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Background Children often suffer from congenital or acquired diseases. Ambulatory cases represent the vast majority of pediatric surgical cases. COVID-19 pandemic-associated regulatory precautions had made the process of seeking medical advice at a suitable appointment such a big problem. We utilized telemedicine (online encounter) to deliver the required healthcare service for sorting and guiding pediatric ambulatory surgical patients. In this article, we aimed to: (1) present our experience, (2) evaluate the effectiveness, and (3) document the results of this technology to solve the problem of difficult healthcare accessibility. Materials and Methods In this study, we compared the utilization of telemedicine (virtual clinic via video consultation) prospectively in the current era of the COVID-19 pandemic in the period from June 2020 to July 2021 to the in-person clinic encounter at the outpatient department (OPD) retrospectively in the previous year (from June 2019 until the end of May 2020) for perioperative management of pediatric ambulatory surgical patients. The study was conducted at 3 tertiary care pediatric surgery centers. The information recorded for analysis included: demographic data, surgical condition distribution, time interval from the appointment request till the actual encounter with the surgeon, conversation duration, distance traveled, and ultimate fate of the consultations. For both groups, service was evaluated after the first follow-up visit by a patient survey questionnaire (Patient Experience Assessment form) including questions relevant to each encounter. Results A total of 1124 pediatric patients with various ambulatory surgical conditions had been scheduled for virtual clinic video encounters. Of them, 1056 cases were evaluated by video consultation, supervised by their parents or caregivers, thus, achieving an attendance rate of 94%. Of the remaining cases, 2% (n=23) were canceled and 4% (n=45) did not attend the virtual clinic. Two-thirds of the cases live in rural /remote areas. Patients’ overall satisfaction was 92%. This was in comparison to 872 pediatric ambulatory surgical patients scheduled for in-person clinic visits before the implementation of the virtual clinic. Of them, only 340 cases had attended the clinic, thus, achieving an attendance rate of 39%. Of the remaining cases, 450 cases (51.6%) were canceled and 82 cases (9.4%) did not attend the clinic (no show). About 48% of the cases live in rural areas. For this group, patients’ overall satisfaction was 63%. The mean encounter duration was similar for both groups (∼ 5 minutes). Surgical condition distribution was also similar (p-value: 0.694). For new cases, the time interval from appointment request till the actual encounter was very short for the virtual clinic group (range: 6-15 days) as compared to the in-person clinic group (range: 30-180 days). Patients were followed up for a median period of 14±3.25 months (range: 6-22 months) with no patient loss to follow-up. Conclusion Telemedicine can effectively bridge the patient-physician communication gap caused by the regulatory precautions mandated by the current COVID-19 pandemic. It achieved an attendance rate of 94% and parents’ / patients’ overall satisfaction of 92%.

Mixing technology with translation pedagogy is considered one of the recent methodologies in translation classrooms. The current research aimed to explore the effect of using an online collaborative translation technique based on Google Classroom on developing translation competence for English Majors and exploring their attitudes towards online collaboration. The study used the quasi-experimental pre-posttest. Two groups were randomly chosen amongst English Section Students at faculty of Education at Assiut University. The experimental group received training on translation through the suggested online collaborative translation technique while the control group received regular translation instruction. The experimental group students were engaged in collaborative translation tasks via Google Classroom three times a week for five weeks. Tools of the study included a pre-post translation test and a questionnaire to measure students’ attitudes towards online collaboration. Results of the study showed that using the suggested collaborative translation technique improved English majors’ translation competence. In addition, the results revealed that students developed positive attitudes towards online collaboration.

