Abstract: Individuals suffering from impaired masticatory function (MF) may adapt food consistency to their existing dental status or rely on the digestive system to compensate for the lack of oral preparation of food. These circumstances further leads to deficient nutrient intake or increase the likelihood of digestive diseases and decrease gut absorption. Dysfunction of masticatory efficiency thus may be detrimental to general health. This article reviews evidence of the effects of masticatory deficiency on nutrition. It is difficult to draw conclusions from many of the reviewed studies due to issues related to study design, confounding variables, and the subjective nature of the measurements. The reviewed evidences supporting an association between MF and deficient dietary intake often are based on relatively weak correlations and cannot confer a causal relationship between the reviewed variables.

Abstract: 2-[3’- Aminoacetyl amino-2’-methyl-6-monosubstituted quinazolin-4’(3’H)-onyl-imino]-4-thiazolidinones 5-6 were synthesised by cyclisation of 1-[3’-Aminoacetyl-2’-methyl-6’-monosubstituted quinazolin-4’(3’H)-onyl]-thiosemicarbazide 3-4 . 7-18 were synthesised by condensation of various substituted aldehydes at the 5th position of thiazolidinones 5-6. The newly synthesised compounds showed anticonvulsant activity ranging from 50%-90% (seizure protection). Compound 18, 2-[3’-aminoacetyl amino-2’-methyl-6’-bromosubstituted quinazolin-4’(3’)-onyl imino]-5-methyl-(p-N,N-dimethyl benzyl) -4-thiazolidinone showed maximum activity being more potent than the reference drug phenytoin sodium.

Abstract: This study was carried out to investigate the effects of ethanolic leaf extract Annona muricata (soursop) on N,N-dimethylnitrosamine (DMN)-induced liver fibrosis in rats. Four groups of Wistar albino rats (12 rats/group) were used for the study. One group received intra-peritoneal injection of 10mg of DMN/kg body wt. thrice a week (on the first three days) for 14 days, in addition to the extract at a dose of 200mg/kg body wt. given by gavage. A second group received the same dose of DMN but without extract, while rats in the third group were administered the same dose of extract without DMN. Members of the fourth group were given physiological saline (vehicle), and served as controls. After 14 days, the rats were sacrificed by cardiac puncture. Blood samples were collected from the ocular vein, and the sera were analysed for aspartate transaminase, AST; alanine transaminase, ALT and alkaline phosphatase, ALP; while collagen, malondialdehyde, MDA; reduced glutathione, GSH, superoxide dismutase, SOD and catalase, CAT levels were assayed in liver tissue. All assays were done using standard methods. Liver sections were also fixed in formol-saline and subjected to histological analysis. DMN administration resulted in significant increases in serum AST, ALT and ALP; and in liver MDA and total collagen content (P 0.05). On the other hand, liver SOD and CAT activities were significantly reduced by the DMN treatment. Histological examination of liver sections from the DMN rats showed severe degenerative changes such as congestion, haemorrhagic necrosis and deposition of thick collagen fibers. These biochemical and histological changes were reversed significantly by the Annona muricata leaf extract.These results suggest that Annona muricata leaves may reverse hepatic fibrosis probably through maintenance/restoration of liver antioxidant status.

Abstract: We search for three non-zero distinct integers such that each of the triple (x-y, z, x+y) forms Harmonic progression. A few interesting properties among the solutions are also presented.

Abstract: Assessment drives education programmes. Objective Structured Clinical Examination(OSCE) assesses clinical competencies more efficiently than MCQ or essay questions. However OSCE demand intensive preparation, logistics and resource input. Senior medical students were recruited as assessors for the formative OSCE conducted after the introductory clinical appointment. Feedback of participating students was considered vital to evaluate the OSCE. The objective is to evaluate perceptions of 3rd year medical students undergoing and OSCE regarding fairness, suitability, acceptability and comprehensiveness when senior medical students assess and role-playas simulated patients. Fourteen stations OSCE for the 3rd years medical students was developed by senior academics of all clinical departments. Final year (5th Year) students were trained to perform as simulated patients and assessors. The entire batch of third year medical students was given a pre tested self-administered questionnaire within two weeks of completion of the OSCE. The questionnaire was designed with adaptations from a similar study done by Russell B Pierre et al. Majority of students felt that the OSCE was fair (87.5%), comprehensive (78%), motivate learning (88%)and gives an opportunity to identify their weaknesses (72%). However 38% found it a very stressful experience and 38% of students felt that having senior students as simulated patients hindered their performance. On a par with the Jamaican students, our students also felt that the OSCE was fair and comprehensive. Compared to 67% of Jamaican students, only 38% of our students found the OSCE very stressful. Reasons for reported concern about senior students’ performing as simulated patients by some students should evaluated further in order to make use of advantages of senior students involvement in OSCE. Our students reiterated fairness, suitability, acceptability and comprehensiveness of OSCE as a method of assessment. Careful planning should foster students’ acceptance of senior students as assessors. The faculty should use OSCE more often in evaluating students.

