GENERALIZED THERMOELASTIC FUNCTIONALLY GRADED HALF SPACE UNDER SURFACE ABSORPTION OF LASER RADIATION

The subject of this paper is to study the thermoelastic behavior of a functionally graded semi-infinite medium heated uniformly by a laser beam having temporally Gaussian distribution. The surface of the medium is taken as traction free. The general solution is obtained in the Laplace transform domain. The inverse of the Laplace transform is computed numerically using the Riemann-sum approximation method. The numerical results for temperature, displacement and stress are obtained and presented graphically for the generalized theory of thermo-elasticity with one relaxation time

Acute toxicity of four heavy metals to Sphaeroma walkeri and Ciroiana bovina (Crustacea:Isopoda)

The median lethal concentrations (LC50) of two Isopoda species exposed to each tested metal (Cu. Co, Cd and Zn) in static tests for different exposure periods are quite variable depending on the tested metal The LC50 values for Sphaeroma walkeri after 24 hours exposure to Cu and Co were estimated graphically to be 11.20 and 7.00 mg/1 respectively. The correspoding values for Cirolana bovina exposed to Cu, Co, Cd and Zn were 3.60, 11.0, 3.80 and 4.80 mg/1 respectively. For 2 days the LC50 of S. walkeri exposed to Cd was 5.60 mg/l, but it was 10.10 mg/l for 3 days exposure to Zn. After prolonged exposure the LC50 values decreased proportionally with the exposure duration of the test the percentages of surviving animals demonstrated a progressive decrease with increasing concentratins as a main factor from the analysis of variance (ANOV A). The sensitivity of adult S. walkeri exposed to the four heavy metals for different exposure times ranked: Cd>Co>Zn>Cu. Cirolana bovina appeared to be more sensitive to Cu. Cd and Zn than to Co. Species in order of increasing sensitivity is C. bovina more than S. walker

Ethoxyquin Inhibits the Progression of Murine Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma through the Inhibition of Autophagy and LDH

Cancer cells exhibit an increased glycolysis rate for ATP generation (the Warburg effect) to sustain an increased proliferation rate. In tumor cells, the oxidation of pyruvate in the Krebs cycle is substituted by lactate production, catalyzed by LDH. In this study, we use ethoxyquin (EQ) as a novel inhibitor to target LDH in murine Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) and as a combination therapy to improve the therapeutic efficacy of the conventional chemotherapy drug, cisplatin (CIS). We investigated the anti-tumor effect of EQ on EAC-bearing mice and checked whether EQ can sustain the anti-tumor potential of CIS and whether it influences LDH activity. Treatment with EQ had evident anti-tumor effects on EAC as revealed by the remarkable decrease in the expression of the anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-2 and by a significant increase in the expression of apoptotic genes (BAX and caspase-3). EQ also caused a significant decrease in the autophagic activity of EAC cells, as shown by a reduction in the fluorescence intensity of the autophagosome marker. Additionally, EQ restored the altered hematological and biochemical parameters and improved the disrupted hepatic tissues of EAC-bearing mice. Co-administration of EQ and CIS showed the highest anti-tumor effect against EAC. Collectively, our findings propose EQ as a novel inhibitor of LDH in cancer cells and as a combinatory drug to increase the efficacy of cisplatin. Further studies are required to validate this therapeutic strategy in different cancer models and preclinical trials

Prevalence and Determinants of Anemia in Pregnancy, Sana’a, Yemen

Anemia is a global public health problem in both developing and developed countries, especially among pregnant women. The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of anemia among pregnant women in Sana'a governorate, Yemen, and to identify the determinants contributing to it, and to assess knowledge regarding it. The study was conducted using a cross-sectional approach. It included 360 pregnant women attending the maternity clinics of maternity hospitals. A predesigned structured interviewing questionnaire was used to collect data from the pregnant women. Laboratory investigations were done. The prevalence of anemia was found to be 40.3%, and was higher among females aged 35 to less than 45 years, those with poor income and poor nutritional level. The risk of anemia increased with the gestational age, gravidity, decreased birth spacing, drinking tea and coffee after meals, decreased intake of proteins and low level of knowledge and income. The binary logistic regression model indicated a significant impact of the education and occupation on the level of knowledge of pregnant women. Anemia was found out to be a severe public health problem among pregnant women in Yemen. Identified risk factors should be considered for its prevention and control

Design a Combined Machine for Seedbed Preparation

Soil preparation is a very important part of the grain production process as it is necessary to maximize the possible yield. The mechanical soil preparation assists better water and air circulation and fertilizer dissolving in soils, which can increase the grain yield. The aim of this investigation was to design a new combined machine for seedbed preparation in one trip and assesses its effect on some soil physical properties and crop yield. Field experiments were carried out on clay loam, three diverse tillage methods were conducted under the same conditions of soil moisture content, operating speed and plowing depth. The tillage methods were: new combined (NCM), traditional method (TM) and no tillage method (NT). Results Clarified that the new combined machine achieved better values of the soil physical properties and increased onion yield compared to the other tillage methods. The (NCM) decreasing soil bulk density by 19% based on (NT) method and 12% based on (TM). It also increasing soil total porosity by 35.16% based on (NT) method and 8% based on (TM). The (NCM) maximizing crop yield by 63.5% and 48.2% based on crop yield in (NT) and (TM) respectively. The obtained results recommended using NCM in seedbed preparation for onion crop which planted in clay loam soil under the studied conditions. 

