Dietary supplement of fermented grass forage regulates growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and immune response of broiler chickens.

The current study aimed to determine the effects of different levels of fermented Juncao grass (FG) on growth parameters, blood constituents, immunity, and antioxidative properties of broilers. A total of 240 (21-d-old) broiler chicks were randomly distributed to four dietary treatments of sixty birds, with six replicate pens and ten birds in each. Fermented grass was added to the basal diet at four levels with 0, 5, 10, and 15% FG. The results revealed that broilers fed 5% FG had significantly higher (P < 0.05) final body weight (FBW), average daily gain (WG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI). The best conversion ratio (FCR) was recorded for broilers supplemented with 5% FG compared to the group supplemented with 15% FG (P < 0.05). Increasing FG % decreased (P < 0.05) anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10. However, FG increased (P < 0.05) proinflammatory cytokines IFN-γ, IL-1, IL-2, IL-12, and TNF-α (P < 0.05). Moreover, IgA, IgG, and IgM levels increased (P < 0.05) with increasing FG %. In addition, increasing FG % in broiler rations significantly increased (P < 0.05) serum antioxidant levels of T-AOC, GSH-PX, SOD, CAT, NO and GSH, but decreased (P < 0.05) MDA levels compared to the control group. Conclusively, fermented Juncao grass would be considered a novel herbal feed additive for improving broiler performance, immunity, antioxidant, and health status. Nevertheless, further research at the molecular level is needed to quantify the effects of these herbal components on cellular and humoral immune functions in broiler chickens.

Overview of situational awareness in healthcare and the need for early exposure.

Medicine and healthcare can rightly be considered as High Reliability Organization (HRO) when it strives to promote and maintain reproducible and safe outcomes for all patients. Situational awareness (SA) as a concept meant to augment patient safety has often been discussed in the literature, but our own local contribution to this important discussion is decidedly deficient. Being initially implemented in the aviation industry, this concept has been extended to be a crucial element in high-demand activities, including healthcare. As such, extensive exposure is given early on during the training of medical personnel in many countries. We believe that our own medical students and other healthcare candidates in training should be similarly exposed to this concept as it can have a tremendous impact on patient well-being and safety. This paper attempts to provide a short overview of the SA in healthcare and how we can similarly promote its inclusion in our training programmes.

Five-Year Monitoring of a Desert Burrow-Dwelling Spider Following an Environmental Disaster Indicates Long-Term Impacts.

Deserts are characterized by unpredictable precipitation and extreme temperatures. Their fauna and flora are sensitive to anthropogenic environmental changes, and often recover slowly from environmental disasters. The effects of oil spills on the biota of desert regions, however, have scarcely been studied. We predicted that terrestrial invertebrates suffer long-term negative effects from an oil spill, due to their close association with the substrate. Thus, we investigated the effects of two oil spills that occurred in 1975 and 2014 in the hyper-arid 'Arava desert (Israel), on a spider that constructs silk-lined nests in burrows in compact, sandy soil in this extreme desert habitat. The spider, Sahastata aravaensis sp. nov. (Filistatidae), is described herein. We assessed spider burrow abundance in plots located in oil-contaminated and nearby uncontaminated clean soil (control) areas over five consecutive years and measured habitat characteristics in these plots. In the laboratory, we determined the preference of individuals for clean vs. oil-contaminated soil as a resting substrate. Finally, as this species was previously undescribed, we added a new species description. The abundance of Sahastata was significantly lower in oil-contaminated plots, and this was the case in the 40-year-old oil spill (1975) as well as in the recent one (2014). In laboratory tests, spiders showed a significant preference for the clean soil substrate over the oil-contaminated substrate. In the field, soil crust hardness and vegetation density did not differ significantly between oil-contaminated and control plots, but these measures were highly variable. The burrows were significantly clustered, suggesting that the young disperse only short distances. In the laboratory adult spiders did not dig burrows, perhaps indicating that adults remain permanently in their natal burrows and that in the field they may use vacant burrows. We conclude that Sahastata populations were affected negatively by the oil spills and these effects were long-lasting. We propose that by monitoring their spatial distribution, burrow-dwelling spiders such as Sahastata can be used as effective bioindicators of soil pollution in desert habitats.

Metabolic properties, gene functions, and biosafety analysis reveal the action of three rhizospheric plant growth-promoting bacteria of Jujuncao (Pennisetum giganteum).

