Low Incidence of Contrast Induced Nephropathy after Coronary Angiography in Patients with Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease Treated with Prophylactic Continuous Veno-venous Hemofiltration

Introduction: Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is associated with increased risk of in-hospital morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study was to find out whether continuous venovenous hemofiltration (CVVH) after coronary angiography in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients is associated with a lower incidence of CIN than that reported in the literature. Methods: All patients with CKD who underwent coronary angiography in the Chest Disease Hospital, Kuwait, between January 2004 and December 2005 were treated by CVVH after the procedure. Renal function was assessed before and after the procedure. Results: A total of 98 patients were enrolled in the study, 52 (53.1%) of whom were males. Their mean age was 60.7 years. Before the procedure, the mean serum creatinine level was 4.65 mg/dl and the mean creatinine clearance (Cr Cl) was 18.04 ml/min. Patients underwent CVVH for a mean duration of 21.3 hours, after a mean time-interval of 44.3 min. Their mean serum creatinine was 4.57 mg/dl at discharge (within the first week after the procedure) and 4.78 mg/dl at 15 days after the procedure. Mean Cr Cl was 18.52 ml/min at discharge and 17.62 ml/min at 15 days after the procedure. There was no statistically significant difference between the mean serum creatinine and Cr Cl values before and after the procedure. However, one patient (1.02%) developed CIN and ended on regular hemodialysis. The in-hospital mortality was 0%. Conclusion: Patients with advanced CKD who undergo coronary angiography may be protected from further deterioration in their renal function after exposure to radiological contrast material if the procedure is immediately followed by CVVH. A randomized controlled clinical trial is needed to verify our encouraging results. Keywords: contrast induced nephropathy, chronic kidney disease, continuous venovenous hemofiltratio

Characteristics of electromagnetic waves in slab waveguide structures comprising chiral nihility film and left-handed material claddings

We analytically present the dispersion equation of an asymmetric three-layered chirowaveguides, in which the core and the claddings are different chiral materials. Then, we produce the dispersion equation for a symmetric three-layered chirowaveguides, in which the claddings chiral materials are the same, but different from the one in the core. After that, two modes of propagation through a chiral nihility core and left handed material (LHM) claddings waveguide are treated in details. The characteristic equations and the cut-off frequencies for both even and odd modes are derived. The electric field profiles are plotted and discussed. We show that each mode (odd and even) can be separated into right-handed and left-handed circularly polarized (RCP and LCP) modes. The results reveal that novel properties such as peculiar dispersion curves

Geographic variation in phytochemical constituents and allelopathic potential of Pinus halepensis barks

Aqueous extracts (10, 20, 30 and 40 g/L) of Pinus halepensis barks, collected from Bizerte (B), Tabarka (T), Seliana (S) and Oueslatia (O) to elucidate the influence of ecological sites on allelopathic potential. Aqueous barks extracts from (S) and (O) have revealed a higher rate of phenolic acids than those from (T) and (B), respectively 13.23, 13.8, 11.63 and 10.37 mg/mL. Alep pin barks were analyzed using HPLC/UV for the identification and quantification of the phenolic compounds, among which in particular the catechin acetate, the gallic acid, the rutine hydrate, luteolin 7 glucoside and the cinnamic acid. In fact, the aqueous extract of barks from (S) revealed a highest level, respectively 2.61, 1.74, 1.61, 1.36, and 1.21 mg/mL. The Pinus halepensis barks was analyzed by GC and GC-MS. As a result, 29 compounds were identified representing 89% made up basically by β-caryophyllene, α-humulene. As for allelopathic activity, aqueous extracts of barks significantly delayed germination, reduced its rate and affected the seedling growth mainly the (S) and (O) extracts. The root growth of the two targets has shown a high sensibility compared to the shoot lengths. Pot cultures were conducted by the incorporation of barks powder (50 and 100 g/kg) or the irrigation with their aqueous extracts at 20 and 40 g/L. Pinus halepensis barks and its extracts have shown a high herbicide potent, particularly the one collected from (S) and (O), may be favorably used for incorporating in agricultural systems for sustainable weed managemen

Advances in surface EMG signal simulation with analytical and numerical descriptions of the volume conductor

Surface electromyographic (EMG) signal modeling is important for signal interpretation, testing of processing algorithms, detection system design, and didactic purposes. Various surface EMG signal models have been proposed in the literature. In this study we focus on 1) the proposal of a method for modeling surface EMG signals by either analytical or numerical descriptions of the volume conductor for space-invariant systems, and 2) the development of advanced models of the volume conductor by numerical approaches, accurately describing not only the volume conductor geometry, as mainly done in the past, but also the conductivity tensor of the muscle tissue. For volume conductors that are space-invariant in the direction of source propagation, the surface potentials generated by any source can be computed by one-dimensional convolutions, once the volume conductor transfer function is derived (analytically or numerically). Conversely, more complex volume conductors require a complete numerical approach. In a numerical approach, the conductivity tensor of the muscle tissue should be matched with the fiber orientation. In some cases (e.g., multi-pinnate muscles) accurate description of the conductivity tensor may be very complex. A method for relating the conductivity tensor of the muscle tissue, to be used in a numerical approach, to the curve describing the muscle fibers is presented and applied to representatively investigate a bi-pinnate muscle with rectilinear and curvilinear fibers. The study thus propose an approach for surface EMG signal simulation in space invariant systems as well as new models of the volume conductor using numerical methods

