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In order to study the impact of seasonality on Zika virus dynamics, we analyzed a non-autonomous mathematical model for the Zika virus (ZIKV) transmission where we considered time-dependent parameters. We proved that the system admitted a unique bounded positive solution and a global attractor set. The basic reproduction number, $ \mathcal{R}_0 $, was defined using the next generation matrix method for the case of fixed environment and as the spectral radius of a linear integral operator for the case of seasonal environment. We proved that if $ \mathcal{R}_0 $ was smaller than the unity, then a disease-free periodic solution was globally asymptotically stable, while if $ \mathcal{R}_0 $ was greater than the unity, then the disease persisted. We validated the theoretical findings using several numerical examples.

Background: Colon cancer is the third most common type of cancer. High lymphovascular levels are linked to a number of cancers, including colon cancer, while lymph vascular invasion levels as a predictor of outcome are not well understood. Objective: Determine the influence of lymphovascular invasion on the recurrence of colon cancer. Patients and Methods: it was collected 126 colon cancer patients who had surgery and additional chemotherapy. The patients attended in the Baquba teaching hospital oncology centre and the Al Jawad oncology centre of Alkadhemiya hospital. Results: it was shown in this study that the high percentage ages of colon cancer patients was between 55-60 years, and there were more in women (57 %) than in men (43 %). The most common stage of the tumours was stage 3 (42.9 %), and in grade 2 (76.2 %). In terms of return, in this study, 71.4 % of people who had lymphovascular invasion positive and had a return of cancer in a percentage 73.3% of colon cancer patients. Conclusion: LVI plays an essential role for increasing recurrence of colon cancer, and there were a strong link between them.

Introduction: Estimated rates of past-month cannabidiol (CBD) use in the general public are 13–26% and emerging research examines CBD as a potential adjunct treatment for several medical conditions, including stress-related disorders (e.g., depression, anxiety, and chronic pain). However, little is known about the effects of different CBD products on self-reported stress. The present study compared the effects of two delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-free CBD tincture products – (1) an isolate CBD oil and (2) a broad spectrum CBD oil – on self-ratings of effectiveness of the product and ability to manage stress. Methods: This quasi-experimental study reports on a total of 374 participants who completed either a 30- or 60-day regimen. Participants were instructed to use a 1,000 mg CBD isolate product at will, and then switch over to a 1,000 mg broad spectrum product for the remainder of the regimen (i.e., next 15 or 30 days). Self-reported effectiveness of the product and its ability to help manage stress was compared between the isolate and broad spectrum products. We also examined overall impression, quality, taste, and adverse effects of each product. Results: Overall, both products were rated to be highly effective and able to assist with stress management. Participants reported that the broad spectrum product’s effectiveness (p < 0.001) and ability to reduce stress (p < 0.001) as greater than the isolate product across both regimens. However, participants preferred the taste of the isolate product over that of the broad spectrum across regimens (p < 0.05). For the 30-day regimen, participants reported a more positive overall impression of the isolate as compared to the broad spectrum (p < 0.001); however, overall impression did not differ between the products in the 60-day regimen. There was no difference in adverse effects or quality between the products, across both regimens. Conclusion: These results fit with prior studies suggesting anti-stress effects of CBD. Ratings were higher for the broad spectrum as compared to the isolate product, which is consistent with prior data suggesting that cannabinoids can work synergistically to maximize benefits. Nonetheless, more controlled studies are needed to explore these effects in nonclinical and clinical populations.

Abstract Background We previously reported that impaired type I IFN activity, due to inborn errors of TLR3- and TLR7-dependent type I interferon (IFN) immunity or to autoantibodies against type I IFN, account for 15–20% of cases of life-threatening COVID-19 in unvaccinated patients. Therefore, the determinants of life-threatening COVID-19 remain to be identified in ~ 80% of cases. Methods We report here a genome-wide rare variant burden association analysis in 3269 unvaccinated patients with life-threatening COVID-19, and 1373 unvaccinated SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals without pneumonia. Among the 928 patients tested for autoantibodies against type I IFN, a quarter (234) were positive and were excluded. Results No gene reached genome-wide significance. Under a recessive model, the most significant gene with at-risk variants was TLR7, with an OR of 27.68 (95%CI 1.5–528.7, P = 1.1 × 10−4) for biochemically loss-of-function (bLOF) variants. We replicated the enrichment in rare predicted LOF (pLOF) variants at 13 influenza susceptibility loci involved in TLR3-dependent type I IFN immunity (OR = 3.70[95%CI 1.3–8.2], P = 2.1 × 10−4). This enrichment was further strengthened by (1) adding the recently reported TYK2 and TLR7 COVID-19 loci, particularly under a recessive model (OR = 19.65[95%CI 2.1–2635.4], P = 3.4 × 10−3), and (2) considering as pLOF branchpoint variants with potentially strong impacts on splicing among the 15 loci (OR = 4.40[9%CI 2.3–8.4], P = 7.7 × 10−8). Finally, the patients with pLOF/bLOF variants at these 15 loci were significantly younger (mean age [SD] = 43.3 [20.3] years) than the other patients (56.0 [17.3] years; P = 1.68 × 10−5). Conclusions Rare variants of TLR3- and TLR7-dependent type I IFN immunity genes can underlie life-threatening COVID-19, particularly with recessive inheritance, in patients under 60 years old.

