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Nitrogen fixing bacteria play a vital role in transforming atmospheric nitrogen into inorganic form easily available for plant use. However, environmental pollution due to effluent from industrial activities could accumulate in soil, significantly altering the soil chemical and microbiological characteristics, such as nitrogen fixing bacteria. The effect of cement dust on nitrogen-fixing bacteria is presented in this study. Homogenized soil samples 0-20 cm in depth from the cement factory and other communities 200m-2km away from the factory were evaluated for soil physicochemical properties and nitrogen-fixing bacterial bioload using standard procedures. Soil pH, total nitrate, and total phosphate decreased as distance increased away from the factory. Elevated conductivity values of 605.94-621.80(µs/cm) was recorded for soil samples from the factory, indicating the presence of higher dissolved solutes. Total culturable Azotobacter count increased as distance increased away from the factory lcation, with SR1 (Akinbo) recording the highest of 104-105 cfu/g, while Azospirillium and Clostridium count significantly reduced. Pollution due to cement production activities may not have had a significant negative effect on the bioload of nitrogen-fixing bacteria. A higher amount of nitrate in soil samples around the cement plant showed that nitrogen-fixing activities occurred at a lower rate compared to the locations farther away from the cement plant.

#Soil #Nitrogen fixation #Bacteria #Cement dust #Ewekoro

Water is essential for human beings but poor quality of water has become a serious problem now a days. In the study area (Bhalwal city) ground water is one of the main sources of drinking water. The quality of ground water is getting worse due to untreated industrial discharge, agricultural subsistence and urban affluent. This study investigates ground water impurity in study area and its effects on public health. The quality of drinking water was compared with the criteria of WHO (World Health Organization). The recent study discloses that only Cu values were in limit as compared to WHO guidelines. EC (83.3%) TDS (69.05%), K (61.9%), and PH (4.0%) results were out of limits as compare to WHO standard for drinking water. A survey was also conducted for public views about water quality in study area and results show that 49% respondent were very dissatisfied, 26% somewhat dissatisfied, 11% somewhat satisfied and 14% very satisfied. Some of the diseases have been pointed out by Tehsile head quarter (THQ) hospital report, 522 patients of cardiovascular, 181 patients of asthma and rapid heartbeat, 16 patients of kidney stone and 211 patients of Diarrhea are registered monthly in 2017. Most of these patients are victim of poor-quality water. In Bhalwal city five Babu Pani (بابو پانی) Water filtration plants are functional which cannot fulfill the requirement of safe & pure drinking water. In this regard, improved, planned and properly treated water supply is essentially required to meet the drinking requirements of the city.

#Water pollution #Groundwater #Contamination #Public health #Bhalwal City

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Community Health Workers (CHWs) in Cagayan Province were at the forefront of health delivery, contact tracing, and prevention efforts. Despite their critical role, there is a paucity of studies exploring their first-hand experiences. This phenomenological study aims to fill that gap by delving into the lived experiences of CHWs in Cagayan Province during the pandemic. Five (5) Focus Group discussions were conducted in five municipalities with total of forty-six (46) purposively selected CHWs. Their narratives were analyzed using Moustakas’ phenomenological approach. Five major themes emerged from the analysis: perception regarding health, facing the challenges, responding to the challenges, sympathy towards the community, and working for the community. The fundamental essence of their experiences is rooted in the concept of Kapwa, which represents their shared identity with the community. This sense of shared identity motivated them to transcend personal interests and engage in service, action, and altruism. The study findings aim to affirm, validate, and empower CHWs, recognizing their integral role in the success of the pandemic response in Cagayan Province.

#Community health workers #COVID-19 pandemic response #Phenomenological study #Lived experiences #Cagayan Province

This study was undertaken to determine the suitable habitat for the rearing of one of the most prized edible frogs in Africa, particularly in Côte d’Ivoire. For this purpose, three environments were selected in ponds and concrete basins. The design of these environments took into account the semi-aquatic and semi-terrestrial lifestyle of the frogs. We then placed wild male and female specimens of the species studied in these habitats in order to test and improve them. Thus, regular measurements of the morphological parameters of the frogs and the physico-chemical parameters of the environment were taken. In the 1.8m3 concrete basins, the average survival rate was 13.4% after 30 days, whereas it was 75.00% and 83.33% after 60 days in the 3m3 concrete basins and 13.5m3 pond enclosures respectively. The average pH of the aquatic environments was 9.99 in the 1.8m3 basins, 8.87 in the 3m3 basins and 6.76 in the enclosures. The 3m3 concrete basins and mesh enclosures maintained milder temperatures (29.83°C to 30.52°C), with high air temperatures. This study has shown that the improved environments of the 3m3 basins and mesh enclosures are suitable for rearing adult Hoplobatrachus occipitalis frogs.

