Development of functional glow-in-the-dark photoluminescence linen fabrics with ultraviolet sensing and shielding.

Linen fibres were coated with a glow-in-the-dark photoluminescence, flame-retarding, and hydrophobic smart nanocomposite using the pad-dry-curing process. Ecologically friendly ammonium polyphosphate and lanthanide-activated strontium aluminium oxide (LSAO) nanoparticles were immobilized into linen fabric using eco-friendly room-temperature-vulcanizing silicone rubber. Different analytical techniques were used to examine the morphological characteristics and elemental compositions of LSAO nanoparticles and treated linen textiles. The self-extinguishing properties of the treated linen textiles were tested for their fire resistance. After 24 washing cycles, the coated linen samples retained their flame-retarding properties. The treated linen's superhydrophobicity rose in direct proportion to the LSAO concentration. After being excited at 365 nm, the colourless luminescent film that was coated on linen surface gave out an emission wavelength of 519 nm. The photoluminescent linen was monitored to create a range of different colours, including off-white in daytime light and green under ultraviolet (UV) light radiation, according to the Commission Internationale de l'éclairage laboratory colorimetric coordinates and photoluminescence spectra. Emission, excitation, and lifetime spectral analysis of the treated linen revealed persistent phosphorescence. For mechanical and comfort evaluation, the coated linen textiles' bending length and air permeability were assessed. Good UV light shielding and enhanced antibacterial activity were detected in the treated linens.

A conceptual framework modeling of functional microbial communities in wastewater treatment electro-bioreactors.

Understanding the microbial ecology of a system allows linking members of the community and their metabolic functions to the performance of the wastewater bioreactor. This study provided a comprehensive conceptual framework for microbial communities in wastewater treatment electro-bioreactors (EBRs). The model was based on data acquired from monitoring the effect of altering different bioreactor operational parameters, such as current density and hydraulic retention time, on the microbial communities of an EBR and its nutrient removal efficiency. The model was also based on the 16S rRNA gene high-throughput sequencing data analysis and bioreactor efficiency data. The collective data clearly demonstrated that applying various electric currents affected the microbial community composition and stability and the reactor efficiency in terms of chemical oxygen demand, N and P removals. Moreover, a schematic that recommends operating conditions that are tailored to the type of wastewater that needs to be treated based on the functional microbial communities enriched at specific operating conditions was suggested. In this study, a conceptual model as a simplified representation of the behavior of microbial communities in EBRs was developed. The proposed conceptual model can be used to predict how biological treatment of wastewater in EBRs can be improved by varying several operating conditions.

Determinants of hand hygiene compliance in Egypt: building blocks for a communication strategy.

Hand hygiene of health-care staff is one of the most important interventions in reducing transmission of nosocomial infections. This qualitative study aimed to understand the behavioural determinants of hand hygiene in order to develop sustainable interventions to promote hand hygiene in hospitals. Fourteen focus group discussions were conducted with nurses in 2 university hospitals in Egypt. The interviews were tape recorded and transcribed. Thematic analysis was conducted by 2 independent investigators. The findings highlighted that nurses did not perceive the benefits of hand hygiene, and that they linked the need to wash hands to a sense of dirtiness. Knowledge of hand hygiene and related products was limited and preference for water and soap was obvious. Environmental constraints, lack of role models and social control were identified as barriers for compliance with hand hygiene. A multi-faceted hand hygiene strategy was developed based on existing cultural concepts valued by the hospital staff.

Association between diet history and symptoms of individuals having recovered from COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Many studies show that people who eat a balanced diet have stronger immunity. The present work aimed to identify the effects of the diet history of COVID-19 patients having recovered from the disease on the occurrence and severity of symptoms. METHODS: The study sample consisted of 346 individuals aged 20-65 years. The participants' data and answers to an electronic questionnaire regarding their diet history and symptoms were collected. The study focused on four hard symptoms (fever, body pain, cough, and dyspnoea) to investigate the relationship between these symptoms and the consumption of specific immunity foods. RESULTS: Symptoms were reported by 88.1% of the participants eating none of the foods investigated, whereas 85.54% and 85.55% of the individuals with little or intensive food intake, respectively, experienced symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Intake of specific functional foods might slightly reduce the occurrence of some symptoms.

Analytical dosimetric study of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) for prostate cancer.

