Removed versus unremoved vicryl sutures used for subcuticular skin closure

Background: The objective was to compare the difference between removing vicryl suture thread after skin healing or burry the knots and leaving it to be absorbed in situ, after subcuticular skin closure of Pfannesteil incisions.Methods: Prospective, randomized controlled trial included 449 eligible participants were prospectively recruited between July 2016 and June 2017. All selected patients had a pfannenstial incision with subcuticular skin closure using 2-0 absorbable vicryl stiches (for primary caesarean section or extra peritoneal surgical approach to the prostate, bladder and distal ureters). The left side knot was buried under the skin edge and a knot in the midline and the right edge was made. After 10 days postoperative, the right half of the stitch thread and the two knots were removed, and the left half of the thread was left in situ. Patients were observed for any complication at time of stitch removal, after one month and after 6 months' post-operative.Results: Wound infection rate, hypertrophic scars, keloids and skin itching were significantly higher in the un-removed wound sides while skin dehiscence was significantly higher in the removed wound sides.Conclusions: Leaving behind absorbable suture material after wound healing -when used in subcuticular pfannenstial skin closure- is associated with increased rates of wound infection, hypertrophic scars, itching and keloids, which of course overweight any known benefits of the technique

Evaluation of Subacute Toxicity Induced by Methoxychlor: The protective Effect of Ascorbic acid

The present study was designed to detect the effects of sublethal concentration of Methoxychlor (MXC) on hematological constituents, thrombocytic indices, liver and kidney damage biomarker and erythrocytic oxidative status. As well as the possible protective effect of ascorbic acid (vit-C) were tested in rats at subacute period under laboratory conditions. MXC was administered orally at a dose of 200mg/kg, twice weekly, to male rats, for one month. Co – administration of ascorbic acid at a dose of 1g\L drinking water was achieved. MXC caused a significant reduction in hematological constituents and thrombocytic indices. MXC induced a significant increase in the serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma glutamyle transferase (γ-GT), uric acid and creatinine, whereas decrease in total protein and albumin levels. With regards, to the results of oxidative status revealed that decrease in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) activities while increase in lipid peroxidation (LPO) components malondialdehyde (MDA). MXC plus vit-C treated group was significantly differed in most previous parameters than the MXC -treated group. These data, along with the determined changes suggest that MXC produce substantial systemic organ toxicity in rats during the period of a 30-days subacute exposure. The co- treatment with vit- C could ameliorate these toxic changes

Near-total pancreatectomy for persistent hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia of infancy (nesidioblastosis): Mansoura experience

Background/purpose Persistent hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia of infancy (PHHI) is the most common cause of persistent hypoglycemia in infancy with consequences such as seizures and brain damage. Treatment that prevents the occurrence of these sequele is essential. When medical therapy fails or complications are anticipated, early pancreatectomy is recommended to maintain euglycemia. The aim of this study was short-term evaluation of near-total pancreatectomy for PHHI after failure of medical treatment in patients in Mansoura, Egypt.Patients and methods During May 2002 to May 2010, 33 patients suffering from persistent hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia were admitted to Mansoura university child hospital. Twenty patients responded to medical treatment and 13 patients (eight girls and five boys) were treated by near-total (90–95%) pancreatectomy after failure of medical treatment. Their ages at the time of surgery ranged from 20 days to 27 months. Only patients who were surgically managed were included in this study. All of them suffered from symptoms of PHHI: thermoregulatory problems in five cases, tremors in five cases, seizures in three, irritability in five, respiratory distress in eight, apnea in four, hypotonia in four, lethargy in five, and feeding difficulty in four cases. All cases were diagnosed following strict criteria that included bouts of hypoglycemia without acidosis coinciding with increased insulin level. Follow-up ranged from 3 months to 8 years.Results Primary success occurred in two cases (15%); four more cases (31%) developed temporary diabetes mellitus, and one case (8%) had a temporary pancreatic fistula. Eventually, total cure occurred in seven cases (54%); six cases (46%) developed a variety of complications; and persistent hypoglycemia was seen in two. Persistent diabetes mellitus was observed in three patients, developmental delay in one, and persistent neurological deficit in two patients; there was one case of mortality.Conclusion Near-total (90–95%) pancreatectomy is a suitable procedure for treatment of nesidioblastosis not responding to medical treatment and should be performed as early as possible. Keywords: Mansoura, near-total pancreatectomy, persistent hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemi

Analysing Indoor Air Pollution: A Study on Pollutant Levels and Air Quality Assessment in Social Housing Properties

Amid growing concerns over Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), this paper presents a comprehensive analysis of pollutants to assess the environmental health in a few Case Study Buildings (CSBs). The main objectives were to evaluate the levels of key Indoor Air Pollutants (IAPs) (PM10, PM2.5, CO, CO2, TVOCs) and relative humidity across multiple social housing properties and to analyze how occupant behaviormay affect IAQ. Utilizing quantitative measurements, the study investigates the range and exposure of the building occupants to IAPs. The methodology involves the systematic measurement of IAPs through the installation of data loggers, focusing on pollutant levels to evaluate air quality across multiple CSBs. Findings show fluctuation in pollutant levels, with some IAPs demonstrating consistently within the acceptable range while others exhibit sporadic spikes in pollutant concentrations. The results indicate that significant attention should be given to PM10, CO, and VOCs. This study underscores the importance of continuous monitoring and targeted interventions to mitigate poor IAQ and ensure healthier indoor environments for building occupants. Further research and implementation of effective measures are imperative to safeguard public health and well-being

Comparative Assessment of Insulation Materials for Improving Indoor Air Quality in Building Retrofit

This paper evaluates the impacts of different insulation materials on Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and occupant health with a focus on the Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) emissions. The main aim is to identify options that minimize exposure rates while improving IAQ and energy in retrofitted buildings. A comprehensive literature review was conducted synthesizing scholarly articles, guidelines from international organizations, and information on pollutants, IAQ standards, and retrofit strategies. The findings show high emission rates for some insulation materials that could negatively affect health. Hemp insulation in contrast was identified as a promising solution exhibiting low VOC emissions compared to other insulation materials. As sustainable construction practices advance, hemp insulation emerges as a viable retrofit strategy for social housing by synergistically addressing performance gaps related to energy conservation, air quality, and thermal comfort. The synthesis of evidence from this paper suggests that, from environmental and public health perspectives, certain insulation materials are preferable for improving IAQ and reducing the risk of exposure to indoor air pollutants in retrofitted buildings

Classification system for Egyptian heritage buildings

To create a classification system for heritage buildings, it is essential to delve into the architectural components of the buildings following a specific procedure. First, the different objects’ properties (including their architectural style, geometric characteristics and ratio, condition, construction method, cultural value, material, color, reflectance characteristics) are identified. Second, creating a systematic framework that identifies the lifestyle of each element, stating the grouping principle of heritage elements and the design composition of tables that identifies the geometrical form, material and functional features whether insulation or load tolerance. This paper presents the challenges in creating a unified classification system for an Egyptian heritage palace built in 1896 with different architectural styles; i.e Rocco, Baroque, Islamic and even architectural customized elements with Royal slogan; through different historical periods, where multiple elements and sections were detached and attached to the place during its lifetime. The formulated classification system can be generalized in similar heritage buildings built in the same era

Evaluating Thermal Comfort and Overheating Risks in A Social Housing Prototype: As-Built Versus Retrofit Scenarios

Climate change has highlighted the importance of thermal comfort and its health-related outcomes, particularly for the most vulnerable members of society living in social housing. Due to their vulnerable living conditions, low-income people are more exposed to negative outcomes of overheating and cold indoor temperatures in buildings. Previous studies suggest that there is a significant risk of overheating in retrofitted buildings both for the current and future weather scenarios. The UK government has introduced new building regulations to assess and limit the risk of overheating in new buildings; however, there is still a need to assess and improve conditions for existing and retrofitted properties. This study aims to evaluate the effect of retrofit strategies on thermal comfort and the risk of overheating in social housing under current and future climatic conditions. A typical case study building was simulated in DesignBuilder to assess thermal comfort conditions for upgraded building fabric to Part L of the UK building regulations and Passive House standards. The summer results were analyzed according to CIBSE TM59 while the Predicted Mean Vote index (PMV) was used for winter analysis. Findings revealed that the south-facing bedrooms are most exposed to overheating. Risk of overheating significantly increased for the future weather scenarios by up to 10 times while winter thermal comfort improved for the retrofitted scenarios

