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Objectives: Zinc is considered an essential multipurpose trace element because of its ability to act as a cofactor and signaling molecule. As reported in earlier studies of pediatric respiratory infection management, zinc exhibits potent immunoregulatory and antiviral properties, but its effects on pediatric patients with COVID-19 remain unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the extent to which zinc supplementation improves COVID-19 symptoms, length of hospitalization and, to determine how zinc supplementation impacts ICU admission, in-hospital mortality, need for ventilation, duration of ventilation, need for vasopressors, development of liver injury, or respiratory failure. Methods: Pediatric patients younger than 18 years with confirmed COVID-19 infection during the study period (March 1, 2020, to December 31, 2021) were recruited for this retrospective cohort study. The study population was divided into two arms (zinc/no zinc supplementation as an adjunct to standard therapy). Results: Of 169 hospitalized patients who were screened, 101 met the inclusion criteria. No statistically significant association was found between the administration of zinc as adjunctive therapy and symptom reduction, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, or mortality (p = 0.105; p = 0.941, and p = 0.073, respectively). However, zinc supplementation was associated with a statistically significant reduction in respiratory failure and length of hospitalization (p = 0.004 and p = 0.017, respectively), also, zinc administration was associated with elevated serum creatinine (p = 0.01*) Conclusions: Among pediatric patients with COVID-19, zinc supplementation was associated with shorter hospital stay. However, there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of symptom improvement, in-hospital mortality, or ICU admission. In addition, the study raises question about the possibility of kidney injury as indicated by high levels of serum creatinine.

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of partial substitution (5, 10 and15%) of wheat flour (72% ext.) by whole meal quinoa flour (QF) on quality parameter of pan bread. QF contained the highest percentage of protein, Lipids, ash and crude fiber. Also, QF contained the highest amount of essential amino acids such as (threonine, methionine, lysine and histidine). From the results, it could be seen that, water absorption and degree of softening increased by increasing the substitution levels, but stability, resistance to extensions and energy of dough decreased. The addition of QF adversely affected on the specific volume of pan bread. The lightness (L*) and yellowness (b*) of pan bread decreased, but redness (a*) increased gradually by increasing QF. Evaluation of the organoleptic properties of pan bread revealed that no significant differences (P≥0.05) between control sample and bread samples contained QF for taste and summitry form. The bread contained QF had higher score for crust color, pore size and overall acceptability than control sample. Hardness (g) of pan bread increased and springiness decreased gradually during storage of bread at (25˚c ±2). The rate of staling of bread contained QF lower than control sample. Gluten - free biscuit made from 100%QF contained the highest percentage of protein, lipids, ash and crude fiber compared to that of corn and rice - quinoa composite flour. The addition of corn and rice flour adversely affected on the thickness, diameter and spread ratio. The highest spread ratio was noticed in the biscuit made from 100% QF. It is worth mentioning that the biscuit made from 100 % QF or that of corn and rice - quinoa composite flour gave the biscuit with sensory acceptable. On the other hand, it could be noticed to that the biscuit contained high level of quinoa flour was darker in compared to another samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Data: Optimal surgical approach for anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is still controversial. Some authors believe that addition of locking plate (ACDFP) has higher costs and longer operative time. Other surgeons believe that ACDFP have better clinical outcomes and more sound fusion. The debate is higher in single and double level ACDF. Purpose: To compare the clinical and radiological outcomes in patients with single or double level cervical disc herniation operated by ACDF versus those operated by ACDFP. Study Design: A retrospective, descriptive controlled, non-randomized, clinical case study. Patients and Methods: Forty patients underwent ACDF. They were divided into two groups; ACDF group and ACDFP fixation group. Each group included 20 patients. They were operated between 2010 and 2017. Participants were evaluated pre-operatively and post-operatively 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after surgery. Operative time, hospital stay and complications were assessed. Pain was scored by a VAS for both upper arm and cervical pain. The clinical outcomes were compared using Odom’s criteria. Cervical fusion was assessed radiologically. Results: The demographic data of the two groups of patients were fairly homogeneous and comparable. ACDFP group showed slightly better clinical outcome parameters in comparison to ACDF group including VAS for cervical pain (9±5 versus 28±11) and Odom’s criteria scores (15 excellent outcome versus 10). Also ACDFP group showed slightly better radiological fusion rate (100%) in comparison to (85%) in ACDF group. Reported nonunion was higher in ACDF group (15%) in comparison to ACDFP group (0%). Conclusion: Our data suggest that the addition of cervical plate fixation to ACDF might leads to better clinical outcome and radiological fusion in single and double cervical disc disease. (2018ESJ155)

Purpose: Establishment of the specifications and standards for successful radiotherapy treatments through identifying three objectives: administering the appropriate low-waste dose, developing dose-delivery skills and monitoring an earlier response to therapy., Methods: The appropriate low-waste dose is administered via the work-energy principle, considering the interaction between the drug and the tumor as an isolated system. Then, chelated with any compound that could form a lipid-soluble complex with the radioactive metal ions, it is injected directly into the tumor via a multihole needle to improve the distribution of the injectate solution. This can be detected by monitoring the tumor response through newer imaging techniques that combine single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) with computed tomography (CT), or positron emission tomography (PET) with CT, so that nonresponding tumors can be identified early to modify the administered dose., Results: The accuracy of estimating the initial effective radioactive dose depends on the equivalence of the growth energy of the tumor estimated from the CT scan and the decay energy of the effective radioactive dose. Besides earlier or more accurate assessment of the tumor response by PET with the glucose analogue (18)F-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose ((18)F-FDG), this contributes to the most safe and low-cost successful treatment. This approach assessed the therapeutic significance of lipid-soluble compounds with the radioactive metal ions in protecting system isolation, which plays a major role in targeted tumor therapy., Conclusion: Treatment success shows that the three identified objectives are completely dependent objectives. It should also be taken into consideration that radionuclide decay-generated Auger electrons may be more effective in very small tumors to avoid a cross dose.