In vitro effects of single and binary mixtures of regulated mycotoxins and persistent organochloride pesticides on steroid hormone production in MA-10 Leydig cell line

Epidemiological studies have shown strong deterioration in male reproductive health globally due to compromised testosterone production leading to altered spermatogenesis and poor sperm quality. However, the effects and mechanisms through which mycotoxins and persistent organochloride pesticides contribute to poor reproductive health in males remain unclear. The effects of single and binary combinations of ochratoxin A, deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, alpha-zearalenol, beta-zearalenol and 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl) ethane on testicular steroidogenesis were evaluated using the MA-10 Leydig cell line after 48 h of exposure. Zearalenone exposure, especially at 16 μM, had a stimulatory effect on progesterone secretion (4.7 ± 0.48 ng/mL compared to 0.60 ± 0.07 ng/mL in control), but inhibited testosterone production after 48 h compared to the solvent control. Ochratoxin A treatment significantly increased both progesterone and testosterone levels. Combination of alpha-zearalenol with beta-zearalenol showed a synergistic stimulation of progesterone hormone level at 1 and 8 μM. The results presented here show that the MA-10 Leydig cell line is a useful model for assessing the effects of xenoestrogens on testicular steroidogenesis. In addition, the inhibitory effects of zearalenone, alpha-zearalenol and beta-zearalenol on testosterone production was enhanced by co-exposure with 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl) ethane, further compounding the threat posed by these mycotoxins to male reproductive health

The Prevalence of Orthostatic Hypotension in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients in a Diabetic Clinic in Enugu South-East Nigeria

BACKGROUND: Orthostatic Hypotension is a serious and common complication of diabetes mellitus.AIMS: To determine the prevalence and risk factors of Orthostatic Hypotension in type 2 diabetic patients in a diabetes mellitus clinic in Enugu South-East Nigeria.METHOD AND MATERIALS: A structured questionnaire was administered to the eligible and consenting seventy type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.The supine and erect blood pressures of each patient were recorded. The patients with Orthostatic Hypotension were compared with those withoutOrthostatic Hypotension for different clinical and biochemical parameters.STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: The data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 19 software. Odds ratio was calculated for the presence of Orthostatic Hypotension amongst thevariables and p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.RESULTS: The prevalence of Orthostatic Hypotension in type 2 diabetic patients was 23.3%. Orthostatic Hypotension had statistically significant association with the presence of peripheral neuropathy, retinopathyand proteinuria.CONCLUSIONS: Orthostatic Hypotension is a common complication in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients seen at Enugu. It is recommended thatmeasurement of erect and supine blood pressures should be part of the standard care of type 2 diabetic patients.  KEY WORDS: Prevalence, orthostatic, hypotension, Enugu, Nigeri

Economic Efficiency of Processed Hibiscus Sabdanriffa (Roselle) Drink in Imo State, Nigeria

The study developed a model to evaluate efficiencies of Zobo drink processors in Imo State using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). Data were collected from 163 Zobo drink processors across 36 markets in the study area and was analyzed under the constant returns to scale (CRTS) and variable returns to scale (VRTS) assumptions. Result showed that Zobo processing was highly profitable with about 44.34% net margin on total revenue generated. Mean economic efficiency scores estimated from the DEA frontier for both CRTS and VRTS were 0.537 and 0.683. Sex, educational level and alternative to income were most statistically significant factors. It was recommended that more male involvements are encouraged in Zobo drink; educated individuals particularly unemployed are advised to engage and create a cliché for themselves through the use of more innovative processing and packaging activities and adopting cost-minimizing input mixes of best-practice to enable them become fully efficient

Mycotoxin exposure and adverse reproductive health outcomes in Africa: A review

It is well established that mycotoxin exposure can have adverse effects on reproductive health resulting to poor reproductive potential. The most studied mycotoxin in relation to poor reproductive health in humans is aflatoxin, although fumonisins, trichothecenes and zearalenone have also been reported to impair reproductive function and cause abnormal foetal development. These potent fungal toxins contaminate many food products making them a prominent agricultural, food safety and public health challenge, especially in Africa due to little or lack of mycotoxin regulation in agricultural products. Neonates can be exposed to aflatoxins in utero, as the toxins pass from mother to the foetus through the placenta. This exposure may continue during breast feeding, to the introduction of weaning foods, and then foods taken by adults. The consequences of aflatoxin exposure in mothers, foetus and children are many, including anaemia in pregnancy, low birth weight, interference with nutrient absorption, suppression of immune function, child growth retardation and abnormal liver function. In males, reports have indicated a possible relationship between aflatoxin exposure and poor sperm quality culminating in infertility. Maternal exposure to fumonisin during early pregnancy has been associated with increased risk of neural tube defects among newborns in regions where maize is the common dietary staple with the possibility of chronic fumonisin exposure. Furthermore, zearalenone has been linked to precocious puberty and premature thelarche in girls, correlating with extremely high serum oestrogen levels. This review presents an overview of the several reports linking aflatoxins, fumonisins, trichothecenes, and zearalenone exposure to poor reproductive health outcomes in Africa, with emphasis on birth outcomes, foetal health and infertility

