Search

Abstract Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia in humans, yet the molecular basis of AF remains incompletely understood. To determine the cell type-specific transcriptional changes underlying AF, we perform single-nucleus RNA-seq (snRNA-seq) on left atrial (LA) samples from patients with AF and controls. From more than 175,000 nuclei we find that only cardiomyocytes (CMs) and macrophages (MΦs) have a significant number of differentially expressed genes in patients with AF. Attractin Like 1 (ATRNL1) was overexpressed in CMs among patients with AF and localized to the intercalated disks. Further, in both knockdown and overexpression experiments we identify a potent role for ATRNL1 in cell stress response, and in the modulation of the cardiac action potential. Finally, we detect an unexpected expression pattern for a leading AF candidate gene, KCNN3. In sum, we uncover a role for ATRNL1 which may serve as potential therapeutic target for this common arrhythmia.

Abstract Background Virtual Community of Practices (VCoP) simply is a method to use social media in extension, yet its roots depend on a combination of four concepts: community of practice, social media, social learning theory, and pluralistic extension. The technical action research design was followed to put the VCoP into action and explore its profile. This study aimed to introduce a community of practice using social network applications to policy makers in the agricultural sector. Methodology Action research was conducted to validate the use of a VCoP in the National Campaign of Wheat in Egypt. A baseline survey, a content analysis of VCoP conversations, and an assessment study were used to collect the data. The frequency, range, percentage, mean, and average score were used for statistical analysis. Results The VCoP reached 22.22% and 10.40% of the wheat farmers in the two target villages, respectively. A high degree of knowledge exchange was detected among members, while messages crossed the VCoP borders as friends were invited to join the group. The VCoP helped its members establish new relationships with other stakeholders, and they expressed their need to expand membership to include other stakeholders. The media used in the VCoP was satisfactory; however, the need for more video messages and internet links was expressed. Extension agents believe that the VCoP complements other extension methods. Farmers see greater potential for cooperation than conflict, while bias is minimal among research, extension, traders, and company agents. Conclusions Farmers and other service providers in a village can be aggregated in a VCoP. This approach has proven to be valid as an extension community method for generating and sharing information with high “reach”. Coordination and training are essential for running and managing groups. Yearly programs, rather than seasonal programs, are more suitable for sustainability.

Background: Canine Monocytic Ehrlichiosis (CME) is considered a multisystemic, life-threatening, rickettsial, and tick-borne disease that affects canine species and is caused by Ehrlichia canis (E. canis). Clinical signs of CME vary from asymptomatic to severe illness with three clinical phases. E. canis has the potential to infect humans. Aim: This this study aimed to provide recent information as there are limited data about the disease in Egypt. Therefore, this work was conducted to study the molecular prevalence of E. canis and evaluate the corresponding risk factors, hematology, biochemistry, and molecular characterization of the genus Ehrlichia and E. canis species among Egyptian dogs. Methods: One hundred eighty dogs of both sexes from 3 months to 8 years from different breeds: stray and foreign breeds were examined for clinical signs in all seasons in two delta governorates: El-Dakahlia and El-Gharbia. Blood samples were collected from dogs for microscopic and haemato-biochemical analysis, and then molecular characterization of the genus Ehrlichia and species-specific E. canis was performed, followed by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Results: Out of 180 samples examined by PCR assay, 42 (23.33%) were positive for the genus of Ehrlichia and the species-specific E. canis. Only twenty-four dogs (13.33%) were positive for PCR, infested with ticks, and showed fever, anemia, loss of body weight, pale mucous membrane of gum and conjunctiva, blindness, paralysis, hemoglobinuria, and Melena. The univariate logistic regression revealed that all variables, including age, season, tick infestation, hemorrhage from natural orifices, and ectoparasitic treatments per year, showed statistical significance (P≤ 0.05), except breed and sex, which also didn't exhibit any relation between CME infection in multivariate logistic regression. The presence of morulae inside leukocytes in 66 dogs out of the total examined 180 (36.67%), only 39 (59.1%) were positive for morulae and PCR-positive for E. canis. Dogs positive for E. canis suffered from anemia, severe thrombocytopenia, the absolute value of WBCs and their fractions, ALT, AST, ALKP, γ-GT, total. P, T.BIL, urea, globulin, and creatinine were significantly increased in dogs infected with E. canis when compared to those with negative PCR results, while the levels of albumin and A: G ratios were significantly decreased. Conclusion: The current study proves the existence of E. canis in El-Dakahlia and El-Gharbia governorates, and this is the first large-scale study concerning the epidemiological, clinicopathological examination, molecular characterization, sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis of reported from the center of the Delta of the Nile in Egypt. [Open Vet J 2024; 14(8.000): 1819-1835]

Abstract Background There is insufficient evidence recommending a framework material and a CAD/CAM manufacturing technique for mandibular implant-supported prostheses. The study objective was to evaluate the clinical application of different materials and construction techniques used for mandibular All-on-4 prosthesis on circumferential peri-implant bony changes after 5 years. Methods Thirty-six male patients with all-on-4 mandibular implant-supported prostheses were recalled and divided into three groups. Group PK (patients with frameworks milled from PEEK blocks), Group PSM (patients with frameworks milled from soft metal blocks), and Group SLM (patients with frameworks constructed with additive manufacturing; selective laser melting). The circumferential bone level on all implant faces was assessed with a CBCT. Two-way repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare vertical bone loss (VBL) and horizontal bone loss (HBL) between different groups, implant positions, and observation times followed by Tukey’s multiple comparisons. Results For all observation times, there was a significant difference in VBL between groups for both anterior and posterior implants (P

Abstract The drug efflux pump is a crucial mechanism implicated in resistance to multiple antimicrobials. Thymoquinone (TQ) has evidently demonstrated multiple activities, antibacterial being the most effective. Knowledge about TQ activity against multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is very scarce. Therefore, the present study was conducted to investigate TQ resistance modulation in ciprofloxacin (CIP) and doxycycline (DO) multidrug-resistant S. aureus. Forty-seven samples were collected from different sources, and S. aureus was isolated and identified. Then, S. aureus resistance profiles to antimicrobials, N. sativa essential oil, and TQ; the correlation between TQ-MIC readings and disc diffusion; cartwheel and ethidium bromide (EtBr) accumulation assays; and norA gene expression were all described within silico molecular docking for TQ interactions with norA efflux pump protein. TQ-MICs ranged from 5–320 µg/ml. TQ down-regulated norA gene expression, resulting in a drop in efflux pump activity of 77.5–90.6% in the examined strains, comparable to that observed with verapamil. Exposure of S. aureus strains to CIP and DO raises the initial basal efflux pumping expression to 34.2 and 22.9 times, respectively. This induced efflux pumping overexpression was substantially reduced by 97.7% when TQ was combined with CIP or DO. There was a significant reduction of MICs of CIP and DO MICs by 2–15 and 2–4 folds, respectively, after treatment with 0.5XMIC-TQ in resistance modulation assays. These results refer to TQ ligand inhibitory interactions with NorA protein in molecular docking. Interpretations of inhibition zone diameters (IZDs) of disc diffusion and TQ-MICs exhibit independence of MICs from IZDs, as indicated by invalid linear regression analysis. TQ significantly reduced efflux pumping S. aureus induced by CIP and DO, but further investigations are needed to improve TQ-pharmacokinetics to restore CIP and DO activity and suppress fluoroquinolone and doxycycline-resistant S. aureus selection in clinical and animal settings.

Background This study aims to examine whether a communication skills course (Early Clinical Exposure–ECE) might support shaping medical students’ attitudes towards patient-centered care at Taibah University, Saudi Arabia. Attitudes were measured before and after the course using the Patient Practitioner Orientation Scale (PPOS), which assesses students’ orientation towards patient-centeredness. Methods This prospective observational study collected data at two points: the start of year two and the start of year four from the same cohort. The PPOS, divided into the sharing subscale (physician shares information, power, and control with the patient) and the caring subscale (physician considers the patient’s emotions, preferences, and expectations), was used to evaluate students’ attitudes. Mean scores were calculated, and independent sample t-tests were employed to assess statistical significance. Results Of the students targeted, 153 participated at year two (response rate = 93.5%) and 143 at year four (response rate = 89.5%). Significant progress was observed in the sharing subscale, with scores increasing from 3.23 ± 0.53 to 3.40 ± 0.60 (p = 0.015). However, the caring subscale exhibited a significant decline, with scores dropping from 4.06 ± 0.53 to 3.76 ± 0.68 (p < 0.001). As a result, there was no significant overall change in the total PPOS score (p = 0.282). Female students showed more progress in the sharing subscale than males. Conclusions The communication skills course might have had a positive impact on students’ attitudes towards sharing information in decision-making with patients, but notably, the medical students’ caring attitudes declined. This indicates a need for further emphasis on patient-centered communication, especially on the caring aspects, in the medical curriculum.

