Increased Brain White Matter Axial Diffusivity Associated with Fatigue,Pain and Hyperalgesia in Gulf War Illness

Background

Gulf War exposures in 1990 and 1991 have caused 25% to 30% of deployed personnel to develop a syndrome of chronic fatigue, pain, hyperalgesia, cognitive and affective dysfunction.

Methods

Gulf War veterans (n = 31) and sedentary veteran and civilian controls (n = 20) completed fMRI scans for diffusion tensor imaging. A combination of dolorimetry, subjective reports of pain and fatigue were correlated to white matter diffusivity properties to identify tracts associated with symptom constructs.

Results

Gulf War Illness subjects had significantly correlated fatigue, pain, hyperalgesia, and increased axial diffusivity in the right inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus. ROC generated thresholds and subsequent binary regression analysis predicted CMI classification based upon axial diffusivity in the right inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus. These correlates were absent for controls in dichotomous regression analysis.

Conclusion

The right inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus may be a potential biomarker for Gulf War Illness. This tract links cortical regions involved in fatigue, pain, emotional and reward processing, and the right ventral attention network in cognition. The axonal neuropathological mechanism(s) explaining increased axial diffusivity may account for the most prominent symptoms of Gulf War Illness.     

19-Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid analogs: Antagonism of 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid-induced vascular sensitization and hypertension

19-Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (19-HETE, 1), a metabolically and chemically labile cytochrome P450 eicosanoid, has diverse biological activities including antagonism of the vasoconstrictor 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE, 2). A SAR study was conducted to develop robust analogs of 1 with improved in vitro and in vivo efficacy. Analogs were screened in vitro for inhibition of 20-HETE-induced sensitization of rat renal preglomerular microvessels toward phenylephrine and demonstrated to normalize the blood pressure of male Cyp4a14(-/-) mice that display androgen-driven, 20-HETE-dependent hypertension.     

Innovative Technological Approach to Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak Response in Nigeria Using the Open Data Kit and Form Hub Technology

The recent outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in West Africa has ravaged many lives. Effective containment of this outbreak relies on prompt and effective coordination and communication across various interventions; early detection and response being critical to successful control. The use of information and communications technology (ICT) in active surveillance has proved to be effective but its use in Ebola outbreak response has been limited. Due to the need for timeliness in reporting and communication for early discovery of new EVD cases and promptness in response; it became imperative to empower the response team members with technologies and solutions which would enable smooth and rapid data flow. The Open Data Kit and Form Hub technology were used in combination with the Dashboard technology and ArcGIS mapping for follow up of contacts, identification of cases, case investigation and management and also for strategic planning during the response. A remarkable improvement was recorded in the reporting of daily follow-up of contacts after the deployment of the integrated real time technology. The turnaround time between identification of symptomatic contacts and evacuation to the isolation facility and also for receipt of laboratory results was reduced and informed decisions could be taken by all concerned. Accountability in contact tracing was ensured by the use of a GPS enabled device. The use of innovative technologies in the response of the EVD outbreak in Nigeria contributed significantly to the prompt control of the outbreak and containment of the disease by providing a valuable platform for early warning and guiding early actions.     

Occult renal cell carcinoma manifesting with epistaxis in a woman: a case report

Introduction

Metastatic disease in the sinonasal region occurs rarely and the primary site may be elusive. This case highlights the possibility of an occult renal tumor manifesting with nasal symptoms and the risk of severe bleeding following nasal biopsy.

Case presentation

We report the case of a 79-year-old Caucasian woman who presented with a six-week history of intermittent left-sided nosebleeds. She was fit, without previous surgery or anticoagulation. Nasal endoscopy and computed tomography showed a hemorrhagic mass occupying her left ethmoid cells and middle meatus. After a highly hemorrhagic biopsy, the lesion was histologically confirmed as clear cell carcinoma. Screening revealed a right kidney mass with widespread metastases. Palliative radiotherapy to the sinonasal metastasis and systemic treatment rendered her free of symptoms nine months after initial presentation.

Conclusions

General practitioners and ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctors are very often confronted with epistaxis. A small minority of patients with epistaxis show a primary or metastatic nasal mass. Detection of the origin of secondary sinonasal masses requires a high index of suspicion and examination of infraclavicular sites by a multidisciplinary team. Renal cell carcinoma metastases are prone to severe bleeding during any surgical intervention, therefore, preoperative embolization is recommended. Resection or radiotherapy to the sinonasal metastasis of renal origin is justified in order to prevent recurrent nosebleeds.

