Northwestern States Research Articles

Forest amount determines the occupancy of the arboreal rodent Oecomys cleberi (Rodentia: Cricetidae) in Atlantic Forest fragmented landscapes

ABSTRACT Oecomys cleberi is an arboreal rodent little known reagarding its natural history, distribution, and ecology. In this paper, we present new records of O. cleberi within a region of the Atlantic Forest, in a transition zone with Cerrado, in the northwestern state of São Paulo. We investigated the effects of the structure of fragmented landscapes on its occurrence at 40 sites in this region. We detected O. cleberi only in seasonal semideciduous forests and palm forests, but not in pastures, wetlands, and young reforestation. Our results indicated that its occurrence was determined by the amount of habitat within a 500 m radius landscape, and extremely low occupancy probabilities in landscapes with less than 25% forest cover (ψ < 0.3). Our results show the importance of the amount of habitat at the landscape scale for the occurrence of Oecomys cleberi, and point out that most of the landscapes in the study region presented low occupancy probabilities by this forest rodent. Although O. cleberi should not be considered as an Atlantic Forest species, it seems to be a resident species in ecotone areas with Cerrado, within the Atlantic Forest domain. Thus, conservation actions are necessary to preserve their populations in these regions.

Lean management technologies to optimize COVID-19 vaccination&#x0D; in adults

Introduction. Lean process improvements are needed to meet the increased adult demand for COVID-19 vaccinations.&#x0D; The purpose of the study is to develop interventions to improve adult vaccination against COVID-19 based on lean manufacturing strategies.&#x0D; Material and methods. We conducted 200 timings of the COVID-19 vaccination process and surveyed 200 vaccinated people. The time of the process, the time of creation of the value stream was calculated, production losses were analyzed. &#x0D; Results. After optimizing the COVID-19 vaccination process, the process time decreased by 2.3 times (from 5474.3 ± 127.3 to 2354.6 ± 22.5 sec; p &lt; 0.01). The time for the prophylactic vaccination against COVID-19 in the vaccination room was reduced by 3 times (from 600.6 ± 23.3 to 181.3 ± 25.6 sec; p &lt; 0.01). Production losses in the form of overproduction, excessive data processing, and unnecessary movements are excluded from the activities of the doctor and the nurse at the vaccination room. The time to value stream creation during vaccination increased from 68% to 97% (p &lt; 0.01).&#x0D; Limitations. The research materials are limited to the results of scientific research of the North-Western State Medical University named after I.I. Mechnikov received over 2021.&#x0D; Conclusion. The use of lean manufacturing technologies made it possible to identify the nature of production losses and analyze the causes of their occurrence in the process of vaccination of the adult population against COVID-19. The organizational measures taken in the form of patient flow management, standardization of work processes, redistribution of functional responsibilities, elimination of production losses contributed to a significant increase in the throughput of the vaccination room in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

New coronavirus infection in patients with chronic non-communicable diseases in primary care

