Effectiveness and biochemical impact of ozone gas and silica nanoparticles on Culex pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae).

Culex pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae) is a vector of many serious human diseases, and its control by the heavy use of chemical insecticides has led to the evolution of insecticide resistance and high environmental risks. Many safe alternatives, such as ozone gas (O3) and silica nanoparticles (silica NPs) can reduce these risks. Therefore, O3 and silica NPs were applied to 3rd larval instars of Cx. pipiens at different concentrations (100, 200, and 400 ppm) for different exposure times (1, 2, 3, and 5 min for O3 and 24, 48, and 72 h for silica NPs). The activity of some vital antioxidant enzymes as well as scanning electron microscopy of the body surface were also investigated. A positive correlation was observed between larval mortality % and the tested concentrations of O3 and silica NPs. O3 was more effective than silica NPs, it resulted in 92% mortality at 400 ppm for a short exposure time (5 min). O3-exposed larvae exhibited a significant increase in glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S-transferase, and catalase activities as well as the total antioxidant capacity. Scanning electron microscopy showing disruptive effects on the body surface morphology of ozone and silica NPs treated larvae. These results provide evidence that O3 and silica NPs have the potential for use as alternative vector control tools against Cx. pipiens.

New prospective insecticidal agents based on thiazolo[4,5-b]quinoxaline derivatives against cotton leafworm Spodoptera litura (Fabricius): Design, synthesis, toxicological, morphology, histological, and biomedical studies.

In this study, a new series of thiazolo[4,5-b]quinoxaline derivatives 3-8 were synthesized by treating 2,3-dichloroquinoxaline with thiosemicarbazone and thiourea derivatives under reflux conditions. The chemical structure of the newly designed derivatives was conducted using spectroscopic techniques. The insecticidal bioassay of the designed derivatives was evaluated against the 2nd and 4th larvae of S. litura after five days as toxicity agents via median lethal concentration (LC50) and the lethal time values (LT50). The results indicated that all the tested compounds had insecticidal effects against both instar larvae of S. litura with variable values. Among them, thiazolo[4,5-b]quinoxaline derivative 3 was the most toxic, with LC50 = 261.88 and 433.68 ppm against 2nd and 4th instar larvae, respectively. Moreover, the thiazolo[4,5-b]quinoxaline derivative 3 required the least time to kill the 50% population (LT50) of 2nd larvae were 20.88, 13.2, and 15.84 hs with 625, 1250, and 2500 ppm, respectively, while for the 4th larval instar were 2.75, 2.08, and 1.76 days with concentrations of 625, 1250, and 2500 ppm, respectively. Larvae's morphological and histological studies for the most active derivative 3 were investigated. According to SEM analysis, the exterior morphology of the cuticle and head capsule was affected. In addition, there were some histological alterations in the cuticle layers and the midgut tissues. Columnar cells began breaking down, and vacuolization occurred in the peritrophic membrane. Moreover, treating 4th S litura larvae hemolymph with compound 3 showed significant changes in biochemical analysis, such as total proteins, GPT, GOT, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and alkaline phosphatase (AlP). Finally, the toxicity prediction of the most active derivative revealed non-corrosive, non-irritant to the eye, non-respiratory toxicity, non-sensitivity to the skin, non-hepatotoxic, and don't have toxicity on minnow toxicity and T. pyriformis indicating a good toxicity profile for human.

Cyberchondria and smartphone addiction: A correlation survey among undergraduate medical students in Egypt.

BACKGROUND: There is an increase in smartphone usage globally. Cyberchondria (CYB) is characterized by excessive Internet searches for health information. Smartphone addiction is constantly rising among medical students together with CYB as a collateral emerging risk, yet there is limited research available on the topic. METHODS: This cross-sectional study explores the rising phenomenon of smartphone addiction and its potential role in CYB among medical students in seven Egyptian universities. A total of 1435 medical students participated in completing online questionnaires that assessed smartphone addiction and CYB using the Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version (SAS-SV) and Cyberchondria Severity Scale (CSS-12). Multivariable regression analysis was applied to assess predictors of smartphone addiction and CYB. RESULTS: Based on the used scales, 57.6% of students were suffering from smartphone addiction, and 85.8% exhibited a moderate degree of CYB. There was a significant positive correlation between smartphone addiction scores and CYB (p < 0.05). The multivariable regression models revealed that four factors including using Facebook, using WhatsApp, increasing time spent on the Internet per day, and a higher CYB score increase the probability of smartphone addiction. The factors that increase the probability of CYB are using Facebook, an increase in the frequency of Internet searches, a higher degree of worry about one's health or a family member's health, and being a smartphone addict. CONCLUSION: Smartphone addiction among undergraduate medical students is prevalent. Social media use, time spent online, and smartphone addiction were linked with the risk of CYB. Regular physical activity decreases the probability of smartphone addiction. Awareness programs and increased mental and physical activities are required to help reduce smartphone addiction among youth.

