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The Egyptian cotton leafworm Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a pervasive agricultural polyphagous insect pest. Because of the negative side-effects of conventional pesticides used in agricultural fields, safer alternatives for insect pest management are required. We evaluated here susceptibility, biological features, and nutritional indices of S. littoralis after treatment of 4th-instar larvae with the neonicotinoid imidacloprid and the spinosyn spinosad separately or in combination. Larvae were fed for three successive days on treated leaves of castor-bean Ricinus communis using leaf-dip technique (treatment period). In addition, in case of nutritional indices study, treated leaves were replaced by fresh untreated leaves for two successive days (recovery period). Spinosad was more toxic than imidacloprid, and their combination revealed additive effects based on the co-toxicity factor. Individual and combined treatments significantly decreased pupation rate, adult emergence rate, pupal weight, number of eggs laid per female, egg-hatch, and female longevity, compared to those of controls. Pupal and adult malformations were recorded. During the treatment period, nutritional indices were insecticide- and time-dependent. On the 2nd day of recovery, all nutritional indices of treated larvae were not significantly different, compared to those of controls. The results presented herein may help in developing more effective crop protection methodologies within integrated pest management of this insect.

The electrochemical quantification of catechol (CC) was performed via cyclic voltammetry (CV), convolution-deconvolution voltammetry, and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) at nanostructured mesoporous platinum film electrochemically deposited from a hexagonal liquid crystalline template of C16EO8 surfactant in 1.0 M HClO4.The cyclic voltammograms of catechol produced one oxidative peak in the forward sweep of potential coupled with a reductive peak on the reverse sweep potential. The effect of catechol concentration was examined using the various electrochemical methods mentioned before. The modified platinum electrode exhibits good sensitivity for the determination of catechol compound in 1.0 M HClO4. The best performance was found for i-t curve method developed from cyclic voltammetry of CC. It manifests a linear peak current response over the concentration range of 3 to 50 μM, with a detection limit of 2.11 μM and a quantification limit of 7.04 μM confirming the accuracy and sensitivity of this fast and simple method.

Asphaltenes are heavy constituents of crude oil which affect the flow and viscosity of crude oil. They also stabilize water-in-oil emulsions which makes the separation process of water from oil during the primary treatment processes for crude oils more difficult and costly. Measuring asphaltenes has great importance, especially for crude oil production companies. Gravimetric and spectroscopic measurement methods are the basic techniques used by international references such as ASTM and IP. A new methodology has been introduced as a modification of ASTM D6560 gravimetric methodology by using the centrifugation technique in the separation of asphaltenes for different oil samples with the API gravity change from 17.4 (oil S1) to 39.8 (oil S5). The new methodology has the advantages of consuming little time, and multiple sample processing and can be done in the field and also in the lab. Moreover, it has good repeatability, reproducibility, and working range values compared to the reference gravimetric ASTM and IP methods. The repeatability of the new method was found to be 8.0% at its maximum value (S1, has a low asphaltene content), while the minimum value was found to be 3.75% (S10, has the highest asphaltene content). It was found that the maximum reproducibility value was 17.0% for the S1 sample and the minimum was 0.0% for S9 and S10 samples.

Long-term morbidity including hypertension often persists in coarctation patients despite current guidelines. Coarctation severity can be invasively assessed via peak-to-peak catheter pressure gradient (PPCG), which is estimated noninvasively via simplified Bernoulli equation and conventionally reported as peak instantaneous Doppler gradient (PIDG). However, underlying simplifications of the equation limit diagnostic accuracy. We studied the diagnostic performance of a new Doppler-based diastolic index called the continuous flow pressure gradient (CFPG) versus conventional indices in assessing coarctation severity.In a rabbit model mimicking human aortic coarctation, temporal blood pressure waveforms revealed the diastolic instantaneous pressure gradients and spectral Doppler features impacted by coarctation severity. We therefore hypothesized that CFPG provides superior correlation with coarctation gradients measured invasively. PIDG and CFPG were quantified using color flow echocardiography in humans and rabbits with discrete coarctations. Results were compared with PPCG in rabbits (n = 34) and arm-leg systolic gradients (n = 25) in humans via 1-way analysis of variance, Pearson's correlation, linear regression, and Bland-Altman analysis.A threshold of CFPG ≥ 4.6 mm Hg was identified via the Youden index as representative of PPCG ≥ 20 mm Hg (the current guideline value for coarctation intervention) in rabbits, while a CFPG ≥1.0 mm Hg represented an arm-leg systolic gradient ≥20 mm Hg in humans. Accuracy measures revealed superior correlation of CFPG (R

