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Background Waterpipe smoking rates in Lebanon are among the highest in the in the world. Research has documented the effectiveness of introducing pictorial health warning labels (PHWLs) in curbing waterpipe smoking. Seventeen years after ratification of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and twelve years post adoption of a tobacco control law, PHWLs have not yet been implemented in Lebanon. This study aims to gain insight into stakeholders opinions and recommendations for adopting and implementing PHWLs on WP products within the current tobacco control policy environment. Methods We conducted 13 online interviews with policymakers, media, owners of establishments that serve waterpipe, as well as international and local NGO representatives whose mandate is tobacco control. During the interview process, key informants were shown PHWLs on waterpipe tobacco products and asked about feasibility of implementation and enforcement. National documents and legislations related to PHWLs were obtained from public record. We conducted content analysis on the documents. Interviews were transcribed, coded, and analyzed thematically. Results The majority of the key informants agreed on who is responsible for enforcement of PHWLs and on the contextual obstacles to enforcement. Main barriers to implement PHWLs on WP products were: 1) the fact that the WP is a multi-component tobacco use method that will require including all WP components (charcoal, tobacco, device); 2) WP usually is used in several locations (e.g., home, restaurants); and 3) WP is sold via multiple sources (supermarkets, tobacco shop, etc). Stakeholders recommended some solutions to address barriers to implementation. Conclusions Stakeholders responsible for implementation of PHWLs need to take into consideration contextual barriers as well as the particularities of waterpipe tobacco smoking in terms of multiple components used to smoke, locations of consumption, and sources where it is sold. Key messages • Implementing PHWLs on waterpipe tobacco products requires distinct understanding of policy environment and context. • Implementing PHWLs on waterpipe tobacco products needs to address the complex nature of waterpipe smoking as a multi-component tobacco use method .

The problem of portable water supply has become an issue of global concerned as governments all over the world are trying to make house-holds water accessible to all as easier as possible to meet the challenges for sustainable development goals. This research has been conducted to determine the people’s perception on domestic water supply situation in Kano metropolis, Northwestern Nigeria. A self-designed questionnaire developed and distributed to the subjects using stratified sampling technique, and the data obtained has been presented in frequency and percentage. The results obtained revealed that, there is a scarcity of portable water supply to households in Kano metropolis. The problem emanated from lack of pipe-borne water which necessitated the dependence of the house-holds water supply on vendors that obtained water from boreholes and some hand-dug wells lacking proper hygienic practices. More so, the respondents were willing to pay for pipe borne water delivery, yet, they depend on vendors as their major water suppliers as alternatives. The unhygienic practices of the vendors and water sources posed threat to public health concerned.

The impact of climate change-driven droughts on regenerating forests is poorly understood due to the complexities involved in regeneration processes and the difficulties in measuring the relevant parameters with sufficient spatial and temporal resolution in a timely manner. Drought increases tree mortality in both undisturbed and disturbed forests and may influence forest regeneration dynamics from seed germination to the recruitment, growth, and survival of tree seedlings. Seedlings and small saplings may be more susceptible to changes in water availability than larger individuals due to their shallower roots that may be unable to reach the deeper, moist soil layers, and due to uneven competition with adult trees for soil moisture. The potential range shifts and local extinction of drought-sensitive species can also result in changes in forest species community composition and diversity loss at different scales. There is a need for precise and low-cost monitoring systems that facilitate better capturing of the complexities of such processes for restoration measures. The objective of this paper is to study the use of UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) for monitoring responses of regenerating forests under increasing climate change-driven droughts. UAVs have several advantages over traditional field-based monitoring techniques and flexibility in selecting the required spatiotemporal resolution over other remote sensing methods, making them a promising tool for monitoring forest recovery. Although further research is required to ensure the accuracy and effectiveness of UAV-facilitated measures for monitoring forest regeneration, UAVs possess great potential in forest management in the event of increasing occurrences of climate-change driven droughts.

