Medical education and the epidemics: How educational technology responded

The global disruption created by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in medical education and healthcare institutions is unparalleled. Consequently, it is essential to evaluate the usability of forms of educational technology and to identify their viability and suitability for medical education. The objective of the investigation was to present an assessment of the state of medical education during the COVID-19 epidemic and to identify the obstacles faced by educators while introducing online learning systems for medical students. Two cross-sectional surveys were conducted with 200 medical students and 75 staff members from Saudi Arabia's University of Health. A descriptive method was used to focus on the mechanisms of analysis, foresight, and comprehension of reality. The most significant findings were the obstacles posed by instructors' most urgent requirements for educational technology training and its applications in order to activate distance education in medical education. In addition to a detailed description of the academic and technological concerns and obstacles encountered by students and faculty of health colleges during the pandemic, this report includes a discussion of the pandemic itself. Several prospective recommendations for the use of online and blended learning in health colleges post-pandemic were also made. Additionally, the requirement to activate learning via virtual professional learning groups.

An In-Depth Examination of the Natural Radiation and Radioactive Dangers Associated with Regularly Used Medicinal Herbs

The specific activity of U-238 and Th-232, as well as K-40 radionuclides, in twenty-nine investigated medicinal herbs used in Egypt has been measured using a high-purity germanium (HP Ge) detector. The measured values ranged from the BDL to 20.71 ± 1.52 with a mean of 7.25 ± 0.54 (Bq kg−1) for uranium-238, from the BDL to 29.35 ± 1.33 with a mean of 7.78 ± 0.633 (Bq kg−1) for thorium-232, and from 172 ± 5.85 to 1181.2 ± 25.5 with a mean of 471.4 ± 11.33 (Bq kg−1) for potassium-40. Individual herbs with the highest activity levels were found to be 20.71 ± 1.52 (Bq kg−1) for uranium-238 (H4, Thyme herb), 29.35 ± 1.33 (Bq kg−1) for thorium-232 (H20, Cinnamon), and 1181.2 ± 25.5 (Bq kg−1) for potassium-40 (H24, Worm-wood). (AACED) Ingestion-related effective doses over the course of a year of uranium-238 and thorium-232, as well as potassium-40 estimated from measured activity concentrations, are 0.002304 ± 0.00009 (minimum), 0.50869 ± 0.0002 (maximum), and 0.0373 ± 0.0004 (average)(mSv/yr). Radium equivalent activity (Raeq), annual gonadal dose equivalent (AGDE), absorbed gamma dose rate (Doutdoor, Dindoor), gamma representative level index (I), annual effective dose (AEDtotal), external and internal hazard index (Hex, Hin), and excess lifetime cancer risk were determined in medicinal plants (ELCR). The radiological hazards assessment revealed that the investigated plant species have natural radioactivity levels that are well within the internationally recommended limit. This is the first time that the natural radioactivity of therapeutic plants has been measured in Egypt. In addition, no artificial radionuclide (for example, 137Cs) was discovered in any of the samples. Therefore, the current findings are intended to serve as the foundation for establishing a standard safety and guideline for using these therapeutic plants in Egypt.

Removal of Uranium-238, Thorium-232, and Potassium-40 from Wastewater via Adsorption on Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes

The optimum conditions for the removal of uranium-238, thorium-232, and potassium-40 from wastewater and the discharge of nuclear facilities using multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are described. The adsorption mechanism is mainly attributed to chemical interactions between the metal ions and surface functional groups of the CNTs. Batch adsorption experiments are carried out in order to study the effect of different parameters such as pH, contact time, initial metal ion concentration, adsorbent dose, and temperatures. Maximum metal removal (>98%) from solutions containing 20-120 Bq/L metal ions is achieved using a contact time of 15 min, a pH of 6.0, and 10 mg/L CNTs. The effect of temperature on the kinetics and equilibrium of adsorption on CNT particles is examined. Consistent with an exothermic reaction, an increase in the temperature resulted in an increase in the adsorption rate. Langmuir, Freundlich, and Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherms are applied to the data obtained at various temperatures. The Langmuir adsorption model is the best for data interpretations. The kinetics of adsorption reveals a pseudo-second-order mechanism. Thermodynamic parameters at 293 K (ΔG°, ΔH°, and ΔS°) for U-238, Th-232, and K-40 are -14590.7 kJ/mol, -6.66 kJ/mol, and 26.47 J/(mol K), -96,96.5 kJ/mol, -2.48 kJ/mol, and 14.17 J/(mol K), and -3922.09 kJ/mol, -1.32 kJ/mol, and 6.12 J/(mol K), respectively.

