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Objectives: This study aimed to assess the frequency of hypovitaminosis D in patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) compared to healthy controls and evaluate its association with disease activity, structural damage and Bone Mineral Density (BMD). Methods: Serum 25(OH) D in 30 AS male patients was compared to 30 matched healthy controls. AS disease activity was assessed using AS Disease Activity Score and C - reactive protein (ASDAS- CRP). Bath AS Functional Index (BASFI) and Bath AS Metrology Index (BASMI) were used to assess the functional impairment and the spinal mobility, respectively. Radiological damage was scored according to modified Stoke AS Spine Score (mSASSS) and BMD was measured in the lumbar spine and femoral neck. Results: The mean serum 25(OH)D levels in AS patients were significantly lower compared to healthy controls (27.73 ± 14.27 vs. 38.46 ± 8.11ng/ml, P Conclusions: Hypovitaminosis D is prevalent among AS patients and is associated with increased risk of active disease, impaired function, radiographic severity and bone mineral loss. Future studies with a larger sample size are recommended to assess the impact of vitamin D deficiency on radiological progression in AS and to address whether or not vitamin D supplementation will help control the active disease.

Background: Chemosensory dysfunction (CD) has been reported as a common symptom of SARS-CoV-2 infection, but it is not well understood whether and for how long changes of smell, taste and chemesthesis persist in infected individuals. Methodology: Unselected adult residents of the German federal state of Schleswig-Holstein with Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)-test-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection were invited to participate in this large cross-sectional study. Data on the medical history and subjective chemosensory function of participants were obtained through questionnaires and visual analogue scales (VAS). Olfactory function (OF) was objectified with the Sniffin’ Sticks test (SST), including threshold (T), discrimination (D) and identification (I) test as well as summarized TDI score, and compared to that in healthy controls. Gustatory function (GF) was evaluated with the suprathreshold taste strips (TS) test, and trigeminal function was tested with an ampoule containing ammonia. Results: Between November 2020 and June 2021, 667 infected individuals (mean age: 48.2 years) were examined 9.1 months, on average, after positive PCR testing. Of these, 45.6% had persisting subjective olfactory dysfunction (OD), 36.2% had subjective gustatory dysfunction (GD). Tested OD, tested GD and impaired trigeminal function were observed in 34.6%, 7.3% and 1.8% of participants, respectively. The mean TDI score of participants was significantly lower compared to healthy subjects. Significant associations were observed between subjective OD and GD, and between tested OD and GD. Conclusion: Nine months after SARS-CoV-2 infection, OD prevalence is significantly increased among infected members of the general population. Therefore, OD should be included in the list of symptoms collectively defining Long-COVID.

Summary Background and aims Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is known as a serious disease associated with malnutrition and overweight habits. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the eight-week high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and the low-intensity endurance training (ET) on the expression of HIF-1α, HIG2 and intrahepatic lipid content (IHL) in the rats suffering from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods To this aim, forty Wistar rats were selected randomly and divided into four groups: NAFLD, NAFLD + HIIT (N + HIIT), NAFLD + ET (N + ET), and control groups. The protocol of the N + HIIT group consisted of high-intensity running separated with light running; the protocol of the N + ET group was matched with the whole ran distance of the N + HIIT group with a lower intensity. After eight weeks, a portion of the liver of each rat was excised and frozen in liquid nitrogen for assessment of HIF-1α, HIG2 mRNA levels, and IHL. Results The results showed that there was a significant difference between the groups in terms of the expression of HIF-1α (X2 = 16.42, P = 0.001), HIG2 (X2 = 12.43, P = 0.006) and IHL content (X2 = 32.84, P = 0.001). Moreover, HIF-1α and HIG2 mRNA levels were found to be decreased in N + HIIT vs. NAFLD (P = 0.024 and P = 0.031) and N + ET vs. NAFLD (P = 0.012 and P = 0.012), respectively. There was no significant difference in the expression of HIF-1α and HIG2 between N + HIIT and N + ET groups (P = 0.895 and P = 0.453). There were also significant differences in terms of IHL between NAFLD and N + HIIT groups (P = 0.001), and between NAFLD and N + ET groups (P = 0.001). A significant difference was also observed in the IHL content between N + HIIT and N + ET groups (P = 0.003). Conclusion Overall, it could be concluded that both N + HIIT and N + ET protocols reduced the content of liver fat, thereby decreasing fatty liver disease by reducing the expression of HIF-1α and HIG2 genes. It seems that the decrease of hypoxia and lipid droplet-associated with proteins in hepatocytes could lead to the improvement of fatty liver disease.

