The Role of Architectural Education in Promoting Urban Heritage: Opportunities and Challenges

Today, introducing Urban Heritage into the architectural education curriculum is becoming an important component of the learning experience. It strengthens the sense of belonging, national pride, and cultural identity of students as an active and remarkable part of their history that guides their future. Urban Heritage allows previous generations a better understanding of their long and rich history. The main objective for introducing Urban Heritage into the architectural education was to link heritage practice with teaching and research activities, as well as to create synergies between the educational activities and the surrounding community in order to ensure the preservation and the appreciation of the heritage. As part of Hekma School of Design and Architecture, the architecture department at Dar Al- Hekma University reflected its mission “To graduate professionals in the field of architecture and equip them with the necessary knowledge and skills, focusing on sustainable design while preserving the cultural and aesthetic values of Saudi Arabia.” within the curriculum. The mission was materialized through a set of interdisciplinary and co-curricular activities and initiatives for the promotion, conservation and revitalization of urban heritage in Saudi Arabia. Those actions were determined to create a dynamic environment for social, cultural and economic development at large. The plan was also to strengthen students’ appreciation of urban heritage through the sharing and exchanging of knowledge, skills, and experience between the pedagogical activities and the real practices for mutual enrichment. Often, each activity was dedicated to a given heritage theme. The activities are structured in thematic subjects covering many areas, such as heritage and sustainable development, theory and practices of conservation, adaptive re-use of heritage buildings, inter-disciplinary research investigations, heritage for dialogue, and reconciliation, among other themes. The creation of the architecture curriculum in the fields of urban heritage was the first step to share knowledge and competencies, and to encourage professors and students' participation in heritage safeguarding projects. Besides, this program tends to promote inter-cultural dialogues through heritage appreciation. The paper investigates the challenges associated with studying heritage in architecture, as well as opportunities for students to be more excited about studying heritage, develop their skills, and be self-motivated. It is expected that the paper will analyze Dar Al-Hekma University educational experience in integrating urban heritage within the architectural education curriculum among other national and international experiences. It will evaluate related teaching approaches and draw thoughtful conclusions in order to use this unique pedagogical process and learning outcomes in enhancing the heritage appreciation and its practices

Similar and Additive Effects of Ovariectomy and Diabetes on Insulin Resistance and Lipid Metabolism

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is among the leading causes of death in postmenopausal women. The disruption of ovarian function may contribute to the incidence of T2DM. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of ovariectomy and T2DM on glucose and lipid homeostasis, perilipin levels in adipose tissues, as a lipolytic regulator, and levels of certain adipokines. Ovariectomized (OVX) rats were used as a model for postmenopausal women. The study was performed on sham, OVX, sham diabetic, and OVX diabetic female rats. The results indicated that ovariectomy alters adipose tissue metabolism through reducing perilipin content in white adipose tissue (WAT); however it has no effect on perilipin level in brown adipose tissue (BAT). OVX diabetic females suffer from serious metabolic disturbances, suggested by exacerbation of insulin resistance in terms of disrupted lipid profile, higher HOMA-IR, hyperinsulinemia, higher leptin, and lower adiponectin concentrations. These metabolic derangements may underlie the predisposition for cardiovascular disease in women after menopause. Therefore, for efficient treatment, the menopausal status of diabetic female should be addressed, and the order of events is of great importance because ovariectomy following development of diabetes has more serious complications compared to development of diabetes as result of menopause

Hepatitis-c virus infection and exposure to blood and body fluids among nurses and paramedical personnel at the Alexandria University Hospitals, Egypt

