Gastrointestinal parasitic infections: Prevalence and risk factors in West Ismailia, Arab Republic of Egypt.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites (GIP) in the rural community of West Ismailia and its associated risk factors. Human infection by GIP is natural and expected. There are few records concerning parasitic infection in the rural areas of the Ismailia Governorate. METHODS: From 520 individuals, sociodemographic and risk factors information were retrieved. Fecal samples were collected, concentrated, and tested for GIP infection using a microscopic examination. RESULTS: The West Ismailia study population had a 40.4% prevalence of GIP infection, including single and concomitant parasite infections. The most common cause of GIP infection was protists (38%). Entamoeba sp., Blastocystis sp., and G. duodenalis were the most common parasites. Poly-parasitism was prevalent within the West Ismailia region. Age, abdominal symptoms, perianal itching, ownership of numerous animal species, exposure to turbid water, previous parasitic infection (PPI), and non-treatment reception of PPI were all considered significant factors associated with GIP infection. Specific individuals from the same family have been observed to have identical GIP. CONCLUSION: GIP infection remains underestimated in rural areas. Periodic screening and treatment for GIP infection in children and public education on GIP hazards and prevention, focusing on personal hygiene, are recommended. Family members of affected individuals should be screened and treated for GIP.

Validity of Pleuroscopy in Evaluating Pleural Effusions of Uncertain Etiology at the Cardiothoracic Unit of Minia University Hospital, Egypt.

INTRODUCTION: Pleural effusion is a medical condition where an excessive amount of fluid accumulates in the pleural space. This can be caused by inflammation or malignant growth in the body. Doctors use medical thoracoscopy for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. This technique allows them to view the internal pleural surfaces and take biopsies of any abnormal lesions within the pleural cavity. OBJECTIVE: This work aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of pleuroscopy in patients with undiagnosed exudative pleural effusion. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A study was conducted on 61 patients who had undiagnosed exudative pleural effusion and were admitted to the chest department at the cardiothoracic unit of the Minia University Hospital. All patients provided written consent and underwent a complete history and clinical examination. Standard laboratory tests, including routine liver and kidney function tests, a complete blood count, and a coagulation profile, were conducted on all patients, along with chest X-rays. If necessary, a chest CT scan was also performed. Diagnostic thoracentesis was done, and the pleural fluid was analyzed for sugar, protein, and lactate dehydrogenase and sent for bacteriological analysis (Gram stain, culture, and acid-fast bacilli smear) and cytopathological examination. Medical thoracoscopy was performed in cases where an etiological diagnosis was not established. RESULTS: A total of 61 patients with undiagnosed exudative pleural effusions were included. A definitive etiological diagnosis was reached in 58 (95%) patients. In 47 (77%) of the studied group, malignant etiology was confirmed; nine (14.8%) had tuberculous pleurisy, one (1.6%) had empyema, and one (1.6%) had inflammatory/autoimmune pleurisy. A definite diagnosis was not reached in three (5%) patients. The malignant pathology was caused by bronchogenic carcinoma in 20 (42.5%) cases, malignant mesothelioma in 10 (21.3%) cases, metastatic malignant deposits from other organs in six (12.7%) cases, and lymphoma in three (6.5%) cases. No serious adverse events related to the procedure were recorded. The most common minor complications were transient chest pain in 34 (55.7%) patients, followed by surgical emphysema in 10 (16.4%) patients. CONCLUSION: Pleuroscopy is an effective diagnostic tool for identifying the cause of pleural effusion when it is unclear. It is a minimally invasive and straightforward procedure associated with high diagnostic accuracy and low complication rates.

Back geometry and mobility function changes in cerebral palsy children after backward walking training: arandomized controlled trial.

