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Human visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is an endemic disease in eastern Sudan, particularly in Al Gadarif State, causing significant morbidity and fatality rates. This disease is induced by Leishmania donovani and Leishmania infantum. Several studies have suggested that dogs (Canis familiaris), which are known for being the primary reservoir hosts of L. infantum (causing canine leishmaniasis), may play a vital role in transmitting human VL caused by L. donovani. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of leishmaniasis in general and L. donovani, particularly in dogs, and to investigate the potential risk factors associated with the disease in Al Gadarif State. Blood samples were collected from 151 dogs from five localities and examined using Giemsa-stained blood smears and PCR. The overall prevalence was 44.4% based on microscopic examination. Significant variation in the prevalence of leishmaniasis was observed among the localities (p = 0.000), where the highest prevalence was reported in Algurreisha (85%) and the lowest was observed in Alhawata (4.2%). Dog type was another risk factor that was shown to be significantly associated with infection (p = 0.041). The highest prevalence was reported in household dogs (47.7%) compared to stray dogs (23.8%). The analysis revealed that factors such as the use of dogs, sex, and age were not statistically linked to the disease. However, among household dogs, the highest prevalence was reported in pet dogs (59.7%), males (49.1%) compared to females (32.6%), and young dogs (50%) compared to older dogs (40.9%). All blood samples tested negative for L. donovani by PCR, thus requiring further investigation to identify the causative species in dogs and their possible roles in the epidemiology of zoonotic leishmaniasis in Sudan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biofloc systems represent a promising approach for achieving greater sustainability and productivity in aquaculture. This trial aimed to investigate the physio-histological impacts of different concentrations of biofloc on antioxidant capacities and the histology of both hepatopancreas and gills structure and abnormalities of the white leg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). The study used three ratios of C:N (1:10, 1:15, 1:20) with three different levels of density (10, 20, 20 individuals/100L) for each ratio with triplicate for 56 days. The results of antioxidants activities showed that antioxidants (SOD, CAT, GPXs, MDH, LYZ) were significantly increased in biofloc treatments and reached its best activity in 1:15 treatment with a stocking density of 20 individuals/100L. The histological records indicated that 1:15 ratio enhanced the structure for both hepatopancreas and gills tissues. Tissues in the control and 1:10 ratio treatment seemed to be normal. In the 1:15 treatment, the hepatopancreas showed all important cells as blazeZellen cells (B) and embryonal Zellen cells (E) and normal arrangement of cells and normal interlamellar space for gills. With the increase of C:N ratio and stocking density, hepatopancreas showed a severe cell deformation, vacuoles, while the gills showed epithelial edema and abnormalities, particularly in 1:30 treatment, with 30 individuals/100L. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A feeding trial was carried out to investigate the effects of a dietary fermented poultry by-product (FPBP) on the growth performance, feed efficiency, body chemical composition, blood biochemical tests and economic efficiency of the Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings. Poultry by-product was subjected to solid-state fermentation then incorporated into four experimental (Isonitrogenous 30% and iso-caloric 4400Kcal/ Kg) diets containing 0, 25, 50 and 75% FPBP instead of soybean meal. Results revealed that the replacement of soybean meal with FBPP had significantly high (P≤ 0.05) growth performance and feed utilization. Moreover, body ash content decreased insignificantly (P≤ 0.05) compared to the control. At a low substitution level of 25% FPBP, a significant increase in body fat content (P≤ 0.05) was recorded compared to the control. Furthermore, body ash and energy contents demonstrated a significant increase (P≤ 0.05) compared with the control. Additionally, biochemical blood tests revealed that FPBP does not have any harmful effects on either liver or kidney function parameters. It could be concluded that the replacement of soybean meal with FPBP at a level of 25% was the best in terms of growth performance and feed utilization under these experimental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A cold cathode plasma source is constructed for modifying PTFE surface characteristics. The source was easily built, had a consistent plasma discharge medium and acceleration system. A cylindrical Langmuir probe is also used to evaluate plasma parameters like density, temperature or even plasma potential. This probe is designed to be moveable so that it may approach any desired position in the plasma volume. The influences of nitrogen pressure and probe-cathode gap on plasma parameters were investigated. The electron temperature T e fluctuated from 7. 7 3 × 1 0 4 to 6. 8 × 1 0 4 eV as the pressure rises from 0.2 to 0.4 mbar. Further, by increasing the cathode-probe gap from 0.4 to 2 cm, the electron densities increased from 0. 4 6 × 1 0 1 0 cm − 3 to 0. 8 9 × 1 0 1 0 cm − 3 . Furthermore, the contact angles, work of adhesion and surface free-energy of pristine as well as irradiated PTFE films, were estimated. The results demonstrated that by extending the plasma exposure duration from 0 to 12 min, the water contact angle is lowered from 82.2∘ to 30.5∘. At these conditions, the work of adhesion is raised from 81.9 to 134.1 mJ/m2, as the surface free energy is increased from 29.8 to 71.8 mJ/m2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of replacing soybean meal diet with fermented cottonseed meal (FCSM) on the growth performance, feed utilization, body composition and economical evaluation of Nile tilapia fingerlings at rates (20, 40, 60, 80 and 100% FCSM for T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5, respectively. The basal diet was designed to contain (FCSM-0%) as a control). Three hundred and sixty Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings with initial weight of 3.5 ± 0.12 g were divided into six groups (20 fish per tank, Triplicate per treatment). Fingerlings Nile tilapia were hand-fed to visual satiation at two meals per day for 90 days. Fish were fed diets containing different levels of FCSM had no significant differences regarding survival. Final weight, Weight gain, SGR and PER were significantly higher in group of fish on T5and T4 groups, respectively. FCR was the lowest in T5 (1 0 0 %) and T4 (80%) replacement of soybean meal with fermented cottonseed meal compared with the control group and other experimental dieys. Feed and protein intake were significantly highest in group of fish fed on control and T1diets and the lowest in group of fish fed on T5and T4. Body protein significantly increased with increasing level of incorporation of fermented cottonseed meal in the diets. These results indicated that incorporation of fermented cotton seed meal into fingerlings Nile tilapia fingerlings diets reduced the price of one kg diet to 82.93, 72.93, 64.71, 57.66 and 61.25% for the T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5, respectively compared to the control group (100% of the price). In conclusion, fermented cotton seed meal can be replaced soybean meal at levels 80 or 100% without negative