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Abstract Background The discovery of new lead compounds with desired properties and biological activity is an excellent challenge in pesticide chemistry. Chloroacetamide are an important class of synthetic herbicides. Results To explore the herbicidal activity of chloroacetamides, several new chloroacetamide derivatives have been designed, and synthesized. The compounds have been described by forming Schiff bases followed by chloroacetylation of imines. The herbicidal activity as a chlorophyll inhibition was evaluated against two broadleaf weeds (Chenopodium album and Anagallis arvensis) and two grass weeds (Lolium temulentum and Echinochloa crus-galli) in comparison with acetochlor as a standard herbicide. 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and mass spectroscopic analyses confirmed the chemical structures of the synthesized compounds. Several compounds have demonstrated highly potent herbicidal activity compared to the standard herbicide acetochlor. Some of them have been described as the most effective against weeds tested, such as compounds 5b and 18b. Molecular docking to the active sites of Very Long Chain Fatty Acid Synthase (VLCFAS) has indicated that most compounds are low-energy binding agents and show high affinity for the active pocket. Conclusion Novel herbicides may be discovered by combining chloroacetamide derivatives with these existing lead structures. Graphical Abstract

AbstractNew thymol–3,4-disubstitutedthiazole hybrids were synthesised as dual COX-2/5-LOX inhibitors. Compounds 6b, 6d, 6e, and 6f displayed in vitro inhibitory activity against COX-2 (IC50= 0.037, 0.042, 0.046, and 0.039 µM) nearly equal to celecoxib (IC50= 0.045 µM). 6b, 6d, and 6f showed SI (379, 341, and 374, respectively) higher than that of celecoxib (327). 6a–l elicited in vitro 5-LOX inhibitory activity higher than quercetin. 6a–f, 6i–l, 7a, and 7c possessed in vivo inhibition of formalin induced paw edoema higher than celecoxib. 6a, 6b, 6f, 6h–l, and 7b showed gastrointestinal safety profile as celecoxib and diclofenac sodium in the population of fasted rats. Induced fit docking and molecular dynamics simulation predicted good fitting of 6b and 6f without changing the packing and globularity of the apo protein. In conclusion, 6b and 6f achieved the target goal as multitarget inhibitors of inflammation.

New thymol − 1,5-disubstitutedpyrazole hybrids were synthesised as dual COX-2/5-LOX inhibitors. Compounds 8b, 8g, 8c, and 4a displayed in vitro inhibitory activity against COX-2 (IC50 = 0.043, 0.045, 0.063, and 0.068 µM) nearly equal to celecoxib (IC50 = 0.045 µM) with high SI (316, 268, 204, and 151, respectively) comparable to celecoxib (327). All target compounds, 4a–c and 8a–i, showed in vitro 5-LOX inhibitory activity higher than reference quercetin. Besides, they possessed in vivo inhibition of formalin-induced paw oedema higher than celecoxib. In addition, compounds 4a, 4b, 8b, and 8g showed superior gastrointestinal safety profile (no ulceration) as celecoxib and diclofenac sodium in the population of fasted rats. In conclusion, compounds 4a, 8b, and 8g achieved the target goal. They elicited in vitro dual inhibition of COX-2/5-LOX higher than celecoxib and quercetin, in vivo potent anti-inflammatory activity higher than celecoxib and in vivo superior gastrointestinal safety profile (no ulceration) as celecoxib.

Abstract We executed this study to determine if chemerin‐like receptor 1 (CMKLR1), a Gi/o protein‐coupled receptor expressed by leukocytes and non‐leukocytes, contributes to the development of phenotypic features of non‐atopic asthma, including airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) to acetyl‐β‐methylcholine chloride, lung hyperpermeability, airway epithelial cell desquamation, and lung inflammation. Accordingly, we quantified sequelae of non‐atopic asthma in wild‐type mice and mice incapable of expressing CMKLR1 (CMKLR1‐deficient mice) following cessation of acute inhalation exposure to either filtered room air (air) or ozone (O3), a criteria pollutant and non‐atopic asthma stimulus. Following exposure to air, lung elastic recoil and airway responsiveness were greater while the quantity of adiponectin, a multi‐functional adipocytokine, in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid was lower in CMKLR1‐deficient as compared to wild‐type mice. Regardless of genotype, exposure to O3 caused AHR, lung hyperpermeability, airway epithelial cell desquamation, and lung inflammation. Nevertheless, except for minimal genotype‐related effects on lung hyperpermeability and BAL adiponectin, we observed no other genotype‐related differences following O3 exposure. In summary, we demonstrate that CMKLR1 limits the severity of innate airway responsiveness and lung elastic recoil but has a nominal effect on lung pathophysiology induced by acute exposure to O3.

