Search

Article accepted. The article will be published here soon. Pending final quality checks.

Abstract Background Stuttering priapism is characterized by recurrent, self-limited episodes of penile erection lasting from a few minutes to a maximum of three hours, often resolving spontaneously. These episodes can occur with or without sexual stimulation. If not treated promptly and effectively, stuttering priapism can severely impact a patient’s quality of life, leading to significant psychological distress and anxiety related to sexual performance. Although it has been associated with various hematological disorders and pharmacological treatments, many cases of stuttering priapism remain idiopathic, meaning they have no identifiable cause. Currently, no conclusive randomized clinical trials exist on the management of idiopathic stuttering priapism. This study aims to review the existing literature on the pathophysiology and management of idiopathic stuttering priapism and propose an algorithm to assist physicians in its evaluation and treatment. Results A systematic literature review was conducted using the PubMed database, focusing on the terms “idiopathic,” “stuttering,” “ischemic,” and “priapism.” The search identified 23 relevant references published between 1991 and 2022. The selection and analysis of these studies adhered to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines, and results were described qualitatively. Recent research into the effectiveness, sustainability, tolerability, and side effects of various treatments for idiopathic stuttering priapism has enhanced the understanding of its underlying molecular mechanisms. Various treatments, targeting different mechanisms, have been identified that can potentially reduce the frequency and severity of episodes and improve patient outcomes. Conclusion Current research predominantly addresses the acute treatment of idiopathic stuttering priapism rather than strategies to alter the disease’s overall course. The limited number of treatment reviews, case reports, and the low level of evidence available, combined with the absence of randomized clinical trials, prevent the establishment of a consensus on treatment protocols. As a result, idiopathic stuttering priapism remains under-recognized and under-treated. This review proposes a management framework to help clinicians access and apply the available literature effectively, minimizing the reliance on extensive case reports and review articles.

Background: The merging of computer science and robotic technology creates a synergistic environment where advances are changing healthcare, manufacturing, and service industries. Although some publications have shown their successes, complete research on the fusion and interface of computer science algorithms and robotic tasks is still needed. Objective: Combining computer science with robotics improves cooperation and integration. It also illustrates how linking these technologies might boost robotic entities' computational and operational capacities, making them more valuable and versatile. Methods: This mixed-methods research uses quantitative data from technical and computational performance metrics and qualitative insights from expert interviews and sector case studies. A critical study examines practical applications, issues of computer science and robotics. Results: Advanced computer algorithms may enhance robotic technologies by increasing autonomous decision-making, sensorimotor functions, and machine learning. However, the inquiry finds significant obstacles, notably in security, and implementation of these developments. Conclusion: The merger of computer science and robotic technology signals new possibilities and advancements, enabling the production of intelligent, adaptable, and autonomous robots. Combining these fields may improve robotic capabilities, but security, and practical application issues must be addressed to ensure sustainable and responsible technological growth.

The desire to increase resource management efficacy in the construction sector is expanding because of measures to reduce costs, boost productivity, and minimize environmental impact. The Internet of Things (IoT) has the potential to alter resource management in the construction sector by delivering real-time data and insights that may assist decision-makers in optimizing resource allocation and usage. Incorporating Internet of Things (IoT) technology into the construction sector will be investigated in this study to discover how resource management is affected. The aim of the study is to identify the essential aspects that promote optimal IoT integration and to investigate how IoT may influence resource management. The relations between variables and their fundamental elements are investigated using structural equation modelling (SEM). In the context of building projects, the study analyses how IoT integration influences resource allocation and utilization, real-time monitoring, and proactive maintenance. The building sector in Malaysia provides concepts on IoT in resource management. Based on this research's outcomes, there is a distinct association between the utilization of IoT technology and effective resource management in the construction sector. IoT adoption is affected by a multiplicity of issues, including data analytics, data security and privacy, integration and interoperability, scalability, and flexibility. This study contributes to addressing considerable gaps in the corpus of information on IoT technology integration in the construction sector. It analyses how IoT may effect resource management, emphasizing how IoT technology may enhance the efficacy of human, mechanical, and material resources.

Background Dietary supplements (DS) use among Lebanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) increased widely due to the country’s economic and financial situation. This study was conducted (1) to estimate the prevalence of DS use among persons with T2DM amid the escalating economic crisis in Lebanon; (2) to explore the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of DS use; and (3) to determine any significant association between socio-economic and socio-demographic factors and the use of DS modality Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted during the worst episode of the economic crisis between October and April 2022 on 460 adult patients with T2DM of both sexes. Patients were interviewed using a pre-tested questionnaire. Results Almost 4 out of 10 patients with T2DM in our study were found to be using DS, where 27.6% take multivitamins frequently. One-third of the participants agreed that nutritional supplements are necessary to control diabetes symptoms and complications. Around 41.1% of the participants complained about hypoglycemia and used DS to control their blood sugar levels (56.4%), while the rest used it to improve their health (35.5%) and control their diet (2.2%). The predictors of DS usage were the patient’s level of education [OR=3.9, CI=1.5-10, p=0.003), self-monitoring of blood sugars (OR=4.9, CI=1.68-14.6; p=0.004) and reading the nutrition label [OR=59.3, CI=6.3-55.8, p=0.000]. Conclusion This study estimated the prevalence of DS use and abuse, among persons with diabetes type II and found three significant predictors of DS use among patients with T2DM. Public health experts should encourage healthy discussions and awareness with their patients to comprehend their views regarding DS use.

This study presents a comparative analysis of individual and ensemble learning algorithms (ELAs) to predict the compressive strength (CS) and flexural strength (FS) of plastic concrete. Multilayer perceptron neuron network (MLPNN), Support vector machine (SVM), random forest (RF), and decision tree (DT) were used as base learners, which were then combined with bagging and Adaboost methods to improve the predictive performance. In addition, gene expression programming (GEP) was used to develop computational equations that can be used to predict the CS and FS of plastic concrete. An extensive database containing 357 and 125 data points was obtained from the literature, and the eight most impactful ingredients were used in the model’s development. The accuracy of all models was assessed using several statistical measures, including an error matrix, Akaike information criterion (AIC), K-fold cross-validation, and other external validation equations. Furthermore, sensitivity and SHAP analysis were performed to evaluate input variables' relative significance and impact on the anticipated CS and FS. Based on statistical measures and other validation criteria, GEP outpaces all other individual models, whereas, in ELAs, the SVR ensemble with Adaboost and RF modified with the Bagging technique demonstrated superior performance. SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) and sensitivity analysis reveal that plastic, cement, water, and the age of the specimens have the highest influence, while superplasticizer has the lowest impact, which is consistent with experimental studies. Moreover, GUI and GEP-based simple mathematical correlation can enhance the practical scope of this study and be an effective tool for the pre-mix design of plastic concrete.

