Social Networking Sites as Marketing and Outreach Tools of Library and Information Services

At a time when Web 2 0 applications in libraries have gained growing popularity globally it appears that the library must consider marketing its services more regularly through the Internet taking advantage of Web 2 0 applications to improve access to its users and to promote information services Many studies have discussed the importance of enhancing library services through Web 2 0 applications such as blogs wikis RSS Really Simple Syndication podcasts and social networking sites SNSs However very few studies have focused on social networking sites in relation to marketing strategies for library and information services The main purpose of this paper is to explore the varied marketing activities of libraries on SNSs focusing on Facebook as it is recognized as a popular SNS used among libraries Additionally the study introduces the role of library and information professionals LIPs within SNSs as well as user contributions to the marketing process Web content is used in a quantitative approach Twenty public libraries that have Facebook pages have been selected as subject sample

Lipoprotein(a): an independent risk factor for ischemic heart disease that is dependent on triglycerides in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Lipoprotein(a) is an independent risk factor for Ischaemic Heart Disease (IHD) in the general population. There are conflicting reports in the extent of its association with IHD among subjects with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)

The Use of Online Tools by Information Professionals in Medical Libraries in Oman

Rapid development of the Internet and the emergence of a new generation of the Internet within different social software offer advantages to medical libraries in terms of their services and marketing. Medical libraries need to change the ways they provide their services based on changes in users’ needs in the digital world. The main purpose of this study is to explore the perception/attitude of information professionals in Medical libraries in Oman towards use of various online tools or so-called Web2.0. The study also intends to highlight the main challenges that prevent libraries from using these tools and applications in providing services. An online survey was used as a data collection method. Survey Monkey software was used to design the questionnaire. The survey included all medical libraries (16) in Oman. The study found that the majority of information professionals in medical libraries in Oman are aware of Web 2.0 and the majority of them use its tools within library services. The majority of information professionals reported positively regarding the use of these tools in library services. However, several challenges were identified regarding using and adopting online tools within library services. This study tried to provide a clear understanding of the ways that online tools are used and adopted by information professionals in medical libraries. It is hoped that it will make a contribution to the future development of this subject area. Keywords: Oman, Online Tools, Information Professionals, Medical Libraries, Web 2.0, Library 2.0, Librarian 2.

ApolipoproteinA1-75 G/A (M1-) polymorphism and Lipoprotein(a); Anti- vs. Pro-Atherogenic properties

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Licens

Impact of Aberrant Myeloid Antigen Expression on Outcomes of Patients with T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of myeloid antigen expression on complete remission (CR), event-free survival (EFS), and overall survival (OS) in patients with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) treated with intensive chemotherapy. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients diagnosed with T-ALL and treated in Sultan Qaboos University Hospital and Royal Hospital in Oman between 2004 and 2010. The diagnosis of T-ALL was established using French-American-British classification or World Health Organization criteria. Patients were considered having myeloid antigen expression if they expressed CD13, CD33, or both (My+ and My–). Results: Of the 39 patients, 38 were included in the study (25 patients with My– and median age of 18.4 years, 13 patients with My+ and median age of 22.0 years). Median follow-up was 12 months. Thirty-two out of the total cohort were eligible for response-rate assessment. Twenty-nine patients (90.6%) achieved CR with one or two courses of chemotherapy with similar CR rates between the two groups (p = 0.880). Twenty-five percent (5/20) of the patients with My– required two courses of induction, whereas 58.3% (7/12) of My+ required two courses of induction and the difference was statistically significant (p = 0.040). In the multivariable analysis; age, gender, initial white blood cell count, central nervous system disease, and myeloid antigen expression were not statistically significant predictors of CR. The EFS and OS were similar between the My+ and My– groups p = 0.180 and p = 0.440, respectively. Conclusions: Patients with T-ALL with myeloid antigen expression need more courses of induction; however, rates of CR, EFS, and OS are not different from those without myeloid antigen expression. Larger prospective studies are required to confirm these findings

