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إرشادات لاستخدام وتفسير التجارب لرصد الالتهام الذاتي (الطبعة الرابعة)
No full textIn 2008, we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, this
topic has received increasing attention, and many scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base
and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Thus, it is important to formulate on a regular
basis updated guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Despite numerous reviews,
there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to evaluate autophagy, especially in
multicellular eukaryotes. Here, we present a set of guidelines for investigators to select and interpret
methods to examine autophagy and related processes, and for reviewers to provide realistic and
reasonable critiques of reports that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant
to be a dogmatic set of rules, because the appropriateness of any assay largely depends on the question
being asked and the system being used. Moreover, no individual assay is perfect for every situation,
calling for the use of multiple techniques to properly monitor autophagy in each experimental setting.
Finally, several core components of the autophagy machinery have been implicated in distinct autophagic processes (canonical and noncanonical autophagy), implying that genetic approaches to block
autophagy should rely on targeting two or more autophagy-related genes that ideally participate in
distinct steps of the pathway. Along similar lines, because multiple proteins involved in autophagy also
regulate other cellular pathways including apoptosis, not all of them can be used as a specific marker for
bona fide autophagic responses. Here, we critically discuss current methods of assessing autophagy and
the information they can, or cannot, provide. Our ultimate goal is to encourage intellectual and technical
innovation in the field.الملخص بالعربي
مستوى عرض عامل النسخ TBX2 ودلالاته السريرية في سرطان الثدي
No full textObjective: Recent studies showed that overexpression of T‐box transcription factor TBX2 in ovarian and prostate cancer tissues is associated with conferred resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs. However, whether TBX2 is overexpressed in breast cancer tissues remains to be elucidated. The present study aimed to determine the level of TBX2 in breast cancer tissues in comparison to normal tissues and to study the association between the level of TBX2 and breast cancer metastasis.
Patients and Methods: Breast cancer samples and their adjacent non-tumor tissues were collected from 51 breast cancer patients. Sections from each sample were immune-stained by anti-TBX2 and suitable secondary and tertiary antibodies. TBX2 levels were evaluated in cancerous and non-tumor samples. TBX2 level was also evaluated by Western blotting. The correlation between TBX2 levels and the clinicopathological parameters was statistically tested.
Results: Data showed that TBX2 is significantly overexpressed in breast cancer tissues compared with non-tumor adjacent tissues. Furthermore, it showed that TBX2 expression is associated with cancer metastasis and lymph node size. Statistical analysis showed that TBX2 overexpression is a promising biomarker for breast cancer cells with an area under the curve [AUC] of 0.891 [p<0.001] at a cut-off value of 10 of a total score of 16.
Conclusions: TBX2 is overexpressed within breast cancer tissues, and increased levels of this transcription factor can be found in breast cancer cells for patients with metastatic disease suggesting that TBX2 might serve as a useful diagnostic marker in this malignancy.Objective: Recent studies showed that overexpression of T‐box transcription factor TBX2 in ovarian and prostate cancer tissues is associated with conferred resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs. However, whether TBX2 is overexpressed in breast cancer tissues remains to be elucidated. The present study aimed to determine the level of TBX2 in breast cancer tissues in comparison to normal tissues and to study the association between the level of TBX2 and breast cancer metastasis.
Patients and Methods: Breast cancer samples and their adjacent non-tumor tissues were collected from 51 breast cancer patients. Sections from each sample were immune-stained by anti-TBX2 and suitable secondary and tertiary antibodies. TBX2 levels were evaluated in cancerous and non-tumor samples. TBX2 level was also evaluated by Western blotting. The correlation between TBX2 levels and the clinicopathological parameters was statistically tested.
Results: Data showed that TBX2 is significantly overexpressed in breast cancer tissues compared with non-tumor adjacent tissues. Furthermore, it showed that TBX2 expression is associated with cancer metastasis and lymph node size. Statistical analysis showed that TBX2 overexpression is a promising biomarker for breast cancer cells with an area under the curve [AUC] of 0.891 [p<0.001] at a cut-off value of 10 of a total score of 16.
