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The authors discuss a study that examines the feasibility and the impact of their training on the non-technical team skills of the operating room at the Amiens University Hospital in France. Highlights include the use of the Oxford NOTECHS II scoring system in the study, an increase in the Oxford NOTECHS II score before and after training, and the significance of simulation training or high-reality fidelity to teamwork.

AimsMethodsResultsConclusionIn this study, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between the dietary inflammatory index (DII) and mental health outcomes among patients with migraine headaches.In this cross-sectional study, 262 subjects were included. The dietary intakes were collected using a validated 168-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Items were scored according to their inflammatory potential, so a higher DII indicated a more pro-inflammatory diet. The association between DII and the mental health of participants was investigated using multinomial logistic regression and odds ratio (OR) with a corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) was reported.Overall, 224 women and 38 men, with a mean (standard error) DII of −2.96 (0.06), age of 36.1 (0.53) years, and BMI of 25.55 (0.21) kg/m2, comprised our study population. DII was positively associated with a higher risk of depression in patients with the highest adherence to a pro-inflammatory diet compared to those with the lowest adherence (OR = 1.76; 95%CI: 1.04, 3.00; Ptrend = 0.035). Adjustments for age, sex, marital status, smoking status, migraine headache index score, number of family members, mean arterial pressure, medication, physical activity, and BMI intensified the association in a way that the risk of depression was 2.03 times higher in patients with the highest adherence to a pro-inflammatory diet compared to those with the lowest adherence to a pro-inflammatory diet (OR = 2.03; 95%CI: 1.18, 3.49; Ptrend = 0.011).Our findings suggest that depression was positively associated with adherence to a pro-inflammatory diet. However, no significant association was observed between anxiety and stress with DII. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents information on a study which determines dietary fiber composition in various types of breads, faba beans and faba bean-based foods commonly consumed in Egypt. Materials and methods used in the study; Results and discussion.

Efficient gas production management is an important task for oil and gas companies. Water production is a critical problem in gas reservoirs which may result in early abandonment of many wells, reservoir and low recovery factor. In Homa gas field, since 2012, a rapid increase in water–gas contact of 20 meters per year has been observed, so that in 2018, an average of 40 to 50% of the reservoir area has become water invaded. The calculations indicated an approximate amount of 1.5 to 2.37 Trillions of standard cubic feet of trapped gas in the reservoir. This phenomenon is of great importance in the reduction of reservoir recovery. In this study, an integrated approach is proposed for determination of source of water production in gas production wells of a fractured reservoir in the south of Iran. This study showed a water encroachment from highly fractured aquifer with high-speed invasion in fracture networks and considerable bypassed gas in matrix blocks that highly reduces recovery factor and it was not early detectable by classical methods. The proposed approach can be applied for new fields under development in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article comments on a research study that confirmed the link between coffee and a decreased risk of prostate cancer. The study, it says, lack data in the impact of coffee on aggressive cancer risk and the rate of prostate cancer progression which are different from conditions in the initial phase. It also notes that there is no concrete evidence yet on the preventive value of drinking decaffeinated or regular coffee against prostate cancer.

The article presents a case study of a 27-year-old primigravida who underwent spontaneous labor at 39 weeks and delivered through ventouse because of a non-reassuring fetal heart rate. It states that patient experienced postpartum haemorrhage attributed to a posterior vaginal wall arterial bleed. She received 6 packed of red blood cells and 2 units frozen plasma, and her haemoglobin was stabilized. Pseudoaneurysm of the vaginal pelvic artery caused by postpartum haemorrhage is also discussed.

The article presents the case study of a 10 day old infant suffering from congenital neuroblastoma. The symptoms include, multiple subcutaneous noduls, abdominal distention and respiratory distress. Antibiotics and respiratory support treatment was used in the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis, and nodular biopsy was diagnosed as neuroblastoma. Also presented is the image of the patient with multiple subcutaneous noduls over his body.

