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Monkey menace in Kwa Vonza/Yatta Ward, Kitui County, Kenya: Threat to food and nutrition security and sustainable livelihoods
No full textSince time immemorial, farmers in the arid and semi-arid lands in Kitui County have had many challenges in attaining food and nutrition security. This is largely attributed to inadequate rains, crop diseases, pests, and crop damage by wild animals among others factors. However, the monkey menace and its threats to food security and sustainable livelihoods in Kitui County are not documented. On this basis, a socio-economic survey was carried out in Kwa Vonza/Yatta ward, Kitui Rural constituency in Kitui County to establish i) the extent of damage by monkeys in the ecosystems ii) socio-economic impacts caused by monkeys iii) mitigation measures employed to control the monkey menace in Kitui rural constituency. The socio-economic survey, using one hundred and fifty (150) respondents, revealed that 65% of the respondents indicated that the monkey menace was a threat to food security, and human and livestock life. The respondents noted that monkeys damage their crops (cereals, fruits, and vegetables) on the farm, kill kids of goats and lambs of sheep, and damage food in stores and kitchens. In extreme cases of dry spells, 25% of the respondents indicated the monkeys caused physical injuries to children when the monkeys are looking for food in their homesteads. The respondents felt that the government, through Kenya wildlife services, should intervene to control the monkey population in the hilly habitats for the farmers to have gainful agricultural production and sustainable livelihoods.</p
Synthesis of optically pure calix[4]arenes derived from Evans oxazolidinone and/or pyranose
No full textEight new optically pure calixarene derivatives, in which their lower rims were substituted with Evans oxazolidinone or pyranose moiety, are described. All macrocycles were fully characterized by NMR spectroscopy, optical rotation, and elemental analysis. The introduction of chiral auxiliaries reduced the symmetry of the macrocycle as observed by NMR. Stereospecific alkylation on the Evans oxazolidinone moiety allowed the asymmetric introduction of a methyl substituent near a phenolic position of the macrocycle.</p
Overview of molecular subtype of medulloblastoma and role of MRI in their identification
No full textMedulloblastoma is the most prevalent malignant brain tumor in children, accounting for roughly 15% to 20% of all malignancies of the Central Nervous System (CNS), for 40% of childhood, tumors are in the posterior fossa. Medulloblastoma is a heterogeneous combination of several subgroups with discrete characteristics, rather than a homogeneous illness. Genomic profiling of medulloblastomas revealed that the medulloblastoma may be further divided into four separate molecular subgroups. In this review, we aim to focus on the current state of understanding of the molecularity of the disease with a focus on genomic events that define the aforementioned subgroups and an overview of the molecular subtype of medulloblastoma upon discussing the following points (i) introduction to medulloblastoma and basic classification of the molecular subtype of medulloblastoma followed by their prevalence, age and gender discrimination, and specific molecular characterization. (ii) specific MRI features of the locality of a molecular subtype of medulloblastoma (iii) finally MRI distinguishable features for the identification of the specific molecular type. This review will enhance your knowledge regarding the subtype of medulloblastoma and the role of MRI in the identification of these subtypes. </p
Retroviruses: Reversing the dogma of life - A review
No full textRetroviruses replicate by means of reverse transcription, utilizing an enzyme, reverse transcriptase, in conjunction with integrase. Their elements have been found in humans, animals, fungi, plants, and bacteria alike. For millions of years, these elements are continuing to integrate into the eukaryotic genomes and affecting these organisms to date. Specifically, endogenous retroviruses have been shown to comprise a large portion of vertebrate genomes. Studies have shown that these microscopic viral elements within the genome are influencing gene expression and in turn evolution, by affecting adjacent gene expression patterns. In the medical field, these retroviruses can present illnesses for many, such as those living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus or Human T Cell Lymphotropic Viruses. With modern advances in bioinformatics, genomics, and drug design, retroviruses are being understood much better. A multitude of new discoveries is advancing the scientific communities to mitigate, prevent, and hopefully cure serious medical ailments caused by retroviruses.</p
Serum trace element levels of liver cirrhosis and pancreatic cancer patients
