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Background: A top ranked public health problems especially in developing countries is hepatitis C virus infection. Being asymptomatic infection, screening has been proposed as a credible public health strategy. Egyptian national guidelines were emphasizing on adopting screening programs nationwide. No economic evaluation studies tackling HCV screening based on risk exposure was conducted in Egypt so far. Aim: To evaluate the cost effectiveness of screening algorithms among two different population subgroups. Methods: A Cost-Utility analysis was conducted using a validated decision tree model linked to a Markov Model, to compare the Incremental Cost-Effectiveness Ratio (ICER) of two policy scenarios: No screening versus Screen-and-treat with direct-acting antiviral agents (DAA) ON two Egyptian population subgroups (high risk populations of acquiring HCV infection versus the overall population). Results: The ICER for implementing screening on high-risk populations was 3895.31 EGY/ QALY, considered cost-effective (below the Egyptian Threshold 46000 EGY/ QALY). Conclusion: The ICER for implementing screening on high-risk populations was cost-effective. Whereas concerning the general population, it is considered cost-saving strategy.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV- 2), causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), emerged as a multifaceted problem in December 2019...

Aim. To evaluate the bond durability of two universal adhesives; mild and ultra-mild in both etch-and-rinse and self-etch modes after simulated in-vitro degradation by long-term water storage or thermocycling. Methods. A total of 144 specimens were used in this study; 120 specimens (prepared from 30 teeth) for microshear bond strength testing and fracture mode assessment, and 24 specimens for scanning electron microscopic evaluation (prepared from 24 teeth). Specimens were prepared from 54 recently extracted caries free third molars and randomly divided into 12 groups, according to the adhesive treatment (All Bond or Scotchbond Universal), etching mode (etch-andrinse or self-etch) and aging method (thermocycling or water storage). Each tooth was sectioned mesio-distally into two halves exposing free dentin surface for bonding where dentin substrate 1 mm below the dentino-enamel junction was used. After adhesive application and composite build up, specimens were tested in shear mode after storing in distilled water at 37˚C for 24 hours or 1 year, or after being thermocycled between 5 and 55 °C for 10,000 cycles (n=10). Microshear bond strength (μSBS) was tested using a universal testing machine. Adhesive-dentin interface was examined using scanning electron microscope (SEM) (n=2). Data were analyzed using 3 way AN0VA and pairwise comparisons was performed using Bonferroni correction at significance level of α ≤0.05. Results. Statistical analysis revealed non-significant difference for etching mode in both adhesives (p=0.596). After aging, the bond strength was only reduced in Scotchbond Universal after one year of water storage in both modes (p

Low-cost carriers (LCCs) in Saudi Arabia operate in a competitive, highly demanding environment. Customer-related attributes may be influenced by the levels of service quality in a no-frills airline, which might impact satisfaction and loyalty. Given the unique traveler and market characteristics of the aviation sector in the kingdom, we sought to investigate the impact of service quality of LCCs on customer satisfaction and loyalty and the perceived airline image. A total of 299 passengers at two international airports were approached using a modified SERVQUAL scale. Results revealed that service quality was a significant predictor of customer satisfaction (β = 0.46, p < 0.0001), airline image (β = 0.55, p < 0.0001), and customer loyalty (β = 0.16, p = 0.006). The responsiveness dimension was the most important dimension of service quality, since it predicted all other constructs (satisfaction, loyalty, and brand image). Airline tangibles and reliability were independently associated with brand image and loyalty, respectively. Based on these results, LCCs should tailor future strategic plans that rely heavily on improving different service quality measures, particularly the responsiveness domain.

Fermentation process is considering as an important factor in improvement the availability of nutrients. The present investigation are carried out to evaluate the effect of fermented products (miso) prepared from soybean, barley and okara (as soymilk process by products) and its mixtures. Chemical composition, total phenols and antioxidant activity were determined. Also, Biological evaluations of prepared miso samples were studied. Results of chemical composition in all prepared samples showed an observed decrease in protein, fat and carbohydrates, While an increase in ash and fiber were detected. Okara miso sample had the highest level in DPPH radical scavenging activity. While, barley miso sample had the lowest amount of total phenols. Results of biological assay indicated exterminated rats fed on miso samples had an adequate increase in Body weight gain (BWG) in compared to control which group. Moreover, miso samples caused an increase in serum total protein while, there were no significant differences between them. Rats fed on okara miso sample caused a decrease in uric acid. In generates fed on all prepared miso samples caused increase in both of AST and ALT in compared to control group. But, rats fed on all miso samples had increase in serum minerals compared to control one.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is increasing rapidly. Hospital acquired infections enhance local outbreaks, impacting the vulnerable populations. Infection prevention and control practices (IPC) refer to all the activities used to reduce the risk of infection spread. This study aims to estimate the proportion of health care workers (HCWs) who acquired SARS-CoV2 infection, and evaluate their knowledge to IPC and suggest recommendations to reduce the risk of SARS-CoV2 infection. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted in Egypt from June 8, 2020, till August 19, 2020. A purposive sample of 518 HCWs from different governorates was included in the study. HCWs filled a structured questionnaire developed by the World Health Organization on a Google Form and a printed copy. The questionnaire link was shared on social media forums including HCWs such as Facebook. Results: The mean age of HCWs was 33±7 and 65% were males. The majority of health care workers were affiliated with the Ministry of Health and Population (62.5%), recruited from Cairo (52.4%), and were physicians (78.2%). About 11% of the HCWs had been infected with SARS-CoV2. Their mean knowledge percent score regarding IPC was 36.19 ± 11.26. The highest rate of infection was among those with little experience (p=0.002), and those worked inside Cairo (p=0.018). About 89% mentioned that the leading cause of infection with SARS-CoV2 was the shortage in Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). About 42% recommended raising the awareness for the importance of IPC to decrease risk of infection. Conclusions: HCWs had a low score of knowledge toward IPC. There was a considerable proportion of SARS-CoV2 infection among them. Lack of knowledge and shortage of PPE were the contributing factors. It is necessary to provide juniors with IPC training, and hospitals with sufficient PPE.

