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Introduction Mucormycosis is an aggressive, lethal fungal infection affecting the nasal and paranasal territory in immunocompromised patients. Orbital involvement is not uncommon and may require orbital exenteration.

The increasing reliance on global models for evaluating climate- and human-induced impacts on the hydrological cycle underscores the importance of assessing the models' reliability. Hydrological models provide valuable data on ungauged river basins or basins with limited gauge networks. The objective of this study was to evaluate the reliability of 13 global models using the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellite's total water storage (TWS) seasonal cycle for 29 river basins in different climate zones. Results show that the simulated seasonal total water storage change (TWSC) does not compare well with GRACE even in basins within the same climate zone. The models overestimated the seasonal peak in most boreal basins and underestimated it in tropical, arid, and temperate zones. In cold basins, the modeled phase of TWSC precedes that of GRACE by up to 2–3 months. However, it lagged behind that of GRACE by 1 month over temperate and arid to semi-arid basins. The phase agreement between GRACE and the models was good in the tropical zone. In some basins with major underlying aquifers, those models that incorporate groundwater simulations provide a better representation of the water storage dynamics. With the findings and analysis of our study, we concluded that R2 (Water Resource Reanalysis tier 2 forced with Multi-Source Weighted Ensemble Precipitation (MSWEP) dataset) models with optimized parameterizations have a better correlation with GRACE than the reverse scenario (R1 models are Water Resource Reanalysis tier 1 and tier 2 forced with the ERA-Interim (WFDEI) meteorological reanalysis dataset). This signifies an enhancement in the predictive capability of models regarding the variability of TWSC. The seasonal peak, amplitude, and phase difference analyses in this study provide new insights into the future improvement of large-scale hydrological models and TWS investigations.

BackgroundMolecular testing plays a pivotal role in monitoring measurable residual disease (MRD) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), aiding in the refinement of risk stratification and treatment guidance. Wilms tumor gene 1 (WT1) is frequently upregulated in pediatric AML and serves as a potential molecular marker for MRD. This study aimed to evaluate WT1 predictive value as an MRD marker and its impact on disease prognosis.MethodsQuantification of WT1 expression levels was analyzed using the standardized European Leukemia Network real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay (qRT-PCR) among a cohort of 146 pediatric AML patients. Post-induction I and intensification I, MRD response by WT1 was assessed. Patients achieving a ≥2 log reduction in WT1MRD were categorized as good responders, while those failing to reach this threshold were classified as poor responders.ResultsAt diagnosis, WT1 overexpression was observed in 112 out of 146 (76.7%) patients. Significantly high levels were found in patients with M4- FAB subtype (p=0.018) and core binding fusion transcript (CBF) (RUNX1::RUNX1T1, p=0.018, CBFB::MYH11, p=0.016). Following induction treatment, good responders exhibited a reduced risk of relapse (2-year cumulative incidence of relapse [CIR] 7.9% vs 33.2%, p=0.008). Conversely, poor responders’ post-intensification I showed significantly lower overall survival (OS) (51% vs 93.2%, p

Objectives: (1) To delineate the differences between lean and obese polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). (2) To review different modalities for management of infertility associated with PCOS. Mechanism: Literature review of PubMed from 2000 to 2023. Findings in Brief: Body weight is more important than the Rotterdam phenotype in influencing the metabolic status. Both the lean and obese PCOS groups exhibit individual differences in body composition and other parameters: clinical signs, psychological, hormonal, metabolic, and genetic profiles. Lean PCOS differs from lean non-PCOS regarding metabolic profile, hepatic impairment, and cardiovascular risks. Management: lifestyle modifications serve as first-line therapy, emphasizing weight maintenance with a high caloric intake during breakfast and reduced intake at dinner. Additionally, micronutrients supplementation and resistance exercise are recommended. Induction of ovulation through the administration of as adjunctive therapies letrozole, clomiphene citrate, and metformin may be considered. Laparoscopic ovarian drilling (LOD) may be considered in cases where medical induction of ovulation failed. Intrauterine insemination is associated with promising results. Assisted reproductive techniques (ART) are recommended for women who fail to conceive despite the restoration of ovulation, or when additional factors contribute to their infertility. Conclusions: A significant proportion of patients with PCOS exhibit normal body mass index (BMI). The management of PCOS-associated infertility should be individualized based on the patient’s BMI.

BackgroundRanolazine (Rn), an antianginal agent, acts in the central nervous system and has been used as a potential treatment agent for pain and epileptic disorders. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is one of the most prevalent neurodegenerative diseases and the leading factor in dementia in the elderly.AimWe examined the impact of Rn on scopolamine (Sco)-induced dementia in rats.MethodsThirty-two albino male rats were divided into four groups: control, Rn, Sco, and Rn + Sco.ResultsA significant decrease in the escape latency in the Morris water maze test after pre-treatment with Rn explained better learning and memory in rats. Additionally, Rn significantly upregulated the activities of the antioxidant enzymes in the treated group compared to the Sco group but substantially reduced acetylcholinesterase activity levels in the hippocampus. Moreover, Rn dramatically reduced interleukin-1 β (IL-1β) and IL-6 and upregulated the gene expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Furthermore, in the Sco group, the hippocampal tissue’s immunohistochemical reaction of Tau and glial factor activating protein (GFAP) was significantly increased in addition to the upregulation of the Caspase-3 gene expression, which was markedly improved by pre-treatment with Rn. The majority of pyramidal neurons had large vesicular nuclei with prominent nucleoli and appeared to be more or less normal, reflecting the all-beneficial effects of Rn when the hippocampal tissue was examined under a microscope.ConclusionOur findings indicated that Rn, through its antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects, as well as the control of the expression of GFAP, BDNF, and Tau proteins, has a novel neuroprotective impact against scopolamine-induced dementia in rats.

