67 research outputs found
DELiVR example dataset
No full text<p>Example dataset for our DELiVR pipeline, as published in: </p>
<p>Virtual reality-empowered deep-learning analysis of brain cells</p>
<p>Kaltenecker, Al-Maskari, Negwer, et al., Nature Methods 2024</p>
<p>https://doi.org/10.1038/s41592-024-02245-2</p>
<p> </p>
<p>This archive contains one stack of 16-bit tiff images, taken from a cleared mouse brain stained for c-Fos and imaged using a light-sheet microscope (voxel resolution 1.625 x 1.625 x 6 µm in X/Y/Z) </p>
Protocol study: Sexual and reproductive health knowledge, information-seeking behaviour and attitudes among Saudi women: A questionnaire survey of university students
No full textCopyright © 2014 Farih et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly credited. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated.Background - Sexual and reproductive health (SRH), a basic right for women worldwide, is infrequently researched in countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). No empirical studies of SRH among Saudi women exist. This protocol describes a study to explore the SRH knowledge, information-seeking behaviour and attitudes of Saudi female university students.
Methods/Design - This study will administer a questionnaire survey to female students at 13 universities in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire was developed following a literature search to identify relevant content, with psychometrically tested tools used when available. The content layout and the wording and order of the questions were designed to minimize the risk of bias. The questionnaire has been translated into Arabic and piloted in preparation for administration to the study sample. Ethical approval for the study has been granted (reference no. QMREC2012/54). After questionnaire administration, the data will be collated, analysed and reported anonymously. The findings will be published in compliance with reporting guidelines for survey research.
Discussion - This study will be the first to provide fundamental information concerning Saudi females university students SRH knowledge and information needs.King Abdullah Scholarship Program, Saudi Arabi
The influence of cycocel on the responses of wheat plants to water limitations
No full textConsiderable research has been concentrated on the foliage application of Cycoce, whereas little attention has focused on its use in seed application. Imbibition of caryopses of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in (2-chloroethyl) trimethylammonium chloride (Cycocel/CCC) resulted in a reduction in germination rate and a stunting of seedling growth. This was consistent with the appearance of a thicker stem, with shorter leaves than the control. Chlorophyll content per unit weight of leaf and numbers of tillers initiated both increased in comparison to controls. However, Cycocel treatment was accompanied by an enhanced survival capacity of seedlings when they were subjected to water limitation under growth room conditions. Seedlings grown from caryopses imbibed in 0.4 % Cycocel and exposed to a 7-day cycle of watering remained green and turgid beyond the time when the controls had wilted and died. Seedlings, at the fourth leaf stage, showed no wilting 23 days after watering had been withheld totally. Enhanced survival was also noted in seedlings when caryopses had been imbibed in Cycocel for 24 hours followed by a period of dry storage for up to 2 weeks prior to sowing. Enhanced survival was also detected as a carryover into the tillers, and the subsequent GEN2 seedlings, derived from GEN1plants. Cycocel pre-treatment did not alter Stomatal Index to an extent which could lead to enhanced water use efficiency, nor to the accumulation of proline to bring compatible solutes into equilibrium. However, the pre-treatment with Cycocel was found to enhance growth as a counter to water stress, and maintained fresh and dry weight of shoots when examined under the polyethylene glycol (PEG) induced stress. At the anatomical level the microscopic investigation of the GEN2 leaf tissues, derived from GENl plant, revealed a fully turgid cell structure, cells did not collapse and tissues were not distorted after the extraction of chlorophyll when compared with the control of the continuous watering as well as the moderate watering regime. Additionally, the cortex of GENl plants derived from pre-treated caryopses, showed a bright fluorescing unidentified deposition under Nutrient Solution (NS). This was more much greater when sampled from the NS + PEG treatments. From the results achieved Cycocel pre-treatment of caryopses appeared to have potential in manipulating wheat plants against water limitation. However, the mechanism (s) by which this can be achieved was not fully resolved in this study. Further investigations are required at the biochemistry and molecular level, particularly in relation to potential carryover effects between generations
An Unusual Presentation of Double-Outlet Right Atrium
No full text\ua9 The Author(s) 2024.We describe an unusual example of double-outlet right atrium with separate atrioventricular junctions. The straddling and overriding tricuspid valve had two orifices, and the mitral valve was morphologically normal. An appropriate understanding of the morphology of the atrioventricular junctions, the valves, and the subvalvar apparatus, along with the location of the atrioventricular conduction axis, allowed for successful biventricular repair
