BACKGROUND: Hyperprolactinaemia among patients on antipsychotic medications is generally overlooked due to lack of outwardly visible symptoms, patient resistance to reporting because the symptoms are perceived as shameful, or to clinician's insufficient knowledge AIM: The study aimed to evaluate the patterns and correlates of hyperprolactinemia among patients with schizophrenia on antipsychotic medications. SETTING: The study was conducted in a psychiatric facility in Maiduguri, Northeastern Nigeria. METHODS: A total of 209 patients with schizophrenia were evaluated through a cross-sectional design and assayed for serum prolactin with ELISA Kits. Frequencies and percentages were tabulated for categorical variables. Variables with significant associations with hyperprolactinaemia on chi-square (p < 0.05) were subjected to logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of hyperprolactinaemia was 45.9% in all patients on antipsychotic medication. The prevalence because of the use of typical and atypical antipsychotics was 51.5% and 25.0%, respectively. Hyperprolactinaemia was significantly associated with typical antipsychotics (β = 0314, p = 0.002), high overall drug dosage (β = 2.340, p = 0.003), high-dose typical antipsychotics (β = 3.228, p = 0.000), twice daily dosing frequency (β = 2.751, p = 0.001) and polypharmacy (β = 1.828, p = 0.0024). CONCLUSION: The findings support that patients on typical, high-dose antipsychotic medications and polypharmacy have a high prevalence of hyperprolactinaemia. As hyperprolactinaemia is often undetectable, screening and patient psycho-education on the significance of the signs and symptoms of hyperprolactinaemia is required for necessary clinical intervention. CONTRIBUTION: The study provides evidence for the rational use of antipsychotic medications in sub-Saharan Africa.

ABSTRACT Soil salinization is more aggravating than ever before and techniques are needed to mitigate this problem; understanding salinity-fertilizer relationship is of considerable economic importance for promoting crop growth and productivity in saline soil. A pot experiment was done in a greenhouse to determine whether the N could alleviate the negative effect of different salts compositions on the growth, and physiological attributes of the two most used Sudan sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) cultivars (Wadahmed and Tabat). The plant was subjected to the salt stress at 0, 0.3419 M NaCl, and 0.1408 M Na2SO4, and four levels of N application 0, 4, 8, and 12 g N kg-1 soil, designated as N0, N1, N2, and N3, respectively. Results showed that Na2SO4 was reduced plant height, leaf area index, number of leaves, dry weight (DW), chlorophyll a, total chlorophyll content, and increased soluble protein content, activities of peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) activities by 16.4%, 29.7%, 61.5%, 28.7%, 39.6%, 12.7%, 99.7%, 34.3%, 51.8%, respectively, when compared with the non-saline treatment. The Na2SO4 salt had a more harmful effect than NaCl. This study revealed that N fertilizer was successful for alleviating the adverse impacts of both types of salt. In this study, 12 g N kg-1 soil was most effective on most of the measured parameters of two sorghum cultivars. These findings demonstrated that the N soil amendment application could alleviate the harmful impact of salinity. ‘Wadahmed’ was more tolerant to salinity stress than ‘Tabat’ during the boot stage of sorghum plant.

Abstract The main concern of today's agricultural production around the world is a cleaner and greener approach to crop production. Streptomyces species with distinct characteristics can be found in soil. The current research focuses on Streptomyces species isolated from marine sediment samples. To evaluate the morphology and biochemical properties of the isolated Streptomyces strain ukm1, it was grown in Starch Casein Nitrate (SCN) agar medium. Morphological, biochemical, and 16s rRNA analysis were performed on the strain. Streptomyces sp. was identified based on these findings. The production of bioactive metabolites by strain nkm1 was carried out in five different fermentative media. After 10 days of incubation, M6 medium was found to be efficient and was extracted with ethyl acetate. The MIC values revealed that the ethyl acetate extract inhibited the growth of plant pathogenic fungi such as Phytophthora palmivora (31.25 g/ml), Aspergillus flavus (15.62 g/ml), Rhizoctonia solani (31.25 g/ml), and Cladosporium herbarum (31.25 g/ml). The GC-MS analysis of the ethyl acetate extract revealed 26 components, the major volatile bioactive compound being nonadecane.

