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SNHL in children is an important issue. Cochlear implant is a highly technological device that is surgically inserted in the cochlea to solve this issue. To evaluate types of anomalies of the inner ear in children with sensorineural hearing loss in a tertiary care hospital and confirm that the routine MRI, MR cisternography and HRCT provides the surgeon with the imaging finding and criteria of patients candidates for CI. Patients and method: 600 patients with SNHL underwent HRCT and MRI. CT examinations were normal in 457 patients (76.2%) and 143 patients (23.8%) with inner ear anomalies. MRI examinations were normal in 440 patients (73.3%) and had inner ear anomalies in 160 patients (26.7%). 3D bFFE and 3D DRIVE was summarized. The 3D bFFE sequence was statistically significantly better than the 3D DRIVE for the demonstration of the cochlear vestibule. Superior, inferior vestibular nerves and facial nerves while 3D DRIVE is superior to 3D bFFE in the visualization of the semicircular canals. HRCT and MRI provide accurate anatomical delineation of complex inner ear structures and 3D improves pre-implant evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a transmembrane protein tyrosine kinase that is usually overexpressed in many types of cancers. In the present study, an effort was done in synthesis of new 3,4-diaminothieno[2,3-b] thiophene-2,5-dicarbonitrile derivatives 2–8, assisted by a microwave device. Different spectroscopic instruments were used for their analysis and confirmed their chemical structures. The antimicrobial properties of the produced compounds were investigated and found to be promising. Next, they were tested for cytotoxicity against MCF-7, HepG-2, HCT-116, and A549 cell lines. Moreover, in vitro cytotoxicity evaluation against well-known standards, namely, gefitinib and erlotinib was achieved using MTT method. The obtained compounds (2–8) were found to be more effective against the two tested cancer cell lines than erlotinib. In MCF-7 and A549 cells, compound 3 was found to be 4.42 and 4.12 times more active than erlotinib, respectively. The activity of radical scavenging was inhibited by 78%. The most cytotoxic compounds were subsequently studied for their kinase inhibitory effect against EGFRWT and EGFRT790M using the HTRF assay. Compound 3 was shown to be the most powerful against both kinds of EGFR, with IC50 values of 0.28 and 5.02. Furthermore, compound 2 demonstrated the highest antioxidant activity as it has a radical scavenging activity of 78%. Compounds 2,6,7 and 8 revealed to be the most safe compounds, none hepatotoxic, none carcinogenic, none immunotoxic, none mutagenic and none cytotoxic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sodium fluoroborate glasses with the mixed transition metal oxides (Bi2O3 and ZrO2) [65B2O3–25NaF–(10-x)Bi2O3–xZrO2, 0 ≤ x ≤ 6 mol percent] have been fabricated. According to xZrO2 values, the obtained glasses were named as BBNZ0, BBNZ2, BBNZ4, BBNZ5, and BBNZ6 glasses, respectively. The direct influence of (Bi2O3 and ZrO2) on physical, FTIR, optical, and gamma-ray shielding of the BBNZ-glasses has been investigated. The density of the fabricated glasses decreases linearly with about 18% as Bi2O3 is replaced by ZrO2. The number of N4 for BBNZ0 glass sample is about 0.47, which indicate that B2O3 is modified by NaF and Bi2O3 and the replacement of Bi2O3 by ZrO2 results in a slight decrease in the N4 value. Values of the direct optical bandgap were varied from 3.012 to 3.198 eV, while the indirect bandgap was varied from 2.665 to 2.913 eV for BBNZ0-BBNZ6 glasses. The refractive index of the investigated glasses is high, therefore can be applied in several optical applications. The linear (mass) attenuation coefficients LAC (MAC) varied from 0.11–169.81 (0.032–48.447), 0.10–139.81 (0.031–42.238), 0.09–109.765 (0.029–35.069), 0.09–94.09 (0.028–31.051), to 0.08–76.89 cm−1 (0.027–26.697 cm2/g) for BBNZ0-BBNZ6, respectively. As expected the trend in half value layer (HVL) value at each energy is (HVL)BBNZ0 < (HVL)BBNZ2 < (HVL)BBNZ4 < (HVL)BBNZ5 < (HVL)BBNZ6. The total stopping power (TSP) of the particles follow the order of increasing Bi2O3 content thus BBNZ0 has the highest TSP while BBNZ6 has the least. The present BBNZ-glasses are capable of functioning as thermal neutron and gamma-ray absorbers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experimental study for fabrication, physical, FTIR spectroscopy, ultrasonic waves, and mechanical properties of quaternary B2O3–Bi2O3–NaF–ZrO2 glasses was introduced. The fabricated glasses have the chemical formula 65B2O3–25NaF–(10-x)Bi2O3–xZrO2; x = 0 (Zr0), 2 (Zr2), 4 (Zr4), 5 (Zr5), and 6 (Zr6) mol% and produced via the melt quenching process. The longitudinal VL and shear VS velocities were