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Background: Hair transplant surgery using follicular unit extraction technique (FUE) is a common surgical procedure for the treatment of prominent hair loss. This study aimed to determine the role of Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) in the procedure of Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE). Patients and methods: A prospective comparative study was carried out in Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Department of Zagazig University Hospitals during the period from January 2019 to January 2020. It included 16 patients with androgenic alopecia, patients included in the study was divided into two groups according to receiving RPR or not, Group (1); eight Patients treated with FUE with PRP. Group (2); eight Patients treated with FUE without PRP. The median age and degree of medical comorbidities were comparable in the two groups. Hair density indices were compared using Trichoscope. Results: All eight patients treated with PRP showed a good hair regrowth, with prefect outcome. Of the eight patients treated without PRP, five showed a good hair regrowth, with good outcome. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that PRP treatment during the hair transplant plays a significant role in hair re-growth, and it remarkably improves density and quality of hair growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fate of nitrogen in the soil is of major concern because of the potential hazard for nitrogen, applied in excess of the natural decomposing capacity of the soil, to contaminate shallow and deep aquifers. For the prediction of the nitrogen behavior in soils simulation models are frequently used. In this study the transport and fate of nitrate within the soil profile was analyzed by comparing historic field data with the simulation results of two mathematical models, i.e., the water and agrochemicals in the soil crop and Vadose environment (WAVE) and DRAINMOD-N. After calibration and validation of both models, they were used to simulate the nitrogen transport and transformation of the Hooibeekhoeve experiment, situated in the sandy region of the Kempen, Belgium, for a 30-year (1969-1998) period. In the analysis a continuous cropping with maize was assumed. Comparison between experimental measured and simulated state variables indicate that the nitrate concentrations in the soil and nitrate leaching to drains are controlled by the fertilizer practice, the initial conditions and the rainfall depth, and distribution. Furthermore, the study reveals that the models used give a fair description of the nitrogen dynamics in the profile root zone at field scale. It was concluded that the calibrated models are useful tools to optimize the nitrogen application strategy resulting in an acceptable level of nitrate leaching for a long period as a function of the combination 'climate--crop--soil--bottom boundary condition.' CE Database keywords: Nitrogen; Nitrates; Simulation; Leaching.

Some of the highest losses of nitrate to surface waters come from drained agricultural land. This research studied, for Belgian farming conditions, (i) the effect of subsurface drainage density on nitrate losses and (ii) the economics of nitrate losses, using the nitrogen version of the program DRAINMOD-N. DRAINMOD was used to simulate the performance of the drainage system of the Hooibeekhoeve experiment, situated in the sandy region of the Kempen (Belgium) for a 14-year (1985-1998) period. A continuous cropping with maize was assumed. Daily N[O.sub.3]-N losses were predicted for a range of drain spacings and depths, two drainage strategies (conventional and controlled), and three fertilizer application rates (225, 275, and 325 kg N [ha.sup.-1]). Losses of N in subsurface drainage were assumed to occur almost entirely in the N[O.sub.3]-N form. Losses of organic and inorganic N in the form of N[O.sub.3]-N in surface runoff are small and were neglected. Hydrologic results indicated that increasing drain spacing or decreasing drain depth reduces drainage discharge while it increases runoff. The use of controlled drainage reduces subsurface drainage and increases runoff. Results also revealed that increasing the drain spacing or decreasing the drain depth reduces nitrate-nitrogen (N[O.sub.3]-N) drainage losses and net mineralization, while increasing denitrification and runoff losses. Controlled drainage caused a predicted reduction in drainage losses and an increase in denitrification and runoff losses. The optimal combination of drain density and management is one that maximizes profits and minimizes environmental impacts. Simulated results indicated that N[O.sub.3]-N losses to the environment could be substantially reduced by reducing the drainage density below the level required for maximum profits based on grain sales. The study concluded that, if the environmental objective is of importance equal to or greater than profits, drainage systems can be designed and managed to reduce N[O.sub.3]-N losses while still providing an acceptable profit. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9372(2002)128:4(376) CE Database keywords: Hydrology; Water quality; Drainage; Economic analysis; Agriculture.