Identifying novel natural sources from the marine environment with unique immunomodulatory and antioxidant efficacies is of interest in intensive fish farming. In this sense, marine sponge extract derived from Smenospongia (SS-extract) was tested for its potential anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities during the concurrent infection with Trichodina sp. and Flavobacterium columnare in Nile tilapia. A total of 625 Nile tilapia fingerlings were distributed into five groups: the control group (with no additives) and four groups fed the control diet fortified with SS-extract at 50, 100, 150, and 200 mg/kg, respectively, for 60 days. The parasitic challenge with Trichodina sp was done at the endpoint of the feeding trial and at 7 days post-infection (dpi); the fish were coinfected with F. columnare. A significant improvement in growth-related parameters of Nile tilapia was detected in the groups that received SS-extract at the levels of 150 and 200 mg/kg. The scavenging ability for free radicals (2,2′-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)) was maximized with higher SS-extract supplementation levels. Simultaneously, the antioxidant defense of the Nile tilapia fed 150 and 200 mg/kg was augmented with a decline in oxidation-associated indicators [reactive oxygen species (ROS), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and malondialdehyde (MDA)]. The higher concentrations of SS-extract in the feed potentiated the immune response of Nile tilapia before infection and even after coinfection and was paralleled by a subsiding in the exaggerated inflammatory response after concurrent infection. Concurrently, the mRNA expression of autophagy-encountered genes (Atg5 and 12, LC3-II and BCLN1) had its highest expression in the fish fed the 200 mg/kg diet with the lowest expression of the mTOR gene in the same fish. The lowest infection intensity and rate and mucus score were displayed in fish fed 200 mg/kg SS-extract at 20 dpi. Interestingly, higher levels of SS-extract triggered antimicrobial peptides (upregulation of Hepcidin and β-defensin-1). In contrast, excessive expression of endoplasmic reticulum genes (atf4, JAK1, PERK, and eif2α) in the control infected group was downregulated by 200 mg/kg of SS-extract. The quantification of F. columnare indicated that columnaris coinfection severity displayed its lowest rate in the group supplemented with 200 mg/kg of SS-extract. In conclusion, a strategic siting based on fortification of the diet of Nile tilapia with SS-extract was elucidated to reinforce its immune and antioxidant defenses during a concurrent infection.

Hani Salem Atwa,1,2 Bhagath Kumar Potu,3 Raouf Abdelrahman Fadel,3,4 Abdelhalim Salem Deifalla,3,4 Ayesha Fatima,3 Manal Ahmed Othman,3 Nasir Abdul Latif Sarwani,3 Wael Amin Nasr El-Din3,4 1Medical Education Department, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain; 2Medical Education Department, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt; 3Anatomy Department, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain; 4Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, EgyptCorrespondence: Hani Salem Atwa, Medical Education Department, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain, Tel +97335635809, Email hanysma@agu.edu.bhBackground: Formative assessment with feedback is part of the assessment program in medical education to improve students’ learning. Limited research has focused on its application and impact on practical anatomy education.Methods: This study aimed to examine medical students’ perceptions of formative assessment in practical anatomy sessions of body systems-based educational units and explore its influence on final practical exam performance. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted. Data was collected from 173 Year 2 medical students through a survey that addressed their perception of process and importance of formative assessment and feedback. The survey employed a 5-point Likert scale. Two open-ended questions were appended at the end of the survey. Students’ performance in Unit 3 (where formative assessment was conducted) was compared to their performance in Unit 2 (where no formative assessment was conducted) and with the performance of the previous academic year’s students in Unit 3 (where no formative assessment was conducted). Descriptive statistics were used. The level of statistical significance was set at p-value < 0.05. Responses to open-ended questions (qualitative data) were counted, categorized as themes, and presented as frequencies and percentages.Results: The survey showed high internal consistency, and its validity was established through exploratory factor analysis. Results showed that the mean mark for the unit with formative assessment and feedback was significantly higher than for the units without formative assessment and feedback. Students showed positive perception of formative assessment and feedback conducted after practical anatomy sessions. They reported useful insights regarding the benefits they gained from formative assessment and feedback as well as constructive suggestions for future improvements.Conclusion: The study indicates that students positively perceived formative assessment and feedback sessions after practical anatomy sessions. Findings also refer to a positive effect of formative assessment on students’ performance in summative practical assessment in anatomy.Keywords: anatomy education, anatomy practical sessions, formative assessment, feedback, exam performance

Abstract Background To estimate the diagnostic utility of chest CT qualitative assessment and chest CT total severity score (TSS) to predict mortality in oncology patients with COVID-19 infection. Methods This retrospective study included 151 oncology patients with COVID-19 infection. 67, 84 were male and female, respectively. Their mean age (years) ± SD was 49.7 ± 14.9. Two radiologists individually reviewed the chest CT and scored the pulmonary abnormalities using TSS. Inter-observer agreement was determined using the Bland–Altman plot. Correlation between TSS and COVID-19 severity, complication, mortality, cancer status and effect in anticancer therapy plan was done. Results There was a statistically significant excellent agreement between the independent observers in quantitative pulmonary assessment using TSS with interclass correlation (ICC) > 0.9 (P

Aim: To investigate the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on pain reduction in orthodontic patients during molar distalization. Materials and methods: Twenty patients requiring bilateral maxillary first molar distalization were randomly assigned to two groups: the intervention group (mean age 15.61 ± 1.03 years) received multiple LLLT after every activation of the distalizing appliance (immediately and on the 3rd, 7th, and 14th days) and the control group (mean age 15.64 ± 1.08 years) who did not receive LLLT. Patients reported pain levels every day for 7 days following activation of the appliance using an 11-point numeric rating scale (NRS), then the pain experience of both the intervention and control groups was compared using Mann-Whitney U test. Results: The mean pain scores on the 1st day were higher in the intervention group (9.27 ± 1.01) compared to that of the control group (8.80 ± 1.03). However, the mean pain scores of the intervention group (6.55 ± 1.29, 4.00 ± 1.26, 2.55 ± 1.29, 0.91 ± 1.04, 0.00 ± 0.00 and 0.00 ± 0.00, respectively) were lower than the control group (7.40 ± 1.90, 5.60 ± 2.07, 4.20 ± 1.99, 2.80 ± 1.93, 1.60 ± 1.58 and 0.40 ± 0.84, respectively) from the 2nd to the 7th day. All the differences were not statistically significant except on the 6th day (P-value = 0.003). The peak pain level was experienced by both groups on the 1st day, followed by a statistically significant gradual decrease in pain levels. Patients in the intervention group reported a shorter overall duration of pain. Conclusion: Although LLLT, with the used parameters, reduced the overall duration of pain experience following maxillary first molar distalization, it was not effective during peak pain levels.

Background: Equine influenza (EI) is a transmissible viral respiratory sickness of the Equidae family. Two viruses, H7N7, and H3N8 caused EI, however, H7N7 has not been detected for decades. H3N8 has circulated and bifurcated into Eurasian and American lineages. The latter subsequently diversified into Kentucky, South America, and Florida sub-lineages. Florida clade 1 (FC1) and Florida clade 2 (FC2) strains are the only circulating equine influenza viruses in the meantime. Immunization is considered the major means for the prevention and control of EI infection. Using disparate technologies and platforms, several vaccines have been developed and commercialized. According to the recommendations of the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), all commercial vaccines shall comprise representatives of both FC1 and FC2 strains. Unfortunately, most of the commercially available vaccines were not updated to incorporate a representative of FC2 strains. Aim: The purpose of this research was to develop a new EI vaccine candidate that incorporates the hemagglutinin (HA) antigen from the currently circulating FC2. Methods: In this study, we report the expression of the full-length recombinant HA gene of FC2 in the baculovirus expression system. Results: The HA recombinant protein has been proven to maintain its biological characteristics by hemadsorption and hemagglutination tests. Moreover, using a reference-specific serum, the specificity of the HA has been confirmed through the implementation of immunoperoxidase and western immunoblotting assays. Conclusion: In conclusion, we report the expression of specific biologically active recombinant HA of FC2, which would act as a foundation for the generation of an updated EI subunit or virus vector vaccine candidates. [Open Vet J 2024; 14(1.000): 350-359]

Abstract Background Intermittent fasting (IF) is a commonly used dietary practice that alternates between periods of unrestricted dietary consumption and abstinence from caloric intake. IF reduces caloric intake along with metabolic switch from utilization of glucose to fatty acids and ketones and resulting in reduction in adiposity and subsequently insulin resistance. Thus, it has been hypothesized that IF regimens can improve body composition in obese and overweight individuals. Aim To assess the effect of IF on lipid biokinetics in obese and overweight patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Patients and methods Thirty overweight or obese T2D patients were recruited from the diabetes outpatient clinics at the Specialized Medical Hospital, Mansoura University. Patients were subjected to time restricted fasting for 16 h (from dawn to sunset) during Ramadan. Anthropometric data were measured for participants before and 3 weeks after Ramadan fasting. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), HbA1c, lipid profile, leptin, beta hydroxybutyrate (βHB) and high sensitive CRP levels were measured 1 week before and 3 weeks after Ramadan fasting. Results 30 diabetic patients were recruited with a mean age of 54.3 ± 7.2 years. 24 (80%) were females. Obesity was diagnosed in 27 cases (90%). The median diabetes duration was 10 years. The study showed a statistically significant decrease in post-fasting body weight (BW), Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) & hip circumference (HC). There was a statistically significant decrease of post-fasting low density lipoprotein (LDL-C), Total cholesterol (TC), and leptin. The study also showed a statistically significant increase of post-fasting high density lipoprotein (HDL-C) and βHB. No significant change was found in post-fasting levels of HbA1c, FPG, triglycerides (TG) or high sensitive CRP. Post-fasting leptin was positively correlated with post-fasting BW, BMI, WC, and HC. Post-fasting βHB was positively correlated with post-fasting TG, HbA1c, and LDL-C. Leptin levels change (pre vs post fasting) was positively correlated with the change in LDL-C levels. Conclusion IF reduced leptin and increased β-hydroxybutyrate levels. IF is an effective tool for losing weight and visceral fat and improving lipid profile in obese and overweight patients with T2D.

