Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B Virus Infection and Associated Factors among Cancer Patients at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Ethiopia.

INTRODUCTION: Hepatitis B virus infection is a global public health concern and has a high degree of associated morbidity and mortality. In Ethiopia, Hepatitis B virus infection has a variable seroprevalence among different regions with an estimated overall prevalence of around 6%. However, there is a scarcity of data specific to cancer patients. METHODOLOGY: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 384 cancer patients who came for follow-up at the oncology unit of Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital from January 1/2020 to October 11/2021. A systematic sampling technique was employed to select the participants. Data was collected using structured and interviewer-administered questionnaires and blood samples were drawn from the patients to test hepatitis B virus sero-status. Data was entered to Epi- Data version 4.6 then exported and analysis was done using SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the study participants. Finally, bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regression was used to identify significantly associated factors. RESULTS: The seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus infection among cancer patients was 7.6% [95% CI: (4.54 - 9.79)]. Having multiple sexual partners (AOR = 6.24, 95% CI (3.35-16.80)), a history of dental procedures (AOR = 3.34; 95% CI (1.007­7.66)), and being a hepatocellular carcinoma patient (AOR = 6.13; 95% CI (3.66-18.77)) were factors associated with seropositive status for Hepatitis B virus. CONCLUSIONS: The seroprevalence of Hepatitis B virus infection among cancer patients was high. It is better to consider HBV screening in cancer patients and doing cancer surveillance in HBV-infected patients.

The role of miRNAs as biomarkers in breast cancer.

Breast cancer (BC) is the second most common cause of deaths reported in women worldwide, and therefore there is a need to identify BC patients at an early stage as timely diagnosis would help in effective management and appropriate monitoring of patients. This will allow for proper patient monitoring and effective care. However, the absence of a particular biomarker for BC early diagnosis and surveillance makes it difficult to accomplish these objectives. miRNAs have been identified as master regulators of the molecular pathways that are emphasized in various tumors and that lead to the advancement of malignancies. Small, non-coding RNA molecules known as miRNAs target particular mRNAs to control the expression of genes. miRNAs dysregulation has been linked to the start and development of a number of human malignancies, including BC, since there is compelling evidence that miRNAs can function as tumor suppressor genes or oncogenes. The current level of knowledge on the role of miRNAs in BC diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment is presented in this review. miRNAs can regulate the tumorigenesis of BC through targeting PI3K pathway and can be used as prognostic or diagnostic biomarkers for BC therapy. Some miRNAs, like miR-9, miR-10b, and miR-17-5p, are becoming known as biomarkers of BC for diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic outcome prediction. Other miRNAs, like miR-30c, miR-187, and miR-339-5p, play significant roles in the regulation of hallmark functions of BC, including invasion, metastasis, proliferation, resting death, apoptosis, and genomic instability. Other miRNAs, such as miR-155 and miR-210, are circulating in bodily fluids and are therefore of interest as novel, conveniently accessible, reasonably priced, non-invasive methods for the customized care of patients with BC.

Effect of Justicia schimperiana (Acanthaceae) roots extract on blood glucose level and lipid profiles in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice.

Background: Justicia schimperiana has been used traditionally for the treatment of different diseases, including, diabetes. Yet, no in vivo study was conducted to substantiate these claims. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Justicia schimperiana roots extract on blood glucose levels and lipid profiles in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Methods: Male Swiss albino mice weighing 25-35 g were induced diabetes with 150 mg/kg of STZ. Animals were randomly grouped into six groups of five each. Group I was a normal control, Group II was a Diabetic control, Group III-V were Diabetic Mice treated with the extract (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) respectively, and Group VI was standard control. The treatments were followed for 14 days. The FBG measurements were done on 0, 7th, and 14th days of treatment. On the 15th day, the mice were anesthetized with diethyl ether; blood samples were collected for the assessment of serum lipid profiles. The antioxidant and α-amylase inhibitory activities of the extract were also investigated in vitro using the DPPH and DNSA assay methods, respectively. The data were entered into EPI DATA version 4.6, exported to IBM, SPSS version 26.0, and analyzed using a one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's post hoc test. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The hydromethanolic extract of J. schimperiana roots exhibited no toxicity up to a dose of 2000 mg/kg body weight. In the STZ-induced diabetic mice, the extract reduced blood glucose levels at all tested doses: 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg on the 14th day as compared to diabetic control. The higher dose showed maximum reduction (29.73 %, p < 0.001) on the 14th day of treatment compared to the baseline. There were significant reductions in serum TG, TC, LDL, and a significant increase in body weight and HDL compared to the diabetic control. Besides, good antioxidant and α-amylase inhibitory activity were obtained from the in vitro laboratory tests. Conclusions: Evidence from our study revealed that the root extract of J. schimperiana has antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic effects in STZ-induced diabetic mice.

