Ninth Day Research Articles

Hepatoprotective Effect of Dried Red Jujube Fruit Extract Against Acetaminophen-Induced Acute Hepatotoxicity.

Background A liver injury could impair the integration of the body's organ system, which may cause complications that can lead to death. The dried red jujube fruit extract has the potential to protect the liver from toxic substances through its antioxidant properties. Aims To determine and analyze the hepatoprotective effect of dried red jujube fruit extract on aminotransferase levels against acetaminophen-induced acute hepatotoxicity. Methods Male Wistar rats were divided into five groups. The negative control group (G1) received carboxymethylcellulose sodium (CMC-Na) 1%. The positive control group (G2) received acetaminophen. The treatment group G3received dried red jujube fruit extract 70 mg/kg BW + acetaminophen, G4 received dried red jujube fruit extract 140 mg/kg BW + acetaminophen, and G5 received dried red jujube fruit extract 280 mg/kg BW + acetaminophen. Dried red jujube fruit extract was given for 10 consecutive days. Acetaminophen (3 g/kg BW) was given on the ninth day. Blood samples were collected, and aminotransferase levels were measured on the 11th day. Results Kruskal-Wallis comparison test showed significant differences (p < 0.01) between all groups on alanine aminotransferase (ALT; p = 0.003) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST; p = 0.001) levels. Mann-Whitney post hoc test showed significant differences (p < 0.01) between G2:G3, G2:G4, and G2:G5 groups on ALT and AST levels. Pearson correlation test showed a significant negative correlation (p < 0.01; r = -1) between all given doses of dried red jujube fruit extract on ALT (p = 0.000; r = -0.778) and AST (p = 0.000; r = -0.774) levels. Conclusion The dried red jujube fruit extract has a hepatoprotective effect on aminotransferase levels against acetaminophen-induced acute hepatotoxicity at 70 mg/kg BW, 140 mg/kg BW, and 280 mg/kg BW (the most effective dose), and there was a negative correlation between all doses and the aminotransferase levels.

EFEKTIVITAS RUMPUT BEBEK (Lemna minor) DALAM PENYISIHAN KADMIUM (Cd) DAN CHEMICAL OXYGEN DEMAND (COD) PADA LINDI TPA SAMPAH GAMPONG JAWA KOTA BANDA ACEH

Lemna minor plant have the ability to reduce pollutant levels in Landfill leachate. The use of Lemna minor in leachate treatment was considered effective in degrading Cd and COD pollutants. The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness and absorption rate of Lemna minor in degrading heavy metal Cd and reducing COD levels in Gampong Jawa Landfill leachate. This study used the phytoremediation method on a laboratory scale, and the leachate sampling method used the grab sampling technique. In testing both parameters, two types of test variations were carried out. First, in Reactor I, it was carried out without using an aerator, and in Reactor II, the test was carried out with the addition of an aerator. For duration, the variations of retention time were used are the third, sixth, ninth, and 12th days. The weight of the Lemna minor were used in each reactor was 35 grams for a leachate volume of 5 Liters. The results showed that Lemna minor was able to reduce pollutant levels in the Gampong Jawa Landfill leachate with the most optimal proportion of 15.92% for the heavy metal Cd, and 94.68% for the organic pollutant COD. Treatment on the 12th day for tests carried out in reactors that have an aeration system was the most effective variation in reducing the levels of Cd and COD parameters.&#x0D; Keywords : Lemna minor, Landfill Leachate, Phytoremediation

Pneumotórax espontâneo como manifestação inicial de Influenza A (H1N1) em pediatria: relato de caso

