Laboratory Of Institute Research Articles

EFFECT OF MATERNAL IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA ON PLACENTAL WEIGHT TO BIRTH WEIGHT RATIO IN TERM INFANTS

Background: A well-functioning placenta is important for fetal growth and it’s weight indicates whether it is functioning well or not. High and low placenta to birth weight ratio is found to have adverse fetal outcome. Placental to birth weight ratio can act as an indicator of low maternal hemoglobin concentrations in pregnancy.
 Objectives: To determine the frequency of iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women and to compare the mean ratio of placenta to birth weight in women with iron deficiency anemia versus non-anemic women.
 Study design: Descriptive, cross-sectional study.
 Settings: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore
 Study duration: This study was conducted over a period of 6 months, from October 2019 to March 2020.
 Materials & Methods: A total of 93 women with singleton pregnancy of cephalic presentation, having low hemoglobin were included. Patients with multiple pregnancy, Chronic Liver Disease and Chronic Renal Failure were excluded. In all women 5 milliliters (ml.) blood sample was sent to institutional laboratory for ferritin levels and iron deficiency anemia was noted. After this, placental to birth weight ratio was measured.
 Results: The age range of participants was from 18 to 40 years in this study, the mean of age was 30.48 ± 4.27 years. Most of the patients i.e. 52 (55.91%) were multipara. In this study, the haemoglobin (Hb) <9 gm/dl and serum Ferritin level <15ng/ml was taken as positive for iron deficiency anaemia. The frequency of iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women was found to be (43.01%). Mean ratio of placenta weight to fetal weight in women with iron deficiency anemia versus non-anemic women was found to be 0.20 ± 0.02 versus 0.20 ± 0.01 (p value = 0.804).
 Conclusion: This study concluded that frequency of iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women is quite high with no significant difference of mean placenta to fetal weight ratio in women with iron deficiency anemia as compared to non-anemic women.

The Process of Establishing and Managing a Laboratory Diagnostic Network in the COVID-19 Pandemic in Iran

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the newly emerged coronavirus was first detected in China in December 2019 and rapidly spread worldwide. The rapid spread of the disease urged all countries involved, in accordance with their capacities, take the necessary measures to diagnose and manage the disease. The first patient was diagnosed with COVID-19 in Iran in February 2020. Considering the significant role of the laboratory services in detection and management of the disease, planning and programming to provide access to these services was considered as a top priority for healthcare system in Iran. Adopting all existing laboratory capacities and providing necessary infrastructures for expanding COVID-19 laboratory diagnostics, resulted in the establishment of a nationwide network of COVID-19 molecular diagnostic laboratories within the shortest possible time. In addition to expanding the capacity of laboratory services, improving the laboratory network’s performance have been taken into serious consideration. Despite the strict sanctions, the COVID-19 molecular diagnostic laboratories scaled up to more than 430 laboratories currently (September 2021), mostly are operating in the private sector. With considerable efforts, COVID-19 molecular laboratory network was established to provide nationwide diagnostic services. Considering the capacity for the SARS-CoV-2 Rapid Antigen test, we can now perform more than 100,000 COVID-19 diagnostic tests per day. However, due to the ongoing pandemic and in accordance with the requirements of the health system, it is necessary to plan and carry out more COVID-19 diagnostic tests. This study aimed to introduce the process of establishing the COVID-19 laboratory diagnostic network to manage the COVID-19 pandemic in Iran.

Lactate Dehydrogenase Enzyme Level in Women with Severe Preeclampsia: A Cross-sectional Study

Aim: To determine the frequency of raised lactate dehydrogenase enzyme in women with severe preeclampsia.
 Study Design: Cross-sectional study.
 Place and Duration: Obstetrics and Gynecology department at Liaquat University Hospital Hyderabad from June 2018 to December 2018.
 Methodology: There were 141 primiparous women with severe preeclampsia, included in this study. After taking history regarding hypertension and obstetrical examination, patients were subjected to a relevant investigation that is, 5ml of blood sent to an institutional laboratory for the measurement of lactate dehydrogenase enzyme, if it is >400 U/L then it was labeled as raised.
 Results: The frequency of raised lactate dehydrogenase enzyme (400 U/L) was 13.48% (19/141) women with severe preeclampsia.
 Conclusion: About 14% of women having Pre-eclampsia had raised lactate dehydrogenase enzyme. Severe preeclampsia is associated with severe multisystemic involvement. Raised LDH levels are indicative of cellular damage and severe hypertension in pregnancy.