BACKGROUND: The pandemic of a new coronavirus infection, which began in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December 2019, has spread to more than 200 countries and territories. There are a number of studies, the results of which indicate that deaths are mainly registered among the middle-aged and elderly population with chronic non-communicable diseases. Most of these studies are based on the study of cases of COVID-19 with severe course or in hospitalized patients. At the same time, a greater number of patients, including those with chronic non-communicable diseases, carry COVID-19 to a mild degree and remain under the supervision of primary care physicians.&#x0D; AIM: To identify risk factors for the development of severe COVID-19 in patients with chronic non-communicable diseases who sought outpatient care during various periods of increased incidence of new coronavirus infection from March 2020 to February 2022.&#x0D; MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was carried out on the basis of the Family Medicine Center of North-Western State Medical University named after I.I. Mechnikov, which provides primary health care to the population attached under compulsory health insurance. The design of the study was published earlier. A retrospective cohort study was conducted based on the analysis of outpatient records of patients who sought medical care at the Family Medicine Center during various periods of increased incidence of COVID-19: from 19.03.2020 to 30.06.2020 (group 1), from 1.10.2021 to 30.11.2021 (group 2) and from 18.01.2022 to 28.02.2022 (group 3).&#x0D; RESULTS: 343 patients were included in the study: 137 men (39.9%) and 206 women (60.1%). The number of patients with at least one chronic non-communicable disease was 232 (67.9%). It was found that the severity of COVID-19 is not affected by the presence of one or more chronic non-communicable diseases of mild severity in the patient. At the same time, grade II obesity and grade III hypertension are independent factors that significantly increase the risk of developing severe COVID-19 by 13.4 and 5.4 times, respectively (p 0.05). It should be noted that the combination of these diseases significantly increased the likelihood of developing severe COVID-19 by 11.9 times (p 0.05).&#x0D; CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of the period of morbidity, the clinical manifestations of COVID-19 in patients with chronic non-communicable diseases have their own characteristics: weakness, sweating, dry and wet cough are significantly more common (p 0.05). With each subsequent wave of increase in the incidence of COVID-19 in patients with chronic non-communicable diseases, there is a significant tendency to decrease the frequency of severe and very severe course of the disease, pneumonia and hospitalization, as in patients without chronic non-communicable diseases. It was found that the severity of the COVID-19 course is not affected by the presence of mild chronic non-communicable diseases in the patient. At the same time, grade II and higher obesity or grade III hypertension are independent factors that significantly increase the risk of developing severe COVID-19 by 11.9 and 5.4 times, respectively (p 0.05). The combination of these diseases significantly increased the probability of developing severe COVID-19 by 13.4 times (p 0.05).

The results of the internship of a postgraduate student from Uzbekistan on the basis of the North-Western State Medical University named after I.I. Mechnikov in the framework of interuniversity cooperation

The article is devoted to the results of the internship of a postgraduate student of the Tashkent Pediatric Medical Institute at the I.I. Mechnikov Northwestern State Medical University within the framework of the inter-university cooperation program dedicated to the development of research in the field of infectious diseases and the exchange of experience in the field of medical care for a new coronavirus infection.&#x0D; The purpose of the internship of a postgraduate student of the Department of Infectious Diseases, Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Phthisiology and Pulmonology Sh.A. Khasanova was studying the specifics of providing care to patients with a new coronavirus infection in St. Petersburg. The program included a visit to the departments of Infectious Diseases, family Medicine, epidemiology, and disinfection, as well as a presentation at the All-Russian Conference with international participation Science and Practice. Why does a family doctor need clinical recommendations?, dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the scientific and practical journal Russian Family Doctor. The report highlighted the Uzbek experience of implementing measures to combat the new coronavirus infection and demonstrated their effectiveness. As part of the internship, the graduate student got acquainted with the peculiarities of providing inpatient and outpatient care to patients with COVID-19, including in-depth medical examination and the operation of the system of statistical registration of patients with a new coronavirus infection in the federal register, as well as the organization of epidemiological control in different periods of the pandemic of a new coronavirus infection.&#x0D; The main result of the internship was the creation of a basis for effective and long-term cooperation between Russian and Uzbek universities in the field of scientific research and training of personnel for national health systems in the field of infectious diseases.

Clinical and diagnostic features of course of cerebral venous thrombosis during COVID‑19 pandemic

Relevance. During the COVID‑19 pandemic, there has been an increase in the frequency of cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) by 30–60 times. At the same time, the development of CVT does not depend on the severity of COVID‑19. Diagnosis of CVT during the COVID‑19 pandemic is particularly difficult, since the most common symptom of CVT, headache, can be regarded as a manifestation of COVID‑19. A wide range of clinical symptoms and low alertness of doctors leads to late diagnosis and verification of CVT.Purpose of the study. To analyze the features of clinical manifestations and neuroimaging signs of CVT against the background of COVID‑19. Patients and methods. We examined 70 young and middle-aged patients with COVID‑19 of varying severity, who underwent inpatient treatment in angio-neurological and re-profiled infectious diseases departments of North-Western State Medical University n. a. I. I. Mechnikov (Saint Petersburg, Russia) at the age of 18 to 59 years (38.5 ± 11.58), of which 49 (70 %) women and 21 (30 %) men.Results. The most common neurological symptom in patients with CVT due to COVID‑19 was diffuse headache. The severity of COVID‑19 and the degree of lung damage did not correlate with the severity of CVT. In 32 (46 %) cases, CVT was accompanied by the development of venous stroke: ischemic – in 13 (19 %) patients, hemorrhagic – in 7 (10 %), ischemic stroke with hemorrhagic impregnation – in 12 (17 %) patients. According to the localization of the thrombus, thrombosis of the left transverse sinus was most often noted – in 39 (57 %) cases.Conclusions. The leading symptom in all patients with CVT was headache, which was not relieved by taking conventional analgesics, which caused clinical alertness of doctors. Early diagnosis of CVT ensured the immediate start of anticoagulant therapy and contributed to positive dynamics in all patients in the form of regression of neurological deficit and improvement in general condition.

