Population Dynamics of Intermediate-Host Snails in the White Nile River, Sudan: A Year-Round Observational Descriptive Study

We aimed to explore the population dynamics of snail in 3 sites of the White Nile in Sudan. More specifically, we aimed to investigate the annual patterns of snail populations that act as intermediate hosts of schistosomes and monthly snail infection rates and ecological characteristics presumably related to snail populations. We collected snails for 1 year monthly at 3 different shore sites in the vicinity of El Shajara along the White Nile river in Khartoum State, Sudan. In addition, we measured air and water temperatures, water turbidities, vegetation coverages, and water depths and current speeds. Most of the collected snails were Biomphalaria pfeifferi and Bulinus truncatus. The population densities of snails and their infection rates varied across survey sites. The collected snails liberated S. mansoni and S. haematobium cercariae as well as Amphistome and Echinostome cercariae. Infected snails were found during March-June. The ecological characteristics found to be associated with the absence of snails population were: high turbidity, deep water, low vegetation coverage (near absence of vegetation), high water temperature, and high current speed. To our knowledge, this is the first longitudinal study of the snail population and ecological characteristics in the main basin of the White Nile river.

Population Dynamics of Intermediate-Host Snails in the White Nile River, Sudan: A Year-Round Observational Descriptive Study

We aimed to explore the population dynamics of snail in 3 sites of the White Nile in Sudan. More specifically, we aimed to investigate the annual patterns of snail populations that act as intermediate hosts of schistosomes and monthly snail infection rates and ecological characteristics presumably related to snail populations. We collected snails for 1 year monthly at 3 different shore sites in the vicinity of El Shajara along the White Nile river in Khartoum State, Sudan. In addition, we measured air and water temperatures, water turbidities, vegetation coverages, and water depths and current speeds. Most of the collected snails were Biomphalaria pfeifferi and Bulinus truncatus. The population densities of snails and their infection rates varied across survey sites. The collected snails liberated S. mansoni and S. haematobium cercariae as well as Amphistome and Echinostome cercariae. Infected snails were found during March-June. The ecological characteristics found to be associated with the absence of snails population were: high turbidity, deep water, low vegetation coverage (near absence of vegetation), high water temperature, and high current speed. To our knowledge, this is the first longitudinal study of the snail population and ecological characteristics in the main basin of the White Nile river.

Immunohistochemical Overexpression of nNOS, S100 Protein, and α-Synuclein in Myenteric Plexus of AS/AGU Rats

Objective: There are four currently motor features characterizing Parkinson's disease (PD). These includerigidity of muscles, bradykinesia, tremors at rest, and instability of posture. Along the course of PD, theimpairment of motor functions is commonly preceded by nonmotor symptoms (NMS) such as olfactory deficit,difficult swallowing (dysphagia), drooling (sialorrhea), constipation, urinary bladder dysfunction, depression,and sleep disorder. It was suggested that the enteric nervous system could be the initial site for the pathologicalprocess leading to PD. Materials and Methods: Six male adult control AS rats (normal control) and six maleadults AS/AGU rats (model of PD) were sacrificed. A rectangular strip from the body of the stomach and across-section from the duodenum were dissected and processed for histological staining with hematoxylin andeosin, and immunohistochemical staining for detection of nNOS (neuronal NOS), S100 protein (astrocytemarker), and alpha-synuclein (α-synuclein). Results: The histological analysis of the stomach and duodenum ofAS/AGU rats demonstrated necrotic smooth muscle cells of muscularis externa. The immunohistochemicalanalysis of AS/AGU rats showed a statistically significant increase in the expression of nNOS, S100 protein, andα-synuclein expression of myenteric plexuses compared to the control strain AS rats. Conclusion:Gastroduodenal tract of AS/AGU rats showed marked histopathological changes and immunohistochemicaloverexpression of nNOS, S100, and α-synuclein.

