Idris A. Azeez

• DVM, MSc, PhD (Neuroscience)
• Senior Lecturer at University of Jos

The structural parts of brain are similar in all vertebrates, but they differ in their complexity and organization. The avian brain for instance, is organised differently compared to mammals, with variations existing in the relative size and location of their structures. The cattle egret ( Bubulcus ibis ) is a cosmopolitan avian species native to A...

Introduction: Skin is the largest organ of the body, it is a protective barrier against environmental assaults. This study was conducted to compare the morphology and histomorphometry of the Nigerian local dog and pig"s skin, owing to insufficient comparative studies and inadequate histological information on some key epidermal and dermal parameter...

Neural stem cells (NSCs) are immature progenitor cells that are found in developing and adult brains that have the potential of dividing actively and renewing themselves, with a complex form of gene expression. The generation of new brain cells in adult individuals was initially considered impossible, however, the landmark discovery of human neural...

The heron species, Cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis) can be found all over the world. In the South-Western region of Nigeria, they are colonial, white in colour, and are seen in open lands and around water bodies. Morphometric data are important parameter in the assessment of functional morphology, hence we here present for the first time, data on the c...

Increased exploitation of minerals has led to pollution of confined environments as documented in Nigeria Niger Delta. Information on the effects on brain of such exposure is limited. Due to its exploratory activities, the African giant rat (Cricetomys gambianus) (AGR) provides a unique model for neuroecotoxicological research to determine levels o...

Increased exploitation of minerals has led to pollution of confined environments as documented in Nigeria Niger Delta. Information on the effects on brain of such exposure is limited. Due to its exploratory activities, the African giant rat ( Cricetomys gambianus ) (AGR) provides a unique model for neuroecotoxicological research to determine levels...

Neuropeptides are secretory peptides characterized by small chains of amino acids linked by peptide bonds. They are majorly found in some mammalian neurons and glial cells, where they modulate a variety of physiological homeostasis. In the male genital tract, they are mostly found in the neuronal fibers supplying the vasculature, smooth muscle laye...

Neuroscience research in Africa remains sparse. Devising new policies to boost Africa's neuroscience landscape is imperative, but these must be based on accurate data on research outputs which is largely lacking. Such data must reflect the heterogeneity of research environments across the continent's 54 countries. Here, we analyse neuroscience publ...

Orexin (hypocretin), is a neuropeptide produced by a subset of neurons in the lateral hypothalamus. From the lateral hypothalamus, the orexin-containing neurons project their fibres extensively to other brain structures, and the spinal cord constituting the central orexinergic system. Generally, the term ‘’orexinergic system’’ usually refers to the...

Neuroscience research in Africa remains sparse. Devising new policies to boost Africa's neuroscience landscape is imperative, but these must be based on accurate data on research outputs which is largely lacking. Such data must reflect the heterogeneity of research environments across the continent's 54 countries. Here, we analyse neuroscience publ...

Congenital abnormalities are common among avian and mammalian species. They could be partial or total drift from the normal structural organization of the organ- systems. This article is aimed at reporting the occurrence of multiple abnormalities in a 3-week-old broiler chick. Ante mortem, post-mortem, radiological and osteological investigations w...

The brain is one of the most important organs, as it controls numerous bodily functions. Due to its crucial regulatory roles, the nervous system of fishes and especially the brain needs more research. Catfish (order Siluriformes or Nematognathi) are ray finned fish, named for their prominent whiskers (barbels), which resembles the whisker of a cat....

Vanadium, a transition series metal released during some industrial activities, induces oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation. Ameliorative effect of a pure compound from the methanolic extract of Moringa oleifera leaves, code-named MIMO2, in 14-day old mice administered with vanadium (as sodium metavanadate 3 mg/kg) for 2 weeks was assessed. Res...

Understanding the function and dysfunction of the brain remains one of the key challenges of our time. However, an overwhelming majority of brain research is carried out in the Global North, by a minority of well-funded and intimately interconnected labs. In contrast, with an estimated one neuroscientist per million people in Africa, news about neu...

Background: Vitellaria paradoxa is a tropical plant with diverse folkloric health benefits that could be optimised in health product development. This study was therefore designed to investigate morphophysiological changes in the liver of rats exposed to acute and chronic concentrations of Vitellaria paradox Methods: A total of seventy-four (74) a...

Hydrocephalus is especially prevalent in countries with limited resources, where its treatment is still a challenge. However, long-term neuropathological changes in untreated hydrocephalus remain largely unexplored. The present study looks at cortical parenchyma and neuroinflammation in acquired, chronic hydrocephalus. Intracisternal kaolin injecti...

In the heterogeneous hub represented by the lateral hypothalamus, neurons containing the orexin/hypocretin peptides play a key role in vigilance state transitions and wakefulness stability, energy homeostasis, and other functions relevant for motivated behaviors. Orexin neurons, which project widely to the neuraxis, are innervated by multiple extra...

Abstract African savanna hare (Lepus microtis) belonging to the family Leporidae, is a placental mammal with vast economic and scientific importance ranging from the major source of protein for the teaming population to models of laboratory and genetic studies as well as valued game reserve. The aim of this study was to investigate the morphology a...

Orexin (OX)/hypocretin-containing neurons are main regulators of wakefulness stability, arousal, and energy homeostasis. Their activity varies in relation to the animal's behavioral state. We here tested whether such variation is subserved by synaptic plasticity phenomena in basal conditions. Mice were sacrificed during day or night, at times when...

Vanadium, a transition metal, induces oxidative stress and oligodendrocyte damage. Environmental and occupational exposure to vanadium is of special relevance in certain world regions (including the Niger delta) due to the burning of fossil fuels. We recently characterized the neuroinflammatory profile in mice after chronic vanadium exposure during...

ABSTRACT Cattle egrets (Bubulcus ibis) are cosmopolitan species of heron found in almost all the zones of the world and can be described base on the colour of their plumage, habitat, and feeding habit. The importance of this bird to the farmer has initiated an increasing interest to establish more accurate and specific anatomical facts especially a...

Environmental exposure to vanadium occurs in areas of persistent burning of fossil fuels; this metal is known to induce oxidative stress and oligodendrocyte damage. Here, we determined whether vanadium exposure (3 mg/kg) in mice during the first 3 postnatal months leads to a sustained neuroinflammatory response. Body weight monitoring, and muscle s...

This report describes a case of polydactyly in the hind-limb of a West African Dwarf goat kid in South West Africa. Physical examination revealed the presence of four digits in each of the hind limbs. Radiological examination and macerated bones of the animal showed a bifid shape of each metatarsal that was more prominent from the distal half of th...

Morphometric Studies of the Eyeball and Orbital Region of the Nigerian Local Pig (Sus scrofa). Olopade, J.O., Igado, O.O., Azeez, I.A. and Okandeji, M.E. Trop. Vet. Vol. 29 (1) 34-40 (2011). Abstract. The ocular and orbital morphometrics of the Nigerian local pig (Sus scrofa) were investigated on the fresh specimen and macerated skull on twenty- si...