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Case report: acute myocardial infarction in the setting of acute transcatheter aortic valve thrombus
Get PDFWe describe a case of valve thrombosis and a subsequent thromboembolic event within only 10 days of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Postprocedural anticoagulants are not standard of care medications post-TAVI in patients without atrial fibrillation. Valve thrombosis is an indication to initiate anticoagulation to resolve and prevent further thrombus. 2023 Hebbo, Khoury, Iskandarani and Sawaya
Comparison of post-surgical soft tissue changes between bilateral cleft patients treated with and without a modified nasoalveolar molding appliance: A cohort study
Get PDFIntroduction: The advantages of nasoalveolar molding (NAM) treatment for cleft lip and palate (CLP) patients have been well documented. A modified design for bilateral CLP was introduced. Aims: This paper aimed to: 1- quantify the soft tissue changes after applying modified NAM treatment to these patients; and 2-compare post-surgical changes to a control group where no NAM was used. Material and methods: At a tertiary care paediatric hospital, a historical cohort group of complete BCLP patients (n = 15) was compared to a prospectively collected group of complete BCLP patients who underwent NAM therapy (n = 15). In the NAM group (mean age: 1.1mos ± 0.2), a new modification of the NAM appliance was implemented. In the control group (mean age: 5mos ± 0.2), no NAM treatment was adopted prior to lip closure surgery. Soft tissue nasolabial segments were measured on initial (T1), post-NAM (T2) and 3 months post-surgery (T3) photographs; measurements were analysed statistically. Results: In the NAM group, cleft size was reduced by 68 to 70% in 4–5 months and all measurements improved between T1 and T2. Columellar crest inclination decreased by 74%, columellar length increased by 184%, nostril and bialar widths decreased by 36% and 16%, respectively. The lip philtrum was elongated by 49.5%. At T3, all soft tissue variables statistically improved better in NAM versus non-NAM groups. Conclusion: The modified NAM appliance provided improved results of lip approximation and nasal measurements compared to non-NAM treatment. © 2023 CE
Explicit Nature of Science Instruction: An Effect on Nature of Science Understanding and Transfer
No full textNature of Science (NOS) and transfer of scientific knowledge across contexts are two remarkable topics in science education. NOS is considered a basic component of students’ epistemologies in science and students’ scientific literacy. In addition, transfer of scientific knowledge is necessary for extrapolating scientific understanding from classroom into real life experiences. In fact, few research studies relate these two components (NOS and transfer). Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of explicit NOS instruction on: (a) students’ NOS understanding of subjective, empirical, and tentative aspects within a scientific context, and (b) students’ ability to transfer their NOS understanding of the three emphasized aspects from the scientific context into other scientific and socio-scientific contexts. The intervention was implemented with 54 students in grade 10 at a Lebanese public high school. Participants were enrolled in two sections (NOS group and non-NOS group) and were taught by the same chemistry teacher. The intervention lasted for about 6 weeks. One of the sections served as the NOS group, who received explicit NOS instruction of the emphasized NOS aspects within the unit (Atoms and Molecules). The other section served as the non-NOS group, who received implicit NOS instruction within the same unit. A qualitative method including open-ended questionnaires and semi-structured interviews was adopted. The pre-post questionnaires included scientific (atoms and dinosaurs) and socio-scientific (genetically modified food and water fluoridation) topics. Each topic included three open open-ended questions examining the three empathized NOS aspects (subjective, empirical, and tentative). The participants’ responses in pre-post data related to “atoms” demonstrated their understanding of the NOS aspects. While their responses in “dinosaurs”, “genetically modified food” and “water fluoridation” topics revealed their ability to transfer their understanding of the emphasized NOS aspects into scientific and socio-scientific contexts. Results showed a remarkable improvement in the NOS group participants’ NOS understanding of the emphasized aspects. Moreover, the results showed little transfer of NOS understanding among these participants from atoms to dinosaurs compared to a remarkable transfer from the atoms to water fluoridation and genetically modified food. The study concluded with a discussion of these results in relation to learning and transfer, along with implications and recommendations
Biogenic Synthesis of Gold Nano-Particles Using Origanum Syriacum Extract for catalytical, antioxidant and quenching applications
Get PDFThe interest in using nano-particles (NPs) has increased in recent years due to the wide range of applications. Gold nano-particles (AuNPs) are metallic NPs with a wide variety of applications in several scientific and technological domains that is gaining popularity in demand recently.
