Transformer mineral oil ingestion induces systemic sub-acute toxicity in Wistar rats.

We investigated the potential toxicities associated with the sub-acute ingestion of transformer mineral oil (TMO) at a heated low dose (HLD-50 mg/kg), heated high dose (HHD-500 mg/kg) and unheated high dose (UHD-500 mg/kg) in Wistar rats. There were increases in red blood cells and haemoglobin levels in HHD females and UHD males respectively versus control. The serum total proteins, albumin, and creatinine of the HHD females showed a significant increase versus control. The HHD males and UHD groups showed significant increase in liver malondialdehyde versus control. The livers of HHD groups had bile duct proliferation while those of HLD females and UHD groups showed focal areas of periportal chronic inflammation. HHD groups had kidneys with mild chronic inflammation and the HHD and UHD groups showed small intestines with chronic inflammation. In conclusion, sub-acute oral administration of TMO induced various degrees of dermal, haematological, hepatic, renal and small-intestinal toxicities in rats.

Clinicopathologic Features and Early Surgical Outcome of Astrocytomas in Eldoret, Kenya.

BACKGROUND: Astrocytomas are primary central nervous system tumors arising from astrocytes and accounting for up to 37.8% of all brain tumors seen in hospital-based studies from Africa. Despite being common, their patterns and short-term outcomes remain poorly studied in Kenya. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective, descriptive study involving consecutive patients with a histological diagnosis of astrocytoma seen in three hospitals located in Eldoret, Kenya. Clinicopathologic characteristics and outcomes were recorded and patients followed up for 12 weeks. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients were recruited over a 1-year period. Majority of them were female (51.6%). Headache (83.9%) and focal neurological deficits (64.5%) were the most common presenting features. Among patients with high-grade tumors, mean duration of illness was 106.03 ± 162.16 days, median functional status was Karnofsky performance status (KPS) score 50, mean tumor size was 110.22 ± 46.16 cm3, and median magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) score was 17. Among patients with low-grade astrocytomas, mean duration of illness was 213.03 ± 344.93 days, median functional status was KPS score 40, mean tumor size was 53.49 ± 54.96 cm3 and median MRI score was 9. Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) (71%) and diffuse astrocytoma (22.6%) were the predominant histological subtypes. The median Ki-67 proliferative index was 6% for pilocytic astrocytoma, 1.6% for diffuse astrocytoma, and 60% for GBM. Systemic and regional surgical complications occurred in 6.5% and 38.7% of patients, respectively. In-hospital mortality was 19.4% and increased to 25.8% at 12 weeks. The KPS score at discharge was 50 and improved to 60 at 12 weeks. Only 9.7% of patients had acceptable functional status at 12 weeks follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: In this locality, headache, focal neurological deficits, and reduced functional status are the most common presenting features of astrocytomas while GBM is the most common histological subtype. Tumors are highly proliferative and in the short-term, both surgical and functional outcome are suboptimal.

Invasive cervical cancers in the United States, Botswana and Kenya: HPV type distribution and health policy implications.

BACKGROUND: More deaths occur in African women from invasive cervical cancer (ICC) than from any other malignancy. ICC is caused by infection with oncogenic types of human papillomavirus (HPV). Co-infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) accelerates the natural history of ICC, and may influence the HPV type distribution. Because HPV vaccines are available, this malignancy is theoretically preventable, but the vaccines are largely type-specific in protection against infection. Data on specific HPV types causing ICC in African women is limited, and many studies utilized swab samples rather than actual cancer tissue. A previous study using archived, ICC tissue from women in Botswana identified an unusual HPV type distribution. A similar study was therefore performed in a second sub-Saharan country to provide additional information on the HPV type distribution in ICC. METHODS: Archived, formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded ICCs were acquired from women in the United States, Kenya, or Botswana. DNA was extracted and HPV genotyping performed by Roche Linear Array. HIV sequences were identified in ICCs by PCR. RESULTS: HPV types 16 or 18 (HPV 16/18) were identified in 93.5 % of HPV-positive ICCs from the U.S., 93.8 % from Kenya, and 61.8 % from Botswana (p < 0.0001). Non-HPV 16/18 types were detected in 10.9 % of HPV-positive cancers from the U.S., 17.2 % from Kenya, and 47.8 % from Botswana (p < 0.0001). HIV was detected in 2.2, 31.5, and 32.4 % from ICCs from the U.S., Kenya, or Botswana, respectively (p = 0.0002). The distribution of HPV types was not significantly different between HIVinfected or HIV-uninfected women. The percentages of ICCs theoretically covered by the bivalent/quadrivalent HPV vaccines were 93.5, 93.9, and 61.8 % from the U.S., Kenya and Botswana, respectively, and increased to 100, 98, and 77.8 % for the nanovalent vaccine. CONCLUSIONS: HPV 16/18 caused most ICCs from the U.S. and western Kenya. Fewer ICCs contained HPV 16/18 in Botswana. HIV co-infection did not influence the HPV type distribution in ICCs from African women from the two countries. Available HPV vaccines should provide protection against most ICCs in the U.S. and Kenya. The recently developed nanovalent vaccine may be more suitable for countries where non-HPV 16/18 types are frequently detected in ICC.

Effects of crude kerosene on testosterone levels, aggression and toxicity in rat.

The use of crude kerosene as a dietary supplement in boarding schools has been a common practice in east Africa and other countries for many years, with the belief of it reducing the sex drive (libido) at the pubertal stage. There is however no scientific basis for this belief. The present study aimed at using a rat animal model to investigate the effects of crude kerosene on serum testosterone levels, aggression and its possible toxic effects. Fifteen male albino rats of approximately similar age and average weights were put into three groups of five animals each; the control group (placebo), low kerosene dose (10 µl/day) group and high kerosene dose (300 µl/day) group. ELISA was used to determine the serum testosterone levels. During treatment, changes in aggression were observed and noted. Liver toxicity was determined using enzyme assays, total protein and albumin while renal toxicity was monitored using serum creatinine levels. A full hemogram was conducted to determine hematological effects. Various tissue biopsies were obtained and examined using histopathological techniques for evidence of toxicity. Contrary to the common belief, our findings showed an overall increase of serum testosterone levels of up to 66% in the low dose and 75% in the high dose groups, with an increasing trend by the end of the study. The high dose group showed significantly increased levels of white blood cells (WBC) (p = 0.036), red blood cells (RBC) (p = 0.025), hematocrit (HCT) (p = 0.03), red cell distribution width (p = 0.028) and platelets (p = 0.017). The histological results of the stomach indicated chronic gastritis.

Desmoid tumour of the brachial plexus.

Desmoid tumours of the brachial plexus are rare and may occur in extra-abdominal sites. The tumours are of fibroblastic origin and, although benign, are locally aggressive. Their relationship to critical neurovascular structures in their anatomic locations presents a challenge to the operating surgeons trying to adhere to the principles of surgery. Surprisingly little neurosurgical literature exists which was devoted to this topic despite the challenge these lesions present in surgery both at surgery and in choosing adjuvant therapies. We report a case of a large brachial plexus tumour in a patient which was diagnosed radiologically and histopathologically and the patient underwent surgical excision with good outcome. Desmoid tumours histologically are benign and are usually composed of proliferating, benign fibroblasts in an abundant matrix of collagen. They do not transform into malignant tumours or metastasize. Surgery is the mainstay of treatment; however, adjuvant radiation and chemotherapy remain controversial.