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Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease of major significant perspectives in public health and veterinary medicine. So far, the available drugs control only the active infection, once the parasite encysts in the tissues, they lose their efficacy. Cytokines; IFN-γ and IL-10, play a critical role in the modulation of toxoplasmic encephalitis and neuro-inflammation in chronic toxoplasmosis. Antiretroviral protease inhibitors applied in the treatment of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, revealed activity against multiple parasites. Aluvia (lopinavir/ritonavir) (L/R); an aspartyl protease inhibitor, had efficiently treated T. gondii RH strain infection. We investigated the potential activity of L/R against experimental T. gondii infection with a cystogenic Me49 strain in mice, considering the role of IFN-γ and IL-10 in the neuropathology versus pyrimethamine-sulfadiazine combination therapy. Three aluvia regimens were applied; starting on the day of infection (acute phase), 2-week PI (early chronic phase) and eight weeks PI (late chronic phase). L/R reduced the brain-tissue cyst burden significantly in all treatment regimens. It impaired the parasite infectivity markedly in the late chronic phase. Ultrastructural changes were detected in Toxoplasma cyst membrane and wall, bradyzoite membrane and nuclear envelope. The signs of bradyzoite paraptosis and cytoplasmic lipid droplets were observed. L/R had significantly reduced the brain-homogenate levels of IFN-γ and IL-10 in its three regimens however, they could not reach the normal level in chronic phases. Cerebral hypercellularity, perivascular inflammatory response, lymphoplasmacytic infiltrates and glial cellular reaction were ameliorated by L/R treatment. Herein, L/R was proved to possess promising preventive and therapeutic perspectives in chronic cerebral toxoplasmosis.

This work focuses on tracking stomach ulcer localized in mice. High labeling yield and radiochemical purity were achieved for the formation of a [125I]esomeprazole radiotracer at optimum conditions of oxidizing agent content (chloramines-T (Ch-T), 100 μg), substrate amount (Esom, 100 μg), pH of reaction mixture (6), reaction time (30 min) and temperature (37 °C), using radioactive iodine-125 (200–450 MBq). The radiolabeled compound, [125I]esom, was stable in serum and saline solution during 24 h. Esom is acting as a histamine-2-receptor antagonist (H2RA). Biodistribution studies were carried in normal and ulcerated mice. High uptake of 78.12 ± 0.80% injected dose/g organ (ID/g) observed in ulcerated mice confirmed the suitability of [125I]esomeprazole as a novel radiotracer for stomach imaging.

Melatonin (MT) has been reported to regulate certain plant physiological processes and promote tolerance to different environmental stresses such as salinity. Green bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. Royal Nel) seedlings were exposed to 200 mM NaCl with or without pre-treatment with 150 μM MT. Salt stress led to a lower chlorophyll content, a reduced photosynthetic activity, increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) contents, and decreased photosystem II (PSII) activity. The application of exogenous MT to green bean seedlings under salt stress improved photosynthetic activity and alleviated the oxidative damages by enhancing the activity of antioxidant enzymes. The expression of catalase (CAT1), glutathione reductase (GR), superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD1), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), Peroxiredoxin Q (PrxQ), and 2-cysteine peroxiredoxin (2-Cys-Prx) encoding genes was significantly increased under salt stress in green bean seedling compared with the untreated control. However, plants treated with exogenous MT and NaCl had 28.8, 21.1, 26.1, 20, 26.2, and 22.4% higher CuZnSOD, CAT1, APX, GR, PrxQ, and 2-Cys-Prx transcript levels, respectively, compared to NaCl stress alone. Our study revealed the protective mechanisms mediated by exogenous MT application in NaCl stress alleviation and our findings could be used in the management of green bean cultivation in salinity-prone soils.

Ischemia at the upper extremity is considered one of the disabling and frequent causes of blind medical care failure. Non- invasive techniques as CTA and Doppler could effectively determine stenosis grades up to occlusion of the upper extremity, particularly if they impact the vessels proximal to the wrist also they can characterise the thrombus characters and recanalisation. The study was a prospective study carried out on 30 patients with upper extremity ischemia during the period from April 2019 to April 2020 at the Radiology department of ZagazigUniversity hospitals. All patients presented with signs of ischemia as claudication, colour changes, pulselessness and their age ranged between 45 to 70 years. All patients underwent complete history taking and clinical examination, the results were correlated to conventional angiography. Overall, in the present study, Doppler US has a sensitivity of 86.6 %, a specificity of 100%, PVP of 100% and PVN of 91.3%. CTA has a sensitivity of 93.3 %, the specificity of 100%, PVP of 100% and PVN of 95.45 %.CTA was more sensitive in milder degrees (Grades I& II) of thromboembolism and stenosis but no significant difference in severe cases (Grades III &IV). Segmental length assessment and collateral circulation were better noted on CT Angiography.

Background The pattern and impact of burnout among the medical staff are not yet well defined. However, the consequences of burnout are not limited to the healthcare providers but also may affect their family, colleagues and patients in a negative manner. We aimed to assess the characteristics and predictors of burnout among health professionals at two large tertiary hospitals. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study during the period from July 2018 to 31 December 2018. Data, via Maslach Burnout Inventory survey, were collected from physicians and other healthcare workers in two hospitals. Results A total of 624 responses to questionnaires were analysed. Half of the respondents were physicians, and men constituted the majority. About 10% (95% CI, 7.8 to 12.5) of the respondents satisfied the criteria of burnout. Emotional exhaustion (EE) was observed in 45.7%, depersonalisation (DP) in 26.9% and personal accomplishment (PA) in 41.2% of the respondents. There was a positive correlation between EE and DP (r=0.627, p=0.001), and a weak negative correlation between DP and PA (r=−0.195, p=0.001). Young age, less experience, trauma surgery, lack of habits and getting depressed ≥1 time/week were predictors of burnout. Conclusions Burnout affects one-tenth of the health professionals in the tertiary hospitals in Qatar. Physicians are more likely to have higher DP and lower PA, whereas nurses prone to have higher EE. In this study, no gender discrepancy is appreciated and the junior medical staff is at a higher risk of burnout.

Graphical abstract, Highlights • Identifying somatic mutations associated with Egyptian breast cancer tumors. • Identifying breast cancer mutation driver genes in the studied Egyptian patients. • Identify genetic mutations in BC tumors help developing personalized treatment protocols or combination therapies. • Identifying novel variants that may be associated with Egyptian breast cancer patients. • Help in customization of Egyptian related breast cancer panels as a routine work, Breast cancer (BC) incidence is progressively increasing in Egypt. However, there is insufficient knowledge of the acquired somatic mutations in Egyptian BC patients which limit our understanding of its progression. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first Egyptian cohort to sequence a multiple-gene panel of cancer related genes on BC patients. Four hundred and nine cancer related genes were sequenced in 46 fresh breast tumors of Egyptian BC patients to identify somatic mutations and their frequencies. TP53 and PIK3CA were the most top two frequently mutated genes. We detected 15 different somatic mutations in TP53 and 8 different ones in PIK3CA, each in 27 samples (58.7%). According to Clinvar database; we found 19 pathogenic somatic mutations: 7 in Tp53, 5 in PIK3CA, and single variants of VHL, STK11, AKT1, KRAS, IDH2, PTEN and ERBB2. We also identified 5 variants with uncertain significance (4 in TP53 and 1 in CEBPA) and 4 variants with conflicting interpretations of pathogenicity (2 in TP53 and 1 in each of APC and JAK3). Moreover, one drug response variant (p.P72R) in TP53 was detected in 8 samples. Furthermore, four novel variants were identified in JAK2, MTOR, KIT and EPHB. Further analysis, by Ingenuity Variant Analysis software (IVA), showed that PI3K/AKT signaling is altered in greater than 50% of Egyptian BC patients which implicates PI3K/AKT signaling as a therapeutic target. In this cohort, we shed the light on the most frequently detected somatic mutations and the most altered pathway in Egyptian BC patients.