Coarctation of the aorta (CoA) is one of the most common congenital cardiovascular diseases. CoA patients frequently undergo surgical repair, but hypertension (HTN) is still common. The current treatment guideline has revealed irreversible changes in structure and function, yet revised severity guidelines have not been proposed. Our objective was to quantify temporal alterations in mechanical stimuli and changes in arterial geometry in response to the range of CoA severities and durations (i.e. age of treatment) seen clinically. Rabbits were exposed to CoA resulting in peak-to-peak blood pressure gradient (BPGpp) severities of ≤ 10, 10–20, and ≥ 20 mmHg for a duration of ~ 1, 3, or 20 weeks using permanent, dissolvable, and rapidly dissolvable sutures. Elastic moduli and thickness were estimated from imaging and longitudinal fluid–structure interaction (FSI) simulations were conducted at different ages using geometries and boundary conditions from experimentally measured data. Mechanical stimuli were characterized including blood flow velocity patterns, wall tension, and radial strain. Experimental results show vascular alternations including thickening and stiffening proximal to the coarctation with increasing severity and/or duration of CoA. FSI simulations indicate wall tension in the proximal region increases markedly with coarctation severity. Importantly, even mild CoA induced stimuli for remodeling that exceeds values seen in adulthood if not treated early and using a BPGpp lower than the current clinical threshold. The findings are aligned with observations from other species and provide some guidance for the values of mechanical stimuli that could be used to predict the likelihood of HTN in human patients with CoA.

The probiotics are being used as ecofriendly and bioremediation tools for developing sustainability to aquaculture. The present study was conducted to explore the practical capability of using dietary lactic acid bacteria (Pediococcus acidilactici) probiotics and see how its dose variation affected the water quality, growth performance, survival rate, body composition, blood biochemical parameters, and intestinal histology of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.). A total of 120 fingerlings with an initial weight of 9 ± 0.2 g were divided into four groups, each with three replicates. The feeding experiment lasted for 60 days. In addition to the control (without probiotics) (T0), fish were fed diets containing (T1) 2.0, (T2) 2.5, and (T3) 3.0 g of probiotics per kg of diet twice a day. When compared to the control, sea bass fed probiotic-supplemented diets had significantly higher growth parameters, fish body “crude lipid,” and villi height ( p < 0.05 , p < 0.01 , and p < 0.001 ). The P. acidilactici probiotic treatments improved survival rate, feed conversion ratio, body composition, and blood biochemical markers, but not statistically significant ( p > 0.05 ). Also, in regard to water quality, P. acidilactici drastically reduced ammonia and pH levels. In this experiment, fish fed with a dosage of 3.0 g of this commercial probiotic per kg of probiotics performed better. The study found that including probiotics in the diets of European sea bass improved growth, body composition, survival rate, blood biochemical markers, intestinal histology, and some water quality parameters.

Background Cardiac fibrosis complicates SARS‐CoV‐2 infections and has been linked to arrhythmic complications in survivors. Accordingly, we sought evidence of increased HSP47 (heat shock protein 47), a stress‐inducible chaperone protein that regulates biosynthesis and secretion of procollagen in heart tissue, with the goal of elucidating molecular mechanisms underlying cardiac fibrosis in subjects with this viral infection. Methods and Results Using human autopsy tissue, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry, we quantified Hsp47 + cells and collagen α 1(l) in hearts from people with SARS‐CoV‐2 infections. Because macrophages are also linked to inflammation, we measured CD163 + cells in the same tissues. We observed irregular groups of spindle‐shaped HSP47 + and CD163 + cells as well as increased collagen α 1(I) deposition, each proximate to one another in “hot spots” of ≈40% of hearts after SARS‐CoV‐2 infection (HSP47 + P P + cells are consistent with myofibroblasts, subjects with hot spots are termed “profibrotic.” The remaining 60% of subjects dying with COVID‐19 without hot spots are referred to as “nonfibrotic.” No control subject exhibited hot spots. Conclusions Colocalization of myofibroblasts, M2(CD163 + ) macrophages, and collagen α 1(l) may be the first evidence of a COVID‐19–related “profibrotic phenotype” in human hearts in situ. The potential public health and diagnostic implications of these observations require follow‐up to further define mechanisms of viral‐mediated cardiac fibrosis.

