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Abstract Background Over two decades of research about traumatic brain injury (TBI) rehabilitation emphasized the persistence of racial health disparities in functional outcomes that disproportionately impact Black populations without naming or addressing racism as the root problem. Further, the experiences of Black people with TBI have yet to be documented and accounted for in scientific scholarship from the perspectives of Black persons in Canada. Purpose This study intended to examine the rehabilitation narratives of Black TBI survivors, family caregivers, and rehabilitation providers and use critical race theory as a conceptual framework to understand how anti-Black racism manifests in those experiences. Methods Through critical narrative inquiry informed by a critical constructivist paradigm and a critical race theory lens, in-depth narrative interviewing were conducted with seven survivors, three family caregivers, and four rehabilitation providers. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis within and across groups of participants to conceptualize themes and sub-themes. Findings Themes captured how racism becomes institutionalized in TBI rehabilitation: (1) the institutional construction of deficient Black bodies, (2) the institutional construction of rehabilitation access, (3) the institutional investment in resisting and approximating whiteness in rehabilitation practice, and (4) the institutional construction of deficient Black futures. Conclusion Study findings point to the dire need to ensure rehabilitation programs, services, and the delivery of care are not determined based on inequitable practices, racial biases and assumptions about Black people, which determine who deserves to get into rehabilitation and have opportunities to be supported in working towards living a full and meaningful life.

ObjectivesThere is a dearth of reviews exploring rehabilitation for violence-related traumatic brain injury (TBI) despite its increasing rates and distinct risk factors and outcomes. The aim of this scoping review is to determine the extent to which rehabilitation is available to and accessed by people who sustain TBI from interpersonal violence.MethodElectronic databases (i.e., MEDLINE, Cochrane CENTRAL Register of Clinical Trials, CINAHL, APA PsycINFO, Criminal Justice Abstracts, Applied Social Sciences Index and Abstracts, and Proquest Nursing and Allied Health) and grey literature (i.e., relevant organizations' websites) were systematically searched for peer-reviewed articles and reports that met eligibility criteria. To be included, articles had to report primary findings on rehabilitation interventions that included individuals who sustained a TBI through interpersonal violence. Articles based on the military population were excluded. Data were synthesized through a descriptive numerical summary and qualitative content analysis.ResultsFifty-two primary research articles and five grey literature reports were included. Most (77.2%) of these articles described rehabilitation interventions that addressed TBI sequalae without consideration for violence as a mechanism of injury, beyond reporting sample characteristics. Only thirteen articles (22.4%) considered violence-related TBI by investigating the rehabilitation profile (13.8%) or designing programs specifically for survivors of violence-related TBI (8.6%). There was limited attention to social determinants of health across all studies.ConclusionThis is the first scoping review to our knowledge that explored the extent and nature of rehabilitation among persons who experience TBI through violence in civilian populations. Priorities for education, research, and practice are identified.

Abstract Background Current understandings of the etiology of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and the trajectory of care significantly lack consideration for the inclusion of Black populations. The global prevalence of TBI is increasing, particularly in North America and Europe where approximately 65 million people are affected every year. Although community integration is an ultimate goal of rehabilitation post injury, persons with TBI, particularly Black populations continually face challenges with regards to unmet needs along the continuum of care including meaningful participation and vocation, resulting in occupational deprivation. While integrated care is seen as an appealing approach to service delivery, little is known about what this means for Black people with TBI. This protocol produces the first critical transdisciplinary (CTD) scoping review mapping the extent, range, and nature of integrated care pathways for Black people experiencing TBI. Methods CTD provides an analytical tool with a health equity lens that will be applied as both a methodology and theory for undertaking this review. Under the methodological guidance of Arksey and O’Malley, CTD will be used to map the literature and better understand the elements of integrated care pathways for Black people experiencing TBI. To identify the published literature, several databases will be searched including MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Sociological Abstracts. Discussion The application of CTD compels health-care providers, administrators, clinician-scientists, rehabilitation specialists, and scholars in the field of TBI and integrated care to re-examine hidden assumptions about racism, racialization, and Blackness that are often embedded in current visions of health for all. The health equity lens of CTD asks about who is accounted for in the research and clinical literature and who is absented. It is anticipated that applying the health equity lens of CTD will provide a critical examination of the literature and illuminate significant implications for integrated care for Black persons experiencing TBI. Systematic review registration Not applicable.

