A New Strain Energy Function Representing the Passive Behavior of the Myocardium.

Classical models for the passive myocardium, such as the Fung and Holzapfel-Ogden models, are known to have high degeneracy as well as numerous mechanical and mathematical limitations, preventing their utility in microstructural experiments and precision medicine. Hence, the upper triangular (QR) decomposition and orthogonal strain attributes were leveraged to develop a new model using published biaxial data on slabs of left myocardium, resulting in a separable strain energy function. This new model, the Criscione-Hussein model, was compared with both the Fung and Holzapfel-Ogden models by quantifying the uncertainty, computational efficiency, and material parameter fidelity for all three models. As a result, the Criscione-Hussein model was found to significantly reduce the uncertainty and computational time (p < 0.05) and enhance the fidelity of the material parameters. Hence, the Criscione-Hussein model enhances the predictability for the passive behavior of the myocardium and may serve a role in creating more accurate computational models that provide better visualizations for the mechanical behavior of the heart and enable the experimental connection between the model and the myocardial microstructure.

Cutaneous lymphangitis carcinomatosa: a unique presentation of a rare disease.

A 75-year-old man with a three-year history of metastatic lung adenocarcinoma was diagnosed with cutaneous lymphangitic carcinomatosa of unique morphology. He was admitted to our hospital for right neck swelling, erythema, and failure to thrive. Skin examination demonstrated an indurated, thickened, firm, hyperpigmented plaque extending from the right neck and chest to the right ear, cheek, and eyelids. Skin biopsy demonstrated poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma, morphologically consistent with metastasis from the patient's known pulmonary adenocarcinoma and showed dermal invasion, perineural invasion, and involvement of dermal lymphatics. The diagnosis was an atypical presentation of cutaneous lymphangitis carcinomatosa from metastatic lung adenocarcinoma. This case presentation affirms that cutaneous lymphangitis carcinomatosa has a variety of atypical presentations, so physicians must maintain a high index of suspicion when evaluating cutaneous lesions in patients with known or suspected internal malignancy.

Synthesis and Antimicrobial Activity Screening of Piperazines Bearing N,N'-Bis(1,3,4-thiadiazole) Moiety as Probable Enoyl-ACP Reductase Inhibitors.

A new N,N'-disubstituted piperazine conjugated with 1,3,4-thiadiazole and 1,2,4-triazole was prepared and the chemical structures were identified by IR, NMR and elemental analysis. All the prepared compounds were tested for their antimicrobial activity. The antimicrobial results indicated that the tested compounds showed significant antibacterial activity against gram-negative strains, especially E. coli, relative to gram-positive bacteria. Docking analysis was performed to support the biological results; binding modes with the active site of enoyl reductase amino acids from E. coli showed very good scores, ranging from -6.1090 to -9.6184 kcal/mol. Correlation analysis was performed for the inhibition zone (nm) and the docking score.

Novel piperazine based compounds as potential inhibitors for SARS-CoV-2 Protease Enzyme: Synthesis and molecular docking study.

Structurally diverse piperazine-based compounds hybrid with thiadiazole, isatin or with sulfur/nitrogen, functionalities were synthesized. The structures of the new compounds were established based on their spectral data and elemental analysis. The physicochemical, bioactivity scores and pharmacokinetic behavior of all the prepared ligands were evaluated using in silico computational tools. The new piperazine ligands have been screened for their inhibition activity against SARS-CoV-2 protease enzyme using molecular docking analysis. The docking studies showed that all the ligands have been docked with negative dock energy onto the target protease protein. Moreover, Molecular interaction studies revealed that SARS-CoV-2 protease enzyme had strong hydrogen bonding interactions with piperazine ligands. The present in silico study thus, provided some guidance to facilitate drug design targeting the SARS-CoV-2 main protease.

Direct transesterification of fatty acids produced by Fusarium solani for biodiesel production: effect of carbon and nitrogen on lipid accumulation in the fungal biomass.

