Recent Egyptian experience in development planning

Thesis (M.B.A.)--Boston Universit

Advance Deposition Techniques for Thin Film and Coating

Thin films have a great impact on the modern era of technology. Thin films are considered as backbone for advanced applications in the various fields such as optical devices, environmental applications, telecommunications devices, energy storage devices, and so on . The crucial issue for all applications of thin films depends on their morphology and the stability. The morphology of the thin films strongly hinges on deposition techniques. Thin films can be deposited by the physical and chemical routes. In this chapter, we discuss some advance techniques and principles of thin-film depositions. The vacuum thermal evaporation technique, electron beam evaporation, pulsed-layer deposition, direct current/radio frequency magnetron sputtering, and chemical route deposition systems will be discussed in detail

Effect of salinity and sodicity stresses on physiological response and productivity in Helianthus annuus

Soil salinity and sodicity (alkalinity) are serious land degradation issues worldwide that are predicted to increase in the future. The objective of the present study is to distinguish the effects of NaCl and Na2CO3 salinity in two concentrations on the growth, lipoxygenase (LOX) activity, membrane integrity, total lipids, yield parameters and fatty acids (FAs) composition of seeds of sunflower cultivar Sakha 53. Plant growth, LOX activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were reduced by salts stresses. On the contrary, salinity and alkalinity stress induced stimulatory effects on membrane permeability, leakage of UV-metabolites from leaves and total lipids of sunflower shoots and roots. Crop yield (plant height, head diameter, seed index and number of seeds for each head) that is known as a hallmark of plant stress was decreased by increasing concentrations of NaCl and Na2CO3 in the growth media. Fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) composition of salt-stressed sunflower seeds varied with different levels of NaCl and Na2CO3

Effect of Body Weight on Pattern of Coronary Lesions in Patients Undergoing Coronary Angiography at Sohag University Hospital

Background: Obesity is related to multiple risk factors of cardiovascular disease (CVD) including hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM), metabolic syndrome, and dyslipidemia, while also likely being an independent risk factor for CVD. Through multiple pathways including increased angiotensin, circulating blood volume, and total peripheral resistance, excess weight increases hypertension (HTN) risk.Objective: This study aimed to reveal the relationship between body weight and the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients referred for coronary angiography at Sohag University Hospital.Patients and methods: This was a cross-sectional hospital-based study performed on 200 patients, at Sohag University Hospital. Mean age was 56.94 ± 10.30 years. Among them, there were 175 patients (87.5%) who were overweight or obese with higher prevalence of HTN, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes. Normal weight patients were 25 (12.5%) with lower prevalence of HTN, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes.Results: According to BMI in our study, 175 patients (87.5 %) were overweight or obese, 162 patients (92.57%) of the overweight had significant coronary artery disease. 162 patients (81%) had significant coronary angiography findings (> 70% stenosis in any of the coronary arteries). They were classified to 63 patients (31.5%) had single vessel diseased, 53 patients (26.5%) had two vessels diseased, and 46 patients (23%) had three vessels diseased.Conclusion: Obesity, diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, aging and male gender were correlated with severity of CAD. Thus, reduction of weight, stoppage of smoking and control of diabetes, hypertension and hyperlipidemia will improve outcome of coronary artery disease

Hepatic venous outflow obstruction after living donor liver transplantation managed with ectopic placement of a foley catheter: A case report

