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The present study investigates the anti-inflammatory, analgesic effect, and gastric disturbance of curcumin compared with celecoxib and prednisolone. Sixty male rats divided into (Group 1 and G2: control, G3, G4, and G5: orally received celecoxib, prednisolone, and curcumin respectively then received carrageenan in paw after 14 days. Edema, oxidative markers, analgesic, ulcerogenic activity, skin expression of (nuclear factor kappa-β (NF-kappaβ), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), Interleukin-1β (IL1β), IL 6 and IL 10) and gastric mRNA expression of (Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), interleukin 8 (IL8), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), NFκβ and Superoxide dismutase (SOD)) were measured. This result revealed that curcumin significantly improved edema, ulcerogenic, analgesic activity, and oxidative markers like celecoxib and prednisolone effect when compared with carrageenan. Curcumin significantly downregulated mRNA expression of the inflammatory markers of skin and gastric mucosae like celecoxib and prednisolone effect when compared with carrageenan. Curcumin, celecoxib, and prednisolone significantly upregulated skin (IL10) compared with carrageenan. Curcumin significantly upregulated Ho-1, SOD, and Nrf2 compared with carrageenan, celecoxib, and prednisolone. Based on the above it could conclude that curcumin displayed anti-inflammatory and analgesic with minimum gastric disturbance, unlike celecoxib and prednisolone.

Historical carpets are representing one of the most artistic treasures, which ought to be saved for the next generations. Therefore, this paper presents scientific strategies to conserve a unique archaeological Carpet, which was kept under uncontrolled storage conditions. The carpet is highly decorated and dates to the modern era, AH 13th / AD 19th. It was stored in Prince Mohammed Ali Palace Museum in El-Manial (Cairo) under no.90 / 112 Record 2. As this carpet suffered from severe damage, an appropriate plan had to be drawn up to restore it properly using microscopic and spectroscopic techniques. Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to identify the kinds of dyes, while X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to identify mordants. Optical microscope and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) were used to identify the kind of fibers, their condition, and surface morphology. The AutoCAD program was used to document the whole carpet with all its decorations and aspects of damage. The obtained results confirmed that the threads used in the Carpet are wool fibers; the fibers suffer from severe dehydration, brittleness, and fragility; also, the fibers have cross-slits and thick deposits on the surface. Moreover, the presence of Madder, Indigo, and weld dyes were found. The mordants used were alum, potassium dichromate, and Ferrous sulfate. The deterioration factor was dust alongside the other physical factors. The treatment of the archaeological carpet was performed by removing old erroneous restoration works, Moisturizing fibers, Attempts to dry cleaning, Washing, Drying, Consolidating by fixing on a new linen fabric supporter which was stretched on a wooden frame (according to the Safety requirements), and finally sterilizing by Nano-silver.يمثل السجاد التاريخي أحد أکثر الکنوز الفنية التي يجب الحفاظ عليها للأجيال القادمة. لذلک تقدم هذه الورقة البحثية استراتيجيات علمية لصيانة سجادة آثرية فريدة حفظت في ظروف تخزين غير متحکم فيها. السجادة غنية بالزخارف وتعود إلى العصر الحديث (القرن 13 هـ - 19 م). وقد کانت مخزنة في متحف قصر الأمير محمد علي بالمنيل (القاهرة) تحت رقم 90/112سجل 2. ونظرا للتلف الشديد الذي کانت تعاني منه هذه السجادة کان لا بد من وضع خطة علاج مناسبة لترميمها بشکل صحيح وذلک باستخدام التقنيات الميکروسکوبية والطيفية. فقد تم استخدام التحليل الطيفي بالأشعة تحت الحمراء (FTIR) لتحديد أنواع الأصباغ، في حين تم استخدام حيود الأشعة السينية (XRD) لتحديد المرسخات. کما تم استخدام المجهر البصري والمجهر الإلکتروني الماسح (SEM) لتحديد نوع الألياف وحالتها وشکلها المورفولوجي. واستخدم برنامج الأوتوکاد AutoCAD)) لتوثيق السجادة بالکامل بما تحمله من زخارف ومظاهر تلف.وقد أکدت النتائج أن الخيوط المستخدمة في السجادة هي ألياف صوفية، الألياف تعاني من جفاف شديد وتقصف وهشاشية، ايضا احتواء الألياف على شقوق عرضية وترسيبات سميکة على السطح. علاوة على ذلک ، تم العثور على أصباغ الفوة، النيلة الزرقاء، والبليحة. وکانت المرسخات المستخدمة هي الشبة، ثاني کرومات البوتاسيوم، وکبريتات الحديدوز. وکان عامل التلف الأتربة بجانب العوامل الفيزيائية الأخرى.وتم معالجة السجادة الآثرية بإزالة أعمال الترميم القديمة الخاطئة ، ترطيب الألياف ، محاولات للتنظيف الجاف ، الغسيل ، التجفيف ، التقوية عن طريق التثبيت على حامل کتاني جديد تم شده على إطار خشبي (وفقا لمتطلبات السلامة)، وأخيرا التعقيم بالفضة النانوية.

