Towards An Effective Urban Growth Management Strategy In Qatar (1)

Control and management of urban growth is currently a subject of intense debate in both professional and academic planning circles, as suburban sprawl, pollution, and the decline of the urban environment particularly in city centres have become more sensitive public issues. The desire to control growth versus an increasing public need for housing and other related facilities has created a serious dilemma for planning agencies in their efforts to facilitate for better living environment. Growth management can be defined as the mitigation of the impacts of growth in order to improve or maintain the quality of life in a community. By clearly articulating the values of the community and identifying those items that contribute to the quality of life through the creation of a growth management strategy and implementation plan, it is possible to establish an effective approach to manage future growth. Increasing demands for urban growth with decreasing satisfaction in the resulting quality of life is the dilemma of most countries including the State of Qatar. The inefficient use of economic and physical resources results in development that generates new problems, such as sprawl, traffic congestion and rising demands for increased government spending on new infrastructure and services. The lack of comprehensive planning and development control may also results in infrastructure installation costs that are much higher than what they would be with a growth management strategy in place. The land allocation policies that are uncoordinated with physical development plans in Qatar exacerbate the problem by directing development to areas without appropriate infrastructure and services. This paper aim at reviews the current problems associated with the lack of an urban growth management strategy in the State of Qatar and outlines the process of creating a comprehensive system to effectively handle urban growth. The paper will also attempt to formulate an outline for an effective strategy to mitigate the impacts of growth in order to maintain and improve the quality of life in the State of Qatar

Synthesis and Evaluation Antibacterial Activity of Some New Substituted 5-Bromoisatin Containing Five, Six Heterocyclic Ring

This research includes the synthesis of some new different heterocyclic derivatives of 5-Bromoisatin. New sulfonylamide, diazine, oxazole, thiazole and 1,2,3-triazole derivatives of 5-Bromoisatin have been synthesized. The synthesis process started by the reaction of 5-Bromoisatin with different reagents to obtain schiff bases of 5-Bromoisatin intermediate compounds(1, 8, 19) by using glacial acetic acid as a catalyst in three routes. The first route, 5-Bromoisatin reacted with p-aminosulfonylchloride to product compound(1), then converted to sulfonyl amide derivatives(2-7) by the reaction of compound(1) with different substituted primary aromatic amine in absolute ethanol. The second route includes the reaction of 5-Bromoisatin reacted with ethyl glycinate to give 5-bromo-3-(Ethyl imino acetate)-2-oxo indole(8), which undergo react with hydrazine hydrate 80% to obtain hydrazine derivatives(9) that react with different acid anhydrides to obtain diazine derivatives(10-14). Also compound(8) reacts with urea and thiourea to give compounds(15,16) which undergo cyclization with p-bromophenacylbromide in absolute ethanol as a solvent to obtain oxazole (17) and thiazole (18), respectively. The third route included the reaction of 5-Bromoisatin with p-phenylenediamine in ethanol to obtain compound(19) which is converted to new substitutes 1,2,3-triazole derivatives(22,23) by diazotation of compound(19) and treating the resulted salt(20) with sodium azid, then acetylaceton or ethylacetoacetate, respectively. Newly synthesized compounds were identified by spectral methods. (FTIR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR) and measurements of some of its physical properties and also some specific reactions. Furthermore the effects of the synthesized compounds were studied on some strains of bacteria

