Identification of tick-borne pathogens using metagenomic analyses in H. longicornis feeding on humans in downtown Beijing

On August 14th, 2018, a Beijing resident living in Xicheng District found a female H. longicornis tick attached to the skin at the front of his upper shin. On examination, the patient was afebrile and appeared well. The species of the tick was identified through morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis based on cytochrome C oxidase subunit I. This H. longicornis tick was screened for tick-borne pathogens such as viruses, bacteria and parasites. RNA pathogens were screened by PCR and sequencing, while DNA pathogens were screened by metagenomic analyses. It was found that the tick was positive for the DNA sequences of zoonotic and animal pathogens such as A. phagocytophilum, Ehrlichia minasensis and C. burnetii. Considering the good health condition of the patient, we hypothesized that the pathogens originated from the tick specimen itself rather than host blood meal. For the first time, our study reveals the possible risk of transmission of tick-borne pathogens to human beings through tick bit in downtown Beijing. Further research is needed to screen for tick-borne pathogens among unfed ticks collected from central Beijing.

Corporate Social Responsibility Management (CSRM) With Islamic Philanthropy Concept For Enhancing Mudarabah Family Takaful Model In Malaysia

The purpose of this study is to explore the opportunities of integrating Islamic Philanthropy and Corporate Social Responsibility Management (CSRM) with Brand Personality concept for enhancing Mudarabah Family Takaful Model. The application of CSRM with the best practice in Islamic Philanthropy has been circulating in recent years. Since Takaful services are only provided to those, who have affordability with a good health condition. But supposedly those have inadequate and suffering from a variety of chronic illnesses, and health problems need more medical and health services. The current practice of this study is to review a practical approach in establishing Islamic Philanthropy and Social Responsibility Concept to Enhance Mudarabah Family Takaful Model in Malaysia. This study is called upon to examine how these marginalized groups can enjoy the same facilities as those who are qualified to get the services and benefits of the Takaful. The CSR Theories refer to the implementation of this model in Malaysian Takaful Industry. It is used to establish the conceptual framework of this study. Theoretically, the current study is perhaps one of the first to explore Islamic Philanthropy and Social Responsibility concept to improve the Mudarabah Family Takaful Model. Practically the study proposes to develop a new model and plan based on the dimensions of the Halal brand personality concept of Purity, Secure, Quality, Beneficial and Religious Compliance for beneficial to all people in Malaysia.

Analysis of Self-stretching, Health Promotion Behavior and Scalp Care Attitude in according to the age of Cosmetologists

This study investigated the effects of health promotion behavior after self-stretching on scalp care attitude. For this, a questionnaire survey was performed against cosmetologists in Gwangju and Jeollanam-do, and a total of 191 copies were collected. The collected data were analyzed by frequency analysis, descriptive statistics and one-way ANOVA, and the results found the followings: First, according to analysis of self-stretching, self-stretching behavior, health promotion behavior and scalp management behavior, 46.6% revealed ‘good health condition’. Specifically, ‘self-stretching behavior’ and ‘health promotion behavior’ accounted for 2.60% and 2.88% respectively. In other words, most respondents have been well aware of their scalp conditions and problems and handled them properly. Second, in terms of age, as the respondents were younger, stretching was less important in self-stretching and self-stretching behavior. In health promotion behavior, on the contrary, as they were older, health promotion behavior improved. The above results confirmed that health promotion through daily self-stretching have a positive effect on the scalp. It is anticipated that the development of scalp care-related programs would enhance satisfaction because of healthy scalp care and a healthy lifestyle.

COURSE OF A SARS-CoV-2 PNEUMONIA IN A MIDDLE-AGED MALE PATIENT

The SARS-CoV-2 infection has recently been declared a pandemic by the WHO. Most fatalities occur in elderly people with comorbidities. However, SARS-CoV-2 pneumonias do also occur in younger patients with no comorbidities or risk factors at all. We report here on one of the “early” cases that occurred in Germany. A 57-year-old man was infected and developed pneumonia after a skiing vacation in Northern Italy. Other members of the travel group also fell ill, but only showed flu-like symptoms. Only a few if any infections originated from the affected person; at this point in time the infection situation in the region could still be grasped. Under supportive measures, the disease developed positively despite impressive radiological findings. The positive course is likely also due to the age of the person affected and the lack of any risk factors. The case does also exemplify thata good health condition does not necessarily protect from acquiring a moderately severe SARS-CoV-2 infection.

ROLE OF RETINOL AND TOCOPHEROL IN COMBATING SMOG CAUSED ILLNESS AMONG YOUNG WOMAN

Retinol and Tocopherol are commonly known as fat soluble Vitamin A and D. This research was undertaken with the objective to study Vitamin A and D’s effect in combating smog caused illness among females. This case report highlights diseases caused among young woman of Lahore due to smog. Hypothesis formulated for this study was accepted after testing that intake of daily-recommended amount of Vitamin A and D by females helps them in fighting diseases caused by smog. An intervention based on Food and Nutrition Board’s Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) was planned. After the analysis of data by SPSS and excel, it was indicated that women could fight smog caused diseases better by including Vitamin A and D in their daily diet. It was also found that a strong positive correlation existed between good health condition among females and intake of Vitamin A and D.

