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BACKGROUND Alcoholic liver cirrhosis (ALC) is a chronic liver disease with varying disease severity. Readmissions of ALC are associated with poor outcomes. AIM To identify and assess trends of readmissions for ALC over an eight-year period. METHODS This retrospective interrupted trend study analysed 30-d readmissions of ALC in the United States from 2010 to 2018 using the National Readmissions Database. Hospitalization for ALC was the reason for index admission obtained using the International Classification of Diseases codes (571.2 and K70.3X). Biodemographic characteristics and hospitalization trends were highlighted over time. A multivariate regression analysis model was used to calculate the trend for risk-adjusted odds of 30-d all-cause ALC readmissions, ALC specific readmission rate, ALC readmission proportion, inpatient mortality, mean length of stay (LOS) and mean total hospital cost (THC) following adjustments for age, gender, grouped Charlson Comorbidity Index, insurance, mean household income, and hospital characteristics. RESULTS There was a trend towards increasing total 30-d readmissions of ALC from 7660 in 2010 to 15085 in 2018 (P < 0.001). Patients readmitted for ALC were noted to have an increasing comorbidity burden over time. We noted a rise in the risk-adjusted 30-d all-cause readmission of ALC from 24.9% in 2010 to 29.9% in 2018 (P < 0.001). ALC-specific readmission rate increased from 6.3% in 2010 to 8.4% in 2018 (P < 0.001) while ALC readmission proportion increased from 31.4% in 2010 to 36.3% in 2018 (P < 0.001). Inpatient mortality for 30-d readmissions of ALC declined from 10.5% in 2010 to 8.2% in 2018 (P = 0.0079). However, there was a trend towards increasing LOS from 5.6 d in 2010 to 6.3 d in 2018 (P < 0.001) and increasing THC from 13790 dollars in 2010 to 17150 dollars in 2018 (P < 0.001). The total days of hospital stay attributable to 30-d readmissions of ALC increased by 119.2% while the total attributable hospital costs increased by 149% by the end of 2018. CONCLUSION There was an increase in the 30-d readmission rate and comorbidity burden for ALC; however, inpatient mortality declined. Additionally, there was a trend towards increasing LOS and THC for these readmissions.

Recently, Flywheel Energy Storage (FES) systems are gaining significant interest from National Aeronautics and Space Administration Glenn Research Center (NASA's GRC) in satellite applications due to their numerous advantages as an energy storage solution over the rest of the alternatives. Regarding FESS features such as high cycle life, long service life, high efficiency, high energy density and low environmental impact, this paper introduces a FESS management controller for use with the solar PV system in an integrated manner that ensures the continuity of the satellite power system and, thus, increases its efficiency. In addition, a prototype of the management control under various operating modes of the proposed unit is established. The satellite power supply management controller was implemented practically as a model using the Arduino controller. The practical results proved the continuity of the satellite operation in different operating modes using the FES system, which in turn would lead to improving the efficiency of the satellite feeding source compared to its performance using solar PV system only.

The objective of this study was to characterize epidemiological trends, outcomes in hospitalized patients, and the disease burden of hospitalizations for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). This was a retrospective interrupted trends study involving hospitalizations for DKA in patients with T1DM in the US from 2008 to 2018 using data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample. The total number of hospitalizations during each calendar year was obtained, and trends in inpatient mortality rate, mean length of hospital stay (LOS), and mean total hospital cost (THC) were calculated. Between 2008 and 2018, there was a trend toward increasing hospitalizations for T1DM with DKA (P-trend 1. There was no statistically significant change in adjusted inpatient mortality in patients with T1DM admitted for DKA over the study period despite an apparent trend of a decreasing crude mortality rate (P-trend = 0.063). There was a statistically significant decrease in both LOS and THC over the study period. In conclusion, there was a significant decrease in both LOS and THC, potentially reflecting improvements in the management of DKA in patients with T1DM.

