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1.
Kidney Blood Press Res ; 48(1): 545-555, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37517398

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The evidence about the optimal revascularization strategy in patients with left main coronary artery (LMCA) disease and impaired renal function is limited. Thus, we aimed to compare the outcomes of LMCA disease revascularization (percutaneous coronary intervention [PCI] vs. coronary artery bypass grafting [CABG]) in patients with and without impaired renal function. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included 2,138 patients recruited from 14 centers between 2015 and 2,019. We compared patients with impaired renal function who had PCI (n= 316) to those who had CABG (n = 121) and compared patients with normal renal function who had PCI (n = 906) to those who had CABG (n = 795). The study outcomes were in-hospital and follow-up major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE). RESULTS: Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of in-hospital MACCE was significantly higher in CABG compared to PCI in patients with impaired renal function (odds ratio [OR]: 8.13 [95% CI: 4.19-15.76], p < 0.001) and normal renal function (OR: 2.59 [95% CI: 1.79-3.73]; p < 0.001). There were no differences in follow-up MACCE between CABG and PCI in patients with impaired renal function (HR: 1.14 [95% CI: 0.71-1.81], p = 0.585) and normal renal function (HR: 1.12 [0.90-1.39], p = 0.312). CONCLUSIONS: PCI could have an advantage over CABG in revascularization of LMCA disease in patients with impaired renal function regarding in-hospital MACCE. The follow-up MACCE was comparable between PCI and CABG in patients with impaired and normal renal function.


Subject(s)
Coronary Artery Disease , Percutaneous Coronary Intervention , Humans , Percutaneous Coronary Intervention/adverse effects , Retrospective Studies , Treatment Outcome , Coronary Artery Bypass/adverse effects , Coronary Artery Disease/complications , Coronary Artery Disease/surgery , Kidney/surgery
2.
Int J Neurosci ; : 1-5, 2023 Nov 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37929576

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is associated with one of the lethal diseases, Herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE). Diagnosis is confirmed using MRI and CT scan imaging techniques and more sensitive DNA PCR from cerebrospinal fluid analysis and brain biopsy.Case presentation: However, after four days, the patient's HSE diagnosis was confirmed by the detection of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1) via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing. This case highlights the importance of utilizing multiple diagnostic aids and not solely relying on initial test results, as infections may not appear in CSF analysis or MRI scans initially. Furthermore, this case also emphasizes the necessity of initiating empirical treatment based on clinical signs and symptoms, even in cases where diagnostic tests initially appear negative. Prompt and efficient diagnosis and treatment are crucial in managing HSE and preventing long-term neurological damage.Conclusion: This case of HSE underscores the significance of a multifaceted diagnostic approach and timely intervention in managing this potentially severe and life-threatening condition. As mentioned, sometimes the infection does not appear in CSF analysis initially, nor does its effects appear in MRI. HSV PCR remains the golden test to confirm the diagnosis of HSE.

3.
Int J Mol Sci ; 24(10)2023 May 17.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37240240

ABSTRACT

Novel strategies and materials have gained the attention of researchers due to the current pandemic, the global market high competition, and the resistance of pathogens against conventional materials. There is a dire need to develop cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and biodegradable materials to fight against bacteria using novel approaches and composites. Fused filament fabrication (FFF), also known as fused deposition modeling (FDM), is the most effective and novel fabrication method to develop these composites due to its various advantages. Compared to metallic particles alone, composites of different metallic particles have shown excellent antimicrobial properties against common Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. This study investigates the antimicrobial properties of two sets of hybrid composite materials, i.e., Cu-PLA-SS and Cu-PLA-Al, are made using copper-enriched polylactide composite, one-time printed side by-side with stainless steel/PLA composite, and second-time with aluminum/PLA composite respectively. These materials have 90 wt.% of copper, 85 wt.% of SS 17-4, 65 wt.% of Al with a density of 4.7 g/cc, 3.0 g/cc, and 1.54 g/cc, respectively, and were fabricated side by side using the fused filament fabrication (FFF) printing technique. The prepared materials were tested against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria such as Escherichia coli (E. coli), Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa), Salmonella Poona (S. Poona), and Enterococci during different time intervals (5 min, 10 min, 20 min, 1 h, 8 h, and 24 h). The results revealed that both samples showed excellent antimicrobial efficiency, and 99% reduction was observed after 10 min. Hence, three-dimensional (3D) printed polymeric composites enriched with metallic particles can be utilized for biomedical, food packaging, and tissue engineering applications. These composite materials can also provide sustainable solutions in public places and hospitals where the chances of touching surfaces are higher.


