Laboratory Of Institute Research Articles

Radionuclides in Italian Drinking Water and Regulations: Data Collection to Improve Risk Assessment

Drinking water, in addition to the best-known chemical and biological agents, contains radionuclides of both natural and artificial origin, which can contribute significantly to the overall effective dose received by the population. The Italian Decree Law 28/2016, implementing the 2013/51/EURATOM Directive, establishes the activities for risk management and the parameter values for different radionuclide activity concentrations. In addition to the institutions involved, the National Inspectorate for Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection (ISIN) annually publishes monitoring reports of environmental radioactivity in Italy, including radioactivity in drinking water. The purpose of the study was to integrate ISIN reports with 2018–2020 data by collecting measurements performed by institutional laboratories to obtain more complete information and adding, for the Campania region, some data not yet published. This new updated report was not significantly different from ISIN’s one, meaning that those publications are nevertheless extremely representative of the radioactivity in Italian drinking water. However, the study allowed us to obtain more detailed data, including measurements not considered in ISIN reports, for instance, radon-222 activity concentrations. This may be of great usefulness for all radiation protection stakeholders in order to ensure environmental protection, pollution prevention, and population safety.

Evaluation of different high doses aqueous plant extracts for the sustainable control of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes under laboratory conditions

Aedes aegypti mosquitoes represent a significant public health hazard as they serve as vectors for a variety of arboviral infections, including Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya. This necessitates the development of efficacious vector control strategies. The current study conducted at the Medical Entomology laboratory of the Nuclear Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Peshawar, Pakistan, evaluated the potential use of locally sourced aqueous-based plant extracts against different life stages of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. The utilization of plant extracts, including Parthenium hysterophorus, Nicotiana tabacum, Melia azedarach, and Fagonia indica, offers a potentially effective and ecologically sustainable strategy for pest control. The above excerpts present environmentally friendly alternatives that are biodegradable and have a little impact on the environment. These alternatives are in contrast to synthetic pesticides and contribute to the promotion of sustainable and ecologically responsible methods of pest control. The study tested various plant extracts, specifically those from Parthenium hysterophorus, Nicotiana tabacum, Melia azedarach, and Fagonia indica. These were examined at high concentrations to assess their toxicity to the mosquito species. The extract of P. hysterophorus demonstrated impressive efficacy, displaying 100 % effectiveness across all mosquito life stages. This was closely followed by N. tabacum, F. indica, and M. azedarach in decreasing order of efficacy. To better understand the potency of these plant extracts, their LC50 values were determined after 24, 48, and 72 h post-exposure. LC50 values, a common measure in toxicology, indicate the concentration at which 50 % of the test organisms are killed. Among the tested extracts, M. azedarach exhibited the highest LC50 values (1.703 %, 2.142 %, 2.640 %), implying lower toxicity, while P. hysterophorus showed the lowest LC50 values (0.120 %, 0.420 %, 0.975 %), indicating high toxicity to Aedes aegypti mosquito larvae. Based on the comparative analysis of toxicity, the extracts' efficiency order was established as follows: P. hysterophorus extracts > N. tabacum extracts > F. indica extracts > M. azedarach extracts. These findings suggest that P. hysterophorus and N. tabacum, particularly at a 3 % concentration, hold promising potential as components in eco-friendly integrated vector management (IVM) strategies. This approach would serve as an alternative to the traditional reliance on synthetic pesticides, which often pose environmental and health risks due to their residual toxicity.

