Detection of Human Papillomavirus Dna Among Women in Itesiwaju Local Government Area of Oyo State

In most developing countries, cervical cancer is one of the most prevalent diseases, and genital Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a recognized cause of this cancer. Continuously, high-risk HPV infection, particularly strains 16 and 18, has been associated to cervical cancer. Currently available in Nigeria are the HPV vaccines Cervarix and Gardasil, which respectively target two (16 and 18) and four (6, 11, 16 and 18) strains. In Itesiwaju, a rural Local Government in Oyo State, women were enrolled in this study to look for Human Papillomavirus DNA. With residents from many ethnic groups, the Community is situated on a large piece of ground. Farming and mining are the two main occupations of the locals. All the samples tested were collected from consenting women, some who are from farming communities and mining sites, others from other occupations and visit the public health facilities all around the Local Government. Information was collected from each participant using a questionnaire that captured demographic and sexual history. Genomic DNA was extracted from samples using commercial extraction reagents. The presence of HPV was detected by PCR using a primer (PGMY09/11) targeting E6/E7 genes. The PCR products were subjected to gel electrophoresis and visualized under a UV light. A total of the 126 samples were tested and 14 of them were positive with HPV DNA giving an overall HPV prevalence rate of 11.1% in Itesiwaju. The largest proportion of participants (43.2%) fell within the 26-35 years age group, followed by the 36-45 years age group (30.7%). The 18-25 years age group accounted for 26.1% of the respondents.  The age range of 26 to 35 had the highest number of positive cases, which indicates a higher rate of sexual activity, according to subgroup analysis. These findings highlight the need for focused measures to address HPV infection in Itesiwaju LGA, such as awareness raising campaigns, vaccination programs, and routine screening. To comprehend the dynamics of HPV transmission and create effective preventative tactics that may be unique to the study region, more investigation and joint efforts are advised

Developmental Regulation of Genes Encoding Universal Stress Proteins in Schistosoma mansoni

The draft nuclear genome sequence of the snail-transmitted, dimorphic, parasitic, platyhelminth Schistosoma mansoni revealed eight genes encoding proteins that contain the Universal Stress Protein (USP) domain. Schistosoma mansoni is a causative agent of human schistosomiasis, a severe and debilitating Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) of poverty, which is endemic in at least 76 countries. The availability of the genome sequences of Schistosoma species presents opportunities for bioinformatics and genomics analyses of associated gene families that could be targets for understanding schistosomiasis ecology, intervention, prevention and control. Proteins with the USP domain are known to provide bacteria, archaea, fungi, protists and plants with the ability to respond to diverse environmental stresses. In this research investigation, the functional annotations of the USP genes and predicted nucleotide and protein sequences were initially verified. Subsequently, sequence clusters and distinctive features of the sequences were determined. A total of twelve ligand binding sites were predicted based on alignment to the ATP-binding universal stress protein from Methanocaldococcus jannaschii. In addition, six USP sequences showed the presence of ATP-binding motif residues indicating that they may be regulated by ATP. Public domain gene expression data and RT-PCR assays confirmed that all the S. mansoni USP genes were transcribed in at least one of the developmental life cycle stages of the helminth. Six of these genes were up-regulated in the miracidium, a free-swimming stage that is critical for transmission to the snail intermediate host. It is possible that during the intra-snail stages, S. mansoni gene transcripts for universal stress proteins are low abundant and are induced to perform specialized functions triggered by environmental stressors such as oxidative stress due to hydrogen peroxide that is present in the snail hemocytes. This report serves to catalyze the formation of a network of researchers to understand the function and regulation of the universal stress proteins encoded in genomes of schistosomes and their snail intermediate hosts

The genotoxicity and systemic toxicity of a pharmaceutical effluent in Wistar rats may involve oxidative stress induction

There is scarcity of information on the possible mechanisms of pharmaceutical effluent induced genotoxicity and systemic toxicity. This study investigated the genotoxicity and systemic toxicity of a pharmaceutical effluent in Wistar rats. Rats were orally treated with 5–50% concentrations of the effluent for 28 days. At post-exposure, blood, liver, kidney and bone marrow cells were examined for alterations in serum biochemical parameters and hematological indices, histopathological lesions and micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes formation (MNPCE). The effluent caused concentration independent significant (p < 0.05) alterations in aspartate (AST) and alanine (ALT) aminotransferases, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA), total and direct bilirubin and creatinine. There was reduction in red blood count (RBC), hemoglobin concentration (HGB), platelets, percentage hematocrit (HCT), white blood count (WBC) and mean corpuscle hemoglobin (MCH) except mean corpuscle hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), which increased in the treated rats. Histopathological lesions observed in the liver and kidney of the effluent treated rats were thinning of the hepatic cord, kuffer cell hyperplasia, vacuolation of the hepatocytes and renal cells, multifocal inflammatory changes, necrosis and congestion of the renal blood vessels and central vein. MNPCE significantly increase in the bone marrow of the treated rats compared to the negative control. The concentration of some toxic metals and anions in the effluent were above standard permissible limits. These findings showed that the pharmaceutical effluent caused somatic DNA damage and systemic toxicity in rats may involve induction of oxidative stress, suggesting environmental contamination and health risks in wildlife and humans