Avascular Necrosis Of The Femoral Head Masquerading As Back Pain

Avascular necrosis causes severe joint destruction requiring a major surgical procedure for treatment. It is more prevalent in the elderly population and is initially asymptomatic. Here, we report the case of an 85-year-old woman who was scheduled for surgical intervention for severe back pain. On further evaluation, she was diagnosed with avascular necrosis of hip with pain radiating to her back. Nonclassical clinical presentation, nonambulatory status of the patient, and multiple pain locations masking the primary site such as in this case are some of the factors that make avascular necrosis a formidable diagnostic challenge

Cytogenetic and biochemical competency of chamomile essential oil against gamma-rays induced mutagenic effects in mice

Background: Chamomile essential oil [CEO] hauls out from Matricaria chamomilla L., is a well-known anti-oxidant. Oxidative stress induces clastogenic and biochemical disorders after gamma-irradiation of animals

Materials and Methods: Mice were divided into five groups. Control group received vehicle only.CEO-treated group received CEO. Irradiated group received vehicle and exposed to gamma-rays. Pre-treated group received CEO half h before gamma-rays exposure. Post-treated group received CEO half hour after gamma-rays exposure. Peripheral-blood micronucleus [PMN], bone-marrow micronucleus [BMN], frequency of chromosomal aberrations [CAs], reduced glutathione [GSH], malondialdehyde [MDA], superoxide dismutase [SOD], glutathione peroxidase [PGx] and myeloperoxidase [MPO], lactate dehydrogenase [LDH] and tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alpha] parameters were assessed

Results: In irradiated mice group, PMN score, BMN occurrence and CAs were increased when compared with control mice group. In addition, significant increases in levels of liver lipid peroxidation [LP]; expressed as MDA and TNF-alpha. In addition, activities of liver MPO and LDH were found. Besides, significant decreases in content of GSH, activities of SOD and PGx in liver tissues were recognized. CEO treatment [1.0 g/kg body weight] before- and after-irradiation ameliorated all these biochemical indices, as well as cytogenetic alterations induced by gamma-rays when compared with irradiated group, indicating that pre- or post-treatment with CEO significantly attenuates the acute hazards caused by gamma-rays exposure

Conclusion: The data suggest that CEO possesses a radioprotective potential against gamma-radiation induced cytogenetic and biochemical damages in mice

Antioxidant and antimutagenic properties of calcium sennosides in ?-Irradiated human blood cultures

Background: calcium sennosides are the main active metabolites of sennas, which have a powerful interest to phytochemical and pharmacological research, due to their brilliant medicinal values. It is well known in folk medicine for their laxative and purgative uses

Materials and Methods: this experiment aimed to assess cytogenetic [micronucleus assay and chromosomal aberration study] and biochemical effects of calcium sennosides at a working dose [24 or 48 mg/ml] on suppressing radiation hazards in human blood cultures. Biochemical investigations include superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase [CAT], tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alpha], interleukin-8 [IL-8], cyclooxygenase-2 [COX-2] and lactate dehydrogenase [LDH] levels. The treatment periods were 48 and 72 hrs post-irradiation at a dose of 3 Gy. Triple blood cultures for each blood sample were set Up

Results: ionizing radiation exposure induced significant increase in micronuclei [MN] frequencies in both mono- and bi- nucleated cells, and all types of chromosome aberrations, beside significant decrease in SOD and CAT activities. While TNF-alpha, IL-8, COX-2 and LDH levels were significantly increased after irradiation. Treatment with calcium sennosides exhibited decreased of micronuclei and chromosome aberration numbers and enhancement in the level of SOD and CAT activities. In addition, a significant amelioration in IL-8, TNF-alpha, COX-2 levels and LDH activity were scored

Conclusion: present results revealed the antimutagenic and the anti-inflammatory effects of sennosides against oxidative stress induced by gamma-irradiation

Ethnomedicinal, phytochemical and pharmacological updates on Hygrophila auriculata (Schum.) Hiene: an overview / 中西医结合学报

