Search

Abstract Objective This study aimed to determine the prevalence of polypharmacy, comorbidities and to investigate factors associated with polypharmacy among adult patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Methods This was a retrospective single-centre cross-sectional study. Patients with a confirmed diagnosis of COPD according to the GOLD guidelines between 28 February 2020 and 1 March 2023 were included in this study. Patients were excluded if a pre-emptive diagnosis of COPD was made clinically without spirometry evidence of fixed airflow limitation. Population characteristics were presented as frequency for categorical variable. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors of polypharmacy. Results The study sample included a total of 705 patients with COPD. Most of the study sample were males (60%). The mean age of the study population was 65 years old. The majority of the study population had comorbid diseases (68%), hypertension and diabetes were the most common co-existent diseases. Around 55% of the study sample had polypharmacy. Females were significantly less likely to be on polypharmacy compared to males (OR = 0.68, 95% CI = [0.50–0.92], P-value = 0.012)). On the other hand, older patients aged 65.4 or more (OR = 2.31, 95% CI = [1.71–3.14], P-value ≤ 0.001), those with high BMI (≥ 29.2) (OR = 1.42, 95% CI = [1.05–1.92], P-value = 0.024), current smokers (OR = 1.9, 95% CI = [1.39–2.62], P-value ≤ 0.001), those who are receiving home care (OR = 5.29, 95% CI = [2.46–11.37], P-value ≤ 0.001), those who have comorbidities (OR = 19.74, 95% CI = [12.70–30.68], P-value ≤ 0.001) were significantly more likely to be on polypharmacy (p ≤ 0.05). Conclusions Polypharmacy is common among patients with COPD. Patients with high BMI, previous ICU hospitalization and older age are more likely to have polypharmacy. Future analytical studies are warranted to investigate outcomes in patients with COPD and polypharmacy.

رؤى جديدة لتقنيات التحنيط فى عصرالدولة الوسطى في مصر القديمة (2055-1782 ق.م.) ياستخدام التصوير بالشعة المقطعيىة للمومياء السيدة أمانيت، كاهنة حتحور. AR]] في القرن التاسع عشر وأوائل القرن العشرين كانت طرق فحص ودراسة المومياوات المصرية ، تعتمد على الفحص البصري والطرق غير العلمية المدمرة. ومع تقدم التكنولوجيا في القرن الحادي والعشرين، ظهرت طرق فحص علمية غير تدميرية مثل الفحص بالأشعة المقطعية. CT وتهدف الدراسة إلى إعادة فحص المومياوات وإعادة قراءتها بناءً على أدلة علمية واضحة، ودراسة مدى الارتباط بين الفحص البصري بالفحص بالأشعة المقطعية CT. حيث تم تقسيم جسم المومياء إلى مناطق مختلفة لتتبع التغيرات المورفولوجية بعد التحنيط، حيث كشف الفحص البصري عن مظاهر التلف خارج جسم المومياء، بينما كشف الفحص بالأشعة المقطعية عن حالة الجسم الفيزيائية في الهيكل الداخلي للمومياء. توصلت الدراسة إلى تطابق معلومات الأثرية القديمة في طرق التحنيط في الدولة الوسطى وخاصة في العصر الحادي عشر، حيث استخدم المحنطون طريقة الحقن باستخدام زيت الأرز أو زيت العرعر لإزالة الأحشاء الداخلية. كما أظهرت الدراسة وجود بقايا أعضاء داخلية في تجويف الصدر والبطن، وتأكدت سلامة الحجاب الحاجز دون أي تلف. وقدمت الدراسة طريقة لفحص المومياوات تتفق مع الأساليب العلمية دون أن تتسبب في تلف المومياء. كما أشارت الدراسة إلى قلة عدد المومياوات التي تعود إلى الدولة القديمة مقارنة بالمومياوات في الفترات اللاحقة، نتيجة للسرقة والتعرض للتلف خلال فترات الاضمحلال. وأشارت أيضًا إلى أن التحنيط في تلك الفترة كان مقتصرًا على طبقة محدودة من المجتمع. [EN] The examination and study of Egyptian mummies in the 19th and early 20th centuries relied on visual inspection and non-scientific destructive methods. However, advancements in non-destructive examination techniques, such as Computed Tomography (CT) scanning, have necessitated a re-examination and reinterpretation of mummies based on confirmed scientific evidence. This research aims to reassess and reinterpret mummies using reliable scientific evidence, while also studying the potential correlation between visual examination and CT scanning. This scientific paper presents a contemporary reading of mummification techniques in ancient Egypt through the examination of Lady Amanit's mummy from the 11th dynasty of the Middle Kingdom. The research employs a comparative approach between visual examination and CT scanning, dividing the mummy's body into regions to trace morphological changes post-mummification. Visual examination detects external deteriorations, while CT scanning reveals the internal physical condition, the study aligns with archaeological information on mummification techniques in the Middle Kingdom, indicating the use of injection methods for organ removal. Remnants of internal organs were found within the chest and abdominal cavities, with the intact diaphragm confirming its undamaged state. The non-invasive examination method aligns with scientific approaches without causing harm to the mummies. Moreover, the study highlights the scarcity of mummies from the Old Kingdom compared to later periods, primarily due to theft during periods of decline. It also suggests that mummification during this time was limited to a specific social class. this research provides new insights into mummification techniques and contributes to the field of Egyptology by combining visual examination and CT scanning, resulting in a comprehensive understanding of ancient Egyptian mummies.

