28 research outputs found

    IMPACT OF PROTEAN CAREER ORIENTATION ON ACADEMICS' CAREER SUCCESS: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL CAPITAL

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    Most people seek success in their career due to the prominent role of career in shaping their lifestyle from the first day they started working with organization. However, some people feel unsuccessful in their career. Hence. the main purpose of this study is to investigate the mediating role of psychological capital (PsyCap) between protean career orientation (PCO) and career success. Further, this study is quantitative in nature based on primary data which were collected from full-time lecturers teaching in Sudanese public universities. Out of the 250 self-administrated questionnaires, 209 were returned for final analysis. The data obtained were analyzed by using the Smart-PLS 3.2.6 software techniques. Besides the context of this study, another uniqueness of this study was with the model in which career success was assessed as a formative construct. However, in the past studies, it was assessed as a reflective construct. The findings indicated that PsyCap was not only an important predictor of career success in the academic atmosphere, but it also played a positive mediator between PCO and career success. The paper closed with implications and conclusion.  Keywords: Academics’ career success, psychological capital, positive psychology, and protean career orientation

    CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF URINARY STONES IN PATIENTS REFERRED TO GEZIRA HOSPITAL FOR RENAL DISEASES AND SURGERY IN GEZIRA STATE CENTRAL SUDAN

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    Objective: The purpose of this study was to perform the chemical analysis of stones to know the pattern of biochemical composition of stones in Sudanese subjects. Methods: 169 renal stones were analyzed during the period from February to December 2008. 96 patients were referred to Gezira Hospital for Renal diseases and Surgery (GHRDS), Gezira state, central Sudan. The stones were analyzed by semi quantitative method in the Gezira central laboratory. Kits were used for chemical analysis of stones. Calcium, phosphate, oxalate, uric acid, carbonate and cystine were determined. Results: Male to female ratio was 2:1. Calcium, oxalate and uric acid were the most common forms of stones (90.5%), followed by phosphate (4.7%), carbonate (3.0%) and cystine which accounted for 1.8% of the study subjects. Conclusion: The relative frequency of calcium oxalate stones in our study about 65.1%,outnumbers other types which is compatible with the international literature. While there is relative high percentage of uric acid stones which can be explained by the high animal protein consumption in Sudan together with the hot weather which can be a cause of a highly concentrated urine . Other types phosphates (4.7%), carbonate (3.0%), and cystine which account only ( 1.8%)

    Optimisation and validation of a custom-designed perfusion bioreactor for bone tissue engineering: Flow assessment and optimal culture environmental conditions

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    Various perfusion bioreactor systems have been designed to improve cell culture with three-dimensional porous scaffolds, and there is some evidence that fluid force improves the osteogenic commitment of the progenitors. However, because of the unique design concept and operational configuration, the experimental setups of perfusion bioreactor systems are not always compatible. To reconcile results from different systems, the thorough optimisation and validation of the experimental configuration are required in each system. In this study, optimal experimental conditions for a perfusion bioreactor were explored in 3 steps. First, an in silico modelling was performed using a scaffold geometry obtained by microCT and an expedient geometry parameterised with porosity and permeability to assess the accuracy of calculated fluid shear stress and computational time. Then, environmental factors for cell culture were optimised, including the volume of the medium, bubble suppression, and medium evaporation. Further, by combining the findings, it was possible to determine the optimal flow rate at which cell growth was supported but osteogenic differentiation was triggered. Here, we demonstrated that fluid shear stress, ranging from nearly 0 to 15 mPa, was sufficient to induce osteogenesis, but cell growth was severely impacted by the volume of perfused medium, the presence of air bubbles, and medium evaporation, all of which are common concerns in perfusion bioreactor systems. This study emphasises the necessity of optimisation of experimental variables, which may often be underreported or overlooked, and indicates steps which can be taken to address issues common to perfusion bioreactors for bone tissue engineering.publishedVersio

    Delivery of VEGFA in bone marrow stromal cells seeded in copolymer scaffold enhances angiogenesis, but is inadequate for osteogenesis as compared with the dual delivery of VEGFA and BMP2 in a subcutaneous mouse model

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    Background: In bone tissue engineering (BTE), extensive research into vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA)-mediated angiogenesis has yielded inconsistent results. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence on angio- and osteogenesis of adenoviral-mediated delivery of VEGFA alone or in combination with bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) in bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC) seeded onto a recently developed poly(LLA-co-CL) scaffold. Methods: Human BMSC were engineered to express VEGFA alone or in combination with BMP2 and seeded onto poly(LLA-co-CL) scaffolds. Changes in angiogenic and osteogenic gene and protein levels were examined by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), PCR array, and alkaline phosphatase assay. An in vivo subcutaneous mouse model was used to investigate the effect on angio- and osteogenesis of VEGFA alone or in combination with BMP2, using microcomputed tomography (μCT), histology, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence. Results: Combined delivery of a lower ratio (1:3) of VEGFA and BMP2 (ad-BMP2 + VEGFA) led to upregulation of osteogenic and angiogenic genes in vitro at 3 and 14 days, compared with mono-delivery of VEGFA (ad-VEGFA) and other controls. In vivo, in a subcutaneous mouse model, both ad-VEGFA and ad-BMP2 + VEGFA scaffold explants exhibited increased angiogenesis at 2 weeks. Enhanced angiogenesis was largely related to the recruitment and differentiation of mouse progenitor cells to the endothelial lineage and, to a lesser extent, to endothelial differentiation of the implanted BMSC. μCT and histological analyses revealed enhanced de novo bone formation only in the ad-BMP2 + VEGFA group, corresponding at the molecular level to the upregulation of genes related to osteogenesis, such as ALPL, RUNX2, and SPP1. Conclusions: Although BMSC expressing VEGFA alone or in combination with BMP2 significantly induced angiogenesis, VEGFA alone failed to demonstrate osteogenic activity both in vitro and in vivo. These results not only call into question the use of VEGFA alone in bone regeneration, but also highlight the importance in BTE of appropriately formulated combined delivery of VEGFA and BMP2.publishedVersio