OBJECTIVE: To report on a case of a child with influenza subtype A H1N1 who exhibited a spontaneous pneumothorax as an initial manifestation of the illness. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 8-year-old male patient experienced a dry cough in the 24 hours prior developed dyspnea, productive cough, tachypnea, tachycardia, and subcutaneous emphysema. Upon admission to the emergency ward, the patient was tachycardic with bilaterally palpable subcutaneous emphysema in the thoracic wall, was reliant on an oxygen mask, and experienced drops in arterial oxygen saturation. Chest and lung examinations revealed coarse crackles, expiratory wheezing, and suprasternal retraction. Patient received a corticosteroid, a bronchodilator, and an antibiotic. Imaging exams revealed bilateral pneumothoraces and bilateral subcutaneous emphysema. Patient was hospitalized in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Bilateral chest drainage was installed; intubation and mechanical ventilation were initiated. On the sixth day after admission, the test for A/H1N1 came back positive. Patient was released from the Pediatric ICU on the ninth day and was released from the hospital the following day without symptoms. COMMENTS: A pneumothorax as an early manifestation of A/H1N1 is a rare occurrence in children. This case reflects the need for broader differential diagnostic options in children with spontaneous pneumothoraces.

Risk Factors for Development of Invasive Candidiasis in Critically III Patients

Background: Majority of invasive candidiasis in critically ill patients was developed after admission to intensive care unit. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for development of invasive candidiasis among patients admitted to intensive care unit, especially considering the timing of laboratory, microscopic, and culture examinations. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective observational study in which critically ill patients were assessed on the first, fifth, and ninth day since admission to intensive care unit. Potential risk factors were demographic and clinical characteristic, clinical managements profile proportions, laboratory profile (leukocyte, platelet, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein and procalcitonin), morphological change (from yeast to hypae or pseudohyphae in microscopic examination) and colonization increase (from serial culture examination). Results: A total of 115 subjects enrolled in this study. Multivariate analysis identified older age (HR 2.8, 95% CI 0.8–8.9), parenteral nutrition (HR 3.1, 95% CI 0.77–12.3), central venous catheter (HR 1.7, 95% CI 0.43–6.67), corticosteroid (HR 2.8, 95% CI 0.53–14.8), procalcitonin day-5 (HR 3.1, 95% CI 0.89–10.8), morphology change in the axilla and rectal swab (HR 5.1, 95% CI 1.6–18.51), and morphology change and colonization increase in rectal swab day-9 (HR 4.3, 95% CI 1.0–18.02) as independent risk factors of invasive candidiasis. Conclusion: In addition to several typical risk factors, procalcitonin test on day-5 as well as serial microscopic and culture examinations were associated with the development of invasive candidiasis, therefore potentially help in the diagnosis and treatment of critically ill patients in intensive care unit.

Placement of Sun in Lord Sri Rama’s birth chart. But where?

Sage Valmiki in Ramayana mentioned that, Lord Rama was born in the month of Chaitra, and on the ninth day of that Chaitra month. In this article, we have analysed Sage Valmiki’s Ramayana Bala Kanda slokas, last 10 years of historical data of Chaitra month for calculating angular durations of Tithi’s between start of Padyami till end of Asthami to precisely find Sun’s position with respect to Moon. After detailed calculations based on Tithi, Sage Valmiki’s slokas, and motion of Moon, we concluded that the position of Sun must be within 7.3° of Aries.

Changes in Blood Thallium Concentration during and after Prussian Blue Administration

Prussian blue is an antidote for acute thallium poisoning that binds to thallium in the gastrointestinal tract, thereby increasing thallium fecal excretion. However, the effects of Prussian blue monotherapy in humans remain unknown. A 66-year-old male ingested approximately 50 mL of liquid thallium rodenticide (thallium sulfate: 2%), a lethal dose, and presented to our hospital 40 hours after ingestion. The initial laboratory test results were normal. On the second day of admission, oral Prussian blue ordered from outside the hospital was started at a dose of 3 g every eight hours, and the whole blood thallium concentration was measured on consecutive days using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. On the fourth day, however, he complained of respiratory discomfort, and moderate acute respiratory distress syndrome was diagnosed via chest computed tomography (CT) scan and PaO2/FiO2 ratio. Endotracheal intubation was performed, and Prussian blue was discontinued because of medical costs. The patient died of respiratory failure on the ninth day after admission. The half-life of thallium in whole blood was 53 h under Prussian blue administration.

