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Background: Acute phase proteins (APPs), including haptoglobin (Hp), are a large and varied group of plasma proteins that can be used as biomarkers for disease diagnosis/detection/severity. Objective: The main objective was to assess the levels of haptoglobin (Hp) in serum and detect Hp phenotypes using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in 100 school-aged children infected with Schistosoma haematobium compared with 60 healthy control. Methods: We conducted a case-control study on 160 schoolchildren (ages 9-15 years) recruited from Tayba Eltejania village, Sinar state, Sudan. Unrelated children with Schistosoma haematobium (case group 100) and unrelated healthy children (control group 60) were included, while those with both Schistosoma types were excluded. The enrolled subjects were evaluated for the levels of Hp and its phenotypes as early markers for disease severity. ELISA quantified biochemical analysis for the serum Hp level. Hp phenotypes were determined, and their frequency was compared between cases and controls. Results: The Hp 2-1 was the highest frequency among cases and controls 72/143 (50.3%), followed by Hp 2-2 (28%), while Hp 1-1 phenotype was 22%. The Hp 2-1 and Hp 2-2 frequency did not differ significantly between cases and controls, considering the Hp 1-1 as the reference group. Multiple comparisons were executed between Hp phenotypes; the differences between these groups were not statistically different. The disease severity was set according to the egg count (Group I: moderate infection ≤ 35/10 ml, Group II: severe infection ≥ 36/10 ml), the Hp 2-2 was four times more frequent in cases with severe infection considering Hp 1-1 as the reference phenotype (OR=3.85, 95% CI: 1.044-14.24). Confirming the result, Hp 2-2 was significantly associated with disease severity than Hp 1-1 and Hp 2-1 (OR= 3.77 95% CI: 1.39-10.20). Conclusion: There was evident that the egg count increased in subjects with Hp 2-2 indicating severe infection

Background: Very few extensive studies have measured the prevalence and usage pattern of drug information leaflet (DIL) for oral non-prescription drugs (ONPDs) or identified the associated risk factors for not reading DIL among university students in the UAE. Objective: The current study aimed to estimate the prevalence of the usage pattern of DIL for ONPDs, and delineate the associated risk factors for not reading the DIL among university students. Methods: A cross-sectional survey-based multistage sampling technique conducted among 2875 students at three major universities in UAE. The self-administered validated questionnaire was constructed and developed based on Andersen’s behavioral model. Binomial logistic regression performed to ascertain the effects of 25 potential predictors on the likelihood that participants not reading (discarded) the DIL after reading them. The primary outcome measure was reading (discarding without reading) the DIL, and the associated behaviours. Results: 2875 university students were eligible to participate in the study, but only 2519 students agreed to participate, indicating an 88% of intent participation. However, only 2,355 (81.9%) students completed the questionnaire. 1348 respondents reported using NPD (response rate 46.9%) during the past three months before conducting the study, which comprised the sample analysis (1307 were excluded). More than three-quarters of them read the DIL (always or often) at the first use (1049 of 1348, 77.8%). Approximately a quarter of those who read the DIL reported that they discarded them after reading (24.1%). The survey has identified four risk factors for not reading the DIL: those who get the drug information from physicians or pharmacists had lower odds of discarding the DIL (odds ration [OR] = 0.491, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.273-0.884, p value< 0.05). Medical students had lower odds of discarding the DIL (OR = 0.598, 95% CI: 0.412-0.868, p value< 0.05). Those participants who believ

Background: Recently, direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) has been projected for secondary prevention of recurrent ischemic events post-acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The addition of a DOAC to the antiplatelet regimen of subjects with the ACS is clinically practiced in candidates where compelling anticoagulation is indicated by high thromboembolic risk. The current evidence provides approved compelling indication for the DOAC, particularly for rivaroxaban which bears the strongest existing evidence. Objective: We intend to assess the role of DOAC in addition to single or dual antiplatelet therapy in subjects with ACS. We will compare the clinical characteristics and explore the efficacy and safety of the DOAC class members (apixaban, betrixaban, dabigatran, edoxaban and rivaroxaban) in terms of reduction in ischemic events in subjects with ACS (ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction [STEMI] or non–ST-segment elevation [NSTEMI]) or subjects who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and or ACS and coexisting atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods: Relevant data will be searched on known data-bases such as Embase, Google Scholar, the Cochrane Central, and PubMed. The trials included will be randomized controlled trials from 2009 to 2022. Subjects will be receiving DOAC for ACS were evaluated for inclusion. The extraction, synthesis, quality, and validity of data will follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines. The risk of bias tool, version 2.0 (Cochrane) will be used for risk of bias assessment. Data will be pooled using random-effects models. The primary outcome measure will be efficacy end point (composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, and stroke), while the safety outcome will be minor/major bleeding. Results: We will report the primary efficacy end point risk in the various regimens (DOAC plus SAPT or DAPT) with odds ratio (confidence interval) and both statistical and clinical significance.