The Alzaiem Alazhari University (Arabic: جامعة الزعيم الأزهري) located in Khartoum North, Sudan. It was established in 1993 in memory of Ismail al-Azhari.It is a member of the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World.
Glioblastoma (GBM) remains the most common and lethal primary central nervous system tumor, with a median survival of only 14.6 months under standard care. The tumor’s characteristic "Warburg effect"—a dependency on aerobic glycolysis for energy—creates a metabolic vulnerability. This review evaluates the efficacy and safety of the ketogenic diet (KD) as an adjunctive metabolic therapy aimed at exploiting this glucose dependency. This PRISMA-compliant systematic review updates clinical evidence by synthesizing data from databases from 2000 to September 2025. We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of science for human studies assessing the ketogenic diet (KD) in glioblastoma and high-grade gliomas. Primary outcomes included overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), feasibility, and adverse events. Study quality was assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute tools. Prospero registration: CRD420251232650. Forty-one studies were included, ranging from randomized trials to case series and abstracts, utilizing interventions such as the classic 4:1 ketogenic diet, Modified Atkins Diet, and calorie restriction. Adherence was high (> 75
Background: Cholera remains a significant public health challenge, particularly affecting vulnerable populations such as internally displaced persons (IDPs). This study assessed knowledge regarding cholera among IDPs in Kassala, Sudan, a region experiencing a recent outbreak. Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study included 389 IDPs aged 5-65 years in Kassala between October and December 2024. Data were collected using a digital and paper-based Arabic questionnaire, with stratified random sampling across different education levels. The questionnaire assessed sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge of cholera causes, symptoms, prevention, and attitudes toward oral cholera vaccination. Data were analyzed using SPSS v28.0.0, including descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. Results: About 38.8% were aged 5-18, and 62.5% were male. Most were displaced from Khartoum (51.2%), lived in camps (71.7%), lacked stable income (67.6%), and relied on public faucets (67.9%). High awareness of causes was observed: over 93% identified poor hygiene, contaminated water/food, and open defecation (p < 0.001). Key symptoms such as watery diarrhoea (97.7%), vomiting (90%), and severe dehydration (85.9%) were widely recognized. Preventive measures like handwashing (99.2%), water treatment (97.9%), and vaccination (92.8%) were well known (p < 0.001). Conclusion: IDPs in Kassala show strong cholera knowledge. However, improving water, sanitation, and income stability is essential for effective prevention.
Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autoinflammatory condition caused by a single-gene mutation, inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, and characterized by recurrent episodes of self-limited inflammation. Studies suggest that vitamin D levels may be lower in FMF patients, but evidence remains unclear. This study aims to assess the relationship between FMF and serum vitamin D levels. We followed PRISMA guidelines and registered the protocol in PROSPERO (CRD420261299635). We searched PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science up to December 2025 for observational studies comparing FMF patients with healthy controls. Our main outcomes were serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, parathyroid hormone (PTH), and C-reactive protein (CRP). We combined the data as mean differences using a random-effects model. Ten studies (563 FMF patients) were included. The pooled analysis showed a significant drop in vitamin D levels in FMF patients compared to healthy controls. However, there was high heterogeneity between studies (I2 = 89
Sudan is experiencing one of the most severe measles emergencies in recent decades, driven by the collapse of routine immunisation services amid armed conflict and mass displacement. Using vaccination coverage estimates, case-based surveillance reports, and humanitarian situation reports from the World Health Organisation (WHO), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), this review synthesises evidence on declining measles-containing vaccine (MCV) coverage, the rapid rise in diphtheria–tetanus–pertussis first-dose (DTP1) zero-dose children, and the compounding effects of severe acute malnutrition and overcrowding in internally displaced persons camps and border regions. These intersecting vulnerabilities have increased measles transmission and elevated case-fatality rates, while also heightening the risk of cross-border spread to neighbouring countries. Sudan's experience demonstrates how fragile health systems can rapidly lose immunity gains and underscores the need to prioritise immunisation in conflict settings to safeguard regional measles elimination goals.
Purpose:Anemia and malignancy concurrently contribute to reduced quality of life, treatment intolerance, and increased morbidity and mortality, disproportionately affecting older adults, socioeconomically disadvantaged groups, and minority populations. Despite its clinical importance, national patterns and population-level disparities in the mortality burden associated with this comorbidity remain poorly characterized. This study aims to examine mortality trends associated with concurrent anemia and malignancy in the United States using CDC WONDER (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wide-Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research) database, with a focus on demographic and geographic disparities to inform targeted interventions. Methods:Mortality data from CDC WONDER were analyzed for individuals aged 65 years and older using ICD-10 codes C00-C97 for malignancies and D50-D64 for anemia. Age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs) and annual percent changes (APCs) were calculated by year, age, sex, race/ethnicity, cancer type, and geographic region. Subgroup analyses focused on common anemia-associated cancers, including colorectal, gastric, lung, ovarian, female genital, breast, prostate, and hematologic malignancies, based on national prevalence. Results:Between 1999 and 2020, there were 264,331 anemia and malignancy -related deaths among U.S. adults aged ≥65. The overall AAMR remained relatively stable moving from 31.5 in 1999 to 31.1 in 2020. A significant decline occurred through 2017 (APC: -0.86), followed by a sharp increase from 2017 to 2020 (APC: 4.63). Males had higher AAMRs than females (28.8 vs. 22.6). Black individuals had the highest mortality (42.4). The Midwest had the highest regional AAMR (30.6), while the South had the lowest (27.6). States in the top 90th percentile for AAMR included North Dakota, Maryland, Rhode Island, West Virginia, and DC. Nonmetropolitan areas had higher AAMRs than metropolitan ones (32.9 vs. 27.8). Colorectal cancer showed the largest decline (AAPC: -2.03) followed by gastric (AAPC: -1.96) and prostate cancer (AAPC: -1.40), while breast, lung, gynecological, and hematological cancers remained stable. Conclusion:Among adults aged ≥65, anemia and malignancy-related mortality declined until 2017 but increased sharply through 2020, with highest rates in males, Black individuals, and nonmetropolitan/Midwestern residents. Declines were seen in colorectal, gastric, and prostate cancers, while other cancers remained stable, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to reduce disparities.
