Risk factors for Autistic Spectrum Disorders at Assiut City

Autism is a neurological disorder characterized by qualitative impairments in social interaction, qualitative impairments in communication, and restricted repetitive, stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests, and activities. Autistic Spectrum Disorders are relatively common without known etiology can be found in 80-90% of cases. The aim of this study is to recognize the risk factors for Autistic Spectrum Disorders at Assiut City. The study was descriptive research design; it was conducted in all autism centers at Assiut city which includes 7 centers and included 47 parents who agree to participate in this study selected by convenient sample. The study included a structured interview sheet; this sheet divided into two parts Socio demographic characteristics, and parent’s knowledge about risk factors of Autism. The main findings of the study are: male represent a higher prevalence (72.3%) rate of autism than females (27.7%), and autistic children were more prevalent among families living in urban areas (80.9%) than rural (19.1%). The present study clears that (63.8%) of the fathers and 61.7% of the mothers had university level, the majority (85.1%) of autistic parents’ children hadn’t consanguinity degree while only (14.9%) from them had consanguinity from first degree (cousin), the vast majorities (97.9%) of studied children haven’t family history of autism; the present study found that all mothers of studied children hadn't any history of rubella, diabetes, thyroid and infectious diseases while only (4.3%) were exposed to eclampsia. The study recommended that, increase of public awareness about the risk factors of autism and its prevention by community leaders, mass media, and others especially at rural area. The curriculum of medicine and nursing faculties should include the Autistic Spectrum Disorder (risk factors, diagnosis and different treatment methods). Further studies should be conducted and gained a lot of attention for Autistic children and their parents. Key wards: Autism - Autism Spectrum Disorders – Risk factor

Impact of Implementing Nursing Guidelines on Knowledge and Habits of Patients Receiving Radioactive Iodine

Background: Radioactive iodine is widely used in nuclear medicine. The radioactive iodine 131 (I-131) is generally utilized in patient with different thyroid disease. Aim of the study: Is to evaluate impact of implementing nursing guidelines on knowledge and habits of patients receiving radioactive iodine. Research design: interventional research design (Pre / post test) was utilized in this study. Setting: This study was conducted in nuclear medicine department at Sohage University Hospital. Sample: 60 patients were included in this study. Tools: Data collected by three tools Interview questionnaire sheet, patient’s knowledge questionnaire sheet and patient habits assessment sheet. Results: there were vital distinction between patients knowledge and habits post implementing nursing guidelines with P value (0.001*). Conclusion: providing nursing guidelines were largely effective on improving patients knowledge and correcting habits. Recommendation: Nurses should be aware by guidelines that given to patients after receiving radioactive iodine and inform patients about them, research should be applied on widely geographical area. Keywords: Nursing Guidelines, knowledge and habits, Radioactive iodine. DOI: 10.7176/JHMN/61-07 Publication date: April 30th 201

Effect of selenium on nutritive value of purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.)

Purslane (Portulaca oleracea) one of the auxiliary plants was traditionally consumed in many parts of the world for its nutritional and medicinal benefits. The nutrient components of purslane such as total protein, total carbohydrates and mineral content such as macro elements (Na, K, Ca and Mg) and micro elements (Fe, Cu, Pb and Zn) were estimated at different concentrations of selenium which treated in soil where the plant cultivated. The protein and carbohydrate contents of leaves as well as protein of stems increase with increasing the selenium concentration, while protein and carbohydrate of roots as well as carbohydrate of stems decrease with increasing Se concentration. The mineral content was also affected by Se concentration, Fe, Cu and Zn of leaves decreased with increasing Se concentration, while K, Ca, Mg and Na are directly proportional with Se concentration. In stems, Zn only is inversely proportional with Se concentration. In roots, Fe, Cu, Mg and K are inversely proportional with Se concentration, while Na, Ca and Zn are directly proportional. The findings of this study revealed that carbohydrates, protein and mineral contents of purslane can be affected and controlled by selenium concentration. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.128341

Effect of biostimulants on soil characteristics, plant growth and yield of Pea (Pisum sativum L.) under field conditions

Because of the safe use of biostimulants as they are eco-friendly and modern technique for substituting chemical fertilizers which have negative impacts on the environment. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the effect of two biostimulants, Spirulina platensis and Trifolium alexandrinum on soil properties, growth and yield of pea (Pisum sativum L.) grown under silty clay soil conditions. The field experiment was carried out during the winter season by applying each fertilizer to the cultivated soil at 3 concentrations (2.5, 5 and 10 g) either singly or in combination, forming 15 treatments in addition to control. It was found that the vegetative growth parameters as well as, yield components were significantly increased by two fertilizers applied singly or in combination. In comparison with control, the highest concentration of combined treatment (10 g) significantly increased shoot length, number of leaves, leaf area and number of branches by 145, 200, 300 and 100 % respectively. Furthermore, the combined treatment (10 g) showed the highest values of the number of pods (8), pod length (12 cm), no. of seeds (13) and dry weight of seeds (21.5 g), compared to control. Biostimulants boosted the plant growth and yield by enhancing the estimated parameters. Also, the physicochemical properties and mineral status of soil were improved after the application of the biostimulants. The current study indicates that the single and combined treatments of Spirulina platensis and Trifolium alexandrinum may potentially increase soil fertility and enhance the growth and yield of pea

Surgical management of atrial myxoma and study of its inflammatory status: A single center study