BackgroundWeight loss in patients with metabolic syndrome has positive effects on cardiovascular and type 2 diabetes risks, but its effects on peripheral cytokines and lipid profiles in patients are still unclear.AimTo determine the effects of diet-induced weight loss on metabolic parameters, lipids and cytokine profiles.MethodsEighteen adult males with metabolic syndrome (defined according to IDF 2009) and Body Mass Index (BMI) between 25 and 35 kg/m2were subjected to a balanced hypocaloric diet for 6 months to reach at least a 5% body weight loss.ResultsAfter weight loss, a significant improvement in BMI, waist circumference, insulin, fasting blood glucose and HOMA-IR (homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance) was observed. The analysis of LDL (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol) and HDL (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) lipoproteins showed a change in their composition with a massive transfer of triacylglycerols from HDL to LDL. This was associated with a significant reduction in peripheral pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, TNF-α, IL-8 and MIP-1β, leading to an overall decreased inflammatory score. An interesting positive correlation was also observed among peripheral cytokines levels after diet and peripheral levels of CETP (cholesteryl ester transfer protein), an enzyme with a key role in lipid change.ConclusionWeight loss through caloric restriction is associated with an improvement in peripheral lipid and cytokine profiles that may play a major role in improving cardiovascular risk.Graphic abstract

Multi-drug-resistant (MDR) strains of biofilm-producing Escherichia coli are being reported worldwide and are threatening the health of human beings. These species are seen as the highest priority for the development of new phage biocontrol agents. Therefore, we isolated and characterized new and effective lytic phages as biocontrol agents against MDR E. coli. Bacteriophages (phages) were isolated from different wastewater samples, whilst E. coli strain was isolated from Sausage with accession number MN493640; it was resistant to 66.6% of tested common antibiotics with strong biofilm production. Phages designated ΦEcp1, ΦEcp2, ΦEcp3, ΦEcp4 and they were classified as being in the order Caudovirales, ΦEcp1 and ΦEcp2 belong to families Siphoviridae and Myoviridae respectively while ΦEcp3, ΦEcp4 belonging to family Podoviridae. The four phages and its cocktail showed polyvalent infectivity. All phages are stable at pH values range from 7–9; exhibited remarkable temperature stability (55-65oC). They were stable in different concentrations of sodium chloride and did not lose their infectivity after exposure to Ultraviolet (UV) radiation for 30 min. One-step growth curve analysis showed short latent period (10 min) and large burst sizes (295, 117, 102 .and 127 PFU/mL) for ΦEcp1, ΦEcp2, ΦEcp3, ΦEcp4 respectively. Phages cocktail completely inhibited the growth of MDR E. coli in 8 h in vitro and also significantly (p < 0.05) eradicated the development of 24 h old biofilms. This study suggests that these four new phages can be characterized even farther as antimicrobial agents against biofilm-producing MDR E. coli.

A broadband (1–35 GHz) time-/frequency-domain reflection technique for measuring the complex dielectric constant of low-loss dielectric slabs is presented. The technique uses a coplanar waveguide (CPW) transmission line sample holder for measurements. In addition to the standard substrate materials, the technique is suitable for the characterization of materials, such as glass, as it does not require complicated sample machining and preparation. The procedure is based on comparing the measured effective dielectric constant and the attenuation constants for both the loaded and unloaded CPW line sample holder. The effective dielectric constant and the attenuation constant are first modeled as a function of the real and imaginary parts of the superstrate’s dielectric constant using a 2-D numerical line calculator. Samples under test are assumed to be nonmagnetic and have their material resonances at frequencies substantially above 35 GHz. The technique is validated through measurements of known Rogers RT/duroid samples. Measured complex dielectric constants of different materials are in very good agreement with data reported in materials’ datasheets.

Let Fq be a finite field, and let Fq[X] be the ring of polynomials with coefficients in Fq. A 2-Pisot element is a pair of algebraic integers of formal Laurent series over Fq[X] with absolute value strictly greater than 1 and such that all remaining conjugates have an absolute value strictly smaller than 1. Our paper is devoted to characterize 2-Pisot elements in the case q ≠ 2r.

