The synergistic impacts of anthropogenic stressors and COVID-19 on aquaculture: a current global perspective

The rapid, global spread of COVID-19, and the measures intended to limit or slow its propagation, are having major impacts on diverse sectors of society. Notably, these impacts are occurring in the context of other anthropogenic-driven threats including global climate change. Both anthropogenic stressors and the COVID-19 pandemic represent significant economic challenges to aquaculture systems across the globe, threatening the supply chain of one of the most important sources of animal protein, with potential disproportionate impacts on vulnerable communities. A web survey was conducted in 47 countries in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic to assess how aquaculture activities have been affected by the pandemic, and to explore how these impacts compare to those from climate change. A positive correlation between the effects of the two categories of drivers was detected, but analysis suggests that the pandemic and the anthropogenic stressors affect different parts of the supply chain. The immediate measurable reported losses varied with aquaculture typology (land vs. marine, and intensive vs. extensive). A comparably lower impact on farmers reporting the use of integrated multitrophic aquaculture (IMTA) methods suggests that IMTA might enhance resilience to multiple stressors by providing different market options under the COVID-19 pandemic. Results emphasize the importance of assessing detrimental effects of COVID-19 under a multiple stressor lens, focusing on areas that have already locally experienced economic loss due to anthropogenic stressors in the last decade. Holistic policies that simultaneously address other ongoing anthropogenic stressors, rather than focusing solely on the acute impacts of COVID-19, are needed to maximize the long-term resilience of the aquaculture sector.publishe

Transformation Mechanisms & Metaphors in Architectural Design of Post Modernism Era Between Type & Model: Analytical Study on Comparison Between the Universities of Baghdad And Al Mustansiriyah

The design output is a representation of several important attitudes and perceptions, which have contributed, and contributes to the generation of the form through special design methods. The architect’s role is to transform the intellectual or physical reference to architectural product using design and architectural composition act or vice versa. The main issue of the search is the lack of a clear perception in determiningthe relationship between two important terms in design (type and model) and their role as tools for producing architectural form. The search is based on a hypothesis that it’s a constant shift cycle from type to model or vice versa or can reached an edge and stopped. The aims is to identify concrete inputs in order to determine aspecific vocabulary frame to shift cycle, and applied this frame to analysis architectural projects in the city of Baghdad. The research contains definitions of model, types, transformation and their mechanisms. In addition, it has a practical part which assists on the election of two examples of architectural works resulting from transformation strategies as full cycle (not equivalent) for architectural product. The last part contains research findings, conclusions and recommendations. Accordingly, the search main conclusion is that the design basis for Baghdad University project as approved formal grounds derived from the old fabric of the city of Baghdad, where the design basis of Al Mustansiriyah University buildings is a model based on inherited Mustansiriya

Owalla Reservoir in South-western Nigeria: Assessment of Fish Distribution, Biological Diversity, and Water Quality Index

The Water Quality Index (WQI) was used to evaluate the ecological health and status of Owalla Reservoir and the implications on fish species distribution and biological diversity of the reservoir. Water quality and fish species were collected from three sampling zones (A, B, and C) from September 2019 to August 2020 and biological diversity indices such as dominance, Shannon-Weiner, Evenness, Brillouin, Menhinick, Margalef, Equitability, and Fishers index were calculated. The mean values measured for the temperature (25.9 ± 0.48 oC), dissolved oxygen (4.14 ± 0.10 mg/L), pH (7.0 ± 0.01), and nitrate (0.68 ± 0.25 mg/L) of Owalla Reservoir were within the recommended range; while ammonia (0.13 ± 0.20 mg/L), nitrite (0.14 ± 0.21 mg/L) were high and above the recommended limits. The WQI was highest in zone A (155.97) with an overall index value of 152.73 for the reservoir. Zone A recorded the highest relative fish abundance (49.95%) and was more diversified than other sampling zones. In terms of fish biodiversity indices, zone A had the highest richness (9), number of individuals (136), Shannon (1.84), and Brillouin (1.62) index values. Zones B and C were highest in terms of Dominance (1.0), and Evenness (1.0). Zones A and C were highest in terms of Simpson (0.83); zone B was highest in terms of Menhinick (1.58), and Fisher_alpha index (3.98) while zone C was highest in terms of Margalef (2.0), and Equitability (0.99) indices. The elevated levels of WQI, ammonia, and nitrite pose a danger to fish species and watershed systems. It is important to maintain the quality of water within Owalla Reservoir by ensuring best human practices and averting inappropriate human wastes as well as sewage disposal and agricultural activities. These should be checked for the sustainability of fish species

Preliminary cytological study of Amietophrynus regularis (Reuss, 1833) from Afon, Kwara State, Nigeria