The goal of this study was to examine healthcare burden, hospitalizations, mortality, and healthcare cost utilization from hyperthyroidism to further our understanding of the effect of changes in thyroid disease management over the past decade. This was a retrospective longitudinal trends study involving hospitalizations for hyperthyroidism in the US from 2008 to 2018. We trended crude hospitalization rate, estimated incidence of hospitalizations, trends in inpatient mortality rate, mean length of hospital stay, and mean total hospital cost of patients with hyperthyroidism. The number of hyperthyroid hospitalizations decreased from 12,689 in 2008 to 9110 in 2018 (28.2%) (P trend

Family Crassulaceae is a large family of dicotyledonous angiosperms characterized by its unique form of photosynthesis. Although plants of this family are used mainly as ornamental plants, many reports are found discussing the chemical content and biological efficacy of many members of this family. Phenolic compounds are among the most prevalent chemical moieties. On the other hand, many biological activities such as anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticonvulsant, anticancer and antidiabetic are recorded for several species. The present study reviews the phytochemical content and the biological activities of forty species belonging to nine genera of the family Crassulaceae; Aeonium, Crassula, Echeveria, Hylotelephium, Jovibarba, Orostachys, Sedum, Sempervivum and Sinocrassula during the last ten years. The isolation of 189 compounds of phenolics, flavonoids, sterols, triterpenes, nitrogen-containing compounds and other miscellaneous compounds is reported. Moreover, the biological activities of these genera are reviewed. This study indicates that several species have not been adequately studied in terms of their chemical content or biological effect. Hence, it provides a source for selecting species for phytochemical or biological exploration. The provided information may inspire new biomedical application for different species of the selected genera.

Engineering non-oxide ceramics have recently been implied in many advanced applications based on their high temperature capability, outstanding strength, and low fabrication cost. As solar energy has become an economic trend and a clean source of energy; the utilization of ceramic materials as solar receivers in a solar thermal system has been widely considered. Various ceramic materials have shown their ability as heat absorber material due to their oxidation resistance, bending strength, thermal conductivity, and solar absorptance. Ceramics as Si3N4 and SiC can be valuable solar receiver materials; however, due to the high sintering temperature required for Si3N4 and the non-oxidizing nature of SiC; modification of these ceramics with AIN, oxide materials, and other additives is required. One of the highly promising trials that have proved its ability in a solar thermal system is modifying Si3N4 with Al2O3 and AIN that typically results in developing sialon-based ceramics. The latter materials have modified the flaws in many solar receiver ceramics as they have lower sinterability, lower fabrication cost, and easier densification compared to other solar receiver materials. The present work is an overview of the ceramic materials and composites applied as solar receivers, in addition to the characteristics required for the selected material "sialons" and the previous work achieved in this field.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to describe rates and characteristics of non-elective 30-day readmission among patients hospitalized for adrenal insufficiency and to assess predictors of readmission. DESIGN We analysed the 2018 National Readmission Database. Adrenal insufficiency hospitalizations were identified using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revisions, Clinical Modification diagnosis codes for principal diagnostic codes of primary adrenal insufficiency, Addisonian crisis, drug-induced adrenocortical insufficiency, and other and unspecified adrenocortical insufficiency. PATIENTS During the study period, 7738 index hospitalizations were identified as patients with AI who met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 7691 were discharged alive. MEASUREMENTS We utilized chi-squared tests to compare baseline characteristics between readmissions and index hospitalizations. Multivariate Cox regression was used to identify independent predictors of readmission. RESULTS The 30-day all-cause readmission rate for AI was 17.3%. About 1 in 5 readmissions was for AI. Other reasons for readmission included sepsis (10.8%), unspecified pneumonia (3.1%) and acute renal failure unspecified (1.6%). Readmission was associated with significantly higher odds of inpatient mortality. Independent predictors of 30-day all-cause readmissions included index hospitalizations with the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) ≥3 (adjusted hazards ratio (aHR): 2.53, 95% CI: 1.85-3.46, p

