Novel porphyrin derivatives as corrosion inhibitors for stainless steel 304 in acidic environment: synthesis, electrochemical and quantum calculation studies.

A Novel 5,10,15,20-tetra (thiophen-2-yl) porphyrin (P1) and 5,10,15,20-tetrakis (5-Bromothiophen-2-yl) porphyrin (P2) were successfully synthesized, and their chemical structures were proved based on its correct elemental analysis and spectral data (IR and 1H-NMR). These compounds were examined as corrosion inhibitors for stainless steel 304 (SS304) in 2 M HCl utilizing mass reduction (MR) and electrochemical tests at inhibitor concentration (1 × 10-6-21 × 10-6 M). The protection efficiency (IE %) was effectively enhanced with improving the concentration of investigated compounds and reached 92.5%, 88.5% at 21 × 10-6 M for P1 & P2, respectively and decreases with raising the temperature. Langmuir's isotherm was constrained as the best fitted isotherm depicts the physical-chemical adsorption capabilities of P1 & P2 on SS304 surface with change in ΔGoads = 22.5 kJ mol-1. According to the PDP data reported, P1 and P2 work as mixed find inhibitors to suppress both cathodic and anodic processes. Porphyrin derivatives (P1 & P2) are included on the surface of SS304, according to surface morphology techniques SEM/EDX and AFM. Quantum calculations (DFT) and Monte Carlo simulation (MC) showed the impact of the chemical structure of porphyrin derivatives on their IE %.

"Kala-Azar is a Dishonest Disease": Community Perspectives on Access Barriers to Visceral Leishmaniasis (Kala-Azar) Diagnosis and Care in Southern Gadarif, Sudan.

Early diagnosis and treatment is the principal strategy to control visceral leishmaniasis (VL), or kala-azar in East Africa. As VL strikes remote rural, sparsely populated areas, kala-azar care might not be accessed optimally or timely. We conducted a qualitative study to explore access barriers in a longstanding kala-azar endemic area in southern Gadarif, Sudan. Former kala-azar patients or caretakers, community leaders, and health-care providers were purposively sampled and thematic data analysis was used. Our study participants revealed the multitude of difficulties faced when seeking care. The disease is well known in the area, yet misconceptions about causes and transmission persist. The care-seeking itineraries were not always straightforward: "shopping around" for treatments are common, partly linked to difficulties in diagnosing kala-azar. Kala-azar is perceived to be "hiding," requiring multiple tests and other diseases must be treated first. Negative perceptions on quality of care in the public hospitals prevail, with the unavailability of drugs or staff as the main concern. Delay to seek care remains predominantly linked to economic constraint: albeit treatment is for free, patients have to pay out of pocket for everything else, pushing families further into poverty. Despite increased efforts to tackle the disease over the years, access to quality kala-azar care in this rural Sudanese context remains problematic. The barriers explored in this study are a compelling reminder of the need to boost efforts to address these barriers.

Effect of probiotic administration in the therapy of pediatric thermal burn.

Oral probiotic administration has been advocated for treatment and prevention of a diverse range of disorders. This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of probiotic supplementation on outcome of pediatric post-burn patients. Forty thermally-injured pediatric patients with total body surface burns between 20-50% and depth between 5-10% were randomized in a prospective, double-blind, controlled clinical trial into two even groups: probiotic group (n=20), who received probiotic preparations, and placebo control group (n=20). Clinical outcomes, including GIT tolerance, incidence of infection, need for grafting, length of hospital stay and mortality were recorded. Laboratory measurements of serum CRP, serum albumin, serum IgA and total lymphocyte count were done upon admission and on days 4, 7 and 14. There were no significant differences between the groups regarding age (3.67 ± 0.67 vs. 3.56 ± 0.73), sex, %BSA (34.5 ± 1.96 vs. 33.9 ± 1.82) and %deep burns (6.95 ± 0.34 vs. 7.25 ± 0.39). Frequency of diarrhea (3 vs. 9), need for grafting (2 vs. 8) and length of hospital stay (17.25 ± 0.5 days vs. 21.9 ± 2.2 days) were significantly lower in the probiotic group (p=0.038, p=0.028 and p=0.044, respectively). A trend towards a decrease in incidence of infections (7 vs. 12) was noted in the probiotic group (p=0.113). There was no mortality in our series. There was improvement in the patients' overall outcome related to wound healing and length of hospital stay following the use of probiotics. However, their effects on infectious morbidity and mortality remain unclear and require further investigation.

