Design and Development of Sur-Face: An interactive mobile app for educating patients regarding corrective surgery of facial deformities

Corrective surgery of face, also known as orthognathic surgery, is a complex procedure performed to correct the underlying facial deformities. In case of elective surgeries like these, patients need to make voluntary decisions whether or not undergoing the surgery. Hence, it is very important for them to under-stand the intricacy of the techniques and potential side effects of the surgery before they sign the consent form. Conventional methods of patient education us-ing leaflet-based instructions were found to be ineffective in providing them the required information. Sur-Face, named after surgery of face is a healthcare app exploring a new dimension in patient education with the help of interactive 3D visualizations and serious gaming elements on a mobile platform. It demonstrates the surgical process and it’s after effects using high quality 3D animations. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of Sur-Face by comparing two methods of delivery of instructions: a mobile app with interactive 3D animations and an audio file containing only verbal instructions. To evaluate these methods, participant’s ability to understand and retain the instructions was analyzed using a questionnaire. The null hypothesis was that there would be no difference between the two methods of instructions. On analysis, participants of the ‘app’ group per-formed significantly better (p<0.0034) than the ‘voice’ group suggesting the role of interactive visualizations in improved understanding, intuitive knowledge transfer and communication. This paper describes the principles of design, development and potential advances of Sur-Face. Further it also explores the application of serious games in patient education and informed consent process

Rapid multiplication of Safed musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum) through shoot proliferation

Young shoot buds were used as explants for rapid multiplication of Safed musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum). The explants were cultured onto medium containing basal salts of Murashige and Skoog (MS) and various&#160; concentrations of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and kinetin (KIN) for shoot induction. Treatment containing 3.0 mg/l BAP produced the highest mean number of shoots per explants (18.90) and a mean length of shoots (6.0 cm) after 28 days of culture. Regenerated shoots were successfully rooted on MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg/l indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and 30 g/l sucrose. For ex vitro establishment, well-rooted plantlets were transferred in potting medium containing vermiculite : organic matters (1:1)

Ultrastructure of antennal sensillae of the samsum ant, Pachycondyla sennaarensis (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Black ant (Samsum), Pachycodyla sennarrensis, stings and injects venom and inflicts allergy (a rare clinical problem) due to its local and systemic reaction, which is considered as a health hazard amongst Saudi society. Thus, black ant is a source of serious concern for the government and experts as well.  Ultramorphological variations, distribution, differential sensillae counts (DSC) and total sensillae counts (TSC), were identified and estimated as a complementary part of the peripheral nervous system on the antennae of worker samsum ant, P. sennarrensis in order to understand its behavioral ecology. Based on scanning electron micrographs, four types of sensillae constituted with three trichoid types, which is an abundant form with a high distribution density at the apex, but a low density at subsequent proximal flagellomere of the antenna and a placoid type of sensillae (a rare form mostly found in the middle of the flagellum, that is, on the 4th, 5th and 6th flagellomere) were categorised. It is documented that nonporous trichoid type of sensillae are mechanoreceptors and thermoreceptors, whereas, the placoid types are olfactory receptors. Present findings in an indigenous species in Saudi Arabia may help in understanding the ecological behaviour of the ant, which subsequently may form the basis in producing its effective control measure in future.Key words: Samsum ants, Pachycondyla sennarrensis, ultrastructure, antenna, sensillae

Apoptotic Potential of Artemsia sieberia Besser (Asteraceae) Fraction against Human Cancer Cell Lines

Purpose: To investigate the anti-proliferative and apoptotic activity of crude and dichloromethane fraction of A. sieberi against seven cancer cell lines (Colo20, HCT116, DLD, MCF7, Jurkat, HepG2 and L929).Methods: A. sieberi was extracted with methanol and further purification was carried out using liquidliquid extraction with hexane, dichloromethane and ethyl acetate. Each extract was assayed for cytotoxic potential against cancer cell lines using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium Bromide (MTT) assay. The morphology of the HepG2 cell nucleus was investigated by Hoechst 33342, DNA-binding dye. A Tali™ image-based cytometer was used to assess cell viability, death and apoptosis using annexin-v /pi (propidium iodide). A chromatographic fingerprint was constructed using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).Results: The most effective anticancer activity of the unrefined methanol extract was against HepG2 cell lines (LC50 = 161.5 μg/mL). The hexane and ethyl acetate fractions showed no antiproliferative activity. The dichloromethane fraction displayed higher cytotoxic activity (LC50 = 61.75 μg/mL) and also repressed the migration of the cells. About 50 % of HepG2 cells were apoptotic when treated for 24 h with the dichloromethane fraction at the concentration of 120 μg/mLConclusion: A. sieberi possesses apoptotic activity and inhibited the migration of the HepG2 cell lines.Keywords: Artemsia Sieberia, Apoptosiss, Cytotoxicity, Hoescht staining, HepG2 cell line