PLASMA FERRITIN AND HEPCIDIN LEVELS IN PATIENTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS

Objective: Iron disorder and abnormal expression of hepcidin play important roles in many diseases, but it is still unclear in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).  Current study aimed to assess iron, ferritin and hepcidin levels in plasma of with or without T2DM and evaluated increased body iron stores as risk factor for developing T2DM. Methods: Plasma samples were collected from 88 participants, who were categorized into 2 groups based on the presence or absence of T2DM. Demographics and general health parameters were recorded. Chemiluminescence microparticle immunoassay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to detect iron, ferritin and hepcidin concentrations. The geometric mean±SD of the plasma level of hepcidin, ferritin, iron and insulin among T2DM comparing with that of healthy controls were evaluated. Results: Plasma ferritin and hepcidin levels in T2DM group were higher than in the control group (P < 0.05). The geometric mean ± SD of hepcidin and ferritin for T2DM were 41.1±23.3 μg/l and 227.2±156.1 ŋg/L respectively;   higher than the 15.2±2.3 μg/l and 114.4±60.4 ŋg/l of controls respectively. There was a significant associated between high level of plasma hepcidin (OR=2.75) and ferritin (OR=2.24); with T2 DM. Conclusion: In conclusion: the regulation of body iron, an essential but also toxic element is strictly controlled by a small peptide hormone hepcidin. The present data demonstrated that the higher hepcidin level in diabetic patients may be due to that higher ferritin, the elevated hepcidin might have adaptive value through down-regulated iron absorb and play an important role in pathogenesis of T2 DM.                                 Peer Review History: Received 20 January 2019;   Revised 25 February; Accepted 3 March, Available online 15 March 2019 Academic Editor: Dr. Gehan Fawzy Abdel Raoof Kandeel, Pharmacognosy Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, 12622,  Giza, Egypt, [email protected]  Received file:        Reviewer's Comments: Average Peer review marks at initial stage: 6.5/10 Average Peer review marks at publication stage: 8.5/10 Reviewer(s) detail: Dr. Tanveer Ahmed Khan, Hajvery University, Lahore, Pakistan, [email protected] Dr. A.A. Mgbahurike, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria, [email protected] Similar Articles: EFFECTS OF EMODIN ON BLOOD GLUCOSE AND BODY WEIGHT IN TYPE 1 DIABETIC RATS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DIABETES MELLITUS AND TUBERCULOSIS IN REVIEW OF PREVALENCE, DIAGNOSTICS AND PREVENTION PLASMA FERRITIN AND HEPCIDIN LEVELS IN PATIENTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS ORAL DRUG DELIVERY OF INSULIN IN DIABETES MELLITUS: AN ATTRACTIVE ALTERNATE TO OVERCOME INVASIVE ROUTE ANTIDIABETIC AND ANTIHYPERLIPIDEMIC ACTIVITY OF DRACAENA CINNABARI BALF. RESIN ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF SOQATRA ISLAND IN EXPERIMENTAL ANIMALS PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING AND IN VITRO ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTI-DIABETIC POTENTIALS OF PERSEA AMERICANA MILL. (LAURACEAE) FRUIT EXTRAC

Antimicrobial Constituents from Machaerium Pers.: Inhibitory Activities and Synergism of Machaeriols and Machaeridiols against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus faecium, and Permeabilized Gram-Negative Pathogens

Two new epimeric bibenzylated monoterpenes machaerifurogerol (1a) and 5-epi-machaerifurogerol (1b), and four known isoflavonoids (+)-vestitol (2), 7-O-methylvestitol (3), (+)-medicarpin (4), and 3,8-dihydroxy-9-methoxypterocarpan (5) were isolated from Machaerium Pers. This plant was previously assigned as Machaerium multiflorum Spruce, from which machaeriols A-D (6-9) and machaeridiols A-C (10-12) were reported, and all were then re-isolated, except the minor compound 9, for a comprehensive antimicrobial activity evaluation. Structures of the isolated compounds were determined by full NMR and mass spectroscopic data. Among the isolated compounds, the mixture 10 + 11 was the most active with an MIC value of 1.25 μg/mL against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains BAA 1696, -1708, -1717, -33591, and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE 700221) and E. faecalis (VRE 51299) and vancomycin-sensitive E. faecalis (VSE 29212). Compounds 6-8 and 10-12 were found to be more potent against MRSA 1708, and 6, 11, and 12 against VRE 700221, than the drug control ciprofloxacin and vancomycin. A combination study using an in vitro Checkerboard method was carried out for machaeriols (7 or 8) and machaeridiols (11 or 12), which exhibited a strong synergistic activity of 12 + 8 (MIC 0.156 and 0.625 µg/mL), with \u3e32- and \u3e8-fold reduction of MIC\u27s, compared to 12, against MRSA 1708 and -1717, respectively. In the presence of sub-inhibitory concentrations on polymyxin B nonapeptide (PMBN), compounds 10 + 11, 11, 12, and 8 showed activity in the range of 0.5-8 µg/mL for two strains of Acinetobacter baumannii, 2-16 µg/mL against Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1, and 2 µg/mL against Escherichia coli NCTC 12923, but were inactive (MIC \u3e 64 µg/mL) against the two isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae

Phase 1B, randomized, double-blind, dose-escalation trial of CPG 10101 in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus

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Extracorporeal cellular therapy (ELAD) in severe alcoholic hepatitis: A multinational, prospective, controlled, randomized trial.

