Development and Laboratory Evaluation of an Online Controlling Algorithm for Precision Tillage.

Soil compaction management relies on costly annual deep tillage. Variable-depth tillage or site-specific tillage modifies the physical properties of the soil at the required zones for the growth of crops. In this study, a depth control system was designed for the subsoiler of the tillage at various depths. For this purpose, an algorithm was written to investigate the subsoiler location and soil compaction. A program was also developed to implement this algorithm using Kinco Builder Software to control the subsoiler depth, which was evaluated on the experimental platform. In this study, four compression sensors were used at a distance of 10 cm up to a depth of 40 cm on the blade mounted at the front of the tractor. The data of these sensors were used as the input and compared with the pressure baseline limit (2.07 MPa), and with the priority to select the greater depth, the depth of subsoiler was determined. At all three modes of sensor activation (single, collective, and combined), this system was able to operate the hydraulic system of the tractor and place the subsoiler at the desired depth through the use of the position sensors.

Efficacy of loco-regional treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma prior to living donor liver transplantation: a report from a single center in Egypt.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The number of loco-regional therapies (LRTs) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has increased dramatically during the past decade, bridging or downstaging patients on the waiting list for liver transplantation. This study aimed to analyze the outcomes of LRTs prior to living donor liver transplantation in patients with HCC. METHODS: Sixty-two HCC patients received living donor liver transplantation at Ain Shams Center for Organ Transplantation over a 2-year period. Data from 29 HCC patients were analyzed. Twenty patients (68.97%) met the Milan Criteria and 4 patients (13.8%) exceeded the Milan Criteria, but met the University of California, San Francisco Criteria. Five patients (17.2%) exceeded the University of California, San Francisco Criteria. All patients underwent preoperative LRTs. The protocol of bridging/downstaging, methods, duration of follow-up, the number of patients who were successfully downstaged before liver transplantation (LT), and their outcomes after LT were recorded. RESULTS: There was a decrease in the mean overall size of focal lesions (from mean 5.46 to 4.11 cm) in the last abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan after LRT (p=0.0018). Discrepancies between the radiological findings and histopathology were as follows: in 16 patients (55.17%) the CT findings were consistent with the histopathological examination of the explanted liver. Underestimated tumor stage was documented in 10 patients (34.48%), and was overestimated by CT scan findings in 3 patients (10.34%). The 1-year survival rate was 93%. No patient had HCC recurrence after median follow-up of 21 months (range 1-46 months). CONCLUSION: These results encouraged tumor bridging/downstaging as a potential treatment option among carefully selected patients with HCC beyond conventional criteria for LT. Further studies on a large number of patients are necessary.

2015 Guidelines for Osteoporosis in Saudi Arabia: Recommendations from the Saudi Osteoporosis Society.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To provide guidelines for medical professionals in Saudi Arabia regarding osteoporosis. DESIGN AND SETTINGS: A panel of 14 local experts in osteoporosis assembled to provide consensus based on the strength of evidence and expert opinions on osteoporosis treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The Saudi Osteoporosis Society (SOS) formed a panel of experts who performed an extensive published studies search to formulate recommendations regarding prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of osteoporosis in Saudi Arabia. Both local and international published studies were utilized whenever available. RESULTS: Dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scanning is still the golden standard for assessing bone mineral density (BMD). In the absence of local, country-specific fracture risk assessment tool (FRAX), the SOS recommends using the USA (White) version of the FRAX tool. All women above 60 years of age should be evaluated for BMD. This is because the panel recognized that osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures occur at a younger age in Saudi Arabia. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is not recommended for treating postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. BMD evaluation should be performed 1-2 years after initiating intervention, and the assessment of bone turnover biomarkers should be performed whenever available to determine the efficacy of intervention. CONCLUSION: All Saudi women above the age of 60 years must undergo a BMD assessment using DXA. Therapy decisions should be formulated with the use of the USA (White) version of the FRAX tool.

