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This study aimed to evaluate the bioherbicidal effect of aqueous fresh extracts of leaves and roots of the Aloe vera plant on the broad leaf weed growth of Sonchus oleraceus associated faba bean plants. During the winters of 2020/2021 and 2021/2022, two pot experiments were carried out in the greenhouse of the National Research Center. Leaf and root aqueous extracts of Aloe vera were applied as soil and/or spray treatments at different concentrations. The results showed that there was significant inhibition in the fresh and dry biomass of S. oleraceus and was maximum with application of soil treatment (10%) of the leaf extract sequenced by spraying leaf extract at 20%. Furthermore, the inhibition of the weed growth was accompanied by an increase in the growth and yield of faba bean. The results indicated that phenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins and saponins were present in the leaf extract, and there were smaller amounts of tannins and saponins in the root extract than in the leaf extract. Total phenols, flavonoids, alkaloids in the leaf extract was more than three times that of the root extract. The results also revealed that the presence of higher concentrations of natural substances in the leaf extract than in the root extracts gave it its efficiency in inhibiting the growth of S. oleraceus weeds.

An optimal balance between excitatory and inhibitory transmission in the central nervous system provides essential neurotransmission for good functioning of the neurons. In the neurology field, a disturbed balance can lead to neurological diseases like epilepsy, Alzheimer’s, and Autism. One of the critical agents mediating excitatory neurotransmission is α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid receptors, which are concerned with synaptic plasticity, memory, and learning. An imbalance in neurotransmission finally results in excitotoxicity and neurological pathologies that should be corrected through specific compounds. Hence, the current study will prove to be an evaluation of new thiazole-carboxamide derivatives concerning AMPAR-modulating activity and extended medicinal potential. In the current project, five previously synthesized thiazole-carboxamide derivatives, i.e., TC-1 to TC-5, were used to interact with the AMPARs expressed in HEK293T cells, which overexpress different subunits of the AMPAR. Patch-clamp analysis was carried out while the effect of the drugs on AMPAR-mediated currents was followed with a particular emphasis on the kinetics of inhibition, desensitization, and deactivation. All tested TC compounds, at all subunits, showed potent inhibition of AMPAR-mediated currents, with TC-2 being the most powerful for all subunits. These compounds shifted the receptor kinetics efficiently, mainly enhancing the deactivation rates, and hence acted as a surrogate for their neuroprotective potentials. Additionally, recently published structure–activity relationship studies identified particular substituent groups as necessary for improving the pharmacologic profiles of these compounds. In this regard, thiazole-carboxamide derivatives, particularly those classified as TC-2, have become essential negative allosteric modulators of AMPAR function and potential therapeutics in neurological disturbances underlain by the dysregulation of excitatory neurotransmission. Given their therapeutic effectiveness and safety profiles, these in vivo studies need to be further validated, although computational modeling can be further developed for drug design and selectivity. This will open possibilities for new drug-like AMPAR negative allosteric modulators with applications at the clinical level toward neurology.

IntroductionWith over half of the population living under the poverty threshold, the social and health context in French Guiana is more difficult than in mainland France. The prevalence of diabetes is twice as great and end-stage renal failure is 45% higher than in mainland France.ObjectiveOur objective was to describe the profile of diabetic patients with chronic kidney disease in French Guiana and search for possible risk factors.MethodWe conducted a multicenter cross-sectional observational study based on the CODIAM cohort (Cohort of Diabetes in French Amazonia). We analyzed 1,287 patients followed up between May 2019 and June 2021 at Cayenne Hospital, Saint Laurent Hospital, and delocalized health centers.ResultsIn our cohort, chronic kidney disease was present after an average of 12 years of diabetes. Compared with the French population, 41% of diabetic patients had chronic kidney disease (i.e., 12% more), and had an average age of 56 years (i.e., 10 years younger). Forty-eight per cent of these patients were obese (i.e., 7% more). Seventy-four per cent of patients were precarious and 45% were foreigners but neither was associated with chronic kidney disease, contrary to countries where the health system is not universal.ConclusionScreening of patients with chronic kidney disease among diabetics in French Guiana remains a real challenge. Patients were younger and more obese than in other French territories. In this cohort, precariousness and immigration were not associated with the presence of chronic kidney disease. However, particular attention should be paid to hypertensive patients and those over 65 years of age, which are, with diabetes itself, the two most obvious risk factors for developing chronic kidney disease among diabetic patients in our territory.