Abstract Background Pilonidal sinus (PNS) is considered as a benign lesion of hair-bearing areas, particularly at the sacrococcygeal area. It is presented as a hole or tunnel in the skin. It may be filled with fluid or pus resulting in the formation of a cyst or abscess. Although PNS is a well-established lesion in general surgery as well as dermatology specialties by its occurrence at the sacrococcygeal region, but the surprising presentation of PNS is that at ENT specialty by its appearance at the external auditory canal (EAC), which is deemed unpredicted lesion at this particular region. Case presentation Nine years female Libyan child has been presented with a history of persistent offensive bloody stained yellowish discolored left ear otorrhea a few months before her presentation. The local examination including the microscopic examination revealed evidences of a grayish-pinkish pedunculated polypoidal mass raised from the junction of the superior wall with the anterior wall of the EAC, at the site of the junction between the cartilaginous and bony portions of EAC. The temporal bone CT scan revealed evidences of radiolucent soft tissue density mass arising from the wall of the EAC at its anterior-superior junction, with the intact tympanic membrane as well as the middle ear cavity. This was most probably in favor of the suggestion of granulation tissue or aural polyp. The mass was completely excised as one piece from its pedicle and sent for histopathological evaluation, which was in favor of the diagnosis of PNS. Conclusion We consider this case for reporting because of its scarcity and unexpected lesion at EAC. To the best of our knowledge, our case constitutes the second case of the EAC specifically, and the third case of external ear generally reported in the world. Thus, we tried to illustrate this unique and rare EAC lesion concerning how it is clinically as well as pathologically presented. In addition, we tried to review the literatures to elucidate whether this rare lesion has been reported before.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Malocclusion is presumed to have adverse effects on dental and facial attractiveness, leading to deleterious psychosocial impact and Quality of life(QoL) of the individual. The Psychosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetic Questionnaire (PIDAQ) has proved to be effective for assessment of psychosocial impact of malocclusion on dental aesthetics, but it’s effectiveness for assessing facial aesthetics is unknown. Objective: The aim of the present study was to assess the effectiveness of PIDAQ on its ability to reflect the psychosocial impact of malocclusion on facial attractiveness, using the Facial Aesthetic index (FAI) after its translation and validation in the regional language. Methods: The 23-item PIDAQ, after translation process, cross-cultural adaptation and pilot testing, was administered to 330 subjects (62.5 % females and 37.5 % males; age range 18-30 years) with varying degrees of severity of malocclusion, assessed by the two components of the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (Dental Health Component, IOTN-DHC, for normative need; and self-administered Aesthetic Component, IOTN-AC, for subjective need) and FAI. Results: The internal consistency and test-retest reliability were good (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.859 - 0.958; Intraclass correlation coefficient =0.984). FAI, IOTN-DHC and IOTN-AC scores showed highly significant correlation with PIDAQ scores, depicting strong convergent validity (p< 0.001). One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Bonferroni post-hoc test showed highly significant correlations (p-value < 0.001) for all comparisons. There were no significant differences between responses of males and females. The regional version of PIDAQ had excellent reliability. Conclusions: PIDAQ showed good psychometric properties and was able to effectively reflect the psychosocial impact of malocclusion on altered facial aesthetics.

