Comparative and functional study of integumentary system of two different reptiles: adaptation to their different modes of life

Aim of the work: the present study aimed to illustrate the structure and function of the integumentary system of two reptile's species [Bosc's fringe toed-lizard [Acanthodactylus boskianus, A. boskianus] and spotted fan-fingered gecko [Ptyodactylus guttatus , P. guttatus] and discussed the influence of different behaviors on their structure [keratinzation and pigmentation, claws, adhesion pads and sensory hairlets]

Material and methods: the present study used light and scanning electron microscopy to investigate the structure of skin layers of A. boskianus and P. guttatus

Results: the thin epidermal layer of Acanthodactylus boskianus was covered by hard keratinized horny epidermal scales, while the epidermal layer of Ptyodactylus guttatus was well distinguished and covered by soft keratinized layer. Moreover, in P. guttatus the scales were non-overlapping along the whole length of the body with dome-like shaped on head region, while in A. boskianus the scales were overlapping and articulating with each other by thin hinge. In the present study the dermis of A. boskianus, was the deeper layer of collagenous connective tissue with a rich supply of blood vessels and nerves, while, the dermis of P. guttatus was formed of both collagenous and adipose tissues. Three types of chromatophores [melanophores, iridophores and xanthophores] were distinguished in the skin of both studied species. In A. boskianus, the melanophores were black, large and have dendrites invaginates in the stratum basale of epidermis. The iridophores [reflecting pigments] were scattered in the dermis with large number in the ventral skin than the dorsal one. In P. guttatus, melanphores they were larger, blackish brown and scattered within dermis beneath the iridophores with less number in P. guttatus than that of A. boskianus. Xanthophores [absorbing pigment] were more prominent in P. guttatus than that of A. boskianus

Conclusion: examination of the skin of the two studied reptile species revealed great variations in distribution of chromatophores through the whole body reflecting the adaptation of each animal to different modes of life

Comparative functional analysis of the anatomy of the appendicular skeleton in two reptilian species

Aim of the work: the present study aimed to illustrate the osteological characters of the appendicular skeleton of two Egyptian lizard species, Acanthodactylus boskianus and Ptyodactylus guttatus and clarify the relationship between characteristics of the appendicular skeleton and mode of their locomotion of the two species. A. boskianus is diurnal insectivorous lizard forage in open area and it is a generalized ground-dwelling species and P. guttatus is a diurno-nocturnal omnivorous gecko which is a highly specialized climbing on vertical substrates

Material and methods: in the present study we used Alizarin red and Alcian blue as double skeletal staining to investigate the the bony and cartilaginous pattern of limbs and girdles of A. boskianus and P. guttatus

Results: in P. guttatus, the pectoral girdle was characterized by the presence of the interclavicles was dagger in shape and partially fused with clavicles, while it was cruciform and completely fused with the clavicles in A. boskianus. In P. guttatus, the epicoraoid was well developed, broad bony plates and fused with the interclavicles, while in A. boskianus it was narrow cartilaginous, plates and overlap in the mid-line. Moreover, in P. gutattus two fenestrae were appeared within coracoid and scapula with un-fenestrated cartilaginous sternum, while one fenestra appeared in both coracoid and sternum of A. boskianus. On other hand, the pelvic girdle of P. guttatus had complete fusions between the pubis, ischium and ilium, while in A. boskianus the pubis articulated poster-omedially with the ischium. In both P. gutattus and A. boskianus, the forelimbs posture was in horizontal plane, while the hind limbs were in vertical plane. In P. gutattus both the fore and hind limbs were relatively equal in length, while the fore limb in A. boskianus was greatly shorter than the hind limb

Conclusion: the P. gutattus is considered as a one of climbers species which have stout appendicular skeleton to support the climbing process on the vertical surface with relatively short limbs, while A. Boskianus is ground-dwellers and also good climbers and use their claws to walk and climbing on rocky areas and these abilities of locomotion depend on the flexibility of skeletal elements of its appendicular skeleton

Using of magnesium sulphate for fetal neuroprotection in patients presenting by intrapartum fetal distress at term: a randomized controlled trial

