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The purple-spotted bigeye, Priacanthus tayenus, is a marine benthic fish native to the Indian and Pacific Oceans, including the Arabian Gulf in Saudi Arabia. This study identified a myxozoan parasite infecting wild P. tayenus from the Saudi Arabian Gulf. These parasites produced spherical to ovoid-shaped, white plasmodia enclosed within pseudocysts in the fish musculature. The annual infection rate was 5.1%, with the highest prevalence in summer (7.6%), followed by spring (6%), and autumn (2.5%), while no infections were observed in winter. The number of plasmodia per fish ranged from 100 to 150 (135.1 ± 16.2). Their dimensions were 4–4.7 mm (4.3 ± 0.3 mm) in length and 4.5–7 mm (6 ± 1.1 mm) in width. Milky-colored exudates within the plasmodia contained mature spores measuring 8–9 μm (8.6 ± 0.4 μm) x 6–7.5 μm (6.9 ± 0.5 μm). The polar capsules of the spores exhibited dimensions of 2–5 μm (3.5 ± 0.5 μm) x 2.5–4.5 μm (3 ± 0.45 μm). Both morphological and genetic analyses confirmed these plasmodia as a novel Kudoa species. Histopathological examination revealed atrophy in the surrounding muscles without an inflammatory response. This study documents the first occurrence of a novel Kudoa sp. in P. tayenus at the Jubail landing site in Saudi Arabia, emphasizing the need for further surveillance and investigations to elucidate its pathogenesis and implications for wild fish stocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to determine the causative agent of black spots which observed in the mesentery, adipose tissue and peritoneum of orange-spotted grouper, Epinephelus coioides. The parasitological examination using light and electron microscope confirmed infection with trichosomoidid parasite, genus Huffmanela, which identified as Huffmanela japonica (H. japonica). The examined eggs were present in two stages (stage 1, mature light brown eggs with larva; stage 2, advanced dark brown eggs with grown larva). The histopathological alteration of the infected tissues together with determination of immunological gene expression in different organs demonstrated prominent response of the host tissues against the studied parasite. Pathological examination of the infected fish revealed that the lesions were mainly in the mesenteric and diffuse pancreatic tissues which present in the abdominal fat. Granulomas containing eggs and mononuclear and eosinophilic granular cell infiltrations, together with fat necrosis of the pancreatic tissue, were the most common pathological findings. Migrating larvae and peritoneal adhesions with organised fibrosis were also observed. In the infected tissues as well as in the spleen, liver and kidney, interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 were upregulated than in control non-infected fish. Our results confirmed that H. japonica is infecting orange-spotted grouper caught from the Red Sea in Egypt with prominent tissue specificity in the mesentery, adipose tissue surrounding the intestine, and in the peritoneum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, iron sulphide thin films were prepared by simple and low-cost chemical spray-pyrolysis method using tilt deposition with a spraying angle of 45° and substrates temperature of 200°C. The precursors were iron chloride salt (FeCl3) and thiourea. After the preparation process, some of the samples are annealed at a temperature 400°C for 30 min. It was found that the as-deposited iron sulphide thin films (without annealing) had an amorphous structure, which gave higher absorption coefficient (2 × 105 cm−1) for thin film thickness 400 nm. This study also presents a novel method to obtain polycrystalline FeS2 thin films with pyrite phase and optimum energy bandgap and high absorption coefficient. A thin film of iron sulphide was also deposited on fluorine-doped tin oxide glass to work as a counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

This study aimed to investigate the presence of Sarcotaces sp. in Epinephelus epilistictus (the dotted grouper) in Saudi Arabia. So, during our routine clinical examination of fish health conditions at Jubail province in the eastern region of Saudi Arabia (Arabian Gulf), nine grouper fish species were examined for Sarcotaces sp. (Copepoda: Phylichthyidae). Only the dotted grouper (Epinephelus epilistictus) harbored parasitic Sarcotaces spp. with an incidence of 9.06% of 1600 clinically examined fish samples. The collected Sarcotaces sp. was Sarcotaces arcticus (S. arcticus). The copepods were completely encapsulated cysts with a pyriform or pear-like shape, small to large, white-grayish, fluid-filled with thick black ink beneath the skin, or fully embedded in the muscular layer. The cysts present in the lateral aspect of trunk muscles, flank, caudal peduncle, near the anal opening, or pelvic and pectoral fin with an infestation rate (1–6 cysts) per fish. The cyst histopathology reveals the capsular layer of the cyst consisting of fibrous connective with pressure atrophy of the adjacent muscles associated with dilated blood vessels. The absence of infestation in other kinds of grouper fish species from the water of the Arabian Gulf in Jubail province may indicate parasitic host specificity and geographic locality distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a correction notice for an article titled "Heavy infection of the orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides) with Hufmanela japonica: morphological, ultrastructural identification, tissue reactions and immunological analysis" published in Aquaculture International. The correction involves the replacement of Figure 5 in the original article with a new version that has higher resolution and a minor modification to the image. The corrected Figure 5 is included in the correction notice. The publisher, Springer Nature, maintains a neutral stance on jurisdictional claims and institutional affiliations. The authors of the original article are Marwa M. Attia, Mustafa M. Ibrahim, and Mahmoud A. Mahmoud. [Extracted from the article]

Geochemical proxies provide detailed information on depositional environment and diagenetic processes. The main objectives of the present study are the evaluation of the paleoenvironment and diagenetic conditions of selected three sections of the Shiranish Formation (Late Campanian-Maastrichtian) in Dokan-Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan Region, northeast of Iraq. The major and some trace elements were analysed by X-Ray Fluoresces. These geochemical results showed a positive correlation of SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3, MgO and TiO2 between each other due to the influence of detrital influx from the active oceanic margins and thrust belts of the northeast Arabian Plate. The terrigenous supply of silicates (K-feldspar) and clay minerals (Illite) caused a positive correlation between K2O values and Al2O3. In general, there is a low abundance of SiO2 and Al2O3contents, referring to the deepening of the Neo-Tythus ocean basin in the formation's lower part. The Mn* factor of the lower and middle part of the formation exhibited anoxic conditions while oxic- suboxic conditions at the upper part. The Mn/Sr ratios were less than one, which means that Shiranish marly limestone was well preserved out of diagenetic processes. The paleoredox proxies {Th/U, V/Cr &V/(V+Ni)} confirmed that the lower part of the Formation was deposited in a relatively anoxic deep-outer shelf environment with a rising in paleoproductivity. In contrast, the upper part was characterised by dyoxic-oxic redox. Due to the inner shelf environment, this redox fluctuation reflects a regression phase of sea level, which is compatible with the closure events of the Neo-Tethys in the Eocene epoch. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one the strongest risk factors for cardiovascular disease and, in particular, for ischemic heart disease (IHD). The pathophysiology of myocardial ischemia in diabetic patients is complex and not fully understood. Some diabetic patients have mainly coronary stenosis obstructing blood flow to the myocardium and others present with coronary microvascular disease with an absence of plaques in the epicardial vessels. Objective: This review article aimed to study diabetes mellitus in order to reduce the high morbidity and mortality due to cardiovascular disease in diabetic patients. Methods: These databases were searched for articles published in English in 3 data bases [PubMed - Google scholarscience direct] and Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) had been used such as diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease or coronary artery disease and in peer-reviewed articles between July 1998 and April 2021. A 23-year date range was selected without language limitations, and filtered in selected data basis for the last 23 years. Documents in a language apart from English have been excluded as sources for interpretation. Papers apart from main scientific studies had been excluded (documents unavailable as total written text, conversation, conference abstract papers and dissertations). Conclusion: Diabetes mellitus, a simultaneously endocrine and metabolic disease, is an especially aggressive process leading to vascular lesions. In order to reduce the high morbidity and mortality due to cardiovascular disease in diabetic patients the goals of prevention must be maximal on non-diabetic persons who already have ischemic heart disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data security is a set of means, actions and measures that we can take to protect our information, whether internal or external, in order not to allow it to be hacked or to not allow unauthorized people to access this information. Image encryption is one of the well-known mechanisms for maintaining the security and confidentiality of information. This medium is vulnerable to attacks, and thus effective encryption algorithms are essential to protect and transmit data securely. Encryption is one of the widely used types of protection to secure information, and the use of keys is a common process used to secure information. The strength and effectiveness of encryption depends on two main factors: (the algorithm, the length of the key in bits), the higher the bit, the more secure and difficult to decrypt. Image encryption is one of the most widely used methods to protect and secure data, to make the encrypted image impenetrable for cryptanalysis. In this paper, a new system and method is proposed to achieve data security using modern block cipher, symmetric key (International Data Encryption Algorithm (IDEA)), image processing techniques and classification algorithm. The implementation procedure is divided into two steps (key generation based on image processing techniques and classification algorithm, encryption and decoding), with metrics the objectivity is implemented on the images and the scale difference is observed in each of the images specified in each of the images mentioned algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interest in the flow and flexibility of spaces is one of the means that contribute to the ability of space to absorb emergency and future changes, and in a way that contributes to the survival of renewable spaces, just as attention to the axes of movement and its flow between different functional spaces creates a kind of communication and dynamism among the users of those spaces, so the research dealt with The foggy cognitive perception of the fluidity of spaces and their social interactions in an effective part of the city, which is the university environment, and therefore the research aimed at the importance of achieving fluidity of space and movement, and what creates that fluidity and flexibility of university interactive relationships, and then knowing the extent to which the flow of movement and social interaction is achieved in it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• DRFC solar-hydrogen: Off-grid irrigation for arid areas. • Cost-effective: 9% lower than diesel, COE $0.529, NPC $5365. • Zero emissions vs. diesel's 993 kg/year. • Steady fuel cell: Consistent hybrid power, resilient to seasonal shifts. • Global impact: Reclaim deserts, boost food security sustainably. This study focuses on the challenges of desertification and non-arable lands in off-grid remote areas with hot and arid climates. Despite the availability of groundwater, these areas require access to electricity at night to operate the water pumps to spray the crops due to high evaporation rates during the daylight. The absence of grid electricity necessitates the utilize of diesel generators to power irrigation systems, representing a significant contributor to climate change and the depletion of fossil fuel reserves. Addressing nocturnal electrification using sustainable solutions is crucial for reclaiming such areas and eliminating the environmental impacts of diesel generators. The study introduces a novel closed-loop Discrete Regenerative Fuel Cell (DRFC) solar-hydrogen storage irrigation system designed explicitly for nocturnal utilization in water-scarce regions to rectify this concern. The study then assesses its performance compared to a conventional diesel generator system when supplying a one kW water pump for a sample land area of 10 dunams. Using the HOMER Pro simulation tool, the simulation results strongly support the assertion that the PV-hydrogen irrigation system intended in this study exhibits superior techno-economic performance compared to the conventional diesel-irrigation system. A comprehensive analysis of the net present cost (NPC) and cost of energy (COE) between the two systems reveals that the proposed system achieves values of $0.529 and $5365, respectively. In contrast, the diesel system records values of $0.572 and $5796, respectively. These findings indicate a notable 9 % reduction in overall costs associated with implementing the proposed system. Additionally, the fuel cell showed stable performance across varying months which implies a consistent and reliable contribution to the overall electrical power generation within the hybrid system, regardless of seasonal fluctuations in solar power and temperatures. Furthermore, in terms of environmental impact, our findings highlight a significant advantage of the proposed system over the diesel generator. Specifically, the proposed system produces zero carbon emissions, while emissions from the diesel generator were notably higher at 993 kg/year. It is essential to emphasize that the integration of fuel cells into the proposed system holds the potential to offer a clean source of drinking water for farmers and workers in the area. The implications of these findings can help the research community develop and facilitate the reclamation process of agricultural lands worldwide that face similar challenges to the study region. This could lead to subsequent global environmental and economic benefits, such as reducing the spread of desertification, enhancing productivity, improving food security, promoting environmental sustainability, and creating economic opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite gluteus medius (GMED) tendinosis being relatively common, its presence in association with hip osteoarthritis (OA) or total hip arthroplasty (THA) is not well studied. It was hypothesized that more tendon degeneration would be found in patients with OA of the hip and in those that had undergone THA than that in a control group. Methods: One hundred patients were included between 2016 and 2019 and were included into 4 groups; the patients were undergoing revision surgery in two groups and primary THA in the other two groups; 22 patients had previously undergone primary THA through a direct lateral approach (involving sectioning of the GMED tendon), 24 patients had previously undergone primary THA through a posterior approach (leaving the GMED tendon intact), 29 patients had primary hip OA, and 25 patients who suffered a femoral neck fracture served as controls. Biopsies from the GMED tendon were obtained at the time of the primary THA or the hip revision surgery. The tendon biopsies were examined ultrastructurally and histologically. Results: Ultrastructurally, the direct lateral and posterior revision groups had statistically significantly more collagen fibrils with smaller diameters compared with the fracture and primary THA groups. Moreover, the direct lateral revision