Wad Medani Research Articles

The prevalence of anemia among preschool Sudanese children in Wad Medani Great Locality, Gezira State, Sudan

Background: Anaemia is a major child health problem worldwide. The prevalence among preschool children is relatively high in developing countries. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of anemia among preschool Sudanese children, to evaluate the risk factors associated with anemia, and to correlate the relationship between hemoglobin concentration and food groups. Methods: A sample of 300 Sudanese children 3-5 years of age from Wad Medani Greater Locality, Gezira State were included in this study, during period from July 2014 to February 2015. Cyanmethemoglobin method was used to measure hemoglobin concentration. Dietary data and food habits of children were collected using pre-tested questionnaires. Results: The study showed that, the highest haemoglobin concentration was 12.04±0.08g/dl, and the lowest haemoglobin concentration was 7.9±0.79 g/dl. The overall prevalence of anaemia in the study population was 58.4% and 13.3% were moderately anaemic with haemoglobin level (7- 9.9) g/dl. Conclusion: This study indicated high prevalence of anaemia among preschoolSudanese children. It was identified that, some factors such as child’s age, father’s education level, working mothers, income, residence and consumption of fruits, vegetables and meat have positive correlation on hemoglobin concentration level.

Effect of Feeding Bt Cotton Seed Cake on the Cheese Chemical Composition and Sensory Characteristics

This experiment was conducted in EL Nesheeshiba, Goat Research Center, University of Gezira Wad Medani Sudan. The objective of the experiment was to investigate; the effect of feeding goats on Bt cotton seed cake on cheese chemical composition and sensory characteristics. The results revealed that, there was significant differences (P<0.01) between cheese produced from feeding on Bt and Non-Bt cotton seed cake. With exception of acidity protein and ash were significantly (P<0.01) higher in cheese produced from milk goats fed on Bt cotton seed cake. Fat and total solid were significantly higher Non- Bt cotton seed fed goats. While there was no significant difference in sensory characteristics (color, flavor, taste and texture) between the cheese produced from Bt and Non-Bt milk. It was concluded that, feeding on Bt cotton seed cake significantly affect cheese chemical composition but not the sensory characteristics.

Edible insect value chains in Africa

This special issue was organised in the context of the 22nd meeting of the Association of African Insect Scientists (AAIS), in Wad Medani, Sudan in 2017. The aim was to ‘support impactful research that will yield genuine edible insects products and sustain value chains that enhance food and nutritional security and support sustained livelihoods in Africa’. The issue is composed of contributions from the following countries: Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, Nigeria, Mali, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Malawi, and Zimbabwe. The issue attempted to strengthen the traditional inventory and perception studies and emphasise on contributions that explore entrepreneurial developments of insects use as food and livestock feed. The issue also looked at emerging R&amp;D and innovations to enhance the use of insects to improve food and nutritional security and as a major sector in economic development in Africa.

Identification and characterization of novel mosquito-borne (Kammavanpettai virus) and tick-borne (Wad Medani) reoviruses isolated in India.

In 1954, a virus named Wad Medani virus (WMV) was isolated from Hyalomma marginatum ticks from Maharashtra State, India. In 1963, another virus was isolated from Sturnia pagodarum birds in Tamil Nadu, India, and named Kammavanpettai virus (KVPTV) based on the site of its isolation. Originally these virus isolates could not be identified with conventional methods. Here we describe next-generation sequencing studies leading to the determination of their complete genome sequences, and identification of both virus isolates as orbiviruses (family Reoviridae). Sequencing data showed that KVPTV has an AT-rich genome, whereas the genome of WMV is GC-rich. The size of the KVPTV genome is 18 234 nucleotides encoding proteins ranging 238-1290 amino acids (aa) in length. Similarly, the size of the WMV genome is 16 941 nucleotides encoding proteins ranging 214-1305 amino acids in length. Phylogenetic analysis of the VP1 gene, along with the capsid genes VP5 and VP7, revealed that KVPTV is likely a novel mosquito-borne virus and WMV is a tick-borne orbivirus. This study focuses on the phylogenetic comparison of these newly identified orbiviruses with mosquito-, tick- and Culicoides-borne orbiviruses isolated in India and other countries.

Epidemiological review of childhood cancers in central Sudan

Background: Epidemiological studies of paediatric cancer incidence in Sudan are rare.Objectives: The aim of this study was to provide baseline information about the epidemiology of childhood cancers in patients treated at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in Wad Medani, Sudan.Methods: We performed a retrospective health facility–based study of cancer incidence and patient characteristics of children who were treated at the NCI from January 1999 to December 2015. The changing patterns of cancers incidence during the study period were also recorded.Results: Of 15 387 new patients with cancer who were registered at the NCI during the study period, 1159 (7.5%) were children (younger than 15 years). The mean age of the paediatric patients was 7 years, with standard deviation of 5. Most of the patients (36%) were 10 to 15 years old, 33% were 0 to 4 years old and 31% were 5 to 10 years old. Among the study population, 60% were males and 40% were females. Approximately 76% of children lived in rural areas in Sudan. Leukaemias (29%) and lymphomas (26%) comprised 55% of all paediatric cancers. Central nervous system (CNS) tumours constituted 6% of all paediatric tumours, whereas non-CNS embryonal tumours (i.e. nephroblastoma, neuroblastoma, hepatoblastoma and retinoblastoma) accounted for 20%. The average number of cases per year increased from 42 in 1999–2005 to 75 in 2006–2010 and 106 in 2011–2015.Conclusion: The number of patients seeking treatment for childhood cancers has increased every year in central Sudan. Leukaemias and lymphomas constitute more than half of these cancers. A population-based cancer registry is needed to determine the true incidence of childhood cancers in Sudan.

Effect of Feeding Bt Cotton Seed Cake on Nubian Goats Milk Characteristic, Gezira State , Sudan

Cotton seed is a traditional protein and energy supplement in the ration of dairy goat .The objective of the experiment is to explore the effect of feeding Bt cotton seed cake on physico-chemical characteristic of goats milk and milk yield .The experiment was conducted in EL Nesheeshiba, Goat Research Center, University of Gezira. Wad Medani, Sudan . Six Nubian goats, were divided into two groups each of three on the basis of their date of kiding .Each goat was housed individually. Each group receive the same concentrate except for the source of cotton seed cake. Where one group received Bt-cotton seed cake and the other Non-Bt cotton seed cake a rate 34%. The result revealed that there was no significant difference (P>0.05) in overall mean between the two groups in physical and chemical composition. But within month were significant different (P≤0.05) in chemical and physical composition. The milk yield was significant higher (P≤0.05) in all months in the goats feed on Bt cotton seed cake. It is recommended that further studies are needed to investigate the causes of the effects of Bt-cotton seed cake on milk characteristics and any possible harmful effects on human.

Evaluating Soybean Germplasm For Agronomic Performance under Irrigated Cropping Environment In Sudan

A field trial was conducted for two consecutive seasons (2013/14 and 2014/15), at the Gezira Research Station, Wad Medani, Sudan, to evaluate the agronomic performance of fourteen early maturing soybean germplasm introduced from USA, South Korea, Vietnam, Taiwan, and Croatia, under irrigated cropping environment. Highly significant differences (P ≤ 0.0001) were detected among the fourteen varieties for the eight agronomic traits in 2013/14 and 2014/15. Over the two seasons, Vietnam coll. 1 had the high grain yield (945 kg/ha), followed by N04-9859 (828 kg/ha) and AGS 327 (798 kg/ ha). Days to maturity ranged from 71 to 86 days over the two seasons. In both seasons, Vietnam coll. 1 and AGS 327 had the high agronomic performance in fodder yield, plant height and height to first pod. The agronomic performance of Vietnam coll. 1 and AGS 327 provides a clear example of the adaptability of tropical soybean germplasm to irrigated environments in Sudan comparing to other temperate germplams. The relative high yield of Vietnam coll. 1 and AGS 327 can be maximized by increasing plant populations/unit area. The unique soybean germplasm from the southern US and South Korea is valuable genetics resource for soybean germplasms at Agricultural Research Corporation (ARC), Sudan to broaden the genetic base of the released soybean varieties through introgression of potentially useful genes for drought-related and nutritional quality traits.

Histologic response after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma: experience from Sudan.

Locally advanced rectal cancer can be down staged by neoadjuvant therapy and the resultant tumor response can be quantified histologically. This study aimed to assess pathological response of neoadjuvant chemoradiation in patients with locally advanced rectal cancers treated in Wad Medani Teaching Hospital (WMTH) and National Cancer Institute (NCI), Wad Medani, Sudan. A total of 36 consecutive patients with locally advanced rectal cancer that were managed in WMTH and NCI during the period from 2006-2011 were reviewed. Preoperative pelvic radiotherapy was delivered. Total of 46 Gray were delivered concurrently with 5- fluorouracil (5-FU) on the first and last week of radiation. Total mesorectal excision of the rectal tumour either by anterior or abdominoperineal resections was planned at 6-8 weeks from completion of preoperative treatment. The pathological response to therapy was assessed by histopathology examination of the surgical specimen. Initial clinical staging of patients revealed 58.3% of them were stage T3/T4N2M0 and 41.7% were stage T3N0M0. Down-staging to stage T1/T2N0M0 was found in 36.1% and stage T3N0M0 in 30.6%. No response was seen in 8.3% of cases with stage T3/T4N2M0 while complete clinical response (no residual) was seen in 25.0%. Complete histological response was observed in 13.8%. Positive lymph-nodes metastasis was confirmed in 8.3% of cases. Neoadjuvant chemoradiation is a reasonable option for cases of rectal cancer and deserves further evaluation.

Sensitivity of Candida albicans to aqueous and alcohol extracts of four medicinal plants

Candida albicansadimorphic fungus that exists as a commensal of warm-blooded animals including humans. Candida albicans infection raises a number of challenges including resistance of Candida albicans to the commonly used antifungaland the higher cost of the antifungal agents.The aim of this study is to test the fungus Candida albicans sensitivity to some medicinal plants namely, Solenostemma argel (Hargel), Matricaria chamomilla (Chamomile), Origanum majorana (Marzanjosh) and Guiera senegalensis (Gebbish). The pure culture of the fungus was obtained from the Medical laboratory - University of Gezira, Sudan. The plants were obtained from Wad Medani herbal local market. Both aqueous and alcoholic extracts were prepared from the four herbs (20%, 35% and 75%) concentrations and (2%,3%,4%,5%,6% and 10%). The sensitivity was tested, using the disc diffusion test that measures the inhibition zones produced by the different herbs at the different concentrations and extraction methods used against the C.albicans. The anticandidal activity ofthe aqueous extract of the different herbs did not detect, regardless of the concentration used, while the alcoholic extracts showed remarkable anticandidal activity and the herbal plant Guiera senegalensis gave thehighest inhibition (14.3mm) at the highest concentration (10%), followed by Matricaria chamomilla with an average inhibition zone of 14 mm andSolenostemmaargelwith average inhibition zone of 13 mm and Origanum majorana with average inhibition zone of 12.6 mm. Significant differences were found between the four herbs at the different concentrations (P value = 0.002).Moreover, increasing the concentration was found to improve the antifungal activity of the herbs and gave better fungal inhibition.Further studies are recommended to investigate the role of the different extraction solvents on the efficiency of the herbs.

Assessment and Analysis of Industrial Liquid Waste at Wad Medani Industrial Area, Gezira State, Sudan

Industrial waste management is the most important problem facing the developing countries. Many conducted research works showed that, the liquid waste disposal methods currently in use in most of the Sudan Industrial areas, may endanger the environment and human health. The objective of this research work is to assess and analyze the liquid waste generated by some industries in the selected area in Wad Medani city. A field survey was conducted and samples of liquid wastes were collected from four factories and from the end point of disposal. Different parameters were investigated: Temperature, Hydrogen ion concentration, Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Total Dissolved Solid (TDS), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and Oil & Grease (O&G). The results revealed that, all the obtained values of the investigated parameters were above the recommended limits at national and international levels.

Studies on Seed Germination and Seedling Emergence of Mesquite, Prosopis juliflora (Swartz) DC. in Sudan Gezira

Mesquite, Prosopis juliflora (Swartz) DC, was introduced in many semi-arid areas of Sudan to combat desertification and provide fuel wood and fodder. However, it spread rapidly into fertile, productive areas, and irrigation and drainage channels, particularly in some of the major irrigated schemes. Nursery experiments were conducted at the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Gezira, Wad Medani, Sudan, to investigate water uptake by seeds, germination-rate, sowing depth, acid scarification and animal feeding of intact pods on germination and seedling emergence. Pods were collected from town, or the National Tree Seed Center laboratory. Seeds were used immediately after extraction. Petri-dishes with filter paper or plastic pots were used. Treatments were arranged in CRB design, with 4-6 replicates. Data were subjected to ANOVA and DMRT. The results revealed that the seeds have high ability to absorb water and exhibited high rate of germination, especially in the second wk after sowing (96%). Seeds placed on the soil surface failed to germinate, while those buried at depths of 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10 cm displayed 100, 75, 60 and 40% germination, respectively. Seedling emergence was delayed by deep burial and amounted to 100 and 50% at depth of 2.5 and 5cm, respectively. Seeds germinated and seedlings have emerged at high rates (100%), when treated with sulfuric acid (60%v/v) for 5 min. they germinated and seedlings emerged normally, when extracted from sheep droppings.

Leather quality of some Sudan desert sheep and goats

Leather quality of some Sudan desert sheep and goats

Prospective cohort study of persistent hypertension following pre-eclampsia at Medani Hospital, Sudan.

To evaluate the incidence of, and factors associated with, persistent hypertension in patients with pre-eclampsia. A prospective cohort study enrolled patients presenting with pre-eclampsia at Wad Medani Maternity Hospital, Sudan, between March 1 and October 31, 2014. Obstetric, clinical, and biochemical variables were recorded at presentation and at 6weeks after delivery. Of 188 patients enrolled in the study, 6-week follow-up data were available for 165. Among these patients, 136 (82.4%) and 29 (17.6) had mild and severe pre-eclampsia, respectively. At 6-week follow-up, 58 (35.2%) patients were experiencing persistent hypertension. Patients with persistent hypertension demonstrated significantly lower platelet counts at baseline (P=0.001) and neonatal weight at delivery (P<0.001) than patients who were normotensive at 6weeks. Severe pre-eclampsia was more common among patients who experienced persistent hypertension than those who were normotensive 6weeks after delivery (P<0.001). In a logistic-regression analysis, none of the investigated factors was associated with persistent hypertension; however, patients experiencing severe pre-eclampsia were 7.3-times more likely to experience persistent hypertension than patients with mild pre-eclampsia (95% confidence interval 1.6-32.2; P=0.008). Persistent hypertension 6weeks after delivery was common among patients who experienced pre-eclampsia in Sudan (particularly severe pre-eclampsia) regardless of patients' age and parity.

Outbreak of oriental yellow scale insect, Aonidiella orientalis (Newstead) (Homoptera: Diaspididae), on neem in Sudan

Scale insects were observed in neem trees (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) planted in Shambatarea near the bank of the Nile in Khartoum State and along Blue Nile Street in Wad Medani, Gezira State, Sudan in October 2014. Specimens of neem leaves and twigs, which were highly infested with scale insects and showing signs of wilting, were collected from different parts of the tree canopies and sent to the Insect Collection Unit at the Agricultural Research Corporation, Gezira Research Station, Sudan for identification. The pest was morphologically identified as Aonidiella orientalis (Newstead) (Hemiptera: Diaspididae). An endoparasitoid was observed to emerge from the scale insect and was identified as an encyrtid wasp. Aonidiella orientalis had been recorded previously in Shambatarea in 1969 and this paper presents the results of surveys carried out following the initial observations in Khartoum and Gezira States. This was a major outbreak, affecting the majority of the 1685 surveyed neem trees and causing damage on 62.7% of them.

Performance of Rapid Diagnostic Test for Malaria Diagnosis at the Different Specialized Hospitals in Wad Medani, Gezira State, Sudan

Performance of Rapid Diagnostic Test for Malaria Diagnosis at the Different Specialized Hospitals in Wad Medani, Gezira State, Sudan

Indications, outcome and complications of ureteroscopy, at Gezira Hospital for renal diseases and surgery, Sudan: a seven years ‘experience

Background: Ureteroscopy (rigid and flexible) with irrigating and working channels have expanded the capability of the urologist to diagnose and treat most abnormalities of the upper tracts. Objective: This study was conducted as a part of holistic auditing to the services provided by Gezira Hospital for Renal Disease and Surgery (GHRD&S), and specifically to evaluate ureteroscopy done in GHRD&S with emphasis on the indications, outcome and complications. Methods: Across-sectional- hospital-based study was adopted. All patients who underwent ureteroscopy since the inauguration of the hospital from 2005-2011 were included. Results: The total number of patients satisfying the inclusion criteria was 472 with a mean age of 40.6 years. Male to female ratio was 1.46:1. The mean hospital stay was 2.74 days.The commonest indication for ureteroscopy was ureteric stone amounting (74%) to a tangible share of ureteric stenting or removal as indication were found in (56.8%) . and therapeutic ureteroscopy for (92.3%). Ureteric stricture was not uncommon (24%). The success rate of therapeutic ureteroscopy was (93.7%) with definite correlation to the site of pathology been (91.75%), (92.3 %) and (87.5%) for the lower, mid and upper ureter respectively. The complications recorded were bleeding (3.3%), penetration (2.5 %), post-operative colic (13%) and infection (0.4%). Mortality rate was zero Conclusion: Because the experience of ureteroscopy in GHRD&S was auspiced by regular training from the SIU the outcome is really comparable to the literature. Keywords: Ureteroscopy, Gezira Hospital for Renal Disease and Surgery, Wad Medani, Success and safety

Measurements of Indoor Radon Levels and Dose Estimation and Lung Cancer Risk Determination for Workers in Health Centres of Some Towns in the Sudan

The indoor radon concentration level and radon effective dose rate were carried out in the health centers of Khartoum, Behri(Khartoum North), Medani and Kassala towns – Sudan, in 222 measurements, using passive integrated solid-state nuclear track devices containing allyl diglycol carbonate plastic detectors. The radon concentration in the corresponding health centers was found to vary from 60 ± 12 Bq.m-3, in Kassala town health centers, and 34 ± 9 Bq.m-3 in Wad Medani town health centers, while Khartoum and Behri (Khartoum North) health centers are recording an average values of 49 ± 12 Bq.m-3 to 46 ± 11 Bq.m-3, respectively. The overall average of radon concentration for health centers in our study was found to be 47 ± 11 Bq.m-3. These values are noticed to be far below than the radon action level 200- 600 Bq.m-3 as recommended by ICRP. Assuming an indoor occupancy factor of 0.8 and 0.4 for the equilibrium factor of radon indoors, we found that the annual effective dose rate from radon was estimated to be 1.19 ± 0.28 mSv.y-1, and the relative lung cancer risk for radon exposure was found to be 1.042%. From our study, it is clear that the annual effective dose rate is lower than both the “normal” back ground level as quoted by UNSCEAR and the recommended action level of ICRP, and less than the maximum permissible dose defined by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Effect of environment and genotypes on the physicochemical quality of the grains of newly developed wheat inbred lines.

