Low Incidence of Contrast Induced Nephropathy after Coronary Angiography in Patients with Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease Treated with Prophylactic Continuous Veno-venous Hemofiltration

Introduction: Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is associated with increased risk of in-hospital morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study was to find out whether continuous venovenous hemofiltration (CVVH) after coronary angiography in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients is associated with a lower incidence of CIN than that reported in the literature. Methods: All patients with CKD who underwent coronary angiography in the Chest Disease Hospital, Kuwait, between January 2004 and December 2005 were treated by CVVH after the procedure. Renal function was assessed before and after the procedure. Results: A total of 98 patients were enrolled in the study, 52 (53.1%) of whom were males. Their mean age was 60.7 years. Before the procedure, the mean serum creatinine level was 4.65 mg/dl and the mean creatinine clearance (Cr Cl) was 18.04 ml/min. Patients underwent CVVH for a mean duration of 21.3 hours, after a mean time-interval of 44.3 min. Their mean serum creatinine was 4.57 mg/dl at discharge (within the first week after the procedure) and 4.78 mg/dl at 15 days after the procedure. Mean Cr Cl was 18.52 ml/min at discharge and 17.62 ml/min at 15 days after the procedure. There was no statistically significant difference between the mean serum creatinine and Cr Cl values before and after the procedure. However, one patient (1.02%) developed CIN and ended on regular hemodialysis. The in-hospital mortality was 0%. Conclusion: Patients with advanced CKD who undergo coronary angiography may be protected from further deterioration in their renal function after exposure to radiological contrast material if the procedure is immediately followed by CVVH. A randomized controlled clinical trial is needed to verify our encouraging results. Keywords: contrast induced nephropathy, chronic kidney disease, continuous venovenous hemofiltratio

Food consumption and lifestyle habits among university students in Saudi Arabia

Food consumption and lifestyle habits can have a positive or negative direct impact on an individual’s health. University students tend to have poor eating habits that are influenced mainly by sensory perceptions. This survey was done to evaluate the status of food consumption and lifestyle habits among Taif university students (males and females). A total of 600 students aged from 18 to 24 years participated in the survey and responded to questions on socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle habits, eating habits, food consumption frequency, attitude, health and food awareness knowledge. The randomly selected students were from various levels in university representing wide categories and living conditions in Taif Region, Saudi Arabia. The examined students efficiently completed the survey with the help of the university staff. Weight and height were evaluated by a portable standing electronic scale and a portable stadiometer (Seca 879, Germany) to calculate the Body mass index (BMI) classes. Female students recorded 28% of underweight cases, which was higher than the male students (11%) with none significant at p>0.05. The rate of overweight in male students was 30% compared with the female students’ 26%. The study reported 49% and 64% for normal waist circumference for male and female students, respectively. A higher frequency of moderate physical exercise was reported among male students at 60% compared to that among female students (57%). The number of students who did physical exercise regularly was reported to be higher in females (15%) than males (8%). A percentage of 15% and 7% of the male and female students, respectively were smokers. Male students recorded higher sleeping hours than females. Male students reported high media consumption frequency of more than 3 hours a day 67%, followed by 21% between 3-6 hours a day for female students. About 46% and 55% of male and female students, respectively, reported fast-food consumption at least once a week and about 30% of males and 24% females took only 1 to 2 fast food meals in a month. The major meals skipped were breakfast, followed by lunch and dinner; however, this was not significant p>0.05. Meal skipping was high among female students (72%). It was noted that high percentage of male students (72%) reported low consumption levels of vegetables and fruits. The main reason for fast-food consumption was convenience (31%) for males, while females recorded 32% for choices. Female students had a higher score than males in nutrition knowledge. There is a need for awareness creation concerning better food choices, lifestyle habits and weight management that might create a helpful impact on the university student health

Characteristics of electromagnetic waves in slab waveguide structures comprising chiral nihility film and left-handed material claddings

