Association between headache and temporomandibular disorder

Amira Mokhtar Abouelhuda,Hyun Seok Kim,Sang Yun Kim,Young Kyun Kim 대한구강악안면외과학회 2017 대한구강악안면외과학회지 Vol.43 No.6

Headaches are one of the most common conditions associated with temporomandibular disorder (TMD). In the present paper, we evaluated the relationship between headache and TMD, determined whether headache influences the symptoms of TMD, and reported two cases of TMD accompanied by headache. Our practical experience and a review of the literature suggested that headache increases the frequency and intensity of pain parameters, thus complicating dysfunctional diseases in both diagnostic and treatment phases. Therefore, early and multidisciplinary treatment of TMD is necessary to avoid the overlap of painful events that could result in pain chronicity.

Nucleic Acid-based Biotechnologies for Food-borne Pathogen Detection Using Routine Time-intensive Culture-based Methods and Fast Molecular Diagnostics

Amira Souii,Manel Ben M’hadheb-Gharbi,Jawhar Gharbi 한국식품과학회 2016 Food Science and Biotechnology Vol.25 No.1

Diseases caused by food-borne pathogens constitute a major burden to consumers, food business operators, and national governments. Bacterial and viral pathogens are the major biotic factors influencing food safety. A vast array of culture dependent analytical methods and protocols have been developed. Recently, nucleic acid-based methods have begun to replace or complement culture-based methods for routine use in food control laboratories. Basic advantages provided by nucleic acid-based technologies are faster speed and more information, such as sub-species identification, antibiotic resistance, and food microbiology. In particular, PCR and alternative methods have been developed to a stage that provides good speed, sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility with minimized risk of carryover contamination. This review briefly summarizes currently available and developing molecular technologies that may be candidates for involvement in microbiological molecular diagnostic methods in the next decade.

Teachers’ Perspectives on Motivational Challenges and Strategies in L2 Writing Classes at Higher Education Institutions in the UAE

Amira El-Soussi 아시아테플 2021 The Journal of Asia TEFL Vol.18 No.1

Despite the wealth of research on writing techniques as well as second language (L2) motivation, research on writing motivation and motivational strategies remain underexplored (Bruning & Horn, 2000; Lee et al., 2018). Even the limited research on writing motivation focuses on exploring students’ views, paying little attention to teachers’ perspectives. To fill this important gap, this study investigates how teachers perceive their students’ writing motivation and the strategies they employ to enhance this motivation. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect qualitative data from four English writing instructors at three private universities in the UAE. Findings show that most students experience low levels of writing motivation. Instructors report encountering several student motivational challenges related to student intrinsic motivation, cost of writing, value of writing, and self-efficacy and expectancy. To address these motivational issues, the instructors ensure providing a pleasant and supportive atmosphere, stimulating and enjoyable writing, effective teaching strategies, autonomous learning and constructive feedback. More L2 motivation research should be done in writing contexts, considering teachers’ experiences in dealing with the complexities they encounter in their classrooms. Teachers’ perspectives and practices will provide a broader picture of learner motivation, indicate where support is needed, and become the base for new professional development experiences.

A GGP Approach to Solve Non Convex Min-max Predictive Controller for a Class of Constrained MIMO Systems Described by State-space Models

Amira Kheriji,Faouzi Bouani,Mekki Ksouri 제어·로봇·시스템학회 2011 International Journal of Control, Automation, and Vol.9 No.3

This paper proposes a new method to solve non convex min-max predictive controller for a class of constrained linear Multi Input Multi Output (MIMO) systems. A parametric uncertainty state space model is adopted to describe the dynamic behavior of the real process. Moreover, the output deviation method is used to design the j-step ahead output predictor. The control law is obtained by the resolution of a non convex min-max optimization problem under input constraints. The key idea is to transform the initial non convex optimization problem to a convex one by means of variable transformations. To this end, the Generalized Geometric Programming (GGP) which is a global deterministic optimization method is used. An efficient implementation of this approach will lead to an algorithm with a low computational burden. Simulation results performed on Multi Input Multi Output (MIMO) system show successful set point tracking, constraints satisfaction and good non-zero disturbance rejection.