Natural history of internal carotid artery stenosis progression

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate the natural history of internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis progression. MethodsThis single-institution retrospective cohort study analyzed patients diagnosed with ICA stenosis of 50% or greater on duplex ultrasound from 2015 to 2022. Subjects were drawn from our institutional Intersocietal Accreditation Commission-accredited noninterventional vascular laboratory database. Primary outcomes were incidences of disease progression, and stroke or revascularization after index study. Progression was defined as an increase in stenosis classification category. Imaging, demographic, and clinical data was obtained from our institutional electronic medical record via a database mining query. Cases were analyzed at the patient and artery levels, with severity corresponding to the greatest degree of ICA stenosis on index and follow-up studies. ResultsOf 577 arteries in 467 patients, mean cohort age was 73.5 ± 8.9 years at the time of the index study, and 45.0% (n = 210) were female. Patients were followed with duplex ultrasound for a mean of 42.2 ± 22.7 months. Of 577 arteries, 65.5% (n = 378) at the index imaging study had moderate (50%-69%) stenosis, 23.7% (n = 137) had severe (70%-99%) stenosis, and 10.7% (n = 62) were occluded. These three groups had significant differences in age, hypertension, hyperlipidemia prevalence, and proportion on best medical therapy. Of the 467-patient cohort, 56.5% (n = 264) were on best medical therapy, defined as smoking cessation, treatment with an antiplatelet agent, statin, and antihypertensive and glycemic agents as indicated. Mean time to progression for affected arteries was 28.0 ± 20.5 months. Of those arteries with nonocclusive disease at diagnosis, 21.3% (n = 123) progressed in their level of stenosis. Older age, diabetes, and a history of vasculitis were associated with stenosis progression, whereas antiplatelet agent use trended towards decreased progression rates. Of the 467 patients, 5.6% (n = 26) developed symptoms; of those, 38.5% (n = 10) had ischemic strokes, 26.9% (n = 7) had hemispheric transient ischemic attacks, 11.5% (n = 3) had amaurosis fugax, and 23.1% (n = 6) had other symptoms. A history of head and neck cancer was positively associated with symptom development. Of 577 affected arteries, 16.6% (n = 96) underwent intervention; 81% (n = 78) of interventions were for asymptomatic disease and 19% (n = 18) were for symptomatic disease. No patient-level factors were associated with risk of intervention. ConclusionsA significant number of carotid stenosis patients experience progression of disease. Physicians should consider long-term surveillance on all patients with carotid disease, with increased attention paid to those with risk factors for progression, particularly those with diabetes and a history of vasculitis.

Validation of Proprietary and Novel Step-counting Algorithms for Individuals Ambulating With a Lower Limb Prosthesis

ObjectiveTo compare the accuracy and reliability of 10 different accelerometer-based step-counting algorithms for individuals with lower limb loss, accounting for different clinical characteristics and real-world activities. DesignCross-sectional study. SettingGeneral community setting (ie, institutional research laboratory and community free-living). ParticipantsForty-eight individuals with a lower limb amputation (N=48) wore an ActiGraph (AG) wGT3x-BT accelerometer proximal to the foot of their prosthetic limb during labeled indoor/outdoor activities and community free-living. InterventionsNot applicable. Main Outcome MeasuresIntraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), absolute and root mean square error (RMSE), and Bland Altman plots were used to compare true (manual) step counts to estimated step counts from the proprietary AG Default algorithm and low frequency extension filter, as well as from 8 novel algorithms based on continuous wavelet transforms, fast Fourier transforms (FFTs), and peak detection. ResultsAll algorithms had excellent agreement with manual step counts (ICC>0.9). The AG Default and FFT algorithms had the highest overall error (RMSE=17.81 and 19.91 steps, respectively), widest limits of agreement, and highest error during outdoor and ramp ambulation. The AG Default algorithm also had among the highest error during indoor ambulation and stairs, while a FFT algorithm had the highest error during stationary tasks. Peak detection algorithms, especially those using pre-set parameters with a trial-specific component, had among the lowest error across all activities (RMSE=4.07-8.99 steps). ConclusionsBecause of its simplicity and accuracy across activities and clinical characteristics, we recommend the peak detection algorithm with set parameters to count steps using a prosthetic-worn AG among individuals with lower limb loss for clinical and research applications.

Сучасні методики технічної освіти в умовах дистанційного навчання

The article substantiates the trends and prospects for the development of distance education. It was noted that the development of methods and the development of remote forms of the educational process belong to innovative methods of training future specialists. A promising path for the development of distance learning has been revealed in accordance with the development of world trends related to the development of new information technologies and systems for establishing communications between various strata of population groups and, including, the educational sector.
 The expediency of the development of remote forms of education in Ukraine is substantiated and it is noted that such methods will motivate the students themselves to the need to increase their informational and intellectual level, capable of mastering new forms of acquiring professional abilities. It has been proven that the creation of remote forms of education will contribute to the improvement of the professional level of teaching staff and the level of mastery of computer technology, as it requires high professional abilities from teachers in the process of providing educational services using modern information technologies.
 Generalized features of distance learning methods are presented and brief characteristics of each of them are given. Separate information technologies, tools and the most popular online platforms used for organizing training in a distance format are considered. The main advantages that teachers and students receive when studying in a distance format are highlighted, and, in particular, the high mobility of students, which in turn does not require their strict presence in classrooms and laboratories of educational institutions. It is indicated that the introduction of distance learning allows to significantly reduce the expenditure items of the educational institution on utility payments. At the same time, the distance education system does not require the educational institution to have and maintain a wide list of basic funds, including classrooms for the full-time educational process in the presence of students. Such features of obtaining educational services are especially relevant in modern conditions, when Ukraine is waging a war of liberation with the Russian Federation.

