Efficacy of Parazoquantel against Schistosoma Heamatobium Enfection among Residents of Wasai Dam in Minjibir Local Government, Kano State, Nigeria

Schistosomiasis is a chronic debilitating infection due to Schistosoma species belonging to parasitic trematode worms. It continues to threaten millions of people, particularly the rural poor in the developing countries. A study was carried out to determine the prevalence of urinary Schistosomiasis among dwellers of Wasai dam in Minjibir, Kano State and to evaluate efficacy of single dose of Parazoquantel. A total of 402 people in four selected villages residing around the study area were screened for the present or absence of Shistosoma haematobium ova and efficacy of single dose Parazoquantel was evaluated. Eggs of S. haematobium were examined using urine concentration sedimentation technique. The overall prevalence of the infection was 61.9% and Mean Eggs Per cubic Centilitre (EPC) of 31.8% were recorded. Males were more infected (67.9%) than females (54.8%). Cure rate in the present study was 97.9%. There was significant difference between mean EPC and cure rate (p<0.05). This study concludes that Parazoquantel is still highly efficacious at a single dose for the treatment of S. haematobium infection.Keywords: Parazoquantel, therapy, Schistosomiasis, Wasai, Dam, Kano-Nigeria

Small Holder Poultry Management Practices and Constraints among Women Poultry Farmers in Kano, Nigeria

The poultry population in Nigeria is estimated at 104.3 million comprising of 72.4 million chickens, 11.8 million ducks, 4.7 million guinea fowls, 15.2 million pigeons and 0.2 million turkeys (FDLPCS, 1992; Ajala et al., 2007). The main sources of animal protein in Nigeria include beef, chicken, mutton, eggs, fish and rabbit. Of all these sources, poultry has the highest contribution to animal protein intake of rural dwellers (Ajala et al., 2007). Women in Africa and Asia make up more than one third of the farm work force, accounting for about 70% of the agricultural workers, 80% of the food producers and 100% of those who process basic foodstuff and 60-90% of those involved in marketing agricultural products (Anon, 1993; Maigida, 2000; Herath, 2008). Yet the role of women in these activities, as economically important as they are, has for many years not been appreciated either because women play very little part in the political activities or the decision making process, until recently (Anon, 1993). Women have important roles to play in animal production (Sanni, 2004; Herath, 2008) although these roles may vary according to the types of animals' being kept, type of production and other economic and cultural constraints (Oladele and Adekoya, 1990; Ogbosuka et al., 2003; Herath, 2005). Ample evidence indicates that many women across Nigeria whether in purdah or not, are engaged in various aspects of animal production (Maigida, 2000). However, as poultry farmers, women in many parts of Africa and Asia experienced or faced problems that tend to undermine their determination to raise income through rearing of animals on daily basis (Anon, 1993; Herath, 2005; Sonaiya, 2007). The integration of women as both agents and beneficiaries of development in the main sectors of the agricultural economy must therefore be a priority objective (Sanni, 2004). Kano is renowned as a centre of commerce and increasing number of people are engaged in rearing livestock particularly poultry. This serves to keep the women engaged and also supplement the income of the family especially among the working class in addition to providing eggs and meat to the family for consumption. Against this background, the objective of the survey was therefore to find out the management practices and associated problems faced by women poultry farmers in Kano.Keywords: Women, Smallholder, Poultry, Management, KanoNigerian Veterinary Journal 32(2) 201

