Gastrointestinal stromal tumor of the duodenum presenting with shock and massive upper and lower gastrointestinal bleeding: a case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Due to rarity of duodenal GISTs, clinicians have few information about its clinical features, diagnosis, management and prognosis. CASE REPORT: We report a case of promptly diagnosed duodenal GIST in a 61-year-old Egyptian man presented shocked with severe attack of hematemesis and melena. Upper gastroduodenal endoscopy was done and revealed a large ulcerating bleeding mass at first part of duodenum 4 hemo-clips were applied with good hemostasis. An exploratory laparotomy and distal gastrectomy, duodenectomy and gastrojejunostomy were performed. The morphology of the mass combined with immunohistochemistry was consistent with duodenal gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) of high risk type. The patient is on amatinib one tablet daily and he was well with no evidence of tumor recurrence. CONCLUSION: despite being rare, emergency presentation with sudden severe, life-threatening hemorrhagic shock duodenal GISTs might be a cause of potentially lethal massive combined upper and lower gastrointestinal bleeding which is the key feature of this rare and challenging tumor.

A prototype system for the removal of 137Cs from liquid radioactive waste using reverse osmosis membrane.

Cesium removal from aqueous solutions of radioactive waste streams is a challenge in the field of radioactive waste management; this is due to the small atomic radii of Cs+ metal ions and their high migration ability. So, the development of a withstand system for the removal of Cs+ is crucial. In the current study, the removal of radioactive cesium from aqueous solutions using an RO-TLC membrane was studied. Two modifications were conducted; the first is to enlarge the cesium metal ion radii by interacting with mono- and dibasic acids, namely, stearic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, and EDTA, and the second is the modification of the RO membrane pore size via reaction with the same acids. The modification was confirmed using SEM, FTIR, and EDX analysis techniques. The Cs+ and K+ rejection capacities and water permeability across the membrane at 1.5 bars were evaluated. Along with using the above-mentioned acids, the Cs+ metal ion retention index (RCs) was also obtained. It was found that employing EDTA as a chelating agent in an amount of 1.5 g/L in conjunction with the variation of feed content since it provided the highest value of RCs ~ 98% when used. Moreover, the elution of Cs+ using water, EDTA, ammonia, and HCl is also investigated. The optimal value of the eluent concentration was (0.25 M) HCl. Finally, Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models were applied for a better understanding of the sorption process. The results of the present work more closely match the Langmuir isotherm model to determine the dominance of the chemical sorption mechanism.

Novel high-efficient adsorbent based on modified gelatin/montmorillonite nanocomposite for removal of malachite green dye.

Shortage of drinking water has gained potential interest over the last few decades. Discharged industrial effluent, including various toxic pollutants, to water surfaces is one of the most serious environmental issues. The adsorption technique has become a widely studied method for the removal of toxic pollutants, specifically synthetic dyes, from wastewater due to its cost-effectiveness, high selectivity, and ease of operation. In this study, a novel gelatin-crosslinked-poly(acrylamide-co-itaconic acid)/montmorillonite (MMT) nanoclay nanocomposites-based adsorbent has been prepared for removing malachite green (MG) dye from an aqueous solution. Modified gelatin nanocomposites were synthesized using a free-radical polymerization technique in the presence and absence of MMT. Various analytical instrumentation: including FTIR, FESEM, XRD, and TEM techniques were used to elucidate the chemical structure and surface morphology of the prepared samples. Using a batch adsorption experiment, Langmuir isotherm model showed that the prepared modified gelatin nanocomposite had a maximum adsorption capacity of 950.5 mg/g using 350 mg/L of MG dye at pH 9 within 45 min. Furthermore, the regeneration study showed good recyclability for the obtained nanocomposite through four consecutive reusable cycles. Therefore, the fabricated gelatin nanocomposite is an attractive adsorbent for MG dye elimination from aqueous solutions.

Microsporidial keratoconjunctivitis - first outbreak in Japan.