Favorable Appendicular Skeletal Muscle Mass Changes in Older Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Receiving GLP-1 Receptor Agonist and Basal Insulin Co-Therapy.

Maintaining appendicular skeletal muscle mass is important for maintaining the quality of life of elderly patients with type 2 diabetes. The possibility of GLP-1 receptor agonists for maintaining appendicular skeletal muscle mass has previously been reported. We investigated changes in appendicular skeletal muscle mass, measured by body impedance analysis, in elderly patients who were hospitalized for diabetes self-management education. The study design was a retrospective longitudinal analysis of the changes in appendicular skeletal muscle mass in hospitalized patients over the age of 70 years. The study subjects consisted of consequential patients who received GLP-1 receptor agonist and basal insulin co-therapy or received basal insulin therapy. Body impedance analysis was performed on the day after admission and on the ninth day of admission. All patients received standard diet therapy and standard group exercise therapy 3 times per week. The study subjects consisted of 10 patients who received GLP-1 receptor agonist and basal insulin co-therapy (co-therapy group) and 10 patients who received basal insulin (insulin group). The mean change in appendicular skeletal muscle mass was 0.78 ± 0.7 kg in co-therapy group and -0.09 ± 0.8 kg in the insulin group. This retrospective observational study suggests the possibility of favorable effects of GLP-1 receptor agonist and basal insulin co-therapy for maintaining appendicular skeletal muscle mass during hospitalization for diabetes self-management education.

Successful on-ECLS Repair of CDH and Omphalocele in a Newborn

Both congenital diaphragmatic hernias (CDHs) and omphaloceles show relevant overall mortality rates as individual findings. The combination of the two has been described only sparsely in the literature and almost always with a fatal course. Here, we describe a term neonate with a rare high-risk constellation of left-sided CDH and a large omphalocele who was successfully treated on extracorporeal life support (ECLS). Prenatally, the patient was diagnosed with a large omphalocele and a left CDH with a lung volume of ∼27% and an observed to expected lung-to-head ratio of 30%. Due to respiratory insufficiency, an ECLS device was implanted. As weaning from ECLS was not foreseeable, the female infant underwent successful surgery on ECLS on the ninth day of life. Perioperative high-frequency oscillatory ventilation and circulatory and coagulation management under point-of-care monitoring were the main anesthesiological challenges. Over the following 3 days, ECLS weaning was successful, and the patient was extubated after another 43 days. Surgical treatment on ECLS can expand the spectrum of therapy in high-risk constellations if potential risks are minimized and there is close interdisciplinary cooperation.

PNEUMOTÓRAX ESPONTÂNEO COMO MANIFESTAÇÃO INICIAL DE INFLUENZA A (H1N1) EM PEDIATRIA, RELATO DE CASO

Objective: To report on a case of a child with influenza subtype A H1N1 who exhibited a spontaneous pneumothorax as an initial manifestation of the illness. Case Description: A 8-year-old male patient experienced a dry cough in the 24 hours prior developed dyspnea, productive cough, tachypnea, tachycardia, and subcutaneous emphysema. Upon admission to the emergency ward, the patient was tachycardic with bilaterally palpable subcutaneous emphysema in the thoracic wall, was reliant on an oxygen mask, and experienced drops in arterial oxygen saturation. Chest and lung examinations revealed coarse crackles, expiratory wheezing, and suprasternal retraction. Patient received a corticosteroid, a bronchodilator, and an antibiotic. Imaging exams revealed bilateral pneumothoraces and bilateral subcutaneous emphysema. Patient was hospitalized in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Bilateral chest drainage was installed; intubation and mechanical ventilation were initiated. On the sixth day after admission, the test for A/H1N1 came back positive. Patient was released from the Pediatric ICU on the ninth day and was released from the hospital the following day without symptoms. Comments: A pneumothorax as an early manifestation of A/H1N1 is a rare occurrence in children. This case reflects the need for broader differential diagnostic options in children with spontaneous pneumothoraces.