Management scholars no longer view economic capital as the primary factor in achieving sustainable competitive advantage for organizations. Rather, the human resource has become the most important element to achieve this advantage. Therefore, this prompted the institutions to adopt leadership styles that enhance the meanings of subordinate service, taking care of them as the main pillar in providing services, working to empower them by giving them responsibility for decision-making and a degree of independence and discretion, with engaging them as solutions to address fundamental problems in the provision of services and restore them when necessary to meet customers' needs and requirements and different expectations. This research attempts to investigate the mechanism of how servant leadership can enhance and elevate the level of employees' psychological capital (PsyCap) in five-star hotels in Cairo, to achieve this, a questionnaire consisting of 45 phrases was designed. Data was gathered from 383 employees from some of five-star hotels in Cairo. The results proved that servant leadership is high in five-star hotels in Cairo with mean (3.85). Whereas results are showing high level of employees’ psychological capital with a high mean (4.12) The results further proved that servant leadership can enhance employees' psychological capital in five-star hotels in Cairo.

Application servant leadership has become essential in hospitality establishments, because of changes and fluctuations faced by today's business environment. Which imposed many challenges to those establishments. This study was aimed at exploring the impact of servant leadership on reducing employees’ occupational stressors relationship five-star hotels in Cairo. to achieve this, a questionnaire consisting of 31 phrases was designed. Data was gathered from 383 employees from some of five-star hotels in Cairo. results are showing that There are many hospitality organizations that value servant leadership. In the business world it is reported that Fortune-listed companies (2019), such as Marriott International Chain ranked thirty- first, Four Seasons Hotels ranked eighty-nine, apply servant leadership principles in their business operations. The results proved that servant leadership is high in five-star hotels in Cairo with mean (3.85). The results also indicate a low level of employees’ occupational stressors relationship in five-star hotels in Cairo with a mean (1.93). The results reveal a statistically significant effect of servant leadership on reducing employees’ occupational stressors relationship five-star hotels in Cairo.

Clostridium difficile is a gram-positive anaerobic spore forming bacillus that can cause infection in a setting of antibiotic use. Pneumonia is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in an inpatient setting and is frequently associated with significant antibiotic administration. This study aims to compare the outcomes of C. difficile infection (CDI) with and without pneumonia to determine the impact of pneumonia in hospitalized patients with CDI. This population-based retrospective observational propensity matched analysis study uses data from the National Inpatient Sample database for the years 2016 and 2017. The primary outcomes were in-hospital mortality, total hospital charges, and mean length of stay. Secondary outcomes were the rates of sepsis, septic shock, non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), acute renal failure, deep vein thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism. In-hospital mortality was noted to be higher in patients with pneumonia than those without (6.5% vs 1.2%, adjusted OR (aOR) 3.85; 95% CI 2.90 to 5.11, p

Context Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a serious endocrine emergency, associated with morbidity and mortality. Readmissions play a significant but sometimes preventable role in healthcare cost burden on the US. Objective This study aimed to describe rates and characteristics of nonelective 30-day readmission among adult patients with diabetes mellitus type 1 (T1DM) hospitalized for DKA and also identify predictors of readmission. Methods The study analyzed the 2018 Nationwide Readmission Database. DKA hospitalizations in patients with T1DM were classified using International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification codes. We utilized chi-squared tests to compare baseline characteristics between readmissions and index hospitalizations. Multivariable Cox regression was employed to identify independent predictors of readmission. Following this, we developed a 30-day readmission risk scoring system based on independent predictors. Results The 30-day all-cause readmission rate for DKA was 19.4%. A majority of patients (64.8%) had DKA as the principal diagnosis on readmission. Readmitted patients had a significantly higher mean age (35.3 vs 34.9 years, P = .018) and a higher proportion of females (52.8 vs 49.6%, P Conclusion The readmission rate for DKA in T1DM patients is high, and most patients have DKA as the principal diagnosis on readmission. A CCI equal to or greater than 3, hypertension, female sex, and being discharged AMA were significant predictors of readmission.