measured using ultrasonic flaw detector. FTIR spectra were recorded in the wavenumber range 400–1550 cm−1. The density of the fabricated glasses reduces linearly from 3400 ± 6 (kg/m3) for Zr0 sample with free ZrO2 to 3099 ± 4 (kg/m3) for Zr6 sample with highest content of ZrO2. The oxygen packing density (OPD) rises from 74,742 to 82,980 kg atom/m3 when increasing content of ZrO2 from 0 to 6 mol%, respectively. The number of N3 was increased which the number of N4 decreased with ZrO2 concentration which confirms that the decreasing formation of BO4 units with ZrO2 content. Both VL and VS are persistently increasing for all range of the studied samples; such a behavior is ascribed to increments in number of strong Ø’s units. The insertion of ZrO2 in glasses network leads to improve their elastic moduli. Higher values of Debye temperature (θD) are found with increasing ZrO2 content that means higher thermal energy needed for excitation the corresponding vibrational mode. Makishima–Mackenzie values of Young (YM) and bulk (BM) moduli were in good agreement with the experimental results. Therefore, the increasing trends of YM and BM are similar to those of Young (Y) and bulk (B) moduli assuring the effect of [ZrO6]2− on introducing strengthened bonds into borate lattice. In addition, the microhardness (Hv) was found to increase with ZrO2 content; therefore, the glass system gets harder and stiffer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Six specimens of glasses with formula (70 − x)B2O3/15Li2O/15ZnO/xY2O3: x = 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 mol%) have been synthesized via a conventional melt quenching technique. The produced specimens were named as BLZY0.0–BLZY2.5 according to x values. The physical, ultrasonic longitudinal (VL) and shear (VS) velocities, FTIR, and dielectric (50 Hz to 5 MHz) characteristics of the prepared glasses have been examined. With increasing content of Y2O3 from 0.0 to 2.5 mol%, the density (ρ) of the system increases linearly from 2512 ± 11 to 2695 ± 14 kg/m3, while the molar volume (VM) decreases linearly from 2.6 ± 0.011 to 2.57 ± 0.013 × 10−5 m3/mol. The oxygen packing density (OPD) as a number of the oxygen per unit composition in the glass sample is describing the packing tightness of the oxide network and thoroughly the compactness of the glass matrix. Values of the average boron–boron separation (dB–B) decrease from 4.162 to 4.035 × 10−10 (m) with 0 to 2.5 mol% Y2O3. Increasing formation of Y3+ ionic bonds with [BO4/2]1− may have an effect of lowering bond strength of B–O and thus shifting the absorption IR peak position. By increasing Y2O3 content in the investigated samples, the (VL) and (VS) increase linearly for the full-studied compositional range. The increasing number of strengthened bonds due to change coordination of B ions from 3 to 4 due to the increasing field strength of inserted accumulated Y3+ ions has the incentive impact to higher mechanical properties. The dielectric constant was decreased for Y2O3 content up to 1.5 mol% referring to cross-linkage formation with other elements, while the reduction in porosity at high content of Y2O3 is the main responsible for gradual enhancement in dielectric constant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical, FTIR, ultrasonic, and dielectric characteristics of calcium lead-borate glasses: 50B2O3–30CaO–20PbO–xEr2O3–yNd2O3:' (x,y) = (0,0; BCP), (0,1;1Nd), (1,0;1Er), and (1,1;1Nd–1Er) mol% have been examined. Nd3+ ions increased density up to 3857 kg/m3, meanwhile, molar volume barely changed. Er2O3 mol% decreased density down to 3641 kg/m3, while molar volume increased up to 2.75 × 10–5 m3. As well, Nd2O3 mol% + Er2O3 mol% decreased density down to 3556 kg/m3, while molar volume increased up to 2.91 × 10–5 m3. Er3+ and Nd3+ ions have different effects on the formation rate of BØ−4 and BØ2O− structural units. PbO in the glassy systems can be incorporated into the glass as network-forming Pb–O groups (PbO4 and/or PbO3). Introducing of Nd3+ ions induces changes in the local field on the lead ions giving rise to the formation of [PbO4] units. The addition of Er 3+ and/or Nd3+ to glass systems revealed that there was observed withdrawal of the area of PbO4- absorption IR band and increasing both of longitudinal and shear velocity. The elastic moduli of the investigated glasses have a fingerprint of density behavior versus rare-earth content. Dielectric constant and ac conductivity were obviously enhanced by the insertion of Nd3+/Er3+ ions separately or together into borate glass matrix referring to the creation of non-bridging oxygen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Friction stir processing (FSP) is the most effective severe plastic deformation process for creating materials with very fine grains and good properties. The