The Effect of Aqueous Leave Extract of Nicotiana Tabacum (Tobacco) On Some Reproductive Parameters and Micro-Anatomical Architecture Of The Testis In Male Albino Wistar Rats

The tobacco plant (Nicotiana tabacum) has been in used for several years irrespective of the location of human races. Tobacco is used in different ways but cigarettes constitute the largest share of manufactured tobacco products in the world, accounting for 96% of total sales. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of aqueous extract of Nicotiana tabacum leaves on some reproductive parameters. 20 male young wistar rats weighing between 160 to 190g were used for the study. The extract was administered orogastrically in doses of 30, 20 and 10mg/kg body weight per day in 0.5ml of distilled water for 21 days and the control group was given equal volume of distilled water as well. The results showed that at the dose of 20 and 30mg/kg the extract decreased significantly the percentage motility (P<0.01) and (P<0.001) to 21.8±1.0 and 15.6±0.8 respectively, while the sperm concentration was significantly decreased (P<0.01) to 55.7x 106±2038480 at the dose of 30mg/kg. The testicular histology showed decrease spermatogonic cells at doses of 20mg/kg and 30mg/kg respectively. It is concluded that nicotine could adversely affect fertility by sperm count, motility and testicular spermatogenesis in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Keywords Nicotiana tabacum, reproductive parameters, testicular histolog

Optimized Model Simulation of a Capacitated Vehicle Routing problem based on Firefly Algorithm

This paper presents an optimized solution to a capacitated vehicle routing (CVRP) model using firefly algorithm (FFA). The main objective of a CVRP is to obtain the minimum possible total travelled distance across a search space. The conventional model is a formal description involving mathematical equations formulated to simplify a more complex structure of logistic problems. These logistic problems are generalized as the vehicle routing problem (VRP). When the capacity of the vehicle is considered, the resulting formulation is termed the capacitated vehicle routing problem (CVRP). In a practical scenario, the complexity of CVRP increases when the number of pickup or drop-off points increase making it difficult to solve using exact methods. Thus, this paper employed the intelligent behavior of FFA for solving the CVRP model. Two instances of solid waste management and supply chain problems is used to evaluate the performance of the FFA approach. In comparison with particle swarm optimization and few other ascribed metaheuristic techniques for CVRP, results showed that this approach is very efficient in solving a CVRP model

Allergenicity of latex rubber products used in South African dental schools

Background: Allergens from latex products in healthcare settings have been known to trigger latex induced allergic reactions in healthcare workers (HCWs). There is a need to quantify individual latex allergens in products in order to assess the allergenicity of latex products used in health care settings, so as to minimize the risk of sensitisation to these proteins. Methods: Fourteen latex examination gloves representing six brands (powdered and non-powdered) and five dental rubber dams from five dental academic institutions were analysed for latex allergens and total protein. Total protein content was determined using the BIORAD DC protein assay kit and natural rubber allergen levels using a capture ELISA assay specific for hev b 1, hev b 3, hev b 5 and hev b 6.02. Results: Hev b 6.02 was found in higher concentrations than other NRL allergens in the products analysed. Hev b 5 content ranged from 0 to 9.2µg/g and hev b 6.02 from 0.09 to 61.5µg/g of sample. Hev b 1 levels were below the detection limit (DL) for 79% of the samples (15/19). Dental dams showed higher allergen levels (median: 80.91µg/g) in comparison to latex gloves (median: 11.34µg/g). Powdered rubber samples also showed higher allergen levels (median: 40.54µg/g) compared to non-powdered samples (median: 5.31µg/g). A statistically significant correlation was observed between total protein and total allergen (r=0.74, p<0.001) concentrations. Conclusion Natural rubber latex (NRL) allergen concentrations differ significantly by product and brand. This study has demonstrated that NRL allergens in latex containing products used in South African dental institutions are present at sufficiently high levels to pose an allergic health risk

Re-examining the Casuality between Capital Flight and Foreign Direct Investmen in Nigeria