Off versus On pump coronary artery bypass grafting; a single-center experience

Background: The debate about on-pump vs. off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) continues. The present study compared the short-term outcomes after off-pump vs. on-pump CABG. Methods: The study was conducted on 67 patients who underwent CABG from 2021 to 2022. Patients were divided into two groups according to the CABG technique. Group 1 included 33 patients who underwent off-pump CABG, and Group 2 included 34 patients who underwent on-pump CABG. The study outcomes were operative time, hospital complications, and mortality. Results: On-pump patients were significantly older than off-pump patients (64.78±7.12 vs. 59.09±6.29; p= 0.004). There were no differences in comorbidities, presenting symptoms, or ejection fraction between groups. Operative time was significantly shorter in off-pump patients (227.47±13.73 vs. 321.12±27.49; p< 0.001). Blood transfusion was lower in off-pump patients (1.06± 0.311 vs. 1.79± 0.25; p< 0.001). Bleeding was lower in off-pump patients (0.81±0.13 vs. 0.91±0.20 ml, p= 0.01). Off-pump patients had significantly shorter ICU (3.5±2.6 vs. 4.9±4.7; p<0.001) and hospital stay (7.6±4.8 vs. 9.5±6.1; p<0.001). No patient had reexploration for bleeding, wound infection, or mortality in our series. One patient had renal impairment in the on-pump group (p>0.99). Conclusion: Off-pump and on-pump CABG seem to be safe approaches for managing coronary artery disease in our institution. Off-pump could be superior to on-pump CABG regarding shorter ICU and hospital stay. Studies with data from a large number of patients are recommended

Role of IL-28B polymorphisms in virologic response to combined pegylated interferon and ribavirin therapy in genotype 4 chronic HCV infected patients with and without cirrhosis

Background: Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) represents one of the common causes of chronic liver disease worldwide with Egypt having the highest prevalence, namely genotype 4. The rs12979860 CC genotype of the interleukin 28B (IL28B) polymorphisms is associated with high rates of sustained virological response to pegylated interferon and ribavirin in HCV genotype-1 patients. Data on other genotypes are more limited.Objective: We aim to evaluate the predictive power of the rs12979860 IL28B single nucleotide  polymorphisms for treatment response at 3 and 6 months in chronic HCV genotype 4 Egyptian patients in relation to other predictors.Patients and methods: The study included 60 chronic HCV Egyptian patients receiving pegylated interferon and ribavirin therapy. Patients were classified into 2 groups; 30 patients with compensated cirrhosis, and 30 patients without cirrhosis. We analyzed selected pretreatment factors such as age, sex, HCV viral load, anti-schistosomal antibodies, insulin resistance, alpha fetoprotein, low and high density lipoproteins and single nucleotide polymorphisms of IL28B and tried to find out which of them influence sustained virological response.Results: In univariate analysis, CC genotype showed a significant association with sustained virological response at 6 months among the cirrhotic patients (81.8% responders had the CC genotype, 58.3% had the CT/TT genotype) (p= 0.009). While in multivariate analysis, the presenceKEYWORDS: HCV; IL28B; Polymorphism; Interferon; Schistosomiasis; Respons

An Association of Prolactin Gene Polymorphisms with Some Milk Traits in Women

We investigated the effects of prolactin gene polymorphisms on milk contents in women. The main aim of this work is to determine the genotypes of prolactin and its relationship with some milk chemical contents in women. Genotyping was carried out at Molecular Genetic Laboratory at the College of Agriculture, whereas biochemical assays were performed at the Department of Diseases Analyses at the South Technical University. Blood samples were collected for the prolactin-related gene. DNA was extracted from fifty candidate women. The extra-pituitary prolactin gene promoter 1149 G/T was subjected to XapI restriction enzyme. In this analysis   PRL-Pxa, I products result in three genotypes TT, TG and GG, as well as the population, is under Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Our results showed that the highest milk fat yield, milk protein, lactose and sold not fat (SNF) materials percentages were obtained by the genotype GG

Oral epithelial atypical changes in apparently healthy oral mucosa exposed to smoking, alcohol, peppers and hot meals, using the AgNOR and Papanicolaou staining techniques.