Relationship between Sonographic Placental Thickness and Gestational Age in Normal Singleton Fetuses in Enugu, Southeast Nigeria

Background: The accuracy of common ultrasound parameters for the estimation of gestational age (GA) decreases as pregnancy advances in age. Hence, there is need to explore other parameters that may complement the established fetal biometric parameters in predicting GA in late pregnancy. Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between the sonographic placental thickness (PT) and GA in the second and third trimesters.Subjects and Methods: A cross‑sectional study of 627 normal pregnant women with GA between 14 and 40 weeks was conducted at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Ituku‑Ozalla, Enugu from May 2013 to February 2014 by sonography. Anteroposterior diameter of the placenta was measured at the level of the umbilical cord insertion. The last menstrual period of the women, femur length, biparietal diameter, head circumference, and abdominal circumference of the fetus were measured for GA estimation. Descriptive statistics, regression analysis, and independent sample t‑test were used in statistical analysis.Results: Mean PT was 23.2 (2.8) mm in the second trimester and 36.1 (3.6) mm in the third trimester. There was a significant difference between the values in the present study and values from similar studies in other populations (P < 0.04). There was a strong relationship between GA and PT and the following mathematical relationships for the second and third trimesters were obtained in the GA = 0.982 (PT) + 3.614 and GA = 0.977 (PT) + 3.354, respectively.<Conclusion: Population‑specific charts for PT may be used to estimate GA inthe second and third trimesters.Keywords: Gestational age, Placental thickness, Second and third trimesters, Sonograph

Toxicological effects of regulated mycotoxins and persistent organochloride pesticides: In vitro cytotoxic assessment of single and defined mixtures on MA-10 murine Leydig cell line

Epidemiological studies show that there is global decline in male fertility primarily as a result of poor sperm quality and this is attributed to exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in the environment, food and pharmaceutical products, including mycotoxins and pesticides. The Leydig cells in the male testes are responsible for producing androgens, hormones that play major roles in male development and reproductive function. Therefore, any toxin that affects the function and morphology of the Leydig cells may result in sub-fertility or infertility. The cytotoxic effects of single and binary mixtures of aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁), ochratoxin A (OTA), deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZEN), alpha-zearalenol (α-ZOL), beta-zearalenol (β-ZOL), 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl) ethane (p,p′-DDT) and 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl) ethylene (p,p′-DDE) on a model cell line, the MA-10 Leydig cells, were evaluated using 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-dipenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay after 48 h of exposure. With single toxin treatment at doses between 0.1 μM and 64 μM for 48 h, DON was the most cytotoxic to MA-10 cells with a half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) value of 12.3 μM followed by α-ZOL (IC₅₀: 28 μM) and OTA (IC₅₀: 30 μM) while the IC₅₀ of AFB1, p,p′-DDT and p,p′-DDE were above the highest concentration tested (64 μM). Co-exposure with p,p′-DDT or p,p′-DDE enhanced the toxicity of DON, OTA and ZEN to MA-10 Leydig cells, particularly at higher concentrations. This highlights the possible adverse effects on male reproductive health following co-exposure to these toxins

The effect of individual and mixtures of mycotoxins and persistent organochloride pesticides on oestrogen receptor transcriptional activation using in vitro reporter gene assays

The mycotoxins zearalenone (ZEN) and alpha-zearalenone (α-ZOL), which are common contaminants of agri-food products, are known for their oestrogenic potential. In addition to mycotoxins, food may also contain pesticides with oestrogenic properties such as 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl) ethane (p,p'-DDT) and 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl) ethylene (p,p'-DDE), raising the question on the potential effects of individual and combinations of these xeno-oestrogens on the action of natural oestrogens. The present study employed a mammalian reporter gene assay to assess the effects individual and binary combinations of these environmental and food-borne contaminants on oestrogen nuclear receptor (ER) transactivation. As expected, α-ZOL and ZEN exhibited the strongest oestrogenic potency (EC50: 0.27 ± 0.121 nM and 1.32 ± 0.0956 nM, respectively) whereas p,p'-DDT and p,p'-DDE had weak ER agonistic activity with the maximal response of 28.70 ± 2.97% and 18.65 ± 1.77%, respectively. Concurrent treatment of the mycotoxins and/or pesticides, individually or in binary combination, with 17β-oestradiol (E2) showed either additive, synergistic or antagonistic interactive effects on E2-mediated ER response, depending on the combination ratios, the concentration range of xeno-oestrogens, and the concentration of E2. This study highlights the importance of assessing the mixture effects of chemical contaminants in risk assessment, especially in the area of reproductive and developmental toxicity