effects on growth performance and feed utilization of Nile tilapia fingerlings under experimental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, composite films of lead sulfide nanoparticles (PbSNPs) and polyaniline (PANI) were fabricated for wearable electronic devices. The PbS/PANI samples were analyzed using FTIR, XRD, and SEM. Furthermore, the effects of PbSNPs on the dielectric impedance, electrical conductivity, complex modulus, and energy density of PANI were determined in the frequency range of 50–5 MHz. The FTIR and XRD confirmed the successful synthesis of PbS/PANI films. The SEM indicated homogeneous dispersion of PbS in PANI. Besides, the broadness and reduction of PANI in FTIR and XRD peaks intensity with increasing PbS is attributed to the intermolecular interactions of PANI and PbS and indicates the successful incorporation of PbS in PANI. The conductivity was enhanced from 7.39 × 10–8 S.cm−1 for PANI to 1.38 × 10–6 S.cm−1 for PANI/0.05PbS. The constant ε ′ was increased from 20 for PANI to 111 for PANI/0.05PbS. Moreover, the relaxation time τ r of PANI was reduced from 9.68 × 10–6 s to 9.18 × 10–6, 6.43 × 10–6, and 5.98 × 10–6 s for PANI/0.01PbS, PANI/0.03PbS, and PANI/0.05PbS, respectively. In conclusion, the obtained data confirmed that incorporating PbSNPs inside PANI modified the dielectric properties of PANI/PbS films for use in energy storage devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was mixed with concentration of 5%, 7.5%, and 10% of manganese dioxide (MnO2) to form PVA/MnO2 films using solution cast approach method. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) verified that the nanomaterials films were successfully fabricated. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) illustrates the uniform MnO2 dispersion within the PVA host matrix. Additionally, the influence of MnO2 on the optical properties is recorded. The refractive index (n0) is improved by adding MnO2, from 1.29 for PVA to 1.87 for PVA/5%MnO2 and 2.86 for PVA/10%MnO2. The PVA had a dispersion energy of 2.53 eV, while PVA with 5% MnO2 had 4.86 eV, PVA with 7.5% MnO2 had 5.74 eV, and PVA with 10%MnO2 had 7.12 eV. In addition, the oscillation energy E0 decreased from 3.79 for PVA to 1.94, 1.72, and 0.99 eV, respectively for PVA/5%MnO2, PVA/7.5%MnO2, and PVA/10%MnO2. It is evident from the data that the incorporation of MnO2 to the PVA polymer alters its optical properties. This proved the existence of strong interactions of PVA and MnO2 due to the modification of the PVA/MnO2 electronic structure. Moreover, the plasma frequency W p value increased from 0.79 × 1013 s−1 for PVA to 2.06 × 1013 s−1 for PVA/10%MnO2. These shifts in W p provided the polarization is modified for the PVA/MnO2. The results obtained in this study provide evidence of the advantages associated with the utilization of MnO2 nanoparticles as a filler of improved polymeric structures. These findings also propose the potential suitability of MnO2 nanoparticles for application in the field of optics and electronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Suez Canal has three lakes including Timsah, and the Great and Little Bitter Lakes, which are important fishery resources in Egypt. These lakes produce highly economically important fish species, viz. grey mullet, shrimp, cuttlefish, striped piggy, crab, soles, gastropods and bivalves. The Timsah Lake is located nearly halfway along the Suez Canal between 30° 13' 00" to 32° 35' 18" N and 32° 16' 30" to 32° 18' 30" E. It is a shallowwater basin with an average depth of about 6m and a surface area of nearly 15km2. It is a brackish lake with significant variations in salinity. The Bitter Lakes (30°20' N, 32°23' E), the largest water bodies along the Suez Canal, are saline lakes with a surface area of about 250km². The total annual commercial landings from Suez Canal lakes varied between 6289 and 2260 tons during the last 20 years. In 2020, a total of 3428 tons landed corresponded to a value of almost 300 million LE. A number of fishing methods are used in the lakes including gill nets, crab nets, shrimp nets, beach seine, hattata and trammel nets. The present work investigated the fishing methods used in Suez Canal lakes, their characteristics, the catch composition, catch trend and the relative abundance of different commercial species measured by the catch per unit fishing effort CPUE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, PDMS films are treated with varying fluence of hydrogen ion beams (6 × 1017, 9 × 1017, and 12 × 1017 ions/cm2) for used in storage energy devices. XRD and FTIR were used to analyze the PDMS films. Furthermore, the SEM is employed to study the morphological alterations in treated PDMS films. Both XRD and FTIR result indicated that PDMS is chemically interacting after ion treatment. In addition, the dielectric parameters of PDMS films are measured using an LCR device in the frequencies 102–106 Hz. After PDMS exposed to 12 × 1017 ions/cm2, the dielectric constant of the PDMS increased from 23.4 to 44.8, and energy density increased from 1.01 × 10–4 to 1.92 × 10–4 J/m3, while the conductivity increased from 0.29 × 10–7 to 4.3 × 10–7 S/cm. Moreover, the real M′ decreased from 0.198 for PDMS to 0.165 for 6 × 1017 ions/cm2 and to 0.052 at 12 × 1017 ions/cm2, while the imaginary M″ is decreased from 0.205 to 0.155 for 6 × 1017 ions/cm2, and to 0.069 for 12 × 1017 ions/cm2. The studies indicated that the structure as well as electrical characteristics of the treated PDMS had been improved, which allowing being used these substances in different electronic instrumentations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Internet of Things (IoT) Investigation of Forensics (IoTFI) is one of the subdomains of Digital Forensics that aims to record and evaluate incidents involving the Internet of Things (IoT). Because of the many different standards, operating systems, and infrastructure-based aspects that make up the Internet of Things industry, this sector is extremely varied, ambiguate, and complicated. Many distinct IoTFI models and frameworks were developed, each one based on a unique set of investigation procedures and activities tailored to a particular IoT scenario. Because of these models, the domain becomes increasingly complicated and disorganized among those who perform domain forensics. As a result, the IoTFI domain does not have a general model for managing, sharing, and reusing the processes and activities that it offers. With the use of the metamodeling development process, this work aims to create an Internet of Things Forensic Investigation Metamodel (IoTFIM) for the IoTFI domain. Utilizing the metamodeling development process allows for the construction and validation of a metamodel and the verification that the metamodel is both comprehensive and consistent. The IoTFIM is divided into two phases: the first phase identifies the problem, and the second phase develops the IoTFIM. It is utilized to structure and organize IoTFI domain knowledge, which makes it easier for domain forensic practitioners to manage, organize, share, and reuse IoTFI domain knowledge. The purpose of this is to detect, recognize, extract, and match various IoTFI processes, concepts, activities, and tasks from various IoTFI models in an IoTFIM that was established, facilitating the process of deriving and instantiating solution models for domain practitioners. Utilizing several metamodeling methodologies, we were able to validate the generated IoTFMI's consistency as well as its applicability (comparison against other models, frequency-based selection). Based on the findings, it can be concluded that the built IoTFIM is consistent and