Phytochemical Screening and Elemental Analysis of Aqueous and Methanolic Extracts of Datura innoxia Seeds and Leaves

The present study is aimed to screen the phytochemicals analysis and elements content of Datura innoxia seeds and leaves. The aqueous and methanol extracts were carried out by using the maceration method and soxhlet apparatus, respectively. Results of the study of Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of a high concentration of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, steroids and triterpines, and low concentration of saponin and coummarins. The elements in the leaves and seeds (K, Ca, S, Si, Cl, Fe, Al, P, Mg, Ti, Mn, Zn, Sr, Cu, V, Br, and Zr) were determined by energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) spectroscopy. K content was the highest in seeds (5.469 ± 0.021%), Ca and S the highest in leaves (2.461 ± 0.019 %, 1.254 ± 0.022 %, respectively). The elements Ti, Mn, Sr, V, Br, and Zr were detected in the leaves with range concentration 0.062-0.002 %. The elements Si, Cl, Fe, Al, P, Mg, and Zn concentration in seeds varied from 0.002 to 0.942% and in leaves varied from 0.014 to 0.346%. The concentration of these elements did not exceed the standard of dangerous toxic levels

Ghost cell odontogenic carcinoma of the maxilla: a case report with a literature review

The aim of this report is to present a rare case of a Ghost cell odontogenic carcinoma (GCOC) of a 21-year-old man with review of the literature. The patient was treated surgically, and one of the surgical margins was involved, the patient received adjuvant radiotherapy for local control. Five months later, patient presented with infraorbital lesion which was proven histological to be GCOC. Radiological images, histological sections and clinical photographs are also presented. One year after the second surgery, the patient was tumor free. The only effective treatment modality was surgical removal

Evaluation of Topical Microbicides for their Acute Toxicities and Ability to Induce Proinflammatory Cytokines TNF-a, IL-1b, IL-6 and IL-8 in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells and Macrophages

Purpose: Topical Microbicides have been used as vaginal microbicides in clinical trials as anti-HIV-1 products. The objectives of this project were to evaluate selected popular topical microbicide drug products for their acute toxicities to colorectal epithelial cells and primary immune cells such as Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMC) and Macrophages and to further determine if these microbicide products could induce genital tract inflammation via extra production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-8. Methodology: Toxicities of Nonoxynol-9, KY jelly, CAP, PRO2000 (4%), PRO2000 (0.5%), UC781(1%), UC781(0.1%) and VenaGelTM microbicides were determined by cellular viability of colorectal adenocarcinoma cells (CaCo2 ), the model vaginal epithelial cell and the vaginal tract primary immune cells of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and Macrophages by culturing them for 24-hours in the presence of serial dilutions of products or placebo. Products and placebo dilutions that gave culture viabilities of ≥60% compared to control cultures were considered as nontoxic Results: The results indicated safety and low toxicity of these microbicides in terms of cytokine release. Furthermore, it showed that usage of these microbicides as anti-HIV formulation will not trigger cytokine release. However, IL-8 has shown relatively higher levels for all microbicides tested in toxic and nontoxic formulation. This indicated that microbicides induced the release of IL-8 and could trigger the recruitment of HIV-1 susceptible cells and increase HIV-1 replication

Improving Tenderness of Spent Layer Hens Meat Using Papaya Leaves (Carica papaya)

Two experiments were performed to study the use of papaya leaves as a meat tenderizer. The first experiment was to evaluate the effect of papaya dry leaves added to hen’s diet before slaughter. Spent hens (n=48) were used, half of them were fed a concentrate ration containing10% dried papaya leaves powder (DPLP) while others received layer ration (Control), for 10 days. The second experiment involved a comparison between papaya leaves juice (PLJ), fresh papaya leaves (FPL) and vinegar solution (VS) as marinades applied to meat for one or two hours before cooking. Spent layer hens (n=42) were used for tenderness evaluation method. After slaughtering and preparing the chickens two methods of cooking were used (oven and moist cooking). The cooked parts (breast, thigh and drumstick) were subjected to a panel test evaluation according to a designed questionnaire. Addition of dried papaya leaves powder to spent layer hens ration significantly (P≤0.05) increased the level of meat tenderness. Moist cooking had significantly (P≤0.05) improved meat tenderization compared to oven cooking. Meat treated with fresh papaya leaves had significantly (P≤0.05) improved tenderness. It was concluded that wrapping the tough meat of spent layer hens with fresh papaya leaves for one hour and moist cooking improve tenderness of meat

Prevalence of blaCTX-M, blaTEM, and blaSHV Genes among Extended-spectrum β-lactamases-producing Clinical Isolates of Enterobacteriaceae in Different Regions of Sudan

