EFFECT OF SOME BIOCIDES ON THE VASE LIFE OF CARNATION (DIANTHUS CARYOPHYLLUS L.) CUT FLOWERS

The current study was carried out at Antoniades Research Branch, Ornamental Plants and Landscape Gardening Res. Dept., Hort. Res. Inst., ARC, Alexandria, Egypt, over two consecutive seasons of 2019 and 2020. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of silver nitrate (AgNO3) at (20, 30, and 40 mg l-1), 8-hydroxyquinoline sulfate (8-HQS) at (50, 100, and 200 mg l-1), citric acid (CA) at (50, 100, and 150 mg l-1) and salicylic acid (SA) at (100, 150, and 200 mg l-1) as holding preservative solutions for reducing bacterial decay and prolonging the vase life on cut carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) flowers. The following records were evaluated at the conclusion of the experiment: vase life (days), which was calculated as the number of days before the flowers started to wilt, loss of flower fresh weight percentage (LFFW percent), final water uptake (g), flower fresh weight/flower dry weight ratio (FWR), relative fresh weight, vase solution uptake rate, and several chemical component tests. The results showed that the highest significant improvement in most measurements were obtained when treated with silver nitrate AgNO3 at a concentration of 30 mg l-1 including improved vase life, final water uptake, flower fresh weight/flower dry weight ratio, chlorophyll a & b, carotene content, and sugars content. It also reduced the number of bacterial colonies in the vase water. The treatment with 8-hydroquinoline sulfate at 200 mg l-1 was the closest to that treatment in most of the studied characteristic

EFFECT OF ESSENTIAL OILS AND GERMICIDES ON THE VASE LIFE OF CARNATION (DIANTHUS CARYOPHYLLUS L.) CUT FLOWERS

Natural preservatives such as herbal essential oils have the ability to extend the life of fresh-cut flower pots after harvest. The effect of clove oil, lavender oil and thyme oil, especially when combined with antimicrobial agents such as 8-hydroxyquinoline sulfate and silver nitrate, on vase life and post-harvest value of carnations picked after harvest, was studied. The results showed that the use of different preservative solutions consisting of clove, lavender and thyme oils mixed with silver nitrate and 8-hydroxyquinoline sulfate has a significant effect on the characteristics of cloves. The study confirmed that the effect between clove essential oil and silver nitrate was significant for most of the traits. The highest percentage of those studied traits were when carnation flowers were treated with 200 mg l-1 clove essential oil and 30 mg l-1 of silver nitrat

BIOACTIVITY OF ANTIDESMA BUNIUS LEAVES (EUPHORBIACEAE) AND THEIR MAJOR PHENOLIC CONSTITUENTS

Chromatographic fractionation of the methanol extract of Antidesma bunius leaves afforded six polyphenols, namely, corilagin (1), gallic (2), ferrulic (3) and ellagic (4) acids in addition to the flavone vicinin II (5) and the dimmer amentoflavone (6). Their structures were elucidated by NMR and HRESI analysis. This is the first reported occurrence of the biflavone (amentoflavone) and vicinin in this species. The total phenolic content was estimated at 90 mg/ml of gallic acid equivalent (GAE) per 100 g plant extract using the Folin-Ciocalteu method. Antioxidant biochemical assay of the plant methanol extract was carried out using culture medium of hepatocyte cell lines. An increase in glutathione reductase enzyme and a reduction of the nitric oxide level in the cell culture revealed that A. bunius leaf extract possesses significant antioxidant activity in comparing with quercetine as a reference. The hepatotoxicity and hepatoprotective activities of A.bunius leaf extract and the pure isolated compounds: 1 , 2 and 5 were evaluated by adopting the MTT colorimetric assay. Compounds 1 and 2 revealed a margin of safety on the monolayer hepatocyte with an IC50 > 1000 μg/ml while for 5, IC50 was at 125 μg/ml. The hepatoprotective activities for A.bunius leaf extract, 1 and 2 in comparison to Silymarin (50 μg/ml) were at 6.5, <12.5 and 12.5 μg/ml respectively while 5 did not show hepatoprotective activity at the tested concentrations

Convergent Validity and Internal Consistency of an Arabic Snaith Hamilton Pleasure Scale

