Gasification kinetics of date palm seed using carbon dioxide

Gasification is a well-known reaction owing to its relevance to generation of sustainable energy from biomass and development of porous carbons. The present paper attempts to experimentally investigate the kinetics of palm shell char gasification using carbon dioxide [CO[2]] in a controlled environment using Thermo Gravimetric Analyzer [TGA] at temperatures ranging from 800 to 1000°C. A relevant kinetic model representing the experimental data was identified by fitting the experimental data with popular semi empirical kinetic models such as Linear Model [LM], Volume Reaction Model [VRM], Shrinking Core Model [SCM], and Random Pore Model [RPM]. The model kinetic parameters were evaluated by minimizing the sum of root mean square error [RMSE]. Among the models tested the RPM exhibited very close adherence to the experimental data evidenced from the minimum RMSE of 0.0046. The ability of the RPM model to represent the gasification kinetics was attributed to its ability to account for the pore growth during initial stages of gasification and destruction of pores due to coalescence in later stages of gasification. The rate of reaction increased with increase in temperature and activation energy was found to be 64.5 KJ/mol

Verbal and physical abuse against Jordanian nurses in the work environment

This descriptive cross-sectional study determined the prevalence and sources of verbal and physical workplace abuse in the last 6 months, the nurses' reactions to abuse, and their opinions about it. Data were collected by questionnaire from 447 nurses working in various departments in 3 hospitals in Amman. The prevalence of verbal and physical abuse was 37.1% and 18.3% respectively. Younger, less experienced nurses and those in emergency and intensive care departments experienced more abuse. Patients and their relatives were the usual abusers. Only 35.1% of the abused nurses reported it; of those that did not, 57.1% thought it was useless to do so, while 34.2% thought they could handle the incident without help. Over half of the abused nurses considered leaving nursing and felt their quality of work decreased because of the abuse. Negative societal image of nurses [64%] and poor support from hospital authorities [60%] were the factors the nurses believed most contributed to abuse

Tissue-type plasminogen activatore-7351C/T enhancer polymorphism in ischemic cerebral stroke

The majority of ischemic strokes occur because of thrombotic or thromboembolic occlusions. This forms the rationale for use of thrombolytic drugs. Out of several identified single nucleotide polymorphism [SNPs] at the Tissue-type Plasminogen Activator [tfA] locus, the-7351 CIT enhancer SNP showed closest association to tPA release rates. Functional studies have shown that this SNP affects the binding of transcription factors, and that the T allele expresses less tPA compared with the C allele as well as increased risk of myocardial infarction A recent study also reported an increased risk of ischemic stroke for the TT genotype. In the present study the possible association between ischemic stroke and the tPA-7351C>T polymorphism was investigated. Forty eight ischemic stroke patients and 48 matched control cases were recruited in a case control study.Genotyping was performed by allele discrimination analysis using the 5'nuclease assay. PCR was performed in RotorGene[TM] 6000 [Corbett Research]. Results were represented by two curves as: yellow channel represents C probe labeled by [VIC] dye; this is the wild type. Green channel represents T probe labeled by [FAM] dye; this is the mutant allele. In patients group the frequency of the low risk allele [C] of tPA gene was 57.25% and of high risk allele [T] was 42.75%. Whereas control revealed 78.13% and 21.87%, respectively. The genotype distribution was in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The odds ratio for overall ischemic stroke was 2.66 [95% Cl: 1.42 to 5.01] for tPA T allele carriers. This association was independent of established risk factors. tPA-735 1 C/T enhancer polymorphism may be a risk factor for ischemic stroke. Further studies on larger populations with stratification for stroke subtypes are needed to confirm these findings. The possible association between this polymorphism and the respective plasma protein level remain to be elucidated

Management of primary post partum hemorrhage by balloon tamponade

To assess the use of balloon tamponade in management of primary post partum hemorrhage. A retrospective review of postpartum records of women with massive postpartum hemorrhage between January 2003 and 2006. Primary postpartum hemorrhage were identified in 62 patients in which there was a blood loss of over 1000mls the records of 40 cases were reviewed. Two of 40 cases needed a hysterectomy seven women had been identified as being managed by insertion of inlrauterine balloon catheter of these six of seven were successfully managed one women needed a hysterectomy. We advocate the increase used of intrauterine balloon tamponade for the management of massive obstetric hemorrhage before resorting to invasive procedure

