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Background. Z. coccineum is a facultative plant with many medicinal applications. This study examined the anti-inflammatory activity of Zygophyllum coccineum (Z. coccineum) in an arthritis animal model. Materials and Methods. Seventy-Six Wistar Albino rats of either sex randomly divided into six groups (12/each). The inflammation model was done using Complete Freund’s Adjuvant in albino rats. The anti-inflammatory activities of the extract were estimated at different dose levels (15.6, 31, and 60 mg/kg) as well as upon using methotrexate (MTX) as a standard drug (0.3 mg/kg). Paw volume and arthritis index scores have been tested in all examined animals’ treatments. Histological examination of joints was also performed. Flow cytometric studies were done to isolated osteoclasts. Cytokines assay as well as biochemical testing was done in the examined samples. Results. In vitro studies reported an IC50 of 15.6 μg/ml for Z. coccineum extract in lipoxygenase inhibition assay (L.O.X.). Moreover, it could be noticed that isorhamnetin-3-O-glucoside, tribuloside, and 7-acetoxy-4-methyl coumarin were the most common compounds in Z. coccineum extract separated using L.C.–ESI-TOF–M.S. (liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization ion-trap time-of-flight mass spectrometry). Microscopic examinations of synovial tissue and hind limb muscles revealed the effect of different doses of Z. coccineum extract on restoring chondrocytes and muscles structures. Osteoclast size and apoptotic rate examinations revealed the protective effect of Z. coccineum extract on osteoclast. The results upon induction of animals and upon treatment using of MTX significantly increased apoptotic rate of osteoclast compared to control, while using of 15.6 μg/ml. for Z. coccineum extract lead to recover regular apoptotic rate demonstrating the protective effect of the extract. Z. coccineum extract regulated the secretion of proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Biochemical tests indicated the safety of Z. coccineum extract on kidney and liver functions. Conclusion. Z. coccineum extract has efficient and safe anti-inflammatory potential in an induced rat model.

CTX-M ESBL-producing E. coli is an increasing AMR public health issue with the transmission between animals and humans via zoonotic pathogens now a major area of interest. Accurate and timely identification of ESBL-expressing E. coli CTX-M variants is essential for disease monitoring, targeted antibiotic treatment and infection control.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of developing practical and cost-effective ultra-high-performance engineered cementitious composites (UHP-ECCs) using natural river sand and no silica fume (SF). Fresh and hardened properties of composites utilizing river sand, with and without SF, and incorporating 1.5 and 2 vol% (volume percent) ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene fibers were evaluated. Furthermore, matrix and fiber/matrix interface properties were investigated. Experimental results showed that the inclusion of SF generally produced negative impacts in the mechanical strength (i.e., compressive, tensile, and flexural) and ductility of the composites, which was mainly attributed to a worsening fiber dispersion. This was supported by the loss in workability observed when increasing fiber content or implementing SF. Clear tendencies in the effect of fiber content on the mechanical strength of the composites were not observed. However, increment in fiber content decreased the tensile ductility of the materials, presumably because of poor fiber dispersion. All the mixtures evaluated exhibited pseudo strain-hardening (PSH) behavior and ECC-like ductility, which was supported by the PSH strength and energy indexes obtained, which exceeded the minimum recommended values for robust PSH behavior. Practical and cost-effective UHP-ECC materials (i.e., cementitious composites simultaneously exhibiting compressive strength >120 MPa and tensile strain capacity >2%) using natural river sand and no SF were successfully developed, which to the authors’ knowledge was achieved for the first time.

This study characterized and evaluated the use of reclaimed fly ash (RFA) and reclaimed ground bottom ash (GBA) as alternative sources of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) for the production of concrete mixtures. Conventional Class F fly ash (FA) was also evaluated for comparison. The effects of SCM content on fresh and hardened properties of concrete were investigated by replacing 10%, 20%, and 30% of cement by mass. Characterization results showed that all three ashes met ASTM C618 chemical requirements (i.e., sum of SiO2 + Al2O3 + Fe2O3, CaO, SO3, moisture content, and loss of ignition) and 7- and 28-days strength activity index (SAI) requirements for Class F FA. In addition, RFA exhibited slightly higher SAI at 28 days of curing, followed by GBA and FA. In relation to fresh concrete properties, FA increased the concrete slump compared with the control mixture, whereas RFA and GBA decreased the concrete slump. However, GBA produced more significant slump decrements than RFA, which was attributed to the irregular angular particles of GBA. Generally, all the coal ashes produced decrements in air content compared with the control mixture. Comparatively, among the three ashes, GBA exhibited the highest 28- and 90-days compressive strength and surface resistivity (SR) at all cement replacement levels. Furthermore, at 90 days of curing, RFA and GBA concrete mixtures outperformed the FA concrete mixtures in relation to compressive strength and SR. Consequently, both RFA and GBA are promising SCMs for concrete materials.