coherent. This makes it possible for domain forensic practitioners to simply instantiate new solution models by picking and combining concept elements (attribute and operations) based on the requirements of their models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work attempts to modify the hydrophilic-adherence properties of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) by exposing to oxygen beam for used in painting, printing, and clothing applications. The structural and morphology changes of irradiated PDMS films are analyzed using XRD and SEM, respectively. The chemical functional group is investigated by Fourier infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The contact angle for water is reduced from 81.38° to 42.50°, while the contact angle for diiodomethane is reduced from 63.20° to 25.40° by varying the irradiation time from 1.5 to 6 min. On the other hand, for water liquid, the adhesion work is enhanced from 82.75 to 125.5 mJ/m2, and for diiodomethane liquid, it's increased from 73.70 to 96.68 mJ/m2. Moreover, the polar energy γsp is enhanced from 6.44 to 20.25 mJ/m2, while, the γsd is increased from 26.73 to 46.01 mJ/m2, and the total γst is increased from 33.18 to 66.26 mJ/m2 by enhancing exposing time 1.5–6 min. The improvement in the adhesion and surface energy of the irradiated PDMS films is due to oxygen ion beam induced decreasing in PDMS surface hydrophobicity. The experimental data show the surface morphology, structure and surface properties of treated PDMS are modified and depend closely on the oxygen beam irradiation time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Friction stir processing (FSP) is a solid-state microstructural modification technique that has recently become an effective tool to refine microstructures and improve the mechanical properties of metals. In the current study, optimization of FSP parameters, including tool rotational speed, transverse feed, number of passes, and tungsten carbide (WC) nanoparticle volume fractions on mechanical and wear properties of the fabricated AA6061/WC nanocomposite was studied. Optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy are used for microstructural observations. The process parameters are optimized using the Taguchi technique for single responses towards microhardness and weight loss and the Desirability approach for both responses. The percentage contribution of process parameters is estimated using analysis of variance. The microstructure observation shows that the proper selection of FSP parameters leads to a homogeneous dispersion of the WC particles throughout the matrix, thereby producing a defect-free AA6061/WC nanocomposite without voids. Also, the severe plastic deformation and heat generation during FSP cause the breaking of coarse particles, WC particles, and porous holes and create an ultrafine grain-sized structure via dynamic recrystallization. The results indicated that the microhardness value of the processed composite was found to be 144 VHN, which is 39.81% higher than that of the base metal. Also, the weight loss of all samples decreased as compared to the base metal. Also, it can be observed that the number of passes is the most significant factor for microhardness, with a 40.1% contribution, and for minimum weight loss, the volume fraction is the most significant factor, with a 56.94% contribution. The optimum process parameter combination was found to be 1800 rpm rotation speed, 120 mm/min of transverse feed, 6% volume fraction, and 3 passes that resulted in obtaining optimum values for micro hardness and weight loss. The surface composite developed in this research is considered a suitable material for applications demanding lightweight and enhanced surface properties, including automotive, aerospace, marine, defense, and transportation industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A brain tumour is one of the major reasons for death in humans, and it is the tenth most common type of tumour that affects people of all ages. However, if detected early, it is one of the most treatable types of tumours. Brain tumours are classified using biopsy, which is not usually performed before definitive brain surgery. An image classification technique for tumour diseases is important for accelerating the treatment process and avoiding surgery and errors from manual diagnosis by radiologists. The advancement of technology and machine learning (ML) can assist radiologists in tumour diagnostics using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images without invasive procedures. This work introduced a new hybrid CNN-based architecture to classify three brain tumour types through MRI images. The method suggested in this paper uses hybrid deep learning classification based on CNN with two methods. The first method combines a pre-trained Google-Net model of the CNN algorithm for feature extraction with SVM for pattern classification. The second method integrates a finely tuned Google-Net with a soft-max classifier. The proposed approach was evaluated using MRI brain images that contain a total of 1426 glioma images, 708 meningioma images, 930 pituitary tumour images, and 396 normal brain images. The reported results showed that an accuracy of 93.1% was achieved from the finely tuned Google-Net model. However, the synergy of Google-Net as a feature extractor with an SVM classifier improved recognition accuracy to 98.1%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Database Forensics Investigation (DBFI) field is focused on capturing and investigating database incidents. DBFI is a subdomain of the digital forensics domain, which deals with database files and dictionaries to identify, acquire, preserve, examine, analyze, reconstruct, present, and document database incidents. Several frameworks and models have been offered for the DBFI field in the literature. However, these specific models and frameworks have redundant investigation processes and activities. Therefore, this study has two aims: (i) conducting a compressive survey to discover the challenges and issues of the DBFI field and (ii) developing a Unified forensic model for the database forensics field. To this end, the design science research (DSR) method was used in this study. The results showed that the DBFI field suffers from many issues such as the lack of standardization, multidimensional nature, heterogeneity, and ambiguity, making it complex for those working in this domain. In addition, a model was proposed in this paper, called the Unified Forensic Model (UFM), which consists of five main stages: initialization stage, acquiring stage, investigation stage, restoring and recovering stage, and evaluation stage. Each stage has several processes and activities. The applicability of UFM was evaluated from two perspectives: completeness and implementation perspectives. UFM is a novel model covering all existing DBFI models and comprises two new stages: the recovering and restoring stage and the evaluation stage. The proposed UFM is so flexible that any forensic investigator could employ it easily when investigating database incidents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drone Forensics (DRF) is one of the subdomains of digital forensics, which aims to capture and analyse the drone's incidents. It is a diverse, unclear, and complex domain due to various drone field standards, operating systems, and infrastructure-based networks. Several DRF models and frameworks have been designed based on different investigation processes and activities and for the specific drones' scenarios. These models make the domain more complex and unorganized among domain forensic practitioners. Therefore, there