Surface composition and textural characteristics of CuO/Al 2O3 system as being influenced by doping with ZnO or CeO2

Pure CuO/Al2O3 solids of different compositions were prepared by wet impregnation method using finely powdered Al[OH]3 and calculated amounts of copper nitrate. The impregnated solids were calcined at temperatures within 300 and 600 degree C. ZnO and CeO2-doped solids [0.2 CuO/Al2O3] were prepared by impregnating a known mass Of Al[OH]3 with calculated amounts of zinc or cerium nitrates prior to impregnation with copper nitrate. The impregnated solids were calcined at 400 and 600 degree C. The techniques employed were XRD, EDX and nitrogen adsorption at -196 degree C. The results revealed that the surface concentrations of copper, zinc or cerium species in the outermost surface layers are much bigger than those in the bulk of different solids. The increase in calcination temperature of pure and doped solids from 400 to 600 degree C brought about a progressive increase in surface concentration of copper species which proceeds against its concentration gradient The doping process with either zinc or cerium oxides followed by caclination at 400 or 600 degree C decreased the surface concentration of copper. Solid-solid interactions between copper oxide and AI2O3 yielding CuAl 2O4 took place in pure solids at temperatures starting from 300 degree C. ZnO or CeO2 doping of the system investigated hindered the aluminate formation and brought a measurable increase in the specific surface areas of the doped adsorbents

Clinical outcome and patients' satisfaction after sacrospinous ligament fixation in the management of vaginal vault prolapse

To assess intra-and postoperative complications of sacrospinous ligament fixation [SSLF] for management of vaginal vault prolapse and to look for short and long term follow-up results of these patients. Women satisfaction is also assessed. Retrospective longitudinal study. All charts of patients who underwent SSLF between 1999 and 2004 were reviewed. Demographic data. intra-and postoperative complications and long term follow up information were collected. A patients satisfaction questionnaire was devised and patients were phoned after letters were sent to them informing them about the nature of the study. Eighty-four women were included in the study; 65 had had prior hysterectomy. Six women had the SSLF operation twice, so the total number of operations was 90. The median age was 62 years, ranging between 29 and 90 years. In 19 patients concomitant hysterectomy and SSLF were performed. Sacrospinous ligament fixation was combined with the following procedures: posterior colporrhaphies [71.1%], anterior colporrhaphies [54.4%], enterocele repairs [11.1%] and 7.1% of patients had other operations including TVT. Only 15.5% had SSLF with no accompanying procedures. Buttock pain was the most common immediate postoperative complication [42.2%]. Other early complications included excessive bleeding and/or haematoma formation, urinary retention and infection [UTI or chest]. Long-term data [range from 6 months to 5 years. mean 2.8 years] were obtained for 72 patients. Forty-five patients were completely cured. At follow-up 19% of patients showed recurrent vaginal vault prolapse, 6 of which had repeat SSLF. Recurrent cystoceles and rectoceles were found in 32% of cases and 4.7% respectively. SSLF appears to be a safe and effective procedure. It has a reasonable success rate, good postoperative recovery and acceptable long-term results. The procedure does have a reasonable patients' satisfaction rate; the main reasons for dissatisfaction are recurrence of vault prolapse and the inability to treat the urinary problems

Motor neurone disease in pregnancy: a case report

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis [ALS] is a progressive neuromuscular disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. It is a degenerative disorder of unknown aetiology that is characterized by a combination of upper and lower motor neurone signs that is usually progressive leading to a combination of symptoms. It is more commonly seen in men compared to women and few case reports have described the disease in pregnancy. The paucity of information about the disease in pregnancy is partly due to the fact that the mean age of onset of disease is generally in the sixth decade that is beyond the reproductive years. In this case report we describe a pregnant woman known to have Motor Neurone Disease [MND] diagnosed three years prior to her third pregnancy and review the available literature of this condition

Phenylethanoid glycosides from barleria cristata L. callus cultures

Three phenylethanoid glycosides viz; Beta-[[3', 4'-dihydroxyphenyl]-ethyl]-[4"-O-caffeoyl]- Beta- D-glucoside [desrhamnosylacteoside] [1], Beta-[[3', 4'-dihydroxyphenyl]-ethyl]-[3"-O-Lrhamnosyl]-[4"-O-caffeoyl]-Beta-D-glucoside [acteoside] [2] and Beta-[[3', 4'-dihydroxyphenyl]- ethyl]-[3", 6"-O-L-dirhamnosyl]-[4"-O-caffeoyl]-Beta-D-glucoside [poliumoside] [3] were isolated and identified from the callus cultures of Barleria cristata L. The structures of the isolated compounds were established by spectroscopic evidence [UV, 1D and 2D-.1-NMR and ESIMS], further confirmation has been done by comparison with authentic samples. The amount of compounds 1-3 were determined in the callus culture using HPLC

