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The empirical studies addressing learners' engagement to teachers' corrective feedback on their writing tasks in the Saudi EFL context as well as its impact on the students' improvement of writing skill are still a few. Therefore, the proposed research project aims to empirically address the Saudi EFL learners' responses to teachers' written corrective feedback on their writing tasks. Addressing the EFL learners' engagement in the teachers' written feedback is a key issue in improving learners' writing skills. As a result, the proposed project attempts to measure Saudi learners' engagement with their learners' feedback from a multi-dimension perspective; learners' uptake, affective engagement, cognitive engagement, and meta-cognitive engagement, and behavioral engagement. Investigating the learners' responses to their teacher's feedback, the proposed project uses a sociocognitive method that contributes to realizing the differences in EFL responses toward their teacher's corrective feedback. The proposed study relies on different sources of data that include students' writing assignments, semi-structured questionnaires. The sample of the study consists of 90 elementary level students belonging to the applied college at PSAU, 30 pre-intermediate students belonging to Business administration College, and 30 intermediate level students belonging to the college of humanities and sciences. The collected data reflect to what extent learners are engaged with the corrective feedback of their teachers, which can be partly accounted for their ideas and experiences about the written corrective feedback and second language writing and the learning context in which the feedback was received and processed. The findings of the research projects proposes that the EFL instructors should have a deeper understanding of the students' cognitive and behavioral, engagement, feedback processing. This deeper understanding of students' responses to written correct feedback would largely contribute to improving learners' writing skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MDS patients admitted to the ICU near end of life are less likely to enroll in hospice than non-ICU patients [[2]] and may have worse quality of end-of-life. Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are hematologic disorders characterized by bone marrow failure and potential transformation into acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Even after excluding patients with AML transformation, the hospital survival was very poor in our patients (20%) and much lower than previously reported in critically ill patients with various hematological malignancies (60% [[8]]), AML (45% [[9]]), lymphoma (70% [[9]]), or multiple myeloma (60% [[10]]). Patients were admitted 392 (170-697) days after MDS diagnosis, chiefly for sepsis (55%) and acute respiratory failure (35%); 95% of patients had full code status on ICU admission. [Extracted from the article]

Abstract: This study aimed at combining the hen''s egg test-chorioallantoic membrane (HET-CAM), bovine corneal opacity and permeability (BCOP) test and histological examination of excised corneas to evaluate the conjunctival and corneal toxicity of niosomes and their ingredients. Various surfactant/lipid combinations and concentrations (1–10%, w/v) were investigated for the ocular delivery of an ambitious drug (naltrexone hydrochloride) for treatment of diabetic keratopathy. Four niosomal formulations were investigated and found to be non irritant to the 10 days old HET-CAMs (an acceptable conjunctival model). Only one of the tested ingredients (sodium cholate – CH) showed moderate irritation, however such an effect was diminished when incorporated into niosomes. Corneal opacity and fluorescein permeability scores for the test substances correlated well with the HET-CAM test results. Corneal erosion and stromal thickness were found to be in agreement with the HET-CAM and BCOP results, which discriminated well between moderately and mildly irritant test substances. Corneal histological examination revealed toxicity signs included epithelial erosion, stromal condensation and stromal vacuolisation, which allowed better discrimination between strong and moderate irritants. It is concluded that the prepared niosomes possess good ocular tolerability and minimal ocular tissue irritation. They can be further investigated as ocular delivery systems using appropriate animal models. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study aimed at preparing and evaluating Span 60-based niosomes for ocular delivery of naltrexone hydrochloride (NTX). Selected charged lipids [dicetyl phosphate (DCP) and stearyl amine (STA)] and surfactants [poly-24-oxyethylene cholesteryl ether (C24) and sodium cholate (CH)] were investigated as bilayer membrane additives and prepared using four different methods. A 5-fold increase in NTX entrapment efficiency (EE%) was achieved with 2%-5% mol/mol additives. Differential scanning calorimetry thermograms revealed that the additives completely abolished gel/liquid transition suggesting that the bilayer membranes could accommodate the additives. The volume diameters D (4, 3) of the prepared niosomes were significantly [ p < 0.05, analysis of variance (ANOVA)] dependent on the additive used. D (4,3) values of F-C24 and F-CH were 22.41 ± 1.40 and 5.37 ± 1.40 μm, respectively. F-S60, F-DCP, and F-CH shapes were typical spherical, whereas F-C24 was oval giant niosomes (discomes). In vitro drug release parameters showed that the prepared niosomes significantly ( p < 0.01, ANOVA) controlled NTX release rate and extent. Ex vivo transcorneal permeation studies conducted using excised cow corneas showed that niosomes were capable of controlling NTX permeation and enhance its corneal permeability. The prepared niosomal formulations were found practically nonirritant when applied onto the surface of a 10-day-old hen's chorioallantoic membrane. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 100:1833-1846, 2011 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

