The weird and the wonderful – The scientific study of a miniature mummy

A human-faced oddity purported to be a ‘human baby, animal mummy or fake’ constructed in an ancient Egyptian style, was analysed at the KNH Centre for Biomedical Egyptology, University of Manchester, UK. Radiographic analysis using conventional radiography (X-ray) and computed tomography (CT) highlighted the nature of the bundle contents and identified marked similarities to mummified animal remains from ancient Egypt. Small samples were analysed using microscopy, environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). ESEM was used to assess the homogeneity of the sample and the materials used in its construction. EDS was conducted for analysis of the elemental composition.Comparatively few miniature mummies of this type are known and they represent an intriguing area of mummy studies. The results of this research have allowed comparisons with contemporary human and animal mummies to be made.Based on residues of tin plating found on the underside of the mask, it is possible that this feature is a recent addition. Further analysis of the materials used in the construction of the artefact is required to ascertain if the mask is a contemporary feature

Establishment of immunohematological reference values among HIV sero-negative pregnant women at St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College (SPHMMC), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Background: Normal pregnancy is characterized by profound changes in almost every organ and system. Immunohematological parameters are important in clinical practice for the assessment of health and disease. Therefore, this study was aimed to establish immunohematological reference range among HIV sero-negative pregnant women. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among HIV sero-negative pregnant women at St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College  (SPHMMC), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 20/1-30/6/ 2016. Whole blood was collected and immunological and hematological parameters were measured  following the standard procedure. Data were entered in to Epi Info version 3.5, checked for completeness and exported to SPSS version 20 software for  analysis. The mean ± SD and 95% Confidence Interval (95% CI) values were calculated for different immunohematological parameters. Results: A total of 400 women with mean age ±SD (27.3 ±4.7) ranging from18-40 years were enrolled. The mean ± SD reference value of white blood cells count with 95% CI was 8.3 ±2.3 (8.1-8.6) x109 cells/L and for CD4+, CD8+, and CD4to CD8 ratio cells absolute count with 95% CI were 906 ±404 (867-946), 698± 378 (662-736) cell/μl, and 1.5±0.9 (1.4-1.6), respectively. The mean ± SD reference values for red blood cells count with 95% CI was 4.5±0.5(4.4-4.5) 1012/L, for hemoglobin 14±7.2(13.3-14.7) gm/dl, and for hematocrite was 39.5± 4(39-39.9). Conclusions: These values were lower than the one from developed countries but not lower than the one from other African studies. It suggests the need for further large study.  Keywords: Immunohematological References, Pregnant Women, Reference Value

Impact Assesment of ionising Radiation on Wildlife

This is the Impact Assessment of ionising Radiation on Wildlife document produced by the Environment Agency in 2001. This report describes the behaviour and transport of radionuclides in the environment, considers the impact of ionising radiation on wildlife, and makes recommendations on an approach for the Impact assessment of ionising radiation on wildlife for England and Wales. The assessment approach focuses on three ecosystems representative of those considered potentially most at risk from the impact of authorised radioactive discharges, namely a coastal grassland (terrestrial ecosystem); estuarine and freshwater ecosystems. The likely scale of the impact on wildlife is also assessed in light of a preliminary analysis based on this assessment approach. The report demonstrates the behaviour and transfer of radionuclides in a number of different ecosystem types. Particular emphasis is placed on exposure pathways in those ecosystems most likely to be impacted by the authorised discharges of radioactivity within England and Wales. The use of biomarker techniques is reviewed in the report, and their application to the study of exposure to multiple contaminants is discussed

UTILIZATION OF LONG ACTING AND PERMANENT FAMILY PLANNING METHODS AMONG WOMENS VISITING FAMILY PLANNING CLINIC IN ARBA MINCH HOSPITAL.

