Abstract One of the basic contents of fuzzy mathematics is the mathematical operations of fuzzy numbers. But still some of the fuzzy mathematical operations are not determined. There are some operations between fuzzy numbers are exact and there are approximated operations. In this paper, a comparison has been presented between two different fuzzy multiplication operations. One of these two fuzzy multiplication operations is exact with using interval arithmetic cut method and the other one is an approximation method which uses a standard approximation. In the two different methods, the fuzzy numbers will be defined as triangular fuzzy numbers because the triangular fuzzy number is the most popular one between the other shapes of fuzzy numbers. A numerical example has been presented with graphical result to show the difference between them and to analyze the error.
Background: Cow milk protein (CMP) is the most common cause of food allergy in infants and young children. CMP allergy (CMPA) can affect more than one system, such as the skin, respiratory, or digestive systems. Gastrointestinal tract manifestations are nonspecific. One of the most important GI manifestations of CMPA is bloody stool. Purpose: This study aims to describe how many infants with GI manifestations of CMPA presented with bloody stool as it was a very annoying symptom to the family and describe how can be managed adequately. Methods: This study included 100 patients with gastrointestinal manifestations of CMPA, their ages ranged from 8 weeks to 2 years. 52 males and 48 females. All study patients were subjected to complete history, thorough clinical examination, imaging necessary, and laboratory investigations Results: bloody diarrhea was recorded in 23 patients, and 2 of them were diagnosed with food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES). Occult blood was detected in 11 patients in the diarrhea group (33.33%), 17 patients in the GER group (47.2%), and was detected in 5 patients (83.33%) who presented constipation associated with massive abdominal distension.
This study aimed to assess vitamin D status in obese Egyptian children and its implication in the metabolic problems that are linked with obesity. Our results indicated that obese children had significantly lower serum levels of 25- hydroxyvitamin D than healthy subjects with 6% and 94% being vitamin D deficient and insufficient, respectively. There were significant negative correlations between vitamin D concentrations and waist circumference, hip circumference, fat % and fat mass. In the current study, hypovitaminosis D appeared to be common feature among obese children and vitamin D level was negatively correlated with obesity parameters. These data provided a clear evidence for the implication of obesity in the development of vitamin D downregulation in children. Interestingly, vitamin D status had no correlation with the metabolic risk factors in obese children.
Abstract Background: Children who like varieties in their food choices may carry these preferences throughout their childhood and beyond, affecting their health and growth. Therefore, the improvement of complementary feeding and weaning practices should be strongly supported. Aim: This study aimed at evaluating how impactful is the use of the Communication for behavioral development (C4D) approach on improving the weaning practices in an Egyptian village for 464 pregnant women and mothers of infants and improving the growth of infants 12-36 months of age. Methods : The study was an interventional three-phase study: assessment, intervention using the communication for behavioral development approach (C4D), and evaluation.The interventions encouraged each mother to provide her baby nutritious and varied options through age-appropriate introduction and diversification of nutrient-rich complementary foods under the slogan “ enjoy meals like a baby ”. Results: There was marked and significant improvement of the awareness and of the majority of the weaning practices’ indicators as a result of the interventions. This was noticed for the timely introduction of complementary foods which increased from 36.7% to 82.0%, the minimum meal frequency indicator (3-5) which increased from 25.3% to 67.3%, iron-rich or fortified food (68.0 % to 82%) as well as regular checkup for baby health at health unit (71.3%). Unfortunately, some other indicators that were improved but couldn’t reach the percentage of the targeted objectives were the “Minimum Dietary Diversity” (reached 32%) and the minimum acceptable diet (reached 22.0 %). Conclusion: Nutrition education and complementary feeding had significantly marked improvement on all the growth indices of infants aged 1-3 years. The outcome strongly supports the need for improvement of complementary feeding practices through the use of the C4D approach.
In the Somali region of Ethiopia, visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a public health concern. However, VL epidemiology and sand fly vectors have not been well studied in various areas of the regional state, including Denan district. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the sero-prevalence, associated factors, and distribution of sand fly vectors of VL in Denan district, south-eastern Ethiopia.A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from April to September 2021 among VL patients with classic signs and symptoms visiting Denan Health Center in south-eastern Ethiopia. Using a convenience sampling method, 187 blood samples were collected from individuals who visited Denan Health Center during the study period. Blood samples were subjected to Direct Agglutination Test for the detection of antibodies to VL. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was also used to gather information on risk factors and other characteristics of knowledge and attitude assessment. Sand flies were also collected from indoor, peri-domestic, mixed forest, and termite mounds using light and sticky traps to determine the fauna and abundance.The overall sero-prevalence rate was 9.63% (18/187). The sero-prevalence was significantly associated with outdoor sleeping (OR = 2.82), the presence of damp floors (OR = 7.76), and sleeping outdoor near animals (OR = 3.22). Around 53.48% of the study participants had previously heard about VL. Study participants practiced different VL control methods, including bed nets (42%), insecticide spraying (32%), smoking plant parts (14%), and environmental cleaning (8%). In total, 823 sand fly specimens, comprising 12 species in two genera (Phlebotomus and Sergentomyia), were trapped and identified. The most abundant species was Sergentomyia clydei (50.18%), followed by Phlebotomus orientalis (11.42%). Also, a higher proportion of P. orientalis was found in termite mounds (65.43%), followed by mixed forest (37.8%) and peri-domestic (20.83%) habitats.The study demonstrated a 9.63% sero-positivity of VL and a remarkable gap in knowledge, attitude, and practices towards VL. P. orientalis was also detected, which could be a probable vector in this area. Thus, public education should be prioritized to improve the community's awareness of VL and its public health impact. In addition, detailed epidemiological and entomological studies are recommended.
