Multi-Scale Digital Pathology Patch-Level Prostate Cancer Grading Using Deep Learning: Use Case Evaluation of DiagSet Dataset.

Prostate cancer remains a prevalent health concern, emphasizing the critical need for early diagnosis and precise treatment strategies to mitigate mortality rates. The accurate prediction of cancer grade is paramount for timely interventions. This paper introduces an approach to prostate cancer grading, framing it as a classification problem. Leveraging ResNet models on multi-scale patch-level digital pathology and the Diagset dataset, the proposed method demonstrates notable success, achieving an accuracy of 0.999 in identifying clinically significant prostate cancer. The study contributes to the evolving landscape of cancer diagnostics, offering a promising avenue for improved grading accuracy and, consequently, more effective treatment planning. By integrating innovative deep learning techniques with comprehensive datasets, our approach represents a step forward in the pursuit of personalized and targeted cancer care.

Ensemble Deep Learning-Based Image Classification for Breast Cancer Subtype and Invasiveness Diagnosis from Whole Slide Image Histopathology.

Cancer diagnosis and classification are pivotal for effective patient management and treatment planning. In this study, a comprehensive approach is presented utilizing ensemble deep learning techniques to analyze breast cancer histopathology images. Our datasets were based on two widely employed datasets from different centers for two different tasks: BACH and BreakHis. Within the BACH dataset, a proposed ensemble strategy was employed, incorporating VGG16 and ResNet50 architectures to achieve precise classification of breast cancer histopathology images. Introducing a novel image patching technique to preprocess a high-resolution image facilitated a focused analysis of localized regions of interest. The annotated BACH dataset encompassed 400 WSIs across four distinct classes: Normal, Benign, In Situ Carcinoma, and Invasive Carcinoma. In addition, the proposed ensemble was used on the BreakHis dataset, utilizing VGG16, ResNet34, and ResNet50 models to classify microscopic images into eight distinct categories (four benign and four malignant). For both datasets, a five-fold cross-validation approach was employed for rigorous training and testing. Preliminary experimental results indicated a patch classification accuracy of 95.31% (for the BACH dataset) and WSI image classification accuracy of 98.43% (BreakHis). This research significantly contributes to ongoing endeavors in harnessing artificial intelligence to advance breast cancer diagnosis, potentially fostering improved patient outcomes and alleviating healthcare burdens.

Bacterial profile, drug resistance pattern, clinical and laboratory predictors of ascites infection in cirrhosis patients.

Ascites is a pathological collection of free fluid in the peritoneal cavity, which is a common complication in patients with cirrhosis, an advanced liver disease. Bacterial infection increases the mortality rate of hospitalized patients with cirrhosis, irrespective of the severity of the liver disease. Around 60% of patients with compensated cirrhosis developed ascites within 10 years during the course of their disease. The in-hospital mortality rate due to spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) could exceed 90%, but with early diagnosis and prompt antibiotic therapy, this rate has been shown to decrease to 20%. Here, we enrolled adult (age ≥ 18) patients with liver disease with evidence of cirrhosis who developed ascites and assessed the presence of spontaneous ascites fluid infection (SAFI) in these patients. Of the total 218 patients, 22.9% (50/218) develop ascites infection. The liver organ function tests like alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total bilirubin, and direct bilirubin were found to be significantly (P < 0.05) higher in patients with ascites fluid infection compared to patients with non-ascites fluid infection. Of the gram-negative bacteria, K. pneumonia and E. coli were isolated and found to be 100% resistant to amoxicillin and clavulanate. From the gram-positive bacterial isolates, S. aureus was only resistant to penicillin, whereas Str. viridans was resistant to ceftriaxone, cefotaxime, cefepime, and penicillin. On the other hand, clinical features such as a history of jaundice, low arterial blood pressure, and ultrasound results such as a shrunken liver and enlarged spleen were also independent predictors of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. In conclusion, given the high probability of death following SAFI, early detection, and treatment, as well as knowledge of the microbial agent, resistance profile, and predictive markers in various contexts, are essential for the timely diagnosis and management of SAFI in these patients.

