EPIDEMIOLOGY OF MATERNAL MORTALITY AND POOR PERINATAL OUTCOMES IN DIFFERENT REGIONS OF SUDAN

Background: Both maternal mortality and poor perinatal outcomes (mainly; low birth weight, stillbirth and perinatal mortality) are health as well as obstetrics indicators. Thus, there is an urgent need to investigate epidemiology of maternal mortality and poor perinatal outcomes in the different regions of Sudan. Objectives: To investigate the epidemiology of maternal mortality and poor perinatal outcomes in the different regions of Sudan. Methods: Various cross- sectional, case -control, and Cohort studies were conducted during the last 7 years. Results:  Maternal mortality was ranged 442 (146/33034)-640 (63/9841) / 100000 birth in the different regions of Sudan, most of these were due to communicable diseases. Low birth weight was reported in 15.3% (80/524), 12.5% (260/2076), 12.6% (97/1224), 14.9% (64/430) 12.6% in New Halfa, Khartoum, Medani and Elfashir, respectively. Anaemia was risk factors for low birth weight in Elfashir and in Medani; it was risk factor for fetal anaemia in New Halfa and risk factor for stillbirth in Kassala. There were 21 (206/9841), 29 (981/34015), 35(46/1293)/ 1000 stillbirths and 33(44/1342)/1000 in Elfashir, Medani, Khartoum respectively and Kassala, respectively. There was 9.2% (46/500) perinatal death in New Halfa. Conclusion: More effort should be paid to reduce the high maternal and perinatal mortality. More care should be toward nutrition, malaria prevention and other communicable disease

Embryoid induction and plantlet regeneration from leaf segments of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.)

     Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) is an economically important crop in Sudan for domestic consumption and export. It is the first and essential source for production of high purity sugar. Tissue culture techniques can be used for in vitro conservation of sugarcane (Taylor and Dukic, 1993) and mass propagation of elite cultivars of crop species. Moreover, it was used for production of pathogen-free planting material from infected mother plants. Variability induced in vitro can furnish a base for improvement of vegetatively propagated crops including sugarcane. Different tissue culture techniques were applied successfully to sugarcane propagation and plant regeneration through organogenesis of shoot meristem (Nadar and Heinz, 1977; Ho and Vasil, 1983a), cell suspension cultures (Ho and Vasil, 1983b, Aftab et al., 1996) and protoplast cultures ( Liu, 1994). Cell suspen - Sion cultures were also used for cytological, pathological (Peros and Lombard, 1992), biochemical and physiological investigations of sugarcane (Heinz et al., 1977).      This study was initiated, during 1998-2000, to investigate the effect of 2,4-D on induction of embryogenic callus from leaf explants of sugarcane and regeneration of somatic embryos on different concen-trations of Murashige and Skoog (1962) medium (MS)

Effect of cytokinins and auxins on micropropagation of shoot tip and nodal explants of two cultivars of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L) Lam)

     In vitro propagation of two selected cultivars of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L) Larn), Baladi White (BW) and Nigerian (N) were investigated using shoot tips and nodal explants during the period March, 1997 to July, 1998. Shoot regeneration from both cultivars was best on Murashige and Skoog (1962) medium without plant growth regulators. Morphogenetic response varied with the different types of explants and genotypes of sweet potato. Shoot morphogenesis from the sweet potato cv. BW was better than that from cv. N. Shoot tip explant was better for in vitro propagation of sweet potato cv. N. , while nodal cuttings were. better for cv. BW. The shoot regeneration rate induced on benzylaminopurine (BAP) was higher than that on kinetin. BAP in combination with naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) resulted in shoot and root morphogenesis from nodal explants of the sweet potato cv. N. The best shoot length was found on Murashige and Skoog medium (MS) supplemented with NAA at both 0.25 and 1.0 mg/l combined with 0.5 mg/l BAP

Genotype by environment interaction and stability analyses of grain yield of selected maize (Zea mays L.) genotypes in eastern and central Sudan