Cytopathology of primary sclerosing mucoepidermoid carcinoma with eosinophilia of the thyroid: a multi-institutional case series and review of literature

Sclerosing Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma with Eosinophilia (SMECE) of the thyroid is an extremely rare tumor that exhibits unique histologic characteristics and is nearly always associated with lymphocytic thyroiditis (LT). However, the cytomorphologic and clinicopathologic characteristics of SMECE have only been described in rare case reports. Authors' institution laboratory information systems were searched for records of SMECE between 2012 and 2023. Literature review was performed using keywords "Sclerosing mucoepidermoid carcinoma with eosinophilia", "thyroid", and "cytopathology" to search through institution electronic library databases for relevant articles. A total of 19 cases were identified, 3 unpublished in the authors' archives and 16 in the literature which had fine needle aspiration (FNA) material or cytologic features available for review, and were comprised of 3 males and 16 females. The common cytomorphologic characteristics of SMECE included fragments or loose clusters of intermediate-type epidermoid cells in a background of prominent LT and eosinophils. Overt keratinization, mucinous cells, and extracellular mucin were not commonly encountered, resulting in diagnostic challenges, especially if eosinophils associated with epithelial cell clusters were rare. The cases were reported as "Nondiagnostic" (1 case), "Atypia of Undetermined Significance" (4 cases), "Suspicious for Malignancy" (3 case), or "Malignant" (11 cases). The clinical course of SMECE of the thyroid varied and distinct cytomorphologic characteristics in a subset of patients who experienced aggressive disease raises the possibility of different prognostic grades. Cases with keratinized squamous cells and necrosis mimic anaplastic (undifferentiated) thyroid carcinoma, but the clinical history and radiologic findings can be helpful to exclude this diagnosis.

Model worms: knowledge gains and risks associated with the use of model species in parasitological research.

Model parasite species, whose entire life cycle can be completed in the laboratory and maintained for multiple generations, have played a fundamental role in our understanding of host–parasite interactions. Yet, keeping parasites in laboratory conditions may expose them to unnatural evolutionary pressures, and using laboratory cultures for research is therefore not without limitations. Using 2 widely-used model helminth species, the cestode Hymenolepis diminuta and the nematode Heligmosomoides polygyrus, I illustrate the caution needed when interpreting experimental results on model species. I first review more than 1200 experimental studies published on these species in the past 4 decades, to determine which research areas they have contributed to. This is followed by an examination of the institutional laboratory cultures that have provided the parasites used in these studies. Some of these have persisted for decades and accounted for a substantial proportion of published studies, whereas others have been short-lived. Using information provided by the curators of active cultures, I summarize data on their origins and maintenance conditions. Finally, I discuss how laboratory cultures may have been subject to the influence of evolutionary genetic processes, such as founder effects, genetic drift and inbreeding. I also address the possibility that serial passage through laboratory hosts across multiple generations has exerted artificial selection on several parasite traits, resulting in genetic and phenotypic divergence among laboratory cultures, and between these cultures and natural parasite populations. I conclude with recommendations for the continued usage of laboratory helminth cultures aimed at maximizing their important contribution to parasitological research.