AIM: This study aimed to compare the central corneal thickness (CCT) measurements using Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and TMS-5 topographer with that taken with the gold standard digital Ultrasonic pachymeter (USP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 61 subjects (122 eyes) were prospectively and consecutively studied in a period from June 2016 to June 2017 at Sudan Eye Centre (SEC), Khartoum, Sudan. Besides the visual and refractive data, measurements of CCT were taken using OCT, TMS-5 and USP. Data analyzed using SPSS software for windows (IBM SPSS 20, IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). RESULTS: A statistically significant differences in mean CCT was detected between the three instruments (P < 0.001). USP was found to measure the CCT 29μm thicker than OCT and 22μm thicker than TMS-5 topographer. A significant difference was also found between OCT and TMS-5. OCT found to give the lower values of CCT compared to both USP and TMS-5 topographer. Further analysis showed that the three procedures were significantly and strongly correlated to each other (USP vs OCT, r = 0.77), (USP vs TMS-5, r = 0.78) and (OCT vs TMS-5, r = 0.80). CONCLUSION: Mean central corneal thicknesses (CCT) were comparable among OCT, TMS-5 topographer and the gold standard USP. However, there is a reproducible systematic difference between CCT measurements taken with the three devices. It is important to note in clinical practice, that measurements acquired by these three modalities are not directly interchangeable.

Background: The aim of this study was to characterize the drug resistance profile, and the specific lineages of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) strains isolated from patients with pulmonary TB in the state of Khartoum in Sudan. Methods: Consecutive sputum samples and clinical data were collected from 406 smear-positive TB patients with pulmonary TB in 2007–2009. The samples were cultured, and drug susceptibility testing (DST) was performed using the proportion method (PM) on solid Lowenstein–Jensen medium, and species were identified using biochemical methods at the National Reference Laboratory (NRL) in Khartoum. Extracted deoxyribonucleic acid from a total of 120, 60 suspected multidrug-resistant isolates (MDR), and 60 non-MDR isolates were subsequently sent to the WHO supranational reference laboratory (SRL) in Stockholm at the Public Health Agency of Sweden, for confirmation of the drug resistance profile, examinations by line probe assay (LPA), and molecular epidemiology analysis with Spoligotyping. Results: LPA results correlated 100% for non-MDR and 62% for the suspected MDR strains when compared to the DST results obtained by PM at the NRL. Two strains were initially using the PM identified as MDR-TB but later shown by Hain GenoType Mycobacterium CM/AS to belong Mycobacterium avium complex (Mycobacterium intracelluare). These two strains were excluded from the study material for further analysis. The remaining 58 MDR strains were analyzed using LPA, and 36 strains were confirmed as MDR, 10 as rifampicin monoresistant, and eight as isoniazid-monoresistant. Spoligotyping for all the 118 MTB isolates revealed a total of 115 patterns in which four patterns represented major clusters with a total of 108 (91%) of the strains. The CAS1_Delhi/family was the predominant type and detected in 62 isolates (52%), of which 26 were MDR and 36 were susceptible. It was followed by H3/family with 19 (16%) strains, and 11 Latin American Mediterranean3/family, 16 T2/T1, and two strains each of the Beijing and S lineage. Conclusion: Comparison of DST results obtained using PM and LPA showed 100% agreement for the non-MDR strains but only 62% for the MDR strains. Taking in consideration the time, risk of contamination and the cost of labour to identify MDR TB, the LPA have clear advantages in early detection of MDRTB than the PM. Additionally in this study material Spoligotyping revealed the CAS1 Delhi as the most predominant family. We could not see no major difference in lineages between MDR and non-MDR strains.