group had more collagen fibrils with smaller diameters compared with the posterior revision group. Histologically, the direct lateral revision group had a higher total degeneration score (TDS) compared with the primary hip OA group. Conclusions: The GMED tendon shows more ultrastructural degeneration in patients who undergo hip revision arthroplasty than in patients with primary OA of the hip and control patients, who had suffered a femoral neck fracture. Furthermore, patients who had previously undergone primary THA through a direct lateral approach revealed more histological GMED tendon degeneration than patients who suffer primary hip OA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the periarticular degenerative changes of the knee joint in association with osteoarthritis (OA). More tendinosis was expected to be found in the semitendinosus tendon in patients with knee OA than in patients without knee OA. Methods: Samples from 41 patients were included between January 2016 and October 2017. Twenty-one patients median age 53 (33–63) years with mild to moderate OA underwent high tibial osteotomy (HTO) and 20 patients median age 38 (31–57) years without OA underwent anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Biopsies from the semitendinosus tendon were obtained at the time of surgery and examined histologically, morphologically and ultrastructurally using light and electron microscope. Results: The histological evaluation of the semitendinosus tendon revealed the presence of more hemosiderin in the ACLR group. No significant morphological or ultrastructural differences were shown between patients in the HTO and ACLR group. Conclusion: Patients with mild and moderate medial compartment knee OA displayed no more degenerative changes in their semitendinosus tendon than patients without OA, as seen in both the light and the electron microscope. Level of evidence: III. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Missing or erroneous information is a common problem in the analysis of pharmacokinetic (PK) data. This may present as missing or inaccurate dose level or dose time, drug concentrations below the analytical limit of quantification, missing sample times, or missing or incorrect covariate information. Several methods to handle problematic data have been evaluated, although no single, broad set of recommendations for commonly occurring errors has been published. In this tutorial, we review the existing literature and present the results of our simulation studies that evaluated common methods to handle known data errors to bridge the remaining gaps and expand on the existing knowledge. This tutorial is intended for any scientist analyzing a PK data set with missing or apparently erroneous data. The approaches described herein may also be useful for the analysis of nonclinical PK data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An analytical model has been developed to investigate the activation energy profile in Mg-doped p-AlxGa1−xN alloy for the entire range of Al composition. For any Al content, the calculated activation energy quantitatively shows a good agreement with experimental result which has also been confirmed by both Hydrogen atom model and effective Bohr radius model. Through this empirical analysis, a breakthrough is apparent for the hole concentration and sheet resistivity with particular Al concentration. It is found that the hole concentration is < 1017 cm−3 while the Al content, x > 30% in p-AlxGa1-xN. Moreover, the sheet resistivity is found to be < 1 Ω-cm up to the Al content of 30%. Finally, the temperature-induced changing behavior of hole concentration and sheet resistivity have been explored here. These results could be a good insight for fabricating the AlGaN-based real-world devices for future optoelectronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the study of the health of the fish species in the vicinity of Jubail City, Saudi Arabia, 3 specimens of Diplodus cervinus omanensis and 3 specimens of Acanthopagrus catenula were collected by fishermen using 30 x 10 m drifting gill nets of 25 mm mesh size and handed over to Ministry of Agriculture officials through their twice a week visits to fish landing areas and fish markets in Jubail. Diplodus cervinus omanensis (Oman porgy) and Acanthopagrus catenula (bridled seabream) represent new records for the Eastern coasts of the Arabian Peninsula and Saudi Arabian waters. Specimens of A. catenula were previously reported from the Iraqi marine waters, therefore, this is the 2nd appearance for this species in this part of the world. This study verifies parts of the diversity of the coastal fish communities of the eastern coasts of the Saudi Arabian waters, but also highlights that a large proportion of this area (the norther Arabian coast) has not been explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tenofovir monoester is a relatively lipophilic intermediate formed during the hydrolysis of tenofovir disoproxil to tenofovir. Its clinical pharmacokinetic profile and influence on the cellular pharmacology of tenofovir diphosphate have not been reported.Methods: Plasma, PBMC and dried blood spots (DBS) were obtained from HIV-uninfected adults participating in a randomized, cross-over bioequivalence study of single-dose tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF)/emtricitabine unencapsulated or encapsulated with a Proteus® ingestible sensor. Plasma pharmacokinetics of tenofovir monoester and tenofovir were characterized using non-compartmental methods. Relationships with tenofovir diphosphate in DBS and PBMC were examined using mixed-effects models.Results: Samples were available from 24 participants (13 female; 19 white, 3 black, 2 Hispanic). Tenofovir monoester appeared rapidly with a median (range) Tmax of 0.5 h (0.25-2) followed by a rapid monophasic decline with a geometric mean (coefficient of variation) t½ of 26 min (31.0%). Tenofovir monoester Cmax was 131.6 ng/mL (69.8%) and AUC0-4 was 93.3 ng·h/mL (47.9%). The corresponding values for plasma tenofovir were 222.2 ng/mL (37.1%) and 448.1 ng·h/mL (30.0%). Tenofovir monoester AUC0-∞ (but not tenofovir AUC0-∞) was a significant predictor of tenofovir diphosphate in both PBMC (P = 0.015) and DBS (P = 0.005), increasing by 3.8% (95% CI 0.8%-6.8%) and 4.3% (95% CI 1.5%-7.2%), respectively, for every 10 ng·h/mL increase in tenofovir monoester.Conclusions: Tenofovir monoester Cmax and AUC0-4 were 59.2% and 20.6% of corresponding plasma tenofovir concentrations. Tenofovir monoester was significantly associated with intracellular tenofovir diphosphate concentrations in PBMC and DBS, whereas tenofovir concentrations were not. Tenofovir monoester likely facilitates cell loading, thereby increasing tenofovir diphosphate exposures in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article addresses the ecological, socio-economic and political constraints facing pastoralists' water access rights in Blue Nile State, south-eastern Sudan, over the last five decades. It examines the main constraints on pastoralists' access to water and looks at such issues as climate change, increasing human population, the expansion of agriculture, the expansion of Dinder National Park, civil war and the new international border created after the secession of South Sudan in 2011. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A 2DOF fractional order control of a nonlinear and unstable system is investigated in this paper. • Analytical model based method is developed to design the parameters of the fractional order PD controller. • The fractional order controllers of the inner and outer loops are tuned to have a constant phase margin of the open-loop. • Based on experiment on a real ball and beam system, performance of the proposed controller is highlighted. Control engineers and researchers face challenges to design an efficient controller for Ball and beam system due to its nonlinear and unstable properties. This paper investigates two Degrees of Freedom fractional order control of the ball and beam system. It involves the model based method to design controllers' parameters for the corresponding linear model. The fractional order controllers are specially tuned to have a constant phase margin of the open-loop. This characteristic ensures the robustness of the controllers to the variations of system gain. This paper presents a proper evaluation and comparison between integer and fractional order controllers. Performance of each controller is evaluated in terms of set-point tracking, disturbance rejection, and robustness. The comparison between two controllers is validated through both simulation and experimental results. Strengths and weaknesses in the real-time control are also indicated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Tendon disorders are a major problem in the general population. It is known that rotator cuff tendinopathy contributes to osteoarthritis (OA) of the shoulder. The aim of the study was to analyse the presence of tendinopathy in patients with shoulder OA and an intact rotator cuff, using a multimodal approach.Methods: Thirteen consecutive patients median age 67 (52-84) years, with OA of the shoulder, and 13 consecutive control patients, with a fracture of the proximal humerus, median age 70 (51-84) years, underwent an open biopsy procedure from the biceps and subscapularis tendon in conjunction with shoulder arthroplasty. In addition to a macroscopic evaluation, the samples underwent histologic, morphologic and ultrastructural analyses in light and transmission electron microscopy.Results: Macroscopic degeneration was found in 15 of 26 specimen in the OA group but in seven of 25 in the control group (p = 0.048). The histologic analysis revealed a non-significant difference for the total degeneration score (TDS) between the study groups. The morphologic evaluation of the samples revealed that the OA group had significantly more samples with non-homogeneous extracellular matrix (ECM), (p = 0.048). Ultrastructurally, the OA group revealed a significantly larger fibril diameter in the biceps tendon (p < 0.0001) but not in the subscapularis tendon compared with the control group.Conclusion: A significantly worse macroscopic appearance and significantly more morphologically inhomogeneous ECM, indicating more tendon degeneration, were found in the OA group compared with the control group. This indicates that it could be beneficial to treat the tendinosis in an early stage to decrease symptoms from the OA.Study Design: Level of evidence, III. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The ability to predict and detect clinical and subclinical nephrotoxicity early in the course of therapy has the potential to improve long-term outcomes in cancer patients receiving cisplatin chemotherapy. Pharmacokinetic parameters could serve as predictors of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity.Methods: Participants [n = 13] were treated with a 1-h cisplatin infusion [30-75 mg/m2]. Blood was collected pre-dose and up to 6 h post-dose. Urinary biomarkers [KIM-1, calbindin, clusterin, GST-pi, β2M, albumin, NGAL, osteopontin, clusterin, MCP-1, cystatin C, and TFF3] were measured at baseline, days 3 and 10. Total and unbound platinum concentrations were measured using ICP/MS. Noncompartmental analysis was performed, and correlation and regression analyses evaluated the relationships between platinum pharmacokinetics and nephrotoxicity.Results: Peak platinum urinary concentrations correlated with urinary levels of KIM-1, calbindin, clusterin, GST-pi, β2M, albumin, NGAL, osteopontin, clusterin, cystatin C, and TFF3 at day 10. Unbound platinum plasma concentrations at 2 h also correlated with urinary clusterin, β2M, cystatin C, NGAL, osteopontin, and TFF3 at day 3. Regression analyses suggested 2-h total plasma platinum concentrations greater than 2000 ng/ml, and peak urinary platinum concentrations above 24,000 ng/ml may serve as potential approximations for elevated risk of nephrotoxicity. Platinum area under the plasma concentration time curve was associated with serum creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate.Conclusions: Peak plasma and urinary platinum concentrations and pharmacokinetic parameters were associated with risk of subclinical cisplatin-induced kidney injury as assessed using novel urinary biomarkers. Future studies will examine these relationships in larger clinical populations of cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the design approach of Generalized Dynamic Inversion (GDI) for angular position control of SRV02 rotary servo base system. In GDI, linear first order constraint differential equations are formulated based on the deviation function of angular position and its rate, and its inverse is calculated using Moore-Penrose Generalized Inverse to realize the control law. The singularity problem related to generalized inversion is solved by the inclusion of dynamic scaling factor that will guarantee the boundedness of the elements of the inverted matrix and stable tracking performance. Numerical simulations and real-time experiment are performed to evaluate the tracking performance and robustness capabilities of the proposed control law considering nominal and perturbed model dynamics. For comparative analysis, the results of GDI is compared with conventional PID control. Simulation and experimental results demonstrate better angular position tracking for the square-wave and sinusoidal waveforms, which reveals the superiority, and agility of GDI control over conventional PID. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spinal deformities such as scoliosis (lateral curvature), lordosis (ventral curvature), kyphosis (dorsal curvature) and ankylosis (fusion of vertebrae) have been described in many species both cultured and from the wild population. Specimens of Epinephelus tauvina, Siganus canaliculatus, Argyrops spinifer, Scomberomorus guttatus and Lethrinus nebulosus were used in this study. Four out of five deformed specimens showed abnormalities in the caudal region of the vertebral column. The specimen of E. tauvina showed the most acute deformity among the cases studied. All cases were not fatal as they occurred in adult individuals. The paper discusses the possible causes for such deformities as well as the suitability of this kind of study for environmental monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

These case studies endeavor to report incidences of caudal fin deformities in several commercial fishes living in natural populations in the Saudi Arabian coastal waters of the Arabian Gulf. Two groups of anomalies were observed, slight and severe. The carangid species, Parastromateus niger (Bloch) and the soleid species, Euryglossa orientalis (Bloch & Schneider), had slight cases of caudal fin abnormalities, while the species Oreochrromis mossambicus (Peters), Epinephelus stoliczkae (Day), Diagramma pictum (Thunberg), Cephalopholis hemistiktos (Rüppell), Lethrinus nebulosus (Forssk l), and Lutjanus sanguineus (Cuvier) had severe deformities. The abnormalities were assessed by morphological diagnosis. None of the cases was fatal as they occurred in adult individuals. The possible causes for these deformities as well as the suitability of this kind of case study for environmental monitoring are discussed. Further studies should be conducted from the perspective of pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ti–Ta and Ti–Ta–xSn shape memory alloys (SMAs) were produced successfully by microwave sintering. Tin element was added to Ti–Ta SMA with three different atomic percentages (0.37, 0.745 and 2.26 at.%). The influences of Sn addition on microstructure, transformation temperatures, mechanical properties, shape memory behaviours, corrosion resistance and bioactivity were investigated. It was found that the morphologies of the modified and unmodified Ti–Ta alloys contain a plate-like and needle-like structure, where the former structure is related to the β phase and the latter related to the α phase. The transformation temperatures of Ms to Mf with and without Sn additions were observed to be in the range of 389.65 to 355 K, while the transformation temperatures of As to Af were found to be in the range of 250.42 to 365.8 K. By increasing the proportion of Sn, the compressive fracture strength and shape memory behaviour were enhanced; however, the corrosion resistance tended to be decreased. Based on the bioactivity results, antibacterial activity was improved with the addition of Sn. In conclusion, the existent results indicate that Ti–30 at.