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Biological invasions are one of the most defining features of the Anthropocene. Most studies on biological invasions focus on the later stages of the invasion process, that is after species have already become naturalized. It is frequently overlooked, however, that patterns in origin, phylogeny and traits of naturalized alien species might largely reflect which species have been introduced in the first place. Here, we quantify and assess such introduction biases by analyzing 5317 plant species introduced for cultivation (i.e. primarily as ornamental garden plants) in the 10 countries composing Southern Africa. We show that this cultivated alien flora represents a non-random subset of the global flora and that this bias at the introduction stage largely contributes to patterns in geographic origin, phylogenetic composition and traits of the naturalized flora. For example, while species from Australasia are, compared to the global flora, disproportionally overrepresented in the naturalized cultivated flora of Southern Africa, this pattern is driven by their higher likelihood of introduction for cultivation. The same is true for the overrepresentation of free-standing woody species in the naturalized cultivated flora. The strong phylogenetic clustering of the naturalized cultivated flora is also, to a large extent, driven by introduction bias. Although functional traits explained little variation in naturalization success of cultivated plants, naturalization success was more likely for plants with intermediate seed mass and height and high specific leaf area. Thus, despite strong biases in which species have been introduced to Southern Africa, there are significant patterns in the species characteristics related to naturalization probability. Our quantification of introduction biases demonstrates that they are huge, and that accounting for it is important to avoid over- or underemphasizing the characteristics of successfully naturalized alien plants. published

Dosimetry is a field of increasing importance in diagnostic radiology. There has been a realization among healthcare professionals that the dose of radiation received by patients via modern medical X-ray examinations could induce acute damage to the skin and eyes. The present study highlights the synthesis of polyvinyl alcohol/nitro blue tetrazolium nanocomposite films (PVA/NBT) for radiation detection depending on chromic, optical, chemical and morphologic changes. First, we synthesized the nanocomposite film-based PVA doped with NBT and the different parameters of the preparation procedure were optimized. Then The films were exposed to different low X-ray doses on the scale of mGy level (0, 2, 4, 10 and 20 mGy). The sensitivity and the performance of the made composite films were evaluated via different characterization methods. Indeed, the response curve based on UV-Vis absorptions revealed a linear increase in absorbance with increased radiation doses (R = 0.998). FTIR analysis showed a clear chemical modification in recorded spectra after irradiation. X-ray diffraction assessment revealed clear structural changes in crystallinity after ionization treatment. SEM analysis showed a clear morphological modification of PVA/NBT films after irradiation. In addition, the prepared PVA/NBT films exhibited excellent pre- and post-irradiation stability in dark and light. Finally, the quantitative colorimetry study confirmed the performance of the prepared films and the different colorimetric coordinates, the total color difference (∆E) and the color strength (K/S) showed a linear increase with increasing X-ray doses. The made nanocomposite PVA/NBT film might offer promising potential for an effective highly sensitive medical dosimeter applied for very low doses in X-ray diagnostic radiology.

Background Nutcracker syndrome is an easily missed cause of hematuria in children. It is characterized by left renal vein entrapment between the abdominal aorta and the superior mesenteric artery causing renal venous hypertension. Intermittent hematuria and orthostatic proteinuria with or without abdominal or flank pain are the common clinical manifestations. Presence of variable non-specific symptoms and non-significant physical findings results in a delayed diagnosis. Case presentation We present a ten -year -old girl with four episodes of painless gross hematuria and recurrent microscopic hematuria since the age of two years. Doppler ultrasound showed left renal vein compression while 3 D computerized tomography angiography confirmed the diagnosis of an anterior nutcracker. The patient was conservatively treated with nutritional support (pediasure complete formula and high calorie food), iron supplements and followed up, monitored for anemia, hypertension and renal insufficiency. Conclusion Nutcracker syndrome is a rare cause of recurrent gross hematuria in children. A high index of suspicion and proper imaging is needed to reach a proper diagnosis and avoid the psychological and financial stress on the family.