Nuclear Shape Transition, Triaxiality and Energy Staggering of gamma Band States for Even-Even Xenon Isotopic Chain

The positive-parity states of even-even Xe nuclei are investigated within the framework of modified O(6) limit of the interacting boson model (IBM1). The effective three-body interaction [QQQ] where Q is the IBM O(6) quadrupole operator is introduced to exhibit the triaxiality nature. The shape of nuclear surface is described by the deformation parameters beta, gamma by using the intrinsic coherent state. The potential energy surfaces (PES) of the transition U(5)-Triaxiality-O(6) are calculated and analyzed and the critical phase transition points are identified. For each nucleus a fitting procedure is adopted to get the best model parameters by fitting some selected calculated energy levels and B(E2)transition rates ratios with experimental ones. These ratios are analyzed because they serve as effective order parameters in the shape phase transition. The nuclei in Xe isotopic chain evolve from spherical vibrator U(5) to gamma-soft rotor O(6) by increasing the boson number from N=3 (heavy isotope 132Xe) to N=10 (light isotope 120Xe) and the isotope 126Xe represent the critical nucleus. The nucleus 128Xe has triaxial nature. To deal with high spin states in gamma band in 118- 128Xe isotopic chain to investigate and exhibit the odd-even spin energy staggering, we introduce the two parameters collective nuclear softness rotor model (CNS2). Three different staggering indices depending on the dipole transitions linking the two families of spins and the quadrupole transitions within each spin family are considered. Strong odd-even spin energy staggering has been seen. As a link between the IBM and CNS2 models we observed that the energy difference between the gamma-band and ground state band normalized to decreases with increasing the mass numberComment: 20 pages,4 tables, 7 figures and 59 reference

Tel Aviv Mizrah: The potential of Iraqi cultural identity within two generations

Before immigrating to Israel, first-generation Iraqi Jews were deeply attached to their identity as Mizrahi Jews. Their mother tongue was Arabic and they had grown up in an oriental environment. Therefore, it was not easy for them to adopt the Euro-Israeli identity that the dominant Ashkenazi-European stratum in Israel compelled them to accept. Despite strong Westernizing tendencies in Israeli society, the first generation of Iraqi Jewish immigrants maintained strong links to the Iraqi customs and traditions they had acquired in Iraq, particularly with regard to the musical folklore and oriental cuisine. On the other hand, second-generation Iraqi Jews were more familiar with Israeli society than their parents; they grew up in Israel and learned Hebrew in Israeli schools along with Ashkenazi Jews and other ethnic groups. This paper establishes connections between the historical realities of Iraqi Jewish immigrants and the literary representation of their world in the trilogy Tel-Aviv Mizrah (Tel Aviv East) written in 2003 by the Iraqi Jewish author Shimon Ballas, through a comparison of Ballas's literary vision with the historical realities of Iraqi Jewish identity in Israel over the course of two generations

Role of CD99 in adult patients with acute myeloid leukemia

Background: When it comes to acute myeloid leukemia (AML), the large proportion of patients usually have relapses. Acute myeloid leukemia, Lymphoblastic lymphoma/leukemia, as well as Ewing sarcoma all have high CD99 expression.Objective: The aim of the current work was to assess CD99 expression frequency in patients with AML, and also to evaluate its association with different clinical and laboratory data.Patients and Methods: This comprehensive study included a total of 40 AML patients and 20 matched healthy subjects, attending at Departments of Clinical Pathology and Medical Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University Hospitals. Clinical and laboratory data were correlated with CD99 expression frequency in patients with AML in order to examine its usefulness as a predictive and prognostic factor.Results: Examination of CD99 expression in AML patients revealed that 80% of patients are CD99 positive, while (20%) are negative.Conclusion: CD99 expression in acute myeloid leukemia patients is of good prognostic value