The Pseudomonas H6 lipopeptide is a surfactant which is able to eliminate various parasitic pathogens including the ciliate Ichthyophthirius multifiliis in vitro. This suggests an application for aquaculture purposes. However, further information on efficacy of the compound and possible immune modulation of surfactant exposed fish should be gathered before usage at farm level is considered. We performed an in vivo infection experiment using rainbow trout fry (mean weight 4.6 g, mean length 7.6 cm) as hosts and I. multifiliis theronts as the parasitic pathogen. We compared infection level, immune gene regulation and immune cell density in gills of 1) non-exposed control fish, 2) parasite exposed but untreated fish, 3) surfactant treated fish without parasite exposure, and 4) fish exposed both to parasites and surfactant. The surfactant concentration was 10 mg/L, the infection dosage 1000 theronts/fish and the exposure period 12 h. The parasite infection was recorded and samples were taken from rainbow trout gills at day 0 and 10 post-exposure. We performed an immunohistochemical investigation (detecting cells positive for MHC II, SAA, CD8, IgM, IgT and IgD) and measured the expression of genes encoding cathelidin-1, CD8, hepcidin, IFN γ, IgDs, IL-1β, IL-6 and SAA. Theront exposed fish (without surfactant treatment) became heavily infected whereas concomitant surfactant treatment (10 mg/l), along with parasite exposure, could prevent infection. A significant inflammation (upregulation of il-1β, il6, ifn γ, cathelicidin, hepcidin) was elicited in non-treated and parasite exposed fish but it was prevented by the surfactant treatment. When investigated 10 days after treatment no immune gene regulation was seen in fish exposed to surfactant only. The therapeutic effect may be due to a direct parasiticidal action of the surfactant, but it cannot be excluded that a modulation of the host immune reaction may influence the infection success.

Plastic pollution has become a major concern on a global scale. The plastic is broken down into minuscule particles, which have an impact on the biosystems, however long-term impacts through an entire generation is largely unknown. Here, we present the first whole generation study exposing fish to a 500 nm polystyrene plastic particle at environmentally relevant concentrations. Short- and long-term adverse effects were investigated in the zebrafish model organism using a holistic multi-omics approach. The particles accumulated in the yolk sac of young larvae and short-term biological impacts included immune-relevant gene regulation related to inflammation and tolerance as well as disruption of metabolic processes, such as the fatty acid and lipid pathways. The long-term effects comprised gene regulations pointing towards skin and/or gill inflammation, dysbiosis of the gut microbiota, a tendency towards decreased condition factor in adult males as well as a lowered reproductive capability. From this study, it can be concluded that exposures to plastic nanoparticles have an impact on population as well as ecosystem level in fish and likely also in other vertebrates.

ObjectivesCOVIDTrach is a UK multicentre prospective cohort study project that aims to evaluate the outcomes of tracheostomy in patients with COVID-19 receiving mechanical ventilation and record the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among healthcare workers involved in the procedure.DesignData on patient demographic, clinical history and outcomes were entered prospectively and updated over time via an online database (REDCap). Clinical variables were compared with outcomes, with logistic regression used to develop a model for mortality. Participants recorded whether any operators tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 within 2 weeks of the procedure.SettingUK National Health Service departments involved in treating patients with COVID-19 receiving mechanical ventilation.ParticipantsThe cohort comprised 1605 tracheostomy cases from 126 UK hospitals collected between 6 April and 26 August 2020.Main outcome measuresMortality following tracheostomy, successful wean from mechanical ventilation and length of time from tracheostomy to wean, discharge from hospital, complications from tracheostomy, reported SARS-CoV-2 infection among operators.ResultsThe median time from intubation to tracheostomy was 15 days (IQR 11, 21). 285 (18%) patients died following the procedure. 1229 (93%) of the survivors had been successfully weaned from mechanical ventilation at censoring and 1049 (81%) had been discharged from hospital. Age, inspired oxygen concentration, positive end-expiratory pressure setting, fever, number of days of ventilation before tracheostomy, C reactive protein and the use of anticoagulation and inotropic support independently predicted mortality. Six reports were received of operators testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 within 2 weeks of the procedure.ConclusionsTracheostomy appears to be safe in mechanically ventilated patients with COVID-19 and to operators performing the procedure and we identified clinical parameters that are predictive of mortality.Trial registration numberThe study is registered with ClinicalTrials.Gov (NCT04572438).

Control of the skin parasitic ciliate Ichthyophthirius multifiliis is currently based on laborious chemical and mechanical approaches, thus advocating for alternative control measures. Here, we show that the early development of trophonts (feeding stage residing in the epidermis) in the Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss epidermis was inhibited at 5 d postinfection after the administration of feed additives, including garlic Allium sativum, oregano Origanum onites, thyme Thymus vulgaris, coriander Coriandrum sativum, and astaxanthin (a carotenoid derived from the alga Haematococcus pluvialis). However, no inhibition was observed at 8 d postinfection. We investigated whether the early inhibition was caused by (1) the feed additives’ direct effect on the parasite and/or (2) stimulation of the Rainbow Trout immune responses. Garlic exhibited the highest in vitro killing capacity toward theronts (the infective stage of the parasite), followed by oregano, thyme, and astaxanthin, whereas coriander had no in vitro parasiticidal effect. Immune reactions were measured by plasma lysozyme activity in Rainbow Trout after feeding and by recording immune gene expression in trout leukocytes that were exposed to feed additives. Oregano-fed fish showed a significantly (P

