Effect of Bt-cottonseed meal feeding on performance, fermentation, ciliates population and microbial hydrolytic enzymes in lamb

Effect of the Bt- or conventional cottonseed meal was assessed as well as the performance, fermentation, ciliate protozoa population and microbial enzyme of lambs. Three feed mixture (FM, forage: concentrate ration of 35: 65) contained groundnut oilmeal (GNM), insect protected Btcottonseed meal (Bt-CM) or conventional whole cottonseed (C-CM) as protein source, were fed for 123 days to the control, C-CM and Bt-CM group of lambs, respectively. Whole seed meal Bt- and C-CM had similar nutrient composition. The Ca was higher while Zn content was lower in C-CM. Both CM had similar metabolizable energy (MJ/kg DM). Lambs of three groups had similar daily gain, DM intake and nutrient digestibility. Rumen fluid pH and TVFA were similar, while ammonia-N (mg/l) was higher (p<0.001) in control lambs. Cottonseed feeding eliminated (p<0.001) rumen protozoa; protozoa were 101.1, 59.0 and 39.6 ×104/ ml in rumen fluid respectively in control, C-CM and Bt-CM diet fed lambs. Rumen enzymes activities of xyalanase, β-glucosidase and β-xylosidase were similar, while Bt-CM feeding reduced (p=0.010) carboxymethyl cellulase (CMCase) activity by 47% and increased proteases activity by 22%. The study concludes that inclusion of Bt-CM produced pronounced defaunation with reduced rumen ammonia concentrations, which improved daily gain. Therefore, Bt-CM can be incorporated at 180 g/kg in lamb diet.Keywords: Cottonseed, genetically modified feed, performance, fermentation, rumen enzymesAfrican Journal of Biotechnology, Vol. 13(3), pp. 509-522, 15 January, 201

PENGUNAAN DANA ZAKAT PADA KORBAN COVID-19 PERSPEKTIF MAQASHID SYARIAH

Pandemi covid-19 yang terjadi di seluruh dunia termasuk Indonesia menjadikan seluruh aktifitas terhenti. Seketika aktifitas dibuat lumpuh termasuk aktifitas ekonomi. Dampak dari covid-19 ini membuat banyak karyawan yang di PHK, para pengusaha mikro harus gulung tikar, para pemberi jasa transportasi online dan ofline harus menahan derita karena tidak ada yang mengorder jasanya. Hal ini dikarenakan pemerintah membuat kebijakan stay et home atau PSBB untuk menghentikan rantai penyebaran virus covid-19 tersebut. Sehingga perlu adanya perhatian dari semua pihak, baik pemerintah maupun swasta terutama lembaga-lembaga sosial agar ambil bagian dalam penanganan masalah yang timbul sebab adanya pandemi covid-19 ini. Tujuan penelitian ini untuk mengetahui bagaimana peran lembaga amil zakat terhadap penggunaan dana zakat pada korban covid-19 dalam perspektif maqashid syariah. Metode dalam penelitian ini adalah penelitian deskriptif analisis. Data yang digunakan adalah data sekunder dan teknik pengumpulan data adalah studi literatur. Hasil kajian menunjukan bahwa penggunaan dana zakat untuk penanganan covid-19 sudah sesuai dengan syariah dan maqashid syariah. Dimana dana zakat yang disalurkan pada masa pandemi covid-19 ini membuat para penerima manfaat menjadi tertolong. Dan dana zakat yang diberikan sangat besar manfaatnya dan membawa kemaslahatan bagi  korban yang terkena dampak dari pandemi covid-19, terutama dampak dari ekonomi, sehingga tujuan syariah menjadikan masyarakat yang terdampak covid bisa terjaga dari ke lima unsur dalam maqashid syariah

Iron Deficiency Anaemia In Reproductive Age Women Attending Obstetrics And Gynecology Outpatient Of University Health Centre In Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia

Background: Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional disorder in the world. The aim of this questionnaire based survey study was to determine the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia in reproductive age women, and their relation to variables such as age, marital status, education with those attending obstetrics and gynecology outpatient of King Faisal University Health Centre in Al-Ahsa in eastern region of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.Materials and Methods: This study was conducted for the period of 6 month staring from September 2012 to February 2013. The questionnaire had three sections on personal information: their educational indicators, gynecological clinical history, and hematological indices.Results: The average age was 25.97±7.17 years. According to the  gynecological clinical history of the respondents, 15 (48.4%) respondents were pregnant while 16 (51.6%) were not pregnant. There was significant effect of pregnancy status on Hb level. Majority of the anemic respondents 15/17 were married. Moreover 14/17 anemic women were experiencing severe menstrual bleeding, 11/17 respondents were pregnant. 54.8% of respondents were hemoglobin deficient while 77.4% were found to have low Hct. In 87.1 % of the respondents, transferrin saturation was found to be abnormal.Conclusion: In this study iron deficiency anemia is quite prevalent in the university community especially among pregnant women. The fetus’s and newborn infant’s iron status depends on the iron status of the pregnant woman and therefore, iron deficiency in the mother-to-be means that growing fetus probably will be iron deficient as well. Thus iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy in well-educated set up needs more attention by the concerned authorities.Keywords: Iron deficiency Anemia (IDA), Hemoglobin, Female, Reproductive Age

The association between valence of social media experiences and depressive symptoms

Background: Social media (SM) may confer emotional benefits via connection with others. However, epidemiologic studies suggest that overall SM is paradoxically associated with increased depressive symptoms. To better understand these findings, we examined the association between positive and negative experiences on SM and depressive symptoms. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 1,179 full-time students at the University of West Virginia ages 18–30 in August of 2016. Independent variables were self-reported positive and negative experiences on SM. The dependent variable was depressive symptoms as measured using the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measures Information System. We used multivariable logistic regression to assess associations between SM experiences and depressive symptoms controlling for socio-demographic factors including age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, relationship status, and living situation. Results: Of the 1,179 participants, 62% were female, 28% were non-White, and 51% were single. After controlling for covariates, each 10% increase in positive experiences on SM was associated with a 4% decrease in odds of depressive symptoms, but this was not statistically significant (AOR=0.96; 95% CI=0.91-1.002). However, each 10% increase in negative experiences was associated with a 20% increase in odds of depressive symptoms (AOR=1.20; 95% CI=1.11-1.31). When both independent variables were included in the same model, the association between negative experiences and depressive symptoms remained significant (AOR=1.19, 95% CI=1.10-1.30). Conclusion: Negative experiences online may have higher potency than positive ones because of negativity bias. Future research should examine temporality to determine if it is also possible that individuals with depressive symptomatology are inclined toward negative interactions

Recommendations for the management of secondary hypogammaglobulinaemia due to B cell targeted therapies in autoimmune rheumatic diseases

OBJECTIVES: The association of B cell targeted therapies with development of hypogammaglobulinaemia and infection is increasingly recognized. Our aim was to develop consensus recommendations for immunoglobulin replacement therapy for management of hypogammaglobulinaemia following B cell targeted therapies in autoimmune rheumatic diseases. // METHODS: A modified Delphi exercise involved a 17-member Taskforce committee, consisting of immunologists, rheumatologists, nephrologists, haematologists, a gastroenterologist, an immunology specialist nurse and a patient representative. The first round identified the most pertinent topics to address in the recommendations. A search string was agreed upon for the identification of publications in PubMed focusing on these areas, for a systematic literature review. Original data was presented from this review to the Taskforce committee. Recommendations from the British Society for Rheumatology, the UK Department of Health, EULAR, the ACR, and the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology were also reviewed. The evidence was discussed in a face-to-face meeting to formulate recommendation statements. The levels of evidence and statements were graded according to Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network methodology. // RESULTS: Three overarching principles, eight recommendation statements and a research agenda were formulated. The Taskforce committee voted on these statements, achieving 82–100% agreement for each recommendation. The strength of the recommendations was restricted by the low quality of the available evidence, with no randomized controlled trial data. The recommendations cover risk factors, monitoring, referral for hypogammaglobulinaemia; indications, dosage and discontinuation of immunoglobulin replacement therapy. // CONCLUSION: These are the first recommendations specifically formulated for B cell targeted therapies related to hypogammaglobulinaemia in autoimmune rheumatic diseases. The recommendations are to aid health-care professionals with clinical decision making for patients with hypogammaglobulinaemia

IoT monitoring of water consumption for irrigation systems using SEMMA methodology

The efficient use of water is an issue that has captured the attention of scientists, technicians, and the community at large. The sustainability of water resources has been threatened by the current imbalance between water supply and demand. Intelligent consumption of water would contribute to the balance and reduce the waste in applications such as the agriculture. This paper shows the design of a water consumption monitoring system based on the Internet of Things (IoT). With the implementation of this system could be known in real time the consumption of water in a crop. In addition, the user of the system may take corrective actions that optimize their water consumption; this is achieved by applying the SEMMA methodology to evaluate the data obtained by the system using two cluster algorithms, Simple K-means and GenClus++. With the application of SEMMA it was possible to determine periods of water consumption that were considered as waste in the irrigation of crops, applying data analysis with both algorithms

Highly active antiretroviral treatment for the prevention of HIV transmission

In 2007 an estimated 33 million people were living with HIV; 67% resided in sub-Saharan Africa, with 35% in eight countries alone. In 2007, there were about 1.4 million HIV-positive tuberculosis cases. Globally, approximately 4 million people had been given highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) by the end of 2008, but in 2007, an estimated 6.7 million were still in need of HAART and 2.7 million more became infected with HIV

Clinical deterioration during antituberculosis treatment in Africa: Incidence, causes and risk factors

BACKGROUND:HIV-1 and Mycobacterium tuberculosis cause substantial morbidity and mortality. Despite the availability of antiretroviral and antituberculosis treatment in Africa, clinical deterioration during antituberculosis treatment remains a frequent reason for hospital admission. We therefore determined the incidence, causes and risk factors for clinical deterioration. METHODS: Prospective cohort study of 292 adults who initiated antituberculosis treatment during a 3-month period. We evaluated those with clinical deterioration over the following 24 weeks of treatment. RESULTS: Seventy-one percent (209/292) of patients were HIV-1 infected (median CD4+: 129 cells/muL [IQR:62-277]). At tuberculosis diagnosis, 23% (34/145) of HIV-1 infected patients qualifying for antiretroviral treatment (ART) were receiving ART; 6 months later, 75% (109/145) had received ART. Within 24 weeks of initiating antituberculosis treatment, 40% (117/292) of patients experienced clinical deterioration due to co-morbid illness (n = 70), tuberculosis related illness (n = 47), non AIDS-defining HIV-1 related infection (n = 25) and AIDS-defining illness (n = 21). Using HIV-1 uninfected patients as the referent group, HIV-1 infected patients had an increasing risk of clinical deterioration as CD4+ counts decreased [CD4+>350 cells/muL: RR = 1.4, 95% CI = 0.7-2.9; CD4+:200-350 cells/muL: RR = 2.0, 95% CI = 1.1-3.6; CD4+<200 cells/muL: RR = 3.0, 95% CI = 1.9-4.7]. During follow-up, 26% (30/117) of patients with clinical deterioration required hospital admission and 15% (17/117) died. Fifteen deaths were in HIV-1 infected patients with a CD4+<200 cells/muL. CONCLUSIONS: In multivariate analysis, HIV-1 infection and a low CD4+ count at tuberculosis diagnosis were significant risk factors for clinical deterioration and death. The initiation of ART at a CD4+ count of <350 cells/muL will likely reduce the high burden of clinical deterioration