Protection from ultraviolet damage and photocarcinogenesis by vitamin d compounds

© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020. Exposure of skin cells to UV radiation results in DNA damage, which if inadequately repaired, may cause mutations. UV-induced DNA damage and reactive oxygen and nitrogen species also cause local and systemic suppression of the adaptive immune system. Together, these changes underpin the development of skin tumours. The hormone derived from vitamin D, calcitriol (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3) and other related compounds, working via the vitamin D receptor and at least in part through endoplasmic reticulum protein 57 (ERp57), reduce cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers and oxidative DNA damage in keratinocytes and other skin cell types after UV. Calcitriol and related compounds enhance DNA repair in keratinocytes, in part through decreased reactive oxygen species, increased p53 expression and/or activation, increased repair proteins and increased energy availability in the cell when calcitriol is present after UV exposure. There is mitochondrial damage in keratinocytes after UV. In the presence of calcitriol, but not vehicle, glycolysis is increased after UV, along with increased energy-conserving autophagy and changes consistent with enhanced mitophagy. Reduced DNA damage and reduced ROS/RNS should help reduce UV-induced immune suppression. Reduced UV immune suppression is observed after topical treatment with calcitriol and related compounds in hairless mice. These protective effects of calcitriol and related compounds presumably contribute to the observed reduction in skin tumour formation in mice after chronic exposure to UV followed by topical post-irradiation treatment with calcitriol and some, though not all, related compounds

The Microbiological and Physicochemical Characteristics of Water Samples from Selected Boreholes in Umuahia, Nigeria

Microbiological and physicochemical analyses were carried out on fifteen borehole water samples in the World Bank Housing Estate, Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria. The microbiological analysis was based on the Most Probable Number Technique to detect fecal coliforms and other organisms present in the samples. The bacterial isolates identified included Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus spp, Citrobacter spp, Enterobacter aerogenes, Klebsiella pneumonia, Proteus sp, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Serratia marscensces 63.6% of these being of the family Enterobacteriaceae. Two yeast genera identified were Saccharomyces spp and Kluyveromyces spp. The Total Heterotrophic Plate Count (THPC) gave a range of 1.1 x 104 – 2.03 x 105 CFU/ml, with a mean of 5.2 x 104 CFU/ml, while the Total Coliform Plate Count (TCPC) gave a range of 1.1 x 103 – 8.5 x 105 CFU/ml, with a mean of 4.5 x 103 CFU/ml. The Yeast Plate Count (YPC) ranged between 2.1 x 101 and 6.2 x 101 CFU/ml, with a mean of 4.6 x 101 CFU/ml. The presumptive fecal coliform ranged between 0 and 180 coliforms/100ml giving a mean of 18.73 coliforms per 100ml. E. coli/fecal coliforms were detected in 60% of the water samples. The aesthetic properties of the water samples were acceptable, although they showed high values that ranged of 221-280, 52-77, 209-301 mg/l and 200-250 us/cm for sodium, nitrate, chloride and conductivity respectively. These results show that there is need for treatment of the borehole water samples before consumption. Keywords: Water, boreholes, microorganisms, coliforms, physicochemical analyse

The use of chicken egg shell as an alternative source of calcium in the diet of cockerel chickens.

The study was conducted to determine the effect of replacing oyster shell fraction in the diet of growing-finishing cockerel chickens partially or wholly with eggshell. A total of one hundred and twenty (120) 8 weeks old Harco cockerel chicken of mean weight 515.78 ± 3. 8g were used for the feeding trial that lasted for ten weeks. The birds were allotted to four dietary treatments in which oyster shell fraction of the diet was replaced at 0% (T1), 50% (T2), 75% (T3), and 100% (T4). Each treatment was replicated 3 times with 10 birds per replicate in a completely randomized design. The diets were formulated to contain about 16% crude protein and energy of about 2600 kcal/kgME. Variables measured were feed intake, weight gain. Feed efficiency, dressing percentage and cost /weight gain were calculated. The results showed that the mean feed intake and weight gain were not significantly (P>0.05) affected by varying levels of eggshell in the diet. The efficiency of feed utilization was relatively similar (P>0.05) in all the treatments. Dressing percentage and organs weight were relatively similar in all the treatments (P>0.05). The total feed cost and cost per weight gain reduced as the level of oyster shell in the diet increased. The highest cost per weight gain of N145.35 was recorded in T1 while the lowest cost per weight gain of N133.89 was recorded in cockerel fed diet containing 100% eggshell as replacement for oyster shell fraction of the diet. It could be concluded that eggshell could replace oyster shell up to 100% in the diet of growing finishing cockerels at reduced cost.Keywords: Cockerel chicken, egg shell, feed utilization, oyster shell, replacement

Is routine antenatal venereal disease research laboratory test still justified? Nigerian experience

