Faculty of Health Sciences (Research Outputs)

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Antiplatelet Therapy Combined with Anastrozole Induces Features of Partial EMT in Breast Cancer Cells and Fails to Mitigate Breast-Cancer Induced Hypercoagulation
(MDPI, 2021-04-16) Xulu, Kutlwano R.; Augustine, Tanya N.
Thromboembolic complications are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in cancer patients. Cancer patients often present with an increased risk for thrombosis including hypercoagulation, so the application of antiplatelet strategies to oncology warrants further investigation. This study investigated the effects of anastrozole and antiplatelet therapy (aspirin/clopidogrel cocktail or atopaxar) treatment on the tumour responses of luminal phenotype breast cancer cells and induced hypercoagulation. Ethical clearance was obtained (M150263). Blood was co-cultured with breast cancer cell lines (MCF7 and T47D) pre-treated with anastrozole and/or antiplatelet drugs for 24 h. Hypercoagulation was indicated by thrombin production and platelet activation (morphological and molecular). Gene expression associated with the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) was assessed in breast cancer cells, and secreted cytokines associated with tumour progression were evaluated. Data were analysed with the PAST3 software. Our findings showed that antiplatelet therapies (aspirin/clopidogrel cocktail and atopaxar) combined with anastrozole failed to prevent hypercoagulation and induced evidence of a partial EMT. Differences in tumour responses that modulate tumour aggression were noted between breast cancer cell lines, and this may be an important consideration in the clinical management of subphenotypes of luminal phenotype breast cancer. Further investigation is needed before this treatment modality (combined hormone and antiplatelet therapy) can be considered for managing tumour associated-thromboembolic disorder.
Aqueous extract of moringa (Moringa oleifera) leaf (AEMOL) on the growth, sensory and histology parameters of broiler chickens
(ALÖKI Kft, 2020-07) Mbajiorgu, Ejikeme F.; Alabi, O. J.; Ng’Ambi, J. W.
A completely randomized design experiment was used to determine the effects of aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera leaf (AEMOL) on growth, sensory and histology parameters of broiler chickens. Treatment 1 served as the control (antibiotics), Treatment two was given ordinary water (AEMOL0). Treatments 3, 4, 5 and 6 contained 30, 60, 90 and 120 ml of AEMOL per litre of water per day, respectively. Data obtained were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and mean separation was done using Duncan’s test for multiple comparisons. Results showed that the extract influenced (P < 0.05) the feed intake and water intake at the broiler starter phase WHILE birds on the control diet had higher values. Finisher phase results showed that final weight, weight gain, feed intake, FCR and water intake were influenced (P < 0.05) by the extract with birds treated with 60 ml/l of AEMOL doing better for most parameters except the FCR. All the digestibility and sensory parameters measured were also influenced (P < 0.05) by the extract. However, histological parameters measured were not affected (P > 0.05) by the extract. It could be concluded that the extract inclusion levels up to 90 ml/l can be used to replace antibiotic growth promoter without compromising the advantages of antibiotic growth promoter.
Development of the Wits Face Database: an African database of high-resolution facial photographs and multimodal closedcircuit television (CCTV) recordings [version 1; peer review: 2 approved]
(2021) Bacci, Nicholas; Davimes, Joshua; Steyn, Maryna; Briers, Nanette
Forensic facial comparison is a commonly used, yet under-evaluated method employed in medicolegal contexts across the world. Testing the accuracy and reliability of facial comparisons requires large scale controlled and matching facial image databases. Databases that contain images of individuals on closed-circuit television (CCTV), with matching formal and informal photographs are needed for this type of research. Although many databases are available, the majority if not all are developed in order to improve facial recognition and face detection algorithms through machine learning, with very limited if any measure of standardisation. This paper aims to review the available databases and describe the development of a high resolution, standardised facial photograph and CCTV recording database of male Africans. The database is composed of a total of 6220 standardised and uncontrolled suboptimal facial photographs of 622 matching individuals in five different views, as well as corresponding CCTV footage of 334 individuals recorded under different realistic conditions. A detailed description of the composition and acquisition process of the database as well as its subdivisions and possible uses are provided. The challenges and limitations of developing this database are also highlighted, particularly with regard to obtaining CCTV video recordings and ethics for a database of faces. The application process to access the database is also briefly described.
Forensic facial comparison: current status, limitations, and future directions.
