Extracellular Vesicles as Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets in Cancers

Extracellular vesicles refer to exosomes, apoptotic bodies, microvesicles and large oncosomes, which are membrane bound structures secreted by cells including cancer cells. The pathological role and translational potential of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in cancers are receiving research attention recently. The cargoes of cancer-derived EVs retain the molecular properties of their sources and cancer cells actively release EVs into body fluids that are easy to access. EVs released from cancer cells not only promote cancer progression through the delivery of cancer-associated molecules but also reflect alterations in the state of cancers during therapy. They are considered promising biomarkers for therapeutic response evaluation, especially resistance to therapy and diagnostics. This chapter discusses the various roles of extracellular vesicles in cancers and their potential as therapeutic targets

Case Report: A case of?dipylidiasis in a?first-trimester pregnant woman attending a routine antenatal clinic at?Elmina health centre, Ghana

Dipylidiasis is a zoonotic parasitosis caused by a canine and feline tapeworm, Dipylidium caninum which rarely infects humans, usually infants and young children. The accidental ingestion of cysticercoid infected flea Ctenocephalides felis is the cause of this cestode infection in humans. Here we report the first and a rare case of adult dipylidiasis in a first-trimester pregnant woman in Ghana. She reported at the health facility for a routine antenatal check-up with apparently no symptoms or signs of the infection at the time of the visit. Her routine stool examination revealed a single egg packet of Dipylidium caninum and was treated with a single dose of praziquantel. It is important for pathologists and laboratory technicians to be aware of the emergence of human dipylidiasis in Ghana. A conscious effort should be aimed at the creation of awareness among pet owners and the general population of the public health importance of zoonotic parasites that infect pets and domestic animals

Anti-inflammatory, anti-nociceptive and antipyretic activity of young and old leaves of Vernonia amygdalina

Background Both young and old leaves of Vernonia amygdalina (VA) are traditionally used to treat inflammation, pain and fever. However, the efficacy of young and old leaves for treating these ailments have not been compared till date. Aim To ascertain the effect of young and old leaves of VA in managing inflammation, pain and fever. Methods Both quantitative and qualitative phytochemical screening of ethanol extracts of young (EthYL) and old (EthOL) leaves of VA were performed. The anti-inflammatory activity of orally administered EthYL and EthOL (50–200 mg/kg) and Diclofenac (10 mg/kg) were evaluated in carrageenan-induced inflammation model in rats. Antipyretic activity of EthYL, EthOL and Aspirin (25 mg/kg) were assessed in the Baker’s yeast-induced pyrexia model. Anti-allodynic effect of both extracts were evaluated by inserting inflamed paws of rats in cold water. Antinociceptive property of the extracts were assessed using tail withdrawal and formalin-induced nociception test. Histopathological examination of the paws was performed, in addition to formalin test to understand the possible mechanism of action of the extracts. Negative control rats received 2 ml/kg normal saline in all tests. Results The amount of flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, and phenolics were significantly (p \u3c 0.05) higher in EthOL than EthYL, while saponins were significantly higher (p \u3c 0.05) in EthYL than EthOL. The antioxidant ability and total antioxidant capacity were significantly (p \u3c 0.05) higher in EthYL than EthOL. However, this was significantly (p \u3c 0.05) lower than the anti-oxidant activity of Ascorbic acid. A dose-dependent increase in anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and antinociceptive properties were observed in both EthYL and EthOL, similar to the standard drugs. Mast cell degranulation accompanied by vasodilatation and high leukocytosis were observed in the negative control, but were markedly low in extract treated groups. Both extracts mediated their analgesic effect through opioidergic and nitric oxide pathways with EthYL additionally implicating the muscarinic cholinergic system. Conclusion Although both EthYL and EthOL alleviate inflammation, pyrexia and nociception, EthYL of VA was found to be more potent than EthOL

The Clinical Importance of the Mercury Problem in Artisanal Small-Scale Gold Mining

Artisanal small-scale mining is widely operated in various countries serving as a livelihood to many rural communities. However, it is a significant source of environmental mercury contamination which affects human health. Amalgamation and amalgam smelting, two significant steps in the artisanal small-scale mining operations generate lots of mercury vapors, leading to chronic exposure among miners. Thus, this article seeks to provide a topical review of recent findings on organ damage and metabolic disorders among mercury-exposed artisanal small-scale miners with emphasis on the contributing factors such as personal protective equipment usage and artisanal small-scale gold mining-specific occupational activities. Also, insights into the effect of mercury intoxication and mechanisms of action on organ and metabolic systems among exposed individuals are provided

The Helicobacter pylori Genome Project : insights into H. pylori population structure from analysis of a worldwide collection of complete genomes

Helicobacter pylori, a dominant member of the gastric microbiota, shares co-evolutionary history with humans. This has led to the development of genetically distinct H. pylori subpopulations associated with the geographic origin of the host and with differential gastric disease risk. Here, we provide insights into H. pylori population structure as a part of the Helicobacter pylori Genome Project (HpGP), a multi-disciplinary initiative aimed at elucidating H. pylori pathogenesis and identifying new therapeutic targets. We collected 1011 well-characterized clinical strains from 50 countries and generated high-quality genome sequences. We analysed core genome diversity and population structure of the HpGP dataset and 255 worldwide reference genomes to outline the ancestral contribution to Eurasian, African, and American populations. We found evidence of substantial contribution of population hpNorthAsia and subpopulation hspUral in Northern European H. pylori. The genomes of H. pylori isolated from northern and southern Indigenous Americans differed in that bacteria isolated in northern Indigenous communities were more similar to North Asian H. pylori while the southern had higher relatedness to hpEastAsia. Notably, we also found a highly clonal yet geographically dispersed North American subpopulation, which is negative for the cag pathogenicity island, and present in 7% of sequenced US genomes. We expect the HpGP dataset and the corresponding strains to become a major asset for H. pylori genomics

