Epidemiology of antibiotic resistance in culture-positive hospitalized patients in selected hospitals in Khartoum, Sudan

Objective: To study the prevelence of antibiotic resistance and the prevalent bacterial isolates in hospitalized patients in Khartoum hospitals. Materials & Methods: A cross-sectional prevalence study was carried out during the period of April–November 2015 in Khartoum; 226 bacterial cultures were included. Identification of isolates using standard biochemical tests and antibiotic susceptibilities were determined using disc diffusion method. Results were interpreted according to the standards of the British society of antimicrobial chemotherapy. Results: Eight bacterial species were isolated: Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus spp., Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas spp., Escherichia coli, Proteus spp., and Acinetobacter spp. S. aureus was the most prevalent, the majority of which were resistant to methicillin/oxacillin (MRSA). Cultures in our study were mainly from urine (36.7%), blood samples (37.2%), and wound cultures (19%). More than 90% of the tested isolates were resistant to cefuroxime; 54% and 73.8% of Gram-positive and Gram-negative isolates, respectively, were resistant to ceftazidime. Furthermore, there was a high meropenem resistance among Gram-negative isolates tested. Multi-resistant Acinetobacter spp. as well as vancomycin-resistant S. aureus was isolated. Gram-negative isolates showed good susceptibilities to aminoglycosides as well as ciprofloxacin. However, the high resistance rate to these antibiotics was observed in Gram-positive isolates in these hospitals. Conclusion: Methicillin-resistant S. aureus was the most prevalent organism. Gramnegative isolates showed good susceptibilities to aminoglycosides and ciprofloxacin. There were high resistance rates to cefuroxime, ceftazidime, and meropenem. Five vancomycin-resistant S. aureus were identified

On Dirac Zero Modes in Hyperdiamond Model

Using the SU(5) symmetry of the 4D hyperdiamond and results on the study of 4D graphene given in "Four Dimensional Graphene" (L.B Drissi, E.H Saidi, M. Bousmina, CPM-11-01, Phys. Rev. D (2011)), we engineer a class of 4D lattice QCD fermions whose Dirac operators have two zero modes. We show that generally the zero modes of the Dirac operator in hyperdiamond fermions are captured by a tensor {\Omega}_{{\mu}}^{l} with 4\times5 complex components linking the Euclidean SO(4) vector {\mu}; and the 5-dimensional representation of SU(5). The Bori\c{c}i-Creutz (BC) and the Karsten-Wilzeck (KW) models as well as their Dirac zero modes are rederived as particular realizations of {\Omega}_{{\mu}}^{l}. Other features are also given. Keywords: Lattice QCD, Bori\c{c}i-Creutz and Karsten-Wilzeck models, 4D hyperdiamond, 4D graphene, SU(5) Symmetry.Comment: LaTex, 28 pages, To appear in Phys Rev

Symmetry analysis for steady boundary-layer stagnation-point flow of Rivlin–Ericksen fluid of second grade subject to suction

An analysis for the steady two-dimensional boundary-layer stagnation-point flow of Rivlin–Ericksen fluid of second grade with a uniform suction is carried out via symmetry analysis. By employing Lie-group method to the given system of nonlinear partial differential equations, the symmetries of the equations are determined. Using these symmetries, the solution of the given equations is found. The effect of the viscoelastic parameter k and the suction parameter R on the tangential and normal velocities, temperature profiles, heat transfer coefficient and the wall shear stress, have been studied. Also, the effect of the Prandtl number Pr on the temperature and the heat transfer coefficient has been studied

Phylogenetic and characterization of salt-tolerant rhizobial strain nodulating faba bean plants

Improvement of faba bean production in the new reclamation land in Egypt requires isolation and selection of effective abiotic stress tolerant rhizobial strains. Three rhizobial strains were isolated from healthy faba bean plants growing in different geographic areas in Egypt. These isolates were adapted against different concentrations of NaCl (100, 150 and 200 mM) by using the enrichment method. They were evaluated by measuring the symbiotic N2-fixation parameters under greenhouse and field conditions during two seasons (2010/2011 and 2011/2012). One rhizobial strain exhibited the highest values of symbiotic N2-parameters, nitrogenase activity and proline content. Based on 16S rDNA and nifH gene sequence, this strain was shown to belong to the Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae. A strong similarity was found between the 16S rDNA and nifH gene sequence of the strain E15 and R. leguminosarum bv. viciae 3841 (100% similarity for 16S rDNA and 95% similarity for nifH gene). The results show that the maximum growth of this strain was obtained at pH 7 and 30°C. This strain was tolerant to drought stress till 20% polyethylene glycol and it yielded the highest concentrations of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) at the end of the logarithmic phase. This strain solubilized inorganic phosphorus. R. leguminosarum bv. viciae was able to survive, persist, grow and effectively nodulated faba bean plants at high salt concentrations under greenhouse and field conditions and it could be used for biofertilization to reduce the severe effects of salinity and drought stress in the new reclamation land in Egypt.Keywords: Vicia faba, Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae, abiotic stress, nifH geneAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(27), pp. 4324-433

