Fracture toughness of matrix cracked FRC and FGC beams using equivalent TPFM

In the present work, the fracture toughness (KIC) of full-depth (FD) fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC) and layered functionally graded concrete (FGC) matrix cracked (MC) beams has been determined by the equivalent relationships of the two-parameter fracture model (ETPFM). Forty-eight MC-FGC and MC-FD FRC beam specimens with span-depth ratios (L/d) equal 4, 5, and 6 were tested under the 3PB configuration. The MC length-depth ratio (ao/d) remained constant equal to one-third. All FRC beams have the same constitutes materials with hooked-end steel fiber volume fraction equals 1%. The FGC beams are composed of three equal layers, i.e., FRC in the bottom layer at the tension side, normal strength concrete (NSC) at the middle layer, and high strength concrete at the upper layer in the compression side. The results showed that the predicted values of KIC obtained from ETPFM are considered logic according to the maximum size of the non-damaged defect concept. The crack mouth opening displacement estimated from ETPFM showed acceptable values close to the present experimental results. The KIC values calculated within the presence of fibers in front of and through the MC for FRC beam specimens having 1% SFs is more than twice the value of NSC

Placenta accreta and emergency cesarean delivery correlates to cervical length and transcervical placental thickness measurement

Background: The study aims to evaluate the effect of cervical length and the transcervical placental thickness measurement at 28-30 weeks gestation in predicting the risk of antepartum haemorrhage (APH) and emergency preterm caesarean delivery (CD) in women with placenta previa accreta.Methods: A prospective cohort study conducted at Aswan university hospital from June 2015 to April 2017 included one hundred and five cases diagnosed as placenta previa accreta by transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) between 28-30 weeks gestation were divided into three groups according to their cervical length which measured by TVS: group I (cervical length >30 mm), group II (cervical length 20-30 mm) and group III (cervical length <20 mm). Also, placental thickness measurement was done. Cervical length and placental thickness and correlated with the clinical outcome regarding to gestational age at delivery, APH, emergency CD due to massive haemorrhage, the need for blood transfusion and caesarean hysterectomy.Results: APH and emergency CD due to massive bleeding were significantly higher in cases with short cervical length and thick placenta. APH occurred in 6 cases (15%) in group I, 14 cases (40%) in group II and 24 cases (80%) in group III, (p=0.0001). Emergency CD in group I was performed in 5 cases (12.5 %), 12 cases (34.3 %) in group II and 24 cases (80%) in group III, (p =0.0001). The incidence of APH was higher in thick placenta [6 cases (42.9 %) compared to none with thin placenta in group I (p=0.001), 13 cases (68.4%) compared to one case (6.2%) in group II (p=0.0001) and 21 cases (100%) compared to 3 cases (33.3%) in group III (p=0.0001)].Conclusions: Short cervical length and increased placental thickness may predict the risk of APH and emergency preterm CD in patients with placenta accreta

GWAS: Fast-forwarding gene identification and characterization in temperate Cereals: lessons from Barley – A review

Understanding the genetic complexity of traits is an important objective of small grain temperate cereals yield and adaptation improvements. Bi-parental quantitative trait loci (QTL) linkage mapping is a pow- erful method to identify genetic regions that co-segregate in the trait of interest within the research pop- ulation. However, recently, association or linkage disequilibrium (LD) mapping using a genome-wide association study (GWAS) became an approach for unraveling the molecular genetic basis underlying the natural phenotypic variation. Many causative allele(s)/loci have been identified using the power of this approach which had not been detected in QTL mapping populations. In barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), GWAS has been successfully applied to define the causative allele(s)/loci which can be used in the breeding crop for adaptation and yield improvement. This promising approach represents a tremendous step forward in genetic analysis and undoubtedly proved it is a valuable tool in the identification of can- didate genes. In this review, we describe the recently used approach for genetic analyses (linkage map- ping or association mapping), and then provide the basic genetic and statistical concepts of GWAS, and subsequently highlight the genetic discoveries using GWAS. The review explained how the candidate gene(s) can be detected using state-of-art bioinformatic tools