Subject(s)
Anti-Bacterial Agents , Anti-Infective Agents , Animals , Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Copper , Escherichia coli , Gram-Negative Bacteria , Gram-Positive Bacteria , Staphylococcus aureus , Birds , Anti-Infective Agents/pharmacology , Printing, Three-Dimensional
4.
Molecules ; 28(24)2023 Dec 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38138531

ABSTRACT

Since the Fourth Industrial Revolution, three-dimensional (3D) printing has become a game changer in manufacturing, particularly in bioengineering, integrating complex medical devices and tools with high precision, short operation times, and low cost. Antimicrobial materials are a promising alternative for combating the emergence of unforeseen illnesses and device-related infections. Natural antimicrobial materials, surface-treated biomaterials, and biomaterials incorporated with antimicrobial materials are extensively used to develop 3D-printed products. This review discusses the antimicrobial mechanisms of different materials by providing examples of the most commonly used antimicrobial materials in bioengineering and brief descriptions of their properties and biomedical applications. This review will help researchers to choose suitable antimicrobial agents for developing high-efficiency biomaterials for potential applications in medical devices, packaging materials, biomedical applications, and many more.


Subject(s)
Anti-Infective Agents , Biocompatible Materials , Biocompatible Materials/pharmacology , Printing, Three-Dimensional , Bioengineering , Biomedical Engineering , Anti-Infective Agents/pharmacology , Anti-Infective Agents/therapeutic use
5.
BMC Infect Dis ; 22(1): 542, 2022 Jun 13.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35698046

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The burden of carbapenem resistance is not well studied in the Middle East. We aimed to describe the molecular epidemiology and outcome of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) infections from several Saudi Arabian Centers. METHODS: This is a multicenter prospective cohort study conducted over a 28-month period. Patients older than 14 years of age with a positive CRE Escherichia coli or Klebsiella pneumoniae culture and a clinically established infection were included in this study. Univariate and multivariable logistic models were constructed to assess the relationship between the outcome of 30-day all-cause mortality and possible continuous and categorical predictor variables. RESULTS: A total of 189 patients were included. The median patient age was 62.8 years and 54.0% were male. The most common CRE infections were nosocomial pneumonia (23.8%) and complicated urinary tract infection (23.8%) and 77 patients (40.7%) had CRE bacteremia. OXA-48 was the most prevalent gene (69.3%). While 100 patients (52.9%) had a clinical cure, 57 patients (30.2%) had died within 30 days and 23 patients (12.2%) relapsed. Univariate analysis to predict 30-day mortality revealed that the following variables are associated with mortality: older age, high Charlson comorbidity index, increased Pitt bacteremia score, nosocomial pneumonia, CRE bacteremia and diabetes mellitus. In multivariable analysis, CRE bacteremia remained as an independent predictor of 30 day all-cause mortality [AOR and 95% CI = 2.81(1.26-6.24), p = 0.01]. CONCLUSIONS: These data highlight the molecular epidemiology and outcomes of CRE infection in Saudi Arabia and will inform future studies to address preventive and management interventions.


Subject(s)
Bacteremia , Enterobacteriaceae Infections , Healthcare-Associated Pneumonia , Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use , Bacteremia/drug therapy , Bacteremia/epidemiology , Carbapenems/pharmacology , Carbapenems/therapeutic use , Enterobacteriaceae Infections/drug therapy , Enterobacteriaceae Infections/epidemiology , Escherichia coli , Female , Healthcare-Associated Pneumonia/drug therapy , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Molecular Epidemiology , Prospective Studies , Saudi Arabia/epidemiology
6.
J Obstet Gynaecol Res ; 48(12): 3286-3291, 2022 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36065788

