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Introduction: The greater palatine canal (GPC) connects the pterygopalatine fossa to the greater palatine foramen and houses vital neurovascular structures, which provide sensory innervation and circulation to the gums, palate, and nasal cavity. The GPC is of great clinical importance to various medical specialties; however, the anatomical variability of the GPC poses a risk of iatrogenic injury and complications. Therefore, understanding the normal anatomy and variations of the GPC is crucial for identifying vital structures and minimizing risks in clinical practice. Purpose: The aim was to fill a gap in the current literature by focusing on the prevalence of GPC medial wall dehiscence, a lesser-known anatomic variation, in radiological scans. Methods: A total of 200 head and neck CT scans were examined, where 71 scans met the inclusion criteria. Statistical significance for incidence of GPC medial wall dehiscence, in reference to sex and side, was measured. Results: The GPC medial wall dehiscence was observed in 69% of scans. Bilateral dehiscence was seen in 57.7% of scans, while right-sided and left-sided unilateral dehiscence were found in 14.1% and 11.3%, respectively. Significant difference was found between the incidence of bilateral dehiscence compared to the absence of dehiscence. Conclusion: Previous studies have highlighted the potential risks associated with invasive procedures involving the GPC. The clinical relevance of GPC medial wall dehiscence lies in the increased risk of transecting the contained neurovascular bundle. The presence of dehiscence emphasizes the need for meticulous preoperative radiologic analysis to tailor surgical approaches to individual patient anatomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Drug-induced QT prolongation (diLQT) is a feared side effect that could expose susceptible individuals to fatal arrhythmias. The occurrence of diLQT is primarily attributed to unintended drug interactions with cardiac ion channels, notably the hERG (human ether-a-go-go-related gene) channels that generate the delayed-rectifier potassium current (IKr) and thereby regulate the late repolarization phase. There is an important interindividual susceptibility to develop diLQT, which is of unknown origin but can be reproduced in patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (iPS-CMs). We aimed to investigate the dynamics of hERG channels in response to sotalol and to identify regulators of the susceptibility to developing diLQT. METHODS: We measured electrophysiological activity and cellular distribution of hERG channels after hERG blocker treatment in iPS-CMs derived from patients with highest sensitivity (HS) or lowest sensitivity (LS) to sotalol administration in vivo (ie, on the basis of the measure of the maximal change in QT interval 3 hours after administration). Specific small interfering RNAs and CAVIN1-T2A-GFP adenovirus were used to manipulate CAVIN1 expression. RESULTS: Whereas HS and LS iPS-CMs showed similar electrophysiological characteristics at baseline, the late repolarization phase was prolonged and IKr significantly decreased after exposure of HS iPS-CMs to low sotalol concentrations. IKr reduction was caused by a rapid translocation of hERG channel from the membrane to the cytoskeleton-associated fractions upon sotalol application. CAVIN1, essential for caveolae biogenesis, was 2× more highly expressed in HS iPS-CMs, and its knockdown by small interfering RNA reduced their sensitivity to sotalol. CAVIN1 overexpression in LS iPS-CMs using adenovirus showed reciprocal effects. We found that treatment with sotalol promoted translocation of the hERG channel from the plasma membrane to the cytoskeleton fractions in a process dependent on CAVIN1 (caveolae associated protein 1) expression. CAVIN1 silencing reduced the number of caveolae at the membrane and abrogated the translocation of hERG channel in sotalol-treated HS iPS-CMs. CAVIN1 also controlled cardiomyocyte responses to other hERG blockers, such as E4031, vandetanib, and clarithromycin. CONCLUSIONS: Our study identifies unbridled turnover of the potassium channel hERG as a mechanism supporting the interindividual susceptibility underlying diLQT development and demonstrates how this phenomenon is finely tuned by CAVIN1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aqueous extract of Annona muricata L. leaves was thoroughly analyzed using the UPLC-MS/MS, in addition to a new approach of examination of the extract's impact on cancer of EAC(Ehrlich ascites carcinoma) in albino male mice. The aim was to investigate the diversity of the phytochemical constituents of the aqueous leaf capsule extract and their impacts on EAC as anticancer agents. The UPLC-ESI-MS/MS screening resulted in 410 tentatively identified metabolites. Among them, 384 compounds were tentatively identified in a previous study, besides a number of 26 compounds belonging to acetogenins, phenolics, flavonoids, alkaloids, and other miscellaneous compounds, which were exclusively identified in the aqueous extract of the leaf capsule. Interestingly, a new compound was tentatively characterized as galloyl-quinic acid-rutinoside. This study also demonstrated that treating EAC mice with an extract from A. muricata leaves significantly improved the abnormalities in the expression of pro-apoptotic (Bax and caspase-3) and anti-apoptotic (Bcl-2) genes. Furthermore, the extract showed good protection against induced Ehrlich hepatocarcinoma, according to the microscopical, histological, and immune-histochemical analyses of the liver tissues and tumor mass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a severe metabolic disease that can have significant consequences for cognitive health. Bioflavonoids such as Trifolium alexandrinum (TA), quercetin (Q), and Biochanin-A (BCA) are known to exert a wide range of pharmacological functions including antihyperglycemic activity. This study aimed to investigate the neurotherapeutic effects of quercetin-loaded nanoparticles (Q-LNP) and BCA extracted from TA against diabetes-induced cerebral cortical damage through modulation of PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β and AMPK signaling pathways. Adult male Wistar albino rats (N = 25) were randomly assigned to one of five groups: control, diabetics fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 2 weeks and intraperitoneally (i.p.) injected with STZ (40 mg/kg), and diabetics treated with Q-LNP (50 mg/kg BW/day), BCA (10 mg/kg BW/day), or TA extract (200 mg/kg BW/day). Treatments were applied by oral gavage once daily for 35 days. Diabetic rats treated with Q-LNP, BCA, and TA extract showed improvement in cognitive performance, cortical oxidative metabolism, antioxidant parameters, and levels of glucose, insulin, triglyceride, and total cholesterol. In addition, these treatments improved neurochemical levels, including acetylcholine, dopamine, and serotonin levels as well acetylcholinesterase and monoamine oxidase activities. Furthermore, these treatments lowered proinflammatory cytokine production for TNF-α and NF-κB; downregulated the levels of IL-1β, iNOS, APP, and PPAR-γ; and attenuated the expressions of PSEN2, BACE, IR, PI3K, FOXO 1, AKT, AMPK, GSK-3β, and GFAP. The histopathological examinations of the cerebral cortical tissues confirmed the biochemical results. Overall, the present findings suggest the potential therapeutic effects of TA bioflavonoids in modulating diabetes-induced cerebral cortical damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural practices such as fertilization considerably influence soil carbon dioxide (CO2) fluxes that cause climate changes. The study aims to test the influence of various organic (vermicompost, VC, and rabbit manure, RM) and bio (Azotobacter and Azospirillum) fertilizers in addition to incubation times on CO2flux, carbon (C) mineralization kinetic, and some soil chemical properties. The dual exponential equation was the best one to describe carbon mineralization kinetics compared to the 1st and 2nd order equations. Carbon half-lives were resided by 18.98, 1.97, 2.00, 1.89, and 2.53 years for control, VC without and with bio, RM without and with bio treatments, respectively. The results exposed that applying VC and RM without or with bio-fertilizer reduced soil reaction (pH) that differ than control treatment after 2 months incubation. Applying VC and RM caused a significant increase in soil salinity (EC) compared to the control. Available nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) were significantly enhanced with adding different fertilizers compared to pre-treated soil. It is found that adding organic and bio-fertilizers improved fertility and soil quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The link between diabetes mellitus and cognitive impairment becomes evident, making it important to find means to maintain cognitive performance in diabetic patients. Keeping normal cognitive functions is crucial for maintaining an active, independent lifestyle. Intermittent fasting (IF) is an eating regimen in which a period of eating alternates with fasting period each day. During fasting, diet may include low amount or non-caloric food. IF could promote neurogenesis and cognition. Aim: Evaluation of the role of IF on cognitive functions in adult male type 2 diabetic albino rats. Methods: The study included 24 adult male albino rats weighing 120-190 gm. Rats assigned into three groups 8 rats each: control group (C) had free access to chow and water; Diabetic group (DM) type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) was induced with high fat diet for two weeks then intraperitoneal injection with 35 mg/kg of streptozotocin; Intermittent fasting group (IF) after T2DM induction, rats were subjected to 3 months of 18 hours/day fasting. At the end of