Phylogenetic analysis of Artemisia L. (Asteraceae) based on micromorphological traits of pollen grains

The phylogenetic relationships within the genus Artemisia have been very controversial. In order to recognize the systematic inference of pollen grains in this genus, the micromorphological characteristics of pollens from 22 taxa were examined by means of light microscopy (LM) and scanningelectron microscopy (SEM). A phylogenetic analysis of Artemisia based on 9 micromorphological characters of pollens was conducted using Wagner parsimony method. In the resulting phylogenetic tree, relationships among different Artemisia species are shown. This study also presents thephylogenetic associations among 4 sections within the genus Artemisia. The reunion of genus Seriphidum with Artemisia was also confirmed

Phylogeny of Artemisia L.: Recent developments

In this review, classification and phylogeny of genus Artemisia L. is discussed. Its centers of diversity lie in the temperate and cold temperate regions of the Eurasia, North America and Asia. Artemisia has two basic chromosome numbers, with ploidy levels x=9 and x=8. Chromosome number in diploid is most often 2n=18 or 16. The genus is divided into five large groups Absinthium DC., Artemisia L., Dracunculus Besser, Seriphidium Besser and Tridantatae (Rydb.) McArthur. Its phylogeny was based on the two hypothesized evolutionary trends, loss of fertility in the disc florets and loss of ray florets. Recently its molecular phylogeny based on internally transcribed spacer (ITS), externally transcribed spacer (ETS) regions of the DNA and chloroplast DNA suggested that the genus Artemisia is a monophyletic but it could not resolve the problem of infra-generic classification. This study revealed that there is need to search new genome regions to establish a natural classification based on modern molecular techniques

Comparison of cold resistance physiological and biochemical features of four Herba Rhodiola seedlings under low temperature

AbstractTo discuss the cold resistance performance of different Herba Rhodiolae and successfully transplant Herba Rhodiolae to the Gansu plateau area for nursing, domestication and planting, this paper systematically studies six physiological and biochemical features of Rhodiola kirilowii, Rhodiola algida, Rhodiola crenulata and Herba Rhodiolae that are closely associated with cold resistance features and concludes with the cold resistance capability of Rhodiola kirilowii. In the selected six main indexes of the Herba Rhodiolae, the POD, SOD and CAT activity and MDA and Pro content in the leaf are the main physiological and biochemical indexes to indicate the cold resistance performance of four Herba Rhodiolae seedlings and can be regarded as the preliminary indexes to assess the winter performance of Herba Rhodiolae. The research work will provide the theoretical basis for the wild variants of Herba Rhodiolae and GAPJ base construction

A cross-national investigation of psychological factors of donor behavior: the case of university endowment funds

Purpose: State funding is being reduced for higher education institutes (HEIs) is linked to several checks such as performance-based incentives (Hagood, 2019). This forces HEIs to look for other options for funding. Endowment funds are now becoming the main source of revenue for HEIs (Sörlin, 2007), largely provided by alumni. Thus, this study aims to examine the factors that lead to donor behavior in terms of university endowment funds. Design/methodology/approach: Based on a sample of 627 participants in the survey from public universities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and 625 from public/private universities of the United States of America (USA), the authors conducted a cross-sectional survey-based analysis. Hypotheses were tested with regression analysis. Findings: The results revealed that in the USA, donors with substantial prestige within the institution are more likely to contribute to the endowment fund; however, in the KSA, this relationship was insignificant. Additionally, this study found that participation, brand interpretation and satisfaction positively impact identification with an organization, leading to donor behavior. Research limitations/implications: This research has successfully identified psychological factors for endowment funding; however, mediating or moderating variables affecting donor behavior should also be considered. Further, this study considers only two countries, the KSA and the USA; therefore, a larger cross-cultural context warrants more investigation. Practical implications: Overall results revealed several means through which the administrators and practitioners may efficiently manage and increase university endowment funds flow. This study's novelty is to conduct a cross-national investigation and identify the psychological factors of donation behavior toward university endowment funds, providing an opportunity for HEIs to understand the psychological factors in detail and motivate their alumni to be one of the important sources of funding even in developing countries. Originality/value: Many psychological factors underlie alumni's engagement in volunteerism and donation activities, especially in cross-national settings. Following social identity theory, this study explored identity-based donor behavior in terms of supporting universities through endowment funding

Haleeb: Rejuvenating the Market Leader of the Past

With over a decade-long absence from the market, Haleeb Foods Limited had decided to relaunch its flagship brand ‘Haleeb’ within the processed milk category. While the enthusiasm was high, the fact that Haleeb was returning to the market after a decade posed serious challenges for the branding team. The product category and customer expectations had evolved over the years and strong competitors, that is, Olper’s (Engro Foods Limited) and MilkPak (Nestle), had emerged. Haleeb’s branding team had to decide on how to take the brand forward after being absent from the mainstream