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Nov 2025 DOI 10.14302/issn.2690-4721.ijcm-25-5786
In the Republic of the Congo, tuberculosis (TB) remains a major public health concern. Although the GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay is the WHO-recommended first-line diagnostic test, smear microscopy is still used for treatment monitoring and in facilities where molecular testing is limited. Evaluating the diagnostic accuracy of smear microscopy compared to GeneXpert and MGIT culture is essential to guide diagnostic strategies and strengthen TB control in the country. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 92 presumptive pulmonary TB patients at Makelekele Hospital. Sputum samples were analyzed by smear microscopy, GeneXpert MTB/RIF, and MGIT culture. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value were calculated for smear microscopy and GeneXpert, using culture as the reference standard. Culture detected more Mycobacterium tuberculosis than microscopy (49% vs. 32%, P<0.001). Smear microscopy showed a sensitivity of 58% (95% CI: 43–71%) and specificity of 92% (95% CI: 80–97%). GeneXpert detected more MTB (62% vs. 49%, P<0.001) with a sensitivity of 98% (95% CI: 89–100%) and specificity of 72% (95% CI: 58–83%). GeneXpert showed superior sensitivity for TB detection, while microscopy remained specific. Expanding GeneXpert testing across the Republic of the Congo will improve TB management.
Dec 2024 DOI 10.14302/issn.2997-2248.jwl-24-5308
Interspecific predation within Odonata is a critical yet underexplored aspect of their ecological interactions. This short communication reports a novel observation of Ischnura senegalensis preying upon Agriocnemis pygmaea in rice fields at the Faculty of Agriculture, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka. Documented on March 22, 2024, during the reproductive stage of the rice field, the predatory event involved a female I. senegalensis feeding on the head of a female A. pygmaea. Predation, characterized by the use of mandibles and lasting at least 15 minutes, reveals significant predatory efficiency and behavioral specialization. This observation fills a gap in the understanding of I. senegalensis feeding behavior in Sri Lanka and contributes to the broader knowledge of Odonate predator-prey dynamics. The findings highlight the importance of these interactions in maintaining ecological balance and suggest further research into the impacts of such predatory behaviors on agricultural ecosystems.
Dec 2023 DOI 10.14302/issn.2691-6622.ijar-23-4636
The present study aimed to provide baseline information of fish culture status (obstacles) of Omdurman, Khartoum and Khartoum north in the Khartoum state in Sudan due to there is little or lack of information in this field. 30 owners of farm were questioned from Omdurman, Khartoum and Khartoum north, 10 farms for each location; Descriptive analysis was done for analyzing the raw data of the study by using Excel Microsoft Software 2007. Social data showed that male farm owners group was dominant in third sites 100%. Age groups of fishermen ranged between 20 to 60 years; where age group 31- 40 Khartoum north, age group 41- 50 was dominant in O mdurman and age group 51-60 year was dominant in Khartoum. Six educational categories were recorded where University education was dominant in the three locations 50%, 50% and 70% respectively; whereas, postgraduate was the second in the tow location: O mdurman and Khartoum 20% and the secondary education were the third in Khartoum 30%. all farm owners were married 100% in three sites; As regards to the farm owners other activities results showed that most of them were practicing other activities (farmers, business owner, officers and workers). Category of farmer was dominant 90% secondly business owner and officer 70% and 50% respectively. Data showed that the problems (Varanus niloticus, birds, marketing, fees and thefts) was dominant in three locations had the highest percentage 90%, 80%, 60%, 30% and 10% respectively. and according to production cost in three locations arranged: (feeds, workers, fingerlings, water and technical supervision) 50, and 70% and 40%, 50% and 70% and 30%, 40% and 50% and 10, 20 and 40% and 10, 20 and 30% respectively. Category of feeds dominant followed by workers and fingerlings, the best Method to obtain of information, the results showed that Bulletins was dominant in three sites 80%, 30% and 90%; whereas, field visits in three location was the second 60%, 90% and 0%, Radio programs in three location was the third 60%, 10% and 60% and the lowest percentage; Seminars and television 40%, 50% and 40%, and 30%, 0% and 0%. For the best location to obtain information results revealed that the General Director of Fisheries Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Resources and Irrigation - Khartoum State was dominant in the three locations 90%, 80% and 90%, whereas, Universities in three location was the second 40%, 20% and 0%, and the lowest percentage Central Research of fisheries 40%, 0% and 0%, and Internet 10%, 20% and30%. Also result showed most of the farm owners in three sites all them need to training courses in deferent programmers (Fish extinction, Fish feeding, Fish production and Fish marketing) according to this percentages 60%, 30% and 50%, and 30%, 10% and 50%, and 10%, 10% and 30%, and 10%, 0% and 20% respectively.
Sep 2023 DOI 10.14302/issn.3070-2232.jf-23-4696
Small island states, such as Malta face numerous, unique challenges in relation to agricultural sustainability, with solutions amenable to larger states being unfit given the particular characteristics of the island. These include the poor soil conditions, the limited water resources, the aging farmer population, farming being mainly part-time, and most farmers having no formal training. Currently farmers practice intensive agriculture to achieve higher crop productivity at lower production costs by relying heavily on agri-chemicals and over-extracting groundwater. This destroys the Maltese natural environment and urges for the development and implementation of sustainable agriculture practices, whereby traditional farming is supplemented with sustainable alternatives such that local agriculture remains productive in the long-term while safeguarding the local environment. Here we outline some of the critical issues that urgently need to be addressed and potential ways forward in relation to soil, water and biodiversity, implementing permaculture principles in small-scale, practical actions in order to improve the sustainability of local agricultural through a combination of scientific evidence, agricultural technology and traditional practices.
Jun 2023
Insulin is a frequent peptide hormone addition in serum-free mammalian cell culture media. It contributes in a variety of biological functions, including as promoting cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, and glucose uptake. However, it is unknown how stable insulin is under in vitro cell culture media treatment conditions. The instability of insulin in aqueous solutions has caused a number of issues, necessitating the development of new therapeutic strategies that can keep insulin stable and functioning. Such choices are required to accommodate updated insulin delivery guidelines as well as the storage and transportation of insulin. To preserve structural and functional integrity, protein medicines are frequently stabilized with antioxidants in aqueous solutions. In the present study, the effects of the antioxidants disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid dihydrate (EDTA) and sodium selenite (Se) and their ability to scavenge free radicals on insulin stability in the medium Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM) and Roswell Park Memorial Institute (RPMI) were examined. To investigate the stability of human recombinant insulin, in vitro serum-free DMEM and RPMI media were utilized for 5 days at 37˚C containing different EDTA and Se concentrations. Reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) was used to detect and quantify insulin. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel (SDS-PAGE) electrophoresis was used to assess conformational stability. The results demonstrated that, when EDTA and Se were added separately to DMEM and RPMI media, insulin stability was improved compared to when neither compound was added.
Jul 2022 DOI 10.14302/issn.2691-6622.ijar-22-4221
Cyanobacteria are considered as one of the important group of organisms having significant ecological, industrial, and biotechnological importance. Cyanobacteria have gained a lot of atten ion in recent years because of their potential applications in biotechnology. This review presents an overview of uses of cyanobacteria in industry agriculture, environment pharmaceutical and medicinal roles and to provide future prospects of the field of cyanobacteria biotechnology. Nowadays cyanobacteria have gained attention researchers because of their various potential applications such as food and feed pharmaceutical industries in medicine, in bioremediation, soil conditioning, as biopolymers, bio adhesives, bioenergy and biofertilizers. Due to presence of wide spectrum of bioactive compounds cyanobacteria has possesses antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal and anticancer activities. Several strains of cyanobacteria are also rich in food supplements. Further nitrogen fixing and soil conditioning capacity of cyanobacteria attracted researchers. Recent studies have also shown that cyanobacteria have capability to degrade environmental pollutants and are also being used as a promising source of alternative energy. Cyanobacteria has also its limitations through bloom production it influnces on the nutrient availability and usage of phytoplankton plants. This review is an effort to forward the valuable information about the qualities of cyanobacteria and their potential role in solving the agricultural and environmental problems for the future welfare of the planet.Thus more efforts should be made in search of more potential strains of cyanobacteria to ensure maximum production of the desired products.
Jan 2022 DOI 10.14302/issn.2644-1101.jhp-21-4038
This reflective paper argues that culture, conflict, and change (the “3Cs”) shape educational organizations’ success. It offers examples and leadership practices to diagnose issues and steer constructive transformation.
Dec 2021 DOI 10.14302/issn.2639-3166.jar-21-4018
In India, loss of fertility through soil erosion is primarily a summer monsoons mediated phenomenon. Reversing the land degradation processes contribute to water availability, soil fertility maintenance, adapting to climate change and overall food security. Whereas kharif (monsoon/rainy season crop) foodgrain production largely depends on summer monsoons, the rabi season (post-rainy season/winter crop) rainfall is too little to exert a direct influence. In spite of larger acreage under kharif foodgrain crops, total fertiliser consumption during kharif and rabi seasons is comparable. Negative rainfall anomalies (deficit) adversely affected total fertiliser consumption and their use efficiency. Despite significant differences in fertiliser application rates, the response to applied fertiliser nutrients is almost similar in the two seasons. This implies that nutrient use efficiency (NUE) has a ‘manageable’ and an ‘unmanageable’ component wherein 4R practices are difficult to implement under unfavourable kharif weather conditions. Partial factor productivity of fertilizer nutrients (PFPF) has continuously declined over decades mainly because of depletion of soil organic carbon, imbalanced use of nutrients and inability to maintain soil moisture supplies. These observations plus yield-gap analysis permitted us to conclude that past trends of declining NUE can only be reversed through a shift either in sustainable land management practices or enhancing the genetic yield potential/ biomass of crop cultivars or by combining both and making kharif crop planting independent of monsoons rains through direct dry seeding.
Dec 2021 DOI 10.14302/issn.2575-1212.jvhc-21-4034
In bovine tuberculosis (bTB), cellular, humoral, or both types of immune responses have been observed. The purpose of this study was to examine the immune status of tuberculous cows based on the differential cytokine gene expression associated with Th1 (IFN-γ, IL-2), or Th2 (IL-4, IL-10) responses. Twenty-three (23) cows belonging to a dairy herd located in a rural region of the State of Hidalgo, México, were selected for the study. Single Intradermal Comparative Cervical Tuberculin (SICCT) Test, Interferon-Gamma (IFN-γ) Release Assay (BOVIGAM), and Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) were used for detection of cattle infected by M. bovis. Thirteen cows were positive to all the tests (Group 1); ten cows were positive only to ELISA (Group 2), and the remaining Group (Group 3, control) included cows negative to all the tests. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from animals were in vitro stimulated by bovin purified protein derivative (PPD), avian PPD, and Concanavalin A (Con A) mitogen for 72h. Changes in the levels of expression of mRNA of the respective cytokines was measured by Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) using β-actin gene as internal control. In group 1, PPD bovis and Con A-stimulated cells exhibited high production of IFN-γ, IL-2 and IL-4, but not IL-10. In contrast, PPD avium-stimulated cells displayed a low production of cytokine transcripts. In group 2, cells showed a significant production of IL-10 in response to bovine PPD (P< 0.001). In the control group, a high production of IFN-γ and IL-2 was observed only in Con A-stimulated cells. Post-mortem examinations in animals of group 1 showed slight and medium lesions in lymph nodes, whereas in group 2, the lesions were more extensive. Results indicate differences on gene expression levels of cytokines considered to determine balance in Th1/Th2 response among the evaluated groups. In addition, high levels of antibodies against M. bovis and high IL-10 expression in PBMC together are indicators of progressive bTB when both tuberculin test and IFN-γ assay are negative in tuberculous anergic cattle. Inclusion of serology and IL-10 cytokine expression in in the diagnosis checklist improves detection of infected cattle to help control bovine tuberculosis.
Nov 2021 DOI 10.14302/issn.2639-3166.jar-21-4004
Economic statistics concerning the quinquennial features of Agriculture employment (A), net Migration (M), Donor aid (D) and Personal remittances (P), available for over forty years from five West African countries have here been related to the GDP (G). The overall results of a multilinear regression (R2 0.84) have confirmed that the GD ratio, which is an index of aid efficiency, is significantly and positively driven by the PD ratio (high P and low D - favorable) and the PA ratio (high P and low A - favorable), but negatively driven by the PG ratio ( a higher D efficiency is obtained for constant G and lower P). A higher migration flux corresponds to a non-significant rise in the GD ratio. The five countries are clustered, by means of a principal component analysis, into three types. Partial least square regressions fitted to the GD ratio within each cluster provide a long-term polydromic function that highlights certain particular cluster features: reactive to forcing factors, such as Donor diminutions (SEN), active, as driven by Personal remittance (MLI), and mostly entropic for GMB, GNB and MRT. The learnt from the database is that Donor variations may follow different evolutions of the GD ratio in the three clusters.
Jun 2021 DOI 10.14302/issn.2639-3166.jar-21-3822
In South Asia, land degradation is primarily a monsoon mediated phenomenon restricted to 2-3 rainy months. The overall strategy for land degradation neutrality should (i) favour actions that keep soils covered with residues and (ii) plant kharif (rainy season) crop before the onset of monsoons to provide soil cover. Retention of anchored residues provides surface cover, increases microbial activity, carbon sequestration, and availability of nutrients. Surface retained residues reduce root zone salinization, detoxify phytotoxic monomeric Al in acidic soils and enhance the potential for use of brackish ground water in crop production. Residues covers save irrigation water and overcome the ill effects of poor agronomic and water management practices. Early direct dry seeding in surface retained residues has the potential of making kharif season planting independent of the onset of monsoon rains in South Asia and helps reduce acreages of Kharif and Rabi fallow lands. For improving carbon content in Indian soils, perhaps the most important priority is to devise tillage and crop residue management approaches that promote in situ rain water storage and its use for growing more crops. The paper summarises how crop residues fuel and drive soil functions and related ecosystem services and plant growth.
Jan 2021 DOI 10.14302/issn.2575-1212.jvhc-20-3467
Background In natural conditions Cyclops are the first intermediate hosts in the life cycle of Spirometra species. In this paper we describe simple method of culturing Copepod of the genus Cyclops for use the first intermediate host in experimental life cycle of Spirometra species. Methods Paramecium was first cultured to be used as food for Cyclops. Sample of water was collected from a pond within Sokoine University. About 100 ml of water and pre-boiled wheat grains were transferred in a Petri dish and kept under laboratory conditions for 7 days, a swarm of Paramecium was formed. An adult female egg sacked Cyclops from a natural water pond in Tarangire National Park, Tanzania was added in a new Petri dish containing tap water, 0.3 ml of Paramecium suspension and 4 pre-boiled wheat grains. The mixture was kept under laboratory conditions temperature 26-29⁰C and observed daily. Results Eggs from the single Cyclops hatched to nauplius. The average time of developing to nauplius I was 1.2 days, nauplius I to copepodite I was 6.9 days, and copepodite I to adult female Cyclops was 26.3 days. The average measurements of naupliusI were 120.2µm length and 80.0µm width while the adult female was 846.3µm length and 284.6µm width. The adult female produced 1 to 8 broods (mean 4.3). The life span of Cyclops averaged 43.1 days. Conclusion The Cyclops cultured in the laboratory were fed Paramecium and used as first intermediate host in the experimental life cycle of Tanzanian Spirometra species.
Dec 2020 DOI 10.14302/issn.2639-3166.jar-20-3318
For economic growth and development in any WE African country the GDP progress is depending on the key push-pull factors as migration, personal remittances received, bilateral aids and, absolutely, employment in agriculture which is about 1/3 of the population and not a predominant and protected minority as happens in the industrialized EU and North America. In order to represent the framework of the reciprocal dependencies the present study used the statistics of Gambia from WDI covering the periods from 1960 to 2017 by applying linear regression models. The results confirmed that migration and remittances have significant positive impact on employment in agriculture because new investment in agriculture created new skilled and unskilled employment. The results also found out that employment in agriculture has negative and significant impacts on foreign aids: 10% increase in migration, increases foreign aid by 50.3%. Increasing 10% of remittance, increase economic growth by 0.14% but 10% increases in employment in agriculture, decrease economic growth by 0.04%. To face globalization the economy of the Gambia should use the foreign aid to improve agriculture production and productivity thereby increase economic growth through human capital theory of migration, skilled migration, export and food security, the study recommends.
Apr 2020 DOI 10.14302/issn.2639-3166.jar-20-3283
In the country, food production is more compromised every day, despite zero efforts and government, agricultural and livestock sector, causing poverty, migration, marginalization among other social disorders in addition to food insecurity. In Mexico 34% of the population is engaged in agricultural tasks, with very small land areas. The fact that 85% of do not have more than 5 ha of arable land, and that among them, 90% do not reach 3 ha clearly indicates their great need for light machinery .The solution to these problems family farmers are provided with affordable technologies to increase their productivity. One of the most common problems in agriculture is the application of agrochemicals, which is tedious and dangerous when farmers are exposed to these highly toxic products, therefore a system is proposed is through the help of a drone or remote control helicopter, both of economic type connected by a hose to the sprinkler and a tank. Due to the danger of applying agrochemicals for family farmers who rarely follow the precautions to apply these products, the proposed alternative is attractive for small agricultural properties, although it is not free of cost, the drone and the optimal sprayer should be investigated.
Mar 2020 DOI 10.14302/issn.2641-4538.jphi-20-3264
Chinese people have a very good mask-wearing culture; it is normal to wear masks to protect their faces from wind and pollution. Thus, they easily accept the wearing of masks to prevent infectious diseases, as seen with the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in China today. However, Chinese people have a dangerous eating culture: they share foods or soups from the same bowls and pots using their personal chopsticks/spoons and emphasize loud talking when eating at banquets or at homes. We think this eating culture has raised the infection risk of COVID-19 from person to person by contamination. Therefore, in this paper, we propose models to elucidate how people are infected with COVID-19 through droplet transmission when eating with Chinese cultural context to address the urgent need to change Chinese eating culture; we believe these study models can help not only the Chinese people, but also other national people, to raise mindfulness of public health, prevent COVID-19 and other infectious diseases, at the present pandemic and in the future.
Nov 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2639-3166.jar-19-3065
The importance of horticulture around the large cities, called green belt (GB), or proximity food production area is related to its contribution to the provision of food as well as its role on social, cultural and ecological aspects. Geoscience and Remote sensing (GRS) are tools that should aid in gathering and updating the information to develop science-based management plans of this areas. Recently, the improvement in terms of spatial, temporal and radiometric resolutions has changed the performance and the approach to the horticulture remote sensing. In this work, we make a brief review on the literature exploring the use of GRS techniques in horticulture, and future trends in order to exploit the available techniques for efficient crop management in the way to improve territorial planning and management. Specifically we found a lack of academic production in this area. In addition we examine the importance of this landscape areas from different points of view (food security, health, ecology, etc.). A systematic revision of published studies on remote sensing on horticulture including different platforms, sensors and methodologies are briefly presented. Finally some aspect related with future trends are discussed.
Jul 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2691-6622.ijar-19-2762
This study was conducted within three months at the University of Dschang Research and Application Farm (5°44’-5°36’ et 5°44’-5°37’ LN ; 10°06’-9°94’ et 10°06’-9°85’ LE). The main objective was to evaluate the integration perspectives of caviaculture and fishery. Specifically, the study was aimed at evaluating the production of guinea pig dungs, its bromatological composition and appreciating the nitrogen/phosphorus ratio in other to determine the adequate quantities of manure for a proper fertilization of fish ponds. Hence, 96 guinea pigs weighing averagely 390 ± 110g each were randomly distributed into two comparable lots (floor covered with litter and floor without litter) and were subjected to 8 feeds (5 grasses and 3 legumes). Each lot had 6 repetitions of 8 individuals. The animals were fed three times daily within 30 days. The dungs of guinea pigs were collected after three days between 6 and 8am during the experimental period. They were then selected and weighed using and electric balance of 0.1g sensitivity. At the end of the study, the following results were obtained: a guinea pig of 390 ± 110 g in confinement produced between 51.7 ± 0.4 to 60.5 ± 0.7g (fresh weight) of dung per day. The bromatological analysis of these dungs showed that they are made of organic material (80.0%), dry matter (94.3%), crude protein (10.7%), ash (19.9%) and nitrogen (22.7%). These results attesting the richness of these dungs helped in estimating the quantities (103.4g to 206.8g) of dung/day/100m2 for the breeding of 2 to 4 guinea pigs per fish pond of 100 m2 for an integrated breeding (guinea pig-fish).
Apr 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2639-3166.jar-19-2732
The objectives of this study were to assess the Quality of Agricultural Graduates, employers’ perceptions of the employability and skills. A descriptive, analytical statistics, multistage random sampling method was adopted. Where two types of questionnaires were distributed to the Graduates and institutions associated with Sustainable agriculture (SA). The collected data was analyzed by Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS). The results revealed some respondents began higher education in Arabic (66.7%), while others in English (33.3%). The respondents faced with difficulties in understanding the courses due to teaching methods (36.7%), language (33.3%), and curriculum (30%). The result indicated some respondents (56.7%) do not have back ground about (SA). The respondents in the Ministries of Agriculture assessed the Graduates in regard to agricultural skills, and confidence to perform duties as fair (10%), and good (23.3%), but, for reliability, managerial skills, tactic and ability to participate in forums as fair (6.7%). Good (27.7%), fair (3.3%), and good (30%) respectively. Assessment of the Graduates at Research Centers, were assessed in relation to Research methodology, statistical analysis, and writing scientific papers as good (40 %,).While for Software skills as excellent (100%), and for Agricultural Technology Transfer as very good (80%). While; the respondents from Faculties of Agriculture, assessed the Graduated for practical skills, teaching ability, skills of writing scientific papers, participation in workshops and seminars as good (93.3%), very good (6.7%), fair (6.7) and very good (33.3%), respectively. The Graduates’ quality is below the expectations. Based on the above findings, the study recommends the review of the whole educational system, Faculties of Agriculture to include the concepts of sustainable agriculture in their curriculum and give high consideration to practical part. In the same context, further study is recommended including the whole Country.
Mar 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2639-3166.jar-19-2691
In precision agriculture (PA) fertilizing, based on soil testing, production maps and crop nitrogen (N) demand, is the key to maximizing yields and tempering fertilizer costs. A trend study has considered the output / input relationships performed on a farm that has progressively adapted to PA procedures over two decades. The evolutions of the variability parameters of yield, comprising the repeatability coefficient of repeated plots, the vegetative vigour (NDRE) at the panicle initiation (pi) stage, and the nitrogen utilization efficiency (NUE) were monitored and compared by means of mixed linear models over a six-year period, after the variable nitrogen (N) fertilization rate (VNFR) had been enlarged to the whole 230 ha of one farm. At pi key fertilization stage, a corrective dose was applied by tacking the correlation between Npi and the measured NDRE in strong negative mode. The evolution of the yield, for the 2012-2017 interval, based on 1165 ha-1 parcel-data, showed a significant yearly increase of 2.3% more than the regional trend (+0.5%). The variability parameters of the yield, that is, the standard deviation (+7.3%), range (+7.1%), coefficient of variation (+5.4%) and maximum (+2.1%) were enhanced over the years, but the minimum remained stable. The repeatability of the parcel yield generally appeared low (r = +0.31), but it tended to increase by 8.3% year-1 (P = 0.018). At the same time, the vegetational vigour also showed significant increases of the NDRE means (+3.0%) as well as of the maximum (+0.8%), but also large oscillations in the standard deviation and in the coefficient of variation. No significant regression of the NDRE on the coefficient of variation of the yield was established. The favorable increase in yield was found to be independent of the distributed N-total. A strong negative correlation (imposed) between N-pi and NDRE (-0.90) and a negative correlation with production were observed for a sample field (but in the area of maximum production). It is recommended that a partial correlation between Yield and N-tot should be considered in the I /O features for a parity of NDRE, which apparently decreases the negativity of the relationship. In short: with the same total input of N, the PA increased the yield, but also its variability – and it did not reduce the variability as predicted by the theory - by strengthening the repeatability. This is an evidence that in many of the parcels with minimum yield the limiting factors cannot be referred to the N availability.
Mar 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2691-3208.ijli-19-2647
In this study, basic cultivation experiments were performed on microalgae Desmodesmus sp, then, the experiment results were deductively expanded, and the use of paddy in the off-season for farmers is advocated. As a result of the continuous culture experiments using 100 mL test tubes, 101.3 mg dry biomass was harvested in the aeration culture using the BG-11 medium. In the aeration culture with mixing CO2, the maximum harvest was obtained under the 10%-CO2 concentration. Considering about CO2 concentration, the condition of 1%-CO2 was superior in CO2 use efficiency. Based on the changes in the pH of the medium, algae such as Desmodesmus sp exchanges ions between the inside of the cell and the surrounding environment, and changes the surrounding environment in order to adapt themselves. In the proforma calculation of second crops in paddy fields, 26.4 million tons dry biomass is harvested in 120 days long of culture a year. Considering that the harvested dry biomass amount, 187 × 106 GJ power energy is obtained by burning them. This amount of energy corresponds to about 5.2% of total electricity.
Jan 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2471-2175.jdrt-18-2520
Hair is playing an interesting part in human for social and sexual communication. Loss of hair follicle leads to various skin disorders. For this consequence, the present study has investigated the potential of the Biofield Energy Healing (The Trivedi Effect®) Treated test item (William’s Medium E) on the vibrissae hair follicle organ culture cells for the assessment of hair cell growth and development in vitro. The test item was divided into two parts. One part was defined as the untreated test item, where no Biofield Energy Treatment provided, while the other part was defined as the Biofield Energy Treated test item, which received the Biofield Energy Healing Treatment by renowned Biofield Energy Healer, Mahendra Kumar Trivedi. The study parameters like bulb thickness and formation of telogen were assessed using cell-based assay with the help of UTHSCSA Image tool version 3. The experimental results showed that the untreated test item group showed 20.9% and 28.2% increased bulb thickness on day 5 and 7, respectively compared to the day 1, while did not produce telogen follicles upto day 7. Besides, the percentage of telogen follicle was found as 43%, 57%, and 71% on day 3, 5, and 7, respectively of the Biofield Energy Treated test item group compared to the day 1. The overall results demonstrated that the Biofield Energy Treatment has the potential for hair growth promotion as evident via increased the formation of telogen. Therefore, the Biofield Energy Healing (The Trivedi Effect®) Treatment might be useful as a hair growth promoter for various treatment of skin injuries and skin-related disorders like necrotizing fasciitis, actinic keratosis, sebaceous cysts, diaper rash, decubitus ulcer etc.
Jan 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2379-7835.ijn-18-2272
We discuss different aspects of the Mediterranean diet, including the historical, anthropological and cultural. The different foods that are characteristic of the Mediterranean diet are used to create all kinds of recipes, which are valued in gastronomic terms and are also highly nutritional. Bread, wine and extra virgin olive oil have been symbols of civilisation and prosperity for the peoples of the Mediterranean for thousands of years. The key elements of the Mediterranean diet are variety, moderation and the predominance of vegetables over food sourced from animals. These are complemented by a philosophy of life that values personal relationships, the pursuit of happiness and physical activity. A colourful cuisine has developed around the Mediterranean, which is rich and aromatic and which might be said to live in harmony with nature. The Mediterranean diet is about sharing, enjoying conversation around the table, and relaxing after the meal with a siesta. With the globalisation of food, the chronobiological rhythm of food intake has become skewed, and food industrialisation has led to the homogenisation of eating behaviours. The great chefs of today are artists, bold and dazzlingly creative, masters of harmony and subtlety, arousing hedonistic pleasures with this new form of artistic expression.
Dec 2018 DOI 10.14302/issn.2576-6694.jbbs-18-2475
Callus and biomass culture of Catharanthus roseus L. were established to check for the presence of total alkaloid and its subsequent yield. Various treatments like strength of nutrient salts, sucrose concentrations and combinations of plant growth regulators (PGR’s) were applied to both MS and B5 in agar as well as suspension medium to test their effects on enhanced alkaloid content and its yield. There was no significant difference in any of the observable parameters of fresh wt, dry wt, alkaloid content, production, productivity and yield if the culture were treated similarly in both types of media formulations (MS or B5 salts). Physical state (agar solidified or the liquid suspension) of the medium had significant effect on all the parameters particular on fresh wt, alkaloid content and yields. Although, the fresh wt. and dry wt. of biomass in suspension culture was 2-3 times less than that of callus obtained from agar medium. However, the alkaloid content and yield was 2-3 times higher in suspension culture compared to agar medium in similar treatments. The highest alkaloid content observed was 5.67mg/g dwt in B5 suspension medium containing 3% sucrose and modified with 0.5mg/l 2,4-Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D) + 1 mg/l Kinetin (KIN) + 2mg/l α- naphthalene acetic acid (NAA). The combined effects of these factors on the enhanced production of total alkaloids were expected to contain higher yield of anticancer vinblastine and vincristine in the cell suspension culture system.
Oct 2018 DOI 10.14302/issn.2639-3166.jar-18-2331
This study reviews the agricultural development perspective in the light of a rapid space technology development. In other words, precision agriculture as part of geoinformatics. The aim is to quantify whether the adopted technology can improve the efficiency of agricultural fields management and production to attain food security. Therefore, views of targeted groups from different States of Sudan were investigated, using stratified sampling method. Where quantitative statistics (descriptive/inductive techniques) was applied. About 800 questionnaires were distributed. The outcomes of data analysis reflected that the majority of interviewed groups 357 (82.1%) do not know the principles and application of integrated technology in the field of agricultural management. 85.3% of respondents know nothing about computer program related to precision agriculture. The majority of the respondents (84.6 %), did not get courses on precision agriculture during the under graduate study. The result also revealed that only 11.8% of the respondents use modern techniques in land preparation, 16.1 % in soil analysis, 12.5 % in the field of seed technology, and 11.4% in crop harvesting. However, 53.9% of the respondents reported that their Departments did not care about training on agricultural precision. Nevertheless, 24.3 % of the respondents got trained on precision agriculture through personal efforts, while about 19% got trained by their respective Departments. In regard to education, 16% of the respondents got trained on precision agriculture at undergraduate and only 9% after graduation. The study concludes that despite the rapid technological development, agriculture in Sudan remained lagging, and the productivity is below the expectation. It recommends that the Ministries of Agriculture in different States in Sudan should take the issue of introduction of new technology seriously to boost the agricultural development to attain food security.
Aug 2018 DOI 10.14302/issn.2578-8590.ipj-18-2309
The present study was aimed to evaluate the effect of Consciousness Energy Healing Treatment on plant callus of Mandukparni (Centellaasiatica), Katsarika (Barleriacristata), and Amla (Phyllanthus emblica) in Murashige & Skoog liquid medium (MS) for its growth and yield on day 7. The plant callus of all the three plants were divided into two parts, one part received Biofield Energy Treatment remotely (known as The Trivedi Effect®-Energy of Consciousness Healing Treatment) by a renowned Biofield Energy Healer, Gopal Nayak and denoted as Biofield Energy Treated group, while another part did not receive any treatment and defined as control. Plants callus were observed on day 7 after treatment and visualized under phase contrast microscope for cell growth, captured photomicrographs along with wet weight compared with day 0. Results suggested that three plants viz. Mandukparni, Katsarika, and Amla callus after 7 days showed a significant improved growth rate as compared with the respective untreated groups. The weight of the callus growth (in mg) after Biofield Energy Treatment among Mandukparni, Katsarika, and Amla callus on day 7 was 630, 782, and 920 mg, respectively. However, the percentage increase in weight of the callus in Mandukparni, Katsarika and Amla was 11.1%, 52.4%, and 68.5%, respectively than untreated. Hence, results concluded a significant growth in callus weight after Biofield Energy Treatment, which suggested the action as complementary and alternate approach in order to produce most high-value phytoconstituents from plant callus that can be used for making various drugs, food flavoring and colouring agents.
Dec 2017 DOI 10.14302/issn.2639-3166.jar-17-1901
This perspective reviews shifts in agriculture driven by technology, market forces, and climate pressures. It discusses productivity trends, resource constraints, and the transition toward sustainable, resilient practices. The article outlines policy and research priorities to balance yields with environmental stewardship and rural livelihoods.
Jul 2016 DOI 10.14302/issn.2574-4372.jesr-16-1055
Human-induced pluripotent stem cells (HiPSCs) demonstrate promise in their ability to differentiate into neural cells and ultimately replace the cell types and thereby brain tissue damaged by stroke. This may diminish cognitive impairment due to stroke. Prior to transplantation, an appropriate scaffold must be determined to allow for heightened accuracy by facilitating proper adhesion, differentiation, and proliferation, increasing the likelihood of success, as will be defined in this review, in vivo. This paper aims to provide a review of available biocompatible scaffolds and their efficacy, to provide insight for future research utilizing clinical trials to study stem cell therapy as a form of post-stroke recovery. A systematic review of scaffolds outlined in full-text, peer-reviewed articles with unique experimental data, available on PubMed, will be conducted to determine an ideal scaffold, based on article and scaffold selection criteria best suited for the transplantation of human-induced pluripotent stem cells.
May 2026 DOI 10.14302/issn.3070-3379.jwc-26-6201
A sustainable global net-zero carbon emission is when emissions are equivalent to the uptake of carbon by global terrestrial and aquatic plants. To meet that objective, an approximate 50% reduction of fossil-fuel emissions was estimated for net-zero by 2050 using carbon dioxide concentrations and mass emission monitoring by NOAA and related references. From that data, the initial target level of reduction to obtain net-zero was selected for year 2000 to minimise effects of climate change on environmental damage. The recent finding that about half global emissions are taken up from the atmosphere and increases global terrestrial and aquatic plant growth, including agriculture plants for food production, indicates it is important to maintain the year 2000 levels in the atmosphere. It was concluded as renewable energy was found to need support, it could be supplemented by electricity production remaining after obtaining net-zero, which also supports the atmospheric carbon dioxide levels for their important global ecological contribution.
