Salicylic Acid Ameliorates the Effects of Oxidative Stress Induced by Water Deficit in Hydroponic Culture of Nigella sativa

Osmotic stress associated with drought, and salinity is a serious problem that inhibits the growth of plants, mainly due to disturbance of the balance between production of ROS and antioxidant defense and causing oxidative stress. The results obtained in the last few years strongly prove that salicylic acid could be a very promising and protective compound for the reduction of biotic and abiotic stresses in sensitive of crops, because under certain conditions, it has been found to mitigate the damaging effects of various stress factors in plants. In this research, salicylic acid was used in control, and drought stressed plants, and the role of this compound in reduction of oxidative damages in Nigella plant was investigated. Data presented in this study indicated that SA application through the root medium brought on the increased levels of drought tolerance in black cumin seedlings. Plants pre-treated with SA exhibited slight injury symptoms whereas those that were not pre-treated with SA had moderate damage and lost considerable portions of their foliage. SA very profoundly inducing the activity of CAT, APX and GPX in plants, which led to reduction in H2O2 content, lipid peroxidation (MDA) and LOX activity so it seems that the application of SA greatly improves the dehydration tolerance through elevated activities of antioxidant systems or may be the expression of genes encoding some ROS-scavenging enzymes under drought stress, which would maintain the redox homeostasis and integrity of cellular components

Primary adenoid cystic carcinoma of the trachea: a report of two cases and literature review

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the trachea is rare, it represents 1% of all respiratory tract cancers. It’s generally considered as a slowgrowing, with pronlonged clinical course. Most patients present with dyspnea, and the symptoms often mimic those of asthma or chronic bronchitis Surgical resection is the mainstay of treatment often combined to radiotherapy because of close surgical margins. When surgery isn’t possible, most tumors respond to radiotherapy alone wich often results in long periods of remission We report two  cases of primary ACC of trachea: a 49 year old male presented a distal unresectable tracheal ACC treated with chemo-radiotherapy who developed a recurrence and died 7 years after the diagnosis. And a 50 years old  female with a proximal tracheal tumor treated by surgical resection and end- to- end anastomosis followed by adjuvant radiotherapy. At 10 months follow-up, our patient shows no evidence of disease with negative  histological findings.Key words: Adenoid cystic carcinoma, trachea, tracheal resection, radiotherap

Fabrication of carbon paste electrode containing [PFeW11O39]4− polyoxoanion supported on modified amorphous silica gel and its electrocatalytic activity for H2O2 reduction

[PFeW11O39]4− (PFeW11) supported on the surface of 3-aminopropyl(triethoxy)silane modified silica gel was synthesized and used as a bulk modifier to fabricate a renewable three-dimensional chemically modified electrode. The electrochemical behavior of the modified electrode was investigated. Cyclic voltammetry studies showed that the PFeW11 on the electrode surface sustained the same electrochemical properties as that of the PFeW11 in solution. The preparation of chemically modified electrode is simple and quiet reproducible using inexpensive material. The modified electrode had high electrocatalytic activity toward H2O2 reduction and it was successfully applied as an electrochemical detector to monitor H2O2 in flow injection analysis (FIA). The electrocatalytic peak current was found to be linear with the H2O2 concentration in the range 10–200 μmol L−1 with a correlation coefficient of 0.998 and a detection limit (3σ) of 7.4 μmol L−1 H2O2. The electrode has the remarkable advantage of surface renewal owing to bulk modification, as well as simple preparation, good mechanical and chemical stability and reproducibility

Chitosan, polyethylene oxide/polycaprolactone electrospun core/shell nanofibrous mat containing rosuvastatin as a novel drug delivery system for enhancing human mesenchymal stem cell osteogenesis

Introduction: Due to the potential positive effects of rosuvastatin (RSV) on human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) osteogenesis and new bone regeneration, it is crucial to develop a suitable carrier that can effectively control the release profile of RSV. The primary objective of this study was to introduce a novel drug delivery system based on core/shell nanofibrous structures, enabling a sustained release of RSV.Methods: To achieve this, coaxial electrospinning was employed to fabricate chitosan (CS)+polyethylene oxide (PEO)/polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibrous mats, wherein RSV was incorporated within the core of nanofibers. By optimizing the relevant parameters of the electrospinning process, the mats’ surface was further modified using plasma treatment. The fibers’ shape, structure, and thermal stability were characterized. The wettability, and degradation properties of the fabricated mats were also examined. In vitro studies were conducted to examine the release behavior of RSV. Additionally, the capability of MSCs to survive and differentiate into osteocytes when cultured on nanofibers containing RSV was evaluated.Results: Results demonstrated the successful fabrication of CS + PEO + RSV/PCL core/shell mats with a core diameter of approximately 370 nm and a shell thickness of around 70 nm under optimized conditions. Plasma treatment was found to enhance the wettability and drug-release behavior of the mats. The nanofibrous structure, serving as a carrier for RSV, exhibited increased proliferation of MSCs and enhanced osteogenic differentiation.Conclusion: Therefore, it can be concluded that CS + PEO + RSV/PCL core/shell nanofibrous structure can be utilized as a sustained-release platform for RSV over an extended period, making it a promising candidate for guided bone regeneration