Increasing trends and significance of hypovitaminosis D: a population-based study in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

UNLABELLED: Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in Saudi Arabia, particularly among young women and is emerging as public health threat of epidemic proportions. Prevalence of severe hypovitaminosis D is expected to rise exponentially without primary intervention. This largest study encompasses extent of vitamin D deficiency and recommendations to reduce significant health care burden. INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and significance of vitamin D deficiency in Saudi population and to help develop national consensus for its prevention, screening, and management. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study which involved 10,709 patients, recruited from the Department of Family Medicine and Polyclinic, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center (KFSH&RC), Saudi Arabia, over a period of 5 years. The endpoints included overall status of vitamin D level and severity of vitamin D deficiency. Serum measurements included 25 hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), parathormone, calcium, phosphate, alkaline phosphatase, albumin levels, eGFR levels, bone mineral density. RESULTS: A total of 10,709 patients were analyzed; 31.4 % were males and 68.6 % were females, with a preponderance of Saudis (68.5 %) compared to non-Saudis (31.5 %). The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was 83.6 % (31.9 % severe, 32.0 % moderate, and 19.7 % mild), when cut points of less than 25, 50, and 75 nmol/l, respectively, were used. Mean serum 25(OH)D was 44.58 ± 34.80 standard deviation (SD) nmol/l. There was significant difference in severity of vitamin D deficiency stratified by age, gender, and nationality. More females had severe 25(OH)D deficiency compared to males (35.6 vs. 23.7 %, p < 0.000). Severe 25(OH)D deficiency was markedly high among adolescents as compared to other age groups (49.2 vs. 30.9 %, p < 0.000). More Saudis were found to be vitamin D deficient compared to non-Saudis (37.2 vs. 20.3 %, p < 0.000). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of hypovitaminosis D is significantly high among Saudi population, especially among women, despite abundant sunshine. It is a major public health concern and requires a robust health policy for vitamin D supplementation and implementation of dietary public health measures. Vitamin D screening is strongly recommended at an earlier age especially among women and children.

The antiepileptic effect of sodium valproate during different phases of the estrous cycle in PTZ-induced seizures in rats

Catamenial epilepsy is a form of epilepsy which is related to the menstrual cycle. Cyclic variation in the levels of ovarian hormones plays a pivotal role in its pathogenesis. Sodium valproate (VPA) is one of the oldest antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) which inhibits hepatic metabolizing enzymes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antiepileptic effects of VPA during different phases of the estrous cycle in rats. 72 adult female Wistar rats in three groups (control, 75 and 100 mg/kg VPA), each with four subgroups (proestrous, estrous, metestrous and diestrous) were used (n = 6). Initially, puberty was assessed using vaginal smears and rats with two regular cycles were selected. VPA with doses 75 and 100 mg/kg was administered intraperitoneally (i.p) in the treatment groups followed by i.p. injection of 80 mg/kg pentylentetrazol (PTZ) in the treatment and control groups. After induction of seizure by PTZ, initiation time of myoclonic seizures (ITMS), initiation time of tonic-clonic seizures (ITTS), seizures duration (SD) and mortality rate (MR) were recorded for 30 min. Data were presented as mean±SD, one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey-Kramer multiple comparison post hoc test were used for analysis of data (P < 0.05). The results of this study showed that VPA significantly improved antiepileptic parameters including ITMS, ITTS, SD, and MR, in which they were significantly more prominent during the luteal phase than the follicular phase (P < 0.05). In addition, there was no significant difference neither between proestrous and estrous nor between metestrous and diestrous in each separately group of rats (P > 0.05) (AU)

The antiepileptic effect of sodium valproate during different phases of the estrous cycle in PTZ-induced seizures in rats.