Background: COVID-19 is diagnosed using RT-PCR assays of samples from nasal and oropharyngeal swabs. People with negative RT-PCR often presented with clinical manifestations of COVID-19. The data on such patients are lacking. The present study aims to characterize the patients who were suspected COVID-19 cases and tested negative in RT-PCR compared to patients who had been tested RT-PCR positive. Methods: This is a retrospective, observational study of adult suspected and confirmed patients of COVID-19 admitted to King Saud University Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from 1st March 2020 until 30th November 2020. Laboratory confirmation is done through nasal/pharyngeal swab specimens, tested positive in RT-PCR assay. Patients with initial negative RT-PCR test results were assessed again within 48−72 h to avoid false-negative results. Patient data were extracted from the electronic medical files of each included patient using a predesigned case report form. Results: The study included 488 (80.93%) patients with RT-PCR swab results positive, and 115 (19.07%) patients who were negative. Respiratory rate and diastolic blood pressure were higher among the swab-positive cases. More number of swab-negative patients had comorbidities such as coronary heart disease, chronic kidney disease, and carcinoma. Fever, cough, and shortness of breath were reported higher among the swab-positive cases. ALT and AST, and LDH levels were found higher among RT-PCR-positive patients. Serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen and troponin were more elevated in RT-PCR-negative patients. Antibiotics, anticoagulants, and corticosteroids were used more by swab-positive patients. Significantly higher number of RT-PCR-positive patients required proning, high-flow nasal cannula, non-invasive mechanical ventilation, and invasive mechanical ventilation. Acute cardiac ischemia and death were found to be similar among the patients. However, deaths occurred significantly earlier among the swab-positive cases when compared to the swab-negative group. Conclusion: Distinctive symptoms and markers of COVID-19 are more frequent among patients who had RT-PCR-positive results.

ALPS and IPEX are two well-characterized inborn errors of immunity with immune dysregulation, considered as two master models of monogenic auto-immune diseases. Thus, with autoimmunity as their primary clinical manifestation, these two entities may show clinical overlap. Traditionally, immunological biomarkers are used to establish an accurate differential diagnosis. Herein, we describe a patient who presented with clinical features and biomarkers fulfilling the diagnostic criteria of ALPS. Severe apoptotic defect was also shown in the patient’s cell lines and PHA-activated peripheral blood lymphocytes. Sanger sequencing of the FAS gene did not reveal any causal mutation. NGS screening revealed a novel deleterious variant located in the N terminal repressor domain of FOXP3 but no mutations in the FAS pathway-related genes. TEMRA cells (terminally differentiated effector memory cells re-expressing CD45RA) and PD1 expression were increased arguing in favor of T-cell exhaustion, which could be induced by unrestrained activation of T effector cells because of Treg deficiency. Moreover, defective FOXP3 observed in the patient could intrinsically induce increased proliferation and resistance to apoptosis in T effector cells. This observation expands the spectrum of FOXP3 deficiency and underscores the role of NGS in detecting mutations that induce overlapping phenotypes among inborn errors of immunity with immune dysregulation. In addition, these findings suggest a potential link between FOXP3 and FAS pathways.

In this work intrinsically magnetic quasi-crystalline Fe–Cu nanoparticles are used in an aqueous solution for heat transfer enhancement application. The experimental work commenced by synthesizing the Fe–Cu material via high energy ball milling in 1:1 ratio using 10 mm diameter stainless steel balls and crucibles, followed by cryogenic crushing to further reduce the particle size to the nanoscale. The results of grain size reduction are verified by transmission electron microscopy measurements that showed sizes down to 50 nm. Other measurements pertinent to the expected performance of these particles in solution are the determination of the zeta potential of the particles. To assess the enhancement of heat transfer characteristics within a closed vessel by the rotating magnetic agitation of the magnetic particles, the nano-powder is added to deionized water at different concentrations. The time required (Δt) to a reach a certain temperature difference (ΔT) is measured to construct the Wilson plot parameters for each of the fluids used. It is found that the addition of the Fe–Cu nanofluid has enhanced the transient heat transfer by up to 34.6%.

This work presents the synthesis and deposition of CuI and FeCu materials on copper substrates for dye-sensitized solar cell applications. FeCu is a metastable alloy of iron and copper powders and possesses good optical and intrinsic magnetic properties. Coupled with copper iodide as tandem layers, the deposition of these two materials was permutated over a pure copper substrate, characterized and then tested within a solar cell. The cell was sensitized with a natural dye extracted from a local desert plant (Calotropis gigantea) and operated with an iodine/triiodide electrolyte. The results show that the best layer arrangement was Cu/FeCu/CuI, which gave an efficiency of around 0.763% (compared to 0.196% from reported cells in the literature using a natural sensitizer).

