Analysis of haematological effects of Picralima nitida.

The protective effects of the leaf powder of Picralima nitida in male rats were evaluated to establish its haematopoietic potential. To achieve this, albino rats (n = 30), weighing 120 - 160g were grouped into 5, labelled A to E. Groups C and D were intraperitoneally induced for anaemia with 0.1mg/kg body weight (b.wt) of phenyl hydrazine for 7 day. Groups A and B and C and D orally received 200 and 400 mg/kg b.wt of Picralima nitida leaf extract respectively for 14 days. Group E served as the control. Blood sample (5.0ml) was collected from each rat on days 8 and 15 and dispensed into ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid containers for haemogram using haematology auto analyser. The result showed that on day 8, Picralima nitida leaf extract produced a significant (P<0.05) increase in haemoglobin (Hb) and haematocrit (Hct) when compared with the control. On day 15, Picralima nitida leaf extract produced a significant (P<0.05) increase in the red blood cell (RBC), Hb and Hct when compared with the experimental control. The results indicate time-dependent haematopoiesis.

Assessment of hepatic functions, hematopoietic cytokines and haematological parameters in people occupationally exposed to volatile petroleum hydrocarbons.

Humans are occupationally exposed to volatile petroleum hydrocarbons through inhalation and ingestion. To access the effect of exposure to volatile hydrocarbons, hematopoietic cytokines, haematological parameters and hepatic functions were assayed for in 100 subjects. Male participants showed significant increase (p < 0.05) in erythropoietin, interleukin-3, alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), mean cell hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), mean cell volume (MCV) and significant decrease (p < 0.05) in mean cell hemoglobin (MCH). Female participants showed significant increase (p < 0.05) in interleukin-3, ALT, AST, ALP, MCHC, MCV and significant decrease (p < 0.05) in MCH, platelets, hemoglobin and hematocrit compared to their controls. Exposure to volatile petroleum hydrocarbons raised the absolute red blood cell indices and liver enzymes and could stimulate combined increase in the release of erythropoietin and interleukin-3 leading to ineffective hematopoiesis.

Methodology for processing mastectomy and cryopreservation of breast cancer tissue in a resource- poor setting: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: There is scarcity of breast cancer tissues derived from women of African origin available for patient - derived xenograft and organoid models. OBJECTIVE: We aim to create a versatile protocol for processing mastectomy and cryopreservation of breast cancer tissue. METHODOLOGY: An immediate collection of breast cancer tissue from mastectomy was bathed in 4 °C HBSS and immediately transferred to 4 °C RPMI1640 containing HEPES, 10% FBS, Streptomycin and Penicillin. Tissues were processed over ice yielding nine samples of cold ischemic time (20-45 min) stored at 3 min interval. Cut samples were transferred into cryovials containing 4 °C cryoprotectant agent (90% FBS +10% Me2SO) before snap -freezing in liquid Nitrogen vapour and final short-term storage in -80 °C Freezer. The histomorphology, tissue and molecular viability were assessed. RESULTS: The cold ischemic times had no detrimental effect to the nine samples despite being processed in a resource poor setting, hence providing a reproducible and reliable protocol.

Sustainable Elimination (Zero Cases) of Sleeping Sickness: How Far Are We from Achieving This Goal?

The recent massive reduction in the numbers of fresh Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) infection has presented an opportunity for the global elimination of this disease. To prevent a possible resurgence, as was the case after the reduced transmission of the 1960s, surveillance needs to be sustained and the necessary tools for detection and treatment of cases need to be made available at the points of care. In this review, we examine the available resources and make recommendations for improvement to ensure the sustenance of the already achieved gains to keep the trend moving towards elimination.

Urinary schistosomiasis in Nigeria: a 50 year review of prevalence, distribution and disease burden.