Severe alcoholic hepatitis (sAH) is associated with a poor prognosis. There is no proven effective treatment for sAH, which is why early transplantation has been increasingly discussed. Hepatoblastoma-derived C3A cells express anti-inflammatory proteins and growth factors and were tested in an extracorporeal cellular therapy (ELAD) study to establish their effect on survival for subjects with sAH. Adults with sAH, bilirubin ≥8 mg/dL, Maddrey\u27s discriminant function ≥ 32, and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score ≤ 35 were randomized to receive standard of care (SOC) only or 3-5 days of continuous ELAD treatment plus SOC. After a minimum follow-up of 91 days, overall survival (OS) was assessed by using a Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. A total of 203 subjects were enrolled (96 ELAD and 107 SOC) at 40 sites worldwide. Comparison of baseline characteristics showed no significant differences between groups and within subgroups. There was no significant difference in serious adverse events between the 2 groups. In an analysis of the intent-to-treat population, there was no difference in OS (51.0% versus 49.5%). The study failed its primary and secondary end point in a population with sAH and with a MELD ranging from 18 to 35 and no upper age limit. In the prespecified analysis of subjects with MELD \u3c 28 (n = 120), ELAD was associated with a trend toward higher OS at 91 days (68.6% versus 53.6%; P = .08). Regression analysis identified high creatinine and international normalized ratio, but not bilirubin, as the MELD components predicting negative outcomes with ELAD. A new trial investigating a potential benefit of ELAD in younger subjects with sufficient renal function and less severe coagulopathy has been initiated. Liver Transplantation 24 380-393 2018 AASLD

PACT-UK (PAncreatic Cancer reporting Template-UK): A cross-specialty multi-institutional consensus panel development of a standardised radiological reporting proforma for pancreatic cancer

\ua9 Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2023. Objective: Appropriate staging of pancreatic cancer is essential to ensure patients are offered all treatment options. This multispecialty national collaborative consensus project aimed to develop a succinct radiological reporting template, using the concept of structured reporting, to allow a more standardised means of reporting pancreatic cancer and ultimately optimise both patient care and research protocol design. Methods and analysis: In stage one, a core group of stakeholders (oncologists, radiologists and surgeons) identified the current landscape of radiological reporting, including a blinded radiological validation study and a national survey of consultant HPB surgeons. Stage two used consensus panel development methodology to generate a provisional template draft. Stage three involved trialling the template across all UK HPB units, with feedback assisting the development of a final version of the template. Results: Stage one results identified a core dataset to develop a provisional template. Every UK Hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) unit trialled this in clinical practice, leading to further refinements via consensus meetings. Ideal factors regarding tumour staging, extent of vascular involvement and response to systemic anticancer therapy were identified. This resulted in the generation of the PACT-UK (PAncreatic Cancer reporting Template-UK) template that is presented within the manuscript, as well as a user guide. Conclusion: This project has successfully produced the first consensus-driven radiological reporting template for pancreatic cancer, with the aim of its use becoming standard practice in the UK, while upcoming workshops facilitated by Royal College of Radiologists/British Society of Gastrointestinal and Abdominal Radiology will establish buy-in from radiologists at all HPB units. Plans for the use of PACT-UK within national audit and clinical trials are underway

Autophagy–physiology and pathophysiology

“Autophagy” is a highly conserved pathway for degradation, by which wasted intracellular macromolecules are delivered to lysosomes, where they are degraded into biologically active monomers such as amino acids that are subsequently re-used to maintain cellular metabolic turnover and homeostasis. Recent genetic studies have shown that mice lacking an autophagy-related gene (Atg5 or Atg7) cannot survive longer than 12 h after birth because of nutrient shortage. Moreover, tissue-specific impairment of autophagy in central nervous system tissue causes massive loss of neurons, resulting in neurodegeneration, while impaired autophagy in liver tissue causes accumulation of wasted organelles, leading to hepatomegaly. Although autophagy generally prevents cell death, our recent study using conditional Atg7-deficient mice in CNS tissue has demonstrated the presence of autophagic neuron death in the hippocampus after neonatal hypoxic/ischemic brain injury. Thus, recent genetic studies have shown that autophagy is involved in various cellular functions. In this review, we introduce physiological and pathophysiological roles of autophagy

Imprinting disorders: a group of congenital disorders with overlapping patterns of molecular changes affecting imprinted loci.

Congenital imprinting disorders (IDs) are characterised by molecular changes affecting imprinted chromosomal regions and genes, i.e. genes that are expressed in a parent-of-origin specific manner. Recent years have seen a great expansion in the range of alterations in regulation, dosage or DNA sequence shown to disturb imprinted gene expression, and the correspondingly broad range of resultant clinical syndromes. At the same time, however, it has become clear that this diversity of IDs has common underlying principles, not only in shared molecular mechanisms, but also in interrelated clinical impacts upon growth, development and metabolism. Thus, detailed and systematic analysis of IDs can not only identify unifying principles of molecular epigenetics in health and disease, but also support personalisation of diagnosis and management for individual patients and families.All authors are members of the EUCID.net network, funded by COST (BM1208). TE is funded by the German Ministry of research and education (01GM1513B). GPdN is funded by I3SNS Program of the Spanish Ministry of Health (CP03/0064; SIVI 1395/09), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (PI13/00467) and Basque Department of Health (GV2014/111017).This is the final version of the article. It first appeared from BioMed Central via http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s13148-015-0143-