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The development of algorithms for remote sensing of water quality (RSWQ) requires a large amount of in situ data to account for the bio-geo-optical diversity of inland and coastal waters. The GLObal Reflectance community dataset for Imaging and optical sensing of Aquatic environments (GLORIA) includes 7,572 curated hyperspectral remote sensing reflectance measurements at 1 nm intervals within the 350 to 900 nm wavelength range. In addition, at least one co-located water quality measurement of chlorophyll a, total suspended solids, absorption by dissolved substances, and Secchi depth, is provided. The data were contributed by researchers affiliated with 59 institutions worldwide and come from 450 different water bodies, making GLORIA the de-facto state of knowledge of in situ coastal and inland aquatic optical diversity. Each measurement is documented with comprehensive methodological details, allowing users to evaluate fitness-for-purpose, and providing a reference for practitioners planning similar measurements. We provide open and free access to this dataset with the goal of enabling scientific and technological advancement towards operational regional and global RSWQ monitoring., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Background: Retinoblastoma (RB) is the most common primary intraocular malignant tumor in children. RB is mostly caused by biallelic mutations in RB1 and occurs in hereditary and non-hereditary forms according to the "two-hit" theory. RB1 mutations comprise point mutations, indels, large deletions, and duplications. Genetic testing is essential for the comprehensive treatment and management of patients with RB., Aim: The aim was to evaluate RB1 copy number variations (CNVs) using MLPA versus FISH assays in group of Egyptian patients with RB., Results: 16.67% showed an RB1 deletion, abnormal methylation status, or both., Conclusion: Our results suggested MLPA is a fast, reliable, and powerful method and should be used as a first-line screening tool for detecting RB1 CNVs in patients with RB. Moreover, MLPA is advantageous as it evaluates the methylation status/inactivation of RB1, not possible by FISH.

Monitoring wild ungulates such as deer is a highly challenging issue faced by wildlife managers. Wild ungulates are increasing in number worldwide, causing damage to ecosystems. For effective management, the precise estimation of their population size and habitat is essential. Conventional methods used to estimate the population density of wild ungulates, such as the light census survey, are time-consuming with low accuracy and difficult to implement in harsh environments like muddy wetlands. On the other hand, unmanned aerial vehicles are difficult to use in areas with dense tree cover. Although the passive acoustic monitoring of animal sounds is commonly used to evaluate their diversity, the potential for detecting animal positions from their sound has not been sufficiently investigated. This study introduces a new technique for detecting and tracking deer position in the wild using sound recordings. The technique relies on the time lag among three recorders to estimate the position. A sound recording system was also developed to overcome the time drift problem in the internal clock of recorders, by receiving time information from GPS satellites. Determining deer position enables the elimination of repetitive calls from the same deer, thus providing a promising tool to track deer movement. The validation results revealed that the proposed technique can provide reasonable accuracy for the experimental and natural environment. The identification of deer calls in Oze National Park over a period of two hours emphasizes the great potential of the proposed technique to detect repetitive deer calls, and track deer movement. Hence, the technique is the first step toward designing an automated system for estimating the population of deer or other vocal animals using sound recordings.

Recent studies suggest abnormal microRNA (miRNA) expression may have potential prognostic value in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). In this systematic review, we searched different databases (PubMed, ASH, ASCO, and SIOP) for studies published from 2008 to 2018 that evaluated the prognostic impact of miRNAs in childhood ALL. We also used DIANA-miRPath v3.0 to further characterize the functional role of the significant prognostic miRNAs identified in our systematic review. Here we evaluate 15 studies with a total of 38 different miRNAs and 1545 children with B-cell ALL (B-ALL) or T-cell ALL (T-ALL) recruited over approximately 3 decades (1984-2016) with different treatment protocols and ethnicities. Out of the 15 studies examined, 14 reported 32 dysregulated miRNAs with significant prognostic impact in pediatric ALL patients. Only one Brazilian study reported no significant prognostic effect of 7 miRNAs, while the seventh miRNA (miR-100) showed prognostic significance in a Chinese study. Using DIANA-TarBase v7.0 of DIANA-miRPath v3.0, pathway enrichment analysis revealed 25 miRNAs modulated 24 molecular pathways involved in cancer development. To remove the effect of salvage therapy, 9 studies carried out multivariate cox regression analysis for both relapse-free survival and disease-free survival to develop a panel of 23 miRNAs acting as independent prognostic biomarkers. To enhance the clinical application, utility, and validity of the miRNAs discussed here, their potential prognostic value should be confirmed in larger cohort studies within different ethnicities and different ALL protocols adjusted for other contemporary validated prognostic factors in childhood ALL.

