KNOWLEDGE AND MALPRACTICES IN PEDIATRICS DIARRHEA MANAGEMENT BY IRAQI MOTHERS

Objectives: In developing countries like Iraq, diarrhea was responsible for 70% of deaths among pediatrics. This study was designed to determine Iraqi mothers' knowledge and malpractices associated with diarrhea management in pediatrics.Methods: A cross-sectional pilot study was done on a convenient sample of mothers in Baghdad – Iraq. Data collection was done using a validated questionnaire specifically designed for this study.Result: Most participants preferred to consult physicians or pharmacists about pediatrics diarrhea management. Breastfeeding was stopped by 19% of participants, whereas 35% of mothers who depend on formulated milk discontinued it. Only 30% of participants use oral rehydration solution therapy always as a part of treatment. Although 54% of participated mothers certainly not used antibiotics for the diarrhea management before doctor consultation, however 52.5% of these mothers used antimotility suspensions without any consultation. 17% of participants used some herbal preparations in addition to 11% used some forms of traditional harmful preparations (Al-Sagwa) to manage diarrhea.Conclusions: This study indicates a good level of knowledge about diarrhea management for most participants, although there are some wrong concepts which followed by a small percentage of mothers, especially the most dangerous malpractices of using Al-Sagwa

Experimental Investigation of RC Exterior Beam Column Connection with Eccentric Beam Subjected to Reversible Quasi Static Loads

Insufficiency of the Beam Column Joint (BCJ) caused structures failures particularly in case of the earthquakes. In most of the buildings, the beam center line was not aligned with the column center line. So, the effect of the eccentricity of the beam was studied in this article. Behaviour of reinforced concrete (RC) eccentric beam-column joint under reversible cyclic loading was investigated experimentally. The experimental program is one specimen. The specimen consisted of column and beam. The column divided into symmetry two parts (upper and lower parts). The beam fixed in middle of the column and it was free end. The main parameter was the effect of the eccentricity of the beam center line about the column center on behaviour of RC BCJ. The specimen was tested under reversible ten cycles. The horizontal displacement for the column and the vertical deflection at free end of the beam were recorded at each cycle. The crack pattern of the tested specimen was studied at every cycle in details. It was noticed that the eccentricity of the beam has concentrated more stresses on the joint side close to the eccentricity. The failure took place at the joint due to its weakness

Partial characterization of three &#946-defensin gene transcripts in river buffalo and cattle

In this study, the tracheal tissues from Egyptian river buffalo and cattle were screened for the presence of three bovine β-defensin gene transcripts. Three primer pairs were designed on the basis of published Bos taurus sequences for partial amplification of β-defensin 4, β-defensin 10 and β-defensin 11 complementary DNA (cDNA). The amplified cDNA products of the three genes in both buffalo and cattle were sequenced. The sequences were analyzed to verify gene identity and to identify differences with the corresponding buffalo (Bubalus bubalis bubalis) and/or cattle (Bos taurus) β-defensin mRNAs published sequences in the GenBank database. β-Defensin 4 and β-defensin 10 primer pairs amplified cDNA sequences in buffalo and cattle that corresponded to those mRNAs of the two genes in GenBank database with nucleotide percentage homology of 83 and 84% for β-defensin 4, and 87 and 90% for β-defensin10, respectively. The translated protein sequences obtained for buffalo and cattle showed protein percentage similarity of 86 and 81% for β-defensin 4, and 87.5 and 87% for β-defensin 10 with the corresponding proteins of B. bubalis bubalis and/or B. taurus in GenBank database. On the other hand, cDNA sequences amplified by β-defensin 11 primer pair in both buffalo and cattle corresponded more to lingual antimicrobial peptide (LAP) mRNAs of B. bubalis bubalis and B. taurus (94 and 82% nucleotide similarity and 92 and 77% translated-protein similarity) rather than β-defensin 11 mRNA of B. taurus (68 and 66% nucleotide similarity and 74 and 65.5% translated-protein similarity).Key words: β-Defensin 4, β-defensin 10, β-defensin 11, lingual antimicrobial peptide (LAP), river buffalo, cattle