PURPOSE: The study aimed to compare the dosimetric results and treatment delivery efficiency among four techniques to explore the preferred technique in prostate treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 7 IMRT, 9 IMRT, 1 ARC, and 2 ARC plans were created for 30 prostate cancer patients using the Eclipse™ treatment planning system (Varian Medical Systems). All the plans were designed to deliver 80.0 Gy in 40 fractions to the prostate planning target volume (PTV). Target coverage, organs at risk (OARs), number of monitor units, homogeneity, and conformity were compared across the four techniques to assess the quality of the plans. RESULTS: The study revealed better Planning Target Volume (PTV) dose coverage in the VMAT-2A than in the other plans. At the same time, VMAT-2A plans were found to be significantly lower in terms of Bladder and rectum doses than other techniques. In addition, VMAT has the advantage of considerably reducing the number of monitor units and treatment time. CONCLUSION: For prostate cancer, VMAT may offer a favorable dose gradient profile, conformity, and MU and treatment time compared to IMRT.

2021 NATIONAL DIAGNOSTIC REFERENCE LEVELS FOR PAEDIATRIC COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY IN EGYPT.

OBJECTIVE: To establish national diagnostic reference levels (NDRLs) for most common paediatric computed tomography (CT) examinations in Egypt. METHODS: This was a prospective study that included all dedicated paediatric imaging centers in Egypt. Data from 1680 individual paediatric patients undergoing CT scanning of the head, chest and abdomen-pelvis were collected. Computed tomography dose indices were recorded, data were analysed and compared with the internationally published paediatric DRLs in14 countries. RESULTS: The Egyptian NDRLs of the CTDIvol (mGy) for head, chest and abdomen-pelvis scans among four paediatric age groups were found to be (23, 27, 28, 32, 4, 5, 6, 8, 5, 6, 7, 9) mGy, respectively; and the corresponding NDRLs of the DLP (mGycm) for head, chest and abdomen-pelvis scans were found to be (345, 428, 499, 637, 67, 85, 145, 215, 97, 135, 240, 320) mGycm, respectively. There were variations in the radiation doses between CT centers and identical scanners indicating the need for dose optimization. The NDRLs of the CTDIvol (mGy) and the DLP (mGycm) values were similar to or lower than international DRLs. CONCLUSION: This study summarizes the results of the first Egyptian Computed Tomography survey that provides national diagnostic reference levels for paediatric patients in Egypt. Despite the reasonable NDRLs values, the study depicted certain pros and cons concerning CT practice, and identified some problems that hinder the process of optimization as well as justification in children.

Structural, Magnetic, and AC Measurements of Nanoferrites/Graphene Composites.

As a contribution to the graphene-based nanoferrite composites, this article is intended to present Mn, Co, and Co-Mn nanoferrites for the preparation and investigation of such samples. Nanoparticles of Co ferrite, Mn ferrite, and Co-Mn ferrite were chemically synthesized by the coprecipitation method. The composites of ferrite/graphene were made by incorporating weight ratios of 25% graphene to 75% ferrite. Various structural and characterizing investigations of ferrite samples and ferrite/graphene composites were performed, including XRD, EDX, SEM, VSM hysteresis loops, AC conductivity, and dielectric behavior. The investigations ensured the formation of the intended nanoferrite powders, each having a single-phase crystal structure with no undesired phases or elements. All samples exhibit a soft magnetic behavior. They show a semiconducting behavior of AC electrical conductivity as well. This was proved by the temperature dependence of the AC's electrical conductivity. Whereas the dielectric function and loss tangent show an expected, well-explained behavior, the ferrite/graphene composite samples have lower saturation magnetization values, lower AC conductivity, and dielectric constant values than the pure ferrites but still have the same behavior trends as those of the pure ferrites. The values obtained may represent steps on developing new materials for expected applications, such as manufacturing supercapacitors and/or improved battery electrodes.

Case-control study to evaluate risk factors for acute hepatitis B virus infection in Egypt.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a significant health problem in Egypt. To better define risk factors associated with HBV transmission, we conducted a case-control study among patients admitted with acute hepatitis to an infectious disease hospital in Cairo. A total of 60 cases and 120 controls were interviewed about various exposures within 6 months prior to admission. Univariate analysis revealed HBV case-patients were more likely to report providing injections to relatives or friends, injecting drug use, exposure to a household contact with hepatitis, exposure to invasive medical procedures and being in the military. Efforts should be made to implement strict infection control standards in Egypt.

Sentinel surveillance for patients with acute hepatitis in Egypt, 2001-04.

Viral hepatitis is a major problem in Egypt. To define the epidemiology of the disease, sentinel surveillance was established in 5 hospitals in diverse areas of the country in 2001. Data were completed for patients meeting the case definition for viral hepatitis. Of a total of 5909 patients evaluated, 4189 (70.9%) showed positive antibody markers for hepatitis. Out of those, 40.2% had evidence of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection, 30.0% hepatitis B virus (HBV) and 29.8% hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. This surveillance system was useful in identifying the variable endemicity of acute HAV infection in different regions and for better understanding the epidemiology of HBV and HCV infection.

Continuous sciatic nerve block: compartive study between the parasacral, lateral, and anterior approaches for lower limb surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the ease and reliability of the anterior and lateral approaches to sciatic nerve block compared to the posterior parasacral approach, and their suitability for the specific factors in the patients, positions, and surgeries. Also, the insertion and usefulness of the continuous catheter technique was evaluated. METHODS: The study was carried out on 120 patients, ASA I, II and III, of both genders, age range between 20 and 70 years, scheduled for orthopedic, general and vascular lower limb surgery. Patients were enrolled in a prospective, randomized, double blind study. Patients were divided into three equal groups, 40 patients each. All the patients received femoral nerve block in addition to sciatic nerve block either parasacral (Posterior group), lateral (Lateral group) or anterior approach (Anterior group). This was followed by continuous femoral and sciatic nerve blocks in the postoperative period. Patients were assessed as regards the time, duration and intensity of the sensory and motor blocks and also the postoperative analgesia offered by the continuous block. They were also assessed for the hemodynamic changes accompanied these blocks. Radiological study was made to demonestrate the spread of different volumes of the drugs alongside the course of the sciatic nerve. RESULTS: The posterior parasacral approach is the easiest technique to perform and used successfully even in obese patients, but difficult to be done, if at all, in patients with limited movement such as multi-pelvic fractures. The anterior approach was found to be the best for the patients in the supine position, with best results as regards patients' satisfaction and sensory and motor blocks. Only, it is a technique that needs high experience especially in obese patients. The lateral approach was the least performed technique especially its high approach. However, it is useful in patients in supine position, and gives the best results in thin patients. The technique showed to be extremely difficult in obese patients. CONCLUSION: The insertion of a catheter for continuous nerve block was easy. These blocks provided good or excellent postoperative analgesia for all patients in the different groups and facilitated early mobilization which helped in preventing the lower limb srugery - related morbidity and mortality.

Injection prescribing patterns in public health care facilities in Egypt.

This study assessed the frequency of and rationale for use of injections at health care facilities in Egypt based on WHO core drug use indicators. We reviewed 1406 prescriptions in 43 randomly selected hospitals and primary health care clinics in 2 governorates in Upper and Lower Egypt in 2001. Patients received an injection at 18.1% of encounters. The most frequently prescribed parenteral drugs were anti-infectives (56.9% of injections) and analgesics (13.7%). Injections were more often prescribed in hospitals than in primary health care clinics and in rural than in urban settings. Most injections (94.7%) could have been replaced by a suitable oral preparation. Further efforts are needed to enforce the essential medicines programme in Egypt to improve rational drug prescribing.

Innovative coating based on graphene and their decorated nanoparticles for medical stent applications.

Novel coating for stainless steel stent was developed. Graphene sheets were exfoliated directly in chitosan solution as biopolymer and then decorated with TiO2 nanoparticles of an average size of 21 nm. Coating solutions of chitosan, graphene sheets and graphene sheets decorated TiO2NPs were coated on stainless steel stent in uniform form. The average thickness of the coated layer was found to be 6 and 10.6 µm for graphene and TiO2NPs decorated graphene coatings, respectively. The mechanical properties and hematological properties of the developed coated and uncoated stents were studied. The graphene sheets based coated stent showed good mechanical properties compared to chitosan and decorated coated stents. Furthermore, the mechanical properties of the coating layer based graphene on stent surface were investigated reflecting very good mechanical properties compared to graphene nanoparticles decorated coating layer. Also, the coated stent based on graphene sheets reflects very good behaviour regarding no platelets adhesion in healthy and diabetic human blood compared to uncoated, chitosan and TiO2NPs decorated graphene coated stents. The graphene sheets and their decorated composites with TiO2NPs were characterized using transmission electron microscopy. Also, the uncoated and coated stents morphologies were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy. This study presents new approach for developing and engineering medical stent using green and cost-effective graphene sheets for enhancing its performance.

Photo-induced interaction of thioglycolic acid (TGA)-capped CdTe quantum dots with cyanine dyes.