The promise of a healthier, more comfortable, and more productive way of life has fueled a rapid technological transition, and a regenerative built environment has emerged as the tagline to denote the recent sustainable development. In the built environment, the regenerative paradigm has emerged as a transformative approach that goes beyond mere sustainability, aiming to restore, renew, and enhance the ecosystems affected by human activities. However, the concept of the regenerative paradigm and its potential to foster sustainable development has been understudied in recent time. Therefore, this paper explores how we can transform the built environment in the face of the present impacts of climate change using a new regenerative paradigm concept. The objectives of the study are: (i) to explore the predictors of climate change, (ii) to determine the negative impacts of environmental issues on inhabitants’ health, and (iii) to explore adaptive climate change strategies for Nigeria’s regenerative built environment. The study sample consisted of 235 stratified respondents’ opinions from within the built environment in southwestern Nigeria collected via a self-administered questionnaire. The collected quantitative data was analysed using SPSS (version 22) logistic regression analysis. The major results of the analysis revealed: (i) the ten most important predictors of climate change indicators, (ii) the existence of negative consequences of the impacts of climate change on inhabitants’ health in southwestern regions of Nigeria, and (iii) a significant (p ≤ 0.05) in all regenerative factors: planting native species has the highest β coefficient of 0.499, followed by the biophilic approach (0.494), the establishment of a city’s tree canopy (0.467), the creation of a green functional green space (0.436), the use of smart landscaping techniques (0.388), and the development of a healthy watershed (0.314). This indicates that to have a regenerative built environment it is essential to create a functional green space, plant native species, establish a city’s tree canopy, create a healthy watershed, and render a biophilic approach. The study’s recommendations include urgent action to integrate climate change interventions into the decision-making processes, initiatives, and development plans of the Nigerian government. This integration should prioritize sustainable practices within the built environment, considering the regenerative paradigm’s potential to address climate change impact effectively.

Research on human-computer interaction currently focuses on enhancing system usability by establishing an appropriate user interface (UI) that depends on users’ features. Online users typically have different perceptions of their favored interface design depending on their preferences. Thus, those interface preferences could be utilized to recognize online users’ identities. User authentication is another critical issue that should be considered to improve online security mechanisms without compromising usability. This study investigates the feasibility of using UI preferences as evidence of user identity. The proposed method applies to the design preferences of users dealing with online systems (e.g., e-exam and e-banking). These preferences are closely associated with individual characteristics, whether physical, cognitive, psychological, psychomotor, demographic, or experience based. Many design characteristics could be used in online systems; for example, the e-exam interface design may use features such as the font (size, color, and face), the number of questions per page, background color, questions group, timer type, and sound alert. The feasibility evaluation of this study indicated that 96.8% of research participants have variations in their preferences, and each participant kept 94.5% of their design preferences throughout different sessions.

This research is concerned with studying the meanings inherent in theatrical performance in the light of the analytical mechanisms adopted by phenomenological philosophy, which examines how artistic works are performed, in an attempt to reach their first facts, by directing perception to the beginning of things، And then to associate with it a direct experience according to the thoughts manifested in the feeling. Thus, consciousness carries out the experience of meaning in theatrical performance, through a long series of cognitive practices, which can be intellectually and aesthetically compared to the (montage) practices that abound in the creative consciousness in the style of cinematic depth of field. The first chapter defines the problem of research (systematically) with the following question: What are the aesthetic approaches to the coexistence of meaning between the depth of the cinematic field and the structure of theatrical presentation. While the second chapter is determined (theoretically) by the following: the first research (the strategy of cohabitation of meaning in the depth of the cinematic field), the second research (the strategy of cohabitation of meaning in theatrical presentation) ، The third Topic (aesthetics of depth of field in theatrical performance). The third chapter is determined (procedurally) by the theatrical show (Shajar Murr), written and directed by (Abdul Majid Al-Hawas), for the year (2015). In addition to the fourth chapter, which includes the results and conclusions of the research. Finally, a list of sources, references and a summary of the research in English.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a common hematologic malignancy that is considered to be a disease of aging, and traditionally has been treated with induction chemotherapy, followed by consolidation chemotherapy and/or allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. More recently, with the use of next-generation sequencing and access to molecular information, targeted molecular approaches to the treatment of AML have been adopted. Molecular targeting is gaining prominence, as AML mostly afflicts the elderly population, who often cannot tolerate traditional chemotherapy. Understanding molecular changes at the gene level is also important for accurate disease classification, risk stratification, and prognosis, allowing for more personalized medicine. Some mutations are well studied and have an established gene-specific therapy, including FLT3 and IDH1/2, while others are being investigated in clinical trials. However, data on most known mutations in AML are still minimal and therapeutic studies are in pre-clinical stages, highlighting the importance of further research and elucidation of the pathophysiology involving these genes. In this review, we aim to highlight the key molecular alterations and chromosomal changes that characterize AML, with a focus on pathophysiology, presently available treatment approaches, and future therapeutic options.

The journal Energies retracts the article “Investigation and Evaluation of the Hybrid System of Energy Storage for Renewable Energies” [...]

The accurate visualization and assessment of the complex cardiac and pulmonary structures in 3D is critical for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular and respiratory disorders. Conventional 3D cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques suffer from long acquisition times, motion artifacts, and limited spatiotemporal resolution. This study proposes a novel time-resolved 3D cardiopulmonary MRI reconstruction method based on spatial transformer networks (STNs) to reconstruct the 3D cardiopulmonary MRI acquired using 3D center-out radial ultra-short echo time (UTE) sequences. The proposed reconstruction method employed an STN-based deep learning framework, which used a combination of data-processing, grid generator, and sampler. The reconstructed 3D images were compared against the start-of-the-art time-resolved reconstruction method. The results showed that the proposed time-resolved 3D cardiopulmonary MRI reconstruction using STNs offers a robust and efficient approach to obtain high-quality images. This method effectively overcomes the limitations of conventional 3D cardiac MRI techniques and has the potential to improve the diagnosis and treatment planning of cardiopulmonary disorders.

Technological advancement encourages the usage of electronic appliances in daily life and makes it possible for users to switch to more advanced devices very easily and at a reasonable cost. As new devices are produced and manufactured at an alarming rate around the world, outdated old devices become e-waste. This research work aims at using a popular machine learning (ML) method known as Multi-expression programming (MEP) to examine the compressive strength (CS) and tensile strength (TS) of E-waste aggregate-based concrete (EWAC). 279 and 105 scientific entries for CS and TS, respectively, were culled from reputable literature. The ten convincing input parameters selected based on multicollinearity analysis (correlation matrix and variance inflation factor) were E-waste coarse aggregate (ECA%), E-waste fine aggregate (EFA%), water-cement ratio (w/c), age of concrete (A in days), fine aggregate water-absorption (WAF%), coarse aggregate water-absorption (WAC%), E-waste aggregate water-absorption (WAE%), E-waste aggregate specific-gravity (SGE), coarse aggregate specific-gravity (SGC), and fine aggregate specific-gravity (SGF). To estimate the functioning of the projected models, root-squared-error (RSE), mean-absolute error (MAE), mean-absolute-percent error (MAPE), Nash-Sutcliffe-efficiency (NSE), root-mean-squared error (RMSE), objective-function (OF), coefficient-of-correlation (R), root-mean-squared-logarithmic error (RMSLE), and performance-index (PI) were used. The R-value for both MEP models exceeds 0.9, showing “excellent” with MAPE values in the testing stage equals to 6.68% and 6.78% for the CS-MEP and TS-MEP models, respectively. While for non-linear regression (NLR) models, the MAPE exceeds 20% and 30%, respectively, making them unsuitable for future prediction. Moreover, the sensitivity analysis carried out to evaluate the MEP equations' consistency with the observed physical phenomena, indicates that for both CS and TS, the w/c, ECA%, and EFA% remain the most sensitive parameters with a sensitivity index greater than 0.60. Due to the accuracy and viability of developed models, they can be used to reduce the time needed for laborious laboratory tests.

