Training of Local Community Youth in Dahshur, Egypt, as Local Tour Guides and Heritage Guardians

In an attempt to shift the strategy in Egypt toward sustainable heritage tourism a project was designed aiming to (1) integrate the archaeological site with local natural and rural heritage resources, (2) increase local awareness, (3) engage local community in a scheme of heritage economic development, and (4) valorize of Dahshur as a special tourist destination. The pilot project was implemented in Dahshur, which is a part of the World Heritage Site-Memphis and its Necropolis.  The project included a training program for local tour guides who were introduced to (1) of how to become a tour guide, (2) Introduction to archaeological, natural, and rural resources of the area, and (3) the basic elements of cultural heritage management. Another program was devoted to enhance the awareness of local youths of the significance and values of the heritage resources in their vicinity, and to encourage them to take part in protecting and conserving heritage at risk from looting, neglect, and a transformation of local traditional dwellings. Without such programs, no measures for protecting Egyptian heritage, now in great danger, and promote sustainable tourism will succeed given that local communities are at present marginalized and excluded from the management of Egyptian heritage resources.Dans une tentative de modifier l’approche du tourisme durable du patrimoine en Egypte, un projet a été conçu visant à (1) intégrer le site archéologique avec les ressources du patrimoine naturel et rural au niveau local, (2) augmenter la sensibilisation locale, (3) engager la communauté locale dans un régime de développement économique du patrimoine, et (4) valoriser le Dahshour comme une destination touristique particulière. Le projet pilote a été mis en œuvre au Dahchour, qui est une partie du site du patrimoine mondial Memphis et sa nécropole. Le projet comprenait un programme de formation pour les guides locaux qui ont été introduits à (1) la formation de guide touristique, (2) introduction aux ressources archéologiques, naturels et rurales de la région, et (3) les éléments de base de la culture la gestion du patrimoine. Un autre programme a été consacré à améliorer la prise de conscience des jeunes de la région autour de signification et des valeurs des ressources patrimoniales dans leur voisinage, et de les encourager à participer à la protection et la conservation du patrimoine aux risques de pillage, de négligence, et à la transformation des logements traditionnels locaux. Sans ces programmes, il ne saurait y avoir de mesures de protection du patrimoine égyptien, lequel est maintenant en grand danger ; et promouvoir le tourisme durable serait un succès étant donné que les communautés locales sont actuellement marginalisées et exclues de la gestion des ressources du patrimoine égyptien.مدير برنامج إدارة التراث الثقافي , الجامعة الفرنسية في مصر . في محاولة لتغيير الإستراتيجية في مصر نحو السياحة التراثية المستدامة تم تصميم مشروع يهدف إلى (1) دمج الموقع الأثري مع الموارد الطبيعية المحلية والتراث الريفي , (2) زيادة الوعي المحلي , (3) إشراك المجتمع المحلي في خطة تطوير التراث الاقتصادي و (4) تنمية دهشور كوجهة سياحية خاصة . تم تنفيذ المشروع التجريبي في دهشور والتي هي جزء من مواقع التراث العالمي –ممفيس و مقابرها . تضمن المشروع برنامج تدريبي للمرشدين السياحيين المحليين الذين تم تقديمهم إلى (1) كيف تصبح مرشدا سياحيا (2) مقدمة إلى المصادر الأثرية الطبيعية والريفية في المنطقة و (3) العناصر الأساسية لإدارة التراث الثقافي. و قد تم تخصيص برنامج أخر لتعزيز وعي الشباب المحلي لأهمية وقيم الموارد المحلية في المناطق المجاورة لهم وتشجيهم على المشاركة في الحماية والحفاظ على التراث من خطر النهب و الإهمال والتحويل إلى مساكن تقليدية محلية. بدون مثل هذه البرامج , أية تدابير لحماية التراث المصري , والذي هو الآن في خطر كبير , وتشجيع السياحة المستدامة , سوف لن تنجح نظرا إلى أن المجتمعات المحلية هي في الوقت الحاضر المهشمة والمستبعدة من إدارة الموارد الثقافية المصرية

The Potential Association between the Risk of Post-Surgical Adhesion and the Activated Local Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptors: Need for Novel Treatment Strategies

Background: Post-surgical adhesion bands (PSABs) are a common complication after abdominal or pelvic surgeries for different reasons like cancer treatment. Despite improvements in surgical techniques and the administration of drugs or the use of physical barriers, there has only been limited improvement in the frequency of postoperative adhesions. Complications of PSAB are pain, infertility, intestinal obstruction, and increased mortality. The most important molecular mechanisms for the development of PSAB are inflammatory response, oxidative stress, and overexpression of pro-fibrotic molecules such as transforming growth factor beta. However, questions remain about the pathogenesis of this problem, for example, the causes for individual differences or why certain tissue sites are more prone to post-surgical adhesions. Summary: Addressing the pathological causes of PSAB, the potential role of local angiotensin II/angiotensin II type 1 receptors (AngII/AT1R), may help to prevent this problem. Key Message: The objective of this article was to explore the role of the AngII/AT1R axis potential to induce PSAB and the therapeutic potential of angiotensin receptor blockers in the prevention and treatment of PSAB

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Correction to: Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat