Search

Abstract Malaria remains a key health and economic problem, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. The emergence of artemisinin drug resistance (ART-R) parasite strains poses a serious threat to the control and elimination of this scourge. This is because artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) remain the first-line treatment in the majority of malaria-endemic regions in Sub-Saharan Africa. Certain single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the propeller domains of Plasmodium falciparum Kelch 13 protein (K13) have been associated with delayed parasite clearance in vivo and in vitro. These mutations serve as vital molecular markers for tracking the emergence and dispersion of resistance. Recently, there have been increasing reports of the emergence and spread of P. falciparum ART-R parasites in the Eastern Africa region. This necessitates continued surveillance to best inform mitigation efforts. This study investigated the presence of all reported mutations of K13 propeller domains in the parasite population in Busia County, Kenya, a known malaria-endemic region. Two hundred twenty-six participants with microscopically confirmed uncomplicated malaria were recruited for this study. They were treated with artemether–lumefantrine under observation for the first dose, and microscopic examination was repeated 1 day later after ensuring the participants had taken the second and third doses. P. falciparum DNA from all samples underwent targeted amplification of the K13 gene using a semi-nested PCR approach, followed by Sanger sequencing. The recently validated ART-R K13 mutation C469Y was identified in three samples. These three samples were among 63 samples with a low reduction in parasitemia on day 1, suggesting day 1 parasitemia reduction rate is a useful parameter to enrich the ART-R parasites for further analysis. Our findings highlight the need for continuous surveillance of ART-R in western Kenya and the region to determine the spread of ART-R and inform containment.

Abstract Onychomycosis, a nail infection caused by dermatophytes, yeast, and molds makes up roughly half of all onychopathies and is the most prevalent nail condition in the world. Clinically, nail psoriasis and onychomycosis can frequently be difficult to distinguish from one another. To assess the prevalence of onychomycosis in patients with psoriasis. Fifty patients with psoriasis associated with nail disease were included in this study. After taking clinical history, nail samples were gathered for dermoscopic inspection, culture, direct microscopy with 20% KOH solution, and nail clipping with PAS stain. Of the 50 patients recruited, 43 were males and 7 were females, with mean age 6–71 years (mean ± SD 44.06 ± 16.2). Eleven patients (22%) tested positive for onychomycosis. Dermatophytes were isolated from 2% of patients, yeast from 14% of patients, and non-dermatophytic mold from 38% of patients. Histopathological results revealed fungal hyphae and spores in 18% of patients. The most prevalent dermoscopic sign in psoriatic patients with onychomycosis was spikes (81.8%) with statistical significance (P-value

Aim of the Work Aim of the work is to evaluate the effect of intracavernosal injection of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for the treatment of arteriogenic erectile dysfunction (ED).Methods This study was conducted up on 25 men complaining of mild-to-moderate ED, who were in a stable relationship for more than 1 year.Results After 6 months of intracavernosal PRP injection, there was a statistically significant improvement of the International Index of Erectile Function-Erectile Function domain score, which then declines after 1 year of the treatment. No adverse effects were observed during the study.Conclusions PRP intracavernosal injections may be a promising option for the management of arteriogenic ED. But further studies are needed to confirm these findings.

AbstractThe gut microbiota (GM) is essential for mammalian health. Although the association between infant GM and breast milk (BM) composition has been well established in humans, such a relationship has not been investigated in horses. Hence, this study was conducted to analyze the GM formation of foals during lactation and determine the presence of low-molecular-weight metabolites in mares’ BM and their role in shaping foals’ GM. The fecal and BM samples from six pairs of foals and mares were subjected to 16S ribosomal RNA metagenomic and metabolomic analyses, respectively. The composition of foal GM changed during lactation time; hierarchical cluster analysis divided the fetal GM into three groups corresponding to different time points in foal development. The level of most metabolites in milk decreased over time with increasing milk yield, while threonic acid and ascorbic acid increased. Further analyses revealed gut bacteria that correlated with changes in milk metabolites; for instance, there was a positive correlation between Bacteroidaceae in the foal’s gut microbiota and serine/glycine in the mother’s milk. These findings help improve the rearing environment of lactating horses and establish artificial feeding methods for foals.

Abstract Background Neonicotinoids are widespread insecticides because of their potent effects against aphids and other piercing-sucking insects in addition to having high selectivity toward insects rather than vertebrates. However, they affect severely some non-target insects, mainly honeybee in a phenomenon called colony collapse disorder (CCD). Results Effects of imidacloprid (IMI), most used neonicotinoids, on aphid acetylcholinesterase (AChE), in vivo and in vitro were examined; besides, molecular modeling was used to investigate similarities and differences of AChE and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors α1-subunit (nAChRα1) in aphids, target insect, and honeybees, non-target insect. Results showed that aphid AChE was inhibited in vitro, with IC50 108.6 mg/L but not affected in vivo while the mortality was concentration-dependent with high toxicity (LC50 9.50 mg/L); in addition, aphid AChE was more inhibited, in vitro, but with much less effects, in vivo, than that of honeybees. These results indicate that AChE is not the main cause of the observed mortality, but it still has a role in insect resistance system with different responses in both insects. Molecular modeling showed high similarity in primary and secondary structures of AChE indicated by high identity (67%) and low gaps (1%); besides, the same template for both enzymes was auto-selected for homology. In addition, similar positions of the triad amino acids were found in AChE of both insects indicating high similarity. Conversely, the similarity in nAChRα1 in both insects is lower (50% identity and 9% gaps). These gaps (50 amino acids) are found in the intracellular large loop between TM3 and TM4 and account for the observed differences in the nAChRα1 binding sites of in both insects. Conclusion These observed variations in nAChRα1 structures and binding sites in different insect species can be used as good bases in designing new neonicotinoids that express high effects on target insects with better selectivity to minimize adverse effects on non-target organisms. Graphical Abstract

Abstract Objective In epilepsy, early diagnosis, accurate determination of epilepsy type, proper selection of antiseizure medication, and monitoring are all essential. However, despite recent therapeutic advances and conceptual reconsiderations in the classification and management of epilepsy, serious gaps are still encountered in day‐to‐day practice in Egypt as well as several other resource‐limited countries. Premature mortality, poor quality of life, socio‐economic burden, cognitive problems, poor treatment outcomes, and comorbidities are major challenges that require urgent actions to be implemented at all levels. In recognition of this, a group of Egyptian epilepsy experts met through a series of consecutive meetings to specify the main concepts concerning the diagnosis and management of epilepsy, with the ultimate goal of establishing a nationwide Egyptian consensus. Methods The consensus was developed through a modified Delphi methodology. A thorough review of the most recent relevant literature and international guidelines was performed to evaluate their applicability to the Egyptian situation. Afterward, several remote and live rounds were scheduled to reach a final agreement for all listed statements. Results Of 278 statements reviewed in the first round, 256 achieved ≥80% agreement. Live discussion and refinement of the 22 statements that did not reach consensus during the first round took place, followed by final live voting then consensus was achieved for all remaining statements. Significance With the implementation of these unified recommendations, we believe this will bring about substantial improvements in both the quality of care and treatment outcomes for persons with epilepsy in Egypt. Plain Language Summary This work represents the efforts of a group of medical experts to reach an agreement on the best medical practice related to people with epilepsy based on previously published recommendations while taking into consideration applicable options in resource‐limited countries. The publication of this document is expected to minimize many malpractice issues and pave the way for better healthcare services on both individual and governmental levels.

This paper evaluates the policies taken by Jordanian tourism sector before and after COVID-19; it is divided into two parts: the first dealt with the period 2011-2019 which followed the events of Arab Spring, the second focused on the postCOVID-19 period. A mixed methodology was used as for the Arab Spring case a quantitative approach that aimed at measuring the satisfaction of 54 travel agents about policies taken by public tourism sector was used. A Structure Equation Modelling analysis was conducted to test the relationship between specific satisfaction about promotional and economic policies as independent variables, and the general satisfaction as a dependent variable. As for the case of COVID-19, a different approach was used where the Tourism National Strategy 2021-2025 and reports on the influence of COVID-19 on Jordanian Economy were referred to make an evaluation of governmental performance. There was an obvious absence of the concept of “Crisis Management" in tourism national strategies (MOTA, 2003 ; 2010 ; 2015) ; where the focus was on diversifying the tourism product, enhancing the image of the country and increasing competitiveness .

Abstract Background Genetic diversity, population structure, agro-morphological traits, and molecular characteristics, are crucial for either preserving genetic resources or developing new cultivars. Due to climate change, water availability for agricultural use is progressively diminishing. This study used 100 molecular markers (25 TRAP, 22 SRAP, 23 ISTR, and 30 SSR). Additionally, 15 morphological characteristics were utilized to evaluate the optimal agronomic traits of 12 different barley genotypes under arid conditions. Results Substantial variations, ranging from significant to highly significant, were observed in the 15 agromorphological parameters evaluated among the 12 genotypes. The KSU-B101 barley genotype demonstrated superior performance in five specific traits: spike number per plant, 100-grain weight, spike number per square meter, harvest index, and grain yield. These results indicate its potential for achieving high yields in arid regions. The Sahrawy barley genotype exhibited the highest values across five parameters, namely leaf area, spike weight per plant, spike length, spike weight per square meter, and biological yield, making it a promising candidate for animal feed. The KSU-B105 genotype exhibited early maturity and a high grain count per spike, which reflects its early maturity and ability to produce a high number of grains per spike. This suggests its suitability for both animal feed and human food in arid areas. Based on marker data, the molecular study found that the similarity coefficients between the barley genotypes ranged from 0.48 to 0.80, with an average of 0.64. The dendrogram constructed from these data revealed three distinct clusters with a similarity coefficient of 0.80. Notably, the correlation between the dendrogram and its similarity matrix was high (0.903), indicating its accuracy in depicting the genetic relationships. The combined analysis revealed a moderate correlation between the morphological and molecular analysis, suggesting alignment between the two characterization methods. Conclusions The morphological and molecular analyses of the 12 barley genotypes in this study effectively revealed the varied genetic characteristics of their agro-performance in arid conditions. KSU-B101, Sahrawy, and KSU-B105 have emerged as promising candidates for different agricultural applications in arid regions. Further research on these genotypes could reveal their full potential for breeding programs.

Triazole is considered as a privileged scaffold in medicinal chemistry by virtue of it is diverse biological activity. several drugs currently in the market possess triazole moiety. In this study click chemistry was performed on the pyridine based 1,2,4-triazole-tethered propargyl moiety to afford 4-(5-(((1-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methyl)thio)-4-phenyl-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)pyridine. The new compound was fully characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, HRMS and X-ray diffraction (XRD). XRD data indicated that, the structure shows: triclinic, space group P −1, a = 6.4427(3) A, ° b = 11.4352(4) A, ° c = 15.4510(5) A, ° α = 97.980(2)°, β = 96.043(2)°, γ = 92.772(2)°, V = 1118.75(7) Å 3, Z = 2, T = 152(2) K, μ(MoKα) = 0.094 mm−1, Dcalc = 1.364 g/cm3. Density functional theory (DFT) method along with Hirshfeld analysis of the optimized X-ray structure of the final product were used to confirm the molecular and the electronic structure of the reported compound.

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) can cause cutaneous adverse reactions, with most manifestations resembling keratosis pilaris (KP). Eleven reports describe the onset of KP, with or without confirmation through skin biopsy, during treatment with second-generation TKIs. Herein, we review the current literature and report a clinical case of a 41-year-old male with chronic myeloid leukemia who developed KP-like eruptions during treatment with dasatinib and later nilotinib that cleared after discontinuation of the treatment. However, after switching to nilotinib, severe pruritus and follicular papules reappeared and necessitated dermatology consultation. A skin biopsy confirmed KP’s diagnosis and switching the treatment to ponatinib resulted in the resolution of skin rash without pruritus. Alternative TKIs can help address intolerable cutaneous adverse reactions.

BACKGROUND: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most prevalent functional gastrointestinal disorders. Medical students tend to report a higher prevalence of IBS since they are under constant stress. Many psychological difficulties are associated with IBS. To cope with IBS, individuals use various strategies which can impact the intensification or alleviation of IBS symptoms. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of IBS in medical students as well as psychological alarms and coping strategie employed by IBS sufferers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study from December 2022 to February 2023. Study participants were first to fifth year medical school students at Zagazig University, Egypt. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire comprising four sections: sociodemographic and clinical data; Rome IV criteria for the diagnosis of IBS; the alarm questionnaire for functional gastrointestinal disorders; and the Coping Strategies Questionnaire (CSQ24). Chi-square test or Fischer’s exact test, as appropriate, were used to test for association. Binary logistic regression with a backward stepwise method was used to determine significant risk factors of negative coping with IBS. RESULTS: Of the studied 221 medical students, 38% had IBS. A statistically significant association was observed between IBS and the feeling of tension, anxiety, nervousness, depression, and frustration in the previous week, severe pain in the past 4 weeks, and the feeling that the bad situation would not get any better. Most of the students in the IBS group coped positively with stress, while 19.0% were negative in coping. Pain affecting the daily activities and the feelings of depression and frustration to the point of self-harm or suicide were the most significant correlates of IBS group’s inability to cope. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of IBS in medical students at Zagazig University was 38%. We recommend psychological intervention and stress management programs to help medical students cope with IBS.

Abstract Background Climate change poses a worldwide challenge with anticipated exacerbation in the future, resulting in irreversible consequences. Nursing students may be vulnerable to experiencing psychological effects associated with climate change. Aim The current study aimed to investigate the relationship between nursing students’ knowledge and attitudes toward climate change and their psychological distress. Method This descriptive cross-sectional study recruited 377 nursing students from three universities located in Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Egypt in the Middle East. Data collection was conducted using scales for assessing nursing students’ knowledge and attitudes towards climate change and their psychological distress. Correlations were assessed and multiple regression analysis was conducted to explore the predictors of students’ psychological distress. Results The current study showed that knowledge regarding climate change significantly and positively correlated to the attitude toward climate change (r = 0.213), then again, the score of psychological distress significantly and negatively correlated to the score of students’ knowledge and attitude regarding climate change (r = − 0.182 and − 0.110 respectively). Regression analyses showed that academic achievement had the strongest positive impact on students’ psychological distress, while knowledge regarding climate change and attitude toward climate change had negative impacts (β = 0.381, β=-0.205, and β=-0.045 respectively). Moreover, knowledge and attitude regarding climate change were found to be significant predictors of students’ psychological distress, collectively accounting for 18.2% of the observed variance. Conclusions/Implication for future practice The findings highlight the importance of incorporating climate change into nursing education programs. By enhancing nursing students’ knowledge and attitudes towards climate change, there is potential to reduce their psychological distress. This study underscores the need for curriculum reforms that integrate climate change topics, aiming to foster a well-informed and resilient future nursing workforce.

Abstract Optical frequency combs, featuring evenly spaced spectral lines, have been extensively studied and applied to metrology, signal processing, and sensing. Recently, frequency comb generation has been also extended to MHz frequencies by harnessing nonlinearities in microelectromechanical membranes. However, the generation of frequency combs at radio frequencies (RF) has been less explored, together with their potential application in wireless technologies. In this work, we demonstrate an RF system able to wirelessly and passively generate frequency combs. This circuit, which we name quasi-harmonic tag (qHT), offers a battery-free solution for far-field ranging of unmanned vehicles (UVs) in GPS-denied settings, and it enables a strong immunity to multipath interference, providing better accuracy than other RF approaches to far-field ranging. Here, we discuss the principle of operation, design, implementation, and performance of qHTs used to remotely measure the azimuthal distance of a UV flying in an uncontrolled electromagnetic environment. We show that qHTs can wirelessly generate frequency combs with μWatt-levels of incident power by leveraging the nonlinear interaction between an RF parametric oscillator and a high quality factor piezoelectric microacoustic resonator. Our technique for frequency comb generation opens new avenues for a wide range of RF applications beyond ranging, including timing, computing and sensing.

