Synthesis of core-shell copper-graphite submicronic particles and carbon nano-onions by spark discharges in liquid hydrocarbons.

Spark discharge in hydrocarbon liquids is considered a promising method for the synthesis of various nanomaterials, including nanocomposites. In this study, copper-carbon particles were synthesized by generating spark discharges between two Cu electrodes immersed in heptane, cyclohexane, or toluene. The synthesized particles were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and selected area electron diffraction.

Prevalence of Self-Reported Dysphonia and Dysphagia in Patients with Allergy.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of self-reported dysphonia and dysphagia in patients with positive allergy test in comparison to patients with negative allergy tests.

Subjects And Methods: A total of 52 patients who presented to the allergy clinic of a tertiary medical referral center for skin testing between June 2019 and December 2019 were were recruited for this study. Demographic data included age, gender, history of smoking, family history for eczema, atopy, asthma, food and drug allergy.

Sporadic, classic-type renal angiomyolipoma with renal vein and inferior vena cava extension: an incidental case.

Renal angiomyolipomas (AMLs) were first described in the early 1900s by Gravitz, but it was not until 1951 that they were named renal AML. These kidney tumours are rare, occurring in 0.13%-0.

Environmental drivers of meiofaunal natural variability, Egypt, Southeastern Mediterranean.

Sandy beaches are challenging ecosystems, in which biota experience extreme physical conditions. We sampled meiofauna in conjunction with environmental factors that are well-known to affect faunal associations to describe the ecological state of sandy beaches that experience natural and human-made disturbances. We applied a random stratified sampling design with monthly collections (1800 cores) at three beaches on the Alexandria, Egypt, coast during two sampling periods over 1 year from November to April and May to September.

Myocardial extracellular volume quantification by computed tomography predicts outcomes in patients with severe aortic stenosis.

Background: The extent of myocardial fibrosis in patients with severe aortic stenosis might have an important prognostic value. Non-invasive imaging to quantify myocardial fibrosis by measuring extracellular volume fraction might have an important clinical utility prior to aortic valve intervention.

Methods: Seventy-five consecutive patients with severe aortic stenosis, and 19 normal subjects were prospectively recruited and underwent pre- and post-contrast computed tomography for estimating myocardial extracellular volume fraction.

Lead (Pb) Contamination Along a Hillslope in the Tonto National Forest, AZ: A Case Study of Recreational Shooting Using GIS Analysis.

This study focuses on heavy metal contamination in soils due to recreational shooting within the Tonto National Forest, Arizona. The main research questions are: (1) Have some soils within the Tonto National Forest (NF) been contaminated with lead (Pb) due to recreational shooting? (2) How far downslope have the soils been contaminated? Soils in permitted shooting areas were tested for lead (Pb), which show statistically significant differences in mean concentration levels when compared to control sites. The dry weight of mean lead concentrations (5125 mg/kg; p value < 0.

Tolerance of Patients Using Different Approaches in Laryngeal Office-Based Procedures.

Objective: To evaluate the tolerance, overall experience, procedure discomfort, and patient anxiety using different routes in office-based laryngeal procedures.

Subjects And Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of patients undergoing office-based laryngeal procedures for the treatment or diagnosis of laryngeal lesions via transnasal, transoral, or percutaneous routes. Tolerability, overall experience, procedure discomfort, and patient's anxiety were evaluated and reported on a custom scale over 5.

Diagnostic Yield of Office-Based Laryngeal Biopsy in Patients With Leukoplakia; A Case Study With Review of the Literature.

Objective: To review the authors experience in un-sedated office-based biopsies of patients with vocal fold leukoplakia and to review the literature.

Material And Method: A retrospective review of 29 patients was conducted.

Results: A total of 41 office-based procedures were performed (eight patients had bilateral vocal fold lesions and four patients had the procedure performed twice).

Impact of Race and Socioeconomic Status on Outcomes in Patients Hospitalized with COVID-19.

