Production, Storage and Evaluation of Homemade and Processed Diet, Based on Wheat, Legumes, Sesame and Dates;for Under-Five Children

This study aimed to formulate a nutritive diet enriched with protein, iron and energy for under-five children. It was conducted in Elhosh rural area, Gezira State, Sudan, 2010. The diet was formulated and blended using locally available foods, produced at home level, by a twin-roller drum dryer and in biscuit form. The raw materials included pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) sesame (Sesamum indicum) and dates (Phoenix dactylifera). The three products were evaluated for their proximate composition, energy value, iron content and acceptability after storage at (4℃ - 6℃) and at room temperature for 5 months. The protein content of the products was (14.0 - 14.1 g/100g);the energy value ranged from 382 to 390 Kcal/100g, both in-line with many recommendations for children aged under five. The iron content was found in the range of 14.6 - 14.8 mg/100g, in agreement with the codex recommendation. Yeast, mold and salmonella were not detected while other microbes were found within acceptable values. Studied products were found nutritious and remained acceptable after storage for five months. Legumes, sesame seeds and dates can be effectively used in wheat-based baby foods as a source of protein and mineral supplement.

Improvement of Kolbroek Boar Growth Performance and Carcass Quality through Dietary Crude Protein Supplementation

Kolbroek pigs have numerous advantages as an indigenous breed including its contributions to food security. However, there are numerous concerns over the current feed regime that compromises its growth performance and carcass quality. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the growth performance traits, attainment of puberty, backfat thickness (BFT), and carcass traits when boar fed diets supplemented with 10% (standard diet), 13% and 16% crude protein. Fifteen pigs per protein diets were individually housed and fed ad-libitum for eight weeks in a complete randomised design. Average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were measured on a weekly basis. At the end of the trial, all boars were slaughtered and carcass quality parameters measured. Pearson’s correlation coefficients were calculated between growth performance parameters. Our data revealed that there was an increase in final body weight, ADG, ADFI accompanied by decreases in BFT and the age of attainment of puberty. There was also a positive correlation between ADFI and ADG (r = 0.78) accompanied by a low positive correlation between ADG and BFT (r = 0.12) with a high negative correlation between FCR and ADG (r = -0.94). The water holding capacity (WHC), dressing percentage and marbling mass appeared to decrease while the eye muscle area increased with protein supplementation of the diet. There were also increases in the lungs, liver, small plus large intestines and stomach with no changes in the pancreas and heart tissues. Accompanying these was observations that the meat colour lightness improved accompanied by a decline in meat redness and yellowness. In conclusion, supplementation of boar diet with increasing crude protein improved the carcass quality and growth performance of Kolbroek boars.

Codiaeum Variegatum Hydro Alcoholic Leaf Extracts and Their Fractions Inhibit Pro-Inflammatory Mediators in Vitro

Codiaeum variegatum has been widely investigated for its biological proprieties ranging from the antiamoebic potential to the phytochemical analysis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory potential of C. variegatum leaf extracts and fractions. A primary macrophage culture activated by Saccharomyces cereviseae (SC) was used to evaluate cell cytotoxicity and anti-inflammatory potential of the plant extracts and fractions. Macrophages were treated with different concentrations (0.1;1;10 and 100 μg/mL) of the extracts/fractions for the inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase activity, nitric oxide (NO) and Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNF-α) production. No significant difference was observed on cell viability in the presence of extracts and fractions at tested concentration during the incubation period. Extracts and fractions of C. variegatum inhibited the 5-lipoxygenase activity, NO and TNF-α production by viable primary mouse macrophages in a concentration-dependent manner. The fractionation process increased anti-inflammatory activity. Among fractions, HEF2, HEF3, HEF5, EEF1, EEF3 and EEF5 exhibited the best anti-inflammatory potential. C. variegatum extracts and fractions exhibited a greater anti-inflammatory potential throughout the inhibition of pro-inflammatory mediators such as NO, 5-Lox and TNF-α.

A review of whole-medical systems and holistic care approach for type 2 diabetes and associated metabolic syndrome

Whole-person care and holistic care approach has been proposed for complementary and integrative health care for type 2 diabetes mellitus.However,some doubts still exist on the feasibility of replicating processes followed in clinical trials and observational studies in real-world settings.This narrative literature review summarized and assessed existing clinical evidence(clinical trials,observational studies,and case reports)describing holistic and integrated care approach in adult and adolescent individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus in clinical practice.The goal was to highlight existing evidence for implementation and outcomes of whole-medical systems and holistic integrated care approach for type 2 diabetes mellitus.A nonsystematic literature search was performed on Google Scholar,PubMed,Web of Science,ProQuest and ScienceDirect to identify clinical evidence from different parts of the world,evaluating the use of whole-medical systems and/or holistic care interventions in clinical practice for management of type 2 diabetes mellitus.Relevant keywords were used in the search.Data were analyzed using content analysis and simple descriptive statistics(percentages).Most of the studies(64%)were mainly conducted in Eastern countries(India,China and Israel)while 36%of the studies were conducted in the Western countries(USA,Netherlands,Canada and Mexico).Lifestyle medicine and integrated naturopathy were shown to be the commonly used whole-medical systems for type 2 diabetes mellitus management.Significant improvements in type 2 diabetes parameters,medication use,other symptoms,and overall feeling of wellness were observed in all studies.This review study revealed limited utilization and/or documentation of whole-medical systems or holistic care treatments for type 2 diabetes mellitus in regions of the world other than eastern countries.Lifestyle medicine,naturopathy,yoga,Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine were shown to be effective for type 2 diabetes mellitus,either as an alternative or as a complementary therapy.

Assessment of the Susceptibility of Boar Semen to Oxidative Stress

The present study was conducted to assess boar sperm susceptibility to oxidative stress generated by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Semen was collected in replicates from three experimental large white boars using the gloved-hand technique. Semen ejaculates from three boars were treated with different concentrations of H2O2 for three hours. SYBR-14 and Propidium Iodide (PI) Live/ Dead assay kit was used to determine cell viability, and Yo-pro-1 and PI apoptosis kit was used to determine cell death, namely, apoptosis. Boar sperm motility obtained using computer aided sperm analysis (CASA) was between 90% and 100% with more than 98% viability with 0% apoptotic cells. In H2O2 treated boar sperm cells, rapid (RAP) and progressive motility (PM) increased. Also, H2O2 treatment induced a high positive correlation with apoptosis but high negative correlation with viability. Hydrogen peroxide decreased boar semen total motility (TM) by 10%. In addition, most of the boar sperm cells became apoptotic and lost 55% of viability under oxidative stress induced by H2O2. This study illustrated that boar semen was more susceptible to oxidative stress induced by H2O2.

An Investigative Immunoassay Targeting Two Osteopontin Epitopes in Boar Semen

The identification of superior sire is largely dependent on the semen quality evaluations, currently through computer-aided sperm class analyser (CASA). Immunoassays present a viable method for analysis of proteins associated with fertility, such as osteopontin. We have targeted osteopontin at an upstream epitope at position 249 - 267 amino acids and a downstream epitope at position 59 - 74 amino acids of full osteopontin protein in raw, BTS, Kobidil, Tris and Citrate liquid preserved Large white and Kolbroek boar semen. The Genetool analysis software was used to quantify the amount of osteopontin detected. Three boars per breed were used and experiments were repeated five times. Our results revealed that the downstream 15 amino acid epitope was more sensitive to osteopontin antibody. Between total motility and osteopontin, Kolbroek boar semen preserved in Kobidil, Citrate, BTS and Tris extenders revealed positive correlations of 0.564, 0.471, -0.960 and 0.330, respectively. Large white boars semen showed correlations of -0.043, 0.655, 0.778, and 0.202 Kobidil, Citrate, BTS and Tris, respectively. For rapid motility and osteopontin, Kolbroek boar semen revealed positive correlations of 0.842, 0.601, 0.164 and 0.202, respectively while large white boars semen showed correlations of -0.909, -0.144, -0.210, and 0.089, respectively. Only BTS and Kobidil showed high negative correlations between osteopontin and viability in Kolbroek (-0.975) and Large white (-0.746) boar semen, respectively. No significant correlations with osteopontin were observed when Tris extender was used in both breeds. In conclusion, Kolbroek boar semen requires osteopontin in Kobodil extender while large white boar semen requires osteopontin in BTS extender.

Safe acupuncture and dry needling during pregnancy:New Zealand physiotherapists' opinion and practice

Objective: Acupuncture guidelines have advised caution when treating women during pregnancy,because historical ‘‘forbidden" acupuncture points are believed to stimulate miscarriage or early labor.Despite recent research demonstrating that acupuncture is a useful and safe treatment tool for pregnancy-related low-back pain(LBP) and pelvic girdle pain(PGP), it is postulated that fear of miscarriage and subsequent blame by association, restricts its provision. More recently, an increase in dry needling(DN) courses for physiotherapists has potentiated the rapid growth in DN practice in New Zealand(NZ). Many dry needlers do not consider DN to be a form of acupuncture; it is unknown if they have similar safety concerns.Methods: NZ registered physiotherapists practicing acupuncture and/or DN were invited to participate in an electronic survey to examine their practice and level of understanding in regard to safe needling during pregnancy.Results: Of 124 respondents, only 60(48%) would needle pregnant women, with a further 66% of those still expressing safety concerns. NZ physiotherapists practicing DN only, were more likely to needle areas related to ‘‘forbidden" points in all trimesters. However, overall, NZ physiotherapists were less likely to needle ‘‘forbidden" points than their UK peers.Conclusion: Conflicting literature and a ‘‘fear of blame" influences NZ physiotherapists' decisions to offer needling(both acupuncture and DN) during pregnancy. Further training in this field is recommended to ensure safe practice and adequate provision of acupuncture treatment options for pregnant women suffering musculoskeletal pain, such as LBP and PGP. Further research, particularly into DN, for women during pregnancy, is warranted.

