Topographic attributes control groundwater flow and groundwater salinity of Al Ain, UAE: a prediction method using remote sensing and GIS

In arid regions, over pumping and extraction of groundwater in excess of recharge has resulted sharp depleting in groundwater quantitatively and qualitatively. The effect of topographic attributes on groundwater accumulation and groundwater salinity was investigated in the southwest part of Al Ain, Abu Dhabi using Digital Elevation Model (DEM). Seven topographic attributes, such as topography, slope, aspect, relief, catchment area and drainage network were calculated. The results showed that the area is drained by 3 main basins emerging from Hafeet Mountain and drain southwesterly toward Ain Al Fayda and sand dunes. The results also showed all topographic attributes and hydrological elements are strongly structural controlled by NW and NNE trending fault zones. Spatial correlation was performed to correlate topographic attributes and hydrological data collected from groundwater samples. The result showed strong correlation between flow accumulation and groundwater salinity and topographic attributes and irrigation areas. These findings prove the usefulness of the proposed methods in predicting and identifying sites of high groundwater accumulation and groundwater salinity in arid region. Keywords Hafeet Mountain, Al Ain, UAE, Groundwater, Remote sensin

Substituted Quinolinones. Part 16. Preparation and reactions of 3-(4-hydroxy-1-methyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydroquinolin-3-yl)-3-oxopropanoic acid

Preparation of quinolinyl-3-oxopropanoic acid was accomplished by hydrolysis of pyranoquinolinedione, in aqueous alkaline medium. The chemical behavior of this β-keto acid towards nitrosation, coupling with a diazonium salt, esterification, condensation with 2,2-diethoxyethanamine, hydrazinolysis, Knoevenagel condensation with isatine, salicylaldehyde, 3-formylquinolones, and 3-formylchromone, was investigated. Also many of the products of these reactions were obtained using either pyranoquinolinedione 1 or β-keto acid 2, under the same conditions

Assessment of Fences as Noise Barriers: A Case Study in New Cairo, Egypt

Noise levels in Egypt exceed acceptable thresholds due to high population and lack of mandatory sound regulations. According to noise measurements done by “The National Network for Noise Level Measurement in Greater Cairo” most of the areas examined ( main squares, industrial areas, main roads, residential areas, commercial and administrative areas in Cairo governorate)  had shown that noise levels exceeded the standard permissible levels that are identified by the Environmental Law 4/1994 and its executive regulations. Noise levels reached up to 75-85 decibels (dB), which is considered unacceptable as noise levels should not exceed 65 dB during daytime and 55 dB during night due to law number 4/1994. On the other hand, fences are considered a common feature within the Egyptian urban context and are mainly constructed for safety and privacy reasons. This research assesses the effectiveness of existing fences as noise barriers and specifies factors that reduce noise levels. Site measurements and photographs were taken for the fence of a residential compound in new Cairo, where noises arising from surrounding places cause annoyance. MEP services were the main sources of disturbing continuous noise along with social activities and traffic noises. Measurements were performed using TM-102 digital sound level meter. Readings were recorded at various time intervals in front and behind of the fence and noise reduction levels were calculated. Measurements revealed that the fence acts as a good noise barrier and that combined configuration of the fence resulted in the attenuation of noise to acceptable levels

Effect of Obesity on Dural Puncture Epidural Analgesic Onset in Parturients Scheduled for Normal Vaginal Delivery

Background: Obese parturients are at higher risk for epidural analgesic failure, so the dural puncture epidural (DPE) technique may have particular advantage in this population. DPE has been suggested to improve the efficacy of labor epidural analgesia, potentially by facilitating the translocation of medication from the epidural to intrathecal space.   Objective: We designed this prospective interventional study to explore the influence of obesity on DPE technique regarding labor analgesia onset and quality.   Methods: Design: A prospective interventional study.   Patients: 64 parturients were consented to receive a DPE labor analgesia. Parturients were assigned according to pregestational body mass index groups into normal weight and obese groups. After successful placement of the epidural catheter and puncturing the dura, analgesic regimen was initiated.   Main outcome measure: The primary outcome was median time to onset of sensory block assessed by Kaplan-Meier analysis.   Results: Using Kaplan-Meier curve, we found median time to onset of sensory block 6 min in obese parturients compared with 13 min in non obese. Difference between both groups was statistically significant (Logrank Chi-squared = 56.663, df = 1, p < 0.0001). Incidence rate ratio (95% CI) = 21.0 (9.51, 46.5). No asymmetrical block was noticed in both groups, but a higher incidence of perineal dose supplementation and postoperative nausea were observed in obese group Conclusion: DPE offers a favorable risk–benefit ratio for management of neuraxial analgesia in obese parturient. Further studies comparing different volume, concentration, method of application of DPE local anesthetic are needed

The role of surfactants in inhibition of uropathogenic E. coli biofilm in catheterized patients in Assiut University Hospitals.