Interaction between cognitive styles and genders when using virtual laboratories and its influence on students of health college’s laboratory skills and cognitive load during the Corona pandemic

This study examined the interaction between cognitive style–gender within Virtual Laboratories (VL) and its influence on students of health college’s Laboratory Skills (LS) and Cognitive Load (CL) during the Corona pandemic. This research method is a combination of quasi-experimental research and survey research; consisting of two male and two female experimental groups (contemplative and impulsive). Each group had 20 students from General Health colleges. In the third level, with the microbiological course, eight experiments were studied by a Virtual laboratory (Praxilabs) during the eLearning study in 2020’s first semester.

Results showed that VL-using Students of General Health colleges studying microbiology had better CL and LS, besides significantly distinguishing between males and females using VLs in CL and LS where males benefited more. Also, a significant difference was established between CS (contemplative/impulsive) VL-using students in CL and LS to the benefit of the contemplative cognitive style. There LS significantly differ due to gender–CS interaction; however, CL does not have any differences because of this interaction.

Distribution of 137Cs and 85Sr in selected Egyptian plants after foliar contamination

The transfer of ¹³⁷Cs and ⁸⁵Sr from fallout to plants was studied in two successive pot experiments. Five plant species (Oryza Sativa, Tritichum Vulgares, Vicia Faba, Sesamum Orientale and Trifolium Alexandrinum) were grown in pots containing sandy clay loam soil. For simulating foliar contamination, radioactive ¹³⁷Cs and ⁸⁵Sr solutions were sprayed once with different activity concentrations gently on the shooting system. After 8 weeks of radioactivity application to the above first four plants and 4 weeks to the last one, the total absorption of ¹³⁷Cs and ⁸⁵Sr and their distribution in different parts of the tested plants were determined. Most of the absorbed ¹³⁷Cs and ⁸⁵Sr accumulated in shoots with proportions ranged from 70.8 to 81.9% and from 88.9 to 95.0%, respectively for different plants. The absorbed ¹³⁷Cs and ⁸⁵Sr by grains/seeds followed that of shoots with values ranged from 11.9 to 19.2% and from 5 to 10.9%, respectively. The percentage of ¹³⁷Cs absorbed by roots ranged from 6.2 to 10.0% among different plants, while ⁸⁵Sr in roots of plants was below the minimum detectable activity of the detector. For Trifolium, most of the absorbed ¹³⁷Cs and ⁸⁵Sr accumulated in the first harvest (81.9 and 98.6%). The aggregated transfer factors (T_ag) of both radionuclides under foliar conditions were to a great extent similar. The average values of T_ag factors (m²kg^-1) of ¹³⁷Cs and ⁸⁵Sr, respectively, in rice grains were 3.4 × 10^-4 and 1.6 × 10^-4; in wheat grains were 4.2 × 10^-4 and 2.1 × 10^-4; in bean seeds were 4.9 × 10^-4 and 2.6 × 10^-4; and in sesame seeds were 2.8 × 10^-4 and 1.2 × 10^-4. Those T_ag factors of grains/seeds were substantially lower than those obtained with straw of the corresponding plant species.

