Geometric Patterns in Egyptian Architecture & Interior Design

This study will examine the role of geometric patterns in selected examples of Egyptian architecture, interior architecture and art. Ancient Egyptian, Coptic, and Islamic periods are the selected historical ages from Egyptian heritage due to the abundance of different works and styles with geometric pattern characteristics during their periods. In addition to the historical periods, the study will demonstrate some selected models from Egyptian contemporary architecture and arts. These models include architectural projects, traditional craft products and artistic works with geometrical characteristics. The study aims, through the extracted information, to increase the awareness about the effective role of geometric patterns as an architectural and artistic capability and to clarify the degree of freedom, flexibility and functionality as an inherent feature through demonstrating the different practices, styles and materials

Interior Architectural Elements that Affect Human Psychology and Behavior

This research will inspect factors with higher impact that are predicted to be more influential in the relation between architecture, interior architectural design and the psychological status of residents and users. The level of awareness about the importance of this relation is the basic introductory factor. Identity, privacy and safety impacts, health concerns, accessibility degree, open spaces feature, aesthetic sense are the main parts of the research. Most parts consist of two divisions. The first identifies the nature of each factor. The second recognizes the important architectural consideration needed to realize the psychological condition of residents and users. The research aims to increase the concern about the importance of the interaction between interior architectural design and human psychological behavior. An introduction of a group of important consideration can be used to help designers choose and apply a suitable interior architectural design that match psychological needs through sound relations between architecture, interior architecture and the psychological status of residents and users

Fighting Sexual Harassment on Campus: How Local Contexts of Different Universities Affect the Dynamics and Outcome of these Efforts

In a context where sexual harassment and assault against women is widespread, this article examines the approach taken by three Egyptian universities to the issue. The article argues that the outcome of the universities’ efforts in combating sexual harassment is influenced by their local context and it is this context that can hinder the route to accountability. It examines the interactive relationship between collective action and accountability in the context of fighting sexual harassment on campus. It applies the methodology of action research as a tool that is capable of producing more democratic relationships in knowledge production. The article concludes that there are many differences between the three universities in terms of defining the problem as well as with regard to their local contexts. Those differences question the notion of collective action and accordingly the concept of accountability.Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office – FCD

Knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of women in the reproductive age towards prenatal screening for congenital malformations, Alexandria-Egypt

Background: The study was conducted to explore the Egyptian women’s attitudes toward the prenatal screening (PNS) for congenital malformations and termination of pregnancy if medically indicated and assessing their knowledge and beliefs regarding prenatal screening.Methods: A total of 351 Egyptian women in the reproductive age giving birth to at least one child completed a structured questionnaire to assess their knowledge of prenatal diagnosis and their willingness to undergo prenatal screening as well as their opinions on termination of pregnancy if medically indicated. Women's beliefs were also assessed.Results: More than half of studied women (52.71%) are lacking knowledge about the availability of the accurate tests for prenatal screening of congenital malformations. After giving information about PNS, more than three quarters (77.5%) of the studied women held positive attitudes toward the prenatal screening for congenital malformations. The other one quarter was either refusing or not sure about their opinion (4.6% and 17.9% respectively). Only 58.7% accepting termination of pregnancy if medically indicated. Positive attitude towards PNS was significantly higher among females with older age (P=0.019) as well as those of higher social class as indicated by higher level of education (p=0.026), urban residency (p=0.046) and working women (p=0.005). Perceived seriousness of congenital malformations and believing in the importance of early detection of such condition were the significant motives to undergo PNS.Conclusions: There is marked lack of knowledge about the prenatal screening tests among the studied women. After giving information about PNS, most of them shows a positive attitude towards carrying out these tests and about half of them reported their acceptance for termination of pregnancy if medically indicated based on prenatal diagnosis of sever congenital malformations. Emphasis national needs for health education programs about PNS importance and development of well-structured national program for PNS

Role of high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the chest in the diagnosis of lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) – A serial study of 15 patients

AbstractAim of workTo highlight the characteristic high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings in 15 patients diagnosed with lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM), narrowing the wide range of ILD and allowing accurate diagnosis preventing unnecessary interventional procedures.Patients and methods15 female patients ranged in age from 17 to 55years (mean age=40.33years). ILD was suspected based on clinical examination and chest radiographs. They were referred to do HRCT chest for further assessment. A 64 MSCT scanner was used.ResultsAll patients showed bilateral multiple cysts showing upper lobar predominance in 13.3% of cases and lower lobar one in 6.7%. The size of the cysts ranged from few mms to 3cm with variable wall thickness. Pneumothorax was reported in three patients and pulmonary hypertension in 15 cases.ConclusionHRCT is a valued diagnostic tool for diagnosis of LAM showing characteristic features for the disease

MicroRNA-146a expression as a potential biomarker for rheumatoid arthritis in Egypt

AbstractBackgroundMicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs, whose role in regulating diverse immune functions, suggests they might play a role as biomarkers for immune mediated disorders. Studies showed that miRNA-146a (miR-146a) expression is increased by proinflammatory cytokines and is an important modulator of differentiation and function of cells of innate and adaptive immunity.Aim of the workThe current study aimed to evaluate the expression of miR-146a as a potential biomarker for diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to explore its association with disease activity.Subjects and methodsThe study enrolled 50 Egyptian subjects divided into a patient group, which comprised 25 RA patients, and a control group which comprised 25 healthy individuals. The disease activity for the patients’ group was determined by simplified disease activity index. Relative quantification of miR-146a expression in whole blood was determined using reverse transcriptase quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction.ResultsThere were highly significant statistical differences between patients and healthy controls as regards miR-146a relative expression, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) (p<0.001). Highly significant statistical differences (p<0.001) were also found between different patients’ subgroups as regards miR-146a relative expression and ESR. miR-146a levels correlated positively with those of ESR, C-reactive protein and anti-CCP (p<0.001).miR-146a illustrated best performance in diagnosing RA, showing the highest sensitivity and specificity (96% and 100%, respectively) (AUC: 0.992 at a cut off value of ⩾2.16) compared to anti-CCP (sensitivity: 68%, specificity: 100% and AUC: 0.87 at a cut off value of ⩾22U/ml) and RF (sensitivity: 56%, specificity: 80% and AUC: 0.992 at a cut off value of ⩾13U/ml).ConclusionThis study demonstrated that miR-146a expression was highly significantly elevated in whole blood of patients with RA. Its diagnostic performance was better than anti-CCP and RF and its level of expression correlates with disease activity