The WAVE model describes the transport and transformations of matter and energy in the soil, crop, and vadose environment. A lateral field drainage subprogram was added to the WAVE model to simulate lateral subsurface drainage flow. The subsurface drainage is considered as the drainage provided by evenly spaced parallel drains with a free outlet: drain tubing or ditch. The rate of subsurface water movement into drain tubes or ditches depends on the hydraulic conductivity of the soil, drain or ditch spacing, hydraulic head in the drains, profile depth, and water table elevation. Hooghoudt's steady-state equation was selected for incorporation in the WAVE model. The subsurface drainage subprogram was calibrated and validated by comparison with the SWAP model (The Netherlands) and DRAINMOD (the United States) and partially by using 7 years of drain outflow data from an experimental field under fallow and cropped conditions. The comparative study revealed that the three models performed equally well and that the models were reliable and accurate tools for predicting the drainage flux as a function of rainfall-evapotranspiration and local conditions. The WAVE model, in comparison to the SWAP and DRAINMOD model, provided as good a prediction of the lateral subsurface drainage flow to drains. The statistical analysis between each model and observed data revealed that the three models were able to predict with sufficient accuracy the observed drainage discharge. The DRAINMOD model, however, has the advantage of giving a more accurate estimate of the discharge, resulting in a more precise modeling. The models were consistent in predicting water table levels, but they could not be verified against field data because of a lack of suitable measurements.

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Background: Peripheral nerve lesions are common and severe injuries that impact about 2.8% of traumatic patients annually, and result in lifetime disability if untreated. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effect of corticosteroids vs hyaluronic acid in peripheral nerve healing in rats. Patients and methods: This was experimental and histopathological study that had included (18) Sprague-Dawley rats with an average weight of 300–350 gm. All rats were divided into three groups (n=6 per group). Group 1; Corticosteroids was injected under epineurium after primary repair. Group 2; Hyaluronic acid group: the site of anastomosis was coated by hyaluronic acid after primary repair. Group 3; Primary repair only was done. Results: 100% of cases in group 1 and group 2 showed satisfactory wound healing and 83.3% in group3 showed satisfactory wound healing with no significant difference between them. Conclusion: There was an increase in the number of regenerated nerve fibers in the corticosteroids and hyaluronic acid especially on the distal end in comparison to the control group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

International benchmarking procedures are useful and effective tools to assess the performance of wastewater services. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are large resource consumers and are perceived as a promising effort to detain the global resources crisis through sustainable action. The economics of wastewater management and treatment is the subject of growing interest to protect the environment from the adverse effects. According to international water bodies, the challenges facing the governments are rapid population growth, worsening of the climate, severity of freshwater scarcity, rising costs, aging infrastructure, increasingly stringent regulatory requirements, and a rapidly changing workforce, varying influent due to storm water, etc. are global challenges. In this study, wastewater collection, treatment and discharge related to Tubli sewage treatment plant at Tubli Water Pollution Control Center were analyzed with the aim of developing key performance indicators, which are used for benchmarking purposes. This analysis helps improving the understanding of how individual scores of efficiency and operating variables are related. The study describes the development of a benchmark for the evaluation of control strategies in WWTPs. This study is intended to be useful to decision-makers in the wastewater treatment sector. The benchmarking methodology and empirical application developed by performance indicators (PIs) for wastewater services published by International Water Association (IWA) is used for improving the management of WWTPs and contribute to save operational costs. The study assessed the benchmarking of the wastewater services in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Performance assessment and benchmarking have developed as key aspects of WWTP management. Benchmarking is a data-driven process, and can only be successful if careful consideration is given to data availability and accuracy. Four teams have contributed to the development of the benchmark and have obtained results. The only data readily available and accurate are supplied for regulatory purposes. There are 184 PIs detailed by IWA. In the study 