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Purpose The importance of smartphones in enhancing students learning, research and development is well-established in many published studies. Nevertheless, due to numerous challenges, Nigerian students are yet to reap from the benefits of smartphones in terms of accessing vital information for learning and development. Therefore, this study aims to develop a framework that will enhance Nigerian students’ ability to use smartphones for learning. Design/methodology/approach The SERVQUAL Theory Framework is adapted to actualize the research aim. Moreover, a qualitative (in-depth interview) research approach was used to interview 60 students from 3 public universities in Nigeria. Purposive sampling technique was used to select the interviewees, and the interview data were analysed using thematic content analysis. Findings The findings identified the critical constraints that deter Nigerian students from reaping the full potential of smartphones for learning. The constraints are categorized into three groups which include telecommunication companies’ hiccups, such as high cost of internet, poor network services and coverage; government obstacles, such as high tax policies, insufficient electricity supply and lack of basic infrastructure; and university barriers, such as unavailability of Wi-Fi connection for students, lack of equipped university libraries and poor management. Originality/value Thus, a holistic Framework for Enhancing Students Smartphones Learning Ability was established to provide fundamental recommendations to the Nigerian Government, telecommunication companies in Nigeria and Nigerian universities to tackle the pressing issues hindering Nigerian students from using their smartphones for learning. This will enhance the smartphone learning experience of Nigerian students.

Cryptococcus gattii is an underrecognized cause of meningitis, especially in nonendemic regions. This report details C gattii disease progression from admission to autopsy in an otherwise healthy 40-year-old male in Texas. It brings awareness to an often unsuspected organism that can cause severe infection requiring early recognition and treatment in immunocompetent individuals.

Education is wise, hopeful, and respectful cultivation of learning and change are undertaken in the belief that we all shall have the chance to share in life. Education is necessary for each and everyone in order to improve knowledge, way of living as well as social and economic status in life. It also plays a fundamental role in our career growth as well as in personal growth. However, despite the fact that education is important for human development, rural education receives less attention from the government in its reform agenda. This may be because the education Ministry is usually located in urban areas. This lack of attention from the government has produced several setbacks to the development of rural education, starting from poor infrastructures, lack of qualified teachers to inadequate laboratories and libraries. Based on these problems, it can be said that rural students may not be able to compete with their counterparts in urban schools.

Background Gabapentin is a commonly used medication for neuropathic pain and epilepsy that is prescribed by a wide range of medical specialties. Adverse effects including asterixis and myoclonus have been described in patients with chronic kidney disease, but myokymia has not been previously reported. Case presentation A 69-year-old man with a history of traumatic brain injury, peripheral neuropathy, amnesia, and posttraumatic stress disorder presented to the hospital after multiple falls attributed to acute onset muscle spasms. He reported taking a total daily dose of 9600 mg of gabapentin, as prescribed. Physical examination demonstrated stimulus-sensitive myoclonus, painful muscle spasms in all extremities, and myokymia in his bilateral calves. Diffuse action tremors, as well as tongue tremors, were also observed.Initial workup, including basic laboratory investigations, brain imaging, and electroencephalogram, was unrevealing. Gabapentin toxicity was suspected, and a gabapentin holiday was initiated with the improvement of myokymia by hospital day 3. The patient was found to have a high gabapentin level (25.8 μg/mL; reference range, 2.0-20.0 μg/mL) measured the morning after hospital presentation. After restarting on a lower dose of gabapentin with multimodal pain control, the patient continued to improve with diminution of his myoclonus, tremor, and gait instability. Conclusions Myokymia is a newly described motor symptom associated with gabapentin toxicity. The mechanism of gabapentin-associated myokymia is currently unknown. A brief medication holiday resulted in the resolution of motor symptoms without significant withdrawal symptoms. Knowledge of this newly reported adverse manifestation can aid physicians in the diagnosis of gabapentin toxicity and prompt treatment, as gabapentin levels are not widely or immediately available.

There is a paucity of information worldwide on the health problems among pesticide traders that are occupationally exposed to pesticides. A study was conducted in the Sultanate of Oman to investigate pesticide handling and their health risk perception by pesticide traders, and how these are impacted by their level of education, training, and the use of personal protection equipment (PPE). A total of 63 traders were randomly selected in four Regions (Al Batinah, Al Dhahirah, Al Dakhiliyah and Al Sharqiyah) in the Sultanate of Oman. Participation was based on full informed consent and assurances of confidentiality. The survey adopted the interview format, using hard copies of questionnaires. About 90% of the traders with formal pesticide training used some form of PPE, compared to 19% among those with no pesticide training. All (100%) of the trained traders had knowledge of pesticide regulations, informed customers on the proper use of pesticides and knew that pesticides could be dangerous. The corresponding percentages among the untrained traders were 13, 12 and 60, respectively. Among all the traders, the most reported health symptoms were headache (73%), skin irritation (71.4%) and salivation (63.5%). In as much as many farm workers and other pesticide end-users depend on the traders for information on pesticides, it is suggested that training be made mandatory for all pesticide traders. The use of PPE should also be made mandatory and pesticide inspectors should be made to inspect the pesticide shops regularly to ensure compliance.

A study was conducted among greenhouse and open field pesticide workers at the Batinah Coast of Oman in 2008 - 2009 to compare their level of pesticide exposure. A total of 74 greenhouse and 79 open field pesticide workers using pesticide mixtures consisting mostly of organophosphates were interviewed. Eighteen self-reported toxicity symptoms were recorded, with 9 and 3 of them being more prevalent among the greenhouse and open field workers, respectively. Although toxicity symptoms were generally higher among the greenhouse workers, it was observed that many of them indulged in smoking and gum chewing during pesticide application and these habits may have contributed to increased exposure. Most of the workers complained of discomfort when using protective devices, therefore it is recommended that protective materials adapted to the climate and socio-economic conditions of the pesticide workers be developed, and that they be encouraged to use them through appropriate educational efforts and incentives.

