Assessment of left ventricular function by global longitudinal strain in patients with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction: Comparative study with conventional method

Background: Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is a strong prognostic parameter in patients with heart disease. The assessment of global longitudinal strain (GLS) from speckle-tracking analysis of 2-dimensional echocardiography has become a clinically feasible alternative to LVEF for the measurement of myocardial function.Objective: The aim of the current work was to compare between GLS speckle tracking echocardiography and Simpson’s biplane methods for assessment of left ventricular function in non-STEMI patients.Patients and methods: This study was carried out in Cardiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University on 44 non‐ST‐elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) patients scheduled for assessment of Left ventricular function by GLS and biplane Simpson method.Result: Mean systolic blood pressure was 122.05±18.37 mmHg. No statistically significant difference in systolic blood pressure was found across GLS groups (P= 0.17). Mean diastolic blood pressure was 73.41±12.00 mmHg. No statistically significant difference in diastolic blood pressure was found across GLS groups (P= 0.35). Mean heart rate was 68.84±7.13 bpm, and a statistically significant difference was found in heart rate across GLS groups (P= 0.039).Conclusion: It could be concluded that GLS speckle tracking echocardiography and Simpson’s biplane methods can be used as alternative different parameters for assessment of left ventricular function in non-STEMI patients

The sensing characteristics of ZnO tetrapods synthesized by microwave evaporation

ZnO tetrapods have been grown by an environmental microwave evaporation approach in air atmosphere without any use of organic solvents or precursors. The synthesized powder was characterized using X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and Field emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM). The grown ZnO tetrapods exhibited a noteworthy microstructure and phase formation of crystalline and pure structure. ZnO tetrapods were deposited on Pt electrode to be employed as ZnO tetrapods structure-based sensors, then, they were investigated at room temperature in the relative humidity ranging from 0.0 to 96.0%. The sensors have shown a significant response towards relative humidity starting from 30%. Cross-sensitivity was investigated with respect to N2O (150 ppm in helium) and methane (1000 ppm in helium). The ZnO tetrapods-based sensors were insensitive towards the interfering gases, indicating a potential applicability for humidity sensing purposes

Opportunistic salpingectomy during hysterectomy for benign indications in women at low and high risk for ovarian cancer: a cross-sectional study

Objective Our study aims to evaluate the role of pathology evaluation of fallopian tubesduring hysterectomy for benign indications for the purpose ofearly detection of serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma (STIC) in women at high and low risk for ovarian cancer. Material and methods This cross-sectional study was conducted at Minia Maternity University Hospital, Egypt, between June 2015 and December 2017. Our study included all women undergoing hysterectomy for benign conditions in the genital tract. Appropriate histories were taken, as well as physical exams, and laboratory and ultrasound evaluations were done prior to scheduling surgery. Abdominal hysterectomies including opportunistic salpingectomies were performed and the whole specimens including the tubal fimbria were sent to the pathology lab for histo-pathological examination. Results A total of 526 patients met inclusion criteria for this study. The mean age of the study participants was 49.75±8.95 years, the mean parity was 3.91±1.62 and the mean BMI was 24.21±2.38 Kg/m2. The most common surgical indications for hysterectomy were postmenopausal bleeding (34.6%), a clinically benign adnexal/pelvic mass (31.7%), and menorrhagia (24.7%). The fallopian tubes were found to have either no pathology or benign conditions in 500 out of the 526 patients. Among these patients, 56% had no pathologic abnormality. The most common benign conditions were paratubal cysts (25%), endometriosis (9%), torsion (2%) and hydrosalpinx (1%). STIC was identified in the fallopian tubes of 8 out of 526 patients. Conclusions Microscopic examination of the entire fimbriae from all patients regardless of the clinical context represents a novel method of early detection of sporadic tubal carcinoma, a putative precursor to advanced-stage pelvic cancer

