New methods for chicken embryo manipulations

The capacity to image a growing embryo while simultaneously studying the developmental function of specific molecules provides invaluable information on embryogenesis. However, until recently, this approach was accomplished with difficulty both because of the advanced technology needed and because an easy method of minimizing damage to the embryo was unavailable. Here, we present a novel way of adapting the well-known EC culture of whole chick embryos to time-lapse imaging and to functional molecular studies using blocking agents. The novelty of our method stems from the ability to apply blocking agents ex ovo as well as in ovo. We were able to study the function of a set of molecules by culturing developing embryos ex ovo in tissue culture media containing these molecules or by injecting them underneath the live embryo in ovo. The in ovo preparation is particularly valuable, because it extends the period of time during which the developmental function of the molecule can be studied and it provides an easy, reproducible method for screening a batch of molecules. These new techniques will prove very helpful in visualizing and understanding the role of specific molecules during embryonic morphogenesis, including blood vessel formation

Self- Compassion as a Mediator and Moderator of the Relationship between Psychological Suffering and Psychological Well-being among Palestinian Widowed Women

The main purpose of this study was to examine the mediator and moderator role of self-compassion on the relationship between psychological suffering and psychological well-being among Palestinian widowed women. The participants were 160 Palestinian widowed women ranging in age from 30-55 and benefited from social affairs services in the southern governorates of Gaza. The participants responded to questionnaire measuring self-compassion, psychological suffering and psychological well-being. The results showed that the relationship between psychological suffering and psychological well-being was fully mediated by self-compassion. Hierarchical regression analysis indicated that self- compassion also moderated the relationship between psychological suffering and psychological well-being. This study presents an empirical framework for the research through investigating the relationship between psychological suffering, self-compassion, and psychological well-being for Palestinian widowed women. Keywords: Self-Compassion, mediator, moderator, Psychological Suffering, Psychological Wel-bein

Loss of protein kinase calpha expression may enhance the tumorigenic potential of Gli1 in basal cell carcinoma

Gli1 has now been implicated in switching between motility and static cell replication. Part of a series of papers, this study tracted PKCalpha expression in relation to Gli1 in various static and motile cell areas of the hair sheath and BCC

Acetylcysteine for prevention of contrast-induced nephropathy after intravascular angiography: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Contrast-induced nephropathy is an important cause of acute renal failure. We assess the efficacy of acetylcysteine for prevention of contrast-induced nephropathy among patients undergoing intravascular angiography. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing prophylactic acetylcysteine plus hydration versus hydration alone in patients undergoing intravascular angiography. Studies were identified by searching MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL databases. Our main outcome measures were the risk of contrast-induced nephropathy and the difference in serum creatinine between acetylcysteine and control groups at 48 h. RESULTS: Fourteen studies involving 1261 patients were identified and included for analysis, and findings were heterogeneous across studies. Acetylcysteine was associated with a significantly reduced incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy in five studies, and no difference in the other nine (with a trend toward a higher incidence in six of the latter studies). The pooled odds ratio for contrast-induced nephropathy with acetylcysteine relative to control was 0.54 (95% CI, 0.32–0.91, p = 0.02) and the pooled estimate of difference in 48-h serum creatinine for acetylcysteine relative to control was -7.2 μmol/L (95% CI -19.7 to 5.3, p = 0.26). These pooled values need to be interpreted cautiously because of the heterogeneity across studies, and due to evidence of publication bias. Meta-regression suggested that the heterogeneity might be partially explained by whether the angiography was performed electively or as emergency. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that published studies of acetylcysteine for prevention of contrast-induced nephropathy yield inconsistent results. The efficacy of acetylcysteine will remain uncertain unless a large well-designed multi-center trial is performed

The Managerial Determinants of Accounting Conservatism during COVID-19 Era: Evidence from Saudi Arabia

The research investigates the adoption of accounting conservatism and its managerial determinants in Saudi Arabia during COVID-19 era. firstly, we analyzed the academic literature and developed the framework of accounting conservatism in terms of definition, advantages, motivations and scientific theories. Secondly to conduct our empirical study where we choose a sample consisted of 100 firm years observations which represented the financial statements of the top 50 firms listed in the stock market in terms of size during two years. Going further, the accounting conservatism mean was 0.4315 during COVID-19 era. the researchs results illustrated empirically a positive relation between accounting conservatism, managerial ownership, institutional ownership, board of directors size and profitability among the sample. and a negative relation between accounting conservatism, board of directors independence, board of directors duality, firm size and leverage

