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Abstract There are no documented electroanalytical methods for quantifying the anti-inflammatory drug bumadizone (BUM) in pharmaceutical or biological matrices. So, a new voltammetric method was developed to determine BUM at nano concentrations in pharmaceutical forms, in the presence of its alkaline degradant, and in biological fluids. Five electrodes were tested, including three nano-reduced graphene oxide (nRGO) electrodes (5%, 15%, and 20%), a carbon paste electrode (CPE), and a 10% nRGO-modified CPE. The 10% nRGO-modified electrode showed the best performance, offering high selectivity and low detection limits, with good linearity in the concentration range of 0.9 × 102 to 15 × 102 ng mL−1. Differential pulse voltammetry successfully applied this electrode for BUM determination in various samples, achieving excellent recovery without preliminary separation. The method was validated according to ICH guidelines and compared favorably to the reference method. Its environmental impact was assessed using AGREE and Eco-scale metrics in addition to the RGB algorithm, showing superior greenness and whiteness profiles due to safer solvents and lower energy consumption, along with high practical effectiveness using the BAGI metric.

Abstract Background Piezocision is a minimally invasive surgical method aiming to accelerate tooth movement. However, its effect was found to be transient, appertaining to the regional acceleratory phenomenon (RAP). Hence, the aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of single and multiple piezocisions on the rate of orthodontic tooth movement (OTM). Moreover, the impact of both protocols on canine tipping and orthodontically induced inflammatory root resorption (OIIRR) has been assessed. Methods Thirty indicated patients for the therapeutic extraction of maxillary first premolars were enlisted in this split-mouth study, and they were randomly split into two equal groups, each including 15 subjects. In the Single Application Group (SAG), one side of the maxillary arch arbitrarily received a single piezocision before the onset of canine retraction, whereas in the Multiple Application Group (MAG), piezocisions were randomly performed on one side, three times on a monthly basis, over the 12-week study period. The contralateral sides of both groups served as the controls. Canine retraction was carried out bilaterally using nickel-titanium closed-coil springs, delivering 150 g of force, and the rate of tooth movement, as well as canine tipping were evaluated on a monthly basis, over a 3-month period. Cone-bean computed tomography scans were also conducted pre- and post- canine retraction, and OIIRR was assessed using Malmgren Index. Results The reported outcomes revealed a significant increase in the amount of canine retraction, canine tipping, as well as root resorption scores on the experimental sides in both groups SAG and MAG post-retraction (p 0.05). Conclusions Single and multiple piezocisions effectively accelerate OTM in comparison to conventional orthodontic treatment, with relative outcomes reported by both intervention frequencies. Accordingly, single piezocision is recommended as an adjunct to OTM. Furthermore, significant tooth tipping as well as a significantly higher root resorption risk accompanies both single and multiple piezocision applications in conjunction with OTM. Name of the Registry Clinicaltrials.gov Trial Registration Number NCT05782088 Date of Registration 23/03/2023 “Retrospectively registered”. URL https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05782088

Abstract Natural products received much attention as an environmentally beneficial solution for pest management. Therefore, the extracts of invasive silverleaf nightshade (Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav.) weeds using their berries parts (seeds, peels and mucilage) supported by bioassay-guided fractionation were tested against both the greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella) and Erwinia carotovora pv. carotovora causes of the blackleg of potatoes. The seeds and peels of S. elaeagnifolium were successively extracted by maceration using dichloromethane (DCM), ethyl acetate (EtOAc), and ethanol (EtOH), respectively. While, its mucilage was extracted using EtOAc. The successive EtOH extract of the plant seeds had promising inhibition efficacy and the best minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) of 50 µg/ml against E. Carotovora amongst other extracts (DCM and EtOAc of the plant berries parts). Depending on dose response activity, EtOH extract had G. mellonella larval mortality and pupal duration rates (LC50; 198.30 and LC95; 1294.73 µg/ml), respectively. Additionally, this EtOH extract of seeds was fractionated using preparative TLC to three characteristic bands. The insecticidal and bacterial activities of these isolated bands (SEA, SEB, and SEC) were evaluated at a dose of 100 µg/ml, causing mortality by 48.48, 62.63 and 92.93% (G. mellonella larvae) and inhibition by 15.22, 0.00 and 31.66 mm (E. carotovora), respectively. Moreover, the separated major three bands were tentatively identified using LC-ESI-MS analysis revealing the presence of two phenolic acids; chlorogenic acid (SEA) and dicaffeoyl quinic acid (SEB) in addition to one steroidal saponin (SEC) annotated as borassoside E or yamoscin. Finally, the plant seeds’ successive EtOH extract as well as its active constituents, exhibited potential broad-spectrum activity and the ability to participate in future pest management initiatives. A field study is also recommended to validate its bio-efficacy against selected pests and to develop its formulations.

Abstract Background It was proposed that camels are more effective than other livestock species in selecting plants for their nutritional value. They may self-regulate their voluntary feed intake to satisfy their nutritional needs. This study was designed to investigate camels’ feeding selectivity and ability to cover nutritional requirements when grazing alfalfa (high in protein) and/ or barley (high in energy) in a desert climate. Methods Eighteen lactating camels were equally divided into three feeding treatments. They grazed daily on alfalfa, barley, or a mixed pasture of both, for two periods of one month each. The concentrate supplement was individually administered at 40 g/kg BW0.75, divided into two equal parts, in the morning and in afternoon. Total energy expenditure (EE) was estimated by heart rate (HR) monitors for 48 h after being calibrated by oxygen consumption using an upgraded face mask open-circuit respiratory system. Results During the first period, camels had a greater forage intake and digestibility when they grazed barley rather than alfalfa, while those grazing mixed pasture performed intermediately. In the second period, camels had a similar forage intake and digestibility among treatments due to a decline in barley intake and digestibility compared to the first period, which was expected since the preferred plant part gradually shifted from barley grains to predominantly straw as a function of time. Similar HR and EE were found across periods and treatments. As a result of greater gross and digestible energy intake in period 1, a better energy balance in period 1 was observed compared to period 2. Camels better utilize barley than alfalfa. Grazing on barley had a higher energy balance than grazing alfalfa alone or in combination with barley. However, camels grazing barley produced lower milk yield and energy than those grazing alfalfa alone or in combination with barley, with no interaction detected between period and treatment. Conclusions Lactating camels are able to self-regulate their voluntary intake to cover their energy requirements when they are grazing barley and/or alfalfa supplemented with a concentrate supplement at 40 g/kg BW0.75. Grazing barley is better utilized by camels than alfalfa. The chemical and physical properties of plant species play an important role in the selectivity of foraging camels. It also impacts their intake and digestibility, which is negatively associated with the proportion of cell wall content consumed.

Abstract Background Acute knee injuries represent a prevalent cause of morbidity among athletes and, if overlooked, could potentially lead to the development of chronic functional limitations. This study aimed to identify marrow contusion patterns around the knee and find the relation between each pattern and the intra- and extra-articular soft tissue injuries. This was a retrospective cross-sectional study carried out on 109 patients who presented to the hospital where the study was held with recent knee joint injury, for which magnetic resonance imaging was requested from January 2017 to January 2019. Results The entire patient population under investigation had a mean age of 30.2 ± 9.7 years. Regarding gender distribution, the study comprised 90 males (82.6%) and 19 females (17.4%). Regarding bone marrow contusion patterns in all studied patients, it was pivot shift in 58 patients (53.2%), clip injury in 11 patients (10.1%), dashboard injury in 7 patients (6.4%), hyperextension injury in 3 patients (2.8%), lateral patellar dislocation in 15 patients (13.8%), and others in 15 patients (13.8%). In the pivot shift pattern group, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), medial meniscus, and medial collateral ligament (MCL) injuries were most commonly seen in 94.8, 50, and 44.8% of patients, respectively. Among the clip pattern group, MCL, ACL, and medial meniscus injuries were most common in 90.9, 36.4, and 36.4%, respectively. Regarding the dashboard injury group, posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), ACL, and medial and lateral menisci were the most common injury structures (100, 57.1, 42.9, and 42.9%, respectively). Despite the hyperextension pattern being found in a small number of patients, it shows 100% medial meniscal and 66.7% PCL injuries. Within the group of lateral patellar dislocation patterns, 100% of cases exhibited injuries to the medial patellofemoral ligament. Conclusions Precise localization of the marrow contusion around the knee and defining its pattern help to anticipate the most probable associated soft tissue injuries and, thus, can increase our sensitivity in their detection. This can have a better impact on patients' management outcomes.