This study aimed to describe the trends, inpatient outcomes, and disease burden of hospitalizations for ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD). Our study included data on hospitalizations with a principal discharge diagnosis of CD and UC gathered from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample for the years 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2018. Individuals ≤18 years and elective hospitalizations were excluded. From 2008 to 2018, we noted a rising trend for UC hospitalizations (P trend < 0.001). However, there was no statistically significant trend for CD hospitalizations (P trend = 0.249). The overall inpatient mortality for UC downtrended from 1.09% in 2008 to 0.42% in 2014 (P trend < 0.001). Additionally, inpatient mortality for CD also downtrended with a decrease from 0.28% in 2008 to 0.17% in 2016 (P trend = 0.002). Odds of inpatient mortality from 2008 to 2018 were significantly higher for UC than for CD. In conclusion, both CD and UC saw a significant decline in mortality over the study period, but UC hospitalizations had a higher odds of inpatient mortality for all study years.

This study aimed to investigate the contribution of training and incentives on employee performance improvement using evidence from SETRAM urban transport company located in the city of Sidi Bel Abbes, and to achieve the study objectives, 204 structured questionnaires were distributed to employees on job location, 185 questionnaires were returned, only 169 were suitable for statistical analysis. With support of SPSS, correlation and regression ended up being conducted to generate results. The findings indicated that there is a significant and positive relationship exists between both training and incentives and employee performance. It is also concluded that employee motivation has a significant positive relationship with employee performance at SETRAM company. To the researchers’ knowledge, this is the first study to establish the contribution of training, incentives on employee performance using evidence from SETRAM company located in the city of Sidi Bel Abbes Since the launch of activity in July 2017

Nowadays, whole world is interested in venoms of different origins. Snake and bee venom composed of many hundred different peptides, enzymes, toxins and inorganic ions with different biological and pharmaceutical effects. The present study assessed biochemical characterization of 1/10 LD50 by SDS page electrophoresis, total protein, and lethal dose (LD50) of three types of venom [the Egyptian cobra (Naja haja), the horned viper (Cerastes cerastes) and honeybee (Apis mellifera)]. The bio-physiological effect of intraperitoneal injection of 1/10 LD50 dose of different 3 venoms was assessed in vivo using Swiss albino mice groups. N. haja, C. cerastes, and A. mel-lifera, CBC showed a significant decrease in both Hb concentration & RBCs, while platelets count showed highly significant increase. In WBCs both N. haja and C. cerastes showed signifi-cant increase, but BV decreased significantly. Biochemical analysis of mice sera injected with C. cerastes venom showed highest significant increase in liver ALT &AST) and kidney urea and creatinine, as well as cardiac enzyme creatinine phosphokinase (CPK) than cobra venom, but BV showed no significant change compared to controls. Histological examination showed altera-tions in liver, kidney & cardiac tissues of mice injected with both N. haja and C. cerastes while in BV showed normal kidney & cardiac tissues with minor changes in liver tissue outer region.

Background There is a paucity of contemporary national estimates for Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) hospitalizations by age group, sex, and region in the US population. Also, there is lack of contemporary national statistics on CDI hospitalizations with comorbidities. Methods We analyzed the 2017 National Inpatient Sample (NIS) to determine the population-based rates of CDI hospitalizations, characteristics of hospitalizations with CDI, and the rates of comorbidities associated with CDI hospitalizations. Results There were 329,460 CDI-related hospitalizations in 2017 (almost 1% of all hospitalizations). The average age for patients admitted with CDI as a principal or secondary diagnosis was 64.7 years (almost 20 years older when compared with all other hospitalizations). Patients 85 years and older had the highest rate of CDI hospitalizations (716 per 100,000 hospitalizations), and patients less than 18 years of age had the lowest rate (12 per 100,000 hospitalizations). There was a progressive increase in the CDI hospitalization rates with each successive age group. The hospitalization rates were higher in females (114 per 100,000 hospitalizations) than males (88 per 100,000 hospitalizations). The CDI hospitalization rate was highest in the Northeast (109 per 100,000 hospitalizations) and lowest in the West (84 per 100,000 hospitalizations). Fluid and electrolyte disturbance (63.3%) and renal failure (33.4%) were the two most common comorbidities associated with CDI hospitalizations. When CDI is a secondary diagnosis, major loss of function, extreme likelihood of dying, septicemia, and septic shock were more common in comparison to CDI as a principal diagnosis. Conclusions CDI hospitalization rates were highest in the elderly over 85 years old and declined with successive decreases in age. Women had higher CDI hospitalization rates than men, and fluid and electrolyte disturbances and renal failure were the most common comorbid conditions. The presence of CDI as a comorbid condition at the time of hospitalization for other principal diagnoses or development of CDI during a hospitalization for other principal diagnoses significantly increases the risk of in-hospital morbidity and mortality.

