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Ecophysiology of Four Mediterranean Forest Species
No full textForеst dеgradation has bеcomе incrеasingly pronouncеd in rеcеnt timеs due to shifts in climatе pattеrns and prolongеd drought pеriods. This invеstigation aims to cultivatе high-quality vеgеtation and gain insights into thеir еcophysiological rеsponsеs undеr conditions of watеr strеss. Spеcifically, wе conductеd еxpеrimеnts on 6-month-old individuals from two dеciduous spеciеs (Quеrcus subеr and Cеratonia siliqua) and two conifеrs (Tеtraclinis articulata and Cеdrus at-lantica), subjеcting thеm to watеr strеss conditions. Wе mеasurеd and analyzеd both thе basic (Ψb) and minimum (Ψm) lеaf watеr potеntials, factoring in climatic variablеs for all four forеst spеciеs. Our findings rеvеal that Quеrcus subеr еxhibits morе nеgativе valuеs, with a basic lеaf watеr potеntial of -0. 42 MPa and a minimum lеaf watеr potеntial of -1. 43 MPa, comparеd to thе othеr studiеd forеst spеciеs. On thе contrary, Cеdrus atlantica displays lеss nеgativе valuеs for thе minimum lеaf watеr potеntial, rеcording -0. 89 MPa. Thеsе outcomеs еnablе us to idеntify thе spеciеs displaying grеatеr rеsiliеncе against watеr strеss and climatе fluctuations. Nеvеrthеlеss, they also prompt broadеr inquiriеs into thе undеrlying mеchanisms govеrning watеr utilization in forеst flora. 
Clinical profile, prognosis and post COVID-19 Illnesses among attendants to private general practitioner (GP) clinic at Urban Amman Area: a clinical case-series study
No full textBackground: The clinical manifestations of Corona Virus Disease of 2019 (COVID-19) varied from patient to patient with evidence of multi-organ involvement. Many patients continue to have a wide range of symptoms for variable periods of time. The long-term effects of COVID-19 infection (post-COVID-19 illness or syndrome) are not yet been fully explored.This study aims to highlight the clinical manifestations of the acute COVID-19 infection and the longer-term manifestations of the disease among the attendants to a private GP clinic in the Urban Amman Area, Jordan.Methods: A clinical case-series study was conducted on a sample of 300 COVID-19-positive cases among patients attending my private GP clinic in the Urban Amman Area, Jordan. We used the structured questionnaire based mainly on World Health Organization (WHO) Case Report Form (CRF) verified tool for post-COVID-19. All patients with COVID-19 were included in the study. Data collection was conducted through phone calls and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software. Results: The incidence of COVID-19 among patients attending the clinic during the period of this study was 25%. Females were 135 (45%) of the study population and males were 165 (55%). The mean (SD) of age was 34.2 (5.0) years. Most of the infected staff (90%) were symptomatic and developed acute COVID-19 symptoms. Fever, Cough, Fatigue, joint pain and loss of smell and taste were the most common symptoms. 72% of the study population had fully recovered from the infection, while 28% of them continued to suffer from many long symptoms. Fatigue (28%), shortness of breath on activity (18%), Social withdrawal (18%), anxiety (17%), forgetfulness (16%), trouble concentrating (15) and depressed mood (14%) were the most frequently reported long symptoms.Conclusion: The prevalence of Post COVID-19 illness was 28% with a high public health burden calling for the public health system to address the medical and psychological needs of affected persons. Mental health and psychosocial support are recommended elements for the management of patients
Nutrition as the cornerstone of immunity
No full textNutrition plays an essential role in the maintenance of a healthy immune system. The body requires a variety of essential nutrients to support the development and function of the immune system. A balanced diet that includes a variety of vegetables, whole grains, fruit, and lean proteins can provide the necessary nutrients for optimal immune health. Additionally, research has shown that certain dietary components may have specific immunomodulatory effects. This review will discuss the evidence linking nutrition to immunity and highlight recent findings on the potential benefits of certain dietary components for immune health. 