One of the emerging solutions to enhance the durability of asphalt pavements is the use of a French asphalt mix known as “High-Modulus Asphalt Concrete (HMAC).” This mix uses a hard asphalt binder, high binder content (about 6%), and low air voids content as compared with Superpave mixtures. The key objective of this study was to develop a cost-effective HMAC mixture using crumb rubber and local materials in Louisiana. To achieve this objective, four HMAC mixtures were prepared using two asphalt binders (PG 82-22 and PG 76-22 plus 10% crumb rubber) and two Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) contents (20% and 40%); additionally, a conventional Superpave mixture in Louisiana was prepared as a control mixture. The laboratory performance of these five mixtures was evaluated in relation to workability, dynamic modulus, rutting resistance, and cracking resistance. The AASHTOWare Pavement ME Design software was also used to estimate the long-term field performance of these mixtures. Results indicated that the HMAC mixture prepared with 10% crumb rubber and 20% RAP successfully met the French mix design specifications for HMAC and LaDOTD specifications. This HMAC mix outperformed the control Superpave mix in relation to dynamic modulus, rutting resistance, and cracking resistance. Additionally, this HMAC mixture can reduce the required asphalt thickness by 1.5 or 2 in. based on traffic level. The cost-effectiveness analysis indicated that this HMAC mixture was more cost-effective than conventional Superpave mixtures in Louisiana. In addition, this mixture is environmentally friendly as it can reduce the disposal of scrap tires in landfills.

Ahmed Esmat,1 Mahmoud I Elshamy,2 Doaa Mohamed Zakaria,3 Zakarya Shady,4 Eman Roshdy Mohamed,3 Nashwa El-Khouly,3 Marwa M Hassan,3 Fatma M El-Senosy3 1Department of Neurology, Al-Azhar University, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo, Egypt; 2Department of Radiology, Al-Azhar University, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo, Egypt; 3Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine (Girls), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt; 4Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, EgyptCorrespondence: Zakarya Shady Tel +201001281304Email zakaryashady96@yahoo.comPurpose: Diabetes is a documented risk factor for peripheral neuropathy. It was reported that associated hypertension could increase this risk. The present study aimed to assess the effect of hypertension and diabetes on median nerve using high-resolution ultrasound.Methods: The study includes 50 hypertensive patients (HTN group), 50 diabetic patients (DM group), 50 patients with coexisting diabetes and hypertension (HTN + DM group) and 50 healthy controls. Median nerve affection in the studied groups was studied by vibration perception thresholds (VPT). The median nerve cross-sectional area was determined at the nerve cross-sectional area of the median nerve at the carpal tunnel by high-resolution ultrasound. Clinical symptoms were assessed using Toronto Clinical Severity Score (TCSS).Results: There was significantly higher median nerve CSA in all patient groups in comparison to controls. HTN + DM group had significantly higher median nerve CSA when compared with DM group. Patients with peripheral neuropathy in HTN + DM and DM groups had significantly higher median nerve CSA than patients without. Using ROC curve analysis, it was shown that median CSA could successfully distinguish patients with peripheral neuropathy from patients without in HTN + DM group [AUC (95% CI): 0.71 (0.54– 0.89)] and in DM group [AUC (95% CI): 0.86 (0.72– 0.99)].Conclusion: Hypertensive patients with and without diabetes have significantly higher median nerve CSA when compared with controls.Keywords: hypertension, peripheral neuropathy, high-resolution ultrasound, diabetes mellitus, median nerve

Despite considerable recent reductions in antimicrobial use, the UK gamebird industry continues to struggle with production diseases during the rearing season, necessitating significant antibiotic use. This observational study investigated the presence of genes conferring resistance to β-lactam antibiotics within industry-reared pheasants and red-legged partridges in the UK.DNA was extracted from 60 pooled caecal samples collected from gamebirds at routine postmortem examinations during the rearing season. Genes encoding extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL) were detected by PCR and the corresponding alleles were determined.Over half (53%) of the samples harboured genes encoding blaThis was a small-scale study conducted at four sites in southern England.This is the first report of the presence of ESBL genes in gamebirds, highlighting the need for further research into antimicrobial resistance in UK gamebirds.