target of the present research is to investigate the influence of FSP on the microstructure and mechanical properties of homogenized 2024 aluminum alloy with and without rare-earth (RE) and thermomechanically treated conditions (TMT). The rare-earth elements used were Ce and La in the form of a master alloy containing (50% Ce + 50% La). The casting of 2024 aluminum alloys, both with and without (Ce + La), was carried out using the conventional stir cast technique. Part of the obtained alloys was homogenized, whereas the other part was thermomechanically treated (TMT). The homogenized 2024 material was exposed to FSP with multiple passes (one, two, and three) to obtain the suitable pass number. After that, the best pass number was performed on the 2024 aluminum alloy refined with RE (Ce + La) and TMT materials. The microstructures in different conditions (homogenized and stir friction) were examined by optical and scan microscopes attached with EDS and Map analyzer. At the same time, a tensile test was conducted to assess the mechanical properties. The findings indicated that the microstructures were significantly refined after adding RE (Ce + La) or applying the TMT technique. Whereas, the microstructures were greatly improved after applying FSP to both conditions. Ultra-fine grains were observed for both TMT and RE-containing alloys after FSP. On the other hand, the results of mechanical properties were significantly increased after applying multiple passes of FSP. The optimum results were obtained when two passes of stir friction were applied to the TMT alloy condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reverse osmosis desalination water plants have several operational issues such as corrosion in many areas like energy recovery devices that are accustomed to restore energy and scale back prices. Thus, there is a necessity to reduce the corrosion rate of the devices utilized in energy recovery. This study focuses on protection of some metals and alloys that are utilized in this industry by introducing a new anticorrosion coating. The new anticorrosion coating was formulated by the interaction of polyaniline and X-type zeolite that is employed as hosting material. Polyaniline was first formulated by conventional oxidation polymerization method of aniline in acidic medium at temperature below 5 °C by using ice bath. Then, ammonium persulphate was used as oxidizer. Numerous characterization techniques were used to demonstrate the encapsulation of polyaniline in X-type zeolite frames such as IR, UV–visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscope, energy-dispersive X-ray and X-ray diffraction. The new anticorrosion coating was evaluated by using weight loss technique, Tafel polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy; all of these techniques showed the effective anticorrosion properties of the prepared coating in which the corrosion rate from the polarization curves results, for all coated samples, was less than the bare ones as it recorded 2.403, 1.094, 23.48, 35.09 MPY for bare 304 and 316 stainless steel, Al and carbon steel, respectively, and 0.3132, 0.2733, 0.2506, 10.81 MPY for the coated samples. Corrosion results showed a noteworthy protection of the tested metals and alloys in saline water coated with the polyaniline/zeolite X. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new Na/Cr-bisubstituted lithium vanadium monodiphosphate compound (LNVCPP) Li9-xNaxV2.8Cr0.2(P2O7)3(PO4)2, where x = 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 have been prepared via simple sol-gel combustion route. The as-prepared materials are characterized by XRD, FESEM, and EDX. The XRD data indicate the presence of single phase of Li9-xNaxV2.8Cr0.2 (P2O7)3(PO4)2 (x = 0.0-2.0) with trigonal structure. Both cycle performance and rate capability have shown improvement with moderate Na-doping content. Cell of Li8.5Na0.5V2.8Cr0.2(P2O7)3(PO4)2 cathode delivers a specific discharge capacity of 53 mAhg−1 after 35 cycles in comparison with the other samples. The optimum ratio Li8.5Na0.5VCPP coated with carbon delivers a specific discharge capacity of about 75 mAhg−1 after 25 cycles. Therefore, it presents the good electrochemical rate and cyclic stability. The enhancement of the rate and cyclic capability may be attributed to the optimizing particle size, morphologies, and structural stability with the proper amount of Na-doping (x = 0.5) in Li sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective It is unknown whether adequacy of diabetic control, measured by hemoglobin A1c, is a predictor of adverse outcomes after coronary artery bypass grafting. Methods From December 2013 to November 2015, 80 consecutive patients underwent primary isolated CABG surgery at national heart institute, their data were prospectively collected and they