BACKGROUND: Most cases of microsporidial keratoconjunctivitis are found in the Southern hemisphere. Our purpose was to investigate the first outbreak of microsporidial keratoconjunctivitis in Japan among healthy, immunocompetent soccer players from the same team during a 1-month period. CASE PRESENTATION: This study is an observational case series. The medical records were analyzed for five cases with microsporidial keratoconjunctivitis who presented within September 2022. All five cases were males between 28 and 36 years old. These previously healthy individuals belonged to the same football team. Their eyes were considered susceptible to contaminated water or dirt from the turf at game and practice sites. All cases involved unilateral conjunctivitis, with scattered round white lesions that showed positive fluorescein staining in the corneal epithelium. All cases experienced diminution of vision in the affected eye. In three cases, direct smears showed spores of approximately 2-3 µm in diameter. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of corneal scrapes revealed partial amplification of microsporidial 18 S ribosomal RNA gene in four cases. Sequences of PCR products from all four cases showed 100% identity with strains of Vittaforma corneae previously reported from an outbreak in Singapore. All cases were treated with topical therapy, including voriconazole, fluorometholone, and levofloxacin. Four eyes underwent corneal scraping. After treatment, all eyes healed without residual opacities. CONCLUSIONS: Only a few sporadic case reports of this disease have previously been reported in Japan. We detected V. corneae in our case series, representing what appears to be the first outbreak of microsporidial keratoconjunctivitis in Japan. Exposure to contaminated water or soil, in addition to inadequate sanitary facilities, represents a potential source of infection. Further investigations to clarify the characteristics of microsporidia seem warranted.

Whole Corneal Descemetocele.

Background and Objectives: To report a case of microbial keratitis complicated by severe corneal melting and whole corneal descemetocele. Methods: A 72-year-old male farmer presented with a right corneal ulcer involving nearly the entire cornea, which was almost completely melted down with the remaining Descemet's membrane (DM). The pupil area was filled with melted necrotic material, with the intraocular lens partially protruding from the pupil and indenting the DM. Corneal optical coherence tomography (OCT) examination revealed a corneal thickness of 37 µm that was attached to its back surface, with the iris and a part of the intraocular lens (IOL) protruding through the pupil. The patient was hospitalized and treated with local and systemic antibiotics until control of the inflammation was achieved. Corneoscleral transplantation plus excision/transplantation of the corneal limbus were performed, and the entire corneal limbus was lamellarly incised. After completely suturing all around the transplanted corneoscleral graft, the anterior chamber was formed. Postoperative treatment included local antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and cycloplegic drops. Results: There was no recurrence of infection, and the corneal epithelium gradually regenerated and covered the whole graft. Visual acuity was light perception at 6 months after the surgery. The patient was satisfied that the globe was preserved and did not wish to undergo any further treatment. Conclusions: Corneoscleral transplantation is preferred for the treatment of large-sized descemetoceles with active microbial keratitis and extensive infiltrates, especially in cases where the whole cornea has transformed into a large cyst.

Progression of diabetic nephropathy and vitamin D serum levels: A pooled analysis of 7722 patients.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Low serum Vitamin D levels have been associated with diabetic nephropathy (DN). Our study aimed to analyse the serum levels of vitamin D in patients suffering from DN and the subsequent changes in serum vitamin D levels as the disease progresses. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, SCOPUS and Web of Science were searched using keywords such as '25 hydroxyvitamin D' and 'diabetic nephropathy'. We included observational studies that reported the association between the serum 25 hydroxy vitamin D levels and diabetic nephropathy without restriction to age, gender, and location. R Version 4.1.2 was used to perform the meta-analysis. The continuous outcomes were represented as mean difference (MD) and standard deviation (SD) and dichotomous outcomes as risk ratios (RR) with their 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: Twenty-three studies were included in our analysis with 7722 patients. Our analysis revealed that vitamin D was significantly lower in diabetic patients with nephropathy than those without nephropathy (MD: -4.32, 95% CI: 7.91-0.74, p-value = .0228). On comparing diabetic patients suffering from normoalbuminuria, microalbuminuria, or macroalbuminuria, we found a significant difference in serum vitamin D levels across different groups. Normoalbuminuria versus microalbuminuria showed a MD of -1.69 (95% CI: -2.28 to -1.10, p-value = .0002), while microalbuminuria versus macroalbuminuria showed a MD of (3.75, 95% CI: 1.43-6.06, p-value = .0058), proving that serum vitamin D levels keep declining as the disease progresses. Notwithstanding, we detected an insignificant association between Grade 4 and Grade 5 DN (MD: 2.29, 95% CI: -2.69-7.28, p-value = .1862). CONCLUSION: Serum Vitamin D levels are lower among DN patients and keep declining as the disease progresses, suggesting its potential benefit as a prognostic marker. However, on reaching the macroalbuminuria stage (Grades 4 and 5), vitamin D is no longer a discriminating factor.