Abstract Background Despite advances in antimicrobial therapy and a range of drainage techniques for the infected pleural area, thoracic empyema continues to be a serious reason behind morbidity and mortality. Although chest ultrasonography has been found to be an efficient diagnostic tool for pleural effusion features, it is rarely utilized to predict the outcomes of pleural illnesses. Aim of the work To determine the impact of sonographic patterns in predicting the outcomes of thoracic empyema patients. Patients and methods In this retrospective study, patients were divided into four groups based on their sonographic patterns: (I) complex non-septated effusions (plankton sign), (II) complex fixed septated effusions, (III) complex mobile septated effusions, and (IV) homogenously echogenic effusions (hematocrit sign). These sonographic patterns were compared to the patients’ co-morbidities, length of stay in the hospital, chest tube drainage, and medicinal or surgical therapy effectiveness. Results In comparison with other sonographic pattern groups, patients in group I (70.6%) and group IV (45.5%) had effective thoracic tube drainage with a very high statistically significant difference (P value < 0.001). For patients in group II (75%) (P value < 0.001), open thoracotomy was a very highly significant effective therapy (P value 0.001). Conclusion The sonographic pattern of thoracic empyema is a useful tool for guiding treatment decisions in these patients.

Metal matrix composites (MMCs), and particularly aluminum matrix composites (AMCs), are beginning to make a substantial contribution to aerospace, automotive, and electronic industry application after more than a quarter-century of intensive study. To fabricate a cost-effective AMC with outstanding mechanical and physical properties the present work utilized two types of natural base reinforcement materials for elaborating AMCs by powder metallurgy technology (PM). The reinforcement materials were an agricultural waste (date palm seeds) and dolomite rocks at 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10% weight in addition to the aluminum matrix. The morphological and solid-phase characteristics were examined for the fabricated AMC specimens. These tests include X-ray diffraction, and optical and scanning microscopy. The microstructure of the fabricated specimens for both reinforcement materials showed uniform particle size distribution of the waste enforcement material as the PM technology was satisfactory in embedding the waste particles within the aluminum. The AMCs prepared were subjected to different mechanical loads and it was found that the composite reinforced with date palm seeds possess a high hardness property. A higher hardness of 50 HRV at 7.5% enforcement of date palm seeds was obtained compared to dolomite reinforced composite which showed 48.3 HRV at 7.5% enforcement. For the compressive strength, the date palm seeds composite resisted 23.8 MPa at 7.5% and only 16.68 MPa was obtained as a maximum compression resistance for the dolomite reinforced aluminum composite.

Abstract Introduction Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has detrimental effects on patient and graft survival after kidney transplantation. In the pre‐direct‐acting antiviral (DAA) era, treatment of HCV infection was associated with low response rates, poor tolerance, and increased risk of allograft rejection. However, DAAs have revolutionized HCV treatment. The aims of this study were to determine the impact of DAA on the sustained virologic response (SVR), renal function, and calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) levels and assess the tolerability to treatment in kidney transplant recipients with HCV infection in Qatar. Methods This retrospective study included the medical records of all kidney transplant recipients with confirmed HCV infection before January 1, 2020. All data were obtained from the patients’ electronic medical records; these included patient demographics; virologic responses to treatment; serum creatinine levels during treatment; urine protein to creatinine ratios and CNI levels before, during, and after treatment; and side effects related to DAA therapy. Results A total of 27 kidney transplant recipients with HCV were identified, 23 of whom received DAA therapy. The length of treatment ranged from 12 to 24 weeks, and 52% of patients had HCV genotype 1 infection. The median log10 HCV RNA was 6.6 copies per milliliter. None of the patients had liver cirrhosis, and all of them achieved SVR. There was no statistically significant difference in the glomerular filtration rate before, during, and after treatment. Most patients had stable CNI trough levels during treatment and did not require dose adjustment. Conclusions HCV infection was successfully eradicated by DAA therapy in kidney transplant recipients, with a 100% SVR rate. Moreover, DAA therapy was well‐tolerated, and kidney function remained stable without an increased risk of rejection. These results are expected to drive the eradication of hepatitis C from the entire country.

