Detection of C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) transcript in the rat heart and immune organs

Previous studies suggested the expression of mRNA, coding for CNP, exclusively in the central nervous system. In the present study, using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique instead of the less sensitive Northern blot hybridization, CNP-specific sequences have also been detected in rat atria and ventricles of the heart as well as in organs of the immune system (thymus, spleen and lymph nodes). Parallel PCR-assays documented ANP-mRNA in these tissues. To verify specificity of the PCR-products, Southern blots have been hybridized with a third internal oligonucleotide and amplification products have been sequenced. The relative level of CNP-mRNA in these tissues was estimated to be in the range of 1-9% of total brain CNP transcripts. The results suggest that the peptide may have a peripheral as well as a central site of action. In light of its pronounced effect on cell proliferation, particular interest should focus on a possible role of CNP in the immune system

An approximate analytical formula for estimating the weight of factors affecting the spread of COVID-19: a case study of the first wave

COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we live our lives for the foreseen future. To date, there have been over 113 million reported cases and 2.5 million deaths worldwide. Many studies investigated the factors affecting the number of daily cases such as weather conditions, lockdown duration and other factors. In this study, we propose a COVID-19 analytical formula for factors contributing to the number of the new coronavirus daily cases. We have also calculated values of relative weights of those factors. We focus on the first wave data that are publically available. Seven countries were considered including the UK, Italy, Spain, Canada, South Korea, Germany and France. We considered the following factors: temperature, humidity, government expenditure, lockdown hours and the number of daily tests for COVID-19 performed. The weights were calculated based on the hypothesis that a high correlation between recorded data of a given pair of countries implies a high correlation of the pair’s COVID-19 proposed analytical formula. The factors are calculated using the brute-force technique. Our results showed that in five out of the seven countries; temperature, humidity, and lockdown duration were the most dominant with values of 26%, 32% and 38%, respectively. In other countries, however, humidity, government expenditure and the daily performed tests for COVID-19 were the most effective factors, with relative values of 35%, 26%, and 28%

The effect of entomopathogenic nematodes and fungi against four xylophagous pests

The effects of entomopathogenic nematodes EPN (Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae) and fungi EPF (Beauveria bassiana) strains were evaluated in laboratory assays against larvae of four xylophagous pests: the Asparagus moth Parahypopta caestrum, the European goat moth Cossus cossus, the pine longhorn Arhopalus syriacus and the black Buprestid Capnodis tenebrionis. Due to their biology and ethology, these insects may be included in the category of pests residing in cryptic habitats. The control of these species is considered difficult, due to the inability of chemical pesticides to penetrate the cryptic habitats and reach the targets. The pathogenicity of the entomopathogenic nematodes and fungi was tested in vitro against the pests. Two experimental models were considered and aimed to imitate the natural environment of the pests, in Petri dishes filled with plant material and inside wood galleries respectively. Main results showed that the majority of the tested strains of nematodes and fungi affected the insects’ survival rate. Steinernema feltiae and B. bassiana caused the highest percentage of larval mortality (80–100%). Considering the lack of effective chemical control means, the microbial control of the xylophagous pests by EPN and EPF reveals promising perspectives. Nematodes and fungi are able to penetrate the cryptic habitats because they are living organisms and may be horizontally transmitted by infected hosts. The distribution of EPF as preventive control method and the injection of EPN suspensions to reach and infect the larvae inside the wood galleries can be a combined sustainable control system

Traumatismes du rachis dorsolombaire : étude rétrospective sur les traumatismes du rachis dorsolombaire A propos de 26 cas

Notre travail est une étude rétrospective des caractéristiques épidémiologiques, diagnostiques et thérapeutiques des traumatismes du rachis dorsolombaire dans le service de traumatologie du CHU Frantz Fanon, sur une période de 2 ans, allant du Janvier 2015 au Décembre 2016. ON a souligné les données suivantes : L’âge moyen de nos malades est de 29 ans. Le sexe masculin est le plus atteint (80,76%). Les étiologies sont dominées par les AVP avec un pourcentage de 53.84%, suivies des CHUTES (46,15%). La douleur rachidienne de la région traumatisée est le signe révélateur principal. Les déficits neurologiques sont fréquents (96,26%). Les fractures de la charnière dorsolombaire prédominent sur les atteintes lombaires et dorsales. La fracture- tassement est la lésion prédominante (65,35%) avec siège électif au niveau de la 1ère vertèbre lombaire. Le traitement chirurgical assurant une fixation efficace des lésions instables, a été réalisé chez tous les patients. L’évolution des paraplégiques reste encore menacée par certaines complications de la période initiale notamment les infections urinaires. L’évolution des troubles neurologiques étant dans l’ensemble variable. La lésion médullaire complète a un pronostic péjoratif.Notre travail est une étude rétrospective des caractéristiques épidémiologiques, diagnostiques et thérapeutiques des traumatismes du rachis dorsolombaire dans le service de traumatologie du CHU Frantz Fanon, sur une période de 2 ans, allant du Janvier 2015 au Décembre 2016. ON a souligné les données suivantes : L’âge moyen de nos malades est de 29 ans. Le sexe masculin est le plus atteint (80,76%). Les étiologies sont dominées par les AVP avec un pourcentage de 53.84%, suivies des CHUTES (46,15%). La douleur rachidienne de la région traumatisée est le signe révélateur principal. Les déficits neurologiques sont fréquents (96,26%). Les fractures de la charnière dorsolombaire prédominent sur les atteintes lombaires et dorsales. La fracture- tassement est la lésion prédominante (65,35%) avec siège électif au niveau de la 1ère vertèbre lombaire. Le traitement chirurgical assurant une fixation efficace des lésions instables, a été réalisé chez tous les patients. L’évolution des paraplégiques reste encore menacée par certaines complications de la période initiale notamment les infections urinaires. L’évolution des troubles neurologiques étant dans l’ensemble variable. La lésion médullaire complète a un pronostic péjoratif

Awareness and factors influencing breast reconstruction in the Gaza Strip: a cross-sectional study

Background Women are usually given two options after a mastectomy. They can either wear a prosthesis or have a breast reconstruction. Unfortunately, many women in the Gaza Strip are unaware of these options. The aim of this study was to shed light on the awareness and sociocultural factors in women who underwent mastectomy before choosing between options. Methods In this cross-sectional study, we recruited patients who underwent mastectomy in the Gaza Strip. All participants completed a face-to-face questionnaire between Aug 1, 2015, and April 30, 2016. Verbal consent was obtained from all participants. Findings 173 women with a mean age 51 years (SD 10) were enrolled in this study. 90 (52%) women had low income, and 36 (21%) women had a first-degree relative with breast cancer. 133 (77%) women underwent radical mastectomy, and 29 (17%) women had breast-conserving surgery. 96 (55

Impact of mastectomy on the social well-being and family dynamics of breast cancer female patients in the Gaza Strip

Background: The impact of mastectomy on social well-being (SWB) and family dynamics (FD) may involve the individual, social role and perception of the usefulness of social and family support affects. The purpose of the current study is to identify that impact and its related implications on SWB and FD. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in which a total of 173 female patients who had mastectomy in GS hospitals completed a face-to-face questionnaire designed by the researchers; which contains 3 sections including: socio-demographic data, SWB and FD. All measures utilized a five-point Likert-type scale ranging from 1 (worst outcome) to 5 (best outcome). The study was conducted at European Gaza Hospital (n= 60) and Alshifaa Hopsital (n= 113) in the GS from August 2015 to September 2016. The data was analyzed using SPSS software. Results: Among 173 female patients, the mean age was 51 years