In Egypt, inadequate information on prevalence and epidemiology of caprine mastitis is available. This study was designed to investigate prevalence and etiological agents of caprine mastitis and assess the efficacy of somatic cell count (SCC) as marker of subclinical mastitis (SCM) in dairy goats. This study was carried out on 249 randomly selected lactating goats in different lactation stages and examined clinically. Of these animals, 477 milk samples were aseptically collected and screened for bacterial carriage. SCC was assessed in 234 apparently normal milk samples, and SCC >= 106 cells/ml was indicator for SCM. Prevalence of clinical mastitis (CM) was 33.73% and 16.87% at animal and udder-half levels, respectively. SCM was 52.56% in the apparently healthy halves. Culture results proved single infection in 49.69% of samples, mixed infection in 23.9% of samples, and 26.41% of samples were negative. Coagulase negative staphylococci (CNS) were the most predominant bacteria (58.75%), then Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) (24.375%), and Streptococci (1.875%) were the least. No significant difference was recorded between mean of SCC in bacteriologically positive and negative samples, neither in those with SCC = 106 cells/ml both in middle and late lactation stages. Besides, the percentage of animals harboring SCC >= 106 cells/ml and negative for bacteriology in late lactation stage was 3 times (28.57%) more than in midlactation (9.3%). We can assume that SCC is not proper indicator for intra-mammary inflammation (IMI) in goats, and bacteriological examination remains more efficient, despites being time consuming and expensive.

The biologically active compounds isolated from plants are known to be efficient as antibacterial and antioxidants. The antioxidant and antibacterial activities of total phenols and flavonoids drived from the petroleum ether, ethyl acetate and ethanol extracts of Opuntia ficus-indicaseeds and peels were performed using DPPH and modified Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion technique against gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis) and gram-negative bacteria (Serratia marcescens), respectively. In the present study, it is demonstrated that, both alcohol and ethyl acetate extracts show the best antioxidant and antibacterial activities than the petroleum ether extracts. This is consistent with the results of the chemical analyses of both extracts.

Purpose: The introduction of computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology to the field of removable prosthodontics has recently made it possible to fabricate complete dentures using prepolymerized polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) blocks that are claimed to have better mechanical properties. However, little was published concerning the clinical deformation of CAD/CAM PMMA. The purpose of this study was thus to compare the clinical deformation of CAD/CAM processed PMMA and conventionally processed heat-cured PMMA implant retained mandibular overdenture bases.Materials and Methods: Thoroughly selected ten completely edentulous patients have received two dental implants in the lower canine region. Two duplicate mandibular overdentures were constructed using CAD/CAM milled PMMA and conventionally constructed heat-cured PMMA. Self cure acrylic resin was used to pick up the attachments to the fitting surface of the mandibular overdenture base. Six linear strain gauges were attached to the lingual side of the polished surface of both overdenture bases to measure strains induced during maximal clenching and gum chewing.Results: Higher strain values were recorded with the conventionally constructed heat-cured PMMA overdentures compared to CAD/CAM constructed PMMA overdentures. The recorded strains were mainly compressive at the midline while the strains at implant sites were tensile. Higher strains were recorded during clenching compared to gum chewing in both assessed overdentures. Conclusion: CAD/CAM constructed PMMA implant-retained mandibular overdenture exhibits less denture deformation during function compared to conventionally constructed heat-cured PMMA overdenture.

Introduction: Computer-aided technology is an innovative method for fabrication of removable prosthodontics. Thus, more prospective clinical trials are necessary to validate this technology. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) milling technique of prepolymerized Poly Ether Ether Ketone (PEEK) and Poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) implant assisted overdentures on the chewing efficiency and bite force compared to the conventionally fabricated heat cured acrylic resin overdentures. Materials and Methods: Ten completely edentulous patients with persistent complaint of poor retention and stability of their mandibular complete dentures were selected. Each participant received four dental implants in the anterior mandible. Three identical overdentures were constructed for each patient. According to the processing technique and denture base material, the processed overdentures were classified into three groups. Group I: comprised CAD/CAM milled PEEK overdentures. Group II: comprised CAD/CAM milled PMMA overdentures. Group III: comprised conventional heat cured acrylic resin overdentures. Chewing efficiency of all overdenture groups in terms of measuring the unmixed chewing gum fraction was assessed using two-colour mixing ability test. Biting force was also assessed by a bite force transducer. All assessments were carried out three months after overdenture insertion of each type .Results: Chewing efficiency and biting force increased significantly with the CAD-CAM milled PEEK and CAD-CAM milled PMMA overdentures compared to the conventionally processed heat cured overdentures. However, no statistically significant difference was detected in the chewing efficiency and biting force when PEEK and PMMA overdentures were used. Conclusions: The CAD-CAM fabricated overdentures provided increased chewing efficiency and better biting force compared to conventionally processed heat cured overdentures.

In a previous study, the extract of Turmeric and β-Carotene was extracted from local cheap products for coloring the Egyptian Ras cheese instead of the imported Annatto dye. Ras cheese was made with this extract, and compared with control cheese. HPLC technology was used to estimate the stability of the added dye during making of cheese when fresh) and during storage period (180 days), and compared with control samples. HPLC analyzed was performed to detect and follow the reduction of the colour of cheese, and the loss of dyes in the whey. Results showed that after extraction for HPLC analysis of the annatto extract (norbixin) used in making Ras cheese, the recovery of norbixin from fresh Ras cheese averaged 80.57%, while the norbixin content in the whey of Ras cheese was 19.35%. HPLC determination of β-Carotene in Ras cheese was about 4.28% from a total amount of β-Carotene being used in cheese making process is lost in whey. Recovery of β-carotene from fresh Ras cheese was 95.32%. Recovery of β-carotene from uncolored Ras cheese fresh Ras cheese and whey sample were (96.00%/3.50%), respectively. The results from HPLC determination of β-Carotene in ripened Ras cheese after six month old cheese were 37.23%. Residual Annatto was extracted from ripened Ras cheese after 180 days from storage which was 34.07%. While, residual curcumin percentage in Ras cheese after ripening time was 43.20%. Annatto is less stable compared to Curcumin and β-carotene extracts under the same condition. When used Curcumin and β-carotene extracts, they forming a stable colour little of which is lost during separation of the whey. The economic feasibility between the price of colorant added and loss of some of it in whey, it is clear that annatto is less expensive but will be larger loss of whey. In contrast, in the case of Curcumin and carotene extracts, a little amount of the added extract is lost in the whey. On the other hand, it is recommended that the waxing of Ras cheese wheels to preserve the colour of oxidative degradation.

Two series of picolinamide derivatives bearing (thio)urea and dithiocarbamate moieties were designed and synthesized as VEGFR-2 kinase inhibitors. All the new compounds were screened for their cytotoxic activity against A549 cancer cell line and VEGFR-2 inhibitory activity. Compounds 7h, 9a and 9l showed potent inhibitory activity against VEGFR-2 kinase with IC50 values of 87, 27 and 94 nM, respectively in comparison to sorafenib (IC50 = 180 nM) as a reference. Compounds 7h, 9a and 9l were further screened for their antitumor activity against specific resistant human cancer cell lines from different origins (Panc-1, OVCAR-3, HT29 and 786-O cell lines) where compound 7h showed significant cell death in most of them. Multi-kinase inhibition assays were performed for the most potent VEGFR-2 inhibitors where compound 7h showed enhanced potency towards EGFR, HER-2, c-MET and MER kinases. Cell cycle analysis of A549 cells treated with 9a showed cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase and pro-apoptotic activity as indicated by annexin V-FITC staining.