Background: The impact of race and socioeconomic status on clinical outcomes has not been quantified in patients hospitalized with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Objective: To evaluate the association between patient sociodemographics and neighborhood disadvantage with frequencies of death, invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), and intensive care unit (ICU) admission in patients hospitalized with COVID-19.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Therapeutic effects of blocking β-catenin against hepatocellular carcinoma-induced activation of inflammation, fibrosis and tumor invasion.

Destructive effects of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is enhanced by many cellular mechanisms including activation of fibrosis, inflammation and tumor invasion. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the therapeutic effects of iCRT14, β-catenin blocker, on HCC. In addition, the molecular effects of iCRT14 will be investigated on inflammation, fibrosis and tumor invasion pathways.

The Cost-Effectiveness of Using Epoetin-Beta Versus Darbepoetin-Alfa for the Treatment of Anemia Among Chronic Hemodialysis Patients.

Background and objective Anemia is a common prognosis of chronic kidney disease (CKD). It is predominantly managed with synthetic erythropoietin. The principal objective of this study was to compare the cost-effectiveness of the use of short-acting erythropoietin with the long-acting one to maintain serum hemoglobin (Hb) concentration within the range of 10.

Do various degrees of tooth decalcification affect orthodontists', general dentists' and laypersons' ratings of smile esthetics?

Objectives: To compare the effect of various degrees of decalcification after orthodontic treatment (white spot lesions) on orthodontists', general dentists', and laypersons' ratings of smile esthetics.

Materials And Methods: Eight photographs representing incrementally altered tooth decalcification lesions of maxillary anterior teeth ranging from mild to severe were shown randomly to the study participants. Photographs were rated by a matched sample of orthodontists (N = 42), general dentists (N = 52), and laypeople (N = 58).

Evaluation of Serum Total Immunoglobulin E, Interleukin-17 and Pentraxin-3 as Biomarkers for Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyposis.

Background: Different biomarkers are detectable in cases of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) with need for evaluation of their diagnostic and prognostic roles.

Objective: To assess the serum levels of total IgE, interleukin-17 and Pentraxin-3 in patients with CRSwNP and correlate them with the clinical evaluation using Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22), radiological evaluation using Lund - Mackay (LM) computed tomography scan score, and polyposis recurrence.

Methods: This cross-sectional comparative study was carried out on fifty patients with CRSwNP and twenty-five age and gender matched healthy volunteers as control group.

Breast cancer epidemiology among surgically treated patients in Jordan: A retrospective study.

Multiple risk factors contribute to the development of breast cancer, including age, positive family history, early menarche, late menopause and the strongest factor being female gender. In this study, we aimed to investigate the proportion of breast cancer patients with certain risk factors, the prevalence of each cancer type, in addition to the surgical procedures performed. The medical records of patients diagnosed with breast cancer from January 2010 to November 2015 were evaluated retrospectively regarding demographics, breast cancer risk factors, comorbidities, diagnostic methods, tumor location, cancer type and stage, pathological findings, tumor markers, harvested lymph nodes and the types of surgical procedures.

Dentists' knowledge, attitudes, and professional behavior toward the COVID-19 pandemic: A multisite survey of dentists' perspectives.

Background: COVID-19 continues to affect the dental community worldwide. The authors conducted a cross-sectional electronic study using a multisite survey to examine dentists' knowledge, attitudes, and professional behavior toward COVID-19 and the affect on their livelihood.

Methods: A questionnaire was circulated via e-mail and social media platforms to dentists in North America, Europe, Eastern Mediterranean, and Western Pacific regions.

Dental students' experience and perceived confidence level in different restorative procedures.

Purpose: Graduating confident students who are able to flourish and develop in their future careers is an importance outcome of the dental education. This study aims to evaluate self-perceived level of confidence of fifth-year dental students in different restorative-related tasks and the relationship between their clinical training and its corresponding confidence.

