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To explore gene expression and serum profile of selected antioxidant markers during periparturient period in dromedary camels, blood samples were collected from sixty apparently healthy pregnant female at − 14, 0, and + 14 days of expected date of delivery. Superoxide dismutase1 (SOD1), superoxide dismutase 3 (SOD3), catalase (CAT), peroxiredoxin 2 (PRDX2), peroxiredoxin 3 (PRDX3), peroxiredoxin 4 (PRDX4), peroxiredoxin 6 (PRDX6), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and alkyl hydroperoxide reductase/thiol-specific antioxidant (AhpC/TSA) markers showed upregulations at (− 14) and (+ 14) compared to their values at calving. A significant upregulation of oxidative stress-responsive kinase 1 (OXSR1), stress-associated endoplasmic reticulum proteins (SERP2), and stress-induced phosphoprotein (STIP1) was also reported at (− 14) compared to their corresponding values at calving and (+ 14). At (− 14), serum GSH levels were low, and increased gradually until early lactation. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) concentrations were low at (− 14) and at parturition, and the peak values were observed at (+ 14), whereas an opposite trend was noted for Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. SOD activity was lower at (0) and (+ 14) compared to at (− 14). Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) was also low at (0) and (+ 14) days postpartum compared to that at (− 14). Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) showed that gene expression and serum profile of antioxidant markers could discriminate peri-parturient period. The overall correctly classified percent was 62.0% and 48.1% for results of gene expression and serum parameters respectively. Profound alteration in antioxidant parameters could be a biomarker to that helps follow-up health during the peri-parturient period in order to minimize the incidence and severity of diseases and, consequently, to build up a good management protocol.

Objective: To assess the mRNA level of acetyl CoA carboxylase alpha (ACACA), fatty acid synthase (FASN), and stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) by means of real-time PCR in Barki sheep subjected to complete feed deprivation. Design: Controlled study. Animals: Seven healthy pregnant ewes. Procedures: Ewes were subjected to complete feed deprivation with ad libitum water for five consecutive days. Venous blood samples were collected from each ewe before (zero time) and on the fifth day post-deprivation of feed for measurement of the mRNA level of ACACA, FASN, and SCD and assessment of serum metabolic profile parameters. Results: On the fifth day post-fasting, the gene expression pattern of ACACA, FASN, SCD genes showed a significant (p < 0.05) down regulation in comparison with pre-deprivation of feed. There was a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the serum level of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), beta-hydroxyl buteric acid (BHBA), and triglycerides in pregnant ewes in the fifth day post-fasting in comparison with pre-deprivation of feed. On the other hand, there was a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the level of glucose, cholesterol, and insulin in pregnant ewes in the fifth day post-fasting compared with pre-deprivation of feed. On histopathology, liver showed marked heptic steatosis in midzonal and periportal area, with formation of small fatty cysts in liver lobule. There was a positive correlation between leptin and insulin (r = 0.996; p < 0.01), BHB and leptin (r = 0.951; p < 0.05) and glucose and SCD (r = 1.0, p < 0.01). However, there was a negative correlation between FASN and NEFA (r = - 0.991; p < 0.05), FASN and leptin (r = -0.683; p < 0.05) and FASN and cholesterol (r = - 0.82; p < 0.05). Conclusion and clinical relevance: Pregnant Barki ewes can clinically tolerate complete feed deprivation for five days, with down regulation of ACACA, FASN, SCD genes and presence of marked metabolic changes. Therefore, metabolic monitoring is warranted to predict the early changes associated with feed deprivation under different stressful conditions.