Elderly individuals are a fast-rising segment of the US population and are at high risk of permanent disability and premature death secondary to traumatic injuries such as burn injury. The current paper will review the extant literature to understand the prevalence of burn injury in the elderly, the neurocognitive complications unique to the aged that places this cohort at risk, and evidence-based recommendations to reduce the early and late neurocognitive effects of burn injury in the aged. The elderly are a high-risk population for burn injury and its neurological sequela. This risk, at least in part, reflects multiple factors: age-related changes in the central and peripheral nervous system; multiple pre-existing co-morbidities (such as dementia and COPD); polypharmacy; suboptimal social support; and increased susceptibility to hypothermia, burn-related infections, and electrolyte and metabolic dysregulations.

Background Recent evidence suggests that nitric oxide produced via the neuronal nitric oxide synthase is involved mainly in the early response to sepsis, whereas nitric oxide derived from the inducible nitric oxide synthase is responsible during the later phase. We hypothesized that early neuronal and delayed inducible nitric oxide synthase blockade attenuates multiple organ dysfunctions during sepsis. Methods Sheep were randomly allocated to sham-injured, nontreated animals (n = 6); injured (48 breaths of cotton smoke and instillation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa into the lungs), nontreated animals (n = 7); and injured animals treated with a neuronal nitric oxide synthase inhibitor from 1 to 12 h and an inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibitor from 12 to 24 h postinjury (n = 6). Results The injury induced arterial hypotension, vascular leakage, myocardial depression, and signs of renal and hepatic dysfunctions. The treatment significantly attenuated, but did not fully prevent, the decreases in mean arterial pressure and left ventricular stroke work index. Although the elevation of creatinine levels was partially prevented, the decreases in urine output and creatinine clearance were not affected. The injury-related increases in bilirubin levels, international normalized ratio, and lipid peroxidation in liver tissue were significantly attenuated. Although plasma nitrite/nitrate levels were significantly increased versus baseline from 12-24 h in controls, plasma nitrite/nitrate levels were not increased in treated animals. Conclusions The combination treatment shows potential benefit on sepsis-related arterial hypotension and surrogate parameters of organ dysfunctions in sheep. It may be crucial to identify the time course of expression and activation of different nitric oxide synthase isoforms in future investigations.

Although pesticides are used to mitigate crop losses by pests, farm workers’ poor knowledge and bad habits during application may cause serious health consequences. This study investigates the knowledge and habits of farm workers in the Sultanate of Oman and how these are related to the self-reported acute symptoms caused by pesticide exposure. A total of 153 pesticide workers in Al Batinah Region of Oman were interviewed face to face about their pesticide knowledge, habits and self-reported acute symptoms. About 57% of the farm workers either had no formal education or had only some primary school education, and 80% had no knowledge of warning labels and the names of banned pesticides. There was a significant difference (p

Acute lung injury (ALI) by smoke inhalation with subsequent pneumonia and sepsis represents a major cause of morbidity and mortality in burn patients. The aim of the present study was to develop a murine model of ALI and sepsis to enhance the knowledge of mechanistic aspects and pathophysiological changes in patients with these injuries. In deeply anesthetized female C57BL/6 mice, injury was induced by four sets of cotton smoke using an inhalation chamber. Afterward, live Pseudomonas aeruginosa (3.2x10(7) colony-forming units) was administered intranasally. The indicated dose of bacteria was determined based on the results of a dose-response study (n=47). The following study groups were monitored for survival over 96h: (1) sham injury group, (2) only smoke inhalation group, (3) only bacteria group, and (4) smoke inhalation plus bacteria group. Each group included 10 mice. The survival rates were 100%, 90%, 30%, and 10%, respectively. The double hit injury was associated with excessive releases of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the plasma, and enhanced neutrophil accumulation, increased lipid peroxidation, and excessive formation of reactive nitrogen species in the lung. In mice receiving only smoke inhalation injury, no systemic cytokine release and increased lung tissue lipid peroxidation were observed. However, smoke alone significantly increased neutrophil accumulation and formation of reactive nitrogen species in lung tissue. In conclusion, bacterial pneumonia is predominantly responsible for mortality and morbidity in this novel murine model of smoke inhalation and pulmonary sepsis. Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species mediate the severity of lung injury.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections with severe outcomes such as sepsis and septic shock are progressively increasing in both the community and in hospital settings. We hypothesized that overexpression of reactive nitrogen and oxygen species and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) play a pivotal role in cardiovascular collapse associated with vascular hyperpermeability in MRSA sepsis. Twelve sheep were surgically prepared and randomized into a control (noninjured; n = 6) and a sepsis (injured; n = 6) group. Animals in the sepsis group were subjected to cotton smoke inhalation and instillation of 2.5 x 10(11) colony-forming units of live MRSA into both lungs. Cardiovascular variables in the control group remained stable, whereas the MRSA sepsis group developed a hypotensive and hyperdynamic circulatory shock state beginning at 6 h associated with significantly increased vascular permeability evidenced by increased prefemoral lymph flow starting at 12 h and permeability index from 12 to 18 h, higher fluid accumulation from 12 to 24 h, and significantly decreased plasma protein concentration and oncotic pressure beginning at 6 h compared with control animals. Myocardial 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT) protein, poly (adenosine diphosphate-ribose), and VEGF mRNA expressions measured after the 24-h experiment were significantly increased in the injured animals as well. These results evidence that excessive production of reactive radicals and VEGF may play a major role in cardiovascular collapse and vascular hyperpermeability in MRSA sepsis.