The study aims to identify the relationship between Counter-Reality Thinking and social anxiety among a sample of students in Anbar University. It also aims to investigate the differences in Counter-Reality Thinking and social anxiety according to gender variable (Male - Female) and specialization (Scientific - Humanities). The researchers used a descriptive correlation method. The sample of the current study consisted of (430) male and female students from the University of Anbar. The researchers adopted the Counter-Reality Thinking scale prepared by Mark Rye and others consisting of 15 items and also developed a social anxiety scale, which consists of 43 items distributed into six aspects. Results of the study revealed that there is a high and statistically significant scores in Counter-Reality Thinking and social anxiety scores, there are differences in the social anxiety variable between male and female students, in favour of males, there are differences in the Counter-Reality Thinking variable based on the specialization and in favour of the scientific specialization, there are differences in the Counter-Reality Thinking variable between male and female students and in favour of males, there are differences in the variable of social anxiety according to the variable of specialization and in favour of humanities specialization, and there is a positive correlation between the Counter-Reality Thinking and social anxiety

This study followed an interdisciplinary mixed approach that consisted of social research methods and geospatial technology to investigate the livestock mobility of four pastoralist groups from Sudan and two Ethiopian pastoralist groups who fled to Sudan due to the conflict in the Tigray region. The study area is a shared borderland located between the two countries and is part of Gadarif State in Sudan and the Tigray and Amhara regions in Ethiopia. The findings of the study showed that there are diverse types of pastoral mobility in the borderland, ranging from short and circular movement to wide and directional type of mobility in response to seasonal variations, the spread of mechanised farming and the eruption of insecurity events. Despite facing numerous challenges including the governments’ restrictions on cross-border movement and the prevalence of looting and rustling, trans-boundary mobility is practised by most pastoralist groups in the borderland. Pastoralist leaders are playing an important role in facilitating cross-border mobility. The recent conflict in the Tigray region forced many Ethiopian pastoralists to flee to Sudan with their animals, and they have had to cope with this situation by reducing the number of head they own and limiting their mobility to a more confined area. Despite competing claims by both governments, there is a pressing need for a cooperative land management policy applying soft border arrangements that incorporate customary land use rights for pastoralists from both sides, instead of the hardline border policies currently in place.

Phase change materials (PCMs) integrated with photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) collectors can simultaneously generate and store electrical and thermal energy. However, design optimization requires accurate modeling of the complex heat transfer processes in PCMs under varying operating conditions. This study introduces an efficient simulation approach with generalized Nusselt number correlations to enable precise and rapid analysis of PCM thermal performance. A numerical model is developed to quantify heat fluxes, node temperatures, energy and exergy outputs across PCM solid, melting, and liquid states. Extensive analysis is conducted to explore the impact of irradiation, ambient temperature, PCM thickness, tilt angle, and wind speed on PVT performance. Key findings include: (1) thermal energy yield exceeds electrical output by 2.8 times owing to PV's low efficiency, while electrical exergy dominates thermal exergy by 5.3 times highlighting electric output's primacy; (2) electrical output chiefly depends on irradiation, while thermal energy and exergy are highly sensitive to ambient temperature and wind speed; (3) thermal energy escalates 4.5 times faster than electrical energy with irradiation rise, but thermal exergy drops sharply from 10.1 to 0.34 W as ambient temperature increases from 0 to 35 °C due to quality factor degradation. The study provides new generalized correlations, validated model, and extensive performance assessment to advance PCM-based PVT collector design.

Radon, a proven highly carcinogenic gas, has raised serious concerns, necessitating its measurement in residential areas. In the coastal city of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (UAE), the first indoor radon concentration measurements were conducted. Following the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) protocol, active radon detectors were employed in the living rooms of houses across the south-east region of the city. Measurements revealed that, the mean values during winter are of (39.6 ± 12.2) Bq/m3 (floor 1) and (35.7 ± 9.8) Bq/m3 (floor 2), while in summer, levels were slightly higher on floor 1 (55.8 ± 10.1) Bq/m3 compared to floor 2 (47.8 ± 12.6) Bq/m3. Ground floor analysis showed mean values of (57.0 ± 12) Bq/m3 in summer and (49.0 ± 16) Bq/m3 in winter. Higher summer levels were linked to climatic conditions and increased time spent indoors. The excess lifetime cancer risk for ground floor radon was estimated as 0.341% over 25 years. Annual dose equivalent was calculated using International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) and United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) models. The calculated results were found to range from 1.7 to 3.0 millisieverts (mSv), which is within permissible limits.

Metaheuristic algorithms (MHAs) occupy considerable attention among researchers because of their high performance and robustness in optimizing several engineering problems. Random walk (RW) techniques showed a significant role in improving the performance of these algorithms. Therefore, this paper aims to provide a systematic and comprehensive review of the role of three substantial random-walk (RW) strategies in enhancing the performance of MHAs. These strategies are the Gaussian, Levy Flight and Quantum random walks. The PRISMA methodology is applied through the articles obtained from four famous scientific databases. The study provides the integration mechanisms as well as the best controlling parameters’ values while integrating these RW strategies into Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) to produce the Gaussian PSO (GPSO), Levy Flight PSO (LFPSO) and Quantum PSO (QPSO). An experimental study has been conducted to assess the performances of these algorithms in addition to the standard PSO on 23 unimodal, multimodal and fixed-dimension multimodal benchmark functions. Statistical measures have been calculated based on 30-run optimization processes. The comparisons showed that the QPSO, LFPSO, GPSO and PSO have successfully reached the optimal values of 23 standard benchmark functions with average percentages of 65%, 31%, 13% and 11%, respectively. Accordingly, the QPSO has gained the outstanding rank, especially for unimodal and multimodal functions followed by the LFPSO while the standard PSO comes in the last position preceded by the GPSO. From the results, it can be concluded that integrating random walk strategies into existing or new metaheuristic algorithms is capable of enhancing the optimization process and hence provides reliable results when applied to engineering applications.

Data-intensive applications coupled with limited mobile resources make opportunistic computation offloading imperative. Therefore, efficient and reliable offloading strategies are crucial for achieving optimal performance in terms of stabilizing data queues at various data rates, efficient task management and reduced waiting times for users. This paper proposes a novel algorithm, Matrix Factorization-Based Deep Reinforcement Learning Approach for Stable Online Offloading in Mobile Edge Networks (MFDROO), that combines Orthogonal Non-negative Matrix Factorization (ONMF) and a Deep Reinforcement Learning approach (DRL) to address the problem of stable online offloading in large networks. The proposed algorithm utilizes ONMF to model network resource heterogeneity by decomposing it into a set of features, capturing the underlying structure of data traffic flows by removing irrelevant information from data. This reduces computational overhead and improves performance. Additionally, MFDROO incorporates a DRL agent to learn optimal offloading decisions over time. By utilizing ONMF in conjunction with DRL, MFDROO overcomes online offloading challenges. It optimizes user computation rates and enhances system performance. Additionally, it maintains data-queue stability for large networks or higher data rates. Large-scale network simulations were extensively conducted to demonstrate MFDROO effectiveness. Maintaining stability while scaling up the users number is a challenge in network computation. Our results demonstrate that MFDROO tackles this challenge and ensures that even with a 3.3% increase in user numbers (up to 100 users), computation networks remain stable and outperform other existing algorithms in terms of utility maximization and stability. This improvement ensures optimal performance and provides scalability and efficiency for various applications.