Role of Ozone in Surgical Complication of Diabetic Patients

Background: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder, caused by impaired carbohydrate metabolism makes many changes in the blood vessels affecting the response of endothelium and the smooth muscles. Polyol pathway activation, protein non-enzymatic glycosylation and increased ROSs(reactive oxidative species) play an important role in the complications of diabetes.Ozone activates glucose metabolism that results in increasing content of 2,3diphosphoglycerate in erythrocytes which provides better oxygen supply into the tissues. Patients with diabetes mellitus have the so called glycosylated hemoglobin forming very strong bonds with oxygen, thus, inducing hypoxia and determining the severity of the disease. That is why hypoxia control with the help of ozone therapy is of the key importance in the course of treatment. Conclusion: Ozone therapy appears to be an effective method for DM treatment. The reason is inozone mechanisms when it can perform a number of processes, which provide its positive effect

Case Study in Refractory Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma: Successful Treatment with Plerixafor

The present case study describes our experience in treating a young woman diagnosed with a relapsing case of diffuse large cell lymphoma, who was heavily pre-treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Our only chance to improve her survival was by using high-dose chemotherapy, followed by peripheral stem cell rescue. Unfortunately, in this patient, collecting sufficient stem cells for bone marrow transplantation proved to be very difficult since she had already been heavily treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Currently, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) alone or G-CSF plus chemotherapy are the most commonly used treatments for stem cell mobilization. However, 5–30% of patients do not respond to these agents. Plerixafor is a new hematopoietic stem cell-mobilizing drug that antagonizes the binding of chemokine stromal cell-derived factor-1α to CXC chemokine receptor 4. It is indicated in combination with G-CSF to mobilize hematopoietic stem cells to the peripheral blood for collection and subsequent autologous transplantation in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and multiple myeloma [Kessans et al.: Pharmacotherapy 2010;30:485–492; Jantunen: Expert Opin Biol Ther 2011;11:1241–1248]. Based on our findings, we consider plerixafor to be a very efficient and practical solution to mobilize and collect stem cells among all patients in such a situation, enabling us to proceed to autologous bone marrow transplantation and peripheral stem cell rescue in order to improve the patients’ overall survival

Vardenafil Oral Dispersible Films (ODFs) with advanced dissolution, palatability, and bioavailability

Oral, quick response, and on demand, also known as a spontaneous oral treatment for erectile dysfunction, is highly needed by both patients and physicians. Vardenafil is selective (fewer side effects) and more effective in difficult-to-treat conditions than sildenafil. This study aims at fostering the dual objectives of using biomolecules such as artificial sweetening agents to solubilize and mask the bitterness of vardenafil loaded on biodegradable polymeric materials (PVA, MC, SA, and PVP K30) to fabricate oral, fast-dissolving films (vardenafil ODFs) in the mouth without the need for water to ingest the dosage form. Furthermore, coprecipitated-dispersed mixtures of vardenafil and three sweeteners (sorbitol, acesulfame K, and sucralose) were prepared and characterized using FTIR, DSC, and solubility studies. Moreover, eight different vardenafil ODFs were prepared using the solvent-casting method. Modified gustatory sensation test, in vitro disintegration, and release studies were performed. In addition, the optimized ODF (F8) was compared with the commercial film-coated tablets pharmacokinetically (relative bioavailability, onset, and duration of actions were estimated). The results indicated that the three sweetening agents had comparable solubilizing capacity. However, both sucralose- and acesulfame K-based ODFs have a more enhanced sweet and palatable taste than sorbitol-sweetened ODF. The SA- and PVP K30-based ODFs showed significantly faster disintegration times and release rates than MC. In conclusion, PVA has good film-forming properties, but a higher ratio of PVA adversely affected the disintegration and release characteristics. The % relative bioavailability for ODF was 126.5%, with a superior absorption rate constant (Ka) of 1.2-fold. The C(max) and estimated T(max) were compared to conventional film-coated tablets

Thyroid Hormone Indices in Computer Workers with Emphasis on the Role of Zinc Supplementation

AIM: This study aimed to investigate the effects of computer monitor-emitted radiation on thyroid hormones and the possible protective role of zinc supplementation.MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included three groups. The first group (group B) consisted of 42 computer workers. This group was given Zinc supplementation in the form of one tablet daily for eight weeks. The second group (group A) comprised the same 42 computer workers after zinc supplementation. A group of 63 subjects whose job does not entail computer use was recruited as a control Group (Group C). All participants filled a questionnaire including detailed medical and occupational histories. They were subjected to full clinical examination. Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4) and zinc levels were measured in all participants. RESULTS: TSH, FT3, FT4 and zinc concentrations were decreased significantly in group B relative to group C. In group A, all tested parameters were improved when compared with group B. The obtained results revealed that radiation emitted from computers led to changes in TSH and thyroid hormones (FT3 and FT4) in the workers. CONCLUSION: Improvement after supplementation suggests that zinc can ameliorate hazards of such radiation on thyroid hormone indices