Medicine and Biohealth Journal

Effect of Serum Triglycerides/HDL Cholesterol Ratio on Aminotransferases and Alkaline Phosphatase in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients

Tarig Karar, Tarig Fadl Alla, Rehab Abubakr, Rayan Bakhit — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Background: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is increasing, mainly due to the increased prevalence of an inactive lifestyle and obesity; therefore, it can be prevented by lifestyle changes for subjects with impaired glucose tolerance. Type 2 DM is associated with several liver disorders, which are considered part of insulin resistance (IR).

Objectives: This study aimed to correlate the serum triglycerides to the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio with the AST, ALT, and ALP enzyme levels in Sudanese patients diagnosed with type 2 DM.

Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Khartoum State on 122 randomly selected Sudanese patients with type 2 DM. Blood samples were drawn from the participants and tested for triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), AST, ALT, ALP, and HbA1c levels using the Cobas Integra 400 Plus. Triglyceride and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were used to calculate the TG/HDL ratio.

Results: The study revealed no correlation between the TG/HDL-C ratio and the levels of AST and ALT for all participants (P-value > 0.05). However, there was a moderate positive correlation between the TG/HDL-C ratio and the ALP level in all participants (r = 0.312) (P-value = 0.000).

Although the study revealed that there was no association between the different groups of TG/HDL ratio and the levels of AST and ALT, a significant difference in the level of ALP enzyme existed between patients with TG/HDL ratio ≤ 2 (normal TG/HDL) and patients with a ratio > 2 (high TG/HDL ratio) (P-value < 0.05).

Tramadol addiction can be a killer for Covid-19 patients

Elhaitham Taha, Abubaker M. Hamad, Osama Salah Eldin Soliman — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Tramadol abuse has emerged as a significant public health concern, with potential exacerbation during the COVID-19 pandemic due to increased stress, self-medication, and reduced healthcare access.

Objectives: This study examines the association between tramadol addiction, comorbidities, and COVID-19 outcomes.

Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted on 60 participants aged 40–70 years, predominantly male (81.7%). Data on demographics, medical history (hypertension, diabetes, ischemic heart disease, COPD, smoking), COVID-19 diagnosis, tramadol abuse, and mortality were collected. Statistical correlations were assessed using chi-square and logistic regression.

Results: Most participants had hypertension (86.7%), diabetes (58.3%), and a COVID-19 diagnosis (90%). Tramadol addiction was present in 25% of cases and showed a highly significant association with mortality (P = 0.000), with 86% of addicted patients dying. No significant correlations were found between tramadol abuse and other variables, except for COVID-19, which demonstrated a strong interaction with tramadol-related deaths.

Conclusion: Tramadol addiction is strongly associated with increased mortality in COVID-19 patients, likely due to compounded respiratory risks. These findings highlight the need for increased public awareness about addiction, and further research to achieve patient tailored sedation doses.

Effectiveness of the Moodle Learning Management System in Health Sciences Education: An Analytical Evaluation of the Al-Rayan National Colleges Experience

Manal Ahmed Alaydi — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Background: This study assessed the implementation and effectiveness of Moodle, the Learning Management System at Al-Rayan Colleges, by examining usage patterns, user attitudes, and perceived barriers among students and faculty.

Methods: A descriptive–analytical cross-sectional design included 526 students and 100 faculty members from various academic levels and ranks. Data were collected using validated instruments covering system usage, user attitudes, and adoption obstacles.

Results: the study results indicated that students showed moderate engagement with Moodle, with a mean usage score of 1.95, primarily using features for lectures, materials, attendance, and grades. Faculty reported higher usage (mean 1.72), reflecting broader integration into teaching. Attitudes toward Moodle were generally positive, with faculty expressing a more favorable view (mean 1.25) than students (mean 1.74). Gender differences favored female students in both usage and attitudes. Students in Health Sciences and Nursing reported more active and positive engagement than those in Medicine. Correlation analysis showed a strong positive association between usage and attitudes (r = 0.70, p < .001), suggesting that increased interaction with Moodle improves user perception. Barriers had a moderate negative relationship with attitudes (r = –0.25) and a weaker negative relationship with usage (r = –0.15). Regression analysis identified system usage as the strongest predictor of students’ attitudes (β = .62, p < .001), while academic rank was the main determinant among faculty (β = –.41, p < .01).

Conclusions: Despite broad acceptance of Moodle, users reported significant challenges, especially insufficient training and inconsistent technical support. These findings highlight the need for strategic improvements in digital pedagogy, faculty development, and support systems to enhance the educational value of LMS platforms. The study contributes substantive evidence to the literature on LMS adoption in health sciences education and offers actionable insights for institutions aiming to improve the quality and sustainability of e-learning.