Betrand O Nwosu,1 George U Eleje,1 Amaka L Obi-Nwosu,2 Ita F Ahiarakwem,3 Comfort N Akujobi,4 Chukwudi C Egwuatu,4 Chukwudumebi O Onyiuke5 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria; 2Department of Family Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Nigeria; 3Department of Medical Microbiology, Imo State University Teaching Hospital, Orlu, Imo State, Nigeria; 4Department of Medical Microbiology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria; 5Department of Medical Microbiology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra State, NigeriaObjective: To determine the seroreactivity of pregnant women to syphilis in order to justify the need for routine antenatal syphilis screening.Methods: A multicenter retrospective analysis of routine antenatal venereal disease research laboratory (VDRL) test results between 1 September 2010 and 31 August 2012 at three specialist care hospitals in south-east Nigeria was done. A reactive VDRL result is subjected for confirmation using Treponema pallidum hemagglutination assay test. Analysis was by Epi Info 2008 version 3.5.1 and Stata/IC version 10.Results: Adequate records were available regarding 2,156 patients and were thus reviewed. The mean age of the women was 27.4 years (±3.34), and mean gestational age was 26.4 weeks (±6.36). Only 15 cases (0.70%) were seropositive to VDRL. Confirmatory T. pallidum hemagglutination assay was positive in 4 of the 15 cases, giving an overall prevalence of 0.19% and a false-positive rate of 73.3%. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of syphilis in relation to maternal age and parity (P>0.05).Conclusion: While the prevalence of syphilis is extremely low in the antenatal care population at the three specialist care hospitals in south-east Nigeria, false-positive rate is high and prevalence did not significantly vary with maternal age or parity. Because syphilis is still a serious but preventable and curable disease, screening with VDRL alone, without confirmatory tests may not be justified. Because of the increase in the demand for evidence-based medicine and litigation encountered in medical practice, we may advocate that confirmatory test for syphilis is introduced in routine antenatal testing to reduce the problem of false positives. The government should increase the health budget that will include free routine antenatal testing including the T. pallidum hemagglutination assay. Keywords: VDRL tests, trepssssonema screening, antenatal care, congenital syphilis managemen

Growth, Yield And Disease Responses Of 12 Cassava Genotypes Evaluated For Two Cropping Seasons In A Derived Savannah Zone Of South-Eastern Nigeria

Ten new cassava genotypes selected for high yield and tolerance to some biotic stresses were evaluated alongside the local best, Otupam and ‘TMS 30572\' (a widely cultivated hybrid genotype, as an improved check) for two cropping seasons with a view to obtaining suitable genotype(s) that could be recommended for release to farmers. The results revealed that only TMS-96/0304, TMS-96/1672 and NR-930255 had above 90% sprout survival at 12 months after planting. Severity of cassava mosaic disease (CMD), cassava anthracnose disease (CAD) and cassava bacterial blight (CBB) varied among genotypes, plant age, and the cropping year. Symptom expressions of CMD and CBB were generally higher on the local best, Otupam and NR-930255. The severity of cassava green mite was moderate and statistically similar on all the genotypes while severity of cassava mealybug was mild. Hybrids NR930255, TMS96/1672 and TMS96/0304 produced the highest number of tubers. These genotypes also significantly (P< 0.05) produced the highest harvested tuber yield per hectare: NR 930255 (31.0 t/ha), TMS 96/1672 (28.0 t/ha) and TMS 96/0304 (29.4 t/ha). The three genotypes had the least percent yield difference between the potential and the actual yield. Mean rank-sum for all traits measured suggested that the most adaptable genotypes to Nsukka agro-ecology after two years of evaluation were NR-930255, TMS 96/0304 and TMS96/1672, but the poor disease ratings for NR-930255 and TMS 96/0304 precluded their recommendation for release while TMS 96/1672 could be recommended for release to farmers.Agro-Science Vol. 7 (2) 2008: pp. 162-16

Lymphatic Filariasis in Nigeria; Micro-stratification Overlap Mapping (MOM) as a Prerequisite for Cost-Effective Resource Utilization in Control and Surveillance

Background Nigeria has a significant burden of lymphatic filariasis (LF) caused by the parasite Wuchereria bancrofti. A major concern to the expansion of the LF elimination programme is the risk of serious adverse events (SAEs) associated with the use of ivermectin in areas co-endemic with Loa filariasis. To better understand this, as well as other factors that may impact on LF elimination, we used Micro-stratification Overlap Mapping (MOM) to highlight the distribution and potential impact of multiple disease interventions that geographically coincide in LF endemic areas and which will impact on LF and vice versa. Methodology/Principal findings LF data from the literature and Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) were collated into a database. LF prevalence distributions; predicted prevalence of loiasis; ongoing onchocerciasis community-directed treatment with ivermectin (CDTi); and long-lasting insecticidal mosquito net (LLIN) distributions for malaria were incorporated into overlay maps using geographical information system (GIS) software. LF was prevalent across most regions of the country. The mean prevalence determined by circulating filarial antigen (CFA) was 14.0% (n = 134 locations), and by microfilaria (Mf) was 8.2% (n = 162 locations). Overall, LF endemic areas geographically coincided with CDTi priority areas, however, LLIN coverage was generally low (<50%) in areas where LF prevalence was high or co-endemic with L. loa. Conclusions/Significance The extensive database and series of maps produced in this study provide an important overview for the LF Programme and will assist to maximize existing interventions, ensuring cost effective use of resources as the programme scales up. Such information is a prerequisite for the LF programme, and will allow for other factors to be included into planning, as well as monitoring and evaluation activities given the broad spectrum impact of the drugs used