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Aflatoxins and Ochratoxin A in Tea Sold in Lebanon: Effects of Type, Packaging, and Origin
Get PDFTea is among the oldest and most-known beverages around the world, and it has many flavors and types. Tea can be easily contaminated in any of its production steps, especially with mycotoxins that are produced particularly in humid and warm environments. This study aims to examine the level of ochratoxin A (OTA) and total aflatoxin (AF) contamination in black and green tea sold in Lebanon, evaluate its safety compared to international standards, and assess the effect of different variables on the levels of OTA and AFs. For this, the Lebanese market was screened and all tea brands (n = 37; 24 black and 13 green) were collected twice. The Enzyme-Linked Immunoassay (ELISA) method was used to determine OTA and AFs in the samples. AFs and OTA were detected in 28 (75.7%) and 31 (88.6%) samples, respectively. The average of AFs in the positive (above detection limit: 1.75 μg/kg) samples was 2.66 ± 0.15 μg/kg, while the average of OTA in the positive (above detection limit: 1.6 μg/kg) samples was 3.74 ± 0.72 μg/kg. The mean AFs in black and green tea were 2.65 ± 0.55 and 2.54 ± 0.40 μg/kg, respectively, while for OTA, the mean levels were 3.67 ± 0.96 and 3.46 ± 1.09 μg/kg in black and green tea samples, respectively. Four brands (10.8%) contained total aflatoxin levels above the EU limit (4 μg/kg). As for OTA, all samples had OTA levels below the Chinese limit (5 μg/kg). No significant association (p > 0.05) was found between OTA and tea type, level of packaging, country of origin, country of packing, and country of distribution. However, AF contamination was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in unpacked tea, and in brands where the country of origin, packing, and distributor was in Asia. The results showed that the tea brands in Lebanon are relatively safe in terms of AFs and OTA. © 2023 by the authors
Worlds Within Words: A Dialogue on War and Feminism Between Etel Adnan and Virginia Woolf
No full textIn this thesis, I juxtapose Etel Adnan’s Sitt Marie Rose (1977) with Virginia Woolf’s To the Lighthouse (1927) and Mrs Dalloway (1925), starting from two critical terms: war and feminism. These modernist novels, coming from different times and places, offer fresh insights into Global Modernism, a growing field in literary studies. The study examines their literary style, content, and context, highlighting their contributions to modernist literature. Key questions addressed include the nature of modernism and feminism as singular or plural concepts, and how terms like war and feminism circulate across time and space. Utilizing Etel Adnan’s archives from the AUB Special Collection, the research offers new interpretations, especially of Sitt Marie Rose. The second chapter explores Adnan and Woolf’s distinct portrayals of war, while the third chapter delves into their feminist narratives, uncovering both visible and invisible feminist themes. This thesis transcends a mere comparison of “marginalized” versus “canonized” author, instead it focuses on how war and feminism are integrated into modernist narratives from different times and places. This approach aims to reveal the varied expressions of these critical terms within the Global Modernism framework, emphasizing the diverse experiences and perspectives in modernist literature, and leveling the playing ground between less-known authors, like Adnan, and extensively researched authors like Woolf
Exploring the on-call system at AUBMC. Facilitator & barriers
Get PDFBackground: An on-call scheduling system is used to ensure that the appropriate
employees are available whenever needed. The aim is to create 24-hour staffing
coverage in various hospital departments. When in need, RNs must be ready, 24/7, at
any time.
Purpose: To explore how nurses working at AUBMC are living under the current On call system, their experience, and preferences.
Methodology: This project followed the qualitative descriptive design. Sixteen nurses
working at AUBMC shared their experience under the current on-call system in three
focus groups discussions. Focus groups were held between October 2022 and
November 2022, during working hours at AUBMC. Data analysis was done through a
qualitative descriptive method following Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis
methodology.
Results: Four themes emerged from the data. 1- Threat to Homeostasis (Internal and
External); 2-The need to be fairly reimbursed; 3-A solution and a problem; 4-The shy
dream.
