Abstract Infrared waves have found a special place in the food industry as one of the new sources of heat production. Infrared heating technology transfers large amounts of energy to the environment or material being processed in a short time. Also improves the quality of the product and makes the product produced by this method have a higher quality than the product produced by traditional methods. Applying modern methods of heating food achieves high-quality processed products and also reduces energy consumption. One of these methods is infrared heating, which can replace many other processes in the industry as an effective method in food processing. Infrared heating has many advantages over conventional heating in similar conditions, including reduced heating time, uniform heating, high heat transfer coefficient, reduced quality loss, significant energy savings, and environmental friendliness. This paper investigates heating using infrared radiation at temperatures of 55, 65, 75, and 85 °C, and its effect on pumpkin drying. The studied parameters include moisture ratio, drying rate, effective diffusion coefficient, and activation energy. According to the results, with increasing temperature from 55 to 85 °C, the drying time decreases by about 60%, and the effective diffusion coefficient has increased by 140%.

Resumo O objetivo do presente estudo foi investigar mudanças de apoptose pós-imunização em hidatidose experimental, usando os marcadores imuno-histoquímicos Caspase 3 e p53. Dois grupos de coelhos foram imunizados com antígeno bruto (grupo 1) e com antígeno parcialmente purificado (grupo 2). Estes grupos foram comparados a um grupo controle infectado e não-imunizado. Respostas imunes mais eficientes foram obtidas do grupo 2, que apresentou lesões císticas menores e menos frequentes, e mudanças destrutivas mais graves. Cistos cresceram normalmente no grupo controle, sem expressão dos marcadores de apoptose. Expressões significativamente mais altas de Caspase 3 e p53 foram observadas no grupo 1 quando comparado ao grupo 2, como indicado por DO e área de percentagem, respectivamente (Grupo 1 Caspase 3: 0,89±0,21, 93,5%±6,2; Grupo 1 p53: 0,46±0,18, 53,26%±11,6; Grupo 2 Caspase 3: 0,52±0,15, 49,23%±11,7; Grupo 2 p53: 0,19±0,4, 18,17%±7,3). Respostas imunológicas induzidas por vacinas e danos celulares podem ser a base para a expressão dos marcadores de apoptose cujos desfechos demonstraram ação degenerativa e atrófica durante imunização. Os resultados do presente estudo enfatizam a importância da imunização para o estímulo de respostas imunes de proteção e para mecanismos de prevenção de evasão para garantir crescimento celular normal. Um programa de controle de custo/benefício que implemente preparações de vacinas adequadas deve ser analisado em mais detalhe para a completa eliminação de infecções graves em áreas endêmicas.

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate post-immunization apoptotic changes in experimental hydatidosis, using Caspase 3 and p53 immunohistochemical markers. Two groups of rabbits were immunized with a crude antigen (group 1) or a partially purified antigen (group 2) and were compared to an infected non-immunized control group. More effective immune responses were obtained in group 2 than group 1, signified by fewer and smaller cystic lesions and more severe destructive changes. Normal growth of cysts was attained in the control group, with no expression of apoptotic markers. Significantly higher expression of Caspase 3 and p53 were observed in group 1 compared to group 2, as indicated by OD and area percentage, respectively (Group 1 Caspase 3: 0.89±0.21, 93.5%±6.2; Group 1 p53: 0.46±0.18, 53.26%±11.6; Group 2 Caspase 3: 0.52±0.15, 49.23%±11.7; Group 2 p53: 0.19±0.4, 18.17%±7.3). Vaccine-induced immune responses and cellular damage may underlie the expression of apoptotic markers that appeared to result in a degenerative and atrophic course of action upon immunization. The results of the current study emphasize the importance of immunization for the stimulation of protective immune responses and in preventing mechanisms of evasion to ensure normal cell growth. A cost/benefit control program that implements proper vaccine preparations should be further assessed for complete elimination of severe infections in endemic areas.

