THE EFFECT OF DIFFERENT POWERS OF LOW-LEVEL LASER THERAPY ON WOUND HEALING OF DIABETIC RATS- A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Tissue healing is a complex process involving local and systemic responses. Inadequate of inappropriate wound healing is a headache to many surgeons especially in compromised patients. Several technologies have been tested for their effect on improving and enhancing wound healing. The use of low-level laser therapy for example has been shown to be effective in modulating both local and systemic response healing responses. Aim: This study aims to evaluate the effect of different powers of low-level laser therapy on wound healing in diabetic rats. Methodology: Streptozotocin (45 mg/kg body weight) was intraperitoneally applied for diabetes induction. A full-thickness skin wound (2 × 2 cm2) was aseptically created with a scalpel in diabetic rats on the shaved back of the animals. The wounded diabetic rats were treated with low-level laser therapy (LLLT) for 14 days. The wound closure percent was calculated during the course of the experiment on days 1, 7, and 14. Results: Clinical observation of skin lesion samples of the animals showed that skin lesions of the group (A) (control) exhibited an early-phase tissue repair pattern, with the formation of a whitish crust, with slightly elevated rims and a reddish core, group (B) and (C) wounds, which were showed complete tissue repair, showing scars with evident rims and a central portion slightly unleveled, These results suggest that LLLT is an efficacious method of tissue repair modulation, significantly contributing to more rapid and organized healing of tissues

Analysis of wind driven self-excited induction generator supplying isolated DC loads

AbstractThis paper presents the analysis, modelling and simulation of wind-driven self-excited induction generator (SEIG). The three-phase SEIG is driven by a variable-speed prime mover to represent a wind turbine. Also, the paper investigates the dynamic performance of the SEIG during start-up, increasing or decreasing the load or rotor speed. The value of the excitation capacitance required for the SEIG is calculated to give suitable saturation level to assure self-excitation and to avoid heavy saturation levels. Matching of the maximum power available from the wind turbine is performed through varying the load value. The effect of AC–DC power conversion on the generator is investigated. The system simulation is carried out using MATLAB/SIMULINK toolbox program

The Effect of Political Instability and Institutional Weakness on Administrative Corruption

Although there is valuable literature on areas of corruption, such as political and corporate corruption, a limited number of papers have examined the determinants of administrative corruption. To the best of our knowledge, the multivariate impacts of political instability and institutional weakness on administrative corruption, and the interplay between these constructs, have not been examined using the partial least squares structural equation modeling method. The current study attempts to fill this gap by proposing and testing a model. We test a sample of 677 responses that reflect the perspective of the general public in Basra, Iraq. Findings reveal that the political instability and institutional weakness of public organizations positively impact administrative corruption, while political instability leads to institutional weakness. Institutional weakness mediates the effect of political instability on administrative corruption. Therefore, political instability is a crucial factor causing corruption since it has both direct and indirect effects on administrative corruption. The theoretical contributions, managerial implications, limitations, and recommendations for further research are provided

The effect of culture and organisational culture on administrative corruption

Copyright © 2019 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd. There is extensive literature on corruption, such as political and corporate corruption, some of which examines factors influencing administrative corruption. However, to the best of our knowledge, the multivariate influences of culture and organisational culture on administrative corruption have not been tested using an integrative approach. This paper attempts to fill the gap by building and testing a comprehensive model. We test a sample of 677 responses that reflect the prospective view of the public in Basra, Iraq, using the partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) approach. Our study finds that corrupt culture and weak organisational culture have direct effects on administrative corruption, while corrupt culture leads to weak organisational culture. The latter mediates the impact of corrupt culture on administrative corruption. The higher level of social class, the lower the impact of corrupt culture on administrative corruption

Effect of Foot Refelexology on Preeclampsia

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of foot reflexology on mean arterial blood pressure, Serum Cortisol level, proteinuria and quality of life in pregnant women suffering from mild preeclampsia. Subjects and Methods: Sixty mild preeclamptic pregnant women were selected randomly from Out Patient Clinic of Obstetrics Department in Minia University Hospital in Minia to participate in this study. Their ages were between 20-36 years old. Their body mass index less than 35 kg/m2. They were divided randomly into two equal groups (A & B); Group A (control group): It comprised thirty pregnant women with mild preeclampsia who were treated by antihypertensive drugs only while group B (study group): It comprised thirty pregnant women with mild preeclampsia who were treated by antihypertensive drugs and foot reflexology sessions (25 minutes, 2 sessions weekly for 8 weeks). Assessment: Mean arterial blood pressure (MABP), Serum Cortisol level and proteinuria were assessed before and after treatment for all patients in both groups (A&B), as well as quality of life was evaluated through World Health Organization quality of Life Questionnaire (WHOQOL). Results: revealed that, between groups; pretreatment, there was insignificant difference between both groups A & B in MABP, serum cortisol level, proteinuria and WHOQOL questionnaire scores. While post treatment, there was significant difference between both groups A &B in MABP, serum cortisol level, proteinuria and WHOQOL questionnaire scores [in favor of group B (more decrease in MABP, serum cortisol level and proteinuria; and more increase in WHOQOL questionnaire scores)]. Conclusion: Foot reflexology is an effective modality in decreasing MABP, serum cortisol level and proteinuria, as well as enhancing the quality of life of mild preeclamptic pregnant women

Prolonging Vase Life of Carnation Flowers Using Natural Essential Oils and its Impact on Microbial Profile of Vase Solutions