AIM: To compare the effects of backward (BW) and forward (FW) walking training on back geometry and mobility function in children with hemiparetic cerebral palsy (CP). METHODS: Fifty-five children with hemiparetic CP participated in this study. They were randomly assigned into two groups. For 12 weeks, both groups got a conventional physical therapy program three days/week. Groups A and B got a specifically developed FW walking training (25 minutes/session) and a specially designed BW walking training (25 minutes/session), respectively. RESULTS: The trunk imbalance, lateral deviation, pelvic tilting, pelvic torsion, surface motion, and dynamic gait index of group B improved significantly more than group A (p < .05). Both groups showed significant improvements in all measured variables (p < .05). CONCLUSION: BW walking training might be considered as an effective therapy modality for improving back geometry and mobility function in hemiparetic CP children compared with FW walking training combined with a typical program.

Colonoscopy screening for colorectal cancer in Egypt: a nationwide cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Current guidelines advocate for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening in adults who are at risk by using direct visualization methods such as colonoscopy. However, in Egypt, there is a paucity of data regarding the current practice of colonoscopy screening. Moreover, more information is needed about the knowledge and attitudes of potential participants regarding the procedure and possible barriers that can limit their participation. METHODS: We conducted a nationwide cross-sectional study using an interview-based survey of patients aged 45 years or above who presented to outpatient clinics of nine university hospitals throughout Egypt. Participants were surveyed to assess their compliance with CRC colonoscopy screening guidelines, their knowledge of and attitude towards colonoscopy screening, and their perspective on potential barriers to colonoscopy screening. RESULTS: A total of 1,453 participants responded to our survey in the nine study centers. Only a minority of participants (2.3%) were referred for CRC screening. Referral rates were higher among those who knew someone with a history of CRC (5.3% vs 1.5%, p < 0.001) or had a discussion with their physician about CRC (25.8% vs 0.7%, p < 0.001). Few responders (3.2%) had good knowledge regarding CRC screening. After introducing the concept of CRC screening to all participants, most patients (66.7%) showed a positive attitude towards having the procedure. Financial burden and fear of results were the two most frequently cited barriers to undergoing CRC screening (81.1%; and 60.1%, respecteively). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the positive attitude, there is insufficient knowledge about CRC screening among eligible participants in Egypt. This has probably contributed to low compliance with current CRC screening guidelines and needs to be addressed at the national level.

Cryptosporidium sp. infection in solid organ transplant recipients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

(1) Background: Organ transplant recipients (OTRs) are vulnerable groups at risk of parasitic infections. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the overall prevalence of Cryptosporidium sp. in OTRs and shed light on this potentially serious complication of organ transplantation. (2) Methods: We systematically searched studies on Cryptosporidium sp. infections in OTRs in four databases (Academia, PubMed, Scopus, and Science Direct). Random effects models were used to calculate pooled prevalence estimates with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Sub-group and meta-regression analyses were conducted. A quality assessment of the included studies was also performed. (3) Results: Among 876 articles retrieved, 21 were included, accounting for 2,642 OTRs. Twenty studies were cross-sectional in design, of which seven reported data on a comparison group, and one was a retrospective cohort. The pooled prevalence of Cryptosporidium sp. in OTRs was 15% (95% CI: 7.4-24.6). Subgroup analysis revealed that the prevalence of Cryptosporidium sp. infection was higher in adults, symptomatics and developing countries and in studies using only non-molecular methods. However, substantial heterogeneity was reported. Low to moderate heterogeneity was observed in subgroups reporting lower prevalence Cryptosporidium sp. including children (5.8; 95% CI: 2.8-9.6), studies conducted in developed countries (5.8; 95% CI: 3.0-9.4) and studies using both molecular and non-molecular diagnostics (11.4; 95% CI: 6.4-17.4). The majority of the listed research reported low-medium quality scores. (4) Conclusion: Cryptosporidium sp. infection is a significant complication in OTRs with underreported prevalence. Preventive strategies to reduce the burden should include Cryptosporidium sp. routine screening for OTRs, particularly post-transplantation in patients with diarrhea. Additional well-designed research studies are required to determine the extent of the Cryptosporidium sp. burden in OTRs.

Anti-fibrotic Effect of Oral Versus Intraperitoneal Administration of Gold Nanoparticles in Hepatic Schistosoma mansoni-Infected Mice.

