The presence of heavy metals in freshwater represents a global health problem. Freshwater gastropods can integrate exposure to trace metals over time and therefore have potential value in aquatic biomonitoring, but interpretation depends critically on sample identity, tissue basis digestion volume, quality-control records and the environmental matrices measured alongside the organisms. This study evaluated the concentrations of lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), and copper (Cu) in acid-digested soft tissue samples of the freshwater snail Physella acuta collected from the Shah Alam River, Peshawar District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The fresh snails were collected from an approximately 100 m2 area of river, in a period from 2-8 February 2023. After removal of shells, soft tissues were separated and six samples were prepared from them each weighing 1g. Two strong acids, nitric and perchloric acids were used for tissue digestion. And the heavy metals concentrations were found out by using a technique called atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). The analytical tables contained six labels, including sample 1, sample 2, sample 3, sample 4, sample 5 and sample 6. For Samples 1–6, reported digest concentrations ranged from 1.53 to 5.73 mg/L for Pb, 0.146 to 0.295 mg/L for Zn, 0.089 to 0.110 mg/L for Cr, 0.044 to 0.090 mg/L for Ni and 0.041 to 0.096 mg/L for Cu. The results represent that, the concentration of 3 heavy metals out of 5 are exceeded from the acceptable level. The results of this study showed high concentration of lead (Pb) followed by Zinc (Zn), Chromium (Cr), Nickel (Ni) and Copper (Cu) in tissues sample, out of which Pb had the highest nominal digest concentrations among the metals reported, Cr and Ni also exceeded from the normal level. However, the concentration of Zn and Cu are within the permissible levels provided by world health organization (WHO) of the United Nation. The findings provide a preliminary analytical record of heavy metals for snail-derived digests from the Shah Alam River and identify specific requirements for a stronger follow-up study.

This study examines the relationship between women, the female body, and nature in Han Kang’s The Vegetarian through an ecofeminist perspective. It focuses on the protagonist Yeong-hye’s rejection of meat consumption, her resistance to patriarchal expectations, and her gradual identification with plant life. The study employs a qualitative descriptive method and ecofeminist literary criticism, drawing on the theoretical perspectives of Maria Mies and Vandana Shiva, Val Plumwood, and Carol J. Adams. The primary data are selected passages, dialogues, descriptions, and narrative events from the three sections of the novel: “The Vegetarian,” “Mongolian Mark,” and “Flaming Trees.” The findings reveal three interconnected dimensions. First, Yeong-hye’s body becomes a site of patriarchal control, as her husband and family attempt to regulate her choices and bodily autonomy. Second, her rejection of meat challenges the normalization of violence against animals and exposes the relationship between the consumption of animal bodies and the objectification of women. Third, her identification with plants represents an attempt to imagine an alternative relationship with the natural world beyond domination and exploitation. However, this transformation is deeply ambivalent because her rejection of human practices also leads to physical deterioration and increasing isolation. The study argues that The Vegetarian presents ecofeminist resistance as a complex process that questions patriarchal and anthropocentric domination while revealing the limitations and dangers of escaping oppressive social structures through bodily self-denial.

Background: Postpartum urinary symptoms are common and may adversely affect women’s physical, psychological, and social well-being. This study assessed the prevalence and factors associated with postpartum urinary symptoms among women attending two hospitals in Shendi, Sudan. Methods: A hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at Al Mak Nemir University Hospital and Shendi Teaching Hospital from July 2024 to January 2025. The study included 98 women attending the hospitals within the first six weeks after childbirth who fulfilled the study inclusion criteria. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire after obtaining informed consent and were analysed using SPSS version 26. Results: Postpartum urinary symptoms were reported by 34 of 98 women (34.7%). Among the 34 symptomatic women, the most frequently reported symptoms were urgency (13/34, 38.2%), frequency (9/34, 26.5%), and nocturia (6/34, 17.6%). In the bivariate analysis, statistically significant associations were reported for age (p=0.029), educational level (p=0.027), occupation (p=0.024), residence (p=0.013), circumcision (p=0.001), body mass index (BMI; p=0.025), mode of delivery (p=0.028), duration of labour (p=0.018), episiotomy (p=0.014), early removal of urinary catheterisation (p=0.001), and postpartum complications (p=0.031). Parity was not significantly associated with symptoms (p=0.066). Conclusion: Approximately one-third of the women in this hospital-based sample reported urinary symptoms during the first six weeks postpartum. Several sociodemographic and obstetric characteristics showed statistically significant associations. Larger studies using clearly defined urinary outcomes and adjusted analyses are needed to confirm these findings.

