Enumeration of Coliform Bacteria and E. coli Contaminating the Drinking Water of Al Gedarif City

ABSTRACT The present study enumerated the bacteriological contamination of   the main sources of drinking water in Al Gedarif city. A total of 134 water samples (raw waters, treated waters, main reservoirs, main pipelines, and sabeel zeer waters) were tested for their total coliforms and E. coli counts, using the most probable number technique (MPN). The results indicated that the total coliform and E. coli counts were lower in the ground water sources (Al Azaza and Abu Al Naja boreholes) than that in the surface sources (Atbara River, Al Saraf and Dalassa dams). Moreover, both counts in most of the zeer water samples were higher than those of the other sources. It was also noticed that the zeers located in public areas (market) were more contaminated than the other sabeel zeers. The seasonal variations study was performed for the surface sources, where it was found that the maximum densities of coliform bacteria and   E. coli were occurred during the autumn season and the summer, while the periodical variations study was made for the ground sources, where the coliforms and E. coli densities were found almost higher during the second period of each year

Physiochemical Characteristic and Biological Activity of the Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) Bud Oil

  The present study was investigating the physiochemical and the biological activity of the Clove bud oil against the fungus (A. niger) and two bacteria (E. coli and Staph. aurues). The inhibition zone plate method was used for bacterial test, while the mycelia weights and radial growth methods were used for the fungal study. The A.O.S. official methods were used to determine the physiochemical properties. The studies on the physiochemical characteristics of the Clove bud oil proved that the acid value was (3.86), the saponification value was (38.27),the peroxide value was (3.83), the specific gravity was (1.043), the  reflective index was (1.525), the iodine value was (182.43), and the free fatty acid was (1.94). The results of the antimicrobial tests showed that  the  Clove bud oil gave a complete inhibition of the radial growth of the fungus (A. niger) at its higher concentration and a high reduction percent at its lower concentrations. However, the mycelial fresh and dry weights of the fungus A. niger were completely inhibited by the Clove bud oil at its higher concentration, and clearly reduced at its lower concentrations. The inhibition zone of growth of both bacteria was larger than that of the control treatment. Clove bud oil showed clear inhibition zone when used against Staph. aurues compared to its use against E. coli. Many studies have reported that oils of different herbs and spices can yield medicinal compounds. Spices and herbs have been used for thousand of years by man in traditional medicine. However, more physiochemical characterizations need to be done and the antifungal and the antibacterial properties should be verified in any further studies on the Clove bud oil.   &nbsp

Study of sumac extract (Rhus coriaria L.), lactic acid and thyme oil as decontaminants for shelf life extension of refrigerated rabbit meat

In an attempt to improve the microbiological quality and extend the shelf-life of refrigerated rabbit meat, four groups of rabbit meat from New Zealand breed were prepared, the 1st group was untreated (control), while the other three groups were treated with lactic acid 0.5 %, thyme oil 0.5 % and water extract of sumac 8 % by dipping for 1, 1 and 10 min, respectively. Then the samples were refrigerated at 2 ± 1 °C to be periodically examined for their sensory and microbiological status. The control and treated samples showed excellent overall acceptability by panellists at zero-day of examination, off odours and tastes were noticed by the day 9, 12, 9 and 15 day of storage in control (C), lactic acid (LA), thyme oil (TO) and water extract of sumac (WES) treated groups, respectively. There was no significant differences in aerobic plate counts “APC” (at p < 0.05) between treated and untreated groups at zero and 3rd day of examination, while at 6th and 9th day of refrigerated storage, the values of APC were significantly lower in LA and WES treated groups than C and TO treated groups. The APC results confirm the concept that the slowest growth rate of the total bacterial population extends the shelf life of rabbit meat. Approximately, similar pattern to that of APC was observed in the results of coliforms (MPN). The MPN values of faecal coliforms and E. coli were relatively low, which could be attributed to the preparation of rabbit samples under strict hygienic measures. The obtained results in the present study suggest that WES can be used as a decontaminant for rabbit and poultry meat at each decontamination step instead of other chemical substances which could affect the acceptability of the final product and remain some hazardous residues. Keywords: sumac, rabbit, quality, shelf life, thyme oil, lactic acid

Biotransformation of furanocoumarins by Cunninghamella elegans

AbstractBiotransformation of Furanocoumarins; psoralen (1), bergapten (2), xanthotoxin (3) and imperatorin (4) was explored by Cunninghamella elegans NRRL 1392, revealing the metabolism of psoralen (1) and bergapten (2) into bergaptol (5), while xanthotoxin (3) and imperatorin (4) were converted into xanthotoxol (6). On the other hand unexpected conversion of xanthotoxin (3) into 3,4 dihydroxanthotoxin (7) occurred. The structure of the isolated pure metabolites was established using physical and spectroscopic techniques including, melting points, IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and mass spectroscopy

Cost saving with ultrasonography in a developing country district hospital

Objective: To estimate the potential monetary reduction induced by the introduction of an ultrasound unit in a major district hospital in a developing country. Design: Propective study. Subjects: Patients referred with abnominal diseases and pregnancy. Setting: 'Wad Medani Teaching Hospital, Central Sudan. Results: Local specialists referring the patients stated that an estimated 792 radiologic procedures would have been carried out to obtain the same amount of information as achieved by ultrasound. Such procedures budgeted approximately 8100 US dollars, in terms of equipment, material and personnel by 1987 rates. Such savings have benefited all departments of the hospital. Conclusion: The authors consider this as evidence for the fact that despite its initial high investment (15000 US dollars), availability of ultrasound virtually reduced expenditure on other radiological diagnostic procedures. This is of special benefit for the limited budgets of hospitals in non-industrialiied countries.East African Medical Journal, May 1999, 272-27