The photo-induced interaction of three different sizes of thioglycolic acid (TGA)-capped CdTe quantum dots (CdTe QDs) with two monomethine cyanine dyes belonging to the thiazole orange (TO) family has been studied. Positively charged cyanines interact with QDs surface which is negatively charged due to capping agent carboxylate ions. The energy transfer parameters including Stern-Volmer constant, Ksv, number of binding sites, n, quenching sphere radius, r, the critical energy transfer distance, R0, and energy transfer efficiencies, E have been calculated. The effect of structure and the number of aggregating molecules have been studied as a function of CdTe QDs particle size. Combining organic and inorganic semiconductors leads to increase of the effective absorption cross section of the QDs which can be utilized in novel nanoscale designs for light-emitting, photovoltaic and sensor applications. A synthesized triplet emission of the studied dyes was observed using CdTe QDs as donors and this is expected to play a potential role in molecular oxygen sensitization and in photodynamic therapy (PDT) applications.

School non-enrollment and its relation with health and schistosomiasis knowledge, attitudes and practices in rural Egypt.

Children who are not enrolled in school are deprived of schistosomiasis treatments delivered through school health programmes. We explored perceptions of barriers to school enrolment and health and schistosomiasis knowledge, attitude and practices among 58 enrolled and 41 non-enrolled children and 80 adults in a village in El-Fayoum governate, Egypt. Economic factors, cultural factors and the school system were perceived as barriers. Maternal education had a significant role in enrolment. Non-enrolled children were more anaemic and had more signs of vitamin deficiency. Enrolled children had better schistosomiasis knowledge and attitudes, but not practice; both groups had high Schistosoma mansoni infection rates (51.7% enrolled and 65.8% non-enrolled). Education and health policies should tackle perceived barriers. Introduction

Optical and Magnetic Properties of ZnO Nanoparticles Doped with Co, Ni and Mn and Synthesized at Low Temperature.

Zinc oxide nanomaterials were synthesized with small amounts of magnetic ions to create dilute magnetic semiconductors (DMS), by using a low temperature sol-gel method. Conditions were controlled such that a range of amounts of Co, Ni and Mn were incorporated. The incorporation could be tracked by color changes in the powders to blue for Co, green for Ni and yellow for Mn. XRD measurements showed the ZnO has the wurtzite structure with crystallites 8-12 nm in diameter. Nanoparticles were observed by SEM and TEM and TEM showed that the lattice fringes of different nanoparticles align. Nanoparticle alignment was disrupted when high concentrations of metal dopants were incorporated. Magnetic measurements showed a change in behavior from diamagnetic to paramagnetic with increasing concentration of metal dopants.

A mass chemotherapy trial of praziquantel on Schistosoma haematobium endemicity in Upper Egypt.

We evaluated the impact of mass chemotherapy using praziquantel (40 mg/kg of body weight) on Schistosoma haematobium endemicity in a typical village in Giza, Upper Egypt. The entire village population of 988, determined by census, was included in the study. At baseline all villagers were screened for S. haematobium and offered treatment with praziquantel regardless of their infection status. Infection was determined by nucleopore filtration and egg counts were reported per 10 ml of urine. Information on compliance to treatment or refusal to participate was also obtained at baseline. One month after treatment, all those who were found infected at baseline were re-examined for infection and re-treated if found positive. Baseline was conducted in late fall just prior to the low winter transmission season. Approximately one year after baseline, the entire village was requested to participate in an annual follow-up urine examination and treatment. The results showed that the baseline prevalence was reduced by 83.6% from 23.1% to 3.8%. Geometric mean egg counts decreased four-fold from 12.4 to 3.1. There was a 60-fold reduction in the estimated population egg count from 10,006 to 167. There were only eight cases of reinfection and five incident cases. The typical age specific prevalence curve was flattened, showing that those in the childhood age groups benefited the greatest reductions in endemicity. Treatment noncompliance was 30%, for which half had justifiable reasons. The others simply refused treatment many of whom were nevertheless examined for infection. Mass chemotherapy was found to be a feasible and an effective method to reduce measures of S. haematobium endemicity in Egypt.

Emergence of Schistosoma mansoni infection in upper Egypt: the Giza governorate.

We found an unexpectedly high prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni in a village in the Upper Egyptian governorate of Giza. Historically, S. mansoni is endemic in the northern Egyptian Nile Delta rather than in the southern Upper Egypt. This observation was made during an evaluation of a rural health care schistosomiasis surveillance program using a cross sectional survey for S. haematobium and S. mansoni in the village of El-Gezira El-Shakra El-Saf district in the Upper Egypt Giza Governorate. A 10% systematic random sample of households of the village was chosen. All persons in the selected houses were invited to submit urine and stool samples. All students from a primary school were also included in the study. Urine was screened by a polycarbonate filtration method and stool was examined using modified Kato-Katz technique. The prevalence of S. mansoni in the population sample and in the school children was 33.7% and 57.7%, respectively, whereas the prevalence of S. haematobium infection in the population sample and the school children was 7.4% and 10.6%, respectively. The prevalence of infection was highest in the younger age groups, and males were infected more than females. Review of Ministry of Health records showed that both species of vector snails, Bulinus truncatus and Biomphalaria alexandrina, were present from 1991 to 1995, and that B. alexandrina was more abundant than B. truncatus in the canals surrounding this village. The unexpected high prevalence of S. mansoni in this village indicates an urgent need to include training programs for S. mansoni surveillance in the primary health care facilities of Giza and to educate villagers to request examinations for S. mansoni as well as for S. haematobium infection.

