Radon Monitoring in the Environment

Radon is a natural radioactive gas used to estimate the radioactive hazard in the environment. Radon (222Rn), which is one of the daughters of uranium (238U), represents the most essential isotope, with a half-life of 3.825 days. The associated health risks due to inhalation and ingestion of radon and its progeny when present in enhanced levels in an indoor environment like a human dwelling have been documented. In this chapter, we have discussed the sources and techniques besides the methods used for measuring radon gas in the environment including soil, water, building materials, etc., which are well documented. A wide range of techniques for the detection and quantification of radon has been developed over the last few years. There is no single technique that can meet all the requirements of the different types of the radon measurements. Finally, we have mentioned the most essential information effecting the radon monitoring in the environment and the methods of measuring and controlling the concentration values throughout the environment; we have also mentioned the effect of radon on the inhabitants through the estimation of the effective dose rates and lung cancer risk due to radon gas when its values exceed the action level values

Sustainable Development of Groundwater in East Owienat, Egypt

Groundwater is a vital water source in arid and semi-arid regions. In East Owienat area groundwater is an only available water source. This study assessed the characteristics of the hydrogeological system and the baseline condition of the aquifer using field data and numerical modeling. The main objective of this research is to study the impacts of groundwater development on groundwater aquifer sustainability and to select the optimum development scenario, which achieves sustainable development with a minimal effect on aquifer potentiality. Groundwater flow was simulated using the Visual MODFLOW package. The model was calibrated under steady state conditions in January 1985. The model was verified from January 1985 to January 2018 according to observation point's data. The calibrated model then was used for the prediction simulations. Different extraction scenarios were suggested and evaluated to predict the behavior of groundwater aquifer and select the most feasible scenario. The evaluated groundwater extraction scenarios included: current extraction, proposed extraction and seasonally pumping of groundwater scenario. The results indicated that the seasonal operational aquifer scenario is highly recommended for a long-term management plan to achieve groundwater sustainability. Keywords: Groundwater; Sustainable Development; Modflow; East Owienat. DOI: 10.7176/CER/12-7-06 Publication date:July 31st 202

Detection of Multidrug Resistance Genes of Mycobacterium tuberculosis among Patient Referred to the NTBRL

The spread of multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis has become a major public health concern as these bacteria often cause incurable disease, even when expensive secondand third-line drugs are availabl

Alpha lipoic acid and diabetes mellitus: potential effects on peripheral neuropathy and different metabolic parameters

Introduction: Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) is an antioxidant used in the treatment of neuroinflammation, diabetes and diabetic nephropathy. The current study aiming to gauge the effect of oral ALA on diabetic peripheral neuropathy, glycemic control, LDL-C, and HDL-C. Methods: This is a prospective, interventional study carried out on patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) who were following at the outpatient internal medicine & diabetes clinics at Benha University Hospital. Treatment with ALA for 3 months was given to patient with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Data in the form of age, sex, body mass index (BMI), duration & treatment of DM, manifestations of peripheral neuropathy were collected. LDL-C, HDL-C, HbA1c, TSH, ALT, AST were measured before and after intervention. Peripheral neuropathy symptoms, nerve conduction velocities, cardiovascular (CV) tests of autonomic neuropathy, and cross-section area of the posterior tibial nerve were performed before and after treatment intervention. Results: 90 adult diabetic patients were recruited in the study, 42.2% were females and 57.8% were males with a median age of 50–60.3 years (IQR = 52). A statistically significant improvements of neuropathic symptoms, nerve conduction velocity, and cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy were noted after 3 months of administration of ALA (p ˂0.001). However, the cross-section area of the posterior tibial nerve at baseline and after treatment did not change significantly (p value of 0.84). There was a significant improvement in the BMI, HDLC, LDL-C, HbA1c (p ˂ 0.001). Conclusion: Oral treatment with ALA might cause ameliorations of peripheral neuropathy, HbA1c, and LDL-C & HDL-C levels in diabetic patients. Our result failed to proof effect of ALA on nerve cross-section area. The global data encourage further studies with this medication as an ancillary treatment of DM2.Clinical trial registration: It was registered in clinical trial website; ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier(NCT number): NCT04322240