COVIDTrach is a UK multidisciplinary collaborative project that aims to evaluate the outcomes of tracheostomy in COVID-19 patients. It also examines the implementation of national guidance in COVID-19 tracheostomies and the incidence of COVID-19 infections amongst those health care workers involved in the procedure. An invitation to participate in an online survey tool (REDCap) was disseminated to all UK NHS departments involved in tracheostomy in mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients via the Federation of Surgical Specialty Associations, it’s subsidiary organisations and the Intensive Care Society. To date 78 hospitals have submitted 564 COVID-19 tracheostomy cases. Fifty-two percent (n=219/465) of patients who had undergone tracheostomy and were still alive had been successfully weaned from mechanical ventilation at the point of completing the survey. The all cause in-hospital mortality following tracheostomy was 12% (n=62/530), with 3% of these (n=2/62) due to tracheostomy related complications and the remaining deaths due to COVID-19 related complications. Amongst 400 cases submitting data two weeks after the tracheostomy, no instance of COVID-19 infection amongst operators was recorded. FFP3 masks or Powered Air Purifying Respirators were used by operators in 100% of tracheostomies and a face visor or hood with face shield was available in 99% of cases. This interim report highlights early outcomes following tracheostomy in mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients. Future reporting from COVIDTrach will include more detailed analysis at later timepoints using comparator groups in order to provide a more comprehensive assessment of tracheostomy in COVID-19.

Immersion vaccination of rainbow trout against Yersinia ruckeri infection is an established method to prevent enteric red mouth disease (ERM) but the effect is inferior to injection vaccination and the duration of protection is limited to less than six months. Adjuvants in vaccines may in general elevate the immune response and the present work elucidates how ERM immersion vaccination of trout in combination with exposure to soluble adjuvants, Montanide™ IMS 1312 VG PR and β-glucan, affects immune reactions. The former adjuvant, when used alone, induced a slightly increased protection (not statistically significant) whereas β-glucan did not increase protection. Adjuvant-treated and non-exposed groups showed elevated plasma lysozyme activity after challenge with Y. ruckeri. Specific antibody production was not positively affected by combining adjuvant and vaccine. Overall expression of immune genes tested was generally manifold higher in gills compared to skin. Only genes encoding SAA and IL-17C1 were expressed at a higher level in skin. Dynamic differences between the gill and skin compartments were also recorded for genes encoding cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, IL-17A/F2, IL-17C1, IL-17C2, IL-22), immunoglobulins (IgM, IgD, IgT), cell markers (CD8α, TCR-β) and acute phase reactants (SAA, lysozyme). These genes were upregulated 24 h post-vaccination in fish gills exposed to both vaccine-adjuvant combinations when compared to fish exposed to vaccine alone. After a few weeks no vaccine induced reaction was seen and after challenge with bacteria mainly unvaccinated fish responded. Adjuvants used in combination with immersion vaccine clearly influences immune reactions and may improve duration and protection but further potency tests should be performed.

Selective breeding programmes involving marker assisted selection of innately pathogen resistant strains of rainbow trout rely on reliable controlled infection studies, extensive DNA typing of individual fish and recording of expression of relevant genes. We exposed juvenile rainbow trout (6 h bath to 2.6 × 105 CFU mL−1) to the fish pathogen Yersinia ruckeri serotype O1, biotype 2, eliciting Enteric Red Mouth Disease ERM, and followed the disease progression over 21 days. Cumulative mortality reached 42% at 12 days post challenge (dpc) after which no disease signs were recorded. All fish were sampled for DNA-typing (50 k SNP chip, Affymetrix®) throughout the course of infection when they showed clinical signs of disease (susceptible fish) or at day 21 when fish showed no clinical signs of disease (survivors - resistant fish). Genome-wide association analyses of 1027 trout applying single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) as markers revealed an association between traits (susceptible/resistant) and certain regions of the trout genome. It was indicated that multiple genes are involved in rainbow trout resistance towards ERM whereby it is considered a polygenic trait. A corresponding trout group was kept as non-exposed controls and a comparative expression analysis of central innate and adaptive immune genes in gills, spleen and liver was performed for three fish groups: 1) moribund trout exhibiting clinical signs 7 dpc (CS), 2) exposed fish without clinical signs at the same sampling point (NCS) and 3) surviving fish at 21 dpc (survivors). Immune genes encoding inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-2A, IL-6A, IL-8, IL-10A, IL-12, IL-17A/F2A, IL-17C1, IL-17C2, IL-22, IFNγ, TNFα), acute phase reactants (SAA, C3, cathelicidins, lysozyme) were expressed differently in CS and NCS fish. Correlation (negative or positive) between expression of genes and bacterial load suggested involvement of immune genes in protection. Down-regulation of adaptive immune genes including IgDm, IgDs, IgT and TCR-β was seen primarily in CS and NCS fish whereas survivors showed up-regulation of effector molecule genes such as cathelicidins, complement and lysozyme suggesting their role in clearing the infection. In conclusion, SNP analyses indicated that ERM resistance in rainbow trout is a multi-locus trait. The gene expression in surviving fish suggested that several immune genes are associated with the trait conferring resistance.

