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Diabetes Mellitus is some metabolic diseases marked by hyperglycemia, which is caused by either insufficient insulin production, impaired insulin function, or both. This study aims to investigate the difference in platelet counts between patients with controlled and uncontrolled type II diabetes mellitus at Panembahan Senopati Bantul Regional Hospital. This study employed a quantitative approach, utilizing an observational method to collect secondary data. The study population comprised 100 samples. According to the conducted research, it has been found that patients diagnosed with type II diabetes mellitus predominantly experience elevated HbA1c levels that are difficult to manage. Additionally, the majority of these patients are female and have been dealing with the condition for more than five years. The data analysis utilizing the Mann-Whitney test concluded that there was no statistically significant difference in platelet levels between patients with controlled and uncontrolled type II diabetes mellitus. The study's findings demonstrate that the p-value = 0.084 (< 0.05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, ivermectin (IVM), an antiparasitic drug of low water solubility and poor oral bioavailability, has shown a profound effect on inflammatory mediators involved in diseases, such as acute lung injury, lung fibrosis, and COVID-19. In order to maximize drug bioavailability, polymeric nanoparticles can be delivered through nebulizers for pulmonary administration. The aim of this study was to prepare IVM-loaded polycaprolactone (PCL) nanoparticles (NPs) by solvent evaporation method. Box-Benkhen design (BBD) was used to optimize entrapment efficiency (Y 1), percent drug release after 6 h (Y 2), particle size (Y 3), and zeta potential (Y 4). A study was conducted examining the effects of three independent variables: PCL-IVM ratio (A), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) concentration (B), and sonication time (C). The optimized formula was also compared to the oral IVM dispersion for lung deposition, in-vivo behavior, and pharmacokinetic parameters. The optimized IVM-PCL-NPs formulation was spherical in shape with entrapment efficiency (% EE) of 93.99 ± 0.96 %, about 62.71 ± 0.53 % released after 6 h, particle size of 100.07 ± 0.73 nm and zeta potential of -3.30 ± 0.23 mV. Comparing the optimized formulation to IVM-dispersion, the optimized formulation demonstrated greater bioavailability with greater area under the curve AUC 0–t of 710.91 ± 15.22 μg.ml−1.h for lung and 637.97 ± 15.43 μg.ml−1.h for plasma. Based on the results, the optimized NPs accumulated better in lung tissues, exhibiting a twofold longer residence time (MRT 4.78 ± 0.55 h) than the IVM-dispersion (MRT 2.64 ± 0.64 h). The optimized nanoparticle formulation also achieved higher c max (194.90 ± 5.01 μg/ml), and lower k el (0.21 ± 0.04 h −1) in lungs. Additionally, the level of inflammatory mediators was markedly reduced. To conclude, inhalable IVM-PCL-NPs formulation was suitable for the pulmonary delivery and may be one of the most promising approaches to increase IVM bioavailability for the successful treatment of a variety of lung diseases. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present Arabic texts about supernovae SN 1572 and SN 1604. The short observational reports were found in the Yemeni history book entitled Rawḥ al-Rūḥ written by cĪsā b. Luṭf Allāh b. al-Muṭahhar. The text about SN 1604 specifies the location of a new star at the beginning of the zodiacal sign of Sagittarius, consistent with SN 1604 in the constellation of Ophiuchus. It was observed in fall a.d. 1604 for some 40 days (probably limited by its heliacal setting after around a.d. 1604 22 November). The object is called a najm (star) of the nayāzik (transient celestial objects), from which we can conclude that it was a tailless and/or stationary new star (rather than, e.g., a comet). It was specified to be as (large/bright as) Jupiter, consistent with the supernova in a.d. 1604 October and November The text confirms other reports about SN 1604. Furthermore, a short text reports a new star (najm) in the north-east, larger than Venus, observed in the year a.h. 980 (a.d. 1572 May to 1573 May), connected to the death of a leader on a.d. 1572 9 ± 2 November; this could well be SN 1572, otherwise observed to be as bright as Venus since a.d. 1572 6 November. These new findings may indicate that more Yemeni reports about Galactic supernovae can be uncovered. The description of the new star of a.d. 1604 as najm (star) of the nayāzik (transient celestial objects) and of the comet of a.d. 1577 as “a star [najm] … of the nayāzik, with a tail … with a visible movement” shows that the author distinguished between cometary and star-like transient celestial objects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compared to coal, few studies were performed on biomass pyrolysis at elevated pressures, high heating rates, and moderate