AbstractIntroductionThe early hepatic venous outflow obstruction (HVOO) is a rare but serious complication after liver transplantation, which may result in graft loss. We report a case of early HVOO after living donor liver transplantation, which was managed by ectopic placement of foley catheter.PresentationA 51 years old male patient with end stage liver disease received a right hemi-liver graft. On the first postoperative day the patient developed impairment of the liver functions. Doppler ultrasound (US) showed absence of blood flow in the right hepatic vein without thrombosis. The decision was to re-explore the patient, which showed torsion of the graft upward and to the right side causing HVOO. This was managed by ectopic placement of a foley catheter between the graft and the diaphragm and the chest wall. Gradual deflation of the catheter was gradually done guided by Doppler US and the patient was discharged without complications.DiscussionMechanical HVOO results from kinking or twisting of the venous anastomosis due to anatomical mismatch between the graft and the recipient abdomen. It should be managed surgically by repositioning of the graft or redo of venous anastomosis. Several ideas had been suggested for repositioning and fixation of the graft by the use of Sengstaken–Blakemore tubes, tissue expanders, and surgical glove expander.ConclusionWe report the use of foley catheter to temporary fix the graft and correct the HVOO. It is a simple and safe way, and could be easily monitored and removed under Doppler US without any complications

Strong improvement of permeability and rejection performance of graphene oxide membrane by engineered interlayer spacing

Advanced membranes fabricated from multilayer/laminated graphene oxide (GO) are promising in water treatment applications as they provide very high flux and excellent rejection of various water pollutants. However, these membranes have limited viability, and suffer from instabilities and swelling due to the hydrophilic nature of GO. In this work, the permeability and rejection performance of laminated GO membranes were improved via functionalization with ethylenediamine (EDA) and polyethyleneimine (PEI). The membranes are fabricated via the pressure-assembly stacking technique, and their structure is well characterized. The performance, rejection, and stability of the fabricated functionalized GO membranes were evaluated. Pillaring the GO layers using diamine and polyamine resulted in exceptionally high water permeability of 113 L/m2h (LMH) compared to only 28 LMH for the pristine GO membrane while simultaneously satisfying high rejection of multivalent salts of 79.4, 35.4, and 19.6 % for Na2SO4, MgCl2, and NaCl, respectively. The results obtained indicate that proper functionalization of GO provides a roadmap for the potential commercialization of such advanced membranes in water treatment applications.</p

Semiocclusive Therapy Versus Full Thickness Skin Grafts Versus Reverse Flow Homodigital Island Flaps in Reconstruction of Volar Oblique Fingertip Injuries

Background: Fingertip amputations are among the most common injuries seen in the hand. The mechanism, level, and direction of amputation are important factors in choosing the appropriate reconstructive option. Optimal management is a much-debated topic with advocates for operative and non-oper¬ative treatment. Aim of the Work: To compare the outcome of healing by secondary intention, full thickness skin grafts from the ulnar border of the hand, and reverse flow homodigital island flaps in the management of volar oblique fingertip amputations in the hand according to time of complete healing, aesthetic outcome, return to work timing and according to complications rate. Patients and Methods: This study was conducted on 75 patients who were presented to ER department, with volar oblique fingertip injury. Patients are classified into three equal groups, each group contain 25 patients. First group was managed conservatively with semiocclusive dressing. Second group was reconstructed with full thickness skin grafts. Third group was reconstructed with reverse flow homodigital island flaps. Results: In this study, we can confirm that surgical intervention with either technique, reconstruction with full thickness skin graft or reconstruction with reverse flow homodigital island flap is too much better than healing with secondary intention. With better results with full thickness skin grafts over homodigital island flaps specially in small defects with no exposed bones, a lesion represent most of fingertip cases in surgery. On the other hand homodigital island flaps are better in big defects and in cases with exposed bones.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Conclusion: Fingertip injuries are the most common injuries in hand trauma patients. The major cause for adult patients is occupational accidents etiology. There are several classifications for fingertip injuries. Treatment options vary depending on the injury mechanism, defect’s size and plane, surgeon’s intention, patient’s needs, condition of the stump and the amputated part. Despite ongoing publication of new flaps for fingertip reconstruction, there is a paucity of evidence to support improved healing and function in a surgically reconstructed fingertip compared to conservative wound management. Controlled trials are sorely needed to distill the truth as to whether surgery is superior to secondary healing or no

Age-Related Macular Degeneration in Patients with Androgenetic Alopecia: Could the Monocyte/HDL Ratio Be the Link?