B INTRODUCTION: b Laboratory animal allergy is a recognized cause of allergic asthma and rhinosinusitis1, however, the jobs of some laboratory animal handlers fall outside workplace occupational health programs and identifying their diagnosis requires a careful clinical history. When the vehicle changed to an open configuration van a few months later, debris from the animal bedding would blow past him and animals themselves would escape their cages and roll past him. Our patient had acquired allergic sensitivity to both guinea pig and hamster and his severely abnormal PFT on presentation was likely a measure of the intensity of the prolonged closed space allergen exposure while driving the van. [Extracted from the article]

Presents a case study of midwinter ice jams on the upper Saint John River in Canada. Background on the environmental effects of ice breakup and jamming; Analysis of several ice breakup and jamming events in the area during the 1990s; Results and implications for planning flood control measures.

Treatment of uveitis (i.e., inflammation of the uvea) is challenging due to lack of convenient ophthalmic dosage forms. This work is aimed to determine the efficiency of triamcinolone acetonide (TA)-loaded microemulsion as an ophthalmic delivery system for the treatment of uveitis. Water titration method was used to construct different pseudo-ternary phase diagrams. Twelve microemulsion formulations were prepared using oleic acid, Cremophor EL, and propylene glycol. Among all tested formulations, Formulation F3, composed of oil: surfactant-co-surfactant (1:1): water (15:35:50% w/w, respectively), was found to be stable and showed acceptable pH, viscosity, conductivity, droplet size (211 ± 1.4 nm), and zeta potential (−25 ± 1.7 mV) and almost complete in vitro drug release within 24 h. The in vivo performance of the optimized formulation was evaluated in experimentally uveitis-induced rabbit model and compared with a commercial TA suspension (i.e., Kenacort®-A) either topically or by subconjunctival injection. Ocular inflammation was evaluated by clinical examination, white blood cell count, protein content measurement, and histopathological examination. The developed TA-loaded microemulsion showed superior therapeutic efficiency in the treatment of uveitis with high patient compliance compared to commercial suspension. Hence, it could be considered as a potential ocular treatment option in controlling of uveitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

B INTRODUCTION: b Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE) is a rare vascular tumor that can occur in the lungs, pleura, or liver. B DISCUSSION: b EHE, a rare vascular tumor, is often misidentified unless tumor resection with IHC is performed. [Extracted from the article]

B INTRODUCTION: b Hyperammonemia (HA) is a common cause of altered mental status (AMS) typically due to severe liver disease or drug therapy in the adult population. While most OTC deficiencies are diagnosed in childhood, this case emphasizes the importance of considering intrinsic enzyme deficiencies in patients with unexplainable AMS and HA without severe liver disease in adults. Urea cycle disorders should be thought of as an etiology of HA in the absence of liver disease in this population. [Extracted from the article]