Human consumption of antibiotics has increased their concentrations in many parts of the environment, including rivers, sediments, soil, and wastewater. Consequently, resistant bacteria originating from these environments are distributed to humans, resulting in illness. The aim of this study was to identify mobilized colistin-resistant (mcr) genes and quinolone-resistant (qnr) genes in E. coli strains obtained from clinical samples. Additionally, the study explored the impact of different radiation dosages on the expression of antibiotic-resistance genes. In this study, conducted in Beni-Suef, Egypt, samples from 430 community-acquired urinary tract infection (UTI) cases resulted in the isolation of 85 different strains of E. coli. Conventional microbiological procedures were employed to identify these bacterial isolates. Three bacterial isolates with resistance to both quinolones and colistin underwent examination for their corresponding genetic determinants, which subsequently proved the presence of their respective genes. Furthermore, the expression levels of the mcr-1 and qnr-S genes were assessed using real-time PCR after exposure to gamma irradiation. Remarkably, the use of a sublethal dosage of 3 kGy gamma irradiation treatment on bacterial cells increased their susceptibility to colistin and quinolones post-irradiation. Additionally, there was a notable reduction in the expression levels of both mcr-1 and qnr-S genes, which could be helpful for preventing the storage of antibiotic-resistant E. coli in the environment.

Abstract Background In Uganda, medicinal plants have been utilized to treat a variety of ailments, including cancer. However, there is little information available about the medicinal plants used to treat cancer in the Elgon subregion. As a result, the current study documented the plant species used in the management of cancer in the Elgon sub-region. Methods Data were gathered by observation, self-administered questionnaires, interview guides, and guided field trips. Analyzing descriptive statistics and creating graphs were done using SPSS (version 21.0) and GraphPad Prism® version 9.0.0, respectively. Well-established formulae were used to calculate quantitative indices. The narratives were interpreted using major theories and hypotheses in ethnobotany. Results A total of 50 plant species from 36 families were documented, and herbal knowledge was mainly acquired through inheritance. Fabaceae and Asteraceae comprised more plant species used in herbal preparation. Most plants were collected from forest reserves (63%); herbal therapies were made from herbs (45%); and leaves were primarily decocted (43%). The most frequently used plants were Tylosema fassoglensis, Hydnora abyssinica, Azidarachata indica, Prunus Africana, Kigelia africana, Syzygium cumini, Hydnora africana, Rhoicissus tridentata, Albizia coriaria, and Plectranthus cuanneus. All the most commonly used plants exhibited a high preference ranking (60–86%) and reliability level (74.1–93.9%). Generally, the ICF for all the cancers treated by medicinal plants was close to 1 (0.84–0.95). Conclusions The ten most commonly utilized plants were favored, dependable, and most important for treating all known cancers. As a result, more investigation is required to determine their phytochemistry, toxicity, and effectiveness in both in vivo and in vitro studies. This could be a cornerstone for the pharmaceutical sector to develop new anticancer medications.

This investigation delineates the enhancement of fly ash (FA) properties through mechanical treatments for sustainable construction applications and reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. FA, a byproduct of coal combustion in power generation, inherently exhibits limited pozzolanic activity. This research evaluates the impact of particle size reduction via dry and wet milling treatments on FA's pozzolanic behavior. The study's comparative analysis involves three FA variants: untreated raw material, dry-milled, and wet-milled FA. Extensive characterization encompassed chemical composition, physical properties, and microstructural features. Results demonstrate a marked improvement in pozzolanic activity in milled FAs, with wet milling yielding superior outcomes in particle size reduction (98% diminution compared to raw FA) and pozzolanic reactivity. The comparative assessment underscores wet milling's efficacy over dry milling and untreated FA in enhancing FA's performance as a sustainable construction material. In light of these findings, the study advocates for continued exploration of FA treatments, aiming to optimize their utility in eco-friendly construction practices.

The design of an effective fuzzy maximum power point tracking controller plays a crucial aspect in enhancing the photovoltaic system’s efficiency. This article aims to design and compare the performance of symmetric and asymmetric types of fuzzy controllers’ maximum power point tracking algorithms. Depending on the BP SX150S module’ power-voltage attributes at standard technical conditions, the input membership function parameters are derived. Moreover, the effect of fuzzy memberships’ quantity is also examined in this article. Where Five and seven triangular memberships are used. For the simulation, MATLAB is used to assess the effectiveness of the fuzzy controllers. Simulation results show that the asymmetric controller outperforms the symmetric type in terms of transient and steady-state tracking for different numbers of membership functions. Specifically, when employed with 5-triangle memberships, the asymmetric controller outperforms the symmetrical controller in terms of rise time, tracking precision, and energy output, respectively, by 83%, 0.06%, and 14.14%. While, the rise time, tracking precision, and energy yield of 7-triangle memberships are all improved by 86.7%, 0.04%, and 14.78%, respectively. Using asymmetric type, 7-triangle memberships enhance the rise time and harvested energy by around 18.2% and 0.082%, respectively. Overall, the most effective tracking technique for enhancing the photovoltaic system’s efficiency is the asymmetric type, independent of the quantity of memberships.

Background: Curable sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as Neisseria gonorrhoeae (N. gonorrhoeae), are a major cause of poor pregnancy outcomes. The infection is often asymptomatic in pregnant women, and a syndrome-based approach of testing leads to a missed diagnosis. Culture followed by microscopy is inadequate and time-consuming. The gold standard nucleic acid amplification tests require advanced infrastructure settings, whereas point-of-care tests are limited to immunoassays with sensitivities and specificities insufficient to accurately diagnose asymptomatic cases. This necessitates the development and validation of assays that are fit for purpose. Methods: We identified new diagnostic target biomarker regions for N. gonorrhoeae using an algorithm for genome mining of identical multi-repeat sequences (IMRS). These were then developed as DNA amplification primers to design better diagnostic assays. To test the primer pair, genomic DNA was 10-fold serially diluted (100 pg/μL to 1 × 10−3 pg/μL) and used as DNA template for PCR reactions. The gold standard PCR using 16S rRNA primers was also run as a comparative test, and both assay products were resolved on 1% agarose gel. Results: Our newly developed N. gonorrhoeae IMRS-PCR assay had an analytical sensitivity of 6 fg/μL representing better sensitivity than the 16S rRNA PCR assay with an analytical sensitivity of 4.3096 pg/μL. The assay was also successfully validated using clinical urethral swab samples. We further advanced this technique by developing an isothermal IMRS, which was both reliable and sensitive for detecting cultured N. gonorrhoeae isolates at a concentration of 38 ng/μL. Combining isothermal IMRS with a low-cost lateral flow assay, we were able to detect N. gonorrhoeae amplicons at a starting concentration of 100 pg/μL. Conclusion: Therefore, there is a potential to implement this concept within miniaturized, isothermal, microfluidic platforms, and laboratory-on-a-chip diagnostic devices for highly reliable point-of-care testing.