Brucella spp. infection in large ruminants in an endemic area of Egypt: cross-sectional study investigating seroprevalence, risk factors and livestock owner's knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAPs)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Brucellosis is regarded as one of the major zoonotic infections worldwide. It was first reported in Egypt in 1939 and is now endemic, the predominate species of <it>Brucella </it>in cattle and buffalo in Egypt is <it>B. melitensis</it>. The aim of the study was to estimate seroprevalence of <it>Brucella </it>spp. in cattle and buffalo reared in households in an Egyptian village, identify risk factors for animals testing seropositive and to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAPs) of livestock owners with regards to brucellosis.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A cross-sectional study was carried out in a village in Menufiya Governorate of Egypt. In June and July 2009, 107 households were selected using systematic sample and all lactating cattle and buffalo present in the household were sampled and tested for antibodies against <it>Brucella </it>spp. In addition, a questionnaire collecting information on potential risk factors for <it>Brucella </it>spp. infection in cattle and buffalo was administered to the household member responsible for rearing the livestock. Between December 2009 and February 2010 households were revisited and a second questionnaire regarding KAPs associated with brucellosis was administered.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>True individual and household seroprevalence were estimated to be 11.0% (95% CI: 3.06% to 18.4%) and 15.5% (95% CI: 6.61% to 24.7%), respectively. Cattle and buffalo kept in a household with sheep and goats had 6.32 (95% CI: 1.44 to 27.9) times the odds of testing seropositive for <it>Brucella </it>spp., compared to cattle and buffalo that were not. Most participants in the study stated that livestock owners assist in the parturition of ruminants without wearing gloves and that some farmers sell animals which they suspect are <it>Brucella </it>infected to butchers or at market. Many participants made their livestock's milk into cheese and other dairy products without pasteurising it.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Brucellosis was endemic at high levels, in the current study. Although livestock owners had good general knowledge of brucellosis, they still appeared to participate in high-risk behaviours, which may contribute to the high seroprevalence in the area. Veterinarians, public health authorities and other community leaders need to collaborate to control the disease in animals and to manage the risk of human exposure.</p

The Liquisolid technique: an overview

A novel "Powder Solution Technology" involves absorption and adsorption efficiency which makes use of liquid medications, drug suspensions admixed with suitable carriers, coating materials and formulated into free flowing, dry looking, non adherent and compressible powder forms. Based upon a new mathematical model expression, improved flow characteristics and hardness of the formulation has been achieved by changing the proportion of Avicel ® PH 200 and Aerosil ® PH 200 from 50:1 ratio to 5:1 and in which the drug is dispersed in an almost molecularly state. Due to their significantly improved wetting properties a greater drug surface area is exposed to the dissolution media, resulting in an increased dissolution rate and bio availability. By using the Liquisolid technique, sustained drug delivery systems were developed for the water soluble drugs in which hydrophobic non-volatile solvents are used as vehicles.A nova "Tecnologia da Solução Sólida" envolve eficiência de absorção e de adsorção, faz uso de medicações líquidas, suspensões de fármacos e misturas com transportadores adequados, materiais de cobertura e é formulada em formas sólidas em fluxo livre, secas, não aderentes e compressíveis. Com base em novo modelo matemático, características aprimoradas de fluxo e dureza da formulação foram alcançadas modificando-se a proporção de Avicel ® PH 200 e Aerosil ® PH 200 de 50:1 para 5:1, na qual o fármaco é disperso quase que no estado molecular. Devido às propriedades de umidificação significativamente aprimoradas e à área do fármaco exposta ao meio de dissolução, que resulta na velocidade de dissolução, a biodisponibilidade foi aumentada. Utilizando a técnica Liquisólido, desenvolveram-se sistemas de liberação controlada de fármacos solúveis em água, nos quais solventes hidrofóbicos não voláteis foram usados como veículos

Review of nanomaterials in dentistry: interactions with the oral microenvironment, clinical applications, hazards, and benefits.

Interest in the use of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) as either nanomedicines or dental materials/devices in clinical dentistry is growing. This review aims to detail the ultrafine structure, chemical composition, and reactivity of dental tissues in the context of interactions with ENMs, including the saliva, pellicle layer, and oral biofilm; then describes the applications of ENMs in dentistry in context with beneficial clinical outcomes versus potential risks. The flow rate and quality of saliva are likely to influence the behavior of ENMs in the oral cavity, but how the protein corona formed on the ENMs will alter bioavailability, or interact with the structure and proteins of the pellicle layer, as well as microbes in the biofilm, remains unclear. The tooth enamel is a dense crystalline structure that is likely to act as a barrier to ENM penetration, but underlying dentinal tubules are not. Consequently, ENMs may be used to strengthen dentine or regenerate pulp tissue. ENMs have dental applications as antibacterials for infection control, as nanofillers to improve the mechanical and bioactive properties of restoration materials, and as novel coatings on dental implants. Dentifrices and some related personal care products are already available for oral health applications. Overall, the clinical benefits generally outweigh the hazards of using ENMs in the oral cavity, and the latter should not prevent the responsible innovation of nanotechnology in dentistry. However, the clinical safety regulations for dental materials have not been specifically updated for ENMs, and some guidance on occupational health for practitioners is also needed. Knowledge gaps for future research include the formation of protein corona in the oral cavity, ENM diffusion through clinically relevant biofilms, and mechanistic investigations on how ENMs strengthen the tooth structure