Breast cancer (MCF-7), as well as liver cancer (HepG2), were the leader among newcancer cases. The objective of this study is to assess the viability percentage of tow traditional drinks(hibiscus and liquorice extracts) toward human breast and liver cancer cell lines at differentconcentrates from 250 to 5000 μg/ml in hibiscus extract and from 50 to 3000 μg/ml in liquoriceextract. The viability percentage of hibiscus on breast and liver cancer cell lines were 86.9% and84.7% at 5000 μg/ml, respectively. The IC50 of the hibiscus extract were 18478.6 μg/ml and 16159μg/ml breast and liver cancer. In addition, the viability percentage of liquorice extract on breast andliver cancer cell lines were determined. Results revealed that liquorice extract has possessed high anticarcinogenicproperties it was zero (%) at 3000 μg/ml for breast cancer and 5% for liver cancer atsame concentration, the IC50 was 491.7 μg/ml in breast cancer and was 125 μg/ml in liver cancer cellline. DNA damage was determined to detect oxidative DNA damage in HepG2 cell line. This enhances therole of these traditional drinks especially liquorice as anti-cancer agents.

Background: The overall success of denture base resins depends on both mechanical behaviour and biocompatibility, especially in the rehabilitation of diabetic patients. The growth and nourishment of microorganisms is enhanced in diabetes mellitus specially in presence of dentures resulting in denture stomatitis. This study was prompted to assess the microbiological growth and the development of salivary immunoglobulin A (s-IgA) in relation to newly introduced denture base materials used in the rehabilitation of diabetic patients.Materials and Methods: Forty eight completely edentulous patients were selected and divided into two groups: group (A), which included controlled diabetic patients and group (B) included non-diabetic patients. Each group was further divided into four sub groups according to the denture base material. Sub group I, patients were received thermoplastic VertexTM ThermoSens denture bases; sub group II, patients were received heat cure acrylic resin dentures reinforced with nano zirconia oxide particles (nano-ZrO2); sub group III, patients were received conventional heat cure acrylic resin dentures; where sub group VI, patients were received conventional heat cure acrylic resin dentures relined with self-cure acrylic resin. For each participant, non-stimulated saliva samples were collected before denture insertion, and one, two and three months after wearing dentures. Samples were inoculated and incubated both aerobically and anaerobically on selective media for Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacilli and Candida. Then, isolated microorganisms were identified, the characteristic colony forming units per millilitre (CFUs/ml), were calculated and the salivary immunoglobulin A level was measured by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results: The results revealed increase in the CFU values of Candida, Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacilli and the level of salivary immunoglobulin A in all the assessed patients following denture insertion. However, significant lower values were evident in patients rehabilitated with ThermoSens and nano-ZrO2 reinforced bases compared to heat cure acrylic and self-cure relined bases. Significant increase in CFU values and level of s-IgA were found in diabetic compared to non-diabetic patients after insertion of all denture bases. Conclusion: ThermoSens and nano-ZrO2 reinforced denture bases showed less microbial growth and salivary immunoglobulin A level compared to heat cure and self-cure relined bases in both controlled diabetic and non-diabetic patients, hence, more biocompatible. Keywords: Thermoplastic polyamide, Vertex ThermoSens, Reinforced acrylic, Zirconia oxide nanoparticles, Diabetes mellitus, Candida, Oral bacteria, Salivary Immunoglobulin A.

BackgroundIn contrast with the setting of acute myocardial infarction, there are limited data regarding the impact of diabetes mellitus on clinical outcomes in contemporary cohorts of patients with chronic coronary syndromes. We aimed to investigate the prevalence and prognostic impact of diabetes according to geographical regions and ethnicity.Methods and resultsCLARIFY is an observational registry of patients with chronic coronary syndromes, enrolled across 45 countries in Europe, Asia, America, Middle East, Australia, and Africa in 2009–2010, and followed up yearly for 5 years. Chronic coronary syndromes were defined by ≥1 of the following criteria: prior myocardial infarction, evidence of coronary stenosis >50%, proven symptomatic myocardial ischaemia, or prior revascularization procedure.Among 32 694 patients, 9502 (29%) had diabetes, with a regional prevalence ranging from below 20% in Northern Europe to ∼60% in the Gulf countries. In a multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards model, diabetes was associated with increased risks for the primary outcome (cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke) with an adjusted hazard ratio of 1.28 (95% confidence interval 1.18, 1.39) and for all secondary outcomes (all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, myocardial infarction, stroke, heart failure, and coronary revascularization). Differences on outcomes according to geography and ethnicity were modest.ConclusionIn patients with chronic coronary syndromes, diabetes is independently associated with mortality and cardiovascular events, including heart failure, which is not accounted by demographics, prior medical history, left ventricular ejection fraction, or use of secondary prevention medication. This is observed across multiple geographic regions and ethnicities, despite marked disparities in the prevalence of diabetes.ClinicalTrials identifierISRCTN43070564

Background The ‘gold standard’ for management of gallstones is laparoscopic cholecystectomy, but there is no consensus for treatment of common bile duct stones. There is insufficient information in the literature on the practice of laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) in cases of endoscopically irretrievable stones. This study presents the technical aspects and results of this approach and comparing it with open common bile duct exploration (OCBDE). Aim To assess the management of the patients with calcular obstructive jaundice after failed endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with LCBDE in comparison with OCBDE. Patients and methods A prospective randomized study was conducted for 2 years started from 2017 to 2019 in Theodor Bilharz Research Institute. A total of 600 patients with calcular obstructive jaundice underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, with failure of stone extraction in 50 patients. Of them, 30 patients underwent LCBDE and the other 20 patients underwent OCBDE. Overall, 40 patients were female and the other 10 were male. They ranged in age from 23 to 80 years old, with a mean age of 46.72 years. Results The mean postoperative hospital stay, pain score, and analgesia score were significantly short (P 0.05) but with no statistically significant difference. Conclusion LCBDE considered as a safe, efficient and preferred procedure for CBDE whenever possible.

Background A number of methods have been used to study the in-vitro synergy between antibiotics with the checker board titration and E-test being the most widely described. Aim of the Study The aim of the present study is to determine the prevelence of Multi-Drug Resistance (MDR) among Enterobacteriacae and to compare between the E-test and the checkerboard titration method as rapid in-vitro diagnostic tests that can help to determine the synergy between selected antimicrobial combinations thought to be active against multi-drug resistant Enterobacteriacae. Materials and Methods The present study was conducted during the period between May 2017 and December 2017. A total number of 34 MDR Enterobacteriacae isolates were recovered from different clinical specimens submitted to the Main Microbiology Laboratory, Ain Shams University Hospitals. The isolates were tested using checkerboard titration method and E-test to determine the synergistic activity of selected antimicrobial combinations thought to be active against the MDR organisms. Results Out of 46 Enterobacteriacae isolates 34(74%) were MDR. According to antibiotic combination the combinations of Amikacin/Ceftazidime, Amikacin/Meropenem and Amikacin/Ampicillin+Sulbactam have synergistic effect against MDR Enterobacteriacae by E-test and checkerboard method. A statistically poor agreement was observed between the checkerboard BMD method and the E-test method regarding the results of the studied antibiotic combinations Conclusion The Checkerboard method, being the reference method for assessing antimicrobial synery, showed that the highest synergic activity belongs to Meropenem and Amikacin (40%).

