Diagnostic Accuracy of the Leishmania OligoC-TesT and NASBA-Oligochromatography for Diagnosis of Leishmaniasis in Sudan

The leishmaniases are a group of vector-borne diseases caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania. The parasites are transmitted by phlebotomine sand flies and can cause, depending on the infecting species, three clinical manifestations of leishmaniasis: visceral leishmaniasis (VL), post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) and cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) including the mucocutaneous form. VL, PKDL as well as CL are endemic in several parts of Sudan, and VL especially represents a major health problem in this country. Molecular tests such as the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or nucleic acid sequence based assay (NASBA) are powerful techniques for accurate detection of the parasite in clinical specimens, but broad use is hampered by their complexity and lack of standardisation. Recently, the Leishmania OligoC-TesT and NASBA-Oligochromatography were developed as simplified and standardised PCR and NASBA formats. In this study, both tests were phase II evaluated for diagnosis of VL, PKDL and CL in Sudan

Folic acid level and preterm birth among Sudanese women

Abstract Background Preterm birth (PTB) is the major health problem world-wide; there are few published studies on PTB and folic acid. Methods The study was conducted to assess the serum level of folic acid in PTB. A case-control study was conducted at Saad Abualila maternity hospital (Khartoum, Sudan) during the period of March through December 2015. Women who delivered live singleton babies were dived in two groups; the cases were women who had PTB “delivery before completed 37weeks but after 24 weeks of pregnancy” and the controls were women who delivered at term (37–42 weeks). Medical and obstetrics history was gathered using questionnaire. Serum folic acid was measured. Results One hundred and twelve (56 in arm of the study) women were enrolled to the study. There was no significant difference between the cases and the controls in their age, parity, hemoglobin, body mass index, education and occupation. The median (interquartile) level of folic acid was significantly lower in the cases (PTB) than the level in the controls, 4.8(2.8–8.2) vs. 9.5(8.6–12.0) ng/ml. In binary regression, folic acid level was associated with lower risk of PTB (OR=0.64; 95%=0.53–0.77, P < 0.001). There was a significant positive correlation between gestational age and folic acid level (r = 0.447, P<0.001). Conclusion Thus serum folic acid level was significantly lower in women with PTB. Folic acid level was associated with lower risk of PTB

Structural, optical, antibacterial, and anticancer properties of cerium oxide nanoparticles prepared by green synthesis using Morinda citrifolia leaves extract

Currently, new advancements in the area of nanotechnology opened up new prospects in the field of medicine that could provide us with a solution for numerous medical complications. Although a several varieties of nanoparticles is being explored to be used as nanomedicines, cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2 NPs) are the most attractive due to their biocompatibility and their switchable oxidation state (+3 and +4) or in other words the ability to act as prooxidant and antioxidant depending on the pH condition. Green synthesis of nanoparticles is preferred to make it more economical, eco-friendly, and less toxic. The aim of our study here is to formulate the CeO2 NPs (CeO2 NPs) using Morinda citrifolia (Noni) leaf extract and study its optical, structural, antibacterial, and anticancer abilities. Their optical and structural characterization was accomplished by employing X-ray diffractography (XRD), TEM, EDAX, FTIR, UV-vis, and photoluminescence assays. Our CeO2 NPs expressed strong antibacterial effects against Gram-positive S. aureus and S. pneumonia in addition to Gram-negative E. coli and K. pneumonia when compared with amoxicillin. The anticancer properties of the green synthesized CeO2 NPs against human acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) MOLT-4 cells were further explored by the meticulous study of their ability to diminish cancer cell viability (cytotoxicity), accelerate apoptosis, escalate intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, decline the mitochondria membrane potential (MMP) level, modify the cell adhesion, and shoot up the activation of proapoptotic markers, caspase-3, -8, and -9, in the tumor cells. Altogether, the outcomes demonstrated that our green synthesized CeO2 NPs are an excellent candidate for alternative cancer therapy