were classified according to their HbA1c level into two groups, Group (A): Forty patients with fair glycemic control (HbA1c below or equal to 7%), Group (B): Forty patients with poor glycemic control (HbA1c above 7%). Hospital morbidity, mortality and one year survival were examined in both groups. Telephone conversation was used to call patients or their relatives to determine the one year survival and it was 100% complete. This study had gained the ethical approval from national heart institute ethical committee. Results In-hospital mortality for group A was 2.5% (one patient) and 7.5% (3 patients) for group B with no statistical significance. One year mortality was (5.13%) (2 patients for group A) and (8.11%) (3 patients) for group B with no statistical significance. As regard the morbidity there was no statistical significance between the two groups in the incidence of neurological complications whether stroke or coma, atrial fibrillation, postoperative myocardial infarction, low cardiac output syndrome, heart failure, renal failure, need for dialysis, deep sternal wound infection, and readmission. However, group B had lengthy hospital stay, lengthy ventilation hours, more respiratory complications, and more superficial wound infection with a statistical significance when compared to group A, P values were 0.003, 0.003, 0.038, 0.044 respectively. Conclusions This study showed that HbA1c is a good predictor of in-hospital morbidity. It worth devoting time and effort to decrease HbA1c level below 7% to decrease possible postoperative complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An in vitro study has been carried out to monitor changes to the female reproductive system in adult triclabendazole (TCBZ)-resistant Fasciola hepatica following treatment with a commercial preparation of myrrh ("Mirazid"). Flukes were immersed for 6 h and 24 h in myrrh extract at a concentration of 200 µg/ml, then processed for histological and transmission electron microscope (TEM) examination of the uterus, Mehlis' gland, ovary and vitellaria. Egg production had become abnormal at 6 h post-treatment (pt), with the uterine lumen being filled with free vitelline cells and masses of shell protein material; few eggs were present. At 24 h pt, no eggs were present. Distinct changes to the ovary and Mehlis' gland were only observed after 24 h incubation in Mirazid. The ovary contained numbers of apoptotic oogonia and oocytes. In the Mehlis' gland, the S1 cells were disorganised and the processes from them were vacuolated, although the disruption was not significant. More severe changes were observed in the vitelline cells and follicles. After 6 h incubation in Mirazid, although the gross organisation of the vitelline follicles appeared to be normal, nuclear changes indicative of the early stages of apoptosis were observed in the stem cells and shell protein production by the mature cells had decreased. At 24 h pt, a distinct shift in cell population was evident, with the follicles containing mainly mature cells and spaces were present between the cells. The shell globule clusters in the mature cells were disorganised. In more severely-affected follicles, cells were seen to be breaking down, with karyolytic nuclei and disintegrating cytoplasm. Overall, the results have shown that exposure to Mirazid treatment had a severe impact on egg production by TCBZ-resistant flukes, an effect that was mediated by disruption of the vitelline cells and of the mechanism co-ordinating egg formation in the ootype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study was undertaken to prospectively analyse, at a mean five-year follow-up, the clinical, functional, and radiographic outcomes in patients who developed postoperative acute septic knee arthritis following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using hamstring autograft. We also assessed the effect of multiple arthroscopic debridement and graft retention on the functional outcomes in comparison with the matched control group. Methods: From a consecutive case series of 2,560 ACL-injured patients who were treated with arthroscopic ACL reconstruction, we report on 24 cases with postoperative septic knee arthritis. These patients were individually matched for age, sex, comorbidity, body mass index (BMI) and preinjury Tegner activity scale in a ratio of 1/1. Clinical, laboratory, synovial fluid analysis and culture were performed. Arthroscopic debridement and graft retention was done for all cases, in addition to antibiotic therapy IV. A detailed physical examination, KT1000 laxity testing, Lysholm knee score, Tegner activity level scale, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) were completed. Results: In all cases, treatment of infection was successful after a median of three (range one to six) repeated arthroscopic