The best practice for preparation of samples from FTA®cards for diagnosis of blood borne infections using African trypanosomes as a model system

Background: Diagnosis of blood borne infectious diseases relies primarily on the detection of the causative agent in the blood sample. Molecular techniques offer sensitive and specific tools for this although considerable difficulties exist when using these approaches in the field environment. In large scale epidemiological studies, FTA®cards are becoming increasingly popular for the rapid collection and archiving of a large number of samples. However, there are some difficulties in the downstream processing of these cards which is essential for the accurate diagnosis of infection. Here we describe recommendations for the best practice approach for sample processing from FTA®cards for the molecular diagnosis of trypanosomiasis using PCR. Results: A comparison of five techniques was made. Detection from directly applied whole blood was less sensitive (35.6%) than whole blood which was subsequently eluted from the cards using Chelex®100 (56.4%). Better apparent sensitivity was achieved when blood was lysed prior to application on the FTA cards (73.3%) although this was not significant. This did not improve with subsequent elution using Chelex®100 (73.3%) and was not significantly different from direct DNA extraction from blood in the field (68.3%). Conclusions: Based on these results, the degree of effort required for each of these techniques and the difficulty of DNA extraction under field conditions, we recommend that blood is transferred onto FTA cards whole followed by elution in Chelex®100 as the best approach

Noncovalent complexation of amphotericin-B with Poly(α-glutamic acid).

A noncovalent complex of amphotericin B (AmB) and poly(α-glutamic acid) (PGA) was prepared to develop a safe and stable formulation for the treatment of leishmaniasis. The loading of AmB in the complex was in the range of ∼20-50%. AmB was in a highly aggregated state with an aggregation ratio often above 2.0. This complex (AmB-PGA) was shown to be stable and to have reduced toxicity to human red blood cells and KB cells compared to the parent compound; cell viability was not affected at an AmB concentration as high as 50 and 200 μg/mL respectively. This AmB-PGA complex retained AmB activity against intracellular Leishmania major amastigotes in the differentiated THP-1 cells with an EC50 of 0.07 ± 0.03-0.08 ± 0.01 μg/mL, which is similar to Fungizone (EC50 of 0.06 ± 0.01 μg/mL). The in vitro antileishmanial activity of the complex against Leishmania donovani was retained after storage at 37 °C for 7 days in the form of a solution (EC50 of 0.27 ± 0.03 to 0.35 ± 0.04 μg/mL) and for 30 days as a solid (EC50 of 0.41 ± 0.07 to 0.63 ± 0.25 μg/mL). These encouraging results indicate that the AmB-PGA complex has the potential for further development

Human leukocyte antigen class II genetic variants are highly associated with rheumatic heart disease in Yemeni patients

BackgroundHuman leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II polymorphisms have been reported as a risk factor for rheumatic heart disease (RHD); however, the predisposing HLA genetic variants were different in various populations.The aim of the studyThe aim of the study was to investigate the association of RHD with HLA class II alleles in Yemeni patients.MethodsHLA-DRB1 and-DQB1 polymorphisms were genotyped by PCR-SSOP reverse dot blot hybridization in 100 RHD patients and 50 healthy subjects with normal echocardiography (control group).Materials and methodsSubjects: Yemeni RHD patients aged …14 and 45 years who attended the out-patient clinic at Al-Thawra Hospital for treatment were asked for participated in this study. One hundred RHD patients (57 females, 43 males) were freely participated (case group). Gender and age matched healthy subjects aged—18 and 47 years in the same geographical area of the patients were invited to participate in this study (control group). Fifty healthy individuals (28 females, 22 males) were freely participated. Venous blood, 3–4ml was collected from each participant after obtaining the signed consent form. Echocardiogram was done for each patient to confirm the clinical finding of RHD. The healthy subjects were also subjected to echocardiograms to exclude asymptomatic RHD cases.HLA class II genotyping Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes using PureLink Genomic DNA kit (invitrogen, USA). HLA class II DRB1 and DQB1 genotypes were carried out using sequence-specific oligonucleotide-probe polymerase chain reaction, Dynal RELI SSOP HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DRB1 kits, respectively (Invitrogen, USA).Statistical analysisFrequency of HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DQB1 alleles were compared between the patients and the controls using the chi-square test. The p value and odds ratio (OR) were calculated using SPSS software, version 12, with 95% confidence intervals and Fisher exact correction for small numbers.ResultsThe results showed that HLA-DRB1∗07 and HLA-DQB1∗0203 allele were risk factors for RHD (P=0.005, OR=4; P=0.02, OR=8.7, respectively). In contrast, the HLA-DRB1∗11, HLA-DQB1∗0305 and HLA-DQB1∗0602 alleles showed a protection against RHD (P=0.01, OR=0.32; P=0.03, OR=0.23; P=0.01, OR=0.24, respectively).ConclusionHLA class II genetic variants were a predisposition factor for developing RHD in Yemeni subjects. This study also replicated the association of HLA-DRB1∗07 with RHD and suggested that HLA-DQB1∗0203 allele as a risk factor for RHD