Контрастность границ между российскими регионами по траекториям достижения национальных целей развития

The relevance of the study lies in the fact that when studying socio-geographical borders, the main attention has been paid to state borders and their impact on the socio-economic development of border and cross-border regions. The object of the study is the system of national development goals of Russia, and the subject of the study is the spatial and temporal inequality in achieving development goals between Russian regions. The aim of the study is to determine the differences between neighboring regions of Russia along the trajectories of achieving national development goals in order to identify contrasting borders and clarify the emerging territorial structure. The values of 19 indicators of achievement of national development goals in 2021–2030 for 85 Russian regions are used. The sequence of isolation of individual regions and groups of regions using contrasting borders is determined. This made it possible to identify a specific territorial structure for achieving the national development goals of the Russian Federation, consisting in the existence of a capital territory that differs from all, surrounded by regions with relatively similar rates of achieving the goals and “displacing” contrasting regions to the southern (south-western) and northern (north-western) state borders in European part of Russia, as well as beyond Ural Mountains. This structure differs significantly from the distribution of Russian regions by Federal Districts, clusters of promising economic specialization, macro-regions and geostrategic territories. Due to the relative divergence of the trajectories of the development of regions within the federal districts, it is possible to assume the complexity of effective coordination in achieving the set goals through the system of federal districts of Russia. The macro-regions and geostrategic territories approved in the spatial development strategy, according to their territorial structure, also cannot be used to coordinate the trajectories of achieving national goals. The results obtained can be used to adjust national goals and monitor the implementation of the schedule for achieving the goals. Seven directions of further research are proposed.

Mental Health Issues and Coping Mechanism adopted by Primary Healthcare Workers against COVID-19: A Study in Northwestern State of India

Background: The healthcare providers (HCWs) of primary health facilities suffered with dual burden of work, as they had to deliver COVID-19 related services along with routine work, which put immense strain on their capacities. Objective: To assess the prevalence of mental health issues among HCWs of public primary health facilities and understand the coping mechanisms adopted by them during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: It is a cross-sectional study, conducted by administering telephonic and self-administered questionnaires with a sample of 272 HCWs from 24 public primary healthcare facilities of 13 districts in the state of Rajasthan. Result: 76.2% had a fear of getting infected, whereas 56.3% were not able to spend time with family, and 41% had less time for rest while working in the pandemic. The pandemic impacted the lives of HCWs beyond the workplace, significantly affecting their personal lives as well, leading to mental health-related issues. 53% of HCWs experienced depression ‘sometimes’, followed by anger, boredom, irritability, and fear. Age and type of residence were found to be significantly associated with mental health issues. Exercise (44.9%), followed by yoga (29.4%), and meditation (22.8%) were a few coping mechanisms adopted by HCWs. Conclusion: The impact of COVID-19 on mental health varied with the background characteristics like age, sex, residence, workplace, and nature of work. There is a need to create a resilient health system to support s in primary health facilities.