Cancer cells have adapted an altered metabolism to support their dysregulated proliferation. In human carcinoma, upregulation of several key enzymes involved in lipid synthesis is associated with tumor cell aggressiveness and a poor patient diagnosis. The phenomenon of elevated lipogenesis and lipogenic machinery in tumor cells has suggested lipogenic enzymes as potential diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets for cancer.

Background and purpose: The present study investigated whether the pathophysiological changes induced by burn and smoke inhalation are modulated by parenteral administration of Na2S, a H2S donor. Experimental approach: The study used a total of 16 chronically instrumented, adult female sheep. Na2S was administered 1 h post injury, as a bolus injection at a dose of 0.5 mg·kg−1 and subsequently, as a continuous infusion at a rate of 0.2 mg·kg−1·h−1 for 24 h. Cardiopulmonary variables (mean arterial and pulmonary arterial blood pressure, cardiac output, ventricular stroke work index, vascular resistance) and arterial and mixed venous blood gases were measured. Lung wet-to-dry ratio and myeloperoxidase content and protein oxidation and nitration were also measured. In addition, lung inducible nitric oxide synthase expression and cytochrome c were measured in lung homogenates via Western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (elisa) respectively. Key results: The H2S donor decreased mortality during the 96 h experimental period, improved pulmonary gas exchange and lowered further increase in inspiratory pressure and fluid accumulation associated with burn- and smoke-induced acute lung injury. Further, the H2S donor treatment reduced the presence of protein oxidation and 3-nitrotyrosine formation following burn and smoke inhalation injury. Conclusions and implications: Parenteral administration of the H2S donor ameliorated the pulmonary pathophysiological changes associated with burn- and smoke-induced acute lung injury. Based on the effect of H2S observed in this clinically relevant model of disease, we propose that treatment with H2S or its donors may represent a potential therapeutic strategy in managing patients with acute lung injury.

The morbidity and mortality of burn victims increase when burn injury is combined with smoke inhalation. The goal of the present study was to develop a murine model of burn and smoke inhalation injury to more precisely reveal the mechanistic aspects of these pathological changes. The burn injury mouse group received a 40% total body surface area third-degree burn alone, the smoke inhalation injury mouse group received two 30-s exposures of cotton smoke alone, and the combined burn and smoke inhalation injury mouse group received both the burn and the smoke inhalation injury. Animal survival was monitored for 120 h. Survival rates in the burn injury group, the smoke inhalation injury group, and the combined injury group were 70%, 60%, and 30%, respectively. Mice that received combined burn and smoke injury developed greater lung damage as evidenced by histological changes (septal thickening and interstitial edema) and higher lung water content. These mice also displayed more severely impaired pulmonary gas exchange [arterial Po2(PaO2)/inspired O2fraction (FiO2) < 200]. Lung myeloperoxidase activity was significantly higher in burn and smoke-injured animals compared with the other three experimental groups. Plasma NO2−/NO3−, lung inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activity, and iNOS mRNA increased with injury; however, the burn and smoke injury group exhibited a higher response. Severity of burn and smoke inhalation injury was associated with more pronounced production of nitric oxide and accumulation of activated leukocytes in lung tissue. The murine model of burn and smoke inhalation injury allows us to better understand pathophysiological mechanisms underlying cardiopulmonary morbidity secondary to burn and smoke inhalation injury.

To assess the time changes and mechanism of pulmonary and peripheral vascular permeability in sheep with acute lung injury and sepsis.Prospective, controlled, randomized trial.University research laboratory.A total of 21 chronically instrumented, adult female sheep.Sheep were instrumented with lung and prefemoral lymph fistulas and allocated to either an uninjured control group (n = 5) or sepsis group (n = 5). The sheep in the sepsis group received cotton smoke inhalation injury followed by instillation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa into the lungs. All sheep were mechanically ventilated and fluid resuscitated for the entire duration of the 24-hr experiment. Additional sheep (n = 11) received injury and were killed at different time points for the measurement of vascular endothelial growth factor in lung tissue.The injury induced a hypotensive-hyperdynamic circulation; increases in pulmonary capillary pressure, net fluid balance, lung and prefemoral lymph flow and protein content, lung water content, abdominal and thoracic fluid and protein content, neutrophil accumulation in the lung, and vascular endothelial growth factor expression in lung tissue; and decreases in PaO2/FiO2 ratio, plasma protein concentration, plasma oncotic pressure, and myocardial contractility.Lung edema formation in this model was the result of marked increases in both pulmonary microvascular permeability and pressure. Pulmonary vascular hyperpermeability peaked 12 hrs postinjury and was related to vascular endothelial growth factor overexpression. Early myocardial failure was a potential contributor to the constant increase in pulmonary capillary pressure. The sepsis-induced increase in peripheral microvascular permeability was associated with significant accumulation of fluid and protein in the third space.

Peptide kinins are potent vasoactive agents in the microcirculation that might be released after burn injury. The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that Icatibant (JE 049), a potent, selective peptidomimetic bradykinin-B2 receptor antagonist, would reduce the cardiovascular pathology occurring in sheep exposed to 40% total body surface area (TBSA), third-degree burn. Female sheep were surgically prepared for chronic study. After 5 to 7 days' recovery from the operative procedure, they were randomized to five groups: sham (n = 6, noninjured, nontreated), medicated sham (n = 4, noninjured, treated with 20 microg kg h Icatibant), control (n = 7, 40% TBSA third-degree burn, nontreated), Icatibant-4 (n = 6, 40% TBSA third-degree burn, treated with 4 microg kg h Icatibant [low dose]), Icatibant-20 (n = 8, 40% TBSA third-degree burn, treated with 20 microg kg h Icatibant [high dose]). Prefemoral lymph flow (milliliters per hour) remained constant in the sham and medicated sham groups but increased after injury: control (0 h, 3.9 +/- 0.5; 24 h, 28 +/- 4.2; 48 h, 33.0 +/- 8.1). The increased fluid flux was associated with enhanced protein flux. Both low and high doses of Icatibant significantly reduced the microvascular fluid flux: Icatibant-4 (0 h, 5.3 +/- 0.6; 24 h, 17.5 +/- 3.5; 48 h, 20.3 +/- 3.4); Icatibant-20 (0 h, 5.3 +/- 1.1; 24 h, 15.2 +/- 2; 48 h, 17.6 +/- 4.1). Total prefemoral protein leak was reduced in all treatment groups. The low dose of Icatibant significantly reduced prefemoral lymph flow without adversely affecting the hemodynamic changes observed after burn injury in sheep, suggesting that the bradykinin antagonist would reduce edema formation and improve fluid management of thermally injured patients.

BackgroundThe epidemiology of fractures of the humeral shaft has received little attention in Nigeria. This study was aimed at investigating the possible risk factors associated with diaphyseal humeral fractures among Nigerians.MethodsThe study was carried out retrospectively at the Department of Medical Records, National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos State, Nigeria, between 2007 and 2012. Case notes and plain films of X-ray from a total number of 206 patients of ages from birth to one hundred years (0–100 years), comprising of 140 males and 66 females, were used for the study. The analyses were done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16.0 and presented in bar charts. The frequencies were reported as percentages. The differences in frequencies were compared using chi-square test.ResultsThe results showed that the percentage frequency of diaphyseal humeral fractures was significantly higher (P ConclusionsThe major causes of diaphyseal humeral fractures are road traffic accidents and falls. Since diaphyseal humeral fracture is an issue of harsh economic consequences, adequate measures should be taken by all the parties involved, especially government agencies, to address this menace in term of road maintenance and general well-being of the citizens. Furthermore, since it was observed that different regions of the bones of interest present diverse characteristics with respect to associated risk factors, it is recommended that such studies as this should be region-based rather than whole-bone based.

A 2-year study on the influence of certain plant morphological traits as well as the chemical composition of the stalk on lodging in exotic and local maize groups was done at Sultan Qaboos University. The exotic group consisted of six varieties, while five varieties were represented in the local group. The soil type was classified as saline, the EC being 3.9–4.2 dS/m. In both maize groups, lodging was negatively correlated with grain yield, rind thickness and stalk breaking strength. Weight of 5-cm stalk section was negatively correlated with lodging in the local group but the exotic group showed no such correlation. In the exotic group, lodging was positively correlated with ear height and negatively correlated with stalk lignin and total nonstructural carbohydrate (TNC) concentration but no such correlations were represented in the local group. In a stepwise regression analysis, a four-variable model consisting of shelling percentage, stalk breaking strength, rind thickness and TNC had a coefficient of determination ( R 2 ) of 0.66, suggesting that 66% of the variability in lodging was due to variability in these characters acting together. Based on this result it was suggested that, in breeding for lodging resistance in maize in a desert climate, it may be worthwhile to focus on these four parameters.

The influence of nitrate–nitrogen (N) or ammonium–N on shoot and root growth in salinity-stressed alfalfa was investigated under field conditions. Two alfalfa cultivars, Batini, a relatively salinity-tolerant cultivar, and Trifecta, a susceptible cultivar, were used. Seeds were sown in transparent PVC cylinders filled with loamy sand and arranged in large plastic pots embedded in the soil. Salinity treatments were 0, 3.0, 6.4, and 12.2 dSm−1 prepared with NaCl, while the N treatments were 0, 3.0, and 6.0 mM. Shoot and root growth, as well as shoot:root ratio, were inhibited by increased salinity, inhibition being more severe in the shoot than the root. Addition of nitrate–N or ammonium–N reduced the deleterious effect of salinity, but their effectiveness did not follow a consistent pattern. Ammonium–N was superior to nitrate–N in counteracting the adverse effects of salinity in the first cut, but in the regrowth where the rate of growth was higher than the first cut, the reverse was true. Root el...

