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Background Postoperative delirium has eluded attempts to define its complex aetiology and describe specific risk factors. The role of neuroinflammation as a risk factor, determined by measuring blood levels of preoperative ‘innate' inflammatory mediator levels, has been investigated. However, results have been conflicting. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the evidence on associations between preoperative blood levels of inflammatory mediators and postoperative delirium in the older person. Influence of type of surgery was also assessed. Methods Original, low risk of bias studies, published in peer-reviewed journals, which fulfilled the eligibility criteria were included. Seventeen articles fulfilled study criteria. Data extraction, synthesis, and risk of bias analysis were guided by Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) and quality in prognostic studies guidelines. Meta-analyses used a random-effects model. Inflammatory mediators included C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, -8, and -10, tumour necrosis factor-α, insulin-like growth factor-1, cortisol, and neopterin. Surgical groups were cardiac, noncardiac, and hip fracture. Results Higher preoperative interleukin-6 was associated with postoperative delirium with a standardised mean difference (95% confidence interval) of 0.33 (0.11–0.56) and P=0.003. Higher neopterin was also associated with postoperative delirium. Conclusions The association of preoperative blood levels of inflammatory mediators with postoperative delirium may be influenced by the type of surgery and the specific mediator. The potential modulating effect of type of surgery, intrinsic brain vulnerability, and the complex interactions between inflammatory mediators and binding proteins will need to be considered in future studies. Clinical trial registration CRD42019159471 (PROSPERO).

Neurovascular problems are common in acute fracture. In the emergency room, a thorough clinical evaluation is required, when examined by an orthopedic specialist or emergency doctors.we registered our project with the audit department. In the first cycle, we looked at notes from 77 patients from November-December 2020, emphasis to neurovascular documentation from both ED and orthopedic Clerking notes. We submitted our findings at our audit meeting and implemented modifications. Two months later, we re-audited, this time with 82 patients as the sample size.77 patient notes were reviewed in the first cycle, 51% male and 49% female. In ED clerking notes, 22% patients had no neurovascular documentation, compared to 3.8% of patients in orthopedic clerking. 39% ED notes had acronyms written for the neurovascular status, such as NVI, to 20.7% of orthopedic notes. 82 notes were reviewed in the second cycle,44% male and 56% female.7% of ED clerking notes lacked any neurovascular comments, compared to 0% of orthopedic admission sheets. 10% of the ED sheets contained NVI abbreviation, while 4% of ortho notes had the same. There were specific notes on neurovascular state on 68 of the ED admission sheets evaluated, and 74 of the orthopedic notes did the same.In fracture patients, documentation of neurovascular condition was lacking. The documentation of the details of the neurovascular assessment was poor. Increased recording of neurovascular assessment and improved emergency department evaluation of patients presenting with upper and lower limb injuries were aided by the introduction of teachings.

The study aimed at measuring the effect of job burnouton intellectual capital to improve the quality of educational service in Egypt by applying to the employees of government institutes and the private institutes in Greater Cairo; after identifying the significance of the impact of job burnouton intellectual capital and carrying out a field study for identifying the study suitability to applicable on educational institutions in Egypt. In order to achieve the objectives of the study, a questionnaire form was designed including a set of phrases collected through interviews, for measuring attitudes of the study sample towards the variables of the study. In this study, the researchers relied on a combination between the inductive and the deductive method through following the theoretical study approach and the field study. The researchers have analyzed data using Kruskal-Wallis test for each of the survey questionnaire questions to test the study hypotheses using the 300-sample study, "which is the number of valid forms recovered". The researchers have come to several results and recommendations that could be applied on the teaching staff members of governmental institutes and private institutes in Greater Cairo The study concludes in the results that: There are statistically significant differences between the effect of emotional stress on intellectual capital among employees of governmental institutes and workers in private institutes. There are statistically significant differences between the effect of job burnout on intellectual capital among workers in governmental institutes and workers in private institutes.

