Assessment of iron Parameters and Transient Elastography (FibroScan) Pattern amongPatients with Chronic Viral Hepatitis Infection in Jos, Nigeria

Background:The long-termeffect of excess iron deposition in the liver include fibrosis and cirrhosis which may progress to hepatocellular carcinoma. We assessed iron parameters among patients with chronic viral hepatitis B and C infection (CVHBI; CVHCI) to determineif any correlation existed with the degree of fibrosis in the liver. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out on 186 patients, made up of 132 patients withCVHBI and 54 patients with CVHCI. Serum ferritin and C-reactive protein were done by ELISA, serum iron and total iron binding capacity (TIBC) by colorimetric technique while transferrin saturation (Tsat) was calculated using serum iron and TIBC values. Liver fibrosis was assessed using fibroscan.Obtained data wereanalysed using SPSS version 20 and p values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.  Results: The mean values for serum ferritin, iron, TIBC and Tsat were 218.1±325.6µg/L, 25.1±22.8µmol/L, 71.13 ± 35.92µmol/L and 45.2 ± 49.9% respectively. There were no significant differences in iron parameters between patients with CVHBI and CVHCI. Elevated serum ferritin was found in 15.2% and 20.4% of CHBVI and CHCVI patients respectively; while an elevated Tsat was seen in 22.7% and 24.1% of CHBVI and CHCVI patients respectively. Using a combination of elevated serum ferritin and Tsat, the prevalence of iron overload was found to be1.6%. Fibroscan scores did not differ significantly between patients with orwithout elevated iron parameters. Conclusion:Chronic viral hepatitis infection is associated elevated iron parameters though withminimal effect on liver fibrosis. Conflict of interest: Ni

A Parametric Analysis of Capillary Height in Single-Layer, Small-Scale Microfluidic Artificial Lungs

Microfluidic artificial lungs (μALs) are being investigated for their ability to closely mimic the size scale and cellular environment of natural lungs. Researchers have developed μALs with small artificial capillary diameters (10–50 µm; to increase gas exchange efficiency) and with large capillary diameters (~100 µm; to simplify design and construction). However, no study has directly investigated the impact of capillary height on μAL properties. Here, we use Murray’s law and the Hagen-Poiseuille equation to design single-layer, small-scale μALs with capillary heights between 10 and 100 µm. Each µAL contained two blood channel types: capillaries for gas exchange; and distribution channels for delivering blood to/from capillaries. Three designs with capillary heights of 30, 60, and 100 µm were chosen for further modeling, implementation and testing with blood. Flow simulations were used to validate and ensure equal pressures. Designs were fabricated using soft lithography. Gas exchange and pressure drop were tested using whole bovine blood. All three designs exhibited similar pressure drops and gas exchange; however, the μAL with 60 µm tall capillaries had a significantly higher wall shear rate (although physiologic), smaller priming volume and smaller total blood contacting surface area than the 30 and 100 µm designs. Future μAL designs may need to consider the impact of capillary height when optimizing performance

Hyperbilirubinaemia in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficient neonates: the role of haemolysis

Background: Hyperbilirubinaemia associated with varying complications is a common clinical presentation in Glucose-6- phospate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficient neonates in our environment. This study is to determine the role of haemolysis in the pathogenesis of hyperbilirubinaemia in G6PD deficient neonates with a view to establishing an appropriate management strategy for acceptable neonatal outcome.Materials and Methods: One hundred and fifty neonates admitted into the Special Care Baby Units (SCBUs) of the Jos University Teaching Hospital, Bingham University Teaching Hospital, and the Plateau State Specialist Hospital with neonatal jaundice were enrolled for this study between March 2013 and February 2014. The neonates were reviewed clinically and examined for fever, jaundice, cyanosis among other features and they had blood samples collected for laboratory investigations that include Full Blood Count (FBC), Reticulocyte Count, Serum Bilirubin (SB) and G6PD assay.Results: Median age at presentation was 3 (IQR: 1-4) days. The mean haemoglobin concentration of the study subjects was 15.90 ± 2.23 g/dl while median reticulocyte count was 2.5 (IQR:2-3) %. Total serum bilirubin had a median concentration of 204.00 (IQR:168.25-255.50) μmol/L while median unconjugated bilirubin concentration was 184.50(IQR: 144.50- 233.71) μmol/L. Sixty-one (40.7 %) of the studied neonates were G6PD deficient with mean G6PD activity of 3.99(IQR: 2.72-4.94) IU/gHbConclusion: Hyperbilirubinaemia is a common clinical finding in G6PD deficient neonates in our environment but haemolysis is not a major event in its pathogenesis. Key words: Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, Haemolysis, Hyperbilirubinaemia, Neonate