Background: Escherichia coli (E. coli) represent one of the major pathogens implicated in catheter associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI). Formation of biofilm by uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) is a major survival and persistence mechanism of bacteria against antibiotics and host immune responses in the bladder. This study was designed aiming to evaluate the role of surfactants [non-anionic: Tween 80, anionic: sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), cationic: cetyl trimethyl ammonium (CTMA)] on biofilm forming CsgA gene containing strains of E. coli. Methods: A cross sectional study conducted at Assiut University Hospitals ICUs included 100 patients; 53 males and 47 females, catheterized for at least 3 days. Biofilm production by E. coli isolates was detected phenotypically by culture on Congo red agar plates and confirmed genotypically by detection of CsgA by conventional PCR. Overnight broth culture of each E. coli isolate was incubated with each surfactant at 3 different concentrations (CMC). Subculture on congo red agar plates was done. Inhibition of biofilm formation was indicted by fading or absence of black color of the colonies. Results: Tween 80 showed inhibition of biofilm formation by 15% of all samples at a concentration 0.1% (>CMC). SDS show biofilm inhibition by 23% at concentration 2.32mg/ml (=CMC) and at concentration 3mg/ml (>CMC). CTMA inhibited the biofilm formation by 7% at a concentration 0.4mg/ml (=CMC) and by 38% at a concentration 0.8mg/ml (>CMC). Conclusion: Surfactants have disruptive and inhibitory effect on biofilm formation that provides an alternative for plain and medicated catheters

Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Effects of Grapefruit Juice on Ulcerative Colitis induced by Acetic Acid in Rats

Grapefruit is commonly consumed around the world due to its nutritional and medicinal properties. Ulcerative colitis (UC) accounts for an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) accompanied by irritation, recurrent inflammation, and ulceration of the colon's mucosa. Our objective was to assess the antiinflammatory and antioxidant impacts of grapefruit juice (GFJ) in rat with UC induced by acetic acid (AA). There were five groups made up of 35 mature male rats. Group 2 served as a positive control with UC, whereas group 1 was preserved as a negative control. For 8 weeks, groups 3, 4, and 5 received UC while also given 2.5, 5 or 10% of GFJ orally. Feed efficiency ratio (FER), body weight growth (BWG), and feed intake (FI) were computed. From rat eye orbital plexuses blood samples were taken to separate the serum after centrifugation.  The aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity were assessed utilizing serum samples. The antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in serum were quantified. Serum inflammatory cytokines as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), interleukin 1 β (IL1 β), IL6 and IL8, as well as triglycerides (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) were measured. In liver homogenate, glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined. Additionally, histopathology of the colon was accomplished. Our findings specified that GFJ at 10% significantly decreased FI, BWG and FER, cytokines TNFα, IL1 β, IL6 and IL8 and TC and TG. Relative to the positive controls, the rats treated with GFJ exhibited elevated serum concentrations of SOD, GPx, and CAT enzymes. Liver GSH was elevated and MDA was reduced. Histopathological examination of the colon showed that GFJ at 10% reduced ulcerative colitis. Because grapefruit juice has strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant characteristics and reduces oxidative stress and inflammation in rats, grapefruit juice, at a concentration of 10%, likely protects against ulcerative colitis. Patients with ulcerative colitis may find it helpful to consume grapefruit juice as a beverage.&nbsp

Wound Surface Area and Colony Count of Various Modes of Phototherapy

Background: The degree of tissue damage caused by related inflammatory and immunological sequelae poses a major therapeutic treatment problem in burn wounds. Chronic wounds frequently have a significant bioburden and pathogens that are resistant to antibiotics. This review article discusses present research on phototherapy, which is believed to be useful in managing wound bioburden and promoting healing.Objective: To evaluate the wound healing efficacy of polarized light therapy (BLT) against low-level laser therapy (GaAs laser) in order to determine which is more efficient and successful at speeding burn healing.Subject and methods: The current study enrolled thirty patients having partial thickness thermal burn on the forearm (dermal burn). They were selected from Burn Unit at Legislation Association Hospital for Burns & Oncology. They were randomly assigned into two equal groups: Group (A) that included fifteen patients who received the BLT with mean age of 28.8 ± 2.51 years old and group (B) that enrolled fifteen patients who received LLLT with mean age of 29.6 ± 2.79 years old. Both groups also received traditional physical therapy and conservative treatment for the burn site three times weekly for four weeks.Results: Group A and B showed a significant reduction in colony count and wound surface area after treatment in comparison to that before treatment (p > 0.001). In group A, the colony count and wound surface area decreased by 38.63% and 55.1% respectively, but in group B, by 15.6% and 37.92% respectively.Conclusion: Both polarized light therapy and low-level laser therapy had a therapeutic efficiency on wound healing, but BLT is more efficient and more successful in the acceleration of the burned wounds healing

Histological study on the protective effect of endogenous stem-cell mobilization in Adriamycin-induced chronic nephropathy in rats

AbstractChronic kidney disease is a global health problem with increasing morbidity and mortality. Therefore, this study was planned to test the protective effect of hematopoietic-stem-cell mobilization by granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) on Adriamycin (ADR)-induced chronic renal disease in rats. Thirty albino rats were equally divided into three groups: control, ADR group [rats received a single intravenous injection of ADR (5mg/kg)], and G-CSF group [rats received ADR by the same route and the same dose as the previous group, and then G-CSF (70μg/kg/d) 2 hours after ADR injection then daily for five consecutive days]. At the time of sacrifice (after 6 weeks), blood samples were taken to estimate the blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine. Kidney sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, toluidine blue, Masson's trichrome, periodic acid–Schiff stains, and immunohistochemical staining against CD34 and caspase-3. The G-CSF group exhibited protection against renal injury manifested by reducing blood urea nitrogen and serum-creatinine levels, improving histological architecture, and increasing the proliferative capacity of renal tubules