Fucoidan from Sargassum hemiphyllum inhibits infection and inflammation of Helicobacter pylori

Having infected by Helicobacter pylori, the infection often leads to gastritis, gastric ulcer, or even gastric cancer. The disease is typically treated with antibiotics as they used to effectively inhibit or kill H. pylori, thus reducing the incidence of gastric adenoma and cancer to significant extent. H. pylori, however, has developed drug resistance to many clinically used antibiotics over the years, highlighting the crisis of antibiotic failure during the H. pylori treatment. We report here that the fucoidan from Sargassum hemiphyllum can significantly reduce the infection of H. pylori without developing to drug resistance. Fucoidan appears to be a strong anti-inflammation agent as manifested by the RAW264.7 cell model examination. Fucoidan can prohibit H. pylori adhesion to host cells, thereby reducing the infection rate by 60%, especially in post treatment in the AGS cell model assay. Mechanistically, fucoidan intervenes the adhesion of BabA and AlpA of H. pylori significantly lowering the total count of H. pylori and the level of IL-6 and TNF-α in vivo. These results all converge on the same fact that fucoidan is an effective agent in a position to protect the stomach from the H. pylori infection by reducing both the total count and induced inflammation.

Impact of the Sanitation Regime on Production Safety of Paff Pastry in the Food Processing Plant

Food is essential for a person's life, it is a source of energy and substances that enable the activity of all his organs. However, food is also a biological substance, which itself is subject to certain changes, sometimes targeted in their production or cooking, sometimes undesirable changes due to the activity of certain food components or the action of microorganisms.The primary role of each food processing plant should be to ensure daily proper cleaning and sanitation, thus ensuring perfect hygiene of the premises in operation due to the prevention of foodborne diseases. Based on the results obtained in our study, we can concluce that the sanitation regime in the evaluated premises of paff pastry production is at a good level and the disinfection in the production of puff pastry is effective. Aspiral Persteril 15 disinfectant at 0.4 % concentration and time exposure of 30 minutes was effective on all evaluated surfaces in individual monitored parts of production with the exception of puff pastry production part, where we recorded on technology, specifically on slicing knife 35 CFU (colony forming units) of total count of bacteria and 3 CFU of coliform bacteria after disinfection. The situation did not improve even until the begining of production, the total count of bacteria increase to 45 CFU and coliform bacteria to 4 CFU.

Is the Severity of Cervical Foraminal Stenosis Related to the Severity and Sidedness of Symptoms?

(1) Background: Cervical foraminal stenosis (CFS) is a common cause of axial neck and arm pain. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the severity of CFS and clinical symptoms in terms of severity and sidedness. (2) Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 75 consecutive patients with degenerative CFS. We graded 900 foramina from C3–4 to T1–2 using Park’s grading system. We collected visual analogue scale (VAS) and neck disability index (NDI) values from the neck and both arms. We analyzed the relationships with CFS grades and total number. We defined four types of left/right dominance of CFS (none, left-dominant, right-dominant, and both) by comparing left and right sides using total counts and maximal grade of CFS, respectively. We compared arm pain sidedness (no arm pain, left-only, right only, and bilateral) among different left and right CFS dominance types. (3) Results: Mean neck and left and right arm VAS scores were 4.4 ± 2.5, 4.9 ± 1.6, and 4.6 ± 2.0, respectively. The mean total NDI was 16.0 ± 8.0. The CFS grade at C3–4 and total count were correlated with neck VAS. Arm VAS was also correlated with CFS grade and total counts. Total NDI score was not correlated with radiological parameters. The presence and sidedness of arm pain were significantly different between left and right CFS dominance groups divided by total count of grade 2 and 3 CFS. (4) Conclusions: The CFS grade and total count were correlated with neck and arm VAS. Arm pain occurred more frequently on the side with more grade 2 and 3 CFS.

