Significance of meat inspection in the estimation of economic loss due to Bovine Cysticercosis

The records of meat inspection carried out for 24 consecutive days at the Awka main abattoir in Anambra State, south-eastern Nigeria, was used to estimate the direc economic loss in carcass condemnaton due to bovine cysticercosis. Among the 614 catte slaughtered 306 (49.8 %) were examined, out of which cystcerci were detected in 61.1 %, 61.1 %, 46.2 %, 45.2 % and 50.7 % of the Massetter, Tongue, Inter-costal, Diaphragmatic and Pectoral muscles from 221 (72.2 %) ofinfected cattle. This amounted to an estimated loss of N186892.38 in terms of condemnaton of cysticerci-infected carcasses. Condemnation due to generalized infection o the specified organs amounted to N109467.50 (58.6 %), whle moderatey and ocaly infected organs contributed N28435.08 (15.2 %) and N48989.8 (26.2 %) to the tota loss, respectively. This loss was equivalent to 4 heads of cattle in 24 days at N50000 per head, which translated to an annual loss of N2842321.61 or 57 heads of catte at the Awka main abattor alone. Since 10000 to20000 trucks of beef-cattle are reported to be daily transported to abattoirs in different parts of Nigeria, the direct economic loss of revenue in the beef industry on account of cysticercosis would run into billions of naira. This result will promote evidence-based decision on the control of cysticercosis inthe country and elsewhere.Keywords: Meat inspection, Cysticercosis, Carcass condemnation, Economic loss, Managemen

Malaria Infection Among Blood Donors in Onitsha Urban, Southeast Nigeria

Blood safety is a major issue of global concern in transfusion medicine especially in developing countries, where national blood transfusion policies and services as well as financial resources are lacking or inadequate. Transfusion-transmitted malaria is a potential health hazard but is often neglected in many malarious areas. Malaria infection among blood donors in Onitsha urban, Southeast Nigeria was studied between August and October 2008. Venous blood of donors was screened for malaria parasites using Giemsa-stained thick and thin blood films. The ABO and Rhesus phenotypes were classified using a haemaglutination standard test and demographic data of donors documented. Of the 410 blood donors analysed, 304 (74.1%) were infected. Plasmodium falciparium was identified in all positive cases and mixed infection with P. malariae was seen in 5(1.6%) cases. Infection significantly varied with age and not with sex and occupation (

Investigation of the key chemical structures involved in the anticancer activity of disulfiram in A549 non-small cell lung cancer cell line

© 2018 The Author(s). Background: Disulfiram (DS), an antialcoholism medicine, demonstrated strong anticancer activity in the laboratory but did not show promising results in clinical trials. The anticancer activity of DS is copper dependent. The reaction of DS and copper generates reactive oxygen species (ROS). After oral administration in the clinic, DS is enriched and quickly metabolised in the liver. The associated change of chemical structure may make the metabolites of DS lose its copper-chelating ability and disable their anticancer activity. The anticancer chemical structure of DS is still largely unknown. Elucidation of the relationship between the key chemical structure of DS and its anticancer activity will enable us to modify DS and speed its translation into cancer therapeutics. Methods: The cytotoxicity, extracellular ROS activity, apoptotic effect of DS, DDC and their analogues on cancer cells and cancer stem cells were examined in vitro by MTT assay, western blot, extracellular ROS assay and sphere-reforming assay. Results: Intact thiol groups are essential for the in vitro cytotoxicity of DS. S-methylated diethyldithiocarbamate (S-Me-DDC), one of the major metabolites of DS in liver, completely lost its in vitro anticancer activity. In vitro cytotoxicity of DS was also abolished when its thiuram structure was destroyed. In contrast, modification of the ethyl groups in DS had no significant influence on its anticancer activity. Conclusions: The thiol groups and thiuram structure are indispensable for the anticancer activity of DS. The liver enrichment and metabolism may be the major obstruction for application of DS in cancer treatment. A delivery system to protect the thiol groups and development of novel soluble copper-DDC compound may pave the path for translation of DS into cancer therapeutics.This work was supported by grant from British Lung Foundation (RG14–8) and Innovate UK (104022).Published versio

Disulfiram modulated ROS–MAPK and NFκB pathways and targeted breast cancer cells with cancer stem cell-like properties

BACKGROUND: Previous studies indicate that disulfiram (DS), an anti-alcoholism drug, is cytotoxic to cancer cell lines and reverses anticancer drug resistance. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are the major cause of chemoresistance leading to the failure of cancer chemotherapy. This study intended to examine the effect of DS on breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs). METHODS: The effect of DS on BC cell lines and BCSCs was determined by MTT, western blot, CSCs culture and CSCs marker analysis. RESULTS: Disulfiram was highly toxic to BC cell lines in vitro in a copper (Cu)-dependent manner. In Cu-containing medium (1 mu M), the IC50 concentrations of DS in BC cell lines were 200-500 nM. Disulfiram/copper significantly enhanced (3.7-15.5-fold) cytotoxicity of paclitaxel (PAC). Combination index isobologram analysis demonstrated a synergistic effect between DS/Cu and PAC. The increased Bax and Bcl2 protein expression ratio indicated that intrinsic apoptotic pathway may be involved in DS/Cu-induced apoptosis. Clonogenic assay showed DS/Cu-inhibited clonogenicity of BC cells. Mammosphere formation and the ALDH1(+VE) and CD24(Low)/CD44(High) CSCs population in mammospheres were significantly inhibited by exposure to DS/Cu for 24 h. Disulfiram/copper induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and activated its downstream apoptosis-related cJun N-terminal kinase and p38 MAPK pathways. Meanwhile, the constitutive NF kappa B activity in BC cell lines was inhibited by DS/Cu. CONCLUSION: Disulfiram/copper inhibited BCSCs and enhanced cytotoxicity of PAC in BC cell lines. This may be caused by simultaneous induction of ROS and inhibition of NF kappa B. British Journal of Cancer (2011) 104, 1564-1574. doi: 10.1038/bjc.2011.126 www.bjcancer.com Published online 12 April 2011 (C) 2011 Cancer Research U