Background: In the East African region, herbal plants are essential in the treatment and control of cancer. Given the diverse ecological and cultural makeup of the regional states, it is likely that different ethnic groups will use the same or different plants for the same or different diseases. However, since 2019, this has not been compiled into a single study. Purpose: The study aimed to compile and record the medicinal plants utilized in East Africa from April 2019 to June 2023 to treat various cancer types. Materials and methods: The study examined 13 original studies that included ethnobotanical research conducted in East Africa. They were retrieved from several internet databases, including Google Scholar, Scopus, PubMed/Medline, Science Direct, and Research for Life. The study retrieved databases on plant families and species, plant parts used, preparation methods and routes of administration, and the country where the ethnobotanical field surveys were conducted. Graphs were produced using the GraphPad Prism 8.125 program (GraphPad Software, Inc., San Diego, CA). Tables and figures were used to present the data, which had been condensed into percentages and frequencies. Results: A total of 105 different plant species from 45 different plant families were identified, including Asteraceae (14), Euphorbiaceae (12), Musaceae (8), and Apocynaceae (7). Uganda registered the highest proportion (46% of the medicinal plants used). The most commonly mentioned medicinal plant species in cancer management was Prunus africana . Herbs (32%), trees and shrubs (28%), and leaves (45%) constituted the majority of herbal remedies. Most herbal remedies were prepared by boiling (decoction) and taken orally (57%). Conclusion: East Africa is home to a wide variety of medicinal plant species that local populations and herbalists, or TMP, frequently use in the treatment of various types of cancer. The most frequently used families are Asteraceae and Euphorbiaceae, with the majority of species being found in Uganda. The most frequently utilized plant species is Prunus africana . Studies on the effectiveness of Prunus africana against other malignancies besides prostate cancer are required.

Abstract In Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), effective brucellosis control is limited, in part, by the lack of long-term commitments by governments to control the disease and the absence of reliable national human and livestock population-based data to inform policies. Therefore, we conducted a study to establish the national prevalence and develop a risk map for Brucella spp. in cattle to contribute to plans to eliminate the disease in Kenya by the year 2040. We randomly generated 268 geolocations and distributed them across Kenya, proportionate to the area of each of the five agroecological zones and the associated cattle population. Cattle herds closest to each selected geolocation were identified for sampling. Up to 25 cattle were sampled per geolocation and a semi-structured questionnaire was administered to their owners. We tested 6,593 cattle samples for Brucella immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies using an Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We assessed potential risk factors and performed spatial analyses and prevalence mapping using approximate Bayesian inference implemented via the integrated nested Laplace approximation (INLA) method. The national Brucella spp. prevalence was 6.8% (95% CI: 6.2–7.4%). Exposure levels varied significantly between agro-ecological zones, with a high of 8.5% in the very arid zone with the lowest agricultural potential relative to a low of 0.0% in the agro-alpine zone with the highest agricultural potential. Additionally, seroprevalence increased with herd size, and the odds of seropositivity were significantly higher for females and adult animals than for males or calves. Similarly, animals with a history of abortion, or with multiple reproductive syndromes had higher seropositivity than those without. At the herd level, the risk of Brucella spp. transmission was higher in larger herds, and herds with a history of reproductive problems such as abortion, giving birth to weak calves, or having swollen testes. Geographic localities with high Brucella seroprevalence occurred in northern, eastern, and southern regions of Kenya all primarily characterized by semi-arid or arid agro-ecological zones dominated by livestock pastoralism interspersed with vast areas with mixed livestock-wildlife systems. The large spatial extent of our survey provides compelling evidence for the widespread geographical distribution of brucellosis risk across Kenya in a manner easily understandable for policymakers. Our findings can provide a basis for risk-stratified pilot studies aiming to investigate the cost-effectiveness and efficacy of singular and combined preventive intervention strategies that seek to inform Kenya’s Brucellosis Control Policy.

Silk fibroin (SF) is a suitable material for vascular prostheses for small arteries. SF is useful not only as a base material for artificial vascular grafts but also as a coating material. This study prepared three types of transgenic SF (vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), Arg-Glu-Asp-Val (REDV), and Tyr-Ile-Gly-Ser-Arg (YIGSR)) incorporating expression factors that are thought to be effective for endothelialization as coating materials. We compared the contribution of these materials to early endothelialization in vivo when using them as a porous transgenic SF coating. A porous coating of transgenic SF containing VEGF, REDV, and YIGSR was applied to a silk small-diameter artificial vascular graft base with a diameter of 1.5 mm and a length of 3 cm. Two and four weeks after implantation of these artificial grafts into the abdominal aorta of rats, they were removed and evaluated by histologic examination. Transgenic SF coating incorporating VEGF and REDV demonstrated higher tissue infiltration and continuous endothelialization in the center of the graft compared to YIGSR at 4 weeks after implantation. VEGF and REDV are capable of endothelialization as early as 4 weeks after implantation, confirming the usefulness of transgenic SF when used as a porous coating.

Abstract Unit commitment (UC) stands out as a significant challenge in electrical power systems. With the rapid growth in power demand and the pressing issues of fossil fuel scarcity and global warming, it has become crucial to enhance the utilization of renewable energy sources. This study focuses on addressing the UC problem by incorporating a wind farm and proposes a modified version of the metaheuristic African vultures optimization algorithm (AVOA) in binary form, utilizing the sigmoid transfer function. The modified AVOA employs multiple phase‐shift tactics to overcome premature local optima. By determining the on/off status of generating units, the modified AVOA improves the algorithm's effectiveness. Additionally, the paper develops an auto‐regressive moving average model (ARMA) to forecast wind speeds, with the AVOA assisting in selecting the optimal orders (q and p) of the ARMA model. This is done using historical wind speed data to capture uncertainty in the wind speed. The wind power is then calculated using various models and integrated into the UC problem. The effectiveness of the modified AVOA is examined on the IEEE 30‐bus system. The binary AVOA (BAVOA) outperforms several algorithms presented in the case study, demonstrating its superiority. Furthermore, the results indicate that BAVOA delivers superior outcomes within the discrete search space when compared to the continuous search space.

Merlin Thomas,1,2 Tasleem Raza,1– 3 Mansoor Hameed,1,2 Rohit Sharma,4 Rajalekshmi Maheswari Rajagopal,5 Aisha Hussain O Al Adab,1,2 Mushtaq Ahmad,1,2 Saibu George,2,3 Mousa Hussein,1 Jaweria Akram,3 Mohamed Izham Mohamed Ibrahim,6 Ali Ait Hssain,2,3 Muhammad Yousaf,2,7 Mohamad Yahya Khatib2,7 1Department of Chest, Hamad General Hospital, Doha, Qatar; 2Department of Clinical Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, Doha, Qatar; 3Department of Medical Intensive Care, Hamad General Hospital, Doha, Qatar; 4Department of Internal Medicine, Geisinger Health System, Danville, PA, USA; 5Department of Medical Research Centre, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; 6Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Practice, Qatar University of Health, Doha, Qatar; 7Department of Chest, Hazm Mebaireekh General Hospital, Doha, QatarCorrespondence: Merlin Thomas, Department of Chest, Hamad General Hospital, Doha, Qatar, P.O.Box 3050, Tel +97466875256, Email mmts1983@gmail.comPurpose: COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a significant number of critical care admissions secondary to severe pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome. We evaluated the short-, medium- and long-term outcomes of lung function and quality of life in this prospective cohort study and reported the outcomes at 7 weeks and 3 months from discharge from intensive care unit.Methods: A prospective cohort study of ICU survivors with COVID-19 was conducted from August 2020 to May 2021 to evaluate baseline demographic and clinical variables as well as determine lung function, exercise capacity, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) using spirometry and 6-minute walk test (6MWT) conducted in accordance with American Thoracic Society standards, and SF-36 (Rand), respectively. SF-36 is a generic 36 question standardized health survey. Descriptive and inferential statistics (alpha = 0.05) were used to analyse the data.Results: At baseline, 100 participants were enrolled in the study of whom 76 followed up at 3 months. Majority of the patients were male (83%), Asians (84%) and less than 60 years of age (91%). HRQOL showed significant improvement in all domains of SF-36, except in emotional wellbeing. Spirometry variables also showed significant improvement in all variables over time with greatest improvement in percentage predicted Forced expiratory volume 1 (79% vs 88% p < 0.001). 6MWT showed significant improvement in variables of walk distance, dyspnea, and fatigue with greatest improvement in change in oxygen saturation (3% vs 1.44% p < 0.001). Intubation status did not impact the changes in SF-36, spirometry or 6MWT variables.Conclusion: Our findings suggest that ICU survivors of COVID-19 have significant improvement in their lung function, exercise capacity and HRQOL within 3 months of ICU discharge regardless of intubation status.Keywords: COVID-19, lung function, exercise capacity, health related quality of life

Background: Stress and anxiety levels among students can be influenced by a variety of factors related to their academic, social, and personal lives. Acupressure can serve as a technique that students can use to relax and take a break from their busy schedules. Implementing acupressure techniques can empower students to manage their well-being proactively. Aim: To investigate the effects of acupressure on reducing the severity of headaches and anxiety among nursing university students. Method: A quasi-experimental study was used to collect data for this study regulated by a questionnaire. The study consisted of 178 participants selected from Prince Sattam University in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Results: When comparing pre, post, and follow-up ratings for all headache domains, the interventional group of students demonstrated statistically significant improvement (p = 0.001). After the acupressure intervention, students’ anxiety levels improved. There is statistically significant improvement (p = 0.001) Conclusion: Acupressure can help students manage recurring anxiety by boosting relaxation, lowering stress levels, improving sleep quality, increasing attention and concentration, and instilling a sense of self-care and empowerment.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0256815.].