Introduction: In the literature, the definition of gummy smile has been mostly based on vertical measurements of gum exposure. The objective of this work was to determine new diagnosis criteria of gummy smile based on the correlation between the clinical, occlusal and cephalometric parameters. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional multivariate study was performed on a sample of 110 patients randomly selected from the dento-facial orthopedics department at the dental faculty of Monastir with a medium age of 17.2 years. The patients selected had no orthodontic history. A total of 77 variables were analyzed: 39 clinical parameters, 32 cephalometric parameters and 8 occlusal parameters were examined using the patients’ orthodontic files [clinical examination, casts, cephalometric profile, and facial photography during smile). Results: Six variables were associated with gummy smile: low smile arc, an increased gingival display, an increased Overjet, a high value of ANB, an increased UPDH and LADH. Conclusions: Clinicians should consider these variables during the clinical examination and evaluation of the smile to provide an adequate diagnosis and treatment plan to manage gummy smile.

Aim: This prospective clinical study aimed to evaluate and compare the effect of primary stability on osseointegration and success rate of four different implant systems. Material and Method: Eighty implants were placed on the maxillary and mandibular arch of 45 patients. The four implant systems used in this study were Straumann SLA bone level implants, BIOMET 3i OSSEOTITE, Astra Tech Dental (OsseoSpeed) Implant System, and Nobel Replace Conical Connection implant system. A two-stage implant placement procedure was followed. During the implant placement, maximum insertion torque was recorded. The implant stability quotient (ISQ) was also recorded using Ostell, which was further assessed using resonance frequency analysis (RFA). Descriptive data were analyzed using median and percentage. For Pairwise Comparison, the Shapiro-Wilks Rank Sum test was utilized. The p-value was set to 0.05 for all the measurements. Results: The insertion torque value was similar among all four implants. All the implants have almost similar ISQ values post-surgery. However, Nobel and 3i implant systems showed a lower ISQ value in the second and third quartile. Kruskal Wallis Rank Sum Test showed that the distribution of ISQ in all directions was not the same across all Implant systems (Chi-square=21.588, df=3, p-value = 0.001). The success rate of Straumann and Astra was 100%, while Nobel and 3i were 90% and 80% respectively. Conclusion: Primary stability has no effect on osseointegration and implant success rate. Moreover, Ostell device was found to be a significant predictor for implant osteointegration after successful placement and healing of dental implant site.

Human chlamydial infections remain a substantial microbiological and public-health challenge because members of the genus Chlamydia depend on intracellular growth, produce diverse clinical syndromes and frequently escape clinical recognition. Chlamydia trachomatis causes common sexually transmitted infections, trachoma and neonatal disease, whereas C. pneumoniae and C. psittaci are associated with respiratory and zoonotic disease. This structured narrative review synthesizes recent advances in taxonomic characterization, developmental biology, molecular host–pathogen interactions, immune-mediated stress responses, clinical diagnosis, treatment and genomic surveillance. Particular emphasis is placed on the biphasic elementary-body/reticulate-body cycle, the inclusion membrane and type III secretion effectors, and the role of interferon-gamma–associated nutrient restriction in experimentally observed persistence. Nucleic acid amplification tests provide the foundation of contemporary diagnosis, although assay accuracy varies by platform and specimen and nucleic acid detection does not establish bacterial viability. Current treatment recommendations prioritize doxycycline for uncomplicated C. trachomatis infection in nonpregnant adults, with specific exceptions for pregnancy and invasive or zoonotic syndromes. The literature supports a clear distinction between laboratory persistence, reinfection, residual post-treatment nucleic acid and genetically mediated resistance. We highlight the potential of validated point-of-care tests, direct-from-sample genomics and viability-oriented approaches, while identifying translational uncertainties and surveillance gaps. A structured search approach is documented without claiming systematic review methodology.

The focus of this study is to provide an all-inclusive wind data characterization for Abakaliki in Ebonyi State of South-East region of Nigeria and to evaluate its potential wind energy generation to ascertain if wind energy could be a practical source of electricity in that region. A 10-years period (2012-2021) wind speed dataset obtained at 10 m anemometer height was collected from Nigerian Meteorological Agency. The Weibull distribution model was used to analyse the wind speed data. According to the findings, April had the most potential for wind energy capture, while November had the lowest. Important Weibull shape and scale values were found in the investigation, indicating a narrow range of constant wind speeds without the severe turbulence or erratic gusts that are frequently observed elsewhere. At 10 m, the maximum wind speed recorded was 2.56 m/s in 2015, while the minimum was 2.13 m/s in 2014, with an average over the decade being 2.25 m/s. The power density was notably responsive to changes in wind speed, varying from a low value of 5.92 W/m2 in 2014 to a peak value of 10.28 W/m2 in 2015, with an average decadal power density of 7.01 W/m2 and the maximum energy output was 90.05 (K W/m2).h in 2015. Average wind speeds, power densities, and energy outputs increased with increase in height (altitude). Thus, at 100 m, the average wind speed, average power density and energy output are 3.56 m/s, 27.63 W/m2 and 242.04 (K W/m2).h respectively. Conclusively, this study highlighted the potential of small-scale wind turbines for use in household electrification and agriculture.