Prevalence and Management of Periodontal Diseases in Gezira Province (Central Sudan)

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the status of present periodontal diseases in Gezira Province. The facilities investigated included those in urban and rural areas including Wad Medani Dental hospital, Wad Medani Military Hospital, El Gadaiea Health Centre and Maringan Health Centre. Methodology: The study tools were direct pre-coded questionnaires, and a checklist. The procedure involved dental clinical examinations of patients to estimate periodontal diseases assessed by measuring calculus, gingival bleeding and periodontal pockets (PI index). The study sample was randomly selected to comprise 10% of patients attending Wad Medani Dental and Military Dental Hospitals during a week time period (6 days). All patients attended El Gadaiea and Marinjan Health Centres (n = 201) and sampled patients at rural health institutions during the same period were recruited (n = 448). Results: Thirty study sites in the rural areas were chosen from five study councils including Alhosh, Wad Alnaeem, Alhag Abdalla, Almadina Arab and Hantoub. They comprise 418 towns, villages and camps, of the only 118 had health services, including only four dental units. This was the reason that most of rural populations seek oral health services for periodontal diseases and dental caries in Wad Medani health institutions. The result showed that the prevalence of gingivitis and periodontal diseases were more prominent in the rural areas, while the management of them were meager in both the urban and rural areas. Conclusion: From the results of the present study could be concluded that there was a high prevalence of periodontal diseases due to poor provision of dental services in both quantity and quality at Gezira Province. &nbsp

Evaluating of Short-Term Electrical Load Forecasting System Using Fuzzy Logic Control: A Study Case in Sudan

Generation, Transmission and Distribution sections of the electric power grid system are a function of electric load forecasting. This is because, many benefits can be obtained by using load forecasting, such as reduction in the generating cost and increasing the reliability of the power system due to improving energy management. The objective of this study is therefore to design a fuzzy logic system for short-term electric load forecasting to reduce power losses particularly in times where the electric power generation is higher than the electric load demand. In this study, the independent variables that were applied to the developed short-term load forecasting Simulink model were time, temperature, and similar previous electric day load demand, and they were collected from the specific area load control center in Sudan. Fuzzy rules were prepared using Mamdani implication. The obtained fuzzy logic results were compared with the actual load demand, and it was found that there was an error that ranged between 12% and 0.09%

Laboratory manifestations of COVID-19 associated with hemostatic abnormalities

Hemostatic abnormalities had been reported in COVID-19 patients, which may include disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), hypercoagulability, and alterations in platelets parameters. Articles that investigate the alterations of hemostatic abnormalities during the COVID-19 disease (2020-2021) and their predictive value of disease outcome have been thoroughly reviewed. Among the reviewed articles, thrombocytopenia is observed in 5.0-41.7% of COVID-19 patients, which is related to disease severity. Moreover, other platelets parameters, including Platelets/lymphocytes ratio (PLR), Mean platelets volume (MPV), and aggregation, may also be affected. On the other hand, findings of coagulation tests such as D dimer; fibrinogen, Antithrombin (AT), and Fibrin degradation products (FDP) are significantly elevated in COVID-19 patients, while in a single study, most of the patients had positive Lupus anticoagulants (LA) and normal protein C (PC). In the same perspective, these alterations showed significant correlations with disease severity. Overall, hemostatic laboratory markers are significant predictors of COVID-19 disease outcome as indicated by the increased risk of venous and arterial thrombotic events, especially in ICU patients. &nbsp

Communication for behavioural impact in enhancing utilization of insecticide-treated bed nets among mothers of under-five children in rural North Sudan: an experimental study