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of repair of uterovaginal prolapse using sacrospinous hysteropexy on female sexual function. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Urogynecology Clinic of the Suez Canal University Hospital from May 2014 to April 2019. Twenty-seven women with a diagnosis of uterovaginal prolapse and wishing to preserve their uteri were recruited. Sacrospinous ligament fixation was done. Sexual symptoms were assessed using the female sexual function index (FSFI) questionnaire just before and 6 months after the operation. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 36.5 ± 4 years. Sacrospinous hysteropexy only was performed for three women. Additional procedures included anterior colporrhaphy (12), posterior colporrhaphy (9), and perineorrhaphy (15). There was a significant improvement in pre- and postoperative patients' orgasm (3.1 ± [0.8] vs. 3.7 ± [1.1]; p value = 0.03) and satisfaction (3.4 ± [0.6] vs. 4.2 ± [0.8]; p value < 0.001) while there was worsening of pain (4.3 ± [1.5] vs. 3.2 ± [1.6]; p value = 0.017). There was insignificant improvement in the other three domains as well as total score of FSFI, with all patients having sexual dysfunction. CONCLUSION: Sacrospinous hysteropexy was associated with significant improvement orgasm and satisfaction domains of FSFI and significant worsening of pain.


Subject(s)
Gynecologic Surgical Procedures , Uterine Prolapse , Female , Humans , Adult , Gynecologic Surgical Procedures/adverse effects , Gynecologic Surgical Procedures/methods , Cross-Sectional Studies , Treatment Outcome , Uterine Prolapse/surgery , Pain
7.
Int J Mol Sci ; 23(19)2022 Sep 23.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36232537

ABSTRACT

Due to the prevailing existence of the COVID-19 pandemic, novel and practical strategies to combat pathogens are on the rise worldwide. It is estimated that, globally, around 10% of hospital patients will acquire at least one healthcare-associated infection. One of the novel strategies that has been developed is incorporating metallic particles into polymeric materials that neutralize infectious agents. Considering the broad-spectrum antimicrobial potency of some materials, the incorporation of metallic particles into the intended hybrid composite material could inherently add significant value to the final product. Therefore, this research aimed to investigate an antimicrobial polymeric PLA-based composite material enhanced with different microparticles (copper, aluminum, stainless steel, and bronze) for the antimicrobial properties of the hybrid composite. The prepared composite material samples produced with fused filament fabrication (FFF) 3D printing technology were tested for different time intervals to establish their antimicrobial activities. The results presented here depict that the sample prepared with 90% copper and 10% PLA showed the best antibacterial activity (99.5%) after just 20 min against different types of bacteria as compared to the other samples. The metallic-enriched PLA-based antibacterial sheets were remarkably effective against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli; therefore, they can be a good candidate for future biomedical, food packaging, tissue engineering, prosthetic material, textile industry, and other science and technology applications. Thus, antimicrobial sheets made from PLA mixed with metallic particles offer sustainable solutions for a wide range of applications where touching surfaces is a big concern.


Subject(s)
Anti-Infective Agents , COVID-19 Drug Treatment , Aluminum , Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Anti-Infective Agents/pharmacology , Copper , Escherichia coli , Humans , Pandemics , Polyesters , Polymers , Printing, Three-Dimensional , Stainless Steel
8.
Emerg Infect Dis ; 27(5)2021 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33900908

ABSTRACT

Understanding the immune response to Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is crucial for disease prevention and vaccine development. We studied the antibody responses in 48 human MERS-CoV infection survivors who had variable disease severity in Saudi Arabia. MERS-CoV-specific neutralizing antibodies were detected for 6 years postinfection.


Subject(s)
Coronavirus Infections , Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus , Animals , Antibody Formation , Camelus , Coronavirus Infections/epidemiology , Humans , Saudi Arabia/epidemiology
9.
J Nanosci Nanotechnol ; 19(5): 2938-2942, 2019 05 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30501803

ABSTRACT

Medical devices have an essential part in healthcare system in recent years, such as usage of heart valves, several types of stents and implants devices in patients. However, bacterial infection of medical devices causes critical issues for patients due to attachment of bacteria and formation of biofilm onto the medical devices. Therefore, finding an effective antibacterial coating to prevent biofilm formation and infection is our goal. In this study, we developed silver/chitosan nanocomposites for antimicrobial coating system by chemical and green methods using sodium borohydride and linden extract, respectively. Silver is known as a strong inorganic antimicrobial agent to kill bacteria by inactivating enzymes and dysfunction bacterial cell membranes. By immobilizing silver nanoparticles on chitosan biopolymer can prevent agglomeration of nanoparticles, besides it can improve the biocompatibility. We characterized properties of our silver chitosan nanocomposites samples using particle size distribution, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis and scanning electron microscopy. Effective antimicrobial film preventing biofilm formation on medical devices was designed. Antimicrobial testing confirmed antimicrobial properties however variable for each type of nanosilver.


