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Background Pre-existing cardiovascular disease (CVD) or cardiovascular risk factors have been associated with an increased risk of complications following hospitalisation with COVID-19, but their impact on the rate of recovery following discharge is not known.Objectives To determine whether the rate of patient-perceived recovery following hospitalisation with COVID-19 was affected by the presence of CVD or cardiovascular risk factors.Methods In a multicentre prospective cohort study, patients were recruited following discharge from the hospital with COVID-19 undertaking two comprehensive assessments at 5 months and 12 months. Patients were stratified by the presence of either CVD or cardiovascular risk factors prior to hospitalisation with COVID-19 and compared with controls with neither. Full recovery was determined by the response to a patient-perceived evaluation of full recovery from COVID-19 in the context of physical, physiological and cognitive determinants of health.Results From a total population of 2545 patients (38.8% women), 472 (18.5%) and 1355 (53.2%) had CVD or cardiovascular risk factors, respectively. Compared with controls (n=718), patients with CVD and cardiovascular risk factors were older and more likely to have had severe COVID-19. Full recovery was significantly lower at 12 months in patients with CVD (adjusted OR (aOR) 0.62, 95% CI 0.43 to 0.89) and cardiovascular risk factors (aOR 0.66, 95% CI 0.50 to 0.86).Conclusion Patients with CVD or cardiovascular risk factors had a delayed recovery at 12 months following hospitalisation with COVID-19. Targeted interventions to reduce the impact of COVID-19 in patients with cardiovascular disease remain an unmet need.Trail registration number ISRCTN10980107.

Aim: To evaluate the accuracy of four intraocular lens (IOL) prediction formulae (Hoffer Q, Holladay 1, SRK/T and Barrett Universal II) in paediatric cataract. Methods: A prospective study was conducted among all children under 15 years of age, undergoing uncomplicated cataract surgery with in-the-bag IOL implantation at a tertiary care centre. Following detailed evaluation and after obtaining informed consent, the children underwent surgery and the IOL was implanted as per a modification of Wilson and Trivedi recommendation. Prediction error (PE) and absolute prediction error (APE) were computed with each of the formulae, and it was compared across the various subgroups of age (24 mm. The PE of Holladay I (rho = -0.16, P value = 0.044) and Barrett II (rho = -0.16, P value = 0.046) formula was negatively correlated with age, while no correlation was found between PEs of any formula with AL. Conclusion: Barrett II and Hoffer Q formulae appear to provide the most accurate results in the younger age groups, with shorter eyes. Further prospective studies on larger samples of younger children with longer follow-ups are required, to explore the applications of Barrett II formula in the younger age group.

Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a bacterial bacillus known to be negative for the gram dye, and it is part of the normal flora inside the human body. The current study aimed to investigate the possibility of using lipopolysaccharides (LPS) as an antimicrobial agent. A total of 30 isolates of E. coli were collected from 100 specimens of urine isolated from patients with recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) referring to Al-Sadr Teaching Hospital. The samples were cultured on identification media; thereafter, they were diagnosed according to the phenotypic form, biochemical tests, and finally by VITK-2. The results of the prevalence of E. coli isolates illustrated that from 30 isolates of E. coli which were collected from 100 urine specimens, 14 (46.6%), 6 (20%), and 10 (33.3%) cases belonged to the urinary tract infections, kidney stones, and urinary catheter samples, respectively. The isolates displayed multiple drug resistance (MDR) to most of the antibiotics used in the study. Therefore, the lipopolysaccharide extracted from E. coli was used as an antimicrobial agent. The recorded data obtained from the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for WaaA, WaaC, wamB, and wabG genes demonstrated that the isolates possessed biosynthesis genes for LPS. The results indicated that LPS at concentrations of 150, 250, and 500 μg/ml has as an anti-growth agent for Klebsiella pneumonia, Proteus mirabilis, Salmonella typhi, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, Staph aureus, and candida albicans. The highest inhibitory effect was observed on K. pneumonia, P. mirabilis, S. typhi, B. subtilis, and C. albicans, as compared to the control antimicrobials agents (Amoxicillin, Nystatin). The LPS loaded on liposome nanoparticles can open new horizons in medicine by its inclusion in the manufacture of broad-spectrum antibiotics.