the experiment, memory and mood were assessed using modified T Maze test and modified forced swimming test respectively. Then rats were sacrificed, and hippocampal samples were collected for superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) assay. Results: Three months IF caused a significant increase in spontaneous alternation in modified T Maze test results; IF group (P<0.001) versus DM group. A significant decrease in immobility time (seconds) in IF group versus DM rats (P<0.001). IF group had significantly lower MDA levels than DM group (P<0.001). Conclusions: IF has improved memory and mood in T2DM rats. This may be attributed partially to oxidative stress alleviation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide parasitic disease infecting about one third of human population. With rising prevalence of drugresistant strains, new therapies for toxoplasmosis are urgently required. Little studies have been managed to evaluate the effect of iron and iron chelators in experimental toxoplasmosis. Therefore, we investigated if the iron chelator, Deferoxamine can affect T.gondii infection outcome in experimentally infected mice. Methods: Eighty Swiss albino mice were classified into four groups (20 mice each) as follows: (GI): Healthy control group; (GII): infected nontreated control; (GIII): infected iron supplemented group; (GIV): infected deferoxamine treated group. Scarification of mice was performed on day 8 post infection for measuring the serum iron level and for histopathological analysis of intestinal tissue samples. Results: Our data indicated that infected-iron supplemented group (GIII) was associated with more increase in the mean serum iron level (150µg/dl). However, the mean serum iron level in deferoxamine treated group (GIV) decreased (77.2µg/dl) with highly statistically significant difference (p<0.001). Those findings were confirmed by histopathological assessment; the infected iron supplemented group (GIII) exhibited marked histopathological changes in the intestinal tissues of experimentally infected mice that were greatly improved in GIV after chelation of iron using deferoxamine treatment. Conclusions: Finally, the present work showed that the acquisition of host iron by T.gondii is a critical step in the progression of infection and is determinant in its outcome. Therefore, deferoxamine could be a promising drug to control acute T.gondii infection due to the limitation of iron availability, and further research is necessary to elucidate these points. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thiamethoxam (TMX) is a highly toxic systemic neonicotinoid pesticide and its entry into water bodies can greatly endanger human health and aquatic ecosystems. Little is known about the effect of thiamethoxam on Nile Tilapia. Particularly so this experiment was scheduled for three weeks to evaluate the toxic effects of thiamethoxam on productive performance of fish as well as water quality. The used insecticide was Actara 25 WG manufactured by Sygenta, Egypt and it was purchased from Egyptian Company for Seeds and Agricultural Chemicals. It is composed of 250 g/kg Thiamethoxam. A total of 200 Oreochromis niloticus with an average initial weight of 15 ± 5 g have been obtained from a commercial fish farm in Kafr Elsheikh province, Egypt. Fish were randomly allotted to five replicated treatments, and they were kept at a density of 10 fish / aquaria. Four different concentrations of the insecticide were tested with three replicates of fish for each treatment beside a control group where no insecticide was used. Tested concentrations of studied insecticide was selected according to lethal concentration 50 (LC50) for Thiamethoxam was 500 mg/l. Statistical analysis of the recorded data clarified that the levels of pH, dissolved oxygen levels (DO), oxygen saturation percentage (DO%) and salinity were significantly different between thiamethoxam treated groups and the control group. In addition, there was a significant difference in final weight and weight gain of fish under experiment in all treatments when compared with the control group. In addition, the lowest significance in the final weight and weight gain was observed at the high chronic dose. Finally, there were no significant differences in mortalities between various treatment groups and the control group with exception to high subacute dose that showed the highest significance of all groups, and it was clear that mortalities were increased with increasing thiamethoxam dose as no mortalities were observed in the control group. The present trial clearly showed the toxic effects of thiamethoxam on water quality of fish tank as well as performance and mortality rate in Nile tilapia fish that were live for three weeks in polluted water. Moreover, the result of the present study is of great public health importance because of thiamethoxam residue effects on human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThe hydrometallurgical procedure is suggested in this work to upgrade the ilmenite mineral which is separated from black sand at Rosetta, Egypt, to obtain high TiO2. The ilmenite concentrate is subjected to a digestion process using sulfuric acid solution in the presence of date molasses. Date molasses is chosen as new, cheap, eco-friendly and effective reductant. The relevant factors for titanium and iron dissolution from ilmenite concentrate include: the acid concentration, sample/acid ratio, reaction time, temperature in addition reductant percentage. These factors are studied and optimized. The optimum conditions are realized at 10 M H2SO4 acid with a solid/liquid ratio of 1/10 at 120 °C for 2 h in the presence of a definite amount of date molasses. Under these conditions, titanium and iron leaching efficiencies are attained at 98.4% and 92.8%, respectively. The resultant leach liquor is then subjected to a hydrolysis step for titanium separation as Ti(OH)2, dried at 110 °C and ignited at 850 °C to obtain high-grade titanium oxide (93.5%) TiO2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although submerged membrane bioreactor (MBR) are widely used in treating municipal wastewater and recovery of potential resources, membrane operational parameters and membrane fouling control remain debated issues. In this study, the treatment of municipal wastewater by MBR at high-biomass sludge (MLSS (g/L) ranging from 5.4 g/L to 16.1 g/L) was assessed at an organic loading rates (OLRs) ranging from 0.86 to 3.7 kg COD/m3d. The correlation between trans-membrane pressure and total fouling resistance was thoroughly investigated in this study. According to the findings, greater OLRs of 0.86 to 3.7 kg COD/m3d caused a decrease in COD, BOD, and NH4–N removal efficiency, and higher OLRs of 3.7 kg COD/m3d resulted in a higher increase in total fouling resistance (Rt). The economic study of using the MBR system proved that for a designed flow rate of 20 m3/d, the payback period from using the treated wastewater will be 7.98 years, which confirms the economic benefits of using this MBR for treating municipal wastewater. In general, understanding the challenges facing the efficiency of MBR would improve its performance and, consequently, the sustainability of wastewater reclamation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background A condition known as chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) occurs when there is a drastic reduction in blood flow to the lower extremities because of arterial blockage. Aim To evaluate the efficacy of Japanese scoring system in our population as a prediction of successful guidewire crossing of below-the-knee chronic total occlusion. Patients and methods This study was conducted on 48 patients with 55 chronic total occlusion (CTO) lesions. Patient assessment included history taking, laboratory analysis, and radiological assessment of the affected limbs. Patients were prepared for intraoperative angiography and then we applied Japanese below-the-knee chronic total occlusion (J BTK-CTO) scoring in our patients with antegrade of BTK-CTO by using 0.018, 0.035 wire, or additional retrograde guidewire crossing. Results In the current study, 54.5% of the studied lesions showed technical success and 45.5% showed failure. The median J BTK-CTO score was statistically significantly higher in the cases with failed crossing as compared with the cases with successful crossing [4 (2-6) and 1 (0-4), respectively] (P < 0.001). The area under the curve for Japanese score in differentiating failure from success among the studied lesions is excellent with the best-detected cut-off point 3, yielding sensitivity of 83.3%, specificity of 96% and total accuracy 89.1%, and cut-off point 4 yielding sensitivity of 96.7%, specificity of 80% and total accuracy 89.1%. Conclusion Failure of guidewire crossing of below-the-knee chronic total occlusion is common and may be associated with serious complications. J BTK-CTO revealed high diagnostic accuracy for prediction of failure in these cases and this could provide a good prognostic score for careful management of limb ischemia. Lesions categorized as grade C or D (the J BTK-CTO score of 4-6) have a lower chance of S-GC. In such lesions, a retrograde approach using pedal artery wiring or a digital artery puncture should be considered after failure antegrade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although submerged membrane bioreactor (MBR) are widely used in treating municipal wastewater and recovery of potential resources, membrane operational parameters and membrane fouling control remain debated issues. In this study, the treatment of municipal wastewater by MBR at high-biomass sludge (MLSS (g/L) ranging from 5.4 g/L to 16.1 g/L) was assessed at an organic loading rates (OLRs) ranging from 0.86 to 3.7 kg COD/m3d. The correlation between trans-membrane pressure and total fouling resistance