Effect of High Hydrostatic Pressure on Meat Microstructure

Bovine longissimus muscle was prerigor pressure treated at 103.5 MNm- 2 at 37 °C for 2 min and immediately sampled, fixed and examined by light microscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Parameters like pH, Warner-Bratzler shear force values and sarcomere length were measured and related to the microscopic observations. Pressure treated samples have shorter sarcomere length, lower pH and W-B values. Physical changes include separation of sarcolemmal and endomysial sheath, contraction bands, disruption of myofibrillar structure and increased interfibrillar and intermyofibrillar spaces. At the subcellular levels, disappearance of glycogen granules, appearance of swollen mitochondria, sarcoplasmic reticulum and in some cases ruptured mitochondria were observed . These morphological changes in mitochondria and sarcoplasmic reticulum should furnish the additional Ca 2+ to account for the pressure induced contraction. The interactions between the chemical and physical effects should account for the tenderizing effect of pressure treatment

Effects of filtermud on growth and yield of three banana cultivars grown in Kenana Sugar Scheme area, central Sudan

ABSTRACT  Banana is an important fruit crop in the Sudan and its production is mainly confined to the alluvial deposits of rivers. Organic matter is known to improve soil physical and chemical characteristics and provide plant mineral nutrients. Therefore, the objective of this research was to evaluate the effects of filtermud levels on vegetative growth, yield components and total yield of the mother, first, second and third ratoon crops of three banana cultivars. Field experiments were conducted during December 2012 to November 2014 at Kenana Sugar Scheme area. Banana cultivars were the introduced banana clones Williams Hybrid and Grand Nain and the local cultivar Dwarf Cavendish. Levels of filtermud were 15% and 30% by volume. Treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replicates. Three months after planting, two plants from each plot were randomly selected, tagged and used for growth and yield measurements. Results showed significant differences among cultivars in vegetative growth, yield components and total yield. The introduced banana clones Williams Hybrid and Grand Nain had the most vigorous vegetative growth and the highest yield components and total yield compared to that of the local cultivar Dwarf Cavendish. However, Dwarf Cavendish was earlier than the introduced clones. Application of filtermud at both rates resulted in a significant increase in all vegetative growth parameters and in the earliness of banana crop. Filtermud also produced a significant increase in all yield components and total yield compared to the untreated control. It is recommended to grow the introduced cultivars Williams Hybrid and Grand Nain and apply filtermud at the rate of 15% by volume in heavy clay soils

Association of physical activity, physical inactivity and dietary habits with the alteration in lipid profile, atherogenic index of plasma, adiposity indices and fasting blood glucose among medical students at Omdurman Al Ahlia University

اهداف الدراسه: تهدف لدراسة تأثير النشاط البدني ؛ العادات الغذائية وطول فترة الجلوس وقلة الحركة على المعدلات العامة للدهون ومقاييس معدل تراكم الدهون في منطقة الأحشاء والبطن ومعدل قياس تصلب الاوعية الدموية ومعدل الجلكوز في الدم للطلاب الدارسين في كلية الطب بجامعة امدرمان الاهلية. الطرق والوسائل : شارك 207 من الطلبة في الدراسه ( 100 طالب و 107 طالبة)واخذت مقاييس الطول والوزن ومحيط الخصر والبطن بالطرق القياسية العلمية. اخذت عينات الدم من المشاركين بعد فتره صيام عن الطعام 10-12 ساعه لقياس معدلات الدهون ؛ استخدمت في هذه الدراسة استبيان ( ATLS )المصمم لدراسه السمنه وزياده الوزن المرتبط بنمط الحياه عند المراهقين والبالغين العرب في المراحل الدراسية المختلفة والمعتمد لمنطقه الخليج والعالم العربي. النتائج : اظهرت النتائج ان نسبة الناشطين بدنيا او المنتظمين في ممارسة الرياضة في عينة البحث من الطلبة لاتتجاوز 28.5% اي 59 طالب وطالبة فقط بينما نسبه الطلاب والطالبات ممن لايمارسون نشاطا بدنيا 71.% اي 148 طالب وطالبة . اظهرت نتائج البحث زيادة نسبة معدلات تراكم الدهون في منطقة البطن وزياده معدل التصلب في الاوعية الدمويه المرتبطة بتناول الاطمعة الدسمة ذات المحتوى العالي من الدهون والاطمعة والمشروبات المحلاة بين الطلاب والطالبات وخاصه الطالبات. ايضا اظهرت الدراسة وجود علاقة طردية بين معدل تراكم الدهون في منطقة البطن والاحشاء وزيادة معدلات ساعات النوم. الخلاصة : ممارسة الانشطة الرياضية بانتظام وتناول الاطعمة الصحية وتقليل فترة الجلوس في مرحلة البلوغ والمراهقه من العوامل المهمة في مكافحة السمنة والبدانه والتي تؤدي الى الاصابة بالامراض المرتبطه بالسمنه كمرض السكري وامراض القلب وارتفاع ضغط الدم وتصلب الشرايين مع في هذه الاعما