This article explores the most recent evidence-based information on ethnomedicinal, phytochemical and pharmacological understanding of Hygrophila auriculata for the treatment of various diseases and health conditions. Various ethnomedicinal writings suggest the use of the plant or its parts for the treatment of jaundice, oedema, gastrointestinal ailments, diarrhoea, dysentery, urinogenital disorder, gall stones, urinary calculi, kidney stone, leucorrhoea, rheumatism, tuberculosis, anaemia, body pain, constipation, skin disease, and as an aphrodisiac. The plant has been reported to contain flavonoids (apigenin, luteolin, ellagic acid, gallic acid and quercetin), alkaloids (asteracanthine and asteracanthicine), triterpenes (lupeol, lupenone, hentricontane and betulin), sterols (stigmasterol and asterol), minerals, amino acids, fatty acids, aliphatic esters and essential oils. Extracts and bioactive compounds from the plant have been found to possess antimicrobial, anthelmintic, antitermite, nephroprotective, hepatoprotective, central nervous system protective, antitumour, antidiabetic, anticataract, antioxidant, haematopoietic, diuretic, antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, antimotility, aphrodisiac, neuroprotection, anti-endotoxin and anti-urolithiatic activities. For this paper, we reviewed patents, clinical studies, analytical studies and marketed formulations from the earliest found examples from 1887 to the end of 2017.

Transcription and regulation of hepatitis B virus genes in host sperm cells / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

To investigate whether transcription of hepatitis B virus (HBV) gene occurs in human sperm, total RNA was extracted from sperm of patients with chronic HBV infection (test-1), from donor sperm transfected with a plasmid containing the full-length HBV genome (test-2), and from nontransfected donor sperm (control), used as the template for reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Positive bands for HBV DNA were observed in the test groups but not in the control. Next, to identify the role of host genes in regulating viral gene transcription in sperm, total RNA was extracted from 2-cell embryos derived from hamster oocytes fertilized in vitro by HBV-transfected (test) or nontransfected (control) human sperm and successively subjected to SMART-PCR, suppression subtractive hybridization, T/A cloning, bacterial amplification, microarray hybridization, sequencing and the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) search to isolate differentially expressed genes. Twenty-nine sequences showing significant identity to five human gene families were identified, with chorionic somatomammotropin hormone 2 (CSH2), eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4 gamma 2 (EIF4G2), pterin-4 alpha-carbinolamine dehydratase 2 (PCBD2), pregnancy-specific beta-1-glycoprotein 4 (PSG4) and titin (TTN) selected to represent target genes. Using real-time quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR), when CSH2 and PCBD2 (or EIF4G2, PSG4 and TTN) were silenced by RNA interference, transcriptional levels of HBV s and x genes significantly decreased (or increased) (P < 0.05). Silencing of a control gene in sperm did not significantly change transcription of HBV s and x genes (P > 0.05). This study provides the first experimental evidence that transcription of HBV genes occurs in human sperm and is regulated by host genes.

Awareness and practice of patients' rights among hospitalized patients at Wad-Medani Teaching Hospital, Sudan

Patients' rights are a fundamental human right and an important part of modern health care practice. This is a cross-sectional descriptive analytic study, conducted amongst 263 patients at Wadi-Medani Teaching Hospital, Sudan, in March-April 2015. Most patients [95.2%] did not know about the Bill of Rights and most of them [92.8%] were not able to mention any of the patients' rights. The most practiced rights were: the right to be asked for permission before examination [88.1%], proper handling [87.8%], safety of the hospital [87%], presence of a third person when examining a female by a male doctor [85.6%], and admission file confidentiality [75.5%]. The awareness of Sudan FMOH Patients' Bill of Rights was very low among patients at Wad-Medani Teaching Hospital, yet they showed a high satisfaction rate probably due to their low socioeconomic status, educational level and expectations. Therefore, awareness of patients' rights must be increased

Epidemiology of multidrug-resistant, extensively drug resistant, and totally drug resistant tuberculosis in Middle East countries

The 2015 represent the deadline for the global tuberculosis [TB] targets set through the Mil-lennium Development Goals [MDG]