As estimated by Federation Diabetes Atlas, the number of diabetic patients will reach globally 592 million in 2035. Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from deficiency of insulin, its resistance or both. This investigation aimed to explore comparinor the antidiabetic effect of coenzyme Q10 and quercetin on streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemia in rats. A sum of 24 adult male Albino rats weighing 200±5g each were used and were divided into 4 groups (n= 6 rats). One group kept as (C -ve) and fed on basal diet all over the experimental period (28 days), while the other groups were intraperitoneal injected with streptozotocin (STZ) at a dose of 40 mg/kg once a week for two weeks. One of the diabetic groups was fed basal diet only (C +ve) and the other two diabetic groups were fed on Coenzyme Q10 and Quercetin at a dose of 100mg/kg body weight (b. wt.) each. At the end of the trial, rats were mercy sacrificed and the blood and organs were removed then serum glucose, insulin, TSH, LH, TC, TG, HDL, LDL, VLDL, T.P, Alb., T.B, AST, ALT, ALP, BUN, Creat., and uric acid were estimated. The results revealed that all hyperglycemic rats with orally administered Coenzyme Q10 and Quercetin at a dose of 100mg/kg b. wt. each, showed significant increase in BWG, FI, FER and HDL, whereas significant decreases in serum glucose, insulin, TSH, LH, TC, TG, LDL, VLDL, T.P, Alb., T.B, AST, ALT, ALP, BUN, Creat., and uric acid recorded compared to control positive groups. Furthermore, Coenzyme Q10 induced higher enhancing of improvement rather than quercetin inspite that quercetin has natural healing properties as it is a natural flavonoid. In conclusion, Coenzyme Q10 and Quercetin have antidiabetic effects on streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemia in rats, indicating higher effect for CoQ10 in spite of singularity for quercetin as a natural flavonoid. دراسة التأثيرات المقارنة المضادة لمرض السکري لمرافق الإنزيم کيو10 والکويرستين في الفئران المصابة بالسکري بواسطة الاستربتوزوتوسين حسب تقديرات اتحاد أطلس السکري، سيصل عدد مرضى السکري عالميا إلى 592 مليونا في عام 2035، ويتميز مرض السکري باضطراب استقلابي لفرط سکر الدم الناتج عن نقص الأنسولين أو مقاومته أو کليهما. استهدف البحث دراسة التأثير المقارن المضاد لمرض السکر لمرافق الإنزيم کيو10 والکويرستين في الفئران المصابة بالسکري بواسطة الاستربتوزوتوسين. تم استخدام عدد 24 فأر ذکر من نوع الالبينو بمتوسط وزن 200±5 جم تم تقسيمهم لاربعة مجموعات (6 فئران بکل مجموعة). ترکت احداهم (6 فئران) کمجموعة ضابطة سالبة وتغذت على العليقة الاساسية طوال فترة التجربة (28 يوم)، بينما تم حقن المجموعات المتبقية بمادة الاستربتوزوتوسين بجرعة 40ملجم من وزن الجسم مرة أسبوعيا لمدة أسبوعين ثم ترکت احداهم بدون علاج لتمثل المجموعة الضابطة الموجبة والتي تم تغذيتها على العليقة الأساسية طوال فترة التجربة، أما المجموعتين المتبقيتين فتم حقنهما فمويا عن طريق الفم باستخدام مرافق الانزيم کيو10 والکويرستين عند جرعة 100 ملجم من وزن الجسم عن طريق الحقن الفموي لکل منهما على حده. وفي نهاية فترة التجربة تم ذبح الفئران ثم تم تجميع الأعضاء وعينات سيرم الدم لتحليل مستويات الجلوکوز والأنسولين في الدم وهرمون الغدة الدرقية (TSH) والهرمون المنشط للجسم الاصفر(LH) والکوليسترول الکلي والدهون الثلاثية والليبوبروتينات المرتفعة والمنخفضة والمنخفضة جدا في الکثافة والبروتين الکلي والالبيومين والبيليروبين الکلي والاسبارتات أمينو ترانس أمينيز والألانين أمينو ترانسفيريز وإنزيم الفوسفاتيز القلوي ونيتروجين اليوريا في الدم والکرياتينين وحمض البوليک. وقد أظهرت النتائج أن جميع الفئران المصابة بارتفاع مستوى السکر في الدم والتي تم حقنها عن طريق الفم بمرافق الانزيم کيو 10 والکيرستين بجرعة 100 مجم / کجم من وزن الجسم زيادة معنوية في الوزن المکتسب والمأخوذ الغذائي ومعدل الاستفادة من الغذاء والليبوبروتينات مرتفعة الکثافية، في حين حدوث انخفاض معنوي في مستويات الجلوکوز والأنسولين في الدم وهرمون الغدة الدرقية (TSH) والهرمون المنشط للجسم الاصفر(LH) والکوليسترول الکلي والدهون الثلاثية والليبوبروتينات منخفضة ومنخفضة جدا في الکثافة والبروتين الکلي والالبيومين والبيليروبين الکلي والاسبارتات أمينو ترانس أمينيز والألانين أمينو ترانسفيريز وإنزيم الفوسفاتيز القلوي ونيتروجين اليوريا في الدم والکرياتينين وحمض البوليک، علاوة على ذلک ، أحدث مرافق الإنزيم کيو 10 تعزيز أعلى من الکويرستين بالرغم من أن الثاني له خصائص علاجية طبيعية لأنه فلافونويد طبيعي. ويمکن استنتاج أن مرافق الإنزيم کيو 10 و الکويرستين قد يکون لهما تأثيرات مضادة لمرض السکري في الفئران المصابة بالسکري بواسطة الاستربتوزوتوسين، مما يشير إلى تأثير وتحسين أعلى لـ مرافق الإنزيم کيو 10 على الرغم من تفرد الکويرستين باعتباره فلافونويد طبيعي. الکلمات المفتاحية: مرافق الإنزيم کيو 10، الکويرستين، الاستربتوزوتوسين، الفئران المصابة بداء السکري.

