RGMa and RGMb expression pattern during chicken development suggest unexpected roles for these repulsive guidance molecules in notochord formation, somitogenesis, and myogenesis

Background: Repulsive guidance molecules (RGM) are high-affinity ligands for the Netrin receptor Neogenin, and they are crucial for nervous system development including neural tube closure; neuronal and neural crest cell differentiation and axon guidance. Recent studies implicated RGM molecules in bone morphogenetic protein signaling, which regulates a variety of developmental processes. Moreover, a role for RGMc in iron metabolism has been established. This suggests that RGM molecules may play important roles in non-neural tissues. Results: To explore which tissues and processed may be regulated by RGM molecules, we systematically investigated the expression of RGMa and RGMb, the only RGM molecules currently known for avians, in the chicken embryo. Conclusions: Our study suggests so far unknown roles of RGM molecules in notochord, somite and skeletal muscle development. Developmental Dynamics, 2012. (C) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.AFMAFMCNPqCNPqFAPESPFAPES

Platelet rich plasma following hysteroscopic adhesolysis: a randomized clinical trial

Background: Intrauterine adhesions (IUAs) is an uncommon condition that occurs after endometrial trauma, still it affects many women seeking fertility. Hystroscopic adhesolysis is the standard management procedure for IUAs, yet many concerns arise about the incidence of recurrence. This study evaluates the efficacy of Platelet rich plasma in decreasing adhesion recurrence following hystroscopic adhesolysis of severe intrauterine adhesions.Methods: A prospective randomized clinical trial held in the Endoscopy Unit of Ain Shams University Hospital, Cairo, Egypt. 160 women with grade-III intrauterine adhesions, according to American Fertility Society criteria, were randomized to either receiving 5ml platelet rich plasma injection into the uterine wall in the most affected parts of the endometrium and lining the uterine cavity by 5ml platelet rich plasma gel followed by intrauterine insertion of folley’s catheter balloon left for two weeks (study group), or only insertion of folley’s catheter balloon for two weeks with injection of placebo solution and using placebo gel (control group). Second look office hysteroscopy was performed 3 months post-operative to assess the grade of intrauterine adhesions. The primary outcome was the incidence of recurrence of intrauterine adhesions. Secondary outcomes were the post-operative improvement of menstrual duration and flow, and pregnancy rate within 1 year post-adhesolysis.Results: 70/81(86.4%) patients showed grade-I adhesions, 8/81 (9.9%) grade-II and 3/81 (3.7%) remained grade-III in the study group compared to 42/78 (53.8%) grade-I, 21/78 (26.9%) grade II and 15/78 (19.2%) grade-III in the control group (p<0.001).Conclusions: Platelet rich plasma shows better improvement of adhesion score, menses duration and menses amount following hystroscopic dissection of severe intrauterine adhesions

Optimal Sizing of Standalone PV-Wind Hybrid Energy System in Rural Area North Egypt

This paper studies the sizing of stand-alone renewable energy system applied in rural areas in the north of Egypt. The available renewable energy sources in these areas are investigated to be integrated to supply the different types of electrical loads. The quality and quantity of these sources over various weather and climate changes are studied to construct a robust energy system. The load demand in such areas is determined according to all activities require electrical energy. This study considers the different economic levels and technologies which affect the load demand value. The technique and economical indices required to obtain the optimal are investigated and applied in the various estimated cases. The genetic algorithm (GA) technique is applied to determine the size and number of photovoltaic panels and wind turbines. The obtained solution takes into account the loss of power supply probability and the minimization of system cost. This study presents an essential phase in the sustainable development of such rural areas

Dirac Fermions in Inhomogeneous Magnetic Field

We study a confined system of Dirac fermions in the presence of inhomogeneous magnetic field. Splitting the system into different regions, we determine their corresponding energy spectrum solutions. We underline their physical properties by considering the conservation energy where some interesting relations are obtained. These are used to discuss the reflexion and transmission coefficients for Dirac fermions and check the probability condition for different cases. We generalize the obtained results to a system with gap and make some analysis. After evaluating the current-carrying states, we analyze the Klein paradox and report interesting discussions.Comment: 28 pages, 15 figures. Version to appear in JP