The accuracy of anthropometric indices in detecting hypertension in Sudanese adults: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Hypertension is an increasing health problem; hence, efforts have been made to promote the disease's early detection and modify prognoses. We aim to evaluate the accuracy of body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and waist-height ratio (WHtR) in detecting hypertension among adults in Northern Sudan.

Methods: Adults were recruited for a multi-stage sampling survey in Northern Sudan.

Metformin ameliorates diabetes-induced hepatic ultrastructural damage and the immune biomarker CD86 and inflammation in rats.

Diabetes is a known inducer of hepatic ultrastructural alterations, and the expression of the immune biomarker that involves in T-cell immunity, cluster of differentiation 86 (CD86) is increased in diabetic patients with liver cirrhosis. The antidiabetic drug metformin has not previously been used to protect against type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)-induced alternations in hepatic ultrastructure and the induction of the hepatic CD86/inflammation axis in diabetic animal models induced by streptozotocin and a high fat diet. To test our hypotheses, T2DM was induced in rats (model group) and the protective animals were treated with the antidiabetic drug metformin (200 mg/kg) until being sacrificed at week 12.

The association between parity and type 2 diabetes mellitus: a cross-sectional, community-based study.

Background: Limited published data exist on the association between parity (number of deliveries) and diabetes mellitus (DM). This study was conducted to evaluate the association between parity and type 2 DM (T2DM) among Sudanese women.

Method: A multistage sampling survey was conducted in four villages in the River Nile State, Sudan, between July and September 2022.

Wear characteristics of zirconia-toughened epoxy/Kevlar-honeycomb composite lining for drilling casing.

Casing wear is a persistent issue in oil and gas drilling facilities that call for innovative more wear-resistant materials to mitigate casing failures. The present work examines the tribological performance of a novel composite lining comprised of Kevlar honeycomb in a matrix of epoxy reinforced with Zirconia particles against hardband drillpipe tooljoint (DP-TJ). Three side loads (1000, 1200, and 1400 N) and three DP-TJ speeds (0.

High rate of inadequate antenatal contacts among mothers in eastern Sudan: a cross-sectional study.

This study assesses the prevalence and determinants of inadequate (less than eight contacts) and late antenatal care (ANC) initiation (starting after 12 weeks) among mothers delivered at Gadarif Maternity Hospital in eastern Sudan. A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Gadarif Maternity Hospital. A questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic, clinical, and obstetric data through face-to-face interviews.

The effect of cesarean section on the dimensions and ratios of mons pubis.

Background: Pregnancy and labor can impact women's body contours. After a cesarean section, some women may experience aesthetic issues such as the formation of a panniculus and a bulging mons pubis. This study aimed to investigate the impact of cesarean sections on the dimensions of the mons pubis and their ratios.

Utilization of abandoned oil well logs and seismic data for modeling and assessing deep geothermal energy resources: A case study.

Hammam Faraun (HF) geothermal site in Egypt shows potential for addressing energy demand and fossil fuel shortages. This study utilizes abandoned oil well logs, seismic data, and surface geology to assess HF geothermal energy resources. Seismic interpretation identified a significant clysmic fault parallel to Hammam Faraun fault (HFF), named CLB fault.

Molecular modeling analysis for functionalized graphene/sodium alginate composite.

This study examined the functionalization of graphene with easily ionizable elements, such as lithium, and subsequently its interaction with the biopolymer sodium alginate (SA), to highlight its potential for biomedical applications. Utilizing Density Functional Theory (DFT), the research comprehensively investigated the structural, electronic, and spectroscopic properties of these graphene-based composites. The electronic properties of functionalized graphene were investigated using DFT at the B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level.

The prevalence and associated factors for primary headache disorders in adolescents in eastern Sudan: a community-based cross-sectional study.

Background: Headache disorder is the second-highest cause of disability worldwide; however, data are scarce on headache among adolescents, especially in Africa. There has yet to be published data on headache among adolescents in Sudan, the third-largest country in Africa. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of primary headache disorders and associated factors among adolescents (10-19 years) in eastern Sudan.

Analgesia to acidosis: metabolic acidosis due to chronic acetaminophen (paracetamol) use.

This case describes a rare occurrence of high anion gap metabolic acidosis due to chronic acetaminophen (paracetamol) usage, which can be confirmed by measuring 5-oxoproline (pyroglutamate), an organic acid metabolite. As acetaminophen is an extremely common drug prescribed in both inpatient and outpatient settings, a high degree of clinical suspicion is required to isolate it as the aetiology for metabolic acidosis. Management includes discontinuation of acetaminophen use and at times the supplementation of oral bicarbonate.

The Effects of Endosomal Toll-like Receptor Inhibitors in an EBV DNA-Exacerbated Inflammatory Bowel Disease Mouse Model.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a family member, is associated with an increased risk of autoimmune disease development in the host. We previously demonstrated that EBV DNA elevates levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-17A and that inhibiting Toll-like receptor (TLR) 3, 7, or 9 reduces its levels. Moreover, this DNA exacerbated colitis in a mouse model of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Tribological Characterization of a Novel Ceramic-Epoxy-Kevlar Composite.