temperatures, the conditions usually prevailing in commercial fluidized bed gasifiers. In this work, Miscanthus is selected as one of the most promising biomass energy crops which is characterized by high annual yield and energy ratio. The effect of pressure on the product yields, gas composition, and char structure for pyrolysis of pulverized raw and torrefied Miscanthus was investigated in a drop tube reactor. Torrefaction was carried out at 250 °C for 30 min, while pyrolysis of raw and torrefied Miscanthus was performed at 800 °C in a pressure range of 1–30 bar. The gases were analyzed using a micro-GC, while the chars were characterized using proximate and ultimate analysis, porosity and BET surface area measurements, and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). It was found that the pyrolysis pressure significantly affects the yields and properties of products, and that torrefaction significantly changes properties and pyrolysis behavior of Miscanthus. The torrefied Miscanthus was found to have higher char yields and char porosities at all the investigated pressures, while the raw Miscanthus was found to have higher gas yields, and higher liquid yields at high pressures. The char yield of both raw and torrefied Miscanthus increases till 10 bar and did not show any further changes at higher pyrolysis pressures. The yield of CO 2 increased with pyrolysis pressure for both raw and torrefied Miscanthus, while the yield of the high molecular weight gases like C 2 H 4 and C 2 H 6 decrease with increasing pyrolysis pressure and totally disappear at 30 bar. Hydrogen represented the major difference in the gas yield trend for raw and torrefied Miscanthus. A non-monotonous trend with pressure was observed for the liquid product yield of raw Miscanthus, while a decreasing trend with asymptote-like nature took place for torrefied Miscanthus. The different pyrolysis behavior of raw and torrefied Miscanthus evidenced in the liquid product yield trend, char porosity and SEM images might be attributed to the force balance on the particles’ structure which led to extensive fragmentation occurrence in the 10–15 bar range for raw Miscanthus chars, and its absence in the whole pressure range for torrefied Miscanthus chars, a hypothesis that is to be confirmed in future research work. The results obtained in this study are important inputs for modeling industrial fluidized bed gasifiers working on Miscanthus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diesel fuel shortage is one of the main energy crisis components in Egypt as it is heavily employed in the electricity and transportation sectors. CtL (Coal to Liquids) and CBtL (combined Coal and Biomass to Liquids) are promising routes which can be currently applied for diesel production in Egypt. This paper will propose a novel methodology to drive the CBtL/CtL routes forward in Egypt. The methodology is based on using Miscanthus as biomass material and utilizing the Egyptian “Maghara” coal. It recommends some measures to improve project economics and simultaneously provide solutions to other strategic national problems including the poor sewage infrastructure and the unutilized desert areas. Eight scenarios were studied; four for each route with variable production capacities (450, 900, 1,350, 1,800 t diesel /d). To evaluate the scenarios, the diesel price was fixed at $50 below its current import price, and the corresponding discount rate and payback period were calculated. At high capacities, both routes are economically feasible (discounted interest rate of about 17%) and less sensitive to the price variation of equipment, raw materials and byproducts. Implementing the CBtL route can be regarded as a strategic project as besides being economically feasible, it offers crucial social and environmental benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Service discovery is indispensable to ad hoc networking where establishing a stand-alone and self-configurable communication environment is the main objective. This paper concentrates on designing a distributed service discovery model for service sharing among diverse mobile devices in mobile ad hoc networks (manets). This model is built on top of the network layer of the TCP/IP stack and benefits from the up-to-date routing information enabled by proactive routing protocols that attempt to keep the information in the routing tables of the mobile nodes current. The designed system is based on storing service descriptions in selected nodes that are searched in accordance to the proposed Minimum Distance Packet Forwarding (MDPF) algorithm. In addition to identifying and analyzing the design parameters of the system, this paper studies the delay and traffic performance using analytical derivations and experimental evaluations based on the ns-2 network simulation software. The system is intended to be used in a collaborative manet environment whereby a mobile node can consume services, share them, or facilitate such sharing by helping other nodes find