BIOPROCESIRANJE PRIRODNE FOSFATNE RUDE BAKTERIJOM STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS

Phosphate ores are in high demand around the world because they are the primary raw materials used in the manufacturing of phosphatic fertilizers and other chemicals. Since the grade of the ore is gradually declining, it is becoming economically viable to mine and beneficiate numerous lower-grade deposits, and a significant number of precious minerals are discarded due to the inadequacy of new technological advances. Thus, biological processes are becoming more appealing in mineral processing due to their lower operating costs and potential applications to beneficiate low-grade complex ores through the interaction of bacteria and mineral surfaces, resulting in surface modification and mineral separation via bio-flotation. Staphylococcus aureus was supplied by the mineral bioprocessing lab, CMRDI. Bacterial adhesion measurements revealed a higher affinity for apatite than quartz. A binary mixture containing 12.5% P2O5 and 42.5% SiO2 yielded a concentrate containing 20.15% P2O5 and 33.5% SiO2. Using the bio-flotation process with Staphylococcus aureus and the optimal conditions on natural phosphate ore, a concentrate with 30.25% P2O5 was obtained from a feed containing 21.89% P2O5.Diljem svijeta velika je potražnja za fosfatnom rudom s obzirom na to da je riječ o primarnoj sirovini koja se koristi u proizvodnji fosfatnih gnojiva i drugih kemikalija. Budući da se koncentracija rude postupno smanjuje, ekonomski je sve isplativije eksploatirati i oplemenjivati brojna ležišta niže koncentracije s obzirom na to da se znatne količine korisne mineralne sirovine nedovoljno iskorištavaju zbog neadekvatnosti novih tehnologija. Stoga biološki procesi postaju sve zanimljiviji u oplemenjivanju SiO2 mineralnih sirovina zbog nižih operativnih troškova i potencijalne primjene za obogaćivanje kompleksnih ruda niskoga stupnja koncentracije, i to interakcijom bakterija i površine minerala, što rezultira površinskom modifikacijom i odvajanjem minerala putem bioflotacije. Bakteriju Staphylococcus aureus isporučio je laboratorij za bioprocesiranje minerala, CMRDI. Mjerenja bakterijske adhezije pokazala su veći afinitet za apatit nego za kvarc. Binarna smjesa koja je sadržavala 12,5 % P2O5 i 42,5 % SiO2 dala je koncentrat koji je sadržavao 20,15 % P2O5 i 33,5 % SiO2. Postupkom bioflotacije bakterijom Staphylococcus aureus pri optimalnim uvjetima na prirodnoj fosfatnoj rudi dobiven je koncentrat s 30,25 % P2O5 iz sirovine koja je sadržavala 21,89 % P2O5

IMPACT ANALYSIS OF THE GOVERNMENT POLICIES ON FRUIT AND VEGETABLE SECTOR IN SUDAN IN 2003 AND 2009

The main objective of this paper was to analyze the impact of government policies on fruit and vegetable sector  in 2003 and 2009 in terms of profitability, protection, efficiency, competitiveness and comparative advantages. The study depended on secondary data and information collected from relevant sources and references. The policy analysis matrix (PAM) adopted as an analytical model to achieve the study objective. Private profitability, social profitability, nominal protection coefficient on outputs, nominal protection coefficient on inputs, effective protection coefficient, domestic resources coefficient private cost ratio and subsidy ratio to producer were calculated for the crops under study. The study results show that fruit and vegetable sector was taxed for outputs and subsidized for inputs, the net effect of outputs taxation and inputs subsidies resulted in a net taxation on value added at varying degrees. Consequently, it could be concluded that, although the overall impact was negative and tending to be worse, but the study results indicate that there are still comparative advantages in fruit and vegetable crops production. The study recommended further vertical and horizontal expansion of fruits and vegetables, strengthening production infrastructures, and government should enact efficient policies that correct the distorting tradable - outputs policy

Monitoring and bioremediation of organochlorine pesticides in surface water with Enterobacter asburiae

Aim of study: One of the safest techniques regarding the remediation of contaminated water is biological remediation. This study aimed to: (i) monitoring of a collection of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in three agricultural drainages (Nashart, no. 9, and El-shoka), located in Kafr El-Sheikh governorate, Egypt; and ii) investigate the biodegradation potential of different bacterial isolates regarding organochlorine pesticides.Material and methods: Analysis of OCPs was carried out by gas chromatography, Enrichment cultures were used for isolation of the bacterial strains capable of OCPs biodegradation and the most efficient isolate was identified based on morphological, biochemical ad molecular characteristics.Main results: The determination of OCPs in water samples by gas chromatography showed varying values of OCPs ranging from 0.0 mg/L (below detection limit) to 0.0385 mg/L. A total of four morphologically different bacterial isolates were obtained, which showed a remarkable capability of OCPs biodegradation detected in mineral salt medium containing 17 OCPs active ingredients by two approaches including the analysis of the OCP residues at the end of the incubation period and measuring the bacterial growth in terms of total viable count and optical density. The bacterial isolate N2 showed the highest degradation capability when the screening process was carried out to select the most efficient isolates, which was identified according to the morphological, biochemical and molecular characterization as Enterobacter asburiae.Research highlights: The biodegradation of OCPs using E. asburiae was proved to be a promising approach for the detoxification and removal of OCPs residues in aqueous systems