Background Insect wings are an excessively diverse structures, which have fascinated scientist for centuries. Coleoptera is the largest order in the insect group and the most successful animal on earth (Nature Communications 9(205):1–11, 2018). In order to adapt to the change in the environments, they developed strategies to cope up with different factors. The most distinctive feature of beetles is that the forewings are sclerotized into elytra; from this, they get their formal name (koleos = sheath, pteron = wing). The elytra play an important role in protecting the delicate hindwings and the dorsal surface of the abdomen. Besides its influence on protective the hindwing during flight, the forewings are open enough to allow the hindwings to unfold and function. Result The structural and mechanical properties in living organisms may improve the understanding of natural solutions and advance the design of novel artificial materials. In this paper, the morphological and histological structure of the wings of two species of beetles, Tribolium castaneum and Tribolium confusum, has been investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The organic chemical function groups of the wings were detected using Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Both Tribolium species have considerable variations regarding the total thickness, and width of the hemolymph space within the elytra. The elytra of both species bear conspicuous field of trichoid sensilla from dorsal side and numerous gland openings with a pit. The michrotrichia found on the ventral side may have an important role in wing folding. The presence of C–H stretching bands with the prevalence of methylene bands may indicate the presence of long-chain aliphatic acids in surface waxes in T. castaneum. The height of the spikes of the hindwings was remarkable by hydrogen-bonded O–H and N–H amide stretching vibration and was correlated to the thickness of the wing. Conclusion Insect wings are a core example of histological and morphological novelty. This study illustrates the morphological and histological structure of both the forewing and hindwing of Tribolium castaneum and Tribolium confusum which were the most destructive pest stored products.

Context Thyroid hormones play an important role in renal development, functioning renal mass, and early renal function. Pituitary–thyroid axis and metabolism of the peripheral thyroid hormones have been affected by chronic kidney disease (CKD). Aims The aim was to evaluate the frequency and relationship between thyroid disorders and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP) among CKD patients including hemodialysis (HD). Settings and design In Zagazig University Hospital. Participants and methods A case–control study that included 150 adult participants who were divided into: group I which included 50 patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 41.8±23.6 ml/min/1.73 m2. Group II included 50 patients with an eGFR of 11.3±4.2 ml/min/1.73 m2.Group III included 50 participants with normal eGFR. All participants were evaluated for serum creatinine and albumin, complete blood count, estimation of GFR by modification of diet in renal disease (MDRD) equation, and serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free T3, free T4, and Hs-CRP. Statistical analysis Using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences under windows version 20. Qualitative variables were expressed by frequency and percentage, mean±SD, χ2-test, Student’s t-test, analysis of variance (F-test), and correlation analysis. Results The frequency of subclinical hypothyroidism (46%) and overt hypothyroid (42%) in groups I and II, respectively, has been much higher in CKD patients. There was a strong significant negative correlation of Hs-CRP with eGFR, FT3, FT4 (P

In 2015, a One Health Working Group was established in Qatar to conduct a survey in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, Egypt, and Jordan to monitor preparedness of public health and veterinary health authorities in response to the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus epidemic. All but 1 country indicated they established joint One Health policy teams for investigation and response. However, the response to the questionnaires was largely limited to veterinary authorities. Critical barriers and limitations were identified. National and regional leaders, policy makers, and stakeholders should be prompted to advocate and enhance adoption of the One Health framework to mitigate the risk for Middle East respiratory syndrome and other emerging zoonotic diseases.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) can be defined as the administration of a nontoxic drug or dye known as Photosensitizer (PS) either systemically, locally, or topically to a patient bearing a lesion. Methylene blue considered as a photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy. Current topical and oral therapies for acne vulgaris have limited efficacy, especially in moderate to severe cases, In view of this, the aim of our study was to use methylene blue in the form of niosomal hydrogel for photodynamic treatment of acne. To reach this objective we studied the following aspects; formulation of MB blue in different niosomal preparation, characterization of methylene blue niosomes, Span 60 transition temperatures, In vitro release study, kinetic analysis of the release data, factors affecting the encapsulation of methylene blue in niosomes via effect of: amount of drug, cholesterol: span 60 ratios, and stabilizers. The results revealed that, niosomes were successfully produced by reversed phase evaporation technique using different ratio of cholesterol: span 60.The most favorable amount of MB could be used in niosomal preparation was 1000µg. The best fit kinetic favored Higuchi diffusion mechanism. The incorporation of MB niosomes in HPMC 3% gel resulted in feasible release rate of MB. The data obtained served as the basis to reach a secondary objective which is clinical evaluation of selected niosomal gel of methylene blue for photodynamic treatment of acne which showed higher significant improvement in inflammation when compared with IPL treatment.

Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and overlap SJS/TEN are life-threatening diseases that are most frequently caused by drugs. Much debate remains about the role of systemic corticosteroids (SCs) in their treatment. Our aim to determine the incidence, causative drugs, the role and side effects of SCs in severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs), in Assiut University Hospital (AUH). Patients This study was conducted in Department of Dermatology at AUH, from 2012 to 2017. All patients with SJS, overlap SJS/TEN and TEN admitted during this period were included in the study. Eighty-three patients with SCARs were included in this study. The most common type was SJS (67.5%). The incidence ranged from 1.7% in 2012 to 7.7% in 2017. Carbamazepine, valproic acid, lamotrigine, diclofenac sodium, and flucloxacillin-amoxicillin were the most common causative drugs. The most common side effects of SCs were peptic ulcer (55.5%) and hypertension (51.8%). The mortality rate in patients treated with SCs was 100% in TEN, 33.3% in overlap SJS/TEN and 16.3% in SJS. The patients of SCARs must be aware of the causative drugs and must never be re-administered. SCs in treatment of SCARs may increase the complications and the mortality rate.

Self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDS) have been widely employed to improve the oral bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs. In the past few years, SEDDS were extensively investigated to overcome various barriers encountered in the oral delivery of hydrophilic macromolecules (e.g., protein/peptide therapeutics and plasmid DNA (pDNA)), as well as in lowering the effect of food on drugs' bioavailability. However, the main mechanism(s) by which SEDDS could achieve such promising effects remains not fully understood. This review summarizes the recent progress in the use of SEDDS for protecting protein therapeutics and/or pDNA against enzymatic degradation and increasing the oral bioavailability of various drug substances regardless of the dietary condition. Understanding the underlying mechanism(s) of such promising applications will aid in the future development of rationally designed SEDDS. Entrapment of hydrophilic macromolecules in the oil phase of the formed emulsion is critical for protection of the loaded cargoes against enzymatic degradation and the enhancement of oral bioavailability. On the other hand, drug administration as a preconcentrated solution in the SEDDS preconcentrate allows the process of drug absorption to occur independently of the dietary condition, and thus reducing interindividual variability that results from concomitant food intake.

Self-emulsifying drug–delivery systems (SEDDS) have been widely employed to ameliorate the oral bioavailability of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) substrate drugs and to overcome multidrug resistance in cancer cells. However, the role of formulation aspects in the reduced P-gp activity is not fully understood. In this review, we first explore the role of various SEDDS excipients in the reduced P-gp activity with the main emphasis on the effective excipient concentration range for excipient-mediated modulation of P-gp activity and then we discuss the synergistic effect of various formulation aspects on the excipient-mediated modulation of P-gp activity. This review provides an approach to develop a rationally designed SEDDS to overcome P-gp-mediated drug efflux.

The objective of this study was to estimate the sero-prevalence of brucellosis in camels in Shalateen city, Red sea Governorate. A total of 801 Sera were collected from apparently healthy dromedary camels from 2014 to 2015 spring. Sera were consequently serologically tested and confirmed using Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT), buffer acidified plate antigen test (BAPAT) and complement fixation test (CFT). 103 (12.90%), 93 (11.60%), and 92 (11.50%) were positive for RBPT, BABAT and CFT, respectively. Young camels were more sero-positive than old one (13.30 vs.10.80%). In addition, females were more sero-positive than males (19.10 vs. 7.10%). Moreover, Brucella melitensis biovar 3 was isolated from stomach content of aborted camel fetus. Statistically, the apparent prevalence (AP) was estimated to be 11.50%, while true prevalence (TP) was 13.60% (95% CI: 11.20 to 16%; P < 0.05). There was non statistical significant association between different age groups, while a highly significant difference were detected between seasons and genders. This study documented a high prevalence of camel brucellosis in the area of study and there is a need for planning and implementation of joint programs by stakeholders in prevention and control of the disease as well as raising public awareness in decreasing the distribution of the disease. Key words: Camel brucellosis, Egypt, serological tests, sero-prevalence, Shalateen.