To evaluate cytological atypical changes in apparently healthy oral mucosa exposed to smoking, alcohol, hot meals, and peppers using the AgNOR and Papanicolaou methods. A total of 180 individuals were evaluated, of which 60 were smokers, 34 were alcohol users, 52 were habitual peppers and hot meal (exposed) consumers, 24 were non-exposed, and 10 were patients with Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC), as an internal control. Cytological materials were obtained by brushing of buccal mucosa, on the border of the tongue and on the floor of the mouth, and participants underwent the Papanicolaou test for cytological changes and AgNOR staining for evaluation of the mean number of AgNOR dots per nucleus. SPSS program was used to perform the Pearson chi-square test. The 95% confidence level, Odds Ratio (OR), and the 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) were used.The features of cytological atypia were verified among 10 individuals, including 5 smokers, 2 alcohol users, 2 hot meals and peppers consumers, and one non-exposed. For atypia among tobacco smokers, the adjusted Odds Ratio (OR) and the 95% CI were found to be 2 (0.246-16.24). Increased keratinization was detected among 27 (45%) of the smokers (P < 0.0001), 17 (32.7%) of the pepper and hot meals consumers (P < 0.005), 4 (11.8%) of the alcohol consumers, and among 2 (3.7%) of the non-exposed group. Statistical analyses revealed a greater mean number of AgNORs per nucleus in smokers (3.68) followed by (2.82) alcohol consumers, compared to the habitual peppers and hot meal consumers (2.28) and the non-exposed group (2.00). What's more, 80% of the smears with cytological atypia were identified with 6 +/- 2 AgNOR mean count.The increase of the variables suggests that the evaluation of epithelial atypical changes in individuals exposed to smoking and alcohol carcinogens may be a useful screening tool. While hot meals and peppers didnot seem to be a risk for oral mucosal proliferation, they increased the potency of keratinization and infection. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2010. (c) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc

Apocynin prevented inflammation and oxidative stress in carbon tetrachloride induced hepatic dysfunction in rats

Background: Liver fibrosis is a leading pathway to cirrhosis and a global clinical issue. Oxidative stress mediated tissue damage is one of the prime causes of hepatic dysfunction and fibrosis. Apocynin is one of many strong antioxidants. Objective: To evaluate the effect of apocynin in the CCl4 administered hepatic dysfunction in rats. Methods: Female Long Evans rats were administered with CCl4 orally (1 mL/kg) twice a week for 2 weeks and were treated with apocynin (100 mg/kg). Both plasma and liver tissues were analyzed for alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase activities. Oxidative stress parameters were also measured by determining malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), myeloperoxidase (MPO), advanced protein oxidation product (APOP). In addition, antioxidant enzyme activities such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities in plasma and liver tissues were analyzed. Moreover, inflammation and tissue fibrosis were confirmed by histological staining of liver tissue sections. Results: Apocynin significantly reduced serum AST, ALT, and ALP activities in carbon tetrachloride treated rats. It also exhibited a considerable reduction of the oxidative stress markers (MDA, MPO, NO, and APOP level) which was elevated due to CCl4 administration in rats. Apocynin treatment also restored the catalase and superoxide dismutase activity in CCl4 treated rats. Histological analysis of liver sections revealed that apocynin prevented inflammatory cells infiltration and fibrosis in CCl4 administered rats. Conclusion: These results suggest that apocynin protects liver damage induced by CCl4 by inhibiting lipid peroxidation and stimulating the cellular antioxidant system

Functional cooperation between KCa3.1 and TRPC1 channels in human breast cancer: Role in cell proliferation and patient prognosis

Intracellular Ca2+ levels are important regulators of cell cycle and proliferation. We, and others, have previously reported the role of KCa3.1 (KCNN4) channels in regulating the membrane potential and the Ca2+ entry in association with cell proliferation. However, the relevance of KC3.1 channels in cancer prognosis as well as the molecular mechanism of Ca2+ entry triggered by their activation remain undetermined. Here, we show that RNAi-mediated knockdown of KCa3.1 and/or TRPC1 leads to a significant decrease in cell proliferation due to cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase. These results are consistent with the observed upregulation of both channels in synchronized cells at the end of G1 phase. Additionally, knockdown of TRPC1 suppressed the Ca2+ entry induced by 1-EBIO-mediated KCa3.1 activation, suggesting a functional cooperation between TRPC1 and KCa3.1 in the regulation of Ca2+ entry, possibly within lipid raft microdomains where these two channels seem to co-localize. We also show significant correlations between KCa3.1 mRNA expression and poor patient prognosis and unfavorable clinical breast cancer parameters by mining large datasets in the public domain. Together, these results highlight the importance of KCa3.1 in regulating the proliferative mechanisms in breast cancer cells as well as in providing a promising novel target in prognosis and therap