Subject(s)
Anti-Infective Agents , Chitosan , Metal Nanoparticles , Nanocomposites , Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Anti-Infective Agents/pharmacology , Chitosan/pharmacology , Humans , Microbial Sensitivity Tests , Silver/pharmacology
10.
Sensors (Basel) ; 19(17)2019 Aug 23.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31443608

ABSTRACT

Internet of Thing (IoT) is the most emerging technology in which all the objects in the real world can use the Internet to communicate with each other as parts of a single unified system. This eventually leads to the development of many smart applications such as smart cities, smart homes, smart healthcare, smart transportation, etc. Due to the fact that the IoT devices have limited resources, the cybersecurity approaches that relied on complex and long processing cryptography are not a good fit for these constrained devices. Moreover, the current IoT systems experience critical security vulnerabilities that include identifying which devices were affected, what data or services were accessed or compromised, and which users were impacted. The cybersecurity challenge in IoT systems is to find a solution for handling the identity of the user, things/objects and devices in a secure manner. This paper proposes an effective multifactor authentication (CMA) solution based on robust combiners of the hash functions implemented in the IoT devices. The proposed CMA solution mitigates the authentication vulnerabilities of IoT and defends against several types of attacks. Also, it achieves multi-property robustness and preserves the collision-resistance, the pseudo-randomness, the message authentication code, and the one-wayness. It also ensures the integrity, authenticity and availability of sensed data for the legitimate IoT devices. The simulation results show that CMA outperforms the TOTP in term of the authentication failure rate. Moreover, the evaluation of CMA shows an acceptable QoS measurement in terms of computation time overhead, throughput, and packet loss ratio.

11.
Eur J Contracept Reprod Health Care ; 24(5): 362-367, 2019 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31335224

ABSTRACT

Objective: Domestic violence (DV) is an important social and public health problem affecting women globally. This study aims to assess the prevalence and risk factors of DV among infertile Egyptian women. Patients and methods: A cross-sectional hospital-based study included infertile women attending the outpatient gynaecological clinic in a tertiary University hospital was carried out between September 2017 and October 2018. After obtaining ethical approval, 304 infertile women were enrolled in the study and investigated using an interview questionnaire of Infertile Women's Exposure to Violence Determination Scale (IWEVDS). The questionnaire was examined for accuracy after translation into the Arabic language. Results: The infertile women's reported DV resulted in an average total score on the IWEVDS of 73 ± 17. The top three domains with the highest scales were DV, punishment and exposure to traditional practices domains with scale 20.84 ± 7.67, 18.25 ± 4.15 and 14.63 ± 3.18 points, respectively. Using Multivariable linear regression analysis, we found that the best-fitting predictors for this scale were the wife's age (p = .001), residency (p = .033), previous intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) (p = .016), divorce threatens (p = .022) and fear from husband (p = .026). Conclusions: Infertile Egyptian women are at an increased risk of DV. The most common forms of DV are psychological violence and verbal abuse.


Subject(s)
Domestic Violence/statistics & numerical data , Infertility, Female/psychology , Adult , Cross-Sectional Studies , Domestic Violence/psychology , Egypt/epidemiology , Female , Humans , Linear Models , Middle Aged , Pregnancy , Prevalence , Risk Factors , Tertiary Care Centers , Young Adult
12.
Int Urogynecol J ; 28(6): 917-921, 2017 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27924373

