ITS for teaching DES information security Algorithm

Lately there is more attention paid to technological development in intelligent tutoring systems. This field is becoming an interesting topic to many researchers. In this paper, we are presenting an intelligent tutoring system for teaching DES Information Security Algorithm called DES-Tutor. The DES-Tutor target the students enrolled in cryptography course in the department Information Technology in Al-Azhar University in Gaza. Through DES-Tutor the student will be able to study course material and try the exercises of each lesson. An evaluation of the DES-Tutor was carried out and the results were promising

The role of the Four and a half LIM only protein 2 (FHL2) in bleomycin induced lung fibrosis

FHL2 ist ein Adaptormolekül, das mit mehreren zellulären Proteinen wechselwirkt und einen Einfluss auf Signalübertragungskaskaden und Gentranskription ausübt. Es ist ein wichtiger Bestandteil von Prozessen wie Wundheilung und Tumorpogression. Wir zeigen hier, dass der genetische Verlust von FHL2 Protein zu erhöhten Transkription des pro-inflammatorischen Matrixprotein Tenascin C sowie zu erhöhter Sekretion/Expression eines weiteren pro-inflammatorischen Proteinkomplexes, der S100A8/A9 Alarminen, führt. Desweitern führte die FHL2-Defizienz zu einer Inhibition des Makrophagen Aktivierungs-Rezeptors DC-SIGN. Als Folge dieser Anomalitäten entwickelten die FHL2-difizienten Mäuse eine starke und langanhaltende Lungenentzündung, wenn sie mit fibroseinduzierenden Substanzen behandelt wurden

Cyanobacterial community patterns as water quality bioindicators

The main goal of this study was to examine the use of cyanobacteria for evaluating the quality of running water. Accordingly epilithic cyanobacterial communities were collected in Dez River and Ojeyreb drain in south of Iran. Samples were collected in two seasons: autumn and spring. Effective physical and chemical factors on the structure of cyanobacterial communities and the dispersion of the species in relation with them were determined using PCA and CCA analyses. The Shannon-Wiener biodiversity index was used to define the species diversity. The concentration of nitrate as main nutrient had significant increase in Drain stations. A decline in species richness was observed associated with these increases in nutrient load in both seasons in different cyanobacterial community structure. The results indicated that order Oscillatoriales had higher proportion of cyanobacteria species at Drain. The species Oscillatoria chlorina, Chroococcus minor, Phormidium tenue and Lyngbya kuetzingii S had the most positive correlation with nutrient factor. Species Lyngbya infixa and Lyngbya mesotrichia had the most negative correlation with nitrate. Our results confirm the using of cyanobacteria species as indicators for monitoring eutrophication in rivers and define them as water eutrophication bioindicators

Incidence and significance of an elevated red blood cell distribution width among hospitalised HIV-infected adult patients

We audited the records of unselected hospitalised HIV-positive adults admitted to a University-affiliated inner London hospital to identify the frequency of elevated red blood cell distribution width (RDW), and potential associations with specific diagnoses, and with outcome. Of 259 patients audited, 188 (73%) were men. Patients' median age was 47 years (interquartile range = 41-54). An elevated RDW was seen in 50 patients (19%); 200 (77%) had an elevated C-reactive protein (CRP), and 77 (30%) had a low haemoglobin. Only five patients had an elevated RDW without an elevated CRP and/or low haemoglobin. An elevated RDW was associated with a wide range of infectious, inflammatory, and malignant conditions similar to observed associations reported in the general non-HIV infected adult population. Additionally an elevated RDW occurred both in patients with well-controlled HIV infection and in receipt of antiretroviral therapy, as well as in those with newly diagnosed and poorly-controlled infection. Five (10%) of 50 patients with an elevated RDW needed intensive care unit (ICU) admission and two (4%) died. Two (0.95%) of 209 patients with a normal RDW needed ICU admission and four (1.9%) died. The findings of this audit are limited by the relatively small number of patients and the single site nature of the audit

The LIM-only protein FHL2 attenuates lung inflammation during bleomycin-induces fibrosis

