Bayesian, Maximum Parsimony and UPGMA Models for Inferring the Phylogenies of Antelopes Using Mitochondrial Markers

This investigation was aimed to compare the inference of antelope phylogenies resulting from the 16S rRNA, cytochrome-b (cyt-b) and d-loop segments of mitochondrial DNA using three different computational models including Bayesian (BA), maximum parsimony (MP) and unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA). The respective nucleotide sequences of three Oryx species (Oryx leucoryx, Oryx dammah and Oryx gazella) and an out-group (Addax nasomaculatus) were aligned and subjected to BA, MP and UPGMA models for comparing the topologies of respective phylogenetic trees. The 16S rRNA region possessed the highest frequency of conserved sequences (97.65%) followed by cyt-b (94.22%) and d-loop (87.29%). There were few transitions (2.35%) and none transversions in 16S rRNA as compared to cyt-b (5.61% transitions and 0.17% transversions) and d-loop (11.57% transitions and 1.14% transversions) while comparing the four taxa. All the three mitochondrial segments clearly differentiated the genus Addax from Oryx using the BA or UPGMA models. The topologies of all the gamma-corrected Bayesian trees were identical irrespective of the marker type. The UPGMA trees resulting from 16S rRNA and d-loop sequences were also identical (Oryx dammah grouped with Oryx leucoryx) to Bayesian trees except that the UPGMA tree based on cyt-b showed a slightly different phylogeny (Oryx dammah grouped with Oryx gazella) with a low bootstrap support. However, the MP model failed to differentiate the genus Addax from Oryx. These findings demonstrate the efficiency and robustness of BA and UPGMA methods for phylogenetic analysis of antelopes using mitochondrial markers

The Overlooked Risk Behaviors of Hepatitis B Virus among Medical and Nonmedical Undergraduate Students

Hepatitis B is the liver tissue inflammation that caused by a viral infection. It causes chronic disease and can be fatal due to cirrhosis and liver cancer. Overlooking the risk behaviors can significantly contribute to the spread of HBV. A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the risk-behaviors prevalence of HBV among undergraduate students and to examine its association among medical and nonmedical undergraduates. A questionnaire was randomly distributed to 200 students at Tishk International University, Erbil, Iraq. Demographic and HBV risk-behavior data were collected and analyzed by Chi-square. Linear regression examined the relationship between medical, nonmedical, and HBV risk behaviors. The results revealed that the most common risk-behaviors for HBV among students were sharing nail cutters (79%), sharing razors (55.5%), body piercing (51%), and sharing toothbrushes (23%). However, those risk behaviors varied by gender. Unexpectedly, there was a significant association between some risk-behaviors for hepatitis B and medical students, particularly in pharmacy and nursing departments. Nonmedical students showed fewer risk behaviors than those in pharmacy and nursing departments. The behavioral risk incidence of pharmacy and nursing students was significant in sharing razors (p≤ 0.005) (p≤0.033) and sharing nail cutters (p≤0.000) (p≤0.000) respectively. This study concludes that the transmission of hepatitis B is most likely among undergraduate students due to the overlooked risk behaviors of HBV, and lack of knowledge or awareness. An awareness program is crucial particularly for those in the medical field who may have an impact on other people's lives. Additionally, vaccination against HBV infection is needed to control its transmission and reduce its spread

Uncovering the Smoking Habits of Undergraduate University Students: A Comprehensive Assessment of different varieties Tobacco Use

Tobacco use is a prevalent and serious global health issue, causing significant morbidity and mortality. Every year, over 5 million people worldwide die due to tobacco use. This research aims to comprehensively assess tobacco use, including the types of smoking, such as hookah and other varieties, among undergraduate students. A cross-sectional study was conducted using a questionnaire survey to investigate students' attitudes towards different types of smoking. The questionnaire included demographic information in the first section, while the second section consisted of questions related to students' smoking behaviors. The data revealed that 59.33% of students smoked tobacco daily and started smoking at a young age. The most common tobacco products consumed were manufactured cigarettes (64.66%) and hookah (50%), while vaping or electronic cigarette use was 26%. A total of 70% of students noticed health warnings on cigarette packages, with 50.66% of them attempting to quit smoking, while 64% never considered quitting. Males were found to smoke more than females, with a ratio of 6:1 (85.3% and 14.7%, respectively), possibly influenced by various social, cultural, environmental, and developmental factors. The results also indicated that the majority of students who smoked lived in urban areas with their families, suggesting a significant association between family smoking and students' smoking behavior. Despite health warnings on cigarette packages, students did not seriously consider quitting smoking, indicating an increasing trend of smoking varieties and a significant public health concern, particularly among university students. More effective policies are needed to control smoking and raise awareness about its detrimental health effects among the public

Modification of Montmorillonite by new surfactants.