Cefotaximase-Munich (CTX-M) extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) enzymes produced by

The use of raw sugarcane bagasse ash (SCBA) as sand replacement in the production of engineered cementitious composites (ECCs) can improve its cost-effectiveness and practicality. A recent study by the authors showed that the use of raw SCBA as a replacement to sand in ECC mixtures substantially enhances the tensile ductility and provides mild improvements in tensile strength; however, it also indicated a need to further elucidate the mechanisms producing such improvements. Therefore, the present study examined the effects of raw SCBA as a sand replacement in ECC’s fundamental fiber-bridging relationship, [Formula: see text], through single crack tensile test (SCTT) using 1% polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fiber volume fraction. The PVA fiber volume fraction was reduced from 1.5% in the previous study to 1% in this study to ensure that a single crack was produced, which is a necessary condition to obtain the fundamental [Formula: see text] relationship. A total of five mixtures were evaluated at different replacement levels of sand with raw SCBA (i.e., 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%). SCTT results revealed that raw SCBA produced minor effects on the fiber-bridging capacity but significantly increased the complementary energy ( [Formula: see text]). A positive correlation was observed between the pseudo strain-hardening (PSH) strength index and raw SCBA content. Since the PSH strength index was higher than the recommended value (i.e., 1.3) for robust PSH behavior, it was concluded that the main factor contributing to tensile ductility enhancements was the increase in the PSH energy index resulting from the notable increase of [Formula: see text] and potential decrease in matrix fracture toughness.

Engineered Cementitious Composites (ECC) are considered a promising alternative for the construction of durable pavements. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of plasticity and ...

Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy disorder characterized by hypertension and end-organ damage. Reliable biochemical markers for diagnosis and prediction of PE severity can improve maternal health, and several of these markers have been suggested till now. The goal of our study was to evaluate maternal serum levels of Perlecan and Ischemia modified albumin (IMA) in PE patients, and to investigate their relationship with the severity. This study included 45 pregnant women, who were divided into three groups: mild PE (n=15), severe PE (n=10), and normal pregnant females (n=20) as a control group. Maternal serum levels of Perlecan and IMA were determined by the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Preeclamptic women with severe features have significantly higher serum Perlecan and IMA levels than women with mild PE and control (P0.001 for both). Serum levels of Perlecan and IMA were significantly increased in patients with mild PE as compared with control (P0.001 for both). Serum Perlecan levels were positively correlated with systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), ALT, AST, creatinine, urea, uric acid, and proteinuria, but negatively correlated with platelet count and fetal birth weight. Serum IMA level was positively correlated with SBP, DBP, but negatively correlated with Albumin, and fetal birth weight. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of Perlecan and IMA in the prediction of PE severity. Serum Perlecan had greater sensitivity and lower specificity for severe PE than for mild PE. Serum IMA had greater sensitivity and lower specificity for severe PE than for mild PE. In conclusion, maternal serum Perlecan and IMA levels were biomarkers for monitoring PE and the increase in serum Perlecan levels was in accordance with the severity of PE. Also, Perlecan was superior to IMA as a predictor for PE severity.

Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) is a rapid alternative to PCR, in which the reaction occurs at one temperature and uses a polymerase with high displacement activity, e.g. Bacillus stearothermophilus DNA polymerase I (Bst) or homologues. Since the discovery of LAMP in 2000, several applications have been developed to employ this technique in the rapid detection of nucleic acid targets and enhance its performance. Improvements to the LAMP technique and a variety of innovative detection methods have led to its application for a wide range of targets in medical and veterinary microbiology, particularly in resource-poor settings. The key advantages of LAMP-based diagnostics include the ability to rapidly detect target nucleic acid sequences within 30 min and its ease of use, facilitating its application in field, bedside, pen-side, point-of-care and point-of-need diagnostic settings. LAMP can be a valuable tool to aid in the detection and management of disease outbreaks.

In Louisiana, most districts restripe their roadways using waterborne paints every other year; this strategy is questionable in relation to efficiency and economy. Previous studies show substantial variability in paint service life throughout the U.S.A., ranging between 0.25 and 6.2 years. Shortcomings in modeling the retroreflectivity of waterborne paints appear to significantly contribute to these variations as several studies predicted these values using degradation curves with a coefficient of determination (R2) as low as 0.1. Therefore, the objective of this study was to develop new cost-effective restriping strategies using 4 in. and 6 in. wide waterborne paints (15 and 25 mils thickness) when applied on asphalt pavements in hot and humid climates. To achieve this objective, National Transportation Product Evaluation Program data were collected and analyzed to evaluate the field performance of waterborne paints commonly used in southern states of the U.S.A. and to develop a decision making model that may be used by transportation agencies to predict when to restripe their roadways. Results indicated that 4 in. wide standard paints exhibited service life up to four years depending on the line color, traffic and initial retroreflectivity, while 4 in. wide high build paints had a service life of at least three years. Based on a life-cycle cost analysis, it was concluded that Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development could restripe its district roads every three years instead of the current two-year period using the same product (4 in. or 6 in. wide) saving about $20 million or $2 million, respectively, every year when restriping a 5,000-mi network.