Background: labour is a stressful event for the fetus but is well tolerated by most fetuses. However, in some infants stress of labour in terms of metabolic acidosis can lead to Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy [HIE]. HIE around term remains a major cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity with lifelong chronic disabilities. Such insults are not limited to high risk pregnancies but can also occur in about 50% of low risk pregnancies. On current evidence, it is estimated that in about 10 of brain damaged infants, the cause is hypoxia during labour.There has been considerable interest in magnesium sulfate [MgSO4] because magnesium alleviates excitotoxic damage by binding to the magnesium site on the NMDA [N-methyl-Daspartate] glutamate channel

Aim of the Work: magnesium sulphate [MgSo4] for fetal neuroprotection in patients presenting by intrapartum fetal distress at term

Patient and Methods: this is a randomized controlled trial [RCT]. The current study was conducted to single term pregnant women who developed intrapartum fetal distress [as defined later] and need emergency CS [ceaseran section] according to Ain Shams protocol. This study was carried on 200 pregnant females, recruited from observation and labour wards of Ain Shams University Maternity Hospital. The current study was conducted to single term 200pregnant women who developed intrapartum fetal distress and needs emergency CS [cesarean section] according to Ain Shams protocol to examine the effects of administered magnesium sulphate .patient were invited to participate in the study after providing clear explanation of the study and its expected values

Result: patients were invited to participate in this study after providing clear explanation of the study and its expected values. The demographic data of included women showed no significant difference between groups in the age and gestational age There was a significant difference in Apgar score at 5 min between MgSo4 and placebo.MgSo4 had significantly lower the risk of decrease Apgar score < 7 at 5min[p:0.029] .Mgso4 also had significantly lower seizure attacks [p:0.002] and had highly significantly reduce NICU admission rate [MgSo4 group 20[20%] and placebo group 43[43%][p: 0.001]].In MgSo4 group, 23 women reported adverse reactions associated with procedure. Among them, 16 [16%] reported only flushing and 7 [7%] reported only nausea. In placebo group, were 8 [8%] reported flushing and 2 [2%] reported nausea

Conclusion and Recommendation: magnesium sulfate is effective in reducing risk of Apgar score <7 at 5min. Magnesium sulfate appear to be effective in reducing seizure and NICU admission. Magnesium sulphate is associated with maternal morbidity rather than non exposure in the form of nausea and flushing. The improvement in short-term outcomes without significant increase in side effects indicate the need for further trials to determine if there are long-term benefits of magnesium and to confirm its safety

Impact of maternity nurses attitudes and beliefs toward abortion patients on physical and psychological care from the women's perspectives

Maternity nurses' attitudes and beliefs towards abortion may remain as a potential obstacle to timely prompt, accurate and easily accessible abortion care. Therefore, the aim of study was to identify the impact of maternity nurses' attitude and beliefs toward abortion on physical and psychological care from the women's perspectives. the study was conducted at the El-shatby maternity hospital throughout a period of three months, using a cross-sectional analytical design on almost available [3o] maternity nurses who are working on abortion ward and [100] women who were recently undergoing abortion. Tools of data collection: [1] Socio-demographic and biological data sheet concerned with characteristics of both the maternity nurses and the women, [2] Abortion Attitude Scale, [3] Belief-based attitude scale and [4] Interviewing data sheet to elicit data about Physical and Psychological Care of abortion. The main study findings showed that, there were no significant associations between the maternity nurses' core attitude toward abortion for reasoning of protecting the women health and the main physical and psychological care provided for them in accordance with their perspectives. Meanwhile, there is significant association between previously identified attitude and one of main psychological care However, there is significant association between the nurses' believe toward abortion for the reasoning of unwanted child and the one of principal physical care. Moreover, there is highly significant association between the nurses' believe toward abortion for the reasoning of protecting women life and principal psychological care. Moreover, the study concluded that, there are significant associations between some of maternity nurses' main attitudes and believes and principal of both physical and psychological care from women's perspectives. In the light of the study results, it is recommended that further research is suggested to study quality of abortion care standards and the patient overall satisfaction regarding the care provided

Psychosocial stress and coping patterns among students in the faculty of nursing Mansoura University

