Direct Sun Exposure Research Articles

PROFIL DAN ANALISIS AKTIVITAS ANTIOKSIDAN DALAM EKSTRAK AIR MENIRAN YANG DIKERINGKAN DENGAN METODE YANG BERBEDA <br><i> Profile and Analysis of Antioxidant Activity in Dried Meniran Water Extracts using Different Methods </i></br>

Meniran (Phyllanthus niruri Linn.) is a medicinal plant that can reduce obesity status, hypoglycemic, hypotensive, and have antioxidant activity. Meniran has been long used as a medicinal plant, but its utilization in a form of water infusion is still rare. This research is a continuation study which aims to identify the biomolecules that have antioxidant activity in water infusion of meniran. The making of water infusion of meniran requires drying process, which can be done by room temperature drying and sun drying. Phenol and fl avonoid compounds in meniran are assumed to have antioxidant activity. Both compounds are easily oxidized and isomerized due to sun exposure. It is assumed that the drying method will aff ect the presence of phenol and fl avonoid compounds and its antioxidant activity. The study began with the process of sun drying and room temperature without direct sun exposure. Then the extraction process used water soxhlet by soxhlet extraction method. The extract was then tested qualitatively using the DPPH IC50 method. The results of the qualitative analysis with meniran color visualization are positive containing fl avonoids and phenols. The results of quantitative analysis of meniran which are dried by sun drying; fl avonoids 0.90% w/w and 1.65% w/w phenols, in samples stored at room temperature: 2.00% w/w fl avonoids and phenol 56.16% w/w. The antioxidant activity of IC50-DPHH in extract concentrations (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 15, 20 ppm) of dried meniran at room temperature 18.48 ppm, sun drying cannot be determined.

Correction to: Comparison of the Skin Cancer Quality of Life Impact Tool and the Skin Cancer Index Questionnaire in Measurement of Health-Related Quality of Life and the Effect of Patient Education Brochures in Patients with Actinic Keratosis, Non-melanoma Skin Cancer, and Cutaneous Melanoma

Few studies have evaluated patient-reported outcome measures and the effect of patient educational materials in German patients with skin cancer. We conducted a prospective study to measure the impact of treatment on health-related quality of life in German patients with skin cancer, identify variables that may contribute to changes in health-related quality of life, and evaluate the effect of providing additional information through a patient education brochure. A total of 461 patients diagnosed with actinic keratosis, nonmetastatic nonmelanoma skin cancer, melanoma in situ, or nonmetastatic cutaneous melanoma treated between August 2018 and July 2020 were included. Ninety-seven patients were randomly selected to receive an additional patient education brochure (“Hautkrebs”). The patients completed a Skin Cancer Quality of Life Index Tool (n = 324) or a Skin Cancer Index Questionnaire (n = 137) 1 week after surgical treatment. Ninety-seven patients were provided an additional patient education brochure. We found statistical correlation between sociodemographic factors (young age and female gender) and the location of the skin cancer (head and face) and impairment of health-related quality of life in patients with skin cancer (p < 0.05). Moreover, we found that patients who were presented a brochure showed significantly higher awareness concerning direct sun exposure (p < 0.05). Impaired health-related quality of life is correlated with a patient with skin cancer’s age, gender, and the location of the lesion. Physicians should consider these factors in clinical practice and advocate the use of patient education brochures as effective assets in preventing the reoccurrence of skin cancer.

Comparison of the Skin Cancer Quality of Life Impact Tool and the Skin Cancer Index Questionnaire in Measurement of Health-Related Quality of Life and the Effect of Patient Education Brochures in Patients with Actinic Keratosis, Non-melanoma Skin Cancer, and Cutaneous Melanoma.