A school-based intestinal helminthiasis programme in Nigeria: perceptions, attitude, and acceptability to community members

No Abstract. Nigerian Journal of Parasitology Vol. 26, 2005: 55-6

Mapping response of Plasmodium falciparum to some anti-malarial drugs in Anambra State, Nigeria

The chemotherapeutic performance of chloroquine, Mefloquine, pyrimethamine/sulphadoxine (Fansidar® and Maloxine®) pyrimethamine/sulphadoxyrazine (Metakelfine® ) and halofantrine (Halfan®) was investigated in 180 malaria patients using the in vivo extended field tests protocol of the World Health Organization. There was total clearance of parasittaemia (100%) with halofantrine on Day3 (D3) after the initial day of study (D0), with no recrudescence on Day7 and Day14. the parasite was therefore fully sensitive to halofantrine. Parasitological failure, defined as failure of parasitaemia to decrease by 75% of the D0 value by Day3 or presence of any detectable parasitaemia on Day7 ranged from 12.5% for Metakelfine® to 35.00% for Maloxine®. Failures were largely Type 1 (RI) and to a much lesser extent Types 11 (RII) and 11 (RIII). The RII resistance varied from 2.11% for chloroquine to 12.5% for pyrimethamine/sulphdoxypyrazine. Considering these therapeutic results, the higher cost per treatment with drugs other than chloroquine and the low prevalence of RII level chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum (CRPF), chloroquine still remains useful as the primary therapy for malaria in the area. The Nigerian Journal of Parasitology Vol. 24 2003: 47-5

Social and psychological aspects of onchocercal skin disease in Nkwelle-Ezunaka, Anambra State, Nigeria

No Abstract. The Nigerian Journal of Parasitology Vol. 22(1&2) 2001: 11-1

Dermatological problems in rain forest onchocerciasis in Nigeria

No Abstract. The Nigerian Journal of Parasitology Vol. 22(1&2) 2001: 23-2

Preliminary survey of ectoparasites of chicken in Awka, south-eastern Nigeria

Atotal of 4650 domesticchickens, comprising 1410 cocks (30.3 %), 2550 hens (54.8 %) and 690 chicks (14.8 %), dspayed for sales between February and May 2008 at Eke-Awka market in Anambra State, south-eastern Nigeria were systematically examined for ectoparasites. Most of thecocks originated from the North while the hens and chicks were raised on nearby farms in Anambra and Enugu States. Overall, ectoparasites infested about 40.5 % of the chickens examined. The wing louse, Lipeurus caponis moderately infested 1935 chickens (41.61 %). The shaft louse, Menopon gallinae, extensively infested 2205 (3190 %), while the fluff louse Gonoicotes gallinae ghtly infested 471 (7.07 %) chickens. The stcktght fea, Echidnophaga gainacea, atacked the head regon of 3087 (69.37 %) whe the symptoms of scaly leg mite, Knemidocoptes mutans, was observed on 1679 (27.70 %) of the birds, respectvely. Market survey revealed a depreciation of about 10 to 20 % in the selling prizes of the affected chickens, a positive indication that ectoparasites on chickens are associated with financial losses incurred by operatives of the poultryindustry in Nigeria.Keywords: Ectoparasites, Chickens, Lipeuus caponis, Menopon gallinae, Gonoicoes gallinae, Echidnophaga gallinacea

Studies on prevalence of malaria and management practices of the Azia community, Ihiala L.G.A., Anambra State, south-east Nigeria

A prevalence survey of malaria was carried out in Azia, a rural community in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, southeast Nigeria. Thick blood films of 1000 individuals attending local hospitals in the community were used to determine the prevalence. Also, structured questionnaire was administered to 1000 individuals in order to obtain information on malaria management practices of the people. The study was carried to the wet season in Nigeria. The prevalence rate was found to be 76% and all were infections of Plasmodium falciparum. The prevalence by age was found to be 0-9(13.2%), 10-19(23.2%), 20-29(21.0%), 30-39(13.6%), 40-49(9.7%), 50 and above (19.2%). The malaria management practices showed that 24.6% attend hospitals, 12.0% use traditional medicine from local healers while 25.0% buy antimalarial drugs without prescription by a physician. It was also found that some use more than one method in their management of malaria. Those who combined antimalaria drugs with traditional medicine from local healers were found to be 17.4% combined antimalarials as well as attend hospitals, 13.8% do0 the while 1.2% reported doing nothing about malaria. The Nigerian Journal of Parasitology Vol. 24 2003: 33-3