Search

Historical photographs play a significant role as records, documenting the various stages of the history of Egypt and reflecting our identity and social, cultural, and religious values. Silver gelatin prints were the dominant positive printing processes in the 20th century. One of the most common forms of damage found among photographic collections is tears, which may result from improper handling and misuse, inappropriate storage, disasters, and other factors. In the past, tears were mended using pressure-sensitive tapes by amateurs and conservators. Over time, these tapes caused damage to the photographic surfaces since they oxidised, forming stains that are difficult and sometimes impossible to remove. Recently, many gel-based systems have been developed for use in the conservation of different cultural and historical materials, particularly paper artifacts. The aim of this research is to evaluate the efficacy of Klucel G and agar, as gel systems that are favoured by conservation specialists, in removing pressure-sensitive tapes from the surfaces of silver gelatin prints, as well as to study their effect on the photographs themselves. Organic solvents were added to the gel systems, and invaluable old photographs were used for this study. After treatment, samples were subjected to artificial ageing at a temperature of 80°C and 65% RH. Evaluation of the selected treatments was carried out through visual inspection, microscopic examination, colorimetric measurements, and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Results showed that both gel-based systems with mixed organic solvents gave great results compared to the conventional methods in terms of tape removal. However, colour change was detected in the case of agar gel-treated samples. Agarose gel may be a more proper option. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Colon cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide and outcomes of colon cancer are different according to the primary tumor location and could be considered as distinct disease entities of the same organ. Objectives: Analyzing and comparing clinical, epidemiological, pathologic features and outcome of colon cancer according to primary location whether the patients are right sided colon cancer (RSCC) and left sided colon cancer (LSCC) patients in different situations. Patients and Methods: This is a retrospective, descriptive and analytical study conducted between January 1st, 2013 and January 1st 2019. One hundred and fifty patients diagnosed with colon cancer were enrolled in GIT unit, Department of Clinical Oncology, Ain Shams University Hospital. Results: In our study right sided colon cancer patients were more females and clinically presented with higher frequency of anaemia (P value = 0.001) and perforation (P value = 0.02). Left sided colon cancer on the other side were more males (P value = 0.032) and was associated with more constipation (P value <0.001) and intestinal obstruction (P value = 0.085). RSCC was more associated mucinous adenocarcinoma, more advanced T stage (T4), lymphovascular invasion, larger tumor sizes and more poorly differentiated tumor. LSCC was associated with more advanced stage and lymph node positivity. Right side tumor has highest disease-free survival period which is 34.63 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 28.39-40.86) comparing with the left side tumor which was 24.94 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 19.61-30.27). left side tumor has highest progressive free survival period which is 4.77 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.33-8.22) comparing with the right-side tumor which was 2.21 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.63-3.79). Conclusion: RSCCs and LSCCs show different characteristics in clinical presentation and prognostic features, so we can consider the side of tumor is helpful in determining the behavior and the outcome of the disease. We can consider RSCC and LSCC as two separate disease entities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed at analysing perceived change acceptance and change rejection in banks in North Central Nigeria. The study used review strategy and survey strategy. Staff of Systematic Important Banks (SIBs) was the object of interest. For the sample size, given the population for each state (Benue- 168 and Kogi- 202) in the North Central, Sallant and Dillman’s method was used to arrive at 189. Data were analysed using descriptive analytical techniques. Finding showed that employees’ change rejection factors such as perceived change outcomes and change methods are the strongest factors in Benue State while bank employees are likely to reject organizational change on the basis of change type or methods in Kogi State. Finding further showed that the attitude of employees towards change is the strongest factors influencing acceptance of organizational change in Benue State, and that change based on complexity is the strongest factors influencing acceptance of organizational change in banks in Kogi State. The study concluded that employees’ change resistance or rejection is subject to numerous factors. The study recommended that bank leaders should monitor change outcomes and change methods in Benue State, and that change type or methods should be given strong attention in Kogi State.

The present experiment aimed to evaluate the partial or complete substitution of soybean meal (SBM) with Nigella sativa seed meal (NSM) on chemical composition, in vitro ruminal fermentation, and the growth performance and economic efficiency of growing lambs. Thirty-two male Ossimi lambs weighing 41 ± 0.4 kg at 195 ± 5 d were divided randomly into four experimental groups of eight lambs each. Lambs were fed four diets containing 40% berseem clover and 60% concentrate feed mixture. Soybean meal was replaced with NSM at 0% (NSM0; control), 50% (NSM50), 75% (NSM75), or 100% (NSM100). The experiment lasted for 105 d, consisting of 15 d for adaptation and 90 days for measurements. Higher concentrations of crude protein (CP) and nonstructural carbohydrates were observed with SBM; however, NSM contained more fibers and gross energy. Moreover, SBM contained higher concentrations of individual amino acids and lower concentrations of polyphenols. The replacement did not affect in vitro gas production and decreased ( p < 0.05) methane production and CP degradability. Treatments did not affect feed intake, nutrient digestibility, and diet's nutritive value measured as starch value, total digestible nutrient, digestible energy, and apparent digestible crude protein. The NSM50 and NSM75 treatments increased ( p < 0.001) total weight gain and daily gain compared to the control treatment, with lower feed conversion values associated with the NSM75 treatment. Treatments decreased cholesterol ( p = 0.028) and high-density lipoprotein ( p = 0.029) and increased antioxidant activity. Higher economic efficiencies were observed with the NSM75 followed by NSM50 and then NSM100 treatments. It is concluded that replacing 75% of SBM with NSM enhanced feed conversion and economic efficiency.

