scholarly journals The hygienic and microbial status of Sudanese banknotes, Khartoum state, Sudan

Author(s):  
Mohanad Hassan Mohamed Honua

Background: Banknotes are one of the items most frequently circulating from hand to hand, and microbial contaminants of banknote may be transmitted directly, through hand-to-hand contact, or indirectly, via food or other inanimate objects. This study was designed to assess the banknotes handlers hygiene and microbial (Bacteria, Yeasts and Moulds) contamination of Sudanese banknotes in Khartoum state, Sudan. Methods: Fifty samples of Sudanese banknotes were collected randomly from handlers through (March - April / 2015). These samples were microbiologically tested for quantify bacteria, identification of bacteria and fungi (Yeasts and Moulds) by using biochemical tests for bacteria and phenotypical characteristics for fungi. Results: The study showed that the mean of total viable count (CFU/cm2) of bacteria contaminated of banknotes between ( 4.5 – 8.3 ) x 105 CFU/cm2 ,  the study showed 12 different types of bacteria and 5 types of fungi was identified from banknotes with different percentages. From statistically analyzed of 50 questionnaires there were; 76% of handlers had knowledge about contaminated banknotes as being a source of infection; 94% educated handlers at different levels; 64% of the handlers washed hands after using a toilets and before dealing with banknotes again. Conclusions: Sudanese banknotes were contaminated with different bacteria, yeast and moulds. unhygienically handled. The contamination rate was higher in lower denominations than in higher ones.

Plant Disease ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 102 (12) ◽  
pp. 2531-2538 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tegwe Soko ◽  
Cornelia M. Bender ◽  
Renée Prins ◽  
Zacharias A. Pretorius

Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici race Ug99 (syn. TTKSK) has been identified as a major threat to wheat production based on its broad virulence. Despite its importance, the effect of Ug99 on different types of resistance in wheat has not been thoroughly researched. In field trials conducted with P. graminis f. sp. tritici race PTKST (Ug99 race group) over 2 years, AUDPC differentiated the moderately susceptible variety SC Stallion (515) and susceptible entries SC Nduna (995) and Line 37-07 (1634) from those with adult plant resistance (APR). AUDPC of APR varieties W1406 (256), W6979 (399), and Kingbird (209) was higher than the mean of 25 recorded for the all stage resistant (ASR) variety SC Sky. In fungicide-protected and unprotected plots, race PTKST resulted in a mean yield loss of 21.3%, with susceptible Line 37-03 recording a 47.9% decrease in grain yield. Yield reduction in APR varieties reached 19.5% in W1406, whereas the ASR control SC Sky showed a mean loss of 6.4%. Although APR reduced the effects of stem rust on yield and yield components under conditions of high disease pressure, it did not provide the same protection as effective ASR.


1970 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 233-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
AI Bhuiyan ◽  
A Wadud ◽  
A Nahar ◽  
M Al-Amin

The present research work was undertaken to increase the consistency of dahi or yoghurt on its quality using volume reduction, commercial starch powder and potato mash. In this experiment, five different types of dahi samples were prepared and designated as A (30% volume reduction), B (990 ml milk + 1% CSP), C (980 ml milk+2% CSP), D (970 ml milk + 3% CSP) and E (950 ml milk + 5% potato mash). Quality of dahi was also monitored by using physical, chemical and microbiological tests. From the results of physical study (smell and taste, body and consistency, and colour and texture), it was found that the differences of total score among A, B, C, D and E dahi samples were statistically significant. The mean values of acidity, fat, protein, ash, total Solids, water and pH contents for A, B, C, D and E types of dahi were significantly different (p<0.01). No significant differences were observed for coliform count but significant difference was observed in total viable count. It is suggested that 2% commercial starch powder dahi could be used successfully to prepare dahi nearly similar to the quality of plain dahi. Keywords: Consistency; Dahi; Commercial starch powder; Potato mash DOI: 10.3329/jbau.v8i2.7931 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 8(2): 233-238, 2010  


1967 ◽  
Vol 56 (4) ◽  
pp. 619-625 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hans Jacob Koed ◽  
Christian Hamburger

ABSTRACT Comparison of the dose-response curves for LH of ovine origin (NIH-LH-S8) and of human origin (IRP-HMG-2) using the OAAD test showed a small, though statistically significant difference, the dose-response curve for LH of human origin being a little flatter. Two standard curves for ovine LH obtained with 14 months' interval, were parallel but at different levels of ovarian ascorbic acid. When the mean ascorbic acid depletions were calculated as percentages of the control levels, the two curves for NIH-LH-S8 were identical. The use of standards of human origin in the OAAD test for LH activity of human preparations is recommended.