A study of nurses' observance rate of hygienic principles and nosocomial infections control

Background: Health-care personnel's familiarity with infection control methods and pathogen transmission channels play a determining role in reducing nosocomial infections. This study aimed at investigating the nurses' performance in observing hygienic principles and nosocomial infections control.Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 34 nurses working at Afshar Hospital in Yazd, Iran in 2016. Nurses' performance on infections prevention was surveyed via a checklist using self-reporting by nurses. The gleaned data were analyzed using independent t-test and ANOVA.Results: Our findings suggested that 69.5% of nurses had moderate performance on nosocomial infections control with regard to themselves, 63.2% had it with regard to patients, and 71.5% had it with regard to hospital setting. Also, there was a significant correlation between performance quality and nurses' working experience (P=0.01), on the one hand, and participation in an orientation workshop (P=0.001), on the other hand.Conclusions: Based on our findings, it is rendered as mandatory for hospital authorities to provide the required conditions for improving nurses' awareness and performance with regard to observing the hygienic principles and nosocomial infections control.

Evaluating the Effect of Prophylactic Acetaminophen in the Prevention of Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) in Premature Neonates: A randomized clinical trial

neonates. The purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy of prophylactic parenteral acetaminophen as a safer alternative drug for PDA in preterm infants. Methods: In a randomized clinical trial carried out in a one-year period, 60 preterm newborns under 30 weeks of gestational age with birth weights under 1500 grams, admitted in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Emam Reza Hospital, Mashhad were studied. The prophylaxis group received parenteral acetaminophen for 3 days. Echocardiography was performed 96 hours after the last given dose and on the 14th day in both groups. Result: There were 30 newborns in each group. In the 4th-day echocardiography, in 33.3% of the prophylaxis group and 26.7% of the control group, the ductus arteriosus was closed (P=0.106). In the 14th-day echocardiography, the ductus was closed in 63% and 41.4% of the intervention and control group, respectively, which was not statistically significant. In addition there was not a significant difference in the ratio of left atrium to aortic root between the two groups. Conclusion: This study showed that in total, PDA was closed in more cases in the intervention group compared to the control group but the difference was not statistically significant. Acetaminophen is a new medicine for PDA closure, which may be more prevalent in future due to its cost effectiveness and safety

Prediction of adverse perinatal outcome by fetal biometry: comparison of customized and populationâ based standards

ObjectiveTo compare the predictive performance of estimated fetal weight (EFW) percentiles, according to eight growth standards, to detect fetuses at risk for adverse perinatal outcome.MethodsThis was a retrospective cohort study of 3437 Africanâ American women. Populationâ based (Hadlock, INTERGROWTHâ 21st, World Health Organization (WHO), Fetal Medicine Foundation (FMF)), ethnicityâ specific (Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)), customized (Gestationâ Related Optimal Weight (GROW)) and Africanâ American customized (Perinatology Research Branch (PRB)/NICHD) growth standards were used to calculate EFW percentiles from the last available scan prior to delivery. Prediction performance indices and relative risk (RR) were calculated for EFW â 90th percentiles, according to each standard, for individual and composite adverse perinatal outcomes. Sensitivity at a fixed (10%) falseâ positive rate (FPR) and partial (FPR â 90th percentile were also at risk for any adverse perinatal outcome according to the INTERGROWTHâ 21st (RRâ =â 1.4; 95%â CI, 1.0â 1.9) and Hadlock (RRâ =â 1.7; 95%â CI, 1.1â 2.6) standards, many times fewer cases (2â 5â fold lower sensitivity) were detected by using EFW >â 90th percentile, rather than EFW â 90th percentile were at increased risk of adverse perinatal outcomes according to all or some of the eight growth standards, respectively. The RR of a composite adverse perinatal outcome in pregnancies with EFW <â 10th percentile was higher for the mostâ stringent (NICHD) compared with the leastâ stringent (FMF) standard. The results of the complementary analysis of AUC suggest slightly improved detection of adverse perinatal outcome by more recent populationâ based (INTERGROWTHâ 21st) and customized (PRB/NICHD) standards compared with the Hadlock and FMF standards. Published 2019. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/153734/1/uog20299.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/153734/2/uog20299_am.pd

Prevalence, antimicrobial resistance and serotype distribution of group B streptococcus isolated among pregnant women and newborns in Rabat, Morocco

