Assessment of MTR Rs1805087 SNP as Possible Modifier of Sickle Cell Disease Severity in a Nigerian Population.

Background: Sickle cell disease is the commonest genetic disorder in Nigeria, affecting 2-3% of an estimated population of 160 million people. The role of genetic mutations in folate cycle genes, and the variable phenotypic expressions constituting disease severity, needs to be critically examined.

Objective: This study was carried out to establish the pattern of methionine synthase gene mutations (rs1805087 SNP), and its possible association with disease severity in adults with sickle cell anaemia in Lagos, Nigeria.

Ovarian reserve in nigerian women with sickle cell anaemia: a cross- sectional study.

Introduction: Sickle cell disease is the most common monogenetic disorder worldwide. There have been reports of endocrine dysfunction and gonadal failure among affected individuals, especially in males. The findings on ovarian reserve and failure in women with sickle anaemia have been inconsistent.

Epigenetic Modification in Methylene Tetrahydrofolate Reductase (MTHFR) Gene of Women with Pre-eclampsia.

Background: Genetic and epigenetic factors play significant roles in the aetio-pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia (PE). The effects may vary across racial and geographical boundaries. The role of epigenetic modification in pre-eclampsia was studied among African populations in Lagos, Nigeria.

Methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase gene mutation in sickle cell anaemia patients in Lagos, Nigeria.

Introduction: The significant causes of mortality among individuals with sickle cell anaemia (SCA) such as acute chest syndrome and cerebrovascular disease are related to vascular occlusion. Polymorphisms of the methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene in persons with sickle cell anaemia have been suggested as a potential risk for vaso-occlusive events, with the C677T and A1298C polymorphisms being the commonest. This study therefore aimed to establish the pattern of MTHFR C677T and A1298C gene mutations among adults with HbSS phenotype attending the Haematology Clinic in Lagos State University Teaching Hospital Lagos, Nigeria.

Methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase and methionine synthase gene polymorphisms as genetic determinants of pre-eclampsia.

Background: Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a leading cause of maternal and neonatal mortality in Africa; and has been associated with the interplay of genetic, metabolic and environmental factors. Polymorphisms of methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and methionine synthase (MTR) folate cycle genes, have been controversially associated with pre-eclampsia in studies from different human populations.

Objectives: To determine the distribution of MTHFR C677T and MTR A2756G polymorphisms in a Nigerian population and evaluate possible associations with the occurrence of pre-eclampsia and homocysteine metabolic derangement.

Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase Enzyme Level and Antioxidant Activity in Women with Gestational Hypertension and Pre-eclampsia in Lagos, Nigeria.

Background: Deficiencies of enzymes in the folate cycle may lead to the generation of homocysteine, a toxic metabolic intermediate with pro-oxidant effect and ability to induce oxidant stress and lipid peroxidation as part of the pathophysiological process in gestational hypertension (GH) and pre-eclampsia (PE).

Aim: The aim of this study is to assess the reliability of plasma homocysteine (hcy) 5, 10 methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) enzyme and oxidative stress parameters as indicators of aetio-pathogenesis and severity of gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia.

Subjects And Methods: This was a comparative cross-sectional study conducted over 6 months.

Antithrombin III: Plasma Activity and Reference Range Among Nigerian Blood Donors.

Background: Diagnosis of antithrombin III (ATIII) deficiency as a common cause of thrombophilia is primarily based on the determination of antithrombin levels in plasma using a functional activity assay or an immunological assay, but local reference interval is lacking.

Aims: The aim of the present study was to determine pattern of antithrombin activity and local reference intervals for ATIII among Nigerians.

Subjects And Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among healthy blood donors at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital in Nigeria between the age range 18 and 65 years.

Plasma D-dimer reference ranges in pregnant Nigerians.

Background: The use of D-dimer as a screening test for thromboembolic disorders has not been validated in pregnancy thus necessitating further studies. This cross sectional study was carried out among Pregnant Nigerians at the Nigerian Air Force Hospital Antenatal Clinic, Ikeja, Lagos.

Objective: This study was to determine local reference ranges for plasma D-dimer in both pregnant and non-pregnant females and compare differences in both populations.

Serum ferritin levels in adults with sickle cell disease in Lagos, Nigeria.

Background: Serum ferritin is considered to be one of the most important tools in the measurement of iron balance in steady-state sickle cell disease. Increased gastrointestinal absorption of iron has been reported in sickle cell disease because of the associated chronic hemolysis, and it is also thought that repeated red cell transfusion consequent to chronic hemolysis and anemia causes excessive iron levels. The aim of this study was to determine overall and gender-specific mean ferritin levels in patients with steady-state sickle cell disease in order to establish the prevalence of iron deficiency and overload.

Hematological profile of normal pregnant women in Lagos, Nigeria.

Background: Hematological profile is considered one of the factors affecting pregnancy and its outcome. Anemia is the most common hematological problem in pregnancy, followed by thrombocytopenia. Leukocytosis is almost always associated with pregnancy.

