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Abstract Background Facet joint arthropathy is one of the causes of back and neck pain. Diagnosing facet arthropathy as the source of pain is a medical challenge. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential role of 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging to precisely target the active inflammatory facet joints. Methods A prospective study included 129 patients with chronic neck or back pain and no neurologic or radiologic findings to diagnose intervertebral-disk-related pain. 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging was performed to evaluate the cause of pain. None of the patients had any malignant or traumatic lesions in the spine. The PET findings were compared to the CT findings. In addition, the PET/CT findings were correlated with the clinical findings. Results The images of PET/CT of 54 patients demonstrate abnormally increased FDG uptake in facet joints. Thirty patients had bilateral abnormally increased FDG uptake in facet joints (24 lumbar, 6 cervical facet joints). Of these 30 patients, 12 had a normal appearance of facet joints on CT, 12 had mild degenerative changes limited to the affected facet joints, and 6 had moderate multilevel degenerative changes affecting the facet joints on CT. Twenty-four patients had unilateral increased FDG uptake at facet joints (6 lumbar, 18 cervical facet joints). Among these 24 patients with unilateral increased FDG uptake at facet joints, 12 had a normal facet joints appearance on CT, while the other 12 had marked multilevel degenerative changes affecting the facet joints. The positive findings of PET or CT have been correlated with the neurological examination and injection therapy outcome. Conclusions 18F-PET/CT has incremental value in the management of pain resulting from facet arthropathy by targeting the affected joints, especially when conventional imaging findings are non-specific or show no abnormality. The most effective management for facet arthropathy is nerve root block; therefore, PET/CT may outline and guide the management to target the active inflammatory facet joints.

Background: Graves’ disease (GD)-related bone marrow injury presents usually as agranulocytosis or less commonly as pancytopenia. However, acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) has been reported recently in an adult patient with GD. The underlying pathogenesis is not fully understood. Nevertheless, the harmful effects of anti-thyroid drugs or autoimmune reaction to bone marrow cells are anticipated to be the causative factors. Case Presentation: We report a 16.5-year-old girl with GD who was on carbimazole for the first 14 months of her illness, with irregular follow-up; then it was withdrawn because she developed hypothyroidism. Meanwhile, she developed severe anemia without fever which necessitated blood transfusion. Eight months later, she presented with thyrotoxicosis relapse, febrile illness, bone pain, and pancytopenia which was proved to be ALL on bone marrow examination. Conclusion: The presence of ALL in a young GD patient is an unprecedented event. Although it is difficult to demonstrate the causality between them, need for further studies cannot be denied.

Steel corrosion is thought to be one of the primary causes of the inadequate durability of concrete buildings in the maritime environment. Because of this, adopting Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) bars in harsh settings has attracted a lot of attention for its appealing mechanical properties as well as to prevent corrosion issues. But because there hasn't been much research in this area, we don't fully understand how fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) bars behave when they are compressed. This work's goal is to assess the expected axial compressive strength of columns when hybrid reinforcement is used in place of steel reinforcement. Hybrid bars are steel bars surrounded by a cover shell of Glass or Carbon FRP (hybrid-steel) for longitudinal reinforcement and/or transverse reinforcement. 17 column specimens were included in an experimental study program that was created.The specimens were tested to failure with an axial loading condition. The parameters studied were the type of fibers, the percentage of steel in the hybrid reinforcement for longitudinal main reinforcement ρL(0.96, 0.44, and 0.25), the ratio of the web reinforcement (internal ties), the proportion of fiber in the hybrid bars, as well as the columns' cross sections' rectangularity. Based on the data, mathematical models were devised and assessed to forecast the load bearing capability of the column. The findings indicate that hybrid reinforced concrete columns have acceptable levels of dependability index in general.

Remote sensing datasets offer a unique opportunity to observe spatial and temporal trends in water quality indicators (WQIs), such as chlorophyll-a, salinity, and turbidity, across various aquatic ecosystems. In this study, we used available in situ WQI measurements (chlorophyll-a: 17, salinity: 478, and turbidity: 173) along with Landsat-8 surface reflectance data to examine the capability of empirical and machine learning (ML) models in retrieving these indicators over Matagorda Bay, Texas, between 2014 and 2023. We employed 36 empirical models to retrieve chlorophyll-a (12 models), salinity (2 models), and turbidity (22 models) and 4 ML families—deep neural network (DNN), distributed random forest, gradient boosting machine, and generalized linear model—to retrieve salinity and turbidity. We used the Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency coefficient (NSE), correlation coefficient (r), and normalized root mean square error (NRMSE) to assess the performance of empirical and ML models. The results indicate that (1) the empirical models displayed minimal effectiveness when applied over Matagorda Bay without calibration; (2) once calibrated over Matagorda Bay, the performance of the empirical models experienced significant improvements (chlorophyll-a—NRMSE: 0.91 ± 0.03, r: 0.94 ± 0.04, NSE: 0.89 ± 0.06; salinity—NRMSE: 0.24 ± 0, r: 0.24 ± 0, NSE: 0.06 ± 0; turbidity—NRMSE: 0.15 ± 0.10, r: 0.13 ± 0.09, NSE: 0.03 ± 0.03); (3) ML models outperformed calibrated empirical models when used to retrieve turbidity and salinity, and (4) the DNN family outperformed all other ML families when used to retrieve salinity (NRMSE: 0.87 ± 0.09, r: 0.49 ± 0.09, NSE: 0.23 ± 0.12) and turbidity (NRMSE: 0.63± 0.11, r: 0.79 ± 0.11, NSE: 0.60 ± 0.20). The developed approach provides a reference context, a structured framework, and valuable insights for using empirical and ML models and Landsat-8 data to retrieve WQIs over aquatic ecosystems. The modeled WQI data could be used to expand the footprint of in situ observations and improve current efforts to conserve, enhance, and restore important habitats in aquatic ecosystems.

Background: Digital technology has been introduced in prosthodontics, and it has been widely used in denture duplication instead of a conventional denture duplication technique. However, research comparing different denture duplication techniques and how they affect the fitting accuracy of the denture base is scarce. Objectives: The aim was to assess the impact of duplication techniques on the accuracy of the fitting surface of computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD-CAM) milled, 3D-printed, and injection-molded complete denture bases (CDBs). Methodology: This study involved fabricating a mandibular complete denture base with three marked dimples as reference marks (A, B, and C at the incisive papilla, right molar, and left molar areas) using a conventional compression molded technique. This denture was then scanned to generate a standard tessellation language (STL) file; after that, it was duplicated using three different techniques (milling, 3D printing, and injection molding) and five denture base resin materials—two milled CAD-CAM materials (AvaDent and IvoBase), two 3D-printed materials (NextDent and HARZ Labs), and one injection-molded material (iFlextm). Based on the denture base type, the study divided them into five groups (each with n = 10). An evaluation of duplication accuracy was conducted on the fitting surface of each complete denture base (CDB) using two assessment methods. The first method was a two-dimensional evaluation, which entailed linear measurements of the distances (A–B, A–C, and B–C) between reference points on both the scanned reference mandibular denture and the duplicated dentures. Additionally, a three-dimensional superimposition technique was employed, involving the overlay of the STL files of the dentures onto the reference denture’s STL file. The collected data underwent statistical analysis using a one-way analysis of variance and Tukey’s pairwise post hoc tests. Results: Both evaluation techniques showed significant differences in fitting surface accuracy between the tested CDBs (p ˂ 0.001), as indicated by one-way ANOVA. In addition, the milled CDBs (AvaDent and IvoBase) had significantly higher fitting surface accuracy than the other groups (p ˂ 0.001) and were followed by 3D-printed CDBs (NextDent and HARZ Labs), while the injection-molded (iFlextm) CDBs had the lowest accuracy (p ˂ 0.001). Conclusions: The duplication technique of complete dentures using a CAD-CAM milling system produced superior fitting surface accuracy compared to the 3D-printing and injection-molded techniques.