25 PIs were analyzed for the year 2017 where the data are readily available. The results indicated that, without sufficient data, assessing the accuracy of the data and identifying comparable WWTPs, the PIs analysis becomes increasingly complex. Improved data management practices can be achieved through WWTP benchmarking. Enabling the successful benchmarking in the present-day can (i) accelerate the improvement of data collection practices, (ii) improve WWTP management practices and (iii) lead the way to the inclusion of more advanced benchmarking applications in the years to come, when data availability and accuracy issues are corrected. Optimizing the investments and developing regional experiences are key factors to promote the scientific research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Egypt, the government has initiated large-scale projects to reuse drainage water to face the great challenges due to its limited water resources. Taking into consideration the environmental aspects of drainage water reuse, the diffuse pollution of water resources from agricultural sources (fertilizers) is a major environmental issue. A high percentage of applied fertilizers is lost because of poor management, which leads to nutrients leaching through different crop rotations. An integrated precise tool to predict nitrate leaching is needed for the adoption of management policies to address water quality problems and to establish limits for sustainable drainage water reuse. To quantify and analyze subsurface nitrate leaching, a combination model of the system was made in DRAINMOD-N software. The study was applied to the Mashtul Pilot Area, Egypt, as a case study. In addition to analyzing subsurface nitrate leaching, the model calculated nitrate leaching for the year 2020 for the area. The modeling system combination was applied to the study site to model nitrate leaching predictions after ten years. The system combination consisted of DRAINMOD-N and Geostatistical Analyst. The study revealed that the modeling system performed well and was reliable and accurate in predicting nitrate leaching. Therefore, this system can be used to develop guidelines for drainage design and water management to control nitrate pollution. The system can potentially be used by policymakers in the long-term strategic management of large-scale irrigation development projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Egypt, the government has initiated large-scale projects to reuse drainage water to face the great challenges due to its limited water resources. Taking into consideration the environmental aspects of drainage water reuse, the diffuse pollution of water resources from agricultural sources (fertilizers) is a major environmental issue. A high percentage of applied fertilizers is lost because of poor management, which leads to nutrients leaching through different crop rotations. An integrated precise tool to predict nitrate leaching is needed for the adoption of management policies to address water quality problems and to establish limits for sustainable drainage water reuse. To quantify and analyze subsurface nitrate leaching, a combination model of the system was made in DRAINMOD-N software. The study was applied to the Mashtul Pilot Area, Egypt, as a case study. In addition to analyzing subsurface nitrate leaching, the model calculated nitrate leaching for the year 2020 for the area. The modeling system combination was applied to the study site to model nitrate leaching predictions after ten years. The system combination consisted of DRAINMOD-N and Geostatistical Analyst. The study revealed that the modeling system performed well and was reliable and accurate in predicting nitrate leaching. Therefore, this system can be used to develop guidelines for drainage design and water management to control nitrate pollution. The system can potentially be used by policymakers in the long-term strategic management of large-scale irrigation development projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nitrogen processes that occur within the soil play a major role in determining the nitrate leaching to shallow groundwater. In this study, the transport and fate of nitrate within the soil profile were analyzed by comparing field data with the simulation results of a mathematical model. The objective was to study the transport and fate of nitrate within the soil profile and nitrate leaching to shallow groundwater for the fall-winter season, by applying the methodology in Elverdinge experiment, situated in the sandy loam region in Belgium, from October 1, 2000 to March 31, 2001. The analysis by comparing field data with the simulation results of DRAINMOD-N model is given. The research indicated that the DRAINMOD-N model can, after calibration and validation, be used as a useful fertilizer management tool in predicting the nitrate transport and transformation in the soil profile and the nitrate leaching to shallow groundwater and surface waters. The model can also be used as an environmental control when the environmental objective has a greater importance than profits in the agriculture field.