Towards developing a building typology for Sudan

Sudan suffers from hard summers with temperatures approaching 42 0C in the South and 48 0C in the North. In spite of that, the technical solutions in buildings for protection against solar radiation and natural ventilation are generally beyond reach. There isn’t sufficient information provided on the characteristics of the building stock, building physics and energy use of buildings in Sudan. The main objective of this research paper is to collect the data from the population and housing census, scientific research papers and different reports, and to use these in preparing a building typology table. The climate in Sudan is divided into three zones: warm desert climate, warm semi-arid climate, and tropical savanna climate zone. The building varies according to the climate zones, geographical feature, and urbanization levels. Building materials range from natural ones like straw, wood, and mud to moderns one like bricks and concrete. Building typology varies from structures to provide temporary shelter to the permanent single or multi-family houses. The main result of this research paper is to identify a building typology in Sudan with reference buildings. This is the first paper that introduced the typology table of Sudan

Association of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and tissue plasminogen activator with type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome in Malaysian subjects

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Increased plasma plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) activity and decreased tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) activity could be considered a true component of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) associated with an increased risk of developing cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and fibrinolytic abnormalities. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of tPA and its inhibitor PAI-1 with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and MetS and interrelationship between PAI-1and tPA activities and antigens in Malaysian T2D and normal subjects.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The plasma activities and antigens of PAI-1 and tPA and the levels of the tPA/PAI-1 complex as well as serum insulin, parameter of the coronary risk panel and plasma glucose at fasting state were studied in 303 T2D subjects (227 with MetS and 76 without MetS), 131 normal non-diabetic non-metabolic subjects and 101 non-diabetic MetS subjects.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The PAI-1 activity was higher in subjects with T2D with MetS (P = 9.8 × 10^-19) and non-diabetic subjects with MetS (P = 3.0 × 10^-15), whereas the tPA activity was lower in T2D with MetS (P = 0.003) as compare to normal subjects. Plasma tPA antigen levels were higher in subjects with T2D with MetS (P = 8.9 × 10^-24), T2D without MetS (P = 1.3 × 10^-13) and non-diabetic MetS subjects (P = 0.002). The activity and antigen of PAI-1 in normal subjects were related to insulin resistance (P = 2.2 × 10^-4; 0.007). Additionally, the PAI-1 activity was associated with an increased waist circumference (P = 2.2 × 10^-4) and decreased HDL-c (P = 0.005), whereas the tPA activity was associated with decreased FBG (P = 0.028). The highest correlation was between PAI-1 activity and its antigen (R²= 0.695, P = 1.1 × 10^-36) in diabetic subjects. The tPA activity negatively correlated with its antigen (R²= -0.444, P = 7.7 × 10^-13) in normal subjects and with the PAI-1 activity and antigen (R²= -0.319, P = 9.9 × 10^-12; R2 = -0.228, P = 3.4 × 10^-6) in diabetic subjects.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>PAI-1 and tPA activities and antigens were associated with diabetes and MetS parameters in Malaysian subjects.</p

Effect of Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 and Tissue Plasminogen Activator Polymorphisms on Susceptibility to Type 2 Diabetes in Malaysian Subjects

Elevated activity of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and decreased tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) activity are considered to be important risk factors for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and metabolic syndrome (MetS). The aim of this study was to investigate the association of the PAI-1 4G/5G and tPA Alu-repeat I/D polymorphisms with T2DM in Malaysian subjects. Serum insulin, coronary risk panel, plasma glucose, and PAI-1 4G/5G and tPA Alu-repeat I/D polymorphisms were studied in 303 T2DM subjects (227 with MetS and 76 without MetS) and 131 normal subjects without diabetes and MetS. Statistical analysis showed that the dominant and additive models of PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphism showed a weak association with T2DM without MetS (OR = 2.35, P = 0.045; OR = 1.67, P = 0.058). On the other hand, the recessive model of the tPA Alu-repeat I/D polymorphism showed an association with T2DM with MetS (OR = 3.32, P = 0.013) whereas the dominant and additive models of the tPA Alu-repeat I/D polymorphism were not associated with T2DM either with or without MetS

Mercuric Ions (II) Uptake From Aqueous Solutions by Chelating Resin Containing Pendant Multidentate Ligand

The toxic nature and other adverse of the heavy metals lead to pollution and make it one of the most serious problems that affect certain sides of the environment. There are many heavy metal ions like the mercuric ions detected in industrial wastewaters originating from several factors such as from metal plating, mining activities, paint manufacture, etc. The above-mentioned ions isn't biodegradable and tends to be accumulated in living organisms, causing various diseases and disorders. Therefore, it must be removed from aqueous solution before discharge. In this paper, an experimental work it has been done regarding the optimal conditions of removing Hg (II) ions from water using chelating ion exchange resin namely XAD- & Pendant Multidentate Ligand Resin. The adsorption behaviour of mercury ions on XAD-& Pendant Multidentate Ligand Resin was studied as a function of the following variables: contact time, pH solutions, initial concentration of metal ions and resin dosage the adsorbent's maximum total adsorption capacity of for mercuric ions was: 0.82 mmol/g dry resin. The resin low affinity towards alkali and alkaline earth metals shows its use for samples that related to environment. The concluded results state that, XAD- & Pendant Multidentate Ligand Resin holds great potential for the purpose of removing mercuric ions from polluted wastewater

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 4G/5G polymorphism is associated with metabolic syndrome parameters in Malaysian subjects

The plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 4G/5G and tissue plasminogen activator Alu-repeat insertion/deletion polymorphisms might be genetic determinations of increased or decreased of their plasma activities. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 4G/5G and tissue plasminogen activator Alu-repeat I/D polymorphisms with metabolic syndrome parameters in normal Malaysian subjects and to assess the impact of these polymorphisms on their plasma activities and antigens. The genetic polymorphisms were genotyped in 130 normal subjects. In addition, the plasma activities and antigens of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and tissue plasminogen activator as well as levels of insulin, glucose, and lipid profile at fasting state were investigated. The subjects with homozygous 4G/4G showed association with an increased triglyceride (p = 0.007), body mass index (p = 0.01) and diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.03). In addition, the plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 4G/5G polymorphism modulates plasma plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 activity and antigen and tissue plasminogen activator activity (p = 0.002, 0.014, 0.003) respectively. These results showed that, the plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 4G/5G polymorphism is associated with metabolic syndrome parameters, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and tissue plasminogen activator activities in Malaysian subjects, and may serve to increase the risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease in Malaysian subjects

Clinical audit of neonatal care in Assiut Women's Health Hospital, Egypt

Background: The current study aims to auditing the current care of healthy full term newborns in the delivery room and identify the gap between the current practice and ideal practice in Assiut Women's Health Hospital, Egypt.Methods: The current study was a clinical audit carried out in Assiut Woman Health Hospital, in the period from 1 September 2016 to 28 February 2017.The study included all newborns delivered in the delivery word of gestational age after 37 week. We excluded all Preterm babies, those with congenital anomalies, pregnant women with medical disorders and multiple pregnancies. In the present work all data was collected prospectively through direct personal patient contact, direct observation of care givers, patient interactions and attitudes, from the clinical records and then recording the data in special check sheet. All basic criteria of the study participants as age, parity, gestational age at delivery and type of delivery were obtained. The neonatal gender, weight, heart rate and respiratory rate were checked. Audit criteria were selected according to the WHO 2015 and AAP 2010-2015 guidelines.Results: The study included 800 women; the mean age of the women was 26.52±5.70 years. The mean parity was 1.78±1.85. The mean gestational age at delivery was 38.81±0.96 weeks. As regard the type of delivery, 54.1% of women were delivered by cesarean section. Calling neonatologists occurred in 67.9% of deliveries. The mean birth weight was 3.17±0.39 kilograms. Nearly half of them (52%) were males.Conclusions: Application of the guidelines of the neonatal handling is important for optimum care to the neonates. Re-audit the steps of the handling is important to discuss whether practice has improved or not in our tertiary hospital