The environmental temperature increased during summer and decreased during winter to the limits that might negatively affect animal and human reproduction. The responses of Egyptian rams to either hot or cold climatic conditions were studied in six mature rams subjected to weekly testicular Doppler ultrasonographic examination, blood sampling, seminal plasma collection and semen evaluation. The maximum environmental temperature and the relative humidity were used to classify the climatic condition according to the heat stress equation of sheep into hot months where temperature–humidity index (THI) was >26 (31.67 ± 0.54), and cold months where THI was <22 (18.39 ± 0.41). Testosterone, estradiol, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and lipid peroxide product (malondialdehyde, MDA) were measured in both blood and seminal plasma, while catalase (CAT) and reduced glutathione (GSH) were measured in blood and seminal plasma, respectively. Results revealed that, during the hot months, rams displayed significantly decreased testicular blood flow, increased seminal plasma MDA, decreased seminal plasma (SOD, GPx and GSH) and blood CAT antioxidant enzymes. The present study evidenced two novel findings: (a) the marked decrease in testicular blood flow volume, that is remarkable increase in both resistive index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) values, during hot months could be negatively affected both seminal plasma enzymatic activities and seminal attributes, and (b) the SOD and GPx activities in seminal plasma of such animals were suitable predictive markers for seminal attribute evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: researchers came to agreement on that bipolar disorder is commonly linked to impairment in cognitive functions by a remarkable degree. More and more evidence continue to support that the cognitive impairment remains persistent even within euthymic periods which in turn points to cognitive impairment as a possible characteristic of the disorder. Aim of the Work: objective assessment of bipolar patients' cognitive deficits present during remission and holding a Comparison of these deficits with control subjects who are completely healthy. Patients and Methods: assessing cognitive functions including executive functions, attention and memory in euthymic bipolar patients by using relevant scales, then using SPSS for comparing the results with those of a control group. Results: when compared to healthy control subjects, euthymic bipolar patients were found to exhibit a markedly noticeable impairment in attention, executive functions and total memory score. It was also noteworthy that the association between the duration of illness demonstrated through the number of episodes and the extent of impairment in cognitive functions. Conclusion: there is an apparent association of bipolar disorder with cognitive impairment even when patients are in euthymic state and consequently, the number of episodes increases the impairment degree. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: researchers came to agreement on that bipolar disorder is commonly linked to impairment in cognitive functions by a remarkable degree. More and more evidence continue to support that the cognitive impairment remains persistent even within euthymic periods which in turn points to cognitive impairment as a possible characteristic of the disorder. Aim of the Work: objective assessment of bipolar patients' cognitive deficits present during remission and holding a Comparison of these deficits with control subjects who are completely healthy. Patients and Methods: assessing cognitive functions including executive functions, attention and memory in euthymic bipolar patients by using relevant scales, then using SPSS for comparing the results with those of a control group. Results: when compared to healthy control subjects, euthymic bipolar patients were found to exhibit a markedly noticeable impairment in attention, executive functions and total memory score. It was also noteworthy that the association between the duration of illness demonstrated through the number of episodes and the extent of impairment in cognitive functions. Conclusion: there is an apparent association of bipolar disorder with cognitive impairment even when patients are in euthymic state and consequently, the number of episodes increases the impairment degree. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Apparently healthy mares with conception failure or embryonic loss may have subclinical endometritis (SE). Our objective was to document evidence of systemic immune responses against SE in mares. In apparently healthy (control) mares as well as those with chronic endometritis (ChE) or subacute suppurative endometritis (SSE), both considered classes of SE, serum concentrations of cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10 and TNF -α), chemokines (IL-8), acute phase protein (SAA), and plasma concentrations of prostaglandins (PGF 2α and PGE 2) were measured using validated enzyme linked immunoassays (EIA). Mixed-breed mares of known reproductive history, were used. Based on an endometrial cytological examination, mares were allocated into the following groups: healthy (control), ChE, and SSE (12, 26 and 11 mares, respectively). Serum concentrations of IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10 and plasma PGF 2α concentrations were increased (P < 0.01) in mares with SSE compared to healthy mares. Furthermore, serum concentrations of IL-6 (P < 0.05) and IL-10 (P < 0.05) were elevated in the ChE group compared to the healthy group whereas serum SAA (P < 0.01) and plasma PGE 2 (P < 0.05) were higher in healthy mares compared to ChE and SSE mares. However, serum concentrations of IL-1β and TNF -α were not significantly different among groups. In conclusion, there were two novel findings: (1) development of serum testing for a set of biochemical markers has promise to explore the pathogenesis of inflammation in mares with SE; and (2) none of the individual biomarkers studied, excluding IL-8, was a significant predictor of SE. However, serum IL-6:IL-10 and IL-6:TNF -α concentrations, as well as plasma PGE 2 :PGF 2α ratios, may yield a novel diagnostic marker for chronic subclinical endometritis. • The concentrations of serum IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α reflect the severity of endometritis in mares. • The concentrations of serum IL-6:IL-10 and IL-6:TNF-α and plasma PGE 2 :PGF 2α are a prognostic non-invasive tool for equine endometritis. • Systemic levels of IL-6, IL-10, SAA, PGF 2α and PGE 2 could predict subclinical endometritis in mares. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim A considerable number of early-stage colorectal cancer (CRC) patients may develop cancer relapse or metastasis after curative surgery. Isolated tumor cells (ITC) and micrometastasis in lymph nodes (LNMM), which are undetectable by conventional pathological examination, may be one primary reason. Detection of ITC/LNMM is time-consuming and cost-ineffective; we aimed to find biomarkers in primary CRC tissues to help predicting ITC/LNMM status. Methods We enrolled 137 node-negative patients with early-stage CRC in this study. Existence of ITC/LNMM was identified by immunohistological staining with cytokeratin 20 in resected lymph nodes. Expression of transducin (β)-like 1 X-linked receptor 1 (TBL1XR1) in primary CRC tissues was also investigated. Chi-squared test was performed to reveal the correlations between ITC/LNMM and clinicopathological characteristics. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to determine independent prognostic factors. Knockdown experiment together with proliferation and invasion assays were carried out to explore molecular mechanisms between TBL1XR1 and ITC/LNMM. Results About 29.2% (40/137) patients were identified as ITC/LNMM positive, and most of them (32/40 cases, 80%) showed high TBL1XR1 expression in primary CRC tissues. Both ITC/LNMM and TBL1XR1 expression were independent prognostic factors for disease relapse or metastasis. In vitro experiments demonstrated that TBL1XR1 can regulate the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor C and epithelial-mesenchymal transition proteins, thus mediate the process of lymph node metastasis. Conclusions Identification of ITC/LNMM is significant in evaluating clinical outcome and guiding adjuvant chemotherapy for early-stage CRC patients. TBL1XR1 overexpression in CRC tissues can serve as an efficient biomarker to predict the status of ITC/LNMM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cryopreservation of immature oocytes would generate a readily available, non-seasonal source of female gametes for research and reproduction. In domestic animals, the most promising results on oocyte cryopreservation have been reported in cattle, few studies have been conducted on buffalo. The aim of the present study was to compare the use of different vitrification solutions and various cryodevices on viability and developmental competence of buffalo oocytes vitrified at the germinal vesicle (GV) stage. Cumulus oocyte-complexes (COCs) obtained at slaughterhouse from mature buffalo ovaries were randomly divided into three main groups and vitrified by using either straw or open pulled-straw (OPS) or solid surface vitrification (SSV) in a solution composed of either 20% ethylene glycol (EG) + 20% glycerol (GLY); VS1 or 20% EG + 20% dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO); VS2, respectively. Following vitrification and warming, viable COCs were matured in vitro for 22 h. Some COCs were denuded and stained with 1.0% aceto-orcein to evaluate nuclear maturation, whereas the others were fertilized and cultured in vitro for 7 days to determine the developmental competence. Although the recovery rate (64.9%) was the lowest in the oocytes vitrified by SSV using 20% EG + 20% DMSO as compared to the other groups, the best survival rate of the COCs was achieved in the same treatment (96.7%), which was significantly higher ( P < 0.05) than those vitrified using traditional straws (71.8% in VS1 and 73.6% in VS2) or those vitrified using OPS and VS1 (73.9%). Furthermore, in the nuclear maturation test, the highest maturation rate (75.5%) was achieved in SSV vitrified COCs using 20% EG + 20% DMSO (VS2), which was similar to the controls (77.1%). Post IVF and embryo culture, the highest cleavage and blastocyst development rates were obtained in COCs vitrified in 20% EG + 20% DMSO using SSV (47.1% and 24.0%, respectively), which showed no difference from the controls (61.2% and 46.9%, respectively). Our results clearly show that the combination of SSV and 20% EG + 20% DMSO could be used effectively to vitrify GV stage buffalo COCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective We sought to examine the relationship between preoperative platelet function and perioperative bleeding in patients undergoing CABG. Background There are many ways to measure platelet aggregability. Little is known about their correlations with one another, or with bleeding. Methods We prospectively studied 50 patients undergoing a first isolated off-pump CABG. Thirty-four were exposed to a thienopyridine prior to surgery; 16 were not. Preoperative platelet function was measured by VerifyNow®, TEG®, AggreGuide™, Plateletworks®, vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) phosphorylation, and light transmission aggregometry. Bleeding was assessed 2 ways: drop from pre- to nadir postoperative hematocrit, and chest tube drainage. Correlation coefficients were calculated using Spearman's rank-order correlation. Results Mean age was 62 years. Patient characteristics and surgical details were similar between the thienopyridine-exposed and non-exposed patients. The correlation coefficients between the 4 point-of-care platelet function measurements and hematocrit change ranged from −0.2274 to 0.2882. Only Plateletworks® correlated with drop in hematocrit (r = 0.2882, P = 0.0470). The correlation coefficients between each of the 4 point-of-care platelet function tests and the chest tube drainage were also poor, ranging from −0.3073 to 0.2272. Both AggreGuide™ (r = −0.3073, P = 0.0317) and VASP (r = −0.3187, P = 0.0272) were weakly but significantly correlated with chest tube drainage. The correlation among the 4 point-of-care platelet function measurements was poor, with coefficients ranging from −0.2504 to 0.1968. Conclusions We observed little correlation among 4 platelet function tests, and between those assays and perioperative bleeding defined 2 different ways. Whether any of these assays should be used to guide decision making in individual patients is unclear. (J Interven Cardiol 2015;28:223-232) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]