Burkholderia cepacia is found as part of the B. cepacia complex (Bcc), a collection of highly pathogenic organisms. The Bcc is present almost everywhere in nature; however, it is most prevalent in damp settings, plant roots, and soils. Moreover, Bcc is a major source of morbidity and death in patients due to its high intrinsic antibiotic resistance. The present study aims to isolate and identify gram-negative aerobic bacteria from clinical samples derived from a variety of pathological diseases and investigate the bacterium's virulence factors and genes. The current study included 250 specimens collected from patients suffering from diabetic foot ulcers, urine, burn, wound, sputum, and discharge from the eyes. The samples were collected from both sexes with the age range of 1-75 years. The recorded data showed that males had a higher frequency of infection (79.2%) than females (52%). The results revealed that 7.6% of infected females were between 1-15 years old, while 22% of infected males were aged between 31-45 years. In addition, 26.8% of infected patients (both males and females) were aged between 31-45 years.

Objective: Coronary atherosclerosis is one of the major causes of coronary artery disease. Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory process involving vascular wall cells, monocytes, T-lymphocytes, pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemoattractant cytokines (chemokines), and growth factors. The presence of inflammatory cells in the atherosclerotic lesion and elevated levels of the inflammatory markers in peripheral circulation correspond to an active inflammatory process in the body. In view of this background, this study was undertaken to evaluate the association between activation of inflammatory cytokines and acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Furthermore, the correlation of these factors with severity of ACS and in-hospital mortality outcomes was studied. Study Design: It is a prospective case–control study, including forty cases of ACS (as per the inclusion criteria listed below) and twenty controls. The levels of inflammatory markers interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and troponin I were estimated in cases and controls. The levels of these markers in the peripheral circulation were also stratified on the basis of the presenting ACS type (unstable angina, non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction, and ST-elevation myocardial infarction). All statistical data were analyzed using SPSS software version 19 Statistical package for windows (Chicago, Inc., IL, USA). Results: The levels of inflammatory markers such as IL-6, TNF-α, and troponin I were higher in the ACS group than the control, and difference was statistically significant. Furthermore, there was a statistically significant difference in the levels of these markers between the various ACS groups. Conclusions: The circulating levels of inflammatory markers such as IL-6 and TNF-α are significantly elevated in patients with ACS, supporting the view that inflammatory cytokines are associated with ACS. There is a direct correlation of the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α with the severity of ACS and in-hospital mortality in these cases.

Objectives: This study investigates the impact of injected fish-scale-derived hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (FsHA-NPs) on orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) and the width of the periodontal ligament (PDL) space. Materials and Methods: Twenty-six Wistar rats underwent mesial orthodontic traction with a force of 50 g for 21 days. Following the application of the orthodontic appliance, the rats were randomly divided into two groups: a control group, which received a 0.3 µg saline injection, and the experimental FsHA group, which received 100 mg/0.3 ml of FsHA-NPs after thorough characterisation. Injections were administered immediately after appliance application and repeated at 7 and 14 days. Statistical analysis was conducted with a significance level of P ≤ 0.05. Result: The experimental group exhibited a significant reduction in OTM at 7-, 14-, and 21-day post-force application. Additionally, a reduction in PDL width was observed in the mesiocervical and disto-apical regions of the mesial and distal roots of the first molar. Conclusion: FsHA-NPs derived from biowaste fish scales exhibit promising potential as biomaterials for enhancing control over OTM. This study underscores the viability, accessibility, and safety of FsHA-NPs as a locally injectable material for orthodontic applications.

Aims: To evaluate and compare the flexural strength and impact strength of conventional and microwave cured denture base resins before and after repeated sterilization using microwave energy to consider microwave curing as an alternative to the conventional method of sterilization. Materials and Methods: The conventional heat cure acrylic resin (DPI heat cure material) Group A and microwave-polymerized acrylic resin (Vipi Wave Acrylic resin) Group B were used to fabricate 100 acrylic resins samples using a standard metal die of (86 mm × 11 mm × 3 mm) dimensions. The criterion was flexural strength and impact strength testing which had Group A and Group B samples; 50 samples for flexural strength and 50 samples for impact strength measurement. For each criterion, five control samples were taken for Group A and Group B. The samples were stored in water before experimenting. The test samples were subject to four cycles of microwave sterilization; followed by flexural strength testing with a 3-point flexural test in universal testing machine (UNITEK 94100) and impact strength testing with impact testing machine (ENKAY Pr09/E1/16). Results: The physical properties had significant changes for conventionally cured denture base resins, whereas no changes found for microwave-cured resins after repeated sterilization cycles.

