Comparative analysis of haematological parameters in HIV patients with co-infections of hepatitis B & C, and HIV-negative patients in Rivers State, Nigeria

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has continued to be a threat to global health with several deaths recorded despite the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Co-infection of hepatitis B and C is now one of the leading causes of death among HIV-infected patients due to some haematological abnormalities and immunological impairment. This study was conducted to compare some haematological parameters of HIV-infectedpatients with hepatitis B and C co-infections from three hospitals in Rivers State, Nigeria Methodology: This was a comparative cross-sectional study of randomly recruited HIV-patients from antiretroviral therapy (ART) clinic and HIV-negative patients from medical out-patient department (MOPD) of three different hospitals in Rivers State, Nigeria. Socio-demographic information of each participant was obtained with a structured questionnaire. Four millilitres of blood were collected from each participant by venipuncture; 2 ml each were dispensed into ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA) and plain bottles for estimation of full blood count (FBC), cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4), HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) serology. Results: A total of 375 participants (M:F ratio 1:1.5, age range 10-69 years) comprising 150 HIV patients on ART, 135 ART-naive HIV patients, and 90 HIV-negative patients (control) were recruited. Comparison of haematological parameters among HIV-negative (control), HIV-infected, and HIV/HBV/HCV, HIV/HCV and HIV/HBV co-infected patients showed significant increase (p<0.05) in mean lymphocyte count (%) of 36.69±13.25, 42.02±12.75, 46.53±8.36, 47.64±14.35, and 49.61±5.81, and a significant decrease (p<0.05) in mean neutrophil count (%) of 54.43±13.52, 46.33±13.04, 44.23±9.30, 41.66±12.94 and 40.86±7.56 respectively. The mean platelet count (109/L) in HIV-negative control, HIV-infected, and HIV/HCV, HIV/HBV and HIV/HBV/HCV co-infected patients showed significant decrease (p<0.05) of 235.25±109.52, 229.26±104.70, 152.25±56.64, 138.69±56.25, and 130.33±79.51, as well as a significant decrease in CD4 cell counts (cells/µl) of 803.40±211.24, 619.67±334.13, 590.63±312.20, 550.15±311.72, and 406.49±261.75 respectively. Conclusion: Alterations in the haematological parameters can lead to serious complications in HIV individuals coinfected with HBV and/or HCV. Therefore, HBV and HCV screening for every HIV-infected patient should be made mandatory in Nigeria.   French title: Analyse comparative des paramètres hématologiques chez les patients séropositifs co-infectés par les hépatites B et C et chez les patients séronégatifs dans l'État de Rivers, au Nigeria Contexte: Le virus de l'immunodéficience humaine (VIH) a continué d'être une menace pour la santé mondiale avec plusieurs décès enregistrés malgré l'introduction de la thérapie antirétrovirale hautement active (HAART). La coinfection par l'hépatite B et l'hépatite C est aujourd'hui l'une des principales causes de décès chez les patients infectés par le VIH en raison de certaines anomalies hématologiques et d'une déficience immunologique. Cette étude a été menée pour comparer certains paramètres hématologiques de patients infectés par le VIH avec des co-infections par l'hépatite B et C dans trois hôpitaux de l'État de Rivers, au Nigéria. Méthodologie: Il s'agissait d'une étude transversale comparative de patients séropositifs recrutés au hasard dans une clinique de traitement antirétroviral (TAR) et de patients séronégatifs du service médical ambulatoire (MOPD) de trois hôpitaux différents dans l'État de Rivers, au Nigeria. Les informations socio-démographiques de chaque participant ont été obtenues à l'aide d'un questionnaire structuré. Quatre millilitres de sang ont été prélevés sur chaque participant par ponction veineuse; 2 ml chacun ont été distribués dans des flacons d'acide éthylène diamine tétra acétique (EDTA) et simples pour l'estimation de la formule sanguine complète (FBC), du groupe de différenciation 4 (CD4), du VIH, du virus de l'hépatite B (VHB) et du virus de l'hépatite C (VHC) sérologie. Résultats: Un total de 375 participants (rapport M: F 1: 1,5; tranche d'âge de 10 à 69 ans) comprenant 150 patients séropositifs sous TAR, 135 patients séropositifs naïfs de TAR et 90 séronégatifs (contrôle) ont été recrutés. La comparaison des paramètres hématologiques chez les patients séronégatifs pour le VIH (contrôle), infectés par le VIH et co-infectés par le VIH/VHB/VHC, le VIH/VHC et le VIH/VHB a montré une augmentation significative (p<0,05) du nombre moyen de lymphocytes (%) des 36,69±13,25, 42,02±12,75, 46,53±8,36, 47,64±14,35 et 49,61±5,81, et une diminution significative (p<0,05) du nombre moyen de neutrophiles (%) de 54,43±13,52, 46,33±13,04, 44,23±9,30, 41,66±12,94 et 40,86±7,56 respectivement. La numération plaquettaire moyenne (109/L) chez les patients témoins séronégatifs, infectés par le VIH et co-infectés par le VIH/VHC, le VIH/VHB et le VIH/VHB/VHC a montré une diminution significative (p<0,05) de 235,25±109,52, 229,26±104,70, 152,25±56,64, 138,69±56,25 et 130,33±79,51, ainsi qu'une diminution significative du nombre de cellules CD4 (cellules/µl) de 803,40±211,24, 619,67±334,13, 590,63±312 550.15±311,72 et 406,49±261,75 respectivement. Conclusion: Des altérations des paramètres hématologiques peuvent entraîner de graves complications chez les personnes VIH co-infectées par le VHB et/ou le VHC. Par conséquent, le dépistage du VHB et du VHC pour chaque patient infecté par le VIH devrait être rendu obligatoire au Nigeri

Pectins from food waste: Characterization and functional properties of a pectin extracted from broccoli stalk

Currently about 60–75% of world broccoli production is wasted during harvesting. The aim of the present study was to extract and characterise the pectin present in broccoli stalks and to evaluate its functional properties. The stalks were initially treated with boiling ethanol to remove compounds such as pigments and free sugars and then the pectin (FB) was extracted with 0.1 M nitric acid for 30min. The pectic fraction FB (18% yield) was found to contain 75% galacturonic acid with a degree of methyl-esterification of 56%, and an acetyl content of 1.1%. Rhamnose and galactose were the main neutral sugars present. NMR analyses showed that FB was composed of homogalacturonan and rhamnogalacturonan I substituted with β-1,4-D-galactan. The molar mass of FB was 72.2 × 103 g/mol and the viscosity of a 5% (w/w) solution in 0.1M NaCl at pH 4 showed shear thinning behaviour with a low shear Newtonian plateau of ~100 Pa s at 25 °C. At the same concentration FB showed a weak gel like behaviour. FB (0.5–4%, w/w) was also able to stabilize medium chain triglyceride oil in water emulsions. The results suggest that broccoli stalk could be used as an alternative source of commercial pectins

Fine particle retention and deposition in regions of cyclonic tidal current rotation

Benthic sediments in continental shelf seas control a variety of biogeochemical processes, yet their composition, especially that of fine sediment, remains difficult to predict. Mechanisms for mud or fine sediment deposition and retention are not fully understood. Using sediment data and a hydrodynamic model of the Northwest European shelf seas, a relationship is shown to exist between fine benthic sediment composition and regions of cyclonic tidal current rotation. The reduced thickness of cyclonic tidal benthic boundary layers compared with the anticyclonic case promotes deposition of fine sediment and trapping of resuspended material. Adding the effects of the benthic boundary layer thickness, as influenced by ellipticity or not, sheds some light on the limitations of approaches only focusing on bed shear stress and sediment pathways to predict the location of mud deposits. A tidal boundary layer predictor that includes ellipticity alongside tidal current magnitude and depth was shown to spatially agree with maps of mud deposits

Is the atherosclerotic phenotype of pre-eclamptic placentas due to altered lipoprotein concentrations and placental lipoprotein receptors?: role of a small-for-gestational-age phenotype

Artherosis of spiral arteries in uteroplacental beds from pre-eclamptic women resemble those of atherosclerosis, characterised by increased plasma lipids and lipoproteins. We hypothesised 1) lipoproteins receptors/transporter in placenta would be up-regulated in pre-eclampsia, associated with increased maternal and fetal lipoprotein concentrations; 2) expression of these would be reduced in pre-eclamptic placentae from women delivering small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants. Placental biopsies, maternal and umbilical serum samples were taken from 27 normotensive and 24 pre-eclamptic women. Maternal/umbilical cord serum LDL; HDL; total cholesterol and triglycerides were measured. Placental mRNA expression of lipoprotein receptors/transporters were quantified using qRT-PCR. Protein localisation/expression of LRP-1 in the pre-eclamptic with/without SGA was measured by immunohistochemistry. Placental mRNA expression of all genes except PON-1, MTTP and PDIA2 were observed. No differences for any lipoprotein receptors/transporters were found between groups; however, in the pre-eclamptic group placental LRP-1 expression was lower in SGA delivering mothers (n = 7; P=0.036). LRP-1 protein was localised around fetal vessels and Hofbauer cells. This is the first detailed study of maternal/fetal lipoprotein concentrations and placental lipoprotein receptor mRNA expression in normotensive and pre-eclamptic pregnancies. These findings do not support a role of altered lipid metabolism in pre-eclampsia, but may be involved in fetal growth

Placental expression of adenosine A2A receptor and hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha in early pregnancy, term and pre-eclamptic pregnancies: interactions with placental renin-angiotensin system

Normal placentation occurs under low oxygen tensions yet hypoxia is also implicated in placental pathologies such as pre-eclampsia (PE). Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs), adenosine and tissue renin-angiotensin-system (RAS) are known to promote angiogenesis and vascularisation. We hypothesised that placental adenosine A2AR receptor and HIF-1α would change through pregnancy in association with the RAS. Placentae were obtained from women undergoing elective surgical termination of pregnancy (TOP) at ≤10 weeks’ (early TOP) and >10 weeks’ (mid TOP) gestations; at delivery from normotensive (NT) and PE pregnancy. Results were compared to our previously reported data on the angiotensin receptors: AT1R, AT2R and AT4R. Protein expression of both A2AR and HIF-1α was highest in early TOP and positively correlated through pregnancy (P<0.0001): expression was higher in PE than NT at delivery (P<0.0001 for both). The A2AR positively correlated with the AT4R in placentae in early pregnancy (r=0.53; P=0.035), but not in 3rd trimester samples. Our findings suggest a role for adenosine and RAS in promoting placentation and as a potential adaptation to poor placental perfusion in pre-eclampsia

Placental expression of eNOS, iNOS and the major protein components of caveolae in women with pre-eclampsia

Caveolae regulate many cardiovascular functions and thus could be of interest in relation to pre-eclampsia, a pregnancy specific disorder characterised by hypertension and proteinuria. We examined placental mRNA and protein expression/localisation of the caveolae components Caveolin 1-3, Cavin 1-4 as well as eNOS/ iNOS in normotensive control (n=24) and pre-eclamptic pregnancies (n=19). Placental mRNA expression of caveolin-1, cavin 1-3, was lower and eNOS expression was increased in pre-eclampsia (P<0.05 for all). Additionally Caveolin-1 protein expression was also reduced in pre-eclampsia (P=0.007); this could be an adaptive response in pre-eclampsia, possibly to attenuate the oxidative stress/inflammation

Exploring synergetic effects of dimensionality reduction and resampling tools on hyperspectral imagery data classification

The present paper addresses the problem of the classification of hyperspectral images with multiple imbalanced classes and very high dimensionality. Class imbalance is handled by resampling the data set, whereas PCA and a supervised filter are applied to reduce the number of spectral bands. This is a preliminary study that pursues to investigate the benefits of combining several techniques to tackle the imbalance and the high dimensionality problems, and also to evaluate the order of application that leads to the best classification performance. Experimental results demonstrate the significance of using together these two preprocessing tools to improve the performance of hyperspectral imagery classification. Although it seems that the most effective order corresponds to first a resampling strategy and then a feature (or extraction) selection algorithm, this is a question that still needs a much more thorough investigation in the futureThis work has partially been supported by the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science under grants CSD2007–00018, AYA2008–05965–0596 and TIN2009–14205, the Fundació Caixa Castelló–Bancaixa under grant P1–1B2009–04, and the Generalitat Valenciana under grant PROMETEO/2010/02

The placental renin-angiotensin system and oxidative stress in pre-eclampsia

There is an inverse correlation between human birthweight and umbilical venous angiotensin II (AngII) concentrations. Oxidative stress and increased pro-renin receptor (PRR) both enhance the cleavage of angiotensin I from angiotensinogen (AGT). Pre-eclampsia, a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, manifests as high blood pressure and proteinuria, and is a state of increased oxidative stress. Objectives, study design and main outcome measures Hypothesis: Pre-eclampsia will be associated with increased placental expression of components of the renin–angiotensin system, which could result in reduced infant birthweight. Biopsies were taken 1 cm from the placental edge from 27 normotensive controls and 23 pre-eclamptic White European women. Immunohistochemistry was performed for AGT, PRR, glutathione peroxidase 3 (GPx3) and the AT1R and AT2R AngII receptors. Protein expression was semi-quantitatively assessed (H-score). Results: AT1R expression was significantly increased in pre-eclamptic placentae, and negatively correlated with birthweight (r = −0.529, P = 0.009). AT1R expression was also negatively correlated with GPx3 expression overall (r = −0.647; P = 0.005). AT2R expression positively correlated with AGT (r = 0.615, P = 0.002) in the pre-eclamptic placentae only. Conclusions: The raised AT1R expression in pre-eclampsia, together with inadequate antioxidant protection, possibly through lower GPx activity, might enhance the vasoconstrictor effect of locally-generated AngII, contributing to the restricted fetal growth characteristic of pre-eclampsia. Conversely, the AT2R:AGT association within the pre-eclamptic placenta may provide a compensatory mechanism

Differential expression and distribution of placental glutathione peroxidases 1, 3 and 4 in normal and preeclamptic pregnancy

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific condition affecting 2-7% of women and a leading cause of perinatal and maternal morbidity and mortality; it may also predispose the mother and fetus to increased risks of adult cardiovascular disease. The selenoprotein glutathione peroxidases (GPxs) have critical roles in regulating antioxidant status. Objectives, study design and main outcome measures: Immunohistochemical measurements of GPx 1, GPx3 and GPx4 protein expression were performed on samples taken from three standardised sampling sites between the cord insertion and the periphery of the placenta from 12 normotensive, and 12 preeclamptic women to establish if their expression differed between sampling sites. Total GPx activities were also examined from the three sampling sites of these placentae. Results: There were highly significant reductions in overall immunohistochemical staining of all 3 GPxs in the preeclampsia compared to normotensive placentae (GPx1: P = 0.016; GPx3: P = 0.003; GPx4: P < 0.001). Furthermore, graded differences in expression between the standardised placental sampling sites were also found for GPx3 (higher in the inner region, P = 0.05) and GPx4 (higher in the periphery, P = 0.02) but not GPx1. Placental GPx enzyme activity was also significantly reduced in tissue from preeclamptic women as compared to normotensive women (P = 0.007; the difference was more pronounced nearest the cord insertion). Conclusions: We have shown highly significant reductions in expression of all three major classes of GPx in placentae from women with preeclampsia, and distribution gradients in activity, which may relate to the differential oxygenation of regions of the placenta