is a lack of a generic model for managing, sharing, and reusing the processes and activities of the DRF domain. This paper aims to develop A Drone Forensic Metamodel (DRFM) for the DRF domain using the metamodeling development process. The metamodeling development process is used for constructing and validating a metamodel and ensuring that the metamodel is complete and consistent. The developed DRFM consists of three main stages: (1) identification stage, (2) acquisition and preservation stage, and (3) examination and data analysis stage. It is used to structure and organize DRF domain knowledge, which facilitates managing, organizing, sharing, and reusing DRF domain knowledge among domain forensic practitioners. That aims to identify, recognize, extract and match different DRF processes, concepts, activities, and tasks from other DRF models in a developed DRFM. Thus, allowing domain practitioners to derive/instantiate solution models easily. The consistency and applicability of the developed DRFM were validated using metamodel transformation (vertical transformation). The results indicated that the developed DRFM is consistent and coherent and enables domain forensic practitioners to instantiate new solution models easily by selecting and combining concept elements (attribute and operations) based on their model requirement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Friction stir processing (FSP) is a modern manufacturing strategy for improving the surface characteristics of materials by modifying their surface via localized plastic deformation. This research focuses on optimization process parameters for tungsten carbide-reinforced 6061 aluminum alloy surface composite using FSP. The effect of the process parameters including tool rotational speed, transverse feed, number of passes, and tungsten carbide particles volume fractions, on ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and grain size of fabricated AA6061/WC surface nanocomposites are investigated. For four factors and three levels, the L27 Taguchi technique is used to formulate the experimental design. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) is used to determine the significance and the percentage contribution of each parameter. The desirability approach is used to optimize the process parameters in terms of tensile strength and average grain size. The results indicate that the proper selection of FSP parameters results in a homogeneous distribution of the WC particles throughout the matrix thereby producing a defect-free AA6061/WC nanocomposite without voids. Also, the severe plastic deformation and heat generation during FSP causes the breaking of coarse particles, WC particles, elimination of porous holes and creates an ultrafine grain-sized structure via dynamic recrystallization. Furthermore, it was concluded that the transverse feed is the most significant factor for ultimate tensile strength with 40.1% contribution whereas the number of passes is the most significant factor for grain size with a 34.7% contribution. The optimum combination of the current process parameters is found to be 1800 rpm rotation speed, 120 mm/min transverse feed, 4.3636% volume fraction, and 3- pass for optimum values of UTS and grain size. The surface composite developed in this work is considered appropriate material for applications requiring lightweight and improved surface properties, such as aerospace, automotive, marine, defense and transportation industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The advent of social networks and micro-blogging sites online has led to an abundance of user-generated content. Hence, the enormous amount of content is viewed as inappropriate and unimportant information by many users on social media. Therefore, there is a need to use personalization to select information related to users' interests or searchers on social media platforms. Therefore, in recent years, user interest mining has been a prominent research area. However, almost all of the emerging research suffers from significant gaps and drawbacks. Firstly, it suffers from focusing on the explicit content of the users to determine the interests of the users while neglecting the multiple facts as the personality of the users; demographic data may be a valuable source of influence on the interests of the users. Secondly, existing work represents users with their interesting topics without considering the semantic similarity between the topics based on clusters to extract the users' implicit interests. This paper is aims to propose a novel user interest mining approach and model based on demographic data, big five personality traits and similarity between the topics based on clusters. To demonstrate the leverage of combining user personality traits and demographic data into interest investigation, various experiments were conducted on the collected data. The experimental results showed that looking at personality and demographic data gives more accurate results in mining systems, increases utility, and can help address cold start problems for new users. Moreover, the results also showed that interesting topics were the dominant factor. On the other hand, the results showed that the current users' implicit interests can be predicted through the cluster based on similar topics. Moreover, the hybrid model based on graphs facilitates the study of the patterns of interaction between users and topics. This model can be beneficial for researchers, people on social media, and for certain research in related fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Star Trek franchise currently includes five spin-off series and 13 motion pictures. Star Trek's central theme is the utopian future of mankind, but the series does not disregard issues that were socially relevant for its time of production. Therefore, Star Trek has functioned as a representation of history throughout its 50-year lifespan. This paper conducts a comparative analysis of fictional representations of psychological disorders and corresponding treatments to retrace the cultural changes in the portrayal and treatment of psychological disorders from the 1960s to the turn of the millennium. Video material produced between 1966 and 1999 was analysed with a focus on psychological disorders and coded according to the ICD-10. The results of the quantitative analysis indicate that the different Star Trek series demonstrate similar patterns of percentage distributions for psychological disorders. The qualitative analysis shows that psychological disorders were portrayed and treated in an increasingly realistic fashion. Changes in society's attitude towards psychological disorders can be comprehensively illustrated through Star Trek episodes produced through 1999. Psychological phenomena are increasingly destigmatized, and the necessity of treatment has not been disregarded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of HNO is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Summary: This is the first Egyptian study with detailed clinical and orodental evaluation of eight patients with pycnodysostosis and identification of four mutations in CTSK gene with two novel ones and a founder effect.Introduction: Pycnodysostosis is a rare autosomal recessive skeletal dysplasia due to mutations in the CTSK gene encoding for cathepsin K, a lysosomal cysteine protease.Methods: We report on the clinical, orodental, radiological, and molecular findings of eight patients, from seven unrelated Egyptian families with pycnodysostosis.Results: All patients were offspring of consanguineous parents and presented with the typical clinical picture of the disorder including