Abstract: We search for non-zero distinct integer triples (a_0,a_1,a_2) such that each of the expressions a_0+a_1, a_0+a_2, a_1+a_2, 2(a_0+a_1+a_2) is a perfect square.

Abstract: The objective of present study is to determine the bilateral significant difference between the right and left side femoral head diameters, the correlation between diameters in each side and Osteometrical data in Indian population. The dimensions of the femoral head are important in preparation and selection of prosthesis or implants for femoral head and in the determination of gender. Difference in femoral head size was observed by previous studies. Present study is designed on random sample of 102 femur bones to determine bilateral significant difference between the right and left side femoral head diameters, to determine the correlation between diameters in each side and Osteometrical data in Indian population. The descriptive measures and inferential calculations were done. The student’s t-test and Scatter plot, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and regression analysis were used to assess the objective. Statistical assessment with p-values < 0.05 was considered significant. The mean values (mm) for vertical diameters were 43.63±2.74 (left) and 43.62±2.63 (right). Anteroposterior diameters were 44.02±2.87 (left) and 43.92±2.84 (right).head circumference were 136.99±8.41 (left) and 138.06±8.97 (right). Significant variability was not found (p>0.05) among the bilateral femoral head diameters. Significant strong positive correlation (p<0.05) was observed between the vertical diameter and anteroposterior diameter. Result was compared with available researches. Conclusion: Significant variability in the femoral head diameter was not found. The vertical and anteroposterior diameters of femoral head showed strong positive correlation.

Abstract: Albert Chinualumogu Achebe was best known for his portrayal of traditional African life as it clashes with white men (colonial masters). He was also known for his neglect of female characters’ role in most of his novels. In this paper, attempt has been made to show his ‘turn back’ from the earlier position of assigning women an inferior status in his novels. This is done in the light of Anthills of the Savannah where the dominant female character, Beatrice, is portrayed as a symbol of the new women – educated, full of potentials and credentials. Hence, Achebe with a new voice and thought. The paper concludes with explanation on the two sets of female characters in Achebe’s novels. The earlier novels reflected women as inferior and weak while in the novel analysed, the female characters represented by Beatrice, are portrayed with full potentials like their male counterparts. This is what makes the novelist a born-again.

Abstract: EST (endometrial stromal tumors) are the second most common pure mesenchymal tumors of the uterus even though they account for less than 10% of all such tumors. Endometrial stromal nodule (ESN) and Low grade endometrial stromal sarcoma (ESS) falls in the lower end of spectrum and undifferentiated endometrial stromal sarcoma (UES) falls in other malignant end of spectrum. ESN’s are very rare and low grade ESS accounts for only 0.2% of all uterine malignancies. Here we describe a case of Low grade ESS with limited infiltration which has been recently described in literature; purpose of which is to propose to practicing surgeons and gynaecologists that although these tumors behave in benign fashion however, these patients should be carefully followed than the usual low grade ESS as for possible chances of late metastasis.

Abstract: The bi-quadratic equation with 4 unknowns given by x4 +y4+z4=32w4 is analyzed for its patterns of non-zero distinct integral solutions. Six different patterns of integer solutions to the above bi-quadratic equation are presented. A few interesting relations between the solutions and special numbers, namely, polygonal number and pyramidal number are exhibited.

Abstract: We report on a 12-year-old Saudi girl with uncontrolled congenital hypothyroidism, due to thyroid gland aplasia. She was found to have bilateral multicystic ovaries and menstrual dysfunction. This association is not widely recognized.

