Bone-specific median age of hand-wrist maturation from Sudan

Background Maturation of bones in the hand–wrist region varies among individuals of the same age and among world groups. Although some studies from Africa report differences to other ethnic groups, the lack of detailed bone-specific maturity data prevents meaningful comparisons. Aim The aim of this study was to describe bone-specific maturity for developing hand–wrist bones in individuals in Khartoum, Sudan. Subjects and methods The sample was selected from healthy patients attending a dental hospital in Khartoum with known age and ancestry (males = 280, females = 330; aged between 3 and 25 years). Bones were assessed from radiographs of the left hand and wrist after the Greulich and Pyle Atlas (1959). Median ages of attainment for bone stages were calculated using probit analysis for each stage in males and females separately. Results Maturity data for stages of the phalanges, metacarpals, carpals and radius and ulna in males and females are presented. Median ages in females were earlier compared to males for all stages. These results are largely earlier than previously published findings or where these could be calculated. Conclusion These results of individual maturity stages of phalanges, metacarpals, carpals and the distal epiphyses of the radius and ulna are useful to assess maturity in growing individuals from Sudan

Effects of different levels of sugar beet roots based concentrates on the performance of Tagger male kids

    High meat demand in the Sudan enhanced improvement of goat meat production. Tagger is a promising meat breed due to good conformation and high meat quality. Nutrition is a main constraint for goat meat production. Sugar beet is introduced into the Gezira State with no information on effects of dried sugar beet roots (DSBR) based concentrates level on Tagger kids performance, carcass characteristics and meat composition. Twelve Tagger males of 6 months old were housed in individual pens, divided into 3 groups, each with 4 animals and allocated at random to the experimental diets. They were weighed weekly for 8 weeks with a two weeks preliminary period. They were fed groundnut haulm (GNH) ad lib. in two equal meals at 8.0 am and 4.0 pm and refusals were collected and weighed daily. The animals were fed different levels of DSBR based concentrates: 0 (control), 150g and 300g, in two equal parts before GNH meals. The concentrates contained 68% DSBR,15% groundnut cakes, 15% sunflower cakes, 1% salt and 1% oyster shell. Samples of feeds and refusals were stored for laboratory analysis.  Resultd showed that groundnut haulm (30% CP, 8.8% CF, 4.8% ash and 48.2% NFE) had better proximate analysis than refusals which generally improved with concentrates levels. Dried sugar beet had 12.9% CP, 11.0% CF and 59.25% NFE and the concentrates had 42.25% CP, 2.0% CF and 49.5% NFE. Overall mean BW generally increased with concentrates level (10.78, 10.9 and 12.19kg at 0, 150 and 300g, respectively), but  not significantly different. Overall mean daily feed intakes varied with concentrates level and were 1550.89, 1187.46 and 1545.67g at 0, 150 and 300g concentrates, respectively, and were significantly least in animals fed 150g concentrates. Weekly weight gain generally increased with concentrates level in all weeks and was highest in animals fed 150g concentrates with no significant effects for concentrates level. It was 0.55, 0.68 and 0.60 kg at 0, 150 and 300g concentrates, respectively. It is recommended to use DSBR based concentrates in fattening Tagger kids.     حفز ارتفاع الطلب  على اللحوم وأسعارها في السودان تحسين لحوم الماعز. تعتبر التقر سلالة واعدة لإنتاج اللحوم لجودة القوام ونوعية اللحم.  إلا أن التغذية من المعوقات الرئيسة لإنتاج لحوم الماعز.  أدخل بنجر السكر لولاية الجزيرة ولا تتوفر معلومات عن أثر مستوى جذر البنجر الجاف) ج ب ج (على أداء جديان التقر وصفات الذبيحة  وتركيب اللحم.  وضعت 12 من ذكور جديان التقر بعمر 6 أشهر في حظائر فردية  وقسمت الى 3 مجموعات بكل منها 4 حيوانات  ووزعت عشوائيا على أعلاف الدراسة. وزنت الحيوانات أسبوعيا لمدة 8 أسابيع منها أسبوعين فترة إعدادية. أعلفت الحيوانات تبن الفول السوداني )ت ف س) حسب الرغبة في وجبتين متساويتين عند الثامنة صباحا والرابعة مساء وجمع ووزن العلف المتبقي.  كما أعلفت الحيوانات مستويات مختلفة من عليقة مركزة ترتكز على )ج ب ج  (عند صفر( الشاهد), 150 و300جم في جزئين متساويين  قبل وجبتي ت ف س. احتوت العليقة المركزة على 68% ج ب ج و15%  امباز فول سوداني و15%  تبن زهرة الشمس و1% ملح و 1% صدف  حفظت عينات من  الأعلاف والعلف المتبقي للتحليل المعملي.  حُللت المعلومات إحصائيا باستخدام تحليل التباين واستخدم اختبار دنكن لفصل اختلافات المتوسطات. كان  ت ف س (  30% بروتين خام ، 8.85 ألياف خام، 4.8% رماد و 48.2% جزء خالي من النتروجين) أحسن في التحليل التقريبي من المتبق.والذي تحسنت نوعيته بارتفاع مستوى العليقة المركزة. كان تركيب  ج ب ج 12.95 % بروتين خام ، 11% الياف خام و 59.25% جزء خالي من النتروجين .وتركيب العليقة المركزة  42.25 % بروتين خام ، 2% ألياف خام و 49.5% جزء خالي من النتروجين .  زاد متوسط الوزن الكلى مع زيادة العليقة المركزة (10.78 ،  10.9 و 12.19عند صفر و 150 و 300 جم عليقة مركزة على التوالي بدون فروقات معنوية . (P>.05)  تباين متوسط المتناول من العلف تبعاً لمستوي المركزات وكان 1550.89 و 1187.46 و 1545.67 جم عند صفر و 150 و300 جم عليقة مركزة ، علي التوالي وكان أقل معنوياً للحيوانات التي غُذيت علي  150عليقة مركزة.  تباينت زيادة الوزن الأسبوعي بزيادة مستوي العليقة المركزة في كل الأسابيع وكانت الأعلى للحيوانات عند 150 جم بدون زيادة معنوية. وكانت 0.55 و0.68 و 0.60 كجم عند صفر و 150 و300 جم عليقة مركزة، علي التوالي. يوصي باستخدام علائق جذور بنجر السكر المجففة لتسمين جديان التقر