From 2016 and onward, new goals were set to end the global TB epidemic via implementing new campaign entitled [the End TB Strategy]

The major hurdle to end TB epidemic in several parts of the world is the emergence and spread of drug resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis [MTB] strains. The better understanding of the actual global burden of drug resistant tuberculosis would feed into better implementing the End TB Strategy. In this article we summarize the current knowledge on the patterns of drug resistance tuberculosis cases in the Middle East countries. These countries are served by the Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office [EMRO], one out of six regional offices of World Health Organization. Middle East countries are characterized by geographic vicinity and population's interaction. However, they are dissimilar in several aspects such as economy and health infrastructures. Regarding economy, countries in this region are ranging from wealthy to very poor. Prevalence of tuberculosis and patterns drug resistance tuberculosis cases are also following variable trends within countries of this region. In almost all Middle East countries, there is under-reporting of drug-resistance tuberculosis cases

There are shortages in the infrastructures and facilities for detecting the pattern of drug-resistance tuberculosis. For instance, sixout of 14 countries have neither in-country capacity nor a linkage with a partner laboratory for second-line drug susceptibility testing and only 4 countries have registered site performing Xpert MTB/RIF

Drinking water quality and public health in southwestern Saudi Arabia: the need for a national monitoring program

The aim was to investigate the bacteriological quality of drinking water, and explore the factors involved in the knowledge of the public about the quality of drinking water in Najran region, Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional descriptive study. A total of 160 water samples were collected. Total coliforms, fecal coliform, and fecal streptococci were counted using Most Probable Number method. The bacterial genes lacZ and uidA specific to total coliforms and Escherichia coli, respectively, were detected using multiplex polymerase chain reaction. An interview was conducted with 1200 residents using a questionnaire. Total coliforms were detected in 8 [20%] of 40 samples from wells, 13 [32.5%] of 40 samples from tankers, and 55 [68.8%] of 80 samples from roof tanks. Twenty [25%] and 8 [10%] samples from roof tanks were positive for E. coli and Streptococcus faecalis, respectively. Of the 1200 residents participating in the study, 10%, 45.5%, and 44.5% claimed that they depended on municipal water, bottled water, and well water, respectively. The majority [95.5%] reported the use of roof water tanks as a source of water supply in their homes. Most people [80%] believed that drinking water transmitted diseases. However, only 25% of them participated in educational programs on the effect of polluted water on health. Our results could help health authorities consider a proper regular monitoring program and a sustainable continuous assessment of the quality of well water. In addition, this study highlights the importance of the awareness and educational programs for residents on the effect of polluted water on public health

Protective effect of broccoli and ferulic acid on imidacloprid-induced hepatotoxicity in rat

Imidacloprid may induce oxidative stress leading to generate free radicals and alternate oxygen free radical scavenging enzyme system. This study aims to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of broccoli water extract and ferulic acid on imidacloprid induced oxidative stress and DNA damage in male albino rats. Rats were co-treated with broccoli water extract [200 mg/kg] or ferulic acid [20 mg/kg] with imidacloprid [80 mg/kg] orally for 28 days. The results revealed that imidacloprid induced high serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase [AST], alanine aminotransferase [ALT] and alkaline phosphatase [ALP]. However, administration of broccoli and ferulic acid reduced these parameters. Broccoli and ferulic acid significantly [Pbroccoli and ferulic acid treated groups. The possible mechanism of broccoli and ferulic acid extract on imidacloprid might be due to decreasing oxidative stress [LPO, NO and DNA damage] and increasing GSH content. Thus, broccoli and ferulic acid was suggested to protected rat's liver against imidacloprid-induced oxidative stress and DNA damage in liver

Comparative measuring between fresh and stored Drabkin's reagent preparations on hemoglobin estimation

