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Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is a destructive pulmonary disease, which was the most fatal infectious disease in the world for many years before the COVID-19 outbreak. During pandemic, COVID-19 was the main concern in every clinic and there were overlapping respiratory diseases resulting in delaying of the diagnosis and treatment of TB. Xpert MTB/RIF assay and Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) stain are the most commonly used point-of-care test (POCT) assays for TB that were endorsed by WHO allowing a quick treatment turnaround time of a few minutes or hours, hence avoiding patient loss to follow-up. The aim of the study was to evaluate the role of Xpert MTB/RIF as a POCT for early, rapid, and accurate diagnosis of pulmonary and extrapulmonary TB during the COVID-19 pandemic and its role for exclusion of non-mycobacterial TB infections and to evaluate the proportion of patients with active pulmonary TB among COVID-19 patients and to study the difference of some inflammatory markers between patients with COVID-19, patients with pulmonary TB, and patients infected by both TB and COVID-19. Patients and methods: This study was conducted from February 2018 to December 2021 (including the peak period of COVID-19 on 835 suspected TB patients (629 + 206 suspected COVID-19 patients six of them were proved pulmonary TB). Patients were from Shebin El-Kom Teaching Hospital and Chest hospital, Menoufiya). All 835 (pulmonary and extrapulmonary samples) patients were tested by gene Xpert MTB/RIF including 441 of them tested by ZN only. For detection of sensitivity, specificity positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy we selected 103 samples who were tested by the three methods (gene Xpert MTB/RIF, ZN staining, and culture on LJ media). For studying the difference of some inflammatory markers between patients with COVID-19, patients with pulmonary TB, and patients infected by both TB and COVID-19, 206 patients who were suspected of comorbid TB and COVID-19 during the pandemic were divided into three groups: group I positive for TB and COVID-19 (N = 6), group II positive COVID-19 only (N = 100), and group III were positive pulmonary TB only (N = 50) (NB: 50 patients were excluded due to incomplete data). Blood samples were taken for complete blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, malondialdehyde, interleukin-6, C-reactive protein, D-dimer, ferritin, lactate dehydrogenase, calprotectin, and procalcitonin. Nasal swabs were needed for confirmation of COVID-19 by PCR. Results: Compared with culture as a gold standard, sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV for ZN smear were 77.1, 100, 100, and 53.8%, respectively. As regards the results of XPERT MTB/RIF assay, from the 103 samples examined, 89 (86%) were positive and 14 (14%) were negative. Eight false-positive results were recorded, compared with culture. The sensitivity was 98.8%, specificity was 61.9%, PPV was 91%, and NPV was 92.8%. There was a significant increase within groups in MDA, procalcitonin, ESR, and calprotectin with P value of 0.22, 0.015, 0.000, and 0.009, respectively. Conclusion: Xpert MTB/RIF as POCT for TB diagnosis is more sensitive and specific than traditional methods of diagnosis using ZN to overcome the challenges with weak testing infrastructure especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Serum calprotectin was significantly increased in the COVID-19 group compared with the TB group C-reactive protein, which was significantly increased in the TB group compared with COVID-19 group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A high rate of invasive fungal infection has been demonstrated among critically COVID-19 ill patients admitted to the ICU, with high odds of mortality. Simple and rapid risk stratification methods are mandatory to recognize severe patients. Objectives: The aims was to study the prevalence of invasive fungal infection in Corona virus disease 19 (COVID-19) patients, the effect of some inflammatory markers that lead to the development and progression of invasive fungal infection and to assess the value of PCR in early and rapid detection of invasive fungal infection in immune compromised patients with COVID-19. Methods: This study was conducted at the period from October 2020 to October 2021 on two groups classified as following: Group I: included 120 immunocompromised inpatients (2-80 years), (68 males and 52 females) from ICUs. Group II: included 40 outpatient's COVID-19 (4 - 56 years). All basic laboratory biomarkers at time of admission were recorded. Results: This study showed highly significant increase in neutrophil/lymph, IL6, CRP, D-dimer and malondialdhyde (MDA) in COVID-19 patients in ICU compared with outpatient one with P value = 0.001). No significant difference between them in LDH, ferritin and procalcitonine. The most common isolated organisms (167 isolates) from group I (230 samples from 120 patients) were bacterial spp. (111/167, 66.5%)followed by Candida spp. (30, 17.9%), Aspergillus spp. (11, 6.6%) while mucormycosis was 5 isolates (3%) and associated bacterial infection represented 5.9%of all. Out of 120 patients suspected of complaining of BSI 17 (14.1%) of them proved to be fungemia. The most common isolated yeast was Candida spp. (11/120, 9.1%) followed by Aspergillus spp. (6/120, 5%). While out of 20 patients (group I) suspected of complaining of eye infections, mucormycosis was represented by 5/20 (25%). Fungaemia was detected by PCR and blood culture in 50 high risk ICU patients was 22/50 (44%) and 17/50 (34%) respectively. PCR is more sensitive than blood culture, as blood culture failed to detect 5 cases of fungemia with a significant difference (P-value <0.05). Conclusion: Increase in neutrophil/lymph, IL6,CRP, D-dimer and MDA in COVID-19 ICU patients compared with outpatients may be significant biomarkers used to detect severity of disease in ICU patients and monitor treatment. Also decrease in immunity as results of corticostorides admission, lead to presence of fungaemia in some patients in ICU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genotypic characterization of some