Problem-Based Learning Strategy Effect on Nurses' Knowledge and Patients' Health Behaviour Outcomes Post Myringoplasty

Myringoplasty is a repair of tympanic membrane perforation to restore and improve hearing function. Health belief model (HBM) is the suggested tool to measure the effect of post-operative instructions using problem-based learning strategy on patients' to maintain hearing and health behaviour. A well prepared nursing staff provides long lasting instructions for patients. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of problem-based learning strategy on nurses' knowledge and patients' health behaviour outcomes post myringoplasty. Research design: A quasi-experimental research design was utilized to meet the aim of this study. Setting: The study was conducted in Aswan University Hospital at the Department of Ear Nose and Throat. Sample: all available nurses (30 nurses) who have been working in the study setting, and 60 adult patients admitted at the time of the data collection were included in the study setting. Three tools were used for data collection, tool (1): Assessment of nurses' knowledge sheet developed by the researcher, and tool (2): HBM sheet according to Ruba etal. (2016), tool (3):  assessment of patient complications sheet developed by the researcher. Results: in the present study, findings significant correlation of pre-operative nurses knowledge related to pre and post learning strategy P-value < 0.05. In addition there were a highly significant correlation of post-operative nurses knowledge related to pre and post learning strategy P-value< 0.001. As regard to health belief model there was significant correlation between pre learning strategy, post one month & after three months of post-operative instructions, in relation to HBM. Conclusion: Nurses' knowledge and skills differed with respect to the mean score. Introducing of problem-based learning strategy and hand out booklet were effective in improving the level of nurses’ knowledge regarding post-operative instructions of patients with myringoplasty. Notably it revealed that, satisfactory patients' outcomes post applying the strategy in relation to HBM. Recommendations: All nurses should be aware by instructions that given to patients' pre discharge and inform patients about them. Keywords: problem-based learning strategy, complications, myringoplasty, Health Belief Model

Perturbation Analysis of Heterochromatin-Mediated Gene Silencing and Somatic Inheritance

Repetitive sequences in eukaryotic genomes induce chromatin-mediated gene-silencing of juxtaposed genes. Many components that promote or antagonize silencing have been identified, but how heterochromatin causes variegated and heritable changes in gene expression remains mysterious. We have used inducible mis-expression in the Drosophila eye to recover new factors that alter silencing caused by the bwD allele, an insertion of repetitive satellite DNA that silences a bw+ allele on the homologous chromosome. Inducible modifiers allow perturbation of silencing at different times in development, and distinguish factors that affect establishment or maintenance of silencing. We find that diverse chromatin and RNA processing factors can de-repress silencing. Most factors are effective even in differentiated cells, implying that silent chromatin remains plastic. However, over-expression of the bantam microRNA or the crooked-legs (crol) zinc-finger protein only de-repress silencing when expressed in cycling cells. Over-expression of crol accelerates the cell cycle, and this is required for de-repression of silencing. Strikingly, continual over-expression of crol converts the speckled variegation pattern of bwD into sectored variegation, where de-repression is stably inherited through mitotic divisions. Over-expression of crol establishes an open chromatin state, but the factor is not needed to maintain this state. Our analysis reveals that active chromatin states can be efficiently inherited through cell divisions, with implications for the stable maintenance of gene expression patterns through development

4-(4-nitrobenzyl)pyridine tests for alkylating agents following chemical oxidative activation

A chemical activation system (CAS) designed to mimic the mammalian mixed-function oxidase enzymes was found to activate target compounds to reactive electrophiles. Activated compounds were assayed by reaction with 4-(4-nitrobenzyl)pyridine (NBP). A model nucleophile of 7-alkylguanine of nucleic acids, NBP produces a violet color following alkylation. Twenty compounds from several chemical classes were tested. The test generally gave positive and negative responses where expected. Two compounds, trichloroethylene and diethylnitrosamine, exhibited a linear Beer's law relationship in the concentration range tested. A high degree of linear correlation (r>0.97) was obtained for these compounds. Other compounds showed varying degrees of linear correlation from high correlation (r=0.94) to weak correlation (r=0.44). The CAS-NBP assay results were compared to bacterial mutagenicity and animal carcinogenicity test results when information was available. A good correlation (r=0.80) existed between direct alkylating activity and direct mutagenicity. Similar correlations existed between NBP alkylation following activation and mutagenicity following microsomal activation (r=0.73). Also, different correlations were observed between carcinogenicity and NBP alkylation following activation (r=0.69) and without activation (r=0.38).Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/48076/1/244_2004_Article_BF00213289.pd

