Distribution of yeast species associated with oral lesions in HIV-infected patients in Southwest Uganda

Oropharyngeal candidiasis remains a significant clinical problem in HIV-infected and AIDS patients in regions of Africa where anti-retroviral therapy isn't readily available. In this study we identified the yeast populations associated with oral lesions in HIV-infected patients in Southwest Uganda who were receiving treatment with nystatin and topical clotrimazole. Samples were taken from 605 patients and 316 (52%) of these yielded yeast growth following incubation on Sabouraud dextrose agar. Samples were subsequently re-plated on CHROMagar Candida medium to facilitate identification of the yeast species present. The majority (56%) of culture-positive samples yielded a mix of two or more species. Candida albicans was present in 87% (274/316) of patient samples and accounted for 87% (120/138) of single species samples. Candida glabrata, Candida tropicalis and Candida norvegensis were also found in cultures that yielded a single species. No Candida dubliniensis isolates were identified in this population.     

How can food extracts consumed in the Mediterranean and East Asia suppress prostate cancer proliferation?

We have developed a blend of food extracts commonly consumed in the Mediterranean and East Asia, named blueberry punch (BBP), with the ultimate aim to formulate a chemoprevention strategy to inhibit prostate cancer progression in men on active surveillance protocol. We demonstrated previously that BBP inhibited prostate cancer cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo. The purpose of this study was to determine the molecular mechanism responsible for the suppression of prostate cancer cell proliferation by BBP. Treatment of lymph node-metastasised prostate cancer cells (LNCaP) and bone-metastasised prostate cancer cells (PC-3 and MDA-PCa-2b) with BBP (up to 0·8?%) for 72?h increased the percentage of cells at the G0/G1 phase and decreased those at the S and G2/M phases. The finding was supported by the reduction in the percentage of Ki-67-positive cells and of DNA synthesis measured by the incorporation of 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine. Concomitantly, BBP treatment decreased the protein levels of phosphorylated retinoblastoma, cyclin D1 and E, cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4 and 2, and pre-replication complex (CDC6 and MCM7) in LNCaP and PC-3 cells, whereas CDK inhibitor p27 was elevated in these cell lines. In conclusion, BBP exerts its anti-proliferative effect on prostate cancer cells by modulating the expression and phosphorylation of multiple regulatory proteins essential for cell proliferation.     

Outcomes of asymptomatic malaria parasitaemia in neonates in a tertiary hospital,southeast Nigeria

Background:

Malaria infestation during pregnancy is mostly asymptomatic and untreated especially in unbooked pregnancies. It presents with almost all the fetal complications of overt malaria in pregnancy. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of asymptomatic malaria parasitaemia on the neonates of unbooked parturients delivered at term at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki.

Materials and Methods:

This study was conducted in the labour ward complex of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki from March to May 2012. Unbooked pregnant women who fulfilled the inclusion criteria and gave consent were consecutively recruited. Cord blood and placenta tissue were collected for haemoglobin concentration determination and histology, respectively. Birth weights were determined with an electronic weighing machine. Statistical Analysis was done with 2008 Epi Info™ software and level of significant was set at P-value <0.05.

Results:

A total of 250 unbooked parturients were recruited, of which 194 (77.6%) had asymptomatic malaria parasitaemia while 227 (90.8%) had placental parasitisation. The prevalence of low birth weight in the study was 16.4%. There was significant relationship between asymptomatic malaria parasitemia and birth weight (X² = 43.70, P-value < 0.001). There were no low-birth-weight deliveries among paturients without placental parasitemia. No neonate, however, had anaemia in the study.

Conclusion:

Asymptomatic malaria parasitemia and placental parasitisation by malaria parasites contribute to the outcome of the foetal birth weight. Asymptomatic malaria parasitaemia and placental parasitaemia did not result in a corresponding foetal anaemia on babies delivered.     