ANALYSIS OF SOIL CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS IN PABATU SERDANG BEDAGAI UNIT OIL PALM PLANTATIONS

Soil is a natural medium that is one aspect of supporting the life of all living things, including plants. Soil chemical properties greatly affect the growth process of oil palm plants, especially in the production process of oil palm fruit bunches. The purpose of this study was to determine the soil's chemical properties in oil palm plantations. The method used in this study is a descriptive method by conducting surveys and laboratory analysis. Soil samples were taken randomly at a depth of 0-20cm at four points of plantation land. Several parameters have been analyzed, such as pH, total N, CEC and exchangeable Al (Al-dd). Soil samples were analyzed at the Laboratory of Soil Research Indonesian Oil Palm Research Institute (PPKS) Medan. Determination of the criteria for assessing soil chemical properties based on the soil fertility standards issued by the Soil Research Center (BPT) Bogor (2009). The results of the analysis showed that the soil pH was slightly acidic, total N was low, CEC was low and Al-dd was very low.

Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency in Pregnant Ladies

Objective: To find out the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (VDD) in pregnant ladies. Study Design: A cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Sialkot Medical College, Sialkot Pakistan from 1st July 2021 to 30th December 2021. Methodology: We included a total of 165 pregnant women aged 18 to 40 years having singleton pregnancy with gestational age below 16 weeks. Three cc blood samples were taken during routine antenatal investigation from all pregnant ladies. The serum vitamin D was asked from the institutional laboratory. Prevalence of VDD, insufficiency and sufficiency were calculated. Results: In a total of 165 pregnant ladies, mean age was noted to be 30.2+5.5 years. There were 90 (54.5%) women who were living in rural areas. Sunlight exposure was less than 1 hour in 104 (63.0%) pregnant ladies. Ninety four (57.0%) women belonged to low socio-economic status. Evaluation of Vitamin D status revealed that 87 (52.7%) women had VDD, 52 (31.5%) vitamin D insufficiency while 26 (15.8%) had normal vitamin D levels. Sunlight exposure < 1 hour (p=0.0001) and low socio-economic status (p=0.0001) were noted to have significantly association with VDD. Conclusion: Among pregnancy ladies, prevalence of VDD was very high. Poor sunlight exposure and low socio-economic status were revealed to have significant association with VDD. Keywords: Pregnant, singleton, sunlight exposure, Vitamin D

Comparison of the Efficacy of Rosuvastatin 5 mg and 10 mg in Patients of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus With Dyslipidemia.

ObjectivesWe did this study intending to compare the efficacy of rosuvastatin 5 mg and 10 mg in patients of type 2 diabetes mellitus with dyslipidemia by validating their effect on lipid profile and the side effects.MethodologyThis study was carried out at the outpatient department of a tertiary care hospital in Multan. Three hundred patients of both genders were included. The research approach employed a parallel-controlled, randomized study. After taking relevant history and physical examination, each patient’s fasting venous blood samples were taken and sent to the institutional laboratory to analyze glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), baseline lipid levels for cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Patients were divided into two groups based on the drug administered. One group was prescribed rosuvastatin 5 mg, and the other group was prescribed rosuvastatin 10 mg. Patients were followed up after six months to record the latest lipid profile. Data analysis was done through SPSS version 24.ResultsPatients in the two groups had similar lipid levels to start with. After six months of therapy, total serum cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL-C were reduced to statistically significant levels in group two compared to group one. However, both groups showed a similar increase in serum levels of HDL-C. Patients treated with 10 mg rosuvastatin showed a slight decrease in BMI. Nine patients treated with 10 mg rosuvastatin reported myalgias compared to only one patient treated with a dose of 5 mg (p<0.005).ConclusionOur study concludes that both 5 mg and 10 mg of rosuvastatin exhibit the antihyperlipidemic effect, but high doses are associated with more side effects. Therefore, physicians should be aware of dose titration related to statins as it will ultimately lead to reduced cardiovascular mortality.