Molecular detection of SARS-CoV-2 infection in three geo-political zones of Nigeria: a cross-sectional study.

sequel to the emergence of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its subsequent spread to all continents of the world, humans have continued to experience severe devastation to their health and economies. To control the spread of this virus, it is important to detect the infection in recently infected and asymptomatic individuals who are capable of infecting others. This study was designed to detect ongoing SARS-CoV-2 Infection among asymptomatic individuals in open markets across three geopolitical zones in Nigeria. nasal and oropharyngeal swab samples were collected from 2,158 study participants between December 20th, 2020 and March 20th, 2021 from large open markets across three geo-political zones (Southwest, Northwest and Southeast) of Nigeria. Virus RNA was extracted from these swab samples and real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was carried out for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 specific genes. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. a total of 163 (7.6%) of the 2,158 participants enrolled for the study tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR. The rate of infection was significantly higher in the North-western States of the country when compared to the western and Eastern regions (P=0.000). Similarly, the rate of infection was higher among buyers than sellers (P=0.000) and among males when compared with females, though the difference was not significant (p=0.31). this study shows that there is a continuous spread of SARS-CoV-2, especially among active, asymptomatic individuals across many States in the country. There is therefore need to continuously educate citizens on the need to adhere to both the non-pharmaceutical and pharmaceutical preventive measures to protect themselves and ultimately curb the spread of the virus.

Does financial inclusion impact socio-economic stability? A study of social safety net in Indian slums

PurposeThe study aims to examine the impact of social assistance schemes introduced by the Indian government on poverty alleviation in urban slums.Design/methodology/approachTo accomplish the study's objectives, primary data were collected from 585 beneficiaries of government schemes operating in India's northwestern state using a multistage sampling technique (Punjab). The exploratory factor analysis (EFA) technique reduced the total dataset to its minimum factors. Then, using second-order confirmatory factor analysis, the data's validity and reliability were determined. The data were analyzed using statistical techniques such as one-way ANOVA, t-test and structural equation modeling (SEM).FindingsThe study's findings indicate that social assistance provided by the Government of India has a direct and substantial influence on poverty alleviation in urban slums. The study demonstrates how access to basic credit financial services through social assistance programmes has improved the lives of urban poor households living in slums and assisted them in escaping poverty.Research limitations/implicationsThe investigation was undertaken among a few limitations. First, the in-depth investigation of the study is restricted to only the northwestern state of India solely because of limited resources and time availability. Second, the study focuses primarily on the perspectives of beneficiaries of the social assistance schemes in India. Still, it might be expanded in the future to include additional stakeholders such as bank executives, business colleagues and municipal town panchayats.Practical implicationsDue to policymakers' increased emphasis on poor households living in urban slums, this topic is critical for studying many issues.Social implicationsThe research explores gaps in social welfare schemes to direct policymakers and government authorities to take appropriate steps to aid the urban poor people in sliding out of poverty.Originality/valueBy examining the influence of the Indian government's social welfare schemes on poverty reduction in slums, this study contributes to the literature on public assistance schemes and poverty alleviation. This article can assist policymakers in developing nations in increasing financial capability among disadvantaged urban families on a national and international level.

Gas detection in the portal vein after aortobifemoral bypass: a case report

We present a case report of early surgical treatment of abdominal compartment syndrome after aortobifemoral bypass. A 73-year-old man was admitted to the I.I. Mechnikov North-Western State Medical University with critical lower limb ischemia. Aortobifemoral bypass with a synthetic prosthesis was performed via laparotomy. The postoperative period was complicated by the dynamic bowel obstruction. The patient's condition worsened (hypovolemic and septic shock, respiratory failure due to severe pneumonia). Initial tactics was conservative. Signs of bowel ischemia (pneumatosis of the intestinal wall, gas in the portal vein) were identified using “point of care” ultrasound, which led to a change in the treatment tactics. On the same day, decompression relaparotomy was performed and the intestinal decompression tube was inserted. The postoperative period proceeded with positive dynamics: early extubation with acceptable parameters of gas exchange, minimal dosages of vasopressor support. Bowel function improved and stool appeared on the 2nd day after surgery.Gas in the portal vein is an ultrasound phenomenon, which in 70 % of cases suggests necrosis of the intestinal wall. The detection of such a symptom in patients after the abdominal aorta surgery may indicate bowel ischemia, since mesenteric circulation disorders primarily develop in the inferior mesenteric artery. This condition requires urgent surgical intervention, but its differential diagnosis with postoperative paralytic ileus is not always possible, especially in the early stages. We demonstrate a case of early gas detection in the portal vein and the emergency intervention that allowed preventing irreversible ischemic damage of the bowel. “Point of care” ultrasound can help suspect this condition and determine the indications for early surgical intervention, which can positively influence the outcome. Received 19 April 2022. Revised 29 May 2022. Accepted 1 June 2022. Informed consent: The patient’s informed consent to use the records for medical purposes is obtained. Funding: The study did not have sponsorship. Conflict of interest: Authors declare no conflict of interest. Contribution of the authors: The authors contributed equally to this article.

