Antibodies against Merozoite Surface Protein 1 and 2 in Sudanese children

Background: Malaria is a serious childhood disease causing high morbidity and mortality despite control measures. Immunological control against malaria was initiated early, and immunity acquired by children in endemic areas, which is age and exposure dependant, differs in different endemic settings. The objective of the study was to determine antibodies against Merozoite surface protein-1 (MSP-I) and Merozoite surface protein-2 (MSP-2), and to determine their relation to the age of Sudanese children. Methodology: The study was descriptive, cross-sectional, conducted in Khartoum Children Emergency Hospital (KCEH). 150 children with positive blood films for P. falciparum malaria were classified according to age, and a blood sample was taken from each one, and tested for antibodies against MSP-I and MSP-2. Results: Antibodies to MSP-I and MSP-2 were 46% and 42% respectively. Sero-positivity and sero-negativity for both antigens were 26.6% and 42.7% respectively. Seropositivity to either MSP2 or MSP1antigen alone was present in 18.7% and 12% of patients respectively. High seropositivity (52.9%) was found in the age group 12-15 years of age. Conclusion: MSP-1 and MSP-2 antibodies in Sudanese children according to this study were age dependant, and findings were similar to what had been reported in some African countries.Key words: P. falciparum malaria, MSP-I, MSP-2

Frequency of consumption and nutrient composition of composite dishes commonly consumed in the UK by South Asian Muslims originating from Bangladesh, Pakistan and East Africa (Ismailis)

Introduction: This paper presents information on the nutrient composition of commonly consumed traditional dishes eaten by the three major South Asian Muslim groups residing in Britain, namely Bangladeshi, Pakistani and East African Ismaili Muslims. Methods: Information regarding the most common dishes consumed by South Asian Muslims originating from Bangladesh, Pakistan and East Africa (Ismailis) and living in London was obtained from 7-day menu records over two seasons. For each common dish, weighed recipes were collected in triplicate and the composition (energy and selected nutrients) was calculated from the ingredients and cooked weight of the dish. Results: The three Muslim groups showed considerable variation in traditional foods commonly consumed as well as variation in fat and energy contents of similar recipes both within and between groups. Nutrient composition of commonly consumed dishes is presented calculated from the recipe nearest the average in terms of fat and energy for a particular dish. Discussion and Conclusions: The potential uses of the data, one of which would be to improve dietary compliance (especially to lower fat intakes) amongst the three diverse South Asian Muslim groups, are discussed

Health education and the control of urogenital schistosomiasis: assessing the impact of the Juma na Kichocho comic-strip medical booklet in Zanzibar

Endeavours to control urogenital schistosomiasis on Unguja Island (Zanzibar) have focused on school-aged children. To assess the impact of an associated health education campaign, the supervised use of the comic-strip medical booklet Juma na Kichocho by Class V pupils attending eighteen primary schools was investigated. A validated knowledge and attitudes questionnaire was completed at baseline and repeated one year later following the regular use of the booklet during the calendar year. A scoring system (ranging from 0.0 to 5.0) measured children's understandings of schistosomiasis and malaria, with the latter being a neutral comparator against specific changes for schistosomiasis. In 2006, the average score from 751 children (328 boys and 423 girls) was 2.39 for schistosomiasis and 3.03 for malaria. One year later, the score was 2.43 for schistosomiasis and 2.70 for malaria from 779 children (351 boys and 428 girls). As might be expected, knowledge and attitudes scores for schistosomiasis increased (+0.05), but not as much as originally hoped, while the score for malaria decreased (-0.33). According to a Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, neither change was statistically significant. Analysis also revealed that 75% of school children misunderstood the importance of reinfection after treatment with praziquantel. These results are disappointing. They demonstrate that it is mistaken to assume that knowledge conveyed in child-friendly booklets will necessarily be interpreted, and acted upon, in the way intended. If long-term sustained behavioural change is to be achieved, health education materials need to engage more closely with local understandings and responses to urogenital schistosomiasis. This, in turn, needs to be part of the development of a more holistic, biosocial approach to the control of schistosomiasis

Patterns of acute hospital and specialist palliative care use among people with non-curative upper gastrointestinal cancer

