Catalytic Decomposition of 2% Methanol in Methane over Metallic Catalyst by Fixed-Bed Catalytic Reactor

The structure and performance of promoted Ni/Al2O3 with Cu via thermocatalytic decomposition (TCD) of CH4 mixture (2% CH3OH) were studied. Mesoporous Cat-1 and Cat-2 were synthesized by the impregnation method. The corresponding peaks of nickel oxide and copper oxide in the XRD showed the presence of nickel and copper oxides as a mixed alloy in the calcined catalyst. Temperature program reduction (TPR) showed that Cu enhanced the reducibility of the catalyst as the peak of nickel oxide shifted toward a lower temperature due to the interaction strength of the metal particles and support. The impregnation of 10% Cu on Cat-1 drastically improved the catalytic performance and exhibited 68% CH4 conversion, and endured its activity for 6 h compared with Cat-1, which deactivated after 4 h. The investigation of the spent carbon showed that various forms of carbon were obtained as a by-product of TCD, including graphene fiber (GF), carbon nanofiber (CNF), and multi-wall carbon nanofibers (MWCNFs) on the active sites of Cat-2 and Cat-1, following various kinds of growth mechanisms. The presence of the D and G bands in the Raman spectroscopy confirmed the mixture of amorphous and crystalline morphology of the deposited carbon

ASSESSMENT OF CLINICAL INDICATORS FOR ANAEMIA IN THE ALGORITHM FOR INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT OF CHILDHOOD ILLNESS (IMCI), WAD MEDANI PAEDIATRICS HOSPITAL, SUDAN 2001-2002

The object of this study was to assess IMCI clinical indicators used for the assessment and classification of anaemia in underfines. A total of 500 children (aged 2-59 month)were selected by systematic random method from sick children attending to the outpatient department of the paediatrics hospital in Wad Medani, Sudan. The study doctors obtained a standardized history and carried out IMCI standard case management. Heamoglobin concentration and blood smear for malaria parasites were then performed for every enrolled child. Using the WHO Hb levels to diagnose anaemia, the sensitivity and specificity of IMCI guidelines to classify anaemia were examined. The sensitivity and specificity of “ no palmar pallor” as a predictor of no anaemia were 60% and 50% respectively; and of  “some pallor” as predictor of mild-moderate anaemia were 44%, 60%; whereas  “severe pallor” showed a sensitivity of 52% and a very high specificity for 90% on detecting children with severe anaemia. Palmar pallor was not significantly associated with the presence of malaria as detected by a positive blood film for plasmodium falciparum. The study thus provides technical validation of IMCI algorithm for the assessment of anaemia. However, it did not provide proof of a significant association between palmar pallor and malaria, in the presence of fever

Determination of infection rate of cutaneous leishmaniasis among patients attending dermatology hospitals in Khartoum.

Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is an endemic disease in Sudanese patients presented to Dermatology hospital in Khartoum. Objectives: The present study is intended to extrapolate data on the occurrence of CL among patients attending the Dermatology Hospital in Khartoum. Methods: This was observational cross sectional laboratory based study. Clinical examination of people attending Dermatology Hospital in Khartoum during 2020-2022 revealed various dermal infections. Samples included all patients attended during the period of study. Among such patients those presented with cutaneous lesions were selected and asked for participation. Then investigations for confirmed CL were performed. Results: The study showed that except for few cases 5 (8%) most of the clinically examined cases were positive for (CL) caused by Leishmania major, the most affected age group was (28-40) years. Comparison of infection rate among soldiers and non soldiers, it was higher in soldiers (60%) than non soldiers (40%). The results indicated that age and occupation may have impact in the prevalence of the disease. These are considered as new findings regarding Sudanese patients. Conclusion: On the basis of positivity, patients coming from Darfour had more rates of CL than other states, this can be attributed to several factors such as fly abundance and inadequate vector control

Prevalence of Plasmodium vivax species in Elhajyosife area in Shergalnile locality in Khartoum State

Background: Plasmodium vivax malaria has been recognized as an important cause of morbidity in several African countries. The prevalence was previously estimated as 12.5% in Khartoum. These estimates are observed to be rising and spreading continuously. Aim: The present study was undertaken to investigate the situation of distribution of P. vivax malaria in Elhajyousiff area in Khartoum State-Sudan. Methods: Cross-sectional malaria surveys carried out in Elhajyousiff area (Khartoum State) during the period of August 2021 to September 2021 .Atotal number of 250 blood samples were examined by microscopical examination. The samples were collected from different centers in Elhajyousiff area (Albanjadeed Hospital, Almaygoma Health Center and Alsheeda Nada Health Center). All samples were examined by direct microscopy for plasmodium species using blood film (Thick and thin). Results: From 250 samples there were 241(96.4%) samples negative, 5(2.0%) samples were positive for P.falciparum and 4(1.6%) samples were positive for P.vivax. The P. falciparum showed as more common species in area. Conclusions: Even though malaria in Shergalnile locality is still largely recognized to Plasmodium falciparum, P. vivax has been growing with worrying proportions and spreading to new areas. The emergence and marked increase of P. vivax poses new challenges to malaria treatment and control in Elhajyousiff area

New norfloxacin/nitric oxide donor hybrids: Synthesis and nitric oxide release measurement using a modified Griess colorimetric method

Oximes and nitrate esters are considered as important nitric oxide (NO) donors with diverse biological activities. Herein, we report the synthesis and characterization of new oxime and nitrate ester derivatives of norfloxacin as potential NO donor hybrids with expected synergistic antimicrobial activity. The release of NO from those hybrids was measured by a modified Griess method in which p-nitroaniline was employed instead of sulfanilamide. The increased electrophilicity of the intermediate 4-nitroaniline diazonium salt accelerated the coupling process and shortened the overall assessment time. The improved detection limits and enhanced sensitivity would pave the way for the future application of this method in nitrite determination in biological or non-biological systems

