Background: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) adversely affects reproductive and metabolic health.It mandates early detection.Lyfas is a mHealth instrument, which is a personalized, fast, non-invasive, and pervasive smartphone-based application.It captures Heart rate variability and its biomarkers (HRVBs) by finger touch on the phone camera.HRVBs are a surrogate for cardiac autonomic modulation that occurs in PCOS.Objective: Early prediction of PCOS by Lyfas HRVBs and its validation by gynecologists. Methods and Material:A retrospective double-blind control trial has been conducted on a mixed population of PCOS (N=218) and healthy (N=153) participants.The cohort is further divided into a) 'Forward miners or FM' (N=210: PCOS 135, healthy 75), where Lyfas has been used to mine the 'significant' HRVBs of PCOS, and b) 'Reverse mappers or RM' (N=161), where Lyfas decisions, based on the 'significant' HRVBs are validated by a panel of gynecologists.Statistical analysis: Cronbach's alpha, Descriptive statistics, Q-Q plots, Spearman's correlation, and classification metric (recall, specificity, precision, accuracy, fscore, and Youden's index), and Bland-Altman's reliability test (BART).Results: LF/HF and SD1/SD2 shows significant positive correlation (ρ = 0.60 and 0.45 and p-value = 0.009 and 0.02, respectively).Lyfas shows 82% recall, 84% specificity, 85% precision, 83% accuracy, 84% fscore, and 74% Youden's index when compared to the diagnoses of gynecologists.BART shows Lyfas has a 2% of proportional bias, i.e., 98% reliable when compared to gynecologists' prediction.Conclusions: Lyfas HRVBs (LF/HF and SD1/SD2) can be assistive to gynecologists to predict the possibility of PCOS in the suspected population in 3-5 minutes.
Introduction: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease [NAFLD] is considered the commonest form of liver disorders around the globe.Curcumin is known to have protective anti-oxidative characteristics.Objective: The present work aims to investigate the effect of curcumin on NAFLD.Materials and Methods: 60 Wistar male rats divided into four groups: Group I: Control group received rat chew diet for 12 weeks.Group II: Fatty liver group, animals received high-fat diet for 12 weeks.Group III: Fatty liver group injected intraperitoneally [IP] with 1 ml/kg body weight dimethyl sulfoxide [DMSO] every other day for 8 weeks.Group IV: Fatty liver group injected with 50 mg/kg body weight, curcumin dissolved in DMSO, IP every other day for 8 weeks Animals were sacrificed at the end of the experiment.Blood was collected for separation of sera and liver tissues to prepare liver homogenates.Results: Fasting blood sugar, insulin,and homeostatic model for insulin resistance [HOMA-IR] were significantly higher in rats of NAFL group than control group ( p<0.05, p<0.001, p<0.001 respectively) while insulin and HOMA-IR were lower in curcumin treated group (group IV) when compared to DMSO group (group III) (p<0.05,p<0.001respectively).Cholesterol concentrations in liver homogenate were siginificantly decreased in curcumin group when compared to DMSO and NAFL group (p<0.05).Serum TG of NAFL group was significantly higher than DMSO and curcumin groups ( p<0.05).Triglycerides in liver homogenate of curcumin group was lower than that of NAFL and DMSO groups (p<0.001,p<0.05respectively).Serum LDL-cholesterol was significantly higher in NAFL group when compared to control one (p<0.05)but decreased in curcumin group when compared to NAFLand DMSO groups (p<0.001).Serum VLDL in NAFL group was significantly higher than that of DMSO and curcumin groups(p<0.05).MDA concentration was higher in NAFL group compared to control group (p<0.001) and was significantly decreased in curcumin group compared to DMSO and NAFL groups (p<0.001).Total glutathione levels in liver homogenate was significantly decreased in NAFL group compared to control group and increased in curcumin group compared to NAFL and DMSO groups (p<0.001).Triglycerides in liver homogenate had a positive correlation with HOMA-IR (r=0.724,p<0.05) and malondialdhyde [MDA] in curcumin group (r=0.807,p<0.001)There was a positive correlation between insulin level and serum VLDL (r=0.547,p<0.05) in curcumin group.Conclusions: Enhanced oxidative stress and reduced antioxidant status of the plasma and liver are greatly involved in the induction and progression of NAFL.Curcumin has antioxidant defense mechanism, improves serum lipid profile, decreases steatosis in the liver and improves insulin sensitivity in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
