Objectives Growing interest has been reported on the health benefits of fermented foods, which includes cognition enhancement and inflammation attenuation. BDNF is a known protectant against retinal degeneration, however, therapies that target this neurotrophic factor has been limited. Therefore, we assessed the reaction of BDNF and glial cells in glaucomatous rats and their response to treatment with fermented maize products. Methods Thirty male adult rats were either injected via the episcleral vein with hypertonic saline to elevate intraocular pressure (IOP) or treated with fermented maize slurry (Ogi) or its supernatant (Omidun). Following sacrifice, the retina and duodenum were studied by immunohistochemical analysis using antibodies directed against GFAP, AIF-1 and BDNF. Results Hypertonic saline injection produced hypertrophy of the Müller cells and increased GFAP and AIF-1 expression in the retina and gut when compared to the control. Treatment with Ogi and Omidun produced varying degrees of reduction of gliosis, protection against hypertonic saline-induced retinal ganglion cell loss, and reduced intraocular pressure. BDNF expression was downregulated following the hypertonic saline assault, while Omidun and Ogi treatment abrogated its reduction following the hypertonic saline assault. Conclusions Collectively, our findings suggest that acute elevation of IOP alters crosstalk between gut and retina with consequent aberrant activation of glial cells; and that probiotic bacteria like the lactic acid bacteria rich in fermented foods including Ogi and Omidun may offer neuroprotection to the ganglionic cells by attenuating the retinal glial reaction and improving BDNF activity.

Anatomy, a foremost basic medical science (BMS) has evolved in content and context, while remaining the most fundamental BMS subject. Stakeholders have continually made efforts especially in recent time to achieve an evolution of this subject. The primary aim of this work was to study the perceptions and experiences of Anatomists towards contributing to programme and career advancements. Following ethical approval, structured questionnaire was administered to Nigerian anatomists using a Google form. It is a total population study. The questionnaire had 13 sections, with each section addressing a theme that was integral to the subject of research interest. The last section collected free responses as qualitative information. After indicating informed consent, 106 anatomists properly completed and returned the questionnaires. Statistical and quantitative analyses of results were done. The most popular field amongst respondents was Neuroscience (60.9%); followed by Histology or Microscopic Anatomy (53.6%), Embryology or developmental anatomy (35.5%), Gross anatomy (34.5%) and Histochemistry (30.9%). About half of Nigerian anatomists involved in the study had a PhD degree. Training emphasized the cognitive domains the most. Consequently, emphasis should be laid on the psychomotor (skills) and the affective domain (attitude) to improve capacity, competences, and the job prospects of trainees. The consensus was that the programme trained students and prepared graduates as medical educators, scientists, and researchers. Anatomy has significant potential to contribute to development with proper programme design, emphasis on re-

Background: We earlier reported that datumetine possesses binding affinity with NMDAR and that 14-day exposure to datumetine altered NMDAR signalling by mimicking glutamate toxicity. Here, we investigated the potential neuroprotective effect of a single shot of a low dose of datumetine administration in BALB/c mice. Results: Relative to Veh, datumetine downregulate the expression of CamKIIα in the hippocampus and PFC but not in the cerebellum, CREB was also upregulated in the PFC only, but pCREB was also upregulated in all the three brain regions observed, while BDNF was only upregulated in both hippocampus and PFC of Datumetine relative to Veh. MK-801 on the other hand reversed some of the effects of datumetine in the brain regions observed. No major histological alterations were observed in the different brain regions immunohistochemically. Conclusion: We conclude that a single low dose of datumetine moderately enhances NMDAR activity. This showed the neuroprotective potentials of low datumetine exposure.

Hands-on learning approach such as ‘Clinical observership’ is globally applicable in learning. This study evaluated clinical observership as an aid to  pre-clinical medical students’ understanding of human embryology. Students were grouped into A and B; group B took calls as studentobservers in  the labour ward of Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital in addition to taking regular classes in embryology while group A was the control group.  Previously validated selfadministered questionnaires were used to test students’ intelligence quotient and knowledge of embryology before and  after lectures and clinical observership. The short-term effect of clinical observership was tested by comparing the pre-field and post-field responses  of the studentvolunteers while the long-term effect was tested by evaluating their performance in the first professional exams after the  completion of pre-clinical program. The perception of group B participants on the observership program was assessed with a pre-tested  questionnaire. There was no significant difference (p=0.4162) in the IQ between the control (77±1.2) and the experimental group (79±1.4). There was  no significant difference (p= 0.0795) in the mean preobservation test score between the control (33±1.7) and the experimental group (38±1.7).  However, a significant increase (p=0.0282) was observed in the mean post-observation test score in the experimental (29±2.4) when compared with  the control (22±1.9). Although there was an increase in the mean score in the MBBS exam in the experimental group (59±2.7) when compared with  the control (57±2.0), it was not statistically significant. On the perception of the method in improving learning, majority of the students were  affirmative. Clinical observership enhances the learning of embryology hence we recommend its incorporation into the teaching methods of  embryology in medical schools.

Exposure to lead (Pb) has been shown to alter the function of central nervous system and affect cholinergic neurons of the visual cortex in animal models. This study sought to investigate the withdrawal symptoms and oxidative stress on the visual cortex after lead exposure. A total of 20 healthy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups (n=10): group A, control, received 10 ml/kg of distilled water for 30 days orally; group B, lead treated group, received 10 mg/kg of lead nitrate solution for 30 days orally. Group B was divided into two subgroups, group B1 serves as non-recovery while B2 serves as recovery (withdrawal). Five rats from each group were sacrificed under ether anesthesia 24 hours after the last oral administration of lead, while the remaining 5 rats (withdrawal subgroup) were sacrificed 30 days after the last oral administration of lead. The visual cortex was grossed from the brain tissue and processed for histology. Blood/serum samples were obtained and markers of oxidative stress (superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase [CAT], glutathione peroxidase [GPX]), and lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde [MDA]) were analyzed. Lead-exposed rats display a significant reduction in the SOD, CAT, and GPX level as well as increased in MDA level. However, following a recovery period, a non-significant improvement was seen in the histoarchitecture of the visual cortex.