Gamma radiation effects on vitamins, antioxidant, internal and molecular structure of Purslane seeds

Purslane contains the highest amount of omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and has better nutritional quality. Gamma irradiation is harmless and dependable method for refining the shelf life and nutritional quality of the stored seeds. The aim of this research is to study the influence of irradiation by gamma on structure, ascorbic acid and phenolic content of Purslane seeds. The results show that, ascorbic acid, phenolic content, carbohydrate and protein content in Purslane seeds decreased after exposed by gamma rays. Super oxidase dismutase, fat and fiber content in Purslane seeds increased after exposed by gamma radiation. The shape, size, interconnection and arrangement of molecules in/or around benzene ring in Purslane cells changed after exposure to gamma radiation

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Neutrosophic model for vehicular malfunction detection

The internet of vehicular things (IOVT) is an important modern technology that offers many advantages and facilities; however, if vehicular malfunctions are not detected in a timely manner, it may cause many dangers and serious accidents. To achieve safe self-driving vehicles, safety and security measures must be taken. In this work, a safety and security model are proposed to evaluate the level of vehicular malfunctions and determine the corresponding danger in terms of road safety. The proposed model presents the optimal actions and alternatives for self-driving vehicles to avoid crises. The objective of this study to develop a hybrid model for multicriteria decision-making problems using neutrosophic theory to handle vehicular malfunctions that occur in the IOVT environment under uncertain conditions and conflicting information. In addition, the technique for order of preference by similarity to the ideal solution is used to prioritize the corresponding alternatives in the case of vehicular malfunction. A case study considering four likely vehicular defects is presented to ensure the applicability and availability of the proposed model

Reduction of Stromatinia cepivora inocula and control of white rot disease in onion and garlic crops by repeated soil applications with sclerotial germination stimulants

The effect of soil-applied Allium crop products on the Stromatinia cepivora viability and the incidence of white rot in subsequent onion and garlic crops were evaluated in this work. The tested products were onion powder, garlic powder, onion oil, garlic oil and Allium waste (onion and garlic) that are described as sclerotial germination stimulants. Under in vitro conditions, data revealed that more than 80% of the sclerotia died in the soil treated with sclerotial germination stimulants. Under greenhouse conditions, soil-artificially infested with sclerotia of S. cepivora and treated with sclerotial germination stimulants for 6-months before cultivation, significantly reduced the incidence of white rot on onion and garlic. Onion oil, garlic oil and Allium waste were the most effective treatments, decreasing disease incidence by 78.6% in onion and 80.0% in garlic. Under field conditions, sclerotial germination stimulants were incorporated into the soil in commercial fields naturally infested with S. cepivora. Two fields were chosen based on differential sclerotial density. Within 6 months after treatment, more than 70% of the sclerotia died in the plots treated with sclerotial germination stimulants. In subsequent onion and garlic crops planted approximately one year after soil treatment, sclerotial germination stimulants were more effective than the control in reducing white rot symptoms coupled with low inoculum density (45.9 sclerotia/kg of soil). Reduction of white rot disease was accompanied by increased of growth and bulbs yield of onion and garlic plants. Despite the efficacy of sclerotial germination stimulants to reduce populations of viable sclerotia in soil with a high inoculum density (594.7 sclerotia/kg of soil), the pathogen caused substantial white rot and yield losses in subsequent onion and garlic crops planted approximately one year after soil treatment

Role of Soluble FMS-Like Tyrosine Kinase (SFLT-1) /Placental Growth Factor (Plgf) Ratio as Prognostic Marker for Cases of Preeclampsia

Objective: The aim of this study is to identify the role of sFlt-1/PIGF ratio as a prognostic marker for cases of preeclampsia.&nbsp;Patients and methods: The current study is a case control study that was conducted over 90 cases of primigravida patients, 24-34 weeks of gestation, randomly selected patients from outpatient clinic and ER of Ain Shams Maternity Hospital, they were classified into two groups, first group is preeclampsia group which was 45 preeclamptic pregnancies (preeclampsia patients and cases with severe criteria) and the second group was control group which was 45 normal pregnancies. Each patient was examined by sFlt-1/ PlGF ratio immunoassay kits.&nbsp;Results: In our study we have found that there was statistically significant positive correlation between the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio and blood pressure in 24-34 weeks. The correlations between the sFlt-1/ PlGF ratio and other laboratory markers were statistically significant as well. In the 24-34 weeks PE group, AST, ALT were positive meanwhile Platelet count yielded only a highly signifi cant negative correlation to the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio. We analyzed the time to delivery in all 45 patients with PE/HELLP within 2 days (24 patients), 2-7 days (10 patients), and later than 7 days (11 patients). Patients with interval to delivery within 2 days showed a higher sFlt-1/PlGF ratio, the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio in patients delivering within 2 days was (610.85). Patients with interval to delivery within 2-7 days exhibited a sFlt-1/PlGF ratio of (499.7). However, patients delivered later than 7 days had a sFlt-1/PlGF ratio of (230.43). For all PE/HELLP patients group (24-34 weeks), a sFlt-1/PlGF ratio greater than 590.1 (413.7 – 611.1) is associated with an 11.577 folds increased risk for an immediate occurence of delivery. The current study has found that the best cut off point after applying ROC curve between control group and cases group regarding soluble fms like tyrosine kinase/placental growth factor ratio was (&gt; 85) which gave us sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 100% and accuracy of 100%.Conclusion: We concluded from our study that the important clinical implication for the use of the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio for diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and risk stratification in PE/HELLP patients. Patients with sFlt-1/PlGF ratio above the level of 85 were preeclamptic and should be monitered for upcoming complications, symptoms and signs of severity. It could be used as a prognostic tool regarding maternal and fetal outcomes for patients with Preeclampsia between 24-34 weeks of gestation and patients at risk of having PE.</p

DNA fingerprinting and drug resistance patterns of active pulmonary Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Mansoura hospitals, Egypt

Increased application of DNA fingerprinting has advanced the understanding of the dynamics of TB epidemiology. Typing of MTB is important for case tracing, and identifying community outbreaks. Objective: We aim to detect pattern of drug resistance and molecular genotypes of MTB at Mansoura hospitals using PCR-RFLP. Methodology: 123 sputum samples obtained from ZN smear positive cases were cultivated on Lowenstein Jensen (LJ) medium, out of them 67 specimens (54.5%) were positive culture. Genotypic analysis was done by the RFLP method after DNA extraction and PCR amplification. The susceptibilities to isoniazid (INH), rifampicin (RIF), streptomycin (STR) and ethambutol (EMB) were determined by the indirect nitrate reductase assay. Results: The identified restriction patterns yielded 3 bands with different sizes and revealed 3 genotypes only. Restriction patterns are equal to 245/125/100 bp, and 245/125/80 bp fragments for Bst EII digests and 155/140/60 bp (MTC), 155/110/70 bp (intracellulare) and 160/140/70 bp (malmoense) fragments for Hae III digest. Genotyping of MTB detected that MTC was the commonest genotype among studied cases 49/67 (73.1%), followed by Mycobacterium intracellulare 14/67 (20.9%), while Mycobacterium malmoense had the least incidence 4/67. There was significant increased risk of resistance to STM, RIF, ETH and INH with M. intracellulare (p = 0.021, p < 0.001, p = 0.001, p < 0.001) while MTC showed lower resistance to STM, RIF, ETH and INH and all M. malmoense isolates showed no resistance. Conclusion: PCR-RFLP was found to be a simple and reproducible method for genotyping of MTB strains and for early detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection