Muslim Women and Gender: Culture Vs. Divine Text

Much confusion have developed on the issue of Islam and gender. Islam as a religion is seen to give preference to one gender over the other. This has been particularly realized in dealing with issues which are of concern to women such as: duties and responsibilities of both husband and wife and inheritance. The issue of gender will always raise the question of Muslim Women’s full participation and productive functioning within the society. This paper attempts to examine whether the above-mentioned issue is a simple misconception, or the existence of any evidence within the Muslim doctrine and/or interpretation of Muslim scholars that support such a claim. The issues discussed here are highly controversial and debatable. Thus, in order to identify and clarify the stance of Islam on the issue of gender, we undoubtedly need to revisit the Islamic sources and hold a comparison to social and historical events that took place within the early Muslim society. This paper aims to highlight this issue and attempt to identify whether any validation for such practice was made within the religious approach or through traditionally-acquired concepts that have lived and grew within the Muslim cultures throughout the ages

DNA結合蛋白をラベル化及びDNA架橋反応性を持つ機能性オリゴヌクレオチドの開発

要約のみTohoku University永次史課

Hyperchloremia in critically Ill patients in ICU: Review Article

Background: Chloride (Cl) is required for the regulation of blood pressure, renal function, gastrointestinal homeostasis and decarboxylation/gas transport. "Dyschloremia" or levels of serum Cl beyond the normal range, is a frequent occurrence in intensive care units and seems to be mostly caused by iatrogenic procedures (i.e. intravenous infusion of fluids rich in Cl). Hypochloremia and hyperchloremia seem to be related to high risk of death in specified intensive care unit (ICU) groups, although the data is inconclusive. Hyperchloremia may be associated with higher hemodynamic unstable changes and need for vasopressors, in addition to hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis (e.g., following major surgeries). Nonetheless, the direct or indirect mediation of these effects is still uncertain. Additionally, new research suggests that individuals with advanced hyperchloremia have a higher risk of acute renal damage and require renal replacement treatment. Objective: The purpose of this study was to describe significant chloride-related outcomes in critical illness and to evaluate their relevance for everyday clinical practice and therapeutic alternatives. Conclusion: One may conclude that the concern about understanding the impact of chloride disorders on negative outcomes is rising; there seems to be a link between chloride disorders and negative outcomes, particularly death, in the ICU setting; one could theorize the need to rationalize the use of solutions with electrolyte components separate from the physiological solutions; and consider the presence or the development of hyperchloremia as a prognostic factor, without taking into consideration the severity of the critical patien

Micro/nano-structural evolution in spruce wood during soda pulping

Alkaline delignification of wood tissue is the core of the global pulping technology and the most prominent large-scale separation of the main wood components. This work aims at improved understanding of the interplay between the topochemistry of alkaline pulping and the associated morphological changes. Morphology and chemical structure of partially soda-delignified wood chips were studied combining X-ray tomography (XRT), X-ray diffraction analysis and compositional characterization (lignin and carbohydrate content). The XRT studies of wet samples (providing 3D structural information without interfering drying effects), allowed observation of the cell wall separation as an increasing amount of lignin was removed with the increasing pulping time. Comparison between the microstructure of the surface and the central parts of the treated chips showed a more delignified microstructure at the surface, which highlights the dependence of the delignification process on the mass transport (hydroxide ions and lignin fragments) through the wood tissue. The crystallite size of cellulose increased in the <200> crystal planes during the early stage of pulping while there was little effect on the <110> plane

Effect of Pilates Exercises on Cortisol Hormone and Blood Pressure Among Hypertensive Women

Background: Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases such as stroke and coronary artery disease as well as causes mortality. The Pilates method is a conditioning program in hypertensive patients of the body and mind that is gaining in popularity and acceptance worldwide. Aim of Study: To determine the response of cortisol hormone level and blood pressure after Pilates exercise in hypertensive post-menopausal women. Methods: Sixty women participated in this study was selected from Belbies Central employees and outpatient clinic with age mean ± SD values in groups (A) and (B) were 52.83 ± 3.89 and 53.37 ± 3.66 years., respectively. All of them suffering from high blood pressure stage 2(systolic 140 or higher and diastolic 90 or higher), they took medications (beta blockers - vasodilator – diuretics) and postmenopausal form 1-5 years ago. The study design was pre-post study. Patients were assigned for 8weeks protocol into two groups: Group (A) received Pilates training exercises (bent knee, shoulder bridge, side kick front, side kick back, and single leg circle), while Group (B) received only anti-hypertensive medications. Group (A) performed 5 types of Pilates exercises per session for /3 sessions/ week/ 8 weeks. The outcome measures were blood pressure (systolic and diastolic), cortisol level, anticoagulant factors (prothrombin time (PT), partial prothrombin time (PTT)) and physical characteristic (weight, body mass index (BMI), and waist hip ratio) were evaluated at the baseline and the end of the study. Results: Pre- and post-treatment comparisons showed a statistically significant decrease of the measured variables in the group A (cortisol level 17.73%, systolic blood pressure 3.70%, Diastole blood pressure 5.01 %, partial prothrombin time 7.38%, where weight 2.92 %, Body mass index 2.98 %) and significant increase in prothrombin time 0.67 %. In group B cortisol level 10.48%, significant decrease in diastole blood pressure 1.73%, no significant increase in (prothrombin time 0.25%, Partial prothrombin time 0.28%, weight 0.64%, BMI 0.34%, waist hip ration 0.11%) as well as no significant decrease in systolic blood pressure 0.75