This study aimed to identify the specific genes associated with plant growth promotion and cadmium tolerance in three bacteria strains associated with Pennisetum giganteum as well as to determine their biosafety levels in their potential use as biofertilizers for promoting plant growth and phytoremediation activities. The plant growth-promoting (PGP) abilities of Enterobacter cloacae strain RCB980 (A3), Klebsiella pneumonia strain kpa (A4), and Klebsiella sp. strain XT-2 (A7) were determined by a growth promotion trial and through testing for PGP traits such as 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) deaminase enzyme production, phosphorus solubilization, siderophore synthesis, and indole-3 acetic acid (IAA) production. The genes that potentially contribute to the beneficial activities of these three strains were identified through an analysis of their genomes. To establish the biosafety of the candidate PGPB, a pathological study was undertaken whereby 20 Kunming mice were injected intraperitoneally to study and analyze the effects of the strains on growth and lung paraffin sections of the mice. The strains had no obvious toxicity effect on the tested mice and were therefore not considered as highly virulent strains. These strains are thus considered non-toxic, safe, and highly recommended for use in environmental remediation strategies and agricultural production.

Trunk Refugia: A Simple, Inexpensive Method for Sampling Tree Trunk Arthropods.

Trees host a large share of the global arthropod diversity. Several methodologies have been described to sample arthropods from trees, ranging from active sampling techniques (e.g., visual searching, beating, or shaking the branches) to passive sampling devices. The majority of these collection techniques are destructive, and do not specifically target the tree trunk arthropod fauna. Here, we describe an alternative sampling method called trunk refugia (TR). TR are cylindrical shelters made of corrugated cardboard that can be secured to trees using string, and can remain exposed for varying time periods. These refugia are inexpensive, easy to use, and suitable to monitor a diverse array of insects and arachnids. Moreover, TR are nonlethal sampling tools, and allow collecting live individuals for behavioral studies or for rearing.

Her-2/neu overexpression in breast cancers in patients of West African extraction seen in Lagos state University Teaching hospital, Nigeria.

INTRODUCTION: Her-2/neu is one of the most important molecular markers of breast cancer. Overexpression of Her-2/neu as evaluated by immunohistochemistry is necessary in the management of breast cancers. This study was performed to determine the proportion of expression of the biomarker amongst breast cancer patients who presented in our 'one-stop breast cancer unit' using automated immunohistochemistry. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Automated immunohistochemical analysis of 107 newly diagnosed breast cancer patients was done for expression of Her-2/neu, between 1st April, 2016 and 30th September, 2018. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 25 for windows and Microsoft excel, 2013. RESULTS: Her-2/neu was overexpressed in 30.1% patients, and it shows no correlation with age and histological grade of the disease. CONCLUSION: There is overexpression of Her-2/neu in our local setting, and this observation is very relevant to any therapeutic decisions and management of these patients.

Strangulated sliding spigelian hernia: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Spigelian hernia is uncommon and frequently presents with features of intestinal obstruction. Clinical diagnosis is difficult in patients without obvious abdominal mass and a computed tomography scan is very helpful in making diagnosis. We report a patient who presented with a strangulated sliding left sided spigelian hernia who was pre-operatively diagnosed and successfully managed surgically. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 56-year-old woman was to referred to the surgical emergency unit of our institution with abdominal swelling and pain of three days. There was no abdominal distension or fever and had no history of recurrent abdominal pains, abdominal swelling or surgery. Examination revealed a middle aged woman with a tender mass measuring about 10 cm by 8 cm in the left iliac fossa region of the abdomen. Bowel sounds were hyperactive and digital rectal examination revealed an empty rectum consistent with the diagnosis of acute intestinal obstructions. Investigations done by the patient at the referring hospital included a computed tomography (CT) scan which was suggestive of an obstructed Spigelian hernia with the sac containing a small bowel loop and mesentery. She had emergency herniorrhaphy and findings were herniation through a facial defect of about 5 cm by 4 cm along the lateral border of the rectus sheath with the hernia sac containing sero-sanguineous peritoneal fluid, gangrenous ileal segment and part of herniated urinary bladder forming the lower wall of the sac. Resection of gangrenous bowel with an end to end anastomosis was carried out, viable contents of the sac were reduced and defect repaired with interrupted non absorbable sutures to approximate the internal oblique and transversus abdominis to rectus sheath. In addition, nylon darning from inguinal ligament to the rectus sheath was also done. Her post-operative recovery was satisfactory and she remained well six months after surgery. CONCLUSION: Pre-operative diagnosis of strangulated Spigelian hernia is difficult but can be aided by a CT. The use of nylon darning to re-inforce the repair can be rewarding where mesh cannot be used or unavailable.