Soil-to-plant uptake of 137Cs and 85Sr in some Egyptian plants grown in Inshas region, Egypt

The transfer of ¹³⁷Cs and ⁸⁵Sr from soil to different plants has been studied in two successive pot field-grown experiments. Five plant species (Oryza Sativa, Tritichum Vulgares, Vicia Faba, Sesamum Orientale and Trifolium Alexandrinum) were grown in pots with sandy clay loam soil contaminated with varying amounts of ¹³⁷Cs or ⁸⁵Sr. The absorption of the radioisotopes was measured in different parts of the plants and their activity concentration was significantly increased with increasing radioactivity of both radioisotopes in the soil. The distribution pattern of the total absorbed ¹³⁷Cs or ⁸⁵Sr in different plants after soil contamination shows that the shoots of these plants contained the highest percentage of both radionuclides (65.8-73.8% for ¹³⁷Cs and 77.3-80.7% for ⁸⁵Sr) followed by roots (16.4-22.4% for ¹³⁷Cs and 19.5-21.4% for ⁸⁵Sr) and finally by grains/seeds (4.9-12.9% for ¹³⁷Cs and 0.3-1.3% for ⁸⁵Sr). The transfer factors of ⁸⁵Sr were higher than those of ¹³⁷Cs for shoots of the tested plants, and were in the ranges of 2.3×10^-2 - 4.8×10^-2 and 8.8×10^-2 - 2.0×10^-1 for ¹³⁷Cs and ⁸⁵Sr, respectively. The transfer factors of grains or seeds were significantly lower than those of roots or shoots. Also, the transfer factors of leguminous plants were higher than those of cereal plants. Regarding Trifolium plant, the highest activity concentration of both isotopes was found in the second harvest samples.

Senior interventional cardiologists are exposed to higher effective doses than other staff members

Those working in interventional cardiology are exposed to varying radiation doses during diagnostic and interventional procedures. The work presented in this paper aimed to monitor the effective doses received by different categories of medical staff members practicing interventional cardiology procedures including senior cardiologists, junior cardiologists, anesthetists and nurses. Thermo-luminescence dosimeter (TLD) badges that consisted of lithium fluoride doped with magnesium and titanium were used to quantify radiation doses. Measurements were performed with the dosimeters mounted under and above leaded aprons worn by medical staff. The results revealed that the effective doses to senior cardiologists were the highest compared to those to other participating staff members, due to their position close to the X-ray tube. The average daily effective doses for senior cardiologists, junior cardiologists, anesthetists and nurses were higher for dosimeters located above the aprons than those for dosimeters located under the aprons. Above the apron, the average effective doses accumulated during the study period were 0.44 ± 0.06, 0.34 ± 0.05, 0.29 ± 0.03 and 0.29 ± 0.04 mSv, respectively; whereas, under the apron, they were 0.20 ± 0.02, 0.18 ± 0.02, 0.17 ± 0.02 and 0.18 ± 0.02, respectively. Also, the fluoroscopy time was correlated with the dose acquired, especially for senior cardiologists. It is concluded that doses to senior cardiologists are quite high, and that many variables can affect staff exposure such as distance, direction, procedure and skills.

Environmental assessment of radionuclides levels and some heavy metals pollution along Gulf of Suez, Egypt

This work aims to evaluate radioactivity levels of 238U (²²⁶Ra), ²³²Th(²²⁸Ra), and ⁴⁰K and the associated radiological hazard indices, as well as to assess the current status and concentrations of heavy metals along the coastline of the Gulf of Suez, in order to identify potential sources of contamination and to construct radioactivity baseline for this area. Measurements of the activity concentrations of ²³⁸U(²²⁶Ra), ²³²Th(²²⁸Ra), and ⁴⁰K in Bq kg^-1 of the collected samples were carried out using high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector. Heavy metals in seawater, shore sediment, and algae samples were determined using ICP-OES. The average activity concentrations of ²³⁸U(²²⁶Ra), ²³²Th(²²⁸Ra), and ⁴⁰K were found to be 13.79 ± 0.75, 14.57 ± 1.15, and 128.9 ± 4.15 Bq kg^-1, respectively. The radiological hazard indices of absorbed dose rate in nGy h^-1 (D), annual effective dose rate in mSv y^-1, AED, radium equivalent activity in Bq (Ra_eq), external and internal hazard indices (H_ex, H_in), and cancer risk factor were calculated and compared with the worldwide averages. The distribution patterns of annual effective dose (AED) at the Suez Gulf showed that the south east of the Gulf is characterized by higher AED. Water quality parameters (water temperature, salinity, pH, DO, and Eh) reveal that Suez Gulf was undoubtedly affected by the rate of the human activities. Heavy metal concentrations in shore sediments showed some variation within the study area and followed the following order: Fe > Mn > Zn > Al > B > Co > Ni > Pb > V > Cr > Mo > Cu > Cd. Furthermore, heavy metal concentrations indicated that northern part of the Gulf contains the highest levels of these metals compared to the southern one.