In this study, 22 open pollinated maize genotypes introduced from International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) and International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) plus two local checks (Var113, Hudieba-2) were evaluated over two seasons (2017 and 2018) and four locations, viz. New Halfa, Kassala, Gezira and Elsuki Research Station farms of the Agricultural Research Corporation (ARC) of the Sudan. The objectives of this study were to determine magnitude of G x E interaction and identify high yielding and stable genotypes under different environments. Treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Combined analysis of variance revealed highly significant (P<0.01) variation among environment, genotype, and genotype by environment interaction (GEI). This is an indication of inconsistency of genotypes in response to changing environment, the high influence of environment on yield performance among the maize genotypes and, also, the significant effect of environments indicated that the testing environments were significantly different from each other in yielding potential expression. AMMI analysis of variance for grain yield showed the environment contribution by (24.06%) of the total yield variation and genotypes explained only (9.84%) of the variation. Also, substantial percentage of G x E interaction sum of squares, explained by G x E (50.41%) followed by IPCAI (19.22%) and IPCA2 (15.52%) of the variation. Based on grain yield potential and statistical stability analyses, i.e. Eberhart and Russel model (1966) as well as the additive main effect and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) analysis, revealed that, the genotypes TZBR Eld-4-WC1, BR9922-DMRSR,TZBR Comp1-w, TZBR Comp1-Y and TZBR YPOP STRCY were  recommended for the high yielding favourable supplementary irrigation condition (over 3000 kg/ha) of New Halfa, Gezira and Elsuki while the genotypes TZBREld-3C5, TZBREld-4-WC1, HYDERAB, 97502 (RE) and ECA STRIGOFE-153 were recommended for the unfavourable low yielding (less than 1500 kg/ha) rainfed condition of Kassala

Variability and inheritance of okra leaf- shape of cotton cv. Sudac-k in different genetic backgrounds

   Okra leaf- shape is an important trait in cotton. Sudac-k is the only cotton variety with okra leaf type in the Sudan. The objectives of the study were to analyze the inheritance of the okra leaf of Sudac-k and its expression in different genetic backgrounds. The experiment was carried out for two seasons (2004/05 and 2005/06) and one off-season in 2006 at Gezira Research Farm of the Agricultural Research Corporation (ARC), Wad Medani, Sudan. The plant material consisted of Sudac-k and nine different varieties; B-pima, Barakat-90, G.S, Maryoud, Shambat-B, Acala-M, Acala-H, Barac (67) B and Albar (57)12. Eighteen reciprocal F1s were produced between Sudac-k and respective cultivars. In the second season, F2 ҆s, backcrosses and F3 plants were (Sudac-k X Albar (57)12). At maturity, individual plants were visually scored according to the leaf-shape into okra and normal leaf shape. Okra leaf morphology, lobe length, width and angle were measured in fully expanded 5- lobed leaf. It was observed that the okra leaf of Sudac-k had deep sinuses and narrow lobes while in F1 ҆ s, the sinuses were shorter and the lobes were broader. The okra leaf started at seedling stage with three lobes at the 3rd to 4th node and reached a maximum of 5 lobes at node 6 to 8 in Sudac-k, F1 plants and their progenies. Chi-square test for the segregation of leaf type in F2 indicated no significant differences among all F1 ҆ s between Sudac-k and the varieties in the distribution of okra and normal which followed the ratio of 1:2:1. This indicates that the okra leaf trait is conditioned by a single partially dominant gene. Significant differences were observed among the F1 hybrids for the expression of leaf lobing depth, lobe width and angle, indicating the effect of the genetic background on the expression of these parameters. The information will be useful in designing strategy for breeding of cotton varieties with suitable size of okra leaf to maximize its utilization in integrated insect pest management

Morphological responses of the small intestine of broiler chicks to dietary supplementation with a probiotic, acidifiers, and their combination

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of a probiotic (Bacillus subtilis), acidifiers, and their combination on the mucosa of the broiler small intestine. A total of 220 straight run 1-day-old broiler chicks (Ross 308) were distributed into 4 experimental treatments with 5 replicates per treatment as a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. The factors were probiotic and a blend of acidifiers with 2 levels: 0.0% and 0.05% for probiotic, and 0.0% and 0.2% for acidifiers. On day 42, tissue samples from the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum of 5 birds from each group were collected and processed for histology, immunohistochemistry, and scanning electron microscopy. Duodenal villus height (VH) increased (P ≤ 0.05) when probiotic was added to the diet. Chickens fed the probiotic had a significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) percentage of intact villi compared to the other groups. The jejunum showed an increased VH in the group of birds supplemented with acidifiers. The ileum showed decreased (P ≤ 0.05) VH when probiotic was added to the diet, and increased VH when given acidifiers. Dietary supplementation of probiotic only or in combination with acidifiers showed a reduction (P ≤ 0.05) in the number of somatostatin immunoreactive cells (SIC) in the duodenal villi. A decrease in the number of SIC was also noted in the jejunal villi of birds receiving acidifiers. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with the probiotic, B. subtilis, or acidifiers improved the mucosal morphology of the small intestine in the broilers used in the present study. The 2 additives, however, did not show any synergistic effect on the intestinal morphology.https://academic.oup.com/japr2020-03-01hj2019Anatomy and Physiolog

Successful Conservative Management of Scrotal Edema Resulting from Uncomplicated Peritoneal Fluid Leak

