A novel cassette method for probe evaluation in the designed biochips

A critical step in biochip design is the selection of probes with identical hybridisation characteristics. In this article we describe a novel method for evaluating DNA hybridisation probes, allowing the fine-tuning of biochips, that uses cassettes with multiple probes. Each cassette contains probes in equimolar proportions so that their hybridisation performance can be assessed in a single reaction. The model used to demonstrate this method was a series of probes developed to detect TORCH pathogens. DNA probes were designed for Toxoplasma gondii, Chlamidia trachomatis, Rubella, Cytomegalovirus, and Herpes virus and these were used to construct the DNA cassettes. Five cassettes were constructed to detect TORCH pathogens using a variety of genes coding for membrane proteins, viral matrix protein, an early expressed viral protein, viral DNA polymerase and the repetitive gene B1 of Toxoplasma gondii. All of these probes, except that for the B1 gene, exhibited similar profiles under the same hybridisation conditions. The failure of the B1 gene probe to hybridise was not due to a position effect, and this indicated that the probe was unsuitable for inclusion in the biochip. The redesigned probe for the B1 gene exhibited identical hybridisation properties to the other probes, suitable for inclusion in a biochip

Examining the Impact of Job Satisfaction and Employee Engagement as Mediators between Job Crafting and Turnover Intention in Saudi Companies

This study aims to investigate the impact of Job Satisfaction and Employee Engagement as Mediators between Job Crafting and Turnover Intention. By Examining 190 private sector employees in Saudi Arabia and using linear regressions Analysis and validated questionnaire, the results of the study show that (1) There is a positive relationship between job crafting and job satisfaction, (2) Job crafting is a positively related to employee engagement.  Also (3) There is a positive relationship between job satisfaction and employee engagement. Whereas (4) Job satisfaction and turnover intention is negatively related to each other. Finally, it has been found that (5) There is a negative relationship between employee engagement and turnover intention. These findings suggest that the turnover intention of employees could be reduced through empowering employees by generating job-crafting behaviors. Thus, will lead eventually to job satisfaction and employee engagement. Keywords: job satisfaction, employee engagement, job crafting, turnover intention DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/13-7-09 Publication date: April 30th 202

The prevalence of physical activity and its socioeconomic correlates in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional population-based national survey

AbstractObjectivesTo determine the levels of physical activity in the Saudi population and to assess its socio-demographic correlates.MethodsThe data were part of a cross-sectional representative national survey of 4758 participants conducted in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A multistage stratified cluster random sampling design was used. Physical activity was assessed using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) version 2.0. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify the determinants and were adjusted in relation to various factors.ResultsOverall, physical inactivity was found to be 66.6% (95% C.I.: 65.3%–68%), 60.1% (95% C.I.: 58.1%–62.1%) for males and 72.9% (95% C.I.: 71.1%–74.7%) for females. Leisure time physical inactivity was found to be 87.9%, 85.6% for males and 90.2% for females. The northern and central regions reported the highest prevalence of no physical activity at work, leisure and transportation. Gender, geographical location and employment status exhibited a statistically significant correlation.ConclusionsThere is a high level of physical inactivity in various regions and population groups in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Population interventions are greatly needed, especially those focusing on physical activity in their leisure time

Enhancing predictive capability of models for solubility and permeability in polymers and composites

The interpretation of phase equilibrium and mass transport phenomena in gas/solvent - polymer system at molten or glassy state is relevant in many industrial applications. Among tools available for the prediction of thermodynamics properties in these systems, at molten/rubbery state, is the group contribution lattice-fluid equation of state (GCLF-EoS), developed by Lee and Danner and ultimately based on Panayiotou and Vera LF theory. On the other side, a thermodynamic approach namely non-equilibrium lattice-fluid (NELF) was proposed by Doghieri and Sarti to consistently extend the description of thermodynamic properties of solute polymer systems obtained through a suitable equilibrium model to the case of non-equilibrium conditions below the glass transition temperature. The first objective of this work is to investigate the phase behaviour in solvent/polymer at glassy state by using NELF model and to develop a predictive tool for gas or vapor solubility that could be applied in several different applications: membrane gas separation, barrier materials for food packaging, polymer-based gas sensors and drug delivery devices. Within the efforts to develop a predictive tool of this kind, a revision of the group contribution method developed by High and Danner for the application of LF model by Panayiotou and Vera is considered, with reference to possible alternatives for the mixing rule for characteristic interaction energy between segments. The work also devotes efforts to the analysis of gas permeability in polymer composite materials as formed by a polymer matrix in which domains are dispersed of a second phase and attention is focused on relation for deviation from Maxwell law as function of arrangement, shape of dispersed domains and loading

Evaluation of Lightshelf Daylighting Systems for Office Buildings in Hot Climates