Introduction: In modern dentistry, as the patient’s demand for aesthetic dentistry increases, the use of tooth-coloured restorative material increase correspondingly. One among them is the use of Porcelain Fused to Metal (PFM) restorations. However, fracture of PFM crown is a common problem in restorative dentistry. Various methods have been advocated to repair fractured porcelain. Aim: The aim of present study was to evaluate the efficiency of the two different bonding systems in reference to three different surface treatments on Nickel Chromium (Ni-Cr) alloys by evaluating the shear bond strength at metal and resin interface. Materials and Methods: A total of 80 Ni-Cr alloys measuring 1x1 cm square blocks were cast using lost wax technique. After casting, the specimens were grouped into four groups based on the surface treatments planned. The four groups were further subdivided into two subgroups based on the bonding technique. The subgroup A samples was treated with Single Bond Universal (SBU) and subgroup B samples was treated with Alloy Primer (AP) and SBU. After surface treatment of the sample, a clear plastic tube measuring 4 mm diameter and 4 mm length was placed and composite resin was packed and cured. Shear bond testing of all the groups was performed on Universal testing machine. Results: The means and standard deviations of Shear Bond Strength (SBS) values in MPa were calculated for each group, and the results were statistically analysed with one-way ANOVA and Tukey HSD tests. All statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS software version 10.0. Conclusion: Within the limitations of this in vitro study, Erbiumdoped Yttrium Aluminium Garnet (Er-YAG) Laser treated alloy surfaces bonded along with AP displayed highest shear bond strength and subgroup B samples bond strength was significantly higher.

Understanding the ecological conditions of vegetation growth in water sources is vital to appraise the influence of vegetation on river engineering. Based on the experimental information that is accessible, the consequences of vegetation on flow resistance is described as an alteration in the drag coefficient and the planned area. The current study analytically estimates the vertical distribution of stream-wise velocity in open-channel flow while considering rigid and flexible vegetation. The flow is vertically separated into top free water layer and bottom vegetation layer using the projected deflection height of both vegetation. Related momentum calculations for each layer are then derived. Based on the gathered experimental data, a 3D numerical model with various simulation situations is used to model, calibrate, and evaluate the artificial cylinders. A considerable deflection analysis is utilised to calculate the velocity-dependent stem height. This has proven to be more precise compared to formerly deflection investigation. The estimated outcomes show that precise predictions may be made for the vertical contours of vertical Reynolds shear stress based on mean horizontal velocity. The numerical simulations demonstrate that plant flexibility reduces the vertical Reynolds shear stress and prompted flow resistance force of the vegetation.

Background: Gastrointestinal disorders, both non-functional and functional, are prevalent among the general population, and understanding these in relation to psychological factors is crucial for clinicians to design effective management strategies. Psycho-social factors, including stressful life events, significantly impact disease outcomes and quality of life (QOL). Limited research has explored these factors in the context of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) and non-functional gastrointestinal disorders (non-FGIDs), especially in culturally diverse populations. Aim: To investigate the relationship between QOL and stressful life events in patients with FGID and non-FGID. Materials and Methods: This study involved 200 participants diagnosed with FGID using ROME IV criteria and non-FGID clinically. The research utilized a socio-demographic questionnaire, the Psychological General Well-Being Index (QOL), and the Presumptive Stressful Life Events Scale (PSLES). Results: Among FGID patients, functional dyspepsia was the common diagnosis, while erosive gastritis was more prevalent among non-FGID patients. A significant association in QOL was observed between FGID and non-FGID (P < 0.001), with FGID patients exhibiting lower scores. Overall, a mild negative correlation was found between QOL and PSLES (r = -0.20, P = 0.003). Stressful life events contributed to 13% variance of QOL in non-FGID patients. Conclusion: This study highlights the impact of stressful life events on QOL in both FGID and non-FGID patients. While FGID patients experienced poorer QOL, non-FGID also showed QOL reductions with recent life events. Understanding these associations can aid clinicians in comprehensive patient care, emphasizing the importance of addressing psycho-social factors alongside clinical symptoms. Cultural nuances influencing stress perception and its relation to gastrointestinal disorders merit further investigation.