Coarctation of the aorta (CoA) is one of the most common congenital cardiovascular diseases. CoA patients frequently undergo surgical repair, but hypertension (HTN) is still common. The current treatment guideline has revealed irreversible changes in structure and function, yet revised severity guidelines have not been proposed. Our objective was to quantify temporal alterations in mechanical stimuli and changes in arterial geometry in response to the range of CoA severities and durations seen clinically. Rabbits were exposed to CoA resulting in BPGpp severities of ≤ 10, 10–20, and ≥ 20 mmHg for a duration of ~ 1, 3, or 20 weeks using permanent, dissolvable, and rapidly dissolvable sutures. Elastic moduli and thickness were estimated from imaging and longitudinal fluid-structure interaction (FSI) simulations were conducted at different ages using geometries and boundary conditions measured empirically. Mechanical stimuli were characterized including blood flow velocity patterns, wall tension, and radial strain. Empirical results show vascular alternations including thickening and stiffening proximal to the coarctation with increasing severity and/or duration of CoA. FSI simulations indicate wall tension in the proximal region increases markedly with coarctation severity. Importantly, even mild CoA induced stimuli for remodeling that exceeds values seen in adulthood if not treated early and using a BPGpp lower than the current clinical threshold. The findings are aligned with observations from other species and provide some guidance for the values of mechanical stimuli that could be used to predict the likelihood of HTN in human patients with CoA.

In this text, we synthesized and characterized a new spirooxindole grafted pyrrolidino/piperidine moieties. The new hit obtained via one-pot reaction of the chalcone based cyclohexanone with the isatin and (R)-piperidine-2-carboxylic acid in MeOH under reflux for 48 h. The compound exclusively obtained in regio-selective and diastereo-selective manner. The chemical feature of the target compound is confirmed by 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectroscopy. In addition, we reported for the first time the X-ray single crystal structure of isatin. Its molecular packing depends mainly on strong O…H hydrogen bonds and π-π stacking interactions as well as weak H…H and H…C contacts. Using DFT calculations, isatin is a polar molecule with a net dipole moment of 5.912 Debye. Also, the calculated structure agreed very well with the experimental one. The charge distribution at the different atomic sites is calculated using NBO calculations.

Techniques for simulation and application of automatic digital generation control are presented. Objectives of generation control are reviewed. A digital control scheme is described and implementation. The presented directive software is capable of guiding the whole system so that control objectives are achived in a satisfactory manner.

Phase control represents an effective means of controlling the average power delivered to a load. The principle of phase control is used to control the speed, current and torque of a separately excited D-C motor. The interference between the operator and the control circuit is provided by a set of ooded inetructione through a minicomputer software. The idea of decentralized control is implemented. The computer program (Written in Assembly Language) as well as the wiring diagram are included.

The Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is a major pest that affects fruit production worldwide. This insect spends part of its life cycle in the soil, mak...

Background: Obesity is a major problem in Saudi Arabia. Pharmaceutical solutions were sought for treatment. Chemical formula might lead to major health side effects. Meanwhile, the use of herbal formula is alleged to be safe. Green tea and apple vinegar are some of these products. Objective: The study aimed to measure the effect of green tea and apple vinegar on obesity and liver status compared to medical drugs. Materials and methods: Thirty-six adult male albino rats were divided into normal control, and other five groups fed on high caloric and hyperlipidemic diets. They were control positive and the rest 4 groups were treated with different formula (green tea, apple cider vinegar, orlistat and chitocal). Results: All treated groups showed significant decrease in body weight when compared to control positive. Rats administered with orlistat and chitocal showed the highest significant decrease in body weight gain (BWG) when compared to control positive. Moreover, all tested groups enhanced liver functions especially chitocal and apple cider vinegar groups which showed the highest effect in ALT. Orlistat and green tea groups came in second level. Conclusion: Although, no poor effect of chemical drugs found, natural products can provide the positive effect with no risk. Apple cider vinegar was the best natural weight control formula.

This article firstly records Pseudotolithus senegallus (Cuvier, 1830) species in the Mediterranean Sea. juvenile specimen of Pseudotolithus senegallus (Cuvier, 1830) with total length 15.5 cm and total weight 37 g, was obtained by experimental bottom trawling using commercial bottom trawler (stretched mesh size: 15 mm; duration time: four hours; location: east of Suez Canal main stream in the Mediterranean, off Port Said). Opercle lining jet black, showing through a dark blotch externally. Axils of pectoral-fin base dark, distal portion of caudal fin darkish whereas anal and pelvic fins are yellowish. Gas bladder with a pair of arborescent appendages, dividing into short anterior branches and a dozen or so long tubular posterior appendages along sides of bladder beyond its tip. I suggest the method of introduction to the Mediterranean waters is ballast water of ships as it is recorded only from Mauritania to Angola on the western coast of Africa.

3-(Naphthalen-1-yl)-2-thioxo-2,3-dihydroquinazolin-4(1H)-one 1, and its S-alkylated products 2–6, were effectively synthesized under ultrasonic irradiation under greener reaction condition with low...

1,3-Bis-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-2,3-dihydroquinazolin-4(1H)-on-2-thioxopropane (C), a quinazoline derivative was synthesized and well-characterized in order to evaluate its potential to act as VEGFR-2 a...