#Ranaculture #Hoplobatrachus occipitalis #Basins #Mesh Enclosures

Hyperlipidemia remains an important modifiable risk factor in cardiovascular diseases. The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential role of the aqueous decoction of Sarabat (Diplazium asperum Blume) in lowering plasma lipid profile in albino rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Thirty Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into five groups of six rats and, for 42 days, were administered plain water and standard pellets (negative controls), lard and cholesterol (hypercholesterolemic animals), low and high dose Sarabat decoction (1 and 2 g/100ml water respectively) and Simvastatin as a positive control. The effects of D. asperum Bl. (Sarabat) decoction on rat lipid profiles was assessed by measuring the plasma Total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), Low-density Lipoprotein (LDL), High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) and Very Low-Density Lipoprotein (VLDL). Administration of lard and cholesterol showed gradual elevation of total cholesterol and similarly for the other lipid parameters with an increasing lipid profile after a two-week metabolic adjustment period. Concurrent administration of Sarabat (D. asperum Bl.) decoction showed a promising decrease in total cholesterol serum concentration (p

#Diplazium asperum Bl.#Hyperlipidemia #Cholestero #Lipid profile #Saponins

A field experiment was carried out to investigate the influence of planting density on the growth, development, and yield of tomatoes during the Rabi season 2019-2020. Plant height, number of primary branches, number of flowers per cluster, number of fruits per cluster, number of fruits per plant, individual fruit weight, fruit yield per plant, total yield, marketable yield, and unmarketable yield were recorded. Results showed that maximum plant height and unmarketable yield were recorded at 40,000 plants ha-1. However, number of primary branches, number of flowers per cluster, number of fruits per cluster, number of fruits per plant, individual fruit weight, and fruit yield per plant were higher at 25,000 plants ha-1. Moreover, the maximum total yield and marketable yield were recorded at 28,571 plants ha-1 and the minimum at 40,000 plants ha-1. Therefore, our present study recommended cultivating tomato crops at 28,571 plants ha-1 to obtain a higher yield.

#Tomato #Solanum lycopersicum #Planting density #Growth #Yield

Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) are naturally occurring biological control agents that significantly manage pest populations in agriculture. It isagood, eco-friendly alternative to chemical pesticides. EPF’s importance in pest control lies in its ability to target specific pests, reduce resistance development compared to synthetic chemicals, and minimise harmful environmental impacts. The present study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of EPF against the pest of oil palm known as Rhynchophorus ferrugineus. For this study, the EPF was isolated from soil by using the insect baiting method. The isolated entomopathogenic fungi belonged to two genera, namely Beauveria and Metarhizium. The life cycle of the red palm weevil (RPW) was studied under laboratory conditions, and it took 140±26 days to complete one generation. After three generations of lifespan, the RPW grubs were treated with EPF in different concentrations of 2%, 4%, 6%, 8%, and 10%, respectively. Further, the infected samples and controls were analysed by biochemical parameters, antioxidant enzymes, and the results showed that these two Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae can control the activity of RPW. Thus, it can be used as a biopesticide in the future as an alternative source of other agrochemical pesticides.

#Beauveria bassiana #Metarhizium anisopliae #Rhynchophorus ferrugineus #Antioxidant enzymes #Biocontrol