The IoT encompasses objects, sensors, and everyday items not typically considered computers. IoT devices are subject to severe energy, memory, and computation power constraints. Employing NDN for the IoT is a recent approach to accommodate these issues. To gain a deeper insight into how different network parameters affect energy consumption, analyzing a range of parameters using hyperparameter optimization seems reasonable. The experiments from this work’s ndnSIM-based hyperparameter setup indicate that the data packet size has the most significant impact on energy consumption, followed by the caching scheme, caching strategy, and finally, the forwarding strategy. The energy footprint of these parameters is orders of magnitude apart. Surprisingly, the packet request sequence influences the caching parameters’ energy footprint more than the graph size and topology. Regarding energy consumption, the results indicate that data compression may be more relevant than expected, and caching may be more significant than the forwarding strategy. The framework for ndnSIM developed in this work can be used to simulate NDN networks more efficiently. Furthermore, the work presents a valuable basis for further research on the effect of specific parameter combinations not examined before.

Welding high-strength 6xxx aluminum alloys using a commercial ER4043 filler often results in inferior joint strength. This study investigated the effects of newly developed Al-Si-Mg filler metals with varying Mg (0.6–1.4 wt.%) and Mn (0.25–0.5 wt.%) contents on the microstructure evolution and mechanical performance of high-strength AA6011-T6 plates using gas metal arc welding. Two commercial fillers, ER4043 and ER4943, were used as references for comparison. The results revealed that increasing the Mg and Mn contents in the novel fillers resulted in sufficiently high alloying elements in the fusion zone (FZ), leading to higher microhardness. Under as-welded conditions, the weakest region of the joint was the heat-affected zone (HAZ). The joint strength was almost independent of the filler type and was controlled by the HAZ strength, measuring a UTS of 230 and 241 MPa for ER4043 and the other joints, respectively. The higher Mg contents in the novel fillers promoted the precipitation of a large volume fraction of fine β″-MgSi in the FZ during post-weld heat treatment (PWHT), resulting in superior strength and higher welding efficiency relative to the reference fillers. The optimal Mg content of the novel fillers was 0.6 wt.%. Increasing the Mn content of the filler metal had an insignificant effect. The FMg0.6 filler with 0.6% Mg achieved the best combination of strength (UTS of 410 MPa) and elongation (6.7%) as well as the highest welding efficiency (94%) after PWHT, among all of the fillers studied. However, the newly developed fillers adversely affected the impact toughness of the joints.

C20H30N4O3S, orthorhombic, P212121 (no. 19), a = 7.7152(3) Å, b = 10.6132(2) Å, c = 25.5990(7) Å, V = 2096.12(11) Å3, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.0579, wRref(F2) = 0.1216, T = 293 K.

Root-knot nematodes, Meloidogyne spp cause several losses in agriculture world-wide. However, these losses have not been clearly estimated for grapevines in Egypt. The risk to humans and environments presented by using chemical nematicides emphasizes the need for alternative tools. Rhizosphere bacteria have been reported as eco-friendly approach biological control to be effective in improving plant growth and affect nematodes reproduction. Protoplast fusion technique has been utilized as helpful tools for developing more powerful bacterial strains that combine all desired properties in one organism. The present study was conducted to increasing efficiency of biological control of root-knot nematode; M. incognita infecting grapevines as nematicidal by using protoplast fusion technique. An attempt has been made to combine between two bio-agent Bacillus thuringienesis I977 as a biocontrol and Pseudomonas aeruginosa as inducer plant growth. Under laboratory condition, 10 fusants evaluated against M. incognita J2 appearing their efficiency as nematicidal compared to parents and control. The percentages of mortality J2 after 48 h of exposure were 83% and 84 by B. thuringienesis and P. aeruginosa suspensions, respectively, whereas the percentages of mortality caused by four fusants were achieved 100% compared with parental and control. Also, three fusants F36, F45 and F 46 and its parental were evaluated to control root-knot nematodes on grapevine seedling under greenhouse conditions. F45 was more effective on M. incognita nematode-related parameters in Superior and Thompson seedling as compared to the parents and untreated control. While F46 achieved the best reduction in Flame seedling. All fusant recorded significant (P ≤ 0.05) increase in length, fresh and dry weight of shoot, also, length and fresh weight of root and decreased the nematode-related parameters as compared their the parent and untreated control. Generally, all fusant were achieved reduction on nematodes parameters and improved grapevine seedling growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

يهدف البحث إلى قياس قدرة استراتيجية تسويق حرب العصابات في تعزيز سلوك المستهلك للمنظمات كي تحقق التواصل والنجاح، وتم اختيار (متاجر التجزئة في مدينة الموصل) كمجتمع للبحث، وتم اختيار (108) من العاملين في تلك المتاجر بطريقيه عشوائية كعينة للبحث، واعتمد الباحث استمارة الاستبانة بعد التأكد من صدقها وثباتها كأداة رئيسية في جمع البيانات وتم تحليل بواسطة الحزمة الاحصائية لتطبيقات العلوم الاجتماعية (SPSS21) من خلال الاستعانة بمجموعة من بالأساليب الإحصائية، وتم تعزيز البحث بمجموعة من الفرضيات التي تم اختبارها من خلال جملة من التحاليل الاحصائية التي عكست واقع تلك الفرضيات بالإيجاب أو النفي للوصول إلى النتيجة التي تدعم الفرضيات الرئيسية للبحث، وقد توصل الباحث إلى عدد من الاستنتاجات منها (حاجة المتاجر إلى مزج الثقافة المحلية في المادة الاعلانية التي يتلقها الزبون)، واتساقا مع مضمون الاستنتاجات، فقد توصل الباحث إلى عدد من المقترحات منها (التأكيد على أهمية قدرة المتاجر على مزج الثقافة المحلية في المادة الاعلانية التي يتلقها الزبون).