was thoroughly investigated in this study. According to the findings, greater OLRs of 0.86 to 3.7 kg COD/m3d caused a decrease in COD, BOD, and NH4–N removal efficiency, and higher OLRs of 3.7 kg COD/m3d resulted in a higher increase in total fouling resistance (Rt). The economic study of using the MBR system proved that for a designed flow rate of 20 m3/d, the payback period from using the treated wastewater will be 7.98 years, which confirms the economic benefits of using this MBR for treating municipal wastewater. In general, understanding the challenges facing the efficiency of MBR would improve its performance and, consequently, the sustainability of wastewater reclamation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between the macroscopic mechanical properties of lightweight aggregate concrete and its microstructure is a hot topic in the discipline of concrete materials. It is very meaningful to provide an efficient numerical analysis method to conduct a meso-level analysis. This study proposes an automatic dissection algorithm and adapts the calculation program of the base force element method to conduct a non-linear damage analysis. In the numerical simulation, three groups of 100 mm × 100 mm × 100 mm specimens were selected for the uniaxial compression experiment and uniaxial tensile experiment, respectively. The average tensile strength of the numerical simulation for the uniaxial compression test was 21.86 MPa. The stress–strain softening curve, stress contour plot, strain contour plot, and damage plot of the light aggregate concrete were also analyzed. These research results provide data for analyzing the failure mechanism of light aggregate concrete and reveal the failure mechanism of light aggregate concrete. At the same time, the reliability of the proposed algorithm is verified. Our aim is to provide a more efficient and accurate analysis of meso-damage in lightweight aggregate concrete, which benefits industries involved in production, construction, and structural engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Toxoplasma gondii was initially discovered by accident, in 1908, by a scientist, Charles Nicolle, who was searching for a reservoir of Leishmania in a native rodent, Ctenodactylus gundi in Tunis. T. gondii is acoccidian parasite with cats is the definitive host, and warm-blooded animals including human as intermediate hosts. Prevalence of pregnant women exposed to T. gondii in European countries was measured by serological porcedures, with seroprevalence values ranging from 9 to 67%.Latent toxoplasmosis is wide spread in pregnant women especially in some low and middle income countries of Africa and South America. So, there is a need for improved prevention and control efforts to reduce the health risks to women and newborns. The differences in prevalence rates in the worldwide population may be associated with various factors related to each region/country and specific characteristics of the population as well with the diagnostic methods used. Isolation of T. gondii from blood or body fluids establishes that the infection is acute. Attempts at isolation of the parasite can be performed by mouse inoculation or inoculation in tissue cell cultures of virtually any human tissue or body fluid. Demonstration of tachyzoites in tissue sections or smears of body fluid (e.g., cerebro spinal fluid (CSF) or amniotic fluids) establishes the diagnosis of the acute infection. Immunological methods were the preferred and most common diagnostic method for diagnosis of toxoplasmosis in clinical laboratories in past century. These methods are based on recognition of T. gondii surface antigens by host T. gondii-specifc immunoglobulins. Despite the significant improvement in serological methods, there are still unresolvable limitations such as inability of these methods to confrm the presence of parasite in fetus and brain in congenital transmission and/or immunocompromised patients. Development of the molecular methods induced a great revolution in the diagnosis of infectious diseases in general. To overcome the limitations of the serological tests, diferent molecular methods including polymerase chain reaction(PCR), nested PCR, real-time PCR(RTPCR) and also loop-mediated isothermal amplifcation (LAMP) techniques have been developed to detect T. gondii DNA in biological samples. Treatment of toxoplasmosis varies according to the type and severity of the infection. For pregnant women and immunocompromised patients, the use of sulfadiazine and pyrimethamine is not recommended because it generates serious side effects. Passive immunization with monoclonal Abs in toxoplasmosis has been revitalized. It was shown that the transfer of human monoclonal Ab Fab fragments specific to the T. gondii surface antigen 1 (SAG1) protein into mice significantly improved survival rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Use of compost and biofertilizer provides nutrients to crops and improves the chemical and physical properties of soils. A pot and incubation experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of compost and Azotobacter chroococcum and Azospirillum brasiliense as biofertilizer on the carbon dioxide emission, nutrient availability under various incubation periods (0-time, 3, 7, 14, 30, 45, and 60 days) and growth, quality, and yield of roselle plants in pots. The treatments were control (C), compost 14 ton ha−1 (T1) and compost + biofertilizer (T2). Results showed that the soil CO2 flux was increased by 24.38, 33.16, 68.46, 70.17, 62.62, 50.34, and 47.49% over the control for 0-time, 3, 7, 14, 30, 45, and 60-days incubation periods, respectively, at compost + biofertilizer treatments. Available N was increased by increasing incubation period to two months 71.07, 63.67, 63.17, 57.77, 62.57, 57.89, and 58.01%, respectively, under treatment of compost + biofertilizer. The heaviest sepals of fresh and dry weights of sepals were gained by compost + biofertilizer treatment. Total anthocyanin and total flavonol increased by 29.68 and 32.45%, respectively, above the untreated plants. Also, the available N, P, and K content in the soil after the harvesting stage of roselle plants increased by 174.85, 178.24, and 50.96%, respectively, using compost with bio fertilizer treatment. Compost application with biofertilizer may, therefore, be a good strategy for increased to nutrient availability, growth parameter, and yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the current study to evaluate rooting media, growth biostimulants and their interactions on rooting, vegetative growth and chemical constituents of rose cuttings. This investigation was laid out in a factorial experiment, the main factor (rooting media) consists of three treatments sand, palm peat and sand + palm peat (1:1 v:v), while the secondary factor consists of seven treatments control (tap water), Aloe vera gel extract (AVE) at 2 and 4%, moringa leaf extract (MLE) at 2 and 4% and seaweed extract (SWE) at 2 and 4%, as soaking-cuttings treatments. The obtained data showed that rooting media of sand + palm peat (1:1 v:v) caused a significant increase in all traits of rose, which includes rooting percentage, root length, root number, root fresh weight and root dry weight, plant height, branch number, stem diameter, leaf number, shoot fresh weight and shoot dry weight, total chlorophyll content and total carbohydrates %. As for soaking-cuttings treatments with growth biostimulants found that most concentrations significantly increased these traits under study, as compared to control. Clearly, the highest values were obtained by soaking rose cuttings in moringa leaf extract (MLE) at 4% over control. Regarding to the combined between two examined factors, the best results in rooting and growth rose cuttings were obtained using the mixture of rooting media sand + palm peat (1:1 v:v) with moringa leaf extract at 4% or moringa leaf extract at 2%, in most cases, during the two experimental seasons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Renal biopsy is the golden tool for the diagnosis of proliferative lupus nephritis (LN), the level of histological activity, and the risk of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Objective: This study aimed to investigate the value of repeated renal biopsy in the follow-up of proliferative LN patients and to determine the predictors for re-biopsy and re-induction. Methods: A retrospective study made on 184 LN Egyptian females, data from 2002 to 2020 included history, examination, laboratory investigations, and results of repeated biopsies. Results: Remission was achieved in 46.7% of patients versus 53.3% with non-remission. The non-remission was significantly higher with higher chronicity index (CI), CYC 1ry induction, and AZA 1ry maintenance than with lower CI, MMF 1ry induction, or maintenance (S). About 41.8% of patients had a 2nd biopsy, and 30.9% received reinduction therapy. Significant predictors for non-responding included type of 1ry induction and activity index (AI). In the CYC 1ry induction group, the AI mean±SD in 2nd biopsy (6.83 ±4.02) was significantly lower than in 1st biopsy (10.6 ±4.08) (S), while the CI mean±SD in 2nd biopsy (3.4 ±1.4) was significantly higher than in 1st biopsy (2.5 ±1.2) (S), with no significant difference in the MMF group. Out of the 184 LN patients who had their 1st biopsy, 77 patients (41.8%) had a 2nd biopsy, with no difference as regards the class of LN, but the AI mean±SD was significantly lower in the 2nd biopsy (7.4±4.2) compared to 1st biopsy (10.0±4.4) (S), while the CI mean±SD was higher in the 2nd biopsy (3.0±2.3) compared to the 1st biopsy (2.4±1.6) (S). Conclusions: Repeated renal biopsies are important in the follow-up of Egyptian female patients with proliferative LN, after 1ry induction therapy or an event-based biopsy. The use of MMF reduces the risk for non-remission, and