Conclusions: TBX2 is overexpressed within breast cancer tissues, and increased levels of this transcription factor can be found in breast cancer cells for patients with metastatic disease suggesting that TBX2 might serve as a useful diagnostic marker in this malignancy
نظام الطاقة الهجين لمركز الحجر الصحي في دير البلح في قطاع غزة ، فلسطين
No full textA new off-grid Hybrid Energy System (HES) for Dier El Balah quarantine center (middle Gaza Strip, Palestine) that was built to host the infected Corona virus (COVID-19) people is studied. The proposed system is made up of three energy sources mainly photovoltaic (PV), wind, and a diesel generator. The HES is proposed to supply a load of 3952 KW/day. Further consideration is given to technical and economic effects. HOMER program is used to develop an optimal system from the practical view point. The simulation results provide suitable HES to power the Dier El Balah quarantine center considering different factors such as environmentally friendly, cost-effective and affordable electricity, as compared to using only diesel generators with lowestCOE equals 0.348 US$/kWh.تمت دراسة نظام طاقة هجين جديد خارج الشبكة لمركز الحجر الصحي في دير البلح (وسط قطاع غزة ، فلسطين) والذي تم إنشاؤه لاستضافة المصابين بفيروس كورونا (COVID-19). يتكون النظام المقترح من ثلاثة مصادر للطاقة بشكل رئيسي الكهروضوئية (PV) وطاقة الرياح ومولد الديزل. يقترح HES لتزويد حمولة 3952 KW / يوم. يتم إيلاء مزيد من الاعتبار للتأثيرات التقنية والاقتصادية. يستخدم برنامج HOMER لتطوير نظام أمثل من وجهة نظر عملية. توفر نتائج المحاكاة HES مناسبة لتشغيل مركز الحجر الصحي في دير البلح مع الأخذ في الاعتبار عوامل مختلفة مثل الكهرباء الصديقة للبيئة والفعالة من حيث التكلفة وبأسعار معقولة ، مقارنة باستخدام مولدات الديزل فقط مع أقل COE يساوي 0.348 دولار أمريكي / كيلووات ساعة
التحليل الأمثل لأنظمة الطاقة المتجددة المتصلة بالشبكة الهجينة والمشتركة حيويًا للتطبيق المحلي
No full text"Increasing household energy demand in the countries of the global south and the lack of conventional fuels and their high prices is forcing local authorities to look for alternatives. Based on the example of the city of Gaza, the primary renewable energy sources are large volumes of biomass, particularly waste-derived, which causes environmental and health damage, as well as abundant amounts of solar radiation. Hybrid renewable energy system (HRES) of solar and biomass is proposed, providing sustainable electrification for highly populated communities. By reviewing the literature studies on the electrification systems consisting of biomass and solar energy systems in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries, and with respect to the corresponding technologies applied, we decided to incorporate a biogas engine generator. Simulation experiments are conducted by HOMER Pro-software of the residential district average daily demand is about 1074 kWh/day, and peaks of 84.5 kWp. The grid-connected system utilises renewable resources through photovoltaic panels and a biogas generator. Pre-mathematical model to evaluate the system components capacities is provided with different zones of load profile to achieve optimum solution of the biomass contribution and reveals at least 0. 438/kWh cost of energy (CoE).
1"تزايد الطلب المنزلي على الطاقة في دول جنوب الكرة الأرضية ونقص الوقود التقليدي وارتفاع أسعاره يجبر السلطات المحلية على البحث عن بدائل. بناءً على مثال مدينة غزة ، فإن مصادر الطاقة المتجددة الأولية هي كميات كبيرة من الكتلة الحيوية ، لا سيما النفايات المشتقة ، والتي تسبب أضرارًا بيئية وصحية ، فضلاً عن كميات وفيرة من الإشعاع الشمسي. تم اقتراح نظام أنظمة الطاقة المتجددة الهجين من طاقة الشمسية والكتلة الحيوية ، ليوفر كهرباء مستدامة للمجتمعات المكتظة بالسكان. من خلال مراجعة الدراسات الأدبية حول أنظمة الكهرباء التي تتكون من الكتلة الحيوية وأنظمة الطاقة الشمسية في دول الشرق الأوسط وشمال إفريقيا ، وفيما يتعلق بالتقنيات المطبقة المطبقة ، قررنا دمج مولد محرك يعمل بالغاز الحيوي. يتم إجراء تجارب المحاكاة بواسطة برنامج هومر برو حيث يبلغ متوسط الطلب اليومي للمنطقة السكنية حوالي 1074 كيلو واط ساعة / يوم ، وذروة تبلغ 84.5 كيلوواط. يستخدم النظام المتصل بالشبكة الموارد المتجددة من خلال الألواح الكهروضوئية ومولد الغاز الحيوي. يتم توفير نموذج رياضي لتقييم قدرات مكونات النظام بمناطق مختلفة من ملف تعريف الحمل لتحقيق الحل الأمثل لمساهمة الكتلة الحيوية ويكشف على الأقل 2.30 مليون دولار صافي التكلفة الحالية 0.435 دولار / كيلوواط ساعة تكلفة الطاقة
Dispersion curves of a slab waveguide with a nonlinear covering medium and an exponential graded-index thin film (transverse magnetic case)
No full text"A slab waveguide that comprises a linear substrate, an exponentially graded-index guiding layer, and a power-
dependent refractive index covering medium is investigated. All layers are assumed dielectric. The guiding film
index is described by a function n(x), which changes exponentially from the cover-film interface to the substrate.
