Evaluation of some bread wheat genotypes for heat tolerance under terminal heat stress conditions

Terminal heat stress leads to significant yield reduction in wheat. Thus, the determination of heat tolerant genotypes is of major importance in wheat breeding program. The present study was conducted at Shandaweel agricultural research station, Sohag, Egypt during 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 growing seasons, to evaluate twelve bread wheat genotypes under normal sowing (20 November) and late sowing (30 December) dates, the experiment set up as a randomized complete block design with three replications. Results revealed that late sowing (terminal heat stress) had a significant adverse impact on agronomic, physiological traits and grain carbohydrate content. The genotype Shandaweel 2, followed by Giza 171 and Sids 14 performed better than other genotypes for grain yield under the normal sowing. On the other side, Shandaweel 2 outperformed the tested genotypes under the late sowing. Based on heat susceptibility index (HSI), the cultivars Sids 12, Misr 2, Sakha 95 and genotype Shandaweel 2 showed HSI1 and they can be considered as heat sensitive cultivars. GGE biplot analysis and ranking of genotypes revealed that the new line Shandaweel 2 was the an ideal genotype in terms of yielding ability and stability and it was suitable for planting under normal and late sowing conditions, while Giza 171 was suitable for planting under the normal sowing. The GYT biplot and superiority index showed that Shandaweel 2 and Giza 171 had the best traits profile

El uso de la prensa digital en el desarrollo de la comprensión lectora en el aula de Español como Lengua Extranjera (ELE)