Catamenial epilepsy is a form of epilepsy which is related to the menstrual cycle. Cyclic variation in the levels of ovarian hormones plays a pivotal role in its pathogenesis. Sodium valproate (VPA) is one of the oldest antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) which inhibits hepatic metabolizing enzymes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antiepileptic effects of VPA during different phases of the estrous cycle in rats. 72 adult female Wistar rats in three groups (control, 75 and 100 mg/kg VPA), each with four subgroups (proestrous, estrous, metestrous and diestrous) were used (n = 6). Initially, puberty was assessed using vaginal smears and rats with two regular cycles were selected. VPA with doses 75 and 100 mg/kg was administered intraperitoneally (i.p) in the treatment groups followed by i.p. injection of 80 mg/kg pentylentetrazol (PTZ) in the treatment and control groups. After induction of seizure by PTZ, initiation time of myoclonic seizures (ITMS), initiation time of tonic-clonic seizures (ITTS), seizures duration (SD) and mortality rate (MR) were recorded for 30 min. Data were presented as mean±SD, one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey-Kramer multiple comparison post hoc test were used for analysis of data (P < 0.05). The results of this study showed that VPA significantly improved antiepileptic parameters including ITMS, ITTS, SD, and MR, in which they were significantly more prominent during the luteal phase than the follicular phase (P < 0.05). In addition, there was no significant difference neither between proestrous and estrous nor between metestrous and diestrous in each separately group of rats (P > 0.05).

Updated recommendations for the diagnosis and management of osteoporosis: a local perspective.

Postmenopausal osteoporosis and osteoporosis in elderly men are major health problems, with a significant medical and economic burden. Although osteopenia and osteoporosis are more common locally than in the West, fracture rates are generally less than in Western countries. Vitamin D deficiency is common in the region and contributes adversely to bone health. Vitamin D deficiency should be suspected and treated in all subjects with ostopenia or osteoporosis. The use of risk factors to determine fracture risk has been adopted by the World Health Organization and many international societies. Absolute fracture risk methodology improves the use of resources by targeting subjects at higher risk of fractures for screening and management. The King Faisal Specialist Hospital Osteoporosis Working Group recommends screening for women 65 years and older and for men 70 years and older. Younger subjects with clinical risk factors and persons with clinical evidence of osteoporosis or diseases leading to osteoporosis should also be screened. These guidelines provide recommendations for treatment for postmenopausal women and men older than 50 years presenting with osteoporotic fractures for persons having osteoporosis-after excluding secondary causes-or for persons having low bone mass and a high risk for fracture. The Working Group has suggested an algorithm to use at King Faisal Specialist Hospital that is based on the availability, cost, and level of evidence of various therapeutic modalities. Adequate calcium and vitamin D supplement are recommended for all. Weekly alendronate (in the absence of contraindications) is recommended as first-line therapy. Alternatives to alendronate are raloxifene or strontium ranelate. Second-line therapies are zoledronic acid intravenously once yearly, when oral therapy is not feasible or complicated by side effects, or teriparatide in established osteoporosis with fractures.

Axial and paraxial influences on limb morphogenesis.

Previous studies by Stephens and McNulty and Strecker and Stephens have demonstrated that foil barriers placed between the mesonephros and lateral plate at stages 12 to 15 inhibited limb development, but foil barriers placed between the neural tube and somites at stages 11 to 12 resulted in limbs with normal skeletal patterns. It was concluded that some influence present in the paraxial region of the embryo at stages 11 to 15 is necessary for normal limb development. The present study was undertaken to localize that influence more precisely. Foil barriers were placed in the lateral edge of the somites or segmental plate of stage 10 to 15 chick embryos. Barriers placed into stage 13 to 15 embryos resulted in chicks with normal limbs, but barriers placed into stage 10 to 11 embryos resulted in chicks with defective limbs. Barriers inserted just lateral to Hensen's node at stages 6 to 8 resulted in embryos with defective or absent wings. We also grafted stage 4 to 9 presumptive limb territories with and without Hensen's node. Explants without Hensen's node formed limb-like structures in 1% of the cases. Explants with Hensen's node formed limb-like structures in 27% of the cases. When barriers were implanted and a node was placed on the lateral side of the barrier, limbs formed in 40% of the cases. These data suggest a medial to lateral progression of some as yet unknown morphogenetic influence necessary for normal limb development and we hypothesized that the influence may initially emanate from Hensen's node.