short stature, delayed closure of fontanels, hypoplastic premaxilla, obtuse mandibular angle, and drum stick terminal phalanges with dysplastic nails. Their radiological findings showed increased bone density, acro-osteolysis, and open cranial sutures. Mutational analysis of CTSK gene revealed four distinct homozygous missense mutations including two novel ones, c.164A>C (p. K55T) and c.433G>A (p.V145M). The c.164A>C (p. K55T) mutation was recurrent in three unrelated patients who also shared similar haplotype, suggesting a founder effect.Conclusion: Our findings expand the mutational spectrum of CTSK gene and emphasize the importance of full clinical examination of all body systems including thorough orodental evaluation in patients with pycnodysostosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biallelic mutations in the SLC30A10 gene cause an inborn error of Mn metabolism characterized by hypermanganesemia, polycythemia, early‐onset dystonia, and liver cirrhosis (HMDPC). To date, only 14 families from various ethnic groups have been reported. Here, we describe 10 patients from 7 unrelated Egyptian families with HMDPC. Markedly elevated blood Mn levels, the characteristic basal ganglia hyperintensity on T1‐weighted images, and variable degrees of extrapyramidal manifestations with or without liver disease were cardinal features in all patients. Eight patients presented with striking early diseased onset (≤2 years). Unexpectedly, early hepatic involvement before the neurological regression was noted in 3 patients. Mutational analysis of SLC30A10 gene revealed 6 novel homozygous mutations (c.77T > C (p.Leu26Pro), c.90C > G (p.Tyr30*), c.119A > C (p.Asp40Ala), c.122_124delCCT (p.Ser41del), c.780_782delCAT (p.Iso260del) and c.957 + 1G > C). Treatment using 2,3 dimercaptosuccinic acid as a manganese chelating agent showed satisfactory results with improvement of biochemical markers, hepatic manifestations and relative amelioration of the neurological symptoms. Our findings present a large cohort of patients with HMDPC from same ethnic group. The majority of our patients showed severe and early presentation with clear phenotypic variability among sibship. Moreover, we extend the phenotypic and mutational spectrum and emphasize the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of this potentially fatal disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD) is associated with social conflicts. The purpose of this study was to explore domains of social cognition in adult patients with ADHD. Methods The assessment of social cognition was based on established neuropsychological tests: the Tübinger Affect Battery ( TAB) for prosody and the Cambridge Behaviour Scale ( CBS) for empathy. The performance of adults with ADHD ( N = 28) was compared with the performance of a control group ( N = 29) matched according to basic demographic variables. Results Treatment-naïve adults with ADHD showed deficits in emotional prosody ( P = 0.02) and in the ability to empathize ( P < 0.02) independent of executive functioning. In particular, their ability to perceive angry feelings was found to be compromised ( P = 0.04). When emotional prosody was considered in relation to facial expressions, patients and controls showed no impairments ( P > 0.2). No gender differences concerning social cognitive skills were detected. Conclusions ADHD is associated with social cognition impairments involving both emotional prosody and empathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal für Ästhetische Chirurgie is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Microcystins (MCs) are the most potent toxins that can be produced by cyanobacteria in drinking water supplies. This study investigated the abundance of toxin-producing algae in 11 drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs). A total of 26 different algal taxa were identified in treated water, from which 12% were blue green, 29% were green, and 59% were diatoms. MC levels maintained strong positive correlations with number of cyanophycean cells in raw and treated water of different DWTPs. Furthermore, the efficiency of various algal-based adsorbent columns used for the removal of these toxins was evaluated. The MCs was adsorbed in the following order: mixed algal-activated carbon (AAC) ≥ individual AAC > mixed algal powder > individual algal powder. The results showed that the AAC had the highest efficient columns capable of removing 100% dissolved MCs from drinking water samples, thereby offering an economically feasible technology for efficient removal and recovery of MCs in DWTPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Genetic diversity was investigated among four Sudanese domesticated guinea fowl populations collected in different regions of Sudan: the states of Blue Nile (BL), Gezira and Khartoum (G), Kassala and Gedaref (KG), and West and North Kordofan (N). In addition, one wild population from Dinder National Park (D) was included. From 25 microsatellites chosen, 10 were informative and used for the current study. A total of 107 alleles were found with observed heterozygosity between 0.364 and 0.494. The populations kept on farms showed high genetic identity with values between 0.9269 and 0.9601. Neighbor-joining tree analysis and STRUCTURE modeling showed that the wild population clearly differs from the populations kept on farms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Egypt, as elsewhere, liver biopsy ( LB) remains the gold standard to assess liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C ( CHC) and is required to decide whether a treatment should be proposed. Many of its disadvantages have led to develop noninvasive methods to replace LB. These new methods should be evaluated in Egypt, where circulating virus genotype 4 ( G4), increased body mass index and co-infection with schistosomiasis may interfere with liver fibrosis assessment. Egyptian CHC-infected patients with G4 underwent a LB, an elastometry measurement ( Fibroscan©), and serum markers ( APRI, Fib4 and Fibrotest©). Patients had to have a LB ≥15 mm length or ≥10 portal tracts with two pathologists blinded readings to be included in the analysis. Patients with hepatitis B virus co-infection were excluded. Three hundred and twelve patients are reported. The performance of each technique for distinguishing F0 F1 vs F2 F3 F4 was compared. The area under receiver operating characteristic curves was 0.70, 0.76, 0.71 and 0.75 for APRI, Fib-4, Fibrotest© and Fibroscan©, respectively (no influence of schistosomiasis was noticed). An algorithm using the Fib4 for identifying patients with F2 stage or more reduced by nearly 90% the number of liver biopsies. Our results demonstrated that noninvasive techniques were feasible in Egypt, for CHC G4-infected patients. Because of its validity and its easiness to perform, we believe that Fib4 may be used to assess the F2 threshold, which decides whether treatment should be proposed or delayed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Valence stabilization of polyvalent ions in gamma irradiated aqueous solutions is sometimes necessary in some chemical operations. In previous publications, valence stabilization of some polyvalent ions in solution upon gamma irradiation was achieved by using inorganic additives capable of interacting with the oxidizing or reducing species formed during water radiolysis. The results showed that the nature and duration of valence stabilization of Fe(II) depend on the concentration of the inorganic additives used. In the present work, a series of some organic additives has been used to investigate their capability in inducing valence stabilization of polyvalent iron