Rental Mucinous Tubular and Spindle Cell Carcinoma:Case Report

Mucinous tubular and spindle cell carcinoma (MTSCC) of the kidney is an uncommon recently recognized renal cell carcinoma.We reported A 60 year's old man who presented with right flank pain, abdominal swelling and one attack of hematuria.The intraoperative finding was a huge cystic swelling arising from the right kidney occupying almost all the abdominal cavity displacing the bowel to the left side of the abdomen. There was no ascites or evidences of metastasis. Right radical nephrectomy was done.Then the diagnosis of renal MTSCC was established. General condition of the patient was improved and one year prognosis was satisfactory. To our knowledge this is the first reported case of MTSCC in Sudan, and the outcome of treatment was satisfactory

The Combined Effects of the Calcium Activated Factor and Cathepsin D on Skeletal Muscle

Myofibrils were isolated from atdeath ovin elongissimus muscles and incubated with crude calcium activated factor prepared from the same muscle and with purified cathepsin D. Myofibrils we reincubated with these enzymes separately (first incubation) and successively (second incubation). The major changes induced by cathepsin D first incubation include degradation of myofibrillar proteins with molecular weight \u3e 200 K, myosin, actin, troponin- T and troponin 1. Also new bands appeared at the 140- 160 K, 80 K, 68 K and 30 K regions. Similar changes were obtained 1v hen myofibrils were incubated first with CAF then with cathepsin D (second incubation). On the other h and CAF first incubation resulted in the degradation of the high molecular weight proteins ( \u3e 200 K), desmin, troponin T , troponin I and it released a -actinin. Also new bands appeared immediately below C-protein (140 K) , 95 K and 30 K. Unlike cathepsin D, CAF did not affect myosin or actin. However, when myofibrils were first incubated with cathepsin D then wit h CAF (second incubation) the latter was able to degrade actin to a much greater degree than cathepsin D. Both enzymes were able to affect the Z-lines of the myofibrils

Knowledge and Awareness of Diabetic Retinopathy among Diabetic Sudanese Patients, Khartoum State, Sudan, 2018

Background: The level of awareness of diabetic retinopathy is considered an important factor for early diagnosis and management of diabetic retinopathy. This study aimed to assess the level of awareness of diabetic retinopathy among patients with diabetes mellitus in Khartoum, Sudan. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among diabetic patients attending Zeenam and Abdullah Khalil Diabetic Centers between June and September 2018. A convenience sample of diabetic patients was used. Information on the sociodemographic characteristics of the patients, patients’ knowledge, compliance with available treatments, and routine eye examinations was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. Patients were also asked about the barriers that may interfere with a regular eye examination. Results: A total of 200 patients were enrolled and 94 (47%) of them were female; 13% of the respondents were diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy, 31.5% were hypertensive, and 13.5% had hyperlipidemia. Additionally, 88.5% of the patients were aware that DM can affect their eyes and 87% had never been diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy. Although around 83% thought that diabetic retinopathy could lead to blindness, only 35.5% of them had undergone fundus examination by ophthalmologists. Moreover, 39% of the participants had irregular diabetes follow-up and 43% monthly follow-up. Only 31% went for regular eye check-up; however, their compliance with routine retinal assessment was poor, with a total of 72.5% of participants assuming that they have good vision and need not get their eyes checked up regularly. The chief factor that was related to increased awareness of diabetic retinopathy in the study was the level of education. Conclusion: Although a large proportion of diabetic patients in Khartoum are aware that diabetes mellitus can affect their eyes, regular retinal assessment of patients was poor, thus hindering early diagnosis and management

Detection of Vaginosis causing by Gardnerella vaginalis among Pregnant Women attending a Khartoum State Hospitals by using conversional method

Background: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common cause of unpleasant vaginal odor and discharge in women of reproductive age. It is induced by an imbalance in naturally occurring microflora. Any change in the resident flora including reduction of lactobacilli allows for different anaerobic bacteria to gain a foothold and multiply. Nevertheless the process is multifactorial and the initial mechanism of replacement of normal lactobacillary flora by opportunistic pathogens. In pregnancy, certain complications such as preterm delivery, premature rupture of the membranes, and so on could ensue from Bacterial vaginosis. Objective: This study aimed to determine the frequency of Gardnerella vaginalis among pregnant women at Khartoum state hospitals, and to find out risk factors predisposing to the infection. Material and methods: A total of 140 of high vaginal swab were collected and examined by using wet preparation, Amsel criteria and culture method for detection of Gardnerella vaginalis from 70 pregnant women attended to Khartoum hospitals. Results: The overall prevalence of the studied Gardnerella vaginalis among pregnant women at Khartoum hospitals was as follows: Gardnerella vaginalis was isolated from 20 pregnant women (28.5%). The most frequent age group was 21-30 years (71.4%) and the most frequent group was second trimester (61.5%). Conclusion: The highest rate with Gardnerella was detected from pregnant women that came from Khartoum, followed by Omdurman. The most infections were detected in second trimester of pregnancy. The rate of Gardenerlla was found to be higher within age group 21-30 years. Keywords: Pregnant Women, vaginosis, Gardnerella vaginalis, Sudanes

Global patient outcomes after elective surgery: prospective cohort study in 27 low-, middle- and high-income countries.

