Assessment of serum soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and albumin in human immuno-deficiency virus-infected individuals with or without malaria parasite infection in Nauth, Nnewi, Nigeria

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co-infection with malaria is the main cause of morbidity and mortality in developing countries, including Nigeria. Both infections have impact on the disease severity and progression. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study aimed to determine the serum soluble intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and albumin in HIV/malaria-infected individuals attending the antiretroviral therapy (ART) clinic at Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital, (NAUTH) Nnewi, Nigeria. 168 randomly selected individuals aged 18-65 years grouped into 42 HIV-infected individuals on ART, 42 HIV-malaria c-o-infected individuals on ART, 42 malaria-infected individuals, and 42 apparently healthy individuals (control) were included in the study. Serum sICAM-1 and albumin were determined using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and bromocresol green technique respectively while CD4 T-cell count was obtained from the patients’ records. Results: The mean serum sICAM-1, albumin and systolic blood pressure (SBP) levels were significantly higher in HIV individuals with and without malaria infection when compared with control participants (p<0.05) respectively. The mean CD4 T-cell count was significantly lower in HIV/malaria co-infected individuals when compared with HIV infected individuals (p <0.05). A significant negative correlation was observed between CD4 count and sICAM-1 both in HIV infected individuals and HIV-malaria co-infection (p<0.05). Conclusions: The increased sICAM-1, SBP with decreased albumin levels suggests inflammatory and vascular changes with reduced hepatic synthesis which may result in endothelial dysfunction, adverse cardiovascular conditions, and disease progression.

Effect of Luffa cylindrica fiber and particulate on the mechanical properties of epoxy

This study examines the effect of addition of Luffa cylindrica fiber (LCF) and Luffa cylindrica particulate (LCP) on the properties of epoxy resin. Luffa cylindrica fiber treated with 8% NaOH and of 2, 4, and 6% weight fraction was used to reinforce epoxy resin via hand lay-up method. Hybridization of the fiber and particulate was also done with the particulate having a constant weight fraction of 10% whereas the fibers were varied as in the mono-reinforced Luffa cylindrica fiber composite. The samples were machined for mechanical and microstructural analysis. Result showed that addition of the reinforcement led to an improvement in mechanical properties. However, the hybrid was seen to showcase better properties compared to the fiber-reinforced composite with the hybrid sample of composition 4 wt% LCF and 10 wt% LCP exhibiting the highest tensile and flexural strength of 13.489 MPa and 20.3 MPa, respectively. Microstructural analysis showed excellent homogeneity with few voids and better adhesion between the reinforcement and matrix. These results show that this composite can find application in the interior and exterior parts of automobiles as well as in household wares like flower pots

Examining the Social Problem of Kidnapping as a Reaction Against Injustice in Nigeria

Although, studies have shown several cases of kidnapping in both developed and developing countries but the case of a developing country like Nigeria is seems to be pathetic and worrisome, largely because of its contributions to the ancient slave trade that greatly affected several Nigerians for many centuries in the past. With such awful experiences in the past and its contribution to backwardness of the human race, one would have thought that cases of kidnapping would never occur in Nigeria, but the reverse has been the case in the contemporary. Hence, several studies have emerged on the subject of kidnapping in recent times. However, it could be observed that these studies are strongly connected with rituals power, wealth and traditional purposes. While the nature of the Nigerian society which is characterised by injustice and its contributions to the menace of kidnapping has been hitherto neglected in academic literature. The present study intends to address this flaw in knowledge by addressing the three research questions raised. Being a review paper, the study engaged secondary data in collecting relevant information to analyse and illustrate questions raised. The study argues that if the current high level of injustice in Nigeria could be reduced, there may be a corresponding reduction in the cases of kidnapping

Benzyl Isothiocyanate Causes FoxO1-Mediated Autophagic Death in Human Breast Cancer Cells

Benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC), a constituent of edible cruciferous vegetables, inhibits growth of breast cancer cells but the mechanisms underlying growth inhibitory effect of BITC are not fully understood. Here, we demonstrate that BITC treatment causes FoxO1-mediated autophagic death in cultured human breast cancer cells. The BITC-treated breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231, MCF-7, MDA-MB-468, BT-474, and BRI-JM04) and MDA-MB-231 xenografts from BITC-treated mice exhibited several features characteristic of autophagy, including appearance of double-membrane vacuoles (transmission electron microscopy) and acidic vesicular organelles (acridine orange staining), cleavage of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3), and/or suppression of p62 (p62/SQSTM1 or sequestosome 1) expression. On the other hand, a normal human mammary epithelial cell line (MCF-10A) was resistant to BITC-induced autophagy. BITC-mediated inhibition of MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cell viability was partially but statistically significantly attenuated in the presence of autophagy inhibitors 3-methyl adenine and bafilomycin A1. Stable overexpression of Mn-superoxide dismutase, which was fully protective against apoptosis, conferred only partial protection against BITC-induced autophagy. BITC treatment decreased phosphorylation of mTOR and its downstream targets (P70s6k and 4E-BP1) in cultured MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells and MDA-MB-231 xenografts, but activation of mTOR by transient overexpression of its positive regulator Rheb failed to confer protection against BITC-induced autophagy. Autophagy induction by BITC was associated with increased expression and acetylation of FoxO1. Furthermore, autophagy induction and cell growth inhibition resulting from BITC exposure were significantly attenuated by small interfering RNA knockdown of FoxO1. In conclusion, the present study provides novel insights into the molecular circuitry of BITC-induced cell death involving FoxO1-mediated autophagy

An Estimate of the Incidence of Prostate Cancer in Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Prostate cancer (PCa) is rated the second most common cancer and sixth leading cause of cancer deaths among men globally. Reports show that African men suffer disproportionately from PCa compared to men from other parts of the world. It is still quite difficult to accurately describe the burden of PCa in Africa due to poor cancer registration systems.We systematically reviewed the literature on prostate cancer in Africa and provided a continentwide incidence rate of PCa based on available data in the regio