Introduction: Galectin-1 (Gal-1) and galectin-3 (Gal-3) are expressed by many immune cells and receive considerable attention in the context of immunity. We aimed to compare between seminal plasma and serum levels of Gal-1 and Gal-3 in azoospermic patients and fertile men. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the andrology outpatient clinic from January (2022) to September (2022). A total of 90 participants were enrolled and divided into two equal groups: azoospermic and normal group. Semen analysis was done for all participants. Hormonal profile including FSH, LH, serum prolactin, total testosterone and estradiol was performed as well as assessment of serum and seminal levels of Gal-1 and Gal-3 by ELISA commercial kits. Finally, scrotal Duplex was done in standing and supine position. Results: Serum and seminal levels of Gal-1 and Gal-3 were statistically significant higher in azoospermic patients compared with normal individuals (p < 0.001 for all). In addition, in healthy individuals there were statistically significant positive correlations between serum levels of Gal-1 and age, FSH, LH levels (r = 0.296, p = 0.005; r = 0.333, p = < 0.001; r = 0.312, p = 0.003, respectively) and serum levels of Gal-2 and FSH and LH (r = 0.436, p < 0.001; r = 0.350, p < 0.001, respectively), whereas serum Gal-3 showed a borderline positive correlation with age (r = 0.2, p = 0.059). Additionally, statistically significant positive correlations between seminal levels of Gal-1 and Gal-3 and free testosterone in healthy individuals were reported (r = 0.205, p = 0.053; r = 0.219, p = 0.038, respectively). On the other hand, there were negative correlations between serum and seminal levels of Gal-1 and Gal-3, total and progressive sperm motility, sperm count and abnormal sperm forms in healthy individuals (r = -0.382, p < 0.001; r = -0.405, p < 0.001; r = -0.376, p < 0.001; r = -0.364, p < 0.001) (r = -0.394, p < 0.001; r = -0.467, p < 0.001; r = -0.413, p < 0.001; r = -0.433, p < 0.001); (r = -0.372, p < 0.001; r = -0.377, p < 0.001; r = -0.317, p = 0.002; r = -0.311, p = 0.003)(r = -0.445, p < 0.001; r = -0.498, p < 0.001; r = -0.453, p < 0.001; r = -0.463, p < 0.001, respectively). Furthermore, statistically significant positive correlations between serum levels of Gal-1 and Gal-3 and age in azoospermic patients were reported (r = 0.511, p < 0.001; r = 0.390, p = 0.008, respectively). On the other hand, there were negative correlations between seminal Gal-1 and estradiol (E2) and seminal Gal-3 and FSH and LH in azoospermic patients (r= -0.318, p = 0.033; r = -0.322, p = 0.031; r = -0.477, p < 0.001, respectively). Also, negative correlations between serum Gal-3 and total and free testosterone in azoospermic patients were detected (r = -0.396, p = 0.007; r = -0.375, p = 0.011, respectively). Conclusions: Elevated serum and seminal levels of Gal-1 and Gal-3 have detrimental effects on spermatogenesis. Furthermore, the current study demonstrated potential regulatory effects of reproductive hormones on Gal-1 and Gal-3. Thus, future studies are needed to confirm such findings.

AimsThe effect of excess glucocorticoid receptor (GR) stimulation through glucocorticoid medication or cortisol on glucose metabolism is well established. There are genetic GR variants that result in increased or decreased GR stimulation. We aimed to determine the prevalence of genetic GR variants in different ethnic groups in a cohort of patients with type 2 diabetes, and we aimed to determine their association with age of diabetes onset and metabolic and inflammation parameters.MethodsA cross-sectional analysis was performed in a multiethnic cohort (n = 602) of patients with established type 2 diabetes. Polymorphisms in the GR gene that have previously been associated with altered glucocorticoid sensitivity (TthIIII, ER22/23EK N363S, BclI and 9β) were determined and combined into 6 haplotypes. Associations with age of diabetes onset, HbA1c, hs-CRP and lipid values were evaluated in multivariate regression models.ResultsThe prevalence of the SNPs of N363S and BclI was higher in Dutch than in non-Dutch patients. We observed a lower prevalence of the SNP 9β in Dutch, South(East) Asian and Black African patients versus Turkish and Moroccan patients. We did not detect an association between SNPs and diabetes age of onset or metabolic parameters. We only found a trend for lower age of onset and higher HbA1c in patients with 1 or 2 copies of haplotype 3 (TthIIII + 9β).ConclusionsThe prevalence of genetic GR variants differs between patients of different ethnic origins. We did not find a clear association between genetic GR variants and age of diabetes onset or metabolic and inflammation parameters. This indicates that the clinical relevance of GR variants in patients with established type 2 diabetes is limited.

ABSTRACT: Respiratory health problems in poultry production are frequent and knotty and thus attract the attention of farmers and researchers. The breakthrough of gene sequencing technology has revealed that healthy lungs harbor rich microbiota, whose succession and homeostasis are closely related to lung health status, suggesting a new idea to explore the mechanism of lung injury in broilers with pulmonary microbiota as the entry point. This study aimed to investigate the succession of pulmonary microbiota in healthy broilers during the growth cycle. Fixed and molecular samples were collected from the lungs of healthy broilers at 1, 3, 14, 21, 28, and 42 d of age. Lung tissue morphology was observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining, and the changes in the composition and diversity of pulmonary microbiota were analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The results showed that lung index peaked at 3 d, then decreased with age. No significant change was observed in the α diversity of pulmonary microbiota, while the β diversity changed regularly with age during the broilers’ growth cycle. The relative abundance of dominant bacteria of Firmicutes and their subordinate Lactobacillus increased with age, while the abundance of Proteobacteria decreased with age. The correlation analysis between the abundance of differential bacteria and predicted function showed that dominant bacteria of Firmicutes, Proteobacteria and Lactobacillus were significantly correlated with most functional abundance, indicating that they may involve in lung functional development and physiological activities of broilers. Collectively, these findings suggest that the lung has been colonized with abundant microbiota in broilers when they were just hatched, and their composition changed regularly with day age. The dominant bacteria, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Lactobacillus, play crucial roles in lung function development and physiological activities. It paves the way for further research on the mechanism of pulmonary microbiota-mediated lung injury in broilers.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have been widely used both in military and civil across the world in recent years. Nevertheless, their design always involves complex design optimization variables and decisions. Therefore, this paper aims to guide through the designing, manufacturing, and testing of an electrically powered radio-controlled aircraft for achieving a take-off, cruise, safe landing and carrying the highest payload possible. The whole process involves several phases, design phase, structural analysis, performance analysis, materials used, manufacturing, and finally aircraft testing. The final aircraft was designed with an empty weight and maximum take-off weight of 15.43 Ibs and 33.07 Ibs respectively while the wingspan, cruising speed and maximum speed were 70.1 in., 46 ft/s and 78 ft/sec respectively with a total take-off distance of 100 ft.

