MSUIR Collection:
https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/296
2024-03-29T14:08:58ZPlasmodium immunotherapy combined with gemcitabine has a synergistic inhibitory effect on tumor growth and metastasis in murine Lewis lung cancer models
https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/6010
Title: Plasmodium immunotherapy combined with gemcitabine has a synergistic inhibitory effect on tumor growth and metastasis in murine Lewis lung cancer models
Authors: Xiao Chen; Zhu Tao; Yun Liang; Meng Ma; Dickson Adah; Wenting Ding; Lili Chen; Xiaofen Li; Linglin Dai; Songwe Fanuel; Siting Zhao; Wen Hu; Donghai Wu; Ziyuan Duan; Fang Zhou; Li Qin; Xiaoping Chen; Zhaoqing Yang
Editors: Qun Xue
Abstract: Objective: Our previous studies have demonstrated that Plasmodium immunotherapy (infection) has antitumor effects in mice. However, as a new form of immunotherapy, this therapy has a weakness: its specific killing effect on tumor cells is relatively weak. Therefore, we tested whether Plasmodium immunotherapy combined with gemcitabine (Gem), a representative chemotherapy drug, has synergistic antitumor effects.
Methods: We designed subcutaneously and intravenously implanted murine Lewis lung cancer (LLC) models to test the antitumor effect of Plasmodium chabaudi ASS (Pc) infection in combination with Gem treatment and explored its underlying mechanisms.
Results: We found that both Pc infection alone and Gem treatment alone significantly inhibited tumor growth in the subcutaneous model, and combination therapy was more effective than either monotherapy. Monotherapy only tended to prolong the survival of tumor-bearing mice, while the combination therapy significantly extended the survival of mice, indicating a significant synergistic effect of the combination. In the mechanistic experiments, we found that the combination therapy significantly upregulated E-cadherin and downregulated Snail protein expression levels, thus inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of tumor cells, which may be due to the blockade of CXCR2/TGF-β-mediated PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β signaling pathway.
Conclusion: The combination of Pc and Gem plays a synergistic role in inhibiting tumor growth and metastasis, and prolonging mice survival in murine lung cancer models. These effects are partially attributed to the inhibition of EMT of tumor cells, which is potentially due to the blockade of CXCR2/TGF-β-mediated PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β/Snail signaling pathway. The clinical transformation of Plasmodium immunotherapy combined with Gem for lung cancer is worthy of expectation.2023-10-17T00:00:00ZXiao ChenZhu TaoYun LiangMeng MaDickson AdahWenting DingLili ChenXiaofen LiLinglin DaiSongwe FanuelSiting ZhaoWen HuDonghai WuZiyuan DuanFang ZhouLi QinXiaoping ChenZhaoqing YangHigh Prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus Infection Among People With HIV in Rural and Periurban Communities in Botswana
https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/5653
Title: High Prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus Infection Among People With HIV in Rural and Periurban Communities in Botswana
Authors: Sharon R Mutenga; Bonolo B Phinius; Motswedi Anderson; Irene Gobe; Margaret Mokomane; Wonderful T Choga; Gorata Mpebe; Molly Pretorius-Holme; Rosemary Musonda; Tendani Gaolathe; Mompati Mmalane; Roger Shapiro; Joseph Makhema; Shahin Lockman; Vlad Novitsky; Max Essex; Sikhulile Moyo; Simani Gaseitsiwe
Abstract: Background,We aimed to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection among people with human immunodeficiency virus (PWH) in rural and periurban communities in Botswana.Methods.PWH from a previous population-based study, the Botswana Prevention Combination Project, which enrolled adults in 30 communities across Botswana (2013–2018), were screened for HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) and HBV core antibody (anti-HBc). HBsAg-positive (HBsAg+) samples were further screened for HBV core immunoglobulin M antibodies (anti-HBc immunoglobulin M [IgM]) and HBV e antigen (HBeAg). We quantified HBV viral load on participants who tested positive (n = 148) and negative for HBsAg (n = 381).