A new approach for imparting durable multifunctional properties to linen-containing fabrics.

This study focused on upgrading the antibacterial activity, UV-protection property, self-cleaning ability and durability to wash of linen and linen/cotton (50/50) blend fabrics to develop multifunctional textile materials without adversely affecting their hydrophilicity. Herein, linen-containing fabrics were first pre-carboxymethylated to create new active sites (-CH2COOH groups) to facilitate subsequent loading of selected active ingredients namely chitosan (Cs), organosilane quaternary ammonium compound (Si-QAC), silver-nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) and titanium oxide nanoparticles (TiO2-NPs) individually and in admixtures. The developed products, especially in case of using mixed active ingredients, exhibit a noticeable improvement in the imparted functional properties regardless of the used substrate. The effectiveness of the imparted functions is determined by type of substrate, its extent of modification, type, concentration and degree of fixation of the used active ingredient onto the pre-modified substrate. Functionalized samples loaded with mixed active ingredients demonstrated a high durability to wash even after 15 washing cycles.

Therapeutic and protective effects of Caesalpinia gilliesii and Cajanus cajan proteins against acetaminophen overdose-induced renal damage.

The present work aims to evaluate the protective and ameliorative effects of two plant-derived proteins obtained from the seeds of Cajanus cajan and Caesalpinia gilliesii(Leguminosae) against the toxic effects of acetaminophen in kidney after chronic dose through determination of certain biochemical markers including total urea, creatinine, and kidney marker enzyme, that is, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH). In addition histopathological examination of intoxicated and treated kidney with both proteins was performed. The present results show a significant increase in serum total urea and creatinine, while significant decrease in GAPDH. Improvement in all biochemical parameters studied was demonstrated, which was documented by the amelioration signs in rats kidney architecture. Thus, both plant protein extracts can counteract the nephrotoxic process, minimize damage to the kidney, delay disease progression, and reduce its complications.

Non-trauma surgical emergencies in adults: Spectrum, challenges and outcome of care.

INTRODUCTION: Significant deaths of between 21% and 38% occur from non-trauma surgical conditions in the accident and emergency room. Access to emergency surgical care is limited in many developing countries including Nigeria. We aimed to study the spectrum of non-trauma surgical emergencies, identify challenges in management and evaluate outcomes. METHODS: A one year prospective cohort study of all non-trauma emergencies in adults seen at the surgical emergency room of LASUTH from 1st October, 2011 to 30th September, 2012 was conducted. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 15.0. RESULTS: Of a total of 7536 patients seen, there were 7122 adults. Those with non-trauma conditions were 2065 representing 29% of adult emergencies. Age ranged between 15 and 97 years and male to female ratio was 1.7:1. Acute abdomen (30%), urological problems (18%) and malignancies (10%) were the most common. Among 985 patients requiring admission only 464 (47%) were admitted while the remaining 53% were referred to other centers. Emergency surgical intervention was carried out in 222 patients representing 48% of admitted patients. There were 12 (24%) non-trauma deaths in the emergency room. They were due to acute abdomen and malignancies in half of the cases. CONCLUSION: Facilities for patients needing emergency care were inadequate with more than half of those requiring admission referred. Attention should be paid to the provision of emergency surgical services to the teeming number of patients seen on yearly basis in the Teaching Hospital.

New finishing possibilities for producing durable multifunctional cotton/wool and viscose/wool blended fabrics.

This research work focuses on the development of a one-bath functional finishing procedure for imparting durable multifunctional properties such as easy care, soft-hand, antibacterial and/or ultra violet (UV) protection to cotton/wool and viscose/wool blends using diverse finishing combinations and formulations. In this study finishing agents such as reactant resin, silicon softeners, 4-hydroxybenzophenone, triclosan, and pigment colorant were selected using magnesium chloride/citric acid as a mixed catalyst and the pad-dry microwave fixation technique. The results reveal that enhancement in the imparted functional properties are governed by type of the finished substrate as well as nature and concentration of finishing formulation components. The finished fabrics still retained high level of functionalities even after 15 consecutive laundering. Surface morphology and composition of selected samples were investigated using scan electron microscope (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis. The mode of interactions was also investigated. Practical applications for multifunctionlization of cellulose/wool blended fabrics are possible using these sorts of proper finishing formulations and unique finishing application method.