Determination of an appropriate location for monitoring soil water content (SWC) is a key factor in efficient use of water in precision agriculture, however, the main challenge is the dynamic movement of water and root development in the soil profile. The objective of this study was investigating how SWC distribution in a loam soil profile at two growth stages of maize may impact the suitable location for SWC monitoring in a drip-tape irrigation system. A new concept, Average Moisture Representative Surface (AMRS) was proposed to determine the surface of the soil profile, which represent the average soil moisture of the wetted volume. SWC samples were taken during two irrigation intervals (48~52 days after planting (DAP) and 68~73 DAP) and root growth pattern was studied through root length density (RLD) at 50 and 100 DAP. The results revealed that a non-uniform wetting pattern after irrigation limits the appropriate locations for SWC monitoring to point measurements and with time, SWC depletion resulted in enlarging AMRS. At the end of growing season, an increase of root growth around the drippers increased the variation of root water uptake in different soil layers, and thus optimal place for soil sensors was limited to the upper layers, where the maximum root water uptake occurred. Overall, it is recommended to install soil sensors, such as tensiometers and TDRs at a horizontal distance of 5~20 cm from the crop and a depth of 10~20 cm from the soil surface while drip-tape is aligned close to the maize row.

Delirium is a common, often preventable fluctuating state of cognition associated with increased morbidity and mortality. This report describes the implementation of an interprofessional consultative Delirium Team formed to improve the prevention, detection, and management of delirium in a community hospital. Team members consulted refered inpatients with delirium to establish a care plan and provide recommendations for pharmacological and non-pharmacological management. The team also offered delirium-related education to unit staff, patients, and caregivers. Consultations were initially completed by the team Nurse Practitioner or Occupational Therapist, and complex patients were discussed with the team Geriatrician and Psychiatrist at rounds to optimize specialist input. Of the 160 patients managed by the team over the 8-month study period, two-thirds of referred patients did not require specialist consultation for their delirium management. Strategies most often recommended by experts for managing delirium were related to medical management, social/cognitive engagement, and functional mobility. Two-thirds of all recommendations made by the team were implemented. Barriers and facilitators to implementation and improving unit staff adherence are further described. The consultative Delirium Team is a promising model that should be further explored for managing an aging population in a capacity-limited medical system.

Abstract Background Allelopathy is an alternative safe strategy for chemical herbicides in controlling weeds. So, two successive greenhouse experiments were conducted to determine the phytotoxicity of pea seed powder on two weeds chard- (broad leaf) and canary grass (grass weed)-infested wheat. Pea seed powder was added to the soil surface at successive rates 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 g/pot. The pots were cultivated on time (at sowing application) or 1 week after the addition of the pea seed powder. Results The results indicated that the pea seed powder at 100 g/pot controlled more than 70–80% of both weeds in comparison to the corresponding controls. On the other hand, the inhibitory effect of the pea seed powder on weeds was accompanied by increases in the growth as well as photosynthetic pigments content and consequently wheat yield especially at 80 g/pot. Conclusion This study suggested that the pea seed powder has allelopathic and phytotoxic effects that controlled investigated weeds in wheat. Analysis of the allelopathic pea seed powder at the applied rates revealed the presence of phenolic compounds and flavonoids. Both allelopathic compounds showed high levels with increasing the pea seed powder rate. The mixing of pea seed powder with the soil surface at 80 g/pot 1 week before sowing was the most efficient treatment in controlling weeds under investigation that consequently achieved the highest wheat yield.

In this study the essential oils were extracted from the peels of Citrus sinensis (sweet orange), Citrus aurantium (bitter orange) and Citrus reticulata (mandarins) by hydrodistillation using a Clevenger- type apparatus for 4 h. The essential oils of all samples were subjected to Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The results indicated that the major compounds were d-limonene, terpinene and myrcene. Essential oils from these species were tested against seed germination and seedling growth of Heliantus annus (sunflower), Portulaca oleracea (purslane), Lupinus albus (field lupine) and Malva parviflora (Egyptian mallow) in laboratory experiments at different concentrations. The assay results showed that the essential oil extracted from C. reticulata peels was the most inhibitory followed by the essential oil extracted from C. aurantium and C. sinensis peels. Essential oils of C. reticulata and C. aurantium peels inhibited completely seed germination and seedling growth of H. annus at all concentrations. Portulaca oleracea seed germination and seedling growth were inhibited completely by essential oil of C. aurantium (2%). The essential oil of C. sinensis (3%) inhibited 100% of germination and growth of Lupinus albus. And. M. parviflora germination was 100% inhibited by C. aurantium (3%) and C. reticulata (1%) peel oils. The results obtained suggested that citrus peel essential oils present significant growth inhibitory property of the listed species and has potential to be used in allelopathic processes. Keywords: Essential oils, Heliantus annus, Portulaca oleracea, Lupinus albus

