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Characterizing the epidemiology of circulating respiratory pathogens during the COVID-19 pandemic could clarify the burden of acute respiratory infections and monitor outbreaks of public health and military relevance. The US Department of Defense supported 2 regions for influenza-like illness and severe acute respiratory infections surveillance, one in the Middle East through US Naval Medical Research Unit EURAFCENT, and another in Latin America through US Naval Medical Research Unit SOUTH. During 2020‒2022, coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic, we collected a total of 16,146 nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swab samples from sentinel sites in Jordan (n = 11,305) and Latin America (n = 4,841). Samples were tested for SARS-CoV-2, influenza, and other respiratory pathogens. SARS-CoV-2 was the most frequently detected pathogen during 2020; other respiratory pathogens had distinct temporal and frequency distributions according to geographic location. Our findings support the need for continued sentinel surveillance as a vital tool for assessing the burden of respiratory diseases globally.

Surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in Kenya, Uganda, and Jordan identified multidrug-resistant high-risk bacterial clones: Escherichia coli sequence types 131, 1193, 69, 167, 10, 648, 410, 405 and Klebsiella pneumoniae sequence types 14, 147, 307, 258. Clones emerging in those countries exhibited high resistance mechanism diversity, highlighting a serious threat for multidrug resistance.

Abstract Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) contain a diverse array of microbes, underscoring the need for regular monitoring to ensure treatment efficacy and protect health. However, detailed studies on waste stabilization ponds (WSPs) are scarce. This study evaluates a full-scale WSP, located in Giza Governorate, Egypt, including anaerobic, facultative, and maturation ponds, examining an array of parameters such as enteric viruses, microeukaryotes (protozoa and algae), bacterial indicators, bacterial pathogens, and physicochemical characteristics. Utilizing multivariate statistical models, we identified significant distinctions in physicochemical parameters and microbial communities, primarily driven by treatment stages rather than temporal variations. In addition, seven viruses (human rotavirus, adenovirus, norovirus, astrovirus, hepatitis A virus, polyomavirus, and papillomavirus) were detected during the different stages (inlet, anaerobic, facultative, and outlet) of the WSP, except norovirus and papillomavirus were absent in the outlet stage. The viral log means reductions ranged from 1.24 to 5.94, depending on the stage and virus type. The removal efficiency of bacterial pathogens was more than 99%. High throughput 18S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing indicated the dominance of animal parasitic Apicomplexa species and Vermamoeba spp. in the WSP. Network analysis indicated significant roles for Ciliophora in virus reduction. Notably, the maturation pond's outlet was dominated by Spirulina maxima, whose mat-forming tendencies may inhibit pathogen removal by providing protective shelters. Although the WSP effectively reduced pathogen levels, the high initial loads resulted in considerable concentrations in the final effluent, posing ongoing public health concerns. This study highlights the imperative of including pathogen standards in national regulations for wastewater reuse.

Abstract Background and aims Endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue acquisition, including both fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) and fine-needle biopsy (EUS-FNB), has been frequently performed to acquire samples from both pancreatic and non-pancreatic lesions. Still, the impact of the diagnostic yield between FNA and FNB is uncertain. We conducted this study to compare the diagnostic performance and accuracy of the 22-gauge FNA needles with the 22-gauge FNB needles in sampling solid pancreatic and non-pancreatic lesions. Methods This is a prospective multicenter study conducted on 465 cases presented with solid pancreatic or non-pancreatic lesions. Results Patients were 275 male and 190 females with a mean age of 59 years. Three-hundred twenty-seven patients had solid pancreatic lesions, while 138 had non-pancreatic lesions; 245 cases underwent EUS-FNA, and the remaining 211 cases underwent EUS-FNB. The presence of intact tissue core and sample adequacy was significantly higher in the FNB cases in solid pancreatic and non-pancreatic lesions. Blood contamination was significantly more in cell blocks and smears of EUS-FNA compared to that of EUS-FNB in solid pancreatic and non-pancreatic lesions. Based on histologic assessment of cell block only, EUS-FNB had more diagnostic accuracy (99%) than FNA (61%) (P-value

This study addresses the heightened global reliance on point-of-use (PoU) systems driven by water quality concerns, ageing infrastructure, and urbanization. While widely used in Egypt, there is a lack of comprehensive evaluation of these systems. We assessed 10 reverse osmosis point-of-use systems, examining physicochemical, bacteriological, and protozoological aspects of tap water (inlets) and filtered water (outlets), adhering to standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater. Results showed significant reductions in total dissolved solids across most systems, with a decrease from 210 ± 23.6 mg/L in tap water to 21 ± 2.8 mg/L in filtered water for PoU-10. Ammonia nitrogen levels in tap water decreased from 0.05 ± 0.04 to 2.28 ± 1.47 mg/L to 0.02 ± 0.04 to 0.69 ± 0.64 mg/L in filtered water. Despite this, bacterial indicators showed no significant changes, with some systems even increasing coliform levels. Protozoological analysis identified prevalent Acanthamoeba (42.5%), less frequent Naegleria (2.5%), Vermamoeba vermiformis (5%), and potentially pathogenic Acanthamoeba genotypes. Elevated bacterial indicators in filtered water of point-of-use systems, combined with essential mineral removal, indicate non-compliance with water quality standards, posing a public health concern. Further research on the long-term health implications of these filtration systems is essential. HIGHLIGHTS This is the first study in Egypt to provide a comprehensive assessment of 10 commercial PoUs.; Substantial alteration in physicochemical parameters between tap and filtered water was noticed.; No significant variance in bacterial indicators was observed between tap water and the PoUs' filtered water.; The PoUs remove crucial minerals for human health like magnesium and calcium.; First record of potentially pathogenic V. vermiformis and Acanthamoeba genotypes in the PoUs' filtered water.;

Graphene has appeared as one of the most promising nanomaterials with unique thermal, electronic and mechanical properties which make it suitable for many applications in materials science, energy storage, electronics, water filtration and medicine. In this paper, we have studied the (2+1)-dimensional graphene sheets (GS) equation with variable heat transmission thermophoretic motion by using both Bäcklund transformation and similarity reduction techniques. As a result, from Bäcklund transformation one soliton solution was obtained and from similarity reduction technique the GS equation is reduced to a nonlinear ordinary differential equation which can be solved using the trial equation method; where many novel wave solutions were obtained. As an additional remark, the Bäcklund transformation obtained can be found by the traditional Painléve test. Finally, some graphs are given to illustrate the effect of the variable coefficients on the behavior of the thermal wave transmission.

Abstract This study developed an integrated wastewater treatment system that combines an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB), downflow hanging non-woven fabric (DHNW), and anaerobic baffled reactor (ABR) to explore the effect of treatment stages on the diversity of microeukaryotic communities. This study aimed to bridge the knowledge gap regarding the influence of integrated system stages on microeukaryotic community diversity. Through 18S rRNA amplicon sequencing, we identified unique microeukaryotic communities across different stages, with the aerobic phase hosting 35.77% of unique amplicon sequence variants (ASVs). The results of principal component analysis (PCA) and non-multidimensional scale analysis (nMDS) demonstrated the significant influence of wastewater treatment on both environmental factors and the microeukaryotic communities. Ciliophora was notably abundant in the effluent (42.09%) and sludge (17.11%). The aerobic stage was dominated by Ochrophyta, a diverse group of algae instrumental in nutrient removal, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, through biological processes. A redundancy analysis (RDA) revealed a positive correlation between chemical and biochemical oxygen demand and Cryptomycotina, highlighting its potential as a bioindicator for treatment efficacy. The detection of protozoan species, such as Acanthamoeba castellanii and Vermamoeba vermiformis, in the outlet stage poses health risks, whereas Cryptosporidium sp. was found in both the inlet and aerobic stages but not in the outlet. Our study reveals the complex nature of microeukaryotic diversity in the wastewater treatment system and its implications for treatment performance and public health.

