Open Access Research Paper

The Bitan-ag creek downstream traversing the business district of Cagayan de Oro, Philippines was burdened by proliferation of informal settlers and ongoing construction projects, changing the landscape of the creek. This study was conducted to derive an estimate of risk assessment on the present water quality of the creek. Selected physicochemical analyses (pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), total dissolved solids (TDS), conductivity, salinity, acidity, and alkalinity), rapid toxicity test (brine shrimp lethality assay (BSLT)), risk quotient (RQ) analysis, and water quality index (WQI) served as basis to extrapolate creek water quality status. Overall, the studied physicochemical properties of Bitan-ag creek downstream were within the standards except for elevated concentrations of salinity, TDS, and conductivity. The RQ analyses indicated water quality risks with DO, salinity, TDS, and conductivity in all temporal factors. This was in agreement with WQI analyses indicating unsuitable water quality index. Risk assessment through BSLT similarly established LC50 of 9.293% v/v of the creek water. Extrapolating from the present findings, the Bitan-ag creek downstream was heavily affected by anthropogenic inputs of adjacent communities and establishments. Overall, the study can be a basis for policy implementation for the rehabilitation of the changed Bitan-ag creek landscape.

The present study was undertaken to address the limited and fragmented knowledge of fungal diversity associated with vegetable and melon crops in Azerbaijan, particularly in terms of their ecological roles and phytosanitary significance. Understanding the composition and functional structure of the mycobiota is essential for improving crop protection strategies, minimizing yield losses, and ensuring sustainable agricultural production in regions with diverse environmental conditions. The work is therefore important both from a scientific perspective, as it contributes to regional mycological knowledge, and from an applied perspective, as it informs disease management practices. Field sampling was conducted in the Kur-Araz lowland and the Greater Caucasus under both open-field and protected cultivation systems. Approximately 400 samples were collected from different plant organs of major vegetable and melon crops. Fungi were isolated using standard culture-based techniques on Čapek–Doks medium, followed by morphological identification using established taxonomic keys and atlases. The identified taxa were classified at multiple taxonomic levels and further analyzed based on their ecotrophic and functional characteristics using descriptive statistical methods. A total of 178 fungal species were identified, with Ascomycota dominating the mycobiota (84.3%), followed by Basidiomycota (6.7%), Oomycota (5.1%), and Mucoromycota (3.9%). At the ecological level, facultative forms constituted the majority (80.9%), while true saprotrophs and biotrophs accounted for 10.1% and 9.0%, respectively. Functionally, 124 species (69.7%) were phytopathogenic, 20 species (11.2%) were associated with spoilage, and 34 species (19.1%) had unknown roles. Additionally, 8 species were recorded for the first time in Azerbaijan. Overall, the study demonstrates a high diversity and predominance of phytopathogenic fungi, highlighting the need for continuous monitoring and integrated disease management strategies to support sustainable crop production.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine disorders affecting women of reproductive age, yet a large proportion of cases remain undiagnosed due to limited awareness and variability in clinical presentation. Understanding awareness, associated risk factors, and early clinical indicators of PCOS is essential for improving timely diagnosis and preventing long-term reproductive and metabolic complications. The present study was conducted to assess awareness, clinical features, and lifestyle-related risk factors associated with PCOS among women using a structured and validated questionnaire. A quantitative cross-sectional design was employed involving 105 female participants aged between 16 and 54 years. Data were collected through a self-administered online survey developed according to the Rotterdam diagnostic criteria, incorporating demographic characteristics, menstrual history, symptoms of hyperandrogenism, lifestyle factors, and fertility-related information. Screening responses were supplemented with physiological measurements, and the collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistical methods. The findings revealed that menstrual irregularities were relatively common among participants, with 40.0% reporting occasional irregular cycles and 11.4% reporting frequent irregularities, while 48.6% reported regular menstrual patterns. More than half of the respondents (53.3%) were unsure of their androgen status, indicating limited hormonal testing or awareness regarding androgen levels. Weight-related challenges were widely reported, with 84.7% of participants indicating difficulty in maintaining body weight to varying degrees. Awareness regarding the effect of PCOS on fertility was moderate, as 63% of respondents recognized that PCOS can affect fertility, whereas 36% were unaware of this association. Despite the presence of symptoms suggestive of hormonal imbalance, most participants had not undergone hormonal testing or sought medical consultation, reflecting gaps in early screening and healthcare-seeking behavior. In conclusion, the study highlights significant gaps in awareness, screening practices, and healthcare utilization related to PCOS among women. Strengthening health education, promoting early screening programs, and encouraging lifestyle modification are essential steps for improving early diagnosis and reducing the long-term reproductive and metabolic complications associated with PCOS.