The synthesis of metal nanoparticles through the use of plant extract is a process that is not only simple but also inexpensive, quick, and favorable to the environment. As a result, it is utilized in a wide variety of fields. When synthesizing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), several different kinds of plant extracts were utilized. The manufacture of silver nanoparticles was carried out in this study using an environmentally friendly technique. The aqueous extract of the Aloe fleurentinorum plant was utilized as a stabilizing and reducing agent. To determine the optimal conditions for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles, it was necessary to investigate the impact of several parameters on the process. These parameters included the reactant volume ratio, pH values, temperature, and reaction time. To get crystallite and stable silver nanoparticles, an aqueous solution of AgNO3 (0.01M) was added to an aqueous extract of Aloe fleurentinorum plant at a temperature of 60 degrees Celsius and a pH of 8. The mixture was then stirred with a magnetic stirrer for ninety minutes (90 minutes). Using a variety of methods (UV-vis spectrophotometer, FTIR, XRD, SEM, EDX, and XPS), several approaches were utilized to investigate and describe the green-produced AgNPs. Through the use of the SEM method, it was demonstrated that the morphology of AgNPs is tetrahedral. It was determined using X-ray diffraction that the size of crystalline AgNPs was 26.7 nm. AgNPs that have been optimally synthesized have antibacterial properties that are both significant and effective against various bacterial species that have been tested at varying doses.

In this study, the effects of the incorporation of Cu into the crystal structure of the ZnO semiconductor on its structural and optoelectrical properties were investigated. The hydrothermal method for the synthesis of Cu-ZnO compounds and the spin-coating technique were used to prepare Cu-ZnO thin films. Copper is observed to have a major influence on the physical properties of the ZnO compound by changing the morphology of the nanoparticles, from rod-like ZnO nanoparticles to flower-like nanoparticles. This effect changes and improves the light sensitivity of the ZnO compound, making it suitable for use as a Cu-ZnO thin window layer in thin-film solar cells. All the crystal structure parameters and optoelectrical properties are further enhanced upon incorporation of Cu into the ZnO compound due to the increased surface defects of the zinc oxide which in turn shifts the optical absorption coefficient towards the visible region.

Environmental degradation is on the rise due to escalating pollution caused by raw material depletion and the increasing demand for concrete products. Consequently, researchers and scientists have dedicated significant efforts towards developing sustainable, eco-friendly concrete using renewable materials. Among these materials, Volcanic Ash (VA) and other Natural Pozzolana (NP) types have emerged as promising Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCMs). VA and NP types play a crucial role in reducing costs, energy consumption, and environmental impacts associated with cement production. Thus, it is imperative to investigate the characteristics of VA and NP and their influence on the performance of concrete and cement mortar. This paper presents a comprehensive review of previous studies examining the effect of VA and other NP types on the mechanical properties of concrete while evaluating their chemical, physical, and microstructure characteristics. The findings from these studies indicate that the properties of concrete primarily depend on the characteristics and quantities of NP employed. Notably, silica dioxide (SiO2) comprises the predominant component in VA compositions. In most cases, an increase in VA and NP content within concrete mixtures leads to a reduction in strength. Finally, recommendations and suggestions for future research are provided to enhance concrete properties and achieve the development of sustainable construction materials.

This work aimed to develop and produce lacosamide-loaded niosomes coated with chitosan (LCA-CTS-NSM) using a thin-film hydration method and the Box-Behnken design. The effect of three independent factors (Span 60 amount, chitosan concentration, and cholesterol amount) on vesicle size, entrapment efficiency, zeta potential, and cumulative release (8 h) was studied. The optimal formulation of LCA-CTS-NSM was chosen from the design space and assessed for morphology, in vitro release, nasal diffusion, stability, tolerability, and in vivo biodistribution for brain targeting after intranasal delivery. The vesicle size, entrapment, surface charge, and in vitro release of the optimal formula were found to be 194.3 nm, 58.3%, +35.6 mV, and 81.3%, respectively. Besides, it exhibits sustained release behavior, enhanced nasal diffusion, and improved physical stability. Histopathological testing revealed no evidence of toxicity or structural damage to the nasal mucosa. It demonstrated significantly more brain distribution than the drug solution. Overall, the data is encouraging since it points to the potential for non-invasive intranasal administration of LCA as an alternative to oral or parenteral routes.

The disposal of hazardous waste materials in landfills and open areas creates a severe impact on the environment. Silica Fume (SF), a by-product from the ferrosilicon and silicon industry, is generated in high quantities. Recent studies have highlighted the advantages of reusing SF to produce high-strength concrete (HSC) and ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) instead of discarding it. This paper herein reviews the current research on SF in concrete and discusses the physical and chemical properties, mechanical properties, durability, and microstructure. Depending on the concentration of the SF, flexural, tensile, and compressive strength was positively influenced. Also, SF improved the pore size to increase drying shrinkage through the pozzolanic reaction. A few studies showed the disadvantages of SF exhibiting the negative impact on workability and shrinkage of concrete. The influence of SF on cement hydration products should be analyzed from the microstructure perspective.

Abstract Herein, we present the utilization of Ni2+-doped, amine-functionalized, UiO-66-NH2 metal–organic framework (MOF) nanoparticles deposited onto multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as a precursor to generate electrocatalytically active catalyst towards methanol (MeOH) oxidation. The electrode material displayed an onset potential of 0.42 V (vs Hg/HgO) with maximum activity at 1 M MeOH concentration (143 mA/cm2 current density at 0.6 V vs Hg/HgO). The catalyst also demonstrated high stability, retaining 93.5% of its initial activity under continuous electrolysis for 1 h, and 84.1% after 10 h.

Abstract Background Critically ill COVID-19 patients are highly susceptible to opportunistic fungal infection due to many factors, including virus-induced immune dysregulation, host-related comorbidities, overuse and misuse of antibiotics or corticosteroids, immune modulator drugs, and the emergencies caused by the pandemic. This study aimed to assess the incidence, identify the potential risk factors, and examine the impact of fungal coinfection on the outcomes of COVID-19 patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Methods A prospective cohort study including 253 critically ill COVID-19 patients aged 18 years or older admitted to the isolation ICU of Zagazig University Hospitals over a 4-month period from May 2021 to August 2021 was conducted. The detection of a fungal infection was carried out. Results Eighty-three (83) patients (32.8%) were diagnosed with a fungal coinfection. Candida was the most frequently isolated fungus in 61 (24.1%) of 253 critically ill COVID-19 patients, followed by molds, which included Aspergillus 11 (4.3%) and mucormycosis in five patients (1.97%), and six patients (2.4%) diagnosed with other rare fungi. Poor diabetic control, prolonged or high-dose steroids, and multiple comorbidities were all possible risk factors for fungal coinfection [OR (95% CI) = 10.21 (3.43–30.39), 14.1 (5.67–35.10), 14.57 (5.83–33.78), and 4.57 (1.83–14.88), respectively]. Conclusion Fungal coinfection is a common complication of critically ill COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU. Candidiasis, aspergillosis, and mucormycosis are the most common COVID-19-associated fungal infections and have a great impact on mortality rates.