Introduction This is a case report of a rare condition of pseudoaneurysm of the mitral-aortic intervalvular fibrosa (P-MAIVF). Case presentation The patient was a 42-year-old Filipino gentleman. He first presented to us in 2014, for routine echocardiographic examination as a part of a preoperative assessment for a non-cardiac surgery. Patient was asymptomatic and had a history of bicuspid aortic valve, which was complicated by endocarditis in 2006, and was treated with antibiotics. Echocardiography findings: Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) showed a bicuspid aortic valve of no hemodynamic significance . A P-MAIVF was noted by Transesophageal echocardiography as a cavity expanding posteriorly into the left atrium from the left ventricular outflow tract, with a narrow neck at the junction of the aortic posterior cusp and the anterior mitral leaflet (Figure A). The cavity showed the characteristic expansion during ventricular systole, and collapse in diastole. Color flow showed the flow through the neck in systole and emptying during diastole (Figures C,D). There was mild mitral incompetence and no fistula was detected. Diagnosis was confirmed by cardiac magnetic resonance (Figure B). Follow up Because of the known complications of this condition, some of which are potentially fatal (such as rupture into the pericardium and tamponade), he was offered a surgical repair, which he had refused. Alternative conservative follow-up strategy was implemented and we had the opportunity to follow him for more than 5 years. During these years he was asymptomatic and uncomplicated. There was no change in the size of the pseudoaneurysm or its flow pattern. Conclusion This report demonstrates a rare case of P-MAIF as a complication of bicuspid aortic valve endocarditis and a long-term patient survival of a potentially fatal condition without corrective surgery. Abstract P836 Figures A,B,C,D

Constituting the host-parasite interface and playing a censorious role in host immune response modulation and parasite survival, tegument represents a crucial target for many antischistosomal drugs. Sphingomyelin forms a stable outer leaflet of tegumental membrane-lipid bilayer. Neutral magnesium‏-dependent sphingomyelinase (Mg2+-nSMase) is a key enzyme in sphingomyelin breakdown was identified in schistosomes. We investigated the in vivo efficacy of ubiquinol, a natural inhibitor of Mg2+-nSMase, in free and niosomes-encapsulated forms, through five-day and 15-day regimens on the early and late Schistosoma mansoni parasitic stages, respectively, compared to PZQ. Oral administration of 300mg/kg/day ubiquinol-encapsulated niosomes (U-N) showed significant deterioration of the parasitic growth and development in the term of reduction of lung schistosomula burden (39.12 %), adult worm burden (50.81 %), hepatic and intestinal tissue-egg counts (80.89 % and 75.54 %, respectively). PZQ and free ubiquinol regimens reported reductions in lung schistosomula counts (45.36% and 22.90%, respectively) and total worm burdens of 86.28 % and 24.58 %, respectively. U-N therapy revealed worms de-pairing and remarkable diminution in female worms’ perimeters and fecundity. Scanning electron microscope revealed disruption of tegumental ridges with excessive longitudinal corrugation. Transmission electron microscope showed testicular and ovarian parenchymal degeneration, signs of immaturity and cell apoptosis. Indirect immunofluorescence assay approved parasite's tegumental changes. Remarkable reduction of granulomas size with amelioration of hepatic pathology and fibrosis were assumed to be attributed to the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties of ubiquinol. These findings with the drug safety profile suggest that U-N could be a promising candidate for a new antischistosomal drug development.

Exogenous ameliorants hold a great potential to strengthen endogenous plant defence under various environmental stresses, including salinity. The effects of Cypress Leaf Extract (CLE, as a biostimulant) and salicylic acid (SA) on growth, physio-biochemical and molecular responses of zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L. cv. Kavili) seedlings under salt stress were investigated. Salt stress resulted in decreased photosynthesis activity and increased oxidative stress. However, CLE- and SA-pretreatment of salt-stressed seedlings enhanced their growth, photosynthetic capacity, antioxidant enzyme (SOD, CAT, APX, GPX, GR, and DHAR) activities and the contents of ascorbate, glutathione and proline as compared to the salt-stressed untreated seedlings. CLE- and SA-pretreatment also alleviated the salt stress-induced negative effects on CO2 assimilation and significantly increased the activity of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco). Furthermore, CLE pretreatment also upregulated the expression of stress-inducible antioxidation-related genes (CuZnSOD2, CAT1, APX, GR, DHAR and PrxQ) in salt-stressed seedlings. Interestingly, CLE was found to outperform SA in augmenting these processes under both stress and stress-free conditions. Our study reveals that CLE-mediated enhancement of photosynthesis and antioxidative defence mechanisms plays a crucial role in the alleviation of salt stress, and thereby increasing salt tolerance and growth of zucchini plants.

AIM: To determine the distribution of vancomycin MIC and the frequency of S. aureus strains with reduced vancomycin susceptibility among Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates. METHODS: MRSA isolates (n = 100) were tested for reduced susceptibility to vancomycin using MIC broth microdilution method (BMD), vancomycin screening agar with different vancomycin concentrations with and without casein, and Vitek 2 system. RESULTS: BMD detected (22%) vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus (VISA) and (78%) vancomycin-susceptible S. aureus (VSSA) but couldn’t detect nine (Heterogeneous VISA) (hVISA) isolates (9%) with MIC ≤ 2 µg/ml that grew on screening agar 4 µg/ml or 6 µg/ml. Adding casein to vancomycin screening agar increased detection rate of VISA by 4.5%. Screening agar with 6 µg/ml vancomycin overall detection rate for VISA was 95.45%. Probable ‘pre-hVISA’isolates (17%) showed growth on vancomycin screening agar 2 µg/ml with casein. Vitek 2 system failed to detect any VISA isolates. CONCLUSION: Vancomycin screening agar; 2 µg/ml and (4 and 6 µg/ml) were able to detect; probable “pre hVISA and (hVISA and VISA) isolates respectively based on their BMD MIC values. Decreased vancomycin susceptibility in MRSA isolates might be related to MIC creep. Analysis of vancomycin MIC values over longer periods is recommended to further study this phenomenon and its impact on vancomycin treatment failure. ABSTRACT Aims: Determine the distribution of vancomycin MIC and the frequency of S. aureus strains with reduced vancomycin susceptibility among MRSA isolates. Methods: MRSA isolates (n =100) were tested for reduced susceptibility to vancomycin using MIC broth microdilution method(BMD), vancomycin screening agar with different vancomycin concentrations with and without casein, and Vitek 2 system. Results: BMD detected (22%) vancomycin intermediate S. aureus(VISA) and (78%) vancomycin susceptible S. aureus(VSSA) but failed to detect nine (Heterogeneous VISA) (hVISA) isolates (9%) with MIC ≤2ug/ml that grew on screening agar 4ug/ml or 6 ug/ml. Adding casein to vancomycin screening agar increased detection rate of VISA by 4.5%. Screening agar with 6 ug/ml vancomycin over all detection rate for VISA was 95.45%. Probable ‘pre-hVISA’isolates (17%) showed growth on vancomycin screening agar 2µg/ml with casein. Vitek 2 system failed to detect any VISA isolates. Conclusion: vancomycin screening agar; 2 µg/ml and (4 and 6 µg/ml) were able to detect; probable “pre hVISA and (hVISA and VISA) isolates respectively based on their BMD MIC values. Decreased vancomycin susceptibility in MRSA isolates might be related to MIC creep. Analysis of vancomycin MIC values over longer periods of time is recommended to further study this phenomenon and its impact on vancomycin treatment failure.

Dimethoate (DM) is a widely used organophosphate insecticide in Egyptian fields with toxic impacts on mammalians. This paper intends to evaluate the role of l-carnitine (LC) on DM-generated hepatic...

Background and Aim: Mastitis is an important threat facing goat milk industry and is the most common cause of culling. Efficient control of mastitis, based on efficient diagnosis of diseased animals, would improve milk production and reproductive efficiency. In subclinical mastitis (SCM), infected goats demonstrate neither udder symptoms nor abnormal milk. Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis is an infectious causative agent of mastitis, mostly results as an extension of infection from the supramammary lymph node, and causes financial losses in the goat industry. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of SCM with emphasis on C. pseudotuberculosis mastitis in Egyptian dairy goats in the selected farms. Materials and Methods: A total of 336 half milk samples were collected from 177 dairy goats of various crossbreeds, in mid-to-late lactation period, after clinical examination. All samples were examined bacteriologically, while somatic cell count (SCC) was determined only in 180 half milk samples of the clinically healthy milk samples. The isolated and identified C. pseudotuberculosis was examined for evidence of virulence genes (Phospholipase D [pld] and β-subunit of RNA polymerase [rpoB]) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: The prevalence of clinical mastitis was 30.5%, while 69.5% of animals were apparently healthy and secreted milk was normal. Of those 180 clinically healthy half milk samples, 96 milk samples (53.33%) showed SCM as detected by SCC (SCC ≥1,000,000 cells/ml). Coagulase-negative staphylococci were the most prevalent bacteria (41.96%), then Staphylococcus aureus (37.5%) and C. pseudotuberculosis (7.14%). Molecular diagnosis of virulence genes revealed evidence of pld gene in 16 isolates (66.66%), and rpoB gene in 6 samples (25%) of the 24 bacteriologically isolated C. pseudotuberculosis. Here, we describe, for the 1st time, isolation and identification of C. pseudotuberculosis from milk of does suffering from SCM in Egypt. Conclusion: C. pseudotuberculosis must be considered for routine bacteriological examination of milk from dairy goats, particularly herds with a history of caseous lymphadenitis. Pld gene-based PCR is more reliable than rpoB gene-based ones for the diagnosis of C. pseudotuberculosis.

