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Biomedical subjects

E M Essien

Publications and source records attributed to E M Essien.

49 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Enhanced fibrinolysis in Nigerians--probable contributory factor to low prevalence of atherosclerosis in the Nigerian.

Results of more detailed study of the fibrinolytic enzyme system in Nigerians is reported. A relatively short euglobulin lysis time (ELT, range 75.87-196.08 units) in the males was observed, while a longer time (49.50-98.04 units) was observed in females aged 19-35 years. The mean concentrations of fibrinogen (0.41+/-14 g/100 ml) and plasminogen (2.45+/-1.03 Casein units) which are reported, the latter for the first time in this population are similar to values in other populations. Although plasminogen/plasmin inhibitors were not separately determined in this study, results of the ELT suggest that this was probably due to increased activator activity, and supports a previous suggestion that this increased activator activity may be a mechanism of the enhanced ELT in the males examined.

Adolescent↗

Diagnosis of haemophilia: use of an artificial factor-VIII-deficient human plasma system.

An artificial clotting system deficient in factor VIII has been made from normal human plasma. Factors XII and XI are supplied as ;activation product'. An eluate from Al(OH)(3), which has been incubated with normal plasma, supplies factors X and IX in their ;plasma' (unactivated) form with II. Factor V is provided as the supernatant after the Al(OH)(3)- treated plasma has been precipitated at one-third saturation with (NH(4))(2)SO(4). Fibrinogen is freed of factor VIII by freezing and thawing a lyophylized preparation and then added. Of these, activation product and the fibrinogen may be prepared in advance and stored frozen, and the eluate and supernatant may be made on the day of testing. A phospholipid source and CaCl(2)-solution are also required. In use, a patient's and a control plasma are first diluted in a mixture of the eluate, supernatant, and fibrinogen solution, and clotting times are recorded after completing the system by adding the phospholipid, activation product, and calcium chloride. The clotting times from the mixtures containing the patient's and the control plasmas may then be compared.

Blood Coagulation Tests↗

Coagulation profile in healthy Nigerian neonates.

A study of some coagulation factors were carried out in preterm and term infants on the first day of life. Screening coagulation tests--prothrombin time (PT), partial thromboplastin time with kaolin (PTTK) and the concentrations of Factors VIII: C and fibrinogen were determined in 100 normal newborn infants classified into three groups according to their gestational ages: 28 to 30 weeks, 31 to 36 weeks, 37 to 42 weeks. The respective values were compared with those of six-month-old infants as well as adults. The mean values of the screening coagulation tests, PT and PTTK, Factor VIII: C and fibrinogen were significantly different in all the three gestational age groups of nonates when compared with those of six-month-old infants and adult Nigerians. This suggests that a relative hypocagulable state exists among newborn infants and could be responsible for increased bleeding tendencies in these groups of infants. This is the first documented report of coagulation profile in Nigerian neonates, and the range obtained in this study can thus be regarded as standard for healthy Nigerian neonates. The body of data should therefore provide a basis for evaluating newborn noenates with bleeding problems.

Adult↗

Neuro-ophthalmological sequelae of sickle cell disease. A case report and review of the literature.

A case of homozygous sickle cell anaemia male patient, aged 16 years is reported. The initial symptom following a sickle cell crisis was impairment of vision, progressing rapidly to complete blindness within three days. Within 4 days of admission in the hospital, he lapsed into coma and died four weeks later. Autopsy findings revealed multiple cerebral, pontine and cerebellar infarcts. The literature on neuro-ophthalmological sequelae is reviewed.

Adolescent↗

Blood coagulation activities of the root extracts of Fagara xanthoxyloides plant.

The coagulant properties of root bark and root wood extracts of Fagara xanthoxyloides lam plant are reported. Results of an earlier report which showed that the aqueous extract of the root shortened both the PT and PTT of normal and FVIIIC-deficient plasma are confirmed as well as the absence of many such effects on FIXC-deficient plasma. Root bark manifested twice as much potency as an equal concentration of root wood. The activity could still be demonstrated in the residue of root bark after the lyophilized aqueous extract had been successively extracted with methanol and hexane. It is suggested that these results may have clinical implications.

Blood Coagulation↗