Color Portion of Solar Radiation in the Partial Annular Solar Eclipse, October 3rd, 2005, at Helwan, Egypt

Measurements were made of various solar radiation components, global, direct and diffuse and their fractions during the partial annular solar eclipse on October 3rd, 2005 at Helwan, Egypt (Lat. 29.866◦ N and Long. 31.20◦ E), and an analysis has been made. The duration of the solar eclipse was 3 h 17 min, and the maximum magnitude of the eclipse in this region was 0.65. The optical depth of the direct component and the relative humidity decreased, while both the transparency and the air temperature increased towards the maximum eclipse. The general trends of the global components are decreasing optical depth and increasing transparency between the first contact and the last contact. The prevailing color during the eclipse duration was diffused infrared (77 % of the total diffuse radiation level)

Mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome presenting with ataxia and external ophthalmoplegia: Case report

The mitochondrial DNA depletion syndromes are autosomal recessive disorders characterized by decreased mitochondrial DNA copy number in affected tissues.Mutations in 2 genes involved in deoxyribonucleotide metabolism, the deoxyguanosine kinase gene and the thymidine kinase 2 gene, had been related to this syndrome. This study aims to describe the clinical, histochemical, biochemical and molecular diagnosis of one Egyptian pediatric patient with the myopathic form of mitochondrial depletion syndrome. The patient presented to Cairo University Pediatric Hospital with the clinical suspicion of mitochondrial encephalomyopathy. Histochemical and biochemical studies of the respiratory chain complexes were performed on the muscle biopsy specimen from the patient. Molecular diagnosis was done by quantitative radioactive Southern blot and sequencing analysis of the whole coding regions of the TK2 gene. Histochemical staining revealed cytochrome oxidase negative fibers and increased staining for succinate dehydrogenase. The activity of complex I was not detected and complex IV activity was about 46%of age matched controls. Southern blot analysis showed reduction of the mitochondrial/nuclear DNA ratio, the degree of depletion was around 30% of aged-matched controls. Sequencing analysis of the TK2 gene revealed no sequence variation. Targeted molecular diagnosis based on the biochemical analysis of the respiratory chain enzymes makes the molecular evaluation of mitochondrial disorders much easier. Involvement of other nuclear genes rather than TK2 gene in the pathogenesis of the myopathic form of mitochondrial depletion syndrome should be considered.Keywords: Mitochondrial; Nuclear; Sequencing; Depletion; Mutation

Predicting Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes During the Late First Trimester and Early Second Trimester Using the Uterine Artery Doppler

Background: The high resistance occurring in vessels of placenta pathologically can be assessed by impaired blood flow of uterine arteries of pregnant women. It has been proven that measuring of blood flow in the uterine artery in 1st trimester is useful. Results from the second trimester, on the other hand, have proven to be more predictable. Objective: The aim of the work was to predict fetal and maternal morbidity and mortality as a result of low placental blood flow. Subjects and Methods: This prospective study included a total of 127 pregnant women, attending for routine first trimester U/S scan at Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zagazig University Hospitals. This study was conducted between April 2020 till December 2020. Results: The mean Doppler Uterine artery resistance index (RI) was 0.587±0.22 ranged from 0.31 to 1.21 and for pulsatility index (PI) 1.56±0.29 ranged from 0.39 to 2.45. The incidence rate of Fetal maternal adverse outcome was 22.8%, distributed as 11.8% Maternal adverse outcome (most prevailing preeclampsia) and 15.7% Fetal adverse outcome (IUGR and preterm). There was statistically significant higher value of Doppler Uterine artery RI and Doppler Uterine artery PI of Adverse outcome compared to Favorable outcome women. Uterine artery PI was good marker to discriminate maternal fetal adverse outcome at late first to second trimester. While uterine artery RI was fair marker to discriminate maternal fetal adverse outcome at late first to second trimester. Conclusions: It could be concluded that uterine artery PI was good marker while uterine artery RI was fair marker to discriminate maternal fetal adverse outcome at late first to second trimester