Dec 2025 DOI 10.14302/issn.2575-1212.jvhc-24-4889
L-Carnitine (Lc) acts as an antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals, especially superoxide anions and protects cells against oxidative damage-induced apoptosis, as following ovulation, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation increases in oocytes, Oocytes exhibit an intracellular defense mechanism against an oxidative attack. This outcome adversely affects fertilization and subsequent embryonic development, thereby increasing the risk of an early miscarriage and abnormal development of offspring. The purpose of this study was to see how adding LC to either maturation or fertilization medium affected the developmental competence of immature bovine oocytes. In this study, Ovaries from apparently normal reproductive organs of cattle were collected within 30 minutes from slaughter and evisceration of animals. Cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) were collected by aspiration of medium sized ovarian follicles (4-8 mm). COCs of acceptable quality were selected, washed and incubated in tissue culture media 199 (TCM199) supplemented with 10% heat inactivated fetal calf serum, 5 μg/ml luteinizing hormone (LH), 0.5 μg/ml follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and 1 μg/ml estradiol-17β for 20:22 hour at 38.5 C◦ under 5% CO2 in air with 90% humidity. different concentrations of LC (1.25,2.5 and 5mM) were used. The results were consistent for both maturation and fertilization and there is a significant increase in maturation, fertilization., cleavage and blastocyst rate. In conclusion, LC has important role in IVEP through addition of LC to maturation media or culture media it improved nuclear maturation and blastocyst formation rates in bovine oocytes.
Dec 2025 DOI 10.14302/issn.2768-5209.ijen-24-5325
Strawberry is a commercially important crop which has gained global significance in terms of production and consumption. The strawberry farmers have been faced with economic losses due to attack from arthropod and phytophagus pests. To overcome this challenge, management of pests is important with reduced impact on beneficial organisms and the environment. Use of non-chemical approaches as an alternative to insecticide driven management is highly gaining popularity. Identification of the non-chemical production for management of strawberry pest such as entomopathogenic fungi and botanicals is critical. The need for compatibility of entomopathogenic fungi in crop production techniques with other insecticides to enhance efficacy is required. The interaction between these control agents could be synergistic, additive or even antagonistic. Synergistic interactions usually lead to enhanced effectiveness of the microbial control agents while reducing the adverse effects of the pesticides in combination. In this review a description of the compatibility of entomopathogenic fungus Beauvaria bassiana and botanical neem in strawberry pest management is given. The experiment involved five treatments: Neemraj, Beauvitech, Neemraj and Beauvitech, Ampligo and control. These treatments were allocated in a completely Randomized design in two separate greenhouse setups one with soil and other with pumice. The treatments were replicated four times. The data was subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using the general linear model (GLM) procedure of the statistical analysis system (SAS) program, version 9.1. Tukey’s (HSD) test at P≤ 0.05 was used to separate significant means. The combination of Neemraj and Beauvitech was most effective in the management of pests in both hydroponics and soil grown media. Pest populations were reduced significantly as follows; thrips, Frankliniella spp 2.1, red spider mites Tetranychus species 11.5, tarnished plant bug Lygus species 3.0, there was 0% cricket Gryllus species damage and 0 number strawberry weevil in hydroponics cultures while in soil culture pest mean populations were: thrips 5.6, spider mites Tetranychus species 18.2, strawberry weevil (Otiorhynchus species) 7.0, tarnished plant bug 3.0 and there was 13.8% cricket Gryllus species damage on strawberry plants.
Aug 2025 DOI 10.14302/issn.3070-1937.ijbt-25-5408
Background and Objectives Platelets are small, anucleate blood cells produced in the bone marrow, primarily involved in blood coagulation. Platelet concentrate is a vital blood product with extensive applications. However, its short lifespan and limited donor availability pose global challenges. This study aimed to follow the trend of platelets 5 during days of storage. Material and Methods We studied on 40 platelet bags and analyzed glucose levels, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), bacterial culture, and apoptosis using flow cytometry with Annexin V-PI over three consecutive days (first, third, and fifth) post-blood collection. Data were analyzed using SPSS. Results No significant correlations were found between age, blood group, or gender and the variables studied. No bacterial growth was detected. Glucose levels decreased significantly from day 1 (382 mg/dl) to day 5 (298 mg/dl). The average platelet apoptosis increased significantly from 3.65% on day 1 to 9.06% on day 5. Significant correlations were observed between glucose levels and apoptosis on days 3 (p<0.05) and 5 (p<0.01). No correlation found between LDH and apoptosis or necrosis, although a significant relationship between necrosis and apoptosis was noted on day 5 (p=0.003). Conclusion These findings suggest that while demographic factors do not influence the studied variables, the significant decrease in glucose levels correlates with increased platelet apoptosis over time, highlighting potential metabolic interactions that warrant further investigation. Highlights 1. The study revealed subtle variations in metabolic markers related to donor demographics, particularly gender and age. Understanding these differences can inform targeted donor selection strategies to optimize platelet quality. 2. A significant negative correlation was found between glucose levels and apoptosis rates, indicating that as glucose decreases, platelet viability declines. This relationship highlights the need for careful monitoring of glucose levels during storage to maintain platelet function. 3. Fluctuations in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels were correlated with increasing rates of apoptosis, suggesting that LDH could serve as a valuable biomarker for assessing platelet quality throughout the storage period. This finding could lead to improved storage protocols and enhanced transfusion safety.
May 2025 DOI 10.14302/issn.2694-2283.jsem-25-5529
Background Septic arthritis is a potentially limb or life-threatening joint infection that requires prompt recognition and intervention to reduce morbidity and mortality. While intra-articular joint injections are commonly performed for osteoarthritis and other arthropathies, they carry a rare but significant risk of iatrogenic infection, particularly when performed in the presence of unrecognized joint or periarticular infection. Case Presentation We report a case of a 52-year-old female with a history of traumatic brain injury and chronic right knee pain who developed severe knee swelling, pain, and systemic symptoms following an intra-articular corticosteroid injection performed without ultrasound evaluation/guidance. Post-procedure, she presented with fever, elevated inflammatory markers, and purulent knee effusion. Operative washout revealed a purulent tract extending from the knee joint capsule to the lateral thigh. Cultures from joint aspiration and intraoperative samples grew Streptococcus dysgalactiae. Blood cultures were negative. The patient reported frequent cat scratches to the affected knee and described an unusual sensation of the injection needle tracking laterally during the joint injection. She was treated with surgical drainage and a four-week course of amoxicillin, with full clinical recovery. Discussion This case highlights an unusual presentation of septic arthritis with extra-capsular extension likely due to iatrogenic needle tracking during joint injection. The causative organism, S. dysgalactiae, is an uncommon pathogen in septic arthritis, and the presumed source was contiguous spread from untreated cellulitis, possibly related to cat scratches/bites. The absence of predisposing comorbidities and negative blood cultures further support a local rather than hematogenous source. The case emphasizes the importance of thorough clinical evaluation and consideration of infection prior to joint injections, as well as the potential benefits of ultrasound guidance to minimize procedural complications. Conclusion Careful history, physical examination, and appropriate imaging are essential prior to joint interventions to avoid iatrogenic complications. This case illustrates the rare but serious risk of extra-capsular extension of septic arthritis following intra-articular injection and emphasizes the need for vigilance in identifying underlying infection before proceeding with invasive procedures.
Mar 2025 DOI 10.14302/issn.2641-5518.jcci-24-5362
Bacterial resistance to antibiotics is becoming a major public health challenge in the Bahamas. Indiscriminate use of antibiotics by medical practitioners is a major contributor to this problem. We describe a 53-year-old woman who presented with symptoms of a urinary tract infection. Empiric treatment with first- and second-line antibiotics, namely trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and ciprofloxacin, respectively, were ineffective in clearing the infection. After culture and sensitivity testing via minimum inhibitory concentration analysis, nitrofurantoin proved to be the only effective oral antibiotic.
Mar 2025 DOI 10.14302/issn.2644-1101.jhp-24-5387
The formation of narratives while listening to music is seen across cultures, but narrative perception in Asian Americans who have bicultural identities is not well understood. This study analyzed the potential effect of cultural identity on adolescents’ ability to form narratives with East Asian music. Two groups of adolescents (n=42), Asian American (n=28) and Non-Asian American (n=14), listened to three music excerpts with varying degrees of Asian and Western influences. The most Asian-influenced excerpt was a Gugak Korean traditional piece titled T’ungae sanjo, performed on traditional Korean folk instruments and creating a distinctly East Asian sound. The Mixed excerpt, containing both Western and Asian influences, was from Tan Dun’s Eight Memories in Watercolor. It contained a Chinese folk melody while being performed on a Western instrument. Finally, the most Western-influenced excerpt was from Toru Takemitsu’s Rain Tree Sketch. The piece contained octatonicism, a musical technique prominent in modern Western composers’ works. Participants completed a survey containing a free response question where they described their imagined narratives and a survey containing 4 questions measuring narrative engagement. Chi-square tests, t-tests, and reflexive thematic analysis were used to yield the results from the data collected. Results demonstrated that the extent of narrativization was dependent on enculturation. Asian Americans, with their bicultural identities, demonstrated consistent narrativization across all excerpts. In contrast, non-Asian Americans narrativized significantly less for the traditional Asian excerpt. Within the free responses, both cohorts identified similar themes with the Western-influenced music, as they have had overlapping exposure to Western culture leading to shared thought patterns. However, there was substantial thematic variability between cohorts with the Asian-influenced music, as the two cohorts had different levels of exposure to Asian culture. This study thus reinforces the notion that enculturation has a profound effect on narrativization in music, demonstrated through Asian American adolescents’ abilities to narrativize to music containing both Asian and Western roots.
Sep 2024 DOI 10.14302/issn.2690-4721.ijcm-24-5195
The persistence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Salmonella Typhi (S. Typhi) is a challenge especially in regions where typhoid is endemic. Surveillance of circulating genotypes of MDR S. Typhi is crucial in typhoid acute cases and carriers. This study aimed to investigate genotypic diversity of S. Typhi from symptomatic and asymptomatic children in endemic settings in Nairobi, Kenya. Symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals’ ≤ 16 years were recruited at four health facilities and tested for typhoid through stool cultures. The S. Typhi isolates were subjected to antibiotic susceptibility testing to investigate multidrug resistance. The MDR S. Typhi isolates’ DNA was extracted and illumina sequenced. Raw reads were de novo assembled and analyzed by pathogen-watch. From the 90 sequenced isolates, 60 (67%) were confirmed to be S. Typhi (sequence Type 1 and genotype 4.3.1). Out of the 60 S. Typhi strains; 39 (65%) had plasmids, from these 38 (97%) had IncHI1 plasmids alone. Out of the 60, 59 (98%) S. Typhi isolates had blaTEM-1D. Point mutations conferring reduced susceptibility to quinolones were detected in 42 (70%) of S. Typhi isolates, from these; 14 (33%) had gyrA S83Y , and 28 (67%) gyrB S464F genes, respectively. This study reports 4.3.1 (H58) as the most dominant S. Typhi genotype responsible for spread of MDR phenotypes carried on IncHI1 plasmids. Presence of MDR S. Typhi with resistance genes such as blaTEM-1Dand reduced susceptibility to ciprofloxacin especially among asymptomatic individuals, reiterates the need for use of typhoid conjugate vaccine among vulnerable children as a control and prevention measure against typhoid.
Sep 2024 DOI 10.14302/issn.2690-4721.ijcm-24-5126
The development of medical therapy and patients profile has led to a rise in the incidence of nosocomial fungal infection. The frequency of candidiasis has surged worldwide, and the prevalent of healthcare diseases are now Candida species. Candida species causes a range of human infections known as Candidiasis. The non-albicans Candida (NAC) species have recently superseded Candida albicans as significant opportunistic pathogens. The study was conducted to determine the prevalence and antifungal susceptibility of Candida species isolated from various Clinical samples in Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. A total of 206 clinical specimens from male and female patients of all ages were sampled in the Department of Microbiology, Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, to investigate suspected Candida infections. The isolation and identification of Candida species was done by culture on SDA, Gram stain, sugar fermentation and phylogenetic profiling. Antifungal susceptibility pattern was done by Disc Diffusion method using Fluconazole, Ketoconazole, Miconazole, Nystatin and Itraconazole. The results showed that out of 206 specimens, 44 isolates (21.4%) were identified, with the majority (56.82%) from high vaginal swabs (HVS), followed by urine (31.82%) and oral swabs (11.36%). The age of patients ranged from four months to 73 years giving a Mean Age 1.86+ 0.344, with females (85.4%) outnumbering males (13.6%). Prevalence of Candida spp revealed Candida albicans (50%), Candida krusei (18.2%), Candida parapsilosis(11.4%), Candida glabrata and Candida tropicalis (9.1%) respectively and Candida pelliculosa (2.2%), with C. albicans being the most prevalent. The antifungal susceptibility testing among the azoles showed that Fluconazole (79.5%) and Ketoconazole (77.3%) were most sensitive agents against isolates from HVS, urine and oral swabs respectively and Itraconazole (34.1%) was most resistant especially to those from oral swabs. This study highlights the increasing prevalence of NAC species over Candida albicans and the growing resistance of Candida isolates to commonly used antifungal drugs. Diagnosis of these species of Candida and sensitivity to antifungal agents are critical components to treatment, particularly for patients with severe underlying illnesses who are hospitalized.
Apr 2024 DOI 10.14302/issn.2690-4721.ijcm-24-5030
Typhoid fever, caused by the human restricted pathogen Salmonella Typhi, remains a major global public health concern. Even after successful treatment, approximately 3-5% of patients with typhoid fail to clear the bacteria within one year and become chronic carriers. Most typhoid carriers have gallstones in their gallbladder, and biofilm formation on gallstones is highly correlated with chronic carriage. This study’s goal was to identify asymptomatic typhoid carriers in an endemic setting in Kenya, and to compare acute versus chronic isolates. A cohort of typhoid fever patients identified through blood and/or stool culture, and their household contacts, were followed up after treatment to detect longitudinal S. Typhi stool shedding. An abdominal ultrasound scan was used to identify individuals with gallstones. A total of 32 index patients and 32 household contacts were successfully followed-up. Gallstones were detected in 4 cases and 1 household contact. The duration of S. Typhi shedding was significantly longer in individuals with gallstones compared to those without, P<0.001. Eighty-three (83) S. Typhi strains were tested for susceptibility to commonly used antimicrobials and examined by in vitro biofilm formation assays. Out of 37 infected individuals, 32.4% had infections caused by multidrug resistant (MDR) S. Typhi strains and only 18.9% were infected by susceptible strains. Non-MDR strains formed significantly better biofilms in vitro than the MDR strains (P<0.001). This study provides data on S. Typhi chronic carriage that will influence public health approaches aimed at reducing typhoid transmission and the burden of infection.
Dec 2023 DOI 10.14302/issn.2691-6622.ijar-23-4637
This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of socked pigeon pea seed meal on Growth and Food Utilization Efficiency of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings. 120 fish the weight and length average (3.4±0.04g and 3.2±0.00cm) were randomly distributed in 12 plastic Tanks (Aquarium) 36L according to the complete randomization, allocated to a represent four treatments (T0, T1, T2, and T3) of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings. four feeds were prepared in pellet form which consisted of 0%, 25%, 50% and 75% pigeon pea seed meal as replacement of fish meal. All diets contents 30% protein. Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings were fed at the rate of 5% of their body weight. The result showed significant variation (P < 0.05) in final body weight, weight gain (WG), daily weight growth (DWG), Specific Growth Rate (SGR), and Food Conversion Ratio (FCR) among treatments. But, high SGR in T0 (control) and the best FCR were obtained at T 0% pigeon pea seed meal. Over all, best growth performance was observed in fish fed diet T1 (25%). The best performing fish’s final weight, DWG, SGR and FCR were 9.46±0.33g, 0.13±0.01g/day, 2.93±0.73% /day and 1.49±0.30 respectively. On the other hand, there was high significant variation (P < 0.05) in survival rate were obtained at T2 (50%). this study recommend that a diet containing 25% Pigeon pea seed meal for juvenile Nile tilapia is optimum in terms of growth performance and profitability, and does not impact water quality and plankton abundance in plastic Tanks (Aquarium) culture system.
Aug 2023 DOI 10.14302/issn.2639-3166.jar-23-4662
Environmental pollution until this moment still become crucial environmental problem. Environmental pollution can occur anywhere, one of them is in agriculture sectoral. Environmental pollution in the agriculture area caused by usage of chemical pesticide for managing agriculture. Using chemical pesticide can leave residue that raises pollution. Bioremediation become one of the solutions for the problem. Besides it is environmental friendly, bioremediation is also easy to apply and cheap. This study aim to examine the potency of Bacillus altitudinis , Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas b68, and Pseudomonas b70 as biological agent for bioremediation of pesticide residues in soil Biological agent was incubated in liquid medium polluted pesticide type fungicide for 15 days on some variation concentration pesticides (100, 200, 300) mg/L. Concentration of pesticides and values Optical density (OD) is measured every 3 days with spectrophotometer UV -Vis on long 280 nm and 578 nm waves. The Results showed that the bioagents lower pesticides concentration. and can growing under polluted pesticides conditions The effectiveness and decline in pesticide residue by Bacillus altitudinis ranged from 49.91-59.33%; Bacillus subtilis (50.06-60.51%); Pseudomonas b68 (81.32-86.13 %); Pseudomonas b70 (50.02- 62.1 %). The bioagents produced decreases in the concentration of pesticides, increase in OD value, and decrease in pH indicate. The results affirmed that Bacillus altitudinis, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas b68, and Pseudomonas b70 are effective as bioagents in the remediation pesticides polluted soils
Jun 2023 DOI 10.14302/issn.2377-2549.jndc-23-4615
A literature review was undertaken with a focus on 1) identifying the research gaps regarding CECs, 2) identifying the most common ones, and 3) identifying the typical analytical methods/technologies employed, for their analysis. A total of 214 papers were noted, with a total of 21 review articles (9.8%). Of this total, a surprisingly high number were from South Africa alone: 117 (54.7%), of which 44 (20.6%) reports were associated with South Africa’s Water Research Commission (WRC). The top three CECs research gaps were (decreasing rank: Number of “gaps”, %): 1) Toxicity/Risk/Impact (260, 21.5%), 2) Analysis/Tests/Methods (118, 9.8%) and 2) Future research/studies (118, 9.8%), and 3) Monitoring (89, 7.4%). The common classes of CECs that were reported on, were : (i) Chemical: pharmaceuticals, personal care products, steroids, chlorinated and brominated contaminants, PAHs, PCBs, phthalates, alkyl phenols, herbicides, organochlorine pesticides, engineered nanomaterials and (ii) “Microbiological”: antibiotic resistance genes, human enteric bacteria and viruses, microbial pathogens (e.g., E Coli, rotavirus, Crypto, etc.), infectious biological water contaminants (e.g., E Coli isolates), cyanobacterial blooms (Microcystis). Common test methods used for analysis of the chemical contaminants were found to be chromatography (gas, liquid)-mass spectrometry; for the microbial contaminants, they were culture-based methods, ELISA, fluorescence microscopy, qPCR, RT-qPCR, gel electrophoresis, Raman spectroscopy, and also chromatography (largely liquid)-mass spectrometry, were also used. Some proposals were additionally made to address the very common, significant research gaps noted in CECs research, especially the standardization of analytical chemical test methods, based on chromatography-mass spectrometry, for quantification.