Rice production in South Kalimantan, Indonesia, is still not optimal and needs to be increased. Increasing rice production can be done with the SRI (System of Rice Intensification) method. One of the needs for rice plant nutrients using the SRI method is by using Fish Amino Acid (FAA). The use of FAA as liquid organic fertilizer in organic rice cultivation has not been widely studied and needs to be developed. Therefore, this study was designed to determine the effect of FAA applications on P, K uptake, and rice productivity. The study was conducted in a greenhouse using a one-factor completely randomized design (CRD) consisting of five treatments, namely 0 (f0), 1 (f1), 3 (f2), 5 (f3), and 7 (f4) mL FAA L-1. FAA applications have a significant effect on phosphorus uptake, plant wet weight, dry grain weight, and rice productivity of the SRI method, while the FAA application did not significantly affect potassium uptake, plant dry weight, and weight of 100 grains of rice using the SRI method. The best dose of FAA application on P, K uptake and rice productivity in the SRI method are found in the f1 treatment (1 mL FAA L-1) which can increase up to 30% dry weight and rice productivity compared to f0 treatment (control) and able to increase up to 20% phosphorus absorption of rice plants compared to f0 treatment (control).

#Suboptimal wetland #Rainfed rice field #Organic farming #System of rice intensification

The use of chemical insecticides causes important damage to the environment and human health and there is a need to monitor it.The current study aimsto establishthe cartography of permethrin resistance in malaria vectors from 2008 to 2020 in the Republic of Benin. Larvae of An. gambiae s.l. were collected from March to July during the great rainy season in Ouémé in 2008 and in 2012, Littoral in 2008, Mono in 2014 and in 2018, Couffo in 2020, Zou in 2008 and in 2012 and Collines in 2013. Larvae of An. gambiae s.l. were also collected from May to October during the rainy season in Alibori in 2012. Susceptibility tests were done following WHO protocol on unfed female adult mosquitoes aged 2-5 days old reared from larval and pupal collections with papers impregnated with permethrin (0.75%). The results showed that the populations of Anopheles gambiae s.l. from Akron, Suru-léré, Bamè, Ladji and Houéyiho were resistant to permethrin in 2008, whereas the populations of Anopheles gambiae s.l. from Agbalilamè, Parakou and Bohicon were resistant to permethrin in 2012. The populations of Anopheles gambiae s.l. from Savè were resistant to permethrin in 2013. The populations of Anopheles gambiae s.l. from Grand-Popo, Comè and Lokossa were resistant to permethrin in 2014, whereas the populations of Anopheles gambiae s.l. from Houéyogbé and Bopa were resistant to permethrin in 2018. The populations of Anopheles gambiae s.l. from Dogbo were resistant to permethrin in 2020.

#Mapping #Permethrin resistance #Malaria vectors #Benin

Environmental awareness involves understanding the fragility of the environment and the importance of its protection. As population growth, industrialization, and urbanization continue to intensify, natural resources are increasingly threatened, leading to environmental challenges such as pollution, climate change, global warming, acid rain, and ecosystem degradation. This study examined the correlates of students’ beliefs on environmental protection, focusing on awareness, compliance, and selected sociodemographic factors. A descriptive-correlational research design was employed involving 938 students from the different colleges of Cagayan State University–Carig Campus, the largest campus in terms of student population. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Pearson product-moment correlation, and multiple linear regressions. Results revealed that students exhibited a high level of beliefs regarding environmental issues and concerns, with an overall weighted mean of 3.87. Among the dimensions assessed, environmental concern obtained the highest rating (x̄= 4.26), followed by environmental attitude (x̄= 4.09), green consumption (x̄= 3.95), and economic growth control (x̄= 3.84), while anthropocentric beliefs were rated at a moderate level (x̄= 3.21). Significant differences in environmental beliefs were observed across year level (p= 0.003), nationalism (p < 0.001), religiosity (p < 0.001), expectation in life (p= 0.001), and expectation in the future (p= 0.041), but not across gender (p= 0.235) and college affiliation (p= 0.095). Furthermore, environmental awareness, compliance, nationalism, year level, awareness of environmental management laws, and level of satisfaction significantly predicted students’ beliefs regarding environmental protection.

#Environmental awareness #Environmental protection #Environmental beliefs #Sociodemographic factors #University students

The effect of 980 nm diode laser in relieving temporomandibular joint pain: a clinical study | IJB

Abstract

There are a lot of people suffering from temporomandibular joint pain and laser therapy is developing and gives promising results. This study aimed to explore the effect of diode laser on temporomandibular joint pain. The method is basically based on irradiating the temporomandibular joint area by using a 980-nanometer diode laser and recording the condition of the patients before and after laser therapy. 10 persons visited the dental clinic suffering from a variant degree of pain in the temporomandibular joint area. All those patients were subjected to the same laser protocol. All the patients came to the dental clinic again after one week to evaluate their condition. The diode laser showed good results in relieving the pain with about 60% of the patients feeling better. Based on the results of this study, the diode laser was a good choice for relieving temporomandibular joint pain.