Learning Environment at CMH Lahore Medical College - Perspective of medical students

Aim: To evaluate learning environment at CMH Medical College (CMH-LMC) as perceived by medical students. Methods: An observational study was conducted at CMHLMC, Lahore from July,2020 till December, 2020, using DREEM survey tool. Feedback to five category questions on Likert scale were used to count DREEM scores. Results: Mean DREEM count in our study came out to be 123.78±8.69. In respect of subcategories, Students’ Perceptions of Learning (POL), the maximum value was 29.48; Students’ Perceptions of Teachers (POT) showed a total score of 26.59; Students’ Academic Self-Perception (ASP) reached the highest number of 18.15; Students’ Perceptions Of Atmosphere (POA) attained total count of 32.38 and Students’ Social Self-Perceptions (SSP) made up a highest score of 17.19. Conclusion: Learning environment at CMHLMC, was perceived positive by medical students. Keywords: Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM), Learning environment (LE), Perception

Microbial and heavy metals examination of Expellers groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) oil

This study was designed to determine the microbial and heavy metal contamination level in expeller’s groundnut oil. Ten samples of groundnut oil were collected, labeled from E1 to E10 and the microbial and heavy metals examination tests were laboratory assessed. The study results showed that, the Total Count of Bacteria (TCB) for all oil Expellers samples was 33.8 Colony Forming Unit (Cfu)/ml oil. The highestt value was (111 Cfu/ml) in E10 and the lowest value (7 Cfu/ml oil) in E1. Concerning the Total Count of Fungal (TCF) for all samples was 31.4 and 6.75 Cfu/1ml for the yeast and mould respectively. Yeasts highest count was 109 Cfu/ml in E10 and the lowest count was 6 Cfu/ml in E1. while moulds highest count was 18 Cfu/ml in E10 and the lowest number of 2 Cfu/ml oil was found in E2. The bacterial detection test of Staph, Bacillus, Coliform, and E.Coli in the oils Expellers explored that no bacterial presence in E1, E3, and E7 but, the four types were recorded in E5, E9 and E10. On the other hand E2, E6 and E8 showed positive detection to Staph and Bacillus, while E4 was positive to Bacillus detection only. The Concentration of Iron (Fe) on expeller oil samples (E2, E3, E4, E6, E7, E8, E9 and E10) was higher than the minimum specification limit of 5meq/kg for heavy metals, but E1 and E5 were within the minimum specification limit. All expellers oil samples were higher than acceptable limit for Copper (Cu) concentration that established by SSMO and Codex alimentary for heavy metals of less than 0.1meq/kg. As well as, the Concentration value of Lead (Pb) all expeller oil samples were above the specification limit of heavy metals that should not be more than 0.1meq/kg.

Effect The Addition Different Concentrations of Sodium Triphosphate and Sodium Lactate on The Microbial Count of Cold Ground Beef Meat

This study was conducted in the laboratories of Al-Musaib Technical College, Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University with the aim of studying the effect of adding sodium triphosphate salts at concentrations of 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2% and sodium lactate at concentrations of 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2% on the microbial count of ground beef and cooled for 24 hours at a temperature at 4 C. The results of the study indicated an increase in the rate of the total count of bacteria, psychrophilic bacteria, coliforms, yeasts and molds in all ground meat samples, not treated with salt, than the permissible limits. As samples of ground meat not treated with trisodium and sodium lactate salts recorded the highest rate in the total Count of bacteria after 24 hours of cold storage at 4 ° C, when they reached 6.544 CFU The Count of these bacteria decreased by increasing the concentration of salts, so the minimal count of bacteria was at a concentration of 2% when adding both salts of sodium triphosphate and sodium lactate together as 3.426 CFU. also found a clear reduction in the count of Psychrophilic bacteria at a concentration of 2% for both salts as recorded the last treatment rate 2.127 CFU It is the minimal count compared to the other treatments, while the control treatments recorded the highest count 6.400 CFU. Also, the addition of different concentrations of sodium triphosphate and sodium lactate led to a gradual decrease in the counts of coliform bacteria, with an increase in the salt concentration, as it reached 1.204 CFU At aconcentration of 2%, while the control treatment was recorded 6.431 CFU It is a the highest value. Also there is a significant difference was found (P <0.05). In the count of yeasts and molds, which were significantly decreased by increasing the concentration of both salts, as they were 1.079 CFU In the last treatment, while the highest count recorded since reached 4.361 CFU When salts are not added. This is a clear indication of the existence of a synergistic action of these salts to reduce the increasing counts of bacteria, yeasts and molds by inhibiting these microbial species with increased concentration.

In vivo immunoloprotective potentials of Plantago lanceolata aqueous extract on methotrexate induced albino male mice

This study aimed to evaluate the immunological potential of Plantago lanceolata through determination of (total and absolute count of white blood cell, total count of red blood cell and total count of hemoglobin). The results indicated the ability of plant extract to modulate toxic effect of methotrexate on albino mice by enhancing immunity through all tested parameters All this effect due to the presence of chemical active constituents of plant especially (flavonoid and alkaloids).