Background: Sexuality is an important part of health, quality of life and general wellbeing. Diabetes has long been considered a major cause of impaired sexual function. Neuropathy, vascular impairment, and psychological complaints have been implicated in the pathogenesis of decreased libido, low arousability, decreased vaginal lubrication, orgasmic dysfunction and dyspareunia among diabetic women.Objective: To investigate sexual dysfunction in diabetic females living at Sohag Governorate.Patients and methods: This case–control hospital-based descriptive study was carried out at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Sohag University Hospitals on two groups; the case (Diabetic) group and the control (Non-diabetic) group. Each group included 100 sexually active nonpregnant women between 20 to 40 years of age. Their sexual function was assessed using Female Sexual Function Index Questionnaire.Results: The rate of feeling sexually aroused, level of sexual aroused, confidence about becoming sexually aroused during sexual life and rate of being satisfied with the arousal during sexual activity were significantly decreased in diabetic group than non-diabetic group. The difficulty of becoming lubricated “wet” during sexual activity and its maintaining until completion of sexual activity were significantly increased in diabetic group than non-diabetic group. The difficulty until reaching orgasm and satisfaction with the ability to reach orgasm were significantly decreased in diabetic group than non-diabetic group. Satisfaction with the amount of emotional closeness, the sexual relationship with the partner and the overall sexual life were significantly decreased in diabetic group than non-diabetic group.Conclusion: The incidence of sexual dysfunction is higher in diabetic women.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (coronavirus disease 2019, COVID-19) pandemic has placed a tremendous burden on healthcare systems globally. Therapeutics for treatment of the virus are extremely inconsistent due to the lack of time evaluating drug efficacy in clinical trials. Currently, there is a deficiency of published literature that comprehensively discusses all therapeutics being considered for the treatment of COVID-19. A review of the literature was performed for articles related to therapeutics and clinical trials in the context of the current COVID-19 pandemic. We used PubMed, Google Scholar, and Clinicaltrials.gov to search for articles relative to the topic of interest. We used the following keywords: “COVID-19”, “therapeutics”, “clinical trials”, “treatment”, “FDA”, “ICU”, “mortality”, and “management”. In addition, searches through the references of retrieved articles was also performed. In this paper, we have elaborated on the therapeutic strategies that have been hypothesized or trialed to-date, the mechanism of action of each therapeutic, the clinical trials finished or in-process that support the use of each therapeutic, and the adverse effects associated with each therapeutic. Currently, there is no treatment that has been proven to provide significant benefit in reducing morbidity and mortality. There are many clinical trials for numerous different therapeutic agents currently underway. By looking back and measuring successful strategies from previous pandemics in addition to carrying out ongoing research, we provide ourselves with the greatest opportunity to find treatments that are beneficial.

The ongoing outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 [SARS-CoV-2, or coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)] was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020. Worldwide, more than 65 million people have been infected with this SARS-CoV-2 virus, and over 1.5 million people have died due to the viral illness. Although a tremendous amount of medical progress has been made since its inception, there continues to be ongoing research regarding the pathophysiology, treatments, and vaccines. While a vast majority of those infected develop only mild to moderate symptoms, about 5% of people have severe forms of infection resulting in respiratory failure, myocarditis, septic shock, or multi-organ failure. Despite maximal cardiopulmonary support and invasive mechanical ventilation, mortality remains high. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) remains a valid treatment option when maximal conventional strategies fail. Utilization of ECMO in the pandemic is challenging from both resource allocation and ethical standpoints. This article reviews the rationale behind its use, current status of utilization, and future considerations for ECMO in critically ill COVID-19 patients.

