This study investigated the antidiabetic activity of Cinnamomum cassia (C. cassia, Cc) silver nanoparticles (CcAgNPS) and effects of C. cassia on the kidneys of rats with induced type 2 diabetes. Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 250 ± 20 g were induced with diabetes by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ, 60 mg/kg). Animals were randomly assigned to one of four groups (n = 6) and treated for eight weeks with normal saline (control, group A), 5 mg/kg of CcAgNPs (group B), 10 mg/kg of CcAgNPs (group C), or 200 mg/kg of Cc (group D). Body weight and fasting blood glucose (FBG) was measured weekly and fortnightly, respectively. At the end of experiments, animals were euthanized, blood and kidney tissue samples were collected for biochemistry (oxidative stress markers and renal function parameters) and kidneys were harvested for histology (PAS and HE staining). Body weight was significantly higher in group B and C vs. control (p < 0.05), while no significant differences were observed in the kidney-to-body weight ratio between groups. FBG, glutathione, malondialdehyde, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, serum urea and creatinine were significantly lower in group B, C and/or D vs. control (all p < 0.05). In group A, severe distortion of the glomerular network was observed, marked by the loss of capsular integrity, thickened basement membrane, tubular cells with pyknotic nuclei, vacuolization, and interstitial space with infiltrations. These adverse effects were mitigated by 5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg of CcAgNPs. Our study confirms structural and functional damage to kidneys caused by diabetes. CcAgNPs have a regenerative potential in diabetes-induced kidney damage and may be used as an antidiabetic agent.

Human immunodeficiency virus-infected man may require assisted reproductive technology not just for safer conception but also due to subfertility. The study investigated the effect of antiretroviral drugs on the fertility potentials of males and the possible protective role of Naringenin, using Sprague Dawley rats. Thirty adult male Sprague Dawley rats were grouped into-A: Distilled water; B: Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART); C: Naringenin 40 mg/kg; D: Naringenin 80 mg/kg, E: HAART + Naringenin 40 mg/kg; F: HAART + Naringenin 80 mg/kg. The rats were euthanised after 10 weeks. Results showed a significant decrease in sperm count in group B when compared to the control and other groups. Spermatozoa with normal morphology also reduced significantly in the B group and progressive sperm motility reduced when compared to the control, D and the F group. The serum testosterone was not significantly different between groups A and B, however the groups C and D displayed significant increase when compared to groups A and B. The serum luteinising hormone was significantly higher in group B when compared to groups A, E and F. Our data suggest that Naringenin improves the male reproductive anatomy and function, therefore, it promises to be a beneficial adjuvant for mitigating HAART testicular and reproductive perturbations.

This study investigated the toxic effects of silver on the kidneys and livers of Sprague-Dawley rats after administering multiple doses of silver nanoparticles synthesized using extracts of Cinnamomum cassia (CcAgNPs). Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley rats (250 ± 20 g) were randomly assigned to four groups (A-D) of six animals per group and treated for 8 weeks. Group A was administered 200 mg/kg of Cinnamon Cassia extract (Cc), group B 5 mg/kg of CcAgNPs, group C 10 mg/kg of CcAgNPs, and group D normal saline. Body weight was measured weekly and fasting blood glucose was measured fortnightly. At the end of the experiment, animals were euthanized and organs (livers and kidneys) were fixed in neutral buffered formalin and processed for light microscopy (H&E). Body weight differences were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the low-dose Cc group and the kidney to body weight ratio was not significant. Renal function analysis of proteins and ketones showed a significant increase in CcAgNP-treated rats (P < 0.05). Kidney and liver histology showed distortions in hepatocytes and sinusoidal linings with infiltrations especially in the higher dose groups. Kidney histology mirrored degenerative changes in glomerular and Bowman's capsules with bfirillary mesangial interstitium. CcAgNPs impairs renal and hepatic morphology and function after a long period of administration.

The response to HIV must be based on all situations of risk and vulnerability related to sexual behavior. Sexual practices of women who have sex with other women to HIV described in his study come within this framework. This transversal and descriptive study on the sexual practices of 150 women who have sex with other women to HIV was conducted from July to September 2010 in Abidjan. Mean age of the respondents was 26.6 years. Among them, 21.3% was illiterate, 41.4% had no earned income and 57.3% was Christians. At the time of data collection, the majority (70.7%) did not know their HIV status. The analysis of sexual practices has found 13.3% of lesbians, bisexual, 36% and 50.7% of women who say they are lesbian even if they have had sex with men. Women who have sex with other women had sexual risk behavior. It was mostly the non-systematic use of the condom during sexual relation (60%). Among the 26.7% of respondents who had lesbian practices with penetration, 40% took no precaution to prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Taking into account these results could help to develop specific strategies to promote responsible sexual practices among women who have sex with other women.

Purpose: Infertility is a complex disorder with significant medical, psychosocial and economic aspects recognized as a public health issue. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of hormonal imbalance in Namibian women.Methods: This was a retrospective study, analysing female hormonal data from 2015 to 2019 after obtaining ethical approval from the Namibia University of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Health and Social Services and the Namibia Institute of Pathology. The medical dada received from NIP were acquired from women aged 16 to 60 years from different hospital wards nationwide.Results: Results indicated a high prevalence (21.1 %) of hormonal imbalance among Namibian women. An average of 47% of the patients experienced critically high or low thyroid hormone values. The prevalence of imbalanced reproductive hormones was 21.1% of which approximately 20% was contributed by progesterone.Conclusion: Based on the statistical analysis it can be concluded that the prevalence of hormonal imbalance in Namibian women is significantly high and alarming. The general population of Namibian women have a high risk in developing conditions linked to hormonal imbalance. To better understand the implications of these results further studies should be conducted.