Masters Degrees (Anatomy)

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A comparative cross sectional study of the morphological relationship between the superficial and deep gray matter structures in a random sample of cadaveric adult human brains in the Discipline of Clinical Anatomy at University of KwaZulu-Natal.
(2015) Haghegh, Eman Yacob.; Azu, Onyemaechi Okpara.; Naidu, Edwin Coleridge Stephen.
Background: While various neurodegenerative diseases affect the cortical mass and mass of deep gray matter differently, finding an optimal and accurate method for measuring thickness and surface area of the cerebral cortex remains a challenging problem due to the highly convoluted surface of the cortex. We therefore investigated the superficial and deep gray matter thickness and surface area in a sample of cadaveric specimens at the Discipline of Clinical Anatomy, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa to provide some clue as to possible variations in these parameters. Materials and Method: With ethical approval, 60 brain samples were uniformly sectioned at 5mm thickness and eight slices containing the deep nuclei were taken from each brain and stained by Mulligan’s technique. Thickness was measured at selected angles 0º, 45º, 90º, 135º and 180º for both right and left cerebral hemispheres. The cortical thickness and surface area of selected slices for both the superficial cortex and the corresponding deep nuclei were measured. Results: Mulligan’s stain produced good gray mater differentiation and clear images that enabled manual delineation of structures. There was rightward asymmetry of cortical thickness of the selected slices at the suggested angles which corresponded to structurally and functionally important brain regions. There was a positive correlation between the mean surface area of superficial cortex and deep nuclei across the regions of interest (ROI). Discussion and Conclusion: Baseline data from 55 brain samples provided a range of means and 95% confidence intervals for the three parameters of cortical thickness, cortical surface area and surface area of deep nuclei to be made for a reference table comprising eight coronal slices taken at five angles. This allows an objective assessment of thinning of the cortex or loss of deep gray matter to be made from measurements of the same parameters for the equivalent slices from a postmortem brain slice or an appropriate radiographic image.
Hepatic histomorphological changes following highly active antiretroviral therapy and the intervention of hypoxis hemerocallidea in an experimental animal model.
(2015) Kharwa, Salem.; Azu, Onyemaechi Okpara.; Naidu, Edwin Coleridge Stephen.
Introduction Hepatotoxicity has remained a serious complication limiting the efficacy of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) regimen. While this challenge continues to exist, finding possible solutions continues to attract scientific solutions. Materials and Method: Sixty- three adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were used for the study and were divided into 9 groups (A-I). Group A received HAART cocktail (Lamivudine, Stavudine & Nevirapine), Group B received HAART and H. hemerocallidea extract (100 mg/kgbw), Group C received HAART and H. hemerocallidea extract (200 mg/kgbw), Group D received HAART and vitamin C, Group E received HAART and vitamin E, Group F received HAART, vitamin C and vitamin E, Group G received H. hemerocallidea extract (100 mg/kgbw), Group H received H. hemerocallidea extract (200 mg/kgbw), and Group I received water as placebo. The experiment lasted for 56 days after which, the animals were sacrificed, the liver were harvested and prepared for histological examination and blood samples were collected through cardiac puncture and centrifuged to get the serum for biochemical assessment. Results While no mortality was reported, animals treated with adjuvant HAART and AP recorded least %body weight gain. Significant derangements in serum lipid profiles were exacerbated by treatment of with AP as LDL (increased p<0.03), TG (increased p<0.03) with no change in total cholesterol levels. Adjuvant AP with HAART recorded reduced LDL (p<0.05 and 0.03), increased HDL (p<0.05) and TG (p<0.05 and 0.001). Markers of liver injury assayed showed significant increase (p<0.003, 0.001) in AST in AP alone as well as HAART+ vitamins C and E groups respectively. Adjuvant HAART and AP and vitamins C and E also caused significant declines in ALT and ALP levels. Serum GGT were not markedly altered. Histopathological derangements ranged from severe hepatocellular distortions, necrosis and massive fibrosis following co-treatment of HAART with vitamins C and E as well as HAART alone. Conclusion The results warrant caution on the adjuvant use of H. hemerocallidea with HAART by PLWHAs as implications for hepatocellular injuries are suspect with untoward cardio metabolic changes. More vigilant monitoring of patients at risk of antiretroviral toxicity is necessary and may prove helpful.
Morphometric studies on sexual dimorphism, variations and dimension of foramen transversarium in a KwaZulu-Natal population, South Africa.