Background: maternal health improvement is dependent on availability and utilizations of reproductive health services including family planning. Family planning is assumed to prevent 187 million unintended pregnancies and nearly 60 million unplanned births. This study aimed to assess the utilization of long acting family planning methods in Arba Minch Hospital. Methods: Health facility based cross-sectional was conducted in Arba Minch Town. The study included women of reproductive age who were visiting Arba Minch General hospital. Data was collected by interviewer administered questionnaire and analyzed by SPSS software version 20. Results: One hundred forty four (88.88%) of the respondents took FP methods during the study. From these women most 88(61.15%) of them took Depo-Provera. In this study utilization of long acting family planning methods was 22.9%.   The commonly used long acting methods were IUCD 5.55% and Implanon 17.3%. Conclusion and Recommendations: utilization of long acting family planning methods in the study area was low. Increasing the awareness and resolving the perception of clients on wrong assumption need to be corrected through health education. Key words: long acting methods, utilizations, reproductive health, Arba Minch, Ethiopia

Agreement between direct fluorescent microscopy and Ziehl-Neelsen concentration techniques in detection of pulmonary tuberculosis in northwest Ethiopia

Background: The sensitivity of smear microscopy for diagnosis of tuberculosis might be improved through treatment of sputum with sodium hypochlorite and application of fluorescent microscopy. This study aimed to determine the agreement between direct Fluorescent Microscopy and Ziehl-Neelsen concentration technique by their ability of detecting acid fast bacilli in resource poor settings.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted at Gondar University Referral Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia. Three sputum specimens were collected from consecutive TB suspects. Direct and concentrated sputum smears were air-dried, heat-fixed and stained by auramine O and Ziehl-Neelsen staining techniques respectively. The stained slides were examined for acid fast bacilli using direct Fluorescent Microscopy and Ziehl-Neelsen concentration techniques.Results: Of 293 specimens, 4.4% and 2.4 % were AFB positive by direct fluorescent microscopy and Ziehl-Neelsen bleach concentrated techniques respectively. There was high percentage of tuberculosis positivity from early morning sputum samples (2.4%) compared to first spot (1.4%) and second spot (1.7%) sputum samples when using Ziehl-Neelsen sodium hypochlorite concentration technique. A moderate agreement was seen between the two methods (Kappa=0.484, P value<0.001).Conclusion: Direct fluorescent microscopy has shown high positivity rate compared to Ziehl-Neelsen concentration technique. A moderate agreement was seen between the two methods. Thus, Ziehl-Neelsen bleach sedimentation technique is recommended for detection of pulmonary tuberculosis at peripheral health service level when Fluorescent Microscopy is not availableKeywords: Agreement, Direct Fluorescent Microscopy, Ziehl-Neelsen concentration, Tuberculosis, Ethiopi

Diffuse emission of organic trace gases from the flank and crater of a quiescent active volcano (Vulcano, Aeolian Islands, Italy)

Volcanoes discharge a range of inorganic major gas species (e.g., H2O, CO2, SO2, and CO) not only during eruptions but also during quiescent phases through fumarolic and diffuse degassing in their craters and on their flanks. The emission of organic trace gases from volcanoes is similarly not expected to be restricted to discrete fumarolic gas discharges alone. To test this hypothesis, we have sampled soil gas emissions for organic compounds and determined CO2 fluxes along a profile extending from the vegetated base of the active La Fossa cone (Vulcano Island, Italy) over the unvegetated volcanic flank and up into the crater rim and base and then continuing over fumarolic areas. The results indicate that the majority of volatile organic compounds in the soil gas show significant increases in concentration toward the crater and fumaroles and that diffuse emissions contribute significantly to the volcanic halocarbon source strength. Emissions of the halocarbon CFC-11 (CCl3F) correlate well with soil CO2 fluxes measured on site (R2 = 0.89, slope = 1.42 ± 0.1) and both increase toward the crater and fumaroles. Other ozone-depleting substances were found in concentrations significantly above those found in field and system blanks, including CH3Br, CH3Cl, CH3I, C2H5Br, and chlorinated benzenes. Abundances ranged from upper pptv to ppmv; for example, the maximum observed CFC-11 concentrations were 1200 pptv in diffuse emissions and 3700 pptv in dry fumarolic gas (average dry air is 268 pptv). On the basis of these results the natural volcanic source strength of halocarbon emissions to the atmosphere requires reevaluation, and in some cases, correction to higher values. Global average fumarolic and diffuse halocarbon source strengths were estimated and scaled to known global volcanic fumarolic and diffuse CO2 flux data. Among these were CFC-11 (8.56 ± 4.7 × 10-6 Tg y-1), CH3Br (0.98 ± 0.47 × 10-6 Tg y-1) CHCl3 (94.9 ± 27.6 × 10-6 Tg y-1), and CC14 (3.41 ± 1.0 × 10-6 Tg y-1). Copyright 2004 by the American Geophysical Union.Florian M. Schwandner, Terry M. Seward, Andrew P. Gize, P. Anthony Hall, and Volker J. Dietric