Fe2Cd1-xMnxO4 (x= 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1) spinel ferrite nanoparticle samples were synthesized using a flash auto-combustion technique and analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The inspection of dielectric and magnetic properties of the prepared ferrites was carried out by using broadband dielectric spectroscopy (BDS) and vibration sample magnetometer (VSM) measurements, respectively. X-ray diffraction analysis verified the formation of the main cubic phase with space group Fd3m and a decrease in lattice constants with the increase in Mn-content. FTIR study revealed the two characteristic absorption bands of spinel ferrites and their dependence on Mn-content was investigated and explained. Elastic moduli such as Longitudinal, transverse and mean elastic wave velocities (𝑉𝑙 , 𝑉𝑡 𝑉𝑚), bulk modulus (𝐵), rigidity modulus (𝐺), Young modulus (𝐸) and calculated Debye temperature (θD) have been studied and found to decrease with the increase in Mn-content. SEM analysis revealed nanoparticles agglomeration of uniform grains with increasing in the average grain size as Mn-content increased. The VSM measurements showed an increase in saturation magnetization (Ms) accompanied by a decrease in coercivity (Hc) as Mn-content increased. Dielectric investigations showed very high values of permittivity and dielectric loss at lower frequencies reflecting the combination of exchange of electrons between ferrous and ferric ions and ions’ transport. The ac-conductivity showed a plateau that yields the dc-conductivity (σdc) at lower frequencies followed by a characteristic frequency (νc) at which it tends out to follow a power law. The relation between these two parameters confirms the empirical BNN-relation.

‏Shilajit is used commonly as Ayurvedic medicine worldwide which is Rasayana herbo-mineral substance and consumed to restore the energetic balance and to prevent diseases like cognitive disorders and Alzheimer. Locally, Shilajit is applied for patients diagnosed with bone fractures. For safety of the patients, the elemental analysis of Shilajit is imperative to evaluate its nutritional quality as well as contamination from heavy metals. The elemental composition of Shilajit was conducted using three advanced analytical techniques (LIBS, ICP, and EDX). For the comparative studies, the two Shilajit kinds mostly sold globally produced in India and Pakistan were collected. Our main focus is to highlight nutritional eminence and contamination of heavy metals to hinge on Shilajit therapeutic potential. In this work, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) was applied for qualitative and quantitative analysis of the Shilajit. Our LIBS analysis revealed that Shilajit samples composed of several elements like Ca, S, K, Mg, Al, Na, Sr, Fe, P, Si, Mn, Ba, Zn, Ni, B, Cr, Co, Pb, Cu, As, Hg, Se, and Ti. Indian and Pakistani Shilajits were highly enriched with Ca, S, and K nutrients and contained Al, Sr, Mn, Ba, Zn, Ni, B, Cr, Pb, As, and Hg toxins in amounts that exceeded the standard permissible limit. Even though the content of most elements was comparable among both Shilajits, nutrients, and toxins, in general, were accentuated more in Indian Shilajit with the sole detection of Hg and Ti. The elemental quantification was done using self-developed calibration-free laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (CF-LIBS) method, and LIBS results are in well agreement with the concentrations determined by standard ICP-OES/MS method. To verify our results by LIBS and ICP-OES/MS techniques, EDX spectroscopy was also conducted which confirmed the presence above mentioned elements. This work is highly significant for creating awareness among people suffering due to overdose of this product and save many human lives.

Seventy two cockerels of the 24-week-old Gimmizah strain were used to evaluate performance of Gimmizah cockerels fed two levels of methionine and lysine and two levels of protein. The work in this study was divided into two experiments. 1st experiment aimed to test two levels of methionine at 0.24 and 0.34% with two levels 12 and 13% CP while 2nd experiment was designed to test levels of lysine at 0.60 and 0.70% at the same protein levels in factorial design 2×2 in each experiment. Body weight and feed intake were recorded while, the change in body weight, daily protein intake and methionine and lysine intake were calculated. Semen characteristics and some blood plasma characteristics were determined. The experimental period terminated at 40 weeks of age. The obtained results showed that: From results of the first experiment it will be noticed that protein levels had no significant effects on final body weight (FBW), BW change, daily feed intake, daily methionine intake, semen characteristics and fertility percentage but increasing protein level to 13% CP exhibited significant increase in daily protein intake, globulin and AST in blood plasma. Increasing methionine level from 0.24% to 0.34% significantly improved FBW, BW change, daily feed intake, daily methionine intake, fertility percentage, globulin, glucose and semen quality characteristics except for volume which numerically improved. On the other hand daily protein intake, total protein, albumen, AST and ALT in blood plasma were not affected by methionine levels. Interaction effect between protein and methionine levels had significant effects. Cockerels fed diet 0.34% methionine with any protein level resulted in significant improvements in FBW, BW change, daily feed intake, methionine intake, motility%, live sperm, dead sperm, abnormality, fertility percentage and glucose in blood plasma compared with methionine 0.24% level. Interaction between protein and methionine levels was not significant on semen volume, total protein, albumin and ALT in blood plasma. In the 2nd experiment results revealed that daily lysine intake had insignificant effect on cockerels fed on different protein levels. In contrast cockerels fed diet contains 0.70% lysine displayed significant increases in daily lysine intake compared with those fed diet contains 0.60% lysine. Interaction between studied factors had insignificant affect FBW, BW change, all semen characteristics, fertility percentage, total protein, albumen and glucose in blood plasma but cockerels fed diet contains 0.60% lysine and 13% CP content resulted in significant reduction (P≤0.05) in daily feed intake and lysine intake compared with other treatments. On the other hand cockerels fed diet containing 12% CP with any lysine level recorded significant decrease in daily protein intake than those fed on 13% CP. While there were no significant variations in daily feed intake, daily lysine intake, AST and ALT in response to feeding on diets containing0.70% lysine and 12 or 13% protein levels compared with other treatment groups. It can be concluded that the diets containing 13% CP with 0.34% methionine or 0.60% lysine had not adverse effect on productive or reproductive performance of Gimmizah cockerels with taking into consideration semen quality and fertility percentage.

