Isolation of Bacterial Contaminants from Operating Theatres in EnNahud City, West Kordofan State – Sudan

Background: The prevalence of nosocomial infections has continued to rise due to microbial contamination of the hospital environment. Operating room contamination, on the other hand, is one of the most common and life-threatening sources of nosocomial infections. Objective: The goal of this research is to isolate and identify bacterial contaminants in operating rooms and equipment in EnNahud, West Kordofan. Methods: A total of 45 samples (from three hospitals) were collected from various operating theatre sites between September and December 2020. Using the accepted bacteriological methods (ISO/TC 147/SC 4 Microbiological techniques), all isolated bacteria were identified. S. Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 were employed as control bacterial strains to track the entire bacteriological process. Results: Five kinds of bacteria were recovered from the 45 (100%) positive specimens in three hospitals in this study. The number of polluted hospitals is on the rise (100%). The most prevalent bacterial pollutants identified from operation theaters were Staphylococcus aureus 24 (53.3%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa 13 (28.8%), Bacillus spp 6 (13.3%), Proteus spp 1 (2.2%), and Salmonella spp 1 (2.2%), according to the findings (2.2%). All of the places where samples were taken were found to be completely contaminated. Conclusion: The relatively high degree of bacterial contamination in hospital operating rooms highlights the need for ongoing microbiological surveillance aimed at detecting bacterial contamination levels and their impact on nosocomial infection early.

Larval trematodes hosted by Biomphalaria straminea in the Brazilian semiarid region: implications for schistosomiasis control

@#The present study aimed to identify larval trematodes shed by snails found in water bodies used by urban communities in a former schistosomiasis endemic area in the state of Piauí, in the Brazilian semiarid region. A malacological survey was performed followed by analysis of the cercariae shed by the snails after light exposure. Biomphalaria straminea specimens (n=1,224) were obtained from all seven collection sites. Cercariae shed by snails were i) single tailed, in which one type of cercariae was identified (Echinostoma cercariae), and ii) with bifurcated tail (brevifurcate apharyngeate distome, brevifurcate pharyngeate distome, and longifurcate pharyngeate distome [strigeocercaria]). Brevifurcate apharyngeate distome were further examined and the presence of spikes in swimming membranes enabled the identification of Spirorchiidae cercariae in all individuals, demonstrating the absence of cercariae compatible with Schistosoma mansoni. Nevertheless, the accurate diagnosis of S. mansoni circulation in former endemic areas is still necessary.

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.

Antidepressant-like effect of resveratrol in a subchronic model of depression

Depression is one of the most serious and common mental diseases with major negative social consequences. Transresveratrol [trans-3,5,4´-trihydroxystilbene] is a polyphenolic compound with a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities. It has been detected in some fruits and herbs, including the Asian plant Polygonum cuspidatum. The aim of this study was to assess the antidepressant-like effect of transresveratrol in a reserpine subchronic model of depression. Depression-like behaviours were induced in rats by reserpine injection [0.25 mg/kg, subcutaneously] every 48 h, for 20 days. Transresveratrol [60 and 120 mg/kg] and fluoxetine [10 mg/kg] were administered orally daily during the 20 days of the study. Behavioural tests, namely, open-field test and forced swimming test, as well as brain neurotransmitters levels and antioxidant contents and liver functions, were assessed. Data revealed that transresveratrol improved the rats' behaviour in both the open-field test and forced swimming test, and also elevated the brain's neurotransmitter content, normalized the liver enzymes level, and improved the antioxidant status of both the brain and liver, compared with those of fluoxetine. The present study provided a clear evidence for the antidepressant-like of transresveratrol in the experimental model of depression. Further investigations are required to investigate the mechanism of action of transresveratrol as well as its applicability to be used as an antidepressant

Desenvolvimento de embriões de camundongas após manutenção em diferentes soluções de manipulação / Development of mice embryos after maintenance in different manipulation solutions