them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery is a common procedure for managing multi-vessel coronary artery disease to revascularize the myocardium. Among the various conduits used, the left internal mammary artery (LIMA) is preferred due to its better long-term patency rate. However, CABG procedures involving LIMA may result in rare but serious complications, such as avulsion of the LIMA post-CABG, which leads to disruption of blood flow to the myocardium and the development of fatal cardiac tamponade. Case presentation: We hereby present a unique case of spontaneous avulsion of a LIMA graft to the left anterior descending artery (LAD) away from the site of anastomosis, twenty-four hours following CABG surgery in a 67-year-old male patient. Emergency re-exploration and repair of the LIMA with interposition vein graft were performed and resulted in successful stabilization of the patient's critical condition. However, this was followed by a complicated recovery period involving atrial fibrillation, acute kidney injury, and wound infection. Conclusion: Avulsion of LIMA graft following CABG is rare, yet a fatal complication that requires high clinical suspicion and prompt management. Avulsion has been reported a few times in literature following both minimal invasive and conventional CABG. Understanding the etiology, clinical presentation, and management of this complication is crucial to avoid catastrophic outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) often occur after cardiac operations and are a leading cause of morbidity, inhibit oxygenation, and increase hospital length of stay and mortality. Although clinical evidence for PPCs prevention is often unclear and crucial, measures occur to reduce PPCs. One device usually used for this reason is incentive spirometry (IS). The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of preoperative incentive spirometry to prevent postoperative pulmonary complications, improve postoperative oxygenation, and decrease hospital stay following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery patients.Methods: This was a clinical randomized prospective study. A total of 80 patients were selected as candidates for CABG at An-Najah National University Hospital, Nablus-Palestine. Patients had been randomly assigned into two groups: incentive spirometry group (IS), SI performed before surgery (study group) and control group, preoperative spirometry was not performed. The 40 patients in each group received the same protocol of anesthesia and ventilation in the operating room.Result: The study findings showed a significant difference between the IS and control groups in the incidence of postoperative atelectasis. There were 8 patients (20.0%) in IS group and 17 patients (42.5%) in the control group (p = 0.03). Mechanical ventilation duration was significantly less in IS group. The median was four hours versus six hours in the control group (p < 0.001). Hospital length of stay was significantly less in IS group, and the median was six days versus seven days in the control group (p < 0.001). The median of the amount of arterial blood oxygen and oxygen saturation was significantly improved in the IS group (p < 0.005).Conclusion: Preoperative incentive spirometry for two days along with the exercise of deep breathing, encouraged coughing, and early ambulation following CABG are in connection with prevention and decreased incidence of atelectasis, hospital stay, mechanical ventilation duration and improved postoperative oxygenation with better pain control. A difference that can be considered both significant and clinically relevant. Trial registration Thai Clinical Trials Registry: TCTR20201020005. Registered 17 October 2020-retrospectively registered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) not only affected health and economics, but also its effect extended to include other aspects, such as the environment. Using Egypt as a case study, this paper presents the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on air pollution levels by studying nitrogen dioxide (NO 2), ozone (O 3), particulate matter represented in absorbing aerosol index (AAI), carbon monoxide (CO), and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The paper also highlights the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on other environmental indicators including environmental noise, medical and municipal solid wastes. The paper presents the Egyptian COVID-19 story from its different angles including the development of confirmed COVID-19 cases, containment measures from the government, the impact on the country's economy and the national energy consumption so as to effectively evaluate the effect on both the air pollution levels and the other studied environmental indicators. For the other environmental indicators, a strong link was observed between COVID-19 lockdown and the reduction in environmental noise, beaches, surface and groundwater pollution. For environmental noise, this has been confirmed