Hydrogel dressings for donor sites of split-thickness skin grafts.

BACKGROUND: Donor site wounds of split-thickness skin grafts can be a major cause of morbidity. Choosing the appropriate dressing for these wounds is crucial to successful healing. Various types of dressing are available, including hydrogel dressings. A review of current evidence is required to guide clinical decision-making on the choice of dressing for the treatment of donor sites of split-thickness skin grafts. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of hydrogel dressings on donor site wounds following split-thickness skin grafts for wound healing. SEARCH METHODS: In July 2022 we searched the Cochrane Wounds Specialised Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, and CINAHL EBSCO Plus. We also searched clinical trials registries for ongoing and unpublished studies, and scanned reference lists of relevant included studies as well as reviews, meta-analyses, and health technology reports to identify additional studies. There were no restrictions with respect to language, date of publication, or study setting. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing hydrogel dressings with other types of dressing, topical treatments or no dressing, or with different types of hydrogel dressings in managing donor site wounds irrespective of language and publication status. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently carried out data extraction, risk of bias assessment using the Cochrane risk of bias tool, RoB 1, and quality assessment according to GRADE methodology. MAIN RESULTS: We included two studies (162 participants) in this review. One study with three arms and 101 participants (15 months' duration) was conducted in a children's hospital, and compared hydrogel dressings in the form of Sorbact with Algisite, an alginate dressing and Cuticerin, a smooth acetate gauze impregnated with water-repellent ointment. Another study with two arms and 61 participants (19 months' duration) was conducted in three surgery departments and compared an octenidine-containing hydrogel dressing with an identical non-antimicrobial hydrogel dressing. We identified no studies that compared hydrogel dressings with another therapy such as a topical agent (a topical agent is a cream, an ointment or a solution that is applied directly to the wound), or no dressing, or a combination of hydrogel dressings and another therapy versus another therapy alone. Both studies were at high risk of attrition bias and the second study was also at unclear risk of selection bias. Amorphous hydrogel dressings versus other types of dressings Amorphous hydrogel dressings may increase time to wound healing when compared with alginate (mean difference (MD) 1.67 days, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.56 to 2.78; 1 study, 69 participants; low-certainty evidence) or Cuticerin dressings (MD 1.67 days, 95% CI 0.55 to 2.79; 1 study, 68 participants; low-certainty evidence). The effect of amorphous hydrogel dressings compared with other types of dressings is uncertain for pain at the donor site and wound complications, including scarring and itching (very low-certainty evidence). No adverse events were reported in any of the groups. The study did not report health-related quality of life or wound infection. Octenidine-based hydrogel dressing versus octenidine-free hydrogel dressing The effect of octenidine-based hydrogel dressings versus octenidine-free hydrogel dressings is uncertain for time to wound healing (MD 0.40, 95% CI 0.28 to 0.52; 1 study, 41 participants) and wound infection, as the certainty of the evidence is very low. The certainty of the evidence is also very low for adverse events, with two participants in the intervention group and one participant in the comparison group reporting adverse events (risk ratio (RR) 0.58, 95% CI 0.06 to 5.89; 1 study, 41 participants). The study did not report donor site pain, health-related quality of life, or wound complications. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: There is insufficient evidence to determine the effect of hydrogel dressings on donor site wounds of split thickness skin grafts compared with other types of dressings. There is a need for adequately powered and well-designed RCTs, with adequate sample sizes, types of populations and subgroups, types of interventions, and outcomes, that compare hydrogel dressings with other treatment options in the treatment of donor site wounds of split-thickness skin grafts.