Relationships Among Live Body Weight and Some Body Measurements in Sudanese Kenana Bulls

. The phenotypic relationship between live body weight (kg) and body measurements (cm) for Sudanese bulls is explored. In this research, data from one visit survey were used to estimate the relationships between live body weight and some body measurements of Sudanese Kenana bulls. General linear model analysis with multivariate ANOVA when all physical variables were response and animal live body weight groups (kg) as independent, and simple linear Pearson\u27s correlation were formed between live body weight (Bwt), Heart girth (HG), Heart girth at hump (HTH), Body length (Bl) and Abdominal girth (ABG). The results revealed the best linear correlation between body weight and measurements was heart girth at hump (0.65, 0.66 and 0.73) respectively, for live body weight groups. The obtained linear correlation coefficients were relatively highly accurate indicators of live body weight. This suggests that live body weight could be estimated accurately by body measurements in Sudanese Kenana Bulls

Butterflyfishes (Chaetodontidae) from Abu Hashish fringing reefs, Port Sudan, Red Sea

Using Reef Check Programme butterflyfishes of Abu Hashish fringing reefs were recorded during 2003 and 2013. The results showed that the numbers of species declined from nine to seven. Chi square test revealed that the number of butterflyfishes significantly decreased (p<0.00001). This reduction was attributed to continuous construction and anthropogenic actives Keywords: Butterflyfishes, Abu Hashish, Port Suda

Ketogenic diet modulates NAD\u3csup\u3e+\u3c/sup\u3e-dependent enzymes and reduces DNA damage in hippocampus