Optimal Regimens and Clinical Breakpoint of Avilamycin Against Clostridium perfringens in Swine Based on PK-PD Study.

Clostridium perfringens causes significant morbidity and mortality in swine worldwide. Avilamycin showed no cross resistance and good activity for treatment of C. perfringens. The aim of this study was to formulate optimal regimens of avilamycin treatment for C. perfringens infection based on the clinical breakpoint (CBP). The wild-type cutoff value (COWT) was defined as 0.25 μg/ml, which was developed based on the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) distributions of 120 C. perfringens isolates and calculated using ECOFFinder. Pharmacokinetics–pharmacodynamics (PK-PD) of avilamycin in ileal content were analyzed based on the high-performance liquid chromatography method and WinNonlin software to set up the target of PK/PD index (AUC0–24h/MIC)ex based on sigmoid Emax modeling. The PK parameters of AUC0–24h, Cmax, and Tmax in the intestinal tract were 428.62 ± 14.23 h μg/mL, 146.30 ± 13.41 μg/ml,, and 4 h, respectively. The target of (AUC0–24h/MIC)ex for bactericidal activity in intestinal content was 36.15 h. The PK-PD cutoff value (COPD) was defined as 8 μg/ml and calculated by Monte Carlo simulation. The dose regimen designed from the PK-PD study was 5.2 mg/kg mixed feeding and administrated for the treatment of C. perfringens infection. Five respective strains with different MICs were selected as the infection pathogens, and the clinical cutoff value was defined as 0.125 μg/ml based on the relationship between MIC and the possibility of cure (POC) following nonlinear regression analysis, CART, and “Window” approach. The CBP was set to be 0.25 μg/ml and selected by the integrated decision tree recommended by the Clinical Laboratory of Standard Institute. The formulation of the optimal regimens and CBP is good for clinical treatment and to control drug resistance.

МОРФОЛОГИЧЕСКОЕ ИССЛЕДОВАНИЕ ПЕРЕВЯЗОЧНЫХ МАТЕРИАЛОВ ГЕМОСТАТИЧЕСКОЙ АКТИВНОСТИ У ЭКСПЕРИМЕНТАЛЬНЫХ ЖИВОТНЫХ

Subject. In recent years, scientific research has been carried out to create new means for stopping bleeding, developed on the basis of hybrid organic-inorganic materials that contrib-ute to ensuring effective stopping of bleeding, regardless of blood clotting factors.&#x0D; The purpose of the study. To conduct a morphological study in experimental conditions on animals for a comparative assessment of the hemostatic effect of dressings coated with aluminum dioxide and iron nanoparticles.&#x0D; Methodology. To assess the hemostatic effect, an experimental study was conducted in the morphological laboratory of the Central Research Institute of State Medical University named after Abuali Ibni Sino on male white rats of the Vistar breed, weighing from 202 to 395, divided into 3 groups: 1st (control) – a bleeding wound was observed before its sponta-neous stop; 2nd group – nanostructured Aloobene was used; 3rd – a bleeding wound was treat-ed nanostructured Fe2O3. When setting up the experiment, the following main indicators of bleeding were determined: the time of stopping bleeding and the volume of blood loss.&#x0D; Results. When using nanostructured Aloobene, elements of necrosis of the epidermis and dermis were noted – scab; fragments of destroyed hair follicles, hair, sebaceous and sweat glands in the scab; stagnant full-blooded vessels; inflammatory cellular infiltrates. In the der-mis and hypoderma, fullness and stagnation in the vessels, pronounced edema and destruction of fibrous-fibrous tissue were determined. Diffuse leukocyte infiltrates, foci of hemorrhage and necrosis were detected in places in the tissues. The inflammatory infiltrate forms clear contours of the de-marking line.&#x0D; Conclusions. The obtained results of a morphological study in experimental animals in-dicate a greater effectiveness of the blood-reducing effect when using aluminum oxide com-pared with iron oxide, the absence of toxic and teratogenic effects.