Gongronema Latifolium Delays Gastric Emptying of Semi-Solid Meals in Diabetic Dogs

The aim of the study was to investigate sonographically the effect of Gongronema latifolium on gastric emptying of semi-solid meals in diabetic dogs. Twenty-five alloxan-induced diabetic dogs were randomly allotted into five groups of five dogs each in a randomised placebo-controlled study. These are placebo, prokinetic dose, low dose, moderate dose and high dose groups. The placebo group served as the control. The low, moderate and high dose groups ingested methanolic leaf extract of G. latifolium at 100 mg/kg, 250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg respectively, while the prokinetic group ingested 0.5 mg/kg of metoclopramide. After a 12-hour fast, each group ingested its treatment capsules 30 minutes before the administration of test meal. Measurements of gastric emptying and blood glucose levels were obtained from each dog 30 minutes before and immediately after the ingestion of a test meal, every 15 minutes for another 4 hours and then every 30 minutes for further 2 hours. Gastric emptying of the moderate and high dose groups were 227.8 ± 9.9 min and 261.3 ± 19.3 min respectively and significantly (p < 0.0001) slower than the placebo control group of 143.0 ±17.8 min. The gastric emptying of the low dose group (169.8 ± 3.8) and control group did not differ significantly (p > 0.05). A strong inverse relationship between gastric emptying and the incremental blood glucose levels was noted in the diabetic dogs after the ingestion of Gongronema latifolium (r = −0.90; p < 0.0001). Gonogronema latifolium delayed gastric emptying in diabetic dogs.     

Activation of phospholipase D by interleukin-8 in human neutrophils

Interleukin 8 (IL-8), a member of the C-X-C branch of the chemokine superfamily, stimulated the breakdown of 1-O-[3H]alkyl-2-acyl-sn- glycero-3-phosphocholine ([3H]EAPC) and the formation of 1-O-[3H]alkyl- 2-acyl-phosphatidic acid ([3H]-EAPA) in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) in the presence of cytochalasin B. In addition, the mass of diradyl-PA was increased with similar kinetics. In the presence of ethanol, 1-O-[3H]alkyl-2-acyl-phosphatidylethanol ([3H]EAPEt) was formed at the expense of [3H]EAPA formation, indicating the activation of phospholipase D by the cytokine. The effect was time- and concentration-dependent, reaching a plateau at 30 seconds with the maximally activating concentration of 120 nmol/L IL-8. Preincubation of cells with 1 microgram/mL Bordetella pertussis toxin inhibited the breakdown of [3H]EAPC and [3H]EAPA formation, indicating a role for a pertussis toxin-sensitive guanosine triphosphate-binding protein. Formation of phosphatidic acid (PA) correlated with activation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase, the oxidative burst enzyme, with both events occurring in the same concentration range. Inhibition of PA formation, by the presence of ethanol, also inhibited the oxidative burst stimulation by IL-8. Pretreatment of PMN with 10 nmol/L platelet-activating factor potentiated both [3H]EAPA accumulation and activation of NADPD oxidase by IL-8. Collectively, these data show that IL-8 stimulates the metabolism of choline-containing phosphoglycerides in human PMN and support a role for PA in the signaling mechanisms used by IL-8 to stimulate PMN function.     