Background: Cardiac myxomas are rare tumors mostly located in the left atrium, less often in right atrium and occasionally in all heart chambers. The aim of the present study is to report on the early outcomes and expression of inflammatory markers associated with the surgical treatment of myxoma patients between years 2018 up to 2023. Methods: The study included thirteen patients diagnosed with atrial myxoma. Five patients were retrospective cases under follow up and eight patients underwent prospective surgery. All patients were diagnosed by transthoracic echocardiography, then underwent median sternotomy for complete tumor resection. Left atrial myxoma was found in eleven cases while right atrial myxoma were found in two cases. Blood samples were obtained pre- and post-operatively from the eight prospective cases to determine the protein levels inflammatory markers IL-6 and TNF-α in addition to mRNA levels of IL-6. Results: Female patients represented 69.23% of total patients. Shortness of breath was involved in 61.53%, palpitation in 15.38% and atrial fibrillation in 15.38%. of patients. Mean tumor size was 3.75±1.6 cm. No recurrence or mortality were recorded and only one case of wound infection was found (7.69%). Biochemical results revealed significant increase (p<0.05) in IL-6 levels pre-operatively (99.25 ± 8.78 pg/mL) compared to post-operatively (41.13 ± 10.40 pg/mL). Moreover, IL-6 gene expression showed down-regulation in post-operative blood samples (p<0.05). In addition, TNF-α levels were significantly increased (p<0.05) pre-operatively (97.5 ± 16.34 pg/mL) compared to post-operatively (42.38 ± 8.03 pg/mL). Conclusion: Transthoracic echocardiography is the best diagnostic tool for myxoma diagnosis, median sternotomy with complete tumor resection decrease the rate of recurrence and mortality. Moreover, cardiac myxomas are associated with a distinct inflammatory state, evident by increased circulating inflammatory mediators as IL-6 and TNF-α which may act as markers in follow up to avoid recurrence

Synergistic advancements in sewage-driven microbial fuel cells: novel carbon nanotube cathodes and biomass-derived anodes for efficient renewable energy generation and wastewater treatment

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) offer a dual solution of generating electrical energy from organic pollutants-laden wastewater while treating it. This study focuses on enhancing MFC performance through innovative electrode design. Three-dimensional (3D) anodes, created from corncobs and mango seeds via controlled graphitization, achieved remarkable power densities. The newly developed electrode configurations were evaluated within sewage wastewater-driven MFCs without the introduction of external microorganisms or prior treatment of the wastewater. At 1,000°C and 1,100°C graphitization temperatures, corncob and mango seed anodes produced 1,963 and 2,171 mW/m2, respectively, nearly 20 times higher than conventional carbon cloth and paper anodes. An advanced cathode composed of an activated carbon-carbon nanotube composite was introduced, rivaling expensive platinum-based cathodes. By optimizing the thermal treatment temperature and carbon nanotube content of the proposed cathode, comparable or superior performance to standard Pt/C commercial cathodes was achieved. Specifically, MFCs assembled with corncob anode with the proposed and standard Pt/C cathodes reached power densities of 1,963.1 and 2,178.6 mW/m2, respectively. Similarly, when utilizing graphitized mango seeds at 1,100°C, power densities of 2,171 and 2,151 mW/m2 were achieved for the new and standard cathodes, respectively. Furthermore, in continuous operation with a flow rate of 2 L/h, impressive chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal rates of 77% and 85% were achieved with corncob and mango seed anodes, respectively. This work highlights the significance of electrode design for enhancing MFC efficiency in electricity generation and wastewater treatment

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication

Impact of opioid-free analgesia on pain severity and patient satisfaction after discharge from surgery: multispecialty, prospective cohort study in 25 countries

Background: Balancing opioid stewardship and the need for adequate analgesia following discharge after surgery is challenging. This study aimed to compare the outcomes for patients discharged with opioid versus opioid-free analgesia after common surgical procedures.Methods: This international, multicentre, prospective cohort study collected data from patients undergoing common acute and elective general surgical, urological, gynaecological, and orthopaedic procedures. The primary outcomes were patient-reported time in severe pain measured on a numerical analogue scale from 0 to 100% and patient-reported satisfaction with pain relief during the first week following discharge. Data were collected by in-hospital chart review and patient telephone interview 1 week after discharge.Results: The study recruited 4273 patients from 144 centres in 25 countries; 1311 patients (30.7%) were prescribed opioid analgesia at discharge. Patients reported being in severe pain for 10 (i.q.r. 1-30)% of the first week after discharge and rated satisfaction with analgesia as 90 (i.q.r. 80-100) of 100. After adjustment for confounders, opioid analgesia on discharge was independently associated with increased pain severity (risk ratio 1.52, 95% c.i. 1.31 to 1.76; P &lt; 0.001) and re-presentation to healthcare providers owing to side-effects of medication (OR 2.38, 95% c.i. 1.36 to 4.17; P = 0.004), but not with satisfaction with analgesia (beta coefficient 0.92, 95% c.i. -1.52 to 3.36; P = 0.468) compared with opioid-free analgesia. Although opioid prescribing varied greatly between high-income and low- and middle-income countries, patient-reported outcomes did not.Conclusion: Opioid analgesia prescription on surgical discharge is associated with a higher risk of re-presentation owing to side-effects of medication and increased patient-reported pain, but not with changes in patient-reported satisfaction. Opioid-free discharge analgesia should be adopted routinely