Search

Abstract Background Water scarcity is now a global challenge due to the population growth and the limited amount of available potable water. In addition, modern industrialization, and microbial pathogenesis is resulting in water pollution on a large scale. Methods In the present study, reusable Co0.5Ni0.5Fe2O4/SiO2/TiO2 composite matrix was incorporated with CdS NPs to develop an efficient photocatalyst, and antimicrobial agents for wastewater treatment, and disinfection purpose. The antibacterial performance of the gamma-irradiated samples was evaluated against various types of Gram-positive bacteria using ZOI, MIC, antibiofilm, and effect of UV-exposure. Antibacterial reaction mechanism was assessed by bacterial membrane leakage assay, and SEM imaging. In addition, their photocatalytic efficiency was tested against MB cationic dye as a typical water organic pollutant. Results Our results showed that, the formed CdS NPs were uniformly distributed onto the surface of the nanocomposite matrix. While, the resulted CdS-based nanocomposite possessed an average particle size of nearly 90.6 nm. The antibacterial performance of the prepared nanocomposite was significantly increased after activation with gamma and UV irradiations. The improved antibacterial performance was mainly due to the synergistic effect of both TiO2 and CdS NPs; whereas, the highest photocatalytic efficiency of MB removal was exhibited in alkaline media due to the electrostatic attraction between the cationic MB and the negatively-charged samples. In addition, the constructed heterojunction enabled better charge separation and increased the lifetime of the photogenerated charge carriers. Conclusion Our results can pave the way towards the development of efficient photocatalysts for wastewater treatment and promising antibacterial agents for disinfection applications.

Abstract Background Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) is a major cause of foodborne diseases accompanied by several clinical illnesses in humans. This research aimed to isolate, identify, and combat STEC using novel alternative treatments, researchers have lately investigated using plant extract to produce nanoparticles in an environmentally acceptable way. At various gamma-ray doses, gamma irradiation is used to optimize the conditions for the biogenically synthesized silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) using an aqueous extract of clove as a reducing and stabilizing agent. Methods On a specific medium, 120 vegetable samples were screened to isolate STEC and molecularly identified using real-time PCR. Moreover, the antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of biogenically synthesized Ag NPs against the isolated STEC were examined. Results Twenty-five out of 120 samples of eight types of fresh vegetables tested positive for E. coli, as confirmed by 16S rRNA, of which three were positive for the presence of Stx-coding genes, and six were partially hemolytic. Seven antibiotic disks were used to determine antibiotic susceptibility; the results indicated that isolate STX2EC had the highest antibiotic resistance. The results demonstrated that Ag NPs were highly effective against the STEC isolates, particularly the isolate with the highest drug resistance, with inhibition zones recorded as 19 mm for STX2EC, 11 mm for STX1EC1, and 10 mm for STX1EC2 at a concentration of 108 µg/mL. MICs of the isolates STX1EC1, and STX1EC2 were 13.5 µg/mL whereas it was detected as 6.75 µg/mL for STX2EC. The percentages of biofilm inhibition for STX1EC2, STX1EC1, and STX2EC, were 78.7%, 76.9%, and 71.19%, respectively. Conclusion These findings suggest that the biogenic Ag NPs can be utilized as a new promising antibacterial agent to combat biofouling on surfaces.

Abstract Background Artificial intelligence (AI) has made significant advances in recent years, and its applications in psychiatry have gained increasing attention. The use of AI in psychiatry offers the potential to improve patient outcomes and provide valuable insights for healthcare workers. However, the potential benefits of AI in psychiatry are accompanied by several challenges and ethical implications that require consideration. In this review, we explore the use of AI in psychiatry and its applications in monitoring mental illness, treatment, prediction, diagnosis, and deep learning. We discuss the potential benefits of AI in terms of improved patient outcomes, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. However, we also address the challenges and ethical implications associated with the use of AI in psychiatry, including issues of accuracy, privacy, and the risk of perpetuating existing biases in the field. Results This is a review article, thus not applicable. Conclusion Despite the challenges and ethical implications of using AI in psychiatry, the potential benefits of this technology cannot be ignored. Further research and development are required to address the limitations and ensure the safe and ethical integration of AI in the field of psychiatry. By doing so, AI has the potential to greatly improve patient outcomes and enhance the delivery of mental healthcare services.

