Exploring gender-wise, sector-wise, and grade-wise difference among secondary school students’ reading habits

This study was conducted to examine students’ perceptions regarding reading habits and to explore gender-wise, sector-wise, and grade-wise differences in secondary school students’ reading habits. The students (N=538) who participated in this cross-sectional survey were selected through a non-proportional stratified random sampling technique from district Lahore. The researchers developed a questionnaire comprised of four subscales (perceptions, purpose, preferences, and problems in reading) to measure students reading habits. They ensured the validity of the instrument from experts and calculated the reliability that was Cronbach’s alpha=0.802. Data were analyzed by using different statistical techniques (mean, standard deviation, and independent samples t-tests). The results of descriptive statistics indicated that students gave more preferences to reading than perceptions about reading, the purpose of reading, and problems in reading. However, the least contributing factor was problems in reading. Whereas the findings of independent samples t-tests showed a significant difference in students’ perceptions about reading habits based on gender and class. However, an insignificant difference was found in students’ perception of reading habits based on sector-wise (public and private) schools. Books of students’ interests may be provided in libraries to encourage them to read. Moreover, teachers may also arrange more reading activities to enhance students’ reading skills

Acaricidal activity of Foeniculum vulgare against Rhipicephalus annulatus is mainly dependent on its constituent from trans-anethone

Globally, the economic losses due to hard ticks infestation and the control of the associated diseases have been calculated at USD $13.9-18.7 billion per year. The economic impact is related to its direct damage to the skins, blood loss, anemia, severe immunological reactions and indirect losses that related to the effects of hemoparasites, cost of treatment for clinical cases and expenses incurred in the control of ticks. The current study evaluated the acaricidal activities of fennel Foeniculum vulgare essential oil and its main components; trans-anethole and fenchone; against R. annulatus. GC-MS analysis revealed that this oil contained 16 components representing 99.9% of the total identified compounds with E-anethole being the predominant component(64.29%), followed by fenchone (9.94%). The fennel oil and trans-anethole showed significant acaricidal activities. The LC50 of the fennel oil was attained at concentrations of 12.96% for adult ticks and 1.75% for tick larvae meanwhile the LC50 of trans-anethole was reached at concentrations of 2.36% for adult tick and 0.56% for tick larvae. On the contrary, fenchone showed no any significant adulticidal activities and its LC50 attained at a concentration of 9.11% for tick larvae. Regarding repellence activities, trans-anethole achieved 100% repellency at the concentration of 10% while fennel showed 86% repellency at the same concentration. Fenchone showed no repellency effect. Treatment of larvae with fennel, trans-anethole, and fenchone LC50 concentrations significantly inhibited the acetylcholinesterase activity. Meanwhile, glutathione s-transferase activity was significantly decreased in fennel treated larvae but no significant effect was found in the larvae of trans-anethole and fenchone groups. These results indicate that the acaricide effect of fennel oil may attributed to its high content of trans-anethole. This was supported by potent adulticidal, larvicidal, and repellency effects of trans-anethole against Rhipeciphalus annulatus tick and therefore it could be included in the list of acaricide of plant origin

Prevalence and antimicrobial sensitivity of Escherichia coli and Salmonella species in field cases of rabbit intestinal coccidiosis treated with prebiotic

This study aimed to investigate the effect of prebiotic treatment on E. coli and Salmonella species during natural intestinal coccidiosis in rabbits. The experiment was conducted on 45 selected farm rabbits of which 15 were coccidian free (Negative control; NC, group) and 30 were naturally coccidian infected. The infected animals were allocated into two equal groups including positive control (PC) and prebiotic treated (PT) that were orally treated with prebiotic for 8 successive days. Fecal oocyst count was assessed daily during the course of treatment. Meanwhile, the PC group had a significantly high oocyst count (21.67×103 ± 0.82 OPG), with a significant increase in the prevalence of E. coli and Salmonella (86.7 % and 46.7 %, respectively). Moreover, the NC group remained coccidian free and exhibited E. coli infection only with no detection of salmonella isolates. Findings of in-vitro susceptibility testing showed that E. coli isolates were highly resistant to most of the tested antimicrobials while Salmonella isolates showed variable degrees of resistance. In conclusion, the prebiotic treatment significantly reduced the prevalence of E. coli and Salmonella infections coexisted with intestinal coccidiosis in naturally infected rabbits

