, neuropathy subtypes, and outcomes were analyzed using SPSS v26. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and binary logistic regression assessed associations. Results GBS was diagnosed in 5 patients (25%, 95% CI not calculated due to small sample), with neuropathy subtypes including diabetic (45%), idiopathic (20%), multiple/mononeuropathy multiplex (15%), demyelinating polyneuropathy (10%), and peripheral neuropathy (10%). Mean age was 52.05 ± 15.4 years; 60% were male, 65% rural, and 60% Benin ethnicity. Diabetes (55%) and alcohol exposure (35%) were common, but no significant associations with GBS were found (e.g., diabetes: χ²=3.3, p=0.069; age: B=0.034, p=0.326). Ascending weakness (25%) and chronic symptoms (60%) predominated. Outcomes included 75% independent walking and 5% mortality. Diagnostic limitations included no cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) testing and 80% missing nerve conduction studies (NCS). Conclusion The 25% GBS prevalence likely reflects sampling bias, with diabetic neuropathy dominant due to Nigeria’s diabetes burden. Diagnostic gaps highlight the need for improved EMG/CSF access. Larger, multi-center studies are recommended to clarify GBS epidemiology and enhance neuropathy management in Nigeria.