Role of calcium and magnesium on dramatic physiological and anatomical responses in tomato plants

Minerals are the fundamental source of nutrients for plant functions such as photosynthesis, ATP currency, cellular respiration, metabolic activities, defense mechanisms, and tolerance to biotic and abiotic stressors. Minerals are the most significant component of plant nutrition and applying these minerals supplements can increase fruit output. The study’s main aim was to make agricultural farming easier by foliar applying newly created nutrients like Lebosol-calcium and Magnesium. The four treatments: To (Control), T1 (Lebosol-Mg-Plus, 3 ml/L), T2 (Lebosol-Ca-Forte, 3 ml/L), and T3 (Lebosol-Mg-Plus and Lebosol-Ca-Forte, 3 ml/L) was applied as foliar spray to the seedlings of tomato. It was found that T3 substantially enhanced tomato’s morphological features and yield. The treatment T3 significantly increased total soluble protein, chlorophyll content, and antioxidant enzyme activity. Furthermore, the foliar application of T3 considerably improved phenolic and ascorbic acid contents. The general anatomical features of the leaf, stem, and roots of tomato were qualitatively affected by the treatments. Application of Lebosol-Ca provided the highest total thickness of lamina, number of vessel elements, total phloem area, chlorenchyma layer, total area of vessel elements, xylem ratio, and increased palisade layer thickness, vessel diameter. Furthermore, T3 treatment showed a diverse impact on the internal structure of tomato organs, with palisade and spongy parenchyma growing to maximum values and vessel diameters expanding. T3 had also posed remarkable alterations in morpho-physiological, biochemical, and anatomical aspects in tested plants

Fahmy's four quadrant sutures: a new technique for control of blood loss during cesarean delivery for placenta previa

Background: The objective of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of Fahmy's four quadrant suture technique (FFQS) in controlling blood loss during cesarean delivery for placenta previa (PP).Methods: The study was carried out in a tertiary University Hospital between January 2017 to December 2017 involved 12 women with heavy bleeding occurred after removal of the placenta from the lower section during cesarean delivery for PP. The FFQS technique consisted of two sutures to ligate the uterine branches on both sides and two sutures on the anterior and posterior wall of the lower uterine segment. Details regarding the management and maternal outcomes were recorded.Results: The mean age of the study participants was 29.58±5.29 years and the mean parity was 2.25±1.14. The mean gestational age at termination of pregnancy was 36.91±1.38 weeks.  The mean duration of the whole surgery was 78.75±43.28 minutes, while the mean duration of FFQS technique was only 10±2.09 minutes. The technique was exclusively effective in 8 out of 12 cases (66.67%) while 2 cases needed bilateral internal iliac artery ligation and 2 cases needed hysterectomy. The mean amount of blood loss in all cases was 2433.33±833.76 ml. the mean amount of transfused packed RBCs was 3.92±1.68 units and fresh frozen plasma (FFP) was 3.42±1.44 units. All cases had uneventful postoperative course and no mortality cases in present series.Conclusions: The new technique; FFQS represents a rapid, effective, and inexpensive opportunity for women with bleeding from the lower segment of uterus due to PP. This simple procedure should be attempted before other complex measures to achieve good hemostasis

Factor V G1691A (Leiden) is a major etiological factor in Egyptian Budd-Chiari syndrome patients

Objective: Budd-Chiari syndrome is a multifactorial disease in which several prothrombotic disorders may predispose patients to the development of thrombosis at this uncommon location (hepatic veins). The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and characteristics of inherited thrombophilia in Egyptian Budd-Chiari syndrome patients.Materials and Methods: The study included 47 Budd-Chiari syndrome patients (20 children and 27 adults). Genotyping of Factor V G1691A (Leiden), prothrombin G20210A (PT), and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T were performed using real-time PCR and fluorescence melting curve detection analysis.Results: Factor V Leiden was observed in 29 patients (61.7%). It is the only factor that caused Budd-Chiari syndrome in 18 of the patients and in 5 of the patients with inferior vena cava involvement. Myeloproliferative disease was noted in 12 (25.5%) patients, antiphospholipid syndrome in 5 (10.6%), and Behcet’s disease in 3 (6.4%). Interestingly, 3 of the children with Budd-Chiari syndrome had lipid storage disease.Conclusion: Factor V Leiden was a major etiological factor in Egyptian Budd-Chiari syndrome patients, which may have been related to the high frequency of this mutation in the study region. Factor V Leiden was also a strong thrombophilic factor and the leading cause of inferior vena cava thrombosis in these patients. Lipid storage disease should be included as a risk factor for Budd-Chiari syndrome