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Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to examine the representations of male and female social actors within the subversive gendered discourse of "equal opportunities for men and women" in Iranian English as a foreign language (E...
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Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to examine the representations of male and female social actors within the subversive gendered discourse of "equal opportunities for men and women" in Iranian English as a foreign language (EFL) textbooks. Design/methodology/approach - From the methodological perspective, this study fused van Leeuwen's (2003) "Social Actor Network Model" and Sunderland's (2004) "Gendered Discourses Model". Findings - Data obtained from this study showed the subversive gendered discourse of "equal opportunities" was supported through such representations within a narrow perspective in line with dominant gender ideologies in Iran. The findings suggest the resistance against such subversive gendered discourse in Iranian EFL textbooks underpins gender norms and religious ideologies existing in Iran. Originality/value - Such representations of male and female social actors in school textbooks show inclusive education and the discourse of "equal opportunities" have yet to be realised in education system of many countries, including Iran.
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Hypertension is highly prevalent among the Lebanese adult population and is indeed the major cause of mortality in Lebanon. Traditional use of antihypertensive medicinal plants has long been practiced. The aim of this study is to ...
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Hypertension is highly prevalent among the Lebanese adult population and is indeed the major cause of mortality in Lebanon. Traditional use of antihypertensive medicinal plants has long been practiced. The aim of this study is to document this traditional knowledge and clinically test the antihypertensive capacity of three of the most commonly used wild plant species Mentha longifolia , Viola odorata and Urtica dioica . Ethno-pharmacological data was collected by personal interviews with herbalists and traditional healers using a semi structured survey questionnaire and assessing relative frequency of citation (RFC). The clinical study was conducted by a randomized, blind, placebo-controlled trial in 29 subjects with mild hypertension distributed in four groups, three plant extract treatments and one placebo. Systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressures (DBP) as well as mean arterial blood pressures (MAP) were monitored at weeks 4, 8, 12 and 16 during the treatment with 300 mL/day of plant extract. Results showed that M. longifolia , U. dioica and V. odorata exhibited the highest values of RCF (0.95) followed by Allium ampeloprasum (0.94), Apium graveolens (0.92) and Crataegus azarolus (0.90). The clinical trial revealed dose- and duration-dependent significant reductions in SBP, DBP and MAP of subjects treated with M. longifolia , U. dioica or V. odorata . Our findings indicate that extracts of these plants present an effective, safe and promising potential as a phyto-therapuetical approach for the treatment of mild hypertension. More research on the phytochemistry, pharmacological effects and the underlying mechanisms is necessary.
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Abstract Background This retrospective study assessed the effect of non‐surgical and surgical mechanical therapy for furcation‐involved molars. Methods Furcation defects treated and followed for at least 1 year were selected. Da...
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Abstract Background This retrospective study assessed the effect of non‐surgical and surgical mechanical therapy for furcation‐involved molars. Methods Furcation defects treated and followed for at least 1 year were selected. Data relative to the clinical outcomes were recorded. The immediate (3‐ to 6‐month) clinical outcomes and the long‐term survival of the treated molars were assessed. The potential variables influencing the treatment outcomes through multi‐level regression analysis, and Cox Proportional‐Hazards Models were also analyzed. Results One hundred and eighty‐four molars were included with an average follow‐up of 7.52 years. At the 3‐ to 6‐month re‐evaluation 1.39 ± 0.99 mm pocket depth reduction, 0.88 ± 1.29 mm clinical attachment gain, and a 0.51 ± 1.13 mm increase in recession was observed. The 5‐ and 10‐year survival rates were 88.3% and 61.3%, respectively. The horizontal and vertical extent of furcation involvement, baseline probing depth, mucoperiosteal flap elevation, and the frequency of supportive periodontal therapy influenced the clinical outcomes and tooth survival. Conclusion Non‐surgical and surgical mechanical root debridement is a viable treatment for the management of furcation involved molars with shallow horizontal and vertical components.
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We consider the non homogeneous gamma process as a degradation model. The hitting time of a deterministic or random level is studied here. We provide its distribution (both cdf and pdf) explicitly in the first case and in the seco...
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We consider the non homogeneous gamma process as a degradation model. The hitting time of a deterministic or random level is studied here. We provide its distribution (both cdf and pdf) explicitly in the first case and in the second case when the threshold is exponentially or gamma distributed. The general case for a random threshold can be approximated by considering mixtures of Erlang distributions. Aging properties are also discussed in this article.
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Background Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common cause of morbidity and mortality. It mainly targets the renal tubular epithelium with pathological changes, referred to as acute tubular injury. The latter is followed by a regenera...