Interactions of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with mineral surfaces

The toxicity and ubiquitousness of PAHs within different terrestrial environments has been an increasing cause for concern amongst environmental scientists in the last decades, in particular regarding their transport within the soil. In an attempt to understand the role of pure inorganic phases in PAH-mobility; experiments exposing mineral soil components with low organic matter content to a PAH-representative were carried out. The systems consisted of four different mineral phases (quartz sand, hematite, iron coated quartz sand and montmorillonite) which were individually exposed to naphthalene in electrolyte solutions prepared at increasing ionic strengths (NaNO3: 0.001 M; 0.01 M; 0.1 M) and pH (4.0 and 5.5). All experiments were conducted over at 24 reaction intervals and at ambient temperature conditions.Mineral geosorbents are traditionally known to be poor PAH-scavengers; in particular when compared to organic, high surface area materials such as activated carbons. On this basis, a preliminary validation experiment (Proof of Concept Experiment) was conducted to test the sensitivity of the selected extraction method (SPME) under complete uptake (activated carbon) and very low uptake (quartz sand) conditions. By extracting and analysing the supernatant after 24 hr of exposure of both sorbents to naphthalene under identical conditions it was concluded that SPME was a feasible extraction technique, yielding good reproducibility (n=3, inter-day RSD%= 11.18% ) even at very low PAH concentrations (0.2 µg / L). The final concentration of naphthalene in the sample supernatant after 24 hours was determined by GC-FID. All samples were extracted using the Solid Phase Microextraction method developed during the Proof of Concept which allowed the rapid extraction of naphthalene in the headspace HS-SPME (extraction time = 3 minutes) using temperature control and ultrasonication as means of agitation. Each sample set included triplicates of blanks and samples as well as calibration standards (in duplicate where possible)Out of the four minerals, only quartz sand and hematite showed a slight tendency towards naphthalene removal from solution; a finding which correlated well with increasing ionic strength. The other two minerals did not show any such trend and the results were deemed inconclusive. In regards to the results for quartz and hematite; the detected uptake was found to be below the sensitivity of the current SPME extraction method according to the error analysis carried out by comparing the sample and blank means whilst accounting for error equal to 1σ. The overlapping of both means in the majority of the samples indicated that both averages were too close to be accurately resolved (due to very low naphthalene uptake). Modifications to the SPME method could improve the reproducibility and decrease the spread of the data; however, this measure would only guarantee higher statistical confidence (95 %) and not higher naphthalene uptake by these minerals. These observations lead to the conclusion that naphthalene was being salted out of solution rather than being removed by sorption; and under these experimental conditions it would not have been possible to detect any real PAH-mineral interaction. In view of this outcome, a different approach was attempted in order to detect surface reactions between the minerals and naphthalene. A series of preliminary (qualitative) surface analysis (AFM, XPS and ATR-FTIR) on pre-loaded mineral specimens were carried out in air at ambient temperature conditions. No naphthalene was positively identified on the surfaces of the studied sorbents. Factors such as molecular size, sorbents characteristics (i.e. roughness, surface charge) and loading conditions impeded the detection of the target molecules. Innovative sample preparation protocols as well as controlled analytical conditions would need to be implemented and evaluated before this kind of analytical tool can be used. The main outcome of this research work was the successful adaptation of SPME to the rapid extraction of naphthalene in electrolyte solutions at optimal and sub-optimal concentration levels; as the proof of concept preliminary experiment showed.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Establishment of Normal Reference Intervals for CD3 + , CD4 + , CD8 + , and CD4 + to CD8 + Ratio of T Lymphocytes in HIV Negative Adults from University of Gondar Hospital, North West Ethiopia