Correlation between antioxidants and transfusion therapy in children with beta-thalassemia

Regular blood transfusion in thalassemia can result in excessive damage to erythrocytes and tissues by generating free radicals and exhibiting oxidative stress. This stress is combated by a compensatory increase in antioxidative enzyme activity as of superoxide dismutase [SOD] and glutathione peroxidase [GPx], which reflects the depletion of antioxidants combating the oxidative stress induced by iron overload and balancing the redox state. This study aimed at correlating this enzymatic activity to the frequency of blood transfusion in beta-thalassemic children. Intervention: twenty-five beta-thalassemia major and 10 thalassemia intermedia children, ranging from two to eighteen years were sampled for serum iron, serum ferritin, and SOD and GPx activity. Values obtained were compared concerning transfusion frequency, chelation therapy in thalassemia major and intermedia cases. Showed abnormal high serum levels of iron in 80% of the studied population. Serum ferritin showed abnormal high levels in 93% and SOD and GPx activity was increased in all studied children. Serum iron, serum ferritin, SOD and GPx activity were significantly higher in thalassemia major than intermedia and higher in regular transfusing than irregular transfusing children and in irregular chelating children than in regular chelating children [p<0.05]. The highest values for serum iron, serum ferritin and SOD and GPx activity in all groups were obtained in thalassemia major cases, regular transfusing and irregular chelating. The least values were obtained for thalssemia intermedia cases, irregular transfusing and regular chelating. Differences between regular and irregular transfusing cases was greater and of statistically higher significance [p<0.01] than differences between regular and irregular chelating cases [p<0.05]. Thalassemia intermedia children who were irregular chelating, showed values of serum iron, serum ferritin and SOD and GPx activity as high as those in thalassemia major cases and showed normal levels with regular chelation therapy. With regular or irregular chelation, SOD and GPx activity was increasing with increased frequency of transfusion and was positively correlated to it [r=0.494], [p<0.01]. That regular chelation therapy is mandatory along with chronic transfusion therapy mildering the burden of iron overload associated with chronic transfusion responsible for oxidative damage. This should be applied especially in thalassemia major patients who transfuse at intervals of 4 weeks or less and intermedia patients, which inspite of infrequent transfusion load iron by gut absorption mainly responsible for the redox imbalance in thalassemia intermedia

Anaemia among schoolchildren in Qena Governorate, Upper Egypt

A study was carried out during January/February 2001 in Deshna and Armant Districts of Qena Governorate, Upper Egypt, to establish the prevalence of anaemia among schoolchildren aged 6 to 11 years and define appropriate control interventions in the area. Haemoglobin levels were measured directly in schools using a portable spectrophotometer. The mean [SD] level of haemoglobin in 1844 schoolchildren in 37 schools was 12.79 [1.15] g/dL. Only 12% of children were below the WHO cut-off for anaemia for this age group [< 11.5 g/dL] and no cases of severe anaemia [< 7.0 g/dL] were detected. The low prevalence of mild to moderate anaemia indicates that mass iron supplementation is not justifiable, but routine monitoring of haemoglobin levels should be part of the public health activities in the schools

Clinical epidemiology of gestational diabetes in Kuwait

To study the clinical and epidemiological features of pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus [GDM] in Kuwait. The objectives of this study were to describe personal and clinical characteristics, prevalence of major risk factors for GDM, and the main causes and frequency of hospital admission required in these patients. Patients and A prospective descriptive study of 76 patients, who fulfilled the standard diagnostic criteria for gestational diabetes, was conducted at Farwania hospital in Kuwait. On an average, expatriates were younger than Kuwaiti patients [median age 32, mean 33.5 +/- 5.2 years versus median 34, mean 33.3 +/- 6.1]. Overall, 55% were in the younger age group. Younger age group was significantly associated with the presence of GDM as compared to the older group [94% versus 6%]. Predominant clinical features for GDM patients included positive family history of diabetes [62%], past history of GDM in previous pregnancies [49%], obesity [49%], abortions [40%], glucosuria [38%], and macro s o m i a [30%]. Features of hospital morbidity showed that 72% required admissions during the current pregnancy, at least once [78%]. 86% required admission for control of blood sugar levels whereas 13% were admitted for checking their blood sugar profile. Normoglycemia was achieved using insulin therapy in most of the patients [51%]. This study showed that GDM is associated with younger age group, and is predominant among those with family history of diabetes, past history of GDM in previous pregnancies, and obesity. Such cases need to be treated properly to prevent or minimize complications