Abstract Background Access to various affordable and nutritious foods is considered a challenging factor for households with limited resources affecting the proper weaning practices. In order to motivate communities to adhere to the right and proper weaning practices, the social aspect should be considered through close communication with the targeted communities. This study aimed to evaluate how impactful the use of the principles of Communication for Development (C4D) that respect parents’ beliefs and their cultural norms is in improving the weaning practices and growth of infants in an Egyptian village. Methods An interventional three-phase study was conducted for three years. The intervention targeted 464 mothers of infants up to 2 years of age. C4D interventions encouraged each mother to provide her baby with nutritious and varied options through age-appropriate introduction and diversification of nutrient-rich complementary foods under the slogan “ enjoy meals like a baby”. The effectiveness of the approach was measured by five essential weaning practices: Introduction of solid, semi-solid, or soft foods, Minimum dietary diversity, minimum meal frequency, Minimum acceptable diet, and consumption of iron-rich foods. Results There was marked and significant improvement in the awareness and of the majority of the weaning practices’ indicators as a result of the interventions. This was noticed for the timely introduction of complementary foods which increased from 36.7% to 82.0%, the minimum meal frequency indicator (3–5) which increased from 25.3% to 67.3%, iron-rich or fortified food (68.0% to 82%) as well as a regular checkup for baby health at the health unit (71.3%). Indicators that were improved but failed to achieve the target were the “Minimum Dietary Diversity” (reached 32%) and the minimum acceptable diet (reached 22.0%). A significant effect on linear growth especially for females is evidenced by the remarkable decrease in wasting (from 31.5% to 11.1%) and obesity (from 12.0% to 0%) associated with a considerable decrease in underweight (from 40% to 16.7%). Conclusion Targeting caregivers through the C4D approach have succeeded in providing them with the support required for the provision of adequate nutrition for their infants that had significantly marked improvement in growth indices of their infants.
Abstract Wireless Sensor Networks are now very important and more usable in industrial, agricultural, commercial and military applications. Studies on wireless sensor networks have several aspects such as location, deployment, tracking. The most critical parameter of studying wireless sensor networks is sensor nodes deployment to obtain optimum coverage for the network used to minimize energy and cost. The goal of this work is to introduce a new coverage proposal to calculate the required number of sensors for a wireless sensor network in order to achieve optimum coverage for a particular task region. The other proposals that were introduced before are mostly based on coverage of a unit disk in two dimensional space or a ball in three dimensional space. These proposals didn’t provide a coverage model for targets or objects in task region with hybrid types. So, this work introduces a new coverage model using Clifford algebra, which is coordinate-free and simple in calculations.
BACKGROUND: Childhood obesity is a global threat with subsequent health problems among which and most important is cardiovascular problems. It is now claimed that adipokines secreted by adipose tissue are responsible for such consequences. Newly discovered adipokines chemerin and apelin are under investigation for their link with obesity related co-morbidites. AIM: The aim of the present study was to assess the serum levels of chemerin and apelin in obese children and to explore the correlation between these two biomarkers and the inflammatory as well as the endothelial cell activation markers PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study was a cross-sectional case control study that comprised 45 pre-pubertal obese children aged (6– < 12) years old of both sexes (22 males and 23 females), in addition to 45 matched age and sex lean children serving as controls (21 males and 24 females). Serum levels of chemerin, apelin, ICAM-1, E-selectin and hs-CRP were measured for obese and controls. RESULTS: Obese children showed higher levels of chemerin, apelin, ICAM-1 and E-selectin than controls. Chemerin and apelin showed significant correlations with all parameters except for age. Anthropometric parameters with hs-CRP revealed significant correlation even after adjustment for age and sex while apelin only showed a significant correlation with age. Multiple regression analyses with hs -CR , E-selectin and ICAM-1 as dependent variables and BMI Z score ,age, sex, chemerin and apelin as independent variables showed the effect of chemerin and apelin on the increased levels of hs -CR , E-selectin and ICAM-1 . CONCLUSION: Elevated levels of chemerin and apelin may serve as indices of ongoing obesity-related disorders in obese children.
Matrix Gla protein (MGP) acts as a potent local inhibitor of vascular calcification. However, to be active, MGP must be phosphorylated and carboxylated; such carboxylation is vitamin K-dependent, and phosphorylation is necessary for the secretion of MGP. This study aimed to investigated the effect of vitamin K2 on MGP levels after 3 months’ supplementation and the relationship between MGP level and vascular stiffness in hemodialysis patients. Patients and methods: This interventional, double armed, clinical trial (Single-blinded) study was conducted in the dialysis Unit in Al-Ahrar Teaching Hospital, Sharkia on 48 end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on regular hemodialysis divided into 2 groups; 24 patients receiving Mk -7 as 90 mcg/day and 24 patients receiving placebo. Carotid duplex ultrasound for right and left common carotid arteries was done to assess Peak Wave Velocity (PWV) and the presence or absence of atheromatous plaques, prior to administering MK-7 and again after 3 months, for both groups. Results: There was statistically non-significant difference between the studied groups regarding hemoglobin, serum calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, alkaline phosphatase, Ktv and parathyroid hormone. There was statistically non-significant difference between the studied groups regarding baseline matrix Gla protein. There was statistically significant difference between the studied groups regarding matrix Gla protein after 3 months of administration of vitamin k2 supplementation and placebo within intervention and placebo groups respectively. Conclusions: Vitamin k2 supplementation to hemodialysis patients will reduce ucMGP, which in turn reduces calcification and stiffness of blood vessels and cardiovascular system which in turn reduces cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.