Association of polymorphisms of two histamine-metabolizing enzymes with allergic asthma in Egyptian children

Background: Histamine released from mast cells and basophils plays a key role in the development of allergic diseases such as allergic asthma, rhinitis or anaphylaxis. Histamine-metabolizing enzymes: N-methyltransferase (HNMT) and amiloride binding protein 1(ABP) are involved in allergic inflammation.Objective: This study was undertaken to evaluate the relationship between polymorphisms of two genes encoding the histamine metabolizing enzymes HNMT and ABP1 with the development of allergic asthma in Egyptian children.Methods: This is a case control study performed on 100 atopic asthmatic and 94 healthy control children. Conventional method of PCR amplification was used for genotyping.Results: Distribution of HNMT -105 Thr → Ile (-314 C to T) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotypes and Thr and Ile (C and T) alleles among patients and controls revealed significant increase in the frequencies of Thr / Ile (CT) and Thr / Ile (CT) + Ile / Ile (TT) in atopic asthmatics than in controls (p= 0.04 and 0.002 respectively). There was also a significant increase in Ile (T) alleles in atopic asthmatic patients than controls (p= 0.002). The 2029 CG SNP polymorphism of ABP1gene was significantly associated with atopic asthma (p=0.0003).Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that genetic variations in the histaminemetabolizing enzyme (HNMT and ABP1) genes might contribute to the pathogenesis of asthma in the studied children.Keywords: Amiloride binding protein, asthma, atopy, children, Nmethyltransferas

Mechanical ventilation in critically ill patients in ICU: Review article

Background: Mechanically ventilating is frequently performed life-saving procedure in the emergency room (ER). With the duration of stay of ventilated patients in ERs rising, it is critical for emergency physicians to have a firm grasp on procedures for optimizing mechanical ventilation and minimizing consequences. Numerous positively pressured ventilation techniques are available; they are derived from different permutations of triggered volume- and pressure-cycled ventilations and supply ventilation at a variety of rates, pressures and volumes. Inadequate ventilatory treatment may result in significant respiratory and extrapulmonary injury that may go undetected.Objective: The aim of this review article was to highlight mechanical ventilation in critically ill patients in ICU.Conclusion: Non-invasive ventilation is an excellent first-line therapy for hypoxemic or hypercapnic respiratory failure in critically ill patients, failure of non-invasive ventilation necessitates introduction of intubation and invasive mechanical ventilation as second line therapy

Can a foreign body migrate against natural body barriers?

Pericardial foreign bodies (FBs) are a rare cause of chest pain in children. They can reach the pericardium through several routes including direct or iatrogenic implantation, transbronchial or transesophageal migration of inhaled or swallowed FBs. We reported a case of a 4-year-old girl presenting with persistent chest pain for 1 month. The child described the pain as ‘stitching’ in nature localized on the left side of the sternum. The child presented with increased pain intensity and a new onset of fever and cough. No history of chocking or swallowing of FB and no signs of trauma or child abuse were noted. Chest radiography revealed a needle in the left side of the chest. Computed tomography scan and echocardiography were used to precisely localize the needle and exclude intracardiac extension. ECG showed elevated ST segment and cardiac enzymes were normal. Removal of the needle was carried out surgically under fluoroscopic guidance. A small portion of the needle was found intrapericardially complicated by localized purulent pericarditis. The child had uneventful recovery and was discharged from the hospital on postoperative day 3.Keywords: foreign bodies, pain, pediatrics, pericardium, thoracic surger

Clinical and microbiological aspect of surgical affections associated with current epidemics in bovine

Egypt is endemic with Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) and Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), both impose a drastic effect on the economy. These viral diseases are often complicated with secondary bacterial infections; however, scarce data is available. In this study, utilizing microbiological and molecular procedures, we identified a number of secondary bacterial infections complicating FMDand LSD-infected cases. Moreover, the antimicrobial resistance profile of the bacterial isolates was explored. The data showed that several bacterial pathogens including Serratia odorifera, Enterococcus faecium, Paenibacillus apiaries and Microbacterium hominis could be recovered from LSD-infected cases. On the other hand, FMD cases were found to be complicated with Pseudomonas mosselii, Bacillus cereus and Trueperella pyogens. However, Bacillus licheniformis was isolated from both disease conditions. The antimicrobial testing revealed that all pathogens are resistant to more than three antibiotics of different families, indicating the multi-drug resistant capabilities of these isolates. This baseline investigation confirms the presence of many secondary bacterial infections linked to LSD and FMD as well as the widespread antimicrobial resistance among the isolated pathogens, however, the contribution of these pathogens to the mortality rate in both conditions needs further studie