Cement-stabilized full-depth reclamation (CSFDR) is a common rehabilitation treatment used by transportation agencies. Yet, several gaps exist in the literature regarding the long-term fiel...

Bacterial concrete has become one of the most promising self-healing alternatives owing to its capability to seal crack widths through microbial-induced calcite precipitation (MICP). In this study, two bacterial strains were embedded at varying dosages (by weight of cement) in concrete. Beam specimens were used to quantify the maximum crack-sealing efficiency, whereas cylinder samples were used to determine their effects on the intrinsic mechanical properties of concrete, as well as its stiffness recovery over time after inducing damage. The concrete specimens were cured in wet–dry cycles to enable healing. Results showed that the specimen groups with the highest calcium alginate concentrations (including the control specimens with embedded alginate beads but no bacteria) resulted in the greatest increase in stiffness recovery. Similarly, the beam samples containing alginate beads (also including the Control 3%C specimen group) had superior crack-healing efficiencies to the control samples without alginate beads (Control NC). This was attributed to the alginate beads acting as a reservoir that can further enhance the autogenous healing capability of concrete. Based on the results of this study, further research is recommended to explore factors that can maximize the self-healing mechanism of bacterial concrete through MICP and determine whether an alternative encapsulation mechanism, nutrient selection, curing regime, or bacterial strain is needed.

Triethanolamine (TEA), an amine-based corrosion inhibitor, was encapsulated and then embedded into an epoxy coating to provide long-term corrosion protection of aluminum alloy 3003. TEA was encapsulated by means of free-radical polymerization, yielding an average particle size of 450 nm. An applied epoxy coating containing 10 wt % of the nanocapsules successfully protected an artificially defective area for a long period due to TEA adsorption, which resulted in the formation of an inhibiting layer. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy showed an inhibition efficiency surpassing 85% when the metal experienced mild corrosion in its early stages, and the inhibiting layer started to form by local pH level change, which triggered the release of TEA. On the basis of the results of a scanning vibrating electrode technique, the current density of the metal surface in the presence of an encapsulated TEA coating was significantly lower than that of the control coating with no nanocapsules. Optical microscope and scanning electron microscope images revealed that the sample surface that had encapsulated TEA nearby was considerably less stained after 60 days of testing compared with that of the control sample, which indicated that the metal substrate was protected by an inhibiting layer. Elemental analysis performed by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy further confirmed that the metal surface was well preserved, and a remarkably low oxygen content indicated suppressed metal oxidation. The nuclear magnetic resonance spectra also evidenced a successful release of TEA throughout the experimental period. These findings reflected a spontaneous surface repassivation with the help of encapsulated TEA coating.

This study investigates the effects of raw sugarcane bagasse ash (SCBA) used as a partial or complete replacement for silica sand in engineered cementitious composites (ECCs). ECC mixtures ...

Ultraviolet (UV), light-activated, self-healing polymers are an emerging technology that was proposed to enhance the elastic behavior of asphalt binder, while improving its self-healing properties. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of self-healing polymer on the rheological properties of binder blends prepared with or without recycled asphalt materials. Binder blends were prepared with two different binders (PG 67-22 and PG 70-22M), with or without recycled asphalt materials, and 5% self-healing polymer (Oxetane-substituted Chitosan-Polyurethane). High-Pressure Gel Permeation Chromatography (HP-GPC) results showed an increase in High Molecular Weight (HMW) components in the binder with an increase in stiffness through the addition of recycled materials. A further increase was observed with the addition of self-healing polymer. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed High-Pressure Gel Permeation Chromatography (HP-GPC) results with an increase in the carbonyl index. Furthermore, the addition of recycled materials led to an increase in the high-temperature grade and the low-temperature grade of the binder blends, while the self-healing polymer did not have a significant effect on the PG-grade. Overall, the addition of self-healing polymer led to an increase in stiffness and an improvement in the rutting performance, while it did not have a positive effect on low-temperature cracking performance. For unmodified binder (PG 67-22), self-healing polymer incorporation improved the elastic and fatigue cracking properties of the binder. However, when it was added to a polymer-modified binder (PG 70-22M) and/or binder blends containing recycled asphalt materials, the potential of this material was low to negative on the low temperature and fatigue cracking performances.