Objectives:To identify coronary plaque morphology using grey scale and virtual histology intravascular ultrasound in patients with and without elevated glycated haemoglobin. Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted at the Cardiology Department of Kafrelsheikh University, Egypt, from November 2019 to January 2022, and comprised adult patients of either gender suffering from acute coronary syndrome admitted for catheterisation. The patients were divided into three groups.Diabetic patients were in group A, prediabetic patients with elevated glycated haemoglobin in group B, and patients with normal glycated haemoglobin in group C. All patients were subjected to clinical examination, 12-lead electrocardiogram, coronary angiography and multimodality intravascular ultrasonography scan of proximal segments 3-6cmof non-culprit coronary arteries intra group differences were compared using the analysis of variance (ANOVA) test. Continue..

Objective: To evaluate plaque morphology in non-culprit coronary arteries using intravascular ultrasound in patients with acute coronary syndrome with and without elevated glycated haemoglobin and its assocaition with patient outcome. Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted at the Cardiology Department of Kafrelsheikh University, Egypt, from November 2019 to January 2022, and comprised adult patients of either gender suffering from acute coronary syndrome. The patients were divided into three groups. Diabetic patients were in group A, prediabetic patients with elevated glycated haemoglobin in group B, and patients with normal glycated haemoglobin in group C. The patients were subjected to coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention. Intravascular ultrasound scan was done after succcessful intervention. Lesions were classified according to ultrasound findings. Patients were followed up for one year to observe subsequent events to the morphology of the lesions detected at baseline. Data was analysed using SPSS 20. Results: Of the 52 patients, 18(34.7%) were females and 34(65.3%) were males. Group A had 18(34.6%)patients; 13(72%) males and 5(28%) females with mean age 57.9±6.9 years. Group B had 17(32.7%) patients; 11(64.7%) males and 6(35.3%) females with mean age 56.5±5.5 years. Group C had 17(32.7%) patients; 10(59%) males and 7(41%) females with mean age 59.5±5.1 years (p>0.05). Thin-capped fibro-atheroma was significantly higher in groups A and B compared to group C (p=0.045). Significant direct correlation between major adverse cardiac events and prevalence of thin-capped fibro-atheroma was found between groups A and C (p=0.033), and between groups B and C (p=0.047) regarding prevalence of necrotic plaque and subsequent myocardial infarction. Conclusion: Thin-capped fibro-atheroma was the more common plaque type in patients with raised glycated haemoglobin, and the subsequent rate of major adverse cardiac events was significantly higher in such patients compared to the non-diabetic population. Keywords: Plaque, Atherosclerotic, Angiography, Vessels, Percutaneous, Prediabetic.

N/A

Objective: To assess heart failure patients by speckle tracking echocardiography before cardiac resynchronisation therapy implantation to predict the outcome. Method: The descriptive follow-up study was conducted at Kafrelsheikh and Mansoura University Hospitals, Egypt, from January 2020 to May 2022, and comprised heart failure patients of either gender who had ejection fraction ≤35%, QRS width ≧130msec and symptomatic even on optimal medical therapy. They were subjected to full clinical evaluation, electrocardiogram, basic and speckle tracking echocardiography with calculation of maximal septal to lateral delay at baseline and 3 months after cardiac resynchronisation therapy implantation. The patients were classified according to response into group I having non-responders, group II having patients who improved clinically only, and group III having responders both in clinical and echocardiographic terms. Data was analysed using SPSS 23. Results: Of the 38 patients with mean age 55.24±11.23 years, 16(42%) were females and 22(57.9%) were males. There were 7(18.4%) patients in group I, 7(18.4%) in group II and 24(63.2%) in group III. There was a positive significant correlation between response to cardiac resynchronisation therapy CRT and increase in maximal septal to lateral delay at baseline (p