AIMS: The present work aims to explore a new oleaginous Fusarium isolate potential to accumulate lipids in its biomass from inexpensive substrates. In addition, impacts of carbon and nitrogen sources and their ratios on lipid production by the interested fungal isolate were also studied. METHODS AND RESULTS: Lipid was assayed by sulfo-phospho-vanillin colorimetric method. Among 11 Fusarium isolates obtained on potato dextrose agar from rhizosphereic soils, Fusarium RAS18 was selected as the highest producer that accumulates above 20% lipid. It was identified based on phenotypic characterization and the internal transcribed spacer sequence as Fusarium solani, that was recorded in the GenBank database under the accession number MK167372.1. The optimized lipid yield (34·5%) is obtained using glycerol (35 g l-1 ) and peptone (1·5 g l-1 ) as carbon and nitrogen sources respectively. The produced fatty acid methyl esters (biodiesel) is composed of linoleic acid (56·81%), palmitic acid (17·81%), oleic acid (11·81%) and stearic acid (11·12). The unsaturated fatty acids accounted for 69% and this is nearly similar to the plant oils commonly used in biodiesel production. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest the applicability of F. solani RAS18 as a promising strain to accumulate lipids from glycerol as a feedstock for biodiesel production. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Fusarium solani RAS18 is a new oleaginous fungal isolate that is able to produce lipid (34·5%, g g-1 ) from glycerol. Glycerol is a cheap substrate and is formed as a byproduct from transesterification process and others industries. Thus, recyclation of glycerol for lipid production by micro-organisms is an important point of economic view. Direct transesterification of the produced fatty acids indicated its similarity to the plant oil composition used in biodiesel production. So, F. solani RAS18 might be a potential lipid source as a feedstock for biodiesel production.

Neurophysiological study of critical illness polyneuropathy and myopathy in mechanically ventilated children; additional aspects in paediatric critical illness comorbidities.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Critical illness polyneuropathy and myopathy (CIP/CIM) is being increasingly recognized as a significant clinical problem in critically ill children especially if they have spent long periods in the intensive care unit. So the aim was to determine the frequency of CIP/CIM amongst mechanically ventilated children and to analyse the associated risk factors and drawbacks frequently encountered in this cohort. METHODS: The study included 105 patients admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit who underwent mechanical ventilation for ≥7 days. These patients were screened daily for awakening. Patients with severe muscle weakness on day 7 post-awakening underwent nerve conduction studies and electromyography. Accordingly, the patients were classified as CIP/CIM patients if they had abnormal neurophysiology studies or control patients if normal neurophysiology studies were obtained. Their clinical and laboratory profiles had been recorded as well. RESULTS: Overall, of 105 patients who achieved satisfactory awakening, 34 patients (32.4%) developed CIP/CIM mostly of the axonal polyneuropathy pattern (27.6%) whilst 71 control patients (67.6%) showed normal electrophysiological studies. The mean duration of mechanical ventilation was significantly longer in patients with CIP/CIM compared to control patients (P = 0.001). The study also revealed that 62.1% of our CIP/CIM patients failed weaning trials and finally died. CIP/CIM was significantly associated with decreased platelets, elevated liver enzymes and prolonged prothrombin time. Acidosis, low serum calcium and albumin levels and higher blood glucose were also found to be more significant in CIP/CIM patients compared to control patients. CONCLUSION: Critically ill children frequently develop CIP/CIM, mostly of axonal polyneuropathy pattern, which compromises rehabilitation and recovery and is associated with a number of comorbidities.

Clinical and cytological study of the oral mucosa of smoking and non-smoking qat chewers in Yemen.