Expression of hnRNPK & Claudin-4 in HCV-Induced Early HCC and Adjacent Liver Tissue

BACKGROUND: HCC in Egypt usually occurs in HCV cirrhotic livers with poor prognosis due to late diagnosis. High hnRNPK & low Claudin-4 profiles indicate Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition (EMT), malignant transformation and high-grade tumours.AIM: We studied the immunohistochemical expression of hnRNPK and Claudin-4 in HCV induced early HCC (eHCC) and adjacent liver tissue in Egyptian patients to improve eHCC detection in cirrhotic livers with better curative therapy options.METHOD: We studied the immunohistochemical expression of hnRNPK and Claudin-4 in 100 Egyptian patients resection specimens of HCV induced early HCC (eHCC) and adjacent liver tissue, in order to improve eHCC detection in cirrhotic livers, thus improving their therapeutic options.RESULTS: Early HCC grade significantly directly correlated with nuclear hnRNPK/5HPFs count and inversely correlated with Claudin-4 expression %, with a converse correlation between hnRNPK and Claudin-4. Moreover in eHCC, combined hnRNPK ³ 30/5HPFs & Claudin-4 ³ 40% significantly distinguished low grade eHCC (G1) from high grade eHCC (G2&G3), with sensitivity 97% & specificity 69.7% for hnRNPK ³ 30/5HPFs, and with sensitivity 70% & specificity 94.3% for Claudin-4 ³ 40%. Moreover in the adjacent liver, both markers expressions significantly directly correlated with each other and with METAVIR fibrosis score but not with activity. Furthermore, 58% of eHCCs showed hnRNPK ³ 30 Claudin-4 < 40% profile, indicating EMT type3, compared to 26% with hnRNPK ³ 30 Claudin-4 £ 10% profile in adjacent cirrhotic/ precirrhotic liver, with significant use of combined hnRNPK ³30/5HPFs & Claudin 4 £ 10% as eHCC prediction cut offs in cirrhosis (p < 0.05).CONCLUSION: Combination of hnRNPK and Claudin-4 can indicate early HCC development in HCV cirrhotic livers using hnRNPK ³ 30/5HPFs & Claudin-4 £ 10% cut offs. Also, combination of hnRNPK ³ 30/5HPFs & Claudin-4 ³ 40% can distinguish low grade eHCC (G1) from high grade eHCC (G2&G3)

The Effects of Wheat Flour and Barley Flour on the Quality and Properties of Biscuits Colored with Synthetic and Natural Colorants

Biscuit is one of the most popular processed ready to eat snacks that have possesses several attractive features including wide consumer base, relatively less expensive, more convenient with long shelf-life and have ability to serve as vehicles for important nutrients. It’s usually available in different sizes, tastes and shapes.  It can also be enriched or fortified with other ingredients in order to meet specific nutritional or therapeutic needs of consumers. In recent years, numerous studies have shown the potential of utilizing natural plant such as green leafy vegetable in cookies and biscuit production; the potential of amaranthus leaves used as a source of iron and β-carotene inpakora, vada, namakpal, kurmure, biscuit and cake. The present research was carried out to throw the light on the effect of wheat flour and barley flour with natural and synthetic colors to improve chemical composition, the nutritional value and quality characteristics of producing biscuits. The results indicate that that treatment 100% barley flour 72% with turmeric and cocoa as a natural colors recorded a significant increase in the content of protein, ash, minerals such as iron, zinc, potassium, magnesium and some physical analysis like weight, volume, density as well as sensory evaluation. As compared with wheat flour 72% and synthetic color tartrazine ADI 7.5 mg/kg.bw and chocolate brown ADI 0.15 mg/kg.bw. In conclusion, results showed that barley flour improved nutritional quality, physical characteristics and sensory characteristics of produce biscuit with mixture natural and natural color

Comparison of Real-time PCR to ELISA for the detection of human cytomegalovirus infection in renal transplant patients in the Sudan

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This study was carried out to detect human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) IgG and IgM antibodies using an Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in renal transplant patients in Khartoum state, Sudan and to improve the diagnosis of HCMV through the introduction of Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing. A total of 98 plasma samples were collected randomly from renal transplant patients at Ibin Sina Hospital and Salma Centre for Transplantation and Haemodialysis during the period from August to September 2006.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Among the 98 renal transplant patients, 65 were males and 33 females. The results revealed that HCMV IgG was present in all patients' plasma 98/98 (100%), while only 6/98 (6.1%) had IgM antibodies in their plasma. HCMV DNA viral loads were detected in 32 patients 32/98 (32.7%) using Real-time PCR.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The HCMV IgG results indicate a high prevalence of past HCMV infection in all tested groups, while the finding of IgM may reflect a recent infection or reactivation. HCMV detection by real-time PCR in the present study indicated a high prevalence among renal transplant patients in Khartoum. In conclusion, the prevalence of HCMV in Khartoum State was documented through detection of HCMV-specific antibodies. Further study using various diagnostic methods should be considered to determine the prevalence of HCMV disease at the national level.</p