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    Anti-bacterial potential of (Acacia nilotica, Trigonella foenum graecum, Punica granatum and Commiphora myrrha) crude extracts against diverse drug sensitive and resistant bacterial species
    (Plant Science Today, 2022) Osman, Meaad Fakhraldeen Abdalla; Abdalla, Sababil Salih; Abdelghani, Sara; Mangi, Altaf Ali; Eltayeb, Lienda Bashier
    The alarming increase in bacterial resistance to antibiotics caused some authors to state that we are approaching a post-antibiotic era and medical catastrophe, the study aimed to assess the antimicrobial effects of selected plant extracts against several sensitive and resistant bacterial isolates. Ex perimental cross-sectional study was conducted, 70% ethanol crude Acac cia nilotica, Trigonella foenum-graecum, Punica granatum and Commiphora myrrha extract was prepared and several commercial antimicrobials agent tested, the antibacterial activity was investigated using the disc diffusion method. The inhibition zones' diameters (mm) were calculated and inter preted by Zone Diameter Interpretative Standards. Data were analyzed by using (SPSS) software version 22. About 200% of A. nilotica and T. foenum graecum showed bactericidal effects against Enterococcus faecalis, means ±SD (12.3 ± 2.8 and 12.5 ± 2.1). The activity of 200% C. myrrha extract was highest against all diverse bacterial. Despite a relatively high inhibition zone among all plant ethanol extracts, the findings demonstrate that there is no statistical significance in the inhibitory activity impact of varying concentra tions of 70% ethanol extracts of all plants extract against bacterial isolates (P. value ≥ 0.05). The outcomes of the ethanol extracts of the used plant un der study demonstrated that the herbal extract can be a superior antimicro bial potential than the result of the commercial broad spectrum antimicro bial agent utilized. C. myrrha extract was potent antimicrobial activity against all diverse bacterial species.
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    Effect of Creative Teaching Intervention for Adolescents with Severe Refractory Asthma on their Own Medications Adherence, Asthma Control and Hospital Readmission
    (International Egyptian Journal of Nursing Sciences and Research (IEJNSR), 2024) Hassan, Ghada.A.; Mohammed, Esraa Gamal; Mohamed, Rawia Abd El-ghany
    Background: Severe refractory asthma characterized by difficulty in achieving disease control despite high-intensity treatment. Asthma burden is particularly notable in adolescents and associated with higher rates of prevalence and mortality compared with younger children. So, healthcare professionals should dedicate their effort to educate adolescents with severe refractory asthma. Aim: evaluate the effect of creative teaching intervention for adolescents with severe refractory asthma on their own medications' adherence, asthma control, and hospital readmission. Research design: A quasi- experimental design. Setting: The pediatric in-patient wards at Benha University Hospital. Sample: It is composed of 100 adolescents with severe refractory asthma who attended in the previous setting during study period. Tools of data collection: Tool I; Structured Interview Questionnaire, Tool II; observation checklist, Tool III: Asthma Morisky Medication Adherence Scale, Tool IV; Asthma Control Test. Tool V; Assessment sheet for asthma outcomes. Results: Less than two thirds of the adolescents in study group had high medication adherence level, and approximately two thirds of them had well asthma control, in addition to, two thirds did not readmit to the hospital after 30 post intervention with statistically significant differences between study and control group after the intervention. Conclusion: creative teaching intervention impacted positively on adolescent's knowledge level, practice, medications adherence, asthma control and decrease hospital readmission. Recommendation: Further studies for implementation of other creative teaching interventions for enhancement of asthma care should be done.