OBJECTIVE: The study was conducted to investigate the role of qat and smoking habits on the prevalence of visible and cytological abnormalities in the oral mucosa among Yemenites. METHODS: We recruited 30 non-smoking and 30 smoking Yemenites chewing qat unilaterally for at least 5 years. We inspected oral cavities for the presence of lesions and took brush biopsies from the buccal mucosa/gingiva of the chewing/non-chewing region. RESULTS: All visible oral lesions were flat and homogeneous, and cytological changes were detected frequently. Among both non-smokers and smokers, white lesions and cytological changes were detected in 77% of all cases. On the chewing area, the proportion with white lesions ranged--depending on anatomical area and smoking status--between 47 and 93% and was significantly more frequent than on the non-chewing side (range 3-47%). The proportion of regions with changes was similar in non-smokers and smokers. Kappa statistics for "interobserver" agreement between visual inspection and cytological specimens of brush biopsies was at best fair (≤0.25). CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of visible lesions and cytological abnormalities among qat chewers was independent of smoking status. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The moderate level of agreement between visual inspection and exfoliative cytology demonstrates the still challenging clinical management of chronic qat chewers, though brush biopsies including adjuvant techniques like DNA cytometry may support the clinical decision-making process in future.

CO2 sorption kinetics of scaled-up polyethylenimine-functionalized mesoporous silica sorbent.

Two CO2 solid sorbents based on polyethylenimine, PEI (M(n) ∼ 423 and 10K), impregnated into mesoporous silica (MPS) foam prepared in kilogram quantities via a scale-up process were synthesized and systematically characterized by a range of analytical and surface techniques. The mesoporous silica sorbent impregnated with lower molecular weight PEI, PEI-423/MPS, showed higher capacity toward CO2 sorption than the sorbent functionalized with the higher molecular weight PEI (PEI-10K/MPS). On the other hand, PEI-10K/MPS exhibited higher thermal stability than PEI-423/MPS. The kinetics of CO2 adsorption on both PEI/MPS fitted well with a double-exponential model. According to this model CO2 adsorption can be divided into two steps: the first is fast and is attributed to CO2 adsorption on the sorbent surface; the second is slower and can be related to the diffusion of CO2 within and between the mesoporous particles. In contrast, the desorption process obeyed first-order kinetics with activation energies of 64.3 and 140.7 kJ mol(-1) for PEI-423/MPS and PEI-10K/MPS, respectively. These studies suggest that the selection of amine is critical as it affects not only sorbent capacity and stability but also the energy penalty associated with sorbent regeneration.

Mycosynthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles and their activity against some human pathogenic bacteria.

The aim of this study was to biosynthesis silver nanoparticles from the fungus Nigrospora sphaerica isolated from soil samples and to examine their activity against five human pathogenic strains of bacteria viz. Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi and Staphylococcus aureus using disc diffusion method. The synergistic effect of silver nanoparticles in combination with commonly used antibiotic Gentamycin against the selected bacteria was also examined. The synthesized silver nanoparticles from free-cell filtrate were characterized by using UV-Vis spectrophotometer analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). UV-Vis spectrophotometer analysis showed a peak at 420 nm indicating the synthesis of silver nanoparticles, FTIR analysis verified the detection of protein capping of silver nanoparticles while SEM micrographs revealed that the silver nanoparticles are dispersed and aggregated and mostly having spherical shape within the size range between 20 and 70 nm. The synthesized silver nanoparticles exhibited a varied growth inhibition activity (15-26 mm diam inhibition zones) against the tested pathogenic bacteria. A remarkable increase of bacterial growth inhibition (26-34 mm diam) was detected when a combination of silver nanoparticles and Gentamycin was used. A significant increase in fold area of antibacterial activity was observed when AgNPs in combination with Gentamycin was applied. The synthesized silver nanoparticles produced by the fungus N. sphaerica is a promising to be used as safe drug in medical therapy due to their broad spectrum against pathogenic bacteria.

Immunohistochemical expression of vimentin, E-cadherin, and CD45 in natural cases of canine cutaneous round tumors.

