Insulin sensitivity and plasma glucose response to aerobic exercise in pregnant women at risk for gestational diabetes mellitus

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the common complications that occur during pregnancy. Early intervention is essential to prevent the development of the disease in the non-pregnant state but also helpful in preventing the occurrence of GDM. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of aerobic exercises on insulin sensitivity and fasting plasma glucose level in pregnant women with risk for gestational diabetes mellitus.Materials and methods: Forty multigravidae women between 20-24 weeks of gestation with risk for GDM were randomly selected (age range was 25-35 years), body mass index ranged from 30-35 kg/m². Women were divided into two equal groups: intervention group (A), which followed an aerobic exercise program in the form of walking on treadmill, three times weekly until the end of 37 weeks of gestation in addition to diet control. Control group (B) which received diet control with usual care given by obstetricians and midwives. Evaluation of the women in both groups was carried out before and after treatment program through assessment of fasting blood glucose and insulin levels.Results: There was a highly statistically significance decrease in fasting blood glucose level, fasting insulin level in both groups where the p value was 0.0001 favoring group (A).Conclusion: Moderate intensity of aerobic exercises were effective in reducing fasting blood glucose level and fasting insulin level in pregnant women with risk for gestational diabetes mellitus.Keywords: Aerobic exercise, Blood glucose level, Insulin level, Pregnancy, Maternal diabete

Effect of Sex Education Program on Knowledge of Secondary School Girls in El- Beheira Governorate

Background: Lack of knowledge about sexual matters among adolescents’ leads to pre- marital unprotected sexual indulgence, results in sexual transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS, illegitimate teenage pregnancy, sexual abuse, violence and exploitation. Aim of study: Is to evaluate the effect of sex education program on knowledge of secondary school girls in El- Beheira Governorate. Hypothesis secondary school girls who attend sex education program exhibits better knowledge than those who don’t attend it. Material and Methods: Experimental study design was assumed. Settings: The study was executed at five secondary schools for girls in El- Beheira Governorate that were selected by multistage random sample technique. Subjects: 120 girl students were chosen randomly, these were randomized into 60 girl students for study groups and 60 girl students for control groups. Tools: two tools were developed by the researchers for data collection.  The first tool was concerned with Socio-demographic characteristics, and the second tool was to assess the knowledge of girl students before and after the sex education program. Results: Among study groups, the program created a positive effect on general information about sexuality (p= 0.001), anatomy and physiology of male reproductive system (p= 0.001), anatomy and physiology of female reproductive system (p= 0.214), fertilization/ conception (p= 0.042), and contraception (p= 0.417). Conclusion and Recommendations: After implementation of the sex education program, a positive improvement on knowledge of study group was apparent: So, this study recommended Sex education topics should be implemented in the curriculum of school and college, and teachers should actively participate in sex education program. Keywords: sex education, reproductive health, and sexuality

New Benzoxazole Derivatives as Antiprotozoal Agents: In Silico Studies, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation

Background. Benzoxazole derivatives have different biological activities. In pursuit of designing novel chemical entities with antiprotozoal and antimicrobial activities, benzoxazolyl aniline was utilized as a privileged scaffold of a series of (3-benzoxazole-2-yl) phenylamine derivatives, 3-benzoxazoloyl acetamide, and butyramide derivatives. Methods. These novel analogs were synthesized in straightforward simple chemistry without any quantitative chromatographic separations in reasonable yields. The biological evaluation of all target compounds as potential antimalarial, antileishmanial, antitrypanosomal, and antimicrobial agents was performed by various well-established cell-based methods. Results. Compounds 6d and 5a showed promising biological screening data. The amidation of 3-benzoxazolyl aniline 1 with the chloroacetyl functional group resulted in a good antimalarial activity and showed moderate inhibitory activities against leishmanial and trypanosomal spp. Moreover, chloroacetyl functionalization of benzoxazolyl aniline serves as a good early goal for constructing and synthesizing new antimicrobial and antiprotozoal agents. The molecular docking study rationalizes the relative inhibitory activity of compound 5a as an antimalarial agent with the deregulation of PfPNP activity which has emerged as a major mechanism of these targets