Abstract There is a paucity of information with respect to group-training for artificial vagina and its influence on semen characteristics and sexual behavior of young untrained rams. A total of 18 healthy Najdi rams (with an initial body weight of 40-45 Kg and 7-8 month-old) were consequently used herein to test the usefulness of group-training for artificial vagina-mediated semen collection during the breeding season. Rams were randomly segregated into three groups (n = 6 rams per protocol), and the whole experiment was lasted for 10 weeks. The 1st group was subjected to a training protocol where one untrained ram was placed for 20 min with a teaser ewe, while the 2nd group were subjected to a protocol where one untrained ram was placed for 20 min with one trained ram and a teaser ewe, whereas the 3rd group were subjected to a protocol where three untrained rams were placed for 20 min with one trained ram and a teaser ewe. The obtained results clearly (P < 0.05) showed that training young rams in group has increased their sperm concentration and sexual stimulation, shortened the period of their training time, and descriptively had a complete training efficiency. The sexual stimulation of young untrained rams was intensified by the competition between rams in the co-presence of a trained ram. Collectively, these data may suggest that group-training of rams at puberty is a better protocol for AV-mediated semen collection compared to individual training. Some shortcomings were noted herein, but research dealing with this subject may very well improve the reproductive performance of young untrained rams.

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the physicians' knowledge regarding the referral for dental screening prior to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Material and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study using simple random sampling among 468 physicians from various specialties with diverse experience levels from different regions in Saudi Arabia. A self-reporting questionnaire was distributed among the physicians, which consisted of questions assessing the physicians' knowledge about oral health and complications in patients prior to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Statistical analysis was done after the data was collected employing SPSS, and p<0.05 was taken as significant. Results: Residents were more as expected (39.3%), followed by specialists (2.31%). The majority had a practice experience for more than five years (67.8%).The scores for the knowledge assessment showed that 51.3%, nearly half of the participants, had lower scores. The scores were statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusion: General physicians and specialists should be aware of the dental complications and associated diseases in patients with malignancies and those undergoing chemo and radiotherapy. It is proposed that more awareness should be raised among physicians to rectify this lapse.

ABSTRACT Salinity stress profoundly affects crop plants’ morphological structures and physiological processes, decreasing plant growth and development. The application of phytohormones has been proved an efficient way to alleviate salinity stress. This study was done to evaluate the effects of exogenous application of gibberellic acid (GA3; 0.288 mM), salicylic acid (SA; 0.362 mM), indole acetic acid (IAA; 0.285 mM) and control (0 mM) on seedling growth and physiological parameters of hargel (Solenostemma argel Hayne) seedlings under different salinity levels (0, 50 and 100 mM NaCl). Significant decreases due to salinity stress were observed in all the seedling growth parameters shoot and root length, shoot fresh weight, shoot dry weight, root fresh weight, root dry weight, chlorophyll a and b content, and antioxidant enzymes activities such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX). In contrast, soluble protein and carotenoid content increased with increasing salinity. At high salinity level, GA3 increased carotenoid content and APX activity by 56.4% and 53.4%, respectively, while SA increased shoot dry weight, SOD, POD and soluble protein by 1.3-fold, 1.3-fold, 1.95-fold and 93.2%, compared with the control, IAA increased root length and fresh root weight at the same salinity level by 1.58-fold and 2-fold, respectively. In conclusion, seed priming with an appropriate dosage of exogenous hormones successfully mitigates the adverse effects of NaCl by increasing photosynthetic pigment, antioxidant enzyme activity and seedling growth parameters. Furthermore, SA exhibited the best mitigating effects compared to IAA and GA3.

Abstract Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most prevalent cancer and the second most common cause of cancer death; however, its early detection can improve the survival. Colonic polyps are considered one of the CRC's major risk factors. Throughout many biological processes and malignancies, the non-coding RNAs have essential functions. Certain long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), including H19, were supposed to be CRC possible biomarkers. Also, H19 has been reported to play a role in regulating the activity of β-catenin, a protein that regulates cell-to-cell adhesion, as well as gene transcription. The current work aimed to investigate the potential significance of LncRNA H19 relative serum expression level by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR) and β-catenin by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) as noninvasive biomarkers to discriminate between colorectal cancer and colonic polyps. The statistical analysis of the studied factors revealed that the serum expression of H19 and β-catenin in cancer cases were substantially greater than colonic polyp cases and normal control. Conclusion The relative expressions of H19 and beta-catenin in the serum can significantly discriminate patients with CRC from those with polyp and normal controls, which could help when screening for CRC.