This study was performed to evaluate the hepatocyte-derived microRNA (miR)-122 as novel diagnostic biomarker in canine lymphoma. Fifteen dogs were enrolled in this study. Dogs presented at Small Animal Teaching Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University. Dogs were divided into 8 clinically healthy dogs act as control and 7 clinically ill dogs. All dogs were subjected to clinical, ultrasonographic, hemato-biochemical and ultrasound-guided fine-needle biopsy for cytological and histopathological investigations. On the basis of these results, 7 dogs were found to be suffering from multicentric lymphoma involving liver. Serum hepatocyte-derived miRA-122 was determined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction in all dogs. Multicentric lymphoma involving liver manifested by inappetance for several days, depression and peripheral lymphadenopathy. Hematological examination showed significant lymphocytosis. Serum biochemical analysis revealed significant increase in ALT, AST, ALP compared to control dogs. Ultrasonography revealed hypoechoic lymphoid aggregation at area of "porta hepatis" and circumscribed hypoechoic nodule interrupt liver parenchyma. Cytology revealed infiltration of liver tissue by lymphoblast cells and histopathology revealed diffuse infiltration of hepatic sinusoids and portal area by uniform population of small lymphocytes. Serum miRNA-122 analysis showed a significant increase represented as 9.00 fold in canine multicentric lymphoma involving liver. Serum hepatocyte-derived miRNA-122 is of diagnostic value, non invasive, stable and easily measurable blood biomarker for the detection of hepatocellular injury in dogs with multicentric lymphoma involving liver.

Numerous algorithms have been proposed to retrieve chlorophyll- a concentrations in Case 2 waters; however, the retrieval accuracy is far from satisfactory. In this research, seven algorithms are assessed with different band combinations of multispectral and hyperspectral bands using linear (LN), quadratic polynomial (QP) and power (PW) regression approaches, resulting in altogether 43 algorithmic combinations. These algorithms are evaluated by using simulated and measured datasets to understand the strengths and limitations of these algorithms. Two simulated datasets comprising 500,000 reflectance spectra each, both based on wide ranges of inherent optical properties (IOPs), are generated for the calibration and validation stages. Results reveal that the regression approach (i.e., LN, QP, and PW) has more influence on the simulated dataset than on the measured one. The algorithms that incorporated linear regression provide the highest retrieval accuracy for the simulated dataset. Results from simulated datasets reveal that the 3-band (3b) algorithm that incorporate 665-nm and 680-nm bands and band tuning selection approach outperformed other algorithms with root mean square error (RMSE) of 15.87 mg·m -3 , 16.25 mg·m -3 , and 19.05 mg·m -3 , respectively. The spatial distribution of the best performing algorithms, for various combinations of chlorophyll- a (Chla) and non-algal particles (NAP) concentrations, show that the 3b_tuning_QP and 3b_680_QP outperform other algorithms in terms of minimum RMSE frequency of 33.19% and 60.52%, respectively. However, the two algorithms failed to accurately retrieve Chla for many combinations of Chla and NAP, particularly for low Chla and NAP concentrations. In addition, the spatial distribution emphasizes that no single algorithm can provide outstanding accuracy for Chla retrieval and that multi-algorithms should be included to reduce the error. Comparing the results of the measured and simulated datasets reveal that the algorithms that incorporate the 665-nm band outperform other algorithms for measured dataset (RMSE = 36.84 mg·m -3 ), while algorithms that incorporate the band tuning approach provide the highest retrieval accuracy for the simulated dataset (RMSE = 25.05 mg·m -3 )., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

This study investigated the level of platelet malondialdehyde (MDA) as a marker of oxidative stress and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) as an index of antioxidant capacity in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and their relation to glycemic control. The study group consisted of 28 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (10 men and 18 women) with mean age of 48 +/- 2 years. Ten healthy individuals, age and sex matched with the patients, were used as a control group. Laboratory investigations in the form of lipid profile, glycosylated hemoglobin, plasma MDA, platelet MDA and plasma CoQ10 were assessed for all patients and controls. The study revealed that plasma and platelet MDA, as a marker of oxidative stress, were significantly higher in diabetic patients than in controls. The level of CoQ10, as antioxidant capacity, was significantly lower in diabetic patients than in controls. There was a negative correlation between plasma CoQ10 concentrations and glycosylated hemoglobin. Type 2 diabetic patients are at increased risk of oxidative stress manifested by increased plasma MDA as well as platelet MDA and decreased CoQ10, and this oxidative stress increases with poor glycemic control.