Background: High-fat diet-induced obesity is linked to suppression of aquaporins (AQPs) expression in different tissues. Both vitamin D and intermittent fasting were identified to enhance AQPs expression. In the urinary bladder, AQP-1 and AQP-3 mRNA transcripts were identified. Vitamin D has an impact on a variety of genes that encode proteins that control cell proliferation, differentiation, and death.Aim: To assess potential benefits of vitamin D and intermittent fasting (IF) and to explore alterations to the urinary bladder triggered by high-fat diet (HFD) in a rat model of obesity.Methods: Each of the 4 groups contained six adult male albino rats; control: a standard rodent chew for 12 weeks, HFD: HFD and fructose were administered orally via gastric gavage for 12 weeks, and vitamin D: HFD and fructose were administered orally for 8 weeks, then 4 weeks of intraperitoneal injection of vitamin D (5 microns/Kg/2 days) and IF group: Received intraperitoneal injections of vitamin D (5 microns/Kg/2 days) for 4 weeks after consumption of HFD and fructose orally for 8 weeks. The serum lipid profile was conducted at end of the experiment. In the bladder homogenates, the levels of oxidative stress indicators were assessed. Quantitative real-time PCR was performed on recently collected bladder samples. AQP-1 and AQP-3 immunohistochemistry was done.Results: When compared to the HFD group, the vitamin D and IF groups both demonstrated a substantial improvement in histopathological, immunohistochemical, biochemical, and molecular markers.Conclusion: In all examined parameters, IF exceeded vitamin D as a preventive factor for the urinary bladder deterioration.

Ihab Abdel Aziz,1 Mohamed Fawzy Alsoda,2 Tarek Mohamed Elmenofy,1 Mohamed Medhat Sakhsoukh,1 Noha Mohamed Abd el Azim,1 Amr Mahmoud Ahmed,1 Sohaila Ali Abd El-Halim,3 Sherine Salaheldin Hassan Baris,3 Yousef Ahmed Fouad,4 Ayman Mohyieldin Elghonemy,1 Heba Metwally,1 Wael Mohamed El Gendy,1 Raghdaa Ali,2 Yehia Mahmoud Basha,5 Eman Abo ElMaaty Mohamed,6 Wafaa Mohamed Amin,6 Maged Adly Naguib,1 Hazem Abdallah Elnashar1 1Department of Ophthalmology, The Memorial Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Giza, Egypt; 2Department of Pediatrics and Neonatology, Ahmed Maher Teaching Hospital, Cairo, Egypt; 3Department of Pediatrics and Neonatology, Mataria Teaching Hospital, Cairo, Egypt; 4Department of Ophthalmology, Ain Shams University Hospitals, Cairo, Egypt; 5Department of Pediatrics and Neonatology, Damanhour Teaching Hospital, Beheira, Egypt; 6Department of Pediatrics and Neonatology, El-Galaa Teaching Hospital, Cairo, EgyptCorrespondence: Hazem Abdallah Elnashar, Department of Ophthalmology, The Memorial Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Giza, 23314, Egypt, Tel +201227011043, Email Dr.hazemelnashar@gmail.comBackground: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is increasing in incidence in developing nations, including Egypt. Secondary prevention requires timely detection through the development of regional screening guidelines, which should be preceded by large-scale studies to characterize the population at risk.Methods: A prospective, multicentric exploratory study that included five large tertiary institutions in an urban Egyptian setting. All infants born with gestational age (GA) < 37 weeks and/or birth weight (BW) ≤ 2000 grams were screened. More mature and heavier infants with unstable clinical course were also included. The primary outcome measure was the rate of ROP and high-risk disease occurrence in relation to underlying risk factors.Results: Of the 768 eyes (384 screened infants), 347 eyes (45.2%) had stage 1 or higher disease, and 43 eyes (5.6%) had high-risk disease. Eyes with stage 1 or higher ROP and treatment-requiring ROP had a mean (± SD) GA of 33.4 (± 2.6) weeks and 32.8 (± 3.2) weeks, and BW of 1842.3 (± 570.1) grams and 1747.6 ± (676.2) grams, respectively. Treatment-requiring eyes belonged to infants that had significantly lower GA and significantly higher prevalence of co-morbidities than non-treatment-requiring eyes.Conclusion: The incidence of ROP and high-risk disease in an urban Egyptian setting are similar to those in comparable settings elsewhere and locally. This exploratory study supports tailoring local screening criteria for ROP, and may aid the future development of national guidelines.Keywords: retinopathy of prematurity, ROP, screening, plus disease, preterm