Background: Vascular aging (VA) increases the risk of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) and premature deaths.Increased VA is attributed to the extent of the Arterial stiffness index (ASI), which is evident in smokers, diabetics, hypertensives, etc.The authors of this paper have discussed the usage of a smartphonebased healthcare instrument, called Lyfas that works with the principle of arterial photoplethysmography (APPG) and estimates the Pulse rate variability (PRV), which surrogates for the Heart rate variability (HRV) and its correlated digital cardiovascular biomarkers (CVb).PRV reflects cardiovascular autonomic modulation, which helps obtain the ASI by Lyfas.Objective: To establish the inter-relationships of the CVb and ASI using Lyfas.Methods: (i) Lyfas assess the ASI from the 2nd derivative of the photoplethysmography (SDPPG) waveform of the capillary arteriole at the tip of index fingers using the camera sensor.From SDPPG, ASI is computed.(ii) Lyfas simultaneously captures the CVb such as SDNN, RMSSD, HR, HRV score, pNN50, SD1/SD2, and LF/HF.(iii) Linear regressions (LR) and One-way ANOVA, and Pearson's interclass correlations ('r') are applied to check the interrelationships of (a) ASI with that of (b) CVb in 116 adults (58 females and males, each) within the age group of 30-60 years and above.Hypersensitivity of Lyfas has been tested by taking the test thrice a day at a gap of 8 hours.The variance and the ranges are measured for hypersensitivity analysis.Results: The study found that the ranges and variances fall within the normal limits.For female hypertensives, SDNN and LF/HF are statistically significant to predict for ASI with correlation (r) values of 0.79 in the age group >60 years and -0.98 in the age group 41-50 years and 0.99 in the age group 41-50 years, respectively.In the case of smokers, SD1/SD2 is negatively correlated (-0.77) with ASI and is statistically significant.male smokers, RMSSD, and HRV are statistically significant to predict for ASI with correlation (r) values of 0.59 in the age group 30-40 years and 0.96 in the age group 41-50 years and for HRV 0.96 in the age group 41-50 years, respectively.In the case of hypertensives, SDNN is negatively correlated (-0.89) with ASI in the age group of 41-50 years and is statistically significant.No biomarker showed a significant correlation in diabetics in this sample.Conclusions: Lyfas is a robust clinical-grade instrument and the CVb captured by it can predict the ASI and the vascular age in a personalized manner.
Objective:The concurrent use of antibiotics and antimalarial drugs may increase Plasmodium susceptibility.Clindamycin (C) is an antibiotic with potential antiplasmodial activity.Dihydroartemisininpiperaquine (D-P) is an effective antimalarial drug.This study examined the antiplasmodial effect of dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine-clindamycin (D-P-C) on mice infected with Plasmodium berghei.Methods: Adult Swiss albino mice (25-30g) of n=6/group were used.Using the curative, suppressive and prophylactic tests, mice were infected with Plasmodium.berghei and orally treated per day with D-P (1.71/13.7mg/kg),C (10mg/kg) and D-P-C, respectively.The positive control was orally treated per day with chloroquine (CQ) (10 mg/kg) whereas the normal and the negative controls were orally treated per day with normal saline (0.2ml).Results: In the curative, suppressive and prophylactic tests, D-P-C decreased percentage parasitemia levels with significant difference observed at p<0.05 when compared to individual doses of C, D-P and CQ.D-P-C significantly prolonged mean survival time with difference observed at p< 0.05 when compared to individual doses of D and D-P.The anti-anemic effect of D-P-C was characterized by increased hemoglobin, red blood cells, packed cell volume and decreased white blood cells with significant difference observed at p<0.05 when compared to individual doses of C, D-P and CQ.Treatment with D-P-C eradicated liver Plasmodium.Conclusion: D-P-C showed promising antiplasmodial activity.It may be used for the treatment of malaria.