Study of a combined biological product with antibacterial and probiotic activity

Scientific relevance. The issue of antimicrobial resistance has acquired global significance, urging the search for and use of alternative antibacterial agents to treat infectious diseases. In particular, this situation prompts wider use of biotechnology-derived medicinal products based on bacteriophages and probiotics, including those of the metabolite type. The bacteriotropic (antimicrobial and probiotic) properties of pharmaceutical compositions based on bacteriophages and metabolites of probiotic bacteria suggest a qualitatively new combined antibacterial effect, as well as effectiveness against microorganisms resistant to antibiotics.Aim. The authors aimed to study the properties of a combined biological product with antibacterial and probiotic effects.Materials and methods. The study focused on a combined biological product consisting of a probiotic agent based on Lactobacillus exometabolites and a complex bacteriophage. The antimicrobial activity evaluation involved the Appelmans method, a disc diffusion method using lawn cultures homologous (Staphylococcus spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Proteus spp., Enterococcus spp., Salmonella spp., and Shigella spp.) and non-homologous (Acinetobacter baumannii, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Yersinia enterocolitica) to the complex bacteriophage, and a bioluminescence inhibition test using the genetically modified indicator strain E. coli lum+. The study used bacterial strains isolated from various clinical samples and biotopes in bacteriological laboratories of healthcare institutions in the Perm Territory in 2019–2022. The probiotic activity was assessed by the stimulating effect on model microorganisms of the normal flora.Results. The Appelmans method showed that the combined biological product had high antimicrobial activity against microorganisms homologous to the complex bacteriophage. The titres calculated for the combined biological product and its complex bacteriophage component were comparable and amounted to 10–6.6±0.01 and 10–6.9±0.01, respectively. The disc diffusion method demonstrated that the combined biological product had a more pronounced antibacterial effect on all tested strains than its individual components. The optical density values obtained with the combined biological product were 1.5 and 2 times higher than the values observed with control samples in Bifidobacterium bifidum 1 and Lactobacillus plantarum 8P-А3 cultures, respectively, which demonstrated the stimulating effect of the product on the normal flora. The study results suggest the compatibility of the phage and probiotic components of the combined biological product, as well as its high antimicrobial activity.Conclusions. The novel combined biological product has high specific and non-specific antimicrobial activity, which consists in the inhibition of pathogenic bacteria growth without affecting the normal flora. The combined biological product broadens the range of medicinal products having probiotic and antibacterial effects, particularly on microorganisms resistant to antibiotics.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Cord Blood Bilirubin in Predicting Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia, Taking Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia within One Week of Birth as Gold Standard

Objective: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of cord blood bilirubin in predicting neonatalhyperbilirubinemia, taking neonatal hyperbilirubinemia within one week of birth as the gold standard.Study Design: Across-sectional study.Place and Duration of Study: The Study was conducted at the Department of Pediatric Medicine, Sheikh Zayed Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan, Pakistan from 7 September 2020 to 6 March 2021.Methods: A total of 366 term neonates of both gendersgenders were included. Neonates with congenital hypothyroidism, neonatal hepatitis, biliary atresia, and sepsis were excluded. After getting informed consent from parents, a cord blood sample was taken and sent to the institutional laboratory for measuring total bilirubin levels, and neonatal hyperbilirubinemia (yes/no) was noted. All neonates were followed by the researcher for one week and neonatal hyperbilirubinemia was noted.Results: The study yielded 193 true positive and 14 false positive cases, along with 7 false negative and 152 true negative cases, with a statistically significant p-value of 0.0001. Overall, the diagnostic accuracy of cord blood bilirubin in predicting neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, using neonatal hyperbilirubinemia within one week of birth as the gold standard, was found to be 96.50% for sensitivity, 91.57% for specificity, 93.24% for positive predictive value, 95.60% for negative predictive value, and 94.26% for diagnostic accuracy.Conclusion: This study has shown that cord blood bilirubin has a rather good diagnostic accuracy for predicting newborn hyperbilirubinemia.
 How to cite this: Majeed M, Ahmed D, Hanif D, Khaliq H, Ahmad A, Khan ZA. Diagnostic Accuracy of Cord Blood Bilirubin in Predicting Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia, Taking Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia within One Week of Birth as Gold Standard. Life and Science. 2023; 4(4): 401-409. doi: http://doi.org/10.37185/LnS.1.1.347

Detection of bacterial pathogen on corn plants and test the potential of endophytic microbes to controlling stewart wilt disease in vitro