Production of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) by bacteria isolated from spent engine oil (SEO) contaminated soils was investigated using nitrogen limitation in the production medium. Out of ten isolates, three were selected as the best based on their ability to metabolize SEO effectively and fluoresce orange when stained with Nile Blue A dye. Fourier Transform Infrared spectrophometer was used as a confirmatory test for PHA detection by tracking the carbonyl bands on the spectra. Optimum growth of the isolates occurred at 1% (v/v) SEO, pH 7, 37°C for K1+VE and Kar5+VE1 while for Kar5+VE2 was at 1% (v/v) SEO, PH 7, 40°C and 150 RPM. Sequencing of 16S rDNA partial genes grouped the isolates into 6 different genera: Ochrobactrum, Pseudoxanthomonas, Bodetella, Achromobacter, Alcaligenes and Acinetobacter species. Isolate K1+VE, identified as an Ochrobactrum produced Poly (3-hydroxyheptanoate) 46% (w/w), isolate Kar5+VE1, identified as Achromobacter spp. produced poly (3-hydroxybutyrate) 20% (w/w)) while isolate Kar5+VE2, identified as an Alcaligenes spp. produced a co-polymer poly-3- (3-hydroxybutyrate-Co-3-hydroxyoctanoate) 45% (w/w). Orthoxylene and ethylbenzene were the major hydrocarbons in spent engine oil before degradation while ethylhexanol was the major degradation product as identified by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrophotometry. The isolates were able to degrade hydrocarbons as well as produce polyhydroxyalkanoates. Key words: Polyhydroxyalkanoates, spent engine oil, 16S rDNA, co-polymer.

Thermal processing of leafy African indigenous vegetables (LAIVs), which are rich in nutrients, especially vitamin B series affects the levels and bioaccessibility of the vitamins. This study investigated the bioaccessibility of vitamin B series in fresh and thermally processed LAIVs. Five commonly consumed indigenous vegetables, Cleome gynadra, Vigna unguilata, Amaranthus viridis, Basella alba, and Cucurbita maxima, were processed by boiling and/or frying, treated to in vitro gastrointestinal digestion procedure, and levels of vitamin B series determined before and after treatment. The vitamin B series in fresh LAIVs ranged from 0.73 ± 0.01 mg/100 g (B9; spider plant) to 174.16 ± 3.50 mg/100 g (B2; vine spinach) and had both significant increase (ranging from +8.71% to +446.84%) and decrease (ranging from −0.44% to −100.00%) with thermal processing (p<0.001). The in vitro digestion resulted in a significant increase (p<0.001) of vitamins ranging from 5.18% (B5; boiled cowpeas) to 100% (B2, B3, and B6 in several processed vegetables). Where detected, the bioaccessible levels of vitamin B series in fresh, processed, and in vitro digested samples were sufficient to meet the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) of children and adults. These findings support the promotion of a nutritional approach to malnutrition resulting from vitamin B series deficiency.

Summary Open-system pyrolysates of fourty-three immature source rock and coal samples covering all depositional environments and geological ages were prepared and analysed using Fourier transform-ion cyclotron resonance-mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) in connection with an electrospray source run in negative-ion mode to asses the fraction of acidic NSO compounds. The aim was to establish proxies based on the NSO inventory of pyrolysates for kerogen and petroleum type organofacies typing. The main result is that different depositional environments/ organofacies can be characterized using bulk NSO elemental and compound class distributions in combination with DBE class and Carbon number distributions. The feasability of the approach is demonstrated by Principal Components Analysis, whereas the geochemical background of the used loadings is discussed in detail in the paper/presentation.

There has been an increasing demand for the development of sensor devices with improved characteristics such as sensitivity, low cost, faster response, reliability, rapider recovery, reduced size, in situ analysis, and simple operation. Nanostructured materials have shown great potential in improving these properties for chemical and biological sensors. There are different nanostructured materials which have been used in manufacturing nanosensors which include nanoscale wires (capability of high detection sensitivity), carbon nanotubes (very high surface area and high electron conductivity), thin films, metal and metal oxide nanoparticles, polymer, and biomaterials. This review provides different methods which have been used in the synthesis and fabrication of these nanostructured materials followed by an extensive review of the recent developments of metal, metal oxides, carbon nanotubes, and polymer nanostructured materials in sensor applications.

Silver and gold nanoparticles have changed the medical field in various ways. Due to their very small sizes, high surface area, and physical and chemical properties, they have found widespread applications in drug delivery, imaging, diagnosis, and therapeutics. They usually respond significantly to the magnetic field which varies with time, and hence they can transfer enough thermal energy. Their unique physicochemical properties have led to the development of biosensors for point-of-care disease diagnosis. Greener synthesized gold and silver nanoparticles have also revealed anticancer activity toward numerous cancer cells. In this book chapter, we will therefore explore the potential application of greener synthesized silver and gold nanoparticles in the medical field.

