Oxidative stress factors in Nigerians with rheumatoid arthritis

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic progressive inflammatory autoimmune disorder characterized by symmetric erosive synovitis and sometimes with multi-system involvement. But the exact mechanism of the disease is not fully understood. In the light of above explanation, the present study measured the plasma levels of total peroxide potential (TPP), total antioxidant potential (TAP), malondialdehyde (MDA), oxidative stress index (OSI) and nitric oxide (NO) in relation to the titer of rheumatoid factor among RA patients compared with controls.Methods: This study included 28 rheumatoid arthritis patients and 28 apparently healthy subjects as controls who were matched for age (50-60 years), sex, and socioeconomic status. Rheumatoid factor was estimated using latex method as described by manufacturer. Anthropometric parameters and plasma levels of TPP, TAP, OSI, MDA and NO were determined using standard techniques.Results: The result indicated that with the exception of mean body weight which was significantly (p<0.001) higher among RA patients (90.61±2.02 years) as compared with controls (77.91±2.51 years), mean age, height and body mass index of RA patients (55.68±1.05kg, 1.65±0.01m and 33.40±0.83 kg/m2 respectively) were not significantly different compared with controls (54.07±1.04kg, 1.61±0.02m and 30.44±1.28 kg/m2 respectively). Plasma TPP, NO, OSI and MDA were significantly (p<0.01; p<0.001) higher while, plasma TAP is significantly lower among RA patients compared with controls. Plasma MDA was positively correlated with titer of rheumatoid factor in the RA patients.Conclusions: Our findings therefore may raise the concept that there are some yet unknown key events in the pathogenesis of RA determination of sex of the skull along with other parameters

The effects of etonorgestrel implant (ImplanonR) on the lipid profile of Nigerian women

Background: Provision of contraceptive methods with minimal side effects will enhance uptake of contraception particularly in Nigeria where contraceptive prevalence rate remains low. The safety profile of ImplanonR, a long‑acting hormonal subdermal contraceptive containing etonogestrel, has not been adequately evaluated among Nigerian women.Objective: To assess the effects of etonogestrel subdermal implant (ImplanonR) on lipid profile among Nigerian women.Materials and Methods: The study was a longitudinal follow‑up of 54 consenting women selected over a 6‑month period at the Family Planning Clinic of the University College Hospital, Ibadan. After ImplanonR insertion, each woman was followed‑up monthly for a period of 12 months. Fasting venous blood samples were collected for quantification of serum lipids prior to insertion of the implant, then at 1st, 3rd, 6th, 9th, and 12th months of follow‑up.Results: The mean age of the women was 34.4 ± 5.6 with a range of 22–47 years. The modal number of children was 2 ranging from 1 to 6. Total cholesterol (TC) levels showed a general tendency toward a rise. The rise was, however, only significant in the 3rd and 12th months of use. Serum triglycerides showed a tendency toward reduced levels, which were only significant at the 6th and 9th months of use. High‑density lipoprotein (HDL) levels were consistently and significantly elevated above baseline levels. Beyond the 3rd month, low‑density lipoprotein (LDL) levels were lower but not significantly compared with baseline levels. HDL/TC and HDL/LDL ratios were consistently and significantly elevated in comparison with baseline values.Conclusion: Etonogestrel implant seems to cause significant effects on the lipid profile of Nigerian women. The increases were mainly in the HDL fraction, which suggests that the atherogenic and cardiovascular disease risks are reduced. We recommend larger studies to confirm our findings.Keywords: Implanon; laevonorgestrel; subdermal implan