Round cell tumors are common cutaneous lesions in dogs, with increased occurrence percentages among different skin tumors. This study aimed to investigate the frequency as well as gross and pathological characteristics of round cell tumors in natural cases of tumorous dogs in relation to breed, sex, and age. Moreover, it aimed to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of a panel of immunohistochemical stains, including vimentin, E-cadherin, and cluster of differentiation (CD45) as an adjunct technique for the differential diagnosis of cutaneous round cell neoplasm. Data were collected from 64 dogs of both sexes (36 females and 28 males), various breeds, and different ages (8 months to 7 years). The histopathological nature of neoplastic growth was reported, and neoplasm prevalence was classified using age, sex, breed, and site on the body. We observed 48 cases of transmissible venereal tumors, 12 cutaneous histiocytomas, and 4 histiocytic sarcoma. Immunohistochemical characterization revealed an intense positive immunoreactivity for vimentin in transmissible venereal tumor cells and moderate positive immunoreactivity for E-cadherin and CD45 in cutaneous histiocytoma and histiocytic sarcoma cells. In conclusion, the canine transmissible venereal tumor was the most frequent form of round cell tumor; thus, a definitive cutaneous neoplasm diagnosis should be based on histopathological morphology and immunohistochemical findings.

Prevalence and risk factors for spousal violence among women attending health care centres in Alexandria, Egypt.

We conducted a cross-sectional survey to determine the prevalence of, and factors affecting, spousal violence among 3271 ever-married women attending 12 randomly selected family health centres in Alexandria Governorate. More than three-quarters of the participants (77%) reported experiencing spousal violence during their marital life. Emotional violence was the most common type reported (71.0%), followed by physical (50.3%), economic (40.8%) and sexual (37.1%) violence. The study confirms the high prevalence of spousal violence across all socioeconomic strata. Logistic regression analysis indicated large family size, divorce or separation, low educational attainment of husband, smoking habit and drug use in husband, husband's psychological status and history of exposure to physical violence during adolescence were associated with spousal violence. This high rate of spousal violence highlights the urgent need for government and civil society to address the issue, which hinders progress toward Egypt's development goals.

Consultant psychiatrists' experience of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health services.

OBJECTIVES: The novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) has spread worldwide threatening human health. To reduce transmission, a 'lockdown' was introduced in Ireland between March and May 2020. The aim of this study is to capture the experiences of consultant psychiatrists during lockdown and their perception of it's impact on mental health services. METHODS: A questionnaire designed by the Royal College of Psychiatrists was adapted and circulated to consultant members of the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland following the easing of restrictions. The questionnaire assessed the perceived impact on referral rates, mental health act provision, availability of information technology (IT), consultant well-being and availability of personal protective equipment (PPE). Thematic analysis was employed to analyse free-text sections. RESULTS: Response rate was 32% (n = 197/623). Consultants reported an initial decrease/significant decrease in referrals in the first month of lockdown (68%, n = 95/140) followed by an increase/significant increase in the second month for both new (83%, n = 100/137) and previously attending patients (65%, n = 88/136). Social isolation and reduced face-to-face mental health supports were among the main reasons identified. The needs of children and older adults were highlighted. Most consultants (76%, n = 98/129) felt their working day was affected and their well-being reduced (52%, n = 61/119). The majority felt IT equipment availability was inadequate (67%, n = 88/132). Main themes identified from free-text sections were service management, relationship between patients and healthcare service and effects on consultants' lives. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic has placed increased pressure on service provision and consultant wellness. This further supports the longstanding need to increase mental health service investment.

Structure, light absorption properties and photocatalytic activity of carbon-containing titania nanocomposites synthesized via a facile sol-gel method.

Facile and green sol-gel method was used to synthesize carbon-containing titania nanopowder, and diethanolamine (DEA) was used as the in situ carbon source. The titania gel was heat treated at temperatures ranging from 300 to 700 °C. X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal analysis, and Raman spectroscopy reported no crystalline phase at <325 °C. Crystallization of the anatase phase with traces of brookite phases was observed at T > 325 °C, followed by a transformation to anatase/rutile in the range of 400 °C < T ≤ 650 °C. Finally, the complete phase transformation to the rutile phase occurs at temperatures of T > 650 °C. High-resolution electron microscopy (HREM) micrographs confirm the coexistence of anatase and rutile nanocrystals and amorphous carbon clusters in the composite samples. Chemical element analysis via X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) indicated nonstoichiometry in the O/Ti ratio, the presence of (Ti3+) oxidation state, and elemental carbon. Thermogravimetric (TG) measurements are the most accurate method to measure the carbon content in samples. UV-vis spectroscopy demonstrated considerable enhancement in the optical absorption properties and electronic structure of prepared samples compared to the pure anatase and rutile. This enhancement is strongly correlated with the structure and composition of prepared samples and consequently depends on the preparation method as well as conditions. Innovative features such as self-cleaning action was demonstrated in carbon containing titanate nanocomposite.

Enterobiasis among Yemeni children: a cross-sectional study.

Enterobiasis is a highly infectious parasitic disease spreading worldwide including Yemen. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of enterobiasis among Yemeni children in Dhamar governorate. A total of 402 children (aged 1-12 years) participated in this cross-sectional survey carried out at Thamar University Al-Wahdah Teaching Hospital (TUWTH), between 2018 and 2019. Enterobius vermicularis infection was examined using the adhesive tape technique. Association between risk factors and enterobiasis were measured by prevalence ratio (PR). The overall prevalence of enterobiasis was found to be 29.4% (118/402). Risk factors that showed independent association with the infection were child's care responsibility (PR = 1.90; 95% CI = 1.37-2.63; P = 0.001); irregular washing hands before meals (PR = 2.01; 95% CI = 1.32-3.05; P = 0.003); habit of nail biting or cutting by teeth (PR = 1.61; 95% CI = 1.18-2.21; P = 0.002); habit of putting toys or pen in mouth (PR = 1.58; 95% CI = 1.19-2.10; P = 0.002); frequent anal itching (PR = 1.46; 95% CI = 1.10-1.93; P = 0.016); using anthelmintic during the last six months (PR = 1.68; 95% CI = 1.20-2.36; P = 0.011); and parents have no knowledge on preventive measures (PR = 1.62; 95% CI = 1.04-2.53; P = 0.036). Prevalence of enterobiasis among Yemeni children in Dhamar governorate is high with higher infection rate among those aged 1-6 years. Health education and mass treatment are highly recommended among this poor population.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus development in intensive care patients. A case-control study.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the factors associated with the development of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), hospital stay and mortality, and early versus late MRSA infection. METHODS: Cases (n=44) were intensive care unit (ICU) patients admitted to King Fahd Specialist Hospital, Al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia between 2015 and 2019 who developed MRSA during their hospital stay. Controls (n=48) were patients from the same place and period who did not develop MRSA. Data were abstracted from hospital records. RESULTS: Admission with sepsis (case: 46% vs. control: 2%, p less than 0.001) and having at least one comorbid condition (case: 95% vs. control: 46%, p less than 0.001) were significantly associated with the development of MRSA. Age (mean ±SD: case: 65±18, control: 64±18, p=0.7) and gender (% male, case: 52%, control: 56%, p=0.70) were not associated with the development of MRSA. Approximately 73% of all MRSA cases developed within the first 2 weeks of admission. Among the early cases, 44% died during their ICU stay; the corresponding percentage among the late cases was 42% (p=0.69). There was no difference between early and late MRSA cases in terms of non-sepsis admissions (50% vs. 67%, p=0.32) or comorbid status (at least one: 97% vs. 92%, p=0.17).  Conclusion: Sepsis and comorbid conditions were significant risk factors for MRSA development among hospital patients.

Sensitivity and specificity of various serological tests for the detection of Toxoplasma gondii infection in naturally infected sheep.

Comparative serological examination of 300 serum samples from sheep slaughtered in the main abattoir in Cairo, Egypt revealed a higher prevalence of toxoplasmosis (43.7%) with the modified agglutination test (MAT), followed by the enzyme linked immune-sorbant assay (ELISA) (41.7%) and the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) (37%), while the lowest prevalence was detected with the dye test (DT) (34%). When the data from the first three serological tests were compared with that of the DT test, which was used as a reference test for toxoplasmosis, MAT had the highest sensitivity (96%), followed by ELISA (90.1%) and IFAT, which demonstrated the lowest sensitivity (80.4%). Conversely, IFAT had the highest specificity (91.4%), followed by MAT (88.9%) and ELISA (85.9%).