Introduction: Both Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) shared the microinflammatory milieu and increased oxidative stress as important criteria in pathogenesis.   Objectives: To assess the monocyte/High density lipoprotein (HDL) ratio (MHR) in patients with AGA and its correlation to AMD in these patients, if any. Methods: 40 patients with AGA aged 40 years or more of both sexes and 40 control subjects participated in this case-control study. General, dermatological, and ophthalmologic examination, MHR evaluation and optical coherence tomography (OCT) were performed. Results: The mean MHR was significantly higher in AGA patients (6.98 ± 2.21) than controls (3.82 ± 0.68) (p<0.001). AMD was significantly higher in patients than control (p <0.001). 80% of patients were diagnosed with AMD vs 20% of control subjects. Presence of AMD in AGA was significantly related to the degree of severity of AGA in male patients (P= 0.02). MHR was significantly higher in AGA patients found to have AMD (9.37 ± 1.1 and 7.01 ± 1.42 in wet and dry type respectively) than those without AMD (P<0.001). The best cutoff value of MHR in prediction of wet type among patients of AGA is ≥8.2337 with overall accuracy 80%. While the best cutoff value of MHR in prediction of dry type among AGA patients is ≥4.1408 to <8.2337 with overall accuracy 86.7%. Conclusion: AMD may develop more frequently in those with AGA, and this may correspond with the disease's severity. MHR seems to be a missing link between both conditions

Preparation and in vivo evaluation of insulin-loaded biodegradable nanoparticles prepared from diblock copolymers of PLGA and PEG

The aim of this study was to design a controlled release vehicle for insulin to preserve its stability and biological activity during fabrication and release. A modified, double emulsion, solvent evaporation, technique using homogenisation force optimised entrapment efficiency of insulin into biodegradable nanoparticles (NP) prepared from poly (dl-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and its PEGylated diblock copolymers. Formulation parameters (type of polymer and its concentration, stabiliser concentration and volume of internal aqueous phase) and physicochemical characteristics (size, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, in vitro release profiles and in vitro stability) were investigated. In vivo insulin sensitivity was tested by dietinduced type II diabetic mice. Bioactivity of insulin was studied using Swiss TO mice with streptozotocin-induced type I diabetic profile. Insulin-loaded NP were spherical and negatively charged with an average diameter of 200–400 nm. Insulin encapsulation efficiency increased significantly with increasing ratio of co-polymeric PEG. The internal aqueous phase volume had a significant impact on encapsulation efficiency, initial burst release and NP size. Optimised insulin NP formulated from 10% PEG-PLGA retained insulin integrity in vitro, insulin sensitivity in vivo and induced a sustained hypoglycaemic effect from 3 hours to 6 days in type I diabetic mice

Enhanced oxygen evolution reaction on polyethyleneimine functionalized graphene oxide in alkaline medium

Practical applications of metal free catalysts are hindered by their innate poor stability for electrocatalytic application. Accordingly, in this study, synthesis and functionalization of graphene oxide via a modified Tour's method (GOT) with different amine containing molecules results in excellent catalytic performance and stability toward OER in alkaline medium. The as-synthesized polyethyleneimine GOT electrode (P-GOT), produced current densities of 10, 50 and 100 mA/cm2 at overpotentials of 240, 350 and 420 mV, respectively, with small Tafel slope of 47 mV/dec. The X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Raman spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis confirms the successful functionalization of GOT by ethylenediamine (E) and polyethyleneimine (P) molecules, respectively. Morphological studies based on field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) confirm that the modification via covalent bonding preserved the original wrinkled and layered structure of GOT. The P-GOT with cross-linked amine can expose more active sites and is not easy to peel off, which corresponds to attaining lower charge transfer resistance (1.01Ω cm2) and remarkable current stability in 1.0 M KOH solution, compared to the pristine GOT and E-GOT electrodes. From this perspective, our results therefore provide a valuable route for development and practical application of metal free catalytic materials for water oxidation reaction