Preparing of Barium Titanate Using Chemical Method and Studying of Its Structural Properties

Single crystalline BaTiO3 (BT) was prepared using TiCl4, BaCl2 and oxalic acid. The structure of the prepared nanocrystalline BT powders were a tetragonal perovskite according to XRD and HRTEM analysis. Annealing powder to 750oC show that pure BT phase was formed according to XRD, TG, and FTIR spectroscopy. The TEM images of the prepared powder reveal spherical morphology of BT, while a finger twin, dendritic and embryo shape are observed of BT powder calcined at 230, 530, and 750oC respectively. SAED and HRTEM images showed a high crystalline BT powder and a single crystalline BT respectively

THE POWER OF INTEGRATION TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE PERFORMANCE: A MODEL TO MINIMIZE TECHNOSTRESS AMONG FRONTLINE RESTAURANT EMPLOYEES BY COMBINING JOB AND EMPLOYEE RESOURCES

To develop a model that integrates restaurant and employee resources to overcome technostress and achieve sustainable performance. This qualitative study is based on twenty-two semi-structured interviews with restaurant managers and frontline employees (FLEs) to comprehensively understand how restaurant resources and personnel can be employed to combat technostress and achieve sustainable performance. Restaurant FLEs experience technostress from multiple sources, including unclear work-life boundaries, complex new systems, job insecurity, and the frequent use of new technologies. In addition, restaurant managers and FLEs concur that integrating restaurant and FLE resources is an effective model for reducing technostress and achieving FLEs' sustainable performance. The study expands the JD-R model to address the challenges faced by FLEs in managing technology-induced job demands, offering a comprehensive solution that benefits restaurants and employees. This approach considers the role of both employers and employees in managing technostress, leading to a supportive work environment and improved sustainable performance

Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use (AFOLU)

Agriculture, Forestry, and Other Land Use (AFOLU) is unique among the sectors considered in this volume, since the mitigation potential is derived from both an enhancement of removals of greenhouse gases (GHG), as well as reduction of emissions through management of land and livestock (robust evidence; high agreement). The land provides food that feeds the Earth’s human population of ca. 7 billion, fibre for a variety of purposes, livelihoods for billions of people worldwide, and is a critical resource for sustainable development in many regions. Agriculture is frequently central to the livelihoods of many social groups, especially in developing countries where it often accounts for a significant share of production. In addition to food and fibre, the land provides a multitude of ecosystem services; climate change mitigation is just one of many that are vital to human well-being (robust evidence; high agreement). Mitigation options in the AFOLU sector, therefore, need to be assessed, as far as possible, for their potential impact on all other services provided by land. [Section 11.1

Mapping of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex Genetic Diversity Profiles in Tanzania and Other African Countries

The aim of this study was to assess and characterize Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) genotypic diversity in Tanzania, as well as in neighbouring East and other several African countries. We used spoligotyping to identify a total of 293 M. tuberculosis clinical isolates (one isolate per patient) collected in the Bunda, Dar es Salaam, Ngorongoro and Serengeti areas in Tanzania. The results were compared with results in the SITVIT2 international database of the Pasteur Institute of Guadeloupe. Genotyping and phylogeographical analyses highlighted the predominance of the CAS, T, EAI, and LAM MTBC lineages in Tanzania. The three most frequent Spoligotype International Types (SITs) were: SIT21/CAS1-Kili (n = 76; 25.94%), SIT59/LAM11-ZWE (n = 22; 7.51%), and SIT126/EAI5 tentatively reclassified as EAI3-TZA (n = 18; 6.14%). Furthermore, three SITs were newly created in this study (SIT4056/EAI5 n = 2, SIT4057/T1 n = 1, and SIT4058/EAI5 n = 1). We noted that the East-African-Indian (EAI) lineage was more predominant in Bunda, the Manu lineage was more common among strains isolated in Ngorongoro, and the Central-Asian (CAS) lineage was more predominant in Dar es Salaam (p-value<0.0001). No statistically significant differences were noted when comparing HIV status of patients vs. major lineages (p-value = 0.103). However, when grouping lineages as Principal Genetic Groups (PGG), we noticed that PGG2/3 group (Haarlem, LAM, S, T, and X) was more associated with HIV-positive patients as compared to PGG1 group (Beijing, CAS, EAI, and Manu) (p-value = 0.03). This study provided mapping of MTBC genetic diversity in Tanzania (containing information on isolates from different cities) and neighbouring East African and other several African countries highlighting differences as regards to MTBC genotypic distribution between Tanzania and other African countries. This work also allowed underlining of spoligotyping patterns tentatively grouped within the newly designated EAI3-TZA lineage (remarkable by absence of spacers 2 and 3, and represented by SIT126) which seems to be specific to Tanzania. However, further genotyping information would be needed to confirm this specificity