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Air pollution is a significant concern in this era. However, large quantities of pollutants can cause environmental damage and human health problems. The existing monitoring systems are highly precise and sensitive; however, they require high laboratory analysis and high operational costs. To overcome these problems, an air quality monitoring system has been proposed as an alternative that can complement the current system. This study aimed to design an inexpensive air quality monitoring system using metal oxide sensors to measure the concentrations of carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and particulate matter (PM) using laser diffraction, a microcontroller, and a general packet radio service module. Our air quality index monitoring system is a sensor node powered by a rechargeable battery supplied by either a solar panel or an alternating current power supply. Our developed system is equipped with an information system, namely a server and graphical user interface, to receive data, calculate the air pollutant standard index, and access data. In this paper, we discussed a novel adaptive algorithm for reducing packet loss in cellular-network-based transmissions. This algorithm allows nodes to perform repeated data transmissions and extends the response waiting times according to the received signal strength indicator. The test results show that the developed algorithm can reduce packet loss by 9.8–11.6% under medium/bad conditions. The node test was carried out in a heavy traffic area approximately 2 km from Atang Senjaya Airport with moderate air quality.

The water pressure monitoring system in the PDAM pipeline networks has been successfully developed for operation and maintenance of water leaks in a real-time manner. This research aims to design a water pressure monitoring system in operational piping networks to identify anomalies as early as possible. The system is built using a microcontroller, a 1.2 MPa fluid pressure sensor and a control system equipped with a GSM wireless communication module, an Analog to Digital Converter module with 16-bit resolution, a real-time clock peripheral, an OLED display 128x64, and a micro SD card. The developed system was tested in a pressure range of 0.200 - 0.800 bar with 30 repetitions with a RMSE of 0.058 bar. This system has a deterministic coefficient of 0.885 against a standard manometer. The system implemented in the field successfully sends data to the server with a success rate of 96.0%. Data is displayed on a monitoring dashboard that can be accessed via a computer or smartphone.

Objective: To evaluate the anticancer potential of Cymbopogon citratus extract. Methods: GC-MS analysis was used to identify phytocomponents in the methanolic extract of Cymbopogon citratus. A fractionation method was employed to isolate and assess the bioactivity of different fractions and their cytotoxic activities against cancer cell lines HCT116, LoVo, Caco-2, and HT-29 were investigated. A dual staining method with acridine orange and ethidium bromide was used to assess the effect of the extract on cell apoptosis. Additionally, the expression levels of Bax and TP53 were quantified using realtime PCR in Caco-2 cells treated with the ethyl acetate fraction of Cymbopogon citratus extract. A protein array was employed to profile key pro- and anti-apoptotic proteins in Caco-2 cells. Moreover, molecular docking studies were conducted to investigate the interactions between key compounds of Cymbopogon citratus extract and specific apoptosis-related protein domains (PDB IDs: 7wql and 4bkx). Results: A significant growth inhibition was observed in Caco-2 cells treated with Cymbopogon citratus extract. Among the seven fractions of the plant extract, the ethyl acetate fraction showed the highest cytotoxicity against Caco-2 cells with an IC50 value of (6.16 ± 0.01) μg/mL. The immunofluorescence assay showed that the ethyl acetate fraction could induce apoptosis of Caco-2 cells. Moreover, the fraction upregulated the gene expressions of Bax and TP53 in a dose-dependent manner. The docking analysis demonstrated the interaction of five compounds isolated from the ethyl acetate fraction with key proteins in Caco-2 cells, indicating their anticancer properties. Conclusions: Cymbopogon citratus extract shows anticancer activity against Caco-2 cells by inducing apoptosis. It may be a promising candidate for the treatment of colon cancer, which needs further investigation.