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Perineal tears may have a negative impact on female sexual function (FSF). The aim of the study was to assess the effect of different degrees of perineal tears sustained during delivery on subsequent FSF. METHODS: This prospective cohort study assessed women with third- or fourth-degree perineal tears following vaginal delivery (study group) and compared them with women who underwent episiotomy or had minor lacerations (control group). Sexual function of postpartum women meeting inclusion criteria was assessed using the validated Arabic version of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire at 6 and 12 months postpartum. RESULTS: One hundred and fifty-six women completed the study: 56 and 100 in the study and control groups, respectively. Mean total FSFI scores were significantly different between groups at 6 months postpartum [28.1 ± 4.1 vs. 18 ± 2.4 (p < 0.002)]. After 12 months, and despite slight improvement, sexual function was significantly lower in the repaired compared with the control group (21.8 ± 2.9 vs. 29.2 ± 4.1). Women in the study group showed significant decreases in the scores of desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain domains 12 months postdelivery. CONCLUSION: Higher-degree perineal tears negatively affect FSF up to 1 year after delivery. Evaluation of FSF and appropriate counseling are necessary for women with perineal tears, especially the higher degree tears.


Subject(s)
Delivery, Obstetric/adverse effects , Perineum/injuries , Postpartum Period , Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological/physiopathology , Adult , Case-Control Studies , Episiotomy/adverse effects , Female , Humans , Lacerations/etiology , Lacerations/physiopathology , Orgasm , Pregnancy , Prospective Studies , Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological/etiology , Vagina/physiopathology
13.
Emerg Infect Dis ; 22(6)2016 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27192543

ABSTRACT

We studied antibody response in 9 healthcare workers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, who survived Middle East respiratory syndrome, by using serial ELISA and indirect immunofluorescence assay testing. Among patients who had experienced severe pneumonia, antibody was detected for >18 months after infection. Antibody longevity was more variable in patients who had experienced milder disease.


Subject(s)
Antibodies, Bacterial/immunology , Coronavirus Infections/epidemiology , Coronavirus Infections/immunology , Health Personnel , Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus/immunology , Survivors , Adult , Coronavirus Infections/diagnosis , Coronavirus Infections/virology , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus/genetics , Saudi Arabia/epidemiology , Severity of Illness Index , Virus Shedding
14.
Ann Surg ; 264(1): 64-72, 2016 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26756767

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to establish whether an inguinal neurectomy at the time of hernia repair would reduce the risk of postoperative pain for open tension-free sutured mesh repair. BACKGROUND: Inguinal hernia repair is a common operative procedure. The development of postoperative pain is uncommon, but at times debilitating. The role of inguinal neurectomy is currently unknown, with no single large study available, and previous reviews included only a few heterogeneous studies. METHODS: Relevant randomized trials were identified from searches of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and EBM Review databases until October 2014. Meta-analysis was performed based on Cochrane Methods using RevMan v5.3 software. Pain, pain scores, sensory changes, and complications over short (half to <3 months), mid (3 to <12 mo), and long term (≥12 mo) were recorded. RESULTS: All included studies performed Lichtenstein hernia repair. Eleven studies on 1031 patients showed significant reduction in pain with neurectomy for short (RR = 0.61, 0.40-0.93) and midterm (RR = 0.30, 0.20-0.46), but not for long term (RR = 0.50, 0.25-1.01). Three studies (270 patients) showed significantly reduced short-term pain (RR = 0.69, 0.52-0.90). No studies included genitofemoral neurectomy. Rates of hematoma, infection, urinary retention, and recurrence were not different between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Routine ilioinguinal neurectomy during Lichtenstein-type herniorrhaphy seems to be a safe and effective method to reduce pain in the short and midterm, but may have little long-term impact. Iliohypogastric neurectomy seems to reduce pain in at least the short term.