Blind people have many tasks to do in their lives. However, blindness generates challenges for them to perform their tasks. Many blind persons use a traditional stick to move around and to perform their tasks. But the obstacles are not detected in traditional stick, it is ineffective for visually impaired people. The blind person has no idea what kind of objects or obstacles are in front of him/her. The blind person has no idea what size the object is or how far away he or she is from it. It is difficult for a blind person to get around. To assist people with vision impairment by making many of their daily tasks simple, comfortable, and organized, they will be able to recognize anything (an obstacle for blind people). A smart stick with mobile application can be used. One of the solutions is a mobile-based Internet of Things solution, which is a stick intended to assist visually impaired people to navigate more easily. It enables blindness and low vision people to navigate and carry out their daily tasks with ease and comfort. A technologically advanced blind stick that enables visually impaired people to move with ease. This paper proposes a system of software and hardware that helps visually impairment people to find their ways in an easy and comfortable way. The proposed system uses smart stick and mobile application to help blind and visually impaired people to identify objects (such as walls, tables, vehicles, people, etc.) in their ways, this can enable them to avoid these objects. In addition, as a result, the system will notify the user through sound from the smartphone. Finally, if he/she gets lost, he will be able to send an SMS with his/her GPS location.

Background/Aim. The treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) has changed dramatically with the advent of targeted therapies. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of generic imatinib in CML patients treated in our center. Methods. The study was retrospective. It included 101 patients diagnosed with CML ? chronic phase (CP). The patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 included 55 patients initially treated with branded imatinib and then switched to generic imatinib. Group 2 consisted of 46 newly diagnosed patients who received only generic imatinib from the beginning of therapy. Results. The patients were treated with branded imatinib for the mean of 42 months (range 6?132 months) before switching to generic imatinib. Treatment with generic imatinib lasted for 25 months on average (range 3?66 months). A quarter of the patients from the group 1 lost their cytogenetic reponse after being switched to generic imatinib, but with-out signs of transformation to acute leukemia. The patients treated with branded imatinib had a significantly longer event-free survival (EFS) and failure-free survival (FFS) (log-rank p = 0.01 and p = 0.03, respectively). These results could have been influenced by frequent changes of the brand and dosage formulation of generic imatinib. Conclusions. Our study showed a significantly longer EFS and FFS in the patients who were initially treated with branded imatinib, compared to those treated with generic imatinib only. These results provide useful information, but have to be interpreted within the context of the crossover study.

LC-HRMS-based metabolomics approach was applied to the river Nile-derived fungus Aspergillus awamori after its fermentation on four different media and using four epigenetic modifiers as elicitors. Thereafter, a comprehensive multivariate statistical analysis such as PCA, PLS-DA and OPLS-DA were employed to explain the generated metabolomic data (1587 features). PCA showed that the fungus displayed a unique chemical profile in each medium or elicitor. Additionally, PLS-DA results revealed the upregulated metabolites under each of these conditions. Results indicated that both rice and malt dextrose agar were recognized as the best media in terms of secondary metabolites diversity and showed better profiles than the four applied epigenetic modifiers, of which nicotinamide was the best secondary metabolite elicitor. Testing the antibacterial and cytotoxic effects of all A. awamori-derived extracts revealed that using epigenetic modifiers can induce antimicrobial metabolites against S. aureus and E. coli, whereas using rice, malt dextrose or nicotinamide can induce groups of cytotoxic metabolites. OPLS-DA results assisted in the putative identification of the induced metabolites that could be responsible for these observed inhibitory activities. This study highlighted how powerful the OSMAC approach in maximizing of the chemical diversity of a single organism. Furthermore, it revealed the power of metabolomics in tracing, profiling and categorizing such chemical diversity and even targeting the possible bioactive candidates which require further scaling up studies in the future.

