Jude Ogechukwu Okoye

Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka | Unizik · Department of Medical Lab Sciences

Background: As of 2018, the prevalence of Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and cervical cancer (Ca) attributable to HIV was higher in Africa than in other continents. Identifying individuals at a high risk of developing Ca among immunocompromised persons, using less invasive techniques, remains a major challenge. Purpose: The study evaluated HIV...

Background: Overexpression of breast cancer susceptibility gene 2 (BRCA2) in patients with prostate cancer is associated with a high Gleason score at diagnosis, poorly differentiated tumors, poor prognosis, and disease recurrence. Such aggressive tumors possess high iron storage which promotes inflammation, angiogenesis, and cell proliferation. Exp...

Background and Objective: A few years back, Zamfara State, Nigeria experienced death from lead poisoning in children. Despite this sad occurrence, there appears to be a paucity of literature on the prevalence of lead poisoning in other regions as children continue to be exposed. This study investigated the prevalence of childhood lead toxicity amon...

A histopathological assessment of organ impairment of Rattus albus treated with selected plant extracts: (Napleonaea imperalis, Sida acuta and Vernonia amygdalina) was studied from October 2014 to March 2016. The aim of the study was to determine the histopathological effects of the plant extracts on Rattus albus. The Rattus albus were treated with...

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly heterogeneous and aggressive disease characterized by the absence of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) expression. Purpose: This study evaluated the expression of breast cancer type 2 susceptibility protein (BRCA 2) and p53 protein...

Background/objective: Cervical Cancer is the 6th most common and 3rd most deadly cancer among women. Despite the fact that the majority of the countries in Asia and Africa have a similar economy and low life expectancy, the mean age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) of cervical cancer is substantially higher in Africa than in Asia. This study ide...

Human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2) is overexpressed in about 20% of breast cancer and is associated with a poor prognosis. We report in this study that carotenoid-enriched fractions from Spondias mombin demonstrate HER2 ATP kinase domain inhibition. HER2 breast carcinoma was modeled in female Wistar rats and authenticated via immunohistochemica...

Objectives Inhibition of HMG-CoA (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A) reductase, the rate rate-determining enzyme for the biogenesis of cholesterol is known to show antineoplastic effects. Therefore, this study investigates the in-silico HMG-CoA reductase (HMGCR)-inhibitory and in-vivo anti-lipidaemic/anticancer effects of carotenoids from Spond...

A recently published review article titled “Current progress and questions in germline genetic of prostate cancer” enumerated some pertinent questions which impact on prostate cancer (PCa) surveillance and management [1]. Literature across the world reveals that the age-standardized incidence rate per 100 000 of PCa is lower in Asia (11.5) and Afri...

Objectives: This review assessed the rate of high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection among women living in sub-Saharan Africa. It also determined the prevalence of high-risk HPV (hrHPV) among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositive (HIV+) and seronegative (HIV-) women in sub-Saharan Africa, pre-2010 and post-2010. Methods: In this...

This cross-sectional study evaluated the expression of miR-let-7b, miR-21, miR-125b, miR-143, miR-145, miR-155, miR-182, miR-200c, p53 gene, Ki67, SCCA1 and CD4+ T-cell counts among 319 women, to Epstein-Barr virus, human papillomavirus and herpes simplex virus 2 mono-infections and co-infections, using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and revers...

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) mediated tumorigenesis, metastasis, and angiogenesis are the cause of the increased levels of mortality associated with breast cancer and other forms of cancer. Inhibition of VEGF and VEGFR-2 provides a great therapeutic option in the management of cancer. This study employed VE...

Aim: This study assessed the prevalence of WT in Africa and Asia as it relates to smoking index and malignant tumors of the parotid gland. Materials and Methods: Peer-reviewed articles found on Google Scholar, Scopus, EMBASE, Web of Science, and PubMed Central were systematically reviewed. Results: Significant higher prevalence of WT and smoking in...

Purpose: This review determined the prevalence of Warthin tumour (WT)-associated synchronous neoplasia or tumours (STs) in a bid to identify high-risk anatomical sites of tumourigenesis. It also highlights hypothetical pathways of SARS-CoV-2-associated tumourigenesis. Hypothesis: It is hypothesized that SARS-COV-2-host angiotensin-converting enzyme...

Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer in women. X‐linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) that is constantly overexpressed in cancer is a promising therapeutic target in cancer treatments. The mechanisms of the anticancer effects of carotenoid isolates of Spondias mombim in DMBA‐induced breast cancer in Wistar rats through XIAP antagonism...

As of November 8th 2020, the prevalence of the COVID-19 infection in Nigeria was 9.3% while the cumulative fatality rate was 1.8%. Health care workers play important roles in controlling pandemics. However, their health status determines to a great extent the stability or vulnerability of a health system. The stress accruing from high patient flow...

Background Cervical Cancer is the 6 th most common and 3 rd most deadly cancer among women. Despite the fact that majority of the countries in Asia and Africa have similar economy and low life expectancy, the mean age standardized incidence rate (ASIR) of cervical cancer is substantially higher in Africa than Asia. Thus, this study aimed to identif...

Background: The prevalence of Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) in cervical lesions is under-reported, especially in Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infected persons. Objectives: This study determined the prevalence of viral mono-infections, co-infections and squamous cell intraepithe...

No abstract

Globally, prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most preponderant cancer in men. It contributes to the high mortality-to-incidence ratio reported in West Africa and Asia largely due to low screening. The mortality risk is determined or predicted based on the prevalence of high-risk or aggressive PCa using a scoring or grading system such as Gleason s...

Background: In Nigeria, the policies and interventions due to the COVID-19 pandemic are majorly directed at businesses and relief. There are no clear plans to identify individuals with comorbidities associated with high morbidity and fatality rates. This paper identifies comorbidities associated with high morbidity and fatalities of COVID-19 across...

Background: Livestock farming, especially cattle rearing, remains a major source of income for local farmers. However, the health status of cattle and the standard of veterinary services determine the quality of animal meat and the risk of zoonotic transmission. Thus, this study determined the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori, parasitic infection,...

Background: Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and p53 mutation are major risk factors for liver cancer (LC). However, the presence of AFB1 and expression of mutant p53 protein during active HBV replication (nuclear expression of hepatitis B core antigen; HBcAg) and HBV clearance (nuclear expression of HBcAg) are still under-investigated...

This experimental study evaluated the potential of Beta vulgaris root dye as a novel nuclear and cytoplasmic dye. Dyes were extracted from B. vulgaris root using 50% and 80% ethanol, and distilled water at pH 5.0 and 11.0. A total of 66 tissue sections from the liver, kidney and testis (22 each) were used in this study. The sections were stained wi...

The vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene is expressed in breast tissue and known to modulate the rate of cell proliferation; HER-2 proteins are receptors on breast cells which normally help control how a healthy breast cell grows. This study was carried out to determine the Immunohistochemical Correlation between the Expression of Vitamin D Receptor (VDR)...

Objective: The high mortality associated with cervical cancer is due to low uptake of Pap smear test, lack of early diagnostic biomarkers and less-invasive approach, and late presentation of the disease. This study evaluated the expression of hsa-miR-let-7b, hsa-miR-21, hsa-miR-125b, hsa-miR-143, hsa-miR-145, hsa-miR-146a, hsa-miR-155, hsa-miR-...

This study investigated the extent of relationship between work-family conflict, organisational commitment and optimal productivity among medical workers in Ogun State. The study adopted ex-post facto research design and a multi-stage random sampling technique was in the study. Simple random sampling was used to select 4 local government areas from...

Background: Roselle extract is proving to be a staining alternative to haematoxylin in histopathological studies. Early studies concentrated on organs like lymph nodes, appendix, liver, kidneys and brain. The present study aims at expanding the frontiers of knowledge on the histological application of natural dyes from H. sabdariffa on the histo-mo...

More emphasis has been placed on producing vaccines that prevent host cell entry by Human Papillomavirus (HPV) while less attention has been given to Herpes Simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) which potentially promotes acquisition and co-habitation of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), HPV and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). The tendency for HSV-2 to induce...

Aim: This study investigated socio-economic and clinical correlates of cervical abnormalities and some viral infections such as Human Papilloma virus (HPV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and Herpes Simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) among commercial sex workers (CSWs) and non-sex workers (NSWs) of reproductive age. It also estimated serum levels of SCCA1, p16...