The assimilation of cloudy radiances remains important in improving precipitation and severe weather forecasting. In practice, Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) Models frequently do not predict meso-scale phenomena, so the phenomenon is either predicted but not realised, or is well predicted but not where it is observed. Radiative Transfer Models such as TIROS-Television and Infrared Observation Satellite Operational Vertical Sounder (RTTOV) and libRadtran are the mathematical operators used in the simulation of satellite data. In the data assimilation process, an effective reproduction of the mesoscale convective phenomenon leads to high quality data analysis. Therefore, we are looking for an operator that reproduces the NWP model’s behaviour in a realistic way. Several cloud parameterisation schemes are available in RTTOV and libRadtran to simulate the satellite cloudy radiances. Each selected scheme may result in different simulated brightness temperature data compared to those observed by satellite. However, the source of errors is still unknown: are they generated by the RT model, are they coming from the predicted fields of the NWP Model used as input, or from both? This study aims to investigate the impact of libRadtran or RTTOV operators on the quality of the predicted satellite image. The same mandatory forecasted fields are used as input for both models and derive from the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Limited-Area Model. In this study, we did not investigate the total capability of RT models, but we have focused on a standard and specific physical parameterisation scheme. As reference data, Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) images have been used to compute the deterministic and probabilistic scores. The results for the deterministic scores show that libRadtran reproduces the cold temperatures predicted by WRF well, but these are sometimes slightly distant from their geographical location. Conversely, for the RTTOV, there is a tendency to miss more cases of good detection of the events predicted by WRF. Probabilistic analyses confirm an improvement in libRadtran scores when the neighbourhood size is increased, and a boxplot analysis of the bootstrap method confirms the stability of scores for both models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new dinuclear Schiff-base complex, [Cu2L'2(μ-OAc)2], was synthesized and characterized by various spectroscopic methods and single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD). The symmetrical H2L ligand was synthesized from the reaction between 4-acetyl-3-methyl-1-phenyl-2-pyrazoline-5-one (or acylpyrazolone) with 1,3-propanediamine, but upon reaction with a metal salt, it gave the unsymmetrical HL'. The transition states and rates of interconversion between different tautomeric forms of HL' were studied by DFT computations. The imine-one (Z) in the gas phase and imine-ol (Z) in the solution were the most stable forms, most probably due to better hydrogen bonding. We also applied molecular docking modeling on the various tautomeric forms of the ligand as well as the complex with the main protease (6LU7) of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Based on the obtained results, the complex had better interactions with the receptor. The order of the interactions was [Cu2L2(μ-OAc)2] > amine-one (Z) > imine-one (E) > imine-ol (Z) > amine-one (E) > imine-one (Z) > imine-ol (E). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have demonstrated that respiratory dysfunction has a potential association with low back pain (LBP). Despite the role of the diaphragm for respiration and spinal stability, knowledge of the function of both sides of the diaphragm in subjects with LBP is still limited. This study aimed to compare the structural integrity and function of the right and left hemidiaphragm by ultrasonography (USG) in subjects with and without nonspecific chronic low back pain (NS-CLBP). A total of 37 subjects with NS-CLBP and 34 healthy subjects participated in this case-control study. The thickness, thickness change, and excursion of the right and left hemidiaphragm were compared within and between the groups during quiet breathing (QB) and deep breathing (DB) through B-mode and M-mode ultrasound imaging. The LBP group had a significantly smaller degree of right hemidiaphragm thickness change (P =.001) compared with the healthy control group, with a strong effect size. Nevertheless, there was no significant change for diaphragm thickness and excursion between the two groups. The result showed that, in the healthy group, the right hemidiaphragm had a significantly smaller thickness at expiration and larger thickness change compared with the left hemidiaphragm, with a moderate effect size. Based on the multivariate prediction analysis, the right hemidiaphragm thickness change might significantly predict LBP. We found that participants with LBP had a smaller degree of right hemidiaphragm thickness change. Also, the right hemidiaphragm thickness change might significantly predict LBP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To review the role of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonists in managing post-TBI cognitive deficits. A search of PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane was conducted on Jan 