Inter-Semispinalis Plane Block Versus General Anesthesia for Postoperative Analgesia in Posterior Cervical Spine Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Postoperative pain management is crucial for improving patient outcomes following posterior cervical spine surgery. Opioids are effective but carry a risk of respiratory depression. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used but may not provide adequate pain relief and have potential complications. The inter-semispinalis plane (ISPB) block is a novel technique for postoperative analgesia in cervical spine surgery. Objectives: This study aims to evaluate and compare the efficacy of the ISPB with general anesthesia in terms of analgesia, postoperative Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain scores, patient-surgeon satisfaction levels, and the occurrence of postoperative complications. Methods: This double-blind, randomized controlled trial was blinded to both the patient and the assessor. Fifty adult patients (18 - 60 years old) undergoing elective posterior cervical spine surgery were enrolled. The participants were divided into 2 groups: The ISPB group (receiving bilateral ultrasound-guided ISPB at the C5 level) and the control group (receiving general anesthesia only), with each group comprising 25 patients. The study assessed intraoperative fentanyl use, postoperative VAS pain levels, the need for rescue analgesia, and complications. Results: The ISPB group showed significantly lower intraoperative fentanyl consumption (median 100 vs. 100 - 150 µg, P = 0.022) and lower postoperative pain scores at 1, 8, 12, and 48 hours (P = 0.016, 0.009, 0.005, 0.016). Additionally, the ISPB group required less postoperative pethidine (20% vs. 64%, P = 0.002) and had a longer delay before requesting pethidine (hazard ratio 0.215, P = 0.001). Surgeon satisfaction was significantly higher in the ISPB group (P = 0.003). These results suggest that the ISPB can effectively reduce pain and analgesic requirements. Conclusions: The ISPB is an effective analgesic technique for posterior cervical spine surgery, reducing opioid consumption, providing better pain control, and enhancing surgeon satisfaction without increasing complications. This approach has the potential to improve postoperative care and patient outcomes in this surgical population.

Impacts of kaolinite enrichment on biochar and hydrochar characterization, stability, toxicity, and maize germination and growth.

In this study, biochar (BC) and hydrochar (HC) composites were synthesized with natural kaolinite clay and their properties, stability, carbon (C) sequestration potential, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) toxicity, and impacts on maize germination and growth were explored. Conocarpus waste was pretreated with 0%, 10%, and 20% kaolinite and pyrolyzed to produce BCs (BC, BCK10, and BCK20, respectively), while hydrothermalized to produce HCs (HC, HCK10, and HCK20, respectively). The synthesized materials were characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope analyses, Fourier transform infrared, thermogravimetric analysis, surface area, proximate analyses, and chemical analysis to investigate the distinction in physiochemical and structural characteristics. The BCs showed higher C contents (85.73-92.50%) as compared to HCs (58.81-61.11%). The BCs demonstrated a higher thermal stability, aromaticity, and C sequestration potential than HCs. Kaolinite enriched-BCs showed the highest cation exchange capacity than pristine BC (34.97% higher in BCK10 and 38.04% higher in BCK20 than pristine BC), while surface area was the highest in kaolinite composited HCs (202.8% higher in HCK10 and 190.2% higher in HCK20 than pristine HC). The recalcitrance index (R50) speculated a higher recalcitrance for BC, BCK10, and BCK20 (R50 > 0.7), minimal degradability for HCK10 and HCK20 (0.5 < R50 < 0.7), and higher degradability for biomass and HC (R50 < 0.5). Overall, increasing the kaolinite enrichment percentage significantly enhanced the thermal stability and C sequestration potential of charred materials, which may be attributed to changes in the structural arrangements. The ∑ total PAHs concentration in the synthesized materials were below the USEPA's suggested limits, indicating their safe use as soil amendments. Germination indices reflected positive impacts of synthesized charred materials on maize germination and growth. Therefore, we propose that kaolinite-composited BCs and HCs could be considered as efficient and cost-effective soil amendments for improving plant growth.

