Evaluation of the Possible Mechanisms of Antihypertensive Activity of Loranthus micranthus: An African Mistletoe

Loranthus micranthus (LM), also called African mistletoe is a major Nigerian Loranthaceae plant used traditionally to treat hypertension. The methanolic leaf extract of the plant (LMME) has been shown to elicit anti-hypertensive activity in rats but mechanism remains unclear. This study was undertaken to study the effect of LM on pressor-induced contraction of rat aorta smooth muscles and serum lipid profiles in mice. The LMME was partitioned to produce n-butanol (NBF-LMME), chloroform (CF-LMME), ethyl acetate (EAF-LMME) and water (WF-LMME) fractions. The median effective concentrations and maximum relaxation of the fractions were determined against epinephrine and KCl pre-contracted rat aorta ring model. Serum lipid profiles and nitric oxide (NO) were determined spectrophotometrically in mice administered per orally 250 mg/kg b.w. of each fraction for 21 days. Data were analyzed statistically. NBF-LMME elicited the highest dose-dependent inhibitory effect on rat aorta pre-contracted with norepinephrine and KCl, followed in decreasing order by WF-LMME > CF-LMME > EAF-LMME. Similar order of activity was observed in the ability of these fractions to inhibit elevation in artherogenic lipids, raise serum nitric oxide and reduce cardiac arginase in mice. We conclude the anti-hypertensive activity of L. micranthus involve anti-artherogenic events, vasorelaxation, cardiac arginase reduction and NO elevation

Allele Frequencies of Apolipoprotein E in a South Western Nigerian population on HAART

Objective: Increasing evidence has shown that ApoE polymorphism is associated with the early onset of cardiovascular and neurological diseases in patients on HAART. The frequency of occurrence of the alleles and the genotypes vary by race and population. The study describes the pattern seen among adults in Ibadan, Nigeria. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 124 randomly selected HIV-infected persons on protease inhibitor therapy who receive care at the adult antiretroviral clinic of the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan. DNA was extracted from leucocytes using EDTA blood. ApoE genotypes were determined using the Seeplex ApoE ACE genotyping kit. The epidemiological distribution of apoE is figured with a pie graph. Results: About four-fifth (79%) of the participants were females while about two-thirds (68%) were below 50 years of age.  The most frequently occurring allele was the ε3 allele (82.2%) and the most common ApoE genotype observed was ε3/ε3. This genotype was present in 52 (41.9%) of the participants. At least one allele of Apo ε2, Apo ε3, and Apo ε4 was present in 28(22.5%), 102 (82.2%), and 50 (40.3) of the study participants respectively. Homozygosity for Apo ε2 and Apo ε4 was observed in 4.8% and 8.0% of participants respectively. Conclusions: Allelic frequency seen is similar to that described in other studied populations and the frequency of genotypes observed was also similar to those described among world populations with a higher observation of ApoE4 allele as seen in people of African descent

Allele Frequencies of Apolipoprotein E in a South Western Nigerian population on HAART

Objective: Increasing evidence has shown that ApoE polymorphism is associated with the early onset of cardiovascular and neurological diseases in patients on HAART. The frequency of occurrence of the alleles and the genotypes vary by race and population. The study describes the pattern seen among adults in Ibadan, Nigeria. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 124 randomly selected HIV-infected persons on protease inhibitor therapy who receive care at the adult antiretroviral clinic of the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan. DNA was extracted from leucocytes using EDTA blood. ApoE genotypes were determined using the Seeplex ApoE ACE genotyping kit. The epidemiological distribution of apoE is figured with a pie graph. Results: About four-fifth (79%) of the participants were females while about two-thirds (68%) were below 50 years of age.  The most frequently occurring allele was the ε3 allele (82.2%) and the most common ApoE genotype observed was ε3/ε3. This genotype was present in 52 (41.9%) of the participants. At least one allele of Apo ε2, Apo ε3, and Apo ε4 was present in 28(22.5%), 102 (82.2%), and 50 (40.3) of the study participants respectively. Homozygosity for Apo ε2 and Apo ε4 was observed in 4.8% and 8.0% of participants respectively. Conclusions: Allelic frequency seen is similar to that described in other studied populations and the frequency of genotypes observed was also similar to those described among world populations with a higher observation of ApoE4 allele as seen in people of African descent

