Effects of dried sugar beet root based concentrates level on wholesale cuts and eye muscle characteristics in Tagger male kids

Twelve Tagger males at 6 month old were used to study the effects of dried sugar beet root (DSBR) based concentrates level on animals performance, carcass and wholesale cuts characteristics. They were weighed and divided into 3 groups, each with 4 animals. They were housed in individual pens with feed and water troughs and allocated at random to the 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 am and 4  pm and different levels of DSBR based concentrates (0 (control), 150g and 300g) in two equal parts before GNH meals. The concentrates contained 68% DSBR,15% GNH cakes, 15% sunflower cake, 1% salt and 1% oyster shell. The animals were slaughtered, skinned and carcass characteristics were studied. The left side was divided into wholesale cuts and were weighed and dissected into muscle, fat and bone. The rib section (10th – 12th) was removed and the characteristics and meat composition were determined. Percentages of best end of neck, breast and leg and chump, neck and loin generally increased with concentrates level. Concentrates level had no significant (P>0.05) effect on wholesale cuts percentages. Meat DM, CP, EE and ash were 32.82%, 17.3%, 2.15% and 3.0% at 0 concentrates, 37.5%, 17.9%, 2.35% and 2.65, respectively at 150g concentrates and 35.5%, 18.2%, 2.4% and 2.95%, respectively at 300g concentrates. Overall meat composition was 35.28%, 17.8%, 2.3% and 2.87%, respectively. Meat DM and CP varied significantly (P<0.05) with concentrates level. Animals fed no concentrates had the least DM, CP and EE and the highest ash. Animals fed 300g had the highest CP and EE. Supplementing GNH with DSBR based concentrates generally improved Tagger kids wholesale cuts percentages and meat composition. It is recommended to use DSBR based concentrates in fattening Tagger kids.         حفز ارتفاع الطلب وأسعار اللحوم في السودان على تحسين لحوم الماعز لارتفاع أعدادها وارتفاع العضلات والقيمة الغذائية وانخفاض الكولسترول والأحماض الدهنية المشبعة.  تعتبر التقر سلالة واعدة لإنتاج اللحوم لجودة القوام ونوعية اللحم. إنتاج اللحوم عامة تقليدي مع انخفاض الاستثمار والعائدات. التغذية من أهم المعوقات لتدهور المراعي والتباين الموسمي في كمية ونوعية العلف وغلاء العلائق المركزة . أدخل بنجر السكر لولاية الجزيرة وهو علف واعد خاصة الجذر لارتفاع الطاقة. لا تتوفر معلومات عن استخدام جذر البنجر الجاف لجديان التقر.  ولذلك أجريت هذه الدراسة لاختبار اثر مستويات عليقة مركزة ترتكز على جذر البنجر الجاف على الأداء وصفات الذبيحة وتركيب اللحم في جديان التقر. وضعت 12 من ذكور جديان التقر بعمر 6  أشهر في حظائر فردية بها أوعية للعلف والماء وأعطيت عشوائيا الأعلاف  المختبرة. وزنت الحيوانات أسبوعيا لمدة 8 أسابيع منها أسبوعين فترة إعدادية. أعلفت الحيوانات تبن الفول السوداني حسب الرغبة في وجبتين متساويتين عند الثامنة صباحا والرابعة مساء ووزن العلف المتبقي. أعلفت الحيوانات مستويات مختلفة من عليقة مركزة ترتكز على جذور البنجر الجاف (صفر ( الشاهد)  150 و300جم ( في جزئين قبل وجبات تبن الفول السوداني . احتوت العليقة المركزة على 68% جذور البنجر الجاف و15%  امباز فول سوداني و15%  أمباز زهرة الشمس و1% ملح و 1% صدف.  حفظت عينات من تبن الفول السوداني و جذور البنجر الجاف والتبن المتبقي والعليقة المركزة للتحليل المعملي . ذبحت الحيوانات وسلخت  وفصلت مكونات الجسم الثانوية ووزنت لوحدها. وزنت الذبيحة وحسبت صفات الذبيحة.  قسم الجزء الأيسر من الذبيحة إلى قطع إجمالية ووزنت ثم شرحت كل منها.  فصلت العضلة العينية (الضلع 10-12 ) وعينت الصفات والتركيب .. قُسمت الذبائح لخمسة قطع تجارية ولم تُلاحظ فروق معنوية بين مستويات العلائق المركزة. عند التحليل الكيميائي للحوم كانت النسب المئوية للمادة الجافة و البروتين الخام والدهون الخام والرماد %32.82  و %17.3 و %2.15 و3.0  % للمجموعة القياسية و %37.5 و %17.9 و %2.35 و2.65 %عند 150 جم عليقة مركزة و  %35.5 و %18.2 و 2.4  2.95 % عند 300 جم عليقة مركزة ، علي التوالي. وكان المتوسط العام لتركيب اللحم %35.28 و %17.8 و2.3  %و %2.87 ، علي التوالي وكانت الفروق بين مستويات العليقة المركزة معنوية للمادة الجافة والبروتين الخام (P<0.05) . كان للمجموعة القياسية أقل مادة جافة وبروتين خام ودهون وأعلي نسبة رماد.  بينما نالت المجموعة المغذاة علي 300 جم عليقة مركزة أعلي بروتين خام ودهون.  عامة ساهمت إضافة تبن الفول السوداني والعلائق المركزة المعتمدة علي جذور بنجر السكر في تحسين نسب القطع التجارية وتركيب اللحم.  نوصي استخدام علائق بنجر السكر لتسمين جديان التق

