Content-Based Instruction and Corpus Linguistics Curriculum for Early Advanced EFL Saudi Students

For many years now EFL teaching and learning in Saudi Arabia has suffered from a lack of authentic life-related and meaningful materials. Most of the EFL books available, therefore, pay more attention to form and less attention to meaning. This has resulted in many Saudi EFL students having difficulty improving their L2 proficiency. For this reason, I developed a curriculum that incorporates content-based instruction and corpus linguistics. The curriculum is divided into six units. The units focus on the five basic language skills: Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking. Each unit focuses on different content and includes examples form several corpus sites. This project offers an opportunity for Saudi EFL students to learn and acquire authentic and life-related language that is at the same time transferable to real world context

Manufacturing, Characterization and Modeling of Helical Electrospun Fibers for Cardiac Tissue Engineering

Cardiovascular disease is a predicament that affects the entire world. Complications arise due to inadequate blood supplied to the heart muscle, which leads to scar tissue formation and ventricular dilation. One of the proven methods to promote cellular regeneration is the implantation of seeded scaffolds using stem cell therapy. Electrospinning has been selected to manufacture scaffolds due to the providing a suitable structure to promote cultivation of cells. Each application requires a set of criteria to be met in a seeded scaffold. In cardiac applications, the mechanical properties and matrix structure need to align with the native tissue. In this thesis, the optimal process parameters to attain electrospun helical fibers are determined. Secondly, the material behaviors of helical scaffolds are examined under different loading schemes. Lastly, numerical modeling for the experimental data is evaluated

Assessment of Urinary Kidney Injury Molecule-1 as an Indicator of Early Renal Insult in Children with Cystic Fibrosis

BACKGROUND: The risk of acute kidney injury in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients is due to renal tubular affection by CFTR gene. AIM: Our study aimed at early detection of renal impairment in CF patients, to enable careful monitoring and adjustment of nephrotoxic medications. METHODS: Fifty patients with CF were enrolled in our study; they were age- and sex-matched to 40 healthy control children. All subjects were screened by urine analysis, measurements of kidney function tests, fractional excretion of sodium, β2-microglobulin (beta-2-M) excretion, and renal ultrasound examination. Urinary kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) was assayed using ELISA technique. RESULTS: Both urinary beta-2-M and KIM-1 concentrations were significantly higher in CF patients compared to the control group (p < 0.001). The duration of the disease was significantly positively correlated with the urinary beta-2-M and KIM-1 levels (r = 0.6 and 0.7, respectively; p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that urinary KIM-1 can be considered as a sensitive early indicator of acute renal injury

The Effectiveness Of Non Invasive Hemodynamic Parameters In Detection Of Spinal Anesthesia Induced Hypotension During Cesarean Section

Introduction: Hypotension is the most frequent consequence of spinal anesthesia in cesarean section. It results in harmful effects on mother and newborn.Aim: This study aim was to evaluate the correlation of positional changes in hemodynamic (heart rate and blood pressure) measured before spinal anesthesia in anticipation of occurrence of hypotension throughout cesarean delivery.Methods: 100 ASA grade I parturient were selected for this prospective observational study. Preoperative sociodemographic data, parity, and hemodynamic parameters were recorded including changes in systolic, diastolic, mean arterial blood pressure, and heart rate after positional shift from supine to lateral and sitting positions. Intraoperative, occurrence of hypotension was noted.Results: With hypotension as the dependent variable, the age, parity, heart rate at supine position, and changes in (heart rate, systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure) from supine to lateral position, and from supine to sitting position had high statistical significant negative correlation with blood pressure as P value <.05. Multivariate logistic analysis to assess predictors of hypotension concluded that changes in hemodynamic variable from supine to lateral position only significant predictor were (Δ heart rate, Δ diastolic and Δ mean blood pressure), and changes in hemodynamic variable from supine to sitting position only significant predictor were (Δheart rate and Δ diastolic blood pressure).Discussion: Elevated sympathetic activity before neuraxial anesthesia was associated with higher risk for post-spinal hypotension. The great variability in hemodynamic after positional change indicates higher sympathetic activity to blood vessels. The high rise in the autonomic activity, the higher the risk for post-spinal hypotensionConclusion: Age, parity, and positional changes in hemodynamic were correlated with blood pressure reading after spinal anesthesia during cesarean delivery