Abstract Objective To investigate the prevalence of intensive care unit (ICU) admission and its predictors among hospitalized chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. Methods An observational retrospective study was conducted. All patients with a confirmed diagnosis of COPD according to the GOLD guidelines between 28 and 2020 and 1 March 2023 at Al-Noor Specialist Hospital were included in this study. Patients were excluded if a preemptive diagnosis of COPD was made clinically without spirometry evidence of fixed airflow limitation. Descriptive results were presented as frequency (percentage) for categorical variables and mean (SD) for continuous variables and to estimate prevalence of ICU admission. Predictors of ICU admission among hospitalized COPD patients were determined using logistic regression analysis. A SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) version 25 was used to perform all statistical analysis. Results A total of 705 patients with COPD were included in this study. The mean age was 65.4 (25.3) years. Around 12.4% of the hospitalized patients were admitted to the ICD. Logistic regression analysis identified that older age (OR; 1.92, (1.41–2.62)), smoking (OR; 1.60 (1.17–2.19)), and having specific comorbidities (Hypertension (OR; 1.98 (1.45–2.71)), Diabetes mellitus (OR; 1.42 (1.04–1.93)), GERD (OR; 2.81 (1.99–3.96)), Ischemic heart disease (OR; 3.22 (2.19–4.75)), Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OR; 2.14 (1.38–3.33)), stroke (OR; 4.51 (2.20–9.26))) were predictors of ICU admissions among patients with COPD. Conclusions Our study found that a step-up approach to inpatient COPD management requires admission to the ICU in 12.4%, for which age, smoking status, cardiovascular, and stroke were important predictors. Further clinical research is needed to provide a validated model that can be incorporated into clinical practice to monitor this patient population during their admission and identify at-risk individuals for early transfer to higher acuity settings and intensive care units.

The research confirms the use of building information modeling in contributing to the achievement of sustainability standards, because with the rise in energy costs and increasing environmental concerns, the principles of sustainability are increasingly being used in the field of interior design and architecture, and it is directed towards providing a minimum environmental impact, and effective decisions are taken to ensure standards Sustainability in building elements in the initial design and pre-implementation stages. Thus, Building Information Modeling (BIM) can assist complex building performance analyzes to ensure a sustainable building design.The use of Building Information Modeling (BIM) provides multiple means to increase and improve the quality of interior design and architecture projects at the level of design, implementation, facility management, maintenance and operation, and contributes to the accurate preparation and control of schedules, bills of quantities and specifications, and to reduce the total costs of the project. Hence the basic research problem, there is not much interest regarding the impact of BIM on achieving sustainability in large projects. Hence the importance of this research that aims to support sustainable design and construction by evaluating the use of BIM technology in the fields of interior design, architecture and building engineering.This paper is also interested in exploring the suitability of BIM for sustainability analysis by developing a conceptual framework that shows how an interior designer and architect can use BIM for sustainability analysis and LEED environmental design leadership for all parts of the building. To achieve the objectives of the study, the research uses three research methods: Analytical, forward-looking, and critical.The research is divided into three parts:-The first part is a theoretical introduction on building information modeling and its importance in the field of interior design and architecture.-The second part includes the research problem and an analytical study of the elements of sustainability using (BIM) technology-The third part includes the research hypothesis that the use of building information modeling technology to achieve sustainability standards and can represent a model for conceptual development.-The research is concluded by presenting the findings of the research.

Abstract Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection is linked to high levels of inflammatory cytokines and prolonged immobilization; furthermore, corticosteroid treatment leads to increased bone loss and resorption. We aimed to study the change in bone mineral density (BMD) after COVID-19 infection in osteoporotic and osteopenic patients. One hundred osteoporotic or osteopenic patients were selected in this single-center retrospective study; the patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 included 56 patients who got COVID-19 infection. Group 2 included 44 patients who did not get COVID-19 infection. BMD was assessed at baseline, after 9 months of COVID infection, and then after 1 year follow-up using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan. Results There was no significant difference between two groups regarding demographic data (p > 0.05); there was a significant decrease in BMD of the lumbar region and femur at 9 months as compared to baseline in group1 (p

