Ameliorative potentials of diosmin and hesperidin fractions on chlorpyriphos-induced changes in reproductive hormones, sperm characteristics, and testicular glycogen in male Wistar rats.

Reproductive deficiency is a major outcome of pesticide exposure sequel to cellular oxidative damage to sex organs. Flavonoid possess potent antioxidant capacities to mitigate pesticide related cellular injury. The present investigation examined the mitigative effect of micronized purified fractions of diosmin and hesperidin on reproductive hormones, sperm parameters, and testicular glycogen in male Wistar rats after sub-chronic Chlorpyriphos (CPF) exposure. Twenty-five male Wistar rats (120-145 g) were randomly allocated five rats per group. Group I (DW) received distilled water (2 ml/kg), Group II (S/oil) received soya oil (2 ml/kg), Group III (DAF) received Daflon at 1000 mg/kg, Group IV (CPF) received Chlorpyriphos (7.74 mg/kg), and Group V (DAF + CPF) received Daflon (1000 mg/kg) followed by CPF (7.74 mg/kg) after 30 min of Daflon. This regimen was administered daily for 60 days. After cervical venesection under light chloroform anesthesia, blood samples were examined for levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and testosterone. Each rat's testicular tissue was quickly cut, collected, and glycogen evaluated. Sperm concentration, motility, morphology, and viability were measured in the right caudal epididymis. Results revealed that the untreated CPF group had significantly lower FSH, LH, testosterone, testicular glycogen, and sperm concentration. Additionally, CPF group sperm characteristics were abnormal compared to other groups. These reproductive hormones, testicular glycogen, and sperm parameters improved in the Daflon-treated groups. Hence, pre-treatment with flavonoid fractions of diosmin and hesperidin mitigated CPF-induced reproductive toxicity.

Setting up a state-of-the-art laboratory in resource limited settings: A case study of the biomedical science research and training centre in Northeast Nigeria.

African science has substantial potential, yet it grapples with significant challenges. Here we describe the establishment of the Biomedical Science Research and Training Centre (BioRTC) in Yobe State, Northeast Nigeria, as a case study of a hub fostering on-continent research and describe strategies to overcome current barriers. We detail the steps taken to establish BioRTC, emphasising the critical importance of stakeholder engagement, community involvement, resource optimisation and collaborations. With its state-of-the-art facilities and commitment to training African scientists, BioRTC is poised to significantly advance neuroscience research and training in the region. Although we are in the early stages of our journey, our model, emphasizing open access and inclusivity, offers a replicable blueprint for neuroscience research development in similar resource-limited settings, promising to enrich the global neuroscience community. We invite the support and collaboration of those who share our vision and believe in our potential.

The antioxidant, anti-angiogenic, and anticancer impact of chitosan-coated herniarin-graphene oxide nanoparticles (CHG-NPs).

Background: Herniarin, a simple coumarin found in chamomile leaf rosettes is known as the oxidative stress protector. In the current study, herniarin was captured into Graphene oxide nanoparticles and coated with chitosan poly-cationic polymer to be used as a novel bio-compatible nano-drug delivery system and investigate its antioxidant, anti-angiogenic and anti-cancer impacts on human lung A549 cancer cells. Method: The Chitosan-coated Herniarin-Graphene oxide nanoparticles (CHG-NPs) were designed, produced, and characterized utilizing DLS, FESEM, FTIR, and Zeta-potential analysis. The CHG-NPs' antioxidant activity was analyzed by conducting ABTS and DPPH antioxidant assays. The CHG-NPs' anti-angiogenic activity was analyzed by CAM assay and verified by measuring VEGF and VEGFR gene expression levels following their increased treatment doses by applying Q-PCR technique. Finally, the CHG-NPs' cytotoxicity was studied in the human lung A549 cancer cells. Result: The stable (+27.11 mV) 213.6-nm CHG-NPs significantly inhibited the ABTS/DPPH free radicals and exhibited antioxidant activity. The suppressed angiogenesis process in the CAM vessels was observed by detecting the decreased length/number of the vessels. Moreover, the down-regulated VEGF and VEGFR gene expression of the CAM blood vessels following the increased CHG-NPs treatment doses verified the nanoparticles' anti-angiogenic potential. Finally, the CHG-NPs significantly exhibited a selective cytotoxic impact on human A549 cancer cells compared with the normal HFF cell line. Conclusion: The selective cytotoxicity, strong antioxidant activity, and significant anti-angiogenic property of the nano-scaled produced CHG-NPs make it an appropriate anticancer nano-drug delivery system. Therefore, the CHG-NPs have the potential to be used as a selective anti-lung cancer compound.