Objective: The present study was performed to investigate the protective effect of blackberry as polyphenolic compounds for managing dry eye in experimental animal model. Materials and Methods: The Blackberry was dried in air oven. Dry eye induced by atropine sulphate 1% drops (2 drops in each eye daily) for 2 months, blackberry was taken as 20 % of the main diet. Thirty two rabbits (1000-1300g) were divided into four groups: G1: healthy control, G2: dry eye, G3: normal fed on blackberry, G4: dry eye feed on blackberry. Poly phenolic compounds of blackberry were analyzed by using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Tear production measured using tear break up time (TBUT) and schirmer test. Tears were collected day after day from all groups using 5-μL silanated microcapillary pipettes. At the end of experiments rabbits were fasted overnight and blood was withdrawn. The levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO) and interlukin-1beta (IL-1β) were estimated in the tears and blood. In addition catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were determined in the blood. Cornea excised and examined by light microscope. Results: Significant improvements were noticed in tear breakup time and schirmer I score of dry eye rabbits fed on 20% dried blackberry compared to dry eye group. There was a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in serum and tears of IL-1β, NO and a statistically increase in the blood GSH, plasma CAT in dry eye rabbits fed on 20% dried blackberry compared to dry eye rabbit group. In conclusion: Supplementation with dried blackberry is effective against the dry eye syndrome by decreasing ocular inflammation and increasing antioxidant contents in tears of experimental animal model.

Aim of the study: Denture adhesives have long been recognized by denture wearers as a valuable assistant to denture retention and stability especially for patients reporting dissatisfaction with conventional dentures as diabetic patients. There is no available guide to select the proper adhesive form with least effect on oral mucosa. This clinical study assessed the impact of different complete denture adhesive forms on oral epithelial cells’ DNA in elderly patient with controlled diabetes.Materials and Methods: Fifteen completely edentulous controlled diabetic patients were selected and complete dentures were constructed. After two weeks of complete denture insertion, patients were prescribed with denture adhesives for another two weeks. According to the used adhesive form, patients were divided into three equal groups; group (I) used denture adhesive paste, group (II) used denture adhesive powder, where group (III) used denture adhesive cushion. The maxillary alveolar mucosae of all patients were swabbed to collect epithelial cells before denture insertion, two weeks after wearing the denture and two weeks after adhesive application. DNA analysis was carried out for the swabbed epithelial cells. The percentage of Genomic Template Stability (GTS %) was assessed and compared for all patients at various time intervals. Results: Genomic Template Stability decreased significantly in all patients two weeks after denture insertion while, significant increase in GTS% was observed two weeks after denture adhesives application. Cushion adhesive showed a significant increase in GTS% compared to paste and powder adhesives. Conclusion: Genomic Template Stability of controlled diabetic denture wearers improved when paste, powder or cushion adhesives were used. Cushion adhesive had a better effect on GTS% compared to paste or powder adhesives.

The variation of salinity from Lake Quaroun, Fayium, Egypt may be a good indicator to differentiate between different levels of basins that have different concentrations of salts. There are four ponds (from the lake directly) that have different concentrated impurities and different soluble salts. According to the solubility product, some of the carbonate salts in addition to other impurities precipitate in the first pond. The rest of the carbonate minerals precipitate in second pond. Sulphate salts will precipitate in the third pond. Finally, chloride salts will precipitate in the fourth pond in the form of gel crystals. These chloride salts is pumped to plants to produce the nardite salt. The electrical properties were used in this study as a new tool to differentiate between the pollution of waste water and to define the pollution process. In addition, geochemical analyses, for bottom sediments, in the four ponds were done using XRF. Electrical properties were measured in frequency range of 42 Hz–5 MHz at room temperature. Slight changes were noticed between the samples taken from the different bonds. The changes in the electrical properties were found to be the result from changes in mineralogical composition in the different bonds. Most of the samples were composed of grains of clay-size fractions. The dielectric constant, generally, was found to decrease with discontinuous conduction paths and with frequency. Electrical conduction, usually, was found to increase with the increase of conductor continuous paths and with frequency.

Background and Aim: Mastitis is one of the most vital noteworthy monetary risks to dairy ranchers and affects reproductive performance in dairy cattle. However, subclinical mastitis (SCM) negatively affects milk quality and quantity and associated with economic losses as clinical mastitis. It is recognizable only by additional testing. Somatic cell count (SCC) is currently used worldwide for the screening of intramammary infection (IMI) infections. However, somatic cells (SC) are affected by numerous factors and not always correlate with infection of the udder. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the milk amyloid A (MAA) in the milk of normal and SCM cows and compare the sensitivity of both MAA secretion and SCC in response to mammary gland bacterial infection. Materials and Methods: A total of 272 quarter milk samples collected from 68 Friesian cows after clinical examination for detection of clinical mastitis were employed in this study. All quarter milk samples (272) were subjected to bacteriological examination, while SCs were assessed in samples (220). Following SCC estimation and bacteriological examination, the apparently normal quarter milk samples were categorized into 7 groups and MAA concentration was estimated in normal and subclinical mastitic milk samples. Results: Prevalence of clinical mastitis was 19.12 % (52 quarters), while 80.88 % (220 quarters) were clinically healthy with normal milk secretion. Of those 220 clinically healthy quarter milk samples, 72 (32.73%) showed SCM as detected by SCC (SCC ≥500,000 cells/ml). The most prevalent bacteria detected in this study were streptococci (48.53%), Staphylococcus aureus (29.41%), Escherichia coli (36.76%), and coagulase-negative staphylococci (11.76%). Results of MAA estimation revealed a strong correlation between MAA secretion level and SCC in agreement with the bacteriological examination. Interestingly, there was a prompt increase in MAA concentration in Group III (G III) (group of milk samples had SCC ≤200,000 cells/ml and bacteriologically positive) than Group I (G I) (group of milk samples with SCC ≤500,000 cells/ml and bacteriologically negative), as MAA concentration in G III was about 4 times its concentration in G I. Conclusion: Our study provides a strong evidence for the significance of MAA measurement in milk during SCM, and MAA is more sensitive to IMI than SCC. This can be attributed to rapid and sensitive marker of inflammation. The advantage of MAA over other diagnostic markers of SCM is attributed the minute or even undetectable level of MAA in the milk of healthy animals, it is not influenced by factors other than mastitis, and could be estimated in preserved samples. Therefore, we recommend that estimation of MAA concentration in milk is a more useful diagnostic tool than SCC to detect SCM and to monitor the udder health in dairy cattle.