BACKGROUND: Schistosomiasis significantly impacts public health, as it causes severe morbidity. Infections caused by Schistosoma mansoni (S. mansoni) can be treated with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). This study aims to determine the most effective route of AuNPs administration and the magnitude of its anti-fibrotic effect. METHODS: In the five groups' in vivo assay design, AuNPs were administered intraperitoneally (1 mg/kg) and orally (1 mg/100 g) to S. mansoni-infected mice. Biochemical parameters (serum levels of albumin and liver enzymes alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were measured. The histological changes of the liver in distinct groups were evaluated using Hematoxylin and Eosin, Masson's trichrome, and immunohistochemical stains. RESULTS: Infection with S. mansoni was associated with substantial changes in the histological architecture of liver tissue and abnormal levels of hepatic function tests (albumin, AST, and ALT). Schistosoma infected hepatocytes exhibited an abnormal microscopic morphology, granuloma formation and aggressive fibrosis. AuNPs restored the liver histological architecture with a highly significant anti-fibrotic effect and significantly corrected hepatic function test levels. Intraperitoneal administration of AuNPs resulted in the most significant anti-fibrotic effect against hepatic S. mansoni infection as observed in all histological sections with Masson's trichrome being the best stain to represent this fact. CONCLUSION: For treating S. mansoni-induced chronic liver fibrosis, intraperitoneal administration of AuNPs is a successful and effective route of administration that can be recommended.

Transforming Medical Paradigms: A Cutting-Edge Review of Genomic and Robotic Medical and Surgical Approaches in the Battle Against Diabetes, Hypertension, and Cardiovascular Issues.

This article provides an in-depth review of the current state of management for diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease, focusing on advancements from genomics to robotics. It explores the role of genomic markers in personalized medicine, offering tailored treatment options for these chronic conditions. The article also examines the efficacy of various pharmacological and surgical interventions, including bariatric surgery for diabetes and device-based treatments for hypertension. A comparative analysis is presented to evaluate the cost-effectiveness and patient outcomes between medical and surgical approaches. The review concludes that while personalized medicine and minimally invasive surgical techniques show promise, more high-quality comparative research is needed. The ultimate goal is to integrate these emerging technologies within a framework of evidence-based medicine to improve patient outcomes and health equity.

Arterial Tortuosity Syndrome: Unraveling a Rare Vascular Disorder.

Arterial tortuosity syndrome (ATS) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by abnormal twists and turns of arteries, leading to cardiovascular complications. This syndrome, first reported around 55 years ago, is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner and affects both genders. ATS manifests primarily in childhood, with arterial abnormalities disrupting blood circulation, increasing shear stress, and causing complications, such as atherosclerosis and strokes. This article reviews the genetics, etiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, associated conditions, management, and challenges of ATS. The syndrome's genetic cause is linked to mutations in the SLC2A10 gene, affecting collagen and elastin synthesis. Arterial tortuosity, a complex phenomenon, arises from factors such as vessel elongation, anatomic fixation, and vessel diameter. ATS is one of many conditions associated with arterial tortuosity, including Marfan syndrome and Loeys-Dietz syndrome. Recent studies highlight arterial tortuosity's potential as a prognostic indicator for adverse cardiovascular events. Management requires a multidisciplinary approach, and surveillance and prevention play key roles. Despite challenges, advancements in understanding ATS offer hope for targeted therapies and improved patient care.

Revolutionizing Inflammatory Bowel Disease Management: A Comprehensive Narrative Review of Innovative Dietary Strategies and Future Directions.

This comprehensive narrative review delves into the intricate interplay between diet and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), shedding light on the potential impact of dietary interventions in disease management. By analyzing nutritional interventions, risks, challenges, and future perspectives, this review serves as a vital resource for clinicians, researchers, and patients alike. The amalgamation of evidence underscores the significance of customizing dietary strategies for individual patients, considering disease phenotype and cultural factors. Through an exploration of dietary components' effects on IBD, including exclusive enteral nutrition and omega-3 fatty acids, this review offers pragmatic implementation advice and outlines avenues for further research. Bridging the gap between research findings and clinical applications, the review facilitates informed decision-making and patient-centric care. In the face of escalating IBD prevalence, this review emerges as an indispensable guide for healthcare professionals, empowering them to navigate the complexities of dietary management while enabling patients to actively participate in their care trajectory. Ultimately, this narrative review advances the understanding of diet's pivotal role in IBD management, fostering a more integrated approach to patient care and paving the way for improved research and policy initiatives in the field of inflammatory bowel diseases.

