Pattern of Potential Laboratory Markers for COVID-19 in Eastern Sudan

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a recent global health crisis. One of the major issues of COVID-19 is its unpredictable manifestations and serious outcomes. Many hematological parameters are thought to change dramatically during the course of the disease. These include white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. This study aimed at evaluating certain laboratory results;peripheral blood lymphopenia, relative neutrophilia, high neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, and elevated C-reactive protein as potential laboratory markers of COVID-19 in Eastern Sudanese patients. Methods: We, retrospectively, aimed at the evaluation of peripheral blood leucocytes count, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio NLR and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in confirmed COVID-19 eastern Sudanese patients during the course of the disease. Results: The mean total leucocytes count, % neutrophils count, absolute neutrophils count and C-reactive protein (CRP) were significantly higher (P. value = 0.000) in COVID-19 patients than in the control group while the mean % lymphocytes count and % mixed cells count were found to be significantly lower in COVID-19 patients than in the control group (P. value 0.000). Conclusion: Peripheral blood leucocyte alterations (simultaneous presence of lymphopenia, relative neutrophilia and high neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR) along with elevated CRP levels may be valuable biomarkers associated with COVID-19 in Port Sudan city, Red Sea state, Sudan. These markers might be important in prediction, inspection of disease progression and prognosis.

The role of TRPC6 in HGF-induced cell proliferation of human prostate cancer DU145 and PC3 cells

Hepatocyte growth factor （HGF） is a glycoprotein that induces prostate cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion. The activation of transient receptor potential canonical 6 （TRPC6） channels is considered important in promoting prostate cancer cell proliferation. In this study, we assessed the role of endogenous TRPC6 channels in the HGF-induced cell proliferation of prostate cancer. Reverse transcription-PCR and Western blotting were used to investigate TRPC6 expression. Electrophysiological techniques （whole-cell patch clamp configuration） and Ca^2＋ imaging analysis were used to investigate the channel activity in cells. The effects of TRPC6 channels on cell cycle progression, cell apoptosis and cell growth were also examined. TRPC6 and c-MET were expressed in DU145 and PC3 cells. In addition, functional TRPC6 channels were present in DU145 and PC3 cells, and TRPC6 knockdown suppressed TRPC-Iike currents evoked by oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol （OAG）. Inhibition of TRPC6 channels in DU145 and PC3 cells abolished OAG- and HGF-induced Ca^2＋ entry. Furthermore, inhibition of TRPC6 channels arrested DU145 and PC3 cells at the G2/M phase and suppressed HGF-induced cell proliferation. Collectively, our results indicate that TRPC6 has an important role in HGF-induced DU145 and PC3 cell proliferation.

A Study of Correlation of Serum Chromium Level with Glycosylated Haemoglobin (HbA1c), Total Cholesterol and Triglycerides, among Type 2 Diabetes Patients

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a common disease and it is a major cause of morbidity;several studies indicate that diabetes is a likely under reported cause of death. Chromium’s is important trace element to control diabetes mellitus and metabolism of carbohydrate, lipid and protein. Objective: The purpose of this study was to understand the relationship between serum chromium, with HbA1c, Total cholesterol and Triglycerides among type 2 diabetes patients among diabetic patients. Methodology: This is cross-sectional study done in Jabber Abu Ezz Centre for treatment and care of diabetics in Khartoum—Sudan. Four hundred subjects were enrolled in this study;one hundred subjects were normal healthy as control group, and three hundred subjects diabetic patient type 2 as test group;demographic and biochemical data were collected;serum chromium, Glycosylated Haemoglobin (HbA1c), Total cholesterol Triglycerides, were determined by using NYCOCARD READER II, spectrophotometer (Biosystem 310) and spectrophotometer 210-VGP. Result: In this study there is significant parameters level means of FBS HbA1c, Total Cholesterol, Triglycerides and Chromium of the test groups when compared with healthy control groups subjects (P = 0.001, 0.018, 0.01, 0.011, 0.004), respectively. Significant negative correlation is between FBS, HbA1c, Total Cholesterol, Triglycerides and Chromium (r = ?0.555, P value = 0.003), (r = ?0.668, P value = 0.002), (r = ?0.335, P value = 0.004) and (r = ?0.774, P value = 0.002) respectively. Conclusion: There was significant correlation between serum Chromium level with fasting blood sugaer, Glycosylated Haemoglobin (HbA1c), Total cholesterol and Triglycerides among type 2 diabetes patients.