The effect of regular daily walking on adverse pregnancy outcomes among overweight primigravidas: a prospective cohort study

Objective: The study aims to evaluate the effect of regular daily walking on the occurrence of adverse pregnancy outcomes among overweight primigravidas. Materials and Methods: A prospective cohort study conducted at Aswan University Hospital from March 2015 to December 2016. The study included 360 overweight primigravidas, with singleton pregnancies, who were divided into two groups: Group I (control group) and Group II (study group) under supervised regular walking 5 times per week for 30 minutes, starting from 10-12 weeks of gestational age to 38-39 weeks of gestational age. The primary outcome of the study was the rate of gestational weight gain in participants in both groups. Secondary outcomes included the rate of gestational diabetes mellitus, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, preterm labor ( 4 kg), excessive maternal weight gain (>11.5 kg), and the rate of cesarean delivery. Results: There were no significant differences between groups with regard to the basic criteria. The exercise program decreased the incidence of preeclampsia (OR=0.120; 95% CI=0.015-0.970; p=0.037), postdate (OR=0.274; 95% CI= 0.099-0.759); p=0.008), excessive weight gain (OR=0.220; 95% CI=0.114-0.424), p=0.000), and cesarean delivery (OR=0.519; 95% CI=0.316-0.841, p=0.007). Conclusion: Regular maternal walking throughout the pregnancy may be a preventive tool for preeclampsia, postdate pregnancy, excessive weight gain and may decrease the incidence of cesarean delivery in primigravidas

Pregnancy outcome according to body mass index in primigravidas: a prospective cohort study

Objective: The study aims to evaluate the association between Body Mass Index (BMI), gestational weight gain (GWG) and adverse obstetric outcomes among primigravidas. Material and methods: This was a prospective cohort study conducted at a tertiary University Hospital between June 2015 and May 2017. The study included 480 primigravidas, with singleton pregnancies, who were divided into three groups: women with a healthy weight (BMI: 18.5–24.9 kg/m2) overweight (BMI: 25 – 29.9 kg/m2) and obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2). The primary outcome of the study was the rate of GWG in the participants. Secondary outcomes included the rate of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia, preterm labor (PTL), postdate pregnancy, fetal macrosomia and the rate of birth by cesarean (CB). Results: There were no significant differences between groups regarding the socio-demographic criteria. The rate of GWG was significantly higher in obese women versus average weight women (11.4±1.73 vs. 10.49±1.09, p=0.0001). There was an increased incidence of GDM (p=0.008), gestational hypertension (p=0.001), pre-eclampsia (p=0.0001), PTL (p=0.002), postdate (p=0.0001) and macrosomia (p=0.0001) in women who were obese compared with women with a healthy weight. Additionally, there was an increased incidence of CB with increasing body mass (p=0.0001) Conclusions: Higher BMI in primigravidas is associated with increased GWG and with adverse pregnancy outcomes such as GDM, gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia, PTL, postdate, fetal macrosomia and cesarean birth

Photo-identification of Dugongs in Marsa Alam and Wadi El Gemal National Park, Egypt

1351-1358Using photo-identification techniques, 30 dugongs were recorded at the southern Egyptian Red Sea coast between December 2015 and October 2017, 16 at Marsa Alam and 14 at Wadi El Gemal National Park (WGNP). Males were recorded seven times more frequently than females and calves were also recorded. A Photo ID catalogue was prepared for the dugongs with records of their occurrence among sites. We confirmed the presence of particular dugong specific sites. Long- and short-distance movements within the study sites were recorded for eight different dugongs. This is the first study to document the number of dugongs in inshore areas of the Egyptian Red Sea coast. Further studies are recommended for offshore sites in WGNP for better documentation of this group of animals

Photo-identification of Dugongs in Marsa Alam and Wadi El Gemal National Park, Egypt