Results.Of 3304 participants tested, 271 (8% [95% confidence interval {CI}, 7%–9%]) were HBsAg+ while 1788 (56% [95% CI, 54%–57%]) of 3218 PWH whom we tested had positive anti-HBc. Approximately 88% of HBsAg+ participants were on antiretroviral therapy (ART), 40% and 56% of whom were receiving lamivudine- and tenofovir-containing ART, respectively. Male sex (relative risk ratio [RRR], 1.8 [95% CI, 1.2–2.7]) and the northern geographic region (RRR, 2.5 [95% CI, 1.4–4.7]) were independent predictors of HBV infection (HBsAg+). Of 381 persons with negative HBsAg who were tested for occult HBV, 126 (33% [95% CI, 29%–38%]) had positive HBV DNA. Eleven participants were highly viremic with high HBV viral load while on a lamivudine- or tenofovir-containing regimen. Ten (91%) of these participants also had positive HBeAg serology, while 4 (36%) had positive anti-HBc IgM serology.
Conclusions.The prevalence of HBV was high among PWH in Botswana while on ART regimens with activity against HBV.2023-01-06T00:00:00ZSharon R MutengaBonolo B PhiniusMotswedi AndersonIrene GobeMargaret MokomaneWonderful T ChogaGorata MpebeMolly Pretorius-HolmeRosemary MusondaTendani GaolatheMompati MmalaneRoger ShapiroJoseph MakhemaShahin LockmanVlad NovitskyMax EssexSikhulile MoyoSimani GaseitsiweInduction of anti-tumor immunity by human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) and viral-derived peptides in breast cancer mouse models
https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/5646
Title: Induction of anti-tumor immunity by human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) and viral-derived peptides in breast cancer mouse models
Authors: Fanuel Songwe; Gholam Ali Kardar; Abasalt Hosseinzadeh Colagar; Mehdi Ghorbani; Amir Mohammadi
Abstract: Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) is the most common tumor-associated antigen (TAA) and its activity is upregulated in more than 90% of cancers. Therefore, its targeting can be used in cancer immunotherapy. In continuing with our previous study, we evaluated hTERT derived peptides conjugated to KLH in mice breast cancer models. To induce tumors in Balb/C mice, about 5 × 10 5 mice breast cancer 4T1 cell were washed and suspended in 100 µl sterile PBS and subcutaneously (s.c) injected to 4th mammary fat pat of 6–8 weeks old mice. Thereafter, tumor size measurements were taken two times a week. About 100 ug KLH conjugated peptides accompanied by Incomplete Freund′s adjuvant (IFA) were injected s.c on days 10th and 20th after cancer cells inoculation. In spite of their significantly lower immunogenicity and affinities on mice HLA compared to human (approximately 5–30 times), these peptides inhibited tumor growth as well as being able to increase the overall survival of vaccinated Balb/C mice compare untreated group.2023-04-04T00:00:00ZFanuel SongweGholam Ali KardarAbasalt Hosseinzadeh ColagarMehdi GhorbaniAmir MohammadiAssessing the diversity and intensity of pesticide use in communal area cotton production in Zimbabwe
https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/5630
Title: Assessing the diversity and intensity of pesticide use in communal area cotton production in Zimbabwe
Authors: W. Mubvekeri; J. Bare; Caston Makaka; F. Jimu
Abstract: A survey was conducted in Checheche, Nemangwe, Sanyati and Tafuna areas of Zimbabwe to assess the level of insecticide use and use of protective clothing in smallholder cotton production areas where the Cotton Research Institute conducted cotton experiments. Compliance with the closed season legislation, the Plant Pest and Diseases Act, Chapter 19, Section 8 of 1988 was checked because of its role in seasonal pest survival. Generally, pest management was found to be anchored on the use of insecticides with 71.9% of the farmers having positive indications regarding dependence on insecticides for pest control. Fifty nine percent of the farmers did not use scouting as a method to determine the need to spray insecticides. The closed season that helps break life cycle of insects was predominantly not observed. Integrated pest management approaches need to be promoted for the sack of the environment and the future of humanity.2014-10-31T00:00:00ZW. MubvekeriJ. BareCaston MakakaF. Jimu