Cardiovascular risk factors in the Bedouin population: management and compliance.

Background: Until three decades ago coronary heart disease and stroke were considered rare in the Israeli Bedouin population. Today, this population shows increasing high prevalence compared to the Jewish population.

Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence of diagnosed cardiovascular risk factors among Bedouins (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia), and to assess compliance with follow-up tests and drug treatment.

In vivo behavior of bioactive phosphate glass-ceramics from the system P2O5-Na2O-CaO containing TiO2.

Soda lime phosphate bioglass-ceramics with incorporation of small additions of TiO2 were prepared in the metaphosphate and pyrophosphate region, using an appropriate two-step heat treatment of controlled crystallization defined by differential thermal analysis results. Identification and quantification of crystalline phases precipitated from the soda lime phosphate glasses were performed using X-ray diffraction analysis. Calcium pyrophosphate (beta-Ca2P2O7), sodium metaphosphate (NaPO3), calcium metaphosphate (beta-Ca(PO3)2), sodium pyrophosphate (Na4P2O7), sodium calcium phosphate (Na4Ca(PO3)6) and sodium titanium phosphate (Na5Ti(PO4)3) phases were detected in the prepared glass-ceramics.

Pattern of glomerulonephritis in Sudan: histopathological and immunofluorescence study.

The final diagnosis of renal disease can only be established with the study of renal biopsy using light microscopy, immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. This study reports on the pattern of glomerulonephritis, diagnosed with light microscopy and immunofluorescence, in two major nephrology referral centers in Sudan. Renal biopsies from 86 consecutive patients were studied by light and immunofluorescence microscopy.

Haematogenous dissemination of tuberculous lymphadenitis.

Objective: To determine whether Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection spreads through the blood to different lymph-node groups in patients with tuberculous lymphadenitis.

Design: Prospective analytical study.

Setting: The patients were recruited, managed and followed at the lymphodenopathy clinic, Central Police Hospital, Burr, Khartoum, Sudan.

Y chromosome lineage- and village-specific genes on chromosomes 1p22 and 6q27 control visceral leishmaniasis in Sudan.

Familial clustering and ethnic differences suggest that visceral leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania donovani is under genetic control. A recent genome scan provided evidence for a major susceptibility gene on Chromosome 22q12 in the Aringa ethnic group in Sudan. We now report a genome-wide scan using 69 families with 173 affected relatives from two villages occupied by the related Masalit ethnic group.

IFNG and IFNGR1 gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis in Sudan.

Post-kala-azar dermal leishmanaisis (PKDL) in Sudan is associated with elevated interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). To study interferon-gamma pathways in PKDL, we genotyped 80 trios from the Masalit ethnic group for polymorphisms at -470 ins/delTT, -270T/C, -56T/C and +95T/C in IFNGR1 and at -179G/A and +874T/A in IFNG. No associations occurred at IFNG.

Safety and immunogenicity of a candidate vaccine for visceral leishmaniasis (Alum-precipitated autoclaved Leishmania major + BCG) in children: an extended phase II study.

Background: Untreated visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is an inevitably fatal childhood disease. First-generation candidate vaccines for VL [autoclaved Leishmania major (ALM) + BCG] have been found to be safe and immunogenic but not superior to BCG alone. Modulation of ALM by adsorption to Alum significantly increases the immunogenicity.

Addressing diversity in mental health care: a review of guidance documents.

Discriminated against and marginalised groups of people within our communities continue to be over represented within mental health services and frequently their particular needs are not met. Challenging discrimination and working towards more equitable services are a vital part of anyone's role working within mental health services. This paper provides a review of guidance documents on diversity issues with a particular focus on ethnicity, gender, sexuality, learning disability, spirituality, homelessness and age.

Spectral, electrical conductivity and biological activity properties of some new azopyrimidine derivatives and their complexes.

The electronic absorption spectra of 5-(o-substituted phenylazo)-6-amino-2-thiouracils and 6-(o-substituted phenylazo)-5-aminouracils containing different substituents are studied at different pH's. The dissociation constants are evaluated and discussed. Phenomenon of tautomerism is more supported by (1)H NMR and (13)C NMR spectra.

Spectral properties of some metal complexes derived from uracil-thiouracil and citrazinic acid compounds.

The reaction of FeCl(3) with uracil (H(2)L(1)), citrazinic acid (H(2)L(6)), 5-(phenylazo)citrazinic acid (H(2)L(7)), 5-(m-hydroxyphenylazo)citrazinic acid (H(2)L(8)) and 5-(m-nitrophenylazo)citrazinic acid (H(2)L(9)) leads to the formation of complexes with the empirical formula Fe(HL)(3).nH(2)O (n=1-3). All of the prepared complexes have octahedral complexation geometry where the azo group is not the reactive site for complexation.

The synthesis and SAR of 2-amino-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidines: a new class of Aurora-A kinase inhibitors.

A new class of Aurora-A inhibitors have been identified based on the 2-amino-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine scaffold. Here, we describe the synthesis and SAR of this novel series. We report compounds which exhibit nanomolar activity in the Aurora-A biochemical assay and are able to inhibit tumor cell proliferation.

Evaluation of the wound healing effect of some Jordanian traditional medicinal plants formulated in Pluronic F127 using mice (Mus musculus).

The wound healing effect of the aqueous extracts of Inula viscosa, Ajuga chia, Rubia taenifolia and Parieteria diffusa, and the oil of Laurus nobilis, dispersed in water, were examined. The 10% (w/w) Pluronic F127 (PF127) was added to the applied preparations, in order to modify the aqueous extracts viscosity, and to stabilize the oil dispersion. A full thickness wound was made in the dorsal area of the mice.

