African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery

African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery ISSN 2198-4638 Vol. 7 (12), pp. 001-004, December, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Evaluation of leucocyte and its subgroups in iron deficiency anemia

Ali Özcan¹, Muzaffer Çakmak², Ahmet Ruhi Toraman³, Aslıhan Çolak², Hamza Yazgan⁴, Mehmet Demirdöven⁴, Osman Yoku² and Ahmet Gürel⁵*

¹Biochemistry Laboratory of Private Central Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.

²Outpatient Clinics of Internal Medicine of Private Sema Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.

³Health Services of Private Sema Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.

⁴Pediatric Clinics of Private Sema Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.

⁵Biochemistry Laboratory of Private Sema Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.

Accepted 10 May, 2019

Abstract

In this study, leukocyte, granulocyte, lymphocyte and monocyte count was evaluated in patients with iron deficiency anaemia. Complete blood count data from 84 patients (with iron deficiency anaemia) admitted to our hospital’s paediatrics and general medicine outpatient clinics, and 109 age- and sex-matched healthy controls, were evaluated retrospectively. Complete blood count analyses were performed with Micros 60, and serum iron and ferritin levels analyses were performed by auto analyzers. Whilst granulocyte count was higher in the group with iron deficiency anaemia, lymphocyte count was lower. No difference in monocyte count was found between the groups. Although total leukocyte count was higher in the group with anaemia, the difference was statistically insignificant. In anaemia, iron deficiency increases granulocyte but reduces lymphocyte count. The molecular basis of this dual effect of iron on cellular defence system is still, to a great extent, unexplained.

Key words: Iron deficiency anaemia, leucocyte, granulocyte, lymphocyte, monocyte.

African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery ISSN 2198-4638 Vol. 7 (12), pp. 001-011, December, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Aquatic toxicity of various pharmaceuticals on some isolated plankton species

Randa A. El-Bassat^1,2*, Hussein E. Touliabah^3,4, Gamal I. Harisa⁵ and Fotoon A.Q. Sayegh⁶

¹Biology Department, Faculty of Applied Science, Umm Al-Qura, University, Makkah, Kingdom of Saudia Arabia.

²National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries (NIOF), Hydrobiology Laboratory, Egypt.

³Botany Department, Faculty of Girls for Arts, Science and Education, Ain Shams University, Egypt.

⁴Biology Department, Faculty of Education, Al-Jouf         University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

⁵Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, El-Azhar University, Egypt.

⁶Faculty of Girls, King Abdel-Aziz University, Saudi Arabia.

Accepted 21 June, 2019

Abstract

Four drugs belonging to different therapeutic classes were chosen to examine their toxicity on some plankton organisms of different trophic levels. They include algae (Chlorella vulgaris and Ankestrodesmus falcatus), protozoa (Paramecium caudatum), rotifers (Brachionus calyciflorus) and cladocerans (Daphnia longispina). The tested drugs are erythromycin (antibiotic), fluoxetine (antidepressant), naproxen (a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory) and gemfibrozil (lipid regulator). Algae were found to be more sensitive than other tested species to all tested drugs. The antibiotic erythromycin seriously affected the tested organisms even at low concentrations causing remarkable drop in their growth rates compared to the Control of each species. The acute exposure to fluoxetine during the present experiment exerted dramatic effect on both tested algae, with average LC₅₀ values of 36 and 40 µg l^-1for A. falcatus and C. vulgaris, respectively. On the contrary, fluoxetine enhanced the growth rates for both B. calyciflorus and D. longispina at low concentrations. P. caudatum was the most sensitive species to naproxen exposure, recording the lowest average LC₅₀ value of 36 mg l^-1 among the tested species after 24 h. Gemfibrozil had the least effect on the tested aquatic organisms with average LC₅₀ values ranging between a minimum value of 56 mg l^-1 recorded for A. falcatus and 78 mg l^-1 for B. calyciflorus. All the tested organisms suffered from oxidative stress in different degrees as a result of drug exposure. Our results showed reduction in the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities and elevation in lipid peroxidation (TBARS) levels in all tested species after exposure when compared with their activities in the control group. The results presented in this study suggest that the drugs investigated have toxic effects on the aquatic organisms tested. We concluded that there is a potential risk for non-target organisms associated with low levels of pharmaceuticals in surface waters. Chronic responses of non-target biota are not fully expected. Therefore, safe ways of discarding drug residues should be developed in order to protect the aquatic fauna.

Key words:  Catalase, lipid peroxidation, algae, zooplankton, pharmaceuticals.

African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery ISSN 2198-4638 Vol. 7 (11), pp. 001-005, November, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Association of anti-MCV autoantibodies with SLE (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus) overlapping with various syndromes

Nageen Hussain¹* and Ghazala Jaffery²

¹Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Quaid-e-Azam University of the Punjab, Lahore-Pakistan.

²Department of Pathology, Services Institute of Medical Sciences, Lahore-Pakistan.

Accepted 23 May, 2019

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) both are the systemic autoimmune diseases. Their etiology is still unknown but it is believed that genetic, immunological and environmental factors are involved in the pathogenesis of these diseases. A total of 61 SLE patients were included in the study. This study is purely related to SLE patients. Here, anti-mutated citrullinated vimentin (MCV) (Orgentec, Mainz, Germany) is detected in SLE patients by an ELISA at a cut-off value 20 U/ml. Of these 61 SLE patients, 19 had SLE overlapping with rheumatoid arthritis, 1 had SLE with Budd-Chiari syndrome, 2 had SLE with scleroderma while 20 were the total cases of lupus nephritis. Lupus nephritis patients were further subdivided into two groups: one group included 14 SLE patients with lupus nephritis alone and the second group included 6 SLE patients overlapping with Lupus nephritis (LN) and Rheumatoid arthritis. Of the 19 SLE patients with rheumatoid arthritis, 6 were also suffering from lupus nephritis. These results suggest high specificity and sensitivity of anti-MCV for SLE patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Key words: Rheumatoid arthritis, Budd-Chiari syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus, mutated citrullinated vimentin.