Background. Radiation is an environmental factor that can lead to changes in the level of hormones in the body and to variables in the function of the body. The study examined the impact of radiation on certain hormones and vital indicators for understanding its physiological effects on human health. Methodology. The study was carried out on two groups of non-smokers, non-alcoholics, and peaceful people with chronic diseases, and each group (40 blood samples) aged 20–6 years and 3–5 ml of blood were collected from each person. The decomposed samples were excluded to avoid erroneous results: the two groups were a non-irradiated group and an irradiated group. The level of prolactin hormone, cortisol hormone, colon cancer protein (CEA), and pancreatic cancer protein(CA19-9) was measured in both groups using MINDRY precision laboratory techniques and devices. Results. Prolactin prolactin results showed a pronounced significant decrease in the irradiated group with the non-irradiated group. Cortisol: The results of the cortisol study showed a clear increase in people exposed to radiation compared to people who were not exposed to radiation. The results of colon cancer protein (CEA) and pancreatic cancer protein (CA19-9) showed a significant and clear increase in people exposed to radiation compared to people not exposed to radiation. Conclusion. This study showed that radiation exposure negatively affects hormone levels and vital disease indicators in the human body. This study highlights the importance of systematic monitoring and complete preventive health care in individuals exposed to radiation to assess health risks.

Abstract Background Stroke-associated pneumonia (SAP) considerably burden healthcare systems. This study aimed to identify predictors of developing SAP in acute ischemic stroke patients admitted to the Stroke Unit at Manial Specialized Hospital factors with microbiological causality and impact on 30-day mortality. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study. All patients with acute ischemic stroke admitted to the Stroke Unit at Manial Specialized Hospital (from February 2021 to August 2023) were divided into the SAP and non-SAP groups. Detailed clinical characteristics and microbiological results were recorded. Results Five hundred twenty-two patients diagnosed with acute ischemic stroke (mean age of 55 ± 10) were included. One hundred sixty-nine (32.4%) of stroke patients developed SAP; Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most commonly detected pathogen (40.2%), followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (20.7%). Bacteremia was identified in nine cases (5.3%). The number of deaths was 11, all of whom were diagnosed with SAP, whereas none from the non-SAP group died (P

Abstract Most of the conditions involving cartilaginous tissues are irreversible and involve degenerative processes. The aim of the present study was to fabricate a biocompatible fibrous and film scaffolds using electrospinning and casting techniques to induce chondrogenic differentiation for possible application in cartilaginous tissue regeneration. Polycaprolactone (PCL) electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds and PCL film were fabricated and incorporated with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). Thereafter, coating of chondroitin sulfate (CS) on the fibrous and film structures was applied to promote chondrogenic differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs). First, the morphology, hydrophilicity and mechanical properties of the scaffolds were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), spectroscopic characterization, water contact angle measurements and tensile strength testing. Subsequently, the effects of the fabricated scaffolds on stimulating the proliferation of human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) and inducing their chondrogenic differentiation were evaluated via electron microscopy, flow cytometry and RT‒PCR. The results of the study demonstrated that the different forms of the fabricated PCL-MWCNTs scaffolds analyzed demonstrated biocompatibility. The nanofilm structures demonstrated a higher rate of cellular proliferation, while the nanofibrous architecture of the scaffolds supported the cellular attachment and differentiation capacity of hDPSCs and was further enhanced with CS addition. In conclusion, the results of the present investigation highlighted the significance of this combination of parameters on the viability, proliferation and chondrogenic differentiation capacity of hDPSCs seeded on PCL-MWCNT scaffolds. This approach may be applied when designing PCL-based scaffolds for future cell-based therapeutic approaches developed for chondrogenic diseases.

Abstract Background This study’s purposes were to evaluate the impact of biological therapies on outcomes in patients with severe asthma (SA) and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and to compare these effects among those with NP (CRSwNP) versus those without NP (CRSsNP) in the “real-world” setting in Saudi Arabian patients. Methods From March to September 2022, a retrospective observational cohort study was undertaken at the severe asthma clinics of the Armed Forces Hospital—Southern Region (AFHSR) and King Khalid University Hospital, Abha, Saudi Arabia, to delineate the effects of dupilumab therapy. Outcomes were assessed, including clinical outcomes, FEV1, and laboratory findings before and one year after dupilumab. Post-therapy effects were compared between CRSwNP and CRSsNP. Results Fifty subjects were enrolled, with a mean age of 46.56. There were 27 (54%) females and 23(46%) males. Significant improvements in clinical parameters (frequency of asthma exacerbations and hospitalizations, the use of OCs, anosmia, SNOTT-22, and the ACT), FEV1, and laboratory ones (serum IgE and eosinophilic count) were observed 6 and 12 months after using dupilumab (p

Economic Dispatch (ED) in Combined Heat and Power Systems (CHPSs) is critical for optimising fuel costs while managing Power-Only (PO), CHP, and Heat-Only (HO) stations. Robust optimisation strategies are necessary to tackle the growing non-convexity of the ED issue, particularly when considering transmission losses. This research introduces a Modified Artificial Hummingbird Optimisation Algorithm (MAHOA) that integrates a linear controlling strategy and various territorial foraging tactics to enhance global and local search capabilities. These enhancements facilitate coordinated diversification and intensification activities, leading to more effective problem-solving. The MAHOA is compared to the conventional AHOA through testing on 7-station and 24-station CHPS systems. Three distinct power and heat loading levels are investigated. For the 7-station CHPS, the MAHOA showed significant improvements in robustness, with the lowest standard deviations of 0.0017, 3.373, and 0.0233 $/hr, indicating 99.83 %, 35.92 %, and 98.22 % improvements over the AHOA. For the 24-station CHPS, it also shows significant improvements of 0.381 %, 0.45 %, 0.448 %, and 2.815 % in terms of mean, minimum, standard deviation, and maximum values. The MAHOA outperforms the AHOA in 95 % of the simulation runs with faster convergence to optimal solutions. Compared to other methods reported in the literature, the MAHOA offers a viable and superior solution mechanism.

Abstract Background Hepatic cancer endures a major health scourge as the consequence of a high incidence of > 1 million cases by 2025. Plant-based products are typically effective in ameliorating health conditions. Pomegranate peel extract (PE) with its high polyphenolic content has anticancer effects against different types of cancer. Herein, we aimed to maximize the PE chemotherapeutic efficacy by loading it in a suitable delivery system to overcome the limitations of PE, to control its release and to achieve liver targeting. Method A nanoprecipitation procedure was adopted to incorporate PE into biodegradable and biocompatible natural polymeric zein (ZN)-based nanoparticles (NPs) (PE-ZN NPs). A full factorial design (22 × 31) was developed to study the effects of the formulation variables, namely pH of dispersion, PE-to-ZN ratio and surfactant concentration. Results The optimization revealed a surfactant-free stable PE-ZN NPs formula with a small particle size of 99.5 ± 6.43 nm, high PE encapsulation efficiency % of 99.31% ± 3.64 (w/w) and controlled release of PE over 24 h. Conclusion Moreover, the cytotoxicity of the optimum formula against hepatic cancer HepG2 cell lines was assessed and attained about a 2.5-fold reduction in the inhibitory concentration (IC50) values compared to the free PE affording a promising green platform to combat hepatic cancer. Graphical abstract

Abstract Background Coconut oil, a natural component abundant in terpenoids, possesses various physiological functions. The global concern over the spread of viral infections and antimicrobial-resistant bacteria and fungi has highlighted the need for novel treatments. Coconut oil, with its known antimicrobial properties, presents an attractive candidate for combating these pathogens. This study aims to investigate the potential of coconut oil-loaded silica nanoemulsion (ON@SiO2) as a novel therapeutic agent against viral, antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, and fungal pathogens. Results The study synthesized coconut oil-loaded silica nanoemulsion (ON@SiO2) using an eco-friendly, cost-effective method with native coconut oil (CO). Characterization confirmed successful synthesis on the nanoscale with good distribution. Three nanoemulsion samples (ON-1@SiO2, ON-2@SiO2, and ON-3@SiO2) were prepared, with average particle sizes of 193 nm, 200 nm, and 325 nm, respectively. Evaluation of cytotoxicity on Vero-E6 cell lines indicated safety of ON-0@SiO2 and ON-3@SiO2, with CC50 values of 97.5 mg/ml and 89.1 mg/ml, respectively. ON-3@SiO2 demonstrated anti-Herpes I and II (HSV1 and HSV2) activity, with IC50 values of 1.9 mg/ml and 2.1 mg/ml, respectively. Additionally, ON-3@SiO2 exhibited promising antibacterial activity against E. coli, P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, and B. subtilis, with MIC values of 25 mg/ml, 12.5 mg/ml, 25 mg/ml, and 3.12 mg/ml, respectively. Conclusions ON-3@SiO2 showed potential antifungal activity against C. albicans, a unicellular fungus, with an MIC of 12.5 mg/ml. Overall, ON@SiO2 possesses antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties.

Abstract This study aimed to investigate the potential anti-fibrotic activity of vinpocetine in an experimental model of pulmonary fibrosis by bleomycin and in the MRC-5 cell line. Pulmonary fibrosis was induced in BALB/c mice by oropharyngeal aspiration of a single dose of bleomycin (5 mg/kg). The remaining induced animals received a daily dose of pirfenidone (as a standard anti-fibrotic drug) (300 mg/kg/PO) and vinpocetine (20 mg/kg/PO) on day 7 of the induction till the end of the experiment (day 21). The results of the experiment revealed that vinpocetine managed to alleviate the fibrotic endpoints by statistically improving (P ≤ 0.05) the weight index, histopathological score, reduced expression of fibrotic-related proteins in immune-stained lung sections, as well as fibrotic markers measured in serum samples. It also alleviated tissue levels of oxidative stress and inflammatory and pro-fibrotic mediators significantly elevated in bleomycin-only induced animals (P ≤ 0.05). Vinpocetine managed to express a remarkable attenuating effect in pulmonary fibrosis both in vivo and in vitro either directly by interfering with the classical TGF-β1/Smad2/3 signaling pathway or indirectly by upregulating the expression of Nrf2 enhancing the antioxidant system, activating PPAR-γ and downregulating the NLRP3/NF-κB pathway making it a candidate for further clinical investigation in cases of pulmonary fibrosis.

Abstract This study aimed to assess the influence of pollution on the quality of sediments and the risks associated with El-Qusier and Safaga Cities, Red Sea, Egypt, during 2021, divided into four sectors, using multiple pollution indices. To achieve that, we evaluated the metal pollution index (MPI), contamination factor (Cf), pollution load index (PLI), contamination security index (CSI), and anthropogenicity (Anp%). Moreover, carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks are used for human health hazards. Results indicated that Mn and Fe recorded the highest concentrations, whereas Cd had the lowest. El-Quseir City sediments were found the following metal ions: Fe > Mn > Ni > Zn > Cu > Co > Pb > Cd, where the order in the Safaga City was: Fe > Mn > Zn > Ni > Cu > Pb > Co > Cd. MPI > 1, this is alarming in the study area due to heavy metal pollution. In addition, C f HI dermal. CSR for different pathways was recorded as dermal > ingestion, in which total CSR for all paths is considered harmful, and the cancer risk is troublesome and higher than the reference ranges of 1 × 10–6–1 × 10–4. In conclusion, the examined heavy metals provide environmental hazards across the assessed locations.

This paper presents a mathematical optimization framework for the strategic placement of quasi-dynamic wireless charging (QWC) stations within road networks to address the charging needs of battery electric buses (BEBs). This study evaluates two scenarios for powering the buses. In the first scenario, a grid-connected system is considered. The optimization aims to minimize annual costs related to capital, operation, and energy losses of the electric bus fleet. This involves determining the optimal locations for QWC stations, the length of power transmitters, and the corresponding battery capacities for the BEBs. Using MATLAB-based optimization tools Casadi and Yalmip, with solvers Bonmin and Fmincon, the optimal configuration includes a 13 kWh battery capacity and a 300 m power transmitter distributed across five bus stop areas. The second scenario employs a chance-constrained optimization approach for an isolated solar photovoltaic (PV) and battery energy storage system (BESS). This system is designed to reliably meet the BEBs' energy requirements throughout the day, considering different seasonal data (winter, summer, all seasons/year-round). The optimization results for the PV and BESS capacities vary with the seasons: 394.247 kW and 2012.6 kWh using summer data, 1762.1 kW and 2738.2 kWh using winter data, and 1610.8 kW and 2741.9 kWh using year-round data. Additionally, the paper examines the impact of varying bus fleet sizes on the optimal battery size and power transmitter combination using a real-world example of the bus route between Khalifa City and Abu Dhabi Downtown in the UAE. The findings suggest that larger batteries with fewer or no charging stations are more economical for smaller fleets. Conversely, as the fleet size increases, a combination of smaller battery sizes and a greater number (and length) of QWC (power transmitters) becomes more cost-effective. This research offers significant insights into the efficient deployment of QWC stations and the integration of renewable energy and energy storage for sustainable urban electric bus networks. The proposed optimization models provide a systematic approach to designing and operating charging infrastructure, contributing to sustainable urban transportation systems. Moreover, the study highlights the influence of seasonal data on PV system sizing and costs.

Work-life balance has gained increasing popularity among scholars and practitioners since the beginning of the century. Despite significant attempts to consolidate this burgeoning field, the scholarly knowledge on work-life balance research remains fragmented and detached due to extant number of publications in the area and the mostly subjective approaches used to encapsulate the literature. As such, the current study presents an objective overview of work-life balance research between 2000 and 2020. Using bibliometric techniques, the authors examined 1190 articles indexed in Scopus database to identify the conceptual structure and current dynamics in the field. During the critical period between the reconceptualization of word-life balance and the emergence of COVID-19 pandemic, the findings reveal that the field was growing exponentially as a multidisciplinary research area. Most of the scholarly work originated in the US, UK, and Australia with a ''locally-centralized-globally-discrete'' collaboration pattern among scholars. The most relevant and developed research themes included, in addition to work-life balance, topics related to gender and family life. Furthermore, new emerging research directions had evolved beyond the traditional constructs including job security, flexible working hours, individual productivity, and work-life conflicts. The study contributes to the current knowledge on work-life balance by providing critical insights into the evolution of the field and offers potential avenues for scholars who are interested in this critical research domain and the changes it has experienced post pandemic.

This article introduces an innovative application of the Enhanced Gorilla Troops Algorithm (EGTA) in addressing engineering challenges related to the allocation of Thyristor Controlled Series Capacitors (TCSC) in power grids. Drawing inspiration from gorilla group behaviors, EGTA incorporates various methods, such as relocation to new areas, movement towards other gorillas, migration to specific locations, following the silverback, and engaging in competitive interactions for adult females. Enhancements to EGTA involve support for the exploitation and the exploration, respectively, through two additional strategies of periodic Tangent Flight Operator (TFO), and Fitness-based Crossover Strategy (FCS). The paper initially evaluates the effectiveness of EGTA by comparing it to the original GTA using numerical CEC 2017 single-objective benchmarks. Additionally, various recent optimizers are scrutinized. Subsequently, the suitability of the proposed EGTA for the allocation of TCSC apparatuses in transmission power systems is assessed through simulations on two IEEE power grids of 30 and 57 buses, employing various TCSC apparatus quantities. A comprehensive comparison is conducted between EGTA, GTA, and several other prevalent techniques in the literature for all applications. According to the average attained losses, the presented EGTA displays notable reductions in power losses for both the first and second systems when compared to the original GTA. Specifically, for the first system, the proposed EGTA achieves reductions of 1.659 %, 2.545 %, and 4.6 % when optimizing one, two, and three TCSC apparatuses, respectively. Similarly, in the second system, the suggested EGTA achieves reductions of 6.096 %, 7.107 %, and 4.62 %, respectively, when compared to the original GTA's findings considering one, two, and three TCSC apparatuses. The findings underscore the superior effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed EGTA over both the original GTA and several other contemporary systems.