Hematuria and proteinuria as predictors of Schistosoma haematobium infection.

An investigation of a population-based stratified random sample of 11,970 inhabitants of Minya Governorate in Egypt included examining urine specimens for Schistosoma haematobium ova using the filtration technique and for hematuria and proteinuria using reagent strips. Age- and gender-specific sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, and likelihood ratios of reagent strip-detected hematuria and proteinuria as indicators of S. haematobium infection were assessed. Results showed that in this population with a 9.0% infection rate, sensitivity (from 45.9 to 70.9) and specificity (from 65.9 to 86.3) were much lower than in previous reports. The most clinically valuable parameters, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and likelihood ratio (LR), were highest with the presence of hematuria > or = +++ and proteinuria > or = ++, especially in males less than 20 years of age. Using the LR allowed effective altering of the pretest probability of infection among age and gender subgroups. The study concluded that reagent strip-detected hematuria and proteinuria, although valuable, are less reliable predictors of S. haematobium within communities than previously reported and their usefulness is improved with stratification by age and gender. In addition, predictive values and likelihood ratios provide practical information for predicting the presence or absence of infection within population subgroups.

Epidemiology 1, 2, 3: study and sample design.

Bad sample designs and selection bias have plagued studies on schistosomiasis, and as a result some believe that schistosomiasis is too focal, making it difficult to draw reliable samples. The Epidemiology 1, 2, 3 (EPI 1, 2, 3) sample design, although complex, demonstrates that sampling theory is readily applicable to epidemiologic studies of schistosomiasis. The EPI 1, 2, 3 sampling scheme was designed to achieve the smallest feasible standard errors given EPI 1, 2, 3 objectives and certain logistical constraints. The sample design is a multi-stage selection of villages (ezbas, which were stratified by size) and households within each of 9 purposely selected Egyptian governorates. Villages and households were systemically selected from census frames. The sampling of ezbas was especially difficult because of the lack of complete sampling frames and their wide variation in population size. Ultimately, ezbas were stratified by size and then randomly selected from each stratum. Sample sizes for villages and ezbas and individuals within ezbas were calculated based on EPI 1 and 2 objectives, respectively. No re-selection was made for non-respondents. A 20% subsample of the full sample was drawn for clinical and ultrasonographic examinations. The sample selected from individual governorates closely parallel the age structure of the 1986 census of the respective rural populations. Details of the study design and related methods are given below.

The epidemiology of schistosomiasis in Egypt: Assiut governorate.

In the Assiut, Egypt Epidemiology 1, 2, 3 investigation, a sample of 14,204 persons in 10 villages, 31 ezbas (satellite communities), and 2,286 households was drawn from a rural population of 1,598,607. Parasitologic examination of urine and stool were made for Schistosoma haematobium and S. mansoni, and physical and ultrasound examinations were made on a 20% subsample. The overall estimated prevalence of S. haematobium was 5.2 +/- 0.5 (+/- SE). This varied considerably by village and ezba, ranging from 1.5% to 20.9%, with ezbas having a slightly higher overall prevalence than villages. The overall estimated geometric mean egg count was 6.6 +/- 0.5 eggs per 10 ml of urine and was consistently low throughout the communities. Infection with S. haematobium was associated with age (peak prevalence of 10.6 +/- 1.5% in 15-19-year-old age group) males, children playing in the canals, a history of blood in the urine, and reagent strip positivity for hematuria and proteinuria. The prevalence of either hepatomegaly or splenomegaly detected by physical examination was low (4.0% and 1.5%, respectively). The prevalence of hepatomegaly determined by ultrasonography was substantially higher, 24.1%. The prevalence of periportal fibrosis (PPF) was 12.0%, but grade II or III PPF was present in less than 1%. Ultrasonography-determined hepatomegaly, in both the midclavicular line and the midsternal line, increased by age to more than 30%. Periportal fibrosis was more common in the age groups in which infection rates were the highest. At the village and ezba level of analysis, the prevalence of hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, and PPF tended to be higher in communities having the highest prevalence of infection with S. haematobium.