Effect of early tranexamic acid administration on mortality, hysterectomy, and other morbidities in women with post-partum haemorrhage (WOMAN): an international, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Background Post-partum haemorrhage is the leading cause of maternal death worldwide. Early administration of tranexamic acid reduces deaths due to bleeding in trauma patients. We aimed to assess the effects of early administration of tranexamic acid on death, hysterectomy, and other relevant outcomes in women with post-partum haemorrhage. Methods In this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we recruited women aged 16 years and older with a clinical diagnosis of post-partum haemorrhage after a vaginal birth or caesarean section from 193 hospitals in 21 countries. We randomly assigned women to receive either 1 g intravenous tranexamic acid or matching placebo in addition to usual care. If bleeding continued after 30 min, or stopped and restarted within 24 h of the first dose, a second dose of 1 g of tranexamic acid or placebo could be given. Patients were assigned by selection of a numbered treatment pack from a box containing eight numbered packs that were identical apart from the pack number. Participants, care givers, and those assessing outcomes were masked to allocation. We originally planned to enrol 15 000 women with a composite primary endpoint of death from all-causes or hysterectomy within 42 days of giving birth. However, during the trial it became apparent that the decision to conduct a hysterectomy was often made at the same time as randomisation. Although tranexamic acid could influence the risk of death in these cases, it could not affect the risk of hysterectomy. We therefore increased the sample size from 15 000 to 20 000 women in order to estimate the effect of tranexamic acid on the risk of death from post-partum haemorrhage. All analyses were done on an intention-to-treat basis. This trial is registered with ISRCTN76912190 (Dec 8, 2008); ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00872469; and PACTR201007000192283. Findings Between March, 2010, and April, 2016, 20 060 women were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive tranexamic acid (n=10 051) or placebo (n=10 009), of whom 10 036 and 9985, respectively, were included in the analysis. Death due to bleeding was significantly reduced in women given tranexamic acid (155 [1·5%] of 10 036 patients vs 191 [1·9%] of 9985 in the placebo group, risk ratio [RR] 0·81, 95% CI 0·65–1·00; p=0·045), especially in women given treatment within 3 h of giving birth (89 [1·2%] in the tranexamic acid group vs 127 [1·7%] in the placebo group, RR 0·69, 95% CI 0·52–0·91; p=0·008). All other causes of death did not differ significantly by group. Hysterectomy was not reduced with tranexamic acid (358 [3·6%] patients in the tranexamic acid group vs 351 [3·5%] in the placebo group, RR 1·02, 95% CI 0·88–1·07; p=0·84). The composite primary endpoint of death from all causes or hysterectomy was not reduced with tranexamic acid (534 [5·3%] deaths or hysterectomies in the tranexamic acid group vs 546 [5·5%] in the placebo group, RR 0·97, 95% CI 0·87-1·09; p=0·65). Adverse events (including thromboembolic events) did not differ significantly in the tranexamic acid versus placebo group. Interpretation Tranexamic acid reduces death due to bleeding in women with post-partum haemorrhage with no adverse effects. When used as a treatment for postpartum haemorrhage, tranexamic acid should be given as soon as possible after bleeding onset. Funding London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Pfizer, UK Department of Health, Wellcome Trust, and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance

INTRODUCTION Investment in Africa over the past year with regard to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing has led to a massive increase in the number of sequences, which, to date, exceeds 100,000 sequences generated to track the pandemic on the continent. These sequences have profoundly affected how public health officials in Africa have navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. RATIONALE We demonstrate how the first 100,000 SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Africa have helped monitor the epidemic on the continent, how genomic surveillance expanded over the course of the pandemic, and how we adapted our sequencing methods to deal with an evolving virus. Finally, we also examine how viral lineages have spread across the continent in a phylogeographic framework to gain insights into the underlying temporal and spatial transmission dynamics for several variants of concern (VOCs). RESULTS Our results indicate that the number of countries in Africa that can sequence the virus within their own borders is growing and that this is coupled with a shorter turnaround time from the time of sampling to sequence submission. Ongoing evolution necessitated the continual updating of primer sets, and, as a result, eight primer sets were designed in tandem with viral evolution and used to ensure effective sequencing of the virus. The pandemic unfolded through multiple waves of infection that were each driven by distinct genetic lineages, with B.1-like ancestral strains associated with the first pandemic wave of infections in 2020. Successive waves on the continent were fueled by different VOCs, with Alpha and Beta cocirculating in distinct spatial patterns during the second wave and Delta and Omicron affecting the whole continent during the third and fourth waves, respectively. Phylogeographic reconstruction points toward distinct differences in viral importation and exportation patterns associated with the Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants and subvariants, when considering both Africa versus the rest of the world and viral dissemination within the continent. Our epidemiological and phylogenetic inferences therefore underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic on the continent and highlight key insights and challenges, for instance, recognizing the limitations of low testing proportions. We also highlight the early warning capacity that genomic surveillance in Africa has had for the rest of the world with the detection of new lineages and variants, the most recent being the characterization of various Omicron subvariants. CONCLUSION Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve. This is important not only to help combat SARS-CoV-2 on the continent but also because it can be used as a platform to help address the many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats in Africa. In particular, capacity building for local sequencing within countries or within the continent should be prioritized because this is generally associated with shorter turnaround times, providing the most benefit to local public health authorities tasked with pandemic response and mitigation and allowing for the fastest reaction to localized outbreaks. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

Association of acne with impaired dermatologic quality of life among Young People in Nigeria: A cross-sectional survey