Introduction: Peritoneal fluid leaks are frequent in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients and may manifest as subcutaneous or genital edema or as apparent ultrafiltration (UF) failure. Genital swelling in CAPD patients is often due to dialysate leak through a small clinically-undetectable inguinal hernia, and may require herniorrhaphy. If imaging studies exclude an associated hernia or patent processus vaginalis, a conservative approach may be adopted. Case report: An 80 year-old bed-ridden male developed gross bilateral scrotal swelling (without cough impulse) and apparent UF failure shortly after initiation of CAPD. Computed tomography peritoneography (CTP) showed bilateral scrotal fluid collections without a hernia or patent processus vaginalis. An attempt to maintain the patient on CAPD by reducing the dialysate volume, scrotal elevation and adopting a supine position was not successful; CAPD was substituted with temporary hemodialysis (HD) for four weeks. Scrotal swelling reversed after one week of CAPD cessation and did not recur when supine PD with intermittent dry periods was reinstituted a few weeks later. Satisfactory UF could also be easily attained. This was compatible with caudal fluid migration through peritoneal defects being the underlying cause. The patient had been successfully maintained on CAPD for the last 18 months. Conclusion: Fluid dissection through soft tissues can result in gross genital edema and apparent ultrafiltration failure in CAPD patients. Supine PD, scrotal elevation with intermittent dry periods may be a practical alternative management in the absence of automated dialysis facilities. The severity of dialysate leak does not preclude a satisfactory response to this conservative management. Keywords: peritoneal dialysis, dialysate leak, genital edema, ultrafiltration failur

Real-Time and Security-Aware Precoding in RIS-Empowered Multi-User Wireless Networks

In this letter, we propose a deep-unfolding-based framework (DUNet) to maximize the secrecy rate in reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) empowered multi-user wireless networks. To tailor DUNet, first we relax the problem, decouple it into beamforming and phase shift subproblems, and propose an alternative optimization (AO) based solution for the relaxed problem. Second, we apply Karush-Kuhn-Tucker (KKT) conditions to obtain a closed-form solutions for the beamforming and the phase shift. Using deep-unfolding mechanism, we transform the closed-form solutions into a deep learning model (i.e., DUNet) that achieves a comparable performance to that of AO in terms of accuracy and about 25.6 times faster

Six Cases of Fungal Peritonitis Complicating Peritoneal Dialysis in a Single Center in Sudan

Introduction: A national program of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) has only recently been established in Sudan. In the head center of this national program, six of the 67 peritonitis episodes that were diagnosed during its 30 months of function were fungal in origin (9% of all episodes, 0.12 episode per year at risk). Here we describe the clinical features, predisposing factors, and outcomes of these six cases. Case series: Clinical presentation of fungal peritonitis did not differ from other cases of peritonitis. Among the six cases that were diagnosed in our center, five cases were due to Candida species and only one was due to Aspergillus. All patients had received antibiotic therapy within one month of diagnosing fungal peritonitis; five of them had received intraperitoneal (IP) antibiotics for a previous episode of bacterial peritonitis and one patient had received a course of oral antibiotics for exit site infection. Two of the patients were diabetic. All patients were treated with oral fluconazole, 200 mg daily, for three weeks, and all had their dialysis catheter removed. One patient died, and the others were transferred permanently to hemodialysis (HD). Two patients developed encysted intra-abdominal fluid collections 15 and 48 days after catheter removal. Conclusion: Fugal peritonitis complicating CAPD is not uncommon in our center, which serves a major portion of the CAPD population in the Sudan. Most patients responded to oral fluconazole treatment and catheter removal, but two of them suffered from late complications. Keywords: fungal peritonitis, peritoneal dialysis, Suda

Encysted Fluid Collections after Catheter Removal for Peritonitis in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients

Introduction: Peritonitis is a frequent complication of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). This case series describes episodes of peritoneal dialysis (PD) related fungal or Pseudomonas peritonitis that were complicated by the formation of encysted intra abdominal fluid collections despite prompt catheter removal and appropriate therapy. Case series: The first patient presented with fever and abdominal pain two weeks after removing his PD catheter because of fungal peritonitis. Examination revealed fluid collection in the former catheter tunnel. This turned out to be pus on surgical drainage. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan revealed another extensive encysted extra-peritoneal fluid collection that was aspirated and found to be clear transudate fluid. The second patient presented with abdominal pain and distention seven weeks after removing her PD catheter because of fungal peritonitis. She had a large intra abdominal encysted fluid collection that was drained under ultra sound guidance. The third patient presented with painless abdominal distention one month after removing the PD catheter because of Pseudomonas peritonitis. He had two encysted extra peritoneal fluid collections that were aspirated under ultra sound guidance. This occurred despite three weeks of treatment with oral fluconazole in the case of the first two patients and appropriate antibiotic therapy in the case of the third patient. Key Words: CAPD, Fungal peritonitis, Pseudomonas peritonitis, Encysted abdominal fluid collection, Suda