Prevalence and Causes of Blindness and Visual Impairment Among Nigerian Children: A Systematic Review

Ugochukwu Anthony Eze,1,2 Osamudiamen Cyril Obasuyi,3 Dora Valerie Salihu,4 Mustapha Bature,5,6 Olabisi Olayemi Yeye-Agba,7 Kehinde Kazeem Kanmodi8– 11 1Department of Ophthalmology, Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, Nigeria; 2School of Sciences, Health Sciences Technology Engineering University of Suffolk-Unicaf, Ipswich, UK; 3Department of Ophthalmology, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Irrua, Nigeria; 4Department of Ophthalmology, Garki Specialist Hospital, Abuja, Nigeria; 5Department of Ophthalmology, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria; 6University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria; 7Department of Ophthalmology, Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, Nigeria; 8School of Dentistry, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda; 9Faculty of Dentistry, University of Puthisastra, Phnom Penh, Cambodia; 10Cephas Health Research Initiative Inc, Ibadan, Nigeria; 11School of Life Sciences, Teesside University, Middleborough, UKCorrespondence: Kehinde Kazeem Kanmodi, School of Dentistry, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda, Email [email protected] Ugochukwu Anthony Eze, Department of Ophthalmology, Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, Nigeria, Email [email protected]: Low/middle-income countries have the highest burden of blindeness and visual impairment, which directly affects the children and indirectly affects their community. Furthermore, the number of blind years suffered by children with low vision or blindness creates a self-perpetuating ripple effect on their development, health and the socio-economic development of their communities. This systematic review aims to interrogate the existing evidence on the prevalence and causes of blindness and visual impairment in Nigerian children to provide evidence to drive health policy.Methods: This was a systematic review without meta-analysis (SwiM) using a narrative synthesis of the evidence reported using the PRISMA guidelines. All primary cross-sectional studies (in English) reporting the prevalence and causes of visual impairment among Nigerian children under 20 years old between 2003 and 2022 were included in this review. PUBMED, AJOL, BASE and ProQuest databases were searched for eligible studies between 6 June and 15 July 2023. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the AXIS tool. Results were extracted and summarised using descriptive statistics. Visual impairment and blindness using the presenting visual acuity in the better eye were reported using the WHO classification.Results: Seventeen studies, involving 16,924 children from 13 states across five geo-political zones in Nigeria, were included in the final analysis of this review. The prevalence of visual impairment was 3.9%, 2.7% and 0.3% for mild, moderate and severe visual impairments, respectively, due to ametropia, cataracts, glaucoma, etc. The prevalence of blindness was 0.2% due to cataracts, corneal scars and optic atrophy.Conclusion: Blindness and visual impairment is still a significant clinical and public health burden among Nigerian children. Hence, there is still a need for clinicians, especially opthalmologists, public health specialists, policy-makers, and other relevant stakeholders to intensify efforts towards the prevention and control of this burden.Keywords: visual impairment, blindness, childhood blindness, childhood visual impairment, Nigeria, systematic revie

Assessment of aflatoxin and heavy metals levels in maize and poultry feeds from Delta State, Nigeria

The aim of this study was to determine the concentration of total aflatoxin and heavy metals (lead cadmium, chromium and copper) in poultry feed and ingredients from two regions (north and central) in Delta State, Nigeria. A total of 120 samples collected (comprising of maize, soybean meal, layers mash and broiler finisher) directly from poultry farms, feed mills and poultry feed dealers were analysed for moisture content, total aflatoxin and heavy metals (lead, cadmium, chromium and copper) concentrations. Moisture content was analysed using standard Association of Official Agricultural Chemists method, while total aflatoxin and heavy metals concentrations were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and atomic absorption spectrometry, respectively. Total aflatoxins concentrations ranged from 12.0 to 20 µg/kg and 21 to 31 µg/kg in samples from north and central region, respectively. Apart from maize, aflatoxin content in other samples from the north was marginally lower (18–20 µg/kg) than permitted levels. On the other hand, aflatoxin levels in samples from the central were all above tolerable limits. Copper content in samples was less than permissible limit, while 44.4, 29.1 and 21% of samples had concentrations of lead, cadmium and chromium, respectively, above permissible limit. The presence of aflatoxin and lead in poultry feeds above permissible limits of 20 µg/kg and 5 mg/kg, respectively, may pose a risk for animal productivity and human health