Objective: Acne, particularly severe forms, may impair quality of life. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of acne, its severity, and its impact on the quality of life among young people in Nigeria. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 1017 systematically selected undergraduates in a Nigerian University using a 24-item self-administered questionnaire. We derived the proportions and means of participants’ characteristics and computed the crude and specific (age, sex, and location of residence) prevalence. We then conducted bivariate analysis and used binary logistic regression analysis to evaluate the relationship between the report of acne and the dermatologic quality of life. The level of significance was set at 5%. Results: About half (539; 53.0%) of the respondents were females, while 478 (47.0%) were males with mean ages of 16.6 (±1.2) and 16.8 (±1.4) (p = 0.004) respectively. The prevalence of self-reported acne was 61.3% (58.2-64.3). Participants reporting acne were four times more likely to perceive an impairment in dermatologic quality of life (AOR: 4.18 [2.77-6.33]). The perceived severity of acne was statistically related to the dermatologic quality of life. Participants with moderate (AOR: 3.05 [2.19-4.25]) and severe (AOR: 7.96 [3.12-20.16]) acne were at increased odds of impairment of dermatologic quality of life compared to those with no or mild acne. Conclusion: The self-report of acne and its severity are associated with diminished quality of life independent of age and sex. The management of acne among young people should include strategies to improve their perceived quality of life

Serum vitamin D status and its relationship with insulin resistance amongst a cohort of Nigerian patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Background: Insulin resistance (IR) is a cardinal pathophysiological mechanism for the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Vitamin D has been proposed to play an important role in the pathogenesis of T2DM. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between serum levels of vitamin D and IR among persons with T2DM in a tertiary health facility in Southern Nigeria. Materials and Methods: The study was a comparative cross-sectional study conducted at the medical outpatient clinic of a hospital in Nigeria. Participants included 120 patients with T2DM and 60 healthy controls. Levels of serum vitamin D, fasting insulin, and fasting plasma glucose were determined. IR was determined using the homeostasis model assessment of IR (HOMA-IR). Data obtained were analyzed with Statistical Package for Social Sciences, version 22. Results: The mean serum vitamin D of the subjects with T2DM was significantly lower than the controls (35.84 ± 11.65 ng/mL vs. 44.71 ± 20.12 ng/mL; P < 0.001). The median HOMA-IR of the T2DM subjects was significantly higher than that of controls (2.26 [2.57] vs. 1.59 [1.53]; P = 0.002). The mean serum vitamin D was significantly higher among T2DM participants with HOMA-IR of less than 2 compared with participants who had HOMA-IR of greater than or equal to 2 (39.80 ± 13.22 ng/mL vs. 33.91 ± 9.75 ng/mL; P < 0.05). There was a significant negative correlation between serum vitamin D and HOMA-IR among patients with T2DM (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The finding of this study could signify that vitamin D levels may be used as a surrogate marker of IR

Philosophy in the Face of Science and Technology and Nation Building

The elevation of Science and scientific knowledge above other disciplines and knowledge all over the world is not without reason or justification. Science has made life easier for people. It has reduced the level of superstition. Above all, it has made the world a global village. However, it has come with its own challenges. In a world dominated by science and technology, can Philosophy, an arts discipline, play major roles in the development of a nation? Is Philosophy still relevant in the development of a modern society? These and other related questions are answered in the affirmative in this paper. The paper argues that Philosophy has crucial roles to play in the development of a nation. Therefore, whatever science must have achieved should be complimented with the values inherent in philosophy that this paper examines. The methodology Adopted Is A Critical Analysis

Transcriptome RNA Sequencing Data Set of Differential Gene Expression in Escherichia coli BW25113 Wild-Type and slyA Mutant Strains

Escherichia coli laboratory strains remain instrumental for the development of tools and techniques in molecular microbiology. The transcriptional regulator SlyA, associated with host-derived oxidative stress, antibiotic resistance, and virulence, is prominent in Enterobacteriaceae. Here, we announce a transcriptome data set detailing the global gene expression in E. coli BW25113 and its slyA mutant

People living with HIV in Ogun East Senatorial district, Nigeria-a happy and physically active people

Background: Physically active individuals tend to be happy people. This study aimed to assess the relationship between physical activity and happiness among people living with HIV. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 412 HIV-positive participants and obtained data using an interviewer-based questionnaire that included sociodemographic questions, extracts from SF-36 to assess happiness and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short form (IPAQ-SF) to assess the intensity and domains of physical activity. We derived the proportions and means (and standard deviation) of participants’ characteristics and disaggregated the factors by reported happiness. Subsequently, we conducted bivariate and binary logistic analyses to assess the associations of happiness with physical activity volume, intensity and domains. Statistical significance was set at 5%. Results: Participants were predominantly females (68.4%) with a mean age of 47.4 (±10.3). Most (372; 90.3%) participants reported feeling happy in the preceding month. The prevalence of physical activity volume was 18.7% (low), 40.5% (moderate) and 40.8% (high), respectively. Physical activity level was related to happiness as 97.6% of the study participants who reported a high level of physical activity also reported feeling happy (ꭓ2 = 30.009; p = <0.001). The study found a positive dose-response association between the volume, intensity, and domains of physical activity and happiness (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Our study has demonstrated that HIV participants who engage themselves in physical activity are happy people. The findings may aid policy formulation aimed at physical activity interventions for promoting happiness and other positive mental health constructs among people living with HIV