IntroductionFew studies have evaluated patient-reported outcome measures and the effect of patient educational materials in German patients with skin cancer. We conducted a prospective study to measure the impact of treatment on health-related quality of life in German patients with skin cancer, identify variables that may contribute to changes in health-related quality of life, and evaluate the effect of providing additional information through a patient education brochure.MethodsA total of 461 patients diagnosed with actinic keratosis, nonmetastatic nonmelanoma skin cancer, melanoma in situ, or nonmetastatic cutaneous melanoma treated between August 2018 and July 2020 were included. Ninety-seven patients were randomly selected to receive an additional patient education brochure (“Hautkrebs”). The patients completed a Skin Cancer Quality of Life Index Tool (n = 324) or a Skin Cancer Index Questionnaire (n = 137) 1 week after surgical treatment.ResultsNinety-seven patients were provided an additional patient education brochure. We found statistical correlation between sociodemographic factors (young age and female gender) and the location of the skin cancer (head and face) and impairment of health-related quality of life in patients with skin cancer (p < 0.05). Moreover, we found that patients who were presented a brochure showed significantly higher awareness concerning direct sun exposure (p < 0.05).ConclusionImpaired health-related quality of life is correlated with a patient with skin cancer’s age, gender, and the location of the lesion. Physicians should consider these factors in clinical practice and advocate the use of patient education brochures as effective assets in preventing the reoccurrence of skin cancer.

The use of shelters improves growth and survival of the endangered Nothofagus alessandrii after 5 years in a Mediterranean drought-prone site

The ruil (Nothofagus alessandrii Espinosa) forest is one of the most endangered-endemic forest ecosystem in central Chile. The species is classified as shade- intolerant, but at the early stages of development the species behave as shade- tolerant, and its transition from shade to sun is unknown. In this study we presented the following scientific question: Does protection from direct sun exposure, beyond the initial establishment phase, improve the outplanting performance of N. alessandrii? By establishing planting stock of two qualities under two light levels (full sun versus black mesh shelters) and three irrigation frequencies in a Mediterranean drought-prone site, we assessed the performance of N. alessandrii trees (i.e., survival, root collar diameter, height, and individual tree volume) for 5 years after outplanting. The effect of planting stock and irrigation frequency were not significant. Our results of irrigation suggest that large amounts of water at low frequencies are inefficient in drought-prone sites. Those plants growing under shelters had a height and survival 32 and 55% higher with respect to full sun trees. The effect of the light level on height and survival varied by age. In the shelter treatment, survival was drastically reduced when plants overpassed the shelter height of 1 m. At age 5 years, survival in sheltered and no sheltered trees was reduced by 54 and 80%, respectively, relative to the survival values of the first year after outplanting. We concluded that initial establishment of N. alessandrii must consider the use of shelters beyond the early stages of development.

Confocal Raman spectroscopy as a tool to assess advanced glycation end products on solar-exposed human skin

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) consist of a complex and heterogeneous class of compounds frequently associated with the skin aging process. The formation of AGEs and its accumulation in the body have been related as the pathophysiological key to important age-related diseases, such as diabetes mellitus and Alzheimer’s disease. In addition, AGEs are also related to skin aging as result of ultraviolet (UV) light exposure in both senescent and photo aged skin. Thus, establishing novel approaches for spatially assessing AGEs appears as a potentially useful strategy toward the investigation of the mechanistic role of these compounds in aging-related processes. Herein, we propose a direct and non-destructive approach to assess the biological changes on the human skin highly exposed to solar irradiation. Confocal Raman spectroscopy (CRS) was used to evaluate the presence and the differences in the AGEs content, by using reference spectra of the major AGEs present in human skin. Two different groups were considered from volunteers who had a daily history of high sun exposure: samples collected from the inner face of the arm (sun-protected or low direct sun exposure, SP) and samples from the forearm dorsum (sun-exposed or high direct sun exposure, SE). In this study, the main AGEs products were found to be carboxymethyl-lysine (CML), glucosepane (GLU) and pentosidine (PEN) for both groups; while CML were predominant at the stratum corneum and epidermis, GLU and PEN were found to be the main AGEs in dermis. Multivariate statistical analysis revealed a high discrimination rate in the stratum corneum region at around 93.8 %, while in the layers of the epidermis and dermis this value was found to be 68.8 %, according to the degree of discrimination of SP and SE groups. In sum, this investigation shows that CRS is able to assess AGEs in vivo and non-invasively on human skin and provided a better understanding on the effects and changes resulting from skin chronological aging caused by glycation under conditions of high exposure to UV irradiation.

