Correlation Analysis between Ratio of C-Reactive Protein/Albumin and Severity of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever in Children

Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) is a dengue infection which can cause shock and leads to mortality. Hypoalbuminemia is a marker of plasma leakage in DHF and correlated with severity of in fl ammatory response triggered by infection, including DHF. C-Reactive Protein (CRP) is a proin fl ammatory marker that also increases in DHF. This study aims to determine a correlation of CRP/albumin ratio with severity of DHF. Cross sectional study on pediatric patients diagnosed as DHF at Saiful Anwar Malang Hospital was done in July-December 2016. CRP levels were examined using immunoturbidimetry method, while albumin was examined by using Bromocresol Green (BCG) method. Correlation of CRP/albumin ratio with DHF severity was analyzed by using Pearson correlation test.The result showed that there were signi fi cant diff erences in CRP levels and CRP/albumin ratios in the Dengue Shock Syndrome (DSS) and non-DSS group (p = 0.002, p = 0.001, α<0.05). There was no signi fi cant diff erence in albumin level in the same group (p = 0.207, α <0.05). Positive correlation found in CRP and CRP/albumin ratio (r = 0.46, r = 0.49, α <0.01). On the contrary the negative correlation was found in albumin (r = -0.21, α <0.01). This is presumably because albumin is an acute phase protein which will decrease along with the severity of infection. In contrast, CRP will increase during the critical phase of infection. It can be concluded that the CRP/albumin ratio was positively correlated with DHF severity, as well as CRP levels, but not positively correlatedwith albumin.

Assessment of lipid profile in-patients with Nephrotic syndrome in Kano Metropolis

Nephrotic syndrome (NS) is a complex kidney disease associated with numerous complications which can subsequently lead to cardiovascular disease among others. This study was aimed at assessing the lipid profile, serum and urinary proteins of patients with Nephrotic syndrome (NS) in Kano metropolis. A total of 50 NS patients and 25 apparently healthy volunteers(controls) were recruited for the study, made up of 32 males and 18 females with the age range of 4-70 years. Blood and urine sample were collected from the participants. Serum urea and creatinine were determined using urease berthelot’s reaction and Alkaline picrate methods. Serum total protein and albumin were assayed using Biuret and bromocresol green binding method through the manual colorimetrictechnique. Serum lipid profile were measured by an enzymatic spectrophotomeric method and the precipitation enzymatic method was specifically used for evaluating the levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Urine protein was determined using sulphur salicylic acid test. SPSS software package version 21 was used for the analysis of data. High frequency of NS of 40(80%) was observed in patients of <18 years while patient of >46 years had a lower frequency of 4(8%). Males recorded higher frequency of 32(64%) and the frequency of NS among females was 18(36%), thus the male to female ratio for NS was 1.78:1. The mean values of serum creatinine, urea, urinary protein (UP), total cholesterol (T.C), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), T.C/HDL-C, TG/HDL-C, LDL/HDL-C ratio were significantly higher (p<0.05) in patients with NS than the healthy volunteers. Total protein (TP), albumin (Alb), globulin, HDL-C ratio were significantly lower (p<0.05) in NS when compared to healthy volunteers. There was positive correlation between UP and TC, TG and LDL, however, negative correlation was observed between UP and HDL-C with no statistical significance. Dyslipidemia, decreased serum protein and increase serum creatinine, Urea as well as UP were associated with NS. In conclusion, lipid profile and UP analysis may be a useful tool for diagnosis of NS and early diagnosis can reduce the disease morbidity.

Removal of Bromocresol Green from aqueous solution by electro-Fenton and electro-Fenton like processes with different catalysts: laboratory and kinetic model investigation

This study presents the removal of triarylmethane dye Bromocresol Green from aqueous solution by the electro-Fenton process. As catalysts five different cations were used: Fe2+, Ce3+, Ni2+, Mn2+, and Co2+. They play crucial role in the whole process because they react with H2O2 producing hydroxyl radicals that are capable of destruction of dye molecule. Based on this, a comparison of catalytic activity of these cations in the electro-Fenton process is made in the case of Bromocresol Green degradation. Simple and universal kinetic model is also applied to study the catalytic activity of investigated catalysts. Due to its multidimensionality it is fitted to experimental data using genetic algorithm. The procedure of fitting using genetic algorithm is thoroughly described and demonstrated. The activity of utilized catalysts is compared basing on both experimental and model data revealing that in the case of Bromocresol Green removal all alternative catalysts (Ni2+, Co2+, Ce3+, Mn2+) are better than the typical one (Fe2+, 51.83% degradation). The best catalyst is Co2+ with 78.35% degradation efficiency. Moreover, the adopted kinetic model proved its universality and outlined different interactions between catalysts and dye molecules.

Biotechnological valorization of cashew apple juice for the production of citric acid by a local strain of Aspergillus niger LCFS 5

Background This work investigates the production of citric acid from cashew apple juice, an abundant waste in the processing of cashew, using a local strain of Aspergillus niger and the application of the citric acid as a coagulant for the production of soy cheese. Fungal isolates were obtained from a cashew plantation in Ogbomoso, Nigeria, using potato dextrose agar. Further screening was undertaken to determine the qualitative strength of acid production by the fungi on Czapek-Dox agar supplemented with bromocresol green, with the development of yellow zone taken as an indication of citric acid production. Thereafter, the best producing strain was cultivated in a cashew apple juice medium. Results Out of 150 fungal isolates generated from the cashew plantation, 92 (61.3%), 44 (29.3%) and 14 (9.3%) were obtained from cashew fruits, soil and cashew tree surfaces, respectively. Different strains of fungi isolated include Aspergillus niger, A. flavus, A. foetidus, A. heteromorphus, A. nidulans and A. viridinutans. The isolates produced yellow zonation of 0.4–5.5 cm on modified Czapek-Dox agar; the highest was observed for a strain of A. niger LCFS 5, which was identified using molecular tools. In the formulated cashew apple juice medium, the citric acid yield of LCFS 5 ranged 16.0–92.8 g/l with the peak obtained on the 10th day of fermentation. The citric acid produced was recovered using the double precipitation method with Ca(OH)2 and H2SO4 having ≈ 70% purity of citric acid on HPLC. The citric acid acted as a coagulant to produce soy cheese with 66.67% acceptability by panelists. Conclusion This work has extended the frontiers of valorization of cashew waste by a strain of A. niger to produce citric acid in high yield, with potential application in food industries.