    Understanding of how the properties of medical grade lactide based copolymer scaffolds influence adipose tissue regeneration: Sterilization and a systematic in vitro assessment

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    Aliphatic polyesters are the synthetic polymers most commonly used in the development of resorbable medical implants/devices. Various three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds have been fabricated from these polymers and used in adipose tissue engineering. However, their systematic evaluation altogether lacks, which makes it difficult to select a suitable degradable polymer to design 3D resorbable implants and/or devices able to effectively mimic the properties of adipose tissue. Additionally, the impact of sterilization methods on the medical devices, if any, must be taken into account. We evaluate and compare five different medical-grade resorbable polyesters with l-lactide content ranging from 50 to 100 mol% and exhibiting different physiochemical properties depending on the comonomer (d-lactide, ε-caprolactone, glycolide, and trimethylene carbonate). The salt-leaching technique was used to prepare 3D microporous scaffolds. A comprehensive assessment of physical, chemical, and mechanical properties of the scaffolds was carried out in PBS at 37 °C. The cell-material interactions and the ability of the scaffolds to promote adipogenesis of human adipose tissue-derived stem cells were assessed in vitro. The diverse physical and mechanical properties of the scaffolds, due to the different composition of the copolymers, influenced human adipose tissue-derived stem cells proliferation and differentiation. Scaffolds made from polymers which were above their glass transition temperature and with low degree of crystallinity showed better proliferation and adipogenic differentiation of stem cells. The effect of sterilization techniques (electron beam and ethylene oxide) on the polymer properties was also evaluated. Results showed that scaffolds sterilized with the ethylene oxide method better retained their physical and chemical properties. Overall, the presented research provides (i) a detailed understanding to select a degradable polymer that has relevant properties to augment adipose tissue regeneration and can be further used to fabricate medical devices/implants; (ii) directions to prefer a sterilization method that does not change polymer properties.publishedVersio

    Effectiveness of incentivised adherence and abstinence monitoring in buprenorphine maintenance : a pragmatic, randomised controlled trial

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    Acknowledgements The authors wish to thank the patients and staff at the National Rehabilitation Centre for their participation and to the NRC director general, Dr. Hamad Al Ghaferi, for his advice and support. Work on this study was included as part of H.E.'s doctoral studies and supervisor J.M. kindly acknowledge support from the Scholarship Office at the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, United Arab Emirates.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

    COVID-19 Vaccination Among Diverse Population Groups in the Northern Governorates of Iraq

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    Objectives: The present study was carried out to investigate COVID-19 vaccination coverage among populations of internally displaced persons (IDPs), refugees, and host communities in northern Iraq and the related underlying factors.Methods: Through a cross-sectional study conducted in five governorates in April–May 2022, 4,564 individuals were surveyed. Data were collected through an adapted questionnaire designed to gather data on participants.Results: 4,564 subjects were included (59.55% were 19–45 years old; 54.51% male). 50.48% of the participants (51.49% of host communities, 48.83% of IDPs, and 45.87% of refugees) had been vaccinated with at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine. 40.84% of participants (42.28% of host communities, 35.75% of IDPs, and 36.14% of refugees) had been vaccinated by two doses, and 1.56% (1.65% of host communities, 0.93% of IDPs, and 1.46% of refugees) were vaccinated with three doses.Conclusion: Sociodemographic factors including age, gender, education, occupation, and nationality could affect vaccination coverage. Moreover, higher acceptance rate of vaccination is associated with belief in vaccine safety and effectiveness and trust in the ability of the vaccine to prevent complications

    Eco-friendly green corrosion inhibitors in overview

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    Green inhibitors are substances obtained from natural sources and used to stop aggressive dangerous of the metallic corrosion without damaging the eco-system of the environment. Nowadays corrosion causes problems in a wide range of industries such as oil and chemical productions. This paper includes a literature review of the most important corrosion green inhibitors which are used in industry. It is also presenting the categories of green inhibitors such as organic green inhibitors, inorganic green inhibitors, and natural polymers. The synthetic materials without any hazards also considers as a green inhibitors. The mechanism of inhibitive process between the eco-friendly inhibitor and the metallic surface was also described in this work
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