Epigenetics in Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders: A Comprehensive Review of Current Understanding and Future Perspectives.

The burgeoning field of epigenetics offers transformative insights into the complex landscape of neurological and psychiatric disorders. By unraveling the intricate interplay between genetic, epigenetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors, this comprehensive review highlights the multifaceted nature of mental health. The exploration reveals the potential of epigenetic modifications to revolutionize our understanding, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of these disorders. Emphasizing the importance of multidisciplinary collaborations, large-scale studies, technological advancements, and ethical considerations, the review asserts the promise of epigenetics as a vital tool for personalized medicine, early intervention, and public health strategies. While acknowledging the challenges in a still-emerging field, the review paints an optimistic picture of epigenetics as a groundbreaking approach that can reshape mental healthcare, offering hope for those affected by neurological and psychiatric conditions. The future trajectory of the field relies on interdisciplinary efforts, ethical diligence, innovative technologies, and translating scientific insights into real-world applications, thereby unlocking the vast potential of epigenetics in mental health.

Diagnostic Performance of Toluidine Blue Stain for Direct Wet Mount Detection of Cryptosporidium Oocysts: Qualitative and Quantitative Comparison to the Modified Ziehl-Neelsen Stain.

(1) Background: The wet mount staining technique is a simple, economical, and rapid method for detecting parasitic stages. The objective of the current study was to evaluate wet mount diagnostic stains for Cryptosporidium infection in human faecal samples and to compare the sensitivity and qualitative performance of toluidine blue (TolB) and modified Ziehl-Neelsen (mZN) stain. (2) Methods: The collection, purification, and molecular amplification of Cryptosporidium oocysts were performed. TolB, malachite green, trypan blue, and crystal violet were evaluated qualitatively to diagnose Cryptosporidium oocysts. The outperforming stain was compared to mZN using a quantitative evaluation and qualitative scoring system. (3) Results: The oocysts of Cryptosporidium parvum were effectively purified and utilized for spiking. TolB was the most effective diagnostic stain among wet mount stains for detecting Cryptosporidium oocysts. TolB outperformed mZN in terms of sensitivity, with 100% versus 79% at a concentration of 104 and 49% versus 23% at a concentration of 102. TolB had the most favourable qualitative stain characteristics against mZN; however, sample freshness and being a temporary stain were crucial considerations. (4) Conclusions: This study emphasizes that TolB, as a routine wet mount technique for screening Cryptosporidium infection, will provide a more sensitive and faster method than mZN staining.

Influence Of Rehacom System Programme On Hand Function In Spastic Hemiplegic Children.

Objectives: To assess the impact of cognitive therapy with the rehacom visual-motor module on the hand function in hemiplegic cerebral palsy children. METHODS: The randomised case-control study was conducted at Kafrelsheikh University, Egypt, from September 2021 to February 2022, and comprised children aged 6-8 years with spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy. They were randomised into control group A and intervention group B. Subjects in group A received designed physical therapy and hand function training, while those in group B additionally received visual-motor coordination training with the help of rehacom system. The groups were evaluated for both visual-motor coordination and fine motor skills at baseline and after 6-month training. SPSS version 26 was used to analyse the raw data of the current study. RESULTS: Of the 40 subjects, 20(50%) were in each of the two groups. There were 13(65%) boys and 7(35%) girls with mean age 66±4.01 monthsin group A, and 9(45%) boys and 11(55%) girls with mean age 67±4.06 monthsin group B (p>0.05). Both groups showed improvement related to grasping, visual-motor integration and fine motor quotient post-intervention, but improvement in group B was significantly higher on each count(p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The addition of visual-motor integration programme by rehacom system wasfound to be more effective than the effect of routine physiotherapy training alone.