Anhedonia, a reduced capacity for pleasure, is viewed as a trait-like vulnerability marker for schizophrenia and depressive disorders. To date there are scarce data from the Arab world on anhedonia as a symptom, and even less on the psychometric properties of instruments designed to assess it. This study examines the internal consistency of an Arabic version of the Snaith Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS), and its convergence with real-time hedonic responses to emotional stimuli. A correlational study design is used; undergraduate students ( N = 113) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) completed the SHAPS, and also undertook an expanded version of the picture rating task (PRT). The PRT required participants to rate a series of pleasant and unpleasant images in terms of emotional valence. Levels of anhedonia as assessed by SHAPs were similar to those observed in nonclinical populations in other countries. Internal consistency for the Arabic version of SHAPs was very good; α = .86. Furthermore, SHAPS scores were correlated with lower valence ratings for pleasant images ( r = .36), and uncorrelated with unpleasant images. The SHAPS appears to be a useful instrument for assessing anhedonia in the present UAE student population

Serum Levels of Tissue Inhibitors of Metalloproteinase 2 in Patients With Systemic Sclerosis With Duration More Than 2 Years: Correlation With Cardiac and Pulmonary Abnormalities

In this study, we measured the serum concentration of TIMP-2 in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and explored its possible correlation with cardiac and pulmonary lesions. We studied 42 patients with SSc, with duration equal to or more than 2 years. CT chest, ECG, echocardiography, and serum TIMP-2 concentration measurement using ELISA technique were performed in all patients and in 25 normal controls. The mean serum levels of TIMP-2 in patients was higher than in controls (P = .005). The mean CT score of dSSc patients with elevated TIMP-2 levels was significantly higher than dSSc patients with normal levels (P = .013). Four patients out of five with elevated TIMP-2 levels showed diastolic dysfunction (80%), compared to 2 out of 15 lSSc patients with normal levels (13.3%), with P = .014. Our research, though involving a small group of patients, points to the probable role of TIMP-2 in the development of pulmonary lesions in dSSc patients and cardiac lesions in lSSc patients with duration equal to or more than 2 years

Influence of Gender on the Relationship Between Eating Behaviors, Age and BMI in People in Benghazi, Benghazi, Libya

Obesity is recognized as one of the major nutrition related disorders around the world. Eating behaviours affect caloric intake and are implicated in the development of obesity. Three types of eating behaviours (cognitive restraint (CR), emotional eating (EE) and uncontrolled eating (UE)) have been studied for associations with obesity in various populations. The aim of the present work was to investigate the interactions between eating behavior and age and to determine the influence of gender on this relationship. This study was conducted on 351 volunteers from Benghazi University students and staff, eating behaviours were measured using the revised three-factor eating questionnaire (TFEQ-R18). Anthropometric measurements for all participants included in this study were measured and BMI was calculated. The finding of this study showed that the age was (26.12 ± 7.749), BMI (23.99 ± 5.003), Cognitive Restraint (15.83 ± 3.662), Emotional Eating (6.74 ± 2.028), and Uncontrolled Eating (20.83 ± 4.338). The study found positive relationship between age and cognitive restraint (r = 0.110*, p = 0.039) and between age and emotional eating (r = 0.123*, p = 0.021). However, relationships were stronger only in women, the study also found a positive relationship between BMI and cognitive restraint (r = 0.184**, p < .01), emotional eating (r = 0.217**, p < .01) and uncontrolled eating (r = 0.260**, p < .01) for the whole sample. But when we split the population by sex the relationships were significant only in women. The results of this study show age was associated with cognitive restraint and emotional eating only in female.  BMI was positively correlated with three factor eating score, when the sample divided by sex, the association were significant only in women

Comparison of quality of life in a group of Lebanese type 1 diabetics on insulin pump and those on multiple daily injections

Aim: The aim of the study is to investigate the differences in the quality of life (QOL) in Lebanese youths with type 1 diabetes using continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) and those using multiple daily injections (MDI) treatment modalities.Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional, comparative matched design was used. The sample included 36 adolescents and young adults on one of two treatment modalities (CSII or MDI) and matched for age, gender, and level of education. QOL was measured with the Indiana Diabetes Quality of Life for Youth and latest HbA1C level was recorded.Results: The CSII group had significantly lower HbA1C levels (p < 0.001), and reported better health perception (p = 0.029), more satisfaction with life (p = 0.002), less impact of the disease (p = 0.002), and fewer worries about their disease (p = 0.029), compared to the MDI group. The overall quality of life score was also significantly better in the CSII group than in the MDI group (p = 0.001).Conclusions: Findings suggest that CSII is associated with better glycemic control and QOL in the Lebanese youth population with type 1 diabetes

