Association of Serum Complement Components (C3 and C4) with Disease Activity in Yemeni Bronchial Asthmatic Patients

Objective: To assess the role of the complement components (C3 and C4) in the pathogenesis and severity of bronchial asthma (BA) among Yemeni patients. Methods: This cross-sectional, clinic-based study was conducted in Sana’a city, Yemen in the period from March to June 2012. It included 100 BA patients, where demographic and clinical data were collected using a pre-designed, structured questionnaire. Blood samples then collected by venipuncture, and sera were then separated and tested for the levels of C3 and C4 by immunoturbidimetry assay. Data were analyzed using suitable statistical tests using IBM SPSS Statistics, version Results: Of 100 patients, 53% were males and 29% were older than 40 years. The mean age of patients was 34.7± 17.5 years (range: 6–80). The majority of patients had active asthma (81.0%) and experienced asthma for more than two years (66.0%). Dyspnea (81.0%) and cough (65.0%) were the most frequent clinical features, while edema (11.0%) was the least frequent clinical feature among asthmatic patients. The mean level of serum C3 among BA patients was elevated (127.9 ± 21.3 mg/dL) and was significantly higher among females, patients aged 40 years or older and those with active BA, but there was no statistically significant difference with respect to the duration of asthma. In contrast, the mean level of serum C4 was normal (27.6 ± 8.8 mg/dL) but was significantly higher among patients aged 40 years or older and those having asthma for more than two years. Wheezing was significantly associated with the mean level of serum C3 among BA patients. Similarly, the mean level of serum C4 was significantly higher among patients having cough. Conclusions: The majority of Yemeni patients with BA have elevated levels of serum C3, which can be significantly higher in females, patients older than 40 years and those with active asthma. On the other hand, the levels of serum C4 are normal among the majority of Yemeni patients with BA, but these can be elevated among those with severe clinical features or long-term asthma. Keywords: Active asthma, Bronchial asthma, Complement, C3, C4, Yeme

Pozzolanic performance and characteristic analysis of binary blended cement incorporating ceramic polishing sludge

The waste generated during ceramic polishing is typically disposed of in landfills rather than being recycled within the production facility, potentially causing environmental harm. This study aims to enhance industrial waste utilization and reduce CO2 emissions in the cement industry by investigating the feasibility of incorporating ceramic sludge from polishing processes into an innovative binary blended cement. Different binders were prepared with varying amounts of ceramic polishing sludge (CPS), ranging from 10% to 50%, and tested against the ASTM C595 standards. The results were compared with those of ordinary Portland cement (OPC). This approach involves evaluating the pozzolanic activity and conducting an advanced characterization assessment of CPS and binary blended ceramic polishing sludge cement (CPSC) paste. This study employed a combination of physical, mechanical, and chemical tests, including setting time, particle size distribution (PSD), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) specific surface area, compressive strength, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), heat of hydration, and differential scanning calorimetry/thermogravimetric analysis (DSC/TGA). The results indicated that CPS can be used as a pozzolanic material to create innovative binders with properties comparable to those of OPC. The Strength Activity Index (SAI) values affirmed the pozzolanic properties of CPS, exceeding 75% for up to 40% CPS replacement. Incorporating CPS in the blended cement resulted in a slower rate of cement hydration, leading to prolonged setting times and reduced early strength development. Although the compressive strength decreased with increasing CPS content, it remained within the acceptable ASTM C595 limits with up to 50% replacement. Nevertheless, the optimal replacement level of OPC with CPS was determined to be 50%. Furthermore, CPS substitution reduced the dry density and improved the water absorption and apparent porosity, reflecting microstructural changes. The SEM images revealed that the blended CPSC had a lower apparent porosity than the pure OPC. The DSC/TGA analysis demonstrated that the blended cement had a lower calcium hydroxide content and higher silica than pure OPC

Development of eco-friendly hollow concrete blocks in the field using wasted high-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, and crumb tire rubber