IMMUNOGLOBULIN CLASSES (IgG, IgA, IgM and IgE) AND LIVER FUNCTION TESTS IN NIGERIAN CEMENT FACTORY WORKERS

Abstract: Crystalline silica has recently been reported to act as an adjuvant which increases inflammation and antibody production. On the basis of new knowledge, it is possible that cement dust may have effects on the immune functions of cement factory workers. Previous studies on Nigerian cement factory workers were concentrated on the pulmonary function tests, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), prevalence of chest infections and liver function tests neglecting the immune parameters of the cement workers. The present study determines the levels of serum immunoglobulin classes (IgA, IgM, IgG &amp; IgE) and Alanine aminotransaminase, Alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin and gamma glutamyl transferase in 45 male cement factory workers that are occupationally exposed to cement dust compared with 30, age and sex-matched, office workers that were not resident in the town of study. Immunodiffusion method was used to determine serum IgA, IgM, IgG while ELISA method was used to determine serum IgE. Alkaline phosphatase(ALP), alanine amino transferase(ALT), bilirubin were determined using Hitachi 902 auto analyser while gamma glutamyl transferase(GGT) was determined using colorimetric method. The levels of IgM and IgA were not statistically different in cement factory workers compared with control (p&gt;0.05) while IgG and IgE were significantly higher in cement factory workers (p&lt;0.05) when compared with corresponding levels in the controls. Also, ALP and bilirubin were higher in the test subjects than in control group (p&lt;0.05). Though the mean levels of ALT and GGT were not statistically significantly higher cement factory workers when compared with control group (p&gt;0.05). This study demonstrated that higher level of IgG may be a mechanism to block anaphylaxis reaction of IgE in Nigerian cement factory workers. The raised ALP and bilirubin levels may suggest hepatotoxic effects of cement dust

Contributions of malaria, helminths, HIV and iron deficiency to anaemia in pregnant women attending ante-natal clinic in SouthWest Nigeria

Background: Iron deficiency is a dominant source of anaemia in many settings. To evaluate the key cause of anaemia in the study area, the prevalence of anaemia due to major public health diseases was compared with anaemia due to iron deficiency. Methods: Pregnant women were recruited from ante-natal (n=490) and HIV clinics (n=217) with their personal data documented using a questionnaire. Microscopy of Giemsa-stained thick smears was used for detection of malaria parasites while helminths in stools were detected using direct smear method. Haematocrit values were determined by capillary method. Serum ferritin levels were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Data was analysed using SPSS version 22.0. Results: The mean age of the recruited women was 28.6\ub15.4 years old. There were 68.1% cases of anaemia of which 35.5% was due to infections only predominantly HIV and malaria, 14.9% from unknown sources while anaemia due to iron deficiency only was 7.1%. Conclusion: It can safely be inferred that malaria and HIV predispose to anaemia than iron deficiency in the study area. Although pregnant women are dewormed and given IPTp for helminths and malaria treatment respectively, there should be complementary routine malaria screening at ANC visits for those with HCT values &lt;33% and those infected with HIV

Defining the causes of sporadic Parkinson's disease in the global Parkinson's genetics program (GP2)

The Global Parkinson’s Genetics Program (GP2) will genotype over 150,000 participants from around the world, and integrate genetic and clinical data for use in large-scale analyses to dramatically expand our understanding of the genetic architecture of PD. This report details the workflow for cohort integration into the complex arm of GP2, and together with our outline of the monogenic hub in a companion paper, provides a generalizable blueprint for establishing large scale collaborative research consortia

Multi-ancestry genome-wide association meta-analysis of Parkinson?s disease

Although over 90 independent risk variants have been identified for Parkinson’s disease using genome-wide association studies, most studies have been performed in just one population at a time. Here we performed a large-scale multi-ancestry meta-analysis of Parkinson’s disease with 49,049 cases, 18,785 proxy cases and 2,458,063 controls including individuals of European, East Asian, Latin American and African ancestry. In a meta-analysis, we identified 78 independent genome-wide significant loci, including 12 potentially novel loci (MTF2, PIK3CA, ADD1, SYBU, IRS2, USP8, PIGL, FASN, MYLK2, USP25, EP300 and PPP6R2) and fine-mapped 6 putative causal variants at 6 known PD loci. By combining our results with publicly available eQTL data, we identified 25 putative risk genes in these novel loci whose expression is associated with PD risk. This work lays the groundwork for future efforts aimed at identifying PD loci in non-European populations

Atopy is a risk factor for adult asthma in urban community of Southwestern Nigeria

