Effect of Green Light from Doubled Frequency Neodymium-Doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (Nd:YAG) Laser in the Nanosecond Range on Rabbit’s Lens –In Vitro Study

 INTRODUCTION: The unprotected eye is extremely sensitive to laser radiation and can be permanently damaged from direct or reflected beams. The area of the eye damaged by laser energy is dependent upon the wavelength of the incident laser beam, duration of exposure and tissue characteristics. This study aims to investigate the effect of intense green light from doubled frequency Neodymium-Doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (Nd:YAG) (532nm) in the nanosecond range on the protein of rabbits lenses after short and prolonged (6, 18 seconds) exposures.METHODS: The fundamental wavelength (1064 nm) was frequency doubled in β- Barium Borate (BBO) crystal for second harmonic generation (SHG). Rabbits’ lenses were irradiated in vitro, and the effect of the laser was evaluated by comparing the protein concentration, structure and conformation by sodium dodecyle sulphate polyacrylamide electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).RESULTS: The results indicated a significant change in the soluble protein content, the molecular weights and the backbone structure of different lens crystallin fractions. These effects were more distinct when using laser with prolonged irradiation for 18 seconds than for 6 seconds.CONCLUSION: Irradiation with frequency doubled Nd-YAG green laser seem to be cataractous if the lens is exposed to laser that is intense enough to warrant thermal protein aggregation, folding and denaturatio

Effect of Nursing Guideline on Dietary and Fluid Compliance among Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis

Background: Patient compliance with the recommendations and treatments of healthcare providers is critical to the efficacy of those interventions. Unfortunately, poor patient compliance is a widespread problem in health care that carries with it substantial medical, social, and economic consequences, particularly among patients undergoing hemodialysis. Compliance to diet and fluid restrictions by adults on hemodialysis treatment is challenging. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of nursing guideline on dietary and fluid compliance among patients undergoing hemodialysis. Methodology: A quazi experimental design was utilized for conducting the study. A convenient sample of 60 adult patients on hemodialysis management at the Hemodialysis Department in El Manial University, Kasr Al-Aini hospital affiliated to Cairo University, Egypt,  was recruited, and randomly divided into study and control groups (30 patients each). Data were collected through six tools; Socio-demographic and medical data sheet, Biochemical indicators data sheet,  Knowledge assessment sheet, Attitudes towards dietary and fluid compliance sheet, Self-reported dietary and fluid compliance sheet and Food frequency sheet. Results: There were statistically significant improvement of knowledge; attitude and compliance regarding diet and fluid regimen in the study group after implementation of the nursing guideline when compared to the control group. Conclusion: A nursing guideline may improve the patient's knowledge regarding diet and fluid regimen as well as enhance dietary and fluid compliance among patients undergoing hemodialysis. Recommendations: It is suggested to apply this nursing guideline on the hemodialysis patients in their early course of treatment, and to replicate the study on a larger study sample in different settings to generalize the results. Keywords:  Nursing guideline, dietary and fluid compliance, hemodialysis

Učinak nalbufina ili ketamina na sposobnost ksilazina da održi sedaciju konja u stojećem stavu