Prevalence of phonatory symptoms in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
No full textTo look at the prevalence of phonatory symptoms in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The correlation between these symptoms with duration of the disease, glycemic control, and neuropathy will be described. A total of 105 consecutive patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus by their primary endocrinologist were evaluated. A control group consisting of 33 healthy subjects was recruited for this study. Demographic data included: age, gender, allergy, smoking, duration of the disease, glycemic control, and presence or absence of neuropathy. Subjects were also asked about the presence or absence of the following symptoms: hoarseness, vocal tiring or fatigue, vocal straining, and aphonia or complete loss of voice. Patients were also asked to fill out the Voice Handicap Index 10. The mean age of patients with diabetes was 53.21 + 9.68 years with male-to-female ratio of 2-3. The most common phonatory symptoms were vocal tiring or fatigue and hoarseness (34.3 and 33.3 percent). There was a significant difference in the prevalence of hoarseness and vocal straining (p value 0.045 and 0.015, respectively) compared to controls. There was a significant correlation between glycemic control, neuropathy, and hoarseness (p value 0.030 and 0.001, respectively). Vocal straining and aphonia also correlated significantly with the presence of neuropathy. Close to 16 percent of diabetic patients had a VHI-10 above or equal to 7. Diabetic patients are more likely to have phonatory symptoms compared to controls, namely straining and hoarseness. One out of seven patients with diabetes has reported that phonatory symptoms had a significant impact on their quality of life. The presence of neuropathy and poor glycemic control should alert the treating physician to these vocal complaints. © 2012 Springer-Verlag.Al-Maskari MY, 2011, SAUDI MED J, V32, P1285; Arffa RE, J VOICE; Asad A, 2010, J PAK MED ASSOC, V60, P166; Boden G, 1996, DIABETES CARE, V19, P394, DOI 10.2337-diacare.19.4.394; Campbell NRC, 2011, CAN FAM PHYSICIAN, V57, P997; CDC, 2009, NAT DIAB FACT SHEET; Dabelea D, 1999, DIABETES CARE, V22, P944, DOI 10.2337-diacare.22.6.944; Expert Committee on the Diagnosis and Classification of Diabetes Mellitus, 2003, DIABETES CARE S1, V26, pS5, DOI DOI 10.2337-DIACARE.26.2007.S5; Gat-Yablonski Galia, 2006, Pediatr Endocrinol Rev, V3 Suppl 3, P514; Haffner SM, 1999, DIABETES CARE, V22, P562, DOI 10.2337-diacare.22.4.562; Holmkvist J, 2008, DIABETES, V57, P1738, DOI 10.2337-db06-1464; Ijzerman TH, 2011, MUSCLE NERVE, V44, P241, DOI 10.1002-mus.22039; Jackbson BH, 1997, AM J SPEECH-LANG PAT, V6, P66; Krishnan JA, 2010, DIABETES MED, V27, P977; Lewko J, 2007, Adv Med Sci, V52 Suppl 1, P144; National Eye Institute, 2009, DIAB EYE DIS FAQ PRE; National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, 2007, NAT DIAB STAT 2007; Perkins BA, 2010, DIABETIC MED, V27, P1271, DOI 10.1111-j.1464-5491.2010.03110.x; Rosen CA, 2004, LARYNGOSCOPE, V114, P1549, DOI 10.1097-00005537-200409000-00009; Sataloff RT, 1998, VOCAL HLTH PEDAGOGY, P97; Schunk M, 2011, DIABETIC MED, DOI [10.1111-j.1464-5491.2011.03465.x, DOI 10.1111-J.1464-5491.2011.03465.X.[]; Soe K, 2011, MATURITAS, V70, P151, DOI 10.1016-j.maturitas.2011.07.006; Stern MP, 1996, ANN INTERN MED, V124, P110; Van Acker K, 2009, DIABETES METAB, V35, P206, DOI 10.1016-j.diabet.2008.11.004; van Sloten TT, 2011, DIABETES RES CLIN PR, V91, P32, DOI 10.1016-j.diabres.2010.09.030; Welham NV, 2003, J VOICE, V17, P21, DOI 10.1016-S0892-1997(03)00033; Barba C, 2004, LANCET, V363, P157; Yarbrough DE, 1998, DIABETES CARE, V21, P1652, DOI 10.2337-diacare.21.10.16520
Mechanisms and controversies in mutant <i>Cul3</i>-mediated familial hyperkalemic hypertension
No full text Autosomal dominant mutations in cullin-3 ( Cul3) cause the most severe form of familial hyperkalemic hypertension (FHHt). Cul3 mutations cause skipping of exon 9, which results in an internal deletion of 57 amino acids from the CUL3 protein (CUL3-∆9). The precise mechanism by which this altered form of CUL3 causes FHHt is controversial. CUL3 is a member of the cullin-RING ubiquitin ligase family that mediates ubiquitination and thus degradation of cellular proteins, including with-no-lysine [K] kinases (WNKs). In CUL3-∆9-mediated FHHt, proteasomal degradation of WNKs is abrogated, leading to overactivation of the WNK targets sterile 20/SPS-1 related proline/alanine-rich kinase and oxidative stress-response kinase-1, which directly phosphorylate and activate the thiazide-sensitive Na+-Cl− cotransporter. Several groups have suggested different mechanisms by which CUL3-∆9 causes FHHt. The majority of these are derived from in vitro data, but recently the Kurz group (Schumacher FR, Siew K, Zhang J, Johnson C, Wood N, Cleary SE, Al Maskari RS, Ferryman JT, Hardege I, Figg NL, Enchev R, Knebel A, O’Shaughnessy KM, Kurz T. EMBO Mol Med 7: 1285–1306, 2015) described the first mouse model of CUL3-∆9-mediated FHHt. Analysis of this model suggested that CUL3-∆9 is degraded in vivo, and thus Cul3 mutations cause FHHt by inducing haploinsufficiency. We recently directly tested this model but found that other dominant effects of CUL3-∆9 must contribute to the development of FHHt. In this review, we focus on our current knowledge of CUL3-∆9 action gained from in vitro and in vivo models that may help unravel this complex problem. </jats:p