Get PDFThe incidence of liver cirrhosis and pancreatic cancer varies between countries and stands out as an important health problem worldwide. Liver cirrhosis is the most advanced stage of chronic liver disease and is a widespread result of chronic liver damage. The etiology of liver cirrhosis and pancreatic cancer, which are major causes of cancer fatalities in developed countries, is poorly understood. Many metabolic and physiological processes in the human body utilize trace elements. The creation and development of many diseases like cancer, cardiovascular, and diabetes mellitus occur with the disruption of trace element metabolism in the body as a result of improper nutrition, environmental, and occupational exposure, and impaired digestion and absorption.Methods and materials: In this study, copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), manganese (Mn), magnesium (Mg), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), and lead (Pb) concentrations were researched in the serum of liver cirrhosis and Pancreatic Cancer (PC) patients and healthy controls. Analysis of the elements was carried out by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer.Results: Fe and Zn serum levels were considerably lower in individuals with liver cirrhosis and pancreatic cancer than in controls (p <0.001). Furthermore, mean serum levels of Cd and Mn in patients with liver cirrhosis and pancreatic Ca were considerably lower than in controls (p <0.01). In addition, when compared to pancreatic cancer, mean serum Cu and Ni levels in liver cirrhosis patients and controls were considerably lower (p <0.05). Mean serum levels of Pb in pancreatic Ca patients were significantly lower compared to liver cirrhosis patients and controls (p <0.05). When comparing all cancer patients to controls, mean serum Co and Mg levels were not substantially different.Conclusion: Deficiency in four trace elements (Cd, Mn, Fe, and Zn) was determined in patients with liver cirrhosis and pancreatic cancer. In addition, we have determined the deficiency of Cu and Ni trace elements (TEs) in pancreatic cancer patients. TE insufficiencies in cancer patients may be due to excessive consumption of foods and undernourishment. Epidemiological and physiological causes of trace element changes should be investigated further.</p
Structural health monitoring and modal parameters identification of Mezcala Bridge
Get PDFSince 2016 the Instituto Mexicano del Transporte (Mexican Transport Institute) has continuously instrumented and performed the structural monitoring of the Mezcala Bridge, which is a cable-stayed bridge located in the State of Guerrero, Mexico. In order to identify early damage, several monitoring strategies based on changes in the bridge modal parameters have been implemented. To establish the limits of the parameters, such as the natural frequencies, damping ratios, and mode shapes, it is necessary to characterize the bridge dynamic behavior through monitoring information from the last 3 years, in order to analyze statistically every parameter and simulate different real damage scenarios. Modal parameters are calculated and evaluated every week or after accidents, earthquakes, or strong winds. Applying the proposed methodology based on the Enhanced Frequency Domain Decomposition (EFDD), the modal parameters of the Mezcala Bridge were efficiently estimated and monitored and subsequently, they could be used for finite element model development and calibration in order to evaluate the structural integrity of the bridge.</p
Oral rehabilitation of a patient with Sjögren syndrome
Get PDFSjögren syndrome (SS) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation of salivary and lacrymal glands, causing oral and ocular dryness [1]. The syndrome was named by Swedish ophthalmologist Henrik Sjögren, who identified it in 1933. </p
Wildfires: A rising hazard for infrastructure resilience
No full textThe latest wildfires around the globe are evidence of growing global temperatures that are a threat to infrastructure resilience. Wildfires are exacerbated by drought and parched conditions, disease, dry lightning and increased interaction between humans and forests leading to accidental as well as purposeful ignition. </p
How can we presume a kid is having risk factors for cardiovascular disease?
No full textDigital health has come into reality, thanks to the new technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and Deep learning, contributing in a transcendental way to advances in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of diseases; In addition, this occurs at a crucial moment, marked by the growing prevalence of chronic diseases and the increase in life expectancy. In this context, digital health is not only necessary but, according to experts, it is the key to guaranteeing the present and future of quality healthcare.</p
Recent studies on Polyphenols: Extraction technologies and prospects
No full textPolyphenols constitute a group of the most important bioactive compounds widely represented naturally in many plant species. Fresh plant tissues, plant residues, and agro-wastes contain consequent amounts of polyphenolic compounds. In recent years, there is a developing interest in utilizing these bioactive compounds for nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications due to their beneficial effects on human health and their potential in improving the quality of food. However, their effectiveness is depending on many factors such as the extraction technique, the plant tissue, and species origin, environmental factors, the solvent used for the extraction, etc. The purpose of this critical review is to address and give an insight into the latest review and research articles regarding extraction methods and highlights the prospects of bioactive compounds found in several plant tissues. </p