Background: As there is no molecular-based assays available for the detection of hVISA and VISA. However, increasing amounts of data support a number of methods for the screening and confirmation of heterogeneous vancomycin intermediate S. aureus (hVISA) and vancomycin intermediate S. aureus (VISA) infection. The vancomycin MIC result alone is unable to accurately distinguish hVISA from VSSA isolates, and the use of MIC testingalone will fail to detect hVISA strains that are relatively common among isolates of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) with broth MICs of 2 g per ml. Objective: The aim of the present work was to detect the efficacy of phenotypic and automated methods for detection of MRSA with reduced susceptibility to vancomycin. It aimed also, to determine the best MIC concentration in vancomycin screening agar for detection of VISA among MRSA isolates. Methods: One hundred MRSA isolates were obtained from 100 patients from different departments of Ain Shams University Hospitals during the period from October 2015 to the end of April 2016. They were isolated from different clinical specimens; sputum, wound swabs, blood, pus, urine, and body fluid that were referred to central microbiology laboratory for routine culture and sensitivity. Detection of S. aureus with reduced susceptibility to vancomycin was done by vancomycin screening agar with different concentrations 2,4,6 ug/ml with and without casein, MIC broth microdilution method for vancomycin according to CLSI 2015, and Vitek 2 automated system for determination of vancomycin MIC. Results: Out of 100 MRSA isolates, vancomycin screening agar 2ug/ml with casein showed highest detection rate for VISA isolates (48 %) among other screening agars. Vancomycin screening agar 6 ug/ml without casein gave the lowest detection rate (29%). So, adding casein to vancomycin screening agar did not increase detection of VISA in any of vancomycin screening agar except for that with 2ug/ml vancomycin. Vancomycin screening agar 2ug/ml with casein gave the best sensitivity among all vancomycin screening agar tested. VITEK 2 system failed to detect any isolates with reduced susceptibility to vancomycin. They were sensitive to linezolid (100%) followed by tigecyclin (99%) then Quinupristin-dalfopristin (91%). However, most of the isolates were resistant to tetracycline (85%) followed by gentamicin (80%) then ciprofloxacin (63%). Conclusion: BHI agar with 2ug/ml vancomycin and 16 g/l casein is a reliable, easy to perform, and inexpensive method to screen large number of S. aureus isolates for detection of reduced susceptibility to vancomycin on a daily basis. Applying quadruplicate technique in vancomycin screening agar may increase the yield for detection of VISA isolates. Although vancomycin screening agar 6 ug/ml is recommended by CLSI as a screening method for detection of VISA, yet it did not perform well and underestimated VISA isolates. VITEK 2 system is not an appropriate method for detection of S. aureus with reduced susceptibility to vancomycin (VISA). MRSA isolates with reduced susceptibility to vancomycin can be treated effectively with Linezolid.

Aim: Identification of BRCA1/2 mutations in Breast Cancer (BC) patients may help in providing genetic information to customize the therapeutic management of patients. Assessing liquid biopsies for BRCA1/2 somatic mutations could overcome the limitation of information gained from tissue biopsy. Consequently, this study aimed to identify the frequencies of pathogenic BRCA1 & BRCA2 somatic mutations in both liquid and tissue biopsies in Egyptian BC patients. Material and methods: The study was conducted on 45 BC patients. Liquid and tissue biopsies were collected from each patient and they were profiled for BRCA1/2 mutations using next generation sequencing (NGS). Qiaseq UMI-based targeted panel was used for performing libraries. Ion proton platform was used for sequencing. The detected genetic variants at depth of coverage 500x were annotated against Cosmic, dbSNP, and Exac all databases. Polyphen-2, Sift prediction tools and Clinvar database were used to detect the biological function of the detected variants using IVA software. Results: Variants analysis revealed that Among 45 patients, 37 (82.2%) patients were carrying one or more damaging BRCA1/2 somatic mutations. A total number of BRCA1/2 somatic variants detected was 24 and they were classified to 13 pathogenic, 7 likely pathogenic and 4 benign variants. Tissue and plasma samples of BC patients were found to harbor one detectable pathogenic somatic mutation in BRCA1 gene; c.1961delA with frequencies of 75.5% vs 17.7%, respectively. While, both samples had 8 detectable pathogenic BRCA2 somatic variants, the top 3 most frequent mutations among them were: c.5351delA (82.2% vs 40%), c.2957delA (75.56% vs 42.2%) and c.9253delA (68.89% vs 24.4%). One deleterious variant was detected merely in tissue sample; c.8940delA (55.5%). Whereas, 3 damaging variants were detected merely in plasma samples: c.8053delA (22.2%), c.6762delT (20%), c.4631delA (6.6%).Likely pathogenic BRCA2 somatic variants were also identified in both samples; c.7177delA (71.1% vs 53.3%) and c.10248delA (37.7% vs 11.1%). Moreover, 5 likely pathogenic variants were merely found in plasma samples. The most frequently detected variant among them was c.1114A>C (42.2%). Our data showed that exon 10 in BRCA1 and exon 11 in BRCA2 are the most affected exons as they harbored the most frequent detected pathogenic variants. Conclusion: Our preliminary results showed the most frequent pathogenic and likely pathogenic BRCA1/2 somatic mutations in liquid and tissue biopsies in Egyptian BC patients. This data may help in developing personalized targeted therapies that efficiently target the BRCA1/2 mutations. Citation Format: Mai M. Lotfy, Amira Salah El-Din Youssef, Auhood Nassar, Mahmoud Kamel, Zeinab K. Hassan, Amany Abd-Elhameed Abou-Bakr, Ahmed Farahat, Mohamed M. Gomaa, Abdel Rahman N. Zekri. Identification of Somatic BRCA1/2 mutation profile in tissue-based and liquid biopsy-based next generation sequencing in Egyptian patients with breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2021; 2021 Apr 10-15 and May 17-21. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(13_Suppl):Abstract nr 2175.

Purpose : Prosthodontic complications related to implant assisted maxillary overdentures are reported more often. This in vitro study examined the influence of implant number and palatal coverage on retention, cyclic fatigue and denture base deformation of maxillary overdentures supported by five versus seven unsplinted mini implants.Materials and methods: An edentulous model of maxillary arch with mini diameter implant dummies was fabricated. The implants were inserted into the anterior, premolar, and molar areas. Maxillary experimental dentures with complete and partial palatal coverage were fabricated. Cyclic dislodging forces were applied to assess cyclic fatigue and the resulting change in denture retention. Strain gauges were used to assess the deformation induced into the dentures when cyclic fatigue test was carried out on overdentures assisted by seven implants and five implants after excluding the posterior implants. Results: Cyclic fatigue and denture base deformation induced in overdentures with partial palatal coverage assisted by five mini implants were significantly higher than overdentures with complete palatal coverage whether assisted by seven or five implants (P < .05). Overdentures with partial palatal coverage assisted by seven mini implants exhibited non-significant changes in retention, cyclic fatigue and base deformation when compared to overdentures with complete palatal coverage assisted by five mini implants.Conclusion: Maxillary five mini implant assisted overdentures with partial palatal coverage revealed much higher cyclic fatigue and induced denture base deformation than overdentures with complete palatal coverage regardless of the mini implant number. With respect to retention, fatigue failure and denture deformation, maxillary seven mini implant assisted overdentures with partial palatal coverage exhibited no significant difference comparable to five mini implant assisted maxillary overdenture with complete palatal coverage.

Background: Dp103 is a multifunctional protein which binds and unwinds RNA secondary structures, therefore plays a vital role in RNA metabolism from birth to death. Aims: The present study aimed to evaluate both serum levels and tissue expressions of Dp103 and explored their possible roles in lymph node metastasis within breast cancer Egyptian patients. Methodology: Sixty patients were enrolled in this study; they were subdivided into two groups. First group included forty females newly diagnosed as primary breast cancer their age ranged from 26 to 81 and further subdivided in two groups according to lymph node involvement into twenty two patients without metastatic lymph node and eighteen patients with metastatic lymph node. Second group involved twenty females newly diagnosed as benign breast tumor their age ranged from 32 to 65, in addition to eighteen apparently healthy females aged range from 28 to 65 as controls. Serum level of both Dp103 and MMP-9 were determined using ELISA technique. CA 15.3 and CEA were determined using available commercial kits. Expression level for both Dp103 and NF-κB were estimated using qPCR. Results: Serum levels of both Dp103 and MMP-9 were significantly higher in primary breast cancer patients when compared to benign tumor and healthy females (p Conclusion: Dp103 might be used as a prognostic biomarker for breast cancer progression and metastasis.

