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Item Antibody specificities of children living in a malaria endemic area to inhibitory and blocking epitopes on MSP-119 of Plasmodium falciparum(Elsevier, 2009) Omosun, Y. O.; Adoro, S.; Anumudu, C. I.; Odaibo, A. B.; Uthiapibull, C.; Holder, A. A.; Nwagwu, M.; Nwuba, R. I.Merozoite surface protein-119 (MSP-119) specific antibodies which include processing inhibitory, blocking and neutral antibodies have been identified in individuals exposed to Plasmodium falciparum. Here we intend to look at the effect of single and multiple amino acid substitutions of MSP-119 on the recognition by polyclonal antibodies from children living in Igbo-Ora, Nigeria. This would provide us with information on the possibility of eliciting mainly processing inhibitory antibodies with a recombinant MSP-119 vaccine. Blood was collected from children in the rainy season and binding of anti-MSP-119 antibodies to modified mutants of MSP-119 was analysed by ELISA. The MSP-119 mutant proteins with single substitutions at positions 22 (Leu→Arg), 43 (Glu→Leu) and 53 (Asn→Arg) and the MSP-119 mutant protein with multiple substitutions at positions 27 + 31 + 34 + 43 (Glu→Tyr, Leu→Arg, Tyr→Ser, Glu→Leu); which had inhibitory epitopes; had the highest recognition. Children recognised both sets of mutants with different age groups having different recognition levels. The percentage of malaria positive individuals (32–80%) with antibodies that bound to the mutants MSP-119 containing epitopes that recognise only processing inhibitory and not blocking antibodies, were significantly different from those with antibodies that did not bind to these mutants (21–28%). The amino acid substitutions that abolished the binding of blocking antibodies without affecting the binding of inhibitory antibodies are of particular interest in the design of MSP-119 based malaria vaccines. Although these MSP-119 mutants have not been found in natural population, their recognition by polyclonal antibodies from humans naturally infected with malaria is very promising for the future use of MSP-119 mutants in the design of a malaria vaccine.Item Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in water, sediment and fish from the Warri River at Ubeji, Niger Delta, Nigeria(NISC (Pty) Limited and Taylor & Francis, 2015) Asagbra, M. C.; Adebayo, A. S.; Anumudu, C. I.; Ugwumba, O. A.; Ugwumba, A. A. A.The Warri River at Ubeji, Nigeria, receives pollutants from an oil refinery. The levels of 16 priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in water, sediment and the tissue of tilapia from the Warri River were investigated in 2010 using gas chromatography with mass spectrometry. Eleven PAHs were found in the sediment and nine in fish and water, with total mean concentrations of 4 587.7 ng g-1, 1 098.5 ng g-1 and 34 ng ml-1 in sediment, fish tissues and water, respectively. Lower molecular weight PAHs were predominant, with naphthalene accounting for the highest concentration in all samples. Carcinogenic PAHs detected included benzo(a)pyrene, benzo(a)anthracene and chrysene. The predominance of lower molecular weight PAHs in the study area is an indication of recent pollution of petrogenic origin from the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company’s refinery.Item Developmental signaling genes in ameloblastoma(Springer, 2015) Onyegbula, K.; Onile, O. S.; Okoje, V. N.; Anumudu, C. I.Context: This study investigated the presence or absence of β-catenin and Patched1 (PTCH1) genes involved in the developmental pathway in ameloblastoma, in order to clarify the genetic etiology of this tumor. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate whether PTCH1 and β-catenin genes are involved in the development of ameloblastoma. Subjects and Methods: Archived formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded specimens of 89 ameloblastoma cases from the year 2000 to 2010 were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: A total of 21 (23.6%) of the 89 ameloblastoma cases were positive for β-catenin gene, where 14/21 (66.7%) cases were mandibular ameloblastoma. Plexiform 5/21 (23.8%) and cystic 5/21 (23.8%) ameloblastoma were the most regular histological type positive for β-catenin. However, β-catenin positive was more in the feminine gender (11/19, 57.9%) than the masculine (8/19, 42.1%). Only one case was positive for PTCH1 gene and this was histologically a mandibular site and plexiform-type ameloblastoma. Conclusions: This study suggested that β-catenin and PTCH1 genes may play an important role in the pathogenesis of ameloblastoma.Item Subtle morbidities associated with malaria co-infection with schistosomiaisis among children in South-West Nigeria(College of Medicine, University of Ibadan and the University College Hospital, 2014) Oladele, V. S.; Awobode, H. O.; Anumudu, C. I.Background: Malaria co-infection with schistosomiasis is known to modulate the immune response and thereby to potentially alter the pathophysiological and immunological profile of the diseases. The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between subtle morbidities and co-infection with malaria and schistosomiasis, and the immunological responses to the two diseases, among children in rural southwest Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between April and July 2012 among primary and secondary school children in Eggua, Yewa North LOA, Ogun State and Omi-Adio, Iddo LGA, Oyo State. A total of 240 children (Yewa 91, Iddo 149) participated in the study. Blood and urine samples were collected from the children and analysed by microscopy for Plasmodium falciparum and Schistosoma haematobium