Purpose: Upper gastrointestinal (GI) cancers contribute to 16.7% of UK cancer deaths. These patients make high use of acute hospital services, but detail about palliative care use is lacking. We aimed to determine the patterns of use of acute hospital and hospital specialist palliative care services in patients with advanced non-curative upper GI cancer. Methods: We conducted a service evaluation of hospital use and palliative care for all patients with non-curative upper GI cancer seen in one large hospital, using routinely collected data (2019–2022). We report and characterise hospital admissions and palliative care within the study time period, using descriptive statistics, and multivariable Poisson regression to estimate the unadjusted and adjusted incidence rate ratio of hospital admissions. Results: The total with non-curative upper GI cancer was 960. 86.7% had at least one hospital admission, with 1239 admissions in total. Patients had a higher risk of admission to hospital if: aged ≤ 65 (IRR for 66–75 years 0.71, IRR 76–85 years 0.68; IRR > 85 years 0.53; p < 0.05), or lived in an area of lower socioeconomic status (IMD Deciles 1–5) (IRR 0.90; p < 0.05). Over the 4-year period, the rate of re-admission was higher in patients not referred to palliative care (rate 0.52 readmissions/patient versus rate 1.47 readmissions/patient). Conclusion: People with advanced non-curative gastrointestinal cancer have frequent hospital admissions, especially if younger or from areas of lower socioeconomic status. There is clear association between specialist palliative care referral and reduced risk of hospitalisation. This evidence supports referral to specialist palliative care

Antimicrobial Activity and Quantum Chemical Calculations of Pyrazol-2,3-Dihydrothiazole Sugar Derivatives

A number of new [(pyrazol-4-yl) methylene] hydrazono-2,3-dihydrothiazoles, sugar hydrazones, and their N-glycoside derivatives were synthesized. The chemical structures of the synthesized compounds were confirmed by 1H NMR technique. The newly synthesized compounds were tested for their antimicrobial activities and showed moderate to high inhibition activities. Quantum chemistry calculations were used to study the molecular geometry and electronic structure of the selected derivatives. The energy gap between the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO)and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) has been calculated using the theoretical computations to reflect the chemical reactivity and kinetic stability of compounds. Keywords: 1H-pyrazole, aminothiazole, ethylchloroacetate, quantum chemical calculations, antimicrobial activity

\u27\u27When we speak faculty listen:\u27\u27 Exploring potential spaces for students to support lecturer academic development

Lecturers’ engagement in professional development activities to enhance their academic practice is firmly embedded within the landscape of higher education. Although enhancing the student learning experience underpins teaching-related continuing professional development (CPD), interestingly the role of students in supporting such activities has been underexplored. Drawing on data captured from eight student representatives interviewed in the context of an international impact evaluation, we examine student awareness of, and attitudes towards, lecturers’ CPD. Participants recognised the value of lecturers engaging in CPD but believed it to be an activity they were removed from, and had little opportunity to engage with. We consider how this perspective could be changed in two ways. Firstly, we reflect on the experiences of students at one university where their contributions to lecturers’ development were legitimised and valued. Secondly, we discuss the potential of integrative approaches, such as students as consultants or reverse mentoring. We argue that these approaches may challenge existing hierarchies that limit students engaging in lectures and create spaces through which students can positively contribute to lecturers’ CPD

Deep Learning-Based Prediction of Alzheimer’s Disease Using Microarray Gene Expression Data

Alzheimer’s disease is a genetically complex disorder, and microarray technology provides valuable insights into it. However, the high dimensionality of microarray datasets and small sample sizes pose challenges. Gene selection techniques have emerged as a promising solution to this challenge, potentially revolutionizing AD diagnosis. The study aims to investigate deep learning techniques, specifically neural networks, in predicting Alzheimer’s disease using microarray gene expression data. The goal is to develop a reliable predictive model for early detection and diagnosis, potentially improving patient care and intervention strategies. This study employed gene selection techniques, including Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA), to pinpoint pertinent genes within microarray datasets. Leveraging deep learning principles, we harnessed a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) as our classifier for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) prediction. Our approach involved the utilization of a seven-layer CNN with diverse configurations to process the dataset. Empirical outcomes on the AD dataset underscored the effectiveness of the PCA–CNN model, yielding an accuracy of 96.60% and a loss of 0.3503. Likewise, the SVD–CNN model showcased remarkable accuracy, attaining 97.08% and a loss of 0.2466. These results accentuate the potential of our method for gene dimension reduction and classification accuracy enhancement by selecting a subset of pertinent genes. Integrating gene selection methodologies with deep learning architectures presents a promising framework for elevating AD prediction and promoting precision medicine in neurodegenerative disorders. Ongoing research endeavors aim to generalize this approach for diverse applications, explore alternative gene selection techniques, and investigate a variety of deep learning architectures