The effects of rice bran oil (RBO) as an alternative dietary energy source on nutritional properties and fatty acid deposition in broiler chickens are scarce in the literature. One-day-old chickens (broiler Ross 308) were assigned in a completely randomized design with three treatment diets and nine replicates of four chickens per replicate. A basal control diet contained 4~5% palm oil (T1) in the starter and finisher phases, respectively. Treatments 2 to 3 were fed diets formulated with 50% (T2) and 100% (T3) of RBO as a fat source instead of palm oil (PO). Replacing dietary PO with RBO improved the feed conversion ratio (FCR) by 6% (p = 0.017) over the total period of the experiment (1–38 d of age). The feeding of RBO (T3) showed the highest (p < 0.001) cooking loss values in the breast meat. However, compared with other groups, the blend of PO and RBO group (T2) displayed a lower cooking loss value in the thigh meat. In breast meat, the protein content was lowered (p = 0.007), while the fat content was higher (p < 0.001) in male broiler chickens fed dietary RBO (T2 and T3). Total inclusion of dietary RBO (T3) decreased (p = 0.034) the proportion of saturated fatty acids (ΣSFAs) but increased (p = 0.02) linoleic acid. In addition, α-linolenic acid (ALA) increased (p < 0.001) in male broiler chickens fed dietary RBO (T2 and T3), and the highest deposit level occurred by the total inclusion of RBO (T3). Total omega 3 fatty acids (∑n-3) increased (p = 0.013), while the ratio of n-6 to n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) decreased (p = 0.046) in male broiler chickens fed dietary RBO (T3) as compared with the control diet (PO; T1). In conclusion, compared with dietary PO (control diet, T1), the total inclusion of dietary RBO at 50 kg/metric ton feed (T3) increased ∑n-3, ALA, and reduced n-6:n-3 PUFA ratio in the breast meat, but cooking loss values were larger in breast and thigh meats. The blend of dietary PO and RBO (T2) was better for both production performance targets (feed intake and FCR), cooking loss values, and deposition of ALA in the breast meat. The inclusion of dietary RBO into broiler diets needs further study, but the present experiment aids in expanding research knowledge to make that possible.

Background Breast cancer is the most common feminine malignant disease. Surgical treatment is the standard care for early stages, and breast conservation therapy became standard management for patients with small-sized tumors. Oncoplastic techniques aim to preserve this precious organ without distortion and with less morbidity. Applying the modified lateral intercostal artery perforator flap offers a one-stage, single position surgery with invisible scar, good access to the axilla and satisfying cosmetics. Methods This study was applied to 55 histo-pathologically-confirmed breast cancer patients. All patients were candidates for breast conserving surgery. Observations were recorded and data were collected. Results The procedure was overall very good, with smooth recovery after surgery and achieving both oncological safety and pleasant cosmetic results. The early post-operative complication were expected and easily dealt-with. No mortality was recorded. Modified lateral intercostal artery perforator flap offers a chance for patients with laterally located breast cancer and candidates for breast conservation. Conclusion In conclusion, our trial with modified LICAP was quiet satisfying. We recommend larger studies and longer periods of follow up.

Many attempts to control acute kidney injury (AKI) have failed due to a lack of understanding of its pathophysiological key components. Macrophages are a crucial determinant of AKI, which can be categorized functionally as M1 pro-inflammatory and M2 anti-inflammatory macrophages. Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) is currently being investigated as an immune modulator. The present study aimed to explore the potential effects of LIPUS on the polarization of renal macrophages, as well as the possible interplay between macrophage polarization and necroptosis in gentamicin-induced acute kidney injury.All rats were randomly allocated into one of four groups: control, LIPUS-treated control, gentamicin acute kidney (GM-AKI), and LIPUS-treated GM-AKI. Renal functions, macrophage polarization, necroptosis, and heat shock protein-70 (HSP70) were analyzed using real-time reverse-transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (rT-PCR), Western Blot, Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) as well as immunohistological analysis.we found that LIPUS markedly inhibited the expressions of M1 macrophage-related genes and promoted significantly the expression of M2 macrophages related genes. This was accompanied by an inhibition of necroptosis and a marked reduction of HSP-70, resulting in a reversal of gentamicin-induced renal alteration.Functional switching of macrophage responses from M1 into M2 seems to be a potential approach to ameliorate necroptosis as well as HSP-70 by low pulsed ultrasound waves in GM-AKI.

