Abstract

Vitamin D deficiency is a prevalent health issue among children, with potential consequences for bone health and overall well-being. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in a pediatric population and identify associated factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 400 children (aged 1-10 years) recruited from medical laboratories in Gharyan City, Libya, between January 2022 and June 2024. Participants were categorized based on their vitamin D levels (deficient, insufficient, adequate, or optimal). Demographic data (age, gender) and vitamin D levels were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics and two-way ANOVA. Approximately half of the study participants (49.75%) exhibited vitamin D deficiency. Females had a slightly higher prevalence of deficiency (27.5%) compared to males (22.25%). Significant differences in vitamin D levels were observed across age groups. Infants under 12 months had higher levels compared to older children (36-72 months). While gender was not a significant predictor of vitamin D deficiency in our study, previous research has suggested potential gender-related disparities. The findings of this study highlight the concerning prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among children in the region. Age appears to be a significant factor influencing vitamin D status, with younger children being more susceptible to deficiency. While gender may not be a major determinant in this population. The high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in our study underscores the importance of promoting sun exposure, dietary intake of vitamin D-rich foods, and supplementation strategies to address this public health issue. Further research is needed to explore the underlying factors contributing to vitamin D deficiency in children

Since the Alhamada area is known for its rangelands and most of its inhabitants raise animals, especially sheep and goats, this study was conducted by collecting samples randomly from six herds of sheep distributed randomly from the specific areas of Qurayat and Ghadames This study was aimed to determine the prevalance of Eimeria, which causes coccidian in sheep's and study the effects of many factors such as age, sex, and the breeding system, it is the first study conducted in the Hamada area on this parasite, using microscopic examination, 54 samples of sheep and goat feces were examined, of different ages and of both sexes in the month of May 2022. The result showed that the infection rate was 28% in sheep and 43% in goats. It was noted that there were no significant differences for age in the infection rate, as the highest infection rate was in the age group (>2) years (39%), while the lowest infection rate was in the age group of (1-2) years (7%), it was also shown that there is no significant difference for gender on the infection rate, as the infection rate in males was (22%) and females (48%). The results showed a slight difference in the infection rate between the open and closed breeding systems in the Hamada region, with the closed system averaging 25% compared to 20% in the open system. Clinical signs also appeared on some of the infected animals, including diarrhea, general weakness, and some of them showed plucking of wool/hair.

Structural changes affecting cardiomyocyte function may contribute to the pathophysiological

remodeling underlying cardiac function impairment. Recent reports have shown that

endogenous nitric oxide (NO) plays an important role in this process. In order to examine the role

of NO in cardiomyocyte remodeling, male rats were acclimated to room temperature (22± 1
C) or

cold (4 ± 1
C) and treated with 2.25% L-arginine
HCl or 0.01% L-NAME (Nx-nitro-L-arginine

methyl ester)
HCl for 45 days. Untreated groups served as controls. Right heart ventricles were routinely

prepared for light microscopic examination. Stereological estimations of volume densities of

cardiomyocytes, surrounding blood vessels and connective tissue, as well as the morphometric measurements

of cardiomyocyte diameters were performed. Tissue sections were also analyzed for

structural alterations. We observed that both L-arginine and L-NAME supplementation induced

cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, regardless of ambient temperature. However, cardiomyocyte hypertrophy

was associated with fibrosis and extra collagen deposition only in the L-NAME treated group.

Taken together, our results suggest that NO has a modulatory role in right heart ventricle remodeling

by coordinating hypertrophy of cardiomyocytes and fibrous tissue preventing cardiac fibrosis.