Parametric Study of a Single Effect Lithium Bromide-Water Absorption Chiller Powered by a Renewable Heat Source

This work investigates the performance of a single-effect absorption chiller utilizing an aqueous lithium bromide solution as the working fluid and driven by hot fluid rejected from either a geothermal power plant or the outlet of a thermal solar collector. This relatively low enthalpy return fluid, which will otherwise be reinjected back into the earth, will be utilized as the thermal energy source of the chiller. Although such chillers are considered low-grade energy refrigeration cycles, the one proposed here has an advantage in terms of economy and efficiency. A parametric analysis is performed using Engineering Equation Solver software and is used to highlight the effect of the heat exchanger size on the coefficient of performance of the chiller. The analysis proved that the proposed device can operate with excellent cooling capacity, reaching 16 kW, and a relatively high coefficient of performance (~ 0.7) while being driven by the low-grade energy. The heat source temperature, solution heat exchanger effectiveness and the size of the absorber were shown to be key parameters for the design and operation of absorption chillers. Moreover, increasing the heat source mass flow rate has a significant impact on both cooling capacity and coefficient of performance at low values (< 10 kg/s) and unnoticeable impact at higher values (> 10 kg/s)

Using Lamin B1 mRNA for the early diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma: a cross-sectional diagnostic accuracy study [version 1; referees: 2 approved]

Background:  Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is vital medical issue in Egypt. It accounts for 70.48% of all liver tumors among Egyptians. The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic role of plasma levels of mRNA of lamin B1 by RT-qPCR as an early marker of HCC. Methods: This study was conducted at the Clinical Pathology Department in collaboration with the Department of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases at Ain Shams University Hospitals. It included 30 patients with primary HCC and viral cirrhosis (all were hepatitis C virus-positive) (Group I), in addition to 10 patients with chronic liver diseases (Group II) and 10 healthy age- and sex-matched subjects (Group III). Group I was further classified according to the Barcelona-Clinic Liver Cancer Staging System. Serum α-fetoprotein (AFP) chemiluminescent-immunoassays and RT-qPCR analysis of plasma lamin B1 mRNA levels were performed for all participants. Results: AFP and lamin B1 significantly elevated in patients with HCC compared to those in the other studied groups. AFP and lamin B1 status could discriminate group I from group II and III. A significant increase was found among the three Barcelona stages with regards to AFP and lamin B1 levels. A significant decrease was found between group II and stage 0, A and B with regards to AFP and lamin B1. Lamin B1 and AFP could both differentiate HCC patients with one tumor nodule (T1) from those with two or more tumor nodules (T2&Tm), as well as between those with tumor sizes >3 cm and ≤3 cm. Conclusion: Measurement of lamin B1 mRNA is recommended in patients with chronic liver disease with normal serum AFP, especially in known cirrhotic patients that deteriorate rapidly without any apparent etiology

Gestational diabetes prevalence and risk factors among pregnant women — Jazan Region, Saudi Arabia

Background. The gestational diabetes (GDM) is considered as a global public health problem that affects pregnant women. GDM can become chronic type II and usually it is associated with many risk factors that may lead to many serious complications for the mother and the fetus. The main objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of GDM among pregnant women in Jazan region and to determine the possible associated factors of the GDM. Material and methods. The study involved pregnant women attending department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at government hospitals of Jazan region. A sample of 440 pregnant women were randomly selected. Interviews were conducted using a questionnaire prepared to measure the GDM prevalence, risk factors, awareness and adherence to the advice of the doctor and medications. Results. The prevalence of gestational diabetes among pregnant women in Jazan is estimated at 8.2%. The GDM prevalence was significantly higher among obese women (20.2%; 95% CI 13.2–29.2) compared with women with normal weight (7.1%; 95% CI 1.7–7.6). The analysis showed that GDM was significantly associated with child weight more than 3.5 kg (OR 4.315; p = 0.004), mother’s BMI more than 30 kg/m2 (OR 4.703; p = 0.001), and family history of GDM (OR 2.606; p = 0.046). Conclusion. In conclusion, the GDM prevalence obtained in this study is more than global prevalence and less than other studies in KSA. The BMI of mothers and having neonates that weight more than 3.5 kg are the main risk factors for GDM. Suitable interventions programs are highly required for control and risk factor modifications