Histomorphological Effect of Zidovudine on the Testes of Adult Male Wistar Rats (Rattus Novegicus)

Background: Zidovudine (ZDV) also referred to as azidothymidine (AZT) was the fi rst approved treatment for human immunodefi ciency virus, although, its impact on the reproductive system has not been clearly understood.Aim: The aim is to analyze the eff ect of dose dependent administration of ZDV (AZT) on the testes of adult Wistar rats was carefully studied.Materials and Methods: The rats (n=20), with an average weight of 150 g were randomly assigned in to a control group (Group 1) (n=5) and three treatment groups (n=5). The control Group 1 received distilled water while the treatment groups divided into Group 2, (subnormal), Group 3 (normal) and Group 4 (excess) were administered 0.3 mg/ml, 1.3 mg/ml and 2.3 mg/ml of AZT respectively (in line with the recommended dose of 600 mg/70 kg) dissolved in distilled water daily for 30 days, using an orogastric cannula. The rats were fed with growers mash and given water liberally. The rats were euthanized under chloroform vapor on the 31st day of the experiment, and the testes were carefully harvested and fi xed in 10% formol saline for histological studies.Results: Histological results of treated group revealed signifi cant changes in testes histoarchitecture (the control showed normal histoarchitecture). Conclusion: ZDV may cause structural abnormalities to testicular tissues. Keywords: Hypospermatogenesis, structural abnormalities, testes, zidovudin

Epidemiology of Hepatitis C Virus in the private blood banking sector in Osogbo, Southwest Nigeria

Background: Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is an agent of Transfusion Transmissible Infection (TTI) which serves as a threat to blood safety and sufficiency of blood and blood products supply.Objectives: This study aimed at determining the distribution patterns of HCV among potential blood donors in a private Blood Bank in Osogbo, Nigeria.Materials and Methods: Over a period of 6 months, 290 consenting prospective blood donors were recruited for this study by convenient sampling technique. Pre-test counseling was done, before blood specimen collection and laboratory serological analysis was carried out, using third generation Enzyme Immunoassay Technique.Results: The mean age of the respondents was 35.99 ±10.94 years. A total of 6 participants (2.07%) tested positive for anti-HCV. In this study, HCV prevalence has no association with age and blood type, but it does with the donor type, where the prevalence is higher among commercial blood donors.Conclusion: The rates were lower than the previous studies in Nigeria perhaps this is due to the positive effect of public awareness on transfusion transmissible infections and the fact that majority of the donors were regular donors. Blood transfusion services should be further strengthened by establishment of blood transfusion committees at State level, to regulate and monitor the practice, especially in the private sector, with a view to ensure that stringent criteria are adhered to in blood donors’ selection.Keywords: Blood Safety, Hepatitis C Virus, Serology and Private sector

Level of Radiofrequency (RF) Radiations from GSM Base Stations and its Biological Effects on Albino Mice, Mus musculus

Levels of radiofrequency radiations around two global systems for mobile communication (GSM) base stations located in the vicinity of a residential quarter and workplace complex were measured. The effects of the radiofrequency radiations on albino mice placed in exposure cages and located around the base stations over a six months period were carried out. The levels of radiofrequency (RF) radiations around the base stations were found to be between 488.51mV/m to 625.49mV/m compared to 59 mV/m in control stations. The results of the weight change experiment showed that over the 180 days of observation, there was weight gain in the exposed and control mice groups. Statistical comparisons of mean weight changes between exposed mice and control mice showed that there were no significant (P>0.05) differences between the weight of the test animals. The hematological studies revealed an elevation of white blood cell (WBC) counts in mice exposed to RF radiations compared to control group. There was however no significant (P>0.05) difference between the red blood cell counts in the exposed and control mice. There was also no significant (P>0.05) difference in the hemoglobin and glucose levels in the blood of both exposed and control mice groups. The red blood cells in exposed mice were however found to contain a higher number of macrocytes, poikilocytes, polychromatic cells and fewer target cells than the control mice. Histological studies of the heart and kidney of exposed mice showed only slight tissues deformities in kidneys of exposed mice compared to control. The relevance of these findings in setting radiofrequency radiation exposure guidelines and the need for more studies with widely varying biological parameters is very necessary as Nigeria leaps further into the communication age