Background: Pressure ulcers are the common conditions among patients hospitalized in acute and chronic care facilities and impose significant burden on patients, their relatives and caregivers. Pressure ulcers have been described as one of the most costly and physically debilitating complications since the 20th century. The pain and discomfort due to pressure ulcer prolongs illness, rehabilitation, time of discharge and even contribute to disability and death. Lengthy periods of immobilization are emotionally stressful for patients. Immobility related problems include pressure ulcers, pneumonia, constipation, loss of appetite, urinary stasis, urinary track infections and venous stasis or deep vein thrombosis. When the complications due to immobilization are prevented it helps an individual to be physically, emotionally and psychologically sound. These complications can be prevented through simple basic patient care like skincare, active-passive exercises, changing position and deep breathing exercises. Nurses have a key role in prevention of these complications by educating the patients. Hence the study was conducted “To evaluate the effectiveness of structured teaching programme regarding prevention of complications of immobilized patients . methods: The study involved 50 immobilized orthopaedic patients using the structured interview schedule. STP was implemented and post-test was conducted after 8 days using the same structured interview schedule to find out the effectiveness. Results: 86% of respondents were taking mixed diet and 60% had compound fracture. The main cause for the fracture was road traffic accident (46 %). Regarding effectiveness of Structure exercise plan , the overall mean percentage knowledge score in the pre-test was 34.71% and 80.91% in the post-test. The statistical paired ‘t’ test indicates that enhancement in the mean percentage knowledge score was found to be significant at P≤0.05 percent level for all the aspects . Conclusion: This study revealed that nursing staffs’ knowledge and practice about pressure ulcer preventive measures could be improved. Participants in the study reported that they could use the educational program effectively and easily in the prevention of pressure ulcers among their immobilized patients, which decreases the occurrence of pressure ulcers and as well as improved patient outcome. Keywords: pressure ulcer, post operative patients, structure exercise plan

Background: Enteric fever is a common infection found in many developing countries around the world, which often has life- threatening complications if not treated promptly. One of the rarest complications of enteric fever is splenic abscess. Case presentation: Our case is that of a 32-year-old male, admitted with febrile illness, diagnosed as typhoid fever (enteric fever) with rare complication- multiple splenic abscesses, after his travel to endemic area, which was effectively treated with antibiotics under inpatient setting. Conclusion: Early diagnosis with imaging modalities such as computed tomography can lead to better treatment approaches. Splenic abscesses are often treated with antibiotics or conservative treatment; however, non-responsive cases may require splenectomy.

Background: Autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) has a multifactorial etiology involving interactions between genes, environment, and diet. Among the environmental factors that have received significant attention related to ASD are toxic metals, such as lead (Pb). Given the importance of zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) metabolism for healthy neurological functioning and detoxification of heavy metals. Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element having a very narrow range between deficient, essential, and toxic doses. Objective: To evaluate the association between the level of serum Cu, Zn, Pb, and Se in children with ASD. Patients and Methods: Our case-control study was carried out in the psychiatric and neurology clinic, Pediatric Department, Zagazig University Hospital, during the period 2018 - 2019. It enrolled 42 children, (13 males and 8 females) with autism diagnosed by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR) and the Childhood Autism Rating Scales (CARS) (with no other medical disease). The control group enrolled 21 apparently healthy children. Results: There was a statistically significant difference between the studied groups regarding the presence of plasma zinc and selenium (lower in the autistic group). There was a statistically significant difference between the studied groups regarding the presence of copper and plasma lead (higher in the autistic group). There was a statistically significant negative correlation between plasma selenium and lead level. Conclusion: Our results suggested an association between serum Cu, Zn, Pb, and Se in children with ASD.

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of thymoquinone (TQ) on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in rats. Our study has reported that TQ treatment of experimentally-induced HCC results in the up-regulation of the Jun-N-terminal kinase and p38 mitogen activated protein kinase pathway (JNK/p38 MAPK) and the enhancement of anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and pro-apoptotic machineries. TQ resulted in a significant decrease in the levels of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B-cells (NFκB), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and a significant increase in the anti-inflammatory interleukin-10 (IL-10). The pro-apoptotic effect of TQ was demonstrated through stimulating the apoptotic Bcl-2-associated X (Bax) gene and inhibiting the anti-apoptotic B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) gene together with increasing the level of caspase 3 and up-regulating the C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP-1) gene expression. TQ treatment also enhanced the activity of the ROS scavenger, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and decreased the level of the lipid peroxidation product malondialdehyde (MDA). TQ-dependent suppression of HCC was associated with the up-regulation of JNK/p38 MAPK, enhanced CHOP-1 expression, and subsequently increased Bax gene expression.

