Comparison of Saudi child versus parent‑report of child tooth‑brushing practices

Objective: This cross‑sectional study compared Saudi children’s tooth‑brushing practices as reported by children and parents and then matched the agreement of reports.Materials and Methods: A sample of 100 Saudi parents and their children of ages 8–12 years participated in this cross‑sectional investigation. A self‑administered structured questionnaire regarding the current tooth‑brushing practice and habits at home was filled by the child. The same questionnaire was filled independently by parents.Results: Mothers were more likely to teach children about tooth‑brushing and fathers were minimally helping children during tooth‑brushing. Mothers were the first to teach the children and approximately 33% of the children started brushing their teeth by age 5. Children and parents reported that children clean their teeth using a tooth‑brush (73.74% and 76.77%), miswak (5.05% and 5.05%), or both (21.21% and 18.18%), respectively.Conclusions: There was some agreement between reported tooth‑brushing practice of children and their parents. It is important to question both the child and parent regarding oral hygiene practice and compare their answers to get more broad knowledge about their practices. Approximately, one‑third of the children started brushing their teeth by age 5, which differs from recommended oral hygiene practices.Keywords: Dental plaque, oral health education, oral hygiene, patient education, tooth‑brushin

C–O isotope geochemistry of the Florida phosphate of Four Corners and Hardee County mines, USA: Implication for genesis and diagenesis

© 2017 Elsevier B.V. The study area located in Florida, USA and emphasized on low-grade phosphorites in Hardee County (HC) and Four Corners (FC) mining areas. The main purpose of this study is to apply a standard geochemical technique to understand the diagenetic history and paleo-environmental aspects of phosphates within one of the major phosphate deposits in the USA. The effect of diagenesis on the phosphate minerals was studied by isotope analysis of the phosphate bone fragments and phosphatized mudclasts and rods. The environmental conditions that prevailed during the life of organisms were assessed by isotope analysis of the shark teeth. In this paper, variation in stable isotope (δ18O and δ13C) signatures of structural carbonate in rocks and shark teeth were studied in Florida phosphate. The studied samples show negative values for both δ13C and δ18O isotopes of structural carbonate. The light mudclast samples shows higher oxygen ratios (− 1.6) than the dark mudclasts (− 2.3) in Hardee County, whereas those values were lower, − 2.3 and − 3, respectively, in Four Corners samples. The shark teeth found in the deposits show narrow variations in values of δ13C (− 3.4 to − 4.9%o) and δ18O (− 1.4 to 2.1%o) isotope. The bone fragments in the deposits are more similar to the light mudclasts regarding the isotope ratios and carbonate content. The alteration is evident in the Florida phosphorites where δ18O values of bulk teeth are higher than those of bones and mudclast. This alteration could be because of increasing crystallinity and decreasing carbonate content with increasing depth of burial

Prediction of Modulus of Rupture from Modulus of Elasticity for Some Egyptian Hardwoods

The MOE and MOR of 112 air-dry small, clear specimens (2 x 2 x 30 cm) of six species of hardwoods grown in Egypt were determined. Simple linear regression analysis revealed that MOR is highly correlated with MOE of Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Khaya senegalensis, Tamarix articulata and Casuarina spp. However, the "r" values for Jacaranda ovalifolia and Melia azedarach were not significant. In addition, covariance analysis showed that the six regressions equations have different slopes and Y-intercepts and therefore cannot be grouped. The only grouping was that between the regression lines of the first three species mentiones above.Introducing specific gravity in the regression equation did not result in improving the correlation coefficients, except in the case of Casuarina spp. Using specific gravity alone for predicting the MOR was found to be unreliable due to the relatively low "r" values obtained for the species except in the case of Casuarina spp

FOXO3a gene polymorphism and bronchial asthma in Egyptian children INTRODUCTION Bronchial asthma is the most prevalent chronic immunological disorder in childhood period. It is characterized by airways inflammation and bronchial hyper-responsiveness where

