Effect of ciprofloxacin incorporation in PVA and PVA bioactive glass composite scaffolds

International audienceScaffolds are implants used to deliver cells, drugs, and genes into the body in a local controlled release pattern which offers many advantages over systematic drug delivery. Composite scaffolds of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and quaternary bioactive glass (46S6 system) with different ratios of glass contents were prepared by the lyophilisation technique. The broad spectrum antibiotic ciprofloxacin (Cip) was impregnated to the scaffold during the fabrication in a concentration of 5, 10 and 20%. Biodegradation rate and in-vitro mineralization of the prepared scaffolds were performed by soaking the scaffolds in simulated body fluid (SBF). Phase identification, microstructure, porosity, bioactivity, mechanical properties and drug release pattern in PBS were characterized by XRD, SEM coupled with EDS, Hg-porosimeter, inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), universal testing machine, fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and UV-spectrophotometer, respectively. A porous scaffold has been obtained with porosity up to 85%. By increasing the glass contents in the prepared scaffold the porosity and the degradation rate decrease however, the compressive strength was enhanced. A sustained drug release pattern was observed with a quasi-Fickian diffusion mechanism. The formulated ciprofloxacin loaded porous polyvinyl alcohol scaffold gave an acceptable physicochemical properties and was able to deliver the drug in a prolonged release pattern which offers a distinguish treatment for osteomylitis as well as local antibacterial effect

Oral health of visually impaired schoolchildren in Khartoum State, Sudan

BACKGROUND: Although oral health care is a vital component of overall health, it remains one of the greatest unattended needs among the disabled. The aim of this study was to assess the oral health status and oral health-related quality of life (Child-OIDP in 11-13-year-old) of the visually challenged school attendants in Khartoum State, the Sudan. METHODS: A school-based survey was conducted in Al-Nour institute [boys (66.3%), boarders (35.9%), and children with partial visual impairment (PVI) (44.6%)]. Two calibrated dentists examined the participants (n=79) using DMFT/dmft, Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S), dental care index, and traumatic dental injuries (TDI) index. Oral health related quality of life (C-OIDP) was administered to 82 schoolchildren. RESULTS: Caries experience was 46.8%. Mean DMFT (age≥12, n=33) was 0.4 ± 0.7 (SiC 1.6), mean dmft (age<12, n=46) was 1.9 ±2.8 (SiC 3.4), mean OHIS 1.3 ± 0.9. Care Index was zero. One fifth of the children suffered TDI (19%). Almost one third (29%) of the 11–13 year old children reported an oral impact on their daily performances. A quarter of the schoolchildren (25.3%) required an urgent treatment need. Analysis showed that children with partial visual impairment (PVI) were 6.3 times (adjusted) more likely to be diagnosed with caries compared to children with complete visual impairment (CVI), and children with caries experience were 1.3 times (unadjusted) more likely to report an oral health related impact on quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Visually impaired schoolchildren are burdened with oral health problems, especially caries. Furthermore, the 11-13 year olds' burden with caries showed a significant impact on their quality of life

Technical Requirements for Connecting Solar Power Plants to Electricity Networks

This chapter discusses basics of technical design specifications, criteria, technical terms and equipment parameters required to connect solar power plants to electricity networks. Depending on its capacity, a solar plant can be connected to LV, MV, or HV networks. Successful connection of a medium-scale solar plant should satisfy requirements of both the Solar Energy Grid Connection Code (SEGCC) and the appropriate code: the Electricity Distribution Code (EDC) or the Grid Code (GC) as the connection level apply. Connection of a large-scale solar plant to the transmission network should satisfy the requirements of both SEGCC and GC. For Small-Scale Photovoltaic (SSPV), the connection should satisfy both the SSPV Connection Code and the EDC. The objectives are to establish the obligations and responsibilities of each party; i.e. operators and all network users, thus leading to improved security, higher reliability and maintaining optimal operation. The technical specifications include permitted voltage and frequency variations in addition to power quality limits of harmonic distortion, phase unbalance, and flickers. Operational limits and capability requirements will be explained and discussed. Solar power grid connection codes of Egypt are explored first. Finally, brief comparisons of PV codes and related codes of UK, Germany, USA, and Egypt are presented

