Evaluation of the Efficiency of N-terminal Pro-B-type Natriuretic Peptide for Diagnosis of Acute Myocardial Infarction

Background: Cardiac diseases are one of the major causes of death worldwide with increasing incidence rate per year, particularly in developing countries such as Sudan owing to urbanization and changing lifestyle. Myocardial infarction is a consequence of the imbalance between the heart blood supply and the required heart cell; this disorder leads to necrosis of myocardium and may cause death. It could be diagnosed by at least two of the following criteria: chest pain, electrocardiography (ECG) elevation, and levels on cardiac biomarkers. This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NTproBNP) for the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI).  Methods: This analytical case–control hospital-based study was conducted on a total of 70 individuals, of which 40 participants were suspected of or diagnosed with AMI, while 30 healthy subjects  were included as a control group. Three ml of venous blood were collected in lithium heparin containers. Troponin I (TnI) as a cardiac biomarker was measured by TOSOH AIA-360, while the NTproBNP level was detected using I-Chroma II. Personal and clinical data were collected directly from each participant using a predesigned questionnaire. Results: A significant increase in the TnI level (mean: 13.13 ± 18.9 ng/ml) and NTproBNP (mean: 5756.5 ± 8378.2 pg/mL) in AMI patients were detected when compared with control mean (0.02 ± 0.00 ng/ml and 57.8 ± 42.32 pg/mL, respectively). Conclusions: NTproBNP gave a high sensitivity (87.5%), specificity (100%), positive predictive value (100%), and negative predictive value (85.7%) in the diagnosis of AMI when compared with another cardiac biomarker such as TnI. Keywords: acute myocardial infarction, NTproBNP, troponin I, Medani Heart Center, Suda

Dedifferentiation of leaf explants and antileukemia activity of an ethanolic extract of cell cultures of Moringa oleifera

The present study was aimed at developing an efficient protocol for callus induction from the leaves of Moringa oleifera and to investigate its crude extract antileukemia activity on leukemia cells. Several secondary metabolites are present in M. oleifera as the plant serves as reservoirs for various bioactive compounds. Callus cultures of M. oleifera were induced from leaf explants incubated on MS medium supplemented with different concentrations of 2,4-dichloro-phenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). The crude extracts of the callus were evaluated in vitro for their activity against leukemia cells and hepatocarcinoma. Among the different concentrations, 2,4-D at 0.1 mg/l induced highest frequencies of callus growth index (7.8) when compared with other concentrations. Ethanolic extracts killed about 36% of abnormal cells among primary cells harvested from 3 patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and hepatocarcinoma cells HpG2. These results provide an in vitro evidence and support the traditional use of M. oleifera leaf as a potent source of anticancer. However, more researches are needed at phytochemical and clinical levels to confirm the traditional use of this plant as anticancer.Keywords: Moinga olifera, callus culture, antileukemia, hepatocarcinom

Synthesis, characterization, and utilization of a diallylmethylamine-based cyclopolymer for corrosion mitigation in simulated acidizing environment

A novel random copolymer 4, containing diallylmethylamine and N1,N1-diallyl-N1-methyl-N6,N6,N6-tripropylhexane- 1,6-diammonium dibromide units in a 1:1 ratio (polymer 4) was synthesized via Butler's cyclopolymerization technique. Characterization was accomplished by 1H NMR, elemental analysis, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Polymer 4 was tested as corrosion inhibitor for low carbon steel in 15% HCl solution via gravimetric and electrochemical approaches. The analysis of the metal specimen surfaces was done using scanning electron microscope (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) methods. Polymer 4 is inhibitor for the substrate particularly at elevated temperatures. Corrosion mitigation is by chemisorption mechanism and can be best described with the Langmuir and El-Awady et al. kinetic-thermodynamic adsorption isotherms. Polymer 4 corrosion mitigation capacity can be improved by the addition of a minute amount of I− ions. Inhibition efficiency of 92.99% has been achieved with 500 ppm polymer 4+1mM KI mixture at 25 °C. Surface analysis results support the claim of adsorption of additive molecules on steel surface. From XPS results, corrosion products on steel surface exposed to the free acid solution are mixtures of chlorides, carbonates, oxides, and hydroxides. In polymer 4+KI system, polymer 4 molecules are adsorbed on triiodide and pentaiodide ions layer. The improved corrosion inhibition of polymer 4 by I− ions is synergistic in nature according to calculated synergism parameter. Polymer 4 is a promising corrosion inhibitor for oil well acidizing purpose

Treatment-Based Strategy for the Management of Post-Kala-Azar Dermal Leishmaniasis Patients in the Sudan

Post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) is a dermatosis that affects more than 50% of successfully treated visceral leishmaniasis (VL) patients in Sudan. PKDL is considered an important reservoir for the parasite and its treatment may help in the control of VL. Currently, treatment is mainly with sodium stibogluconate (SSG), an expensive and fairly toxic drug and without universally in treatment protocols used. A literature review, a consensus of a panel of experts, and unpublished data formed the basis for the development of guidelines for the treatment of PKDL in the Sudan. Six treatment modalities were evaluated. Experts were asked to justify their choices based on their experience regarding of drug safety, efficacy, availability, and cost. The consensus was defined by assigning a categorical rank (first line, second line, third line) to each option. Regarding the use of AmBisome the presence of the drug in the skin was confirmed in smears from PKDL lesions. Recommendations: AmBisome at 2.5 mg/kg/day/20 days or SSG at 20 mg/kg/day/40 days plus four/weekly intradermal injection of alum-precipitated autoclave L. major vaccine are suggested as first-and second-treatment options for PKDL in the Sudan, respectively. SSG at 20 mg/Kg/day/60 or more days can be used if other options are not available

Life Quality Impairment Caused by Hookworm-Related Cutaneous Larva Migrans in Resource-Poor Communities in Manaus, Brazil

Hookworm-related cutaneous larva migrans (CLM) is a parasitic skin disease common in developing countries with hot climates. In resource-poor settings, CLM is associated with considerable morbidity. The disease is caused by animal hookworm larvae that penetrate the skin and migrate aimlessly in the epidermis as they cannot penetrate the basal membrane. Particularly in the rainy season, the intensity of infection is high with up to 40 larval tracks in an affected individual. Tracks are very itchy and are surrounded by a significant inflammation of the skin. Bacterial superinfection is common and intensifies the inflammation. The psychosocial consequences caused by CLM have never been investigated. We showed that CLM causes skin disease-associated life quality impairment in 91 patients with CLM. Skin disease-associated life quality was significantly impaired. The degree of impairment correlated to the intensity of infection and the number of body areas affected. After treatment with ivermectin, life quality was rapidly restored

Ethical, legal and social aspects of the approach in Sudan

The global malaria situation, especially in Africa, and the problems frequently encountered in chemical control of vectors such as insecticide resistance, emphasize the urgency of research, development and implementation of new vector control technologies that are applicable at regional and local levels. The successful application of the sterile insect technique (SIT) for the control of the New World screwworm Cochliomyia hominivorax and several species of fruit flies has given impetus to the use of this method for suppression or elimination of malaria vectors in some areas of Africa including Northern State of Sudan. The research and development phase of the Northern State feasibility study has been started. Sudanese stakeholders are working side-by-side with the International Atomic Energy Agency in the activities of this important phase. Several ethical, legal and social issues associated with this approach arose during this phase of the project. They need to be seriously considered and handled with care. In this paper, these issues are described, and the current and proposed activities to overcome potential hurdles to ensure success of the project are listed