Background: Reseach reports over the years have pointed to the vulnerability of the testes to heat and other physical agents of cell damage.A possible source of intense heat is the drivers' seat of heavy duty trucks and trailers.For the drivers of these vehicles, testicular heat is likely to occur, and initial injury/damage within the testes is likely accompanied by an increase in the serum concentration of FSH and LH from the anterior pituitary gland.This research was aimed at evaluating the serum concentration of Testosterone, Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH) in drivers of heavy duty trucks and trailers (long distance drivers), as compared to values obtained from age-matched control subjects.Method: This study was carried out on drivers of heavy duty trucks.A total of sixty (60) subjects and sixty controls were recruited for this study.Venous blood was collected and serum extracted for the evaluating the parameters.ELISA method -an enzyme immunoassay test which follows a typical two-step capture or "sandwich" type assay, was used for the laboratory estimation of these hormones.Data obtained was analyzed using SPSS.Result: There was significant difference in the FSH concentration (at p<0.001) and LH concentration (p<0.05) in long distance drivers as against control subjects.DHT and Testosterone however did not differ significantly between the study and control groups.Both ANOVA and Correlation studies showed that these elevations in FSH and LH increase with intensity of heat, and duration of contact with the seat.Among the parameters, DHT and Testosterone correlated positively (r = 0.697, p<0.001);FSH and LH also correlated positively (r = 0.607, p<0.001); while DHT correlated negatively with FSH concentration (r = -0.460,p<0.001).Age also significantly correlated positively with FSH contration (p<0.01). Conclusion:In conclusion, the aberrations observed in the concentration of parameters measured in this study indicate that there is significant hypergonadotropism due to prolonged exposure to testicular heat among these subjects.
Background: Dermatoglyphics is a very important tool used to recognize certain gene-related defects or diseases.Essential hypertension a disorder which has genetic influence and is defined as persistent high blood pressure not related to a single cause but reflecting the activity of various genetic and environmental factors, such that siblings of hypertensive parent or parents stand a higher likelihood of developing hypertension in later life.Objectives: Comparing Digito-palmar dermatoglyphic patterns among hypertensive and normotensive Nigerians.Methods: 400 hypertensive subjects were compared with 400 normotensive controls.All had qualitative digito-palmar dermatoglyphic patterns done. Results:The study shows that essential hypertensive patients have significantly higher frequency of whorl patterns and a decrease frequency of loops and arches on both right and left fingertips than controls.Conclusion: Whorl pattern of digito-palmar dermatoglyphic can be reliably used as a predictive tool for individuals who are at higher risk of developing essential hypertension and preventive measures can be targeted.
Background: Tuberculosis remains a leading infectious cause of death.Drug resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) which serves as a major problem for TB control thereby serves as a major hindrance to the recent achievements.Although, there has been an increase in TB and DR-TB cases, the gaps in case detection and treatment remain a problem due to under reporting and diagnosis, but the literature about the platelets indices associated with Drug Resistance Tuberculosis is scarce.This study aimed to determine the association between Platelet indices and drug Resistant Tuberculosis.Materials and Methods: This study conducted a prospective case-control study to evaluate Platelets indices among 30 patients with DR-TB, 30 DS-TB and 30 healthy individuals.Sputum and Blood samples were analyzed using Gene Xpert and Mindary-BG5380 5-part automated full blood count analyzer respectively together with their Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate using Westergren method.Results: There was a statistically significant difference in Platelet counts, PCT (Plateletcrit), MPV (Mean Platelet Volume), and ESR (Erythrocytes Sedimentation Rate) among DR-TB.Among DS-TB patients, there was a statistically significant difference in PCT, MPV among DR-TB when compared to DS-TB at p-value < 0.05.There was a statistically significant difference in Platelet counts, PCT, MPV, ESR between DS-TB and Healthy controls at p-value < 0.05.The sensitivity of DR-TB for platelet count, MPV and PCT were 36%, 47%, and 47% respectively.Also, the specificity of the platelet count, MPV and PCT were 47%, 55% and 55% respectively.The sensitivity of DS-TB for platelet count, MPV and PCT were 77%, 68%, and 72% respectively.Also, the specificity of the platelet count, MPV and PCT were 53%, 63% and 58% respectively.Conclusion: MPV and ESR were significantly reduced among DR-TB; Platelet count and PCT were significantly increased.MPV was significantly reduced among DS-TB; Platelet count, PCT and ESR were
Glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) is a serine/threonine kinase and regulates glycogen synthase, cellcycle progression and apoptosis.PI3K/PTEN/AKT/GSK3/mTORC1 pathway is often activated in multiple human cancers and activated AKT phosphorylates and inactivates GSK3.GSK3 exists as α and β isoforms in mammals; however which GSK3 isoform regulates cancer cell proliferation is still unclear.Notably, most studies have focused on GSK3 β and very few reports addressed the role of the alpha isoform in cancer.Current study explored the prognostic role of GSK3A in breast cancer patients using Kaplan-Meier plotter (KM plotter).GSK3A mRNA expression was significantly correlated with breast cancer patients survival.Lower GSK3A mRNA expression was significantly correlated to poorer relapse-free survival (RFS) in breast cancer patients (including luminal A and basal type).Luminal A breast cancer patients showed a better RFS with higher GSK3A mRNA expression in systemically untreated and chemotherapy only treated patients.Lower mRNA expression of GSK3A was significantly correlated to poorer RFS in luminal A breast cancer patients with grade 2 tumors and negative lymph node status.The distinct prognostic effect of GSK3A mRNA expression in breast cancer patients thus makes it a potential therapeutic target.