[ES] La presente investigación centra su estudio en el periodismo digital como material de lectura en el ámbito de español como lengua extranjera (ELE). Consideramos que la prensa en línea constituye un material asequible y accesible para el profesorado, y que representa una dosis de lengua y cultura para el alumnado. Sin embargo, resulta sorprendente el uso limitado de la prensa digital ya que, incluso en los materiales existentes, se usan textos creados ad hoc que no representan textos auténticos. Asimismo, muchos estudiosos tratan el texto periodístico digital como el texto impreso, utilizando las mismas tareas durante su explotación didáctica y dejando de lado los múltiples beneficios de la jerarquía digital para el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje. A raíz de esta motivación, se han planteado los principales objetivos de la investigación, basados en el fundamento de acentuar las claves esenciales del uso de textos periodísticos digitales en el desarrollo de la destreza lectora y el empleo de los mismos en tareas y herramientas más dinámicas y colaborativas, las denominadas tareas 2.0. En concreto, para alcanzar estos objetivos, hemos seguido varias fases y estrategias. Primero, hemos revisado la fundamentación epistemológica de las materias teóricas en las que se basará el estudio: nuevas tecnologías de la información y la comunicación en el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje del ELE y los nuevos paradigmas pedagógicos; aprovechamiento didáctico de internet en el aula del ELE, ventajas y desventajas; evaluación de recursos del ELE en la red; tipología de software educativo para ELE; características y tipología de actividades en el aula del ELE con la red. Dicha fase ha promovido la implantación de una sólida base doctrinal cuyas proposiciones facilitarán, a priori, la dirección de las labores empíricas. Segundo, hemos empezado a fijar los principios metodológicos básicos y aplicarlos a la hora de tratar el texto periodístico digital como material de lectura en la pantalla. Así, nos restringimos a abordar internet como una fuente gigantesca de información cuya herramienta es el hipertexto, lo cual nos lleva a tratar los beneficios del hipertexto como una herramienta de gran utilidad para la mejora de la comprensión lectora en el proceso enseñanza-aprendizaje del ELE: interactividad, flexibilidad en la temporalización, facilidad de acceso a las ayudas, etc. Además, acentuamos las dificultades de la lectura virtual y cómo resolverlas a la hora de explotar un material digital en el ámbito del ELE. Tampoco hemos olvidado tratar otros temas como, por ejemplo, la heterogeneidad del español en internet y las técnicas de lectura online, entre otras. De este modo, hemos revelado la necesidad de clarificar los procesos de comprensión, indispensables para leer en la red, y hemos empezado a trazar el camino para asegurar que el ciberperiodismo es un material idóneo para leer online. Tercero, partiendo de las bases trazadas anteriormente, hemos introducido el enfoque de nuestro estudio: el aprovechamiento de la prensa digital en ELE como material virtual poderoso para la destreza lectora, y cómo puede ser aprovechado en el aula del ELE. Asumiendo las consideraciones analizadas anteriormente, presentaremos un curso como un acercamiento práctico cuyo objetivo es desarrollar actividades relacionadas con la comprensión lectora, considerando el periodismo digital como material y recurso, y explotando las diversas alternativas cumplimentarías que brindan las TIC. Esta visión práctica ha sido aprobada por una muestra de un grupo piloto de profesorado del ELE. Asimismo, como estudio de casos, hemos empleado una propuesta didáctica con tres estudiantes egipcios del ELE que fueron entrevistados posteriormente con el fin de acentuar los retos ante el uso del texto periodístico como material hipertextual en el ámbito del ELE.[CA] La present investigació centra el seu estudi en el periodisme digital com a material de lectura en l'àmbit d'espanyol com a llengua estrangera (ELE). Considerem que la premsa en línia constitueix un material assequible i accessible per al professorat, i que representa una dosi de llengua i cultura per a l'alumnat. No obstant això, resulta sorprenent l'ús limitat de la premsa digital ja que, fins i tot en els materials existents, s'usen textos creats ad hoc que no representen textos autèntics. Així mateix, molts estudiosos tracten el text periodístic digital com el text imprés, utilitzant les mateixes tasques durant la seua explotació didàctica i deixant de banda els múltiples beneficis de la jerarquia digital per al procés d'ensenyament-aprenentatge. Arran d'aquesta motivació, s'han plantejat els principals objectius de la investigació, basats en el fonament d'accentuar les claus essencials de l'ús de textos periodístics digitals en el desenvolupament de la destresa lectora i l'ús d'aquests en tasques i eines més dinàmiques i col¿laboratives, les denominades tasques 2.0. En concret, per a assolir aquests objectius, hem seguit diverses fases i estratègies. En primer lloc, hem revisat la bibliografia de les matèries teòriques en què es basarà l'estudi: Noves Tecnologies de la Informació i la Comunicació en el procés d'ensenyament-aprenentatge d'ELE i els nous paradigmes pedagògics; aprofitament didàctic d'internet a l'aula d'ELE, avantatges i inconvenients; avaluació de recursos d'ELE a la Xarxa; tipologia de programari educatiu per a ELE; característiques i tipologia d'activitats a l'aula d'ELE amb la xarxa. Aquesta fase ha promogut la implantació d'una sòlida base doctrinal les proposicions de la qual facilitaran, a priori, la direcció de les tasques empíriques. En segon lloc, hem començat a fixar els principis metodològics bàsics i a aplicar-los a l'hora de tractar el text periodístic digital com a material de lectura a la pantalla. Així, ens restringim a abordar internet com una font gegantina