by officially governmental announcements which reported that the level of environmental noise in Egypt was reduced by about 75% during the lockdown period. On the other hand, there are some negative effects, including an increase in medical solid waste (from 70 to 300 ton/day), municipal solid waste, as well as a less efficient solid waste recycling process. For air pollution levels, the data were obtained from National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and European Space Agency satellite data sets. The data for the lockdown period in 2020 have been extracted and compared to the corresponding months in the selected baseline period (2015–2019) to identify the effect that the lockdown period had on the air pollution levels in Egypt with focus on Cairo and Alexandria governorates. It was found that the AAI decreased by about 30%, the NO 2 decreased by 15 and 33% over Cairo and Alexandria governorates, respectively, and that the CO decreased by about 5% over both governorates. In addition, the GHG emissions in Egypt were reduced by at least 4% during the pandemic. In contrast, ozone levels increased by about 2% over Cairo and Alexandria governorates. It can be concluded that the implemented containment measures during COVID-19 pandemic had resulted in both positive and negative environmental impacts. The positive environmental impacts are not sustainable and deterioration on them is expected to occur after the lockdown as it was before the pandemic. Therefore, stricter laws must be enacted to protect the environment in Egypt. Image 1 • NO 2 decreased over Cairo (~ 15%) and Alexandria (~ 33%). • AAI and GHG emissions of Egypt decreased by about 30% and 4%, respectively. • An increase in ozone level (2%) and a reduction in CO (5%) over Cairo and Alexandria. • Reduction in environmental noise, beaches, surface and groundwater pollution. • Increase municipal and medical wastes and less efficient waste recycling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Complications following Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) are rare and usually follows a vigorous CPR or in special cases like pregnancy are due to lack of knowledge and clinical practice of how to preform CPR in pregnancy. One of this complication is diaphragmatic rupture with herniation of abdominal organs. Surgical intervention needs to be planned carefully in multidisciplinary team approach and requires fine surgical techniques for better outcome. There are few reported cases of diaphragmatic rupture after Cardiopulmonary resuscitation but none in pregnant woman.Case Presentation: We report a rare case of diaphragmatic rupture in a 29-year-old pregnant patient who experienced a full-blown diaphragmatic defect and herniation of the abdominal organs into the thoracic cavity, as a complication of CPR. Following careful assessment and diagnosis, the patient underwent urgent laparotomy with reduction of the contents and primary closure of the defect. One year follow up was satisfactory. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of diaphragmatic rupture with herniation of the abdominal organs following CPR in a pregnant woman in the literature.Conclusion: The application of external cardiac massage through CPR is a life-saving procedure for the management of cardiac arrest. Common complications related to CPR include rib fractures, sternal fractures and haemothorax. Diaphragmatic rupture with herniation of the abdominal organs is a rare complication, having been reported only once in the literature (Sabzi F, Faraji R, Tanaffos 16:170-172, 2017); however, it represents a serious and life-threating event. Thus, careful evaluation of the patient by a multidisciplinary team and prompt intervention is recommended in order to improve outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Although there is a recommendation that toddlers be screened for Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) during their 18- and 24-month well-care child visits, diagnosis often occurs well after the child turns 4 years old. Such delayed diagnosis hinders the implementation of early intervention thus worsens the long-term prognosis of ASD. Objective The current community-based study in its stage I aimed at early screening of Egyptian toddlers for ASD using an Arabic validated version of Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT). Methodology A cross-sectional community-based descriptive study was carried out enrolling 5546 Egyptian toddlers. They were randomly recruited from those attending Primary Health Care Units in six Egyptian governorates with a fair representation of the urban, semi-urban, and rural Egyptian populations. An Arabic validated version of M-CHAT was used as a screening tool for ASD. Results The current study revealed failure of M-CHAT (suspected to have ASD and needs further evaluation) in 1320 out of the enrolled 5546 Egyptian toddlers (23.8%). Conclusion M-CHAT as a screening tool for ASD has flagged a considerable percent of the