CD4+, CD8+, immunoglobulin status and ocular lesions among some onchocerciasis-infected rural Nigerians

CD4+, CD8+, immunoglobulin status and ocular lesions of some onchocerciasis-infected rural Nigerians as manifested by the presence of microfilariae in their skin snips and some chronic symptoms of the parasitic infestation were evaluated. The highest mean CD4+ and mean microfilarial (mff) load of 560 ± 20.46 unit cells/μl and 20 mff/mg were recorded among the individuals within the second decade of life, while the least mean CD4+ and mff load of 307.20 ± 11.23 unit cell/μl and 6.5 mff/mg occurred among volunteers after 60 years of age. The highest mean CD8+ of 388.00 ± 23.71 unit cells/μl occurred at the third decade of life. The individuals above 60 years had the least mean CD8+ of 350.25 ± 11.90 unit cells/μl. The volunteers had mean CD4+ of 372.45 ± 109.02 unit cells/μl and mean CD8+ of 359.42 ± with an overall CD4+:CD8+ ratio of 1.04. The mean CD4+ and mean CD8+ had positive correlation with the mean microfilarial load (r = 0.52 and r = 0.40), respectively. The mean IgE, IgG, lgA, IgM, and IgD were 2,074.82 ± 823.09, 19.36 ± 2.49, 3.88 ± 0.26, 3.59 ± 0.38, and 0.29 ± 0.19 mg/dl, and these immunoglobulins negatively correlated with the mean microfilarial load at r = −0.02, r = −0.15, r = −0.82, r = −0.37, and r = 0.26, respectively. Among these immunoglobulins evaluated, only mean IgE (2,074.82 ± 823 ng/ml) was statistically different from the control subjects (0 mg/dl) at t = 3.39, P < 0.05. In all, the prevalence of the visual impairment and lesions were low. Among the six visual lesions, namely, cataract, choroidoretinitis, iridocyclitis, glaucoma, sclerosing keratitis, and optic atrophy encountered in Egoro-Eguare, only optic atrophy and sclerosing keratitis was reported among the children. The female adults had the highest prevalence of reduced vision 20(43.5%). Also, the prevalence of choroidoretinitis (2.2%) and iridocyclitis (2.2%) were the least prevalent ocular lesions reported among these female adults. The depletion of the CD4+ contributed to the low prevalence of visual impairment and lesions in this locality. The depleted CD4+, CD8+, and the lower values of IgA, IgM, and IgG contributed in the maintenance of chronicity of onchocerciasis in Egoro-Eguare, Nigeria.     

Experimental and Theoretical Investigations of Three-Ring Ester/Azomethine Materials

New three-ring ester/azomethine homologues series, (E)-4-((4-hydroxybenzylidene)amino)phenyl 4-(alkoxy)benzoate In, were prepared and their properties were investigated experimentally and theoretically. FT-IR, NMR, and elemental analyses were used to confirm the chemical structures of the synthesized compounds. The mesomorphic activities of the planned homologues were evaluated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarized optical microscopy. All of the homologous examined were found to have non-mesomorphic properties. Theoretical calculations using the density functional theory (DFT) were used to validate the experimental data and determine the most stable conformation of the synthesized compounds. All calculated conformers’ thermal properties, dipole moments, and polarizability were discussed. The results show that the terminal alkoxy chain length affects the thermal parameters of the conformers. The correlations between these parameters’ values and the conformer type were demonstrated. The base component was expected to be in two conformers according to the orientation of the N atom of imine-linkage. DFT calculations revealed the more probable of the two possible conformers, and the incorporation of the alkoxy terminal chain in one position affect its geometrical and mesomerphic characteristics.     