Pattern of irritable bowel syndrome and its impact on quality of life in primary health care center attendees, Suez governorate, Egypt

Introduction: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common disorders diagnosed by gastroenterologists and a common cause of general practice visits. Although this disease is not life threatening, patients with IBS seem to be seriously affected in their everyday life. The study was designed to explore the pattern of IBS in clinical practice and the impact on the quality of life. Methods: This is a case control descriptive study. 117 individuals were included in this study. Rome II criteria were used for the diagnosis of IBS. Impact of IBS on patient's quality of life was determined by irritable bowel syndrome quality of life (IBS-QOL) questionnaire. Results: Prevalence of IBS among the study sample was 34.2%. 10% were IBS-Diarrhea, 37.5% were IBS-Constipation and 52.5% were alternators. There is statistical insignificant relationship between IBS (+) and age while it was a significant relation regarding gender (more common among women 80%). There is statistical significance relationship between IBS (+) on one hand and marital status and occupational status on the other hand. Patients with IBS had statistically significant lower scores for all IBS- QOL domains compared with the control group. Conclusion: IBS is a prevalent disorder that affects females more than males and it has significant impacts on work, lifestyle and social well-being.Key words: Irritable bowel syndrome, quality of life, Roma I

Metabolic Syndrome among Undergraduate Students Attending Medical Clinics for Obligatory Medical Screening

Purpose: To determine the prevalence and risk factors for metabolic syndrome (MS) among first-year undergraduate students in three Sudanese universities.Methods: A total of 384 first-year students attending university medical clinics for obligatory medical checkup in Khartoum, Sudan participated in this cross-sectional study. Anthropometric parameters, including weight, height, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) were measured with reference to National Cholesterol Education Program’s Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP/ATP III) guidelines. Fasting blood samples were collected from all participants and assayed for fasting blood glucose (FBG), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein (HDL), and low density lipoprotein (LDL).Results: The overall prevalence of MS in the test group was 7.8 %. The prevalence of MS, though higher in females, was statistically not significant (p = 0.32). According to residential area (rural – urban), the prevalence was higher in urban than rural, 10.4 and 4.4 %, respectively (p = 0.25 and p = 0.25, respectively). In addition, frequency of MS was directly proportional to age. The weight of patients with MS was significantly different from that of non-MS subjects (p ˂ 0.001). Same was also observed when obese patients were compared with non-MS subjects. (p ˂ 0.001).Conclusion: The prevalence of MS among Sudanese first-year university students in Khartoum is moderately high. Incidence of MS among the students is directly proportional to BMI.Keywords: Metabolic syndrome, Obesity, Hypertension, Diabetes, Dyslipidemia, Anthropometri

Millimetre-wave Planar Bruce Array Antenna

A tri-band mm-wave planar Bruce array antenna for fifth generation communications (5G) is presented. The 16-element planar Bruce array antenna is simulated and fabricated on Rogers RT/Duroid 5880 substrate with thickness of 0.254 mm. For a compact and simple structure, the antenna has a highly directional fan-beam radiation pattern at broadside and peak realized gain of 14.0 dBi

Production of salinity tolerant Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus through traditional and modern breeding methods: II. Application of genetically modified breeding by introducing foreign DNA into fish gonads

