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3. Utility of the Anatomage Virtual Dissection Table in Creating Clinical Anatomy and Radiology Learning Modules

Author

Chaudhry H, Rana S, Bhatti MI, Al-Ansari N, Al Theyab A, Almutairi T, Kazani B, Almasri M, Sadiq Z, Hussein R, Kim D, Chung D, Khalil O, Alroobi H, Aly A, and Raoof A

Subjects
medical education, anatomage table, anatomy, covid-19, Special aspects of education, LC8-6691, Medicine (General), R5-920
Abstract

Hamza Chaudhry,1 Shehroz Rana,1 Mohammad Ibraheem Bhatti,1 Nojoud Al-Ansari,1 Ahmad Al Theyab,1 Turki Almutairi,1 Bahram Kazani,2 Muna Almasri,2 Zuhair Sadiq,2 Rawan Hussein,2 Daniel Kim,2 Dabin Chung,2 Omar Khalil,2 Hasan Alroobi,2 Ahmed Aly,2 Ameed Raoof3 1Class 2024, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha, Qatar; 2Class 2023, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha, Qatar; 3Department of Medical Education, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha, QatarCorrespondence: Ameed Raoof, Email amr2032@qatar-med.cornell.eduPurpose: During the COVID-19 pandemic, teaching has required online-learning modalities to facilitate easily accessible yet high-quality education. However, since the nature of anatomy requires hands-on experience in laboratories with cadavers, teaching anatomy in an online setting has proven especially difficult. This matter may be resolved with the Anatomage Table, an advanced anatomy visualization tool, which several studies have suggested can augment learning experiences for students in anatomy courses. Our objective was to provide accessible online modules, through utilization of the Anatomage Table, for medical students to facilitate their learning and enhance online learning experience.Materials and Methods: Ten modules were designed, consisting of a presentation, a pre- and post-self-assessment, as well as anatomical images and radiographs taken from Anatomage Table. The modules were based on a single organ system, and a clinical case pertaining to that organ system was presented. Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q) second-year medical students contributed 102 responses in total throughout the 10 modules. Using a paired t-test, the study compared the students’ pre- and post-assessment scores to determine how beneficial the modules were.Results: A significant difference in scores on the pre- and post-assessments was found for all 10 modules using a paired t-test. At the end of the modules, the students completed a feedback survey to assess the quality and convenience. Most of the students agreed or strongly agreed that the modules were beneficial to their online anatomy learning and wanted to see similar anatomical modules in the future.Conclusion: The Anatomage Table is an innovative virtual resource that can significantly contribute to a more engaging and productive experience for medical students.Keywords: medical education, Anatomage table, anatomy, COVID-19

Published
2023

10. A Review of Hybrid Soft Computing and Data Pre-Processing Techniques to Forecast Freshwater Quality’s Parameters: Current Trends and Future Directions

Author

Khudhair, ZS, Zubaidi, SL, Ortega-Martorell, S, Al-Ansari, N, Ethaib, S, and Hashim, KS

Subjects
QA75, Oceanography, Hydrology and Water Resources, machine learning, hybrid model, Oceanografi, hydrologi och vattenresurser, TD, water quality parameters, metaheuristic algorithms
Abstract

Water quality has a significant influence on human health. As a result, water quality parameter modelling is one of the most challenging problems in the water sector. Therefore, the major factor in choosing an appropriate prediction model is accuracy. This research aims to analyse hybrid techniques and pre-processing data methods in freshwater quality modelling and forecasting. Hybrid approaches have generally been seen as a potential way of improving the accuracy of water quality modelling and forecasting compared with individual models. Consequently, recent studies have focused on using hybrid models to enhance forecasting accuracy. The modelling of dissolved oxygen is receiving more attention. From a review of relevant articles, it is clear that hybrid techniques are viable and precise methods for water quality prediction. Additionally, this paper presents future research directions to help researchers predict freshwater quality variables. Validerad;2022;Nivå 2;2022-07-04 (sofila)

Published
2022

15. Iran’s agriculture in the anthropocene

Author

Maghrebi, M. (Mohsen), Noori, R. (Roohollah), Bhattarai, R. (Rabin), Mundher Yaseen, Z. (Zaher), Tang, Q. (Qiuhong), Al‐Ansari, N. (Nadhir), Danandeh Mehr, A. (Ali), Karbassi, A. (Abdolreza), Omidvar, J. (Javad), Farnoush, H. (Hossein), Torabi Haghighi, A. (Ali), Kløve, B. (Bjørn), and Madani, K. (Kaveh)

Subjects
parasitic diseases, geographic locations
Abstract

The anthropogenic impacts of development and frequent droughts have limited Iran’s water availability. This has major implications for Iran’s agricultural sector which is responsible for about 90% of water consumption at the national scale. This study investigates if declining water availability impacted agriculture in Iran. Using the Mann‐Kendall and Sen’s slope estimator methods, we explored the changes in Iran’s agricultural production and area during the 1981–2013 period. Despite decreasing water availability during this period, irrigated agricultural production and area continuously increased. This unsustainable agricultural development, which would have been impossible without the overabstraction of surface and ground water resources, has major long‐term water, food, environmental, and human security implications for Iran.