In structural applications, catastrophic failure caused by fatigue occurs with more frequency because usually polymers are chosen when reduction in weight is necessary and overload is applied on it. In this study fatigue, crack growth at a humid, and very low temperature in a transparent unsaturated polyester resin has been investigated. The tests were conducted at a constant applied load ratio R = 0.1 using two different crack to width ratios (a/W) of 0.2 and 0.35 at room temperature and −60 °C. Polyester resin specimens are fabricated. The test used for the experiments is ASTM Standard D647 under tension–tension loading. The experimental results have been expressed in terms of Paris Law parameters. The fatigue crack results show that the fatigue resistance increases with decreasing a/w. It also shows that it increases with decreasing temperature up to −60 °C as the material becomes stiffer at the extremely low temperature and the polymer matric particles were much less mobile and ductile and discovered that low temperature has a positive influence on the strength of composites. The dominant failure mode was a polymer matrix -tear failure that was driven by a crack in the x-direction starts with the pre-crack in the case of a/w = 0.35 and it was slow enough in a/w = 0.2 because of the high energy of bonding and networking through the polymer matrix. The results proved that there is no through-the-thickness crack propagation due to fatigue in the polyester matrix.

Background & Aims: The gastrointestinal epithelium plays a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis with the gut microbiome. Mucins are essential for intestinal barrier function and serve as a scaffold for antimicrobial factors. Mucin 2 (MUC2) is the major intestinal gel-forming mucin produced predominantly by goblet cells. Goblet cells express anterior gradient 2 (AGR2), a protein disulfide isomerase that is crucial for proper processing of gel-forming mucins. Here, we investigated 2 siblings who presented with severe infantile-onset inflammatory bowel disease. Methods: We performed whole-genome sequencing to identify candidate variants. We quantified goblet cell numbers using H&E histology and investigated the expression of gel-forming mucins, stress markers, and goblet cell markers using immunohistochemistry. AGR2-MUC2 binding was evaluated using co-immunoprecipitation. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress regulatory function of mutant AGR2 was examined by expression studies in Human Embryonic Kidney 293T (HEK293T) using tunicamycin to induce ER stress. Results: Both affected siblings were homozygous for a missense variant in AGR2. Patient biopsy specimens showed reduced goblet cells; depletion of MUC2, MUC5AC, and MUC6; up-regulation of AGR2; and increased ER stress. The mutant AGR2 showed reduced capacity to bind MUC2 and alleviate tunicamycin-induced ER stress. Conclusions: Phenotype–genotype segregation, functional experiments, and the striking similarity of the human phenotype to AGR2-/- mouse models suggest that the AGR2 missense variant is pathogenic. The Mendelian deficiency of AGR2, termed “Enteropathy caused by AGR2 deficiency, Goblet cell Loss, and ER Stress” (EAGLES), results in a mucus barrier defect, the inability to mitigate ER stress, and causes infantile-onset inflammatory bowel disease.