The nursing students are often exposed to stress that can be categorized into academic sources and clinical sources. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the sources of stress, and coping patterns among students in the Faculty of Nursing,. The study was conducted on 320 nursing students, 80 from each grade. Three instruments were used for data collection which includes a self-administered questionnaire sheet that concerned with students' socio-demographic and family characteristics and their perceptions and expectations about nursing profession, scales to assess different sources of academic and clinical stressors and coping strategies scale sheet. Results of the study revealed that the highest percentage of nursing students has reported lack of pleasure time and recreation and evaluation process were commonly types of academic and clinical stressors. Also, the percentage of academic stressors was higher among students who had feeling ashamed compared to peers in other faculties and who perceived the role of mass media as downgrading nursing profession. Clinical stressors were higher among students who had this ashamed feeling. Wishful thinking and helplessness was commonly used emotional-focused coping among the nursing students. Active coping and positive reinterpretation was also commonly used problem-focused coping among the nursing students, Moreover, it was revealed that, a higher percentage of the student who have not emotional-focused coping were ashamed. Furthermore, statistical significant relation was found between problem-focused coping among nursing students and the reasons of parents' reluctance that relevant to the students' perception about nursing career In the light of the study results it was recommended that stress management training should be introduced in the curriculum for students. Academic staff members should be introduced to first year students to assist students in identifying support persons. Counseling services should be offered for students to identify and build up their specific coping strategies

Effect of educational support for children with thalassemia on enhancement of their quality of life

Thalassemia is a genetic blood disorder which can be fatal if proper treatment is not received. It is characterized by partial or no production of alpha or beta globin chains which form part of the structure of the hemoglobin in the red blood cells. this study aims at assessing knowledge of children with major thalassemia about their illness and evaluate the effect of educational support on their quality of life, the study sample consisted of 50 thalassemic children. An experimental design was utilized in this study. the study was conducted at out patient clinics, Abo EL-Reech, pediatric Hospital, and Cairo University. Tools of data collection include, Interviewing questionnaire: It was designed by the researchers after reviewing of related literature. It was constructed to elicit personal data about the afflicted child with thalassemia and Quality Of life Instrument [Ferrell 1995]. Results, the study results revealed that, age of 64% of studied children under 12 year, while 24% more than 15 year. Majority of studied children 80%had relative within their families affected with thalassemia. Meanwhile 68% of children had kinship relation between their parents. there is no statistical significant differences regarding the children physical well being as a domain within quality of life as ascribed to test [pre and post tests], Meanwhile there are statistical significant differences in their psychological well being, social concerns and spiritual well being and the entire domains of quality of life for these children as ascribed to test pre and post tests Recommendation, Thalassemia-prevention program must be developed, with the use of better education programs that provide acceptable care, including transfusion of safe blood and supportive therapy including chelating, Premarital counseling to reduce the frequency of births with major thalassemia should be encouraged

Assessment of burden and reaction in nurses providing a palliative care for children and adult having cancer

The phenomena of caregivers burden is a perceptual and multidimensional reaction experience. Caregivers experience distress and burden from assuming responsibility for performing complex medical procedure, providing support for patient and their families[Norton, 2007] ,This study aims at assessing level of burden and reactions experienced by the nurses who providing a palliative care for children and adult having cancer, by using A descriptive correlational design ,The study sample consisted of 132 nurses who are working in three health sectors AL Hussein Cancer Center [as a private sector], Royal Medical center and Al-basheer hospital [as a governmental sector],an official permission was obtained from the director of each hospital .Data collection tools include, Demographic Data Sheet about nurse's age, marital status, gender, level of graduation, years of experience and monthly income. Caregiver Burden Assessment Scale Zarit, [1980] and Caregiver Reaction Assessment Scale developed by Given et al.[1992].Results of the study revealed that ,oncology nurses who providing palliative care for cancer patients experience high level of burden and reaction at 2.69 mean score for overall burden and 0.55 18 S.D. total mean score for caregiver reaction was2 ,7 I and 0.516 S.D. There were statistically significance difference at 0.05 in all burden, reaction in all dimension except for financial problem reaction dimension and site of work, the study concluded that, nurses experience high level of burden. Also experience high level of reaction, for nurses to be effective in this area of care delivery and to improve patient outcomes, they must have the necessary skills and support. Therefore, a clinical supervision and action learning model with management, education, and support is important to address both the skill needs and support needs of registered nurses through the use of available resources