Seroepidemiological and virological studies on virus-induced tumors in chickens in Egypt

Extensive epidemiological studies were conducted over four years to investigate the real cause and prevalence of virus-induced tumors among commercial meat-and egg-type chicken breeds, as well as native varieties of different age-groups and localities. Criteria used to establish an etiological diagnosis in problem flocks included, besides flock history, gross, histopathological and cytological examinations, virus isolation in chicken embryo fibroblast cultures [Line O] and identification by enzyme-linked-immunosorbent assay [ELISA] and/or indirect immunofluorescence [IFA], antigen detection in thin tissue sections by IFA, and reticuloendotheliosis virus [REV] proviral DNA detection in blood or tumor tissue by polymerase chain reaction [PCR]. Moreover, chicken flocks were examined for viral antigen and/or antibody in plasma, egg albumin or serum by ELIA. The results achieved indicated that Marek's disease virus [MDV], lymphoid leukosis virus [LLV], and REV were the common causes of neoplasms as single or mixed infections with variable incidence among the flocks. The sources of infection in the investigated flocks is discussed in the light of the obtained results

Field trials with hyperimmune egg yolk to control losses in outbreaks of very virulent infectious bursal disease in vaccinated commercial layer pullet flocks

Field trails to control serious losses from very virulent infectious bursal disease [vvIBD] outbreaks in vaccinated layer pullet flocks by parenteral administration of hyperimmune egg yolk preparation were carried out The results are presented and discussed

Regeneration of the bladder after partial cystectomy: experimental study

This study was carried out in order to assess the capability of the bladder to regain its original volume and pressure after partial cystectomy. Eighteen mongrel dogs were divided into two equal groups. In the first group, half of the bladder was resected, whereas in the second group three quarters of the bladder were removed. Radiological, ultrasonographical and urodynamical evaluation of the development of the remnant part at monthly intervals up to four months revealed that by four months, the bladders which had been subjected to 50% and 75% resection could regain 80% and 60% respectively of their original capacity. We therefore conclude that after partial cystectomy for any indication, the remnant of the bladder can regain a reasonable capacity as long as this remnant is healthy

Anatomical and radiological observations on the temporomandibular articulation in various mammals Part 1 Ruminants

The present study was carried out on 5 head specimens each from cattle, sheep and goats of different ages and sexes. The aim of this work was designed to investigae the best site for surgical exposure of the tempromandibular joint, the structure of which was anatomically and radiologicallly described

Changes in oral aerobic microflora in patients under radiotherapy

Eleven normal controls and thirty patients with head and neck cancer, who received a full tumoricidal dose [6000 CGY] of cobalt 60, were chosen to study the effect of this ionizing irradiation upon the bacterial flora of those patients. For all studied subjects [diseased and normal] mid-morning samples of saliva were collected and cultured under aerobic conditions on blood agar and MacConkey's media. Samples were taken pre, mid and at the completion of irradiation from head and neck cancer patients. In this study, with radiotherapy for head and neck cancer patients, the main change in aerobic microbial organisms was noted in staphylococci, where there was a marked increase in percentage of cases with positive culture for staphylococcus aureus, marked decrease in percentage of cases with positive culture for staph. albus and complete absence of staph. citneus. The Gram-negative bacilli were absent and they appeared at the end of irradiation. From this study, it was found that the postoperative sepsis in previously irradiated patients is not only due to immunological depression which renders the patient more liable to infections, or only due to tissue devitalization but also due to well evident changes in the regional bacterial flora, which were related to the site of tumour and to the degree of oral exposure to irradiation

Radiographic visualization of the gallbladder in goats

Cholecystographs of good diagnostic quality were obtained 2 hours after i.v. injection of Biliscopin in goats. Biliscopin [Schering] in a dose rate of 0.5 ml/kg administered i.v. proved to be satisfactory and safe except for tympany, which disappeared 60 minutes after injection