Antimalaria therapy and changes in oxidative stress indices in falciparum malaria infection in Calabar metropolis, Nigeria

Purpose: To assess the total antioxidant capacity (TAC), reduced glutathione (GSH), nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), total plasma peroxides (TPP), oxidative stress index (OSI) and random plasma glucose (RPG) in falciparum malaria infection with and without antimalaria therapy. Methods: Ninety subjects aged 18 to 60 years comprising 30 malaria patients without antimalaria therapy, 30 malaria patients on antimalarial therapy and 30 subjects without malaria (control) were studied. TAC, GSH, NO, MDA, TPP and RPG were determined using colorimetric methods, while parasite density (PD) and oxidative stress index (OSI) were computed. Anthropometric indices were obtained and the data analysed using analysis of variance and Pearson’s correlation at p < 0.05. Results: Higher levels of lipid peroxidation (MDA, TPP and OSI), lower antioxidant (GSH and TAC) and NO were observed in malaria patients with or without antimalaria therapy when compared to their respective controls (p < 0.05). Malaria patients without antimalaria therapy had higher PD and lipid peroxidation (TPP and OSI) and RPG and antioxidants (lower GSH and TAC) than those on antimalaria therapy (p < 0.05). Positive correlations were observed between PD and MDA (r = 0.399, p = 0.029) in malaria patients without antimalaria therapy, and between PD and TPP (r = 0.660, p = 0,002), and PD and OSI (r = 0.717, p = 0.000) in malaria patients on antimalaria therapy. Conclusion: Falciparum malaria infection is associated with increased lipid peroxidation, depressed antioxidants and nitric oxide which may be ameliorated by antimalaria therapy

Glycemic control, micronutrients and some metabolic enzyme activity in type 2 diabetes

Background: Alterations in the metabolism of some essential micronutrients and activities of some metabolic enzymes have been reported in diabetes mellitus. These changes have been attributed to hyperglycemia and increased protein glycosylation associated with diabetes and seems to be more pronounced in poor glycemic states. The influence of glycemic control on serum levels of calcium (Ca), Iron (Fe), phosphorus (P), vitamin C, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and amylase activity in type 2 diabetes were determined in this study.Methods: Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), serum calcium (Ca), Iron (Fe), phosphorus (P), vitamin C, LDH and amylase activity were determined in fifty type 2 diabetic subjects aged between 40-70 years and fifty age matched apparently healthy non-diabetic subjects in Calabar, Nigeria using colorimetric methods. Socio-demographic characteristics, anthropometric indices (body mass indices (BMI), waist to hip ratio (WHR)) and blood pressure were determined using standard methods. Data was analyzed using t-test, ANOVA and Pearson correlation analysis at p = 0.05.Results: The FPG, HbA1c, serum vitamin C, Iron and calcium levels were significantly higher and serum phosphorus lower in diabetics than in non-diabetics. Diabetics with poor glycemic control (HbA1c >8.0%) have higher serum calcium and LDH activity compared to those with good glycemic control (HbA1c <8.0%).Conclusions: Diabetes may alter the metabolism of vitamin C, Iron, calcium and phosphorus while poor glycemic control may be associated with changes in calcium and LDH activity.

Adiponectin and cardiovascular risk factors in relation with glycemic control in type 2 diabetics

Background: Adiponectin has been associated with insulin resistance and dyslipidemia in Type 2 diabetes, though the mechanism of association is still uncertain. The adiponectin levels and lipid profile in relation to glycemic control were investigated in type 2 diabetics.Methods: Forty two diabetic subjects (35-64 years) and 33 age-matched non-diabetic subjects were recruited into this case control study. Socio-demographic characteristics, anthropometric indices and blood pressure were obtained. Total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein, (HDL), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were estimated using colorimetric methods, atherogenic index (AI) was calculated, while serum adiponectin was determined by ELISA method. Results: Adiponectin levels of type 2 diabetics were not significantly different from the non-diabetics studied (p>0.05).  Higher TG levels were observed in diabetics with poor glycemic control compared with those with good glycemic control (p0.05). Conclusion: Type 2 diabetics do not have lower adiponectin levels. Gender, duration of diabetes and glycemic control does not seem to exert any influence on adiponectin levels in type 2 diabetes. Adiponectin may be associated with reduced risk of atherosclerosis through its effects on HDL cholesterol metabolism.