Management of Adverse Reactions for BCMA-Directed Therapy in Relapsed Multiple Myeloma: A Focused Review.

Anti-B-cell maturation antigen therapies consisting of bispecific antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates, and chimeric antigen receptor T cells have shown promising results in relapsed refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). However, the severe side effects include cytokine release syndrome, immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome, cytopenia(s), infections, hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, and organ toxicity, which could sometimes be life-threatening. This review focuses on these most common complications post-BCMA therapy. We discussed the risk factors, pathogenesis, clinical features associated with these complications, and how to prevent and treat them. We included four original studies for this focused review. All four agents (idecabtagene vicleucel, ciltacabtagene autoleucel, teclistamab, belantamab mafodotin) have received FDA approval for adult RRMM patients. We went through the FDA access data packages of the approved agents to outline stepwise management of the complications for better patient outcomes.

Tuberculosis treatment outcomes among pulmonary TB patients attending public hospitals in Kebbi State, Northern Nigeria: a four-year retrospective study.

Background: In Nigeria, effective case management and evaluation of pulmonary tuberculosis treatment outcomes are an integral part of controlling the spread of infectious diseases. The study reviewed the treatment outcomes of pulmonary tuberculosis and the factors associated with rates of successful and unsuccessful treatment outcomes in the 21 referral hospitals in Kebbi State, Nigeria. Methods: Documented records of pulmonary tuberculosis patients from January 2018 to December 2021 in 21 Local Area Councils in Kebbi State, Northern Nigeria were reviewed. A structured questionnaire collated the socio-demographic and clinical data from the documented records. Descriptive statistics were used to compute and analyse the outcomes of successful and unsuccessful treatment. Logistic regression models were used to determine the association of socio-demographic and clinical data with the unsuccessful treatment outcomes. Results: The study reviewed data from 6114 records of TB patients. 1161 (18.9%) started treatment, 963 (82.9%) were males and 198 (17.1%) were females. Of the 1161 patients, 985 (18.2%) had documented treatment outcomes. 932 of 985 (95.1%) had a pulmonary infection. 64 (5.8%) patients with documented treatment outcomes were HIV seropositive. 903 (91.7%) were successfully treated, and 82 (8.3%) failed. Of the patients with failed treatment outcomes, 15 (1.5%) were lost to follow-up, 43 (4.4%) defaulted and 24 (2.4%) died. In the logistic analysis, the odds of unsuccessful treatment outcomes were higher among elderly patients (AOR = 2.00, 95% CI 1.37-2.92), patients with extrapulmonary infections (AOR = 2.40, 95% CI 1.12-5.39), and with old cases of pulmonary TB (AOR = 3.03, 95% CI 1.47-7.19) when compared to their groups. Conclusions: The study reported a treatment success rate of 91.7% among TB patients attending public hospitals in Kebbi State. The outcome was higher than the projected success rate of 85% set by the WHO. However, one-fourth of the total patients reviewed were not documented for treatment. Therefore, the need to design an appropriate recruitment strategy to identify and enrol those patients for an effective and successful TB control program in Nigeria.

Assessment of COVID-19 vaccination refusal among healthcare workers in Ethiopia.

