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Background: Biogenic amines are the end products of bacterial decarboxylation of amino acids which occur as a result of bacterial contamination. Those may cause a series of problems for human health such as allergic reactions, itching, breathing difficulties, fever and hypertension. Objectives: This study aimed to isolate different bacteria that can produce decarboxylase enzymes and trail to control it by using garlic, onion and ginger nano-emulsions. Methods: Isolation and identification of some bacteria producing decarboxylase enzymes from minced meat, preparation of garlic, ginger and onion nano-emulsions (60%) and investigating their cytotoxicity by sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay. Then, the antibacterial effect of the prepared nano-emulsions against the isolated bacteria was explored by determination of their minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and measuring biogenic amines levels by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results: The most common bacteria isolated from samples were Salmonella species "Salmonella Typhimurium1, 4{5},12: i: 1.2 and Salmonella arizonae", Escherichia coli "serotype O44: K74 and O125: K70", Klebseilla pneumonia, Enterobacter spp, Staphylococcus aureus, Aeromonas hydrophilia, Proteus mirabilis, Pasteurella multocida and Lactobacillus species. The biogenic amines detected on positive samples were putrescine, cadaverine, spermidine, spermine, putrescine, B-phenyl ethyl amine, histamine and tyramine. The sizes of the ginger oil nanoemulsion 60%, garlic oil nanoemulsion 60% and onion oil nanoemulsion 60% were (222.6±2.22 nm, 420.7±36.95 nm and 202.9±2.1 nm) respectively, indicating that they were safe and stable. The antibacterial effect of the used nano emulsions showed that Salmonella spp, E. coli and S. aureus were the most sensitive strains while K. pneumonia and Enterobacter spp. were the most resistant ones. The level of the detected biogenic amines were reduced greatly after addition the oil nanoemulsions 7.5% to examined samples. Conclusion: Using of plant extract as ginger, garlic and onion nanoemulsions oils as antibacterial agents and for reduction of biogenic amines was more effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) across diverse sectors worldwide demands an understanding of its impact on future generations. The studies of its influence on university students' behavior and application in Lebanon are still limited. The present study aimed to explore the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) of university students regarding AI and to identify factors affecting these dimensions. Methods: An online questionnaire (n = 457) was distributed to university students who were at least 18 years of age across Lebanon. Results: The results revealed that a significant majority (97.2%) of the participants were familiar with AI, from which 43% demonstrated a high level of knowledge. Furthermore, attitude toward AI role and integration in academic and professional paths was moderately satisfactory (43%), although it was reportedly used by 75% of students throughout their university years. There was a significant association between knowledge levels and sociodemographic factors such as age, sex, source of AI-related information, and knowledge rating (p < 0.05), whereas the academic major and knowledge rating affected attitudes toward AI (p < 0.05). Conclusion: These findings support the incorporation of AI education within the curriculum to increase acceptance of AI as a modern tool enhancing various sectors and serving as a facilitator for teaching and learning processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently the Nile and the Orontes River basins are in the international spotlight as tension escalates between Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia in the former and between Syria and Turkey in the latter. In this article we investigate the cooperation dynamics between nation states in the two basins. We analyze the obstacles to cooperation that prevent the improvement of these dynamics through a novel analytical framework that enables researchers and policymakers to understand the cooperation dynamics in these transboundary river basins through a common set of terminologies and definitions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Coronavirus Disease of 2019 (COVID-19) is a global epidemic with thousands of deaths. Objective: This work aimed to compare the prognostic value of rapid scoring systems; the Modified Early Warning Score (MEWS) and Rapid Emergency Medicine Score (REMS) with laboratory markers for mortality in critically ill patients with COVID-19 presenting to the ED. Patients and Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study included a total of 92 patients with confirmed COVID- 19, attending the Department of Emergency Medicine, Suez Canal University Hospital, during the period from April 1, 2022, to Oct 1, 2022. Results: D-Dimer was with sensitivity (88%) and specificity (79%) at admission and sensitivity (96%) and specificity (86%) at follow-up; C-reactive protein (CRP) was with sensitivity (96%) and specificity (59%) at follow-up; ferritin was with sensitivity (87%) and specificity (56%) at admission and sensitivity (88%) and specificity (64%) at follow-up; IL-6 was with sensitivity (67%) and specificity (60%) at admission and sensitivity (96%) and specificity (87%) at follow-up; Lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) was with sensitivity (96%) and specificity (60%) at follow-up; and procalcitonin (PCT) was with sensitivity (80%) and specificity (56%) at follow-up. There was a significant difference between both groups regarding the median of MEWS (4 vs. 3, p = 0.004) and REMS (9 vs. 6, p<0.001) that were higher in non-survivors than survivors. Conclusion: REMS was better than the MEWS score in predicting mortality. Also, D-dimer at admission and followup, CRP at follow-up, ferritin at admission and follow-up, IL-6 at admission and follow-up, LDH at follow-up, and PCT at follow-up could be used for the prediction of mortality better than rapid scoring systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]