Background: Pandemics, especially in fragile war-torn countries like Yemen, challenge their already strained health systems. Community adherence to pandemic prevention measures is necessary to curb the severity and spread of emerging pandemics - which is influenced by factors, such as people's knowledge and attitudes toward the pandemic. No studies in Aden have been published on the communities' knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) toward COVID-19 prevention to date. To understand adherence to pandemic prevention measures in contexts with fragile health systems, this study investigated KAP of Yemeni participants toward the COVID-19 pandemic., Methods: We conducted face-to-face semi-structured questionnaires among 400 eligible participants whom were identified for participation in this study through systematic household sampling from eight districts in Aden, Yemen. Eligible participants were Yemeni community members who were ≥ 18 years, living for more than 10 years in Yemen, and were willing to voluntarily participate in the study. The questionnaire included questions surrounding the participants' COVID-19 knowledge (e.g., awareness of spread and prevention), attitudes (e.g., willingness to accept the vaccine or other prevention measures), and prevention practices during the pandemic (e.g., mask wearing, social distancing, vaccine uptake). Total KAP scores were calculated. Univariate and bivariate statistical analyses were conducted using STATA 13 software., Results: From January to May 2021 we conducted 400 questionnaires with Yemeni community members. The average age was 41.5 ± 14.5 years (range 18-86 years). The results demonstrated that the participants in this study had an intermediate knowledge (53%) and fair attitude (58%) scores. However, participants reported very poor COVID-19 prevention practices- with only 11% demonstrating these practices. Only 25% (100/400) practiced social distancing, 25% (98/400) wore a mask, and only 6% (27/400) of participants accepted (at least one dose of) the COVID-19 vaccine. Factors associated with increased knowledge were being male, married, and surprisingly those having a primary and middle school education levels ( p  < 0.05). Also participants who were diagnosed with COVID-19 or had a family member diagnosed with COVID-19 (vs. those not diagnosed OR = 2.08, 95% CI 1.07-3.78, p  < 0.05) were more likely to know that the vaccine protects against severe COVID-19 infection and were more likely to apply good practices such as accepting the vaccine (OR = 2.65, 95% CI 1.17-6.00, p  < 0.05) compared to those who were not., Conclusion: These findings raise awareness for the need of community-oriented education programs for COVID-19 which considers associated factors to improve the level of public knowledge, attitudes, and practices., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Hassan, Al-Aghbari, McGowan, Dar Iang, Basaleem, Al-Sakkaf, Hyzam, Jahn and Dureab.)

Background: Eosinophils can be considered as multifunctional leukocytes that contribute to various physiological and pathological processes depending on their location and activation status. There are emerging eosinophil-related considerations concerning COVID-19. Variable eosinophil counts have been reported during COVID-19. Whether these changes are related to the primary disease process or due to immunomodulation induced by the treatment has not yet been elucidated., Aim of the Study: To describe changes in the differential leukocyte counts including eosinophils, in a cohort of symptomatic patients with confirmed COVID-19 and to correlate these changes, if any, with the severity of the disease., Patients and Methods: We recorded the clinical data, lab findings, including inflammatory markers and leukocyte and differential count, course of the disease and severity score in 314 confirmed symptomatic cases of COVID-19., Results: Laboratory tests revealed that 28.7 % (n =86) had mild eosinophilia (eosinophil count > 500 <1,500/µL). Thirty-four patients (11.3%) had elevated absolute neutrophil count (ANC) (>8,000/µL), and 7 (2.3%) had decreased ANC (< 1,500/µl). Seven patients (2.3%) had lymphopenia (<1,000/µL) and 4 (4.67%) had lymphocytosis (> 4,000/µL). C-reactive protein (CRP) was elevated in 83 patients (27.6%). Chest X-Ray changes included: increased broncho vascular markings (38%), ground-glass opacity (GGO) pneumonitis (19.3%), lobar consolidation (5%), bronchopneumonia (8.3%), nodular opacity (1%), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (2.3%), pleural effusion (1.0%) and other atypical findings (6.6%). Patients with eosinophilia had significantly lower CRP, and lower % of GGO, lobar and bronchopneumonia and ARDS in their chest images compared to patients without eosinophilia (p: <0.05). They also had a lower requirement for a hospital stay, ICU admission, mechanical ventilation, and oxygen supplementation versus patients without eosinophilia (p: <0.05). The eosinophils count was correlated negatively with the duration of ICU admission, mechanical ventilation, and oxygen supplementation and with CRP level (r: - 0.34, -0.32, -0.61 and - 0.39, respectively) (p: < 0.01)., Conclusions: Our study reports a relatively high prevalence of eosinophilia in symptomatic COVID-19 positive patients. Patients with eosinophilia had a lower level of CRP, milder clinical course and better disease outcomes compared to those without eosinophilia. Our findings indicated a protective role of eosinophils in mitigating the severity of inflammatory diseases through an inhibitory mechanism, as evidenced by lower CRP. This protective role of eosinophils needs to be validated by further prospective studies.