We reviewed survey data deposited in the Global Neglected Tropical Diseases database and many other articles on the prevalence and distribution of Schistosoma haematobium in Nigeria. Schistosoma haematobium surveys conducted over the period of 50 years under review using different diagnostic tools revealed that Ogun State has the highest prevalence, followed by Ekiti state, while the lowest prevalence was recorded in Adamawa. No incidence of Schistosoma haematobium was recorded for states such as Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Nasarawa, Jigawa and Gombe. In terms of endemicity, this review has shown that Nigeria is divided into four zones: hyperendemic, moderately endemic, low endemic, and no endemic zones. A survey of 47 (15%) of the 323 dams in Nigeria revealed that 45 out of the 47 dams are located in the hyperendemic zone, while the remaining two are located in the moderately endemic zone. Twenty (43%) of the total surveyed dams harboured Bulinus globosus and/or Biomphalaria pfeifferi, the local intermediate hosts of schistosomes, and 18 of these are located in the hyperendemic zone, while the other two are in the moderately endemic zone. We conclude that there is an urgent need to carry out a nationwide survey to help in planning, coordinating, and evaluating schistosomiasis control activities.

Biochemical and histopathological effects of sub-acute exposure of albino rats to fumigants - dichlorvos and cypermethrin.

Cypermethrin (CYP) is one of the most common active ingredients in most insecticides, mosquito coils and powder used in Nigeria. dichlorvos (DDVP) is the most indiscriminately used fumigant in most rural and sub-urban areas in Nigeria. These fumigants can easily be accessed without proper method of usage thus exposing the population to their toxic effects. As a result, this study was initiated to determine the effects of sub-acute exposure of CYP and DDVP on some biochemical and histopathological parameters of albino rats. In this study, forty (40) albino rats of 10 groups of 4 rats per group, with one group serving as control, were exposed to these fumigants in a poorly ventilated area for 4hours per day over 2, 4 and 6 weeks. The results showed observable changes in liver enzyme activities (p<0.05) in groups exposed to DDVP for 2, 4 and 6 weeks. The groups exposed to CYP showed mild changes in liver enzyme activities when compared with the DDVP groups. Increase in activity of the liver enzymes was also observed in the groups exposed to a mixture of DDVP+CYP for 2, 4 and 6 weeks. The urea, creatinine and electrolytes levels in all the groups exposed to DDVP, CYP and DDVP+CYP for 2, 4 and 6weeks were significantly (p<0.05) increased. Also WBC and platelets in all the groups exposed to DDVP and CYP recorded significant changes. The histology report of the lungs and liver showed moderate lymphocytic infiltration and hepatocytic steatosis which progressed with duration of exposure to the fumigants, while the kidneys showed no remarkable changes. The results of this study suggest that DDVP and CYP have relative toxic effects in the exposed animals and should be used with caution to avoid human exposure to their visible toxicities.

Prevalence of trypanosome infection in tsetse flies from Oji River and Emene axis of Enugu State, Nigeria: A preliminary report.

INTRODUCTION: Trypanosomes are protozoan parasites of vertebrates transmitted by blood-sucking tsetse fly. Trypanosomes remain a constant threat to the lives of humans and animals throughout large regions of Africa. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the presence, prevalence, and species of trypanosome parasite in tsetse flies caught in two areas of no previous documented history of trypanosome infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For this purpose, 63 and 77 nonterenal tsetse flies were collected from Oji River and Emene areas of Enugu State Nigeria, respectively. Genomic DNA was isolated from the whole tsetse fly using genomic DNA extraction kit. Identification and characterization of trypanosome were done using two approaches: the amplification of internal transcribed spacer 1 of ribosomal DNA and the use of primers specific to Trypanozoon. RESULTS: In Oji River, of 63 tsetse flies collected, the identification of trypanosome parasite was done on 57 flies and 6 (10.71%) tsetse flies were infected with trypanosome parasite. Six flies were infected with Trypanosoma Congolense, 2 with Trypanosoma Vivax, and 1 with Trypanosoma brucei. Two mixed infections of T. vivax and T. congolense and 1 mixed infection of T. brucei and T. congolense was also identified. In Emene, of 77 tsetse flies collected, the identification of trypanosome parasite was done on 66 flies and 11 (16.6%) tsetse flies were infected with trypanosome parasite. Nine flies were infected with T. congolense, 2 with T. vivax, and 3 with T. brucei. Mixed infections identified include 2 mixed infections of T. brucei and T. congolense and 1 mixed infections of T. vivax and T. brucei. None of the subspecies of T. brucei were detected using species specific primers. DISCUSSION: This study shows the parasitological evidence on the occurrence of animal African trypanosomiasis and also demonstrated that there is likely no active transmission of human African trypanosomiasis in the study areas. CONCLUSION: This study shows that there is likely no active transmission of human African trypanosomiasis going on in these localities since no human infective form of the parasite was detected.