Association of Physical Activity with Co-morbid Conditions in Geriatric Population

To find out association of physical activity with co-morbid conditions in geriatric population, a cross-sectional study was conducted in different cties of Pakistan in 2015. A total of 114 participants were inducted by non-probability convenience sampling technique. Data was collected after informed verbal consent by a validated questionnaire that is Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity (RAPA). Participants were categorized into two groups i.e. physically active and physically inactive. Data was entered and analyzed in SPSS version 20. There were 66 (57.9%) males and 48 (42.1%) females with mean age of 57.04±7.348 years. Among hypertensive individuals (n=43, 37.7%) there were 39 (90.7%) physically inactive, among individuals having angina (n=17, 14.9%) there were 15 (88.2%) physically inactive. Out of 37 (32.5%) diabetics, 35 (94.6%) were physically inactive. Among individuals suffering from arthritis (n=40, 35.1%), there were 38 (95%) physically inactive. A significant association was found between physical activity and diabetes and arthritis with p-value of 0.048 and 0.029 respectively. Physical activity is significantly associated with diabetes and arthritis in geriatric population. Adequate physical activity should be performed to reduce the risk of co-morbid conditions and improve the quality of life in geriatric population

Breast Tissue Biology Expands the Possibilities for Prevention of Age-Related Breast Cancers.

Preventing breast cancer before it is able to form is an ideal way to stop breast cancer. However, there are limited existing options for prevention of breast cancer. Changes in the breast tissue resulting from the aging process contribute to breast cancer susceptibility and progression and may therefore provide promising targets for prevention. Here, we describe new potential targets, immortalization and inflammaging, that may be useful for prevention of age-related breast cancers. We also summarize existing studies of warfarin and metformin, current drugs used for non-cancerous diseases, that also may be repurposed for breast cancer prevention

Is there an association between diet and depression in children and adolescents? A systematic review

This review critically evaluates previous research investigating the association between dietary intake of children and young people and depression and related mental health problems. A systematic literature search was conducted using electronic databases such as PSYCINFO, MEDLINE, PUBMED and COCHRANE. Twenty studies were identified that met the inclusion criteria and were subsequently rated for quality. The studies used a range of methods to measure dietary intake and mental health. Important potential confounding variables (e.g. socio-economic status) were often not included or controlled. There were also inconsistencies in the use of key constructs, which made comparisons between studies difficult. Despite some contradictory results, overall there was support for an association between healthy dietary patterns or consumption of a high quality diet and lower levels of depression or better mental health. Similarly, there was a relationship between unhealthy diet and consumption of low quality diet and depression or poor mental health. However, where significant relationships were reported effect sizes were small. Future research on the relationship between diet and mental health in young people should use more clearly defined constructs to define diet and include or control for important confounds

The Relation between Cultural Learning Framework and Blackboard System Acceptance: Case Study Blended Learning University-United Arab Emirate

Many Electronic learning (E-learning) universities have recently appeared. Students of these universities are from various cultures, and need different requirements in their studies. This study covers the Arabic learner’ needs and requirements, through examines the relationship between cultural learning framework and system acceptance using Collaboration Blackboard System in online learning environment. This study used a survey to evaluate this relation using represented sample of blended learning university students in United Arab Emirate. The result shows that culture has a significant relation with acceptance in learning framework using Blackboard System. This relation between culture and acceptance differ according to cultural dimensions that have been considered in this study. Keywords: Culture, Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), Blackboard System

Polar Gap Properties for Neutron StarWithin Light Cylinder Limits

The huge magnetic fields of neutron star cause the nuclei of the stellar surface to form a tightly bound condensed layer. In this research some characteristics of polar gap and magnetosphere enclosed the star according to Sturrock Model were illustrated, positrons move out along the open field lines, and electrons flow to the stellar surface as in the related to Sturrock model. The magnetic field within polar gap areas, which is defined by the Irvin Radius (RL) decreases due to the expansion of the polar, resulting from the physical motion of the accreted material. The values of height gap at different distances from the star were estimated. The obtained results improve the most energetic positrons those with E? Emax radiate away their energy in a distances re = 104m above the polar gap while less energetic positrons produced at much greater distances re =108m. The potential drop across the polar gap is obtained using a well defined adopted formula, it is found that the potential drop across the polar gap grows like (h2), when h « r

Cytokeratin positivity in myxopapillary ependymoma – a potential diagnostic pitfall

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Myxopapillary ependymomas (MPE) occur in the filum terminale of the spinal cord, but also present in extra-spinal locations such as subcutaneous tissue and brain. They are slow growing grade I gliomas. Areas of solid growth pattern with aggregates of cells with "epithelioid morphology" seen in MPE can mimic metastatic carcinoma. The presence of occasional cells with clear cytoplasm and morphology can resemble Chordoma. Diagnosis can be missed due to these morphological similarities, which could affect patient management and hence, long term survival.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We describe two cases of MPE with cytokeratin (AE1 AE3, CAM 5.2, Cytokeratin 7 and cytokeratin 20) expression.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>MPE can be positive for Cytokeratins (CAM 5.2, AE1 AE3, CK7) and focally for EMA, which could be misdiagnosed as metastatic carcinoma. In cases demonstrating epithelioid and clear cell morphology, the diagnosis of MPE should be made in conjunction with histology, proper immunohistochemical profile which includes co-expression of GFAP, S-100 protein and epithelial markers, radiologic findings and site. It is important to be aware of the cytokeratin profile in MPE to avoid erroneous diagnosis with other tumour entities.</p