Impact of Plasma Treatment on Coriander Seeds for Germination and Growth

Due to its numerous health advantages, coriander is one of the most used cooking ingredients. This paper describes the coriander plant's germination and growth after plasma treatment. The seeds are treated using the gliding arc for periods ranging from one minute to ten minutes. It is discovered that as treatment time is extended, the temperature of the seed rises while its weight continues to fall. The sixth and ninth days are used to calculate the germination rate. The study shows that the treatment time of plasma on seeds increases the hydrophilicity of coriander seeds. It is found that roots and shoots of seeds treated for ten minutes and eight minutes were significantly longer than the other seeds.

Нутрітивний статус у хворих з раком порожнини рота та ротоглотки в предопераційному періоді

Head and neck tumors are a significant group of malignant neoplasms. Dysphagia is one of the most important problems in the nutrition of patients with tumors of the oral cavity and oropharynx. It is present in almost every patient and accounts for 90-95% of cases, both in the preoperative and postoperative period. Problems with swallowing in head and neck cancer may be related, first of all, to the type and size of the tumor itself, which disrupts the ability to eat. Disturbance in the pushing of the food lump develops as a result of dysfunction of the affected muscles or damage to peripheral nerves. There are also early and late disturbances of normal swallowing after radiation and chemotherapy for malignant tumors of the oral cavity, oropharynx, and larynx. Such patients already have a nutritional deficiency in the preoperative period. The purpose of the study was to assess the frequency of nutritional insufficiency in patients with oncology of the oral cavity and oropharynx in the preoperative period and to identify the most significant criteria for nutritional status violations. Materials and methods. The study was conducted in 41 patients, aged 38-55 years (35 men, 6 women) with stage I-III of malignant tumors of the lips, tongue, floor of the mouth and oropharynx. We determined the dynamics of weight in cancer patients with pathology of the oral cavity and oropharynx from the onset of the disease and at the stages of treatment. The patient was weighed at the time of hospitalization and in the postoperative period for 3, 5, 7, 9, 12 days. Anamnestically, weight was determined 3-6 months after the first signs of the disease. Body mass index, shoulder circumference and thickness of the skin-fatty fold of the triceps were measured and calculated, as well as laboratory indicators – biochemical markers: total protein, albumin, transferrin, absolute number of lymphocytes. Results and discussion. The patient's weight loss before the first signs of the disease averaged 6-8 kg. In the postoperative period, a gradual weight loss was noted until the ninth day after the operation, and then weight stabilization was observed. In nine days, patients lost 4-7 kg of weight from the time of hospitalization. The fastest weight loss was observed in the period of 3-7 days of the postoperative period. The average values of anthropometric indicators in the studied group, with the exception of a moderate decrease in the size of the skin-fatty fold in men, were within the normal range. A decrease in the absolute number of lymphocytes, less than 1.5 thousand in 1 μl (p &lt;0.05), was noted in 71% (29/41). Indicators characterizing the visceral protein pool (total protein, transferrin) were also within normal values, except for albumin, which was slightly reduced in 63%. Conclusion. A comprehensive study revealed in the preoperative period in patients with oncopathology of the oral cavity and oropharynx a high incidence of malnutrition (85%). The main contribution to the change of trophological status is a decrease in the cellular component of immunity and albumin

STUDY OF THE EFFECT OF NEW 6-R-3,5-DINITRO-1,2,3,4-TETRAHYDROPYRIDINES ON THE ACCUMULATION OF PHOTOSYNTHETIC PIGMENTS AND ASCORBIC ACID IN PLANT TISSUES