Effect of Health Education on Women's Perception Regarding Screening and Early Detection for Common Cancer Among Women at Reproductive Age at Beni - Suef City, Egypt

Background: Cancer is a major public health problem throughout the world and the leading cause of death among women. There are two major components of early detection of cancer: education to promote early diagnosis and screening. Breast cancer (BC) is the most prevalent common cancer among women in Egypt and is estimated to be the cause of 22 percent all cancer-related female deaths. Although it affects many fewer women, cervical cancer is the 13th most common cancer among women in Egypt. Early detection of cancer greatly increases the chances for successful treatment. The aim of this study: To determine the effects of health education on women perception, screening and early detection for common cancer at reproductive age at Beni - Suef City, Egypt. Study design: Quasi- experimental research design was used. The study was funded through scientific research development center and all investigation was done free for each woman under the care of the Projects Funding and Granting Unit at Beni-Suef University. Setting: the study conducted at gynecological outpatient clinic at Beni- Suef University and General Hospital. Sampling. a purposive sample of 412womenat reproductive age were selected randomly. It was conducted from June 2016 till the end of December 2016. Tools: Data was collected through structured interview and field note that the researchers were taking during participants’ and screening of the study sample at 2 days a week for six months to collecting data from the study sample. Results: the result of this research showed that the common cancer appear was breast cancer followed by ovarian cancer among study sample. Conclusion: The research has succeeded in early detection and raising the women’s awareness to prevention which will reducing the incidence of common cancer among the women at reproductive age with statistical significant relation after implementing the program and 34.7% of the study sample are positive to breast cancer this detected by Mammography and 21% of them are positive to ovarian cancer which detected by cancer antigen 125 CA 125. Recommendation: The research results recommended that, guide lines should be implementing to enhancing women's knowledge and practice to early detection and prevention of common cancer among women at reproductive age. Keywords: Early detection, prevention, cancer, Reproductive ag

Anti-oxidized LDL antibodies and coronary artery disease: a systematic review

Antibodies to oxidized LDL (oxLDL) may be associated with improved outcomes in cardiovascular disease. However, analysis is restricted by heterogenous study design and endpoints. Our objective was to conduct a comprehensive systematic review assessing anti-oxLDL antibodies in relation to coronary artery disease (CAD). Through a systematic literature search, we identified all studies assessing the relationship of either, IgG or IgM ox-LDL/ copper-oxLDL/ malondialdehyde-LDL, with coronary atherosclerosis or cardiovascular events in populations with, and without, established CAD. Systematic review best practices were adhered to and study quality was assessed. An initial electronic database search identified 2059 records, which was subsequently followed by abstract and full-text review. Finally, we included 18 studies with over 1811 patients with CAD. The studies varied according to populations studied, conventional cardiovascular risk factors and interventional modalities used to assess CAD. IgM anti-oxLDL antibodies were found to indicate protection from more severe CAD and possibly cardiovascular events, whilst the relationship with IgG is more complex and difficult to elucidate, with studies reporting divergent results. In this systematic review, there is evidence that suggests a relationship between anti-oxLDL antibodies and CAD, especially for the IgM subclass. However, further studies, with well-characterized prospective cohorts, will be important to clarify these associations

The theory of optical dispersive shock waves in photorefractive media

The theory of optical dispersive shocks generated in propagation of light beams through photorefractive media is developed. Full one-dimensional analytical theory based on the Whitham modulation approach is given for the simplest case of sharp step-like initial discontinuity in a beam with one-dimensional strip-like geometry. This approach is confirmed by numerical simulations which are extended also to beams with cylindrical symmetry. The theory explains recent experiments where such dispersive shock waves have been observed.Comment: 26 page