The Effect of Soil Submersion and Conditioner Materials on Residual Organophosphate Pesticides in Soil and Shallot Bulbs

Soil health decreases and residual pesticides increase due to the application of inorganic fertilizers and pesticides continuously during the cultivation of crops. The effect of 12 hours or 24 hours soil submersion and chicken litters or zeolite application before planting on residual pesticides in soil and bulbs of shallots (Allium ascalonicum L.) are studied. Samples of soils and bulbs have proceeded after shallot cultivation conducted in Brebes, Indonesia. Then organophosphate residues in the samples are analyzed using gas chromatography in the Laboratory of the Indonesian Agricultural Environment Research Institute, Bogor. The data are compared to the standard of maximum residue levels (MRL) of pesticides in agricultural products. Results show that residual pesticides in treated soils are below the detection limit of the GC equipment, except malathion is detected with values ranging from 0.039-0.050 ppm. However, residual organophosphate pesticides in the bulbs are mainly below the maximum residue levels. The only exception is chlorpyrifos which has a value above the maximum residue levels of pesticides (0.076 ppm). Farmers should be educated in integrated pest management and applying synthetic pesticides as the last option for controlling pests and diseases.

The potential of using electrochemically activated water on meat systems

The article presents results of scientific research of determining the possibility of using an alkaline fraction of electrochemically activated water at the salting stage of pork roulade. The influence of this liquid on the technological parameters of minced meat and the organoleptic qualities of the finished product has been studied. Objects of the study were samples of a new balanced pork roulade produced in educational and scientific center “Kolbasniy tsekh “Tekhnolog“” of the Food Production Technology Department of the Volgograd State Technical University, according to recipe developed using a computer model. Electrochemically activated water of the alkaline fraction used in the study was obtained in the complex laboratory of Volga Region Research Institute of Manufacture and Processing of Meat-and-Milk Production. The use of a brine containing such water during salting led to an increase in the water holding capacity of the minced meat and the yield of product. At the same time, no deterioration in organoleptic properties of the samples was revealed. Calculation of production cost showed feasibility of introducing the developed roulade into production.

Actual questions of standardization of water-salt extracts of house dust mites mixed allergens intended for medicinal forms of sublingual immunotherapy

Background: Standardization of medical forms of allergens is the process of establishing and applying a unified system of quality indicators and control methods. Quality control of therapeutic forms of allergens is an essential condition for guaranteeing the clinical efficacy and safety of allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT). The technology for obtaining the granular form of the mixed allergen from house dust mites Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p) and Dermatophagoides farinae (Der f) for oral use was developed in the laboratory of allergens Mechnikov Research Institute of Vaccines and Sera.&#x0D; Aims: to determine the authenticity of the anphenolic water-salt extract of the mixed allergen from mites Der p and Der f, intended for the therapeutic form of the drug.&#x0D; Materials and methods: Standardization of the obtained allergen extract was carried out by protein nitrogen unit by the Nessler method. The protein concentration was determined by the Bradford method. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) was used to study the presence of protein composition in mixed allergen. The pH value was determined potentiometrically. The comparison of the specific activity of the standard allergen and the experimental mixed allergen was carried out by the method of reverse immunoassay (REAST).&#x0D; Results: SDS-PAGE showed the preservation of the protein profile of the water-salt extract of the mixed allergen Der p and Der f, corresponding to the protein profile of allergens of house dust mites. There were no statistically significant differences in the optical density of the studied allergen (four drug series) and the standard allergen with reference serums containing specific IgE to Der p or Der f when reacting with a Class 3 reference serum in REAST(р0,05).&#x0D; Conclusions: The above in accordance with the State Pharmacopoeia of the Russian Federation XIV edition is a confirmation of the authenticity of the drug. Not phenolic extraction did not affect the main allergenic components of the mixed allergen Der p and Der f and allowed it to maintain a high degree of specificity.