This exploratory study investigated the optimum nuclear staining time of H. sabadariffa aqueous extract mordanted with ferric chloride solution on 10% neutral buffered formalin fixed, paraffin embedded lung tissue. Blocks of lung tissues were retrieved from the post-mortem archive of the Pathology department, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital,...

Due to its secretory epithelial cells, the pancreas is plagued by several diseases ranging from pancreatitis to pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancer (PC) is rarely diagnosed early due to late onset of symptoms and its rapid progression. This challenge is further compounded by symptoms and biomarker expression overlap between PC and other co-founder...

Aim: This is an experimental study aimed at exploring the capability of Hibiscus extract-iron solution counterstained with van Gieson stain to demonstrate collagen fibres in skin tissue. Methods: 10% neutral buffered formalin fixed, paraffin embedded tissue blocks of skin were retrieved from the tissue block archive of the Department of Pathology,...

This study was carried out to investigate the suitability of Hibiscus sabdariffa aqueous extract solution as nuclear stain substitute for haematoxylin in the demonstration of skin morphology and connective tissue. In this study, 10% neutral buffered formalin fixed, paraffin embedded tissue blocks of skin were retrieved from the tissue block archive...

This study evaluated the correlation of SCCA1, Ki67 and CD4 cell expressions and classified vaginal smears in individuals co-infected with Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV2), Epstein Barr virus (EBV) and Human Papilloma virus (HPV). This crossectional study included 173 participants within the age range of 20-70 years...

This study determined the prevalence of breast cancer in relation to age, reproductive status and population of Ogun State. Out of a total of 816 human cancer presentations observed between 2012 and 2016, 334 (40.9%) female breast cancer (with age range= 23 to 95 years and mean age= 50.3 years) were retrospectively reviewed. Result revealed five br...

The aim of this study was to compare SCCA1 and Ki67 expressions in classified vaginal smears among Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV2), Epstein Barr virus (EBV) and Human Papilloma virus (HPV) coinfected individuals. This crossectional study included 173 participants who were within the age range of 20-70 years. Vagina...

This questionnaire-laboratory based cohort study evaluated some socio-demographic characteristics and urothelial integrity among pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) patients. A total of 49 confirmed TB positive patients (males= 17 and females =32) within the age range of 10-79 years were recruited from Abeokuta and Ilishan metropolises, and divided into 2...

Tuberculosis (TB) causes significant morbidity and mortality on a global scale. The African region has 24% of the world TB cases. TB overlaps with other infectious diseases such as malaria and HIV which are also highly prevalent in the African region. TB is a leading cause of death among HIV-positive patients and co-infection with HIV and TB has be...

Cancer is a complex multifaceted disease caused by alterations at the genetic or epigenetic level in cells. Cancers in females majorly consist of ovarian, breast and cervical cancers, all of which, occurring concurrently, are referred to as ‘Tri-positive cancer (TPC)’. Genetic and epigenetic mechanisms in TPC involve microRNAs; which are a class of...

Aim: To evaluate the haematological, biochemical and histological effects of palm bunch ash (PBA) and trona when used as tenderizers. Methods: Thirty male albino rats were randomly grouped into five designated 1(control), 2, 3, 4 and 5, and were orally given 2 ml of distilled water, 486 mg/kg of trona, 972 mg/kg of Trona, 486 mg/kg of PBA, 972 mg/k...

This study explored use of urine cytology as an early first-line approach in the laboratory diagnosis of dysplasia associated with urinary tract infection. Fifty (50) patients attending the obstetrics and gynaecology clinic at Madonna University Teaching Hospital and 50 apparently healthy subjects were recruited for the study. Urine samples were cu...

Abstract:This study evaluated the effects of aqueous stem bark extract of Annona muricata on the liver of albino rats. A total of 24 male albino rats,randomly divided into 4 groups: 1(control), 2, 3 and 4, were orally administered 0, 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg body weights of the extract, respectively for 14 days. Blood samples were analyzed using the Re...

The objective of this study was to explore the hepatoprotective and hepatocurative effects of aqueous stem bark extract of Annona muricata. This experimental controlled study was carried out between the May and July, 2015. A total of 36 male albino rats of age 2 weeks, mean weight of 88.03 g, were randomly divided into six groups. The groups design...

