Effect of Earplugs and Eye Mask on Sleep Quality Among Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome at Assiut University Hospital

Background: Sleep disturbance can cause multiple negative cardiovascular effects among patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS). Aim: this study carried out to investigate effect of earplugs and eye mask on sleep quality among patients with ACS. Design: a quasi-experimental design. Setting: Coronary Care Unit at Assiut University Hospital. Subjects: Convenience sampling of 60 male and female adult patients were assigned randomly to two equal groups (30 each). Tools: Four tools were utilized to collect data of study, which were: Tool I Acute Coronary Syndrome patient assessment sheet Tool II: Factors affecting sleep quality among patients with ACS during night Tool III: 0–10 Numeric Pain Rating Scale Tool IV: ST Mary’s Hospital Sleep Questionnaire (SMHSQ). Methods: Researcher assessed factors affecting sleep quality during night as base line data and on daily basis for 3 consecutive days. Then, earplugs and eye mask were placed for study group between 7:10 PM. On morning, sleep quality was assessed for study and control groups by using (SMHSQ) between 7:8 AM. Results: Finding of this study supported stated research hypotheses with statistical significant difference between study and control groups regarding total mean of sleep quality score during 1st and 2nd nights of intervention (P=0.000**, P= 0.014*) respectively as well as some of environmental factors affecting sleep quality with P. value < 0.05. Conclusion Earplugs, eye mask significantly improve sleep quality of patients with ACS. Therefore, offering earplugs and eye mask as a part of routine nursing practice for all ACS patients is highly recommended.                                                                                        Key words: earplugs and eye mask, sleep quality, acute coronary syndrome patient

A brief investigation on the prospective of co-composted biochar as a fertilizer for Zucchini plants cultivated in arid sandy soil

Compost is commonly utilized to improve properties of infertile sandy soils, despite its high biodegradability which may increase greenhouse gases emissions. It is possible to combine compost with biochar, which degrades at a slower rate, forming a “co-composted biochar” product. This mixture could enhance plant growth parameters beyond those attained for using each component, individually. To investigate this assumption, zucchini was selected as a test plant to be grown, under greenhouse conditions, on a sandy soil that received biochar, compost or co-composted biochar (from rice straw or sugarcane bagasse (SB)) for a duration of 15 days. This timeframe was deemed sufficient to achieve a relatively stable degradation rate for compost. Application of organic materials increased both fresh and dry weights of zucchini plants, particularly when co-composted biochar of SB was used. Specifically, plant fresh weights increased by 1.24–1.71 folds when using this additive versus the control group. Additionally, availability of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in soil and their uptake by plants significantly increased owing to application of all additives, with superiority for the co-composted biochar of SB. Enhancements in plant fresh weights were strongly correlated with increasing availability and uptake of phosphorus by plants. In conclusion, organic amendments have a substantial positive impact on enhancing the nutritional status and growth of zucchini, even during the early vegetative growth stage (within the first 15 days after planting). The greatest improvements were observed when co-composted biochar of SB was used and this confirm the main hypothesis of the study

مجاز الجامعة: الجامعة وكأنها۰۰۰۰ / The Metaphor of the University: The University as If...

[من مواقع متباينة وسياقات مختلفة وﺭﺅﻯ شتى، قدم ثلاثة من كبار مفكري القرن العشرين ثلاث محاضرات عن الجامعة: الأولى، محاضرة مارتن هيدجر (۱۸۸۹ـ۱۹۷٦)، وهي عبارة عن خطاب توليه رﺋﺎسة جامعة فرايبورج الألمانية عام ۱۹۳۳، وعنوانها ((التأكيد الذاتي للجامعة الألمانية)). والثانية، محاضرة جاك دريدا (۱۹۳۰ـ۲۰۰٤) بعنوان ((الجامعة بلا شروط))، وقد ألقاها في جامعة ستانفورد بكاليفورنيا عام ۱۹۹۸. والثالثة، محاضرة ٳدوارد سعيد (۱۹۳٥ـ۲۰۰۳) بعنوان ((عن الجامعة))، وقد ألقاها في الجامعة الأمريكية بالقاهرة عام ۱۹۹۹. تنطلق المحاضرات الثلاث جميعاً من أزمات تاريخية تلوح في الخلفية لتحفز أحلاماً بجامعة حديثة. وتعتمد المقالة تحليل مفهوم الجامعة، في المحاضرات الثلاث، بوصفه مفهوماً مجازياً . This article explores three lectures on the concept of the University given by three leading twentieth-century intellectuals from different perspectives and in a variety of contexts: Martin Heidegger\u27s 1933 inaugural address as Rector of the German University of Freiburg The Self-Assertion of the German University , Jacques Derrida\u27s 1998 lecture L\u27université sans condition given at Stanford University, California, and Edward W. Said\u27s 1999 lecture at the American University in Cairo On the University . All three lectures emanated at critical historical junctures that necessitated re-envisioning the modern university. The author analyzes the concept of the university as metaphor in the three lectures.