Abstract Background Thrombotic consequences have been reported in COVID-19-infected patients, especially those who are critically ill. Multiple studies have tested antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) among COVID-19 patients, but to date, the actual frequency of aPLs is still uncharted. In this cohort study, we analyzed the outcomes of 173 consecutive patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection. Anti-phospholipid antibodies, which include anti-cardiolipin antibodies [aCL (IgM), aCL (IgG)], and B2-glycoprotein I antibodies [aβ2GPI (IgM), aβ2GPI (IgG)] were detected by using immunoassays. In contrast, lupus anti-coagulant (LAC) antibodies are identified through a coagulation-based assay. Results The study demonstrated a high incidence of thrombotic consequences in severe COVID pneumonia cases and supported an increased risk of developing aPLs following COVID-19 infection. Pulmonary embolism had the most common prevalence of all thrombotic events. Among the various aPLs tested in thrombotic patients, lupus anti-coagulant (LAC) had the highest positivity (46.2%). Most patients with arterial thromboembolism (stroke, myocardial infarction, limb ischemia, bowel ischemia, and renal artery thrombosis) had triple positivity of anti-phospholipid antibodies. Testing aPLs antibodies after 12 weeks of recovery for survived patients only 2 out of 23 patients had aPLs positivity compared to 35 out of 65 tested during hospital admission. Furthermore, we found no significant changes in aPLs positivity between survived and non-survived patients with thrombotic event. Conclusions aPLs increased transiently as an inflammatory-mediated condition. Individuals with aPLs triple positivity (positive LAC, aCL, and aB2GPI) had a considerable risk of arterial thromboembolism (ATE).

Brucellosis is a bacterial disease and one of the most widespread zoonoses transmitted by an animal. It can affect any organ system, but pulmonary involvement is an unusual presentation according to the literature. We report the case of a 32 -year-old lady from Saudi Arabia who suffered from persistent fever and was found to have lobar pneumonia complicated by parapneumonic effusion. She started empirical antibiotics, and many investigations were done. In the end, after more detail about the patient's circumstances, the presumptive diagnosis of Brucella was made by high serology titer. She was effectively treated with doxycycline and rifampicin and completely recovered. In conclusion, pulmonary brucellosis is infrequent and challengeable in diagnosis but should be knowledge, especially in endemic areas of brucellosis.

Poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) is basically biocompatible polyester with high resistance to chemical hydrolysis, and high drug permeability and the most important characteristics of PMMA is that it does not produce any toxicity. There is not much information about PMMA action on the colon cancer cells. In the present study, we have synthesized PMMA nanoparticles. The distribution pattern of PMMA particles was analysed by Zeta sizer and the size of the particles was calculated by using quasi elastic light scattering (QELS). The surface structure and the morphology of PMMA were characterized by transmission electron microscope (TEM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM), respectively. We have also analysed their effects on cancerous cells (human colorectal carcinoma cells, HCT-116) and normal, healthy cells (human embryonic kidney cells, HEK-293) by using morphometric, MTT, DAPI and wound healing methods. We report that PMMA particles inhibited the cancer cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. The lower dose (1.0 μg/ml) showed a moderate decrease in cancer cell viability, whereas higher dosages (2.5 μg/ml, 5.0 μg/mL and 7.5 μg/mL) showed steadily decrease in the cancer cell viability. We also report that PMMA is highly selective to cancerous cells (HCT-116), as we did not find any action on the normal healthy cells (HEK-293). In conclusion, our results suggest PMMA particles are potential biomaterials to be used in the treatment of colon cancer.

This article aims to lay the foundation for what I call a ‘global participatory model of interest-free financing without a religious connotation’. Here we propose a nonreligious, scalable, profitable, and sustainable financing model to serve the banking systems that are not interest-free financing regulated. This argument is predicated on the idea that Islamic banking applications are revised from conventional commercial formulas that are used in traditional business settings. In addition to the benefits of the interest-free finance system and the ease with which the interest-free conventional business formulas can be modified and applied in the conventional banking system, regardless of its label. The approach of this article depends on the theoretical analysis of the similarities and differences of the modes of finance of the conventional and interestfree systems. In addition, our observation is that the products of interest-free formulas are now pursued in some countries in a conventional setting without having an Islamic classification. Although this global participatory model is likely conceivable, some constraints are ahead. These constraints include the absence of suitable models/channels for providing interest-free financing in the conventional banking systems that meet customer needs, the weak previous conventional system experience in interest-free financing, fear of failure with this new type of financing in the traditional system, and the wide-ranging incorrect view that interest-free finance is only religious, charity-based, and non-profitable system of finance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the discussion on strategic significance of the climate change agenda for the Islamic finance sector. Topics include global efforts to solve the shared problem of climate change are being accelerated by the United Nations Annual Conference on Climate Change (COP); and leading Islamic financial institutions, multilateral organizations, governmental organizations, and private businesses.