Comparison of drying characteristics of Thompson seedless grapes using combined microwave oven and hot air drying

AbstractComparison of drying characteristics of Thompson seedless grapes using combined microwave oven and hot air cabinet dryer was investigated. The drying rate curves indicated the absence of a constant-rate drying period in all drying methods. Within a certain microwave power range (75–900W in the current study), increasing microwave power speeds up the drying process, thus shortening the drying time. No benefits were seen when increasing drying time from 30 to 120min when grapes drying started in hot air cabinet dryer and finished in microwave oven for 1min at any power level. The higher value of energy consumption during grapes drying belonged to hot air cabinet dryer alone as drying method with value of 564.5MJ/kgwater evaporated. The average total soluble solids was 90.4° Brix when drying was achieved by microwave oven followed by hot air cabinet dryer, meanwhile, it was 90.2° Brix when drying was achieved by hot air cabinet dryer followed by microwave oven. The total soluble solid was 92° Brix when drying process started and finished in hot air cabinet dryer alone. The average drying ratio was 4.21 when drying was achieved by microwave oven followed by hot air cabinet dryer; meanwhile, it was 4.19 when drying was achieved by hot air cabinet dryer followed by microwave oven. The hot air cabinet drying method had higher drying constant ‘k’ compared to the other two methods. The microwave oven followed by hot air cabinet dryer as a drying method achieved 78% of the optimum selection percentage. However, the optimum drying method has a selection percentage of 100%

Investigating the effects of vitreous humour (crude extract) on growth and differentiation of rat mesenchymal stem cells (rMSCs) and human NTERA2 cells

It is very well documented that retinoic acid (RA) reduces growth rate by induction of cell differentiation in certain conditions and cell lines. On the other hand, hyaluronic acid (HA) is known for its growth induction on cultured cells. A natural source of HA, rabbit vitreous humour (VH), was previously shown to promote wound repair in model animals. In search for its possible mechanisms, VH extract was tested on the cultured mesenchymal stem cells and NTERA2 as human embryonal carcinoma cells in the presence of RA. Changes in some cellular and molecular markers (A2B5, Oct4, Sox2) showed that VH and possibly HA interfere with differentiating effects of RA. Therefore, this reagent may affect cell proliferation and tissue regeneration by inhibition of cell differentiation.Хорошо известно, что ретиноевая кислота (RA) снижает темпы роста, индуцируя дифференциацию клеточных линий в определенных условиях. Вместе с тем известно, что гиалуроновая кислота (HA) индуцирует рост культивируемых клеток. Ранее было показано, что естественный источник НА, стекловидное тело (VH) кролика, вызывает заживление ран у модельных животных. В поисках возможного механизма этого процесса экстракт стекловидного тела был исследован на культивируемых мезенхимальных стволовых клетках и клетках NTERA2 эмбриональной карциномы человека в присутствии RA. Изменения некоторых клеточных и молекулярных маркеров (A2B5, Oct4, Sox2) показали, что VH и, возможно, HA влияют на дифференцирующие эффекты RA. Таким образом, это вещество может влиять на пролиферацию клеток и регенерацию тканей, ингибируя дифференциацию клеток.Добре відомо, що ретиноєва кислота (RA) знижує темпи росту, індукуючи диференціацію кліткових ліній в певних умовах. Разом з тим відомо, що гіалуронова кислота (НА) індукує ріст культиво- ваних клітин. Раніше було показано, що природне джерело НА, склоподібне тіло (VH) кроля, викликає загоєння ран у модельних тварин. В пошуках можливого механізму цього процесу екстракт склоподібного тіла був досліджений на культивованих мезенхімальних стовбурових клітинах та клітинах NTERA2 ембріональної карциноми людини в присутності RA. Зміни деяких клітинних та молекулярних маркерів (A2B5, Oct4, Sox2) показали, що VH і, можливо, НА впливають на диференціюючі ефекти RA. Таким чином, ця речовина може впливати на проліферацію і регенерацію тканин, інгібуючи диференціацію клітин