The sodium Montmorillonite is not susceptible to polymer due to its organophobic character and has low basal spacing. This study reports on the effect of three new organic cations including Triethyl Amine (TEA), Tripropyl Amine (TPA) and Trioctyl Amine (TOA) on the basal spacing of the clay as indictors to the sociability of the clay to the incorporation of polymers. The Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to evaluate the incorporation of the three organic cations in the clay. The X-ray diffraction technique was utilized to indicate the basal spacing of the treated clay as a measure of the susceptibility of new organoclays. The FTIR, XRD and CHNS elemental analysis results shown that the three new organic cations acrylonitrile/montmorillonite were successfully incorporated in the Montmorollite clay. X-ray diffraction indicates that the basal spacings in acrylonitrile/montmorillonite of the treated clay with TEA, TPA and TOA individually increased by 14.2, 15.1 and 19.5Å, respectively. FTIR spectra illustrate that amine compounds were successfully intercalated into the clay layers

Unraveling The Link Between Lymphopenia And Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Implications For Disease Severity And Potential Treatment Strategies

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by chronic inflammation that can potentially impact any body part. Lymphopenia, abnormal low lymphocyte numbers, are frequently observed in individuals with active SLE. This short review examines the correlation between lymphopenia and SLE. Databases of Scopus, PubMed, Elsevier, Wiley, and Google Scholar were searched for related publicationS. The results showed that lymphopenia is correlated with disease severity in SLE patients. The underlying mechanism is unclear, but it may be due to increased apoptosis of lymphocytes and the autoantibodies production that target lymphocyte surface receptors. Various therapies, including immunosuppressive, corticosteroids, and antiangiogenic agents, have been used for SLE management. However, their efficacy is varied in SLE patients with lymphopenia. These therapies may improve lymphocyte counts and disease vigorousity. Lymphopenia has been found to be linked with several factors in SLE patients, including lupus nephritis, higher steroid doses, cyclophosphamide uses and complement depletion. In SLE, abnormal angiogenesis has been linked to the disease pathogenesis. Thus, angiogenesis therapy for SLE selectively targeted the process of abnormal blood vessel growth that is associated with SLE. In summary, lymphopenia may serve as an indicator of disease severity, however, further studies are required to explore the efficacy of targeted and non-targeted therapies in managing SLE patients with lymphopenia

Synthesis and characterization of fatty hydroxamic acids from triacylglycerides

In this study, fatty haydroxamic acids (FHAs), which have biological activities as antibiotics and antifungal, have been synthesized via refluxing of triacylglycrides, palm olein, palm stearin or corn oil with hydroxylamine hydrochloride. The products were characterized using the complex formation test of hydroxamic acid group with zinc(I), copper(II) and iron(III), various technique methods including nuclear magnetic resonance ((1)H NMR) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Parameters that may affect the conversion of oils to FHAs including the effect of reaction time, effect of organic solvent and effect of hydro/oil molar issue were also investigated in this study. Results of characterization indicate that FHAs were successfully produced from triacylglycrides. The conversion percentages of palm stearin, palm olein and corn oil into their fatty hydroxamic acids are 82, 81 and 78, respectively. Results also showed that hexane is the best organic solvent to produce the FHAs from the three oils used in this study. The optimum reaction time to achieve the maximum conversion percentage of the oils to FHAs was found to be 10 hours for all the three oils, while the optimum molar ration of hydro/to oil was found to be 7:1 for all the different three oils

Depression, Anxiety and Stress Level among University Students of Class Reentry Post Covid-19 Pandemic

Since the breakdown of the COVID-19, tertiary education in Malaysia is still using online classes. Returning to normal study routines might have some positive effects or opposite and causes anxiety for other students as with class reentry. Therefore, this study is evaluating the depression, anxiety, and stress in reentry classes of university students post covid-19 from all over Malaysia. Observational study was conducted using online questionnaire that was developed by adapting the Patient Health questionnaire (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7), and Perceived stress scale (PSS). The results show higher levels of anxiety and perceived stress among Malaysian university students towards class reentry which causes moderate depression. The findings revealed a significant correlation between depression, anxiety, and perceived stress. Thus, policies should be implemented by educational institutions and instructors to help understand the students’ mental strain and deal with future pandemic to overcome students’ anxiety and emotional distress

Potential Therapeutic and Effective Properties of Soft Tissue Liners

Soft tissue liners are polymer materials between the oral tissue and the surface of the denture. They have an essential role in reducing the effect of the masticatory force on the oral mucosa. This short review gleaned data on soft tissue liners to highlight their potential therapeutic importance in the management of denture-related stomatitis and their comparison to other materials. Published articles in many databases were collected using keywords with soft liner properties, viscoelastic, dental materials, impression technique, and additive liner materials. The soft liners were compared to the viscoelastic oral mucosa, and their influences on the control of denture plaque were highlighted too. Their application in the treatment of denture-related stomatitis, as well as adhesion and biofilm formation, was highlighted. The result showed that soft tissue liners have high therapeutic efficacy and effective properties in treating denture stomatitis due to the incorporation of chlorhexidine, antifungal, and antimicrobial agents. The use of soft liners improved ridge resorption and had a crucial effect on the loss of denture fit and stability. In addition, soft tissue liners in combination with additive materials recovered the effect of saliva on the formation and adhesion of biofilm. Uniquely, the application of soft liners in the functional impression technique was ideal, due to their extensive physical properties, their viscoelasticity, and the immediate poured impression. Therefore, soft liners are highly recommended in many dental conditions such as dentures opposing natural dentition, resorption of irregular bone, immediate implant placement, tooth undercuts, oral mucosa atrophy, bruxism, and xerostomia