Simple Summary Antimicrobial tolerance problems have culminated in an increased focus on raising broiler chickens without using any antibiotics, and an increasing interest has developed in non-antibiotic feed supplements with potential productivity and health benefits. Previous studies have shown beneficial results linked to the addition of cinnamon to broiler diets under health conditions without induced coccidiosis. In this study, different amounts of dietary cinnamon, a phytogenic of the Lauraceae family, were evaluated for their effects on carcass characteristics and meat quality in broilers infected with oocysts of Eimeria tenella. Overall, emeriosis negatively affects bird slaughter weight, carcass yield, and most carcass traits. Compared with the positive control, cinnamon increased slaughter weight, carcass yield, and the percentage weights of heart, proventriculus, gizzard, breast, and pancreas. In addition, cinnamon at 2 g/kg diet improved performance, cocking loss, and meat tenderness among cinnamon groups. The ionophore salinomycin (Sacox®) group had the highest slaughter yield, myofibril fragmentation index (MFI), and texture profile analysis (TPA) of meat. The current research offers equivalent and unbiased findings from a study of substitutes for commercial coccidiostats in a consistent experimental paradigm that applies well to commercial conditions. Abstract A total of 150 broiler chicks were used to determine the impact of dietary cinnamon bark powder (CBP; Cinnamomum verum) on breast meat quality, growth performance, and carcass characteristics of birds under coccidiosis, as one of the protozoan parasitic diseases. A total of 5 replicates of birds received 1 of the following 6 groups for 34 days: control groups (1 and 2) received a basal diet without the addition of CBP or salinomycin; group 3 received a basal diet with 0.066 g salinomycin; groups 4–6 were given a basal diet supplemented with 2, 4, and 6 g CBP/kg feed, respectively. On day 21, 4 × 104/100 µL of Eimeria tenella oocysts/bird were challenged, except for the negative control (NC). At the end of the experimental trial, five birds/group were sampled for carcass characteristics and breast attributes. Overall, emeriosis negatively affects slaughter body mass, carcass yield, and the majority of carcass characteristics in birds, and cinnamon can mitigate these effects. Cinnamon groups, particularly at the 2 g level, alleviated the negative effect on performance caused by coccidia infestation to the same or greater extent as the negative control and salinomycin treatment groups. Furthermore, when compared with the other experimental groups, the addition of cinnamon improved some physicochemical properties with some affecting meat quality, such as decreasing MFI and increasing toughness in cinnamon-treated groups. In summary, it can be concluded that CBP can enhance the shelf life, carcass, and quality of birds’ meat by maximizing the productive performance efficiency and breast meat productivity of birds under coccidiosis infestation. Further research is required to investigate the use of cinnamon to optimize the quality of meat and the productivity of both healthy and diseased broilers.

Synchronized uterine receptivity with the time of implantation is crucial for pregnancy continuity. Vitamin D (VD) deficiency has been linked to the failure of implantation. Therefore, we tested the link between the Homeobox transcription factor-10/immunophilin FK506-binding protein 52 (HOXA-10/FKBP52) axis and the uterine receptivity in VD-deficient rats. The effect of VD supplementation at different doses was also investigated. Forty-eight pregnant rats were divided into six groups (eight/group); normal control rats fed with standard chow (control), control rats supplemented with VD (equivalent dose of 400 IU/day) (control-D400). VD-deficient group (DEF) and the three VD deficiency groups with VD supplementation were equivalent to 400, 4,000, and 10,000 IU/day (DEF-D400, DEF-D4000, and DEF-D10000, respectively). The expression levels of HOXA-10/FKBP52, progesterone level, and histological evaluation of decidualization using osteopontin (OSN) and progesterone receptor (PGR) were estimated. An assessment of the uterine contractility was conducted for all rats. This study showed the downregulation of HOXA-10/FKBP52 together with increased amplitude and frequency of the uterine contractility in the DEF group compared to control. VD dose-dependent supplementation restored progesterone/receptor competency, upregulated the expressional response of HOXA-10 and its downstream FKBP52, and improved uterine receptivity and endometrial decidualization at the time of implantation that was documented by increased area% of OSN and the number of implantation beads.