Gastric Electrical Stimulation for Refractory Gastroparesis: A Promising Treatment Modality for Symptom Control and Gastric Emptying.

Gastroparesis is a disorder with few available treatments and delayed stomach emptying. Gastric electrical stimulation (GES) has shown promise in treating the signs and symptoms of gastroparesis as well as gastric emptying by stimulating the stomach with high-frequency electrical impulses. In this case, a 43-year-old lady with refractory gastroparesis had a GES device laparoscopically implanted. Even though GES seems promising, more study is necessary to improve patient choice, technique, and long-term results. Patients with refractory gastroparesis who have not responded to traditional therapy should be considered for GES, with treatment decisions being made individually depending on clinical presentation and patient preferences.

Sensitivity and specificity of chest ultrasound in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism in the emergency department: A case-control study.

Objectives: The present study was designed to evaluate the role of chest ultrasound in the diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism (PE) and determine its accuracy using multi-detector CT-pulmonary angiography (MD-CTPA) as a gold standard technique for PE diagnosis. Patients and methods: A prospective case-control study was performed with 75 patients who presented to the emergency department of Minia Cardiothoracic University Hospital with clinical suspicion of PE. All patients were evaluated clinically and by laboratory tests to assess the risk of PE. Thoracic ultrasound (TUS) was then performed for all patients for signs suggestive of PE. Finally, MD-CTPA was performed to confirm or exclude the presence of PE. Results: Patients were subdivided into two groups according to the result of MD-CTPA; group I (patients with PE) and group II (control group without PE). In our study, PE was present in the lower lobe in 75% of cases, then in the middle in 13% and in the upper lobe in 3.8% of cases. The majority of lesions in TUS were wedge-shaped lesions. No vascular flow was detected in 83% of PE-confirmed patients. The current study revealed that TUS has 81.25% sensitivity, 95% specificity, 98.3% positive predictive value, 77.2% negative predictive value and 87% accuracy in the diagnosis of PE. Univariate regression analysis revealed that the presence of wedge-shaped pleural-based lesions in grayscale US and the absence of flow signals by colour Doppler sonography (CDS) increase the possibility of PE. Wedge-shaped pleural-based lesions increase the possibility of PE by 1.48 times (P=0.0001), and the absence of flow signals by CDS increases the possibility of PE by 92.89 times (P=0.00001). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that adding absent flow signals by CDS to wedge-shaped pleural-based lesions by grayscale US increases the possibility of a PE diagnosis by 50.28 times (P=0.001). Conclusion: Chest ultrasound is a simple, safe, noninvasive, inexpensive, bedside diagnostic radiological technique that can be used in the emergency department for suspected PE or as an alternative to MD-CTPA when CTPA is contraindicated. Wedge-shaped lesions and the absence of flow signals by CDS increase the diagnostic value of ultrasound for PE.

The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the health services provided by the Cardiothoracic Minia University Hospital in Egypt: A single-center retrospective observational study.

Background: The emergence of the new coronavirus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, or SARS-CoV-2) in late 2019 resulted in a worldwide pandemic, which had severe consequences on the global health systems. There were drastic strains on the public health services. This, in turn, markedly affected patients with non-coronavirus disease (COVID-19) problems. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 infection on the health services provided to patients at the cardiothoracic university hospital, Minia University. Methods: A retrospective analysis of data about services provided to patients at Minia Cardiothoracic University hospital was obtained from pre-pandemic era (2018-2019) and during the pandemic time (2020-2021). The two sets of data were compared together. Data were collected about the number of patients who underwent different procedures such as Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs), sleep studies or interventional chest procedures (bronchoscopy and thoracoscopy). Also, data were collected about the number of patients admitted in the chest ward, respiratory intensive care unit (ICU) or Coronary care unit and the number of patients who visited cardiothoracic, cardiology or chest outpatient clinics. Results: There is 81.4% reduction in the number of Pulmonary Function Testsperformed during the period 2020-2021 compared with the period 2018-2019, where the number of patients admitted to chest inward decreased by 66.4%. The number of sleep studies performed reduced by 61.5%, while the number of different outpatient clinical visits reduced to similar values (45.8% for cardiothoracic clinic, 45.4% for cardiology clinic and 40.5% for chest clinic). Regarding respiratory ICU admissions, the study reported a reduction of 35.7% and also Coronary care unit admissions decreased by 30.6%. Interventional pulmonary procedures had the lowest reduction rate (0.7%). Conclusion: Different health services were negatively affected by the emergence of COVID-19 era in both pulmonary and non-pulmonary fields.