(MDPI, 2021-12-03) Bacci, Nicholas; Davimes, Joshua G.; Steyn, Maryna; Briers, Nanette
Global escalation of crime has necessitated the use of digital imagery to aid the identification of perpetrators. Forensic facial comparison (FFC) is increasingly employed, often relying on poorquality images. In the absence of standardized criteria, especially in terms of video recordings, verification of the methodology is needed. This paper addresses aspects of FFC, discussing relevant terminology, investigating the validity and reliability of the FISWG morphological feature list using a new South African database, and advising on standards for CCTV equipment. Suboptimal conditions, including poor resolution, unfavorable angle of incidence, color, and lighting, affected the accuracy of FFC. Morphological analysis of photographs, standard CCTV, and eye-level CCTV showed improved performance in a strict iteration analysis, but not when using analogue CCTV images. Therefore, both strict and lenient iterations should be conducted, but FFC must be abandoned when a strict iteration performs worse than a lenient one. This threshold ought to be applied to the specific CCTV equipment to determine its utility. Chance-corrected accuracy was the most representative measure of accuracy, as opposed to the commonly used hit rate. While the use of automated systems is increasing, trained human observer-based morphological analysis, using the FISWG feature list and an Analysis, Comparison, Evaluation, and Verification (ACE-V) approach, should be the primary method of facial comparison.
Harnessing Thor’s Hammer: Experimentally induced lightning trauma to human bone by high impulse current.
(Elsevier B.V., 2021) Bacci, Nicholas; Audustine, Tanya N.; Hunt, Hugh G. P.; Nixon, Ken J.; Hoffman, Jakobus; Bam, Lunga; de Beer, Frikkie; Randolph-Quinney, Patrick
Lightning fatality identification relies primarily on soft tissue traumatic pattern recognition, prohibiting cause of death identification in cases of full skeletonisation. This study explores the effects of high impulse currents on human bone, simulating lightning-level intensities and characterising electrically induced micro-trauma through conventional thin-section histology and micro-focus X-ray computed tomography (μXCT). An experimental system for high impulse current application was applied to bone extracted from donated cadaveric lower limbs (n = 22). μXCT was undertaken prior to and after current application. Histological sections were subsequently undertaken. μXCT poorly resolved micro-trauma compared to conventional histology which allowed for identification and classification of lightning-specific patterns of micro-trauma. Statistical analyses demonstrated correlation between current intensity, extent and damage typology suggesting a multifaceted mechanism of trauma propagation - a combination of electrically, thermally and pressure induced alterations. This study gives an overview of high impulse current trauma to human bone, providing expanded definitions of associated micro-trauma.
Tamoxifen induces hypercoagulation and alterations in ERα and ERβ dependent on breast cancer sub‑phenotype ex vivo
(Nature, 2020-11-06) Pather, Kyrtania; Augustine, T. N.
Tamoxifen shows efficacy in reducing breast cancer-related mortality but clinically, is associated with increased risk for thromboembolic events. We aimed to determine whether breast tumour subphenotype could predict propensity for thrombosis. We present two ex vivo Models of Tamoxifentherapy, Model 1 in which treatment recapitulates accumulation within breast tissue, by treating MCF7 and T47D cells directly prior to exposure to blood constituents; and Model 2 in which we recreate circulating Tamoxifen by treating blood constituents prior to exposure to cancer cells. Blood constituents included whole blood, platelet-rich plasma and platelet-poor plasma. Hypercoagulation was assessed as a function of thrombin activity, expression of CD62P and CD63 activation markers defined as an index of platelet activation, and platelet morphology; while oestrogen receptor expression was assessed using immunocytochemistry with quantitative analysis. We determined, in concert with clinical studies and contrary to selected laboratory investigations, that Tamoxifen induces hypercoagulation, dependent on sub-phenotypes, with the T47D cell line capacity most enhanced. We determined a weak positive correlation between oestrogen receptor expression, and CD62P and CD63; indicating an association between tumour invasion profiles and hypercoagulation, however, other yet unknown factors may play a predictive role in defining hypercoagulation.
The diagenetic alterations of historic skeletons from the Crown Mines Cemetery, South Africa
(2023) Lander, Stacey L.; Brits, Desiré ; Hosie, Margot
Human skeletons associated with early gold mining in Johannesburg, South Africa are investigated. An unmarked cemetery was buried beneath a mine dump which resulted in macroscopically stained and poorly preserved bones. Histological assessments were conducted to understand the postmortem treatment of the remains, determine the extent of bone degradation, and understand how this environment affected the bone’s microstructure. Various diagenetic alterations and the general histological index were assessed using normal and polarized light microscopy of thin anterior midshaft femur sections (n = 50). Degradation was identified in the periosteal and endosteal regions, while the intra-cortical region remained well-preserved. Bacterial bioerosion, microcracks, infiltrations, inclusions, and staining were found throughout the sample. Numerous non-Wedl micro-foci of destruction were observed, filled with exogenous material. The degradation suggested that the remains were buried in neutral soil that was subsequently covered by acidic mine dumps which resulted in a corrosive environment. Although the skeletons were poorly preserved, their histological integrity was more promising, especially the intra-cortical area. This is important for future investigations of archaeological bone, as this area can lead to more accurate descriptions of skeletal assemblages. Targeted sampling of this region could produce promising estimates of age, descriptions of pathology, and biomolecular results, which require further study.

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