Analysis awkward posture at food production activity using RULA assessment

If the workers continuously perform the activities throughout the working hours, they may experience prolonged standing which creates fatigue and causes an occupational hazard which includes slips and falls. The goal of this study was to identify awkward postures during food production activities. 40 workers with minimum of 1 year experience working in food production were involved. The comfort level was measured using Rapid Upper Limb Assessment and Computer-Aided Three-Dimensional Interactive Application software analysis, expressed in scoring level. Critical activities grilling meat, frying, dish cloth and wash utensil at food production contributed to high RULA score of 7. The specific working postures have to be identified among food production workers. This study can provide a preliminary data to determine the correct working postures for food production workers.Keywords: working position; food production; awkward posture; RULA score, fatigue and standin

TiO2 nanotubes and mesoporous silica as containers in self-healing epoxy coatings

The potential of inorganic nanomaterials as reservoirs for healing agents is presented here. Mesoporous silica (SBA-15) and TiO2 nanotubes (TNTs) were synthesized. Both epoxy-encapsulated TiO2 nanotubes and amine-immobilized mesoporous silica were incorporated into epoxy and subsequently coated on a carbon steel substrate. The encapsulated TiO2 nanotubes was quantitatively estimated using a ‘dead pore ratio’ calculation. The morphology of the composite coating was studied in detail using transmission electron microscopic (TEM) analysis. The self-healing ability of the coating was monitored using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS); the coating recovered 57% of its anticorrosive property in 5 days. The self-healing of the scratch on the coating was monitored using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The results confirmed that the epoxy pre-polymer was slowly released into the crack. The released epoxy pre-polymer came into contact with the amine immobilized in mesoporous silica and cross-linked to heal the scratch.This paper was made possible by PDRA grant # PDRA1-1216-13014 from the Qatar National Research Fund (a member of Qatar Foundation)

Tioconazole and Chloroquine Act Synergistically to Combat Doxorubicin-Induced Toxicity via Inactivation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR Signaling Mediated ROS-Dependent Apoptosis and Autophagic Flux Inhibition in MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells.

Cancer is a complex devastating disease with enormous treatment challenges, including chemo- and radiotherapeutic resistance. Combination therapy demonstrated a promising strategy to target hard-to-treat cancers and sensitize cancer cells to conventional anti-cancer drugs such as doxorubicin. This study aimed to establish molecular profiling and therapeutic efficacy assessment of chloroquine and/or tioconazole (TIC) combination with doxorubicin (DOX) as anew combination model in MCF-7 breast cancer. The drugs are tested against apoptotic/autophagic pathways and related redox status. Molecular docking revealed that chloroquine (CQ) and TIC could be potential PI3K and ATG4B pathway inhibitors. Combination therapy significantly inhibited cancer cell viability, PI3K/AkT/mTOR pathway, and tumor-supporting autophagic flux, however, induced apoptotic pathways and altered nuclear genotoxic feature. Our data revealed that the combination cocktail therapy markedly inhibited tumor proliferation marker (KI-67) and cell growth, along with the accumulation of autophagosomes and elevation of LC3-II and p62 levels indicated autophagic flux blockage and increased apoptosis. Additionally, CQ and/or TIC combination therapy with DOX exerts its activity on the redox balance of cancer cells mediated ROS-dependent apoptosis induction achieved by GPX3 suppression. Besides, Autophagy inhibition causes moderately upregulation in ATGs 5,7 redundant proteins strengthened combinations induced apoptosis, whereas inhibition of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway with Beclin-1 upregulation leading to cytodestructive autophagy with overcome drug resistance effectively in curing cancer. Notably, the tumor growth inhibition and various antioxidant effects were observed in vivo. These results suggest CQ and/or TIC combination with DOX could act as effective cocktail therapy targeting autophagy and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways in MCF-7 breast cancer cells and hence, sensitizes cancer cells to doxorubicin treatment and combat its toxicity

Epidemiology and Diagnosis of Feline Intestinal Lymphosarcomas in Egypt

Feline intestinal lymphosarcomas are mostly caused by Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV). Unfortunately, there is no available vaccine for FeLV in Egypt. The diagnosis of feline intestinal lymphosarcomas depends upon abdominal palpation, x-rays examination, ultrasonography, direct ELISA and histopathology of masses excised during laparotomy. The recorded clinical signs in intestinal lymphosarcoma affected cats were variable including vomiting, fever, anorexia, ascites, anemia, dyspnea, constipation and emaciation. The affected lymph nodes were mesenteric, mediastinal and retropharyngeal. The prevalence of intestinal lymphosarcomas in the examined cats was 4.03 % (11 out of 273 cats). The prevalence was higher in queens than toms (2.93 % and 0.73 % respectively). The Siamese cats had higher prevalence than the Sherazy ones (2.56 % and 1.47 % respectively). X-ray films and ultrasonographic images performed on the eleven cats suffered from intestinal lymphosarcomas revealed ascities and abdominal masses. The comparison of ELISA and histopathology (of excised masses) results showed that 9 out of 11 intestinal lymphosarcoma affected cats were infected with FeLV that proved not all cases of intestinal lymphosarcoma were caused by FeLV. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of ELISA to diagnose intestinal lymphosarcoma in cats were 81.81 %, 100 % and 92 % respectively. Gross autopsy of the collected lymph nodes, livers, kidneys revealed that gross lymphadenopathy involving one or more nodes, hepatomegaly and kidney enlargement. Microscopically, the examined tissues specimens showed that the normal architecture of the examined lymph nodes, livers, and kidneys has been replaced by a diffuse infiltrate of both lymphocytes and lymphoblasts. The vast majority of the cells are small lymphocyte-type cells with round basophilic nuclei and a sparse rim of cytoplasm. The eleven intestinal lymphosarcoma affected cats exposed to abdominal exploratory surgery (laparotomy) died at one to three months post-surgery. It is concluded that the vaccination of kittens and cats against FeLV in Egypt is very important to prevent the highly fatal intestinal lymphosarcomas