Haematological Profile and Intensity of Urogenital Schistosomiasis in Ghanaian Children

Background. Urogenital schistosomiasis is a widely contracted parasitic helminth infection often associated with haematological abnormalities. Aim. We investigated the relationship between the haematological profile and the intensity of schistosomiasis among children in the Yeji district. Materials and Methods. A total of 100 participants comprising 50 Schistosoma haematobium (S. haematobium) infected and 50 noninfected controls aged 6–17 years matched for age and sex were recruited into the study. Blood and urine samples were collected and haematological profile and presence of S. haematobium eggs were assessed using standard protocols. Results. Haemoglobin (HGB) (P<0.0001), haematocrit (HCT) (P<0.0001), mean cell volume (MCV) (P=0.0053), mean cell haemoglobin (MCH) (P<0.0001), and mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) (P=0.005) levels were reduced in cases compared to controls. Mixed cell percentage (MXD) (P=0.018) and red blood cell distribution width (RDW-CV) (P=0.012) were significantly elevated among cases as compared to controls. Haematuria was a clinical characteristic of heavy infection. Conclusion. S. haematobium infection creates an imbalance in the haematological profile. We found low HGB, HCT, MCV, MCH, and MCHC levels coupled with increased % MXD count and RDW-CV. Also, low MCV, MCH, and MCHC and high % MXD count are independently associated with S. haematobium infection among our study participants

Case Report: A case of dipylidiasis in a first-trimester pregnant woman attending a routine antenatal clinic at Elmina health centre, Ghana

Dipylidiasis is a zoonotic parasitosis caused by a canine and feline tapeworm, Dipylidium caninum which rarely infects humans, usually infants and young children. The accidental ingestion of cysticercoid infected flea Ctenocephalides felis is the cause of this cestode infection in humans. Here we report the first and a rare case of adult dipylidiasis in a first-trimester pregnant woman in Ghana. She reported at the health facility for a routine antenatal check-up with apparently no symptoms or signs of the infection at the time of the visit. Her routine stool examination revealed a single egg packet of Dipylidium caninum and was treated with a single dose of praziquantel. It is important for pathologists and laboratory technicians to be aware of the emergence of human dipylidiasis in Ghana. A conscious effort should be aimed at the creation of awareness among pet owners and the general population of the public health importance of zoonotic parasites that infect pets and domestic animals

Antidiabetic Effect of Young and Old Ethanolic Leaf Extracts of Vernonia amygdalina: A Comparative Study

The young leaves of Vernonia amygdalina are often utilized as vegetable and for medicinal purpose compared to the old leaves. This study was designed to evaluate and compare the antidiabetic effects between ethanolic leaf extracts of old and young V. amygdalina on streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rat for four weeks. Preliminary screening of both young and old ethanolic extracts revealed the presence of the same phytochemicals except flavonoids which was only present in the old V. amygdalina. Difference in antioxidant power between the young and old leaf extracts was statistically significant (p<0.05). Both leaf extracts produced a significant (p<0.05) antihyperglycaemic effect. Also results from treated rats revealed increasing effect in some haematological parameters. Similarly, the higher dose (300 mg/kg) of both extracts significantly (p<0.05) reduced serum ALT, AST, and ALP levels as compared to the diabetic control rats. Results also showed significant (p<0.05) decrease in LDL-C and VLDL-C in the extract-treated rats with a corresponding increase in HDL-C, as compared to the diabetic control rats. Moreover histopathological analysis revealed ameliorative effect of pathological insults induced by the STZ in the pancreas, liver, and spleen, most significantly the regeneration of the beta cells of the islets of Langerhans in treated rats

Allanblackia floribunda Seed Extract Attenuates the Ethanol-Induced Gastric Ulcer in Rats via the Inhibition of TNF-α and INF-γ Levels and Modulation in the Expression of Ki67 Protein

Allanblackia floribunda has been used to treat an upset stomach in African traditional medicine, but its efficacy and safety have not been scientifically studied. The present research is aimed at assessing the antiulcer property of the seed extract of the plant to validate its traditional claim. Rats were pretreated with three doses of aqueous extract of A. floribunda (AFE) at 30, 100, and 300 mg/kg or omeprazole 10 mg/kg for 1 hr before the acute gastric ulcer was induced by oral administration of 5 mL/kg of 98% ethanol. The animals were sacrificed under anesthesia, and the stomach and blood were collected. The gross histology of the stomach, percentage protection conferred by the treatment, gastric pH, and serum TNF-α and INF-γ were assessed as well as the expression of Ki67 antigens. The antioxidant properties as well as the acute toxicity profile of the plant extract were also assessed. The results show that A. floribunda conferred significant protection on the rats against gastric ulceration with % protection of 46.15, 57.69, and 65.38 for AFE 30, 100, and 300 mg/kg, respectively, as well as 69.23% for omeprazole 10 mg/kg. The plant extract caused marked reductions in gastric pH, TNF-α, and INF-γ with statistical significance (p<0.001) for AFE 300 mg/kg and omeprazole 10 mg/kg. Also, the plant showed good antioxidant activity comparable to gallic acid. Furthermore, the plant extract modulated the expression of Ki67 antigens. All animals survived the 14-day delayed toxicity test with no significant differences in physical, hematological, and biochemical parameters between rats orally administered with supratherapeutic doses of AFE (5000 mg/kg) or normal saline. The study established that the gastroprotective effect of the seed extract of A. floribunda is attributable to its antisecretory, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. Additionally, the plant was found to promote ulcer healing via the modulation of the expression Ki67 and was safe at supratherapeutic doses