Abstract Background To potentially lessen injuries and associated complications, fluorescence cholangiography has been suggested as a technique for enhancing the visualization and identification of extrahepatic biliary anatomy. The most popular way to administer indocyanine green (ICG) is intravenously, as there is currently little data on ICG injections directly into the gallbladder. In order to visualize extrahepatic biliary anatomy during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), we compared the two different ICG administration techniques. We also examined variations in visualization time, as well as the effectiveness, benefits, and drawbacks of each modality. Methods In this prospective randomized clinical study, 60 consecutive adult patients with chronic and acute gallbladder disease were included. Our study conducted from 2022 to 2024 in Surgical Department of Theodor Bilharz Research Institute. Thirty patients underwent LC with intravenous ICG administration (IV-ICG), thirty patients received a direct injection of gallbladder through transhepatic ICG (IC-ICG) and Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative patient data were examined. Results In terms of their perioperative and demographic features, the groups were similar. Without a statistically significant difference, the IV-ICG group’s total operating time was less than that of the IC-ICG group (p 0.140). Compared to the transhepatic IC-ICG method, IV-ICG was more accurate in identifying the duodenum and the common hepatic duct (p = 0.029 and p = 0.016, respectively). In the transhepatic IC-ICG and IV-ICG groups, the cystic duct could be identified prior to dissection in 66.6% and 73.3% of cases, respectively, and this increased to 86.6% and 93.3% following dissection. In the transhepatic IC-ICG group, the common bile duct was visible in 93.3% of cases; in the IV-ICG group, it was visible in 90% of cases. Two cases in the IC-ICG group and every case following IV-ICG administration had liver fluorescence (6.6% versus 100%; p

Abstract Kidney diseases pose a significant global health challenge, requiring precise diagnostic tools to improve patient outcomes. This study addresses this need by investigating three main categories of renal diseases: kidney stones, cysts, and tumors. Utilizing a comprehensive dataset of 12,446 CT whole abdomen and urogram images, this study developed an advanced AI-driven diagnostic system specifically tailored for kidney disease classification. The innovative approach of this study combines the strengths of traditional convolutional neural network architecture (AlexNet) with modern advancements in ConvNeXt architectures. By integrating AlexNet’s robust feature extraction capabilities with ConvNeXt’s advanced attention mechanisms, the paper achieved an exceptional classification accuracy of 99.85%. A key advancement in this study’s methodology lies in the strategic amalgamation of features from both networks. This paper concatenated hierarchical spatial information and incorporated self-attention mechanisms to enhance classification performance. Furthermore, the study introduced a custom optimization technique inspired by the Adam optimizer, which dynamically adjusts the step size based on gradient norms. This tailored optimizer facilitated faster convergence and more effective weight updates, imporving model performance. The model of this study demonstrated outstanding performance across various metrics, with an average precision of 99.89%, recall of 99.95%, and specificity of 99.83%. These results highlight the efficacy of the hybrid architecture and optimization strategy in accurately diagnosing kidney diseases. Additionally, the methodology of this paper emphasizes interpretability and explainability, which are crucial for the clinical deployment of deep learning models.

Abstract Zic family member ZIC4 is a transcription factor that has been shown to be silenced in several cancers. However, understanding the regulation and function of ZIC4 in pediatric choroid plexus tumors (CPTs) remained limited. This study employed data mining and bioinformatics analysis to investigate the DNA methylation status of ZIC4 in CPTs and its correlation with patient survival. Our results unveiled ZIC4 methylation as a segregating factor, dividing CPT cohorts into two clusters, with hyper-methylation linked to adverse prognosis. Hyper-methylation of ZIC4 was confirmed in a choroid plexus carcinoma-derived cell line (CCHE-45) by bisulfite sequencing. Furthermore, our study demonstrated that demethylating agent and a histone methyltransferase inhibitor could reverse ZIC4 silencing. RNA sequencing and proteomic analysis showed that ZIC4 over-expression influenced genes and proteins involved in immune response, antigen processing and presentation, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and metabolism. Functionally, re-expressing ZIC4 negatively impacted cell proliferation and migration. Ultimately, these findings underscore ZIC4 hyper-methylation as a prognostic marker in CPTs and shed light on potential mechanisms underlying its tumor suppressor role in CPC. This insight paves the way for novel therapeutic targets in treating aggressive CPTs.