Synthesis of some new 5-phenyl-2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazole derivatives as hybrids with 1,2,3-triazoles via a flexible bonding, and their antioxidant and antibacterial activity have been studied. IR, 1H and 13C NMR spectra have confirmed the chemical structures of the compounds. Antioxidant activity has been compared with BHA as a standard. Several tested compounds have demonstrated highly potent antioxidant activity. Antibacterial activity of the products has been evaluated against Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) and Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria, and some of those have been characterized as the most potent against E. coli and S. aureus. Molecular docking to the active sites of VIM-2 Metallo-β-Lactamase (MBL) as a target protein has revealed that most compounds have displayed minimal binding energy and good affinity toward the active pocket.

Cardiac MRI of small animal models of cancer radiation therapy (RT) is a valuable tool for studying the effect of RT on the heart. However, standard cardiac MRI exams require long scanning times, which is challenging for sick animals that may not survive extended periods of imaging under anesthesia. The purpose of this study is to develop an optimized, fast MRI exam for comprehensive cardiac functional imaging of small-animal models of cancer RT. Ten adult female rats (2 non-irradiated and 8 irradiated) were scanned using the developed exam. Optimal imaging parameters were determined, which minimized scanning time while ensuring measurement accuracy and avoiding imaging artifacts. This optimized, fast MRI exam lasted for 30 min, which was tolerated by all animals. EF was normal in all imaged rats, although it was significantly increased in the irradiated rats, which also showed ventricular hypertrophy. However, myocardial strain was significantly reduced in the irradiated rats. In conclusion, a fast MRI exam has been developed for comprehensive cardiac functional imaging of rats in 30 min, with optimized imaging parameters to ensure accurate measurements and tolerance by irradiated rats. The generated strain measurements provide an early marker of regional cardiac dysfunction before global function is affected.

The whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) cryptic species has become an important pest of cotton and vegetable crops in Egypt. In this study, resistance to three organophosphate insecticides (OPs), chlorpyrifos-methyl, profenofos and pirimiphos-methyl, and detoxification enzymatic activities of acetylcholinesterase, carboxylesterase, and monooxygenase were evaluated to establish baseline resistance levels for B. tabaci infesting cotton in seven Egyptian governorates, compared to a susceptible laboratory reference B. tabaci colony. Resistance to OPs ranged from low-to-moderate or low-to-high, while detoxification enzymatic activities were predominantly governorate-dependent. Phylogenetic analysis of a fragment of the mitochondria cytochrome oxidase I gene (756 bp) identified field-collected B. tabaci as the B mitotype. The results provide baseline OP resistance levels for B. tabaci that will aid in interpreting future monitoring outcomes and enable detection of insecticide resistance fluxes.

The present work aims to make a novel chemical modification of chitosan to improve its ability in removing hexavalent chromium from its aqueous solution. Therefore, the use of N,N/−methylene bis-acrylamide as a cross linker for chitosan has been studied using simple method via nucleophilic addition, in the presence of FeCl3.6H2O as a Lewis acid catalyst. The obtained product (CMBA) was tested as an adsorbent for removal of Cr6+ ions from its aqueous solution. The CMBA was characterized using instrumental techniques such as FTIR, SEM, EDX, and TGA analyses. The FTIR analysis showed the presence of a peak at 3297–3355 cm−1 due to the stretching vibration mode of –OH and –NH2 groups, and a peak at 1745 cm−1 due to the C=O stretching in carboxylic group. The equilibrium data were studied using Langmuir, Freundlich and Tempkin isotherm models. The maximum monolayer adsorption capacity (Qm) calculated from Langmuir isotherm was 149 mg/g, which showed a 3-fold greater uptake for CMBA over non-modified chitosan. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model was the best model representing the adsorption data with correlation coefficient close to one, indicating that chemisorption is dominating the adsorption process. The intraparticle diffusion study proved that the adsorption process was performed under the control of more than one mechanisms. The present study proved that the novel cross-linked chitosan CMBA is a helpful material for the adsorption of Cr6+ ions from its water solution.

The insect growth regulators (IGRs) chlorfluazuron, flufenoxuron and pyriproxyfen were evaluated, using the leaf-dip technique, on the various developmental and reproductive aspects of Spodoptera l...

Eco-friendly alternatives to unsafe conventional pesticides against disease vectors are currently needed. Host vaccination using an insect gut antigen is a feasible approach. Thus, the present stud...

OBJECTIVE. A spectrum of pathophysiologic mechanisms can lead to the development of myocardial disorders including ischemia, genetic abnormalities, and systemic disorders. Cardiac MRI identifies different myocardial disorders, provides prognostic information, and directs therapy. In comparison with other imaging modalities, cardiac MRI has the advantage of allowing both functional assessment and tissues characterization in a single examination without the use of ionizing radiation. Newer cardiac MRI techniques including mapping can provide additional information about myocardial disease that may not be detected using conventional techniques. Emerging techniques including MR spectroscopy and finger printing will likely change the way we understand the pathophysiology mechanisms of the wide array of myocardial disorders. CONCLUSION. Imaging of myocardial disorders encompasses a large variety of conditions including both ischemic and nonischemic diseases. Cardiac MRI sequences, such as balanced steady-state free precession and late gadolinium enhancement, play a critical role in establishing diagnosis, determining prognosis, and guiding therapeutic management. Additional sequences-including perfusion imaging, T2*, real-time cine, and T2-weighted sequences-should be performed in specific clinical scenarios. There is emerging evidence for the use of mapping in imaging of myocardial disease. Multiple other new techniques are currently being studied. These novel techniques will likely change the way myocardial disorders are understood and diagnosed in the near future.