Abstract Background The inferior turbinate is located in the inferior part of the nose, and contribute to the nasal valve formation. Inferior turbinate hypertrophy causes chronic nasal obstruction. Aim We aimed to assess the effectiveness of coblation-assisted reduction of the inferior turbinate hypertrophy using a specially designed coblator probe. Additionally, this study aimed to compare this technique with traditional surgical partial turbinectomy as the control arm and follow up with patients to identify potential complications. Methods This study involved 40 patients with nasal obstruction, those patients attended the Otorhinolaryngology Department of Al Azhar University Hospital in Assiut and diagnosed with enlarged inferior turbinate that did not respond to medical treatment. Also, Pre- and post-operative CT scanning was performed to objectively evaluate the improvement. Results Coblation group has more advantages over the traditional group like less operative time, less intraoperative blood loss, less post-op pain, less post-op nasal crusts, early return to daily activity (P value

Christopher S Ahmad,1 Justin E Hellwinkel,1 Rifat Ahmed,1 Frank J Alexander,1 Alan W Reynolds,1 Dana P Piasecki,2,3 Thomas S Bottiglieri,1 T Sean Lynch,1 Charles A Popkin,1 Bryan M Saltzman,2,3 David P Trofa1 1Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA; 2Sports Medicine Center, OrthoCarolina, Charlotte, NC, 28207, USA; 3Musculoskeletal Institute, Atrium Health, Charlotte, NC, 28207, USACorrespondence: David P Trofa, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 622 West 168 St, PH-11, New York, NY, 10032, Email dpt2103@cumc.columbia.eduObjective: Social distancing protocols due to the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in premature ending of athletic seasons and cancellation of upcoming seasons, placing significant stress on young athletes. Inability to play or forced early retirement has significant consequences on athlete’s mental health, as demonstrated by an extensive body of injury literature. We hypothesize that premature suspension and cancellation of athletic events due to the COVID-19 pandemic leads to higher incidence of depressive symptoms among high-school and collegiate athletes. Further, athletes who strongly derive their sense of self-worth centered around athletics would have higher rates of depressive symptoms.Methods: High school and collegiate athletes were evaluated for depressive symptoms, emotional health and athletic identity measures through validated assessment instruments from May 2020 through July 2020. The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Depression Computer Adaptive Test (PROMIS-10 Depression CAT), Veterans RAND-12 (VR-12), which comprises both a physical and mental health component, and Athletic Identity Measurement Scale (AIMS) were utilized.Results: Mental health assessments were completed by 515 athletes (52.4% male, 47.6% female; .84.5% collegiate, 15.5% high school). Female athletes scored significantly worse than males on VR-12 mental health assessments, as well as PROMIS-10 Depression scores; however, males scored significantly lower than females on VR-12 physical health assessments, irrespective of education level. Athletes who had strong associations with athletics as central to their personal identity exhibited worse psychologic impact on VR-12 mental health and PROMIS-10 Depression measures and female athletes in this cohort reported greater depressive symptoms than males.Conclusion: Social distancing protocols due to the COVID-19 pandemic have limited athlete’s ability to participate in sports at the training and competition level. Higher rates of depressive symptoms in high school and college athletes have resulted among female athletes and those who identify strongly as an athlete.Keywords: COVID-19, mental health, return to play, involuntary retirement, psychological impact, depression

Abstract In the present study, Aeromonas hydrophila was isolated from Tilapia zillii and Mugil cephalus samples collected during different seasons from various Suez Canal areas in Egypt. The prevalence of A. hydrophila, virulence genes, and antibiotic resistance profile of the isolates to the commonly used antibiotics in aquaculture were investigated to identify multiple drug resistance (MDR) and extensive drug-resistant (XDR) strains. In addition, a pathogenicity test was conducted using A. hydrophila, which was isolated and selected based on the prevalence of virulence and resistance genes, and morbidity of natural infected fish. The results revealed that A. hydrophila was isolated from 38 of the 120 collected fish samples (31.6%) and confirmed phenotypically and biochemically. Several virulence genes were detected in retrieved A. hydrophila isolates, including aerolysin aerA (57.9%), ser (28.9%), alt (26.3%), ast (13.1%), act (7.9%), hlyA (7.9%), and nuc (18.4%). Detection of antibiotic-resistant genes revealed that all isolates were positive for bla pse1 (100%), bla SHV (42.1%), tetA (60.5%), and sul1 (42.1%). 63.1% of recovered isolates were considered MDR, while 28.9% of recovered isolates were considered XDR. Some isolates harbor both virulence and MDR genes; the highest percentage carried 11, followed by isolates harboring 9 virulence and resistance genes. It could be concluded that the high prevalence of A. hydrophila in aquaculture species and their diverse antibiotic resistance and virulence genes suggest the high risk of Aeromonas infection and could have important implications for aquaculture and public health.

Understanding how different livestock species and breeds respond to consumption of brackish water could improve usage of this resource. Therefore, Angora, Boer, and Spanish goat doelings and Dorper, Katahdin, and St. Croix ewe lambs (6 animals per animal type [AT]; initial age = 296 ± 2.1 days) consuming water with varying concentrations of minerals of a natural brackish water source (BR) and sodium chloride (NaCl; SL) were used to determine effects on water and feed intake, nutrient digestion, heat energy, methane emission, ruminal fluid conditions, and blood constituent concentrations. There were 6 simultaneous 6 (water treatments [WT]) × 6 (AT) Latin squares with 3-wk periods. The WT were fresh (FR), BR alone (100-BR), a similar total dissolved solids (TDS) concentration as 100-BR via NaCl addition to FR (100-SL), BR with concentrations of all minerals increased by approximately 50% (150-BR), a similar TDS level as 150-BR by NaCl addition to FR (150-SL), and a similar 150 TDS level achieved by addition of a 1:1 mixture of BR minerals and NaCl to 100-BR (150-BR/SL). Concentrations (mg/kg) in BR were 4928 TDS, 85.9 bicarbonate, 224.9 calcium, 1175 chloride, 60.5 magnesium, 4.59 potassium, 1387 sodium, 1962 sulfate, and 8.3 boron, and TDS in other WT were 209, 5684, 7508, 8309, and 7319 mg/kg for FR, 100-SL, 150-BR, 150-SL, and 150-BR/SL, respectively. There were very few significant effects of WT or AT × WT interactions, although AT had numerous effects. Water intake was affected by AT (P = 0.02) and WT (P = 0.04), with greater water intake for 150-SL than for FR, 100-BR, 100-SL, and 150-BR. Dry matter intake among AT was lowest (P

Abstract A novel hybrid ternary metallic electrocatalyst of amorphous Mo/Co oxides and crystallized Cu metal was deposited over Ni foam using a one-pot, simple, and scalable solvothermal technique. The chemical structure of the prepared ternary electrocatalyst was systematically characterized and confirmed via XRD, FTIR, EDS, and XPS analysis techniques. FESEM images of (Mo/Co)Ox–Cu@NF display the formation of 3D hierarchical structure with a particle size range of 3–5 µm. The developed (Mo/Co)Ox–Cu@NF ternary electrocatalyst exhibits the maximum activity with 188 mV and 410 mV overpotentials at 50 mA cm−2 for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER), respectively. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) results for the (Mo/Co)Ox–Cu@NF sample demonstrate the minimum charge transfer resistance (Rct) and maximum constant phase element (CPE) values. A two-electrode cell based on the ternary electrocatalyst just needs a voltage of about 1.86 V at 50 mA cm−2 for overall water splitting (OWS). The electrocatalyst shows satisfactory durability during the OWS for 24 h at 10 mA cm−2 with an increase of only 33 mV in the cell potential.