Self-reported acute pesticide intoxications in Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Pesticide exposure is an important public health concern in Ethiopia, but there is limited information on pesticide intoxications. Residents may have an increased risk of pesticide exposure through proximity of their homes to farms using pesticides. Also the pesticide exposure might be related to employment at these farms. This study investigated the prevalence of acute pesticide intoxications (API) by residence proximity to a nearby flower farm and assessed if intoxications were related to working in these farms or not. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey involving 516 persons was conducted. Participants were grouped according to their residence proximity from a large flower farm; living within 5 kilometers and 5-12 kilometers away, respectively. In a structured interview, participants were asked if they had health symptoms within 48 h of pesticide exposure in the past year. Those who had experienced this, and reported two or more typical pesticide intoxication symptoms, were considered as having had API. Chi-square and independent t-tests were used to compare categorical and continuous variables, respectively. Confounding variables were adjusted by using binomial regression model. RESULTS: The prevalence of API in the past year among the residents in the study area was 26 %, and it was higher in the population living close to the flower farm (42 %) compared to those living far away (11 %), prevalence ratio (PR) = 3.2, 95 % CI: 2.2-4.8, adjusted for age, gender & education. A subgroup living close to the farm & working there had significantly more API (56 %) than those living close & didn't work there (16 %), adjusted PR = 3.0, 95 % CI: 1.8-4.9. Flower farm workers reported more API (56 %) than those not working in the flower farm (13 %,), adjusted PR = 4.0, 95 % CI: 2.9-5.6. CONCLUSION: Our study indicates a 26 % prevalence of self-reported symptoms attributable to API. The residents living closer than 5 kilometers to the flower farm reported significantly higher prevalence of self-reported API than those living 5-12 kilometers away. This increased risk of API was associated with work at the flower farm.

Respiratory symptoms, fractional exhaled nitric oxide & endotoxin exposure among female flower farm workers in Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Greenhouse workers are exposed to organic dusts, and they are thereby at risk of developing airway disorders. This study aims to measure personal endotoxin exposure, assess respiratory symptoms and measure fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) among female flower farm workers in Ethiopia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study involving female workers (n = 248) from four flower farms was conducted. The workers were interviewed for respiratory symptoms using a standard questionnaire. Workers from two of these farms also participated in personal endotoxin sampling (46 workers, 75 measurements) on glass fiber filters (0.2 µm pore size) inside conductive 25 mm Millipore cassettes for sampling of the "total dust" fraction. They also participated in FeNO (n = 114) measurements with a portable electrochemistry-based sensor. Chi-square and independent t-tests were used to compare categorical and continuous variables respectively. A mixed-effects model was used to analyze exposure determinants. RESULTS: Endotoxin exposure had a geometric mean (GM) of 22.8 endotoxin units (EU)/m(3) with a maximum of 180 EU/m(3). Greenhouse workers had significantly higher endotoxin exposure than workers outside the greenhouses (GM = 26.7 vs. 19.3 EU/m(3) respectively; p < 0.05). The mean age of the workers was 24 years, and their mean working time in the flower farm was 21 months. Greenhouse workers had higher prevalence of self-reported respiratory symptoms than those outside greenhouses. However, after adjusting for education only blocked nose remained significant. The FeNO concentration ranged 5-166 ppb (GM = 14 ppb). Two workers had FeNO concentration above 50 ppb. FeNO levels differs significantly between the farms but there was no difference between workers inside and outside greenhouses. CONCLUSION: Greenhouse workers at flower farms had higher prevalence of blocked nose than workers outside, which may indicate the presence of rhinitis. Endotoxin exposure was low. There were few workers with objective signs of airway inflammation; this might be because the mean working time in the greenhouses was only two years. We suggest further studies to evaluate the effect of longer employment and exposure time as well as to investigate possible exposure to pesticides and other components in the bio-aerosols.

High Prevalence of Respiratory and Dermal Symptoms Among Ethiopian Flower Farm Workers.

The flower industry is among the most important export industries in Ethiopia, employing more than 50,000 workers. The working conditions and health status among workers in Ethiopian flower industry are not documented. A questionnaire-based interview was conducted among 213 flower industry workers from 3 flower farms and 60 control workers from supermarkets from February to March 2012. A walk-through survey was also performed on the 3 flower farms. Interviewed flower farm workers have high prevalences of respiratory and dermal symptoms, which are rarely reported among controls. Female workers inside the greenhouses on the 3 flower farms have significantly more respiratory and dermal symptoms than workers outside the greenhouse, also when adjusting for age and education. Limited access to personal protection equipment (PPE) and unsafe pesticide routines are documented. This study indicates that working in these flower greenhouses might be associated with adverse health effects.