Incidence of hip fracture in Saudi Arabia and the development of a FRAX model

Summary A prospective hospital-based survey in representative regions of Saudi Arabia determined the incidence of fractures at the hip. The hip fracture rates were used to create a FRAX® model to facilitate fracture risk assessment in Saudi Arabia. Objective This paper describes the incidence of hip fracture in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that was used to characterize the current and future burden of hip fracture, to develop a country-specific FRAX® tool for fracture prediction and to compare fracture probabilities with neighbouring countries. Methods During a 2-year (2017/2018) prospective survey in 15 hospitals with a defined catchment population, hip fractures in Saudi citizens were prospectively identified from hospital registers. The number of hip fractures and future burden was determined from national demography. Age- and sex-specific incidence of hip fracture and national mortality rates were incorporated into a FRAX model for Saudi Arabia. Fracture probabilities were compared with those from Kuwait and Abu Dhabi. Results The incidence of hip fracture applied nationally suggested that the estimated number of hip fractures nationwide in persons over the age of 50 years for 2015 was 2,949 and is predicted to increase nearly sevenfold to 20,328 in 2050. Hip fracture rates were comparable with estimates from Abu Dhabi and Kuwait. By contrast, probabilities of a major osteoporotic fracture or hip fracture from the age of 70 years were much lower than those seen in Abu Dhabi and Kuwait due to higher mortality estimates for Saudi Arabia. Conclusion A country-specific FRAX tool for fracture prediction has been developed for Saudi Arabia which is expected to help guide decisions about treatment

Yearly, seasonal and monthly daily average diffuse sky radiation models

A daily average diffuse sky radiation regression model based on daily global radiation was developed utilizing two year data taken near Blytheville, Arkansas (Lat. = 35.9°N, Long. = 89.9°W), USA. The model has a determination coefficient of 0.91 and 0.092 standard error of estimate. The coefficient of determination is 0.93, 0.81, 0.94 and 0.93, whereas the standard error of estimate is 0.08, 0.102, 0.042 and 0.075 for spring, summer, fall and winter, respectively. A monthly average daily diffuse sky radiation model was also developed. The coefficient of determination is 0.92 and the standard error of estimate is 0.083. A seasonal monthly average model was also developed which has 0.91 coefficient of determination and 0.085 standard error of estimate.King Saud Universit

Role of multiphasic multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) in the diagnosis and staging of solid neoplastic renal masses

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the role of multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) in diagnosis and preoperative staging of solid renal masses. Patients and methods: During two years duration we prospectively evaluated 56 patients with solid renal lesions previously detected by US. All patients underwent multiphasic CT scanning for the kidneys and urinary tract following a preset scanning protocol that included unenhanced, corticomedullary phase (CMP), nephrograhic phase (NP) and excretory phase (EP) scanning. The images obtained in the excretory delayed phase were reconstructed in different planes to obtain 2D and 3D reformatted images providing volume rendering VR and maximum intensity projection (MIP) CTU images. Curved reformatting was sometimes used for the ureter. The numbers of lesions detected in all three phases were determined. Results of CT scan were compared with histopathology or constellation of clinical and imaging patient data. Results: A total of 61 masses were detected in 56 cases, 51 cases had unilateral masses (91%), 5 cases had bilateral masses (9%). The different pathologies encountered in the study were RCC 39 masses (64%), Wilm’s tumor 3 masses (4.9%), transitional cell carcinoma 3 masses (4.9%), angiomyolipoma 7 masses (11.5%), lymphoma 6 masses (9.8%), metastasis one mass (1.6%), angiomyolipoma associated with RCC two masses (3.3%). Lymph nodal metastasis, renal vein, IVC thrombosis and distant metastatic spread in different pathologies were assessed. The attenuation HU values calculated in the early CMP for all cases of RCC had a mean value of 80.5 HU (STD 45.7) while the mean values in NP and EP were 70.6 HU (STD 25.4) and 51.3 HU (STD 19.2) respectively. A pattern of enhancement was detected in all cases of RCC in the form of rapid wash out of contrast and decrease of attenuation (HU) by time throughout different phases. Significant difference between HU in CMP and EP in cases of RCC (P value = 0.0002) and difference between HU in NP and EP in cases of RCC (P value < 0.00001) were found. Conclusion: Multiphase multislice computed tomography combined with CT angiography and CT urography have a major role in solid renal neoplastic masses’ diagnosis, characterization and differentiating benign and malignant tumors

Urethral stricture disease after bipolar prostatectomy: Is it a concern?