Cellulosic/wool pigment prints with remarkable antibacterial functionalities.

Several bio-active agents namely choline chloride, triclosan derivative, PEG-600 and 4-hydroxybenzophenone were successfully included into solvent-free pigment formulations, in a single-stage process, followed by screen printing and microwave-fixation to obtain antibacterial functionalized cellulosic/wool pigment prints. Results obtained signify that both the improvement in functionalization and coloration properties are governed by type of antibacterial agent, kind of substrate as well as pigment colorant. The imparted antibacterial activity of the loaded bio-active agents follows the decreasing order: G+ve (Staphylococcus aureus)>G-ve (Escherichia coli), keeping other parameters constant. The imparted functional and coloration properties showed no significant decrease even after 15 washings. Mode of interactions among the nominated substrates, the pigment paste constituents and the bioactive agents were also proposed.

The structure of clinical consultation: a case of non-native speakers of English as participants.

BACKGROUND: In many parts of the world, patients may find it difficult to visit doctors who share the same language and culture due to the intermingling of people and international recruitment of doctors among many other reasons. In these multilingual multicultural settings (MMSs), doctor-patient interactions face new communication challenges. This study aims to identify the structure of clinical consultation and its phases in an MMS where both doctors and patients are non-native speakers (NNSs) of English. METHOD: This study takes on a discourse analytic approach to examine the structure of clinical consultation as an activity type. 25 clinical consultation sessions between non-native speakers of English in a public healthcare centre in Malaysia were audio-recorded. FINDINGS & DISCUSSION: The results show that there are some deviations from the mainstream structure of clinical consultations although, in general, the pattern is compatible with previous studies. Deviations are particularly marked in the opening and closing phases of consultation. CONCLUSION: In almost all interactions, there is a straightforward manner of beginning medical consultations. The absence of greetings may have naturally reduced the length of talk. Hence, by directly entering medical talks, the doctors voice their concern on the curing aspects of the consultation rather than its caring facets. The preference of curing priority to caring is more goal-oriented and in alignment with the consultation as an activity type.

Functional finishes of stretch cotton fabrics.

Functionalized cotton cellulose/spandex woven fabrics with different structures namely plain (1/1), twill (2/2) and satin were produced. Factors affecting the imparted functional properties such as weave structure and constituents of the finishing formulations including ether or ester cross-linker and catalyst type, silicone-micro-emulsion, water/oil repellent, Ag-NP(,)s and TiO2-NP(,)s were studied. The treated fabrics were found to have easy care property together with one or more of the imparted functional properties such as soft-handle, water/oil repellence, antibacterial, UV-protection and self cleaning. The effectiveness of the imparted properties is not seriously affected even after 10 washing cycles. Surface modifications as well as the composition of certain samples were confirmed by SEM images and EDX spectra. Mode of interactions was also suggested.

Multifunctional finishing of cellulosic/polyester blended fabrics.

Innovative/efficient finishing systems for imparting multi-functional properties to cotton/polyester and viscose/polyester blends were developed. Factors affecting the extent of functionalization including type and concentration of the nano-hybrid, i.e. silver nanoparticles/polyvinyl pyrolidone hybrid (Ag-NP's/PVP) or zinc oxide nanoparticles/hyperbranched polyamide-amine hybrid (ZnO-NP's/HBPAA), concentration of Basic Blue 9, or chitosan and sequence of treatment using citric acid as cross-linker were reported. Loading of ß-CD, with its hydrophobic cavities, onto the cross-linked substrates and subsequent treatment with Neem-oil, Lavender-oil or 4-hydroxybenzophenone was also studied. The obtained products exhibit a remarkable easy care, antibacterial and/or UV-blocking functional properties. The improvement in the imparted properties and durability to wash is governed by type and amount of loaded active ingredients. Mode of interactions was suggested, and surface modifications together with composition of selected samples were also confirmed by SEM images and EDX spectra.

Smart options for simultaneous functionalization and pigment coloration of cellulosic/wool blends.

The present innovative research work deals with the individual use of chitosan (2.5 g/kg), Aloe vera (10 g/kg), triclosan (10 g/kg), TiO2-nanoparticles (TiO2-NP's, 10 g/kg), silicon micro-emulsion (20 g/kg) or a water/oil-repellent agent (40 g/kg) for modifying the pigment print paste to produce functionalized cotton/wool and viscose/wool pigment prints in one step process. The imparted functional properties such as antibacterial, antibacterial/UV-protection, soft-handle or water/oil-repellency together with the change in the printing properties were evaluated. Some of the obtained pigment prints were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), and energy dispersive X-rays (EDX) to confirm deposition of certain functional additives on printed fabrics. The wide-range of imparted functional properties together with the depth of the obtained pigment prints were maintained over 80% even after 15 consecutive laundering cycles. The extent of retention in functional and pigment printing properties is influenced by the type of functional additive as well as the kind of substrate.