INFLUENCE OF SOME PRESERVATIVE SOLUTIONS ON VASE LIFE AND POSTHARVEST QUALITIES OF LIMONIUM CUT FLOWERS

The present study was conducted at the Postharvest Lab. of Ornamental Plants and Landscape Gardening Res. Dept., Hort. Res. Inst., Giza, Egypt in March of 2016 and 2017 seasons, to examine the effect of some pulsing solutions on improving the quality of limonium cut flowers.Limoniumcut flowerswere pulsedin silver thiosulfate (STS) at 500 mg/l for 1/4 and 1/2 h, silver nitrate (AgNO3) at 500 mg/l for 1/4 and 1/2 h, AgNO3 at one g/l for 1/4 and 1/2 h, sodium benzoate at 250 mg/l for 12 and 24 h, sodium benzoate at 500 mg/l for 12 and 24 h, daminozide at 25 mg/l for 12 and 24 h and daminozide at 50 mg/l for 12 and 24 h followed by transferring to a holding solution 8-hydroxyqunoline sulphate (HQS) at 200 mg/l + sucrose (20 g/l). Distilled water was used as a control treatment. The obtained results indicated that treatment of Limonium sinuatum cv. Girlie Wings cut flowers treated by STS at 500 mg/l for 1/2 h enhanced water uptake, relative fresh weight, dry weight percentage of cut flowers, floret opening percentage, pigments content, total carbohydrate percentage and total phenols as well as inhibiting growth of all isolated microorganisms and improved quality of flowers, followed by cut flowers treated with STS at 500 mg/l for 1/4 h then AgNO3 500 mg/l for 1/2 h

The effect of diode laser and topical steroid on serum level of TNF-alpha in oral lichen planus patients

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a common chronic inflammatory mucosal disease with a multifactorial etiology. It is a T-cell mediated autoimmune disease in which the cytotoxic CD8+T cells trigger apoptosis of the basal cells of oral epithelium. Various treatment regimens have been employed for management of symptomatic OLP. This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of topical steroids as well as laser on the clinical signs and symptoms detected by reticular, atrophic, erosive score (RAE score) and tumor necrosis factor- α (TNF-α) level in the serum of patients with symptomatic OLP. The study was conducted on twenty-four patients (18 females and 6 males) with symptomatic OLP that were allocated into two groups. Each included twelve patients. The first group treated either with diode laser (970nm SIROLaser Advance class IIIb, SIRONA The Dental Company, Germany) twice weekly with maximum of ten sessions while the second group were treated with topical corticosteroids (0.1% triamcinolone acetonide orabase, Kenacort-A Orabase Pomad, DEVA HOLDING A.Ș, Istanbul, Turkey) for four weeks. Corticosteroids group showed less clinical signs and symptoms of reticular, atrophic, erosive RAE score (p=0.02) and TNF-α serum level (p=0.028) than diode laser group with no reported therapy side effects or complications in any of the treated patients. Topical steroids reduce pain, reticular, atrophic, erosive RAE score and TNF-α serum level more than laser treatment. Moreover, laser treatment can be used as an alternative treatment when steroids are contraindicated for the treatment of symptomatic OLP

Assessment of distribution and evolution of Mechanical dyssynchrony in a porcine model of myocardial infarction by cardiovascular magnetic resonance

BACKGROUND: We sought to investigate the relationship between infarct and dyssynchrony post- myocardial infarct (MI), in a porcine model. Mechanical dyssynchrony post-MI is associated with left ventricular (LV) remodeling and increased mortality. METHODS: Cine, gadolinium-contrast, and tagged cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) were performed pre-MI, 9 ± 2 days (early post-MI), and 33 ± 10 days (late post-MI) post-MI in 6 pigs to characterize cardiac morphology, location and extent of MI, and regional mechanics. LV mechanics were assessed by circumferential strain (eC). Electro-anatomic mapping (EAM) was performed within 24 hrs of CMR and prior to sacrifice. RESULTS: Mean infarct size was 21 ± 4% of LV volume with evidence of post-MI remodeling. Global eC significantly decreased post MI (-27 ± 1.6% vs. -18 ± 2.5% (early) and -17 ± 2.7% (late), p < 0.0001) with no significant change in peri-MI and MI segments between early and late time-points. Time to peak strain (TTP) was significantly longer in MI, compared to normal and peri-MI segments, both early (440 ± 40 ms vs. 329 ± 40 ms and 332 ± 36 ms, respectively; p = 0.0002) and late post-MI (442 ± 63 ms vs. 321 ± 40 ms and 355 ± 61 ms, respectively; p = 0.012). The standard deviation of TTP in 16 segments (SD16) significantly increased post-MI: 28 ± 7 ms to 50 ± 10 ms (early, p = 0.012) to 54 ± 19 ms (late, p = 0.004), with no change between early and late post-MI time-points (p = 0.56). TTP was not related to reduction of segmental contractility. EAM revealed late electrical activation and greatly diminished conduction velocity in the infarct (5.7 ± 2.4 cm/s), when compared to peri-infarct (18.7 ± 10.3 cm/s) and remote myocardium (39 ± 20.5 cm/s). CONCLUSIONS: Mechanical dyssynchrony occurs early after MI and is the result of delayed electrical and mechanical activation in the infarct