Purpose: To identify chromosomal pattern among the major immunophenotypic subgroups in Egyptian children with ALL, and its correlation with clinical presentation and disease free survival., Patients and Methods: Cytogenetic and immunophenotypic analysis were done for all patients. Patients received ALL-PNCI-III/98 chemotherapy protocol used at NCI, Cairo University., Results: The frequency of pseudodiploidy and normal karyotype in the whole group was 42.9% and 33.3% respectively. The frequency of pseudodiploidy was 36.8% in CALLA positive early pre B, 30.7% in pre B cases, 71.4% in T cell cases and 100% in mature B cell cases. At 12 months, DFS was 50% for pseudodiploid group having pre B phenotype, compared to 16.6% for pseudodiploid group with CALLA positive early pre B ALL. Sixteen percent of the studied cases showed T cell phenotype, 71.4% of them showed pseudodiploid karyotype, all of them had high risk features. Hyperdiploidy was found in 31.5% of CALLA positive early pre B cases and was associated with favorable prognostic features and DFS of 66.6% at 12 months. Hyperdiploidy of >50 chromosome represented 62.5% of hyperdipoid cases, 80% of them were CALLA positive early pre B ALL carrying good risk features. Fifty percent of normal karyotypic patients showed pre B phenotype, while 42.8% showed CALLA positive early pre B ALL. Their age, TLC, DFS, were almost comparable., Conclusion: CALLA early pre B phenotype has a positive impact on chromosomal pattern having best outcome among patients with hyperdiploidy. The Pseudodiploid karyotype carries a better outcome with pre B phenotype.

Pubertal stage was assessed in 453 Egyptian boys aged from nine to 17 years. Weights and albumin concentrations were measured and parasites identified from stool samples. The mean age to reach each stage of puberty was significantly delayed in the presence of low albumin levels and parasites. The magnitude of the delay was greater for genital stage 2 than for later stages. Weight was also lower in children with reduced albumin concentration or parasites. Among children of the same age, weight and albumin were positively correlated (P less than 0.001), suggesting that albumin status is involved in the timing of puberty.

Male weanling rats were fed four diets providing high or low levels of protein and/or zinc. One group on each diet was sacrificed every 2 weeks to measure the weights of the reproductive organs, plasma levels of follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone, and the plasma and testicular concentrations of testosterone, dihydrotestosterone and zinc. The results demonstrate that hypogonadal states are produced in response to protein deficiency and zinc deficiency but the mechanisms involved are different. The specific effects of zinc deficiency are not observed in protein-deficient animals.

The effect of feeding a low-protein diet (1%) and its duration (4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks) on the protein content and amino-acid pattern of hair were studied. These changes were compared with control groups fed an adequate protein diet (16%). Protein content of hair was diminished in the protein-deficient rats after four weeks followed by a gradual decrease till the end of the experiment. Sulphur-containing amino acids, cystine and cysteine, were significantly reduced in the hair of the protein-deficient rats when compared with the normal controls. The amino-acid pattern showed significant differences from controls by the end of the whole experimental period.

The mean ages of attainment of successive stages of puberty were estimated in a cross-sectional sample of 453 Egyptian schoolboys from a semi-urban area of Cairo, ranging in age from 9 to 17 years. The stages of puberty were as defined by Tanner (1962). The mean age of onset of puberty (stage 2) was 11.1 years, assessed either by genitalia or by pubic hair. Stage 5 occurred at 16.2 years, again both for genitalia and pubic hair. The time interval between these ages, 5.1 years, was 2 years longer than for British or Chinese boys. There was a highly significant effect of social class on the mean ages of attainment, and the heights and weights of the boys were also related to social class, the class 1 boys being taller and heavier than Tanner's British boys.

Liver enzymes alkaline phosphatase and transaminases (GPT & GOT) were studied in cases of protein-depleted rats. Alkaline phosphatase activities were determined with and without Mg addition to the incumedia, since it is the essential metal for this enzyme. The liver transaminases were also determined before and after pyridoxine injection, which is the coenzyme for this group. Both liver alkaline phosphatase and transaminases activities were increased on protein depletion. The study indicates that the increased activities of liver alkaline phosphatase in protein-depleted animals is suggestive of increased enzyme protein synthesis. On the contrary, high activities of liver transaminases are suggestive to be a result of some regulation mechanisms between the enzyme protein and its coenzyme.

Factors associated with the rickets found in children attending the Outpatients Department of Cairo Children's Hospital have been studied. All the children studied were small for their age with the rachitic children being significantly smaller than the controls. The clinical diagnosis of the disease was confirmed in 54 children by X-ray and plasma biochemistry. The best indicator of the disease was the enlarged epiphysis of the wrist and to a lesser extent that of the ankles. Some of the factors predisposing to rickets were assessed in the rachitic children and in age-matched controls. There was no difference in the nutrient intake of these two groups of children although intakes of energy, calcium and vitamin D, but not of protein, were lower than recommended dietary allowances. Although more of the rachitic children came from urban areas than the controls there were no significant differences in the environments to account for the occurrence of the disease. Factors contributing to the development of rickets are discussed with particular regard to aspects such as low body weight, low maternal vitamin D status and low calcium intakes which cause a high rate of utilization and metabolism of vitamin D.