Abstract Background Programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1), anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), and c-ros oncogene1 (ROS1) expression may influence the prognosis of non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). We aimed to investigate the prognostic and predictive significance of PD-1/PD-L1 along with c-ros ROS1 and ALK in NSCLC patients. Methods Immunohistochemistry used to identify ALK, ROS1, PD-1, and PD-L1 proteins expression as well as ROS1 rearrangement via fluorescence in situ hybridization, in 70 NSCLC patients. Results were related to clinicopathological feature, survival, and treatment response. Results Expression of ROS1, ALK, PD-1, and PD-L1 and ROS1-rearrangement were detected in 18.57%, 54.29%, 84.29%, 87.14%, and 15.71% of the cases, respectively. No association was found between ROS1, PD-1, and PD-L1 and any clinicopathological features, survival, or treatment outcome. ALK expression significantly associated with stage-IV and left-sided tumors. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation and ALK-positive patients had significantly reduced progression-free survival than patients with wild type EGFR [HR: 1.99, 95% CI: 1.37–2.93, p

Abstract Background CD68+ tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) play an important role in the progression of classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL). We assessed the role of CD20 and CD68 + TAM in a cohort of cHL patients from Egypt and correlated the number of CD68 + cells with patients’ characteristics, response to treatment, overall and progression free survival rates (OS & PFS). Methods CD20 expression and CD68 + TAM numbers were assessed in representative tumor tissues obtained from 81 cHL patients using flowcytometry (FCM), immunohistochemistry (IHC), and Rt-PCR techniques. Results The expression levels of CD68 protein by IHC was high in 27 (33.3%), moderate in 15 (18.5%), low in 15 (18.5%), and negative in 24 (29.6%) patients (p = 0.13). CD68-mRNA expression was high in 43/81(53.1%), and low in 38(46.9%) patients (p = 0.6). The number of CD68 + TAM (by FCM) was low (

Background: The signalling pathway Fas and FasL system plays a fundamental role in the regulation of apoptotic cell death and any disturbance of this pathway has been shown to promote immune escape and tumorigenesis. Many types of cancers show reduced expression of FAS and elevated FasL expression. The Fas21377G/A, and FasL2844T/C polymorphisms might be associated with increased risk of lung cancer. Objective: The interplay between genetic polymorphisms could participate in cancer development. This study aimed to examine the contribution of Fas21377AA and FasL2844CC genotypes to risk of developing lung cancer. Subjects and methods: A case-control study was conducted on 20 non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cases and 40 controls. Genotyping of Fas 21377AA and FasL 2844CC Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) were done to all subjects. Results: The distribution of Fas and FasL genotypes showed a higher frequency of Fas AA genotype among patients compared to controls with an increased risk of lung cancer (OR 5.28; CI:1.35–20.65, P value .01). No statistically significant difference was found between patients and controls groups in respect to FasL genotypes. Gene to gene interaction between Fas and FasL genotypes showed significant differences between the patients and controls groups. As regards the combination between FasL TT+CT & Fas AA, FasL CC & Fas GG+GA and FasL CC & Fas AA genotypes where patients carrying FasL CC or Fas AA genotypes have increased risk to develop lung cancer, (OR 10.28, 95% CI; 1.68–62.74, P value .01), (OR 72, 95% CI; 5.55–132.99, P value .001) and (OR 9, 95% CI; 1.5–53.86, P value .01) respectively. The FasL-CC genotype showed 2.25 folds increased risk to develop lung cancer in non-smoker patients, P = .008. No correlation was found between the pathological types, the stage of lung cancer and the Fas and FasL genotypes. Conclusion: The interaction of the cell death pathway genes Fas and FasL polymorphisms could be associated with the risk of lung cancer, in the same respect Fas AA genotype could also potentiate this risk. Keywords: Cell death pathway genes, Fas FasL polymorphisms, Non small cell lung cancer, PCR-RFLP