The parasitic ciliate Ichthyophthirius multifiliis has a low host specificity eliciting white spot disease (WSD) in a wide range of freshwater fishes worldwide. The parasite multiplies rapidly whereby the infection may reach problematic levels in a host population within a few days. The parasite targets both wild and cultured fish but the huge economic impact of the protozoan is associated with mortality, morbidity and treatment in aquacultural enterprises. We have investigated the potential for genetic selection of WSD‐resistant strains of rainbow trout. Applying the DNA typing system Affymetrix® and characterizing the genome of the individual fish by use of 57,501 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) and their location on the rainbow trout chromosomes, we have genetically characterized rainbow trout with different levels of natural resistance towards WSD. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) used for the selection of breeders with specific markers for resistance are reported. We found a significant association between resistance towards I. multifiliis infection and SNP markers located on the two specific rainbow trout chromosomes Omy 16 and Omy 17. Comparing the expression of immune‐related genes in fish—with and without clinical signs—we recorded no significant difference. However, trout surviving the infection showed high expression levels of genes encoding IgT, T‐cell receptor TCRβ, C3, cathelicidins 1 and 2 and SAA, suggesting these genes to be associated with protection.

Genetic selection of disease resistant fish is a major strategy to improve health, welfare and sustainability in aquaculture. Mapping of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the fish genome may be a fruitful tool to define relevant quantitative trait loci (QTL) and we here show its use for characterization of Vibrio anguillarum resistant rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Fingerlings were exposed to the pathogen V. anguillarum serotype O1 in a solution of 1.5 × 107 cfu/ml and observed for 14 days. Disease signs appeared 3 days post exposure (dpe) whereafter mortality progressed exponentially until 6 dpe reaching a total mortality of 55% within 11 days. DNA was sampled from all fish – including survivors – and analyzed on a 57 k Affymetrix SNP platform whereby it was shown that disease resistance was associated with a major QTL on chromosome 21 (Omy 21). Gene expression analyses showed that diseased fish activated genes associated with innate and adaptive immune responses. The possible genes associated with resistance are discussed.

Background: Leadership and teamwork are important contributory factors in determining cardiac resuscitation performance and clinical outcome. We aimed to determine whether fixed positioning of the resuscitation team leader (RTL) relative to the patient influences leadership qualities during cardiac resuscitation using simulation. Methods: A cross-sectional randomized intervention study over 12 months’ duration was conducted in university hospital simulation lab. ACLS-certified medical doctors were assigned to run 2 standardized simulated resuscitation code as RTL from a head-end position (HEP) and leg-end position (LEP). They were evaluated on leadership qualities including situational attentiveness (SA), errors detection (ED), and decision making (DM) using a standardized validated resuscitation-code-checklist (RCC). Performance was assessed live by 2 independent raters and was simultaneously recorded. RTL self-perceived performance was compared to measured performance. Results: Thirty-four participants completed the study. Mean marks for SA were 3.74 (SD ± 0.96) at HEP and 3.54 (SD ± 0.92) at LEP, P = .48. Mean marks for ED were 2.43 (SD ± 1.24) at HEP and 2.21 (SD ± 1.14) at LEP, P = .40. Mean marks for DM were 4.53 (SD ± 0.98) at HEP and 4.47 (SD ± 0.73) at LEP, P = .70. The mean total marks were 10.69 (SD ± 1.82) versus 10.22 (SD ± 1.93) at HEP and LEP respectively, P = .29 which shows no significance difference in all parameters. Twenty-four participants (71%) preferred LEP for the following reasons, better visualization (75% of participants); more room for movement (12.5% of participants); and better communication (12.5% of participants). RTL's perceived performance did not correlate with actual performance Conclusion: The physical position either HEP or LEP appears to have no influence on performance of RTL in simulated cardiac resuscitation. RTL should be aware of the advantages and limitations of each position.

