Insulin resistance (IR) is an independent risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Because only triglyceride levels and fasting blood glucose are required to measure the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, and the insulin test, which is used in the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) calculation, is costly and unavailable in the majority of laboratories in the cities of developing countries. Thus, the goal of our study was compared the predictive power of HOMA-IR and the TyG index for assessing IR, as well as the incidence and prevalence of T2DM. Methods: From January 2025 to July 2025, a cross-sectional study was carried out at Aulaqi Specialized Med. Lab. Several risk factors were evaluated among 215 participants, 110 of whom had T2DM and 105 of whom without diabetes. The following analysis data were collected; high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), fasting blood glucose (FBG), HBA1c, C-peptide, TyG index and HOMA-IR. The results of the statistical test were considered significant if the P value>0.05. Results: The T2DM participants had higher mean TyG index (4.87 ± 0.32 vs. 4.66 ± 0.31, P<0.001) and HOMA-IR (3.07 ± 1.99 vs. 2.32 ± 1.07, P=0.001) values than non-diabetes. In the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, the TyG index demonstrated a better performance [area under the curve (AUC) 0.832), with 76.7% sensitivity and 73.8% specificity] in predicting T2DM compared to HOMA-IR (AUC 0.700), which had 67.0% sensitivity and 66.7% specificity (P<0.001). Conclusion: The TyG index correlates with HOMA-IR and outperforms it in terms of T2DM detection and prediction, furthermore, the TyG index regarded as useful and valuable surrogate for estimating IR and for predicting T2DM in individuals who appear to be healthy.
Foodborne pathogens contaminating meat products represent a significant public health concern, particularly in regions with suboptimal hygiene standards. Multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria further complicate treatment options and increase morbidity and mortality. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the distribution of foodborne bacterial pathogens, their antibiotic susceptibility patterns, and contamination levels in retail meat samples from Kathmandu, Nepal. A laboratory-based cross-sectional study was conducted over six months (October 2023–March 2024) at the Department of Laboratory Medicine, Manmohan Memorial Institute of Health Sciences. A total of 80 raw meat samples (40 chicken and 40 buffalo) were collected from retail shops in Kathmandu. Bacterial isolation and identification were performed using standard microbiological techniques. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was conducted using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method according to CLSI guidelines. Phenotypic detection of β-lactamase (ESBL, MBL, AmpC) and MRSA was performed. Total viable count (TVC) was determined using the pour plate method. Out of 204 bacterial isolates, Escherichia coli (59, 28.92%) was the predominant isolate, followed by Klebsiella spp. (28, 13.74%), Proteus spp. (26, 12.75%), Citrobacter spp. (19, 9.31%), and Salmonella spp. (16, 7.84%). Among gram-positive bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus was found in 16 (7.84%) isolates and coagulase-negative staphylococci in 7 (3.43%) isolates. The distribution of MDR isolates was 136 (66.7%). Among gram-negative bacteria (n=181), ESBL producers comprised 5 (2.76%), MBL producers 47 (25.96%), and AmpC producers 36 (19.88%) of isolates. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was detected in 10 (62.5%) of the 16 S. aureus isolates. Mean total viable count was higher in chicken (5.66 log₁₀ CFU/g) compared to buffalo meat (5.64 log₁₀ CFU/g). This study demonstrates a high prevalence of MDR, MBL, and AmpC β-lactamase-producing bacteria in retail meat samples, though ESBL producers were relatively uncommon. These findings underscore the urgent need for stringent hygiene standards and sanitation practices in meat handling and retail environments to ensure consumer safety.
Malaria is classified as either uncomplicated (UM) or severe (SM), but the mechanism underlying the progression from uncomplicated to severe is still unclear. This study aimed to assess haematologic and biochemical parameters as potential prognostic biomarkers for differentiating SM from UM in a Ghanaian population. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to sample 166 participants, comprising 42 healthy controls, 78 uncomplicated malaria cases, and 46 severe malaria cases. Blood samples were analysed for full blood count, liver function test, renal function test, and serum angiopoietins. Statistical analyses were carried out using GraphPad Prism 9 software. Median and interquartile ranges, Mann-Whitney U test, and Kruskal-Wallis analysis were done to compare groups. The haemoglobin and platelet counts of SM patients were significantly lower than those of the UM group (p < 0.05). However, the White Blood Cell (WBC) counts of severe malaria patients (7.4, IQR: 5.4 - 10.6) were significantly higher than the uncomplicated malaria population (5.7, IQR: 5.0 - 6.5) (p < 0.001). Serum levels of bilirubin (total and direct), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and total proteins in severe malaria were significantly higher than uncomplicated malaria group (p < 0.001). These findings indicate that haemoglobin, platelet, creatinine, urea, AST, ALT, GGT and bilirubin levels may serve as biomarkers for distinguishing severe from uncomplicated malaria.
Tsetse flies (Dipterans: Glossinidae) are blood-feeder flies of the genus Glossina that belong to the family Glossinidae. SIT is based on the mass production, radiation-based sterilization and release of sterile male tsetse flies over a target area to suppress or locally eliminate a target tsetse population. The aim of this study was to assess the reproductive efficiency of Glossina pallidipes and G. f. fuscipes reared under laboratory conditions in terms of productivity, and survival of flies fed on different animal blood. A total of 384 flies from each female G. pallidipes and G. f. fuscipes were used to study the Reproductive Efficiency of Glossina pallidipes and Glossina fuscipes in terms of productivity and survival of flies obtained from stock colony of Kality Tsetse Research Centre and fed on animals’ blood of bovine, camel, ovine and caprine for a period of 3 months. Duncan multiple range test was performed to analyze pupae per initial female, pupae production, fecundity, survival test fed on different blood diets using Stata computer software (version12.0). The result reviled that Pupae per initial female recorded in G. pallidipes fed on the blood of caprine was significantly lower compared to those flies fed on the blood of the other animals. On the other hand, female flies of G. f. fuscipes which fed on the blood of camel had significantly higher mean pupae per initial female than those flies fed on the blood of ovine, bovine, and caprine. Moreover, pupae quality as measured by weight class showed that flies fed caprine blood had also more small weight pupae (class A and B) compared to flies fed camel blood. However, in G. pallidipes, a statistically significant difference was not recorded in their survival rate in females flies fed camel, bovine and ovine blood. But in general camel blood was found to be the most suitable blood followed by ovine, bovine, and caprine in terms of productivity, pupae production, fecundity, and pupae weight of flies. Camel blood meal should be used for invitro feeding purpose of both G. pallidipes and G. f. fuscipes species of tsetse flies under laboratory condition to ensure better production.
Background: Accurate glucose measurement is central to effective glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). While central laboratory plasma glucose measurement remains the reference standard, point-of-care testing (POCT) glucometers are widely used in clinical practice because of their convenience and rapid turnaround time. Objective:This study compared the analytical performance of POCT glucose measurement with central laboratory glucose measurement among patients with T2DM. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 confirmed T2DM patients attending the diabetes clinic of Jos University Teaching Hospital, North-Central Nigeria. Fasting venous plasma glucose was measured using the hexokinase method on a Cobas c111 analyzer, while capillary glucose was simultaneously measured using a standardized On-Call Plus glucometer. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation and Bland–Altman agreement analysis. Result: The mean glucose values were 9.24 ± 4.98 mmol/L for POCT and 7.40 ± 4.13 mmol/L for laboratory measurement (p < 0.0001). A strong positive correlation was observed (r = 0.91, p < 0.0001). Bland–Altman analysis showed a mean bias of 1.9 mmol/L, with limits of agreement from −2.3 to +6.1 mmol/L, indicating a tendency for POCT values to be higher. Conclusion: POCT glucose measurement demonstrates good correlation with laboratory glucose but shows a positive bias. Regular quality assurance and periodic comparison with laboratory methods are essential to ensure safe clinical use.