ions, taken as an indicator, in aqueous acidic solutions when subjected to extended gamma irradiation. The results showed that the efficiency of valence stabilization depends on the amount and chemical structure of the organic additive used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives The study was designed to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of the ketogenic diet ( KD) whether classic 4:1 formula or the modified Atkins diet ( MAD) in intractable childhood epilepsy. Patients and methods Anthropometric measurements and serum lipid profile were measured upon enrollment and after 3 and 6 months in 40 patients with symptomatic intractable epilepsy. Fifteen were given MAD diet, ten were kept on classic 4:1 ketogenic liquid formula, and the rest were allowed to eat as desired. Results The liquid ketogenic formula group showed significantly higher body mass index compared with those who did not receive KD after 6 months. The lipid profile of KD patients was within normal limits for age and sex during the study period. The rate of change of frequency and severity of seizures showed best improvement in ketogenic liquid formula patients followed by the MAD group than the patients on anti-epileptic medications alone. Conclusion The KD whether classic 4:1 or MAD is a tolerable, safe, and effective adjuvant therapy for intractable symptomatic childhood epilepsy with limited adverse effects on the growth parameters and accepted changes in the lipid profile. The liquid ketogenic formula patients showed better growth pattern and significantly more seizure control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The search algorithm based on symbiotic organisms' interactions is a relatively recent bio-inspired algorithm of the swarm intelligence field for solving numerical optimization problems. It is meant to optimize applications based on the simulation of the symbiotic relationship among the distinct species in the ecosystem. The task scheduling problem is NP complete, which makes it hard to obtain a correct solution, especially for large-scale tasks. This paper proposes a modified symbiotic organisms search-based scheduling algorithm for the efficient mapping of heterogeneous tasks to access cloud resources of different capacities. The significant contribution of this technique is the simplified representation of the algorithm's mutualism process, which uses equity as a measure of relationship characteristics or efficiency of species in the current ecosystem to move to the next generation. These relational characteristics are achieved by replacing the original mutual vector, which uses an arithmetic mean to measure the mutual characteristics with a geometric mean that enhances the survival advantage of two distinct species. The modified symbiotic organisms search algorithm (G_SOS) aims to minimize the task execution time (makespan), cost, response time, and degree of imbalance, and improve the convergence speed for an optimal solution in an IaaS cloud. The performance of the proposed technique was evaluated using a CloudSim toolkit simulator, and the percentage of improvement of the proposed G_SOS over classical SOS and PSO-SA in terms of makespan minimization ranges between 0.61–20.08% and 1.92–25.68% over a large-scale task that spans between 100 to 1000 Million Instructions (MI). The solutions are found to be better than the existing standard (SOS) technique and PSO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD) have difficulties processing affective prosody, and research evidence demonstrates the importance of brain serotonin (5- HT) in the neurobiology of ADHD. This study aimed to investigate whether diminished brain 5- HT synthesis, as achieved by acute tryptophan depletion ( ATD), can impair the processing of affective prosody in adults with ADHD. Method Twenty male patients with ADHD and twenty male healthy controls received ATD and a tryptophan-balanced control condition on separate days in a double-blind within-subject repeated measures crossover design. In both conditions, the Tübingen Affect Battery was administered in which subjects had to name the affective prosody of sentences with neutral, congruent, or incongruent semantic content. Results Participants in the group of patients with ADHD perceived affec-tive prosody less accurately than controls. Participants with ADHD showed compromised processing of sentences, committing more errors than healthy controls when identifying affect in instances of incongruent semantic content ( P = 0.031). ATD did not contribute to this effect (all P > 0.5). Conclusion The difficulties male adults with ADHD have in accurately processing affective prosody may result from impairments in their ability to inhibit unwanted stimuli and impulses. No clear evidence implicates 5- HT as a cause of these impairments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To date, the impact of the neurotransmitter serotonin (5- HT) on different neuropsychological functions in adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD) is underinvestigated. We aimed to examine the effects of acute tryptophan depletion ( ATD) and the resulting reduction in central nervous 5- HT synthesis on target/non-target discrimination ability and sustained attention in adults with ADHD using an AX-Continuous Performance Test ( AX- CPT). Method Twenty male patients with ADHD (age: M = 30.25 SD = 9.37) and twenty male healthy controls (age: M = 27.90 SD = 6.01) received ATD on one day and a tryptophan-balanced control condition ( BAL) on another day in a double-blind within-subject crossover design. A continuous performance test ( AX- CPT) with three conditions ( AX, AY, and BX) was administered on both days under depleted and sham-depleted conditions. Results In patients omissions increased after ATD when compared with BAL. Patient's reaction time decreased after ATD when compared with BAL, which was contrasted by opposite effects in controls. Patients showed fewer correct responses ( AX condition) and showed a higher rate of errors (condition AXE) independent of ATD or BAL intake. Conclusion The present preliminary results are indicative of the contribution of serotonergic neurotransmission to attentional processes in adults with ADHD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycotoxins such as the aflatoxins and deoxynivalenol (DON) are frequent contaminants of food. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and DON affect the immune system and restrict growth; additionally AFB1 is carcinogenic. To date there are limited descriptive biomarker data concerning maternal exposures during pregnancy, and none on co-exposures to these mycotoxins. This survey was a cross-sectional assessment providing descriptive data on the concentrations of serum aflatoxin–albumin (AF-alb), urinary aflatoxin M1 (AFM1), and urinary DON for 98 pregnant women from Egypt, in relation to diet and socioeconomic status, during the third trimester. AF-alb was detected in 34 of 98 (35%) samples, geometric mean (GM) of positives = 4.9 pg AF-lys mg−1 albumin (95% confidence interval (CI) = 4.1–5.8 pg mg−1), and AFM1 in 44 of 93 (48%) samples, GM of positives = 19.7 pg mg−1 creatinine (95%CI = 14.8–26.3 pg mg−1). AF-alb and AFM1 levels were positively correlated (R = 0.276, p = 0.007). DON was detected in 63 of 93 (68%), GM of positives = 2.8 ng mg−1 (95%CI = 2.1–3.6 ng mg−1). Aflatoxin and DON biomarkers were observed in 41% of the subjects concurrently. The frequency and level of these biomarkers in Egyptian women were modest compared with known high-risk countries. However, this study represents the first biomarker survey to report on the occurrence of DON biomarkers in an African population, in addition to the co-occurrence of these two potent mycotoxins. This combined exposure may be of particular concern during pregnancy given the potential of toxin transfer to the foetus. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection varies across the world, with the highest number of infections reported in Egypt. Expression of the MxA gene has been found to be a reliable and sensitive marker for the induction of endogenous type I interferons (IFNs) during viral infections. This study examined the correlation of gene expression of MxA with the response to treatment with pegylated-IFN-alfa2b and ribavirin. Fifty patients with type 4 HCV and 20 healthy volunteers as controls were enrolled in a prospective study designed with strict inclusion criteria to nullify the effect of confounding variables and further minimize selection bias. Quantification of HCV-RNA and MxA gene by real-time PCR was performed for every patient, and quantification of MxA gene was performed for controls. There was a statistically significant difference between patients and control group as regards the quantity of MxA gene expression ( P < 0.05) (Mann-Whitney test) ( P = 0.004). There was a statistically significant difference between responders and nonresponders ( P < 0.05): responders showed a higher percentage of cases with initial MxA <26 ( P < 0.05). We conclude that MxA protein expression is a sensitive biological marker for ongoing virus replication and presence of type 1 IFN. These results highlight the importance of the detection of MxA expression at the start of therapy as a factor for assessing the likelihood of HCV genotype 4 patients to achieving a sustained virological response to treatment with IFN-α2 in combination with ribavirin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Unsafe injections and transfusions used during treatments are considered to be responsible for many cases of transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in developing countries, but cannot account for a substantial proportion of present infections. The aim of the present work was to investigate familial clustering of HCV infection in a population living in a highly endemic area. Design, setting and participants: A large seroepidemiological survey was conducted on 3994 subjects (age range, 2-88 years) from 475 familial clusters in an Egyptian rural area. Epidemiological methods appropriate for the analysis of correlated data were used to estimate risk factors and familial dependences for HCV infection. A phylogenetic analysis was conducted to investigate HCV strain similarities within and among families. Main outcome measures: HCV familial correlations adjusted for known risk factors, similarities between viral strains. Results: Overall HCV seroprevalence was 12.3%, increasing with age. After adjustment for relevant risk factors, highly significant intrafamilial resemblances in HCV seroprevalence were obtained between father-offspring (odds ratio (OR) = 3.4 (95% confidence interval (Cl), 1.8 to 6.2)), mother-offspring (OR = 3.8 (95% Cl, 2.5 to 5.8)), and sibling-sibling (OR = 9.3 (95% Cl, 4.9 to 17.6)), while a weaker dependence between spouses (OR = 2.2 (95% Cl, 1.3 to 3.7)) was observed. Phylogenetic analysis showed greater HCV strain similarity between family members than between unrelated subjects, indicating that correlations can be explained, in part, by familial sources of virus transmission. In addition, refined dissection of correlations between first-degree relatives supported the role of host genes predisposing to HCV infection. Conclusions: Current HCV infection in endemic countries has a strong familial component explained, at least partly, by specific modes of intrafamilial viral transmission and by genetic predisposition to infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aim: To investigate the relationship between lipid profiles and diabetes with past and chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among village residents of Egypt. Patients and methods: Fasting lipids and glucose profiles were compared among adults never infected with HCV (negative HCV antibodies), infected in the past (positive HCV antibodies and negative HCV RNA) and chronically infected (positive HCY antibodies and HCV RNA). Results: Of the 765 participants, 456 (59.6%) were female, and median age was 40 (range 25-88) years. Chronic HCV infection was present in 113 (14.8%) and past infection in 67(8.8%). After adjustment for age and sex, participants with chronic HCV infection had lower plasma low density lipoproteins ([DL) cholesterol and triglyceride levels compared with those never infected (age and sex adjusted differences (95% CI) were -19.0 (-26.3 to -11.7) mg/dl and -26.2 (-39.0 to -13.3) mg/dl, respectively). In contrast, participants with cleared HCV infection had higher triglyceride levels compared with those never infected (age and sex adjusted difference (95% CI) was +16.0 (0.03 to 31.9) mg/dl). In multivariate analysis, participants with chronic HCV infection were more likely to have diabetes (OR 3.05, 95% CI 1.19 to 7.81) compared with those never infected, independent of LDL cholesterol levels. Conclusion: In conclusion, this community based study has shown that in a single population, chronic HCV infection is associated with glucose intolerance and, despite that, a favourable lipid pattern. An intriguing finding was the high triglyceride levels observed among participants with past infection, suggesting that elevated triglycerides at the time of acute infection may facilitate viral clearance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A sensitive and specific tandem mass spectrometric (MS–MS) method was developed and validated for the determination of dydrogesterone (Duphaston®), an orally active synthetic progestogen, in human plasma. Multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) scans at m/z 313.1 > 105.5 (dydrogesterone) and m/z 393 > 147 (dexamethasone, internal standard) were selected to determine dydrogesterone by the internal standard method. Linear correlations ( r: ∼0.99 ± 0.05) of the calibration curves were established over the concentration range 10–60 ng mL−1 with a lower limit of quantification (LLQ) of 10 ng mL−1 (RSD% 14.9 and %DEVs −10.5 to +15.6). Solid-phase extraction (SPE) technique was used for extraction of dydrogesterone and internal standard from patient plasma samples using Oasis® Max C18 cartridges. Ion suppression studies indicated negligible effects of plasma matrix on the mass ions detection of dydrogesterone and IS, when measured in MRM mode. Validation data showed that RSD% values were <22.0%, whereas %DEV values were in the range of −20.2 to +13.3 for intra- and inter-day precision and accuracy, respectively. Analytical recoveries of dydrogesterone from supplemented plasma samples with the drug were in the range of 100.7–112%, indicating the efficiency of the SPE for separation of dydrogesterone from human plasma. Stability studies conducted at −20 °C, showed that dydrogesterone was stable in plasma as indicated from the measured degradation kinetic parameters. The developed method was applied for monitoring plasma levels of dydrogesterone in 25 patients treated with Duphaston® tablets at a dose of 10 mg three times daily. Mean plasma concentration of 16.1 ± 3.5 ng mL−1 of dydrogesterone were measured at the steady state. The data suggest the utility of tandem mass method in therapeutic drug monitoring of plasma levels of dydrogesterone in gynecological disorders treated with Duphaston® tablets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS-MS) method was developed for the analysis of selected phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5) inhibitors, namely, sildenafil, tadalafil, and vardenafil in pharmaceutical preparations and adulterated herbal products. The method permits a fast ( 100, 390>268, 489>169, respectively. The concentration of each compound was determined from the calibration curve constructed by the internal standard calibration using phenylalanine (m/z 166>103) as an internal standard. Validation data showed that the developed tandem mass procedure was linear (r: 0.99), accurate (%DEVs±10%), and reproducible (RSD%. -1 . Recovery studies of pre-analyzed tablets spiked with known amounts of PDE-5 inhibitors showed average percents of 100.4 (sildenafil), 101.5 (tadalafil), and 101.0 (vardenafil). Application of a tandem mass procedure to the analysis of three marketed herbal products with sexual enhancement properties, revealed the presence of undeclared sildenafil or tadalafil compounds at concentrations 43.5 and 33.9 mg of sildenafil and 7.7 mg of tadalafil. The derived data suggested that the developed tandem mass spectrometric method can be adopted for routine analysis of either dosage forms or herbal products adulterated with of PDE-5 inhibitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant extracts of Staphylea L. exhibit a number of biological activities which are presumably attributed to ursolic acid. A rapid and specific tandem mass spectrometric (MS-MS) assay for the quantification of ursolic acid in the leaves of four species of Staphylea L. (Bladdernut) and in the leaves of S. pinnata L. during ontogenesis, was developed and validated. The samples were analyzed by flow injection analysis without chromatographic separation using a transport liquid of methanol/water/formic acid (80:20:0.1 v/ v/ v) at a flow-rate of 0.2 mL min−1. The run cycle time was ~2-3 min injection-to-injection. Quantification was achieved using multiple reaction monitoring at MRM transition m/ z 439 > 203. Calibration curves were linear over the concentration range of 2–20 µg mL−1 with a lower limit of quantification of 2 µg mL−1 (1.8 ± 0.297, RSD: 0.165). Validation data showed that the RSD% values were in the range of 1.8 to 6.8%, whereas the % DEVs ranged from −18 to −2% indicating reasonable and acceptable precision and accuracy, respectively. A recovery percent of 106.8 ± 10.3 of ursolic acid from spiked extracts samples, indicated the specificity and reliability of tandem mass procedure for determination of ursolic acid in the plant extracts. The derived data of sample analysis showed different contents of ursolic acid among various Staphylea species. The highest content of ursolic acid was found in the leaves extract of S. pinnata L. Additionally, the highest amount of ursolic acid accumulated in the leaves of S. pinnata L. was in the August /September period of the year. Smaller amounts of ursolic acid were found in samples collected before and after that time. The results obtained serve as a justification of determining the most appropriate time for collecting plant material as a source of ursolic acid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A rapid tandem mass spectrometric (MS-MS) method for the quantification of gabapentin (GBP) in human plasma using 4-phenyl-4-aminobutanoic acid as an internal standard (IS) has been developed and validated. The drug and the internal standard were analyzed, by flow injection analysis without chromatographic separation, using a mobile phase of acetonitrile-water-formic acid (50:50:0.025, v/ v/ v) at a flow rate of 0.1 mL min−1. The run-cycle time was <3 min injection-to injection. Quantitation was achieved using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) scan at MRM transitions m/ z 172 > 154 and m/ z 180 > 117 for GBP and the IS, respectively. Ion suppression study indicated practically no suppressive effect of plasma constituents on the mass ions detection of GBP and IS, when measured in MRM scanning mode. Calibration curves were linear over the concentration range of 0.1–10 μg mL−1 ( r > 0.999) with a limit of quantification of 0.1 μg mL−1 (RSD%; 7.6 and % DEVs; −3.0 to +17.0%). Validation data showed that the RSD% values were in the range of 1.85 to 13.06%, whereas, the % DEVs values ranged from −1.4 to +10.0% indicating good precision and accuracy. Analytical recoveries of GBP from spiked human plasma were in the range of 98.9 to 101.3%. On the other hand, recoveries of GBP from stored human plasma samples were in the range of 100.0 to 107.5% indicating that GBP was stable in plasma, with no appreciable degradation, when stored at −20 °C. The developed method was applied for GBP monitoring in plasma samples of patients treated with GBP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adriblastina, a cancerostatic anthracycline antibiotic, causes considerable oxidative damage to DNA molecules. The interaction of this compound with DNA was investigated using Osteryoung square wave stripping voltammetry (OSWSV) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) at an in situ mercury film electrode. It was found that the equilibrium constant of the bonded oxidized form of the drug was 63 times bigger more important than that of the bonded reduced form. Copper forms 1 metal: 2 drug stoichiometry complex which is highly stable compared to ssDNA-drug interaction and consequently inhibited the drug biochemical damaging effects. Copper complex offered sub-nanogram determination of adriblastina in aqueous and urine media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molecular ordering in Acrylonitrile-Methylacrylate copolymer, P(AN-MA), films has been achieved by hot stretching. The structure, morphology of the stretched and nonstretched films, as well as the thermally stimulated depolarization current (TSDC) measurements are discussed. The piezoelectricity and charge storage in unstretched and stretched thermal poling P(AN-MA), films have been investigated at different poling fields. Quantitative analysis of the thermally stimulated depolarization current (TSDC) revealed that uniaxial stretching and subsequent poling at elevated temperatures give rise to high values of polarization and piezoelectricity in the films. The piezoelectric coefficient, d 31 was measured and the maximum value d 31 =8.6 PCN -1 has been obtained at E p =10 MVm -1 , T p =373 K and stretching ratio λ=6. It has been concluded that the increase in crystalllnity and the polarization effects enhance the piezoelectric activity in P(AN-MA) thermoelectrets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Annealed and stretched films of P(AN-MA) were charged with negatively constant-voltage corona at different temperatures. Electric field induces phase transition, which is determined by the wide angle X-ray diffraction. Using the thermally stimulated depolarization technique, pyroelectric currents have been investigated in unpolarized and corona charged P(AN-MA) films over the temperature range 25-140°C. Stretching films produces an enhancement in pyroelectricity. The increase in crystallinity and the presence of space charge build-up during corona charging are believed to be the chief contributors to the higher pyroelectric activity in the stretched films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spectrophotometric determination of pure U(IV) or U(VI) ions in solution with Arsenazo I is greatly dependant on the pH of the solutions. The experimental conditions for the differential estimation of the different oxidation states of U ions, in the same sample, using Arsenazo I have been identified and implemented. The results showed that the applied method is rather rapid and accurate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]