Knowledge and Attitude towards Vitamin D Deficiency in Ha’il Region: A Community-Based Study

Background: Vitamin D deficiency represents a major health problem in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the Knowledge and attitude towards vitamin D deficiency in Ha’il Region (Northern Saudi Arabia). Methodology: A total of 500 Saudi volunteers living in the city of Ha’il and surrounding towns were included during the period from January 2020 to March 2020. Adults aged 15 years or older were randomly selected regardless of gender, occupation or marital status. Results: Out of the 500 study subjects, 214 (42.8%) did previous vitamin D testing (72/207 (34.8%) males and 142/293 (48.5%) were females). Females were significantly better for testing their vitamin D status than males (p=0.0032). Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in Ha’il Region. Although there is a relatively higher awareness level towards vitamin D sources, vitamin D testing, as well as knowledge about vitamin D deficiency-related disorders are poor among Saudi living in Ha’il Region.

Development of PVC membranes with clove oil as plasticizer for blood bag applications.

In the present study, Antimicrobial PVC films containing different amounts of clove oil as a plasticizer were prepared using traditional casting method. The physical and mechanical properties of the plasticized PVC membranes e.g. surface wettability were investigated. The increase of clove oil content demonstrated an increase in surface hydrophilicity and elongation to break the film. The thermogravimetric analysis revealed a decrease of polymer thermal stability by increasing clove oil concentration. The antibacterial activities against four different bacterial strains (two-gram positive: Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus & two-gram negative: Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli) were promoted by addition of clove oil. Although the natural source of clove oil, the bio-evaluation of plasticized membranes showed an increase in hemolysis percent (%) and thrombus weight. It can be concluded that the addition of clove to PVC need to further studies for applying in blood bags.

Antioxidant study of flavonoid derivatives from the aerial parts of Rhus natalensis growing in Saudi Arabia

Phytochemical study of the CH[2]Cl[2] soluble fraction of the aerial parts of R. natalensis resulted in the isolation and identification of six flavonoid derivatives, beta -amyrin and beta -sitosterol glucoside [daucosterol]. The isolated compounds were identified utilizing physical, chemical and different spectral methods including UV, 1D- 2D-NMR and MS. The compounds were identified as four flavanones; 7-O-methyl hesperetin [1], 7-O-methyl naringenin [4], [-]- homoeriodictyol [eriodictyonone] [5], eriodictyol-7-methyl ether [6] and two flavones; 7-O-methyl isokaemferide [2] and genkwanin [3]. The isolated compounds as well as some available standards representing structurally similar flavones and flavanones were used to study their antioxidant potential using DPPH and try to explore the impact of structures on the antioxidant activity. In other assays flavanones were less active than flavones as antioxidant due to lack of the C-4 carbonyl group in conjugation with 2,3-double bond. However, in DPPH assay based on the ability of molecules to donate hydrogen flavanones were found more active than flavones

Development of thermo-sensitive poly N-isopropyl acrylamide grafted chitosan derivatives.

In this study, the thermo-sensitive copolymers were synthesized by graft copolymerization of poly N isopropyl acrylamide (PNIPAm) onto chitosan (Ch) and aminated chitosan (AmCh) derivative. Free radical polymerization using potassium persulphate (KPS) as initiator was used for performing the grafting process. FTIR, TGA and DSC analysis were used to verify the structure of the resulting graft copolymers. The thermal sensitivity of the prepared copolymers was determined by monitoring the phase transition temperature at 550nm using a UV–VIS spectrophotometer. The results show that the transition of the PNIPAm-g-Ch is sharper than that of the PNIPAm-g-AmCh and the tr-ansition, in both cases, became sharper as increase the PNIPAm grating percentage.

