AJOL - African Journals Online
Not a member yet
221688 research outputs found
Sort by
Upregulation of AKAP12 by demethylation inhibits proliferation and increases chem osensitivity to adriamycin in leukemic cells
Purpose: To elucidate the role of AKAP12 in leukemia cells.Methods: Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting (WB) were employed to determine the expression of AKAP12 in leukocyte cell lines, while 5-azacytidine was used to treat the cells, followed by assessment of the expression of AKAP12. After constructing the overexpressing vector pc-AKAP12 and transfecting it into cells or treating the cells with 5-azacytidine, cell counting kit-8 assay (CCK-8) was used to determine cell proliferation. Cloning ability of the cells was evaluated by colony formation assay. Furthermore, flow cytometry was employed to measure the degrees of cell cycle and cell apoptosis. The effect of AKAP12 on PI3K/AKT were determined by western blot.Results: The results showed that AKAP12 was lowly expressed in lymphocytic leukemia cell lines (p < 0.001), but was reversed by 5-azacytidine. Transfection of AKAP12 or 5-azacytidine treatment increased the expression of AKAP12 in the cells (p > 0.001), inhibited leukemia cell proliferation and clonality, and arrested cell cycle in G1 phase as well as induced apoptosis. In addition, PI3K/AKT signaling pathway was inhibited by AKAP12.Conclusion: AKAP12 is lowly expressed in leukemia cells, and may also play a role in inhibiting leukemia progression by suppressing the activity of PI3K/AKT pathway.Thus, targeting AKAP12 mght be a potential strategy in the management of lukemia
Development of a novel detection technology for drug resistance mutation sites of Mycobacterium tuberculosis using Luminex liquid chip technology
Purpose: To develop a novel detection technology for drug-resistance mutation sites of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) using a Luminex liquid chip.Methods: Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and hybridization analysis, MTB infection and drug-resistant mutation sites of the first-line and second-line anti-MTB drugs were simultaneously identified. A novel detection method was applied to analyze the wild-type standard strains of MTB and 33 clinical samples, and the results were compared with Sanger sequencing results for PCR products.Results: It was revealed that the sensitivity (100 %) and specificity (100 %) of the novel detection method for 31 samples were satisfactory, and all mutation sites were correctly detected. Compared with traditional PCR and culture-based drug sensitivity test, the novel detection method increased the speed of identification of drug-resistant TB, reduced clinicians' workload, and decreased treatment cost. Among 31 samples, 12.90 % were resistant to isoniazid (4/31), 35.48 % to rifampicin (11/31), and 12.90 % to ofloxacin (p < 0.05). Furthermore, 2 (6.45 %) samples were resistant to both isoniazid and rifampicin, 2 (6.45 %) samples to both rifampicin and ofloxacin, and 1 (3.22 %) sample to both isoniazid and ofloxacin, and 1 (3.22%) sample to all the three drugs (p < 0.05).Conclusion: Development and wide application of this novel detection method will facilitate the treatment of MTB, thus reducing the spread of drug-resistant MTB, and improving the prevention and treatment of MTB
Applying the Framingham Risk Score for cardiovascular diseases in Jordan: A cross sectional study
Purpose: To assess the protective measures taken by Jordanians to decrease the risk of first cardiovascular event using the Framingham Risk Score classification.Methods: A survey was created using Google forms and disseminated through social media platforms (WhatsApp and Facebook) in order to facilitate contact with multiple sections of the Jordanian population. The questions were designed to measure the objectives of this study and a scale was used to measure the level of application. Demographic parameters were documented. Framingham’s risk Score was observed among patients with a diploma and those with high school or less education (p = 0.043). There was a significant difference in Framingham Risk Score between non-smokers and sometimes smokers.Conclusion: The Framingham Risk Scores reveals that 90 % of individuals have a low risk of getting cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the Jordanian population, 5 % have an intermediate risk, and 5 % have a high risk. This is normal as the age range of participants in the survey was within the 20 to 30 years
Effect of atorvastatin combined with interventional therapy for acute myocardial infarction
Purpose: To evaluate the coronary thrombolytic effect of atorvastatin plus percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for the treatment of acute myocardial infarction.Methods: From April 2019 to October 2020, 88 patients with acute myocardial infarction who were treated in Zhangqiu District People's Hospital were randomly assigned to receive either PCI (conventional group) or PCI plus atorvastatin (combined group). Myocardial injury index, TnI, and creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB) were used to determine myocardial injury, while serum cTnI was determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB) levels were determined by immunosuppression method. Cardiac ultrasound was used to measure and compare the left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESD) before and after treatment in the two groups. Blood lipid levels were determined before and after drug administration, respectively, while the levels of highdensity lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were determined using a colorimetric