% Ta SMAs may be a convenient alternative to Ni–Ti for certain biomedical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A hybrid system combining the energy and attitude control task uses flywheels to store energy and control the attitude of small satellites. Various journal papers containing previous works have recognized this combined architecture. However, due to the uncertainties of on-board performances, it is a challenge in terms of attitude pointing accuracy. Therefore, this paper focuses a full state-feedback control solution to increase the satellite attitude performances. Mathematical model and numerical treatments for full state-feedback control of combined energy and attitude regulating scheme for a small satellite are presented. Simulation results show that an enhanced pitch pointing accuracy can be achieved up to 0.0010 for the proposed control approach. The paper contains an over view of a flywheel architecture along with state space representation of the scheme. A brief description of conventional control scheme is also presented with sample simulated results for comparison. Design of a full state-feedback controller and analysis of simulated results are also presented to show the achieved attitude performances specifically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highly aligned titania (TiO 2 ) nanotube (NT) arrays have been grown on titanium sheet by using a self organized anodic oxidation method at different potentials (34–74 V) in a NH 4 F and ethylene glycol based electrolyte. Two sets of TiO 2 NT arrays have been fabricated with and without using cooling systems. Without cooling system, the solution temperature is increased from 25 °C (room temperature) to 63 °C with increase of anodization potential from 34 to 74 V. The temperature has been maintained to 25 °C by using water based cooling system. In both sets of samples, the pore diameter of TiO 2 NT arrays increases with increase of anodization potential. The maximum pore diameter has been (outer: 224 nm, inner: 172 nm) achieved with TiO 2 NT arrays (at 74 V) without using cooling system. The photocatalytic activity of the TiO 2 NT arrays is evaluated by the decomposition of methanol by the use of Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer. The TiO 2 NT (at 44 V) sample has been fabricated without using cooling system, which shows the higher photocatalytic activity than the sample at other potentials. Using cooling system, the TiO 2 NT (at 54 V) sample shows the higher photo-decomposing property than the sample at other potentials. The TiO 2 NT (at 54 V) sample with cooling system shows the higher rate (photocatalytic activity) constant ( k = 0.0216) than the TiO 2 NT (at 44 V) sample without using cooling system ( k = 0.0186). The photocatalytic activity has been correlated with the nanostructural variation of TiO 2 NT arrays at different potentials without (self-grown solution temperature) and with water based cooling systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work was carried out to investigate the comparative effects of phosphorus and boron doing in vapor–liquid–solid (VLS) growth. Doped Si microneedles were grown by VLS mechanism at the temperature of 700 °C or less using Au as the catalyst. VLS growth using in-situ doping with the mixed gas of Si 2 H 6 and PH 3 produced phosphorus doped n-Si microneedles at Au dot sites, whereas, the mixed gas of Si 2 H 6 and B 2 H 6 produced boron doped p-Si microneedles. The variation of growth rate, diameter, resistivity, impurity concentration and carrier (electron, hole) mobility of these n-Si and p-Si microneeedles were investigated and compared with the variation of dopant gas (PH 3 or B 2 H 6 ) flow, with a fixed flow of Si gas (Si 2 H 6 ). This comparative study shall be helpful while fabricating devices by growing n-Si and p-Si microneedles one above another by multistep (2-step or 3-step) VLS growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, an attempt has been made for tailoring the surface features of an 18 vol% porosity containing Ti 23Nb alloy manufactured via powder metallurgy method. The aim was enhancing the wear resistance without sacrificing the mechanical properties. For this purpose, porous Ti 23Nb alloys having hardness of 280 HV 0.025 were subjected to thermal oxidation (TO) at 600 °C in air for two different holding times. TO duration of 6 h, which introduced a ~ 0.5 μm thick TiO 2 -rutile type exterior oxide layer (OL), provided surface hardness of 620 HV 0.025. Extension of TO duration to 60 h caused covering of the surfaces with a ~ 3.0 μm thick OL and increase of surface hardness to 980 HV 0.025. As the result of the increased surface hardness, TO'ed. alloys showed superior sliding wear resistance coupled with a reduction in friction coefficient (COF) against alumina ball in 1.5× simulated body fluid (SBF) when compared to the as-sintered state. Despite having the highest surface hardness, the alloy TO'ed. for 60 h exhibited slightly higher wear loss and COF than the alloy TO'ed. for 6 h. More important than this, the alloy TO'ed. for 60 h collapsed at a compressive stress well below the yield strength of the alloy TO'ed. for 6 h, which exhibited almost similar compressive stress-strain curve with that of the as-sintered alloy. From this perspective 6 h appeared as a promising TO duration for the examined porous alloy to be used in biomedical applications as it preserves the mechanical properties while providing remarkable enhancement in the wear resistance. [Display omitted] • Surface hardness of 18 vol% porosity containing Ti 23Nb increased upon TO • Wear resistance is remarkably increased after TO at 600 °C in air for 6 and 60 h • TO duration of 60 h dramatically reduced the compressive strength • TO of 6 h provided the lowest wear rate and COF without sacrificing strength [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The measurement of impact force by use of a piezoelectric force transducer or similar device is complicated by: (i) the transducer is mechanically resonant, and the output signal is therefore not necessarily a direct measure of the input force, particularly if the contact time is near to the period of resonance; and (ii) the transducer’s mechanical characteristics, such as mass and stiffness, mean that the transducer itself affects the impact characteristics and force profile. This paper describes an attempt to measure impact force profiles without the use of a separate force transducer. However it has been found that the technique is not suitable due to poor repeatability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 3-dimensional advanced guidance scheme is necessary to perform a successful precise lunar landing mission. This paper outlines a 3-dimensional comparison of different methods of solution of motion control equations for guidance scheme of lunar descent. It also proposes a 3-dimensional advanced solution that allows a full depiction for a descent vehicle motion from orbital states down to the final landing event. In the conventional 2-dimensional methods of solution, some inadequate assumptions exist that limit the validity of the solutions. The proposed research solves those problems and eventually allows a complete representation of the descent module motion for successful pinpoint lunar landing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A new series of 1H- and 2H-pyrazole derivatives (35 final compounds) has been designed and synthesized in this study. A selected group (13 compounds) was then tested over a panel of 60 cancer cell lines at a single dose concentration of 10μM. At this concentration, six compounds have showed moderate to strong mean inhibitions, and were further tested at five-dose testing mode to determine their IC50 over the 60 cell lines. The IC50 values of the tested compounds indicated high potency (as for compound 10f) as well as high efficacy (as for compound 11e). Accordingly, compound 10f was then tested at a single dose concentration of 10μM over a panel of 54 kinases to determine its kinase inhibitory profile. The compound has showed good selectivity towards FLT3 kinase, associated with a moderate potency, with an IC50 value of 1.74μM. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A new series of N-substituted-2-aminopyrimidines based on the ‘4-(pyridin-3-yl)pyrimidin-2-amine’ scaffold of Imatinib has been designed and synthesized. A selected group from the target compounds was tested over a panel of 60 cancer cell lines at a single dose concentration of 10μM, and the two most active compounds, 25b and 30, were further tested in a five-dose testing mode to determine their IC50 values over the 60 cell lines. Compound 30 has showed good potencies and high efficacies, and was accordingly tested at a single dose concentration of 10μM over a panel of 54 kinases. At this concentration, the compound has showed multiple inhibitions over a number of oncogenic kinases, including ABL1, AKT1, LCK, C-SRC, PIM1, FLT3, FYN, and KDR. A molecular modeling study was made by docking of the most active compound 30 and its inactive analog 29 into the kinase domain of ABL1 to investigate their possible binding interactions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