PURPOSE: Group B streptococcus (GBS) is an important cause of neonatal sepsis worldwide. Data on the prevalence of maternal GBS colonization, risk factors for carriage, antibiotic susceptibility and circulating serotypes are necessary to tailor adequate locally relevant public health policies. METHODOLOGY: A prospective study including pregnant women and their newborns was conducted between March and July 2013 in Morocco. We collected clinical data and vagino-rectal and urine samples from the recruited pregnant women, together with the clinical characteristics of, and body surface samples from, their newborns. Additionally, the first three newborns admitted every day with suspected invasive infection were recruited for a thorough screening for neonatal sepsis. Serotypes were characterized by molecular testing. RESULTS: A total of 350 pregnant women and 139 of their newborns were recruited. The prevalence of pregnant women colonized by GBS was 24 %. In 5/160 additional sick newborns recruited with suspected sepsis, the blood cultures were positive for GBS. Gestational hypertension and vaginal pruritus were significantly associated with a vagino-rectal GBS colonization in univariate analyses. All of the strains were susceptible to penicillin, while 7 % were resistant to clindamycin and 12 % were resistant to erythromycin. The most common GBS serotypes detected included V, II and III. CONCLUSION: In Morocco, maternal GBS colonization is high. Penicillin can continue to be the cornerstone of intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis. A pentavalent GBS vaccine (Ia, Ib, II, III and V) would have been effective against the majority of the colonizing cases in this setting, but a trivalent one (Ia, Ib and III) would only prevent 28 % of the cases

Natural-based nanocomposites for bone tissue engineering and regenerative medicine: a review

Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine has been providing exciting technologies for the development of functional substitutes aimed to repair and regenerate damaged tissues and organs. Inspired by the hierarchical nature of bone, nanostructured biomaterials are gaining a singular attention for tissue engineering, owing their ability to promote cell adhesion and proliferation, and hence new bone growth, compared with conventional microsized materials. Of particular interest are nanocomposites involving biopolymeric matrices and bioactive nanosized fi llers. Biodegradability, high mechanical strength, and osteointegration and formation of ligamentous tissue are properties required for such materials. Biopolymers are advantageous due to their similarities with extracellular matrices, specifi c degradation rates, and good biological performance. By its turn, calcium phosphates possess favorable osteoconductivity, resorbability, and biocompatibility. Herein, an overview on the available natural polymer/calcium phosphate nanocomposite materials, their design, and properties is presented. Scaffolds, hydrogels, and fi bers as biomimetic strategies for tissue engineering, and processing methodologies are described. The specifi c biological properties of the nanocomposites, as well as their interaction with cells, including the use of bioactive molecules, are highlighted. Nanocomposites in vivo studies using animal models are also reviewed and discussed.  The research leading to this work has received funding from the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under grant agreement no REGPOT-CT2012-316331-POLARIS, and from QREN (ON.2 - NORTE-01-0124-FEDER-000016) cofinanced by North Portugal Regional Operational Program (ON.2 - O Novo Norte), under the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF), through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)

A Study of the Relationship between Social Responsibility and Teamwork among the Staff of Urmia University

Introduction As a complex organization, universities are important in achieving national goals and developing human capital, which is one of the main capitals of all organizations. The effectiveness of this capital depends on providing an appropriate working environment and teamwork, in which communication and collaboration with other members of the organization and participation in the affairs of the organization can take place. Nowadays, methods and practices of teamwork in various forms is the issue of interest in organizations. In the present century, teamwork is considered as one of the basic necessities of organizations to succeed. As a strategy to align employeesâ goals with the organization, social responsibility is essential in implementation and effectiveness of teamwork. Therefore the present study examined the relationship between social responsibility and teamwork among the staff of Urmia University. Materials and Methods The method of research in this study is correlational-descriptive. Research population is consisted of all the staff working in Urmia University who were permanently employed by the University. They were about 1040 individuals. Sample size included 204 employees, who were selected by means of stratified sampling method. The research instrument was an standardized questionnaire, collecting data for two variables of social responsibility (based on Carroll's model) and teamwork (based on Lnchyvny model). To guaranty the validity of the questionnaires, expertsâ opinions in the field of management and education were used. Also, to guaranty the reliability of the questionnaires, Alpha Cronbach test was conducted in a pilot study including a sample of 40 individuals. The Alpha for variable social responsibility was 813/0, and for variable teamwork 861/0, both of which are acceptable. The collected data was analyzed through Pearson correlation and multiple regression. Discussion of Results & Conclusion The results showed that There is a positive and significant relationship between social responsibility (r =0.49), economic responsibility (r =0.57), legal responsibility (r =0.46), moral responsibility (r =0.50) and teamwork. Also, economic responsibility (β = 0.13) and legal responsibility (β = 0.53) are significant predictors of the variance of teamwork. In conclusion, we can say that social responsibility in its several dimensions such as legal responsibility, economic responsibility, and moral responsibility can enhance teamwork among employees. Therefore, it is suggested that specific attention will be paid to these dimensions of social responsibility in order to create and enhance teamwork among employees of any organization