Chlamydial Infection, Plasma Peroxidation and Obesity in Tubal Infertility

Background: Genital tract infections and obesity are both sources of oxidative stress. Alterations in immune and antioxidant parameters may arise from this or from an indeterminate autoimmune mechanism.Objective: This study aimed to investigate the association of Chlamydial infection, obesity and oxidative response with tubal infertility in Nigerian women.Methods: It was a case-control study of 40 women with tubal infertility and 32 fertile women, respectively, recruited from the Infertility and Family Planning Clinics respectively, of the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. Anthropometric indices were measured in each subject and endocervical swabs were taken to screen for current genital tract infection.Antioxidant, hormonal and immunologic analysis were performed on serum.Results: None of the subjects had current genital tract infections. Chlamydia trachomatis IgG positivity was significantly higher in infertile than in fertile subjects [OR 4.33; 95%CI (0.078-0.681)]. No significant variations were observed in the anthropometric indices, antioxidant parameters and hormones between infertile and the fertile women. Bodymass index correlated positively with oxidative stress in infertile subjects. Waist and hip circumferences correlated negatively with oestradiol in women with tubal infertility.Conclusion: Chlamydial infection is associated with tubal factor infertility, however, obesity seems to increase oxidative stress and reduce fertility potential in women with tubal factor infertility.Key words: Tubal infertility, obesity, oxidative stress, Chlamydi

Stimulation of Haemopoetic Activity in Bone Marrow and Deformation of Red Blood Cells in Albino Mice, Mus musculus Exposed to Radiations from GSM Base Stations

The levels of radiofrequency radiations around two global systems for mobile communication (GSM) base stations located around a residential quarter and workplace complex were measured. The effects of the radiofrequency radiations on albino mice placed in exposure cages and located around the base stations over a six months period were investigated. The levels of radiofrequency (RF) radiations around the base stations were found to range between 383 mV/m to 730 mV/m compared to 59 mV/m in control stations. In the exposed mice, a pattern of pancytosis was observed and significant increases were observed in the Packed Cell Volume (PCV), White Cell Count (WBC), Platelet count (PLT) and Red Cell Count (RCC) throughout the period of exposure in both stations when compared with control values. No significant (p>0.05) differences were observed in these values when both stations were compared. After 90 days of exposure, marginal increases occurred in the mean cell volume of exposed mice at station 1 and 2 (53.1±3.6fl Vs 55.9±1.8fl and 57.9±0.25fl respectively), with the mean cell haemoglobin concentration showing significant reduction after 180 days of exposure at station 2 (27.9±2.4g/dl Vs 25.7±0.29g/dl;

The Effects of Storage on Sachet Water Quality in Ogun State, Nigeria

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of storage on the physicochemical status and bacteriological quality of sachet water produced and sold in  Abeokuta metropolis, Nigeria. Ten brands of sachet water were collected within 24 hours of production and stored at ambient temperature. Sub-samples were drawn from the stock samples immediately for physico-chemical and microbiological analyses and after two months. Physical parameters were determined by instrumental methods. Cationic and anionic constituents were determined by standard titrimetric and spectrophotometric methods, trace and heavy water were determined by Atomic Adsorption Spectrophotometer. The study revealed that all the brands of water analyzed were physically and chemically wholesome and met the WHO standards. Five brands (50%) of the water had total viable and coliform count above the recommended count of 100cfu/m and zero cfu/ml, respectively. pH values increased in all brands to acceptable WHO limits within 2 months of storage except for sample 3 and 4 which decreases below the acceptable limit.  Majorly dissolved oxygen and nitrate values decreased through the investigation period. Total and faecal coliform appeared in 50% of sachet water samples  analyzed immediately after production and were no longer detected after storing for two months except for sample 4. Results of the experiment indicate that 60% of the brands analyzed met the WHO guideline limit for drinking especially for the physico-chemical parameters while the majority failed in the microbiological essay when stored at ambient temperature for the two-month investigation period.KEYWORDS: Coliforms, Conductivity, Microbiological Assay, Physical and Chemical Parameters,Turbidity, Sachet Wate

Boosting Non-oil Export Revenue in Nigeria Through Non-traditional Agricultural Export Commodities: How Feasible?