Objective: To study the sensitivity and specificity of line probe assay (LPA) and GeneXpert compared with drug susceptibility test (DST). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted for 126 TB patients in Sudan. Mycobacterium tuberculosis was identified by drug susceptibility test. The smear-positive sputum specimens were screened for rapid detection of resistance to rifampicin (RIF) and isoniazid (INH) by molecular LPA and GeneXpert assay. Results: 67.5% of patients were male, 19.8% were new cases, 57.1% were previously treated TB patients, and 64.3% of the affected patients were in the age group of 16–30 years. About 32.5% of samples were MDR by both DST and LPA, 66.7% were sensitive by both DST and LPA, and 0.79% were MDR by DST and sensitive by LPA. However, 36.51% of samples were MDR by both DST and GeneXpert, and 63.49% were sensitive by both DST and GeneXpert. There was no significant difference between DST and LPA technique (P = 0.50). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of LPA were 97.6%, 100%, 97.6%, and 100%, respectively; while for GeneXpert, they were 100%, 100%, 100% and 100%, respectively. The RIF resistance was associated with mutation in the region of rpoB 530-533, mostly S531L mutation, and the most INH resistant samples (98.58%) were linked with KatG gene and codon 315 (S315T1). Conclusions: The molecular assays are the best screening tools for MDR TB, which may exceed TB diagnoses.

When two strains of bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia) were tested on seedlings of cotton cultivar Giza 86, they did not show any significant effects on plant height and dry weight. The two bacterial strains were also nonpathogenic (0.0 % infection). The Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain was more effective in reducing damping-off symptoms caused by Fusarium oxysporum isolates nos 1 and 2 whereas, S. maltophilia was effective against F. oxysporum isolate no. 4. Although the two bacterial strains reduced damping-off on cotton seedlings caused by Fusarium fungal isolate no. 3, P. aeruginosa was more effective than S. maltophilia. Fusarium oxysporum isolates nos. 1 and 2 significantly reduced plant height than isolates nos. 3 and 4. Strain of S. maltophilia significantly increased dry weight of cotton seedlings when soil was infested with isolates nos 3 or 4 of F. oxysporum. In vitro antagonism tests showed that P. aeruginosa inhibited growth of F. oxysporum isolates. The inhibition ranged from 19.33 to 31.0 %. On the other hand, S. maltophilia did not show any inhibition of F. oxysporum isolates growth. The two bacterial strains did not show any significant effects on the activities of peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase, while the s- 1, 3 glucanase activity was significantly increased. The total and reduced sugar contents were significantly increased due to the application of the two bacterial strains but P. aeruginosa was more effective. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the only strain which significantly increased free phenols.

The aim of this study was to characterize the drug resistance profile, and the specific lineages of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) strains isolated from patients with pulmonary TB in the state of Khartoum in Sudan.Consecutive sputum samples and clinical data were collected from 406 smear-positive TB patients with pulmonary TB in 2007-2009. The samples were cultured, and drug susceptibility testing (DST) was performed using the proportion method (PM) on solid Löwenstein-Jensen medium, and species were identified using biochemical methods at the National Reference Laboratory (NRL) in Khartoum. Extracted deoxyribonucleic acid from a total of 120, 60 suspected multidrug-resistant isolates (MDR), and 60 non-MDR isolates were subsequently sent to the WHO supranational reference laboratory (SRL) in Stockholm at the Public Health Agency of Sweden, for confirmation of the drug resistance profile, examinations by line probe assay (LPA), and molecular epidemiology analysis with Spoligotyping.LPA results correlated 100% for non-MDR and 62% for the suspected MDR strains when compared to the DST results obtained by PM at the NRL. Two strains were initially using the PM identified as MDR-TB but later shown by Hain GenoType Mycobacterium CM/AS to belong Mycobacterium avium complex (Mycobacterium intracelluare). These two strains were excluded from the study material for further analysis. The remaining 58 MDR strains were analyzed using LPA, and 36 strains were confirmed as MDR, 10 as rifampicin monoresistant, and eight as isoniazid-monoresistant. Spoligotyping for all the 118 MTB isolates revealed a total of 115 patterns in which four patterns represented major clusters with a total of 108 (91%) of the strains. The CAS1_Delhi/family was the predominant type and detected in 62 isolates (52%), of which 26 were MDR and 36 were susceptible. It was followed by H3/family with 19 (16%) strains, and 11 Latin American Mediterranean3/family, 16 T2/T1, and two strains each of the Beijing and S lineage.Comparison of DST results obtained using PM and LPA showed 100% agreement for the non-MDR strains but only 62% for the MDR strains. Taking in consideration the time, risk of contamination and the cost of labour to identify MDR TB, the LPA have clear advantages in early detection of MDRTB than the PM. Additionally in this study material Spoligotyping revealed the CAS1 Delhi as the most predominant family. We could not see no major difference in lineages between MDR and non-MDR strains.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of gestational diabetes (GDM) has increased recently worldwide, mainly due to adoption of the International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Group (IADPSG) criteria. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of GDM in Saudi women and to assess risk factors and pregnancy outcomes using the IADPSG criteria. DESIGN AND SETTING: A prospective descriptive study of pregnant Saudi women presenting at the Maternity and Children Hospital, Medina, Saudi Arabia, between October 2011 and June 2014. METHODS: Fasting plasma glucose, glycated hemoglobin, and random plasma glucose concentrations were obtained for all participants at the first antenatal visit. In women with normal results, screening for GDM was performed at 24 to 28 weeks of gestation, with a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Women who had GDM were treated with diet, exercise, and insulin as needed. Pregnancy outcomes were recorded after delivery. Multiple logistic regression was used to assess possible risk factors for GDM. RESULTS: Early screenings showed abnormal glucose in 211 of 954 women (22.1%). In 445 women, the OGTT showed GDM in 183 women (39.4%). GDM cases identified by OGTT and by early screening increased the rate of GDM to 51% (292 women). Older maternal age, higher body mass index, higher blood pressure, past GDM, history of delivering a malformed child, and family history of diabetes were the main risk factors for GDM. GDM increased the risk of neonatal hypoglycemia (OR 9.353), low Apgar score (OR 5.546), and induction of labor (OR 2.33). The newborns of GDM mothers had a higher birth weight: 3043 g vs. 2890 g in the non-GDM group (P=.004). Other maternal and neonatal outcomes were not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of GDM is high among Saudi women. Timely and effective treatment reduces perinatal morbidity and improves outcomes.

