A critical review of MANET testbed using mobile robot technology

This paper is a continuation of our previous paper under the same topic, MANET testbed using mobile robot technology. In our previous paper, we studied the topic by scrutinizing all the technical aspects and presented it as a technical review. However in this paper, we study the topic and presents it as a critical review that dwells into four aspect, namely (i) purpose, a ccessibility and s cope of testbed facilities, (ii) usability and c ontrollability of robot mobility in t estbed facilities, (iii) repeatability and r e producibility of real m obility in t estbeds, and (iv) tools for MANET implementation, deployment and d ebugging for experiments. With the wealth of information on the topic provided in this paper, the content of this paper is expected to be a source of reference for MANET researchers who are at a crossroad when selecting the preferred mobi le robot technology and approach to sui t thei r own speci f ic needs

A critical review of MANET testbed using mobile robot Technology

This paper is a continuation of our previous paper under the same topic, MANET testbed using mobile robot technology. In our previous paper, we studied the topic by scrutinizing all the technical aspects and presented it as a technical review. However in this paper, we study the topic and presents it as a critical review that dwells into four aspect, namely (i) purpose, a ccessibility and s cope of testbed facilities, (ii) usability and c ontrollability of robot m obility in t estbed facilities, (iii) repeatability and r e producibility of real m obility in t estbeds, and (iv) tools for MANET implementation, deployment and d ebugging for e xperiments. With the wealth of information on the topic provided in this paper, the content of this paper is expected to be a source of reference for MANET researchers who are at a crossroad when selecting the preferred mobile robot technology and approach to suit their own specific needs

Contribution of coagulation factor VII R353Q polymorphism to the risk of thrombotic disorders development (venous and arterial): A case-control study

Background: Elevated factor VII (FVII) level is a risk factor for thromboembolic disorders. It was reported that the FVII R353Q polymorphism is associated with variation in plasma FVII levels, where Q allele carriers were more associated with lower levels of FVII than R allele carriers. However, the association between coagulation FVII R353 Q polymorphisms and the risk of thrombosis is uncertain.Aim of the study: Is to investigate the contribution of factor VII R353Q gene polymorphism to the risk of thrombotic disorders development (venous and arterial) in a group of Egyptian patients.Subjects and methods: This study was conducted on 310 subjects: 110 acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients, 108 deep venous thrombosis (DVT) patients and 92 healthy controls. FVII R353Q genotypes were assessed using restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis.Results: There were no statistically significant differences in the frequency of FVII R353Q polymorphism between each of the AMI and DVT patients and the control group (P = 0.9, 0.1). However the Q allele showed a significantly higher frequency in the AMI group (15.4%) vs. controls (8.7%) (OR: 1.92; 95% CI: 0.98–3.7). Bivariate analysis demonstrated no significant association between FVII R353Q genotypes and different studied risk factors, neither in arterial nor venous thrombosis.Conclusion: FVII R353Q polymorphism did not contribute to an increased risk of thrombosis (arterial and venous); also carrying the Q allele (of R353Q) did not confer protection against acute thrombotic events

A critical appraisal of molecular xenomonitoring as a tool for assessing progress toward elimination of lymphatic filariasis

We used molecular xenomonitoring (MX, detection of filarial DNA in mosquitoes) to evaluate the impact of mass drug administration (MDA) in sentinel locations in Egypt with high (11.5%) and low (4.1%) baseline microfilaria prevalence rates. Blood-fed Culex pipiens were pooled by household and tested for Wuchereria bancrofti DNA by PCR. There was no significant relationship between the infection status of household residents and parasite DNA status of mosquitoes from the same houses. After 5 MDA rounds, parasite DNA rates in mosquitoes in high- and low-prevalence areas were reduced by 93.8% and 100% to 0.19% (95% CI: 0.076–0.382%) and 0% (95% CI: 0–0.045%), respectively. These changes were consistent with decreases in microfilaria prevalence rates in these sites; they provide insight regarding the minimal mosquito DNA rates necessary for sustained transmission of filariasis in Egypt. We conclude that MX is a powerful tool for monitoring the impact of MDA on filariasis endemicity and transmission

Detection of Wuchereria bancrofti L3 Larvae in Mosquitoes: A Reverse Transcriptase PCR Assay Evaluating Infection and Infectivity