Class II HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors targeting Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius

Staphylococcus pseudintermedius is a component of the normal flora of companion animals that contributes to opportunistic infections in dogs. Clinical isolates of S. pseudintermedius (chiefly methicillin-resistant S. pseudintermedius (MRSP)) have been identified that exhibit resistance to nearly all antibiotic classes. There is a need for new antibiotics that target novel pathways within resistant pathogens such as MRSP. A possible novel antibacterial target in Gram-positive cocci is class II HMG-CoA reductase (HMGR), a key enzyme present in the mevalonate pathway that is essential for bacterial survival. In this study we examined novel synthetic compounds that are potent inhibitors of bacterial HMGRs. The compounds inhibited growth, in low micromolar concentration, of clinical isolates of methicillin-sensitive S. pseudintermedius (MSSP) and MRSP via the broth microdilution assay. The MTS assay confirmed the most potent compound (6) wasnot toxic to different mammalian cell lines (up to 128 µM). A time-kill assay revealed this compound rapidly eradicates a high inoculum of MRSP within two hours. This study provides evidence that compound 6 is a promising agent that warrants further investigation as a novel treatment option for MRSP infections

Performance, behavior, and welfare of turkey poults reared under different housing conditions

Turkey's production is very profitable due to the growing demand for its products worldwide, however, poultry farming incurs significant economic losses throughout its production life cycle due to various stressors and high energy costs, particularly during the brooding period. Battery cages save housing space that can drastically reduce broodiness energy costs however, it can make birds suffer. Nowadays, Customers demand products derived from poultry reared in the optimal environment to ensure their welfare. However, the producers care about maximizing performance with the lowest production costs. This study was designed in a trial to reduce broodiness energy costs by rearing turkey poults in batteries and evaluate the performance, behavior, and welfare of caged and floor-reared birds. One thousand turkey poults were housed either on the floor or in battery post-hatching at a stocking density of 52 turkey poults/m2. Behaviors, body weight, weight gain, and some welfare indicators were studied. The results revealed that battery-reared turkey poults have significantly increased 4th week weight, weight gain, and cumulative weight gain. It also showed increased body care and drinking behavior, while eating behavior significantly decreased. Additionally, they have a better feather cleanliness score but were more stressed and fearful as indicated by longer tonic immobility (TI) duration, greater fluctuating asymmetry (FA) value of middle toe length, and increased sitting, latency to ambulate in open field test (OFT) as compared with floor reared ones. However, serum levels of cortisol or oxidative stress markers (MDA, GSH) as well as mortality % didn’t differ significantly among the two systems. In conclusion: using batteries in rearing turkey poults may be an applicable strategy to decrease broodiness energy costs, but with some welfare concerns

Medicinal Plants Reduce Neurodegeneration and Improve Memory in Induced Alzheimer’s Disease in Rat Model

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a devastating and debilitating neurological brain disorder that has a multifactorial nature associated with complex pathophysiology. Thus, concerns directed to develop alternative therapies which possess multifaceted action for treatment of AD. This article was aimed to compare efficacy of Moringaolifera (MO), ginkgo biloba (GB) and green tea (GT) extracts in managing induced Alzheimer’s disease in albino rat using behavioural, biochemical, and pathological alterations. Eighty five male Wistar rats weighing 80-120g were randomly divided into five groups (17 rats for each). Control (administered with distilled water), Alzheimer disease model (ADM, administered with AlCl3), ADM + MO (administered with AlCl3 and ethanolic extract of MO), ADM + GB (administered with AlCl3 and ethanolic extract of GB), and ADM + GT (administered with AlCl3 and ethanolic extract of and ethanolic extract of MO), ADM + GB (administered with AlCl3 and ethanolic extract of GB), and ADM + GT (administered with AlCl3 and ethanolic extract of GT). All treatments were administered daily by oral gavage and persisted for seventy consecutive days. On the 60th day of the experiment, all memory tests were performed. Then the rats were humanely sacrificed using diethyl ether anesthesia, and brain samples were collected.  Treatments with MO, GB, or GT successfully rescue Neuro-therapeutic abilities against AD. In addition, the used treatments restore the rats’ memory and cognitive performances in the Y-maze, novel objective recognition and Morris Water maze testes. In Conclusion, MO, GB, or GT may provide a more effective strategy to lessen neurodegeneration in AD