IntroductionInfective endocarditis is an infection of the endothelial surfaces of the heart. It is more prevalent in adults but its incidence in the pediatric population has been on the rise. The most important factor remains congenital heart disease and the most isolated pathogen is viridans group streptococcus.MethodsIn this manuscript, we present a 20-year experience of a major referral tertiary care center in diagnosing and treating pediatric patients with endocarditis. A retrospective analysis of records of patients who were diagnosed with infective endocarditis under the age of 18 years is presented in this study. Variables relating to the demographic, imaging, microbiologic and pathologic data are described. Outcomes relating to complications and need for surgical repair are also portrayed.ResultsA total of 70 pediatric patients were diagnosed with endocarditis in this time interval. The medical records of 65 patients were comprehensively reviewed, however the remaining 5 patients had severely missing data. Of the 65 patients, 55.4% were males, and the mean age at diagnosis was 7.12 years. More than half of the population (58.5%) had vegetation evident on echocardiography. The pulmonary valve was the most commonly affected (50%), followed by the mitral valve and tricuspid valves (15.6%). Most patients received empiric treatment with vancomycin and gentamicin. Viridans group streptococcus was the most frequently isolated organism (23.4%).ConclusionAmong pediatric patients diagnosed with endocarditis in this study, data pertaining to valve involvement and microbiologic information was consistent with the published literature. The incidence of complications and the need for surgical repair are not significantly correlated with demographic and clinical variables.

Gastric glomus tumor is a rare mesenchymal tumor of the gastrointestinal tract, accounting for approximately 1% of all gastrointestinal soft tissue tumors. We describe a unique case of a 27-year-old female patient who presented with recurrent episodes of overt gastrointestinal bleeding requiring multiple blood transfusions. The patient was diagnosed with a gastric ulcer detected on esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), which was grossly suggestive of an ulcerated gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). Preoperative diagnosis was difficult, requiring laparoscopic robotic-assisted local wedge resection of the gastric mass. Pathological diagnosis and immunohistochemical (IHC) studies were consistent with a glomus tumor. We emphasize that the gastric glomus tumor might present with life-threatening recurrent gastrointestinal hemorrhage. In addition, it might mimic GIST and require surgical resection. Pathological diagnosis and IHC studies are needed to confirm the diagnosis.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neuroinflammatory and degenerative disease. In this study, we investigated the neuroprotective action of betanin in the rotenone-induced Parkinson-like mice model. Twenty-eight adult male Swiss albino mice were divided into four groups: Vehicle, Rotenone, Rotenone + Betanin 50 mg/kg, and Rotenone + Betanin 100 mg/kg. Parkinsonism was induced by subcutaneous injection of 9 doses of rotenone (1 mg/kg/48 h) plus betanin at 50 and 100 mg/kg/48 h in rotenone + betanin groups for twenty days. Motor dysfunction was assessed after the end of the therapeutic period using the pole, rotarod, open-field, grid, and cylinder tests. Malondialdehyde, reduced glutathione (GSH), Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), myeloid differentiation primary response-88 (MyD88), nuclear factor kappa- B (NF-κB), neuronal degeneration in the striatum were evaluated. In addition, we assessed the immunohistochemical densities of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in Str and in substantia nigra compacta (SNpc). Our results showed that rotenone remarkably decreased (results of tests), increased decreased TH density with a significant increase in MDA, TLR4, MyD88, NF-κB, and a decrease in GSH (p

Background. Due to the harmful effects resulting from the addition of antibiotics to treat diseases affecting poultry and their use as growth promoter, it was necessary to have safe alternatives such as organic acids and probiotics, which work to provide an appropriate pH for activity of beneficial bacteria and reducing the numbers of harmful pathogenic bacteria. Objective. To assess the effects of dietary supplementation of probiotics, with or without organic acids (acetic, propionic, and benzoic) on growth performance, carcass quality, digestibility, intestinal development, gut microbiota, and serum parameters of broiler chicks. Methodology. A total number of 250 one-day old, unsexed Ross (308) broiler chicks, were equally assigned to five feeding treatments (50 birds/treatment, five replicates of ten birds/treatment) as follows: T1 (control); fed a basal diet (BD), T2; fed BD + 2g commercial probiotics (PRO)/kg diet, T3: fed BD + 2g PRO/ kg diet + 10 ml acetic acid/kg diet, T4: fed BD + 2g PRO/kg diet + 10 ml propionic acid/ kg diet, and T5: fed BD + 2g PRO/ kg diet + 10 ml benzoic acid / kg diet. The trial prolonged from day 1 to day 42 of age. Results. Compared to the control, the results revealed that body weight and body weight gain were significantly improved at 3 and 6 wks of age as a result of supplementing the diets with probiotics and organic acids (especially benzoic acid). The positive impacts of the supplements on FCR were more pronounced from 4-6 weeks and for the overall period (0-6 wks). No mortalities occurred when organic acids were supplemented. The tested supplements also decreased bacterial counts of ileal E. coli. Moreover, probiotics plus benzoic acid treatment (T5) significantly (P < 0.05) increased the ileal lactobacilli count. Carcass traits, internal organs and GIT histological parameters were positively affected by different treatments, especially probiotics plus benzoic acid treatment. The supplements improved ALT, AST and ALP activity and decreased cholesterol and triglycerides content in blood serum (P

Studies relating to tax compliance disclose that there is much likelihood of the corporate tax compliance behaviour getting influenced by the tax compliance behaviour of the in-house tax professionals. However, no studies have investigated the nexus between the personal tax compliance and the corporate tax compliance so far. Therefore, this study aims at investigating the link between the above two tax compliance behaviours and the mediating effect of the personal tax compliance behaviour of the in-house tax professionals on their corporate tax compliance behaviour. A sequential explanatory design is chosen to collect data from 392 in-house tax professionals through a survey questionnaire, and the findings obtained from the survey are supported further by the supplementary findings made by nine (9) tax experts from the tax authority, tax agency, and tax scholars of the institutions in Malaysia. Structural equation modelling is used to analyse the data taken from the findings that reveal that the factors that contribute to the tax compliance behaviour have strong influence on the personal tax compliance of the in-house tax professionals. Interestingly, their tax compliance behaviour strongly influences their corporate tax compliance as well. Further, the bootstrapping test reveals that personal tax compliance behaviour has a significant indirect effect on the corporate tax compliance. The empirical findings give a clue to the tax authorities to identify the root cause for the corporate tax non-compliance by investigating the decision makers’ tax compliance pattern. The researchers of the future studies are encouraged to follow the same method of data collection, along with the sequential explanatory design, and to consider the moderation effect of the financial constraints on the tax compliance behaviour.

Diabetic retinopathy (DRET) triggers vision loss in adults, however, little therapeutic options are existing. Memantine is an anti-Alzheimer drug that antagonizes the activity of glutamate at N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. Glutamate and thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) are known to be overexpressed in diabetic retinas and can produce activation of NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) with subsequent secretion of interlukin-1β. This study repurposed memantine for its neuroprotective effect in experimental DRET and tested its impact on ROS/TXNIP/NLRP3. In addition, KEGG pathway database and STRING database identified the protein-protein interaction between glutamate receptors and TXNIP/NLRP3. Male Swiss albino mice received alloxan (180 mg/kg) to induce DRET. After 9 weeks, we divided the mice into groups: (a) saline, (ii) DRET, (iii and iv) DRET + oral memantine (5 or 10 mg per kg) for 28 days. Then, mice were euthanized, and eyeballs were removed. Retinal samples were utilized for biochemical, histopathological, and electron microscopy studies. Retinal levels of glutamate, TXNIP, NLRP3 and interlukin-1β were estimated using ELISA technique as well as retinal malondialdehyde. Histopathological and ultrastructural examination demonstrated that oral memantine attenuated vacuolization and restored normal retinal cell layers. Moreover, memantine reduced TXNIP, NLRP3, interleukin-1β and MDA concentrations. These results provide evidence demonstrating memantine' efficacy in alleviating DRET via suppressing reactive oxygen species/TXNIP/NLRP3 signaling cascade. Therefore, memantine might serve as a potential therapy for retinopathy after adequate clinical research.