Jun 2023
The increasing demand for environmentally-friendly materials has led to a surge in research on the production of biodegradable polymers. In this study, we investigate the synthesis of a biodegradable polymer by graft copolymerization of gum Arabic (GA) and polyethylene glycol (PEG). GA, a natural polysaccharide and PEG, a synthetic water-soluble polymer, were used as the backbone and graft monomer, respectively. The graft copolymerization was carried out using benzoyl peroxide as an initiator and performed under nitrogen atmosphere. The resulting polymer was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Xray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The FTIR spectra confirmed the formation of the graft copolymer, and TGA analysis showed that the copolymer had higher thermal stability than GA. The DTA thermograms indicated two thermal events. The evaporation of water and organic polyethylene glycol components was measured, and the first mass loss was due to the loss of adsorbed and structural water in the gum Arabic, which occurred between 31.87 and 180°C, while the second, corresponding to the pyrolysis of polyethylene glycol functional groups and polysaccharide decomposition, resulted in a 70% mass loss. SEM morphological analysis of gum Arabic showed aggregates of high irregularity in particle shape. The cracks and holes obtained in the Gum Arabic micrograph disappeared from the new gum Arabic-graft-polyethylene glycol, leaving a smooth surface with scattered particles in the image, which was due to the grafting copolymer. From the XRD patterns, the percentages of the amorphous and crystalline phases were determined. The results show that gum Arabic has a 78% degree of crystallinity, whereas gum Arabic-graft-polyethylene glycol has the lowest value of 51%. Biodegradation activity was observed using the fungus Aspergillus flavus on different days on gum Arabic-g-polyethylene glycol. The results clearly showed inhibition zones with a change in the state of the copolymer from solid to liquid from days 8 to 14. These results indicate that the GA-PEG copolymer has potential as a biodegradable material for use in various applications, such as packaging, agriculture, and medical industries.
May 2023 DOI 10.14302/issn.2575-1212.jvhc-23-4521
Background The emergence and spread of carbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacteria pose a serious threat to human health. Currently, little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying carbapenem -resistance and their prevalence among APEC in Egypt. The aim of this study was to detect APEC in clinically diseased broiler chickens collected from broilers farms located at Dakahalia governorates, asses their virulence –associated genes, detect the antimicrobial susceptibility of recovered isolates and to detect genes encoding carbapenemase resistant. Methods A total of 100 organ tissue samples subjected to conventional culture technique for isolation of E. coli. The confirmed E. coli were subjected to disc diffusion method for detection their susceptibility to antimicrobials. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used for detection of APEC virulence genes (hlyA, iutA, ompT, iss, iroN) and six carbapenem- resistant genes namely, blaIMP, blaVIM, blaKPC, blaOXA-48 blaGES and blaNDM,. Results Forty isolates were confirmed to be E. coli among them, three or more APEC virulence- genes were detected from all isolates. The hlyA gene was detected in 90% (36/40), iroN in 95% (38/40), ompT in 97.5% (39/40), iutA in 92.5% (35/40) and iss was detected in 95% (38/40) of APEC isolates The tested isolates exhibited a remarkable resistance to ampicillin (97.5%), cefuroxime (92.5%), clindamycin (90%), chloramphenicol (62.5%), doxycycline (45%), amikacin (25%) and ciprofloxacin (12.5%). While, the retrieved isolates displayed 100 % sensitivity against imipenem, meropenem, ertapenem, ceftazidime and colistin. Concerning carbapenemase-encoding genes, blaIMP, blaVIM, blaKPC, blaOXA-48, blaGES couldn’t be detected among the E. coli isolates, while, blaNDM was confirmed in three isolates . Conclusion The detection of NDM as one of the carbapenem resistant genes reveals that the resistant strains are not only capable of infecting humans, but that carbapenams- resistant E. coli (CREC) has also started to pose a threat to poultry farm and other livestock animals. This may give rise to worries that these food-carrying creatures could infect humans or colonize them.
Apr 2023 DOI 10.14302/issn.2639-3166.jar-23-4500
This investigation was carried out at the Demonstration Farm of the College of Agriculture- University of Bahri during 2018/2019 winter season to evaluate growth (morphological) and growth analysis (physiological) components in some sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L) genotypes under different nitrogen levels to know how well sugar beet plant performs during the growing season, Thus, to provide information to assist producers in identifying and introducing superior genotype and good management of nitrogen application in AlKadro area. The experiment was laid out in split plot design. The genotypes used were namely, Blaladi. Strube Sudan 01/14, Strube Sudan 02/14, Strube Sudan 04/14, Strube Sudan 05/14 and Strube Sudan 06/14, and the nitrogen levels were viz, 0, 80 and 120 kg urea per ha; applied twice (at the sowing and then 4 weeks after sowing). The evaluated components were; leaf number/plant, leaf area index (LAI), root length, root diameter, fresh and dry weight of foliage/plant, fresh and dry weight of root/plant; all determined at 5 terms. While Crop Growth Rates (CGR), Relative Growth Rate (RGR) and Net Assimilation Rate (NAR); determined at different periods of growth (intervals). The analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed that at 4 weeks after sowing (WAS): leaf number (14.33- 17.03) , root length (19.05 – 21.75 cm), root diameter ( 7.93- 8.40 cm) foliage fresh ( 186.93 – 292.06 g) and dry ( 69.00 – 94.10 g) weight per plant, root fresh (72.66 – 108.88 g) and dry weight ( 12.54 – 22.08 g) per plant differed significantly (P≤ 0.05); at 7 and 10 WAS leaf number (22.39 -35.73 and 26.91 – 38.47, respectively), LAI ( 3.725 -5.645) , fresh and dry root weight per plant ( 586.78 – 913.81an 189.06 – 326.43 g, respectively) differed significantly; at 13 WAS: dry foliage weight ( 69.00 – 94.10 g), LAI ( 2.603 – 4.744), root diameter (10.09 – 11.92 cm) differed significantly; at 16 WAS only dry foliage (44.34 – 73.48 g) weight reflected significance. All other cases reflected insignificant differences among the evaluated genotypes. Moreover, all the studied components reflected insignificant differences among the nitrogen fertilizer levels and likewise genotype x nitrogen interaction (G x N) at the 5 sampled terms. Nevertheless, CGR, RGR and NAR displayed insignificant effect on the studied components in the evaluated periods.
Feb 2023 DOI 10.14302/issn.2639-3166.jar-22-4389
The greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella L.) is one of the most destructive insect pests that threaten apiculture. Laboratory experiments were conducted in the Research Laboratory, College of Agricultural Studies, Sudan University of Science and Technology during the period from the 2nd_ of April to 29th_ of October 2021 to evaluate the lethal effect of Bee glue (proplis) and Bacillus thuringiensis var. Kurstaki (Btk) on the G.mellonella. Five concentrations (5%, 7.5%, 10%, 12.5% and 15%) of proplis extract and (0.62,1.25,2.5,5 and 10 mg/ml) of Bt were used for each proplis extract and Bt in a Completely Randomized Design. Powder ethanol extract of proplis at 15% concentration caused 83.3% mortality after 96 hrs of application, where as 10mg//ml concentration of Bt gave 93.3% mortality after 72 hrs of exposure. The statistical analysis revealed significant differences between all treatments and control. Additionally, all treatments (proplis/ /Bt) increased the mortality %.
Nov 2022 DOI 10.14302/issn.2644-1101.jhp-22-4273
The purpose of this topic is to add to the body of good teaching and learning that helps create the conditions for more critical thinking and practice skills that enable, keep students interested, and consistently motivate them. Teachers now have a greater focus on implementing motivational learning and studying strategies that are more relevant to the processes of teaching and learning thanks to new methodologies, which have further enhanced instructional strategies for teaching and learning. Positive school cultures that are long-lasting will result from these new methods and strategies. According to the authors, educators have been impacted by evidence-based practice and data-based decision making within the educational system. As a result, there is a growing need for educators to learn more about these resources that are relevant to students and can lead to greater success. These applicable interventions have a positive effect on students, and the information that helps them make decisions increases their response.
Nov 2022 DOI 10.14302/issn.2690-4721.ijcm-22-4341
Bacteria of the genus Staphylococcus are pathogenic Gram-positive bacteria responsible for various infections, including skin suppuration, which can be severe or chronic. The objective of this study was to confirm Staphylococci strain’s identification isolated by bacteriological methods from biological products of CHU-B patients, by molecular methods based on the analysis of the gene coding for 16S rRNA. In total, 30 strains of Staphylococci were isolated including 8 (26.66%) community strains, 22 (73.33%) hospital strains. The products of the amplification of gene fragments encoding 16S rRNA from 10 strains of Staphylococci including 6 strains of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and 4 Coagulase Negative Staphylococci (CNS) were sequenced. The sequences obtained were subjected to bioinformatics analysis to confirm the results of conventional bacteriological methods. Six (6) S. aureus strains, 2 Staphylococcus haemolyticus strains, 1 uncultured bacterium clone nbw618g09c1, and one Staphylococcus sp. have been identified. These results made it possible to confirm the effectiveness of the molecular method and to show the limits of traditional bacteriological methods in the complete identification of bacteria.
Aug 2022 DOI 10.14302/issn.3070-3379.jwc-22-4233
Man’s activity and/ or inactivity continually impedes the environment in many ways. Sometimes, these impediments could be negative with catastrophic consequences. Emission of greenhouse gases, desert encroachment, deforestation, global warming, and general environmental degradation by different human practices poses a lot of threat to this planet. It has therefore become imperative to explore novel ways or technologies in checkmating hazards emanating from these disasters. Biotechnology which simply refers to the use of living organisms or their parts particularly microorganisms to produce materials for human and animal consumption comes in handy. The aim of this paper is to do a brief review on the merits of applying this technology in mitigating hazards arising from climate change. Focus will be centered on agricultural and industrial biotechnology more as a result of their involvement in land and environmental related matters. Manipulation of crops via genetic engineering for varieties with stress resistance, phytoremediation, tissue culture of orphan crops, and so many other biotechnological practices will be examined so as to highlight their role in stemming disasters caused by climate change. In conclusion, the paper will attempt to explain the reason why developing countries like Nigeria should also join the global race in curtailing this menace via her indigenous biotechnology.
May 2022 DOI 10.14302/issn.2576-9383.jhhr-21-3994
In this article the author reviews research on high risk factor of Human Immunodeficiency Virus in homosexuals and how lack of awareness & unprotected anal sex contribute substantially to new infections among this population. current HIV prevention efforts by providing insight into the patterns of Indian MSM behavior and sexual partnerships, and the specific cultural, social inequality, the gaps and lack of knowledge and psychological context in which HIV risk is occurring. And the need to develop effective awareness programs for well-functioning prevention of HIV and considerable understanding of the logistical and socio-cultural barriers MSM experience while accessing HIV prevention services. And in last will put light on therapeutic interventions for Human Immunodeficiency Virus, behavioral interventions that are socially and culturally appropriate for the population or community being prioritized and addressing multilevel psychosocial factors, including skills building and strategies to foster self-acceptance and increased social support for MSM. At the same time, prevention messages need to be designed and adapted to the knowledge level and culture of people.
Jan 2022 DOI 10.14302/issn.2372-6601.jhor-22-4061
Background Human malignant cell models which reflect the structural and physiological complexity of tumor tissue are of great importance for preclinical research in oncology. Spheroids/tumoroids derived from solid tumors are of great interest as cellular models mimicking the first vascular-free growth phase of a tumor node. The fact of the identity between artificially created tumor multicellular aggregates and the real tumor tissue, however, needs to be specified, described and validated in order to see how closely the spheroids are biologically similar to the malignized tissues in vivo compared to the monolayer cell cultures traditionally used. We present here a comparison study of the characteristics of solid tumor cells of different histogenesis (melanomas, soft tissue sarcomas and bone sarcomas, epithelial tumors) cultured in two dimensions (monolayer culture) and three dimensional space (spheroid), namely: spatial organization, multiplication, metabolic activity. Patients and Methods For the creation of 2 D and 3D cell models the cells isolated from the patient's solid tumor fragments obtained intraoperatively were used. 15 samples of skin melanoma, 20 samples of soft tissue and osteogenic sarcomas (STBS), and 9 samples of epithelial tumors (ET). The tumor cells were all cultivated for at least 10 passages. We used phase contrast, confocal microscopy, and immunohistochemistry to investigate spheroids and monolayer cultures. The supernatants of tumor cells grown in 2D and 3D cultures were studied using ELISA and multiplex analysis for the production of a spectrum of chemokines and cytokines supporting the immunosuppression, invasion and metastasis processes. Results Tumor specimens received were predominantly of metastatic origin (75%). In 100% of cases 2D cultures were received, in 88.6% of cases (39 out of 44) we succeeded in obtaining spheroids. There was no direct correlation between the efficiency of tumoroid formation and the tumor's histogenetic origin and the stage of the cancer process (primary tumor, recurrence, metastasis). The median size of spheroids by 4-5 days of cultivation with a starting concentration of 10000 cells per well was 657.14 μm for melanoma (min 400 - max 1000 μm), 571.42 μm (min 400 - max 700 μm), 507.14 μm (min 300 - max 600 μm) for soft tissue sarcomas, 650.0 μm (min 400 - max 900 μm) for osteogenic sarcomas. Immunochemical analysis of Ki-67, GLUT1, and Ecadherin markers was carried out for tumor tissue samples, single-layer tumor cultures, and tumoroids of every patient. The distribution of the stained groups in the spheroids was distinct from the monolayer cultures and more in accordance with the distribution of such in the tissue tumor, the number of Ki-67+ cells was increasing in the spheroids. We detected no dependence of Ki-67+ and GLUT1+ cell localization grade on spheroid size. We identified E-cadherin in tumor tissue and tumoroids of breast carcinoma and one melanoma culture. Monolayer cultures did not express it. The increase in secretory cell activity of the solid tumor cells from 2D to 3D system was observed when CCL2, CCL3, CXCL1, CXCL16, MIF, IL10, MICA (p<0.01) were investigated. Conclusion The presence of patient-specific cells of solid tumors in a 3D environment causes activation of the proliferative and metabolic processes as compared to monolayer cultures, which makes these models approximate the real world clinical picture. The production of chemokines that can attract to the tumor various types of immune system cells, to include their immature versions, as well as production of cytokines and Immunosuppression factors that, when present in the tumor microenvironment in the high concentrations, contribute to the formation of immune cells having suppressive capacities occurs in the 3D cell system. Three-dimensional model of the initial tumor nodule formation stage thus demonstrates the forming process of tumor cells favorable for them microenvironment. Construction of three-dimensional models - spheroids of tumor cells of differing histogenesis demands individual approach and more thorough investigation.
Aug 2021 DOI 10.14302/issn.2639-3166.jar-21-3880
Sugar beet is one of the sugar crops which widely grown in different regions of the world due to its advantages over Sugarcane. Several studies were conducted in Sudan to assess its adaptation and economic value. However, the aim of this experiment was to study the effect of application of compost and different levels of phosphorus fertilizer and their combination on Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) growth attributes, yield and yield components. The study was conducted during the winter season 2018 –2019 at the farm of the College of Agriculture, University of Bahri, Alkadaro-Khartoum State, Sudan. The experiment was arranged in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications and six treatments, namely the Compost (5t./ha.), Phosphorous (P2O5) (88kg./ha.), P2O5 (176 kg./ha.), Compost (5t./ha.)+P2O5 (88kg./ha.), Compost (5t./ha.)+ P2O5 (176Kg./ha.) and the Control (C) respectively. All cultural practices were carried out timely according to the recommendations of the Agricultural Research Centre in Sudan. Then the data pertaining the following agronomic traits were recorded, the leaf number; leaf dry weight (g), leaf area index (LAI) (cm), root diameter (RD) (cm) and root fresh weight (RFW) (g). The results of statistical analysis revealed the application of compost in combination with phosphorus displayed significant increase at 5% level for the leaf number (22.75), leaf area index (5.23), leaf dry weight(36.78), root diameter(69.67) and root fresh weight (422.68), followed by the application of compost alone compared to the control and other treatments. The study concludes that the combination of compost and mineral fertilizer (P2O5) proved to increase all Sugar beet growth and yield parameters.
Aug 2021 DOI 10.14302/issn.2639-3166.jar-21-3883
Despite the existing several Sugar manufacturing companies in Sudan, there is an acute shortage in sugar supply, therefore the government imports Sugar to bridge the gap. One of the strategies to be followed is the introduction of Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) crop, mainly for sugar production. This crop has several advantages over Sugarcane such as short duration, less water requirement, in addition to other uses like animal feed. Therefore it became necessary to have good understanding of agricultural operations, cultural practices and adaptation. However, the main objective of this study was to assess the effect of Nitrogen fertilizer and plant spacing on vegetative growth of Sugar beet. This study was conducted at the farm of the College of Agriculture, University of Bahri, Alkadro, Khartoum State-Sudan; during the season 2016/2017. The experiment was arranged in Split plot in Randomized Complete Block Design with six treatments and four replications. Two plant spacing (15 and 20 cm.) were used as main plot, referred as (S1, S2) along with three levels of Nitrogen fertilizer (40, 80 and 120 kg/ha.), as subplot; referred as (N1, N2 and N3) and the control (0). Data regarding leaf number, leaf area index (LAI), leaf dry weight (g) (LDW), root diameter (mm.) and root fresh weight were recorded and statistically analyzed. The results showed S2 (20 cm) increased all the studied plant characters, namely the leaf number (29.139), leaf area index by (7.54), leaf dry weight (g) to (89.870), root diameter (mm) (94,992), root fresh weight (g) (695.80) compared to S1(1015 cm). On the other hand; the application of N3 (120 kg/ha.) increased the lead number (30.956), leaf Area Index (8.841), Leaf dry weight (102.47), root diameter (97.955) and root fresh weight (851.77) compared to S2 and S1 as presented in (table 4, table 5 and table 6).
Jun 2021 DOI 10.14302/issn.2474-3585.jpmc-21-3851
Background The rapid and ongoing spread of antimicrobial-resistant organisms threatens the ability to successfully prevent, control, or treat a growing number of infectious diseases in developed and developing countries. This study was designed to convey more insight on the profile of antimicrobial resistance and the capacity of laboratories conducting antimicrobial susceptibility testing in Cameroon. Methods A multicentre cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2019 to March 2020 in the Deido Health District. Laboratories that carry out culture and sensitivity testing within the Deido Health District were identified and assessed to determine their capacity as well as the quality of results from microbiological investigations. Information on antimicrobial susceptibility of various isolates was collected using tablet phones in which the study questionnaires had been incorporated. Results Gaps identified in antimicrobial susceptibility testing that cut across laboratories included; insufficient standard operating procedures, inadequate records on personnel training and competency assessment, lack of safety equipment such as biosafety cabinet, stock out and non-participation in external quality assurance program. The turnaround time for antimicrobial susceptibility testing ranged from 3 – 7 days. Out of the 1797 samples cultured, 437(24.3%) had at least one isolate. A total of 15 different isolates were identified with Candida albicans being the most frequent 178 (40.7%), followed by Escherichia coli 80(18.3%). Among the 15 classes of antimicrobial drugs used in this study, the overall resistance of the isolates showed that five classes had class median resistance above 40% (Cephalosporins, Penicillins, Beta-lactam, Macrolides, and Polyenes). Conclusion This study has shown the need to develop a coordinated national approach to fight antimicrobial resistance. Scaling-up of antimicrobial susceptibility testing will, therefore, require strengthening the microbiology units of laboratory systems as well as ensuring the use of laboratory data for decision making.
Apr 2021 DOI 10.14302/issn.2470-0436.jos-21-3710
Introduction Large impaled object in the orbital region causes severe visual impact and requires specialized care within the shortest time possible. Objectives In this case report, we discussed the approach and management of a patient that presented with a penetrating orbitocranial injury, from management at the emergency unit, diagnostic imaging, referral to other subspecialty, surgical and medical intervention, and post-operative care. Discussion A 36-year old male had an impaled toilet brush on the supero-nasal aspect of the right orbit, with visual acuity of 6/60 and lacerated upper eyelid. The globe had minimal movement on all gazes, but pupil was reactive to light with no afferent defect. On plain cranial and orbital CT-scan, the foreign body entered the anterior and medial aspects of the right orbit penetrating the right superior orbital wall, right medial lamina papyracea, and the lateral and inferior border of the right frontal sinus with its distal tip at the intracranial region at the right frontal lobe compressing the medial rectus along its tract. Two hours after injury, patient underwent wound exploration, removal of foreign body, repair of eyelid laceration, right craniotomy, frontal contussectomy, duraplasty, and JP-drain insertion under general anesthesia. Intraoperatively, there was note of transected canaliculus and avulsed conjunctiva. The medial rectus was intact and attached. The frontal lobe was contused with embedded fragments of right posterior orbital bone with 3cm opening on the dura. Post-operatively, Fluconazole was added to the medications after culture results of the toilet brush tip tested positive for fungal elements. Patient was discharged after 21 days with visual acuity of 6/6 on both eyes and improved ocular movement. Conclusion These types of injury warrants thorough and systematic history taking and physical examination, acquiring pertinent imaging modalities to better visualize the extent of injury, and execute surgical and medical intervention that is multidisciplinary.
Apr 2021 DOI 10.14302/issn.2639-3166.jar-21-3782
A systematic use of biofertilizers can improve both the quality of a farming system and the parameters of milk. Some issues related to biofertilization experiments on six farms in the Po Valley (NW Italy) involved in the production of milk from dairy cattle fed maize silage or grazed on hay produced from permanent meadows are reported in this paper. Biofertilized maize was found to lower the live stem pH by about 2.3%, and NIR spectroscopy foreshadowing major changes in the composition. Overall, the plant silage was improved in quantity (+10%) but also in quality, as shown by the delayed maturity stage of the leaves (crop maturity index -4%), the lower indigestible NDF content (-7%), and the higher digestible carbohydrates and protein in the whole plants. Such favorable feeding conditions, together with the improved palatability of the feed ration, boosted the nutrient values of the protein (+4.6%) and fat contents (+5.7%) in the milk. Moreover, the functional properties of the milk were ameliorated, as testified by the higher levels of vitamin A (+27%) and vitamin E (+25%) and the reduced levels of saturated fatty acids (-6%), especially myristic (-18%) and stearic (-32%) acids, while the unsaturated acids increased by 15%. As far as economy aspects are concerned, the biofertilization of maize for silage has led to consistent rewards pertaining to the marginal price of the milk, which in turn has led to a value chain increase of about 9%, because of the fields cultivation, but mainly of the cow transformation in milk quality issues. On another farm, intensive maize was substituted with permanent biofertilized meadows, over a greening path, and a + 17% value chain increase was obtained that already derived mainly from the best price for milk quality parameters. Such an evolutionary leap toward a new vision of sustainable agriculture for the environment and for animals, in which a better quality of products, animal welfare and company budget are combined with soil biofertilization, can be considered a bonanza.
Mar 2021 DOI 10.14302/issn.2644-1101.jhp-21-3753
People tend to believe that power imbalance that women and men experience in an intimate relationship is natural, the way it should be and of course, something that should not be debated. The problem with this argument and/or generalisation is that it usually suggests that hegemonic masculinity should not be interrogated. In Africa, power imbalances are one of the challenges that have limited women in society. This practice is influenced by culture, religion, traditional practices and laws which influence perceptions, and expectations of people in intimate relationships. This study, Power imbalances among intimate partners in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area encapsulate the dynamics of gender power relations that exist in intimate, heterosexual relationships in four communities. This study seeks to examine intimate partners’ perception of decision making, the extent of its social acceptability and relevance of their socio-economic circumstances towards power imbalances. The population for this study was twenty-seven thousand three hundred and fifty-five. Sample size was calculated using the Taro Yamame determination technique which stood at three hundred and ninety-four. The study employed a survey research design which consisted of twenty-two items on a four-point Likert scale of (Agree, Strongly Agree, Disagree, and Strongly Disagree). Simple percentage (%) and frequency table was used to analyze the data. The study found that partners socio-economic circumstances did not reflect a significant degree of influence on power imbalances. This study therefore, recommend for responsive gender equality programmes that support and empower both partners.
Dec 2020 DOI 10.14302/issn.2692-1537.ijcv-20-3671
Assesses the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the social and economic situation in Africa. The data use in this paper was generated from online survey questionnaire, in which the participants were asked about certain questions in which covid-19 affect their social-economic live. The questionnaire was design to help Africa to understand covid-19 impacts. The results reveal that covid-19 affected Africa; 1) 51.6% responded said that coronavirus affect their job search 2) Over the past three months, 47.1 percent of the respondents said their private financial situation remain unchanged 3) 61 percent did not trust the true existing of the Covid-19. 5) According to this online survey administered using Google form, 51.8 percent of the respondents said services sectors are most impacted sector pandemic, follow by industrial sector, 31.3 percent and agriculture is least sector at 8.4 percent. Policy implication is that it has serious impacts on social-economics interactions.
Dec 2020 DOI 10.14302/issn.2639-3166.jar-20-3642
Today; there is an increasing demand for fertilizers due to the intensive and extensive agricultural activity to meet the ever increasing demand for food and fiber by the rapid world population expansion. This study is mainly concern with the Bat Guano which is usually collected from the Caves. This experiment was conducted at the Farm of the College of Agriculture, University of Bahri, Alkadaro, Khartoum North-Sudan during the period from July to November, 2017 with the objective to investigate the efficacy of Bat Guano and Nitrogen fertilizer on growth and yield of Serena and Opera (Helianthusannus, L.) Hybrid Sunflower cultivars. The study was based on split-plot experiment in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four (4) replications. Data pertaining Plant Height (cm), Leaf Number (LN), Leaf Area (LA), Leaf Area Index (LAI) and Seed Weight (SW) were studied. The said data were analyzed using Statistic 8- software. The results reflected significant increase in plant height (F= 6.05, P < 0.0001, leaf number (F=2.37, P<0.0388), leaf area (F= 7.44, P<0.001), leaf area index (F= 6.53, P < 0.0001) and seed weight of both Sunflower cultivars respectively due to application of Guano and Nitrogen fertilizer compared to the control. It also reflected non-significant difference between all studied traits as application of either Guano or Nitrogen fertilizer. Moreover, all studied characters of the two cultivars have similarly responded to the application of the two types of fertilizers. Further studies are recommended to assess the benefits from the use of Bat Guano as a fertilizer.
Dec 2020 DOI 10.14302/issn.2998-4785.ijne-20-3617
Background Overuse and abuse of antibiotics resulted in emergence of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO), increased rates of invasive candidiasis, prolonged hospital stay, NEC (Necrotizing enterocolitis), LOS (Late onset sepsis) or death. Restriction of the prescription, switching to a narrower spectrum and stopping antibiotics when not needed are some of the major approaches to antibiotic stewardship. Methods We identified restricted antimicrobials and devised an antimicrobial justification form. Clinicians needed to fill the form before prescribing restricted antimicrobials thereby comparing the antimicrobial usage pattern before and after the introduction of form. Babies enrolled before the introduction of the justification form were labelled as Group 1, and as Group 2 after justification form. The HIC (hospital infection control) staff nurse paid daily visits to NICU to monitor number of babies started on restricted antibiotics and whether the forms were duly filled or not. Any lag would be intimated to the Head HIC team for rectification. Any change of antibiotic within the restricted group also warranted justification. Culture report notified within 48 – 72 hrs so as to facilitate the stoppage of antibiotics in case of negative culture. Results There was a statistically significant reduction in the usage of restricted antimicrobials in the Group B as compared to Group A 150 (40.54%) vs 190 (49.35%) (p = 0.01). There was a statistically significant increase in the % of babies de-escalated from high end antimicrobials in Group B as compared to Group A 90 (60%) vs 56 (29.47%) (p = <0.0001). Duration of restricted antimicrobials reduced from 13.78 ± 2.7 days in Group A to 9.9 ±1.8 days in Group B (p = <0.0001). No difference in the number of babies started on any antibiotic between both the groups (p = 0.1). Conclusion Introduction of the antibiotic justification form as a part of antimicrobial stewardship program resulted in an overall reduced usage of restricted antimicrobials along with rapid de-escalation.
Sep 2020 DOI 10.14302/issn.2575-1212.jvhc-20-3477
A total number of 100 samples from ten random broiler chicken carcasses (breast and thigh) were collected from an automatic poultry slaughtering plant in Ismailia city, Egypt. The mean values of Enterobacteriacae count were 5.9x104±9.7x103 cfu/g and 7.1x 104 ± 1.1x104 cfu/g for chicken breast and thigh samples respectively. The prevalence of E.coli were 12% and 9% breast and thigh samples examined, respectively. They are serologically identified as 33.35 and 22.2% O157:H7 (EHEC) , 16.6% and 11.1% O114:H21(EPEC), 16.6% and 33.3 %O127:H6 (ETEC) , 0% and 0% O126 (ETEC) and 33.3% and 0% O26 (EHEC) for breast and thigh samples, respectively. The incidence of E.coli O157:H7 was 100% in both serological and PCR methods from biochemical positive E.coli samples. Culture is specific and cheap whereas PCR is sensitive and expensive, hence, we recommend both culture and molecular methods, which improve sensitivity and specificity, to enhance detection of foodborne pathogens including E.coli.
Aug 2020 DOI 10.14302/issn.2641-7669.ject-20-3529
Background Local anesthetic neurotoxicity is a common complication in clinical anesthesia, which can cause permanent nerve damage in severe cases. The T-type calcium channel is an important channel for regulating the excitability of neurons. Normally, extracellular calcium ions enter the cell through the T-type calcium channel to change the excitability of neurons. When the intracellular calcium is overloaded, it can cause cell damage. Aims To investigated the roles of T-type calcium channel in the SH-SY5Y cells injury induced by the bupivacaine. Methods The SH-SY5Y cell culture model was used to observe the effect of T-type calcium channel blocker NNC55-0396 on the neurotoxicity of bupivacaine hydrochloride by MTT methold,flow cytometry, Western blotting and other methods. Results The results show that NNC55-0396 can block the T-type calcium channel of SH-SY5Y cells, improve the decrease of cell viability caused by bupivacaine hydrochloride, reduce the level of intracellular calcium ion, reduce the expression of Cleavedcaspase-3, and reduce cell apoptosis. Conclusion The above results indicate that the T-type calcium channel is involved in the SH-SY5Y cell damage caused by bupivacaine hydrochloride, and blocking the T-type calcium channel can reduce the neurotoxicity of bupivacaine hydrochloride.
Jul 2020 DOI 10.14302/issn.2691-6622.ijar-20-3490
Zooplankton production and growth performance of post-larvae of common carp according to the level and frequency of fertilization with chicken droppings were studied between May and October 2017 at the IRAD pisciculture station in Foumban. To this end, two doses of hen droppings, namely 450 g/m3 (D450) and 600 g/m3 (D600), were each applied at two application frequencies (weekly (F2) and bimonthly (F1)). Thus, 1200 post-carp larvae were distributed in 12 identical concrete tanks (1.2m x 0.75m x 1m) each filled with 400 liters of water. The 2 doses applied at 2 frequencies were applied randomly in the 12 tanks in a complete random device comprising 3 treatments and 2 repetitions. Six days after fertilization, each tank was sown with zooplankton at a density of 7 individuals per liter (ind/l). The loading was carried out 12 days after fertilization at a density of 100 ind/m2. The results show that regardless of the dose and the frequency of droppings applied, the production of zooplankton was optimal 10 to 12 days after fertilization. Considering the growth performance, the tanks receiving the 600 g/m3 dose every 2 weeks presented the highest significant values (p <0.05). On the other hand, the survival rate (36% on average) was not significantly influenced (p˃0.05) by the dose and the frequency of fertilization. The 600 g/m3 dose applied every two weeks can be recommended for the rearing of post-larvae common carp.
Jul 2020 DOI 10.14302/issn.2642-3146.jec-20-3428
Urbanism and urbanization is a complex term in as much as that it is highly diversified in terms of culture, traditions, religion, social behavior and life, size and capacity, supporting infrastructure, governance, administration, planning approach, trade, so on and so forth. The present scenario is highly sophisticated and alarming in the context of growing and continuous expansion of the urbanization world over leading to associated problems and pose threats to social, environmental, and economic. An effort has been made by the authors of the present paper to conceptualize the parameters for environmental sustainability in urban development.
Mar 2020 DOI 10.14302/issn.2691-6622.ijar-20-3257
In order to contribute to the improvement of aquaculture production, reproductive parameters of three populations of Oreochromis niloticus of Cameroon were studied between March and May 2019 at the research station of Foumban. At this effect, a total of 81 parents (27 males and 51 females with respective weight 124 ± 6g and 144 ± 5g) coming from three hydrogeographicals origins (Niger, Sanaga and IRAD Station) were randomly distributed in triplicate in nine concrete tanks of a m² each with a sex ratio of one male for two females (1♂/2♀). Throughout the test, six females carrying eggs in the oral cavity were collected in each population and 45 days after the start of the trial, all the offspring were collected and the adults sacrificed. At the end of experiment, the IRAD population presented highest significant values (p ≤ 0.05) regardless of the performances considered. The values of the gonado-somatic and the gonado-metric characteristics significantly lower (p ≤ 0.05) were obtained in Niger population (GSR = 0.04 ± 0.02, GSI = 0.05 ± 0.03 and GMR=0.19 ± 0.08;GMI= 0.24±0.07). Considering sex, males presented the lowest significant values (p ≤ 0.05) for all the characteristics studied (GSR = 0.04±0.01, GSI = 0.04±0.01 and GMR= 0.23±0.08;GMI= 0.29±0.09).