Efficacy of Polycaprolactone Threads in Treating Atrophic Acne Scars: A Split-face Comparative Study.

Background: Polycaprolactone (PCL) threads are a novel treatment option for promoting collagen production and smoothing the skin. Objective: This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of threads versus microneedling with autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in the treatment of atrophic acne scars. Methods: The study included 24 patients (12 females, 12 males) aged 20 to 37 years with atrophic acne scars. Each patient was treated in a split-face manner; a microneedling pen device was used to treat the right side with microneedling and PRP, whereas the left side was treated with threads. Four microneedling plus PRP sessions were used to treat the right side and a single session of threads was used on the left side. For scoring, a global scarring grading system was utilized. Patients were evaluated every three months following the conclusion of treatment. A six-month follow-up was conducted. Results: Significant clinical improvement was observed in 95.8 percent of the patients on the threads-treated side of the face and in 83.3 percent of the patients on the microneedling plus PRP side. Patient satisfaction was significantly greater in the threads group than in the microneedling+PRP group (p<0.0001). The side effects were tolerable and transient. Conclusion: Based on our results, we conclude that both threads insertion and microneedling with autologous PRP can yield satisfactory results with minor side effects (fine edema and erythema) that resolve rapidly.

Biosynthesized silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) from isolated actinomycetes strains and their impact on the black cutworm, Agrotis ipsilon.

Nanomaterials have been produced with the use of bio-nanotechnology, which is a low-cost approach. Currently, research is being conducted to determine whether actinomycetes isolated from Egyptian soil can biosynthesize Ag nanoparticles (Ag NPs) and characterized by using the following techniques: Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Dynamic light scattering (DLS), Fourier transforms infrared (FT-IR), Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), UV-Vis spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The most promising actinomycetes isolate were identified, morphologically, biochemically, and molecularly. Streptomyces avermitilis Azhar A.4 was found to be able to reduce silver metal nanoparticles from silver nitrate in nine isolates collected from Egyptian soil. Toxicity of biosynthesized against 2nd and 4th larval instar of Agrotis ipsilon (Hufn.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) was estimated. In addition, activity of certain vital antioxidant and detoxifying enzymes as well as midgut histology of treated larvae were also investigated. The results showed appositive correlations between larval mortality percentage (y) and bio-AgNPs concentrations (x) with excellent (R2). The 4th larval instar was more susceptible than 2nd larval instar with LC50 (with 95% confirmed limits) =8.61 (2.76-13.89) and 26.44(13.25-35.58) ppml-1, respectively of 5 days from treatment. The initial stages of biosynthesized AgNps exposure showed significant increases in carboxylesterase (CarE) and peroxidases (PODs) activity followed by significant suppression after 5 days pos-exposure. While protease activity was significantly decreased by increasing time post-exposure. Midgut histology showed abnormality and progressive damage by increasing time post exposure leading to complete destruction of midgut cells after 5 days from exposure. These results make biosynthesized AgNPs an appropriate alternative to chemical insecticide in A. ipsilon management.

Evaluation of irisin, retinol-binding protein 4, and leptin serum levels as biomarkers of macrovascular complications involvement in Saudi type 2 diabetes mellitus. A case-control study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate adipokine serum values of irisin, retinol-binding protein 4, and leptin in Saudi cases with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) for providing markers of T2DM macrovascular complications. Methods: This case-control research was carried out at Erfan Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The study included 138 subjects, classified into 3 groups: 46 T2DM patients with macrovascular complications, 46 T2DM without macrovascular complications, and 46 controls. Participants evaluated clinically and some biochemical parameters were measured. Results: Diabetic with and without macrovascular complications showed elevation of retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) and leptin; decreased irisin serum levels versus controls. Serum irisin was lower (p=0.007), while RBP4 was higher (p less than 0.0001) in T2DM patients with macrovascular complications versus without. Irisin showed negative correlations with fasting blood glucose (FBG), insulin, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), RBP4, hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C), triglyceride, cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. While RBP4 showed positive correlations with fasting blood glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, leptin, and HbA1c; but a negative association with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Conclusion: Type 2 DM patients had raised RBP4 and leptin, but lower irisin levels versus controls. Irisin was lower, but RBP4 was higher in T2DM patients with macrovascular complications versus without, suggesting T2DM patients in pro-inflammatory conditions. These results suggested that irisin is protective, while RBP4 is a risk factor for T2DM macrovascular complications.

Knowledge, Risk Perception, and Preventive Behaviors Related to COVID-19 Pandemic Among Undergraduate Medical Students in Egypt.

