The Degree of Availability of Design Thinking Indicators in the content of Arabic Language Curricula at the secondary stage in Syrian Arab Republic

The study aimed to identify the degree of availability of design Thinking Indicators in The content of the Arabic Language Curricula at the secondary stage in the Syrian Arab Republic; to achieve the goal of the study. The researcher used the Descriptive Approach based on the analysis method according to the Cognitive Theory. The study tools consist of a list of Design Thinking Indicators and a Content Analysis Tool. The researcher completed the Validity and Reliability procedures for the tools. After applying them, the results of the study resulted in the following: Greater Interest than other sub-skills. The results also showed a Divergence of care for the sub-skills and the Difference in their recurrence rate, and the Omission of some sub-skills that did not have any opportunity to be trained on, sub-indicators of Design Thinking

Isolation of catechins from Cycas armstrongii Miq. of an Egyptian origin

The phytochemical investigation of Cycas armstrongii Miq. leaves and twigs using different chromatographic techniques led to the isolation of three catechin monomers; catechin (1), epicatechin (2), and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (3), for the first time from this species. The chemotaxonomic significance of the isolated compounds is discussed in the rest of this article

BALANITES KERNEL OIL FOR THE TREATMENT OF DERMATOPHYTES: A CLINICAL TRIAL

In a previous in vitro study, we have shown that the kernel oil of fruits of the tree Balanites aegyptiaca referred to as Balanites kernel oil ((BKO) is active against dermatophytes (i.e. superficial mycosis, ringworms, tineas (T. captitis, T. cercinata and T. pedis). We report here our clinical trials with BKO. Trials were performed on patients presenting at Wad Medani Dermatology Teaching Hospital as well as primary school children in Elsoreeba Town (5 km south of Wad Medani). Not all patients followed treatment till completely cured. Patients treated with BKO (half of the total) achieved complete cure in 3-5 weeks, on average, while those treated with the standard antifungal drug Miconazole (half of the total patients) did the same in the longer period of 3-8 weeks. Photographs showing progress of response to BKO treatments are included. BKO has great potential for development as a commercial drug for the treatment of dermatophytes

Parametric Non Linear Analysis of anchorage strength for tension Lap Splice in slabs

This research investigated the performance of reinforced concrete one-way slabs with various configurations of spliced bars using finite element analysis (FEA). The study evaluated the impact of several parameters on the anchorage strength in thirteen reinforced concrete slab models. The variables considered were lap splice length (10d, 15d, and 20d), clear concrete cover (d, 1.5d, 2d), and end bar shape (hook end, straight). The specimens were modelled and analyzed under a four-point bending load using ABAQUS. The study incorporated a refined method for modelling the interaction between concrete and rebar to enhance the reliability and accuracy of the results. The analysis provided results including cracking loads, ultimate loads, bond stress, steel stress in spliced bars, cracking patterns, failure modes, and bond-slip response. Finally, The proposed FEA modeling successfully predicted the potential response of the analyzed specimens. The impact of varying lap configurations was investigated, revealing that bond strength between concrete and rebar was significantly enhanced by increasing the lap splice length and incorporating hooked ends

Exploring the Potentiality of Producing Sustainable Gum Arabic: Case of Sheikan Locality, North Kordofan State, Sudan

Gum Arabic is a critical source of livelihood in rural areas of Sudan and a key economic commodity. This study investigates the potential for sustainable gum Arabic production in Sheikan locality, North Kordofan, Sudan. Using participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA), structured questionnaires with 302 households, and focus group discussions, the research assesses household participation, gum resource potential, and production challenges. Results indicate that 93% of the respondents own gum gardens with gum contributes 38% to household income. Additionally, from targeted respondents 37% of the respondents have less than 10 years experiences in gum Arabic activities. Based on respondents’ perception the average gum production of tree/season was (2.79 kg). However, limited participation by youth, inadequate infrastructure, and environmental constrains hinder gum production sustainability. The study recommends that integrating indigenous knowledge with modern practices, expanding youth involvement, and enhancing policy support to secure a sustainable supply of gum Arabi

Detection of Helicobacter pylori oipA and dupA genes among dyspeptic patients with chronic gastritis