Jan 2020 DOI 10.14302/issn.2690-4721.ijcm-19-3154
Background The morbidity and mortality associated with the multi drug resistant Gram negative bacterial infections pose a significant and growing challenge to clinical practitioners. Klebsiella pneumoniae, which is a substantial nosocomial pathogen and confer high levels of resistance to broad-spectrum antibiotics including carbapenems. The aim of this study is to determine the resistance profiles of Klebsiella pneumoniae strains isolated from various clinical specimens. Material and Method In this study, the antibiotic susceptibility profiles of 2452 Klebsiella pneumoniae strains isolated from various clinical specimens between July 2015 and November 2019 were considered retrospectively. Blood culture vials were incubated in Bac T / Alert 3D automated system, other samples were cultured on blood and Eosin Methylene-blue (EMB) medium. The identification and antibiotic susceptibility tests of the isolated bacteria were performed by VITEC 2 Compact ID-AST cards (BioMérieux, Marcy l’Etoile, Fransa) and the results were evaluated according to the standards of the Europian Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility testing (EUCAST). The first sample of each patient was included in the study. The strains with inappropriate results were re-studied with gradient agar diffusion test (BioMérieux, Marcy l’Etoile, Fransa). Results The study included a total of 2452 Klebsiella pneumoniae strains and the distribution of samples was as follows: 894 (36, 5 %) blood, 790 (32, 2%) bronchial lavage, 211 (8,6 %) wound, 148 (6 %) drainage, 148 (6 %) peritoneal fluid, 95 (3, 9 %) tracheal aspirates, 64 (2,6%) catheter, 62 (2,5 %) urine, 40 (1,6%) other samples (pleural fluid, cerebrospinal fluid, throat ). In this study, antibiotic susceptibility test results indicated that the resistance to tigecycline was lowest (0, 3%). High colistin resistance ratio (33, 5 %) in carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae was considered to be of concern. Conclusion In this study, high rates of resistance to carbapenems were noteworthy. Determination of hospital antimicrobial resistance rates will be useful in developing antibiotic use policies of each hospital, in the treatment of causative agents, in selecting antibiotics according to antimicrobial susceptibility.
Oct 2019
Pesticides are the major source of concern as water pollutants. Persistent organochlorines can accumulate in food chains. Chlorpyrifos (O,O -diethyl O -(3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinyl) phosphorothioate; CAS No. 2921-88-2; CPY). CPY is a widely used organophosphorus insecticide that is available in a granular formulation for treatment in soil. Pesticides are used to control a wide range of pests including Mosquitoes. Mosquito borne diseases infect millions of people every year globally. The aim of current study was to screen the fresh water pollutants, water quality parameter in irrigation water from El Mahmodia stream, El-Beheira Governorate, Egypt and to determine the adverse effects of Chlorpyrifos on the larvae of Culex mosquito larvae as bio-indicator. The LC95 of Chloropyrifos insecticide was 6331.30 at 24h and increased to 230506.4 after 48h of exposure to the Chloropyrifos insecticide. It is noted that the effect of the exposure time of Chloropyrifos insecticide on the LC50, LC25 and LC95 values had a synergistic interaction with time, as it increased after 48h of exposure when compared to 24 h of exposure. The 0.09 ppm concentration of Chloropyrifos had no effect on the second instar Culex larvae, as there is no mortality over time; the same result is also with the control 0 ppm. There is no effect after 72, 96h of exposure of the population to the detected insecticide. This study concerns with studying the pollutants along El Mahmodia stream in El Beheira governorate in Abo Homs city with its abundance during the four seasons (2016-2017), as well as studding the physicochemical parameters in it. Another concern of this study is estimating the effect of one of this pesticides (Chloropyrifos) insecticide on the second instar Culex mosquito larvae, determining the lethal concentration of this insecticide on the Culex larvae. Along the study area, pesticides are used within a high ratio on the agriculture scale with its four main categories organophosphates, organochlorine, pyrthoid and carbamates. Organophosphates and organochlorine are used at a wide range. Pollutants measuring achieved by using GC-MS as water samples collected seasonally and analyzed, there is a big number of Pollutants which was found as well as other compounds which are banned, such as DDT. The physicochemical parameters Turbidity, COD, BOD in El Mahmodia stream exceeded the desirable limits of (Egyptian Law 48/1982), (WHO, 1993) and (FAO, 1985) although the other parameters as EC, PH, DO,TDS TSS are to be within the permeable limits. HCO3, NH4. Cu also was found to exceed the desirable limits while, Pb, Mn, Fe and Cd within the permeable limits. Chloropyrfos as an organophosphate pesticide used in the present study which was found with 0.09 mg/l in the stream water, used to estimate its effect on the Culex mortality, determining LC25, LC50 and LC95. The experiment continued for 96 h but after 48 h there is no effect of Chloropyrfos on Culex larvae. The experiment began with 20 second instar Culex larvae immersed in 100 ppm, 10 ppm, 1 ppm, 0.1 ppm and finally 0.09 ppm of Chloropyrfos insecticide with five repeats to each concentration, it is noted that the lethal concentration increase after 48h of experiment, the larval mortality decrease with time.
Jul 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2474-3585.jpmc-19-2947
Objectives Death is the only definitive phenomenon in life, and everyone is sure that it will happen in the future. Based on the philosophical perspective, the concept of death differs in different cultures. The purpose of this study was “explaining the difference between the concept of death from the perspective of theology and empirical science”. Methods In this qualitative evolutionary study, a targeted review was conducted to answer the question “what is the difference between the concept of death from the perspective of theology and empirical science?” Articles published between 1990 and 2018 were extracted from the PubMed, science direct, google scholar, SID, and Cochrane databases. At the same time, Islamic religious evidence (Quran and Hadiths) was investigated for understanding the concept of the death in Islam. The “Shia Seminary” research methodology was used to avoid interpretations of the Quran verses and to ensure the authenticity of the Hadiths. Findings Empirical sciences consider death as a biological phenomenon, which results from irreversible damage to cerebral hemispheres and brain stem (brain death) that causes grief process, fear, anxiety, and sadness. From the perspective of Islam, death is an existential phenomenon, the transfer of the soul from one world to another. Death is the complete reception of the soul from the body by the angels and the beginning of another life, in the "world of grief. Conclusion Given that in Islam, death does not mean destruction. It is imperative that the spiritual counselors teach the patient and the family about the life after death and the blessings of paradise. In pastoral care at the end of life, reducing patients’ anxiety and fear of death, with hope in God's mercy is necessary.
Jun 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2639-3166.jar-19-2590
Over last few decades, acreage of total fallow lands (Kharif and Rabi seasons) in India has remained almost unchanged around 25Mha. The acreage of Kharif (summer) and Rabi (winter) Fallows in Madhya Pradesh (MP) are 1.98Mha and 5.51Mha, respectively. In the semi-arid agroclimatic zones of the states, Fallow-Wheat/Gram/Indian-Mustard cropping systems are practiced. After harvest of Kharif rice, kodo-kutki, maize or sorghum, farmers generally practice post-rainy season Rabi fallows in the sub-humid regions, south of Narmada River. Kharif fallowing is largely the result of the inability of the farmers to make planting dates independent of monsoon forecasts, and make efficient use of rain water. It appears that factors responsible for Kharif and Rabi fallows are distinctly different and a general consequence of distinctly different soil moisture regimes prevailing in the two crop seasons. Kharif and Rabi fallows have two distinct resource management domains. Whereas, Kharif fallows can be tackled with “PMP-dry seeding” agronomy, production constraints of Rabi fallows can be substantively tackled by shifting from tilled to zero-till agriculture with residue management to make efficient use of the conserved rain water. Some irrigation support will prove useful to tackle mid-season droughts in both situations. Conservation agricultural practices can significantly improve and stabilize crop yields in black soils and other associated soils of in the semi-arid tropics region of the Central India.
Jun 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2639-3166.jar-19-2785
In Córdoba, Argentina, the peri-urban horticulture is in conflict with industrial agriculture and urban development. This problem is partly due to urban expansion to rural areas occurred in the last years and to monoculture farming, which has replaced traditional fruit and vegetable cropping in the region. This transformation process has raised concern about the current and future availability of productive sectors that can sustain food supply within the city boundaries and its immediate surroundings as well as about the loss of ecosystem services associated with peri-urban natural environments. Although these dynamic processes are well known, they have not been described or quantified in Córdoba. Baseline information about land use and its dynamics in productive areas or about number of producers is insufficient and/or out of date. At O-AUPA (Spanish acronym for Observatory of Urban and Peri-urban Agriculture and Agroecology) different mapping strategies are developed to contribute to the understanding of the land dynamics in the Green Belt of Córdoba (GBC) and the rural environments surrounding the city. In this work, we present a method based on the use of remote sensing and geographical information systems to characterize urban, peri-urban and rural areas of Córdoba city with the aim of evaluating the temporal dynamics of urban growth and the current state of land use and cover. We mapped and quantified the urban growth between 1974 and 2014, and evaluated land use in peri-urban and rural areas in 2015. We used satellite information from Landsat TM 5 to map the urban growth via a principal component analysis (PCA) and SPOT 5 imagery to characterize the current land use and land cover with the support vector machine classification algorithm. The results show an urban area growth of 46.5% over almost 40 years within the boundaries of the Capital department. Farm plot size increased, showing a concentration of land ownership, implying a reduced number of producers. Evidence indicates the importance of defining land planning guidelines that limit the advance of the urban frontier to valuable agricultural systems, ensure diversification of productive activities and protect and develop the fresh food production systems at the local level.
May 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2639-3166.jar-19-2780
The inoculation of soil with a bio-fertilizer (BF), with arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi, characterizes a Symbiotic (S) agriculture mode, aimed at promoting the yield and health of crops through modifications in the rhizosphere as well as in the plant phenotype. The main objective of this study was to reduce the incidence of Olive Quick Decline Syndrome (OQDS, involving Xylella fastidiosasubsp.pauca) that afflicts the olive groves in Apulia (Italy). Non-inoculated control (C) plants were compared with Symbiotic (S) plants inoculated with 20 kg ha-1 of Micosat F ®, through a 15 cm deep scarification, in the groves of seven farms covering an area of 27 ha. In addition to a visual observation of 484 plants, to obtain a gradation of the disease severity, some objective rapid type methods were utilized to survey the plants and soil , namely leaf pH, NIR tomoscopy of the leaves, hay-litter-bag probes coupled with NIR spectroscopy and the prediction of soil induced respiration. The fingerprinting of the S and C types of leaves and litter-bags was ascertained by means of the use of a random forest algorithm in the classification matrices. The results on the symptoms appeared variable: they were significantly mitigated in two groves out of six, but they were aggravated in one. All the rapid measurements became essentials in a “holistic” model which was able to explain over 95% of the average mitigation / null / aggravation response to BF inoculation. The holistic model gathers differential and compositional analyses of the leaf (pH, crude protein, water) and of the soil (respiration), but depends mainly on the fingerprinting of the C and S leaves and litter-bags. Two keys were identified for a successful inoculation: a high degree of variability of the soil conditions permitting hospitality for the BF with enhancement of the microbial activity in the S soil (lowering the fingerprint of the control litter-bags) and homogeneity of the leaves (with increases in the fingerprint of the S leaves treated with BF). In short, the inoculation of diseased plants with one BF consortium is far from being the ultimate remedy to mitigate OQDS in all situations. Further studies are needed, at a field level, to clarify the soil hosting capacity and to define the mycorrhizal and / or endophytic * plant * pathogen interactions, even using rapid methods.
Mar 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2576-6694.jbbs-19-2684
Yeast as unicellular organism, has shown multiple application due to exhibition of noble ability in its cells. And engineered yeast has found more suitability in bioprocesses application as well as adverse conditions adaptation. Different types of yeast strains showed their best capability to adapt the salt and sugar rich environment with their optimal growth capability. These strains, used as suitable and novel cell factories for production of value added bio-products (via utilization of fermentation processes) and also for different types of bioprocesses. Application of yeast species in biotechnology field, enhanced in current periods, due to conversion of its wild to engineer strain, suitable for bioprocesses utilization and also for different types of biochemical synthesis. Different yeast species identified due to known their genetic, regulatory mechanism and also competitive metabolic pathways. In this regards, different type of engineering approaches (for genetic or pathways modification), applied to construct the optimal and suitable cell factories for different types of bioprocesses as utilized in different sectors (foods with mineral or protein rich, bread, brewing, cosmetics, chemical, agriculture, pharmacy and distillation industries) via improving the quality of bio-products. Further, in silico designed based metabolic engineering technique showed the improvement in performance of yeast strain. System and synthetic biology with engineering approaches applied to further improve the yeast mediated bioprocesses as well as biochemical products formation for industrial or biotechnological application. Some bio-products such as functional bio-molecule, different types of alcoholic biofuels, organic acids and enzymes etc are good examples of yeast mediated biochemicals products, utilized more frequently in our life. Author will focus recent research and development on bio-product formation or bioprocesses with their regulatory control mechanism in different yeast strains.
Mar 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2690-4721.ijcm-19-2616
Introduction Ultrasound technology has previously been applied for cataract removal and tennis elbow treatment. Recent data supports the use of ultrasonic debridement in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. No data is available concerning the potential antibacterial properties of a clinical grade, lower energy ultrasound probe. We investigated the effect of a ultrasonic probe with respect to P gingivalis bacterial viability. Methods A Tenex Tx1 probe with standard settings for clinical use was used for this study. A Gram negative (Porphyromonasgingivalis) bacteria, known for its pathological activity, was investigated. The bacteria was cultured in an anaerobic broth, re-suspended to achieve a consistent bacterial count, and 5ml of this re-suspension was placed in a test tube for testing. Each tube was sonicated with the Tx1 probe for varying lengths of time (10, 30, 60, 120 seconds). The sonicated was diluted and plated on blood-agar plates, followed by incubation for 48 hours at 37°C in an anaerobic growth chamber. The number of colony forming units were counted, on each plate and the anti-bacterial effect was calculated. A one way analysis of variance was performed for statistical analysis. Results A significant time-dependent antibacterial effect was demonstrated with sonication. When comparing the kill rate between the control and 120 seconds of sonication P Gingivalis had a 64% kill rate. This was the only statistically significant time comparison achieved, although the trend for all the time intervals was a reduction in the colony forming unit counts. Conclusion This study demonstrates that a clinically available ultrasonic probe (Tenex Tx1) has an antibacterial effect against the gram negative anaerobic bacterial species P gingivalis. Complete deactivation was not achieved, and there was a variation in effect dependent on the time of active sonication, with greater sonication times leading to greater kill rates. This data may partially help to explain the ability for ultrasonic debridement to result in the healing of long standing diabetic ulcers, that have been recalcitrant to other forms of treatment.
Feb 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2379-7835.ijn-19-2585
With the possibility of the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus since a long time back, overlooked interlinkages between WEF are getting the chance to be indisputable. Nonetheless, agriculture is responsible for quite a bit of fresh water over-use. Food production further effects the water and energy sectors through degradation of land, changes in overflow, disturbance of groundwater release, water quality, accessibility of water and land for different purposes. The responsibilities of this unparalleled issue include particular parts of the organization around the Nexus. While a couple of papers try to conceptualize the Nexus-Governance, this phenomenal report gives a rich combination of work for further WEF-Nexus ponders and integrative methodologies.
Feb 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2377-2549.jndc-18-2507
Hydroxypropyl β-Cyclodextrin (HPBCD) used in food, pharmaceutical, chemical industries, as well as environmental, and agriculture engineering. But the major issue related to HPBCD is the low solubility profile. In this study, the influence of the Consciousness Energy Healing Treatment (the Trivedi Effect®) on the physicochemical properties of HPBCD was evaluated using spectroscopic and calorimetric analytical techniques. The test sample (HPBCD) was divided into control sample and treated sample. The control sample did not receive the Biofield Energy Treatment. Whereas, the treated sample received the Biofield Energy Treatment remotely by a renowned Biofield Energy Healer, Dahryn Trivedi. The particle size values of the treated sample were decreased by 3.28%(d10), 1.36%(d50), 0.45%(d90), and 1.04%{D(4,3)}; therefore, the specific surface area was increased by 1.9% compared with the control sample. The evaporation temperature of the treated HPBCD sample was significantly decreased by 19.89%; however, the latent heat of evaporation and latent heat of fusion were significantly increased by 56.27% and 47.41%, respectively compared with the control sample.The total weight loss in the treated HPBCD was decreased by 5.11%; whereas, the residue amount was significantly 309.67% more compared to the control sample.The results indicated that the Trivedi Effect® might have produced a new form of HPBCD which may show better thermal stability, solubility, dissolution rate, and bioavailability. This new form of HPBCD would be more useful for improvement of solubility of the lipophilic drug, preparation of cholesterol free food products, weight loss supplements, anti-obesity medication, stabilize volatile and unstable compounds, and other manufacturing industry using it as a raw material.