Published
2020

16. National Scientific Medical Meeting 1994 Abstracts

Author

Carson, K. D., Grimes, S. B., McGinley, J. M., Thornton, M. T., Mulhall, J., Bourke, A. M., McCrory, C., Marsh, B., Hone, R., Phelan, D., White, M., Fabry, J., Hughes, D., Carson, K., Donnelly, M., Shanahan, E., Fitzpatrick, G. J., Bourke, M., Warde, D., Buggy, D., Hughes, N., Taylor, A., Dowd, N., Markham, T., Blunnie, W., Nicholson, G., O’Leary, E., Cunningham, A. J., Dwyer, R., McMechan, S., Cullen, C., Dempsey, G., Wright, G., MacKenzie, G., Anderson, J., Adgey, J., Walsh, M., O’Callaghan, P., Graham, I., O’Hare, J. A., Geoghegan, M., Iman, N., Shah, P., Chander, R., Lavin, F., Daly, K., Johnston, P. W., Imam, Z., Adgey, A. A. J., Rusk, R. A., Richardson, S. G., Hale, A., Kinsella, B. M., FitzGerald, G. A., King, G., Crean, P., Gearty, G., Cawley, T., Docherty, J. R., Geraghty, J., Osborne, H., Upton, J., D’Arcy, G., Stinson, J., Cooke, T., Colgan, M. P., Hall, M., Tyrrell, J., Gaffney, K., Grouden, M., Moore, D. J., Shanik, G., Feely, J., Delanty, N., Reilly, M., Lawson, J. A., Fitzgerald, D. J., Reilly, M. P., McAdam, B. F., Bergin, C., Walshe, M. J., Herity, N. A., Allen, J. D., Silke, B., Singh, H. P., O’Neill, S., Hargrove, M., Coleman, E., Shorten, E., Aherne, T., Kelly, B. E., Hill, D. H., McIlrath, E., Morrow, B. C., Lavery, G. G., Blackwood, B., Fee, J. P. H., Kevin, L., Doran, M., Tansey, D., Boylan, I., McShane, A. J., O’Reilly, G., Tuohy, B., Grainger, P., Larkin, T., Mahady, J., Malone, J., Condon, C., Donoghue, T., O’Leary, J., Lyons, J. F., Tay, Y. K., Tham, S. N., Khoo Tan, H. S., Gibson, G., O’Grady, A., Leader, M., Walshe, J., Carmody, M., Donohoe, J., Murphy, G. M., O’Connor, W., Barnes, L., Watson, R., Darby, C., O’Moore, R., Mulcahy, F., O’Toole, E., O’Briain, D. S., Young, M. M., Buckley, D., Healy, E., Rogers, S., Ni Scannlain, N., McKenna, M. J., McBrinn, Y., Murray, B., Freaney, R., Barrett, E., Razza, Q., Abuaisha, F., Powell, D., Murray, T. M., Powell, A. M., O’Mongain, E., O’Neill, J., Kernan, R. P., O’Connor, P., Clarke, D., Fearon, U., Cunningham, S. K., McKenna, T. J., Hayes, F., Heffernan, A., Sheahan, K., Harper, R., Johnston, G. D., Atkinson, A. B., Sheridan, B., Bell, P. M., Heaney, A. P., Loughrey, G., McCance, D. R., Hadden, D. R., Kennedy, A. L., McNamara, P., O’Shaughnessy, C., Loughrey, H. C., Reid, I., Teahan, S., Caldwell, M., Walsh, T. N., McSweeney, J., Hennessy, T. P., Caldwell, M. T. P., Byrne, P. J., Hennessy, T. P. J., El-Magbri, A. A., Stevens, F. M., O’Sullivan, R., McCarthy, C. F., Laundon, J., Heneghan, M. A., Kearns, M., Goulding, J., Egan, E. L., McMahon, B. P., Hegarty, F., Malone, J. F., Merriman, R., MacMathuna, P., Crowe, J., Lennon, J., White, P., Clarke, E., Prabhakar, M. C., Ryan, E., Graham, D., Yeoh, P. L., Kelly, P., McKeogh, D., O’Keane, C., Kitching, A., Mulligan, E., Gorey, T. F., Mahmud, N., O’Connell, M., Goggins, M., Keeling, P. W. N., Weir, D. G., Kelleher, D., McDonald, G. S. A., Maguire, D., O’Sullivan, G., Harvey, B., Cherukuri, A., McGrath, J. P., Timon, C., Lawlor, P., O’Shea, J., Buckley, M., English, L., Walsh, T., O’Morain, C., Lavelle, S. M., Kanagaratnam, B., Harding, B., Murphy, B., Kavanagh, J., Kerr, D., Lavelle, E., O’Gorman, T., Liston, S., Fitzpatrick, C., Fitzpatrick, P., Turner, M., Murphy, A. W., Cafferty, D., Dowling, J., Bury, G., Kaf Al-Ghazal, S., Zimmermann, E., O’Donoghue, J., McCann, J., Sheehan, C., Boissel, L., Lynch, M., Cryan, B., Fanning, S., O’Meara, D., Fennell, J., Byrne, P. M., Lyons, D., Mulcahy, R., Pooransingh, A., Walsh, J. B., Coakley, D., O’Neill, D., Ryall, N., Connolly, P., Namushi, R., Lawler, M., Locasciulli, A., Bacigalupo, A., Humphries, P., McCann, S. R., Pamphilon, D., Reidy, M., Madden, M., Finch, T., Borton, M., Barnes, C. A., Lawlor, S. E., Gardiner, N., Egan, L. J., Orren, A., Doherty, J., Curran, C., O’Hanlon, D., Kent, P., Kerin, M., Maher, D., Given, H. F., Lynch, S., McManus, R., O’Farrelly, C., Madrigal, L., Feighery, C., O’Donoghue, D., Whelan, C. A., Rea, I. M., Stewart, M., Campbell, P., Alexander, H. D., Crockard, A. D., Morris, T. C. M., Maguire, H., Davidson, F., Kaminski, G. Z., Butler, K., Hillary, I. B., Parfrey, N. A., Crowley, B., McCreary, C., Keane, C., O’Reilly, M., Goh, J., Kennedy, M., Fitzgerald, M., Scott, T., Murphy, S., Hildebrand, J., Holliman, R., Smith, C., Kengasu, K., Riain, U. Ni, Cormican, M., Flynn, J., Glennon, M., Smith, T., Whyte, D., Keane, C. T., Barry, T., Noone, D., Maher, M., Dawson, M., Gilmartin, J. J., Gannon, F., Eljamel, M. S., Allcut, D., Pidgeon, C. N., Phillips, J., Rawluk, D., Young, S., Toland, J., Deveney, A. M., Waddington, J. L., O’Brien, D. P., Hickey, A., Maguire, E., Phillips, J. P., Al-Ansari, N., Cunney, R., Smyth, E., Sharif, S., Eljamel, M., Pidgeon, C., Maguire, E. A., Burke, E. T., Staunton, H., O’Riordan, J. I., Hutchinson, M., Norton, M., McGeeney, B., O’Connor, M., Redmond, J. M. T., Feely, S., Boyle, G., McAuliffe, F., Foley, M., Kelehan, P., Murphy, J., Greene, R. A., Higgins, J., Darling, M., Byrne, P., Kondaveeti, U., Gordon, A. C., Hennelly, B., Woods, T., Harrison, R. F., Geary, M., Sutherst, J. R., Turner, M. J., DeLancey, J. O. L, Donnelly, V. S., O’Connell, P. R., O’Herlihy, C., Barry-Kinsella, C., Sharma, S. C., Drury, L., Lewis, S., Stratton, J., Ni Scanaill, S., Stuart, B., Hickey, K., Coulter-Smith, S., Moloney, A., Robson, M. S., Murphy, M., Keane, D., Stronge, J., Boylan, P., Gonsalves, R., Blankson, S., McGuinness, E., Sheppard, B., Bonnar, J., MacDonagh-White, C. M., Kelleher, C. C., Newell, J., White, O., Young, Y., Hallahan, C., Carroll, K., Tipton, K., McDermott, E. W., Reynolds, J. V., Nolan, N., McCann, A., Rafferty, R., Sweeney, P., Carney, D., O’Higgins, N. J., Duffy, M. J., Grimes, H., Gallagher, S., O’Hanlon, D. M., Strattan, J., Lenehan, P., Robson, M., Cusack, Y. A., O’Riordain, D., Mercer, P. M., Smyth, P. P. A., Gallagher, H. J., Moule, B., Cooke, T. G., McArdle, C. S., Burke, C., Vance, A., Saidtéar, C., Early, A., Eustace, P., Maguire, L., Cullinane, A. B. P., Prosser, E. S., Coca-Prados, M., Harvey, B. J., Saidléar, C., Orwa, S., Fitzsimons, R. B., Bradley, O., Hogan, M., Zimmerman, L., Wang, J., Kuliszewski, M., Liu, J., Post, M., Premkumar, Conran, M. J., Nolan, G., Duff, D., Oslizlok, P., Denham, B., O’Connell, P. A, Birthistle, K., Hitchcock, R., Carrington, D., Calvert, S., Holmes, K., Smith, D. F., Hetherton, A. M., Mott, M. G., Oakhill, A., Foreman, N., Foot, A., Dixon, J., Walsh, S., Mortimer, G., O’Sullivan, C., Kilgallen, C. M., Sweeney, E. C., Brayden, D. J., Kelly, J. G., McCormack, P. M. E., Hayes, C., Johnson, Z., Dack, P., Hosseini, J., O’Connell, T., Hemeryck, L., Condren, L., McCormack, P., McAdam, B., Lawson, J., Keimowitz, R., O’Leary, A., Pilkington, R., Adebayo, G. I., Gaffney, P., McGettigan, P., McManus, J., O’Shea, B., Wen, Y., Killalea, S., Golden, J., Swanwick, G., Clare, A. W., Mulvany, F., Byrne, M., O’Callaghan, E., Byrne, H., Cannon, N., Kinsella, T., Cassidy, B., Shepard, N., Horgan, R., Larkin, C., Cotter, D., Coffey, V. P., Sham, P. C., Murray, L. H., Lane, A., Kinsella, A., Murphy, P., Colgan, K., Sloan, D., Gilligan, P., McEnri, J., Ennis, J. T., Stack, J., Corcoran, E., Walsh, D., Thornton, L., Temperley, I., Lawlor, E., Tobin, A., Hillary, I., Nelson, H. G., Martin, M., Ryan, F. M., Christie, M. A., Murray, D., Keane, E., Holmes, E., Hollyer, J., Strangeways, J., Foster, P., Stanwell-Smith, R., Griffin, E., Conlon, T., Hayes, E., Clarke, T., Fogarty, J., Moloney, A. C., Killeen, P., Farrell, S., Clancy, L., Hynes, M., Conlon, C., Foley-Nolan, C., Shelley, E., Collins, C., McNamara, E., Hayes, B., Creamer, E., LaFoy, M., Costigan, P., Al fnAnsari, N., Cunney, R. J., Smyth, E. G., Johnson, H., McQuoid, G., Gilmer, B., Browne, G., Keogh, J. A. B., Jefferson, A, Smith, M., Hennessy, S., Burke, C. M., Sreenan, S., Power, C. K., Pathmakanthan, S., Poulter, L. W., Chan, A., Sheehan, M., Maguire, M., O’Connor, C. M., FitzGerald, M. X., Southey, A., Costello, C. M., McQuaid, K., Urbach, V., Thomas, S., Horwitz, E. R., Mulherin, D., FitzGerald, O., Bresnihan, B., Kirk, G., Veale, D. J., Belch, J. J. F., Mofidi, A., Mofidi, R., Quigley, C., McLaren, M., Veale, D., D’Arrigo, C., Couto, J. Candal, Woof, J., Greer, M., Cree, I., Belch, J., Hone, S., Fenton, J., Hamilton, S., and McShane, D.