The Egyptian economy has been facing challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic and global conflicts. This study, conducted from a macroeconomic perspective, has highlighted the importance of mandating audits for Egyptian SMEs, which primarily operate in the informal economy. This study draws on the 2013 COSO Framework, a widely accepted standard for internal control, to define IC and its features. The research utilized a comprehensive mixed methodology, combining qualitative and quantitative research methods and relevant theory to examine the impact of mandatory audits on the Internal Control Quality (ICQ) of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). Data was gathered through questionnaires and NILEX financial reports spanning from 2010 to 2023. Questionnaires resulted in 803 responses from auditors, owners, and managers of SMEs, as well as 217 academics/economists in Egypt. The study employed various analyses, such as ANOVA, Scheffe’s post hoc test, Wilcoxon signed rank test, and Cohen’s d, to assess the effect of mandatory audits on SMEs’ ICQ and identify any discrepancies, ensuring the thoroughness and reliability of the conclusions. The research indicates statistically significant differences in perceptions among SME management, auditors, and academics/economists. This study plays a crucial role in supporting the Egyptian national economy by creating a standardized and concise scale for measuring ICQ among SMEs, which aligns with their unique attributes and features. This customized scale facilitates comparisons among SMEs and opens doors for further scholarly investigations, instilling a sense of optimism for the future of the Egyptian SME sector. The findings of this study are significant. They reveal an apparent enhancement in internal control quality following the implementation of mandatory audits for Egyptian SMEs. This evidence was derived from an analysis of ICQ before and after the mandatory audit requirement among a substantial sample of 56 SMEs in Egypt, covering the period from 2010 to 2023.

Background: Color stability is a crucial aspect in the selection of denture base materials as it directly impacts the esthetic appeal and longevity of dental prostheses. This study aimed to compare the color stability of different denture base materials through an in vitro approach. Materials and Methods: Three machined denture base materials including polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), Acetal (AC), and polyether ether ketone (PEEK) were subjected to artificial aging using a xenon-arc lamp. Color measurements were taken before and after aging using a spectrophotometer. Statistical analysis was performed to determine any significant differences among the materials. Results: The color stability of the denture base materials was quantitatively assessed using parameters such as ΔE values. PEEK exhibited the least color change (ΔE = 2.1 ± 0.3), followed by AC (ΔE = 3.5 ± 0.4), while PMMA showed the highest color change (ΔE = 5.9 ± 0.7). Conclusion: In this in vitro study, PEEK demonstrated superior color stability compared to AC and PMMA denture base materials under artificial aging conditions. These findings emphasize the importance of material selection in achieving long-term esthetic outcomes in dental prostheses.

Background: The surface roughness of denture teeth materials significantly influences their clinical performance and patient satisfaction. Understanding the variations in surface roughness among different materials is crucial for optimizing denture fabrication processes. Materials and Methods: In this quantitative in-vitro study, three commonly used denture teeth materials, namely acrylic resin, composite resin, and porcelain, were evaluated for surface roughness. Twenty samples of each material were prepared and subjected to profilometric analysis. The surface roughness parameters Ra and Rz were measured using a contact profilometer. Statistical analysis was performed to compare the surface roughness among the different materials. Results: The mean surface roughness (Ra) values were found to be 0.32 μm for acrylic resin, 0.25 μm for composite resin, and 0.18 μm for porcelain. Similarly, the mean Rz values were 2.45 μm for acrylic resin, 1.98 μm for composite resin, and 1.62 μm for porcelain. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences in surface roughness among the three materials (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Porcelain denture teeth exhibited the smoothest surface, followed by composite resin and acrylic resin. These findings suggest that material selection plays a crucial role in determining the surface roughness of denture teeth. Porcelain may offer superior aesthetics and reduced plaque accumulation compared with acrylic and composite resin materials. Clinicians should consider these differences when choosing denture materials to achieve optimal clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction.

Background: Limited epidemiologic studies have been conducted in Jordan describing the HIV epidemic. This study aimed to address this gap to inform HIV prevention and control. Methods: A nationally-representative cross-sectional study was conducted among adults living with HIV in Jordan. Laboratory testing included HIV viral load and next-generation-sequencing-based clinical genotype. Log-binomial regression estimated risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Among 231 (70%) participants, most were male (184/80%), and from Jordan (217/94%). Among 188 treatment-experienced-participants (>6 months), 165 (88%) were virally suppressed. High-level resistance was most frequent against nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (13/81%), and integrase-strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI) (10/62%) drugs among viremic (≥1000 HIV copies/mL) treatment-experienced participants with drug-resistant mutations (DRMs, n = 16). Common HIV subtypes (n = 43) were B (6/14%), A1 (5/12%), and CRF01_AE (5/12%); additionally, novel recombinant forms were detected. In multivariate analysis, independently higher risk for late diagnosis (n = 49) was observed with diagnosis through blood donation (vs check-up: RR 2.20, 95%CI 1.16-4.17) and earlier time-period of diagnosis (1986-2014 vs 2015-2021: RR 2.87, 95%CI 1.46-5.62). Conclusions: Late diagnosis and INSTI resistance endanger national HIV prevention and treatment in Jordan—high-level resistance to INSTI suggests therapeutic drug monitoring is needed for treatment efficacy and conservation of treatment options.

Objective: The aim of this study is to compare the clinical outcomes, safety, and workflow of patients who underwent endovascular treatment (EVT) alone or in combination with intravenous thrombolysis (IVT), against a control group who only received EVT. Methods: A retrospective analysis from May 2018 to September 2021 was conducted on 50 patients exhibiting acute ischemic stroke symptoms. 35 patients received EVT alone, while 15 received EVT and IVT. The data collected included demographic information, comorbid diseases, symptom onset time, duration from admission to puncture, and clinical outcomes via the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score and modified Rankin scale score at admission and 90 days post-procedure. Results: No significant differences were observed in the 90-day modified Rankin scale scores between the EVT + IVT and EVT alone groups (p > 0.05). NIHSS scores were also similar between the groups (p > 0.05). The EVT + IVT group demonstrated higher intracranial hemorrhage and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage rates than the EVT alone group, but the difference became insignificant after adjusting for age and sex (p 0.05). Conclusion: The combined EVT and IVT treatment's safety outcomes are not inferior, aligning with existing literature.

In satellite communication systems, Low Pass Filters (LPFs) are used to remove harmonics generated from the power source, minimize interference, and enhance the signal-to-noise ratio. Through the filter design process, various aspects must be considered such as the insertion loss, bandwidth, weight, and size. A stepped Impedance filter is a typical topology to realize the LPFs. The stepped impedance filter design process goes through multiple design steps starting from the normalized prototype design and ending with the realization of the filter sections. The filter realization significantly depends on the host guiding structure. This paper, presents, for the first time, a systematic design approach for the stepped impedance filter based on ridge gap waveguide technology. An accurate mathematical model for calculating a virtual cutoff for the ridge gap waveguide is introduced, which is deployed in the proposed design methodology. Moreover, a prototype of the stepped impedance filter is fabricated and measured, with measured results closely aligning with simulations.

In this paper, a new extension of the perturbed nonlinear Chen-Lee-Liu equation as a variable coefficients model represents optical pulse propagation in a monomode fiber is studied. The direct similarity reduction method is used to transform the Chen-Lee-Liu model with variable coefficients to a nonlinear ordinary differential equation and the Jacobi elliptic expansion method is used to solve the reduced equation and as a result, novel optical solitons, periodic, and singular waves have arisen. Then, to prove the physical existence and importance of the presented variable coefficients Chen-Lee-Liu model, another similarity technique is used to transform the Chen-Lee-Liu model to the generalized derivative Schrödinger equation which has known bright and dark soliton solutions. Finally, a graphical representation of the obtained wave solutions according to different structures of the variable coefficients is presented.