The solution of the Helmholtz equation in the guiding layer is found as Bessel’s functions of the first and second kinds, the order of which is V√b, where V and b are two asymmetry parameters called normalized film thickness and normalized guide index, respectively. The dispersion relation is obtained, and the dispersion properties are
investigated.We found that there is no cutoff thickness for small asymmetry coefficient (a) values due to the nonlinear covering medium. The properties of the waveguide structure are determined by the graded-index function, and
the effect of the cover layer nonlinearity is highly reduced and contributes almost nothing to the dispersion properties for large values of a. The b-values do not exceed unity, which means that the modes carried by the waveguide
structure are guided modes.""A slab waveguide that comprises a linear substrate, an exponentially graded-index guiding layer, and a power-
dependent refractive index covering medium is investigated. All layers are assumed dielectric. The guiding film
index is described by a function n(x), which changes exponentially from the cover-film interface to the substrate.
The solution of the Helmholtz equation in the guiding layer is found as Bessel’s functions of the first and second kinds, the order of which is V√b, where V and b are two asymmetry parameters called normalized film thickness and normalized guide index, respectively. The dispersion relation is obtained, and the dispersion properties are
investigated.We found that there is no cutoff thickness for small asymmetry coefficient (a) values due to the nonlinear covering medium. The properties of the waveguide structure are determined by the graded-index function, and
the effect of the cover layer nonlinearity is highly reduced and contributes almost nothing to the dispersion properties for large values of a. The b-values do not exceed unity, which means that the modes carried by the waveguide
structure are guided modes.
تحليل التغريدات العربية حول مسيرات العودة الكبرى باستخدام تعلم الآلة
No full textSocial media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook are becoming powerful sources of people’s perception of major events. Most people use social media to express their views on various issues and events and develop their information on a diverse economic, political, technical, social and occurrences related to their life. The overarching aim of this paper is to apply machine learning techniques to extract Arab users’ opinions from 500 Arabic tweets on the Great March of Return rallies in the Gaza strip (Gaza border protests) collected over a two years span from 2018 to 2019. The majority of Sentiment Analysis (SA) studies concentrate on the English language, while other popular languages, such as Arabic, are seldom covered. In addition, on the Internet, publicly accessible Arabic datasets are hardly found. Three Arabic sentiment analysis datasets were used to train and evaluate four machine learning algorithms, namely, Support Vector Machine, Logistic Regression, Decision Tree, and Neural Network. In term of accuracy, logistic regression outperformed the other three algorithms with a percentage of 83%. Application of logistic regression on the sample tweets revealed that 85.8% of the tweets opposed the Great March of Return, whereas 14.2% of the tweets supported it.أصبحت منصات المواقع الاجتماعية مثل Twitter و Facebook مصادر قوية لآراء الناس حول الأحداث الكبرى. يستخدم معظم الناس وسائل التواصل الاجتماعي للتعبير عن آرائهم حول مختلف القضايا والأحداث وتطوير معلوماتهم حول مختلف الأحداث الاقتصادية والسياسية والتقنية والاجتماعية المتعلقة بحياتهم. الهدف الرئيسي من هذه الورقة هو تطبيق تقنيات التعلم الآلي لاستخراج آراء المستخدمين العرب من 500 تغريدة عربية حول مسيرات العودة الكبرى في قطاع غزة (احتجاجات حدود غزة) التي تم جمعها على مدى عامين من 2018 إلى 2019. تركز غالبية دراسات تحليل المشاعر (SA) على اللغة الإنجليزية، بينما نادرًا ما يتم تغطية اللغات الشائعة الأخرى مثل اللغة العربية. بالإضافة إلى ذلك، نادراً ما توجد قواعد بيانات عربية متاحة للجمهور على الإنترنت. تم استخدام ثلاث قواعد بيانات للاراء العربية لتدريب وتقييم أربع خوارزميات للتعلم الآلي، وهي: Support Vector Machine ، والانحدار اللوجستي (Logistic Regression)، وشجرة القرار (Decision Tree)، والشبكة العصبية. حيث تفوق الانحدار اللوجستي على الخوارزميات الثلاثة الأخرى وكانت نسبة الدقة 83٪. وبتطبيق الانحدار اللوجستي على عينة التغريدات، 85.8٪ من التغريدات عارضت مسيرة العودة الكبرى، بينما أيدتها 14.2٪ من التغريدات
Evaluating the Effect of Selected Medicinal Plant Extracts and their Synergistic Effect with Metronidazole against Entamoeba histolytica