d'informació la eina de la qual és l'hipertext, la qual cosa ens porta a tractar els beneficis de l'hipertext com una eina de gran utilitat per a la millora de la comprensió lectora en el procés ensenyament-aprenentatge d'ELE: interactivitat, flexibilitat en la temporalització, facilitat d'accés a les ajudes, etc. A més, accentuem les dificultats de la lectura virtual i com resoldre-les a l'hora d'explotar un material digital en l'àmbit de l'ELE. Tampoc no hem oblidat tractar altres temes com, per exemple, l'heterogeneïtat de l'espanyol a internet i les tècniques de lectura en línia, entre d'altres. D'aquesta manera, hem revelat la necessitat de clarificar els processos de comprensió, indispensables per llegir a la xarxa, i hem començat a traçar el camí per assegurar que el ciberperiodisme és un material idoni per llegir en línia. En tercer lloc, partint de les bases traçades anteriorment, hem introduït l'enfocament del nostre estudi: l'aprofitament de la premsa digital en l'ELE com a material virtual poderós per a la destresa lectora, i com pot ser aprofitat a l'aula d'ELE. Assumint les consideracions analitzades anteriorment, presentarem un curs com un acostament pràctic que segueix les directrius del MCER (2002). El seu objectiu és desenvolupar activitats relacionades amb la comprensió lectora, considerant el periodisme digital com a material i recurs, i explotant les diverses alternatives complementàries que brinden les TIC. Aquesta visió pràctica ha estat aprovada per una mostra d'un grup pilot de professorat d'ELE. Així mateix, com a estudi de casos, hem emprat una proposta didàctica amb tres estudiants egipcis d'ELE que van ser entrevistats posteriorment per tal d'accentuar els reptes davant l'ús del text periodístic com a material hipertextual en l'àmbit de l'ELE.[EN] This research focuses on digital journalism as reading material with the Spanish language serving as a foreign language (SFL). The online press constitutes an affordable and accessible source of material for teachers, and represents a dosage of language and culture for the students. However, the limited use of the digital press is surprising since even existing materials use ad hoc texts that do not represent authentic texts. Likewise, many scholars treat the digital journalistic text as the printed text, using the same tasks when exploiting it didactically and leaving aside its digital hierarchy, which entails many benefits for the teaching-learning process. As a result of this motivation, the main objectives of this research have been raised, based on the foundation of accentuating the essential keys of the use of digital journalistic texts for the development of reading skills using more dynamic and collaborative tasks and tools through tasks 2.0. To achieve these objectives, we have followed several phases and strategies: Firstly, we have reviewed the literature of the theoretical subjects on which the study will be based: New Information and Communication Technologies in the teaching-learning process of SFL and the new pedagogical paradigms; didactic use of the internet in the SFL classroom, advantages and disadvantages; evaluation of SFL resources in the Network; type of educational software for SFL; characteristics and typology of activities in the SFL classroom with the Network. This phase has promoted the establishment of a solid doctrinal base whose proposals will facilitate, a priori, the direction of the empirical tasks in the best criterion. Secondly, we have begun to set the basic methodological principles and apply them when dealing with the digital journalistic text as reading material on the screen. Thus we restrict ourselves to approach the internet as a gigantic source of information whose tool is hypertext, which leads us to treat the benefits of hypertext as a very useful tool for improving reading comprehension in the teaching-learning process of SFL: interactivity, flexibility in timing, ease of access to help, etc. In addition, we accentuate the difficulties of virtual reading and how to solve them when exploiting a digital material in the field of SFL. Nor have we forgotten to deal with other topics such as, for example, the heterogeneity of Spanish on the internet and online reading techniques among others. In this way, we have revealed the need to clarify comprehension processes, which are indispensable for reading online, and we have begun to chart the path to ensure that online journalism is an ideal material for reading online. Thirdly, starting from the basis outlined above, we have introduced the focus of our study: the use of the digital press in SFL as a powerful virtual material for reading skills, and how it can be used in the SFL classroom. Assuming the considerations discussed above, we will present a course as a practical approach that follows the guidelines of the CEFR (2002). Its objective is to develop activities related to reading comprehension, taking into consideration digital journalism as a material and resource exploiting the various alternatives offered by ICT. This practical vision has been approved by a sample of a pilot group of SFL professors. In addition, as a case study, we used a didactic proposal with three Egyptian students of SFL, who were interviewed later in order to accentuate the challenges faced with the use of journalistic text as a hypertext material in the field of SFL. In this way, the developed thesis has addressed a theoretical section, and another empirical, underlining the peculiarities of the virtual texts, and, reflectively, which are reflected in digital journalism for the class of FL as a context of reception and interpretation, generating positive effects for the apprentices.Abbas El Sayed Abd El Rady, A. (2019). El uso de la prensa digital en el desarrollo de la comprensión lectora en el aula de Español como Lengua Extranjera (ELE) [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/116835TESI