Objectives: To detect the frequency of CD209 A>G polymorphism in sickle cell disease (SCD) Egyptian patients and to evaluate the use of CD209 A>G polymorphism as a genetic predictor of SCD clinical heterogeneity. Methods: A total of 100 Egyptian children with SCD and 100 Egyptian controls were tested for CD209 A>G polymorphism and were followed up prospectively between June 2012 and December 2014. Results: Comparison of CD209 A>G polymorphism among cases and controls did not show statistically significant difference (p = .742). In addition, comparison of the allelic frequency did not show statistically significant difference (p = .738). Infections occurred more frequently among the heterozygous genotype (AG; 60.5%) and homozygous genotype (GG; 75%) patients than among the wild (AA) genotype (24.1%; p G polymorphism. Infections occurred more frequently among the heterozygous genotype (AG) and homozygous genotype (GG) patients. Keywords: CD209 A>G polymorphism, Heterozygous genotype, Hydroxyurea, Homozygous genotype, Sickle cell disease

Background and study aim: Malnutrition is as an important complication of liver cirrhosis with prognostic implications; a marked knowledge gap exists concerning the information needs of liver cirrhosis patients. The aim of this study is to assess nutritional status and informational needs for patients with liver cirrhosis. Subjects and Methods: A descriptive exploratory design was used in this study. The present study conducted in tropical medicine and gastroenterology units at Zagazig University Hospitals, A purposive sample of 115 patients, The study lasted from the beginning of October 2016 to the end of May 2017 .Three tools were used for collection of data, first tool was a structured interview questionnaire consisted of personal characteristics of patients, second tool was nutritional assessment form, third tool was informational needs questionnaire. Results: The study findings revealed that more two third of studied patients were in the age group of less than Session [CurrentTestPartID] years with mean age 53.4±9.3 years, the majority of studied patients were in malnutrition (73.9%). By Subjective Global Assessment (SGA), there are strong correlation between SGA and Child Pugh score, the most important informational needs among the studied patients were medical domains 84.4%. In contrast, psychological domains achieved the least important 27.0%. Conclusion: It can be concluded that patients with liver cirrhosis are suffering from malnutrition and nutritional deficiencies, and also patient with liver cirrhosis had different levels of informational needs. The most prioritized informational needs for patients with liver cirrhosis was Medical domain whereas the least priority was given to the Psychological domain. It also shows that information needs differ based on some socio-demographic and clinical characteristics and physical condition.

This thesis discusses the problem of the large area consumption required to perform fast Fourier transform (FFT) operations. Fast Fourier transform architectures require a large amount of processing elements to perform its operation. The larger the required FFT size, the more processing elements needed and, therefore, a larger implementation area needed. The main sources for the area consumption are the large number of multiplications FFT computations. In this thesis, a study has been made about most common FFT architectures like memory based FFT architectures and pipelined FFT architectures. Moreover, some studies have been made about the previously implemented FFT butterfly architectures, and some ideas about how to optimize area in the entire FFT system and inside FFT butterflies. The objective of the thesis is to optimize the area usage inside a single FFT butterfly. Area optimization is achieved by developing a unified FFT butterfly architecture that contains multiradix FFT architectures. That concept enables the usage of fewer amount of FFT butterflies inside the system to achieve larger FFT operations. In addition, by using shift-add concept instead of multipliers, the area can be optimized significantly. Memory organization has been put into consideration when implementing the proposed FFT architectures, which implied the need of sequential version of the FFT butterflies. All these concepts were mixed together to result in a final version that is the best area-optimized in this thesis. After implementing the various versions of FFT architectures using sharing resources, sequential processing, and shift-add concepts, their results were compared into the previously implemented traditional version. The final proposed architectures, which are sequential and multiplierless radix-2, 3, 4, 5, and multi-radix FFT architectures. From the comparison results, the proposed implementations achieved thesis objectives, resulting in about 60% of area reduction compared to the previously implemented FFT butterflies’ architectures.