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Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the leading Gram-negative organisms associated with nosocomial infections. The increasing frequency of multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa (MDRPA) strains affects the efficacious antimicrobial options which are severely limited. In this prospective study, forty two different types of samples collected from patients with multiple types of infections attainted to AL-Kadhyimia Teaching Hospital-Baghdad-Iraq, from February, 2012 to August, 2012. Morphological characteristics, biochemical testing by Vitek 2 Compact for Gram-negative Identification, card 2GN and amplification of species-specific 16SrDNA gene were used to identify P. aeruginosa. The antibiotic sensitivity profiles of the strains were determined against ten antibiotics belonging to different classes using the BioMerieux Vitek2 compact system AST card. In order to identify the genes implicated in antimicrobial resistance mechanisms, DNA was extracted from collected samples and resistance genes PstS, blaOXA-50, blaOXA-2 and bla IMP-13 were amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The results showed that there were difference in number of P. aeruginosa isolates that were identified using Vitek 2 Compact for Gram-negative Identification, card 2GN (25/42) and 16SrDNA gene(29/42), but it was not statistically significant (p value= 1.000). Also, it showed that the highest resistance percentages of strains to tested antibiotics was for Ceftriaxone (96.55%) and the lowest resistant percentages was (17.24%) for Meropenem. Seven strains out of twenty nine (24%) were resistant to all tested antibiotics and were identified as a multidrug resistance strain (MDR). The study detects the presence of PstS gene and blaOXA-50 in (65.5% and 93% of strains, respectively), but it did not identify the presence of blaOXA-2 or blaIMP 13 at any of the tested strains of P. aeruginosa. There was no significant relationship between the presence of blaOXA-50 and resistance to Meropenem, Imipenem, Ceftazidime and Cefepim (p value 1.000, 1.000, 0.474, and 0308, respectively). We concluded that Meropenem is the most effective antibiotic and can be considered as the drug of choice against P. aeruginosa. This study is the first report presence of PstS and blaOXA50 in P. aeruginosa in Iraq. The presence of blaOXA-50 is important in order to identify and track the spread of multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa clones since blaOXA-50 may be potential clonality marker. Key words: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, molecular identification, antibiotic resistance genes.

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness and retention of learning automated external defibrillator (AED) usage taught through a traditional classroom instruction (TCI) method versus a novel self instructed video (SIV) technique in non-critical care nurses (NCCN). Methods: A prospective single-blind randomized study was conducted over 7 months (April-October 2014) at the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Center, Kuala Lampur, Malaysia. Eighty nurses were randomized into either TCI or SIV instructional techniques. We assessed knowledge, skill and confidence level at baseline, immediate and 6-months post-intervention. Knowledge and confidence were assessed via questionnaire; skill was assessed by a calibrated and blinded independent assessor using an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) method. Results: Pre-test mean scores for knowledge in the TCI group was 10.87 ± 2.34, and for the SIV group was 10.37 ± 1.85 (maximum achievable score 20.00); 4.05 ± 2.87 in the TCI and 3.71 ± 2.66 in the SIV (maximum score 11.00) in the OSCE evaluation and 9.54 ± 3.65 in the TCI and 8.56 ± 3.47 in the SIV (maximum score 25.00) in the individual’s personal confidence level. Both methods increased the mean scores significantly during immediate post-intervention (0-month). At 6-months, the TCI group scored lower than the SIV group in all aspects 11.13 ± 2.70 versus 12.95 ± 2.26 ( p =0.03) in knowledge, 7.27 ± 1.62 versus 7.68 ± 1.73 ( p =0.47) in the OSCE, and 16.40 ± 2.72 versus 18.82 ± 3.40 ( p =0.03) in confidence level. Conclusion: In NCCN’s, SIV is as good as TCI in providing the knowledge, competency, and confidence in performing AED defibrillation. Saudi Med J 2016; Vol. 37 (4): 429-435 doi: 10.15537/smj.2016.4.14833 How to cite this article: Saiboon IM, Qamruddin RM, Jaafar JM, Bakar AA, Hamzah FA, Eng HS, et al. Effectiveness of teaching automated external defibrillators use using a traditional classroom instruction versus self-instruction video in non-critical care nurses. Saudi Med J 2016; 37: 429-435.

The concept of employing bioinspired, eco-friendly architecture has attracted the interest of architects, material scientists, as well as researchers in the field of Biomimetics. Inspiration of nature is carried out as a guiding spirit and it creates an advanced field by (direct and indirect) mimicking and observing or Biomimicry, as a tradition of lifestyle. In the field of architecture, looking at nature and living beings and seeking solutions in them is of great value, which is useful in reducing design problems to a minimum, and choosing the most appropriate materials for it. Nature is a great permanent factory with aesthetic aspects. For all of that, it was possible to find solutions for the design by mimicking the growth characteristics of living beings, as one of the solutions that can be adopted to maintain context and access to the community, thus achieving sustainability. Moreover, architecture inspired by living beings has the characteristic of livelihood (bio-architecture) and has the ability to provide good job spaces at a reasonable cost in an ecofriendly way. However, the methods of transportation from the organism as (growth) to architecture are still less reliable since the architects do not realize the real possibilities of these methods. Still, the problem of the current research from that emerged represented by “the unclear of the role of growth characteristics in achieving functional and environmental sustainability in contemporary architecture”. The aim of the research is to “reveal the role of these characteristics in achieving functional development and environmental sustainability of contemporary architecture” depending on what the technician provided of digital for transferring these properties to architecture and finding different solutions according to changing needs over time and to produce sustainable (bio)architecture. The first step to answer this problem was building a theoretical framework for the aspects of growth and the methods for transferring it to architecture. Then the applying it to two selected projects to touch on the results and conclusions of the study.