Al-P-Cds/N-Cds/Zn1-Xcdxs Structures for Solar Cells

In this paper we report some properties of thin film photocells prepared on the basis of Al/p-CdS/n-CdS/Zn1-xCdxS heterojunctions. These heterojunctions were prepared by the method of chemical and electrochemical deposition from solution in a uniform work cycle. The open-circuit photovoltage (Uoc), short circuit-current density (Iscc) and efficiency of the Al/p-CdS/n-CdS/Zn0.6Cd0.4S heterojunctions were 650 mV; 35 mA/cm2 and 11%, accordingly. The I-U fill factor was 0.68. The value of Uoc increases and Iscc decreases by increasing of Zn in Zn1-xCdxS material

Effects of continuous light exposure on testicular structure and function of the African giant rat (Cricetomys gambianus)

The aim of this investigation was to study the effects of continuous lighting exposure on the testes of the African giant rats (AGR). Samples of testes from twelve (12) healthy AGR were investigated under two groups. The rats were divided into two groups of 6 rats each as follows: Group I - Control rats (12 h light/12 h darkness); Group II - Rats exposed to continuous light (24 h). The indices of the testes were length, width, and weight of the organ, estimation of serum levels of testosterone, luteinizing hormones, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) by radioimmunoassay (RIA) technique and histological studies of the testes. The mean body weight of the rats exposed to continuous light was 1.086 ± 0.034 kg which was reduced by 3.9 % from the control (1.131 ± 0.02 kg). The mean weight of the testes in rats, exposed to continuous light was 4.549 ± 0.30 g, which was significantly reduced by 17.8 %, when compared to the control (5.534 ± 0.16 g). The mean length and width of testes of rats exposed to continuous lighting was 0.294 ± 0.71 cm and 0.143 ± 0.48 cm, respectively. The mean serum level of testosterone in control rats was 1.225 ± 0.08 miu/ml and that in rats exposed to lighting, 0.275 ± 0.10 miu/ml. This result showed that the serum level of testosterone in male rats exposed to continuous lighting was reduced by 77.6 % from 1.225 ± 0.08 miu/ml in the control rats to 0.275 ± 0.10 miu/ml. Histological observations showed that the testes of rats exposed to light displayed elongated to round seminiferous tubules each with wide lumen lined by low germinal epithelium, and had wide interstitial spaces. Disruption of spermatogenesis and vacuolization of epithelial cells were evident. This study has shown that exposure of AGR for four (4) weeks of continuous lighting will result in disruption of spermatogenesis and decreased testosterone serum level.Keywords: Light; Testes; African giant ra

Oral cancer stem cells drive tumourigenesis through activation of stromal fibroblasts

Background Cancer stem cells are responsible for tumour progression and chemoresistance. Fibroblasts surrounding a tumour also promote progression and fibroblast “activation” is an independent prognostic marker in oral cancer. Cancer stem cells may therefore promote tumourigenesis through communication with stromal fibroblasts. Methods Cancer stem cells were isolated from oral cancer cell lines by adherence to fibronectin or cisplatin resistance. Fibroblasts were exposed to conditioned medium from these cells, and the activation markers, alpha smooth muscle actin and interleukin‐6, were assessed using qPCR and immunofluorescence. Stem cell markers and smooth muscle actin were examined in oral cancer tissue using immunohistochemistry. Results Adherent and chemoresistant cells expressed increased levels of stem cell markers CD24, CD44 and CD29 compared with unsorted cells. Adherent cells exhibited lower growth rate, higher colony forming efficiency and increased cisplatin resistance than unsorted cells. Smooth muscle actin and Interleukin‐6 expression were increased in fibroblasts exposed to conditioned medium. In oral cancer tissue, there was a positive correlation between expression of αSMA and stem cell markers. Conclusions Adherence to fibronectin and chemoresistance isolates stem‐like cells that can activate fibroblasts, which together with a correlation between markers of both in vivo, provides a mechanism by which such cells drive tumourigenesis

Accuracy of clinical coding for procedures in oral and maxillofacial surgery.

Clinical coding has important financial implications, and discrepancies in the assigned codes can directly affect the funding of a department and hospital. Over the last few years, numerous oversights have been noticed in the coding of oral and maxillofacial (OMF) procedures. To establish the accuracy and completeness of coding, we retrospectively analysed the records of patients during two time periods: March to May 2009 (324 patients), and January to March 2014 (200 patients). Two investigators independently collected and analysed the data to ensure accuracy and remove bias. A large proportion of operations were not assigned all the relevant codes, and only 32% - 33% were correct in both cycles. To our knowledge, this is the first reported audit of clinical coding in OMFS, and it highlights serious shortcomings that have substantial financial implications. Better input by the surgical team and improved communication between the surgical and coding departments will improve accuracy