Accuracy of tympanic temperature measurement using an infrared tympanic membrane thermometer

BACKGROUND: During investigation and diagnosis of patients, accurate temperature measurement is of great importance. The advantages of tympanic membrane thermometry are speed (temperature reading available within seconds), safety, and ease of use. The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of infrared tympanic thermometers in comparison to mercury thermometers in measurement of body temperature. METHODS: Axillary and tympanic temperature was measured simultaneously in consecutive patients using mercury glass and infrared tympanic thermometers at Omdurman Hospital, Sudan during October 2012. RESULTS: In total, temperature was measured in 174 patients, 95 of whom (54.6%) were male. The mean (SD) patient age and weight was 33.18 (25.07) years and 52.13 (69.85) kg. There was no significant difference in mean (SD) temperature measurement between mercury and infrared tympanic membrane thermometers, 37.29°C (0.91) versus 37.38°C (0.95), P = 0.373, respectively. There was a significant positive correlation between axillary and tympanic body temperature measurements (r = 0.697, P < 0.001). The mean difference between the two readings (with limits of agreements) was - 0.093 (−0.20; 0.02) °C. CONCLUSION: In this study, tympanic membrane thermometry is as reliable and accurate as axillary mercury glass thermometry. Thus, tympanic thermometry can be used in clinical practice, especially in the emergency setting, where ease of use and speed of obtaining the temperature reading are important

Identification of a Natural Source of Resistance to Watermelon Chlorotic Stunt Virus in an Indigenous Accession of Cucumis Melo Var. Agrestis

Watermelon chlorotic stunt virus (WCSV) is among the most important viral diseases of the family Cucurbitaceae. It is a bipartite begomovirus (DNA-A and DNA-B genome components) that belongs to the family Geminividae (Walkely et al., 1990). It causes severe crop losses, particularly in watermelon and melon (Lecoq et al.,1994). In Sudan, WCSV causes high reduction in yield and quality of watermelon, melon, snake cucumber and squashes. Leaves of infected plants are crinkled, stunted and develop striking chlorotic mottle. The whole plant looked stunted and chlorotic and may be devoid of marketable fruits (Walkely et al., 1990). Resistance to major diseases is very common among indigenous Sudanese melons, Tibish and agrestis (C. melo var. agrestis), compared to other melon types (Mohamed, 2000). &nbsp;&nbsp; Experiments were conducted at the University of Gezira Research Farm in April (1996-1997) to identify a natural source of resistance to watermelon chlorotic stunt virus in Cucumis melo L. The screened material included: 101 accessions of C. melo var. cantalupensis and C. melo var flexuousus collected in Sudan; nine accessions belong to the indigenous Humaid type (C. melo var. agrestis) and eleven introduced lines such as P1 313970, P1 131375, Pl 255478, Vedrantais, Nantais Oblong, MR-I, Isoblon, Virgos, Margot and Zumo. The inoculation pressure of the virus in the field was increased by growing plants of the susceptible watermelon cultivar "Sugar Baby", obtained from Peto Seed Company, about one month before conducting the screening experiments

Genetics and Stability of Resistance to Watermelon Chlorotic Stunt Virus in Melon (Cucumis Melo L).

Experiments were carried out under field conditions at the University Gezira Research Farm, Sudan and the agroinoculation and green houses conditions in France (le Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS*) and le Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA**) to study the inheritance and stability of resistance to watermelon chlorotic stunt virus (WCSV) in melon (C. melo L.).&nbsp;&nbsp; The techniques of autoradiography, using the ratioactive WCSV P32, probe was used to detect WCSV in plant tissue and the phospho-imager machine was used to obtain quantified results of DNA particles within the examined plant tissue. The results indicated the presence of one dominant gene and another recessive independent gene controlling WCSV resistance in the resistant lines P1414723, P1124112 and HSD2445- 005. Multi-locational trials on resistant lines under natural field conditions revealed that the resistance to WCSV in melon is uniform and stable. Results of studying the movement of the virus within the plant tissues indicated that the blockage in the plant indigenous trafficking system was one of the mechanisms that are involved in plant resistance to WCSV in the lines P1414723, P1282448, P1124440, Pl 124112, 90625 and HSD 2445-005

