Mitología nórdica e imagen: Un acercamiento a la representación mitológica

Como objetivo de este trabajo de investigación nos proponemos abordar la mitología nórdica haciendo hincapié en la relevancia del proceso de creación de su representación gráfica, centrándonos específicamente en el grabado y el concept-art, comprometiéndonos a aportar diversas materializaciones basadas en dichos ámbitos artísticos y así sacar conclusiones que deriven en esclarecer el método de trabajo empleado en contraste con el tema mitológico.Universidad de Sevilla. Grado en Bellas Arte

Percutaneous drainage of delayed post-cardiac surgery pericardial effusion

Background: Pericardial effusion and tamponade are common following valve surgery. The optimal treatment of symptomatic pericardial effusions remains controversial. The objective of this study was to present our experience in non-surgical management of delayed postoperative pericardial effusion. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted on 64 patients who had delayed pericardial effusion after cardiac surgery from 2016 to 2020. Eight patients were excluded due to the presence of inaccessible posterior or clotted pericardial effusion and were managed surgically, and 56 patients had percutaneous drainage of the pericardial fluid and were included in the analysis. Results: The mean age was 46.84±11.67 years (range: 22- 68 years), and 46.43% were females. The patients had coronary artery bypass grafting (n= 9), Aortic valve replacements  (n= 13), Mitral valve surgery (n= 21), double valve replacements (n= 8) and  combined procedures (n= 5).  All patients complained of varying degrees of exertional dyspnea. There were statistically significant differences between INR in different cardiac surgeries. Mean INR following mitral valve replacement (4.72±0.63) was significantly higher than in aortic valve replacement patients (3.32±0.34; p<0.001) and aortic valve patients (1.76±0.24; p<0.001). Fifteen patients (26.78%) had a large pericardial effusion. Successful drainage was achieved in all cases. Complications were pneumothorax (n= 2, 3.57%), recurrent effusions (n= 4, 7.14%), arrhythmias (n= 7, 12.5%), myocardial punctures (n= 2, 3.57%) and no mortality was reported. Conclusions: percutaneous drainage of postoperative pericardial effusion under radiological guidance is generally safe. Pericardial effusion is common after mitral valve surgery, which could be related to higher INR in these patients

Factors affecting the performance of construction projects in the Gaza strip

Construction projects located in the Gaza Strip, Palestine suffer from many problems and complex issues. Consequently, the objective of this paper is to identify the factors affecting the performance of local construction projects; and to elicit perceptions of their relative importance. A comprehensive literature review was deployed to generate a set of factors believed to affect project performance. A total of 120 questionnaires were distributed to 3 key groups of project participants; namely owners, consultants and contractors. The survey findings indicate that all 3 groups agree that the most important factors affecting project performance are: delays because of borders/roads closure leading to materials shortage; unavailability of resources; low level of project leadership skills; escalation of material prices; unavailability of highly experienced and qualified personnel; and poor quality of available equipment and raw materials. Based on these findings, the paper recommends that: 1) project owners must work collaboratively with contractors and facilitate regular payments in order to overcome delays, disputes and claims; 2) project participants should actively have their input in the process of decision‐making; and 3) continuous coordination and relationship between project participants are required through the project life cycle in order to solve problems and develop project performance. Santrauka Statybos projektai Gazos Ruože, Palestinoje, kenčia nuo daugelio problemų ir sudėtingų klausimų. Todėl pagrindinis šio straipsnio tikslas yra nustatyti veiksnius, darančius įtaką vietos statybos projektams įgyvendinti, ugdyti suvokimą apie jų santykinę svarbą. Iš viso 120 respondentų buvo suskirstyti į tris pagrindines projektų dalyvių grupes: savininkai, konsultantai ir rangovai. Apklausa parodė, kad visos trys grupės sutinka, kad svarbiausi veiksniai, lemiantys projekto įgyvendinimą, yra: atidėliojimas, susijęs su sienų (kelių) uždarymu ir lemiantis medžiagų stygių; negaunamos atsargos; menki vadovavimo projektams įgūdžiai; nepagrįsta medžiagų kaina; patyrusio ir kvalifikuoto personalo stoka ir prasta įrankių ir žaliavos kokybė. Pasitelkiant šias išvadas, straipsnyje rekomenduojama: 1) projektų savininkai turi dirbti kartu su rangovais ir reguliariai atsiskaityti norėdami išvengti atidėliojimų, ginčų ir pretenzijų; 2) projekto dalyviai turėtų aktyviai dalyvauti priimant spendimus; 3) nuolatinė projekto dalyvių kontrolė ir jų tarpusavio santykis yra reikalingi per visą projekto įgyvendinimo ciklą norint išspręsti iškilusias problemas ir įgyvendinti projektą. Reikšminiai žodžiai: įgyvendinimas, savininkai, konsultantai, rangovai, projektai

Prognostic and Therapeutic Implications of Lymphocytes in Hematological Disorders and Solid Malignancies

An efficient and specific cytotoxic immune response against a tumor requires a complex, rapidly evolving interaction between various immune cell types in the adaptive and innate immune system. This pliable interplay is a relentless process that has been concisely organized in three different phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape. The identification of key immune players and molecules involved in this interplay has been crucial for the introduction of reliable prognostic factors and effective therapeutic protocols against cancers. In this chapter, we aim to depict the roles of these distinct immune cell subsets, summarize the prognostic value of immune cells in different cancer types, and discuss briefly the principles of different immunotherapeutic approaches against hematologic malignancies and solid tumors