To study the effect of intravenous injection of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs), alone and combined with NO inducer in gastric ulcer healing in a rat model.Rats were divided into controls, gastric ulcer, gastric ulcer receiving mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), gastric ulcer receiving NO inducer (l-Arginine), gastric ulcer receiving MSCs plus NO inducer (l-Arginine) groups. MSCs were given in a dose of (10Injection of MSCs or NO inducer or both to the gastric ulcer group significantly decreased caspase-3 and BAX genes expression (apoptotic factors) and increased Bcl-2 gene expression (anti-apoptotic factor) compared to that of the gastric ulcer group after both 24h and 7days with more significant results in the gastric group received both MSCs and NO inducer. HGF gene expression was significantly increased in the groups injected with MSCs or NO inducer or both compared with the corresponding gastric ulcer group (p0.05, p0.05p0.001 respectively). There was a significant decrease in the mean PGE2 and TNF-α levels in the gastric ulcer group receiving MSCs, the gastric ulcer group receiving NO and the gastric ulcer group receiving both MSCs andNO compared to the gastric ulcer group after both 24h and 7days. Histopathological examination of gastric tissue of groups that received stem cells or NO alone, showed mucosal regenerative changes with increased thickness together with reduced inflammatory cellular infiltrate in the submucosa and decreased congestion. There was complete restoration in gastric mucosa in the group that received both stem cells and NO.Administration of MSCs, NO, or MSCs plus NO may exert a therapeutic effect on the mucosal lesion in gastric ulcer through their anti-inflammatory, angiogenic and antiapoptotic actions.

Hypertension(HTNorHT), also known ashigh blood pressure(HBP), is along-termmedical condition in which the blood pressure in the is persistently elevated.High blood pressure is a major risk factor forcoronary artery disease strokeheart failureatrial fibrillati on peripheral vascular disease vision loss chronic kidney disease dementia. Hypertension has a major economic impact ranging from medical costs to human capital loss and decrease in productivity.The Global Burden of Disease 2010 (GBD 2010) study shows the estimation that hypertension was the leading risk factor for death in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Statistics shows that hypertension accounted for about 24% of total deaths from cardiovascular and circulatory diseases and 1.87% of total deaths from hypertensive urogenital, blood, and endocrine diseases. From 1990 to 2010 the burden of hypertension remained very high inKingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)Previous studies reported high levels of blood pressure in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). These levels ranged from 26.1% among individuals 30–70 years old in 1995–2000 to 25.5% among individuals 15–64 years old in 2005,A study was done to assess Effectiveness Of Breathing Exercise In Lowering High Blood Pressure Among Hypertensive Patients At General Hospital ,Alnamas, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.80 patientswere selected by convenient sampling method. Researcher’s convenience and familiarity with settings were added reason. The tool used for the study includes demographic data andvitalsignsassessmentsheet&digital BP apparatusto assess theblood pressure. After collecting the data, the data analysis was done according to the objectives of the study using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. The study findings reveals that revealsthat, Level of significance (P-value < 0.001) assuggested by “Paired t test”. The mean pre-test totallevel of hypertensionScore beforebreathing exercisewas40and mean post-testlevel of hypertensionscore was observed to be 26.66. The reduction in hypertension over breathing exercise (Mean = 13.34,) was significantat 5%.So the breathing exercise was effective onhypertensive patient. The findings revealed that there was significant association betweenhypertensionlevelandage, gender,Education of the participant, Occupation of the participant, Duration since diagnosis ofhypertension, Family history of diabetes mellitus. But there is no association betweenhypertensionlevel and Religion, Marital status, Family income per –month. &nbsp

Background: Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) signaling is recognized as being critical for carcinogenesis. Vitamin D has proved to exert numerous tumor suppressive effects. Effects of bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) on tumor progression are still controversial. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of BM-MSCs and vitamin D on TGF-β signaling in an experimental hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) model in rats. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on fifty female white albino rats divided equally into 5 groups: controls, HCC induced by diethyl-nitrosamine (DENA) and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), HCC plus MSCs, HCC plus vitamin D and HCC plus both MSCs and vitamin D. The following parameters were assessed in rat liver tissues: TGF-β and Smad2 protein levels by ELISA and western blotting, respectively, gene expression of Smad3, Smad7, Snail, HNF4α and MMP-2 and histopathological lesions. Serum levels of alpha fetoprotein (AFP), ALT and albumin were also assessed. Results: TGF-β protein levels and gene expression of its downstream effectors (Smad3 and Snail), in addition to Smad2 protein levels were significantly higher in the HCC group than in the control group. On the other hand, they were significantly down-regulated in all treated groups with most significant amelioration with both MSCs and vitamin D. Also, the serum levels of AFP were significantly increased in the untreated HCC group, and this was again reversed in all treated groups. Histopathological examination of liver tissue revealed that administration of MSCs or vitamin D into HCC rat group improved the histopathological picture with residual tumor pathology, while administration of both MSCs and vitamin D showed better restoration of liver parenchyma. These data suggest that the TGF-β signaling pathway could be used as a therapeutic target in HCC.

