Seroprevalence and molecular characterization of Toxoplasma gondii infecting ruminants in the North-West of Egypt.

Toxoplasma gondii is a coccidian parasite known for its heavy toll on people and livestock. It can cause abortion and a variety of congenital diseases. The current study aimed to examine some seroprevalence and molecular attributes of T. gondii obtained from ruminants in the North-West of Egypt. Specimens were random selected from five different locations in Alexandria and Matrouh governorates. A total of 483 blood samples, collected from 96 mixed flocks, were screened for anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The seropositive results were then confirmed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers for the B1 and P30 genes. Specific PCR products were selected for sequencing and alignment against the GenBank, where phylogeny has been examined using the maximum likelihood, neighbor-joining, and maximum parsimony in MEGA6. ELISA confirmed the presence of T. gondii in 188 of the investigated samples (38.92%), indicating a higher prevalence in camels (64.51%) and sheep (43.75%) as compared to goats (27.93 %) and cattle (13.46%). PCR confirmed the presence of T. gondii-specific sequences in 159 seropositive specimens, with homology between 98.3 and 100%. The genetic distances between the investigated variants ranged from 0.1 to 0.9, and 7 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), were identified in the examined T. gondii specimens. The camel T. gondii parasite, isolated from Matrouh, showed a 100% homology with the most dangerous reference strains of T. gondii-RH in the GenBank. Our results showed that B1 and P30-specific PCR could detect T. gondii in blood samples more accurately than ELISA. In addition, the statistical analysis of our data indicated that species, age, sex, and animal location were all risk factors for toxoplasmosis. These findings are likely to boost disease control and help contain the spread of T. gondii infections.

The impact of work-related stress on the cognition domain of executive functioning of health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

PURPOSE: The current study addressed work-related stress and burnout experienced by health care workers (HCWs) in Cairo University isolation hospital and its impact on the cognitive domain of their executive functioning. METHODS: Arabic validated questionnaires of Beverly Potter for sources of work-related burnout and Maslach Burnout Inventory Human Services Survey for evaluation of burnout degree of 81 HCWs were used. Wisconsin Card Sorting Test was used to examine the HCWs cognitive executive functioning during hospital work and 2 weeks after home isolation. RESULTS: A high degree of work-related stress was evident by a high score on Beverly questionnaire with a mean ± SD of (132.08 ± 12.573). A high degree of burnout was marked with a mean ± SD of (28.48 ± 6.622) for Emotional Exhaustion module, (31.85 ± 5.439) Personal Achievement, and (17.52 ± 6.707) Depersonalization. Health care workers experienced impairment of executive functioning in the form of increased total errors of Wisconsin Card Sorting Test during hospital shifts compared to 2 weeks after. There is a positive significant correlation between work-related stress level and Maslach Burnout Inventory and the total errors of Wisconsin Card Sorting Test results during the hospital stay (p = < 0.001), as well as 2 weeks after (p = < 0.001).This cognitive decline manifested in increased errors during HCWs' clinical work. CONCLUSIONS: Health care workers on the front line experienced a high degree of work-related stress in addition to burnout in the form of Emotional Exhaustion, Depersonalization, and reduced Personal Achievement. They also suffered from impaired cognitive executive functioning due to such stressful exposure.

Plasma concentrations of vitamin A and E and risk of dysglycemia in first-trimester pregnant Saudi women.

BACKGROUND: Existing evidence suggest that low concentrations of vitamin A and E may have a contribution to the development of diabetes complications; however, data regarding the status of vitamin A and E among individuals with prediabetes are lacking. This study aimed to examine the association of plasma concentrations of vitamin A and E with the glycemic control status among first trimester pregnant Saudi women. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 1102 first trimester pregnant Saudi women were recruited from antenatal clinics. Sociodemographic and anthropometric information were collected, and laboratory analyses of blood glycated hemoglobin (A1C) and plasma vitamins A and E were performed. Subjects were classified as normoglycemic, prediabetic, or undiagnosed diabetic. Multinomial regression models adjusted for age estimated the adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and [95% confidence intervals (CIs)]. RESULTS: Among the sample, 78.8% (n = 868) had normal glycemic control, while 19.1% (n = 211) had prediabetes and 2.1% (n = 23) had undiagnosed diabetes. Plasma concentrations of vitamin A and E of prediabetic participants were at a level midway between that of normoglycemic and diabetic participants (p < 0.01). Compared to subjects with normoglycemic status, those with higher concentrations of vitamin A and E had lower odds of being prediabetic (aOR = 0.27 [0.21-0.35] and aOR = 0.95 [0.94-0.96], respectively) or diabetic (aOR = 0.18 [0.13-0.24] and aOR = 0.93 [0.92-0.94], respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate a possible contribution of vitamins A and E to the progression of prediabetes to diabetes. Future longitudinal studies are needed to elucidate the association between the antioxidant status and dysglycemia. Clinicians should monitor the glycemic and the antioxidant status closely and provide dietary guidance where needed.

