The importance of genetics in the diagnosis of animal diseases - A review

Genetic diseases have always been present in the animal population but their significance has increased in recent decades. The wealth of knowledge on genomic information, systems biology and mechanisms of diseases provide great opportunities to elucidate the genetic bases of diseases. The use of recombinant DNA techniques in conjunction with conventional genetic methods have led to a rapid increase in knowledge of the genetic map. Many animal genes have been mapped to chromosomes. A detailed genetic map has become of great value in the diagnosis of genetic diseases and in the development of potential cures through gene transfer therapy. In view of the emerging animal diseases like avian influenza, swine influenza among others with serious health implications for humans, this review aims at highlighting the association between diseases and genes in animals. The information derived could assist in the prevention and management of emerging animal diseases and in future drug discovery processes

Up-regulation of ZO-1 expression and barrier function in cultured human corneal epithelial cells by substance P

AbstractThe effects of the sensory neurotransmitter substance P on the expression of tight junction proteins and on barrier function in human corneal epithelial cells were investigated. The expression of ZO-1, but not that of occludin or claudin-1, was increased by substance P in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. This effect was inhibited by the NK-1 receptor antagonist GR82334 and by KN62, an inhibitor of Ca2+- and calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II. Substance P also increased the transepithelial electrical resistance of a cell monolayer in a manner sensitive to GR82334. Substance P may therefore play a role in maintenance of tight junctions in the corneal epithelium

Morphology of colorectal carcinoma among Nigerians: A 30-year review

Background: The incidence of colorectal carcinoma has been on the increase in the developing countries, including Nigeria, as a result of change in diet and adoption of western lifestyle.Objectives: The aim of this review is to highlight the prevalence, age and sex distribution, anatomical location, and morphological characteristics of colorectal carcinomas in Ilorin, Nigeria.Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective study of all cases of histologically diagnosed colorectal carcinoma in the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria, over a 30-year period (January 1979–December 2008), using the departmental record and histological slides of the cases.Result: A total of 241 cases of colorectal carcinoma were reported, 144 cases (60%) in males and 96 cases (40%) in females with a male: female ratio of 1.5:1. The peak age of occurrence for males was between 51 and 60 years, while that of the females was between 41 and 50 years. The malignancy was found in the rectum in 60.2% of the cases, while the least affected site is the descending colon (1.2%). The exophytic occluding masses were found in 82.2% of the cases, and the most common histological type is adenocarcinoma (77.2%) with well-, moderately, and poorly differentiated forms constituting 52.3%, 32.8%, and 14.9% respectively. Of the 241 cases that were seen over the last 30 years, 93 cases (38.6%) were seen in the last 5 years.Conclusion: Colorectal carcinoma is no longer a rare disease in Nigeria. The surge in the incidence reported in the last 5 years in this center calls for a pragmatic action in its control, with emphasize on colonoscopic  screening for those with family history, and possibly making digital rectal examination a mandatory aspect of clinical examination, because most colorectal carcinomas are within the reach of examining finger

Scale Efficiency and Determinants of Productivity of New Rice for Africa (NERICA) Farmers in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Rice productivity is low in Nigeria, and NERICA was introduced by West Africa Rice Development Agency (WARDA) to solve this problem. This study focused on NERICA productivity and efficiency in Kaduna State. A three-stage sampling technique was used with Kaduna State being purposively selected. Igabi and Soba Local Government Areas (LGAs) were randomly selected. Five villages were randomly selected from each LGA, with a total of 129 NERICA farmers selected and used for the analysis. There were technical and managerial inefficiencies among the farmers. NERICA production is characterized by increasing returns to scale with a value of 1.4954. The farmers were cost inefficient, hence there was room for improvement in NERICA production in the study area. The average productivity (AP) was 26.30. The average marginal productivity (MP) is 9.213. The average total factor productivity (TFP) is 12.87. Farmer’s age and access to credit had negative influence on both AP and MP. Extension contact and adoption of NERICA technology positively influenced the AP and MP. Farmer’s age had negative influence on total factor productivity. Formal education, farming experience, extension contact, farm commercialization and adoption of NERICA technology had positive influence on the total factor productivity of the NERICA farmers. Improvements in the supply of NERICA seed, extension services and level of farm commercialization are recommended.Keywords: Scale efficiency, productivity, NERICA, Kaduna State, Nigeri