Background: Even though the emergence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine and the increasing vaccination rates are promising, there are reports of refusal to get vaccinated in a different segment of the population, including health care workers. Objective: This study determines the acceptance/refusal of the COVID-19 vaccination and its predictors among health care workers in Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among a group of health care workers at different health facilities in Ethiopia. Data were collected from 1 to 30 July 2020. Data were collected from 403 participants through an online Google submission form. Data were entered into Epi-info 7 and exported to SPSS version 20 for analysis. Results: Approximately 38.5% of the health care workers in the study had refused COVID-19 vaccination. Younger age groups vs. 40 and above years (age 20-24 year [AOR: 0.03, 95% CI (0.00, 0.48)], age 25-29 year [AOR: 0.02, 95% CI (0.00, 0.49)], and age 30-34 year [AOR: 0.04 (0.00, 0.49)] and medical doctors vs. Nurses [AOR: 0.06, 95% CI, (0.01, 0.42)] were reported as risk factors; also, academic working staff vs. hospital staff [AOR: 4.42, 95% CI (1.85, 10.54)] was reported as a protective factor toward refusal of COVID-19 vaccination. Conclusion: Two-fifths of health care workers in Ethiopia were indicated to refuse COVID-19 vaccination, implying a significant barrier to achieving WHO's a target of 70% double vaccination rate by mid-2022.

In vitro and in vivo anthelmintic effects of Sterospermum kunthianum (Cham-Holl) leaf extract against Ascaridia galli in experimentally infected broiler chickens.

This study was to assess the anthelminthic potential of Sterospermum kunthianum leaf extract against Ascaridia galli in experimentally infected broiler chickens. The extract and fractions were evaluated for in vitro inhibition and in vivo anthelmintic effects. Acute toxicity studies of extract revealed no sign of toxicity or death in birds at oral dose range of 1000-5000 and was considered safe. There was a concentration dependent decrease on inhibition of A. galli egg embryonation and deparasitization. At 100 mg/ml, albendazole (ALB) caused the highest inhibition of embryonation (195.3 ± 0.9) which was not significantly different from the decrease caused by crude methanol extract (CME) (188 ± 0.9), hexane fraction (HF) (177 ± 1.2) or ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) (168.3 ± 0.9). The highest inhibition rates (%) were 97, 94, 88 and 85 for ALB, CME, HF and EAF, respectively. The deparasitization obtained at day 21 in ALB (95.62%) treated birds was not significantly (P > 0.05) different from the 81.27% and 89.24% obtained from the crude methanol treated birds. The deparasitization caused by CME at 400 mg/kg (89.24%) was significantly higher than the one caused by EAF at the same dose (50.19%). Day 21 post treatment, significantly (P < 0.05) higher deparasitization was recorded for CME and HF at dosage of 400 mg/kg when compared to 200 mg/kg. Histopathology findings revealed necrosis of the mucosal gland and villi in chickens. In conclusion, the leaf extract and fractions S. kunthianum have been shown to possess anthelmintic activity.

A Case of Trichinellosis in a 14-Year-Old Male Child at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Hawassa, Sidama, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Trichinellosis develops after ingestion of Trichinella cysts in pork meat. It is one of the most important parasitic human pathogens in the world. It is, however, underreported in part because none of the clinical manifestations are pathognomonic. The primary mode of transmission is ingestion of raw meat. Among the symptoms are muscle pain, swelling, and myopathy. High-grade fever and other systemic symptoms are not unusual. The hallmarks are ophthalmic and musculoskeletal manifestations, particularly conjunctival haemorrhage with periorbital edema and subungual splinter haemorrhage. Although the majority of infections are mild and asymptomatic, severe infections can result in enteritis, periorbital edema, and myositis. Presentation of the Case. A 14-year-old male patient from Oromia Region, Arsi Zone, West Arsi Zone, Bishan Guracha area, which is almost completely encircled by mountains, presented with a complaint of worsening easy fatigability and asymmetric right thigh enlargement lasting one month. The pertinent physical examinations on presentation were puffy face and eyes, and there was a 4 cm by 5 cm mass on the right lateral thigh with no overlying skin colour change, on-tender, and no discharge. Eosinophilia of 14% was noticed on the complete blood count. The definitive diagnosis of trichinellosis was made by muscle biopsy. He was then managed with albendazole and prednisolone and improved. CONCLUSION: Patients with periorbital edema, myositis, or eosinophilia should be evaluated for trichinellosis. Individuals who have these symptoms and a history of eating pork meat should be suspected of having trichinellosis. Before eating raw pork meat, it is recommended that it be cooked properly.

Leveraging on the genomics and immunopathology of SARS-CoV-2 for vaccines development: prospects and challenges.

