Annual Research & Review in Biology

Aims: This study determines the antibody levels of Malaria and Hepatitis B and associated risk factors among pregnant women attending anti-natal Clinic at General Hospital Minna.
Study Design: The subjects were pregnant women who attended ante-natal clinic. Sample sizes were determined from the number of pregnant women that attended antenatal Clinic.
Place and Duration of Study: Samples were collected from the ante-natal Clinic of General Hospital Minna between July to November 2011.
Methodology: Samples were assayed for malaria and hepatitis B (HBsAg) by commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Time and age of pregnancy were noted.
Results: Out of the 269 pregnant women screened 216(80.30%) were positive for malaria, 22(8.18%) for hepatitis B and 21(7.81%) were co-infection of malaria and hepatitis B and 10 were negative, while non-pregnant women had 51(51.00%), 8(8.00%) and 6(6.00%) for malaria, hepatitis B and co-infection of both out of 100 screened. There was a significant difference between pregnant and non-pregnant women both in malaria and hepatitis B at p<0.05. History of blood transfusion, Alcohol consumption and Use of contraceptives were significantly associated with hepatitis B and co-infection of both hepatitis B and malaria at p<0.05. Only history of blood transfusion was associated with malaria infection though not significant.
Conclusion: High prevalence of antibodies to malaria and hepatitis B is a matter of great concern considering the effect of these diseases on the foetus. Adequate measures need to be taken to treat and provide prophylactic measures.

Aims: Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are cancer cells that possess characteristics associated with normal stem cells. CSCs represent a minor subset of cells in the tumor and are thought to be the reason for the initiation of disease, resistance to cancer treatment, and the occurrence of metastasis. Therefore, breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) targeting therapies are considered as the promising therapy for breast cancer treatment. This research aims to evaluate the tumor associated antigens presentation of dendritic cells fused with breast cancer stem cells in dendritic cells based therapies.
Methodology: Human breast cancer stem cells are isolated from malignant breast tumors by enrich culture and fluorescent activated cell sorting. Human dendritic cells are isolated from umbilical cord blood by culturing CD14 monocytes in induced medium. Electrocution is used to fuse breast cancer stem cells and dendritic cells. Fusion cells are used to evaluate functions of dendritic cells (DCs) and also to stimulate T cells.
Results: These findings indicate that fusion cells have the ability to present the antigens of breast cancer stem cell to T-cells, and regarding functionality.
Conclusion: They appear to be very good candidates for antitumor vaccine in breast cancer.