Peripartum Cardiomyopathy: A Review Article

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is an important cause of heart failure (HF) in northern Nigeria and many other regions of the world. Although the aetiology is unknown, several aetiopathogenic mechanisms have been proposed, including myocarditis, vasculo-hormonal (16-kDa prolactin and Cathepsin D), genetic susceptibility and selenium deficiency hypotheses. The peripartum cardiomyopathy in Nigeria (PEACE) registry has revealed that three socioeconomic factors (lack of formal education, unemployment, underweight status), pre-eclampsia and selenium deficiency were independently associated with higher risk for PPCM. However the customary postpartum practices previously implicated in the aetio-pathogenesis of postpartum cardiac failure, comprising regular hot baths and pap enriched with dried lake salt, were not associated with PPCM. Maternal age <20 years, tachycardia, hypotension and ejection fraction <25% independently increased the risk for mortality. Regular use of beta-blockers and obesity were independently associated with higher survival, and selenium supplementation is a promising treatment strategy for PPCM.

Leveraging elasticity of blood stenosis to detect the role of a non-Newtonian flow midst an arterial tube: Mazumdar and Keller models

Blood stenosis is considered one of the most serious risks which face humanity nowadays. In addition, it is also one of the most apparent symptoms of COVID (19) (Corona Virus). Consequently, this research is shedding light on studying the blood flow in case of having blood clots and artery elasticity in the presence of stenosis during studying the flow. Hematopoiesis requires a model of the yield stress fluid, and among the available yield stress fluid models for blood flow, the Herschel-Bulkley model is preferred (because Bingham, Power-law and Newtonian models are its special cases). Navier stokes equation is used to simulate this subject in a mathematical way. The elasticity on the stenosis arterial walls is simulated by Rubinow & Keller model [24] and Mazumdar model [25]. The results reveal exciting behaviors that, in turn, require adequate study of non-Newtonian fluid flow phenomena, especially the results showed that the increase in the parameters related to the elasticity of the walls facilitating the flow of blood through the stenosis area. In addition, a comparison between two elasticity models (Rubinow & Keller model and Mazumdar model) is considered. Further, for normal artery without stenosis, our results are the same as those obtained by Vajravelu et.al [22].

Interleukin-17 Gene Expression and Serum Levels in AsthmaDegenerative Model

Asthma is one of the most common chronic respiratory diseases. It is associated with significant morbidity and shows an increasing prevalence over time. Accumulating evidence suggests that interleukin (IL)-17 has a key role in severe asthma. The aim of the study was to determine quantitatively gene expression of IL-17 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMN) & the level of IL-17 in the serum of asthmatic patients, to correlate the level of IL-17 with the severity of asthma and to compare between gene expression of IL-17 and its serum level. Forty (40) asthmatic patients were enrolled and subdivided into 2 subgroups; controlled & uncontrolled asthma according to GINA, 2014. In addition, twenty (20) healthy control subjects were included. Blood samples were subjected to real time PCR assays for IL-17 mRNA gene expression and serum was tested by ELISA for estimation of IL-17 serum levels. Significant higher serum IL-17 levels were found in patients with uncontrolled asthma compared to patients with controlled asthma and healthy control group. Mean serum IL-17 value was 87.24 pg/ml in uncontrolled asthma, 75.9 pg/ml in controlled asthma and 47.0 pg/ml in healthy group (P= 0.00). IL-17 mRNA gene expression levels (ΔΔ Ct) were also significantly elevated in uncontrolled asthma compared to patients with controlled asthma and healthy control group. Mean IL-17 mRNA gene expression levels were 33.7 units in uncontrolled asthma, 7.0 in controlled asthma and 0.30 in healthy group (P=0.00).

Detection of reticuloendotheliosis virus as a contaminant of fowl pox vaccines

This study was designed to detect reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV) as a contaminant in fowl pox vaccines. A total of 30 fowl pox vaccine samples were examined for the presence of REV using both in vitro and in vivo methods. In in vitro testing, the fowl pox vaccine samples were inoculated into chicken embryo fibroblast cultures prepared from specific-pathogen-free embryonated chicken eggs, and the cultures were examined using PCR to detect REV. In in vivo testing, each fowl pox vaccine sample was inoculated into 5-d-old specific-pathogen-free chicks, which were kept under observation for up to 12 wk postinoculation; serum samples were collected at 15, 30, and 45 d postinoculation for the detection of REV-specific antibodies using ELISA. Tissue samples were collected at 8 and 12 wk postinoculation for histopathological examination. Of the tested vaccines, only one imported vaccine sample tested positive for REV using PCR. Serum samples collected from chicks infected with the PCR-positive vaccine batch also tested positive for REV-specific antibodies using ELISA. Histopathological examination of the liver, spleen, and bursa of Fabricius demonstrated the presence of tumor cells in these organs, confirming the results obtained using PCR and ELISA, and indicating that the sample was contaminated with REV. These data clearly indicate that the screening of all commercial poultry vaccines for viruses is an important factor in assuring the biosafety of animal vaccines.