Published
1994
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17. Evaluation of the Groundwater Quality for Irrigation : Case Study of Hilla district, Babylon Province, Iraq

Author

Chabuk, A, Al-Maliki, A, Al-Ansari, N, Laue, J, Chabuk, A, Al-Maliki, A, Al-Ansari, N, and Laue, J

Abstract

A crisis of water scarcity in the world encouraged researchers, especially in the arid areas to know the nature and quality of all its sources regardless of surface water. The groundwater evaluation for irrigation was suggested by using the model of Water Quality Index for Irrigation (WQIIR) in the ArcMap/GIS Software. This model was applied to 48 wells distributed throughout the Hilla district, Babylon, Iraq. The samples of EC, Ca +2, Mg+2, Cl-1, Na +1, HCO3-1, and SAR for groundwater were collected from these wells during wet and dry seasons in 2016. The generated maps in GIS for the WQIIR model in both seasons were divided into categories based on restriction`s groundwater use for irrigation. These categories consisted of Severe Restriction (SR), High Restriction (HR), Moderate Restriction (MR), Low Restriction,and No Restriction. The areas values and their classification of restriction`s groundwater use for irrigation related to the five categories that resulted within the generated maps in GIS using the WQIIR model in the wet season (in km 2) were: 42.79 (SR), 407.05 (HR), 377.77 (MR), 32.39 (LR) and 0.23 (NR) respectively and for the dry season were as follows: 42.79 (SR), 407.05 (HR), 377.77 (MR), 32.39 (LR) and 0.23 (NR) respectively. The areas and the classification categories of restriction groundwater for irrigation calculated based on the values resulted from the WQIIR model have shown variation in the dry and wet seasons.

Published
2020
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19. Assessment of climate change impacts on water resources of Khabour in Kurdistan , Iraq using SWAT model

Author

Abbas, N., Saleh Wasimi, and Al-Ansari, N.

Subjects
Iraq, Khabour, Water Engineering, Vattenteknik
Abstract

The Khabour River is one of five tributaries of Tigris River and the first river flows into Tigris River contributing to Tigris Flow by about 2 BCM at Zakho Station. The area of this catchment is 6,143 km2, of which 57% are located in Turkey and 43% in Iraq with a total length of 181 km. Khabour River is the main source of fresh water to Duhok City, one of the major cities of Kurdistan Region. Hydrometeorological data over the past several decades reveal that the catchment is experiencing increasing variability in precipitation and stream flow contributing to more severe droughts and floods presumably due to climate change. SWAT model was applied to capture the dynamics of the basin. The model was calibrated at Zakho station. The performance of the model was rather satisfactory; R2 and ENC were 0.5 and 0.51, respectively in calibration period. In validation process R2 and ENC were nearly consistent. In the next stage, six GCMs from CMIP3 namely, CGCM3.1/T47, CNRM-CM3, GFDL-CM2.1, IPSLCM4, MIROC3.2 (medres) and MRI CGCM2.3.2 were selected for climate change projections in the basin under a very high emissions scenario (A2), a medium emissions scenario (A1B) and a low emissions scenario (B1) for two future periods (2046-2064) and (2080-2100). All GCMs showed consistent increases in temperature and decreases in precipitation, and as expected, highest rate for A2 and lowest rate for B1. The projected temperatures and precipitation were input to the SWAT model to project water resources, and the model outputs were compared with the baseline period (1980-2010), the picture that emerged depicted deteriorating water resources variability. Validerad; 2016; Nivå 1; 2016-11-30 (inah)

Published
2016

26. Correlation between faecal Calprotectin and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in the evaluation of inflammatory pattern in Crohn's disease

Author

Zippi, M., Al Ansari, N., Siliquini, F., Carola Severi, Kagarmanova, A., Maffia, C., Parlanti, S., Garbarino, V., and Maccioni, F.