Introduction

The temporomandibular joint consists of bilateral freely moving (diarthrodial) temporomandibular joints (TMJs). Each joint is formed by a mandibular condyle head and the related temporal cavity (glenoid fossa and articular eminence), Fig. 1. The TMJ and its structures have an important role in directing the mandibular movement and distributing forces produced by everyday functions, such as speaking, chewing and swallowing ( Murphy et al., 2013).

There are a lot of temporomandibular joint disorders, including many problems affecting the anatomy and functional properties of the TMJ. Factors contributing to TMD complexity are related to dentition, clenching, and other related systems that frequently provoke symptoms of muscular, articular, and periarticular pain (Ismail et al., 2016). TMJ pain is a type of orofacial pain, defined as a pain manifested in the face or oral cavity, including such disorders as TMD, which are a major cause of nonodontogenic orofacial pain. TMD has considerable prevalence, with a significant impact on physical and psychosocial factors. Its prevalence has been reported to be between 3.7% and 12% and is three to five times more frequent in women (Resende et al., 2020). TMD also contributes to a high proportion of socioeconomic costs, which are usually associated with comorbidities, such as depression and other psychological factors. Also, the loss of work and work productivity is a major issue to consider in TMD patients being treated early on, and it requires significant public education (Li Dion et al., 2021)

Source : The effect of 980 nm diode laser in relieving temporomandibular joint pain: a clinical study

#Diode laser #Temporomandibular joint #Dental clinic #Pain.

There are a lot of people suffering from temporomandibular joint pain and laser therapy is developing and gives promising results. This study aimed to explore the effect of diode laser on temporomandibular joint pain. The method is basically based on irradiating the temporomandibular joint area by using a 980-nanometer diode laser and recording the condition of the patients before and after laser therapy. 10 persons visited the dental clinic suffering from a variant degree of pain in the temporomandibular joint area. All those patients were subjected to the same laser protocol. All the patients came to the dental clinic again after one week to evaluate their condition. The diode laser showed good results in relieving the pain with about 60% of the patients feeling better. Based on the results of this study, the diode laser was a good choice for relieving temporomandibular joint pain.

#Diode laser #Temporomandibular joint #Dental clinic #Pain

The steel industry uses large quantities of water, notably for cooling operations at different stages of steelmaking and discharges huge amounts of residual water. The present study focuses on the assessment of Pollution loads produced by effluents of the Arcelor Mittal –Algeria steel complex. Pollution quantification is carried out through major physicochemical parameters BOD5 (biochemical oxygen demand of 5 days), COD (chemical oxygen demand), TSS (total suspended solids) and certain heavy metals (Zinc, Iron, Chromium, Copper and Nickel) at the main drains downstream of the complex by the Meboudja Wadi. Pollution loads produced by these industrial effluents exhibit high COD (>600 T /y), TSS (>900 T /y), chlorides and certain heavy metals such as iron (> 7, 5 T/y) loads, as well as nickel to a lesser extent. They are discharged to the wadi Meboudja, then to the receiving environment, (the Seybouse oued). They pose a severe threat to receiving environment and to ecosystem integrity.

#Pollution #Residual water #Heavy metals #Industrial effluents #Environment

The idea of this research is to maximize benefits of ripe date palm fruits (cv. Zaghloul) by using it as a source of pectin esterase which is of prime importance for food industry. Pectin esterase was extracted using sodium chloride and its specific activity was determined. The crude pectin esterase specific activity was17849.52Umg-1 protein. Partial purification of the crude enzyme took place with acetone and ethanol to determine the enzyme optimum temperature and pH. The used purification technique resulted in about2.5-fold purification with 20% acetone resulting in 4127.70Umg-1 protein specific activity and16.64% recovery. The same purification fold was obtained with ethanol resulting in4135.44 Umg-1 protein specific activity and 5% recovery. The optimum temperature was 40°C and optimum pH was 8 for the partially purified enzyme. It can be concluded that the quality of pectiesterase enzyme extracted from ripe Zaghloul dates is comparable with that extracted from apple and orange and has specific activity less than apple (30848.90 Umg-1 protein) and more than orange (12736.00 Umg-1 protein).