To fulfill this, an in-depth study of optimizing synthesis techniques for AuNPs is required. Among the various methods reported for the synthesis of AuNPs including chemical, physical, and biological (green) methods; biogenic synthesis using plant extract has been found to be the fastest, easiest, most cost-effective, and environmentally friendly method. The antibacterial, analytical, antioxidant, anticancer, and catalytic capabilities of AuNPs generated from plant extract have demonstrated remarkable results in a variety of biological applications.
In this thesis for biosynthesizing and optimizing AuNPs; Origanum syriacum plant extract is used. Formed AuNPs have been characterized using several spectroscopic and microscopic techniques such as UV-Visible, DLS, SEM, and EDX. The formed NPs then have been used as catalysts for the reduction of different organic dyes, and recycled for three times to catalyze the reduction of Congo red. Furthermore, the AuNPs generated exhibited notable capabilities in scavenging free radicals, demonstrated by a substantial 62.1% inhibition of DPPH only using 900 µl of AuNPs. Additionally, the impact of AuNPs on the fluorescence intensity of Rhodamine B was investigated. It was observed that the most significant quenching effect occurred with 200 µl of AuNPs. The quenching was not interfered by uric acid, ascorbic acid, glucose, ATP, phenol, and melamine
Feminist Activism During the COVID Pandemic : Zooming in on the MENA Region
Get PDFThis report provides an in-depth analysis of the multifaceted and gendered impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on vulnerable groups in the Arab region and places a specific emphasis on feminist perspectives, drawing from findings in five country reports—namely, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, and Tunisia. It builds on preliminary documents and findings collected by Nazra for Feminist Studies (Egypt),Takatoat (Jordan), Marsa Sexual Health Center (Lebanon), and Mawjoudin (Tunisia).These reports explored the dynamic responses initiated by actors within the feminist movement in the online and offline spheres. This report aims to contribute to a nuanced understanding of the challenges faced by vulnerable groups and the proactive measures taken by feminist movements to address them in the context of the pandemic.This report was produced by the Asfari Institute for Civil Society and Citizenship at the American University of Beirut as part of the project entitled “Arab Feminist Activism in Times of COVID-19: Challenges, Opportunities, and Transformations”, supported by the Open Society Foundations
Overcoming EGFR Resistance in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Using Vitamin C: A Review
Get PDFTargeted monoclonal antibody therapy against Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) is a leading treatment modality against metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). However, with the emergence of KRAS and BRAF mutations, resistance was inevitable. Cells harboring these mutations overexpress Glucose Transporter 1 (GLUT1) and sodium-dependent vitamin C transporter 2 (SVCT2), which enables intracellular vitamin C transport, leading to reactive oxygen species generation and finally cell death. Therefore, high dose vitamin C is proposed to overcome this resistance. A comprehensive search strategy was adopted using Pubmed and MEDLINE databases (up to 11 August 2022). There are not enough randomized clinical trials to support its use in the clinical management of mCRC, except for a subgroup analysis from a phase III study. High dose vitamin C shows a promising role in overcoming EGFR resistance in mCRC with wild KRAS mutation with resistance to anti-epidermal growth factor inhibitors and in patients with KRAS and BRAF mutations. © 2023 by the authors
Addressing the Gap in Research Methodologies Education in Pediatric Oncology in the Eastern Mediterranean Region
No full textPURPOSE: Formal training in clinical research methodologies is limited in limited-resource countries. Through collaboration among high- and middle-resource settings and in response to an identified need verbalized by regional pediatric oncology practitioners, Pediatric Oncology East & Mediterranean Group and St Jude Global developed a workshop focused on capacity building in research skills. Here, we describe its structure, implementation, and early results. METHODS: Leveraging virtual capabilities, the format included lectures and small group breakout exercise sessions, for 3 hours per day on 2 consecutive days per week for 2 consecutive weeks. Topics included basics of study design, introduction to health care statistics, research ethics, data registries, and scientific writing. Applicants were required to submit an abstract for a potential research project. Each breakout group selected one abstract for further development and presented the final version in a groupwide session. The participants' experience was evaluated through an online survey. RESULTS: Attendance included 29 registrants from 12 countries and six disciplines. Each