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Background Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common cause of morbidity and mortality. It mainly targets the renal tubular epithelium with pathological changes, referred to as acute tubular injury. The latter is followed by a regenerative response that is difficult to visualize on routine hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stains. In this study, we examined the regenerative capacity of renal tubules by correlating vimentin (VIM) immunohistochemical (IHC) expression and pathological findings of AKI and renal tubular regeneration (RTR) on H&E. Methods We reviewed 23 autopsies performed in the clinical setting of AKI and RTR. VIM expression was scored in the renal cortical tubular epithelium using a statistical cutoff ≥ 3% for high expression and < 3% for low expression. Results Of the 23 kidney tissues examined, seven (30.4%) had low VIM expression, and 16 (69.6%) had high VIM expression. Kidney tissues with evidence of AKI and RTR had significantly higher VIM expression. Renal peritubular microenvironment features showing regenerative changes on H&E were associated with high VIM expression. In the univariate model, kidney tissues with RTR were 18-fold more likely to have high VIM expression. Conclusions In conclusion, our findings suggest that VIM could serve as an IHC marker for RTR following AKI. However, correlation with H&E findings remains critical to excluding chronic tubular damage. Collectively, our preliminary results pave the way for future studies including a larger sample size to validate the use of VIM as a reliable biomarker for RTR.
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Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are major healthcare problems that are usually treated empirically. However, antimicrobial resistance has been increasing across many settings. This study aims to elucidate the antibioti...
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Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are major healthcare problems that are usually treated empirically. However, antimicrobial resistance has been increasing across many settings. This study aims to elucidate the antibiotic resistance profiles of three common uropathogens, Escherichia coli ( E. coli ), Klebsiella pneumoniae ( K. pneumoniae ), and Proteus mirabilis ( P. mirabilis ) and compare between extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) and non-ESBL strains among Lebanese patients. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted at multiple tertiary healthcare centers in South Lebanon, between January and September 2017, including 551 patients of all age groups. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data of patients were collected and analyzed statistically. Results: The prevalence of UTI in Lebanon was highest in adults between 19 and 64 years (44%). E. coli was the predominant uropathogenic organism (67.1%) followed by K. pneumoniae (10%) and P. mirabilis (3.7%). ESBL represented 32.9% of the UTI agents. The three common uropathogens studied were found to be most susceptible to imipenem (100%) and meropenem (100%). Interestingly, 115 (25.1%) out of the 458 E. coli isolates were resistant to more than eight antibiotics while 107 (23.4%) were susceptible to all antibiotics studied. Conclusions: Our study underlined the importance of adequate antimicrobial prescription for UTIs in Lebanon to avoid multidrug resistance.
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Background: Neonatal jaundice is commonly seen in term and preterm newly born babies. It could be eitherphysiologic or secondary to multiple underlying pathologies like urinary tract infection (UTI). Our main objective wasto confi...
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Background: Neonatal jaundice is commonly seen in term and preterm newly born babies. It could be eitherphysiologic or secondary to multiple underlying pathologies like urinary tract infection (UTI). Our main objective wasto confirm the relationship between neonatal jaundice without apparent cause like hemolysis and the presence of UTI.Materials and Methods: We, retrospectively over a period extended from 2017 to 2020, included 496 babiesadmitted for elevated indirect hyperbilirubinemia for whom demographic, clinical, laboratory, and therapeutic datawere collected through a detailed questionnaire.Results: Our study included 496 neonates and showed a prevalence of UTI in 8.9% of neonates. The two mostcommon microorganisms in urine culture were Escherichia coli (65.9%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (25.0%). Amultivariate logistic analysis showed that UTI was associated with male neonates (odds ratio [OR] = 2.366, 95%confidence interval [CI]: 1.173 – 4.774; P = 0.016), history of prenatal UTI (OR = 5.378, 95% CI: 2.369 – 12.209; P<0.001), poor feeding (OR = 3.687, 95% CI: 1.570 – 8.661; P = 0.003), and positive urine culture in catheter (OR =2.704, 95% CI: 1.255 – 5.826; P = 0.011). The mean length of stay was higher in patients with positive UTI (Median =216 hours) compared to patients with negative UTI (Median = 48 hours) (P <0.001).Conclusion: Neonatal sreening for UTI should be recommended whenever there is unexplaind early or prolongedhyperbilirubinemia with no evidence of alloimmune hemolysis or blood group incompatibility and to prevent themorbidity of urosepsis and congenital kidneys malformations.
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Background: Neonatal jaundice is commonly seen in term and preterm newly born babies. It could be eitherphysiologic or secondary to multiple underlying pathologies like urinary tract infection (UTI). Our main objective wasto confi...