This research attempts to better understand how students in Saudi Arabia benefit from narrative and story aspects in gamified learning environments. Data from a sample of 500 persons with varying levels of education are analyzed using quantitative methods such as descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis. The findings point to strong positive correlations between the use of gamification in education, the influence of storytelling, narrative variables, and the acquisition of new skills. There has been a significant shift toward the use of narrative variables as measures of mastery in gamified classrooms. This study's results show that using gamified learning with story elements may increase students' interest, motivation, and knowledge retention. Efforts are now being made by Saudi Arabia to update its educational system and provide its youth with the tools they'll need to succeed in the country's emerging knowledge-based economy. The use of game-based learning and narrative-rich experiences has promising results in this setting.

Background: Neurogenic locus notch homology 4 (Notch-4) is crucial in maintaining stem cells. Special AT-rich sequence-binding protein 2 (SATB-2) is a transcription factor that binds to the nuclear matrix and serves various functions, including brain development. Glutaminase-1 (GLS-1) plays a pivotal role in cancer cell metabolism, growth, and proliferation. This study aims to assess the expression of these markers in colorectal cancer, establishing correlations with clinicopathological characteristics and patient survival.Method: In this retrospective study, we retrieved and analyzed 68 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded blocks of primary colorectal adenocarcinoma, not otherwise specified cases, and adjacent normal mucosa. Notch-4, SATB-2 and GLS-1 expressions were analyzed using immunohistochemistry at the Zagazig School of Medicine, Egypt.Results: High expressions of Notch-4 and GLS-1 and low expression of SATB-2 were observed in colonic adenocarcinoma but not in adjacent non-neoplastic mucosa (P < 0.001). High expressions of Notch-4 and GLS-1, along with low expression of SATB-2, were associated with a higher tumor grade, advanced stage (P < 0.001), lymphovascular invasion, lymph node metastasis, and poor disease-free survival and overall survival rates (P < 0.001).Conclusion: High expression of Notch-4 and GLS-1 is correlated with a poor prognosis in colorectal cancer, while high expression of SATB-2 is associated with a favorable prognosis for colorectal carcinoma. These markers can aid in predicting tumor prognosis and guiding targeted therapy for colorectal carcinoma.

Eggs are a rich food source of proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. However, the egg industry faces some challenges such as microbial invasion due to environmental factors, leading to damage and reduced usability. Therefore, detecting the freshness of raw eggs using various technologies, including traditional and non-destructive methods, can overcome these challenges. As the traditional methods of assessing egg freshness are often subjective and time-consuming, modern non-destructive technologies, including near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, computer vision (color imaging), hyperspectral imaging, electronic noses, and nuclear magnetic resonance, have offered objective and rapid results to address these limitations. The current review summarizes and discusses the recent advances and developments in applying non-destructive technologies for detecting raw egg freshness. Some of these technologies such as NIR spectroscopy, computer vision, and hyperspectral imaging have achieved an accuracy of more than 96% in detecting egg freshness. Therefore, this review provides an overview of the current trends in the state-of-the-art non-destructive technologies recently utilized in detecting the freshness of raw eggs. This review can contribute significantly to the field of emerging technologies in this research track and pique the interests of both food scientists and industry professionals.

Periodontitis is an inflammation-related condition, caused by an infectious microbiome and host defense that causes damage to periodontium. The natural processes of the mouth, like saliva production and eating, significantly diminish therapeutic medication residency in the region of periodontal disease. Furthermore, the complexity and diversity of pathological mechanisms make successful periodontitis treatment challenging. As a result, developing enhanced local drug delivery technologies and logical therapy procedures provides the foundation for effective periodontitis treatment. Being biocompatible, biodegradable, and easily administered to the periodontal tissues, hydrogels have sparked substantial an intense curiosity in the discipline of periodontal therapy. The primary objective of hydrogel research has changed in recent years to intelligent thermosensitive hydrogels, that involve local adjustable sol-gel transformations and regulate medication release in reaction to temperature, we present a thorough introduction to the creation and efficient construction of new intelligent thermosensitive hydrogels for periodontal regeneration. We also address cutting-edge smart hydrogel treatment options based on periodontitis pathophysiology. Furthermore, the problems and prospective study objectives are reviewed, with a focus on establishing effective hydrogel delivery methods and prospective clinical applications.

Accurate prediction of electricity generation from diverse renewable energy sources (RES) plays a pivotal role in optimizing power schedules within RES, contributing to the collective effort to combat climate change. While prior research often focused on individual energy sources in isolation, neglecting intricate interactions among multiple sources, this limitation frequently leads to inaccurate estimations of total power generation. In this study, we introduce a hybrid architecture designed to address these challenges, incorporating advanced artificial intelligence (AI) techniques. The hybrid model seamlessly integrates a gated recurrent unit (GRU) and a ResNext model, and it is tuned with the modified jaya algorithm (MJA) to capture localized correlations among different energy sources. Leveraging its nonlinear time-series properties, the model integrates meteorological conditions and specific energy source data. Additionally, principal component analysis (PCA) is employed to extract linear time-series data characteristics for each energy source. Application of the proposed AI-infused approach to a renewable energy system demonstrates its effectiveness and feasibility in the context of climate change mitigation. Results reveal the superior accuracy of the hybrid framework compared to more complex models such as decision trees and ResNet. Specifically, our proposed method achieved remarkable performance, boasting the lowest error rates with a normalized RMSE of 6.51 and a normalized MAPE of 4.34 for solar photovoltaic (PV), highlighting its exceptional precision in terms of mean absolute errors. A detailed sensitivity analysis is carried out to evaluate the influence of every element in the hybrid framework, emphasizing the importance of energy correlation patterns. Comparative assessments underscore the increased accuracy and stability of the suggested AI-infused framework when compared to other methods.

IntroductionProblem-based learning (PBL) tutorials are recognized as an effective strategy for building clinical and research skills in modern-day medical education. Despite the wide adoption of this instructional strategy, worldwide research findings reported noticeable differences in the perceptions towards online versus face-to-face modes of PBL conduction among students and their tutors.MethodsThis cross-sectional analytical study was conducted at the College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University (CMMS-AGU), Kingdom of Bahrain, during the academic year 2022-2023. The study examined the differences in perceptions and preferences among students and tutors regarding online and face-to-face modes of PBL tutorials. The study also compared the performance of 3rd and 4th year medical students who were exposed to PBL tutorials through both modes.ResultsThe performance of students in tutorials in both modes revealed no statistically significant difference. The study found that tutors reported more positive perception toward the face-to-face mode compared to the online mode of conducting PBL tutorials than students, while students reported more positive perception toward the online mode compared to the face-to-face mode of conducting PBL tutorials than tutors. Several advantages and challenges of both modes were recounted by the students and tutors.ConclusionOur study concludes that students were in favor of the online mode of conducting PBL sessions, while tutors were in favor of the face-to-face mode. Comparable performance of students in PBL tutorials implies that the online mode of conducting PBL tutorials might be as effective as the face-to-face mode for meeting teaching objectives and students’ learning outcomes. The difference between perceptions of students and faculty can be attributed to multiple factors including generation difference, previous experiences, and digital literacy. It is recommended that faculty receive proper training for effectively adopting online modes of learning.