The incidence and case-fatality rates (CFRs) of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, the etiological agent for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), have been rising unabated. Even though the entire world has been implementing infection prevention and control measures, the pandemic continues to spread. It has been widely accepted that preventive vaccination strategies are the public health measures for countering this pandemic. This study critically reviews the latest scientific advancement in genomics, replication pattern, pathogenesis, and immunopathology of SARS-CoV-2 infection and how these concepts could be used in the development of vaccines. We also offer a detailed discussion on the anticipated potency, efficacy, safety, and pharmaco-economic issues that are and will be associated with candidate COVID-19 vaccines.

Disease Burden of Group B Streptococcus Among Infants in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Group B streptococcus (GBS) is a leading neonatal sepsis pathogen globally. Investment in GBS disease prevention, such as maternal vaccination, requires evidence of disease burden, particularly in high infant mortality regions like sub-Saharan Africa. We aimed to provide such evidence by conducting a systematic literature review and meta-analysis to estimate maternal colonization proportion, GBS disease incidence and GBS serotype distribution. METHODS: MEDLINE, MEDLINE in process and Cochrane Library were searched for studies published during 1990-2014, pertaining to sub-Saharan Africa. Eligible studies were used to estimate the proportion of pregnant women colonized with GBS, early-onset GBS disease incidence, late-onset GBS disease incidence and respective serotype distributions. Random effects meta-analysis was conducted to estimate weighted means and confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: We identified 17 studies of colonization, 9 of disease incidence, and 6 of serotype distribution meeting inclusion criteria. 21.8% (95% CI: 18.3, 25.5) of expectant women were colonized with GBS. The incidence of early-onset GBS disease was 1.3 per 1000 births (95% CI: 0.81, 1.9), that of late-onset GBS disease 0.73 per 1000 births (95% CI: 0.48, 1.0). The most common disease-causing serotype was 3, followed by 1a. Serotypes 1b, 2 and 5 were next most common in frequency. CONCLUSION: Despite methodological factors leading to underestimation, GBS disease incidence appears high in sub-Saharan Africa. A small number of GBS serotypes cause almost all disease. GBS disease burden in sub-Saharan Africa suggests that safe, effective and affordable GBS disease prevention is needed.

In vivo ameliorative effects of methanol leaf extract of Lawsonia inermis Linn on experimental Trypanosoma congolense infection in Wistar rats.

The aim of this study was to investigate the ameliorative effect of Lawsonia inermis Linn used traditionally against trypanosomosis. Twenty-five adult Wistar rats of both sex were individually infected intraperitoneally (IP) with 106Trypanosoma congolense per ml of blood. Following establishment of infection, the rats were randomly divided into five groups of 5 rats each. Rats in groups I, II, and III were treated with 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg of the extract, respectively, while rats in groups IV and V were treated with 3.5 mg/kg and 2 ml/kg of diminazene aceturate (DM) once and physiological buffered saline, respectively. All treatments except DM were given orally for 7 days IP. The antitrypanosomal effect of the plant was assessed by observing the level of parasitaemia daily, packed cell volume (PCV) weekly, erythrocyte osmotic fragility (EOF) and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration on day 21. Phytochemical screening of the extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, triterpenes, steroids, cardiac glycosides, saponins, tannins and flavonoids. The extract significantly (P < 0.05) reduced levels of parasitaemia at 250 mg/kg. PCV was higher (P > 0.05) in extract treated groups but significantly higher (P < 0.05) in group II at week 2 when compared to group V. Rats in group II had significantly lower values of EOF and MDA when compared with groups IV and V. Thus, the leaf of L. inermis has in addition to an antitrypanosomal effect against T. congolense in rats, an attenuating effect on the trypanosomosis pathology probably mediated via protection of the erythrocyte membrane against trypanosome-induced oxidative damage to the erythrocytes.

