Objective: Poor quality of sexual life has been reported secondary to poor sleep or sleep deprivation. Paradoxical sleep is an integral part of the sleep-wakefulness physiology and prolonged paradoxical sleep deprivation (PSD) may even be fatal. The objective of this investigation was to determine if D-ribose-L-cysteine (RibCys) and zinc (Zn) administration can attenuate the effect of PSD on the sexual function of male rats. Methods: Following acclimatization, 25 male rats were randomly distributed into five groups of 5 rats each. The PSD, PSD+RibCys, PSD+Zn, PSD+RibCys+Zn, and Control groups were sleep-deprived only, sleep-deprived and given 100mg/kg body-weight of pure RibCys, sleep-deprived and given 10mg/kg body weight Zn, sleep-deprived and given a combination of 100mg/kg of RibCys and 10mg/kg of Zn, and given distilled water without sleep deprivation, respectively. PSD lasted for 20 hours per day for 14 days. Subsequently, the sexual behavioral study was carried out and the animals were sacrificed for biochemical assays. Results: Analyses of results show that for animals treated with RibCys or Zn, all sexual parameters such as mount frequency and latency, intromission frequency and latency and ejaculation frequency and latency were significantly improved compared with animals subjected to PSD only. This improvement correlates strongly with serum glutathione (GHS) levels. Conclusion: In summary, riboceine increases circulating GHS, which leads to improved sexual function during sleep deprivation.

The use of chemicals such as calcium carbide to ripen fruits instigates toxicity; inclusion of the chemically ripened fruits in the preparation of juices may induce blood cells depletion by altering hematopoiesis via declined functionality of erythropoietin, leukopoietin, thrombopoietin, interleukin-3, prostaglandins, hematopoietic stem cells; resulting to reduction in cellular components of blood. The blood cell depletion potentials of chemically ripened banana juice were investigated in 20 male Wistar rats categorized into four; Group A (control), Group B (administered naturally ripened banana juice), Group C & D (administered juices composed of 15mg/kg and 25mg/kg of calcium carbide ripened banana) (n=5). Following the administration protocol of the banana juice for 28days, data was obtained and statistically analyzed using GraphPad prism (version 8). Chemically ripened banana juices significantly decreased erythropoietin, leukopoietin, thrombopoietin, interleukin-3, prostaglandins (PGE2), hematopoietic stem cells and cellular components of blood in a dose-dependent manner. Reduction in packed cell volume (PCV), hemoglobin concentration and increase in erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR); which suggests indication of anemia and red blood cell inflammation were also observed. The study suggests that chronic consumption of calcium carbide ripened banana juices induces alteration of hematopoiesis which results to depletion of blood cells.

Background: Students are usually exposed to all kinds of injury in schools and with inadequate health care services in most schools; administering first aid is important in such emergency situations. Hence, this study was conducted to assess the awareness, knowledge and behavioral perception of first aid among medical students of a tertiary institution in South-eastern Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 250 medical students of Gregory University Uturu, Abia state, Nigeria. A structured pre-tested validated questionnaire assessing their awareness, knowledge and attitude was used to collect the data. Data was analyzed using IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. Chi-squared test were used to test for associations between socio-demographics, knowledge and attitude of respondents. A p-value of <0.05 was considered significant. Results: Out of the respondents, 98.4% have heard about first aid before the survey, (52.8%; n=132) have good knowledge of first aid skills, and 94% (n=235) have good attitude towards first aid. 91.2% said they are willing to help if trained while 94% of the respondents felt it was necessary to incorporate first aid in the school curriculum. Conclusion: Although the students showed good awareness and attitude towards the concept of first aid, there is a gap in their knowledge and application of basic emergency first aid skills. There is a need to incorporate the training of basic first aid skills and basic life support skills in the school’s curriculum to bridge the gap.

Aim: To report a rare fusion of the 6th and 7th cervical vertebra in a cadaver specimen. Presentation of Case: A fused C6-C7 vertebra was discovered during maceration in the Anatomy laboratory in a South-Eastern Nigerian University. The laminas were completely fused while their bodies, transverse processes and spinous processes were fused partially. Discussion:  Block vertebra is the fusion of one or more adjoining vertebrae in which they act as one, both structurally and functionally. These fusions, although present in other regions, is more common in the cervical region. Among the reported cases, there is a higher incidence of fusion between C2-C3 with only few reported cases of fusion between C6-C7. Fused cervical vertebra impact biochemical and mechanical stress on the adjoining vertebra which results in various neurological and physical problems, hence the report could create an insight that could aid researchers and medical diagnoses.  Conclusion: This unusual fusion of C6-C7 vertebra reported provides basis of anatomical variations in which proper documentation of incidence and knowledge will be beneficial to anatomists, orthopaedic surgeons, radiologists and other medical personnel.

Objectives: Nutritional value and health benefits of Piper guineense (a spice known as Uziza in Igbo language of Nigeria) cannot be overemphasized. Its therapeutic inputs on reproductive toxicity were elucidated. Study approach: Literature survey was carried out in various electronic search databases such as Google scholar, Crossref and pubmed. The survey done February 2022 – March 2022 considered literatures that reported the impact of Piper guineense on reproductive system as well as reproductive toxicity. The search keys include; “Piper guineense and reproductive health” “Piper guineense and reproductive toxicity” “Piper guineense on non-heavy metals induced reproductive toxicity” “Piper guineense on heavy metals induced reproductive toxicity” “Piper guineense on lead, cadmium, and arsenic induced reproductive toxicity”. The search keywords were used respectively and collectively. Findings: Eight (8) reports were found most appropriate for the pharmaceutical evidence of Piper guineense on reproduction; which suggests its essential therapeutic input on reproductive toxicity. Conclusively, Piper guineense is a potential vital ingredient for pharmaceuticals, used to ameliorate reproductive toxicity.