Incidence of Coronary Embolism in Group of Patients with Atrial Fibrillation and Myocardial Infarction

Embolic myocardial infarction (EMI) is more common than gets to be diagnosed. EMI is often associated with atrial fibrillation (AF). The incidence of this pathology, prognosis and treatment tactics remain unclear.&#x0D; AIM: To assess the incidence of EMI among patients with myocardial infarction (MI), genesis of coronary embolism (CE), initial characteristics, treatment and prognosis in group of patients with EMI.&#x0D; MATERIALS AND METHODS: The group of patients with EMI was selected among 1989 patients with MI admitted to the cardiology department of the North-Western State Medical University named after I.I. Mechnikov between 2013 to December 2019. The CE verification criteria were the SUITA criteria. Statistical data processing was carried out using the SAS program.&#x0D; RESULTS: 16 cases of EMI were registered (0.8% of all MI and 4.3% of patients with MI and AF). 68.7% (95% CI = 41.5%88.9%) of patients with EMI had AF. All patients with EMI and AF did not have adequate anticoagulant therapy before admission. Among patients with EMI, men predominated, they were younger, had fewer comorbidities than patients with MI and without AF. 13 of 16 patients with EMI were prescribed anticoagulants. During hospitalization, the composite endpoint (pulmonary embolism + stroke + cardiovascular death) was recorded in 25% (95% CI = 7.3%52.2%), in the long-term period in 30% of cases (95 % CI = 6.765.2). All these patients had AF. EMI in patients with AF was associated with the development of severe chronic heart failure (CHF) by the time of discharge and with decompensation of CHF in the long-term period.&#x0D; CONCLUSIONS: EMI often occur in group of patients with AF, always in the absence of adequate anticoagulant therapy. Patients with EMI and AF have a worse prognosis due to recurrent thromboembolic events.&#x0D; Keywords: anticoagulants; atrial fibrillation; coronary embolism; embolic myocardial infarction; prognosis; thrombaspiration.

Habitat suitability, range dynamics, and threat assessment of Swertia petiolata D. Don: a Himalayan endemic medicinally important plant under climate change.

In the current era of the anthropocene, climate change is one of the main determinants of species redistribution and biodiversity loss. Worryingly, the situation is alarming for endemic and medicinally important plant species with a narrow distributional range. Therefore, it is pivotal to inspect the influence of accelerated climate change on medicinally important threatened and endemic plant species. Using an ensemble approach, the current study aims at modelling the present distribution and predicting the future potential distribution coupled with the threat assessment of Swertia petiolata-a medicinally important endemic plant species in the Himalayan biodiversity hotspot. Our study revealed that under current climatic scenarios, the suitable habitats for the species occur across the western Himalayan region which includes the north-western Indian states (Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and southern Uttarakhand), northern Pakistan, and north-western Nepal. Also, temperature seasonality (BIO4) and precipitation seasonality (BIO15) are the most significant bioclimatic variables determining the distribution of S. petiolata. Furthermore, the study projected a reduction in the suitable habitats for the species under future changing climatic scenarios with a reduction ranging from - 40.298% under RCP4.5 2050 to - 83.421% under RCP8.5 2070. Most of the habitat reduction will occur in the western Himalayan region. In contrast, some of the currently unsuitable Himalayan regions like northern Uttarakhand will show increasing suitability under climate change scenarios. The current study also revealed that S. petiolata is classified as Near Threatened (NT) following the IUCN criterion B. Hopefully, the present study will provide a robust tool for predicting the cultivation hotspots and devising scientifically effective conservation strategies for this medicinally important plant species in the Himalaya and similar environments elsewhere in the world.