(2019) Zaw, Aung Khaing.; Naidu, Edwin Coleridge Stephen.; Rennie, Carmen Olivia.; Azu, Onyemaechi Okpara.
The foramen transversarium (FT) of the cervical vertebrae serves as an essential landmark in medical imaging procedure and surgery, owing to their anatomical structure in relation to the associated neurovascular bundles. The aim of this study was to analyse the morphometric parameters and variations of the FT with regards to sexual dimorphism, laterality and age within the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) population, South Africa. One hundred and thirty (130) dried human typical cervical bones from KZN population of known sex and age (67 males and 63 females with age ranges from 12 to 89) without any degeneration or deformity were sourced from the bone collection at the Discipline of Clinical Anatomy, Nelson Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). The morphometric analyses were performed using Markus Bader (MB) Ruler, the digital screen ruler and subjected to RStudio statistical analysis. The results indicated that the morphometric parameters of the FT were greater in males compared to females (p< 0.05). The values of the right sides were higher than that on the left sides except, for the transverse diameter where higher values were observed on the left side of male specimens. Based on the shape of normal FT inspection, the type 1 was predominant (43.85%) shapes, followed by type 3 (23.08%) and least common were type 2 and type 7 (0.77%) on the left side. Type 1 had the higher value (46.16%) on the right side, followed by type 3 (20%) and, type 2 was the least in this study. The variation in number of FT in relation to sex revealed the presence of normal foramen (62.31%, male with 30.77% and female with 31.54%) and double foramen (36.92%, male with 20% and female with 16.92%). More so, it was also observed that, the frequency of bilateral double foramen was common in males (11.54%) compared to females (6.92%). The result of this study has demonstrated that risk of injury to neurovascular structures associated with FT may be common on the left side, in female and especially in age groups less than < 20 and ≥ 60 years of age. Keywords: Foramen Transversarium, Cervical vertebrae, Variations, Sexual Dimorphism, Morphometric.
Renal histomorphological changes following highly active antiretroviral therapy : possible role of Hypoxis hemerocallidea in an experimental animal model.
(2015) Offor, Ugochukwu.; Azu, Onyemaechi Okpara.; Naidu, Edwin Coleridge Stephen.
Background: Nephrotoxicity has become an important public health problem following highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), and there is paucity of literature reporting the attenuating influence of plant based adjuvants that can mitigate the effects. The study investigates the role Hypoxis hemerocallidea (H. hemerocallidea) extract following HAART in an experimental animal model. Materials and Method: Sixty- three adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were used for the study and were divided into 9 groups (A-I). Group A received HAART cocktail (Lamivudine, Stavudine & Nevirapine), Group B received HAART and H. hemerocallidea extract (100 mg/kgbw), Group C received HAART and H. hemerocallidea extract (200 mg/kgbw), Group D received HAART and vitamin C, Group E received HAART and vitamin E, Group F received HAART, vitamin C and vitamin E, Group G received H. hemerocallidea extract (100 mg/kgbw), Group H received H. hemerocallidea extract (200 mg/kgbw), and Group I received water as placebo. The experiment lasted for 56 days after which, the animals were sacrificed, the kidneys were harvested and prepared for haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) histological examination and blood samples were collected through cardiac puncture and centrifuged to get the serum for blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine analyses. Results: Kidney weight changes were not significant except for group A that recorded a significant increase (p<0.05) and group B that recorded lowest body weight when compared with the control. Organbody weight ratios were significantly higher in group A and group F (p<0.05). Adjuvant treatment with H. hemerocallidea (in groups B and C) with HAART resulted in increased organ-body ratio, but however not significant. Serum Creatinine (SCR) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels were statistically elevated in HAART-treated animals (p<0.05, 0.001). SCR levels in group D was significantly reduced (p<0.05) but however, significantly elevated in groups B, C, G and H (p<0.001). Groups B and C, as well as groups F and H resulted in higher BUN values (p<0.05). The histological appearance of group A was highly compromised. When treated concomitantly with H. hemerocallidea (at both dosages), no attenuating influence was seen. However, low dose of H. hemerocallidea showed improved histological layout as compared to the high dose. Co-administration of HAART and combined dose of vitamin C and E did not improve the histoarchitecture. Conclusion Adjuvant treatment with H. hemerocallidea extract did not attenuate the nephrotoxicity of HAART in this model.

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Browsing Masters Degrees (Anatomy) by Author "Azu, Onyemaechi Okpara."