Despite the fact that many approaches have been developed over years to find efficient and well-tolerated therapeutic regimens for microsporidiosis, the effectiveness of current drugs remains doubtful, and effective drugs against specific targets are still scarce. The present study is the first that was designed to evaluate the potency of auranofin, an anti-rheumatoid FDA approved drug, against intestinal Encephalitozoon intestinalis. Evaluation of the drug was achieved through counting of fecal and intestinal spores, studying the intestinal histopathological changes, measuring of intestinal hydrogen peroxide level, and post therapy follow-up of mice for 2 weeks for detection of relapse. Results showed that auranofin has promising anti-microsporidia potential. It showed a promising efficacy in mice experimentally infected with E. intestinalis. It has revealed an obvious reduction in fecal spore shedding and intestinal tissue spore load, amelioration of intestinal tissue pathological changes, and improvement of the local inflammatory infiltration without significant changes in hydrogen peroxide level. Interestingly, auranofin prevented the relapse of infection. Thus, considering the results of the present work, auranofin could be considered a therapeutic alternative for the gold standard drug ‘albendazole’ against the intestinal E. intestinalis infection especially in relapsing cases.

We examined the bacterial endophyte-enriched root-associated microbiome within rice (Oryza sativa) 55 days after growth in soil with and without urea fertilizer and/or biofertilization with a growth-promotive bacterial strain (Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii E11). After treatment to deplete rhizosphere/rhizoplane communities, washed roots were macerated and their endophyte-enriched communities were analyzed by 16S ribosomal DNA 454 amplicon pyrosequencing. This analysis clustered 99,990 valid sequence reads into 1105 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) with 97% sequence identity, 133 of which represented a consolidated core assemblage representing 12.04% of the fully detected OTU richness. Taxonomic affiliations indicated Proteobacteria as the most abundant phylum (especially α- and γ-Proteobacteria classes), followed by Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Verrucomicrobia, Actinobacteria, and several other phyla. Dominant genera included Rheinheimera, unclassified Rhodospirillaceae, Pseudomonas, Asticcacaulis, Sphingomonas, and Rhizobium. Several OTUs had close taxonomic affiliation to genera of diazotrophic rhizobacteria, including Rhizobium, unclassified Rhizobiales, Azospirillum, Azoarcus, unclassified Rhizobiaceae, Bradyrhizobium, Azonexus, Mesorhizobium, Devosia, Azovibrio, Azospira, Azomonas, and Azotobacter. The endophyte-enriched microbiome was restructured within roots receiving growth-promoting treatments. Compared to the untreated control, endophyte-enriched communities receiving urea and/or biofertilizer treatments were significantly reduced in OTU richness and relative read abundances. Several unique OTUs were enriched in each of the treatment communities. These alterations in structure of root-associated communities suggest dynamic interactions in the host plant microbiome, some of which may influence the well-documented positive synergistic impact of rhizobial biofertilizer inoculation plus low doses of urea-N fertilizer on growth promotion of rice, considered as one of the world's most important food crops.

Toxoplasma gondii is a ubiquitous protozoan of major medical and veterinary importance. Its treatment is difficult since the available drugs have severe side effects and reactivation may occur anytime. Vaccination with irradiated parasites exhibits ideal characteristics for vaccine development. In our experimental mice model, the protection against challenge with the virulent RH strain was assessed, using 255Gy irradiated tachyzoites. Eighty mice were allocated into 3 groups: naive control group, challenged with virulent RH tachyzoites group and a third group which is challenged with 1 × 106 irradiated tachyzoites, administered as two biweekly doses intraperitoneally. Protection was tested by challenging vaccinated mice with the virulent type RH tachyzoites 30 days after the 2nd vaccination dose. The assessment was built on qualitative clinical, quantitative parasitological, histopathological parameters and measurement of serum Nitric Oxide (NO). The results showed prolonged survival rate, absence of tachyzoites in the peritoneal aspirate by counting, absence of tachyzoites in all examined organs by impression smears, amelioration of histopathological changes in the liver, spleen, brain and lung specimens and increase of the serum NO level in the vaccinated group. Therefore, we propose that irradiated Toxoplasma tachyzoites confer protection for challenged mice and could be an alternative immunization schedule for vaccine development especially for who are at risk of severe immunosuppression.

When two strains of bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia) were tested on seedlings of cotton cultivar Giza 86, they did not show any significant effects on plant height and dry weight. The two bacterial strains were also nonpathogenic (0.0 % infection). The Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain was more effective in reducing damping-off symptoms caused by Fusarium oxysporum isolates nos 1 and 2 whereas, S. maltophilia was effective against F. oxysporum isolate no. 4. Although the two bacterial strains reduced damping-off on cotton seedlings caused by Fusarium fungal isolate no. 3, P. aeruginosa was more effective than S. maltophilia. Fusarium oxysporum isolates nos. 1 and 2 significantly reduced plant height than isolates nos. 3 and 4. Strain of S. maltophilia significantly increased dry weight of cotton seedlings when soil was infested with isolates nos 3 or 4 of F. oxysporum. In vitro antagonism tests showed that P. aeruginosa inhibited growth of F. oxysporum isolates. The inhibition ranged from 19.33 to 31.0 %. On the other hand, S. maltophilia did not show any inhibition of F. oxysporum isolates growth. The two bacterial strains did not show any significant effects on the activities of peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase, while the s- 1, 3 glucanase activity was significantly increased. The total and reduced sugar contents were significantly increased due to the application of the two bacterial strains but P. aeruginosa was more effective. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the only strain which significantly increased free phenols.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) causes major healthcare problems in many countries, as it is present as several hospital- and community-associated strains. Hospital-associated MRSA is one of the most prevalent nosocomial pathogens throughout the world and infections caused by community-acquired MRSA are rising. This emphasizes the need for new and efficient anti-MRSA agents. We evaluated the antibacterial effects of camel lactoferrin (cLf) and human lactoferrin (hLf) alone and in combination with several antibiotics against MRSA. Antimicrobials were tested against MRSA and an S. aureus control strain by the agar disc diffusion method. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined for antimicrobials by the broth microdilution method. Synergy between cLf or hLf and antibiotics was examined by checkerboard and time-kill assays. The agar disc diffusion assay showed that MRSA growth was inhibited by cLf at 0.25-3 mg/ml and hLf at 1-3 mg/ml. cLf demonstrated 3 times higher inhibitory activity against MRSA than hLf in terms of MIC values (250 vs. 750 μg/ml, respectively). Biotinylated cLf was recognized by two membrane proteins of MRSA, 66-67 KDa. Combinations of cLf or hLf and oxacillin or vancomycin at sub-MIC levels enhanced in vitro antibacterial activity against MRSA compared with each agent alone.

Fungi are known to be affected by external environmental stimuli, resulting in different stress response effects, which in turn could be used to enhance its biodegrading ability. In a previous study, ethanol was used to manipulate cell-cell and cell-surface interaction to prevent cell loss and maximize the usage of Penicillium purpurogenum cells in the media, a correlation was drawn between ethanol oxidative stress, surface-bound proteins and fungal adhesion. The present study focuses on a more detailed study of the effect of ethanol on the same fungus. The results show that the presence of Yap1p gene and the detection of an oxidized form of glutathione (GSSG) suggest that a stress response might be involved in the adhesion process. The process of adhesion could be described as a signaling process and it is affected by the germ tube formation as an initial step in adhesion. Protein profile showed polymorphism in surface-bound proteins for cultures amended with ethanol when compared to control cultures. Ethanol also affected the DNA polymorphic profile of DNA, rendering the fungus genetically variable. P. purpurogenum produced phenol oxidase enzyme and could be used to degrade total phenols in olive mill waste water without the formation of biofilm on the surface of the containers.

