Changes in chemical properties and microbial communities' composition of a forest litter-based biofertilizer produced through aerated solid-state culture under different oxygen conditions.

Fermented forest litter (FFL) is a bioproduct used as biofertilizer for several decades in Eastern Asia and Latin America. It is locally handcrafted by farmers in anaerobic conditions by fermenting forest litter added with agricultural by-products such as whey, cereal bran, and molasses. The aim of this study was to characterize the FFL process and product through gas and liquid chromatography analyses.

Precision medicine for KRAS wild-type pancreatic adenocarcinomas.

Background: KRAS mutation is the most common molecular alteration in pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC), and around 10% of patients harbor KRAS wild-type tumors (KRAS).

Methods: A retrospective chart review of clinical/molecular data was performed including all PDAC patients with a determined KRAS status (tumor molecular profiling on tissue or liquid biopsy).

Results: 342 patients were included with 54 KRAS PDAC (16%) compared to 288 patients with KRAS PDAC.

Visible-Light-Promoted C(sp)-C(sp) Cross-Coupling of Amino Acids and Aryl Trifluoromethyl Ketones Through Simultaneous Decarboxylation and Defluorination.

A photoredox-catalyzed approach for the difluoroalkylation of amino acids was achieved through simultaneous decarboxylation and defluorination processes. This innovative protocol employs commonly available amino acids and trifluoroacetophenones as the primary starting materials, eliminating the necessity for preactivation. This strategy has enabled the synthesis of several difluoroketone functionalized amines in moderate to impressive yields.

HCV treatment outcome depends on SNPs of IFNL3-Gene polymorphisms (rs12979860) and cirrhotic changes in liver parenchyma.

The allelic discrimination of IFNL3-(rs12979860 C > T) polymorphism reveals ambiguous associations with the effectiveness of oral HCV treatment. Solitary intra peripheral-blood-mononuclear-cells (PBMCs) HCV-RNA antisense-strands are independently detected in naïve and experienced cases regardless of viremia or hepatic-parenchymal alterations. We examined the frequencies of IFNL3-genetic variants with chronic-HCV-induced liver changes during the sustained virologic response (SVR) by evaluating the PBMCs- HCV-PCR after oral antiviral therapy.

Efficacy and safety of ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir-based therapy in HCV patients with chronic kidney disease.

Background And Study Aims: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) prevalence inchronic kidney disease (CKD) patients is significantly higher than in the general population. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of combined ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir-based therapy in HCV patients with renal impairment.

Patients And Methods: Our study included 829 patients with normal kidney functions (group 1) and 829 patients with CKD (group 2),which were subdivided into patients not requiring dialysis (group 2a) and those on hemodialysis (group2b).

Optimization of a novel, gluten-free bread's formulation based on chickpea, carob and rice flours using response surface design.

This study aimed to develop nutritious, gluten-free bread with high quality characteristics using a mixture of chickpea, carob and rice flours as substitutes of wheat flour. To optimize the bread formulation, a Box-Behnken experimental design was conducted to evaluate the effect of the corresponding flour blend addition, proofing time and water amount addition on the physicochemical, technological and sensory properties of the obtained formulated bread. The optimized formulation was calculated to contain 70% of mixture flour and 100% of water, with a proofing time of 40 minutes.

[Evaluating the performance of Tunisian regional hospitals. Study Protocol of management delays of ST elevation myocardial infarction].

Research Problem: ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI+) is an absolute emergency. The young age of patients and the difficulty of access to care remain the main characteristics of STEMI+ management in Tunisia. In the governorate of Béja, located in the Northwestern region of Tunisia, given the lack of a cardiology interventional room in the hospital and in the private establishments of the region and the distance from the specialized centers of at least 127 km, the patient is beyond 90 min of the transfer.

Integrated biomarker response to assess the effects of pesticide residues on Nile Tilapia in aquatic ecosystems contaminated by cotton-field effluents.

An in-situ study combined with an integrated biomarker response was used to evaluate the impact of agricultural effluents in the physiological responses of Nile tilapia reared in cages and enclosures of water reservoirs in North Benin. Fish were distributed in fish farming systems at two sites: Songhai located outside the cotton basin and Batran located in the most productive commune. They were sampled for blood and organs before (BST), during (DST) and after (AST) pesticide treatment.

Nationwide hepatitis C virus screening and treatment of adolescents in Egyptian schools.

Until 2018, Egypt had the highest prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection globally, affecting approximately 7% of the population. Despite efforts in diagnosis and treatment since 2006, nearly 2 million individuals with chronic HCV infection had yet to be diagnosed as of early 2018. In December, 2018, a mass HCV screening campaign for adolescents aged 15-18 years was initiated.

Evaluation of factors affecting patients' refusal of HCV treatment in a cohort of Egyptian patients.

Background: Treatment refusal, defined as active refusal of a patient to receive treatment despite physician recommendations, has not been extensively evaluated before in hepatitis C virus in the era of direct acting antivirals.

Objective: To investigate the reasons for refusal to receive hepatitis C virus treatment in Egypt.

Methods: an observational study conducted between July 2018 and November 2019 in Egypt.

Pregnancy outcome of anti-HCV direct-acting antivirals: Real-life data from an Egyptian cohort.