Abstract Background Several studies have reported the role of CYP2A6 genetic polymorphisms in smoking and lung cancer risk with some contradictory results in different populations. The purpose of the current study is to assess the contribution of the CYP2A6*2 rs1801272 and CYP2A6*9 rs28399433 gene polymorphisms and tobacco smoking in the risk of lung cancer in an Egyptian population. Methods A case-control study was conducted on 150 lung cancer cases and 150 controls. All subjects were subjected to blood sampling for Extraction of genomic DNA and Genotyping of the CYP2A6 gene SNPs (CYP2A6*2 (1799 T > A) rs1801272 and CYP2A6*9 (− 48 T > G) rs28399433 by Real time PCR. Results AC and CC genotypes were detected in CYP2A6*9; and AT genotype in CYP2A6*2. The frequency of CYP2A6*2 and CYP2A6*9 were 0.7% and 3.7% respectively in the studied Egyptian population. All cancer cases with slow metabolizer variants were NSCLC. Non-smokers represented 71.4% of the CYP2A6 variants. There was no statistical significant association between risk of lung cancer, smoking habits, heaviness of smoking and the different polymorphisms of CYP2A6 genotypes. Conclusion The frequency of slow metabolizers CYP2A6*2 and CYP2A6*9 are poor in the studied Egyptian population. Our findings did not suggest any association between CYP2A6 genotypes and risk of lung cancer.

Salt tolerance of four Egyptian Vicia faba L. cultivars – Nubaria 1, Nubaria 2, Sakha 1 and Giza 3 – was investigated at germination in relation to seed size. The variability in seed size was wide as seed index of Giza 3 was about half that of Nubaria 1. The four investigated cultivars can withstand up to 150 mM NaCl; with marginal reductions in germination capacity but with marked reductions in speed of germination and embryo growth. The vague genotypic variability among the four cultivars in germination parameters emerged more clearly under salt stress. The response of early emergence of the embryo to salt stress seems to differ from that of the subsequent extension of embryonic axis; since based on magnitude and speed of germination Nubaria 1 was the most salt sensitive cultivar but exhibited relatively high salt tolerance on the basis of embryo growth. The salt-sensitive Nubaria 1 produced smaller embryo, with shorter and thicker radicles than the other three cultivars. Germination speed and embryo growth were maximum but lag period was minimum for the medium-sized seeds. Length and thickness of the emerging radicles were affected more by the genotype than by salinity stress and nutrient supply during germination. The beneficial effects of nutrients on seed germination and embryo growth were more evident in the salt-tolerant Nubaria 2 than in the salt-sensitive Nubaria 1. Keywords: Embryo growth, Germination speed, Salinity, Seed index, Vicia faba

Abstract Background Breast cancer is the most globally diagnosed female cancer, with the triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) being the most aggressive subtype of the disease. In this study we aimed at comparing the effect of BRCA1-IRIS overexpression on the clinico-pathological characteristics in breast cancer patients with TNBC or non-TNBC in the largest comprehensive cancer center in Egypt. Methods To reach this goal, we conducted an observational study at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), Cairo University (Cairo, Egypt). The data on all diagnosed breast cancer patients, between 2009 and 2012, were reviewed. BRCA1-IRIS expression measured using real time RT/PCR in these patients’ tumor samples was correlated to tumor characteristics, such as to clinico-pathological features, therapeutic responses, and survival outcomes. Results 96 patients were enrolled and of these 45% were TNBC, and 55% were of other subtypes (hereafter, non-TNBC). All patients presented with invasive ductal carcinomas. No significant difference was observed for risk factors, such as age and menopausal status between the TNBC and the non-TNBC groups except after BRCA1-IRIS expression was factored in. The majority of the tumors in both groups were ≤5 cm at surgery (p = 0.013). However, in the TNBC group, ≤5 cm tumors were BRCA1-IRIS-overexpressing, whereas in the non-TNBC group they were BRCA1-IRIS-negative (p = 0.00007). Most of the TNBC patients diagnosed with grade 1 or 2 were BRCA1-IRIS-overexpressing, whereas non-TNBCs were IRIS-negative (p = 0.00035). No statistical significance was measured in patients diagnosed with grade 3 tumors. Statistically significant difference between TNBCs and non-TNBCs and tumor stage with regard to BRCA1-IRIS-overexpression was observed. Presence of axillary lymph node metastases was positively associated with BRCA1-IRIS overexpression in TNBC group, and with BRCA1-IRIS-negative status in the non-TNBC group (p = 0.00009). Relapse after chemotherapy (p