Acne scarring is a permanent disfiguring sequel, which can take varied morphological forms. Many therapeutic measures have been performed to improve acne scarring such as microneedling. Our objective is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of microneedling alone versus microneedling combined with platelet rich plasma in the treatment of post acne.The study included 35 patients with mild to severe post acne atrophic scar. All the patients received four sequential treatments of skin microneedling alone on the right side of the face and skin microneedling followed by topical application of platelet rich plasma (PRP) on the left side of the face with an interval of 3 weeks. Two blinded dermatologists evaluated the clinical response according to qualitative global acne scarring system grading of GoodmanBaron. Patients are queried about their satisfaction with the treatment outcomes.The study included 35 patients with a mean age of 24.7 ± 6.8 years. There was a significant improvement in the degree of scar severity before and after treatment on both the sides. Regarding patient's satisfaction grades, there was a significant improvement after both treatment modalities with insignificant differences between both treatment modalities.Both microneedling and microneedling in combined with PRP showed satisfactory results.

The present study aimed to investigate blood heavy metals toxicity for asthmatic children and their nutritional status. One hundred children suffering asthma attending the Al-Galaa Teaching Hospital during winter were enrolled in the study. Data was collected by personal interview with their mothers to fill a special questionnaire sheet (socioeconomic and clinical characteristics, anthropometric measurements and 24h dietary recall). Results showed most parents had (10–12 years) of education levels. The majority of fathers were smoking at the same room with their children. All children had high blood levels of lead (B-Pb) and cadmium (B-Cd). Most children were intake less than 50% of DRI from fiber, vitamins (A, D, B1 and B2) and minerals (K and Mg). There were a negative significant correlation between B-Pb and both Hb and animal protein (r = 0.312 and r = 278, P ˂0.05, respectively). There were a significant correlation between B-Cd and bilirubin (r = -0.381, P ˂0.05). Also, there were adverse significant correlation between plasma K and both urea and creatinine (P ˂0.01). It is concluded preventing heavy metals poisoning in early childhood is an essential component of strategy to improve the health success.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of feeding on virgin olive oil (VOO) and extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) at 50% and 100% with or without thyme leaves at 1% and 2.5% on pregnancy and lactation periods. Methods: One hundred and twenty adult female rats (120 ±5g) were randomly divided into 15 groups (n=8) for month before mating. On 19th day of pregnancy, half of pregnant rats were weighted, killed and their fetuses take off with uterus. Another half of pregnant rats were left to evaluate the lactation period. Biochemical assays, bone measurements and fertility hormones were evaluated. Results: Generally, the VOO groups were improved the health status of pregnant and lactating rats more than EVOO groups. The pregnant rats in VOO and thyme leaves powder groups were lower of body weight gain (BWG) without their fetuses than EVOO and thyme leaves powder groups. The mean weight of fetuses in VOO and thyme leaves powder groups were higher than EVOO combined with thyme leaves groups. Also, the feeding on olive oils with thyme leaves had an increase of number of fetuses and bone Ca and P contents. The results showed that, in an increasing of number of fetuses caused decrease in bone mineral density (BMD). Pregnant and lactating rats fed on 100% olive oils had TC, TG, LDL-C, and VLDL-C lower than the rats fed on 50% olive oils. Also, the rats fed on olive oils and thyme leaves powder had increase in both E2 and progesterone levels before mating and at the end of lactation period compared to control group. Meanwhile, the prolactin hormone levels for rats at the end of lactation period were lower than on 19th day of pregnancy period. Conclusion: Diet which containing with olive oil improved the health status, especially during pregnancy and lactation periods. Consumption of olive oil and olive oil and thyme leaves could be reduce the risk of infertility in females.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of feeding rats on virgin olive oil (VOO) and extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) with or without thyme powder on health status of their first generation. Outcome of pregnancy in each group (pregnant and lactating rats fed on olive oils and thyme which randomly divided into 15 groups) were divided into 2 subgroups (male and female) and feeding a month later (till 8 weeks aged). The babies were weighted, blood was collected and scarified. Organs were removed and weighted. Biochemical assays and bone measurements were evaluated. Generally, the groups fed on VOO had a high number of babies, a low body weight and high of liver weight compared to groups fed on EVOO. Total cholesterol (TC), LDL-C and risk factor of male fed on olive oils (100%) had higher values than groups fed on olive oils (50%). Female groups showed observed that, which groups fed on olive oils (100%) had higher of TC, LDL-C and risk factor than groups fed on (50%). Creatinine and urea were increased in male rats fed on olive oils while decreased in the female rats compared to control group. Male groups fed on VOO and thyme were higher of AST, ALT and ALP than groups fed on EVOO. Concerning female babies, there are a high differences between groups. In groups (male and female) were high levels of Ca and P content of bone were observed in rats fed on VOO and thyme leaves powder compared to groups fed on EVOO and thyme powder diets. In conclusion, the feeding on olive oils (VOO and EVOO) with or without thyme leaves powder diets caused to increasing of fertility, improved lipid profile and increasing Ca and P of bone contents.