Author(s):  
Michał S. Nowak ◽  
Bożena Romanowska-Dixon ◽  
Iwona Grabska-Liberek ◽  
Michał Żurek

Background: The present study aimed to investigate the incidence and characteristics of retinoblastoma in the overall population of Poland. Methods: The retrospective survey of both National Health Fund (NHF) and National Cancer Registry (NCR) databases were performed to identify all retinoblastoma cases in Poland in the years 2010–2017. Results: During 2010–2017, the mean age-standardised incidence of retinoblastoma (the unit of incidence is per 1,000,000 person-years) was 10.15 (95% CI 7.23–13.08) among children aged 0 to 4 years and 5.39 (95% CI 4.18–6.60) in those aged 0 to 9 years. During 2010–2014 (to allow 5 years of follow-up), the mean incidence of retinoblastoma by birth cohort analysis in Poland was 4.89 (95% CI 4.04–5.74) per 100,000 live births, corresponding to an incidence of 1 per 20,561 (95% CI 15,855–25,267) live births. In Poland, 14.6% of children with retinoblastoma had enucleation of the eye globe, 76.8% received different types of chemotherapy combined with focal treatment, 5.9% were treated with external beam radiotherapy, and 2.7% were treated with focal treatments only. Conclusions: The incidence of retinoblastoma and the pattern of medical management of retinoblastoma in Poland was similar to that reported in developed countries in Western Europe, Asia, and North America.


Medicina ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 319
Author(s):  
Ivajlo Popov ◽  
Veronika Popova ◽  
Juraj Sekac ◽  
Vladimir Krasnik

Background and Objectives: To evaluate the performance of intraocular lenses (IOLs) using power calculation formulas on different types of IOL. Materials and Methods: 120 eyes and four IOL types (BioLine Yellow Accurate Aspheric IOL (i-Medical), TECNIS ZCB00, TECNIS ZA9003 (Johnson & Johnson) (3-piece IOL) and Softec HD (Lenstec)) were analyzed. The performance of Haigis, Barret Universal II and SKR-II formulas were compared between IOL types. The mean prediction error (ME) and mean absolute prediction error (MAE) were analyzed. Results: The overall percentage of eyes predicted within ±0.25 diopters (D) was 40.8% for Barret; 39.2% Haigis and 31.7% for SRK-II. Barret and Haigis had a significantly lower MAE than SRK-II (p < 0.05). The results differed among IOL types. The largest portion of eyes predicted within ±0.25 D was with the Barret formula in ZCB00 (33.3%) and ZA9003 (43.3%). Haigis was the most accurate in Softec HD (50%) and SRK-II in Biolline Yellow IOL (50%). ZCB00 showed a clinically significant hypermetropic ME compared to other IOLs. Conclusions: In general, Barret formulas had the best performance as a universal formula. However, the formula should be chosen according to the type of IOL in order to obtain the best results. Constant optimizations are necessary for the Tecnis IOL ZCB00 and ZA9003, as all of the analyzed formulas achieved a clinically significant poor performance in this type of IOL. ZCB00 also showed a hypermetropic shift in ME in all the formulas.


2009 ◽  
Vol 24 (S1) ◽  
pp. 1-1
Author(s):  
J. Wancata ◽  
M. Freidl ◽  
F. Friedrich ◽  
T. Matschnig ◽  
A. Unger ◽  
...  

Aims:The purpose of this study was to investigate disability among patients suffering from schizophrenia and to identify predictors of disability.Methods:101 patients from different types of psychiatric services in Vienna and diagnosed with schizophrenia according to ICD-10 were included. They were investigates by means of 36-Item self-administered version of the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule II (WHO-DAS-II) and the PANSS-scale. Patients’ mothers and fathers were asked to fill in the Family Problem Questionnaire.Results:The mean total score of the WHO-DAS-II was 74.1 (SD 21.9). When using weighted sub-scores the highest disability scores were found for social contacts, participation in society and household (means 2.58, 2.57 and 2.51 respectively). Using logistic regression, overall disability was positively associated with patient's age, overall severity of symptoms (PANSS) and number of previous hospital admissions. Overall disability was not associated with duration of illness and or patient's gender. The subjective burden experienced by patients’ fathers and mothers were increased by reduced social contacts and impaired participation in society, while we could not find an association with other domains of patient's disability (understanding, mobility, self-care, household).Conclusions:This study shows that schizophrenia results in disability in several domains. Family caregivers’ burden was predominantly increased by social consequences of schizophrenia.