Background: Worldwide, prevalence of anti-HCV positivity in health care workers (HCWs) ranges from 0% to 9.7%. The current study was conducted to calculate prevalence of HCV infection, frequency and characteristics of blood and body fluid (BBF) exposure among HCW at the Alexandria University Hospitals.Methods: Hospital-based cross-sectional approach was adopted. At the Hospitals, 62.2% of available nurses and paramedical personnel voluntarily participated (n = 499), and were interviewed, screened for HCV antibodies. Quantitative estimation of HCV-RNA was done to seropositive cases.Results: Prevalence of anti-HCV antibodies and HCV infection was 8.6%, and 4.4% respectively. The frequency of BBF exposures was 66.7%. Blood/blood products were mainly involved (92.1%). More than half of exposed HCWs reported not wearing personal protective devices. Anatomical site of exposure was mainly right hand palm (36.2%). Regarding needle-stick injuries, two thirds of injured HCWs were the original user of sharp item which was contaminated in 79.7% of injuries. In 70.2% of injuries, disposable syringes were involved and occurred during item disposal. About 61% of injuries were superficial.Conclusion: Prevalence of HCV infection among HCWs is similar to that among general population in the country. Nurses and housekeepers are frequently exposed to BBF. Adherence to infection control measures according to the National Guidelines is crucial to reduce HCV transmission.Keywords: Hepatitis C, Infection, Needlestick injuries, Nurses, Paramedical personne

Chemical Composition and Antifungal Activity of Ocimum basilicum L. Essential Oil

BACKGROUND: The leaves of Ocimum basilicum L. (basil) are used in traditional cuisine as spices; its essential oil has found a wide application in perfumery, dental products as well as antifungal agents.AIM: To assess the chemical composition as well as the in vitro antifungal activity of O. basilicum L. essential oil against Aspergillus flavus fungal growth and aflatoxin B1 production.MATERIAL AND METHODS: The essential oil of O. basilicum was obtained by hydrodistillation and analysed using gas chromatography (GC) and GC coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The essential oil was tested for its effects on Aspergillus flavus (A. flavus) mycelial growth and aflatoxin B1 production in Yeast Extract Sucrose (YES) growth media. Aflatoxin B1 production was determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).RESULTS: Nineteen compounds, representing 96.7% of the total oil were identified. The main components were as follows: linalool (48.4%), 1,8-cineol (12.2%), eugenol (6.6%), methyl cinnamate (6.2%), α-cubebene (5.7%), caryophyllene (2.5%), β-ocimene (2.1%) and α-farnesene (2.0%).The tested oil showed significant antifungal activity that was dependent on the used oil concentration. The complete inhibition of A. flavus growth was observed at 1000 ppm oil concentration, while marked inhibition of aflatoxin B1 production was observed at all oil concentrations tested (500, 750 and 1000 ppm).CONCLUSION: These results confirm the antifungal activities of O. basilicum L. oil and its potential use to cure mycotic infections and act as pharmaceutical preservative against A. flavus growth and aflatoxin B1 production

Expression of hnRNPK & Claudin-4 in HCV-Induced Early HCC and Adjacent Liver Tissue

BACKGROUND: HCC in Egypt usually occurs in HCV cirrhotic livers with poor prognosis due to late diagnosis. High hnRNPK & low Claudin-4 profiles indicate Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition (EMT), malignant transformation and high-grade tumours.AIM: We studied the immunohistochemical expression of hnRNPK and Claudin-4 in HCV induced early HCC (eHCC) and adjacent liver tissue in Egyptian patients to improve eHCC detection in cirrhotic livers with better curative therapy options.METHOD: We studied the immunohistochemical expression of hnRNPK and Claudin-4 in 100 Egyptian patients resection specimens of HCV induced early HCC (eHCC) and adjacent liver tissue, in order to improve eHCC detection in cirrhotic livers, thus improving their therapeutic options.RESULTS: Early HCC grade significantly directly correlated with nuclear hnRNPK/5HPFs count and inversely correlated with Claudin-4 expression %, with a converse correlation between hnRNPK and Claudin-4. Moreover in eHCC, combined hnRNPK ³ 30/5HPFs & Claudin-4 ³ 40% significantly distinguished low grade eHCC (G1) from high grade eHCC (G2&G3), with sensitivity 97% & specificity 69.7% for hnRNPK ³ 30/5HPFs, and with sensitivity 70% & specificity 94.3% for Claudin-4 ³ 40%. Moreover in the adjacent liver, both markers expressions significantly directly correlated with each other and with METAVIR fibrosis score but not with activity. Furthermore, 58% of eHCCs showed hnRNPK ³ 30 Claudin-4 < 40% profile, indicating EMT type3, compared to 26% with hnRNPK ³ 30 Claudin-4 £ 10% profile in adjacent cirrhotic/ precirrhotic liver, with significant use of combined hnRNPK ³30/5HPFs & Claudin 4 £ 10% as eHCC prediction cut offs in cirrhosis (p < 0.05).CONCLUSION: Combination of hnRNPK and Claudin-4 can indicate early HCC development in HCV cirrhotic livers using hnRNPK ³ 30/5HPFs & Claudin-4 £ 10% cut offs. Also, combination of hnRNPK ³ 30/5HPFs & Claudin-4 ³ 40% can distinguish low grade eHCC (G1) from high grade eHCC (G2&G3)

