Baclofen Pump Implantation for Cerebral Palsy

Programmable baclofen pump implantation is used to provide the patient with minimal intrathecal dose of baclofen to provide relaxation when the oral permitted doses are no longer withstand able by the patient. We discussed the efficiency of programmable baclofen pump implantation in treating spasticity by reviewing several international papers. Satisfactory relaxation was noticed in most of the patients. The complications following intrathecal baclofen (ITB) surgeries are not uncommon. ITB is an advised method for treating spasticity whether due to cerebral or spinal causes. It has significant improvements with minor complications. It needs special trained multidisciplinary team to manage it

Investigation of the Structural Properties of Thermally Evaporated Aluminium Thin Films on Different Polymer Substrates.

This paper studies the properties of thermally evaporated 1 μm of aluminium (Al) thin films on polyimide (PI) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates at room temperature with thermal evaporation in a vacuum of about 3 x 10-5 Torr for use as window materials for solar cells. Effects of substrate types on the structural and electrical characteristics of the films were studied. Sets of experiments were conducted to optimize the deposition of Al films with appropriate deposition parameters. The deposited films were analyzed with atomic force microscopy (AFM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD). Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectra shows presence of Al contacts on both PI and PET substrates. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results illustrate proper formation of Al (111) plane at 38.4o with full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 0.1968° on both samples. Atomic force microscope (AFM) images reveal that both samples possess smooth surfaces with surface roughness root mean square (RMS) below 10 nm

Working and organizing in the age of the learning algorithm

Learning algorithms, technologies that generate responses, classifications, or dynamic predictions that resemble those of a knowledge worker, raise important research questions for organizational scholars related to work and organizing. We suggest that such algorithms are distinguished by four consequential aspects: black-boxed performance, comprehensive digitization, anticipatory quantification, and hidden politics. These aspects are likely to alter work and organizing in qualitatively different ways beyond simply signaling an acceleration of long-term technology trends. Our analysis indicates that learning algorithms will transform expertise in organizations, reshape work and occupational boundaries, and offer novel forms of coordination and control. Thus, learning algorithms can be considered performative due to the extent to which their use can shape and alter work and organizational realities. Their rapid deployment requires scholarly attention to societal issues such as the extent to which the algorithm is authorized to make decisions, the need to incorporate morality in the technology, and their digital iron-cage potential

On Higher N-Derivation Of Prime Rings

The main purpose of this work is to introduce the concept of higher N-derivation and study this concept into 2-torsion free prime ring we proved that:Let R be a prime ring of char. 2, U be a Jordan ideal of R and be a higher N-derivation of R, then , for all u U , r R , n N

Anti-thrombotic effect of Zingiber officinale (ginger) in sprague dawley rats

Background: The prevalence of thrombotic diseases is rising globally. Presently, stroke and ischemic heart disease account for 25% of all deaths. Use of anti-thrombotic drugs have proven effective in prevention of these ailments but might not be affordable especially in developing countries. They are also associated with undesirable side effects. This study sought to determine the anti-thrombotic effect of ginger since it is affordable, accessible and is widely used as a food enhancer and a medicinal herb.Methods: The current study employed an in-vivo experimental study design. Three groups Sprague dawley rats (N=5) were given different doses of methanolic extract of ginger for 30 days. Two other groups (N=5) which served as controls received 5% dimethyl sulfoxide and aspirin for the same duration. Measurement of bleeding time, platelet count, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time and thrombin time was done to assess the anti-thrombotic property.Results: There was a statistically significant difference in bleeding time (P=0.03) across the groups investigated. There was however no significant difference across the groups in platelet count, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time and thrombin time (P=˃0.05).Conclusion: This study demonstrates that methanolic extract of ginger possesses an anti-thrombotic property probably through inhibition of platelet function. Regular consumption of ginger may therefore confer protection against thrombotic diseases