Role of Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6) in Assessing Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis

( Amira Ismail Mostafa ),( Ayman Elsayed Salem ),( Heba Allah Moussa Ahmed ),( Aml Ibrahim Bayoumi ),( Radwa M. Abdel Halim ),( Rasha M. Abdel Samie ) 대한결핵 및 호흡기학회 2021 Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases Vol.84 No.3

Background: Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is an increasingly recognized form of diffuse parenchymal lung disease. Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6) is now classified as a human MUC1 mucin protein, and regenerating type II pneumocytes are the primary cellular source of KL-6/MUC1 in the affected lungs of patients with interstitial lung diseases (ILD). Serum KL-6/MUC1 levels have been demonstrated to be useful for the evaluation of various ILD. To determine the role of circulating KL-6 in evaluating the disease activity and management of HP. Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted on 51 patients with HP and 20 healthy controls. Serum KL-6 levels were measured in both groups. Patients were further assessed based on chest high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT), pulmonary function test, 6-minute walk test, echocardiography, bronchioalveolar lavage, and/or transbronchial biopsy. Patients were divided into the fibrotic and non-fibrotic groups according to the HRCT findings. Results: The median serum KL-6 levels were significantly higher in HP patients as compared to the control group. The median serum KL-6 levels were found to be higher in the non-fibrotic HP group (1,900 IU/mL) as compared to the fibrotic group (1,200 IU/mL). There was a significant inverse correlation between serum KL-6 serum level and the dose of steroids as well as the duration of steroid therapy. Conclusion: The presence of higher KL-6 levels in the non-fibrotic HP group implies its enhanced production by regenerating pneumocytes in response to alveolar injury. The significant association between serum KL-6 levels and the dose and the duration of steroid therapy emphasizes the significant role of steroids in the stabilization of the disease.

Garlic and allopurinol alleviate the apoptotic pathway in rats’ brain following exposure to fipronil insecticide

Amira Abo Bakr,Mohamed Ali,Khairy Ibrahim 환경독성보건학회 2022 환경독성보건학회지 Vol.37 No.4

Fipronil can cause oxidative tissue damage and apoptosis. Our goal is to evaluate the antiapoptotic impact of garlic or allopurinol against fipronil neurotoxicity. Thirty-six mature male albino rats were separated into control, garlic aqueous extract (500 mg/kg), allopurinol (150 mg/L in their drinking water), fipronil (13.277 mg/kg), garlic+fipronil, and allopurinol+fipronil. Our results revealed that fipronil induced a significant increase in brain malondialdehyde, protein carbonyl levels as well as enzymatic antioxidant activities (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and xanthine oxidase), but glutathione-S-transferase recorded a significant decrease as compared to the control. In addition, fipronil significantly up-regulated the brain pro-apoptotic (Bax) and caspase -3 mRNA gene expression and induced DNA fragmentation but caused down-regulation in anti-apoptotic (Bcl-2) mRNA genes expression. Interestingly, co-administration with garlic or allopurinol improved the lipid peroxidation, antioxidant disturbance, and apoptosis induced by fipronil in the brain tissues. In conclusion, garlic or allopurinol reduced fipronil-induced apoptosis and reduced oxidative tissue damage, most likely through enhancing the tissue antioxidant defense system.

Intragenic deletion patterns of dystrophin gene in Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy patients from Algeria

Amira Cherrallah,Tarik Hamadouche,Traki Benhassine,Sonia Nouioua,Samira Makri,Malika Chaouch,Meriem Tazir 한국유전학회 2014 Genes & Genomics Vol.36 No.1

Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies(DMD and BMD) represent the most frequent neuromusculardiseases in humans (1/3,500–6,000 live male births),characterized by an X-linked recessive pattern of inheritanceand therefore affecting mainly male individuals. DMD and BMD are allelic disorders resulting from geneticdefects, mostly intragenic deletions, in the dystrophin gene. Using multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR), we haveanalyzed 170 male patients from unrelated families originatingfrom Algeria, showing that 68 % of them harboreddeletion events affecting the known 50 or 30 hot spotregions. The distal portion was predominantly involved(85 %), whereas 37 distinctive patterns of deletion wereidentified in our panel. The extent of deletion varied from 1to 32 exons, although the average number was about fourexons. The lack of seven exons (45, 46, 47, 48, 50, 51 and 52), each alone or in combination, represented about 78 %of the alterations encountered, while exon 48 was mostfrequently involved (50 %). The effect of the deletionsshowed that the reading frame rule proved mostly true,correlating with the clinical diagnosis suggested. Moreover,the c.525delT mutation in the c-sarcoglycan gene waspresent in non-deleted patients (7 %), suggesting thatclinical features can still be misleading. Finally, multiplexPCR proved to be a simple, fast and low-cost approach forthe molecular diagnosis of dystrophinopathies in Algeria,whereas our data could contribute to the creation of anational registry of DMD/BMD patients in our country,which would give them hope to an access to alreadyavailable genotype-based therapies.

