Annals of Clinical Sciences

TERMINALIA GLAUCESCENS STEM EXTRACTS INDUCE AORTIC SMOOTH MUSCLE ACTIVITIES THROUGH ENDOTHELIUM-DEPENDENT AND INDEPENDENT MECHANISMS

Michael Olabode Allen — 2026-07-31

Introduction: Smooth muscle regulates vascular tone and blood vessel diameter. We found that ethanol stem extract of Terminalia glaucescens (ESET) relaxes phenylephrine- and potassium chloride-induced contractions of aortic smooth muscle (ASM). However, the comparative efficacy of this solvent extract with other solvent extracts of Terminalia glaucescens, the bioactive constituents, and the mechanisms responsible for this effect remain to be fully elucidated. This study investigated the effects of T. glaucescens stem extracts on the contractile mechanisms of the ASM in male Wistar rats.

Methodology: Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to analyse ethanol, n-hexane, chloroform, and aqueous stem extracts of T. glaucescens. The vascular effects were assessed using isometric force transducers. Relaxation responses were measured after ASM precontraction with phenylephrine or sodium fluoride (NaF). Inhibitory effects on serotonin- and sumatriptan-induced contractions were also evaluated. Additionally, ASM relaxation after preincubation with prazosin, propranolol, or KT-5720 was examined.

Results: GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of fatty acids with vasorelaxant properties. ESET significantly relaxed (p < 0.05) phenylephrine-precontracted ASM, with reduced maximal relaxation in NaF-precontracted ASM. ESET also inhibited serotonin-induced contractions. Adrenergic blockade had no significant effect (p>0.05), while KT-5720 significantly reduced relaxation only in endothelium-denuded ASM.

Conclusion: ESET's vasorelaxation effect on ASM is mediated, in part, through endothelium-dependent mechanisms. It also possesses endothelium-independent mechanisms, potentially mediated by G-protein downstream signaling, and it also inhibited serotonin-induced contraction. These mechanisms are independent of β-adrenergic/cAMP signalling. Its phytochemical constituents likely augment these observed effects, underscoring T. glaucescens as a potential source of vascular-active compounds for cardiovascular therapy.

THE PROMISING POTENTIAL OF DIMETHYLMETHYLENE BLUE (DMMB) IN PREDICTING DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS (DVT) AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN ATTENDING ANTENATAL CLINIC IN RURAL NIGERIA

Taiwo Oguntona — 2026-07-31

Background: Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is a significant health concern for pregnant women, as pregnancy-related physiological changes elevate the risk of thrombotic events. In rural areas with poor infrastructures, like Nigeria, Dimethyl methylene blue is being tested as a method to detect DVT earlier in pregnancy for improved maternal health.

Methods: 254 pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in a private hospital in Wasimi, in Ogun State, Nigeria, were included into the cross-sectional study. Pregnant women in the second and third trimester were recruited. Compressed ultrasonography (CUS), the definitive diagnostic test for DVT, supported the findings of Dimethyl methylene blue tests that were run on potential DVT patients. Data on true positive, false positive, true negative and false negative in both trimesters were the main subjects.

Results: Dimethyl methylene blue testing identified 7 positive DVT cases that were confirmed by compressed ultrasonography images. All three false positives (two in the third trimester and one in the second trimester) were also verified as negative by CUS. However, true negatives did not undergo CUS, so negative predictive value (NPV), cannot be calculated. The positive predictive value (PPV) among verified positives was 70% (7/10; 95% CI: 39-89%). However, putting an assumption that all DVT cases were captured by DMMB assay, the sensitivity will be 100% (95% CI: 59-100%). Trimester-specific PPV was 75% (3/4; 95% CI: 30–95%) in the second trimester and 66.7% (4/6; 95% CI: 30-90%) in the third trimester.

Conclusion: The use of DMMB in detecting DVT in women during pregnancy was sensitive and specific. The use of CUS confirm all TP cases. The presence of FP makes it important to have confirmation tests to confirm diagnosis, especially in the third trimester. Dimethyl methylene blue can be a good first-line screening test for DVT at antenatal clinics, particularly in rural communities.

PATIENT PERSPECTIVES ON ACNE VULGARIS: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF KNOWLEDGE, BELIEFS, AND PRACTICES IN ADOLESCENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS

Ehiaghe Anaba — 2026-07-31

Background: Acne is a common dermatological disease. However, acne from the perspective of patients is not readily documented. This study aimed to document, the knowledge, source of information, beliefs and practices of acne patients. In addition, to compare perspectives between adolescent and post adolescent patients.

Methodology: This was a prospective cross-sectional descriptive study of 215 acne patients over a one-year period at three skin clinics. The patients were clinically evaluated. Comparisons were made between Adolescent (≤20 years) and post-adolescent (≥25 years) patients. Data was analysed in R Studio 2023 version.

Results: The patients were 75.5% were female. Information on acne and its treatment was provided by Doctors, Friends, Parents, Self, Chemist/Pharmacist, Nurses and others in 31.6%, 27%, 18.6%, 17.8%, 11.7%, 3.2%, and 7.7% respectively. The cause of acne was thought to be diet by 26.8%, infection 19.9%, genes by 15.3%, creams by 11.5%. Acne is thought to be a disease by 49.4%, believed to be curable by 93.5% and should be treated by 78.2% dermatologists. Adolescent and post-adolescent patients differed significantly in source of information on treatment, who should treat acne, practices and what was disliked about acne. Adolescents sought information from their parents and post-adolescents from doctors (p=0.001).

Conclusion: The knowledge of acne is poor in acne patients. Self-medication is a common practice and most acne patients believe that acne is curable. Differences exist in perspectives between adolescent and post-adolescent acne patients.

MOBILE PHONE-BASED TRACKING OF BREAST CANCER PATIENTS TO REDUCE LOSS TO FOLLOW-UP IN NIGERIA: A PROSPECTIVE COHORT STUDY

Omolara Fatiregun — 2026-07-31

Background: Breast cancer (BC) management in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) extends beyond early diagnosis to effective post-treatment care and follow-up. In Nigeria, many patients are lost to follow-up within a few years after diagnosis, limiting continuity of care and long-term outcome assessment. With the increasing penetration of mobile technology, mobile-based tracking offers a promising approach to improve patient monitoring, explore AI integration and strengthen healthcare delivery in Nigeria. This study explores mobile technology as a follow-up tool for BC patients in Nigeria and evaluates demographic and clinical factors that may influence successful mobile telephone tracking. Its findings are intended to inform scalable strategies for improving post-treatment cancer care in resource-limited settings such as Nigeria, by leveraging mobile technology, while considering the practical insights identified in this study.

Methodology: This study included BC patients diagnosed between 31st January 2019 to 31st December 2021 and followed up to 2025. Eligible patients (≥18 years) had histologically confirmed disease and received treatment within the study period. Patient tracking was conducted via structured phone calls using registered SIM cards.

Results: Data from 198 patients were analysed; 58(29.3%) were confirmed alive, 90(45.5%) were unreachable, and 13(6.6%) were deceased. Tracking success was lowest among patients 18–40 years (25.8%), and patients with late-stage disease; stage IV disease having the highest proportion of lost to follow-up (82%). Triple-negative breast cancer was the most common molecular subtype (n = 94), with 62.8% lost to follow-up. Invasive ductal carcinoma accounted for 98% of cases.

Conclusion: Even though mobile-phone tracking offers a potential strategy to ensure effective patient follow-up, connectivity issues and inaccurate phone numbers pose challenges; therefore, strengthening contact verification, collecting multiple phone numbers, and establishing structured follow-up systems are critical in LMIC settings.