The relationship between capital flight and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) has generated continuous debate in literature. This study aims at providing quantitative analysis of cointegration and causality between capital flight and FDI in Nigeria from 1985 to 2015. The study employed secondary data which was obtained from Statistical bulletin of Central Bank of Nigeria and data base of World Bank.The data obtained were subjected to Units root test, Co-integration test and Pair–Wise test of Granger Causality. The findings of co-integration revealed that the estimated equation and the series are co-integrated. The Granger-Causality test shows that there is no bi-directional causality between FDI and Capital Flight in Nigeria.The study concludes that the success to curtail capital flight in Nigeria is to improve level of infrastructural facilities in the country which can facilitate increase in domestic investment and also attract FDI. It is recommended that enhancing investment environment by minimizing the obstacles to doing economic activities, and increasing the effort against international financial crime will help reduce capital flight and improve FDI in Nigeria

Nuevo registro de siren intermedia (caudata: sirenidae) para el estado de Veracruz, México

The Lesser siren (Siren intermedia) is recorded for the first time in Tuxpan, for the second time in the state of Veracruz, and for the third time in Mexico. This finding increases the points of distribution of this species, previously reported from Matamoros and Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas and Gutierrez Zamora, Veracruz. This species has so far, a disjunct distribution in Mexico. La sirena menor (Siren intermedia) es registrada por primera vez en Tuxpan, por segunda vez en el estado de Veracruz y por tercera vez en México. Este hallazgo incrementa los puntos de  distribución de la especie, previamente informada para Matamoros y Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas y Gutiérrez Zamora, Veracruz. Hasta donde se sabe, esta especie tiene una distribución disyunta en México

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Fresh-blood-free diet for rearing malaria mosquito vectors

Mosquito breeding depends on the supply of fresh vertebrate blood, a major bottleneck for large-scale production of Anopheles spp. Feeding alternatives to fresh blood are thus a priority for research, outdoor large-cage trials and control interventions. Several artificial meal compositions were tested and Anopheles oogenesis, egg laying and development into the next generation of adult mosquitoes were followed. We identified blood-substitute-diets that supported ovarian development, egg maturation and fertility as well as, low progeny larval mortality, and normal development of offspring into adult mosquitoes. The formulated diet is an effective artificial meal, free of fresh blood that mimics a vertebrate blood meal and represents an important advance for the sustainability of Anopheles mosquito rearing in captivity.Agência financiadora / Número do subsídio Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation OPP1138841 Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia GHTM - UID/Multi/04413/201 CCMAR - UID/Multi/04326/2013 UID/Multi/04326/2013 RF SFRH/BPD/89811/2012 FAPEAM, Brazil 19716.UNI472.2459.20022014info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Search for chargino-neutralino production with mass splittings near the electroweak scale in three-lepton final states in √s=13 TeV pp collisions with the ATLAS detector

A search for supersymmetry through the pair production of electroweakinos with mass splittings near the electroweak scale and decaying via on-shell W and Z bosons is presented for a three-lepton final state. The analyzed proton-proton collision data taken at a center-of-mass energy of √s=13  TeV were collected between 2015 and 2018 by the ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 139  fb−1. A search, emulating the recursive jigsaw reconstruction technique with easily reproducible laboratory-frame variables, is performed. The two excesses observed in the 2015–2016 data recursive jigsaw analysis in the low-mass three-lepton phase space are reproduced. Results with the full data set are in agreement with the Standard Model expectations. They are interpreted to set exclusion limits at the 95% confidence level on simplified models of chargino-neutralino pair production for masses up to 345 GeV

Search for new phenomena in final states with an energetic jet and large missing transverse momentum in pp collisions at √ s = 8 TeV with the ATLAS detector

Results of a search for new phenomena in final states with an energetic jet and large missing transverse momentum are reported. The search uses 20.3 fb−1 of √ s = 8 TeV data collected in 2012 with the ATLAS detector at the LHC. Events are required to have at least one jet with pT > 120 GeV and no leptons. Nine signal regions are considered with increasing missing transverse momentum requirements between Emiss T > 150 GeV and Emiss T > 700 GeV. Good agreement is observed between the number of events in data and Standard Model expectations. The results are translated into exclusion limits on models with either large extra spatial dimensions, pair production of weakly interacting dark matter candidates, or production of very light gravitinos in a gauge-mediated supersymmetric model. In addition, limits on the production of an invisibly decaying Higgs-like boson leading to similar topologies in the final state are presente