Avaliou-se a eficácia de duas soluções de manipulação (SM) de embriões de camundongas nos estádios de blastocisto inicial (Bin), mórula compacta grau I (McI) e II (McII), distribuídos aleatoriamente em três tratamentos (T), de acordo com a solução de manutenção. No T1 usou-se PBS modificado (controle); no T2, SME e no T3, SME enriquecida. Os embriões foram mantidos durante quatro horas na solução de manutenção e posteriormente classificados quanto ao estádio de desenvolvimento e à qualidade embrionária. Logo após, foram cultivados em meio TCM 199 e classificados novamente quanto ao estádio de desenvolvimento e à qualidade embrionária. A taxa de desenvolvimento dos embriões após manutenção por quatro horas em solução de manipulação foi menor (P<0,05) nos embriões do controle, comparada à de embriões do SME e SME enriquecida, diferença esta não observada (P>0,05) após o cultivo in vitro. Os embriões McII do T3 tiveram maior desenvolvimento (P<0,05) em relação aos embriões do T1 e T2, indicando o efeito benéfico do enriquecimento da solução SME. Conclui-se que as soluções de manipulação SME e SME enriquecida influenciaram beneficamente o desenvolvimento de embriões.

The effect of embryo manipulation solution followed by in vitro culture in mice embryos was studied. The embryos at early blastocyst (Bin), and compact morula grades I (McI) and II (McII) were randomly assigned into three treatments. T1 used modified PBS (control), T2 used EMS, and T3 used EMS supplemented. In each treatment, the embryos were kept in manipulation solution for four hours. Finishing the manipulation period, the embryos were classified according the development stage and quality. Following, the embryos were cultured in TCM 199. After the culture period, the embryos were evaluated according to quality and development stage. The development rate for Bin, McI, and McII after maintenance for four hours in manipulation solution was lower for control embryo (P>0.05) as compared to EMS and EMS supplemented embryos. After in vitro culture, no differences (P>0.05) on embryo development rate among control, EMS, and EMS supplemented were observed. Moreover, McII from EMS supplemented had a higher development (P<0.05) (93 percent) as compared to control (82.5 percent) and EMS (83.9 percent), suggesting a beneficial effect of EMS supplemented. EMS and EMS supplemented embryos had a positive effect on embryo development, showing higher embryo development than those in PBS solution.

Nova técnica para contagem do número de células de blastocistos / A new technique to count the number of cells of blastocysts

A simplified, fast, and innovative method was developed to count the total cell number in blastocysts. Murine blastocysts (N = 195) were used in this study. They were obtained after 10h culture of initial blastocysts, compact morulae grades I and II recovered from superovulated mouse. After culture, the blastococysts were selected to test the new proposal of counting. The process was done after embryo fixation in a sodium citrate solution, and adherence in glass slide. Following, the coloration was done using a fast panoptic coloration kit. As a result, it was possible to identify the blastomeres and count them in each blastocyst. This method provided a fast and effective analysis of the total cell number when compared with other techniques. Moreover, this new method shows advantages related to the cell visualization, which can be done in more simple equipment like stereoscopic microscope. Other interesting observed point was the long period of time and quality that the coloration stays on slides, considering other techniques.

Detection of some toxic heavy metals in meat and offal of slaughtered cattle in Tanta abattoir, Gharbia governorate

A lot of one hundred and twenty random samples of meat, liver and kidney were collected from young and old slaughtered cattle [20 of each] at Tanta slaughter house, Gharbia governorate, Egypt, for detection of some heavy metal residues as Lead, cadmium and mercury by using Atomic absorption spectrometer. The results revealed that the highest mean value of lead concentration was recorded as 0.606 +/- 0.190 mg/kg wet weight in weight in old slaughtered cattle liver, while the lowest mean value of lead concentration was 0.036 +/- 0.016 mg/ kg wet weight in meat samples of young slaughtered cattle. More over, the highest mean value of cadmium concentration was recorded in as slaughtered cattle 1.752 +/- 0.469 mg/kg wet weight in kidney sample, while the lowest value of cadmium level in young slaughtered cattle was 0.858 +/- 0.133 mg/kg wet weight in meat samples. Regarding the mercury concentration in slaughtered cattle the highest level was recorded in liver of old aged cattle 0.499 +/- 0.171 mg/kg wet weight, whilemean the lowest results were recorded in meat sample of young aged slaughtered cattle as 0.218 + 0.041, All the obtained results of lead cadmium and mercury were compared with the permissible limsts of FAO/WHQ [1992] and ES [1993] and public health hazards of such toxic heavy metals were discussed. Hygienic measures and awareness programs were implemented to avoid contamination of meat and offal with such toxic heavy meals

Profile of diabetes health care at Benghazi Diabetes Centre, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya

The aim of this study was to assess the standards of care and patients' knowledge and practices at Benghazi Diabetes Centre, the largest diabetes registry in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya. A sample of 805 attending patients was interviewed over 2 months in 2002. Overall, 48.3% had never had blood pressure checked and 14.2% had never had a fundus examination and none had ever had glycosylated haemoglobin estimation. Only 2.4% of type 1 diabetics used a glucometer and 8.0% of all diabetics used urine sticks. Many patients were not compliant with treatment and were ignorant about hypoglycaemia symptoms or the complications of diabetes. Better continuing care and better education is needed for diabetic patients in this clinic

Evaluation of the effect of four current Iranian processing solutions on the image quality of two dental X-ray films

The combination of different processing solutions and dental film types can affect sensitometric properties [density and contrast]. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of 4 currently used Iranian processing solutions on the image quality of 2 types of dental films. In this experimental-laboratory study, a casted mandibular 2nd premolar along with a step wedge was used, to obtain 248 periapical radiographs during 10 working-days. All films were processed in four Iranian processing solutions: Teifsaz, Jahan, Farhan and Champion. Endodontic files were used to assess the diagnostic accuracy, Densitometric evaluation of the lead wedge radiographs was done at the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran using an Iranian digital software densitometry. Data were analyzed using the ANOVA test. The mean density and contrast of the Kodak images was significantly higher than the Agfa images [P=0.001], Films processed with Champion solution revealed the highest radiographic contrast [P=0.001]. No significant difference was found between the Agfa and Kodak films in determining the position of the endodontic file [P>0.05]. This study showed that the type of processing solution and film can significantly affect radiographic density and, contrast. Kodak films processed in Champion solution revealed the highest radiographic density among the studied materials

Acute pancreatic nine years of surgical lCU experience

Acute pancreatitis has a variety of presentations from self-limiting abdominal pain to development of local and systemic complications resulting in sepsis, multi-organ dysfunction, extended intensive care stay and death. Very good quality of life in survivors justifies an optimal therapy in an intensive care setup. The records of 91 patients with acute pancreatitis were reviewed retrospectively. There was a significant difference [p<0.001] between those with edematous pancreatitis and those with necrotic pancreatitis as regards the length of ICU stay and severity scores: Ranson and SOFA [Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment]. The most common cause of pancreatitis was biliary [70.3 percent] followed by hyperlipidemia [12.1 percent], post ERCP [5.5 percent], trauma [4.4 percent], idiopathic [6.6 percent] and in one case, ascariasis. Common associated diseases were hypertension [33 percent] and diabetes mellitus [25.3 percent]. Six patients with necrotic pancreatitis died. It is concluded that acute pancreatitis treated in an intensive care unit has a favorable outcome and that a combination of Ranson and SOFA scores with CT index helps in establishing the prognosis

Hemolytic uraemic syndrome associated with pregnancy

Hemolytic uraemic syndrome [HUS] and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura [TTP] are described as acute syndromes with multisystem abnormalities and pentad of thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic hemolysis, neurological symptoms, renal impairment and fever. Both diseases were believed to form a continuum of the same disease, but recently it was found, that they were having a different pathophysiology, as TTP patients have a deficiency in von wilbrand factor [vWF] cleavage protease. When renal involvement is severe with little or no neurological manifestation, this microangiopathy is termed as haemolytic-uraemic syndrome. If the hemolytic uraemic syndrome is not associated with diarrhoea, it is called D-negative or atypical HUS. This subdivision is ofetiological and prognostic importance. TTP-HUS is associated with high maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Treatment of these syndromes differs from syndrome of hemolysis with elevated liver enzymes [HELLP syndrome] and acute fatty liver of pregnancy hence accurate diagnosis is important for optimal therapy. Plasma transfusion and plasmapheresis have revolutionized management of TTP and HUS by increasing survival 80% to 90%. Here we are reporting a case of D-negative hemolytic uraemic syndrome associated with pregnancy causing in-trauterine fetal death. Diagnosis made on clinical and he-matological findings, successfully treated by plasmapheresis with residual maternal renal impairment. We are presenting this case, as it is rare disorder associated with high mortality and morbidity, to increase awareness about disease, its diagnosis and management