Field experiment conducted during the winter agricultural season 2017-2018 at Al-Zafraniya Agricultural Research Station and Al-Tuwaitha Agricultural Research Station, according of Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications, to study maturity and productivity for accumulative temperature of rapeseed (Brassica napus L.). The experiment planting in Last week of September 2017 at Al-Zafraniya station and Last week of October 2017 at AL- Tuwaitha station. The results show increasing significantly in the yield (1110.11 kg. ha-1), percentage of oil (47.12 %), protein content in seeds (43.1%), carbohydrate (25.7%), nutrient content of seed (K, Ca) in Al-Zafraniya location; compared to Al-Tuwaitha location, yield (352.8 kg. ha-1), percentage of oil (41.1 %), protein content in seeds (41.2%), carbohydrate (26.2%), nutrient content of seed (Na, Ca, Mg, Fe) at fertilization, compared to no-fertilizer. It showed significant differences with nutrient content of soil (Na, Mg, Fe) for Al-Tuwaitha location and nutrient content of soil (K, Ca, Mg, Fe, S, Cu), pH, EC for Al-Zafraniya location at fertilization, compared to no-fertilizer. These results shows that the delay at time of cultivation leads to a decrease in seed yield, oil ratio, and percentage of protein in seeds, also high temperatures at seed filling stage leads decrease in seeds, oil and protein content.

Mariculture in Denmark is based on production of rainbow trout grown two years in fresh water followed by one growth season in sea cages. Although the majority of rainbow trout are vaccinated against the most serious bacterial pathogens - Aeromonas salmonicida subsp. salmonicida, Vibrio anguillarum and Yersinia ruckeri, by the use of commercially available vaccines, disease outbreaks requiring treatment with antibiotics still occur. The present study tested the potential of a new experimental multicomponent vaccine that is based on local bacterial strains, isolated from rainbow trout in Danish waters, and thus custom-designed for Danish rainbow trout mariculture. The vaccination with the multicomponent vaccine resulted in protection against three relevant bacterial diseases (yersiniosis, furunculosis, vibriosis) under experimental conditions. We showed that i.p. injection of the vaccine induced specific antibody responses in trout against the different bacterial antigens and regulated expression of genes encoding SAA, C3, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IgD and MHCII.

Resume Introduction Le syndrome hyper-IgG4 est une pathologie emergente a l’origine de manifestations thoraciques variees : asthme eosinophilique, adenopathies ou fibrose mediastinale, pneumopathies infiltrantes, nodules ou pseudo-tumeurs, localisations bronchiques et pleurales. Observation Nous rapportons le cas d’une patiente de 38 ans, admise pour exacerbation d’un asthme eosinophilique avec un taux eleve des IgE totales. La survenue semi-tardive, a 30 ans, de cet asthme severe au profil Th2 contrastant avec l’absence d’atopie ou de contexte familial, les antecedents de pancreatite aigue idiopathique associee a une cholangite sclerosante ainsi qu’une insuffisance renale ont fait evoquer le diagnostic de syndrome hyper-IgG4. Une histologie hepatique ancienne ainsi que la relecture de l’imagerie renale ont permis de confirmer cette hypothese. Conclusion Les manifestations pulmonaires du syndrome hyper-IgG4 sont a l’origine de tableaux radio-cliniques heterogenes ; qu’il est important de savoir evoquer au vu des risques evolutifs d’une pathologie corticosensible.

A single immersion vaccination of rainbow trout fry using a Yersinia ruckeri bacterin confers immunity to reinfection but only for a shorter period. A longer protective period is needed in practical trout farming and we have shown that booster vaccination prolongs immunity. Due to economic considerations and management practices it is not possible to immersion vaccinate large trout (20–30 g) with the recommended high bacterin concentration. We here demonstrate that booster vaccination using dilutions of the bacterin (1:100, 1:1000 and 1:2000) with increased exposure time (1 h, 2 h) confers a higher and longer lasting immunity although a short term (30 s) booster in 1:10 bacterin proved superior. This has practical implications for fish farmers because this diluted booster vaccination over longer time can be applied when farmers handle and transport fish between ponds and farms. Therefore such a practice will not challenge farm management and economy. Increased antibody levels were recorded after challenge of vaccinated fish but not after immersion vaccination alone which suggests that immersion induces priming of memory cells.