Bibliometric analysis and literature review of occupant thermal comfort in naturally ventilated buildings (1995-2021).

This paper presents the global research landscape and scientific progress on occupant thermal comfort in naturally ventilated buildings (OTC-NVB). Despite the growing interest in the area, comprehensive papers on the current status and future developments on the topic are currently lacking. Hence, the publication trends, bibliometric analysis, and systematic literature review of the published documents on OTC-NVB were examined. The search query "Thermal Comfort" AND "Natural Ventilation" AND "Buildings" was designed and executed to recover related documents on the topic from the Elsevier Scopus database. Results showed that 976 documents (comprising articles, conference papers, reviews, etc.) were published on the topic from 1995 to 2021. Further analysis showed that 97.34% of the publications were published in the English language. Richard J.de Dear (University of Sydney, Australia) is the most prolific researcher on OTC-NVB research, while Energy and Buildings has the highest publications. Bibliometric analysis showed high publications, citations, keywords, and co-authorships among researchers, whereas the most occurrent keywords are ventilation, natural ventilation, thermal comfort, buildings, and air conditioning. Systematic literature review demonstrated that OTC-NVB research has progressed significantly from empirical to computer-based studies involving complex mathematical equations, programs, or software like artificial neural networks (ANN) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD). In general, OTC-NVB research findings indicate that physiological, social, and environmental factors considerably influence OTC in NVBs. Future studies will likely employ artificial intelligence or building performance simulation (BPS) tools to examine relationships between OTC and indoor air/environmental quality, human behavior, novel clothing, or building materials in NVBs.

Microplastic-Assisted Removal of Phosphorus and Ammonium Using Date Palm Waste Derived Biochar.

Microplastics (MPs) are emerging environmental pollutants worldwide, posing potential health risks. Moreover, MPs may act as vectors for other contaminants and affect their fate, transport, and deposition in the environment. Therefore, efficient and economical techniques are needed for the removal of contemporary MPs and contaminants from the environment. The present research study investigated the sorption of phosphorus (P) and ammonium (NH4+) onto date palm waste-derived biochar (BC) from an aqueous solution in the presence of polyamide (PA) and polyethylene (PE) MPs. The BC was prepared at 600 °C, characterized for physio-chemical properties, and applied for P and NH4+ removal via isotherm and kinetic sorption trials. The results of the sorption trials demonstrated the highest removal of NH4+ and P was obtained at neutral pH 7. The highest P sorption (93.23 mg g-1) by BC was recorded in the presence of PA, while the highest NH4+ sorption (103.76 mg g-1) was found with co-occurring PE in an aqueous solution. Sorption isotherm and kinetics models revealed that P and NH4+ removal by MP-amended BC followed chemisorption, electrostatic interaction, precipitation, diffusion, and ion exchange mechanisms. Overall, co-existing PA enhanced the removal of P and NH4+ by 66% and 7.7%, respectively, while co-existing PE increased the removal of P and NH4+ by 55% and 30%, respectively, through the tested BC. Our findings suggested that converting date palm waste into BC could be used as a competent and economical approach to removing P and NH4+ from contaminated water. Furthermore, microplastics such as PE and PA could assist in the removal of P and NH4+ from contaminated water using BC.

Run-off modelling of pervious and impervious areas using couple SWAT and a novel machine learning model in cross-rivers state Nigeria.

Using the soil and water assessment tool (SWAT), runoff in pervious and impervious urban areas was simulated in this study. In the meantime, as a novel application of machine learning, the emotional artificial neural network (EANN) model was employed to enhance the SWAT obtained for this study. As a result of the EANN model's capabilities in rainfall-runoff phenomena, the SWAT-EANN couple model has been used to assess urban flooding. The pervious, impervious, and water body areas of the study area were classified and mapped to estimate the cover change over three epochs. Land use map, precipitation data, temperature (minimum and maximum) data, wind speed, relative humidity, soil map, solar radiation, and digital elevation model were used as inputs for modelling rainfall-runoff of the study area in the ArcGIS environment. The accuracy assessment of this study was excellent (root-mean-square error 1 mm of precipitation). It also revealed that (a) a land use map illustrating changes in impervious, pervious surface, and water body for 1998, 2008, and 2018; (b) runoff modelling using a historical pattern of rainfall-runoff changes (1998-2018); and (c) descriptive statistical analysis of the runoff results of the research. This research will aid in urban planning, administration, and development. Specifically, it will prevent flooding and environmental problems.

