Association between pretreatment haemoglobin levels and morphometric characteristics of the tumour, response to neoadjuvant treatment and long-term outcomes in patients with locally advanced rectal cancers

Aim The study was carried out to investigate whether pretreatment haemoglobin (Hb) levels act as a biomar- ker in the management of patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. Method\ud We prospectively collected data on all patients within our cancer network with localized low rectal cancer treated with preoperative radiotherapy/chemora- diotherapy at Mount Vernon Centre for Cancer Treat- ment between March 1994 and July 2008. Pretreatment Hb level was assessed as an independent variable for the whole study sample and dichotomised at a value of 12 g/dl. A multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) was conducted on parameters that had significant association on univariate analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and cor- relational (Kendall tau/Pearson) analyses. Kaplan – Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazard models were used to determine significant prognostic markers. Statistical significance was set at 0.05. Results 463 patients (male/female 2:1; median age = 66 years, interquartile range = 56.5 – 73.0) were included in the analysis. There was significant tumour response of T stage ( P < 0.001) and N stage ( P < 0.001), with 17.6% of patients achieving a pathological complete response. Pretreatment Hb value was inversely related to the craniocaudal vertical tumour length ( P = 0.02) and pretreatment T stage of the tumour ( P = 0.01). Patients with Hb levels of < 12 g/dl and moderately differenti- ated adenocarcinoma were less responsive. Local recur- rence was more common in patients with a pretreatment Hb of < 12 g/dl (hazard ratio = 1.78) over a median follow up of 24 months, but this was not statistically significant ( P = 0.08). Conclusion The pretreatment Hb level might be used as a biomarker of rectal tumour morphology, response to neoadjuvant chemoradiation and risk of local recur- renc

Language-in-education policy and planning : the case of Lebanon

Recent changes in Lebanon's educational legislation indicate a shift away from using the national language, Arabic, as a medium of instruction in favour of other foreign languages, namely English, French, and German. The latest decree that was passed in 1994 stipulated that these foreign languages can be used as instructional languages in all cycles, including the pre-school and elementary levels. The issue of language-in-education in Lebanon is an old one, dating back to the arrival of foreign missionaries during the second half of the 17th century. Since then several policies and decisions have been made by the colonial powers and the successive Lebanese governments. This paper reviews these policies and decisions in the light of the country's political history with special emphasis on their impact on students and communities at the socioeconomic, educational and political levels. The paper maintains that the policies made by the French during their mandate over Lebanon (1920-1943) favoured the Christian Catholic and Maronite communities. Meanwhile, the policies adopted by the successive Lebanese governments in the era of independence (1943-1975) were largely improvised and more of responses to emotions triggered by independence. Consequently, several socio-economic and educational incentives determined the spread of foreign languages, especially English, in contemporary Lebanon. This widened the gaps among the classes that make up Lebanese society and contributed to the distribution of quality education along sectarian and socioeconomic lines.peer-reviewe

Corrosion inhibition of type 430 stainless steel in an acidic solution using a synthesized tetra-pyridinium ring-containing compound

Abstract1,1′-Bis (1-methyl pyridinium-2-yl)-4,4′-dipyridinium dichloride di-iodide (TPy) and 1,1′-dimethyl-4,4′-dipyridinium di-iodide (DPy) have been synthesized and used as corrosion inhibitors for ferritic type 430 stainless steel in 0.5M H2SO4 solution. Polarization, weight loss and scanning electron microscopic measurements confirm the inhibitive action of these compounds and the increase in inhibition efficiency with an increase in concentration and temperature. The compounds enhance the passivation of the steel by increasing suppression of the critical current. The quantum chemical calculations explain the good adsorption of these compounds on the steel surface and the greater inhibition efficiency for TPy compared with that of DPy inhibitor