BackgroundParasitic infectious agents rarely occur in isolation. Epidemiological evidence is mostly lacking, and little is known on how the two common parasites Plasmodium and soil transmitted helminths (STH) interact. There are contradictory findings in different studies. Synergism, antagonism and neutral effect have been documented between Plasmodium and STH. This study investigated the impact of STH on clinical malaria presentation and treatment outcome.MethodsA matched case control study with a semi longitudinal follow up according to World Health Organization (WHO) antimalarial surveillance guideline was done among children aged 2 months to 9 years inclusively living in western rural areas of Bagamoyo, coastal region of Tanzania. Cases were children with uncomplicated and severe malaria enrolled from the health facilities while controls were children with asymptomatic Plasmodium parasitemia enrolled from the same community.ResultsIn simple conditional regression analysis there was a tendency for a protective effect of STH on the development of clinical malaria [OR = 0.6, 95% CI of 0.3-1.3] which was more marked for Enterobius vermicularis species [OR = 0.2, 95% CI of 0.0-0.9]. On the contrary, hookworm species tended to be associated with increased risk of clinical malaria [OR = 3.0, 95% CI of 0.9-9.5]. In multiple conditional regression analysis, the overall protective effect was lower for all helminth infection [OR = 0.8, 95% CI of 0.3-1.9] but remained significantly protective for E. vermicularis species [OR = 0.1, 95% CI of 0.0-1.0] and borderline significant for hookworm species [OR = 3.6, 95% CI of 0.9-14.3]. Using ordinal logistic regression which better reflects the progression of asymptomatic Plasmodium parasitemia to severe malaria, there was a 50% significant protective effect with overall helminths [OR = 0.5, 95% CI of 0.3-0.9]. On the contrary, hookworm species was highly predictive of uncomplicated and severe malaria [OR = 7.8, 95% (CI of 1.8-33.9) and 49.7 (95% CI of 1.9-1298.9) respectively]. Generally, children infected with STH had higher geometric mean time to first clearance of parasitemia.ConclusionThe findings of a protective effect of E. vermicularis and an enhancing effect of hookworms may explain the contradictory results found in the literature about impact of helminths on clinical malaria. More insight should be gained on possible mechanisms for these opposite effects. These results should not deter at this stage deworming programs but rather foster implementation of integrated control program for these two common parasites.

Expansive soil poses significant challenges for civil engineers worldwide since it seriously affects the structures built upon it. This soil has a very active group of minerals called montmorillonite, which is responsible for the significant volume change it exhibits. For a number of years, chemical additives have been utilized to stabilize soil, with various levels of success. Soil stabilization has involved the use of a variety of additives, including cement, lime, polymers, salts, and combinations of these. However, lime is very often used for expansive soil stabilization as it improves the soil's mechanical properties. The effects of adding three percentages of lime (3%, 6%, and 9%) to expansive soil to improve its engineering properties are investigated through several tests. The laboratory tests consist of standard compaction, sieve analysis, atterberg limits, hydrometer, California bearing ratio, consolidation test, swelling potential, and specific gravity. The test results displayed that the plasticity index, liquid limit, swelling potential, and maximum dry density, specific gravity decreased using (3%, 6%, and 9%) lime. In contrast, the plastic limit, and optimum moisture content increased using (3%, 6%, and 9%) lime. The California bearing ratio is increased from (12.13% to 14.65%) by adding (9% L). The swelling index and compression index are decreased from (0.070 to 0.030) and from (0.581 to 0.193) respectively by adding (9% L). The swelling percentage is reduced from (18.77% to 6.03%) by adding (9% L).

Currently, the field of structural health monitoring (SHM) is focused on investigating non-destructive evaluation techniques for the identification of damages in concrete structures. Magnetic sensing has particularly gained attention among the innovative non-destructive evaluation techniques. Recently, the embedded magnetic shape memory alloy (MSMA) wire has been introduced for the evaluation of cracks in concrete components through magnetic sensing techniques while providing reinforcement as well. However, the available research in this regard is very scarce. This study has focused on the analyses of parameters affecting the magnetic sensing capability of embedded MSMA wire for crack detection in concrete beams. The response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural network (ANN) models have been used to analyse the magnetic sensing parameters for the first time. The models were trained using the experimental data obtained through literature. The models aimed to predict the alteration in magnetic flux created by a concrete beam that has a 1 mm wide embedded MSMA wire after experiencing a fracture or crack. The results showed that the change in magnetic flux was affected by the position of the wire and the position of the crack with respect to the position of the magnet in the concrete beam. RSM optimisation results showed that maximum change in magnetic flux was obtained when the wire was placed at a depth of 17.5 mm from the top surface of the concrete beam, and a crack was present at an axial distance of 8.50 mm from the permanent magnet. The change in magnetic flux was 9.50 % considering the aforementioned parameters. However, the ANN prediction results showed that the optimal wire and crack position were 10 mm and 1.1 mm, respectively. The results suggested that a larger beam requires a larger diameter of MSMA wire or multiple sensors and magnets for crack detection in concrete beams.