A study on the strength and durability characteristics of fiber-reinforced recycled aggregate concrete modified with supplementary cementitious material.

Recycled aggregate (RA) made from waste concrete is an environmentally friendly alternative to natural aggregate (NA) for concrete manufacturing. However, compared to NA concrete, concrete produced with recycled aggregates has poor characteristics. Supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) can be used to enhance the poor properties of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC). Silica fume and fly ash are commonly used SCMs in the World, but their high usage led to a shortage of silica fume and fly ash. Still, the deficiency of these materials in large parts of the world is a challenge that requires exploring alternative feedstock materials for the construction industry in the coming years. Wheat straw ash (WSA) is an agricultural waste product that could be used as an alternative SCM due to its pozzolanic behavior to enhance the properties of RAC. In addition, concrete is brittle and needs reinforcement, for which polypropylene fibers (PPFs) can be used. The current research examines the mechanical characteristics of fiber-reinforced RAC, including compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, and ductility performance. Durability indicators, such as chloride diffusion, chloride penetration, acid resistance, and water absorption test, were also assessed. The results showed that concrete samples with 10% WSA, 50% RA and 1.5% PPFs had the highest compressive and splitting tensile strength, 60.2 MPa and 7.25 MPa, respectively, representing increases of 24.75% and 30.65%, as compared to plain samples at 56 days. In these samples, water absorption was reduced by 13% due to the finer WSA particles resulting in the lowest reduction in strength and mass recorded when exposing concrete samples to acidic media. The statistical analysis also validated that irrespective of WSA and PPFs, the concrete with 0% RA had the highest performance in strength and durability behavior. The study showed that WSA and PPFs might be employed in tandem to offset the poor behavior of RA, enhance the bond between fibers and concrete, and improve the mechanical strength and durability performance of RAC, thus demonstrating its suitability as a sustainable and economical construction material.

Effect of Supplementation of Diets with L-Carnitine and Methionin on Broiler Chicken Productive Performance.

The poultry industry is one of the pillars of food security in the world, as it is relied upon to provide meat and eggs to meet the increasing food demands. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the effect of L-carnitine and methionine supplementation to the standard diets of broiler chickens in productive performance of broiler (Ross 308). One Hundred- fifty broiler chicks unsexed (Ross 308) with an initial weight with 43 g, were obtained from Al-Habbaniya hatchery (commercial hatchery). All the animals were within an average weight of 40 g (one-day old chicks). The experimental groups were as follows: the animals in T1 group received basal diet without any addition, the animals in T1 group received basal diet supplemented with lead acetate 400 mg/kg feed , the animals in T3 group received diet supplemented with carnitine 300 mg + lead acetate 400 mg, the animals in T4 group received basal diet supplemented with methionine 100 mg + lead acetate 400 mg, the animals in T5 group received basal diet supplemented with methionine 100 mg + carnitine 300 mg + lead acetate 400 mg. Body weight gain and feed consumption were weekly recorded. Feed conversion ratio was also calculated. Results showed that Birds in (T5) fed diets with (carnitine + methionine) observed highest live body weights comparison with T3 (carnitine + lead acetate) and T4 (adding methionine+ lead acetate). Data of results showed no significant differences were recorded in body weight gain. Also, Results obtained increase with feed consumption for treatment T5, while birds in T1 and T4 recorded lowest means in feed consumed. However, birds in T4 and T5 observed best feed conversion ratio as compare with T1, T2 and T3. Therefore, it can conclude that addition carnitine and methionine enhanced broiler productive performance.

