Stability of a monotonic solution of a non-autonomous multidimensional delay differential equation of arbitrary (fractional) order

We are concerned here with the existence of monotonic and uniformly asymptotically stable solution of an initial-value problem of non-autonomous delay differential equations of arbitrary (fractional) orders

Socioeconomic evaluation of wild rice as famine food crop in Southern Darfur State, Sudan

Wild rice (Oryza barthii) is increasingly used in Sudan as a food crop. Wild rice is a whole grain, rich in minerals, vitamins, protein, starch, dietary fiber and various phytochemicals; and yet low in fat, with a beneficial fatty acids profile. The objective of this study was to evaluate the socioeconomic significance of wild rice as a famine food crop in Darfur state of Sudan. A study was conducted in five districts (Tullus, Gadad, Demso, Katila, and Umshtoor) in South Darfur in Sudan. Primary data were obtained through a face-to-face semi-questionnaire interview on 146 households; supplemented with interviews of key informants and group discussions. All respondents (100%) not only attested to knowing wild rice and its growth habits, but also consumption (93.8%) of the crop. Wild rice reportedly grows naturally and widely in valleys, although it was dismally exploited by the local population. It is harvested manually and traditionally; and sold mostly in the local markets, without post-harvest value additions. The crop is consumed in various meals, but mainly in the form of porridge. Some respondents (13%) used the crop in times of famine. Wild rice is stored in traditional containers (95.9%) for periods ranging from 8 to 12 years without visible storage problems. &nbsp

Fungal neonatal and infantile sepsis in Egypt: Risk factors and identification of fungal isolates

Background: Invasive fungal diseases (IFDs) are opportunistic infections associated with significant mortality in paediatric patients, especially in those with compromised immune system and neonates with very low birth weight (VLBW). The objectives of this study are to determine the prevalence, clinical features and fungi isolates of neonatal sepsis in three hospitals in Egypt. Methodology: The study is a cross sectional survey of 176 neonates with clinical sepsis admitted to the neonatal intensive care units (NICU) of the three hospitals over a period of one year (February 2015 to January 2016). A minimum of two blood samples (collected within 24 hours) from each neonate were cultured for bacteria in automated BacT/AlerT and conventional culture bottles, while Saboraud-Brain Heart Infusion broth was inoculated for fungi culture. Positive growths from the broth were sub-cultured on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) plates for aerobic incubation at 25oC and 37oC for 2 weeks. Identification of fungi colonies on SDA was by conventional morphology and confirmation on chromogenic agar media. Phylogenetic analysis of representative fungi isolates was done by partial nucleotide sequencing of D1-D2 domain of the large subunit rRNA gene. Results: Of the 176 neonates, blood culture was positive for pathogens in 55 (31.3 %) samples and fungi were isolated in 26 (14.8 %); yeast (25) and mould (1). The commonly isolated yeasts were Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, and Candida krusei representing 34.6%, 30.8% and 23.1%, respectively of the total fungi isolated. The phylogenetic analysis in comparison to Genbank data showed defined clades for Candida tropicalis, Candida parapsilosis, Candida albicans and Pichia kudriavzevii Conclusion: This current study highlights the changing pattern of neonatal infections in Egypt caused by Candida, with increasing incidence of infections caused by non-albicans Candida species. Key words: fungal infection, neonatal, risk factors, PCR, yeas

Sphenopalatine ganglion block for treatment of post dural puncture headache: Review article

Background: Post-Dural puncture headache (PDPH) is a consequence of spinal and epidural anesthesia. The gold standard for its treatment is epidural blood patch. Sphenopalatine ganglion block (SPGB) has been proposed as a non-invasive intervention with minimal adverse effect. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of sphenopalatine ganglion block for treatment of post-dural puncture headache. Methods: The databases were searched for articles published in English in 3 data bases [PubMed – Google scholar and Egyptian bank of knowledge] and Boolean operators had been used such as [Sphenopalatine ganglion block and post dural puncture headache] and in reviewed articles. Conclusion: SPGB is an effective initial modality for managing severe headache in patients with PDPH