L'administration orale de probiotiques a été évoquée pour la prévention et le traitement de pathologies variées. Cette étude a été réalisée pour évaluer l'effet d'une supplémentation probiotique sur l'évolution d'enfants brûlés. Quarante enfants brûlés sur une surface de 20 à 50% (5 à 10% de profond) ont été inclus dans une étude prospective randomisée et répartis en 2 groupes de 20, l'un recevant une préparation probiotique (C), l'autre un placebo (T). Le devenir, la tolérance digestive, l'incidence des infections, la nécessité de greffes, la mortalité et la durée d'hospitalisation ont été colligés. Une mesure de la CRP, de l'albumine sérique, des IgA et un compte lymphocytaire étaient réalisés à l'admission et à J4, 7 et 14. Les groupes étaient comparables en termes d'âge (3,67+/-0,67 ans VS 3,56+/-0,73), de sexe, de surface brûlée (34,5+/-1,96% VS 33,9+/-1,82%) et de pourcentage profondément atteint (6,95+/-0,34% VS 7,25+/-0,39). L'occurrence de diarrhée (3 VS 9), la nécessité de greffe (2 VS 8), la durée de séjour (17,25+/-0,5 jours VS 21,9+/-2,2) étaient significativement moindres dans le groupe C (p=0,038 ; 0,028 et 0,044 respectivement). Dans ce même groupe C, on notait une tendance (p=0,013) vers une diminution des infections (7 VS 12). Aucun patient n'est décédé. Nous avons observé une amélioration de la cicatrisation et une réduction de la durée d'hospitalisation en cas d'utilisation de probiotiques. Toutefois, leurs effets sur la morbidité infectieuse et la mortalité restent flous et nécessitent d'autres études.

Sodium stibogluconate and paromomycin for treating visceral leishmaniasis under routine conditions in eastern Sudan.

OBJECTIVES: Among patients with primary and relapse visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in eastern Sudan, we determined the proportion eligible for treatment with sodium stibogluconate and paromomycin (SSG/PM) and, of these, their demographic and clinical characteristics; initial treatment outcomes including adverse side effects requiring treatment discontinuation; treatment outcomes by 6 months; and risk factors associated with initial (slow responders) and late treatment failure (relapses and post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis, PKDL). METHODS: A retrospective cohort study in Tabarak Allah Hospital, Gedaref Province, eastern Sudan, from July 2011 to January 2014. RESULTS: Of 1252 individuals diagnosed with VL (1151 primary and 101 relapses), 65% were eligible for SSG/PM including 83% children, almost half of them malnourished and anaemic. About 4% of individuals discontinued treatment due to side effects; 0.7% died during treatment. Initial cure was achieved in 93% of 774 primary cases and 77% of 35 relapse cases (P < 0.001). Among the 809 patients eligible for SSG/PM, 218 (27%) were lost to follow-up. Outcomes by six months among the 591 patients with available follow-up data were: definitive cure (n = 506; 86%), relapse (n = 38; 6%), treatment discontinuation (n = 33; 6%), PKDL (n = 7; 1%) and death (n = 7; 1%). Among those completing a full course of SSG/PM, relapses and under-fives were at significantly higher risk of early and late treatment failure, respectively. CONCLUSION: Whether SSG/PM as a first-line regimen is an undeniable progress compared to SSG monotherapy, it excluded a considerable proportion of VL patients due to drug safety concerns. We call for accelerated development of new drugs and treatment regimens to improve VL treatment in Sudan.

A scoring system as a method to evaluate pilonidal sinus disease to make an easy decision for its management.

This study was planned to evaluate prospectively the results of 150 patients with pilonidal sinus treated surgically after planning a score system. The aim was to choose the proper technique for the proper pilonidal sinus disease. From November 2002 to December 2006, 150 patients [130 male, 20 female; average age = 22.65 +/- 4.2 (range, 15-46) years] with primary or recurrent pilonidal sinus diseases, operated under spinal anaesthesia or general anaesthesia. All patients were classified into three groups A, B and C. According to the clinical presentations we had three groups of patients: Group A with a score number n = 8 to 10, Group B with a score number n = 11 to 13, and Group C had the number n = 14 to 16. The study helped us in our surgical decision making, particularly in choosing the type of surgery for a given patient by our new scoring system, with promising results and low failure rate.

Sensory and Microbial Quality of Chicken as Affected by Irradiation and Postirradiation Storage at 4.0°C.