Prevalence and clinical correlates of metabolic syndrome in nigerians living with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

Abstract Background: Sub-Saharan Africa bears an inordinate burden of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Reports have shown increased prevalence of clustering of cardiovascular risk factors referred to as metabolic syndrome in treatment-na?ve patients and patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). In view of the fact that metabolic syndrome is a heterogeneous disorder with substantial variability in the prevalence and component traits within and across populations and the dearth of publications on the prevalence and clinical correlates of metabolic syndrome in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Nigeria, this study was carried out to determine the prevalence and clinical correlates of metabolic syndrome among an HIV-infected outpatient population using the National Cholesterol Education Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III), the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), and the Joint Interim Statement (JIS) definitions. We also sought to determine if HAART use and CD4 count level were associated with metabolic syndrome. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 291 (95 men, 196 women) consecutive PLWHA. Anthropometry, blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, and lipid profile values were determined. Results: The prevalence rates of metabolic syndrome according to the ATP III, IDF, and JIS criteria were 12.7%, 17.2%, and 21.0%, respectively. Metabolic syndrome was significantly associated with female gender (all definitions), body mass index (all definitions), increasing age, and CD4 count (IDF definition). There was no significant association between metabolic syndrome and HAART. The concordance [kappa coefficient (κ)] between the definitions of metabolic syndrome varied between 0.583 and 0.878. Conclusions: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome varied with the criteria used and metabolic syndrome correlates with traditional cardiovascular risk factors rather than HAART-related factors.     

[68Ga]Ga-NODAGAZOL uptake in atherosclerotic plaques correlates with the cardiovascular risk profile of patients

Annals of Nuclear Medicine - This study aimed to determine the correlation of [68Ga]Ga-NODAGAZOL uptake in atherosclerotic plaques and the cardiovascular risk profile of patients imaged with...     

Promoting Cancer Control Training in Resource Limited Environments: Lagos,Nigeria

In resource limited nations, cancer control is often a lower priority issue creating challenges for the prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment of cancer. Training and education are vital components of efforts to tackle this problem. A 3-day cancer control workshop was conducted at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Nigeria, in 2013. The curriculum included didactic lectures, panel discussions, and interactive sessions on local cancer statistics, preventive strategies, cancer registries, screening and diagnostic options, and treatment approaches with limited resources (chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery, and palliative care) and several site-specific (breast, lung, cervical, prostate, and colon) topics. Pre-workshop and post-workshop questionnaires were completed by participants. Eighty-six percent of the 50 workshop participants completed at least one questionnaire. Participants were mainly nurses and physicians (89 % of responders), and 40 % reported >25 years of practice experience. The more common local needs identified were professional education (65 %) and increasing public cancer awareness (63 %). The greatest interest for future programs was on research collaborations (70 %). An immediate impact of the workshop was the commencement of monthly tumor board conferences and a review of the current cancer registry data. Capacity building is critical for the execution of effective cancer control strategies. Conducting collaborative workshops represents a cost-effective means of launching programs and energizing the medical community to pursue ongoing education and research addressing the anticipated cancer epidemic on the African continent.     

Measured effect of some socio-demographic factors on depression among breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy in Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH)

Background

Breast cancer is a disease predominantly found amongst women. It is a disease which threatens an organ that is intimately associated with a woman''s self image, sexuality, as well as her reproductive and nurturing capacity. These threats have serious psychological implications for women living with breast cancer.

Objective

To examine the pattern and predictors of depressive symptoms among breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy in the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH).

Methods

Ethical approval was obtained for an ongoing multi-centre study. The data used in this study are pre-test scores from breast cancer patients in the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital. The 21-item Becks Depression Inventory II (BDI-II) was administered on 33 purposively sampled breast cancer patients who read and signed informed consent forms before taking part in the study.

Results

Analysis of data using simple percentages showed that the 33 participants indicated varying degree of depressive symptoms: 13 (39.4%) of the respondents had minimal depression, 12 (36.4%) of them had mild depression, 3 (9.1%) had moderate depression, and 5 (15.2%) had severe depression. The average BDI-II score yielded 16.09 indicating mild depression. Multiple regression analysis results showed that being informed about breast cancer, average monthly income, cancer stage and educational level significantly predicted participants'' level of depression.

Conclusion

This study confirmed the presence of depressive symptoms in cancer patients in Nigeria. It was recommended that intervention programs to help reduce these depressive symptoms be developed.