POTENTIAL ROLE OF MILK THISTLE SEED AND ITS OIL EXTRACTS AGAINST HEART AND BRAIN INJURIES INDUCED BY γ-RADIATION EXPOSURE

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of Silybum marianum (S. marianum) seeds extract its oil fraction against damage effect of γ-radiation in female albino rats.Methods: Ultrasonic-assisted extraction was used for the extraction of S. marianum seeds. Lipid patterns of S. marianum seeds oil were elucidated using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). S. marianum seeds extract was analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH) and metallothionein (MT) were estimated in heart and brain tissues of the examined rats. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase-MB (CKMB) were measured in the serum of the examined rats, and the brain biomarkers; dopamine and serotonin were also measured.Results: The oil was found to be rich in linoleic acid (58.20%) and arachidic acid (23.38%). S. marianum seeds extract revealed the presence of taxifolin and six main active constituents of silymarin, including silydianin, silychristin, silybin A, silybin B, isosilybin A and isosilybin B. Treatment of γ-radiation damage effect using S. marianum seeds extract and its oil fraction led to a significant reduction of MDA levels in heart (139.6 and 165.5 nmol/g, respectively) and brain (158.5 and 135.2 nmol/g, respectively) tissues, however, significant increase of GSH levels in heart (316.4 and 293 mg/g, respectively) and brain (210.4 and 227 mg/g, respectively) tissues was observed, also a significant increase of dopamine levels (85.27 and 65.74 ng/g, respectively) and MT levels of heart tissues (108.5 and 70.52 mg/g, respectively) was observed.Conclusion: S. marianum seeds extract and its oil fraction showed a protective effect against γ-radiation-induced damage in heart and brain.Â

Attitudes of Saudi nursing Students on AIDs and Predictors of willingness to provide care for patients in Central Saudi Arabia

Objectives. This study aimed to assess HIV-related knowledge, attitudes and risk perception among Saudi nursing students, and to identify predictors of their willingness to provide care for patients with AIDS. Methods A cross sectional study of 260 baccalaureate nursing students at King Saud bin-Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia was done using  a previously validated instrument.  Results. Students’ knowledge percentage mean score (PMS) on HIV/AIDS was 72.93±10.67 reflecting an average level of knowledge. There were many misconceptions about how HIV is transmitted, e.g. use of same toilets and bathrooms and washing clothes together (24.9%), swimming (53.7%) and coughing and sneezing (49.6%). Nursing students reported an overall negative attitude towards AIDS, with a PMS of 43.48±9.21. The majority of students agreed that AIDs patients should be isolated from other patients (83%), and should not share the room with other non-infected patients (81.8%), and some reported that PLWA deserve what has happened to them (24.7%). After controlling for confounders, students’ poor knowledge and negative attitude were associated only with having never been given nursing education as their primary high education (p=0.012 & p=0.01 respectively).  Conclusion. These findings have implications for development of teaching strategies and curricular approaches for nursing to address this health care issue.Â

Oxidative Stress and Anti-Oxidant Markers in Premature Infants with Respiratory Distress Syndrome

BACKGROUND: Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) caused by decreased surfactant and structural lung immaturity. The imbalance between oxidative status and antioxidant defence system was suggested to be an important trigger for lung affection with RDS. AIM: The goal of the current research was to elucidate the significance of the oxidant/ antioxidant status in the pathogenesis of RDS in preterm infants. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This controlled study included 31 preterm neonates with RDS and 36 healthy preterm neonates. Quantification level of oxidative stress biomarkers; malondialdehyde (MDA) & hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) along with antioxidant enzymes activity; catalase (CAT) & superoxide dismutase (SOD) in plasma of healthy premature neonates compared with those with RDS. RESULTS: status of oxidative stress markers (MDA & H2O2) showed a significant increase with decreased levels of antioxidant enzymes activity (CAT & SOD) in neonates with RDS when compared to healthy prematures. CONCLUSION: The results obtained in this study indicate that the increased oxidative stress accompanied by reduced antioxidant defences may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of respiratory distress in preterm newborns

Synthesis, Characterization, and Biological Activity of N1-Methyl-2-(1H-1,2,3-Benzotriazol-1-y1)-3-Oxobutan- ethioamide Complexes with Some Divalent Metal (II) Ions

A new series of Zn2+, Cu2+, Ni2+, and Co2+ complexes of N1-methyl-2-(1H-1,2,3-benzotriazol-1-yl)-3-oxobutanethioamide (MBOBT), HL, has been synthesized and characterized by different spectral and magnetic measurements and elemental analysis. IR spectral data indicates that (MBOBT) exists only in the thione form in the solid state while 13C NMR spectrum indicates its existence in thione and thiole tautomeric forms. The IR spectra of all complexes indicate that (MBOBT) acts as a monobasic bidentate ligand coordinating to the metal(II) ions via the keto-oxygen and thiolato-sulphur atoms. The electronic spectral studies showed that (MBOBT) bonded to all metal ions through sulphur and nitrogen atoms based on the positions and intensity of their charge transfer bands. Furthermore, the spectra reflect four coordinate tetrahedral zinc(II), tetragonally distorted copper(II), square planar nickel(II), and cobalt(II) complexes. Thermal decomposition study of the complexes was monitored by TG and DTG analyses under N2 atmosphere. The decomposition course and steps were analyzed and the activation parameters of the nonisothermal decomposition are determined. The isolated metal chelates have been screened for their antimicrobial activities and the findings have been reported and discussed in relation to their structures