A Novel Role of SIRT1/ FGF-21 in Taurine Protection Against Cafeteria Diet-Induced Steatohepatitis in Rats

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the alarmingly rising clinical problems in the 21st century with no effective drug treatment until now. Taurine is an essential amino acid in humans that proved efficacy as a non-pharmacological therapy in a plethora of diseases; however, its impact on NAFLD remains elusive. The aim of the current study is to evaluate the protective mechanism of taurine in experimental steatohepatitis induced by junk food given as cafeteria-diet (CAF-D) in male albino rats. Methods: Forty adult male albino rats of local strain between 8-10 weeks old, weighing 150 ± 20 g, were divided into four equal groups: Group I (control group), Group II (Taurine group), Group III (CAF-D for 12 weeks) and Group IV (CAF-D +Taurine). CAF-D was given in addition to the standard chow for 12 weeks, where each rat was given one piece of beef burger fried in 15 g of sunflower oil, one teaspoonful of mayonnaise, and one piece of petit pan bread, weighing 60g/ piece. In the serum, liver function tests; ALT, AST, ALP, GGT and the lipid profile; TG, TC, HDL-C added to reduced glutathione (GSH) were assessed colorimetrically, while fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-21, adiponectin & interleukin (IL)-6 via ELISA. The same technique was used for the assays of the hepatic levels of FGF-21, silent information regulator (SIRT1), malondialdehyde (MDA),IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) as well as the apoptotic markers; caspase-3 and B-cell lymphoma (Bcl-2). Results: The cafeteria-diet induced steatohepatitis was reflected by significantly increased body and liver weight gain, elevation of liver enzymes; ALT, AST, ALP and GGT added to the dyslipidemic panel, presented as increased TC, TG, LDL-C and decreased HDL-C levels. The steatosis-induced inflammatory milieu, marked by elevated serum levels of FGF-21, IL-6, hepatic TNF-α, as well as reduced IL-10 and adiponectin, was associated with steatosis- induced hepatic oxidative stress, reflected by increased hepatic MDA and decreased GSH levels, along with stimulated caspase-3 and decline in BcL-2 hepatic levels. These pathological disturbances were significantly ameliorated by taurine supplementation and evidenced histopathologically. The cross talk between hepatic FGF-21 and SIRT1 and their association to the induced perturbations are novel findings in this study. Taurine's efficacy in restoration of hepatic structure and function is partially via the increase in SIRT1 and associated reduction of FGF-21. Conclusion: The findings of the current study prove the protective role of taurine in NAFLD via a novel role in the amelioration of FGF-21/ SIRT1 axis, which could be considered a new therapeutic target

Estimation of methane greenhouse gas emissions from livestock in Egypt during 1989 to 2021

Abstract This study investigates methane emissions from the livestock sector, representing by enteric fermentation and manure management, in Egypt from 1989 to 2021, focusing on spatial and temporal variations at the governorate level. Utilizing IPCC guidelines and emission factors, methane emissions were estimated for dairy and non-dairy cattle, buffalo, sheep and goat, poultry, and other livestock categories. Results reveal fluctuating emission patterns over the study period, with notable declines in certain governorates such as Kafr El-Sheikh and Red Sea, attributed to reductions in livestock populations. However, increasing trends were observed overall, driven by population growth in other regions. Hotspots of methane emissions were identified in delta governorates like Behera and Sharkia, as well as agriculturally rich regions including Menia and Suhag. While livestock populations varied between regions, factors such as water availability, climatic conditions, and farming practices influenced distribution. Notably, cluster analysis did not reveal regional clustering among governorates, suggesting emissions changes were not dependent on specific geographic or climatic boundaries. Manure management accounted for only 5–6% of total emissions, with emissions at their lowest in the last three years due to population declines. Despite the highest livestock populations being sheep and goats, emissions from enteric fermentation and manure management were highest from buffalo and cattle. This study underscores the importance of accurate data collection and adherence to IPCC recommendations for estimating GHG emissions, enabling the development of targeted mitigation strategies to address climate change challenges in the livestock sector

Hydro-organic mobile phase and factorial design application to attain green HPLC method for simultaneous assay of paracetamol and dantrolene sodium in combined capsules