Relation between Lymphopenia and Internal Organ Involvement in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease, characterized by autoantibody production and immunocomplex formation, leading to widespread inflammatory damage involving multi-organ systems. Lymphopenia is a common laboratory involvement seen in patients with SLE and the mechanism of it is still unclear. Objectives: The aim of the current study was to investigate the relation between lymphopenia and clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, and disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. Patients and Methods: It was a cross sectional study; with a total of 60 patients with SLE recruited from the Rheumatology and Rehabilitation outpatient clinic at Sohag University Hospital. Demographic data, personal history, detailed history of general health condition and chronic or current diseases were reported. All the participants were subjected to detection of erythrocyte sedimentation rate, liver function tests, renal function tests, complete blood count (CBC), renal biopsy, protein/creatinine ratio and/or 24hr protein in urine, urine analysis, ANA profile, and Complement 3 and 4. Results: Two thirds of the study population had normal lymphocytic count, and one third had lymphopenia. Lymphopenia group showed significantly more hypochromic anemia with significant lower hemoglobin level and lower MCV. The mean creatinine level was significantly higher among lymphopenic cases. Lymphopenic cases had higher proteinuria. Conclusions: It could be concluded that lymphopenia in patients with SLE may be used as indicator of renal involvement in these patients

Improvements in wheat productivity and soil quality can accomplish by co-application of biochars and chemical fertilizers

The beneficial role of biochar is evident in most of infertile soils, however this is argued that increment in crop yield owing to biochar application does not always achieve in cultivated/fertile soils. The nutrient biochar believed to enhance crop yield and soil fertility than structural biochar that may offset the positive effect of chemical fertilizer on crop performance but improves soil structural properties. Therefore, we investigated the effect of biochars [produced from nutrient rich feedstocks like poultry manure (PMB) and farmyard manure (FMB) and structural feedstocks such as wood chips (WCB) and kitchen waste (KWB)], and chemical fertilizers (CF) when applied alone or in combination on soil chemical properties, wheat growth, yield and nitrogen uptake in a cultivated clay loam soil. Sole biochar treatments increased the total carbon and mineral nitrogen content that were 21 and 106% higher, respectively compared to control after 128 days (P 0.05) except PMB, the nutrient biochar (P < 0.05). Compared to control, grain yield was 6 and 12% lower in WCB and FMB, respectively but not differed from KWB, PMB or WCB-CF. Conversely, co-application of biochars and CF treatments increased crop biological yield but the increment was the highest in nutrient biochars FMB or PMB (29 or 26%), than structural biochars WCB and KWB (15 and 13%), respectively (P < 0.05). For N uptake, this increment varies between 16 and 27% and again nutrient biochar has significantly higher N uptake than structural biochars. Hence, nutrient biochars (i.e. PMB) benefited the soil fertility and crop productivity more than structural biochars. Therefore, for immediate crop benefits, it is recommended to use nutrient biochar alone or in combination with chemical fertilizer. Such practice will improve crop performance and the quality of cultivated soil

Metabolomics-based profiling with chemometric approach to identify bioactive compounds in Salacca zalacca fruits extracts and in silico molecular docking

