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Zebrafish: A Versatile Model Organism for Toxicological Research and Applications
No full textThe field of scientific research has advanced rapidly, with the emergence of more sophisticated techniques and an increasing diversity of experimental models. Among these, the zebrafish (Danio rerio) has distinguished itself as a promising model. This work aims to review the literature on zebrafish as an experimental model, highlighting its characteristics, efficacy, limitations, and applications in toxicology research. Despite some limitations, such as the lack of standardization among strains, indirect exposure to compounds during development, and the absence of certain organs, zebrafish have proven to be highly effective. The rapid development of their larvae allows for the assessment of both acute and chronic effects of substances. In cardiotoxicity studies, zebrafish embryos have been effective in analyzing environmental pollutants and serve as models for metabolic and synaptic deficiencies caused by pesticides, as well as for neurotoxicity studies, contributing to the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases induced by oxidative stress. Furthermore, zebrafish have demonstrated their suitability for evaluating genotoxic and hepatotoxic effects. In toxicology, they can be utilized in nanosafety approaches for drug distribution, cancer treatment, and transgenic models with fluorescent organs for drug tracking. In the field of genetics, zebrafish are widely used for genome editing via CRISPR/Cas and in in vivo studies with transgenic animals. With technological advancements, it is expected that the applications of zebrafish will continue to expand, making them an essential tool in various scientific fields. Thus, the zebrafish is one of the most appropriate and efficient models for toxicology research, providing an effective alternative to traditional models
Microscopic Modeling Techniques for Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete: Applications and Future Directions
No full textThis article reviews micro-modeling methods for steel fiber-reinforced concrete (SFRC), including finite element, discrete element, and computational fluid dynamics approaches, to analyze its mechanical and structural behavior. The models offer predictive insights on stress response, crack propagation, and durability in SFRC, particularly in high-stress structural applications. This study discusses the limitations of current modeling practices, such as high computational demand and parameter determination challenges, and suggests future improvements to enhance simulation accuracy and scalability. This review aims to support the advancement of SFRC in structural engineering applications
Public Perception and Willingness to Pay for Progari in the Bono and Greater Accra Regions of Ghana
No full textCassava is one of the most important staple crops in the tropics, ranking just behind rice and maize as a major source of calories. Its processed products are rich in carbohydrates, with gari being one of the most popular due to its extended shelf life. proGARI, a scientifically fortified version of gari, was developed under hygienic conditions at the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) to provide enhanced nutritional benefits. To assess consumer perception and willingness to pay for proGARI, a comprehensive survey was conducted in the Bono and Greater Accra Regions using structured questionnaires. The results revealed that nearly 70% of respondents expressed a willingness to purchase proGARI, but suggested improvements in the product\u27s color to increase its visual appeal and marketability. Based on these findings, it is recommended to enhance proGARI’s color, implement targeted marketing campaigns highlighting its nutritional value and hygienic production, and expand consumer awareness through education programs. Additionally, offering diverse packaging options, exploring broader regional markets, continuously improving the product based on consumer feedback, and collaborating with retailers to enhance distribution channels are essential strategies to boost proGARI’s market presence and consumer demand
Delving into the Fascinating Realm of Biofilm Forming Bacteria: A Review