Background: This study aimed to characterize blaCTX-M, blaTEM, and blaSHV genes among extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs)-producing Enterobacteriaceae species in different regions of Sudan. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, different clinical samples (n = 985) were collected randomly from symptomatic patients from four geographical regions of Sudan and cultured on chromogenic media. Following bacterial identification, phenotypic screening of ESBLs was done according to CLSI guidelines using cefotaxime (30 μg), ceftazidime (30 μg), and cefepime (30 μg) discs with and without clavulanic acid. The DNA was extracted by guanidine hydrochloride protocol, and then conventional PCR was used to detect blaCTX-M, blaTEM, and blaSHV genes. The presence of genes’ subtypes was characterized by DNA Sanger sequencing for selected samples.  Results: Enterobacteriaceae represented 31% (305/985) of all isolates, 42 (128/305) of which were ESBLs producer, confirmed by phenotypic confirmatory test (75% [96/128] of them were positive for blaCTX-M genes, 61% [78/128] for blaTEM genes, and 38% [48/128] for blaSHV genes). Fourteen isolates (11%) were negative for all genes. Forty-eight percent (63/75) of Escherichia coli isolates were positive for blaCTX-M, while in Klebsiella pneumoniae, the dominant gene was blaTEM (82%) and had a low amount of blaSHV (59%). There was a significant association (P-value = 0.001 for all except for chloramphenicol, P = 0.014, and amikacin, P = 0.017) between resistance to third-generation cephalosporins and ciprofloxacin, nalidixic acid, meropenem, chloramphenicol, and amikacin.  Forty-two percent (40/96) of CTX-M-positive isolates were in Gizera State, 33% (32.96) in Sinnar, 24% (23/96) in Khartoum, and 1% (1/96) in White Nile.  Conclusion: We conclude that blaCTX-M genes are the most dominant genes in ESBLs-producing isolates and are more prevalent in big cities than in rural areas. Keywords: phenotypic, blaCTX-M, blaTEM, and blaSHV ESBLs genes, Enterobacteriaceae, Suda

Improving Tenderness of Spent Layer Hens Meat Using Papaya Leaves (Carica papaya)

Two experiments were performed to study the use of papaya leaves as a meat tenderizer. The first experiment was to evaluate the effect of papaya dry leaves added to hen's diet before slaughter. Spent hens (n=48) were used, half of them were fed a concentrate ration containing10% dried papaya leaves powder (DPLP) while others received layer ration (Control), for 10 days. The second experiment involved a comparison between papaya leaves juice (PLJ), fresh papaya leaves (FPL) and vinegar solution (VS) as marinades applied to meat for one or two hours before cooking. Spent layer hens (n=42) were used for tenderness evaluation method. After slaughtering and preparing the chickens two methods of cooking were used (oven and moist cooking). The cooked parts (breast, thigh and drumstick) were subjected to a panel test evaluation according to a designed questionnaire. Addition of dried papaya leaves powder to spent layer hens ration significantly (P≤0.05) increased the level of meat tenderness. Moist cooking had significantly (P≤0.05) improved meat tenderization compared to oven cooking. Meat treated with fresh papaya leaves had significantly (P≤0.05) improved tenderness. It was concluded that wrapping the tough meat of spent layer hens with fresh papaya leaves for one hour and moist cooking improve tenderness of meat

Molecular detection of Epstein-Barr virus among Sudanese patients diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis

Objectives: Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) is the most common cause of hypothyroidism. The exact mechanism initiating the development of HT is not yet clear. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between HT and the presence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in a Sudanese population. Results: EBV-LMP1 was detected in 11.1% of HT cases, which is consistent with previous studies. Studies have reported a wide range of frequencies indicating the presence of EBV in HT, and patients with autoimmune thyroiditis have increased titers of anti-EBV antibodies in their sera compared to healthy subjects. Intrathyroidal EBV-infected B cells may be responsible for the increased risk of development of B-cell lymphoma in the thyroid gland in patients with autoimmune thyroiditis. Our study suggests that regular follow-up is necessary for patients diagnosed with HT and are positive for EBV, as antiviral therapy is not applicable due to the risk of thyroid dysfunction. The study suggests an association between EBV and HT, but causation cannot be determined. The study also highlights the need for further research to determine the viral role and correlate it with the severity and progression of HT.</p

Molecular detection of Epstein-Barr virus among Sudanese patients diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis

Objectives: Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) is the most common cause of hypothyroidism. The exact mechanism initiating the development of HT is not yet clear. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between HT and the presence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in a Sudanese population. Results: EBV-LMP1 was detected in 11.1% of HT cases, which is consistent with previous studies. Studies have reported a wide range of frequencies indicating the presence of EBV in HT, and patients with autoimmune thyroiditis have increased titers of anti-EBV antibodies in their sera compared to healthy subjects. Intrathyroidal EBV-infected B cells may be responsible for the increased risk of development of B-cell lymphoma in the thyroid gland in patients with autoimmune thyroiditis. Our study suggests that regular follow-up is necessary for patients diagnosed with HT and are positive for EBV, as antiviral therapy is not applicable due to the risk of thyroid dysfunction. The study suggests an association between EBV and HT, but causation cannot be determined. The study also highlights the need for further research to determine the viral role and correlate it with the severity and progression of HT.</p