Abstract Background Organic colonic manifestation may be difficult to be differentiated from functional one. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a common chronic inflammatory and destructive disease of the bowel wall. Chronic inflammation is associated with ulcerations, strictures, perforations, and it is a risk factor for dysplasia and cancer. To reduce these long-standing complications, IBD patients are in a continuous need for early diagnosis1. Markers, such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and c-reactive protein (CRP), fecal calprotectin (FC) have been widely used as noninvasive parameters for IBD monitoring. We aimed, in this current study, to evaluate the value of fecal calprotectin and other noninvasive biomarkers in predicting abnormal histologic findings in patients undergoing colonoscopy.in addition to determine the cutoff value which predict IBD2. Methods The present prospective study included 160 patients with complaint of colicky abdominal pain with frequent diarrhea associated with mucous and infrequent bleeding per rectum for more than 6 months. They presented partial improvement with medication and recurrence once stopping the treatment These patients had been recently diagnosed with IBD at many primary healthcare centers covering the areas of the Kafrelsheikh and Zagazik governorate in the North of Egyptian Nile delta. After complete history, clinical examination, and laboratory investigation, they were referred to the IBD clinic at Kafrelsheikh University Hospital for assessment and ileocolonoscopy with biopsies. Results There was a wide spectrum of age of the studied patients, with mean age 40.12±7.88 (minimum 18 and maximum 56 years). Regarding gender, males represented 87.5% of the studied patients. Forty percent of the patients with colonic manifestation were smokers, 57% preferred a spicy diet, and the majority had low educational level (77.5%). Forty percent had obvious blood in stool, 55% had occult blood, and raised ESR CRP occurred in 32.5% and 50%, respectively. Fecal calprotectin cutoff was>159, with sensitivity 92.8% and specificity 97.5%. Conclusions: Biomarkers (FC, ESR, CRP) can be used as noninvasive parameters for the early diagnosis and prediction of organic colonic disease. Fecal calprotectin in the IBD group revealed significant area under the curve (AUC) values and cutoff>159, with sensitivity 92.8% and specificity 97.5%.

ABSTRACT Salinity is a severe environmental factor that has limited the growth and productivity of crops. Ascorbic acid (ASA) is one of the most important plant growth regulators for mitigating salt stress. A controlled experiment was conducted to evaluate the impact of different salt compositions (0, 50 mM NaCl, 50 mM Na2SO4, and 50 mM NaCl+50 mM Na2SO4, designed as S0, S1, S2, and S3, respectively) and different ASA concentrations (0, 284, and 850 μΜ) on the seedling growth and physiological attributes of two sorghum varieties (Wadahmed and Tabat). The present study proved significant differences between sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) varieties under saline conditions at seedling stage and ‘Wadahmed’ was more tolerant to salinity stress than ‘Tabat’. Both types of salt induced a strong decrease in all the parameter measured, including emergence percentage (48.4%), shoot length (42.1%), root length (39.6%), total dry weight (g) (23.5%), chlorophyll (SPAD) (43.5%), and recorded the highest value of soluble protein content, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content when compared with the non-saline treatment. At the S3 salinity level, emergence percentage, shoot and root length, total dry weight, soluble protein content, and MDA content were increased by 850 μΜ ASA levels. Our results found that the combination of both salts showed more damage than a single salt treatment. This study indicated that exogenous addition of ASA at an appropriate level can be a useful strategy to promote early seedling growth and improve antioxidant enzymes of sorghum plants grown under different saline types.

SUMMARY: This study aims to test the effect of body mass index on certain facial soft tissue measurements. Three hundred Arab Iraqi young adults with different body mass indexes were randomly selected from the population in Basrah city. Different horizontal and vertical soft tissue measurements were obtained using different calipers. Sex differences were verified by an independent sample t-test, while the effect of different body mass index categories was evaluated by one way ANOVA and Tukey tests. Obese males showed significantly higher mean values for weight, nose width, face width, head circumference, and lower facial third length (p≤0.001). Obese females shared these parameters with obese males in addition to mouth width. Regarding sex differences, nearly all measurements were significantly higher in males than in females. Obese individuals had wider faces, noses and mouths; larger head circumferences and facial indexes; and longer lower facial third lengths. Moreover, they possessed smaller inner canthal widths as well as upper and middle facial thirds in comparison to normal and overweight subjects.

RESUMEN: Este estudio tuvo como objetivo probar el efecto del índice de masa corporal en determinadas medidas de tejidos blandos faciales. Trescientos adultos jóvenes iraquíes con diferentes índices de masa corporal fueron seleccionados al azar de la población de la ciudad de Basora. Se obtuvieron diferentes medidas de tejidos blandos horizontales y verticales utilizando diferentes calibradores. Las diferencias de sexo se verificaron mediante una prueba t independiente, mientras que el efecto de diferentes categorías de índice de masa corporal se evaluó mediante pruebas ANOVA y Tukey de una vía. Los hombres obesos mostraron valores medios significativamente más altos de peso, el ancho de la nariz, el ancho de la cara, la circunferencia de la cabeza y la longitud del tercio inferior del rostro (p≤0,001). Las mujeres obesas comparten estos parámetros con los machos obesos además del ancho de la cavidad oral. Con respecto a las diferencias de sexo, casi todas las medidas fueron significativamente más altas en hombres que en mujeres. Las personas obesas tenían caras, narices y bocas más anchas; circunferencias más grandes de la cabeza e índices faciales; y longitudes de tercio inferior facial más largas. Además, se observaron anchos cantales mediales más pequeños, así como tercios faciales superior y medio en comparación con sujetos normales y con sobrepeso.

Abstract This research work examines the utilization of cement in order to improve low plasticity clay soil. The soil samples treated with 2, 4 and 6% cement percents and cured for different curing times extended to 90 days. Laboratory investigations include unconfined compression, indirect tensile, gas permeability and microstructural tests, which were conducted on the tested samples. The soil-water retention behavior has been also investigated. The test results showed that the cement addition improved both the compressive and tensile strength properties of soil specimens. These strength properties were also increased with curing times. pH and electrical conductivity values were good indicators for the enhancement in the strengths properties. The results of micro structural tests illustrated that the natural soil specimens contain voids and the open structure. Further, these tests showed the cementation of soil grains and filling the voids among soil grains with cementing compounds. Gas permeability and soil-water retention behavior of soil specimens are strongly related to the variations in the soil structures. Further examination illustrated that in the case of low cement content, the pore size distribution (PSD) and the efficiency of gas permeability are more sensitive to curing times.

RESUMO Introdução: A hepcidina está associada à patogênese da anemia por insuficiência renal crônica, considerada um estado inflamatório crônico e também infecção por HCV. A IL-6 estimula a liberação de hepcidina a partir do fígado, suprime a captação intestinal de ferro e libera ferro das reservas internas. Método: Para detectar a associação entre o polimorfismo do gene IL-6 e os marcadores de anemia, 80 pacientes em hemodiálise (HD) [40 pacientes em HD, negativos para HCV; e 40 em HD, positivos para HCV] foram avaliados por exames químicos de rotina e hemograma completo, além da avaliação da hepcidina sérica, parâmetros do ferro [ferro sérico e ferritina sérica] e marcadores de hepatite C. O polimorfismo da IL-6 -174G/C foi determinado por MS-PCR, enquanto os polimorfismos de IL-6 -597G/A e -572 G/C foram detectados por PCR-SSP. Resultados: A hepcidina não esteve significativamente elevada em pacientes com HCV em comparação com pacientes em hemodiálise negativos para HCV. Uma diferença estatisticamente significativa foi detectada entre os pacientes em HD HCV negativos comparados aos positivos nas frequências de IL-6 -174 G/C e -597 G/A (P≤ 0,01 e P≤ 0,001, respectivamente). Por outro lado, foi relatada uma diferença não significativa entre pacientes em HD HCV negativos e positivos nas frequências de IL-6 -572 G/C. Conclusões: Nosso estudo indicou que os polimorfismos de IL-6 -174 G/C e -597 G/A podem desempenhar um papel na suscetibilidade ao HCV em pacientes em HD. Ainda necessitamos de estudos prospectivos adicionais em uma população maior para confirmar nossos achados.

ABSTRACT Backgrounds: Hepcidin is related to the pathogenesis of chronic renal failure anemia, which is considered a chronic inflammatory state as well as HCV infection. IL-6 stimulates the release of hepcidin from the liver, suppresses intestinal iron uptake, and releases iron from internal stores. Method: To detect the association between IL-6 gene polymorphism and anemia markers, 80 hemodialysis (HD) patients [40 negative HCV HD patients and 40 positive HCV HD patients] were studied by routine chemistry and complete blood count, in addition to the assessment of serum hepcidin, iron parameters [serum iron and serum ferritin], and hepatitis C markers. IL-6 polymorphism -174G/C was determined by MS-PCR, while IL-6 polymorphisms -597G/A and -572 G/C were detected by PCR-SSP. Results: Hepcidin was non-significantly elevated in HCV-positive compared with HCV-negative hemodialysis patients. A statistically significant difference was detected between the negative and positive HCV HD patients in frequencies of IL-6 -174 G/C and -597 G/A (P≤ 0.01 and P≤ 0.001, respectively). On the other hand, a non-significant difference was reported between negative and positive HCV HD patients in the frequencies of IL-6 -572 G/C. Conclusions: Our study indicated that IL-6 -174 G/C and -597 G/A polymorphisms may play a role in HCV susceptibility in HD patients. Additional prospective studies on a larger population are needed to confirm our findings.

