ASSESSMENT OF THROMBOSPONDIN-1 IN SICKLE CELL VASOOCCLUSIVE CRISIS AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH PLATELET INDICES AND INFLAMMATION.

Introduction: Thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) is a key protein product of activated platelets which is significantly increased in sickle cell vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) and other inflammatory conditions. This study aims to determine TSP-1 levels and their relationship with platelet indices and inflammation.

Objective: To evaluate TSP-1 levels in sickle cell anaemia (SCA) patients and assess their relationship with platelet indices and inflammation.

The Neuropeptide Substance P is Elevated in Sickle Cell Disease and is a Marker of Severity of Vaso-occlusive Crisis.

Background: Acute episode of pain is the most frequent symptom for which patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) seek medical attention. The neuropeptide Substance P (SP) has been suggested as a possible aetiologic factor. This study compared the serum levels of SP in SCD subjects in painful vaso-occlusive crisis with those in steady state and normal HbAA subjects.

Late presentation of chronic myeloid leukaemia patients in a low-income country: the prognostic implications and impact on treatment outcome.

Background: In Nigeria, since 2002, Imatinib mesylate (glivec) has been available freely to chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) patients but only at a tertiary health care centre in the southwestern part of the country. Despite this, it is not readily accessible to many patients due to the distance and other challenges including low socioeconomic status and political problems, preventing timely access to specialist care. This study evaluated the effect of the baseline characteristics on the prognostic implication and treatment outcome of CML patients in Nigeria.

Platelet Indices and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate are useful Parameters in the Assessment of a Cohort of Nigerian Women with Preeclampsia.

Background: The study compared some haematological parameters in normotensive pregnant women with those of women with pre-eclampsia (PE) to identify those parameters that may reinforce the occurrence and severity of PE.

Methods: The study was a case-control study involving 40 pre-eclamptic women as subjects and 40 normotensive pregnant women as controls. The subjects were classified into mild and severe based on their blood pressure of >140/90 mmHg and >169/100 mmHg, respectively.

Multiple Blood Transfusion may contribute to Abnormal Liver and Endocrine Functions in Adults with Sickle Cell Anaemia.

Background: The study evaluated the effect of multiple blood transfusions on the prevalence of iron load and its effects on organ functions in patients with sickle cell anaemia (SCA).

Methodology: Sixty-seven multiply transfused SCA subjects and 58 non-multiply transfused SCA controls were investigated. Serum ferritin, insulin, growth hormone (GH), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) were measured by the ELISA method while plasma alanine transaminase (ALT) was measured spectrophotometrically.