This paper focuses on the dynamics of pastoralist herd mobility in West Darfur State, Sudan, a region affected by persistent conflict. The paper examines the annual cycle and seasonal trajectories of mobility for camels, cattle, and sheep, comparing mobility patterns by livelihood specialisation and reviewing the mobility of multi-species herds. Using social research tools and remote sensing livestock tracking technology, the study found diverse livestock mobility patterns within the region. Conflict and insecurity have reduced the freedom and flexibility of these movements. Persistent insecurity combined with climate shocks have led to adaptations, including changes in herd species composition and owner preference, and a shift from long to short-distance mobility closer to the home area. Ultimately these changes have undermined the resilience of the pastoral system. The paper considers the implications of these changes in pastoralist mobility for humanitarian needs, building livelihood resilience and promoting peaceful integration with other users of natural resources.

Urban expansion along the coastal sites is one of the major causes of the deterioration of mangrove habitats. This study aimed to report the current status of different mangrove environments in Saudi Arabia. Mangrove soil and sediment–water samples were collected from the coasts of the Arabian Gulf and the Red Sea for their physical, chemical, and heavy metal analysis. The mean values (n = 42) of heavy metals in the soil showed that Fe (2200 ppm) > Mn (91.9 ppm) > Zn (66.11 ppm) > Cr (62.40 ppm) > Ni (33.64 ppm) > Cu (31.06 ppm) > Pb (30.69 ppm) > Co (27.06 ppm). While the mean values (n = 15) of heavy metals in the sediment–water were as follows; Cr (0.1978 ppm) > Fe (0.1016 ppm) > Pb (0.0792 ppm) > Co (0.0706 ppm) > Mn (0.0356 ppm) > Cu (0.0317 ppm) > Ni (0.0215 ppm). The average values of Zn, Ni, Cu, Pb, and Co were greater than those reported previously in the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf coastal sediments. At the same time, Mo and Cd were not detected in any studied soil sample. The correlation analysis revealed that the EC of mangrove soil was positively correlated with SOM, Ca, Mg, Na, and K, while the EC of sediment–water was positively correlated with Na, K, and Cu. Landfilling, sewage pollution, mismanagement of solid waste, and contamination due to other anthropogenic activities may lead to heavy metal hazards and the loss of large areas of mangrove plants in this region. Therefore, the findings of this study should be considered to understand and design the management strategy of mangrove forests in the area of study.

Because of the harsh environmental impacts of fossil fuels, price fluctuation, and resource limitation, renewable energy resources (RERs) are considered the ultimate solution to overcome these challenges. RERs are also abundant and environmentally friendly. It has been reported that the growth rates in renewable energy installations have increased by 8–9% annually since 2010, reaching a cumulative capacity of 2.9 TW by 2020 and exceeding the growth rate for fossil resources. In this work, the different RERs have been critically discussed in terms of their operation principles, advantages, disadvantages, and associated environmental impacts, focusing on wind and solar energies as the most deployed RERs. Barriers to the full deployment of RERs to replace fossil resources are discussed. Based on the discussion presented on RERs, the contribution of deploying RERs towards the achievement of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is also critically discussed. A total of 80 indicators have been identified for RERs' contribution toward the achievement of SDGs.

This study was aimed to convert agricultural waste to organic fertilizer and find the best combinations from agricultural waste, that were used in the research, Composting has always shown to be a reliable and ecologically beneficial technique for removing large amounts of bio-waste. Bio-waste is produced in a variety of sorts (forest residue, farms, agricultural, food industry, and municipal garbage) and is expanding on a daily basis, offering a management and disposal challenge. Millions of tons of cereal vegetable crops, industrial crops, dates and fruits, are produces in Iraq, there are about 20 million tons per year of agriculture waste materials in Iraq, according to estimates, and only a small part of it is used. Composting is an alternate method of material recovery that has no negative consequences. The composting was performed for study with agricultural waste from tree leaves, twigs, date palm, rise husk as a carbon source and manure (sheep, horses, poultry), and vegetable and fruit market waste as a nitrogen source to determine the appropriate mixing, proportion, and combination, as well as the influence of sludge on mixtures. Six distinct experiments were conducted to investigate the alterations in physic-chemical and biological changes during composting utilizing the rotary drum method. Consequently, the compost generated by all experiments had a pH of 6.95–8.00, electrical conductivity of 1.42–2.03 dS.cm⁻¹, a drop in the percentage of overall organic carbon of 16.4–13 percent, a percentage rise in total nitrogen of 0.86–0.19 percent, and a C:N ratio of 8.8–13.7. In this research, the optimal proportions from the various combinations attempted were discovered in drum (B2).

Cement production led to the consumption of high energy and generated harmful gases, such as CO2. Therefore, the use of alternative materials becomes necessary. The research attempts to use palm oil clinker (POC) and ultrafine palm oil fuel ash (UPOFA) as a full replacement of coarse aggregate and partial cement replacement, respectively. This study aims to use the response surface method (RSM) to optimise the properties of concrete, namely, density and water absorption. The study investigated the density and water absorption of concrete using RSM. Results showed that the density reduced sharply owing to the full replacement coarse aggregate by POC aggregate. Meanwhile, water absorption increased significantly due to the rise in the POC aggregate replacement. However, water absorption decreased because of the use of UPOFA as cement replacement. The study recommended the use of more UPOFA as cement replacement because of its high pozzolanic property.

Mekonnen Dessalegn,1,2 Mengistu Fantahun,2 Abdu Adem Yesufe,2 Mintewab Hussein,1 Aster Tsegaye1 1Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; 2St Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Mekonnen Dessalegn, Tel +25192457361 ; +251942310628, Email rebuni2063@gmail.comBackground: Globally the incidence of cancer is about 19.3 million new cases per year. Chemotherapy is among the standard treatments for cancer but neutropenia and febrile neutropenia are the most common side effects.Objective: To assess the incidences of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia, febrile-neutropenia and associated factors in solid cancer patients attending Oncology unit of St. Paul Hospital Millennium Medical College in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.Methods: In this institution-based longitudinal study conducted from February to September, 2020 at one of the largest teaching and referral hospitals of Ethiopia, 101 patients who were diagnosed with any type of solid cancer were recruited using convenience sampling method. Patients were followed-up until they completed five cycles of chemotherapy. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23 software. Paired sample t-test was used to compare the pre- and post-treatment results. Chi-squared test was employed to determine associated factors of neutropenia, and p-values less than 0.05 were taken as statistically significant.Results: Of the total 101 participants, 98 were eligible per inclusion criteria and 6 (6.1%) of them died during the study period. The age of the participants ranged from 16– 84 years with a mean age of 45. Of them, 48 (49.0%) were in the age group of 16– 44 years, 73 (74.5%) were female, 66 (67.3%) were married, and 42.9% attained primary education. Among 92 patients, the incidence of neutropenia was 65 (70.7%) and the incidence of febrile neutropenia was 46 (50.0%). Adriamycin + cyclophosphamide and Adriamycin + cyclophosphamide + paclitaxel were the most commonly used anti-cancer treatments in this study. None of the tested factors were associated with chemo-induced neutropenia.Conclusion: More than two thirds of the patients had chemotherapy associated neutropenia while half of the patients had febrile neutropenia; close monitoring of such patients is warranted.Keywords: solid tumors, cancer, chemotherapy, neutropenia, febrile neutropenia