The critical level of vitamin D in childhood asthma

Objectives: Studies have suggested a significant link between vitamin D status and asthma. We sought to determine the cutoff level of25 hydroxy (25-OH) vitamin D that is significantly linked to asthma status in children.Methods: Our cross-sectional study comprised 90 asthmatic children, aged 2-18 years. They were evaluated clinically and classified according to asthma severity and control. Asthma control test (ACT) was performed in those aged above 4 years.Pulmonary functions were performed in cooperative children (n=59). Serum 25-OH vitamin D levels were measured by ELISA in all patients.Results: The study comprised 52 boys (57.7%) and 38 girls (42.3%) with mean age 7.03±4.36 years. Thirty-six patients (40%) had mild asthma, 37 (41%) moderate asthma and 17 (19%) had severe asthma. Forty-two patients (46.6%) had controlled asthma; 14 (15.6%) partially controlled and 34 (37.8%) had uncontrolled asthma. ACT score ranged: 11-26, with mean score: 18.9 ± 4.3 SD. Serum 25-OHvitamin D levels ranged between 2-48 ng/ml (mean± SD: 12.2 ± 9 ng/ml); levels were comparable among different grades of asthma severity (f= 1.975, p=0.145), while the uncontrolled asthma group showed the lowest levels (f=8.511, p &lt;0.001). 25-OH vitamin D levels correlated positively with ACT score (r= 0.369, p= &lt;0.001) but not with inhaled steroids doses or any of the pulmonary function parameters. A level of 7.5 ng/ml was associated with partial/completeuncontrol of asthma with 81 % sensitivity and 53 % specificity.Conclusion: 25-OH vitamin D levels below 7.5 ng/ml are associated with poor asthma status in children.Keywords: Asthma, allergy, children, severity, inhaled steroids, 25 hydroxy vitamin D

TECHNOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF CARBOXYMETHYL SESBANIA GALACTOMANNAN GUM DERIVATIVES AS THICKENERS IN REACTIVE PRINTING

Galactomannan gum isolated from the seeds of sesbania was subjected to chemical modification via carboxymethylation in non-aqueous medium using monochloroacetic acid under the catalytic action of sodium hydroxide. The obtained derivatives were subjected to measuring the degrees of substitution (D.S.), rheological properties of their pastes, and evaluated as thickeners in printing cotton fabrics with reactive dyes. Highly substituted derivatives could be used successfully as thickening agents in printing cotton fabrics either alone or in admixture with sodium alginate. Prints acquire soft handle, colour strength (K/S), and fastness properties nearly identical to corresponding samples that were printed using sodium alginate

Public satisfaction with COVID-19 vaccination program in Saudi Arabia

The challenges posed by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic have required the introduction of new care delivery models and procedures. For the foreseeable future, vaccine administration will be a key part of the patient experience journey. It is important therefore to understand and evaluate experiences of individuals taking the vaccination, an area which requires considerable attention. To address this, the COVID-19 Vaccination Satisfaction survey was developed and administered at several healthcare facilities across Saudi Arabia. Between January 2021 and end of December 2021, a total of 1,699,177 completed surveys were collected. The survey results suggest high satisfaction among participants taking the vaccine; however, satisfaction with information and communication about the vaccine was relatively low. Results from this survey are updated daily and provide unique insights into the key strengths of the vaccination process, as well as aspects within the process that require improvement. Experience Framework This article is associated with the Policy & Measurement lens of The Beryl Institute Experience Framework. (https://www.theberylinstitute.org/ExperienceFramework). Access other PXJ articles related to this lens. Access other resources related to this lens

EFFECT OF DIFFERENT GROUP SIZE ON THE PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF GROWING RABBITS

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of different group’s size on productive performance of growing rabbits. A total number of 108 APRI weaning rabbits, their average initial body weight were 560±10g. Animals were assigned to two groups: The 1st group housed by 4 rabbits in cage 60 cm2, while the 2nd group housed by 8 rabbits in cage 120 cm2. During the experimental period live body weight(g), daily feed intake(g) and mortality rate (%)  were recorded and daily body weight gain(g) and feed conversion ratio(FCR) were calculated at 5, 8, 10 and 12 weeks of age. After the end of the experiment (12 wk) 36 rabbits were randomly taken and slaughtered to calculate the measure carcass traits. These include total giblet (g), cervix part (%), front quarters (%), intermediate part (%), hind quarter (%) and the dressing weight. Also the economical efficiency (EE%) was calculated. Results indicated that: the average live body weight (LBW), daily weight gain (DWG) and daily feed intake (DFI) were not significantly influenced by different group size. The best DWG values were recorded for the group 2 (8 rabbits/ cage), by around 2.5% during the whole fatting period (5-12 wks). Daily feed intake was lower in group 2 than group 1 by around 6.20%, 2.00%, 0.31% and 2.83% at 5, 8, 10 and 12 weeks of age, respectively. Data revealed significant improvements in FCR for rabbits in group2 (P<0.05) than group1 for the period 5-8 and during the whole growing period 512 weeks. The mortality rate was lower in group 2  than in group 1. The best dressing weight value was recorded for the group 2 by around 9.2%.The economical efficiency (EE %) was improved in group 2. It is concluded that, increasing number of rabbits to 8 rabbits in cage could decrease the mortality %, increase the dressing weight that also lead to increase the economical efficiency