Synthesis of nickel cobalt-codoped tin oxide nanoparticles from Psidium guajava with anticancer properties

Metal oxide nanoparticles have been found to selectively target the tumor cells while non-toxic to the normal cells. Leukemia is one of the widespread and deadly cancers in adults, as well as the most common cancer in children. Recently, the nanoparticles have evolved as a simple, economic, effective, and ecologically sound strategy among the known nanoparticle synthesis techniques. In the present study, the structural, optical, and antibacterial effects of nickel cobalt-codoped Tin oxide nanoparticles (SnNiCoO2 NPs) formulated by the green process and the anticancer potential of SnNiCoO2 NPs in Molt-4 cells have been studied. The cytotoxic potential of the NPs against Molt-4 cells was estimated by MTT assay. The ROS and MMP levels were measured using fluorescent dyes and the changes in morphology and nuclei were noted using AO/EB staining. CAT, SOD, MDA, and GSH), and Proinflammatory Cytokines (TNF-α and IL1β) were also studied. The activity of caspase-3, −9, and −8 levels was examined to analyze the apoptotic mechanism. The XRD patterns of SnNiCoO2 NPs revealed a tetragonal structure. The SnNiCoO2 NPs was revealed a diameter of 126 nm by the DLS study. The morphology and elemental composition were studied using FESEM and EDAX spectra. In the FT-IR study, the O-sn-O stretching band was found to be 615 and 542 cm-1. The antimicrobial potential of the SnNiCoO2 NPs was examined against S. aureus, E. coli, and C. Albicans strains. A tremendous reduction in the viability of MOLT-4 cells at concentration-dependent mode witnessed the cytotoxic potential of the formulated NPs. The augmented ROS accumulation, depletion of MMP status, depleted antioxidants, and increased proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL1β) were noted on the NPs exposed cells. Furthermore, the increased expressions of caspase-3, −9, and −8 was also noted in the NPs treated MOLT-4 cells. Hence, the outcomes suggest that the formulated SnNiCoO2 NPs had remarkably potent antimicrobial and anticancer properties and could potentially prove beneficial in cancer treatment. Induces mitochondrial oxidative stress with nickel–cobalt-codoped tin oxide nanoparticles from Psidium guajava, which is a potential drug candidate for the antibiotic, antifungal, and anticancer activities of plant-based nanoparticles

In vitro anti-cancer and antimicrobial effects of manganese oxide nanoparticles synthesized using the Glycyrrhiza uralensis leaf extract on breast cancer cell lines

In this study, we evaluated the antiproliferative and apoptotic properties of Pluronic-F127-containing manganese oxide nanoparticles (PF-127-coated Mn2O3 NPs) derived from the leaf extract of Glycyrrhiza uralensis (GU) on breast adenocarcinoma, MCF7, and MDA-MB-231 cell lines. The leaf extract of GU contains bioactive molecules that act as a reducing or capping agent to form Mn2O3 NPs. Various analytical techniques were used to characterize the physiochemical properties of PF-127-coated Mn2O3 NPs, including spectroscopy (ultralight-Vis, Fourier transform infrared, photoluminescence), electron microscopy (field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy), X-ray diffraction (XRD), electron diffracted X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX), and dynamic light scattering. The average crystallite size of Mn2O3 NPs was estimated to be 80 nm, and the NPs had a cubic crystalline structure. PF127-encapsulated Mn2O3 NPs significantly reduce MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cell proliferation, while increasing endogenous ROS and lowering mitochondrial matrix protein levels. DAPI, EtBr/AO dual staining, and Annexin-V-FITC-based flow cytometry analysis revealed that PF127-coated Mn2O3 NP-treated breast cancer cells exhibit nuclear damage and apoptotic cell death, resulting in cell cycle arrest in the S phase. Furthermore, PF127-encapsulated Mn2O3 NPs show strong antimicrobial efficacy against various strains. As a result, we can conclude that PF127-coated Mn2O3 NPs may be effective as future anticancer agents and treatment options for breast cancer