Effects of melatonin on changes in cognitive performances and brain malondialdehyde concentration induced by sub-chronic co-administration of chlorpyrifos and cypermethrin in male Wister rats

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the ameliorative effect of melatonin on sub-chronic chlorpyrifos (CPF) and cypermethrin (CYP)-evoked cognitive changes in male Wistar rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty adult male Wistar rats, divided into five groups of ten rats each, were used for the study. Groups 1 and II were given distilled water and soya oil (2 mL/kg) respectively. Group III was administered with melatonin at 0.5 mg/kg only. Group IV was administered with CPF [7.96 mg/kg (1/10th LD50)] and CYP [29.6 mg/kg (1/10th LD50)], and Group V was administered with CPF [7.96 mg/kg (1/10th LD50)] and CYP [29.6 mg/kg (1/10th LD50)] 30 min after melatonin (0.5 mg/kg). The regimens were administered by gavage once daily for 12 weeks. Thereafter, cognitive performances were determined and the brain was evaluated for malonaldehyde concentration.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>CPF and CYP induced cognitive deficits and increased brain malonaldehyde concentration, which were all ameliorated by melatonin.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Cognitive deficits elicited by CPF and CYP was mitigated by melatonin due to its antioxidant property.</p>

Breast cancer diagnosis in a resource poor environment through a collaborative multidisciplinary approach: the Kenyan experience.

INTRODUCTION: The majority of women with breast cancer in Kenya present with node-positive (stage II) or locally advanced Q7 disease (stage IIIB). Diagnosis is made on fine needle aspirate cytology and treatment is with surgery if resectable. Diagnostic core biopsy is available only at subspecialty hospitals. Processing and reporting of biopsy tissue are not standardised. Hormone receptor and HER2 analyses are rarely done preoperatively. METHODS: As part of a larger study investigating the prevalence of triple negative breast cancer in Kenya, a multidisciplinary workshop of collaborators from 10 healthcare facilities was held. Process gaps were identified, preanalytic variables impacting on ER/PR/HER2 discussed and training in core biopsy provided. Local remedial strategies were deliberated. CONCLUSION: We describe our experience and outcome from the workshop, which can be modelled for other resource poor settings.

Male responsibility and maternal morbidity: a cross-sectional study in two Nigerian states.

BACKGROUND: Nigeria continues to have high rates of maternal morbidity and mortality. This is partly associated with lack of adequate obstetric care, partly with high risks in pregnancy, including heavy work. We examined actionable risk factors and underlying determinants at community level in Bauchi and Cross River States of Nigeria, including several related to male responsibility in pregnancy. METHOD: In 2009, field teams visited a stratified (urban/rural) last stage random sample of 180 enumeration areas drawn from the most recent censuses in each of Bauchi and Cross River states. A structured questionnaire administered in face-to-face interviews with women aged 15-49 years documented education, income, recent birth history, knowledge and attitudes related to safe birth, and deliveries in the last three years. Closed questions covered female genital mutilation, intimate partner violence (IPV) in the last year, IPV during the last pregnancy, work during the last pregnancy, and support during pregnancy. The outcome was complications in pregnancy and delivery (eclampsia, sepsis, bleeding) among survivors of childbirth in the last three years. We adjusted bivariate and multivariate analysis for clustering. FINDINGS: The most consistent and prominent of 28 candidate risk factors and underlying determinants for non-fatal maternal morbidity was intimate partner violence (IPV) during pregnancy (ORa 2.15, 95%CIca 1.43-3.24 in Bauchi and ORa 1.5, 95%CI 1.20-2.03 in Cross River). Other spouse-related factors in the multivariate model included not discussing pregnancy with the spouse and, independently, IPV in the last year. Shortage of food in the last week was a factor in both Bauchi (ORa 1.66, 95%CIca 1.22-2.26) and Cross River (ORa 1.32, 95%CIca 1.15-1.53). Female genital mutilation was a factor among less well to do Bauchi women (ORa 2.1, 95%CIca 1.39-3.17) and all Cross River women (ORa 1.23, 95%CIca 1.1-1.5). INTERPRETATION: Enhancing clinical protocols and skills can only benefit women in Nigeria and elsewhere. But the violence women experience throughout their lives--genital mutilation, domestic violence, and steep power gradients--is accentuated through pregnancy and childbirth, when women are most vulnerable. IPV especially in pregnancy, women's fear of husbands or partners and not discussing pregnancy are all within men's capacity to change.