Assessment of Vitamin D Levels and Its Correlation With Osteoporosis and Fracture Site Comminution in Osteoporotic Hip Fractures in Tertiary Care Hospital

Introduction: A global concern is vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency. There is a particularly high risk for pregnant women, people of color (Blacks, Hispanics, and those with increased skin melanin pigmentation), obese children and adults, and children and adults who are abstinent from direct sun exposure. The goal of this study was to understand the incidence of vitamin D deficiency in patients with osteoporotic hip fractures in our rural population and also to know its association with osteoporosis and osteoporotic hip fractures in a tertiary care trauma center.Methods: This prospective research was performed at our tertiary trauma treatment center in Kolar, Karnataka, India by the Department of Orthopedics from September 2019 and July 2020. The age category was 45-90 years, intertrochanteric fractures were graded using the Boyd and Griffin classification and femoral neck fractures the Garden's staging. The research included all patients with fractures after a trivial trauma such as slip and fall while standing/walking and excluded patients with a serious history of trauma such as road traffic accidents/falls from height and pathological fractures. This study involved 30 patients. Age and gender, type of fracture, vitamin D levels, Singh’s index, and comminution of fracture site were reported in patient demographics.Results: Thirty patients comprised the study population. Most of them were female. Females comprised 18 out of the 30. There were twelve, thirteen, and five persons in our sample population between the ages of 45-60, 61-75, and >75 years. The Singh's index was tabulated. Mean vitamin D levels were 9.64+/-3.23 in the femur fracture group and 13.42+/-5.31 in the intertrochanteric fracture group. Mean levels of vitamin D are included as a graphical representation. The comminution of the fracture site in groups of the femur and intertrochanteric fractures was eight and six, respectively.Conclusion: Early diagnosis and treatment of these patients with vitamin D for osteomalacia and anti-osteoporotic osteoporosis regimens will hopefully enhance bone, muscle, and general health, minimizing falls and fractures.

Thermoregulatory and Behavioral Responses of Buffaloes With and Without Direct Sun Exposure During Abnormal Environmental Condition in Marajó Island, Pará, Brazil.

This study aimed to assess the effect of thermal-hydraulic variables in female buffaloes with or without direct solar exposure in a year of strong El Niño through behavior responses and infrared thermography to reinforce the environmental comfort indicators, in Marajó Island, Pará, Brazil. The experiment was carried out in Cachoeira do Arari municipality and 20 female Murrah buffaloes were randomly assigned to two groups: Group WS (n = 10) was kept in pickets with native trees. Group NS (n = 10) was kept in crush squeeze with no shade. Data on air temperature (AT, °C), relative air humidity (RH, %), wind velocity (WV, m/s), rectal temperature (RT), respiratory rate (RR), and body surface temperature (BST) were collected. Practical Buffalo Comfort Climatic Condition Index (BCCCI), practical Buffalo Environmental Comfort Index (BECI), Temperature and Humidity Index (THI) and Benezra's Thermal Comfort Index (BTCI) were obtained. Infrared thermography analysis was carried out with a FLIR T-series T640bx camera. Data on time spent grazing, ruminating, idleness, and in other activities were recorded. A significant difference in AT of ~1°C was found between the groups at 6 a.m., 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. THI indicated emergency conditions. Female buffaloes were at danger PBCCCI conditions at 2 p.m. There was also significant difference for RT between treatments at 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., whose values were higher (P < 0.05) for animals from NS Group, with the highest mean time at 2 p.m. Pearson correlation was significant and positive (P < 0.01) between RT mean and VUL, TI and ORB mean, maximum and minimum temperatures. The total time given to grazing was 518.2 min for the group NS and 629.5 min for the group WS. Rumination was more pronounced in the afternoon shift for the group NS. Buffaloes kept in a system with trees graze, ruminate and perform other activities with more intensity than animals raised in systems without access to shade, and tend to hyperthermia, mainly at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., in Marajó Island, Pará, Brazil.

Faktor – Faktor Penyebab Kejadian Infeksi Saluran Pernafasan Akut (Ispa) Di Musim Kemarau Pada Masyarakat Wilayah Kerja Puskesmas Kampar

ARI (Acute Respiratory Infection) is an acute inflammation of upper and lower respiratory tract caused by infection of microorganisms or bacteria, viruses, or rickets, without or with inflammation of the lung parenchyma. ARI is caused by a virus / bacteria that begins with heat accompanied by one or more symptoms such as sore throat, swallowing pain, runny nose, dry cough or phlegm. ARI is a public health problem in developing countries. The incidence of ARI tends to increase during the dry season.The goal of this research is want to know factors causing the event of ARI in dry season at public health center of kampar 2020. This research is observational analytic study with case control study design. Based on the results of research in the Kampar Public health center. The population is suffering from this research is the people in the Kampar Public health center and the samples is the people whos cames to Public health center to get treatment. Sample of case is 52 people and sample of control is 52 people. The variable in this research is Personal Protective equipments. The data were analyzed by univariate and bivariate analysis using Pearson correlation test and simple linier regression.The result of this research is that there is a significant correlation of using personal protective equipments with ARI in the dry season with (p value &lt; 0,01). The preventive of action that can be done by the community is that if driving in the dry season, you should use PPE (Personal Protective equipments) like a mask, and if you are often active in the sun, you should use protective clothing such as hats, long sleeves, trousers and hats to avoid direct sun exposure.