Tracking Water Quality from Source to Home: A showed Case of El Gorashi Locality, Gezira State, Sudan

Water quality is recognized one of the greatest challenges to human life because water may become unsafe at any point between collection and consumption.  This study was conducted in Elgorashi locality, Gezira State Sudan to investigate water sources physically and biologically. A number of 70 water samples were taken from various sources which include; irrigation canals, Haffir, Haffir Exit Basin (HEB), Slow Sand Filters (SSF), Clean Water Basin (CLB), homes taps and homes storage containers. The samples were collected from Elgorashi city, Galoka, Geneda, Maatoug and Hillat Babiker villages.  The results were compared to WHO risk category. Statistical results revealed that physically, 86% of water sources were suitable for human consumption. Biological analysis showed 73% of water sources were polluted with bacteria. It has been found that (19/70) 27.14% of all water sources were safe, (28/70) 40% at low-risk, (14/70) 20% at intermediate risk and (9/70) 12.86% were at high risk. A long the water supply network, the main water sources of irrigation canals and Haffirs were unsafe. At home level, 70% of taps water were classified under low risk category and 55% of storage containers showed high risk sources. These results indicate leakage at the water distribution network. The study recommends immediate disinfection intervention at all sources to protect community from illness associated with poor water quality. جودة الماء تعتبر من اهم التحديات لصحة الانسان  لان الماء قد يتعرض للتلوث في اي موقع  بين المصدر والمستهلك.  في هذا البحث تم اختبار نوعية الماء الطبيعية والبيولوجية في مدينة القرشي – ولاية الجزيرة في السودان.  تم  جمع 70 عينة ماء من مصادر  مختلفة شملت  قنوات الري والحفائر واحواض تجميع ماء الحفير واحواض تنقية الماء وحنفيات المنازل وادوات حفظ الماء المنزلية. تم جمع العينات من مدينة القرشي وابوقوتة وقرية جنيدا ومعتوق وحلة بابكر. تمت مقارنة النتائج مع مقاييس منظمة الصحة العالمية. اظهرت  نتائج التحليل الطبيعى ان 86% من المصادر تحتوي على ماء صالح لاستخدام الانسان. التحليل البكتيرى للماء اظهر ان 73% من المصادر ملوثة بالبكتريا. وجد ان نسبة 27.14% من  جملة المصادر تحتوي على ماء نظيف و 40% من المصادر تحتوي على ماء ذو خطورة منخفضة و 20% من المصادر تحتوى على ماء ذو خطورة متوسطة و12.86% من المصادر مياهها عالية الخطورة. على طول شبكة توزيع الماء تعتبر قنوات الري والحفائر مصادر ذات  ماء غير امن. 70% من حنفيات المنازل تحتوي على ماء ذو خطورة منخفضة و 55% من اواني حقظ الماء المنزلية تعتبر مياهها عالية الخطورة. دلت النتائج على وجود كسورات في خطوط توزيع الماء واوصت الدراسة على تطهير كل المصادر لحماية المجتمع من الامراض المرتبطة بالماء. &nbsp

Graded q-pseudo-differential Operators and Supersymmetric Algebras

We give a supersymmetric generalization of the sine algebra and the quantum algebra $U_{t}(sl(2))$. Making use of the $q$-pseudo-differential operators graded with a fermionic algebra, we obtain a supersymmetric extension of sine algebra. With this scheme we also get a quantum superalgebra $U_{t}(sl(2/1)$.Comment: 10 pages, Late

A Matrix Model for \nu_{k_1k_2}=\frac{k_1+k_2}{k_1 k_2} Fractional Quantum Hall States