Abstract Relapsed/refractory (r/r) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) outcomes remain poor. A targeted cluster of differentiation (CD)33 × CD3 bispecific antibody, JNJ‐67571244, was assessed to identify the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), recommended phase II dose (RP2D), safety and tolerability, and preliminary clinical activity in patients with r/rAML or r/rMDS. This first‐in‐human, open‐label, phase I, dose‐escalation/dose‐expansion study included patients with r/rAML or r/rMDS who were ineligible for or had exhausted standard therapeutic options. JNJ‐67571244 was administered intravenously or subcutaneously using step‐up dosing until ≥1 discontinuation condition was met. Outcomes included safety/tolerability, preliminary clinical activity, and systemic pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. The study was terminated after evaluating 10 dose‐escalation cohorts (n = 68) and before starting dose‐expansion. Overall, 11 (16.2%) patients experienced ≥1 dose‐limiting toxicity; all experienced ≥1 treatment‐emergent adverse event (TEAE; treatment related: 60 [88.2%]); and 64 (94.1%) experienced ≥1 TEAE of Grade ≥3 toxicity (treatment related: 28 [41.2%]). Although some patients had temporary disease burden reductions, no responses were seen. JNJ‐67571244 administration increased multiple cytokines, which coincided with incidence of cytokine release syndrome, infusion‐related reactions, and elevated liver function tests. A prolonged step‐up strategy was tested to improve tolerability, though this approach did not prevent hepatotoxicity. T‐cell activation following treatment suggested target engagement but did not correlate with clinical activity. Safely reaching the projected exposure level for JNJ‐67571244 efficacy was not achieved, thus MTD and RP2D were not determined.

ABSTRACT Objective: The purpose of this prospective clinical trial was to explore the dental and soft tissue changes accompanying the use of skeletally anchored nickel-titanium (NiTi) extrusion arch in the correction of anterior open bite (AOB). Material and Methods: Twenty female patients with a mean age of 16.5 ± 1.5 years and a mean dentoalveolar AOB of 2.38±0.7 mm participated in this study. All patients were treated with an maxillary 0.017×0.025-in NiTi extrusion arch, with the aid of miniscrews inserted between the maxillary second premolars and first molars bilaterally, to act as indirect anchorage. Three-dimensional digital models and lateral cephalometric radiographs were taken just before the insertion of the extrusion arch (T0) and after 10 months (T1). Paired-sample t-tests were used in analyzing the data, to evaluate the changes after treatment (T1-T0). A significance level of p < 0.05 was used. Results: AOB was successfully closed in all patients, with a 4.35 ± 0.61 mm increase in the overbite. Maxillary incisors significantly extruded (2.52 ± 1.02 mm) and significantly reclined (5.78 ± 0.77°), with a resultant decrease in the overjet of 1.58 ± 0.5mm. A significant intrusion of maxillary first molars with no change in their inclination was observed. The upper lip showed a significant retraction tendency to the E-plane, and a significant increase in the nasolabial angle was observed. Conclusion: The skeletally anchored NiTi extrusion arch was an effective technique in treating AOB, with no adverse effects on the molars.

This study offers molecular insight into the sialidase and fucosidase decapping apparatus that initiates growth on mucin and promotes nutrient sharing by the dedicated mucolytic symbiont Akkermansia muciniphila with the mucus-associated microbiota.

يهدف هذا البحث لدراسة علم مهم من علوم القرآن التي تُوجب على قارئ القرآن أن يكون على أتم الدراية به، وهو علم أحكام الوقف ، والتعريف به ، ثم بيان أقسامه وعلاماته التي لابد من كل قارئ معرفتها والعمل بموجبها، لكي تتضح الصورة أكثر حول هذا الموضوع لدى القارىء ، على الرغم من أن هناك كتباً كثيرة ودراسات تطرقت لمفهوم الوقف وأحكامه ، ولكننا أردنا من هذا البحث هو أن نعرضه من وجهة نظرعلماء التجويد في النجف الاشرف اللذين أرادوا من هذا الأحكام وغيرها، هو إلزام المكُلّفين بها من الناحية الفقهية والتعليمية ، ثم عرضنا جملةً من النماذج التطبيقية للوقف في القرآن الكريم ، ثم بينت بالخاتمة أهم نتائج الدراسة.

Abstract Background Tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica (TO) is a rare condition of unknown etiology. TO is characterized by submucosal nodules, with or without calcifications, protruding in the anterolateral walls of the trachea and proximal bronchi. The objective of this study was to describe TO features and associated comorbidities in a series of patients. Methods Patients suffering from TO were retrospectively included by investigators from the Groupe d’Endoscopie Thoracique et Interventionnelle Francophone (GETIF). Demographic, clinical, comorbidities, bronchoscopic, functional, and radiological characteristics, and outcomes were recorded and analyzed. Results Thirty-six patients were included (69% male with a mean of 65 ± 12 years). Chronic symptoms were described by 81% of patients including cough (74%) and dyspnea on exertion (74%). TO was associated with COPD in 19% of the cases and gastroesophageal reflux disease in 6%. A mild to severe airflow obstruction was present in 55% of the cases. CT scan showed tracheal submucosal nodules in 93% of patients and tracheal stenosis in 17%. Bronchoscopy identified TO lesions in the trachea in 65% of the cases, and 66% of them were scattered. A bronchoscopic reevaluation was performed in 7 cases, 9 ± 14 months [1–56] after initial diagnosis, and showed the stability of lesions in all cases. Three patients underwent interventional bronchoscopic treatment. Conclusion The diagnosis of TO relies on typical bronchoscopic findings and can be evoked on a CT scan. Histologic diagnosis can be useful in atypical cases for differential diagnosis. Given its low consequences in terms of symptoms, lung functions, and evolution, no treatment is usually required.

The main goal of this paper is to determine how vaccination and the spread of COVID-19 have influenced investor interest in cryptocurrency. The paper quantifies the reproduction number of COVID-19 worldwide and in specific countries. It evaluates cryptocurrency volatility using various time scale frequencies by employing the Wavelet approach. Additionally, this research examines how investor interest in these sectors was impacted by immunizations and pandemic transmission. Our research demonstrates that during the COVID-19 epidemic, cryptocurrency volatility is greater across extended trade horizons and decreases following the introduction of immunizations. Furthermore, vaccination levels and the spread of COVID-19 significantly affect investor attention in the top three cryptocurrency markets. This work has several implications, such as highlighting the effect of COVID-19's spread in increasing the volatility of cryptocurrency markets and the role of vaccinations in reducing risks and increasing investor attention. The results of this study aid in forecasting bitcoin market activity and price movements, creating trading opportunities in the bitcoin market. The empirical findings will provide valuable insights for policymakers and investors, enabling them to develop better investment strategies. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to employ the R-number to calculate the effect of the COVID-19 vaccine and dissemination on cryptocurrency markets.

Objective: To synthesise the gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) using Acacia catechu through biogenic synthesis and evaluate their antimicrobial efficacy against S. mutans and E. coli in vitro. Methods: Green synthesised AuNPs were characterised using the ultraviolet–visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, and the size and shape of the synthesised nanoparticles were evaluated using the transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The antimicrobial efficacy of AuNPs (30/60/100 μl) against S. mutans/E. coli was evaluated on the Mueller–Hinton agar by measuring the zone of inhibition (ZOI) with ampicillin (15 μl) as a positive control. Results: The synthesised AuNPs were confirmed using the UV-Vis spectroscopy with peaks at 540 nm, and the size of the particle estimated using the TEM was between 5 and 15 nm. The antimicrobial efficacy of AuNPs was comparable to that of ampicillin against S. mutans/E. coli, but the difference was not significant. The antimicrobial effects increased in a dose-dependent fashion but were comparable across all concentrations and ampicillin. Conclusion: Green synthesised AuNPs exhibited significant antibacterial activity against S. mutans and E. coli at par with commercial ampicillin and demonstrated the potential towards anticariogenic agent for future use in dentistry.

The projected increase of civil aviation activity, the degradation of air quality and the location of Beirut Airport embedded in a very urbanized area, in addition to the special geography and topography surrounding the airport which plays a significant role in drawing emissions to larger distances, demanded anassessment of the spatial impact of the airport activities on the air quality of Beirut and its suburbs. This is the first study in the Middle East region that model pollutant concentrations resulting from an international airport's activities using an advanced atmospheric dispersion modelling system in a country with no data. This followed validation campaigns showing very strong correlations (r = 0.85) at validation sites as close as possible to emission sources. The modelling results showed extremely high NO2 concentrations within the airport vicinity, i.e., up to 110 μg∙m-3 (which is greater than the World Health Organization annual guidelines) posing a health hazard to the workers in the ramp. The major contribution of Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport to the degradation of air quality was in the airport vicinity; however, it extended to Beirut and its suburbs in addition to affecting the seashore area due to emissions along the aircraft trajectory; this isan aspect rarely considered in previous studies. On the other hand, elevated volatile organic compound levels were observed near the fuel tanks and at the aerodrome center. This study provides (ⅰ) a methodology to assess pollutant concentrations resulting from airport emissions through the use of an advanced dispersion model in a country with no data; and (ⅱ) a tool for policy makers to better understand the contribution of the airport's operations to national pollutant emissions, which is vital for mitigation strategies and health impact assessments.

Spray pyrolysis was used in this work to create un-doped ZnO and Sn-doped films with varying mass fractions (2, 4, 6, and 8wt.%) of doping on a glass substrate. The effect of Sn doping on the optical and structural characteristics of the produced thin films was investigated. All of the films were polycrystalline and possessed a structure of hexagonal wurtzite with a preference for orientation along the (002) plane, according to XRD investigations. The peak intensity (002) for 6 wt% is higher than all of the chosen doping ratios. Except for the 8% that was (21) nm, the grain size (D) increased from (22-26) nm as the percentage of Sn doping increased. In order to evaluate the optical characteristics, the absorption and transmittance spectra were recorded in different wavelength ranges of 380-900 nm. This shows that, compared to the un-doped film, the absorbance decreases as the amount of doped tin increases. When the doping ratio ranged from (0 - 8) wt%, the optical energy gap was (3.23-3.59) eV. The transmittance increases with the percentage of Sn doping, reaching its maximum value (72%) at (8%) doping.

تكمن وظيفة الإيديولوجيا الأساسية في تسويغ هيمنة السلطة على المجتمع؛ لأن الأفكار الإيديولوجية السائدة لأي مجتمع ماهي إلا أفكار الطبقة الحاكمة تؤدي الإيديولوجيا دوراً مهماً في إعادة إنتاج السلطة من جهة، وفي تشكيل الطبقات الاجتماعية وفرض الهيمنة عليها من جهة أخرى. وتعد الإيديولوجيا أحد المفاهيم المحورية في التحليل الثقافي للخطاب، وذلك لِما تقدمه من فهم للواقع الاجتماعي، فأخذت تحظى باهتمام النقد الثقافي. فضلاً عن إسهامها في إقامة العلاقات الاجتماعية غير المتكافئة والمرتبطة بالسلطة وما تفرضه من سيطرة على الطبقات الاجتماعية واستغلالها، والهيمنة عليها.

Abstract Background Large granular lymphocytic leukemia is a rare lymphocytic neoplasm that can pose a treatment challenge in patients with severe neutropenia in whom conventional therapies fail. We report one of the first cases in which allogeneic stem cell therapy was used as treatment for large granular lymphocytic leukemia. We report and discuss the case of a 42-year-old white Caucasian female who, despite multiple therapies including methotrexate, cyclophosphamide, prednisone, cyclosporine, and pentostatin, continued to show severe neutropenia and recurrent infections. The patient was treated successfully and cured by allogeneic stem cell transplant without any major complications. Conclusions The significant importance of this case report is the introduction of a new treatment algorithm for challenging cases of T-cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia in which standard care fails. We hope that this case report will raise awareness of the potential benefits of allogeneic stem cell transplant in the treatment of aggressive forms of T-cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia.

The aim of this article is to assess the outcomes of a low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy (LiESWT) protocol for the treatment of Peyronie's disease (PD). Patients treated for PD were prospectively recorded, and data were retrospectively reviewed. Age, characteristics of fibrous plaques, concomitant treatments, International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5), Lue score, and pain score on Likert scale were collected. Patients in acute phase of PD and an angulation of

Polyorchidism, or supernumerary testis, is a rare congenital abnormality of the genitourinary system. In this paper, we present the case of triorchidism in a seven-year-old asymptomatic child with a suspect left scrotal mass detected on routine physical examination. Imaging studies revealed a third testicle in the left hemiscrotum, with comparable dimensions, signal intensity on MRI, and Doppler flow on ultrasound with the ipsilateral testis. We also discuss the clinical presentations, classifications, and current diagnostic and therapeutic strategies of this condition.

Introduction and Objectives. Lichen sclerosus (LSc) is a chronic inflammatory process of the skin characterized by its unique histological features. It affects men and women of all ages, mainly in the anogenital area. The etiologies and exact pathophysiology are not well-known; however, LSc can be considered a precursor to male genital squamous cell carcinoma. We aim, through this case-control study, to potentially associate genital LSc with risk factors and certain patient characteristics in Lebanese adult males. Materials and Methods. A nested case-control study design was chosen. Subjects enrolled were adult male patients who had a circumcision between January 2010 and December 2020 at our university hospital, with a confirmed LSc diagnosis on pathology. Cases were matched with controls by age with a ratio of 1 : 1, all of whom were circumcised and had a negative pathology report. Data collection consisted of sociodemographic, behavioral, and past medical and familial history characteristics. Results. A total of 94 patients were enrolled. The mean age was 49.81 (±22.92) in the group of men with LSc. No significant differences in sociodemographic characteristics (age and BMI) were found between the two compared groups. Smoking cannot predict LSc as opposed to alcohol consumption, which we found to be a protective factor against the appearance of LSc (p=0.027). Men with LSc had significantly higher rates of diabetes (p=0.021) and hypertension (p=0.004). No associations were found between LSc and the presenting chief complaints, family history of LSc, and past penile trauma. Conclusion. In this study, we were able to compare multiple variables between 47 circumcised patients diagnosed with LSc and a control group. We found that LSc patients showed higher rates of diabetes and hypertension. A potential protective effect of alcohol consumption is to be explored in future projects with bigger sample sizes and higher statistical powers.