The use of synthetic pesticides to increase maize production sustainably contributes to increasing the development of pathogens and tends to be less effective in environmental conditions that support pathogens. In addition, the emergence of environmental pollution due to the use of chemicals causes the need for environmentally-friendly control technologies. Endophytic microbes are biological agents that can be used to plant disease control that is environmentally friendly and practical in their application. The study aimed to detect pathogenic bacteria that cause wilt and blight in maize and then examine the potential of several endophytic microbial isolates in controlling Stewart wilt pathogens in maize in vitro. The research was carried out from February to July 2021 at the Cereal Crop Research Institute Laboratory in Maros for morphological identification and microbial potential testing, while serological tests were carried out at the Makassar Plant Quarantine Laboratory, South Sulawesi. The study began with detecting pathogenic bacteria serologically using the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method. The results showed that blight symptoms on corn isolated from the experimental garden of IP2TP Bajeng Gowa Regency PS-4 and PS-5 were detected as bacteria Pantoea stewartii subsp. stewartii. The antagonistic test of endophytic bacterial isolates I.A1, II.D1, III.A2, IV.B2, and endophytic fungi isolates AC-1, AC-3, and DC-5 was able to suppress the growth of pathogenic bacteria isolates PS-4 and PS-5 The growth suppression of pathogenic bacteria was observed by forming inhibitory zones of antibiosis compounds. Pathogenic bacteria Pantoea stewartii subsp. stewartii can be controlled using endophytic microbes.

Evaluation of the Hairballs in the Gastrointestinal Tract and Urinary Stones in Razi Institute Laboratory Rabbits

Background: Usually, the daily self-grooming by rabbits leads to fur accumulation in the animal’s stomach. Since rabbit hair is looser than other animals and constantly licks their body, the fur can be pulled out easily. On the other hand, rabbits are susceptible to urinary stone formation. Objectives: This study was designed to investigate the presence of hairballs and urinary stones in Razi Institute Laboratory rabbits. Methods: During the 1 year, the albino Dutch laboratory rabbit colony, in research, breeding, and production of the Laboratory Animals Department of Razi Institute, including 106 males, 287 females, and 166 kittens, were monitored. After the necropsy of the selected animals, the gastrointestinal tract (stomach and intestines) were examined for the presence of hair and hairballs. Then the urinary system (kidneys, ureter, urinary bladder, and urethra) was examined for any urinary stones. Results: No symptoms of anorexia, lethargy, abdominal pain, weight loss, decrease and abnormal stools were observed in them, and also no mortality occurred in the whole colony. All samples’ stomach was full, indicating enough eating. No gas or congested spots, or hemorrhage were observed in the intestines. The amount and consistency of stool in the intestines were normal. In none of the samples, hairballs were observed, but in most rabbits’ stomachs (both sexes), a small amount of hair was observed in the stomach contents. Also, no symptoms of urinary stones were observed in the colony of the studied rabbits. Conclusion: Balanced diet, supply of nutritional requirements, and the absence of any stressors in breeding environments have played a key role and prevented many diseases, such as hairballs and urinary stones. No observation of urinary stones in this study could lead to the hypothesis that infection with the bacteria that cause urinary stones in the studied rabbits was eliminated or non-pathogenic, indicating specific pathogen-free animals. However, bacterial and other infectious agent monitoring should be specialized.

Pengaruh Aplikasi Kompos Tandan Kosong Kelapa Sawit (Elaeis guineensis Jacq) Terhadap Pertumbuhan Vegetatif Bibit di Main Nursery

This research was carried out in the practice garden and Laboratory of the Indonesian Palm Oil Institute (ITSI) Medan. It will be carried out from March to June 2022 to get the growth and development of oil palm seedlings by applying empty palm fruit bunch compost as the use of organic fertilizer during the nursery period. This study used a Non-Factorial Randomized Block Design (RBD) with one factor studied, namely variations in the application of compost to oil palm seedlings. Parameters observed were plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, root length, root volume, root fresh weight, shoot wet weight, root dry weight, shoot dry weight. The data obtained was analyzed statistically by Analysis Of Variance (ANOVA). Based on the results of observations and analysis of variance, it was shown that the application of empty palm fruit bunch compost had a significant effect on shoot wet weight and had a significant effect on shoot dry weight and had a significant effect on stem diameter growth at 16 WAP observations, and had no significant effect on plant height, number leaves, root length, root volume, root wet weight, root dry weight.