Introduction and objectives Erectile dysfunction (ED) is one of the main threats in diabetic patients. This research aimed to assess the relationship between glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level and pharmacopenile duplex ultrasonography (PPDU) indices in diabetic patients with ED. Materials and methods A total of 130 males with ED were recruited (100 had diabetes mellitus (DM) and 30 did not as control). The International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) was used to evaluate patients for ED. Measurement of HbA1c, lipid profile and assessment of erectile function using PPDU were performed. All participants were assessed to take the medical history. Results The mean age ± SD was 53.8 ± 8.9 and 53.6 ± 2.8 years for patients and controls, respectively. Patients had variable grades of ED: mild in 20%, mild to moderate in 32.3%, moderate in 35.3%, and severe in 12.3%. A significant association was found between the existence of DM and a deprived response to intracorporeal injection (ICI), rising end-diastolic velocity (EDV), and reducing resistance index (RI) values. Comparing all diabetic groups according to HbA1c with controls, a significant relationship was found in; severity of IIEF-5 score, poor response to ICI, decreased peak systolic velocity (PSV) at 10 min, increased EDV at 10, 20 min and decreased RI at 10, 20 min. A significant relationship was found between smoking, dyslipidaemia, and decreased PSV at 10, 20 min and decreased increment ratio. However, a non-significant relationship was observed between age, type of DM and PPDU parameters. Conclusion Poor glycaemic control of DM is associated with an increase in EDV and decrease in RI, and PSV of PPDU.

In the new era of computing, data movement is considered the dominant factor influencing both performance and power/energy consumption. This movement could be between different nodes or between different levels of memory in the same node. It could decrease requests to fetch data from memory to higher speed cache memory, resulting in a decrease in cache miss ratio. Additionally, it may decrease the energy/power consumption. This assumption applies to a wide spectrum of architectures such as single core, multicores, many-cores, multi-nodes, warehouse scale computing, and Domain Specific Architectures (DSA). The revolutionary approach of hardware manufacturing suggests that the gap between computing, and data movements, both in memory subsystems and interconnection networks will continue to widen. Therefore, minimizing communications is an essential goal to achieve better utilization of modern architectures. In this paper, we study the impact of the data layout re-organization to minimize communications in parallel programs. The proposed technique is based on the ordering and partitioning of the Value Communications Graph (VCG) as a representative of the communications in the program. The evaluation work is carried out using a stack distance analysis of the program. The ordering and partitioning of the VCG is conducted using METIS, a graph ordering and partitioning tool.

Background Intravenous administration of parenteral nutrition (PN) admixtures containing 4-oil lipid injectable emulsion (ILE) in preterm neonates is usually prohibited because of limited clinical data. The authors evaluated the stability, safety, and efficacy of PN admixtures containing 4-oil ILE, for the first time, in preterm neonates. Methods A series of PN admixtures were prepared for consecutive administration in preterm neonates over a period of 15 days. Admixture stability was assessed after 24 hours of storage at 25 and 37 °C via visual inspection and measurement of mean droplet size (MDS). Safety and efficacy of the admixtures in preterm neonates were assessed via serum triglyceride levels and body weight increase measurements, respectively. Results PN admixtures were stable at 25 °C and had MDS ˂500 nm. After 15 days, there was a significant increase in body weight (P ≤ .0001) and level of serum triglycerides (P ≤ .0001), compared with the level before PN administration. Conclusions PN admixtures containing 4-oil ILE were stable at 25 °C and showed instability at 37 °C. Therefore, it is recommended to keep the temperature during administration of PN admixtures at 25 °C. PN admixtures were well tolerated and safe over a period of 8 days while providing a balanced fatty acid supply. Tight monitoring of serum triglyceride level is essential, particularly in neonates of low birth weight and/or young gestational age, to avoid hypertriglyceridemia. Hence, the use of these PN admixtures is expected to be beneficial in terms of being cost-effective and reducing the contamination risks.