Glucose partition coefficient and diffusivity in the lower skin layers.

Purpose: This work aims to estimate the diffusivity and partitioning of glucose in the dermis and the viable epidermis of human skin.

Methods: The partition coefficient of glucose between phosphate-buffered saline and dermis, tape-stripped epidermis (TSE), stratum corneum (SC), and split-thickness skin, was measured in vitro using human cadaver skin. Glucose permeability across dermis and tape-stripped split-thickness skin (TSS) was measured using side-by-side diffusion cells.

A novel series of arylsulfonylthiophene-2-carboxamidine inhibitors of the complement component C1s.

Inhibiting the classical pathway of complement activation by attenuating the proteolytic activity of the serine protease C1s is a potential strategy for the therapeutic intervention in disease states such as hereditary angioedema, ischemia-reperfusion injury, and acute transplant rejection. A series of arylsulfonylthiophene-2-carboxamidine inhibitors of C1s were synthesized and evaluated for C1s inhibitory activity. The most potent compound had a Ki of 10nM and >1000-fold selectivity over uPA, tPA, FX(a), thrombin, and plasmin.

Complexing properties of some pyrimidines.

The synthesis of transition metal barbiturate, and thiobarbiturate complexes containing different functional groups of variable electronic character with CoII, NiII, CuII, PdII, and PtII have been prepared. The stereochemistry and the mode of bonding of the complexes were determined by elemental analysis and electronic and vibrational spectra together with their magnetic moment values. Electronic spin resonance of copper complexes were recorded.

Antimony-induced cerebellar ataxia.

Visceral leishmaniasis VL, caused by Leishmania donovani is endemic over several parts of Sudan. The disease is fatal if not treated. Although sodium stibogluconate Pentostam, a pentavalent antimonial is not free from toxicity, it has been in use for treatment of VL for the last 50 years.

Long-term results of primary adenocarcinoma of the urinary bladder: a report on 192 patients.

Objectives: To evaluate the clinical presentation and treatment end results of primary adenocarcinoma of the urinary bladder, and to determine the significant independent prognostic factors that determine this outcome.

Patients And Methods: Of 3659 patients who underwent cystectomy, 192 had adenocarcinoma of the urinary bladder, with a relative frequency of 5.2%.

The pathogenesis of post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis from the field to the molecule: does ultraviolet light (UVB) radiation play a role?

Post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) is a dermatosis caused by persistence of Leishmania donovani parasites in the skin following apparently successful treatment of visceral leishmaniasis. The distribution of PKDL lesions in Sudanese patients often mirrors the clothing habits of those affected. It is most severe in or confined to the sun-exposed parts of the skin.

Efficacy of liposomal amphotericin B (AmBisome) in the treatment of persistent post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL).

A dermatosis commonly known as post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) may develop following the treatment of human visceral leishmaniasis (VL). In about 15% of PKDL cases the disfiguring lesions persist, sometimes for many years. Such persistent lesions currently require daily injections of sodium stibogluconate (SSG) for 2-4 months and even then treatment may not be successful.

Uncommon clinical presentations of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Sudan.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis in Sudan is caused by Leishmania major zymodeme LON1. Self-healing usually occurs within 1 year but occasionally its duration is prolonged and treatment is required. The clinical forms are ulcers, nodules and noduloulcerative lesions.

Surgical management for giant cell tumor of bones.

Purpose: To evaluate the different surgical techniques used in the treatment of giant cell tumor of bone and their effect on the rate of local recurrence.

Patients And Methods: This is a prospective study of fifty-two patients with giant cell tumor (GCT) of the bones treated at the National Cancer Institute, Cairo University between 1998 and 2002. All patients were evaluated by clinical examination, plain X-ray, CT scan and MRI (in some cases).

Studies on the in vivo hypoglycemic activities of two medicinal plants used in the treatment of diabetes in Jordanian traditional medicine following intranasal administration.

The claimed hypoglycemic activities of Paronychia argentea Lam. (Caryophyllaceae) and Teucrium polium L. (Labiatae), two traditionally widely used medicinal plants in Jordan were evaluated using normoglycemic and alloxan induced hyperglycemic rabbits by intranasal administration of the plant crude extracts (10%) in a vehicle containing 5% (w/w) Pluronic F127.

QSPR modeling of pseudoternary microemulsions formulated employing lecithin surfactants: application of data mining, molecular and statistical modeling.

Data mining, computer aided molecular modeling, descriptor calculation, genetic algorithm and multiple linear regression analysis techniques were combined together to generate predictive quantitative structure property relationship (QSPR) models explaining the formation of lecithin-based W/O microemulsions. Ninety-four microemulsion phase diagrams were collected from five different references published over the past few years. Computer-based molecular modeling techniques were then applied on the components of the collected microemulsion systems to generate corresponding plausible three-dimensional (3D) structures.

Dichotomy of protective cellular immune responses to human visceral leishmaniasis.

Healing/protective responses in human visceral leishmaniasis (VL) are associated with stimulation/production of Th1 cytokines, such as interferon IFN-gamma, and conversion in the leishmanin skin test (LST). Such responses were studied for 90 days in 44 adult healthy volunteers from VL non-endemic areas, with no past history of VL/cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) and LST non-reactivity following injection with one of four doses of Alum-precipitated autoclaved Leishmania major (Alum/ALM) +/- bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG), a VL candidate vaccine. The vaccine was well tolerated with minimal localized side-effects and without an increase in antileishmanial antibodies or interleukin (IL)-5.