Background: FOXO3a proteins play multiple crucial roles in immune response. FOXO3 inhibits T cell proliferation, induces T cell apoptosis via upregulation of proapoptotic proteins and it suppresses T cell activation preventing autoimmunity. The role of FOXO3a gene in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma has been studied in few ethnic groups and revealed its implication in asthma pathogenesis.Objectives: The aim of the current study is to detect the association between single nucleotide polymorphism of the FOXO3a gene (rs13217795) and bronchial asthma, atopy and asthma severity in Egyptian children.Methods: The current cross-sectional case-control study was performed on 75 asthmatic children aged 2 to 12 years following up in the pulmonology outpatient clinic in Children's hospital, Cairo University and 75 age and sex matched healthy controls. Candidates were subjected to clinical evaluation in addition to genotyping for the FOXO3a gene polymorphism using PCR-RFLP technique.Results: The highest frequency was for the heterozygous type CT in both cases and controls groups. The genotype frequencies of mutant type TT for cases and controls were 12 % and 16% respectively, and the T allele frequencies were 37.2% in cases and 46.7% in the control group while CC genotype was present in 37.3% of asthmatic patients and 22.6% in the controls and the C allele was detected in 62.8% and 53.3% for cases and controls respectively. No statistically significant differences were observed between asthmatic patients and controls regarding the different genotypes of the FOXO3a gene polymorphism (p=0.161). No significant association was detected between the different genotypes of the FOXO3a gene polymorphism and the atopic status (p=0.536) or the different grades of asthma severity (p= 0.545).Conclusions: The study of FOXO3a gene polymorphism (rs13217795) in asthmatic Egyptian children revealed low frequency of the mutant TT genotype among cases and controls. In the current study, FOXO3a polymorphism has no role in the pathogenesis of asthma or atopy. Moreover, it has no relation to degree of disease severity.Keywords: Asthma, FOXO3a, gene, children, Egyptian, polymorphis

Energy use flows in the supply chains of the world economy: A full account of both primary and intermediate inputs

As an extension of our previous work (Wu et al., 2019b), this study uses a positive accounting manner to track the circulation of energy use via interregional trade, by taking a full account of indirect energy usage related with primary inputs as well as intermediate inputs. The aggregate amount of interregional shift of energy use is about six times larger than that recorded in the preceding work, revealing the robust flows of energy use associated with intermediate products traded across global supply chains. The United States is a crucial sink of energy use in the world, serving the leading net importer of energy use in final trade and the second biggest net importer in intermediate trade. Around 60% of the energy use initiated by its final consumption stems from other regions. For Mainland China as the third largest net importer of energy use in intermediate trade and the leading net exporter in final trade, around 60% of local primary energy exploitation sinks into final consumption abroad. For sustainable economic growth and efficient energy management, countries are recommended to be further integrated in the international supply chains by accurately pinpointing their roles in the trading market of energy use

Study of the effect of HFE gene mutations on iron overload in Egyptian thalassemia patients

Background: HFE gene mutations have been shown to be responsible for hereditaryhemochromatosis. Their effect on iron load in β-thalassemia patients and carriers remains controversial.Objectives: We aimed to determine the prevalence of HFE gene mutations (C282Y and H63D) in β-thalassemia patients and carriers and to investigate its effect on their serum ferritin levels.Patients and methods: A total of 100 β-thalassemia subjects; 75 patients and 25 carriers were screened for HFE gene mutations by PCR-RFLP. Serum ferritin measured by ELISA was evaluated in relation to HFE mutations.Results: Twenty-eight β-thalassemia patients (37.3%) were heterozygotes for H63D mutation (H/D), 8 (10.7%) were D/D and 39 (52%) were negative (H/H). Among carriers, 4 (16%) were D/D and 21 (84%) were H/H homozygotes. C282Y mutant allele was not detected in any of the subjects. Serum ferritin levels were significantly higher in β-thalassemia patients heterozygotes or homozygotes for H63D mutation compared to those without mutation (p= 0.000). Carriers homozygotes for H63D mutation showed significantly higher serum ferritin levels compared to those without mutation (p< 0.001).Conclusion: Homozygosity for H63D mutation tends to be associated with higher ferritin levels in beta-thalassemia patients and carriers suggesting its modulating effect on iron load in these cases

Biofortification of staple crops to eliminate human malnutrition: contributions and potential in developing countries