Several studies are now underway as a worldwide response for the containment of the COVID-19 outbreak; unfortunately, none of them have resulted in an effective treatment. Salvadora persica L. (Salvadoraceae), commonly known as meswak, is one of the popular plants used by Muslims as an oral hygiene tool. It is documented that the meswak possesses antiviral activity, but no report discusses its use for coronavirus treatment. Herein, a mixture of 11 flavonoids prepared from the aqueous plant extract and its liposomal formulation were shown to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 in an in vitro A549 cell line culture and a RT-PCR test almost as well as the FDA-approved anti-COVID-19 agent, remdesivir. Encapsulation within liposomal formulation led to a highly significant increase in the percentage of inhibition of viral replication from 38.09 ± 0.83 to 85.56 ± 1.12% in a flavonoid mixture and its liposomal preparation, respectively, and this figure approached that obtained for remdesivir (91.20 ± 1.71%). Preliminary tests were also performed, including a total flavonoid assay, a molecular docking study, a 3CL-protease inhibition assay and a cytotoxicity study. It was worthy to find a cheap, readily available, safe natural source for promising anti-SARS-CoV-2 agents, that leak their phytochemicals into the aqueous saliva during regular use as a brushing agent.

In this study, polyclonal antibodies (pAb) were prepared against Fasciola gigantica excretory/secretory (E/S) products and purified to demonstrate the highly reactive epitopes on the differentlife cycle stages of F. gigantica and on blood cells and different organs of naturally infectedcattle, as well as to screen internal organs for localization of E/S antigens to find out a suitablemethod for diagnosing the disease as early as possible. Using anti-F. gigantica E/S IgG pAb,immunostaining of different life cycle stages of F. gigantica detected strong positive reactions inall stages except eggs. The reactions were along tegumental surface, gut region of cercariae,miracidiae, metacercariae and tail of cercariae. Besides, the tegument, spine surface, muscularisand gut region of the adults were also positive. Immunoperoxidase localization of E/S productsby anti-F. gigantica E/S IgG pAb showed that E/S antigens were located in many organs ofnaturally infected cattle. Examination of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs)represented a high positivity in the phagosomes and activated monocytes as well as in cytoplasmof lymphocytes. Compared to sections of normal uninfected hosts, liver sections of infectedbovine hosts showed collapsed hepatocytes, thickened portal tract and a highly positive reactionin the cytoplasm of the liver cells. Target epitopes were located inside the splenic cells, mainlylymphocytes. In the gall bladder, positive peroxidase reactions were found in the mucosa andmuscularis layers, and in the epithelial cells lining mucosal glands. A marked positivity was inother organs of the naturally infected animals, as in the epithelial layer lining the glomeruli andtubules of the kidney, in heart cardiac muscle fibres and in cells lining the alveoli of the lungs.

Five sesquiterpene lactones were isolated and identified from Ambrosia maritima L. Hymenin showed highest cytotoxic activity against HCT-116, A-549, and MCF-7 cell lines (IC50= 3.83 ± 0.2, 5.48 ± 0...

Background:There is no medical indication for Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) a procedure with wide range of complications. In Egypt, around 50% of the population supports the practice; moreover, health care providers contrary to their original role in eliminating such harmful practice perform about 80% of the FGM. In Egypt, the knowledge and attitudes of medical students about FGM are questionable. Objectives: To explore the level of knowledge and attitudes towards FGM/C and identifying the possible predictors favouring its practice among medical students. Methods: A cross-sectional study, 630 medical students were included. Self-administered anonymous data collection form was used. Results: Females demonstrated significant higher knowledge score 4.5 (3.5-5.5) with more negative attitude towards FGM/C. Males with low knowledge score 5 (4.0-6.0) were the significant predictors for future FGM/C practice among the included sample.Conclusions: Medical students especially males are not sufficiently knowledgeable about FGM/C; some of them would perform FGM/C in their future practice