Green composite friction materials: A review of a new generation of eco-friendly brake materials for sustainability

Amira Sellami,Riadh Elleuch 대한환경공학회 2023 Environmental Engineering Research Vol.29 No.3

Particulate matter (PM) still poses a significant threat leading to air pollution which is responsible for continued damage to human health and the environment. Particulate matter resulting from non-exhaust emissions are considered as viable a source comes mostly from brake pad wear concept. The scientific challenge of this work is to stimulate a new generation of green friction materials to reduce particle emissions having low-environmental impact. The specificity of braking materials, their effects on the environment and human health are studied. To minimize the levels of air pollution, the use of green friction composites collected from natural elements reducing human diseases is discussed. For this purpose, the novel and high-performance friction composite materials synthesized from vegetable and animal waste used as a raw material are reported. The natural powder and fiber treatments, the optimum formulation and the binder materials related to the green friction composites are reviewed. An overview of environmentally ecofriendly green friction materials embedded by reinforcing phases of natural elements exhibiting excellent mechanical and tribological properties are mentioned. Therefore, scientific and industrial efforts should concentrate on the development of green friction materials to minimize the effect of transport related air pollution.

Comparison of isokinetic trunk flexion and extension torques and powers between athletes and nonathletes

Amira Ben Moussa Zouita,Fatma Zohra Ben Salah,Catherine Dziri,Chris Beardsley 한국운동재활학회 2018 JER Vol.14 No.1

This study is aimed to perform and compare maximal concentric isoki-netic trunk extension and flexion torques and powers between high-lev-el athletes and a control population. In addition, the ratio of isokinetic trunk extension and flexion torques was measured, and compared be-tween groups. Eighteen high-level male athletes and 15 male nonath-letes without low back pain were recruited. Subjects performed isoki-netic trunk extension and flexion at 60˚/sec, 90˚/sec, and 120˚/sec through a maximal range of motion in a dynamometer. Trunk extension torque of athletes was significantly higher than in nonathletes at 60˚/sec and 90˚/sec but not at 120˚/sec. Trunk extension power of athletes was significantly higher than the control group at 90˚/sec and 120˚/sec but not at 60˚/sec. There was no difference between the athlete and non-athlete groups in respect of trunk flexion torque or power at any angular velocity. Consequently, the ratio of trunk flexion to extension strength was greater in nonathletes than in athletes. Trunk extension and flexion torques tended to decrease, and trunk extension and flexion powers tended to increase, with increasing angular velocity. High-level athletes seem to display preferentially greater trunk extension strength and power in comparison with trunk flexion strength, compared to nonath-letes. This could be caused by the use of strength training exercises such as squats and deadlifts, or it may be associated with greater ath-letic performance.

Prediction of power consumption and performance in ultrafiltration of simulated latex effluent using non-uniform pore sized membranes

Amira Abdelrasoul,Huu Doan,Ali Lohi,Chil-Hung Cheng 한국화학공학회 2016 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.33 No.3

Tha aim of the present study was to develop a series of numerical models for an accurate prediction of the power consumption in ultrafiltration of simulated latex effluent. The developed power consumption model incorporated fouling attachment, as well as chemical and physical factors in membrane fouling, in order to ensure accurate prediction and scale-up. This model was applied to heterogeneous membranes with non-uniform pore sizes at a given operating conditions and mem- brane surface charges. Polysulfone flat membrane, with a membrane molecular weight cutoff (MWCO) of 60,000 dalton, at different surface charges was used under a constant flow rate and cross-flow mode. In addition, the developed models were examined using various membranes at a variety of surface charges so as to test the overall reliability and accuracy of these models. The power consumption predicted by the models corresponded to the calculated values from the experimental data for various hydrophilic and hydrophobic membranes with an error margin of 6.0% up to 19.1%.