Container is growing faster than GDP, Shipping lines always attempt to augment efficiencyby reducing cost and by attracting larger volumes of containers. As a result rising containerfreight rates the lines have been driven to increase economic of scale, by building mega shipsand fewer mere efficient port calls. In 2011 Maersk line ordered up to 20 new “Triple- E “Class of container vessels deliversbetween 2013- 2015. These class of mega container vessels have its way through Suez Canal,other companies CMA, CGM also ordered this type of mega container vessels, in order toreach higher profits due to the achieved economics of scale It is believed that 20000 TEUcould be the next target size. Present mega container fleet and any future feasible potential vessel capacity expansionmore than 18000 TEU put Suez Canal route in strong competitive position. MeanwhilePanama Canal will not be able to handle vessels larger than 12600 TEU even after itsexpansion in 2015.

OPTICA APPLICATA; 01/2018; ISSN 1429-7507

Our aim was to study the effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on the proliferation of bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) and to investigate their roles in the healing of experimental burn injury and the possible mechanism of action. Our work was divided into in-vitro and in-vivo studies. The in-vitro study included untreated MSCs and MSCs treated with PRP. Levels of TGF-β and cell proliferation were assessed. In the in-vivo study, 72 rats were distributed equally among 6 groups: control, burn, burn with MSCs, burn with PRP, burn with both MSCs and PRP, and burn with MSCs pretreated with PRP. On the 7th and 20th day after injury, the serum levels of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), as well as interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels in skin tissue were measured by ELISA; histopathology and gene expression of MMP-1, TIMP-2, Ang-1, Ang-2, and vimentin by real-time PCR were performed in all groups. In vitro: proliferation of MSCs and TGF-β increased in the PRP-treated group compared with the control group. In vivo: Ang-1, Ang-2, and vimentin were upregulated, whereas MMP-1 and TIMP-2 were downregulated. TGF-β and IL-10 were increased, whereas TNF-α was decreased in all treated groups with more significance in MSCs and PRP on day 20. Histopathology of burn skin was improved in all treated groups, particularly in MSCs pretreated with PRP 20 days post-burn.

Head injury (HI) is one of the major causes of disability, death and health related costs. The primary goal of nursing management in head injury is to maintain adequate cerebral tissue perfusion. This study aimed to evaluate the intensive care unit nurses’ performance regarding caring patients with head injury: Setting at Zagazig University Hospitals. Material and methods: a quasi-experimental (pre/post and follow up-test design) research design was utilized. A convenient sample of (45) nurses who provide direct care for head injury patients in neurological and stroke Intensive care Unit. Data was obtained using two main tools; head injury care knowledge assessment questionnaire with the socio-demographic data sheet, and head injury care practice observational checklists. The instructional intervention was designed based on an extensive revision of the related, recent literature. The intervention was delivered throughout ten weeks. Each week involved three sessions. Every session lasts about forty to sixty minutes. Nurses were divided into 9 groups, 5 nurses each. Results revealed that the mean knowledge and practice scores of nurses are increased immediately after implementation of the program with a significant statistical difference. This increased level slightly decreased following two months of program implementation. In addition, a positive correlation was found between knowledge and practice scores of the study subjects. Therefore, the two stated research hypothesis were supported. Conclusion educational intervention has a positive effect in developing critical care nursing performance regarding caring patient with head injury.

Postoperative breathing exercises are widely important for patient to prevent postoperative respiratory complications. Breathing exercises had a highly positive effect on improving quality of recovery among post-operative patients. This study aimed to assess the effect of breathing exercises on quality of recovery among post-operative patients. Setting at Zagazig University Hospitals. Material and Method: a quasi-experimental (pre and posttest design). A purposive sample of total 258 study participants, 129 in experimental and 129 in control group based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data collection questionnaire were prepared with extensive review of previous literatures. Data collection through three tools includes, interviewing questionnaire sheet, postoperative quality scale and visual analogue scale of patient postoperative quality assessment scale. Breathing exercise (BE) was taught and practiced by the patients in experimental group and in control group routine postoperative care was followed. Result: postoperative quality rate was significantly different in experimental group were higher than in control group. Conclusion: post-operative breathing exercises improve postoperative quality.