Micronutrient malnutrition is a global health challenge affecting almost half of the global population, causing poor physical and mental development of children and a wide range of illnesses. It is most prevalent in young girls, women, and pre-school children who are suffering particularly from the low consumption of vitamins and micronutrients. Given this global challenge, biofortification has proven to be a promising and economical approach to increase the concentration of essential micronutrients in edible portions of staple crops. Produce quality and micronutrient content can be further enhanced with the use of micronutrient fertilizers. Especially developing countries with a high percentage of malnourished populations are attracted to this integrated biofortification, combining modern agronomic interventions and genetic improvement of food crops. Consequently, maize, rice, wheat, beans, pearl millet, sweet potato, and cassava have all been biofortified with increased concentrations of Fe, Zn, or provitamin A in various developing countries. Today, there are several large-scale success stories in Africa and Asia that support the research and development of biofortified crops. In this review, we summarized what has been achieved to date and how edible crops can be further improved by integrating agronomic and genetic strategies to upgrade the nutritional status of children and adults around the world

Efficacy of fertilizing method for different potash sources in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) nutrition under arid climatic conditions

Precise choice of potassium (K) source and application method does matter for its cost-effectiveness. This study was aimed to evaluate the best source and method of K fertilizer application to improve cotton productivity and profitability under an arid climate. Three different K sources (KNO3, K2SO4 and KCl) were applied at 100 kg ha-1 by four methods, i.e. a) basal application, b) side dressing, c) fertigation and d) foliar application of 2% K2SO4. The highest productivity and profitability were recorded with K2SO4 applied as foliar application. Total boll weight per plant was similar in foliar applied K2SO4 and basal application of KNO3. Better boll opening in foliar applied K2SO4, perhaps, played decisive role for increased seed-cotton yield. For basal application and side dressing, KNO3 produced the highest seed-cotton yield, but the benefit cost ratio was better for foliar applied K2SO4. In crux, foliar application of K2SO4 might be opted to improve the seed cotton yield, fiber quality and net returns under the arid climate. However, soil K application through K2SO4 and/or KNO3 is essential to balance the K removal from soil

Assessing the reliability and accuracy of nurse triage ratings when using the South African Triage Scale in the Emergency Department of District Headquarter Hospital of Timergara, Pakistan

ObjectiveTo assess inter and intra-rater reliability, as well as accuracy of nurse triage ratings when using the South African Triage Scale (SATS) in the Emergency Department (ED) of District Headquarter (DHQ) Hospital of Timergara, Pakistan.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study using 42 previously validated paper based vignettes. Fifteen ED nurses assigned triage ratings to each of the 42 vignettes under classroom conditions. Validation of the SATS was done using the vignettes as a reference standard. Graphical displays portrayed rating distribution and validation measures of sensitivity, specificity, overtriage and undertriage across different acuity levels.ResultsThe estimated Quadratically weighted Kappa (QWK) and Interclass Correlation was found to be substantial at 0.77(CI 0.69–0.85). Intra-rater reliability with exact agreement was shown to be 87% (CI 67–100) with one category discrepancy showing 100% agreement. An average sensitivity, 70%; specificity, 97%; overtriage, 14.7% and undertriage, 21.6% was shown. The Graphical displayed showed that Very Urgent, Urgent and routine acuity levels had acceptable levels of overtriage and undertriage.ConclusionThe SATS has been shown to be a reliable triage scale for a developing country such as Pakistan. With accuracy being acceptable in the context of Timergara, we would suggest further validation studies looking at simple ways of validating the triage scale bearing in mind the challenges facing a developing country ED

An Intelligent Information System for Groundwater Resources Categorization and Assessment

Abstract: This paper aims to present an intelligent information system developed for groundwater categorization and classification. The developed system integrates more than one research field and tools, including Decision Support Systems (DSS), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), knowledge base and modeling and visualization enhancement. Visual Basic (VB) environment is used as an inference engine for this system and the code is written using VBA. The system aims to categorize water resources according to the international water quality criteria (FAO, USSL, Gupta and Roades) and to reclassify water resources according to a developed decision matrix from the application of the expert system. A user friendly interface (GUI) is developed to help the user to manage the system and to link different system environments. The system is linked through the GUI with a GIS to display the water resources layers and to provide functions to query and display the spatial locations and associated attributes. The system is used to make a decision about the suitability of water resources to a specific crop and vice versa. The developed system is tested on groundwater recourses in Siwa Oasis, Egypt