Climate changes impacts towards sedimentation rate at Terengganu River, Terengganu, Malaysia

The climate changes caused by rainfall and stream flow are not the major contribution the changing of water level. This study was carried out at Terengganu River Basin in wet and dry season to assess the sedimentation problem and  its relationship with   hydrological characteristic. Three parameters analyzed based on in-situ and ex-situ analysis according to the correlation matrix and linear regression methods. The TSS (mg/L), Turbidity (NTU) and SSC  (mg/L)  were higher  during  dry  season  compared  wet  season  caused  by  El  Nino  phenomenon (January 2016). There are higher positive correlation between SSC and TSS, R²= 0.924 (wet season) and R² = 0.841 (dry season), the correlation between the observation (Q) and the TSS is no significant R² = 0.057 (wet season) and R² = 0.001 (dry season). The main contributors of sedimentation problems in Terengganu River caused by the climate changes phenomenon.Keywords: sedimentation; Terengganu River basin; hydrological characteristic; El Nino; communitie

Foxp3 and IL-10 Expression Correlates with Parasite Burden in Lesional Tissues of Post Kala Azar Dermal Leishmaniasis (PKDL) Patients

Post kala azar dermal leishamniasis (PKDL), an unusual dermatosis develops in 5–15% of apparently cured visceral leishmaniasis cases in India and in about 60% of cases in Sudan. PKDL cases assume importance since they constitute a major human reservoir for the parasite. Inadequate treatment of VL, genetics, nutrition and immunological mechanisms that allow renewed multiplication of latent parasites or reinfection predispose to PKDL. Immunopathogenesis of PKDL is poorly understood. IL-10 is widely accepted as an immuno-suppressive cytokine and produced by diverse cell populations including, B cells, macrophages and CD4+ T cells. Natural T regulatory (nTreg) cells are subpopulation of CD4+ T cells that inhibit the response of other T cells. In this study we reported the accumulation of nTreg cells in lesion tissues of PKDL patients. Further correlation of Treg markers and IL-10 with parasite load in lesion tissues suggested a role of IL-10 and Treg in parasite establishment or persistence. Further studies are warranted to explore antigen specific IL-10 source in lesion tissues and unravel the concerted induction or accumulation of Treg in PKDL

Evidence for Involvement of Th17 Type Responses in Post Kala Azar Dermal Leishmaniasis (PKDL)

Post kala azar dermal leishamniasis (PKDL), an unusual dermatosis, develops in 5–15% of apparently cured visceral leishmaniasis cases in India and in about 60% of cases in Sudan. PKDL cases assume importance since they constitute an important human reservoir for the parasite. Host immunological responses, considered as major factors in PKDL development, are poorly understood. Limited studies have been performed to explore the host immune responses and that too, restricted to a few immune parameters. The present study employed cDNA array technique that identified various host immuno-determinants including cytokines, chemokines, apoptotic and signaling molecules which were not reported previously in PKDL. In addition, we showed for the first time that Th17 responses are present during L. donovani infection in PKDL which possibly contributes significantly to disease pathogenesis by inducing TNF-α and nitric oxide production. Our findings lead to improved understanding of the host parasite interaction in terms of immune responses and pathology in tissue lesions of PKDL

Improving pulse crops as a source of protein, starch and micronutrients

Pulse crops have been known for a long time to have beneficial nutritional profiles for human diets but have been neglected in terms of cultivation, consumption and scientific research in many parts of the world. Broad dietary shifts will be required if anthropogenic climate change is to be mitigated in the future, and pulse crops should be an important component of this change by providing an environmentally sustainable source of protein, resistant starch and micronutrients. Further enhancement of the nutritional composition of pulse crops could benefit human health, helping to alleviate micronutrient deficiencies and reduce risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes. This paper reviews current knowledge regarding the nutritional content of pea (Pisum sativum L.) and faba bean (Vicia faba L.), two major UK pulse crops, and discusses the potential for their genetic improvement