هدفت الدراسة إلى التحقق من فاعلية النمذجة الذاتية بالفيديو في تحسين طلاقة القراءة ودافعيتها لدى طالبات الصف الخامس المدرجات في برنامج صعوبات التعلم بسلطنة عمان، وتكونت العينة من 10 طالبات في الصف الخامس الأساسي ممن يعانين من صعوبات قرائية، ويتلقين التدخلات العلاجية اللازمة ببرنامج صعوبات التعلم، ووُزعت عشوائيًا إلى مجموعتين متكافئتين ضابطة وتجريبية، وطُبقت الدراسة إجرائيا في الفصل الدراسي الثاني من عام 2018. وتمثلت أدوات الدراسة في اختبار الطلاقة القرائية من إعداد الشيزاوي (2016)، الذي يقيس مهارات الطلاقة القرائية المكونة من: مهارات النطق، ومهارات الدقة القرائية، ومهارات المعدل القرائي، وقد بلغ معامل الثبات للاختبار 0.97، أيضا استُخدم مقياس دافعية القراءة المكون من 19 عبارة موزعة على بُعدين اثنين، هما: مفهوم الذات القرائية وقيمة القراءة، وبلغ معامل الثبات للمقياس 0.867. وقد أظهرت النتائج وجود فروق دالة إحصائيًا بين القياسين القبلي والبعدي للطلاقة القرائية في المجموعة التجريبية لصالح القياس البعدي، ووجود فروق دالة إحصائيا بين المجموعتين الضابطة والتجريبية في القياس البعدي للطلاقة القرائية لصالح المجموعة التجريبية. كما أظهرت وجود فروق دالة إحصائيًا بين القياسين القبلي والبعدي لدافعية القراءة في المجموعة التجريبية لصالح القياس البعدي، ووجود فروق دالة إحصائيا عند مستوى دلالة 0.05 بين المجموعتين الضابطة والتجريبية في القياس البعدي لمستوى دافعية القراءة وذلك لصالح المجموعة التجريبية.

Abstract Background Prostate cancer (Pca) is the second most common cause of cancer among Lebanese men. Screening is an effective method to reduce prostate cancer mortality. This study assessed the knowledge, awareness, and screening practices among Lebanese population regarding Pca. Methods A cross-sectional national study over all the Lebanese governorates on 1558 persons was undergone. Information on Pca knowledge and attitudes towards screening was obtained using a semi structured questionnaire. Bivariate and binary logistic regression were used to assess relations between Pca knowledge and socio-demographic characteristics. Results The sample consisted of 1088 (69.8%) males and 470 (30.2%) females, with a mean age of 40 Y.O. Concerning early detection methods of Pca, its frequency, the ideal screening age, symptoms and curability of Pca, a significant difference (p

Microbial oxidoreductases are key in biomass breakdown. Here, the authors expand the specificity and redox scope within fungal auxiliary activity 7 family (AA7) enzymes and show that AA7 oligosaccharide dehydrogenases can directly fuel cellulose degradation by lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases.

Molecular imprinting is an efficient strategy to make the detection of compounds more specific and more selective. This targeted analytical strategy using molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) synthesis needs to obtain the optimized conditions. A selective molecularly imprinted polymer was prepared for caffeic acid (CA) detection after varying the following synthesis parameters: functional monomer type (N-phenylacrylamide, N-PAA or methacrylic acid, MAA), solvent type (acetonitrile/methanol or acetonitrile/toluene), and the polymerization method (UV or thermal initiation). The optimal polymer was obtained using MAA as a functional monomer, acetonitrile/methanol as solvent, and UV polymerization. Morphological characterizations were done for the optimal CA-MIP using mid-infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and nitrogen adsorption. The optimal polymer showed good specificity and selectivity in the presence of interferents (antioxidants having a chemical structure close to CA) in a hydroalcoholic solution. The electrochemical detection of CA was performed by cyclic voltammetry (CV) after the interaction between CA and the optimal MIP in a wine sample. The linear range of the developed method was between 0 and 1.11 mM, the limit of detection (LOD) was 0.13 mM, and the limit of quantification (LOQ) was 0.32 mM. HPLC-UV was used to validate the newly developed method. Recovery values were between 104% and 111%.

Résumé Contexte La prothèse pénienne (PP) est. le traitement de référence de la dysfonction érectile (DE) réfractaire aux médicaments. Le but de ce travail est. d’évaluer les résultats à long terme chez les patients traités par prothèses péniennes (PP) dans notre hôpital. Résultats Un total de 130 patients a eu une pose de PP (âge médian: 62,5 ans [IQR: 58–69]; score médian de l’indice international de la fonction érectile (IEEF-5): 6 [IQR: 5–7]). Le suivi médian était de 6.3 ans [IQR: 4–9.4]. Trente-deux (24,6%) patients ont eu une reprise chirurgicale, dont 20 étaient des retraits de PP (15,4%). La durée de vie global des PP était de 84,6% et la pose antérieure de PP était un facteur de risque pour l’ablation (p = 0,02). Il y a eu six (4,6%) événements peropératoires ne mettant pas la vie en danger, dont deux qui ont empêché la pose de PP (1,5%). Le score EAUiaic était de 0 pour 124 procédures (95,4%), 1 pour quatre procédures (3,1%) et 2 pour deux procédures (1,5%). Parmi les patients qui avaient encore leur PP à la fin de l’étude, 91 (80,5%) ont exprimé leur satisfaction. Conclusions L’implantation de PP est. un traitement de dernier recours pour la dysfonction érectile avec un résultat satisfaisant. Les PP sont bien acceptés par les patients.

Objective: To investigate the modulatory effects of bitter gourd extract on the insulin signaling pathway in the liver and skeletal muscle tissues of diabetic rats. Methods: The ethanolic extract of bitter gourd was prepared and its contents of total polyphenols and flavonoids were assayed. A neonatal streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model was established and the diabetic rats were assigned into different groups and were treated with different doses of bitter gourd extract (100, 200, 400, or 600 mg/kg) or with glibenclamide (0.1 mg/kg) for 30 d. Fasting blood glucose, insulin, and lipid profile were evaluated and the insulin signaling pathway in the liver and skeletal muscle of rats was investigated. The correlations between homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) and the components of insulin signaling pathway were also evaluated. Results: Different doses of bitter gourd extract significantly ameliorated fasting blood glucose level and HOMA index for insulin resistance. Moreover, bitter gourd extract increased serum insulin and improved disrupted serum lipid profile. The levels of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1), p-insulin receptor β (p-IR-β), protein kinase C (PKC), GLUT2, and GLUT4 were improved by treatment with bitter gourd extract. The best results were obtained with 400 mg/kg dose of the extract, the effect of which was equivalent to that of glibenclamide. HOMA in the bitter gourd treated rats was negatively correlated with p-IR-β, IRS-1 and PKC in hepatic and skeletal muscle. HOMA was also negatively correlated with skeletal muscle GLUT4. Conclusions: Bitter gourd extract improves glucose homeostasis and lipid profile in diabetic rats via enhancement of insulin secretion and sensitivity. Therefore, bitter gourd can be used as a potential pharmacological agent for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Resume Introduction Les complications concernant les cylindres proximaux des prothèses péniennes peuvent être traitées par un abord crural sans avoir recours à l’incision péno-scrotale classique. Dans cet article, on décrit une nouvelle voie d’abord crurale directe pour la prise en charge des complications prothétiques proximale. Matériels and Méthodes Il s’agit d’une étude rétrospective, entre 2014 et 2019, sur 13 patients ayant eu une correction chirurgicale par voie d’abord crurale, suite à des complications prothétiques cylindriques proximales. La zone affectée est. identifiée avant le début de l’opération. En position de lithotomie, une incision longitudinale de 2 cm est. réalisée directement au niveau de la zone atteinte. La dissection se fait à travers le fascia de Colles, suivie d’une incision longitudinale de la tunique albuginée à la partie proximale du cylindre atteint. A travers cette incision, le cylindre peut être retiré et la gestion de son problème sera aisée. Résultats Le temps opératoire moyen était de 40 min. Aucune complication durant ou après l’opération n’a été rapportée. Tous les patients (âge moyen = 57 ans) sont sortis de l’hôpital le même jour. Le suivi postopératoire a révélé une correction de toutes les déformations existantes après 1, 3 et 6 mois. Tous les patients étaient satisfaits et ont rapporté moins de douleur et une durée de convalescence plus courte qu’après la première procédure. Conclusion Notre technique chirurgicale, applicable pour tout type de prothèses péniennes, est. à la fois faisable et sans risque majeur. Elle simplifie la reprise chirurgicale des complications de prothèses péniennes proximales sans avoir recours à l’incision initiale, ce qui évite les adhérences et de mettre en danger le matériel implanté et l’urètre. Elle peut également améliorer la sécurité et la satisfaction des patients en réduisant les blessures iatrogènes et le temps de récupération postopératoire.