respectively. All the samples were analysed for IL-10, IFN-ϒ, and some for antibodies to Plasmodium falciparum MSP 119.Packed cell volume (PCV) and some anthropometric indices (height, weight) were measured as indicator of subtle morbidities of infection with the two parasites. Results: The prevalence of co-infection with the two parasites in the study was 16%. Malaria prevalence was 35.6% in Eggua, 20.13% in Iddo, and highest in the 11-15yr age group. Average malaria parasite density was 195.67 parasites/μl blood. Schistosomiasis prevalence was 20.8% in Iddo, 30.8% in Eggua, with highest intensity of infection in age group 11-15 years in both areas. Anaemia was not prevalent among co-infected people (16%). Antibodies to MSP 119 were found in 36.7%. Peripheral IL-l0 levels did not differ significantly among malaria, schistosomiasis, or co-infected individuals, but IFN-ϒ was higher among older children with schistosomiasis. Conclusion: Anaemia was not a very discriminating index to indicate morbidity from the diseases in this study area.Item Genetic characterization of fin fish species from the Warri River at Ubeji, Niger Delta, Nigeria(Academic Journals, 2014-07) Asagbra, M. C.; Adebayo, A. S.; Ugwumba, O. A.; Ugwumba, A. A. A.; Anumudu, C. I.A study to evaluate the genetic similarities and differences among 11 specimens of cichlids and four specimens of mudcatfishes obtained from Warri River was carried out through DNA fingerprinting analysis using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) amplification with seven decamer primers and dendrograms through unweighted pair-group method with average (UPGMA) cluster analysis. The total number of bands generated by seven RAPD primers, ranged between 2 to 33 for the cichlids and 8 to 28 for catfish family, with band size between 100 to 800 bp. The primers produced 228 bands in total 119 for cichlids and 109 for the catfishes, with 24% polymorphism. Considerable genetic variation was observed within species (especially within Tilapia Zilli, T. guineesis and Clarias gariepinus), between species in same genera (T. zilli and T. guineensis ) and among cichlids and catfishes. The most consistent of the RAPD primers generated 87 bands among the cichlids with 23 bands (26%) polymorphic and 74% conserved. Among the catfishes, the primers produced 69 bands with 16 (23%) polymorphic. The data show that the RAPD technique was useful and sensitive in differentiating various fish genera and species.Item Insertion/deletion polymorphism of the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene and the risk of hypertension among residents of two cities, South-South Nigeria(Medknow Publications, 2014) Kooffreh, M. E.; Anumudu, C. I.; Kumar, P. L.Background: Hypertension is a public health challenge due to its high prevalence, and is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. This study was designed to determine the frequency of the I/D polymorphism of the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene and its association with hypertension in a sample population of Calabar and Uyo, South-South Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A population-based case control design consisting of total of 1224 participants, 612 each of patients and controls, were randomly recruited from hypertension clinics and the general population. The I/D polymorphism was investigated using polymerase chain reaction. Multiple regression and odds ratio (OR) was applied to test whether the ID genotypes were predictors of hypertension. Results: The I/D genotype frequencies were 73(12%), 262(43%) and 277(45%); 74(12%), 303(50%) and 235(38%) for the II, ID, DD genotype in patient and control groups, respectively. A higher frequency of the ID genotype was observed in controls of which 208(61%) were females. By multiple regression analysis, age was a predictor for SBP in patients, r = 0.596, and DBP in controls, r = 0.555. Gender, Body mass index, I/D genotypes were not significant predictors for hypertension but the I/D polymorpism was associated with an increased risk for hypertension with an OR of 1.15 95%CI (0.924-1.456). Conclusion: The I/D polymorphism of the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene was a risk factor for hypertension in the sample population of Calabar and Uyo. This research will form baseline information for subsequent molecular studies in this population.Item Microsatellite markers in aquaculture: application in fish population genetics(International Organization of Scientific Research, 2013) Mojekwu, T. O.; Anumudu, C. I.Microsatellites or Simple Sequence Repeats (SSRs) represent an abundant source of genetic markers which are highly abundant and dispersed evenly throughout eukaryotic genomes. They have become the markers of choice for a wide range of applications in population genetic, conservation and evolutionary biology. Microsatellites represent ideal molecular markers because they have multiple alleles which are highly polymorphic among individuals. Polymorphism is achieved by having variable numbers of tandem repeat motifs resulting in size variation which can then be visualized by PCR with pairs of locus-specific flanking primers, followed by electrophoresis of the amplification product. Microsatellite motifs occurs once every 10kb in fishes. They are inherited in a co-dominant fashion, and are fast and easy to assay. They are co-dominant in nature with high levels of polymorphism and can reproduce very well. Hence, giving better information than the dominant marker .This makes them a choice maker for estimating population structure and genetic diversity.Item Assessment of heavy metal residues in water, fish tissue and human blood