Using a Proposed Program Based on Johannes Itten’s Theory of Color in the Development of Color Culture among Faculty of Early-Childhood Education Students

The current study was prepared on the basis that color is one of the most important visual elements of the creativity of the artistic work due to its role in highlighting aesthetic and expressive values with the diversity of its color relations as well as its ability to show ideas and to increase attention, in addition to the use of color to show form and to increase motivation for learning. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a proposed program based on Johannes Itten’s theory of color to teach color to the students of the Faculty of Early Childhood Education in the development of their color culture. The material and instruments of the study included a proposed program based only on watercolors, in addition to a performance scale for color culture. The sample of the study consisted of (30) students of the third year at the Faculty of Early Childhood Education. The study findings showed that there are statistically significant differences between the mean scores obtained by the study participants on the pre and post administrations of the performance scale of color culture in favor of the post-administration. Thus, the present study proved the effectiveness of the proposed program in the development of the color culture among the student-teacher at the Faculty of Early Childhood Education

Study of fibromodulin gene expression in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia

AbstractBackground and objectivesIt has become evident that fibromodulin and other members of the proteoglycan family are not only involved in collagen fibrillogenesis and cell adhesion but they also contribute to modulation of cytokine activity, suppression of tumor growth, and prevention of apoptosis. Fibromodulin has been characterized as one of the tumor associated antigens (TAA) in B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) with the potential to elicit specific antitumor response and it is considered as good candidate for immunotherapy.Aim of workto study the expression of fibromodulin at the gene level of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients, in comparison to normal controls and to asses its role in the pathophysiology of CLL.Patients and methodsFibromodulin gene expression was tested by one step reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 30 patients with B-CLL as well as in 20 age and sex matched healthy volunteers.ResultsIn this study, fibromodulin gene was expressed in 46.7% of patients with B-CLL which was significantly different from the control age and sex matched healthy volunteers in which none of them showed peripheral blood mononuclear cells positivity for fibromodulin gene expression (0%) (p-value =0.006). We also found significant associations between higher fibomodulin gene expression and some risk factors in the studied CLL cases such as hepatomegaly, lower haemoglobin level, lower RBCs count, lower platelet count and borderline significant associations with other risk factors as lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly.ConclusionOur results suggest that fibromodulin can be used as a target for therapeutic intervention and it may play a role in the pathophysiology of CLL

Genetic heterogeneity of CTX-M type extended-spectrum ß-lactamase producing Escherichia coli strains from diverse sources in Saudi Arabia

Background: The rise of CTX-M extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBLs)-producing E. coli in non-human sources is a growing concern of public health. Understanding the extent of public health risk attributed to CTX-M type ESBLs-producing strains from different sources is critical for effective control.Objective: This study focuses on detection and molecular typing of CTX-M type ESBL-producing E. coli isolated from various sources in Taif, Western Saudi Arabia. Material and Methods: A total of 24 E. coli ESBLs-producing isolates from multiple sources were assessed for the presence of CTX-M groups gene by PCR, and subsequently their clonal relatedness by random amplifid of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis. Isolates were selected according to a resistance phenotype consistent with production of ESBL-type beta-lactamase using double disk diffusion method.Results: A CTX-M gene was detected in all 24 isolates. RAPD typing of E. coli isolates bearing CTX-M gene showed 24 patterns verifid into two major clusters (A, B) and three sub-clusters (A1 – A3). Phylogenetic analysis indicating a degree of similarity among clustering isolates from human, sheep and raw milk origins. Identical profie was observed between three isolates obtained from pet bird and chicken