Frequency of Iron Deficiency in Children With Hypochromia and Microcytosis on Blood Smears

Background: The relationship between iron deficiency and certain phenomenon like hematological alterations, inadequate growth, altered thermoregulatory function and reduced cognitive function have been well known.
 Objectives: To determine the frequency of iron deficiency in children with hypochromic and microcytic anemia on blood smears.
 Methods: This case-control study was performed in the department of pediatrics, Sahiwal Teaching Hospital, Sahiwal, Pakistan from May 2022 to April 2023. For cases, we included 179 children of both genders aged between 1 month and 15 years with hypochromia and microcytosis. Similar number of healthy children (n=179) of both gender and aged below 15 years were enrolled as controls. At the time of enrollment, socio-demographic information like gender, age and residential area were recorded. Local institutional laboratory was utilized for the hematological parameters. Hypochromia and microcytosis were labeled as MCV< 76fl and MCHC < 30 g/dl of red cells while blood film also depicted hypochromia and microcytosis. IDA was termed as serum ferritin < 12 ng/dl.
 Results In a total of 358 children, there were 192 (53.6%) boys. The mean age was 7.8±3.2 years while 184 (51.4%) children were between 6-15 years. Residential status of 196 (54.7%) children was rural. Overall, iron deficiency was diagnosed in 209 (58.4%) children. Among cases, 171 (95.5%) children had iron deficiency while among controls, 38 (21.2%) children had IDA (p<0.0001). Cases and controls were compared for various hematological laboratory parameters and statistically significant differences were observed for all parameters among cases and controls (p<0.0001).
 Conclusion: The frequency of iron deficiency was 95.5% among children with hypochromia and microcytosis on blood smears. Hematological parameters were significantly deranged among children with hypochromia and microcytosis when compared to healthy children.

Tackling a global epidemic threat: Nipah surveillance in Bangladesh, 2006-2021.

Human Nipah virus (NiV) infection is an epidemic-prone disease and since the first recognized outbreak in Bangladesh in 2001, human infections have been detected almost every year. Due to its high case fatality rate and public health importance, a hospital-based Nipah sentinel surveillance was established in Bangladesh to promptly detect Nipah cases and respond to outbreaks at the earliest. The surveillance has been ongoing till present. The hospital-based sentinel surveillance was conducted at ten strategically chosen tertiary care hospitals distributed throughout Bangladesh. The surveillance staff ensured that routine screening, enrollment, data, and specimen collection from suspected Nipah cases were conducted daily. The specimens were then processed and transported to the reference laboratory of Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) and icddr,b for confirmation of diagnosis through serology and molecular detection. From 2006 to 2021, through this hospital-based surveillance platform, 7,150 individuals were enrolled and tested for Nipah virus. Since 2001, 322 Nipah infections were identified in Bangladesh, 75% of whom were laboratory confirmed cases. Half of the reported cases were primary cases (162/322) having an established history of consuming raw date palm sap (DPS) or tari (fermented date palm sap) and 29% were infected through person-to-person transmission. Since the initiation of surveillance, 68% (218/322) of Nipah cases from Bangladesh have been identified from various parts of the country. Fever, vomiting, headache, fatigue, and increased salivation were the most common symptoms among enrolled Nipah patients. Till 2021, the overall case fatality rate of NiV infection in Bangladesh was 71%. This article emphasizes that the overall epidemiology of Nipah virus infection in Bangladesh has remained consistent throughout the years. This is the only systematic surveillance to detect human NiV infection globally. The findings from this surveillance have contributed to early detection of NiV cases in hospital settings, understanding of Nipah disease epidemiology, and have enabled timely public health interventions for prevention and containment of NiV infection. Although we still have much to learn regarding the transmission dynamics and risk factors of human NiV infection, surveillance has played a significant role in advancing our knowledge in this regard.

Development and Validation of a Simple, Fast, and Accessible HPLC-UV Method for Cannabinoids Determination in Cannabis sativa L. Extracts and Medicinal Oils.