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    PI3K/AKT/mTOR Pathway in Breast Cancer Pathogenesis and Therapy: Insights into Phytochemical-Based Therapeutics
    (Nutrition and Cancer, 2025) Wali, Adil Farooq; Talath, Siajunisa; El Tanani, Mohamed; Rangraze, Imran Rashid; Babiker, Rasha; Shafi, Sadat; Bansal, Ruby
    Breast cancer (BC) is listed as the most prevalent cancer form in women worldwide, with major subtypes classified by hormone receptor (HR) and HER2 status including, HR+/HER2– (~65–70%), HER2+ (~15–20%), Triple-Negative-HR–/HER2– (~10–15%) and rare sybtypes (<5%). Scientific evidence has revealed that PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling cascade plays an important role in the development and progression of BC, contributing to key cellular processes including cell growth, proliferation, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Dysregulation of the components of this cascade including functional loss of Phosphatase and TENsin homolog (PTEN), PI3K hyperactivation, and gain-of-function of AKT, are frequently observed in BC subtypes, making it a promising target for therapeutic intervention. A myriad of studies have documented the potential of phytochemicals, including curcumin, chrysin, fisetin, genistein, resveratrol and lycopene as modulators of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR axis. These phytochemicals exhibit multifaceted mechanisms of action, including inhibition of key kinases, induction of apoptosis, suppression of angiogenesis, and reversal of resistance to chemotherapy. This review aims to provide a detailed overview about the role of PI3K/AKT/mTOR alteration in BC development and the current research on phytochemicals that modulate the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in BC. We documented the molecular mechanisms through which these compounds exert their effects, their potential synergistic interactions with conventional therapies, and the challenges and prospects for their clinical application. The evidence presented underscores the promise of phytochemicals as novel, less toxic adjuncts to traditional BC therapies, warranting further exploration and development for clinical use
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    Effect of Gum Arabic (Acacia Senegal) supplementation on visceral adiposity index (VAI) and blood pressure in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus as indicators of cardiovascular disease (CVD): a randomized and placebo-controlled clinical trial
    (Lipids in Health and Disease, 2018) Babiker, Rasha; Elmusharaf, Khalifa; Keogh, Michael B.; Saeed, Amal M.
    Background: There is a strong association between cardiometabolic risk and adipose tissue dysfunction with great consequences on type 2 diabetic patients. Visceral Adiposity Index (VAI) is an indirect clinical marker of adipose tissue dysfunction. Gum Arabic (GA) is a safe dietary fiber, an exudate of Acacia Senegal. Gum Arabic had shown lipid lowering effect in both humans and animals. The aim of this trial was to determine the effect of GA supplementation on anthropometric obesity marker, Visceral Adiposity Index (VAI) and blood pressure in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods: This randomized, double blinded, placebo controlled trial recruited a total of 91 type 2 diabetic patients (73 females, 18 males), age (mean ±SD) 50.09±9.3 years on hypoglycemic agents and were randomly assigned into two groups, either to consume 30 g of GA or 5 g of placebo daily for 3 months. Anthropometric obesity markers were measured and indices were calculated. Blood pressure was measured and high density lipoprotein (HDL) and triglycerides (TG) were determined in fasting blood samples at the start and end of the study period. Results: After intervention, Gum Arabic decreased BMI and VAI significantly (P < 0.05) in GA group by 2 and 23.7% respectively. Body adiposity index significantly decreased by 3.9% in GA group while there were no significant changes in waist circumference or waist-to-hip ratio (WHR). Systolic blood pressure significantly decreased by 7.6% in GA group and by 2.7% in placebo group from baseline with no significant changes in diastolic blood pressure in the two groups. Conclusion: Gum Arabic consumption at a dose of 30 g/d for 3 months may play an effective role in preventing weight gain and modulating adipose tissue dysfunction in type 2 diabetic patients, although no effect has been shown in waist-to-hip ratio
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    Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Sudanese Candida parapsilosis: a sustainable approach to combat antimicrobial resistance
    (BMC Microbiology, 2025) Ibrahim, Nesreen A. A.; Saeed, Humodi A.; Saeed, Samar M.; Mohamed, Osama; Suliman, Omnia H.; Ibrahim, Sabah A. E.; Mohamed, Sofia B