Vaccination of rainbow trout against Enteric Redmouth Disease (ERM) caused by Yersinia ruckeri can be successfully performed by administering vaccine (a bacterin consisting of formalin killed bacteria) by immersion, bath or injection. Booster immunization is known to increase the protection of fish already primed by one of these vaccination methods. Oral vaccination of trout (administering vaccine in feed) is an even more convenient way of presenting antigen to the fish but the effect of an oral booster has not previously been described in detail. The present work describes to what extent protection may be enhanced by oral boostering following priming with different administration methods. The study confirms that vaccination by 30 s dip into a bacterin (diluted 1:10) may confer a significant protection compared to non-vaccinated fish. The immunity may be optimized by booster immunization either provided as dip (most effective), bath (less effective) or orally (least effective). Oral immunization may be used as booster after dip but applied as a single oral application it induced merely a slight and statistically non-significant response. It is noteworthy that primary oral immunization followed by an oral booster vaccination showed a trend for an even weaker response. It should be investigated if continued exposure to a low antigen concentration – as performed by two oral immunizations - may induce tolerance to the pathogen and thereby leave the fish more vulnerable.

Introduction De nouvelles molecules ont ete mises sur le marche recemment dans le cadre du traitement de l’asthme non controle a eosinophiles. Il s’agit d’anticorps monoclonaux anti-IL5/IL5R. Nous rapportons notre experience preliminaire avec ces molecules dans la vie courante. Methodes Neuf patients, 6 F et 3 H, d’âge moyen 60 ans (40–77) ont ete traites, conformement a l’autorisation de mise sur le marche, par des anti-IL5-IL5R entre decembre 2018 et septembre 2019, pour un asthme non controle a eosinophiles presentant de nombreuses exacerbations aigues et des hospitalisations repetees, necessitant des cures repetees de corticoides systemiques a fortes doses, (aspergillose bronchopulmonaire et granulomateuse eosinophilique avec polyangeite ont ete ecartees). Trois patients presentent egalement une polypose nasale avec rhinite traitee par corticosteroides inhales. Le taux d’eosinophiles avant traitement etait en moyenne de 1427 elements par mm3 (400–6700). Parmi les 9 patients, 4 etaient toujours non controles malgre un anti-IGE. Resultats Avec un recul de 10 mois, tous les patients ont rapporte des la premiere injection, une nette amelioration de leur etat clinique avec disparition de leurs symptomes et une amelioration de leur qualite de vie voire une normalisation. Les 3 patients ayant une polypose nasale ont retrouve leur olfaction. Des frissons ont ete rapportes aux premieres injections. Tous ont ete sevres en corticoides oraux. Aucune exacerbation ou consultation en urgence n’a ete rapportee pendant cette periode de traitement. Une amelioration franche de la fonction respiratoire a ete constatee chez la majorite des patients traites. Conclusion Notre experience preliminaire avec les anti-IL5-IL5R, montre une tres bonne tolerance et une efficacite importante chez ces patients tant sur les symptomes quotidiens, la qualite de vie et l’epargne cortisonique. Le recours aux soins medicaux est moindre. De plus, les anti-IL5R ont ete efficaces sur la polypose nasale. Aucune exacerbation ni intolerance n’a ete rapportee dans cette experience preliminaire avec un recul de plus de six mois. Ces resultats encourageant doivent etre confirmes a grande echelle dans la vraie vie.

Background: Several factors render multiple myeloma (MM) an interesting subject for study by researchers. These include marked progress in understanding the molecular biology of normal and neoplastic plasma cells and recent advances in molecular genetics techniques. Among molecular markers, p-53 cancer suppressor gene have been widely studied.Aim: is to correlate p-53 protein expression in multiple myeloma, as examined by immunohistochemical method, with some pathological and clinical parameters (Clinical stage and cytological grade).Patients and methods: This is a retrospective study; whereby archival paraffin-embedded BM tissue blocks along with the clinical and hematological records of fifty patients (29 males and 21 females), with multiple myeloma and twenty controls were obtained from the Department of Hematology of the Medical City Teaching Laboratories in the period from April 2012 to April 2014. P-53 was studied by immunohistochemical staining.Results: There was a significant positive linear correlation between increasing scores of p-53 and advancing clinical stages of disease. There was a significant positive linear correlation between increasing scores of p-53 and decreasing maturity of plasma cells.Conclusions: Multiple myeloma patients with advanced clinical stages and immature plasma cell morphology had high p-53 scores. Since the above-mentioned factors are known independent prognostic factors, p-53 expression can readily be adopted to identify myeloma patients with an adverse prognosis.