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and mental health or substance use disorders (MHSU) are global public health concerns due to their prevalence and impact on individuals and societies. However, care for individuals with TBI and MHSU remains fragmented with a lack of appropriate services and supports across the continuum of healthcare. This systematic review provided an evidence-based foundation to inform opportunities to mobilize and adapt existing resources to integrate care for individuals with TBI and MHSU by comprehensively summarizing existing integrated activities and reported barriers and facilitators to care integration. MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Sociological Abstracts, and Dissertations & Theses Global were independently reviewed by two reviewers based on pre-determined eligibility criteria. Data on the integration activity, level and type of integration, reported barriers and facilitators, and the strategies aligning with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Framework on Integrated Person-Centred Care were extracted to form the basis for a narrative synthesis. Fifty-nine peer-reviewed articles were included, describing treatments (N = 49), programs (N = 4), or screening activities (N = 7). Studies discussing clinical integration at the micro- (N = 38) and meso- (N = 10) levels, service integration at the micro- (N = 6) and meso- (N = 5) levels, and functional integration at the meso-level (N = 1) were identified. A minority of articles reported on facilitators (e.g., cognitive accommodations in treatment plans; N = 7), barriers (e.g., lack of education on cognitive challenges associated with TBI; N = 2), or both (N = 6), related to integrating care. This review demonstrated that integrated TBI and MHSU care already exists across a range of levels and types. Given the finite and competing demands for healthcare resources, cognitive accommodations across treatment plans to facilitate integrated TBI and MHSU care should be considered. Multidisciplinary teams should also be explored to provide opportunities for education among health professionals so they can be familiar with TBI and MHSU. Trial registration: Prospero Registration: CRD42018108343.

Introduction: Cyclophosphamide (CP) is alkylating agent and the most commonly used chemotherapeutic drug for various types of cancer; it causes severe toxicity. The aim of the research was to assess the protective effect of lemon fruit extract (LFE) against the side effects of the anti-cancer drug “cyclophosphamide” (CP). Methods: This experimental study was conducted in 2015. Thirty male mice were divided into six groups: group A (control): intraperitoneal injection of saline, group B: oral LFE (10ml/kg), group C: intraperitoneal injection of CP (10 mg/kg), group D: intraperitoneal injection of CP (20 mg/kg), group E: intraperitoneal injection of CP (10 mg/kg) and oral LFE (10 ml/kg), and group F: intraperitoneal injection of CP (20 mg/kg) and oral LFE (10 ml/kg). All groups were treated daily for five consecutive days. Results: The results of the group treated with the drug C and D was that, in their intestines, the effect was uneven between a severe to a sharp effect, and there was a lack of dense connective tissue and its collagen fibers and fat cells, the intestinal glands or crypt of Lieberkühn appeared few in number and distorted in composition when compared with control A, as the pancreas appeared divided into several lobes containing small numbers of pancreatic Acini, padded with secretory pyramid-shaped cells, although some of them appeared exaggerated. While treatment in group E and F resulted in the intestines and pancreas appearing to be semi-normal; regarding the pancreas, it showed an observed improvement more than the response of the intestines. Conclusion: The results support the protective effect of lemon fruit extract against CP-induced intestinal and pancreatic injury.

Sabkha soils in Kuwait are developed as the result of the intersection between the highly saline groundwater table and the low ground surface. During the Iraqi occupation of Kuwait the Iraqi troops dug a large number of trenches including Sabkha areas and filled them with crude oil. Crude oil is a mixture of mainly oxygenated and non-oxygenated hydrocarbons (Yemashova et al., 2007). Six boreholes (B4 to B9) along the oil trench in the saline coastal soils, in the northeastern and southeastern areas of Kuwait were excavated to assess the extent of oil pollution in comparison to the adjacent reference sites. Oil pollution in the soil matrix of the oil trenches is significantly high in percent TPH and TEM that penetrated through deep soils into the hard gatch layer. The highest concentration of TEM and TPH was 11.74% and 9.91% respectively measured at B7 in the southeastern at a depth of 60 to 160 cm and the lowest concentration was 0.67% and 0.41% respectively at B5 in the northeastern at a depth of 35 to 110 cm. The study also concluded that the amount and depth of oil contamination in the northeastern and southern coastal oil trenches should be considered equally important for future remediation.