Subjects
Adult, Inflammation, Male, crohn's disease, faecal calprotectin, Middle Aged, inflammatory markers, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, mri, crohn’s disease, infl ammatory markers, Feces, Young Adult, Crohn Disease, Humans, Female, Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex, Aged
Abstract

Calprotectin, a major cytosolic protein of neutrophils, is increased in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and may be considered a suitable marker of intestinal inflammation. Abdominal MRI is becoming more frequently used for the evaluation of IBD patients. Aim of this study was to investigate the role of MRI in IBD for the assessment of disease activity in comparison with faecal calprotectin levels.Twenty-four consecutive hospitalized pts (12 F, 12 M, median age: 56; range: 22-77) with a proven diagnosis of CD were studied. At the time of the MRI examination, pts provided a single stool sample for calprotectin measurement. Calprotectin was measured by ELISA (Calprest(R)). Pathological values were considered more than 50 microg/g. All pts underwent MRI, performed at 1.5 T, with HASTE T2w with and without fat-saturation, FLASH T1w fat-saturated sequences pre and post iv injection of 0.1 ml/kg of Gadolinium. Presence, degree and length of wall inflammation were evaluated. The MRI degree of wall inflammation was graded with a 0-3 scoring system (0=absent 1=light 2=moderate 3=severe) by considering findings observed on T1 post Gd and T2 fat-suppressed images, as well as the degree of wall thickness. The length of extension was considered as less than 15 cm, between 15 cm and 30 cm, or more than 30 cm. Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to evaluated differences in calprotectin levels among the groups obtained by MRI findings.Grade 0 MRI was found in 1 pt with a faecal calprotectin measurement of 206.25 microg/g; Grade 1 MRI was found in 4 pts with a median faecal calprotectin of 100 microg/g (5-325); Grade 2 MRI was found in 10 pts with a median faecal calprotectin of 243.75 microg/g (7.5-606.25); Grade 3 MRI was found in 9 pts with a median faecal calprotectin of 1012.5 microg/g (30-1268.8). A trend of positive correlation was therefore found between MRI scores of activity and calprotectin levels (p less than 0.0001) and between MRI scores of thickening of intestinal involvement and calprotectin levels (p = 0.005). No apparent correlation was observed between faecal calprotectin concentration and length.Data presenting show that faecal calprotectin levels well correlate with the degree of mucosal inflammation are in agreement with previous studies. Considering the correlation obtained between calprotectin level and MRI findings, we believe that MRI is helpful in assessing and monitoring the degree of disease in Crohn's disease.

Published
2010

28. Molecular identification and susceptibility of Trichosporon species isolated from clinical specimens in Qatar: isolation of Trichosporon dohaense Taj-Aldeen, Meis & Boekhout sp. nov

Author

Taj-Aldeen, S.J., Al-Ansari, N., El Shafei, S., Meis, J.F., Curfs-Breuker, I., Theelen, B.J.F., Boekhout, T., Taj-Aldeen, S.J., Al-Ansari, N., El Shafei, S., Meis, J.F., Curfs-Breuker, I., Theelen, B.J.F., and Boekhout, T.

Abstract

Trichosporon species have been reported as emerging pathogens and usually occur in severely immunocompromised patients. In the present work, 27 clinical isolates of Trichosporon species were recovered from 27 patients. The patients were not immunocompromised, except for one with acute myeloid leukemia. Sequence analysis revealed the isolation of Trichosporon dohaense Taj-Aldeen, Meis & Boekhout sp. nov., with CBS 10761(T) as the holotype strain, belonging to the Ovoides clade. In the D1-D2 large-subunit rRNA gene analysis, T. dohaense is a sister species to T. coremiiforme, and in the internal transcribed spacer analysis, the species is basal to the other species of this clade. Molecular identification of the strains yielded 17 T. asahii, 3 T. inkin, 2 T. japonicum, 2 T. faecale, and 3 T. dohaense isolates. The former four species exhibited low MICs for five antifungal azoles but showed high MICs for amphotericin B. T. dohaense demonstrated the lowest amphotericin B MIC (1 mg/liter). For the majority of T. asahii isolates, amphotericin B MICs were high (MIC at which 90% of isolates were inhibited [MIC(90)], > or = 16 mg/liter), and except for fluconazole (MIC(90), 8 mg/liter), the azole MICs were low: MIC(90)s were 0.5 mg/liter for itraconazole, 0.25 mg/liter for voriconazole, 0.25 mg/liter for posaconazole, and 0.125 mg/liter for isavuconazole. The echinocandins, caspofungin and anidulafungin, demonstrated no activity against Trichosporon species., Trichosporon species have been reported as emerging pathogens and usually occur in severely immunocompromised patients. In the present work, 27 clinical isolates of Trichosporon species were recovered from 27 patients. The patients were not immunocompromised, except for one with acute myeloid leukemia. Sequence analysis revealed the isolation of Trichosporon dohaense Taj-Aldeen, Meis & Boekhout sp. nov., with CBS 10761(T) as the holotype strain, belonging to the Ovoides clade. In the D1-D2 large-subunit rRNA gene analysis, T. dohaense is a sister species to T. coremiiforme, and in the internal transcribed spacer analysis, the species is basal to the other species of this clade. Molecular identification of the strains yielded 17 T. asahii, 3 T. inkin, 2 T. japonicum, 2 T. faecale, and 3 T. dohaense isolates. The former four species exhibited low MICs for five antifungal azoles but showed high MICs for amphotericin B. T. dohaense demonstrated the lowest amphotericin B MIC (1 mg/liter). For the majority of T. asahii isolates, amphotericin B MICs were high (MIC at which 90% of isolates were inhibited [MIC(90)], > or = 16 mg/liter), and except for fluconazole (MIC(90), 8 mg/liter), the azole MICs were low: MIC(90)s were 0.5 mg/liter for itraconazole, 0.25 mg/liter for voriconazole, 0.25 mg/liter for posaconazole, and 0.125 mg/liter for isavuconazole. The echinocandins, caspofungin and anidulafungin, demonstrated no activity against Trichosporon species.

