Abstract:Intramedullary spinal cord abscess (ISCA) is a rare infection of the central nervous system that can occur in adults and children. Although causes of ISCA include sepsis (bacteremia), trauma, and surgery, most adult cases are cryptogenic or hematogenous. In pediatric cases, congenital dermal sinus is implicated as the leading cause of ISCA. It is difficult to diagnose ISCA before the appearance of neurological deficits. Magnetic resonance imaging with administration of a contrast material is the gold standard diagnostic modality. The recommended treatment for ISCA is a combination of antimicrobial therapy with surgical procedures. Whether a treatment consisting of only antibiotics without surgical procedures is sufficient to cure ISCA remains uncertain, particularly in adult cases. Although mortality of ISCA has decreased (<10%) in recent years, cases of concomitant brain abscess have been associated with poor prognosis. Patients often suffer from residual neurological deficits even after adequate treatment.
Abstract:The limited amount of information on the characteristics of the breeding system of native donkeys and to identify their effect on milk production was at the origin of this work. In this context, a series of investigations during two years (2016 to 2018) were elaborated on the breeds in north and middle of Tunisia. For each identified farming system individual milk samples were collected and analysed for Dry matter, Protein, Fat, Ash,Lactose, Density and freezing point. The collected data have been exploited for a general description of the breeding system. The total number of identified farmers is 123, belonging of the seven governorates. The breeding system practiced of the donkey local population is traditional extensive type. The veterinarian followed is totally neglected. Total mean agricultural area (TAA) was 27.14 ha varying between 0 and 300 ha. The average of surface reserved for donkeys was very low (0.06 ha per head). The numbers of donkeys in farms varied between 1 and 5 with an average of 3. The population of donkey identified during this work was composed by 86.3% females and 13.7% male. The low number of male in farms is due to the production system. The ass was not generally milked, milk production is generally absent but in the case of production, average milk production is around 1.2 liters per day. The multiple factor and hierarchical classification analysis reveals the presence of four farming system. Milk analysis show that donkey milk quality depends to the farming system. Due to its virtues donkey breeding can play an important economic role in the future.
Abstract:The objective of this study was to identify and assess the relationship of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the gene CARD15 with the susceptibility to tuberculosis boine in Tunisia. DNA has been extracted from200blood samples from cows (affected cows and healthy cows). Genotyping was carried out by the PCR-RFLP technique and the use of the restriction enzyme Sty I. The electrophoresis profile of the digest for the CARD 15 genes reveals the presence of the bands 20 bp, 253 bp and 104 bp corresponding to the G / G genotype; 273 bp and 104 bp fragment bands compared to the A / A genotype; and 20 bp, 104 bp, 253 bp and 273 bp fragment bands corresponded to the A / G genotype. Statistical analysis of genetic data showed that A / G mutated heterozygote have the highest frequency in cases with BTB, which reinforces the association of this polymorphism with susceptibility to bovine tuberculosis.
Abstract:This article reports the findings of a classification of the South African public universities into “arts and humanities” (A&H); “general universities” and “science, engineering and technology” (SET) universities. During 2017 only the SefaKo Makgatho Health Sciences University (former MEDUNSA) and the University of Mpumalanga (established during 2015) were the only universities which could be characterised as technological universities. Similarly, the Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) and the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) were the only two universities that were characterised as “general universities” from the balance of their graduating students. Comparisons with investigations reporting the characters of the universities during 1981-84 and 2000-2006 show that the country’s universities retain their character as arts and humanities. The article develops recommendations related to adjusting the system to produce larger number of engineers.
Abstract:Concentrate feed that is composed mainly of soybeans and maize is characterized by high market price and the risks associated with genetically modified crops. This study aimed at investigating the effect of Triticale, Faba bean, and Field Pea as alternatives for Maize and Soybean in concentrate feed for suckling ewes. Thirty Sicilo-Sarde ewes receiving a basal diet of oat hay (1.8 kg DM/ewe/day) were divided into three groups according to the complementing action. The 1st group was complemented with 500 g control concentrate (CC) maize and soybean meals, the 2nd with 500 g Faba bean concentrate (TF) of Triticale and Faba bean, and the 3rd with 500 g Field Pea concentrate (TP) of Triticale and Field Pea. Milk yield did not vary with the concentrate feed. The fat, urea, and ash content were similar for all ewe groups. The protein content of milk was the highest in ewes receiving the control concentrate (5.60%) and the lowest in those receiving Field Pea concentrate (5.41%). The TP concentrate resulted in low concentrations of short-chain, medium-chain, and saturated fatty acids, as well higher concentrations of unsaturated, monounsaturated, and omega 6 acids. Maize and Soybean meals can be replaced by other raw materials in the diets of dairy ewes as they do not affect milk yield and composition.
Abstract:Twelve bacterial strains were isolated from two oil contaminated water samples using enrichment technique. These bacterial populations showed counts ranging between 11.74 and 12.20 log CFU/1ml water on the agar plates. Bacterial count, turbidity, physical appearance and emulsification activity were used as an indication for the ability of these bacteria to grow on crude oil. An experimental study was undertaken to assess the efficiency of these bacterial isolates in degradation of the petroleum oil in their culture medium amended with 1% v/v petroleum oil as a sole carbon source for growth and energy. Three out of 12 isolates are the most effective degrader strains, and were characterized according to their phenotypic examination as they belong mainly to the genus Bacillus. These strains, PW2.4, PW2.5 and PW2.6 degraded 66%, 70% and 78% of added petroleum oil respectively, over 15 days. Increasing in population densities with simultaneous increase in degradation ratio correlates with the UV- spectrophotometry results by change in absorbance values of the tested samples from 0.936 O.D. to 1.832 O.D. For complete screening of the most potential degrading bacteria, 2, 6-dichlorophenol indophenol test was carried out and the three isolates showed color reduction percentage over 90% and it was higher than that of the other bacterial strains. The surface features of bacterial cells were more clearly revealed with the scanning electron microscope and were identified using physiological and biochemical parameters to species level as Bacillus subtillis, Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus vallismortis respectively.