The Influence of Nutrition on the Percentage of Fat Tissue among Students of University of Physical Education in Krakow

Introduction: Adequate nutrition is one of the most important environmental factors that have an influence on human development and maintaining good health condition. It consists in meeting the demand of an organism for energy and all the necessary nutrients completely. Material and methods: The survey was conducted in 2014. It covered 93 second year Physiotherapy and Physical Education students (48 females and 45 males) in Bronisław Czech University of Physical Education in Kraków. The average age of the surveyed students was 21. The Tanita scales were applied to define the value of BMI and to calculate the percentage of fat tissue in the organism. Results: The research results have revealed that the respondents represent an average and good manner of nutrition. The majority of the subjects (73.1%) had a normal percentage of fat tissue. While examining the relations between the way of nutrition and fat percentage, it was found that 50% of females who fed themselves well had a low FAT%. Only 13.7% of males representing an average interval of nutrition manner were found to have a high percentage of fat tissue. Among the majority of the respondents (79.6%) the BMI level was within the norm. Overweight was more frequent among males than females, whereas underweight vice versa. Conclusions: The majority of the surveyed students feed themselves in an average manner. The manner of nutrition had a significant influence on body fat only among females. The majority of respondents’ BMI level was within the norm.

Possibilities of Inadequate Physical Load Reduction by Ergonomic Rationalization of Working Environment

‘Human’ is the most important element in the working system: human - machine - environment. It is necessary to ensure the good health condition of workers for continuous production processes. This article is focused on the possibilities of inadequate physical load reduction by partial ergonomic rationalization of working environment - warehouse of building materials. This problem is analysed by using the Key Indicator Method (KIM). This method immediately determines the affecting physical load. Constituent optimization models of the working environment are suggested for reduction by software. The presented method of inadequate physical load reduction is applicable not only in the construction industry but also in engineering.

DENDROFLORA OF ROADSIDE SACRAL OBJECTS IN THE TRZYDNIK DUŻY COMMUNE (LUBLIN VOIVODESHIP)

Among numerous elements of the Polish landscape, especially noteworthy are the roadside sacral objects. They are a testimony to national and local identity, and express centuries-old religious values. What is more, roadside crosses and shrines, surrounded by trees and shrubs, accentuate the space with exceptional decorative and cultural value. The presence of vegetation enriches the compositional value of these objects, complements their spatial structure, and highlights the aesthetic value. This paper presents the results of a study of regarding roadside sacral objects, carried out in the Trzydnik Duży Commune, Lublin Voivodeship. The study was performed as an inventory, enabling us to determine the species composition, health condition, and age of the dendroflora accompanying the roadside sacral objects. Within the studied area 73 roadside sacral objects were inventoried. It was found that 53 of them were surrounded by trees and shrubs that represent 42 species. The most common include limes, lilacs, and white cedars. Health condition of the dendroflora is varied, however 78 % of the examined trees and shrubs are of very good or good health condition.

Length-weight Relationship and Condition Factor of Blackspot Catfish Auchenoglanis biscutatus from the Lower River Benue Makurdi, Nigeria

This study was carried out to evaluate the length-weight relationship and condition factor of the Blackspot Catfish Auchenoglanis biscutatus from the Lower River Benue Makurdi, Nigeria. A total of 200 freshly caught specimens of A. biscutatus were collected from the catches of the artisanal fisheries from landing points at Wadata Market in Makurdi, between July and September 2013. The result obtained showed that the “b” value for the males was 1.6698, females (1.6201) and combined sexes (1.7318) indicating a negative allometric growth. Correlation coefficient (r) for males was 0.9524, females (0.9290) and combine sexes (0.9085). Monthly mean condition factor (K), indicated that both sexes of A. biscutatus were in good health condition. It is therefore concluded that findings of this study will be useful in the sustainable management of this species in the lower River Benue.

Parameters associated with growth factors of five fish species in the Atrai River, Dinajpur, Bangladesh

For evaluation of Fulton’s condition factor (CFf), relative body weight (BWr) and form (a3.0) factor affecting growth, 5 fishes (Aspidoparia jaya, Gagata cenia, G. youssoufi, Salmophasia bacaila and S. phulo) were collected from the Atari River in Dinajpur district of Bangladesh. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were recorded among the values of CFf (0.47-1.56) but not for BWr (79.60- 128.39). Based on CFf values, analysis of similarities (ANOSIM, p < 0.01) revealed that maximum distances (R = 0.9946) were found between G. youssoufi and S. bacaila while lowest (R = 0.2175) between G. cenia and S. phulo. Using two-dimensional nMDS scaling of CFf and BWr, G. youssoufi showed good health condition (CFf = 1.22±0.01; BWr = 100.63±0.79) and were separated (stress = 0.0003) from other fishes. Lowest a3.0 value was noted for S. bacaila (0.004) and highest for G. youssoufi (0.012). Therefore, G. youssoufi showed healthier and former body with more adaptability in this river than those of others. These are the first records for proper management of above mentioned fish species and future research in the near future.Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res.53(2), 155-160, 2018