method. Total cholesterol (TC) and triacylglycerol (TG) were assessed by an enzymatic method, while low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) was determined using a biochemical method. Serum B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), c-reactive-protein (CRP), and interleukin (IL)-6 levels were evaluated in an automatic biochemical analyzer. The incidence of adverse reactions during treatment, including creatinine elevation, muscle pain, and gastrointestinal reactions and their frequencies were computed.Results: The combined group exhibited significantly lower levels of myocardial injury indices when compared with the conventional group (p < 0.05). Atorvastatin plus PCI resulted in significantly higher left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and lower left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVEDD) as well as left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESD) in patients when compared with PCI alone group (p < 0.05). After treatment, the combined group showed significantly healthier levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglyceride (TG) compared with the conventional group (p < 0.05).Conclusion: Atorvastatin plus PCI mitigates myocardial injury and lowers cardiac function, lipid indices, serum B type natriuretic peptide (BNP), C-reactive-protein (CRP), and interleukin (IL)-6 levels. It also reduces the incidence of adverse events during treatment. Thus, this therapeutic strategy has potentials for application in the management of acute myocardial infarction
Clinical benefit of dexmedetomidine in combination with dezocine as epidural anesthesia during cesarean delivery for pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus
Purpose: To investigate the clinical benefit of dexmedetomidine (DEX) when used in combination with dezocine as epidural anesthesia during cesarean delivery for puerperae with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).Methods: A total of 120 puerperae with GDM admitted to The Fourth Hospital of Shijiazhuang (Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital Affiliated to Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang City, China) who underwent cesarean delivery from January 2019 to January 2020 were randomly assigned to groups A and B, with 60 patients per group. Epidural anesthesia with dezocine was used on patients in both groups, while DEX was added for patients in group A. Comparison was made between the 2 groups with regard to pregnancy outcomes, pain scores, maternal and infant blood glucose levels, hemodynamic indices, hormonal levels and adverse reaction rates (ARR).Results: Patients in group A had significantly better maternal and infant outcomes (p < 0.05), lower maternal postoperative pain scores (p < 0.05), lower maternal postoperative blood glucose levels (p < 0.001), higher infant postoperative blood glucose levels (p < 0.001). Furthermore, maternal incidence of adverse reactions in group A was lower than in group B (p <0.05). At the time point of 0.5 h after anesthesia and operation, the hemodynamic indices of puerperae in group A were significantly more stable, and levels of estradiol and prolactin were higher, relative to those in group B (p < 0.05). However, group A had a lower chemotaxin levels at immediate postoperative period and 1 day after operation than group B (p < 0.05).Conclusion: The combination of DEX and dezocine for epidural anesthesia stabilizes hemodynamics, improves hormone levels and lowers the incidence of adverse reactions in puerperae with GDM, thereby potentially ensuring better pregnancy outcomes and well-controlled blood glucose levels. Therefore, this strategy for epidural anesthesia has potentials for use in clinical practice
Caractéristiques physiques, chimiques et hydrodynamiques des sables de la riviere MO - Ouda du Togo : Utilite dans les ouvrages de captage d’eau : Physical, chemical and hydrodynamic characteristic of the sands of the MO - Ouda river of Togo: Usefulness in the water catching works
Les études physiques (granulométrie, morphoscopie, masse volumique), chimiques (pH, conductivité), hydrodynamiques (porosité, compacité, indice des vides) et des expériences de filtration réalisées sur huit (08) échantillons de sables prélevés dans la rivière MO – Ouda révèlent que ce sont des matériaux bien classés avec un indice de classement moyen de 0, 52. Un coefficient d’uniformité en moyenne égale à 6,54 avec une valeur minimale de 2,52 ; la porosité totale moyenne est de 42% et la porosité efficace moyenne de 36 %, une conductivité moyenne de 13,2 μS/cm, un pH moyen de 6,54 ; une compacité moyenne de 58%. La masse volumique absolue moyenne, la masse volumique apparente moyenne et la perméabilité moyenne sont respectivement de 2,74 kg/dm3 ; 1,75 kg/dm3 et de 0,035 .Ces graviers ont un pouvoir de rétention assez considérables des matières en suspension lors des expériences de filtration : ils réduisent considérablement la turbidité d’une eau de près de 92% de la valeur initiale dès les premiers instants de filtration et aussi les concentrations de certains éléments chimiques tels que le fer, les matières organiques, les sulfates, l’ammonium, les nitrites et la silice d’une eau polluée, mais n’ont pas tellement d’impact sur les nitrates qui ont vu leur valeur augmentée à cause de la nitrification. Les sables de la rivière MO Ouda sont donc de très bons matériaux pour être recommandé dans les ouvrages de captage ; comme tout matériau il présente des points de faiblesses ; faiblesses qui pourraient être corrigées en associant certains produits de traitement spécifiques pour éliminer les restes des substances indésirables.