Although laboratory (Petri dish) germination as an estimate of seed viability is a standard practice, it may not give an accurate prediction of seedling emergence in the field, especially when saline irrigation water is used. Experiments were conducted to investigate seedling emergence in two chickpea cultivars (ILC 482 and Barka local) in response to varied salinity levels and sowing depths. Seeds were sown in potted soil at a depth of 2, 4 or 6 cm. The salinity treatments were 4.6, 8.4 and 12.2 dS m–1. Tap water (0.8 dS m–1) served as the control. Depth of sowing had a significant effect on seedling emergence. Seeds sown 6 cm deep showed the lowest seedling emergence. Similarly, salinity had an adverse effect on seedling emergence. The lowest seedling emergence percentages were obtained at the highest salinity treatment (12.2 dS m–1). The interaction between salinity treatment and seeding depth was significant. Hypocotyl injury was implicated as a possible cause of poor seedling emergence in chickpea under saline water irrigation and was less severe when pre-germinated seeds were used. ILC 482 appeared to be more tolerant to salinity than Barka local, suggesting that breeding programmes involving regional exchange of germplasm may be helpful. Einfluss einer Natriumchloridversalzung auf den Samlingsaufgang von Kichererbse Obwohl im Laboratorium (Petrischale) die Keimung an Hand einer Abschatzung der Samenkeimkraft als Standard beurteilt wird, kann dies eine nicht zuverlassige Voraussage des Samlingsaufganges im Feld sein, insbesondere wenn versalztes Bewasserungswasser verwendet wird. Die Experimente wurden durchgefuhrt, um das Samlingsauflaufen von zwei Kichererbsenkultivaren (ILC 482 und Barka local) in der Reaktion gegenuber variierten Versalzungskonzentrationen und Aussaattiefen zu untersuchen. Die Samen wurden in Gefaskulturen mit einer Tiefe von 2, 4 oder 6 cm angesat. Die Versalzungsbehandlungen betrugen 4.6, 8.4 und 12.2 dS m–1. Unversalztes Wasser (0.8 dS m–1) diente als Kontrolle. Die Aussaattiefe hatte einen signifikanten Einfluss auf das Auflaufen der Samlinge. Samen mit einer 6 cm Tiefe Ansaat hatten den schlechtesten Auflauf. Entsprechend zeigte auch die Versalzung einen ungunstigen Einfluss auf den Samlingsaufgang. Die schlechteste Keimlingsaufgangsrate wurde bei der hochsten Versalzungsbehandlung (12.2 dS m–1) gefunden. Die Interaktion zwischen Versalzungsbehandlungen und Saattiefe war signifikant. Die Hypokotytbeschadigung wird als eine mogliche Ursache der schwachen Auflaufraten bei Kichererbse unter dem Einfluss versalzten Bewasserungswassers erklart; die Wirkung war weniger schwer, wenn vorgekeimte Samen verwendet wurden. ILC 482 scheint toleranter gegenuber Versalzung zu sein als Barka local; es erscheint zweckmasig, Zuchtprogramme unter Verwendung regionaler Genotypen durchzufuhren.

The increased salinity of arid and semi-arid lands has become a problem of great concern in agriculture. The possibility that the inhibition of leaf growth in alfalfa (Medicago sativa) growing under saline conditions may be associated with a reduction in ion concentration in the leaf was investigated. Seeds of alfalfa cv. Buraimi were sown in PVC cylinders filled with loamy sand and arranged in large pots embedded in the soil with the rim just above the soil surface. This arrangement simulated plants grown under field conditions. Seedlings were irrigated with saline (12.2 dS m -1 ) and nutrient solutions (full strength or 20 times dilution) twice weekly. After 6 weeks the plants were harvested and separated into roots, stem and leaves. The leaves were further separated into lamina and petioles and analysed for the major and minor nutrient elements. Salinization significantly reduced the fresh weights of the roots, stem and leaves as well as the concentration of N, K, Ca and Mg in the leaf tissue. With the exception of Cu concentration, which was enhanced by salinity, all the micronutrients (B, Zn, Mn and Fe) had reduced concentrations in the leaves of salinized alfalfa. The application of an external nutrient solution, especially the full-strength solution, produced an increase in leaf growth and leaf nutrient element concentration. On the basis of these results it was concluded that reduced leaf nutrient concentration may be one of the primary causes of the inhibition of leaf growth that was characteristic of alfalfa growing under salinity stress.

The compartmentation of ions in salinity‐stressed 6‐week‐old alfalfa seedlings was investigated in two cultivars, Batini (moderately salinity tolerant) and Hunter River (salinity sensitive). Both cultivars were grown under field conditions during the cool season (20–25°C) and the warm season (35–46°C). Two saline solutions (6.4 and 12.2 dS m‐1) were prepared by dissolving the required quantity of NaCl in half‐strength Hoagland solution. Tap water (0.8 dS m‐1) served as control. Plants were irrigated twice a week with saline solutions, commencing 3 weeks after seedling emergence. The seedlings were separated into leaf (including petiole), stem, and root after 6 weeks of growth and analysed for phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), chloride (Cl), and micronutrients [copper (Cu), boron (B), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), and iron (Fe)]. The concentration of P and K in the plant tissue increased with increase in temperature, while Ca and Mg concentrations were depresse...

The effect of salinity on biomass production, nodule formation and root acetylene reduction activity (ARA) in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) was investigated under field conditions. Seeds of alfalfa ...

SUMMARYThe effects of three planting patterns (ridge, furrow and flat) and three population densities (31800, 47600 and 71400 plants/ha) on the growth and yield of three sunflower hybrids, Flamme, Upsolveraflor and Isostar, were investigated at the Sultan Qaboos University Experiment Station, 1990–93. Seed and oil yields were higher in the ridge-planted sunflower than those planted in furrow or flat patterns, the order being ridge > flat > furrow. However, the magnitude of yield differences between ridge-planted and flat-planted sunflower was not sufficiently high to compensate for the additional labour and materials required for making ridges. Based on this, planting in the flat was recommended. Although increased population density resulted in taller plants, lodging was generally low and did not constitute a serious problem. Biomass/plant, head weight, receptacle weight, head diameter, number of seeds/head and 1000-seed weight decreased with increase in plant population density. Flamme had its highest seed and oil yield at 71400 plants/ha, while Isostar attained its highest yield at 47600 plants/ha. Isostar outyielded the other two hybrids and appeared to have a potential for commercial production in a desert climate.