In Vitro Biomechanical Simulation Testing of Custom Fabricated Temporomandibular Joint Parts Made of Electron Beam Melted Titanium, Zirconia, and Poly-Methyl Methacrylate

Total alloplastic temporomandibular joint (TMJ) replacement has become common. This in vitro study aimed to evaluate wear response of custom-fabricated electron beam melted titanium (EBM-Ti), zirconia, and acrylic TMJ parts when subjected to biomechanical simulation testing. Eighteen prosthetic TMJ parts (condyle, glenoid fossa) were custom-fabricated using computer aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) techniques based on patient’s radiographic images. Biomechanical simulation testing of TMJ parts (in different combinations) were done in a modified chewing simulator (108,000 cycles, 1 Hz frequency, 45–60 N compression, strokes-downward 0.15–0.25 s/horizontal, 0.4–0.5 s/upward, 0.25–0.45 s/displacement, 1.5–2.0 mm). Qualitative analysis using scanning electron microscopy revealed wear facets on leading edges of vertical and horizontal simulation strokes. Measurement of pre-test and post-test weights of TMJ parts revealed non-significant reduction in weights due to wear. EBM-Ti and acrylic TMJ glenoid fossae articulating against zirconia condyles during simulation testing had significantly higher wear, evidenced by greater mean reduction in weights. Based on results of this preliminary study, custom-fabricated alloplastic prosthetic TMJ are a viable alternative to stock alloplastic joints. While EBM-Ti and acrylic are suitable biomaterials for custom-fabrication, use of zirconia results in greater wear and requires further studies to optimize their role in customized alloplastic TMJ

Effects of soluble factors released by oral squamos cell carcinoma on osteoclasts

Objective: Bone invasion represent significant problem in managing head and neck cancers, however the mechanisms of interactions between oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and bone cells are poorly understood. We hypothesized that tumor cells can directly stimulate osteoclastogenesis. Methods: OSCC cell lines, bone-invasive BHY and metastatic but not bone-invasive HN were cultured and conditioned medium (CM) was collected. Osteoclast formation from RAW 264.7 mouse monocytic cell-line was assessed. Results: When RAW 264.7 were primed with receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL) and then treated with BHY-CM, marked 2-6 fold induction of osteoclastogenesis was observed. In contrast, HN-CM did not significantly affect osteoclastogenesis. In addition, BHY-CM, but not HN-CM promoted survival of mature osteoclasts. Using pharmacological inhibitors, we found that Protein kinase C (PKC)/Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2/Mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) p38 as well as Phosphatidyl-inositol 3-kinases (PI3K)/Serine/threonine protein kinase Akt/Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathways mediate BHY-CM induced osteoclastogenesis. Conclusion: OSCC-cells produce soluble factors that stimulate osteoclastogenesis from RANKL-primed precursors. Tumor-derived factors act by stimulating ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK pathways in osteoclast precursors.Objectif: L'invasion du tissu osseux est un problème majeur dans le traitement des cancers de la tête et du cou, cependant les mécanismes d'interactions entre le carcinome de cellules de squamous oral (OSCC) et les cellules du tissu osseux sont mal compris. Nous avons posé comme hypothèse que les cellules tumorales peuvent stimuler directement le phénomène d'ostéoclastogenèse. Méthodes: Deux différentes populations cellulaires de la lignée OSCC furent utilisées: les cellules BHY ayant un potentiel de colonisation du tissu osseux et les cellules HN ayant un potentiel métastatique mais non colonisant. Ces deux lignées cellulaires ont été cultivées et le milieu de culture conditionné (CM) a été collecté. La formation de cellules ostéoclastiques à partir de cellules de la lignée monocytaire de souris RAW 264.7 a été évaluée. Résultats: Une augmentation significative du phénomène d'ostéoclastogenèse d'un facteur 2 à 6 fut observée lors d'une activation des cellules RAW 264.7 avec RANKL suivit d'un traitement avec BHY-CM. De plus, la survie des cellules ostéoclastiques matures était favorisée en présence de BHY-CM uniquement. L'utilisation d'inhibiteurs pharmacologiques nous a permis de mettre en évidence que la stimulation du phénomène d'ostéoclastogenèse induite par BHY-CM est médiée par les voies de signalisations PKC/ERK/p38 et PI3K/AKT/mTOR. Conclusion : Les cellules OSCC produisent des facteurs solubles stimulant la formation d'ostéoclastes à partir de précurseurs activées par RANKL. Les facteurs dérivés de tumeurs agissent en stimulant les voies de signalisation ERK1/2 et p38 dans les précurseurs ostéoclastiques