Thyroid hormone receptor α1 acts as a new squamous cell lung cancer diagnostic marker and poor prognosis predictor.

Lung cancer is considered the major cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Unfortunately, all chemotherapy regimens used in lung cancer treatment showed nearly the same efficacy. Finding a new therapeutic target that can be used as an alternative after the failure of or in association with chemotherapy to improve the prognosis is an urgent demand. Up to date, it is Known that thyroid hormones (THs) and Thyroid hormone receptors (THRs) control the progression of several types of tumours. Nevertheless, their role in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is unknown. This study investigated the expression of THRα1 in NSCLC cases and its correlation to tumour clinicopathological parameters to shed new light on the relevance of THRα1 in lung cancer. Immunohistochemistry utilizing THRα1 antibody was performed on tissue sections obtained from 80 patients diagnosed with NSCLC. We also investigated the expression of THRα gene in Microarrays of lung squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and adenocarcinoma (AC) patients by using GEO data sets on https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov . We showed, for the first time, the expression of THRα1 in NSCLC. Intermediate and high THRα1 expressions were detected in (25% and 66.7%) of SCC cases respectively. High THRα1 expression was associated with shorter OS. On the other hand, 86.7% of AC cases revealed low THRα1 expression. Inflammatory cells in SCC cases showed high THRα1 expression. By analysing GEO data sets, a significant increase in THRα gene expression was found in SCC compared to AC cases. Our study underscores the possibility of using THRα1 expression not only as a prognostic marker, but also as an innovative diagnostic additive tool for lung SCC, which could be tested as a potential therapeutic target for SCC in the future.

Tecoma stans: Alkaloid Profile and Antimicrobial Activity.

AIM: Tecoma stans (L.) Kunth is a promising species in the trumpet creeper family Bignoniaceae. This study aimed at showing the antibacterial and antifungal potentials of T. stans methanolic leaf extract (TSME) correlated to its phytoconstituents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The antimicrobial potential of TSME was evaluated using agar diffusion method. The main alkaloids were separated on silica gel column and identified using nuclear magnetic resonance spectral analysis. Molecular docking was performed for the isolated compounds against MurD ligase, penicillin-binding protein, and dihydropteroate synthase enzyme to rationalize the observed antibacterial effect. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: TSME showed significant antibacterial effect against all tested microorganisms with comparable minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) to the ampicillin and gentamicin with MIC values ranging between 0.98 and 1.95 µg/mL, in addition to a promising antifungal effect when compared to amphotericin with MIC values 3.9 and 15.63 µg/mL for Aspergillus flavus and Candida albicans, respectively. Several alkaloids were separated, purified, and identified as tecostanine, 4-OH tecomanine, 5-hydroxyskytanthine, and tecomanine, which were previously isolated from T. stans. The docking study showed that the alkaloids bind in a similar fashion to the co-crystallized ligands of the crystal structures of MurD ligase. The binding poses and scores in the case of penicillin-binding protein and dihydropteroate synthase did not match the co-crystallized ligands in their crystal structures. The in silico results suggest an antibacterial mechanism that involves the inhibition of MurD ligase. CONCLUSION: T. stans alkaloids could represent the basic skeleton for a powerful antimicrobial agent.

FEM-Based Study of Precision Hard Turning of Stainless Steel 316L.