Predictors of anticonvulsants-induced osteopathy in epileptic children

Anticonvulsants are known to have many side effects specially is growing epileptic children. Among these side effects are that bad effects on calcium metabolism and bone mineral density. This study was designed to find sensitive predictors of calcium homeostasis and bone mineral status with possible osteopathy in epileptic children. 60 epileptic children aged 4-14 years, admitted at neurology ward of pediatric department of Tanta university were enrolled in the study. They were subdivided into 4 subgroups according to monotherapy given: 15 cases phenytion-treated, 15 cases phenobarbital-treated, 15 cases carbamazepine-treated and 15 cases valproate-treated. 15 healthy children matched for age and sex plotted as control. After establishment of diagnosis and control and after one year of initiation of anticonvalsant therapy they were subjected to full serological surgery of calcium metabolism: serum calcium, serum phosphorus, serum alkaline phosphatase. As indicators of bone resorption, fasting urinary calcium and total urinary hydroxyproline were measured. Bone mineralization was estimated with plain X-ray films of spine and extremities and dual-energy X-ray absroptiometry for estimation of bone mineral density [BMD] at the trabecular and cortical bone of distal third of radius. We found normal calcium and phosphorous levels in the 4 patient groups denoting possibly the successful homeostasis by parathormone. But we found significant increase of urinary fasting excretion of calcium and hydroxyproline in patients receiving phenytion and phenobarbtione denoting bone resorption which is supported by the significant increase of alkaline phosphatase in these patient groups confirming osteoclastic activity found. Serum basal calcitonin was found to be significantly reduced in all patients groups except carbarnazepine treated group [mean 46.00 +/- 0.9 picogram/ml] denoting presented complete homeostasis of calcium in CBZ-treated children in contrast to the other three groups who are prone to osteopenia specially if the tendency to increased osteoclastic activity is aggravated by secondary' hyperparathyroidism. Bone mineral density [BMD] is decreased in the four patients groups, the worst was phenytoin - treated group [Mean 0.284 +/- 0.049 gm/cm[2]] as compared to controls [mean 0.436 +/- 0.047 gm/cm[2]]. The best BMD was in carbamazepine-treated group [mean 0.39 +/- 0.045 gm/cm[2]], denoting nearly no deleterious effect of the drug on both calcium homeostasis and bone mineral density. From this study, we recommend the full radiologic survey of epileptic children before and during anticonvulsant therapy specially if prolonged. We also recommend both high dietary calcium and vitamin D intake in patients treated with phenytion, phenobarbitone and valproate with special emphasis of 1,25 dihydroxy D3 supplement. Also we recommend radiological survey of these patients with attention to measurement of bone mineral density using sensitive non-invasive techniques as dual -energy x-ray absorptiometry

Prevalence of helicobacter pylori transmission in spouses of helicobacter pylori positive patients with duodenal ulcer

Up to now, few studies have evaluated the risk of infection among spouses of Helicobacter pylori positive patients. The aim of this study to assess the seroprevalence of H pylori infection in spouses of H pylori positive patients with duodenal ulcer as compared with age and sex control group of spouses of non-ulcer dyspeptic patients, and to estimate the frequency of endoscopic gastroduodenal lesions in these spouses according to the presence or absence of gastrointestinal complaints. 120 spouses [85%, males] of patients with duodenal ulcer seen over a 6 month period were studied. They were screened for serum Ig G anti-H pylori antibodies. Upper gastrointestinal tract endoscopy with antral and corpus biopsy specimens taken for histological examination and urease rapid test was offered to all seropositive spouses. 40 persons spouses of non-ulcer dyspeptic patients matched for age and sex were taken as control group. Spouses of patients with duodenal ulcer has a significantly higher seoprevalence of H pylori infection than controls 70.8% versus 45%, p<0.05]. At endoscopy H. pylori infection was confirmed in 62 of 65 [95%] seropostive spouses. The endoscopic findings in those spouses showed active duodenal ulcer in 10 [15%], duodenal scar and cap deformity in 3 [5%], active gastric ulcer in 2[4%], erosive duodenitis in 4[6%], antral erosions in 2[4%], antral erosions plus duodenitis in 2[4%] and peptic oesphagitis in 2[4%]. 32 of 85[37%] H pylori positive spouses complained of dyspeptic symptoms compared with only 4 of 35 [12%] seronegative spouses [p < 0.02]. The prevalence of major endoscopic lesions was significantly higher in symptomatic spouses than in those who had never been symptomatic; these findings show that the spouses of an H pylori positive patient with duodenal ulcer may increase the risk of h. pylori colonisation and perhaps A peptic ulcer disease