A rare case of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor of the mandible mimicking a malignant tumor

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) of the head and neck is a rare benign proliferative lesion of unknown etiology that mimics malignant lesions clinically and radiographically. I report the case of a 27-year-old woman who presented with a mass in her left mandible associated with restricted mouth opening that had developed over the preceding 7 months. The mass was resected completely with 5 mm margin under general anesthesia. The mass was extending to the floor of the mouth and impinging on the masseter and temporalis muscles. Given its characteristics of being localized and aggressive, complete surgical resection is the best treatment modality for IMT. Keywords: Mandible, Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor, Inflammatory pseudotumor, Oral cavit

Investigating Faculty Decisions to Adopt Social Networking Sites (SNSs): The Case of Sultan Qaboos University in Oman

Abstrac

The Efficacy of Recombinant Platelet-Derived Growth Factor on Beta-Tricalcium Phosphate to Regenerate Femoral Critical Sized Segmental Defects: Longitudinal In Vivo Micro-CT Study in a Rat Model

Background and Objectives: Beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP) has been used for bone regeneration. The objective of this study was to assess longitudinally, the regeneration of critical sized segmental defects (CSSD) in rat femur using beta-TCP with or without recombinant platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) through in vivo micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). Materials and Methods: Following ethical approval unilateral femoral CSSD measuring 5 mm was surgically created, under general anesthesia, in 30 male Wistar-Albino rats (aged 12–18 months; weighing 450–500 g). CSSD was stabilized using titanium mini-plate (4 holes, 1.0 mm thick with 8 mm bar). Depending upon biomaterial used for regeneration, the animals were randomly divided into: Control group (N = 10): CSSD covered with resorbable collagen membrane (RCM) only; Beta-TCP group (N = 10): CSSD filled with beta-TCP and covered by RCM; Beta-TCP + PDGF group (N = 10): CSSD filled with beta-TCP soaked in recombinant PDGF and covered by RCM. Longitudinal in vivo micro-CT analysis of the CSSD was done postoperatively at baseline, 2nd, 4th, 6th, and 8th weeks to assess volume and mineral density of newly formed bone (NFB) and beta-TCP. Results: Significant increase in NFB volume (NFBV) and mineral density (NFBMD) were observed from baseline to 8-weeks in all groups. Based on longitudinal in vivo micro-CT at 8-weeks, beta-TCP + PDGF group had significantly higher (p < 0.01) NFBV (38.98 ± 7.36 mm3) and NFBMD (3.72 ± 0.32 g/mm3) than the beta-TCP (NFBV—31.15 ± 6.68 mm3; NFBMD—2.28 ± 0.86g/mm3) and control (NFBV: 5.60 ± 1.06 mm3; NFBMD: 0.27 ± 0.02 g/mm3) groups. Significantly, higher reduction in beta-TCP volume (TCPV) and mineral density (TCPMD) were 1 observed in the beta-TCP + PDGF group when compared to the beta-TCP group. Conclusion: Addition of recombinant PDGF to beta-TCP enhanced bone regeneration within rat femoral CSSD and increased resorption rates of beta-TCP particles