Jan 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2639-3166.jar-18-2502
The compound 1,4-dimethylnaphthalene, originally isolated from dormant potatoes, is currently in use as a commercial sprout inhibitor. Growers and processors report a reduction in fungal infections in potatoes treated with DMN resulting in increased yields. To assess the effects of DMN on fungal growth a culture of Fusarium oxysporum was isolated from potato tubers and identified via DNA fingerprinting using the 18ITS ribosomal region. Growth of F. oxysporum was inhibited by 31% after four days of exposure to DMN but overall rate of spore germination was not affected by DMN treatment. The growth of additional fungi, including Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus niger, Epicoccum nigrum, Gnomoniopsis smithogilvyi, Phoma medicaginis, and Pythium ultimum was inhibited by DMN as was suppression of sporulation in A. niger. These results suggest that DMN is fungistatic at the application levels examined.
Nov 2018 DOI 10.14302/issn.2766-869X.jfd-18-2276
We report a case of a young woman with acquired immune deficiency syndrome admitted with fever and abdominal pain. Saccharomyces kluyveri was isolated in blood culture. She was successfully treated with fluconazole. This case demonstrates the pathogenicity of Saccharomyces Kluyveri in immunocompromised host.
Nov 2018 DOI 10.14302/issn.2642-3146.jec-18-2416
Wind turbines are often perceived as benign. This can be attributed to the population majority dwelling in urban locations distant from most wind turbines. Society may understate the risk to individuals living near turbines due to an overstatement of the perceived benefits of turbines, and an understatement of the risk of injury from falling turbine parts, or shed ice. Flaws in risk calculation may be attributed to a less than fully developed safety culture. Indications of this are the lack of a comprehensive industry failure database, and safety limits enabling the industry growth, but not protective of the public. A comprehensive study of wind turbine failures and risks in the Canadian province of Ontario gives data to enable validation of existing failure models. Failure probabilities are calculated, to show risk on personal property, or in public spaces. Repeated failures, and inadequate safety separation show public safety is not currently assured. A method of calculating setbacks from wind turbines to mitigate public risk is shown. Wind turbines with inadequate setbacks can adversely impact public health both directly from physical risk and indirectly by irritation from loss of safe use of property. Physical public safety setbacks are separate from larger setbacks required to prevent irritation from noise and other stressors, particularly when applied to areas of learning, rest and recuperation. The insights provided by this paper can assist the industry to enhance its image and improve its operation, as well as helping regulators set safety guidelines assuring protection of the public.
Sep 2018 DOI 10.14302/issn.2639-3166.jar-18-2239
The main objective of this study was to investigate the effects of 4 levels of Nitrogen (N) fertilizer (0, 25, 50 and 75 Kg N/fed) on some attributes of Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L). This study was conducted in the farm of College of Agriculture, University of Bahri-Sudan; during the period 2014-2015. Where the soil is classified as saline with pH ranging from 7.5 -7.8. A randomized completely block designed (RCBD); with 3 replications and four (4) treatments was adopted. All recommended cultural practices were carried out timely. Data; pertaining some plant attributes were collected and analyzed. The result showed that the application of 75KgN/fed has increased both; the average number of leaves as well as the plant height compared to other levels of Nitrogen fertilizer including the control (Figure 1, Figure 2). For the average number of tillers concern, there is non -significant difference between all Nitrogen levels and average number of tillers (Figure 3). The study concluded that the Nitrogen fertilizer has variable effects on the studied agronomic characters, and the application of 75kgN/fed is the optimal level of fertilizer for improving the agronomic traits of Sorghum under Alkadaro conditions.
Aug 2018
Journal of Biosemiotic Research is a new periodical devoted to a young, actively developing science. A review of recent scientific publications shows that in the broad scientific space of biosemiotics contemporary questions and "eternal themes" interact, not finding an answer in the private sciences - anthropology, semiotics of culture and philosophy1,2. To solve them, the fundamental foundations of science and new achievements, the opportunities of the latest technologies and scientific communications are attracted. Like all young sciences, biosemiotics has many definitions. We give here the most famous ones. "Biosemiotics: (bios, life + semion = sign) is an interdisciplinary field of theoretical and empirical research, analyzing communication and signification in living systems. Signed processes, ranging from molecular to ecological and evolutionary, have been studied throughout the history of biology; however, very often descriptions of information and communication aspects of living systems were considered only metaphorical, believing that the essence of them can be understood with the help of physical and chemical descriptions. In biosemiotics, on the other hand, information sign processes are considered as the primordial, basic system of phenomena of life, requiring a new understanding..."3. "Biosemiotics explores sign systems of various levels: molecular biological (genetic code), intracellular (signal peptides), intercellular (mediators, immune interactions), intraorganism (hormones, conditioned reflex reactions) and interorganism (telergons, pheromones, attractants) ... In addition, biosemiotics covers all the problems associated with the problem of the existence of language and thinking in animals." However, today we can go further and add to the analysis the next stage of evolution, standing between animals and modern human (Homo sapiens sapiens).
Aug 2018 DOI 10.14302/issn.2639-3166.jar-18-2264
The management of symbiotic Microbial Biota (MB) in the soil as agents that promote the yield and health of crops, is aimed at inducing modifications of the phenotype of plants, both over and under the ground. It is here shown, in Sorghumsudanensis plants, that: i) a simple response to MB inoculation is the result of the fall out of the raw pH; ii) the simple NIR scans of leaves can be considered to rapidly classify the outcomes; iii) the raw pH can be considered a key-variable of leaf modifications. An experiment was carried out on Sorghumsudanensis. The plants were seeded in pots and grown for 66 d, and then a control non-inoculated group (C) was compared with thirteen Arbuscular Mycorrhizae (AM) Glomus inoculated groups and with two commercial MB products. A total of 374 raw pH measurements conducted on the leaves showed that the 5.18 pH units in the C group were scaled by -1.9% (P<0.0336) in the MB group and by -3.4% in the AM group (P<0.0001), with a relevant diversity between groups. Direct discrimination of these three groups, by means of smart NIR-SCIO, showed a % reclassification of the C, MB and AM groups of 74%, 59% and 96% in the fresh leaves and of 65%, 51% and 94% in the dried ground leaves, respectively. The composition of the dried leaves, based on a set of 14 variables predicted via NIRS models, plus the total foliar dry weight and percentage, showed a typical increase in protein, ash and hemicellulose, and a typical decrease in the cellulose, dry matter, crude fiber and crop maturity index. These variables were related to the foliar pH, as a key-variable, by means of a PLS standard model (R2 0.81) in which a low pH steadily favored the dry mass weight and, to a lesser extent, the hemicellulose and the digestible NDF contents; on the other hand, a high pH increased the dry matter percentage and the cellulose content of the leaves. As expected, the leaves of the inoculated plants showed a more juvenile ontogenic status. The epigean botanical modifications can be considered harmonic expressions of a luxuriant symbiosis, as testified by the homologous NIR categorization. The outlook for a symbiotic agriculture, with mycorrhizal plants, should consider the raw pH as a multifaceted variable.
Jul 2018 DOI 10.14302/issn.2690-4837.ijip-18-2238
Background Colonization with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is recognized as an association towards development of infections that may cause of morbidity among people living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (PLWHIV). We report on the prevalence, antibiotic susceptibility pattern and risk factors associated with MRSA carriage among PLWHIV at Nyenga hospital, Buikwe district in central Uganda. Materials and Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study among PLWHIV attending Nyenga hospital anti-retroviral therapy (ART) clinic. Nasopharyngeal swab was collected from each participant, cultured to isolate Staphylococcus aureus, and drug susceptibility testing (DST) performed. Sociodemographic data and medical history was recorded. Results We enrolled 219 PLWHIV; of these, 58.4% (N=128) were females. The majority of participants (95.0%) were on ART. Ninety-eight (44.75%) of the nasopharyngeal swabs had growth, of which 41 (41.84%) were S. aureus. Of these, 11 (5.02%, 95% confidence interval: 3.67-7.02) were MRSA. Of 41 isolated S. aureus strains, only 8 (19.51%) were susceptible to all antibiotics tested. A total of three (7.32%) were multi-drug resistant (MDR), while one1 (2.43%) was a possible extensively drug resistant (XDR) strain. Deteriorating immunologic state as indicated by a low CD4 count showed a significant association with the MRSA colonization. Conclusion These results are reassuring that MRSA colonization is high among PLWHIV. As most of the antibiotics in use were resistant, it raises concerns of intricate clinical management in a low resource set up.
Jul 2018 DOI 10.14302/issn.2639-3166.jar-18-2083
This study was conducted to determine drought tolerant indices of some sugar beet genotypes under water stress and non-stress conditions. Nine sugar beet (Beta Vulgaris L.) genotypes were tested in a Split-plot experiment based on a randomized complete block design in three replications under three levels of water stress 100%, 75% and 50% from plant requirements at the experimental farm Faculty of Agriculture, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt during 2015/ 2016 and 2016 / 2017 seasons. Twelve drought tolerance indices were used in this study, stress sensitivity index (SSI), stress tolerance (TOL), mean productivity (MP), geometric mean (GMP), harmonic mean (HM),yield stability index (YSI), yield index (YI), stress tolerance index (STI), sensitivity drought index (SDI), relative drought index (RDI), drought response index (DI) and stress susceptibility percentage index (SSPI). GMP, MP and STI were more informative towards classification of better or superior genotypes with respect to tolerant and sensitive groups. The results showed that the genotypes with high STI, GMP and MP values were suitable for cultivation under drought stress and non-stress environments. Both Yp and Ys of root yield in the control-50% analysis had significantly positive correlated (P value<0.05) with MP, GMP, YI, HM and DI, This indicates that these indices were more effective in identifying high yielding genotypes under drought stress as well as non-stress conditions.Principal components analysis showed that the first two components in the control-50% analysis, genotype Bts 1237 and Temar were identified as the most stable high yielding genotypes in both environments
May 2018 DOI 10.14302/issn.2639-3166.jar-18-2084
The biofertilization of cropsusing microbial biota in the soil (MBS) is a modern practice that is used to sustain fertility. MBS agents can promote the yield and health of crops, by luxuriating in the shoot as well as in the root systems. Farmers devoted to systematic MBS fertilization are creating a “Symbiotic” (S) form of agriculture, which offers a greater advantage of resilience than Conventional (C) or organic farming. Since MBS is involved in organic matter degradation, hay-litter-bag probes can be used to reflect a global functionality of the active soil, in the short-medium term. It is here shown that the NIRS hay-litter-bag technique, intended not as mass decay but as a quality evolution of the hay probes, can be modelled as a valid footprint of S vs. C soils. A patented MBS was used in eight experiments in which litter-bags from an S treated thesis were compared with equivalent litter-bags from a non-inoculated C thesis. The chemical signature of the S vs. C in the litter-bag composition was a percentage decrease of sugars and fibres. A smart NIRS device was used to discriminate the origin of the S vs. C litter-bags and a sensitivity of 71% (P<0.0001) was obtained. External validations on 37 S farms showed that three NIRS models discriminated the true positive S spectra, with a sensitivity of 90% as single and 98% as compound probabilities The NIRS radiation of the hay-litter-bags confirmed the results of the S vs. C agriculture soil footprint. Moreover, the SCIO-NIR devices also made it possible to connect the S farms in a smart network.
May 2018 DOI 10.14302/issn.2381-862X.jwrh-18-2090
Background: The Ghanaian culture expects women of reproductive age to reproduce. This makes pregnancy an acceptable occurrence in most tertiary institutions in Ghana. Although Ghanaian Universities allow pregnancy in school, challenges associated with pregnancies do not exempt pregnant students from following the academic requirements of the universities. This study therefore explores students’ experiences of copying with pregnancy in an academic environment in Ghana. Methods: This was a case study, quantitative and qualitative design using structured questionnaires and semi-structured interview guides respectively for data collection. Respondents comprised twenty (30) pregnant full time and part time female students from campuses of University of Education, Winneba. Data collection was between October 2016 and May 2017. Quantitative data were analysed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 23. The qualitative data was transcribed and manually analysed thematically. Results: The study found that majority of participants were adults between ages 26 and 30 years. More than half of them (66.7%) had no child and this was their first pregnancy which they felt was mistimed as it occurred during schooling, posing some physiological, financial and academic challenges which compelled students to devise various coping strategies to combine academic work and pregnancy amidst limited University provisions for pregnant students. Conclusions: The study results have policy and programme implications for meeting women’s needs for pursuing academic and reproductive goals concurrently. The study recommends that public universities in Ghana should institutionalise programmes on preconception counselling and coping with pregnancy in academic environment to enable female students make informed decisions on exercising their reproductive rights in whilst in the university to ensure positive maternal health outcomes.
Feb 2018 DOI 10.14302/issn.2324-7339.jcrhap-17-1908
Introduction The practices of having extreme and permanent body modifications as in tattoos and scarifications are gaining popularity among youths especially those in the universities. Not minding the unbearable and painful pressure of sharp objects on the tissues and the risk of being infected with blood transmitted infections including HIV, youths still engage in these practices. This study aimed to examine the extent to which university students are aware of the risks of using improperly sterilized and disinfected sharp objects. Materials and Method First year students in three universities, Federal, State and Private Universities were used for the study. A random sample of ninety (90) students made up of 30 students from each of the three universities studied was used. Drama was used as an intervention that will create awareness on risks of utilizing sharp objects in making scarifications. The completed copies of self-administered pre- and post-drama questionnaire were collected and analyzed quantitatively using Tables and percentages. Results Results showed that a good number of students 29 (97%) in Michael Okpara University of Agriculture (MOUA) , 28(93%) in Abia State University (ABSU) and 27( 90%) in Rhema University viewed sharing sharp objects like razor blades and syringes as risk to blood transmitted infections especially HIV. A total of 28(31%) of students both males and females in MOUA, ABSU, and Rhema had marks (scarification and/ or tattoos) on the body. The main reason for having the marks was for traditional identification and this was more among students in MOUA than in others. Conclusion Based on the results of the study, drama proved to be a valuable and timely intervention strategy that created awareness among university students on the risks of using sharp objects to make marks on the body.
Dec 2017 DOI 10.14302/issn.2576-6694.jbbs-17-1869
Introduction Bovine papillomavirus (BPV) is the etiological agent of bovine papillomatosis, infectious and neoplastic disease, characterized by the presence of multiple papillomas that can regress spontaneously or to persist and progress to malignancies when in association with environmental cofactors. Although recognized that the BPV can induce DNA damages, the viral role following cancer initiation remains unresolved. Based on this, we stablished cell lines derived from cutaneous papilloma, fibropapilloma and esophageal carcinoma to study the BPV action on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Our results showed strong evidences that the virus action can contribute to EMT and, therefore, metastasis. Aim In this study, we analyzed the expression levels of the EMT markers (cytokeratin 10, STAT3 Y705, Oct-3/4 and vimentin) in paraffin-embed samples, using the same tissues that originated the cell lines previous studied, aiming to validate the results observed using cell lines. Material and Methods Expression levels of these markers was analyzed by immunohistochemistry and the collagen composision by Picrosirius red staining. Results We verified an overexpression of these markers in fibroblastoid cells present into the epidermis and ketarinocyte-like cells into the dermis present in dermo-epidermal junction. These data reinforce our previous results using cell cultures, validating both systems (cell culture and paraffin-embed tissues) as useful models to study the natural history of BPV-infected lesions. Conclusion Altogether, the results from these systems indicate that the BPV promote the cancer progression and metastasis through the transdifferentiation of an epithelial to mesenchymal cells (EMT).
Dec 2017 DOI 10.14302/issn.2640-6403.jtrr-17-1818
If a wound progressively heals or the healing process is impaired is basically influenced by the surrounding milieu. This is reflected by the wound fluid. Its specific composition triggers the migration, proliferation and differentiation of dermal and epidermal cells which so far was not sufficiently examined in 2D cell culture models. The influence of the different wound entities was analyzed on a newly implemented three dimensional in-vitro model, which improved the transferability to the in-vivo situation. The influence of pooled wound fluids from patients suffering from acute or chronic wounds were investigated within a time period of 10 days after wound application. Histological and immunohistochemical analyses were performed addressing the impact of AWF and CWF on regeneration, such as cell proliferation, fibroblast activity and cell migration. AWF slightly stimulated fibroblast migration while CWF inhibited their activation and migration. The CXCR4- immunopositive population was continuously decreased compared to the control and AWF treatment. The expression of FAP was enhanced under AWF and medium. In keratinocytes CWF massively stimulated cell proliferation initiating on day six after injury. The presence of 10% CWF inhibited fibroblast activation and migration and induced the degradation of the collagen matrix. Keratinocytes were stimulated to proliferate, resulting in healing inhibiting hyperplasia. Transferred to human wounds, no effective wound closure would be achieved because of the de-regulation of pro-proliferative and migration-stimulating factors and a degraded extracellular matrix. This newly implemented 3D study model represents a novel appropriate in-vitro system for studying healing mechanisms and potential therapeutic applications.