Despite the pivotal role of α2-agonists for standing sedation in horses, these drugs possess several dose-dependent side effects. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effect of nalbuphine or ketamine on xylazine requirements necessary to provide constantly moderate sedation in horses. Five healthy adult horses were subjected to three randomized treatments at one-week intervals as follows: xylazine (XYL) (xylazine: 0.55 mg/kg, IV; saline: bolus & CRI); xylazine/nalbuphine (XYL/NAL) (xylazine: 0.55 mg/kg, IV; nalbuphine: 0.3 mg/kg, IV & 0.23 mg/kg/hour CRI) and xylazine/ketamine (XYL/KET) (xylazine: 0.55 mg/kg, IV; ketamine: 0.1 mg/kg, IV & 0.5 mg/kg/hour CRI). On all occasions, moderate sedation was maintained for 120 minutes by administering additional xylazine boluses (0.14 mg/kg, IV) whenever lower sedation was demonstrated. All treatments were assessed in terms of the degree of sedation, the time of administering the first additional xylazine bolus, and xylazine requirements (presented as mg/kg/hour) for maintaining moderate sedation for 120 minutes. The degree of ataxia and adverse events were also monitored. Sedation scores were significantly higher than the baseline for all treatments over 120 minutes. A longer time before the first additional xylazine bolus and lower xylazine requirements (lower calculated infusion rates) for maintaining moderate sedation were evident following the XYL/NAL and XYL/KET treatments compared to the XYL treatment. All treatments were associated with an acceptable degree of ataxia and limited behavioral effects. In conclusion, both nalbuphine and ketamine were efficient in reducing xylazine requirements for constant sedation in horses. Further study is required for comprehensive testing of all studied combinations to elucidate the potential advantages of the demonstrated xylazine sparing effect.Unatoč ključnoj ulozi α2-agonista u sedaciji konja u stojećem stavu, ovi lijekovi imaju nekoliko nuspojava koje ovise o njihovoj dozi. Cilj je istraživanja bio odrediti učinak nalbufina ili ketamina na sposobnost ksilazina da održi umjerenu sedaciju u konja. Pet zdravih odraslih konja podvrgnuto je trima randomiziranim pokusima u intervalima od tjedan dana prema sljedećem protokolu: ksilazin (XYL; ksilazin 0,55 mg/kg, iv., fiziološka otopina bolus i CRI); ksilazin/nalbufin (XYL/NAL ksilazin 0,55 mg/kg, iv., nalbufin 0.3 mg/kg, iv. i 0,23 mg/kg/h CRI) i ksilazin/ketamin (XYL/KET; ksilazin 0,55 mg/kg, iv., ketamin 0.1 mg/kg, iv. i 0,5 mg/kg/h CRI). U sve je tri skupine održana umjerena sedacija tijekom 120 minuta. Kad god se pokazala niža sedacija, dodavan je bolus ksilazina (0,14 mg/kg, iv.). Procjenjivan je stupanj sedacije, vrijeme primjene prvog dodatnog bolusa ksilazina i potrebe za ksilazinom (prikazane u mg/kg/h) kako bi se održala umjerena sedacija tijekom 120 minuta. Praćeni su i stupanj ataksije odnosno štetnih događaja. Pokazatelji sedacije bili su znakovito veći u sva tri pokusa tijekom 120 minuta. Dulje vrijeme prije prvog dodatnog bolusa ksilazina i manje potrebe za ksilazinom (niža stopa infuzije) kako bi se održala umjerena sedacija uočeni su nakon primjene XYL/NAL i XYL/KET lijekova u usporedbi sa skupinom koja je primila samo XYL. U sve je tri skupine zapažen prihvatljiv stupanj ataksije i ograničeni učinci na ponašanje. Zaključeno je da su i nalbufin i ketamin učinkoviti u smanjenju potreba za ksilazinom kako bi se održala sedacija u konja. Potrebna su daljnja istraživanja i sveobuhvatno testiranje ovih kombinacija kako bi se ustanovile potencijalne prednosti smanjene primjene ksilazina uočene u ovom istraživanju

Variation of chemical composition of essential oils in wild populations of Thymus algeriensis Boiss. et Reut., a North African endemic Species

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Thymus algeriensis </it>is an endemic aromatic plant to Tunisia largely used in folk medicine and as a culinary herb. The bulks aromatic plants come from wild populations whose essential oils compositions as well as their biological properties are severely affected by the geographical location and the phase of the plant development. Therefore, the aim of the present work is to provide more information on the variation of essential oil composition of <it>T. algeriensis </it>collected during the vegetative and the flowering phases and from eight different geographical regions. Besides, influence of population location and phenological stage on yield and metal chelating activity of essential oils is also assessed.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The essential oil composition of <it>Thymus algeriensis </it>was determined mainly by GC/FID and GC/MS. The chemical differentiation among populations performed on all compounds was assessed by linear discriminate analysis and cluster analysis based on Euclidean distance.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 71 compounds, representing 88.99 to 99.76% of the total oil, were identified. A significant effect of the population location on the chemical composition variability of <it>T. algeriensis </it>oil was observed. Only 18 out of 71 compounds showed a statistically significant variation among population locations and phenological stages. Chemical differentiation among populations was high. Minor compounds play an important role to distinguish between chemical groups. Five chemotypes according to the major compounds have been distinguished. Chemotypes distribution is linked to the population location and not to bioclimate, indicating that local selective environmental factors acted on the chemotype diversity.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The major compounds at the species level were α-pinene (7.41-13.94%), 1,8-cineole (7.55-22.07%), <it>cis</it>-sabinene hydrate (0.10-12.95%), camphor (6.8-19.93%), 4-terpineol (1.55-11.86%), terpenyl acetate (0-14.92%) and viridiflorol (0-11.49%). Based on major compounds, the populations were represented by (α-pinene/1,8-cineole/<it>cis</it>-sabinene hydrate/camphor/viridiflorol), (1,8-cineole/camphor/terpenyl acetate), (α-pinene/1,8-cineole/camphor), (1,8-cineole/camphor/4-terpineol) and (α-pinene/1,8-cineole/<it>cis</it>-sabinene hydrate/camphor/4-terpineol) chemotypes. Variation of phenological stage did not have a statistically significant effect on the yield and metal chelating activity of the essential oil. These results can be used to investigate the geographical location and the harvesting time of this plant for relevant industries.</p

