Abstract:
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a set of complex neurodevelopmental disorders for which there is currently no targeted therapeutic approach. It is thought that alterations of genes regulating migration and synapse formation during development affect neural circuit formation and result in aberrant connectivity within distinct circuits that underlie abnormal behaviors. However, it is unknown whether deviant developmental trajectories are circuit-specific for a given autism risk-gene. We used MRI to probe changes in functional and structural connectivity from childhood to adulthood in Fragile-X (Fmr1−/y) and contactin-associated (CNTNAP2−/−) knockout mice. Young Fmr1−/y mice (30 days postnatal) presented with a robust hypoconnectivity phenotype in corticocortico and corticostriatal circuits in areas associated with sensory information processing, which was maintained until adulthood. Conversely, only small differences in hippocampal and striatal areas were present during early postnatal development in CNTNAP2−/− mice, while major connectivity deficits in prefrontal and limbic pathways developed between adolescence and adulthood. These findings are supported by viral tracing and electron micrograph approaches and define 2 clearly distinct connectivity endophenotypes within the autism spectrum. We conclude that the genetic background of ASD strongly influences which circuits are most affected, the nature of the phenotype, and the developmental time course of the associated changes.

Abstract:
Objective: Study to elucidate the relation between depression, gender and blood groups. Methods: The study was prepared on 279 medical students of IMTU, who have spent more than four months in the medical school. A Performa for testing depression scale was given to the students. Blood groups and gender were analyzed. Results: It was evident that few blood groups like A and O shown significant prevalence of mild depression and group AB with severe depression. Females shown a high frequency of mild depression and males demonstrated an elevated severe depressed condition. Conclusion: The present study shows that blood groups, gender and depression scales are interconnected

Abstract:
Diabetes mellitus is an emerging global health problem. It is a chronic, non-communicable, and expensive public health disease. Lipid disorders are very common in both IDDM and NIDDM persons and the most common type of lipid abnormalities encountered in a subject with diabetes mellitus are elevated plasma levels of triglycerides, VLDL-C, LDL-C and decreased HDL-C. The objective of the present study was to determine the magnitude of total serum cholesterol level among diabetic patients and to assess the knowledge on how to control and manage the cholesterol levels. A total of 288 subjects aged between 18 years of age and above we re included in the study. A Performa was used to evaluate lifestyle characteristics and knowledge behind. Blood samples were collected and measured lipid profile levels. In this study the diabetic females fall in age group 38 years and above are showed high level of cholesterol than males. It also showed that, the high cholesterol level in diabetics w a s caused by shortage of awareness. This study will help the diabetics as to what extent to manage and control cholesterol levels. It has been suggested that education on effect of cholesterol levels and t h e i r ways of managing cholesterol should be provided to diabetics.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Iodine is a fundamental micronutrient intended for usual human growth and development. It is predictable that more than 1.6 billion people reside in iodine-deficient situations; however there are still some countries and areas where the prevalence of iodine-deficiency disorders is unknown. Iodine deficiency disorder (IDD) is major public health problem in many parts of the world as well as Zanzibar everywhere its consequence including thyroid dysfunction abnormalities, endemic goiter and cretinism. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, based on laboratory investigation to find out the levels of free T4, freeT3 and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). All patient aged 10 and above suspected having thyroid. A total of 288 samples were collected from the patients suspected having a thyroid dysfunction and those samples were processed by automatic multi scan Elisa reader automated machine at clinical chemistry department of pathology laboratory MMH. RESULTS & CONCLUSION: This study shows lower levels of TSH in women are 26(9percent) and male are 9(3.1percent) and the higher levels are 20(7percent) and 12(4.1percent). The lower levels of fT3 in women are 11(4percent) and 3(1percent) in male and the high levels of fT3 in women are 78(27percent) and 31(11percent) in male. Lower levels of free T4 in women 10(3percent). High levels women are 117(41percent) and 44(15percent) in male. According to these results women had more thyroid dysfunction compare to males.

Abstract:
ABSTRACT Objective: Many developing countries are currently burdened by both under nutrition and rising rates of overweight and obesity. However, only a few reports are accessible from health workforce on recent trends and current epidemiology of obesity in Africa. Obesity has been renowned as a distinct best predictor of hypertension incidence, and is considered as a key cause of hypertension. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 833 persons in an age group of 15-65 years in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania. The height, weight, and blood pressure (BP) of volunteers were recorded and mean BMIs determined. The findings were grouped into underweight, normal, over weight and obese based on BMI values. Hypertension was determined from measurements of blood pressure. After pooling of data the results were grouped according to gender across the age group and these were correlated with their blood pressure and BMI values. Results: When a Body Mass Index (BMI) comparison made between the genders females are exposed the uppermost, normal proportion of overweight/obese BMI (43.11%) than the male population (36.36%). Of the women, 15.59% and 29.05% of the men had hyper tension (≥140/90 mmHg). We have distinguished a straight relation connecting hypertension and Overweight/ Obese BMI. A considerable association of hypertension and BMI to the genders was observed in the study. Conclusion: Present study reflects that there is a relationship among gender, hypertension and BMI. Usually, an event of hypertension is originated as the obesity and age increases but the current study revealed that the BMI and age were the significant determinants of hypertension across the human health resources. Therefore the result recommends, about the worry for the prevention of obesity and hypertension as a public health problem.

Abstract:
The anti-diabetic effect of aqueous extract of the leaves of Calycopteris floribunda (Combretaceae) was investigated in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced in rats by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (40 mg / kg body weight). The test group received single dose of the extract (500 mg / kg body weight) daily for 10 days orally. The effect of the extract on the blood glucose and urine glucose was investigated. The present study shows that the Calycopteris floribunda leaves have a significant effect on hyperglycemia and glycosuria in diabetic rats. Further studies are required to elucidate the sites, constituents involved, as well as the cellular and molecular mechanism of actions of Calycopteris floribunda leaf extract.

Abstract:
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a non-progressive disorder of posture and movement due to brain damage/insult/lesion before birth, during delivery or in the perinatal period. It is a neurological disorder of childhood with significant medico-social implications. A retrospective hospital based cross sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence and causes of cerebral palsy among children (under the age of five) attending orthopedic clinics and physiotherapy unit at CCBRT Hospital. Information was collected from registry books and patients files using a design table and then depicted on the prepared dummy tables for report. 232 cases male: 144; female: 88) met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 48 came from Kinondoni district of Dar-es-Salaam. Most of the cases were from 1 to 2 years old children. The males were affected most. The most common etiological factor encountered includes spastic form of cerebral palsy in 75% cases.About 86% of patients had delayed milestone as an associated condition. Most cases of cerebral palsy in Dar-es-Salaam were related to perinatal problems. Improved perinatal care may reduce the burden of cerebral palsy in the community. High rates of erratic and irregular followup by the parents of the affected children are also a cause for poor care of the affected children. The parents should also be motivated through education and explanations to improve the quality of care available to affected children.