#Activity #Citrus #Date palm #Pectinases #Purification #Optimum

This study assessed the resistance profile, antibiotic resistome, and virulence characteristics of bacteria isolated from healthy broiler chickens in registered farms in Cagayan Province, Philippines. Using a descriptive cross-sectional design, 900 cloacal swab samples were collected from four broiler farms over three production cycles and processed for bacterial isolation, identification, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Enterobacteriaceae isolates, mainly Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp., were tested by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion against clinically relevant antibiotics, and one representative multidrug-resistant E. coli isolate underwent whole-genome sequencing and annotation. Phenotypic results showed widespread multidrug resistance across farms and sampling periods, with particularly high resistance to tetracycline and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and notable resistance to ciprofloxacin and ceftazidime. Salmonella isolates also consistently showed tetracycline resistance. Farm interviews indicated no reported antibiotic use, yet resistance remained prevalent, suggesting that transmission may be sustained through plasmid-mediated horizontal gene transfer, sanitation gaps, transport-related contamination, litter persistence, and human or vehicle movement. Whole-genome analysis of the representative MDR isolate identified E. coli with a complex resistome and virulence repertoire, including the plasmid-associated virulence marker cvaC and multiple resistance determinants linked to efflux, target alteration, and regulatory mutations such as marR, soxR, and soxS. These findings establish a baseline for antimicrobial resistance in broiler farms and highlight the need for stronger surveillance, biosecurity validation, and antimicrobial stewardship in poultry production.

#Antimicrobial resistance #Virulence #Resistome #E. coli #WGS

The rapid emergence of the coronavirus infection worldwide since December 2019 (Covid-19) has incited the search for therapeutic solutions following different approaches. The use of natural remedies is an alternative solution to strengthen immunity and fight and prevent Covid-19. This study aimed to review the medicinal plants used against Covid-19 infection or the symptoms of Covid-19 in Benin, Togo, Ghana, Burkina Faso and Cape Verde. Data were collected from databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct and Scopus. In total, 152 medicinal plants belonging to 53 botanical families were identified. The most represented families were Leguminosae, Rubiaceae, Apocynaceae, Combretaceae and Compositae. Fever, cough, fatigue, stomach ache, sore throat and headache are the main symptoms of Covid-19 treated by these plants. Leaves, roots, bark and fruits are the most used plant organs. Scientific validation of some medicinal plants recorded demonstrated their antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-malarial properties, thus justifying their use in the management of Covid-19. In this review, we provide scientific literature highlighting the significant contribution of ethnobotany and pharmacology to the management of Covid-19. In addition, future studies can be conducted on these plants to gain more scientific data on their pharmacological activities and to accelerate the development of traditional medicine for the treatment of Covid-19.

#Ethnobotany #Medicinal Plants #Covid-19

Calcium ion (Ca2+) is involved in various neurochemical signalling that contributes to neuronal activation, neurotransmitter modulation and synaptic connections. Hence, it is homeostatic regulation in the brain is of vital importance. Calcium-binding proteins (CaBPs) are key regulators of intracellular Ca2+ in the brain. The major CaBPs are calbindin, calretinin, and parvalbumin and are also markers for variety of neuronal subtypes in the brain. Understanding the distribution of brain neurons positively expressing these CaBPs as well as potential sex dimorphism in their expression is of huge relevance given their role in brain disorders. The present study examines calbindin, calretinin, and parvalbumin immunoreactivity in the cerebellum and any potential sex-specific differences. The results showed marked expression of these CaBPs in the cerebellum with calbindin and parvalbumin dominantly reactive in the molecular and Purkinje layers, and calretinin most predominant in the granular layer. Also, we see significantly higher calbindin immunoreactivity in male rats compared to female. While calretinin and parvalbumin immunoreactivity were also higher in males, this effect however did not reach significant levels. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates differential distribution patterns of the major CaBPs, calbindin, calretinin and parvalbumin, in the cerebellum and possible sex-specific differences in their immunoexpression.

#Calbindin #Calretinin #Cerebellum #Parvalbumin #Sex dimorphism

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