ЗНАЧЕНИЕ NK-КЛЕТОК ПЕРИФЕРИЧЕСКОЙ КРОВИ И ЭКСПРЕССИИ ТРАНСФОРМИРУЮЩЕГО ФАКТОРА РОСТА БЕТА-1 ПРИ РЕЦИДИВИРУЮЩЕМ ТЕЧЕНИИ ЭНДОМЕТРИОЗА ЯИЧНИКОВ

Affiliation.Federal state budgetary educational institution of higher education «North-Western State Medical University named after I. I. Mechnikov» under the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Saint-PetersburgIntroduction.Elevated level of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) can be the cause of impaired immune response among women with endometriosis due to its ability to reduce the activity of NK-cells, which contributes to the survival of ectopic endometrial cells in the abdominal cavity and plays a key role in the progression of the disease.Materials and methods.196 endometrioma observations were studied, an immunological study of peripheral blood was performed with the determination of CD3-CD16/56+(natural killers) and an IHC study of the expression of TGF-β1 in the capsuleof an endometrioid cyst and in a preserved cytogenic stroma. Results.The IHC study showed that the expression area of TGF-β1 was significantly larger in the surgical material in the recurrent course of endometriosis; an immunological study revealed a significant decrease in NKcells during the endo-metrioma recurrence.Conclusion:Further study of the relationship between TGF-β1 and NK cells may be important as prognostic markers of recurrent endometriosis.

Use of mesenchymal stem cells to accelerate regeneration processes in acute toxic liver injury in an experiment

Introduction. The impact of a complex chemical load on the population of the whole world, the use of pharmacological preparations, alcohol-containing products are the main factors that determine the high frequency and prevalence of toxic hepatitis. The search for new approaches for the treatment of toxic liver damage in order to restore structural and functional disorders is one of the urgent tasks of medicine. Of particular interest are the methods of regenerative medicine based on the use of various types of stem cells. Purpose of the study - study of the effect of transplantation of multipotent mesenchymal stem cells on the processes of regeneration in the liver of rats with induced acute toxic hepatitis. Materials and methods. An experimental study was conducted on 114 outbred male rats (3-5 months old) weighing 250-390 g. The animals were divided into 3 main groups. Group 1 - control animals (n=15). Group 2 (positive control) single intragastric injection of an oil solution of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) at a dose of 1500 mg/kg (n=41); Group 3 (n=58) intragastrically injected with CCl4 at a dose of 1500 mg/kg, and intravenous transplantation of MMSC of 2×106, was carried out. On the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th day of the experiment as well as the collection of organs and tissues for histological and morphometric studies was made. Results. According to immunofluorescent analysis, intravenously transplanted MMSCs were found in the liver of rats at the 3rd and all subsequent periods of observation. In the present study, MMSC transplantation led to a statistically significant decrease in infiltrative processes in the liver tissue on the 3rd and 5th days of the study by 28.3% (p&lt;0.0001) and 18.75% (p=0.0074) according to compared with the positive control group. On day 7, MMSC transplantation reduced the degree of fatty degeneration of the organ. The decrease in pathological manifestations of toxic hepatitis in rats is associated with an earlier activation of the mechanisms of reparative regeneration. Implementation of liver regeneration against the background of MMSC transplantation was carried out by enhancing protein-synthetic processes in liver cells, as well as increasing the mitotic activity of hepatocytes. Conclusions. The conducted experimental study showed that MMSC transplantation is an effective method of stimulating regenerative processes in the liver after its acute toxic damage. Limitations. In this experiment, lipid peroxidation processes in rat liver cells were not assessed, these criteria were not included in the study, and may be the subject of further study. Ethics. Work with laboratory animals was carried out with the approval of the bioethical committee of the North-Western State Medical University. I.I. Mechnikov dated November 11, 2020, as well as in accordance with the international GLP rules adopted in the Russian Federation (Rules for Good Laboratory Practice), Order No. 267 of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation dated June 19, 2003.