Background. Reference values for the CD3 + , CD4 + , CD8 + , and CD4 + to CD8 + ratio T lymphocyte subsets are adopted from textbooks. But for appropriate diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of patients, correct interpretations of the laboratory results from normal reference interval are mandatory. This study was, therefore, planned to establish normal reference interval for T lymphocytes subset count and CD4 + to CD8 + ratio. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted on apparently healthy adult individuals who visited voluntary counseling and HIV testing clinic Gondar University Hospital from April to May, 2013. Whole blood was analyzed using fluorescence-activated cell sorting (BD FACS, San Jose, CA) machine to enumerate the T-cell subpopulations. Results. Out of the total 320 study participants, 161 (50.3%) were men and 159 (49.7%) were women. The normal reference intervals were (655-2,823 cells/ L), (321-1,389 cells/ L), and (220-1,664 cells/ L) for CD3 + , CD4 + , and CD8 + T lymphocyte subsets, respectively, and CD4 + to CD8 + ratio was 0.5-2.5. Conclusion. The overall CD3 + T lymphocytes reference interval in the current study was wide; low CD4 + T lymphocytes, CD4 to CD8 ratio, and high CD8 + T lymphocytes values were observed

Regional versus local drivers of water quality in the Windermere catchment, Lake District, United Kingdom: the dominant influence of wastewater pollution over the past 200 years

Freshwater ecosystems are threatened by multiple anthropogenic stressors acting over different spatial and temporal scales, resulting in toxic algal blooms, reduced water quality and hypoxia. However, while catchment characteristics act as a ‘filter’ modifying lake response to disturbance, little is known of the relative importance of different drivers and possible differentiation in the response of upland remote lakes in comparison to lowland, impacted lakes. Moreover, many studies have focussed on single lakes rather than looking at responses across a set of individual, yet connected lake basins. Here we used sedimentary algal pigments as an index of changes in primary producer assemblages over the last~200 years in a northern temperate watershed consisting of 11 upland and lowland lakes within the Lake District, United Kingdom, to test our hypotheses about landscape drivers. Specifically, we expected that the magnitude of change in phototrophic assemblages would be greatest in lowland rather than upland lakes due to more intensive human activities in the watersheds of the former (agriculture, urbanization). Regional parameters, such as climate dynamics, would be the predominant factors regulating lake primary producers in remote upland lakes and thus, synchronize the dynamic of primary producer assemblages in these basins. We found broad support for the hypotheses pertaining to lowland sites as wastewater treatment was the main predictor of changes to primary producer assemblages in lowland lakes. In contrast, upland headwaters responded weakly to variation in atmospheric temperature, and dynamics in primary producers across upland lakes were asynchronous. Collectively, these findings show that nutrient inputs from point sources overwhelm climatic controls of algae and nuisance cyanobacteria, but highlights that large-scale stressors do not always initiate coherent regional lake response. Furthermore, a lake’s position in its landscape, its connectivity and proximity to point nutrients are important determinants of changes in production and composition of phototrophic assemblages

Geogenic and atmospheric sources for volatile organic compounds in fumarolic emissions from Mt. Etna and Vulcano Island (Sicily, Italy)

In this paper, fluid source(s) and processes controlling the chemical composition of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in gas discharges from Mt. Etna and Vulcano Island(Sicily, Italy) were investigated. The main composition of the Etnean and Volcano gas emissions is produced by mixing, to various degrees, of magmatic and hydrothermal components. VOCs are dominated by alkanes, alkenes and aromatics, with minor, though significant, concentrations of O-, S- and Cl(F)-substituted compounds. The main mechanism for the production of alkanes is likely related to pyrolysis of organic-matterbearing sediments that interact with the ascending magmatic fluids. Alkanes are then converted to alkene and aromatic compounds via catalytic reactions (dehydrogenation and dehydroaromatization, respectively). Nevertheless, an abiogenic origin for the light hydrocarbons cannot be ruled out. Oxidative processes of hydrocarbons at relatively high temperatures and oxidizing conditions, typical of these volcanic-hydrothermal fluids, may explain the production of alcohols, esters, aldehydes, as well as O- and S-bearing heterocycles. By comparing the concentrations of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) in the fumarolic discharges with respect to those of background air, it is possible to highlight that they have a geogenic origin likely due to halogenation of both methane and alkenes. Finally, chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) abundances appear to be consistent with background air, although the strong air contamination that affects the Mt. Etna fumaroles may mask a possible geogenic contribution for these compounds. On the other hand, no CFCs were detected in the Vulcano gases, which are characterized by low air contribution. Nevertheless, a geogenic source for these compounds cannot be excluded on the basis of the present data