the need for re-biopsy, or re-induction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) may be complicated by contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CIAKI). The current study aimed to evaluate the pre-contrast hemogram-derived indices as early predictors for CI-AKI after PCI. Methods: A case-control study involved 54 patients who underwent PCI, divided into Group I (27 patients with no CI-AKI), and Group II (27 patients with CI-AKI). After the history taking, examination and routine laboratory investigations, the pre-contrast hemogram-derived indices were calculated; neutrophil / lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet / lymphocyte ratio (PLR), neutrophil / platelet ratio (NPR), monocyte / lymphocyte ratio (MLR), eosinophil / lymphocyte ratio (ELR), and systemic immune-inflammation (SII) index (platelet count × (neutrophil count / lymphocyte count). Results: There were significantly higher pre-contrast leucocytes, neutrophils, NLR (p=0.001) (HS), MLR, PLR, NPR, ELR, and SII in group II than in group I (p=0.05). The ROC analysis showed a significant predictive value for pre-contrast NLR (92.8% sensitivity & 51.3% specificity), NPR (42.8% & 86.4%), and SII (53.5% & 81.1%), MLR (85.7% & 43.2%), and ELR (50% & 78.3%). The odds ratios (OR) for pre-contrast hemogram-induced indices as predictors for CI-AKI, with confidence interval (CI) 95% were as follows; NLR OR (2.12), CI (0.71-6.31); PLR OR (2.11), CI (0.71-6.26); SII OR (2.96), CI (0.96-9.11); MLR OR (2.89), CI (0.95-8.72); ELR OR (3.4), CI (1.11-10.4); NPR OR (2.5), CI (0.82-7.53); RDW OR (2.12), CI (0.71-6.31). Conclusion: Hemogram-derived indices including pre-contrast SII, NLR, NPR, and MLR may be useful early predictors for CI-AKI after PCI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Analgesia is very important after cesarean section because it improves ambulation and enables the mother to give optimal care for the neonate in the immediate postoperative period. Opioids are widely used, but their side effects limit their application. Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block has been proved to be a useful and safe alternative technique to provide analgesia following abdominal surgeries. Objective: to compare the duration of analgesia produced by two drugs fentanyl and dexmedetomidine as adjuvants to bupivacaine in TAP block under ultrasound-guidance after cesarean section in a randomized controlled trial. Patients and Methods: In our study, 40 patients were randomly divided into 2 equal groups. The control group received 50 mcg of fentanyl added to bupivacaine on each side. The study group received 50 mcg of dexmedetomidine added to bupivacaine on each side. All patients received equal volumes. Our study showed that addition of a 50 mcg of dexmedetomidine to bupivacaine in ultrasound-guided TAP block has statistically significant effect on the hemodynamic stability of the patients. In addition, dexmedetomidine prolonged the duration of analgesia significantly, as proved by the time of request of first rescue analgesia. Moreover, in dexmedetomidine group, postoperative analgesic requirements were greatly lesser than that of fentanyl group. This makes dexmedetomidine with bupivacaine more superior than the use of fentanyl with bupivacaine. Results: In our study, the total rescue analgesia consumed in 24 h postoperatively which was pethidine was less in the TAP-D group (75 ± 25.6mg) than in the TAP-F group (112.5 ± 42.5 mg). In this study, regarding the measurement the time to the first dose of analgesic received postoperatively, there was a long duration needed in TAP-D group compared to the TAP-F (control group) with the p- value < 0.0001. The time to the first rescue analgesia in the TAP-D group was (659.7 ± 20.99 min.) and for the TAP-F group, it was (512.75 ± 18.1 min.). Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine delayed the time to first rescue analgesia when added to bupivacaine in TAP block using ultrasound-guided technique and improved patients' outcome with decrease in the total pethidine consumption and more hemodynamic stability in comparison to the addition of fentanyl to bupivacaine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Desmoid-type fibromatosis (DF) is a rare soft tissue lesion with an annual incidence of 2 to 4 per million population and peak incidence occurring at approximately 4.5 years of age. While benign, the tumor has a locally aggressive infiltrative growth pattern and a high rate of recurrence. Given the functional and aesthetic implications of excision and reconstruction in the facial skeleton, novel medical treatment options are highly desirable. We describe the case of a 3-year-old boy who presented with an enlarging, asymptomatic mass involving the left mandible. Biopsy revealed an immunohistochemical profile consistent with DF. Despite the high likelihood of recurrence, conservative, mandible-sparing en bloc resection and limited mandibulectomy were performed. Pathological and immunohistochemical analysis of the resection specimen revealed DF with grossly positive margins and elevated expression of angiotensin II type 1 receptor. Postoperative medical treatment with the angiotensin receptor blocker losartan was initiated. The patient remains medically stable and disease progression-free on repeat imaging at 20 months post-resection. We describe for the first time the successful use of the angiotensin blocker losartan following conservative surgery for management of DF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic and biofertilizers can be good tools in increasing plant growth and yield without negative impacts in environmental ecosystem. Compost and non-symbiotic nitrogen fixers were used in a pot experiment to reduce inorganic nitrogen (N) rates for roselle. The experiment consisted of five treatments i.e. C = without any N fertilization, T1 = 100% of recommended N does from urea, T2 = 100% of N from compost (2.5% N) at a rate of 12 ton ha −1, T3 = 75% of inorganic N + 3 ton ha −1 of compost, and T4 = 50% of inorganic N + 6 ton ha −1 compost. The compost and biofertilization increased the soil quality and enhanced the synthesis of chlorophyll and nutrients uptake by roselle plants compared to the full inorganic N fertilization. Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) affected significantly (p < 0.05) by the compost and biofertilization. The maximum NUE (58%) was recoded in the treatments received 75% of inorganic N + 3 ton ha −1 of compost. The mixtures of compost and inorganic N fertilization under the biofertilization gave the highest values of the total anthocyanin and total flavonol in the sepals of roselle plants. The maximum dry weight of sepals was obtained from the T4. T4 improved growth, yield, and quality of sepals in comparison with the full inorganic N fertilization. The inorganic N rates for roselle can be reduced by 50% by the application of 6 ton ha −1 of compost and the inoculation with bio-fertilizer containing a mixture of Azotobacter and Azospirillum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hemodynamic instability in cirrhotic individuals and the onset of bacterial infection are both linked to elevated levels of Lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP). Objective: The aim of the current work was to evaluate the significance of lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP) level in serum and ascitic fluid in spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) patients as a marker for infection. Patients and Methods:A total of 112 patients were enrolled in this case control study and were split into two categories: Group (A):consisted of 56 individuals with chronic liver disease (CLD) having ascites exacerbated by spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) through clinical and laboratory examinations. Group (B): consisted of 56 individuals with chronic liver disease (CLD) and ascites who had no detectable infection based on clinical and laboratory tests. Results: In group A; significant positive correlations were found between serum LBP, HB, and total protein. Also, a negative remarkable correlation between serum LBP, INR, PTT, PT, serum creatinine, direct bilirubin, total bilirubin, PLT, and ascitic fluid LBP. In group (B);significant positive correlations were found between serum LBP, AST, and TLC. Also, a negative remarkable correlation between serum LBP, PTT, serum urea, serum creatinine, and total bilirubin. Conclusion: It could be concluded that serum LBP demonstrated a highly significant difference between the two groups with a substantial difference as regard the diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, both in terms of sensitivity and specificity. Serum LBP may be considered as a diagnostic tool for SBP in cirrhotic patients with ascites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aims to determine the degree of knowledge needed by the agricultural extension agents researching the biological control of some diseases and pests of the potato crop in some governorates of Egypt. As well as determining the differences between the agricultural extension agents in the studied governorates concerning the degree of their knowledge needed for the biological control of some diseases and pests of the potato crop. Moreover, to determine the relationship between the total degree of knowledge needed by agricultural extension agents on the biological control of potato diseases and pests and each of the following independent variables: age, educational qualification, specialization, work period in the Ministry of Agriculture, work period in agricultural extension, training courses, and information sources. Moreover, to identify the sources of the respondents' information related to the biological control of some diseases and pests of the potato crop. Moreover, identify the