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Recently, nano-systems based on molecular communications via diffusion (MCvD) have been implemented in a variety of nanomedical applications, most notably in targeted drug delivery system (TDDS) scenarios. Furthermore, because the MCvD is unreliable and there exists molecular noise and inter symbol interference (ISI), cooperative nano-relays can acquire the reliability for drug delivery to targeted diseased cells, especially if the separation distance between the nano transmitter and nano receiver is increased. In this work, we propose an approach for optimizing the performance of the nano system using cooperative molecular communications with a nano relay scheme, while accounting for blood flow effects in terms of drift velocity. The fractions of the molecular drug that should be allocated to the nano transmitter and nano relay positioning are computed using a collaborative optimization problem solved by the Modified Central Force Optimization (MCFO) algorithm. Unlike the previous work, the probability of bit error is expressed in a closed-form expression. It is used as an objective function to determine the optimal velocity of the drug molecules and the detection threshold at the nano receiver. The simulation results show that the probability of bit error can be dramatically reduced by optimizing the drift velocity, detection threshold, location of the nano-relay in the proposed nano system, and molecular drug budget. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The results of several studies assessing the effect of the glutathione S-transferase class Mu 1 (GSTM1) null variant on the genetic susceptibility of tobacco-related cancers have been conflicting. In this work, we aim to identify the impact of the deletion of GSTM1 on lung cancer risk among smokers. Methods: This study was conducted on 20 patients diagnosed with primary lung cancer and 20 healthy individuals as a control group. They were subject to full medical history taking, complete clinical examination, and GSTM1 genotyping by PCR. Results: Both studied groups were matched for age, sex, and smoking status. No statistically significant difference was exhibited between the frequency of GSTM1 positive and GSTM1 null in the studied population. No risk of lung cancer associated with GSTM1 null genotype was demonstrated between the patients and control group (n = 14/20 cases) (p = 0.110, OR = 2.852, 95% CI 0.777–10.467). Additionally, there was no association between the risk of lung cancer and the presence of the gene either in smokers (p = 1, OR = 1.8 and 95% CI 0.124–26.196) or non-smokers; (p = 0.063, OR = 4.4 and 95% CI 0.889–21.78). No statistically significant risk was found between the frequencies of GSTM1 null and the various histopathological types of lung malignancy. Conclusion: The results of this work demonstrated no association between the occurrence of the GSTM1 null variant, even when stratified for smoking status, and the risk of lung cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to examine the curvilinear relationship between tangible investment and sustainable firm growth in the MENA region, as well as the moderating role of financial inclusion on this connection. To achieve this, we selected a sample of 465 firms over the period 2007–2020. Employing a system GMM model for the empirical analysis, the findings reveal that there is a curvilinear (inverted U-shaped) nexus between tangible investment and sustainable firm growth. Moreover, this study employs a moderating effect model to demonstrate that financial inclusion can enhance sustainable firm growth. The system GMM model further indicates that financial inclusion moderates the curvilinear relationship between tangible investment and sustainable firm growth. This study offers valuable insights for strategic firm planning and policy development, highlighting the role of financial inclusion in promoting firm sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to contribute to the existing literature by examining the relationship between corporate governance (CG) attributes and real-based earnings management (REM) in the context of an emerging market economy. The study employs a sample of 78 Egyptian Exchange (EGX)-listed companies covering the period from 2008 to 2017, yielding a total of 780 observations. To address dynamic endogeneity concerns between CG mechanisms and REM, the dynamic panel system-generalized method of moments (SGMM) estimator is used as the main analytical tool. The findings reveal that managerial and family ownership are negatively and significantly correlated with REM proxies, except for the ABCFO measure. By contrast, government and institutional ownership exhibit contrasting results, depending on the REM proxies used. The CG-EM relationship is influenced by several conflicting theoretical perspectives, including agency theory, institutional theory, stewardship theory, and resource dependence theory, resulting in inconsistent empirical findings. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study is the first to detect Real-earnings manipulation practices (REM) in the Egyptian context using six models to confirm the validity, reliability, and robustness of the findings. Additionally, the study employs an advanced statistical technique that considers endogeneity, heteroscedasticity, and simultaneity in the relationship between CG mechanisms and earnings quality. The results highlight the importance of considering the institutional and legal context of a country when analyzing the impact of corporate governance mechanisms on earnings quality, as the practice and implementation of governance mechanisms vary across countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work was performed to dig into the phytochemical composition and bioactivities of Nocardiopsis sp. UR67 associated with the marine sponge Callyspongia sp. It was fermented in suspension and immobilised in calcium alginate bead cultures. The ethyl acetate extracts, afforded from the broth in each case named EG-49 and J-48g, respectively, revealed 16 chemical principles mostly belonging to polyketides, macrolides, and peptides. EG-49 and J-48g displayed anti-Candida albicans activity with IC50 values of 8.1 and 8.3 µg/mL, and a substantial cytotoxic effect against lung adenocarcinoma H1650 at IC50 12.6 and 13.7 µg/mL, respectively. However, only EG-49 exhibited a noteworthy anti-trypanosomal activity at 7.5 µg/mL. Molecular docking of the characterised compounds against Trypanosoma brucei trypanothione reductase demonstrated the highest binding models of griseochelin-methyl ester (9) and filipin-II (11), which drew considerable significance of the metabolites derived from Nocardiopsis sp. UR67 developing potential T. brucei trypanothione reductase inhibitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent nanomedical applications, particularly targeted drug delivery system (TDDS) scenarios, have made use of molecular communications via diffusion (MCvD) based on nanosystems. In order to improve the performance of such nanosystems, nanonetworks-based molecular communication is investigated. Employing a nanorelay approach and cooperative molecular communications, we provide a method for optimizing the performance of the nanosystem while taking blood flow effects into consideration in terms of drift velocity. Unlike the earlier studies, the position of the nanorelay and the allocated amount of molecular drugs will be optimized. We provide closed-form expressions for molecular channel capacity and the error probability of a molecular frame. According to the simulation results, it is possible to significantly reduce error probability of a molecular frame and thus increase channel capacity by optimizing the drift velocity, detection threshold and the location of the nanorelay within the proposed nanosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]