Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a chronic metabolic condition associated with obesity, oxidative stress-mediated inflammation, apoptosis, and impaired insulin signaling. The utilization of phytochemical therapy generated from plants has emerged as a promising approach for the treatment of diabetes and its complications. Kiwifruit is recognized for its substantial content of antioxidative phenolics. Therefore, this work aimed to examine the effect of Actinidia deliciosa (kiwi fruit) on hepatorenal damage in a high-fat diet (HFD) and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced T2D in rats using in vivo and in silico analyses. An increase in hepatic and renal lipid peroxidation was observed in diabetic rats accompanied by a decrease in antioxidant status. Furthermore, it is important to highlight that there were observable inflammatory and apoptotic responses in the hepatic and renal organs of rats with diabetes, along with a dysregulation of the phosphorylation levels of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), protein kinase B (Akt), and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling proteins. However, the administration of kiwi extract to diabetic rats alleviated hepatorenal dysfunction, inflammatory processes, oxidative injury, and apoptotic events with activation of the insulin signaling pathway. Furthermore, molecular docking and dynamic simulation studies revealed quercetin, chlorogenic acid, and melezitose as components of kiwi extract that docked well with potential as effective natural products for activating the silent information regulator 1(SIRT-1) pathway. Furthermore, phenolic acids in kiwi extract, especially syringic acid, P-coumaric acid, caffeic acid, and ferulic acid, have the ability to inhibit the phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) active site. In conclusion, it can be argued that kiwi extract may present a potentially beneficial adjunctive therapy approach for the treatment of diabetic hepatorenal complications.

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most important contributing factors to infertility. The diagnosis of PCOS is not an easy procedure, as the signs and symptoms are heterogeneous and of undefined etiology. There are only a few published studies that address the diagnostic performance of anti-Müllerian hormone in diagnosis of PCOS in sub-Saharan Africa including Sudan. Objective: This study aims to assess anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), luteinizing to follicle-stimulating hormone ratio (LH: FSH), total testosterone (TT), and prolactin (PRL) levels among PCOS. In addition, we determine if AMH can be used as a predictor of PCOS among Sudanese women. Methods: There were 600 women enrolled in this observational cross-sectional study, 300 of whom had PCOS, and 300 of whom healthy women; PCOS was diagnosed using the Rotterdam criteria. On days 2– 4 of the menstrual cycle, serum LH, FSH, AMH, TT, and PRL levels were measured for all participants. Diagnostic performance of these parameters for PCOS was determined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results: Significantly higher means among PCOS regarding their BMI, AMH; LH: FSH ratio; TT; PRL, whereas significantly inverse in FSH compared with normal ovulatory women. On ROC analysis, AMH had the largest operating characteristic curve at cut-off > 3.95 ng/mL; AUC = 0.999 with Youden’s index 0.99%, followed by LH: FSH ratio at cut-off 0.749; AUC=0.932; Youden’s index 0.813%, TT cut-off 0.82 mIU/L, AUC=0.852 with Youden’s index 0.58, while PRL showed the lowest AUC=0.627 with cut-off 15.3 ng/mL, Youden’s index was 0.18%, P. value< 0.001. Conclusions: Sudanese women with PCOS had higher serum AMH level, LH:FSH ratio, and TT level. Moreover, AMH level has better discriminative power and good diagnostic potency for the diagnosis of PCOS among Sudanese.

Postmenopausal women tend to have significant changes in lipid profile when compared with premenopausal women. Incidence of cardiovascular disease after menopause believed to occur due to changes in the plasma lipid levels. This study was conducted to estimate and compare serum levels of total cholesterol(TC), triglycerides(TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) among Sudanese pre and postmenopausal women. 94 participant women were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. 47 post-menopause women age 48 - 70 years and 47 pre-menopause women age 25-47 years. Estimation of serum lipid profile was carried out using Biosystems colorimetric methods and results statistics were computed by using SPSS. A significant increase in total cholesterol(TC), triglyceride, and LDL-c with a significant decrease in (HDL-c) level among postmenopausal women where found, when compared with pre-menopause women (P-value= <0.05). Total cholesterol and LDL-C level were observed significantly increased according to three interval time duration of menopausal onset (p=0.009 and p=0.034). A positive correlation was observed between the age of and total cholesterol levels in postmenopausal women (R=0.463, P-value =0.001). Study results revealed that postmenopausal status was associated with substantial changes in lipid profile that considered risk factors for cardiovascular disease in Sudanese women.

An external quality assessment (EQA) is a fundamental tool for measuring the performance of laboratories based on standards and other labs. Poor quality of clinical labs can risk patient safety and the accuracy of clinical judgment. This research work aimed to evaluate the clinical chemistry laboratory in quality through EQA and Six Sigma in both public and private hospitals in Northern Sudan. This cross-sectional study in Dongola and Wadi Halfa, conducted between 2023 and 2024, involved 10 labs (3 public, 7 private) that were participating in an EQA program, using liquid-stable control sera at normal and abnormal levels. The selected analytes (glucose, urea, creatinine, and uric acid) were analyzed under routine conditions, using the respective lab's methods, instruments, and reagents. Performance evaluation was done through bias, coefficient of variation (CV), total error (TE), Z-scores, and Six Sigma. Total allowable error (TEa) was determined from Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) guidelines. Results indicated no significant differences between public and private labs concerning any of the analytes; however, both faced huge problems. Only one assay at the normal control level (uric acid from public labs, sigma=4) passed the standards, while others were below sigma=3. Moreover, at abnormal levels, none were at sigma-3. Quantitatively, mean bias ranged from -10.93% to +1.93%, CV from 2.28% to 29.13%, and total error from 9.82% to 37.83%, with the majority of analytes exceeding CLIA-defined TEa limits. Z-score analysis identified multiple outlier results. These findings indicate that clinical chemistry laboratory testing in Northern Sudan is in critical need of quality improvement. Urgent, structured interventions are recommended, including mandatory EQA participation, reinforcement of internal quality control practices, and targeted staff training programs. Future research should expand beyond this pilot to assess a broader range of analytes and laboratory phases, address pre- and post-analytical variables, and evaluate the impact of capacity-building and infrastructure interventions on overall laboratory quality.

Background: Pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes mellitus is associated with the presence of specific autoantibodies and viral infection. Herein we aim to assess specific and nonspecific autoantibodies in newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes mellitus patients. Materials and Methods: In this case-control study 200 subjects were enrolled, classified into 100 newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes mellitus patients ages ranged from 1 to 16 years old, and 100 apparently health control age matched group. Serum anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase/tyrosine Phosphatase 2 (anti-GAD/IA2), anti-tissue transglutaminase (anti-tTG) and antinuclear antibodies were measured. Results: Of 100, 62(62%) were males, and 38(38%) were females. Anti-GAD/IA2, anti-tTG, and antinuclear antibodies were found to be significantly higher in the case than in the control group. Anti-GAD/IA2 and anti-tTG were associated with higher risk of type 1 diabetes mellitus (OR= 5.44, P= 0.000) and (OR=5.82, P= 0.009) respectively. Conclusion: Anti-GAD/IA2, anti-tTG and antinuclear antibodies are higher in type 1 diabetes mellitus patients. Moreover, anti-GAD/IA2 and anti-tTG are associated with a high risk of type 1 diabetes mellitus.