الملخص: أهداف البحث: تعد السمنة مرضا مزمنا مع وجود انتشار واسع لها بين سكان المملكة العربية السعودية. وبينما تعد جراحات السمنة طريقة فاعلة لإنقاص الوزن، لوحظ نقص عدد من العناصر الغذائية لدى الخاضعين لهذه الجراحات، مما يرفع نسبة إصابة المرضى بفقر الدم. وتهدف هذه الدراسة لوصف معدلات الإصابة بفقر الدم بعد عمليات جراحة السمنة. طرق البحث: شملت هذه الدراسة الوصفية الاستعادية ٧٠ مريضا تجاوزت أعمارهم ١٦ عاما، من الجنسين، خضعوا لجراحات السمنة في الفترة ما بين فبراير ٢٠١٦ ومارس ٢٠١٨، الذين قضوا فترة لا تقل عن ٦ أشهر بعد إجراء عمليات السمنة. ولقد تم جمع البيانات القياسية والمخبرية قبل وبعد العملية على فترات زمنية موحدة. علما بأنه قد تم وصف فيتامينات تكميلية بعد العملية لجميع المرضى. النتائج: ٤١ من العينة كانوا إناثا (٥٨.٥٧٪)، و٢٩ منهم كانوا ذكورا (٤١.٤٢٪)، بمتوسط عمري ٣٨,٥ عاما، حيث كانت أعمار المرضى تتراوح بين ١٦ و٦٥ عاما. ولقد تمت متابعة المرضى لمدة متوسطها ٨ أشهر، حيث تراوحت مدة المتابعة للمرضى بين ٦-٢٤ شهرا بعد العملية. وبينت الدراسة أن ١٦ من جميع المرضى (٢٢.٩٪) أصيبوا بفقر الدم، وكان جميعهن من الإناث (٣٩٪). ولوحظ أن ١٥ من أصل ١٦ مريضة (٩٣.٨٪) مصابات بفقر الدم لديهم صغر حجم كريات الدم الحمراء. اثنتان من أصل ١٦ مريضة (١٢.٥٪) أصيبتا بفقر الدم خضعتا لجراحة تغيير مسارالمعدة، بينما خضعت ١٤ مريضة (٨٧.٥٪) لتكميم المعدة. الاستنتاجات: يعد فقر الدم ونقص العناصر الغذائية المرتبط به أحد المضاعفات الشائعة بعد جراحات السمنة، الأمر الذي له أثر كبير على صحة المرضى بعد هذا النوع من العمليات، خصوصا عند الإناث. لذلك نوصي بالمتابعة الدقيقة بعد العملية وإعطاء المكملات الغذائية المناسبة. Abstract: Objectives: Obesity is a chronic disease with high prevalence in Saudi population. Bariatric surgery is an effective method for significant weight reduction. However, various types of nutritional deficiencies occur after weight loss surgery which increase the risk of anaemia. In this study, we aimed to determine the incidence of anaemia after bariatric surgery. Method: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted with 70 patients of both genders aged over 16 years. These patients underwent bariatric surgery between February 2016 and March 2018 and had completed 6 months or more of post-surgery follow-up. Anthropometric and laboratory data were obtained before and after surgery at standard time intervals. All patients were on postoperative vitamin supplements. Results: Of the total study patients, 41 were women (58.57%) and 29 were men (41.42%) with a median age of 38.5 years (range, 16–65). The median follow-up time was 8 months (6–24 months). Postoperatively, 16 patients (22.9%) developed anaemia, and interestingly, all of them were women (39%). Fifteen of these sixteen patients (93.8%) had microcytic anaemia. Two of those sixteen patients (12.5%) had Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, while fourteen (87.5%) had sleeve gastrectomy. Conclusion: Anaemia and its related nutritional deficiencies are a common complication after bariatric surgery which exerts a major impact on health, particularly in women. Hence, a strict post-operative follow-up and appropriate supplementation are recommended to combat anaemia and its related nutritional deficiencies. الكلمات المفتاحية: فقر الدم, جراحات السمنة, تكميم المعدة, تغييرمسارالمعدة, Keywords: Anaemia, Bariatric surgery, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, Sleeve gastrectomy

Introduction: The rate of secondary attacks of SARS-COV-2 is high among household close contacts. Social distancing, isolation and infection control measures are important for preventing exposure to infection, but insufficient. Aim: The study aimed to evaluate possible role of oral ivermectin as a chemoprophylaxis in asymptomatic family close contacts with COVID-19 patients. Materials and Methods: A prospective interventional randomised open label-controlled study was conducted (registered at clinicaltrials.gov; NCT04422561) during June and July 2020. Two arms were designed according to use of ivermectin. In ivermectin arm, contacts received ivermectin according to Body Weight (BW) on day of the diagnosis of their index case. The non-intervention group received no treatment. Both groups were followed-up for two weeks for development of symptoms suggestive of COVID-19. Results: Ivermectin group included 203 contacts (to 52 index cases) aged 39.75±14.94 years; 52.2% were males. Nonintervention group included 101 contacts (to a total of 24 index cases) aged 37.69±16.96 years, 49.5% were males. Fifteen contacts (7.4%) developed COVID-19 in the ivermectin arm compared to 59 (58.4%) in the non-intervention arm (p