Background: Sudden death is defined as an unexpected death occurring with no observed antecedent clinical signs. Aim: The current study was performed to notice the tangible causes of sudden death among 51 out of 340 she-camels on a private farm in the eastern region of El Khafgi, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A retrospective cohort study design was conducted to investigate sudden death of camels through microscopic examination of fecal matter to identify the gastrointestinal parasites, analysis of whole blood thin films to diagnose blood parasites, blood culturing to recognize bacterial infection as Pasteurella multicida, and macroscopic postmortem examination to identify the gastrointestinal adult worm. The quantity and composition of feed were also analyzed. Afterward, a commercial multiscreen Ag-ELISA kit technique determined the toxins of Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens). Results: The results revealed that the incidence rate of sudden death was 15%. The sudden death occurred due to C. perfringens enterotoxins detected in the rumen, intestinal content, and intestinal wall. The enterotoxins and Alpha toxins were noticed, but the other toxin types, including Beta and Epsilon, could not be detected. All C. perfringens toxins were discovered to be negative in fecal matter. A significant association was reported between sudden death, she-camels age, and feeding habits as risk factors (P = 0.020 and 0.028, respectively). Risk factor assessment by relative risk (RR) revealed that the odds of RR of sudden death occurring among she-camelss aged over two years were higher than those less than two years (2.24 CI 95%, 1.093-4.591). Furthermore, the odds RR of sudden death occurring due to exposure of she-camels to a concentrated ratio of 18% were higher twice than those not exposed (2.346 CI 95%, 1.039-5.296). Conclusion: C. perfringens enterotoxaemia should be listed as a cause of sudden death in camels and the alteration in diet with 18% concentration feed changes the intestinal environment, which leads to C. perfringens proliferating and yielding potent toxins. More observations and interferences like regular immunization are recommended to reduce the disease and increase the awareness of the farmers of the importance of risk factors. [Open Vet J 2024; 14(8.000): 1942-1951]

Abstract Cholera is a life-threatening gastrointestinal infection caused by a toxigenic bacterium, Vibrio cholerae. After a lull of almost 30 years, a first case of cholera was detected in Lebanon in October 2022. The outbreak lasted three months, with 8007 suspected cases (671 laboratory-confirmed) and 23 deaths. In this study, we use phenotypic methods and microbial genomics to study 34 clinical and environmental Vibrio cholerae isolates collected throughout this outbreak. All isolates are identified as V. cholerae O1, serotype Ogawa strains from wave 3 of the seventh pandemic El Tor (7PET) lineage. Phylogenomic analysis unexpectedly reveals the presence of two different strains of the seventh pandemic El Tor (7PET) lineage. The dominant strain has a narrow antibiotic resistance profile and is phylogenetically related to South Asian V. cholerae isolates and derived African isolates from the AFR15 sublineage. The second strain is geographically restricted and extensively drug-resistant. It belongs to the AFR13 sublineage and clusters with V. cholerae isolates collected in Yemen. In conclusion, the 2022-2023 Lebanese cholera outbreak is caused by the simultaneous introduction of two different 7PET strains. Genomic surveillance with cross-border collaboration is therefore crucial for the identification of new introductions and routes of circulation of cholera, improving our understanding of cholera epidemiology.

Abstract Periodic blood transfusion is a need in cancer patients in which the disease process as well as the chemotherapy can disrupt the natural production of blood cells. However, there are concerns about blood transfusion side effects, the cost, and the availability of donated blood. Therefore, predicting the timely requirement for blood transfusion considering patient variability is a need, and here for the first-time deal with this issue in blood cancer using in vivo data. First, a data set of 98 samples of blood cancer patients including 61 features of demographic, clinical, and laboratory data are collected. After performing multivariate analysis and the approval of an expert, effective parameters are derived. Then using a deep recurrent neural network, a system is presented to predict a need for packed red blood cell transfusion. Here, we use a Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) neural network for modeling and the cross-validation technique with 5 layers for validation of the model along with comparing the result with networking and non-networking machine learning algorithms including bidirectional LSTM, AdaBoost, bagging decision tree based, bagging KNeighbors, and Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP). Results show the LSTM outperforms the other methods. Then, using the swarm of fuzzy bioinspired nanomachines and the most effective parameters of Hgb, PaO2, and pH, we propose a feasibility study on nano fuzzy alarming system (NFABT) for blood transfusion requirements. Alarming decisions using the Internet of Things (IoT) gateway are delivered to the physician for performing medical actions. Also, NFABT is considered a real-time non-invasive AI-based hemoglobin monitoring and alarming method. Results show the merits of the proposed method.