Haematotoxic and reproductive toxicity of fixed dose combined anti-tuberculous agents: protective role of antioxidants in rats.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is the world's greatest infectious killer of women of reproductive age and the leading cause of death among people with HIV/AIDS. The major problem militating against the management of tuberculosis is the lack of compliance to medication by the infected patients as a result of multidrug needed to be taking daily leading to resistance. Occurrences of hepatic toxicity, teratogenicity, sperm quality damage, haematotoxicity and meningeal congestion of individual anti-tuberculous agents have been reported.

Haemoglobin and ferritin concentrations in cord blood in a tertiary health centre in Nigeria.

Background: Haemoglobin(Hb) and serum ferritin (SF) concentrations of cord blood of babies born at term at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Maternity Centre (Ayinke House), Ikeja in the South-Western part of Nigeria were determined to establish mean values for these substances in our locality.

Objectives: To establish the mean values for haemoglobin and serum ferritin concentrations of cord blood of babies born at term in our environment and to determine the prevalence of foetal anaemia and low iron store in cord blood in our locality.

Methods: Haemoglobin and ferritin levels in cord blood of 142 newborns were determined.

Seroprevalence of cytomegalovirus antibodies amongst normal pregnant women in Nigeria.

Objective: Cytomegalovirus (CMV), a ubiquitous virus belonging to the herpes family, is known to be transmitted frequently to developing fetuses in pregnancy. In an immunocompromised state like pregnancy, primary infection through blood transfusion or reactivation of a latent CMV infection can cause severe illness. The study was carried out to determine the seroprevalence of the immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody to cytomegalovirus amongst pregnant women in correlation with previous exposure to blood transfusion.

Toxicological evaluation of the aqueous leaf extract of Moringa oleifera Lam. (Moringaceae).

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: The rapid increase in consumption of herbal remedies worldwide has been stimulated by several factors, including the notion that all herbal products are safe and effective. However, over the past decade, several news-catching episodes in developed communities indicated adverse effects, sometimes life-threatening, allegedly arising as a consequence to taking herbal products or traditional medicines from various ethnic groups. Despite the popular use of Moringa oleifera for treating various disorders, there is limited or no scientific data available regarding safety aspects of this remedy, nor are there any documented toxicological studies that can be used to ascertain the safety index of its herbal preparation.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii IgG antibody in HIV-infected patients at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital.

Background: Toxoplasmosis is caused by infection with a ubiquitous intracellular protozoan parasite, Toxoplasma gondii. With the advent of the HIV pandemic in Nigeria, toxoplasmic encephalitis has become one of the more frequent opportunistic infections and the most commonly implicated cause of focal brain lesions complicating the course of AIDS.

Objectives: This study was conducted to compare the pattern of seroprevalence of T.

Accuracy of fine needle aspiration in the diagnosis of peripheral lymph node enlargements. Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria.

Background: The usefulness of fine needle aspiration technique for cytology diagnosis of lymph node lesions has been a subject of controversy over years.

Objective: This study aims to determine the accuracy of this technique in the diagnosis of peripheral lymph node lesions, in our center, using histology diagnosis as a gold standard.

Methods: The cytopathological diagnosis of 49 cases of peripheral lymph node lesions seen in the Morbid Anatomy Department of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos from Jan.

Pattern of lymph node pathology in Lagos.

Background: Enlarge lymph node is a common finding in clinical practice, which can be caused by several factors, such as infections, drugs etc.

Objective: To review the pathology of lymph node diseases in children and adults with both deep seated and peripheral lymphadenopathy in Lagos.

Methods: A 12- year retrospective study of lymph node biopsies at Histopathology Department of LUTH, and two main histopathology private laboratories in Lagos; The specialist Laboratory (TSL) and Histolab was carried out.

Pattern of demographic risk factors in the seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in HIV infected patients at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital.

Background: The Apicomplexan protozoan, Toxoplasma gondii, is a human parasite, with an ubiquitous distribution. Prevalence of the infection varies widely, depending on cultural, geographic and climatic factors. More often asymptomatic, T.

Modulatory activity of antioxidants against the toxicity of Rifampicin in vivo.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has shown concern about the burden of tuberculosis in the developing countries. Even though rifampicin is an effective drug in the management of tuberculosis, it has been documented to have some toxic effects in humans. Therefore, this study intends to investigate the modulatory effect of vitamins C and E on the hepatotoxicity, sperm quality and brain toxicity of Rifampicin.

Homocysteine and folate levels as indicators of cerebrovascular accident.

Background: Homocysteinemia has been established as a risk factor for cardiovascular disorders by the American Heart Association.1 Cerebrovascular accident (stroke) is presently ranked as one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The aim of this study was to determine homocysteine and folate levels and some basic hematologic parameters in patients who sustain a cerebrovascular accident and those who do not.

Preliminary study on the induction of sperm head abnormalities in mice, Mus musculus, exposed to radiofrequency radiations from global system for mobile communication base stations.

The exposure of male mice to radiofrequency radiations from mobile phone (GSM) base stations at a workplace complex and residential quarters caused 39.78 and 46.03%, respectively, in sperm head abnormalities compared to 2.