Water scarcity and quality challenges facing the world can be alleviated by Point-of-Use filtration devices (POU). The use of filtration membranes in POU devices has been limited largely because of membrane fouling, which occurs when suspended solids, microbes, and organic materials are deposited on the surface of filtration membranes significantly decreasing the membrane lifespan, thereby increasing operation costs. There is need therefore to develop filtration membranes that are devoid of these challenges. In this work, nanotechnology was used to fabricate nanostructured polyamic acid (nPAA) membranes, which can be used for microbial decontamination of water. The PAA was used as support and reducing agent to introduce silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with antimicrobial properties. The nPAA membranes were fabricated via thermal and wet phase inversion technique and then tested against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus following standard tests. The resulting nanoparticles exhibited excellent dispersibility and stability as indicated by the color change of the solution and increments of optical density at 415 nm for AgNPs and 520 nm for AuNPs. The wet phase inversion process used produced highly porous, strong, and flexible nPAA membranes, which showed well-dispersed spherical AuNPs and AgNPs whose rough average size was found to be 35 nm and 25 nm, respectively. The AgNPs demonstrated inhibition for both gram positive E. coli and gram negative S. aureus, with a better inhibitory activity against S. aureus. A synergistic enhancement of AgNPs antimicrobial activity upon AuNPs addition was demonstrated. The nPAA membranes can thus be used to remove microbials from water and can hence be used in water purification.

Flavonoids are naturally-occurring polyphenolics that have been implicated in a wide range of biological activities. The major obstacles to flavonoid applications are the poor solubility in common solvents. Phosphorylation of flavonoids yields a new class of flavonoid derivatives which are very soluble in aqueous solutions and hence have the potential to be used in biological studies. We hereby report the sequential phosphorylation of Quercetin leading to the synthesis of Quercetin pentaphosphate (QPP), Apigenin triphosphate (ATRP), 5,4′-Quercetin Diphosphate (5,4′-QDP) and 4′-Quercetin monophosphate (4′-QP) with solubility of 848 mg/mL, 367 mg/mL, 315 μg/mL and 106 μg/mL respectively. The synthesis of 4′-QP, 5,4′-QDP, QPP and ATRP was successful with 85%, 60.5%, 56% and 99% yield respectively. These compounds have been characterized using 1H NMR, 13C NMR, 31P NMR.

Bilharzia, also known as schistosomiasis, is still affecting more than 250 million people, killing about 200 000 annually and leaving millions of others debilitated. Current diagnostic tools have extremely low validity and are not readily applicable for rapid diagnosis in rural and remote areas. In low-grade infections, microscopy, the most commonly used method, may have low sensitivity. For example, in suspected cases, up to five real sample specimens are recommended for increased sensitivity. The rise of nanotechnology has created the potential to significantly improve the current diagnostic approaches. Conjugating antibodies with nanoparticles pools the distinctive properties of the nanoparticles with the specificity and selectivity of the antibodies in the recognition of the antigen. This in return leads to a very versatile and specific mixed product with improved analytical signal which is important for fast, sensitive and real-time point-of-care diagnosis. In this work, we report the use of nanotechnology to develop a simple and sensitive nano-biosensor which consisted of a nano-strip with immobilized gold nanoparticles conjugated with bilharzia antibody, and demonstrated its potential for diagnosis of bilharzia antigen. A detection range of 1.13 × 10 1 ng mL –1 to 2.3 × 10 3 ng mL –1 of bilharzia antigen in stool samples and with a limit of detection of 8.3887 × 10 –2 ngmL –1 was attained, indicating the potential of the nano-biosensor to be used to detect bilharzia antigen in stool samples. Keywords: Bilharzia, nanobased-biosensor, nanostrips, nanokits

Quantitative Phase Imaging (QPI) is used to recover 3D refractive index (RI) distributions of Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBGs), revealing high-spatial-frequency patterns. Additionally, quantitative comparisons are made with theoretical calculations.