Expression plasticity of Phlebotomus papatasi salivary gland genes in distinct ecotopes through the sand fly season

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Sand fly saliva can drive the outcome of <it>Leishmania </it>infection in animal models, and salivary components have been postulated as vaccine candidates against leishmaniasis. In the sand fly <it>Phlebotomus papatasi</it>, natural sugar-sources modulate the activity of proteins involved in meal digestion, and possibly influence vectorial capacity. However, only a handful of studies have assessed the variability of salivary components in sand flies, focusing on the effects of environmental factors in natural habitats. In order to better understand such interactions, we compared the expression profiles of nine <it>P. papatasi </it>salivary gland genes of specimens inhabiting different ecological habitats in Egypt and Jordan and throughout the sand fly season in each habitat.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The majority of investigated genes were up-regulated in specimens from Swaymeh late in the season, when the availability of sugar sources is reduced due to water deprivation. On the other hand, these genes were not up-regulated in specimens collected from Aswan, an irrigated area less susceptible to drought effects.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Expression plasticity of genes involved with vectorial capacity in disease vectors may play an important epidemiological role in the establishment of diseases in natural habitats.</p

Profiling of human acquired immunity against the salivary proteins of Phlebotomus papatasi reveals clusters of differential immunoreactivity

Citation: Geraci, Nicholas S., Rami M. Mukbel, Michael T. Kemp, Mariha N. Wadsworth, Emil Lesho, Gwen M. Stayback, Matthew M. Champion, et al. 2014. “Profiling of Human Acquired Immunity Against the Salivary Proteins of Phlebotomus Papatasi Reveals Clusters of Differential Immunoreactivity.” The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 90 (5): 923–38. https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.13-0130.Phlebotomus papatasi sand flies are among the primary vectors of Leishmania major parasites from Morocco to the Indian subcontinent and from southern Europe to central and eastern Africa. Antibody-based immunity to sand fly salivary gland proteins in human populations remains a complex contextual problem that is not yet fully understood. We profiled the immunoreactivities of plasma antibodies to sand fly salivary gland sonicates (SGSs) from 229 human blood donors residing in different regions of sand fly endemicity throughout Jordan and Egypt as well as 69 US military personnel, who were differentially exposed to P. papatasi bites and L. major infections in Iraq. Compared with plasma from control region donors, antibodies were significantly immunoreactive to five salivary proteins (12, 26, 30, 38, and 44 kDa) among Jordanian and Egyptian donors, with immunoglobulin G4 being the dominant anti-SGS isotype. US personnel were significantly immunoreactive to only two salivary proteins (38 and 14 kDa). Using k-means clustering, donors were segregated into four clusters distinguished by unique immunoreactivity profiles to varying combinations of the significantly immunogenic salivary proteins. SGS-induced cellular proliferation was diminished among donors residing in sand fly-endemic regions. These data provide a clearer picture of human immune responses to sand fly vector salivary constituents

Toward the Understanding of the Metabolism of Levodopa I. DFT Investigation of the Equilibrium Geometries, Acid-Base Properties and Levodopa-Water Complexes

Levodopa (LD) is used to increase dopamine level for treating Parkinson’s disease. The major metabolism of LD to produce dopamine is decarboxylation. In order to understand the metabolism of LD; the electronic structure of levodopa was investigated at the Density Functional DFT/B3LYP level of theory using the 6-311+G** basis set, in the gas phase and in solution. LD is not planar, with the amino acid side chain acting as a free rotator around several single bonds. The potential energy surface is broad and flat. Full geometry optimization enabled locating and identifying the global minimum on this Potential energy surface (PES). All possible protonation/deprotonation forms of LD were examined and analyzed. Protonation/deprotonation is local in nature, i.e., is not transmitted through the molecular framework. The isogyric protonation/deprotonation reactions seem to involve two subsequent steps: First, deprotonation, then rearrangement to form H-bonded structures, which is the origin of the extra stability of the deprotonated forms. Natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis of LD and its deprotonated forms reveals detailed information of bonding characteristics and interactions across the molecular framework. The effect of deprotonation on the donor-acceptor interaction across the molecular framework and within the two subsystems has also been examined. Attempts to mimic the complex formation of LD with water have been performed