For accurate bio-sample identification, we present a unique optimized surface plasmon resonance sensor based on an X-shaped exposed-core photonic crystal fiber. Applications are made easier by the placement of the target analyte and plasmonic material on the fiber's exterior surface. The sensor has four separate silica channels that reach from the core to the metallic outer surface creating X-shape. These channels were intentionally placed to provide the highest sensitivity while maintaining the sensor's ability to be manufactured. Within a refractive index range of 1.33 to 1.40, our optimized sensor demonstrates improved detecting abilities, including a wavelength sensitivity of 8000 nm/RIU and amplitude sensitivity of - 1175.12 R I U - 1 . The suggested sensor also exhibits exceptional performance parameters, such as a resolution of 1.25 × 10 - 5 , a maximum signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 2.041 dB, a figure of merit (FOM) of 160.0 R I U - 1 , a detection accuracy (DA) of 0.02 nm−1, and minimum full width half maxima (FWHM) of 50 nm. When examining variations in the optical properties of the PCF due to different RIs of normal and cancer cells using finite element analysis, we achieve amplitude sensitivities of - 844.91, - 418 and - 1221.8 R I U - 1 for HeLa, Basal and MDA-MB-231 cell lines, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using electronic coordinated control of governor and blade in the wind integrated hybrid power system, this study evaluated four proposed techniques for minimizing output fluctuations owing to high wind power penetration. Four cases were investigated for simulation analysis in this study. The power system frequency and energy generation were used as indexes to evaluate the best-proposed techniques. The control of all wind turbine blade angles was demonstrated using a constant and variable reference power generating technique. In terms of wind farm output power characteristics, grid frequency fluctuations, and wind farm energy levels, case 2 performed better than other suggested systems (cases 1, 3, and 4). Frequency deviations were kept to a minimum of ±0.2 Hz. The performance of the power system with higher wind power penetration was investigated using a numerical analysis employing a multi-machine power system model. The real wind speed data were recorded on Hokkaido Island, Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The efficacy of the RapidChek Select, an alternative rapid method based on lateral flow technology, for the screening of Salmonella in meat and meat products, was compared with the current ISO reference culture-based method. Of the 265 routine samples examined, 61 were found to be positive for Salmonella by both methods. The percentage of agreement between the results of two methods was determined as 98%. All presumptive positive results obtained by the RapidCheck Select were confirmed to be positive by ISO method. For five samples ISO method gave positive result, while RapidChek Select gave negative result. The limit of detection (LOD50) of RapidChek Select and ISO methods for minced beef meat samples were 1.00cfu/25g and 0.63cfu/25g, respectively. For sausage samples, LOD50 of both methods were 2.00cfu/25g. As a result, the high agreement between two methods and the comparable detection limits of two methods showed that the RapidChek Select is an efficient alternative method for the screening of Salmonella in meat and meat products. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Recently, there is a significant rise in the numbers of devices and systems that use industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) frequency bands. The ISM band is not only used in ISM applications but also in telecommunication services including IMT, Zigbee, Bluetooth, WiFi, WiMAX, WLAN, RFID, military radars, and wireless sensor networks. To cover all these applications, in this paper, a low‐profile planar monopole antenna is suggested for 2.45‐GHz band communication applications. The anticipated antenna is composed of a vertical bar‐shaped radiator and a partial ground plane with two vertical slits. The inclusion of vertical slits in the ground plane forms a matching circuit by enlarging the current path, and hence, the studied design can achieve a measured operating band of 2.2 to 2.95 GHz. Moreover, the studied antenna achieved a maximum peak gain of 2.77 dBi and a maximum radiation efficiency of 82.45% and exhibited an omnidirectional radiation pattern that makes it appropriate for ISM and different narrowband wireless applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unfortunately, the given name and the family name of the authors were incorrectly identified in the original article. The author names are corrected here by this correction paper. The original article has been corrected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tenofovir alafenamide (TAF), in combination with FTC, was recently approved for PrEP in the United States. The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between tenofovir-diphosphate (TFV-DP) and emtricitabine-triphosphate (FTC-TP) in dried blood spots (DBS) with adherence to TAF/FTC. Methods: TAF-DBS was a randomized, crossover clinical study of TFV-DP in DBS, following directly observed dosing of 33%, 67%, or 100% of daily TAF (25 mg)/FTC (200 mg). Healthy volunteers were randomized to 2 different, 12-week dosing regimens, separated by a 12-week washout. DBS were collected weekly. TFV-DP and FTC-TP were extracted from two 7-mm punches and assayed with LC-MS/MS. Results: Thirty-seven participants (17 female, 7 African American, and 6 Hispanic) were included. TFV-DP exhibited a mean half-life of 20.8 days (95% confidence interval: 19.3 to 21.3). The slope for TFV-DP versus dosing arm was 1.14 (90% confidence interval: 1.07 to 1.21). The mean (SD) TFV-DP after 12 weeks was 657 (186), 1451 (501), and 2381 (601) fmol/2 7-mm punches for the 33%, 67%, and 100% arms. The following adherence interpretations are proposed: >450 fmol/punches, >2 doses/wk; 450-949 fmol/punches, 2-3 doses/wk; 950-1799 fmol/punches, 4-6 doses/wk; and ≥1800 fmol/punches, 7 doses/wk. FTC-TP was quantifiable for 1 week after drug cessation in 50%, 92%, and 100% of participants in the 33%, 67%, and 100% arms, respectively. Conclusion: TFV-DP in DBS after TAF/FTC exhibited a long half-life and was linearly associated with dosing, similar to its predecessor tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. FTC-TP was quantifiable for up to 1 week after drug cessation. Together, these moieties provide complementary measures of cumulative adherence and recent dosing for TAF/FTC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cathepsin C gene (CTSC) (MIM#602365) is a lysosomal cysteine proteinase coding gene which encodes for CTSC protein that plays a major role in the activation of granule serine proteases, particularly leukocyte elastase and granzymes A and B. This activity was proposed to play a role in epithelial differentiation and desquamation. Mutations that cause Disruption in the CTSC expression or function will result in loss of immunological response such as defects of phagocytic function and deregulation of localized polymorphonuclears response with subsequent clinical manifestation. Aim: The aim of this study is to detect the mutation in CTSC gene expected to be the cause of Papillon Lefèvre syndrome (PLS) in an Egyptian patient clinically diagnosed as PLS and to characterize the clinical features. Patient and methods: A 5 year and 3 month old girl from the outpatient's Oro-Dental Genetics clinic - National Research Center presented with the typical clinical findings of Papillon Lefevre syndrome. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples of the patient, her parents and 20 healthy Egyptian controls using standard procedures. All exons of the CTSC gene were amplified by PCR. Sequence analysis of the patient, her parents and controls was performed for mutation detection. Results: Mutation analysis of the CTSC gene in our patient revealed a novel homozygous nonsense mutation in exon 5 (W237X). Her parents revealed the presence of the same mutation in a heterozygous state. The 20 controls showed only the wild type sequence of all exons (no mutation). Conclusion: This study reported a novel nonsense mutation in the CTSC gene in an Egyptian patient. This novel nonsense mutation is predicted to produce truncated dipeptidyl-peptidase1 causing PLS phenotype in this patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) causes Johne's disease in animals with zoonotic potential; it has been linked to many chronic diseases in humans, especially gastrointestinal diseases (GID). MAP has been extensively studied in Europe and America, but little reports were published from Africa. Sudan is a unique country with close contact between humans and livestock. Despite such interaction, the one health concept is neglected in dealing with cases of humans with GID. In this study, patients admitted to the reference GID hospital in the Sudan over a period of 8 months were screened for presence of MAP in their faeces or colonic biopsies. A total of 86 patients were recruited for this study, but only 67 were screened for MAP, as 19 did not provide the necessary samples for analysis. Both real-time PCR and culture were used to detect MAP in the collected samples and the microbial diversity in patients´ faecal samples was investigated using 16S rDNA nanopore sequencing. In total, 27 (40.3%) patients were MAP positive: they were 15 males and 12 females, of ages between 21 and 80 years. Logistic regression analysis revealed no statistical significance for all tested variables in MAP positive patients (occupation, gender, contact with animal, milk consumption, chronic disease, etc.). A unique microbiome profile of MAP-positive patients in comparison to MAP-negative was found. These findings suggest that a considerable proportion of the population could be MAP infected or carriers. Therefore, increase awareness at community level is urgently needed to decrease the risk of MAP at human/animal interface. This study represents the first report of MAP in humans in the Sudan; nevertheless, a better view of the situation of MAP in humans in the country requires a larger study including patients with other conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Estimation of drill cuttings particle sizes provides near real-time information that can be utilized in drilling operations. The analysis and interpretations of these rock samples is largely manual. Results are qualitative and can be inconsistent. We propose a practical automated method for estimating drill cuttings particle sizes using digital images. The proposed method is robust and combines several well-known and time-tested techniques like: K-means clustering, numerically stable ellipse fitting, and standard morphological operations. Images are first preprocessed and clustered based on color values. The resultant grain mask is enhanced using binary morphological operations. Measurements are then extracted from the mask based on the major and minor axis fitted to the particles. The developed method is tested on drill cuttings digital images from four wells with varying lithologies and particle sizes. Sensitivity analysis on imperfect images shows the robustness of the methodology. The automated results validated against manual measurements show a difference of less than ten percent. Performance of the algorithm is in the order of seconds, which allows for its use in near real-time applications. • A method for automated drill cuttings size estimation is developed. • The automated results validated against manual measurements show a difference of less than ten percent. • The proposed method runtime is in the order of seconds per image, allowing near real-time applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Intracellular tenofovir diphosphate (TFV-DP) concentration in dried blood spots (DBSs) is used to monitor cumulative pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) adherence. We evaluated TFV-DP in DBSs following daily oral PrEP (emtricitabine 200 mg/tenofovir diphosphate 300 mg) among pregnant and postpartum adolescent girls and young women (AGYW). Methods. Directly observed PrEP was administered for 12 weeks in a pregnancy (14–24 weeks’ gestation, n = 20) and postpartum (6–12 weeks postpartum, n = 20) group of AGYW aged 16–24 years in sub-Saharan Africa. Weekly DBS TFV-DP was measured by validated liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry assay. Week 12 TFV-DP distributions were compared between groups with Wilcoxon test. Population pharmacokinetic models were fit to estimate steady-state concentrations and create benchmarks for adherence categories. Baseline correlates of TFV-DP were evaluated. Results. Median age was 20 (IQR, 19–22) years. Of 3360 doses, 3352 (>99%) were directly observed. TFV-DP median (IQR) half-life was 10 (7–12) days in pregnancy and 17 (14–21) days postpartum, with steady state achieved by 5 and 8 weeks, respectively. Observed median (IQR) steady-state TFV-DP was 965 fmol/punch (691–1166) in pregnancy versus 1406 fmol/punch (1053–1859) postpartum (P = .006). Modeled median steady-state TFV-DP was 881 fmol/punch (667–1105) in pregnancy versus 1438 fmol/punch (1178–1919) postpartum. In pooled analysis, baseline creatinine clearance was associated with observed TFV-DP concentrations. Conclusions. TFV-DP in African AGYW was approximately one-third lower in pregnancy than postpartum. These Populationspecific benchmarks can be used to guide PrEP adherence support in pregnant/postpartum African women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ledipasvir/sofosbuvir increases tenofovir plasma exposures by up to 98% with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), and exposures are highest with boosted PIs. There are currently no data on the combined use of the newer tenofovir prodrug, tenofovir alafenamide (TAF), boosted PIs and ledipasvir/sofosbuvir.Objectives: To compare the plasma and intracellular pharmacokinetics and renal safety of TAF with ledipasvir/sofosbuvir when co-administered with boosted PIs.Methods: Persons with HIV between 18 and 70 years and on a boosted PI with TDF were eligible. The study was comprised of four phases: (1) TDF 300 mg with boosted PI; (2) TAF 25 mg with boosted PI; (3) TAF 25 mg with boosted PI and ledipasvir/sofosbuvir; and (4) TAF 25 mg with boosted PI. Pharmacokinetic sampling, urine biomarker collection [urine protein (UPCR), retinol binding protein (RBP) and β2 microglobulin (β2M) normalized to creatinine] and safety assessments occurred at the end of each phase. Plasma, PBMCs and dried blood spots were collected at each visit.Results: Ten participants were enrolled. Plasma tenofovir exposures were 76% lower and tenofovir-diphosphate (TFV-DP) concentrations in PBMCs increased 9.9-fold following the switch to TAF. Neither of these measures significantly increased with ledipasvir/sofosbuvir co-administration, nor did TAF plasma concentrations. No significant changes in estimated glomerular filtration rate or UPCR occurred, but RBP:creatinine and β2M:creatinine improved following the switch to TAF.Conclusions: Ledipasvir/sofosbuvir did not significantly increase plasma tenofovir or intracellular TFV-DP in PBMCs with TAF. These findings provide