Abstract Background Risk scores were mainly proved to predict undiagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (UT2DM) in a non-invasive manner and to guide earlier clinical treatment. The objective of the present study was to assess the performance of the Finnish Diabetes Risk Score (FINDRISC) for detecting three outcomes: UT2DM, prediabetes, and the metabolic syndrome (MS). Methods This was a prospective, cross-sectional study during which employees aged between 30 and 64, with no known diabetes and working within the faculties of the Lebanese University (LU) were conveniently recruited. Participants completed the FINDRISC questionnaire and their glucose levels were examined using both fasting blood glucose (FBG) and oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT). Furthermore, they underwent lipid profile tests with anthropometry. Results Of 713 subjects, 397 subjects (55.2% female; 44.8% male) completed the blood tests and thus were considered as the sample population. 7.6% had UT2DM, 22.9% prediabetes and 35.8% had MS, where men had higher prevalence than women for these 3 outcomes (P = 0.001, P = 0.003 and P = 0.001) respectively. The AUROC value with 95% Confidence Interval (CI) for detecting UT2DM was 0.795 (0.822 in men and 0.725 in women), 0.621(0.648 in men and 0.59 in women) for prediabetes and 0.710 (0.734 in men and 0.705 in women) for MS. The correspondent optimal cut-off point for UT2DM was 11.5 (sensitivity = 83.3% and specificity = 61.3%), 9.5 for prediabetes (sensitivity = 73.6% and specificity = 43.1%) and 10.5 (sensitivity = 69.7%; specificity = 56.5%) for MS. Conclusion The FINDRISC can be considered a simple, quick, inexpensive, and non-invasive instrument to use in a Lebanese community of working people who are unaware of their health status and who usually report being extremely busy because of their daily hectic work for the screening of UT2DM and MS. However, it poorly screens for prediabetes in this context.

Abstract Background Lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) are often studied in simple models involving activity measurements of a single LPMO or a blend thereof with hydrolytic enzymes towards an insoluble substrate. However, the contribution of LPMOs to polysaccharide breakdown in complex cocktails of hydrolytic and oxidative enzymes, similar to fungal secretomes, remains elusive. Typically, two starch-specific AA13 LPMOs are encoded by mainly Ascomycota genomes. Here, we investigate the impact of LPMO loss on the growth and degradation of starches of varying resistance to amylolytic hydrolases by Aspergillus nidulans. Results Deletion of the genes encoding AnAA13A that possesses a CBM20 starch-binding module, AnAA13B (lacking a CBM20) or both AA13 genes resulted in reduced growth on solid media with resistant, but not soluble processed potato starch. Larger size and amount of residual starch granules were observed for the AA13-deficient strains as compared to the reference and the impairment of starch degradation was more severe for the strain lacking AnAA13A based on a microscopic analysis. After 5 days of growth on raw potato starch in liquid media, the mount of residual starch was about fivefold higher for the AA13 gene deletion strains compared to the reference, which underscores the importance of LPMOs for degradation of especially resistant starches. Proteomic analyses revealed substantial changes in the secretomes of the double AA13 gene deletion, followed by the AnAA13A-deficient strain, whereas only a single protein was significantly different in the proteome of the AnAA13B-deficient strain as compared to the reference. Conclusions This study shows that the loss of AA13, especially the starch-binding AnAA13A, impairs degradation of resistant potato starch, but has limited impact on less-resistant wheat starch and no impact on processed solubilized starch. The effects of LPMO loss are more pronounced at the later stages of fungal growth, likely due to the accumulation of the less-accessible regions of the substrate. The striking impairment in granular starch degradation due to the loss of a single LPMO from the secretome offers insight into the crucial role played by AA13 in the breakdown of resistant starch and presents a methodological framework to analyse the contribution of distinct LPMOs towards semi-crystalline polysaccharides under in vivo conditions.

The assembly and maturation of the early life microbiome has life-long effects on human health. Here, the authors combine omics, functional assays and structural analyses to characterize the catabolic pathways that support the growth of butyrate producing Clostridiales members from the Roseburia and Eubacterium, on distinct human milk oligosaccharides.

Résumé Contexte Le syndrome de la détumescence rigide (STR) fait le sujet de plusieurs discussions en ligne concernant les dysfonctions sexuelles. Cette entité est. mal définie et peu reconnue. Nous présentons dans cet article une revue de la littérature sur la présentation clinique, le diagnostic, les mécanismes physiopathologiques et les stratégies de thérapeutique du STR. Matériel et Méthodes La revue de la littérature a été réalisée selon les recommandations PRISMA. En cherchant sur MEDLINE, CENTRAL, PASCAL et google scholar les termes « hard, flaccid et syndrome », on a identifié 16 articles publiés entre 2018 et février 2019. Après la revue des références des articles et le triage des doublons, 7 articles ont été retenus. Résultats Il s’agit d’une pathologie acquise, chronique et douloureuse, caractérisée par une verge semi rigide à l’état flaccide avec une perte de rigidité lors des érections. Les patients souffrent de troubles sensitifs péniens et érectiles avec une contracture permanente des muscles pelviens ainsi que des troubles urinaires et psychologiques. Les symptômes sont aggravés par la position debout. La notion de traumatisme de la base de la verge est. rapportée par la majorité des patients. Ce traumatisme semble entrainer une altération des structures nerveuses et vasculaires péniennes à l’origine des troubles sensitifs et érectiles. Ces derniers créent des troubles émotionnels avec une stimulation sympathique réactionnelle qui engendre une contraction surajoutée des muscles pelviens et qui empire les symptômes. Le diagnostic est. clinique et les examens paracliniques sont normaux. Le traitement est. multimodal, il englobe les thérapies comportementales, la prise en charge des altérations psychologiques et de la douleur, afin d’agir sur la contraction des muscles pelviens et sur le stress associé à la dysfonction érectile. Conclusion Le syndrome de la détumescence rigide reste peu connu et mal défini dans la pratique clinique. Une approche thérapeutique multimodale parait la plus adéquate actuellement. Des études supplémentaires sont nécessaires afin de mieux cerner cette entité dans le but d’améliorer sa prise en charge.