VALUE OF CORAPE PLANT AS FAMINE FOOD IN DARFUR STATE, SUDAN

Darfur state of Sudan faces famine at different times, thus necessitating a search for improved coping strategies. The objective of this study was to assess the value of Corape ( Dactyloctenium aegyptiacum ) plant as a food crop during famine periods in Darfur state in Sudan. Atotal of 132 respondents purposely selected from Alfashir, the capital of north Darfur were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. Also, key informants and focus group discussions with local leaders of the area were engaged in data collection. A total of 82.6% attested the existence of the Corape plant in Darfur; while 49.2% confirmed its significance as a famine crop in Darfur. Corape seed is used to prepare different types of meals and its seed stores for 15 - 20 years. Corape vegetation is also used as animal fodder, which according to 28% of the respondents can be stored for 6 to 12 months without significant deterioration in quality. This study concluded that the Corape plant has a good potential as food and fodder plant and can contribute significantly to household food security and livelihoods of local communities, if the problems of storage and pests were tackled.L\u2019\uc9tat du Darfour au Soudan est confront\ue9 \ue0 la famine \ue0 diff\ue9rents moments, ce qui n\ue9cessite la recherche de strat\ue9gies d\u2019adaptation am\ue9lior\ue9es. L\u2019objectif de cette \ue9tude \ue9tait d\u2019\ue9valuer la valeur de la plante chiendent patte-poule (Dactyloctenium aegyptiacum) en tant que culture vivri\ue8re pendant les p\ue9riodes de famine dans l\u2019\uc9tat du Darfour au Soudan. Au total, 132 r\ue9pondants s\ue9lectionn\ue9s \ue0 dessein \ue0 Alfashir, la capitale du nord du Darfour ont \ue9t\ue9 interrog\ue9s \ue0 l\u2019aide d\u2019un questionnaire semi-structur\ue9. En outre, des informateurs cl\ue9s et des discussions de groupe avec des dirigeants locaux de la r\ue9gion ont \ue9t\ue9 engag\ue9s dans la collecte de donn\ue9es. Au total, 82,6% ont attest\ue9 l\u2019existence de la plante de chiendent patte-poule au Darfour ; tandis que 49,2% ont confirm\ue9 son importance en tant que culture de famine au Darfour. La graine de chiendent patte-poule est utilis\ue9e pour pr\ue9parer diff\ue9rents types de repas et ses r\ue9serves de graines pendant 15 \ue0 20 ans. La v\ue9g\ue9tation de chiendent patte-poule est \ue9galement utilis\ue9e comme fourrage pour animaux et 28% des r\ue9pondants ont confirm\ue9 que la vegetation de chiendent patte-poule peut \ueatre stock\ue9e pendant 6 \ue0 12 mois sans d\ue9t\ue9rioration significative de la qualit\ue9. Cette \ue9tude a conclu que la plante de chiendent patte-poule a un bon potentiel en tant que plante vivri\ue8re et fourrag\ue8re et peut contribuer de mani\ue8re significative \ue0 la s\ue9curit\ue9 alimentaire des m\ue9nages et aux moyens de subsistance des communaut\ue9s locales, si les probl\ue8mes de stockage et de ravageurs \ue9taient r\ue9solus

Evaluation of a general practice based Hepatitis C virus screening intervention

In 2003 an estimated 37,500 of Scotland's population was chronically infected with HCV; 44% were undiagnosed former injecting drug users (IDU) - a priority group for arrival therapy. Aims to evaluate a hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening intervention. Outcomes measures among two similar general practice populations in an area of high HCV and drug use prevalence, one of which was exposed to an HCV screening intervention, were compared. Thirty to fifty four year old attendees of the intervention practice were opportunistically offered testing and counselling, where clinically appropriate, (November 2003 - April 2004). Outcomes: HCV test uptake, case detection, referral and treatment administration rates. Of 584 eligible attendees, 421 (72%) were offered and 117 (28%) accepted testing in the intervention practice; no testing was undertaken in the comparison practice. Prevalences of HCV antibody were 13% (15/117), 75% (3/4) and 91% (10/11) among all tested persons, current IDUs and former IDUs respectively. For 4/15 (27%) evidence of binge drinking following the receipt of their positive result, was available. Of the 11 referred to specialist care because they were HCV RNA positive, nine attended at least one appointment. Two received treatment: one had achieved a sustained viral response as of February 2008. While non targeted HCV screening in the general practice setting can detect infected former IDU, the low diagnostic yield among non IDUs limited the effectiveness of the intervention. A more targeted approach for identifying former IDUs is recommended. Additionally, the low uptake of treatment among chronically infected persons four years after diagnosis demonstrates the difficulties in clinically managing such individuals. Strategies, including support for those with a history of problem alcohol use, to improve treatment uptake are required

The In Vitro Antifungal Activity of Sudanese Medicinal Plants against Madurella mycetomatis, the Eumycetoma Major Causative Agent