In recent years, several investigators have made efforts to satisfy industrial and transportation demands with respect to high mechanical properties. Moreover, the transparent composites are needed for automotive and aircraft applications. Thus, developing more efficient and advanced transparent composite techniques has recently got more attention but seldom studied in harsh conditions. The main goal of the present study is to investigate the impact of exposing a transparent polyester composite to different temperatures ranging from high to very low (60, room temperature, 0, -30, -60, and -80 °C) and 50% humidity. The study of the effect on both fibers and matrix upon exposure to the different conditions and the composite represents an attempt towards climate resistance. In this research, fracture toughness of E-glass fiber reinforced unsaturated polyester composite at high and very low temperatures and humid environments were investigated. The investigation deals with the characterization of fracture strength properties according to the ASTM standards and mechanism of fracture by scanning electron microscopy. The transparent composite was fabricated from the unsaturated polyester matrix and E-glass fibers. Using of E-glass fiber for reinforcing with 15% volume percent for preparation of the transparent composite exhibits fracture toughness at very low temperatures. It was also noted that the technique of giving an excellent transparent polyester composite can be utilized confidently to architect and aircraft structures.

This work integrates nanotechnology, adsorption, and magnetic separation to remove chromium (Cr) pollutant from industrial wastewater using magnetic nanoparticles. The magnetic nanocomposite consists of chitosan biopolymer and iron (Fe3O4) magnetic nanoparticles. The Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles were prepared by chemical co-precipitation technique and the chitosan magnetic nanocomposite (CMNC) was prepared by Ex situ process. Moreover, anoval amination of CMNC with hexamine to get functionalized CMNC was performed to remove Cr (VI) in wider range of pH. The prepared Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles, CMNC and functionalized CMNC were characterized using different analytical techniques, XRD, FTIR, AFM, SEM, EDX and TGA. Batch adsorption was employed to determine the effects of pH. The adsorption results show that the functionalized CMNC possessed high activity for Cr (VI) removal in any condition of acidic, neutral and basic solutions with the percentage sorption of chromium reached to 91.7%. Sorption isotherms were fitted with the Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin models, it was found that the Freundlich isotherm model have the best fit with R2=0.998 with functionalized CMNC. The kinetic data of Cr (VI) sorption with functionalized CMNC were fitted well with the pseudo-second order kinetic model. The reuse of the functionalized CMNC indicates that the adsorbent material is more than 80% adsorption capacity after five regeneration cycles. The results of this work shown that functionalized CMNC is a potential adsorbent to removal of Cr (VI) contaminated in a wider range of pH.

Background Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a potentially life-threatening cardiovascular emergency with a high mortality rate; PE is a difficult diagnosis that may be missed because of nonspecific clinical presentation. However, multidetector computed tomography pulmonary angiography (MDCT-PA) is considered the gold standard in diagnosis. D-Dimer has high sensitivity to PE that if negative and clinical probability is low PE can safely be excluded without the need for further investigation. Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate demographic data, clinical, radiographic, and laboratory findings in patients with PE and the relationship of those findings with the embolism location, and the reason for severity of the embolism. Patients and methods This study was conducted on 100 patients diagnosed with PE based on MDCT-PA at Chest Diseases Department of Al-Azhar Assiut and Assiut University Hospitals, Egypt, from May 2013 to December 2015. All patients were subjected to complete history taking, clinical examination, routine investigations, D-dimer, O2 saturation, arterial blood gases, ECG, Doppler ultrasound, chest radiography, MDCT-PA for all patients, and echocardiography in selected patients. Results There were significant differences between D-dimer from one hand and severity of PE, and also the site and extent of the embolus from the other hand, as D-dimer levels were higher in massive than submassive PE, and in main pulmonary artery embolus than segmental branches, and lastly subsegmental branches. ECG findings in PE were nonspecific but could aid in the diagnosis. The most common findings were sinus tachycardia followed by inverted T wave in anterior chest leads, whereas the typical S1Q3T3 was less common. Conclusion A practical and evidence-based approach is to combine a D-dimer result with a validated clinical risk score to help selection of suitable patients for computed tomography pulmonary angiogram. Recommendation A clinical probability assessment and D-dimer value should be combined and used to quantify the patient’s risk of PE as low, moderate, or high.