Engineered cementitious composites (ECCs) are a type of micromechanically-designed cementitious composite reinforced with a moderate volume fraction of short fiber, typically 2% by volume. ECCs form steady-state multiple cracking that considerably improves the tensile strength and ductility of traditional concrete. In this study, the properties of matrix and the interface of ECCs were tailored through the use of crumb rubber, different types of sand, and different replacement levels of cement with fly ash. The study examined the effect of sand replacement with crumb rubber (20% by volume), two types of river sands (coarse and fine), increasing the content of class F fly ash (up to 75% cement replacement), and low fiber content (1.75%) on the mechanical properties of ECCs. Compressive strength, uniaxial tensile, and third-point bending tests were performed to characterize the properties of ECC mixes. Experimental results demonstrated that increasing fly ash content and using crumb rubber favored ductility of the composites. However, higher fly ash contents and a low water-to-binder (W/B) ratio produced lower strengths as these limited the pozzolanic reaction of fly ash making it act partially as a filler. While incorporation of crumb rubber showed adverse effects on the tensile strength of ECC materials (up to 26% decrease), the tensile ductility of ECC materials improved significantly (up to 434% improvement). Moreover, the implementation of different types of sand produced minor effects on the mechanical properties of ECCs. Overall, a tradeoff between the strength and ductility of the composites was detected, which highlights the implications of matrix/interface tailoring in the overall performance of ECC.

Self-healing products such as hollow fibers filled with a recycling agent present an emerging technology that would enhance an asphalt mixture’s resistance to cracking damage in the long term. The objective of this study was to evaluate the healing efficiency of sodium-alginate fibers containing a recycling agent using asphalt concrete beam specimens. A self-healing experiment was designed and conducted to monitor strength recovery in the damaged specimens using a 3-point bending test during a 6-day healing period under two different environmental curing conditions. In addition, the effects of adding the hollow fibers on the mechanical properties of asphalt mixtures were evaluated by conducting a series of laboratory tests to evaluate the performance against common distress such as permanent deformation, intermediate cracking, and low-temperature cracking. Results of the self-healing experiment test results showed that the addition of sodium-alginate fibers improved the strength recovery of mixtures prepared with unmodified binder. The increase in temperature from 25°C to 50°C during the healing period also resulted in higher strength recovery percentages in all the evaluated mixtures. Furthermore, semi-circular bending test results showed that the addition of fibers enhanced the mechanical properties against fracture at intermediate temperature of mixtures containing recycled asphalt materials.

Self-healing concrete through microencapsulated calcium nitrate was evaluated for its crack-sealing efficiency. The evaluated variables in this study were the microcapsule size, concentration (by weight of cement), and capsule shell properties. The production parameters for the microcapsule preparation were adjusted to control the shell properties and mean particle diameter accordingly. The results showed that all microcapsule-containing specimens had significantly higher healing efficiencies than the control groups after 21 and 42 days of healing. As the crack sizes increased, the microcapsule-containing specimens maintained a higher healing efficiency than the control groups.

This study investigates the compressive and flexural strengths, flexural modulus and air permeability of concrete samples containing 0.75% by cement weight of modified calcium nitrate self-healing microcapsules. The compressive and flexural strengths of concrete mixes with microcapsules were determined before healing and compared with those of the control mix. Moreover, another set of samples were loaded up to 60% of their ultimate load and placed in a water bath to accelerate their healing. The samples' air permeability was measured before loading, after applying 60% of the ultimate load, and after 3 and 7 d of healing. The stress-strain curves were plotted to determine the flexural modulus. The results show that there is a significant statistical difference in the compressive strengths of mixes with and without microcapsules. However, the mix flexural strength did not show a significant statistical effect. Scanning electron micrograph images of the fracture surfaces of samples with microcapsules showed a good healing efficiency of calcium nitrate microcapsules. It was also found that the addition of microcapsules considerably decreased the samples' air permeability. Although the flexural moduli of samples containing microcapsules were found to be less than those of samples without microcapsules before healing, modulus recovery was reported after 7 d of self-healing. This work was made possible by a National Priority Research Program award (NPRP 6-280-2-117) from the Qatar National Research Fund (a member of The Qatar Foundation) Scopus