First Record of A serious Wilt Disease Induced by Fusarium sacchari and Root Borer on Sugarcane in Kenana Scheme, Sudan

Background: Wilt of sugarcane was recorded almost 100 years ago and is one of the major fungal diseases affecting cane production and productivity. Many commercial varieties were withdrawn from cultivation due to their susceptibility to the disease in many countries. Even though the disease was recorded long back. Methods: For the assessment of disease status and varieties susceptibility of wilt disease, an extensive survey was conducted on sugarcane fields of 2020-2021 of Kenana Sugarcane Company. Isolation of the Pathogen was done by two types of culture in Petri dishes containing PDA the other was incubated in a Plotter test. Both segments were incubated at 28� The pathogenicity test was conducted according to Koch's postulate by Dipping inoculation method and the Plug inoculation method. Results: The result of the survey revealed that the symptoms of the disease appeared clearly in the fields and the result of laboratory isolation indicated that the pure culture of causing pathogen, Fusarium sacchari based on detailed culture morphology. Among the insect pests, root borer was found to associate with wilt disease from sugarcane-infected stalks. The result of the pathogenicity test in pot culture under greenhouse conditions using the variety Co 997 with the pathogenic culture of F. saccharri induced the same symptoms. And re-isolation of the pathogen is similar to the isolation from fields. Conclusion: We were concluded that the wilt of sugarcane affects cane productivity in Sudan and this is considered as the first record of wilt disease in sugarcane in Sudan. As sugarcane is an important crop, future disease control methods will soon be started to control this important disease.

Available evidence on HIFU for focal treatment of prostate cancer: a systematic review

ABSTRACT Purpose: Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most common oncologic disease among men. Radical treatment with curative intent provides good oncological results for PCa survivors, although definitive therapy is associated with significant number of serious side-effects. In modern-era of medicine tissue-sparing techniques, such as focal HIFU, have been proposed for PCa patients in order to provide cancer control equivalent to the standard-of-care procedures while reducing morbidities and complications. The aim of this systematic review was to summarise the available evidence about focal HIFU therapy as a primary treatment for localized PCa. Material and methods: We conducted a comprehensive literature review of focal HIFU therapy in the MEDLINE database (PROSPERO: CRD42021235581). Articles published in the English language between 2010 and 2020 with more than 50 patients were included. Results: Clinically significant in-field recurrence and out-of-field progression were detected to 22% and 29% PCa patients, respectively. Higher ISUP grade group, more positive cores at biopsy and bilateral disease were identified as the main risk factors for disease recurrence. The most common strategy for recurrence management was definitive therapy. Six months after focal HIFU therapy 98% of patients were totally continent and 80% of patients retained sufficient erections for sexual intercourse. The majority of complications presented in the early postoperative period and were classified as low-grade. Conclusions: This review highlights that focal HIFU therapy appears to be a safe procedure, while short-term cancer control rate is encouraging. Though, second-line treatment or active surveillance seems to be necessary in a significant number of patients.

Epidemiology of chronic kidney diseases in rural areas of Qena district, Egypt

The prevalence of patients with end stage renal disease [ESRD] who needs dialysis and/or transplantation has more than doubled in Egypt during the past two decades. The early recognition and the institution of proven therapeutic strategies are important and beneficial. To determine the prevalence of CKD in Qena district and to evaluate the risk factors associated with CKD. A sample of 450 candidates aged from 20 years and older from two villages from Qena district participated, they were interviewed using questionnaires. Physical examination, urinanlysis, blood samples and abdominal ultrasound were done. The prevalence of CKD in Qena district, was 30.2% and the frequency of CKD stages I,II,III and IV in this study were 10.9%, 7.6% ,8.9% ,2.9% respectively of total studied sample. The study showed that hypertension was the commonest risk factor [13.1%] followed by diabetes [10.2%], past history of stone [7.8%].The other risk factors were past history of bilharziasis [3.8%], chronic urinary tract infection [3.3%], chronic non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs use [1.8%], gout [1.6%], polycystic kidney disease [0.9%], systemic lupus[0.9%], past history of proteinuria [0.7%] and rheumatoid arthritis[0.7%]. CKD has a high prevalence in Qena district, and the commonest risk factors were HTN and DM

Did pandemic preparedness aid the response to pandemic [H1N1] 2009? A qualitative analysis in seven countries within the WHO European Region

Although the 2009-2010 influenza A [H1N1] pandemic was of low severity compared with other pandemics of the 20th century, this pandemic was the first opportunity for countries to implement a real-life pandemic response. The aim of the project was to review the extent to which these plans and planning activities proved useful and to identify areas of pandemic planning that require further strengthening. We randomly selected seven countries within the WHO European Region to participate in a comprehensive, qualitative study to evaluate the pandemic preparedness activities undertaken prior to March 2009 compared with the subsequent pandemic responses mounted from May 2009 onwards. Research teams visited each country and interviewed stakeholders from health and civil response ministries, national public health authorities, regional authorities and family and hospital doctors. The following six consistent themes were identified as essential elements of successful pandemic preparedness activities: communication, coordination, capacity building, adaptability/flexibility, leadership and mutual support. Regarding future pandemic preparedness activities, an emphasis on these areas should be retained and planning for the following activities should be improved: communication [i.e., with the public and health professionals]; coordination of vaccine procurement and logistics; flexibility of response and hospital surveillance. Pandemic preparedness activities were successfully undertaken in the WHO European Region prior to the 2009 pandemic. These activities proved to be effective and were generally appropriate for the response provided in 2009. Nevertheless, consistent themes also emerged regarding specific areas of under planning that were common to most of the surveyed countries

Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage among surgical personnel in National Ribat University Teaching Hospital-Khartoum-Sudan

Staphylococcus aureus [S. aureus] is one of the most common causes of both community and hospital acquired bacterial infection. There is strong correlation between S aureus nasal carriage and disease progress. Nasal carriage is high among health care workers. Inappropriate usage of antibiotic may lead to emergence of resistant strains which has serious consequences. The objective of this study is to reveal the frequency of S aureus nasal carriage and its drug resistance among surgical personnel in National Ribat Teaching Hospital Khartoum Sudan. This is a hospital-based case study. Nasal smears were taken from medical workers in the surgical department and operational theater at National Ribat Teaching Hospital in Khartoum State, Sudan. Samples were processed, cultured, then susceptibility tests were performed using Bauer-Kirby disc diffusion methods following recommendations of National Committee for Laboratory Standards [NCCLS]. Results were analyzed and discussed. Sixty three samples were taken. Thirty were males. Growth was achieved in only eight [12.6%]. Majority showed resistance to penicillin. However, alls strain were sensitive to amoxicillin/calvunalic acid, vancomycin and oxacillin. This study gives an early alarm on the problems related to S. aureus colonization rate and its drug resistance. Nevertheless, the small number of our study group is a bit fall