This study aims to conceptualize business excellence model and identify its variables and indicators. The philosophical foundations of the pragmatic, humanistic theory of symbolic interactionism has been, quietly and the strategy of grand theory deal with open, axial and selective coding; whose output is a new concept. Data collection is based on documentation studies on excellence models. The population under study more specifically includes the models existing in prestigious journals and magazines with theoretical sampling logic in order to reach theoretical saturation. To measure validity, Critical Appraisal Skills Program was applied and to assess reliability, two encoders were used. Reliability was calculated to be 0.86 through the agreement between two encoders and Kappa coefficient for 102 samples; the reliability was good. For analysis, MAXQDA‌ ‌software has been employed. Out of 102 conceptual excellence models under investigation in the coding step, 869 concepts or open codes were obtained. Common basic codes were divided into 50 major categories in terms of meaning, which, in the selective coding step, led to the creation of five dimensions with the names of people, market, work, management and the underlying factors. The conducted study is a small step towards the extraction of indicators and concepts of business excellence from 102 classic models.

Sperm cryopreservation is presently used for conservation of male gametes in assisted reproduction technologies (ART). Despite the benefits of sperm banking, freeze-thawing process is injurious to sperm integrity due to induced oxidative stress by cold stress. Oxidative stress reduces sperm motility, viability and DNA integrity.To investigate the effect of alpha lipoic acid (ALA) on human sperm function during the freeze-thawing process.Thirty semen samples were collected and different concentrations (0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, and 8mM) of ALA were added to a sperm freeze medium and its effects on sperm motility, DNA damage, and lipid peroxidation of frozen-thawed spermatozoa were assessed.The addition of 0.2 mM ALA to the sperm freeze medium resulted in significant improvement in percentage of sperm motility, less DNA damage and decreased lipid peroxidation during freeze-thawing process (p0.05).ALA improves the cryo-protective capacity of sperm freeze medium used for human semen by protecting the sperm from ROS attack induced by the freezing-thawing process. We suggest that sperm freeze medium supplemented with 0.2 mM ALA would be beneficial for the cryopreservation of male gametes in ART.

Many attempts have been made to investigate the classical heat transfer of Fourier, and a number of improvements have been implemented. In this work, we consider a novel thermoelasticity model based on the Moore&ndash, Gibson&ndash, Thompson equation in cases where some of these models fail to be positive. This thermomechanical model has been constructed in combination with a hyperbolic partial differential equation for the variation of the displacement field and a parabolic differential equation for the temperature increment. The presented model is applied to investigate the wave propagation in an isotropic and infinite body subjected to a continuous thermal line source. To solve this problem, together with Laplace and Hankel transform methods, the potential function approach has been used. Laplace and Hankel inverse transformations are used to find solutions to different physical fields in the space&ndash, time domain. The problem is validated by calculating the numerical calculations of the physical fields for a given material. The numerical and theoretical results of other thermoelastic models have been compared with those described previously.