White Blood Cell Profile among Different Clinical Stages of COVID-19 Patients

Coronavirus is affecting millions of people world-wide. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is declared a pandemic by WHO. Severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2(SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent. The clinical presentations of SARS-CoV-2 infection range from febrile illness to pneumonia, ARDS and multi organ failures. Increasing scientific evidences have shown that abnormalities in routine laboratory test, particularly haematological parameters influence the outcome of the disease. Here variations in WBC profile in several clinical forms of COVID-19 patients are observed, The clinical course of the disease may change with haematological parameters such as lower total count of WBC, lymphocyte, higher neutrophil count, eosinophil count etc. By investigating haematological parameters of different clinical stage of RT-PCR positive 100 COVID-19 patients, statistically significant association (p value 0.001) of lymphocyte count with disease severity was found. It is also found that higher level of total count WBC, neutrophil count in severe group in comparison to mild and moderate groups but failed to reach any statistical significance. Moreover total count WBC and neutrophil count showed positive correlations but lymphocyte count, eosinophil count and monocyte count showed negative correlation with severity of disease. So, complete analysis of the haematological parameters will be very much helpful for early detection of complications & better control of the disease.

Fucoidan from Sargassum Hemiphyllum Inhibits Infection and Inflammation of Helicobacter Pylori

When infected by Helicobacter pylori, it often causes gastritis, gastric ulcer, or gastric cancer. Antibiotics are used to treat H. pylori infection, as they inhibit or kill H. pylori often ex-tending to reduce the incidences of gastric adenoma and cancer. However, H. pylori has developed drug resistance to many clinically used antibiotics over the years, thereby providing no warranty of successful treatment whenever H. pylori infection befalls. We report here that fucoidan from Sargassumhemiphyllum can effectively reduce infection of H. pylori without development of drug resistance. Fucoidan demonstrated a strong anti-inflammation activity in RAW264.7 cell model. Using AGS cell model, fucoidan decreased H. pylori adhesion to host cells and thus reduced its infection rate, especially in post-treatment where the infection rate was reduced to 40%. Mechanistically, fucoidan intervenes the proper functions of adhesion molecules BabA and AlpA of H. pylori. Moreover, fucoidan is able to significantly lower the total count of H. pylori and the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in vivo. Added together, these convergent results suggest that fucoidan is an effective agent in a position to protect stomach from H. pylori infection by reducing its total count and induced inflammation.

Population Abundance of Antelopes Based on Prevalence in Some Selected Markets in Rivers State, Nigeria

This study was conducted to investigate the population abundance of antelopes based on prevalence in some selected bushmeat markets in Rivers State, Nigeria. Three (3) markets known to have a long history of wildlife marketing/business were chosen as sampling stations. These include: Omagwa bushmeat market, Imo River bushmeat market and Asa market. The stations were visited twice a week for six (6) months, 6 times in a month (December 2017–February 2018) and 3 wet season months (May 2018–July 2018). Sample and data were collected in the morning hours between 7 am and 12 noon when hunters usually return with their bounty. During each visit, morphometric traits of antelope carcasses brought by hunters/bushmeat traders were measured with the aid of a measuring tape and weighed. The sex of each antelope was determined by examining the reproductive organs and the number of antelope carcasses brought to the market was recorded. A total count of 202 individuals belonging to 3 species—Cephalophus maxwelli, Neotragus batesi and Tragelaphus scriptus from the family Bovidae—were recorded from all the three stations, with C. maxwelli being the dominant species in all stations. C. maxwelli had a total count of 141 individuals while N. batesi and T. scriptus had total counts of 35 and 26 individuals respectively. Omagwa bushmeat market had the highest count of antelope carcasses accounting for 63% (126 individuals) of the total count, followed by Imo River bushmeat market with 23% (47 individuals) and Asa market with 14% (29 individuals). A total of 103 males and 99 females were recorded. Seasonal variation data revealed that the dry season had a count of 72 individuals while the wet season had a count of 130 individuals. Combing of vegetation, night hunting, use of dart guns and use of snare traps were the dominant methods used in the study locations. According to the International Union for Conservation Nature (IUCN), these bovids are said to be the least-concern species but this research work showed that T. scriptus and N. batesi were threatened locally.