African Journal of Internal Medicine

African Journal of Internal Medicine ISSN 2326-7283 Vol. 3 (9), pp. 202-214, October, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Review

A study of the interaction of the free chemical energy that emanates from the melanin with some intracellular processes

*Miguel J. Iberio, Rockdrigo M. N and Eraclio Coffman Yunes

Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Mexico.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: miguel [email protected]

Accepted 26 July, 2015

Abstract

AD is the most common age-related neurodegenerative disorder affecting elderly populations over the age of 65. Characteristic symptoms of AD include progressive memory loss, declining cognition, impaired linguistic function, and dementia. Pathologically, the brain exhibits extensive synapse and neuronal cell loss, as well as the appearance of Neurofibrillary Tangles (NFT) and senile plaques, associated with widespread oxidative stress and damage. Recent research suggests that glucolytic enzymes, that is (GAPDH) that has been studied in relation AD, possesses highly diverse, non-glucolytic functions, as its expression and activity are affected by multiple factors. Taking into consideration the multitude of functions GAPDH can carry out under normal conditions, in addition to a variety of sub-cellular locations, it is not surprising that this enzyme is so often affected by disease pathology.

Key words: Alzheimer, melanin, photosynthesis, glucose, ATP, energy, mitochondria.

African Journal of Internal Medicine ISSN 2326-7283 Vol. 3 (9), pp. 196-201, October, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

An investigation of the relationships among depression, anxiety, flexibility and gastric symptoms

 Julius O. Attoh

Medical School, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Greater Accra Region, Ghana.

E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 18 July, 2015

Abstract

Brain-gut connection is well established as is depression and anxiety to gastric pathology. Still elusive is clarity on specific cognitive and behavioural states and bowel functioning. Therefore this study investigated the relationships among depression, anxiety, flexibility, and gastric symptoms. 120 student participants completed the four scales used: Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), General Expectancy for Success Scale (GESS), Bowel Health Questionnaire (BHQ), and Luchin water-jar problems. Correlational analysis showed high correlation between BDI and BHQ, especially for young male students. Scores on the Luchin water-jar problems were negatively correlated with the BHQ and the best predictor variable for scores on BHQ was BDI, followed by scores on flexibility (Luchin). Multivariate analysis revealed a significant effect of Sex on the GESS. Univariate analysis showed a significant effect of Age on the same scale. Results suggest that depression, flexibility and gastric symptoms may be associated in nonclinical samples.

Key words: Anxiety, depression, flexibility, gastric symptoms.

African Journal of Internal Medicine ISSN 2326-7283 Vol. 3 (9), pp. 190-195, October, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Contribution to the early diagnosis of HIV in children born to HIV-positive mothers in Bobo Dioulasso: Real-time PCR and quantitative p-24 assay

Ouédraogo SM¹^,², Sourabié Y¹^,², Bazié WW¹, Sanodji N¹, Barro M¹, Ouattara ABI¹, Traoré Y⁴,  Nacro B ¹^,³,

¹Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sourô Sanou 01 BP 676 Bobo 01 Burkina Faso.

²Institut Supérieur des Sciences de la Santé, Université  Polytechnique de Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.

³Unité de Formation et de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, Université de Ouagadougou.

⁴Unité de Formation et de Recherche des Sciences et Technologies, Université de Ouagadougou.

Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 28 September, 2015

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of real-time PCR and p24 antigen with children born to HIV-positive mothers. Method: It is about a prospective longitudinal study over a period of 14 months. PCR RNA of HIV-1 (HIV Charge Kit Generic Virale® ANRS G2) and P24 antigenemia (Biomerieux ®) were performed on blood samples of children from 6 weeks to 18 months. Children with viral load below 300 copies / ml (> 2.48 Log) and a title Ag P 24 less than 3 pg / ml were considered uncontaminated. All children were followed  clinically and biologically up to 18 months when two serological tests (Determine® and Immunocoombs®) were performed on them for confirmation. Results: Were included 214 children born to HIV-positive mothers. The average age of children was 6 months (1.5 -18 months). The sex ratio was 0.79. The infection rate was 11.2% (24/214). The outcomes of the methods are given below: sensitivity and specificity were respectively 95.8% and 100% for PCR-RNA real-time and 83.3% and 98.4% for the quantitative p24 antigen. The correlation coefficient was r = 0 .37 which shows that there was not a good correlation between the two techniques. Conclusion: Both virologic and immunological tests have proven usefulness to the early diagnosis of HIV infection with children born to HIV infected mothers. Because of the low sensitivity of the P-24 assay in the early diagnosis of HIV infection with children born to HIV infected mothers, a popularization of this test in resource limited areas is not advised.

Key words: HIV, early diagnosis, PCR-RNA, P-24 assay, Burkina Faso.