Prompted by the 20th anniversary of the 1993 World Development Report, a Lancet Commission revisited the case for investment in health and developed a new investment framework to achieve dramatic health gains by 2035. The Commission's report has four key messages, each accompanied by opportunities for action by national governments of low-income and middle-income countries and by the international community. First, there is an enormous economic payoff from investing in health. The impressive returns make a strong case for both increased domestic financing of health and for allocating a higher proportion of official development assistance to development of health. Second, modeling by the Commission found that a "grand convergence" in health is achievable by 2035-that is, a reduction in infectious, maternal, and child mortality down to universally low levels. Convergence would require aggressive scale up of existing and new health tools, and it could mostly be financed from the expected economic growth of low- and middle-income countries. The international community can best support convergence by funding the development and delivery of new health technologies and by curbing antibiotic resistance. Third, fiscal policies -such as taxation of tobacco and alcohol- are a powerful and underused lever that governments can use to curb non-communicable diseases and injuries while also raising revenue for health. International action on NCDs and injuries should focus on providing technical assistance on fiscal policies, regional cooperation on tobacco, and funding policy and implementation research on scaling-up of interventions to tackle these conditions. Fourth, progressive universalism, a pathway to universal health coverage (UHC) that includes the poor from the outset, is an efficient way to achieve health and financial risk protection. For national governments, progressive universalism would yield high health gains per dollar spent and poor people would gain the most in terms of health and financial protection. The international community can best support countries to implement progressive UHC by financing policy and implementation research, such as on the mechanics of designing and implementing evolution of the benefits package as the resource envelope for public finance grows.

Con motivo del 20º aniversario del Informe sobre el Desarrollo Mundial 1993, una Comisión de la revista The Lancet reconsideró el argumento a favor de la inversión en salud y desarrolló un nuevo marco de inversión para lograr mejoras dramáticas en materia de salud para el año 2035. El informe de la Comisión contiene cuatro mensajes clave, cada uno acompañado de oportunidades para los gobiernos nacionales de países de ingresos bajos y medios y para la comunidad internacional. En primer lugar, invertir en salud acarrea enormes rendimientos económicos. Las impresionantes ganancias son un fuerte argumento a favor de un aumento en el financiamiento nacional de la salud y de asignar una mayor proporción de la asistencia oficial al desarrollo de la salud. En segundo lugar, en el modelo creado por la Comisión se encontró que es posible lograr para el año 2035 una "gran convergencia" en salud, consistente en la reducción de las tasas de mortalidad materna, infantil y por infecciones a niveles universalmente bajos. Tal convergencia requeriría la ampliación de las herramientas de salud existentes y un incremento agresivo de nuevas herramientas, y podría ser financiada en su mayor parte con recursos derivados del crecimiento económico esperado de los países de ingresos bajos y medios. La mejor manera en que la comunidad internacional puede apoyar la convergencia es financiando el desarrollo y suministro de nuevas tecnologías de salud, y frenando la resistencia a los antibióticos. En tercer lugar, las políticas fiscales -tales como los impuestos al tabaco y al alcohol- son una palanca poderosa y subutilizada que los gobiernos pueden emplear para detener el avance de las enfermedades no transmisibles (ENT) y las lesiones, a la vez que elevan los ingresos públicos para la salud. La acción internacional sobre las ENT y lesiones debería enfocarse en proporcionar asistencia técnica sobre políticas fiscales, en cooperación regional para el combate al tabaquismo y en financiar investigación sobre políticas e implementación para ampliar las intervenciones que enfrenten estos problemas. En cuarto lugar, la universalización progresiva -una vía hacia la cobertura universal de salud (CUS) que incluya desde el comienzo a los pobres- es una manera eficiente de lograr la protección a la salud contra riesgos financieros. Para los gobiernos nacionales, la universalización progresiva produciría elevadas ganancias en salud por cada dólar que se gaste en ésta, y los pobres serían quienes más ganarían en términos tanto de salud como de protección financiera. La mejor manera en que la comunidad internacional puede brindar apoyo a los países para implementar una CUS progresiva es financiando la investigación sobre políticas e implementación, por ejemplo, sobre la mecánica del diseño e instrumentación de la evolución del paquete de beneficios conforme crezca el presupuesto para las finanzas públicas.