Abstract Background Acromegaly is a disease of growth hormone excess that results in enlargement of extremities, abnormal glucose and lipid metabolism, and gonadal disruption. Manifestations of the disease are insidious and typically lead to a diagnostic delay of 7–10 years. Classically the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) phenotype is described in women with irregular menses, clinical or biochemical evidence of androgen excess, and/or multiple ovarian follicles on pelvic ultrasonography. Women with acromegaly may present with some or all of these symptoms. Our objective was to evaluate the prevalence of PCOS in patients with acromegaly and to determine if diagnosis of PCOS results in a delay in diagnosing acromegaly. Methods Using patient databases at two academic health centers, we identified 97 premenopausal women aged 18–49 years old presenting with acromegaly. Data were collected regarding pelvic sonography and reproductive history, including the diagnosis of PCOS. Patients carrying the diagnosis of PCOS before their diagnosis of acromegaly were identified and the remaining patients were screened using the Rotterdam criteria to identify additional patients meeting the criteria for PCOS prior to their diagnosis of acromegaly. Results Mean age of the population (n = 97) at the time of diagnosis of acromegaly was 33.4 ± 7.5 years (SD). Thirty-three percent of patients (n = 32) either carried a diagnosis of PCOS or met diagnostic criteria for PCOS before their diagnosis of acromegaly. In the subset of patients in whom data on symptom onset were available, those who met criteria for PCOS were diagnosed with acromegaly a median of 5 years [4, 9] after the onset of symptoms compared to 2 years [0.92, 3] (p = 0.006) in the patients who did not meet criteria for PCOS. Conclusions Our data demonstrate a high prevalence of signs and symptoms of PCOS in reproductive-aged women with acromegaly and a longer time to diagnosis in women who meet the clinical criteria for PCOS. As screening for acromegaly is relatively simple and done with measurement of a random, non-fasting IGF-1 level that can be drawn at any time during the menstrual cycle, screening patients with PCOS for acromegaly may lessen the delay in diagnosis for reproductive-aged women with this disease.

Background and Aim: Otitis media with effusion (OME) usually affects ∼92–97% of children experiencing cleft palate during their first year. The wide incidence of OME in cleft palate has largely been owing to dysfunction of the Eustachian tube. The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the outcome of ventilation tube insertion versus conservative management in patients with cleft palate complaining of hearing affection. Patients and methods: This is a prospective cohort study carried out in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology at Luxor International Hospital at Luxor in the period from May 2019 to May 2020. A total of 20 children with cleft palate having OME were chosen. Overall, 10 patients were subjected to ventilation tube insertion after repair, and 10 patients were subjected to conservative management. Complete investigations were done including tympanometry and hearing assessment by audiometry or Auditory Brain stem Response Test (ABR). All cases were followed up by tympanometry before and after repair and after 3 months of repair. Results: According to our study, there was a statistically significance relationship between hearing improvement and ventilation tube insertion after 3 months of repair measured by tympanometry, where 60% of the patients transformed to type B tympanometry but only 40% still had type A tympanogram (P=0.006). There was a statistically significance relationship between hearing improvement and ventilation tube insertion after 3 months of repair measured by audiogram, where it was better in group B, where mean±SD was 26±12.6 (P=0.007). Conclusion: Equated with conservative management, Ventilation tube insertion (VTI) is beneficial to hearing recovery. There is a belief that the early VTI at the time of palatoplasty surgery is beneficial; however, there is insignificant evidence indicating the best timing for VTI.

Background: Contact allergies are associated with morbidity worldwide. Purpose: To investigate the patterns of sensitization to contact allergens in a local population. Methods: A retrospective study investigated patch test reactivity among patients with a clinical diagnosis of contact dermatitis referred to the dermatology clinic at King Fahad Armed Forces Hospital, Jeddah, between January 2021 and January 2023. Pregnant women, immunosuppressed patients, and those receiving immunosuppressive therapy were excluded. Only 92 of 101 referred patients underwent patch testing after fulfilling requirements. The patch test was performed using a Thin-layer Rapid-Use Epicutaneous patch test containing 35 contact allergenic elements and one control (total = 36). Results: Among 92 patients, 35 (38%) were males, and 57 (62%) were females. Of these, 62 (67.4%) patients had a positive patch test and reacted to one or more allergens. The most common sensitizing allergens were p-phenylenediamine (PPD), gold sodium thiosulfate, and disperse blue 106, with equal positive reactions in 16 (25.8%) patients, followed by nickel sulfate in 13 (21%), p-tert-butylphenol formaldehyde resin in eight (13%), fragrance mix in 7 (10.8%), and epoxy resin in six (9.2%) patients. No significant sex differences were found among patients with contact dermatitis where notable patch test allergen reactivity was observed. Conclusion: Patch test reactivity to PPD, gold sodium thiosulfate, and disperse blue 106 was high. The pattern of contact allergy observed here highlights the need for large-scale investigations to identify local allergens for contact allergy and formulate policies for avoiding exposure.

Abstract Objective We aimed in this study to evaluate the impact of maternal interleukin -17A and the activity of the illness on pregnancy outcomes in Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients. Methods This prospective cohort research was carried out on 48 Psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis pregnant women attending the inpatient and outpatient clinics of the Rheumatology & Rehabilitation and Obstetrics & Gynecology Departments, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University Hospitals in Egypt and 30 apparently healthy age- and sex-matched pregnant women between January 1,2018, and December 31, 2019. Results The study group patients had a higher risk of preterm labour (32–36 weeks gestation) (aRR 1.80, 95% CI 0.79–4.17), oligohydramnios (aRR 3.15, 95% CI 1.26–8.42), Caesarean delivery (aRR 1.57, 95% CI 1.41–2.68), and delivering infants small for gestational age (aRR 7.04, 95% CI 2.36–12.42). There was significant difference between the control group and the study groups regarding the level of IL-17A. Conclusion Many females with PsA and AS have uninhibited pregnancy with regard to adverse events, but in comparison with normal pregnancies particularly with high IL-17A during the third trimester we noticed a growing risk of preterm labour, oligohydramnios and cesarean section. Further studies are needed to evaluate high maternal IL-17A levels and fetal outcomes.

Background and Aim: Diphenhydramine is an H1-antihistamine that counteracts the toxic effects of organophosphate and carbamate insecticides that inhibit cholinesterase (ChE) activity. This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effects of diphenhydramine on ChE inhibition induced by these insecticides in the plasma, erythrocytes, or whole brain of experimental animals. Materials and Methods: A data search was performed on erythrocyte, plasma, and brain ChE inhibition caused by organophosphate and carbamate insecticides in experimental animals (mice, rats, and chicks) treated with the antihistamine diphenhydramine in accordance with preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis, which was done by the two-group random-effects model meta-analysis. The meta-analysis included 18 records extracted from six studies that appeared from 1996 to 2022. Results: Using the random-effects model, a two-group meta-analysis revealed that the combined effect size (ChE inhibition) was significantly more favorable in the control group than in the diphenhydramine intervention, as shown by a forest plot. The combined effect size (standardized mean difference) was 0.67, with a standard error of 0.3, a lower limit of 0.04, and an upper limit of 1.29 (p = 0.025). The heterogeneity was moderate, as I2 of the combined effect size was 74%, with a significant Cochrane Q-test result (Q = 65, p < 0.0001). Subgroup analysis indicated that, with brain ChE inhibition, the heterogeneity (I2) became 5%, which was lower than ChE inhibition in plasma (84%) and erythrocytes (78%). No publication bias was identified using the funnel plot and Egger's test. Conclusion: This meta-analysis suggests that, in addition to its documented antidotal action against ChE-inhibiting insecticides, diphenhydramine can also reduce the extent of ChE inhibition, especially in the brain, which is the main site of toxicity of these insecticides. There is a need for additional studies to assess such enzyme inhibition in different parts of the brain.