African Journal of Internal Medicine ISSN 2326-7283 Vol. 3 (9), pp. 185-189, October, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper   

A study of the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome and its predictors among type 2 diabetes mellitus of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu Nigeria

*Ejiofor I.K, Ngozi S.A and and Òbalíke A. Onyeso

Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, College of Medicine, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu State, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 04 July,  2015

Abstract

The aim of this study is to study the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (MS) and its predictors among type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) outpatients of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu Nigeria using the National Cholesterol Education Programme/Adult Treatment Panel 111(NCEP/ATP111) criteria. A total of 366 T2DM patients, (210 men and 156 women), who were registered and receiving treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM) in the hospital, participated in the study. Bio-data measurements and laboratory determinations were done using standard methods. The prevalence of MS among the T2DM patients was 67.8%. More female patients (84.6%) had the syndrome than male patients, (55.2%). The female patients had more unfavourable anthropometric parameters than men. Excess waist circumference was found in 150, (41%) of the patients and was strongly associated with the metabolic syndrome 92%. Low high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentrations and raised systolic blood pressure occurred less commonly, 39 and 28% respectively, but were nonetheless strongly associated with the syndrome, 89 and 85% respectively. All four predictors, (except hyperglycaemia), were found in 18(5%), of the patients, 2(1.7%) men and 16(12%) women while three of them, excess waist circumference, low HDL-C and raised triglycerides clustered with hyperglcaemia in 90(25.6%) patients; 36(31%) men and 54(41%) women with the syndrome. The prevalence of MS among the T2DM patients was lower than figures reported elsewhere. More women than men had the syndrome due probably to differences in weight. Raised diastolic blood pressure and low HDL-C were strong predictors of the syndrome while raised triglycerides may be used for screening for the syndrome in the study population.

Key words: metabolic syndrome, low HDL-C, diseases, hyperglcaemia, type 2 diabetes.

African Journal of Internal Medicine ISSN 2326-7283 Vol. 3 (8), pp. 180-184, September, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Lipid profile of hemodialysis patients at the University Teaching Hospital Sylvanus Olympio in Togo

Ouedraogo SM¹, Djibril MA², Balaka A², Baragou S³, Tchamdja T², Djagadou K², Agbetra A²

¹Department of Internal Medicine, University Teaching Hospital Souro Sanou, Burkina Faso.

²Intensive medical care, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sylvanus Olympio, Lomé.

³Cardiology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire campus Lomé (Togo).

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 20 August, 2015

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the atherosclerotic index with dyslipidemia hemodialysis patients at the CHU Sylvanus Olympio in TOGO. It is a descriptive cross-sectional study which was carried out from 7 April to 7 June 2011 in the hemodialysis unit of the internal medicine department of the University Hospital of Lome-SO. The study involved a population of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients on dialysis for at least six months. Dyslipidemia was determined on serum lipid results of the various parameters obtained taking into account the biochemistry laboratory standards CHU-SO. Data were recorded on a survey form and analyzed by means of the software Epi Info version 3.5 and Excel 2007.  It comprised sixty (60) chronic hemodialysis patients regularly followed up in the CHU-SO hemodialysis service. The target population consisted of 41 men and 19 women i.e., a sex - ratio of 2.15. The average age was 48.16 ± 13.63 years, ranging from 22 to 77 years. The age group 40 to 49 years was the most represented with 32.69% of cases (n = 20). Out of the sixty hemodialysis patients who participated in the study, 50 had at least one cardiovascular risk factor. Hypertension and diabetes mellitus were the most represented risk factors with rates of 75% and 23.3%. Patients had one cardiovascular risk factor (CVRF) in 64.98%, 2 CVRF in 13, 32%, 3 CVRF in 5.32% and no CVRF in 16.66%. The observed lipid disorders were represented by the total hypercholesterolemia (15%), the hypo HDLemia (26, 66%), the hyperLDLemia (12.40%), hypertriglyceridemia (46.66%). Twelve patients (20%) had mixed dyslipidemia. The index of atherogenic was above normal in 36.66% most represented with women (52.64%) than men (17.08%).  Dyslipidemia, namely hypertriglyceridemia and hypo-HDL cholesterol are common and potentially atherogenic with hemodialysis patients at the CHU-SO. Concern for the prevention and treatment of any systematic dyslipidemia with CKD hemodialysis patients proves necessary.

Key words: Atherosclerotic index, CKD, hemodialysis, Togo. 

African Journal of Internal Medicine ISSN: 2326-7283 Vol. 3 (8), pp. 177-179, September, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Case Report

Warfarin induced skin necrosis related with high prevalence of morbidity and mortality

*Nassan Yadav, Nujoom Al Jaziri and Hamdam Al-Shaikh

Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Al Ghurair University, United Arab Emirates.

E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 15 August, 2015

Abstract 

Warfarin induced skin necrosis (WISN) represents a rare complication of warfarin therapy that is associated with high incidence of morbidity and mortality. It usually presents in susceptible patients within 10 days of initiation of therapy. The study report a case of 24 years old gentleman who is known to have a unique rare inborn error of metabolism (primary hyperoxaluria), and was diagnosed with late onset WISN after being on warfarin for 28 months for recurrent pulmonary embolisms. The skin lesions in the study patient were not associated with underlying protein C or S deficiency.

Key words: Warfarin induced skin necrosis, primary hyperoxaluria (PH), calciphylaxis, end stage renal disease (ESRD).