The newly identified Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), which causes severe respiratory disease, particularly in people with comorbidities, requires further investigation. Studies in Qatar and elsewhere have provided evidence that dromedary camels are a reservoir for the virus, but the exact modes of transmission of MERS-CoV to humans remain unclear. In February 2014, an assessment was made of the suitability and sensitivity of different types of sample for the detection of MERSCoV by real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for three gene targets: UpE (upstream of the E gene), the N (nucleocapsid) gene and open reading frame (ORF) 1a. Fifty-three animals presented for slaughter were sampled. A high percentage of the sampled camels (79% [95% confidence interval 66.9-91.5%, standard error 0.0625]; 42 out of 53) were shown to be shedding MERS-CoV at the time of slaughter, yet all the animals were apparently healthy. Among the virus-positive animals, nasal swabs were most often positive (97.6%). Oral swabs were the second most frequently positive (35.7%), followed by rectal swabs (28.5%). In addition, the highest viral load, expressed as a cycle threshold (Ct) value of 11.27, was obtained from a nasal swab. These findings lead to the conclusion that nasal swabs are the candidate sample of choice for detecting MERS-CoV using RT-PCR technology in apparently healthy camels.

Extranodal lymphoma (ENL) occurs in approximately 30%–40% of all patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma and has been described in almost all organs and tissues. However, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is the most common histological subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, primarily arising in the retroperitoneal region. In this article, we report a rare case of an adult male diagnosed with primary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the gluteal and adductor muscles with aggressive bone involvement. All appropriate radiological and histopathological studies were done for diagnosis and staging. After discussion with the lymphoma multidisciplinary team, it was agreed to start on R-CHOP protocol (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin (Adriamycin), vincristine (Oncovin®), and prednisone) as the standard of care, which was later changed to R-CODOX-M/R-IVAC protocol (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, vincristine (Oncovin®), doxorubicin, and high-dose methotrexate alternating with rituximab, ifosfamide, etoposide, and high-dose cytarabine) due to inadequate response. Due to the refractory aggressive nature of the disease, subsequent decision of the multidisciplinary team was salvage chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplant. The aim of this case report was to describe and evaluate the clinical presentation and important radiological features of extranodal lymphoma affecting the musculoskeletal system.

This study aims to enhance progesterone (PG) oral bioavailability via its incorporation into hybrid colon-targeted pectin/NaCMC microspheres (MS) cross-linked with Zn2+ and Al3+. The MS were characterized for particle morphology, encapsulation efficiency, swelling behavior, drug release, mucoadhesivity and colon-specific degradability. Response-surface methodology was adopted to optimize the fabrication conditions. Enhancement of in vivo drug performance was evaluated through pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies. The optimized formulation was typically spherical with a mean diameter of 1031 µm and drug entrapment efficiency of 88.8%. This formulation exhibited pH-dependent swelling, negligible drug release in simulated gastric fluid and sustained-release pattern in simulated small intestinal fluid with a mean t50% of 26.5 h. It also showed prolonged and preferential adhesion to rat colonic mucosa, as well as expedited degradation in presence of rat caecal contents. The MS significantly increased the area under the curve and mean residence time by 1.8 and 2.3-fold, respectively compared to the free drug. Orally administered MS showed ~10 times increase in myometrial thickness compared with the drug suspension and elicited uterine responses very similar to that obtained parenterally. These results confirm the ability of this new carrier system to improve the oral bioavailability of PG and attain adequate clinical efficacy.