1351-1358Using photo-identification techniques, 30 dugongs were recorded at the southern Egyptian Red Sea coast between December 2015 and October 2017, 16 at Marsa Alam and 14 at Wadi El Gemal National Park (WGNP). Males were recorded seven times more frequently than females and calves were also recorded. A Photo ID catalogue was prepared for the dugongs with records of their occurrence among sites. We confirmed the presence of particular dugong specific sites. Long- and short-distance movements within the study sites were recorded for eight different dugongs. This is the first study to document the number of dugongs in inshore areas of the Egyptian Red Sea coast. Further studies are recommended for offshore sites in WGNP for better documentation of this group of animals

Does lidocaine gel produce an effective analgesia prior to copper IUD insertion? Randomized clinical trial

Background: IUD is a small contraceptive device, often containing either copper or levonorgestrel, which is inserted into the uterus. Objective of present study was to determine if lidocaine gel prior to intrauterine device (IUD) insertion decreases pain with the insertion procedure among multiparous women choosing the copper T380A-IUD.Methods: It is a randomized double-blind controlled trial carried out at Assiut Women's Health Hospital, Assiut, Egypt. Parous women eligible for Copper IUD insertion attended the Family Planning Clinic were recruited and randomized in a 1:1 ratio to lidocaine gel or placebo. Two ml of the study medications were topically placed on the cervix 3 minutes before IUD insertion. The primary outcome was the difference in pain scores using a 10-cm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) during IUD insertion. We considered a 1.5 cm difference in VAS scores between study groups as clinically significant.Results: One hundred women consented to participate and randomized either to group I:  lidocaine group or group II: placebo group. Both groups were homogenous in baseline socio-demographic data. There was significant difference in mean pain scores for IUD placement between women who received lidocaine gel and placebo at two steps of insertion (at vulsellum application and at uterine sounding) while the rest of steps show no statistical significant difference (p=0.000). There were no statistical significant differences between both group as regard the ease of insertion, the duration of insertion and the satisfaction score after the procedure (p>0.05).Conclusions: This study depicts that the use of lidocaine gel prior to copper IUD insertion in multiparous women could partially reduce the pain during tenaculum placement and uterine sounding

Prophylactic use of temporary uterine packing combined with topical tranexamic acid reduces blood loss and transfusion requirements in patients undergoing cesarean section: A double-blind, randomized controlled trial

Background: since antiquity post-partum haemorrhage (PPH) has been a terrible event for obstetricians. It accounts for 34% of maternal deaths in Africa and developed countries. It complicates 6% of cesarean delivery (CD) and still raising and correlates with increased frequency of caesarean sections, many uterotonic agents have successfully used alone or in combinations for prevention of such catastrophic, but the most effective medication is still up for controversy. Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of temporary uterine packing combined with topical tranexamic acid (TA) as adjunct for reducing blood loss following an elective cesarean delivery with intravenous tranexamic acid and placebo in women who have at least one risk factor for postpartum hemorrhage. Patients and methods: A double-blind, randomized clinical trial (: NCT03706339) conducted on 450 pregnant women at term (38–40 weeks) gestation scheduled for elective cesarean delivery, who were assigned to either intravenous TA, topical TA, or placebo(saline). The main outcome measures were blood loss at and 6 hours after cesarean delivery, the need for any additional oxytoxic drugs, and TA-related side effects. Results: There was a significant decrease in the intraoperative blood loss and total blood loss in both topical TA and IV TA groups compared to placebo group (p=0.0001,0.0001,0.0001,0.0001). Also, the need to extra uterotonics was significant decrease in IV TA group, 9 (6%) patients compared to 33 (22%) patients in placebo group, and 24 (16%) patients in topical TA group, (p=0.0001 and 0.006) respectively. Finally, operative time, hospital stay, postoperative hemoglobin, and post-operative complication showed no significant difference between the three groups (P= 0.276, 0.126, 0.853, 0.955, 1.00, 1.00) respectively. Conclusion: IV TA and temporary uterine packing combined with topical tranexamic acid is more effective than placebo in reducing total blood loss during and after cesarean delivery in women who have at least one risk factor for postpartum hemorrhage, but IV TA more effective