Abstract Background The Inflatable penile prostheses (IPP) are used as definitive treatment for severe erectile dysfunction. Removal of an IPP can be challenging, especially for the non-andrologists and junior urologists. The classic penoscrotal incision for explanation can disrupt anatomy, which increases the risk of complications and makes future re-implantation difficult. This article aims to describe a simple surgical method for the removal of IPP, which avoids the penoscrotal incision and reduces the risk of urethral damage and additional fibrosis. Material and methods Between November 2015 and February 2019, 15 patients underwent IPP removal using the same technique. Multiple incisions were performed directly over each component of the IPP for their removal. Four incisions of 2 cm each were made at the following sites: one incision on both sides of the ventral base of the penis, one inguinal incision, and one scrotal incision. Each incision provides direct access to one component of the IPP (cylinders, reservoir, and pump). Results The mean duration of the surgery was 41 min (between 35 and 48 min). All procedures were completed successfully with a smooth course. None of the patients had any residual component of the IPP at the time of surgery. Neither complications (urethral or intestinal injury) nor excessive bleeding (> 100 mL) were documented in all patients. Conclusion Our approach provides direct exposure of all components of the IPP. It reduces the risk of urethral iatrogenic injury and the local fibrosis (which is greater with the penoscrotal incision) that may impair future reinsertion of IPP. It is simple, safe, reproducible and easy to be performed by junior or unexperienced urologists in urgent cases. Resume Contexte Les implants péniens hydrauliques (IPH) constituent le traitement définitif des dysfonctions érectiles. Le retrait de ces prothèses peut être difficile, surtout pour les jeunes urologues. L’incision classique péno-scrotale est. peu anatomique. Elle est. associée à un risque de plaies urétrales et de fibrose pouvant limiter l’insertion ultérieure de nouvelles prothèses. Nous présentons dans cet article une méthode alternative simple pour le retrait des IPH qui permet d’éviter l’incision péno-scrotale et les risques qui s’y associent. Matériel et Méthodes Entre novembre 2015 et février 2019, 15 patients ont été opérés pour extraction d’IPH infectés, en utilisant la même technique chirurgicale. Une incision de 2 cm est. réalisée en face de chaque élément de l’IPH pour permettre son extraction: une incision scrotale, une autre inguinale et une de chaque côté de la base ventrale du pénis. Résultats La durée moyenne de l’intervention était de 41 min (entre 35 et 48 min). Toutes les interventions ont été bien tolérées. Les éléments des IPH ont été retirés sans fragments résiduels. Aucune complication n’a été notée. Conclusion L’approche décrite permet l’exposition directe des composantes des IPH. Elle permet la réduction du risque des lésions urétrales iatrogène et de fibrose ultérieure. Celle-ci est. plus fréquente avec l’incision péno-scrotale et peut limiter l’éventuelle insertion de nouveaux implants. Notre technique est. reproductible et simple pour être appliquée sans danger par les jeunes urologues peu expérimentés.

The system presented in this paper can change the energy storage landscape by having the advantages of a compressed air storage system and pump storage, as well as minimizing the disadvantages of these two systems. One of the advantages of this system compared to similar systems is the lack of combustion of natural gas. Correspondingly, for construction, it does not require specific specifications for the executive site, and control of the energy and heat of the system (due to the use of water as an operational fluid) is easier than similar systems. In addition, this system is very scalable and can be designed in low capacities to high capacities, energy analysis of this research to identify the basic and effective parameters of the system and determine the limitations and relationships between them. The amount of energy saved in the current research system compared to previous research is significant, and 92% efficiency can be achieved. The energy analysis of this research determined the effect of the parameters on each other and their limitations so that the path of its feasibility design was paved.

The most used etchant in dental daily practice is the phosphoric acid (P.A.; 37%). However, acid etchants can induce necrosis on the oral mucosa and cause the ulceration of periodontal tissue when a rubber dam is not used. V-prep is a new practical alternative, and it has satisfactory results. It is used as a preparation before the application of a resin-modified glass ionomer composite (RMGIC) to bond the orthodontic brackets. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the V-prep on oral gingival fibroblasts cells by comparing the cell damage and cell viability after the use of V-prep and a conventional phosphoric acid etchant with different application times and concentrations. Therefore, Gingival fibroblasts passage 6 (GFP6) was grown and treated with an acid etchant and V-prep at three different concentrations (1:1, 1:2 and 1:10) for two different application durations (30 s and 1 min). The morphological changes, cell death and cell viability were assessed. Pyknosis, karyolysis, nucleus reversible and irreversible damages and membrane destruction were observed for both of the etchants at the higher concentrations and longer application durations. Mann–Whitney U-tests were used for the statistical analyses. The application of the V-prep for 30 s showed better values than the acid etchant did in the cell damage analysis and cell viability analysis (p = 0.03). V-prep at a 1:10 concentration applied for a 30 s duration can preserve the viability of gingival fibroblasts cells up to 100%. The toxicity of V-prep is equal or lower than the toxicity of the acid etchant that is commonly used in dentistry. Thus, the V-prep can be used with precautions intra-orally, and it should be applied on the enamel as a gel for 30 s only before it is rinsed and removed.

Caffeic acid (CA) is an efficient antioxidant found in wine and in plants and can be extracted from the by-products of the food industry. A molecularly imprinted polymer specific to caffeic acid (CA-MIP) was prepared by radical polymerization using N-phenylacrylamide as the functional monomer, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as the cross-linker, and azobisisobutyronitrile as the initiator, in the presence of CA as the template molecule. The rebinding activities between the polymers and CA were promoted by an indirect method and characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV) using a screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE). It is a fast method, which only requires simple and portable instrumentation. The polymer showed a high selectivity toward CA and a good repeatability. CA-MIP was then applied in wine samples spiked with CA, and the results were compared to those obtained by a chromatographic method. With a limit of detection of 0.06 mM in wine, the recovery values confirmed that the method is suitable for further applications.

لقد جاء اختيار (رواية شبيه الخنزير)، للكاتب والروائي العراقي "وارد بدر السالم" موضوعاً للدراسة لِما تتضمنه من تقنيات فنية وموضوعية مترابطة فيما بينها ، ولا سيما في دلالاتها المركزية العالقة والمتعلقة بقضايا الإنسان ومحنته إزاء الذات والوجود، نظراً لِما للأدب الروائي من قدرة كبيرة في الكشف عن المسكوت عنه والبوح بالمحرم بفعل الذات والإيديولوجيا المتحكمة في طبيعة المجتمع وما يشهده من فرز ثقافي لجهة على حساب الأخرى

RÉSUMÉ Contexte L’érection nocturne douloureuse est. une parasomnie, caractérisée par des épisodes de tumescence douloureuse provenant exclusivement lors du sommeil, avec une anatomie normale et des érections indolores lorsque le patient est. réveillé. La prise en charge de cette maladie est. inconnue vue le petit nombre de cas et le manque d’études randomisées. Nous présentons dans cet article une revue de la littérature concentrée sur les stratégies thérapeutiques décrites. Un algorithme est. suggéré pour faciliter l’évaluation et la prise en charge des patients. Matériel et méthodes La revue de la littérature a été réalisée en utilisant la base de donnée PubMed et les termes: « sleep, pain, painful, penile, erection ». Les références des articles ont été revues. En total 23 références ont été utiles pour notre revue. Les résultats ont été présentés d’une manière descriptive. Résultats Les stratégies thérapeutiques actuelles se basent sur les essais décrits dans la littérature à travers un nombre limité de patients. La durée de la rémission et les effets secondaires minimes rendent certains traitements supérieurs. Le baclofen est. le plus utilisé grâce à son efficacité et à son faible potentiel d’effets secondaires. Le cinitapride a été très efficace lors d’un essai unique chez un seul patient, sans effets secondaires rapportés. Les inhibiteurs de la phosphodiesterase de type 5, largement utilisés en urologie, ont été trouvés utiles pour le traitement des érections nocturnes douloureuses chez 2 patients. La clozapine qui est. très efficace, présente un profil d’effets secondaires dangereux. Conclusion A cause du faible nombre de cas et des essais thérapeutiques rapportés, le meilleur traitement des patients ayant des érections douloureuses nocturnes reste indéterminé. Nous suggérons un algorithme utile aux praticiens pour l’évaluation, le diagnostic et la prise en charge de ces patients.