Effect of High-Intensity Intermittent Hypoxic Training on 3-on-3 Female Basketball Player’s Performance

Purpose To investigate the effects of 4 weeks high-intensity interval training in hypoxia on aerobic and anaerobic perfor-mance of 3-on-3 basketball players.Methods In a randomised controlled trial,15 female basketballers completed eight 1-h high-intensity training sessions in either normobaric hypoxia(hypoxic group n=8,altitude 3052 m)or normoxia(normoxic group n=7,sea-level).Results After training,the hypoxic group increased their 1-min all-out shuttle run distance by 2.5%±2.3%(mean±95%CI,d=0.83,P=0.04),compared to the normoxic group 0.2%±2.3%(d=0.06,P=0.8),with the difference between groups being clinically worthwhile but not statistically significant(d=0.77,P=0.1).Distance covered in the Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test tended to increase in the hypoxic(32.5%±39.3%,d=1.0,P=0.1)but not normoxic group(0.3%±24.5%,d=0.08,P=0.9),with a non-significant change between groups(d=0.9,P=0.2).Compared to normoxia,the hypoxic group significantly increased subjective markers of stress(d=0.53,P=0.005),fatigue(d=0.43,P=0.005),and muscle soreness(d=0.46,P=0.01),which resulted in a lower perceived training performance in the hypoxic compared to the normoxic group(d=0.68,P=0.001).Conclusion High-intensity interval training under hypoxic conditions likely improved 1-min all-out shuttle run ability in female basketball 3-on-3 players but also increased subjective markers of stress and fatigue which must be taken into con-sideration when prescribing such training.

Remittances for Disaster Risk Management: Perspectives from Pacific Island Migrants Living in New Zealand

In many low-income countries, migrant remittances are essential in sustaining people's livelihoods and become even more important during and after disasters.Researchers, policymakers, and practitioners increasingly emphasize the need to better support this people-based mechanism, so disaster risk can be reduced. This suggests the importance of understanding migrants' perspectives on the remittance channels used and the challenges and opportunities of supporting remittances. However, such information is largely missing. Drawing on interviews and a focus group discussion carried out with Pacific Island migrants living in New Zealand, the article identifies the capacity of migrants to utilize different remittance channels and resources to assist those affected in their country of origin. Challenges faced include high transfer fees, lack of information and support from external stakeholders, and limited resources to effectively send both individual and collective remittances. The article concludes that there is a serious need to involve a large array of stakeholders in finding ways to better support remittances for disaster risk management, including migrants, government agencies, the private sector, nongovernmental organizations, and those receiving remittances.

Match and training injury incidence in rugby league:A systematic review,pooled analysis,and update on published studies

In studies reporting rugby league injuries,match injuries varied depending upon participation level.To review and update pooled data estimates for rugby league injury epidemiology and add information for participation levels in match and training environments.A systematic review and pooled analysis for published studies reporting rugby league match and training injuries.Searches were performed in the PubMed,CINHAL,ScienceDirect,Scopus,SPORTDiscus,SpringerLink,and Wiley Online databases.Studies were considered if they reported on rugby league match or training injuries between Jan 1990 to June 2021.Two authors(DK,TC)extracted the study characteristics,numerical data and assessed the article quality,by adhering to the protocol for systematic review of observational studies(MOOSE)and the STrengthening and Reporting of OBservational studies in Epidemiology(STROBE)statement.The 46 studies included a combined exposure of 419,037 h and 18,783 injuries incorporating 158,003 match-hr and 15,706 match injuries(99.4[95%CI:97.9–101.0]per 1000 match-hr)and 264,033 training-hr and 3077 training injuries(11.8[95%CI:11.4–12.2]per 1000 training-hr).Of included studies,47.9%utilised a medical attention/treatment injury definition.There was a five-fold difference in injuries for the semi-professional participation level(431.6 per 1000 match-hr)compared with professional(RR:4.92;p<0.001)and elite(RR:3.77;p<0.001)participation levels.The hooker recorded the highest pooled injury incidence(93.1 per 1000 match-hr).Compared to the 2014 analysis there was a 10-fold increase for headneck region(RR:10.7;p<0.001)injury incidence,and more injuries for the ball carrier(RR:1.1;p?0.008)and tackler(RR:1.2;p?0.001).There was a three-fold decrease in injury incidence in the first half(RR:2.9;p<0.001)and a two-fold decrease in the second half(RR:2.3;p<0.001)of matches.While rugby league match and training injury incidence had decreased since 2014,the increase in head injuries,and greater injury rate at the semi-professional level,mean further injury prevention interventions are needed.