Enzymatic and toxigenic ability of opportunistic fungi contaminating intensive care units and operation rooms at Assiut University Hospitals, Egypt

Total of 110 isolates belonging to 8 fungal species collected from intensive care units (ICUs) and operation rooms (ORs) at Assiut University hospitals were examined for their ability to produce some extracellular enzymes and mycotoxins which are considered as important factors involved in for fungal pathogenicity. The results revealed that 73, 92 and 78 out of the 110 tested isolates produced protease, lipase and urease respectively; meanwhile, 77 of the tested isolates exhibited some hemolytic activities. Chromatographic analysis (TLC) of the crude extract of the fungal isolates tested revealed that 79 isolates of them had the ability to produce at least one of these mycotoxic compounds (aflatoxins B(1), B(2), G(1), gliotoxin, fumigillin, T-2, zearalenone, roridin A & E, verrucarin A & J, trichoveroids, satratoxin H & E). These results demonstrate that the opportunistic fungal species isolated from (ICUs) and (ORs) and tested exhibited some enzymatic and mycotoxic ability which are the most effective virulence factors contributing to fungal pathogenicity indicating that the management of infection control unit at Assiut University hospitals must be aware of not only bacterial but also fungal contamination

MULTI-OBJECTIVE STRATEGY FOR OPTIMIZING REPETITIVE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS USING LINEAR PROGRAMMING MODELS

Decision making has become much more complicated than in the past due to increased decision alternatives, uncertainty, and cost of making errors. As a result, it is very difficult to rely on a trial and error approach in decision making. Nowadays business managers are dealing with different types of projects ranging from implementing a large scale manufacturing plant to a simple sales campaign. While dealing with projects, to become competitive, sometimes it is required to complete a project within the predetermined deadline to keep cost at lowest possible level. Failure to do so ultimately leads to increase in total cost. This would direct managers to encounter a decision situation: which activities of the project will be crashed to minimize the total cost of crashing project. In this paper, we provide a hypothetical example to clarify the framework of how to convert from LOB to CPM and then how to create a model to crash a project time to reach an optimum time-cost solution. Microsoft Excel custom made sheets used to the conversion, also Solver add-in used to solve the model while it implements Linear Programming. As a check, results from Solver and LiPS software are compared

The Social and Spiritual Factors Affecting Chronic Renal Dialysis Patients in Gaza Strip

Background: End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) is a progressive worsening of kidney function over a period of months or years. It is a complex debilitating disease that needs a lifelong treatment. Because patients with ESRD cannot be cured of their underlying conditions and mostly underwent hemodialysis program, it usually leads to many physical and medical consequences and complications, and beside them, there are lots of concealed social and spiritual factors that can affect people who have this disease or are on renal dialysis. Some studies about medical and clinical consequences of ESRD and renal dialysis were conducted but this study will be the first one to determine the factors affecting the social and spiritual wellbeing of patients who are on renal dialysis in Gaza Strip. Objectives: It is important to give a detailed picture about the social and spiritual wellbeing of patients who are on renal dialysis to

Age-associated functional morphology of thyroid and its impact on the expression of vimentin, cytokeratins and VEGF. The role of nigella in refinement