Cannabis sativa L. is a well-recognized medicinal plant. Cannabis regulations in Argentina are insufficient to solve the problem of patient access to full-spectrum cannabis-based products. So, the market of artisanal products with unknown quality and dosage of cannabinoids is increasing, and so is the local demand and need for analyzing these products. However, much of the latest validated methodologies for cannabinoid quantification include expensive instrumentation that is not always available in laboratories of health institutions in Argentina. The aim of this work was to develop and validate a simple and rapid HPLC-UV method for the identification and quantification of principal cannabinoids in cannabis resins, inflorescences, and medicinal oils using standard HPLC equipment. The cannabinoids selected for validation were cannabidiol acid (CBDA), cannabigerol (CBG), cannabidiol (CBD), cannabinol (CBN), delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), cannabichromene (CBC), and tetrahydrocannabinol acid (THCA). A method for the simultaneous identification and quantification of these 7 main cannabinoids was developed and then validated. Some data parameters were comparable to other reports with more sophisticated analytical instruments for the analysis of cannabis. The assessed limits of detection and the limits of quantitation ranged from 0.9 to 3.66 μg/mL and 2.78 to 11.09 μg/mL, respectively. The concentration-response relationship of the method indicated a linear relationship between the concentration and peak area with R2 values of > 0.99 for all 7 cannabinoids. The relative standard deviation (RSD%) varied from 2.34 to 4.82 for intraday repeatability and from 1.16 to 3.15 for interday repeatability. The percentage of recovery values was between 94 to 115% (resins) and 80 to 103% (inflorescence extract). The cannabis industry is growing rapidly, and there is a need for reliable testing methods to ensure the safety and efficacy of cannabis products. In addition, current methods for cannabinoid analysis are often time-consuming and expensive, while the HPLC-UV method herein reported is a simple, rapid, accurate, and cost-effective alternative for the analysis of cannabinoids in cannabis resins, inflorescences, and medicinal oils. This method will be proposed to be included in the Cannabis sativa L. monograph of the Argentine Pharmacopoeia.

Design and Development of a Conceptual Solar Energy Laboratory for District Heating Applications

The decarbonization of the district heating (DH) sector is receiving attention worldwide. Solar energy and heat pump technologies are widely considered in existing and new DH networks. There is a need to understand the influence of solar energy on district heating experimentally. However, only a few university laboratories are focused on district heating aspects. Further, the concept of such laboratories is not adequately disseminated in the scientific literature. The main objective of this paper is to develop a conceptual design of a solar energy laboratory with a focus on district heating systems. The proposed concept forms part of the preliminary study carried out by a research group at the Tallinn University of Technology. First, a brief literature review on solar energy laboratory development is provided. Then, the conceptual design of such a laboratory is presented, along with a case study. Regardless of project size, the main components of a district heating-based solar energy laboratory are solar collectors, thermal energy storage (TES) tanks, and a control system. The proposed laboratory is expected to serve multiple roles, such as a practical laboratory to provide interdisciplinary courses for students, a research and experimental platform for researchers, and a cradle to achieve the campus green initiative. It is roughly estimated that the thermal energy output from the proposed laboratory would meet around 25% of the heat demand of the institutional building during the summer season (May, June, July, and August). It is expected that the present study will be a reference material for the development of innovative energy laboratories in educational institutions.

A optomechanical design for Fabry-Perot Interferometer

Fabry-Perot Interferometer are particularly useful for high-resolution spectroscopy and other applications including astronomy and intra-cavity laser-line narrowing. Fabry-Perot etalon with diameters 1 mm square to 100 mm circular are commercially available and using a conglomerate of optomechanical components and lenses form a Fabry-Perot Interferometer (FPI) system. The etalon when illuminated with a known wavelength laser beam through fore-optics transmits the interference pattern onto a detector through back-optics and thus the image formed on the detector is a concentric circular interference fringe pattern. A sharp pattern with a maximum number of fringes is achieved by introducing a correct combination of the fore and back optomechanical system. Commercially available interferometer inclusive of the optics and the etalon are expensive and beyond the purchasing capacity of budget-conscious users. An alternative to these ready-made interferometer is to manufacture an indigenous optomechanical system and integrate it with the commercially available etalon that delivers a low cost, less weight, and a fairly simple FPI. This report discusses in detail one such system designed and developed in our institute laboratory. The important parameter finesse is calculated and its accuracy is found to be 85%. The developed system with further modifications, like the insertion of the field-of-view module, may serve as an alternative for the large size-based integrating sphere systems that are deployed in the field for observations.