New medications are desperately needed to combat rising drug resistance among tuberculosis (TB) patients. New agents should ideally work through unique targets to avoid being hampered by preexisting clinical resistance to existing treatments. The enoyl-acyl carrier protein reductase InhA of M. tuberculosis is one of the most crucial targets since it is a promising target that has undergone extensive research for anti-tuberculosis drug development. A well-known scaffold for a variety of biological activities, including antitubercular activity, is the molecular linkage of a1,2,3-triazole with an acetamide group. As a result, in the current study, which was aided by ligand-based molecular modeling investigations, 1,2,3-triazolesweredesigned and synthesized adopting the CuAAC aided cycloaddition of 1-(4-(prop-2-yn-1-yloxy)phenyl)ethanone with appropriate acetamide azides. Standard spectroscopic methods were used to characterize the newly synthesized compounds. In vitro testing of the proposed compounds against the InhA enzyme was performed. All the synthesized inhibitors completely inhibited the InhA enzyme at a concentration of 10 µM that exceeded Rifampicin in terms of activity. Compounds 9, 10, and 14 were the most promising InhA inhibitors, with IC50 values of 0.005, 0.008, and 0.002 µM, respectively. To promote antitubercular action and investigate the binding manner of the screened compounds with the target InhA enzyme’s binding site, a molecular docking study was conducted.

Background Grey mould caused by Botrytis cinerea of cucumber immature fruits is the most epidemic fungal diseases causing significantly losses of fruits during development on cucumber plant in winter season. Material and methods Crude and nanoemulsions of clove, black seed, lemon and orange essential oils at (5000 ppm) and also different formulations of clove, black seed and lemon oils nanoemulsions as single or in combination were tested against mycelial linear growth of B. cinerea (MF996363) as well sclerotial formation and pathological activity on the development of germinated seeds of cucumber. Results Essential oils nanoemulsion formulation of clove + black seed (2:1) at 5000 ppm was the best formulation significantly reduced mycelia linear growth of B. cinerea by 61.0% followed by 28% formulation (1:1) and (1:2). In addition, nanoemulsions formulations of clove, black seed essential oils (2:1) were highly reduced the count of sclerotial formation of B. cinerea and completely (100%) suppress seed rot and seedling mortality of cucumber followed by nanoemulsion of clove only. Conclusions Foliar application of nanoemulsion formulation of clove + black seeds is promising than fungicides (Topsin M-70) in controlling grey mould on cucumber fruits caused by B. cinerea in plastic greenhouse with no phytotoxicity on cucumber plants.

Background and Objectives: Children with juvenile myasthenia gravis have a variety of symptoms, ranging from isolated intermittent ocular complaints to overall muscle weakness with or without respiratory insufficiency. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of a specialized physical therapy with or without partial body weight supported treadmill training on pulmonary functional tests, neuromuscular functions, and quality of life. Materials and Methods: Thirty children, ranging in age from 13 to 16 years, were distributed randomly into two study groups (A or B). Both groups underwent a designed physical therapy program. In addition, group A underwent the partial body weight supported treadmill training. The treatment was conducted three times a week for 12 weeks successively. Pulmonary functional tests (FVC, FEV1, PEFR, and MVV), neuromuscular function tests (compound motor action potential, isometric muscle force of biceps brachii and rectus femoris, balance, walking endurance, and fatigue), and quality of life were measured before and after 12 successive weeks. Results: A significant improvement in all investigated variables were recorded in both groups in favor of group A. Conclusions: Both a specialized physical therapy and partial body weight supported treadmill training are effective in terms of enhancing pulmonary functional tests, neuromuscular functions, and quality of life. Partial body weight supported treadmill training is an excellent adjunctive to the physical therapy program.

