262 research outputs found
Thymoquinone and curcumin attenuate gentamicin-induced renal oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis in rats
The present study was aimed to investigate the possible protective effects of thymoquinone (TQ) and curcumin (Cur) on gentamicin (GM)-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Rats were divided into four groups as follows: group 1 received normal saline and served as normal controls, group 2 received GM only, group 3 concurrently received GM and TQ and group 4 concurrently received GM and Cur. At day 21, rats were sacrificed and samples were collected for assaying serum tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), urea and creatinine levels, and renal lipid peroxidation, glutathione (GSH) content as well as glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities. In addition, kidneys were collected for histopathological examination and immunohistochemical determination of the antiapoptotic protein, B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2). The biochemical results showed that GM-induced nephrotoxicity was associated with a significant increase in serum TNF-α, urea and creatinine as well as renal lipid peroxidation. On the other hand, renal GSH content and GPx and SOD activities were
significantly declined. Concomitant administration of either TQ or Cur efficiently alleviated the altered biochemical and histopathological
features. In conclusion, both TQ and Cur
showed more or less similar marked renoprotective effect against GM-induced nephrotoxicity through their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic efficacies
Validity of Finite Element Method: Analysis of Laminated Composite Decks Plates Subjected to in Plane Loading
To verify the accuracy of the present technique, buckling loads are evaluated and validated with other works available in the literature. Further comparisons were carried out and compared with the results obtained by the ANSYS package and experimental results. The good agreement with available data demonstrates the reliability of the finite element method used
Stability of Thin Laminated Decks Plates Under Plane Compressive Loading
It was found that symmetric laminates are stiffer than the anti – symmetric one due to coupling between bending and stretching which decreases the buckling loads of symmetric laminates. The buckling load increases with increasing aspect ratio, and decreases with increase in modulus ratio. The buckling load will remain the same even when the lamination order is reversed. The buckling load increases with the mode number but at different rates depending on the type of end support. It is also observed that as the mode number increases, the plate needs additional support
Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance pattern of bacterial strains isolated from patients with urinary tract infection in Messalata Central Hospital, Libya
AbstractObjectivesTo investigate the prevalence of urinary tract infection among patients at Messalata Central Hospital, Libya, to identify the causative bacteria, and to explore their resistance pattern to antimicrobials.MethodsA total number of 1153 urine samples were collected from patients, who attended daily to Messalata Central Hospital, Libya, in a study extended for one year. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing and isolates typing were done using Phoenix BD (BD diagnostic). Resistance was confirmed manually using agar disk diffusion method.ResultsOf the 1153 urine samples tested, 160 (13.9%) samples were positive, from which 17 different, solely Gram negative, uropathogens were identified. Escherichia coli were the most prevalent (55.6%) bacteria, followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae subspecies pneumoniae (16.3%), Proteus mirabilis (6.3%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (5.6%), Enterobacter cloacae and Klebsiella oxytoca (2.5%, each), Citrobacter koseri and Providencia rettgeri (1.9%, each), Acinetobacter baumannii, Enterobacter aerogenes and Proteus vulgaris (1.3%, each), and Aeromonas caviae, Citrobacter freundii, Cronobacter sakazakii, Enterobacter amnigenus biogroup 2, Pseudomonas putida and Serratia marcescens (0.6%, each). The isolated uropathogens showed increased levels of resistance ranged from 10.5% to 64.5%, with an overall resistance of 28.9%. Amikacin was the most effective antimicrobial followed by Imipenem and Meropenem (0%, 0.6% and 2.5% resistance, respectively); while, Cephalothin and Ampicillin were the least (80.6% and 90.0% resistance, respectively) effective.ConclusionsThe obtained results emphasized the emergence of highly resistant bacteria to most of tested antimicrobials and raise the alarm for physicians to change their treatment pattern depending on antimicrobial susceptibility results
Inertial amplification of continuous structures: Large band gaps from small masses
Wave motion in a continuous elastic rod with a periodically attached
inertial-amplification mechanism is investigated. The mechanism has properties
similar to an "inerter" typically used in vehicle suspensions, however here it
is constructed and utilized in a manner that alters the intrinsic properties of
a continuous structure. The elastodynamic band structure of the hybrid
rod-mechanism structure yields band gaps that are exceedingly wide and deep
when compared to what can be obtained using standard local resonators, while
still being low in frequency. With this concept, a large band gap may be
realized with as much as twenty times less added mass compared to what is
needed in a standard local resonator configuration. The emerging inertially
enhanced continuous structure also exhibits unique qualitative features in its
dispersion curves. These include the existence of a characteristic double-peak
in the attenuation constant profile within gaps and the possibility of
coalescence of two neighbouring gaps creating a large contiguous gap.Comment: Manuscript is under review for journal publicatio
Deaggregation of Probabilistic Ground Motions for Selected Jordanian Cities
Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Analysis (PSHA) approach was adopted to investigate seismic hazard distribution across Jordan. Potential sources of seismic activities in the region were identified, and their earthquake recurrence relationships were developed from instrumental and historical data. Maps of peak ground acceleration and spectral accelerations (T=0.2 and T=1.0 sec.) of 2% and 10% probability of exceedance in 50 years were developed. This study deaggregated the PSHA results of 2% and 10% probability of exceedance in 50 years results of twelve Jordanian cities to help understand the relative control of these sources in terms of distances and magnitudes. Results indicated that seismic hazard across these cities is mainly controlled by area sources located along the Dead Sea Transform (DST) fault system. Cities located at short distances from the DST tend to show close deaggregation behavior. Some discrepancies may exist due to the proximity or remoteness of these cities relative to the DST seismic sources and local seismicity. The modal or most probable distance distribution indicated that the distance to the earthquake which contributes most to the hazard at each city is mainly controlled by shaking along faults associated with near seismic area sources. The influence of adjacent seismic sources to the seismic hazard of each city is more evident for the long period spectral acceleration. Distant sources, such as the eastern Mediterranean, Cyprus, Suez and the southern region of the Gulf of Aqaba are relatively low, but can not be neglected due to the intrinsic uncertainties and incomplete seismic data
Ultrawide phononic band gap for combined in-plane and out-of-plane waves
We consider two-dimensional phononic crystals formed from silicon and voids,
and present optimized unit cell designs for (1) out-of-plane, (2) in-plane and
(3) combined out-of-plane and in-plane elastic wave propagation. To feasibly
search through an excessively large design space (10e40 possible realizations)
we develop a specialized genetic algorithm and utilize it in conjunction with
the reduced Bloch mode expansion method for fast band structure calculations.
Focusing on high symmetry plain-strain square lattices, we report unit cell
designs exhibiting record values of normalized band-gap size for all three
categories. For the combined polarizations case, we reveal a design with a
normalized band-gap size exceeding 60%.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure, submitted for journal publicatio
Evaluation of Cerebral Hemodynamics in Cirrhotic Patients by Transcranial Doppler Ultrasonography and its Relation to Hepatic Encephalopathy
The study aimed at Aim evaluation the cerebral hemodynamics in cirrhotic patients by transcranial Doppler ultrasonography and its relation to hepatic encephalopathy. This study is a prospective study , 50 subjects attended El Hussein university hospital, inpatient and outpatient clinic are classified into three groups, group I(10 subjects as a healthy control),group II (20 subjects with liver cirrhosis without hepatic encephalopathy) and group III(20 subjects with liver cirrhosis with hepatic encephalopathy). All patients included in the study underwent a full history taking,complete physical examination, liver functions tests,blood ammonia level,C.B.C,blood urea and serum creatinine and pelvi-abdominal ultarasonography. Transcranial Doppler done for all patients participated in the study using a 2 MHz transducer. The results showed that as regard Trans cranial Doppler ultrasound parameters, we found a statistical significant difference between the three groups as regard Pulsatility Index (P Ë‚ 0.001), Breath-Holding Index (P Ë‚ 0.001) ) , Maximum Flow Velocity(P Ë‚ 0.001) and Mean (P Ë‚ 0.001), whereas Pulsatility Index, , Maximum Flow Velocity and Mean are higher in patient with Hepatic Encephalopathy, but Breath-holding index is low, there is no statistical significant difference (P > 0.05) between them as regard Minimum Flow Velocity. Conclusion: Transcranial doppler ultrasonography is easy, rapidly done not invasive method for evaluation of cerebral hemodynamic in cirrhotic patient and predection of hepatic encephalopathy.