Molecular characteristics and zoonotic potential of enteric protists in domestic dogs and cats in Egypt.

Introduction: Domestic dogs and cats can be a source of human infection by a wide diversity of zoonotic pathogens including parasites. Genotyping and subtyping tools are useful in assessing the true public health relevance of canine and feline infections by these pathogens. This study investigated the occurrence, genetic diversity, and zoonotic potential of common diarrhea-causing enteric protist parasites in household dogs and cats in Egypt, a country where this information is particularly scarce. Methods: In this prospective, cross-sectional study a total of 352 individual fecal samples were collected from dogs (n = 218) and cats (n = 134) in three Egyptian governorates (Dakahlia, Gharbeya, and Giza) during July-December 2021. Detection and identification of Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis, Enterocytozoon bieneusi, and Blastocystis sp. were carried out by PCR and Sanger sequencing. Basic epidemiological variables (geographical origin, sex, age, and breed) were examined for association with occurrence of infection by enteric protists. Results and discussion: The overall prevalence rates of Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis were 1.8% (95% CI: 0.5-4.6) and 38.5% (95% CI: 32.0-45.3), respectively, in dogs, and 6.0% (95% CI: 2.6-11.4) and 32.1% (95% CI: 24.3-40.7), respectively, in cats. All canine and feline fecal samples analyzed tested negative for E. bieneusi and Blastocystis sp. Dogs from Giza governorate and cats from Dakahlia governorate were at higher risk of infection by Cryptosporidium spp. (p = 0.0006) and G. duodenalis (p = 0.00001), respectively. Sequence analyses identified host-adapted Cryptosporidium canis (n = 4, one of them belonging to novel subtype XXe2) and G. duodenalis assemblages C (n = 1) and D (n = 3) in dogs. In cats the zoonotic C. parvum (n = 5) was more prevalent than host-adapted C. felis (n = 1). Household dogs had a limited (but not negligible) role as source of human giardiasis and cryptosporidiosis, but the unexpected high frequency of zoonotic C. parvum in domestic cats might be a public health concern. This is the first molecular-based description of Cryptosporidium spp. infections in cats in the African continent to date. Molecular epidemiological data provided here can assist health authorities and policy makers in designing and implementing effective campaigns to minimize the transmission of enteric protists in Egypt.

Comparison of rabbit corneal changes during different preservation techniques using optisol-GS and airlift.

A previous study suggested that the airlift condition is superior to the Optisol-GS condition for preserving the limbal tissue of the human cornea. The purpose of this research is to investigate a new preservation device that preserves the cornea while separating epithelial and endothelial areas. The differences after preserving the corneal epithelium under different conditions were compared. A total of 24 corneas of New Zealand rabbits were divided into four groups in which the corneal epithelia were submersed in Optisol-GS or under airlift conditions for 1 and 2 weeks at 4 [Formula: see text]C. Transparency, optical coherence tomography (OCT), hematoxylin and eosin (H &E) staining, and epithelial migration tests were used to assess corneal status. The epithelial migration examination showed significantly greater migration ability after the airlift condition. Corneas in the 1-week Optisol-GS group were the most transparent, followed by the 1-week airlift group. OCT showed a progressive increase in corneal thickness to the end of the study. H &E staining showed that the epithelial cells retained intact cellular structure and morphology of the cells for both 1-week-preserved groups. However, there was disruption of the corneal epithelial cell structure for both 2-week-preserved groups. Corneal epithelium preserved under the hypothermic airlift condition was comparable to that under the Optisol-GS condition.

Nano Pt/TiO2 photocatalyst for ultrafast production of sulfamic acid derivatives using 4-nitroacetanilides as nitrogen precursor in continuous flow reactors.