reassurance that the combination of TAF, boosted PIs and ledipasvir/sofosbuvir is safe in HIV/HCV-coinfected populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is ubiquitous among humans and one of the best-studied examples of an intimate association between bacteria and humans. Phylogeny and Phylogeography of H. pylori strains are known to mirror human migration patterns and reflect significant demographic events in human prehistory. In this study, we analyzed the molecular evolution of H. pylori strains detected from different tribes and regions of Sudan using 16S rRNA gene and the phylogenetic approach. Materials and methods. A total of 75 gastric biopsies were taken from patients who had been referred for endoscopy from different regions of Sudan. The DNA extraction was performed by using the guanidine chloride method. Two sets of primers (universal and specific for H. pylori) were used to amplify the 16S ribosomal gene. Sanger sequencing was applied, and the resulted sequences were matched with the sequences of the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) nucleotide database. The evolutionary aspects were analyzed using MEGA7 software. Results. Molecular detection of H. pylori has shown that 28 (37.33%) of the patients were positive for H. pylori and no significant differences were found in sociodemographic characteristics, endoscopy series, and H. pylori infection. Nucleotide variations were observed at five nucleotide positions (positions 219, 305, 578, 741, and 763–764), and one insertion mutation (750_InsC_751) was present in sixty-seven percent (7/12) of our strains. These six mutations were detected in regions of the 16S rRNA not closely associated with either tetracycline or tRNA binding sites; 66.67% of them were located in the central domain of 16S rRNA. The phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA sequences identified two lineages of H. pylori strains detected from different regions in Sudan. The presence of Sudanese H. pylori strains resembling Hungarian H. pylori strains could reflect the migration of Hungarian people to Sudan or vice versa. Conclusion. This finding emphasizes the significance of studying the phylogeny of H. pylori strains as a discriminatory tool to mirror human migration patterns. In addition, the 16S rRNA gene amplification method was found useful for bacterial identification and phylogeny. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extensive research on the effect of spark-plasma sintering and free forging on the microstructure, transformation temperature, and superelasticity of Ti-23 at% Nb shape-memory alloys (SMAs) was undertaken. Based on the obtained results, it was found that the specimen showed significant results after deformation than the homogenization step, from which it can be concluded that the deformation has considerable effects on the mechanical properties and shape-memory characteristics of Ti-based SMAs. The microstructure of homogenized and deformed Ti-23 at% Nb SMAs consists of β, α, α′ and ω phases, while the sintered sample shows only β and α phases. Endothermic and exothermic peaks of the austenite ↔ martensite transformation are seen in the homogenized sample, then after being deformed, the exothermic peak disappeared. The highest austenite start and finish temperatures were observed with the deformed sample due to disappearance of TiNb 4 intermetallic compounds and a high percentage of β phase. The ductility of the deformed sample shows the highest value compared with the homogenized sample due the elimination of coarse α precipitates and brittle intermetallic compounds of TiNb 4 , along with the suppression of the brittle ω phase and retaining β matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The study was to determine the Sudanese pharmacy students' opinions and to measure their satisfaction about education instructions and to reveal their impact on the future carrier. Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional study was conducted by using pretested self-administered questionnaire among final year pharmacy students in Sudan. Results: A total of 455 students from both public and private colleges were participated in the study. Combined one-way direct with interactive method was dominant (74.5%) and was preferred by (74.3%). The English was the major instruction language (62.9%), which was preferred by (66.6%) of the participants. More than 3-quarters of the students had chosen the pharmacy as first choice. Students believed that pharmacy provides good future career. There was a significant association between the students' satisfaction about choosing pharmacy as career and current academic performance (P = 0.004). Conclusion: The obtained results provide an insight into students' opinions on different issues concerning pharmacy education instructions. These data could be utilized as an indicator of the general trends and a guideline for improving pharmacy education in Sudan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: To reach the upper thoracic vertebrae, a number of extensive approaches have been proposed. The purpose of this study is to provide a clear perspective for the selection of surgical approaches in patients who undergo vertebral body resection, reconstruction, and stabilization for upper thoracic and cervicothoracic junction instabilities. Methods: Seventeen patients with upper thoracic or cervicothoracic junction (C7-T6) instability underwent surgery between January 1999 and May 2004. All patients presented with pain and/or neurological deficits. The causes of instabilities were 10 traumas and 7 pathological fractures. The approach chosen was primarily dictated by 3 factors including (1) type of injury, (2) level of lesion, and (3) time of admission. Ventral surgical approach was performed to all pathological and traumatic fractures causing anterior spinal cord compression. Level of lesion determined the selection of the type of ventral surgical approach, namely, supramanubrial, transmanubrial, or lateral transthoracic. On the other hand, combined (anterior and posterior) approach was performed to all late admitted trauma patients. Results: Twelve anterior, 2 combined (anterior and posterior), and 3 posterior approaches were performed in this study. Anterior approaches included 3 transmanubrial, 5 upper lateral transthoracic, and 4 supramanubrial cervical dissection procedures for decompression, fusion, and plate-screw fixation depending on the levels of the lesion. The mean follow-up period was 18 months, ranging from 10 to 58 months. Nonunion or instrument-related complications were not observed. The postoperative neurological conditions were statistically significantly better than the preoperative ones (P = .003). Conclusion: Consideration of the type of injury, level of lesion, and time of admission can provide a perspective for the selection of side of surgical approach for this transitional part of the spinal column. This study also suggests that supramanubrial cervical approach achieves sufficient exposure up to T2, transmanubrial approach for T3, and lateral transthoracic approach below T3. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this article, a Quasi D-Shape dual core Photonic Crystal Fiber Surface Plasmon Resonance sensor is offered and numerically analyzed. The offered model is established comprising of circular air holes having an external sensing polishing layer coated with gold (Au) in order to ensure simple and straightforward design. The performance parameters are examined by means of modal analysis incorporated finite element method utilizing COMSOL multiphysics software. The sensor performance is analyzed with modifying the geometrical parameters like metal (Au) layer and pitch. It is observed; this model shows maximum amplitude sensitivity of 230 RIU−1 and wavelength sensitivity of 15,000 nm-RIU−1 incorporating amplitude interrogation method and wavelength interrogation method, respectively. The Figure of Merit is similarly considered and measured to 45 per RIU inbetween the refractive index ranging 1.42 RIU to 1.46 RIU. As a final point, a comparison has been given among the work explained in this paper with existing works. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]