Effectiveness of Nursing Intervention on Health Locus of Control and Self-Efficacy in Women with Gestational Diabetes

Contents: Gestational diabetes is associated with an increased risk of complications during delivery and problems for both the mother and the offspring in prenatal and postnatal periods and later life. Lack of self-care is the most important reason for mortality in diabetic patients. Self-efficacy has a significant role in enhancing successful adherence to healthy behaviors, lifestyle modifications, and diabetes control among gestational diabetes pregnant women. Aim: The current study aimed to evaluate the nursing intervention (NI) effectiveness on health locus of control (HELOC) and self-efficacy in women with gestational diabetes (GD).Methods: A quasi-experimental design (study and control group) was used. The researchers conducted this study at the Antenatal Outpatient Clinics of Shebin El-Kom Teaching Hospital, Menoufia Governorate, Egypt. A purposive sample of 120 women with GD was carefully chosen from the nominated setting and dispersed accidentally into two identical groups (study and control group). Three tools were used for collecting the study data: A structured self-administered questionnaire, the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale-C Form, and the General Self-efficacy Scale. Results: There is a statistically significant difference between the intervention and control groups in their internal health locus of control (HELOC) scores after the intervention, with a mean difference of 4.70 at CI 95% for the intervention group p&lt;0.001. A non-statistically significant difference was found between the intervention group and the control group in the external health locus of control (HELOC) mean scores before and after the intervention, although there was a significant difference between the change in both groups p=0.032. Also, there is a highly statistically significant difference between the intervention group and the control group in the self-efficacy scores after the intervention in the intervention group, where p&lt;0.001 compared to a non-significant difference between them before the intervention group intervention (p=0.555). Conclusion: The study concluded that the women with GD who attended NI sessions obtained higher HELOC scores (internal and external) and higher self-efficacy scores than those who do not. Educational nursing intervention should become a fundamental part of the total management of gestational diabetes in antenatal outpatient clinics

Female Entrepreneurship in the Gaza Strip: Exploring the role of Social Capital

In the occupied territory of the Gaza strip, the notion of organisation is stretched and reshaped. Women often find that their challenges are multiplied in such contested contexts and entrepreneurship becomes more a necessity than an aspiration. Such circumstances problematise the idea of meritocracy and of entrepreneurial ability as an innate trait. We argue that agency is situation-dependent and constrained by social structures, whilst stopping short of regarding individuals as merely passive actors. We, therefore, require a framework to explore the complex forces which female entrepreneurs must negotiate in Gaza. Influenced by Bourdieu, in this paper we propose social capital as a vital facilitator of female entrepreneurship in Gaza and have constructed a framework to be utilised for empirical research. The fieldwork is due to be conducted during the summer of 2020, so at the conference, we may be able to present some early findings and our initial reflections on the framework

Reverse Transcription Recombinase Polymerase Amplification Assay for Rapid Detection of Avian Influenza Virus H9N2 HA Gene