DNA integrity in diagnosis of premalignant lesions

Carcinogenesis is a dynamic process which traditional biopsying can not keep up with. Saliva as fluid in the vicinity of the tumor can offer better insights to this process. This study aimed to identify the accuracy of salivary DNA integrity index in differentiating between oral premalignant lesions and oral cancer. This phase II diagnostic test accuracy study included 93 patients divided into three groups: 30 oral cancer patients, 33 patients with oral premalignant lesions divided into 21 oral lichen planus patients and 12 patients with leukoplakia and 30 normal individuals who acted as controls. Oral rinse was collected from all participants and they all underwent conventional visual and tactile examination, and patients with oral lesions had the diagnosis confirmed by histopathological examination of tissue biopsy. DNA integrity index was determined as the ratio between ALU247 and ALU115 measured by qPCR. There was no statistically significant difference regarding ALU115, ALU247 and DNA integrity index between the three study groups. The index was significantly higher in the oral cancer group than the oral lichen planus patients, while no significant difference was found between the oral cancer and the leukoplakia cases. The DNA integrity index sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were 73%, 45%, 55% and 65% respectively. Salivary DNA integrity index showed poor diagnostic abilities in differentiating between the oral cancer and premalignant lesions

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication

Diagnostic yield of medical thoracoscopy in cases of undiagnosed pleural effusion in Kobri El-Kobba Military Hospital

Background: Recurrent and persistent pleural exudates are common in clinical practice, and in a large number of patients, thoracocentesis and blind pleural biopsy procedures do not provide a definitive diagnosis. In the Western world, the majority of these exudates are malignant. Thoracoscopy today remains the gold standard technique in providing diagnosis and management in these cases. Objectives: Diagnostic yield of medical thoracoscopy was evaluated in cases of undiagnosed pleural effusion. Patients and methods: Semi flexible medical thoracoscopy was done for 40 patients in the period between March 2010 and October 2012 in Kobri El-Kobba Military chest Hospital through double points of entry. Results: Medical thoracoscopy gave a definitive diagnosis in 38 out of 40 patients with diagnostic yield 95%. Malignancy was diagnosed in 28 patients (70%), one patient was diagnosed as empyema (2.5%), tuberculosis was found in 9 patients (22.5%), and it was non diagnostic in 2 patients (5%). The post-thoracoscopic complications in the studied group have occurred only in 4 patients (10%). Conclusion: Medical thoracoscopy is a valuable tool in the diagnosis of undiagnosed exudative pleural effusion. It is a simple and safe method with high diagnostic yield and with low complication rates

Biochar Reduces the Adverse Effect of Saline Water on Soil Properties and Wheat Production Profitability

The goal of this study is to assess the use of saline groundwater in combination with soil amendments to increase the efficiency of wheat production in new agricultural soil in Egypt. The experiment was conducted during the two consecutive growing seasons, 2019/2020 and 2020/2021, at the Shandaweel Agricultural Research Station, Sohag, Egypt. In this study, plants of Shandaweel 1 spring bread wheat cultivar were grown under the combinations of the two water treatments, i.e., freshwater (307.2 ppm) and saline water (3000 ppm (NaCl + MgCl2)) representing groundwater in Egypt delivered by drip irrigation and the two biochar rates, i.e., zero and 4.8 ton/ha as a soil amendment. The cob corn biochar (CCB) was synthesized by using the slow pyrolysis process (one hour at 350 °C). The results revealed that saline water reduced the grain yield ratio by 8.5%, 11.0%, and 9.7% compared to non-saline water during seasons 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 and over seasons, respectively. Concerning, combined over seasons, the biochar addition enhanced the grain yield by 5.6% and 13.8% compared to non-biochar addition under fresh and saline irrigation water conditions, respectively. Thus, the results indicated and led to a preliminary recommendation that saline groundwater is a viable source of irrigation water and that biochar seemed to alleviate salinity stress on wheat production and in reclaimed soils of Egypt