Selection of highly virulent entomopathogenic fungal isolates to control the greenhouse aphid species in Iraq

Abstract Aphids are one of the major insect pests of greenhouses and field crops worldwide. Several species of entomopathogenic fungi (EPF), including Lecanicillium spp. Beauveria bassiana, Isaria fumosorosea and Metarhizium anisopliae, have been developed commercially to control aphid species. However, there are no commercial products based on EPF that have been registered in Iraq. This study, therefore, was conducted to evaluate the virulence of four isolates of EPF, including, B. bassiana, Lecanicillium lecanii, M. anisopliae and Chaetomium globosum to select the highly virulent ones against the greenhouse aphids. Although the isolate of L. lecanii had the highest virulence against all tested aphid species in the laboratory bioassay, Myzus persicae Sulz and Aphis gossypii Gloy were more susceptible than Aphis fabae and Macrosiphum euphorbiae to infection with L. lecanii. Mortality caused by L. lecanii 7 days post-treatment with 108 conidia ml−1 was 100%. Further experiments in the greenhouses showed that L. lecanii significantly reduced the density of both M. persicae and A. gossypii 5 days after fungal applications. This isolate shows a promise for development of an alternative control agent against M. persicae and A. gossypii in Iraq

Effect of N- carbamylglutamate and feeding level on amino acids and biochemical parameters in goats

The effect of feed additive N- carbamylglutamate (NCG) with different feeding levels on some biochemical parameters and amino acids in the serum of goats was investigated. Thirty male goats aged 10-11 months were distributed into three levels of concentrate 70%, 50%, and 30% with or without N- carbamylglutamate (NCG) in a 2×3 factorial experiment/ Completely Randomized Design (CRD). After 77 days of individual feeding, jugular blood was sampled before morning feeding. The results showed that additive NCG with high concentrate (70%) led to a decrease (P<0.01) in total blood protein, triglycerides, and globulins, and a decrease (P<0.05) for creatinine, uric acid, and VLDL. Blood magnesium increased (P<0.01) with NCG of low concentrate (30%) treatment, while phosphor increased with NCG of 50% concentrate treatment. Calcium increased with all NCG treatments. The results of adding N- carbamylglutamate with high roughage led to a negative effect on blood amino acids. In conclusion, increasing roughage feeding without NCG is the best for blood homeostasis, and don't use N- carbamylglutamate without non-protein nitrogen additives.Keywords: Amino acids, blood traits, N-carbamylglutamate, feeding level

Effect of N- carbamylglutamate and feeding level on amino acids and biochemical parameters in goats

The effect of feed additive N- carbamylglutamate (NCG) with different feeding levels on some biochemical parameters and amino acids in the serum of goats was investigated. Thirty male goats aged 10-11 months were distributed into three levels of concentrate 70%, 50%, and 30% with or without N- carbamylglutamate (NCG) in a 2×3 factorial experiment/ Completely Randomized Design (CRD). After 77 days of individual feeding, jugular blood was sampled before morning feeding. The results showed that additive NCG with high concentrate (70%) led to a decrease (P<0.01) in total blood protein, triglycerides, and globulins, and a decrease (P<0.05) for creatinine, uric acid, and VLDL. Blood magnesium increased (P<0.01) with NCG of low concentrate (30%) treatment, while phosphor increased with NCG of 50% concentrate treatment. Calcium increased with all NCG treatments. The results of adding N- carbamylglutamate with high roughage led to a negative effect on blood amino acids. In conclusion, increasing roughage feeding without NCG is the best for blood homeostasis, and don't use N- carbamylglutamate without non-protein nitrogen additives.Keywords: Amino acids, blood traits, N-carbamylglutamate, feeding level

