Geochemical fractionation and ecological risks assessment of benthic sediment-bound heavy metals from coastal ecosystems off the Equatorial Atlantic Ocean

This studydeterminesthepollution,fractionation,andecologicalrisksofsediment-boundheavymetals from coastalecosystemsofftheEquatorialAtlanticOcean.ContaminationFactor(CF),pollutionload index(PLI),andgeoaccumulationindex(Igeo) wereusedtoassesstheextentoftheheavymetalpol- lution, whilethepotentialecologicalriskwasevaluatedusingtherisksassessmentcode(RAC)and Håkanson potentialecologicalrisk.Theanalysisrevealedconcentrations(mg/g,dw)ofthecadmium(Cd), chromium (Cr),copper(Cu),nickel(Ni),andlead(Pb)insedimentsforwetanddryseasonsvaryfrom 4.40–5.08, 14.80–21.09,35.03–44.8,2.14–2.28, and172.24–196.39,respectively.Theresultsalsoshowed that themetalfractionationpercentagesintheresidual,oxidizable,andreduciblefractionsarethemost significant, whiletheexchangeableandcarbonateboundtracemetalsarerelativelylow.TheRACvalues indicate noriskforCdandNiandlowriskforothermetalsatallthestudiedsitesduringbothseasons. PotentialecologicalriskanalysisoftheheavymetalconcentrationsindicatesthatCdhadhighindividual potentialecologicalrisk,whiletheothermetalshavelowriskatallinvestigatedsites.Themulti-ele- mental potentialecologicalriskindices(R1) indicatehighecologicalriskinalltheecosystem

Strengthening Bioinformatics and Genomics Analysis Skills in Africa for Attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals Report of the 2nd Conference of the Nigerian Bioinformatics and Genomics Network

The second conference of the Nigerian Bioinformatics and Genomics Network (NBGN21) was held from October 11 to October 13, 2021. The event was organized by the Nigerian Bioinformatics and Genomics Network. A 1-day genomic analysis workshop on genome-wide association study and polygenic risk score analysis was organized as part of the conference. It was organized primarily as a research capacity building initiative to empower Nigerian researchers to take a leading role in this cutting-edge field of genomic data science. The theme of the conference was “Leveraging Bioinformatics and Genomics for the attainments of the Sustainable Development Goals.” The conference used a hybrid approach—virtual and in-person. It served as a platform to bring together 235 registered participants mainly from Nigeria and virtually, from all over the world. NBGN21 had four keynote speakers and four leading Nigerian scientists received awards for their contributions to genomics and bioinformatics development in Nigeria. A total of 100 travel fellowships were awarded to delegates within Nigeria. A major topic of discussion was the application of bioinformatics and genomics in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG3—Good Health and Well-Being, SDG4—Quality Education, and SDG 15—Life on Land [Biodiversity]). In closing, most of the NBGN21 conference participants were interviewed and interestingly they agreed that bioinformatics and genomic analysis of African genomes are vital in identifying population-specific genetic variants that confer susceptibility to different diseases that are endemic in Africa. The knowledge of this can empower African healthcare systems and governments for timely intervention, thereby enhancing good health and well-bein

Source Evaluation and Trace Metal Contamination in Benthic Sediments from Equatorial Ecosystems Using Multivariate Statistical Techniques

race metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni and Pb) concentrations in benthic sediments were analyzed through multi-step fractionation scheme to assess the levels and sources of contamination in estuarine, riverine and freshwater ecosystems in Niger Delta (Nigeria). The degree of contamination was assessed using the individual contamination factors (ICF) and global contamination factor (GCF). Multivariate statistical approaches including principal component analysis (PCA), cluster analysis and correlation test were employed to evaluate the interrelationships and associated sources of contamination. The spatial distribution of metal concentrations followed the pattern Pb>Cu>Cr>Cd>Ni. Ecological risk index by ICF showed significant potential mobility and bioavailability for Cu, Cu and Ni. The ICF contamination trend in the benthic sediments at all studied sites was Cu>Cr>Ni>Cd>Pb. The principal component and agglomerative clustering analyses indicate that trace metals contamination in the ecosystems was influenced by multiple pollution sources

Some Haematological Parameters of Breast Cancer Patients accessing therapy at University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar Nigeria

Breast cancer contributes significantly to maternal mortality particularly in resource-poor settings with inadequate health infrastructure. Evaluation of haematological parameters is reliable for both diagnosis and monitoring of diseases. Thus, the present study was designed to investigate changes in packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin concentration (Hb), total and differential white cell counts as well as platelet count of breast cancer patients on treatment in Calabar, South- South, Nigeria. The study was conducted in University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar. It included 36 cases of pathologically diagnosed breast cancer (BC) female patients as well as 30 apparently healthy females drawn from the general population who served as control group. Ethical considerations and protocols were observed. Haematological parameters were analyzed on venous blood collected from each participant using the Sysmex KX-21N™ automated haematology analyzer system. Data analysis was carried on SPSS version 22.0 using students t-test and Pearson's correlation. A p-value of ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Haemoglobin concentration and packed cell volume mean values of Breast Cancer patients were significantly lower (p = 0.001) compared to values from control subjects. Similarly, Breast Cancer patients had significantly lower values of the total white blood cell count as well as absolute neutrophil and lymphocyte counts compared to control subjects (p = 0.001, p = 0.002 and p = 0.007 respectively). as relative leucopenia among breast cancer patients on treatment

Lipid traits and type 2 diabetes risk in African ancestry individuals: A Mendelian Randomization study.