Thinning of retinal layers, measured using optical coherence tomography (OCT), is associated with some neurodegenerative disorders such as established Alzheimer's disease and multiple sclerosis. The evidence for retinal layer thinning in both mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a precursor of dementia, and delirium, a potential pre-clinical stage of neurodegenerative disorder, is unclear. We performed a systematic review of the associations, in older people, between retinal layer thickness changes (measured using OCT) and delirium or MCI compared to controls (Protocol registration ID (Prospero) CRD42019122165). We did not identify any relevant studies on delirium. This report is therefore a review of retinal nerve layer changes in mild cognitive impairment. Databases were searched using predetermined keywords such as mild cognitive impairment, retinal nerve fibre layer and delirium. Where there were sufficient data, meta-analyses were performed. Twenty-six relevant studies were identified on retinal layer thickness in people with MCI compared to controls. There was significant heterogeneity in the studies for all retinal layers investigated (retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL), ganglion cell inner plexiform layer (GCIP), foveal thickness and macular volume). Analysis of 17 studies of mean RNFL thickness in MCI (n = 622) compared to controls (n = 1154), irrespective of the type of OCT device, demonstrated a significant thinning in MCI (SMD: - 0·42 and 95 % confidence interval: - 0·68 to - 0·16). This difference was non-significant when studies using only spectral-domain devices were analysed. Subgroup analysis of studies using spectral-domain devices in amnestic MCI diagnosed using comparable criteria, showed statistically significant thinning of RNFL in amnestic MCI (p = 0·02). Meta-analysis of foveal thickness did not show a significant difference between MCI and controls. In conclusion, there is some evidence of an association between retinal nerve fibre layer thinning and MCI. We found no data on the association between RNFL and delirium.

Valproate is a widely used drug against epilepsy and several other neurological disorders although it has deleterious hepatotoxic side effects. The current study was designed to test if agmatine as nitric oxide modulator has protective effects against valproate-induced hepatic injury. Male Swiss albino mice were treated with sodium valproate (SVP) with or without agmatine for 7 days. Serum and liver samples were collected for analysis. Results have revealed that agmatine exerted hepatoprotective effects against SVP-associated hepatic injury. Agmatine ameliorated SVP-induced elevated serum biochemical markers of hepatic damage such as serum transaminases, alkaline phosphatase, γ-glutamyl transferase, and lactate dehydrogenase. Histopathological examination of the liver showed improvement of hepatic lesions in case of agmatine treatment. Furthermore, agmatine attenuated oxidative stress and enhanced antioxidants in liver tissue. Agmatine inhibited the activation of nuclear factor-κB and ameliorated the immunoexpression of inducible nitric oxide synthetase. This was accompanied by decrease in the level of inflammatory markers as nitrite/nitrate, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-6. These data provide new evidence of the hepatoprotective activity of agmatine against SVP-induced hepatotoxic effects.

This study aimed to evaluate accuracy of five-dimensional long bones (5D LB) compared to two-dimensional ultrasound (2DUS) biometry to predict fetal weight among normal term women.Fifty six normal term women were recruited at Ain Shams Maternity Hospital, Egypt from 14 May to 30 November 2015. Fetal weight was estimated by Hadlock's IV formula using 2DUS and 5D LB. Estimated fetal weights (EFW) by 2DUS and 5D LB were compared with actual birth weights (ABW).Mean femur length (FL) was 7.07 ± 0.73 cm and 6.74 ± 0.67 cm by 2DUS and 5D LB (p = .02). EFW was 3309.86 ± 463.06 g by 2DUS and 3205.46 ± 447.85 g by 5D LB (p = .25). No statistical difference was observed between ABW and EFW by 2DUS (p = .7) or 5D LB (p = .45). Positive correlation was found between EFW by 2DUS, 5D LB, and ABW (r = 0.67 and 0.7; p .001). There was strong agreement between FL measured by 2DUS and 5D LB (ICC = 0.78), and perfect agreement between EFW by 2DUS and EFW by 5D LB (ICC = 0.918). 2DUS and 5D LB showed mean absolute percentage error for EFW of 10 ± 7% and 8 ± 7% compared to ABW (p = .15).2DUS and 5D LB had same accuracy for fetal weight estimation at normal term pregnancy.

The wide-scale application of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in areas such as chemical sensing, nanomedicine, and electronics has led to their increased demand. Current methods of AgNPs synthesis involve the use of hazardous reagents and toxic solvents. There is a need for the development of new methods of synthesizing AgNPs that use environmentally safe reagents and solvents. This work reports a green method where silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using silver nitrate and the aqueous extract of Citrullus lanatus fruit rind as the reductant and the capping agent. The optimized conditions for the AgNPs synthesis were a temperature of 80°C, pH 10, 0.001 M AgNO3, 250 g/L watermelon rind extract (WMRE), and a reactant ratio of 4 : 5 (AgNO3 to WMRE). The AgNPs were characterized by Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy exhibiting a λmax at 404 nm which was consistent with the spectra of spherical AgNPs within the wavelength range of 380–450 nm, and Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) results showed a distinct oxidation peak at +291 mV while the standard reference AgNPs (20 nm diameter) oxidation peak occurred at +290 mV, and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) revealed spherical shaped AgNPs. The AgNPs were found to have an average diameter of 17.96±0.16 nm.