Abstract Background Malaria is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Sudan. The entire population is at risk of contracting malaria to different levels. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of communication for behavioural impact (COMBI) strategy in enhancing the utilization of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) among mothers of under-five children in rural areas. Methods A randomized community trial was conducted in rural area of Kosti locality, White Nile State, Sudan, among mothers of under-five children, from January 2013 to February 2014. A total of 761 mothers from 12 villages were randomly selected, 412 mothers from intervention villages and 349 were from comparison villages. Results The knowledge of mothers, in intervention villages, about malaria vector, personal protective measures (PPM) against malaria, and efficacy of LLINs was significantly increased from 86.9 to 97.3 %; 45.9 to 92 % and 77.7 to 96.1 % respectively. Knowledge about usefulness of PPM, types of mosquito nets and efficacy of LLINs was significantly higher in intervention villages compared to comparison villages (p < 0.05), (η2 = 0.64). Mothers in intervention villages increasingly perceived, post-intervention, that malaria was a serious disease (99.3 %), a preventable disease (98.8 %) and also LLINs as an effective intervention in malaria prevention (92.2 %). This resulted in an increase in the utilization rate of LLINs from 19.2 to 82.8 % in intervention villages compared to comparison villages (p < 0.05) [OR = 4.6, 95 %, CI = (3.72–5.72)], (η2 = 0.64). The average of mothers’ knowledge about malaria was increased by 64 % (η2 = 0.64), the use of LLINs was increased by 79 % (η2 = 0.79) and a positive attitude towards malaria was 2.25 times higher in intervention villages than among mothers in the comparison villages. Conclusions These results established the usefulness of COMBI strategy for increasing awareness about malaria, developing a positive perception towards malaria prevention and, increasing the utilization of LLINs

Development of a Computerized System for Fabric Structure Design based on Dobby Device Mechanism

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Generally, &nbsp;a fabric design &nbsp;can &nbsp;be established as follows: firstly. The required fabric design is planned on the punched plastic card using the punching machine. Secondly, the punched plastic card &nbsp;is used by the dobby device that &nbsp;attached to the textile machine (rapier weaving loom) to make the final fabric design as required. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; In this study, a direct interfacing system between a personal computer and the textile machine (rapier weaving loom) was established to replace the conventional system (plastic card and punching machine). &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; This &nbsp;system &nbsp;is &nbsp;applied &nbsp;in &nbsp;the &nbsp;University &nbsp;of &nbsp;Gezira to enhance performance (decrease the design time, requirements and the complexity) of the existing conventional dobby device. The &nbsp;system &nbsp;was &nbsp;&nbsp;developed &nbsp;using&nbsp; Microsoft &nbsp;Visual &nbsp;Basic, Personal Computer, coil, and Parallel Printer Port. The system reads the machine statues via the input lines connected to the power adapter and a mechanical sensor. Then the system issues a suitable &nbsp;action &nbsp;on the machine by generating the electric signal applied &nbsp;on &nbsp;the &nbsp;coil. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The magnetic field controls &nbsp;the shaft movement and selects the required color according to the design parameters. The system also repeats the color selection process until the total length required is completed.By using this system; the &nbsp;woven design operations &nbsp;become quite &nbsp;simple, easy &nbsp;and flexible

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF URINARY STONES IN PATIENTS REFERRED TO GEZIRA HOSPITAL FOR RENAL DISEASES AND SURGERY IN GEZIRA STATE CENTRAL SUDAN

Objective: The purpose of this study was to perform the chemical analysis of stones to know the pattern of biochemical composition of stones in Sudanese subjects. Methods: 169 renal stones were analyzed during the period from February to December 2008. 96 patients were referred to Gezira Hospital for Renal diseases and Surgery (GHRDS), Gezira state, central Sudan. The stones were analyzed by semi quantitative method in the Gezira central laboratory. Kits were used for chemical analysis of stones. Calcium, phosphate, oxalate, uric acid, carbonate and cystine were determined. Results: Male to female ratio was 2:1. Calcium, oxalate and uric acid were the most common forms of stones (90.5%), followed by phosphate (4.7%), carbonate (3.0%) and cystine which accounted for 1.8% of the study subjects. Conclusion: The relative frequency of calcium oxalate stones in our study about 65.1%,outnumbers other types which is compatible with the international literature. While there is relative high percentage of uric acid stones which can be explained by the high animal protein consumption in Sudan together with the hot weather which can be a cause of a highly concentrated urine . Other types phosphates (4.7%), carbonate (3.0%), and cystine which account only ( 1.8%)

