The Mausoleums of Fatima Khatun and al-Ashraf Khalil

This thesis will conduct an architectural analysis of two nearly contemporary mausoleums situated on the northern tip of the Southern Cemetery of Cairo near the Sayyida Nafisa shrine. The Southern Cemetery is the oldest one, which stretches from the east at Muqattam hill to the south at Fustat. The mausoleums of the princess Fatima Khatun and al-Sultan al-Ashraf Khalil date to the late 13th century. Among the interesting aspects of the mausoleum of Fatima Khatun (Umm al-Salih), the wife of al-Mansur Qalawun, is its unique Maghribi style minaret. In addition, apart from his splendid mausoleum, al-Ashraf Khalil, Qalawun’s son, constructed other royal secular buildings in the Citadel. I relied on a number of primary and recent sources, notably the Comité Bulletins. This study also traces the efforts exerted by the Comité and contemporary projects to safeguard the monuments from the encroachment of secular buildings and the rising of the groundwater table. The area is privileged by its religious significance, its funerary function, and the historic imperial mausoleums. Considering its dense population and the dilapidated status from which the two Mamluk complexes have suffered, prompt action should be taken for a twofold purpose: to restore the missing parts of the cultural heritage as well as to encourage the residents to maintain it and raise their living standard at the same time

Workplace violence against nurses at Minia district hospitals

Introduction: Violence against nurses at the workplace is an alarming problem in both developed and developing countries affecting the quality of their work. The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of external (patient initiated) and internal violence (initiated by staff members) against nurses and studying the violence-associated factors such as perpetrators, the attitude of nurses following aggression incidents, consequences, and impact on nurses and work. Methods: A cross-sectional study included 385 nurses from three different hospitals in Minia district was agreed to participate in the study. These hospitals included Health Insurance Hospital, Minia University Hospitals (Minia University Gynecological, Obstetric, and Pediatric Hospital and Minia Renal Hospital), and Minia general hospital. The well-structured questionnaire covered four main domains; sociodemographics, lifetime working experience of violence, external and internal violence and its effects on work, the perpetrators of violence, and attitude of nurses following violent incidents. Results: More than half of nurses (55.8%) were exposed to workplace violence during their working lifetime. Experiencing external violence (patient initiated) during the past year was significantly higher (57.4%) than the internal (staff initiated) type (33.5%). Verbal violence was the most common type of violence. Reporting violence incidents were done by 68.3% and 38.7% of the nurses who were exposed to external and internal violence, respectively. Conclusion: Violence against nurses working in different health-care facilities at Minia district was prevalent and has a significant impact on nurses and their work

Psychological Problems as Perceived by Institutionalized and Non-Institutionalized Elderly

Ageing is a universal phenomenon and natural biological process of the life cycle. As people enter old age, they begin to experience associated changes in their physical, mental & social health. Therefore, elderly people are vulnerable to physiological and mental crisis. The aim of this study is to assess psychological problems as perceived by institutionalized and non-institutionalized elderly, utilizing a descriptive comparative research design. A sample of convenience of 90 elderly which will be divided into: 45 institutionalized elderly was recruited from Hedaya Barakat geriatric home in El-Dokki district, Giza city, Egypt and 45 non- institutionalized elderly was recruited from Pension and Disbursement settings, Cairo district, Egypt. Socio-demographic sheet, and psychological problems scale for elderly. The findings revealed that; the studied institutionalized elderly had higher levels of anxiety, loneliness, and depression than non institutionalized elderly and it was major problems. The study concludes that, psychological problems increase with growing of age among elderly. Recommendation: nursing by education programs should be held for psychiatric mental health nurses in order to help families develop a better understanding of elderly people health needs. Keywords: psychological problems, institutionalized, non-institutionalized and elderly people

Mechanism of biological control of Rhizoctonia damping-off of cucumber by a non-pathogenic isolate of binucleate Rhizoctonia

