Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) offers small loans with easy repayment system and till now these institutions have served millions of needy people around the globe. This study highlights the hurdles influence the smooth working and growth of Microfinance institution in Egypt. The structured interviews were conducted from the top and mid-level managers of MFI's. This study revealed that interest rate, political and economic conditions, corruption, customer outreach, competition and technology are the important elements for MFI's success. It is evident that lack of use of technology and less importance drawn on customer outreach programs are the main challenges of MFI's in Egypt. This study provides a roadmap for practitioners and strategic

Background: Vitamin D improves innate immunity by enhancing the expression of antimicrobial peptides. The antimicrobial action of cathelicidin is widespread and effective against cariogenic bacteria. This research aimed to investigate the effect of vitamin D deficiency on the level of salivary cathelicidin concerning dental caries experience.

Subjects and Methods: A case-control study was carried out, and the sample was composed of 80 females; the study group involved 40 females with a serum vitamin D concentration of less than 10 ng/ml. In addition to the control group involving 40 females wh

Background: The figure for the clinical application of computed tomography have been increased significantly in oral and maxillofacial field that supply the dentists with sufficient data enables them to play a main role in screening osteoporosis, therefore Hounsfield units of mandibular computed tomography view used as a main indicator to predict general skeleton osteoporosis and fracture risk factor. Material and Methods: Thirty subjects (7 males &23 females) with a mean age of (60.1) years underwent computed tomographic scanning for different diagnostic assessment in head and neck region. The mandibular bone quality of them were determined through Hounsfield units of CT scan images and were correlated with the bone mineral density v

A single step extraction-cleanup procedure using porous membrane-protected micro-solid phase extraction (μ-SPE) in conjunction with liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry for the extraction and determination of aflatoxins (AFs) B1, B2, G1 and G2 from food was successfully developed. After the extraction, AFs were desorbed from the μ-SPE device by ultrasonication using acetonitrile. The optimum extraction conditions were: sorbent material, C8; sorbent mass, 20 mg; extraction time, 90 min; stirring speed, 1000 rpm; sample volume, 10 mL; desorption solvent, acetonitrile; solvent volume, 350 μL and ultrasonication period, 25 min without salt addition. Under the optimum conditions, enrichment factor of 11, 9, 9 and 10 for AFG2, AFG1

Background: Ideal root canal obturation depends on many factors; one of them is good sealing of root canal without pores. The aim of this study was to determine the radiographic density of GuttaFlow® 2 with different obturation techniques using spiral computed tomography. Materials and Methods: Forty palatal roots of permanent maxillary first molar were used in this study. Following working length determination, root canal was prepared using rotary PROTAPER universal system. They were randomly divided into four groups of 10 roots each, the groups are Conventional lateral condensation with Apexit Plus sealer, Conventional lateral condensation with GuttaFlow® 2 as a sealer, Soft Core Regular with GuttaFlow® 2 as a sealer and singl

The objective of this study was to investigate the drought stress and plant density possibility on water productivity and grain yield of maize (Zea mays L.) (Planting Baghdad 3 synthetic varieties), Field experiment was conducted at Abu Ghraib Research Station (Baghdad) during spring and Autumn seasons of 2016 using a randomized complete block design arranged in split plot with three replications. Three irrigation treatment included: irrigation after depletion 50% of available water (T1), irrigation after depletion 75% of available water (T2) and irrigation after depletion 90% of available water (T3) in the main plots and three plant density which were: 1 seeds hill-1 (D1) giving a uniform plant density of 66666 plants ha-1 , 2 seeds hill1

Background: osteoporosis is characterized by a reduction in bone mineral density, skeletal microstructure breakdown, increased bone fragility, and fracture susceptibility. Osteopenia is the preceding step to osteoporosis because it causes a decrease in bone mass, osteoporosis reduces a person's quality of life. Periostin (encoded by Postn), its name is derived from the fact that it was first detected in periosteal osteocytes and osteoblasts. Periostin deficiency has been linked to osteoporosis and weak bones. Study objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine periostin levels in serum of Iraqi patients with osteoporosis and osteopenia, and it is also possible to consider periostin as a diagnostic factor to follow the progression o

Eprospective study undertaken between January 2007 and January 2011, 58 consecutive cases with compound tibial shaft fractures. All fractures were stabilized by external fixator device AO/ASIF type after failed the manipulation under anesthesia (MUA) to restore the osseous alignment. In 32 patients cancellous bone graft were used from the upper part of the tibia to enhance healing process, all these patients were followed for an average of 8–12 months. Our findings showed that stabilization of the fracture shaft tibia by external fixation with cancellous bone graft had significantly better result, than external fixation alone. We conclude that unilateral, uniplanar external fixation with early bone grafting from upper part of the tibia is

Objective: to evaluate the results of (Modification of Russe method) in treatment of nonunion fracture scaphoid bone by bone graft with external splintage (plaster of paris cast (pop ). Methods:Prospective study done on 26 patients (24 male, 2 female), age range between 25-42 years (mean age 34 years), fracture site at middle 1/3 with minimal displacements with no carpal bone or radial bone injury, technique of Matte- Russe method (explore the bone through volar approach using bone graft from iliac crest (cortico-cancellous peg plus cancellus bone) with thumb spica for 90 days with period of follow up 12-18 months. Results: out of 26 patients treated by this method , 23 patients (88.5%) union was achieved radiologically by the end of 3rd mo