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has made life much different than it was before especially in Education. E learning is becoming increasingly prominent in higher education, with universities increasing provision and more students signing up. E learning in the university context is influenced by a number of factors. However, the researcher particular interest in this paper in the e readiness of the staff memberfor e learning at the Egyptian faculties of tourism and hotels in Fayoum, Menia, Helwan and Alex. This is to the increasing and flexible market that is difficult to research by only traditional education.This research measures the staff members’ e readiness for e learning at the faculties of tourism and hotels in Egypt which influenced by a number of factors and dimensions. These are technical and pedagogical competences, experience scale and attitude Scale but the research will concentrate on the first dimension. This may help Tourism faculties to promote the use of IT in teaching and learning and also apply e learning effectively in these faculties to make qualified students for market work. Data was collected through a questionnaire of 92 staff member (professor, assistant professor and lecturers) of tourism studies, hotel management and Tourism Guidance departments. Also this research is based on a basic hypothesis that there is a shortage and insufficient of staff members e readiness for e learning. The paper contains also typical e learning quality framework , SPSS program was used to analyses the data and reach to the finding of this study as frequencies, standard deviation, means, t test per pair between the two dimension pedagogical and technical competencies, also average mean to measure this dimension, also cronbach alpha was made to ensure the reliability, beside the validity was been achieved. The findings have been indicated that the staff member at faculties of tourism and hotels have a good level in pedagogical factor and have a bad or shortage in technical factor, so the paper has recommended them to improve their technical competencies.

Background Curcumin exhibits anti-diabetic activities, induces heme-oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and is an inhibitor of transcriptional co-activator p300. A novel water soluble curcumin derivative (NCD) has been developed to overcome low invivo bioavailability of curcumin. We evaluated the effect of the NCD on signaling mechanisms involved in cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and studied whether its action is mediated via inducible HO-1. Materials and methods Rats were divided into controls, controls receiving NCD, diabetic, diabetic receiving NCD, diabetic receiving pure curcumin, diabetic receiving HO inhibitor, zinc protoporphyrin IX (ZnPP IX) and diabetic receiving NCD and ZnPP IX. NCD and curcumin were given orally. After 45 days, cardiac physiologic parameters, plasma glucose, insulin, glycated hemoglobin (GHb), HO-1 gene expression and HO activity in pancreas and cardiac tissues were assessed. Gene expression of p300, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2A and MEF2C) were studied. Results NCD and curcumin decreased plasma glucose, GHb and increased insulin levels significantly in diabetic rats. This action may be partially mediated by induction of HO-1 gene. HO-1 gene expression and HO activity were significantly increased in diabetic heart and pancreas. Diabetes upregulated the expression of ANP, MEF2A, MEF2C and p300. NCD and curcumin prevented diabetes-induced upregulation of these parameters and improved left ventricular function. The effect of the NCD was better than the same dose of curcumin.

Background Stem cell therapy holds a great promise for the repair of injured tissues and organs, including the kidney. We studied the effect of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) on experimental diabetic nephropathy (DN) in rats and the possible paracrine signals that mediate their action. Materials and methods Rats were divided into controls, DN rats, DN rats receiving MSCs. MSCs were given in a dose of (106cells) by intravenous injection. After 4 weeks, 24 h urinary albumin, serum urea and creatinine concentrations, transforming growth factor β (TGF β), tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), B-cell lymphoma 2 (bcl2) and Bax gene expression and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were assessed. Histopathology staining was performed. Results MSC therapy significantly improved 24 h urinary albumin, serum urea and creatinine concentrations, increased angiogenic growth factor VEGF, and anti-apoptotic protein bcl2 while decreased the pro-inflammatory TNF-α, fibrogenic growth factor TGF β, and pro-apoptotic protein Bax. The histopathology examination showed patchy areas of minimal necrosis and degeneration in renal tubules.