Prenatal triple marker serum screening has become a standard tool used in obstetrical care to identify pregnancies that may have an increased risk for certain birth defects like neural tube defect, trisomy 21 and trisomy 18.According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, it has become standard in prenatal care to offer screening tests for neural tube defects and genetic abnormalities.This study therefore aims to evaluate some biochemical birth defects biomarkers (Triple Tests) neglected routinely in Ante-Natal Clinic Screening in older pregnant women from 35 years and above in Benin City (serum levels of alpha feto-protein, estriol and beta human chorionic gonadotropin).The blood samples were collected from one hundred (100) subjects recruited for the study.Serum was processed from clotted blood samples and analyzed using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method.Ultrasound scan was also adopted to confirm the laboratory results.All the results were analyzed statistically using student T-test and Chi square.A prevalence of P ≤ 0.05% was considered as statistically significant.From the study, the results obtained showed significant difference in the values of alpha-feto protein, 141.02 ± 80.19ng/ml and 163.11 ± 112.69ng/ml, at P < 0.026 for test and control subjects respectively.The estriol, also, exhibited a significant difference in the result of test subjects (2108 ± 194.82) and control (1957.14 ± 422) at P< 0.023.The ultrasound scan used to confirm the laboratory results showed some abnormalities like neural tube defects, hydrocephalus, anencephaly and polyhydramnios.The study concluded that abnormal pregnancy outcome is strongly associated with increase in maternal age.Also, it showed that triple screen is to be performed during pregnancy preferably in the second trimester to classify a patient as either high or low risk for chromosomal abnormalities and neural tube defects.Thus, there is need to include these biomarkers in routine antenatal screening, particularly as women advances in age.
Amodiaquine (AQ) is used as a partner drug with artemisinins for malaria treatment.Azithromycin (AZ) is a macrolide antibiotic with potential antiplasmodial activity.This study assessed whether AZ can be used as a partner drug with AQ for malaria treatment in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice.Adult Swiss albino mice (30-35g) of both sexes were randomly grouped and used.The mice were inoculated with Plasmodium berghei and orally treated with AQ (10 mg/kg), AZ (10 mg/kg) and AQ-AZ, respectively.Chloroquine CQ (10mg/kg) was used as the standard.At the termination of treatment, blood samples were collected and assessed for percentage parasitamia, inhibition and hematological markers.Liver samples were examined for histological changes.The mice were also observed for mean survival time (MST).In the curative, prophylactic and suppressive tests, AQ-AZ significantly decreased percentage parasitamia with difference observed at p<0.05 when compared to AQ or AZ.Curatively, AQ, AZ and AQ-AZ produced 71.41 %, 66. 80% and 92.60% parasitamia inhibitions, respectively when compared to 88.20% produced by CQ.The curative, prophylactic and suppressive tests showed significant prolongation of MST by AQ-AZ with difference observed at p<0.05 when compared to AQ or AZ.AQ-AZ inhibitions of Plasmodium berghei-induced alterations in hematological makers were characterized by increased red blood cells, packed cell volume, hemoglobin and decreased white blood cells with difference observed at p<0.05 when compared to AQ, or AZ.AQ-AZ eradicates vascular congestion and inflammatory cells observed in the liver of Plasmodium berghei-infected mice.AZ can be used as a partner drug with AQ for the treatment of malaria.
Nowadays, along with the development of science and technology, the classification of white blood cells (WBC) can assist in the diagnosis of leukemia.Manual blood cell classification is often not very accurate, time-consuming, laborious, and costly.Moreover, the risk of manual blood collection can be the transmission of infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, which causes unnecessary harm.Therefore, developing an automated system for blood cell classification will improve safety and save time and money.In this work, we proposed the classification method of white blood cells using Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) with Data Augmentation.To test the effectiveness of the proposed white blood cell classification system, a total of 10,299 white blood cells images from CellaVision was used.The experimented results of the proposed method have achieved 96% accuracy and compared to other published methods.