This pilot case control hospital base study was conducted to determine the effect of using stored Drabkin's reagent on hemoglobin estimation compared with freshly prepared Drabkin's reagent. Freshly 50 ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid venous blood samples were collected from volunteers from Omdurman Military Hospital, Sudan, the Hb estimation performed using manual method [Hemiglobincyanide or cyanmethemoglobin method] Drabkin's used was prepared in a manner [fresh, 4 days, 8 days and 12 days stored Drabkin's]. Then the collected data were analyzed by SPSS computer program. The result shows that the mean concentration of Hb [g/dL] when estimated by prepared Drabkin's reagent for several interval, the fresh reagent result was 13.0 g/dL, 4 days was reagent 11.9 g/dL, 8 days reagent was 11.4 g/dL and 12 days reagent was 11.3 g/dL. The study reveals that the mean of Hb when measured by 4 days stored Drabkin's reagent were statically insignificant and significant when measured by 8 days and 12 days stored Drabkin's reagent [P = 0.05]

Sleep Problems in children with Down syndrome

Background:sleep problems are significant source of distress for families with a case of Down Syndrome [DS]. Parental perception of sleep problems is an important contributor to a family quality of life

Aim of the Work: the aim of the present work was to study the sleep problems in children with Down syndrome

Subjects and Methods: this study was carried out on 50 children with DS attending the neurology clinic in Alexandria University Children Hospital together with 50 apparently by healthy children with matched age and sex. Parents were interviewed in order to collect data using predesigned questionnaire. Sleep problems were assessed using the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire [CSHQ]

Results: total sleep score was significantly higher among children with DS than among those of the control group. The mean differences between case and control groups were significant regarding all subscales except that for sleep onset delay

Conclusion: sleep problems are more common among children with DS as compared with those in control group

Assessment of women's perspectives and experiences of childbirth and postnatal care using Q-methodology

To complement standard measures of maternity care outcomes, an assessment of women's satisfaction with care is needed. The aim of this study was to elicit the perspectives and experiences of Iraqi women about childbirth and postnatal care services. The study participants were a sample of 37 women of different educational and socioeconomic status who had given birth during the previous 6 months. Q-methodology was used for data collection and analysis. Three distinct viewpoints and experiences of childbirth and postnatal care services were identified: a general perception of poor childbirth and postnatal care with lack of appropriate interpersonal care and support; a high satisfaction and positive experience with childbirth and postnatal care services among the confident and well-supported women; and poor satisfaction with the childbirth and postnatal care services in terms of meeting traditional cultural practices. Needs assessment around providers' skills and attitudes and the wider sociocultural environment of childbirth and postnatal care is necessary in Iraq

Evaluation of Balanites aegyptiaca oil as untraditional source of oil and its anti-inflammatory activity

The aim of this investigation was to study the physiochemical characteristics of Balanites aegyptiaca [BA] kernel oil. The influence of BA oil on liver and kidney functions in rat's serum was investigated. The anti-inflammatory activity of BA kernel oil using carrageenan-induced paw edema and arachidonic acid-induced ear edema in rats was also studied. The results revealed that the kernel had high contents of oil and protein. Linoleic acid was the major fatty acid. However, carbohydrates were the major constituents of the pulp. It was found that the supplementations of BA kernel oil had no significant effect on liver and kidney functions of rats. BA oil by 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg orally produced significant anti-inflammatory effect on both carrageenan and arachidonic acid models. The BA oil improved decreases in the activities of catalase [CAT], glutathione-S-transferase [GST] enzymes and increases nitric oxide [NO] and lipid peroxidation [LPO] contents resulting from edema induced by carrgeenan. Furthermore, the results demonstrated that the mRNA and protein expressions of tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alhpa] and interleukin-6 [IL-6] were decreased leading to the reduction of cyclooxygenase-2 [COX-2] and subsequently alleviated edema BA oil after BA oil treatment. These results indicated that BA oil could be exploited as a new source of oil. Also, it could be used as a source of dietary supplements to prevent inflammatory diseases

Isoproterenol-induced dysfunction in rats' heart mitochondria: protective role of rumex vesicarius extract