Background: Early diagnosis of sepsis and its severity is essential for timely management to improve patient survival. Aim of the work: define prognostic indicators of mortality in children presenting with sepsis. Materials and Methods: A prospective observational cohort study included 45 children with sepsis admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), Children Hospital, Cairo university. Studied predictors included clinical assessment, modified Sequential Organ Failure assessment m (SOFA) score calculation, age- adjusted quick Sequential Organ Failure assessment (qSOFA), Pediatric Risk of Mortality (PRISM) score and lab investigations, including reticulocyte distribution width (RDW). Results: The age of enrolled children with sepsis ranged between 0.16 - 5 years (median= 1 year), 27 (60 %) of them were males. Of them, 14 (31%) patients died. The mortality among them was predicted by the mSOFA above the cutoff point of 12 had 92% sensitivity, 96% specificity, 92% positive predictive value (PPV), and 96% negative predictive value (NPV) with area under the curve (AUC): 0.97, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.93 to 1, the PRISM III score above the cutoff point of 15 had 92% sensitivity, 90 %specificity, 81 % PPV, and 96% NPV with AUC: 0.96, 95 % CI 0.9 to 1, and the RDW above the cutoff point of 21 had 92% sensitivity, 66% specificity, 56% PPV, and 95% NPV with AUC: 0.86, 95 % CI 0.754 to 0.973. The age-adjusted qSOFA failed to predict mortality. Combining the RDW with these scores improved the mortality prediction as the combined RDW to the mSOFA above the cutoff point of 34 showed 100% sensitivity, 90 %specificity, 82 % PPV, and 100% NPV with AUC: 0.97, 95 % CI 0.93 to 1 and the combined RDW to the PRISM III score above the cutoff point of 41 had 92% sensitivity, 96 % specificity, 92 %, PPV, and 96% NPV with AUC: 0.98, 95 % CI 0.96 to 1. Conclusion: RDW combined with mSOFA score above the cutoff point of 34 and PRISM III score above the cutoff point of 41 were sensitive and specific predictors of mortality among children with sepsis. They may be used as indicators for timely referral of children with sepsis from the emergency ward to the PICU.

Abstract The therapeutic potential of insect-derived bioactive molecules as anti-SARS-CoV-2 agents has shown promising results. Hymenopteran venoms, notably from Apis mellifera (honeybee) and Vespa orientalis (oriental wasp), were examined for the first time in an in vitro setting for their potential anti-COVID-19 activity. This assessment utilized an immunodiagnostic system to detect the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid antigen titer reduction. Further analyses, including cytotoxicity assays, plaque reduction assays, and in silico docking-based screening, were performed to evaluate the efficacy of the most potent venom. Results indicated that bee and wasp venoms contain bioactive molecules with potential therapeutic effects against SARS-CoV-2.Nevertheless, the wasp venom exhibited superior efficacy compared to bee venom, achieving a 90% maximal (EC90) concentration effect of antigen depletion at 0.184 mg/mL, in contrast to 2.23 mg/mL for bee venom. The cytotoxicity of the wasp venom was assessed on Vero E6 cells 48 h post-treatment using the MTT assay. The CC 50 of the cell growth was 0.16617 mg/mL for Vero E6 cells. The plaque reduction assay of wasp venom revealed 50% inhibition (IC50) at a 0.208 mg/mL concentration. The viral count at 50% inhibition was 2.5 × 104 PFU/mL compared to the initial viral count of 5 × 104 PFU/mL. In silico data for the wasp venom revealed a strong attraction to binding sites on the ACE2 protein, indicating ideal interactions. This substantiates the potential of wasp venom as a promising viral inhibitor against SARS-CoV-2, suggesting its consideration as a prospective natural preventive and curative antiviral drug. In conclusion, hymenopteran venoms, particularly wasp venom, hold promise as a source of potential therapeutic biomolecules against SARS-CoV-2. More research and clinical trials are needed to evaluate these results and investigate their potential for translation into innovative antiviral therapies.

Summary: Antibody-oligonucleotide conjugates (AOCs) are a fast-expanding modality for targeted delivery of therapeutic oligonucleotides to tissues. Here, we present a protocol to generate, purify, and analyze AOCs from off-the-shelf antibodies. We describe steps to conjugate single/double-stranded oligonucleotides bearing amine handles to linkers and, then, to antibodies using well-established chemistry. In addition, we provide details regarding the purification techniques and analytical methods suitable for AOC. This protocol can be applied for several purposes where AOC is a modality of interest.For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Rady et al.1 : Publisher’s note: Undertaking any experimental protocol requires adherence to local institutional guidelines for laboratory safety and ethics.