Wireless Sensor Networks have highly proved its contribution in precision agriculture. Communication channel modelling investigation is a highly demanded to achieve a successful communication system where a good wave propagation model is crucially needed. Precision agriculture degrades the traveling waves in various forms in addition to the effects of the large-scale path losses models. This paper reviews the most known theoretical large-scale path losses models such as free space (FSPL) and Plane earth (PE) models as well as the vegetation models represented by Weissberger, ITU-R, FITU-R and COS235 models. Indeed, this work illustrates the effects of many factors on the total path losses such as separation distance between transceivers, antenna heights and the depth of vegetation that presence in the path propagation. In conclusion, the total path loss is computed based on large-scale path losses and the vegetation losses in protected vegetation environment.

Aim. The aim of the study was to determine the ultrasonic gallbladder wall thickness in normal adult Nigerians so as to create standards for defining gallbladder abnormalities in Nigerians. Method. Four hundred adults comprising 228 (57%) women and 172 (43%) men aged 16 - 78 years, who had normal clinical history and physical findings, were recruited. The gallbladder wall thickness was obtained in the supine, prone and right anterior oblique positions. Differences in gallbladder wall thickness were determined using the chi-square test, while the relationship between the ultrasound-measured gallbladder wall thickness and the subjects’ age, sex, height and weight were analysed using the Pearson product moment correlation. Normal ranges and related statistics were estimated and tabulated according to age group and sex. Results. The mean age of the subjects was 32±13.2 years. The mean gallbladder wall thickness range was 1.8 - 2.8 mm±0.5mm. The thickness range for females was 1.7 - 2.7 mm±0.5 mm, and that for males was 1.9 - 2.9 mm±0.5 mm. There was a statistically significant difference (p

This study aims to identify the most important obstacles that accompanied the e-learning process in light of the covid-19 pandemic from the point of view of primary and secondary school students, their teachers and their parents, the education sector in general. The categories of each questionnaire were based on 15 items, and the study sample was as follows (350 students, 200 teachers, 200 parents). The study showed that the main influencing factor that got the highest 61% is the weak signal and the Internet level was not at the required level, and this is for all three categories .Those who are in contact with e-learning, and the study proved that all these groups, including teachers of different specializations, need a continuous training process in the knowledge of modern technologies and software that support the e-learning process by 48%, while this study showed a great interaction by students, teachers and parents Matters to Educational TV and the Ministry of Education channel and its success in attracting a large number of students and their teachers, especially the finished stages, as the percentage of teachers’ follow-up was constantly The number of students who watched educational television was 118 out of 200, at a rate of 59%, while the percentage of students who watched educational television was 180 out of 350 students, or 51.5%, while their interaction rate before the Corona epidemic did not exceed 13%, representing 26 students out of 350. This study showed that the most important obstacle facing the student. This is the weakness of the internet service,

The current research aimed at identifying the measurement of the level of self-sublimation among students of medical colleges and identifying the significance of the differences according to the gender variable (male - female). The tool was used on a sample of (300) male and female students, and the results revealed that the sample members enjoyed a high level of sublimation and that there were no statistical differences for gender (males and females) in the level of self-sublimation. The two researchers recommended a number of recommendations and suggestions.

Long-term liver injuries lead to hepatic fibrosis, often progressing into cirrhosis, liver failure, portal hypertension, and hepatocellular carcinoma. There is currently no effective therapy available for liver fibrosis. Thus, continuous investigations for anti-fibrotic therapy are ongoing. The main theme of anti-fibrotic investigation during recent years is the rationale-based selection of treatment molecules according to the current understanding of the pathology of the disease. The research efforts are mainly toward repurposing current FDA-approved drugs targeting etiological molecular factors involved in developing liver fibrosis. In parallel, investigations also focus on experimental small molecules with evidence to hinder or reverse the fibrosis. Natural compounds, immunological, and genetic approaches have shown significant encouraging effects. This review summarizes the efficacy and safety of current under-investigation antifibrosis medications targeting various molecular targets, as well as the properties of antifibrosis medications, mainly in phase II and III clinical trials.