Rationale: Factors affecting asthma course are not clearly elucidated in urban communities in developing countries. Furthermore, the interaction between factors such as atopy, environmental exposure, urbanization, and helminthic infections in modulating asthma have not been well investigated. Objectives: To determine factors, which affect asthma in adults being evaluated at urban tertiary health center of Southwestern part of Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A random sample of 24 (12 males, 12 females) consecutive asthmatics seen in the Outpatient Pulmonary Clinic of University College Hospital of Ibadan and 27 (13 males, 14 females) age and gender-matched controls underwent evaluation, which included blood tests for eosinophils, serum IgE, allergy skin tests to eight common environmental allergens, and spirometry. The modified version of the questionnaire of the International study of Asthma and Allergies in Children (ISAAC) Phase III used by the same study group of researchers in Nigeria was used to assess the asthma symptoms. Wilcoxon sign-rank tests were used to compare eosinophil counts, percentage eosinophils, and allergic skin test between the two groups, while paired t test was used to compare spirometry variables. Results: Asthmatics had significantly more positive skin reaction to house dust mite and mould than controls (P<0.05). Total serum IgE was also significantly higher in asthmatics than in controls (mean 210 vs 60 IU/mL; P=0.003). However, no significant differences were observed in total eosinophil counts. No significant difference in the degree of intestinal helminthes infection in the two groups, which means stool parasitism was similar. FEV 1 % was significantly lower in asthmatics (P=0.02) but FEV 1 was similar between the two groups (P=0.02). Conclusion: The elevated levels of IgE and positive skin reactions to some of the common environmental allergens suggests an important role of atopy in the expression of asthma in this developing country′s urban setting. Intestinal parasites were seen in both, control and asthma subjects, but appear not to play any role in the course of asthma, so also is the blood group, genotype and G6PD status

Relationships between P. Falciparum Density, Haptoglobin, Transferrin and Packed Cell Volume in Apparently Healthy Pregnant Women.

The present study investigates possible evidence of anaemia in apparently healthy pregnant women with P. falciparum parasiteamia. Hence, 82 apparently healthy pregnant women aged 20-39 years reporting for routine antenatal care were recruited for the study. They were screened for P. falciparum parasiteamia, those with positive P.falciparum became 'Asymptomatic group' (n=60), while those with negative P.falciparum became 'aparasitaemia group, (n=22). Further analysis made on the blood samples collected from both groups includes serum estimations of haptoglobin and transferrin and packed cell volume (PCV). The result showed no significant difference in packed cell volume, serum transferrin and haptoglobin concentrations between both groups (P>0.1 for each case). Different levels of associations were observed between P.falciparum density and packed cell volume (r = -0.3, P<0.01); haptoglobin concentration (r = -0.319, P<0.05) but no such association was observed with transferrin concentration This study shows that continued increase in P. falciparum density might affect haptoglobin metabolism and may result in anaemia

Tetanus toxoid antibody level in asymptomatic plasmodium falciparum malaria parasiteamic pregnant women

The present study was designed to investigate if the presence of asymptomatic malaria parasiteamia in pregnant women will compromise their ability to respond to full dose of tetanus toxoid immunization during their antenatal clinic visits. Hence, 90 apparently healthy pregnant women who had completed the tetanus toxoid immunization during the current pregnancy were recruited at the antenatal clinic and were divided into two groups based on the antenatal record of malaria paras during the immunization period. Sixty (66.7%) of the pregnant women were seroreactive for Plasmodium falciparum histidine rich protein- (HRP)-2 while 30 (33.3%) were seronegative for Plasmodium falciparum HRP-2. The malaria parasite density range for the seroreactive group was between 322 and 1045 parasites per ml of blood. The blood concentration of Tetanus toxoid antibody response in both groups of seroreactive and seronegative HRP-2 pregnant women did not show any significant difference in tetanus toxoid antibody response (p>O.2). This result showed that the presence of asymptomatic IPlasmodium falciparum malaria parasiteamia in the pregnant women during the immunization schedule did not compromise the ability to respond to tetanus toxoid immunization. Hence asymptomatic malaria may not contribute to the prevalence of neonatal tetanus in Nigeria , however, there is need to treat these pregnant women for asymptomatic malaria when detected in order to reduce the burden of malaria on them