graft debridement and retention, in addition to antibiotic therapy IV. At an average of five years follow-up, two patients had over five millimetres manual maximum side-to-side difference in laxity. There were no significant differences between groups regarding Lysholm score, IKDC and KOOS. Median final Tegner activity score was 5.5 versus 7 in the control group ( p = 0.004). Complications included graft rupture in three patients, loss of range of motion in five, Sudeck's atrophy in one and moderate joint narrowing in two. There were no recurrences of septic arthritis or bone infection. Conclusion: Graft retention seems not only possible but appropriate in view of the experience presented in this article for postoperative septic knee arthritis using hamstring autograft. A potential residual complication is arthrofibrosis, which deserves maximum attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reports on the development of thin films of p- and n-type bismuth telluride compounds which are suitable for microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) thermoelectric energy harvesters. Films were prepared by the pulsed laser deposition technique. It is shown that the thin films of binary Bi-Te alloys outperformed considerably their ternary counterparts. Furthermore, the highest thermoelectric figure of merit ( ZT) was found to be 0.39 for the p-type BiTe alloy, whereas the optimal n-type alloy was BiTe, which was characterized by a relatively low stress gradient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concentrations of six heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Ni, Cu, Pb and Zn) were studied in 11 hard and 4 soft common coral species collected from Hurghada, Wadi Al-Gemal and Gola’an along the Red Sea coast to assess the differential abilities of corals to concentrate and assimilate the heavy metals inside soft coral tissues and hard coral skeletons. These results reveal the order of Fe > Zn > Ni > Pb ≥ Mn > Cu. Fe recorded significant high concentrations in mushroom (funnel) forms of the soft corals at the different sites; 125.19, 101.71 and 90.44 ppm at Gola’an, Hurghada and Wadi Al-Gemal, respectively. The soft coral species recorded the highest average concentration of Mn, Ni, Cu and Zn than the hard corals, which were 13.22, 16.05, 13.08 and 148.17 ppm, respectively. Generally, soft corals show higher metal concentrations than the hard ones; moreover, Hurghada recorded a higher trend of metal concentrations in soft and hard corals than the other sites. The study concluded that many biological and local environmental factors influenced the metal occurrences and uptakes in both coral forms such as, the exposed surface area for metal uptake, turbidity, overlying mucus thickness and the ability of metals to substitute inside the crystal lattice of the hard corals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing mandate for fresh-like food products and the possible hazards of chemically preserved foods necessitate the search for alternatives. Bacteriocins represent a promising food biopreservative. In the present study, one hundred enterococci isolates recovered from Egyptian raw cow milk and homemade dairy products were screened for bacteriocin production. The overall detection rate was 10%. Three isolates, namely, Enterococcus faecalis (OE-7 and OE-12) and Enterococcus hirae (OE-9), showed the highest antibacterial activity with narrow spectrum against multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-positive foodborne bacteria: Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus. The antimicrobial activity was completely abolished by trypsin and proteinase K but not affected by lipase and/or amylase indicating the protein nature of the antimicrobial activity. Optimum conditions for bacteriocin production were cultivation in MRS broth at 37 °C, pH 6-6.5 for 16-24 h. The tested bacteriocins exhibited bactericidal activity on S. aureus subsp. aureus ATCC 25923; such activity was further investigated by transmission electron microscopy that revealed leakage and lysis of treated cells. Characterization of tested bacteriocins revealed high activity in a wide range of pH and temperature, storage stability, and heat resistance. PCR analysis revealed that the tested isolates produced multiple enterocins showing homology with the enterocins L50A, AS-48, and 31. Finally, this study reported potent antibacterial activity of bacteriocins derived from dairy products Enterococci against MDR foodborne and spoilage pathogens. The potency, specificity, and stability of these bacteriocins presented promising perspectives for application as biopreservatives in the food industry. The biopreservation of foods by bacteriocins produced by lactic acid bacteria recovered directly from foods remains an innovative approach.