Abstract Background Patients and their families get stigmatized and socially excluded due to their fear of COVID-19, which exposes them to psychological discomfort, rage, depression, and anxiety. The purpose of this study was to assess the fear the Egyptian population had of COVID-19 and its risk factors during the pandemic. Methods In this study, 1002 Egyptian adults joined part via a cross-sectional online survey. The survey included questions related to sociodemographic and clinical data, the Health Belief Model (HBM), The Arabic Big Five Personality Inventory (ABFPI), and the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S). Results Marriage status, rural residence, non-medical work, lack of satisfaction with personal information about COVID-19, high perceived severity, perceived benefits of social distance, and high scores of neuroticism significantly increased the risk of fear from COVID-19, while low perceived susceptibility and high conscientiousness were protective factors against the fear of covid-19. Conclusions Personality traits and health beliefs play an important role in COVID-19-related fear during the pandemic. These findings might help in the planning of prevention programs in the future.

Abstract Aim To assess the effect of parental and peer support on children's self‐esteem during the isolation period in COVID‐19‐infected children is the main objective of this study. Design This is a descriptive cross‐sectional study. One hundred ninety children with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID‐19 were included. Methods A survey questionnaire to assess family and children's demographic characteristics was used for this study. A 13‐item scale to assess parental support during the isolation period and a 10‐item scale to assess peers' support during the isolation period were evaluated. Along with it, a 10‐item scale to assess self‐esteem during the isolation period was also measured. Results Home isolation was associated with higher parental and peer support scores than hospital isolation. The mean age of study participants was 13.23 ± 4.05 years; 52.6% were isolated at home versus 47.4% in hospital isolation. Phone calling and WhatsApp/messenger chat were methods of communication for 44.2% and 33.2% of patients, respectively. 6.3% of them had no method of communication. Child self‐esteem was significantly affected by both parental and peer support during isolation. The increase in pronounced negative psychological effects such as disorientation, anger, low self‐esteem and post‐traumatic distress may be caused by a lack of parental care. No patient or public contribution to this study Patients or the general public were not involved in the design, analysis or interpretation of the data in this study. The study's aim and objectives were developed based on children's self‐esteem, which was limited by questionnaire data information, so the researchers completed demographic and disease‐related questionnaires by interviewing them.

This study investigates the geometrical and mechanical properties of two cassava varieties: ‘Newly Elected No. 48’ and ‘Jin Yue HRMUS’. We analyzed various properties, including width, length, geometric diameter, thickness, compression firmness, shape ratio, surface area, shear strength, rupture force, and shear rupture force (SRF), at different moisture content (MC) levels ranging from 35.0 to 80.0% wet basis. Our findings indicate that all mechanical properties of cassava (MPC) were significantly influenced by moisture content within this range. Specifically, as moisture content decreases, the compression rupture force (CRF) increases linearly in the vertical direction, while a quadratic relationship is observed in the horizontal direction, characterized by an initial increase followed by a decrease. Additionally, a quadratic relationship was established between moisture content and firmness. In contrast, shear fracture force and strength exhibited a quadratic relationship that decreased initially and then increased with rising moisture content. Furthermore, both compression and shear fracture forces were significantly higher in the vertical loading direction compared to the horizontal direction. Notably, the ‘Jin Yue HRMUS’ variety demonstrated greater mechanical strength than the ‘Newly Elected No. 48’. These findings provide valuable insights for developing, optimizing, and evaluating cassava harvesting and processing machinery.

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) represents a significant clinical challenge characterized by hepatic dysfunction following exposure to diverse medications. Methotrexate (MTX) is a cornerstone in treating various cancers and autoimmune disorders. However, the clinical utility of MTX is overshadowed by its ability to induce hepatotoxicity. The current study aims to elucidate the hepatoprotective effect of the alcoholic extract of Egyptian Araucaria heterophylla resin (AHR) on MTX-induced liver injury in rats. AHR (100 and 200 mg/kg) significantly decreased hepatic markers (AST, ALT, and ALP), accompanied by an elevation in the antioxidant’s markers (SOD, HO-1, and NQO1). AHR extract also significantly inhibited the TGF-β/NF-κB signaling pathway as well as the downstream cascade (IL-6, JAK, STAT-3, and cyclin D). The extract significantly reduced the expression of VEGF and p38 with an elevation in the BCL2 levels, in addition to a significant decrease in the IL-1β and TNF-α levels, with a prominent effect at a high dose (200 mg/kg). Using LC-HRMS/MS analysis, a total of 43 metabolites were tentatively identified, and diterpenes were the major class. This study presents AHR as a promising hepatoprotective agent through inhibition of the TGF-β/NF-κB and JAK/STAT3 pathways, besides its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

Abstract This article explores the research question: ‘What are ChatGPT’s human-like traits as perceived by society?’ Thematic analyses of insights from 452 individuals worldwide yielded two categories of traits. Category 1 entails social traits, where ChatGPT embodies the social roles of ‘author’ (imitating human phrasing and paraphrasing practices) and ‘interactor’ (simulating human collaboration and emotion). Category 2 encompasses political traits, with ChatGPT assuming the political roles of ‘agent’ (emulating human cognition and identity) and ‘influencer’ (mimicking human diplomacy and consultation). When asked, ChatGPT confirmed the possession of these human-like traits (except for one trait). Thus, ChatGPT displays human-like qualities, humanising itself through the ‘game of algorithms’. It transcends its inherent technical essence and machine-based origins to manifest as a ‘semi-human’ living actor within human society, showcasing the emergence of semi-humans. Therefore, researchers should redirect their attention towards the ‘sociology of semi-humans’ (studying their socio-political traits) beyond the ‘biology of semi-humans’ (examining their technical traits). While medieval society was captivated by mythical semi-human beings (e.g. mermaids), modern society finds itself increasingly captivated by computational semi-human beings like ChatGPT. Ethical concerns arise as semi-humans impersonate human traits without consent or genuine human existence, blurring the boundaries between what is authentically and artificially ‘human’.

Gamal A Atia,1 Hany K Shalaby,2 Ali B Roomi,3,4 Mohamed M Ghobashy,5 Hager A Attia,6 Sara Z Mohamed,7 Ahmed Abdeen,8 Mohamed Abdo,9,10 Liana Fericean,11 Ioan B&abreve;n&abreve;țean Dunea,11 Ahmed M Atwa,12 Tabinda Hasan,13 Wessam Mady,14 Afaf Abdelkader,15 Susan A Ali,16 Ola A Habotta,17 Rehab A Azouz,18 Farag Malhat,19 Mustafa Shukry,20 Tarek Foda,21 Stefania Dinu22 1Department of Oral Medicine, Periodontology, and Diagnosis, Faculty of Dentistry, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt; 2Department of Oral Medicine, Periodontology and Oral Diagnosis, Faculty of Dentistry, Suez University, Suez, Egypt; 3Department of Quality Assurance, University of Thi-Qar, Thi-Qar, Iraq; 4Department of Medical Laboratory, College of Health and Medical Technology, National University of Science and Technology, Thi-Qar, Iraq; 5Radiation Research of Polymer Chemistry Department, National Center for Radiation Research and Technology (NCRRT), Atomic Energy Authority, Cairo, Egypt; 6Department of Molecular Biology and Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt; 7Department of Removable Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt; 8Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Benha University, Toukh, Egypt; 9Department of Animal Histology and Anatomy, School of Veterinary Medicine, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Egypt; 10Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sadat City, Sadat, Egypt; 11Department of Biology and Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture. University of Life Sciences “King Michael I” from Timișoara, Timișoara, Romania; 12Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Egyptian Russian University, Cairo, Egypt; 13Department of Basic Sciences, College of Medicine, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 14Center of Excellence in Genomic Medicine Research, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 15Department of Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Benha University, Benha, Egypt; 16Department of Radiodiagnosis, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Abbassia, 1181, Egypt; 17Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt; 18Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt; 19Department of Pesticide Residues and Environmental Pollution, Central Agricultural Pesticide Laboratory, Agricultural Research Center, Giza, Egypt; 20Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh, Egypt; 21Oral Health Sciences Department, Temple University’s Kornberg School of Dentistry, Philadelphia, PA, USA; 22Department of Pedodontics, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Timisoara, 300041, RomaniaCorrespondence: Gamal A Atia, Department of Oral Medicine, Periodontology, and Diagnosis, Faculty of Dentistry, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, 41522, Egypt, Tel +201026961611, Email gamal_abdelnasser@dent.suez.edu.eg Liana Fericean. Department of Biology and Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Life Sciences “King Michael I” from Timișoara, Calea Aradului 119, CUI 3487181, Romania, Tel +40723085385, Email mihaelafericean@usab-tm.roAbstract: Introducing dental polymers has accelerated biotechnological research, advancing tissue engineering, biomaterials development, and drug delivery. Polymers have been utilized effectively in dentistry to build dentures and orthodontic equipment and are key components in the composition of numerous restorative materials. Furthermore, dental polymers have the potential to be employed for medication administration and tissue regeneration. To analyze the influence of polymer-based investigations on practical medical trials, it is required to evaluate the research undertaken in this sector. The present review aims to gather evidence on polymer applications in dental, oral, and maxillofacial reconstruction.Keywords: polymers, regeneration, oral, dental, maxillofacial

Abstract Background Endometriosis affects women in reproductive age and causes a great impact on their lives. When affecting the ovary, excision represents the main management option. However, recurrence represents a challenging situation for patients and physicians. This study aimed to determine factors contributing to endometriomas recurrence after surgical excision. Results This was a quasi-experimental study recruiting 60 patients with ovarian endometrioma. The mean age was 30.33 ± 7.95 years. The mean parity was 1.27 ± 0.69. The recurrence rate after excision was 11/60 (18.3%) after a mean follow-up period of 22.62 ± 4.96 months. None of the patients’ characteristics or endometriosis-related characteristics were significant factors contributing to cyst recurrence (age, parity, history of infertility, preoperative endometrioma diameter, preoperative AFC, preoperative AMH, degree of pelvic pain, degree of dysmenorrhea, degree of dyspareunia, pelvic tenderness, and induration) (p value > 0.05). Conclusion The patient’s related factors and endometrioma characteristics did not predict its recurrence.