Role of HbA1c in predicting risk for congenital malformations.

AIMS: Association between conventionally identified hyperglycemias and rates of congenital abnormalities is known; however there is less information about role of HbA1c in determining gestational hyperglycemias and associated risks. This study tried to explore the association between HbA1c in women without known diabetes at first antenatal visit and risk of congenital malformations (CM) among Saudi women living at Al-Madinah Al-Monawarah. METHODS: Eleven hundred and eighty (1180), healthy, first-trimester pregnant Saudi females without known diabetes, were selected from various antenatal care clinics of Al-Madinah Al-Monawarah city. General clinical and biochemical data was collected for this study by researchers at first visit and the time of delivery. RESULTS: Nearly one fifth (19.6%) of mothers had above normal HbA1c (>5.7) at first visit. Rates of CM had significant positive association with level of HbA1c. Rate of CM among those who had HbA1c in diabetes range, pre-diabetes range or normal range was 27.8%, 9.8% and 3.0%, respectively. The difference was significant between normal and pre-diabetes at the level P=0.000 and between pre-diabetes and diabetes at level P=0.038. CONCLUSION: In this study HbA1c is found to be a valuable predictor of risk of congenital malformations. This observation calls for further studies and establishment of policies for care of pregnant mothers having higher than normal HbA1c at first visit.

Functional gold nanoparticles as potent antimicrobial agents against multi-drug-resistant bacteria.

We present the use of functionalized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) to combat multi-drug-resistant pathogenic bacteria. Tuning of the functional groups on the nanoparticle surface provided gold nanoparticles that were effective against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive uropathogens, including multi-drug-resistant pathogens. These AuNPs exhibited low toxicity to mammalian cells, and bacterial resistance was not observed after 20 generations. A strong structure-activity relationship was observed as a function of AuNP functionality, providing guidance to activity prediction and rational design of effective antimicrobial nanoparticles.

Cognitive functions changes among Egyptian sewage network workers.

The current work aimed at investigating the cognitive functions impairment among workers of sewer networks due to exposure to hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) and the relation of this impairment, if any, to the level of H(2)S exposure biomarker 'urinary thiosulfate.' Besides, the validity of using Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) as screening test for cognitive impairment among the exposed workers was tested. The work was conducted among 33 sewage network maintenance male workers and a matched unexposed control group (n = 30). The participants were subjected to clinical neurological history, estimation of urinary thiosulfate, and assessment of cognitive dysfunction by using neurophysiological (simple reaction time, P300 test) and neuropsychological tests (Wechsler Memory Scale) and frontal executive functions tests. Clinical neurological history revealed significantly higher neurological symptoms (headache, memory defects, lack of concentration) among exposed workers compared to their controls (p < 0.05). Exposed workers had significantly prolonged simple reaction time and delayed P300 latency and showed poor performance of most of neuropsychological tests. Marked elevation of urinary thiosulfate was observed among the exposed workers (p < 0.001) but this elevation was not correlated with the duration of exposure or any of the other measured parameters. Exposed workers had significantly lower mean value of MMSE scoring than that of the controls (p < 0.001). In conclusion, exposure to H( 2)S among sewer network workers is associated with cognitive impairment, which can be screened by applying MMSE as a simple rapid test for H( 2)S occupationally exposed workers.

Methods for managing 3-dimensional volumes.

The introduction of 3-dimensional (3D) volumetric technology and the massive amount of information that can be obtained from it compels the introduction of new methods and new technology for orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning. In this article, methods and tools are introduced for managing 3D images of orthodontic patients. These tools enable the creation of a virtual model and automatic localization of landmarks on the 3D volumes. They allow the user to isolate a targeted region such as the mandible or the maxilla, manipulate it, and then reattach it to the 3D model. For an integrated protocol, these procedures are followed by registration of the 3D volumes to evaluate the amount of work accomplished. This paves the way for the prospective treatment analysis approach, analysis of the end result, subtraction analysis, and treatment analysis.