Prompted by the 20th anniversary of the 1993 World Development Report, a Lancet Commission revisited the case for investment in health and developed a new investment framework to achieve dramatic health gains by 2035. The Commission's report has four key messages, each accompanied by opportunities for action by national governments of low-income and middle-income countries and by the international community. First, there is an enormous economic payoff from investing in health. The impressive returns make a strong case for both increased domestic financing of health and for allocating a higher proportion of official development assistance to development of health. Second, modeling by the Commission found that a "grand convergence" in health is achievable by 2035-that is, a reduction in infectious, maternal, and child mortality down to universally low levels. Convergence would require aggressive scale up of existing and new health tools, and it could mostly be financed from the expected economic growth of low- and middle-income countries. The international community can best support convergence by funding the development and delivery of new health technologies and by curbing antibiotic resistance. Third, fiscal policies -such as taxation of tobacco and alcohol- are a powerful and underused lever that governments can use to curb non-communicable diseases and injuries while also raising revenue for health. International action on NCDs and injuries should focus on providing technical assistance on fiscal policies, regional cooperation on tobacco, and funding policy and implementation research on scaling-up of interventions to tackle these conditions. Fourth, progressive universalism, a pathway to universal health coverage (UHC) that includes the poor from the outset, is an efficient way to achieve health and financial risk protection. For national governments, progressive universalism would yield high health gains per dollar spent and poor people would gain the most in terms of health and financial protection. The international community can best support countries to implement progressive UHC by financing policy and implementation research, such as on the mechanics of designing and implementing evolution of the benefits package as the resource envelope for public finance grows.

Con motivo del 20º aniversario del Informe sobre el Desarrollo Mundial 1993, una Comisión de la revista The Lancet reconsideró el argumento a favor de la inversión en salud y desarrolló un nuevo marco de inversión para lograr mejoras dramáticas en materia de salud para el año 2035. El informe de la Comisión contiene cuatro mensajes clave, cada uno acompañado de oportunidades para los gobiernos nacionales de países de ingresos bajos y medios y para la comunidad internacional. En primer lugar, invertir en salud acarrea enormes rendimientos económicos. Las impresionantes ganancias son un fuerte argumento a favor de un aumento en el financiamiento nacional de la salud y de asignar una mayor proporción de la asistencia oficial al desarrollo de la salud. En segundo lugar, en el modelo creado por la Comisión se encontró que es posible lograr para el año 2035 una "gran convergencia" en salud, consistente en la reducción de las tasas de mortalidad materna, infantil y por infecciones a niveles universalmente bajos. Tal convergencia requeriría la ampliación de las herramientas de salud existentes y un incremento agresivo de nuevas herramientas, y podría ser financiada en su mayor parte con recursos derivados del crecimiento económico esperado de los países de ingresos bajos y medios. La mejor manera en que la comunidad internacional puede apoyar la convergencia es financiando el desarrollo y suministro de nuevas tecnologías de salud, y frenando la resistencia a los antibióticos. En tercer lugar, las políticas fiscales -tales como los impuestos al tabaco y al alcohol- son una palanca poderosa y subutilizada que los gobiernos pueden emplear para detener el avance de las enfermedades no transmisibles (ENT) y las lesiones, a la vez que elevan los ingresos públicos para la salud. La acción internacional sobre las ENT y lesiones debería enfocarse en proporcionar asistencia técnica sobre políticas fiscales, en cooperación regional para el combate al tabaquismo y en financiar investigación sobre políticas e implementación para ampliar las intervenciones que enfrenten estos problemas. En cuarto lugar, la universalización progresiva -una vía hacia la cobertura universal de salud (CUS) que incluya desde el comienzo a los pobres- es una manera eficiente de lograr la protección a la salud contra riesgos financieros. Para los gobiernos nacionales, la universalización progresiva produciría elevadas ganancias en salud por cada dólar que se gaste en ésta, y los pobres serían quienes más ganarían en términos tanto de salud como de protección financiera. La mejor manera en que la comunidad internacional puede brindar apoyo a los países para implementar una CUS progresiva es financiando la investigación sobre políticas e implementación, por ejemplo, sobre la mecánica del diseño e instrumentación de la evolución del paquete de beneficios conforme crezca el presupuesto para las finanzas públicas.