Escherichia coli (E. coli) contamination in foods and water resources represents a major threat for human health and the environment. This work exploits the strong affinity of mannose-containing oligosaccharides with the fimbrial lectin of E. coli to design novel biosensors. Modified carbohydrate ligands were synthesized by introducing phenyl residues and aliphatic chains to mannose via reductive amination in order to increase both the affinity and selectivity to E. coli compared to other pathogenic bacteria. The synthesized ligands include p-thiolphenyl aminomannose (PTAM), p-carboxyphenyl aminomannose (PCAM), 1-deoxy-1-aminomannopyranoside (DAMP), glucosamine and low molecular weight chitosan bonded to mercapto undecanoic acid. The structures of the ligands were confirmed using (1)H NMR and 1H, (13)C, COZY NMR, and ESI/MS. The ligands were immobilized onto gold electrodes and SPR surfaces using-mercaptoundecanoic acid with glycine as deactivating agent. Two detection mechanisms were tested: (i) metal-enhanced electrochemical detection (MED) and (ii) label-free surface plasmon resonance (SPR) detection. The introduction of phenyl residues and aliphatic side groups to the mannose-containing oligosaccharides produced extremely high affinity for E. coli with detection limit of 1 cfu/mL. The relative selectivity of these ligands for E. coli, Citrobacter freundii, Staphylococcus epidermidis were 100%, 2.6% and 8.6% respectively. The biosensors were validated using spinach leaves at 3.0 cfu/mL. The work provides a generic biosensor for other pathogenic bacteria by enabling multivalent binding, immediate recognition for pathogens as well as inhibition of bacterial growth.

Unexpected micrometer-scale patterns in the induced refractive index of various commercial fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) are observed in the cross-sectional fiber directions, which are in addition to the expected periodic variations along the fiber axis. These measurements were made using 3D tomographic deconvolution phase microscopy, a type of quantitative phase imaging. The cross-sectional patterns observed are shown to exhibit a variety of appearances, including fringes normal to the fiber axis and radial blades, the details apparently depending on the FBG writing method.

Nanotechnology, the science and art of manipulating matter at the atomic and molecular level, is increasingly playing an important role in the undergraduate curriculum, but there are few laboratory exercises that emphasize the connection between fundamental nanoscience and larger societal issues with practical applications. A laboratory experiment is described in which students synthesized palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs) and utilized the particles for catalytic reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) in the presence of formic acid. This experiment requires two 3-h laboratory periods and can be adapted for upper-division undergraduate students in instrumental analysis, materials science, or physical chemistry laboratories. During the first laboratory period, students synthesized and characterized PdNPs using TEM and UV–vis spectroscopy. During the second lab period, they utilized the nanoparticles for the catalytic reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) using environmental NIST standard reference soil matrices. Students (9...

On occasion of the Munich Plastic Symposium in Munich the board of the Deutsche Gesellschaft der Plastischen, Rekonstruktiven und Ästhetischen Chirurgen (DGPRÄC) together with a group of experts who were also involved in the preparation of the recently published S2K guideline "Autologous Fat Grafting", prepared a consensus statement from a plastic-surgical point of view so to evaluate current spects and taking into account the current legal framework: 1. Autologous Fat Grafting is a long established treatment in plastic surgery and does not differ from other tissue grafts. 2. Mechanical processing of autologous fat does not provide any substantial change tot he tissue. 3. If other treatment methods to enrich progenitor cells of autolous fat i. e. by an enzymatic process have evidence that autologous adipose tissue or cells were substantially changed, classification as a drug could come in question under current german law (application of AMG/ATMP).