Conclusion: This project revealed a negative impact for using the on-call system as a long
term solution for nurses’ shortage and staffing. Several recommendations were proposed
according to the RNs requests and dreams such as standardization, a clear policy,
remuneration in terms of fresh dollars and so on
The Effect of Cigarette Smoking on the Heart in Male Mice and in Ovariectomized and Non-Ovariectomized Female Mice
No full textCigarette smoking (CS) is a predominant risk factor for cardiovascular disease progression worldwide. There is ample evidence of gender-based disparities in CVDs, with premenopausal females being less susceptible to the burden, given the cardioprotective effects of the female sex hormone, estrogen. Nonetheless, no study has examined gender differences in cardiac remodeling post-CS and the role played by estrogen. Thus, in this study, we aimed at investigating the CS-induced deleterious remodeling between males and females and its correlation with estrogen activity. Therefore, age-matched C57BL/6J male and female mice were allocated into five groups as follows: control female and male groups (FCTRL and MCTRL respectively), smoking female and male groups (FCS and MCS, respectively), and an ovariectomized smoking group (FOVX). Cardiac function was assessed using 2-dimensional B-mode and M-mode echocardiography, and the heart was subjected to histological and molecular analysis two days after 8 weeks of CS exposure. The cardiovascular hemodynamic assessment revealed enhanced cardiac contractility post-CS in the ovariectomized CS females only as evidenced by a significant rise in cardiac output (CO), blood pressure (BP), stroke volume (SV), and heart rate (HR). The CS female group witnessed a considerable increase in ejection fraction and heart rate. Whereas in males, cardiac systolic function and blood pressure weren’t significantly affected with CS. At the structural and histological levels, CS was associated with increased left ventricular mass (LVM) in both FCS and FOVX groups, with no change in the MCS group. Besides, the cardiomyocytes’ cross-sectional area (CSA) showed a noticeable increase in both males and females CS groups. This increase in CSA and LVM reflects CS-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Molecularly, no inflammation was detected in all CS groups. Nevertheless, CS was associated with enhanced fibrosis and apoptosis as evidenced by the rise in the mRNA expression levels of the profibrotic markers α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), as well as the apoptotic regulatory genes such as Bcl-2-associated X protein/B-cell lymphoma 2 ratio (Bax/BCL2) in the CS females only. In contrast, CS in males and ovariectomized females didn’t affect these apoptotic and fibrotic pathways. In conclusion, CS females, but not males, maintained pronounced cardiac systolic function with an increased BP in ovariectomized females only, 2 days after the last CS exposure. Additionally, CS non-ovariectomized females seems more prone to CS-induced cardiac injury potentially due to the alteration of estrogen activity/metabolism in the presence of CS
Subdivisions of oriented cycles in Hamiltonian digraphs with small chromatic number
Get PDFCohen et al. conjectured that, for each oriented cycle C, there exists an integer f(C) such that any f(C)-chromatic strong digraph contains a subdivision of C as a subdigraph. In the same paper, Cohen et al. proved this conjecture for cycles with two blocks by showing that the chromatic number of strong digraphs that include no subdivision of a cycle with two blocks, with lengths of k1 and k2, is bounded from above by O((k1+k2)4). More recently, Kim et al. improved this upper bound to O((k1+k2)2) for the class of strong digraphs and to O(k1+k2) for the class of Hamiltonian digraphs. In this paper, we confirm Cohen et al.'s conjecture for Hamiltonian digraphs. We demonstrate a stronger version by showing that every 3n-chromatic Hamiltonian digraph contains a subdivision for every oriented cycle of order n. © 2022 Elsevier B.V
Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices of the General Population toward the Old-New Outbreak of Cholera in a Developing Country
Get PDFBackground: In October 2022, the first case of cholera since 1993 was recorded in Lebanon. This study aimed to develop and validate a tool to explore the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) toward cholera infection and its prevention among the general population in Lebanon and identify the associated factors related to the KAP assessment to guide prevention and awareness strategies. The nation’s already precarious healthcare system might become overwhelmed by the response to the cholera outbreak. Therefore, evaluating the level of cholera-related KAP among the Lebanese population is crucial since it directly affects the disease’s treatment, control, and prevention. Methods: This online cross-sectional study was carried out between October and November 2022 during the cholera outbreak in Lebanon. Snowball sampling was used to recruit 448 adults living in Lebanon. Results: The suggested KAP scales had adequate structural and convergent validity and were internally consistent. The disease knowledge was inversely associated with the reluctance to receive educational information (β = −1.58) and cigarette smoking (β = −1.31) but positively associated with the female gender (β = 1.74) and awareness of vaccine availability and efficacy (β = 1.34). For attitude, healthcare professionals were less frightened than others (β = 2.69). Better practices were related to better knowledge (β = 0.43), while inadequate practices were associated with getting information from social media (β = −2.47). Conclusions: This study could identify notable gaps in the knowledge, attitudes, and practices, which varied according to participant characteristics. Cholera incidence can be reduced by improved community education and training, increased access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene amenities, and changes in behavior. These findings warrant additional actions by public health stakeholders and governmental authorities to promote better practices and curb disease transmission. © 2023 by the authors