Sabkha soils in Kuwait are developed as a result of the intersection between the highly saline groundwater table and the low ground surface. During the Iraqi occupation of Kuwait, the Iraqi troops dug a large number of trenches including Sabkha areas and filled them with crude oil. Crude oil is a mixture of mainly oxygenated and non-oxygenated hydrocarbons (Yemashova et al., 2007). Six boreholes (B4 to B9) along the oil trench in the saline coastal soils, in the northeastern and southeastern areas of Kuwait were excavated to assess the extent of oil pollution in comparison to the adjacent reference sites. Oil pollution in the soil matrix of the oil trenches is significantly high in percent total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) and total extractable matter (TEM) that penetrated through deep soils into the hard gatch layer. The highest concentration of TEM and TPH was 11.74% and 9.91% respectively measured at B7 in the southeastern areas at a depth of 60 to 160 cm and the lowest concentration was 0.67% and 0.41% respectively at B5 in the northeastern areas at a depth of 35 to 110 cm. The study also concluded that the amount and depth of oil contamination in the northeastern and southern coastal oil trenches should be considered equally important for future remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Cyclophosphamide (CP) is alkylating agent and the most commonly used chemotherapeutic drug for various types of cancer; it causes severe toxicity. The aim of the research was to assess the protective effect of lemon fruit extract (LFE) against the side effects of the anti-cancer drug "cyclophosphamide" (CP). Methods: This experimental study was conducted in 2015. Thirty male mice were divided into six groups: group A (control): intraperitoneal injection of saline, group B: oral LFE (10ml/kg), group C: intraperitoneal injection of CP (10 mg/kg), group D: intraperitoneal injection of CP (20 mg/kg), group E: intraperitoneal injection of CP (10 mg/kg) and oral LFE (10 ml/kg), and group F: intraperitoneal injection of CP (20 mg/kg) and oral LFE (10 ml/kg). All groups were treated daily for five consecutive days. Results: The results of the group treated with the drug C and D was that, in their intestines, the effect was uneven between a severe to a sharp effect, and there was a lack of dense connective tissue and its collagen fibers and fat cells, the intestinal glands or crypt of Lieberkühn appeared few in number and distorted in composition when compared with control A, as the pancreas appeared divided into several lobes containing small numbers of pancreatic Acini, padded with secretory pyramid-shaped cells, although some of them appeared exaggerated. While treatment in group E and F resulted in the intestines and pancreas appearing to be semi-normal; regarding the pancreas, it showed an observed improvement more than the response of the intestines. Conclusion: The results support the protective effect of lemon fruit extract against CP-induced intestinal and pancreatic injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the various consequences of climate change on the biodiversity of Kuwait. Many world organizations have established strategic plans for climate change, such as The Global Strategy for Plant Conservation, which is adopted in 2002 by the Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity. Design/methodology/approach – The paper utlizes a wide range of research projects completed at the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR), which provide information leading to the degradding effects and risks of climate change on the biodiversity and ecosystem services of Kuwait. Findings – The biodiversity of Kuwait is under severe stress due to natural and anthropogenic factors. The region is also threatened physically and biologically by the global warming phenomena. More severe and harsh climatic conditions will cause increase in formation of sand dunes, sand encroachment, and extreme dust storms. In 2008, Kuwait has the worst ever reported summer since 1991 with increase in intensity and frequency of dust storms. Drought will cause more water demand for local consumption and irrigation. The seawater temperature increase would affect the spawning period of fish and shrimp and would cause migration of fish to other more suitable areas. This would cause severe impact on the fish industry in Kuwait and the region. Losses in plant cover will be due to sand encroachment or erratic rainfall periods causing runoff and flooding. Research limitations/implications – The work is based on various projects at the KISR and by some journal publications that relate to climate change impact on biodivesity. More research work is needed to test the long-term impact of climate change on bidivesity of Kuwait. Originality/value – There is a need to develop a strategic plan for climate change mitigation and adaptation in Kuwait. Specific elements of the plan would include: research for identification of vulnerable species, collecting field population data, conducting modeling research to inform conservation programs; monitoring key species; ex situ conservation using living collection and ensuring representation in conservation collection; in situ conservation and increase in protected areas; education and public awareness programs; networking; and sharing knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the major environmental concerns is to ensure that projects and projects are operational in accordance with the provisions and commitments contained in the report of the evaluation studies approved. In order to assess the extent to which environmental considerations are implemented, assessment reports are for reporting to supervisory organizations to ensure uniformity and procedural unity in their reporting process. The most practical methods are checklist. This study presents the evaluation process considerations environmental criteria, data collection and validation addressed and the plans and projects, including studies of environmental assessment includes the site of the elimination of waste, integrated cooking facilities, four stations, cement factory, the reservoir dam and the water pipeline transmission line by determining the scale and pollutant indicators separately for each case in the city of Suran in the south-east of Iran. Plans and projects that have actual effects on the environment of the studied area are weighted according to experts or Delphi. It can be concluded that according to the type of bricks and the type of fuel used by the factory (fuel oil), emissions such as emissions of fluorine from non-metallic minerals such as clay and compounds of nitrogen oxides and sulfur at the outlet of smoke the furnace has actual effects on the environment. Also, the slowing of the flow of water, coupled with low recharge, has increased the number of mineral particles and organic matter deposits. Finally, the status of the existing environmental monitoring program process in Iran has been studied and a new upgraded process is being proposed and proposed.

The present study aimed to investigate the toxic impact of gemcitabine on the histological structure of white mice testis and the histological structure of some embryonic organs. The mature male mice were treated with 130 mg kg(-1) of gemcitabine intraperitoneally. These treated males were placed after one week with mature normal females for fertilization. Females were dissected after the 14th day of pregnancy to investigate embryos. The histological investigation of testis showed an interruption in spermatogenesis process as evident by distorted spermatocytes, spermatozoa and a reduction in their number. Histological examination of embryonic organs, including liver, kidney, small intestine, spleen, zatrek gland and testis, after two weeks of pregnancy revealed impaired structures. The drug also reduced fertility and survival of embryos. In conclusion, present study suggests that cautions should be taken when gemcitabine is used as an anticancer drug.