12, 2021 without publication date or language restriction. Forty-seven studies were included, involving 20 (42.6%) randomized controlled trials. Four (8.5%) studies had a low risk of bias (RoB), while 34 (72.3%) had unclear and nine (19.2%) had high RoB. Six NMDAR antagonists had been investigated: amantadine (n = 32), memantine (n = 4), magnesium (n = 4), traxoprodil (n = 3), selfotel (n = 2), and dextromethorphan (n = 2). Although some benefits were observed, there are still some concerns regarding the efficacy and safety of NMDAR antagonists in improving post-TBI cognitive deficits. Further research is required to examine whether (i) these agents, notably amantadine, could accelerate cognitive improvement and shorten the hospital stay, (ii) these agents affect different cognitive domains/subdomains in the same direction, (iii) an optimal therapeutic time window exists, (iv) a member of this drug class can be proved to be effective without interfering in non-excitotoxic actions of glutamate, (v) they can be more effective as part of combination therapies or in particular subgroups of patients with TBI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an experimental thorough study on geocell reinforced loose sand (Dr = 25%), focusing on the improvement of the shear strength in undrained conditions. The experimental program includes a series of undrained compressive tests (CU) performed on loose sand samples with and without reinforcement. The experimental tests are performed for various geocell height (Hg = 15, 25 and 35 mm) and at different level of effective confining pressure (σ'c = 50, 100 and 200 kPa). The obtained results show a significant effect of geocells height and initial confining pressure on the shear strength of the reinforced sand. The apparent cohesion of the reinforced soil increases linearly with the axial strain while the friction angle is rather constant and slightly dependent on the sample deformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silk fibroin (SF) is a natural polymeric biomaterial that is widely adopted for the preparation of drug delivery systems. Herein, we aimed to fabricate and characterize SF nanoparticles loaded with the selective estrogen receptor modulator; tamoxifen citrate (TC-SF-NPs) and to assess their in vitro efficacy against breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231). TC-loaded SF-NPs were characterized for particle size, morphology, entrapment efficiency, and release profile. In addition, we examined the in vitro cytotoxicity of TC-SF-NPs against human breast cancer cell lines and evaluated the anticancer potential of TC-SF-NPs through apoptosis assay and cell cycle analysis. Drug-loaded SF-NPs showed an average particle size of 186.1 ± 5.9nm and entrapment efficiency of 79.08%. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed the nanoparticles had a spherical morphology with smooth surface. Tamoxifen release from SF-NPs exhibited a biphasic release profile with an initial burst release within the first 6 h and sustained release for 48 h. TC-SF-NPs exerted a dose-dependent cytotoxic effect against breast cancer cell lines. In addition, flow cytometry analysis revealed that cells accumulate in G0/G1 phase, with a concomitant reduction of S- and G2-M-phase cells upon treatment with TC-SF-NPs. Consequently, the potent anticancer activities of TC-SF-NPs against breast cancer cells were mainly attributed to the induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. Our results indicate that SF nanoparticles may represent an attractive nontoxic nanocarrier for the delivery of anticancer drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nanocomposite of WO3/Fe3O4 was prepared using a facile precipitation method and characterized by several techniques. XRD patterns showed a magnetite and a monoclinic structure, respectively, for Fe3O4 and WO3 particles. Formation of WO3/Fe3O4 nanocomposite proved using EDX spectra and also EDX element maps indicated the uniform distribution of Fe, W, and O atoms in the prepared nanocomposite. The SEM image approved a spherical shape for nanocomposite particles. Band-gap energy of WO3/Fe3O4 obtained 1.2 eV using DRS spectra. The room temperature hysteresis loops showed magnetization 21.21 emu/g for WO3/Fe3O4 particles. The synthesized magnetite photocatalyst used in treatment of yellow water as one of the effluents of the production process of TNT. Central composite experimental design applied for optimization of independent variables such as pH of the sample, dose of photocatalyst and amount of pollutant. Photodegradation efficiencies were calculated by reducing the COD values of the samples. The p-values of studied variables obtained <0.05 in ANOVA (analysis of variance) results which indicates their impact on photodegradation efficiency. The F-value and p-value of proposed model for photodegradation process were 29.65 and <0.05, respectively, in 95% confidence level. Also, the p-value of "lack-of-fit" (>0.05) showed that predicted data of the proposed model fit to actual experimental response data. A 65% reduction in the COD value of a sample was achieved under optimized conditions of pH 5, dose of photocatalyst 1.0 g⋅L−1 and amount of pollutant 20 mg⋅L−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacillus anthracis secretes a tripartite toxin comprising