INFLUENCE OF CIGARETTE SMOKING ON LIPID PROFILE IN MALE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

ABSTRACT There is much controversy about which components in the lipid profile are mainly altered in response to cigarette smoking, and whether those lipid profile components influence other parts directly or indirectly and vice versa. The present study was undertaken to clarify the influence of daily cigarette smoking on the components of lipid profile. The study comprised Group 1 (3-5 cigarettes/ day) and Group 2 (lower and higher frequency of smoking). Plasma LDL-C, HDL-C and triglycerides in Group 1 were found significantly increased for smokers compared to the healthy control non-smoking subjects. Group 2 comparisons showed significantly increased levels of triglycerides at 1-5 cigarettes per day frequency, HDL-C and triglycerides for 6-10 and 10-15 cigarettes per day, and all components of lipid profile studied for > 15 cigarettes per day frequency. The present study is hence, helpful for future studies in elucidating the underlying mechanism causing series of changes influenced by smoking activity

A 2X2 MIMO Patch Antenna for Multi-Band Applications

In this paper, a Multiple Input Multiple Output (2x2MIMO)  patch antenna for  multiband applications has been proposed. It has been designed using groups of rings nearby the stepped cut at four corners of the patch and a separation in mid slot. This modification is proposed in order to increase the resonant frequencies and reduce the mutual coupling. The proposed 2x2 MIMO patch antenna is simulated using Computer Simulation Technology (CST), fabricated and tested. With such small geometrical dimensions, the proposed antenna is suitable for LTE (1.8 GHz), WiFi (2.4 GHz), and WiMax (3.5 GHz, 5.2 GHz and 5.5 GHz) application

Anatomical Studies of Medicinal Plant Fumaria densiflora in Iraq

The anatomical characters of the leaf, stem and fruits of Fumaria densiflora of Papaveraceae family were studied by scanning electron and light microscopy. The results showed that the wall cells of adaxial and abaxial epidermis was thick with straight- sinuate anticlinal cell walls. Both surface have stomatal types of anomocytic, anisocytic and hemiparacytic. Leaf mesophyll consists of 1- 2 layers of palisade cells under the superior epidermis thickness rang 121.44 um and 3 or 6 layers of spongy tissue under the palisade layer. Cross sections of stems are pentagonal- shaped in outline and having five prominent angles.Fumaria fruits are tetragonal in shaped (fruit ribs are four). The external area included 2-4 layers of chlorenchyma cells as well as several layers of hypodermal collenchyma cells were recognized below the epidermis. Laticifer tubes could be seen in the sclerenchymatous sheath of the vascular bundles, the fruit wall, placenta and internal parenchyma layers. Keywords: Papaveraceae, Fumaria densiflora, leaves, stem, fruits

Carbon partitioning between oil and carbohydrates in developing oat (Avena sativa L.) seeds

Cereals accumulate starch in the endosperm as their major energy reserve in the grain. In most cereals the embryo, scutellum, and aleurone layer are high in oil, but these tissues constitute a very small part of the total seed weight. However, in oat (Avena sativa L.) most of the oil in kernels is deposited in the same endosperm cells that accumulate starch. Thus oat endosperm is a desirable model system to study the metabolic switches responsible for carbon partitioning between oil and starch synthesis. A prerequisite for such investigations is the development of an experimental system for oat that allows for metabolic flux analysis using stable and radioactive isotope labelling. An in vitro liquid culture system, developed for detached oat panicles and optimized to mimic kernel composition during different developmental stages in planta, is presented here. This system was subsequently used in analyses of carbon partitioning between lipids and carbohydrates by the administration of 14C-labelled sucrose to two cultivars having different amounts of kernel oil. The data presented in this study clearly show that a higher amount of oil in the high-oil cultivar compared with the medium-oil cultivar was due to a higher proportion of carbon partitioning into oil during seed filling, predominantly at the earlier stages of kernel development

Autozygome-guided exome sequencing in retinal dystrophy patients reveals pathogenetic mutations and novel candidate disease genes

Retinal dystrophy (RD) is a heterogeneous group of hereditary diseases caused by loss of photoreceptor function and contributes significantly to the etiology of blindness globally but especially in the industrialized world. The extreme locus and allelic heterogeneity of these disorders poses a major diagnostic challenge and often impedes the ability to provide a molecular diagnosis that can inform counseling and gene-specific treatment strategies. In a large cohort of nearly 150 RD families, we used genomic approaches in the form of autozygome-guided mutation analysis and exome sequencing to identify the likely causative genetic lesion in the majority of cases. Additionally, our study revealed six novel candidate disease genes (C21orf2, EMC1, KIAA1549, GPR125, ACBD5, and DTHD1), two of which (ACBD5 and DTHD1) were observed in the context of syndromic forms of RD that are described for the first time

Burnout among surgeons before and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: an international survey

Background: SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has had many significant impacts within the surgical realm, and surgeons have been obligated to reconsider almost every aspect of daily clinical practice. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study reported in compliance with the CHERRIES guidelines and conducted through an online platform from June 14th to July 15th, 2020. The primary outcome was the burden of burnout during the pandemic indicated by the validated Shirom-Melamed Burnout Measure. Results: Nine hundred fifty-four surgeons completed the survey. The median length of practice was 10 years; 78.2% included were male with a median age of 37 years old, 39.5% were consultants, 68.9% were general surgeons, and 55.7% were affiliated with an academic institution. Overall, there was a significant increase in the mean burnout score during the pandemic; longer years of practice and older age were significantly associated with less burnout. There were significant reductions in the median number of outpatient visits, operated cases, on-call hours, emergency visits, and research work, so, 48.2% of respondents felt that the training resources were insufficient. The majority (81.3%) of respondents reported that their hospitals were included in the management of COVID-19, 66.5% felt their roles had been minimized; 41% were asked to assist in non-surgical medical practices, and 37.6% of respondents were included in COVID-19 management. Conclusions: There was a significant burnout among trainees. Almost all aspects of clinical and research activities were affected with a significant reduction in the volume of research, outpatient clinic visits, surgical procedures, on-call hours, and emergency cases hindering the training. Trial registration: The study was registered on clicaltrials.gov "NCT04433286" on 16/06/2020

ELECTROLYTE CHANGES IN CIGARETTE SMOKING MALE STUDENTS

ABSTRACT: The Cigarette smoke reaches quickly to heart, brain and other parts of our body and may cause effects in less than a second as it is inhaled directly into the alveoli and is diffused into the pulmonary vein. Inspite of numerous studies to elucidate the role of electrolytes in smoking, no clear understanding of the influence of cigarette smoking on electrolytes is still known in literature partly because of varying methodological approaches while assessing the clinical and physiological manifestations. Hence, it was planned to carry out the present study involving university male students having habit of cigarette smoking for varying periods. No significant variations for plasma sodium and potassium, but a clear significant decrease in calcium levels were obtained in a group of subjects smoking 3-5 cigarettes per day. Another group of subjects having varying levels of cigarettes smoking activity (cigarettes/ day) showed significant decrease in plasma sodium, potassium and calcium. The present investigation, hence provides basic information about the pathogenetic role of electrolytes in cigarette smoking, and emphasizes for further comprehensive studies essentially required to be conducted with appropriate control measurements

Modulation of the ventilatory response to exercise in humans

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