Evaluating tools to support a new practical classification of diabetes: excellent control may represent misdiagnosis and omission from disease registers is associated with worse control.

To conduct a service evaluation of usability and utility on-line clinical audit tools developed as part of a UK Classification of Diabetes project to improve the categorisation and ultimately management of diabetes

The Spatial Identity of Historic Cairo, Part one: Typology, Geometry, and Geographic Distribution

It is fundamental to maintain the local places’ identity, character and trajectory of evolution in order to create a sustainable process of urbanization.This study introduces a quantitative inventory of urban spaces in Cairo, in the early 19th century, extracted from historic maps and indexes. Urban spaces are classified in terms of geometric typology (linear and central), geometric regularity of their footprints, sizes and geographical distribution.The extracted information highlighted the quantitative domination of linear spaces and of irregularity in space footprint. It also showed a noticeable insignificant value of central spaces. However, the insignificant value of central spaces presented spatial identity of power demonstration in historic Cairo; irregularity and linearity presented sociocultural and economic identities

The protective role of melatonin on L-arginine-induced acute pancreatitis in adult male albino rats

Background: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an inflammatory disease that has an increasing incidence worldwide. AP is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates ranging 15–40% in its severe form. Oxidative stress plays an important role in pancreatic acinar cell injury in case of AP. Melatonin (Mel) is proven to have both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. The aim of the work was to investigate the protective role of Mel against L-arginine (L-arg)-induced AP in adult male albino rats. Materials and methods: Thirty-six adult male albino rats were used in this study. Animals were divided into four groups; Control group (Group A; n = 6), Mel group (Group B; n = 6), L-arg group (Group C; n = 12) receiving two doses of L-arg injection with 1 h interval in-between, and L-arg+Mel group (Group D; n = 12) receiving Mel 1 h after each L-arg injection. 24 h after the second L-arg injection, the serum levels of amylase (AM), lipase (LP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumour necrotic factor-alpha (TNF-α) were determined. Then, pancreatic specimens were processed for histological and immunohistochemical staining with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the area percentage of VEGF and collagen content were measured by digital image analysis. Results: Microscopic examination revealed that animals received L-arg only (Group C) showed loss of the pancreatic lobular architecture with marked fibrosis, acinar degeneration, inflammatory reaction and marked oedema with vascular congestion. Also, L-arg-induced AP caused a significant elevation of the serum levels of AM, LP, IL-6. All these histo-pathological and serological parameters were markedly improved by Mel administration. Conclusions: Melatonin exhibits strong therapeutic effects in the course of AP. Hence, the use of Mel as adjuvant treatment in AP is recommended.

ZnO nanobelt based conductometric H2 and NO2 gas sensors

Conductometric H2 and NO2 gas sensors based on single-crystalline ZnO nanobelt sensitive layers have been developed. These layers were deposited using a rf magnetron sputterer. TEM and SEM characterization methods were employed to study the morphology of the nanobelts. These sensors were exposed to H2 and NO2 gases at operating temperatures between 225degC and 420degC. Study showed that sensors responded with highest magnitude at above 300degC. The fastest response and recovery times, with greater repeatability occurred at 385degC and 350degC for H2 and NO2 gases, respectively. Sensor with ZnO nanobelts has a much lower optimum operational temperature than that of conductometric sensors with other forms of ZnO crystal layers

Hydrothermal Preparation Of Palladium Supported On Magnetite For Catalysis Applications

Herein, versatile, and reproducible method to prepare Pd/Fe3O4 via hydrothermal synthesis. The vital role of this catalyst is in its potential use in CO oxidation catalysis. The Pd/Fe3O4 shows a distinctive activity. TEM images confirmed that Pd nanoparticles of 8-12 nm have a well dispersion on the surface of magnetite (Fe3O4). Moreover, the prepared catalyst is recycled with remarkable catalytic activity. This outstanding activity is mainly a direct result of the strong metal-support interaction. The defect sites in the reduced iron oxide act as nucleation centers that enable anchoring of Pd nanoparticles leading to prevention of agglomeration

Enhanced Water Electrolysis: Effect Of Temperature On The Oxygen Evolution Reaction At Cobalt Oxide Nanoparticles Modified Glassy Carbon Electrodes

Water splitting producing hydrogen and oxygen gases appears promising in view of the increasing need of renewable energy sources and storage strategies. Investigation of stable and highly efficient electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is targeted in this study at cobalt oxide nanoparticle modified glassy carbon (nano-CoOx/GC) electrodes. The effect of the preparation (Tp) and measuring temperature (Tm) on the electrocatalytic activity of nano-CoOx/GC towards the OER is investigated under various operating conditions. Linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), cyclic voltammetry (CV) as well as SEM and XRD techniques were used to probe the electrocatalytic and morphological characteristics of nano-CoOx prepared under various conditions. Increasing Tp and/or Tm results in improving the kinetics and electrocatalytic activity of the proposed anodes towards the OER as demonstrated in the value of the onset potential of the OER and the OER currents recorded at a fixed potential. The morphology as well as the surface characterization of the prepared catalyst are reported herein and evaluated

The Possibility of Using Mast Cells as Indicators of the Accumulation of Age-Related Changes in Different Tissues

In this research the age related changes of morpho-functional parameters of mast cells populations in different organs of rats: thymus, adrenal glands, gastrointestinal tract, skin and liver were studied by using two different aged groups of Wistar rats and different histochemical stains