2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (2/3) ◽  
pp. 262-283 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alona Mykhaylenko ◽  
Ágnes Motika ◽  
Brian Vejrum Waehrens ◽  
Dmitrij Slepniov

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to advance the understanding of factors that affect offshoring performance results. To do so, this paper focuses on the access to location-specific advantages, rather than solely on the properties of the offshoring company, its strategy or environment. Assuming that different levels of synergy may exist between particular offshoring strategic decisions (choosing offshore outsourcing or captive offshoring and the type of function) and different offshoring advantages, this work advocates that the actual fact of realization of certain offshoring advantages (getting or not getting access to them) is a more reliable predictor of offshoring success. Design/methodology/approach – A set of hypotheses derived from the extant literature is tested on the data from a quantitative survey of 1,143 Scandinavian firms. Findings – The paper demonstrates that different governance modes and types of offshored function indeed provide different levels of access to different types of location-specific offshoring advantages. This difference may help to explain the ambiguity of offshoring initiatives performance results. Research limitations/implications – Limitations of the work include using only the offshoring strategy elements and only their limited variety as factors potentially influencing access to offshoring advantages. Also, the findings are limited to Scandinavian companies. Originality/value – The paper introduces a new concept of access, which can help to more reliably predict performance outcomes of offshoring initiatives. Recommendations are also provided to practitioners dealing with offshoring initiatives.


1964 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 597-607 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Erik Kihlström ◽  
Otto Hornstein

ABSTRACT Recently some physiological characteristics of a sex cycle in male animals have been demonstrated. However, nothing is known at present about any morphological expressions of this cycle, and particularly about any rhythmical variation in exfoliation of cells comparable with that of the vaginal mucous membrane. On the assumption that such a rhythm may occur in the male urethra, the exfoliation of cells in this organ has been studied by taking daily smears. Cyclically varying frequencies of four different types of exfoliated cells, mainly in an immature stage, were demonstrated. Only a fifth type of cells, characterized by cornification and nuclear degeneration, is not subjected to such rhythmical variation. The mean duration of these cycles is about four days. Simultaneous investigations on the seminal volume and body temperature showed some relation to the cycle of cell desquamation. The results give additional evidence for the existence of a male sex cycle, probably with a hormonal background.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 88 (3) ◽  
pp. 608-619
Author(s):  
Ellen C. Perrin ◽  
Aline G. Sayer ◽  
John B. Willett

Children's concepts about illness causality and bodily functioning change in a predictable way with advancing age. Differences in the understanding of these concepts in healthy children vs children with a chronic illness have not been clearly delineated. This study included 49 children with a seizure disorder, 47 children with an orthopaedic condition, and 96 healthy children, all with normal intelligence and ranging in age from 5 to 16 years. It demonstrates systematic differences in children's general reasoning skills and in their understanding of concepts about illness causality and bodily functioning, as a function of their age and experience of illness. At all ages, children who had a condition with orthopaedic involvement reported less sophisticated general reasoning and concepts about illness than did healthy children; children with a seizure disorder reported similar general reasoning skills to those of healthy children, but considerably less sophisticated concepts about illness. children's concepts about body functioning did not differ as a function of the presence of a chronic illness. When their different levels of general cognitive reasoning were statistically controlled, children with a chronic illness had somewhat more sophisticated concepts about bodily functioning than did healthy children. Differences in conceptual development among children with different types of illnesses lead to interesting speculations with regard to the effects of particular illness characteristics on children's cognitive development.


Author(s):  
Aseel Alsarahni ◽  
Zuhair Muhi Eldeen ◽  
Elham Al-kaissi ◽  
Hiba Al-malliti

Objective: To determine the time needed for killing different types of microorganisms by a newly synthesized 2-mercapto-1,3-benzothiazole derivative in comparison to ciprofloxacin and fluconazole.Methods: The minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) for 2-{[4-(2,6-dimethylPiperidin-1-yl)but-2-yn-1-yl]Sulfanyl}-1,3-benzothiazole(AZ3) compound were determined, using the broth dilution method. The MBC and MFC dilutions were prepared. Broth cultures of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis), Escherichia coli (E. coli), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) were incubated at 37 °C for 24 h, and Candida albicans (C. albicans) was incubated at 25 °C for 48 h. 0.1 ml of each broth culture represent 1.5 x 106 CFU/ml was challenged with 9.9 ml broth containing the MBC or MFC concentrations of the AZ3 compound. From each sample at different time intervals, 1 ml was taken and added to 9 ml of sterile distilled water, in order to neutralize the effect of AZ3. Serial dilution was done and a viable count was determined from the appropriate dilutions.Results: The viability of the P. aeruginosa, E. coli, S. aureus, B. subtilis and C. albicans were killed within 3.5 h, 5 h, 24 h, 3 h and 5 h respectively. The time killing curves showed that AZ3 needed longer time for killing S. aureus than the time needed to kill B. subtilis. On the other hand, AZ3 needed a shorter time to kill P. aeruginosa, than the time needed to kill E. coli. In comparison with ciprofloxacin, AZ3 needed a shorter time to kill P. aeruginosa and E. coli, and the same time to kill B. subtilis, while it needed longer time than ciprofloxacin to kill S. aureus. In comparison with fluconazole, AZ3 with lower MFC than fluconazole needed longer time to kill C. albicans.Conclusion: AZ3 showed promising antimicrobial killing activities, in compared with ciprofloxacin and fluconazole, which promoted our interest to investigate the time of killing needed for other 2-mercaptobenzothiazole derivatives against different types of microorganisms.


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