Creating safe spaces to prevent unintentional childhood injuries among the Bedouins in southern Israel: A hybrid model comprising positive deviance, community-based participatory research, and entertainment-education

Background Despite several intervention programs, the Bedouin population living in the Southern District of Israel has the highest mortality rate among children and adolescents from unintentional injuries. Our research questions asked: (1) How does increasing the involvement and participation of Bedouin community members influence the issue of unintentional injuries among children? (2) How does reframing of the technical issue of safety into security influence community involvement and cooperation? Objectives 1) To identify effective and efficacious positive deviance practices through communitybased participatory research with adults, children, and professionals in the Bedouin community. 2) To create wider and deeper connections and cohesion between and among diverse Bedouin communities by seeding and sparking opportunities for social networking and cross-learning. Methods The study used a qualitative multi-method approach to generate a hybrid intervention model for reducing unintentional childhood injuries among the Bedouins. To frame the issue of unintentional injuries from the lived perspective of the Bedouins, we employed the Positive Deviance (PD) and Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR) approach. Drawing upon theatrical traditions, entertainment-education (EE), was employed as a way to narratively engage and persuade the Bedouins. Results Our research resulted in: (1) the emergence of several PD ideas and practices for preventing and avoiding children’s injuries; (2) the actual creation of a safe and secure playroom for children at a neighborhood mosque; and (3) the creation of cascading and cross-learning social networks between and among members of the Bedouin community spread across various locations. Conclusion This study helped in reframing the technical issue of accidents and safety into the notion of sacredness and security, enhanced the association between emotions and cognition by means of experiential and EE methods, and stimulated creative thinking and the emergence of new culturally and contextually relevant ideas and practices through the PD process. It demonstrated the synergistic power of using a hybrid model that combined the rigor and vigor of different health communication approaches to address a significant disparity in the burden of child accidents faced by the Bedouins. Our study generated solutions that emerged from, and directly benefitted, Bedouin children—those, who face overwhelming risk of injury and death from preventable accidents.publishedVersio

Evaluation of the Efficiency of N-terminal Pro-B-type Natriuretic Peptide for Diagnosis of Acute Myocardial Infarction

Background: Cardiac diseases are one of the major causes of death worldwide with increasing incidence rate per year, particularly in developing countries such as Sudan owing to urbanization and changing lifestyle. Myocardial infarction is a consequence of the imbalance between the heart blood supply and the required heart cell; this disorder leads to necrosis of myocardium and may cause death. It could be diagnosed by at least two of the following criteria: chest pain, electrocardiography (ECG) elevation, and levels on cardiac biomarkers. This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NTproBNP) for the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). &nbsp;Methods: This analytical case–control hospital-based study was conducted on a total of 70 individuals, of which 40 participants were suspected of or diagnosed with AMI, while 30 healthy subjects &nbsp;were included as a control group. Three ml of venous blood were collected in lithium heparin containers. Troponin I (TnI) as a cardiac biomarker was measured by TOSOH AIA-360, while the NTproBNP level was detected using I-Chroma II. Personal and clinical data were collected directly from each participant using a predesigned questionnaire. Results: A significant increase in the TnI level (mean: 13.13 ± 18.9 ng/ml) and NTproBNP (mean: 5756.5 ± 8378.2 pg/mL) in AMI patients were detected when compared with control mean (0.02 ± 0.00 ng/ml and 57.8 ± 42.32 pg/mL, respectively). Conclusions: NTproBNP gave a high sensitivity (87.5%), specificity (100%), positive predictive value (100%), and negative predictive value (85.7%) in the diagnosis of AMI when compared with another cardiac biomarker such as TnI. Keywords: acute myocardial infarction, NTproBNP, troponin I, Medani Heart Center, Suda