Recent Trends in the Research of Television Role in Teaching and Learning (2010 – 2020)

Television has an effective role in teaching and learning processes in the age of communication technology development, So, it was necessary to study the quantitative, qualitative content of the role of television in teaching and learning, and strengths, weaknesses of these studies and research. The study aimed to identify the recent trends in the role of television in teaching and learning in terms of research issues and methodological aspects through determining literature survey of the previous studies in international and Arab countries during the period from 2010 to 2020, In addition to anticipate the prevailing trends in light of the developments of the information and communication revolution, the development of education and areas of learning, to develop scientific research in the field of using television in teaching and learning. The study was relied on Meta-Analysis and an available sample of (173) scientific studies including (57) national and (116) international published scientific manuscripts and scientific dissertations. It focused on recent research trends on the educational television role in enhancing learning skills, language, kinesthetic, communication skills, acquiring scientific concepts, research that tested the use of educational programs on the Internet and educational videos, and research that focused on the role of educational television in academic achievement, in addition to research that focused on the impact of television on Both the interaction and motivation to learn , the trend towards academic courses, research that tested the use of some television program templates in teaching, and finally research on the impact of television and interactive educational video and its comparison with traditional educational television.The study provides a comprehensive summary of the most prominent findings related to the most important theoretical perspectives and methodological frameworks in this field, In addition to introducing an outline of future vision for researching the role of television in teaching and learning

The Influence of Different Light Wavelengths on Growth, Enzymes Activity and Photosynthesis of the Marine Microalga Dunaliella parva W.Lerche 1937

يعتبر الضوء عاملاً هامًا يؤثر على نمو الطحالب الدقيقة وكفاءة التمثيل الضوئي لها ؛ ومع ذلك ، لا يُعرف الكثير عن كيفية تأثير شدة الضوء مع الطول الموجي على قدرة التمثيل الضوئي ونمو الطحالب البحرية الدقيقة. في هذه الدراسة ، تمت دراسة نمو الطحالب البحرية الخضراء الدقيقة ديوناليلا بارفا  واقلمته تحت شدة الضوء المختلفة (25 ~ 70 μmol m-2 s-1) ونوعية الضوء (الأزرق والأخضر والأحمر) مقارنة بالضوء الأبيض عند 40 μmol m-2 s-1  كتجربة ضابطة (كنترول). تمت مراقبة النمو عن طريق حساب عدد الخلايا ومحتوى الصبغة وتراكيز Chl a و Chl b والكاروتينات. تم تسجيل النمو الأمثل وأعلى كفاءة التمثيل الضوئي (Fv / Fm) بكثافة ضوء 40 μmol m-2 s-1 ، ضوء أبيض ، و 1.25 مولار كلوريد الصوديوم (. 1.47 and 0.678×106 cell mL-1، على التوالي). أظهر نشاط إنزيمات مضادات الأكسدة ، بما في ذلك الكاتلاز والبيروكسيديز وكذلك محتوى الأسكوربات ، أعلى قيم بلغت 0.190 µM/min.mg Chl, 0.434 and 13.3 mg/g f.wt.  على التوالي ، تحت تأثير  الضوء الأخضر ، الذي أكد وجود ضغوط بيئية.Light is an important factor that influences the growth and photosynthetic efficiency of microalgae; however, little is known about how light intensity together with the wavelength affect the photosynthetic capacity and growth of marine microalgae. In the present study, the growth of the marine green microalga Dunaliella parva was studied and optimized under different light intensities (25 ~ 70 μmol m-2 s-1) and qualities (blue, green, and red) in comparison with white light at 40 μmol m-2 s-1 as a control. The growth was monitored by counting the cell number, pigment content, Chl a, Chl b, and carotenoids concentrations. The optimal growth and highest photosynthetic efficiency (Fv/Fm) were recorded at a light intensity of 40 μ mol m-2 s-1, white light, and 1.25 M NaCl (1.47 and 0.678×106 cell mL-1, respectively). The activity of antioxidant enzymes, including catalase and peroxidase, as well as ascorbate content, showed the highest values of 0.190 µM/min.mg Chl, 0.434 and 13.3 mg/g f.wt. respectively, under the green light, which confirmed the presence of environmental stresses