Learning experiences in a virtual exchange project: the University of California, Davis’ and the Federal University of Acre's first partnership

This experience report presents an overview of the first experience of virtual exchange (O'DOWD, 2018, 2021) between students from the Federal University of Acre and the University of California, Davis, which occurred during the first semester of 2021. The project’s participants were experiencing emergency remote instruction and had to use their electronic devices to interact with their partners. The virtual exchange was a Teletandem partnership (TELLES, 2006, 2015; COSTA; SALOMÃO; ZAKIR, 2018; FERNANDES; TELLES, 2015). We describe how the partnership was established, the challenges, and the rewards for the interactants, the mediators and the professors involved in the project. Teletandem at UFAC is the first initiative of the project Intercultural Interchange Online Laboratory. The interactions took place from January to May, during which seven to eight interactions occurred, depending on the pedagogical scenario (FOUCHER, 2010). The data collected during the period followed a similar protocol established in Multec - Multimodal Teletandem Corpus (LOPES, 2019; ARANHA; LOPES, 2019). Considering the need for social distancing, interactants overcame their limitations with the lack of an institutional language laboratory by using their devices and internet connection to participate during the web conference meetings in order to develop interactional competence in English and Portuguese.

Quantitative radionuclide analysis protocol in a radiological and nuclear mobile laboratory / Protocolo de análise quantitativa de radionuclídeos em um laboratório radiológico e nuclear móvel

This study establishes a quantitative analysis protocol of radionuclides in a radiological and nuclear mobile laboratory of the Brazilian Army's Institute of Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense. The gamma spectrometry technique was used, by a HPGe detector, to identify certified gamma-emitting radioactive sources (Am-241, Cs-137 and Co-60) present in a standard solution diluted in a Marinelli flask of 4L. Energy, resolution and efficiency calibration curves were determined using the LabFit software, for this detector, in the considered geometry. The results show to be satisfactory the linear adjustment (Channel versus Energy) of set points have been obtained experimentally which was confirmed by the determination coefficient achieved (). Besides that, it could be also verified that the exponential function was the mathematical model that best represented the answer of the HPGe detector energy resolution and that the mathematical adjustment options provided by LabFit which allowed to correlate the counting efficiency with the energy of each photopeak, despite the lack of a greater amount of energy. To define specific activities, the measurement errors between theoretical and experimental values were less than 4%, evidencing the reasonable responsiveness of the measurement system.

Prominent Doses of Nitrogen Enhance Mulberry and Silk Cocoon Productivity

Nitrogen (N) has potential to improve leaf yield and quality of mulberry plant. However, optimum doses of N for mulberry cultivation have not been updated for long times on the newly developed mulberry varieties in Bangladesh. A study was conducted at the research field and laboratories of Bangladesh Sericulture Research and Training Institute (BSRTI), Rajshahi to determine the nitrogen (N) requirements and optimum age of mulberry plants to get higher leaf yield, better quality of leaves, successful silkworm rearing performance and suppresses of foliar diseases in mulberry plant. The six treatments executed for trials on N requirements of mulberry plants were: N: 0, 80, 160, 240, 320 and 400 kg/ha/yr. The blanket doses of P &amp; K for N trial were fixed as per recommended doses of BSRTI. Research results indicated that the added nutrient elements (N) favored in increasing growth, leaf yield, improving quality of mulberry leaves, suppresses foliar diseases as well as improved silk cocoon productivity. The leaf yield increased with increased rates of N application. The highest leaf yield was 51.88 Mt/ha/yr found in older plants of 6-10 years of age with the application of N @ 400 kg/ha/yr which was 6.57% higher than the maximum average yield of less than 5 years ages of mulberry plant. All the growth and quality parameters of leaves viz: moisture, chlorophyll-a, chlorophyll-b, total sugar, soluble carbohydrate, reducing sugar and crude protein exhibited the best performance with the better silkworm rearing performances viz: wt. of 10 matured larval (g), effective rate of rearing by number, single cocoon wt. (g), single shell wt. (g), SR%, highest filament length (m), rendita and cocoon yield/100 dfls (kg) through the treatment of N400 P150 K100 kg/ha/yr (T5) with four split doses in 6-10 years ages of mulberry plant, where the cocoon productivity was 57.85% greater than the control treatment. Furthermore, the average incidence percentages of leaf spot, tukra and powdery mildew diseases were also reduced for the increasing doses of nitrogen. This study concluded that elevated N enhances mulberry leaf yield, quality, silk cocoon productivity as well as suppresses the foliar diseases incidence of mulberry plant.