protective antigen (PA), edema factor (EF), and lethal factor (LF). The human anthrax vaccine is mainly composed of the anthrax protective antigen (PA). Considerable efforts are being directed towards improving the efficacy of vaccines because the use of commercial anthrax vaccines (human/veterinary) is associated with several limitations. In this study, a triple chimeric antigen referred to as ELP (gene accession no: MT590758) comprising highly immunogenic domains of PA, LF, and EF was designed, constructed, and assessed for the immunization capacity against anthrax in a guinea pig model. Immunization was carried out considering antigen titration and immunization protocol. The immunoprotective efficacy of the ELP was evaluated in guinea pigs and compared with the potency of veterinary anthrax vaccine using a challenge test with B. anthracis 17JB strain spores. The results demonstrated that the ELP antigen induced strong humoral responses. The T-cell response of the ELP was found to be similar to PA, and showed that the ELP could protect 100%, 100%, 100%, 80% and 60% of the animals from 50, 70, 90, 100 and 120 times the minimum lethal dose (MLD, equal 5 × 105 spore/ml), respectively, which killed control animals within 48 h. It is concluded that the ELP antigen has the necessary requirement for proper immunization against anthrax and it can be used to develop an effective recombinant vaccine candidate against anthrax. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since two decades ago, the concept of green chemistry has been spreading and researchers are developing greener and more sustainable methods for nanoparticles (NPs) production. The main goals are fabrication of NPs with cost-effective and straightforward methods while eliminating the use of hazardous chemicals, which are commonly used as reducing or capping agents. In this regard, many bio-sources such as fungi, yeasts, algae, bacteria, and plants have been exploited to fabricate NPs in different shape and size. In this review, authors have focused on the most recent studies for fabricating silver NPs using bio-sources with an emphasis on the role of medicinal plants. The possible applications of biosynthesized silver NPs as well as their antibacterial, cytotoxic, and antioxidant activities are also addressed and discussed. Finally, future aspects and current limitations for bio-synthesized AgNPs are mentioned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of the unsaturated soils is a very complex field to which several researches in laboratory and on site are directed these last years. An experimental study aims to quantify the influence of the Skempton coefficient B characterizing the degree of saturation on the behavior of the granular sand to the liquefaction resistance of sand. The study is based on undrained triaxial tests performed on natural Chlef sand carried out at an initial relative density Dr = 50% under a confining pressure of 50, 100 and 200 kPa for Skempton coefficient B = 10 to 92%. The results of the tests show that an increase of confining pressure leads to an increase of the shear stress of the samples. For the lower value of the degree of saturation results of our findings indicate an increase of the resistance to liquefaction; our results are in good agreement with others observed in several research projects conducted with other sands. The increase of Skempton coefficient B induces an increase of pore water pressure and a decrease of the shear strength. The pore pressure (u) increases with an exponential manner with the increase of the degree of saturation; while the residual shear strength (Rs) decreases with logarithmic manner with the increase of degree of saturation (B). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present work, for the first time, a new carboxylate-functionalized walnut shell (CFWS) was prepared via esterification of walnut shell (WS) with isopropylidene malonate. The characterization of the CFWS by different techniques approved that carboxylic groups were introduced onto the surface of WS. The performance of the modified adsorbent was studied for the removal of Pb2+ ions from aqueous solutions in a batch adsorption system. The analysis data showed that the Langmuir isotherm could satisfactorily explain the equilibrium data, and the maximum adsorption capacity for Pb2+ ions was found to be 192.3 mg g−1 at 0.8 g L−1 of the adsorbent, pH 5.5, and a temprature of 298 K. Two models, namely artificial neural network (ANN) and multiple linear regression (MLR), were used to construct an empirical model for prediction of the removal percentage of Pb2+ ions under different experimental conditions. These models were validated using a test set of 20 data. A comparison between the developed models shows that the ANN model is able to predict the removal percentage of Pb2+ ions more accurately. Consequently, the ANN model could be applied for the design of an automated wastewater remediation plan. Also it has to be noted that the used CFWS was recovered using EDTA-2Na, and employed for the removal of Pb2+ ions from aqueous solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epidemiological studies have suggested that there is an association between dietary acid load (DAL) with complications and outcomes of pregnancy. The current study aimed to explore the impact of DAL on theses parameters through a prospective cohort of Iranian pregnant women. In this prospective cohort study, 812 singleton pregnant women without any medical condition, use of medications, and without following a specific diet were included. Dietary intake of participants was examined using a 117-item semiquantitative food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Net endogenous acid production (NEAP) and potential renal acid load (PRAL) parameters were used to explore potential DAL using the suggested formula. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was used and odds ratio (OR) and 95% corresponding confidence interval (CI) were reported. DAL (NEAP and PRAL) was not associated with pregnancy outcomes including birth weight, birth height and birth head circumference (all P values > .05). NEAP was associated with preeclampsia (Model 3: OR = 0.48, 95%CI (0.25, 0.94); Ptrend = 0.05), systolic blood pressure (SBP) (Model 2: OR = 3.99, 95%CI (1.09, 14.53); Ptrend = 0.04), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (Model 3: OR = 2.45, 95%CI (1.05, 5.72); Ptrend = 0.03), and intra-uterine growth restriction (IUGR) (Model 3: OR = 2.82, 95%CI (1.02, 7.78); Ptrend = 0.01). Moreover, PRAL was related with risk of pre-eclampsia (Model 3: OR = 0.41, 95%CI (0.19, 0.86); Ptrend = 0.003), SBP (Model 2: OR = 6.07, 95%CI (1.23, 29.94); Ptrend = 0.03), DBP (Model 3: OR = 3.62, 95% CI (1.23, 10.65); Ptrend = 0.03), and IUGR (Model 2: OR = 2.63, 95%CI (0.93, 7.44); Ptrend = 0.02). Our study focused on DAL which showed a significant association with pregnancy-related complications including higher SBP, DBP, IUGR, and pre-eclampsia. Further research with larger sample sizes in different populations might be required to evaluate the compatibility of DAL during pregnancy [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Existing evidence on the possible effects of probiotics on inflammatory status is inconclusive. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to clarify the effects of probiotic consumption on inflammatory markers among athletes. A systematic literature search was performed in the databases PubMed, Scopus, ISI Web of science, Cochrane's library, and Google Scholar (up to July 2020). Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effects of probiotics on inflammatory markers in athletes were included. Jadad scale was used for quality assessment. In fixed-effects meta-analysis model, standard mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) demonstrated the overall effect. Any possibility of publication bias was inspected through Egger's and Begg's statistics. A total of 14 RCTs with 393 participants were included. Probiotic consumption resulted in a significant decrease in plasma concentrations of interleukin-6 (SMD = -0.58; 95% CI, -0.87 to -0.28; P˂0.001) and tumor necrosis factor-α (SMD = -0.72; 95% CI, -1.11 to -0.33; P < .001), and significant increase in interferon-γ (SMD = 0.43; 95% CI: 0.09 to 0.76; P = .012). The effects were more pronounced when probiotics were consumed in Asian, male athletes, using a single strain capsule or when they were consumed for lower than 4 weeks. Probiotic supplements may be beneficial to improve inflammatory markers, including interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interferon-γ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Existing evidence on the possible effects of saffron on glycemic indices were inconclusive. The aim of the present systematic review and meta-analysis was to clarify the effects of saffron supplementation on glycemic indices, including fasting blood glucose (FBG), fasting insulin, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index (QUICKI) and Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) among both diabetic and nondiabetic patients. A systematic literature search of online databases PubMed, Scopus, ISI Web of science and Cochrane's library was conducted up to August 2020. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effects of saffron supplementation on glycemic indices in adults were included. A total of 15 trials involving 1139 participants were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. Saffron supplementation resulted in a significant decrease in FBS (WMD = -5.26 mg/dL; 95% CI: -10.08 to -0.44; I² = 89.7%), HbA1c (WMD = -0.15%; 95% CI, -0.28 to -0.02; I² = 79.4%,), fasting insulin (WMD = 0.12 mIU/L; 95% CI, 0.03 to 0.20; I² = 26.6%), and an increase in QUICKI (WMD = 0.01; 95% CI, 0.001 to 0.009; I² = 78.4%) compared to control. Saffron supplementation could not reduce HOMA-IR significantly (SMD = -0.21; 95% CI, -0.45 to 0.02; I² = 0.0%). Saffron supplements may be beneficial to improve glyceamic indices. Therefore, saffron could be considered as a valuable adjuvant therapy regarding glycemic control of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current evidence about the feasible effects of probiotic consumption on the metabolic status of athletes including lipid profile, fecal zonulin, and cortisol is debatable. Therefore, the present systematic reviewed and meta-analysis was aimed to clarify this inconclusiveness. Online databases (PubMed, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, and Cochrane's library) were searched until May 2020. The overall effect was presented as weighted mean difference (WMD) or