The drug delivery of candesartan cilexetil encounters an obstacle of low absolute oral bioavailability which is attributed mainly to its low aqueous solubility and efflux by intestinal P-glycoprotein (P-gp) transporters. However, the extent of P-gp contribution in the reduced oral bioavailability of candesartan cilexetil is not clear. In this study, a previously developed candesartan cilexetil-loaded self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS) was evaluated for its ability to increase the drug oral bioavailability via the inhibition of intestinal P-gp transporters. Despite the developed SNEDDS showing P-gp inhibition activity, P-gp-mediated efflux was found to have a minor role in the reduced oral bioavailability of candesartan cilexetil. On the other hand, the high surfactant concentration used in SNEDDS formulation represents a major challenge toward their widespread application especially for chronically administered drugs. The designed acute and subacute toxicity studies revealed that the degree of intestinal mucosal damage decreases as the treatment period increases. The latter observation was attributed to the reversibility of surfactant-induced mucosal damage. Thus, the developed SNEDDS could be considered as a promising delivery system for enhancing the oral bioavailability of chronically administered drugs.

Background The Zika virus has become an international health issue and poses a systematic risk for a growing number of travelers. Qatar is no exception to this status, where its Hamad International Airport (HIA) has become an important hub for many travelers to and from affected countries. Thus, it is a national necessity to determine the knowledge, attitude, and practice of travelers’ regarding this emerging disease in the State of Qatar. Methods This was a cross-sectional study that employed a self-administered questionnaire (n=100) and was conducted at Hamad International Airport. Descriptive and inferential statistical tests were applied to analyze the data using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) (IBM SPSS Statistics 21, IBM Corporation, Armonk, NY, USA, 2014). Results The majority of travelers (75%) reported hearing about the Zika disease prior to their current flight, mainly from the media (73%) and the internet (46%). The majority of participants (69%) knew about the vector-borne transmission and symptomatology of a Zika infection while more than half (54%) correctly identified effective methods to prevent infection. Regarding their attitude, less than two-thirds (58%) of the participants agreed that pregnant women must postpone their travel to any Zika-affected area. Regarding their practice, only a quarter of the sampled travelers (24%) sought pre-travel medical advice before going to Brazil. Comparing the knowledge score among different education levels, we found that high-school students scored significantly better than those with diplomas and bachelors, p=0.042 and p=0.012, respectively. Conclusion The survey findings revealed that the knowledge of Zika infection is low among travelers to Brazil. Thus, stronger efforts to educate travelers about Zika are recommended. It is also vital that travelers be encouraged to seek proper medical advice prior to travel.

Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused by the bacterium Coxiella burnetii. Clinical presentation in humans varies from asymptomatic to flu-like illness and severe sequelae may be seen. Ruminants are often sub-clinically infected or show reproductive disorders such as abortions. In Egypt, only limited data on the epidemiology of Q fever in animals are available. Using a stratified two stage random sampling approach, we evaluated the prevalence of Coxiella burnetii specific antibodies among ruminants and camels in 299 herds. A total of 2,699 blood samples was investigated using enzyme-linked-immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Coxiella burnetii specific antibodies were detected in 40.7% of camels (215/528), 19.3% of cattle (162/840), 11.2% of buffaloes (34/304), 8.9% of sheep (64/716) and 6.8% of goats (21/311), respectively. Odds of seropositivity were significantly higher for cattle (aOR: 3.17; 95% CI: 1.96–5.13) and camels (aOR: 9.75; 95% CI: 6.02–15.78). Significant differences in seropositivity were also found between domains (Western Desert, Eastern Desert and Nile Valley and Delta) and 25 governorates (p < 0.001), respectively. Animal rearing in the Eastern Desert domain was found to be a significant risk factor (aOR: 2.16; 95% CI: 1.62-2.88). Most seropositive animals were older than four years. No correlation between positive titers and husbandry practices or animal origin were found (p > 0.05). Only 8.7% of the interviewed people living on the farms consumed raw camel milk and none reported prior knowledge on Q fever. Findings from this nationwide study show that exposure to Coxiella burnetii is common in ruminants and camels. Disease awareness among physicians, veterinarians and animal owners has to be raised. Future epidemiological investigations have to elucidate the impact of Q fever on human health and on the economy of Egypt.