AbstractPurpose: Trichodysplasia spinulosa (TS) is a rare, disfiguring skin condition which presents with widespread asymptomatic or pruritic, skin-colored papules with white protruding keratin spiculations in immunocompromised individuals. Due to its rarity, there is little data to guide treatment decisions. The purpose of this article is to report a case of TS that completely resolved after treatment with topical cidofovir.Materials and methods: A 19-year-old immunosuppressed female presented with widespread painful, itchy bumps on the nose and face. Upon examination, there were erythematous papules with hyperkeratinized spicules affecting the central face. Biopsy of the lesions was consistent with TS which was confirmed via PCR analysis. The tenderness of this patient’s eruption was highly atypical for TS. Once daily topical application of compounded 1% cidofovir cream was prescribed.Results: The patient’s symptoms resolved completely after 4 weeks of therapy with topical cidofovir 1% cream, without reduction of immunosuppression.Conclusions: Topical cidofovir 1% cream may be a valuable treatment for this rare disease.

The results of this study showed that out of 287 individuals (135 males and 152 females) of the spider crab Menaethius monoceros collected from the Red Sea and the Gulfs of Suez and Aqaba, 15 individuals (6 males and 9 females) were infected with Parasacculina pilosella (Van Kampen & Boschma, 1925) (Polyascidae: Rhizocephala: Cirripedia: Crustacea). A total of 20 externae were recorded, including 11 singles, three doubles, and only one triple on the infected crab abdomens. The overall infection rate was 5.23% for the combined sexes at all sites, declined to 4.44% in males, but increased to 5.92% in females, reaching a higher rate of 16.07% in the populations of Marsa Alam and Shalateen sectors during summer. The examined externae have variable colors, sizes, and shapes based on their sexual maturity, which has been classified into four stages: immature or virgin, early mature, maturing, and late (spent externae). The largest number of externae was eight extruded on the 3rd abdominal segment, while it decreased to six, two, and one on the 4th, 2nd and 5th segments, respectively. The size of externae varied from 1.3 × 1.0 × 1.0 to 6.3 × 4.5 × 2.5 mm (Breadth × Height × Thickness). These results showed changes in the external secondary sexual characters of the infected males, represented by the remarkable broadness of the abdomen fringed with marginal setae and invagination of the sternum, but were limited in infected females.

Abstract Background The COVID-19 outbreak has increased awareness of vitamin D's (Vit-D) potential advantages for both prevention and treatment. Adequate vitamin D levels are necessary for health of the immune system, which can help with cellular response and protection against the severity of microbial infection. Purpose To evaluate Vit-D levels and their association with illness severity in Egyptian COVID-19-infected individuals. Methods This case–control investigation was performed at the Alexandria Main University Hospital on 80 subjects divided into 2 groups: 40 COVID-19 patients and 40 healthy persons to measure the Vit-D levels of the Egyptian cohort. Results There was a statistically insignificant difference in the Vit-D serum levels of the studied groups (P = 1.000). The age of the Vit-D insufficient patients was significantly higher than that of Vit-D sufficient patients (P = 0.006). There was a statistically insignificant rise in the CRP level in the Vit-D insufficient patients (P = 0.862) compared to patients with sufficient Vit-D. Also, the D-dimer levels in Vit-D-insufficient patients were considerably higher (P = 0.015). Patients with sufficient Vit-D exhibited significantly lower levels of IL-6 than Vit-D insufficient patients. (P = 0.037). Patients in the Vit-D-insufficient subgroup needed substantially more breathing support than those in the Vit-D-sufficient group (P = 0.020). Conclusion Although there was no association between both levels of Vit-D and the COVID-19 infection risk, insufficiency of Vit-D was related to more severe infection.

Abstract Nanoparticle-based therapies are emerging as a pivotal frontier in biomedical research, showing their potential in combating infections and facilitating wound recovery. Herein, selenium-tellurium dopped copper oxide nanoparticles (SeTe-CuO NPs) with dual photodynamic and photothermal properties were synthesized, presenting an efficient strategy for combating bacterial infections. In vitro evaluations revealed robust antibacterial activity of SeTe-CuO NPs, achieving up to 99% eradication of bacteria and significant biofilm inhibition upon near-infrared (NIR) irradiation. Moreover, in vivo studies demonstrated accelerated wound closure upon treatment with NIR-activated SeTe-CuO NPs, demonstrating their efficacy in promoting wound healing. Furthermore, SeTe-CuO NPs exhibited rapid bacterial clearance within wounds, offering a promising solution for wound care. Overall, this versatile platform holds great promise for combating multidrug-resistant bacteria and advancing therapeutic interventions in wound management.