Tree shade improves the comfort of sheep during extreme summer

Exposure to the sun during summer is a common practice in the pastoral system of sheep rearing in the semi-arid tropics. Exposure of direct sun in the hot summer may increase the heat load of sheep and may affect the sheep welfare negatively. Therefore, this study planned to evaluate the effect of tree shade on the behavioral adaptation of sun-exposed sheep during extreme summer in semi-arid region. For this purpose, 16 Malpura Rams were selected. The selected rams were segregated uniformly into two groups—G1 and G2. The rams of G1 were maintained under shaded area of the tree, whereas the rams of G2 were exposed to direct sun during summer in semi-arid tropic from 8 AM to 5 PM every day. The behavioral observations were recorded by the closed-circuit camera. Later on, the observation was taken in scanned sampling at 10-minute interval. The time taken for performing behaviors such as feed intake, rumination, standing, and lying was documented weekly once from morning (8 AM) to afternoon (5 PM) for 4 weeks. The data were analyzed with general linear model with repeated measures analysis. Protection of rams (G1) from the sun (P < 0.001) increased the total feed intake time. The time taken for performing panting, idle standing, panting in standing, and rumination in standing condition was (P < 0.001) lower in G1 compared with G2. The total standing time was also reduced (P < 0.05) in G1. The panting in a lying position was higher (P < 0.001) in G1 compared with G2. It is pertinent to conclude from the result that tree shade protects the sheep from direct sun exposure during summer and the sun-exposed sheep modify their behaviors to combat the extra heat load in the semi-arid region.

A Current Review on Drug Loaded Nanofibers: Interesting and Valuable Platform for Skin Cancer Treatment.

Nanofibers are used in topical medication for various skin diseases like wound healing, skin cancer and others. Non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) are the most widely distributed diseases in the world, of which 99% of people are affected by either basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) or squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) of the skin. Skin malignancy is caused by direct sun exposure and regular application of unsafe restorative items on the skin. This review presents the use of nanofibers in skin cancer treatment and advances made in skin cancer treatment. There are various methods used in the production of nanofibers such as bicomponent extrusion, phase separation, template synthesis, drawing, electrospinning, and others. Electrospinning is the most widely used technique for nanofiber fabrication. The nanofibers are produced in nanometer size range and mostly used in medication because of their low thickness, large surface area per unit mass and porosity. Nanofibers are also used as drug delivery system for sustaining the action of drugs or medicaments. Nanofibers enhance the permeation and availability of those drugs having low bioavailability and low permeability. Nanofibers increase the sustainability of the drugs up to 10 days. Skin cancer is the abnormal growth of skin cells in the body influencing people of all colours and skin. In this review paper, the definition and production techniques of nanofibers and drugs used in skin cancer treatment and the relation between skin cancer and nanofiber are illustrated in detail. With the help of different techniques and drugs, the risk of non-melanoma skin cancer is reduced. Lay Summary: The risk of skin cancer and other skin problems is increasing day by day. In a previous study we found that the nanofibers are less used as a topical delivery system. We have studied the nanofibers as a drug delivery system in the treatment of skin cancer by using different drugs. According our study nanofibers are most useful in skin drug delivery and if the nanofiber, are merging with other drug delivery system like nanoparticles, it may maximize the output of drug into skin. The significance of this study is, to explain all information about nanofibers in skin cancer.

