Towards screening Barrett’s Oesophagus: current guidelines, imaging modalities and future developments

Barrett’s oesophagus is the only known precursor to oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OAC). Although guidelines on the screening and surveillance exist in Barrett’s oesophagus, the current strategies are inadequate. Oesophagogastroduodenoscopy (OGD) is the gold standard method in screening for Barrett’s oesophagus. This invasive method is expensive with associated risks negating its use as a current screening tool for Barrett’s oesophagus. This review explores current definitions, epidemiology, biomarkers, surveillance, and screening in Barrett’s oesophagus. Imaging modalities applicable to this condition are discussed, in addition to future developments. There is an urgent need for an alternative non-invasive method of screening and/or surveillance which could be highly beneficial towards reducing waiting times, alleviating patient fears and reducing future costs in current healthcare services. Vibrational spectroscopy has been shown to be promising in categorising Barrett’s oesophagus through to high-grade dysplasia (HGD) and OAC. These techniques need further validation through multicentre trials

Effect of alcohol and paracetamol on aspect of the hematology of albino rats

Hemoglobin concentration (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), white blood cell (WBC) and lymphocyte counts as well as serum cholesterol level were used to access the effects of administration of alcohol and paracetamol to albino rats. Fifteen male albino rats weighing between 75 – 160 grams were grouped into five and given various combinations of alcohol and paracetamol treatments such as 300 mgkg -1 paracetamol and 12% ethanol for two weeks. Thereafter, the rats were sacrificed and the various parameters determined. The Hb, PCV, WBC, Lymphocyte values were significantly lower in all the groups exposed to 12% alcohol and 300 mgkg -1 paracetamol. The reduction was more remarkable in rats exposed to four doses of 300 mgkg -1 and 12% ethanol compared to either control or others. The study suggests that alcohol and paracetamol ingestion could result in hematological abnormalities in albino rats. International Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences Vol. 2(1) 2006: 16-1

Extraction and characterization of vegetable oil from avocado pear (Persea Americana)

No Abstract.International Journal of Tropical Agriculture and Food Systems Vol. 1 (4) 2007: pp. 352-35

Genetic modification of the diarrhoeal pathogen <i>Cryptosporidium parvum</i>

Recent studies into the global causes of severe diarrhea in young children have identified the protozoan parasite Cryptosporidium as the second most important diarrheal pathogen after rotavirus(1–3). Diarrheal disease is estimated to be responsible for 10.5% of overall child mortality(4). Cryptosporidium is also an opportunistic pathogen in the context of HIV-AIDS and organ transplantation(5,6). There is no vaccine and only a single approved drug that provides no benefit for those in gravest danger, malnourished children and immunocompromised patients(7,8). Cryptosporidiosis drug and vaccine development is limited by the poor tractability of the parasite, which includes lack of continuous culture, facile animal models, and molecular genetic tools(3,9). Here we describe an experimental framework to genetically modify this important human pathogen. We establish and optimize transfection of C. parvum sporozoites in tissue culture. To isolate stable transgenics we develop a mouse model that delivers sporozoites directly into the intestine, a Cryptosporidium CRISPR/Cas9 system, and in vivo selection for aminoglycoside resistance. We derive reporter parasites suitable for in vitro and in vivo drug screening, and we evaluate the basis of drug susceptibility by gene knock out. We anticipate the ability to genetically engineer the parasite will be transformative for Cryptosporidium research. Genetic reporters will provide quantitative correlates for disease, cure and protection and the role of parasite genes in these processes is now open to rigorous investigation