Abstract Background qPCR is a widely used technique in scientific research as a basic tool in gene expression analysis. Classically, the quantitative endpoint of qPCR is the threshold cycle (CT) that ignores differences in amplification efficiency among many other drawbacks. While other methods have been developed to analyze qPCR results, none has statistically proven to perform better than the CT method. Therefore, we aimed to develop a new qPCR analysis method that overcomes the limitations of the CT method. Our f 0% [eff naught percent] method depends on a modified flexible sigmoid function to fit the amplification curve with a linear part to subtract the background noise. Then, the initial fluorescence is estimated and reported as a percentage of the predicted maximum fluorescence (f 0%). Results The performance of the new f 0% method was compared against the CT method along with another two outstanding methods—LinRegPCR and Cy0. The comparison regarded absolute and relative quantifications and used 20 dilution curves obtained from 7 different datasets that utilize different DNA-binding dyes. In the case of absolute quantification, f 0% reduced CV%, variance, and absolute relative error by 1.66, 2.78, and 1.8 folds relative to CT; and by 1.65, 2.61, and 1.71 folds relative to LinRegPCR, respectively. While, regarding relative quantification, f 0% reduced CV% by 1.76, 1.55, and 1.25 folds and variance by 3.13, 2.31, and 1.57 folds regarding CT, LinRegPCR, and Cy0, respectively. Finally, f 0% reduced the absolute relative error caused by LinRegPCR by 1.83 folds. Conclusions We recommend using the f 0% method to analyze and report qPCR results based on its reported advantages. Finally, to simplify the usage of the f 0% method, it was implemented in a macro-enabled Excel file with a user manual located on https://github.com/Mahmoud0Gamal/F0-perc/releases .

Abstract Background Monoclonal antibody (mAb)-based immunotherapies have achieved promising outcomes in the treatment of immunological and oncological indications. CD19 is considered one of the most qualified antigens in the treatment of B-cell neoplasms. VHHs (nanobodies) are known for their physicochemical advantages over conventional mAbs rendering them suitable therapeutics and diagnostic tools. Herein, we aimed to isolate CD19-specific VHHs from a novel immune library using phage display. Methods An immune VHH gene library was constructed. Using phage display and after five biopanning rounds, two monoclonal CD19-specific VHHs were isolated. The selected VHHs were expressed, purified, and characterized in terms of their affinity, specificity, sensitivity, and ability to target CD19-positive cell lines. Moreover, in silico analyses were employed for further characterization. Results A VHH library was developed, and because the outputs of the 4th biopanning round exhibited the most favorable characteristics, a panel of random VHHs was selected from them. Ultimately, two of the most favorable VHHs were selected and DNA sequenced (designated as GR37 and GR41). Precise experiments indicated that GR37 and GR41 exhibited considerable specificity, sensitivity, and affinity (1.15 × 107 M−1 and 2.08 × 107 M−1, respectively) to CD19. Flow cytometric analyses revealed that GR37 and GR41 could bind CD19 on the surface of cell lines expressing the antigen. Moreover, in silico experiments predicted that both VHHs target epitopes that are distinct from that targeted by the CD19-specific single-chain variable fragment (scFv) FMC63. Conclusion The selected VHHs can be used as potential targeting tools for the development of CD19-based immunotherapeutics.

Date palm cultivation has thrived in the Gulf Cooperation Council region since ancient times, where it represents a vital sector in agricultural and socio-economic development. However, climate change conditions prevailing for decades in this area, next to rarefication of rain, hot temperatures, intense evapotranspiration, rise of sea level, salinization of groundwater, and intensification of cultivation, contributed to increase salinity in the soil as well as in irrigation water and to seriously threaten date palm cultivation sustainability. There are also growing concerns about soil erosion and its repercussions on date palm oases. While several reviews have reported on solutions to sustain date productivity, including genetic selection of suitable cultivars for the local harsh environmental conditions and the implementation of efficient management practices, no systematic review of the desertic plants’ below-ground microbial communities and their potential contributions to date palm adaptation to climate change has been reported yet. Indeed, desert microorganisms are expected to address critical agricultural challenges and economic issues. Therefore, the primary objectives of the present critical review are to (1) analyze and synthesize current knowledge and scientific advances on desert plant-associated microorganisms, (2) review and summarize the impacts of their application on date palm, and (3) identify possible gaps and suggest relevant guidance for desert plant microbes’ inoculation approach to sustain date palm cultivation within the Gulf Cooperation Council in general and in Qatar in particular.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of “non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT)” on periodontal and renal parameters in periodontitis patients diagnosed with chronic kidney disease. Material and Methods: The review protocol has been registered in Prospero (CRD42020150938). Up to November 2019, we searched the PUBMED database without language constraints. We included randomized controlled (parallel-group or cross-over) trials with CKD and chronic periodontitis in adults aged 18 years and above. Three review authors independently assessed the studies. Three review writers gathered data and simultaneously assessed the risk of bias for individual trials using traditional Cochrane procedures. Results: Studies showed high variability. Three randomized clinical trials (RCT) were excluded because of high heterogeneity; meta-analysis could not be performed. Conclusion: Non-surgical periodontal therapy effectively improves periodontal and renal parameters. However, a meta-analysis could not be performed because of the high heterogeneity among the studies.

Candida auris (C. auris) is an opportunistic budding yeast that has been identified across 41 countries, including several countries in the Middle East. The increasing global concern stems from the pathogen’s acquired resistance to antifungal drugs and its ability to form biofilms, which allows it to survive on hospital surfaces and medical devices for up to 14 days, compromising infection prevention measures in hospitals. In this report, we present the first (reported) case of C. auris isolated from a urine sample from a 48-year-old female living in Jordan. The patient succumbed to illness five days following admission to hospital. The isolate was identified retrospectively through the national surveillance system in Jordan and was confirmed by real-time PCR. Antifungal susceptibility was carried out using the microbroth dilution technique and the isolate was found to be susceptible to all tested antifungal drugs. Overall, the report emphasizes the need for active surveillance for the rapid identification of high-risk patients colonized with C. auris. It also stresses the importance of understanding the inter-clade difference in the susceptibility pattern of C. auris to facilitate the development of preventive and therapeutic strategies.

Abstract Background The upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactors rely on bacterial communities to break down pollutants in wastewater (municipal or industrial). Methods and results In this study, a novel combination of UASB followed by aerobic treatment has been proposed for the treatment of municipal wastewater focusing on bacterial communities using high-throughput sequencing and parasite removal in this novel combination of reactors. Moreover, economic estimation of the compact unit composed of two overlapping UASB reactors, followed by a downflow hanging non-woven fabric (DHNW) reactor, the anaerobic baffled reactor (ABR), and chlorine unit was investigated in this study based on community populations of 1000 and 10,000 inhabitants, with a municipal plant capacity of 54,000 and 540,000 m3/year. Cost estimation was conducted based on two scenarios, one considering the contingency cost and auxiliary facility, and the other excluding them. Non-metric multidimensional scaling (nMDS) revealed that the treatment stages structured the microbial communities. Proteobacteria was the most prevalent phylum in all treatment stages, followed by Bacteroidota in most stages. Firmicutes and Actinobacteria were also present in significant amounts. The treatment system achieved from 40 to 66.67% removal of parasites (parasitic nematode, Cryptosporidium, and microsporidia). Redundancy analysis (RDA) indicated a strong positive correlation between chemical and biological oxygen demand (COD/BOD) with Campylobacterales and could be used as a bioindicator of treatment performance. Conclusion These findings can inform the development of more efficient and sustainable wastewater treatment systems that take into account microbial ecology and economic considerations.