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Background: Neonatal jaundice is commonly seen in term and preterm newly born babies. It could be eitherphysiologic or secondary to multiple underlying pathologies like urinary tract infection (UTI). Our main objective wasto confirm the relationship between neonatal jaundice without apparent cause like hemolysis and the presence of UTI.Materials and Methods: We, retrospectively over a period extended from 2017 to 2020, included 496 babiesadmitted for elevated indirect hyperbilirubinemia for whom demographic, clinical, laboratory, and therapeutic datawere collected through a detailed questionnaire.Results: Our study included 496 neonates and showed a prevalence of UTI in 8.9% of neonates. The two mostcommon microorganisms in urine culture were Escherichia coli (65.9%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (25.0%). Amultivariate logistic analysis showed that UTI was associated with male neonates (odds ratio [OR] = 2.366, 95%confidence interval [CI]: 1.173 – 4.774; P = 0.016), history of prenatal UTI (OR = 5.378, 95% CI: 2.369 – 12.209; P<0.001), poor feeding (OR = 3.687, 95% CI: 1.570 – 8.661; P = 0.003), and positive urine culture in catheter (OR =2.704, 95% CI: 1.255 – 5.826; P = 0.011). The mean length of stay was higher in patients with positive UTI (Median =216 hours) compared to patients with negative UTI (Median = 48 hours) (P <0.001).Conclusion: Neonatal sreening for UTI should be recommended whenever there is unexplaind early or prolongedhyperbilirubinemia with no evidence of alloimmune hemolysis or blood group incompatibility and to prevent themorbidity of urosepsis and congenital kidneys malformations.
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COVID-19, caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, was declared by WHO in early 2020 as a worldwide pandemic. Several known risk markers are associated with COVID-19 morbidity and mortality, including age, gender, and diseases,...
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COVID-19, caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, was declared by WHO in early 2020 as a worldwide pandemic. Several known risk markers are associated with COVID-19 morbidity and mortality, including age, gender, and diseases, such as hypertension, diabetes, and chronic cardiovascular diseases. Recent studies have shown an association between COVID-19 infection and the ABO blood groups. Objective: To assess the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 among suspected COVID-19 patients as well as the risk markers for COVID-19 associated with ABO blood group, Rhesus factor, and patient’s address during the past year. Methods: 69,019 nasopharyngeal swab samples were collected and analyzed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction technique for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in patients attending a tertiary health care center in South Lebanon during the period between August 2020 and July 2021. Results: Among all tested subjects, the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection was 19.2% (95% CI: 18.9% to 19.5%). Among those with known blood group (N = 17,462), odds of SARS-CoV-2 were higher in group A (Odds Ratio = 1.12, 95% CI: 1.02 to 1.23) and group AB (OR = 1.19, 95% CI: 1.00 to 1.41) relative to the reference group O (OR = 1). Odds of SARS-CoV-2 in the Rh-negative group (OR = 1.02, 95% CI: 0.89 to 1.16) were not significantly different from the Rh-positive group. Among those with known address (N = 30,060), odds of SARS-CoV-2 were lower in residents of remote areas (OR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.80 to 0.99) relative to central cities. Conclusion: There is a modestly higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection associated with blood groups A and AB, and a lower risk associated with living in remote, less crowded regions.
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Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) is a major cause of pediatric morbidity and mortality around the world. It remains a frequent reason for infection-related admissions to emergency units among all age groups. Following the Syrian refuge...
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Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) is a major cause of pediatric morbidity and mortality around the world. It remains a frequent reason for infection-related admissions to emergency units among all age groups. Following the Syrian refugee crisis and insufficient clean water in our region, we sought to assess the etiological and epidemiological factors pertaining to AGE in South Lebanon. In this multi-center cross sectional clinical study, we analyzed the demographic, clinical and laboratory data of 619 Lebanese children from the age of 1?month to 5?years old who were admitted with AGE to pediatrics departments of three tertiary care centers in South Lebanon. Our results revealed that males had a higher incidence of AGE (57.3%) than females. Enteropathogens were identified in 332/619 (53.6%) patients. Single pathogens were found in 294/619 (47.5%) patients, distributed as follows: Entamoeba histolytica in 172/619 (27.8%) patients, rotavirus in 84/619 (13.6%), and adenovirus in 38/619 (6.1%). Mixed co-pathogens were identified in 38/619 (6.1%) patients. Analyzing the clinical manifestations indicated that E. histolytica caused the most severe AGE. In addition, children who received rotavirus vaccine were significantly less prone to rotavirus infection. Our findings alluded to the high prevalence of E. histolytica and other unidentified enteropathogens as major potential causes of pediatric AGE in hospitalized Lebanese children. This should drive us to widen our diagnostic panel by adopting new diagnostic techniques other than the routinely used ones (particularly specific for the pathogenic amoeba E. histolytica and for the unidentified enteropathogens), and to improve health services in this unfortunate area of the world where insanitary water supplies and lack of personal hygiene represent a major problem.
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