HIV rapid test performance among health facilities enrolled in HIV rapid test quality improvement initiative (RTQII) in Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: As the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) rapid testing services expanded to reach the global target that 95% of people living with the virus will know their status by 2030, ensuring the quality of those services becomes critical. This study was conducted to assess the performance of HIV Rapid testing at sites in health facilities that were enrolled in the Rapid Test Quality Improvement Initiative (RTQII) in Ethiopia. METHODS: Characterized HIV proficiency testing (PT) panels of Dried Tube Specimen (DTS) were prepared, verified, and distributed to testing sites from August to December 2019. In addition on-site evaluation of HIV testing sites (HTSs) was conducted using a checklist to assess testing conditions. For proficiency testing, the study included 159 HIV testing sites (HTSs) in 41 Health facilities (HFs) in five administrative regions and two city administrations. The collected data was analyzed by SPSS version 20 and chi-square test was applied to identify the association between acceptable performance and contributing factors. Testing sites with 100% PT score as well as conducting the test with adherence to the National HIV Testing Algorithm were considered acceptable. RESULTS: The overall acceptable performance (100% PT score with the correct algorithm followed) was found to be 62% while 12% scored 80% and 11% scored between 20 and 60%. The rest 15% were not considered as acceptable due to failure to adhere to the National HIV Testing Algorithm. Testing sites that participated in External Quality Assessment/Proficiency Testing schemes have shown better performance than those that did not participate with 70% and 56% performance respectively (p = 0.057).

How Different Preparation Techniques Affect MRI-Induced Anxiety of MRI Patients: A Preliminary Study.

BACKGROUND: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exams may cause patients to feel anxious before or during the scan, which affects the scanning outcome and leads to motion artifacts. Adequate preparation can effectively alleviate patients' anxiety before the scan. We aimed to assess the effect of different preparation methods on MRI-induced anxiety: We conducted a prospective randomized study on MRI patients between March and May 2022. We divided 30 patients into two groups: the control group, which received routine preparation (RP), and the experimental group, which received video preparation (VP). We used the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) to measure anxiety levels before and after the interventions. We assessed patients' self-satisfaction after the scan: After preparation, VP (STAI mean = 10.7500) and RP (STAI mean = 12.7857), we observed a significant association between the pre- and post-STAI results in VP (p = 0.025). The effects of both methods in decreasing anxiety were more significant for first-timers (p = 0.009 in RP/0.014 in VP). We noted high satisfaction levels for both forms of preparation. The VP technique was superior in reducing patient anxiety, especially in first-time MRI patients. Hence, VP techniques can be used in different clinical settings to reduce anxiety and facilitate patients' understanding of the instructions given.

Minimally invasive retrieval of a bullet settling into the thoracic spinal canal in a pediatric patient: A case report.

A 10-year-old boy presented to neurosurgery department after a gunshot wound to the upper thoracic spine. The bullet entered through the right deltoid muscle and lodged inside the spinal canal at T1 level. The patient arrived conscious and obeying commands; however, he experienced a loss of sensation below T3 level, loss of reflexes below the injured T1 level, loss of anal sphincter tone and paraplegia in the lower limbs (American Spinal Injury Association grade-A). Imaging studies revealed an intra-canalicular metallic bullet at the T1 level. The patient underwent urgent operation using a tubular retractor system and the microscope. Subsequently, the bullet was successfully retrieved. Postoperatively, the patient made a significant recovery and by the end of the 6th month, he was able to walk independently despite some gait instability. A minimally invasive approach for intra-canalicular bullet removal in the thoracic region is a safe and effective technique in pediatric patients.

External ventricular drainage: indications and outcome among Sudanese Children.

