Prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection and associated risk factors among adult females infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Ogun State,Nigeria

Background:Hepatitis B virus(HBV)infection is prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa,including Nigeria,and is frequently observed in individuals co-infected with human immunodeficiency virus(HIV).Objective:This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of serological markers for hepatitis B virus and identify the associated risk factors among women with HIV undergoing highly active antiretroviral therapy(HAART)in Ogun State,Nigeria.Methods:Ethical approval was obtained from the Babcock University Health Research Ethics Committee(BUHREC)to recruit a total of 110 adult women infected with HIV,receiving treatment at the HIV clinics of Babcock University Teaching Hospital(BUTH)in Ilishan-Remo and General Hospital in Ijebu-Ode,both located in Ogun State,Nigeria.The participants’HIV status were confirmed using three rapid diagnostic kits:Determine(Abbott Laboratories,Tokyo,Japan),Unigold HIV(Trinity Biotech Plc Bray,Co.Wicklow,Ireland),and 1/2 Stat Pak(Abbott Laboratories,Tokyo,Japan)(Chembio Diagnostic Systems,New York,USA).Additionally,an HBV 5 in 1 Panel manufactured by Innovation Biotechnology Co.,Ltd in Beijing,China,was employed to detect HBV markers qualitatively in serum samples.Results:Out of the 110 subjects that voluntarily participated in the study,4(3.6%)tested positive for HBsAg,2(1.8%)tested positive for HBsAb,81(73.6%)tested positive for HBeAg,3(2.7%)tested positive for HBeAb,and 65(59.1%)tested positive for HBcAb.There was no significant correlation between the occurrence of HBsAg and the socio-demographic characteristics of the participants(P>0.05).Various risk factors were identified,including lack of knowledge about HBV,absence of HBV vaccination history,history of blood transfusion,organ transplant,and engaging in unprotected sex,among others.Conclusion:The findings highlight the presence of HBV infection among HIV-positive women undergoing HAART in Ogun State,Nigeria,particularly within the age groups of 18–25 years and 26–30 years.These results emphasize the necessity for continuous and targeted public health interventions among this specific population.

Morphology of Kuwania bipora Borchsenius (Hemiptera:Coccoidea:Margarodidae)

In this paper the morphology of adult female of Kuwania bipora Borchsenius, 1960 is redescribed. The morphologies of adult male and all immature stages of both sexes are firstly described and illustrated. A key to all stages of K. bipora is provided.

Expression of type-Ⅰ collagen and matrix metalloproteinase-9 mRNA in bone of castrated adult female rats:effects of estrogen

Abstract Objectives To elucidate the molecular changes of bone collagen during the development of postmenopausal osteoporosis and to investigate the molecular effects of estrogen replacement. Methods An adult ovariotomy rat model was used. Type Ⅰ collagen and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP 9) expressions in bone tissues of rats treated by sham surgery (SH), bilateral ovariotomy (OVX) and OVX with estradiol (OVX E2) were analysed at mRNA level by using dot blot technique. The distribution of mRNA of these two genes in bone tissues was studied by in situ hybridization. Results The expression levels of both type Ⅰ collagen and MMP 9 in bone tissues of OVX rats were higher than those of SH group, while treated with estradiol, the expression of both genes declined to some degree. In situ hybridization showed that type Ⅰ collagen mRNA located in osteoblasts, whereas MMP 9 was mainly expressed in osteoclasts, some lining cells on bone surface, and some mononuclear cells in bone marrow. Conclusions The reduction of high bone turnover in osteoporotic bone tissues induced by estrogen replacement may result from alterations in gene expression related to bone formation and bone resorption. These alterations are consistent with the changes observed previously by histomorphometry and biochemical markers of bone metabolism on OVX animals and postmenopausal osteoporosis.

CDK5-mediated phosphorylation of CP190 may regulate locomotor activity in adult female Drosophila

The three-dimensional organization of the genome plays a crucial role in regulating gene expression patterns in metazoans（Ong and Corces,2014）.The nuclear architectural proteins are known to facilitate the formation of topological domains within the genome through mediating inter-and intra-chromosomal interactions.In vertebrate,CCCTC-binding factor（CTCF）is the main architectural protein that mediates long-range chromosomal interactions among its DNA binding sites through a process that is stabilized by cohesin （Parelho et al., 2008; Wendt et al., 2008）.

Human immunodeficiency virus p24 antigen and antibody,herpes simplex virus-2 IgM and tumor necrosis factor alpha plasma levels in adult female children living in sing le-parent households:a case-control observational study

Objective: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) p24 antigen and antibody and herpes simplex virus 2 IgM are seromarkers indicating infection with HIV and herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2), respectively, whereas tumor necrosis factor α is an inflammatory biomarker that can be triggered by infections. Female children of single parents are faced with many socio-economic challenges that make them vulnerable to sexual influences and prone to sexually transmitted infections. The goal of this work was to determine HIV p24 antigen/antibody, HSV-2 IgM and tumor necrosis factor-α plasma levels in adult female children living in single-parent households.Methods: In this case-control observational study, 100 adult female children living with a single parent (50 living with a single mother and 50 living with a single father;age: 18-22 years) and 100 age-matched women living with both parents were recruited to serve as the test and control groups, respectively. All subjects were negative for acid-fast bacilli, plasmodium, hepatitis C virus, and hepatitis B virus. Human tumor necrosis factor α, HSV-2 IgM, antibody to hepatitis C virus, hepatitis B surface antigen and human immunodeficiency virus p24 antigen and antibody (HIV p24 Ag/Ab) levels were determined by ELISA, while the detection of acid-fast bacilli in sputum andPlasmodium in blood was carried out by optical microscopy. This work was carried out in the Owo/Ose Federal Constituency in Ondo State that shares boundaries with Edo State. The study protocol was approved by the Research and Ethical Committee of the Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Achievers University, Owo, Nigeria (AUO/MLS/2020/127) on August 27, 2020.Results: HIV p24 Ag/Ab was detected in 0 adult female children living with a single mother, 1 (2%) adult female child living with a single father and 1 (1 %) adult female child living with both parents. HSV-2 IgM was detected in 9 (18%) adult female children living with a single mother, 13 (26%) adult female children living with a single father, and 5 (10%) adult female children living with both parents.Conclusion: This work shows that adult female children of single parents are vulnerable to sexual influences, and thereby more prone to HSV-2 and possibly HIV, especially adult female children of single fathers.