Background Many studies have supported a number of associations between ABO blood type and certain diseases, including pancreatic cancer, venous thromboembolism, and myocardial infarction in the presence of coronary atherosclerosis, sexual maturity, breast cancer, cancer, infections, Diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, peptic ulcers, intelligence and socioeconomic class, personality, suicide, BMI and obesity. Objectives To find any relation of the ABO blood groups to overweight and obesity. Patients, materials, and methods A prospective randomized study including 885 overweight or obese patients from a total of 896 patients, they were consulting for advice, diet and or drugs and various bariatric operations. This was conducted over the period of 6 years from February 1st, 2012 to March 1st, 2018. The patients were arranged in 2 groups. 1. Group A: 885 overweight or obese patients. 2. Group B: 20011 blood donors. Results Regarding the frequency of ABO blood groups among the overweight and obese patients, group O was the most common (n = 361, 40.80%), as it is in the population sample (n = 7563, 37.80%). Although group A and B were comparable, patients in group AB composes (11.41%) of the overweight and obese patients, while the prevalence of group AB is (07.36%) in the population sample, there is statistically important positive relation between overweight and obesity to ABO group type AB, r = 0.98), (P Conclusion In the ABO blood group system, group AB was more susceptible to develop overweight and obesity in Kurd race.

Studies on plant invasions depend on local and regional checklists of the alien flora. However, global overview studies have shown that some regions, including many African countries, remain understudied in this regard. To contribute to filling this gap, here we present the first checklist of alien plants of Sudan and South Sudan (the Sudans). We analysed the taxonomic and geographical composition of the species on this list. Our result show that of the 113 alien species in Sudans (99 in Sudan and 59 in South Sudan), 92 (81.4%) are naturalized and 21 (18.6%) are just casual aliens. The number of naturalized species represent 2.2% of the total flora of the Sudans (4096). The alien species belong to 44 families and 85 genera, and many of them are native to Southern America and Northern America (85.8%). Annual and perennial herbs are the prevailing life forms in the alien flora of the Sudans (68.1%), and, among the casual species, perennial herbs are underrepresented whereas woody tree species are over-represented. Alien plants of the Sudans are mostly used for medicinal and environmental purposes globally. The naturalized plants predominantly occur in man-made disturbed habitats, such as agricultural and ruderal habitats. This first overview of the alien flora of the Sudans should stimulate further research and recording of the alien flora to better understand the drivers and consequences of alien plants in the Sudans.

The aim of the current study was to synthesize polyvinyl alcohol Cuprous Oxide composite films (PVA/Cu2O) for radiation detection depending on optical changes. The method adapted from solving of 5% PVA in hot (80 °C) stirred water and after cooling to ambient temperature a 0.5 g of Cu2O dissolved and stirred for 2 h. The films were made by casting in petri dishes contained 20 ml/each. The pealed films were enveloped after drying and receiving radiation doses of 1, 2, 4, 6 … 12 Gy. The analysis revealed a gradient change in color of films from light pink to dark brown with absorption peaks at 215 and 415 nm through entire doses which were increase as dose increment. The optical density of films increases linearly and significantly (R2 = 0.9) as the dose increases from 0.06 (arb. unit) at 1 Gy to 0.4 (a u) at 12 Gy with sensitivity at 0.06 mGy. The energy band gap of the film decreased as the radiation dose increases from 3 × 10−12 to 2 × 10−12 eV. Conclusively; the feasibility of utilizing PVA/Cu2O composite films as radiation detector and personal dosimeter would be applicable in rural sectors and low economic countries. Keywords: PVA, Films, Dosimeters, Cuprous, Radiation, Optical