Under phase transfer catalysis conditions, 6-amino-4-phenyl-2-thioxo-1,2-dihydropyridine-3,5-dicarbonitrile (1) was allowed to react with halo compounds, acrylonitrile, chloroacetyl chloride, ethyl cyanoacetate, formamide, triethylorthoformate, or formic acid to give new derivatives of fused pyridines 2–22, respectively. Acetylation of compound 1 using acetic anhydride afforded product 23, which in turn underwent intramolecular cyclization in pyridine to give the corresponding pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine 24.

The colon is a promising target for drug delivery owing to its long transit time of up to 78 h, which is likely to increase the time available for drug absorption. Progesterone has a short elimination half-life and undergoes extensive first-pass metabolism, which results in very low oral bioavailability (∼25%). To overcome these shortcomings, we developed an oral multiparticulate system for the colonic delivery of progesterone. Zn-pectinate/chitosan microparticles were prepared by ionotropic gelation and characterized for their size, shape, weight, drug entrapment efficiency, mucoadhesion and swelling behavior. The effect of cross-linking pH, cross-linking time and chitosan concentration on progesterone release were also studied. Spherical microparticles having a diameter of 580-720 µm were obtained. Drug entrapment efficiency of ∼75-100% was obtained depending on the microparticle composition. Microparticle mucoadhesive properties were dependent on the pectin concentration, as well as the cross-linking pH. Progesterone release in simulated gastric fluids was minimal (3-9%), followed by burst release at pH 6.8 and a sustained phase at pH 7.4. The in vivo study revealed that the microparticles significantly increased progesterone residence time in the plasma and increased its relative bioavailability to ∼168%, compared to the drug alone. This study confirms the potential of Zn-pectinate/chitosan microparticles as a colon-specific drug delivery system able to enhance the oral bioavailability of progesterone or similar drugs.

The reconstruction of 3D objects from 2D line drawings is regarded as one of the key topics in the field of computer vision. The ongoing research is mainly focusing on the reconstruction of 3D objects that are mapped only from 2D straight lines, and that are symmetric in nature. Commonly, this approach only produces basic and simple shapes that are mostly flat or rather polygonized in nature, which is normally attributed to inability to handle curves. To overcome the above-mentioned limitations, a technique capable of handling non-symmetric drawings that encompass curves is considered. This paper discusses a novel technique that can be used to reconstruct 3D objects containing curved lines. In addition, it highlights an application that has been developed in accordance with the suggested technique that can convert a freehand sketch to a 3D shape using a mobile phone.

Candesartan cilexetil is widely used in the management of hypertension and heart failure. The drug delivery encounters obstacles of poor aqueous solubility, efflux by intestinal P-glycoprotein and vulnerability to enzymatic degradation in small intestine. Self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems (SNEDDS) loaded with candesartan cilexetil were successfully developed to overcome such obstacles. Preliminary screening was carried out to select proper surfactant, co-surfactant and oil combination for successful SNEDDS formulation. All screened excipients were reported for their P-glycoprotein and cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) modulation activity. Ternary and pseudo ternary diagrams were constructed to optimize the system. Peppermint oil and clove oil showed a high emulsification ability. The nature of obtained dispersions was identified to be nanoemulsions. Twenty-four formulations were evaluated for stability, robustness to dilution and self-emulsification efficiency. All formulations showed a very short emulsification time of

Summary We assessed risk factors for human Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) seropositivity at a farm complex in Qatar. Some camel-related activities, personal hygiene, cross-border camel movements, and hospital visits may pose a risk of MERS-CoV infection. The risk factors identified can be used to develop control measures., The transmission routes and risk factors for zoonotic Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infections are still unknown. We used the World Health Organization questionnaire for MERS-CoV case-control studies to assess risk factors for human MERS-CoV seropositivity at a farm complex in Qatar. Nine camel workers with MERS-CoV antibodies and 43 workers without antibodies were included. Some camel-related activities may pose a higher risk of MERS-CoV infection, as may cross-border movements of camels, poor hand hygiene, and overnight hospital stays with respiratory complaints. The risk factors identified in this study can be used to develop infection prevention and control measures for human MERS-CoV infections.