This paper presents part of an on-going research project in the College of Architecture at Texas A&M University. This research investigates how lightshelf daylighting delivery systems can manipulate sunlight and daylight both in terms of their light and heat by shading view apertures below the shelf to reduce solar heat gain and glare and by reflecting light deep into the space through the daylight aperture above the shelf. It also investigates how to provide view with good interior lighting in terms of light levels, distribution, and glare. Evaluation of these systems are based on two different experiments. The first uses scale-models for daylighting evaluation. Methodology of the research is presented as well as results and evaluation for part of the first experiment. The second experiment will use computer program simulations for energy evaluation that include reducing lighting and cooling loads and shaving peak loads, especially, when used with selective low-e glazing for office buildings in hot climates

Dermatological Lesions of Cholesterol Embolization Syndrome and Kaposi Sarcoma Mimic Primary Systemic Vasculitis: Case Report Study

Primary systemic vasculitis can present with a wide spectrum of manifestations ranging from systemic non-specific features such as fever, malaise, arthralgia, and myalgia to specific organ damage. We describe two cases of cholesterol embolization syndrome and Kaposi sarcoma mimicking primary systemic vasculitis, both of which were characterized by features such as livedo reticularis, blue toe syndrome, a brown, purpuric skin rash, and positive p-ANCA associated with Kaposi sarcoma. Establishing the right diagnosis was challenging, and thus we aim in this study to highlight the possible ways to distinguish them from primary systemic vasculitis. Keywords: Dermatological lesions, Cholesterol embolization syndrome, Kaposi sarcoma, vasculitis mimic

Haematological, lipid profile and other biochemical parameters in normal and hypertensive subjects among the population of the eastern province of Saudi Arabia

Objective: To determine the lipid profile complete blood count and other biochemical parameters in normotensive and hypertensive individuals. Design: Cross-sectional population-based epidemiological household survey. Setting: Population sample of the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Results: Hypertensive individuals had significantly higher mean levels of glucose, Tc, LDL-c, HDL-c, triglycerides and HBAIc, compared to normotensive individuals while there were no significant difference in the mean levels of Apo AI and Apo B. Within the same group there were variations in the levels of certain parameters between male and female. While the mean levels of haemoglobin, WBC and platelets were significantly higher in the hypertensive group compared to normotensive, there were no significant differences between these two groups in the levels of RBC, MCV, HCT, MCH and MCHC. However, the mean levels haemoglobin, RBC count and HCT were significantly higher in male compared to female within the same group with no significant difference in levels of WBC, MCV, MCH and MCHC. Furthermore, the mean concentration of platelets was significantly higher in females compared to male within the same group. Hypertensive individuals had significantly higher serum sodium, chloride and calcium levels but a significantly lower potassium level when compared to normotensive with no siginificant differences between male and female within the same group. Conclusion: The lipid and electrolyte profile of hypertensive individuals differ from that of normotensive individuals in this population. This study has contributed towards establishing the normal values for a number of parameters involved in the aetiology of cardiovascular diseases in the population of Eastern province. East African Medical Journal Vol. 83(1) 2006: 44-4

Association of mutation and expression of the brother of the regulator of imprinted sites (BORIS) gene with breast cancer progression

INTRODUCTION: The BORIS, 11 zinc-finger transcription factors, is a member of the cancer-testis antigen (CTA) family. It is mapped to chromosome number 20q13.2 and this region is genetically linked to the early onset of breast cancer. The current study analyzed the correlation between BORIS mutations and the expression of the protein in breast cancer cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A population-based study including a total of 155 breast cancer tissue samples and an equal number of normal adjacent tissues from Indian female breast cancer patients was carried out. Mutations of the BORIS gene were detected by polymerase chain reaction-single standard confirmation polymorphisms (PCR-SSCP) and automated DNA sequencing and by immunohistochemistry for BORIS protein expression were performed. The observed findings were correlated with several clinicopathological parameters to find out the clinical relevance of associations. RESULTS: Of all the cases 16.12% (25/155) showed mutations in the BORIS gene. The observed mutations present on codon 329 are missense, leading to Val\u3e Ile (G\u3eA) change on exon 5 of the BORIS gene. A significant association was observed between mutations of the BORIS gene and some clinicopathological features like nodal status (p = 0.013), estrogen receptor (ER) expression (p = 0.008), progesterone receptor (PR) expression (p = 0.039), clinical stage (p = 0.010) and menopausal status (p = 0.023). The protein expression analysis showed 20.64% (32/155) samples showing low or no expression (+), 34.19% (53/155) with moderate expression (++), and 45.17% (70/155) showing high expression (+++) of BORIS protein. A significant association was observed between the expression of BORIS protein and clinicopathological features like clinical stage (p = 0.013), nodal status (p = 0.049), ER expression (p = 0.039), and PR expression (p = 0.027). When mutation and protein expression were correlated in combination with clinicopathological parameters a significant association was observed in the category of high (+++) level of BORIS protein expression (p = 0.017). CONCLUSION: The BORIS mutations and high protein expression occur frequently in carcinoma of the breast suggesting their association with the onset and progression of breast carcinoma. Further, the BORIS has the potential to be used as a biomarker