Methods: Fifth-year graduate dental students (n = 202) were asked to fill a questionnaire that rated their level of confidence in different clinical restorative dentistry tasks.

Long Term Outcomes of Patients Treated With Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation.

Transcatheter aortic-valve implantation (TAVI) is an established treatment option in patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis. Intermediate and long-term follow up data of these patients is limited. Data was taken from a large all-comer single center prospective registry (2008 to 2019).

Short membranous septum length in bicuspid aortic valve stenosis increases the risk of conduction disturbances.

Background: Distinct anatomical features predispose bicuspid AS patients to conduction disturbances after TAVR. This study sought to evaluate whether the incidence of permanent pacemaker implantation (PPMI) and left bundle branch block (LBBB) in patients with bicuspid aortic stenosis (AS) following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is related to an anatomical association between bicuspid AS and short membranous septal (MS) length.

Methods: Sixty-seven consecutive patients with bicuspid AS from a Bicuspid AS TAVR multicenter registry and 67 propensity-matched patients with tricuspid AS underwent computed tomography before TAVR.

Lupus myocarditis in an octogenarian patient-a case report.

Lupus myocarditis is a relatively rare manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus. The majority of patients who experience myocardial involvement are females of young age. Here, we report a case of an 87-year-old male who was hospitalized because of perimyocarditis 2 weeks after undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

Hepatoprotective Effects of a Novel Trihoney against Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Comparative Study with Atorvastatin.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most prevalent chronic liver disorder worldwide with no curative therapy. The aim of this study was to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of a novel Trihoney against biochemical and histological manifestations of NAFLD in hypercholesterolemic rabbits. .

Validation of the Global Limb Anatomic Staging System in first-time lower extremity revascularization.

Objective: The Global Limb Anatomic Staging System (GLASS) was developed as a new anatomic classification scheme to grade the severity of chronic limb threatening ischemia. We evaluated the ability of this anatomic grading system to determine major adverse limb events after lower extremity revascularization.

Methods: We performed a single-institutional retrospective review of 1060 consecutive patients who had undergone 1180 first-time open or endovascular revascularization procedures for chronic limb threatening ischemia from 2005 to 2014.

The regulatory technology "RegTech" and money laundering prevention in Islamic and conventional banking industry.

This study aims to illustrate the impact of adopting Regulatory technology (RegTech) innovations in banks on money laundering prevention effectiveness using Bahrain as a case study. Bahrain has strived to position itself as the banking center of the Arabian Gulf, hence the results of this novel research are informative of the practices in the region. The primary data for this study was collected through a survey instrument distributed to 100 bankers working in Bahrain with expertise in compliance.

Academic performance of dental students: A randomised trial comparing live, audio recorded and video recorded lectures.

Objectives: To compare the academic performance of 4th-year dental students randomly divided into three learning groups: live lecture, video recorded lecture and audio recorded lecture. To assess students' attitudes towards the three learning methods.

Materials And Methods: 4th-year undergraduate students, enrolled in the Orthodontics Theory-1 course, were randomised into three groups receiving different teaching methods; video recorded lecture, audio recorded lecture and live lecture.

Impact of inpatient rehabilitation services on the functional levels of cancer patients at King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Objectives: To identify the impact of inpatient rehabilitation services on the functional levels of cancer patients. Methods: This was a retrospective study of data from the Rehabilitation Hospital, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from 2012 to 2018. The functional independence measure (FIM) tool was used to assess functional changes from admission to discharge to determine the impact of inpatient rehabilitation.

Wound location is independently associated with adverse outcomes following first-time revascularization for tissue loss.

Objective: Few studies adequately evaluate the impact of wound location on patient outcomes after lower extremity revascularization. Consequently, we evaluated the relationship between lower extremity wound location and long-term outcomes.

Methods: We reviewed all patients at our institution undergoing any first-time open surgical bypass or percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with or without stenting for tissue loss between 2005 and 2014.