Cloud computing technology is a new computing paradigm phenomenon that has recently received a significant attention by several research studies. However, the previous works have concentrated on the adoption of this technology and limited studies focused on the factors influencing the intention to use it. Therefore, the proposed study developed a model to figure out these factors. This study used an online questionnaire to collect data. A total of 712 responses were received. Structural equation modelling was employed by using SmartPLS 3 software to analyse the collected data. The findings of this study indicate that awareness, user readiness, and satisfaction are important factors related to the use of cloud computing, while privacy seems to have no significant influence on the use of this technology. Thus, this study recommends users to attend courses and workshops to garner knowledge and understanding of cloud computing and hence become appropriately qualified to use it. Moreover, such courses and workshops will provide users with methods and techniques to protect their privacy, which should be given priority attention.

Abstract Background Cartilaginous disorders comprise a wide range of diseases that affect normal joint movement, ear and nose shape; and they have great social and economic impact. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) provide a promising regeneration alternative for treatment of degenerative cartilaginous disorders. This study aimed to compare therapeutic potential of different types of laser activated MSCs to promote auricular cartilage regeneration. Twelve adult rabbit allocated equally in four groups, all animals received a surgical mid auricular cartilage defect in one ear; Group I (Positive control) injected sub-perichondrially with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), Group II (ADMSC-transplanted group) injected adipose-derived MSCs (ADMSCs), Group III (BMMSCs-transplanted group) received bone marrow-derived MSCs (BMMSCs), and Group IV (EMSC-transplanted group) received ear MSCs (EMSCs) in the defected ear. The auricular defect was analyzed morphologically, histopathologically and immunohistochemically after 4 weeks. In addition, a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to examine expression of the collagen type II (Col II) and aggrecan as cartilage growth factors. Results The auricles of all treatments appeared completely healed with smooth surfaces and similar tissue color. Histopathologically, defective areas of control positive group, ADMSCs and EMSCs treated groups experienced a small area of immature cartilage. While BMMSCs treated group exhibited typical features of new cartilage formation with mature chondrocytes inside their lacunae and dense extracellular matrix (ECM). In addition, BMMSC treated group showed a positive reaction to Masson’s trichrome and orcein stains. In contrary, control positive, ADMSC and EMSC groups revealed faint staining with Masson’s trichrome and Orcein. Immunohistochemically, there was an intense positive S100 expression in BMMSCs (with a significant increase of area percentage + 21.89 (P

Abstract Background Juvenile primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is a rare endocrine disease. Its diagnosis might be masked by clinical, biochemical, and radiological features of rickets. Case presentation A 12-year-old Sudanese boy presented with progressive lower limbs deformity and difficulty in walking for six months. It was associated with fatigability, poor appetite, and generalized bone pain. On examination, he was thin, disproportionately short and pubertal, and had bilateral genu valgum deformity. X-rays showed osteopenia and signs of rickets. Biochemical workup revealed mildly elevated serum calcium, low phosphate, high alkaline phosphatase, and high parathyroid hormone with low 25-hydroxy vitamin D3. Celiac screening, liver function test and renal profile were normal. Serum calcium rose dramatically after vitamin D therapy. Genetic testing was negative for CYP2R1 and MEN1 genes. Ultrasound neck showed left inferior parathyroid adenoma which was surgically excised. Histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of parathyroid adenoma. Postoperatively, he had hypocalcemia which was treated with calcium and alfacalcidol. Corrective surgery is planned for the genu valgum deformity which markedly improved after parathyroidectomy. Conclusion Although PHPT is extremely rare in the young population, it should be considered in patients with rickets and elevated serum calcium at baseline or after initiating vitamin D therapy.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis senses IFN-γ via the membrane protein MmpL10, which results in stimulation of bacterial respiration and virulence gene expression, worsens infection and paradoxically prevents the formation of isoniazid tolerant persisters.

Objective This study was carried out to compare different routes of midazolam administration (nebulized vs. oral) to achieve a satisfactory level of sedation, RAMSAY Sedation Score (RSS) of 4, within 30 minutes of midazolam administration in pediatric operative patients.Methods After approval of the ethical committee in Kasr Al-ainy university hospital and obtaining written consent from parents/legal guardians; Seventy-two pediatric patients scheduled for general and urological surgical operations under general anesthesia were included in this randomized double-blinded study. Patients were randomly assigned into one of the two equal groups. Group N: 36 children received nebulized midazolam 0.2 mg/kg in 3 ml normal saline plus 5 ml clear juice 30 min before undergoing general anesthesia (GA). Group O: 36 children received oral midazolam 0.5 mg/kg in 5 ml clear juice plus nebulizer of 3 ml normal saline 30 min before undergoing general anesthesia.Results We found no statistical difference between nebulized and oral midazolam regarding drug acceptance, peri-operative (sedation scores, hemodynamics, and side effects); P-value >0.05 for all values.Conclusion Nebulized midazolam is a good alternative to oral midazolam as a sedative premedication in pediatrics.

Background: Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) are at far greater risk of experiencing poor mental health (MH) than wider society. This disparity was exacerbated by additional ‘unique to sexual minority status’ COVID-19 stressors.Objective: This sequential, mixed-methods study examined remote MH help-seeking among GBMSM in the U.K. and Ireland during the first COVID-19 lockdown.Methods and Results: Quantitative survey data (n = 1368), analysed with logistic regression, suggested GBMSM experiencing moderate-to-severe anxiety and those with a past MH diagnosis were most likely to seek MH support. Thematic analysis of qualitative interview (n = 18) data identified multiple barriers and enablers to GBMSM seeking remote MH help, with the help primarily sought from GBMSM-facing organisations and generic online resources. Finally, the behaviour change wheel was used to generate theoretically informed recommendations to promote MH help-seeking among GBMSM in Scotland.Implications: We discuss how applying these recommendations in the short, medium and long term will begin to address GBMSM’s MH needs, post COVID-19.

Ensiled rice straw using, water (RSW), molasses plus urea, and whey (RWh) were implied to investigate the ensiling processing on palatability and nutritional value of rice straw compared to untreated rice straw (URS). Using whey resulted in a significant (P < .05) progress in fermentation coefficient, and Flieg Score compared to others. Protein and water-soluble carbohydrates content increased (P < .05) in RWh compared to RMU. Gas cumulative increased (P < .05) with ERS compared to the incubation of URS. In-vitro organic matter degradability, neutral detergent fiber degradability, crude protein degradability, microbial protein, and metabolizable energy varied less amongst the tested ingredients. The RWh was significantly (P < .05) consumed and palatable higher compared to RMU, which was more (P < .05) significant than RSW. The use of either RWh or RMU has improved total digestible nutrients (TDN) compared to RSW and URS. The values of total protein, alanine aminotransferase, and glucose were higher (P < .05) with ERS feeding compared to URS. The results indicate the possibility of ensiling rice straw with added either whey or molasses with urea as sources of nitrogen and energy to induce good fermentation and improve utilization of rice straw.