Effect of Gongronema latifolium on gastric emptying in healthy dogs

AIM:To investigate sonographically the effect of Gonogronema latifolium (G.latifolium) on gastric emptying of semi-solid meals in healthy dogs.METHODS:In a randomized,placebo-controlled experiment,twenty-five clinically healthy dogs were randomly allotted into five groups of five dogs in each group.The placebo group served as the control,and the low,moderate and high dose groups ingested the methanolic leaf extract of G.latifolium in capsules at 100 mg/kg,250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg,respectively,while the prokinetic group ingested 0.5 mg/kg capsules of metoclopramide.After a 12-h fast,each group ingested its treatment capsules 30 min before the administration of a test meal.Measurements of gastric emptying and blood glucoselevels were obtained 30 min before and immediately after the ingestion of the test meal and thereafter every 15 min for 4 h.This was followed by further measurements every 30 min for another 2 h.RESULTS:The gastric emptying times of the placebo,low dose,moderate dose,high dose and prokinetic dose groups were 127.0 ± 8.2 min,135.5 ± 3.7 min,155.5 ± 3.9 min,198.0 ± 5.3 min and 59.0 ± 2.5 min,respectively.Gastric emptying times of the moderate and high dose groups were significantly slower than in the placebo control group (155.5 ± 3.9 min,198.0 ± 5.3 min vs 127.0 ± 8.2 min,P=0.000).No significant difference in gastric emptying between the low dose and placebo control groups was noted (135.5 ± 3.7 min vs 127.0 ± 8.2 min,P=0.072).Gastric emptying of the prokinetic group was significantly faster than that of the control group (59.0 ± 2.5 min vs 127.0 ± 8.2 min,P=0.000).The hypoglycaemic effect of G.latifolium and gastric emptying were inversely related (r=-0.95,P=0.000).CONCLUSION:G.latifolium delays gastric emptying and lowers postprandial blood glucose in healthy dogs.It reduces the postprandial blood glucose by delaying gastric emptying.     

Histological changes and antidiabetic activities of Icacina trichantha tuber extract in beta-cells of alloxan induced diabetic rats

Objective

To investigate the antidiabetic, hypolipidaemic activities and histopathological changes of Icacina trichantha (I. trichantha) tuber extract in alloxan induced diabetic rats.

Methods

In the present study, 80% methanol extract of I. trichantha tuber was tested on alloxan induced diabetic rats. They were randomly grouped into control (distilled water and glibenclamide) and experimental (200, 400 and 600 mg/kg body weight). Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of 160 mg/kg body weight of alloxan. Blood glucose levels were measured using blood glucose test strips with AccuCheck Advantage II glucometer at 1, 3, 6, and 24 h on the first day and 1 h after treatment on Day 7, 14 and 21. Blood samples were collected and centrifuged to separate serum for estimation of lipid profile and other biochemical parameters. Histopathological changes in diabetic rats pancreas were also studied after extract treatment.

Results

Daily oral administration of I. trichantha tuber extract (200, 400, and 600 mg/kg body weight) and glibenclamide (2 mg/kg) showed beneficial effects on blood glucose level (P<0.01) as well as improving liver, kidney functions and hyperlipidaemia due to diabetes. The extract had a favourable effect on the histopathological changes of the pancreas in alloxan induced diabetes.

Conclusions

I. trichantha tuber extracts posses antidiabetic activities as well as improve liver and renal profile and total lipids levels. I. trichantha tuber extracts also have favourable effects to inhibit the histopathological changes of the pancreas in alloxan induced diabetes.     

Sonographic biometry of liver size among Igbo school age children of South east,Nigeria

BackgroundThe endemic diseases in the locality which are associated with changes in liver size necessitate sonographic biometry of this organ.ObjectivesTo establish by ultrasonography the normal limits and variations of the liver size according to age, sex, height, weight, body surface area and body mass index among school age children.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional, hospital based study done at university of Nigeria medical center, Nsukka between January 2011 and June 2011. Participants included 947 apparently healthy subjects comprising 496 boys and 451 girls aged 6–17 years. The intra- and inter rater reliability of sonographic measurement of the liver size was determined. The sonographic examination was performed on Shenzhen DP-1100 machine with 3.5 MHz convex transducer. The longitudinal dimension of the liver was obtained in the midclavicular plane with the subject in deep inspiration. The weight and height of the subjects were obtained with the participants wearing light weight street clothes without shoes.ResultsMeasurement of liver length was reliable within and between sonographers. The mean of the liver length was 116.3 ± 10.6 mm. Dimension of the liver was not statistically different in boys and girls (p > 0.05). Height correlated best with the liver dimension followed by age, body surface area, weight, body mass index, and sex. The percentile curves, normal limits and prediction model of the liver dimension were defined according to height of the subjects.ConclusionDetermination of pathologic changes in the size of the liver necessitates knowing the normal ranges of dimension for the liver especially with respect to height in this population.