This work aims to explore the effect of side load and rotational speed on the tribological behavior of a novel ceramic-epoxy composite in Kevlar matrix casing lining that is in contact with a rotating drillpipe tool joint (DP-TJ) coated with the same composite. Three rotational speeds (65, 115, and 154 rpm) and three side loads (500, 700, and 1000 N) were considered under water-based mud (WBM) lubrication. Wear depths, volumes, and specific casing wear rates (K) were determined for each combination of speed and load.

Second Trimester Spontaneous Fundal Rupture of Unscarred Bicornuate Uterus in Primipara: A Case Report and Literature Review; Jigjiga University Sheik Hassen Yabare Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Jigjiga, Ethiopia.

Background: Primary rupture of an unscarred uterus is rare. Spontaneous rupture of an unscarred bicornuate uterus is a life-threatening obstetric emergency with high morbidity and mortality in the mother and fetus; however, it most commonly occurs in the first trimester of pregnancy.

Case: A 20-year-old primigravid woman at 22 weeks of gestation, with no prior surgery, presented with severe abdominal pain, anemia, and hemodynamic instability.

Reliability and validity of artificial intelligence-based innovative digital scale for the assessment of anxiety in children.

Aim: To assess the reliability and validity of an AI-based, innovative digital scale for the assessment of dental anxiety in children.

Background: Dental anxiety still persists as a potential problem in managing the child in the dental office. There is a need to develop a gold standard scale to measure anxiety in children incorporating newer technology.

Treatment and practical considerations of diabetic kidney disease.

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a complication of diabetes that can lead to kidney failure. Over the years, several drugs have been developed to combat this disease. In the early 90s, angiotensin blockade (ACEi and ARBs) was introduced, which revolutionized the treatment of DKD.

The association between parity and hypertension: a cross-sectional, community-based study.

Background: The available data on the association between parity and hypertension are inconclusive. This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of hypertension and its association with parity among adult Sudanese women.

Methods: A multi-stage sampling survey was conducted in four villages in the River Nile State in Sudan between July and September 2022.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward depression among physicians in Sudan.

Objectives: The present study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of physicians in Sudan regarding depression.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among physicians who practiced at public and private health facilities in Sudan in December of 2022. An online Google form questionnaire was administered that included knowledge, practice, and sociodemographic sections of the depression attitude questionnaire.

Organoboron Complexes as Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence (TADF) Materials for Organic Light-Emitting Diodes (OLEDs): A Computational Study.

We report on organoboron complexes characterized by very small energy gaps (ΔE) between their singlet and triplet states, which allow for highly efficient harvesting of triplet excitons into singlet states for working as thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) devices. Energy gaps ranging between 0.01 and 0.

Association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations and hypertension among adults in North Sudan: a community-based cross-sectional study.

Background: Globally, hypertension represents a major public health problem. The association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) levels and hypertension remains unclear. The current study aimed to investigate the association between serum 25(OH)D levels and hypertension among adults in Sudan.

Leadless pacemaker implantation in elderly patients with abandoned transvenous pacemakers with depleted batteries.

This spotlight article gives two clinical case examples for the implementation of a suggested safe and feasible strategy to implant leadless pacemakers instead of changing the generators of transvenous pacemakers with depleted batteries in elderly patients.

Host preference and human blood index of Phlebotomus orientalis, an exophilic sand fly vector of visceral leishmaniasis in eastern Sudan.

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL, kala azar), caused by Leishmania donovani, transmitted by Phlebotomus orientalis, is a serious systemic disease that causes high morbidity and mortality rates in Sudan and other parts of East Africa and the world. Despite progress in understanding the epidemiology of the disease in East Africa, little is known about the host preference of P. orientalis in kala azar endemic villages of Sudan, which have some of the highest VL incidence rates in the world.

COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among pregnant women: a hospital-based cross-sectional study in Sudan.

Introduction: Pregnancy increases the risk of developing a severe illness due to COVID-19 infection. To the best of our knowledge, no previous study has been conducted on COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among pregnant women in Sudan. Hence, this study aimed to determine COVID-19 vaccination acceptance and its predictors among pregnant women.

Association between seropositivity and hypertension among adults in Northern Sudan: a community-based case-control study.

Objective: The association between and hypertension is unclear. Herein, we aimed to investigate the association between and hypertension among adults in Sudan.

Methods: We conducted a community-based case-control study (175 participants in each arm) in the Wad Hamid district in northern Sudan.

Attitude and Practices of Paediatric Dentists towards Parental Guidance on Dental Trauma. A cross-sectional survey.

Aim: There is a lack of sufficient information about the protocols followed by paediatric dentists in informing parents about traumatic dental injuries as a part of anticipatory guidance. Hence, the aim of this study was to assess paediatric dentists' attitudes and practices about parental guidance regarding these injuries.

Materials: This was a cross-sectional survey conducted using a validated questionnaire emailed through Google form to approximately 2500 paediatric dentists in various world regions.