Background. The problem of finding new effective plant protection products remains an urgent task of modern agrochemistry. It is known that tetrahydropyridine derivatives exhibit a broad spectrum of biological activity, including fungicidal activity. However, compounds with potential biological activity can also be highly toxic to humans, cultivated crops, and the environment as a whole, so it is necessary to study their environmental safety. The content of photosynthetic pigments and ascorbic acid are one of the most important biochemical indicators of plant response to environmental stress factors, therefore, determining their amount helps to assessthe physiological state of plants and analyze the toxicity of the synthesized compounds.&#x0D; Purpose. To study the effect of new 6-R-3,5-dinitro-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyridines on the content of photosynthetic pigments and ascorbic acid in plant tissues in order to assess the safety of their use as potential plant protection products.&#x0D; Materials and methods. The test compounds were obtained by the previously developed method for the selective reduction of 2-R-3,5-dinitropyridines. Winter wheat seeds of the Moskovskaya 39 variety were germinated in Petri dishes using solutions of the synthesized substances. Seeds germinated in water were used as controls. On the ninth day, the content of various groups of photosynthetic pigments (chlorophylls a, b, carotenoids), as well as ascorbic acid in plant tissues was determined. All experiments were carried out in triplicate. In addition, the analytes were tested for toxicity using the GUSAR Environmental Toxicity software.&#x0D; Results. The effect of new derivatives of tetrahydropyridine on the accumulation of photosynthetic pigments and ascorbic acid in plant tissues of winter wheat was studied. It was shown that the studied compounds do not have a significant toxic effect on plants.&#x0D; Conclusion. As a result of studying the effect of new 6-R-3,5-dinitro-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyridines on the content of photosynthetic pigments and ascorbic acid, as well as in silico computer prediction in GUSAR Environmental Toxicity, it was found that, in general, the studied compounds are relatively safe and, therefore, promising for further testing as biologically active plant protection products.

Fatal COVID-19 in a neonate after probable late intrauterine transmission.

We report the case of a 35-week gestation infant girl born by emergent cesarean section for fetal distress in a woman with recent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Tests for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on the infant at 24 and 48 hours of life were negative. However, at 72 hours of life, the infant's respiratory status worsened, and a repeat SARS-CoV-2 PCR was positive. The infant developed leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and progressive respiratory failure, and died on the ninth day of life. Pathologic examination of the placenta revealed findings consistent with COVID-19 placentitis, and SARS-CoV-2 RNA staining was positive, suggesting intrauterine transmission of the infection.

Ssc-miR-92b-3p Regulates Porcine Trophoblast Cell Proliferation and Migration via the PFKM Gene.

Embryo implantation, the pivotal stage of gestation, is fundamentally dependent on synchronous embryonic development and uterine receptivity. In the early gestation period, the uterus and conceptus secrete growth factors, cytokines, and hormones to promote implantation. Circulating exosomal miRNAs are potential indicators of normal or complicated gestation. Our previous study revealed that pregnant sows' serum exosomes had upregulated miR-92b-3p expression compared to non-pregnant sows, and that the expression level progressively increased during early gestation. The present study's findings indicate that, compared to the ninth day of the estrous cycle (C9), pregnant sows had upregulated miR-92b-3p expression in the endometrium and embryos during the implantation stage ranging from day 9 to day 15 of gestation. Additionally, our results demonstrate that miR-92b-3p promotes the proliferation and migration of Porcine Trophoblast Cells (PTr2). Dual-Luciferase Reporter (DLR) gene assay, real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), and Western blotting (WB) confirmed the bioinformatics prediction that phosphofructokinase-M (PFKM) serves as a target gene of miR-92b-3p. Notably, interference of PFKM gene expression markedly promoted PTr2 proliferation and migration. Furthermore, mice with downregulated uterine miR-92b-3p expression had smaller rates of successful embryo implantation. In summary, miR-92b-3p putatively modulates embryo implantation by promoting PTr2 proliferation and migration via its target gene PFKM.

Exogenous brassinosteroids alleviate calcium deficiency-induced tip-burn by maintaining cell wall structural stability and higher photosynthesis in mini Chinese Cabbage.