The H9N2 subtype of avian influenza A virus (aIAV) is circulating among birds worldwide, leading to severe economic losses. H9N2 cocirculation with other highly pathogenic aIAVs has the potential to contribute to the rise of new strains with pandemic potential. Therefore, rapid detection of H9 aIAVs infection is crucial to control virus spread. A qualitative reverse transcription recombinase polymerase amplification (RT-RPA) assay for the detection of aIAV subtype H9N2 was developed. All results were compared to the gold standard (real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)). The RT-RPA assay was designed to detect the hemagglutinin (HA) gene of H9N2 by testing three pairs of primers and a probe. A serial concentration between 106 and 100 EID50 (50% embryo infective dose)/mL was applied to calculate the analytical sensitivity. The H9 RT-RPA assay was highly sensitive as the lowest concentration point of a standard range at one EID50/mL was detected after 5 to 8 min. The H9N2 RT-RPA assay was highly specific as nucleic acid extracted from H9 negative samples and from other avian pathogens were not cross detected. The diagnostic sensitivity when testing clinical samples was 100% for RT-RPA and RT-PCR. In conclusion, H9N2 RT-RPA is a rapid sensitive and specific assay that easily operable in a portable device for field diagnosis of aIAV H9N2

Detection of A2142G, A2142C and A2143G clarithromycin mutations in Helicobacter pylori in Alexandria University Pediatric Hospital

Background:&nbsp;Helicobacter pylori&nbsp;(H. pylori)colonizes the stomach and affect almost 50% of the world’s population. Clarithromycin is considered a cornerstone for&nbsp;H. pylori&nbsp;treatment. Emergence of clarithromycin resistance (CLR-R) has played a major role in failure of&nbsp;H. pylori&nbsp;eradication both in adults and children. &nbsp;Clarithromycin resistance is mostly due to mutations in 23S rRNA gene: A2142G, A2142C, and A2143G. The aim of the current study is to determine the prevalence of CLR-R among&nbsp;H. pylori&nbsp;infected children with prior clarithromycin treatment.&nbsp;Materials and Methods: Multiple endoscopic gastric biopsies were collected from 50&nbsp;H.&nbsp;pylori&nbsp;infected children after cessation of clarithromycin-based treatment. Samples were subjected to histopathological examinations, rapid urease test (RUT) and simultaneous molecular detection of&nbsp;H.&nbsp;pylori&nbsp;infection as well as CLR-R by multiplex Real-Time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).&nbsp;Results: Histopathological examinations and RUT revealed&nbsp;H. pylori&nbsp;in 74% and 92% of samples respectively. Molecular detection of CLR-R showed that 62.5% positive&nbsp;H. pylori&nbsp;cases were not harboring any of the tested mutations, while 25% harbored 2143A-G single mutation. Double mutations (2142A-C and 2143A-G) were detected in only 4 cases. Statistical significant correlation existed between both RUT and PCR results as well as between histopathological findings and PCR test results.&nbsp;Conclusions:&nbsp;A combination of histopathogy, RUT and multiplex PCR procedures offers a real benefit in the simultaneous diagnosis of&nbsp;H.&nbsp;pylori&nbsp;infection along with clarithromycin resistance status. Other mechanisms of clarithromycin resistance need to be investigated to explain treatment failure in absence of the previously detected mutations

Role of diffusion weighted imaging and dynamic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in breast tumors

AbstractPurposeTo evaluate the role of diffusion weighted imaging and dynamic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in characterization of breast tumors and comparing the results with the histological finding.Patients and methodsFrom January 2011 to January 2015, 71 patients with 74 suspicious breast lesions had performed breast DCE-MRI combined with DWI and the results were compared with the histopathological examination which was used as the standard diagnostic method.ResultsThe study included 71 patients with 74 suspicious breast lesions, there were 38 benign lesions ((51.35%) and 36 malignant lesions (48.65%)).DCE-MRI proved to have a sensitivity of 91.7%, and a specificity of 84.2%. ADC cutoff value to differentiate between benign and malignant lesions was 1.32×103mm2/s (P<0.001). The diffusion weighted MRI proved to have a sensitivity of 94.4%, and a specificity of 92.1%.The combined MRI protocol of DCEMRI and DWI proved to increase the sensitivity and specificity of breast MRI.ConclusionDWI had a higher sensitivity and specificity than DCE-MRI. The combined MRI protocol of DCEMRI and DWI proved to increase sensitivity and specificity of MRI in diagnosis and differential diagnosis of breast lesions