Background: The target of vaccination is to encourage a strong, covering and long-lasting immune response against antigens. For achieving these objectives; effective adjuvant and new vaccine strategies are demanded to make the vaccine sufficiently immunogenic to instigate a powerful immune response Aim: This study was completed for elaboration and evaluation of freeze-dried combined vaccine against both Rift Valley fever (RVF) and Bovine Ephemeral Fever (BEF) viruses using different stabilizers. Methods: Three formulae were prepared from such vaccine including: formula (1): stabilized with a mixture of 5% Lactalbumin Hydrolysate and 2.5% sucrose, formula (2): stabilized with a mixture of 50% the previous stabilizer and 50% of 1% Carbopol and formula (3): stabilized with 1% Carbopol solution. Samples of the three vaccine formulae were reconstituted on the time of experimental animal vaccination using saponin diluent which acts as an adjuvant for both RVFv and BEFv and as inactivator BEF virus. The ratio between both viruses in all vaccine formulae was 1:1. Results: All vaccine batches were proved to be free of any foreign contaminants and unharmed for experimentally vaccinated animals. Each of three groups of calves was vaccinated S/C with 2ml of a reconstituted vaccine formula and their immune response was evaluated using serum neutralization test (SNT). The gained results revealed that the prepared combined freeze-dried vaccine with Carbopol elicited better humoral immune response than the other two vaccine formulae. Conclusion: It could be recommended to use Carbopol as a stabilizer for preparation of the aimed vaccine. [Open Vet J 2023; 13(7.000): 826-833]

Antibiotics represent a frequently employed therapeutic modality for the management of bacterial infections across diverse domains, including human health, agriculture, livestock breeding, and fish farming. The efficacy of antibiotics relies on four distinct mechanisms of action, which are discussed in detail in this review, along with accompanying diagrammatic illustrations. Despite their effectiveness, antibiotic resistance has emerged as a significant challenge to treating bacterial infections. Bacteria have developed defense mechanisms against antibiotics, rendering them ineffective. This review delves into the specific mechanisms that bacteria have developed to resist antibiotics, with the help of diagrammatic illustrations. Antibiotic resistance can spread among bacteria through various routes, resulting in previously susceptible bacteria becoming antibiotic-resistant. Multiple factors contribute to the worsening crisis of antibiotic resistance, including human misuse of antibiotics. This review also emphasizes alternative solutions proposed to mitigate the exacerbation of antibiotic resistance.

IntroductionEthics and professionalism in the health professions reflect how health professionals behave during practice, based on their professional values and attitudes. Health professions education institutions have implemented various strategies for teaching ethics and professionalism, including interprofessional education. The aim of the study was to evaluate the perception of undergraduate health professions students about the outcomes of an online interprofessional course in ethics and professionalism as well as their perception of interprofessional education and the importance of ethics and professionalism after taking the course.MethodsThis is a descriptive cross-sectional study that targeted medical, dentistry, and pharmacy students. A researcher-made 31-item questionnaire was used. The questionnaire was tested for face, content, and construct validity. Reliability of the questionnaire was estimated by Cronbach alpha test. Descriptive statistics were used. T-test was performed to compare the results of male and female students and ANOVA was performed to compare the results of medical, dentistry, and pharmacy students. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.ResultsFactor analysis of the questionnaire yielded three factors, namely course evaluation, perception of interprofessional education, and importance of ethics and professionalism in health professions education. The study participants expressed positive perceptions of all aspects of the course. They reported positive perceptions of interprofessional education, highlighting its benefits in enhancing understanding, teamwork skills, and respect for other healthcare professionals. The findings reveal some program-related differences in participants’ responses, where medical students showed higher ratings of all aspects of the course, interprofessional education and importance of ethics and professionalism.ConclusionStudents of the three programs showed positive perceptions of the online IPE course on ethics and professionalism as well as the benefits of IPE and the importance of ethics and professionalism. This highlights the effectiveness of the course in addressing such important aspects of health professions education.

Given the proven zoonotic potential of the intestinal protozoan Blastocystis sp., a fast-growing number of surveys are being conducted to identify potential animal reservoirs for transmission of the parasite. Nevertheless, few epidemiological studies have been conducted on farmed animals in Egypt. Therefore, a total of 1089 fecal samples were collected from herbivores (sheep, goats, camels, horses, and rabbits) in six Egyptian governorates (Dakahlia, Gharbia, Kafr El Sheikh, Giza, Aswan, and Sharqia). Samples were screened for the presence of Blastocystis sp. by real-time PCR followed by sequencing of positive PCR products and phylogenetic analysis for subtyping of the isolates. Overall, Blastocystis sp. was identified in 37.6% of the samples, with significant differences in frequency between animal groups (sheep, 65.5%; camels, 62.2%; goats, 36.0%; rabbits, 10.1%; horses, 3.3%). Mixed infections were reported in 35.7% of the Blastocystis sp.-positive samples. A wide range of subtypes (STs) with varying frequency were identified from single infections in ruminants including sheep (ST1–ST3, ST5, ST10, ST14, ST21, ST24, ST26, and ST40), goats (ST1, ST3, ST5, ST10, ST26, ST40, ST43, and ST44), and camels (ST3, ST10, ST21, ST24–ST26, ST30, and ST44). Most of them overlapped across these animal groups, highlighting their adaptation to ruminant hosts. In other herbivores, only three and two STs were evidenced in rabbits (ST1–ST3) and horses (ST3 and ST44), respectively. The greater occurrence and wider genetic diversity of parasite isolates among ruminants, in contrast to other herbivores, strongly suggested that dietary habits likely played a significant role in influencing both the colonization rates of Blastocystis sp. and ST preference. Of all the isolates subtyped herein, 66.3% were reported as potentially zoonotic, emphasizing the significant role these animal groups may play in transmitting the parasite to humans. These findings also expand our knowledge on the prevalence, genetic diversity, host specificity, and zoonotic potential of Blastocystis sp. in herbivores.

The biodeterioration of wooden cultural heritage is a severe problem worldwide and fungi are the main deteriorating agents. The identification of effective natural products, safer for humans and the environment, is a current challenge. Ten deteriorated archaeological objects (a wooden statue of a seated man, an anthropoid wooden coffin with a cartonnage mummy of Nespathettawi, and a wooden box of Padimen’s son), stored at the Egyptian museum in Cairo, were considered here. The wood species of the three most deteriorated objects were previously identified as Acacia nilotica, Ficus sycomorus, and Tamarix gennessarensis. Twenty-six fungal species were isolated and identified from the wooden objects and the four most frequent species belonged to the genus Aspergillus. Fourteen fungal species among those isolated showed the greatest biodeterioration activity on the experimental wood blocks of the archaeological objects. The antifungal activities of several eco-friendly plant essential oils (from cinnamon, eucalyptus, frankincense, geranium, lavender, lemongrass, menthe, rosemary, tea tree, and thyme) and plant extracts (from basil, eucalyptus, henna, melia, and teak) were tested against the fungal species with the greatest biodeterioration activity. The essential oils (Eos) were more effective than the plant extracts. Thyme EO, followed by geranium and cinnamon ones, was the most active (minimum inhibitory concentrations: 0.25–1 µL/mL). These EO; also showed inhibitory effects on the enzymatic activities (cellulase, amylase, and protease) of the four most dominant fungal species. Thymol and p-cymene were the two main components of thyme oil, while geraniol and beta-citronellol were those of geranium oil; eugenol and caryophyllene were those of the cinnamon EO. Thyme oil applied to the most deteriorated experimental aged A. nilotica wooden cubes inoculated with the four highly frequent fungal species was effective in wood preservation. Moreover, no significant interference was observed in the wood before and after thyme treatment. Thyme oil seems to be a promising eco-friendly antifungal agent for the preservation of archaeological wooden artefacts.