Dec 2017 DOI 10.14302/issn.2766-8630.jrnm-17-1770
The aims of this study are to investigate the variation in the mechanical behaviour of the primary cancer from cancer relapse, and measuring the therapeutic resistance acquired by cancer relapse. A431-cultured cells were irradiated for 7 months until 85 Gy. Then, a selected single cell was left to grow as stable A431-R cell line. 106 cells of A431 cells and 106 of A431-R cells suspended in 100 μL of medium were injected into subcutaneous tissues on the right thigh of athymic mice to generate tumor xenografts models of primary cancer (A431-P) and cancer relapse (A431-R). Radiotherapy of a low-dose of 30Gy was applied on xenoimplanted tumors after one week from inoculation. A mock process was performed on untreated groups of mice for controls. Tumor size was monitored starting from inoculation and tumor growth was measured along 42 days. Rates of mitosis and apoptosis and the histologic grade (HG) that characterize the tumor response were determined as described in earlier studies. Alterations induced on tumor HG in the treated models were 100% identical to the energy of the applied doses. The differences in response energy between cancer relapse and primary cancer irrespectively of the treatment (untreated vs. treated) or origin of the cells (A431-P vs. A431-R) in all phases of tumor responses (growth, shrinkage or regrowth) were 100% identical to the total differences in the administered regimens applied on those groups during those phases. Cancer relapse is characterized by a delay in growth before second line therapy for its relatively lower rate of mitosis compared by the primary cancer inducing a corresponding delay in the early detection. The therapeutic resistance of the cancer relapse is equivalent to the energy of the doses which have been delivered in the prior therapies, and requires increasing the administered dose by an amount equivalent to that resistance.
Sep 2017 DOI 10.14302/issn.2577-137X.ji-17-1736
Some strains of Foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV) are endemic in Egypt. The present study was performed on cattle and buffaloes (ages: 3 months up to 1.5 years old, of years 2015 and 2016), which were suffering foot and mouth disease (FMD). Sera and tissues samples were tested by different techniques including serum and virus neutralization tests (SNT, VNT), virus isolation and identification by tissue culture methods, Enzyme linked immune-Sorbent Assays (ELISA); and by the pathological and hematology techniques. The results showed the predominance of FMDV serotype O with the presence of serotypes SAT2 and A. The results showed the pathologic picture of FMD was similar regardless its specific subtypes, as apparently the studied strains produces same pathological and hematological changes. Microscopic examination reveals severe hydropic degenerations and necrosis in most affected organs, accompanied by significant changes in blood parameters which indicate severity and direct effects of FMDV on the hematopoietic system. These findings indicates the mode of pathogenesis of FMD virus in its way to exhibits the characteristic symptoms of illness. However, the investigation showed the presence of FMDV type O, A and SAT2 in the studied areas of delta governorates. It is important to focus on producing of vaccines which have only these serotypes as solution to get rid of the endemic behavior of FMDV in delta of Egypt.
Jul 2017 DOI 10.14302/issn.2326-0793.JPGR-17-1571
Perkinsus marinus is an intracellular parasitic protozoan that is responsible for serious disease epizootics in marine bivalve mollusks worldwide. Despite all available information on P. marinus genomics, more baseline data is required at the proteomic level. Our aim was to study the proteome profile of in vitro cultured P. marinus isolated from oysters Crassostrea spp. using a label-free shotgun UDMSE approach. A total of 4073 non-redundant proteins were identified across three biological replicates with stringent identification. Proteins specifically related to adaptive survival, cell recognition, antioxidants, regulation of apoptosis and others were detected. Important virulence factors of P. marinus were identified including serine protease and iron-dependent superoxide dismutase. Other proteins with involvement in several pathogens invasion strategies were rhoptries, serine-threonine kinases, and protein phosphatases. Interestingly, peptides corresponding to retroviruses polyproteins were identified in all replicates. The interactomic analysis of P. marinus proteins demonstrated extensive clusters network related to biological processes. In conclusion, we provide the first comprehensive proteomic profile of P. marinus that can be useful for further investigations on Perkinsus biology and virulence mechanisms.
May 2017 DOI 10.14302/issn.2381-862X.jwrh-16-1374
Objectives: The aim of this study is to assess the correlation between the degree (percentage) of occlusion due to labial adhesions and vulvovaginitis. Materials and Methods: Prospective study of pre-pubertal females who attended our Division, during the past 7 years, due to labial fusion. Medical history, clinical examination and Q tip culture of vaginal fluid samples were performed, after separation of the labia. Treatment of isolated pathogens was administered, based on antibiogram results. Results: 53 patients, with mean age 3.81 years (±0.88 years, SD:2.65, range:0.33-9.5 years) had a total of 89 vaginal specimens collected, as re-culture was performed in 17 patients due to labial fusion recurrence. In 32.08% no pathogen was isolated. Gardnerella vaginalis (24.51%) and Bacteroides spp (15.09%) were the commonest isolated pathogens of the rest 67.92%. Among labial fusion recurrences the commonest isolated pathogen was Gardnerella vaginalis (23.13%), while in 36.12% no specific pathogen was detected. Conclusions: The results suggest that non-specific vulvovaginitis is responsible for lower degree (<60% closure) of labial adhesions, as well as that recurrent infection plays a role in the formation of higher degree/percentage of labial closure, especially when there are one or more pathogens present. Furthermore, the presence of anaerobes at initial cultures, together with Gram negative bacteria at re-cultures, appear to further facilitate the creation of extensive adhesions.
May 2017 DOI 10.14302/issn.2470-5020.jnrt-17-1503
Introduction Bacterial meningitis complicates rarely pituitary macroadenomas. The aim of our systematic review is to study the features of the association between bacterial meningitis and pituitary macroadenoma. Methods We conducted a literature search in both MedLine and Google Scholar database from 1967 to October 2016 and reviewed all cases described of the association between bacterial meningitis and pituitary macroadenoma apart from any surgical act and without pituitary apoplexy. Results We found 14 articles describing 16 patients aged of 22-69 years old with a male predominance (sex ratio 4.3). Two patients (12.5%) had a well-documented clinical history of pituitary macroadenoma prior to the diagnosis of bacterial meningitis. Rhinorrhea has been found as the most common symptom through six patients (37.5%). Through the CSF culture, bacterial meningitis among patients suffering of pituitary macroadenoma commonly was due to Streptococcus pneumoniae. The examination in 18.75% of cases revealed signs related to pituitary macroadenoma (ophthalmoplegia and blindness). Six patients (37.5%) had received a treatment by dopaminergic agonist alone and 4 patients (25%) were treated with dopaminergic agonist associated with surgical treatment. Surgical treatment consisted of closure of the osteomeningeal breach in 12.5% (2/16) and tumor resection in 31.25% (5/16). Three patients (18.75%) had benefited tumor resection without prior agonist treatment. The mortality was 12.5% (2/16). Conclusion Our systematic review shows that bacterial meningitis represents a rare initial symptom leading to the diagnosis of invasive pituitary macroadenoma.
May 2017 DOI 10.14302/issn.2474-7785.jarh-16-1350
The prevalence of type-2 diabetes (T2DM) among Mexican-American older adults along the U.S.-Mexico border region is at epidemic proportions. Healthcare reform is trending toward long-term home-based management of chronic conditions. Under the Mexican cultural norm of familism, daily care for elders is also often provided by family caregivers whose competence levels may vary. Adherence to the prescribed medication regimen is critical to attainment of optimal glucose control. However, there is a startling lack of literature that addresses the link between family medication administration and care recipients’ health outcome. This paper explores the role of culture in medication administration by family caregivers of elders with T2DM from the perspective of caregiver capabilities and caregiving demands. A critical review of the literature offers suggestions to guide future studies.
Jan 2017 DOI 10.14302/issn.2574-4372.jesr-16-1327
Stem cell-based regenerative therapy can be considered an innovative approach for curing dental caries. Pulp stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHEDs) represent a source of committed cells for generating odontoblasts in vitro; however, SHEDs are not easy to obtain and are limited in quantity. Umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) are considered to be adult stem cells that can be easily obtained in large numbers. Here, SHEDs and UC-MSCs were conditioned in custom-made serum-free culture media in order to induce differentiation towards odontoblasts. SHEDs and UC-MSCs were expanded in vitro and differentiated into odontoblasts for 21 days using a medium containing transforming growth factor-β (TGF-b3), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and growth differentiation factor 5 (GDF5). The ability to induce odontoblast differentiation with a straightforward clinical protocol in compliance with good manufactoring practice (GMP), which avoids animal reagents, and uses unrelated stem cells of unrestricted availability, may be a first step towards a new innovative approach for dentin regeneration.
Aug 2016 DOI 10.14302/issn.2474-9273.jbtm-16-1151
Oxidative stress mediated neural cell death is thought to be involved in the progression of secondary cell injury following brain trauma. Agents that can block oxidative stress-related injury could be potential therapies for TBI. Resveratrol, a polyphenol found in plants and red wine, is cytoprotective due to its potent antioxidant activities. To further understand how resveratrol could affect oxidative stress-induced injury, we hypothesized that the cytoprotective activities of resveratrol could be dose-dependent. In this study, resveratrol-induced cytoprotection was evaluated in cultured astrocytes. Primary rat astrocytes were cultured in T-75 flasks to a confluence of 80% before being plated onto 96-well plates. After 24 hours of acclimation, astrocytes were treated with various doses of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) (0.1, 0.25, 0.5 and 1 µM) and resveratrol (25, 50, 75, 100 µM), respectively. Cell viability was determined 24 hours later using Alamar Blue Assay. Treatment of astrocytes with 0.5 mM H2O2, left 65% of astrocytes non-viable whereas treatment of astrocytes with 0.1 mM H2O2 had no effect on astrocytes viability; whereas 1 mM, H2O2 caused total loss of astrocyte viability. Resveratrol treatment at 75 µM and 100 µM has reduced 0.5 mM H2O2-induced cytotoxicity in astrocytes by 50%. Immunostaining with GFAP also confirmed these findings about the cytoprotective effects of resveratrol in astrocytes exposed to H2O2. These results suggest that resveratrol could be a potential neuroprotective agent in TBI due to its antioxidant properties. Further studies are needed to evaluate the long- term effects of resveratrol in animal models of TBI.
Jul 2016 DOI 10.14302/issn.2474-3585.jpmc-16-1114
Campylobacter infection has been detected in poultry processors at live bird markets in Sokoto, however the prevalence of Campylobacter species in more diverse group of the population is uncertain. For this purpose, 292 human fecal swabs from patients in four Government Hospitals in Sokoto State were analyzed for Campylobacter species using culture and phenotypic typing method. The prevalence rate of 55% was revealed in the tested samples while 56% and 55% were for males and females respectively. Campylobacter jejuni, C. coli and C. lari had 20%, 40% and 40% in males and 38%, 35% and 27% in females respectively. The prevalence rates of 60%, 52%, 45%, 41% and 80%,were revealed in age range of (less than 1-6, 7-13, 14-20, 21-55 and 56-76) yrs respectively. Furthermore, 70% and 43% prevalence rates were recorded in pregnant and non-pregnant women of reproductive age respectively. There was no statistical significant association (P>0.05) between Campylobacter infection and age range and sex, but the statistical association between infection and pregnancy was significant (P<0.05). The prevalence of Campylobacter species in patients as found in the various hospitals has revealed the level of environmental contamination in different homes in the state and the need to include Campylobacter in screening routine laboratory diagnosis of gastroenteritis in humans for appropriate treatment and management especially in young children, old adult and pregnant women.
Mar 2016 DOI 10.14302/issn.2470-0436.jos-15-739
Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) is a well-tested, neuroprotective agent that has been shown to retard photoreceptor degeneration in several animal models of retinitis pigmentosa. The molecular mechanisms underlying CNTF-mediated neuroprotection are currently not understood. CNTF could act directly on photoreceptors or it could act indirectly by stimulating Müller glial cells to produce photoreceptor neuroprotective agents. To better characterize CNTF action on Müller cells, we have studied signaling pathways activated by CNTF using an established retinal Müller cell line, rMC-1. RNA was isolated from CNTF-treated cultures, and suppressor of signal transducer and activator of transcription (SOCS3) and Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) transcript levels were assessed by quantitative real-time PCR. Immunoblotting was used to examine activation ofmitogen activated protein kinase (ERK1/2/MAPK) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3-K)/Aktpathways in response to CNTF. Additionally, the level of5' AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), an enzyme that plays a key role in cellular energy homeostasis levels, was determined by immunoblotting. CNTF treatment resulted strong upregulation of SOCS3 and GFAP transcripts that were blocked by expression of a dominant-negative STAT3 mutant. CNTF treatment also resulted in transient activation of ERK1/2/MAPK but not PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. There was no change in activation of AMPK. We conclude that CNTF treatment leads to stimulation of JAK-STAT and MAPK signaling pathways but not the PI3K/AKT pathway, associated with cell death, in Müller cells.
Feb 2016 DOI 10.14302/issn.2574-4488.jna-15-712
Background Dapagliflozin; the new oral hypoglycemic agent; is a sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor that acts by inhibiting glucose reabsorption in the proximal tubule of the nephron. Main reported side effects are osmotic diuresis, dehydration, urinary tract and genital infections. Here, we report a case of acute bilateral hydronephrosis after the introduction of dapagliflozin. Case Presentation A 52 year old nurse lady, with 15 year history of type2 diabetes mellitus (T2 DM) complicated by type4-renal tubular acidosis, hypertension, proteinuria, and hyperlipidemia. Patient had two episodes of UTI’s in 2011 required full urologic work up, were successfully treated with simple courses of oral antibiotics. CT pyelography done in 2011 was normal. Dapagliflozin was added to her therapeutic regimen in March 2015. Results Within 48 hours after starting dapagliflozin, she reported increased urine output. Ten days later; she developed severe bilateral loin and lower back pain, followed by suprapubic pain, dysuria and fever. Urine analysis and cultures confirmed E. coli urosepsis. Renal US revealed echogenic kidneys with 12 mm bilateral hydronephrosis, normal ureters and urinary bladder. Discontinuation of dapagliflozin in April 2015 resulted in resolution of symptoms. Repeat CT of the abdomen in July 2015 revealed no hydro nephrosis. Conclusions This is the first case report of reversible bilateral hydronephrosis after the use of dapagliflozin. The cause of hydronephrosis, could be explained by over-diuresis and/or by the unmasking of underlying subclinical obstruction in both uretero-pelvic junctions (UPJ).
May 2015 DOI 10.14302/issn.2379-7835.ijn-14-588
Plant foods are staples of many cultures in the world. Conversely, the appearance of vegetarianism in Western countries is a relatively recent phenomenon, showing an upward trend: people following vegetarian diets (both lacto-ovo-vegetarian-LOV and vegan-VEG), account today for about 10% of the Western population. According to the principle of non-discrimination, the most recent national dietary guidelines for the general population (DGLs) of some Western countries have adapted their contents to comprise vegetarian eating patterns. Moreover, since 1997, specific vegetarian food guidelines (VFGs) were developed. The aim of this review was to summarize and compare the information and recommendations of the food-based dietary guidelines (FBDGs) contained in the DGLs usable by vegetarians, and in the main VFGs; to extract a list of basic criteria for the planning of a well-balanced vegetarian diet, and to identify the most valid FBDG for vegetarians. An Internet search was conducted in the English language, in order to identify national DGLs applicable to vegetarian dietary patterns, and international VFGs. Four Western DGLs and six VFGs were selected. Compared to the majority of DGLs, VFGs are not an "adaptation" of omnivorous (OMN) eating patterns to vegetarian ones, but rather devoted guides: they include only foods consumed by vegetarians, and take into account their specific nutritional needs. VFGs offer qualified advice to meet the most updated standards of adequacy and safety of the diet: the varied consumption of all plant foods, mainly unprocessed; the respect of individual’s calorie requirements; the optional addition of small amounts of foods of animal origin (dairy/eggs); the attention towards some potentially critical nutrients. According to this criteria, the VFG for North American Vegetarians can represent the most accurate and practical model: not only is it consistent with research on the adequacy of vegetarian diets, but it is applicable both to LOV and VEG eating patterns and to all lifecycle stages beyond 4 years of age.
Mar 2015 DOI 10.14302/issn.2379-8572.joa-14-611
Vocal fold scarring is a clinical problem without reliable treatment. Tissue engineering of a vocal fold replacement is an exciting potential treatment for vocal fold scars that involve multiple layers of the vocal fold. Human adipose-derived stem cells (ASC) were previously used to produce a promising vocal fold cover layer replacement. However, relevant in vivo studies are needed before human application, and implanting the human cells in animal larynges would introduce significant risk and data confounding. We therefore report here the development of a construct based on rabbit ASC with the potential for use in pre-clinical implantation studies. Rabbit ASC were isolated and cultured in a three-dimensional fibrin matrix to create an implantable construct resembling the vocal fold mucosa. Key differences between the human cell and the rabbit cell models are highlighted.
Apr 2014 DOI 10.14302/issn.2377-2549.jndc-13-262
Effects of the plant lectin phytohemagglutinin M (PHA-M) and illumination on the electrophoretic mobility (EPM) and 90°-light scattering of suspension of spheroplasts obtained by lysis of the unicellular diazothrophic cyanobacteriumPlectonemaboryanumwere studied. Cells cultures were grown on media with different iron content: an iron-deficient (denominated as “Fe-starved” culture), an iron-sufficient (“Fe-sufficient”), and a twentyfold iron excess medium (“Fe-excess”). Lectin addition led to a decrease of the membrane charge density and aggregation of the vesicles. Our results indicate significant influence of the Fe2+ and illumination on the lectin-induced decreasing of EPM and light scattering intensity.