     

Klebsiella pneumoniae as a cause of pneumonia and septicemia in a civet kitten (Civettictis civetta) in the Jos Zoo, Nigeria

A fatal case of acute pneumonia and septicemia that occurred in a captive civet kitten (Civettictis civetta) in the Jos Zoo, Nigeria is reported. Diagnosis was based on clinical signs, necropsy findings, and the isolation of Klebsiella pneumoniae from the lung, intestine, liver and heart blood of the animal. This is the first report of clinical K. pneumoniae infection in a wild or captive animal in Nigeria.     

Annual Records of Airborne Pollen of Poaceae in Five Areas in Lagos,Nigeria

Poaceae pollen grains are known to be highly allergenic and they are potential causes of allergic respiratory diseases. In order to investigate the incidence of airborne Poaceae, and contribute to current trends in the development of aeropalynology/allergy studies in Nigeria, five highly populated locations in Central Lagos State, Surulere, Ebute-Metta, University of Lagos, Bariga and Gbagada, were sampled. Gravimetric aerosamples were collected monthly from January 2013 to December 2014. The lowest count in 2013 was recorded in the Ebute-Metta area (179), while the highest in 2013 was recorded in Gbagada (564). In 2014, the Surulere area (282) had the lowest count while Bariga (671) had the highest. The locations have similar monthly pollen distribution pattern but different peak months. Generally, Poaceae pollen counts were lowest in the months of June and July. These are therefore the safest months for Poaceae pollen hypersensitive individuals in the study areas. Relative humidity was the most important meteorological parameter with significant correlations in Ebute-Metta and Bariga locations. Results from this work will form the basis for a forecast service required to inform and educate the general public and allergy sufferers about Poaceae pollen distribution in Lagos State.     

DNA barcoding of economically important freshwater fish species from north‐central Nigeria uncovers cryptic diversity

This study examines the utility of morphology and DNA barcoding in species identification of freshwater fishes from north‐central Nigeria. We compared molecular data (mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences) of 136 de novo samples from 53 morphologically identified species alongside others in GenBank and BOLD databases. Using DNA sequence similarity‐based (≥97% cutoff) identification technique, 50 (94.30%) and 24 (45.30%) species were identified to species level using GenBank and BOLD databases, respectively. Furthermore, we identified cases of taxonomic problems in 26 (49.00%) morphologically identified species. There were also four (7.10%) cases of mismatch in DNA barcoding in which our query sequence in GenBank and BOLD showed a sequence match with different species names. Using DNA barcode reference data, we also identified four unknown fish samples collected from fishermen to species level. Our Neighbor‐joining (NJ) tree analysis recovers several intraspecific species clusters with strong bootstrap support (≥95%). Analysis uncovers two well‐supported lineages within Schilbe intermedius. The Bayesian phylogenetic analyses of Nigerian S. intermedius with others from GenBank recover four lineages. Evidence of genetic structuring is consistent with geographic regions of sub‐Saharan Africa. Thus, cryptic lineage diversity may illustrate species’ adaptive responses to local environmental conditions. Finally, our study underscores the importance of incorporating morphology and DNA barcoding in species identification. Although developing a complete DNA barcode reference library for Nigerian ichthyofauna will facilitate species identification and diversity studies, taxonomic revisions of DNA sequences submitted in databases alongside voucher specimens are necessary for a reliable taxonomic and diversity inventory.     

Quercetin and Vitamin C Mitigate Cobalt Chloride-Induced Hypertension through Reduction in Oxidative Stress and Nuclear Factor Kappa Beta (NF-Kb) Expression in Experimental Rat Model