No full textIntroduction: Intestinal infection with Entamoeba histolytica is an important cause of diarrhoea world-wide especially where sanitation conditions are poor. Medicinal plants have played a significant role in various traditional systems of medications including intestinal infections caused by E. histolytica. Objectives: To investigate the antiamoebic activity of pomegranate, castor and thyme aqueous and alcoholic extracts, in addition to thyme oil and pomergnate juice against E. histolytica and to determine the synergistic effect of these plant extracts with the antibiotic metronidazole. Methods: Three medicinal plants pomegranate (Punica granatum), castor (Ricinus communis L) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris L) were used in this study. Some of these plants were bought from fruit's market in Gaza and some were collected from some regions in Gaza; each plant was dried then extracted according to standard extraction method using Soxhlet apparatus. E. histolytica was cultured in a modified diphasic liver infusion agar medium in vitro conditions to study the effect of these plant extracts on E. histolytica and their synergestic effect with the antibiotic metronidazole. The type of E. histolytica was confirmed using PCR. Results: Successful cultures of E. histolytica were obtained. All the plant materials used in this study possessed antiamoebic activity in vitro with different levels except the aqueous extract of R. communis leaves which also was the only one didn’t show synergistic effect with metronidazole at tested concentrations. Alcoholic extract of P. granatum pulp had the strongest antiamoebic activity with MIC of < 5 mg/ml while the aqueous extract of T. vulgaris leaves had the weakest antiamoebic activity with a MIC of < 20 mg/ml. Oils and Juice: P. granatum juice possessed antiamoebic activity and synergistic effect with a MIC < 12.5 % (v/v). T. vulgaris oil not only possessed antiamoebic activity and synergistic effect but also had the strongest activity and a MIC of < 6.5% (v/v), and the best synergistic effect. Metronidazole is still effective against E. histolytica with a MIC < 20 µg/ml and exhibit greater amoebicidal activity as compared with the plant extracts. It is recommended that pomegranate and thyme should be advised by physicians to treat E. histolytica infection with or without
metronidazole. The plant extracts which showed a good amoebicidal activity in vitro should be tested in vivo on experimental animals to evaluate their amoebicidal effect and their synergistic effect with metronidazole on E. histolytica and also recommended to raise awareness regarding the use of medicinal plants to treat parasitic infections
Trichonamas vaginalis Infection among Palestinian Women: Prevalence and Trends during 2000-2006
No full textAim: Trichomonas vaginalis has not been studied in Gaza and there is no available data on the prevalence of this sexually transmitted disease (STD). The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of Trichomonas vaginalis (T. vaginalis) among Palestinian women attending a child and mother care center in Gaza, Palestine and to estimate the trend of prevalence over the period from 2000-2006.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 430 pregnant women attending a child and mother care center in Gaza. The clinical and gynecologic examinations were performed according to the complaints reported by each woman, especially infertility. Vaginal and cervical swabs were collected and stained with Papanicolaou (Pap) stain.
Results: Out of 423 women, a total of 77 were found to be infected with T. vaginalis, for a prevalence of 18.2%. A decrease in the prevalence of T. vaginalis was observed with increasing age. A significant association between vaginal discharge and T. vaginalis infection was found (P = 0.001). No clear trend was noted in the prevalence of T. vaginalis over the period from 2000-2006.
Conclusions: A considerable prevalence of T. vaginalis was found among pregnant women in Gaza. These results may be useful for health authorities, especially for antenatal care and protection against STDs
The Awareness of Health Professionals in Diagnostic Techniques for Intestinal Parasites in Gaza Strip, Palestine
Full text linkBackground: Diagnosis of intestinal parasites still depends on conventional methods in Gaza strip hospitals and private laboratories. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the opinion and the practice of physicians and medical laboratories technologists towards the diagnosis of intestinal parasites in Gaza strip. Subjects and Methods: The study was carried out during the period from August 2006 to December 2006. All the subjects during this period were eligible for the interview. The sample size included 371 individuals out of them 270 physicians and 101 medical laboratory technologists ( MLTs . Simple random sampling was used to select the physicians and MLTs from eight hospitals and eleven primary health‑care centers.
Results: It was found that ( 57.8% 156/270 of physicians depend on the direct smear microscopy in the diagnosis of intestinal parasites in Gaza, compared to ( 31.7% ( 32/101 of MLT. Knowledge about the possible correlation of occult blood with reasons other than the presence of intestinal parasites was evident among both physicians and MLTs, reaching over 80% ( P = 0.08 . It was found that ( 54.4%, 147/270 of physicians and ( 73.3%. 74/101 of MLTs depend on wet mount result for of Entamoeba histolytica diagnosis ( P = 0.01 .
Conclusion: Low awareness was found among both physicians and MLT regarding the diagnostic techniques used in the examination of intestinal parasites in Gaza Strip. Prescription of medicine by physicians sometimes depends on the clinical picture without laboratory confirmation. Advanced techniques were less used in the diagnosis of intestinal parasites in Gaza strip