Quantification of glycyrrhizin in anti-stress herbal formulations by validate HPTLC method: a rational paradigm towards quality control of herbals

In the present study an analytical method of high-performance thin-layer chromatography [HPTLC] has been developed for quantification of glycyrrhizin for marketed antistress liquorice root capsules [LRC] and herbal tea [HT]. Chromatography was performed by using mobile phase ethyl acetate [EA]: glacial acetic acid [GAA]: Methanol [MeOH]: water [H2O] in proportion of 6:2:2:1, v/v/v/v. The developed plate was scanned and quantified densitometrically at absorption maxima 254nm. The method was validated for various analytical parameters viz. precision, accuracy, recovery, robustness, specificity, detection and quantification limits. The developed system was found to give compact spot for glycyrrhizin [Rf = 0.33 +/- 0.001]. The linearity relationship was described by the equation Y=6.841X+ 70.428. The limit of detection [34 ng band-1], limit of quantification [101ng band-1], recovery [99.4-99.8%], and precision [

Quantitative analysis of biomarker rutin in different species of genus Ficus by validated NP and RP-HPTLC methods

Biomarker rutin was analyzed in methanol extracts of leaves of five different species of genus Ficus [Ficus carica, Ficus nitida, Ficus ingens, Ficus palmata and Ficus vasta] by NP-HPTLC [Method I] and RP- HPTLC methods [Method II]. The development and validation for method I was carried out with silica gel 60F[254] plates using EA: GAA: FA: H[2]O [10:1:1:2.5, v/v/v/v] as developing system. Method II was carried out on silica gel 60F[254] RP-18 plates using mobile phase ACN: H[2]O [4:6 v/v]. Both analyses were scanned at 305 nm and were found to give well resolved peak of rutin at Rf 0.28 +/- 0.01 and 0.68 +/- 0.03 for Method I and Method II, respectively. The percentage of rutin was found to be 0.51% and 0.66% in F. ingens, 0.24% and 0.54% in F. palmata and 0.14% and 0.17% in F. vasta by Method I and Method II, respectively. Method II [RP-HPTLC] was found to be more accurate, precise and sensitive than Method I. Method II can be used as an important tool for standardization and quality control of bulk drugs and in-process formulations of rutin

Prevalence, management and complications of foreign body bronchus in Sudanese Children

Inhalation of foreign bodies [FBs] is a common problem in Sudanese children. Its incidence has not changed significantly but the safety of removal has improved dramatically. Most of the airway FBs was in patients younger than 15 years of age. This is a retrospective study conducted in Ibn Sina and Al Doha ENT hospitals from Jan 2008 to Dec 2010 using rigid bronchoscopy in Sudanese children who had foreign bodies [FBs] in the bronchus. Result: A total of 150 bronchoscopies was performed: 89 cases [56%] were below 2 years of age;45 cases[30%] were between 2-5 years ;and 18 cases [14%] were over 5 years of age. In 88 cases [58.7%] the foreign bodies inhalations [F.Bs] were peanuts and in 27 cases [18%] were watermelon seeds, and most of the FBs were found in children under 5 years of age. Pins and needles were found in 8cases [5.3%] mostly teenage females. Most of the FBs [82.7%] were radiolucent showing minimal or no X-ray findings. Most of the bronchoscopy [80%] was done as an elective. All FBs could be found by bronchoscopy and 90% of FBs were located in the right main bronchus. Ninety percent of the FBs were successfully removed. In 5% of patients they were removed partially. In only 5% of the patients, the procedure failed. The majority of FBs which were not removed were pins and needles. Urgent tracheostomy was done for three cases [2%] to remove a large FB through the stoma. Several complications were reported either due to the inhaled FBs or due to bronchoscopic procedure. In one patient [0.7%] perforation of bronchus occurred and chest tube with under water seal was inserted. Only one cases [0.7%] had operative mortality. In two cases [1.3%] the mortality was due to inhaled FBs. Overall mortality was 2%. Certain food items especially peanuts if given to children have to be given with caution and under close supervision. In a child who develops sudden wheezes where asthma has not been previously diagnosed and no persistent chest infection was suspected, bronchoscopy should always be considered. Bronchoscopy should be performed as an elective procedure for its favorable outcome. Intraoperative tracheostomy sometimes is mandatory to remove hard and sizable FBs

Laryngeal cancer in Sudanese women three case reports with brief literature review

