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Long and Short-Term Effect of Conventional Tillage on Some Soil Properties of Sugar Cane Grown Vertisol
No full textSoil tillage imposed different effects on soil properties. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a long (LT)(> 40 years) and short - term (ST) (< 10 years) effects of conventional tillage in a sugar can grown in a vertisol on some soil properties as compared to native vegetation (NV). The tillage sequence was sub-soiling, smoothing by disc harrowing, leveling and ridging (every 4 - 5 years) and re-ridging annually. The results showed that, weight of particulate of organic matter associated with sand particles (POM) in the LT (9.6 g kg-1) and ST (6.7 g kg-1) were significantly (P = 0.007) higher than that reported in NV (2.1 g kg-1). In the 0 - 10 cm soil depth tillage had no effect on total nitrogen (TN), organic carbon (OC) and bulk density (Bd). However, in the 10 - 20 cm soil depth, significantly (P > 0.03) more N was incorporated in the LT tillage (0.46g kg-1) compared to NV and ST tillage (0.26-0.33g kg-1). In this depth (10 - 20 cm), LT tillage significantly (P < 0.01) decreased Bd from 1.8 (in ST) and 1.7 (in NV) to 1.5 g cm-3. In the third depth (20 - 30 cm), TN and Bd were not affected while OC was significantly (P = 0.009) decreased from 4.9 (in NV) to 2.2 (in LT) and 1.7 g kg-1 (in ST). In the lower soil depth (30 - 40 cm), there seemed to be more incorporation of OC (though not significant) in the LT compared to ST and NV. Therefore, more C and N were brought into the lower soil depth (particularly in the 10 - 20 cm depth) in LT. This might subject the soil under sugar cane production to degradation. It could be concluded that, in heavy textured soils under cane production in the dry tropics, soil degradation by tillage might not be a constraint if non-inverted tillage implements were used. This could possibly be attributed to physical protection of organic matter by the high clay content (> 52%).University of Khartou
Long and Short-Term Effect of Conventional Tillage on Some Soil Properties of Sugar Cane Grown Vertisol
No full text2002Soil tillage imposed different effects on soil properties. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a long (LT)(> 40 years) and short - term (ST) (< 10 years) effects of conventional tillage in a sugar can grown in a vertisol on some soil properties as compared to native vegetation (NV). The tillage sequence was sub-soiling, smoothing by disc harrowing, leveling and ridging (every 4 - 5 years) and re-ridging annually. The results showed that, weight of particulate of organic matter associated with sand particles (POM) in the LT (9.6 g kg-1) and ST (6.7 g kg-1) were significantly (P = 0.007) higher than that reported in NV (2.1 g kg-1). In the 0 - 10 cm soil depth tillage had no effect on total nitrogen (TN), organic carbon (OC) and bulk density (Bd). However, in the 10 - 20 cm soil depth, significantly (P > 0.03) more N was incorporated in the LT tillage (0.46g kg-1) compared to NV and ST tillage (0.26-0.33g kg-1). In this depth (10 - 20 cm), LT tillage significantly (P < 0.01) decreased Bd from 1.8 (in ST) and 1.7 (in NV) to 1.5 g cm-3. In the third depth (20 - 30 cm), TN and Bd were not affected while OC was significantly (P = 0.009) decreased from 4.9 (in NV) to 2.2 (in LT) and 1.7 g kg-1 (in ST). In the lower soil depth (30 - 40 cm), there seemed to be more incorporation of OC (though not significant) in the LT compared to ST and NV. Therefore, more C and N were brought into the lower soil depth (particularly in the 10 - 20 cm depth) in LT. This might subject the soil under sugar cane production to degradation. It could be concluded that, in heavy textured soils under cane production in the dry tropics, soil degradation by tillage might not be a constraint if non-inverted tillage implements were used. This could possibly be attributed to physical protection of organic matter by the high clay content (> 52%).Uof
The Social Accountability of Medical Schools; not just a passing phase
No full textThe concept of Social Accountability is not new, having been first defined by the World
Health Organization twenty years ago. The last ten years however have seen it grow in
importance, being built into many accreditation procedures and respected as an integral
part of curriculum development in a substantial number of medical schools, worldwide.
Despite this growth, the concept is still not fully understood by many, who see it purely
as an extension to community-based and community-orientated education.
The purpose of this session will be to explore the concept of social accountability, what it
means for the institution and individuals involved and how it can be implemented in a
correct and purposeful manner
Incidence of Epstein-Barr Virus in Pediatric Leukemia in the Sudan
No full textThis study screened 80 pediatric patients with leukemia and 20 healthy controls, from Sudan, for the presence
of Epstein-Barr virus. Latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) gene transcripts were found in 29 (36.3%) of 80
patients but in none of the controls (P < .0001). The high incidence of LMP1 in these patients, strongly
suggests the role of Epstein-Barr virus in the etiology of pediatric leukemia in the Sudan
Evaluation of Preoperative Predictive Values of Serum CA15-3 and CEA within Sudanese Women with Breast
No full textEarly detection of cancer comprises early diagnosis in symptomatic and screening of
asymptomatic individuals. Our aim was to evaluate the significant values of carbohydrate antigen 15-3
(CA15-3) and/or Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in women with breast cancer.
