GOLD NANOPARTICLES-BASED ASSAYS FOR DIRECT AND COST EFFECTIVE DETECTION OF CLOSTRIDIUM DIFFICILE IN QATAR

Background Clostridium difficile Infection (CDI) is one of the common health problems worldwide. Prevention techniques require fast and precise detection with high sensitivity. Conventional diagnostic methods are time-consuming, costly and inappropriate for clinical field settings. Therefore, the aim of this study is to develop Gold Nanoparticles- based assay (AuNPs) for direct qualitative detection of the nucleic acid of C.difficile and its toxins. The proposed assay is expected to be highly sensitive, rapid and simple. Methods Total one hundred five C.difficile isolates were collected from Al-Khor hospital (a member of Hamad Medical Corporation). Results of Clostridium difficile isolates were confirmed by RT-PCR (GeneXpert, Cepheid, CA, USA). Different concentration of salts and different annealing temperature were all developed and optimized. Extracted DNA, hybridization buffer containing salt and a primer were mixed. The mixture was heated, annealed and then cooled to room temperature for 10 minutes followed by the addition of AuNPs. C.difficile toxins were also tested using the same AuNPs optimization. Results One hundred five positive C.difficile isolates were tested using the optimized AuNPs based-assay. In ninety-six samples out of one hundred five, the color of the solution changed from red to blue within 1 min, which is considered a positive result. On the other hand, there were no color change in nine samples out of 105 and were considered as negative. All Ninety-six positive samples were positive for Toxin B by RT-PCR (GeneXpert, Cepheid, CA, USA) and AuNPs assay. Six samples were positive for binary toxins by RT-PCR (GeneXpert, Cepheid, CA, USA). However, binary toxins results using AuNPs assay were positive for all samples. Conclusion Our study showed a sensitivity of 91.4 % and a specificity of 100%. Furthermore, C.difficile toxins were tested using AuNPs, and it showed 100 % agreement with toxin B detection in comparison to RT-PCR (GeneXpert, Cepheid, CA, USA). However, the assay results were not compatible with RT-PCR (GeneXpert, Cepheid, CA, USA) results of Binary toxins. Further work is needed to improve the assay efficiency for detection of Binary Toxins and to validate the assay on clinical samples.NPRP grant # (NPRP 4-1215-3-317

Development of Empirical Formula for Computing Sediment Loads in Al-Meshkab Regulator Channel

In this research, the sediments' transport and how to compute their amount have been studied in Al-Meshkab regulator channel. Twenty four cross-sections were selected along the reach of Euphrates river to study the characteristics and the rate of transport of sediments. The measured data included: cross-sections of the channel, average velocity, discharge, water surface width, water surface slope, sediment concentration, bed material samples as well as the specific gravity of bed sediments. The length of the study region was 6 km upstream of Al-Meshkab regulator. The study was divided into two parts: the practical part (field and laboratory works) and the statistical part. The research covered the suggestion of an empirical formula which was used to fit the dimensionless form and to predict a relationship between the sediment rate and the different variables. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to examine the differences between the observed sediment rate and the predicted sediment rate. Results indicated that no statistically significant differences could be detected between observed and computed sediment rate values using the statistical model

Optimum Location and Angle of Inclination of Cut-off to Control Exit Gradient and Uplift Pressure Head under Hydraulic Structures

The work reported in this research presents numerical investigations on the effect of cut-off inclination angle on exit gradient and uplift pressure head under hydraulic structure and determines the optimum location and angle of inclination of cut-off. This problem is solved using the finite element method by using (ANSYS 11.0). It is concluded that using downstream cut-off inclined towards the downstream side with Ө less than 120º is beneficial in increasing the safety factor against the piping phenomenon. The results are evaluated graphically in non-dimensional form

DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTING A HEAT PIPE EXPPERIMANTAL SYSTEM FOR RESIDENTIAL HEATING

The design and construction of an instrumented heat pipe H.P for domestic heating that uses water as a working fluid was undertaken to investigate experimentally the performance of the H.P under various operating conditions of: Power levels, water inventories and angle of inclinations. A theoretical model to predict the temperature of the condenser surface (the temperature at which heat is rejected) and system pressure at steady state conditions was developed and used to compare these parameters with the experimental findings. The model utilizes the total heat supplied to the evaporator to predict system pressure and condenser temperature. The theoretical model is suitable for vertical H.P (i.e. =0) and its predictions of condenser surface temperature is within 16% and of system pressure is within 21%. An acceptable H.P design may have a condenser heat flux of 1.16 k W/m2 with a corresponding system pressure of 1500 kPa

Applications of Remote Sensing in Geoscience

Remote sensing is becoming an important and useful tool in mapping large, remote areas and has many applications in geosciences such as geologic and geo-structural mapping, mineral and water exploration, hydrocarbon exploration, natural hazards analysis, and geomorphology. The recent advances in remote-sensing imaging acquisition and availability of images can help geoscientists to explore and prepare maps quickly and evaluate the geo-potential of any specific area on the globe. Advances in remote-sensing data analysis techniques have improved the capacity to map the geological structures and regional characteristics and can serve in mineral exploration in complex and poorly understood regions. In this chapter, geophysical remotely sensed data (airborne geophysics) are integrated with other sources of remotely sensed data to analyze three separate areas, one each for geological structure, lineament presence and orientation, and geothermal potential. Three case studies are discussed in this chapter from three countries—Afghanistan, United Arab Emirates, and Algeria—to show the effectiveness of remote sensing in mapping and detecting geo-structural, geomorphological, and geothermal characteristics of ground surfaces

Pathogenic and Non-Pathogenic Microbial Presence in Ventilator Associated Pneumonia Patients in Intensive Care Unit and Safety Protocols Under Surveillance of Healthcare Provider: A Research Study

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a common hospital-acquired infection that is associated with longer stays in intensive care units (ICUs) and under mechanical ventilation for more than 48 hours. This article explores the prevalence and impact of VAP on mortality and morbidity, emphasizing the microbial associations involved in hospital-acquired infections. Various infections, including Lung infections, surgical site infections, sepsis, and urinary tract infections, are discussed, along with their associated microorganisms. Diagnostic criteria for VAP and related infections are outlined, highlighting the importance of microbiological testing for accurate diagnosis. The underlying factors for VAP acquisition in ICU patients are identified, and prompt antibiotic initiation is emphasized as a critical first-line defense against VAP. In this study, we have populated data from 100 ICU patients, among which 45 were suffering from VAP. It was found that female patients (57.40%) were more affected than male patients (30.43%). The decreasing PaO2 level was seen to be the early sign of infection. It was found that the time of ventilation was the major factor influencing the VAP. The most common organism causing infection in our study was found to be Staphylococcus Aureus (45.1%). The prognosis of early-onset VAP was 35.55% while compared to Late-onset VAP 64.44%. When compared to VAP and Non-VAP patients there was not very huge difference with 55% and 45% respectively. The other factor was age and position. Implementation of Prevention strategies, such as protective environments and HEPA filtration systems, is proposed to reduce VAP incidence. Proper diagnosis, treatment, and prevention are crucial to combatting VAP and enhancing patient outcomes in hospital settings