With the deteriorating situation during the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers and medical students posted in wards are also supposed to be at risk of getting infected. This study aimed to evaluate knowledge, risk perception, and preventive behaviors related to the COVID-19 pandemic among undergraduate medical students in Egypt. This is a cross-sectional observational study using an anonymous online questionnaire. The survey was conducted through a link shared on social networking sites. Data were collected from 19 June 2020 to 26 June 2020. The medical students of Suez Canal University fulfilled the inclusion criteria and agreed to participate in the study were included by using convenience and snowball sampling technique (283 students). The total related knowledge score was 80.9%. The majority (83%) feel that coronavirus infection is a life-threatening illness. About 86.9% of the students perceived a COVID-19-infected person as a serious threat to society. However, three-quarters of the students (76.3%) perceived risk of infection with COVID-19 during ward rotations. About 92% of the students are practicing preventive behaviors. Female senior students have higher percentages in regard to related knowledge and practicing preventive behaviors. Students who received education about Covid-19 and students perceived higher risk of infection were more adherent to preventive measures. There is a moderate correlation between related knowledge and practicing preventive behaviors. Medical students have good knowledge, practice preventive behaviors, and perceive risk of being infected. The direction to raise knowledge and awareness will enhance practicing preventive behaviors to control the disease.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental Health and Social Support among Adult Egyptians.

The psychological impact of outbreaks on individuals includes an intense and wide range of psychiatric morbidities. People are likely to experience feelings as; worry about being infected or getting sick, increased self-blame, and helplessness. This study aimed to assess the impact of COVID-19 on mental health and social support among Egyptian adults during the period of the pandemic. This is a cross-sectional observational study using an anonymous online questionnaire. The survey was conducted through a link shared on social networking sites. It was conducted from 2 May 2020 to 9 May 2020. The general populations of the Egyptian adults were included by using convenience and snowball sampling technique (510 adults). Impact Event scale mean 34.3 ± 15. About 211 (41.4%) suffered a severe impact. There was an increase in stress from work in 174 (34.1%), financial stress in 284 (55.7%), and stress from home in 320 (62.7%). Half of them felt horrified and helpless in 275 (53.9%), and 265 (52%) respectively, while 338 (66.3%) felt apprehensive. only 24.2% reported increased support from friends, while increased support from family members in 207 (40.6%). 46.5% shared their feelings with family members, while 176 (34.5%) shared with others. Caring for family members' feelings increased in 330 (64.7%). Age and rural residency were negative predictors for the impact of event score, while female gender or presence of chronic condition was a positive predictor for the impact of event score. Covid-19 pandemic has a great psychological impact on adult Egyptians and affected social support.

Subcutaneous methotrexate versus oral form for the treatment and prophylaxis of chronic plaque psoriasis.

Psoriasis is a common inflammatory skin disorder with complex pathomechanisms. Methotrexate (MTX) is an antiproliferative and immunomodulating agent that control psoriasis. The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy of MTX and tolerability to MTX by oral route versus subcutaneous (SC) route. Twenty-eight cases were divided into two equal groups: Group I received a weekly dose of oral MTX and Group II received a weekly dose of SC MTX for 12 weeks. The starting dose was 7.5-10 mg and increased gradually by 2.5 mg every month till reaching 12.5-15 mg/week. Patients' clinical responses were evaluated according to Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score. Results suggest that Group I patients showed reduction in PASI score of mean ± SD from 19 ± 7.4 before treatment to 11.2 ± 6.29 after treatment while Group II patients showed reduction from 23.4 ± 14.7 before treatment to 2.55 ± 2.6 after treatment with highly statistically significant difference between both groups. Clinical improvement was complete in 7.1% of Group I versus 57.1% of Group II. In conclusion, SC MTX has higher efficacy with lesser adverse effects and lower relapse rate when compared to oral form given by the same dose during the same duration.

Role of Atorvastatin in Treatment of Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria Patients: A Controlled Clinical Trial.

Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is a popular disease, affects patients' life. Its etiologic agents are not well known so; treatment of the patients is difficult. CD203c is a marker that is only present on basophils. Statins are drugs used to lower cholesterol. Nowadays, it is well known that they have immunomodulatory effects. This study evaluated the efficacy of a statin, atorvastatin, in combination with antihistamines in treating CSU patients. Forty CSU patients were divided equally into two groups. The first group was treated with antihistamines and atorvastatin, while the second group was treated with antihistamines and placebo. Both groups received the treatment for three months. The effect of treatment on total severity score (TSS), autologous serum skin test (ASST), basophil histamine release (BHR) assay, in vivo basophil CD203c expression (%) and basophil activation test (BAT-CD203c) was assessed. We found statistically significant reduction in TSS, BHR assay, in vivo basophil CD203c expression (%) (P= 0.000 each), diameter of ASST and BAT-CD203c (P= 0.002, 0.017, respectively), in the patients that received the atorvastatin and antihistamines. In conclusion, atorvastatin is effective in treating CSU patients.