Abstract The phylum Apicomplexa comprises a large group of intracellular protozoan parasites. These microorganisms are known to infect a variety of vertebrate and invertebrate hosts, leading to significant medical and veterinary conditions such as toxoplasmosis, cryptosporidiosis, theileriosis, and eimeriosis. Despite their importance, comprehensive data on their diversity and distribution, especially in riverine environments, remain scant. To bridge this knowledge gap, we utilized next-generation high-throughput 18S rRNA amplicon sequencing powered by PacBio technology to explore the diversity and composition of the Apicomplexa taxa. Principal component analysis (PCA) and principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) indicated the habitat heterogeneity for the physicochemical parameters and the Apicomplexa community. These results were supported by PERMANOVA (P

Bacillus cereus sensu stricto is a foodborne pathogen that causes food poisoning. Their spore and biofilm-forming abilities persist in various environments and foods. This study investigated the prevalence, virulence, antibiotic resistance, and genetic diversity of B. cereus s. s. strains isolated from various food samples. Of 179 samples, 22.34% were positive for B. cereus s. s., with significantly high detection rates in milk products and raw chicken meat. Forty strains were isolated from positive samples. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization/time of flight mass spectrometry analysis revealed nine distinct clusters and multi-locus sequence typing revealed 34 sequence types including 23 novel sequences, demonstrating high genetic diversity among the isolates. PCR analysis revealed that all the strains contained at least one toxin gene, but none contained the cytK gene. Antibiotic resistance tests revealed that all isolates were classified as multidrug-resistant, with high resistance levels, particularly to β-lactam antibiotics and vancomycin, but were susceptible to gentamicin. All isolates showed variations in biofilm formation. This study highlights the significant public health risk due to B. cereus s. s. and underscores the need for stringent monitoring and control measures in food production to manage antimicrobial resistance and ensure food safety.

This paper introduces compact Printed Ridge Gap Waveguide (PRGW) phase shifters tailored for millimeter-wave applications, with a focus on achieving wide operating bandwidth, and improved matching and phase balance compared to single-layer technology. This study proposes a unique approach to achieve the required phase shift in PRGW technology, which has not been previously explored. This study also introduces a novel analytical approach to calculate the cutoff frequency and propagation constant of the PRGW structure, a method not previously addressed. Furthermore, the utilization of multi-layer PRGW technology enables the realization of multi-layer beamforming networks without crossing, thereby supporting wideband operation in a compact size. The proposed design procedure enables the realization of various phase shift values ranging from 0∘ to 135∘ over a broad frequency bandwidth centered at 30 GHz. A 45-degree phase shifter is fabricated and tested, demonstrating a 10 GHz bandwidth (approximately 33% fractional bandwidth) from 25 GHz to 35 GHz. Throughout the operating bandwidth, the phase balance remains within 45 ± 5∘, with a deep matching level of −20 dB. The proposed phase shifter exhibits desirable characteristics, such as compactness, low loss, and low dispersion, making it a suitable choice for millimeter-wave applications, including beyond 5G (B5G) and 6G wireless communications.

Abstract Background Climate change alters modern drought episode patterns by making them longer, more frequent and more severe, in particular in arid and semi-arid agroecosystems. Amending soil properties and enhancing its fertility is a needed sustainable strategy for mitigating drought’s damaging effects on crop production and food security. Here, we planned to investigate the potential benefits of biochar–compost mixture (B×C) as a biochar-based fertilizer (BCF) in enhancing the drought tolerance of rice plants cultivated in low-fertile sandy soil. Results Under drought stress, rice plants cultivated in unamended soil (no B×C) exhibited severely wilted, rolled and discolored shoots. Furthermore, the shoot dry biomass reduction ratio was 73.3% compared to 44.2 and 27.6% for plants treated with 5 and 15% B×C, respectively. Root anatomical and architectural traits were significantly less impaired in B×C plants and reflected better performance under drought compared to no B×C plants. During the induced drought episode, soil moisture content was enhanced by 2.5-fold through adding B×C, compared to unamended soil, thereby reducing the negative impact of drought stress. Moreover, the less drought-stressed rice plants (B×C-treated) rapidly recovered after rewatering and displayed the unwinding of previously rolled leaves and reproduced panicles. On the other hand, no B×C plants failed to recover and eventually perished completely. The expression profiles of several drought responsive genes suggest that leaves of more stressed rice plants (no B×C) significantly accumulated more cytosolic free calcium (OsCML3) and apoplastic H2O2 (OsOXO4) which eventually may trigger fast and prolonged stomatal closure (OsSRO1c). In addition, more drought-stressed plants (no B×C) may over-produce the reactive oxygen species (ROS) superoxide anion molecules (OsRbohB), the negative situation that has been further complicated by a possible reduction in the activity of the antioxidative enzyme SOD (OsSOD), and thus more lipid peroxidation (3.5-fold increase MDA) in drought-stressed (no B×C) plant shoots compared to B×C plants. Conclusion It is suggested that soil amendment B×C (biochar–compost mixture) could promote drought stress tolerance in rice plants by retaining more soil moisture content, thereby mitigating the negative effects of drought stress, such as the over-production of ROS in leaves, and thus eventually facilitating recovery after rewatering.

Abstract Background Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is the most frequent and prevalent medical condition in pregnancy. Well-controlled GDM results in reduction of these unfavorable outcomes. Aim To assess women’s knowledge of many elements of gestational diabetes mellitus, including general awareness of the condition, risk factors, diabetic patients’ diets, and consequences among the women in the governorate of Sohag. Patients and methods In this research, 500 women were chosen at random from a population, over a period of 6 months, to participate in a descriptive survey utilizing a questionnaire approach in Sohag Governorate. Results The mean total knowledge score was 9.62 ± 4.24. A total of 69.6% of study participants showed good knowledge (≥ 9), while 30.4% of them showed low knowledge about gestational diabetes. There was significant positive relation between degree of knowledge and family history of diabetes (p = 0.038) as there was substantial increase of high knowledge score in cases who had positive history of family history of diabetes. Conclusion Awareness about gestational diabetes mellitus was satisfactory among women in Sohag Governorate. Other’s experiences or advices were the most common source of general knowledge. There was significant proportional relationship between degree of awareness and occupation, higher age, family history of diabetes, history of gestational diabetes, and level of education. Healthcare workers have to play a greater role in awareness about GDM among women. Trial registration Awareness of gestational diabetes problem among Sohag Governorate women, NCT05148897. Registered 10 November 2021, https://register.clinicaltrials.gov/prs/app/action/LoginUser?ts=2&cx=-jg9qo3 .

In this paper, we consider stability and latency analysis of a two-user cognitive radio network while considering Age of Information requirements imposed on the data transmissions of the users. We provide two different formulations. In the first formulation, our objective is to maximize the stable throughput of the secondary user subject to Age of Information constraints imposed on the data transmission of the users. While, in the second formulation, we introduce a multi-objective programming approach that investigates the trade-off between the secondary user stable throughput and its Age of Information. Our numerical results characterize the effect of imposing different Age of Information restrictions on the stable throughput region of the network; we show that the stability region, in certain cases, is reduced by only 11% with strict Age of Information restrictions. Our results also investigate the trade-off between the secondary user throughput and the Age of information. Finally, our results show the potential accuracy of the algorithm adopted in this paper to solve the formulated non-linear optimization problems.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most prevalent cancers causing the highest mortality rate worldwide. Treatment options of surgery, radiation, cytotoxic drugs and liver transplantation suffer significant side effects and a high frequency of relapse. Stem cell therapy has been proposed as a new effective therapy, however, controversial reports are emerging on the role of mesenchymal stem cells in cancer.In this work, we aimed to assess the regenerative capacities of adipose mesenchymal stem cells when exposed to serum from HCC patients, by assessing the effect of the sera on modulating the regenerative capacities of h-AMSCs and the cancer properties in HCC cells. This will pave the way for maximizing the efficacy of MSCs in cancer therapy.Our data show that HCC serum-treated hA-MSCs suffered oncogene-induced senescence as shown by their altered morphology and ameliorated proliferation and differentiation. The cells were enlarged with small irregular nuclei, swollen rough endoplasmic reticulum cisternae, and aging lysosomes typified by dark residual bodies. HCC serum-treated Huh-7 cancer cells on the other hand displayed higher tumor aggressiveness as depicted by altered morphology, increased cellular proliferation and migration, and decreased percentage of early and late apoptotic cells.Our findings provide evidence that exposure of hA-MSCs to the serum of HCC patients decreases their regenerative capacities and should be considered when employed as a potential therapy in HCC patients.