Isolation, Screening and Antibiotic Sensitivity of Pseudomonas species from Kelana Jaya Lake Soil in Selangor Malaysia

الكائنات الحية الدقيقة المسببة للأمراض من المستشفى والمجتمعات والبيئة تشكل تهديدات كبيرة لصحة الإنسان أصبح تطوير مقاومة المضادات الحيوية مصدر قلق كبير أيضًا. تهدف هذه الدراسة ، بالتالي ، إلى عزل وفحص وتقييم مدى حساسية المضادات الحيوية لأنواع السودوموناس المعزولة ضد أربعة مضادات حيوية (الجنتاميسين والتتر سيكلين والأمبيسيليلين والبنسلين) على لوحة وسائط مولر-هينتون أغار. عدة. تم استخدام نشر القرص وكذلك اختبار الأكسدة  من نتيجة الأكسدة الإيجابية ، تم التعرف على البكتيريا المعزولة مثلBurkholderia cepacia (97.6% ID),  ، Pseudomonas aeruginosa (99.5 – 99.9% ID),  ، و Pseudomonas fluorescent (75.9% ID).  وقد تبين أن السودوموناس كان عرضة لثلاثة مضادات حيوية فقط (الجنتاميسين ، التتراسيكلين ، والبنسلين) والتي تظهر منطقة تثبيط واضحة بينما كانت الزائفة? مقاومة للأمبيسيلين فقط مع عدم وجود منطقة تثبيط. البكتيريا المعزولة هي مصادر محتملة لتطوير المضادات الحيوية الفعالة ضد البكتيريا المقاومة.   الكلمات المفتاحية: المضادات الحيوية؛ المقاومة البكتيرية. الحساسية ، الزائفةPathogenic microorganisms from hospitals, communities, and the environment remain great threats to human health. The increasing concern about antibiotic resistance has also necessitated the search for robust alternatives. Therefore, this study aims to isolate, screen and evaluate the antibiotic susceptibility of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from a soil sample taken from northern, western and eastern parts of Kelana Jaya Lake against four antibiotics (gentamycin, tetracycline, ampicillin, and penicillin) on a Mueller-Hinton Agar media plate. Pseudomonas identification was done by using API 20 kit. Disc diffusion was employed as well as the oxidase test. From the positive oxidase result, the isolated bacteria were identified as Burkholderia cepacia (97.6% ID), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (99.5-99.9% ID), and Pseudomonas fluorescent (75.9% ID). Only Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates were further evaluated for antibiotic susceptibility tests. The result showed that P. aeruginosa was susceptible to only three antibiotics (gentamycin, tetracycline, and penicillin) showing a clear zone of inhibition while it was resistant to only ampicillin with no zone of inhibition. Soil isolates are potential sources for the development of effective antibiotics against resistant bacteria.  Keywords: Antibiotics; Bacterial resistance; Sensitivity, Pseudomona

Primary School Teachers’ Perspectives on ADHD in Alkadrow, Khartoum, Sudan

Background: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, which is a prevalent neurodevelopmental condition, commonly manifests during early childhood and has the potential to adversely affect an individual’s social, academic, and occupational performance in multiple settings. Students with ADHD may struggle with attention, focus, listening, and completing schoolwork. Additionally, they may exhibit restless or disruptive behavior in class and may have learning disabilities that affect their academic performance. The aim of this study was to explore the perspectives of primary school teachers on ADHD in Alkadrow, Khartoum, Sudan. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Alkadrow-Bahri locality, Sudan, over a period of three to six months in 2022. The study population included primary school teachers who had taught for at least one year and encountered at least one student with ADHD. A convenience sampling technique was used to select a minimum of 59 participants, and data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire with closed-ended questions. SPSS version 23 was used to analyze the data, including descriptive statistics and inferential statistics such as chi-square tests and logistic regression analysis. Results: The study had 59 participants, with the majority being female and in the age group of 41–45 years. The participants were mostly married and had obtained psychology courses, with a bachelor’s degree being the most common level of education. Many participants had over 20 years of teaching experience. Regarding the attitude toward attention deficit hyperactivity, most participants strongly agreed that they did have a negative/positive attitude toward it, and a majority agreed or were neutral toward ADHD. However, in the case of attention deficit hyperactivity, a significant percentage of participants disagreed or strongly disagreed with the statement. Conclusion: The study found that most participants had a negative attitude toward student referrals for medical care and believed that most symptoms of ADHD can be lowered by aging. Additionally, more than half strongly disagreed that punishment has a positive effect on ADHD

Everything is going electronic, so do services and service quality: bibliometric analysis of e-services and e-service quality

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to explore the developments in ‘e-services and e-service quality' from 2000 to 2020. Data Source: Scopus database was used to conduct the bibliometric analysis of 404 documents. Method: VOSviewer software was used to analyse the research articles associated with ‘e-services and e-service quality' research. Search was limited to keywords of ‘e-services OR e-service and e-service quality'. Findings: Results revealed that the field of ‘Business, Management and Accounting' had the highest number of publications. Total Quality Management and Business Excellence was found at the top among the most productive journals in chosen search. Chang W.-I. and Yuan S.-T. from Taiwan were found to be the leading authors among top ten authors. United States and National Cheng Kung University of Taiwan were found to be the leading country and institution in the selected search of e-service and e-service quality. Originality/Value: This study, to best of our knowledge, is the first of its kind in mapping the ‘e-services and e-service quality' literature in Scopus. This will aid in shaping the central theme and set the future research directions for the researchers