Identifying Anomalies of Systemic Venous Drainage: Systemic Venous Anomalies; Atrial Morphology
No full text\ua9 The Author(s) 2023.So as to produce totally anomalous systemic venous connection, all of the systemic venous tributaries, along with the coronary sinus, should be connected with the morphologically left atrium. Previous descriptions of this rare constellation of anomalous connections of the systemic venous tributaries of the heart have been compromised by the inclusion of individuals having isomeric atrial appendages. In these settings, most frequently, the totally, or almost totally, anomalous systemic venous connections are associated with a sinus venosus defect. It is the anomalous pulmonary venous connections that then create a venovenous bridge, which permits the systemic venous tributaries to drain into the morphologically left atrium, even though they may be predominantly connected to the right atrium. More rarely, it is feasible for the primary atrial septum to develop so as to leave the systemic venous sinus in direct connection with the body of the morphologically left, rather than the morphologically right, atrium. We report a series of patients potentially falling into the category of anomalous systemic venous connections. The findings show a spectrum from partially to totally anomalous connections, with some better interpreted on the basis of anomalous drainage. Included in our cases, nonetheless, is an autopsied example of totally anomalous systemic venous connection produced by an abnormal location of the primary atrial septum. We discuss the potential morphogenesis for this finding. We emphasize the distinction that needs to be made between anomalous systemic venous connections and anomalous systemic venous drainage
EOR - Miscible Gas Injection in the South of Oman: A Bold Vision that Became Reality
No full textAbstract
Since the mid 1990's a number of sour oil fields, comprising carbonate reservoirs and silicilyte reservoirs have been discovered in the South of Oman. The main common feature of all these fields, which stretch over an area of 150x50km, is the stratigraphic nature of the trap, whereby the reservoir and source rock is entirely encased by salt. The crude is light, sour and often heavily undersaturated. Despite significant depths of 3000-5000m and initial reservoir pressure gradients often far above the hydrostatic gradient, the primary depletion recovery is in general low, in the range of 10-15%. Wells generally quit from lift die-out at a fairly high production rate once the reservoir reach their bottom hole pressure limit, and no artificial lift method could successfully be implemented because of the high pressure, high sour and high GOR environment. This resulted in the need for secondary/tertiary development to access the significant oil volumes left in the fields.
Plans towards the implementation of Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) by the mean of Miscible Gas Injection (MGI) were put in place covering most fields in the cluster. A structured implementation staircase was followed, gradually increasing the confidence in the recovery process through lab tests and field trials, and maturing field development projects through the opportunity realization steps. The commissioning of the Station-H and the implementation of the AN MGI 3A project mark the realization of the first tranche of MGI floods in Oman; it includes three projects:A full-field implementation in the Z-field, which started in April 2012 and is now injecting at 80% of the capacity into six injectors,A pilot flood in the S-field (S-Miniflood), which started in May 2015, injecting through 3 crestal wells into the pre-existing gas cap at a distance of 2000-2500m from the producer.A pilot project of two five-spot patterns in the AN field (3A), which started injecting in September 2015
At present injection has been going on for over 3 years at the full field level in Z-field, which is now showing a clear positive response. The reservoir pressure has risen above the Minimum Miscibility Pressure (MMP) of 380bar and excellent FTHP is observed (above 150bar) and producers that had previously reached lift die-out have been reopened. The asset's liquid production has increased by 3 fold and contributes to more than 15% of Oman's production. This project is the world's largest Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) with Sour Miscible Gas Injection (MGI) integrating oil and gas field developments. Sour gas is processed through a state-of-the-art processing facility for sweetening and re-injecting gas under MGI to increase oil recovery up to 50%, (i.e. 6 fold increase over primary RF).
The two pilots (S-Miniflood and AN 3A) are also under heavy WRFM scrutiny for optimal flood management, and monitoring of KPI. They are expected to run for circa 4 yrs prior to unlocking the implementation at the full field scale.
These projects provide the infrastructure for long term development of the area and a number of follow-on projects, which will make use of the existing facilities or lead to commissioning of larger facilities.</jats:p
Rates of ventilator-associated pneumonia in critical care units in three Arabian Gulf countries; six-year surveillance study
No full text- …