The Impact of Organizational Characteristics on Corporate Cash Holdings: Evidence from Saudi Arabia During COVID-19 Period

The article investigates the level and financial determinants of corporate cash holdings in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 period, at the beginning we reviewed the academic accounting literature to develop the theoretical framework of corporate cash holdings in terms of definition, motivations, and theories, then to conduct our empirical study we use a sample consisted of the largest 50 corporations listed in the Saudi stock market, going further, the corporate cash holdings mean was 14.96% during the study period, the articles results prove empirically a positive relation between corporate cash holdings, leverage, and ownership concentration among the sample corporations. and a negative relationship between corporate cash holdings, corporate size, cash flow, growth opportunities, working capital, and dividends, finally, the article results will add to the academic accounting literature and help researchers and corporations management to understand the financial determinants, motivates, theories and the optimal amount of corporate cash holdings based on scientific evidence

Federalism and the Arab League: A theoretical synergy

Abstract. The paper is a theoretical analogy of the Arab league as a regional organization. The paper also discusses the objectives, strengths and weaknesses of the league. By adopting descriptive-historical research from library instrument, findings show that, there is no doubt that the league had recorded some appreciable level of achievements since its inception and there have equally been some challenges along the line. The paper concludes that, the Arab league must find a way to reduce the perpetual tension and violence in Palestine by working towards enthroning a peaceful relationship with Israel while retaining their cultural identity. The paper also recommends that, the Arab league should strengthen their relationship with the non-Arab Nations especially in the face of globalization to reap the benefits therein involved as a league. Arab league must ensure that Arab states stop waging needless wars between and among themselves. The Syria and Yemeni crises among others is a disgrace to the Arab world.Keywords: Arab league, Theoretical, Synergy, Federalism, Integration.JEL. A10, F15

Determining geographic areas and populations with timely access to cardiac catheterization facilities for acute myocardial infarction care in Alberta, Canada

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This study uses geographic information systems (GIS) as a tool to evaluate and visualize the general accessibility of areas within the province of Alberta (Canada) to cardiac catheterization facilities. Current American and European guidelines suggest performing catheterization within 90 minutes of the first medical contact. For this reason, this study evaluates the populated places that are within a 90 minute transfer time to a city with a catheterization facility. The three modes of transport considered in this study are ground ambulance, rotary wing air ambulance and fixed wing air ambulance.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Reference data from the Alberta Chart of Call were interpolated into continuous travel time surfaces. These continuous surfaces allowed for the delineation of isochrones: lines that connect areas of equal time. Using Dissemination Area (DA) centroids to represent the adult population, the population numbers were extracted from the isochrones using Statistics Canada census data.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>By extracting the adult population from within isochrones for each emergency transport mode analyzed, it was found that roughly 70% of the adult population of Alberta had access within 90 minutes to catheterization facilities by ground, roughly 66% of the adult population had access by rotary wing air ambulance and that no population had access within 90 minutes using the fixed wing air ambulance. An overall understanding of the nature of air vs. ground emergency travel was also uncovered; zones were revealed where the use of one mode would be faster than the others for reaching a facility.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Catheter intervention for acute myocardial infarction is a time sensitive procedure. This study revealed that although a relatively small area of the province had access within the 90 minute time constraint, this area represented a large proportion of the population. Within Alberta, fixed wing air ambulance is not an effective means of transporting patients to a catheterization facility within the 90 minute time frame, though it becomes advantageous as a means of transportation for larger distances when there is less urgency.</p

Prediction of diagenesis and reservoir quality using wireline logs: evidence from the Upper Triassic (Raethian) fluvial reservoir tags - Toual field, Gassi Touil Area, SE Algeria

Reservoir quality is mainly controlled by environment deposit type and diagenesis processes. To investigate such subject we usually proceed to microscopic techniques. Absence of outcrops and missing of core samples let us use conventional wireline logs and core lab measurements as primary data. Direct lecture of well logs calibrated by core photos and wellsite description, well logs correlation and cross plots were our main methodology axis. Target of this study is the fluvial Shaly Sandstones of Upper Triassic (Rhaetian) reservoir (abreviated in French; TAGS) located in Toual field – SE of Algeria. The present investigation confirms the absence of clean sandstone levels in the studied reservoir. It detects also the presence of halite and clays (Illite) as cements in sandstone. The influence of illite on permeability was confirmed whereas porosity is less affected.Keywords: Diagenesis; Reservoir Quality; Well logs; Fluvial System; Triassic; Toua