Mice lacking alpha/beta subunits of GlcNAc-1-phosphotransferase exhibit growth retardation, retinal degeneration, and secretory cell lesions.

PURPOSE: Mucolipidosis II and III (ML II; ML III) are lysosomal storage diseases characterized by a deficiency in GlcNAc-1-phosphotransferase. Patients with ML III have retinal disease, but in cases of the more clinically severe ML II, human ophthalmic studies are limited. In this study, retinal function and overall disease were assessed in mice lacking GNPTAB, the gene mutated in patients with ML II. METHODS: Mice deficient in GNPTAB were generated from Omnibank, a sequence-tagged gene-trap library of >270,000 mouse embryonic stem cell clones as part of a large-scale effort to knock out, phenotypically screen, and thereby validate pharmaceutically tractable genes for drug development. Routine diagnostics, expression analysis, histopathology, and ERG analyses were performed on mice lacking GNPTAB. In addition, measurements of serum lysosomal enzymes were performed. RESULTS: Severe retinal degeneration was observed in mice deficient in GNPTAB. Heterozygous mice were phenotypically normal and in situ hybridization showed expression across the neural retina. Compared to wild-type mice, the GNPTAB homozygous mice were smaller, had elevated levels of serum lysosomal enzymes, exhibited cartilage defects, and had cytoplasmic alterations in secretory cells of several exocrine glands. CONCLUSIONS: Mice deficient in GNPTAB exhibited severe retinal degeneration. Additional features observed in patients with ML II, a lysosomal storage disease, are also present in these mice. Understanding underlying mechanisms of this gene in the eye will increase its therapeutic potential for the treatment of retinal diseases.

Meningococcal, influenza virus, and hepatitis B virus vaccination coverage level among health care workers in Hajj.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to assess the compliance of health care workers (HCWs) employed in Hajj in receiving the meningococcal, influenza, and hepatitis B vaccines. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of doctors and nurses working in all Mena and Arafat hospitals and primary health care centers who attended Hajj-medicine training programs immediately before the beginning of Hajj of the lunar Islamic year 1423 (2003) using self-administered structured questionnaire which included demographic data and data on vaccination history. RESULTS: A total of 392 HCWs were studied including 215 (54.8%) nurses and 177 (45.2%) doctors. One hundred and sixty four (41.8%) HCWs were from Makkah and the rest were recruited from other regions in Saudi Arabia. Three hundred and twenty three (82.4%) HCWs received the quadrivalent (ACYW135) meningococcal meningitis vaccine with 271 (83.9%) HCWs receiving it at least 2 weeks before coming to Hajj, whereas the remaining 52 (16.1%) HCWs received it within < 2 weeks. Only 23 (5.9%) HCWs received the current year's influenza virus vaccine. Two hundred and sixty (66.3%) of HCWs received the three-dose hepatitis B vaccine series, 19.3% received one or two doses, and 14.3% did not receive any dose. There was no statistically significant difference in compliance with the three vaccines between doctors and nurses. CONCLUSION: The meningococcal and hepatitis B vaccination coverage level among HCWs in Hajj was suboptimal and the influenza vaccination level was notably low. Strategies to improve vaccination coverage among HCWs should be adopted by all health care facilities in Saudi Arabia.

Understanding and attitudes towards patient safety concepts in obstetrics.

OBJECTIVES: To measure attitudes of health personnel towards patient safety, and to determine how the concept of patient safety varies between maternal health centers and types of health care personnel. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study included 35 primary heath centers in three governorates in Egypt. The subjects comprised all managers, physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and technicians. RESULTS: The overall mean for all questions and respondents was 3.89+/-0.59 (scale 1-5). The safety climate mean was 3.64+/-0.67. The percentage of respondents viewing the safety climate as positive was 36%. Only 7% of respondents had received feedback after referral of a case of severe pre-eclampsia. CONCLUSION: The concept of patient safety in the centers studied is not as strong as desirable for the provision of reliable health care. The culture is one of a penalizing nature with suppressed error reporting, lack of proper communication, and feedback failure.