Cassava is a staple crop in developing countries because its starchy roots provide essential dietary carbohydrates. The aim of this research was to conduct a comprehensive inquiry and scientific evaluation of the nutritional value of cassava tubers. Eight nutritional characteristics were examined in native and imported cassava variants: starch, reduced sugar, anthocyanins, protein, dietary fiber, quinic acid, vitamin C, and dry matter content. Principal component analysis (PCA) was conducted to minimize the dimensionality of the nutritional markers. A scientific assessment technique was developed to calculate a composite score for the various cassava samples. Analysis of the data revealed noticeable variance among the samples’ nutritional indicators, suggesting varying degrees of association. Starch had a substantial positive link with lower sugar, protein, and dry matter content (p < 0.01). Anthocyanins and quinic acid interacted favorably (p < 0.05), and a positive link between protein and dry matter content was observed (p < 0.05); however, protein and dietary fiber interacted negatively (p < 0.05). The contribution rate of the top three PCA factors was over 76%, demonstrating that these factors incorporated the primary information acquired from the eight original nutritional indices, while maintaining excellent representativeness and impartiality. The experimental results showed a preliminary nutritional grade for 22 cassava tuber samples. The top five types were Guangxi Muci, Gui Cassava 4, Glutinous Rice Cassava, Huifeng 60, and Dongguan Hongwei. In the cluster analysis, the levels of similarity between the data showed that the 22 types of cassava tubers could be grouped into five categories, each with their own set of nutrients. This study promotes the directed breeding of cassava species and offers a theoretical foundation for creating and using various cassava varieties. Furthermore, this work lays the groundwork for a systematic and dependable technique for the quality assessment, comprehensive evaluation, and reasonable classification of cassava species and similar crops.

Hani Atwa,1,2 Enjy Abouzeid,2,3 Nahla Hassan,2 Asmaa Abdel Nasser2,4 1Medical Education Department, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain; 2Medical Education Department, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt; 3Faculty of Medicine, Ulster University, Londonderry, UK; 4Health Professions Education Center, Ibn Sina National College for Medical Studies, Jeddah, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Hani Atwa, Medical Education Department, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain, Tel +97335635809, Email hanysma@agu.edu.bh; doctorhani2000@yahoo.comBackground: In interprofessional learning, students from different professions learn about, from, and with each other so that they can collaborate effectively, deliver high-quality healthcare, and achieve positive health outcomes. This study aimed to explore the readiness of students from four health professions education programs for interprofessional learning.Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out on 339 students. The Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale (RIPLS) was used to collect data. Descriptive statistics were used. Paired-samples t-test and ANOVA test were used to compare the responses of participants. Correlations between dependent and independent variables were explored by Pearson’s correlation test. The statistical significance level was set at p < 0.05.Results: The reliability study of the collected data showed excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s ɑ = 0.819). Results revealed a statistically significant difference between the responses of students from the four programs regarding the “Roles and Responsibilities” subscale (p = 0.000). A statistically significant difference between male and female students regarding two statements within the “Teamwork and Collaboration” subscale and one statement within the “Negative Professional Identity” subscale (p < 0.05) was also detected. The correlation study showed a weak but statistically significant correlation between RIPLS mean scores and the students’ study program (p < 0.015).Conclusion: In conclusion, the students showed readiness for IPL as evidenced by their positive perception of the interprofessional learning concepts.Keywords: RIPLS, interprofessional learning, health professions students, readiness for interprofessional learning

Abstract Background In concert with international commitments, the Government of Kenya identified Universal Health Coverage (UHC), mainly through the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), as one of its four priority agenda to enable its populations access health care without financial duress. Nevertheless, only about 19.5% of the Kenyan population is enrolled in any insurance health cover. Since 2016, Amref Health Africa and PharmAccess Foundation have been implementing the Innovative Partnership for Universal and Sustainable Healthcare (iPUSH) programme in Navakholo sub-county of Kakamega County. The main objective of this study is to examine use of health insurance cover among Women of Reproductive Age (WRA) in Navakholo sub-county, Kakamega County. Methods We analysed data captured during household registration conducted in February 2021 which embraced a question on use of health insurance cover including NHIF. The dataset consisted 148,957 household members within 32,262 households, 310 villages, and 32 community health units. The data had been collected using mobile phones by trained Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) and transmitted using the Amref electronic data management platform and reposited in a server. Data were analysed through frequency distributions and logistic regression (descriptive and causal methods) using STATA software. Results Insurance coverage, all providers included, in Navakholo sub-county stood at 11% among women aged 15–49 years. This is much lower than the national aggregate reported from sample surveys, but higher than the 7% found in the same survey for the region where Navakholo is situated. Social determinant variables – age, perceived condition of the household, and wealth ranking – are highly significant in the relationship with use of health insurance cover while measures of reproductive health and health vulnerability are not. Conclusion In Navakholo sub-county of Western Kenya, all—health-insurance coverage is lower than the national aggregate estimated from sample surveys. Age, perception of household condition, and wealth ranking are very significantly related to use of a health insurance cover. Frequent household registrations should be conducted to help monitor the trends and impact of health insurance campaigns. Training – upstream and downstream – on community household registration and data processing should be conducted to arrive at better quality data.

Background: Warts are viral cutaneous infections caused by human papilloma virus (HPV), presented by verrucous growth over the skin surface. The cell mediated immune response is considered to play a crucial role in HPV clearance. The viral load and number of lesions increase when there is an imbalance between the T-helper 1 and T-helper 2 immune responses. Interleukin (IL)-19 is a cytokine that belongs to interleukin 10 cytokines family and constitutes a sub-family with IL-20, IL-22 and IL-24. IL-19 is mainly produced by activated monocytes and to a lesser extent by B-cells, keratinocytes and fetal membranes. IL-19 was found to shift T-cell maturation away from the pro-inflammatory T-helper 1 cells toward the anti-inflammatory T-helper 2 cells. It induces IL-4 and IL-13 production in T cells and apoptosis in monocytes. Aim: This study aimed to measure serum level of IL-19 in patients with warts compared to healthy controls and to find out the correlation between this level and number, size and clinical types of warts. Methods: The study included 50 patients with warts and 50 control subjects. Serum concentration of IL-19 was measured by enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay. Results: Interleukin-19 serum level was significantly lower in patients with warts than in controls (P < 0.003). Moreover, there was a significant positive correlation between IL-19 serum level and the number of warts (P = 0.027). Conclusion: Serum level of IL-19 was significantly lower in patients with warts, and this low level might be crucial for an effective cell mediated immunological response to HPV.

Background: Endometrial cancer (EC) is a common gynecological cancer ranks as fifth cancer worldwide and the tenth common cancer in Egypt. Termed DEL-1 (EGF like repeats and discoid domains 3), is an embryonic endothelial cell protein. EDIL3 was associated with regulation of angiogenesis. SOX (sex-determining region Y-related high-mobility-group box transcription factor). SOX4 expression was altered in many human cancers. This research aimed to study the expression of EDIL3, SOX4 in EC in atrial to explore their relationship with clinicopathological parameters prognostic and treatment outcome.Method: This retrospective study included 50 paraffin blocks of cases of endometrial adenocarcinoma (endometroid type) with different grades which were selected from the archives of the Pathology Department, Zagazig University, Egypt during a period from January 2015 to last of December 2019. The expression of EDIL3, SOX4 was evaluated using immunohistochemistry.Results: 56% of the studied patients were >45 years old. 54% had well-differentiated adenocarcinoma, and 56% absent lymph node metastasis. EDIL3 and SOX4 expression is found in 70% and 84% of the studied patients. A statistically significant relation was detected between EDIL 3 and tumor grade, stage, lympho-vascular invasion (LVI), and lymph node metastasis (P value was 0.001,

Energy saving is a major requirement in the design of routing algorithms to maximize the throughput and lifetime of wireless sensor networks. To address this requirement, this work proposes a routing algorithm based on a novel Reposition Particle Swarm Optimization (RPSO) algorithm and a new fitness function. The role of the RPSO algorithm is to salvage particles that may have fallen into local minima, if any. The algorithm is evaluated using three types of benchmark functions, namely unimodal, multimodal, and rotated multimodal. The evaluation results demonstrate that RPSO outperforms native Particle Swarm Optimization and Particle Swarm Optimization with Levy Flight in terms of convergence speed and global optimum identification. The proposed RPSO is then employed to develop an efficient routing algorithm. The routing algorithm is tested in terms network lifetime, number of dead sensor nodes, energy consumption, and number of packets delivered to base station, against four competitive Meta-Heuristic algorithms. The test results clearly indicate that the routing algorithm outperforms all the competitive algorithms for all the performance metrics. In particular, it achieves 14% to 29% higher network lifetime, 52% to 58% less dead sensor nodes, 61% to 70% less energy consumption, and 13% to 36% more throughput.