A new configuration of hollow concrete blocks was fabricated in the field. Three distinct types of hollow concrete blocks were produced to assess the effectiveness of such blocks in the market. In addition, the experimentally determined thermal resistance was used to calculate the expenses, oil consumption, and CO2 emissions. Blocks made with crumb rubber failed in the ASTM C129 tests for non-load bearing compressive strength, whereas those made with the control and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) met the standard requirements. It was shown that the inclusion of rubber particles lowered the strength by 56%. The control block with the new configuration used in this investigation has a thermal conductivity of 53.4% lower than the commercial hollow blocks. While the inclusion material had a smaller impact than the arrangement of holes, HDPE thermal conductivity decreased by 6.4% compared to the control block. Likewise, the control-block wall's layout can reduce the power consumption by 53%. Moreover, the HDPE and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) blocks lowered the power consumption by 54 and 57%, respectively, saving roughly 4.26 ($/m2.year). Furthermore, the oil consumption and CO2 emissions were decreased by 56% when HDPE with 20% replacement was utilized. Reducing oil consumption as an energy source implies cleaner air and a lower carbon footprint. Therefore, it is recommended to incorporate these waste materials in the production of concrete blocks in order to reduce CO2 pollution in the world

Association of Serum Complement Components (C3 and C4) with Disease Activity in Yemeni Bronchial Asthmatic Patients

Objective: To assess the role of the complement components (C3 and C4) in the pathogenesis and severity of bronchial asthma (BA) among Yemeni patients.&#x0D; Methods: This cross-sectional, clinic-based study was conducted in Sana’a city, Yemen in the period from March to June 2012. It included 100 BA patients, where demographic and clinical data were collected using a pre-designed, structured questionnaire. Blood samples then collected by venipuncture, and sera were then separated and tested for the levels of C3 and C4 by immunoturbidimetry assay. Data were analyzed using suitable statistical tests using IBM SPSS Statistics, version&#x0D; Results: Of 100 patients, 53% were males and 29% were older than 40 years. The mean age of patients was 34.7± 17.5 years (range: 6–80). The majority of patients had active asthma (81.0%) and experienced asthma for more than two years (66.0%). Dyspnea (81.0%) and cough (65.0%) were the most frequent clinical features, while edema (11.0%) was the least frequent clinical feature among asthmatic patients. The mean level of serum C3 among BA patients was elevated (127.9 ± 21.3 mg/dL) and was significantly higher among females, patients aged 40 years or older and those with active BA, but there was no statistically significant difference with respect to the duration of asthma. In contrast, the mean level of serum C4 was normal (27.6 ± 8.8 mg/dL) but was significantly higher among patients aged 40 years or older and those having asthma for more than two years. Wheezing was significantly associated with the mean level of serum C3 among BA patients. Similarly, the mean level of serum C4 was significantly higher among patients having cough.&#x0D; Conclusions: The majority of Yemeni patients with BA have elevated levels of serum C3, which can be significantly higher in females, patients older than 40 years and those with active asthma. On the other hand, the levels of serum C4 are normal among the majority of Yemeni patients with BA, but these can be elevated among those with severe clinical features or long-term asthma.&#x0D; Keywords: Active asthma, Bronchial asthma, Complement, C3, C4, Yemen</jats:p

Decreased antioxidants in the saliva of Khat chewers

AbstractObjectiveKhat is a plant of the Celastraceae family that is chewed for several hours/day in Yemen and most of the East African countries. Cathinone and cathine are the main Khat components and are structurally and functionally related to amphetamine. The present study has been designed to assess levels of antioxidants in the saliva of Khat chewers.MethodsSaliva samples of 50 volunteers were collected from Khat-chewers and non Khat-chewers, 25 samples each. Saliva samples were collected and used for measurments of salivary antioxidant system including; catalase, total and protein thiols, glutathione and uric acid (UA). Moreover, activity of α-amylase and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and levels of total protein, glucose, and cholesterol were also measured.ResultsThe activities and levels of antioxidants were significantly decreased in Khat-chewing group as compared to controls (p<0.001), except the level of UA which was significantly increased. Khat has also been found to have a lowering effect on the activity of salivary amylase and glucose level (p<0.001). However, the levels of salivary LDH, total protein, and cholesterol were significantly increased in the saliva of Khat chewers (p<0.001).ConclusionPresent data suggest that Khat chewing generates free radicals and reactive oxygen species to a level that antioxidants cannot cope with, thus overwhelming the antioxidant system capacity