Experiments were conducted in two consecutive years to investigate the response of two corn (Zea mays, L.) cultivars, Eperon and Challenger, to timing of N fertilizer in a desert climate. Fertilizer was applied three times (at planting, 6 weeks after sowing (6WAS) and at 9WAS) to give a seasonal total of 180 kg N ha -1 . The N treatments were N ooo (control), N LOH (60 kg N ha -1 at planting, none at 6WAS and 120 kg N ha -1 at 9WAS), N LLL (60 kg N ha -1 at sowing, 6WAS and at 9WAS) and N LHO (60 kgN ha -1 at planting, 120 kg N ha -1 at 6WAS and none at 9WAS). Generally, N LHO was associated with the highest grain and dry matter yields. Plants in N treated plots had significantly larger number of leaves and ear leaf N contents than the control at mid-silk. High ear leaf N was associated with high leaf area index and dry matter yield. Based on these results, it would appear that the application of 60 kg N ha ' at planting, followed by 120 kg N ha -1 at 6WAS (N LHO ) is the most suitable for enhancing corn yields in the desert climate.

Laboratory studies were conducted to investigate the partitioning of chloride (Cl) ions in the germinating seed of two forage legumes, Sesbania (Sesbania sesban) and Snail Medic (Medicago scutellata), under varied salinities and temperatures. Seeds were placed in Petri dishes containing 20 mL of saline solutions of varied electrical conductivities (0.01, 6.4, 12.2, 17.4, 22.6, 27.2, and 32.1 d/Sm) prepared with sodium chloride (NaCl). The germination temperatures were 10, 20, 30, and 40°C. Germination counts were taken every two days for eight days and the result was used to calculate germination rate index. On Day 8, seeds were separated into seed coat, cotyledon, and embryo, and analyzed separately for Cl. Generally, Cl concentration increased in the different seed components with increase in salinity and temperature. High Cl accumulation in the embryo was associated with germination failure. However, apart from the toxic effect of high embryo Cl content, high temperatures may also have a direc...

The effect of planting date on the growth and yield of irrigated sunflower was investigated in 1992 and 1993. Two sunflower hybrids, Islero and Upsol-veraflor, were sown at three different dates (3 October, 4 November, 2 December 1992 and 5 October, 6 November, 4 December 1993) in Sultan Qaboos University Agricultural Experiment Station on the Batinah Coast of Oman in a desert climate. Sunflower planted in December emerged later, flowered later and matured later than that planted in October or November. Severity of stalk lodging was closely related to the extent of stem weevil infestation, which was more serious in the early planted sunflower. Sclerotina head rot was also most severe in the October plantings and least severe in the December plantings. Head diameter, number of seeds per head and percentage of large seeds increased with delay in planting date. Seed yield and oil yield were highest in the December planted sunflower but oil concentration was not affected by the planting date. Based on these results, a December planting date was recommended for the Batinah Coast of Oman and other areas with similar climatic conditions.

Background: Fractures of the humeral shaft account for 1–3% of all fractures in adults and for 20% of all humeral fractures in some populations. Objective: This study was aimed at classifying the pattern of humeral shaft fractures among Nigerian using the Muller’s AO classification system. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out retrospectively at the Department of Medical Records, National Orthopedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos State, Nigeria, using plain films from a total number of 206 patients comprising 140 males and 66 females. Humeral shaft fractures were classified according to Muller’s classification into three main types with three groups in each type. Results: The result showed that the most frequent type of humeral shaft fractures was simple fractures (76.7% [158/206]) followed by wedge fractures (20.4% [42/206]), whereas the least frequent was the complex fractures (2.9% [6/206]). Among the simple diaphyseal humeral fractures, simple spiral fractures were the most frequent (41.8% [66/168). Among the wedge diaphyseal humeral fractures, spiral wedge fractures were the most frequent (90.5% [38/42]). All the complex diaphyseal humeral fractures were of irregular complex group (12C3; 100% [6/6]). Conclusion: This study showed to a great extent that there is a pattern for diaphyseal humeral fractures among Nigerians. It goes a long way in equipping surgeons, to allow resources to be allocated on the basis of projected frequency of different types of diaphyseal humeral fractures. Keywords: Diaphyseal, fractures, humeral, Nigeria, pattern

Laboratory studies were conducted to investigate the effect of salinity × temperature interactions on the germination of sorghum. Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench. Sorghum seeds were sown in petri dishes with saline solutions of varying concentrations (electrical conductivities of 0.01, 6.4, 12.2, 17.4, 22.6, 27.2, 32.1, and 37.2 dSm-1) prepared with NaCl. The germination responses of the seeds were determined over a wide range of temperatures (15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 °C) for a period of 8 days. Salinity × temperature interactions were highly significant at each counting date. Although, increased salinity resulted in decreased germination percentages, the detrimental effect of salinity was generally less severe at higher temperatures. Germination rate index, computed from germination counts taken every 2 days, was influenced by salinity and temperature in a similar pattern as final germination. Seed germination was more tolerant to salinity at germination temperatures of 30–40 °C than at 15–25 °C.

Inhalation injury frequently occurs in burn patients and contributes to the morbidity and mortality of these injuries. Arterial carboxyhemoglobin has been proposed as an indicator of the severity of inhalation injury; however, the interrelation between arterial carboxyhemoglobin and histological alterations has not yet been investigated. Chronically instrumented sheep were subjected to a third degree burn of 40% of the total body surface area and inhalation of 48 breaths of cotton smoke. Carboxyhemoglobin was measured immediately after injury and correlated to clinical parameters of pulmonary function as well as histopathology scores from lung tissue harvested 24 hours after the injury. The injury was associated with a significant decline in pulmonary oxygenation and increases in pulmonary shunting, lung lymph flow, wet/dry weight ratio, congestion score, edema score, inflammation score, and airway obstruction scores. Carboxyhemoglobin was negatively correlated to pulmonary oxygenation and positively correlated to pulmonary shunting, lung lymph flow, and lung wet/dry weight ratio. No significant correlations could be detected between carboxyhemoglobin and histopathology scores and airway obstruction scores. Arterial carboxyhemoglobin in sheep with combined burn and inhalation injury are correlated with the degree of pulmonary failure and edema formation, but not with certain histological alterations including airway obstruction scores.