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a common environmental pollutant that poses a major hazard to both humans and animals. Acacia senegal (Gum) is well-known for having antioxidant and anti-inflammatory bioactive compounds. Our study aimed to scout the nephroprotective effects of Acacia gum (Gum) against AFB1-induced renal damage. Four groups of rats were designed: Control, Gum (7.5 mg/kg), AFB1 (200 µg/kg b.w) and AFB1-Gum, rats were co-treated with both Gum and AFB1. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis was done to determine the phytochemical constituents in Gum. AFB1 triggered profound alterations in kidney function parameters (urea, creatinine, uric acid, and alkaline phosphatase) and renal histological architecture. Additionally, AFB1 exposure evoked up-regulation of mRNA expression levels of inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and nuclear factor kB p65 (NF-κB/P65) in renal tissue. The oxidative distress and apoptotic cascade are also instigated by AFB1 intoxication as depicted in down-regulated protein expression of the nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (Nrf2) and superoxide dismutase type 1 (SOD1) along with upregulation of cytochrome c (Cyto c), and cleaved Caspase3 (Casp3–17 and 19) in renal tissue. In conclusion, current study obviously confirms the alleviating effects of Gum supplementation against AFB1-induced renal dysfunction, oxidative harm, inflammation, and cell death. These mitigating effects are suggested to be attributed to Gum's antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Our results recommend Gum supplementation as add-on agents to food that might aid in protection from AFB1-induced nephrotoxicity.

A non-invasive XRD-XRF portable system for Archaeometry based on Angle and Energy Dispersive XRD (Hybrid XRD) plus XRF has been previously proposed by the authors. It gathers an attractive compromise between analytical performance and measurement time, as well as a higher energy penetration with respect to conventional Angle Dispersive XRD (ADXRD). Penetration to inside layers, usually perceived as an inconvenient for non-invasive portable XRF or XRD analyzer, can instead be informative for the proposed hybrid XRD-XRF system to perform depth profiling analysis. This hybrid configuration harness from the redundancy of the data, in the sense that a single XRF or XRD specimen, taken at the same sample point, appears in multiple spectrograms to account for data counting statistics. On this work, the performance of the system on standard reference material, as well as the identification of pigments in the surface layer of paintings is evaluated. Specific Hybrid data processing was conceived to examine the layer structure of the painting, by distinguishing signal patterns of the exposed and the under layers. The system is ventured for the first time to the study of pictorial artworks in coffin and cartonnage samples from ancient Egyptian sarcophagi. Prussian blue pigment in a modeled painting is also discussed.

Introduction: Aluminium (Al) is accumulated in the brain causing neurotoxicity and neurodegenerative disease like Alzheimer's disease (AD), multiple sclerosis, autism and epilepsy. Hence, attenuation of Al-induced neurotoxicity has become a “hot topic“ in looking for an intervention that slow down the progression of neurodegenerative diseases.Objective: Our study aims to introduce a new strategy for hampering aluminum chloride (AlCl3)-induced neurotoxicity using a combination of sesamol with the probiotic bacteria; Lactobacillus rhamnosus (L. rhamnosus) and also to test their possible ameliorative effects on AlCl3-induced hepatotoxicity.Methods: Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly divided into five groups (n = 10/group) which are control, AlCl3, AlCl3 + Sesamol, AlCl3 + L. rhamnosus and AlCl3 + Sesamol + L. rhamnosus. We surveilled the behavioral, biochemical, and histopathological alterations centrally in the brain and peripherally in liver.Results: This work revealed that the combined therapy of sesamol and L. rhamnosus produced marked reduction in brain amyloid-β, p-tau, GSK-3β, inflammatory and apoptotic biomarkers, along with marked elevation in brain free β-catenin and Wnt3a, compared to AlCl3-intoxicated rats. Also, the combined therapy exerted pronounced reduction in hepatic expressions of JAK-2/STAT-3, inflammatory (TNF-α, IL-6, NF-κB), fibrotic (MMP-2, TIMP-1, α-SMA) and apoptotic markers, (caspase-3), together with marked elevation in hepatic PPAR-γ expression, compared to AlCl3 -intoxicated rats. Behavioral and histopathological assessments substantiated the efficiency of this combined regimen in halting the effect of neurotoxicity.Discussion: Probiotics can be used as an add-on therapy with sesamol ameliorate AlCl3 -mediated neurotoxicity and hepatotoxicity.

Mohamed Hany Shehata,1,2 Archana Prabu Kumar,3 Ahmed Mohammed Al Ansari,3 Abdelhalim Deifalla,4,5 Hani Salem Atwa3,5 1Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, Manama, Bahrain; 2Helwan University Faculty of Medicine, Cairo, Egypt; 3Medical Education Unit, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, Manama, Bahrain; 4Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, Manama, Bahrain; 5Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal, University, Ismailia, EgyptCorrespondence: Archana Prabu Kumar, Medical Education Unit, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, Manama, Bahrain, Tel +973 33854782 ; +919962006869, Email archanaprabukumar@gmail.com; archanak@agu.edu.bhBackground: World Health Organization Collaborating Centres (WHOCCs) cooperate with the WHO on a range of strategic areas such as nursing, nutrition, mental health, chronic diseases, education, and health technologies, depending on their speciality areas. As of 2021, WHO has 47 CCs in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) collaborating on diverse areas. Four CCs in the EMR located in Egypt, Kingdom of Bahrain, Sudan, and Pakistan focus primarily on medical education (ME).Objective: The objective of this review of the literature is to describe the best practices in ME based on published research from the four WHOCCs in EMR. The secondary objective is to classify them based on the level of Kirkpatrick’s model (KM) of educational outcomes.Methods: The contributions of WHOCCs are categorised in to five domains namely “Curriculum Development and Course Design”, “Student Assessment”, “Quality, Accreditation, and Program Evaluation”, “Teaching and Learning” and “Innovation in Medical Education”. Initial extraction yielded 96 articles for review, while the second level of analysis reduced the number of publications to 37 based on the date of publication within the last 5 years. Numerous best practices in ME emerged from the recently published works of these WHOCCs in the areas of learning and teaching, curriculum development, innovations in medical education, quality, and assessments in medical education. Literature from the WHOCCs on assessment and curriculum design are limited, possibly indicating opportunities for additional research.Conclusion: The researchers conclude that the WHOCCs in the EMR show transformational impact on all principal areas of research and at multiple levels.Keywords: WHOCC, ME, EMR, best practice, research domains, educational outcomes

Adla Bakri Hassan,1 Amgad El-Agroudy,1 Mohamed Hany Shehata,2,3 Maryam Abdulla Almoawda,4 Hani Salem Atwa5,6 1Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain; 2Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain; 3Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt; 4Medical Intern, Salmaniya Medical Complex, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain; 5Department of Medical Education, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain; 6Medical Education Department, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, EgyptCorrespondence: Hani Salem Atwa, Department of Medical Education, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain, Tel +973 35635809, Email hanysma@agu.edu.bh; doctorhani2000@yahoo.comBackground: The COVID-19 pandemic had serious implications on medical schools’ programs that necessitated lots of adaptations of teaching, learning, and assessment to guarantee continuity of education in medical schools. Our study aimed to evaluate perspectives of clerkship students and faculty members regarding clinical teaching adaptations implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional, survey-based study was conducted and targeted 5th and 6th year clerkship students and full- and part-time clinical faculty. The survey explored (1) perception of the degree of contribution of implemented adaptations to student achievement of expected clinical competencies, (2) degree of confidence regarding students’ achievement of expected clinical competencies through such adaptations, and (3) perception of the effect of implemented educational adaptations on students’ learning. Descriptive statistics were used, and statistical significance level was set at p < 0.05.Results: The survey exhibited high internal consistency. Both students and faculty members felt that most of the adaptations had moderate to high contribution to student achievement of expected clinical competencies. On a 5-point scale, the highest score was given by faculty members to “Interpretation of investigations” (3.93± 0.84) while the lowest scores were given by faculty members (3.10± 1.21) and students (2.57± 1.36) to “Performing clinical procedures”. Students and faculty members agreed that the adaptations had positive effect on students’ learning except for the statement “Students were able to easily monitor their academic progress” where students gave less scores than faculty members, with a statistically significance difference (p=0.029).Conclusion: Students and faculty members had similar perspectives regarding the implemented adaptations and their impact and contribution to student learning and achievement of the basic clinical competencies. Both of them agreed on the need for and importance of the implemented adaptations. Our findings recommend such adaptations during the times of crises, which can be conducted through integrating online teaching with face-to-face teaching.Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic, educational adaptations, medical clerkship

Most existing applications have a large number of evolving data streams. Clustering data streams is still a critical problem for these applications as the data are evolving and changes over time. Most existing algorithms are unsupervised learning in which background information is useless. This paper proposes an active clustering algorithm for data stream based on the affinity propagation method, referred to as AAPStream. The affinity propagation aims to identify exemplars and create clusters based on these exemplars. Thus, the objective is to get the most informative exemplars to create the streaming model and predict the new arrival data. We conduct a set of experiments on real-world datasets to compare our algorithm with a state-of-the-art algorithm, and the experimental results show the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.