problems related to the control of diseases and pests of the potato crop. Finally, identifying the most critical topics suggested by the respondents to be included in the training program on biological control of diseases and pests of the potato crop. The research was conducted in three governorates, namely Beheira, Dakahlia, and Menoufia, where 337 agricultural extension agents were included. The sample size was 185 agricultural extension agents at the level of the three studied governorates. The data was collected through a personal interview using a questionnaire form. It was used to present the data and analyze it statistically, frequencies, percentages, the arithmetic mean, and the F-test to determine the differences between the respondents, and correlation coefficients, using the SPSS statistical analysis program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Triclocarban (3,4,4 '-trichlorocarbanilide; TCC), an antimicrobial compound largely used in personal and household products, designated as one of the endocrinedisrupting substances(EDS), that adversely affect the endocrine function in vitro and in vivo. Aim: The objective of this study was to investigate whether maternal exposure to TCC may pose a serious risk to the development of the ovary in their offspring. Materials and Methods: Ten pregnant female rats were equally divided into control dam group and TCC-treated dam group were supplemented with TCC 0.5 mg/L in drinking water from the 5th day of gestation till the 14th post natal day (PND14). Then, ten female offspring of the control dams were divided into 2 subgroups: Neonatal and Infantile control offspring. Also, 10 female offspring of TCC-treated dams were divided into: Neonatal and Infantile TCC offspring. At the end of the experimental period, the female offspring were anesthetized and the ovaries were excised and weighed then processed for histological examination and immunohistochemical staining of both Ki67 and Caspse-3. Serum estradiol, progesterone, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), C-reactive protein (CRP), malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were measured. Results: TCC impaired normal folliculogenesis and impeded the normal primordial transition to other types of more developed follicles. Also, it decreased the mean area% of Ki67 and increased caspase-3 immunoexpression reflecting a decrease of proliferation and a provocation of apoptosis of follicular cells. TCC disturbed the feminine hormonal profile with increasing oxidative stress of the neonatal and infantile offspring. Conclusion: This work highlighted the deleterious effect of maternal exposure to TCC on the folliculogenesis in the rat ovary offspring that could have implications on fetal outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lupus nephritis (LN) may progress to loss of kidney function. Cyclophosphamide (CYC) and Mycophenolate Mofetil (MMF) are commonly used for induction therapy in LN. This study aimed to compare the long-term renal and fertility outcomes of CYC and MMF induction therapy in LN Egyptian patients. Methods: A retrospective comparative study included 184 patients with LN class III and IV; 132 received CYC induction, and 52 received MMF. All their data were revised including history, examination, results of 1st renal biopsy, immunological markers, response to induction, relapse, maintenance therapy, and effects on renal functions and fertility. Results: After 6 months of induction, remission was significantly higher in the MMF group (71.15%), than in the CYC group (37.12%) (p<0.05). There was a significant reduction in 24-hour urine proteins mean±SD (gm/day) in the CYC group from (4.5±2.2) to (2.6±0.6) (p<0.05), and in the MMF group from (5.4±2.8) to (3.3±0.8) (p<0.05). For maintenance, (61.36%) of the CYC induction group used steroid + Azathioprine (AZA), while (80.77%) of the MMF group used steroid + MMF (p>0.05). After long-term follow-up, complications occurred more in the CYC group (55%), compared to (34.6%) in the MMF group, with a statistically significant difference (p<0.05). But there was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups as regards the renal outcome, or fertility (p>0.05). Conclusions: MMF has a better remission rate in LN induction than CYC, but after long-term follow-up for maintenance therapy with steroid plus (AZA versus MMF), the renal and fertility outcomes were comparable in both groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bio-treatment is considered as one of ecologically most efficient methods of wastewater treatment. This study was done in order to reduce the negative effects phenolic compounds included in the olive mill wastewater added to the cultivated soil and to study the individual and collective ability of fungal and bacterial isolates to dismantle them. The experiment, conducted in 2020 with randomization in experimental design, consisted of six treatments and three replications. First four treatments had olive mill wastewater treated with fungal isolates Penicillium sp, Aspergillus flavos and bacterial isolates Pseudomonas sp,Bacillus sp individually. The fifth treatment included collective use of both isolates, in addition to the control which was without any treatment. The results of the statistical analysis showed that the phenolic compounds amount remained in the treated water which indicated the superiority of Penicillium sp over all treatments, where the apparent superiority of phenolic compounds dismantling was over bacterial isolates. However it was significantly over the collective effects of fungal and bacterial isolates, Aspergillus flavos and the control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Various systemic agents have been assessed for treatment of alopecia areata; however, there is a paucity of comparative studies. Aim: To compare the efficacy of azathioprine versus mesalazine in the treatment of severe alopecia areata. Methods: Our study was carried out in 30 patients with severe alopecia areata divided into two groups, group A: fifteen patients were treated by azathioprine in an oral dose of 1–2 mg/kg/day and group B: fifteen patients were treated by mesalazine in an oral dose of 15–30 mg/kg/day in two divided doses. The treatment was considered effective if percentage regrowth of hair was determined by change in SALT score >50 from base line after 6 months of treatment. The treatment was continued for 3–6 months after complete remission to minimize the risk of relapse. The dose was gradually tapered during this time. Results: The study found that there is statistically significant difference between mean SALT scores before treatment and after 6 months of treatment in both groups. In group A, SALT score at base line was 84.42 ± 17.41, after 6 months it was 35.95 ± 35.79 (p value 0.04). In group B, SALT score at base line was 73.06 ± 22.10, after 6 months it was 23.04± 12.27 (p value 0.037). Changes in SALT score after 6 months were −27.74 ± 20.66 in group A and −60.42±38.41 in group B (p value 0.055). Conclusion: Mesalazine may be considered as effective as azathioprine with lesser side effects. Azathioprine is also considered safe. However, a large group study should be performed to confirm these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation showed some evidence for improving symptoms of ADHD along with its relative safety, thus could serve as a treatment strategy or an alternative to stimulant medication. Accordingly, 60 children with ADHD were assessed, and 30 participants were allocated to the rTMS group and received 15 sessions of rTMS over the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex combined with Atomoxetine 1.2 mg/kg/day. The other 30 participants were allocated to the Sham group and received 15 sessions of sham rTMS and atomoxetine 1.2 mg/kg/day. Clinical assessments of ADHD symptoms and severity were done and compared at 3 points, before treatment, after receiving 15 sessions of rTMS and follow-up 1 month after the last rTMS session, using Conner's Parent Rating Scale-Revised-Long form, Children's Global Assessment Scale, and Clinical Global Impression. Results: The two groups show significant improvement in the T scores of all CPRS subscales, CGI and CGAS. However, the rTMS group had a significantly more improvement than the sham group in inattention, total ADHD severity, CGI, and CGAS after rTMS and continued to the follow-up after 1 month. Conclusions: rTMS is an efficacious intervention for treating ADHD, and combined rTMS and atomoxetine is superior to atomoxetine alone in improving attention deficit symptoms and total ADHD symptoms severity. Trial registration: PACTR, PACTR202110558451583. Registered 25 June 2021. Approved 29 October 2021- Retrospectively registered, https://pactr.samrc.ac.za/TrialDisplay.aspx?TrialID=15968. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. There are limited data on human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) infected people in the UAE and the Gulf region. This study aimed at assessing the prevalence and risk factors for potential clinically significant drug interactions (CSDIs) in a cohort of 181 HIV infected people in Dubai. Methods. A retrospective study was conducted at the outpatient infectious diseases clinic of Rashid hospital. Consecutive HIV seropositive people on antiretroviral therapy (ART) were included. All potential CSDIs were analyzed and classified using Liverpool HIV drug interactions database. Results. Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) and integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) were the most frequently used antiretroviral agents (ARVs), while the most common (non-ARV) were cardiovascular medication followed by antilipidemic statins. A total of 140 potential CSDIs were found in nearly half (n=86, 47.5%) of the 181 included HIV persons. Of the 140 potential CSDIs, 27 (19%) were of weak clinical relevance, 108 (77%) were of potential clinical relevance, and 5 (4%) were of contraindicated clinical relevance interactions. Moreover, 52 (37.14%) of CSDIs were between two ARVs and 88 (62.85%) were between ARV and non-ARV drugs. In the univariate analysis, age, dyslipidemia, number of medications, analgesics use, statin use, supplement intake, time since diagnosis of HIV, number of ART, and use of a protease inhibitor (PI) were significant. In the logistic regression, factors independently associated with CSDIs were the number of medications (odds ratio [OR] 1.165, 95% CI 1.021-1.329, P = 0.023) and the time since diagnosis of HIV (OR 1.156, 95% CI 1.008-1.327, P = 0.038). Conclusion. The frequency of CSDIs between ART and co-medications is high in HIV seropositive people. Awareness of the risk factors may assist clinicians to recognize and manage CSDIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Early cervical cancer is mainly treated with surgery, whereas middle- and late-stage of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) is mainly treated with radiotherapy. Therefore, accurate preoperative diagnosis and staging of cervical lesions are crucial to patients with cervical lesions. Objective: The present study aimed to assess transvaginal sonoelastography in differentiation between normal cervix, CIN and cancer cervix. Patients and methods: A Case-control study carried out in Departments of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Radiology, Zagazig University Hospitals. Women were classified into three groups: Group A: 20 cases with normal cervix, group B: 10 cases with CIN and group C: 10 cases with cancer cervix. Results: There was non-significant difference between studied groups as regards age and smoking. While there was significant difference regarding family history, weakened immune system, endometrial thickness and strain ratio. Conclusion: Real time elastography (RTE) strain ratio (SR) of the uterine cervix, performed with a silicone ED as a reference material, seems a reliable method for distinguishing between a normal cervix and malignancy. The technique also showed promising results as a complementary investigation in diagnosing CIN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research assessed the impacts of dietary nano-propolis liposomes (NPRL) inclusion on the growth, blood biochemical components, immune function, and oxidative status of broilers exposed to cyclic heat stress (HS). Birds were fed with a basal diet supplemented with various levels of NPRL at 0 (HS), 100 (NPRL100), 250 (NPRL250) and 400 (NPRL400) mg/kg diets. Diets supplemented with NPRL significantly improved the growth indices and feed utilization, hemoglobin and red blood cells (P < 0.01). White blood cells, lymphocytes and monocytes were significantly decreased by NPRL inclusion (P < 0.001). Dietary supplementation of 250 or 400 mg of NPRL /kg reduced the pathogenic bacteria counts (Salmonella, E. coli and Enterococci) (P < 0.01). The birds fed diets with NPRL (400 mg/kg diet) significantly downregulated the mRNA IFNγ gene (p < 0.001), while both groups (NPRL100 and NPRL250) had similar results (P > 0.05). The iNOS gene was significantly decreased by the dietary NPRL inclusion in a dose-dependent manner. Birds in NRPL groups had inferior levels of the mRNA of interleukin-4 and tumor necrosis factor genes. The lysosome activity was significantly reduced by dietary 250 or 400 mg of NPRL inclusion (P < 0.001). Birds in NPRL250 and NPRL100 had greater IgG (P < 0.05) than the other groups. Regarding oxidative-related biomarkers, dietary NPRL inclusion decreased myeloperoxidase and malondialdehyde levels significantly compared to those with the HS group (P < 0.001). Broilers in the NPRL400 group had the lowest levels of total bilirubin and gamma-glutamyl transferase. NPRL250 had the lowest values of urea compared with other groups (P < 0.001). Dietary NPRL inclusion improved the broiler's hepatic and intestinal architecture exposed to cyclic heat stress. These results indicate that employing NPRL in the diets of stressed broilers can enhance heat resistance by enhancing blood metabolites and immunity, reducing inflammation and oxidative stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) are common among older men. Beside watchful waiting and surgery, medical therapy includes alpha adrenergic blockers, 5 alpha reductase inhibitors, and phytotherapy. Alpha blockers are considered to be the main treatment for BPH-associated LUTS depending on the evidence that prostatic smooth muscle contraction is responsible for bladder outlet obstruction via alpha adrenergic receptor-mediated mechanism. Tamsulosin is a super selective alpha blocker. Improvement of LUTS can be assessed by maximum flow rate (Qmax), average flow rate (Qavg), post void residual (PVR) urine volume and international prostate symptom score questionnaire (IPSS). Objectives: To compare the efficacy and the safety of Tamsulosin 0.4mg/day and 0.8mg/day in patients suffering from lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia. Patients and Methods: A Prospective Interventional, double-blinded, controlled study was carried out on 93 patients who met the criteria and divided randomly into 2 groups; group A for Tamsulosin 0.4mg/day and group B for Tamsulosin 0.8mg/day. International prostate symptom score, Post void residual urine volume, and maximum flow rate of urine were assessed before and after 4 weeks of treatment. Results: Both study groups showed a significant reduction in storage sub-score but only frequency was significantly reduced in group B (P < 0.001). On the other hand, Tamsulosin 0.8 mg was superior to Tamsulosin 0.4 mg regarding voiding sub score except for straining (P = 0.325). Accordingly, the total international prostate symptom score was significantly improved in group B (P < 0.001). Furthermore, maximum flow rate and post-void residual urine volume were notably improved with Tamsulosin 0.8 mg compared to Tamsulosin 0.4 mg (P < 0.001). Although the adverse events; such as headache, orthostatic hypotension, and retrograde ejaculation were more frequent, but not significant, to occur with Tamsulosin 0.8 mg, only dizziness was noted to be significant. Conclusion: Tamsulosin 0.8 mg has shown better outcomes in treating patients who suffer from lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia than Tamsulosin 0.4 mg, and besides that, it is well tolerated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, FeNi magnetic alloy nanoparticles (MANPs) were employed for the forensic analysis of four poisons—dimethametryn, napropamide, thiodicarb, and strychnine—using surface-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (SALDI-MS). FeNi MANPs were prepared via coprecipitation using two reducing agents, sodium borohydride (NaBH4) and hydrazine monohydrate (N2H4·H2O), to optimize the prepared MANPs and investigate their effect on the performance of SALDI-MS analysis. Thereafter, SALDI-MS analysis was carried out for the detection of three pesticides and a rodenticide. The prepared substrate offered sensitive detection of the targeted analytes with LOD values of 1 ng/mL, 100 pg/mL, 10 ng/mL, and 200 ng/mL for dimethametryn, napropamide, thiodicarb, and strychnine, respectively. The relative standard deviation (%RSD) values were in the range of 2.30–13.97% for the pesticides and 15–23.81% for strychnine, demonstrating the good spot-to-spot reproducibility of the FeNi substrate. Finally, the MANPs were successfully employed in the analysis of poison-spiked blood serum using a minute quantity of the sample with an LOD of 700 ng/mL dimethametryn and napropamide, 800 ng/mL thiodicarb, and 500 ng/mL strychnine. This study has great potential regarding the analysis of several poisons that may be found in human serum, which is significant in cases of self-harm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hybridized lanthanide‐containing molybdenum blue (Ln‐MB) wheel Na4[Mo2O2(OH)4(C6H4NO2)2]2[Mo120Ce6O366H12(OH)2(H2O)76]∼200H2O ({Mo2(C6H4NO2)2}2{Mo120Ce6}) was assembled in an aqueous one‐pot synthesis. The Ln‐MB was hybridized with 2‐picolinic acid through the generation of the organometallic counter‐ion [Mo2O2(OH)4(C6H4NO2)2]2+. Control experiments demonstrated that the position of the carboxylic acid group (2‐position to the N atom) in the hybridization component is critical in yielding single crystals of Ln‐MB. In addition to single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, which revealed a 'Japanese rice‐ball'‐shaped Ln‐MB as the anion, elemental analyses, IR spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were performed to confirm its structure and composition. Bond‐valence‐sum calculations (BVS) revealed that {Mo2(C6H4NO2)2}2{Mo120Ce6} is composed of a 24‐electron reduced anionic ring, which was confirmed by Vis–NIR spectroscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tonsillectomy is a commonly performed procedure in Canada. The rate of occult malignancy is rare in adult and pediatric populations. At present, no guidelines exist surrounding the need for routine histopathological evaluation of tonsil specimens when no malignancy is suspected. Methods: We sent a confidential online survey to active members of the Canadian Society of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery (CSO-HNS) about their current tonsillectomy practice and beliefs surrounding the need for routine histopathological evaluation of tonsillectomy specimens when no malignancy is suspected. We used Opinio survey software for data collection and descriptive statistics. Results: 95 participants completed our survey (response rate 19.3%). Most participants reported performing both adult and pediatric tonsillectomies. When no malignancy is suspected, participant responses were split between whether they