This study reflects our experience in managing Sudanese children with different cranial conditions through external ventricular drainage (EVD): indications for EVD, pathologies faced, and early outcome. A prospective review of cases operated at the National Center for Neurological Sciences was carried out during the period from February 2014 to February 2016. The patients were closely followed up till EVD removal and discharge. Thirty-five Sudanese children were included in the study (age range between 6 days and 7 years). Majority of the cases had posterior fossa tumor with obstructive hydrocephalus (n = 19, 54.3%). Twenty (57.1%) patients presented with a decreased level of consciousness, while 28 (80%) patients presented with symptoms and signs of raised intracranial pressure (ICP). The decision for EVD was made preoperatively based on positive cranial computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging findings in 10 (28.6%) patients. Additionally, 28 (80%) patients responded to single injectable antibiotic therapy with an average duration of 22 days. Subsequently, 25 (71.4%) patients improved or got cured, 5 deteriorated, and 11 died. We conclude that EVD can be used for many indications, including obstructive, postinfectious, and postmeningitic hydrocephalus as well as intraventricular hemorrhage. Most patients may present with either deteriorating levels of consciousness or symptoms and signs of raised ICP, but few of them may have positive brain imaging findings and therefore the decision for EVD was made intraoperatively. The average duration for EVD use was 3 weeks with single antibiotic therapy use, which was found as effective as when combined with intraventricular therapy.

Synthesis of Ziziphus spina-christi (Jujube) Root Methanol Extract Loaded Functionalized Silver Nanoparticle (ZS-Ag-NPs); Physiochemical Characterization and Effect of ZS-Ag-NPs on Adipocyte Maturation, Adipokine and Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Interaction.

In this research, a simple, green approach was employed to synthesize silver nanoparticles with the aid of Ziziphus spina-christi (L.) methanol root extract, which can act as a reducing, capping agent to treat obesity and inflammation. Globally, Ziziphus spina-christi (Jujube) root is used in traditional therapy as a lipolysis promoter. GC-MS results confirmed the availability of kaempferol (flavonol), cannabinol and indole-3-carboxylic acid in Ziziphus spina-christi root methanol extract (ZSE). ZSE silver nanoparticles (ZS-Ag-NPs) were synthesized and their effect on mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation capacity and adipokine levels in maturing adipocytes were analyzed. Maturing adipocytes treated with 0.4 µg/dL of ZSE and ZS-Ag-NPs significantly reduced the lipid content in adipocytes by 64% and 82%, respectively. In addition, lipolysis-related genes such as LPL (1.9 fold), HSL (2.3 fold), PGC-1α (3 fold), UCP-1 (4.1 fold), PRDM16 (2 fold) and PPARα (2.7 fold) increased significantly in ZS-Ag-NPs treated maturing adipocytes. The ZS-Ag-NPs treatment significantly decreased insulin resistance and metabolic inflammation-related LTB4-R, TNF-α, IL-4 and STAT-6 mRNA levels. Mitochondrial thermogenesis stimulating capacity of ZS-Ag-NPs was further confirmed by the significantly enhanced CREB-1 and AMPK protein levels in adipocytes. Furthermore, ZS-Ag-NPs treated adipokines (condition media, CM) were treated with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) to determine cytotoxicity and pro-inflammatory stimulus capacity. We found that ZS-Ag-NPs treated adipocyte CM effectively increased mRNA expression levels of the vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF), and down-regulated oxidative stress (LPO, eNOS, and HO) and vascular cell inflammation (ICAM, VCAM, TNF-α, IL-1ß, and NF-κB). In conclusion, ZS-Ag-NPs displayed an action at the molecular level in mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation, decreased adipokine secretion in adipocytes, and enhanced vascular endothelial cell growth. This molecular mechanical action of ZS-Ag-NPs reduced effectively obesity progressions and metabolic inflammatory pathogenesis associated with aging.

Carbonated ground granulated blast furnace slag stabilising brown kaolin.