Совместное использование ультразвуковой обработки и электрического поля СВЧ при дефростации мясного сырья

Purpose. Combined use of ultrasonic and microwave treatment potential evaluation in the meat raw materials defrosting in terms of efficiency and impact on functional and technological properties. Materials and Methods. Defrosting and evaluation of organoleptic and functional-technological properties of meat raw materials samples were performed in conditions of the complex analytical laboratory of Volga Region Research Institute of Manufacture and Processing of Meat-And-Milk Production. Analyses of qualitative characteristics were carried out in accordance with generally accepted methods in the food industry and actual national standards. The objects of the study were frozen samples of lean pork, сhicken breast meat, pork heart, beef liver. Results. In the research, a defrosting meat raw materials method, based on successive processing with microwave fields and ultrasonic vibrations in a solution of sodium chloride was studied. To obtain relevant results, other methods of defrosting frozen meat raw materials used in the food industry were also analyzed. It was found that the combined effect of the microwave electromagnetic field and ultrasonic treatment in an aqueous medium on meat raw materials in all the studied cases has a synergistic effect, thereby increasing the rate of defrosting. In comparison with the immersion method in meat raw materials located in the ultrasound field, moisture accumulation is slower. Supposedly, this occurs due to the hydration processes inhibition on the meat raw materials surface under the effect of ultrasonic cavitation in a liquid. Conclusion. The proposed method of defrosting can be considered promising in terms of reducing weight loss of meat raw materials. At the same time, ultrasonic treatment prevents the accumulation of excess moisture. Soaking in a solution of sodium chloride makes it possible to increase heat transfer and thereby avoid local overheating of the surface, and even increase the power of the microwave electromagnetic field. At the same time, this type of processing leads to a insignificant increase in hardness and darkening of the surface, which limits the raw materials possibilities use.

ПУТИ СНИЖЕНИЯ СЕБЕСТОИМОСТИ ПРОИЗВОДСТВА ПОСАДОЧНОГО МАТЕРИАЛА В КУЛЬТУРЕ IN VITRO

New data on the effectiveness of using the in vitro vine collection for growing healthy planting material are presented. The collection is maintained in vitro in the biotechnology laboratory of the All-Russian Research Institute for Viticulture and Winemaking named after Ya.I. Potapenko − branch of FSBSI «Federal Rostov Agricultural Research Center» by reducing the number of subcultivations. One of the directions of the laboratory's research is the search for ways to maintain the collection in conditions of slow growth, which reduces the cost of maintenance and contributes to the preservation of plants. This article presents data that the cultivation of vine planting material (micro-plants in vitro) based on the collection is more cost-effective than the full cycle (from excision meristem to obtaining planting material in vitro).

Antimicrobial Susceptibility Patterns of Shigella Species among Children under Five Years of Age with Diarrhea in Selected Health Centers, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Shigella and parasitic infections are common public health problems throughout the world. Shigellosis is an acute gastroenteritis infection and one of Ethiopia's most common causes of morbidity and mortality, especially in children under five. High resistance rates to commonly used antibiotic agents have been documented in different locations in Ethiopia. This study aimed to characterize the antimicrobial features of the Shigella species isolated from children under five years of age with acute diarrhea in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Using a cross-sectional study, freshly passed fecal specimens were collected for intestinal parasite and bacterial isolation. Fecal samples for bacterial identification were placed immediately in Cary-Blair media and transported to the Ethiopian Public Health Institution (EPHI) laboratory. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AMST) was conducted using the disk diffusion method. Data were described using descriptive statistical tools. The association of independent and dependent variables was evaluated with logistic regression. A P value ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. The prevalence of intestinal parasites was 8.2% with seven different species. Among the 534 stool-cultured specimens, 47 (8.8%) were positive for Shigella species. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AMST) showed that 100%, 93.6%, 80.9%, 72.3%, and 57.5% were susceptible to norfloxacin, nalidixic acid, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, and cefoxitin, respectively. However, 100% of the isolates were resistant to amoxicillin and erythromycin. More than 50% of the isolates were resistant to three and above antibiotics, while none of them were susceptible to all the antibiotics tested. All risk factors assessed did not show a statistically significant association with Shigella infection. The high levels of antibiotic resistance observed among the commonly prescribed antibiotics are alarming. The emerging resistance to ciprofloxacin and nalidixic acid signals a severe public health threat in the management of shigellosis. Raising awareness about resistance and educating health professionals, policymakers, and the public can help improve the quality of patient care and rational antibiotic use.