ABSTRACT Salinity is a growing problem worldwide and techniques are needed to mitigate this problem. The experiment was conducted to examine if biochar could improve growth, physiological response, and DM yield of forage sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) under saline conditions. Sorghum seedlings were transplanted in sandy loam soil (0-20 cm layer of a Typic Fluvaquents Entisols) treated with sodium chloride at rates of 0.26, 5.8, and 12.6 dS m-1. The saline soil was treated with four biochar rates, 0%, 2.5%, 5%, and 10% (w/w). Plant height, fresh weight, photosynthetic rate (A), stomatal conductance (gs), transpiration rate (E), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were affected by the interaction between salinity and biochar. At the 12.6 dS m-1 salinity rate, 5% biochar increased plant height, leaf area, fresh weight, DM yields, A, gs, and E by 20.1%, 16.5%, 26.2%, 27.4%, 14.5%, 31.1%, and 26.7%, respectively. At the 12.6 dS m-1 salinity rate, 5% biochar decreased CAT, POD, and SOD by 56.8%, 44.8%, and 18.9%, respectively. Furthermore, among all biochar rates used in this investigation, the 5% rate had a better result for forage sorghum production. These findings demonstrated that the lowest biochar soil amendment application could alleviate the harmful impact of salinity; a high biochar application rate can have a negative influence.

ABSTRACT Chemical elements play major roles in various metabolic processes in the human body. Moreover, some of these elements are toxic if consumed in excessive quantities. In this study, a total of 11 elements (Mn+2, Fe+2, Cu+2, Cr+3, Zn+2, Ni+2, Se, Pb+2, As+3, and Al+3) were studied in edible vegetable oil samples by using an inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometer. The concentration of the metals was found to be in trace level lower than the maximum allowable concentration limit set by the World Health Organization as well as the recommended daily intake of metals. Pearson correlation coefficients showed strong correlations between Cr and Fe (0.998), Cr and Mn (0.994), Cr and Ni (0.985), Fe and Mn (0.994), Fe and Ni (0.985), Mn and Ni (0.978), and As and Se (0.997). It can be concluded that the edible vegetable oil samples were free of any chemical element contamination.

RESUMEN Los elementos químicos desempeñan un papel importante en varios procesos metabólicos en el cuerpo humano. Además, algunos de estos elementos son tóxicos si se consumen en cantidades excesivas. En esta investigación se estudió un total de 11 elementos (Mn, Fe, Cu, Cr, Zn, Ni, Al, Pb, As, Se y Al) en muestras de aceite vegetal comestible mediante el uso de un espectrómetro de emisión óptica de plasma acoplado inductivamente. Se encontró que la concentración de los metales estaba en un nivel de traza inferior al límite de concentración máximo establecido por la Organización Mundial de la Salud, así como de la ingesta diaria recomendada de esos metales. Los coeficientes de correlación de Pearson mostraron una fuerte correlación entre Cr y Fe (0.998), Cr y Mn (0.994), Cr y Ni (0.985), Fe y Mn (0.994), Fe y Ni (0.985), Mn y Ni (0.978) y As y Se (0.997). Se puede concluir que las muestras de aceite vegetal comestible estaban libres de contaminación por elementos químicos.

Abstract: The objective of the study was to analyze the surface area (SA) of the wear caused by simulated chewing on human enamel and opposing restorative material, namely: composite resin (CR), porcelain fused to metal (PFM), lithium disilicate (LD), or monolithic zirconia (MZr). Forty-eight premolars were selected as enamel specimens and divided randomly into 4 groups (n = 48; n =12) used as antagonists in chewing simulation (250,000 loading cycles) against one of the four selected test materials. Enamel and material specimens were scanned and evaluated under digital microscope, and wear SA (mm2) were recorded. Descriptive statistics, paired t-test, one-way ANOVA, and post-hoc Tukey-HSD tests were used for statistics (p < 0.05). The smallest and largest SA were exhibited by enamel against LD (0.80 mm2) and PFM (1.74 mm2), respectively. PFM (3.48 mm2) showed the largest SA and CR (2.28 mm2) showed the smallest SA. Paired t-test for SA values showed significant difference (p < 0.05) in all wear comparisons between materials and enamel antagonists. The wear of materials were greater than that of their respective enamel antagonists (p < 0.05). One-way ANOVA of the logarithmic means of wear SA revealed significant differences (P<0.05). Post-hoc Tukey test revealed significance for PFM (p < 0.05) with other materials. Wear of all test materials was greater compared to the wear of enamel antagonists. PFM and LD caused the largest and the smallest enamel wear, respectively. CR, LD, and MZr are more resistant than PFM to wear after simulated chewing against enamel.