IMPROVING SOLUBILITY OF METHOTREXATE BY SOILD DISPERSION

 Objective: Methotrexate (MTX) is a folate antimetabolite used for the management of neoplastic diseases like leukemia and breast cancer, Methotrexate also used in the treatment of psoriasis as well as rheumatoid arthritis. The goal of this research was to improving the solubility and dissolution profile of methotrexate solid dispersion by using different polymers.  Method: A total six formulas were prepared as solid dispersion of methotrexate by solvent evaporation method by using polyethylene glycol (PEG -4000) and poly Vinyl pyrolidone (PVP- K30) as polymeric solubilizer in ratio (1:1,1:2,1:4), Then the solid dispersion of methotrexate were evaluated by solubility test, permeability test and FTIR study . Result: All six solid dispersion formulas showed a significant improvement in the solubility of methotrexate, and the formulations demonstrated improved in the rate of drug release of approximately 99.8±0.9 within 60 min. FTIR study for F3 and F6 show no drug-excipients interaction . Conclusion: Methotrexate was successfully enhanced its water solubility by using solid dispersion

A modified effective path length for predicting rain attenuation based on measurements in Penang-Malaysia

A modification to an effective path length for predicting rain attenuation in Malaysia is proposed in this paper. Due to the scarcity of actual signal measurements at higlh frequencies-bands in tropical climates make predicted models are key resource for generating rain attenuation. A modification to calculate the effective path length is introduced in the original model. A control parameter rb.o is also induced based on the rain intensity variations along the slant path. A new value is suggested according to measurements in Malaysia. The results showed that modified rain attenuation model has significantly improved the rain attenuation prediction in Malaysi

A modified effective path length for predicting rain attenuation based on measurements in Penang-Malaysia

A modification to an effective path length for predicting rain attenuation in Malaysia is proposed in this paper. Due to the scarcity of actual signal measurements at high frequencies-bands in tropical climates make predicted models are key resource for generating rain attenuation. A modification to calculate the effective path length is introduced in the original model. A control parameter rho is also induced based on the rain intensity variations along the slant path. A new value is suggested according to measurements in Malaysia. The results showed that modified rain attenuation model has significantly improved the rain attenuation prediction in Malaysia

Thigh-length compression stockings and DVT after stroke

Controversy exists as to whether neoadjuvant chemotherapy improves survival in patients with invasive bladder cancer, despite randomised controlled trials of more than 3000 patients. We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the effect of such treatment on survival in patients with this disease

Mapping of infection prevention and control education and training in some countries of the World Health Organization’s Eastern Mediterranean Region: current situation and future needs

Abstract Background A strong understanding of infection prevention and control (IPC) procedures and comprehensive training among healthcare workers is essential for effective IPC programs. These elements play a crucial role in breaking the chain of nosocomial infections by preventing the transmission of resistant organisms to patients and staff members. This study mapped the components of IPC education and training across various member states of the World Health Organization (WHO) in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) at national, academic, and healthcare institutional levels. Methods A self-administered structured online questionnaire based on the WHO “Core Component 3” of IPC programs at the national and acute healthcare facility levels (IPC education and training) was given to national IPC focal persons in each of the WHO’s EMR countries between February and March 2023. Results From 14 of the 22 countries,15 IPC persons participated in the survey. Most countries have scattered nonhomogeneous IPC education programs in human health undergraduate majors without considering it a standalone module. Academic institutions are rarely involved, and elaborate and predefined undergraduate IPC education programs provided by universities are present in 21.4% of the countries. In 71.4% of these countries, postgraduate training targeting IPC professionals is provided by national IPC teams, primarily based on national IPC guidelines developed with the aid of the WHO. Generally, healthcare worker training relies heavily on healthcare facilities in 92.9% of the countries, rather than on a national training program. In 42.9% of the countries, practicing IPC physicians are not necessarily specialists of infectious disease or medical microbiologists and IPC nurses are not required to specialize in IPC. However, nonspecialized IPC professionals are expected to undergo training upon employment and before beginning practice. Nongovernmental organizations such as the WHO play a significant role in IPC education and in supporting national IPC authorities in establishing national IPC guidelines, as it is the case in 78.6% of these countries. Conclusion Clear disparities exist in IPC education and training across different countries in the WHO’s EMR. Establishing a regional scientific network specializing in IPC would help bridge the existing gaps and standardize this education within individual countries and across countries in the region. This region needs to establish IPC certification standards and standardized education curricula