The present study aimed to investigate the neurotoxicity of iron oxide and silver NPs solely or combined. At the molecular level, the exposure to both NPs induced marked DNA fragmentation, downregulation of mtTFA, and upregulation of PGC-1α expression. Both NPs caused decline in acetylcholine esterase, norepinephrine, serotonin, dopamine, and antioxidants enzymes, while causing an increase in lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide, tumour suppressor gene p53, tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, acetylcholine, and norepinephrine. NPs exposure was associated with severe histologic changes in brain architecture. The effect of the combined exposure to both NPs was more pronounced than each one alone. This study showed that the mechanism of neurotoxicity may involve different pathways including changes in gene expression of mTFA and PGC-1α, induced DNA fragmentation, deregulated neurotransmitters, oxidative stress and disturbed cytokine production and tumour suppressor protein p53.

Abstract Background Physical inactivity is a crucial risk factor for the development of chronic health issues, which have a high incidence among Arabs living in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The Qatar Stepwise Survey 2012 reported that approximately 44% of young adults 18–44 years of age had insufficient levels of physical activity. Family is a powerful source of information and socialization for adolescents and has a strong influence on their attitudes, decision-making, and behaviors. Methods The purpose of this study is to understand how university students’ physical activity can be influenced by sociocultural factors, particularly family health values and Muslim Arab culture. Using the criterion sampling strategy, 20 undergraduate Muslim students (Female students =10, Male students = 10) aged from 18 to 23 years who were Qatari or born and also raised in Qatar were recruited and interviewed. Participants were asked if they consider themselves active or not, about their perception of family health values regarding physical activity and the factors shaping these values, and the influence of family values on their physical activity behavior. The interviews were transcribed verbatim, coded, and analyzed following inductive analysis. Results The majority of the participants were influenced by their family health values, which were shaped by Qatari culture and the culture of origin for non-Qatari and were implicitly shaped by Islam. Participants reported that their role models of physical activity were males (fathers and male siblings), a health condition will motivate their families to be physically active, and families give priority to work and academic achievement over physical activity. A few participants showed that there was explicit influence of Islam on their physical activity, because culture’s influence was veiling religion’s. Culture was seen as a facilitator for physical activity from the males’ perspectives, which was not the case for female participants who reported the negative influence of culture on their physical activity because of the limited choices available for them. Non-Qatari students revealed that their culture of origin (such as Syria, Palestine, Egypt, Somalia, Bangladesh, Sudan, Pakistan and India) was the dominant factor in shaping their family health values. Conclusions The findings address gaps in the literature about families’ health values regarding physical activity in Qatar, the influence of the different ecologies surrounding these values, and the physical activity behaviors of university students. Knowledge about these factors can aid in the development of family-based interventions designed to motivate adolescents to be physically active, which should be religion- and culture-tailored.

Résumé Contexte Les dysfonctions péri-orgasmiques sont très rares et nous disposons de peu d’informations sur leurs diagnostic et traitement. L’une de ces affections est le syndrome de la maladie post-orgasmique (SMPO), qui se manifeste par un groupe de symptômes handicapants affectant les hommes durant les secondes, minutes ou heures après l’éjaculation. Le but de cet article est de faire une revue approfondie de la littérature sur le SMPO, afin d’élucider sa physiopathologie et son diagnostic pour mieux gérer cette maladie rare. Résultats Nous avons réalisé une revue de la littérature actualisée sur Pubmed en utilisant les termes suivants: “orgasm illness”, “post-orgasmic” and “postorgasmic illness syndrome”. Les références des 17 publications identifiées ont également été examinées pour inclure 8 autres articles pertinents dans les résultats. Le SMPO est défini par 5 critères diagnostiques préliminaires et le critère 1 comprend 7 groupes de symptômes. Les hypothèses physiopathologiques comprennent: un phénomène immunologique (le plus pertinent), un sevrage des opioïdes endogènes, une réponse neuroendocrine, une dérégulation transitoire du système nerveux autonome, une hypersensibilité et des désordres des cytokines. Les diagnostics différentiels incluent: la prostatite chronique, l’orgasmolepsie, la céphalée orgasmique bénigne, l’éternuement et la rhinorrhée, la dysphorie post-coïtale, l’asthme post-coïtal et la rhinite. Les traitements n’ont été que symptomatiques par antihistaminiques, anti-inflammatoires non stéroïdiens, inhibiteurs sélectifs de la recapture de la sérotonine et benzodiazépines. Un essai thérapeutique de désensibilisation avec du sperme autologue a été couronné de succès. Conclusion Le SMPO est une maladie rare sous-diagnostiquée, probablement à cause de sa physiopathologie peu claire, conduisant à un manque d’options thérapeutiques. Des études supplémentaires sont nécessaires pour étudier la prévalence, la physiopathologie et la prise en charge de cette maladie débilitante.

Abstract Background Laccases are multicopper oxidases, which are assigned into auxiliary activity family 1 (AA1) in the CAZy database. These enzymes, catalyzing the oxidation of phenolic and nonphenolic substrates coupled to reduction of O2 to H2O, are increasingly attractive as eco-friendly oxidation biocatalysts. Basidiomycota laccases are well characterized due to their potential in de-lignification of lignocellulose. By contrast, insight into the biochemical diversity of Ascomycota counterparts from saprophytes and plant pathogens is scarce. Results Here, we report the properties of the laccase from the major wheat pathogen Zymoseptoria tritici (ZtrLac1A), distinguished from common plant fungal pathogens by an apoplastic infection strategy. We demonstrate that ZtrLac1A is appended to a functional starch-binding module and displays an activity signature disfavoring relatively apolar phenolic redox mediators as compared to the related biochemically characterized laccases. By contrast, the redox potential of ZtrLac1A (370 mV vs. SHE) is similar to ascomycetes counterparts. The atypical specificity is consistent with distinctive sequence substitutions and insertions in loops flanking the T1 site and the enzyme C-terminus compared to characterized laccases. Conclusions ZtrLac1A is the first reported modular laccase appended to a functional starch-specific carbohydrate binding module of family 20 (CBM20). The distinct specificity profile of ZtrLac1A correlates to structural differences in the active site region compared to previously described ascomycetes homologues. These differences are also highlighted by the clustering of the sequence of ZtrLac1A in a distinct clade populated predominantly by plant pathogens in the phylogenetic tree of AA1 laccases. The possible role of these laccases in vivo merits further investigations. These findings expand our toolbox of laccases for green oxidation and highlight the binding functionality of CBM-appended laccases as versatile immobilization tags.