Aim. To investigate the impact of the curve of Spee (CS) accentuation on bite force, chewing ability, and additionally, other factors that influence chewing ability and bite force such as restorations, caries, gender, habits, and TMJ problems. Materials and Methods. 231 participants (118 male and 113 female, mean age = ±27.96 years) were recruited for this cross-section study. Participants completed a data collection sheet in which age, gender, Angle’s classification of malocclusion, overjet, overbite, TMJ problems, habits, restorations, and caries experience were recorded. Two examiners made a lower impression, chewing ability test and measured the bite force for each participant. Measurement of the CS was obtained digitally from the poured dental cast, and the categorization was as follows: flat (2 mm). Results. The mean maximum bite force (MBF) was 468.722 N for participants with flat CS, 389.822 N for normal CS, 647.08 N for deep CS, and 384.667 N for reverse CS. The average MBF was higher for participants with deep CS (p0.05). Also, a significant difference in bite force and chewing ability was found between the three categories of CS (p

In this study, the two-dimensional Bogoyavlensky–Konopelchenko equation with variable coefficients (vcBK) which describes the interaction of Riemann waves has been solved two times by using the balance technique. First, the balance procedure was used to reduce the vcBK equation into a fourth-order nonlinear ordinary differential equation and by its implementation again composed with the auxiliary method, many novel periodic, kink and solitary wave solutions were obtained for the vcBK equation. Second, the balance method was used to construct the Bäcklund transformation for the vcBK equation, by which n-soliton solutions were obtained. Finally, some figures were given to show the soliton interaction for different values of the variable coefficients.

Abstract Background Endovascular approaches have been widely applied in patients with brain arterio-venous malformations (AVM). However, little is known regarding the risk factors for complications or predictors of procedure success. Herein, we report our experience regarding the outcomes of endovascular embolization of posterior fossa AVM, focusing on how angioarchitectural and hemodynamic characteristics of the AVM affect the post-intervention outcomes. 17 patients diagnosed with posterior cranial fossa AVM were enrolled and scheduled for endovascular interventions by Onyx or Histoacryl. Results Most patients had a single session (58.8%), while 29.4% had two sessions, 11.7% had three sessions. Total nidus obliteration was achieved in 52.9% of cases, while 35.3% and 11.8% of them had subtotal and partial occlusion, respectively. Postprocedural hematoma was encountered in 17.6% of cases. All preprocedural demographic characteristics did not have a significant impact on occlusion outcomes. However, some angioarchitecture criteria were associated with partial occlusion including large size, superficial or mixed drainage. No significant association was noted between patients criteria and the incidence of complications. Conclusion Endovascular interventions could be curative for brain AVM, with an accepted periprocedural morbidity rate. Proper knowledge of the angioarchitectural characteristics of these lesions could help us to predict lesions that carry high risk for complications or high chance for cure.

Abstract Background This study was performed to investigate the expression of different biomarkers in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and its connection with detective biomarkers. To achieve this objective, seventy subjects were examined in this study, sub-grouped to forty HCC patients and thirty HCV-affected patients with matched thirty healthy individuals. The study involved several groups of participants who were matched based on their age and gender. Methods The expression pattern of biomarkers was monitored by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Finally, we utilized a ROC curve to investigate the predictive accurateness of those distinct biomarkers as well as a traditional tumor marker, AFP, in detecting HCC cases. Results The baseline biomarker expression levels were markedly greater in HCC patients than in those affected by HCV or healthy subjects. We stated that the sensitivity and the specificity of the different biomarkers alone did not improve than that of AFP alone. When comparing AFP with different biomarkers, the diagnostic validity improves only when combining with CK-1. Conclusions Overall, our results indicate that CK-1 mRNA expression could help as a noninvasive tumor biomarker for HCC prognosis and diagnosis when combining with AFP.

Spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) is an orthostatic headache syndrome with variable symptoms and complications which is often misdiagnosed at initial manifestations. SIH results from spontaneous CSF leakage leading to brain sag. The typical findings on cranial MR imaging consist of subdural fluid collections, enhancement of the pachymeninges, engorgement of venous structures, pituitary hyperemia, and sagging of the brain. Subdural hematoma may occur as a result of tearing of bridging veins and usually develop into chronic subdural hematoma. The majority of patients with SDH due to SIH have chronic DSH and, therefore, rarely present with neurological deficits. Evacuation of SDH may be performed for large SDH with ME (mass effects), or when dilated or asymmetric pupil is present. However in most cases, evacuation of the hematoma is not necessary and may result in worsened outcomes. The epidural blood patch (EBP) is a treatment of choice. Fortunately, most of these subdural hematomas can be handled with treatment directed at the underlying spinal CSF leak without the need for surgery. We report the case of 42-year-old man with the chief complaint of orthostatic headache. He was admitted to neurology ward and after imaging studies, it was found that he has bilateral subdural hematoma. Due to the lack of history of trauma, underlying disease, and coagulation disorder, and considering the imaging findings, the patient was referred to the pain department to perform an epidural blood patch. After performing the epidural blood patch, the patient's pain was relieved immediately, and during a three-month follow-up period, the epidural hematoma was completely absorbed. Spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) is a highly misdiagnosed and underdiagnosed disorder and requires a high index of suspicion for diagnosis. During the last decades, a much larger number of spontaneous cases are identified. Literature is a bit confusing, with some authors recommending evacuation of subdural fluid in cases of deteriorating consciousness and few others recommending EBP first even in patients with comatose state but epidural patch is often an important part of treatment.