Introdução O estresse oxidativo produzido no interior de articulações inflamadas pode produzir fenômenos autoimunes e destruição articular. As espécies radicais com atividade oxidativa, incluindo espécies reativas de nitrogênio, representam mediadores de inflamação e de lesão cartilaginosa. Objetivos Avaliar o óxido nítrico sérico como marcador de estresse oxidativo em pacientes egípcios com artrite reumatoide e sua relação com a atividade da doença. Métodos 80 com artrite reumatoide foram divididos em dois grupos, de acordo com a pontuação DAS28: Grupo I: 42 pacientes com doença ativa, e Grupo II: 38 pacientes com doença inativa. Quarenta indivíduos equiparados por idade e gênero foram incluídos como grupo controle (Grupo III). Foram realizados exames laboratoriais de rotina e o óxido nítrico foi medido usando Elisa. Radiografias simples das mãos foram feitas para a pontuação do estado radiológico utilizando o método de Sharpe. Resultados A comparação do nível sérico de óxido nítrico entre os três grupos mostrou uma diferença altamente significativa (p < 0,001). Obtiveram-se níveis significativamente mais elevados entre os pacientes com artrite reumatoide em comparação com os controles. Os níveis mais elevados foram obtidos em pacientes com a doença ativa (média±DP 82,38±20,46) em comparação com aqueles com a doença inativa (35,53±7,15). O óxido nítrico no Grupo I exibiu uma correlação positiva significativa com a rigidez matinal (r=0,45), artrite (r=0,43), contagem de plaquetas (r=0,46), velocidade de hemossedimentação (r=0,83), proteína C-reativa (r=0,76) e Índice de Atividade de Doença (r=0,85). O óxido nítrico mostrou uma correlação positiva significativa (r=0,43) com as radiografias das mãos (índice de Sharpe) no Grupo I. Conclusão Observa-se um aumento nos níveis séricos de óxido nítrico em pacientes com artrite reumatoide. O óxido nítrico se correlaciona significativamente com a atividade da doença, marcadores inflamatórios e estado radiológico das articulações.

Background Oxidative stress generated within inflammatory joints can produce autoimmune phenomena and joint destruction. Radical species with oxidative activity, including reactive nitrogen species, represent mediators of inflammation and cartilage damage. Objectives To assess serum nitric oxide as a marker of oxidative stress in Egyptian patients with rheumatoid arthritis and its relation to disease activity. Methods Eighty patients with rheumatoid arthritis were divided into 2 groups, according to the DAS-28 score: Group I: 42 patients with disease activity, and Group II: 38 patients with no disease activity. Forty age- and sex-matched individuals were included as control group (Group III). Routine laboratory investigations were done, and nitric oxide was measured using Elisa. Hand plain radiographies were done for radiological status scoring using the Sharp method. Results A comparison between nitric oxide in all three groups showed a highly significant difference (p < 0.001), significantly higher levels were obtained among rheumatoid arthritis patients in comparison to controls, and higher levels were obtained in patients with active disease (mean±SD 82.38±20.46) in comparison to patients without active disease (35.53±7.15). Nitric oxide in Group I showed a significant positive correlation with morning stiffness (r=0.45), arthritis (r=0.43), platelet count (r=0.46), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (r=0.83), C-reactive protein (r=0.76) and Disease Activity Score (r=0.85). Nitric oxide showed a significant positive correlation (r=0.43) with hand radiographies (Sharp score) in Group I. Conclusion There are increased levels of nitric oxide in the serum of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Nitric oxide correlates significantly with disease activity, inflammatory markers and radiological joint status.