Published
2009

38. Static and dynamic MR imaging in the evaluation of temporomandibular disorders.

Author

BARCHETTI, F., STAGNITTI, A., GLORIOSO, M., AL ANSARI, N., BARCHETTI, G., PRANNO, N., MONTECHIARELLO, S., PASQUALITTO, E., SARTORI, A., MARINI, A., GIGLI, S., MAZZA, D., BUONOCORE, V., and MARINI, M.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to prove if dynamic HASTE (half-Fourier acquisition single-shot turbo spin-echo) sequences can be used in the diagnosis of internal derangement disorders of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) as an alternative to static proton density (PD) weighted/turbo spin echo (TSE) T2-weighted sequences which are considered up to now as the gold standard in the evaluation of TMJ disorders (TMDs). PATIENTS AND METHODS: 194 patients for a total of 388TMJs were examined with a 1.5Tesla field strength superconducting magnet. Sagittal static PD-weighted/TSE T2-weighted and dynamic HASTE sequences have been used. Three experts in the field of oral radiology (specialist A, B and C) independently and blinded to clinical symptoms and any treatment, assessed the articular disc position in each TMJ (rated as normal or disc displacement with reduction or disc displacement without reduction). The agreement between static and dynamic images and between the three different specialists in the assessment of the articular disc position was evaluated using kappa statistic. RESULTS: The agreement between static and dynamic images is: for specialist A, K = 0.862; for specialist B, K = 0.870 and for specialist C, K = 0.862. CONCLUSIONS: Since there is no complete agreement between these two MR techniques, dynamic sequences can not be used as a reliable alternative to static sequences in the evaluation of internal derangement disorders of TMJ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2014

40. Trends and future challenges of water resources in the Tigris-Euphrates Rivers basin in Iraq.

Author

Issa, I. E., Al-Ansari, N. A., Sherwany, G., and Knutsson, S.

Abstract

Iraq is one of the riparian countries within basins of Tigris-Euphrates Rivers in the Middle East region. The region is currently facing water shortage problems due to the increase of the demand and climate changes. In the present study, average monthly water flow measurements for 15 stream flow gaging stations within basins of these rivers in Iraq with population growth rate data in some of its part were used to evaluate the reality of the current situation and future challenges of water availability and demand in Iraq. The results showed that Iraq receives annually 70.29 km³ of water 45.4 and 25.52 km³ from River Tigris and Euphrates respectively. An amount of 18.04 km³ is supplied by its tributaries inside Iraq. The whole amount of water in the Euphrates Rivers comes outside the Iraqi borders. Annual decrease of the water inflow is 0.1335 km³ yr-1 for Tigris and 0.245 km³ yr-1 for Euphrates. This implies the annual percentage reduction of inflow rates for the two rivers is 0.294 and 0.960% respectively. Iraq consumes annually 88.89% (63.05 km³) of incoming water from the two rivers, where about 60.43 and 39.57% are from Rivers Tigris and Euphrates respectively. Water demand increases annually by 0.896 km³; of which 0.5271 and 0.475 km³ within Tigris and Euphrates basins respectively. The average water demand in 2020 will increase to 42.844 km³ yr-1 for Tigris basin and for Euphrates 29.225 km³ yr-1 (total 72.069 km³ yr-1), while water availability will decrease to 63.46 km³ yr-1. This means that the overall water shortage will be restricted to 8.61 km³. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2013
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41. Differences in the location and activity of intestinal Crohn's disease lesions between adult and paediatric patients detected with MRI.

Author

Maccioni F, Viola F, Carrozzo F, Di Nardo G, Pino AR, Staltari I, Al Ansari N, Vestri A, Signore A, Marini M, Cucchiara S, Maccioni, Francesca, Viola, Franca, Carrozzo, Federica, Di Nardo, Giovanni, Pino, Anna Rosaria, Staltari, Ilaria, Al Ansari, Najwa, Vestri, Annarita, and Signore, Alberto