Eumycetoma is a debilitating chronic inflammatory fungal infection that exists worldwide but it is endemic in many tropical and subtropical regions. The major causative organism is the fungus Madurella mycetomatis. The current treatment of eumycetoma is suboptimal and characterized by low cure rate and high recurrence rates. Hence, an alternative therapy is needed to address this. Here we determined the antifungal activity of seven Sudanese medicinal plant species against Madurella mycetomatis. Of these, only three species; Boswellia papyrifera, Acacia nubica and Nigella sativa, showed some antifungal activity against M. mycetomatis and were further studied. Crude methanol, hexane and defatted methanol extracts of these species were tested for their antifungal activity. B. papyrifera had the highest antifungal activity (MIC50 of 1 ug/ml) and it was further fractionated. The crude methanol and the soluble ethyl acetate fractions of B. papyrifera showed some antifungal activity. The Gas-Liquid-Chromatography hybrid Mass-Spectrophotometer analysis of these two fractions showed the existence of beta-amyrin, beta-amyrone, beta-Sitosterol and stigmatriene. Stigmatriene had the best antifungal activity, compared to other three phytoconstituents, with an MIC-50 of 32 μg/ml. Although the antifungal activity of the identified phytoconstituents was only limited, the antifungal activity of the complete extracts is more promising, indicating synergism. Furthermore these plant extracts are also known to have anti-inflammatory activity and can stimulate wound-healing; characteristics which might also be of great value in the development of novel therapeutic drugs for this chronic inflammatory disease. Therefore further exploration of these plant species in the treatment of mycetoma is encouraging

SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC RELATIONSHIPS AND MANAGEMENT REGIMES ON USE OF FRUNDU AS FERMENTED FAMINE FOOD IN URBAN NORTHERN DARFUR IN SUDAN

Frundu, which in a local term in Darfur for fermented seeds of roselle ( Hibiscus sabdariffa L.), is a traditional Sudanese food often used as a meat substitute during famine times. The objective of this study was to assess the relationships between socio-demographic and management regimes on the use of Frundu as a food security commodity in urban Darfur in Sudan. A survey involving 140 respondents was conducted in El-Fashir city markets, where Frundu is a popular commodity in Darfur markets. A semi-structured questionnaire and Chi square analysis were used. It was found that the period of fermentation of Frundu ranged from 3 to 7 days, depending on seasonal temperature. The storage period of Frundu was on average one year. Over 55% of the respondents acknowledged Frundu as critical a coping strategy when famine struck Darfur and the majority of respondents were familiar with Frundu. Frundu is becoming less popular in Darfur for several reasons; including difficulty in obtaining Roselle seeds, competition from the cheapest food items especially during non-famine time; and lack of familiarity with Frundu among young generations. To boost its production, processing and utilisation, farmers should be encouraged to increase its cultivation particularly because it is an important cash crops in Sudan.Frundu, qui est les graines ferment\ue9es de roselle dans un terme local au Darfour (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.), est un aliment traditionnel soudanais souvent utilis\ue9 comme substitut de viande en p\ue9riode de famine. L\u2019objectif de cette \ue9tude \ue9tait d\u2019\ue9valuer les relations entre les r\ue9gimes socio-d\ue9mographiques et de gestion sur l\u2019utilisation du Frundu comme produit de s\ue9curit\ue9 alimentaire dans le Darfour urbain au Soudan. Une enqu\ueate aupr\ue8s de 140 r\ue9pondants a \ue9t\ue9 men\ue9e sur les march\ue9s de la ville d\u2019El-Fashir la o\uf9 Frundu est un produit populaire sur les march\ue9s du Darfour. Un questionnaire semi-structur\ue9 et une analyse du chi carr\ue9 ont \ue9t\ue9 utilis\ue9s. Il a \ue9t\ue9 constat\ue9 que la p\ue9riode de fermentation du Frundu variait de 3 \ue0 7 jours, selon la temp\ue9rature saisonni\ue8re. La dur\ue9e de conservation du Frundu \ue9tait en moyenne d\u2019un an. Plus de 55% des personnes interrog\ue9es ont reconnu Frundu comme une strat\ue9gie d\u2019adaptation essentielle lorsque la famine a frapp\ue9 le Darfour et la majorit\ue9 des personnes interrog\ue9es connaissaient Frundu. Frundu devient moins populaire au Darfour pour plusieurs raisons ; y compris la difficult\ue9 \ue0 obtenir des graines de Roselle, la concurrence des produits alimentaires les moins chers, en particulier dans la p\ue9riode d\u2018 abondance; et le manque de familiarit\ue9 avec Frundu parmi les jeunes g\ue9n\ue9rations. Pour stimuler sa production, sa transformation et son utilisation, les agriculteurs devraient \ueatre encourag\ue9s \ue0 augmenter la culture de Frundu, parce que Frundu est une plante de cueillettes commerciales au Soudan