Simulating and Predicting the Mechanical Behavior of Electrospun Scaffolds for Cardiac Patches Fabrication

Fabricating helical scaffolds using electrospinning is a common approach for cardiac implantation, aiming to achieve properties similar to native tissue. However, this process requires multiple experimental attempts to select suitable electrospun properties and validate resulting mechanical responses. To overcome the time and cost constraints associated with this iterative procedure, Finite Element Analysis (FEA) can be applied using stable hyperelastic and viscoelastic models that describe the response of electrospun scaffolds under different conditions. In this study, we aim to create accurate simulations of the viscoelastic behavior of electrospun helical scaffolds. We fabricated helical fibers from Poly (3-caprolactone) (PCL) using the electrospinning process to achieve this. The electrospun samples were subjected to uniaxial deformation, and their response was modelled using existing hyperelastic and stress relaxation models. The simulations were built on experimental data for specific deformation speed and maximum strain conditions. The FEM results were evaluated by accounting for the stress-softening phenomenon, which significantly impacted the models. The electrospun scaffolds’ predictions were performed in other than the initial experimental conditions to verify our simulations’ accuracy and reliability

RON, ROR1 and SUSD2 expression in tissues of endometrial carcinoma patients. Clinicopathological and prognostic implications

INTRODUCTION: Endometrial carcinoma is now considered a common female gynecologic cancer with increasing incidence, with 13–25% of patients being still liable to recurrence and metastasis, which needs further studies to detect novel targets and new therapies. The aim of the study was evaluate tissue expression of RON, ROR1 and SUSD2 in endometrial carcinoma and atypical endometrial hyperplasia using immunohistochemistry and correlate their expression with clinical, pathological and prognostic parameters of patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We included samples from 100 patients with endometrial carcinoma. Sections from paraffin blocks were stained with RON, ROR1 and SUSD2 using immunohistochemistry. Correlations between marker expression, clinicopathological features and prognostic samples were evaluated. RESULTS: Upregulation of RON and ROR1 and downregulation of SUSD2 expression were found in endometrial carcinoma more than atypical endometrial hyperplasia (p < 0.001). High RON and ROR1 expression levels were significantly associated with high grade (p < 0.001), presence of lymph node metastases (p = 0.003), distant metastases (p = 0.009), advanced International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage (p = 0.002), poor response to therapy (p = 0.046), and lower recurrence-free survival (RFS) rate (p = 0.002), progression-free survival (PFS) rate (p = 0.008), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) rate (p = 0.019) and overall survival rate (p < 0.001). Low SUSD2 expression was significantly associated with older patient age (p = 0.002), large tumor size (p = 0.003), high grade (p = 0.005), presence of adnexal invasion (p = 0.023), presence of lympho-vascular invasion (p = 0.021), extent of myometrial invasion (p = 0.002), lower RFS rate (p = 0.008), lower PFS rate (p = 0.023), and lower DMFS rate (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Upregulation of RON and ROR1 and downregulation of SUSD2 lead to promotion of endometrial cancer cell proliferation, migration, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and invasion

Anti-obesity Effects of Foods Producing Hydrogen Sulfide in Rats Fed a High-Fructose Diet

The goal of this research was to determine the impact of garlic oil and leek powder on serum lipid levels and on sonic hedgehog (SHH) signalling pathway in a rat model of hyperlipidemia, to offer evidence supporting the use of diet as a means of preventing hyperlipidemia, and to further investigate the possible health advantages of these two H2S-donors. In this study, 80 males Wistar rats were divided into eight groups, for a period of 18 weeks, the rats were orally dosed with garlic oil and leek powder. Obesity indicators, serum lipid levels, some biochemical, molecular parameters and histopathology of liver tissues were determined. Compared to rats in the obese model groups, the garlic oil and leek powder reduced cholesterol, triacylglycerol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-c) and very low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (VLDL-c) levels in the serum (P &lt; 0.05). The garlic oil and leek powder also helped reduce hepatic steatosis and enhance lipid profiles. A reduction was found in the gene expression in the hepatic homogenate of Patched 1 (Ptch1), smoothened (SMO), glioma-associated oncogene homolog 1 (GLI 1), Sonic hedgehog protein (SHH), Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR 4), and nuclear factor kappa kB (NF-kB). On the other hand, there was a significant upregulation in the mRNA expression of hedgehog-interacting protein (Hhip-1), and miRNA 26a which is also a dose- and time-dependent manner. The obtained findings suggested that both garlic oil and leek powder as H2S donor had anti-obesity capabilities that can mitigate the effects of an HFD