Pretreatment Hepatoprotective Effect of the Marine Fungus Derived from Sponge on Hepatic Toxicity Induced by Heavy Metals in Rats

The aim of this study was to evaluate the pretreatment hepatoprotective effect of the extract of marine-derived fungus Trichurus spiralis Hasselbr (TS) isolated from Hippospongia communis sponge on hepatotoxicity. Twenty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups (n=7). Group I served as −ve control, group II served as the induced group receiving subcutaneously for seven days 0.25 mg heavy metal mixtures, group III received (i.p.) TS extract of dose 40 mg for seven days, and group IV served as the protected group pretreated with TS extract for seven days as a protection dose, and then treated with the heavy metal-mixture. The main pathological changes within the liver after heavy-metal mixtures administrations marked hepatic damage evidenced by foci of lobular necrosis with neutrophilic infiltration, adjacent to dysplastic hepatocytes. ALT and AST measurements show a significant increase in group II by 46.20% and 45.12%, respectively. Total protein, elevated by about 38.9% in induction group compared to the −ve control group, in contrast to albumin, decreased as a consequence of metal administration with significant elevation on bilirubin level. The results prove that TS extract possesses a hepatoprotective property due to its proven antioxidant and free-radical scavenging properties

Genome wide analysis for the identification and characterization of Superoxide-dismutase gene family in Rosa chinensis ascertains the role of salinity-responsive RcMSD1 protein and its interaction with peroxyl radical

Abiotic stresses e.g., cold, heat, and salinity affect the quality and yield of Rosa chinensis, a well-known ornamental and medicinal plant. Previously, several attempts have been made to identify the genes that confer resistance to oxidative stressors. Superoxide-dismutase (SOD) is a crucial member of the class metalloenzyme that responds to abiotic stresses and protects plants by countering the reactive-oxygen species (ROS). In this genome-wide association study, the SOD gene family has been investigated in R. chinensis. Seven SOD genes, including three Cu/ZnSODs, two MnSODs, and two FeSODs were identified. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that RcSODs are divided into three clades; (i) CSDs (Cu/ZnSODs) (ii) FSDs (FeSODs) and MSDs (MnSODs). Most of the RcSODs exhibited different exons/introns distribution patterns. Motifs 3 and 5 are conserved in all RcSODs genes. The RNA-seq data analysis and qRT-PCR-based expression profiling indicated that RcSODs exhibit diverse responses under salt stress conditions. The RcCSD1, RcCSD3, and RcFSD3 are significantly up-regulated under salt stress conditions in roots and down-regulated in leaves. This data provides valuable information for further application and function of SODs in R. chinensis under abiotic stresses

Hookworm infection among patients with pulmonary tuberculosis: Impact of co-infection on the therapeutic failure of pulmonary tuberculosis

Objective/background: The aim of this study is to determine the rate of hookworm infection among patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) and to find out if there is a relation between hookworm infection and the therapeutic failure of pulmonary TB. Methods: We carried out a prospective, hospital-based study. The study included 231 naıve patients with pulmonary TB, consecutively. Patients were evaluated at the 4th month of therapy for persistence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. All patients had clinical evaluation, laboratory investigations (including sputum culture and stool microscopic examination), and imaging studies (abdominal ultrasonography and chest radiography). Results: The study population mean age was 42.7±13.9 years old with 26.8% of them 40 years old or more. Out of 231 patients, 133 (57.6%) were men. Therapeutic failure rate of pulmonary TB was 29.4%. Hookworm infection was diagnosed among 16.5% of patients and 27.7% had diabetes mellitus (DM). Using multivariate analysis, it was found that age of 40 years or more (odds ratio [OR] 8.4; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.7–41.3; p = .009), hookworm infection (OR 7.6; 95% CI 1.2–49.9; p = .034), and DM (OR 5.9; 1.2–28; p = .027) were independently associated with therapeutic failure of pulmonary TB among the study population with pulmonary TB. Conclusion: In conclusion, the rate of therapeutic failure of pulmonary TB is high. Besides older age and DM, hookworm infection can reduce the therapeutic response of pulmonary TB. Screening for and control of DM and hookworm infection among patients with pulmonary TB may improve their therapeutic response