Background One of the top worldwide health problems is overweight and obesity, Body weight gain over a number of years could be achieved through cumulative positive energy balances, which may be the result of habitual behaviors adopted through personal choice. Despite the increased in physical activity, the percentage of people who are overweight has increased, after decades-old efforts and awareness on the issue to nudge consumers towards healthier lifestyles through dietary guidelines, diet-related diseases are still on the rise. Is there potential variables need to be evaluated for any relation with gaining weight and obesity in the patient's life styles? Objectives Exploration of the possible factors in the life style of overweight and obese patients, resulting in weight gain. Patients and Methods A prospective randomized study including 440 overweight or obese patients from a total of 689 patients, who consulted for advice, diet and or drugs and various bariatric operations. This was conducted in the period of 5 years from January 2, 2012 to October 1, 2017. For the information collection, each patient was interviewed face-to-face, by three Surgical Board Trainees were interviewing patients face-to-face to fill an originally-designed questionnaire in English translated to the Kurdish language. The questionnaire was composed of demographic data, medical data, biological data, and potential factors of their overweight or obesity. A comparison was made between these patients in the conception of case matching to 446 patients who were of normal body weight, and a normal BMI. Results Most of the patients (females; n = 200, 86.95% and males; n = 167, 79.52%) in group A, while (females; n = 14, 5.90% and males; n = 21, 10.05%) were drinking water within 30 min after every meals, meanwhile (females; n = 202, 85.23%, and males; n = 173, 82.77%) from group B patients were drinking water 60 min after every meals. Nearly half of the patients have a Television in their kitchen/dining room (n = 239/440, 54.39%), however only (51.59%), (13.90%) of the patients from group A, and B respectively were watching TV while eating, A great number of the patients (Group A: n = 358, 81.36%) were operating their computers while eating, versus minority (n = 53, 11.88%), in Group B, and majority of the patients in group A were using their smart phones or making phone calls while eating (n = 390/440, 88.63%) versus small number (n = 49/460, 10.65%) in group B. Conclusion Excessive habitual usage of a cell phone, early drinking (within 30 min) of water or other liquids after meals may be the potential factors in the initiation of becoming overweight and obese. University students living in the areas where entertainments are not affordable for all, the only remaining entertainment is using cellphones for social media and communication may be more vulnerable to gain weight, overweight and obesity.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the behavioral signs of diabetic rats after treatment by Artemisia herba-alba (AHA) and insulin. Method: Based on the induction of diabetes in wistar rats by intraperitoneal (I/P) injection of 60 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ), then treated by AHA as 20 mg (I/P) and insulin subcutaneously (S/C). The samples of rats were: 1) Diabetic control, 2) Injected with insulin, 3) Injected with AHA, 4) Non diabetic rats, which were fostered for 21 day; then weighted and the behavioral tests were conducted. Results: The board hole tests (BHT) showed that: the induced diabetes reduced the cognition of the rats in view of Latency of the First Head Dipping (LFHD) in seconds, number of head dipping (NHD) and duration of head dipping (DHD) by 49.3%, while it’s improved in AHA and insulin treated rats by 52% and 69% in average respectively. The exploratory activity reduced in diabetic rats by 36%, while AHA and Insulin treated rats increased by 53% and 72% respectively. The rearing test showed an increase of anxiety among diabetic in form of duration of rearing, number of rearing and time spend in center by 51.7% in average respectively, while the anxiety reduced after treatment by AHA and insulin by 39% and 47.3% in average respectively. Also the diabetes increased the depression state by 106%, while the treatment by AHA and insulin reduced the depression state by 77% and 88% respectively. And VPT showed that: motor impairment occurred in diabetic cases and improved after AHA and insulin treatment.

The aim of this study was to study the technical factors affecting the reading of TLD (LiF:Mg:Ti) for radiation dosimetry. The method adapted was an exposure of LiF:Mg:Ti crystal with γ-ray with the following filters (Hp 0.07 and Hp 10), before and after usage of filter Hp (0.07), annealing, cooling by nitrogen flux and crystal morphology by scanning electron microscope. The collected data analyzed by EXCELL software showed that: TLD average count/second (C/s) with filter Hp (10) was greater than that obtained with filter Hp (0.07) with an amount of 1191 c/s (19%). Also the analysis showed that: the average C/s without filter Hp (0.07) was greater than that with filter by an amount of 994.5 C/s (16.4%), and there was proportional linear relationship; as the applied dose increased the TLD C/s increased significantly (R2 = 0.9) based on the equations: y = 885.1x ? 286.5 and y = 860.5x + 856.8 for filtered and without filtered beam respectively, where x refers to applied dose in mGy and y refers to C/s. Also the average C/s without nitrogen flux (cooling) was greater than with nitrogen count with an amount of 52.4 C/s (11%). The annealing (without filter) causes a reduction in dose by 82.2 μGy (19.2%), and in case of annealing with filter, the dose reduced by 66.7 μGy (21.9%) relative to annealing without filter. The morphology of TLD crystal shown by scanning electron microscope SEM was a darkening surface after irradiation.