Abstract Background Fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 is known as a favorable aim in vast range of cancers, particularly in bladder cancer treatment. Pharmacophore and QSAR modeling approaches are broadly utilized for developing novel compounds for the determination of inhibitory activity versus the biological target. In this study, these methods employed to identify FGFR3 potential inhibitors. Methods To find the potential compounds for bladder cancer targeting, ZINC and NCI databases were screened. Pharmacophore and QSAR modeling of FGFR3 inhibitors were utilized for dataset screening. Then, with regard to several factors such as Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion and Toxicity (ADMET) properties and Lipinski’s Rule of Five, the recognized compounds were filtered. In further step, utilizing the flexible docking technique, the obtained compounds interactions with FGFR3 were analyzed. Results The best five compounds, namely ZINC09045651, ZINC08433190, ZINC00702764, ZINC00710252 and ZINC00668789 were selected for Molecular Dynamics (MD) studies. Off-targeting of screened compounds was also investigated through CDD search and molecular docking. MD outcomes confirmed docking investigations and revealed that five selected compounds could make steady interactions with the FGFR3 and might have effective inhibitory potencies on FGFR3. Conclusion These compounds can be considered as candidates for bladder cancer therapy with improved therapeutic properties and less adverse effects.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) affects multiple body systems, including the nervous system. Cerebrovascular accidents can also occur. Patients with comorbid illnesses have severe manifestations and poor outcomes. Despite the proper mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 infection-associated stroke having not yet been settled, various possible mechanisms have been hypothesized. One possibility is that the virus causes endothelial dysfunction and immune-mediated injury. Another possibility is that the trans-neuronal spread of the virus affects brain tissue. In addition, hypercoagulability caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection could lead to a stroke. A virus-induced dysfunction of the renin-angiotensin system could also lead to a stroke. The immune response and vasculitis resulting from SARS-CoV-2 infection are also possible causes via a cytokine storm, immune dysfunction, and various inflammatory responses. SARS-CoV-2 infection may affect calcitonin gene-related peptides and cerebral blood flow and may lead to stroke. Finally, SARS-CoV-2 may cause hemorrhagic strokes via mechanisms stimulated by its interaction with angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), leading to arterial wall damage and blood pressure changes. In this article, we will present seven cases of stroke-associated SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Near-surface geophysical techniques, (i.e. ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and electric resistivity tomography (ERT)), continue to enable great possibilities for 3-D visualization of fractures and cavities. An integrated survey, including GPR and ERT, was used for mapping and evaluating a complex subsurface fracture network in Eocene limestone at Al-Mokattam site, Egypt. While only GPR was available to investigate an engineering site of about 200 × 300 m, located in Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia, for cavity detection. At the Egyptian site, GPR data were acquired with a GSSI SIR2000 system using a 400 MHz shielded antenna with 0.2 m in-line spacing. GPR data visualized using an isosurface rendering combined with inverted ERT allowed us to identify and follow the fracture system, which was mainly filled with low-resistivity sediment; such fractured limestone may cause landslides. GPR data at the Riyadh site were acquired using the RAMAC system with a 100 MHz shielded antenna attached to a GPS with real-time kinematic total station equipment; GPR data confirmed the possible presence of cavities at different depths, which may cause severe damage during building construction. In this paper, we demonstrated the efficiency of each geophysical technique available for solving subsurface engineering problems, leading to future improvements in site safety. Additionally, we indicated the efficiency of an advanced 3-D GPR visualization technique (isosurface rendering) for improving fracture and cavity detection, characterization and interpretation.

Abstract Background Advances in our understanding of the tumor microenvironment have radically changed the cancer field, highlighting the emerging need for biomarkers of an active, favorable tumor immune phenotype to aid treatment stratification and clinical prognostication. Numerous immune-related gene signatures have been defined; however, their prognostic value is often limited to one or few cancer types. Moreover, the area of non-coding RNA as biomarkers remains largely unexplored although their number and biological roles are rapidly expanding. Methods We developed a multi-step process to identify immune-related long non-coding RNA signatures with prognostic connotation in multiple TCGA solid cancer datasets. Results Using the breast cancer dataset as a discovery cohort we found 2988 differentially expressed lncRNAs between immune favorable and unfavorable tumors, as defined by the immunologic constant of rejection (ICR) gene signature. Mapping of the lncRNAs to a coding-non-coding network identified 127 proxy protein-coding genes that are enriched in immune-related diseases and functions. Next, we defined two distinct 20-lncRNA prognostic signatures that show a stronger effect on overall survival than the ICR signature in multiple solid cancers. Furthermore, we found a 3 lncRNA signature that demonstrated prognostic significance across 5 solid cancer types with a stronger association with clinical outcome than ICR. Moreover, this 3 lncRNA signature showed additional prognostic significance in uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma and cervical squamous cell carcinoma and endocervical adenocarcinoma as compared to ICR. Conclusion We identified an immune-related 3-lncRNA signature with prognostic connotation in multiple solid cancer types which performed equally well and in some cases better than the 20-gene ICR signature, indicating that it could be used as a minimal informative signature for clinical implementation.

Background: Cytology is used to interpret cells obtained from various lesions. It is based on different sampling techniques that include fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), brush cytology, body fluids collection and study and collection of exfoliated cells. The use of cell block (CB) as an adjunct to routine fine needle aspiration can increase sensitivity to a considerable extent. Objectives: to perform different techniques of cell block preparation and assess their utility in increasing the sensitivity of cytological diagnosis of fine needle aspiration cytology. Patients and Methods: This was a prospective study carried out at Qena University Hospital's Department of Pathology (in the period from March 2021 to December 2022). The study included 40 individuals who were presented to the Outpatient Clinic of the General Surgery Department with thyroid nodules. Results: Concentrated formalin/ ethanol fixative (7 parts of 100 percent ethanol/ 3 parts of concentrated 40 % formaldehyde) method showed the highest diagnostic accuracy and the highest score. Out of 40 cases (FNAC of thyroid nodules), there were 28 cases given a score of 3, while 12 cases were scored 2, and none was scored 1. Conclusion: The cell block approach enables the recovery and processing of minute amounts of cellular material, allowing for better tumor categorization and for immunohistochemistry stains. We found that concentrated formalin/ ethanol fixative (7 parts of 100 percent ethanol/ 3 parts of concentrated 40 % formaldehyde) based cell block showed the highest scores and the highest diagnostic accuracy in FNAC samples of thyroid nodules.

In this study, the generalized modified variable-coefficient KdV equation with external-force term (gvcmKdV) describing atmospheric blocking located in the mid-high latitudes over ocean is studied for integrability property by using consistent Riccati expansion solvability and the necessary integrability conditions between the function coefficients are obtained. Moreover, several new solutions have been constructed for the gvcmKdV. Additionally, the classical direct similarity reduction method is used to reduce the gvcmKdV to a nonlinear ordinary differential equation. Building on the solutions given in the previous literature for the reduced equation, many novel solitary and periodic wave solutions have been obtained for the gvcmKdV.

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a rare, life-threatening, infectious, lytic, demyelinating disease that results from reactivation of the virulent JC polyomavirus (JCV) “major opportunistic infection” in immunosuppressed individuals. We reported a case of a young girl who presented with new onset focal neurological defect, evaluated, and laboratory and radiological findings in the context of a clinical setting confirmed HIV-related-PML infection. However, remyelination does not occur, the patients may develop complications in the long term including cognitive impairment, sensory deficits, motor deficits, and disturbances in balance. We must increase our knowledge about HIV- related PML in any patient with reduced immunity and who presented with new onset neurological defect.

Nowadays, the Overcurrent (OC) and Earth Fault (EF) relays coordination problem is one of the most complex and challenging concerns of power protection and network operators due to the high and volatile generation capacity of renewable energy sources in the grid. In this article, a new and dynamic optimal coordination scheme based on a novel hybrid tripping characteristic has been designed and developed for Over Current Relays (OCRs). Considering the impact of renewable energy sources such as the photovoltaic (PV) system on fault characteristic, this work presents and verifies a novel dynamic and hybrid tripping to achieve minimum tripping time and improve the OCR and EF relays coordination performance in terms of security, sensitivity, and selectivity. The proposed dynamic and hybrid scheme will help the OCRs to cover the EF events, and it has been tested under different fault scenarios compared to the literature. The IEEE-9 and IEEE-33 bus systems are implemented in the ETAP package to validate the effectiveness of the proposed hybrid characteristics against traditionally well-established IEC characteristics. Furthermore, the performance of the proposed advance and dynamic protection approach which doesn’t require a communication infrastructure is investigated for a power network with PV plants under different grid operation modes and topology to provide more robustness protection system. The results, as presented using Industrial software (ETAP), showed that the novel dynamic and hybrid tripping scheme improved the speed of the total time tripping different fault scenarios and location by more than 50% and covers all EF events compared to traditional OCR schemes from the literature. The proposed novel dynamic approach has superior performance in detecting high-impedance faults and significantly reducing the tripping time on the IEEE 33 bus network by 47%.