No full textBacterial biofilms are complex, three-dimensional communities of microorganisms that are encased in a self-produced extracellular matrix, which allows them to adhere to various surfaces, including medical devices, industrial equipment and living tissues. These biofilms exhibit remarkable structural and functional heterogeneity, genetic diversity and complex community interactions. Biofilm formation is a dynamic process that is triggered by environmental changes and involves multiple regulatory networks that mediate gene expression changes. Biofilms can confer significant advantages to the bacteria, such as increased tolerance to antimicrobial agents, evasion of the host immune system, and facilitation of horizontal gene transfer. Chronic nosocomial infections in clinical settings are often caused by biofilm. This review provides a concise overview of the development, dispersal and therapeutic strategies for bacterial biofilms, with a focus on their medical significance and the challenges they pose in the dawn of the post-antibiotic era. It focuses on emerging therapeutic strategies such as anti biofilm agents, phage therapy, use of nanoparticles, anti virulence strategies such as quorum sensing inhibitors, use of combination therapies, photo dynamic therapy, gene editing and RNA based therapies, immunotherapy, natural product based therapies, surface modification of meducal devices etc
Prevalence and Distribution of Parasitic Infections in Children in Diwaniyah Hospitals, Iraq
No full textIntestinal parasites are a significant public health concern, particularly among children. These infections can lead to severe health issues, including malnutrition and impaired growth. This study focuses on the prevalence of intestinal parasites among children suffering from diarrhea in Diwaniyah Governorate, specifically at Diwaniyah Teaching Hospital. The study aimed Identify the prevalence of intestinal parasites among children suffering from diarrhea in Diwaniyah Governorate and assess the demographic distribution of infected children, focusing on gender differences, Entrobiais and Hymenolipiasis) are the most prevalent, infecting an estimated one-sixth of the global population. Infection rates are highest in children living in our country, followed by rural areas. Hundreds of millions of people are infected with helminths and intestinal protozoa, particularly children in low- and middle-income countries, we conducted a cross-sectional epidemiological survey in Al-Qadisiyah province communities of six region with sex hospital which including (Alhamza, Al-sanyia, Al-Shamyia hospital, Afak hospital, Al-Diwanyia 2 desert, Al-Diwanyia 1 desert)for 12 months to detect and record all intestinal parasite in patient who admitted to hospital However, a much larger and rapidly growing childhood population in these regions remains untreated and suffering from more than one parasite
Breed Preference by Farmers and the Morphometric Characteristics of Sukuma Goats and a Crossbred of Malya and Sukuma Goats in Maswa District, Tanzania
No full textAims: To study farmers’ perception toward performance of crossbreds (Malya x Sukuma) relative to the indigenous Sukuma goats.
Study Design: The study was of cross-sectional design employing comparative analysis.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in Maswa District of Tanzania over a three weeks period.
Methodology: Fifty respondents from household which were previously involved in the crossbreeding program were sampled purposively. In which they were interviewed using questionnaires on good/positive and bad/negative attributes for each genotype, then ranks of desired breed according to market price, mature body size and age of attaining mature size. Body weights and linear body measurement of mature crossbred (Malya x Sukuma) goats and pure Sukuma goats were also taken after interviewing each household respondent. Interview data were analyzed using descriptive statistics option of SPSS and body measurements were analyzed using GLM procedure of SAS.
Results: The most preferred breed was crossbred goats due to their high market price, large mature body size and early age of attaining mature size. Good attributes for Sukuma goats were disease resistance (98%) and drought resistance (94%) while bad attributes were low price in the market (88%), small body size (94%) and slow growth rate (72%). Good attributes for crossbred goats were premium price in the market (92%), high growth rate (80%) and large body size (94%). Bad attributes for crossbred goats had very low frequency. The crossbred goats were larger compared to Sukuma goats. Their mature body measurements were body length (60.6±0.46 cm), heart girth (77.6±0.58 cm), height at withers (66.4±0.42 cm) and body weight (35.1±0.52 kg) for crossbred goats while corresponding mature body measurements for Sukuma goats were 49.6±0.42 cm, 65.1±0.54 cm, 56.7±0.39 cm and 21.6±0.48 kg, respectively.