Chickens were subjected to gamma irradiation doses of 2.5, 5.0,7.5, and 10.0 kGy using a semi-commercial gamma irradiation facility. The irradiated and unirradiated (control) chickens were stored at 4.0°C, and samples were drawn at day 0 and at 3-day intervals up to 21 days for sensory and microbiological analyses. All irradiation doses (2.5 to 10.0 kGy) had little effect on the sensory acceptability (appearance, odor, texture, taste) of both raw and cooked chicken (breast and thigh). Irradiation extended the time during which these characteristics were acceptable. Moreover, juiciness and tenderness of cooked chicken were only slightly affected by irradiation, and chickens were not rejected even after 21 days of storage. A dose of 2.5 kGy seemed adequate to extend the shelf life of chicken by 12 days, and increasing the dose level above 2.5 kGy gave little if any additional benefit as far as total and psychrotrophic bacterial counts are concerned. Moreover, the dose of 2.5 kGy was enough to destroy Salmonella , Yersinia , and Campylobacter species and coliforms. The study also showed that yeasts of the genera Candida , Saccharomyces , and Alternaria started to grow on day 12 in samples treated with ≥5.0 kGy, but not in samples treated with <5.0 kGy.

Irradiation and Postirradiation Storage at 2 ± 2°C of Tilapia ( Tilapia nilotica × T. aurea ) and Spanish Mackerel ( Scomberomorus commerson ): Sensory and Microbial Assessment.

Tilapia (low-fat farm fish, Tilapia nilotica × T. aurea ) and Spanish mackerel (high-fat seawater fish, Scomberomorus commerson ) were subjected to gamma irradiation doses of 1.5, 3.0, 4.5, 6.0, and 10.0 kGy by using a semicommercial gamma irradiator. The irradiated and unirradiated (controls) fish were stored at 2 ± 2°C and samples were drawn at day 0, 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 for sensory evaluation and microbiological analysis. Doses of 3.0 and/or 4.5 kGy extended the sensory acceptability (appearance, odor, texture, taste) and the microbial quality (total count and coliforms) by 8 days compared to the unirradiated controls. Hydrogen sulfide-producing bacteria were low in both types of fish and a dose of 1.5 kGy kept this flora at low levels throughout the storage period. Moreover, this dose level was also sufficient to eliminate Salmonella spp. from both fish. Yersinia and Campylobacter species were effectively eliminated by doses of 1.5 and 3.0 kGy. Doses of 6.0 and 10.0 kGy caused a reduction in psychrotrophic counts but were detrimental to the quality of both species of fish.

Concomitant natural infection with L. donovani and L. major: a case report from Iraq.

This is a case report of kala-azar with cutaneous leishmaniasis. Upon admission, the patient had fever, hepatosplenomegaly and an ulcer on her cheek. The patient responded to Pentostam. Isoenzyme studies of parasite isolates from the bone marrow and from the cutaneous lesion revealed that these were L. donovani and L. major, respectively. This is the first report in Iraq of a proven concomitant infection with two species of leishmania parasites.

Cell-mediated immune response in experimental infection with H. heterophyes.

Experimental infection of puppies with Heterophyes heterophyes was associated with marked cell-mediated immune response that manifested itself by increase of T-cell count and leucocyte migration. The degree of cell-mediated immune response was inversely proportional to the intensity of infection. The significance of the results was discussed.

Effect of Rift Valley fever virus on pregnant and non-pregnant local Barki ewes after artificial infection.

Studies were conducted into effects of Rift Valley fever virus on oestrous and vaginal cytology in non-pregnant ewes. 6 pregnant and 8 non-pregnant local Barki ewes were subcutaneously inoculated with different doses of virus isolated from Sharkia Province. Observed were irregularities in the oestrous cycle (20-28 days inoculation) and anoestrum. The anoestrum smears included large non-cornified epithelial cells with large well stains centrally located nuclei together with a large number of bacteria. Abortion and retention of placenta occurred in pregnant ewes with prolonged puerperal heat up to 70 days. Inoculation of virus was followed by thermal response. Re-isolation of virus in BHK cells was possible from aborted foetuses and placenta.

The isolation of pathogenic fungi and actinomycetes from soil in Egypt.

140 soil samples from the Assiut governorate were examined for pathogenic fungi and actinomycetes. The paraffin-bait technique and a modified sodium citrate-utilizing procedure were used for recovery of Nocardia strains. Five isolations of N. brasiliensis were made by the sodium citrate method while 3 isolates were obtained by the other method. N. gypsoides was isolated for the first time, only the the modified method. It appears that the latter method suppresses to a great extent the growth of saprophytic fungi, hence increasing the possibility of the isolation of Nocardia spp. The effect of keratin enrichment on the isolation of dermatophytes from soil by the hair-bait technique was also investigated. Pretreatment of samples with dog hair or feathers increased the yield of isolates of Microsporum gypseum, Trichophyton terrestre and to a lesser extent, T. mentagrophytes, M. canis was recovered from soil only after its enrichment with dog hair. It is suggested that enrichment with other forms of keratinous material, either separately or in combination, might increase the recovery of keratinophilic fungi from soil.