INVITRO EFFICACY OF TRICHODERMA ISOLATES ON SCLEROTINIA SCLEROTIORUM CAUSING WHITE MOLD OF KIDNEY BEAN

The experiment was conducted in plant pathology laboratory of Nepal polytechnic institute for studying in invitro efficacy of Trichoderma isolates on Sclerotinia sclerotiorum causing white mold of kidney bean, Bharatpur, Chitwan, Nepal by dual culture technique. The experiment was carried out in completely randomized design (CRD) with four replications. The Trichoderma isolates namely Kapilvastu Isolate, Kavre Isolate, Salyan Isolate, Lalitpur Isolate and Taplejung Isolate were used in the experiment. The mycelium growth was measured at 2DAI, 4DAI, 6DAI, 8DAI and 10DAI. Also the number of Sclerotia, days to Sclerotia formed and width of the browning area at the region of interception were measured in 10DAI. All the Trichoderma isolates shows significant effect on the mycelium growth and number of Sclerotia formed. Among all the Trichoderma isolates, Lalitpur Isolate shows good result with 69.33% inhibition in the mycelium growth and number of Sclerotia (9.6~10) formed.

INVITRO EFFICACY OF TRICHODERMA ISOLATES ON SCLEROTINIA SCLEROTIORUM CAUSING WHITE MOLD OF KIDNEY BEAN

The experiment was conducted in plant pathology laboratory of Nepal polytechnic institute for studying in invitro efficacy of Trichoderma isolates on Sclerotinia sclerotiorum causing white mold of kidney bean, Bharatpur, Chitwan, Nepal by dual culture technique. The experiment was carried out in completely randomized design (CRD) with four replications. The Trichoderma isolates namely Kapilvastu Isolate, Kavre Isolate, Salyan Isolate, Lalitpur Isolate and Taplejung Isolate were used in the experiment. The mycelium growth was measured at 2DAI, 4DAI, 6DAI, 8DAI and 10DAI. Also the number of Sclerotia, days to Sclerotia formed and width of the browning area at the region of interception were measured in 10DAI. All the Trichoderma isolates shows significant effect on the mycelium growth and number of Sclerotia formed. Among all the Trichoderma isolates, Lalitpur Isolate shows good result with 69.33% inhibition in the mycelium growth and number of Sclerotia (9.6~10) formed.

Методика оценки безопасности труда в лабораториях высших учебных заведений на основе расчета рейтинга безопасности

The article is devoted to the development of a methodology for assessing the level of occupational safety in educational and scientific laboratories of higher educational institutions based on the calculation of the corresponding rating. The current state of the issue is analyzed, the classification of the educational laboratories is presented, the key harmful and hazardous factors arising in the educational and scientific laboratories are identified. In addition, the main features of their design and placement of laboratory equipment related to ensuring safety are given. As a result of the modern literature analysis it is established that injuries and incidents in such laboratories occur quite often. Thus, the problem of ensuring occupational safety during training sessions and laboratory research is relevant, an important component of which is the assessment of the level of occupational safety of employees and students in them. Proposed methodology is based on the modern risk assessment methods and is comprehensive. The laboratory safety rating is consistently made up of risk assessment indicators, fire safety rating, rating of compliance with the requirements of sanitary and epidemiological control and occupational safety rating. Thus, the methodology considers all the regulatory requirements used by regulatory authorities to assess the level of safety in scientific and educational laboratories. This methodology is universal and allows to compare laboratories of different types and organizations with each other in terms of safety level, as well as to rank them according to this indicator. The developed methodology will help all the interested parties: higher educational institutions, organizations in charge of educational organizations, trade union organizations.