Background Eating less and moving more are the simplest and most common strategies to combat excessive weight. Several other lifestyle factors can also contribute to maintaining a healthy weight.Objectives The present study examined the effects of breakfast frequency, duration and quality of sleep, daily physical activity, sedentary behaviours, and school transportation on the BMI of Saudi students, aged 10–15 years.Materials and Methods This study included 981 students (240 girls (24.46%) [66 children (27.5%) and 174 adolescents (72.5%)] and 741 boys (75.54%) [441 children (59.51%) and 300 adolescents (40.49%)]). For each participant, height, weight, and body composition were obtained using bioelectric impedance analysis. A questionnaire focussing on lifestyle behaviours over the last seven days was also completed by each student. Multiple comparisons were performed to test for significant differences between the groups, stratified by sex, age, and BMI. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was used to determine the variables that significantly affected BMI.Results The overall prevalence of overweight and obesity in boys was 12.82% and 25.1%, and in girls, 10.42% and 5.42%, respectively. Most participants used cars or buses as transportation to and from school (100% of girls and 83% of boys). Breakfast was skipped mainly by male participants. Boys tended to sleep more than girls during school days (488.90 ± 74.33 vs. 467.76 ± 78.75 min. night−1). They were more active (2.58 ± 0.69 vs. 2.34 ± 0.82), used laptops more frequently (2.46 ± 1.51 vs. 1.90 ± 1.63), and played more video games (3.12 ± 1.43 vs. 1.2875 ± 1.36) than girls. However, girls were less sedentary (2.63 ± 0.76 vs. 2.9±.79), watched more TV (3.65 ± 1.155 vs. 2.73 ± 1.48) and used their smartphones more (3.6625 ± 1.3 vs. 3.28 ± 1.44) than boys.Conclusions This study revealed significant associations between BMI and breakfast intake, physical activities, and sedentary behaviours. Of these, using laptops and playing video games were the key sedentary activities that influenced BMI.Key messagesA significantly higher prevalence of overweight and obesity was noted among boys compared to girls in private school students, aged 10–15 years, in Al-Ahsa governorate, Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.Boys slept more than girls on school days, and they were more active, used laptops more frequently, and played more video games than girls. Girls were less sedentary, watched television more often, and used smartphones more frequently than boys.Among private school students aged 10–15 years in Al-Ahsa governorate, Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, BMI was significantly associated with breakfast intake frequency, physical activity, and sedentary behaviours, among which using laptops and playing video games were the sedentary activities that most influenced BMI.

The increasing consumption of unregulated herbal and dietary supplements has presented clinicians with new challenges in assessing and managing acute liver injury. Patients may present in various ways ranging from asymptomatic transaminitis to acute liver failure. Several natural products have been found to mitigate drug-induced liver injury, which has led to the creation of numerous registries to outline all its aspects further. We describe the case of a 36-year-old female who developed a clinically significant acute liver injury with a cholestatic pattern due to an over-the-counter herbal liver detox tea. This is the first case reported of a hepatotoxic effect from any of these compounds or ingredients in the detox tea: burdock root, stinging nettle leaf, cleavers herb, dandelion root, lemon peel, and lemon myrtle leaf (Backhousia citriodora). Idiosyncratic drug-induced liver injury (DILI) remains poorly understood; however, recognizing potential toxins is imperative to understanding toxicogenomics and identifying those at risk.

Objectives: This investigation was carried out to examine the influence of thermocycling aging on the surface roughness (Ra, µm), color parameters (L*, a*, b*), lightness change (ΔL*), chroma change (ΔC*ab), color change (ΔE), and microhardness (VH) of three lithium disilicate ceramics. Materials and methods: Forty-five specimens were prepared from three lithium disilicate materials (n = 15)—e.max CAD (EC), e.max Press (EP), and GC Initial LiSi Press (LP) ceramics—with dimensions of 6.0 × 1.2 × 16.0 ± 0.2 mm following the manufacturers’ instructions. All specimens were exposed to 5000 thermal cycles with bath temperatures ranging between 5 °C and 55 °C. Data of surface roughness, color parameters, and microhardness were obtained using an optical profiler, a spectrophotometer, and a Vickers hardness tester, respectively. One-way ANOVA, a post-hoc Tukey’s test, and a paired sample t-test were implemented for statistical analysis (p ≤ 0.05). Results: For surface roughness, insignificant differences were reported between the materials either before or after thermocycling (p > 0.05) while each material displayed a significant increase after being subjected to thermocycling (p

Background: Patients with diabetes foot wounds had a 2.5-fold higher risk of passing away than diabetic patients without foot wounds did. the development of a diabetic foot wounds is associated with a 5% mortality in the first 12 months and a 42% mortality within 5 years.Aim of the work: The purpose of our study was to evaluate the combination of vacuum assisted closure therapy and platelet rich plasma for management of diabetic foot wound. Patients and methods: This prospective study was conducted at New Damietta University Hospital and National Institute of Diabetic and Endocrinology at Cairo. This study was conducted on 30 patients diagnosed as diabetic foot wound and aim to evaluate the combination of Vacuum assisted closure therapy for two sections par week for two weeks and many patients need three weeks for complete granulation phase and Platelet Rich Plasma injected into wound two sections par week for two weeks for epithelization the wound.Results: Regarding size, depth and discharge of wound on VAC size at baseline was 106.58 cm², depth of 10.7 mm and no discharge was observed. After 7 days, size was 100.58, depth was 7.03 mm and discharge were 172. In day 14, size decreased to 91.52 cm², depth was 3.87 mm and discharge reached 128.67. At day 21 Size was 92.57 cm², depth was 2 mm and discharge were 80.Conclusion: Negative pressure wound therapy is a promising technique gaining rapid popularity in DFU management all over the world. Faster wound healing and shorter hospital stays are observed, with few or no problems. Consequently, it is effective in treating diabetic foot ulcers. PRP therapy is a method for increase the epithelized area of Diabetic Foot Ulcers faster and comfortable for patient compered to standard treatment in this time.