Chitosan microspheres have been in the focus of increasing interest as polymeric drug carriers due to their appealing properties such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, low toxicity, mucoadhesion and relatively low cost of production. Gel formation can be obtained by interactions of chitosan with low molecular weight counter-ions such as polyphosphates. However, one drawback of using this natural polysaccharide for oral controlled release dosage forms is its fast dissolution rate in the stomach. Since chitosan is positively charged at low pH values (below its pKa value), it spontaneously associates with polyanions to form polyelectrolyte complexes (PEC). These PEC exhibit favorable physicochemical properties with preservation of chitosan's biocompatible characteristics. These complexes are therefore good candidates for the design of colon-targeted dosage forms. Various techniques are used for preparing chitosan microspheres which have been reviewed. This review also includes factors that affect the release characteristics of drugs from chitosan microspheres.

MERS-COV is an emerging zoonotic disease primarily originated in Arabian Peninsula, where camel industry and trade are part of the local culture and economy. Camels were proposed to be the possible reservoir. A convenient sample of 78 camel owners were interviewed through a structured questionnaire to assess their risk perception and practices. All were males, mean age of 42.5 ± 12.7 years. Most of camel owners were Qatari (94.9%), working with camels for 10 years or more (85.8%). Most of the owners are aware about the disease (93.6%), mostly from T.V (75.6%). However, only 37% of them know that the disease can be transmitted from camel to human or from human to human. The majority of owners (79.5%) had low to moderate knowledge score regarding MERS-COV. More than half of them had low perceived susceptibility to catch the disease. Perceived reasons for susceptibility were being in close contact with camels (82.2%) or exposure to camel products (76.7%). The majority (74%) feel to be protected from the disease, mostly because their farms are clean (78.1) or due to long history of working with camels without catching disease (69.9%). More than half of owners (54.8%) had high perceived severity score, and thought it can lead to hospitalization (86.3%) or death (69.9%). The most perceived protective measures were washing hands with soap and water (84.9%) and keeping away from sick people (78.1%). The most perceived barriers to using protective measures were being unavailable (56.2%), or unpractical (43.8%). Sixty percent of owners have high self -efficacy score, however, very low percentages were using protective measures (4–12%). Health education sessions should be conducted to camel owners in Qatar to increase their awareness and risk perception about MERS-COV.

The colon is a promising site for drug targeting owing to its long transit time and mild proteolytic activity. The aim of this study was to prepare new low methoxy amidated pectin/NaCMC microspheres cross-linked by a mixture of Zn(2+) and Al(3+) ions and test their potential for colonic targeting of progesterone. A 2(4) factorial design was carried out to optimize the preparation conditions. High drug entrapment efficiency (82-99%) was obtained and it increased with increasing drug concentration but decreased with increasing polymer concentration. Drug release rate was directly proportional to the microsphere drug content and inversely related to Al(3+) ion concentration. Drug release was minimal during the first 3h but was significantly improved in the presence of 1% rat caecal contents, confirming the microsphere potential for colonic delivery. The microspheres achieved >2.3-fold enhancement of colonic progesterone permeability. These results confirm the viability of the produced microspheres as colon-targeted drug delivery vehicle.

Phase transfer catalysts (PTCs) have been widely used for the synthesis of organic compounds particularly in both liquid-liquid and solid-liquid heterogeneous reaction mixtures. They are known to accelerate reaction rates by facilitating formation of interphase transfer of species and making reactions between reagents in two immiscible phases possible. Application of PTC instead of traditional technologies for industrial processes of organic synthesis provides substantial benefits for the environment. On the basis of numerous reports it is evident that phase-transfer catalysis is the most efficient way for generation and reactions of many active intermediates. In this review we report various uses of PTC in syntheses and reactions of five-membered heterocycles compounds and their multifused rings.