Abstract Background Although pulmonary artery banding (PAB) has been generally acknowledged as an initial palliative treatment for patients having single ventricle (SV) physiology and unrestrictive pulmonary blood flow (UPBF), it may result in unfavorable outcomes. Performing bidirectional Glenn (BDG) surgery without initial PAB in some selected cases may avoid the complications associated with PAB and reduce the number of operative procedures for these patients. This research aimed to assess the outcome of BDG surgery performed directly without doing initial PAB in patients with SV-UPBF. Methods This Multicenter retrospective cohort includes all patients with SV-UPBF who had BDG surgery. Patients were separated into two groups. Patients in Group 1 included patients who survived till they received BDG (20 Patients) after initial PAB (28 patients), whereas patients in Group 2 got direct BDG surgery without first performing PAB (16 patients). Cardiac catheterization was done for all patients before BDG surgery. Patients with indexed pulmonary vascular resistance (PVRi) ≥ 5 WU.m2 at baseline or > 3 WU.m2 after vasoreactivity testing were excluded. Results Compared with patients who had direct BDG surgery, PAB patients had a higher cumulative mortality rate (32% vs. 0%, P = 0.016), with eight deaths after PAB and one mortality after BDG. There were no statistically significant differences between the patient groups who underwent BDG surgery regarding pulmonary vascular resistance, pulmonary artery pressure, postoperative usage of sildenafil or nitric oxide, intensive care unit stay, or hospital stay after BDG surgery. However, the cumulative durations in the intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital were more prolonged in patients with BDG after PAB (P = 0.003, P = 0.001respectively). Conclusion Direct BDG surgery without the first PAB is related to improved survival and shorter hospital stays in some selected SV-UPBF patients.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the quality of life (QOL) improvement in evaporative dry eye patients after treatment with intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy compared to punctal plug insertion. METHODS: A prospective comparative interventional study included 30 patients with moderate-to-severe evaporative dry eye. Patients' QOL affection before and after treatment was assessed by the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire. Fifteen patients were treated with IPL therapy (Group 1). The other 15 patients were treated with silicone punctal plug insertion (Group 2). RESULTS: Improvement of patients' QOL was noticed in all patients of Group 1, with significant improvement of OSDI score from a mean value of 56.9 to 22.9 (P = 0.001). Improvement was noticed in 80% of Group 2 patients (mean OSDI score pretreatment: 53.8 and posttreatment: 31.7, P = 0.017). The tear breakup time (TBUT) in Group 1 significantly improved from a mean of 3.2 s to 5.9 s (P = 0.001), whereas it showed no significant changes in Group 2 (mean TBUT pretreatment: 3.6 s and posttreatment: 3.9 s, P = 0.654). Complications occurred in 13.3% in Group 2, including punctal granuloma and proximal canalicular obstruction. No adverse effects were recorded in Group 1. CONCLUSION: IPL therapy had better results with more improvement of patients' QOL compared to punctal plugs. It also showed a better safety profile with no reported complications.

Abstract Background Attempts to use dietary lysozyme (LYZ) as an alternative to antibiotics in broilers have been successful, but further research is needed for effective use. Here, we compared the differences between LYZ and avilamycin (AVI) feed additives for growth performance, gut health and immunity of broilers. One-day old, one hundred and twenty broiler chicks (Ross 308) were randomly allocated into three groups consisting forty birds in each group. Standard diet without supplementation was applied as the control group (I), while the chicks of the other groups were supplemented with 100 mg of AVI per kg diet (AVI, group II), and 90 mg LYZ per kg diet (LYZ, group III) for five consecutive weeks. Results Body weight, feed conversion ratio, body weight gain, and European production efficiency factor were markedly (p

Economic dispatch in combined heat and power (CHP) schemes takes into account the trade-off between generating electricity and producing heat, ensuring that the system operates at the highest level of efficiency and cost-effectiveness. A Mantis Search Algorithm (MSA), in this paper, is developed to address the CHP economic dispatch taking into consideration valve points effect, feasible region constraints for CHP units, and power losses are considered all at once. The MSA draws its inspiration from the unique sexual cannibalism and foraging strategies of praying mantises including three stages of optimization which are hunting, attacking, and cannibalism. Moreover, various recent meta-heuristic optimization algorithms, such as the Aquila Optimizer (AO), Gradient-based Optimizer (GBO), Coot Optimizer (CO), and African Vultures Algorithm (AVO), are utilized for comparative analysis across the two test systems. The developed MSA is demonstrated to be superior across three power and heat loading levels for both a 7-unit system and a larger 84-unit system. In the case of the large 84-unit system, MSA exhibits a significant cost reduction, surpassing AVO, GBO, CO, and AO by 2.017%, 2.511%, 0.817%, and 0.126%, respectively. Simulation results confirm the remarkable efficiency of MSA as a promising solution for economic dispatch in combined heat and power schemes. Testing outcomes indicate that MSA outperforms several previously published methods in the literature, as well as the four adopted optimizers.

Background: Several genital pathogens affect fertility. The study estimated the seroprevalence of Treponema pallidum, Ureaplasma urealyticum, and Mycoplasma hominis and identify specific factors associated with exposure to at least one of these pathogens in patients seeking fertility treatment in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Methods: A seroepidemiological survey was conducted in a major fertility clinic in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Serum samples were screened for eight immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM, and IgA) against T. pallidum, U. urealyticum, and M. hominis using enzyme-linked immunoassays. Factors associated with seropositivity to at least one of the pathogens were investigated. Results: The study surveyed 308 patients seeking fertility treatment (mean age: 36.1 ± 6.8 years). Most patients were female (88.0%), 24.9% had at least one chronic comorbidity, 19.3% had a previous genital infection, and 68.1% had been diagnosed with infertility for ≥ 6 months. Ig seroprevalence of T. pallidum (IgG: 3.0%, IgM: 3.2%), U. urealyticum (IgG: 2.6%, IgM: 2.0%), and M. hominis (IgG: 33.9%) was 6.4%, 4.6%, and 49.0%, respectively. Nearly one quarter (23.0%) and one decile (9.2%) of the patients exhibited evidence of ongoing infection (IgM seropositivity) or recent infection (IgA seropositivity) with M. hominis, respectively. Overall, 53.0% of the patients were seropositive for at least one of the screened immunoglobulins. Patients with an education level of secondary schooling or below (66.2%) or those who were unemployed (61.1%) had a higher seroprevalence of IgG antibodies compared with patients with college or higher-level education (48.4%) or those who were employed (48.1%) (p

The purpose of this study was to improve the quality of frozen–thawed Piedmontese bull semen by incorporating MitoTEMPO (MT) in extended semen before cryopreservation. Semen was collected from 4 fertile bulls, using an artificial vagina, once weekly for 6 consecutive weeks. Semen samples were pooled, diluted with Bullxcell® extender, and supplemented with different concentrations of MT (0 as control, 5, 10, 20, 40, and 80 μM) before cooling, equilibration, and freezing procedures. The frozen–thawed semen was assessed for motility, vitality, acrosome intactness, plasma membrane integrity, DNA integrity, apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential, intracellular ROS level and in vitro fertilizing capability. The results showed that MT at concentrations of 10, 20, and 40 μM improved the total, progressive, and rapid motility directly after thawing while, at the highest tested concentration (80 μM), it decreased the progressive and rapid motility after 1, 2, and 3 h of incubation. The sperm kinetics including STR and LIN were noticeably increased at concentrations of 10, 20, and 40 μM directly after thawing (0 h), whereas the MT effect was variable on the other sperm kinetics during the different incubation periods. MitoTEMPO improved the sperm vitality at all tested concentrations, while the acrosomal and DNA integrity were improved at 20 μM and the mitochondrial membrane potentials was increased at 80 μM. The cleavage and blastocyst formation rates were significantly increased by using semen treated with 20 μM MT compared with controls. These findings suggest a potential use of MT mainly at a concentration of 20 μM as an additive in the cryopreservation media of bull semen to improve sperm quality.