© 2018 Elamin, Ruskin, Masino and Sacchetti. The ketogenic diet’s (KD) anti-seizure effects have long been documented. Recently, its therapeutic potential in multiple neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders has emerged. Yet experimental evidence for a fundamental mechanism underlying beneficial effects across numerous diseases remains lacking. We previously showed that feeding rats a KD produced an early (within 2 days) and persistent elevation of hippocampal nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide+ (NAD+), an essential metabolic coenzyme and signaling molecule. NAD+ is a marker of cellular health and a substrate for enzymes implicated in longevity and DNA damage repair such as sirtuins and poly-ADP ribose polymerase-1 (PARP-1). As a result, activation of NAD+-dependent enzymes’ downstream pathways could be the origin of KD’s broad beneficial effects. Here rats were fed ad libitum regular chow or KD for 2 days or 3 weeks and the levels of hippocampal sirtuins, PARP-1, and the oxidative DNA damage marker 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine were quantified. We found a significant immediate and persistent increase in the collective activity of nuclear sirtuin enzymes, and a significant augmentation of Sirt1 mRNA at 2 days. Levels of PARP-1 and 8-hydroxy-2’- deoxyguanosine decreased after 2 days of treatment and further declined at 3 weeks. Our data show that a KD can rapidly modulate energy metabolism by acting on NAD+-dependent enzymes and their downstream pathways. Thus, therapy with a KD can potentially enhance brain health and increase overall healthspan via NAD+- related mechanisms that render cells more resilient against DNA damage and a host of metabolic, epileptic, neurodegenerative, or neurodevelopmental insults

Ketogenic Diet Modulates NAD+-Dependent Enzymes and Reduces DNA Damage in Hippocampus

The ketogenic diet’s (KD) anti-seizure effects have long been documented. Recently, its therapeutic potential in multiple neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders has emerged. Yet experimental evidence for a fundamental mechanism underlying beneficial effects across numerous diseases remains lacking. We previously showed that feeding rats a KD produced an early (within 2 days) and persistent elevation of hippocampal nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide+ (NAD+), an essential metabolic coenzyme and signaling molecule. NAD+ is a marker of cellular health and a substrate for enzymes implicated in longevity and DNA damage repair such as sirtuins and poly-ADP ribose polymerase-1 (PARP-1). As a result, activation of NAD+-dependent enzymes’ downstream pathways could be the origin of KD’s broad beneficial effects. Here rats were fed ad libitum regular chow or KD for 2 days or 3 weeks and the levels of hippocampal sirtuins, PARP-1, and the oxidative DNA damage marker 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine were quantified. We found a significant immediate and persistent increase in the collective activity of nuclear sirtuin enzymes, and a significant augmentation of Sirt1 mRNA at 2 days. Levels of PARP-1 and 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine decreased after 2 days of treatment and further declined at 3 weeks. Our data show that a KD can rapidly modulate energy metabolism by acting on NAD+-dependent enzymes and their downstream pathways. Thus, therapy with a KD can potentially enhance brain health and increase overall healthspan via NAD+-related mechanisms that render cells more resilient against DNA damage and a host of metabolic, epileptic, neurodegenerative, or neurodevelopmental insults

A primer on using mathematics to understand COVID-19 dynamics : modeling, analysis and simulations

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that emerged from Wuhan city in December 2019 overwhelmed health systems and paralyzed economies around the world. It became the most important public health challenge facing mankind since the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic. Various theoretical and empirical approaches have been designed and used to gain insight into the transmission dynamics and control of the pandemic. This study presents a primer for formulating, analysing and simulating mathematical models for understanding the dynamics of COVID-19. Specifically, we introduce simple compartmental, Kermack-McKendrick-type epidemic models with homogeneously- and heterogeneously-mixed populations, an endemic model for assessing the potential population-level impact of a hypothetical COVID-19 vaccine. We illustrate how some basic non-pharmaceutical interventions against COVID-19 can be incorporated into the epidemic model. A brief overview of other kinds of models that have been used to study the dynamics of COVID-19, such as agent-based, network and statistical models, is also presented. Possible extensions of the basic model, as well as open challenges associated with the formulation and theoretical analysis of models for COVID-19 dynamics, are suggested.The Simons Foundation and the National Science Foundation.http://www.keaipublishing.com/idmam2022Mathematics and Applied Mathematic

Tricuspid valve infective endocarditis in a non-IVDU patient with atopic dermatitis

A 29-year-old male, with chronic atopic dermatitis (AD), presented with a 2-week history of fatigue, pyrexia and weight loss. Examination showed eczematous patches with lichenified papules, erosions on the right shin and a new murmur. Blood cultures isolated methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus. Transthoracic echocardiography showed vegetation on the tricuspid valve (TV) that was adherent to the septal leaflet. He was treated for infective endocarditis, attributed to poorly controlled AD, with intravenous Flucloxacillin. Due to ongoing sepsis and pulmonary septic emboli, Clindamycin was added. He underwent TV repair; the septal leaflet was excised, and the remnant two leaflets were brought together with a ring. His patent foramen ovale was closed. His skin was treated with topical steroids and emollients. Right-sided endocarditis of an intact TV is uncommon in a non-intravenous drug user. Therefore, this novel case portrays the importance of aggressively managing AD as it is a risk factor for significant systemic infections

Hepatitis delta virus testing, epidemiology and management: A multicentre cross-sectional study of patients in London

AbstractBackgroundHepatitis delta virus (HDV) testing is recommended for all patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. HDV infection is associated with severe liver disease and interferon is the only available treatment.ObjectivesTo determine the rate of anti-HDV antibody testing in HBV patients; and to describe the epidemiology, clinical characteristics and management of HDV-infected patients at four hospitals in London.Study designThe anti-HDV testing rate was estimated by reviewing clinical and laboratory data. Cross-sectional data collection identified HDV-infected patients who had attended the study centres between 2005 and 2012.ResultsAt a centre with clinic-led anti-HDV testing, 40% (67/168) of HBV patients were tested. Recently diagnosed HBV patients were more likely to be screened than those under long-term follow-up (62% vs 36%, P=0.01). At a centre with reflex laboratory testing, 99.4% (3543/3563) of first hepatitis B surface antigen positive samples were tested for anti-HDV. Across the four study centres there were 55 HDV-infected patients, of whom 50 (91%) had immigrated to the UK and 27 (49%) had evidence of cirrhosis. 31 patients received interferon therapy for HDV with an end of treatment virological response observed in 10 (32%).ConclusionsThe anti-HDV testing rate was low in a centre with clinic-led testing, but could not be evaluated in all centres. The HDV-infected patients were of diverse ethnicity, with extensive histological evidence of liver disease and poor therapeutic responses. Future recommendations include reflex laboratory testing algorithms and a prospective cohort study to optimise the investigation and management of these patients

Facial onset sensory and motor neuronopathy: new cases, cognitive changes and pathophysiology

Purpose of review To improve our clinical understanding of facial onset sensory and motor neuronopathy (FOSMN). Recent findings We identified 29 new cases and 71 literature cases, resulting in a cohort of 100 patients with FOSMN. During follow-up, cognitive and behavioral changes became apparent in 8 patients, suggesting that changes within the spectrum of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) are a part of the natural history of FOSMN. Another new finding was chorea, seen in 6 cases. Despite reports of autoantibodies, there is no consistent evidence to suggest an autoimmune pathogenesis. Four of 6 autopsies had TAR DNA-binding protein (TDP) 43 pathology. Seven cases had genetic mutations associated with neurodegenerative diseases. Summary FOSMN is a rare disease with a highly characteristic onset and pattern of disease progression involving initial sensory disturbances, followed by bulbar weakness with a cranial to caudal spread of pathology. Although not conclusive, the balance of evidence suggests that FOSMN is most likely to be a TDP-43 proteinopathy within the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis–FTD spectrum