Abstract Background Despite their importance in reducing maternal mortality, information on access to Mifepristone, Misoprostol, and contraceptive medicines in the Eastern Mediterranean Region is limited. Methods A standardized assessment tool measuring access to Mifepristone, Misoprostol, and contraceptive medicines included in the WHO essential medicines list (EML) was implemented in eight countries in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Pakistan, and Somalia) between 2020–2021. The assessment focused on five access measures: 1) the inclusion of medicines in national family planning guidelines; 2) inclusion of medicines in comprehensive abortion care guidelines; 3) inclusion of medicines on national essential medicines lists; 4) medicines registration; and 5) procurement and forecasting of Mifepristone, Misoprostol, and contraceptive medicines. A descriptive analysis of findings from these eight national assessments was conducted. Results Only Lebanon and Pakistan included all 12 contraceptives that are enlisted in the WHO-EML within their national family planning guidelines. Only Afghanistan and Lebanon included mifepristone and mifepristone-misoprostol combination in post-abortion care guidelines, but these medicines were not included in their national EMLs. Libya and Somalia lacked a national regulatory authority for medicines registration. Most contraceptives included on the national EMLs for Lebanon, Morocco and Pakistan were registered. Misoprostol was included on the EMLs—and registered—in six countries (Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, and Pakistan). However, only three countries procured misoprostol (Iraq, Morocco, and Somalia). Conclusion These findings can guide efforts aimed at improving the availability of Mifepristone, Misoprostol, and contraceptive medicines in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Opportunities include expanding national EMLs to include more options for Mifepristone, Misoprostol, and contraceptive medicines and strengthening the registration and procurement systems to ensure these medicines’ availability were permitted under national law and where culturally acceptable.

Abstract An effective strategy for enhancing fruit production continuity during extended sweet pepper season involves adopting innovative biostimulants such as potassium silicate (PS) and vinasse. Adjusting PS and vinasse concentrations are crucial for maintaining the balance between vegetative and fruit growth, particularly in sweet pepper with a shallow root system, to sustain fruiting over prolonged season. However, the interaction between PS and vinasse and the underlying physiological mechanisms that extend the sweet pepper season under greenhouse conditions remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the impact of PS and vinasse treatments on the yield and biochemical constituents of perennial pepper plants cultivated under greenhouse conditions. For two consecutive seasons [2018/2019 and 2019/2020], pepper plants were sprayed with PS (0, 0.5, and 1 g/l) and drenched with vinasse (0, 1, 2, and 3 l/m3). To estimate the impact of PS and vinasse on the growth, yield, and biochemical constituents of pepper plants, fresh and dry biomass, potential fruit yield, and some biochemical constituents were evaluated. Results revealed that PS (0.5 g/l) coupled with vinasse (3 l/m3) generated the most remarkable enhancement, in terms of plant biomass, total leaf area, total yield, and fruit weight during both growing seasons. The implementation of vinasse at 3 l/m3 with PS at 0.5 and 1 g/l demonstrated the most pronounced augmentation in leaf contents (chlorophyll index, nitrogen and potassium), alongside improved fruit quality, including total soluble solid and ascorbic acid contents, of extended sweet pepper season. By implementing the optimal combination of PS and vinasse, growers can significantly enhance the biomass production while maintaining a balance in fruiting, thereby maximizing the prolonged fruit production of superior sweet pepper under greenhouse conditions.

Abstract Background Increasing concerns about climate change and global petroleum supply draw attention to the urgent need for the development of alternative methods to produce fuels. Consequently, the scientific community must devise novel ways to obtain fuels that are both sustainable and eco-friendly. Bacterial alkanes have numerous potential applications in the industry sector. One significant application is biofuel production, where bacterial alkanes can serve as a sustainable eco-friendly alternative to fossil fuels. This study represents the first report on the production of alkanes by endophytic bacteria. Results In this study, three Bacillus species, namely Bacillus atrophaeus Camph.1 (OR343176.1), Bacillus spizizenii Camph.2 (OR343177.1), and Bacillus aerophilus Camph.3 (OR343178.1), were isolated from the leaves of C. camphora. The isolates were then screened to determine their ability to produce alkanes in different culture media including nutrient broth (NB), Luria–Bertani (LB) broth, and tryptic soy broth (TSB). Depending on the bacterial isolate and the culture media used, different profiles of alkanes ranging from C8 to C31 were detected. Conclusions The endophytic B. atrophaeus Camph.1 (OR343176.1), B. spizizenii Camph.2 (OR343177.1), and B. aerophilus Camph.3 (OR343178.1), associated with C. camphora leaves, represent new eco-friendly approaches for biofuel production, aiming towards a sustainable future. Further research is needed to optimize the fermentation process and scale up alkane production by these bacterial isolates.