Information on the karyotype of Amietophrynus regularis is scarce. 8 specimens of A. regularis were collected from Afon, Kwara State, Nigeria. The specimens were injected intraperitoneally with 0.5 % colchicine and left for 5 hours before they were sacrificed. Chromosomes were prepared from the bone marrow of the femur. 80 metaphase spreads were scored and the diploid chromosome number ranged from 2n = 38 to 2n = 42. The modal number of chromosome was found to be 2n = 40 with percentage occurrence of 47.5 %.Keywords: Amietophrynus regularis, Afon, Chromosome, Metaphase, Karyotyp

Surgical Outcome of Corrosive Induced Antropyloric strictures

Introduction: Corrosive induced upper gastrointestinal tract injuries in pediatric patients, is not easy to treat. Interestingly only few reports are available in English literature highlighting the management and surgical outcome of corrosive induced antropyloric strictures. The aim of this study was to determine the presenting features, management and outcome of patients treated at our institute with corrosive induced antropyloric strictures.Methods: This retrospective descriptive study was conducted at Paediatric Surgery Department of Children Hospital & Institute of Child Health, Lahore. Medical records of patients admitted for corrosive-induced gastric out let obstruction from January 2013 to December 2018 were included. The demographic, preoperative assessment, investigations, surgical procedure and follow up details were noted in a proforma. Results were analyzed by descriptive statistics using SPSS version 20. The quantitative variables were presented as mean ± SD. Qualitative variables were presented as frequency and percentages.Results: A total of 62 patients were included in this study. The mean age at presentation was 4.9 ±3.9 years. Of these 67.7% were male and the mean weight of children at the time of surgery was 12.6 ± 5.0 kilo grams. Bathroom cleaner was ingested by 77.4%. Vomiting was seen 100% cases while abdominal pain and weight loss was seen in 38.7 %, and 80.6% respectively. We preformed Heinke-mikulicz pyloroplasty in 59(95.2%) patients, Billroth II in 1(1.6%) and gastrojejunostomy in 2(3.2) cases. Postoperatively 40 children remained well during early post- op period while leak and respiratory issue were seen in 11.9% and 13.6% patients respectively. The mean hospital stay was 27.9±11.5 days. Two patients died after surgery and the rest were discharged. Mean fallow up 15.2±70 months. Of 60 discharged children 37 (62.7%) had no issue while 4 (6.8%) had leakage from previous jejunostomy site leak other 19 patients were lost to follow up.Conclusion:We conclude that surgical treatment for Antropyloric strictures due to corrosive injuries is an acceptable option with minimal complications. However, we emphasize on the preventive measure, child-proof containers and legislations to be taken by authorities and social welfare societie

The aquaculture supply chain in the time of covid-19 pandemic: vulnerability, resilience, solutions and priorities at the global scale

The COVID-19 global pandemic has had severe, unpredictable and synchronous impacts on all levels of perishable food supply chains (PFSC), across multiple sectors and spatial scales. Aquaculture plays a vital and rapidly expanding role in food security, in some cases overtaking wild caught fisheries in the production of high-quality animal protein in this PFSC. We performed a rapid global assessment to evaluate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and related emerging control measures on the aquaculture supply chain. Socio-economic effects of the pandemic were analysed by surveying the perceptions of stakeholders, who were asked to describe potential supply-side disruption, vulnerabilities and resilience patterns along the production pipeline with four main supply chain components: a) hatchery, b) production/processing, c) distribution/logistics and d) market. We also assessed different farming strategies, comparing land- vs. sea-based systems; extensive vs. intensive methods; and with and without integrated multi-trophic aquaculture, IMTA. In addition to evaluating levels and sources of economic distress, interviewees were asked to identify mitigation solutions adopted at local / internal (i.e., farm-site) scales, and to express their preference on national / external scale mitigation measures among a set of a priori options. Survey responses identified the potential causes of disruption, ripple effects, sources of food insecurity, and socio-economic conflicts. They also pointed to various levels of mitigation strategies. The collated evidence represents a first baseline useful to address future disaster-driven responses, to reinforce the resilience of the sector and to facilitate the design reconstruction plans and mitigation measures, such as financial aid strategies.publishe

Immunomorphometric Analysis of CD82 in Colorectal Carcinoma and its Prognostic Significance