Natural Cordyceps sinensis(Dongchongxiacao) is an insect-fungi complex containing multiple Ophiocordyceps sinensis(≡Cordyceps sinensis) fungi and dead body of larva of the family of Hepialidae. But natural C. sinensis and O. sinensis fungi use the same Latin name, resulting in uncertainty of the specific meaning, even disturbing the formulation and implementation of governmental policies and regulations, and influencing consumer psychology onthe market. This paper reviews the history and current status of the indiscriminate use of the Latin name O. sinensis for both the natural insect-fungi complex C. sinensis and O. sinensis fungi and lists the rename suggetions. Some scholars suggested using the term O. sinensis for the fungi and renaming the natural C. sinensis "Chinese cordyceps". Others suggested renaming the natural C. sinensis "Ophiocordyceps & Hepialidae". Both suggestions have not reached general consensus due to various academic concerns. This paper also reviews the exacerbation of the academic uncertainties when forcing implementing the 2011 Amsterdam Declaration "One Fungus=One Name" under the academic debate. Joint efforts of mycological, zoological and botany-TCM taxonomists and properly initiating the dispute systems offered by International Mycology Association may solve the debate on the indiscriminate use of the Latin name O.sinensis for the natural insect-fungi complex,the teleomorph and anamorph(s) of O. sinensis fungi.
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is among the most common types of cancer in the world.Globally a steadily increasing proportion of elderly people in the world result in approximately 16 million new cases of cancer by the year 2021.Regarding treatment; Meloxicam was shown to prevent the initiation of chemical-induced tumors, and considered as anticancer agent by virtue of its anti-proliferative effect, capacity for cell cycle arrest, and pro-apoptotic effects, also acted as free radical scavenger, in particular superoxide anion oxidation scavenge.The aim of the current study was to clarify much important information on histopathology, histochemistry and immunoassay of CEA tumor marker characteristics of 1,2 DMH-induced colon tumor in albino rat and its relationship with the aberrant crypt mucosa as precursor in colon cancer progression.The study was carried out on 60 male albino rats, animals were divided into 5 groups; A: control group, B: animals received S.C. injections of 20 mg 1,2 DMH /Kg b.w, C: animals received 1, 2 DMH with ad libitum access to water and high fat diet, D: animals fed high fat diet and water ad libitum.E: animals received S.C. injections of 1,2 DMH and oral 15mg/Kg /day meloxicam/0.1 ml saline.Colon tissues from all studied groups were stained applying the following techniques: Hematoxylin & eosin, Alcian blue pH 2.5-acid mucopolysaccharide, Feulgen nuclear staining of DNA, Whole mount staining of colon and Immunoassay of serum CEA.The results confirmed the efficacy of meloxicam inhibiting or delaying growth of aberrant crypt foci in colon.Further research are needed to support presented findings.
Role Of Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Of Matrix Metalloproteinase (MMP-13 rs2252070) In The Etiology Of Dental Caries: A PCR Based Study.Background: Dental caries is multifactorial in origin.This study provides an alternative hypothesis for causation of dental caries and emphasize that genetics has a major role in disease process.Methods: The subjects were divided into 4 groups based on oral hygiene and dental caries experience.Polymerase chain reaction -restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was used in this study.Blood samples (2 ml) were obtained from the patients followed by isolation of Genomic DNA, Polymerase chain reaction test and digestion with enzyme Bsr-I.Results: The size of the initial PCR products was 450bp.After digestion with restriction enzyme Bsr-I the 450bp products were completely digested with two restriction sites (250 &180) in a group of subjects with good oral hygiene and presence of dental caries.Other groups had incomplete digestion With Bsr-I.Conclusion: Due to the single nucleotide polymorphism of MMP-13(rs2252070) the patients were suffering from dental caries despite having good oral hygiene.Genes play a major role in progression of dental caries.Practical implication: The established relation will help in formulating guidelines for prevention and treatment of cariogenic subjects more effectively.The pattern of dental caries can be learned in more precise manner.