Geometry optimization, impact of solvation on the spectral (FT-IR, UV, NMR) analysis, Quantum chemical parameters, and the bioactivity of feruloyltyramine as a potential anti-Lassa virus agent via molecular docking

The unrelenting menace of the Lassa virus, characterized by its high mortality rate and the potential for global dissemination, underscores an urgent call for its comprehensive eradication to safeguard global public health. In light of this, this research embarked on an extensive investigation of trans-N-feruloyltyramine (FLTM), a compound derived from Cissampelos pareira. This study encompassed a thorough examination of its structural characteristics, utilizing spectroscopic analyses including FT-IR, UV, and NMR, with the aim of elucidating its electronic, structural, and biological properties. Seamlessly integrating experimental and theoretical approaches at the DFT/B3LYP/def2SVP level of theory in FLTM_dmso, FLTM_gas, FLTM_H2O, and FLTM_MeOH solvation. Moreover, solvation dynamic simulation highlighted FLTM's heightened total energy and enhanced solubility across dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), water (H2O), and methanol (MeOH) phases, signifying efficient distribution to target sites and emphasizing its potential as a drug candidate. Conversely, FLTM_gas exhibited lower total energy. Electronic properties further elucidated FLTM's reactivity and kinetic stability, with FLTM_DMSO displaying the lowest energy gap among solvents and corresponding values of 1.4168, 4.2159, 4.2175, and 4.2749 eV. These findings mirrored the compound's higher reactivity and lower kinetic stability compared to FLTM_H2O, FLTM_gas, and FLTM_MeOH, aligning with principles of chemical hardness and softness. Results of the molecular docking introduced FLTM as a potential Lassa fever treatment candidate, surpassing Ribavirin in binding affinities with Lassa virus target receptors. FLTM exhibited binding energies of -6.5 kcal/mol, -7.2 kcal/mol, and -8.2 kcal/mol in 7UOT, 3MX5, and 3MX2, respectively, establishing interactions with crucial amino acid residues. These findings strongly advocate for FLTM's efficacy, meriting further in vitro and in vivo investigations for clinical validation

Prevalence and type of haematological malignancies among adults in a tertiary hospital in Jos-Nigeria: a sixteen-year retrospective analysis

Background: Global cancer statistics in Nigeria estimated increasing cancer occurrence per year with many unreported cases. Information regarding haematologic malignancies epidemiology in Jos is limited. This study sought to determine the prevalence, pattern and distribution of haematologic malignancies among adults in Jos, Nigeria in a 16 year period.Methods: Retrospective review of adults with haematologic malignancies diagnoses by bone marrow aspiration cytology or histology of tissue biopsies between 2000 and 2015 at the Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos-Nigeria was conducted. Socio-demographic parameters and cytological/histologic diagnoses were extracted from the cancer register.Results: A total of 1706 cases of cancers were diagnosed during this period. Of these, 330 cases were haematologic malignancies. The prevalence of haematologic malignancies among the adult patient population was 19.3% with a male (56.7%) dominance. Leukaemia occurred the most (64.5%) followed by lymphoma (30%) and multiple myeloma (5.4%). Chronic leukaemia occurred more frequently than acute leukaemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was more common than Hodgkin's lymphoma. The mean ±SD were 44±17 years for leukaemia and 43±15 years for lymphoma. The haematologic malignancies showed an increasing pattern of occurrence.Conclusion: This occurrence of haematologic malignancies among adult patients with cancer from this Centre is high. Evidence of increasing occurrence was observed. Measures targeted at improved diagnosis and care are advocated. Future studies to evaluate the genetic and environmental risk factors associated with haematologic malignancies development from this region are recommended.Keywords: Haematologic malignancies, Prevalence, Pattern, Adults, Jos, Nigeria

IgG levels of participants who were seropositive at baseline and corresponding month 3 and month 6 follow up levels.

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IgG levels of participants who were seronegative to SARS-CoV-2 at baseline and corresponding month 3 and month 6 follow up levels.

*Ptrend = (TIF)</p

Distribution of IgG levels at baseline (median = 0.178 ug/mL), month 3 (median = 0.348 ug/mL), and month 6 follow-up (median = 0.591 ug/mL) based on complete case analysis.

Distribution of IgG levels at baseline (median = 0.178 ug/mL), month 3 (median = 0.348 ug/mL), and month 6 follow-up (median = 0.591 ug/mL) based on complete case analysis.</p