The present study was designed to investigate potential protective and ameliorate effects of red water-melon flesh (meat) and broccoli sprouts powders against potassium bromate (KBrO3)-induced oxidative stress using experimental rats. Thirty-six (36) adult male albino rats were randomly distributed into 6 equal groups, 6 rats of each. Group 1 was fed on the basal diet and set as a negative control group (normal rats). The other 5 groups were injected by a single intraperitoneal dose of potassium bromate at dose of 125 mg/kg body weight for induction of oxidative stress. Group 2 was left as a positive control group and fed on basal diet only, while others groups 3, 4, 5, and 6 were fed on supplemented diet with 5% powder of water-melon flesh, 10% water-melon flesh, 5% broccoli sprouts and 10% broccoli sprouts respectively. Feeding on melon flesh and broccoli sprouts (G3, G4, G5 & G6) caused significant (P ≤ 0.05) increase in HDL, total protein and albumin, but with significant (P ≤ 0.05) decreases of globulin, LDL,VLDL, TC, TG, ALT, AST, ALP, creatinine, uric acid, urea and glucose as well as the activities of CAT,GPX &SOD which reflects the powerful nutraceutical therapeutic effect for feeding on water-melon flesh and broccoli sprouts to combat the oxidation stress induced by KBrO3 in male albino rats. Best treatments were for water-melon flesh 10% & broccoli sprouts 10% followed by water-melon flesh 5% then broccoli sprouts 5%. المستخلص العربي: تم إجراء الدراسة الحالية لمعرفة التأثيرات التغذوية العلاجية المحتملة لمساحيق لحم البطيخ الأحمر وبراعم البروکلى على الإجهاد التأکسدى المحدث بواسطة برومات البوتاسيوم.تم استخدام 36فأر أبيض بالغ يتراوح وزن الفأر (180±10) جرام، تم تغذيتها على الوجبة الأساسية لمدة أسبوع ثم قسمت بعد ذلک إلى6 مجموعات متساوية وترکت إحداها کمجموعة ضابطة سالبة, أما المجموعات الثمانية الأخرى فتم إصابتها تجريبيا باستخدام برومات البوتاسيوم بجرعة 125 ملجم / کجم من وزن الجسم لتحفيز الإجهاد التأکسدي. ترکت المجموعة 2 کمجموعة ضابطه موجبة وتمت تغذية المجموعات 3 و4 و5 و6 على نظام غذائي باضافة 5٪ من لحم البطيخ ، 10% من لحم البطيخ، 5% من براعم البروکلى، 10% من براعم البروکلى على التوالي. استمرت التجربة لمدة 28 يوم وفى نهاية التجربة تم وزن الفئران ثم ذبحهم وتجميع عينات الدم بعد صيام 12 ساعة ثم فصل السيرم لتقدير مستوى السکر في الدم ، وظائف الکبد (الجلوتاميک أوکسالو أستيک ترانس أمينيز، الجلوتاميک بيرفيک ترانس أمينيزوالألکالين فوسفاتيز) ، ووظائف الکلى ومستوي البروتين الکلى والألبيومين و الکولسترول الکلى و الجلسريدات الثلاثية,HDL-c,LDL-c, VLDL-c)) ومؤشر (AI). وقد أظهرت نتائج هذه الدراسة أن مساحيق لحم البطيخ وبراعم البروکلى (مجموعة3-4-5-6) أحدثت زيادة HDLc ، البروتين الکلي ، الألبومين ، الجلوبيولين ، مع انخفاض الجلوبيولين وALT-LDL-VLDL AST-ALP- ، الکرياتينين ، حمض اليوريک ، اليوريا ،الجلوکوز ونشاط انزيمات CAT,GPX and SOD الذي يعکس التأثير العلاجي القوي للتغذية على لحم البطيخ وبراعم البروکلى لمکافحة الإجهاد التأکسدي الناجم عن برومات البوتاسيوم في ذکور الفئران البيضاء. أفضل المعاملات کانت لحم البطيخ 10% ، براعم البروکلى 10% ، لحم البطيخ 5% ، براعم البروکلى 5%. الکلمات المفتاحية: برومات البوتاسيوم- التأکسد - لحم البطيخ - براعم البروکلى .

The peach (Prunus persica) is a fruit that is susceptible to many fungal infections following harvest, leading to significant losses. This study was aimed at evaluating the efficacy of a novel form...

El-Sibaiya phosphorites represent a part of the Middle East to North Africa phosphogenic province.They encountered in the Gabal (G.) Duwi Formation of Late Cretaceous to Paleogene age. The studiedsamples have been collected from the eastern and western sides of the Nile River.Major elemental analysis of the collected samples declared positive correlations between P2O5 andCaO and F. These correlations indicate that these elements are contained in the apatite phase. On the otherhand, P2O5 shows negative correlations with other major elements such as Al2O3, SiO2, Fe2O3 and MgO.Some trace elements such Cr, Sr and V show positive correlation with P2O5.The average of the total rare earth elements (!REEs) in the studied phosphorites is 262ppm.Chondrite-normalized patterns of !REEs of the studied phosphorites show a good coherence with the worldaverage of shale suggesting that !REEs in the studied phosphorites were derived from the associatedclastic debris through the diagenetic remobilization. The week negative Ce and Eu anomaly of the studiedsamples and the marked enrichment in LREEs emphasize that the studied phosphorites subjected to a laterpost-depositional modification.Laser ablation analysis showed that apatite mineral of the studied phosphorites is enriched in someelements such as Ca, F, Cr, Sr, V, Zn, Ba and REEs. This explains the major role of substitution processesof these elements within apatite lattice.The uranium average in El-Sibaiya East phosphorites is 81.6 ppm, while in El-Sibaiya Westis 51.1ppm. Apatite minerals play an important role in the accumulation of U within the studiedphosphorites.