Introduction Schistosomiasis is an important neglected tropical disease (NTD) in several developing countries. Praziquantel is the principle and efficacious chemotherapeutic agent that has been used to treat schistosomiasis for decades. Unfortunately, emerging resistance to praziquantel with accompanying reduced efficacy is reported in some localities. Hence, genetic diversity among parasite populations is of significant interest in assessing the effects of selective pressure generated by praziquantel therapy that might result in encouraging the emergence of new genotypes that are either non-susceptible or drug-resistant. The present study aimed to investigate the genetic diversity of Schistosoma haematobium among human populations using the RAPD technique to help clarify disease epidemiology and transmission. Materials and methods S. haematobium eggs were isolated from 50 of 134 patients from four different localities in Qena Governorate, Upper Egypt. These patients complained of terminal hematuria and burning micturition. Samples were used for molecular analysis using RAPD-PCR primers (A02, A07, A09, A10). Results Twenty S. haematobium isolates (40%) were amplified using the selected RAPD primers. Amplification patterns of these isolates showed distinct variation in the size and number of amplified fragments, indicating high genetic variation among these isolates. Conclusion To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to characterize the genetic diversity of S. haematobium in human populations in Upper Egypt. Future studies on a larger geographic scale involving many districts in Upper Egypt should be encouraged. Information from such a study would provide better insight into clonal lineages of S. haematobium in this endemic area. In turn, understanding transmission of the parasite may have a major role in establishing control strategies for urogenital schistosomiasis in Upper Egypt.

Backgound: Neonatal sepsis is defined as a clinical syndrome of bacteremia with signs and symptoms of infection in the first four weeks of life. A better understanding of the neonatal inflammatory response to sepsis and identification of sensitive and specific markers of inflammation or rapid microbe-specific diagnostic tests would assist in the early detection of neonatal sepsis. Objective: Evaluate of serum neopterin level as an early diagnostic marker in neonatal sepsis for early detection of neonatal sepsis and early implementation of the appropriate therapeutic strategies. Patients and Methods: The current study included 90 newborns admitted into NICU with 30 of them septic, 30 suspected neonatal sepsis and 30 control at Aswan University Hospital during the study period after obtaining consent from the parents. Results: Neopterin level was significantly higher in cases than control (p < 0.001). A highly significant positive correlations was found between serum neopterin with TLC, T. neutrophils, immature/total neutrophil (I/T) ratio, serum C-reactive protein (CRP) level, ESR 1st hour, ESR 2nd hour and sepsis score. On the other hands, negative correlation was found between serum neopterin level and gestational age, with poor Moro reflex & apnoea. Moreover, no significant relation was found between serums level of neopterin and socio-demographic data. Conclusion: Combined use of one or more laboratory marker as Haematological scoring system (HSS) and CRP with neopterin will enhance the diagnostic accuracy, early detection and consequently prevention of complications of infected cases.

This study focused on demonstrates improving the antibacterial activity and white resist printing for viscose fabrics in one step. Chitosan is the deacetylated derivative of chitin; it is a functional biopolymer which can be safely used for textile wet process. The efficacy of resisting agent was studied in comparison with standard unprinted illuminated fabrics. Results show that an improvement in antibacterial activity and dye blocking. In all cases, the reprinted fabrics were more oversensitive towards Gram positive bacteria than Gram negative bacteria due to bacteria structure. This method can be suitable for eco-friendly resist printing on viscose fabrics.

In the present study, the effect of methanol extracts of two plant species, Dizygotheca kerchoveana (Maliaceae) and Azadirachta indica (Araliacaea) were tested on the activity of Schistosoma mansoni worms. Efficacy of two plant extracts compared with praziquantel (PZQ) was evaluated in vivo. The results showed that reduction was 90% in case of PZQ treatment compared to 76.91%, 62.64% after treatment with D. kerchoveana and A. indica extracts respectively. PZQ recorded highest significant number of dead ova into oogram pattern (80±1.80) at 5wk PI. But, good results were obtained by of D. kerchoveana and A. indica methanol extracts (65.00±4.05 & 60.60±3.60, respectively) at 3wk PI. Efficacy of the plant extract showed a significant (P