To meet the increased demand for wheat consumption, wheat cultivation in Sudan expanded southward to latitudes lower than 15°N, entering a new and warmer environment. Consequently, wheat breeders developed several wheat genotypes with high yields under these environmental conditions; however, the evaluation of the end‐use quality of these genotypes is scarce. In this study, we assessed the end‐use quality attributes of 20 wheat genotypes grown in three different environments in the Sudan (Wad Medani, Hudeiba, and Dongola). The results showed significant differences (P ≤ 0.01) in all quality tests among environments, genotypes and genotypes Versus environments. The findings obtained, covered wide ranges of test weight (TW, 76.6–85.25 kg/hL), thousand kernel weight (TKW, 28.70–48.48 g), protein (PC, 9.96–14.06%), wet gluten (WG, 28.63–46.53%), gluten index (GI, 36.36–92.77%), water holding capacity (WHC, 168.42–219.32%), falling number (FN, 508.00–974.67 sec), and sedimentation value (SV, 19.00–40.00 mL). Analysis of the traits, genotypes, and traits versus genotypes showed varied correlations in the three growing environments. The genotype G3 grown in either one or all of the three environments exhibits worthy performance and stability for most of the tested quality traits. The crossing of this genotype with high yield genotypes could produce cultivars with sufficient quality and marketability.

Knowledge, attitude, and practise of healthcare workers toward hepatitis B virus infection in Sudan

Objective: This study was set out to assess health care providers' knowledge, attitude and practice towards hepatitis B virus infection (HBV). Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out, in four public hospitals in Wad Medani, Sudan. Anonymous pre-tested questionnaire was completed by 295 different health care providers. The response rate was 100%. Results: The study revealed that, 97.2% of doctors, 98.6% of nurses, 94.8% of laboratory technicians and 95.7% of other paramedical knew that HBV transmitted via blood. For hygienic precautionary measure; the current study disclosed that (81%) of the responding providers were routinely used to recap needles after use and only (33%) of doctors were always wearing gloves. Gloves were not readily available in all units where there is a high risk of infectious occupational exposure. More than 50% (p < 0.001) of health care workers were not vaccinated against HBV. Healthcare workers had poor knowledge about Universal Standard Precautions Guidelines, and do not fully appreciate their occupational risk regarding hepatitis B infection. Set of recommendations was proposed for formulation and implementation of standard precautions guidelines.

Pathologic response after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in Sudanese patients with locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma

Background: Locally advanced rectal cancer can be down staged by neoadjuvant therapy and the resultant tumor response can be quantified histologically.Objective: This study aimed to assess pathologic response of neoadjuvant chemoradiation in patients with locally advanced rectal cancers treated in Wad Medani Teaching Hospital (WMTH) and National Cancer Institute (NCI), Wad Medani, Sudan.Patients and Methods: A total of 36 consecutive patients with locally advanced rectal cancer that were managed in WMTH and NCI during the period from 2006-2011 were reviewed. Preoperative pelvic radiotherapy was delivered. The total of 46 Grays were delivered concurrently with 5- fluorouracil (5-FU) on the first and last week of radiation. Total mesorectal excision of the rectal tumour either by anterior or abdominoperineal resections was planned at 6-8 weeks from completion of preoperative treatment. The pathological response to therapy was assessed by histopathology examination of the surgical specimen.Results: Initial clinical staging of patients revealed 58.3% of them were stage T3/T4N2M0 and 41.7% were stage T3N0M0. Down-staging to stage T1/T2N0M0 was found in 36.1% and stages T3N0M0 in 30.6%. No response was seen in 8.3% of cases with stage T3/T4N2M0 while a complete clinical response (no residual) was seen in 25.0%. Complete histological response was observed 13.8%. Positive lymph-nodes metastasis was confirmed in 8.3% of cases.Conclusion: Neoadjuvant chemoradiation is a reasonable option for cases of rectal cancer and deserves further evaluation.