    Background Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a critical global health challenge, particularly in Sudan, where the overuse and misuse of antibiotics have driven the rise of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens. Conventional antimicrobial strategies often fall short due to rapid resistance development and limited efficacy, highlighting the need for novel approaches. Nanotechnology offers promising alternatives, with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) demonstrating potent broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. This study aims to develop an eco-friendly synthesis of AgNPs using Candida parapsilosis (C. parapsilosis), an untapped yeast strain isolated from Sudanese soil, to combat AMR. Results Biosynthesis of AgNPs using C. parapsilosis was successfully confirmed through UV-Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), revealing well-defined nanoparticles. The biosynthesized AgNPs exhibited strong antibacterial activity against both ATCC reference strains and MDR clinical isolates of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, with inhibition zones increasing in a concentration-dependent manner. At optimal concentrations, inhibition zones reached 29 mm for Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P.aeruginosa) (ATCC 27853), while clinical isolates of Salmonella typhi (S. typhi) (24.5 ± 0.58 mm) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) (23.8 ± 0.79 mm) exhibited significant susceptibility. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) assays demonstrated potent bactericidal activity, particularly against E. coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) at 0.3125 mg/mL. Furthermore, AgNPs synergistically enhanced the efficacy of conventional antibiotics in a species- and antibiotic-dependent manner. The strongest synergy was observed in Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) (up to 9.84-fold with Colistin) and Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) (up to 5.11-fold with Ceftazidime), suggesting that AgNP-enhanced antibiotic efficacy varies depending on bacterial species, nanoparticle synthesis method, and antibiotic type. Conclusions This study presents a novel and sustainable approach to tackling AMR by leveraging Sudanese yeast strains for the green synthesis of AgNPs. The findings underscore the potential of AgNPs as an effective antibacterial agent, both independently and in combination with conventional antibiotics, to combat MDR pathogens. By integrating microbiology and nanotechnology, this research offers a cost-effective and environmentally friendly
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    Effects of gum Arabic ingestion on body mass index and body fat percentage in healthy adult females: two-arm randomized, placebo controlled, double-blind trial
    (Nutrition Journal, 2012) Babiker,Rasha; Merghani,Tarig H; Elmusharaf,Khalifa; Badi,Rehab M; Lang,Florian; Saeed,Amal M
    Background: Gum Arabic (acacia Senegal) is a complex polysaccharide indigestible to both humans and animals. It has been considered as a safe dietary fiber by the United States, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) since the 1970s. Although its effects were extensively studied in animals, there is paucity of data regarding its quantified use in humans. This study was conducted to determine effects of regular Gum Arabic (GA) ingestion on body mass index and body fat percentage among healthy adult females. Methods: A two-arm randomized, placebo controlled, double-blind trial was conducted in the Department of Physiology at the Khartoum University. A total of 120 healthy females completed the study. They were divided to two groups: A test group of 60 volunteers receiving GA (30 gm /day) for 6 weeks and a placebo group of 60 volunteers receiving pectin (1 gm/day) for the same period of time. Weight and height were measured before and after intervention using standardized height and weight scales. Skin fold thickness was measured using Harpenden Skin fold caliper. Fat percentage was calculated using Jackson and Pollock 7 caliper method and Siri equation. Results: Pre and post analysis among the study group showed significant reduction in BMI by 0.32 (95% CI: 0.17 to 0.47; P<0.0001) and body fat percentage by 2.18% (95% CI: 1.54 to 2.83; P<0.0001) following regular intake of 30 gm /day Gum Arabic for six weeks. Side effects caused by GA ingestion were experienced only in the first week. They included unfavorable viscous sensation in the mouth, early morning nausea, mild diarrhea and bloating abdomen. Conclusions: GA ingestion causes significant reduction in BMI and body fat percentage among healthy adult females. The effect could be exploited in the treatment of obesity.
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    Causes of end stage renal failure among haemodialysis patients in Khartoum State/Sudan
    (2015) Banaga,Amin S. I; Mohammed,Elaf B; Siddig,Rania M; Salama,Diana E; Elbashir,Sara B; Khojali,Mohamed O; Babiker,Rasha A; Elmusharaf,Khalifa; Homeida,Mamoun M