Abstract

Objectives: To prospectively compare paediatric patients (PP) and adult patients (AP) affected by Crohn's disease (CD) in terms of the location and activity of intestinal lesions.Methods: Forty-three children (mean age 15 years) and 43 adults (mean age 48 years) with proven CD underwent magnetic resonance enterography (MRE) to localise lesions and detect their activity in 9 segments of the small and large bowel. The results were analysed on a per patient and per segment basis. Ileo-colonoscopy was performed in all patients. P values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant.Results: Involvement of terminal ileum was significantly different in the two groups: observed in 100 % of AP (43/43) versus 58 % (23/43) of PP (P < 0.0001). Conversely, the colon was diseased in 84 % of PP versus 64 % of AP. In particular, left colonic segments were significantly more involved in PP (descending colon 53 % versus 21 %, P < 0.01; rectum 67 % versus 23 %, P < 0.0001; sigmoid colon 56 % versus 37 %, not significant), whereas caecal involvement was equal in both groups. In children the maximal disease activity was found in left colonic segments, whereas in adults it was in the terminal ileum.Conclusions: MRE detected significant differences between the two populations, showing a more extensive and severe involvement of the left colon in children but the distal ileum in adults.Key Points: • MRI is useful for assessing Crohn's disease in adult and paediatric patients. • Adult and paediatric patients show different intestinal involvement on MRI. • The distal ileum is maximally involved in adults vs. the left colon in children. • The causes of the severe left colonic disease in children are unknown. • The extensive colonic involvement in children has clinical-diagnostic implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2012
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42. A re-investigation of the bathymetry of Loch Earn

Author

Al-Ansari, N. A. and McManus, J.

Abstract

A newly prepared bathymetric chart of Loch Earn in the Grampian highlands of Scotland is presented. The continuously recorded echograms reveal that the loch is composed of several basins arranged in steplike progression shallowing eastwards from a greatest depth of 87.2 m. Seismic reflection profiling reveals over 22 m of sediments lining the floor above tills. It is suggested that the waterbody occupies a depression which survived due to the presence of a detached block of stagnant but thick ice during deglaciation, while areas to the east and west were filled with sediments.

Published
1980
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43. Unenhanced whole-body MRI versus PET-CT for the detection of prostate cancer metastases after primary treatment

Author

Barchetti, F., Stagnitti, A., Megna, V., Al Ansari, N., Marini, A., Musio, D., Monti, M. L., Barchetti, G., Vincenzo Tombolini, Catalano, C., and Panebianco, V.

Subjects
Aged, 80 and over, Male, Prostatectomy, c-choline, Prostatic Neoplasms, Middle Aged, prostate cancer, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, diffusion magnetic resonance imaging, restaging, f-fluorocholine, positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT), Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography, Humans, Neoplasm Metastasis, Aged
Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of unenhanced whole-body MRI, including whole-body Diffusion Weighted Imaging (DWI), used as a diagnostic modality to detect pathologic lymph nodes and skeletal metastases in patients with prostate cancer (PCa) undergoing restaging after primary treatment.152 male patients with biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy (RP) or external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) underwent MRI at a 1.5 Tesla magnet with whole spinal sagittal T2-weighted, sagittal T1-weighted, sagittal STIR images, axial T1 and T2-weighted and STIR images of the pelvis and whole-body. 18Fcholine-PET/CT exam was used as the reference standard.MRI protocol including whole-body combined T1-weighted+T2-weighted+STIR+DWI showed a sensitivity (Se) of 99%, a specificity (Spe) of 98%, a positive predictive value (PPV) of 98%, a negative predictive value (NPV) of 96%, an accuracy of 98% and an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.971 for identification of bone metastatic lesion. The same protocol, displayed a Se of 98%, a Spe of 99%, a PPV of 97%, a NPV of 98%, an accuracy of 98 % and an AUC of 0.960 in the detection of pathologic lymph nodes.Unenhanced whole-body MRI, including whole-body-DWI, is an accurate and cost-effective diagnostic tool which is able to detect lymph node involvement and bone metastases in patients with biochemically recurrent PCa after RP or EBRT. Thanks to its lack of ionizing radiation, excellent soft tissue contrast, high spatial resolution, no need of contrast agent, high Se and Spe, it could play a role in the restaging procedure of such patients.

45. CLIMATE CHANGE AND FUTURE PRECIPITATION IN AN ARID ENVIRONMENT OF THE MIDDLE EAST: CASE STUDY OF IRAQ

Author

Osman, Y, Abdellatif, M, Al-Ansari, N, Knutsson, S, and Jawad, S

Subjects
GE
Abstract

In this paper impact of climate change on precipitation in the arid environment of Iraq is examined. LARS-WG weather generator was applied to 5 representative regions to model current and future precipitation under climate change. Seven Global Climate Models (GCMs) have been employed to account for any uncertainty on future projection for three selected periods, 2011-2030, 2046-2065 and 2080-2099. Performance of LARS-WG in each site was first evaluated using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov statistical test for fitting wet/dry days in each site, as well as comparison of the mean and standard deviation between the observed and simulated precipitation. The developed LARS-WG models were found to perform well and skilful in simulating precipitation in the arid regions of Iraq as evidenced by the tests carried and the comparison made. The precipitation models were then used to obtain future projections for precipitation using the IPCC scenario SRES A2. Future precipitation results show that most of the Iraq regions are projected to suffer a reduction in annual mean precipitation, especially by the end of the 21st century, while on a seasonal basis most of the regions are anticipated to be wetter in autumn and winter. Journal

46. Preoperative T and N staging of gastric cancer: magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) versus multi detector computed tomography (MDCT)

Author

Maccioni, F., Marcelli, G., Al Ansari, N., Maddalena Zippi, Marco, V., Kagarmanova, A., Vestri, A., Marcheggiano-Clarke, L., and Marini, M.