This study aims to investigate chip formation and surface generation during the precision turning of stainless steel 316L samples. A Finite Element Method (FEM) was used to simulate the chipping process of the stainless steel but with only a restricted number of process parameters. A set of turning tests was carried out using tungsten carbide tools under similar cutting conditions to validate the results obtained from the FEM for the chipping process and at the same time to experimentally examine the generated surface roughness. These results helped in the analysis and understanding the chip formation process and the surface generation phenomena during the cutting process, especially on micro scale. Good agreement between experiments and FEM results was found, which confirmed that the cutting process was accurately simulated by the FEM and allowed the identification of the optimum process parameters to ensure high performance. Results obtained from the simulation revealed that, an applied feed equals to 0.75 of edge radius of new cutting tool is the optimal cutting conditions for stainless steel 316L. Moreover, the experimental results demonstrated that in contrast to conventional turning processes, a nonlinear relationship was found between the feed rate and obtainable surface roughness, with a minimum surface roughness obtained when the feed rate laid between 0.75 and 1.25 times the original cutting edge radius, for new and worn tools, respectively.

Antimony deposition onto Au(111) and insertion of Mg.

Magnesium-based secondary batteries have been regarded as a viable alternative to the immensely popular Li-ion systems owing to their high volumetric capacity. One of the largest challenges is the selection of Mg anode material since the insertion/extraction processes are kinetically slow because of the large ionic radius and high charge density of Mg2+ compared with Li+. In this work, we prepared very thin films of Sb by electrodeposition on a Au(111) substrate. Monolayer and multilayer deposition (up to 20 monolayers) were characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). Monolayer deposition results in a characteristic row structure; the monolayer is commensurate in one dimension, but not in the other. The row structure is to some extent maintained after deposition of further layers. After dissolution of the Sb multilayers the substrate is roughened on the atomic scale due to alloy formation, as demonstrated by CV and STM. Further multilayer deposition correspondingly leads to a rough deposit with protrusions of up to 3 nm. The cyclic voltammogram for Mg insertion/de-insertion from MgCl2/AlCl3/tetraglyme (MACC/TG) electrolyte into/from a Sb-modified electrode shows a positive shift (400 mV) of the onset potential of Mg deposition compared to that of a bare Au electrode. From the charge of the Mg deposition, we find that the ratio of Mg to Sb is 1:1, which is somewhat less than expected for the Mg3Sb2 alloy.

NON-INVASIVE PREDICTORS FOR THE PRESENCE, GRADE AND RISK OF BLEEDING FROM ESOPHAGEAL VARICES IN PATIENTS WITH POST-HEPATITIC CIRRHOSIS.

Variceal bleeding is the last step of a chain of events initiatedby an increase in portal pressure, followed by the development and progressive dilation ofvarices until these finally rupture and bleed. The ideal method to diagnose portal hypertension should be accurate, noninvasive, objective, and reproducible. The study evaluated the predictive value of two non-invasive parameters for the diagnosis of esophageal varices (EV): 1-Right liver lobe diameter/serum albumin ratios (RLLD/S. albumin), and 2-Platelet count/splenic bipolar diameter ratios (Platelets count/SBPD). This study included eighty Egyptian patients with post-hepatitic cirrhosis (45 males and 35 females). They underwent laboratory ultrasono-graphic and endoscopic examinations within one week. RLLD/S. albumin and Platelets count/SBPD ratios were calculated. The results showed that EV were not detected by upper digestive endoscopy in 25%, while grade I of EV was found in 17.5%, grade II in 17.5%, grade III in 20%, & grade IV in 20%. RLLD/S. albumin concentration ratio diagnosed the varices at cut off value of 3.43 with 95% sensitivity and 80% specificity. Also, it was positively correlated with grading of E.V, when this ratio increased the grading of E.V increases and vice versa. Besides, it predicted bleeding from E.V. at cut off value of 5.096 with 63% sensitivity and 73% specificity. Platelet count/SBPD ratio predicted the presence of varices at cut off value 1847 with 95% sensitivity and 93% specificity, and negatively correlated with grading of EV, when this ratio decreased grading of E.V increase and vice versa. It also predicted bleeding from E.V. at cut off value of 4809 with 50% sensitivity and 93% specificity.