Fibrogenesis is usually initiated when regenerative processes have failed and/or chronic inflammation occurs. It is characterised by the activation of tissue fibroblasts and dysregulated synthesis of extracellular matrix proteins. FHL2 (four-and-a-half LIM domain protein 2) is a scaffolding protein that interacts with numerous cellular proteins, regulating signalling cascades and gene transcription. It is involved in tissue remodelling and tumour progression. Recent data suggest that FHL2 might support fibrogenesis by maintaining the transcriptional expression of alpha smooth muscle actin and the excessive synthesis and assembly of matrix proteins in activated fibroblasts. Here, we present evidence that FHL2 does not promote bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis, but rather suppresses this process by attenuating lung inflammation. Loss of FHL2 results in increased expression of the pro-inflammatory matrix protein tenascin C and downregulation of the macrophage activating C-type lectin receptor DC-SIGN. Consequently, FHL2 knockout mice developed a severe and long-lasting lung pathology following bleomycin administration due to enhanced expression of tenascin C and impaired activation of inflammation-resolving macrophages

Antibiotic resistance and mecA gene characterization of Staphylococcus epidermidis isolated from some hospitals in Gaza strip

Antibiotic resistance of S. epidermidis isolated from biological specimens is a global problem to public health. In this study a total of 256 S. epidermidis isolates (128 clinical isolates and 128 nasal isolates) from Gaza strip, Palestine were investigated. All isolates were tested for its antimicrobial susceptibilities and carriage of the mecA gene. Out of the 256 isolates, 184 (71.9%) were resistant to multiple antibiotics with all displaying increased susceptibility toward rifampicin (100%), doxycycline (98.4%) and vancomycin (98%). Ninety-six isolates (37.5%) were multidrug resistant (MDR) while, 99 isolates (38.7%) were mecA positive. A significant difference was demonstrated between clinical and nasal isolates. Clinical isolates were significantly more resistant for 8/12 tested antibiotics including resistance to cefoxitin (30μg) (p=0.000) and significantly (p=0.000) represents the MDR isolates while nasal isolates were significantly (p=0.000) sensitive for all tested antibiotics. No significant difference between the two groups in carrying mecA. We find that clinical isolates gain an extra-feature that qualify it to cause a disease and methicillin resistance (MR) was not mecA dependent in all MR isolates

Alternative lengthening of telomeres, ATRX loss and H3â K27M mutations in histologically defined pilocytic astrocytoma with anaplasia

Anaplasia may be identified in a subset of tumors with a presumed pilocytic astrocytoma (PA) component or piloid features, which may be associated with aggressive behavior, but the biologic basis of this change remains unclear. Fiftyâ seven resections from 36 patients (23 M, 13 F, mean age 32 years, range 3â 75) were included. A clinical diagnosis of NF1 was present in 8 (22%). Alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) was assessed by telomereâ specific FISH and/or CISH. A combination of immunohistochemistry, DNA sequencing and FISH were used to study BRAF, ATRX, CDKN2A/p16, mutant IDH1 p.R132H and H3â K27M proteins. ALT was present in 25 (69%) cases and ATRX loss in 20 (57%), mostly in the expected association of ALT+/ATRXâ (20/24, 83%) or ALTâ /ATRX+ (11/11, 100%). BRAF duplication was present in 8 (of 26) (31%). H3â K27M was present in 5 of 32 (16%) cases, all with concurrent ATRX loss and ALT. ALT was also present in 9 (of 11) cases in the benign PA precursor, 7 of which also had ATRX loss in both the precursor and the anaplastic tumor. In a single pediatric case, ALT and ATRX loss developed in the anaplastic component only, and in another adult case, ALT was present in the PAâ A component only, but ATRX was not tested. Features associated with worse prognosis included subtotal resection, adult vs. pediatric, presence of a PA precursor preceding a diagnosis of anaplasia, necrosis, presence of ALT and ATRX expression loss. ALT and ATRX loss, as well as alterations involving the MAPK pathway, are frequent in PA with anaplasia at the time of development of anaplasia or in their precursors. Additionally, a small subset of PA with anaplasia have H3â K27M mutations. These findings further support the concept that PA with anaplasia is a neoplasm with heterogeneous genetic features and alterations typical of both PA and diffuse gliomas.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/147190/1/bpa12646_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/147190/2/bpa12646.pd