La luzerne Medicago sativa L represente une culture fourragere importante dans les regions arides des pays du golfe arabo-persique ou la salinite constitue un probleme majeur pour la production. Un travail de laboratoire a ete initie pour evaluer l'effet des interactions temperature x salinite sur la germination des semences du cv CUF 101. Des solutions de NaCl (ayant pour conductivites electriques 0,01, 6,4, 12,2, 17,4, 22,6, 27,2, 32, 1 et 37,2 dSm -1 ) sont utilisees pour etudier la germination des semences en boites de Petri a des temperatures variees (15, 20, 25, 30, 35 et 40 o C). L'index de germination est defini par le nombre de semences germees tous les 2 jours [...]

During acute lung injury, nitric oxide (NO) exerts cytotoxic effects by reacting with superoxide radicals, yielding the reactive nitrogen species peroxynitrite (ONOO−). ONOO− exerts cytotoxic effects, among others, by nitrating/nitrosating proteins and lipids, by activating the nuclear repair enzyme poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase and inducing VEGF. Here we tested the effect of the ONOO− decomposition catalyst INO-4885 on the development of lung injury in chronically instrumented sheep with combined burn and smoke inhalation injury. The animals were randomized to a sham-injured group ( n = 7), an injured control group [48 breaths of cotton smoke, 3rd-degree burn of 40% total body surface area ( n = 7)], or an injured group treated with INO-4885 ( n = 6). All sheep were mechanically ventilated and fluid-resuscitated according to the Parkland formula. The injury-related increases in the abundance of 3-nitrotyrosine, a marker of protein nitration by ONOO−, were prevented by INO-4885, providing evidence for the neutralization of ONOO− action by the compound. Burn and smoke injury induced a significant drop in arterial Po2-to-inspired O2 fraction ratio and significant increases in pulmonary shunt fraction, lung lymph flow, lung wet-to-dry weight ratio, and ventilatory pressures; all these changes were significantly attenuated by INO-4885 treatment. In addition, the increases in IL-8, VEGF, and poly(ADP-ribose) in lung tissue were significantly attenuated by the ONOO− decomposition catalyst. In conclusion, the current study suggests that ONOO− plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary microvascular hyperpermeability and pulmonary dysfunction following burn and smoke inhalation injury in sheep. Administration of an ONOO− decomposition catalyst may represent a potential treatment option for this injury.

Excessive production of nitric oxide (NO) by NO synthase (NOS) with subsequent formation of peroxynitrite and poly(adenosine diphosphate ribose) is critically implemented in the pathophysiology of acute lung injury and sepsis. To elucidate the roles of different isoforms of NOS, we tested the effects of non-selective NOS inhibition and neuronal NOS (nNOS)- and inducible NOS (iNOS)-gene deficiency on the pulmonary oxidative and nitrosative stress reaction in a murine sepsis model. The injury was induced by four sets of cotton smoke using an inhalation chamber and subsequent intranasal administration of live Pseudomonas aeruginosa (3.2x10(7) colony-forming units). In wild type mice, the injury was associated with excessive releases of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the plasma, enhanced neutrophil accumulation, increased lipid peroxidation, and excessive formation of reactive nitrogen species and vascular endothelial growth factor in the lung. Both nNOS- and iNOS-gene deficiency led to significantly reduced oxidative and nitrosative stress markers in the lung, but failed to significantly improve survival. Treatment with a non-selective NOS inhibitor failed to reduce the oxidative and nitrosative stress reaction to the same extent and even tended to increase mortality. In conclusion, the current study demonstrates that both nNOS and iNOS are partially responsible for the pulmonary oxidative and nitrosative stress reaction in this model. Future studies should investigate the effects of specific pharmacological inhibition of nNOS and iNOS at different time points during the disease process.

SUMMARYField studies were conducted in 1989 and 1990 to investigate the effect of planting density on growth and yield of maize under irrigation in the Batinah Coast region, an arid zone in the Sultanate of Oman. Two maize cultivars, Eperon and Challenger, were grown at three densities (24000, 48000 and 74000 plants/ha). Grain yield was highest at 48000 plants/ha. Leaf area index (LAI) increased with increase in plant density but was not related to grain yield. Lodging was highly correlated with shelling percentage.

The distribution of chemical constituents in the plant parts of six tropical forage grasses at early anthesis was studied. The forage grasses were guinea grass Panicum maximum (Jacq.); angleton grass Dichanthium aristatum (Poir.); gamba grass Andropogon gayanus (Kunth); buffel grass Cenchrus ciliaris (L.); birdwood grass Cenchrus setigerus (Vahl.); and rhodes grass Chloris gayana (Kunth.). Apart from ether extract, which generally decreased from the inflorescence down to the basal culm, and crude fibre, which increased from the inflorescence down to the basal culm, no clear gradient of constituents within the plants could be established for any of the forage grass species.