send tonsil specimens in pediatrics only (4.2%), in adults only (31.6%), or not sending specimens (29.5%). Half of the participants reported that routinely sending specimens to rule out occult malignancy is an institutional policy. Approximately 75% of participants were in favour of removing this practice in both the pediatric and adult populations. Conclusion: Eliminating the practice of automatically sending tonsil specimens for histopathological evaluation when no malignancy is suspected was supported by the majority of study participants. This is in keeping with Choosing Wisely, a campaign designed to facilitate conversations about unnecessary medical tests and procedures. Institutional change is likely required in order to alter this practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a futuristic emblem, smart cities represent a goal to provide all of the services required for a highquality existence while conserving natural resources to the maximum extent possible. It turns out that the "Line City in Saudi Arabia" is the most famous and modern of these smart cities in terms of preserving 100 percent natural life, owing to the fact that they rely totally on natural energy and do not use any automobiles. The issues and challenges that have been highlighted will assist in the improvement of municipal management. One of the most generally implemented projects in the field of smart cities is the technological and integrative developments of the use of sensors and data collecting in conjunction with rising difficulties aimed at enhancing human well-being and improving human livelihood. This is especially true in Saudi Arabia, where visitors can arrive quickly by just walking through the checkpoints, resulting in a journey of little more than a few minutes to reach any regular destination. It also splits the city into many different levels of the ground, enabling for the conservation of natural excess energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food and related practices have a substantial impact on the well-being of individuals. When people are forced to migrate, it is unclear how this affects and potentially reshapes their understanding of food-related well-being. By drawing upon 34 semi-structured interviews with Syrian refugees in Stuttgart, Germany, this article presents an in-depth investigation of the psychological and social dimensions of food-related well-being in a diaspora situation. Interview partners express a strong affinity to their past food-related life and a constant comparison between what they are used to and what is currently available to them in the new food environment. Moreover, participants articulate a low autonomy and weak environmental mastery over food choices, which plays out differently according to the stage of displacement. Food is important for building new bridges with the host community and expressing social identities. The insights gained from this research are useful to design strategies to promote the well-being of refugees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a preliminary study into the spatial features that can be used to distinguish creativity andefficiency in design layouts, and the distinct pattern of cognitive and metacognitive activity that is associated with creative design. In a design experiment, a group of 12 architects were handed a design brief. Their drawing activity was recorded and they were required to externalize their thoughts during the design process. Both design solutions and verbal comments were analysed and modelled. A separate group of experienced architects used their expert knowledge to assign creativity and efficiency scores to the 12 design solutions. The design solutions were evaluated spatially. Protocol analysis studies including linkography and macroscopic analysis were used to discern distinctive patterns in the cognitive and metacognition activity of designs marked with the highest and least creativity scores. Entropy models of the linkographs and knowledge graphs were further introduced Finally, we assessed how creativity and efficiency correlates to experiment variables, cognitive activity, metacognitive activity, spatial and functional distribution of spaces in the design solutions, and the number and type of design constraints applied through the course of design. Through this investigation, we suggest that expert knowledge can be used to assess creativity and efficiency in designs. Our findings indicate that efficient layouts have distinct spatial features, and that cognitive and metacognitive activity in design that yields a highly creative outcome corresponds to higher frequencies of design moves and higher linkages between design moves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past forty years, many new cities have emerged in Egypt, including millennial cities. It is noticed that there are many urban changes in these cities since the beginning of their inception until now. Including city area, patterns, characteristics, rates, and percentages of land uses within the city as the decrease or increase of some elements ratios, disappearing of some uses, in addition to transfer of some uses from its usual place to another inside the city. UN- Habitat conclude that many reasons have led to these changes as the change of housing policies and the strong participation of private sector who use an innovative model based on customer preferences in development of many cities areas and the change of housing policies. This new model depends on replacing the domestic basic services in the centers by green areas and recreational. The research aims to monitor the changes and urban transformations occurring within the major millennial cities within Greater Cairo region in Egypt since the beginning of its inception at late 1970s up to now, studying the different reasons that led to these changes, then deriving some indicators and set guidelines and put foundations and standards that help to develop urban planning of major new Millennial cities structure in Egypt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contamination of raw milk by different types of microorganisms from different sources would constitute a public health hazard. Therefore, this study aimed to assess chemical, sanitary and microbiological quality of raw cow bulk milk collected from different sources (dairy farms, collecting & distributing centers and dairy shops & supermarkets) in El-Beheira governorate, 50 samples from each source. The obtained results revealed that the gross chemical composition of raw bulk milk from dairy farms and collecting centers was nearly similar but low values were noticed in bulk milk collected from dairy shops and supermarkets, bulk milk collected from collecting centers have higher values of pH and acidity than other sources. All bulk milk samples from different sources were contaminated with total bacterial count with different levels, while Staph. aureus and total Enterobacteriaceae were detected in (4,4, 8%) and (4, 8, 10%) of examined raw bulk milk collected from dairy farms, collecting & distributing centers, and dairy shops & supermarkets, respectively. The most prevalent enterobacteriaceae species isolated from raw bulk milk from different sources where was Citrobacter freundii 22% followed by Klebsiella pneumonia 18% while the most prevalent mold species isolated from raw bulk milk were penicillium spp. and Aspergillus niger (14% for both) while Rhodotorula species (14%) followed by candida tropicalis (10%)were the most prevalent yeast species isolated from bulk milk collected from different sources.In conclusion, higher incidence of indicator microorganisms was noticed in raw bulk milk collected from dairy shops and supermarkets would lead to a public health hazard and/or economic losses due to spoilage of raw milk, therefore, strict hygienic conditions are required during the production cycle from producer to consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Therapeutic anti-PD-L1 antibodies are safe as a monotherapy, albeit with minimal efficacy in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). This trial aimed to test the safety and efficacy of Durvalumab and Paclitaxel in metastatic TNBC. In this open-label, one-arm trial, five cycles of weekly paclitaxel were delivered intravenously (IV) concurrent with Durvalumab that was given IV every 2 weeks. The combination was preceded by one cycle of paclitaxel alone, for immunological priming, followed by Durvalumab solo until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Between 2017 and 2019, 14 patients received at least one cycle of the combination therapy. The therapy was safe with no-dose limiting toxicity, except one case of skin lesions. Adverse events (AEs) were reported in 71% of patients, and there was no death due to the combination therapy. Regardless of grade, the most common AEs were headache and peripheral neuropathy, as each happened in four patients (29%), followed by fatigue and skin rash in three patients (21%) each. Grade 3/4 AEs were experienced by three patients (21%), with the most common being headache and anemia, which happened in two patients (14%). The confirmed objective response rate (ORR) was observed in five patients with a median duration of 10.0 months. Median Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 5 and 20.7 months, respectively. The combination of Durvalumab and Paclitaxel is safe, leaving room for additional agents. This is the first report on the combination of Durvalumab and Paclitaxel in the treatment of TNBC (NCT02628132). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Precocious puberty is defined as the appearance of secondary sexual characteristics before the age of 8 years in girls and 9 years in boys. Central precocious puberty (CPP) is a rare condition that is diagnosed when premature activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis is detected, in association with precocious breast development or testicular growth. Idiopathic CPP is historically considered to be the most common form, but in recent years defects in a small but growing number of genes regulating the timing of puberty have been identified in an increasing proportion of cases of CPP. Delta-like non-canonical Notch ligand 1 (DLK1) is understood to be one of the key genes involved in the etiology of CPP, although its mechanistic role is not yet fully understood. Case Presentation: We identified a novel de novo variant of DLK1 (c.835C>T; p.Gln279*) in an 8-year-old girl of Bangladeshi origin. She presented with an advanced Tanner staging of B4P4A2, significantly advanced bone age (BA, 13 years), a near-adult proportioned uterus, with a history of menarche at the age of 7.4 years. Diagnosis was confirmed by raised basal luteinizing hormone concentration. She was found to have truncal obesity associated with abnormal fasting insulin levels and mildly elevated cholesterol levels. These findings are consistent with previous literature describing an association between patients with DLK1 deficiency and an impaired metabolic profile. The patient was treated for 2 years with GnRH agonists with ongoing biochemical follow-up into adolescence. Conclusion: This case illustrates the susceptibility to metabolic derangement for patients with mutations in DLK1 and the need for ongoing monitoring after puberty. Our summary of previously identified DLK1 variants and their metabolic consequences demonstrates the frequency of obesity, lipid abnormalities, and insulin dysregulation in this patient cohort in childhood and beyond. This knowledge can guide future clinical practice for patients with CPP patients due to DLK1 deficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In lifetime tests, the waiting time for items to fail may be long under usual use conditions, particularly when the products have high reliability. To reduce the cost of testing without sacrificing the quality of the data obtained, the products are exposed to higher stress levels than normal, which quickly causes early failures. Therefore, accelerated life testing is essential since it saves costs and time. This paper considers constant stress-partially accelerated life tests under progressive Type II censored samples. This is realized under the claim that the lifetime of products under usual use conditions follows Vtub-shaped lifetime distribution, which is also known as log-log distribution. The log–log distribution is highly significant and has several real-world applications since it has distinct shapes of its probability density function and hazard rate function. A graphical description of the log–log distribution is exhibited, including plots of the probability density function and hazard rate. The log–log density has different shapes, such as decreasing, unimodal, and approximately symmetric. Several mathematical properties, such as quantiles, probability weighted moments, incomplete moments, moments of residual life, and reversed residual life functions, and entropy of the log–log distribution, are discussed. In addition, the maximum likelihood and maximum product spacing methods are used to obtain the interval and point estimators of the acceleration factor, as well as the model parameters. A simulation study is employed to assess the implementation of the estimation approaches under censoring schemes and different sample sizes. Finally, to demonstrate the viability of the various approaches, two real data sets are investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The synthetic industrial and biomedical chemicals suspected to threat the health of the living organisms by disrupting their endocrine systems, referred to as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Objective: To study the effects of Bisphenol A (BPA) on the natal and postnatal testis by the light and electron microscope to make sure if it is harmful or not on the development of male reproductive organs in albino rats. Matrial and Methods: Chemical used: Bisphenol A. The daily single oral dose was (0.3 mg/kg BW./day). Experimental animals: Adult female rats in proestrus cycle were caged overnight with adult males of proven fertility (1 male / 2 females / cage) and produced neonatal male rats.The offspring rats were divided into five main groups: Group I (Control offspring group), Group II (Experimental low dose treated offspring group with Bisphenol A (0.3 mg/kg BW./day) for two weeks, Group III (Experimental high dose treated offspring group; 12 mg/kg b.w/day), Group IV (First recovery group ), Group V (Second recovery group), Results: Chronic Bisphenol A administration produced testicular toxicity leading to marked serious histological changes of the testis including the spermatogenic cells, spermatids, Sertoli cells and Leydig cells. These testicular changes increased with the high dose intake of BPA indicating its cumulative toxic effects that caused hypospermatogenesis, leading to infertility. Conclusion: Bisphenol A administration causes testicular toxicity. So, these serious complications on testicular structure should be considered when buying any canned foods or drinks, because it is used nowadays on a large scale allover the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global cellular electrophysiological phenotype was then evaluated with action potential (AP) recordings, but no AP basal parameters specifically segregated BrS hiPSC-CMs, and spontaneous beating frequencies did not differ between all cell lines (Figure S4). Brugada syndrome (BrS) is an inherited arrhythmic disease predisposing to sudden cardiac death (SCD), characterized by a typical electrocardiogram pattern that includes a J point elevation with a coved type ST segment.1 BrS is a complex genetic disease in which ~20% of patients carry rare variants in I SCN5A i gene, whereas the others remain genetically unresolved.2 Despite this genetic complexity, we hypothesize that a common cellular phenotypic trait is at the root of this specific BrS ECG pattern. Importantly, the expression of I SCN5A i , the main BrS culprit gene identified to date,4 remained unchanged, excluding I SCN5A i expression levels as a hallmark for BrS hiPSC-CM phenotype. Early afterdepolarizations (EADs) were observed in 39-70% of all six BrS ventricular-like hiPSC-CMs versus only in 4% and 4.7% of Ctrl and non-BrS hiPSC-CMs, respectively (Figure 3B, Figure S5). [Extracted from the article]

The color channel's effect on the dose-response of Gafchromic™ EBT2 and EBT3 radiochromic films irradiated with a 6 MeV electron beam in the range from 0 to 1000 cGy was investigated and compared. A Canon flatbed scanner was used to scan the irradiated Gafchromic™ EBT2 and EBT3 films, while ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) absorption spectra were analyzed with a spectrophotometer. Triple RGB channel, weighted and unweighted grey images were analyzed using the free software ImageJ. As the 6 MeV electron beam dose increases, the pixel values of the red, green, weighted, and unweighted grey images decrease exponentially for both Gafchromic™ EBT2 and EBT3 films. The blue channel fluctuates with the increase of 6 MeV electron beam dose for both EBT2 and EBT3 films and decreases the unweighted grey image more than the weighted greyscale image. The characteristic peaks at 582 ± 2 nm and 632 ± 2 nm of Gafchromic™ EBT2 and EBT3 films are correlated with the absorbed 6 MeV electron beam dose. The sensitivity deterioration constant b 3 (is a free parameter of fitting in units of (cGy−1)) of EBT2 film is higher than EBT3 at both characteristic peaks at 582 ± 2 nm, and 632 ± 2 nm, indicating that EBT2 has better sensitivity at the expense of dynamic range, whilst EBT3 has lower sensitivity but a higher dynamic range. In comparison to the red and green channels, UV-Vis absorption in the blue channel range between 450 nm and 490 nm has a weak response and a small dynamic range. The Gafchromic™ EBT2 and EBT3 films scan with monochromatic red or green channels resulting in increased sensitivity and a wider dynamic range. • The Blue channel fluctuates with dose increase, affecting unweighted grey image more than weighted greyscale image. • UV-Vis absorption in blue channel range has weak response and small dynamic range. • Characteristic peaks at 582 ± 2 nm and 632 ± 2 nm correlate with absorbed 6 MeV electron beam dose. • EBT2 has better sensitivity but lower dynamic range, whilst EBT3 has lower sensitivity but higher dynamic range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although being a benign lesion, xanthelasma palpebrarum (XP) causes cosmetic concerns. There are numerous therapeutic methods for XP with adverse events for each method. Aims: Evaluate the safety, efficacy, and downtime of fractional CO2 laser (10 600 nm) versus 50% trichloroacetic acid (TCA) in XP therapy. Patients/Methods: Comparative interventional prospective study involved 20 adult patients with XP. Each patient received a split‐face therapy where xanthelasma lesions treated with fractional CO2 laser on the one side and TCA 50% on the other side for maximum 5 sessions with 2‐week intervals in between. Results: Statistically significant improvement in lesion color, thickness, and size by both fractional CO2 and TCA 50%, with nonstatistically significant difference between both therapeutic modalities after treatment, although downtime, number of sessions, and patient's satisfaction were significantly better for fractional CO2 laser. Conclusion: Fractional CO2 laser (10 600 nm) is ideal for treatment of xanthelasma because it is safe and effective with short downtime, more patient satisfaction, less sessions, and less complications compared with chemical peeling using TCA (50%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]