The genesis of an Adult Education programme in science

Science and technology are now part of our everyday lives, and their impact will undoubtedly continue to grow in ever more sophisticated and subtle ways. Inevitably, this will lead to debates and controversy about the ethics and risks that science brings with it; debates in which the general public should be fully engaged. But many adults inevitably feel alienated from any involvement in such a debate because of their lack of scientific knowledge. There is a very urgent need to engage not only young people but also more mature adults in scientific discussion at levels that are both meaningful and serious. In Newcastle we are developing an adult science education programme which brings together local adult education providers, universities and industry to supply a cohesive series of short events which not only allow adults to learn and engage with contemporary science (and how it impacts on their everyday lives), but also offers the opportunity to progress to more advanced courses leading to formal qualifications. In this article we outline the development of this programme which was greatly assisted by the appointment of an ‘Adult Education Fellow’ (funded by The Higher Education Academy Physical Science Centre). Over the course of one year the Fellow established the consortium, identified what the detailed demand was, prepared the course and raised funds ready for its start in 2006

Radiological Impact of Smartphone Usage on Antibiotic Resistance in Ear Microbiota: A Cross-sectional Study

Background: Extended use of mobile phones has been found to cause harm to the inner ear, as indicated by the discovery that individuals who frequently use cell phones exhibit measurable hearing loss that may not be immediately noticeable. Objective: This study aims to analyze and determine the radiological impact of smartphone radiation on the enhancement of the resistance of indigenous bacterial flora. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted, collecting a total of 100 ear swab samples from students at Diyala University. Participants were recruited from three distinct academic departments: Science (n=52), Geography (n=33), and Sports (n=14). For each participant, relevant demographic and clinical data were documented to facilitate subsequent analysis. Results: Microbiological isolation and identification tests revealed the following prevalence of bacterial species: Staphylococcus epidermidis (45.3%), Enterobacter spp. (20.0%), Pseudomonas spp. (17.3%), Escherichia coli (10.0%), and Proteus spp. (6.6%). Antimicrobial susceptibility testing demonstrated distinct resistance profiles. The highest resistance was observed in Staphylococcus epidermidis to Cefoxitin (CX), Enterobacter spp. to Amoxicillin-Clavulanic acid (AMC), Pseudomonas spp. to Clindamycin (DA), and Escherichia coli to AMC. Proteus spp. exhibited high-level resistance to both DA and AMC. Furthermore, exposure to mobile phone radiation was associated with a measurable alteration in the diameter of inhibition zones for all tested bacterial species, with the magnitude of effect varying between genera. Conclusion: The study found that bacteria from students showed varying antibiotic resistance, with Staphylococcus epidermidis being the most common and resistant. Mobile phone radiation caused noticeable changes in bacterial inhibition zones, suggesting a possible link between radiation exposure and increased antibiotic resistance

Performance optimization of the electro-optic Q-Switching for high power laser using RTP crystal

In order to study the performance of proposal model crystal constructed from (Rubidium Titanly Phosphate, RTP) the birefringence, electric field application, optical, Influences of the most parametric on the electro-optical Q-switching operated for high power lasers are accomplished. The voltage requirements for productions Q-switching operation with electro-optical pockels-cells by means of this proposal as transversal configuration cellcrystal have been minimized from 1.900 kV to 1.808 kV for RTP cell these values were reduced in this work owing to the reduction of the thickness to length ratio of this crystal cell. The RTP crystal can be used with longitudinal electric field which is more suitable for high electro-optical modulation of high power lasers, but with extreme half-wave voltage, which is measured in this work and found to be 9.143 kV and 6.363 kV for x and y directionrespectively . Also, in this work, interpolated treatments on the measurements were applied using quarter-wave plate (Vλ/4) arrangement, which offered high improvement for using the linear of the transmission-voltage schemes to select the suitable requirement voltage for any levels switching

Diferuloylmethane anchored anatase TiO2 nanoparticle for dye sensitized solar cell

Dye sensitized solar cells (DSSC) have been constructed by using diferuloylmethane dye as natural photosensitizers for anatase nanostructure TiO2 thin film coated on FTO conductive glass substrate. Structural and morphological properties of the semiconductor films have been characterized by X-ray diffractometer and scanning electron microscopy, respectively, as well as, the wavelength of the maximum absorbance of the dye anchored on TiO2 film has been studied by using UV-Vis spectrophotometer. The XRD pattern of TiO2 thin films made by Doctor-blading deposition technique has revealed that the grain size of TiO2 is equal to 40 nm. The photovoltaic performance of the cells have been investigated in terms of power conversion efficiency, furthermore the effect of different spectroscopic parameters on the PV performance of constructed DSSC has been studied