Abstract Solid pseudo-papillary neoplasm (SPPN) is a rare type of pancreatic tumor accounting for less than 2% of all pancreatic neoplasms. Accurate diagnosis of these tumors is very important for proper management. In this study, observations were documented from 18 consecutive cases diagnosed with SPPN using endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA). The data of 18 consecutive cases were prospectively collected and reviewed. The collected data included age, gender, symptoms, size and site of the lesion, and type of surgery performed, in addition to mortality and recurrence rates. The mean age of the included cases was 33 years, and most of them were females (94.44%). Abdominal pain was the common symptom, and the pancreatic body was the most affected site. EUS-FNA confirmed the diagnosis in all cases when compared to the surgical specimen obtained. Cases were treated either with pancreatico-duodenectomy or distal pancreatectomy. One case (1/18) had early postoperative mortality due to sepsis. The remaining cases developed no recurrence or metastasis during the follow-up period of 18 months. SPPN is not a common pancreatic tumor. Confirming the diagnosis plays a crucial role prior to surgery as it facilitates intraoperative planning; therefore, EUS-FNA is a golden standard method used to diagnose. Postoperative survival has improved if the tumor is completely removed. EUS-FNA technique is a minimally invasive technique that can provide high yielding in providing detailed diagnostic analysis of SPPN.

Background and aim Intracranial atherosclerosis is an important etiology of ischemic stroke and is associated with multiple vascular risk factors. Endovascular evaluation is used for assessing patterns and distributions of intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis in a sample of Egyptian patients presented with ischemic stroke. Patients and methods A total of 50 patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack were included. Assessment of the state of cerebral vessels before the procedure was done by duplex ultrasound, magnetic resonance angiography, and/or computed tomography angiography to confirm any stenosis in intracranial vessels. Neurological assessment was done before and after the procedure using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score. Digital subtraction angiography was done to evaluate the degrees and patterns of stenosis. Results A total of 50 participants (29 males and 21 females) were included. Their ages ranged from 30 to 78 years. The major risk factors were dyslipidemia (62.0%), hypertension (60.0%), diabetes mellitus (54.0%), smoking (48.0%), and atrial fibrillation (22.0%). The procedure was performed on 50 patients. A total of 39 (78.0%) patients had angiographic findings of vessel stenosis in either extracranial or intracranial vessels or both. In those 39 patients, 32 (64.0%) patients had arterial stenosis, and seven (14.0%) patients were found to have total occlusion. A total of 18 (36.0%) patients had angiographic findings of intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis. Of these 18 patients, 14 (28.0%) patients had arterial stenosis, and four (8.0%) patients were found to have total occlusion. The most common site of intracranial stenosis was middle cerebral artery (33.3%). Conclusion Endovascular evaluation of patients with ischemic stroke is yielding, informative, safe, and easy to be done.

BackgroundThe novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted pregnant women, increasing maternal and neonatal morbidity. The placenta is a potential target for the pathophysiological processes due to the increased thrombotic inflammatory activation and inadequate uteroplacental perfusion and oxygenation, potentially causing intrauterine growth restriction. This study investigates the impact of gestational age at diagnosis of COVID-19 and the presence of symptoms on intrauterine fetal growth in pregnant women.MethodsA retrospective review of COVID-19 positive pregnant women in Qatar from March 2020 to March 2021 was conducted. They were divided based on trimester of pregnancy in which they were infected. The outcomes included birthweight, customised fetal birthweight centiles, small for gestational age (SGA) baby and daily growth increments, compared between the trimesters and between symptomatic and asymptomatic women.ResultsIn our cohort, 218 women (20.5%) were infected in the first trimester, 399 (37.5%) in the second and 446 (42%) in the third. Women in the second trimester were significantly younger and symptomatic. Women infected in the first trimester were least likely to have diabetes. The mean birthweight, risk of SGA (11.5% vs 10% vs 14.6%, p = 0.302), and median customized growth centiles (47.6% vs 45.9% vs 46.1%)were similar between the groups. Symptomatic women had significantly lower mean birthweight (3147 gms vs 3222 gms) and median birthweight centiles (43.9% vs 54.0%)compared to the asymptomatic (pConclusionThis study shows that women with symptomatic disease had lower birth centiles and birth weights. This was regardless of the gestational age at which they were infected. Early symptomatic disease seems to have an impact on fetal growth velocity; however, larger studies are needed to corroborate these findings.

IntroductionMost of elite cultivated grapevine varieties (Vitis vinifera L.), conventionally grafted on rootstocks, are becoming more and more affected by climate changes, such as increase of salinity. Therefore, we revisited the valuable genetic resources of wild grapevines (V. sylvestris) to elaborate strategies for a sustainable viticulture.MethodsHere, we compared physiological and biochemical responses of two salt-tolerant species: a wild grapevine genotype “Tebaba” from our previous studies and the conventional rootstock “1103 Paulsen”. Interestingly, our physio-biochemical results showed that under 150mM NaCl, “Tebaba” maintains higher leaf osmotic potential, lower Na+/K+ ratio and a significant peaked increase of polyphenol content at the first 8h of salinity stress. This behavior allowed to hypothesis a drastic repatterning of metabolism in “Tebaba’s” roots following a biphasic response. In order to deepen our understanding on the “Tebaba” salt tolerance mechanism, we investigated a time-dependent transcriptomic analysis covering three sampling times, 8h, 24h and 48h.ResultsThe dynamic analysis indicated that “Tebaba” root cells detect and respond on a large scale within 8h to an accumulation of ROS by enhancing a translational reprogramming process and inducing the transcripts of glycolytic metabolism and flavonoids biosynthesis as a predominate non-enzymatic scavenging process. Afterwards, there is a transition to a largely gluconeogenic stage followed by a combined response mechanism based on cell wall remodeling and lignin biosynthesis with an efficient osmoregulation between 24 and 48 h.DiscussionThis investigation explored for the first time in depth the established cross-talk between the physiological, biochemical and transcriptional regulators contributing to propose a hypothetical model of the dynamic salt mechanism tolerance of wild grapevines. In summary, these findings allowed further understanding of the genetic regulation mechanism of salt-tolerance in V. sylvestris and identified specific candidate genes valuable for appropriate breeding strategies.

In this study, a (3+1)-dimensional modified Kadomtsev–Petviashvili system with variable-coefficients (vcmKP) arising in many fields of science like plasma physics, optics, and fluid mechanics is studied. The consistent Riccati expansion solvability technique is applied to the vcmKP system to obtain necessary integrability conditions between the variable coefficients. Moreover, many novel different types of travelling wave solutions are given. Additionally, the vcmKP system is reduced to a nonlinear third order ordinary differential equation and many other new solutions are obtained. Finally, some plots are given to illustrate how the arbitrary function choices affect the propagation of the wave solutions.