Cardiovascular complications of diabetes mellitus

The aims of this thesis are to attempt to identify subjects at increased risk of diabetes-associated cardiovascular disease (CVD) at various stages of the condition, focusing predominantly on the most common form of the condition, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This includes attempting to identify a subset of the population that already has diabetes who may be at particularly increased risk of CVD, to determine if measuring some of the novel markers of CVD risk in subjects with diabetes may be useful in assessing cardiovascular risk, assessing risk of CVD in newly diagnosed diabetes and attempting to identify prevalence of cardiovascular complications in newly diagnosed patients. Finally I will determine whether genetic heterogeneity in the Calpain 10 (CAPN10) gene might be a useful indicator of diabetes risk in Irishsubjects and as such be a way of identifying subjects at future risk of CVD prior to the onset of DM when interventions may be more effective in reducing CVD risk. The specific aims are: To determine the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (MS) in patients with diabetes. To estimate and compare the prevalence of the MS in both TlDM and T2DM patients. To evaluate the medium and long term cardiovascular risk utilizing the United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS) risk engine in patients who are newly diagnosed with T2DM. To evaluate patients with newly diagnosed diabetes for the presence of significant subclinical macrovascular disease. To study the association of novel risk of cardiovascular factors, fibrinogen and C-reactive protein (CRP) and albuminuria as markers of CVD risk in newly diagnosed patients with T2DM. To estimate the prevalence and the relationship of three polymorphisms (43, 63 and 2037) and insertion-deletion 19 of the CAPN10 gene in a cohort of Irish patients with T2DM. Despite major improvements in the management of T2DM, subjects with the condition remain at considerable risk of cardiovascular disease. In this work a number of strategies have been discussed whereby subjects with increased CVD risk could be identified earlier and targeted for particularly aggressive interventions. We suggest that an integral component of the annual assessment of patients with diabetes should be the calculation of an MS score and patients with particularly high cardiovascular risk can be targeted for especially aggressive risk factor management, with particular attention to hypertension and obesity, which are the most prevalent components of the MS. The Steno-2 study highlighted the importance of treatment of hyperglycaemia, dyslipidaemia and hypertension in patients with T2DM as measures to reduce the risk of life-threatening complications, particularly CVD which is the most common cause of death in population. Using an MS score could help identify those who require particularly aggressive, steno-2 style interventions. The risk of vascular complications in patients with T2DM can also be calculated using the UKPDS risk engine. In newly diagnosed T2DM this risk is considerable in both genders at the time of the diagnosis. The determination of the risk of vascular events using this risk engine should be estimated at diagnosis and recalculated during subsequent years in order to ensure that optimized treatment of vascular risk factors is achieved. Patients with newly diagnosed T2DM may have subclinical vascular complications that mainly involve the coronary and peripheral circulation. Screening for these asymptomatic or subclinical vascular complications at the time of the diagnosis in high risk patients may identify those who may most benefit from these interventions. Significant abnormalities may be identified in some subjects as was found in this study. Monitoring of inflammatory markers and/or WCM, BMI may also be helpful to identify high CVD risk patients. Finally, modification of risk factors for developing T2DM and thus CVD, prior to the development of any dysglycaemia may be the most effective way of reducing the cardiovascular burden of the disease. Genetic screening of high risk subjects may be worthwhile to identify highly susceptible subjects. CAPN10 gene study suggests associations between genetic variability in this gene and T2DM in the Irish population and further exploration of this and other genes may lead to earlier identification of subjects for interventions to reduce the risk of development of the disease

Optical and Structural Properties of Thermally Evaporated Zinc Oxide Thin Films on Polyethylene Terephthalate Substrates

Zinc oxide thin films of different thicknesses ranging from 100 to 300 nm were prepared on polyethylene terephthalate substrates with thermal evaporation in a vacuum of approximately 3×10-5 Torr. X-ray diffraction patterns confirm the proper phase formation of the material. From atomic force microscopy (AFM) images, it was found that the root mean square roughness of the film surface increased as the film thickness increased. The optical properties of ZnO on PET substrates were determined through the optical transmission method using an ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer. The optical band gap values of ZnO thin films slightly decreased as the film thickness increased

Assessment of Science Teachers' Awareness towards Immunity and Immunization in Primary School at Baghdad City

Abstract:Objectives: To assess of Science Teachers' Awareness towards immunity and immunization in Baghdad City Primary Schools Methodology: A descriptive study was conducted, included (100) primary school,(50) in Al Rassafa sector, and (50) in Al Karkh sector, from March 5th 2012 to March 15th 2013, to assess of science teachers' awareness towards immunity and immunization. A cluster sample of (100) Science teachers (males and females) were selected, as one teacher from each school. A questioner format was used for data collection. The validity of questioner was estimated through a penal of experts related to the field of study, and its reliability was estimated through a pilot study conducted in (20) schools is excluded from the original sample which included (20) teachers from April 8th 2012 to April 14th 2012. Data were analyzed through the application of descriptive and inferential statistical analysis. Results: The results of the study indicated that (78%) of sample were female, and (39%) of them their ages were between (30-39) years old, (65%) of them were married, while (21%) of them were single, and (50%) of them were institute graduates. Also the study indicated that (26%) of teachers had (15–19) years of employment in teaching sector. Furthermore, (58 %) of sample had no opportunity to be involved in training courses concerning communicable diseases control. The results of this study indicate that, teachers' awareness was poor (in adequate awareness) towards immunity and immunization against communicable diseases in Baghdad City Primary Schools Conclusion: The study concluded that teachers' awareness towards immunity and immunization in Baghdad primary schools was poor.Recommendations: The study recommends that there is a need for cooperation between the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education on writing a book systematically for primary schools about the nature of the transitional diseases and how to control them through immunity and immunization, and Emphasis on continuous sessions concerning communicable diseases control for teachers in all primary schoolsKeyword: Assessment, Awareness, Communicable diseases, Immunity, Immunization

Functional Outcome Following Synthetic Vertebral Body Implantation in the Management of Spinal Disorders

OBJECTIVE: Synthetic vertebral body replacement has been widely used recently to treat different spinal conditions affecting the anterior column. They arrange from trauma, infections, and even tumor conditions. In this study, we assess the functional outcome of this modality in different spinal conditions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-six cases operated from October 2010 to December 2017. Twelve patients had spinal type A3 fractures, 11 cases with spinal tuberculosis (TB), and 13 cases with spinal tumors. They were followed clinically for a mean period of 2.4 years. RESULTS: All the cases were approached anteriorly. Seven cases had a post-operative infection. No neurological worsening reported. We had dramatic neurological improvement in all spinal TB cases. Mortality recorded in only 4 cases with metastatic spinal tumor during the mean period of follow-up. Karnofsky performance status scale showed statistically significant change for spinal TB, and tumor cases during the follow-up period, but there was no significant change in cases of spinal type A3 fractures. CONCLUSION: The positive outcome of this surgery makes it recommended for properly selected patients, especially with spinal TB and tumors