Prevalence of two species of Litomosoides (Nematoda: Filarioidea) parasites of Akodon cursor (Rodentia: Muridae) from southeastern Brazil

Two species of filariids, Litomosoides silvai and Litomosoides chagasfilhoi, were collected from the thoracic and abdominal cavities, respectively, of Akodon cursor, from Catimbau Grande, Rio Bonito, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Fifty-eight rodents were necropsied and 15 (25.9) were parasitized. Four of the 15 infected rodents (26.7) presented concurrent infections, but each species had separate and specific sites of infection. This is the first report of a rodent species parasitized with naturally occurring, concurrent infections with two species of filarial worms.

Cultivo in vitro de ovócitos bovinos em diferentes sistemas: I- efeito na maturaçäo nuclear / In vitro cultivation of bovine oocytes under different conditions: I-Effect on nuclear maturation

Foram utilizados ovócitos com o cumulus compacto, distribuídos em três tratamentos: I - meio de cultivo constituído de meio de cultura de tecido (TCM) acrescido de FSH (20µg/ml) e soro inativado de vaca em estro (10 por cento); II - meio de cultivo acrescido de células da granulosa em suspensäo (2 x 10 elevado a sexta potência/ml); III - monocamada de células da granulosa em meio de cultivo. As formas foram obtidas em zero, 12, 18, 24 e 30 horas de cultivo in vitro, para exame da configuraçäo cromossômica. Foram utilizados 1251 ovócitos com os seguintes resultados de maturaçäo nuclear, para os tratamentos I, II e III, respectivamente: 12 horas de cultivo, 1 (1,08 por cento), 1 (1,08 por cento) e 2 (2,17 por cento); 18 horas, 70 (76,92 por cento), 50 (56,82 por cento) e 46 (54,12 por cento); 24 horas, 93 (89,42 por cento), 81 (93,10 por cento) e 71 (85,54 por cento); 30 horas, 77 (89,53 por cento), 78 (91,76 por cento) e 63 (90,00 por cento). Os resultados foram elevados e significativos (P<0,01) na taxa de maturaçäo com 18 horas de cultivo, para os ovócitos cultivados segundo o tratamento I. Eles sugerem a fecundaçäo in vitro após 18 horas de cultivo, no caso da maturaçäo em meio sem células da granulosa, diferenciando do tempo usualmente utilizado de 24 horas, quando se utiliza o co-cultivo com células da granulosa

Cultivo in vitro de ovócitos bovinos em diferentes sistemas: II - aspectos ultra-estruturais / In vitro cultivation of bovine oocytes, under different conditions: II - ultrastructural aspects

Para avaliar o efeito de sistemas de cultivo in vitro na ultra-estrutura celular, foram cultivados ovócitos com o cumulus compacto distribuídos em três tratamentos: I - meio de cultivo constituído de meio de cultura de tecido (TCM) acrescido de FSH (20µg/ml) e soro inativado de vaca em estro (10 por cento); II - meio de cultivo acrescido de células da granulosa em suspensäo (2 x 10 elevado a sexta potência/ml); III - monocamada de células da granulosa em meio de cultivo. As amostras foram obtidas em zero, 12, 18, 24 e 30 horas de cultivo e submetidas aos procedimentos para a análise ultra-estrutural. As características verificadas nos ovócitos foram caracterizadas em cinco configuraçöes (C1 a C5), levando em consideraçäo vários estádios de maturaçäo. Para esta classificaçäo foram consideradas as modificaçöes ultra-estruturais no interior do ovócito, sendo C1 um ovócito sem alteraçäo indicativa de reativaçäo da meiose, C2, C3 e C4 estádios intermediários e C5 um ovócito maduro caracterizado principalmente pela configuraçäo cromossômica em metáfase II e pela distribuiçäo dos grânulos corticais em posiçöes solitárias nas proximidades da membrana citoplasmática. Foram verificados os seguintes resultados, para os tratamentos I, II e III, respectivamente: zero hora (C1 e C2, C1 e C2, C1 e C2), 12 horas (C4, C3 e C3), 18 horas (C5, C4 e C4), 24 horas (C5, C5 e C5) e 30 horas (C5, C5 e C5). No cultivo sem células da granulosa, as características que configuram um ovócito maduro sob aspecto ultra-estrutural já ocorrem com 18 horas de cultivo