We aimed to assess the pregnancy outcome in women with chronic HCV who had negative pregnancy test prior to the anti-HCV course and had unintended pregnancy while on HCV treatment. Hundred patients with a mean age of 30 ± 6.7 y were included and advised to withhold antivirals and continue follow-up in viral hepatitis and obstetrics centres till delivery.

Development and characterization of chitosan films carrying Artemisia campestris antioxidants for potential use as active food packaging materials.

Active food packaging films based on chitosan and enriched with Artemisia campestris hydroalcoholic extract (ACHE), aqueous extract (ACAE) and essential oil (ACEO) were developed. The effects of incorporating A. campestris were investigated on the physical, mechanical, thermal and antioxidant characteristics of the films.

Treatment of hepatitis C virus infection with direct-acting antivirals plus ribavirin eliminates viral RNA from peripheral blood mononuclear cells and reduces virologic relapse in diverse hepatic parenchymal changes.

Elimination of hepatitis C virus (HCV) may fail, leading to a non-response outcome because of inappropriate testing for viral RNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Sequelae of HCV genotype 4 therapy with sofosbuvir and daclatasvir ± ribavirin were assessed in our study at the 12 week after end of treatment (EOT) by screening for viral genomic RNA in serum and PBMCs with correlation to hepatic parenchymal changes. We recruited 102 out of 2165 patients who had received sofosbuvir/daclatasvir, either alone (n = 1573) or together with ribavirin (n = 592).

Impact of downstream passage through hydropower plants on the physiological and health status of a critically endangered species: The European eel Anguilla anguilla.

Hydropower plants (HPPs) are a source of "green" energy but also a threat to migrating fish such as the European eel (Anguilla anguilla) owing to the disruption of river connectivity and the obstruction of downstream migration. The impact of HPP are well-documented in terms of fish survival and damages but there is no available information concerning the condition of surviving and unharmed fish. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of the passage through HPP on the survival, the physiological and health status of adult eels.

Chronic effects of a binary insecticide Acer 35 EC on Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus through a multi-biomarker approach.

Acer 35 EC is a widely used insecticide (a binary mixture of lambda-cyhalothrin and acetamiprid) in pest control in many West African countries, particularly in the cotton culture in north Benin. The aim of this study was to investigate the chronic effects of Acer 35 EC on Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus juveniles using a multi-biomarker approach under laboratory conditions. For this purpose, fish were exposed to sublethal concentrations of Acer 35 EC (0, 1 and 10% of LC- 96 h value).

Optimization of gluten-free sponge cake fortified with whey protein concentrate using mixture design methodology.

This study aimed to optimize mixtures of whey protein concentrate (WPC) and two flours of rice and maize flours for the production of gluten-free sponge cakes. This was obtained by using mixture design methodology. WPC incorporation had positive effects on specific volume and baking loss of cakes, whilst, their incorporation increased their hardness.

Passage through a hydropower plant affects the physiological and health status of Atlanstic salmon smolts.

Atlantic salmon is an anadromous species migrating from upper-reach nursery areas in rivers to the oceanic feeding areas at smolt stage and inversely at adult stage requiring unimpeded migration routes. However, dams associated with hydroelectric power plants (HPP) disrupt river connectivity and affect fish movement and survival. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the short and mid-term physiological and immune response of Atlantic salmon smolts after passing through Andenne HPP (Meuse River, Belgium).

Repeated hormonal induction of spermiation affects the stress but not the immune response in pikeperch (Sander lucioperca).

Hormonal induction of spermiation, previously reported to be immunogenic in fishes, is a common hatchery practice in pikeperch, Sander lucioperca. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of repeated induction of spermiation in pikeperch, following application of either human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) or salmon gonadoliberine analogue (sGnRHa) on sperm quality indices as well as on immune and stress response. Mature males of pikeperch (n = 7 per group) were stimulated twice with five days between injections of either hCG (hCG; 500 IU kg), sGnRHa (sGnRHa; 50 μg kg) or NaCl (control group; 1 ml kg) to assess spermatozoa motility with a computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) system.

Constant long photoperiod inhibits the onset of the reproductive cycle in roach females and males.

Photoperiod and temperature are commonly accepted as the determinant factors for the control of the reproductive cycle in freshwater fishes. However, this determining effect is dependent on fish species. While applying a constant long photoperiod has an inhibitory effect in some species, the same photoperiodic manipulation has a stimulating effect in others.

Dienogest Versus Leuprolide Acetate for Recurrent Pelvic Pain Following Laparoscopic Treatment of Endometriosis.

Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of dienogest (DNG) with depot leuprolide acetate (LA) in patients with recurrent pelvic pain following laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis.

Design: Prospective randomized trial.

Setting: Zagazig University hospitals, Egypt.

First-Trimester Uterine Artery Pulsatility Index and Maternal Serum PAPP-A and PlGF in Prediction of Preeclampsia in Primigravida.

Background: Preeclampsia is a heterogeneous disorder affecting different body systems and frequently associated with morbidity and mortality. Early preeclampsia prediction will reduce this associated morbidity and mortality as it will give the chance for frequent maternal and fetal surveillance and application of prophylactic procedures.

Objective: The aim of this work is to evaluate the role of mean pulsatility index (PI) of the uterine arteries and maternal serum concentrations of pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) and placental growth factor (PlGF) in early preeclampsia prediction in primigravida.