Shortage of green skills has become a major constraint to energy efficient building programs and policies of Malaysia and many Asian countries. Yet, studies aimed at green skills are rare. Relying on an online survey of 99 professionals accredited by the Malaysian Green Building Index (GBI) this study seeks to: [1] identify the necessary green skills required for design and delivery of energy efficient building; and [2] identify and capture areas of skill gaps based on available and future green skills needs. Our preliminary result reveals that generally, available energy efficient green skills in Malaysia are below average. The highest skill gaps were found to be in the areas of energy efficiency maintenance for HVAC system, competence in use of diagnostic tools to measure building energy efficiency, carbon storage and capture in buildings and competency of architects/ builders in passive designs and installation.

Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) runts (n = 5) and harvest quality fish (n = 5) were sampled from each of all the net cage mariculture facilities in Denmark at the time of slaughter during autumns of 2012 and 2013. Thus, a total of 190 trout were obtained, represented by 95 runts and 95 fish of harvest quality. Trout were examined for macroscopic ectoparasites as well as helminths of the gastrointestinal tract and body cavity by careful visual inspection, and belly flap musculature by pepsin digestion. Stomach content analysis was performed in order to assess the risk of endoparasite transmission to the net cage cultured trout. Low numbers of salmon lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) (1–9 lice per fish) were found on 9 trout from western localities off the eastern coast of Jutland characterized by water salinity levels of 21–24‰, whereas no lice were detected on fish from areas of lower salinity. Body cavity and musculature of all trout were free from helminths, and the absence of medically important 3rd stage larvae of Anisakidae was thus confirmed. However, transmission of endoparasites was documented by the finding of the nematode Hysterothylacium aduncum in the intestines of 9.5% of the runts (mean intensity = 2.3) and 2.1% of the harvest quality trout (mean intensity = 2.0). A few cestodes (Eubothrium sp.) located in the pyloric caeca, and one acantocephalan (Neoechinorhynchus sp.) found in the intestine, were collected from four trout. The higher prevalence of H. aduncum among runts was associated with a markedly increased intake of parasite intermediate or paratenic hosts, i.e. small fish (mainly three-spined stickleback) and crustaceans (mainly amphipods), by these fish compared to those of harvest quality. Additionally, a higher number of runts than harvest quality fish had eaten biofouling organisms, e.g. mussels and algae, further indicating a difference in feeding behavior between the two quality classes of trout.

La rareté des ressources en eau dans de nombreuses régions du monde, accentuée dans le contexte actuel de réchauffement climatique, encourage la recherche de solutions alternatives pour assurer l’alimentation en eau des populations. L’exploitation de l’eau atmosphérique apparaît désormais comme une option réaliste. Il s’agit essentiellement d’assurer la condensation de la vapeur d’eau, soit de manière passive dans des collecteurs de rosée, soit de manière active au moyen de dispositifs assez largement comparables à des climatiseurs. La collecte de rosée est à considérer comme une solution d’appoint, dont la productivité demeure limitée, mais économiquement viable et susceptible de répondre aux besoins des populations les plus défavorisées. Pour une production d’eau à plus grande échelle, les condenseurs de vapeur d’eau atmosphérique sont proposés, dont l’utilisation n’est possible que dans la mesure où le taux d’hygrométrie de l’air est suffisant. De nombreux développements existent pour ces équipements, avec des applications militaires qui intéressent le ministère de la Défense. Leur pertinence est à étudier au cas par cas, en fonction de la climatologie et de l’hydrologie du site pour lequel ils sont destinés.

Background: In recent years, bone marrow angiogenesis was reported to be involved in the pathogenesis and progression of certain hematological malignancies like multiple myeloma, leukemias, and lymphomas. Recent studies have suggested that bone marrow angiogenesis plays an important role in the pathogenesis and prognosis of multiple myeloma.Objectives: at the present study, bone marrow angiogenesis in multiple myeloma was examined using immunohistochemical staining for CD34, and correlated with various pathological and clinical parameters.Patients and methods: This is a retrospective study; where by archival paraffin-embedded tissue blocks along with the clinical and hematological records of fifty-two patients with multiple myeloma and twenty controls were obtained from the Department of Hematology of the Medical City Teaching Laboratories in the period from January 2010 to January 2013. Bone marrow angiogenesis was studied by immunohistochemical staining for CD34 to identify microvessels.Results: There was a significant association between higher angiogenesis grades and advanced clinical stage of the disease (p = 0.002), and higher plasma cell percent in the bone marrow (p = 0.03), and increasing immaturity of the plasma cell (p = 0.001), and diffuse pattern of bone marrow infiltration by plasma cells (p = 0.007).Conclusions: Patients with increased plasma cell burden, immature plasma cell morphology, and diffuse pattern of infiltration had a higher microvessel density.