The design of reactors based on high performance photocatalysts is an important research in catalytic hydrogenation. In this work, modification of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) was achieved by preparation of Pt/TiO2 nanocomposites (NCs) through photo-deposition method. Both nanocatalysts were used for the photocatalytic removal of SOx from the flue gas at room temperature in the presence of hydrogen peroxide, water, and nitroacetanilide derivatives under visible light irradiation. In this approach, chemical deSOx was achieved along with protection of the nanocatalyst from sulfur poising through the interaction of the released SOx from SOx-Pt/TiO2 surface with p-nitroacetanilide derivatives to produce simultaneous aromatic sulfonic acids. Pt/TiO2 NCs have a bandgap of 2.64 eV in visible light range, which is lower than the bandgap of TiO2 NPs, whereas TiO2 NPs have a mean size of 4 nm and a high specific surface area of 226 m2/g. Pt/TiO2 NCs showed high photocatalytic sulfonation of some phenolic compounds using SO2 as a sulfonating agent along with the existence of p-nitroactanilide derivatives. The conversion of p-nitroacetanilide followed the combination processes of adsorption and catalytic oxidation-reduction reactions. Construction of an online continuous flow reactor-high-resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometry system had been investigated, realizing real-time and automatic monitoring of completion the reaction. 4-nitroacetanilide derivatives (1a-1e) was converted to its corresponding sulfamic acid derivatives (2a-2e) in 93-99% isolated yields of within 60 s. It is expected to offer a great opportunity for ultrafast detection of pharmacophores.

Management of pediatric blunt abdominal trauma with split liver or spleen injuries: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Blunt abdominal trauma is a prevailing cause of pediatric morbidity and mortality. It constitutes the most frequent type of pediatric injuries. Contrast-enhanced sonography (CEUS) and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) are considered pivotal diagnostic modalities in hemodynamically stable patients. AIM: To report the experience in management of pediatric split liver and spleen injuries using CEUS and CECT. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study included 246 children who sustained blunt abdominal trauma, and admitted and treated at three tertiary hospitals in the period of 5 years. Primary resuscitation was offered to all children based on the advanced trauma and life support (ATLS) protocol. A special algorithm for decision-making was followed. It incorporated the FAST, baseline ultrasound (US), CEUS, and CECT. Patients were treated according to the imaging findings and hemodynamic stability. RESULTS: All 246 children who sustained a blunt abdominal were studied. Patients' age was 10.5 ± 2.1. Road traffic accidents were the most common cause of trauma; 155 patients (63%). CECT showed the extent of injury in 153 patients' spleen (62%) and 78 patients' liver (32%), while the remaining 15 (6%) patients had both injuries. CEUS detected 142 (57.7%) spleen injury, and 67 (27.2%) liver injury. CONCLUSIONS: CEUS may be a useful diagnostic tool among hemodynamically stable children who sustained low-to-moderate energy isolated blunt abdominal trauma. It may be also helpful for further evaluation of uncertain CECT findings and follow-up of conservatively managed traumatic injuries.

Qualitative analysis of a fractional-order two-strain epidemic model with vaccination and general non-monotonic incidence rate.

In this paper, a fractional-order two-strain epidemic model with vaccination and general non-monotonic incidence rate is analyzed. The studied problem is formulated using susceptible, infectious and recovered compartmental model. A Caputo fractional operator is incorporated in each compartment to describe the memory effect related to an epidemic evolution. First, the global existence, positivity and boundedness of solutions of the proposed model are proved. The basic reproduction numbers associated with studied problem are calculated. Four steady states are given, namely the disease-free equilibrium, the strain 1 endemic equilibrium, the strain 2 endemic equilibrium, and the endemic equilibrium associated with both strains. By considering appropriate Lyapunov functions, the global stability of the equilibrium points is proven according to the model parameters. Our modeling approach using a generalized non-monotonic incidence functions encloses a variety of fractional-order epidemic models existing in the literature. Finally, the theoretical findings are illustrated using numerical simulations.

Siwa Oasis groundwater quality: factors controlling spatial and temporal changes.

