Impact of epidermal growth factor and/or ß-mercaptoethanol supplementations on the in vitro produced buffaloes' embryos.

The present study investigated the effects of epidermal growth factors (EGF) and/or ß-Mercaptoethanol (ßME) supplementations to oocyte maturation, fertilization, and culture media on the buffalo in vitro embryo production. The ovaries were collected and transferred within 2 h to the laboratory. The cumulus oocytes complexes were aspirated from 3 to 8 mm diameter follicles. Firstly, EGF; 0, 10, 20, or 50 ng/mL or ßME; 0, 25, 50, 100, or 200 µM were supplemented to the in vitro maturation (TCM-199), fertilization (IVF-TALP), or culture (IVC: SOF) media. Our results revealed that supplementing EGF (20 ng/mL) to the TCM-199, IVF-TALP, or SOF media could efficiently improve the growth rates and development of buffalos' embryos, while EGF (50 ng/mL) could stimulate the embryo production only after treatment of the IVF-TALP /or SOF media, but not the IVM medium. However, ßME was less efficient than EGF; it stimulated the growth rates of buffalo embryos when supplemented with the maturation and fertilization (IVF-TALP) media in a 50 µM concentration. Secondly, combined EGF (20 ng/mL) and ßME (50 µM) were supplemented to the maturation media as effective concentration. The combined treatment of EGF (20 ng/mL) and ßME (50 µM) showed no significant enhancing effect on the buffalo embryos compared to each alone. For future perspectives, further study is required to examine the effects of combined EGF and ßME on the maturation and fertilization of buffalo oocytes at different categories of age and seasonal localities.

Histological, Histochemical, and Ultrastructural Approach to the Ductus Deferens in Male Nile Monitor Lizard (Varanus niloticus).

The ductus deferens is a fundamental part of the male genital tract and the continuation of the epididymal duct. As a male secondary sex organ, the ductus deferens plays a crucial role in the nourishment, storage, and maturation of spermatozoa. Some studies have provided information about the ductus deferens structure in reptiles; however, the full description of the ductus deferens remains to be clarified. The current study aimed to describe the Nile monitor lizard (Varanus niloticus) ductus deferens from histological, histochemical, and ultrastructural perspectives. The results revealed that the ductus deferens is formed histologically from two main cell types: principal and basal. The principal cells were tall and filled with periodic acid Schiff (+)/alcian blue (−) cytoplasmic granules. The basal cells were found just above the basement membrane. By transmission electron microscopy, the principal cells exhibited typical protein-secreting cell features. Additionally, some intraepithelial cells, such as halo cells, undifferentiated mesenchymal cells, and agranular leukocytes, were identified. This study presents the first detailed description of the Varanus niloticus ductus deferens. Further immunohistochemical studies are required to explore the function(s) of the cellular components.

Prognostic Role of Androgen Receptor in Triple Negative Breast Cancer: A Multi-Institutional Study.

BACKGROUND: The androgen receptor (AR) has emerged as a potential therapeutic target for AR-positive triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). However, conflicting reports regarding AR's prognostic role in TNBC are putting its usefulness in question. Some studies conclude that AR positivity indicates a good prognosis in TNBC, whereas others suggest the opposite, and some show that AR status has no significant bearing on the patients' prognosis. METHODS: We evaluated the prognostic value of AR in resected primary tumors from TNBC patients from six international cohorts {US (n = 420), UK (n = 239), Norway (n = 104), Ireland (n = 222), Nigeria (n = 180), and India (n = 242); total n = 1407}. All TNBC samples were stained with the same anti-AR antibody using the same immunohistochemistry protocol, and samples with ≥1% of AR-positive nuclei were deemed AR-positive TNBCs. RESULTS: AR status shows population-specific patterns of association with patients' overall survival after controlling for age, grade, population, and chemotherapy. We found AR-positive status to be a marker of good prognosis in US and Nigerian cohorts, a marker of poor prognosis in Norway, Ireland and Indian cohorts, and neutral in UK cohort. CONCLUSION: AR status, on its own, is not a reliable prognostic marker. More research to investigate molecular subtype composition among the different cohorts is warranted.

Histopathological pattern of thyroid diseases in Zaria: A 10-year review.

