Heart function and hemodynamic analysis for zebrafish embryos

The Zebrafish has emerged to become a powerful vertebrate animal model for cardiovascular research in recent years. Its advantages include easy genetic manipulation, transparency, small size, low cost, and the ability to survive without active circulation at early stages of development. Sequencing the whole genome and identifying ortholog genes with human genome made it possible to induce clinically relevant cardiovascular defects via genetic approaches. Heart function and disturbed hemodynamics need to be assessed in a reliable manner for these disease models in order to reveal the mechanobiology of induced defects. This effort requires precise determination of blood flow patterns as well as hemodynamic stress (i.e., wall shear stress and pressure) levels within the developing heart. While traditional approach involves time-lapse brightfield microscopy to track cell and tissue movements, in more recent studies fast light-sheet fluorescent microscopes are utilized for that purpose. Integration of more complicated techniques like particle image velocimetry and computational fluid dynamics modeling for hemodynamic analysis holds a great promise to the advancement of the Zebrafish studies. Here, we discuss the latest developments in heart function and hemodynamic analysis for Zebrafish embryos and conclude with our future perspective on dynamic analysis of the Zebrafish cardiovascular system.We would like to thank to Qatar University Biomedical Research Center team for the study; Dr. Asma Alhani, Dr. Gheeyath Nasral-lah, Ms. Sahar IsaDas, Dr. Hany Mady, Dr. Hadi Yassine, Dr. Nahla Eltai for scientific support; and Ms. Naiema Al-Meer, Ms. Maria Khalid Smatti, and Ms. Fadheela Mohammad for administrative support. This research was supported by Qatar University internal grants (QUST-BRC-SPR\2017-1 and QUUG-BRC-2017-3 to H.C.Y.).Scopu

Effect Of Dermestes Maculatus On The Nutritional Qualities Of Two Edible Insects ( Oryctes Boas And Rhynchophorus Phoenicis )

This study aimed to assess the effect on nutritional composition of two 'Edible Insects' (Larva of Oryctes boas and Rhynchophorus phoenicis ) after infestation by Dermestes maculatus . The study was done over a period of six weeks by subjecting these edible insects to different conditions of storage (using pepper and salt). The assessment was based on weight and proximate analysis differences before and after infestation under these media of storage. The larva of Oryctes boas in the container with salt as preservative had the least weight loss (from 30.00 + .0000 ± 39.70 + .3000 ± 36.30 + 1.000), followed by the container with pepper as preservative (from 30.00 + .0000 ±31.05 + 5.000 ± 25.25 + .1500) while the highest weight loss occurred in the container without preservative constituents (from 30.00 + .0000 ± 30.30 + 1.000 ± 21.15 + 5.000). Likewise, the larva of Rhynchoporus phoenicis in the container with salt as preservative constituent had the least weight difference of (16.00 + .0000 ± 20.80 + .0000± 13.65 + .1500); followed by the container with pepper as preservative (from 16.00 + .0000 ± 16.40 + 1.000± 6.700 + .2000), while the highest weight loss occurred in the container without preservative (from 16.00 + .0000 ± 7.850 + 5.000 ± 6.300 + .0000). The mortality rate of Dermestes maculatus was also determined, showing that the larva of Oryctes boas and Rhynchophorus phoenicis containing salt as preservative had the highest mortality rate of 60% and 80%, respectively, followed by that containing pepper as preservative having 20% and 30% respectively, and that containing no preservative constituent had no mortality rate. It was concluded that, Dermestes maculatus’ infestations on the larva of edible insects showed a difference in the proximate analysis of these edible insects before and after infestation. Therefore, it was suggested that edible insects should be well dried and locally preserved with salt and pepper

Malaria and Typhoid as a Cause of Febrile Illness Amongst People Attending Redeemer’s Camp Centre in Mowe, Ogun State, Nigeria

MedMalaria parasites and salmonella species co-infection are mostly implicated amidst all other aeteological factors. Consequently, these life-threatening illnesses manifest slightly similar clinical symptoms, thus, the need to investigate febrile conditions among attendees of an  interdenominational religious retreat. Demographic data were obtained using structured questionnaire while blood was screened for malaria parasites and Salmonella typhiO and H antibodies. Out of the 445 patients that attended the clinic during their camping on account of fever, 219 (49.2%) were males and 226 (50.8%) were females. 169 (38%) was diagnosed of having malaria, 116 (26%) had typhoid and 57 (12%) had both malaria and typhoid. Malaria incidence was noted to be highest among children less than 10 years constituting about 12%, while typhoid was most seen in the age group of 41-50 years constituting 5.8%. Salmonella typhi and Plasmodium falciparum specie constituted significant etiological importance in malaria and typhoid patients. However, gender had no significant value effect on the result of malaria and widal test. Keywords: Plasmodium, Salmonella, co-infection, fever, blood

In-vitro Antimicrobial Efficacy of Carex Powerful Antiseptic Liquid

The Paterson Zochonis Industries in Lagos, Nigeria recently produced Carex Powerful Antiseptic Liquid, which was investigated for antimicrobial activities against common human skin pathogenic bacteria, yeasts and a dermatophyte including Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Malassezia furfur, Candida albicans and Trichophyton mentagrophytes. The microbes were challenged in-vitro with 0.7% and undiluted Carex antiseptic liquids for a period between 30 seconds and 120 seconds and the microbial cell reduction rates were determined at every 30 seconds contact by time kill test. Both diluted and undiluted Carex antiseptic liquids produced 100% reduction in all the microbial cells tested except Pseudomonas aeruginosa in which 62% and 100% cell reductions were observed for diluted and undiluted Carex antiseptic liquids respectively within 30 seconds of contact time. It is concluded that Carex Powerful Antiseptic liquid made by the PZ Industries has antimicrobial activities but its non-toxicity to human skin should be proven by subjecting the preparation to clinical trial. Keywords: Carex Antiseptic Liquid, Time Kill Test. Nigerian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences Vol. 7 (2) 2008: pp. 44-5