A new 2-thioquinazolinones series was designed and synthesized as HSP90 inhibitors based on the structure of hit compound VII obtained by virtual screening approach. Their in vitro anti-proliferative activity was evaluated against three human cancer cell lines rich in HSP90 namely; colorectal carcinoma (HCT-116), and cervical carcinoma (Hela), breast carcinoma (MCF-7). Compounds 5a, 5d, 5e and 9h showed a significant broad spectrum anti-proliferative activity against all tested cell lines. They were characterized by potent effect against breast cancer in particular with IC50 of 11.73, 8.56, 7.35 and 9.48 μM, respectively against Doxorubicin (IC50 4.17 μM). HSP90 ATPase activity inhibition assay were conducted where compound 5d exhibited the best IC50 with 1.58 μM compared to Tanespimycin (IC50 = 2.17 μM). Compounds 5a and 9h showed higher IC50 values of 3.21 and 3.41 μM, respectively. The effects of 5a, 5d and 9h on Her2 (a client proteins of HSP90) and HSP70 were evaluated in MCF-7 cells. All tested compounds were found to reduce Her2 protein expression levels and induce Hsp70 protein expression levels significantly, emphasizing that antibreast cancer effect is a consequence of HSP90 chaperone inhibition. Cell cycle analysis of MCF-7 cells treated with 5d showed cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase 38.89% and pro-apoptotic activity as indicated by annexin V-FITC staining by 22.42%. Molecular docking studies suggested mode of interaction to HSP90 via hydrogen bonding. ADME properties prediction of the active compounds suggested that they could be used as orally absorbed anticancer drug candidates.

Three new series of 2-phenyl benzimidazole-based derivatives were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxic activity against breast cancer (MCF-7) cell lines. Three compounds 8, 9, and 15 showed high cytotoxic activities, with IC50 values of 3.37, 6.30, and 5.84 μM, respectively, while they showed comparable cytotoxicity to the standard drug doxorubicin against human normal cells, including nontumorigenic breast epithelial cell line (MCF-10F), skin fibroblast cell line (BJ), and lung fibroblast cell line (MRC-5). Six of the synthesized compounds were screened against vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2) where compounds 8, 9, 12, and 15 exhibited an outstanding potency in comparison with sorafenib, with IC50 values of 6.7-8.9 nM. Molecular docking study assessed the good binding patterns of the most potent compounds with the reported conserved amino acids of VEGFR-2 active site.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the susceptibility of metallo-β-lactamase (MBL)-producing Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) clinical isolates to biocides. We also determined the prevalence and correlation of efflux pump genes, class 1 integron and MBL encoding genes. In addition, blaVIM, blaNDM-1, qacE and qacEΔ1 nucleotide sequence analysis was performed and compared to sequences retrieved from GenBank at the National Center for Biotechnology Information database. A. baumannii had a resistance rate to carbapenem of 71.4% and 39.3% and was found to be a MBL producer. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of chlorhexidine and cetrimide were higher than the recommended concentrations for disinfection in 54.5% and 77.3% of MBL-positive isolates respectively and their MICs were significantly higher among qac gene-positive isolates. Coexistence of qac genes was detected in 68.1% and 50% of the isolates with blaVIM and blaNDM-1 respectively. There was a significant correlation between the presence of qac genes and MBL-encoding blaVIM and blaNDM-1 genes. Each of the blaNDM-1, blaVIM, qacE and qacEΔ1 DNA sequences showed homology with each other and with similar sequences reported from other countries. The high incidence of Verona integron-encoded metallo-β-lactamases (VIM) and New-Delhi-metallo-β-lactamase (NDM) and qac genes in A. baumannii highlights emerging therapeutic challenges for being readily transferable between clinically relevant bacteria. In addition reduced susceptibility to chlorhexidine and cetrimide and the potential for cross resistance to some antibiotics necessitates the urgent need for healthcare facilities to periodically evaluate biocides efficacy, to address the issue of antiseptic resistance and to initiate a “biocidal stewardship”.

Nickel oxide thin films were deposited by a simple and low-cost spray pyrolysis technique using three different precursors: nickel nitrate, nickel chloride, and nickel acetate on corning glass substrates. X-ray diffraction show that the NiO films are polycrystalline and have a cubic crystal structure, although predominantly with a preferred 111-orientation in the growth direction and a random in-plane orientation. The deconvolution of the Ni 2p and O 1s core level X-ray photoelectron-spectra of nickel oxides produced by using different precursors indicates a shift of the binding energies. The sprayed NiO deposited from nickel nitrate has an optical transmittance in the range of 60-65% in the visible region. The optical band gap energies of the sprayed NiO films deposited from nickel nitrate, nickel chloride and nickel acetate are 3.5, 3.2 and 3.43 eV respectively. Also, the extinction coefficient and refractive index of NiO films have been calculated from transmittance and reflectance measurements. The average value of refractive index for sprayed films by nickel nitrate, nickel chloride and nickel acetate are 2.1, 1.6 and 1.85 respectively. It is revealed that the band gap and refractive index of NiO films by using nickel nitrate corresponds to the commonly reported values. We attribute the observed behavior in the optical band gap and optical constants as due to the change of the Ni/O ratio. Funding Agencies|Swedish Research Council [VR 348-2013-6782]; Egyptian Ministry for Higher Education and Scientific Research; Angpanneforeningens Forskningsstiftelse [14-517]; Swedish Research Council (VR) Marie Sklodowska Curie International Career "GREEN 2D FOX" [2015-00679]

A growth trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of replacing 5 or 15% of soybean meal with raw Guar meal, autoclaved Guar meal or autoclaved Guar meal supplemented the diet with β-mannanase (0.04%) on both growth performance and histological status of Nile tilapia fingerlings. Seven iso-nitrogenous (~32% crude protein) and iso-energetic (~3450 Kcal estimated digestible energy) were formulated. Each diet was randomly allocated to duplicate groups of fish in fiberglass tanks and each tank was stocked with 25 fingerlings (initial average body weight 1.98 ± 0.47g). Fish were hand fed the experimental diets four times per day for 60 days. For histopathological examination samples of small intestine were taken from fish in different groups. There was significant reduction in growth performance when fish fed diets containing raw Guar meal comparing to those fed the control diet (free of Guar meal). Irrespective of treatment, there were no significant differences in term of growth performance between groups of fish fed diets containing Guar meal with either 5% or 15% inclusion level except in term of weight gain. Irrespective of inclusion levels, better performance of fish were observed when fish fed on control diet (diet 1) or diets supplemented with β-mannanase and contained autoclaved Guar meal followed by those fed autoclaved Guar meal without enzyme supplementation, while the worst performance was observed by groups of fish fed diets containing raw Guar meal. Histopathological study showed that feeding fish diet contained 15% raw Guar meal caused necrosis of the lining mucosa of the small intestine accompanied with infiltration of the inflammatory cells, this status was improved when fish fed diets contained autoclaved Guar meal and more improvement (increase in the number of goblet cells) in intestinal status was observed in group of fish fed diet supplemented with 0.04% β-mannanase and contained 15% autoclaved Guar meal. Through an economic standing point although, the relative economical efficiency for using Guar meal supplemented with enzyme is compatible with control diet containing soy bean meal, yet in term of net revenue (LE) it is clear that the diet free of Guar meal is still better to be used than any of the diets containing Guar meal. However, at the same time and through the results of this study, supplementing tilapia diets contained autoclaved Guar meal up to 15% with β-mannanase may be considered as a reliable dietary protein source.

A green approach was developed for synthesizing a series of (isatin-3-ylidene)-hydrazonamides 3a-j from the reaction between isatin, (isatin-3-ylidene)malononitrile, or 2-cyano-2-(2-isatin-3-ylidene)acetate and benzohydrazonamide in ethyl acetate solutions at ambient temperature. The structures of the new compounds were confirmed on the basis of spectral data. In this eco-friendly medium, a variety of (isatin-3-ylidene)hydrazonamides were obtained free of catalyst in good to excellent yields. All the synthesized products were evaluated for their antimicrobial activity. Among the compounds tested, 3b and 3d exhibited good antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, whereas others responded moderately with reference to the standard drug ciprofloxacin.