Siwa Oasis is of great historical, environmental, and scientific importance, as it contains unique archeological and geological features. Groundwater is the main source of freshwater in that oasis. The carbonate aquifer groundwater, used for irrigation, was sampled to evaluate factors controlling quality changes spatially and temporally by applying hydrochemical and statistical analyses. The salinity of the aquifer varied spatially from 1367 to 8645 mg/l based on one hydrogeological condition, with the highest TDS (> 5432.5 mg/l, 25% of samples) at the central part of the study area. Temporally, the salinity changed slightly from 3754.3 mg/l (in 2014) to 4222.4 mg/l (in 2020). The cession of illegal wells, pumping control, and excavation of formed salts have a noticeable impact on salinity (mediate the increase in salinity) and ions. However, about 61% of the studied samples can be considered unsuitable for irrigation owing to salinity and can harm plant yield. The heavy metals studied (Fe, Mn, Cu, Pb), except Cd, were within the permissible limit for irrigation water. Finally, it is proposed to construct desalination stations to enhance water quality for irrigation in the study area and set up many companies for salt extraction.

Using neural networks to predict the effect of the preload location on the natural frequencies of a cantilever beam.

With the evolution of computational power of computers in 20th century, neural networks (NNs) are becoming more popular in different engineering applications because of its ability to approximate static and dynamic, linear and non-linear, multi-dimensional systems. For example, they are used in industrial processes to automate assembly lines which increases its productivity and in automotive to reduce gas consumption of an engine. In this paper, NNs are utilized to reduce the computational power needed for finite element methods (FEM) simulations. A case study is taken for which NNs are used to predict the effect of the preload position and magnitude on the natural frequencies of the prestressed cantilever beam. A simple FEM model is implemented to generate the data set required to train the NN. The steps done to construct the FEM are discussed and the FEM model results are verified. The effect of the preload position on the natural frequencies of the beam is studied. A NN is then implemented to predict the natural frequencies of the beam for different beam cross-section geometries and different preload magnitudes and positions. The NN architecture, data processing and training methodology are explained. The NN and FEM results are compared to show the accuracy of the NN predictions. The results are shown to be in good agreement.

Facile Synthesis of chitosan-g-PVP/f-MWCNTs for application in Cu(II) ions removal and for bacterial growth inhibition in aqueous solutions.

Herein in this study, chitosan-grafted-4-vinylpyridine (Cs-g-PVP) and two polymeric hybrids of Cs-g-PVP/f-MWCNTs (I and II) with 3wt% and 5wt% f-MWCNTs, respectively were prepared, characterized and used as adsorbent for the removal of Cu(II) ions from aqueous solutions in a batch process The obtained Cs-g-PVP was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) to identify its surface functional groups, in addition thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were performed to assess the thermal stability, the morphology and the elemental analysis of the obtained Cs-g-PVP and Cs-g-PVP/f-MWCNTs (I and II). Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) with mapping analysis was obtained for Cs-g-PVP/Cu and Cs-g-PVP/f-MWCNTs/Cu samples that was confirming on the performance of adsorption batch process. The applicability of Langmuir adsorption isotherms was evaluated to better understand the adsorption process. Additionally, antibacterial activity of the Cs-g-PVP and the two polymeric hybrids Cs-g-PVP/f-MWCNTs (I and II) was evaluated against three Gram + ve bacteria (Staphylococcus aurous, Bacillus Subtitles and Streptococcus faecalis) and three Gram -ve bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The results showed that the efficiency of Cs-g-PVP copolymer was improved after inclusion of the f-MWCNTs substrate towards adsorption of Cu(II) ions and antibacterial activity as well.

A comprehensive insight into current control of COVID-19: Immunogenicity, vaccination, and treatment.

The healthy immune system eliminates pathogens and maintains tissue homeostasis through extraordinarily complex networks with feedback systems while avoiding potentially massive tissue destruction. Many parameters influence humoral and cellular vaccine responses, including intrinsic and extrinsic, environmental, and behavioral, nutritional, perinatal and administrative parameters. The relative contributions of persisting antibodies and immune memory as well as the determinants of immune memory induction, to protect against specific diseases are the main parameters of long-term vaccine efficacy. Natural and vaccine-induced immunity and monoclonal antibody immunotherapeutic, may be evaded by SARS-CoV-2 variants. Besides the complications of the production of COVID-19 vaccinations, there is no effective single treatment against COVID-19. However, administration of a combined treatment at different stages of COVID-19 infection may offer some cure assistance. Combination treatment of antiviral drugs and immunomodulatory drugs may reduce inflammation in critical COVID-19 patients with cytokine release syndrome. Molnupiravir, remdesivir and paxlovid are the approved antiviral agents that may reduce the recovery time. In addition, immunomodulatory drugs such as lactoferrin and monoclonal antibodies are used to control inflammatory responses in their respective auto-immune conditions. Therefore, the widespread occurrence of highly transmissible variants like Delta and Omicron indicates that there is still a lot of work to be done in designing efficient vaccines and medicines for COVID-19. In this review, we briefly discussed the immunological response against SARS-CoV-2 and the vaccines approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) for COVID-19, their mechanisms, and side effects. Moreover, we mentioned various treatment trials and strategies for COVID-19.