Cervical smear samples of one hundred (100) copper intra uterine contraceptive device (IUCD) users, attending family planning clinic in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching hospital (NAUTH) Nnewi, were collected and stained with Papanicolaou method. The subjects were categorized based on the duration of IUCD usage and samples collected using Ayres sp...

Background: miRNAs are a class of small non-coding RNAs that are approximately 21-24 nucleotides in length and regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally by way of translational repression or transcript cleavage. They are undoubtedly dysregulated in several neoplastic events but the discordant reports trailing some of them have limited their a...

Immunohistochemistry (IHC), also known as immunocytochemistry, refers to the process of detecting antigens (which may be protein or lipid) by exploiting the principle of antibodies binding specifically to antigens in histological and cytological preparations. IHC staining methods which could be by direct or indirect staining are based on immunofluo...

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of methanol extract of Mangifera indica on serum concentration of creatine kinase, total white blood cell (WBC) count and lymphocyte counts and the micro-anatomical architecture of the heart in chinchilla rabbits in order to find its safe and toxic levels. A total of 24 Chinchilla rabbits aged 10-14...

Triple-negative breast cancer is a type of aggressive breast cancer without the immunohistochemical expression of estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2; with poor prognosis, greater relapse risk and worse survival in general. Its proportion in all breast cancer cases ranges from 15 to 20%. Triple ne...

Fine needle aspiration is a cost effective, non-invasive, less painful, rapid reporting bedside diagnostic procedure for obtaining small amount of sample from palpable and non-palpable masses or lesions in the body using a needle. The objective of FNA is to provide information on the nature of the sampled tissue in order to focus appropriate diagno...

ABSTRACT This study aimed at investigating the effects of Escravos crude oil on spermatogenesis in relation to serum concentrations of estradiol and total cholesterol. A total of 30 male Chinchilla rabbits within the age range of 12 to 14 weeks and weighing 1.2 kg to 1.45 kg were used in this study. The doses of 00, 15, 20, 25 and 30 mg kg-1 body w...

The benefit of exploration and exploitation of crude oil to the Nigerian economy is not without its negative consequences. Apart from the indirect exposure to crude oil due to spillage, the consumption of this crude oil by the rural populace living in oil rich regions as traditional medicine for illnesses have evoked local and international conc...

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of aqueous extract of Nicotiana tabacum on the testicular function and micro-architectural integrity in male Albino Wistar rats in relation to the serum concentrations of estradiol, cholesterol, testis and body weights. StudyDesign: The experiment was carried out on Albino Wistar Rats. Method...

The negative consequences of crude oil exploration and exploitation on the health status of exposed individuals cannot be over emphasized, regardless of its financial benefits. Besides, consumption of this crude oil by the rural populace living in oil rich regions as traditional medicine for illnesses have raised local and international questions a...

Crude oil is found in water and soil due to pollution resulting from oil exploration and exploitation. It is used as traditional medicine in some countries, especially among rural dwellers in the south-south and southeastern Nigeria. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Escravos crude oil on serum cholesterol, estradiol and proge...

Preparations from M. indica are commonly used for herbal concoctions. This study aimed at investigating the effect of methanol extract of M. indica on female sex hormones and ovary in Chinchilla rabbits with the view to finding its pharmacodynamics. A total of 24 female Chinchilla rabbits aged 10 to 14 weeks was used for this study. The experimenta...

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the effects of Escravos crude oil on serum concentrations of testosterone, total cholesterol, body weight, relative weight and microanatomical architecture of the testis using male Chinchilla Rabbits. Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out at the Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Nnamdi...

Aims: This study aimed to investigate fungal isolation in HIV infected patients and its relationship with CD4 count. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria (between March and July 2013). Methodology: A total of 100 pos...

ABSTRACT Aim: To assess G-6-PD, Pyruvate kinase enzyme activity and some coagulation parameters in HIV positive patients on antiretroviral treatment (ART) and those not on antiretroviral treatments with varying durations of infection and Antiretroviral treatments. Study Design: Case-control study Place and Duration of Study: Nnamdi Azikiwe Universi...