standard mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) in a random-effects meta-analysis model. Publication bias was assessed using Egger's and Begg's statistics. A p-value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias Tool was used for quality assessment. Eleven RCTs (n = 398 participants) were considered as eligible. Probiotic consumption significantly decreased fecal zonulin (SMD = -0.63; 95% CI, -1.17 to -0.08; P = .02) with significant heterogeneity (I² = 79.4%, P = .008). Also, serum triglyceride (WMD = -32.26 mg/dL; 95% CI, -60.44 to -4.08; P = .02) was reduced with high heterogeneity across the studies (I² = 93.0%, P < .001). Subgroup analysis revealed that probiotic consumption did increase HDL-C among non-Asian studies. Also, serum triglyceride was higher when probiotics were consumed as food, among non-Asian population, and for less than 4 weeks. Probiotics may be beneficial to improve metabolic markers in athletes including fecal zonulin and serum triglyceride. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was aimed to develop an effective nanoliposomal vaccine delivery system with P435 HER2/neu-derived peptide conjugated to Maleimide-PEG2000-DSPE. The nanoliposome formulation composed of DSPC/DSPG/Chol/DOPE and monophosphoryl lipid A was used as an adjuvant. Liposomal formulations were prepared and their physical properties were characterized. Anti-tumoral efficacy of formulations was evaluated by immunization of tumor-bearing BALB/c mice and the generated immune response was studied by using ELISpot and flow cytometry analysis. The results of the study demonstrated Lip + DOPE + P535 formulation caused the lowest tumor size and the longest survival time in TUBO mice model and could make it a promising candidate in developing effective vaccines against HER2-positive breast cancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grafting type and covering method of the graft union have significant effects on grafting success. Two experiments were conducted to determine the best method of grafting and the covering of graft union in walnuts during 2014 and 2015. In the first experiment, plants were grafted under a shade-house with 50% reduction of sunlight. Two methods of saddle and tongue grafting, and three covering methods of graft union including moist sawdust, moist mixed coverage (cocopeat + soil + manure) and plastic cover (control) were used. In the second experiment, two walnut cultivars, 'Chandler' and 'Franquette' were used as scions along with four grafting methods, including saddle, tongue, omega and V under outdoor conditions. In this experiment, graft unions were covered with moist sawdust. The results of the first experiment showed that, 4 weeks after grafting, the rate of graft-take was better in saddle grafting compared to tongue grafting (76.8 and 62%, respectively). Covering by moist sawdust was better than the other two covers. In the second experiment, the omega method caused the best quality of callus, the highest callused grafts (89.1%) and the most successful graft-take (81.6%). Meanwhile, V grafting caused the highest survival percentage (65.8%) and growth of scions (107.9 cm) after 6 months. Therefore, we recommend this method for grafting walnuts under outdoor conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The experimental feasibility of extracting carvacrol or cymophenol from local and medicinal Oliveria decumbens by supercritical carbon dioxide through using ultrasound waves was investigated in this study. The extraction modelling was carried out in two forms: Internal and external. The internal model was adopted to simulate the concentration distribution of the phytochemicals in the plant particles. In this model, the extracted cell was assumed to be a filled substrate and two mechanisms of molecular permeability and mass transfer had the greatest effect. The comparison of the experimental data obtained from modelling revealed that both the internal and external models are compatible with the experimental data as much as 80%, indicating an acceptable accuracy. Furthermore, the empirical data is completely in line with the model at the final time (40 min), which is the time to reach the equilibrium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Anthrax is a zoonotic disease caused by Bacillus anthracis and it can be deadly in 6 days. Considerable efforts have been conducted toward developing more effective veterinary and human anthrax vaccines because these common vaccines have several limitations. B. anthracis secretes a tripartite toxin, comprising protective antigen (PA), edema factor (EF), and lethal factor (LF). Several studies have shown important role of PA in protection of anthrax. LF and EF induce production of toxin neutralizing antibodies too. PA in fusion form with LF/EF has synergistic effects as a potential subunit vaccine. Methods: In this study, for the first time, a triple chimeric protein called ELP was modeled by fusing three different domains of anthrax toxic antigens, the N-terminal domains of EF and LF, and the C-terminal domain of PA as a high immunogenic antigen using Modeller 9.19 software. Immunogenicity of the ELP was assessed in guinea pigs using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test and MTT assay. Results: Theoretical studies and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation results suggest that the ELP model had acceptable quality and stability. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analysis of the purified ELP, its domains, and PA were matched with their molecular size and confirmed by western blotting analysis. In the immune guinea pigs, antibody was produced against all of the ELP domains. It was observed that ELP induced strong humoral response and could protect murine macrophage cell line (RAW 264.7 cells) against anthrax lethal toxin (LeTx). Conclusions: ELP chimeric antigen could be considered as a high immunogenic antigen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine whether individual or interactive single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) may influence the development of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Methods: DNA from buccal cells of 212 participants (110 cases and 102 controls) were subjected to TaqMan genotyping of the HTR2A rs7997012, HTR2C rs6318, SLC6A4 rs3813034, ANKK1 rs1800497, and BDNF rs6265 SNPs. The ASD symptoms and severity were assessed by DSM-IV criteria and CARS scores. The SNPStats software was used to determine the best interactive model of inheritance of genotypic data. Results: We found susceptibility in ASD cases when compared with controls in rs7997012 (log-additive), rs6318, and rs3813034 (overdominant) and in 1800497 and rs6265 (recessive) (P< 0.05). Heterozygosity significantly contributed to the risk of ASD for rs6318 and rs3813034 SNPs (56%, P= 0.03 and 89%, P= 0.005, respectively). The rs6318 and rs6265 SNPs were significantly associated with cases with CARS scores ≥37 (recessive) (P= 0.03 and P= 0.05, respectively). Both the rs7997012 and rs6265A variant alleles were strongly associated with ASD cases with CARS scores ≥37 (P= 0.005 and P= 0.003). Conclusions: Our study provides clear evidence of associations between all five examined biomarkers and risk for ASD. Achieving exome analyses for Saudi patients with ASD could enable to identify more genetic variants and candidate genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present investigation reports the isolation, molecular identification and structure elucidation of antibacterial produced by two thermophilic spore-forming bacteria from hot spring (98 °C) of Guelma (Algeria). Morphological, biochemical and physiological characteristics were carried out. The molecular identification by 16S rRNA and 16-23S rRNA ITS-PCR sequencing identified the thermophilic strains as Bacillus licheniformis with 99% of similarity with GenBank accession numbers KX100031 and KX100032. Phenotypic characterization has mentioned several differences between thermophilic isolates and Bacillus licheniformis ATCC 14580. The ability of the thermophilic spore- forming bacteria to produce antibacterial compounds against two multidrug resistance bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa (NR_0754828.1) and Staphylococcus aureus (NR_075000.1) in pure and mixed culture was investigated by Radial Diffusion Assay at 55 °C. Structural elucidation of actives compounds was carried out using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses. Antibacterial potency of the thermophilic isolates might be due to the association between two phenolic compounds: 2,4-Di-tert-butyl-phenol as principal active compound and p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene as prodrugs comparing between gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of pure and mixed extract. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report showing production of p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene and 2,4-Di-tert-butyl-phenol as extremolytes compounds from thermophilic Bacillus licheniformis at 55 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In 2015, to determine where interventions are needed to eliminate trachoma as a public health problem from Egypt, we initiated population-based prevalence surveys using the Global Trachoma Mapping Project platform in four suspected-endemic marakez (districts; singular: markaz) of the governorates of Elmenia and Bani Suef. Methods: In each markaz, 30 households were selected in each of 25 villages. Certified graders examined a total of 3682 children aged 1-9 years in 2993 households, noting the presence or absence of trachomatous inflammation—follicular (TF) and trachomatous inflammation—intense (TI) in each eye. A total of 5582 adults aged ≥15 years living in the same households were examined for trachomatous trichiasis (TT). Household-level access to water and sanitation was recorded. Results: Three of four marakez had age-adjusted TF prevalence estimates in 1-9-year olds of >10%; the other markaz had a TF prevalence estimate of 5-9.9%. Estimates of the age- and gender-adjusted prevalence of unmanaged TT in adults ranged from 0.7% to 2.3%. Household-level access to water and sanitation was high. (We did not, however, measure use of water or sanitation facilities.) Conclusions: Each of the four marakez surveyed has trachoma as a public health problem, with a need for implementation of the SAFE (surgery, antibiotics, facial cleanliness, environmental improvement) strategy. Further mapping is also required to determine the need for interventions in other areas of Egypt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]