Effectiveness of a photoscreener in identifying undiagnosed unilateral amblyopia at vision screening of 3-year-old children in Japan.

PURPOSE: In Japan a basic preparatory ophthalmic examination is routinely performed for 3-year-old children. This study aimed to determine the value of incorporating a photoscreener into the examination and evaluate parents' satisfaction with the photoscreener examination. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective study. METHODS: Children aged 42-47 months in Nagasaki City, Japan, underwent a visual acuity test by a parent at home and by automated vision screening using a photoscreener at their local municipal health center between October 2018 and March 2019. Subjects were children referred to Nagasaki University Hospital for examination after failing either test. Children previously diagnosed with strabismus and/or amblyopia were excluded. A questionnaire survey evaluated the level of satisfaction with the photoscreener-based screening by parents who attended these examinations at the local municipal health center. RESULTS: Of children who completed the two tests, 52 (failed visual acuity test, 3; failed photoscreener examination, 49) were referred for examination. Of the 49 photoscreener failures, 12 were diagnosed with amblyopia: unilateral amblyopia with anisometropic hyperopia in 10 (83.3%), and bilateral amblyopia with astigmatism and hyperopia in 2 (16.7%). The photoscreener detected all 12 cases of amblyopia, whereas the home-based visual acuity test detected only two cases. More than 80% of 1035 parents were satisfied with the photoscreener examination. CONCLUSION: Unilateral amblyopia with anisometropic hyperopia was easily overlooked with the home-based test but was detectable by photoscreener examination. The photoscreener proved to be an effective screening tool for amblyopia in children and was considered a satisfactory examination by a high proportion of parents.

Implementation of graphitic carbon nitride nanomaterials and laser irradiation for increasing bioethanol production from potato processing wastes.

Agricultural and agro-industrial wastes (e.g., potato peel waste) are causing severe environmental problems. The processes of pretreatment, saccharification, and fermentation are the major obstacles in bioethanol production from wastes and must be overcome by efficient novel techniques. The effect of exposing the fungi (yeast) Saccharomyces cerevisiae to laser source with the addition of graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets (g-C3N4) with different concentrations on bioethanol production was investigated through the implementation of a batch anaerobic system and using potato peel waste (PPW). Dichromate test was implemented as quantitative analysis for quantification of the bioethanol yield. The benefits of this test were the appearance of green color indicating the identification of ethanol (C2H5OH) by bare eye and the ease to calculate the bioethanol yield through UV-visible spectrophotometry. The control sample (0.0 ppm of g-C3N4) showed only a 4% yield of bioethanol; however, by adding 150 ppm to PPW medium, 22.61% of ethanol was produced. Besides, laser irradiations (blue and red) as influencing parameters were studied with and without the addition of g-C3N4 nanomaterials aiming to increase the bioethanol. It was determined that the laser irradiation can trigger the bioethanol production (in case of red: 13.13% and in case of blue: 16.14% yields, respectively) compared to the control sample (in absence of g-C3N4). However, by adding different concentrations of g-C3N4 nanomaterials from 5 to 150 ppm, the bioethanol yield was increased as follows: in case of red: 56.11% and, in case of blue: 56.77%, respectively. It was found that using fungi and exposing it to the blue laser diode source having a wavelength of 450 nm and a power of 250 mW for a duration of 30 min with the addition of 150 mg L-1 of g-C3N4 nanomaterials delivered the highest bioethanol yield from PPW.