Nocturnal enuresis in women and its relation to urinary incontinence.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of nocturnal enuresis (NE) in Egyptian women, its relation to urinary incontinence (UI), and the impact on their quality of life (QoL). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study involving 350 women, using multistage sampling to recruit them. The inclusion criterion was women aged ⩾18 years who lived in the Ismailia governorate. Four trained nurses interviewed the women at their houses in two areas selected randomly, one rural and one urban. The Arabic validated International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form was used to assess the symptoms of UI, frequency and severity of urinary leakage, impact on QoL, and the presence of NE. The results were analysed statistically using appropriate methods. RESULTS: The mean age of the women was 42.46 years. The prevalence of adult-onset NE was 12/350 (3.4%), and this increased significantly with increasing age and history of previous surgery (e.g., hysterectomy) (P < 0.05). There was a statistically significant association between NE and UI, as 11 of 12 women with NE had UI; most (seven of the 12) had mixed UI. The mean QoL score of NE, UI alone and normal subjects was 6.8, 4.7 and 0.02, respectively (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The overall prevalence of adult-onset NE was 3.4% amongst Egyptian women. The presence of NE correlated positively with UI, and UI had a negative impact on the QoL of women, but NE had a greater impact.

Construction and performance of a dilution-refrigerator based spectroscopic-imaging scanning tunneling microscope.

We report on the set-up and performance of a dilution-refrigerator based spectroscopic imaging scanning tunneling microscope. It operates at temperatures below 10 mK and in magnetic fields up to 14T. The system allows for sample transfer and in situ cleavage. We present first-results demonstrating atomic resolution and the multi-gap structure of the superconducting gap of NbSe(2) at base temperature. To determine the energy resolution of our system we have measured a normal metal/vacuum/superconductor tunneling junction consisting of an aluminum tip on a gold sample. Our system allows for continuous measurements at base temperature on time scales of up to ≈170 h.

Signal-averaged P-wave ECG as a marker of atrial electrical instability in patients with right ventricular dysfunction.

Severe pulmonary hypertension (PAH) leads to right ventricular dysfunction and is associated with different atrial arrhythmias. In PAH patients, the echocardiographic Tei-index is used for monitoring right heart function. The P-wave signal-averaged ECG (SA-ECG) has been shown to have a potential role in identifying patients at risk of developing paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and those likely to change from paroxysmal to chronic atrial fibrillation. The aim of the present study was to define the correlation of the Tei-Index with parameters of P-wave triggered and bidirectional P-wave SA-ECG. A total of 18 patients (14 men, 4 women) with normal sinus rhythm and a mean age of 67+/-10 years (BMI 27.6+/-5.1 kg/m2) were included into the study. Right ventricular (RV) Tei-index was calculated from the sum of isovolumetric contraction time and relaxation time divided by ejection time. Furthermore, P-wave triggered P-wave signal averaged ECG was performed from an X, Y, and Z lead system. The results show that there was a statistically significant correlation between Tei-index and filtered P-wave duration (r=0.53; P=0.023). Teiindex did not correlate with the root mean square voltage of the last 20 ms of the P wave (r=-0.16; P=0.52). In conclusion, a correlation of RV Tei index with P-wave duration indicates that this echocardiographic measurement is not only a marker of right heart function, but also an indicator of electrical instability that could be useful to detect patients at risk for atrial arrhythmias.

Mutation analysis in F9 gene of 17 families with haemophilia B from Iran.

Seventeen haemophilia B families from Iran were investigated to determine the causative mutation. All the essential regions of the F9 gene were initially screened by conformational sensitive gel electrophoresis and exons with band shift were sequenced. Seven of the 15 mutations identified in these families were novel mutations. The mutations were authenticated in nine families as other affected members or heterozygous female carriers were available for verification.

Successful treatment of congenital thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura using the intermediate purity factor VIII concentrate BPL 8Y.

There is increasing evidence that congenital thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is caused by an absolute deficiency of von Willebrand factor-cleaving protease. The recent identification of this protease and the development of assays for its detection have enabled its quantification in a number of plasma products, including some commercial intermediate-purity plasma-derived factor VIII preparations. We report the successful, weekly prophylactic use of a commercial intermediate-purity plasma-derived factor VIII concentrate in the treatment of a 14-year-old girl with severe congenital TTP who had previously required transfusions of fresh-frozen plasma every 2 weeks from the age of 4 months.