RETRACTED: Professional Autonomy in the Running of Diagnostic Laboratories in Nigeria

Short Retraction Notice The paper does not meet the standards of "Open Journal of Internal Medicine". The article has been retracted due to the investigation of complaints received against it. The substantial portions of the text came from Prof. Philip O. Olatunji, "We came to this painful conclusion as a result of parochialism, distortion of facts, deliberate ignorance, falsehood and slander contained in the said article". The scientific community takes a very strong view on this matter and we treat all unethical behavior seriously. This article has been retracted to straighten the academic record. In making this decision the Editorial Board follows COPE's Retraction Guidelines. Aim is to promote the circulation of scientific research by offering an ideal research publication platform with due consideration of internationally accepted standards on publication ethics. The Editorial Board would like to extend its sincere apologies for any inconvenience this retraction may have caused. Editor guiding this retraction: Professor Luigi Iuliano (EB, OJIM) Please see the article page for more details. The full retraction notice in PDF is preceding the original paper which is marked "RETRACTED".

Adipose tissue-liver axis in alcoholic liver disease

Alcoholic liver disease(ALD) remains an important health problem worldwide. The disease spectrum is featured by early steatosis, steatohepatitis(steatosis with inflammatory cells infiltration and necrosis), with some individuals ultimately progressing to fibrosis/cirrhosis. Although the disease progression is well characterized, no effective therapies are currently available for the treatment in humans. The mechanisms underlying the initiation and progression of ALD are multifactorial and complex. Emerging evidence supports that adipose tissue dysfunction contributes to the pathogenesis of ALD. In the first part of this review, we discuss the mechanisms whereby chronic alcohol exposure contributed to adipose tissue dysfunction, including cell death, inflammation and insulin resistance. It has been long known that aberrant hepatic methionine metabolism is a major metabolic abnormality induced by chronic alcohol exposure and plays an etiological role in the pathogenesis of ALD. The recent studies in our group documented the similar metabolic effect of chronic alcohol drinking on methionine in adipose tissue. In the second part of this review, we also briefly discuss the recent research progress in the field with a focus on how abnormal methionine metabolism in adipose tissue contributes to adipose tissue dysfunction and liver damage.

Alterations in D-Dimer, Prothrombin Time and Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time as Thrombogenesis Activity Markers in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of mortality and morbidity despite the identification of major risk factors and risk reduction strategies. Myocardial infarction (MI) is a relevant cardiovascular worldwide event for morbidity and mortality. In most cases, sudden cardiac death is triggered by ischemia-related ventricular tachyarrhythmia and accounts for 50% of deaths from cardiovascular disease in developed countries. This is a descriptive analytical case control study aimed to determine D-dimer, PT and PTT level and among patients with acute myocardial infarction conducted in Sudan cardiac center hospital. Thirty patients after MI and twenty normal controls have been studied. The MI patients also include co-exist disease diabetes and hypertension, they receive different anticoagulants therapy. The result demonstrates a significant increase post MI in the mean level of D-dimer (p = 0.00) whereas none significantly compares to control group. There are no differences between INR (0.393), PTT (0.648) and PT (0.393), parameters between cases and controls. In conclusion, our study reveals higher D-dimer level among patients than the control. In conclusion, serum D-dimer levels appear to be useful for diagnosing MI and may assist in the prediction of mortality among those patients which are presented with acute chest pain or known diagnosed with MI and should be done as indicator for thrombosis risk during therapy in post MI.