Physical (particle size, morphoscopy, density), chemical (pH, conductivity) hydrodynamic (porosity, compactness, void index) studies and filtration experiments carried out on eight (08) sand samples taken from the MO – OUDA river reveal that they are well classified materials with an average classification index of 0.52. A coefficient of uniformity on average equal to 6.54; the average total porosity is 42% and the average effective porosity 36%, an average conductivity of 13.2 μS/cm, an average Ph of 6.54; an average compactness of 58 %. The average absolute density, the average apparent density, and the average permeability are respectively 2.74 kg/m3, 1.75 kg/m3 and 0.035. filtration experiments: they considerably reduce the turbidity of water by almost 92% of the initial value from the first moments of filtration and the concentrations of certain chemical elements such as iron, organic matter, sulphates, ammonium, nitrites, and silica from polluted water but have not so much impact on nitrates which have seen their value increased due to nitrification. The sands of the Kawa River are therefore very good materials to be recommended in catchment works; like any material, it has points of weakness; weaknesses that could be corrected by combining certain specific treatment products to eliminate the remains of undesirable substances
Hepatite B et grossesse au centre de sante de reference de la commune II de Bamako, Mali : Hepatitis B and pregnancy at the reference health center of commune II of Bamako, Mali
L’hépatite B est un véritable enjeu de santé publique dans nos pays en développement. La prévention de la transmission mère-enfant constitue le principal défi de la prise en charge d’une femme enceinte ayant une hépatite B. But : Déterminer le pronostic materno-foetal de l’hépatite B associée à la grossesse. Matériels et Méthodes : Nous avons réalisé une étude descriptive transversale avec collecte prospective des données du 1er janvier au 31 décembre 2018 dans le service de gynécologie obstétrique du centre de santé de référence de la commune II de Bamako. Toutes les femmes enceintes ayant un antigène HBS positif ont été incluses. Résultats : La fréquence de l’hépatite B associée à la grossesse était de 1,14%. Il s’agissait de femmes au foyer (52,1%), âgées entre 21 et 29 ans (43,7%), paucigestes (50%). Le diagnostic de l’hépatite B a été fait au cours de cette grossesse dans 95,8% et dans 3% il s’agissait d’hépatite aigue. La sérovaccination a été effectuée chez 83,3% des nouveau-nés. Le pronostic materno-foetal a été bon car nous n’avons pas noté de complications maternelles telles que la cirrhose et le carcinome hépatocellulaire ni de décès maternel ou périnatal et le dépistage réalisé au 9èmois n’a pas mis en évidence d’hépatite B chez les nourrissons.
Hepatitis B is a real public health issue in our developing countries. The main challenge in the management of a pregnant woman with hepatitis B is the prevention of mother-to-child transmission. Aim: To determine the maternal-fetal prognosis of hepatitis B associated with pregnancy. Materials and Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional descriptive study with prospective data collection from January 1 to December 31, 2018 in the obstetrical gynecology service of the reference health center of commune II of Bamako. All pregnant women with a positive HBS antigen were included. Results: The frequency of hepatitis B associated with pregnancy was 1.14%. These were housewives (52.1%), aged between 21 and 29 (43.7%), paucigest (50%). The diagnosis of hepatitis B was made during this pregnancy in 95.8% and in 3% it was acute hepatitis. Serovaccination was performed in 83.3% of newborns. The maternal-fetal prognosis was good because we didn’t note any maternal complications such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma or maternal or perinatal death and the screening carried out in the 9th month didn’t show evidence of hepatitis B in infants
Resultats preliminaires de la plastie du ligament croise anterieur par la technique de DIDT a l’endobouton : Preliminary results of the reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament by the DIDT technique with the endobutton
Introduction : La présente étude a été initiée devant l’évolution favorable post opératoire des quelques patients opérés pour une ligamentoplastie du LCA. Son but était de décrire les résultats à court terme de l’utilisation de l’endobouton au cours de la plastie du LCA par la technique du DIDT.Patients et méthodes : Il s’est agi d’une étude transversale à collecte de données prospective qui s’est déroulé du 1er janvier 2018 au 28 février 2020 (26 mois) dans le service d’orthopédie – traumatologie du centre hospitalier intercommunal de Villeneuve Saint – Georges (France).Résultats : vingt-neuf patients ont été colligés. Le recul moyen était de 11,3 mois. A la radiographie du genou de suivi postopératoire, l’indice moyen d’Aglietti était de 36,5% ± 7,3 au niveau tibial et de 63,1% ± 3,3 au fémoral. Le score moyen global de Lysholm était de 89,03 ± 8,9. Le résultat fonctionnel global était satisfaisant. Les résultats étaient bons et excellents dans 72,4% des cas. Les résultats moins bons observés étaient imputables à l’existence initiale des lésions méniscales associées à la rupture du ligament croisé antérieur (Khi2= 0,01).Conclusion : Les résultats thérapeutiques de nos patients sont satisfaisants. Ils témoignent de la pertinence de la technique opératoire.
