A Suggested Proposal for Developing the Dimensions of Administrative Transparency and Intellectual Capital Management of Academic Leaders in the Faculties of Preparing Kindergarten Teachers in the Light of some Developed Countries Experiences\u27

The current research aimed at presenting a suggested proposal for developing the dimensions of administrative transparency and intellectual capital management for academic leaders in the faculties of preparing kindergarten teachers in the light of some developed countries experiences\u27. The research utilized the descriptive approach to suit its nature and objectives. For data collection a questionnaire was used- prepared by the researcher- directed to a sample of faculty members and their assistants. The research sample consisted of (60) faculty members and their assistants in the faculties of preparing kindergarten teachers in Universities of (Cairo- Mansours-Minia), in order to diagnose the reality of developing the dimensions of administrative transparency and intellectual capital management for academic leaders in the faculties of preparing kindergarten teachers in the light of some developed countries experiences\u27. The research revealed a set of results; the most significant of which are that the administrative transparency and intellectual capital management has been achieved among academic leaders in the faculties of preparing kindergarten teachers in the light of some developed countries experiences\u27 to moderate degree except for the statements in the axis of administrative transparency which related to (activating the complaints and suggestions boxes), which was achieved below the minimum confidence interval levels, this mainly indicated that it was not achieved. Whereas the statements of (announcing the decisions that govern the faculty\u27s work to achieve the university\u27s goals and publishing real information about the faculty) were achieved to a high degree, which indicated that they were significantly achieved among the Heads of the Departments. In addition to some statements in the axis of intellectual capital management as; (building social networks based on trust, values, and ethics as a stimulator for creativity and innovation) which was achieved significantly among the Heads of the Departments. The research concluded with a suggested proposal for developing the dimensions of administrative transparency and intellectual capital management for academic leaders in the faculties of preparing kindergarten teachers in the light of some developed countries experiences\u27, in addition to providing a set of future studies and research

Novel grape seed extract nanoparticles attenuate amikacin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats

Abstract Amikacin (AMK), an antibiotic, is prescribed for treating various bacterial diseases like urinary tract infections, encephalitis, asthma and joint infections. The most significant side effects, which affect 1 to 10% of consumers, are kidney injury and ototoxicity. Several studies discussed the role of grape seed extract (GSE) in renoprotection against AMK. The current study aimed to extract Muscat of Alexandria grape seeds followed by its characterization to determine its bioactive components and elements. GSE nanoparticles was prepared and tested, in vitro, to determine its safety for the in vivo experiment. Experimental groups were control group I, AMK group II, GSE (50 mg/kg)-AMK group III, GSE (100 mg/kg)-AMK group IV, GSE NPs (25 mg/kg)-AMK group V and GSE NPs (50 mg/kg)-AMK group VI. Groups 2–6 received 100 mg/kg/day of AMK by intramuscular injection for two weeks for the induction of experimental nephrotoxicity. Groups 3–6 received daily doses of GSE or GSE NPs by oral gavage, concurrently, with AMK for two weeks. GSE was rich in polyphenol compounds like proanthocyanidins, phenolic acids like gallic and egallic acids, catechine and epicatechine. GSE NPs have a smooth surface and a size that ranged from 40 to 70 nm; and have an anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cytotoxic and anti-microbial in vitro effects. It reduced oxidative stress and inflammation that followed AMK administration; and attenuated the AMK-induced nephrotoxicity. GSE NPs were safe to be used in vivo as a renoprotective agent against AMK; where, it reduced the oxidative stress and inflammation

Impact of an endometrial cancer prevention program based on health belief model on elderly women's awareness and quality of life

Endometrial cancer is the most common type of gynecologic cancer worldwide affecting elderly women. This study aims to evaluate the impact of an endometrial cancer prevention program based on health belief (HBM-based) model on elderly women's awareness and quality of life. Design: A Quasi-experimental pre- post nonequivalent control group design was utilized. Sample: A purposive sample of 60 elderly women with postmenopausal bleeding and not diagnosed with endometrial cancer. Setting: the study was conducted at El-Galaa' teaching hospital, and El kasr El Ainy teaching hospital outpatient clinics. Study tools: 1- A structured demographic data and medical history questionnaire, 2-An endometrial cancer prevention awareness questionnaire (beliefs, knowledge& practices), 3- (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire to assess elderly women's QOL. Results: the mean age of elderly was 65.87±3. 15. All elderly women had unsatisfactory knowledge and practice level related to endometrial cancer prevention during pretest evaluation which was improved to satisfactory in the study group after program implementation, a highly statistically significant difference between total beliefs (perceived severity, perceived susceptibility, perceived barriers, perceived benefits, cues to action) and the total QOL mean score of elderly women in the study group in the pre, post, follow up test (P= 0.00).&nbsp

Parent-reported feeding characteristics in children with ASD vs. children who are typically developing

Abstract Background Parents of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) often report that their children have multiple dietary behavior problems than parents of typically developing (TD) children do. This may affect proper nutrition and subsequently adequate growth and development in children with ASD. The current study aimed to assess the feeding behavior in recently diagnosed children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) ranged in age from 2 to 4 years and compare it with typically developing (TD) children and to explore the relationship between feeding behaviors and autism severity using the Montreal Children’s Hospital Feeding Scale (MCH) and Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), respectively. Parents of 35 preschool children (2–4 years) with ASD completed reports of physical measurements, feeding interview, Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), and Montreal Children’s Hospital Feeding Scale (MCH Feeding-Scale). The collected data from parents of children with ASD were analyzed and compared with 70 typically developed children matched with age and sex. Results ASD children showed statistically significantly more problematic feeding behaviors in most of the assessed eating characters compared with TD children, e.g., food neophobia, eating non-food items instead of food, requiring assistance during eating, and feeding avoidance to particular textures and taste. The mean total score of the MCH feeding scale differed significantly between children with ASD and TD children. No correlation was found between the mean total score of the MCH feeding scale and CARS scores. Conclusion Our findings revealed a high rate of behavioral feeding problems in children with ASD. Future work will be needed to follow up the feeding behaviors and to develop practical feeding approaches for ASD children to maintain nutritional adequacy