Abstract Background Although various hematologic abnormalities are seen in tuberculosis (TB), severe thrombocytopenia is a rare event. Case presentation We report a case of a 26-year-old female patient who presented with severe thrombocytopenia-induced hemoptysis, macroscopic hematuria, and intracranial hemorrhage. The patient was found to have clinical, microbiological, and histopathological evidence of TB. The thrombocytopenia was successfully treated with anti-TB drugs. Conclusion Severe thrombocytopenia can be one of the hematological manifestations of TB that is successfully treated with anti-TB drugs.

Objective: To assess the utility of 64 MDCT in the diagnosis, staging and follow-up of HB patients. Patients & methods: This study included 17 children, 9 males and 8 females with HB from multiple centers aged 6 months- 3 years. Patients were subjected to complete clinical examination and laboratory investigations at presentation and during follow-up. Patients were evaluated, staged and treated according to SIOPEL HB protocols for management. Imaging evaluation was conducted using abdominal U/S, bone scan and MDCT for chest and abdomen. Results: All patients were presented with abdominal mass and elevated AFP level, Jaundice seen in only 1 patient. On MDCT, 13 patients had single focal lesion, 2 patients had multiple foci and 2 patients showed diffuse disease. MDCT was more accurate than US in detecting site, multiplicity, density and lymph nodes (LNs). Regarding tumor staging, MDCT findings were confirmed surgically. In follow-up of patients MDCT was detected with accuracy residual or recurrent lesions in 3 cases. Conclusion: MDCT in children with HB accurately displayed the extent of hepatic involvement by tumor, tumor staging and its proximity to vascular structures that help the surgeon to identify the tumor resectability and can be used in follow-up.

The study focuses on the optimum index factor (OIF) and Determinant Covariance methods. Landsat 7 ETM+ image of Al-Mishkhab subdistrict was used to obtain the optimum results that were explaining earth features. The best result of image composite (OIF) was RGB 345, and determinant covariance was RGB 123 both for cultivated areas, water, and bare soil. In comparison with the two methods, the principal component analysis (PCA) was used in determining the landmarks precisely.

A number of novel heterocyclic chalcone derivatives can be synthesized by thermal and microwave tools. Treatment of 4-(4-Acetylamino- and/or 4-bromo-phenyl)-4-oxobut-2-enoic acids with hydrogen peroxide in alkaline medium were afforded oxirane derivatives 2. Reaction of the epoxide 2 with 2-amino-5-aryl-1,3,4-thiadiazole derivatives yielded chalcone of imidazo[2,1-b]thiadiazole derivative 4 via two thermal routes. In one pot reaction of 4-bromoacetophenone, diethyloxalate, and 2-amino-5-aryl-1,3,4-thiadiazole derivatives in MW irradiation (W 250 and T 150 °C) under eco-friendly conditions afforded an unsuitable yield of the desired chalcone 4d. The chalcone derivatives 4 were used as a key starting material to synthesize some new spiroheterocyclic compounds via Michael and aza-Michael adducts. The chalcone 4f was similar to the aryl-oxo-vinylamide derivatives for the inhibition of tyrosine kinase and cancer cell growth. The electron-withdrawing substituents, such as halogens, and 2-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole moeity decreasing the electron density, thereby decreasing the energy of HOMO, and the presence of imidazothiadiazole moiety should improve the antibacterial activity. Thus, the newly synthesized compounds were evaluated for their anti-bacterial activity against (ATCC 25923), (ATCC 10987), (ATCC 274,) and (SM514). The structure of the newly synthesized compounds was confirmed by elemental analysis and spectroscopic data.