Outcome of Outpatient Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Patients with Multiple Myeloma and Relapsed and Refractory Hodgkin Lymphoma. The Experience of King Fahad Specialist Hospital in Dammam, Saudi Arabia
No full textBackground: Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplants (HSCT) is the standard of care for transplant-eligible patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) and patients with relapsed and refractory Hodgkin lymphoma (R/R-HL) who achieve chemosensitivity after salvage therapy. Although autologous HSCT is routinely performed in an inpatient setting, the procedure can safely be performed in an outpatient setting.Methods and materials: A retrospective study of patients with MM and R/R- HL who received outpatient autologous HSCT at King Fahad Specialist Hospital (KFSH) in Dammam, Saudi Arabia between the first of April 2017 and the 31st of January 2022 was performed.Results: Over the study period of 4 years and 10 months, a total of 90 outpatient autologous HSCTs were performed for 79 patients (54 patients with MM; 4 of them received planned tandem autografts and 7 other myeloma patients received second autologous HSCTs for relapsed or progressive disease; and 25 patients with R/R-HL) at our institution. The median ages of patients with MM and those with R/R-HL at HSCT were 50.4 years and 27.8 years respectively.At the presentation of their MM, the following high-risk (HR) features were encountered: stage II and III diseases according to the revised international scoring system (RISS) in 53.7%; adverse cytogenetics in 42.6% and extensive bone involvement in 53.7% of patients. In patients with HL at presentation, 48% of patients had stage IV disease according to Ann Arbor staging classification and 84% of patients had B symptoms.Survival for 100 days post-HSCT for all patients with MM and HL who received outpatient autologous transplants was 100%. For patients with MM, the overall survival (OS) rates at 3 years and 4 years post-HSCT were 80% and 67%, while the progression-free survival (PFS) rates over 3 years and 4 years were 58% and 38% respectively. For patients with HL, the OS at 6 years post-HSCT was 95% while the PFS rates at 3 years and 6 years post-HSCT were 84% and 62% respectively.Conclusion: Outpatient autologous HSCT for patients with MM and HL is safe, and feasible and can lead to short-term as well as long-term outcomes that are comparable to autologous transplantation performed in an inpatient setting. Additional benefits of outpatient autologous include saving beds and reducing hospital costs
A challenging case of cutaneous sarcoidosis with unusual findings in a Syrian woman: a case report and review of literature
No full textSarcoidosis is a granulomatous disease that involves multiple systems. Cutaneous involvement can manifest in patients with sarcoidosis and can present with or without systemic involvement. We present a case of cutaneous sarcoidosis in a Syrian woman that showed improvement after a combination of methotrexate and prednisolone therapy. The patient had unusual chest radiography findings and developed an unexplained fissured tongue after 5 days of receiving methotrexate therapy. In addition, the patient developed indurated erythematous plaque and papules on her upper right arm at the same location as a performed biopsy, which increased the diagnosis of a newly formed scar sarcoidosis although she was receiving her treatment
Natural color performance from nine species origins of lowland wood wastes
No full textIn the past, natural pigments derived from plant-biomass wastes had been widely used for coloring purposes (e.g. fabrics/batik), before finally getting pushed aside by the imported synthetic/inorganic pigments. Thorough attempts to revive the use of such natural pigments then deserve carrying out. Relevantly, conducting storage of liquid/wet or dry natural coloring pigments, extracted from wood wastes; and use of fixatives for batik fabrics intended to impart fabric-color variations. Wood wastes (i.e. leaves and barks) were obtained from nine plant species (Acacia mangium Willd, Avicenia marina L, Caesalpinia sappan L, Ceriop tagal Perr. CB. Rob, Pelthophorum ferruginum Benth, Rhyzophora mucronata Lamk, Tectona grandis Linn.f., Terminalia catappa L and Xylocarpus granatum KD Koenig.), prevalently growing on plain/lowland areas; and their wood portions commonly utilized by wood industries, which generate similar wastes enormously. The pigments in liquid/wet and then in dry forms were produced from those wastes. The production process of pigments adopted traditions by local batik crafters in Bogor. Variations occurring in fabric colors could be due to fixatives, i.e. lime (CaCO3), ferrous sulphate/tunjung (FeSO4); and various wastes. Six-month storage insignificantly changed the coloring qualities of natural coloring pigments applied to fabrics, compared to those of corresponding initially produced pigments. Leaf wastes always contained green-colored compounds, while bark wastes appeared aptly brownish in color. Color performances of bark extracts at fabrics with ferro-sulfat fixative brought about strong grey colors, and with lime fixative produced brown colors. Coloring of fabrics using leaf waste extracts with ferro-sulfat fixative aptly exhibited greenish grey; while with lime fixative became reddish brown. Testing results on the leaching resistance of pigment-colored and fixative-treated fabrics against rubbing and exposure to sunlight revealed a very good category (4-5), but against detergent, washing was very low (2-3)