Investigation of the Impact of Mycogenic Titanium and Selenium Nanoparticles on Fusarium Wilt Infection of Tomato Plant

We applied biosynthesized titanium and selenium nanoparticles, prepared using a fungal water extract of Trichoderma harzianum (T. harzianum), to eradicate tomota wilt infection. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-Ray analysis, and Transmission electron microscopy/X-ray diffraction (TEM/XRD) techniques were used to characterize the spherical metal nanoparticles, whose diameters were 16.0 nm for selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) and 50.0 nm for titanium nanoparticles (TiNPs). This confirmed the efficient biosynthesis of the nanoparticles. Under greenhouse conditions, the effectiveness of TiNPs and SeNPs produced by nonpathogenic fungi (T. harzianum) against the pathogen responsible for the tomato wilt disease, Fusarium oxysporum (F. oxysporum), was studied. Based on the results, the most efficient method for combating the pathogen that causes tomato wilt was used in open fields, whereas pot studies were conducted in greenhouse conditions. All tested treatments considerably lowered tomato plant wilt disease in both the greenhouse and the open field. The disease severity was reduced by 20.4% using TiNPs at high concentrations of 150 ppm and by 41.5% using SeNPs. Compared to conventional antibiotics, the antibacterial activity assessment of the biosynthesized TiNPs and SeNPs revealed a significant effect versus pathogenic bacteria and fungi, with a negligible influence on the examined human and animal microflora. The findings showed that biosynthesized TiNPs and SeNPs can be applied to suppress the plant pathogen F. oxysporum in a way that is safe for the microflora of humans and animals. This is the first instance where the nanocidal activity of biological TiNPs and SeNPs has been used against the pathogen that causes tomato wilt

Detection of Cancer Stem Cells in Colorectal Cancer: Histopathological and Immunohistochemical Study

BACKGROUND: Growing evidence supports the notion that the onset of tumorigenesis could occur through cancer stem cells (CSCs). These tumour cells show low proliferative rates, high self-renewal capacity, propensity to differentiate into active proliferating tumour cells & resistance to chemoradiotherapy thus, possibly causing local recurrences & metastasis formation. CD44 has been used as a marker to isolate CSCs from colorectal carcinoma (CRC).AIM: To investigate the immunohistochemical expression of cancer stem cells marker (CD44) in CRC and correlate its expression with the clinicopathological aspects, TNM staging and modified Dukes’ classification.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Tumour biopsies from colectomy specimens of 60 patients with CRC were stained with hematoxylin-eosin for histological evaluation then immunostained with monoclonal antibodies against CD44 which was detected in term of negative or positive expression.RESULTS: CD44 was demonstrated in 58.3% (35/60) of cases and showed statistically significant correlation with tumour site and histological type (p-value < 0.05). However, CD44 showed statistically insignificant inverse correlation with tumour invasiveness (T), lymph node status (N), grade, TNM stage grouping and modified Dukes’ classification, while it was directly correlated with distant metastasis (M) (p-value > 0.05). Chi-square /Fisher exact test proportion independence and the p-value are set significant at 0.05 level.CONCLUSION: the CD44 rate of expression is higher in the colon than rectum and in adenocarcinoma than mucinous and undifferentiated carcinoma. CD44 showed statistically insignificant relation with T, N, M, grade, TNM stage grouping and modified Dukes’ classification