Tip-burn has seriously affected the yield, quality and commodity value of mini Chinese cabbage. Calcium (Ca2+) deficiency is the main cause of tip-burn. In order to investigate whether exogenous brassinosteroids (BRs) can alleviate tip-burn induced by calcium (Ca2+) deficiency and its mechanism, in this study, Ca2+ deficiency in nutrient solution was used to induced tip-burn, and then distilled water and BRs were sprayed on leaves to observe the tip-burn incidence of mini Chinese cabbage. The tip-burn incidence and disease index, leaf area, fluorescence parameters (Fv/Fm, NPQ, qP andφPSII) and gas exchange parameters (Tr, Pn, Gs and Ci), pigment contents, cell wall components, mesophyll cell ultrastructure and the expression of genes related to chlorophyll degradation were measured. The results showed that exogenous BRs reduced the tip-burn incidence rate and disease index of mini Chinese cabbage, and the tip-burn incidence rate reached the highest on the ninth day after treatment. Exogenous BRs increased the contents of cellulose, hemifiber, water-soluble pectin in Ca2+ deficiency treated leaves, maintaining the stability of cell wall structure. In addition, BRs increased photosynthetic rate by increasing the activities of Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) and fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase) related to Calvin cycle, maintaining relatively complete chloroplast structure and higher chlorophyll content via down-regulating the expression of BrPPH1 and BrPAO1 genes related to chlorophyll degradation. In conclusion, exogenous BRs alleviated calcium deficiency-induced tip-burn by maintaining cell wall structural stability and higher photosynthesis.

Nanonodular porous membranes: Novel scaffolds for development and proliferation of dental pulp‐derived mesenchymal stem cells

AbstractScaffolds have similar functions to the extracellular matrix and are an important component of tissue engineering techniques. Poly(l‐lactic acid) (PLLA) is one of the scaffolding materials used in this field. The aim of this study was to investigate the biocompatibility and effect of novel PLLA scaffolds on mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) proliferation. PLLA scaffolds in this study were nanonodular porous membranes which were prepared by phase separation process. Dental pulp‐derived MSCs were cultured on nanonodular membrane scaffolds and cell vitality and proliferation was evaluated over a 2‐week period using MMT test on days 5, 7, and 9. Also, ultrastructure and adhesion of MSCs to these novel PLLA nanonodular porous membranes using field‐emission‐scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM) was assessed. The biocompatibility of nanonodular membrane scaffolds was good and the cells adhered well to the membrane surface. The viability of MSCs in the samples with the nanonodular membrane scaffolds was significantly higher than the group without the membrane scaffolds. The highest effect of PLLA nanonodular membrane scaffolds on cell vitality was observed on the ninth day and the least effect was observed on the 5th day. Due to its biodegradability and lack of toxicity, PLLA nanonodular membrane scaffolds increased the rate of adhesion and proliferation of MSCs and this process intensified over time.

Humoral and cellular immunogenicity and efficacy of a coxsackievirus A10 vaccine in mice

ABSTRACT Coxsackievirus A10 (CV-A10) has become one of the major pathogens of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD), and studies on the vaccine and animal model of CV-A10 are still far from complete. Our study used a mouse-adapted CV-A10 strain, which was lethal for 14-day-old mice, to develop an infected mouse model. Then this model was employed to establish an actively immunized-challenged mouse model to evaluate the efficacy of a formaldehyde-inactivated CV-A10 vaccine, which was prepared from a Vero cell-adapted strain. CV-A10 vaccine at a dose of 0.5 or 2.0 μg was inoculated intraperitoneally in neonatal Kunming mice on the third and ninth day. Then the mice were challenged on day 14. The survival rate of mice immunized with 0.5 or 2.0 μg vaccine were 90% and 100%, respectively, while all Alum-inoculated mice died. Compared to those in the two vaccinated groups, the Alum-inoculated mice showed severe pathological damage, strong viral protein expression and high viral loads. The antisera from vaccinated mice showed high level of neutralizing antibodies against CV-A10. Meanwhile, three potential T cell epitopes located at the carboxyl-terminal regions of the VP1 and VP3 were identified and exhibited CV-A10 serotype-specific. The humoral and cellular immunogenicity analysis showed that immunization with two doses of the vaccine elicited CV-A10 specific neutralizing antibody and T cell response in BALB/c mice. Collectively, these findings indicated that this actively immunized-challenged mouse model will be invaluable in future studies on CV-A10 pathogenesis and evaluation of vaccine candidates.