CONTEXT: Majority of the previous studies on thyroid diseases in Northern Nigeria focussed mainly on neoplastic lesions. The non-neoplastic lesions are more common and constitute more public health burdens. AIM: To determine the histopathological pattern of thyroid diseases in our region and compare our findings with similar studies in Nigeria and elsewhere. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This is a retrospective study carried out at the Department of Pathology, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, from January 2005 to December 2014 using specified criteria. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: All cases of thyroid diseases diagnosed histologically within the study period had their histology reports as well as their haematoxylin and eosin-stained slides reviewed and analysed. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) software for windows version 20.0 (IBM SPSS Inc. Chicago, IL) was used. RESULTS: There were 302 thyroid diseases diagnosed during the study period. Only 297 cases fulfilled the study inclusion criteria. There were 255 females and 42 males with a male-to-female ratio 1:6. Ages ranged from 4 months to 80 years, with peak age incidence between 31 and 50 years. Thyroglossal cysts accounted for 17 (5.7%) cases. Non-neoplastic diseases composed of colloid goitre, Graves' disease, Hashimoto thyroiditis and lymphocytic thyroiditis. They accounted for 214 (72.1%), 12 (4.0%), 3 (1.0%) and 1 (0.3%) cases, respectively. The neoplastic diseases comprised 36 (12.1%) adenoma cases and 14 (4.7%) carcinomas, with papillary carcinoma being the most common (71.4%) thyroid cancer. CONCLUSION: This study showed that thyroid diseases in Zaria had a female predominance with a peak age frequency between 30 and 50 years of age. The most common diseases were colloid goitre, follicular adenoma and papillary carcinoma. These findings are comparable with several studies on thyroid diseases in Nigeria and globally.

The prevalence and course of preinvasive cervical lesions during pregnancy in a Northern Nigerian Teaching Hospital.

BACKGROUND: In spite of knowledge of the causes and prevention of cervical cancer, screening programs for cervical cancer have not yet been fully implemented in most developing countries including Nigeria. Documented data on the prevalence of preinvasive cervical lesion in pregnancy are scarce in our environment. OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence, risk factors, and course of preinvasive cervical lesion in pregnant women attending an antenatal clinic in Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH) Zaria, Northern Nigeria Study Design: This was a cross-sectional longitudinal study. SETTING: The study was conducted in an antenatal clinic of ABUTH Zaria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective cross-sectional longitudinal analysis was carried out at an Antenatal Clinic of ABUTH Zaria, Nigeria. A total of 250 consecutive pregnant women who fulfilled the inclusion criteria and have given their consent were recruited into the study at the time of their first prenatal (booking clinic) visit for antenatal care. Data from the pregnant women were obtained using a pro forma to evaluate sociodemographic characteristics and risk factors for preinvasive disease. Conventional Papanicolaou smear was taken using the standard procedure. The cytopathologic findings of initial and postpartum Pap smear were documented in the pro forma. Prevalence, persistence, progression, and regression rates of preinvasive diseases were determined. RESULTS: Out of the 250 pregnant women who had cervical cytology by Pap smear during the study, 15 had preinvasive cervical lesion, giving a prevalence rate of 6%; 13 (87%) were low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LGSIL) while 2 (13%) were high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HGSIL). Negative smears were seen in 158 women (63.2%). Inflammatory and other conditions of the cervix which are technically negative smears made up the remaining 30.8%. At postpartum follow-up of the 13 women with LGSIL, 2 (15.4%) became negative while persistence of the disease was observed in 9 (69.2%) of the cases. Two women with LGSIL were lost to follow-up. Of the two women with HGSIL, persistence of the disease was seen in one woman (50%) and regression of the disease was seen in the other woman. Risk factors that were found to be associated with preinvasive cervical lesion were age at coitarche <16 years, number of sexual partners since coitarche, and previous history of sexually transmitted infection and human immunodeficiency virus. Parity, smoking, and use of contraception were found not to be significant risk factors. CONCLUSION: Preinvasive lesion of the cervix is relatively common among antenatal clients in our center. Antenatal clients with HGSIL should have a repeat smear at the end of the puerperium before treatment. Routine Pap smear should be offered to all antenatal clients in our setting.

Asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum parasitaemia among pregnant women: a health facility based survey in Nassarawa-Eggon, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Asymptomatic malaria parasitaemia remains an effective transmission pool for malaria during pregnancy, which can result in placenta parasitaemia and adverse pregnancy outcomes. This study examined asymptomatic malaria parasitaemia among pregnant women in the antenatal clinic in General Hospital, Nassarawa-Eggon, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional hospital based survey was carried out among 242 apparently healthy pregnant women presenting for booking in an antenatal clinic between June and August 2014. An interviewer-administered semi-structured questionnaire was used to obtain information on socio-demographic data and possible risk factors for asymptomatic malaria parasitaemia. These women should not have taken antimalarial medicines two weeks prior to the interview. Microscopy was used to identify malaria parasites and haemoglobin levels were estimated. Data was analysed using Epi Info 3.5.3. Descriptive statistics such as means, standard deviations, proportions, and range were used to summarise the data and the Chi square test was used to test association between categorical explanatory variables and outcome variables. RESULTS: Mean age (± SD) was 25.5 ± 5.5 years, 118 (48.8%) of the women were in the 25-34 years age group, while 153 (63.2%) were multigravidae. Asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum infection was found in 55 women (22.7%; 95% CI: 18.0-28.7%) Among these, 36 (65.5%) were anaemic [OR: 2.0, CI: 1.1-3.8]. Long lasting insecticidal net (LLIN) was not used by 17 (30.9%) of the respondents. Younger age group (below 25 years) [AOR: 2.4, CI: 1.2-4.9] and non-usage of LLIN [AOR: 2.4, CI: 1.1-5.1] were significant predictors of asymptomatic malaria parasitaemia. CONCLUSION: Asymptomatic malaria parasitaemia is a health challenge among pregnant women, especially in the younger age group and can predispose them to maternal anaemia. The supply and appropriate use of LLIN should be intensified.

Schistosomiasis of the appendix in a tertiary hospital in northern Nigeria: a 22-year review.

BACKGROUND: Schistosomiasis is one of the neglected tropical diseases caused by a trematode, Schistosoma spp, and affects many systems in the body including the gastrointestinal tract. Schistosomiasis of the appendix is a well-recognized disease and presents as a chronic granulomatous inflammation. This study aims to document the frequency and pattern of distribution of schistosomal appendicitis in our environment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective histopathological review of schistosomiasis of the appendix in the Department of Pathology, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria - Nigeria, between January 1, 1991 to December 31, 2012. RESULTS: Within the study period, there were 1,464 appendectomy specimens histologically examined in the Pathology Laboratory. Thirty of these, representing 2.1%, were diagnosed as schistosomiasis of the appendix. The male:female ratio was 6.5:1 and peak age incidence was in the 20-29 years age group. Abdominal pains, vomiting and fever were seen in 23 (76.7%) and altered bowel motion in seven (23.3%) patients. CONCLUSION: This study showed that schistosomiasis of the appendix is not rare and that its presentation is similar to other forms of appendicitis. There is a need to focus on the prevention of schistosomiasis in order to reduce morbidity among these economically viable age groups.

Pattern of Cervical Dysplasia among Women of Reproductive Age in Zaria; Northern Nigeria

Background : Cervical cancer is a preventable and the most common female genital tract cancer despite the availability of screening services for precancerous lesions of the cervix. This study aims to determine the prevalence of cervical dysplasia in women of reproductive age in Zaria.Methodology: A prospective study of 131 women of child bearing age attending the family planning and Gynaecology clinics in Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital; Zaria - Nigeria were recruited for the study after obtaining their consent. Cervical samples were collected and subjected to pap staining and cytological examination by a pathologist and classified using the Bethesda System. The data were processed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17. Bivariate analysis was done and the level of significance was set at a P 0.05.Results: Cervical dysplasia prevalence of 7.0 was found out of which High Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion (HSIL) was 2.3 (n

Pattern of Cervical Dysplasia among Women of Reproductive Age in Zaria; Northern Nigeria

Background : Cervical cancer is a preventable and the most common female genital tract cancer despite the availability of screening services for precancerous lesions of the cervix. This study aims to determine the prevalence of cervical dysplasia in women of reproductive age in Zaria. Methodology: A prospective study of 131 women of child bearing age attending the family planning and Gynaecology clinics in Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital; Zaria - Nigeria were recruited for the study after obtaining their consent. Cervical samples were collected and subjected to pap staining and cytological examination by a pathologist and classified using the Bethesda System. The data were processed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17. Bivariate analysis was done and the level of significance was set at a P 0.05. Results: Cervical dysplasia prevalence of 7.0 was found out of which High Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion (HSIL) was 2.3 (n