We analytically present the dispersion equation of an asymmetric three-layered chirowaveguides, in which the core and the claddings are different chiral materials. Then, we produce the dispersion equation for a symmetric three-layered chirowaveguides, in which the claddings chiral materials are the same, but different from the one in the core. After that, two modes of propagation through a chiral nihility core and left handed material (LHM) claddings waveguide are treated in details. The characteristic equations and the cut-off frequencies for both even and odd modes are derived. The electric field profiles are plotted and discussed. We show that each mode (odd and even) can be separated into right-handed and left-handed circularly polarized (RCP and LCP) modes. The results reveal that novel properties such as peculiar dispersion curves

Prevalence of thinness cases and dietary diversity among learners of various education stages in Taif Region, Saudi Arabia

Monitoring nutritional status during infancy, childhood, and adulthood is essential because good quality diet during growth is vital to cover the cognitive and physical demands, supply enough energy stores for illnesses and pregnancy and avoid adult nutrition-associated diseases. Thinness cases and lack of dietary diversity among learners in various education stages are common nutritional problems. A cross-sectional survey was carried out for the assessments of thinness cases and dietary diversity among the learners in various education stages in Taif Region, Saudi Arabia in August, 2020. A total of randomly selected 1602 respondents who fulfilled the exclusion and inclusion criteria (n=364 primary schools, n=410 middle schools, n=321 high schools, and n=507 university students) were examined and efficiently completed the survey. The survey comprised of socio-demographic characteristics, questions about health problems, adequate dietary diversity, habits, food item consumption, and nutritional knowledge test based on the student's theory and behaviors. The prevalence of thinness status among university students was very obvious (22%) and found to be mild followed by moderate (11%) and (0.4%) severely thin. The prevalence of severe thinness was the highest among primary school participants (28%). The prevalence of moderate thinness was reported slightly similar among middle and high school participants (29% and 32%, respectively). The highest prevalence of thinness cases was found in students from rural areas, while the lowest values were observed in those from urban areas. Students from large family size were more likely to be thin as compared to students from small size families. Students whose mothers were illiterate or had low formal education were more likely to be thin compared to those students whose mothers had completed university education or above. Further, 78% of primary school students reported meal skipping due to lack of appetite, while shape maintaining for the meal was accounted for 50% for middle school students as the main reason for the meal skipping. Snacking was also reported to be at a high rate among primary and high school students as 76% and 83% of the students mentioned having snacks, respectively. A higher frequency of light physical exercise was established for primary school pupils (81%), while university students reported (34%) as moderate. Almost all students had a low level of eating cereals, fruits and vegetables, while high schools and university students had a high-level consumption of fruits, animal-based foods and nutritional supplements. High school students had an excellent score 37% for nutrition knowledge. Education stage of learners was found to have direct influence on thinness, dietary diversity and food consumption frequency of the respondents. Consequently, nutritional education may positively affect the whole student's ability for good diet choices in the way to ensure a healthier status. The knowledge of nutrition education combined with physical exercise programmers may contribute to strengthening of the healthy eating messages at the various educationstages

Geographic variation in phytochemical constituents and allelopathic potential of Pinus halepensis barks

Aqueous extracts (10, 20, 30 and 40 g/L) of Pinus halepensis barks, collected from Bizerte (B), Tabarka (T), Seliana (S) and Oueslatia (O) to elucidate the influence of ecological sites on allelopathic potential. Aqueous barks extracts from (S) and (O) have revealed a higher rate of phenolic acids than those from (T) and (B), respectively 13.23, 13.8, 11.63 and 10.37 mg/mL. Alep pin barks were analyzed using HPLC/UV for the identification and quantification of the phenolic compounds, among which in particular the catechin acetate, the gallic acid, the rutine hydrate, luteolin 7 glucoside and the cinnamic acid. In fact, the aqueous extract of barks from (S) revealed a highest level, respectively 2.61, 1.74, 1.61, 1.36, and 1.21 mg/mL. The Pinus halepensis barks was analyzed by GC and GC-MS. As a result, 29 compounds were identified representing 89% made up basically by β-caryophyllene, α-humulene. As for allelopathic activity, aqueous extracts of barks significantly delayed germination, reduced its rate and affected the seedling growth mainly the (S) and (O) extracts. The root growth of the two targets has shown a high sensibility compared to the shoot lengths. Pot cultures were conducted by the incorporation of barks powder (50 and 100 g/kg) or the irrigation with their aqueous extracts at 20 and 40 g/L. Pinus halepensis barks and its extracts have shown a high herbicide potent, particularly the one collected from (S) and (O), may be favorably used for incorporating in agricultural systems for sustainable weed managemen