Design and setting: This case control study was conducted in Khartoum Teaching Hospital, Khartoum,
Sudan.
Application of such measurement may be helpful within screening and early detection efforts in such a
country like Sudan with poor resources
Battling schistosomiasis in the Gezira Irrigation Scheme, Sudan
No full textThis paper analyses changing patterns of infection with S. mansoni and S. haematobium
in Gezira Irrigation Scheme, Sudan. Taking a historical perspective, it shows the way in
which ecological, biological, social, economic and political issues have shaped patterns
of infection, and how different kinds of strategies have been developed to control
schistosomal infection over time. The article provides data using the content analysis
method reviewing researches and reports of studies done on schistosomiasis to reveal
strategies implemented to impose the control of the spreading of the disease in the area
These strategies have been shaped by wider political and economic issues occurring at
both national and international levels; and the article shows that this has had a
considerable impact on both the prevalence and intensity of schistosomal infection at a
local level. By highlighting the inter-play between biological, ecological, social, political
and economic issues at local, national and international levels, the article goes on to
reflect on the wisdom of prioritizing mass drug administration for the control of
schistosomiasis (at the expense of a more holistic, biosocial approach) in Gezira and
elsewher
Challenges and opportunities for the development of new treatments for leishmaniasis
No full textThere are significant differences in the progress and approaches to drug development
for visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). VL, caused by L.
donovani and L. infantum, is potentially fatal and is the primary focus for drug R & D.
The need for new drugs is urgent as the standard pentavalent antimonials are now
almost obsolete in the key endemic area in Bihar state, India due to resistance. A
number of amphotericin B lipid formulations have proved effective in the treatment VL,
although only the liposomal formulation, AmBisome®, has become a standard treatment
and demonstrated efficacy in single dose treatment and in combination therapy. Major
challenges remain for VL treatment due to regional differences in response rates, and
co-infections with HIV. Despite extensive screening and evaluation projects, few safe,
oral, short course, cheap drugs are close to clinical development.
There are limited treatment options for CL. One problem is the variation in drug
effectiveness across the different Leishmania species that cause CL. Two recent
Cochrane analyses of clinical trials of CL emphasized that most clinical studies did not
meet standards of randomized placebo controlled trials. One promising approach has
been the development of topical formulations, so far most successful for paromomycin.
Another approach to CL treatment is to accelerate self-cure through the use of
immunomodulators as adjunct therapies, for example, imiquimod.
All attempts to discover and develop novel drugs for neglected infectious diseases
depend on a network of partnerships, upon involvement of PDPs and the pharmaceutical
industry and the involvement of key players in disease endemic countries. The issues of
changing patterns of funding and involvement of different sectors all play a part in
bringing new treatments to patients
Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi), a not for profit Research & Development Organization with a strong implication in Sudan.
No full textDrugs for Neglected Diseases initiative is a not for profit organisation founded in 2003 by
research institutions from endemic countries affected by neglected diseases and Doctors
without Borders with the objective of developing 11 to 13 treatments by 2018. The
diseases that were selected are Human African Trypanosomiasis, Chagas Disease,
Visceral and Cutaneous Leishmaniasis, Malaria, later onchocerciasis, lymphatic
Filariasis and pediatric HIV were included
Head & Neck Cancer in the era of Personalised Medicine
No full textThis presentation will look at targeted therapies, genomics and molecular advances and
future directions, including non-surgical treatments of Head & Neck Cancer.
Individualised care provided in a multidisciplinary setting will be discusse
Complement deficiencies: Clinical impact and diagnostic strategies
No full textComplement as a major component of the innate immune system has a crucial role in
the protection against infections. By orchestrating the immune response, complement
substantially contributes to homeostasis. However, complement may turn against
healthy tissue with severe consequences if not properly controlled. Complement
deficiency cases comprise about 5 to 10% of all primary immunodeficiencies. As
“experiments of nature” they have significantly contributed indefining the role of
complement in host defence. There is great variation in the spectrum of disorders
associated with complement deficiency dependent on which complement protein and
activation pathway is affected. Genetic deficiency of any early component of the
classical pathway (C1q, C1r/s, C2, C4) is often associated with autoimmune diseases,
especaly with SLE due to the failure of clearance of immunecomplexes and apoptotic
materials and impairment of normal humoral response. Individuals, deficient of properdin
and of the terminal pathways (C5 to C9) are highly susceptible to meningococcal
disease, indicating that its cytolytic property is of particular importance in the host
defense against Neisseriae. Deficiency of C1 Inhibitor, either inherited (hereditary
angioedema, HAE) or acquired, results in episodic angioedema. Mutations affecting the
regulators factor H, factor I, or CD46 and of C3 and factor B leading to severe
dysregulation of the alternative pathway have been associated with renal disorders, such
as atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) and less frequent with
membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN).
The diagnostic approach leading to the identification of a complement deficiency
involves a multistep process that starts with functional screening of each activation
pathway and proceeds in specialized laboratories with the characterization of the defect
at functional, protein and molecular level. Careful handling and storage of blood samples
is of critical importance for meaningful complement analysis. Leading international
diagnostic complement laboratories have assembled for quality assurance and further
development of analytical tool