The Drosophila melanogaster host model

The deleterious and sometimes fatal outcomes of bacterial infectious diseases are the net result of the interactions between the pathogen and the host, and the genetically tractable fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, has emerged as a valuable tool for modeling the pathogen–host interactions of a wide variety of bacteria. These studies have revealed that there is a remarkable conservation of bacterial pathogenesis and host defence mechanisms between higher host organisms and Drosophila. This review presents an in-depth discussion of the Drosophila immune response, the Drosophila killing model, and the use of the model to examine bacterial–host interactions. The recent introduction of the Drosophila model into the oral microbiology field is discussed, specifically the use of the model to examine Porphyromonas gingivalis–host interactions, and finally the potential uses of this powerful model system to further elucidate oral bacterial-host interactions are addressed

Twelve-month observational study of children with cancer in 41 countries during the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction Childhood cancer is a leading cause of death. It is unclear whether the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted childhood cancer mortality. In this study, we aimed to establish all-cause mortality rates for childhood cancers during the COVID-19 pandemic and determine the factors associated with mortality. Methods Prospective cohort study in 109 institutions in 41 countries. Inclusion criteria: children <18 years who were newly diagnosed with or undergoing active treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, retinoblastoma, Wilms tumour, glioma, osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, medulloblastoma and neuroblastoma. Of 2327 cases, 2118 patients were included in the study. The primary outcome measure was all-cause mortality at 30 days, 90 days and 12 months. Results All-cause mortality was 3.4% (n=71/2084) at 30-day follow-up, 5.7% (n=113/1969) at 90-day follow-up and 13.0% (n=206/1581) at 12-month follow-up. The median time from diagnosis to multidisciplinary team (MDT) plan was longest in low-income countries (7 days, IQR 3-11). Multivariable analysis revealed several factors associated with 12-month mortality, including low-income (OR 6.99 (95% CI 2.49 to 19.68); p<0.001), lower middle income (OR 3.32 (95% CI 1.96 to 5.61); p<0.001) and upper middle income (OR 3.49 (95% CI 2.02 to 6.03); p<0.001) country status and chemotherapy (OR 0.55 (95% CI 0.36 to 0.86); p=0.008) and immunotherapy (OR 0.27 (95% CI 0.08 to 0.91); p=0.035) within 30 days from MDT plan. Multivariable analysis revealed laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (OR 5.33 (95% CI 1.19 to 23.84); p=0.029) was associated with 30-day mortality. Conclusions Children with cancer are more likely to die within 30 days if infected with SARS-CoV-2. However, timely treatment reduced odds of death. This report provides crucial information to balance the benefits of providing anticancer therapy against the risks of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children with cancer

Adaptive overcurrent relay (AOCR) based on Fano Factors of current signals

Abstract A Fano Factor‐based adaptive overcurrent protection scheme, that automatically adjusts the protection settings in response to the prevailing conditions of the power system, is presented. Both phase and ground overcurrent relays are based on the same mathematical algorithm to calculate the operating time using Fano Factors (FFs) estimated for phase and ground current signals, respectively. Effectiveness of the proposed adaptive overcurrent method is validated for various fault types under a plethora of loading current levels, besides a wide range of fault inception angles and fault resistance. Simulation results confirm that the proposed algorithm can detect series and shunt faults, differentiate between grounding and phase faults, and adapt the relay operating time settings using the FF for all conditions examined. The relay algorithm speed and sensitivity are controllable using both the FF setting values and moving data window size. Moreover, it is characterized by being simple, reliable, accurate, and can be implemented practically as a base of digital protective relay for use in substation automation systems and phasor measurement units