Background: Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is a highly aggressive tumor of the digestive tract, and its incidence and mortality rates are gradually rising. Tumor metastasis is considered a major obstacle to successful treatment. Therefore, assessing new biomarkers of CRC metastasis and prognosis is mandatory. CD82 is regarded as a wide-spectrum metastasis and invasion suppressor. Loss of CD82 expression is a commonly notable biological characteristic of colon carcinoma. This study aimed to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of KAI-1/CD82 as prognostic markers in various stages of CRC. Materials and Methods: Paraffin blocks and clinicopathological data of 50 patients with CRC were obtained from private laboratories. The expression of CD82 tumor cells was immunohistochemically assessed by image analysis in all specimens of CRC. CD82 cell tumor cell expression was classified into low and high groups. Results: Among the 50 cases of CRC, 18 (36%) had high levels of positive KAI1/CD82 expression, whereas 32 cases (64%) had low levels. The immunohistochemical expression of KAI1/CD82 in CRC cases under investigation showed statistically significant inverse correlations with depth of invasion, presence of distant metastasis, stage, and Duke’s classification, but not with tumor grade or lymph node metastasis. Conclusion: Accordingly, immunomorphometric analysis of CD82 in tumor cells can be utilized as an accurate tool to assess factors such as prognosis, treatment response, metastatic disease, and tumor recurrence. KAI1/CD82 may be viable therapeutic targets to reduce the risk of CRC patients developing metastatic disease

Some Biological Characteristics of Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus from Luubara Creek, Niger Delta, Nigeria

The study of biological characteristic of C. nigrodigitatus caught using multiple and single long-line was carried out for twelve months. The Von –Bertallanffy growth function was used to estimate the growth characteristics. The growth coefficient (K) and growth performance index (Ø) were 0.740 and 2.37, respectively, indicating it grows fast. The instantaneous rates of total, natural, and fishing mortality were 3.23, 1.18 and 2.05 per year, respectively. The resultant exploitation ratio was 0.635, indicating that the fishery was overexploited. More so, the ratio of length at first capture (Lc) to asymptotic length (L∞). (Lc/ L∞) depicted that this species was caught at a small size which may lead to growth over-fishing. The extreme mounting fishing pressure and harvesting silver catfish when the size small require application fishing regulations that will watch over the species in creek. Management regulation, particularly seasonal closures coinciding with the period of spawning, should be implemented to avoid the eventual collapse of this fishery.&nbsp

PENYULUHAN PENINGKATAN KETAHANAN PANGAN MASA PANDEMI COVID-19 MELALUI USAHA BUDIDAYA IKAN DI PEKARANGAN DI DESA BANGUN SARI KECAMATAN SILAU LAUT KABUPATEN ASAHAN

The government's policy to avoid the spread of COVID-19 by limiting activities outside the home (PSBB) has an impact on meeting the basic needs of the family while nutritional needs are important to increase immunity. Fulfilling nutritional needs during a pandemic can be done by raising fish and vegetables simultaneously or "Budikdamder". The community's knowledge of Bangun Sari village about “Budikdamder” activities is still low and has never been carried out. The PKM program is carried out in the Bangun Sari Village Hall through outreach activities with interactive lecture and discussion methods aimed at making the people of Bangun Sari Village remain productive during the COVID-19 pandemic in realizing family food independence. Activities carried out by socializing and explaining "Budikdamder" and the stages in the "Budikdamder" business. The education from this activity adds to knowledge and stimulates the people of Bangun Sari Village to carry out Budikdamder activities at home. The output target of the PKM is a scientific article published in the ANADARA Journal, the Asahan University Research and Community Service Institute (LPPM). Keywords: Budikdamder, Food Independenc

Tumor-Associated Macrophage (TAM) and Angiogenesis in Human Colon Carcinoma

AIM: This study aimed to clarify how macrophages affect prognosis in cancer colon and their association with tumor angiogenesis.MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty four biopsies of colon carcinoma and 15 of benign adenomatous polyps were investigated for macrophages infiltration and microvessels density using immunohistochemistry and image morphometric analysis. Macrophages and blood vessels were stained immunohistochemically by CD68 and F-VIII markers respectively. The morphometric analysis was carried out on the immunohistochemically stained slides using the Leica Qwin 500 Image Analyzer. Both of macrophages infiltration and microvessels density were correlated with histological tumor grade, stage and lymph node metastases and were correlated with each others.RESULTS: Macrophage infiltration was significantly higher in malignant cases than in benign polyps. High macrophage infiltration and hypervascularity were significantly correlated with T-staging and lymph nodes metastasis. A significant correlation was found between macrophage infiltration and microvessels densitie in malignant tumors where hypervascularity was significantly correlated with high macrophages infiltration.CONCLUSION: The significant correlation between macrophage infiltration and tumor angiogenesis suggests an interaction between macrophages and cancer cells stimulating microvessels formation, tumor invasion and metastasis in colon cancer. We recommend that macrophages infiltration should be evaluated to investigate their clinical value in development of individualized therapeutic regimens for management of colon carcinoma