Rumex vesicarius L. [Hummayd], of the family Polygonaceae, are edible herbs growing wild in Egypt. The present study was undertaken to investigate the protective effects of Rumex vesicarius leaves extract [RVE] on isoproterenol [ISO]-induced myocardial infarction [MI] in rats. Rats were pretreated with RVE [100 mg/kg] for 7 days. Isoproterenol [150 mg/kg] was i.p. injected into rats at an interval of 24h for 2 days [6[th] and 7[th] day] to induce MI. The results showed that ISO induced high serum activities of lactate dehydrogenase [LDH] and creatine kinase [CK]. Furthermore, ISO induced cardiac mitochondrial dysfunction evident by significant [P<0.05] elevation of the lipid peroxidation [LPO], protein carbonyl [PC], reactive oxygen species [ROS] and 8-hydroxy deoxyguanosine [8-OHdG] in parallel with inhibition in the antioxidant enzymes activities and glutathione content. Malate dehydrogenase, succinate dehydrogenase, NADH-dehydrogenase and cytochrome C-oxidase were decreased in rat treated with ISO. Pre- and co-treatment of RVE significantly [P<0.05] ameliorate the harmful in the cardiac mitochondria of rats treated with ISO. Based on these results, it can be concluded that pre- and co-treatment of RVE showed considerable protective effects on ISO-induced MI by protecting the cardiac mitochondrial function. This protection was through the improvements of the antioxidant enzymes as well as the oxidative stress reduction, which may be attributed to antioxidant and anti-peroxidative activity of Rumex vesicarius

Maternal death due to delayed management of sigmoid volvulus at 32 weeks pregnancy

Colonic obstruction due to sigmoid colon volvulus during pregnancy is a rare but a serious complication with significant maternal and foetal mortality. We describe a case of sigmoid volvulus in a patient with 32 weeks of gestation that developed complete necrosis of the sigmoid colon who was admitted with 6 days of abdominal distension, vomiting, and the stoppage of the passage of gases and faeces with poor clinical conditions and signs of diffuse peritonitis. Abdominal ultrasound showed single viable foetus 32 weeks. Abdominal radiography showed severe dilation of the colon with horseshoe signal suggesting a sigmoid volvulus. The patient delivered vaginally 1.8 Kg male baby admitted to the nursery and passed later on from respiratory distress syndrome. With a diagnosis of complicated sigmoid volvulus, she underwent laparotomy where we found, an enormously distended sigmoid loop with gangrenous changes the sigmoid colon was resected and Hartman's procedure was performed. Poor postoperative recovery and the patient passed day 3 postoperativelyfrom septic shock

[Association of insulin resistance with alanine aminotransferase activity in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease]

Background: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease [NAFLD] is a term with a wide spectrum of disorders ranging from simple steatosis to progressive nonalcoholic steatohepatitis [NASH], cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Serum alanine aminotransferase [ALT] level is a well-recognized clinical marker of liver injury and may represent a consequence of the proinflammatory process accused in the pathogenesis of NAFLD. Insulin resistance seems to predispose lipid accumulation within the liver and progress to fibrosis in NAFLD

Aim of the study: to investigate the association of insulin resistance with ALT activity in NAFLD patients

Patients and Methods: 50 patients with NAFLD, diagnosed by abdominal ultrasonography, were included in this study. Full history, clinical evaluation, body mass index [BMI], waist circumference and laboratory tests including liver function tests, lipid profile, random blood glucose [RBG] and glycated Hemoglobin [HBA1c] were done. Also, fasting blood glucose and fasting insulin levels were determined for calculation of Homeostasis Model Assessment-Insulin Resistance [HOMA-IR]

Results: Patients were divided into two groups; group I included 28 patients with elevated serum ALT level and group II included 22 patients with normal serum ALT level. There was significant difference between the two groups as regard to prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus, elevated RBG level, HbAlc, HOMA-IR and waist circumference but no significant difference between the two groups regarding age, sex, BMI, lipid profile and incidence of hypertension and ischemic heart disease

Conclusion: Our findings suggested that increased ALT activity was associated with insulin resistance in patients with NAFLD