English

The North-Western Free State is a main contributor of South Africa&rsquo;s maize production which has recently been put under enormous pressure by climate change, pests, diseases, economic factors and population growth. Crop diversification, by means of crop rotation, has potential to alleviate some of the challenges faced by the farmers and communities of the North-Western Free State. Crop rotation can improve soil health and crop production but has shown to be site-specific. Understanding the views and perspectives of local farmers on crop diversification is an important starting point to determine successful crop rotation programs specific to the area. The objective of this study was to provide a baseline to develop successful crop rotations programs sustainable to the North-Western Free State environment and farmer. A uniquely designed questionnaire was distributed to sixty local farmers. Results showed that the farmers had a positive perception towards crop rotation, with 87% of them rotating their maize, most often with soya beans, sunflower and wheat. A simple linear regression further highlighted that those farmers who rated the relevance of crop diversity high, had a higher degree of diversification. This trend towards perfect diversification is seen as key to sustainable agriculture in the area. Key words: Crop diversification, crop rotation, North-Western Free State, sustainable agriculture.

Assessment of Supply Chain Management Practices and Sustainable Food Security in Nigeria

Supply chain flow is a major concern for food security, particularly to ensure that food is not lost between farmers and consumers. Food security has become a highly emotive issue, as chronic hunger, local food shortages, and sudden increases in food prices are strongly influencing public sentiment and reaction. This raises concern for the assessment of supply chain management and sustainable food security in Nigeria, using honesty among supply chain participants, effective storage facilities, and quality of seed as a determinant for sustainable food security. A survey research design was adopted for this study, using a structured questionnaire. Convenient and Purposive sampling techniques were used to select 80 farmers from the North-Western state of Nigeria. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data collected, which was presented using charts. The findings of this study show that honesty among supply chain participants, effective storage facilities for farm produce, and the quality of seeds to plant will enhance nutritional foods in society, promotes both affordability and high profits for all participants in the supply chain based on the response of the selected farmers. It was further revealed from the study that Government intervention in terms of subsidy and credit facilities to the farmers are not well harnessed by the real farmers that are actually in the business of farming. Therefore, it was recommended, among others, that there should be an effective feedback mechanism from the government to ensure the subsidy is actually addressing the purpose of its establishment.

Low thermal conductivity solar domestic water heater

Solar domestic water heaters (SWH) with thermosyphon circulation are the most common commercial applications of solar energy in Mexico. They are also becoming popular in the rest of the world, given their simplicity, good economic returns, and sustainability. Traditionally the solar collector, the piping, and the storage tank are built of copper and steel. However, water quality in many parts of the Mexican Northwest has high mineral contents and, when heated, results in early metal pitting corrosion of SWH parts. Short-lived water heaters are bad promoters of the technology. In this work, a SWH thermoplastic Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride (CPVC) is built and tested under real operating conditions in La Paz, BCS, Mexico. The optimal design is detected with the aid of a suitable numerical model. Results reveal that a full SWH-CPVC can be technically and economically convenient for the weather conditions of the Northwestern states of Mexico.