The current study sought to determine whether well-fed nulliparous she-camels (NP, n= 8) aged 2:3 years could have the same pattern of fertility status similar to multiparous she-camels (MP, n= 13; aged 8 to 13 years). Ovarian follicular dynamics and associated hormones, ovarian measures and endometrial thickness, and pregnancy rates were recorded during the period of 90 days (December–March). Every two days, the ovaries and uterus were scanned by ultrasound, and blood samples were taken. Results showed that the right ovaries were more active than the left ovaries. Ovarian length and width and endometrial thickness increased with follicles growth, and NP had longer ovaries (P

Efficient precision vaccines against several highly pathogenic zoonotic viruses are currently lacking. Proteolytic activation is instrumental for a number of these viruses to gain host-cell entry and develop infectivity. For SARS-CoV-2, this process is enhanced by the insertion of a furin cleavage site at the junction of the spike protein S1/S2 subunits upstream of the metalloprotease TMPRSS2 common proteolytic site. Here, we describe a new approach based on specific epitopes selection from the region involved in proteolytic activation and infectivity for the engineering of precision candidate vaccinating antigens. This approach was developed through its application to the design of SARS-CoV-2 cross-variant candidates vaccinating antigens. It includes an in silico structural analysis of the viral region involved in infectivity, the identification of conserved immunogenic epitopes and the selection of those eliciting specific immune responses in infected people. The following step consists of engineering vaccinating antigens that carry the selected epitopes and mimic their 3D native structure. Using this approach, we demonstrated through a Covid-19 patient-centered study of a 500 patients’ cohort, that the epitopes selected from SARS-CoV-2 protein S1/S2 junction elicited a neutralizing antibody response significantly associated with mild and asymptomatic COVID-19 (p

This study investigates groundwater resources in the El-Omayed area on the northwestern coast of Egypt. The aim is to assess the extent and severity of saltwater intrusion in the shallow aquifer system, as well as its potential impacts on groundwater resources. A combined geophysical and hydrochemical approach was adopted in this investigation. Across the study area, 32 vertical electrical soundings were conducted, along with two electrical resistivity tomography profiles. Sixteen water samples were collected, and then chemically analyzed to evaluate water quality, seawater intrusion, and source of salinity. The results of geophysical interpretation revealed the existence of a thin, shallow freshwater-bearing layer (42–95 Ω.m), predominantly situated in the central parts of the area, followed by saltwater saturated layers of (0.9–2.1 Ω.m) affected by the Mediterranean Sea invasion. The eastern portion of the aquifer also recorded a relatively high seawater intrusion. As evidenced by the actual data gathered from drilled wells, the study area can be divided into three distinct zones: fresh, brackish, and saltwater zones. The study identified the most suitable sites to establish new groundwater wells, in addition to identifying the source of salinity through the investigation of the geochemical properties of water samples.

Abstract Background The primary objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of SEC III (Splints, Class III Elastics, and Chin cup) protocol on the upper airway dimensions using lateral cephalometric radiographs. The secondary objectives were to evaluate the skeletal and dental effects of the SEC III protocol using lateral cephalometric radiographs. Methods The pre- and post-treatment lateral cephalometric radiographs of 24 patients treated using the SEC III protocol were used to address the aim of the study. Children in the pre-pubertal (CS-1 or CS-2) or circumpubertal (CS-3 or CS-4) skeletal maturation stage and having class III dentoskeletal malocclusion were included in the study. Patients with a history of previous orthodontic treatment, maxillofacial surgery or trauma, tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, or craniofacial malformations were excluded. The pre-treatment and post-treatment lateral cephalometric radiographs were traced, then airway measurements, skeletal measurements, and dental measurements were performed. The results were analysed using paired samples t-test or Wilcoxon signed rank test according to the data normality. Results Data of 6 males and 18 females were analysed (Mean age = 11.21 ± 1.02 years). Duration of active treatment was 5.75 ± 1.03 months. Treatment using SEC III protocol resulted in a significant increase in ANB angle (2.92 ± 1.50 degrees, p

This study addresses the difficulties associated with parameter estimation in the generalized power unit half-logistic geometric distribution by employing a progressive Type-Ⅱ censoring technique. The study uses a variety of methods, including maximum likelihood, maximum product of spacing, and Bayesian estimation. The work investigates Bayesian estimators taking into account a gamma prior and a symmetric loss function while working with observed data produced by likelihood and spacing functions. A full simulation experiment is carried out with varying sample sizes and censoring mechanisms in order to thoroughly evaluate the various estimation approaches. The highest posterior density approach is employed in the study to compute credible intervals for the parameters. Additionally, based on three optimal criteria, the study chooses the best progressive censoring scheme from a variety of rival methods. The study examines two real datasets in order to confirm the applicability of the generalized power unit half-logistic geometric distribution and the efficacy of the suggested estimators. The results show that in order to generate the necessary estimators, the maximum product of the spacing approach is better than the maximum likelihood method. Furthermore, as compared to traditional methods, the Bayesian strategy that makes use of probability and spacing functions produces estimates that are more satisfactory.

Roselle calyces (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) were evaluated through a critical study of existing research works on health benefits, mineral compositions, bioactive compositions, mechanisms, and possible research gaps. The use of roselle calyces as an alternative to synthetic food dyes, addressing growing global challenges of overweight, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases, was evaluated and encouraged. Studies indicate the attenuation of obesity by chlorogenic acid (the predominant phenolic compound in roselle calyx) via mechanisms associated with the UCP-1 and PGC-1α pathways, resulting in reduced blood lipid levels, reduced fat accumulation in the liver, and increased thermogenesis through fat metabolism. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of known bacteria and fungi, such as Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus, Salmonella typhimurium, Candida tropicalis, and Candida krusei, were studied. More research, however, needs to be conducted on organic acids present in roselle calyces to look into their possible applications and maximize their possible benefits.

Abstract The condensation of pyrrole-2,5-dicarbaldehyde (1) with 5-(2-amino-4-phenylthiazol-5-yl)-4-phenylthiazol-2-amine (2) and/or 5-(4-Amino-phenyl)-4-phenylthiazol-2-amine (3) gave new poly(Z)-N-((5-(iminomethyl)-1H-pyrrol-2-yl)methylene)-5-(2-((E)-(5-(iminomethyl)-I-pyrrol-2-yl)methyleneamino)-4-phenylthiazol-5-yl)-4-phenylthiaol-2-amine (P1) and/or poly(E)-N-((5-(iminomethyl)-1H-pyrrol-2-yl)methylene)-5-(4-((E)-(5-(iminomethyl)-1H-pyrrol-2-yl)methyleneamino)phenyl)-4-phenylthiaol-2-amine (P2) as a novel conjugated polymer by microwave irradiation and traditional heating.. It is evident that the microwave irradiation technique quickly raised the molecular weight of polyimines. In addition to quantifying the molecular weight of the resultant polyimines. All the polyimines were characterized using FTIR, XRD, H1NMR, TGA, and DSC. The optical characteristics of polyimine derivatives were investigated using a UV–Vis spectrophotometer. The absorption spectra showed a main absorption band around 372 nm for polyimine (P1) and 381 nm for polyimine (P2). The optical energy was calculated and found to be 2.49 and 2.68 eV. The photoluminescence of the polyimine derivatives was measured and analyzed by spectrofluorometer and Laser photoluminescence experiment and the emission color was studied using CIE graphs. The fluorescence spectra showed an emission peak at 548 nm for polyimine (P1) with yellow green color in CIE graph, while for polyimine (P2) the emission band was located at 440.5 nm with blue color in CIE graph. Photoluminescence quantum yield PLQY was measured for the polyimine P1 and P2 in both liquid and Solid states and indicated the AIE behavior of the polyimines. TD-DFT simulations were applied to the polyimine derivatives where the structures were geometrically optimized and the spectroscopic characterizations were evaluated.

Fertility preservation technologies have existed for decades, and the field is rapidly advancing; limited data exist regarding the use of these technologies by transgender patients. Many options are available for transgender patients who wish to preserve fertility before transitioning. These options include the cryopreservation of gametes, embryos, or ovarian tissue. Currently, ejaculated, or testicular sperm, immature oocytes, and ovarian tissue can be preserved for later use, but no such use option exists for immature testicular tissue. Many financial, sociological, and legal barriers and a lack of awareness among physicians and patients also hinders the utilization of these fertility preservation services. While options are abundant, usage rates are relatively low. The initial data regarding the successful use of preserved tissues appears promising, with birth rates not dissimilar to non-transgender patients. Further investigations into this area are needed. In addition, counseling regarding fertility preservation options should become a significant part of the provider-patient conversation before transitioning therapies.