Effects of sugar beet root based concentrates level on carcass characteristics and body components in Tagger male kids

     Twelve Tagger male kids at 6 month old were used to study the effects of dried sugar beet root (DSBR) based concentrates level on the performance and carcass characteristics in the Gezira State, Sudan. They were weighed, divided into 3 groups according to body weight (BW) and allocated at random to the 3 experimental diets. They were  housed in individual pens and weighed weekly before the morning meal for 8 weeks with a two weeks preliminary period. They were fed groundnut haulm (GNH) ad lib. in two equal meals at 8 am and 4 pm and different levels of DSBR based concentrates (0 (control), 150g and 300g) in two equal parts before GNH meals. The animals were slaughtered and body components and carcass characteristics were studied. Slaughter weight, hot carcass weight (9.62- 12.69 kg), EBW (7.39-10.1kg), dressing percentages (37.26-41.67), muscle (65.75-68.0%), fat (7.75-12.25%), muscle: bone (2.49:1- 3.58:1) and muscle: fat (8.79:1-10.6:1) increased and bone (26.50 -19.75%) decreased with concentrates level. Body components weight and percentages on live BW varied among and within concentrate levels and were mostly the heaviest in animals fed 300g concentrates. Body components weights and percentages were not significantly (P>0.05) affected by concentrates level, except kidneys and renal fat, mesentery and omentum. The highest percentages were higher in the control and least in animals fed 150g concentrates. It is recommended to use DSBR based concentrates in fattening Tagger kids.     استخدم 12 ذكر جديان من  التقر بعمر 6 أشهر لدراسة أثر مستويات عليقة مركزة تحتوي على جذور بنجر السكر الجافة على  صفات الذبيحة و مكونات الجسم الثانوية في ولاية الجزيرة بالسودان.  تم وزن الحيوانات وتقسيمها الى 3 مجموعات على أساس الوزن ووزعت عشوائيا على اعلاف الدراسة الثلاث. وضعت الحيوانات في حظائر فردية ووزنت أسبوعياً قبل وجبة الصباح لمدة 8 أسابيع منها أسبوعين فترة إعدادية.  أعلفت الحيوانات تبن الفول السوداني حسب الرغبة في وجبتين متساويتين عند الثامنة صباحا والرابعة مساء و مستويات مختلفة من عليقة مركزة ترتكز على جذور بنجر السكر الجافة  (صفر (الشاهد) 150و و300جم ( في جزئين قبل وجبات تبن الفول السوداني.  ذبحت الحيوانات وقيست مكونات الجسم الثانوية وصفات الذبيحة. أظهرت الدراسة ازدياد وزن الذبح والذبيحة الحارة(9.62- 12.69  كجم ) ووزن الجسم الفارغ (7.39-10.1  كجم) ونسبة التصافي (37.26 %– (%41. 67  علي أساس الوزن الحي و  42.875-52.15%  علي أساس الوزن الفارغ ونسب العضلات (65.75  %- 68.00%) والدهون (7.75%-12.25%) ونسبة العضلات للعظام ( %2.49- %3.58 ) والعضلات للدهون 8.79%-10.6 (% و تقل نسب العظام (19.75%-26.50% (مع زيادة مستوي العليقة المركزة بدون فروق معنوية .  تباينت أوزان مكونات الجسم الثانوية ونسبها على أساس وزن الجسم بين وداخل مستويات العليقة المركزة وكانت أعلي في الحيوانات المغذاة علي 300 جم عليقة مركزة وأقلها في  مجموعة الشاهد . لم تكن الفروقات في أوزان ونسب مكونات الجسم الثانوية معنوية عدا الكلي ودهنها والمساريقا ودهن الأحشاء. كان عدد النسب المئوية الأعلى أكبر في مجموعة الشاهد واقل في التي أعلفت 150 جم عليقة مركزة. يوصي باستخدام علائق تحتوي على  جذور بنجر السكر الجافة لتسمين جديان ماعز التقر                                                                                           &nbsp