Subject(s)
Hernia, Inguinal/surgery , Herniorrhaphy , Inguinal Canal/innervation , Inguinal Canal/surgery , Neurosurgical Procedures , Pain, Postoperative/prevention & control , Surgical Mesh , Herniorrhaphy/methods , Humans , Neurosurgical Procedures/methods , Quality of Life , Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic , Treatment Outcome
15.
J Obstet Gynaecol Res ; 42(11): 1489-1494, 2016 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27436681

ABSTRACT

AIM: To compare the efficacy of two mechanical devices for pre-induction of labor cervical ripening: the Foley catheter and the Cook cervical ripening balloon. METHODS: This interventional study included 78 postdate primigravid women randomly allocated into two groups: the Foley or Cook balloon catheter. Removal of the catheters was planned approximately 12 h after insertion if spontaneous expulsion had not occurred. The main outcome measures included changes in Bishop score, insertion to delivery time, mode of delivery and occurrence of adverse effects. RESULTS: Spontaneous expulsion of the Foley catheter was encountered more frequently than the Cook (89.2% vs 78.4%; P = 0.03). However, the median Bishop score was significantly higher when using the Cook compared with the Foley catheter after balloon removal (6 vs 5; P = 0.03). The duration from balloon insertion to expulsion and from insertion to delivery was significantly shorter in the Foley group compared with the Cook balloon group (6:19 ± 2:1 vs 7:26 ± 2:25 h; P = 0.03 and 13:50 ± 4:00 vs 15:16 ± 4:30 h; P = 0.03, respectively). There were no significant differences in other outcomes, such as the amount of oxytocin units used, mode of delivery, pain encountered during or after insertion and overall patient satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Use of the Cook cervical ripening catheter results in greater cervical ripening compared with the Foley catheter. However, the duration from balloon insertion to expulsion and then delivery were significantly shorter when using the Foley catheter; therefore, we recommend its use, particularly in low resource settings.


Subject(s)
Catheterization/methods , Cervical Ripening , Labor, Induced/methods , Urinary Catheterization/methods , Adult , Catheterization/adverse effects , Cervix Uteri , Female , Gestational Age , Gravidity , Humans , Labor, Induced/adverse effects , Pain/complications , Patient Satisfaction , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Complications/epidemiology , Prospective Studies , Urinary Catheterization/adverse effects , Young Adult
16.
J Obstet Gynaecol Res ; 40(4): 1023-9, 2014 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24612115

ABSTRACT

AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) during pregnancy in a sample of women from Egypt. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective cohort study was conducted among pregnant women who presented to the Obstetrics Outpatient Clinic - Suez Canal University Hospital for routine antenatal care between February 2012 and February 2013. The 451 women who completed the study attended during their first trimester with a singleton pregnancy and were in a stable relationship with their partners for the last 6 months. Sexual function was assessed using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire during the 4 weeks preceding pregnancy and then in each trimester during the antenatal visits. RESULTS: Prevalence of FSD during pregnancy was estimated to be 68.8%. According to the FSFI, scores of all domains and total score were significantly reduced during the whole period of pregnancy (average 22.5 ± 3.7) compared to the pre-conception period (30.5 ± 5.6). However, there was significant increase of all domains and total score during the second trimester (26.6 ± 3.9) in comparison to the first and third trimesters (22.4 ± 4.1 and 18.6 ± 3.8, respectively). Total FSFI score was found to be positively correlated to pre-conception total FSFI score. However, age, parity and duration of marriage were negatively correlated. CONCLUSION: FSD is a prevalent problem during pregnancy among Egyptian women. The magnitude of the problem is highest during the third trimester while the second trimester represents the peak of sexual function during pregnancy.


Subject(s)
Pregnancy Complications/epidemiology , Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological/epidemiology , Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological/epidemiology , Adult , Cohort Studies , Cross-Sectional Studies , Egypt/epidemiology , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Hospitals, University , Humans , Outpatient Clinics, Hospital , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Complications/ethnology , Prevalence , Prospective Studies , Risk Factors , Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological/ethnology , Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological/ethnology , Young Adult
17.
Polymers (Basel) ; 16(5)2024 Feb 23.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38475299