Abstract The greenness of any analytical method has become a very important aspect of a good analytical method. However, most chromatographic methods depend on the usage of relatively large amounts of lethal and un-decaying chemicals and solvents. So, a green approach based on the full factorial design was employed to develop a simple and rapid HPLC technique for concurrent determination of paracetamol and dantrolene sodium in their combined capsules. Both drugs are highly recommended to be administered together in patients with severe musculoskeletal disorders. Avoiding the routine methodology and resorting to the modern technology represented in the usage of experimental design allows rapid determination of the studied drugs using the optimum quantity of chemicals to avoid any waste of resources. Simultaneous separation of a binary mixture of paracetamol and dantrolene sodium was accomplished using a reversed phase Hypersil C18 column using an eco-friendly isocratic eluent. The used mobile phase consisted simply of ethanol: water (40:60, v/v). Orthophosphoric acid was used to adjust the pH of the mobile phase to 4.5. Triethanolamine (0.2%) was added aiming to reduce the peak tailing. The assay was completed within less than 6 min adopting 0.8 mL/min as a flow rate. The detection was carried out using a UV-detector at 290 nm. The suggested technique shows a linear correlation over concentration ranges of 1.0–200 and 1.0–40 µg/mL for paracetamol and dantrolene sodium, respectively. The suggested technique allowed the simultaneous analysis of the two co-formulated drugs in their synthetic mixture and combined capsule. The suggested technique is considered a greener substitute for the other reported HPLC techniques through the usage of safer solvents and chemicals, along with decreasing both waste output and analysis time. The method is accurate with recoveries between 97.85 and 101.27%, precise, as %RSD for the intraday and interday precision were between 0.39 and 1.72% and very sensitive with limits of detection (LOD)’s 0.15 and 0.18 µg/ml and limits of quantification (LOQ)’s 0.48 and 0.61 µg/ml for paracetamol and dantrolene sodium, respectively. The method greenness was ensured through its assessment by four greenness metrics. It is also validated following the International Conference on Harmonization Guidelines. The recommended technique could be a good alternative to traditional methods in the routine quality control analysis of the studied drugs due to its minimum harm to the planet or human beings

Bacteria Screening, Viability, And Confirmation Assays Using Bacteriophage-Impedimetric/Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Dual-Response Biosensors

Here, we integrate two complementary detection strategies for the identification and quantification of Escherichia coli based on bacteriophage T4 as a natural bioreceptor for living bacteria cells. The first approach involves screening and viability assays, employing bacteriophage as the recognition element in label-free electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The complementary approach is a confirmation by loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) to amplify specifically the E. coli <i>Tuf</i> gene after lysis of the bound E. coli cells, followed by detection using linear sweep voltammetry. Bacteriphage T4 was cross-linked, in the presence of 1,4-phenylene diisothiocyanate, on a cysteamine-modified gold electrode. The impedimetric biosensor exhibits specific and reproducible detection with sensitivity over the concentration range of 10³–10⁹ cfu/mL, while the linear response of the LAMP approach was determined to be 10²–10⁷ cfu/mL. The limit of detection (LOD) of 8 × 10² cfu/mL in less than 15 min and 10² cfu/mL within a response time of 40 min were achieved for the impedimetric and LAMP method, respectively. This work provides evidence that integration of the T4-bacteriophage-modified biosensor and LAMP can achieve screening, viability, and confirmation in less than 1 h

Nanoformulation-Based 1,2,3-Triazole Sulfonamides for Anti-<i>Toxoplasma In Vitro</i> Study

Toxoplasma gondii is deemed a successful parasite worldwide with a wide range of hosts. Currently, a combination of pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine serves as the first-line treatment; however, these drugs have serious adverse effects. Therefore, it is imperative to focus on new therapies that produce the desired effect with the lowest possible dose. The designation and synthesis of sulfonamide-1,2,3-triazole hybrids (3a–c) were performed to create hybrid frameworks. The newly synthesized compounds were loaded on chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs) to form nanoformulations (3a.CNP, 3b.CNP, 3c.CNP) for further in vitro investigation as an anti-Toxoplasma treatment. The current study demonstrated that all examined compounds were active against T. gondii in vitro relative to the control drug, sulfadiazine. 3c.CNP showed the best impact against T. gondii with the lowest IC50 value of 3.64 µg/mL. Using light microscopy, it was found that Vero cells treated with the three nanoformulae showed remarkable morphological improvement, and tachyzoites were rarely seen in the treated cells. Moreover, scanning and transmission electron microscopic studies confirmed the efficacy of the prepared nanoformulae on the parasites. All of them caused parasite ultrastructural damage and altered morphology, suggesting a cytopathic effect and hence confirming their promising anti-Toxoplasma activity