The global prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) as a leading cause of death highlights the imperative need for refined risk assessment and prognostication methods. The traditional approaches, including the Framingham Risk Score, blood tests, imaging techniques, and clinical assessments, although widely utilized, are hindered by limitations such as a lack of precision, the reliance on static risk variables, and the inability to adapt to new patient data, thereby necessitating the exploration of alternative strategies. In response, this study introduces CardioRiskNet, a hybrid AI-based model designed to transcend these limitations. The proposed CardioRiskNet consists of seven parts: data preprocessing, feature selection and encoding, eXplainable AI (XAI) integration, active learning, attention mechanisms, risk prediction and prognosis, evaluation and validation, and deployment and integration. At first, the patient data are preprocessed by cleaning the data, handling the missing values, applying a normalization process, and extracting the features. Next, the most informative features are selected and the categorical variables are converted into a numerical form. Distinctively, CardioRiskNet employs active learning to iteratively select informative samples, enhancing its learning efficacy, while its attention mechanism dynamically focuses on the relevant features for precise risk prediction. Additionally, the integration of XAI facilitates interpretability and transparency in the decision-making processes. According to the experimental results, CardioRiskNet demonstrates superior performance in terms of accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and F1-Score, with values of 98.7%, 98.7%, 99%, and 98.7%, respectively. These findings show that CardioRiskNet can accurately assess and prognosticate the CVD risk, demonstrating the power of active learning and AI to surpass the conventional methods. Thus, CardioRiskNet’s novel approach and high performance advance the management of CVDs and provide healthcare professionals a powerful tool for patient care.

Biosurfactants are surface-active molecules with unique qualities and various uses. Many microorganisms produce secondary metabolites with surface-active characteristics that serve various antiviral functions. The HIV and Zika viruses were chosen for this study because they can spread from mother to child and result in potentially fatal infections in infants. Halophilic bacteria from the Red Sea solar saltern in Egypt were screened using drop collapse, emulsification activity, and oil displacement assays to produce biosurfactants and emulsifiers. Halobacterium jilantaiense strain JBS1 was the most effective strain of the Halobacteriaceae family. It had the best oil displacement test and emulsification activity against kerosene and crude oil, respectively. Among the ten isolates, it produced the most promising biosurfactant, also recognized by the GC-MASS library. This study evaluated biosurfactants from halophilic bacteria as potential antiviral drugs. Some of the computer methods we use are molecular docking, ADMET, and molecular dynamics. We use model organisms like the HIV reverse transcriptase (PDB: 5VZ6) and the Zika virus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (ZV-RdRP). Molecular docking and molecular dynamics make the best complexes with 5VZ6 HIV-RT and flavone (C25) and 5wz3 ZV-RdRP and ethyl cholate (C8). Testing for ADMET toxicity on the complex revealed that it is the safest medicine conceivable. The 5VZ6-C25 and 5wz3-C8 complexes also followed the Lipinski rule. They made five hydrogen bond donors and ten hydrogen bond acceptors with 500 Da MW and a 5:1 octanol/water partition coefficient. Finally, extreme settings require particular adaptations for stability, and extremophile biosurfactants may be more stable.

The Android operating system, with its market share leadership and open-source nature in smartphones, has become the primary target of malware. However, detecting malicious Android processes has become a significant challenge because of the complexity of size, length, and associations of various important and distinctive elements of Android applications, such as API calls and system calls. In this paper DL-AMDet, a deep learning architecture is proposed to detect Android malware applications based on its static and dynamic features. DL-AMDet consists of two main detection models the first one uses CNN-BiLSTM deep learning method for detecting malware using static analysis. The other model utilizes deep Autoencoders as an anomaly detection model to identify the malware based on dynamic analysis. The performance of the DL-AMDet architecture is evaluated using two different datasets. The results show that DL-AMDet achieves a competitive malware detection accuracy of 99.935 % for static and dynamic analysis models combined. Additionally, the results emphasize the significance of CNN-BiLSTM and Deep Autoencoders models used in DL-AMDet to outperform the existing state-of-the-art techniques.

African horse sickness (AHS) is a non-contagious arthropod-borne infectious disease of Equidae. Because of its severity and quick spread, It is cosidered as a notifiable disease. The current study intended to look into the current suitation of the vector-borne African horse sickness virus (AHSV) in Egypt, determine viral seroprevelance, and assess the associated risk factors. In this context, 2739 sera and 150 spleen samples were collected from different Egyptian governorates and tested for AHSV screening. The sera were investigated for presence of antibodies against AHSV whilst spleen samples were tested for AHSV Ag and RNA detection. The obtained results revealed that all 2739 sera samples tested negative for AHSV antibodies. Furthermore, using ELISA and conventional reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), to identify AHSV Ag and nucleic acid, the 150 tested spleen samples gave negative results with both assays. In conclusion, the recorded results indicated the absence of antibodies, antigen, and viral nucleic acid of AHSV in all tested samples which proved that there is no circulating virus in the investigated Egyptian governorates in the period from 2017 to 2022. Evenually, the effective control programs are recommended by carrying out further epidemiological investigations to understand the current situation of arboviruses in the country.

Urtica cannabina L. (UL) has been used clinically for centuries because of its anti-inflammatory properties. This study aimed to investigate the underlying mechanisms and anti-inflammatory effects of different UL concentrations in zebrafish. To elucidate UL's anti-inflammatory properties, two inflammation zebrafish models were designed 1) by severing the zebrafish's caudal fin to assess the repairing effect of UL on the tail inflammation, and 2) by inducing lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-mediated intestinal inflammation to assess the protective and reparative effects of UL on intestinal inflammation at the histological and genetic levels. Furthermore, the effect of UL on the LPS-induced intestinal flora changes was also assessed. After caudal fin resection, a scar formed on the tail of the zebrafish, and the area of the caudal fin increased by 1.30 times as much as that of the control group (P < 0.01). Moreover, this tail scar was alleviated after 10 mg/g UL supplementation but not after 30 mg/g UL dose. LPS decreased the feed intake and body weight of the zebrafish; however, these effects were reversed after 10 and 30 mg/g doses of UL. In addition, the LPS treatment also reduced the intestinal goblet cells by 49% in the zebrafish when compared with the control, which was significantly restored after 10 and 30 mg/g UL treatments. At the genetics level, the expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokine genes (TNF-α, IL6, and IL8) showed that 10 and 30 mg/g UL doses could rescue LPS-induced expression. The gut microbiota analysis revealed changes in the abundance of four major bacterial phyla in the 10 and 30 mg/g UL-treated groups, with an increased probiotic Bacteroidota and decreased pathogenic bacteria. These results indicate that UL strongly inhibits inflammation caused by caudal fin removal and LPS-induced inflammatory changes in the zebrafish intensity, suggesting that UL is a feed additive that could be developed to improve resistance to inflammation in livestock.

Lead pollution of the environment poses a major global threat to the ecosystem. Bacterial bioremediation offers a promising alternative to traditional methods for removing these pollutants, that are often hindered by various limitations. Our research focused on isolating lead-resistant bacteria from industrial wastewater generated by heavily lead-containing industries. Eight lead-resistant strains were successfully isolated, and subsequently identified through molecular analysis. Among these, Enterobacter kobei FACU6 emerged as a particularly promising candidate, demonstrating an efficient lead removal rate of 83.4% and a remarkable lead absorption capacity of 571.9 mg/g dry weight. Furthermore, E. kobei FACU6 displayed a remarkable a maximum tolerance concentration (MTC) for lead reaching 3,000 mg/L. To further investigate the morphological changes in E. kobei FACU6 in response to lead exposure, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were employed. These analyses revealed significant lead adsorption and intracellular accumulation in treated bacteria in contrast to the control bacterium. Whole-genome sequencing was performed to gain deeper insights into E. kobei’s lead resistance mechanisms. Structural annotation revealed a genome size of 4,856,454 bp, with a G + C content of 55.06%. The genome encodes 4,655 coding sequences (CDS), 75 tRNA genes, and 4 rRNA genes. Notably, genes associated with heavy metal resistance and their corresponding regulatory elements were identified within the genome. Furthermore, the expression levels of four specific heavy metal resistance genes were evaluated. Our findings revealed a statistically significant upregulation in gene expression under specific environmental conditions, including pH 7, temperature of 30°C, and high concentrations of heavy metals. The outstanding potential of E. kobei FACU6 as a source of diverse genes related to heavy metal resistance and plant growth promotion makes it a valuable candidate for developing safe and effective strategies for heavy metal disposal.

Abstract Aim of the work This study was designed to highlight internal fixation by intramedullary K-wires for displaced distal forearm fractures among children and analyze the results of this technique. We hypothesize that physis-sparing intramedullary fixation prevents displacement with a lower complication rate. Methods This prospective case series involving 47 patients was conducted between February 2018 and December 2019. All patients with open physis presented with recent displaced distal forearm fractures were included, and all of them were treated with an intramedullary k-wire fixation for both bones with the assessment of the union rate, union time, suspected complication, radiographic evaluation, and functional outcome. Results The study population consisted of 31 boys (66%) and 16 girls (34%). The mean age of the patients was 10.68 ± 2.728 years (range, 7–15 years). All fractures were united in a median of 6 weeks (range, 4–8 weeks), The functional outcome after 12 months was normal in 42 patients (89.4%), whereas, in five patients (10.6%), the functional parameters were minimally reduced. The median preoperative angulation improved from 36° (range, 24°–52°) preoperatively to 4° (range, 0°–10°) on immediate postoperative radiographs. After 12 months, the median angulation was 2° (range, 0°–7°) (p

Yasamin Abdu,1 Sarah Naja,1 Mohamed Izham Mohamed Ibrahim,2 Mariam Abdou,1 Romaisa Ahmed,3 Salma Elhag,4 Ahmed O Saleh,5 Mohamed Yassin,6 Iheb Bougmiza7,8 1Community Medicine Department, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; 2College of Pharmacy, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar; 3University of Elimam Almahadi, Khartoum, Sudan; 4Wad Medani College of Medical Sciences and Technology, Jazeera, Sudan; 5Department of Internal Medicine, Unity Hospital, Rochester, NY, USA; 6Hematology Department, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; 7Community Medicine Department, Primary Health Care Corporation, Doha, Qatar; 8Community Medicine Department, College of Medicine, Sousse University, Sousse, TunisiaCorrespondence: Yasamin Abdu, Community Medicine Department, Hamad Medical Corporation, P.O. Box 3050, Doha, Qatar, Tel + 97466900210, Email yasmeenalaa78@yahoo.com; Yabdu1@hamad.qaPurpose: Sleep disturbance is suspected to increase during the COVID-19 pandemic, and people with type 2 DM are known to have a higher risk of sleep disturbance. We aimed to determine the prevalence and determinants of sleep disturbance through Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) during the COVID-19 pandemic.Patients and Methods: We randomly selected two hundred eighty-eight people with T2DM from the outpatient clinics of the National Diabetes Centre in Qatar. We used Chi-square, Mann–Whitney, Spearman, and Point Biserial correlation tests to examine the association between sleep quality and the independent variables. Finally, we conducted multiple logistics regression to identify the predictors of poor sleep quality and set the alpha level at 0.05.Results: In our sample, the mean age (±SD) was 51.4 (± 9.5) years, and 64.3% of the study participants were males. The median (IQR) duration of diabetes was 10 (11) years. Additionally, 6.3% of the participants were on insulin. The median HbA1c was 7.6% (2.4). Three in ten patients reported poor sleep quality (PSQI> 5); (n=103; 35.8%). Poor sleep quality was statistically associated with young age, previous history of sleep disturbance, prior diagnosis of sleep disorders, high depression score, and high perceived stress score. After adjusting for confounders, only high depressive symptoms score and previous history of sleep disorder were significant predictors of poor sleep quality (p < 0.001), with adjusted odd ratios of (aOR = 1.421; 95% CI: 1.242– 1.625) and (aOR = 3.208; 95% CI: 1.574– 6.537), respectively.Conclusion: The prevalence of poor sleep quality among people with T2DM during the COVID-19 pandemic is high. Physicians must screen for depression, stress, and previous history of sleep disorder to tackle poor sleep among T2DM.Keywords: poor sleep quality, sleep disturbance, T2DM, COVID-19, depression

Abstract The objectives of this study were to develop a process to produce acid curd from micellar casein concentrate (MCC) using starter cultures and to manufacture imitation Mozzarella cheese (IMC) using a combination of acid curd and MCC that would confer emulsification ability to the caseins without the use of emulsifying salts (ES). The formulations were targeted to produce IMC with 49.0% moisture, 20.0% fat, 18.0% protein, and 1.5% salt. In the IMC formulation made without ES (FR‐2:1), the acid curd was blended with MCC so that the formula contained a 2:1 ratio of protein from acid curd relative to MCC. IMC with ES was also produced as a control. The melt and stretch characteristics of IMC made from FR‐2:1 were similar to those of control IMC. We conclude that IMC can be made without ES using a 2:1 ratio of protein from acid curd relative to MCC.

Background and Aim: Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) virus causes continuous outbreaks, leading to serious economic consequences that affect animal productivity and restrict trade movement. The potential influence of the disease was due to the emergence of new strains or re-emergence of local strains with major antigenic variations due to genetic mutations. This study aims to evaluate circulating virus in samples collected from infected animals during an outbreak using antigenic characterization and identify whether there is an emergence of a new strain or mutation. Materials and Methods: Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to screen 86 samples. Viral protein 1 (VP1) codon sequencing was performed. The virus was isolated from the samples inoculated on the baby-hamster kidney cell line and Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed for serotyping and antigen detection. Results: Based on the RT-PCR screening results, 10 positive samples were selected for sequencing. The sequences belonged to the FMD serotype A African topotype originating from the ancestor prototype Sudan/77, with which it shared 98.48% ± 1.2% similarity. The divergence with local isolates from 2020 was 9.3%. In addition, the sequences were 96.84% ± 1.01% and 95.84% ± 0.79% related to Egyptian-Damietta type 2016 and Sudanese-2018, respectively. Divergence with vaccinal strains ranged from 10% to 17%. Amino acid sequence analysis revealed that the isolates had variation in the most prominent antigenic regions (residues 35–75) and the immunogenic determinants of the G-H loop of VP1 (residues 100–146 and 161–175). Conclusion: The current isolates should be included in the locally produced vaccine to provide broader immunogenic coverage against serotype A African topotypes.

Abstract In this paper, we study non-Bayesian and Bayesian estimation of parameters for the Kumaraswamy distribution based on progressive Type-II censoring. First, the maximum likelihood estimates and maximum product spacings are derived. In addition, we derive the asymptotic distribution of the parameters and the asymptotic confidence intervals. Second, Bayesian estimators under symmetric and asymmetric loss functions (Squared error, linear exponential, and general entropy loss functions) are also obtained. The Lindley approximation and the Markov chain Monte Carlo method are used to derive the Bayesian estimates. Furthermore, we derive the highest posterior density credible intervals of the parameters. We further present an optimal progressive censoring scheme among different competing censoring scheme using three optimality criteria. Simulation studies are conducted to evaluate the performance of the point and interval estimators. Finally, one application of real data sets is provided to illustrate the proposed procedures.

Background and aim: Acacia nilotica (A. nilotica) is an imperative plant with many medicinal uses. The current study aimed to investigate the protective effects of the stem bark of A. nilotica and its fractions in a high fat diet (HFD) rat model. Experimental procedure: Seventy-two male albino rats were randomly divided into 9 groups, 8 rats per each. Group 1 was the normal control and received standard balanced diet. All the remaining groups were fed HFD for 8 weeks to induce obesity. Group 2 served as the HFD control group, group 3 received orlistat (5 mg/kg/day), groups 4 and 5 received total extract of A. nilotica stem bark (250 and 500 mg/kg). Groups 6 and 7 received A. nilotica ethyl acetate fraction (250 and 500 mg/kg), while groups 8 and 9 received butanol fraction (250 and 500 mg/kg). Results and conclusion: Both doses of the ethyl acetate fraction of the stem bark of A. nilotica significantly decreased the body weight, blood glucose, lipid profile and improved insulin sensitivity. Levels of MDA, leptin and inflammatory cytokines were significantly decreased by the ethyl acetate fraction while adiponectin and HDL-C were significantly increased relative to the HFD control group. Both doses of the ethyl acetate fraction significantly abolished HDF induced oxidative stress and normalized the values of antioxidant enzymes. Furthermore, metabolic profiling of the ethyl acetate fraction was performed by UHPLC/Q-TOF-MS. In conclusion, the ethyl acetate fraction of A. nilotica stem bark possessed antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and insulin sensitizing properties in HFD rat model.