Natural radioactivity levels and associated health hazards from the terrestrial ecosystem in Rosetta branch of the River Nile, Egypt

Twenty soil and 25 sediment samples were collected from the banks and bottom of the River Nile in the surroundings of biggest cities located close to it. Natural radioactivity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K have been evaluated for all samples by means of γ spectrometric analysis. The radioactivity levels of soil and sediment samples fall within the internationally recommended values. Nevertheless, high natural background radiation zones are detected in the Kafr El-Zayat region due to the presence of a fertilizer factory, and in the Rosetta region due to the presence of black sand deposits. The absorbed dose rate, the γ index and excess life time cancer risk are calculated. High values for some of the radiation health parameters are detected in the Kafr El-Zayat and Rosetta regions representing a serious problem to public health because the soil and sediment are used as constructing material for buildings. Furthermore, the isotope analysis of uranium for representative collected sediment samples via α spectrometry showed average specific activities of 18.7 ± 3.6, 0.087 ± 0.0038 and 18.6 ± 3.8 Bq kg^-1 for ²³⁴U, ²³⁵U and ²³⁸U, respectively. In general, these values confirm the balance in the isotopic abundance of U isotopes.

Effect of gallium aluminium arsenide diode laser therapy on Porphyromonas gingivalis in chronic periodontitis: a randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this randomized, controlled trial was to evaluate the effects of 685-nm gallium aluminium arsenide (GaAlAs) diode laser therapy (1.6 J cm^-2 ) as an adjunct to scaling and root planing in the treatment of chronic periodontitis.

METHODS

Thirty-two patients aged 35-60 years old who had chronic periodontitis met the eligibility criteria. They were randomly assigned to two equal groups: scaling and root planing were performed in the SRP group, while scaling, root planing and laser irradiation of periodontal pockets were performed in the SRP + DL group. Subgingival plaque samples were subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect P. gingivalis-colonized sites, and common clinical indices were evaluated before and 2 months after treatment. Clinical examination included gingival index (GI), plaque index (PI), probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL) and gingival bleeding index (GBI), all of which were recorded.

RESULTS

Data from 30 patients [19 women and 11 men; mean age, 48.4 (5.4) years old] were analysed. There were statistically significant improvements in GI, PD, CAL and GBI for the SRP + DL group compared to SRP group but no significant difference in PI between the groups. Additionally, the percentage of P. gingivalis-positive sites in the SRP + DL group decreased from 80% (12/15) to 20% (3/15) after laser irradiation (P < 0.05). No significant changes were noted in the SRP group.

CONCLUSION

GaAlAs diode laser irradiation of diseased periodontal pockets at 685 nm and 1.6 J cm^-2 seemed to be an effective adjuvant to mechanical instrumentation to treat chronic periodontitis.

Assessment of Atmospheric heavy metal deposition in North Egypt aerosols using neutron activation analysis and optical emission inductively coupled plasma

The aim of the present study is to assess the current level of atmospheric heavy metal pollution of aerosols in different cities of North Egypt using the neutron activation analysis and optical emission inductively coupled plasma techniques. The results revealed that the highest concentrations of particulate matter PM₁₀ and total suspended particulate matter were close to industrial areas. From the results of the enrichment factor calculations, the most significant elements of anthropogenic origin are Ba, Sb, Ce and Zn.