ABSTRACT

Using the linear elastic finite element method, we investigated how defects significantly influence the integrity of 3D-printed parts made from biodegradable material by experimental techniques and numerical simulations. A defective flaw was incorporated into the tensile test dog-bone sample using Computer-Aided Design and processed by slicing software. Three distinct raster angles examine two sets of samples, one featuring intact specimens and the other with the introduced defects. An open-source 3D printer was used to fabricate both sets of samples, utilizing biodegradable PLA material. In finite element analysis, we employed a highly detailed model that precisely accounted for the geometry and dimensions of the extruded 3D-printed filament, accurately replicating the actual configuration of the 3D-printed samples to an extent. Our study involved a thorough comparative analysis between the experimental results and the FEA simulations. Our findings uncovered a consistent trend for the intact and defective samples under tensile load. Specifically, in the intact case, the samples with a zero-degree raster orientation presented the highest resistance to failure and displayed minimal elongation. Remarkably, these conclusions paralleled our observations of the defective samples as well. Finite element analysis revealed that the stresses, including Principal, Max shear, and Von Mises, were remarkably higher at the 3D-printed samples' outer surface than the inner layers, reflecting that the failure starts at the outer surface since they exceeded the theoretical values, indicating a significant discrepancy between the simulated and anticipated values.

18.
J Hematol ; 13(3): 121-124, 2024 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38993737

ABSTRACT

Evans syndrome (ES) is a rare autoimmune condition of unknown etiology that occurs in a small subset of patients diagnosed, either sequentially or concomitantly, with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) or warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA). Neutropenia is present occasionally. Diagnosis is based on exclusion with a median age of 52 years of age. Here we have a case of a young patient with ES presenting with recurrent infection. ES should be included in differential diagnoses for patients presenting with AIHA, ITP, cytopenias or recurrent infection as the prognosis is more favorable when diagnosis is made early and symptoms are still mild.

19.
Heliyon ; 10(6): e27785, 2024 Mar 30.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38524617

ABSTRACT

Antennas play a critical role in modern technology. They are used in various devices and applications, including wireless communication, broadcasting, navigation, military, and space. Overall, the importance of antennas in technology lies in their ability to transmit and receive signals, allowing communication and information transfer across various applications and devices. Three-dimensional printing technology creates antennas using multiple materials, including plastics, metals, and ceramics. Some standard 3D printing techniques used to create antennas include Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), Stereolithography (SLA), and Selective Laser Sintering (SLS). These antennas can be made in various shapes and sizes. 3D printing can help create complex and customized antenna designs that are difficult or impossible to produce using traditional manufacturing methods. 3D-printing technology has many advantages for building antennas, including customization, ease of fabrication, and cost-effectiveness. This review comprehensively evaluates the usage of 3D-printing technology in antenna fabrication.

20.
Cureus ; 16(1): e52329, 2024 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38361685

ABSTRACT

Hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) has emerged as a groundbreaking therapeutic option for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and specific subtypes of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The prognostic significance of the NOD2/CARD15 gene has been explored alongside various factors, encompassing diverse patient cohorts and gene variants. Siblings and unrelated donors used for stem cell transplantation exhibit significant associations between their genetic variations and graft-versus-host disease incidence. The transplantation of stem cells for leukemia patients involves numerous considerations, including patient survival, relapse rates, disease stage, donor and recipient ages, and compatibility. This study delved into research on the NOD2/CARD15 gene and its mutations to assess its suitability as a screening tool. A comprehensive literature search encompassing PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar articles yielded 4,840 articles. After removing duplicates and applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, we narrowed the search results to 876 articles. Subsequent screening of abstracts and titles resulted in the selection of 230 relevant articles. Further exclusion of 198 articles unrelated to the research question led to the scrutinizing of 32 full-text articles, which were assessed against inclusion and exclusion criteria. Emphasis was placed on articles that specifically investigated the role of NOD2/CARD15 as a predictive factor for HSCT outcomes, ultimately resulting in the inclusion of 19 articles in this study. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) such as NOD2 and CARD15 have demonstrated their potential as reliable genetic markers for predicting post-transplantation relapse and disease outcomes. Patients positive for these genetic markers have exhibited reduced overall survival and event-free survival and increased transplant-related mortality. Interventions with interferon-gamma and muramyl tripeptide phosphatidylethanolamine have been considered to mitigate the inflammatory effects of these SNPs, thus enhancing the influence of natural killer cells on abnormal cells and potentially extending patient survival. NOD2/CARD15 typing may aid in identifying patients at higher risk for relapse and improving their clinical outcomes after allogeneic stem cell transplant, particularly in ALL patients. However, no remarkable change was observed in AML patients. Additionally, this study underscores the pivotal roles of adaptive and innate immune responses and their interplay in stem cell transplant immunology.

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