Abstract:RESUMO Objetivo: Construir e validar uma tecnologia educativa para a promoção da alimentação complementar da criança para mães/cuidadores no Nordeste Brasileiro. Métodos: estudo metodológico desenvolvido em quatro etapas: levantamento bibliográfico, elaboração da cartilha e validação do material por especialistas e público-alvo. Resultados: A cartilha foi considerada válida, sendo que a média de score obtida pelos juízes de conteúdo foi de 88,4%, com desvio padrão de + 10,96. Quanto aos juízes de design o índice de validade de conteúdo foi 1,0. O nível de concordância nas respostas positivas do público-alvo foi de 97,4%. As adaptações realizadas recaíram sobre esclarecimento do conteúdo, substituição de expressões e contextualização de imagens. Conclusão: A cartilha mostrou-se válida e confiável para ser utilizada como tecnologia educativa por mães e cuidadores na promoção de uma alimentação complementar adequada nos primeiros anos de vida.
Abstract:The aim of this study is to test the independent effects of compensatory growth and of olive cake-feed block supplementation on fattening performances and on carcass and meat quality of lambs. To achieve our purpose we assigned twenty-four weaned male lambs of the 鈥楴oir de Thibar鈥� breed into three separate groups with 8 lambs in each. The trial was 3 months long. Each group received 700 g of oat hay/lamb/day together with a specific dietary supplement: The control set (set C) received 500 g of manufactured concentrates/lamb/day throughout the 3 month-long fattening experiment. The set of lambs supplemented with feed blocks (set B) was offered 200 g of feed blocks containing 32% olive cake as well as 300 g of concentrates/lamb/day. The last set (set CG) was conceived to assess the effect of compensatory growth: During a period of nutritional restriction (circa 2 months long) each lamb received but 300 g of concentrates per day. Eventually, the dose of concentrates was augmented up to 500 g throughout the re-alimentation period (circa 1 month long). \nThe average daily gain of the lambs having undergone compensatory growth is statistically equal to the gain of the control set (p>0.05), whereas feed block supplementation reduces substantially the average daily gain of lambs (p<0.05). Oat hay intake was not influenced by the dietary treatment (p>0.05). The feed conversion ration of the lambs supplemented with olive cake-feed blocks is the lowest (FCR=7.81) and that of the temporarily feed-restricted group is the highest (FCR=9.06). Carcass yield of the control lambs is higher (p<0.05) than the yield of lambs belonging to the other two groups. Feed block consumption by lambs induced a diminution (p<0.05) of the redness and yellowness of the meat they produce. Feed block supplementation as well as feed restriction reduced (p<0.05) the concentration of the lauric and myristic acids (Saturated fatty acids) in lambs鈥� intramuscular fat relatively to the control group, and lambs offered olive cake-feed blocks produce meat with a higher content of oleic acid (Monounsaturated fatty acid) than lambs consuming pelleted concentrates (p<0.05).\nAll in all, nutritional restriction followed by re-alimentation do not decelerate the average daily gain of lambs. The lowest feed conversion ratio was recorded for feed block-supplemented lambs. And, temporary feed restriction as well as feed block supplementation alter the fatty acid profile of lambs鈥� meat to a healthier composition.
Abstract:Introduction:\nRecurrent caries is one of the most common problems after tooth restorative procedures. Despite improvements to resin composite formulations over the years, polymerization shrinkage of the resin matrix is still considered highly relevant in unsuccessful resin composite direct restorations. Therefore, pretreatment of the tooth surface is essential to establish a strong bond between resin and both enamel and dentine. The standard approach for enamel pre-treatment is acid etching. Some researchers have explored the use of lasers to modify the surfaces of teeth intentionally, to improve bonding of restorations. The effect of laser irradiation on surface characteristics is not still completely revealed if it beneficially alters surface specifications or not, and needs more investigations to show if it results in increasing or decreasing the microleakage in comparison to conventional chemical acid etching procedures.\n \n Purpose:\n The aim of our in vitro study was to investigate the marginal leakage of class V cavities prepared by conventional diamond bur and Er:YAG laser.\n\n Materials and methods:\n 45 single rooted intact extracted human teeth were used. They were randomly assigned into three groups, dependent on the preparation technique:\nGroup I (n=15) – diamond bur + total-etch technique \nGroup II (n=15) – Er:YAG laser + total-etch technique \nGroup III (n=15)– Er:YAG laser + laser etching\n Microleakage was assessed according to the depth of dye penetration along the restoration at x 15 magnification.\n\nResults:\n None of the procedures investigated on our study completely eliminated the microleakage. The extent of dye penetration was lowest in the laser-treated and acid-etched group (Group II).\n\nConclusions:\n The results of our study revealed that the laser irradiation can modify the morphology of the cavity walls and increase the bond strength with the composite filling.
Abstract:Dental caries is one of the most common chronic diseases in the world, affecting 60-90% of school-age children and almost 100% of the adult population. Disease prevention at early ages is a fundamental public health principle and particularly relevant for dental caries.\nOne modern alternative method, gaining popularity in recent years is the application of lasers in clinical practice. Different type of laser systems are used in conservative dentistry in several fields as carious lesions diagnosis, desensitization of hypersensitive teeth, remineralisation of initial carious lesions and dental caries treatment.