ABSTRACT
ABO, Rhesus D and subgroups of ABO are highly immunogenic and are the common cause of antibody production in mismatched blood transfusions, haemolytic transfusion reaction and maternal alloimmunization. The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence of ABO, Rh D and subgroups of ABO among blood donors attending Specialist Hospital Sokoto, Nigeria. ABO, Rhesus D and subgroups of ABO antigen status of 176 blood donors with mean age of 30.44 � 8.210 years attending Specialist Hospital Sokoto were determined using tile method for ABO and Rh D and conventional tube method for anti- A1, anti- H reagents for ABO subgroups respectively. Among the 176 subjects tested, blood group O+ was the most frequent group with 93 (52.8%), 39 (22.2%) were blood group B+, 37(21.0%) were blood group A+, 5 (2.8%) were blood group AB+, 2 (1.1%) were blood group O-. No data was obtained for A-, B- and AB- blood groups. Out of 37 A blood groups obtained, 31 (83.8%) had A1 antigens and 6 (16.2%) had A2 antigens. Out of the 5 AB blood groups, all had A1B antigens. The study also shows that there was statistically significant difference between blood group A and ethnic groups (Hausa, Fulani and Yoruba) (p<0.05). Blood group O was found to be the most frequent followed by B, A and AB except among Hausa which revealed a pattern of O> A> B> AB. ABO, subgroups shows majority had A1 followed by A2 and A1B respectively.
ABSTRACT
Background: Mycetoma is a badly neglected tropical disease, characterised by enormous deformities, disfigurement and disabilities if untreated early. Frequently, the majority of the mycetoma patients present late with advanced disease, and the only available treatment for them will be amputation of the affected part. Aim: This study aimed at producing a health promoting film to be used to improve the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of a targeted population in one of the mycetoma endemic villages at Sennar State, Sudan.Materials and Methods : A 26 - minute drama film on a mycetoma patient journey from a small painless mass to advanced disease till lower limb amputation due to missinformation and negligence was performed. Professional actors and cinema work team were employed in the film production. It was filmed in one of the mycetoma endemic areas. A cohort of 250 individuals from two mycetoma endemic villages were included in this study. A closed ended pre-designed questionnaire was used to collect data from the targeted population. The collected data included demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitudes and practices towards mycetoma. The data was collected before and after the film was shown.Results: In this study, 218/250 responded to the questionnare with a response rate of 87%. Fifty-five percent of the respondents were males, 21.6% were farmers, 29.4% were students and 29.4% were unemployed.The film had improved the KAP of the targeted population hence it can be used as a health educational material in other mycetoma endemic areas in the Sudan
Subject(s)
Drama , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Mycetoma/diagnosis , Rural Population , SudanABSTRACT
Introduction: Considered as an end-stage for all cardiovascular diseases, cardiac fibrosis leads to the development of heart failure, thus the ultimate goal is to prevent the progression of fibrosis. Indeed, heart can regenerate itself but to a certain limit based upon the number of resident stem cells which is limited. Thus, stem cells transplantation is considered as a promising therapy. This study aims to examine if MSC transplantation can inhibit the progression of myocardial fibrosis in rat model compared to Colchicine treatment; and if the timing of treatment with MSCs or COL affect the progression of fibrosis. Material & Methods: To induce cardiac fibrosis in 48 female albino rats, Isoproterenol hydrochloride was used. These rats were divided into 2 models: COL-treated group that were treated after 1,2,3 weeks of the last ISO injection by colchicine orally. MSCtreated group that were injected intravenously after 1,2,3 weeks of last ISO injection by MSC. Heart rate and Systolic blood pressure were measured and the levels of Creatine phosphokinase, Lactate dehydrogenase, Matrix Metalloproteinase II and Collagen I were assessed. Moreover, cardiac tissues were examined hitopathologically. Results & Conclusion: MSC were proved to enhance the effect of anti-remodeling of extracellular matrix significantly by modulating the expression of matrix metalloproteinases, which is superior to COL treatment.
ABSTRACT
Estrogen and progestins have adverse effects, and many of these adverse effects are caused by progestins. Due to this, many women choose to use botanical alternatives for hormone replacement therapy, which does not trigger steroidogenic properties. Therefore, it is necessary to screen these herbs for progestogenic and anti-progestogenic properties. Extract of 13 Chinese medicinal plants were analysed for progestogenic and anti-progestogenic activities by using progesterone response element-driven luciferase reporter gene bioassay. MTT assay was carried out to investigate the cytotoxic effect of herb extract on PAE cells. Among the 13 herbs, Dipsacus asperoides extract exhibited progestogenic activity, and 10 species – Cortex eucommiae, Folium artemisiae argyi, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Angelica sinensis, Atractylodes macrocephala koidz, Scutellaria baicalensis, Cuscuta chinensis, Euscaphis japonica, Ailanthus altissima, and Dioscorea opposita – were recognized to have anti-progestogenic like activities. Extract of Dipsacus asperoides demonstrated dose-dependent progestogenic activity, and the progestogenic activity of 100 μg/mL extracts was equivalent to 31.45 ng/mL progesterone activity. Herbs extracts that exhibited anti-progestogenic-like activity also inhibited the 314.46 ng/mL progesterone activity in a dose-response manner. None of the herb extracts shown significant toxic effect on PAE cells at 40–100 μg/mL compared to control. This discovery will aid selection of suitable herbs for hormone replacement therapy.
ABSTRACT
Bioassay-guided isolation using an in vitro assay testing for anti- schistosomiasis yielded a novel triterpene saponin, asparagalin A, from the n-butanol extract of the roots of Asparagus stipularis Forssk., Asparagaceae. The structure was elucidated by spectroscopic analysis and chemical transformations. Administration of asparagalin A resulted in a retardation of worm growth and locomotion at the first day and showed a significant activity of egg-laying suppression at 200 µg/mL concentration.