One of the most important goals of forming states is to provide welfare and development for the society and the development process always involves the action of the state. Therefore, the nature of states, political and ideological philosophy and its structure play a key role in the development process, including rural development. Since the formation of the centralized state in Iran and after 1316, planning has started in its current form, and after 60 years, 12 programs have been prepared in the country, 11 of which have been implemented. During the years before the revolution, 6 programs were prepared and 5 programs were implemented. After the revolution, 6 programs were prepared and 5 programs were implemented, and the sixth program is being completed. In Iran, most of the stages of rural development have been done within the framework of five-year plans, and investment is the most important tool of the state to achieve rural development. Rural management approach until 1970, in most countries of the world, was influenced by the dominance of top-down development management policies and approaches, which followed the emergence of environmental challenges and socio-economic inequalities, the field of attention and change in bottom-up development approach. It has been provided since the 1980s in order to balance rural settlements. Therefore, in recent decades, empowerment has been proposed as a mechanism for rural development in Iran. But were the realities that took place in the country's rurals homogeneous with the demands and goals of the programs? In other words, considering the high volume of credits that are spent every year in rural settlements, the question can be raised that what does investing in rural settlements have to do with empowering the villagers? Has the agent of change been able to bring about the necessary changes and transformations in order to empower the villagers? In this study, by recognizing state investments in rural and its role in empowering villagers, how they affect the rurals of Kashan was analyzed.The method of the present study is descriptive-analytical. The statistical population was 15255 rural households in Kashan district and the sample size was 316 people. In this research, using the classification method and using a three-dimensional matrix, indicators such as state investment (effective index), geographical location of the rural and population were considered as effective indicators for determining the sample rurals and Finally, 12 rurals were selected. In this article, SPSS software was used to assess the validity and reliability of the questionnaire, so that using KMO test, the validity of the rural household head questionnaire to measure the level of rural empowerment is equal to 0.867 and the validity of the rural household head questionnaire to measure investment The state is calculated to be 0.826. Also, based on the results of the structural validity test, Cronbach's alpha coefficient obtained from the rural household heads questionnaire to measure the level of rural empowerment is equal to 0.974 and the rural household heads questionnaire to measure state investment is equal to 0.846. In this way, the validity and reliability of the questionnaire is confirmed. To explain the relationships between independent and dependent variables, TOPSIS technique and regression analysis and coefficient of determination (R2) were used and for other spatial analysis, SPSS and GIS software were used. The results show that according to the ranking of rurals, 75% of the studied rurals had poor and moderate empowerment. Also, 67% of the studied rurals were evaluated with poor and medium investment. Findings from field studies indicate a strong, positive and direct relationship between the two variables of investment and rural empowerment (P = 0.000). In other words, based on the coefficient of determination, 13.5% of the variance of rural empowerment is explained by state investment. As a result, through regression analysis, it can be acknowledged that with increasing state investment in the studied rurals, the rate of rural empowerment also increases. Therefore, rural empowerment is studied as a new approach in the development of rural areas, with a systematic, integrated and combined view, so that self-determination, competence, impact, significance and trust emerge and organize as the driving force of empowerment in rural communities. In this way, the right to development and honorable life in rural areas can be realized objectively. In fact, due to their structural and functional nature, rurals are related to all factors of human life and the challenges ahead cannot be solved with a one-dimensional view. In the combined view, all factors are effective in empowering the villagers and the absence of one of the factors challenges the process of empowering rural communities. According to what has been said, the results of the article provide some strategic points: Lack of careful study and evaluation of developments in rural areas after the arrival of investments and on the other hand different perceptions of the concepts of capacity building and empowerment in practice has caused problems in rural society Stay tuned. Finally, in order to achieve the empowerment of local communities through the role of state in the developmentalist perspective, there are significant proposals that should be pursued through the state, realistic and targeted facilitation models. Thus, in sustainable rural development programs, participatory and facilitator planning, realistic, bottom-up and decentralized, conducting regional and local planning studies, deepening indigenous knowledge-based in rural issues, promoting individual responsibility at the design levels and Program implementation must be considered.

Agroforestry (AF) is a promising land-use system to mitigate water deficiency, particularly in semi-arid areas. However, the belowground microbes associated with crops below trees remain seldom addressed. This study aimed at elucidating the effects of olive AF system intercropped with durum wheat (Dw), barely (Ba), chickpea (Cp), or faba bean (Fb) on crops biomass and their soil-rhizosphere microbial networks as compared to conventional full sun cropping (SC) under rainfed conditions. To test the hypothesis, we compared the prokaryotic and the fungal communities inhabiting the rhizosphere of two cereals and legumes grown either in AF or SC. We determined the most suitable annual crop species in AF under low-rainfed conditions. Moreover, to deepen our understanding of the rhizosphere network dynamics of annual crops under AF and SC systems, we characterized the microbial hubs that are most likely responsible for modifying the microbial community structure and the variability of crop biomass of each species. Herein, we found that cereals produced significantly more above-ground biomass than legumes following in descending order: Ba > Dw > Cp > Fb, suggesting that crop species play a significant role in improving soil water use and that cereals are well-suited to rainfed conditions within both types of agrosystems. The type of agrosystem shapes crop microbiomes with the only marginal influence of host selection. However, more relevant was to unveil those crops recruits specific bacterial and fungal taxa from the olive-belowground communities. Of the selected soil physicochemical properties, organic matter was the principal driver in shaping the soil microbial structure in the AF system. The co-occurrence network analyses indicated that the AF system generates higher ecological stability than the SC system under stressful climate conditions. Furthermore, legumes’ rhizosphere microbiome possessed a higher resilient capacity than cereals. We also identified different fungal keystones involved in litter decomposition and drought tolerance within AF systems facing the water-scarce condition and promoting crop production within the SC system. Overall, we showed that AF reduces cereal and legume rhizosphere microbial diversity, enhances network complexity, and leads to more stable beneficial microbial communities, especially in severe drought, thus providing more accurate predictions to preserve soil diversity under unfavorable environmental conditions.

Antibiotic-resistance genes (ARGs) and resistant bacteria (ARB) are abundant in stormwater that could cause serious infections, posing a potential threat to public health. However, there is no inference about how stormwater contributes to ARG profiles as well as the dynamic interplay between ARGs and bacteria via vertical gene transfer (VGT) or horizontal gene transfer (HGT) in urban water ecosystems. In this study, the distribution of ARGs, their host communities, and the source and community assembly process of ARGs were investigated in Yundang Lagoon (China) via high-throughput quantitative PCR, 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, and application of SourceTracker before, after and recovering from an extreme precipitation event (132.1 mm). The abundance of ARGs and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) was the highest one day after precipitation and then decreased 2 days after precipitation and so on. Based on SourceTracker and NMDS analysis, the ARG and bacterial communities in lagoon surface water from one day after precipitation were mainly contributed by the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) influent and effluent. However, the contribution of WWTP to ARG communities was minor 11 days after the precipitation, suggesting that the storm promoted the ARG levels by introducing the input of ARGs, MGEs, and ARB from point and non-point sources, such as sewer overflow and land-applied manure. Based on a novel microbial network analysis framework, the contribution of positive biological interactions between ARGs and MGEs or bacteria was the highest one day after precipitation, indicating a promoted VGT and HGT for ARG dissemination. The microbial networks deconstructed 11 days after precipitation, suggesting the stormwater practices (e.g., tide gate opening, diversion channels, and pumping) alleviated the spread of ARGs. These results advanced our understanding of the distribution and transport of ARGs associated with their source in urban stormwater runoff.

The variable-coefficients 3D-Kudryashov–Sinelshchikov (vcKS) equation is an important mathematical model that describes the pressure of gas bubbles in the liquid, and is considered as an impressive phenomenon with many applications in medicine, ocean dynamics and fluid mechanics. In this paper, the vcKS is investigated via the enlarged direct similarity technique and reduced to a sixth-order nonlinear differential equation. The Jacobi elliptic wave function method is used to construct many novel periodic and solitary wave solutions for the vcKS equation. Additionally, a physical application of bubble-liquid in medicine was given and some new graphical representation for the dynamic behavior of the obtained periodic shock waves and solitonic waves were constructed to show how the different variable functions choices affect on the wave propagation. Moreover, this effect appears like a higher shock wave by increasing independent variables, which is very important in the drug delivery process.

Porphyria is a challenging metabolic disease due to its heterogeneous presentation symptoms and its difficult diagnosis. Many affected individuals can complain of recurrent neuro-visceral attacks per year, some of which may be persistent and life-threatening, which is confusing if there is no established diagnosis. Although the motor manifestations, autonomic changes and seizure are highly suggestive, the diagnosis is often overlooked and needs confirmatory genetic testing. To the best of our knowledge, the acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) reported in this case, involving severe electrolyte disturbances and rapid severe weakness is a challenging neuro-metabolic case and is extremely rare worldwide. Here, we reported a case of AIP in a young girl who presented to the emergency department of Al-Araby international Hospital, Monufia, Egypt with severe abdominal pain, constipation, and headache which had started 10 days ago. It seems that the diagnosis of porphyria should be considered particularly in those patients with abdominal complaints associated with electrolyte disturbances, seizures, and severe progressive neuropathy.