Background: Inappropriate medication dosing in patients with chronic kidney disease can cause toxicity or ineffective therapy. Patients are at a high risk of developing related adverse events caused by the altered effect of drugs in conjunction with the use of polypharmacy to treat comorbid conditions. This necessitates adequate renal dosing adjustments. Objective: The current study aims at assessing whether appropriate dosing adjustments were made in hospitalized patients with chronic kidney disease. Methods: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted at two university hospitals in Beirut between January and December 2016. All adult CKD patients with creatinine clearance less than 60 ml/min and receiving at least one medication that require renal dosing adjustment were included. Kidney function was estimated from serum creatinine using Cockcroft-Gault equation, and dose appropriateness was determined by comparing practice with specific guidelines. The rates of renal drug dosing adjustment were investigated, in addition to the influence of possible determinants, such as the severity of renal impairment, reason of hospital admission, and other patient characteristics. Results: 2138 patients admitted in 2016 were screened. 223 adults receiving 578 drug orders that require adjustment were included. Among the 578 orders, 215 (37%) were adjusted adequately, 284 (49%) were adjusted inadequately, and 79 (14%) were not adjusted at all. Beta-blockers were the most inadequately dosed (83.6%) class of medication, whereas lipid-lowering agents had the highest percentage of adequate dosing (65.1%). As per patient, 84.3% of patients appeared to be receiving at least one inappropriate drug dose. Conclusions: Our study confirms that physicians are not prescribing appropriate dosing adjustments in chronic kidney disease inpatients, which may have deleterious effects. This highlights the need for more nephrology consultation and the implementation of physician education programs.

Despite the excellent performance of stainless steel in diverse application, there are media of exposure may accelerate failure of several stainless steel alloys. The possibility of this failure has to be examined by measuring the effective parameters that may result in corrosion at different rates. The present study has been conducted to examine the effect of exposing specimens of 304 stainless steel to 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 M chloride concentration and 70, 80, and 90 °C. Electrochemical technique of measuring the potentials and currency of the examined system has been used to collect the corrosion data. Microstructure of the specimens is examined using Scanning Electron Microscopy and X- Ray Diffraction. Both of these tests revealed no serious phase change due to exposure even at severe conditions. The potentials gained show significant effect of the operation conditions.

The present investigation is concerned to study the influence of poly vinylacetate (PVAc.) on flow behavior of bentonite dispersions in water, poly vinyl acetatewas added to the bentonite dispersion in different concentration (5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, 15, 17.5and 20) gm/l. after that, the flow properties of these samples was measured and thatincluded (viscosity, shear stress, shear rate and Bingham yield value), The results showthixotropy flow by a hysteresis loop of the flow curves for bentonite dispersion with andwithout poly vinyl acetate, but with (PVAc.) give higher fluidity flow.Also the morphology of bentonite dispersions was analyzed before and after addingpoly vinyl acetate by scanning electron micrograph (SEM), it is show that a weakassociation between (PVAc.) and bentonite dispersions.

Objective: Transvaginal Sonography (TVS) is being used in the investigation of postmenopausal bleeding (PMB). The bleeding could be the result of a number of factors; endometrial polyps are one of the common findings in these patients. The aim was to compare the findings of TVS and hysteroscopy to determine the sensitivity of each method in detecting endometrial polyps. Methods: This was a retrospective study, designed to investigate the sensitivity and specificity of transvaginal sonography in the detection of endometrial polyps. This study was conducted from July 1992 to July 1999 and identified from the record 37 patients with PMB referred for transvaginal sonography, hysteroscopy and biopsy investigations. Results: Thirty-seven patients with PMB were scanned using TVS and hysteroscopy. The result was not specific or sensitive when using TVS alone. TVS showed 13.52 % sensitivity, hysteroscopy/biopsy showed 100% sensitivity. TVS p>0.06 was not significant. Conclusion: Using TVS alone to diagnose polyps in PMB patients is not sensitive, especially when the polyps are smaller than 6 mm. If it is combined with hysterscopy, the reliability and s sensitivity are significantly improved.