Activation of channel activity of the NMDA receptor-PSD-95 complex by guanylate kinase-associated protein (GKAP)

AbstractThe channel-associated protein PSD-95 functionally modulates NMDA receptor channels, interacting with the channels via PDZ domain of PSD-95. PSD-95 also interacts with guanylate kinase-associated protein (GKAP) through the guanylate kinase-like domain of PSD-95. Here we report that GKAP markedly potentiates the channel activity of the receptor-PSD-95 complex. However, GKAP had no effect on basic properties of the channels nor on PSD-95-induced changes in channel properties. Thus, GKAP affects the channel activity of the NMDA receptor via PSD-95 quantitatively, which may make signal transmission more efficient at postsynaptic sites

Effects of PARP inhibitors, SGLT2 inhibitors, and Colchicine on Doxorubicin-induced Premature Senescence Induced-Phenotype

https://openworks.mdanderson.org/sumexp22/1076/thumbnail.jp

Histological and Immunohistochemical Evaluation of Ductal Carcinoma In Situ Co-Existing with Triple-Negative Carcinoma of the Breast

BACKGROUND: Triple-negative breast carcinomas (TNBCs) are associated with high-grade histological tumor and a poor clinical outcome. In this study, we evaluated the histology and immunohistochemical features of DCIS co-existing with TNBC to determine the characteristics of the precursor lesions of TNBC. METHODS: Among the 1,610 cases of breast carcinoma, we selected the TNBCs with DCIS (n=196), and compared the pathological and immunohistochemical findings of the DCIS with those of the invasive carcinoma areas. RESULTS: Among the 1,610 breast carcinomas, the TNBCs accounted for 330 cases (20.5%) and there were 196 cases with DCIS. The TN-DCIS cases exhibited high nuclear (94.5%) and histological (94.5%) grades, comedo-necrosis (68.9%) and a small extent of the DCIS-involved area. Immunohistochemically, a p53 expression was present in 48.4% of the TN-DCIS cases and a high Ki-67 index was present in 31.5%. The same TN immunohistochemical profiles as the carcinoma were detected in 109 of the 124 (87.9%) cases, but different profiles were observed in 15 of the 124 (12.1%) cases. The 15 discordant cases were associated with a low histological grade (p=0.037), low p53-positivity (p=0.006) and a low Ki-67 index (p=0.026), as compared to the invasive carcinomas. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that TN DCIS is a highly probable, but not obligate, precursor lesion of TNBC

Evaluation of the effect of ethanolic extract of Croton zambesicus on the testes of Swiss albino mice

The possible effect of Croton zambesicus administration on vital organs has been less investigated despite its extensive traditional use in tropical Africa. We therefore aim at elucidating the effect of ethanolic extract on the testes. The aqueous fraction of ethanolic leaf extract of C. zambesicus (5 and 10 mg/Kg body weight) was administered to verify its effect on sperm concentration, sperm motility, sperm progessivity, malondialdehyde and catalase activities for a period of five consecutive days. The result showed that there is a significant increase in sperm production, sperm motility and sperm progressivity in the treated group when compared with the control; while there was a reduction in malondialdehyde and catalase activity in all the treated groups. The slight increase in the weight of the measured parameters also indicated the positive effect of the extract in the normal metabolic activities in the treated groups. This investigation has shown that the leaf extract possesses promising profertility property which can be exploited in fertility therapy.Key words: Testes, Croton zambesicus, sperm production, sperm motility, sperm progressivity, malondialdehyd