Abstract Background COVID-19’s after-effects among survivors are of increased concern. The cognitive aftermath of COVID-19 virus infection was underrated. This study aimed to identify and compare the cognitive impairment (CI) and its correlates among COVID-19 survivors and control subjects. A total of 85 adults who survived COVID-19 virus infection and an equal number of control subjects (matched for age, sex, education, and socioeconomic level) were included in this study. They were recruited from Zagazig University Hospitals, Sharkia Province, Egypt. All subjects were interviewed utilizing a semistructured demographic and clinical checklist, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test, and the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS). Results More than half of COVID-19 survivors experienced CI (compared to only 8% of control subjects). Individuals who survived COVID-19 virus infection were more likely to have impairments in visuo-executive functions (OR: 0.3, 95% CI 0.2–0.5), attention (OR: 0.4, 95% CI 0.3–0.7), language (OR: 0.2, 95% CI 0.1–0.5), delayed recall (OR: 0.5, 95% CI 0.4–0.6), and total MoCA Scores (OR: 0.1, 95% CI 0.04–0.2). Among COVID-19 survivors, those who experienced CI were likely to be older (OR: 1.1, 95% CI 1.03–1.2), and of low-to-moderate education (OR: 4.9, 95% CI 1.6–15.1). Conclusions CI was prevalent among COVID-19 survivors. The visuo-executive functions, attention, language, and delayed recall were the most affected domains. Older age and lower educational level predicted CI in COVID-19 survivors.

Mona Arekat,1 Mohamed Hany Shehata,2,3 Abdelhalim Deifalla,4,5 Ahmed Al-Ansari,6 Archana Kumar,6 Mohamed Alsenbesy,1,7 Hamdi Alshenawi,8 Amgad El-Agroudy,1 Mariwan Husni,9,10 Diaa Rizk,11 Abdelaziz Elamin,12 Afif Ben Salah,2 Hani Atwa6,13 1Internal Medicine Department, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain; 2Family and Community Medicine Department, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain; 3Family Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt; 4Anatomy Department, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, Manama, Bahrain; 5Human Anatomy and Embryology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt; 6Medical Education Unit, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, Manama, Bahrain; 7Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt; 8Surgery Department, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, Manama, Bahrain; 9Psychiatry Department, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, Manama, Bahrain; 10Psychiatry Department, Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM), Ontario, Canada; 11Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, Manama, Bahrain; 12Pediatrics Department, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, Manama, Bahrain; 13Medical Education Department, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, EgyptCorrespondence: Mohamed Hany Shehata, Family and Community Medicine Department, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain, Tel +97333918183, Email mohamedhks@agu.edu.bhBackground: The COVID-19 pandemic led to profound restrictions on the face-to-face learning and assessment in all educational institutions, particularly the medical schools. The College of Medicine and Medical Sciences of the Arabian Gulf University (CMMS-AGU) conducted the final exams, both theoretical and clinical components, for its MD students online. This study was conducted to evaluate the utility of online clinical exams held at CMMS-AGU.Methods: This is a cross-sectional, mixed method study that included samples from final year medical students, examiners, and heads of clinical departments. Data were collected through surveys, structured interviews, documents’ review, and calculation of online examination’s psychometrics. Descriptive statistics were used. Quantitative data were presented in the form of means and standard deviations. Responses of heads of clinical departments in the structured interview were transcribed and analyzed thematically based on three pre-established themes.Results: Quantitative and qualitative data on the utility (validity, reliability, acceptability, educational impact, and cost and feasibility) of online objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) were collected. Content validity of the online clinical examination was established through high mean scores of content representativeness, which was confirmed by the heads of clinical departments regarding the proper coverage of clinical skills. Criterion validity was established through a high correlation between clinical and theoretical exam results (r = 0.75). Reliability of the exam was established through an acceptable Cronbach’s alpha value (0.70 to 0.78) over the four days of the examinations. The examinations were perceived as highly acceptable by both students and examiners. High educational impact was inferred from students’ responses and review of documents. The examination was found to be feasible and of reasonable cost.Conclusion: Online OSCE might be a good alternative of conventional clinical assessments in times of crises and impossibility of having in-person contact between students, examiners, and patients. An important major drawback is still present in such initiatives, which is the inability to assess students’ physical examination skills.Keywords: online clinical assessment, exam utility, OSCE, COVID-19

Background: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most prevalent malignancy of kidney. Snail is a zinc-finger transcription factor, associated with advanced tumor stage and poor prognosis of RCC. Insulin-like mRNA-binding protein3 (IMP3) immunopositivity predicts metastatic progression and patients’ survival in RCC. Aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1) is a stem cell marker, expressed in many different solid tumors of bladder, pancreas, colon, and kidney. The present study aimed to assess the diagnostic value of Snail, IMP3, and ALDH1 expression in clear cell, papillary, and chromophobe variants of RCC. Method: This retrospective study included 50 tissue blocks of RCC cases (35 clear cells, along with 11 papillary and four chromphobe carcinomas). Immunohistochemical staining was evaluated using antibody against Snail, IMP3, and ALDH1 in all the cases. Results: Snail was observed to be 74.3% in clear cell RCC and 18.2% in papillary, but negatively expressed in all chromophobe carcinomas. IMP3 was expressed in 72.7% of papillary carcinomas and 28.6% of clear cell RCC; it was totally expressed in all chromophobe carcinomas. ALDH1 was expressed in 94.2% of clear cell RCC, 54.6% of papillary carcinomas, and 50% of chromophobe carcinomas. Snail, IMP3, and ALDH1 were found to be associated with advanced tumor stage and high grade; accordingly, they could be considered as poor markers for RCC patients. Conclusion: ALDH1 is a good sensitive marker for diagnosis of RCC, especially for clear cell type, while IMP3 is a good marker for diagnosis of chromophobe carcinoma and Snail can be used for diagnosis of clear cell carcinoma.

Diversity and abundance of mosquito larvae have significant impact on the dynamics of disease transmission. In the present study, remote sensing (RS) technology integrated with field survey and spatial analyses were utilized to map mosquito breeding habitats and assess areas vulnerable to disease transmission in the Nile Valley of Giza governorate. An entomological survey was carried out to 20 accessible breeding sites at the study area during the period 6th–9th December 2019. Mosquito larvae were collected and transferred to the laboratory for density calculation and species identifications. A calibrated Landsat OLI image was processed to produce Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Normalized Difference Built-Up Index (NDBI), Normalized Difference Moisture Index (NDMI), Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI), Normalized Difference Salinity Index (NDSI), and Land Surface Temperature (LST). Results revealed that Culex pipiens was the most dominant species in the study region with a total percentage of 95.04%. High density of mosquito larvae was characterized by NDVI 0.12 to 0.39, NDBI − 0.20 to 0.05, NDMI − 0.05 to 0.20, NDWI − 0.34 to − 0.10, NDSI − 0.39 to − 0.12, and LST 19.30 to 24.82 ℃ which represents the optimal conditions for mosquito breeding. It could be concluded that Giza region, particularly Agouza, Kerdasa, Dokki, Bulaq Dakror and Omrania, is highly affected by Cx. pipiens, with a high potentiality of filariasis disease transmission.

Background Visual recognition of alteration in the skin color depends upon the contrast between altered areas and their surrounding background color. The maximum contrast in vitiligo exists in dark-complexioned patients between depigmented white patches and unaffected background dark skin. On the other hand, hypopigmented and even depigmented lesions may not be easily recognizable in fair skin due to less contrast. Wood’s light examination becomes essential in such cases for better recognition and definition of the lesions. Despite its established role, the exact added value of using Wood’s light in recognition of vitiligo lesions has not been previously studied. Objective To verify the differential perception of vitiligo lesions between the patient and the dermatologist compared with the gold-standard detection by Wood’s lamp. Patients and methods This multicenter cross-sectional study included 200 vitiligo patients. The distribution and surface area of their facial lesions were delineated and measured as perceived by the patient, and by the dermatologist in standardized regular light and using Wood’s lamp. Results Lesional surface area as perceived by the patient and the dermatologist in regular light did not differ significantly (P=0.137), while lesions delineated under Wood’s lamp were significantly larger than both (P

Summary: Ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) is the leading cause of heart failure worldwide, yet the cellular and molecular signature of this disease is largely unclear. Using single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) and integrated computational analyses, we profile the transcriptomes of over 99,000 human cardiac nuclei from the non-infarct region of the left ventricle of 7 ICM transplant recipients and 8 non-failing (NF) controls. We find the cellular composition of the ischemic heart is significantly altered, with decreased cardiomyocytes and increased proportions of lymphatic, angiogenic, and arterial endothelial cells in patients with ICM. We show that there is increased LAMININ signaling from endothelial cells to other cell types in ICM compared with NF. Finally, we find that the transcriptional changes that occur in ICM are similar to those in hypertrophic and dilated cardiomyopathies and that the mining of these combined datasets can identify druggable genes that could be used to target end-stage heart failure.