The interaction of binucleate Rhizoctonia (BNR) anastomosis group (AG)-A isolate W7, Rhizoctonia solani AG-4 and cucumber seedlings were  investigated to elucidate the mechanism of biocontrol of Rhizoctonia solani by BNR. Hypocotyls of Cucumis sativus L. cv. Jibai were inoculated with a virulent isolate of R. solani AG-4 isolate C4 and examined with light microscopy and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The hyphae of the virulent isolate colonized the outer surface of the hypocotyl and penetrated the epidermal and cortical cells to the pith of hypocotyls. The hyphae of a non-pathogenic species of BNR isolate W7 did not penetrate the cortical cells but instead colonized the outer epidermal cells 12 h after inoculation. Accumulation of mucilage occurred on the surface after dense colonization of the hypocotyls surface by the BNR. Observation of the hypocotyls surface pre-inoculated with BNR and challenged inoculated with R. solani showed constricted and deformed hyphae of R. solani, which were prevented to penetrate the epidermal cells. Pre-inoculating of BNR isolate caused profused formation of the mucilage which lysed BNR hyphae and restricted the growth of R. solani. The mucilage was identified as pectic substances. Analysis of pectin contents from dried hypocotyls tissues showed highly methylated pectin with low uronic acid contents in the seedlings inoculated with R. solani and unprotected by BNR while BNR- treated seedlings showed less methylated pectin and high amount of uronic acid. Furthermore, the BNR-inoculated seedlings showed significant (P = 0.05) increase in calcium, indicating high amount of wall-bound cations in cell walls. Pectic substances accumulation and increased calcium in the cucumber tissues greatly contributed in the protection of cucumber seedlings against Rhizoctonia damping off by a non-pathogenic species of Rhizoctonia.Keywords: Rhizoctonia solani, binucleate Rhizoctonia, cucumber, biological controlAfrican Journal of Biotechnology, Vol. 13(5), pp. 640-650, 29 January, 201

Alpha 1 Acid Glycoprotein as a Marker for Diagnosis of Early-Onset Neonatal Sepsis in Full-term Neonates

Background: Neonatal sepsis is defined as a clinical syndrome of bacteremia with systemic signs and symptoms of infection in the first 4 weeks of life. Alpha-1 acid glycoprotein is one of the lipocalin family and members of acutephase protein; it appears to function in modulating the activity of the immune system during the acute phase reaction. Objective: This study aimed to assess α-1AGP as a marker in the diagnosis of EOS.Patients and Methods: This study was a prospective case-control study conducted on full-term neonates up to 7 days of life, admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Zagazig University Hospitals. The studied neonates were divided into 3 groups first confirmed cases (20) of early-onset sepsis, confirmed clinically and with a positive blood culture. Second suspected cases (20), with clinical features of sepsis and non-specific lab markers. Third group control (20), are apparently healthy term newborns, delivered in the Zagazig University Hospital. Alpha-1 acid glycoprotein was measured for all neonates. Results: There was a statistically significant difference among the studied groups as regard alpha one acid glycoprotein. It is a good diagnostic marker detection of cases. Conclusion: Alpha-1-acid glycoprotein appeared to be a useful marker for the early detection and diagnosis of earlyonset neonatal sepsis

β-Sitosterol Glucoside-Loaded Nanosystem Ameliorates Insulin Resistance and Oxidative Stress in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

β-Sitosterol glucoside (SG), isolated from Senecio petasitis (Family Asteraceae), was loaded in self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDS) in a trial to enhance its solubility and biological effect. Various co-surfactants were tested to prepare a successful SEDDS. The selected SG-loaded SEDDS had a droplet size of 134 ± 15.2 nm with a homogenous distribution (polydispersity index 0.296 ± 0.02). It also demonstrated a significant augmentation of SG in vitro release by 4-fold compared to the free drug suspension. The in vivo insulin sensitivity and antidiabetic effect of the prepared SG-loaded SEDDS were further assessed in streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemic rats. The hypoglycemic effect of SG-loaded nanosystem was evidenced by decreased serum glucose and insulin by 63.22% and 53.11%, respectively. Homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index demonstrated a significant reduction by 5.4-fold in the diabetic group treated by SG-loaded nanosystem and exhibited reduced glucagon level by 40.85%. In addition, treatment with SG-loaded nanosystem significantly decreased serum MDA (malondialdehyde) and increased catalase levels by 38.31% and 64.45%, respectively. Histopathological investigations also supported the protective effect of SG-loaded nanosystem on the pancreas. The promising ability of SG-loaded nanosystem to ameliorate insulin resistance, protect against oxidative stress, and restore pancreatic β-cell secretory function warrants its inclusion in further studies during diabetes progression

Autonomic Dysfunction Predicts Early Cardiac Affection in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis

Objective: To detect the early preclinical alterations in cardiac autonomic control as well as altered cardiac function in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients and their relevance to the clinical features of the disease using noninvasive methods. Methods: 30 SSc patients and 15 healthy controls matched for age and sex underwent clinical examination, serological analysis, and echocardiographic assessment including Doppler flow imaging to evaluate cardiac function, and 24-hour Holter monitoring analyzed for arrhythmia and heart rate variability (HRV) in the time and frequency domains. Results: The trans-mitral Doppler of early to atrial wave (E/A) ratio was reversed in five patients (16.6%) and the tricuspid E/A ratio was reversed in 10 patients (33.3%). Holter analysis for SSc patients revealed an increased prevalence of premature ventricular contractions (PVC) $ 10/h (P = 0.02), supra-ventricular tachycardias (SVTs) (P = 0.2), and total PVC count (P = 0.0000). Highly significant (P = 0.000) impairment in all HRV parameters was demonstrated in the SSc patients. Total skin thickness score (TSS), Raynaud’s phenomenon and anti-scleroderma 70 (anti-SCL70) showed significant positive correlations with all arrhythmia parameters, while showing a significant negative correlation with the impaired ventricular diastolic function and various HRV parameters. No correlation was found between arrhythmia and HRV parameters and disease duration, disease type, or presence of anti-centromere antibodies. Conclusion: Low heart rate variability, increased TSS and the presence of anti-SCL70 are correlated with preclinical cardiac involvement in SSc patients and may predict the likelihood of malignant arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death. Therefore, noninvasive HRV evaluation before clinical cardiac involvement in these patients might be beneficial when added to the clinical and laboratory assessments in detecting high-risk patients, and may allow for implementation of preventive measures and initiation of appropriate therapy early in the course of the disease

Dynamic MR-Mammography as the best method for diagnosis of invasive lobular breast carcinoma: A retrospective study

AbstractAim of the studyIt is a retrospective study aiming to provide diagnostic characterization of ILC in Dynamic MR-Mammography and to compare its diagnostic performance to mammography and ultrasonography.Material and MethodA total of 56 cases of ILC were selected in retrospective review of mammography, ultrasonography and Dynamic MRM of 420 patients with invasive breast cancer.ResultsAsymmetric density was the commonest mammography finding and the measured sensitivity of mammography in detecting ILC was 87.5% (9/56 FN).The most common US manifestation of ILC was focal shadowing without a discrete mass and its sensitivity in detecting ILC was 84.9% (10/56 FN). At MR imaging, the most common manifestation of ILC was a solitary irregular or angular mass with speculated or ill-defined margins (33.9%of cases [n=19]).The measured sensitivity is 96.5% (2/56 FN). Additional data such as those affected the patient management including the presence of multifocal or multicentric disease, chest wall involvement and contralateral breast cancer were encountered in 48.2% of cases [n=27]. ILC has a tendency to demonstrate delayed maximum enhancement with washout exhibited by only a minority of lesions (21.4% [n=12]).ConclusionMR imaging has proved to be superior to mammography and US in the detection and management of ILC. It provides useful information for further management and pre-surgical planning

The multifaceted role of macrophages during acute liver injury

The liver is situated at the interface of the gut and circulation where it acts as a filter for blood-borne and gut-derived microbes and biological molecules, promoting tolerance of non-invasive antigens while driving immune responses against pathogenic ones. Liver resident immune cells such as Kupffer cells (KCs), a subset of macrophages, maintain homeostasis under physiological conditions. However, upon liver injury, these cells and others recruited from circulation participate in the response to injury and the repair of tissue damage. Such response is thus spatially and temporally regulated and implicates interconnected cells of immune and non-immune nature. This review will describe the hepatic immune environment during acute liver injury and the subsequent wound healing process. In its early stages, the wound healing immune response involves a necroinflammatory process characterized by partial depletion of resident KCs and lymphocytes and a significant infiltration of myeloid cells including monocyte-derived macrophages (MoMFs) complemented by a wave of pro-inflammatory mediators. The subsequent repair stage includes restoring KCs, initiating angiogenesis, renewing extracellular matrix and enhancing proliferation/activation of resident parenchymal and mesenchymal cells. This review will focus on the multifaceted role of hepatic macrophages, including KCs and MoMFs, and their spatial distribution and roles during acute liver injury

Breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) gene expression in a cohort of adult Egyptian patients with acute myeloid leukemia

Background: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML), an aggressive clonal disease, is genetically heterozygous. The prognostic role of expression of Breast Cancer Resistance Protein (BCRP) gene, which behaves as a multidrug transporter, in adult AML is ambiguous. Objective: The objective is to assess the level of mRNA expression of BCRP gene in newly diagnosed cytogenetically normal adult Egyptian AML patients; and to clarify its potential influence and association between therapeutic responsiveness and disease free survival.Methods: The BCRP gene expression was evaluated by quantifying its mRNA using real time RT-PCR in fifty newly diagnosed cytogenetically normal adult AML patients and 20 healthy normal controls. The expression was evaluated in relation to clinical and prognostic factors, response to treatment and the survival rate. Results: BCRP mRNA was over expressed in adult AML patients compared to controls. This study showed a positive statistical correlation between BCRP gene expression and the percent of CD34 expression. Statistical analysis did not reveal  any association between BCRP expression level and chemotherapeutic responsiveness or disease free survival rate. Conclusion: The significance of BCRP gene expression and its function in AML is very complicated, therefore more standardized clinical studies are needed.Keywords: BCRP, adult AML, gene expression, prognosis, Egypt