BACKGROUND: As global initiatives increase patient access to surgical treatments, there remains a need to understand the adverse effects of surgery and define appropriate levels of perioperative care. METHODS: We designed a prospective international 7-day cohort study of outcomes following elective adult inpatient surgery in 27 countries. The primary outcome was in-hospital complications. Secondary outcomes were death following a complication (failure to rescue) and death in hospital. Process measures were admission to critical care immediately after surgery or to treat a complication and duration of hospital stay. A single definition of critical care was used for all countries. RESULTS: A total of 474 hospitals in 19 high-, 7 middle- and 1 low-income country were included in the primary analysis. Data included 44 814 patients with a median hospital stay of 4 (range 2-7) days. A total of 7508 patients (16.8%) developed one or more postoperative complication and 207 died (0.5%). The overall mortality among patients who developed complications was 2.8%. Mortality following complications ranged from 2.4% for pulmonary embolism to 43.9% for cardiac arrest. A total of 4360 (9.7%) patients were admitted to a critical care unit as routine immediately after surgery, of whom 2198 (50.4%) developed a complication, with 105 (2.4%) deaths. A total of 1233 patients (16.4%) were admitted to a critical care unit to treat complications, with 119 (9.7%) deaths. Despite lower baseline risk, outcomes were similar in low- and middle-income compared with high-income countries. CONCLUSIONS: Poor patient outcomes are common after inpatient surgery. Global initiatives to increase access to surgical treatments should also address the need for safe perioperative care. STUDY REGISTRATION: ISRCTN5181700

IT supported project based learning framework

Project-based learning involve a group of students completing a project with the aim of engaging students in deep learning and thus meeting specific learning outcomes. Performance might be assessed on individual or group basis by taking into account the depth of understanding of the content, the quality of artifact produced and the contributions made by each individual group member. Assessment of individual work might be unfair due to the fact that instructors are unable to monitor closely students? participations and contributions. In order to solve this, peer assessment has been used by some instructors. However, there is a tendency that students are biased towards their group members. Using IT as a medium in completing group projects can be a solution to these constraints. Through IT support, instructors not only will be able to view the evidences of individual student learning but also the process of learning and completing the project. Selecting the appropriate IT tools for collaboration and design of the project question are essential factors towards effective project based learning is. The main objective of this paper is to present a field experiment of IT Supported Project Based Learning through the use of collaboration software by second year students enrolling the Database Programming course. Pre and post questionnaire has been used as the data collection tool. Findings show that students found that they managed to complete the project according to schedule and work better as a team compared to completing group projects without IT support. From the point of view of the instructor, the process of students contributions is visible thus enable the activity of providing students feedback in terms of learning and motivating them in completing their projects

The effects of ultra-hydrostatic pressurization of pre-rigor muscle on characteristics of economic importance

This study was designed to confirm or refute the tenderizing effect of ultra-hydrostatic pressure on warm excised pre-rigor muscle, plus to take a thorough look at its effect on some meat characteristics of economic importance. Samples for the experiment were obtained from animals (cattle and sheep) slaughtered at Oregon State University, Meat Science Laboratory. Two muscles from ewe [Longissimus dorsi (L.D) and semimembranosus (S.M)] and four muscles from steer [semitendinosus (S.T), sternomandibularis, supra spinatus (S.S) and Longissimus dorsi (L.D)] were excised from carcasses immediately after slaughtering, skinning and washing. They were vacuum packed and subjected to a hydrostatic pressure of 103.5 MNm⁻² at a temperature of 39°C for two minutes. Parameters measured in both control and treatment samples include pH, purge loss, water-holding capacity (WHC), sarcomere length, shear force value, over all shortening percentage and taste panel test. Immediately after treatment the mean pH of the treated samples was found to be significantly (P<.05) lower than the pH from the control samples, however the difference was not significant at 24 hour post mortem. Pressure treatment produced a significant reduction in the water-holding capacity of muscle. Treated Longissimus dorsi (L.D) shortened by 36 percent while control muscle showed a 25 percent over all shortening. Sarcomere length of the treated samples was always significantly (P<.01) shorter than that of controls. Shear force value and taste panel scores indicated a significant tenderizing effect resulting from pressure treatment