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori): is a microbe with wide genetic diversity that infects the stomach of most people in developing countries, leading to several clinical outcomes among different individuals such as gastritis, ulcers, or gastric cancer. Outer inflammatory protein A (oipA) and duodenal ulcer promoting (dupA) genes are among the possible virulence factors which determine the patient outcome. Aim: To detect oipA and dupA genes of H. pylori among dyspeptic Egyptian patients, and to investigate their correlation with the varying degrees of the associated chronic gastritis. Methods: The study enrolled 50 patients with dyspepsia, attending the Gastrointestinal Endoscopy unit of the Gastroenterology and Tropical Departments at Ain Shams University Hospital for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, in the period between, June and, December 2019. Four antral gastric biopsies were taken from each patient for polymerase chain reaction assay to detect the virulence genes oipA, dupA, and cagA and for histopathological assessment. Results: Forty patients were H. pylori positive by histopathology and PCR. cagA, oipA, and dupA were identified in 6 (15%), 13 (32.5%), 9 (22.5%) of biopsies, respectively. Both cagA and oipA genes were highly significantly associated with increasing the severity of gastritis. Only oipA virulence gene showed a highly significant association with gastroduodenitis. There was a highly significant moderate association between cagA and oipA genes. Conclusion: oipA could be a virulence biomarker that serves a great value in predicting the progress of gastric mucosal damage in patients with chronic gastritis, and targeting antimicrobial therapy in those patients to prevent severe gastroduodenal diseases

Pharmacology of the Autonomic Nervous System

This comprehensive chapter delves into the intricate landscape of autonomic nervous system (ANS) pharmacology. It meticulously explores both agonists and antagonists pharmacology that work on the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions. This chapter covers direct and indirectly acting drugs and thoroughly explains receptor interactions. The content spans a wide array of examples, elucidating these agents’ mechanisms and clinical applications. Through a detailed examination of pharmacokinetics, metabolism, adverse effects, and contraindications, healthcare professionals gain the insights needed to navigate the complexities of ANS modulation. This knowledge equips practitioners to harness the potential of autonomic drugs, facilitating optimal therapeutic outcomes across diverse medical scenarios

Untargeted flower volatilome profiling highlights differential pollinator attraction strategies in muscadine.

Floral aromas are a mixture of volatile organic compounds, essential attributes associated with the attraction of different pollinators. This investigation is the first in-depth exploration of the volatile profiles of sixteen muscadine grape genotypes, producing female and perfect flowers using the headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME)-GC-MS-based untargeted volatilomics approach. A total of one hundred fifty volatile metabolites were identified in the muscadine flower genotypes, including the functional groups of hydrocarbons, esters, alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, miscellaneous, and acids. Multivariate statistical analysis for volatile terpenes revealed eleven bio-marker terpene volatiles that primarily distinguish between female and perfect flowers. The β-elemene, β-bisabolene, and α-muurolene were the marker volatiles characterizing perfect flowers; however, α-selinene, (Z,E)-α-farnesene, and (E,E)-geranyl linalool were the typical marker terpene in the female flowers. Perfect flowers exhibited better pollinator attraction capacity associated with a higher number of flowers per inflorescence, enhanced pollinator rewards, and higher numbers and quantities of terpene volatiles than female flowers, resulting in superior pollinator attraction capacity and fruit set efficiency. The pollinator attraction mechanism of female flowers exhibited several morphological and biochemical floral defects, causing random pollinator visits and low fruit set efficiency. The controlled pollination assay could express female flowers full fruit set capabilities by avoiding casual insect pollination. This comprehensive study suggests that these marker terpenes might contribute to pollinator attraction in muscadine flower genotypes and should be considered an excellent reference for agroecosystem ecologists and entomologists

Radiological-Histopathological Discordance in Patients Transplanted for HCC and Its Impact on Post-transplant Outcomes

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Contrast-enhanced cross-sectional imaging is the cornerstone in the diagnosis, staging, and management of HCC, including eligibility for liver transplantation (LT). Radiological-histopathological discordance may lead to improper staging and may impact patient outcomes. We aimed to assess the radiological-histopathological discordance at the time of LT in HCC patients and its impact on the post-LT outcomes. METHODS: We analyzed further the effect of 6-month waiting policy on the discordance. Using United Network for Organ Sharing-Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (UNOS-OPTN) database, we examined the discordance between pre-LT imaging and explant histopathology for all adult HCC patients who received liver transplants from deceased donors between April 2012 and December 2017. Kaplan-Meier methods and Cox regression analyses were used to evaluate the impact of discordance on 3-year HCC recurrence and mortality. RESULTS: Of 6842 patients included in the study, 66.7% were within Milan criteria on both imaging and explant histopathology, and 33.3% were within the Milan based on imaging but extended beyond Milan on explant histopathology. Male gender, increasing numbers of tumors, bilobar distribution, larger tumor size, and increasing AFP are associated with increased discordance. Post-LT HCC recurrence and death were significantly higher in patients who were discordant, with histopathology beyond Milan (adj HR 1.86, 95% CI 1.32-2.63 for mortality and 1.32, 95% CI 1.03-1.70 for recurrence). Graft allocation policy with 6-month waiting time led to increased discordance (OR 1.19, CI 1.01-1.41), although it did not impact post-LT outcome. CONCLUSION: Current practice for staging of HCC based on radiological imaging features alone results in underestimation of HCC burden in one out of three patients with HCC. This discordance is associated with a higher risk of post-LT HCC recurrence and mortality. These patients will need enhanced surveillance to optimize patient selection and aggressive LRT to reduce post-LT recurrence and increase survival