Abstract Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can present with pulmonary and non-pulmonary manifestations, or it may be asymptomatic. Asymptomatic patients have a major impact on transmission of the disease, and prediction of their outcome and prognosis is challenging. We aim to identify the predictors of intensive care unit (ICU) admission and mortality in hospitalized COVID-19 patients with initially asymptomatic presentation. Methods This was a prospective multicenter study using cohort data that included all admitted patients aged 21 years and above, with different clinical presentations other (than pulmonary manifestation) and were discovered to have COVID-19. Demographic data, clinical data and progression were reported. Univariate analysis and logistic regression analysis were performed to predict ICU admission and mortality during hospitalization. Results One hundred forty-nine consecutive patients, 92 (61.7% males) were included in our study, Median age (IQR) was 59.00 (43–69]. Only 1 patient (0.7%) had a contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19. 58 patients (39%) were admitted to ICU and 22 patients (14.8%) have died. High ferritin level (more than 422.5), low oxygen saturation (less than 93%), and in need of non-invasive ventilation (NIV) have 3.148, 8.159 and 26.456 times likelihood to be admitted to ICU, respectively. Patients with high CO-RADS, low oxygen saturation (less than 92.5%), and in need for mechanical ventilation (MV) have 82.8, 15.9, and 240.77 times likelihood to die, respectively. Conclusion Initially asymptomatic hospitalized patients with COVID-19 have a great impact on health system with high ICU admission and mortality rate. We identified the predictors that may help in early management and improving prognosis. Trial registration Trial was registered in Clinicaltrials.gov, registration number is NCT05298852 , 26 March 2022, retrospectively registered.

Fadi M Toum Ahmed,1,&ast; Mohammed Mahmmoud Fadelallah Eljack,2,&ast; Hiba Awadelkareem Osman Fadl,3– 5 Abdelrahman Hamza Abdelmoneim Hamza,6,7 Siham Abdalrhman Gsmalseed Mohammed,8 Waddah Adil Taha Muawad,9 Tarig Musa Khaleid Almahi,8 Sara Alameen Mohamed Ahmed,8 Hiba Faroug Alameen5 1Department of Internal Medicine, University of Sinnar, Sinnar, Sudan; 2Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Bakht Alruda, Ad Duwaym, Sudan; 3Department of Haematology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Al-Neelain University, Khartoum, Sudan; 4Department of Medical Laboratory, Sudanese Medical Research Association, Khartoum, Sudan; 5Sudan Medical Specialization Board, Khartoum, Sudan; 6MBBS Faculty of Medicine, Al-Neelain University, Khartoum, Sudan; 7Department of Human Anatomy, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan; 8Department of internal Medicine, Sinnar Teaching Hospital, Sinnar, Sudan; 9Department of Surgery, Sinnar Teaching Hospital, Sinnar, Sudan&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Mohammed Mahmmoud Fadelallah Eljack, Community department, University of Bakht Alruda, Ad Duwaym, Sudan, Tel +249964656914, Email m.mahmmoud96@gmail.comIntroduction: Medical school curriculum evaluation is necessary to document outcomes, determine the effectiveness of educational programs, and meet accreditation requirements. This has become more difficult over the last decade, and it is critical to carefully assess the conclusion. The purpose of this research was to gather information from Sinnar medical students regarding their perceptions of the curriculum, learning, teachers, and academic self-perception.Methodology: A cross-sectional analytic quantitative study including under and freshly graduated students was conducted in the Faculty of Medicine, University of Sinnar, Sudan, between the 18th of January 2021 and the 2nd of February 2022. Data was collected using a validated questionnaire including student perception of learning, student perception of teachers, academic self-perception, and student self-perception.Results: A total of 705 students participated in this study. Of them, 443 (63.1%) were females, with the majority from second years (35.8%) followed by fourth-year (21.6%). A 433 (64.5%) agreed that the teaching is students centred, and teaching helped them in their development (68.0%). In addition, nearly half of the participants (58.1%) stated that the teacher communicated clearly and understandably. Unfortunately, 44.6% said that the exam did not achieve all the course objectives. The most tension-induced places were the dissection room (DR) accounting (70.3%) followed by lecture halls (55.6%). The most common reason for not enhancing research skills is the unavailability of the research department (72.8%), along with the stress associated with the curriculum due to a lack of enough time for different activities (63.8%). Significant differences between males and females were found when answering questions regarding research skills and students’ involvement in curriculum time management.Conclusion: Most students have a positive impression towards the local curriculum, learning, and engaged teachers. More studies with more standardization and specification regarding curriculum content, Curriculum structure and strategies, should be conducted in the future.Keywords: medical school, perceptions, accreditation, curriculum, University of Sinnar, Sudan

Abstract Background Myocarditis is a highly heterogeneous disorder with a challenging diagnostic work-up. We aimed to focus on the possible diagnostic workup for this condition in settings where endomyocardial biopsy as a gold standard is not always feasible, detect the etiologic cardiotropic viruses in our locality, and follow the clinical course in patients admitted with clinically suspected myocarditis. Methods This is a prospective observational study. We recruited patients with clinically suspected myocarditis presenting at a university hospital from October 1st, 2020 until March 31st, 2021. All Patients had a diagnostic coronary angiography and were included only if they had a non-obstructive coronary artery disease. All patients also had cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) with contrast. Sera were obtained from all suspected patients for detection of antibodies against viruses using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and viral genomes using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and reverse transcription–PCR. Endomyocardial biopsy was done for patients with a typical CMR picture of myocarditis. Results Out of 2163 patients presenting to the hospital within the 6 months, only 51 met the inclusion criteria. Males represented 73%, with a mean age of 39 ± 16 years. CMR showed an ischemic pattern in 4 patients and thus they were excluded. We classified patients into two categories based on CMR results: group A (CMR-positive myocarditis), 12 patients (25.5%), and group B (CMR-negative myocarditis), 35 (74.5%) patients. On serological analysis, 66% of patients (n = 31/47) showed antibodies against the common cardiotropic viruses. Parvovirus B19 IgM in 22 patients (47%) and coxsackievirus IgM in 16 (34%) were the most observed etiologies. Regarding the outcome, 42.5% of patients recovered left ventricular ejection fraction and three patients died at 6 months’ clinical follow-up. Conclusion Patients with Clinically suspected myocarditis represented 2.2% of total hospital admissions in 6 months. CMR is only a good positive test for the diagnosis of acute myocarditis. Parvovirus B19 and coxsackievirus were the most common pathogens in our locality. Trial registration: Clinical trial registration no., NCT04312490; first registration: 18/03/2020. First recruited case 01/10/2020. URL: https://register.clinicaltrials.gov/prs/app/action/SelectProtocol?sid=S0009O3D&selectaction=Edit&uid=U0002DVP&ts=2&cx=9zdfin .

Background: Colorectal cancer is the third cause of cancer deaths globally. In Egypt, Colorectal cancer is the 7th commonest cancer, about 3.47% of male cancers and 3% of female cancers. Robotic CRC surgery is a recent surgical option for benign and malignant disease. Robotic techniques have more benefits than laparoscopy especially in the pelvic surgeries. Aims: was to overview the benefits of robotic surgery use in the treatment of CRC like intra-operative feasibility, postoperative complications, duration of hospital stay, morbidity and mortality Methods: We have searched the literatures in PubMed, Google scholar, Egyptian bank of knowledge and science direct. Conclusion: Robotic approach seems to bypass most of the of laparoscopic surgery barriers through high-definition 3D vision, physiologic tremorfiltration, motions like human wrist of robotic instruments, control with stable camera, and better ergonomics. The accurate procedures provided by this new technology are in demand especially for a narrow space as pelvic surgery.