This study was conducted to produce a salinity tolerant Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus through genetically modified breeding by introducing a fragmented purified DNA isolated from sea bream, Sparus aurata or Artemia, Artemia salina into the gonads. The results showed a significantimprovement (P . 0.05) in most of the growth performance and feed utilization parameters of genetically modified O. niloticus treated with sea bream-DNA and reared at different salinity levels up to 16 ppt compared to both genetically modified O. niloticus treated with Artemia-DNA and the control fish reared at the same salinity levels. Genetically modified O. niloticus treated with Artemia-DNA reared at 32 ppt, had displayed better traits results (P. 0.05) compared to the other fish within the same salinity level. Furthermore, genetically modified O. niloticus treated with sea bream-DNA showed a silver color covering all the body and no dark vertical bands. The results of the random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) fingerprinting showed highly genetic polymorphic percentage (35.95%) among fish receiving foreign DNA and their control using different random primers. The results of the present work suggested that, hyper-saline genetically modified O. niloticus with higher growth rate can be producedusing a feasible and fast methodology.Key words: Salinity tolerance, Oreochromis niloticus, productive performance, genetically modified, DNA transfer

Calibration for a hybrid MIMO near-field imaging system to mitigate antennas effects

A calibration method for a high-resolution hybrid MIMO turntable radar imaging system is presented. A line of small metal balls is used in the calibration process to measure the position shift caused by undesired effects of the antennas. The unwanted effects in the near-field antenna response are analysed and significantly mitigated based on the referential features of the MIMO configuration

Patient satisfaction with quality of primary health care in Benghazi, Libya

Introduction: The Libyan National Health System (LNHS) is debated for the paradox of its performance versus impact. It has poor performance, but the national health statistics are good and competitive. There are concerted efforts to manage health care services and to regain the lost trust. A primary health care (PHC) system that focuses on preventive and promotive care is the core focus of LNHS efforts. Objectives: To assess patient satisfaction with quality of PHC assessed in terms of (a) customer profile, (b) patient satisfaction, and (c) health care-seeking behavior. Methodology: A sample of nine health centers and seven polyclinics from various locations in Benghazi, Libya were selected for gathering information by structured face-to-face interviews. A total of 310 beneficiaries were interviewed by using an Arabic translation of the Charleston Psychiatric Outpatient Satisfaction Scale. Results: The beneficiaries appear to be quite satisfied with the quality of services. Geographical zone, marital status of beneficiary, and type of facility are satisfaction-related factors. There are preferences for facilities located within the City Centre over those located elsewhere. There is also an interaction effect of the geographical zone and the type of facility in creating differences in satisfaction. Conclusions: A customer-friendly facility concept that emphasizes reception, physician interaction, and cordiality shall add value. Polyclinics require more attention as does the Al Slawy area. A few utility services might also be considered.Keywords: exit interviews; Health For All by All; geographic zone; administrative and environmental factors; health-seeking behavior; interaction effect; type and location of facility; place of residenc

Simulation and Optimization of Waste Heat to Electricity through Organic Rankine Cycles (ORCs): a Case Study in an Oil Refinery

Energy efficiency has become a global problem that is detrimental to the chemical industries technically, economically and to the environment. Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) is a promising technology that can solve this problem by recovering heat from low-grade waste heat sources by using organic working fluids. The heat source for the ORC system used in this article is air leaving air coolers in an oil refinery with a temperature of 140o C. The heat exchanger data for this refinery was used in the simulation of a basic cycle and a regenerative cycle using ASPEN HYSYS V.10. These ORC systems were simulated using hydrocarbons, refrigerants, and alternative refrigerants as the working fluids to compare their performance at three different condensation temperatures which are 15o C, 35o C, and 50o C. The system was optimized using the HYSYS optimizer to reach the optimum conditions for each working fluid. Results of this study have proven that the alternative working fluids R1234ze (Z) and R1224yd (Z) perform very well when compared to hydrocarbon working fluids and outperform the regular refrigerants. For the basic cycle which yielded the optimum results, R1234ze (Z) produced 1258.90 kW of turbine work and has a thermal efficiency of 11.31%. Hence, they are promising working fluids and are highly recommended to be used in the future since they perform highly economically in addition to being environmentally friendly