IDENTIFYING BUSINESS CYCLE ASYMMETRIES BY NONLINEAR DYNAMICS
Get PDFEvidence suggests that macroeconomic variables do not behave in the same manner
during different phases of a country business cycle. The aim of the present work is to find
potential mathematical explanation for asymmetric behavior of the business cycle by
making use of nonlinear dynamic economics. Nonlinear models, even if they are difficult
to conceive, help better explaining asymmetries. I examine autoregressive models,
Markov Switching autoregressive models, asymmetric time series, models with learning
asymmetries, and endogenous business cycle models. Focusing on the mathematical
structure of business cycles, I endogenously incorporate asymmetries in a mathematical
model using difference and differential equations
A rare case of bilateral para-rectal hydatid disease: A case report
Get PDFIntroduction: Cystic hydatidosis is a parasitic infection caused by the organism Echinococcus Granulosus that is well known to be endemic in the Mediterranean region, eastern Europe and South America and usually presents as hydatid disease of the liver but may affect other organs. The disease occurs when humans become the accidental host through ingestion of the eggs from contaminated food. Case presentation: We present a case of Hydatid disease presenting as hives refractory to medical therapy over 4 years duration which was revealed to be caused by para-rectal hydatid cysts. Patient received Albendazole for a duration of 2.5 months and then underwent laparoscopic resection of the para-rectal cysts. Clinical discussion: Pelvic Hydatidosis is a very rare condition accounting for 0.7 % of all cases reported. In most cases, it is coexistent with cysts present elsewhere in the body, namely the liver, which is the case in the presented patient. Imaging is used as a modality to establish the diagnosis of cystic hydatidosis namely Ultrasound (US), Computerized Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). The incidental finding of the hydatid cysts in this patient demonstrated the efficiency of a CT scan as a tool for detection and subsequently diagnosis of the disease in the pelvis. Surgery is the treatment of choice for cysts with daughter vesicles that are not candidates for percutaneous drainage, large liver hydatid cysts of more than 10 cm in diameter, cysts with a risk of rupture in case of trauma, and extrahepatic disease such as the lung, bone, brain, kidneys or pelvis. Conclusion: This article reports the rare occurrence of para-rectal hydatid disease which is only described in few case reports in the literature and provides an overview on diagnosis, and management of the disease. © 2023 The Author(s
Is There a Link Between Vitreous Cortex Remnants and Anatomic Outcome of Vitrectomy for Primary Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment?
Get PDFPurpose: To study the anatomic outcome of leaving vitreous cortex remnants (VCR) during pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). Methods: The study comprised patients with RRD who had PPV by a single surgeon between January 2019 and December 2020 and followed for 6 months. After intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide, the topographic pattern of VCR at the periphery (p) and macula (m) was divided into 2 types by extent: complete or 4 quadrants (pVCR4Q), and between 2 and 4 quadrants ≥2 quadrants (pVCR>2Q), or by location >1 inferior retinal quadrant (pVCR>1InfQ), and at the macula (mVCR). Anatomical failure or retinal re-detachment within 6 months after surgery was the primary outcome measures. The occurrence of grade C proliferative vitreoretino-pathy (PVR) and epiretinal membrane (ERM) were used as secondary outcome indicators. Results: A 6-month prospective follow-up was performed on 103 patients. pVCR4Q was detected in 31 eyes, pVCR>2Q in 40 eyes, pVCR>1InfQ in 40 eyes and mVCR in 54 eyes. Recurrent RRD developed in 9 (8.7%) eyes, PVR grade C in 6 (5.8%) eyes and ERM in 11 (10.7%) eyes. According to multivariate regression analysis, the existence of any type of VCR did not correlate with anatomical failure, PVR or ERM. Conclusion: The initial success rate of PPV and the growth of PVR or ERM do not appear to be impacted by keeping VCR. © 2023 Assi et al
The Clinical Significance of Incidental GIT Uptake on PET/CT: Radiologic, Endoscopic, and Pathologic Correlation
Get PDFIncidental gastrointestinal tract (GIT) [18F]-Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake in positron emission technology/computed tomography (PET/CT) is an unexpected and often complicated finding for clinicians. This retrospective study reviewed 8991 charts of patients who underwent PET/CT: 440 patients had incidental GIT uptake, of which 80 underwent endoscopy. Patient characteristics, imaging parameters, and endoscopic findings were studied. Of the 80 patients, 31 had cancer/pre-cancer lesions (16 carcinomas; 15 pre-malignant polyps). Compared to patients with benign/absent lesions, patients with cancer/pre-cancer lesions were significantly older (p = 0.01), underwent PET/CT for primary evaluation/staging of cancer (p = 0.03), had focal GIT uptake (p = 0.04), and had lower GIT uptake (p = 0.004). Among patients with focal uptake, an SUVmax of 9.2 had the highest sensitivity (0.76) and specificity (0.885) in detecting cancer/pre-cancerous lesions. Lower GIT uptake was most common in the sigmoid colon, and upper GIT uptake was most frequent in the stomach. In a bivariate analysis, predictors of cancer/pre-cancer were older age, PET/CT indicated for primary evaluation, focal uptake, uptake in the lower GIT, and higher SUVmax. Further endoscopic investigation is warranted for patients with incidental GIT uptake, especially in the elderly or those presenting for primary evaluation with PET/CT, with the following findings on imaging: lower GIT uptake, focal uptake, or high SUVmax. © 2023 by the authors