Introduction. Aging causes morphological and functional changes in the thyroid gland. Free radicals play a key role in the pathology of normal aging. Vimentin and cytokeratin are cytoskeletal intermediate filaments that are often used as indirect indices of tissue injury. The aim of the study was to clarify the age-related alterations in the structure and function of the thyroid gland. The relationship between oxidative/antioxidative stress markers and cytoskeletal intermediate filaments (vimentin and cytokeratin) and oxidative/antioxidative stress markers as well as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) during aging were elucidated. Finally, the role of Nigella sativa (NS) oil in ameliorating age-related alterations of the structure and function of the thyroid gland was studied.Material and methods. Thirty Sprague-Dawley albino rats were divided into five groups: young adult control, young adult NS-treated, late adult control, late adult NS-treated, and senile. The age of young adult, late adult, and senile rats was nearly 7, 18 and 22 months, respectively. NS oil was added to food pellets and was administered at a daily dose of 0.1 g/kg body weight for one month. The thyroid gland was dissected and fixed immediately in 10% formalin saline. The assessment of thyroid structure was based on hematoxylin and eosin, and Masson’s trichrome stainings, and histomorphometric analysis of the deparaffinized sections. Localization and distribution of vimentin and cytokeratin filaments was assessed by immunohistochemistry. Measurements of VEGF gene expression by qPCR and oxidative/antioxidative markers (malondialdehyde and glutathione content, superoxide dismutase activity) in thyroid gland homogenates were performed. Serum concentration of thyroid hormones (T3, T4) and TSH were assessed by radioimmunoassay.Results. Follicles in the late adult control group were dilated and disrupted. Follicular cells showed cytoplasmic vacuolation. Follicles in the thyroids of senile rats were of irregular shape, often with cellular exfoliations. Many follicles were dilated and lined with flattened cells. A notable amelioration of these morphological alterations was observed in late adult NS-treated rats. Decrease in serum T3 and T4 levels and increase in TSH levels were observed in the late adult control and senile groups. A clear shift of the oxidative/antioxidative markers (MDA/ /GSH, SOD) was observed in the late adult control and senile groups in favor of oxidants. Administration of NSto late adult rats resulted in normalization of these parameters. Increased area of collagen fibers, immunoreactivity of vimentin and cytokeratin filaments and VEGF gene expression were observed in the thyroids of late adult and senile rat groups as compared to young animals. The mean number of follicular cells decreased in the late adult control and senile groups. Administration of NS to the late adult rats returned these parameters to the level of the young adult rats. Conclusions. Aging-related alterations in both structure and function of the rat thyroid gland that are associated with increased indices of oxidative stress might be abrogated by administration of antioxidative agents present in Nigella sativa oil

Myocardial function in Saudi adolescents with vitamin D deficiency: Tissue Doppler imaging study

AbstractVitamin D deficiency is a common health problem in Saudi Arabia especially in children and adolescents. Many studies have reported the relation between low 25-Hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels with cardiovascular diseases risk factors as well as cardiovascular events, including stroke, myocardial infarction, and congestive heart failure. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of 25(OH)D deficiency on the myocardial function and other echocardiographic variables in adolescent, using tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) and to correlate these parameters with 25(OH)D level. The study included 84 healthy adolescents, consecutively selected from adolescents attending the outpatient clinic of Saad Specialist Hospital, KSA between September 2013 and October 2014. The study population was classified into two groups; vitamin D deficient group with 25(OH)D level less than 20ng/mL and normal vitamin D (control group) with 25(OH)D equal or more than 30ng/mL. Both groups were subjected to measuring hemoglobin level, serum albumin, creatinine, total calcium, Phosphorous, intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), and 25(OH)D levels. Both conventional and pulsed wave TDI were done for all participants. TDI measurements showed significant higher LV Tei Index and RV Tei index when compared to the control group (0.61±0.11 Vs 0.32±0.05 p<0.0001), (0.54±0.14 Vs 0.40±0.06 p<0.0001) respectively. Mitral and tricuspid annular systolic velocities were significantly lower in vitamin D deficient group (6.99±1.92 Vs 10.69±0.31cm/sec p<0.0001 and 12.30±2.14 Vs 13.89±0.29 p<0.0001 respectively). The mitral and tricuspid E/Em ratio was significantly higher in vitamin D deficient group than control group (p<0.0001, p 0.005) respectively. Left ventricular internal diameter at end-diastole (LVIDd) was significantly higher in vitamin D deficient group (44.72±6.33 Vs 40.36±6.21 p 0.003). Serum 25(OH)D level showed significant negative correlation with LV Tei index (r=−0.668, p<0.0001), RV Tei index (r=−0.421, p<0.0001). Vitamin D deficiency is associated with subtle systolic and diastolic myocardial dysfunction in Saudi adolescents. TDI is a useful tool for detecting early changes in the myocardium in this particular group

The role of interleukins 4, 17 and interferon gamma as biomarkers in patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and their correlation with disease activity