The effect of genotype and timing of salicylic acid (SA) application on response of maize to salinity stress has been investigated. Single and triple hybrids (SH and TH, respectively) of maize were grown hydroponically and sprayed with 1 mM SA one week either before or after application of 150 mM NaCl. The effect of salinity on maize performance was stronger than that of SA regime or maize hybrid. The effect of treatments was most evident on root biomass but least evident on number of leaves. The genotypic difference in shoot biomass was vague in non-amended plants but emerged, in favor of the SH, in SA-amended plants. The more vigorous SH exhibited less pigment content (particularly the post-amended plants) and less salt resistance, with preferential native allocation of plant biomass to root compared with the TH. Salicylic acid, particularly the post amendment under salinity stress, was stressful to maize foliage but beneficial to roots. Salinity reduced root growth to a greater extent than shoot growth, with the production of wider and shorter blades; but SA led to the opposite effect. The effect of salinity on leaf chlorophyll a concentration was non-significant in the SH, versus an increase (in the post-amended plants) or a decrease (in the non-amended and pre-amended plants) of the TH. Sub-stomatal CO2 concentration (Ci) was higher in the SH than the TH, particularly in the post-amended plants. Both salinity and SA induced stomatal closure, reduced rates of transpiration and photosynthesis but increased Ci, with variable magnitudes in the two hybrids. Salinity increased concentrations of soluble sugars, proline and Na+ in the leaves, decreased K+ and phenolics concentrations but marginally affected protein concentration with limited effect of SA, which varied according to time of application. The further stressing effect of SA post-amendment to salt-stressed maize can be related to reduced stomatal conductance and concentrations of phenolics, proline and K+ but increased Na+ concentration of the shoot, particularly of the TH.

Background: Pulmonary fibrosis, the final result of a large variety of interstitial lung diseases, is characterized by an aberrant remodeling of extracellular matrix (ECM) with a profound disturbance of the normal lung architecture. This remodeling includes the exaggerated accumulation of ECM components in the interstitial and alveolar spaces and the disruption of the basement membranes. It has long been accepted that MMPs play an important role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis, but the exact mechanisms are not well characterized. There are several interrelated processes—such as ECM remodeling, basement-membrane disruption, epithelial-cell apoptosis, cell migration, and angiogenesis—in which MMPs may play a central role, either by ECM direct cleavage or by generating bioactive mediators. TIMPs can modulate cellular processes such as cell growth, apoptosis and migration, and can be both anti- and pro-tumorigenic. This study aimed to examine the changes in induced sputum as regards MMP-9, TIMP-1 and levels of inflammatory cells in ILD patients compared with sputum of healthy non smokers. Subjects and methods: Thirty subjects were included in this study and were classified into the following two groups: Group I included twenty patients diagnosed clinically, radiologically and physiologically as interstitial lung diseases. Group II included ten healthy non smoker subjects. Sputum induction was done and processed to assess matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1(TIMP-1) and cytological examination with cellular count. Results: In this study, we have demonstrated that levels of sputum MMP-9 and TIMP-1 were significantly increased in patients with interstitial lung diseases than normal persons with highly significant statistical differences (p = 0.001). MMP-9 was positively correlated with number of neutrophils in the airway with highly significant statistical difference (p = 0.001).

Physiological parameters and expression levels of drought related genes were analyzed in early vegetative stage of two bread wheat cultivars (Sids and Gmiza) differ in drought tolerance capacity. Both cultivars were imposed to gradual water depletion started on day 17 till day 32 after sowing. Sids, the more tolerant cultivar to drought showed higher fresh and dry weights than the drought sensitive genotype, Gmiza. Under water stress, Sids had higher membrane stability index (MSI), lower accumulated H2O2 and higher activity of the antioxidant enzymes; catalase (CAT), guaiacol peroxidase (GPX), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) than Gmiza. On the other hand, the differential expression patterns of the genes dhn, wcor and dreb were observed due to water deficit intensity according to cultivar’s tolerance to drought. The DNA sequence alignment of dun showed high similarity of about 80–92% identities with other related plants. The most striking overall observed trend was the highly induction in the expression of dun, wcor and dreb in leaves of the tolerant genotype, Sids under severe water stress.