Emplacement of screen-printed graphene oxide coating for building thermal comfort discernment

This study demonstrates the development of flexible graphene oxide coatings (GOCs) by the screen-printed technique and further its implementation as a thermal absorber for buildings’ thermal comfort purpose. The basic concept consists the integration of the GOC as a flat absorber on the top of a low iron glass or aluminium-based substrate (5 × 5 cm2) connecting through a phase change material channel in contact with direct sun exposure. The function of GOC as an outdoor cover of the prototype chamber is to maintain the high indoor temperature while the outdoor temperature is low. Using the GOC, it has been observed that the indoor temperature (at the substrate) of the prototype chamber always remains higher as compared to the outdoor temperature (at the GOC) as measured under 1 SUN 1.5 AM condition. The temperature difference between outdoor and indoor exterior surface significantly increases during the light exposure time, whereas the difference drastically approaches to zero during the cooling period. The variation of different crucial environmental factors such as high temperature, moisture, flexibility and water resistivity has been investigated on the developed GOCs to understand the stability of the coating further.

Effect of wetsuit outer surface material on thermoregulation during surfing

While some research does exist on wetsuit thermoregulation, there is currently a paucity in the literature describing how various types of neoprene materials affect skin temperatures. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that the slick neoprene would lead to higher skin temperatures in comparison to the jersey material. Participants wore a custom wetsuit with the torso made of half slick and half jersey neoprene materials (n = 78). Participants either participated in one of two field studies or engaged in a simulated surfing session in a flume after sunset, where the influence of direct sun exposure was eliminated. In the field, participants wore four thermistors placed on either side of the chest and the upper back (n = 27) or the abdomen and the lower back (n = 31). Skin temperatures were measured across typical surfing sessions. In the laboratory, the participants (n = 20) wore all eight sensors in the anatomical locations described above, and skin temperatures were recorded across a simulated surfing session. In the field study, the mean skin temperatures under the slick neoprene were significantly higher when compared to the jersey neoprene for the upper chest (p < 0.001), upper back (p = 0.001), and lower back (p < 0.001) at all time points. In the laboratory study, skin temperatures were significantly higher under the slick neoprene at the upper chest and lower back (p < 0.001). These findings may be a result of greater heat absorptive properties of slick neoprene during exposure to the sun and the water-retaining properties of jersey-lined neoprene.

Combining Rotation and V-Y Design for Lower Forehead and Temporal Region Reconstruction With Myocutaneous Frontal Flap: Our Experience on 27 Consecutive Cases.

Because of direct sun exposure, lower forehead and temporal area are anatomical regions with frequently observed skin tumors. The resulting defects after oncological ablations are usually treated, especially in older patients, by split thickness skin grafting or A-to-T and O-to-T flaps if facing small defects. On specific sites that expose bone or periosteum as well as when a skin graft is best avoided for cosmetic reasons, alternative reconstructive procedures should be considered. An excellent option is the use of myocutaneous frontal flap with rotation and V-Y design, which provide a reliable coverage of defects especially of the temporal area, dispensing appropriate like-tissue by its wide arc of rotation. Between 2010 and 2019, 27 patients underwent myocutaneous frontal flap with rotation and V-Y design reconstruction of medium-to-large-sized soft-tissue defects of the lower forehead and temporal area after tumor excision. The malignant skin lesions involved were basal cell carcinoma (n = 17), squamous cell carcinoma (n = 9), and melanoma (n = 1). Twenty one patients were male, and 6 were female with an average age of 64 (54-86) years. All defects were successfully resurfaced with no local recurrences. The authors present a modification to myocutaneous frontal flap harvesting, with emphasis on its extensive arc of rotation with a V-Y design to minimize donor-site morbidity. The advantages of myocutaneous frontal flap with rotation and V-Y design include a good contour with excellent color, texture, and thickness match and good to excellent aesthetic results.

Photoprotection and Skin Pigmentation: Melanin-Related Molecules and Some Other New Agents Obtained from Natural Sources.

Direct sun exposure is one of the most aggressive factors for human skin. Sun radiation contains a range of the electromagnetic spectrum including UV light. In addition to the stratospheric ozone layer filtering the most harmful UVC, human skin contains a photoprotective pigment called melanin to protect from UVB, UVA, and blue visible light. This pigment is a redox UV-absorbing agent and functions as a shield to prevent direct UV action on the DNA of epidermal cells. In addition, melanin indirectly scavenges reactive oxygenated species (ROS) formed during the UV-inducing oxidative stress on the skin. The amounts of melanin in the skin depend on the phototype. In most phenotypes, endogenous melanin is not enough for full protection, especially in the summertime. Thus, photoprotective molecules should be added to commercial sunscreens. These molecules should show UV-absorbing capacity to complement the intrinsic photoprotection of the cutaneous natural pigment. This review deals with (a) the use of exogenous melanin or melanin-related compounds to mimic endogenous melanin and (b) the use of a number of natural compounds from plants and marine organisms that can act as UV filters and ROS scavengers. These agents have antioxidant properties, but this feature usually is associated to skin-lightening action. In contrast, good photoprotectors would be able to enhance natural cutaneous pigmentation. This review examines flavonoids, one of the main groups of these agents, as well as new promising compounds with other chemical structures recently obtained from marine organisms.