Introduction : The present study was initiated in view of the favorable postoperative evolution of the few patients operated for ACL ligamentoplasty. Its aim was to describe the short-term results of using the endobutton during ACL reconstruction using the DIDT technique.Patients and methods: This was a cross-sectional study with prospective data collection which took place from January 1, 2018 to February 28, 2020 (26 months) in the orthopedic-traumatology department of the Villeneuve intercommunal hospital center Saint-Georges (France).Results: twenty-nine patients were collected. The mean follow-up was 11.3 months. On the postoperative follow-up knee X-ray, the average Aglietti index was 36.5% ± 7.3 at the tibial level and 63.1% ± 3.3 at the femoral level. The overall mean Lysholm score was 89.03 ± 8.9. The overall functional result was satisfactory. The results were good and excellent in 72.4% of cases. The poorer results observed were attributable to the initial existence of meniscal lesions associated with the rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament (Khi2= 0.01).Conclusion: The therapeutic results of our patients are satisfactory. They testify to the relevance of the operative technique
A spectroscopic, thermodynamic and molecular docking study of the binding mechanism of dapoxetine with calf thymus DNA
Dapoxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, used to treat premature ejaculation in men. Dapoxetine may interact with theDNAand hence this study investigated dapoxetine and calf thymusDNA(ctDNA) binding interaction. The interaction study of ligands to DNA is of importance in the development of molecular probes and therapeutic agents. Spectroscopic techniques including spectrofluorometry and spectrophotometry were employed to study this interaction. Fluorescence studies indicated a static quenching mechanism between dapoxetine and ctDNA. Groove binding was suggested as the mode of interaction between dapoxetine and ctDNA based onUVabsorption, circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, iodide quenching and molecular docking studies. The studies conducted at three different temperatures 298, 303 and 310 K indicated a strong binding interaction at higher temperatures. Thermodynamic studies conducted indicated involvement of hydrophobic interaction between ctDNA and dapoxetine and were entropy-driven. Ethidium bromide probe study suggested that dapoxetine does not bind to ctDNA in an intercalative fashion. Iodide quenching studies further proved the non-intercalative binding of ctDNA with dapoxetine. Ionic strength studies conducted ruled out the electrostatic binding mechanism between ctDNA and dapoxetine. Molecular docking analysis performed for the dapoxetine with calf thymus DNA (ctDNA) interaction and confirmed minor groove binding of dapoxetine to ctDNA. The study helped to reveal the binding interaction mechanism between dapoxetine and ctDNA
Evaluation of Bitter Kola Leaf Extract as an Anticorrosion Additive for Mild Steel in 1.2 M H2SO4 Electrolyte
Plant-based material, namely bitter kola leaf, as an additive for surface modification of mild steel in H2SO4 solution was thoroughly scrutinized using electrochemical, theoretical and optimization techniques. The functional groups, of the biomolecules of the bitter kola leaf extract, were examined using Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR) and gas chromatography-mass spectrophotometry (GC-MS). For clarification purpose, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to inspect the texture of the degraded and inhibited steel after 21 h of immersion. For the response surface methodology (RSM), central composite design of Design-Expert Software was used to optimize the inhibition efficiency as a function of acid concentration, inhibitor concentration, temperature and time. The optimum inhibition efficiency of 93 % was obtained at 0.9 g L–1 bitter kola leaf. The mutual correlation between the considered variables and expected response was adequately interpreted by a quadratic model. The fitness of the model was justified by the following standards which include P-value (<0.0001), adjusted R2 (0.9843), R2 (0.991), adequate precision (43.14) and coefficient of variation (2.59). Bitter kola leaf extract behaved as a mixed-type inhibitor and adequately satisfied Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Furthermore, the theoretical modelling revealed the most active molecule of bitter kola leaf responsible for the overall inhibition. The experimental and theoretical results are in agreement that bitter kola leaf extract is a viable corrosion inhibitor of mild steel in H2SO4 solution