The spleen is one of the most frequently affected organs in sickle cell anemia (SCA). This study aims to characterize the spleen in sickle cell anemia patients using contrast enhanced computerized tomography scanning (CECT). 67 patients with SCA from different Saudi Arabian areas were enrolled; ages are ranged from 10 months to 28 years old. The spleen was assessed with CT for abdominal pain and/or unexplained fever. The evaluation was done at different contrast enhancement scanning phases. The study showed that the least number of affected patients was from Eastern Saudi Arabia (1.5%) followed by Asseer (16.4%) then Gazan representing 82.1%. The most common type of SCA affected the Saudi children is Hemoglobin SS Disease (Hb SS) constituting 41 (61.2%). The spleen size, lymph nodes size, spleen Hounsfield (HU), splenic vein diameter and the correlation with the associated findings were evaluated for all of the patients. In children affected with SCA: 26 (38.8%) have splenomegaly, 18 (26.9%) have atrophied spleen and 2 (3.0%) are with very small tissue like structure. Lesions found in the spleen were abscess, infarction, cyst, and calcifications. At the spleen hilum region; dilated splenic vein, presence of multiple collaterals, and thrombus were also been detected. Significantly correlations were noticed between lesions type, child age, enlargement of spleen and splenic lymph nodes at P ≤ 0.033, P ≤ 0.010 and P ≤ 0.012 respectively and showed an evidence that the reduction of the HU and advanced age have significant relation with changing of the spleen size at P ≤ 0.004 and P ≤ 0.000 respectively. Spleen lesions’ enhancement pattern is well emerged in both venous and delay phase and it was significantly related with the scanning phase at P ≤ 0.000 and with different types of SCA at P ≤ 0.037, and P ≤ 0.055 in venous and delay phase in respectively. CECT offers a number of morphological criteria that can be applied to differentiate hypodense lesions of the spleen in SCA. CT characterization criteria of hypodense splenic lesions are acknowledged to aid interpretation during evaluation of abdominal CT images of the spleen in symptomatic patients with sickle cell anemia.

Background: the following study aimed to reveals the heart diseases (HD) prevalence, distribution and co-factors in Sudanese population during June 2014-June 2015 and to answer the questions related to, in Sudan. Methods: The data collected from different hospitals as gender, age, body mass index BMI, smoking habits, residential states, Pathologies, cardiothoracic ratio CCT, symptoms and breathing rate. Results: showed that HD were predominant among male with 56% and peaked among 65-77 year old, most of sample were either obese or overweight representing 57% or 35% respectively. The common cofactors for HD were the socio-economic, smoking, hypertension and obesity which representing 90%, 75%, 60% and 57% respectively. The heart diseases HD incidence in Khartoum, Aljazeera, White Nile, Red Sea, and West of Sudan was 40%, 25%, 20%, 10% and 5% respectively. The common type of HD was Coronary Arteries, Valves, Myocardial infarction, and Congestive Heart Failure representing 45%, 17%, 23%, and 15% respectively. And signs were Hypertension, Diabetes mellitus, High Cholesterol, breathing rate, edema, palpitation with relative frequencies 9%, 11%, 6%, 12%, 8% and 10% respectively. Patients’ cardiothoracic ratio CTR exceeding normal level (0.5), A significant relationship between CTR and Breathing rate (BR) (R 2 = 0.8) fits in CTR=0.02BR+0.2 as well between age and BR (R 2 ) fits in BR=0.21age + 12.84. And all patients had BR exceeding the adult normal range (12-20). Conclusions: HD could be as endemic to increase mortality following the uneasy avoidable cofactors in the nearest future.