Laryngeal cancer is rare in women than in men. It is the neoplasm with the largest male to female ratio in most populations. To report the first three cases of laryngeal cancer in three Sudanese non smooker women. I report three non-smokers, married Sudanese women 32,45 and 60 years old suffering of laryngeal cancer as rare cases especially in Sudan, which were treated at Aldoha ENT specialized Hospital in Khartoum, Sudan between 2010-212. Videolaryngoscopy, plain x-ray, CT -scan of the neck and thorax and Microlarynogoscopy studies were done to all patients. Relevant literature was reviewed.The larynx was examined with microlarynogoscopy for all patients. laryngeal masses waere found in the vocal cords.Biopsies were taken and sent to the histopathology unit which it confirmed the diagnoses. Laryngeal cancer in women are in Sudan particularly in non smokers females. Further research is needed to determine its prevalence, predisposing and associated factors other than smoking

clinical examination long case the most valid test in a medical school

This article includes [1] the basic contents of clinical examination long case [ii] the strengths of the examination with justify labeling it as the most valid [iii] guidelines for conduction of the examination [iv] guidelines for marking [v] the place of the short case and objective structured clinical examination [OSCE] in the end of course examination

Malaria and maternal mortality in Gezira-Sudan

The objectives of this study include: [1] to identify the magnitude of malaria as a cause of maternal mortality [MM] [2] to study the demographic characteristics of MM cases caused by malaria and [3] to identify the actual cause of MM due to malaria. This is a six years hospital based retrospective review of hospital records of ladies died due to malaria in Wad Medani Teaching Hospital for Obstetrics and Gynaecology [WMTHOG], form 1 January 1998 to 31 December 2003. Malaria caused 10% to 40% of MM per year. The mean age was 27.57 years, most of them were primigravidae and from rural areas. 37.8% of the deaths occurred between 28 and 36 week of gestation. The median duration of stay in hospital was two days. However 32.4% of deaths stayed for less than 24 hours that indicated severe and serious clinical presentations. The main causes of death due to malaria or its complication were: anaemia [24.3], cerebral malaria [21.6%], circulatory failure [12.51] and renal failure [8.1%]. Others were pulmonary oedema, hyperpyrexia, puerperal psychosis, abortion, severe epistaxis, cardiac arrest, black water fever, electrolyte imbalance, and hepatic failure. The study recommended effective prevention of malaria and an intensive care approach in its management

Malaria in pregnancy -Wad Medani Maternity Teaching Hospital

This is a prospective hospital - base study conducted in Wad Medani Maternity Teaching Hospital, during the period from 5[th] of October 2003 to 30[th] of December 2003. The objective of this study were to assess the status of malaria in the wards in Wad Malani Maternity Teaching Hospital, to determine the effects of malaria on the mother as well as on pregnancy outcome, and also to test the National Protocol for Treatment of Malaria during Pregnancy using Wad Madani Maternity Teaching Hospital. All pregnant women with malaria admitted to the hospital during that period were included in the study. Malaria was diagnosed by thick and thin blood film, Gimsa's stain. Severe falciparum malaria was diagnosed according to WHO criteria. National Protocol for Treatment of Malarial during Pregnancy was adopted in the management of all women. Patients were consider to be cure if symptoms and signs disappeared. The results were analysed using SPSS. The total number of pregnant women included in this study was 210. The main results of the study were: [i] severe falciparum malaria [73.4%], [ii] anaemia [98.6%] of whom 20%] was severe and [11%] was very severe, [iii] hyperparasitaemia [46.7%], [iv] dehydration [33.3%] and [v] jaundice [20.5%]. Complications on the fetus were: [i] preterm labour [44.1%], [ii] low Agars score < 7 [55.9%], [iii] low weight K 2.5 [44.1%] and [iv] perinatal death [5.5%]. Quinine was the main drugs used, Pregnant women admitted to the hospital need intensive care. Although there was no mortality but morbidity was high. The current protocol is adequate in reducing mortality. Intervention to reduce poor pregnancy outcomes must reduce the burden of malaria in pregnancy

Malaria as an important cause of maternal mortality in Sudan

This study was performed to highlight the role of malaria in pregnancy as an important cause of maternal mortality. It reviewed the previous studies, conference presentations and postgraduate thesis. Malaria was found to be the cause of death of 10.26% to 46.7% of maternal mortality. The 1998 to 2003 records of maternal deaths of Wad Medani Obstetrics and Gynaecology Teaching Hospital [WMOGTH] was retrospectively studied. Malaria caused death of 8.82% to 39.7%. The mean age was 27.57years . most of them were primigravidae and from rural areas. 37.8% of the deaths occurred at 28-36 weeks of gestation. The mean duration of stay in hospital was 3.22 days, 32.4% of deaths stayed for less than 24 hours, this indicated severe and serious clinical presentations. The main causes of death due to malaria were anaemia [24.3%], cerebral malaria [21.6%] and circulatory failure [8.1%]. Others were pulmonary oedema, hyperpyrexia, puerperal psychosis, abortion, severe epistaxis. cardiac arrest, black water fever, electrolyte imbalance, and hepatic failure. The study recommended effective prevention of malaria and an intensive care approach in its management

Instrumental [Operative] vaginal deliveries: vacuum extraction compared with forceps delivery at Wad Medani Teaching Hospital, Sudan.

The risks to the mother and newborn associated with the use of vacuum extractor [V.E.] in comparison with those associated with the use of low delivery forceps [L.D.F.] were studied prospectively. Sixty-nine women were enrolled into the study, all with single, term [37 weeks or more] babies, with cephalic presentation, required assisted vaginal deliveries. They were randomized to either vacuum group [38] or forceps [31]. Third degree perineal tears, vaginal and cervical lacerations, requirement of blood transfusion were observed less frequently in the group delivered by V.E., the differences were not statistically significant. One baby in the vacuum group developed cephalohaematoma. The vacuum group had a less stay in hospital [more than 48 hours] than the forceps group and the difference is statistically significant. There were no significant differences in the mean birth weight, Apgar scores and the numbers of babies admitted to the intensive care unit. One baby delivered by forceps died shortly after birth. There was no maternal death in either group

Malaria prophylaxis during pregnancy in primigravidae using sulfadoxine / Pyrimerthamine in Wad Medani - Sudan

[I] To evaluate the efficacy of Sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine as a prophylactic intervention in prevention and control of malaria during pregnancy. [II] To compare effect on neonatal low birth weight [LBW] between intervention and control groups. [III] To determine the proportion of maternal, neonatal and placental parasitaemia among intervention control groups. Material and methods: A prospective case/control interventional study of 113 primigravidae, 57 as an intervention group and 56 as a control group selected through a cluster sampling technique. After taking their verbal consent, the intervention group received two doses of sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine [SP] in the second and early third trimesters, and followed up according to the WHO antenatal care schedule. The outcomes include the following: Reduction of malaria episodes during pregnancy in primigravidae. Reduction of prevalence of neonatal low birth weight. Determination of the prevalence of maternal, neonatal and placental parasitaemia. The frequency of malaria episodes during pregnancy in primigravidae was found to be 14.6% and 29.7% for intervention and control groups respectively and there was a significant statistical difference between the two groups [P< 0.00001].The proportion of LBW was found to be 3.5% and 35.8% for the intervention and control groups respectively and there was a significant statistical difference between the two groups [Z=6.99]. The proportion of maternal, neonatal and placental parasitaemia was found to be [10.9% and 54.9%],[11.1% and 54.9%] and [24% and 50%] for intervention and control groups respectively and there was a significant difference between the two groups regarding maternal and neonatal parasitaemia, while there was no significant difference regarding placental parasitaemia. Sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine is an effective prophylactic intervention for reducing malaria episodes during pregnancy and improving neonatal birth weight

Post - caesarean section infection.

Post-caesarean infection continues to be a major cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. Understanding the various aspects of this grave complication has improved our approach to its management and prevention. We review the present knowledge about post-caesarean infection regarding: incidence, risk factors, diagnosis, causative organisms, antibiotics and prophylaxis. We conclude that the incidence ranges between 5 - 85% depending on the population studied; the main risk factors are labour, ruptured membranes and repeated vaginal examinations, the diagnosis is mainly clinical, the infection is polymicrobial, the antibiotics of proven value are gentamycin/clindamycin, ureidopenicillins and third generation cephalosporins. Antibiotics prophylaxis is recommended in all women undergoing elective or non-elective caesarean section