In vitroMeasurement of Anticoagulant Effect of Acacia Nilotica Aqueous Extract on Normal Human Plasma

Aims:To determine the anticoagulant effect of Acacia Nilotica aqueous extract on normal human plasma.Study Design:This is an experimental study.Place and Duration of the Study:Department of Haematology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory sciences, Alzaiem Alazhari, Khartoum –Sudan, during the period from July –August 2021. Methodology:A total of 20 human blood samples were collected for this study from apparently healthy subjects following ethical considerations. Samples were collected in tri-sodium citrate and platelets poor plasma (PPP) were immediately prepared by centrifugation. Aqueous solution of Acacia nilotica was prepared with distilled water (D.W), three concentrations of the solution (50%, 75% and 100%) were prepared. Prothrombin Time (PT) and Activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) were tested by manual method before and after adding different concentrations of Acacia Nilotica solution. Statistical tests were performed by using SPSS version 16. Results:The results of study showed that Acacia Nilotica significantly prolonged the PT and APTT results of human plasma (Pvalues for 50%, 75% and 100% solutions were 0.000, 0.000 and 0.000 while for APTT 0.036, 0.000 and 0.000 for PT respectively). Also the study showed no significant correlation between control and A. nilotica concentrations among coagulation profile, except a significant positive correlation between control and 75% Acacia nilotica on APPT.Conclusion:Acacia Nilotica solutions had anticoagulant effect in human plasma, and could be nominated as a potential preventive agent for thromboembolic diseases

Measurement of Free Hemoglobin Percentage in Stored Packed Red Blood Cells Units by Colorimetric Method

Aims:To measure free hemoglobin percentage in stored packed red blood cells units by colorimetric method.Study Design:This is a descriptive, hospital based case study.Place and Duration of Study:Khartoum central blood bank during the period from June to September 2021.Methodology:A total of thirty-six packed red blood cells blood bags with Citrate-Phosphate-Dextrose-Adenine-one (CPDA-1) stored at 2-6°C for 35 days were withdrawn aseptically on days one; 14, and day 35. Free hemoglobin concentration was measured with Drabkin's method through digital photoelectric colorimeter in which the percentage of hemolysis was calculated, and PH values were measured by a PH meter (ADWA). Mean and standard deviation ofeach day were calculated by statistical package for social science (SPSS)computer program version 22.0.Results:The results showed statistically significant elevation in percentages of free plasma hemoglobin with prolongation of storage duration periods; day one compared with day 14 (P= 0.001), day one compared with day 35(P= 0.001) and day 14 compared with day 35 (P= 0.001). No significant correlation was observed between the degree of hemolysis in day 35 with PH values (P= 0.9).Conclusion:This study concluded that prolonged storage is associated with elevation of free plasma hemoglobin level indicative of progressive hemolysis.

Sero-molecular Epidemiology of Hepatitis E Virus in Blood Donors, Gezira State, Sudan: A Cross-sectional Study

Background: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a hepatotropic pathogen that causes significant morbidity and mortality in humans. It is an important causative agent of viral hepatitis outbreaks. This study investigates the serological and molecular prevalence of HEV in blood donors attending the Central Blood Bank in Wad Medani City in Gezira State, Sudan. Methods: The study adopted a cross-sectional descriptive design. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data concerning demographic information and risk factors associated with HEV transmission. All enrolled participants (N = 300) were screened for HEV IgG antibodies using commercial ELISA kits, then strong positive samples (N = 84) were selected and rescreened for HEV IgM and HEV RNA by RT PCR. SPSS version 24.0 was used for analysis. Results: Out of 300 male participants, 36.3% (109/300) were positive for HEV IgG. However, only one participant was IgM positive, while the HEV RNA was negative. The highest prevalence rates of the virus were 42 (44.6%) among the age group of 31­40 years, 20 (48.8%) in those who consumed food from outside, 13 (50%) in three to four multiple blood donations, and 5 (62.5%) in those who consumed water from the river source. A significant association of HEV IgG prevalence concerning the occupation of the participants being students or farmers was detected using univariate and multivariate analysis (P-value = 0.007).

Effect of Social Deprivation on the Stage and Mode of Presentation of Colorectal Cancer

PURPOSE: Based in a hospital serving one of the most deprived areas in the United Kingdom (UK), we aimed to investigate, using the Indices of Deprivation 2010, the hypothesis that deprivation affects the stage and mode of presentation of colorectal cancer. METHODS: All newly diagnosed patients with colorectal cancer presenting to a District General Hospital in the UK between January 2010 and December 2014 were included. Data were collected from the Somerset National Cancer Database. The effect of social deprivation, measured using the Index of Multiple Deprivation Score, on the stage and mode of presentation was evaluated utilizing Microsoft Excel and IBM SPSS ver. 22.0. RESULTS: A total of 701 patients (54.5% male; mean age, 76 years) were included; 534 (76.2%) underwent a surgical procedure, and 497 (70.9%) underwent a colorectal resection. Of the patients undergoing a colorectal resection, 86 (17.3%) had an emergency surgical resection. Social deprivation was associated with Duke staging (P = 0.09). The 90-day mortality in patients undergoing emergency surgery was 12.8% compared to 6.8% in patients undergoing elective surgery (P = 0.06). No association was found between deprivation and emergency presentation (P = 0.97). A logistic regression analysis showed no increase in the probability of metastasis amongst deprived patients. CONCLUSION: This study suggests an association between deprivation and the stage of presentation of colorectal cancer. Patients undergoing emergency surgery tend to have a higher 90-day mortality rate, although this was not related to deprivation. This study highlights the need to develop an individual measure to assess social deprivation.

An Effect of Letrozole on Gastric Cancer?

Letrozole is a drug used in the treatment of postmenopausal women with breast and ovarian tumours. There is no evidence in the literature indicating its use in treating gastric cancer. We present a 68 year old lady admitted from the emergency department with weight loss, malaise and anaemia. Investigations confirmed the presence of two different primary tumours in the left breast and the stomach. Following that this patient with oestrogen receptor positive breast cancer and oestrogen receptor negative gastric cancer was treated with letrozole for her breast cancer followed by a gastric resection. Independent histology by two pathologists pre-operatively diagnosed gastric adenocarcinoma. Post-operatively, independent analysis of the resected stomach, omentum and lymph nodes revealed no evidence of gastric cancer. Therefore we conclude that there is a possibility of letrozole having an effect on gastric cancer. Further studies are needed.

Clinical Hypoglycemic Effects of Allium Cepa (Red Onion) in Type 1 Diabetic Patients

Background: Type 1 diabetes mellitus is an autoimmune disease caused by destruction of pancreatic islet beta cells and characterized by defect in insulin secretion. Objectives: The present study was carried out to investigate the hypoglycemic effects of Allium cepa in patients with type 1 diabetic patients. Results: In the assessment of the hypoglycaemic activity of Allium cepa in type 1 diabetic patients (n=21); crude Allium cepa (100g) caused a considerably lowered value in the fasting blood glucose levels by about 89 mg/dl in relation to insulin (145 mg/dl) after 4 hours. Also the ingestion of crude Allium cepa by type 1 diabetic patients produced a significant reduction in the induced hyperglycemia (GTT) by about 120 mg/dl in relation to water (77 mg/dl) and the standard drug insulin (153 mg/dl). Conclusion: Crude Allium cepa produced hypoglycemic effects; thus it could be used as a dietary supplement in management of diabetes