Assessment of Two Phytochemical Compositions in Different Parts of Cassia occidentals as Affected by Two Chemical Mutagenic Agents

Cassia occidentalis is consider as a medicinal plant and widely consumed by animals and humans. A research has been conducted to investigate the effect of two mutagenic agents; ethyl methane sulphonate (EMS) and dimethyl sulphate (DMS) on alkaloids and saponins contents in different parts of Cassia plant. To achieve this aim, seeds were soaked in EMS at 0, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, and 5000 ppm and DMS at 200, 400, 800, 1600 and 3200 ppm for 6 h where the control seeds were remained in the water for the same period of soaking. Seed were sown in 25cm plastic pots containing a soil mixture of clay and sand (1: 1 v/v). At the end of each regeneration, alkaloids and saponins were determined in leaves, stems and roots. The statistical analysis shown that treating C. occidentalis seeds with EMS at 4000 ppm increased the saponins content in leaves, stems and roots of the plants produced in the M2 generation compared with the control plants. While the DMS at 400 ppm increased the saponins content in leaves and roots in the M2 generation. EMS at 5000 ppm significantly increased the alkaloids content in the leaves and slightly decreased the content in the roots in the M2 generation. The effect of EMS and DMS concentrations were fluctuated in both generations.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp

Efeect of Kegel's Exercises on First Degree Pelvic Organ Prolapse Among Women

Background: Kegel's exercises are recommended to increase the strength and elasticity of the pelvic floor muscles and decrease the incidence of prolapse and stress urinary incontince. Aim: was to assess the effect of kegel's exercises on first degree pelvic organ prolapse among women. Design: quasi-experimental, non equivalent pre-post test research design was adopted. Setting: this research was carried out at gynecological clinic at El Galaa Obstetrics and Gynecology Teaching Hospital. Sample: Convenience sample, of 110 women were recruited for this study as one group to be measured before and after according to certain criteria. Tools: three tools were used for data collection: structured interview tool; assessment &amp; follow up tool for clinical picture of prolapse and Prinometry to measure the strength of pelvic floor muscles. Result: revealed that, a statistically significantly differences were founded between before and after following of kegel's exercises in relation to sexual clinical picture P value was ≥ 0.05, urinary clinical picture was (χ2 = 145.4 and p value ≤ 0.001 and types of urinary problems. χ2 = 167.4 and p value≤ 0.001 ) . And bowel clinical picture was (χ2 =128.8 &amp; P.value ≤ 0.001). Regarding to perinometry reading, the results revealed that, highly statistically significant differences was found between the three reading of prinometry (F=68.047, p≤0.001). In Conclusion: practicing kegel's exercises lead to decrease in the clinical picture of prolapse and improve strength of pelvic floor muscles. Recommendation: based on the study findings, its recommended kegel's exercises should be followed during each development phases of women's life span, so it should form an essential part of sex education and the nurse should work as educator and counselor to teach women benefits and technique of kegel's exercises. Keywords:  kegel's exercises, prolapse, prinometry

Comparaison des décodeurs de Chase, l'OSD et ceux basés sur les algorithmes génétiques

Les décodeurs basés sur les algorithmes génétiques (AG) appliqués aux codes BCH ont de bonnes performances par rapport à Chase-2 et l'OSD d'ordre 1 et atteignent les performances de l'OSD-3 pour quelques codes Résidu Quadratiques (RQ). Ces algorithmes restent moins complexes pour les codes linéaires de grandes longueurs; en plus leurs performances peuvent être améliorées en changeant les paramètres, en particulier le nombre d'individus par population et le nombre de générations, ce qui les rend attractifs