Variations in killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptor and human leukocyte antigen genes and immunity to malaria

Malaria is one of the deadliest infectious diseases in the world. Immune responses to Plasmodium falciparum malaria vary among individuals and between populations. Human genetic variation in immune system genes is likely to play a role in this heterogeneity. Natural killer (NK) cells produce inflammatory cytokines in response to malaria infection, kill intraerythrocytic Plasmodium falciparum parasites by cytolysis, and participate in the initiation and development of adaptive immune responses to plasmodial infection. These functions are modulated by interactions between killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) and human leukocyte antigens (HLA). Therefore, variations in KIR and HLA genes can have a direct impact on NK cell functions. Understanding the role of KIR and HLA in immunity to malaria can help to better characterize antimalarial immune responses. In this review, we summarize the different KIR and HLA so far associated with immunity to malaria.This work was supported through the DELTAS Africa Initiative (Grant no. 107743), that funded Stephen Tukwasibwe through PhD fellowship award, and Annettee Nakimuli through group leader award. The DELTAS Africa Initiative is an independent funding scheme of the African Academy of Science (AAS), Alliance for Accelerating Excellence in Science in Africa (AESA) and supported by the New Partnership for Africa’s Development Planning and Coordinating Agency (NEPAD Agency) with funding from the Wellcome Trust (Grant no. 107743) and the UK government. Francesco Colucci is funded by Wellcome Trust grant 200841/Z/16/Z. The project received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program (grant agreement No. 695551) for James Traherne and John Trowsdale. Jyothi Jayaraman is a recipient of fellowship from the Centre for Trophoblast Research

Evaluating the quality characteristics of kunun produced from dry-milled sorghum

Kunun is a traditional beverage in Nigeria produced by wet milling from sorghum, maize or millet. This work evaluates kunun produced from dry-milled sorghum flour. The sorghum was dehulled, milled and sieved to obtain flour. The flour was steeped for 24 h and mixed with spices to produce kunun and the quality of the resultant kunun was compared with that of kunun manufactured by the wet-milling process. With dry-milling process, the yield of kunun was 80% while the yield from the wet-milling process was 60%. Titratable acidity was lower in kunun samples prepared from dry-milled sorghum (0.40%) than in the kunun manufactured by wet milling (0.55%). The pH and total soluble solid of kunun prepared from dry milled sorghum were higher (5.10 and 14.82, respectively) than kunun from wet milling process (4.12 and 13.42, respectively). Protein content recorded for dry milled sample was 5.55% and that of wet milled sample was 4.20%. Crude fibre content was also assessed to be 0.25% for dry milled sample and 0.45% for wet milled sample. Kunun samples from wet milling process were preferred to those from dry milling process. Microbial counts indicate that both samples were free from feacal contamination. Total viable count for kunun samples prepared from dry milling process was 1.0 x 04, and for wet milled sample total viable count was 1.6 x 104

Serum chromium concentrations in type 2 diabetic patients attending a secondary referral hospital in Nigeria

A highly refined diet that contains too few micronutrients has been recognized as the dominant factor in the rising incidence of diabetes and other insulin related conditions. Among the missing micronutrients, chromium has the greatest impact on insulin response. The objective of this study was to determine serum chromium concentrations in Nigerian type 2 diabetes patients attending a secondary referral hospital in Nigeria and to determine whether such concentration has any effects on glucose intolerance in diabetes. Subjects included those attending the diabetes clinic and those hospitalized due to the disease. Mean (±SD) serum Cr concentration of the diabetics and controls were significantly different 0.3 (0.32) nmol/L and 1.08 (.63) nmol/L respectively (p<0.05). Serum chromium concentrations were below normal reference range in 81.3% of the diabetes patients and 20% in the control subjects (p<0.05). Serum chromium was not correlated with glycemic control as measured by fasting plasma glucose (FPG). Lower serum chromium concentrations and poor chromium status are common in type 2 diabetics in Osogbo, Nigeria.Keywords: Diabetes, serum chromium, glucose tolerance, insulin International Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences, 5(4): 388-392, 200

Tumour necrosis factor alpha promoter polymorphism, TNF-238 is associated with severe clinical outcome of falciparum malaria in Ibadan southwest Nigeria

Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) – α has been shown to play an important role in the pathogenesis of falciparum malaria. Two TNF promoter polymorphisms, TNF-308 and TNF-238 have been associated with differential activity and production of TNF. In order to investigate the association between TNF-308 and TNF-238 and the clinical outcome of malaria in a Nigerian population, the two TNF polymorphisms were analysed using Sequenom iPLEX Platform. A total of 782 children; 283 children with uncomplicated malaria, 255 children with severe malaria and 244 children with asymptomatic infection (controls) were studied. The distribution of TNF-308 and TNF-238 genotypes were consistent with the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Distribution of both TNF polymorphisms differed significantly across all clinical groups (TNF-308: p = 0.007; TNF-238: p = 0.001). Further tests for association with severe malaria using genotype models controlling for age, parasitaemia and HbAS showed a significant association of the TNF-238 polymorphism with susceptibility to severe malaria (95% CI = 1.43–6.02, OR = 2.94, p = 0.003237) The GG genotype of TNF-238 significantly increased the risk of developing cerebral malaria from asymptomatic malaria and uncomplicated malaria (95% CI = 1.99–18.17, OR = 6.02, p < 0.001 and 95% CI = 1.78–8.23, OR = 3.84, p < 0.001 respectively). No significant association was found between TNF-308 and malaria outcome. These results show thegenetic association of TNF-238 in the clinical outcome of malaria in Ibadan, southwest Nigeria. These findings add support to the role of TNF in the outcome of malaria infection. Further large scale studies across multiple malaria endemic populations will be required to determine the specific roles of TNF-308 and TNF-238 in the outcome of falciparum malaria infection

Tumour necrosis factor alpha promoter polymorphism, TNF-238 is associated with severe clinical outcome of falciparum malaria in Ibadan southwest Nigeria

Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) – α has been shown to play an important role in the pathogenesis of falciparum malaria. Two TNF promoter polymorphisms, TNF-308 and TNF-238 have been associated with differential activity and production of TNF. In order to investigate the association between TNF-308 and TNF-238 and the clinical outcome of malaria in a Nigerian population, the two TNF polymorphisms were analysed using Sequenom iPLEX Platform. A total of 782 children; 283 children with uncomplicated malaria, 255 children with severe malaria and 244 children with asymptomatic infection (controls) were studied. The distribution of TNF-308 and TNF-238 genotypes were consistent with the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Distribution of both TNF polymorphisms differed significantly across all clinical groups (TNF-308: p = 0.007; TNF-238: p = 0.001). Further tests for association with severe malaria using genotype models controlling for age, parasitaemia and HbAS showed a significant association of the TNF-238 polymorphism with susceptibility to severe malaria (95% CI = 1.43–6.02, OR = 2.94, p = 0.003237) The GG genotype of TNF-238 significantly increased the risk of developing cerebral malaria from asymptomatic malaria and uncomplicated malaria (95% CI = 1.99–18.17, OR = 6.02, p &lt; 0.001 and 95% CI = 1.78–8.23, OR = 3.84, p &lt; 0.001 respectively). No significant association was found between TNF-308 and malaria outcome. These results show thegenetic association of TNF-238 in the clinical outcome of malaria in Ibadan, southwest Nigeria. These findings add support to the role of TNF in the outcome of malaria infection. Further large scale studies across multiple malaria endemic populations will be required to determine the specific roles of TNF-308 and TNF-238 in the outcome of falciparum malaria infection

A Collaborative Framework Highlighting Climate-Sensitive Non-communicable Diseases in Urban Sub-Saharan Africa

Climate changeClimate changevulnerabilitiesAfrica are key environmental and social determinants of healthHealth, particularly in sub-Saharan AfricaAfrica where public healthHealth and other infrastructure are not yet geared towards counteracting the potential impacts of changing climates. HealthHealth-related climate changeClimate change adaptation researchResearch for sub-Saharan AfricaAfrica is limited and existing researchResearch is not effectively translated into practical advice for decision makers. A World UniversityUniversitiesNetworkNetwork (WUN) collaborationCollaboration project was started in 2016 to investigate climate changeClimate change impacts on non-communicable diseasesDisease (NCDs). This interdisciplinary collaborationCollaboration, established through the Healthy-Polis International Consortium for Urban Environmental HealthHealth and Sustainability focuses on the intersection of healthHealth, climate and sustainability within urban environmentsEnvironment through innovative researchResearch methods, co-production of knowledge, capacity building and intervention. NCDs like cancers, asthma, diabetes, cardiovascular diseaseDisease and mental healthHealth are on the increase in sub-Saharan African urban areas and can be further aggravated by climate changeClimate change. If NCDs and the climate nexus are unaddressed, they will undermine achieving several of the Sustainable DevelopmentDevelopment Goals (SDGs). Principally, we highlight climate-sensitive NCDs impacts on vulnerable populations, i.e. womenWomen, children, elderly, immune compromised and people with low socio-economic status, throughout their life course. We argue that interventions need to target disciplinary and sector ‘intersections’ for effective adaptation strategies. These interventions should be specifically linked to four SDGs, namely, SDG 3 (Good HealthHealth and Well-Being), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 11 (Sustainable CitiesCities and CommunitiesCommunity) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). We conclude with capacity developmentDevelopment and policy guidance to strengthen sub-Saharan African countries ability to address climate-sensitive NCDs.</p