Search

Background: Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most commonly diagnosed solid tumor among men. Genetic susceptibility had been proposed among the risk factors for the development of this cancer. Aim: To investigate the effect of androgen receptor gene polymorphism in the susceptibility of prostate cancer among Sudanese patients. Methods: This study was conducted in Khartoum State during the period from December 2021 to May 2022. The study population that was selected consisted of one hundred patients, who had prostate cancer, who attended for routine follow-up assessment following their chemotherapy treatment. A total of 5 ml EDTA anti-coagulated venous blood samples were obtained from all participants. Prostate specific antigen (PSA) was measured by competitive chemiluminescence immunoassay. DNA extraction was performed for all samples by chemical method and genotyping was performed by PCR-RFLP method using Eco147I enzyme. Results: The Androgen receptor genotype showed that wild (G/G) type was more frequent (89%) than heterozygous (G/A) type (11%), and allele G was more frequent (94.5%) than allele A (5.5%). The mean serum PSA level among prostate cancer patients was 18.71+31.68 ng/ml. Comparison of the mean serum PSA levels between different AR genotypes revealed no significant association between the genotype and the hormonal level (p. values > 0.05). Conclusion: Androgen receptor gene polymorphism was detected in this study population as heterozygous type. Moreover; there was no significant association between AR genotype and serum PSA level.

Aims: To determine the anticoagulant effect of Acacia Nilotica aqueous extract on normal human plasma. Study Design: This is an experimental study. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Haematology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory sciences, Alzaiem Alazhari, Khartoum – Sudan, during the period from July – August 2021. Methodology: A total of 20 human blood samples were collected for this study from apparently healthy subjects following ethical considerations. Samples were collected in tri-sodium citrate and platelets poor plasma (PPP) were immediately prepared by centrifugation. Aqueous solution of Acacia nilotica was prepared with distilled water (D.W), three concentrations of the solution (50%, 75% and 100%) were prepared. Prothrombin Time (PT) and Activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) were tested by manual method before and after adding different concentrations of Acacia Nilotica solution. Statistical tests were performed by using SPSS version 16. Results: The results of study showed that Acacia Nilotica significantly prolonged the PT and APTT results of human plasma (P values for 50%, 75% and 100% solutions were 0.000, 0.000 and 0.000 while for APTT 0.036, 0.000 and 0.000 for PT respectively). Also the study showed no significant correlation between control and A. nilotica concentrations among coagulation profile, except a significant positive correlation between control and 75% Acacia nilotica on APPT. Conclusion: Acacia Nilotica solutions had anticoagulant effect in human plasma, and could be nominated as a potential preventive agent for thromboembolic diseases.

Aims: To measure free hemoglobin percentage in stored packed red blood cells units by colorimetric method. Study Design: This is a descriptive, hospital based case study. Place and Duration of Study: Khartoum central blood bank during the period from June to September 2021. Methodology: A total of thirty-six packed red blood cells blood bags with Citrate-Phosphate-Dextrose-Adenine-one (CPDA-1) stored at 2-6°C for 35 days were withdrawn aseptically on days one; 14, and day 35. Free hemoglobin concentration was measured with Drabkin's method through digital photoelectric colorimeter in which the percentage of hemolysis was calculated, and PH values were measured by a PH meter (ADWA). Mean and standard deviation of each day were calculated by statistical package for social science (SPSS) computer program version 22.0. Results: The results showed statistically significant elevation in percentages of free plasma hemoglobin with prolongation of storage duration periods; day one compared with day 14 (P = 0.001), day one compared with day 35 (P = 0.001) and day 14 compared with day 35 (P = 0.001). No significant correlation was observed between the degree of hemolysis in day 35 with PH values (P = 0.9). Conclusion: This study concluded that prolonged storage is associated with elevation of free plasma hemoglobin level indicative of progressive hemolysis.