Abstract: This experiment was conducted during the two summer seasons; 2008 and 2009. Two cultivars of Dianthus caryphyllus L. were used; Farida and Madam Collate. Four essential oil treatments were used versus two controls; Tap water and 8-Hydroxyquinoline (8-HQ). These essential oils were extracted from mandarin, coriander, dill and clove. The maximum vase-life over the two seasons was recorded with dill oil followed by coriander in cv. Farida and with 8-HQ in cv. Madam Collate. The essential oils treatments showed accumulative significant reduction percentages in flower fresh weight, which increased by decreasing the used oil concentrations. The accumulative reduction percentage in flower fresh weight and the average flower dry weight showed negative significant correlation coefficients. The relative increased percentages in net water uptake were 10.93 and 7.95% in 8-HQ for both cultivars. The net water uptake had the greatest values with those flowers kept in solution containing dill followed by clove oils in cv. M adam Collate and by mandarin oil in cv. Farida. The highest positive correlation coefficient was recorded between vase life and net water uptake. The highest pH value was observed in vase containing tap water for both cultivars. In comparison, due to different treatments application, the pH values were significantly changed to a fairly acidic. These treatments were ranked, in this respect, at descending order as follows; dill oil, 8-HQ, mandarin, coriander and clove with both cultivars. The highest mean count of total sporeforming bacteria was recorded in the tap water vase solutions, while the lowest counts were with coriander oil. In vase solution containing dill oil, the log count of molds decreased as the dose concentration increased. The same trend was observed in cv. Madam Collate during the seasons. Counts of cellulose decomposing microorganisms were increased by extending the life of the carnation cut flowers in the vase solutions. All the examined preservatives, in particular 8-HQ, and the oils of dill, clove and coriander greatly suppressed proliferation of cellulose decomposers and resulted in flower densities compared with control solutions. The anatomical study indicated that, cv. Farida flower stalks greatly severe from more exposure to microorganisms attack in vase solution, especially cellulose decomposing microorganisms which penetrate tissues as lethal and blockage parasites. These negative influences on cv. Farida could be an evidence for explaining its rapid senescence and the longevity of the flowers of cv. Madam Collate

SOFIAS – Herramienta para el análisis de ciclo de vida y la calificación ambiental de edificios

This paper describes the development process of a new software tool, called SOFIAS (Software for a Sustainable Architecture), funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitivenes. Following CEN/TC 350 standard on environmental assessment of buildings, the tool aims at assisting building professionals on reducing the life-cycle environmental impact through the design of new buildings and the refurbishment of existing ones. In addition, SOFIAS provides a rating system based on the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology. This paper explains the innovative aspects of this software, the working methodology and the different type of results that can be obtained using SOFIAS.SOFIAS (Ref. number IPT-2011-0948-380000) project co financed by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness

Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of F3:6 Nebraska Winter Wheat Genotypes Using Genotyping-By-Sequencing

The availability of information on the genetic diversity and population structure in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) breeding lines will help wheat breeders to better use their genetic resources and manage genetic variation in their breeding program. The recent advances in sequencing technology provide the opportunity to identify tens or hundreds of thousands of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) in large genome species (e.g., wheat). These SNPs can be utilized for understanding genetic diversity and performing genome wide association studies (GWAS) for complex traits. In this study, the genetic diversity and population structure were investigated in a set of 230 genotypes (F3:6) derived from various crosses as a prerequisite for GWAS and genomic selection. Genotyping-by-sequencing provided 25,566 high-quality SNPs. The polymorphism information content (PIC) across chromosomes ranged from 0.09 to 0.37 with an average of 0.23. The distribution of SNPs markers on the 21 chromosomes ranged from 319 on chromosome 3D to 2,370 on chromosome 3B. The analysis of population structure revealed three subpopulations (G1, G2, and G3). Analysis of molecular variance identified 8% variance among and 92% within subpopulations. Of the three subpopulations, G2 had the highest level of genetic diversity based on three genetic diversity indices: Shannon’s information index (I) = 0.494, diversity index (h) = 0.328 and unbiased diversity index (uh) = 0.331, while G3 had lowest level of genetic diversity (I = 0.348, h = 0.226 and uh = 0.236). This high genetic diversity identified among the subpopulations can be used to develop new wheat cultivars

Laminin and Fibronectin Treatment Leads to Generation of Dendritic Cells with Superior Endocytic Capacity

Copyright: 2010 Garcı´a-Nieto et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.Background: Sampling the microenvironment at sites of microbial exposure by dendritic cells ( DC) and their subsequent interaction with T cells in the paracortical area of lymph nodes are key events for initiating immune responses. Most of our knowledge of such events in human is based on in vitro studies performed in the absence of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. ECM in basement membranes and interstitial spaces of different tissues, including lymphoid organs, plays an important role in controlling specific cellular functions such as migration, intracellular signalling and differentiation. The aim of this study was, therefore, to investigate the impact of two abundant ECM components, fibronectin and laminin, on the phenotypical and functional properties of DC and how that might influence DC induced T-cell differentiation. Methodology/Principal Findings: Human monocyte derived DC were treated with laminin and fibronectin for up to 48 hours and their morphology and phenotype was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy, flow cytometry and real time PCR. The endocytic ability of DC was determined using flow cytometry. Furthermore, co-culture of DC and T cells were established and T cell proliferation and cytokine profile was measured using H(3)-thymidine incorporation and ELISA respectively. Finally, we assessed formation of DC-T cell conjugates using different cell trackers and flow cytometry. Our data show that in the presence of ECM, DC maintain a 'more immature' phenotype and express higher levels of key endocytic receptors, and as a result become significantly better endocytic cells, but still fully able to mature in response to stimulation as evidenced by their superior ability to induce antigen-specific T cell differentiation. Conclusion: These studies underline the importance of including ECM components in in vitro studies investigating DC biology and DC-T cell interaction. Within the context of antigen specific DC induced T cell proliferation, inclusion of ECM proteins could lead to development of more sensitive assays.Peer reviewedFinal Published versio