Mixed chemical-induced oxidative stress in occupational exposure in Nigerians

Exposure to single chemicals and associated disorders in occupational environments has received significant attention. Understanding these events holds great promise for risk identification, assessment and chemical induced disease prevention. Fifty (50) fasting male workers, age range 18-50 years exposed to chemical mixtures in a works department, mean duration 17.7±10.1 years and 30 controls matched for age, diet, sex and other demographic characteristics except exposure to chemicals were selected. Body mass index (BMI), antioxidant status and other biochemical indices including plasma proteins (total protein) and subsets, albumin and total globulins were determined in plasma. The BMI was similar between chemical workers (exposed) and controls (p&gt;0.05). Uric acid level was significantly higher in the exposed than in the controls (p&lt;0.01) probably in part up regulation to combat oxidative stress. Uric acid was also significantly positively correlated with BMI (r=0.46, p&lt;0.01), probably to match the body chemical burden. Ascorbate was in contrast significantly lower in chemical workers than in controls (p&lt;0.001), reduced by 91% level in controls. Border line inverse correlations between ascorbate, BMI and duration of exposure were evident. Copper (Cu) level, though slightly raised in chemical workers than in controls was not significant (p&gt;0.05). Plasma proteins were significantly lower in chemical workers than in controls (p&lt;0.001). Total globulins was significantly reduced in chemical workers (p&lt;0.01). Other variables did not differ significantly. These data are consistent with the existence of oxidative stress in these chemical workers

Trends in coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS), England, 2010-2021.

OBJECTIVE: To review the epidemiology of coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) in England over the recent 12 year period. METHODS: Laboratory-confirmed CoNS reported from sterile sites in patients in England to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) between 2010 and 2021 were extracted from the national laboratory database and analysed. RESULTS: Overall, 668 857 episodes of CoNS were reported. Unspeciated CoNS accounted for 56 % (374 228) of episodes, followed by Staphylococcus epidermidis (26 %; 174 050), S. hominis (6.5 %; 43 501) and S. capitis (3.9 %; 25 773). Unspeciated CoNS increased by 8.2 % (95 % CI, 7.1-9.3) annually between 2010 and 2016, then decreased annually by 6.4 % (95 % CI: -4.8 to -7.9) until 2021. Speciated CoNS increased by 47.6 % (95 % CI, 44.5-50.9) annually between 2010 and 2016 and increased annually by 8.9 % (95 % CI: 5.1 to 12.8) until 2021. Antimicrobial susceptibility profiles differed by species. CONCLUSIONS: Reports of CoNS from normally sterile body sites in patients in England increased between 2010 and 2016 and remained stable between 2017 and 2021. There has been a striking improvement in species-level identification of CoNS in recent years. Monitoring trends in CoNS epidemiology is crucial for development of observational and clinical intervention studies on individual species

Genomic epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in a UK university identifies dynamics of transmission

AbstractUnderstanding SARS-CoV-2 transmission in higher education settings is important to limit spread between students, and into at-risk populations. In this study, we sequenced 482 SARS-CoV-2 isolates from the University of Cambridge from 5 October to 6 December 2020. We perform a detailed phylogenetic comparison with 972 isolates from the surrounding community, complemented with epidemiological and contact tracing data, to determine transmission dynamics. We observe limited viral introductions into the university; the majority of student cases were linked to a single genetic cluster, likely following social gatherings at a venue outside the university. We identify considerable onward transmission associated with student accommodation and courses; this was effectively contained using local infection control measures and following a national lockdown. Transmission clusters were largely segregated within the university or the community. Our study highlights key determinants of SARS-CoV-2 transmission and effective interventions in a higher education setting that will inform public health policy during pandemics.</jats:p

Calcium, inorganic phosphates, alkaline and acid phosphatase activities in breast cancer patients in Calabar, Nigeria

Background: Breast cancer is the commonest malignancy of women in Nigeria. Change in serum levels of some biochemical parameters could assist diagnosis and follow-up of breast cancer. Objective: To determine serum levels of calcium, inorganic phosphates, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and acid phosphatase (ACP) activities in patients with breast cancer, and change in the serum levels over time. Methods: Total serum calcium and inorganic phosphates, and serum ALP and ACP activities were determined in 25 women with breast cancer and 25 age-matched controls using colorimetric and enzymatic methods, over 6 months with bi- monthly analysis. Results: The serum calcium level, ALP and ACP activities were significantly higher (p<0.05) in the study group than in the control group. No significant difference was seen in the inorganic phosphate levels of both groups. There were significant increases in serum calcium levels, ALP and ACP activities in the study group with time (p<0.05), whereas no significant increase was observed in the control group. Conclusion: Breast cancer patients have higher calcium levels and higher ALP and ACP activities. The increase in the levels of these parameters with time shows that they could be of importance in monitoring treatment and disease progress in a resource-poor setting