International Journal of Biology, Issue: Vol.17, No.1

Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori and Histopathological Features of Gastric Biopsies from Patients with Dyspeptic Symptoms in Cameroon: A Contraindication of African Enigma

Sat, 22 Mar 2025 14:01:12 +0000

Background: There is a contradictory observation referring as the “African enigma” illustrating that in sub-Saharan Africa where H. pylori infection prevalence is high, gastric cancer incidence is lower. The aim of this study was to establish the relationship between this infection and histopathological condition in gastric mucosa.

Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted among dyspeptic patients attending Gastroenterology Unit in hospitals in Cameroon from October 2020 to October 2022. The study was approved by the Cameroon Ethical Committee of Medical Sciences. Gastric biopsies were collected from patient for H. pylori detection using both the rapid urease test and histological examination, and for the assessment of the different histological features of the gastric mucosa.

Result: The prevalence of H. pylori was 57.89% among the 532 patients enrolled. Chronic gastritis, atrophic gastritis, intestinal metaplasia, dysplasia, and gastric cancer was found in 46.11, 18.74, 5.89, 14.95, and 4.00% of cases respectively. The rate of H. pylori infection was 55.25, 51.69, 60.71, 73.24, and 68.42% in patients with chronic gastritis, atrophic gastritis, intestinal metaplasia, dysplasia, and gastric cancer respectively (p= 0.0434). Infected participant were 1.223(0.8484-1.762), 1.363(0.8583-2.166), 1.132(0.5182-2.473), 2.221(1.268-3.893) and 1.604(0.5990-4.297) more time in risk to develop chronic gastritis, atrophic gastritis, metaplasia, dysplasia and gastric cancer respectively. Neutrophil activity were present in 57.89% of infected patients, of which 52.91, 61.35, and 59.38% cases were with mild, moderate, and severe activity respectively.

Conclusion: Our findings showed that the prevalence of precancerous and cancerous lesions are slightly higher to those found in low risk groups for gastric cancer area, and that H. pylori infection is a risk factor in the development of these affections in our milieu.

Evaluating the Effect of Cadmium and Lead on Male Rat's Reproductive Functions: Current and Future Perspectives

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 14:33:18 +0000

The effect of environmental pollutants on male reproductive function is a significant concern. Heavy metals, such as lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd), are notorious for their detrimental effects among these pollutants. These metals are categorized as hazardous substances such as pesticides, endocrine disruptors, and industrial chemicals. Human exposure to lead and cadmium through various organic and inorganic sources poses a severe risk to male reproductive health. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Cd and Pb on the reproductive function of male rats, providing insights into the mechanisms of toxicity and highlighting broader implications for human health. An extensive literature review was conducted to gather data on the reproductive toxicities of Cd and Pb. This study evaluated the impact of these metals on testicular function, spermatogenesis, and hormonal regulation in male rats. Experimental studies involving controlled exposure of male rats to Cd and Pb were conducted to determine specific reproductive outcomes. Exposure to both Cd and Pb leads to significant reproductive dysfunction in male rats. Cd exposure results in testicular degeneration, androgen deprivation, and antiandrogenic actions, leading to impaired spermatogenesis and hormonal imbalances. Pb exposure has been associated with similar adverse effects, including testicular degeneration and premature aging. Both metals have been confirmed as reproductive toxicants and endocrine disruptors, posing serious risks to reproductive health. Given the evidence for the reproductive toxicity of Cd and Pb, it is crucial to implement stricter regulatory measures to limit human exposure to these heavy metals. Future research should focus on developing effective interventions and remediation strategies to mitigate the effects of these toxicants on reproductive health. Public awareness campaigns are also needed to educate communities about heavy metal exposure risks and to promote safer environmental practices.

Gradients in Humidity and Water Availability in Plant Tissue Culture Tubes

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 15:27:24 +0000

Culture tubes are commonly used for the in vitro growth of plant tissues. Plants grown in culture tubes can vary in phenotype within the tube, with tissues nearer the surface of the medium being more hyperhydric than those nearer the cap. This is most common in unvented tubes and with medium gelled with gellan gum rather than agar. This study examined whether a gradient in humidity or water availability exists within the culture tube that might explain differences in growth related to distance from the medium. To measure humidity, microsensors were placed at three levels within tubes capped with solid or vented caps with gel medium and repeated with agar medium. Readings were compared with ambient levels outside of the tube for six weeks, under conditions of 16 hrs light:8 hrs dark each day. Humidity in the unvented tubes was mostly saturated. In contrast, humidity in the vented tubes showed a strong vertical gradient. In both vented and unvented tubes, humidity near the medium was higher than near the cap. The experiments with agar and gel gave similar results. To examine water availability, uptake into cellulose or cotton plugs was measured. Water uptake was significantly greater from gel than from agar medium, and only agar showed a significant gradient in the plugs through that time period, regardless of venting. Both the humidity gradients and water uptake differences suggest that one or both may account for differences in exposure of the tissues to water and could affect phenotype depending on the sensitivity of the species and distance of the tissue from the medium.

The Development of Rapid Assessment Methods for Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Toxins Using Imaging Flow Cytometry (IFCM)

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 00:49:39 +0000

Imaging Flow Cytometry (IFCM) combined with a molecular tagging technique called Recognition of Individual Genes by Fluorescence In-Situ Hybridization (RING-FISH) provides the ability to differentiate toxin producing cells on a rapid basis. Evaluation of the IFCM method demonstrated the ability to detect signal intensity for toxin producing cells after hybridization of RNA probes with a microcystin-synthetase gene. IFCM data show signal amplification of the probe detected mainly on the outside of the cell(s) created by the toxin, accumulating mostly on the cell surface and creating a ring-shaped (halo) pattern. Our IFCM RING-FISH method can detect and delineate between toxic and non-toxic cells when applied to the specific case of Microcystis aeruginosa targeting the microcystin - synthetase gene. As such, early differentiation and detection of toxin producing cyanobacteria using either (or both) qPCR and IFCM can provide a means to improve the management of water resources to avoid public health risks.