from Ubeji, Warri, Delta State Nigeria(2013-06) Akintujoye, J.; Anumudu, C. I.; Awobode, H. O.Residual levels of lead, chromium, cadmium and zinc in water and fish tissue from Ubeji River, Warri and blood samples from residents of Ubeji were analysed. Control water and fish samples were obtained from Eleyele River and blood from residents of Ibadan. All the samples collected were digested using a modified procedure from the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) and were subsequently analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. Levels of lead and cadmium in Ubeji river were significantly higher than levels in Eleyele River. Fifty fish samples from five species (Citharinus citharus, Liza falcipinis, Brycinus macrolepidotus, Polydactylus quadrifilis and Tilapia zilli) were analysed. Lead concentration (ppm) was highest in C. citharus (76.07±161.48) and least in T. zilli (23.16±26.30). Chromium was not detected in B. macrolepidotus, P. quadrifilis and T. zilli. Concentrations of all heavy metals detected, except zinc, in the fish species were higher than WHO permissible limit. Lead, Cadmium and Zinc concentrations in the tissues of then control fish were significantly lower (p>0.05) than those recorded in fish from Ubeji River. There were no statistically significant differences in heavy metal concentration in fish gills and muscle (p>0.05). Lead and cadmium levels in Ubeji river significantly exceeded (p=0.0 and p=0.012) the permissible limits for aquaculture and drinking. Levels of Chromium (1737.17±2996.01), Zinc and Lead (149.35±188.28 and 123.49±350.85 respectively) were significantly high (p<0.05) in the 101 human blood samples screened, while concentrations of Cadmium was comparatively low (10.11±10.71). Lower levels of cadmium, zinc and lead (8.54± 7.49, 79.89±62.65 and 53.46±57.17, respectively) were recorded for the control samples from Ibadan. This study highlights the high levels of heavy metals in the Ubeji River and suggests the need for interventions to stem the tide of pollution in the river. It would also be important to assess health problems that may arise as a result of contact and continuous use of the water.Item Extracellular release of acid phosphatase from blood stream forms of Trypanosoma brucei brucei(Nigerian Society for Experimental Biology, 2013-04) Awobode, H. O.; Anumudu, C. I.; Nwagwu, N.Acid phosphatase (ACP) activity was demonstrated in blood stream form of Trypanosome brucei brucei harvested from infected Wister rats by Ion Exchange DEAE Cellulose 52 chromatography. Whole parasite extract (WPE) and Excretory Secretory Extract (ESE) were prepared and analyzed for acid phosphatase activity. A higher ACP activity (85.5 μmol/min) was recorded in WPE compared to ESE (36.8 μmol/min). ACP activity in ESE is suggestive of the presence of a cell rich enzyme. Phase separation of the extracts using the detergent Triton X-114 (TX-114), resulted in protein partitioning into aqueous and detergent phases. ACP activity was higher in the detergent phases (56.2 μmol/min and 28.8 μmol/min) of WPE and ESE respectively. ACP activity recorded in the aqueous phases of WPE and EPE was 27.8 and 7.6 μmol/min respectively. On a Size Exclusion chromatography column using Sephacryl-300, ESE emerged as five distinct protein peaks. ACP activity of the eluted fractions showed two peaks of relative molecular weights 195 and 325 KD. This study shows that T. brucei releases acid phosphatase extracellularly via a yet to be determined mechanism. Acid phosphatase activity in ESE is indicative of a soluble enzyme within the cell matrix which may also play an important role in the pathology of African Trypanosomiasis.Item Annotation of virulence factors in schistosomes for the development of a SchistoVir database(Academic Journals, 2013-04) Adebayo, A. S.; Anumudu, C. I.Scientific efforts in the eradication of neglected tropical diseases, such as those caused by the parasitic helminthes, can be improved if a database of key virulence factors directly implicated in pathogenesis is available. As a first step towards creating SchistoVir, a database of virulence protein factors in schistosomes, in this study, we curated, annotated and aligned sequences of twenty virulence factors identified from the literature, using several bioinformatics tools including UniProtKB, SchistoDB, VirulentPred, InterProScan, ProtScale, MotifScan, TDRtarget, SignalP, MODBASE, PDB and MUSCLE. Among the protein entries, the most frequently occurring amino acid residues were lysine, serine, leucine, glutamine, glycine and cysteine in order of magnitude. Although sequence repeat regions (SRRs) of significant value were identified manually in fifty percent of the proteins (while dipeptide repeats (DiPs) and single amino acid repeats (SAARs) were not), nevertheless, seventy-two percent of the protein entries were classified as virulent by the prediction model, VirulentPred. Most of the entries (eighty percent) did not have target compounds based on the database of available chemical compounds at TDRtargets. Fourteen of the twenty entries (seventy percent) had more than 30 consecutively negative amino acid residues based on the ProtScale’s Kyte and Doolittle hydrophobicity plot. Hence, they would be hydrophobic enough to be transmembrane in location or secretory in nature. Only 7 (tyrosinase, serine protease1, Tspan-1, VAL4, cathepsin b and L and calreticulin) had cleavage sites and signal peptides, while none had a significant signal anchor probability. The annotations and characterization provided by this work and the development of a SchistoVir database will aid in further research of schistosome pathogenesis and control.