Abstract Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) meat isn’t preferred by consumers in compared to other fish species meat, thus to enhance the use of catfish meat, ready to eat catfish fingers were prepared with some plants additives (amla and ginger powder). The mean objective of this study was to assess the impact of amla and ginger powder on catfish finger qualities in terms of physical, chemical, microbiological, and sensorial parameters under stored at a low temperature (5 ± 1 °C). The obtained results were compared with those of a control sample (basic formula) and a sample containing the synthetic antioxidant. During the storage period, the levels of pH, thiobarbituric acid, total volatile basic nitrogen, trimethylamine, total bacteria count, psychrophilic bacteria, molds and yeasts counts increased dramatically, although the values remained within acceptable ranges. The findings also revealed, that amla and ginger powder considerably (p < 0.05) reduced the changes in quality parameters, as well as there was a considerable increase in the quality parameter in all treated samples than in the control. Finally, amla and ginger powder can be a substitute for synthetic antioxidants and antimicrobials. These findings suggest that the powder of amla and ginger are suitable for use as a natural antioxidants and antimicrobials to extend the shelf-life of animal products.

Resumo A carne de bagre-africano (Clarias gariepinus) não é preferida pelos consumidores em comparação à carne de outras espécies de peixes, portanto, para aumentar o uso da carne de bagre, foram preparados palitos de bagre-africano prontos para consumo com alguns aditivos vegetais (amla e gengibre em pó). O objetivo médio deste estudo foi avaliar o impacto da amla e do pó de gengibre nas qualidades dos palitos de bagre-africano em termos de parâmetros físicos, químicos, microbiológicos e sensoriais armazenados em baixa temperatura (5 ± 1 °C). Os resultados obtidos foram comparados com os de uma amostra controle (fórmula básica) e uma amostra contendo o antioxidante sintético. Durante o período de armazenamento, os níveis de pH, ácido tiobarbitúrico, nitrogênio básico volátil total, trimetilamina, contagem de bactérias totais, contagem de bactérias psicrófilas, bolores e leveduras aumentaram drasticamente, embora os valores tenham permanecido dentro dos limites aceitáveis. Os achados também revelaram que amla e gengibre em pó reduziram consideravelmente (p < 0,05) as mudanças nos parâmetros de qualidade, assim como houve um aumento considerável no parâmetro de qualidade em todas as amostras tratadas do que no controle. Por fim, a amla e o pó de gengibre podem substituir os antioxidantes e antimicrobianos sintéticos. Essas descobertas sugerem que o pó de amla e gengibre são adequados para uso como antioxidantes naturais e antimicrobianos para prolongar a vida útil de produtos de origem animal.

Abstract Air pollution is the world’s largest environmental health risk, accounting yearly for about 8 million deaths. Most of the people spend 80% to 90% of their time indoors. Therefore, Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) has a direct impact on overall health. In this paper, a robot, equipped with sensors for measuring IAQ parameters such as temperature, relative humidity, CO2, Particulate Matters and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) is used to measure these parameters and compare the measured values to the pre-set permissible levels of concentrations of such parameters. If one (or more) of the measured values exceed the pre-set threshold values, the measured values are communicated to the user via a mobile application and the robot will take a corrective action by disinfecting the place using a sterilizing solution. Validation of the methodology was verified at an educational institute in Alexandria, Egypt.

Background: The pain, which is involved in Cluster Headache (CH), is excruciating and is probably one of the most painful conditions known to humans. In the early 70es it was found out that lithium could be used in treating this rare condition. Ekbom produced his first report of using lithium successfully to treat five cases of CH and this was followed later by other studies, which showed the effectiveness of lithium in this condition. Objective: In this article we reviewed the evidence for using lithium in CH. We discuss some issues including the duration, the dosage of lithium required and the short and long-term side effects, which are likely to occur. We also included the mechanism of action of lithium in treating this condition. Methodology: We searched the Medline database from 1950 to date. We included all studies done in English, which were related to the use of lithium in cluster headache. We excluded all studies which were not in English and which included other types of headache. Results and conclusions: We concluded that lithium is effective in both chronic and episodic forms of cluster Headache.