Quercetin is a naturally occurring flavonoid that is known to form complexes with metals; a process that reduces the environmental availability of toxic metals such as chromium. We hereby report the first evidence of the removal of Cr(VI) from environmental samples using quercetin (QCR) and two synthetic derivatives: namely quercetin pentaphosphate (QPP) and quercetin sulfonic acid (QSA). We successfully synthesized both QPP and QSA using simple procedures while characterizing them with UV-vis spectroscopy, H(1)-NMR, (13)C NMR, (31)P-NMR, and LC-MS techniques. The solubility of QPP was found to be 840 mg/mL and aqueous solutions of both QPP and QSA were stable for over a period of 1 year. Quercetin and these derivatives were subsequently utilized for the reduction of Cr(VI) and QCR was found to have a higher reduction efficiency of 99.8% (30 min), followed by QPP/palladium nanoparticles mixture (PdNPs) at 96.5% (60 min), and finally QSA/PdNPs mixtures at 91.7% (60 min). PdNPs catalyst increased the efficiency by ∼36.5% while a change in operating temperature from 25 to 45 °C improved the efficiency by ∼46.8%. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to confirm the presence of Cr (III) in the reaction products. This reduction approach was validated in environmental (Binghamton University) BU and standard reference material (BRS) soil samples. Results showed that the analysis could be completed within one hour and the efficiency was higher in BU soil than in BRS soil by 16.1%. QPP registered the highest % atom economy of 94.6%. This indicates enhanced performance compared to bioremediation approach that requires several months to achieve about 90% reduction efficiency.

A journal article by Dr. Naumih M. Noah a lecturer at United States International University - Africa.

Surface sediment samples were collected from Tanzanian major commercial ports and studied for the distribution and behavior of tributyltin (TBT) compounds and heavy metals. The content of TBT in sediments ranged from ND-3670 ng (Sn) g 1 dry wt (1780 ± 1720) (Mean ± SD) at Zanzibar and from ND-16700 ng (Sn)g 1 dry wt (4080 ± 7540) at Dar es Salaam ports, respectively. Maximum TBT levels were detected inside the both ports. Metabolic degradation of butyltin compounds (BTCs) showed that MBT + DBT > TBT %, this may be attributed by the warm ambient water and intense sunlight in the tropical regions. A sequential extraction procedure was undertaken to provide detailed chemical characteristics of heavy metals in the sediments. The procedure revealed that about 50 % of Fe in the both ports is in immobile fraction (residual fraction) while other metals; Cd, Cu, Ni, Co, Zn, Pb, and Mn were mostly found in exchangeable or carbonate fractions and thus can be easily remobilized and enter the aquatic food chain. This paper provides basic information of TBT compounds contamination and chemical characteristics of heavy metals in the marine ecosystem in Tanzania. To our knowledge, this is the first documentation of Organotin compounds (OTCs) in marine environments in East Africa and suggests the importance of further detailed OTCs studies in other sub-Saharan Africa regions

The study surveyed 268 non-computing students among three technical colleges in Brunei Darussalam. The study validated an existing instrument to measure computer attitudes of non-computing students, and identified factors that contributed to the formation of their attitudes. The findings show that computer experience and educational qualification are associated with students’ computer attitudes. In contrast, variables such as gender, age, ownership of a personal computer (PC), geographical location of institution, and prior computer training appeared to have no impact on computer attitudes.

MMP-2, and PIIINP in Patients with Burn Trauma. The wound healing process of patients with severe burns often leads to the formation of extensive fibrotic scars. In this study, TIMP-1, MMP-2, and PIIINP were determined by ELISA as markers for excessive cicatrization in sera of 19 patients (8 female, 11 male, average age 54.7 ± 23.1 years) with acute burn injuries. Blood samples were taken immediately before operation, at the 1.-3. postoperative day, and at the 7. as well as the 14. day after operation. 19 patients (12 female, 7 male, average age 42.3 ± 15.5 years) with elective plastic-surgical operations served as control group. Statistical analysis was performed with the two-tailed Wilcoxon rank-sum test and Spearman rank-correlation. There was a significant increase (p < 0.05) of TIMP-1 in patients with burns from 840 ± 269 ng/ml preoperatively to 1030 ± 346 ng/ml at the first postoperative day. In the further course, the concentration remained at a significantly elevated level (p < 0.05). In comparison with the control group, the TIMP-1 level of burned patients was significantly higher (p < 0.05) at any time and correlated with the burned total body surface area (p < 0.05; r 2 = 0.43). MMP-2 showed a significant elevation (p < 0.05) only at the 3. postoperative day in sera of patients with burn wounds. PIIINP increased significantly (p