BackgroundWe previously reported that impaired type I IFN activity, due to inborn errors of TLR3- and TLR7-dependent type I interferon (IFN) immunity or to autoantibodies against type I IFN, account for 15-20% of cases of life-threatening COVID-19 in unvaccinated patients. Therefore, the determinants of life-threatening COVID-19 remain to be identified in ~ 80% of cases.MethodsWe report here a genome-wide rare variant burden association analysis in 3269 unvaccinated patients with life-threatening COVID-19, and 1373 unvaccinated SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals without pneumonia. Among the 928 patients tested for autoantibodies against type I IFN, a quarter (234) were positive and were excluded.ResultsNo gene reached genome-wide significance. Under a recessive model, the most significant gene with at-risk variants was TLR7, with an OR of 27.68 (95%CI 1.5-528.7, P = 1.1 × 10-4) for biochemically loss-of-function (bLOF) variants. We replicated the enrichment in rare predicted LOF (pLOF) variants at 13 influenza susceptibility loci involved in TLR3-dependent type I IFN immunity (OR = 3.70[95%CI 1.3-8.2], P = 2.1 × 10-4). This enrichment was further strengthened by (1) adding the recently reported TYK2 and TLR7 COVID-19 loci, particularly under a recessive model (OR = 19.65[95%CI 2.1-2635.4], P = 3.4 × 10-3), and (2) considering as pLOF branchpoint variants with potentially strong impacts on splicing among the 15 loci (OR = 4.40[9%CI 2.3-8.4], P = 7.7 × 10-8). Finally, the patients with pLOF/bLOF variants at these 15 loci were significantly younger (mean age [SD] = 43.3 [20.3] years) than the other patients (56.0 [17.3] years; P = 1.68 × 10-5).ConclusionsRare variants of TLR3- and TLR7-dependent type I IFN immunity genes can underlie life-threatening COVID-19, particularly with recessive inheritance, in patients under 60 years old.

This study was done from 3/7/2011 to 1/1/2012 , different clinical samples were collected from (1235) patients that coming to the Specialized center for chest and respiratory diseases / Baghdad to investigate Mycobacterium tuberculosis and study their resistant to first and second line antimicrobial agents by using Bactec 960. The results obtained from direct smear examination with Ziehl – Neelsen stain in (294) patients that indicated these patients are Infected with tuberculosis . These samples has been cultured on solid medium Lowenstein Jensen media (L.J.) and liquid medium ( middle brook 7H8 broth base) in the Mycobacteria Growth Indicator Tubes (MGIT) using a device (BACTEC MGIT 960 System).Results of (275) samples that represented (22.27%) from total samples were showed a significant real growth that belong to bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis. From (275) isolates tested to 1st line anti TB (streptomycin (SM), isoniazid (INH), rifampin (RMP) and ethambutol (EMB)), (196) isolates were resistant to the first line antimicrobial agents that used in the treatment of tuberculosis by using Bactec 960. (125) isolates (63.77%) showed resistance to multiple antimicrobial drugs (MDR-TB). Furthermore, the sensitivity test was done on thirty isolates that characterized by multiple drug resistance criteria (MDR-TB) on second line antimicrobial agents to investigate Extensively Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis(XDR-TB) between these isolates. The results showed that the best antibiotics in their impact on the isolates (MDR-TB) is (PAS) P-aminosalicylic acid as the percentage of resistance was (3.3%).