Salak (Salacca zalacca) is well-known as snake fruit and it is immensely studied for its antioxidative and antidiabetic active metabolites throughout the southeast Asian countries. However, there are many remaining unidentified metabolites due to very low abundance and natural variation, which need to be further explored. Nowadays mass spectrometry (MS/MS) facilitates the tentative identification of unknown compounds in the crude herbal extracts. This study described the metabolite profiling of hydroalcoholic extracts of S. zalacca analysed by LCQTOF- MS/MS. The 60% ethanolic extract exhibited the highest a-glucosidase inhibition and ferric reducing antioxidant power activities with IC50 of 15.94 mg/mL and 78.13 lg AAE/g, respectively. Multivariate data analysis (MVDA) by an orthogonal partial least-squares (OPLS) algorithm was conducted to correlate the a-glucosidase inhibition activity with the LC- QTOF-MS data. A total of 4 compounds were reported for first time in this fruit and identified based on the molecular mass and fragment ions. LC-QTOF-MS analysis indicated the presence of carexane I, 5-phenoxytetra zol-1-yl)-2,3,5,6-hexahydrofurofuran-3-ethylurea, 3-acetylphenoxy)-N-[(2)-1-amino-4-methyl-1-oxo pentan-2-yl]-4,5-dihydroxycyclohexene-1-carboxamide and Ethyl 4-[5-methyl-2-oxo-10,20,50,60,70,70 a-hexahydro-1H-spiro[indole-3,30-pyrrolizine]-20-ylamido] benzoate. Molecular docking of those compounds with the a–glucosidase enzyme was performed to confirm their antidiabetic potential. These bioactive compounds could be suggested as a-glucosidase inhibitors and functional food additive

Safety and efficacy of percutaneous nephrolithotripsy in comorbid patients: A 3 years prospective observational study

Purpose: To report the result of percutaneous nephrolithotripsy (PCNL) via standard nephrostomy tract in a single training institution. The perioperative complications in relation to the comorbid state are particularly assessed. Patients and methods: A prospective interventional study between January 2019 to November 2022, included 210 patients scheduled for PCNL. The average age was 40.3 ± 11.8 years (range 18- 67 years). Patients were categorized into two groups. The first group comprised 146 cases (69 .5%) with no associated co-morbidities while the second group 64 (30.5%) had co-morbidities such as obesity in 4 cases (1.9%), hypertension (HTN) in 24 cases (11.4%) cases, diabetes mellitus (DM) in 17 (8.1%) cases, history of recurrent stone surgery in 11 (5.2%) cases and more than one in 8 cases (3.8%). Co-morbidities, stone burden, location of stone, time of surgery, stay in the hospital, further operations, and negative events were among the reported data. Complications and the stone-free rate were the main outcome indicators. Results: Intraoperative complications were reported in 40 (18.8%) patients (18 group 1 and 22 group 2) during PCNL. Bleeding occurred in 22 (10.5%) patients (9 group 1 and 13 group 2), blood transfusions were needed in 4 (1.9%) (2 group 1 and 2 group 2), extravasation was observed in 11 patients (5.2%) (6 group 1 and 5 group 2) and cardiac arrhythmia in 3 (1.4%) (1 group 1 and 2 group 2) patients. Postoperative complications occurred in 61 patients (29%) (24 group 1 and 37 group 2) in the form of fever in 10 patients (4.8 %) (3 group 1 and 7 group 2) and prolonged leakage in 50 patients (23.8%) (21 group 1 and 29 group 2). One patient of group 2 died from postoperative sepsis. Extravasation and postoperative leakage were higher in diabetic patients than in non-diabetics. Stonefree rate was 60.5% (127 of 210). Clinically significant residual fragments (CSRFs) found in 70 cases (33.3%) (33 group 1 and 37 group 2). In 13 cases (6.2%) (5 group 1 and 8 group 2), clinically insignificant residual fragments (CIRFs) were found. In 8 (3 group 1 and 5 group 2) of the 13 cases, spontaneous stone passage was observed within 4-6 weeks of surgery. Residual stones in three cases (1 group 1 and 2 group 2) were asymptomatic and 4 mm or less, whereas stones increased in two cases of group 2. Among all factors studied, stone burden was significantly correlated to both intraoperative and postoperative complications. The occurrence of postoperative fever increased with large stone burden. Conclusions: PCNL is a therapeutic modality that is effective, feasible, and safe for a wide range of patients with concurrent medical issues. A steep curve is required to reduce intraoperative and postoperative complications