Assessment of Radioactivity in Borehole Waters of the North Riviera Sodeci Catchment Field in Abidjan, C&amp;#244;te d’Ivoire

The radioactive isotopes of the decay series of uranium-238 (238U), thorium-232 (232Th) and potassium-40 (40K) occur naturally in varying amounts in groundwater. They are the subject of many measures, mainly because of the risk they represent from a public health point of view. The purpose of this study is to measure the radioisotope content of borehole waters from the north riviera (NR) catchment field of the Ivorian drinking water distribution company (SODECI). These measurements will make it possible to assess the absolute levels of radioisotopes in the water from SODECI’s boreholes used directly for drinking or swimming, and possibly the associated risk from a public health point of view. To achieve this, a sampling campaign from the seven functional boreholes and the control or treatment tower took place in July 2018 at the NR well field. The analysis of radionuclides by gamma spectrometry was carried out in the laboratory of the Radiation Protection Institute (RPI) of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC). The naturally occurring radionuclides identified during the borehole water samples analysis are 238U, 232Th, and 40K. The results reveal that the specific activities of uranium vary from 0.45 ± 0.18 Bq/L to 0.55 ± 0.17 Bq/L with an average of 0.49 ± 0.15 Bq/L. Those of thorium vary from 0.66 ± 0.14 Bq/L to 0.78 ± 0.18 Bq/L with an average of 0.72 ± 0.16 Bq/L and potassium of 4.14 ± 0.53 Bq/L at 5.87 ± 0.60 Bq/L with an average of 5.32 ± 0.58 Bq/L.

Antioxidant activity of Artemisia (Artemisia annua) extract on several concentrations and solvents

Artemisia contains secondary metabolites with antioxidants properties. The study aimed to obtain the type and concentration of effective solvents to produce Artemisia extract with maximum antioxidant activity. The research was conducted at the Laboratory of Indonesian Spices and Medicinal Crops Research Institute in 2015. The Artemisia used for the research came from Lembang, West Java. The study was arranged in a randomized block design, 7 treatments, and 2 replications. The treatment consisted of a combination of two solvents (ethanol and methanol) and three solvent concentrations (50, 70, and 96%) and water as control. Artemisia was processed into powder and then extracted following the treatments. The extract obtained was then tested for its antioxidant activity using the DPPH method. The type and concentration of solvent had a significant effect on the yield and antioxidant activity of Artemisia extract. The use of ethanol solvent resulted in higher extract yield and antioxidant activity than methanol. The higher the solvent concentration, the smaller the extract yield. The antioxidant activity of Artemisia ethanolic extract was stronger than methanolic extract. The IC50 value of the Artemisia ethanolic and methanolic extract were 20.61 ppm, and 25.06 ppm. The most effective solvent concentration to extract Artemisia was ethanol 70%.

Book review for “X-Ray Fluorescence in Biological Sciences: Principles, Instrumentation, and Applications”, Eds: V.K. Singh, J. Kawai, D.K. Tripathi. Wiley. 2022, 688 pp. ISBN: 978-1-119-64554-2A

Through the efforts of three editors - V.K. Singh and D.K. Tripathi (India), and J. Kawai (Japan), as well as 79 qualified specialists from 14 countries, “X-ray Fluorescence in Biological Sciences: Principles, Instrumentation and Applications” monograph was prepared and published in March of this year. The book is divided into six parts. Part 1 is a general introduction to RFA (7 chapters). Parts 2 and 3 are relatively new versions of the XRF method using the synchrotron radiation for the excitation of fluorescence (5 chapters) and XRF with total external reflection (4 chapters). Part 4, a beginner's guide, is considered by the editors to be one of the highlights of this book (4 chapters). The main parts of this book are Parts 5 (Application for Biological Samples - 11 chapters) and 6 (Special Topics and Comparison with Other Methods - 8 chapters). The book provides information on advances in the application of X-ray fluorescence analysis that have not been reflected in general monographs published in recent years. Representatives of India prepared 15 chapters, colleagues from Russia – 7, from Mongolia and China – 3 each, Japan, Spain, Turkey and Slovenia – with 2 chapters each, Italy, Argentina, and Bangladesh – 1 each. Representatives of Algeria and Egypt co-authored with colleagues from Turkey, and of South Korea with colleagues from India, respectively. The largest number of participants (authors of chapters) – 29 – was noted for India, 11 – from Russia, and 6 each from China, Turkey, and Slovenia. The monograph will be in demand in the laboratories of universities and research institutes, especially in the laboratories of biological and medical research centers. It will be a useful guide for students of natural and chemical sciences, medical biology, plant physiology, and agriculture.