Measurement(s) COVID-19-related publications Technology Type(s) named entity recognition, entity linking and link discovery approaches

Abstract Background In recent years, social networking sites (SNSs) have evolved beyond connection and networking to become a powerful instructional tool. There is still a dearth of knowledge on the professional use of SNSs for education particularly among students from diverse backgrounds. This study examined the extent and pattern of SNSs usage for education across six institutions and then conducted an interventional workshop to fortify and regulate the educational use of SNSs. Methods This multicenter study was done in two phases. In the first phase, an online cross-sectional survey using a validated inventory was administered to determine the prevalence, extent, and preferences of SNSs usage by undergraduate students in medicine, health sciences and dentistry across five centers. Later, the second phase of the study was undertaken in a 75-min guided live workshop about the appropriate use of SNSs in academia. Additionally, pre- and post-test surveys were conducted to assess the impact and outcome of workshop. Results Of the 1722 respondents, 1553 (90%) reported using SNSs with the frequency of once a month to three to five times per day for education and to stay in touch with others. Most students agreed with the benefits of SNSs for education mainly in terms of information gathering, networking and collaboration. Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest were noted as the most preferred SNSs for education. Nevertheless, 63% perceived that proper instruction was required for the efficient use of SNSs. Following the guided workshop, there was a significant improvement in web technology understanding, digital professionalism, skills and knowledge on the productive use of SNSs. Students rated the efficient for conceptual learning, connection to community practice, e-portfolio, and collaborative learning as the top four major teaching and learning strategies, respectively, in the post-workshop survey. Conclusion Our study demonstrates that SNSs can be used as learning tools in medical education. However, SNSs usage should be regulated and guided for a more collegial and coherent learning climate in the digital realm. We urge medical educators to integrate SNSs into their courses for a technologically advanced and impactful curriculum.

Abstract Background Pre-(PRE) and post-ejection (POE) velocities by mitral annular tissue Doppler (TD) are biphasic and may be related to myocardial deformations. We investigated the predominance and concordance of TD-PRE and POE velocities and their effect on myocardial functions in controls and in heart failure (HF) patients. Methods Retrospectively, 84 HF patients [57.6 years, 28(33%) females, NYHA: 2.3 ± 0.6, EF: 55 ± 15%, 52(62%) preserved EF, and 32(38%) reduced EF], 42 normal young controls, and 26 asymptomatic age matched controls were included. Echocardiography was done and from mitral annular tissue Doppler recordings, the biphasic PRE and POE velocity signals were identified and compared between groups. Results While controls had almost always predominantly positive PRE and negative POE, HF had more negative PRE and positive POE. Moreover, almost all controls exhibited normal concordance (positive PRE and negative POE). HF exhibited more abnormal concordance which was significantly associated with worse NYHA, and parameters of diastolic and systolic functions. Opposite PRE and POE velocities correlated significantly in all groups (PREp vs POEn: young:r = 0.52, p

The present work delighted on extraction of galactomannan polysaccharide from guar gum beans and microbial galactomannan source. Effect of replacing non-fat dry milk that used to fortify cow's milk in yoghurt industry with the two extracted galactomannans and commercial galactomannan as food additives was studied. Control yoghurt treatment was made from 3.0% fat cow's milk that was fortified with 1.5% non-fat dry milk. Another 6 yoghurt treatmentwas fortified with 0.15, 0.25% of commercial, guar and microbial galactomannan respectively. All treatments were cultured with the probiotic starter (1.0% Streptococcus thermophilus + 1.0% Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. Bulgaricus + 1.0% Bifidobacteriumbifidum). The obtained results indicated that yoghurt supplementation with the three types of galactomannans increased the acidity, curd tension, total solids content, decreased pH values and syneresis of yoghurt treatments. Control yoghurt and commercial galactomannan yoghurt were not significantly different from the corresponding batches those made with either guar galactomannan and microbial galactomannan in fat, protein and ash content. Yoghurt treatments which supplemented with the three types of galactomannans have higher bifidobacteria counts and organoleptic scores than the control treatment yoghurt.

Background: Lymphedema post-mastectomy remains a challenging problem. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of shock wave electrohydraulic treatment (ESWT) for patients with pain and lymphedema. Methods: Thirty patients (30 women) with pain & lymphedema post-radical mastectomy were evaluated to participate in this Clinical trial. They were recruited from the Minia Cancer Institute- Minia University and Deraya University outpatient clinics. Their ages varied between the ages of 40 and 50 years. They were divided into two groups. Group (1) 'Group of studies': 15 patients seeking ESWT in addition to conventional medical care. Group (2) 'Control group': 15 people seeking conventional medical care only. Patients of the study group (1) were treated with a number of impulses, at least 500 shocks at E2 at 4Hz (equivalent to 0.11mJ/mm square energy). Treatment sessions were delivered twice weekly for six treatments (3 weeks). The assessment used a Visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain and arm circumference midway between the shoulder and elbow for lymphedema measurement. Results: showed that (ESWT) on pain and lymphedema measurement post-radical mastectomy effectively decreased pain as evidenced by the highly significant decreases in the visual analogue scale. These results revealed a substantial VAS reduction (P

Introduction: Intra-amniotic inflammation (IAI) or chorioamnionitis is a common complication of pregnancy producing significant maternal morbidity/mortality, premature birth and neonatal risk of chronic lung diseases such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). We examined eNAMPT (extracellular nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase), a critical inflammatory DAMP and TLR4 ligand, as a potential therapeutic target to reduce IAI severity and improve adverse fetal/neonatal outcomes.Methods: Blood/tissue samples were examined in: 1) women with histologically-proven chorioamnionitis, 2) very low birth weight (VLBW) neonates, and 3) a preclinical murine pregnancy model of IAI. Groups of pregnant IAI-exposed mice and pups were treated with an eNAMPT-neutralizing mAb.Results: Human placentas from women with histologically-proven chorioamnionitis exhibited dramatic NAMPT expression compared to placentas without chorioamnionitis. Increased NAMPT expression in whole blood from VLBW neonates (day 5) significantly predicted BPD development. Compared to untreated LPS-challenged murine dams (gestational day 15), pups born to eNAMPT mAb-treated dams (gestational days 15/16) exhibited a > 3-fold improved survival, reduced neonate lung eNAMPT/cytokine levels, and reduced development and severity of BPD and pulmonary hypertension (PH) following postnatal exposure to 100% hyperoxia days 1–14. Genome-wide gene expression studies of maternal uterine and neonatal cardiac tissues corroborated eNAMPT mAb-induced reductions in inflammatory pathway genes.Discussion: The eNAMPT/TLR4 inflammatory pathway is a highly druggable contributor to IAI pathobiology during pregnancy with the eNAMPT-neutralizing mAb a novel therapeutic strategy to decrease premature delivery and improve short- and long-term neonatal outcomes. eNAMPT blood expression is a potential biomarker for early prediction of chronic lung disease among premature neonates.

Objective: To evaluate Hem-o-Lok polymer clips’ feasibility, safety and cost-effectiveness in controlling the splenic pedicle during paediatric laparoscopic splenectomy. Method: The prospective study was conducted from May 2019 to December 2021 at Kafrelsheikh University Hospital, Egypt, and comprised children of either gender aged