Abstract: We describe the case of a patient with Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and Secondary Hypertrophic Osteoarthropathy. On this association so far, hypertrophic osteoarthropathy seems to be related to the vascular involvement of Neurofibromatosis wherein some studies reveal release of PDGF (platelet derived growth factor) by the neural tumor.In order to exclude other causes of secondary Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy all possible causes were excluded.On the basis of clinical findings and exclusion of all other causes, and no literature or case reports suggestive of presence of Hypertrophic Osteoarthropathy in Neurofibromatosis type-1, this finding attains animportant clinching and rare clinical entity and also signifies to include one among the neurological causes of secondary Hypertrophic Osteoarthropathy. The possible pathophysiology of Hypertrophic Osteoarthropathy in patient with neurofibromatosis has been discussed.

Abstract: Marijuana induce alteration Hypothalamus and pituitary function and altered subsequently T3, T4 and TSH. To assess the Thyroid profile level(T3, T4, and TSH) in marijuana abuse .This case control study includes 120 Sudanese males (60 of them were marijuana abuse were considered as study group, and the other 60 healthy subjects were considered as control group ;were they do not use marijuana). All subjects were sex and age matched (age ranging between 18-60 years).Study group have addiction period between 1-37 years. This study carried in Alribatt hospital, Khartoum, from May to August 2015, serum was collected from both group and the concentration of T3, T4, and TSH were estimated using ELISA Bio TeK. There were a significant decrease in the level of the of T3, and TSH in marijuana abuse in comparsion with the control group where the (mean ± SD) was (1.25±1.77, 1.18±.69) for T3 and TSH respectively while the controls group had (mean ± SD) (1.04±.30, 1.91±1.21) for T3 and TSH respectively with p- value (0.00). But there was no significant difference in the level T4 when compared with the control group (9.99±4.16, 9.47±2.93) with p-value (0.19). This study concluded that T3 and TSH were highly significant decreased, but T4 were had insignificant change.

Abstract: Marijuana affects a variety of hormones that are regulated by hypothalamic function and it appears that the psychoactive ingredient, THC, is the major compound responsible for this action. To assess of LH, FSH, and Testosterone level in marijuana abuse. This case control study includes 60 marijuana abuses from Elribat hospital as case study. These patients are compared with age and sex matched with 60 healthy subjects as controls. All volunteers age ranging between 18-60 years. Blood samples were collected from all subjects, then serum concentration of LH, FSH, and testosterones were estimated using ELISA Bio TeK. There were a significant decrease in the level of LH, FSH and testosterone in marijuana abuse in comparison with a control group where the (mean ± SD) of LH, FSH, and Testosterone in marijuana abuse people were (4.9±1.9, 3.3±1.9, 19.3 ± 6.1) respectively while the (mean ± SD) of control group were (5.9±3.62, 6.9±3.6, 22.5±9.5) for LH, FSH, & Testosterone respectively. This study concluded that (LH, FSH and Testosterone) level were highly significant decreased in marijuana abuse.

Abstract: Tax non-compliance reduces tax collection and the tax performance within a country. The Kenyan government has implemented various strategies to bring businesses in the informal sector into the tax bracket. However, available data shows that tax collections from the informal sector are above average but on a declining trend. The purpose of this paper is to determine influence of tax rates on tax compliance in the informal sector in Nyeri town. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey design and targeted 715 informal businesses in Nyeri Town. Stratified random sampling technique was used to select 143 informal businesses to participate. Researcher-administered questionnaires were used to collect data from the respondents. Descriptive methods such as frequency distribution, percentages, mean, were used to summarize and organize data. Chi-square tests and correlation analysis were employed to establish relationships between study variables. Findings were presented using tables of frequencies and percentages. Majority (74%) of the respondents indicated that they tried their best to comply with all tax procedures. Results revealed that Majority (75%) of the respondents indicate that the taxes charged were too high. Tax rates (p=0.000) had a significant relationship with tax compliance at 95% confidence level. The study cited that tax rates were important predictors of tax compliance in the informal sector. It was recommended that tax rates should be reviewed for those in the informal sector to ensure that they commensurate with economic conditions.