Abstract Background Liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma “HCC”) remains a significant health issue without prompt detection and appropriate prevention. By interacting with each other, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) can form gene regulatory networks. Specifically, we aim to determine whether the lncRNAs (HOTTIP, H19, and HOTAIR) and miRNA-152 interact in a significant manner in the progression of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients to HCC. This is followed by the question of whether these biomarkers can be used to diagnose and prognose noninvasively. We used online computational techniques to predict which miRNA group is likely to affect the lncRNAs being examined. This study involved 133 participants. 103 patients with HCV were included in the study, which was divided into two groups: Group I, with 65 cases of chronic liver disease without HCC, and Group II, with 38 cases of chronic liver disease with HCC. In addition, 30 healthy volunteers served as controls. In this study, a qRT-PCR was used to test gene expression. Results A consistent reverse correlation has been observed between lncRNAs and miRNA-152 as the disease progresses. Conclusion According to our findings, the studied biomarkers may be useful as noninvasive biomarkers for prognosis in patients with HCV Genotype 4 who develop liver cirrhosis and HCC. Many miRNAs, including miRNA-19a and miRNA-106a, may interact with lncRNAs that have been investigated in addition to miRNA-152.

Abstract Background The DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) complex comprises a catalytic (PRKDC) and two requisite DNA-binding (Ku70/Ku80) subunits. The role of the complex in repairing double-stranded DNA breaks (DSBs) is established, but its role in inflammation, as a complex or individual subunits, remains elusive. While only ~ 1% of PRKDC is necessary for DNA repair, we reported that partial inhibition blocks asthma in mice without causing SCID. Methods We investigated the central role of PRKDC in inflammation and its potential association with DNA repair. We also elucidated the relationship between inflammatory cytokines (e.g., TNF-α) and PRKDC by analyzing its connections to inflammatory kinases. Human cell lines, primary human endothelial cells, and mouse fibroblasts were used to conduct the in vitro studies. For animal studies, LPS- and oxazolone-induced mouse models of acute lung injury (ALI) and delayed-type hypersensitivity (DHT) were used. Wild-type, PRKDC+/−, or Ku70+/− mice used in this study. Results A ~ 50% reduction in PRKDC markedly blocked TNF-α-induced expression of inflammatory factors (e.g., ICAM-1/VCAM-1). PRKDC regulates Th1-mediated inflammation, such as DHT and ALI, and its role is highly sensitive to inhibition achieved by gene heterozygosity or pharmacologically. In endothelial or epithelial cells, TNF-α promoted rapid PRKDC phosphorylation in a fashion resembling that induced by, but independent of, DSBs. Ku70 heterozygosity exerted little to no effect on ALI in mice, and whatever effect it had was associated with a specific increase in MCP-1 in the lungs and systemically. While Ku70 knockout blocked VP-16-induced PRKDC phosphorylation, it did not prevent TNF-α − induced phosphorylation of the kinase, suggesting Ku70 dispensability. Immunoprecipitation studies revealed that PRKDC transiently interacts with p38MAPK. Inhibition of p38MAPK blocked TNF-α-induced PRKDC phosphorylation. Direct phosphorylation of PRKDC by p38MAPK was demonstrated using a cell-free system. Conclusions This study presents compelling evidence that PRKDC functions independently of the DNA-PK complex, emphasizing its central role in Th1-mediated inflammation. The distinct functionality of PRKDC as an individual enzyme, its remarkable sensitivity to inhibition, and its phosphorylation by p38MAPK offer promising therapeutic opportunities to mitigate inflammation while sparing DNA repair processes. These findings expand our understanding of PRKDC biology and open new avenues for targeted anti-inflammatory interventions.