Background Women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are required to control their blood glucose shortly after GDM diagnosis to minimize adverse pregnancy outcomes. A real time-continuous glucose monitoring system (RT-CGMS) provides the patient with continuous information about the alterations in levels of the blood glucose. This visibility may empower the patient to modify her lifestyle and engage in therapeutic management. The aim of this study was to determine whether a single application of RT-CGMS to pregnant women shortly after GDM diagnosis is useful as an educational and motivational tool. Methods This study was a prospective open label randomized controlled study conducted at Maternity and Children Hospital, Medina, Saudi Arabia. A total of 130 pregnant women with GDM were randomised to either blood glucose self-monitor alone (SMBG group) (n = 62) or in addition to SMBG, patients wore a Guardian® REAL-Time Continuous Glucose Monitoring System (Medtronic MiniMed) once for 3–7 days, within 2 weeks of GDM diagnosis (RT-CGMS group) (n = 68). The primary outcomes were maternal glycemic control and pregnancy outcomes. Secondary outcomes were the changes in parameters of glucose variability, which includes mean sensor readings, standard deviation (SD) of blood glucose, and area under the curve for hyper and hypoglycaemia at the end of the RT-CGMS application. Results HbA1c, mean fasting and postprandial glucose levels were similar in both groups at the end of the pregnancy. Pregnancy outcomes were comparable. However, there was significant improvement in the parameters of glucose variability on the last day of sensor application; both mean glucose and the SD of mean glycaemia were reduced significantly; P = 0.016 and P = 0.034, respectively. The area under the curve for hyper and hypoglycaemia were improved, however, the results were not statistically significant. Conclusion Although a single application of RT-CGMS shortly after GDM diagnosis is helpful as an educational tool, it was not associated with improvement in glycemic control or pregnancy outcomes. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13098-016-0161-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Several 2-[1-(1,2-dihydroinden-3-ylidene) hydrazono]-5-aryldiazo-4-methyl-1,3-thiazoles were synthesized by reaction of 1-(1,2-Dihydroinden-3-ylidene) thiosemicarbazide with different hydrazonyl chlorides. The products are water insoluble and UV absorbers, expressed UPF-rating values, and their H2O/DMF solutions were used in simultaneous dyeing and resin finishing of cotton fabrics. Results obtained show that finishing of cotton samples in presence of any of that dyes, irrespective of dye concentration, brings about an improvement in percent nitrogen, wrinkle recovery angle (WRA), dyeability, and UV protection rating values along with slight decrease of tensile strength (TS) compared with the untreated samples. Irrespective of dye structure, increasing the dye concentration from 0.5 and up to 1.7% results in an improvement in the percent nitrogen, TS and a remarkable improvement in both the dyeability, UPF-rating values along with slight decrease in WRA and lower fastness properties of the treated fabrics. The treated fabrics was characterized using energy dispersive X-ray analysis indicating the entrapped dye within the fabric structure. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009