breakout group was assigned a themed category: cohort studies, clinical trials, or registries. Critical feedback from the breakout sessions helped strengthen the selected projects, which included a retrospective study, a prospective observational study, a prospective interventional study, and a registry proposal. After the workshop, participants were invited to further develop their original abstracts, and three proposals received additional mentoring, one of which was a multi-institutional prospective study that was subsequently submitted through the Pediatric Oncology East & Mediterranean Group network for implementation. The postworkshop survey revealed an overall highly positive experience, and feedback provided potential themes for future workshops. CONCLUSION: This workshop demonstrated the potential for collaborative network partnerships in targeting research training gaps in pediatric oncology. Lessons learned will be applied to future workshops to strengthen research in limited-resource settings
Drug Delivery Systems in Regenerative Medicine: An Updated Review
No full textModern drug discovery methods led to evolving new agents with significant therapeutic potential. However, their properties, such as solubility and administration-related challenges, may hinder their benefits. Moreover, advances in biotechnology resulted in the development of a new generation of molecules with a short half-life that necessitates frequent administration. In this context, controlled release systems are required to enhance treatment efficacy and improve patient compliance. Innovative drug delivery systems are promising tools that protect therapeutic proteins and peptides against proteolytic degradation where controlled delivery is achievable. The present review provides an overview of different approaches used for drug delivery. © 2023 by the authors
ASSESSING THE EFFECT OF DIFFERENT FIBERS ON SHEAR STRENGTH OF REINFORCED CONCRETE MEMBERS
No full textConcrete is the most widely used building material in the world. The single largest
limitation of concrete is its weak and brittle nature under tensile stress. To improve
concrete behavior, reinforcement materials that are strong in tension are embedded into
the concrete to avoid brittle failure and increase tensile capacity. Besides the traditional
methods of embedding continuous aligned reinforcement in anticipated zones of tensile
stress, random discrete fibers can be dispersed into the concrete during the mixing
procedure to create a composite material called fiber reinforced concrete (FRC).
Distinctive fiber filaments are used to improve the ductility and strain-hardening of
cementitious composite mortars and grouts. Fibers vary commercially and
environmentally so that polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibers are relatively expensive and
might have higher environmental impact than Portland cement, polypropylene (PP), steel,
basalt, and glass. Limited studies compared the effects of different fibers (PVA, PP,
basalt, steel, and glass) on the hardened mechanical properties of normal-strength
concrete mixtures, and on the behavior of structural members cast with such concrete
mixtures. A multiphase research program has been designed to address the above
objectives and the aim of the phase presented in this thesis is to test the performance of
fiber reinforced concrete in the context of shear structural behavior and mechanical
properties. It was noticed that shear strength is the most affected parameter when
introducing fibers to concrete. Thus, this research work aims at assessing the performance
and explaining the effect of using seven different types of fibers on shear strength and
crack width in cast beams
Counterrevolutionary Imaginaries: Neoliberal Co-optation in Lebanon's New Opposition
Get PDFDespite its scale, revolutionary fervor, and temporarily creating a new field of possibilities, Lebanon’s 2019 uprising did not manage to overthrow the country's neoliberal-sectarian regime due to a range of counterrevolutionary mechanisms. Primary interviews conducted with key members of anti-establishment groups reveal that counterrevolutionary elements could even be found within Lebanon’s new opposition. By examining the policy stances, strategies, and ideologies of new groups that took part in the 2022 general elections, the thesis argues that, over time, reformists who do not seek to fundamentally reimagine the political system took over the oppositionist sphere and, through a range of strategic choices, deradicalized the revolutionary movement, steering it towards a trajectory of co-optation by traditional opposition actors in the March 14 political camp. More specifically, a narrowing down of fields of possibilities and a lowering of political expectations occurred under the guise of a pragmatism informed by neoliberal ideology. This ideology, the thesis argues, is part of a highly effective and growing toolbox of counterrevolutionary instruments that limits political imaginaries, dilutes leftist aims, and subtly reproduces the capitalist status-quo around the world