Conclusion: Crossbred goats were accepted by farmers due to their beneficial impact to the households’ economy
The Role of Organic Farming in Sustainable Agriculture
No full textOrganic farming, as a sustainable alternative to conventional high-input practices reliant on synthetic fertilizers, fungicides, and pesticides, prioritizes the vitality of soil as a living ecosystem. Embracing practices such as crop rotation, animal manures, crop residues, green manures, and biological pest and disease control, organic agriculture aims to uphold soil health and productivity. By meeting present food demands in an environmentally conscientious manner, organic farming also safeguards the needs of future generations, thereby preserving and nurturing our ecosystem. Modern agriculture has detrimentally impacted the environment, leading to issues such as decreased soil fertility, elevated water hardness, insect resistance development, reduced genetic diversity in plants, heightened levels of toxic residues in the food chain and animal feed, contributing to health problems and environmental degradation. In contrast, organic farming nurtures plants with essential macronutrients and micronutrients while simultaneously enhancing soil physical, chemical, and biological characteristics. Guided by the ethos of sustainability, organic farming prioritizes mitigating health risks linked to synthetic inputs and cultivating a healthier ecosystem. The minimal environmental footprint of organic farming positions it as a practical solution for tackling urgent concerns like soil degradation, water pollution, and global ecological well-being. Essentially, organic farming stands out as a beacon of sustainable agriculture, paving the way to reconcile food production with environmental conservation. Moreover, organic farming\u27s low environmental impact presents an opportunity to rehabilitate and enhance degraded agricultural lands
Interplay of Sobolev Spaces on Compact Manifolds: Embedding Theorems, Inequalities, and Compactness
No full textThis research paper explores various properties of Sobolev spaces on compact manifolds, focusing on embedding theorems, compactness, and inequalities. We establish the compact embedding of Sobolev spaces into continuous and Lebesgue spaces, as well as the continuity and compactness of embeddings between different Sobolev spaces. We also derive inequalities involving the Laplacian and gradients of functions, providing insights into their behavior on manifolds. These results contribute to our understanding of the interplay between function smoothness, continuity, and distribution on compact manifolds
Norm-Attainable Operators in Hilbert Spaces: Properties and Applications
No full textThis research paper explores various properties and implications of norm-attainable operators on Hilbert spaces. We establish lemmas, propositions, and theorems that shed light on the characteristics of these operators and their relationship with the geometry and structure of the underlying Hilbert space. These results have applications in functional analysis, linear algebra, and operator theory
A Study on the Health and Nutritional Status of Mawasi Tribal Women in Villages of Chitrakoot Region in Madhya Pradesh, India
No full textThe present study is a cross sectional survey in which an attempt was made to understand the socio- demographic profile and assess nutritional status of Mawasi tribal women in Majhgawan block of Satna district in Madhya Pradesh. The sample comprised of 100 females between the age groups of 18-46 which were selected from 100 households for assessment of health and nutritional status. Stratified random sampling method was used for selection of 5 villages. The primary tool in the study was predesigned and pretested interview schedule. Height, weight recording, clinical examination and body type of females were the part of the study. The design of the study is qualitative that include data from 100 in depth interviews with the mothers. To calculate nutrient intake, twenty –four hour dietary recall method was adopted and was compared with the RDA-2020 given by ICMR. Nearly half (51%) females were short stature and thin. 79 % women were suffering from severe to moderate anemia. Daily intake of foods were deficit in vitamin A (75.5%), vitamin C (54.83%), folic acid (70.32%),Vitamin B12(63%), iron (61.43%) and calcium (47.67%) nutrients. The mean weight of the female was 42.72 Kg. The vast majority (92%) of females had weight less than the weight of the reference women (55Kg). The mean body mass index was 19.39. Only one-third (32%) females were normal( BMI 20.0-25.0).More than half (51%)of the study women suffered from chronic energy deficiency (BMI<18.5). 98 % women were found anemic according to the cut-off (HB&lt;12.0g/dl) proposed by WHO. The overall nutritional status of the tribal females was poor and their nutrient intake was also insufficient showing high percentage deficit in calories, proteins, fats, iron, zinc, calcium and vitamins A, B and C intake. Nutritional anemia, Vit-A and vit-C, VitaminB12 deficiencies were common problems in Mawasi women