Antioxidant-Incorporated Poly(vinyl alcohol) Coating: Preparation, Characterization, and Influence on Ripening of Green Bananas.

In this study, the gallic acid (antioxidant)-rich leaf extract of Ficus auriculata was incorporated into poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and utilized as a coating to delay the ripening of green bananas. The films exhibited low opacity of 0.86 ± 0.014 for pure PVA (PP) and 0.92 ± 0.019, 0.99 ± 0.020, and 1.18 ± 0.029 for PVA + 1% extract (PE1), PVA + 5% extract (PE5), and PVA + 10% extract (PE10), respectively, indicating excellent transparency. The weight loss was higher in the uncoated group than in any coated fruits. The reduction in titratable acidity and the increase in total soluble sugars were slower in all of the coated samples as compared to the uncoated ones. The fruits without any treatment attained complete maturity on the ninth day where the ion leakage was 85.61 ± 2.33% while that of PP was 56.36 ± 2.95% and those of PE1, PE5, and PE10 remained below 30%. The coated samples showed better retention and consequently slower degradation of chlorophyll. The fruits coated with pure PVA as well as 10% extract-incorporated PVA remained acceptable till day 15, while the ones with 1 and 5% of extract reached full ripeness on day 18. Results of the present investigation suggest that safe, low-cost, and environmentally friendly coatings can improve the shelf life of perishable produces like bananas.

Effect Of Adding Different Levels Of Ginger Powder On The Sensory Parameters Of Berker Frozen Buffalo Meat Discs

This study was conducted in the laboratories of the Department of Animal Production,College of Agriculture / University of Thi Qar for the period from 6/1/2022 to 3/4/2022 to know the effect of adding different levels of ginger powder on the sensory parameters of Berker frozen buffalo meat tablets used for thigh meat, which was purchased From the local markets of the city of Nasiriyah and the experiment was conducted using concentrations of 1, 2 and 3% of ginger powder, which was added to the meat tablets kept by cooling at a temperature of 4 ° C. The sensory tests were conducted, and the results when assessing the sensory criteria led to a moral superiority in the color of buffalo meat in favor of the treatment T2 for the fourth, seventh and ninth days, with averages (9.00, 8.00, and 8.33), respectively, and on the twelfth day, T3 outperformed with an average of (8.67). The moral superiority for the first, fourth, seventh and ninth days was in favor of the T2 treatment, and their averages were (8.67,8.33, 8.67,8.67, respectively), and with regard to freshness, the moral superiority was in favor of the T2 treatment for the fourth, seventh and ninth days, with averages (8.33, 7.67, 8.00 (respectively and on the day). The twelfth treatment T4 outperformed the rest of the treatments with an average of (8.00) The results showed a significant increase in meat juice in favor of the T2 treatment for the fourth, seventh and ninth days with averages of (8.33, 8.00, 8.00) respectively, and on the twelfth and fifth days, treatment T4 outperformed the rest of the treatments with an average It reached (7.33, 7.00), respectively, and the significant increase continued in favor of T2 treatment in general acceptance and for the first, fourth, seventh and ninth days, with an average of (9.00, 9.00, 8.67, 7.67).T3 treatment time was significant and averaged (7.67) for the twelfth day

A mould in the fold should never grow old: cutaneous aspergillosis in a preterm neonate

A boy born at 25 weeks of gestation (birth weight 560 g) due to feto-fetal transfusion syndrome (mono-chorionic, di-amniotic gemini) was noticed on his ninth day of life to have multiple skin lesions on the abdomen, buttocks, and thighs (Figure 1A, B). The mother and his twin brother had no apparent skin abnormalities. Microbiological cultures from skin swabs and scrapings yielded growth of moulds, suggestive of Aspergillus species (Figure 1C-G). Matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry confirmed Aspergillus fumigatus.