The number of implanted devices such as orthopedic hardware and cardiac implantable devices continues to increase with an increase in the age of the patient population, as well as an increase in the number of indications for specific devices. Many patients with these devices have or will develop clinical conditions that are best depicted at MRI. However, implanted devices containing paramagnetic or ferromagnetic substances can cause significant artifact, which could limit the diagnostic capability of this modality. Performing imaging with MRI when an implant is present may be challenging, and there are numerous techniques the radiologist and technologist can use to help minimize artifacts related to implants. First, knowledge of the presence of an implant before patient arrival is critical to ensure safety of the patient when the device is subjected to a strong magnetic field. Once safety is ensured, the examination should be performed with the MRI system that is expected to provide the best image quality. The selection of the MRI system includes multiple considerations such as the effects of field strength and availability of specific sequences, which can reduce metal artifact. Appropriate patient positioning, attention to MRI parameters (including bandwidth, voxel size, and echo), and appropriate selection of sequences (those with less metal artifact and advanced metal reduction sequences) are critical to improve image quality. Patients with implants can be successfully imaged with MRI with appropriate planning and understanding of how to minimize artifacts. This improves image quality and the diagnostic confidence of the radiologist. ©RSNA, 2021.

Despite the achieved progress in developing efficient MDM2-p53 protein-protein interaction inhibitors (MDM2 inhibitors), the acquired resistance of tumor cells to such p53 activators posed an argument about the druggability of the pathway. Combination studies disclosed that concomitant inhibition of MDM2 and BCL2 functions can sensitize the tumor cells and synergistically induce apoptosis. Herein, we employed a rapid combinatorial approach to generate a novel series of hybrid spirooxindole-based MDM2 inhibitors (5a-s) endowed with BCL2 signaling attenuation. The adducts were designed to mimic the thematic features of the chemically stable potent spiro[3H-indole-3,2′-pyrrolidin]-2(1H)-ones MDM2 inhibitors while installing a pyrrole ring on the core via a carbonyl spacer inspired by the natural product marinopyrrole A that efficiently inhibits BCL2 family functions by various mechanisms. NCI 60 cell-line panel screening revealed their promising broad-spectrum antiproliferative activities. The NCI-selected derivatives were screened for cytotoxic activities against normal fibroblasts, MDA-MB 231, HepG-2, and Caco-2 cells via MTT assay, subjected to mechanistic apoptosis studies for assessment of p53, BCL2, p21, and caspase 3/7 status, then evaluated for potential MDM2 inhibition utilizing MST assay. The most balanced potent and safe derivatives; 5i and 5q were more active than 5-fluorouracil, exhibited low μM range MDM2 binding (KD =1.32 and 1.72 μM, respectively), induced apoptosis-dependent anticancer activities up to 50%, activated p53 by 47-63%, downregulated the BCL2 gene to 59.8%, and reduced its protein level (13.75%) in the treated cancer cells. Further downstream p53 signaling studies revealed > 2 folds p21 upregulation and > 3 folds caspase 3/7 activation. Docking simulations displayed that the active MDM2 inhibitors resided well into the p53 binding sites of MDM2, and shared key interactions with the co-crystalized inhibitor posed by the indolinone scaffold (5i, 5p, and 5q), the halogen substituents (5r), or the installed spiro ring (5s). Finally, in silico ADMET profiling predicted acceptable drug-like properties with full accordance to Lipinski's, Veber's, and Muegge's bioavailability parameters for 5i and a single violation for 5q.

Over half of all cancer patients receive radiation therapy (RT). However, radiation exposure to the heart can cause cardiotoxicity. Nevertheless, there is a paucity of data on RT-induced cardiac damage, with limited understanding of safe regional RT doses, early detection, prevention and management. A common initial feature of cardiotoxicity is asymptomatic dysfunction, which if left untreated may progress to heart failure. The current paradigm for cardiotoxicity detection and management relies primarily upon assessment of ejection fraction (EF). However, cardiac injury can occur without a clear change in EF.To identify magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) markers of early RT-induced cardiac dysfunction.We investigated the effect of RT on global and regional cardiac function and myocardial T1/T2 values at two timepoints post-RT using cardiac MRI in a rat model of localized cardiac RT. Rats who received image-guided whole-heart radiation of 24Gy were compared to sham-treated rats.The rats maintained normal global cardiac function post-RT. However, a deterioration in strain was particularly notable at 10-weeks post RT, and changes in circumferential strain were larger than changes in radial or longitudinal strain. Compared to sham, circumferential strain changes occurred at the basal, mid-ventricular and apical levels (p0.05 for all at both 8-weeks and 10-weeks post-RT), most of the radial strain changes occurred at the mid-ventricular (p=0.044 at 8-weeks post-RT) and basal (p=0.018 at 10-weeks post-RT) levels, and most of the longitudinal strain changes occurred at the apical (p=0.002 at 8-weeks post-RT) and basal (p=0.035 at 10-weeks post-RT) levels. Regionally, lateral myocardial segments showed the greatest worsening in strain measurements, and histologic changes supported these findings. Despite worsened myocardial strain post-RT, myocardial tissue displacement measures were maintained, or even increased. T1/T2 measurements showed small non-significant changes post-RT compared to values in non-irradiated rats.Our findings suggest MRI regional myocardial strain is a sensitive imaging biomarker for detecting RT-induced subclinical cardiac dysfunction prior to compromise of global cardiac function.