We propose a matrix model to describe a class of fractional quantum Hall (FQH) states for a system of (N_1+N_2) electrons with filling factor more general than in the Laughlin case. Our model, which is developed for FQH states with filling factor of the form \nu_{k_1k_2}=\frac{k_1+k_2}{k_1k_2} (k_1 and k_2 odd integers), has a U(N_1)\times U(N_2) gauge invariance, assumes that FQH fluids are composed of coupled branches of the Laughlin type, and uses ideas borrowed from hierarchy scenarios. Interactions are carried, amongst others, by fields in the bi-fundamentals of the gauge group. They simultaneously play the role of a regulator, exactly as does the Polychronakos field. We build the vacuum configurations for FQH states with filling factors given by the series \nu_{p_1p_2}=\frac{p_2}{p_1p_2-1}, p_1 and p_2 integers. Electrons are interpreted as a condensate of fractional D0-branes and the usual degeneracy of the fundamental state is shown to be lifted by the non-commutative geometry behaviour of the plane. The formalism is illustrated for the state at \nu={2/5}.Comment: 40 pages, 1 figure, clarifications and references adde

Geodiversity Examples of Morocco: From Inventory to Regional Geotourism Development

The soil and subsoil of Morocco are rich in geological phenomena that bear the imprint of a history which goes back in time more than 2000 million years. Very many geologically remarkable sites exposed in accessible outcrops, with good quality remained unknown to the general public and therefore deserved to be vulgarized. It is a memory to acquaint the present generations but also to preserve for future generations. In total, a rich geological heritage in many ways: Varied land- scapes, international stratotypes, various geological structures, varied rocks, mineral associations, a huge procession offossiles, remnants of oceanic crust (ophiolites) among oldests ones in the world (800 my), etc. For this geological heritage, an approach of an overall inventory is needed, both regionally and nationally, taking into account all the skills of the earth sciences. This will put the item on the natural (geological) potentialities as a lever for sustainable regional development. For this, it is necessary to implement a strategy of “geoconservation” for the preservation and as- sessment of the geological heritage. A website “lithothèque du Maroc” is under construction.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Environmental isotonicity improves cold tolerance of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, in Egypt

AbstractThe limited ability of Oreochromis niloticus to tolerate low temperatures during winter in temperate and some subtropical region, such as in Egypt, is of major economic concern. The present study was aimed to improve the cold tolerance of Nile tilapia, O. niloticus, by using the well documented phenomena of saving energy consumption for osmoregulation in isotonic medium to decrease the physiological response to cold stress at winter months and may solve the Winter Stress Syndrome (WSS) and the over-wintering problems. Fish which were either pre-acclimated to freshwater or isotonic salinity at 25°C were transferred directly to freshwater or isotonic medium (12‰) at 14°C. Fish were killed 3, 6, 24, 48, 72 and 168h after transfer. In the isotonic medium pre-acclimated fish, it is shown that the effect of cold stress on the increment of plasma glucose level was much lower than that in fresh water. From the observations of Na+, K+, Mg2+-ATPase enzyme activity we conclude that less disturbance of ionic balance caused by cold tolerance was occurred in the isotonic point water than in the fresh water. The results of the acetylcholinesterase specific activity showed that, brain enzyme was inhibited by cold stress, and that the disruption of the cholinergic function induced by cold stress was much more pronounced in fresh water pre-acclimated tilapia than in isotonic point water pre-acclimated fish. Results from this study recommend that pre-acclimation of Nile tilapia, O. niloticus, to an environmental salinity close to the isotonicity, before winter onset, may improve their cold tolerance

The combined effect of environmental thermal drop and isotonicity on metabolic stores of the teleost, Oreochromis niloticus

AbstractFour experimental regimes were designed to test the capacity of the Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus to make use of the energy saved form osmoregulation in an isotonic medium in overcoming the Winter Stress Syndrome (WSS). Fish either pre- acclimated to freshwater or isotonic salinity at 25°C were transferred directly to freshwater or an isotonic medium (ca. 12‰) at 14°C. Fish were killed 3, 6, 24, 48, 72 and 168h after transfer. The mobilisation and use of lipids from perivisceral and muscle fat observed in the study seem to be a direct response to cold stress as well as the associated fasting, these effects were salinity dependent being lesser at the isotonic salinity. The energy needs of fish diminish in cold conditions when the salinity of the environment approaches the isotonicity. The absence of any significant changes in muscle and water content indicated that the changes of muscle lipid are true and lipid was the sole source of energy upon thermal drop. The changes of blood haemoglobin levels throughout the four experimental regimes may indicate that the isotonic medium acclimated tilapia showed less haematological disturbance due to cold stress. Results from this experimental study recommend that the pre-acclimation of the Egyptian strain of Nile tilapia, O. niloticus, to an environmental salinity close to the isotonicity may improve fish cold tolerance