Maize is an important food crop in Ethiopia. Success in genetic transformation requires efficient in vitro regeneration protocols. However, inadequate information is available on in vitro regeneration of maize varieties/lines developed for the Ethiopian climate. Therefore, this study was initiated to optimize in vitro regeneration protocols for some inbred lines and open-pollinated maize varieties from immature embryos. Immature embryos evaluated for their ability to form callus were cultured in N6 medium and incubated at room temperature in the dark to initiate callus. Embryogenic calli were transferred from callus maintenance medium to embryo maturation medium supplemented with 2 mg/l glycine, 1 mg/l NAA and different levels of sucrose (55, 60, 65, or 70 g/l). Matured somatic embryos were subcultured in a shoot regeneration medium consisting of MS medium supplemented with 2 mg/l glycine, 2% sucrose and different levels (0, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 mg/l) of BAP. Roots were induced by subculturing individual shoots on half-strength MS medium supplemented with 2 mg/l glycine, 2% sucrose and different levels (0, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 mg/l) of NAA. Immature embryos were harvested between 16-20 days after pollination, depending on the variety for average callus induction. Better plant regeneration was obtained at basal (hormone-free) MS medium. Better root formation was at 0.1 mg/l NAA with an average of 2.82- 4.50 roots per shoot. Regenerated plantlets were successfully acclimatized in greenhouse and field conditions with survival rates of 83.7% and 75.6%, respectively. This study established a regeneration scheme for maize lines/ varieties via somatic embryogenesis from immature embryos. - Download as a PDF or view online for free

African swine fever (ASF) remains a global threat to the pig industry, with high mortality rates and limited control options due to the absence of effective vaccines or treatments. This review proposes a therapeutic framework to manage ASF, targeting the excessive immune response known as the “cytokine storm,” which leads to severe organ damage and death. Based on ASF progression timelines, fever typically appears 3-4 days into the infection. At this critical point targeted therapies such as anti-inflammatory agents could be administered at this critical stage to constrain the initial generation of cytokines in an attempt to delay a full blown cytokine storm. However, long-term use of anti-infammatories could dampen the pig’s immune response and so would need to be managed carefully. There is increased multi-organ damage leading to blood vessel permeability causing bleeding, which calls for blood anticoagulants to be used to prevent complications such as the blood clotting and fluid accumulation in vital organs such as in the lungs. The proposed therapeutic approach, synchronized with ASF progression, could help reduce mortality by modulating the immune response and managing complications.

The researchers utilize horn snail (Telescopium telescopium) or bagongon as the main ingredient in making patty which has not been actively consumed because of the relatively low popularity despite its abundance. Bagongon is a type of sea snail commonly found in coastal areas and muddy estuaries. The abundance of the horn snail and its nutritional value allows the researcher to produce horn snail meat patty for hamburgers containing a high content of horn snail that can maximize the taste and aroma of horn snail which would help prevent diseases. The main thrust of this study is to determine the acceptability of horn snail patty in terms of appearance, aroma, taste, texture, flavor, and general acceptability. The researchers used the experimental design and descriptive survey methods as a tool in gathering the data with the three treatments consisting of 125 g, 150 g, 175 g of horn snail meat. The gathered data were tabulated using the weighted mean and the One-way ANOVA. Results show that T1 had the best result among the 3 treatments in terms of color, texture, and flavor while T3 had the best results among the 3 treatments in terms of taste, aroma, and overall acceptability. Results show that the three treatments do not differ from each other in overall acceptability and the null hypothesis is accepted. Furthermore, the three treatments were generally acceptable thus suggested that horn snail could be a good substitute for making a patty and can be produced as a new food product.

This study focused on the determination of heavy metals content of three fish species: Clarias spp, Chana obscura and Tilapia zilli, in the wetlands of 5 Niger Delta oil-producing communities. The samplings which were carried out with the assistance of artisanal fishermen lasted for 6 months from March to September 2021. The samples collected were bulked, composites taken and stored in ice-cool boxes for analysis. The analytical standards adopted were USEPA and APHA and the analytical instrument deployed for the determination of the heavy metals were Agilent ICP-MS7900 and Agilent atomic absorption spectrophotometer model 240A. The mean results obtained are as follows: V ranged from 0.42 µg/g to 0.61 µg/g with a mean of 0.53 µg/g, Mn, concentration ranged from 2.37 µg/g to 5.28 µg/g with a mean of 3.57 µg/g, Cd concentrations of 0.04 µg/g to 0.07 µg/g has a mean of 0.05 µg/g, Ni concentration is between 0.07 µg/g to 0.08 µg/g with a mean concentration of 0.06 µg/g, while As the concentration of 0.25 µg/g to 1.99 µg/g and has a mean concentration of 1.43 µg/g. The aggregate mean concentrations of the heavy metals were further subjected to a test of significance with ANOVA with SPSS model 21 at a 0.05 level of significance. The p-value is 0.021, thus rejecting Ho. The study recommends that oil companies operating in the Niger Delta should adopt the world’s best practices in the oil industry. Aquaculture and fisheries should be discontinued in the wetlands and remediation should be carried out.

Protein enriched cereal bar is made in order to keep in mind todays life style, as people are more fond of junk food. Food consumption is just one of the multiple factors which have an impact on the nutritional status of the overall population. A primary contributor to obesity is the increase in unhealthy eating habits. Ready to eat Protein bar is made to combat unhealthiest junk food. Nutritional composition of protein enriched cereal bar is pronounced to be a good source of protein and minerals. A protein enriched composite cereal bar composed in combination of healthful ingredients, all these ingredients are readily available and affordable. The storage stability of protein enriched composite cereal bar will include complete proximate analysis (crude protein, crude fiber, crude fat, ash content) and their antioxidant capacity (Vitamin C, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, radical scavenger activity, DPPH) due to their bioactive compounds.