Abstract Numerous studies revealed optimization techniques' applicability in minimizing the costs of reinforced concrete buildings. However, the existing literature has narrowly focused on optimizing buildings with a single function, such as residential or office buildings, hindering the generalization of the results. This paper aims to bridge the gap between optimization and structural engineering by obtaining the minimum-cost design of flat slab buildings with different intended functions. In this context, the optimal designs of 120 alternatives were obtained, considering various spans (4–8 m), live loads (2–10 kPa), and concrete compressive strength (25–40 MPa). The optimization was executed using the evolutionary algorithm provided in Microsoft Excel’s Solver tool. The optimization model permits the utilization of drop panels to resist punching stresses developed from the slab-column interaction. The objective function is the cost of materials and labor involved in constructing floors and columns. The decision variables are the floor dimensions and column configurations in dimensions and reinforcement. The structural constraints were applied per the Egyptian design code (ECP203-2020). Eventually, guidelines were developed to help the designers choose the economic floor system and quantities of materials based on the building's intended function.

Abstract Background Prior research has reaffirmed lifestyle risk behaviors to cluster among adolescents. However, the lifestyle cluster effect on suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs) was unclear among adolescents in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). No comparison of such associations was conducted across nations. Methods Data from 45 LMICs were obtained from the Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS) between 2009 and 2019. Lifestyle behavior factors were collected through a structured questionnaire. Suicidal ideation, plan, and attempt were ascertained by three single-item questions. Lifestyle risk scores were calculated via a sufficient dimension reduction technique, and lifestyle risk clusters were constructed using a latent class analysis. Generalized linear mixed models with odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to estimate the lifestyle-STB associations. Results A total of 229,041 adolescents were included in the final analysis. The weighted prevalence of suicidal ideation, plan, and attempt was 7.37%, 5.81%, and 4.59%, respectively. Compared with the favorable lifestyle group, the unfavorable group had 1.48-, 1.53-, and 3.11-fold greater odds of suicidal ideation (OR = 1.48, 95%CI: 1.30–1.69), plan (OR = 1.53, 95%CI 1.34–1.75), and attempt (OR = 3.11, 95%CI 2.64–3.65). Four clusters of lifestyle risk behaviors were identified, namely healthy lifestyles (H–L), insufficient intake of vegetables and fruit (V-F), frequent consumption of soft drinks and fast food (D-F), and tobacco smoking and alcohol drinking (S-A) clusters. Compared with H–L cluster, V-F cluster was associated with 43% and 42% higher odds of suicidal ideation and plan, followed by S-A cluster (26% for ideation and 20% for plan), but not significant in D-F cluster (P > 0.05). D-F cluster was associated with 2.85-fold increased odds of suicidal attempt, followed by V-F cluster (2.43-fold) and S-A cluster (1.18-fold). Conclusions Clustering of lifestyle risk behaviors is informative for risk stratification of STBs in resource-poor settings. Lifestyle-oriented suicide prevention efforts should be initiated among school-attending adolescents in LMICs.

ABSTRACTThe infertility of sandy soil hampers the growth of many crops. Typically, chemical fertilizers are used to handle this issue, but they are expensive and have deleterious implications on the ecosystem. A two-year field investigation was carried out on cowpea cultivated in sandy soil to assess the effects of different watering levels (70, 80, 90, and 100% of the actual irrigation requirements), chemical fertilizers, organic fertilizers, and biofertilizer (Bradyrhizobium sp.), and their combinations on the morpho-physiological traits and yield of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp, cv. Giza 18). Overall, the findings showed that cowpea osmoregulatory molecules (sugars, proteins, and proline) demonstrated greater accumulation, with the content depending on the watering level. The applied fertilizers demonstrated improved cowpea performance at the regular watering level, with chopped potato tops outperforming other fertilizer formulations. Furthermore, the combination of water stress treatments and fertilizer formulations was impactful in relieving the detrimental consequences of water stress as it enhanced plant growth performance, production efficiency, metabolic homeostasis, nutritional value, and mineral ions composition. Subsequently, our results demonstrated agro-wastes, particularly chopped potato tops, could be an effective substitute for chemical fertilizers in sandy soils to sustainably increase soil fertility as well as cowpea yield performance.

Abstract Malaria is a serious Anopheles mosquito-borne disease. It is not endemic in Egypt but continues to be imported by travelers returning from endemic areas. The transmission of malaria in non-endemic areas is an extremely unusual event, but it is possible under certain conditions. Herein, we report a case of prolonged fever in a patient living in the countryside of Egypt with no reported travel history following accidental blood exposure to a malaria patient. The purpose is to shed light on this rare mode of malaria transmission and also to alert physicians and infectious disease specialists to consider malaria in the differential diagnosis in case of contact history to the blood of a malaria patient.