Introduction: bipolar Transurethral Surgery of Prostate (BTUSP) is growing increasingly popular in the management of Benign prostatic hyperplasia related lower urinary tract symptoms (BPH-related LUTS). Compared to monopolar transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), BTUSP has the potential advantages of less toxicity related to irrigation fluid absorption, and better hemostasis. However, there have been reports of BTUSP being associated with increased incidence of urethral stricture disease (USD). We aim at 2 years results of B-TUSP with special emphasis on USD and continence. Patients and methods: This is a retrospective study of patients who underwent BTUSP (resection, vaporization and enucleation) for BPH-related LUTS at Cairo University Hospital from January 2013 to December 2014. Perioperative parameters were assessed. Patients were evaluated 2 years postoperative to assess international prostate symptom score (IPSS), continence, urinary tract infection (UTI) uroflowmetry and post voiding residual urine (PVR). For patients with suspicion of USD (maximum flow rate “Qmax” ≤15 ml/s, PVR ≥100 cc,), retrograde and voiding cystourethrogram and/or cystoscopy were done. Results: A 2-years follow-up was available for 32 patients. Mean age was 66.2 ± 8.2 years. 16/32 patients were catheter dependent due to bladder outlet obstruction. Mean preoperative flowmetry, IPSS and adenoma size were 9.1 ± 3.02 ml/s, 23.1 ± 2.3 and 60.1 ± 28.1 g, respectively. Of our patients 11/32 (34%), 14/32 (44%) and 7/32 (22%) underwent BTU-enucleation, resection and vaporization of prostate, respectively. There was a difference in mean adenoma size for vaporization, enucleation and resection patients (29.57 ± 11.9 g, 83.36 ± 26.49 g and 58.71 ± 17.82 g, respectively) (p < 0.05). Mean postoperative catheter time was 2.7 ± 1.3 days, IPSS, Qmax, and PVRU at 2 years, were 4.53 ± 1.29 (2–7), 17.94 ± 2.7 (11–22) and 3.13 ± 7.7 (0–35) respectively, this was significantly different from preoperative Qmax and IPSS (p < 0.05). Eight patients with Qmax ≤15 ml/s (11–15 ml/s) were assessed and found not to have USD. None of our patients reported incontinence. At 2 years, there was no significant difference in mean Qmax for vaporization, resection and enucleation (18 ml/s ± 3.4, 18.71 ml/s ± 2.86, and 16.9 ml/s ± 1.86, respectively) (p = 0.267). Conclusion: BTUSP is a safe and effective modality for surgical management of BPH-related LUTS. With no evidence of increased incidence of USD, and with significant improvement of flowmetry and IPSS after 2 years follow up. Keywords: Urethral stricture disease, Bipolar prostatectomy, Transurethral prostatic surger

Urethral stricture disease after bipolar prostatectomy: Is it a concern?

Introduction: bipolar Transurethral Surgery of Prostate (BTUSP) is growing increasingly popular in the management of Benign prostatic hyperplasia related lower urinary tract symptoms (BPH-related LUTS). Compared to monopolar transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), BTUSP has the potential advantages of less toxicity related to irrigation fluid absorption, and better hemostasis. However, there have been reports of BTUSP being associated with increased incidence of urethral stricture disease (USD). We aim at 2 years results of B-TUSP with special emphasis on USD and continence.Patients and methods: This is a retrospective study of patients who underwent BTUSP (resection, vaporiza- tion and enucleation) for BPH-related LUTS at Cairo University Hospital from January 2013 to December 2014. Perioperative parameters were assessed. Patients were evaluated 2 years postoperative to assess inter- national prostate symptom score (IPSS), continence, urinary tract infection (UTI) uroflowmetry and post voiding residual urine (PVR). For patients with suspicion of USD (maximum flow rate “Qmax”≤15 ml/s, PVR ≥100 cc,), retrograde and voiding cystourethrogram and/or cystoscopy were done.Results: A 2-years follow-up was available for 32 patients. Mean age was 66.2 ± 8.2 years. 16/32 patients were catheter dependent due to bladder outlet obstruction. Mean preoperative flowmetry, IPSS and adenoma size were 9.1 ± 3.02 ml/s, 23.1 ± 2.3 and 60.1 ± 28.1 g, respectively. Of our patients 11/32 (34%), 14/32 (44%) and 7/32 (22%) underwent BTU-enucleation, resection and vaporization of prostate, respectively. There was a difference in mean adenoma size for vaporization, enucleation and resection patients (29.57 ± 11.9 g, 83.36 ± 26.49 g and 58.71 ± 17.82 g, respectively) (p &lt; 0.05). Mean postoperative catheter time was 2.7 ± 1.3 days, IPSS, Qmax, and PVRU at 2 years, were 4.53 ± 1.29 (2–7), 17.94 ± 2.7 (11–22) and 3.13 ± 7.7 (0–35) respectively, this was significantly different from preoperative Qmax and IPSS (p &lt; 0.05). Eight patients with Qmax ≤15 ml/s (11–15 ml/s) were assessed and found not to have USD. None of our patients reported incontinence. At 2 years, there was no significant difference in mean Qmax  or vaporization, resection and enucleation (18 ml/s ± 3.4, 18.71 ml/s ± 2.86, and 16.9 ml/s ± 1.86, respectively) (p = 0.267).Conclusion: BTUSP is a safe and effective modality for surgical management of BPH-related LUTS. With no evidence of increased incidence of USD, and with significant improvement of flowmetry and IPSS after 2 years follow up