Efficacy of Semi-Rigid Ureteroscopy and Holmium:YAG Laser Lithotripsy in the Treatment of Ureteric Calculi, a Retrospective Study

Background: Urolithiasis is a common worldwide health problem. Many endosurgical treatments became available for urinary calculi.Objectives: To find out the success clearance and complication rates of ureteric stone treatment using semi-rigid ureteroscopy and Holmium:YAG laser lithotripsy as a day case procedure.Methods: In the period from April 2011 to October 2013, a total of 64 patients who were treated by laser lithotripsy were reviewed retrospectively using Fedail Hospital data. Diagnosis was radiologically confirmed. Semi-rigid ureteroscopy and Holmium:YAG laser lithotripsy was conducted as a day case surgery. Operative details, clearance of stone fragments, failure and complications were analysed. Cases were followed clinically and radiologically after one week and one month.Results: The studied cases were 47 males and 17 females with average age of 47.3 years and ASA I in 52(81.3%). Those who had left ureteric stones were 28(43.8%) patients, only one patient had bilateral stones and 60(93.8%) patients had single stones. The largest stone diameter was 1.9cm. 68.8% had distal ureteric stones, 14.1% had mid third stones, and 17.2% had upper third stones. Most cases 96.9% were operated under spinal anaesthesia with mean operation time 61.2 minutes. Seven patients needed VUJ balloon dilatation to get access to the ureter.20 watt Holmium:YAG laser fibres were used for stone disintegration. 92.2% of cases had uncomplicated clearance, 3.1% minor complications and 4.7% failure of the procedure.100% clearance was confirmed during follow up. Conclusion: Semi-rigid ureteroscopy and Holmium:YAG laser lithotripsy is a safe treatment for ureteric calculi and can be conducted as a day case with high success rate and very low morbidity.Key words: ureteric stone, Semi-rigid ureteroscopy, Holmium:YAG laser lithotripsy

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

Characterisation of Nicotine and Cancer-Enhancing Anions in the Common Smokeless Tobacco Afzal in Oman

Objectives: Afzal is a common smokeless tobacco product (STP) available illegally in Oman. This study aimed to assess pH and moisture levels and determine cancer-enhancing factors in a randomly selected sample of Afzal. Methods: This study was carried out at the Sultan Qaboos University in Muscat, Oman, between April and December 2013. A package of Afzal was purchased from a single provider and divided into samples. The pH and moisture content of the samples were measured according to the protocols of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to analyse nicotine levels and ionexchange chromatography (IC) was used to determine concentrations of nitrate, nitrite, chloride, fluoride, bromide, sulphate and phosphate anions. Results: The samples had an alkaline pH of 10.46 with high levels of total (48,770.00 μg per g of STP [μg/g]) and unionised (48,590.00 μg/g) nicotine. The concentration of nitrate (8,792.20 μg/g) was alarmingly high. The chloride concentration (33,170.80 μg/g) showed a surge on IC chromatography. The moisture content percentage was 52.00%. Conclusion: The moisture content percentage and chloride concentration of Afzal was consistent with those of other STPs. In contrast, nitrite, sulphate and phosphate concentrations were below reported levels of other STPs. All anion concentrations were below the maximum daily limit set by international health organisations. However, the high concentrations of nitrite, nitrate and nicotine and the elevated alkaline pH observed in the analysed Afzal samples suggest that STP users will face health risks as a result of their use