The objective of the present work was to evaluate the toxic effects of cobalt chloride, a potent oxidative stress-inducing chemical, at 650 ppm in rats and the protective effect of quercetin and/or vitamin C against the cobalt chloride-induced toxicity. Thirty rats were randomly selected, and assigned to one of five groups: control, cobalt chloride, cobalt chloride + quercetin, cobalt chloride + vitamin C and cobalt chloride + quercetin + vitamin C. The exposure of rats to cobalt chloride led to a significant increase (p < 0.05) in malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) generated, but decreased nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability. Also, significant (p < 0.05) reductions were observed in the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and reduced glutathione (GSH) content in the cardiac and renal tissues. Treatment with quercetin and vitamin C reversed the effect of cobalt chloride on MDA, H₂O₂ and NO, more potently than with either of the two antioxidants, and increased the antioxidant defence system. Further, treatment of rats with quercetin and vitamin C in combination resulted in significant (p < 0.05) decreases in the systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial blood pressure of rats, relative to those exposed to cobalt chloride alone. Immunohistochemical studies revealed a greater expression of nuclear factor kappa beta (NF-kB) in the cobalt chloride group compared with the control- and antioxidants-treated rats. The results of this study suggest a protective role for quercetin and vitamin C in the amelioration of the toxic mechanisms leading to cobalt chloride-induced hypertension and its associated cardiac and renal complications in rats.     

Rural-urban differences on the rates and factors associated with early initiation of breastfeeding in Nigeria: further analysis of the Nigeria demographic and health survey, 2013

Background

This study investigates and compares the rates and factors associated with early initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF) within one hour of birth in rural and urban Nigeria.

Methods

Data from the 2013 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) were analyzed. The rates of EIBF were reported using frequency tabulation. Associated factors were examined using Chi-Square test and further assessed on multivariable logistic regression analysis.

Results

The rates of EIBF were 30.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] 29.0, 32.6) and 41.9% (95% CI 39.6, 44.3) in rural and urban residences, respectively (p?<?0.001). The North-Central region had the highest EIBF rates both in rural (43.5%) and urban (63.5%) residences. Greater odds of EIBF in rural residence were significantly associated with higher birth order (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] 1.29, 95% CI 1.10, 1.60), large birth size (AOR 1.33, 95% CI 1.10, 1.60), and health facility delivery (AOR 1.46, 95% CI 1.23, 1.72). Rural mothers in the rich wealth index, not working and whose husbands obtained at least a secondary school education had significantly higher odds of early initiation of breastfeeding. Regardless of residence, greater odds of EIBF were significantly associated with non-cesarean delivery (Rural AOR 3.50, 95% CI 1.84, 6.62; Urban AOR 2.48, 95% CI 1.60, 3.80) and living in North-Central (Rural AOR 1.84, 95% CI 1.34, 2.52; Urban AOR 4.40, 95% CI 3.15, 6.15) region. Also, higher odds of EIBF were significantly associated with living in North-East (Rural AOR 1.48, 95% CI 1.05, 2.08; Urban AOR 3.50, 95% CI 2.55, 4.83), South-South (Rural AOR 1.51, 95% CI 1.11, 2.10; Urban AOR 2.84, 95% CI 2.03, 3.97) and North-West (Urban residence only AOR 2.08, 95% CI 1.54, 2.80) regions.

Conclusions

Rural-urban differences in the rates and factors associated with EIBF exist in Nigeria with rural residence having significantly lower rates. Intervention efforts which address the risk factors identified in this study may contribute to improved EIBF rates. Efforts need to prioritize rural mothers generally, (particularly, those in rural North-West region) as well as mothers in urban South-West region of Nigeria.

     

Hesperidin attenuates inflammation and oxidative damage in pleural exudates and liver of rat model of pleurisy

Objectives: This study investigated the potential anti-inflammatory effect of hesperidin against carrageenan induced pleurisy in rat model.

Methods: Twenty-four adult female Wistar rats (350 - 450g) were grouped as follows: Group I: rats were administered saline solution only (Normal control group); Group II: rats were administered saline solution (NaCl 0.9%) orally and injected with carrageenan (Inflammation control group); Group III: rats were administered hesperidin only (Hesperidin group); Group IV: rats were administered hesperidin orally and intrapleurally injected with 2% carrageenan (Inflammation treated with hesperidin group). The exudate volume, total leukocyte count, reactive oxygen species (ROS), myeloperoxidase (MPO),δ–aminolevulinate dehydratase (δ-ALA-D), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), activities as well as non-protein thiol group (NPSH) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels were determined.

Results: Pretreatment with hesperidin at a dose of 80 mg/kg orally per day for 21 days, minimized the increase in pleural exudate volume and leucocyte count and modulated the activities of MPO, SOD and CAT, as well as the levels of ROS, NPSH and TBARS in carrageenan-induced rats.

Conclusion: Our results suggest that hesperidin can elicit its anti-inflammatory action by blocking exudate and leukocyte influx into pleural cavity, inhibiting MPO activity and preventing oxidative damage.