English has increasingly become an inevitable part of educational curriculum at schools and universities. Accordingly, a number of considerable efforts are devoted to popularize EFL teaching among learners. For instance, a significant body of research has been provided by scholars as an attempt to investigate the factors underlying the accumulation of that language under various circumstances. Thus, the study at hands aims to draw attention to the ways cultural contents are incorporated into classes where English is taught to non-native speakers. Furthermore, it offers a rationale for the teaching of culture in EFL contexts and the possible solutions that aim to increase students’ intercultural awareness. As an attempt to reach the research objectives, it is of unavoidable importance to shed light on students’ degree of responsiveness to cultural contents. This is done through examining the ways in which the chosen participants experience and perceive culture and its implementation into courses.

A research proposal is an essential scheme of any research. The contentment of any research is relying on the outstanding quality of research proposal. Both the social and health science research proposal writing depends on numerous factors which may be quality benchmarks, budget, time frame and many more. A research proposal should provide an outline of research which helps a reader to understand the scope and value of research work. So, the aim of this article is to provide a brief fundamental ideas and guild lines for a new researcher as well as students. Update Dent. Coll. j: 2016; 6 (2): 01-05

The hydroboration of protected allylalcohols by two different groups gives no linear structures of siloxypropylboranyls as predicted but gives the C–B–O five membered ring 1,2-H-oxaborolanes with good yield. A mechanism is also proposed to explain this cyclisation.

Na hanseníase, 1/3 dos casos avançados ou não tratados apresenta algum tipo de incapacidade física, além dos preconceitos e crenças que são gerados pelas deformidades que o paciente pode vir a apresentar, se não tratado adequadamente. Tendo por base esta problemática da doença, um grupo de profissionais formado por enfermeiros, fisioterapeuta, terapeuta ocupacional, médicos e assistente social, realizou um estudo das incapacidades dos pacientes de hanseníase, detectadas através do exame físico. Este estudo objetivou identificar o comprometimento sensitivo e motor dos membros superiores e inferiores e da face. Apresenta também o desenvolvimento da pesquisa como necessidade para sistematizar a assistência a ser prestada numa unidade sanitária.

A situação de controle dos comunicantes de hanseníase carece de estudos mais apurados e que nos mostrem a realidade nas unidades sanitárias e conseqüentemente no país. A alta taxa de prevalência da doença, aliada is condições sócio-econômicas dos doentes e comunicantes oferecem subsídios para importantes estudos objetivando a compreensão do quadro epidemiológico atual. Este estudo teve como objetivo diagnosticar a situação de controle dos comunicantes numa unidade sanitária, que contava, no momento da pesquisa (1983), com 160 doentes (incidencia de 1,2/1.000 habitantes) e 757 comunicantes inscritos no subprograma de Controle da Hanseníase.

Na hanseníase, 1/3 dos casos avançados ou não tratados apresentam algum tipo de incapacidade física, alem dos preconceitos e crenças que são gerados pelas deformidades que o paciente pode vir a apresentar, se não tratado adequadamente. Tendo por base esta problemática da doença, um grupo de profissionais formado por enfermeiros, fisioterapeuta, terapeuta ocupacional, médicos e assistente social, realizaram um estudo das incapacidades dos pacientes de hanseníase, detectadas através do exame físico. Este estudo objetivou identificar o comprometimento sensitivo e motor dos membros superiores e inferiores e da face. Apresenta também o desenvolvimento da pesquisa como necessidade para sistematizar a assistência a ser prestada numa Unidade Sanitária.

Herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO) occurs when latent varicella zoster virus reactivates in the ophthalmic division of the fifth cranial nerve (CNV1). HZO commonly affects older and immunocompromised patients. This disease is considered an ophthalmic emergency due to the wide range of associated ocular symptoms, including severe chronic pain and vision loss. HZO is typically a clinical diagnosis due to its classic presentation of a unilateral vesicular eruption in the dermatomes corresponding to CNV1. Timely treatment is imperative to minimize ocular morbidity in HZO, given that ocular involvement is present in 50% of affected patients., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Lightning is a rare but potentially devastating cause of injury and mortality. The cutaneous burns associated with lightning strikes demonstrate peculiar pathognomonic signs and patterns. In this review of the literature, we discuss the epidemiology and etiology of lightning injuries, lightning compared to other forms of high voltage electrical injury, the clinical features of lightning injuries, the most common cutaneous manifestations associated with lightning strikes, and the treatment and prevention of lightning injuries. Some of the cutaneous manifestations include feathering lesions, linear burns, punctate burns, and thermal injuries. While not considered true burns, Lichtenburg figures display a unique ferning pattern. Although lightning injuries are typically superficial, transient, and resolve relatively quickly compared to other electrical burns, the ability to recognize their cutaneous manifestations may improve emergent care and life-saving measures for these victims. Additionally, superficial surface burns secondary to lightning injury do not preclude systemic injury and significant pathology may be underlying.

Introduction: Balloon angioplasty (BA) and stenting have long been the mainstays of endovascular therapy in peripheral arterial disease (PAD). However, the rise of drug-coated balloons (DCBs) has revolutionized care in recent years, with multiple clinical trials showing superiority over BA in maintaining primary patency and freedom from target lesion revascularization (TLR). With the recent drop of the add-on payment for DCBs, a barrier for their use and consequently reduced therapy adoption in PAD might arise. We assessed if this affected physicians' behavior and hospital administration towards stocking and using DCBs., Methods: This single-center, retrospective study evaluated DCB utilization in 2017 versus 2018. Data were collected in two groups: 1) July 1, 2017, to December 31, 2017 - with pass-through code (PTC) - prior medical billing reimbursement - and 2) January 1, 2018, to June 30, 2018 - without PTC - markedly reduced reimbursement. Patients treated for superficial femoral artery (SFA) or popliteal artery (POP) disease were included. The study aimed to determine changes in DCB utilization between the years with and without PTC, and we investigated the treatments that have replaced DCBs. Additionally, we aimed to collect data on readmissions and procedure costs compared to national data., Results: From July through December 2017, 350 DCBs were used in 209 patients (1.675 DCBs per patient), while from January through June 2018, 256 DCBs were used in 180 patients (1.422 DCBs per patient) - a 15.07% reduction in DCBs per patient. The detailed numbers of DCB-treated patients were presented as fractions of total interventions in the groups with and without PTC., Conclusion: The findings of this study show a statistically significant reduction in DCB usage following PTC withdrawal. There are several ethical implications to these findings, primarily highlighting patient beneficence and justice. Moving forward, it will be important to determine if this shift in treatment is owed to other treatment strategies such as BA, BA and atherectomy, BA and bare-metal stents (BMS), or BA and drug-eluting-stents (DES). The next steps should also include determining procedure costs and comparing readmission rates., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2022, Samia et al.)

Background Seasonality of diagnosis occurs in many types of cancer and is well-established in non-melanoma (NMSC) and melanoma (MSC) skin cancers. Benign skin conditions have also been shown to demonstrate a similar seasonality pattern. Investigations into the seasonality of NMSC and MSC diagnoses are less common than benign skin conditions despite the high healthcare burden of the disease. In this study, we investigated if seasonality and monthly patterns of NMSC and MSC diagnoses are present in Eastern North Carolina. Methodology We observed and analyzed incident cancer diagnoses for patients visiting the Physicians East Dermatology clinic in Greenville, North Carolina, from 1983 to 2017 (n = 8,021 basal cell carcinomas (BCCs), n = 5,660 squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs), n = 451 MSCs, n = 14,132 total). Results Chi-square tests showed the highest rates of diagnosis for BCCs in August (9.85%), September (9.62%), and October (10.0%). For SCCs, the diagnosis rates were the highest in July (8.62%), August (9.63%), and October (9.58%). For MSCs, the diagnosis rates were the highest in May (9.98%), June (10.2%), and July (10.4%). Analysis of the differences between observed skin cancer diagnoses by month and equal distribution across all months in the event of no seasonality revealed peaks of skin cancer diagnoses corresponding to July through October for BCCs; July, August, and October for SCCs; and May through September for MSCs. Analysis of the patterns of diagnosis of this data over 34 years illustrated a continuously increasing pattern of diagnosis for all three cancer subtypes from 1983 to 2017. Conclusions This study identified a statistically significant pattern of seasonality in both NMSCs and MSCs, which was consistent with the findings of previous studies. Moving forward, further research should investigate the roles of temperature, quantified ultraviolet exposure, and geographic location and their relationships to seasonality., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2022, Samia et al.)