Poor dietary consumption and limited sun exposure are risk factors for vitamin D deficiency in premenopausal Kuwaiti women: A cross-sectional study

Background: Low serum vitamin D levels are reported constantly among females living in the Arabian Gulf countries, presumably due to their lifestyle, which limits direct sun exposure. Because Vitamin D deficiency has been implicated in a wide range of ailments, healthy females with the deficiency might be at risk for developing many health problems. Thus, the aim was to assess lifestyle risk factors for vitamin D deficiency in healthy women in Kuwait. Methods: A total of 104, disease-free, premenopausal women were recruited for assessment of their serum 25OHD and intact PTH levels. Physical examination, blood withdrawal and interviewer-administered questionnaires were used to collect the relevant data. Associations were detected statistically using nonparametric tests and logistic regression was used to identify risk factors for vitamin D deficiency. Results: Vitamin D deficiency ( < 25 nmol/L) occurred in 84.6%, and hyperparathyroidism ( ≥ 6.9 pmol/L) occurred in 25% of women, among which all were vitamin D deficient. Significant risk factors of vitamin D deficiency were nondaily milk intake (OR:25, CI%:4.2–147), no fish intake (OR:5, CI%:1–22.8), and no weekend sun exposure (OR:8.2, CI%:1.28–52.6). Having PTH ≥ 6 pmol/L was also associated with a higher likelihood of having vitamin D deficiency. Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency is very common in disease-free, premenopausal Kuwaiti women and can be avoided by improving food consumption and obtaining more sun exposure.

Noise Resilient Outdoor Traffic Light Visible Light Communications System Based on Logarithmic Transimpedance Circuit: Experimental Demonstration of a 50 m Reliable Link in Direct Sun Exposure.

The usage of Visible Light Communications (VLC) technology in automotive applications is very promising. Nevertheless, in outdoor conditions, the performances of existing VLC systems are strongly affected by the sun or other sources of light. In such situations, the strong parasitic light can saturate the photosensitive element and block data communication. To address the issue, this article analyzes the usage of an adaptive logarithmic transimpedance circuit as an alternative to the classical linear transimpedance circuit. The simulation and experimental evaluation demonstrate benefits of the proposed technique, as it significantly expands the communication distance and optical noise functionality range of the VLC systems and reduces the possibility of photoelement saturation. As a result, this approach might enable outdoor VLC sensors to work in strong sun conditions, the experimental results confirming its validity not only in the laboratory but also in outdoor conditions. A reliable 50 m communication distance is reported for outdoor sunny conditions using a standard power traffic light VLC emitter and a PIN photodiode VLC sensor.

Effect of Drying Method on Physical-Chemical Characteristics and Amino Acid Content of Tropical Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) Hay for Poultry Feed

Alfalfa is an important source of inexpensive forage for poultry that has high nutritional and digestive value. Alfalfa can be dried to produce hay, although the drying method can affect the quality of the hay as forage. In this study we examined how drying methods affect the physical quality and chemical composition of hay produced from alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Harvested alfalfa plants were dried by direct sun exposure (P1), under a tarp in a greenhouse (P2), or in an oven at 55°C (P3). The physical and chemical characteristics of the hays were analyzed and differences among the three treatment groups were analyzed with ANOVA followed by Duncan's New Multiple Range Test (DMRT). Samples dried under direct sunlight (P1) had reduced crude fat content and increased crude fiber content compared to the other treatments. However, the physical and chemical characteristics of hay produced by all three treatments were within recommended ranges for quality forage. Furthermore, the heat associated with oven-drying did not affect the amino acid content of the resulting hay. Taken together, hay can be rapidly produced by oven-drying to produce an economical alternative source of protein that is comparable to that in corn, soybean and fish meals.

