Cyanobacteria cultivation using olive milling wastewater for bio-fertilization of celery plant

Olive milling wastewater is a major problem facing the Mediterranean countries producing olive oil like Egypt. In the present study, olive milling wastewater rich with organic phenolic compounds, macro and micro nutrients was used as growing media for cyanobacteria. The cyanobacteria were grown on wastewater to obtain two biofertilizers, one bioformulated from single culture of Spirulina platensis and the second from mixed culture of S. platensis, N. muscorum and A.oryzae. The produced biofertilizers, were applied on a sandy soil to grow celery plant under different levels (25, 50 and 75%) of the recommended chemical fertilizers, while the control did not receive any fertilizers in a greenhouse experiment at Giza Research station, Agricultural Research Center, Egypt during the summer season of 2018. Results indicated that application of biofertilizers led to a significant (p<0.05) increase in the height of plant, root and stem lengths over the control group. The number of leaves per plant as well as chlorophyll content were highest in the treatments of Bio-Mix 25 and 50%. Also, these treatments increased the total macro- and micro-nutrients of celery. There was very remarkable enhancement in some recorded sandy soil properties after harvest i.e., pH, total organic matter, total nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium by the treatments of Bio-Mix with 25 and 50%. The present study concluded that 1/4 or 1/2 of the recommended dose of NPK fertilizers could be saved for celery growth by using Bio-Mix product from cyanobacteria and olive milling wastewater as a promising eco-friendly bio-organic fertilizer

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Morphology of auditory canal of echidna (Tachy-glossus aculeatus)

The echidna is a monotreme a mammal that lay eggs and produces milk to nourish its young after hatching. Three short-beaked echidnas were used to study the morphology of their auditory canal. Three echidnas were dissected, two of them were x-rayed and samples for histological examination were taken from them before dissection. The echidna possesses neither an apparent ear pinna nor a tympanic bulla. The auditory canal begins at the bottom of the auditory groove, which is vertically situated and hid-den between the spikes of the head. It is hyaline cartilage in nature, and extends from the bottom of the auditory groove, running cranially; then after turning caudomedially. It ends at the slit-like external auditory opening of the skull. The epidermal layer of skin that lines the auditory canal is keratinized stratified squamous epithelium. The deep dermal layer is formed of dense connective tissue of collagen and elastic fibers with hair follicles and a few associated sebaceous and ceruminous glands. The results were discussed in the light of the ear evolution from reptiles to the early mammals (monotremes) and supported by 9 images

Some morphological studies on the jaw joint of the Australian saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus)

The saltwater crocodile is the largest of all living reptiles. It is also known and proved that it has the largest biting forces. The magnitude of the biting force exerted by the jaw leads to thoughts about the anatomical structure and construction of the jaw joint in this reptile. Thirteen skulls of the saltwater crocodile (C. porosus) were used for this study. Some skulls were used for X-raying and morphology, and the others for histological slides which were prepared from the articular cartilages, capsule and collateral ligaments. The quadrate/articular joint (jaw joint) was diarthroidal, formed by two articular surfaces, which were fibrocartilage in nature at the periphery of the articular surface, hyaline in the rest of the articular surface, and ossifies on reaching the underlying bone. The thick lateral and thin medial collateral ligaments were formed of collagenous fibers. An articular disc was missing in the crocodile quadrate/articular joint. The joint was surrounded by a complex massive group of muscles responsible for the firm closure and opening of the mouth. The results were supported by 10 images and 4 tables, and were discussed with other amphibians, domestic animals and man when needed

Some morphological studies on the wing and foot of the Southern Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius)

The cassowaries are ratites (flightless birds without a keel on their sternum). The wings and feet of a doubled-wattled or Southern cassowary used in this study were radio-graphed. Pieces of the quills and claws were processed for histological examination, and the wings and feet were cleaned to study the bones. The wings are small with only four long, slightly curved quills or remeges. Quills occurred in follicles, similar to the hair follicles of mammals. The shaft of a quill was for med by a central medulla consisting of a solid polygonal, non-nucleated cell mass surrounded by dense compact keratinized cells compressed to form a cortex. The wing skeleton was formed by the humerus, a thick radius paired with a thinner curved ulna, ulnar and radial carpals, carpometacapal, and three digits. The second digit bore a long curved claw. The skeleton of the foot was formed by the distal extremity of the tarsometatarsal, which had three articular surfaces (trochlea) representing the three digits (II, III, IV). The first digit was missing. The second digit consisted of 3 phalanges, the distal phalanx of which was a long tapering cone sheathed completely by a keratinous long straight claw (dagger-shaped). The third digit was the largest, and consisted of 4 phalanges. The fourth digit was longer than the second one and shorter than the third one, and had five phalanges. The gross anatomy described was supported by 8 images (x-rays, histology, and skeleton of the wings Morphology of the Wing and foot of the Southern cassowary Saber and Hassanin and feet) and discussed in comparison with other bird species