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among women. Compared with other serum polypeptides, autoantibodies have many appealing features as biomarkers including sensitivity, stability, and easy detection. Anti-lipid autoantibodies are routinely used in the diagnosis of autoimmune diseases, but their potential for cancer diagnosis has not been explored. Dysregulation of cellular signaling in cancer cells would be expected to lead to irregular metabolism of many lipids, which could be sensed by the immune system and cause the production of autoantibodies. Discovery of anti-lipid antibodies could be used as biomarkers for early breast cancer diagnosis. We describe here a more sensitive and accurate method for lipid microarray detection using dual fluorescent labeling, and used it to examine global anti-lipid profiles in the MMTV-Neu transgenic breast cancer model. We conclude that, at the current technology, lipid microarray is not a preferred method for anti-lipid antibody detection in breast cancer animal models. Our result will help the future application of lipid microarrays in identifying anti-lipid autoantibodies in breast cancer and other human diseases.

The present study investigated whether the pathophysiological changes induced by burn and smoke inhalation are modulated by parenteral administration of Na(2)S, a H(2)S donor.The study used a total of 16 chronically instrumented, adult female sheep. Na(2)S was administered 1 h post injury, as a bolus injection at a dose of 0.5 mg.kg(-1) and subsequently, as a continuous infusion at a rate of 0.2 mg.kg(-1).h(-1) for 24 h. Cardiopulmonary variables (mean arterial and pulmonary arterial blood pressure, cardiac output, ventricular stroke work index, vascular resistance) and arterial and mixed venous blood gases were measured. Lung wet-to-dry ratio and myeloperoxidase content and protein oxidation and nitration were also measured. In addition, lung inducible nitric oxide synthase expression and cytochrome c were measured in lung homogenates via Western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (elisa) respectively.The H(2)S donor decreased mortality during the 96 h experimental period, improved pulmonary gas exchange and lowered further increase in inspiratory pressure and fluid accumulation associated with burn- and smoke-induced acute lung injury. Further, the H(2)S donor treatment reduced the presence of protein oxidation and 3-nitrotyrosine formation following burn and smoke inhalation injury.Parenteral administration of the H(2)S donor ameliorated the pulmonary pathophysiological changes associated with burn- and smoke-induced acute lung injury. Based on the effect of H(2)S observed in this clinically relevant model of disease, we propose that treatment with H(2)S or its donors may represent a potential therapeutic strategy in managing patients with acute lung injury.

Approximately 15,000 United States victims of burn trauma have inhalation injuries and suffer from acute lung injury. Burn victims have decreased levels of arginine, which can contribute to excessi...

Acute lung injury results in a severe inflammatory response, which leads to priming and activation of leucocytes, release of reactive oxygen and reactive nitrogen species, destruction of pulmonary endothelium, extravasation of protein-rich fluid into the interstitium and formation of oedema. Recently, H2S (hydrogen sulfide) has been shown to decrease the synthesis of pro-inflammatory cytokines, reduce leucocyte adherence to the endothelium and subsequent diapedesis of these cells from the microvasculature in in vivo studies, and to protect cells in culture from oxidative injury. In the present study, we hypothesized that a parenteral formulation of H2S would reduce the lung injury induced by burn and smoke inhalation in a novel murine model. H2S post-treatment significantly decreased mortality and increased median survival in mice. H2S also inhibited IL (interleukin)-1β levels and significantly increased the concentration of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 in lung tissue. Additionally, H2S administration attenuated protein oxidation following injury and improved the histological condition of the lung. In conclusion, these results suggest that H2S exerts protective effects in acute lung injury, at least in part through the activation of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant pathways.

Acute lung injury is a detrimental complication for victims of burn accidents. Airway obstruction plays an important role in pulmonary dysfunction in these patients. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that aerosolized anticoagulants will reduce the degree of airway obstruction and improve pulmonary function in sheep with severe combined burn and smoke inhalation injury by preventing the formation of airway fibrin clots.Prospective, randomized, controlled, experimental animal study.Investigational intensive care unit at a university hospital.Adult female sheep.After 7 days of surgical recovery, sheep were given a cutaneous burn (40% of total body surface, third degree) and insufflated with cotton smoke (48 breaths,40 degrees C) under halothane anesthesia. After injury, sheep were placed on ventilators and resuscitated with lactated Ringer's solution. Sheep were randomly divided into five groups: sham, noninjured and nontreated (n = 6); control, injured and aerosolized with saline (n = 6); recombinant human antithrombin (rhAT) + heparin, injured and aerosolized with rhAT (290 units for each) and heparin (10,000 units for each) (n = 6); rhAT, injured and aerosolized with rhAT alone (290 units for each; n = 5); and heparin, injured and aerosolized with heparin alone (10,000 units for each; n = 5). rhAT and heparin were aerosolized every 4 hrs, starting at 2 hrs postinjury.Cardiopulmonary hemodynamics were monitored during a 48-hr experimental time period. Control sheep developed multiple signs of acute lung injury. This pathophysiology included decreased pulmonary gas exchange and lung compliance, increased pulmonary edema, and extensive airway obstruction. These variables were stable in sham animals. The aerosolization of rhAT or heparin alone did not significantly improve deteriorated pulmonary gas exchange. However, aerosolization of these anticoagulants in combination significantly attenuated all the observed pulmonary pathophysiology.The results provide definitive evidence that aerosolized rhAT and heparin in combination may be a novel treatment strategy for pulmonary pathology in burn victims with smoke inhalation injury.

Burn and smoke inhalation-related multiple organ dysfunction is associated with a severe fall in the plasma concentration of antithrombin. Therefore the aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that intravenous administration of recombinant human antithrombin in combination with aerosolized heparin will ameliorate acute lung injury in sheep exposed to cutaneous burn and smoke inhalation. Sheep were prepared operatively for study and, 7 days post-surgery, sheep were given a cutaneous burn (40% of total body surface area, third-degree burn) and insufflated with cotton smoke (48 breaths