In the current investigation, we introduce a generalized modified model of thermoviscoelasticity with different fractional orders. Based on the Kelvin–Voigt model and generalized thermoelasticity theory with multi-phase-lags, the governing system equations are derived. In limited cases, the proposed model is reduced to several previous models in the presence and absence of fractional derivatives. The model is then adopted to investigate a problem of an isotropic spherical cavity, the inner surface of which is exposed to a time-dependent varying heat and constrained. The system of governing differential equations has been solved analytically by applying the technique of Laplace transform. To clarify the effects of the fractional-order and viscoelastic parameters, we depicted our numerical calculations in tables and figures. Finally, the results obtained are discussed in detail and also confirmed with those in the previous literature.

An aminated acrylic fiber waste has been utilized as an adsorbent material for the removal of Cd(II) ions from aqueous solution after treatment of acrylic fiber waste with hydroxylamine hydrochloride under basic conditions, and characterized for surface chemistry, surface morphology and textural properties. The ability of this sorbent to adsorb Cd(II) ions was examined via batch adsorption methods, studying the effect of pH, sorbent and sorbate concentrations, as well as contact time. Results obtained confirm that this sorbent was effective for Cd(II) ion adsorption, with uptakes promoted by high active site density, however, the adsorption process is independent of sorbent surface area. The values obtained exceed those previously reported within the literature. Isotherm analysis using arrange of two- and three- parameter models, evaluated using non-linear regression methods with error analysis, showed that the Langmuir isotherm model most appropriately described the experimental data obtained, indicating mono layer adsorption occurs. Kinetic analysis using arrange of models in their non-linear forms provided mechanistic information, showing that pseudo -second-order behavior is involved. The synthesized aminated acrylic fiber waste derived sorbents offer significant potential for the removal of Cd(II) ions from aqueous solution through a mechanism of chelation between the electron- donating oxygen-and nitrogen-containing groups in the sorbent and the electron-accepting Cd(II) ions.

The inventories and the possible mechanisms behind the relative deficiency of both radium and uranium release processes within an elevated gamma-anomalous rock were investigated. A field survey was performed on the highest radioactive anomalous zone that was recorded at Jabal Al Alam (20° 13′ 10.06″ N and 44° 14′ 32.13″), with the ferruginous sandstone, iron oxide band, and iron concretions (with uranium content and reaching up to1500 ppm). The chemical analyses and the laboratory’s gamma-ray spectrometric measurements demonstrated high uranium levels in the analyzed rock samples of the Wajid Sandstone (up to 1000 ppm). The borehole geophysical logs further confirmed that the radioactive anomalies are attributed to the sandstone sequence of the Wajid Formation that is often found associated with elevated concentrations of uranium. The groundwater samples taken from the wells tapping the Wajid aquifer showed uranium concentrations ranging from 0.01 to 5.5 ppb (μg/L). The average 226Ra in groundwater samples was 0.2 Bq L−1. The majority of the 226Ra and 228Ra activities were below the lower limit of detection (LLD). The radiochemical analyses of water samples from the Wajid aquifer display low concentrations of both uranium and 226Ra, with relation to uranium content in host rocks. This was attributed to the fact that uranium is susceptible to form iron oxide complexes, causing them to precipitate in a more stable form. Furthermore, iron oxides coat the sand grains of the Wajid Formation and accordingly might act as a foundation for re-adsorption for both uranium and radium, resulting in their relative deficiency in the surrounding water. The coating might also act as a physical barrier resulting in hindrance of the recoil nuclei due to its significant thickness (several orders of magnitude) compared with that of the average (120 nm) whole alpha-recoil track (ART). The coating layer thickness was determined via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and was found to be up to 180 μm.

In the current work, a new generalized model of heat conduction has been constructed taking into account the influence of the microscopic structure into the on non-simple thermoelastic materials. The new model was established on the basis of the system of equations that includes three-phase lags of higher-order and two different temperatures, namely thermodynamic and conductive temperature. The two-temperature thermoelastic model presented by Chen and Gurtin (Z Angew Math Phys 19(4):614–627, 1968) and some other previous models have been introduced as special cases from the proposed model. As an application of the new model, we studied the thermoelastic interactions resulting from sudden heating in an isotropic solid subjected to external body force. The influence of the discrepancy parameter and higher-order of the time-derivative has been discussed. This work will enable future investigators to gain insight into non-simple thermoelasticity with different phase delays of higher-order in detail.

This paper proposes a novel multi-mode star junction, which consists of eight three-conductor structures connected in a star configuration. It also proposes its equivalent circuit model and its application in the design of compact size 90° hybrid and rat-race couplers. The areas of the proposed designs are 50% and 20% of the conventional ones, respectively, without degrading the electrical characteristics. The couplers are fabricated and characterized. Measurements, which are in a very good agreement with the EM simulations, confirm the theoretical predictions.