Manufacturing of selective electrode using modified graphite paste to determine cadmium ion in aqueous solution and studing its potential properties

This study deals with manufacturing of electrochemical sensor (electrode) to determine cadmium (II) in aqueous solution using a (3-(4-nitro phenyl azo)-pentane-2,4-dion (LP)) dye complex with cadmium ions as electrochemical effective substance by mix it with graphite powder using paraffin oil as plasticizer. LP dye was prepared and its properties were studied. The identity of the complex with Cd2+ was confirmed using the spectroscopy methods in the ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) range. The optimal components of the graphite paste were studied to choose the best composition, in addition to potentiometric study of the mixing ratio between the graphite powder and the active substance in the studied ion concentration range (1×10-3-1×10-7)M and the relation between the mixing ratio and the linear slope and slope corresponding to each ratio (30:70%) and (40:60)% (an effective substance: graphite) characterized by a very good Nernstic response on a wide range of concentrations with a slope of 28 and 31 respectively. the effect of pH value on the respond time of the manufactured electrode was studied. The result showed stability of the potential in pH range (3. 5 – 7) at a response time of 30-40 sec. The potential selectivity coefficients of the proposed electrode were calculated using the Matched Potential Method (MPM). The proposed electrode was used successfully as an detector electrode in the potentiometric calibration of the cadmium nitrate solution with disodium salt solution of EDTA.

Detection of A2142G, A2142C and A2143G clarithromycin mutations in Helicobacter pylori in Alexandria University Pediatric Hospital

Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)colonizes the stomach and affect almost 50% of the world’s population. Clarithromycin is considered a cornerstone for H. pylori treatment. Emergence of clarithromycin resistance (CLR-R) has played a major role in failure of H. pylori eradication both in adults and children.  Clarithromycin resistance is mostly due to mutations in 23S rRNA gene: A2142G, A2142C, and A2143G. The aim of the current study is to determine the prevalence of CLR-R among H. pylori infected children with prior clarithromycin treatment. Materials and Methods: Multiple endoscopic gastric biopsies were collected from 50 H. pylori infected children after cessation of clarithromycin-based treatment. Samples were subjected to histopathological examinations, rapid urease test (RUT) and simultaneous molecular detection of H. pylori infection as well as CLR-R by multiplex Real-Time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: Histopathological examinations and RUT revealed H. pylori in 74% and 92% of samples respectively. Molecular detection of CLR-R showed that 62.5% positive H. pylori cases were not harboring any of the tested mutations, while 25% harbored 2143A-G single mutation. Double mutations (2142A-C and 2143A-G) were detected in only 4 cases. Statistical significant correlation existed between both RUT and PCR results as well as between histopathological findings and PCR test results. Conclusions: A combination of histopathogy, RUT and multiplex PCR procedures offers a real benefit in the simultaneous diagnosis of H. pylori infection along with clarithromycin resistance status. Other mechanisms of clarithromycin resistance need to be investigated to explain treatment failure in absence of the previously detected mutations

منهجية مقترحة لتحسين دقة نموذج الارتفاع الرقمي العالمي المجاني SRTM-1 في مناطق من الساحل السوري

في هذه الدراسة تم تقييم الدقة الشاقولية لنموذج الارتفاع الرقمي المجاني SRTM-1 (منطقة الدراسة: دمسرخو – اللاذقية، البطحانية - طرطوس) من خلال مقارنته مع نقاط ارتفاعية مرجعية بالاعتماد على المعاملات إحصائية. استخدمنا منهجية تساعد في تحسين دقة النموذج SRTM-1، حيث اعتمدنا حقن نقاط ارتفاعية حقلية ضمن هذا النموذج. تم زيادة عدد النقاط المدمجة بمعدل 10 نقاط في كل مرة حتى وصلنا إلى 220 نقطة، وأجريت مقارنة مع النقاط الارتفاعية المرجعية في كل عملية للدمج. في المنطقة السهلية (دمسرخو) تبين وجود تحسن في دقة SRTM-1 بنسبة 22.5 % حيث انخفض الانحراف المعياري من1.86 m إلى m 1.44، وكان هناك ارتباط عكسي جيد بين عدد النقاط المدخلة والانحراف المعياري، مما يثبت أنها طريقة عملية وبسيطة لزيادة دقة SRTM-1 إلى حد معين، غير أن زيادة عدد النقاط عن حد معين (في دراستنا وصلنا الى 250 نقطة) لم نلحظ اي تحسن بالدقة. كذلك بالنسبة للمنطقة ذات التلال (البطحانية) فقد قمنا بحقن 10 نقاط كل مرة ضمن النموذج الارتفاعي حتى وصلنا إلى 340 نقطة، تحسنت الدقة بنسبة % 47.6 حيث انخفض الانحراف المعياري منm  8.08 إلى4.23 m  

Body Mass Index Paradox in Head and Neck Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The body mass index (BMI) paradox describes that among patients with certain cancers, higher pretreatment BMI may be associated with improved survival. We examine the impact of BMI on overall survival (OS) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients. A literature search was performed, and articles using hazard ratios to describe the prognostic impact of BMI on OS in HNSCC were included. Random-effects DerSimonian and Laird methods were employed for meta-analysis. Meta-analysis of OS indicated a lower hazards of death in the overweight (BMI: 25 kg/m2–30 kg/m2) compared to the normal weight (BMI: 18.5 kg/m2–25 kg/m2). This protective relationship loses significance when BMI exceeds 30 kg/m2. Underweight patients (BMI \u3c 18.5 kg/m2) demonstrate higher hazards of death compared to normal weight patients. Compared to HNSCC patients with normal weight, being overweight up to a BMI of 30 kg/m2 is a positive predictor of OS, while being underweight confers a prognostic disadvantage. Further studies are needed to determine the mechanisms by which increased body mass influences survival outcomes in HNSCC

Consensus of free flap complications: Using a nomenclature paradigm in microvascular head and neck reconstruction

BackgroundWe aim to define a set of terms for common free flap complications with evidence‐based descriptions.MethodsClinical consensus surveys were conducted among a panel of head and neck/reconstructive surgeons (N = 11). A content validity index for relevancy and clarity for each item was computed and adjusted for chance agreement (modified kappa, K). Items with K < 0.74 for relevancy (i.e., ratings of “good” or “fair”) were eliminated.ResultsFive out of nineteen terms scored K < 0.74. Eliminated terms included “vascular compromise”; “cellulitis”; “surgical site abscess”; “malocclusion”; and “non‐ or mal‐union.” Terms that achieved consensus were “total/partial free flap failure”; “free flap takeback”; “arterial thrombosis”; “venous thrombosis”; “revision of microvascular anastomosis”; “fistula”; “wound dehiscence”; “hematoma”; “seroma”; “partial skin graft failure”; “total skin graft failure”; “exposed hardware or bone”; and “hardware failure.”ConclusionStandardized reporting would encourage multi‐institutional research collaboration, larger scale quality improvement initiatives, the ability to set risk‐adjusted benchmarks, and enhance education and communication.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/170285/1/hed26789.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/170285/2/hed26789_am.pd

ESICM LIVES 2016: part two : Milan, Italy. 1-5 October 2016.

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