BACKGROUND: Dyslipidaemia is highly prevalent in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Numerous studies have sought to disentangle the causal relationship between dyslipidaemia and T2DM liability. However, conventional observational studies are vulnerable to confounding. Mendelian Randomization (MR) studies (which address this bias) on lipids and T2DM liability have focused on European ancestry individuals, with none to date having been performed in individuals of African ancestry. We therefore sought to use MR to investigate the causal effect of various lipid traits on T2DM liability in African ancestry individuals. METHODS: Using univariable and multivariable two-sample MR, we leveraged summary-level data for lipid traits and T2DM liability from the African Partnership for Chronic Disease Research (APCDR) (N = 13,612, 36.9% men) and from African ancestry individuals in the Million Veteran Program (Ncases = 23,305 and Ncontrols = 30,140, 87.2% men), respectively. Genetic instruments were thus selected from the APCDR after which they were clumped to obtain independent instruments. We used a random-effects inverse variance weighted method in our primary analysis, complementing this with additional sensitivity analyses robust to the presence of pleiotropy. FINDINGS: Increased genetically proxied low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and total cholesterol (TC) levels were associated with increased T2DM liability in African ancestry individuals (odds ratio (OR) [95% confidence interval, P-value] per standard deviation (SD) increase in LDL-C = 1.052 [1.000 to 1.106, P = 0.046] and per SD increase in TC = 1.089 [1.014 to 1.170, P = 0.019]). Conversely, increased genetically proxied high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was associated with reduced T2DM liability (OR per SD increase in HDL-C = 0.915 [0.843 to 0.993, P = 0.033]). The OR on T2DM per SD increase in genetically proxied triglyceride (TG) levels was 0.884 [0.773 to 1.011, P = 0.072] . With respect to lipid-lowering drug targets, we found that genetically proxied 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGCR) inhibition was associated with increased T2DM liability (OR per SD decrease in genetically proxied LDL-C = 1.68 [1.03-2.72, P = 0.04]) but we did not find evidence of a relationship between genetically proxied proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibition and T2DM liability. INTERPRETATION: Consistent with MR findings in Europeans, HDL-C exerts a protective effect on T2DM liability and HMGCR inhibition increases T2DM liability in African ancestry individuals. However, in contrast to European ancestry individuals, LDL-C may increase T2DM liability in African ancestry individuals. This raises the possibility of ethnic differences in the metabolic effects of dyslipidaemia in T2DM. FUNDING: See the Acknowledgements section for more information

Lipid traits and type 2 diabetes risk in African ancestry individuals:a Mendelian Randomization study

Abstract Background: Dyslipidaemia is highly prevalent in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Numerous studies have sought to disentangle the causal relationship between dyslipidaemia and T2DM liability. However, conventional observational studies are vulnerable to confounding. Mendelian Randomization (MR) studies (which address this bias) on lipids and T2DM liability have focused on European ancestry individuals, with none to date having been performed in individuals of African ancestry. We therefore sought to use MR to investigate the causal effect of various lipid traits on T2DM liability in African ancestry individuals. Methods: Using univariable and multivariable two-sample MR, we leveraged summary-level data for lipid traits and T2DM liability from the African Partnership for Chronic Disease Research (APCDR) (N = 13,612, 36.9% men) and from African ancestry individuals in the Million Veteran Program (Ncases = 23,305 and Ncontrols = 30,140, 87.2% men), respectively. Genetic instruments were thus selected from the APCDR after which they were clumped to obtain independent instruments. We used a random–effects inverse variance weighted method in our primary analysis, complementing this with additional sensitivity analyses robust to the presence of pleiotropy. Findings: Increased genetically proxied low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) and total cholesterol (TC) levels were associated with increased T2DM liability in African ancestry individuals (odds ratio (OR) [95% confidence interval, P-value] per standard deviation (SD) increase in LDL‐C = 1.052 [1.000 to 1.106, P = 0.046] and per SD increase in TC = 1.089 [1.014 to 1.170, P = 0.019]). Conversely, increased genetically proxied high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C) was associated with reduced T2DM liability (OR per SD increase in HDL‐C = 0.915 [0.843 to 0.993, P = 0.033]). The OR on T2DM per SD increase in genetically proxied triglyceride (TG) levels was 0.884 [0.773 to 1.011, P = 0.072]. With respect to lipid‐lowering drug targets, we found that genetically proxied 3–hydroxy–3–methylglutaryl–CoA reductase (HMGCR) inhibition was associated with increased T2DM liability (OR per SD decrease in genetically proxied LDL-C = 1.68 [1.03–2.72, P = 0.04]) but we did not find evidence of a relationship between genetically proxied proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibition and T2DM liability. Interpretation: Consistent with MR findings in Europeans, HDL‐C exerts a protective effect on T2DM liability and HMGCR inhibition increases T2DM liability in African ancestry individuals. However, in contrast to European ancestry individuals, LDL‐C may increase T2DM liability in African ancestry individuals. This raises the possibility of ethnic differences in the metabolic effects of dyslipidaemia in T2DM