enrolled toddlers that necessitates referral for further evaluation (stage II) to settle the diagnosis of ASD in the true positive cases. Perfecting the delicate balance between sensitivity and specificity for ASD screening tools is crucial in order not to miss early detection of ASD cases and at the same time, to avoid over-diagnosis with subsequent abuse of the limited healthcare resources in developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Mercury intoxication is a widespread problem as mercury is used in the manufacture of thermometers, batteries and electrical switches. It forms one of the most diffusible environmental pollutants. Mercury has a nephrotoxic effect which could occur at low exposure levels. Verapamil could help in the treatment of mercuric toxicity. The aim of the study was to examine the protective and therapeutic effect of concomitant verapamil on chronic mercuric chloride nephrotoxicity. This was done through histological, morphometric and transmission electron microscopic studies. Material and methods: Sixty adult male albino rats were used. The rats were divided into a control group and 4 experimental groups: group I (HgCl2), group II (concomitant HgCl2 and verapamil), group III (HgCl2 withdrawal) and group IV (HgCl2 withdrawal then verapamil treatment). Results: Chronic administration of HgCl2 resulted in cortical nephrotoxic effects in the form of glomerular sclerosis, acute tubular necrosis and interstitial inflammatory cellular infiltration which eventually ended in interstitial fibrosis. Concomitant use of verapamil with HgCl2 improved the previous pathological changes partially. The findings in group III were less severe compared to group IV. The persistence of the pathological findings in these groups reflects the irreversible nephrotoxic changes caused by chronic HgCl2exposure. Conclusions: We concluded that the concomitant administration of verapamil has a much better effect in minimizing the nephrotoxic effect caused by chronic HgCl2 than its therapeutic administration. So, we recommended the prophylactic use of verapamil in suspected cases of chronic mercuric chloride nephrotoxicity to preserve renal function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Membrane properties are highly affected by the composition of the polymer solutions that make up the membrane material and their influence in the filtration performance on the separation or purification process. This paper studies the effects of the addition of pluronic (Plu) and patchouli oil (PO) in a polyethersulfone (PES) solution on the membrane morphology, membrane hydrophilicity, and filtration performance in the pesticide removal compound in the water sample. Three types of membranes with the composition of PES, PES + Plu, and PES + Plu + patchouli oil were prepared through a polymer phase inversion technique in an aqueous solvent. The resulting membranes were then analyzed and tested for their mechanical properties, hydrophilicity, antimicrobial properties, and filtration performance (cross-flow ultrafiltration). The results show that all of the prepared membranes could reject 75% of the pesticide. The modification of the PES membrane with Plu was shown to increase the overall pore size by altering the pore morphology of the pristine PES, which eventually increased the permeation flux of the ultrafiltration process. Furthermore, patchouli oil added antimicrobial properties, potentially minimizing the biofilm formation on the membrane surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The original article [1] contained an error whereby the author, Ahmad Darwazah's name was spelt incorrectly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Idiopathic pulmonary artery aneurysm is a rare anomaly with only a handful reports in the literature. It is often asymptomatic, while the first presentation could be severe hemoptysis or death. Surgical intervention needs to be planned carefully with a multidisciplinary team approach to secure optimal outcome. We hope to spread our experience with such cases and to encourage other surgeons worldwide to deal surgically with these cases when its indicated.Case Presentation: A 47 years old man presented to our institution after three episodes of hemoptysis, echo demonstrated good left ventricle (LV) systolic function, normal right ventricle (RV) size and function, Chest computed tomography (CT) revealed aneurysmal dilatation with pending rupture of the pulmonary artery trunk (4.5 cm), the left pulmonary artery (6 cm) and the right pulmonary artery (2.3 cm). The patient successfully underwent replacement of Pulmonary artery trunk, left pulmonary artery and right pulmonary artery by Wovex Prosthetic graft (28 mm). The patient discharged home on the eight postoperative day in good clinical condition .Conclusion: With this case report we wish to emphasize the need for a careful multidisciplinary approach given the complex and rare nature of the reported pathology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]