Keywords: Transcranial doppler, Hepatic encephalopathy, Cirrhosis
MICROALBUMINURIA BESIDES TO URINARY ENZYMATIC PROTEIN LEVELS INCREASE IN DIABETIC KIDNEY DISEASE WITH TYPE II DIABETICS
Background: Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a time progressive problem, give rise in uncontrolled Diabetics increasing risks for chronic kidney disease (CKD) and /or end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The vulnerability to renal dysfunction manifested with sudden glomerular hypofiltration associated with micro-to macroalbuminuria passing to renal failure. So that, screening of specific enzymes shifts, or urinary albumin may predict onset diabetic nephropathy. Objective:The assessment of urinary alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminopeptidase (AAP), acid phosphatase (ACP) and microalbuminuria (MAU) for type II diabetic patients. Patients and Methods: In this study,120 type II diabetic patients were compared to 90 healthy volunteers of matched age and sex in Al-Leith General Hospital, Al-Leith Kidney Unit (AKU), Al-Leith, Makkah area, KSA in which random urine samples were collected for testing of MAU, ALP, AAP, ACP and Cr. Results: Mean values of measured biomarkers in patient group for MAU, ALP, AAP, ACP and Cr were 51.92 mg/I, 41.55 U/L, 20.17 U/L, 570.10 U/L and 2.92 mg/dl VS in control group were 12.59 mg/I, 8.84 U/L, 6.94 U/L, 385.87U/L and 1.07 mg/dl respectively. Additionally, there were statistically positive correlation between AAP with MAU and ALP; ACP with MAU, ALP and AAP; Cr level with MAU, ALP, AAP and ACP; on the other hand, there were positive significant correlation between duration of diabetes with all studied markers. Conclusion: Using of MAU in addition to other urinary enzymes could be beneficial non-invasive indicators for renal deterioration in type II diabetics
Assessment of Global Methylation in Paraffin Embedded Prostatic Tissues and Cell Lines Using Flow Cytometry: submitted: Jan 20, 2018 Accepted: Mar 15, 2018 Published online: Mar 20, 2018
Background. The aim of this study is to measure global 5-methylcystosine (5MeC) methylation in paraffin embedded prostatic tissues and cell lines using flow cytometry. Methods. Cell/nuclei suspension from 10 cases of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), 10 cases of prostatic adenocarcinoma, and two prostatic cell lines (PNT1A and LNCaP) were prepared using modified heat pretreatment technique. 5MeC global methylation was assessed by flow cytometry of cell/nuclei suspension and immunostaining of tissue sections. Results. Higher percentage of positively stained cells (PPSC) and mean channel fluorescence (MCF) were detected in PNT1A cell line and BPH cell/nuclei suspensions as compared to LNCaP cell lines and adenocarcinoma cell/nuclei suspensions. Lower scores of 5MeC immunostaining were observed in all prostate adenocarcinoma tissue sections as compared to BPH sections indicating global hypomethylation in prostate adenocarcinoma. Two distinctive populations of cells were detected in histograms generated from most of the BPH cell/nuclei suspensions. Conclusion. The study developed a novel technique that could measure 5MeC global methylation in paraffin embedded prostatic tissues. This represents a rapid and objective assessment of methylation and when combined with tissue micro-dissection and cell sorting, this technique could be applied to larger tissue samples such as post radical prostatectomy and transurethral resected specimens
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