Paratuberculosis: The Hidden Killer of Small Ruminants

Paratuberculosis (PTB) is a contagious and chronic enteric disease of ruminants and many non-ruminants caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP), and is characterised by diarrhoea and progressive emaciation with consequent serious economic losses due to death, early culling, and reduced productivity. In addition, indirect economic losses may arise from trade restrictions. Besides being a production limiting disease, PTB is a potential zoonosis; MAP has been isolated from Crohn’s disease patients and was associated with other human diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Type 1 diabetes, and multiple sclerosis. Paratuberculosis in sheep and goats may be globally distributed though information on the prevalence and economic impact in many developing countries seem to be scanty. Goats are more susceptible to infection than sheep and both species are likely to develop the clinical disease. Ingestion of feed and water contaminated with faeces of MAP-positive animals is the common route of infection, which then spreads horizontally and vertically. In African countries, PTB has been described as a “neglected disease”, and in small ruminants, which support the livelihood of people in rural areas and poor communities, the disease was rarely reported. Prevention and control of small ruminants’ PTB is difficult because diagnostic assays demonstrate poor sensitivity early in the disease process, in addition to the difficulties in identifying subclinically infected animals. Further studies are needed to provide more insight on molecular epidemiology, transmission, and impact on other animals or humans, socio-economic aspects, prevention and control of small ruminant PTB

Seroprevalence of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis in Dairy Cattle in Khartoum State, Sudan

Paratuberculosis, caused by Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP), is a chronic wasting disease mainly of domestic and wild ruminants. It occurs worldwide, causing significant economic losses through decreased productivity, low fertility, increased cull rates and mortality. It is listed by the OIE (World Organization for Animal Health) as a disease of concern to trade in animals. Prevalence of this disease can be studied by detecting anti-MAP antibodies by Enzyme linked immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). The aim of this study was to investigate the current prevalence of MAP infection in cattle in Khartoum State. The overall apparent prevalence of MAP infection was found to be 6.3% and 18.9% at animal and herd levels, respectively. All seropositive animals were cross-bred females of good body condition; most of them (>90%) were >3 years old and >50% were from medium-sized herds in Omdurman. No significant association (p > 0.05) was found between seropositivity and animal herd size. The prevalence of MAP infection in Khartoum State is still low to medium compared to other parts of the world, but it is comparable to those reported from other African countries. Further studies with the view of designing nationwide surveys in domestic ruminants and camels in other states of the country are needed for establishing control programmes

Musculoskeletal symptoms of the upper extremities and the neck: A cross-sectional study on prevalence and symptom-predicting factors at visual display terminal (VDT) workstations

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and the predictors of musculoskeletal symptoms in the upper extremities and neck at visual display terminal (VDT) workstations.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In a cross-sectional study 1,065 employees working at VDT > 1 h/d completed a standardised questionnaire. Workstation conditions were documented in a standardised checklist, and a subgroup of 82 employees underwent a physical examination.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Using the Nordic Questionnaire, the 12-month prevalence of symptoms of the neck, shoulder region, hand/wrist, or elbow/lower arm was 55%, 38%, 21%, and 15% respectively. The duration of VDT work had a significant impact on the frequency of neck symptoms in employees performing such work > 6 h/d.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>With regard to musculoskeletal symptoms of the upper extremities, preventive measures at VDT workstations should be focused on neck and shoulder symptoms (e.g. ergonomic measures, breaks to avoid sitting over long periods).</p