Background: Colon cancer is the third most common type of cancer. High lymphovascular levels are linked to a number of cancers, including colon cancer, while lymph vascular invasion levels as a predictor of outcome are not well understood. Objective: Determine the influence of lymphovascular invasion on the recurrence of colon cancer. Patients and Methods: it was collected 126 colon cancer patients who had surgery and additional chemotherapy. The patients attended in the Baquba teaching hospital oncology centre and the Al Jawad oncology centre of Alkadhemiya hospital. Results: it was shown in this study that the high percentage ages of colon cancer patients was between 55-60 years, and there were more in women (57 %) than in men (43 %). The most common stage of the tumours was stage 3 (42.9 %), and in grade 2 (76.2 %). In terms of return, in this study, 71.4 % of people who had lymphovascular invasion positive and had a return of cancer in a percentage 73.3% of colon cancer patients. Conclusion: LVI plays an essential role for increasing recurrence of colon cancer, and there were a strong link between them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulmonary injury is one of the key restricting factors for the therapy of malignancies with chemotherapy or following radiotherapy for chest cancers. The lung is a sensitive organ to some severely toxic antitumor drugs, consisting of bleomycin and alkylating agents. Furthermore, treatment with radiotherapy may drive acute and late adverse impacts on the lung. The major consequences of radiotherapy and chemotherapy in the lung are pneumonitis and fibrosis. Pneumonitis may arise some months to a few years behind cancer therapy. However, fibrosis is a long‐term effect that appears years after chemo/or radiotherapy. Several mechanisms such as oxidative stress and severe immune reactions are implicated in the progression of pulmonary fibrosis. Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is offered as a pivotal mechanism for lung fibrosis behind chemotherapy and radiotherapy. It seems that pulmonary fibrosis is the main consequence of EMT after chemo/radiotherapy. Several biological processes, consisting of the liberation of pro‐inflammatory and pro‐fibrosis molecules, oxidative stress, upregulation of nuclear factor of κB and Akt, epigenetic changes, and some others, may participate in EMT and pulmonary fibrosis behind cancer therapy. In this review, we aim to discuss how chemotherapy or radiotherapy may promote EMT and lung fibrosis. Furthermore, we review potential targets and effective agents to suppress EMT and lung fibrosis after cancer therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to study the impact of seasonality on Zika virus dynamics, we analyzed a non-autonomous mathematical model for the Zika virus (ZIKV) transmission where we considered time-dependent parameters. We proved that the system admitted a unique bounded positive solution and a global attractor set. The basic reproduction number, R0, was defined using the next generation matrix method for the case of fixed environment and as the spectral radius of a linear integral operator for the case of seasonal environment. We proved that if R0 was smaller than the unity, then a disease-free periodic solution was globally asymptotically stable, while if R0 was greater than the unity, then the disease persisted. We validated the theoretical findings using several numerical examples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The widespread use of silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) in various applications has raised concerns about their potential health effects, particularly regarding pulmonary toxicity. The purpose of this analysis was to delve into the dose-dependent pulmonary effects of SiNPs following subchronic inhalation exposure in rats. Adult male rats, specifically of the Sprague-Dawley breed, experienced filtered air (control), 1 mg/m³ (low-dose), or 10 mg/m³ (high-dose) of SiNPs (mean diameter 52.3 ± 4.7 nm) for 6 hours/day, 5 days/week, for 13 weeks. Pulmonary function tests were conducted periodically. At study termination, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was analyzed for inflammatory markers, and lung tissues were examined histopathologically. High-dose SiNP exposure led to significant impairment of lung function, characterized by decreased tidal volume (19.2%), increased respiratory rate (15.7%), reduced lung compliance (24.1%), and increased airway resistance (54.5%). Both low and high-dose exposures induced dose-dependent pulmonary inflammation, evidenced by increased total cell counts, neutrophil infiltration, and elevated pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in BALF. Histopathological examination revealed dose-dependent structural changes in lung tissues, encompassing increased alveolar wall thickness, overgrowth of alveolar epithelium, and inflammation in both alveoli and bronchioles. Notably, granuloma formation was observed in 62.5% of rats in the high-dose group. Subchronic inhalation exposure to SiNPs induces dosedependent pulmonary toxicity in rats, characterized by impaired lung function, persistent inflammation, and structural changes in lung tissues. These findings highlight the possible hazards linked to extended contact with SiNPs and underscore the importance of implementing appropriate safety measures in occupational settings where SiNP exposure may occur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eutrophication caused by high nitrate levels in surface and subsurface water bodies is a major ecological concern. This process leads to the proliferation of algae and aquatic plants, which results in a reduction of dissolved oxygen and harm to aquatic organisms. Therefore, it is crucial to explore effective methods to remove nitrate ions from wastewater. In this study, the efficacy of Sargassum polycystum macroalgae as a biosorbent for nitrate ion removal was examined. The experiment investigated the impact of pH variations, initial biomass of S. polycystum algae, initial concentration of nitrate ions (50-300 mg L -1 ), and contact duration on the nitrate removal process. The dried powder of S. polycystum algae was used in the experiment. The findings indicate that the seaweed S. polycystum has a high capacity to absorb nitrate ions from wastewater, with a maximum absorption capacity of 545.70 mg g -1 of seaweed. The optimal test conditions for nitrate removal were found to be pH of 6, initial biomass of 0.02 g L -1, initial concentration of 300 mg L -1 nitrate ions, and contact duration of 60 minutes. Under these conditions, the nitrate removal rate was 52.8%. The results of this study suggest that S. polycystum macroalgae has a high potential for removing nitrate ions from wastewater. Overall, the use of S. polycystum as a biosorbent for nitrate removal can offer a cost-effective, eco-friendly, and efficient solution for mitigating eutrophication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]