Proposals have been made by several researchers to conduct the sequestration of carbon dioxide (CO2) through calcium and magnesium-rich materials. From these materials, ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) containing 5% magnesium and 45% calcium is seen to be a good candidate and is available to sequester CO2. This study intends to ascertain the ability to absorb CO2, sequester it, and increase treated kaolin strength with different content of GGBS under various carbonation periods with varying CO2 pressure. The impacts of carbonated GGBS on the mechanical attributes of soil were examined by conducting the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) test, and microstructure analysis was conducted to identify the changes in the structure and Crestline phase. Stationary carbonation in a triaxial test with pure CO2 was conducted to accelerate the carbonation process. The outcome indicates that the strength rises as the carbonation period rises. Likewise, UCS rises as the CO2 pressure rises from 100 to 200 kPa. It could be concluded that augmentation of the strength is because of carbonated calcium and magnesium products which stuff the soil voids. Changes occur on the microstructure level due to carbonation as well.

Brain abscess burr hole aspiration in children with congenital heart disease in low facility centers: case series.

This is a prospective cross-sectional study on brain abscess burr hole aspiration in children with congenital heart disease (CHD) performed from January 2018 to March 2019. All patients were operated on through a burr hole, and then received intravenous antibiotics for 6 weeks and orally for 2 weeks either empirically or according to the results of abscess culture, if positive. The follow-up of cranial computed tomography or brain magnetic resonance image with contrast was obtained after 2 months (post-operatively) to assess the effectiveness of the procedure and to look for any residual or recurrent abscesses. Data were collected in a designed data collection sheet and analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences-20. Thirteen patients were found to satisfy inclusion criteria. The most common presenting symptoms were fever (n = 11/13, 84.6%), vomiting (n = 7/13, 53.8%), headache (n = 6/13, 46.2%), convulsions (n = 6/13, 46.2%), focal weakness (n = 3/13, 23.1%), and impaired level of consciousness (n = 1/13, 7.7%). No bacterial growth was detected in two-thirds of the cases (69.2%), while the culture was positive in the remaining one-third (30.8%). The follow-up images showed complete resolution of the abscesses except in one case (n = 1/13, 7.7%), which required a second session of aspiration. One patient died (n = 1/13, 7.7%) on the 19th post-operative day due to severe pneumonia. Aspiration of brain abscess in children with CHD through a burr hole is a safe and effective procedure in terms of operative time, duration of anaesthesia and postoperative complications.

Biochemical Changes during Traditional Fermentation of Saudi Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) Cultivars Flour into Khamir (Local Gluten Free Bread).

Effect of traditional fermentation on pH, titratable acidity, proteins, amino acids, and sugars contents of three local sorghum cultivars namely Hamra, Biadah and Shahla used in making khamir local bread were investigated. During 24 fermentations, the pH of fermented dough dropped sharply and this was coincided with increase in total acidity. Fermentation was found to cause no significant change in protein content of the cultivars. Amino acid analysis, revealed slight insignificant improvement in lysine, and leucine content but there was a slight decrease in valine, phenyl alanine and arginine content in fermented dough. Glucose, fructose and maltose content of the three sorghum cultivars increased considerably in the early stages of fermentation, followed by decrease towards the end of fermentation. Low amount of sucrose detected in the three cultivars and it was completely utilized after 8 hrs. of fermentation.

Ground improvement and its role in carbon dioxide reduction: a review.

Environmental global issues affecting global warming, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), have attracted the attention of researchers around the world. This paper reviews and discusses the ground improvement and its contribution to reducing CO2 in the atmosphere. The approach is divided into three parts: the Streamlined Energy and Emissions Assessment Model (SEEAM), the replacement of soil stabilisation materials that lead to the emission of a large amount of CO2 with alternatives and mineral carbonation. A brief discussion about the first two is reviewed in this paper and a detailed discussion about mineral carbonation and its role in enhancing soil strength while absorbing a large amount of CO2. It is emphasised that natural mineral carbonation requires a very long time for a material to reach its full capacity to form CO2; as a result, different acceleration processes can be done from increasing pressure, temperature, the concentration of CO2 and the addition of various additives. In conclusion, it was found that magnesium is more attractive than calcium, and calcium is complicated in terms of strength behaviour. Magnesium has a larger capacity for CO2 sequestration and it has a greater potential to increase soil strength than calcium.