The Sunny Side Up: An Interdisciplinary Overview of Sunlight’s Effects on our Health

Do levels of daily sunlight exposure have a measurable effect on peoples’ health? I used to live in Michiganwhere it is cloudy seemingly every day. This is drastically different from Texas, where the sun is almost alwaysshining. It is well known that an increase in sunlight exposure can drastically affect one’s mood; when looking atcloudy areas versus areas full of sunshine, the difference in overall happiness and rates of depression can bequite dramatic. Another factor to consider is that spending more time in direct sunlight can help with vitaminD synthesis. Low vitamin D levels can lead to all sorts of health problems, demonstrating that having directsun exposure has the potential to be very influential in one’s health. To investigate whether sunlight can have ameasurable impact on peoples’ health and life expectancies, I collected data on average life expectancies andreported happiness levels for all 50 U.S. States, as well as over 70 cities within the United States. These citieswere grouped together using K-means clustering to control for confounding variables, and then analyzed. Thisallowed for an accurate representation of whether sunlight really does affect one’s health or not. Data came fromthe United States Census Bureau, the CDC, and other reliable sources. This research highlights how certainclimate areas can affect our health, happiness, and overall life expectancy.

Variations in 25-Hydroxyvitamin D in Countries from the Middle East and Europe: The Roles of UVB Exposure and Diet.

Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) has been largely associated with latitude and sunshine exposure across several regions. According to previous results, 25(OH)D concentrations are, on average, relatively low in countries with abundant sunshine, including those of the Middle East and North Africa region, as well as lower-latitude Europe. The standard explanation for this phenomenon is that people wear concealing clothing because of cultural and religious practices and that high temperatures in summer limit direct sun exposure. However, the role of diet in the development of profound hypovitaminosis D has not been adequately explored in those countries. To examine how diet affects vitamin D status in the Middle Eastern and European countries, a search was conducted for papers from that region reporting 25(OH)D concentrations. Papers were sought that reported summertime and wintertime 25(OH)D concentrations for healthy nonpregnant adults representative of the entire population. Data from 15 Middle Eastern and European countries were found through this search. Data for postmenopausal women from 19 European countries were also obtained. Dietary supply data for animal products containing vitamin D (animal fat, eggs, ocean fish, animal meat, and milk) were obtained from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Latitude and a solar UVB dose index also were obtained for each country. For the 15-country study, energy from dietary factors was highly correlated with latitude, making it difficult to separate the effects of UVB exposure and dietary factors. However, for the 19-country study, dietary factors were only weakly correlated with latitude. In that study, ocean fish was the most important single dietary factor affecting serum 25(OH)D concentration for postmenopausal women in various European countries, but animal fat and meat also contributed. Because this is an ecological study, further research is encouraged to evaluate and extend the findings.

Medication compliance and lifestyle adherence in renal transplant recipients in Kuwait.

Introduction and aimKidney transplantation is the optimal treatment choice for end stage renal disease; this option needs a major change in the recipients’ lifestyle and requires strict adherence to medications. The study aim was to assess the compliance of renal transplant patients to medications and lifestyle modifications in the Hamed Al-Essa Organ Transplant Center in Kuwait.Patients and methodsOne-hundred and twenty renal transplant patients were interviewed for their lifestyle behaviors after transplantation, including transplant adherence to their medications, healthy meals, personal hygiene, physical activity, regular out-patient follow up visits, and preventive measures against infection and cancer, in addition to sexual function. The questionnaire used was created by staff of the Faculty of Medicine, Mansura University, Egypt.ResultsSixty percent of the renal transplant patients were compliant with medications and lifestyle. Risk factors associated with poor medication compliance were being Kuwaiti citizens, women, and having had unrelated living donors (p<0.05). Compliance with medications was associated with less transplant related complications (p=0.003). Only 15% of the participants were compliant with low-salt diet, 8% with low-fat, and 11% with low-carb. One fourth of patients were compliant with a daily shower and 20% were physically active. More than 70% of the patients were regularly visiting the out-patient clinic. Compliance to preventive measures against infection was observed in 85% of patients but only 5% were avoiding direct sun exposure. Half of the male patients had sexual dysfunction but only half of them were consulting their nephrologists about it.ConclusionKidney transplant patients in Kuwait had moderate compliance with medications and lifestyle modifications. Closer assessment is needed to identify the risk factors before and after transplantation to avoid any complications associated with non-compliance.