    Background: End stage renal failure (ESRF) has become a major health problem in Sub Saharan Africa (SSA). There were limited data about causes of ESRF in the Sudan. Methods: This is a cross sectional hospital based descriptive study. The subjects of the study are ESRF adults’ patients on regular haemodialysis treatment in 15 haemdoialysis centres in Khartoum State—Sudan. Clinical and epidemio- logical data were obtained from 1583 patients. The medical files of each patient were reviewed to identify the cause of ESRF. Concerning the causes of ESRF, diabetes was diagnosed based on the past medical history and result of the glucose tolerance test, hypertension was diagnosed based on past history of hypertension based on blood pressure of more than 140/90 mmHg, glomerulonephritis was diagnosed based on results of previous kidney biopsies and on clinical grounds, polycystic kidney disease and obstructive uropathy were diagnosed based on abdominal ultrasound and other imaging modalities, sickle cell anaemia was diagnosed based on the result of haemoglobin electrophoresis, systemic lupus erythematosus was diagnosed based on the clinical criteria in addition to lab results of auto antibod- ies, and analgesic nephropathy was diagnosed based on past medical history of chronic analgesic drugs usage with no other identifiable risk factors. We included all ESRF patients on regular haemodialysis treatment. We excluded ESRF patients less than 18 years old. Results: The results showed that the mean age of ESRF Patients was 49 ± 15.8 (years) and 63.4 % were male and 76.3 % were unemployed. The mean duration of haemodialysis is 4.38 ± 4.24 (years). The most common cause of ESRF in our patients was hypertension (34.6 %) followed by chronic glomerulonephritis (17.6 %), diabetes mellitus (12.8 %), obstructive uropathy (9.6 %), autosomal dominant poly cystic kidney disease (ADPKD) (4.7 %), chronic pyelonephritis (4.6 %), analgesic nephropathy (3.5 %). However in (10.7 %) no cause was found. In patient aged less than 40 years old the leading cause of ESRF was glomerulonephritis (29.3 %) followed by hypertension (25 %). In patient aged between 40 to 60 years old the leading cause of ESRF was hypertension (38.5 %) followed by diabetes mellitus (14 %). In patient aged older than 60 years the leading cause of ESRF was hypertension (38.4 %) followed by diabetes mellitus (23.3 %). Conclusions: ESRF in Sudan affects the economically productive age group; unemployment rate among ESRF patients is high. The study showed that hypertension is a leading cause of ESRF in Sudan followed by chronic glomer- ulonephritis. Hypertension and diabetes mellitus are the leading causes of ESRF among patients over 40 years old.
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    Potential Role of Acacia Senegal (Gum Arabic) as Immunomodulatory Agent among newly diagnosed COVID 19 Patients: A structured summary of a protocol for a randomised, controlled, clinical trial
    (2020) Kaddam,Lamis; Babiker,Rasha; Ali,Sara; Satti,Shahinaz; Ali,Nour; Elamin,Maha; Mukhtar,Mowaia; Elnimeiri,Mustafa; Saeed,Amal
    Objectives: To investigate the potential efficacy of Acacia Senegal extract Gum Arabic (GA) supplementation as immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory dietary intervention among newly diagnosed COVID 19 Sudanese patients. To study the effect of GA on the level of cytokines, TNFα, IL8, IL6 IL10, CRP and the viral load. Secondary outcomes will be the effect of GA oral intake on mortality rate and days of hospital admission. Trial design: Quadruple blind, randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial Phase II & III. Prospective, two-arm, parallel-group, randomised (1:1 allocation ratio) superiority trial of oral GA among seropositive COVID-19 patients. Participants: Inclusion criteria: COVID-19 infected (newly diagnosed) as proved by real-time PCR within 72 hours of PCR. Age 8-90 years Both genders Exclusion criteria: Intubated patients on parenteral treatment Allergy to Gum Arabic The study will be conducted in COVID Isolation Centres and Soba University Hospital Khartoum State Sudan. Intervention and comparator: Experimental: Intervention Group (Continued on next page) This arm will receive 100% natural Gum Arabic provided in a powder form in 30-grams-dose once daily for four weeks Placebo Comparator: Control group: This group will be provided with pectin powder provided as one-gram-dose once daily for four weeks Both GA and placebo will be in addition to standard care treatment based on local clinical guidelines. Main outcomes: Mean change from baseline score of Immune Response to end of the trial. Changes of the level of Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNFα), interleukin IL8, IL6, and IL10 from the baseline values (Four weeks from the start of randomization). Mortality rate: The percentage of deaths among COVID 19 patients received Gum Arabic compared to placebo (Four weeks from the start of randomization]). Randomisation: Randomization (1:1 allocation ratio) and will be conducted using a sequence of computer-generated random numbers by an independent individual. Each participating centre will be assigned a special code generated by the computer. The randomization will be kept by the PI and a research assistant. Blinding (masking): Quadruple (Participant, Care Provider, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor) Numbers to be randomised (sample size): 110 eligible patients will be randomly assigned to either GA (n=55) or placebo (n=55) groups. Trial Status: Protocol Version no 2, 30th June 2020. Recruitment will start on 15th September 2020. The intended completion date is 15th January 2021. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04381871. Date of trial registration: 11 May 2020. Full protocol: The full protocol is attached as an additional file, accessible from the Trials website (Additional file 1). In the interest in expediting dissemination of this material, the familiar formatting has been eliminated; this Letter serves as a summary of the key elements of the full protocol.