Background: The use of lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r) may cause gonadal hormone dysfunction as an adverse consequence.Melatonin (MT) and alpha lipoic acid (ALA) have been associated with the regulations of gonadal functions.Objectives: The current study investigated the protective effects of MT and ALA against LPV/r-induced alterations in gonadal hormones of male albino rats.Methods: Rats were randomized into groups and were orally supplemented with MT (10mg/kg), ALA (10mg/kg) and MT + ALA prior to treatment with LPV/r (22.9/5.71-91.4/22.9mg/kg) daily for 90 days, respectively.Rats were sacrificed, blood samples were collected, and sera were extracted and evaluated for luteinizing hormone (LH), folliclestimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone (T), prolactin (PRL) and estradiol (ED).Results: Significant (p<0.001) decreases in serum LH, FSH, and T levels with significant (p<0.001)increases in PRL and ED levels in a dose-related fashion occurred in LPV/r-treated rats when compared to control.However, serum LH, FSH, T, PRL and ED levels were significantly restored in rats supplemented with MT (p<0.01),ALA (p<0.01) and MT+ALA (p<0.001) when compared to LPV/r-treated rats.Conclusion: This study showed that MT and ALA restored serum gonadal hormones of LPV/r-treated rats.
ZnO-NPs suspended in distilled water were administered to mice at dose of 100 mg/ kg body weight through oral gavage.The mean body weight gain in mice given ZnO-NPs was similar to this of control group during the two weeks.The effects of ZnONPs on RBCs have been investigated in context with the osmotic fragility, all of the RBCs did not hemolyze at the same time when treated with ZnONPs, some RBCs took more time, and some became crenated while some remained turgid for relatively longer duration.ZnONPs can spread more in blood, kidney, liver and other organs,and this was supported by the histopathological section showed that ZnONPs is able to induce changes in tissues of kidney and liver and brain in mice.The toxic effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles on the central nervous system include cytotoxicity, inflammation, and oxidative stress induction that result in neurodegeneration.
Herpes simplex virus type2 (HSV-2) is a common human pathogen that can cause primary and recurrent infection of the mucous membrane.Genital infection with HSV-2 facilitates the acquisition of HIV.Infection with HSV-2 is a public health problem as a leading cause of genital ulcerative disease.This study is aimed at evaluating the prevalence of HSV-2.This is a cross-sectional study conducted at the antenatal unit of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Rivers state.A total of 168 consenting pregnant women were used for the research.The study involved collecting socio-demographic data and laboratory determination of HSV-2 immunoglobulin (lgG).Data analysis was done using SPSS version 21.Chi square analysis was used to determine the correlation of the infection with socio-demographic factors.The seroprevalence for HSV-2 lgG specific antibody was 58.9% ( 99 /168).Statistical association can be found between the prevalence of HSV-2 lgG antibodies and the age, marital status, type of family, religion, history of abortion, history of sexually transmitted diseases (p<0.05) while the level of education, occupation, parity and gestation period were not statistically significant with HSV-2 IgG seroposivity (p>0.05).The prevalence of HSV-2 was high among women of childbearing age in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.Effort should be made to increase the awareness of HSV-2 infection among women of childbearing age.HSV-2 should be included as a routine test.
Aim: It has been observed that patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus have impaired balance between pro inflammatory and anti infalammatory markers as well as an imbalance between toxic and essential trace metals.The purpose of this research therefore is to assess the levels lead, chromium and serum interleukin-18 levels in type 2 diabetics.Methods: Thus, a total of 110 patients were investigated -40 were either newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus or had been previously diagnosed but had stopped treatment for at least 10weeks and currently not on drugs, 40 with type 2 diabetes mellitus and on treatment for at least six weeks, and 30 control subjects with normal plasma glucose level.Plasma glucose level, blood lead level, chromium and copper levels and serum interleukin 18 levels were estimated in all groups.Results: Plasma glucose and serum interleukin 18 levels was significantly high in treated diabetics than in control (P<0.05),blood chromium was significantly higher in control than in treated diabetics (P<0.05),BMI and blood lead levels were insignificantly higher in treated diabetics than in control (P<0.05).In untreated diabetics, plasma glucose, blood lead, serum interleukin-18 and BMI were significantly higher while blood chromium and copper was significantly lower than control (P<0.05).When treated and untreated diabetics were compared, plasma glucose, blood lead and copper, serum interleukin 18 and BMI was significantly higher in the untreated group while blood chromium level was significantly higher in treated diabetics (P<0.05).Conclusion: It appears that serum interleukin 18-a pro inflammatory cytokine is higher in diabetes subjects and can be significantly lowered through the intake of antidiabetic drugs, essential metal supplementation and lifestyle modifications over a period of time .This is because , in this research , serum interleukin 18, Lead and Copper levels nosedived with a reduction in plasma glucose levels.This area of study requires further investigation with other antidiabetic drugs.This, on the long run might be economically helpful in designing better and economic treatment protocols with a possibility of better clinical outcomes.