Advances in surface EMG signal simulation with analytical and numerical descriptions of the volume conductor

Surface electromyographic (EMG) signal modeling is important for signal interpretation, testing of processing algorithms, detection system design, and didactic purposes. Various surface EMG signal models have been proposed in the literature. In this study we focus on 1) the proposal of a method for modeling surface EMG signals by either analytical or numerical descriptions of the volume conductor for space-invariant systems, and 2) the development of advanced models of the volume conductor by numerical approaches, accurately describing not only the volume conductor geometry, as mainly done in the past, but also the conductivity tensor of the muscle tissue. For volume conductors that are space-invariant in the direction of source propagation, the surface potentials generated by any source can be computed by one-dimensional convolutions, once the volume conductor transfer function is derived (analytically or numerically). Conversely, more complex volume conductors require a complete numerical approach. In a numerical approach, the conductivity tensor of the muscle tissue should be matched with the fiber orientation. In some cases (e.g., multi-pinnate muscles) accurate description of the conductivity tensor may be very complex. A method for relating the conductivity tensor of the muscle tissue, to be used in a numerical approach, to the curve describing the muscle fibers is presented and applied to representatively investigate a bi-pinnate muscle with rectilinear and curvilinear fibers. The study thus propose an approach for surface EMG signal simulation in space invariant systems as well as new models of the volume conductor using numerical methods

The “Hypertension Approaches in the Elderly: a Lifestyle study” multicenter, randomized trial (HAEL Study): rationale and methodological protocol

Background: Hypertension is a clinical condition highly prevalent in the elderly, imposing great risks to cardiovascular diseases and loss of quality of life. Current guidelines emphasize the importance of nonpharmacological strategies as a first-line approach to lower blood pressure. Exercise is an efficient lifestyle tool that can benefit a myriad of health-related outcomes, including blood pressure control, in older adults. We herein report the protocol of the HAEL Study, which aims to evaluate the efficacy of a pragmatic combined exercise training compared with a health education program on ambulatory blood pressure and other health-related outcomes in older individuals. Methods: Randomized, single-blinded, multicenter, two-arm, parallel, superiority trial. A total of 184 subjects (92/center), ≥60 years of age, with no recent history of cardiovascular events, will be randomized on a 1:1 ratio to 12-week interventions consisting either of a combined exercise (aerobic and strength) training, three times per week, or an active-control group receiving health education intervention, once a week. Ambulatory (primary outcome) and office blood pressures, cardiorespiratory fitness and endothelial function, together with quality of life, functional fitness and autonomic control will be measured in before and after intervention. Discussion: Our conceptual hypothesis is that combined training intervention will reduce ambulatory blood pressure in comparison with health education group. Using a superiority framework, analysis plan prespecifies an intention-to-treat approach, per protocol criteria, subgroups analysis, and handling of missing data. The trial is recruiting since September 2017. Finally, this study was designed to adhere to data sharing practices. Trial registration: NCT03264443. Registered on 29 August, 2017

Preparing of Barium Titanate Using Chemical Method and Studying of Its Structural Properties

Single crystalline BaTiO3 (BT) was prepared using TiCl4, BaCl2 and oxalic acid. The structure of the prepared nanocrystalline BT powders were a tetragonal perovskite according to XRD and HRTEM analysis. Annealing powder to 750oC show that pure BT phase was formed according to XRD, TG, and FTIR spectroscopy. The TEM images of the prepared powder reveal spherical morphology of BT, while a finger twin, dendritic and embryo shape are observed of BT powder calcined at 230, 530, and 750oC respectively. SAED and HRTEM images showed a high crystalline BT powder and a single crystalline BT respectively