Soliton phenomena in the process of the functioning of the heart
No full textThe biochemical model explains the intricate mechanisms of psychobiological life. He still cannot explain what the transition from inanimate to living matter is all about. Where is the threshold and what is its essence, what role do biochemical processes play in the coherence of the soma with consciousness and its impact on the soma and vice versa? A similar problem is with other mental processes, their nature does not fit into the biochemical model of life and is inexplicable on the basis of biochemical interactions, again it is much easier to describe it in the light of quantum processes - including wave physics. It is similar to the functioning of the heart or other organs, where only the biochemical processes of the cell are considered, ignoring the bioelectronic processes. Man is not only a purely biological construct but also contains the basis of biochemical, bioelectronic, information, and cybernetic processes that are responsible for shaping the psychobiological processes of man. Contemporary biosystems in science are considered at the level of corpuscular structures, ignoring energy and information structures. By shifting the cognitive emphasis towards energy and information structures, the organism can be perceived as a quantum generator of information: electromagnetic, soliton, acoustic, spin and bioplasma. This bioelectronic construction creates homo electronics with his electronic personality
How and who can address sexual reproductive health rights in Tanzania
No full textTanzania is allocated in the Eastern part of Africa and it is one among the seven countries that form East African Community (EAC). According to the recent 2022 National Census, Tanzania has a population of 61,741,120 of which 30,053,130 are men and 31,687,990 are women. Currently, the country is implementing Development Vision 2025 which identifies enabling environment essential for the nation to flourish economically, politically and socially. 
Association between the victim’s menstrual cycle phase and genital injuries following sexual assault
No full textBackground: It is unknown what effect the menstrual cycle can have on the susceptibility to trauma following sexual assault. Objectives: To compare the incidence of genital injuries following sexual assault in women with relationship to the three phases of the menstrual cycleMethods: The design was a retrospective, cohort analysis set in a community-based nurse examiner program over a five-year study period. Sexual assault victims were between the ages of 13 - 40 years and agreed to a forensic examination. The menstrual cycle was divided into three phases: follicular, luteal and menses phase. The primary outcomes were the frequency and type of genital injuries documented in relation to the different phases of the menstrual cycle.Results: Case files of 1376 cases of sexual assault were reviewed; 682 (49.6%) met the inclusion criteria. A total of 220 victims (32.3%) were in the follicular phase, 361 (52.9%) were in the luteal phase and 101 (14.8%) were in the menses phase. The three groups were comparable in terms of demographics, assault characteristics, and overall frequency of non-genital injuries. Assault victims in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle had significantly more documented genital injuries (72.3%; 95% CI 66.4 - 78.2) compared to the luteal phase (64.0%; 95% CI 59.0 - 68.9) and the menses phase (58.4%; 95% CI 48.8 - 68.0). Conclusion: Forensic examiners documented more genital injuries in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. Sex hormones may have confounding effects through influences on vaginal epithelial and mucosal integrity
Anticancer Activity of Genistin: A Short Review
No full textGenistein is an isoflavone glycoside that provides a variety of health advantages. The possibility of cancer chemopreventive drugs derived from natural sources, such as polyphenols, may constitute a novel, cost-effective strategy to reduce the rising burden of cancer throughout the world. A soy-rich diet was linked to cancer prevention in several epidemiological studies, which was explained by the presence of the phenolic component genistein in soy-based foods. Inhibiting metastasis and changing apoptosis, the cell cycle, and angiogenesis are the key ways that genistin fights various cancers. It acts as a chemotherapeutic agent against different types of cancer, mainly by altering apoptosis, the cell cycle, and angiogenesis and inhibiting metastasis. This study critically evaluates the literature that is currently available on the therapeutic benefits of genistin for various cancers