Objective: Little published research exists in the area of fetal thigh biometry, specifically in the use of the anteriorposterior fetal thigh diameter (APTD). A continuing review of existing practices needs to be coupled with evaluation of alternate or additional methodology. This study evaluated the usefulness and direct correlation of a simple, new method of predicting fetal age by measurement of the anterior-posterior thigh diameter (APTD) in a normal 18-to 28 week pregnancies using two-dimensional sonography. Methods: This was a quantitative prospective study of 55 patients in the High Level General Hospital, Alberta, Canada. Anterior-posterior thigh diameters (APTD) were sonographically measured and the normal range for each week of pregnancy was determined five times for reliability. Results: Significant correlation was found between (APTD) and fetal age from simple line regression analysis, with >99.9% confidence intervals at each week from 18 to 28 weeks gestation. There was a correlation of 1 mm APTD per 1 week of fetal age. The standard error of estimation was very low at (0.08664) in edition (r>0.9993) and (p < than 0.0001). The residual scatter plots confirmed the APTD validity. Conclusion: APTD is a reliable and valid method for assessing fetal age in a normal pregnancy and may be particularly useful when other parameters are unable accurately to predict fetal age. An accurate linear measurement of multiple fetal parameters allows a more complete profile of fetal growth and estimated date of delivery (EDD). APTD may also be useful in identifying fetal growth problems. All of the values of fetal age lie directly on the “best-fit” regression line. Since thecoefficient of determination (Rsq) is very high, this model is very effective.

In this study we investigated the effects of the injection into the supraoptic nucleus (SON) of non-peptide AT1- and AT2-angiotensin II (ANG II) receptor antagonists, DuP753 and PD123319, as well as of the arginine-vasopressin (AVP) receptor antagonist d(CH2)5-Tyr(Me)-AVP, on water and 3% NaCl intake induced by the injection of ANG II into the medial septal area (MSA). The effects on water or 3% NaCl intake were assessed in 30-h water-deprived or in 20-h water-deprived furosemide-treated adult male rats, respectively. The drugs were injected in 0.5 ml over 30-60 s. Controls were injected with a similar volume of 0.15 M NaCl. Antagonists were injected at doses of 20, 80 and 180 nmol. Water and sodium intake was measured over a 2-h period. Previous administration of the AT1 receptor antagonist DuP753 into the SON decreased water (65%, N = 10, P

The research herein used a sequential mixed methods design to investigate why academic dishonesty is widespread among the students at the College of Basic Education in Kuwait. Qualitative interviews were conducted to generate research hypotheses. Then, using questionnaire survey, the research hypotheses were quantitatively tested. The findings suggested that academic dishonesty is widespread among the students at the College of Basic Education because the benefits of academic dishonesty are high, whereas the certainty of detection and severity of the sanctions are relatively low.

A series of chloroacetamide derivatives (1-22) was synthesized to address the urgent need for new antimicrobial and antioxidant agents. The chemical structures were confirmed by 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and MS spectroscopic analyses. Most compounds inhibited in vitro Gram-positive bacteria S. aureus and B. cereus as well as Gram-negative bacteria (E. coli and P. aeruginosa) and yeast (C. albicans). Interestingly, compound 13 showed the broadest spectrum, especially against B. cereus (MIC = 10 mg/L). Compounds 6 and 20 displayed potent activity against C. albicans (EC50 = 197.02 and 189.13 mg/L, respectively). All compounds exhibited antioxidant activity, with 14 compounds surpassing α-tocopherol (standard) in DPPH radical scavenging. In silico analyses were conducted using molecular docking, drug-likeness data, physicochemical properties, and ADMET parameters to evaluate the potential of the compounds. Molecular docking simulations against the active sites of NADPH oxidase, penicillin-binding protein (bacterial target), and lanosterol 14-alpha demethylase (fungal target) revealed favorable binding energies for the majority of the compounds, indicating good affinity towards the targeted proteins. Overall, the research on novel multifunctional chloroacetamide derivatives is a valuable contribution to the field of biological chemistry and has the potential to lead to the development of new and improved products for a variety of microbes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]