bacterial pathogens that were incriminated in disease outbreaks among Haffara seabream "Rhabdosargus haffara" and marbled spinefoot "Siganus rivulatus" was investigated in full through the current study. A total of 250 fish samples (125 of each species) were collected along the Red Sea coasts of Hurghada City, Egypt. Fish samples were inspected for clinical signs, post-mortem changes, and bacteriological examination. The investigated fishes displayed septicemic signs and external skin lesions characteristic for streptococcosis and tenacibaculosis. Enterococcus spp., Streptococcus spp., and Flavobacterium spp. were isolated from moribund fishes using selective media. These isolates were phenotypically and genetically identified and characterized. The identities of bacterial isolates were confirmed as Enterococcus fecalis, Streptococcus iniae, Enterobacter cloacae, and Tenacibaculum maritimum based on sequencing the 16S rRNA gene. Enterococcus fecalis was the most common pathogen isolated from S. rivulatus and R. haffara and accounted for 46.8% and 47.8% of the total isolates, respectively. Accordingly, the present study proved that Enterocoocus spp., Streptococcus spp., and T. maritimum are important pathogenic bacteria incriminated in wild fish outbreaks in the Red Sea in Egypt. These findings proved the importance of regular and permanent bacteriological examination of wild fish to overcome fish mortalities, which lead to economic losses. Finally, sequencing and phylogenetic relationship techniques proved their usefulness as an ideal assay to develop a reliable, accurate, and rapid detection method for bacterial pathogens in the aquatic environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Folic acid (FA)‐induced acute kidney injury (AKI) is a commonly used model in experimental animals for studying renal injury. This study aimed to investigate the probable protecting impact of nicorandil against FA‐induced renal dysfunction. A mouse model was executed by a single injection of FA (250 mg/kg). Nicorandil was orally administrated in two doses (50 and 100 mg/kg) for 10 days. Nicorandil repressed the progression of FA‐induced AKI as evidenced by the improvement of histopathological alterations and the substantial decrease of serum levels of creatinine, urea, blood urea nitrogen, malondialdehyde (MDA), and urinary protein levels. Moreover, nicorandil resulted in a profound reduction in oxidative stress as manifested by decreased MDA and increased reduced glutathione and superoxide dismutase in renal tissue. Notably, nicorandil suppressed FA‐induced inflammation; it reduced renal levels of nuclear factor‐κB, tumor necrosis factor‐α, and interleukin‐6. Furthermore, nicorandil decreased renal levels of nitric oxide, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and increased endothelial nitric oxide synthase. Lastly, nicorandil efficiently decreased expression of the proapoptotic protein (Bax) and caspase 3. Nicorandil confers dose‐dependent protection against FA‐induced AKI by alleviating oxidative stress, inflammation besides modulating nitric oxide synthase and reducing apoptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hospital-acquired infections represent a serious public health problem in all countries. It is clear that monitoring of the hospital environment is an essential element in the control and a part of the policy for preventing nosocomial infections. It allows a better understanding of the microbial ecology for the purpose of conducting preventive and corrective actions. The aims of this work were to determine the percentage of bacterial contamination of environmental samples and to identify potential nosocomial pathogens isolated from environments of seven referral hospitals from 2009 to 2015. By using the swab technique, 12863 samples were collected. Qualitative and quantitative cultures were performed. The organisms were primarily identified by colony morphology, microscopy of Gram stain, and standard biochemical tests. 25.6% of total samples showed contamination (93% was monomicrobial and 7.0% was polymicrobial). The predominant species was coagulase-negative staphylococcus (CNS) (32%), followed by methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) (26%) and then K. pneumonia (10.6%). The percentage of contamination varied among the covered hospitals and according to the year of monitoring with highly statistically significant difference (p value<0.001). Direct contact with environmental surfaces or equipment transmits the majority of nosocomial infection. Major nosocomial pathogens have been identified. Hospital managers and healthcare bodies must be aware of the reality of the concept of environmental bacterial tanks and the need for respect of biocleaning procedures and choice of biocleaning tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines German Muslim women's artistic self-representation arguing that their public engagement can be seen as an example of counterpublics. Two main features can be found. First, the artists feel disappointed by the mainstream public, as it excludes and misrepresents Muslim women. Second, an agitational orientation can be observed, as the artists intend to offer explicitly articulated alternative self-representations targeting the mainstream public. The normality of their female German Muslim identity is conveyed. The very fact that the artists aim to challenge dominant stereotypes about Muslim women reveals the stereotypes' strong influence on their self-representation. Due to their Muslim and female identity, Muslim women in the West face several exertions of power. The theory of intersectionality shows that their self-representation can be seen as a refusal to serve as an object of the male gaze, as well as the non-Muslim German gaze. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines publics of young German Muslims. Case studies include the singer Huelya Kandemir, the theatre group Uma Lamo and the social network Zahnräder. By focusing on spiritual music publics, theatrical comedy publics and social publics, it tries a new approach to the way in which we understand minority public engagement. In addition to examining the concept of counterpublics, it utilizes the concept of participatory culture, which offers a relevant complement. The study argues that the publics of young German Muslims display multifaceted artistic and civic engagement, which can best be understood in terms of participation in cultural or civic productions and contribution to the wider German public. Features or effects of counterpublics, such as the countering of mainstream representations of minority identities and the offering of alternative discourses, are occasionally reflected in their activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article addresses European Muslims’ public engagement in the arts by applying the concept of counterpublics. It examines two case studies of young German Muslims whose involvement in the public sphere can be described as soft counterpublics. The term soft counterpublics denotes publics that show some characteristics of counterpublics, but are at the same time not only about ‘countering’. They can be seen as ‘in between’ cases, neither strong counterpublics nor completely beyond counterpublics. Their art reflects a diversity of interests that are translated into public expressions and related back to their multiple identities. Motivations and themes are multi-layered. Occasionally, topics address stereotypes and negative identity representations of Muslims, which reflect important characteristics of counterpublics. However, themes can deal with a broad range of matters that go beyond this particular issue and that can be seen in isolation of counterpublics. On the one hand, there is a natural interest in the arts as a tool to express oneself, which is not a typical case of counterpublics. On the other hand, there is also the intention to speak to people through the arts. As well as wanting to reach the Muslim youth community in Germany, who can identify with their art, the case studies are also concerned about the non-Muslim German community and its perception of Muslim identity in Germany. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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One of the most vital construction project aspects is to complete a project in minimum time restricted to the time–cost trade-off. Overlapping activities' planning and their impact on the project under limited resource constraints should be considered. This study aims to develop a model for optimizing the project schedule and cost regarding overlap activities and their impacts. This study reviews previous studies on changes in past activities likely to produce additional reworking of subsequent activities. In addition, an AHP model is developed to assess the reworking time of subsequent activities based on possible changes in previous activities. In addition, five realistic construction projects are applied. Finally, an optimizing model is developed for optimizing project time and cost using overlapping techniques by using the Java program. The results indicate that the proposed model can be used by project managers easily for solving time and cost optimization problems. In addition, it can be updated to continuously improve its functionality. Finally, it can be updated later to support AI for finding better solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Backgrounds & Aim: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a severe acute respiratory syndrome caused by Coronavirus. Knowledge of the fate of infection and risk factors among health care workers is essential to enforce special infection control measures. We aimed to determine the percentage of COVID-19 infection and the associated risk factors as well as the predictors of COVID- 19 among health care workers in Assiut University Hospital., Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed that included one hundred health care workers that were confirmed by PCR to be COVID-19 cases admitted to Assiut University Hospital over six months between May 2020 and November 2020. All participants were subjected to thorough history taking and full clinical examination as well as investigations., Results: Out of the 100 HCWs enrolled in the study, 52% were males, 26% were obese, 68% were doctors, and 38% were from the medical department. Fourteen percent of healthcare workers were admitted to ICU, of which 93% were cured. The predictors for severity of cases were as follows: being a doctor OR (6.804) P=0.037, old age OR (1.179) P=0.000, and hospital stay OR (0.838) P=0.015., Conclusion: Health care workers are at risk for severe COVID-19 infection. Being a doctor, old age, and duration of hospitalization were the predictors for the severity of cases of health care workers., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

HCV infection represented a foremost communal health trouble and Egypt has the largest epidemic of HCV in the world with prevalence of 14.7% for HCV antibody and 9.8% HCV-RNA. Nitric oxide (NO) is a signaling molecule participated in inhibiting of microbial diseases. Pro-inflammatory stimuli can trigger resting cells to produce inducible nitric oxide synthase ((iNOS) also referred to as (NOS2), which is very crucial for host response to contagious agents. NOS2A gene haplotypes has been associated with a number of diseases. This study aimed to assess the relation between NOS2A gene haplotypes and HCV treatment response in pegylated interferon alpha /ribavirin (PEG-IFN /RBV) in chronic HCV patients (CHC) in an attempt to find a predictor biomarker to detect poor responders to therapy. DNA was extracted from blood samples and subjected to detection of NOS2A gene haplotypes using real time PCR. Non-responder patients showed statistically significant higher percentages of unclassified haplotypes than responder patients (85.7% versus 58.6%, respectively) (P < 0.0001) and of haplotypes 4 and 5 (GTT and ATC) than non-responder patients (25.7% and 14.3% versus 0% and 0%, respectively) (P < 0.0001). The NOS2A gene haplotypes were not associated with response to PEG-IFN /RBV at 12th week Early Virological Response (EVR). In conclusion, NOS2A gene haplotypes are not considered predictors of response to PEG-IFN /RBV treatment. Further studies are required to elucidate predictor markers., (Copyright© by the Egyptian Association of Immunologists.)