Background The increasing incidence of morbid obesity suggests that the quantity of bariatric surgical procedures will continue to multiply each year, many patients who have experienced massive weight loss are left with the dissatisfying consequences of loose and redundant skin, resulting in contour irregularities, an aesthetic and functional problem, and profound dissatisfaction with appearance, residual body image dissatisfaction, There is a subsequent increase in the number of patients seeking additional corrective procedures including abdominoplasty which considered as one of the most popular body-contouring procedures. Correcting skin excess, could improve all the corollaries, including body, and functional problems and gives profound satisfaction with appearance, it has shown to improve both psychological and social aspects of the patients' lives. Objectives Is there a gender difference in seeking body countering after bariatric surgery for weight loss? Patients and methods A longitudinal observational study includes 209 obese patients with mean age of 31 ± 8.6 years; (31 ± 9, 31 ± 7 years for female and male patients respectively). Gender ratio M/F = 1.94/1, mean BMI 40 ± 9 kg/m2sin (n = 138 female) and 45±8m2s in (n = 71 male) patients, and Waist circumference 109 ± 7 cm in female and 118 ± 4 cm in males. Results Some female (n = 10, 7.25%) patients were seeking abdominoplasty from the third month after the operations were they have lost (21 ± 2 kg) of their excess weight, fourteen patients (10.14%), at 6 months and 27 patients (19.56%) at 12 months, but most of male patients were requesting abdominoplasty (n = 7, 09.86%) at 12 months after the operations. Male patients have shifted their ideal from weight loss to abdominoplasty after losing (50–70) of their excess weight 12 months after the operations. The main motivation of requesting abdominoplasty in female and male patients was physical difficulty because of redundant skin, and a smaller number in both genders were motivated by a friend or by a doctor. Conclusion The motivation for abdominoplasty in females is parallel to the amount of EWL or waist circumference. Female patients are looking for body countering three months after surgery, while male patients more often than not request body shaping following one year after surgery, the age groups are invert in genders; female patients asking for body contouring in younger age group while male patients in older age group.

Summary To find an association between smoking and the development of myocardial infarction in male patients above forty years of age presenting at the echocardiology department of Sudan heart center Khartoum. A prospective cohort study was carried out at the echocardiography department of Sudan Heart Center in Khartoum-Sudan between July 2012 and June 2014. The study population comprised a total of 168 adult male patients who underwent cardiac ultrasound scanning. Out of a total of 144 cases, 65% (94) of patients were smokers, 74% of the 94 cases smoked for more than 10 years, and 26% of the 94 cases smoked for less than 10 years. With this study it was concluded that smoking is a risk factor for the development of myocardial infarction. This study showed that patients with myocardial infarction are more likely to have a past history of smoking.

Objective: To analyse the impact of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) Multidimensional Approach (IMA) and INICC Surveillance Online System (ISOS) on central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) rates in five intensive care units (ICUs) from October 2013 to September 2015. Design: Prospective, before-after surveillance study of 3769 patients hospitalised in four adult ICUs and one paediatric ICU in five hospitals in five cities. During baseline, we performed outcome and process surveillance of CLABSI applying CDC/NHSN definitions. During intervention, we implemented IMA and ISOS, which included: (1) a bundle of infection prevention practice interventions; (2) education; (3) outcome surveillance; (4) process surveillance; (5) feedback on CLABSI rates and consequences; and (6) performance feedback of process surveillance. Bivariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed. Results: During baseline, 4468 central line (CL) days and 31 CLABSIs were recorded, accounting for 6.9 CLABSIs per 1000 CL-days. During intervention, 12,027 CL-days and 37 CLABSIs were recorded, accounting for 3.1 CLABSIs per 1000 CL-days. The CLABSI rate was reduced by 56% (incidence-density rate, 0.44; 95% confidence interval, 0.28–0.72; P = 0.001). Conclusions: Implementing IMA through ISOS was associated with a significant reduction in the CLABSI rate in the ICUs of Saudi Arabia.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of sickle cell diseases (SCD) on renal arteries blood flow indices by using of color Doppler ultrasonography (CDU) in addition to relationships with age and body mass index (BMI). The method adapted was an experimental study among a sample consists of 115 SCD patients and 100 as control group. CDU of the main renal and segmental arteries performed among all patients and controls. All the patients were scanned in stable state condition. The results analysis carried out by EXCELL software for the collected variables which revealed that: the patients showed higher resistivity index RI and pulsatility index PI than control subjects (for patients 0.8 & 1.5 and 0.7 & 1.4 for control group. The significant positive correlation between RI and age (r = 0.194, and r = 0.061) for patients and control group respectively in the right renal artery and as well the RI correlated proportionally with BMI (r=0.53) for patients and (r=0.05) for control group.