A smart approach to add antibacterial functionality to cellulosic pigment prints.

This study was devoted to enhancing the antibacterial functionality of pigment printed cotton, linen and viscose fabrics. Ag-NP's/PVP colloid, triclosan derivatives, chitosan or choline chloride was successfully incorporated into the pigment paste followed by printing and microwave curing to impart antibacterial activity to the cellulosic prints. Results obtained demonstrate that the modified pigment prints exhibit a remarkable antibacterial activity against the G+ve (Staphylococcus aureus) and G-ve (Escherichia coli) bacteria with a noticeable durability after 20 washing cycles without adversely affecting the printing and softness properties. The extent of printability and functionality of the nominated substrates are significantly governed by the type of: bio-active ingredient, binder, pigment and substrate. TEM, SEM and EDX analysis confirmed the formation of Ag-NP's/PVP colloid, of particle size range 7-14 nm, deposition of cross-linked-binder film onto the modified pigment prints, and the existence of elementary Ag and Si loaded onto fabrics surface, respectively.

Combined antimicrobial finishing and pigment printing of cotton/polyester blends.

This study demonstrates the possibility of enhancing the antibacterial functionality and pigment printing properties of cotton/polyester blends (50/50 and 35/65) in one step. Inclusion of chitosan (10 g/kg), choline chloride (15 g/kg), triclosan derivative (20 g/kg), hyperbranched poly amide-amine/silver or zinc oxide nanoparticles (HBPAA/Ag-NP's hybrid or HBPAA/ZnO-NP's hybrid - 20 g/kg) into a pigment print formulation followed by printing and microwave curing at 386 W for 5 min results in an improvement in antibacterial activity and pigment printability. It was further noted that, in all cases, the G+ve (S. aureus) bacteria is more susceptible to the action of the immobilized antibacterial agents than the G-ve bacteria (E. coli). The functionalized pigment prints exhibited very sufficient antibacterial activity even after 20 washing cycles. Modes of interactions were proposed, and surface modification was also confirmed by SEM and EDX analysis.

Combined UV-protecting and reactive printing of Cellulosic/wool blends.

A novel approach for attaining reactive cotton/wool and viscose/wool prints with outstanding UV-protection functions was achieved via inclusion of certain UV-absorbers namely 4-hydroxybenzophenone and UV-SUN(®) or UV-blockers like ZnO-NPs and TiO(2)-NPs along with MCT-ßCD, as a reactive additive, in the printing paste formulation using Na-alginate as a thickening agent. Experimental results reveal that the inorganic UV-blockers exhibit better UV-protection functions compared with the used UV-absorbers, and the improvement in the imparted UV-protection capacity follows the decreasing order: ZnO-NPs>TiO(2)-NPs>4-hyroxybenzopherone≥UV-SUN(®)>>none>untreated. The enhancement in UV-protection functionality is governed by the type of substrate, cotton/wool>viscose/wool, extent of modification and loading of the used nano-metal oxides or organic absorbers onto the fabric surface as well functionality and ability of the used reactive dyes to absorb the hazardous UV-B radiation. The obtained functional prints exhibited outstanding UV-protection efficiency even after 15 washing cycles.

Utilization of monochloro-triazine ß-cyclodextrin for enhancing printability and functionality of wool.

Monochloro-triazine ß-cyclodextrin (MCT-ßCD) was successfully utilized to modify the wool fabric structure. The modified wool exhibited better post-printing, using different dyestuffs, and outstanding antibacterial activities most probably due to the remarkable capacity of grafted ßCD moieties to form guest-host inclusion complexes in addition to the positive role of wool's active sites. The following treatment sequence: pre-modification, post-printing, followed by after-treatment with Ag-NP's colloid or triclosan derivatives was investigated. The extent of improvement in the aforementioned properties is governed by the degree of pre-modification, type of dyestuff and extent of fixation, type of antibacterial agent, its mode of interaction and extent of loading onto the modified printed wool. The imparted antibacterial functionalities were retained, more than 75%, even after 15 washing cycles.