AbstractAim of the workThis work was designed to study the production of proinflammatory cytokines in SLE patients and their correlation with disease activity and study if they can be used as biomarkers for renal activity in lupus nephritis patients.Patients and methodsThis study was carried out on 70 subjects divided into two groups: Group I (SLE group) which included 40 SLE patients and Group II (Control group) which included 30 apparently healthy controls. The patients were subjected to full history taking and complete clinical examination. Assessment of disease activity in SLE patients by Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI). Sera of patients and controls were screened for the level of cytokine expression of T helper cells including interleukin 17 (IL-17), interleukin 4 (IL-4) and interferon gamma (IFN-γ).ResultsSerum levels of IL-4 were significantly lower while both IL-17 and IFN-γ were significantly higher in SLE patients than in the control group. The most powerful predictor and correlated cytokine with the SLEDAI in SLE patients was IL-17. Higher serum level of IFN-γ was associated with more pyuria and hematuria, while higher IL-17 was associated with more pyuria and proteinuria in SLE patients.ConclusionThe serum level of IL-17 and IFN-γ was proven to be significantly higher in SLE patients and can be used as biomarkers of renal activity

BACTERIAL PATHOGENS OF NOSOCOMIAL INFECTIONS IN ICUS AND THEIR ANTIBIOTICS RESISTANT PATTERN AT KING KHALID HOSPITAL IN AL-KHARJ/SAUDI ARABIA

Background:The intensive care unit [ICU] is considered as infection epicenter because vulnerable population of critically ill patients and use of different invasive devices. Consequently, the ICU population has one of the highest occurrence rates of nosocomial infections leading to an enormous impact on morbidity, hospital costs, and often survival. In addition, the increasing problem of antibiotic resistance loads the burden of nosocomial infection in the ICU. Constant and careful global monitoring for multidrug-resistant bacteria is needed to minimise the possibility of appearance and dissemination of new resistant isolates and to avoid complications in treatment choices. Methods:This study was carried out from March to June 2016 in King Khalid Hospital [Al-Kharj-KSA] to explore the multidrug-resistant bacteria, Extended Spectrum - lactamase bacteria [ESBLs] and the possibility of carbapenems resistant bacteria isolated from clinical samples of patients in the ICUs. A total of 317 different clinical samples were received for cultivation and antibiogram during the study period. Samples were cultivated on Blood agar, MacConkey agar, CLED, EMB agar and Mannitol salt agar. Gram stain, colony morphology and biochemical tests were done.The final identification results of the causative agents and its sensitivity profile were obtained by automated procedures "Phoenix 100/BD company". Minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC] results were interpreted according to Clinical and laboratory standard institute [CLSI] guidelines. Results:Out of 317 total samples processed during the study, significant growth was shown in 62 samples [19.5%]. Respiratory samples showed the highest rate of positive growth [40.3% out of 62] followed by urine [20.96% out of 62]. Fifty-seven isolates [91.94 %] were gram-negative and five isolates [8.06%] were gram-positive. K. pneumoniae was the most frequently isolated among Gram-negative with16 isolates [28%] followed by P. aeruginosa 12 [21%]. All isolates of P. aeruginosa, Acinetobacter spp., Providencia spp., Enterobacter spp., Citrobacter spp., Serratia spp. were MDR [100%] while five isolates [71.4%] of Proteus mirabilis, and 11 [69%] of K. pneumoniae were MDR. ESBLs were confirmed in 39 [83%] isolates out of 47 MDR gram-negatives; among them, 11[28.2%] were K. pneumoniae and10 [25.64%] isolates of P. aeruginosa. Resistance to carbapenems was detected in 23 [48.94%] isolates of MDR gram-negative bacteria; among them, 10 [43.48%] isolates of P. aeruginosa, and 6[26.1%] isolates each of Acinetobacter spp. and K. pneumoniae. Conclusion:Considerable efforts and regular evaluation of ESBL and carbapenems resistant bacteria are of great importance both in hospital and community to avoid the appearance of new bacterial isolates which may resist all clinically used antibiotics. Keywords: Nosocomial infection, MDR, ESBL, Carbapenems, Resistance, Bacteria