Available data indicated that, some traditional agricultural export commodities like cocoa and rubber have remained on Nigeria’s agricultural export list, while others like groundnut and coffee have almost disappeared from the export list. In the same vein, non-traditional agricultural export commodities like sesame seed and cashew nuts have started featuring prominently on the export list. In line with theory, the econometric analysis carried out confirmed that a major policy change, which can provide a boost for agricultural exports, is the depreciation of the real exchange rate. For all the agricultural export commodities analyzed in the study, the coefficient of the exchange rate was positive and highly significant

Living donor liver transplantation using sensitized lymphocytotoxic crossmatch positive graft

We describe a successful living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) using a lymphocytotoxic crossmatch highly positive graft. A 41-year-old woman with alcoholic liver cirrhosis was referred as a potential candidate for LDLT, and her husband was willing to donate his partial liver. As the T-lymphocytotoxic crossmatch titer was over 10,000×, the patient was first infused with rituximab for preoperative desensitization, and then five rounds of plasmapheresis were performed. After the third plasmapheresis, the lymphocytotoxic crossmatch test was negative. A left liver graft including the caudate lobe was implanted, and anti-CD25 antibody (basiliximab) was administered on postoperative days 1 and 4. The postoperative course was uneventful except for an episode of mild acute cellular rejection on postoperative day 27. Although the impact of a lymphocytotoxic crossmatch-positive liver graft on acute cellular rejection and graft survival in LDLT remains controversial, perioperative desensitization may provide benefits when using a highly sensitized liver graft

Hedgehog pathway mutations drive oncogenic transformation in high-risk T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

The role of Hedgehog signaling in normal and malignant T-cell development is controversial. Recently, Hedgehog pathway mutations have been described in T-ALL, but whether mutational activation of Hedgehog signaling drives T-cell transformation is unknown, hindering the rationale for therapeutic intervention. Here, we show that Hedgehog pathway mutations predict chemotherapy resistance in human T-ALL, and drive oncogenic transformation in a zebrafish model of the disease. We found Hedgehog pathway mutations in 16% of 109 childhood T-ALL cases, most commonly affecting its negative regulator PTCH1. Hedgehog mutations were associated with resistance to induction chemotherapy (P = 0.009). Transduction of wild-type PTCH1 into PTCH1-mutant T-ALL cells induced apoptosis (P = 0.005), a phenotype that was reversed by downstream Hedgehog pathway activation (P = 0.007). Transduction of most mutant PTCH1, SUFU, and GLI alleles into mammalian cells induced aberrant regulation of Hedgehog signaling, indicating that these mutations are pathogenic. Using a CRISPR/Cas9 system for lineage-restricted gene disruption in transgenic zebrafish, we found that ptch1 mutations accelerated the onset of notch1-induced T-ALL (P = 0.0001), and pharmacologic Hedgehog pathway inhibition had therapeutic activity. Thus, Hedgehog-activating mutations are driver oncogenic alterations in high-risk T-ALL, providing a molecular rationale for targeted therapy in this disease

Targeting multiple effector pathways in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma with a g-quadruplex-binding small molecule

Human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) involves the dysregulation of multiple signaling pathways. A novel approach to the treatment of PDAC is described, involving the targeting of cancer genes in PDAC pathways having over-representation of G-quadruplexes, using the trisubstituted naphthalene diimide quadruplex-binding compound 2,7-bis(3-morpholinopropyl)-4-((2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)ethyl)amino)benzo[lmn][3,8]phenanthroline-1,3,6,8(2H,7H)-tetraone (CM03). This compound has been designed by computer modeling, is a potent inhibitor of cell growth in PDAC cell lines, and has anticancer activity in PDAC models, with a superior profile compared to gemcitabine, a commonly used therapy. Whole-transcriptome RNA-seq methodology has been used to analyze the effects of this quadruplex-binding small molecule on global gene expression. This has revealed the down-regulation of a large number of genes, rich in putative quadruplex elements and involved in essential pathways of PDAC survival, metastasis, and drug resistance. The changes produced by CM03 represent a global response to the complexity of human PDAC and may be applicable to other currently hard-to-treat cancers