Evaluating anticancer activity of emodin by enhancing antioxidant activities and affecting PKC/ADAMTS4 pathway in thioacetamide-induced hepatocellular carcinoma in rats

Emodin is a naturally occurring anthraquinone derivative with a wide range of pharmacological activities, including neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory activities. We aim to assess the anticancer activity of emodin against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in rat models using the proliferation, invasion, and angiogenesis biomarkers. After induction of HCC, assessment of the liver impairment and the histopathology of liver sections were investigated. Hepatic expression of both mRNA and protein of the oxidative stress biomarkers, HO-1, Nrf2; the mitogenic activation biomarkers, ERK5, PKCδ; the tissue destruction biomarker, ADAMTS4; the tissue homeostasis biomarker, aggregan; the cellular fibrinolytic biomarker, MMP3; and of the cellular angiogenesis biomarker, VEGF were measured. Emodin increased the survival percentage and reduced the number of hepatic nodules compared to the HCC group. Besides, emodin reduced the elevated expression of both mRNA and proteins of all PKC, ERK5, ADAMTS4, MMP3, and VEGF compared with the HCC group. On the other hand, emodin increased the expression of mRNA and proteins of Nrf2, HO-1, and aggrecan compared with the HCC group. Therefore, emodin is a promising anticancer agent against HCC preventing the cancer prognosis and infiltration. It works through many mechanisms of action, such as blocking oxidative stress, proliferation, invasion, and angiogenesis

Formulation and Characterization of Doxycycline-Loaded Polymeric Nanoparticles for Testing Antitumor/Antiangiogenic Action in Experimental Colon Cancer in Mice

Nanotherapeutics can enhance the characteristics of drugs, such as rapid systemic clearance and systemic toxicities. Polymeric nanoparticles (PRNPs) depend on dispersion of a drug in an amorphous state in a polymer matrix. PRNPs are capable of delivering drugs and improving their safety. The primary goal of this study is to formulate doxycycline-loaded PRNPs by applying the nanoprecipitation method. Eudragit S100 (ES100) (for DOX-PRNP1) and hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose phthalate HP55 (for DOX-PRNP2) were tested as the drug carrying polymers and the DOX-PRNP2 showed better characteristics and drug release % and was hence selected to be tested in the biological study. Six different experimental groups were formed from sixty male albino mice. 1,2,-Dimethylhydrazine was used for 16 weeks to induce experimental colon cancer. We compared the oral administration of DOX-PRNP2 in doses of 5 and 10 mg/kg with the free drug. Results indicated that DOX-PRNP2 had greater antitumor activity, as evidenced by an improved histopathological picture for colon specimens as well as a decrease in the tumor scores. In addition, when compared to free DOX, the DOX-PRNP2 reduced the angiogenic indicators VEGD and CD31 to a greater extent. Collectively, the findings demonstrated that formulating DOX in PRNPs was useful in enhancing antitumor activity and can be used in other models of cancers to verify their efficacy and compatibility with our study

Effects of additives on the electrodeposition of Zn–Sn alloys from choline chloride/ethylene glycol-based deep eutectic solvent

The effects of additives on the electrodeposition of Zn–Sn alloy from aqueous electrolyte have been the subject of considerable interest in the literature; however, to date there has been little consideration of their effects on alloy electrodeposition from Deep Eutectic Solvents (DESs). This work will show, for the first time, the effects of boric acid, ammonium chloride and nicotinic acid on the electrodeposition of Zn–Sn alloys on copper from a DES consisting of a stoichiometric 1:2 mix of choline chloride and ethylene glycol (Ethaline 200). Cyclic voltammetry has been used to study the electrochemical properties of the Zn–Sn electrolyte, and the resultant surface morphologies, composition and roughness of the Zn–Sn coating were revealed via SEM/EDX and AFM, demonstrating that boric acid and nicotinic acid function as very effective brighteners, producing highly uniform and smooth Zn–Sn deposits. It was found that these additives strongly affect the morphology, composition, and roughness of the Zn–Sn coating. XRD was also used to examine the crystal structure of Zn–Sn coatings, where it was found that the phase composition of the deposits depends on the additive(s) used. In addition, corrosion of the Zn–Sn alloy in salty media was measured using the Tafel method