In Vitro Micropropagation of Endangered <i>Achillea fragrantissima</i> Forssk. Combined with Enhancement of Its Antihyperglycemic Activity

Achillea fragrantissima Forssk. (Family: Asteraceae) has been used as a natural remedy in the Arabian region for its antihyperglycemic activity. As a result of the intensive demand for this plant in folk medicinal uses, its scarcity has become problematic. This study has explored methods that produce an efficient in vitro culture protocol for the conservation of this plant as well as the enhancement of its hypoglycemic activity. A. fragrantissima cultures on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 3.6 µM/L of 6-benzyl aminopurine (BAP) for a two month period resulted in maximum in vitro shoot proliferation (12.33 shoots/explant) while MS medium supplemented with 2.4 µM/L 1-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) provided maximum in vitro adventitious root formation (2.46 roots/shoot tip explant). Callus induction was favored by leaf explants cultured on MS medium and supplemented with 3 µM/L BAP and 3 µM/L IAA media in dark conditions. Further in vivo study of some selected feedings determined that the best hypoglycemic activity was obtained in either indole-3-butyric acid (IBA)-fed plants (24%) or NAA-fed plants (22%). Both treatments enhanced insulin-like activity in STZ-treated diabetic Sprague-Dawley rats when compared with the wild plant (10%). Moreover, the IBA-fed plants showed significant antioxidant activity while the NAA-fed plants inhibited salivary alpha amylase. The framework of this study provides in vitro culture methods that can sustain the cultivation of this over-exploited A. fragrantissima plant as well as increase its antioxidant and insulin-like activities

In Vitro Micropropagation of Endangered Achillea fragrantissima Forssk. Combined with Enhancement of Its Antihyperglycemic Activity

Achillea fragrantissima Forssk. (Family: Asteraceae) has been used as a natural remedy in the Arabian region for its antihyperglycemic activity. As a result of the intensive demand for this plant in folk medicinal uses, its scarcity has become problematic. This study has explored methods that produce an efficient in vitro culture protocol for the conservation of this plant as well as the enhancement of its hypoglycemic activity. A. fragrantissima cultures on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 3.6 &micro;M/L of 6-benzyl aminopurine (BAP) for a two month period resulted in maximum in vitro shoot proliferation (12.33 shoots/explant) while MS medium supplemented with 2.4 &micro;M/L 1-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) provided maximum in vitro adventitious root formation (2.46 roots/shoot tip explant). Callus induction was favored by leaf explants cultured on MS medium and supplemented with 3 &micro;M/L BAP and 3 &micro;M/L IAA media in dark conditions. Further in vivo study of some selected feedings determined that the best hypoglycemic activity was obtained in either indole-3-butyric acid (IBA)-fed plants (24%) or NAA-fed plants (22%). Both treatments enhanced insulin-like activity in STZ-treated diabetic Sprague-Dawley rats when compared with the wild plant (10%). Moreover, the IBA-fed plants showed significant antioxidant activity while the NAA-fed plants inhibited salivary alpha amylase. The framework of this study provides in vitro culture methods that can sustain the cultivation of this over-exploited A. fragrantissima plant as well as increase its antioxidant and insulin-like activities

Treatment of premature ejaculation: a new combined approach

Background Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are utilized to treat premature ejaculation (PE). However, their effect is moderate, with no universally adopted schedule. A possible role for pelvic floor dysfunction in the pathogenesis of PE was reported previously. Objective The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of combined sertraline and pelvic floor rehabilitation with either line in patients with an unsatisfactory response to SSRIs. Design, setting, and participants From June 2009 to December 2012, 74 PE patients with an unsatisfactory response to sertraline 50 mg were enrolled and subjected to pelvic floor rehabilitation as an alternative therapy, and then a combination of both was tested on the same group. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis Relationships with outcome were analyzed using the Student t-test, Pearson′s correlation, and linear regression. Results and limitations The baseline intravaginal ejaculatory latency time (IELT) was 20-110 s (mean ± SD = 56.35 ± 21.67). With sertraline 50 mg therapy alone, IELT reached 90-180 s (mean ± SD = 121.69 ± 21.76, P = 0.0001). Of them, 44 (59.46%) patients failed to exceed an IELT of 120 s. With pelvic floor rehabilitation alone, IELT reached 90-270 s (mean ± SD = 174.73 ± 45.79, P = 0.0001). Of them, 13 (17.56%) patients failed to exceed an IELT of 120 s. Using a combination therapy of both, IELT reached 180-420 s (mean ± SD = 297.57 ± 59.19, P = 0.0001). This response was significantly higher than the baseline IELT and that of either lines alone (P = 0.0001, for all tests). Conclusion Pelvic floor rehabilitation is an important addition when treating PE, particularly in patients with pelvic floor dysfunction. We recommend this combination in patients with an unsatisfactory response to SSRIs. Patient summary Causes of PE differ considerably. In this paper, we compared the outcomes of two single treatment lines together with a combination of both. The combination therapy was more effective than either line alone