Subjects
Adult, Aged, 80 and over, Male, gastric cancer, computed tomography, Middle Aged, preoperative staging of gastric cancer, magnetic resonance, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Stomach Neoplasms, Preoperative Care, Humans, Female, Prospective Studies, Tomography, X-Ray Computed, Aged, Neoplasm Staging
Abstract

Multi Detector Computed Tomography (MDCT) is widely used in the preoperative staging of gastric cancer. MRI has an emerging role in the evaluation of intestinal diseases, although its role in the staging of gastric cancers is still to be defined. The aim of our study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of MDCT and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis and preoperative staging of gastric cancer, in comparison with histopathology.Twenty-five patients with an endoscopic diagnosis of gastric cancer underwent preoperative contrast-enhanced MDCT and MRI, blind to the results of endoscopy. MDCT (64 slices) was performed after oral administration of 800-1000 mL of tap water and scopolamine injection five minutes before the examination. The scan was performed in the axial plane before and after intravenous injection of iodinate contrast medium. Multiplanar reconstruction images were obtained on coronal and sagittal planes. MRI was performed with a 1.5 T Magnet, using the same patient's preparation, by acquiring T2-weighted HASTE sequences, with or without fat saturation (FS), True FISP (True fast imaging with steady state precession) and T1-weighted VIBE (Volumetric interpolated breath-hold examination) sequences, with and without FS, before and after contrast agent (gadolinium) i.v. injection. Gold standards (GS) were surgical and histopathological findings. Two groups of radiologists, blind each other, analyzed MRI images and MDCT findings, and related to GS results.Detection rate of gastric lesions and T staging for gastric cancer were similar for MRI and MDCT (92%); MRI imaging was superior than MDCT in staging the T parameter (60% versus 48%); the accuracy of MRI imaging and 64-MDCT did not differ significantly in the evaluation of N staging (68% versus 72%).Both MRI and MDCT were comparable in staging gastric cancer. MRI was more accurate in evaluation of T stage than MDCT, although both imaging modalities showed low accuracy in detection of early gastric cancer and in differentiation of T2 from T3 stage.

49. Sedimentation in the Mosul reservoir of northern Iraq

Author

Al-Ansari, N., Issa, I. E., Govand Sherwani, and Knutsson, S.

Subjects
Geoteknik, Geotechnical Engineering
Abstract

Mosul Dam is one of the biggest hydraulic structures in Iraq. It was constructed in 1986 on the Tigris River in the north of Iraq for multiple purposes: irrigation, flood control and power generation. The initial storage capacity and water surface area of its reservoir reaches 11.11 km3 and 380 km2 respectively at the maximum operation level 330 m a.s.l. The dam was operated in 1986. Blockage of the intakes of the pump station for North Al-Jazira Irrigation Project in Mosul Dam reservoir has highlighted the importance of sedimentation problems within the reservoir. A total of 56 samples were collected from the bottom of Mosul reservoir covering most of the reservoir area. The results of the analysis of these samples revealed that they were composed of gravel (3.8%), sand (15%), silt (55.5%) and clay (25.7%). The distribution of these sediments indicates that the silt portion represents the highest 77% of the bottom sediments of this reservoir followed by clay (13.5%) and then sand (9.5%). However, sand percentages are the highest in the northern zone of the reservoir where the River Tigris enters the reservoir and decreases gradually toward the dam site. In the meantime, silt percentage decreases toward the dam site while the finer fraction (i.e. clay) increases. Statistically, the average median and mean sizes of the sediments are 2.81 phi (0.142 mm) and 6.1 phi (0.0146 mm) respectively. In addition, the sediments are poorly sorted, nearly symmetrical in skewness and leptokurtic, very leptokurtic, to mesocratic. Finally, it is believed that the geometry and hydrodynamics of the Mosul reservoir, the location of the River Tigris entrance together with the side tributary valleys have played the most important role in the sediments distribution and their characteristics. Validerad; 2013; 20130610 (nadhir)

50. Evaluation and mapping groundwater suitability for irrigation using gis in najaf governorate, Iraq

Author

Hussain Musa Hussain, Al-Haidarey, M. J. S., Al-Ansari, N., and Knutsson, S.

Subjects
Geoteknik, Geotechnical Engineering
Abstract

Irrigation Water Quality Index (IWQI) for groundwater within the Geographic Information System(GIS) environment is proposed so that it can be used in assessing the groundwater vulnerability. Themodel was applied to the Damman aquifer in the western part of Iraq. Thirty nine sites were chosen forthe investigation of the Damman aquifer. Triplicate ground water samples were collected from eachsite (during wet and dry seasons of 2013). Variables tested in each sample include: pH, EC, totalhardness Ca+2, Mg+2, Cl-, Na+ and SAR. The final water quality map constructed for the aquifershowed that there are three major regions. The first is in the northeastern part of the area while thesecond region is confined to the southeastern part. Finally, the third region extended along the westernpart of the study area. When this map was converted according to the suggested model, it showed thatthe water quality of the Damman aquifer is marginal for use for agriculture purposes.Journal Validerad; 2014; 20141118 (nadhir)

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