Lymphatic filariasis is a disabling and disfiguring disease caused by a parasite that is transmitted by a mosquito. The life cycle of the parasite requires two hosts: the mosquito vector and the human host. Part of the developmental life cycle of the parasite occurs in the mosquito and the other part in the human host. The parasite develops through four stages in the mosquito, only the last of which is infectious to humans. The third larval stage (L3) is the infective stage that initiates human infections when infective mosquitoes bite humans. There is currently a global program attempting to eliminate this disease by administering drugs to affected communities with the goal of interrupting transmission of the parasite. The new diagnostic tool described in this paper uses molecular techniques to specifically detect the infective stage of the parasite in mosquitoes. Many mosquitoes can be tested at one time to assess the risk of ongoing transmission of filariasis in communities. In addition, this new L3-detection assay can simultaneously detect whether the mosquitoes contain ‘any-stage’ of the parasite. This provides information on infection rates in humans in the community. Both pieces of information can be used in assessing the progress of disease elimination efforts

Impact of Trunk Control on Balance and Functional Abilities in Chronic Stroke Patients

Background: The proximal trunk stability is a major pre-requisite for balance and coordinated extremity use in daily functional activities. Objective: To evaluate the trunk control in chronic stroke patients , and to determine to what extent it affects balance abilities and functional performance of those patients. Another aim is to detect the best clinical measure that can be used to test trunk muscle control and may predict functional recovery. Patients and Methods: Forty adult post-stroke ambulant patients participated in this study. The testing protocol included assessment of trunk control by Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS), evaluation of balance ability by Biodex Balance System, and assessment of the functional performance by Functional Independence Measure (motor subscale). Results: The mean age of the study sample was 56.1 \ub15.45 years. The trunk control was impaired in 39 (97.5%) out of 40 patients. Measures of trunk control were significantly correlated with measures of balance and functional ability. Univariate regression analysis and partial correlation showed that the dynamic sitting balance subscale of the TIS has the highest effect on measures of balance and functional ability. In addition, the patients\u2019 functional performance is strongly dependent on their balance ability. Conclusion: The trunk performance is still impaired in most of chronic stroke patients and it strongly affects their balance and functional abilities. The dynamic sitting balance component of the TIS is a reliable clinical indicator of balance and functional recovery

The effect of compliance on the impact of mass drug administration for elimination of lymphatic filariasis in Egypt

We studied effects of compliance on the impact of mass drug administration (MDA) with diethylcarbamazine and albendazole for lymphatic filariasis (LF) in an Egyptian village. Baseline microfilaremia (mf) and filarial antigenemia rates were 11.5% and 19.0%, respectively. The MDA compliance rates were excellent (> 85%). However, individual compliance was highly variable; 7.4% of those surveyed after five rounds of MDA denied having ever taken the medications and 52.4% reported that they had taken all five doses. The mf and antigenemia rates were 0.2% and 2.7% in those who reported five doses of MDA and 8.3% and 13.8% in those who reported zero doses. There was no significant difference in residual infection rates among those who had taken two or more doses. These results underscore the importance of compliance for LF elimination programs based on MDA and suggest that two ingested doses of MDA are as effective as five doses for reducing filariasis infection rates

Vascular endothelial growth factor-A mRNA gene expression in clinical phases of multiple sclerosis

Background: Vascular endothelial growth factor A stimulates angiogenesis, but is also pro-inflammatory and plays an important role in the development of neurological disease. This study aimed to investigate whether vascular endothelial growth factor A mRNA expression could be used as a marker for the prediction of susceptibility to multiple sclerosis and relate vascular endothelial growth factor to the clinical phases of multiple sclerosis. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study, consisting of a total of 60 subjects with multiple sclerosis and 20 healthy controls. Subjects were subjected to history taking, neurological examination and peripheral blood sampling for vascular endothelial growth factor A mRNA gene expression. Vascular endothelial growth factor A gene expression was measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction using the SYBR Green technique. Results: Vascular endothelial growth factor A mRNA gene expression level was significantly lower in the multiple sclerosis group than in the healthy control group (P<0.001). Vascular endothelial growth factor A mRNA gene expression level was higher in relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients than in those in remission (P<0.001) and in relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis compared with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (P<0.001). There was no correlation between vascular endothelial growth factor A gene expression levels and duration of disease, multiple sclerosis progression index or expanded disability status scale. Conclusions: A lower vascular endothelial growth factor A mRNA gene expression level was independently associated with a higher risk of multiple sclerosis