African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery ISSN 2198-4638 Vol. 7 (11), pp. 001-009, November, 2019. © International Scholars Journals 

Full Length Research Paper

Emotion recognition based on the asymmetric left and right activation

Kwang Shin Park¹*, Hyun Choi¹, Kuem Ju Lee¹, Jae Yun Lee¹, Kwang Ok An¹ and Eun Ju Kim²

¹National Rehabilitation Center Research Institute, 142-884, Seoul, Korea.

²National Rehabilitation Hospital, Seoul, 142-884, South Korea.

Accepted 21 June, 2019

Abstract

We obtained EEG (electroencephalogram) data from 34 healthy subjects while they were watching emotion-inducing videos and we also developed a real-time emotion monitoring system based on the resulting data. When analyzed from the left and right asymmetric EEG data in each emotion state as compared to the rest state (p<0.1), the alpha wave significantly decreased only at the left temporal lobe for the negative emotion. In particular, the increase of the beta wave was observed only at the left temporal lobe in the fear emotion (p<0.0025), which means inactivation of the left brain. On the other hand, the alpha wave decreased at the C4 in the happy emotion; and in the peaceful state, the gamma wave increased in T5 and the alpha wave decreased in CP5. However, when considering that the number of sample groups was less than seventeen, this result satisfied the independence between the EEG of the frequency band of a certain electrode position of a certain emotion and that of other emotion which is the condition of the emotion recognition algorithm, but it almost does not satisfied the overlap among emotions. However, as this was possible by the additional test, the emotion recognition was considered to be possible. The purpose of the present study; area: systems > emotion was to extract emotion indicators/indices from the EEG signals detected in the human scalp and develop a real-time emotion monitor showing emotional states of people, so that they can express their thoughts and feelings, even if they are passive.

Key words: Electroencephalogram (EEG), emotion, index, activation, asymmetry.

African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery ISSN 2198-4638 Vol. 7 (11), pp. 001-005, November, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Serum markers as better predictors than Ranson, Imrie, and APACHE II systems in identifying the severity of acute pancreatitis

Abdu Hassan Alzobydi¹, Salman Yousuf Guraya²* and Shaista Salman²

¹King Khalid Hospital Najran, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

²College of Medicine, Taibah University, Al Madina Al Munawara, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Accepted 11 August, 2019

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to evaluate the predictability of various scoring systems and serum markers in the assessment of the severity of acute pancreatitis. All consecutive patients with acute pancreatitis were prospectively studied. Body mass index was measured at the time of admission. The demographic data, etiology, mean hospital; stay, clinical, radiological, biochemical findings, morbidity, and mortality were recorded. The relations between these parameters, scoring systems (Ranson, APACHE II, Imrie, and various serum markers) and patients' outcome were determined by using appropriate tests. Ninety seven (fifty men and forty seven women) patients were incorporated in the study; mean age was 51 years. Biliary pancreatitis was the most common etiological factor, followed by idiopathic pancreatitis (60 and 29%, respectively). Seventy (72%) patients had severe pancreatitis and 27 (28%) cases had mild disease. Ranson (P=0.2), Glasgow (P=0.4), and APACHE II (P=0.5) appeared insignificant predictors of the severity of acute pancreatitis by multivariate analysis. More reliable serum markers were pancreatic amylase (p ≤ 0.001), neutrophil elastase (p ≤ 0.001), serum albumin (p ≤ 0.02), and C-reactive protein (p ≤ 0.001). Results turned out to be more homogenous when CT scan findings were added together. Not a single parameter achieved statistically significant predictive value when used alone. Ranson, Imrie score, and APACHE II are not accurate predictors of the severity of acute pancreatitis. Serum markers are better predictors to elucidate the severity of disease.

Key words: Acute pancreatitis, Ranson criteria, Imrie score, APACHE II, serum amylase, serum C-reactive protein.

African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery ISSN 2198-4638 Vol. 7 (10), pp. 001-006, October, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Reasons for patient visit to a rural general practitioner (GP) practice in Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa compared with those in first world countries

I. Indiran Govender* and L. H. Mabuza

The University of Limpopo, Medunsa Campus, South Africa.

Accepted 16 July, 2019

Abstract

The common symptoms that patients present with, to a rural general practitioner (GP) in South Africa may be different to those of GP practices in urban areas and different from patient presentations in first world countries. This study looked at the common reasons for which patients visited a GP in Kwa-Dukuza, South Africa over a four month period during 2006. Kwa-Dukuza is located on the North Coast of Kwa-Zulu Natal to establish the common symptoms and clinical assessments of patients visiting a GP’s private practice and to ascertain the demographics of patients coming to the practice. A cross sectional descriptive survey whereby the reason for every visit, age, sex, payment method (cash or medical aid) and the clinical assessment were recorded for every patient from February to May 2006. The common reasons for patients visiting the GP were cough, fever, and diarrhoea, feeling weak, headaches, sore throat, abdominal pain and runny nose. There were a substantial number of visits for administrative reasons. The common symptoms related to respiratory tract illness, gastrointestinal complaints, stress and depression, skin and back complaints. Reasons for patient visit to an urban GP practice were similar to GP visits in other first world studies (United Kingdom, USA and Canada). Substantial time with patients is spent on administrative issues. It appears that patients visit doctors in rural and urban geographic areas of South Africa for similar reasons to other patients elsewhere.

Key words: General practitioner, rural practice, reasons for doctor visits, administrative issues.