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    Metabolic effects of Gum Arabic (Acacia Senegal) in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM): Randomized, placebo controlled double blind trial
    (2017) Babiker,Rasha; Elmusharaf,Khalifa; Keogh,Michael B; Banaga,Amin S. I; Saeed,Amal M
    Background: Gum Arabic (GA) is a water-soluble dietary fiber, indigestible to both humans and animals. While GA currently does not have any therapeutic potential, it has nutritional value and some effects on metabolism of glucose and lipids. Thus, the aim of this study is to assess the effect of GA on serum level of glucose, lipids, and the BMI in type 2 diabetic patients. Methods: A double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial took place at Academy Charity Teaching Hospital (ACTH) in Sudan between August 2014 to February 2015. The trial was conducted in type 2 diabetic patients who were on regular oral hypoglycemic drugs and had HbA1C ≥ 6.5%. Patients excluded from the study included those on insulin, any patient with a metabolic or gastrointestinal disease, and any patient with history of drug addiction and alcoholism. Other patients excluded were patients who had previous allergic reactions to GA in addition to patients who were pregnant or planned for conception within 6 months. 120 patients were invited to participate in this trial. 100 patients gave consent and were randomized to GA and placebo groups. The GA group was given 30 g of Acacia Senegal and the placebo group was given 5 g of placebo daily for 3 months. The outcomes assessed were primarily the effect of GA on glucose levels in addition to the effects on levels of lipids and BMI in type 2 diabetic patients. Results: The GA group showed significant reduction in fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and HbA1c (P<0.05) within the GA group. Moreover, GA supplementation improved lipid profiles; decreased LDL-Cholesterol by 5.95%, total Cholesterol by 8.28% and triglyceride by 10.95% from baseline levels. HDL-Cholesterol showed significant increase by 19.89% within GA group (P<0.05), BMI was decreased significantly by 2.06% (95% CI: −0.98; −0.16), P<0.05). Conclusions: Gum Arabic is a dietary supplement for improving nutrition of type 2 diabetic patients; it has demonstrated a good effect on improving their poor glycemic control. It has also shown improvement in the levels of the lipids and the BMI. Further studies are needed in obese and pre-diabetic patients to evaluate GA therapeutic potentials.
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    Prevalence and Presentation of Tuberculosis among Hemodialysis Patients in Khartoum, Sudan
    (Saudi Journal of Kidney Diseases and Transplantation, 2016) Banaga,Amin S. I; Siddiq,Nihad K; Alsayed,Randa T; Babiker,Rasha; Elmusharaf,Khalifa
    ABSTRACT. Tuberculosis (TB) is a major health problem in the developing countries. There are limited data about the prevalence of TB patients on maintenance hemodialysis (HD) in Sudan. The aim of this study is to identify the prevalence and presentation of TB among Sudanese maintenance HD patients. This is a hospital-based descriptive study. The participants of the study are all HD patients distributed in 13 HD centers in Khartoum and Khartoum North Provinces in Sudan. All patients attended the HD centers from November 1, 2014 to February 1, 2015, were interviewed by a questionnaire focused on personal and clinical data. Those who were diagnosed as having active TB were studied regarding their clinical presentation, presence of comorbidities, site of TB, and methods used on diagnosis. The total number of HD patients during the study period was 1328 patients. We found 19 patients who already diagnosed and treated for TB infec- tion. The prevalence rate of TB among HD patients is 1.4%. The mean age of patient was 44.53 ±8.69 years, 89.5% of them were males. The majority of them have comorbidities: 31.6%% have hypertension and 21.1% have diabetes. Extrapulmonary TB was the major presentation (57.9%) mainly tuberculous lymphadenitis (26.3%). The pulmonary presentation was found to be 42.1%. The diagnosis of TB was supported by microbiological evidence of alcohol acid-fast Bacilli pre- sent in sputum smear (21%), histological diagnosis (31.6%), polymerase chain reaction (21%), and imaging in (26.3%). Patients on maintenance HD are at an increased risk of TB and diagnosis of TB among HD patients need a high index of suspicion. There is a great need for establishing a screening scheme for TB among HD patients and further epidemiological studies are needed to fully evaluate this problem.

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