Esophagoprotective therapy in patients with erosive esophagitis

To evaluate the advantages of using combined therapy of proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) and esophagoprotector in comparison with basic therapy of PPIs for 4 weeks based on the results of changes in the endoscopic picture.To compare the effectiveness of 4-week PPI therapy and 4-week combination therapy with PPI and esophagoprotector Alfasoxx (sodium hyaluronate, chondroitin sulfate, poloxomer 407) in patients with erosive esophagitis (EE) of any degree according to the Los Angeles Endoscopic Classification. 81 patients with EE AC according to the Los Angeles endoscopic classification (1994) was enrolled in the study on the basis of the clinic of Peter the Great, Mechnikov North-Western State Medical University. By computer randomization, patients were divided into the control group 40 patients (pantoprazole 40 mg 1 time per day) and the intervention group 41 patients (pantoprazole 40 mg 1 time per day + Alfasoxx 1 sachet qid). The therapy was carried out for 4 weeks. In all patients before and after therapy, the frequency and severity of the main symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) were assessed, esophagogastroduodenoscopy was performed. The advantage of combination therapy over standard PPI monotherapy in patients with EE was revealed. According to the results of the control endoscopy, healing of erosions of the esophageal mucosa was observed in 39 out of 41 (95.1%) patients in the intervention group and 32 out of 39 (82.1%) in the control group. The proportion of patients who showed an improvement in the endoscopic picture before and after treatment for 4 weeks by at least 1 level according to the Los Angeles classification was significantly higher in the comparison group 41 patients (100%), while in the control group 33 patients (85%); p0.009. After treatment, the combination therapy group had a lower incidence (p0.01) and severity of heartburn (p0.01). The same results are demonstrated by combination therapy regarding the symptom belching of air: in the study group after treatment, this symptom occurred less frequently (p=0.014), its severity was significantly less than in the control group (p0.01). There was a statistically significant decrease in the need for on-demand antacid therapy in the study group. In this study involving 81 patients with erosive GERD, the benefits of combination therapy were demonstrated. The addition of Alfasoxx medical device to PPI therapy increases the clinical and endoscopic efficacy of therapy. This positive effect is associated with the esophagoprotective properties of the drug, based on unique pharmacodynamic characteristics. Combination therapy for GERD is preferred in patients with EE. Studies have shown the expediency of using Alfasoxx in case of insufficient effectiveness of classical acid-suppressive therapy for GERD.

The Distribution of Invasive Tilapia Throughout A Tropical Man-Made Lake With Special Reference to Temengor Reservoir, Malaysia

With a surface area of 15, 200 ha, the Temengor Reservoir, in the northwestern state of Perak was selected among other lakes in Malaysia for the development of a large tilapia aquaculture facility in 2008 due to its favourable environmental conditions. Tilapia has never been recorded at Temengor Reservoir prior to the establishment of this facility. However, preliminary observations in a previous study detected tilapia species in the natural waters of this lake, strongly suggesting these were escapees from the floating cages which had invaded the natural waters. Following that, a study was conducted to assess the distribution of these escapees throughout the Temengor Reservoir. The cultured tilapias are easily recognizable with elongated mouth and body, and long caudal fin. The sampling was conducted using gill nets. The distribution of the escaped tilapia throughout the Temengor Reservoir was mapped based on previous data and current data on the fish checklist conducted at different sampling points of this lake, and the occurrence (presence/absence) of escaped tilapia was recorded. A comparative analysis was conducted at several number of points among three sampling areas, according to the radii from the fish cage facility; &lt;5km (S1), 5-15km (S2), and &gt;15km (S3). The ANOVA showed significant differences (p&lt;0.05) in Catch per Unit Effort (CPUE) weight between the three sampling areas. As tilapia is a highly successful global invasive species, the presence of tilapia at these and other locations at Temengor Reservoir should be rigorously monitored. Complete eradication of tilapia in the lake is of high urgency. We recommend intensive targeted fishing of the species in the vicinity of the cages and biological control by native predators to preserve and conserve the native fish species at Temengor Reservoir.

Kaura-Zaria Railway: A Desertion of Contemporary Potent Economic Contingencies

Transportation is a prominent infrastructure for sustaining economic momentum especially in areas of diversification of production base, valuable trade expansion network and intimating resources and markets into a coherent and cohesive economy. Nigerian economic diversification is centrally focused on resuscitation of minerals, agriculture and manufacturing development. This quest is securable with development of rail transportation which is precursor for regional productivity by integrating different regions resulting in increased mobility of labor forces, nominal and economical exchange of commodities and enterprises and productive interaction among the national industries. Furthermore, railway transportation system is esteemed to be the key component in business efficiency in the level of proficiency and accessibility it provides to the customers, markets, labor and materials by providing effective information about the capacity of existing transportation infrastructure in enhancing economic momentum. Railroad abandonment is economically disastrous due to its undesirable consequences on the region which lose such services and such deprivation can lead to an adverse effect on economic and social prominence of the region and utterly inhibit the economic expansion and development of a nation. This paper highlights the deterioration of economic activities of geographical north-western states of Nigeria due to abandonment of Zaria-Kaura Namoda railroad terminal as one of the significant infrastructural systems in the country.