β-glucan nanoparticles alleviate acute asthma by suppressing ferroptosis and DNA damage in mice.

Asthma is a severe respiratory disease marked by airway inflammation, remodeling, and oxidative stress. β-Glucan (BG), a polysaccharide constituent of fungal cellular structures, exhibits potent immunomodulatory activities. The investigational focus was on the anti-asthmatic and anti-ferroptotic properties of beta-glucan nanoparticles (BG-NPs) in a murine model of allergic asthma induced by ovalbumin (OVA).

Outcomes of Zone II Flexor Tendon Repair Under General Versus Wide Awake Local Anesthesia: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Purpose: Wide awake local anesthesia no tourniquet (WALANT) is gaining popularity with flexor tendon repair. We hypothesized that results of zone II flexor tendon repair performed under WALANT would be superior to those performed under general anesthesia (GA).

Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted to compare results of repair of zone II flexor tendon lacerations under WALANT versus GA.

Production of stable and pure ZC3H11A - An extensively disordered RNA binding protein.

Human ZC3H11A is an RNA-binding zinc finger protein involved in mRNA export and required for the efficient growth of human nuclear replicating viruses. Its biochemical properties are largely unknown so our goal has been to produce the protein in a pure and stable form suitable for its characterization. This has been challenging since the protein is large (810 amino acids) and with only the N-terminal zinc finger domain (amino acids 1-86) being well structured, the remainder is intrinsically disordered.

Transperineal Ultrasound Evaluation of Bladder Parameters in Patients with Apical Prolapse Undergoing Lateral Suspension or Sacropexy.

Introduction: and hypothesis.We evaluated different bladder parameters using Transperineal Ultrasound (TPUS) in patients with apical pelvic organ prolapse undergoing lateral suspension or sacropexy.

Methods: We included 73 cases with 37 cases in lateral suspension (LS) group and 36 cases in sacropexy group.

Primary arthrodesis for diabetic ankle fractures using a modified retrograde femoral intramedullary locking nail combined with lateral plating, surgical technique, and early results of a pilot study.

Purpose: We aimed to report the early results of performing acute ankle arthrodesis using a modified retrograde femoral intramedullary locking IMN concomitant with plating at the same setting for managing diabetic patients' acute ankle fractures.

Methods: We prospectively included patients who presented acutely with ankle fractures, where hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) on admission was > 7%, and the Adelaide Fracture in the Diabetic Ankle (AFDA) algorithm score was 5 or above. All patients were treated by acute ankle arthrodesis using a modified retrograde femoral IMN combined with lateral plating.

The Crystal Structure of Tyrosinase from Reveals It to Be an Atypical Bacterial Tyrosinase.

Tyrosinases belong to the type-III copper enzyme family, which is involved in melanin production in a wide range of organisms. Despite similar overall characteristics and functions, their structures, activities, substrate specificities and regulation vary. The tyrosinase from the bacterium (Tyr) is produced as a pre-pro-enzyme in which a C-terminal extension serves as an inactivation domain.

Microbiological quality of some packed and unpacked bread products in Alexandria, Egypt.

Background: Bakery products are important food snacks consumed by people of all ages and economic groups. The growth of unwanted microorganisms that deteriorate products such as bacteria, moulds, and fungi in these foodstuffs may offer risks to consumers' health and generate considerable economic losses. This work aimed to assess the microbiological quality of some packed and unpacked bread products in Alexandria, Egypt.

Preclinical assessment of drug-drug interaction of fb-PMT, a novel anti-cancer thyrointegrin αvβ3 antagonist.

The objective of the current study was to identify potential drug-drug interactions (DDIs) with the drug candidate fb-PMT, a novel anticancer thyrointegrin αvß3 antagonist. This was accomplished by using several in vitro assays to study interactions of fb-PMT with both cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes and drug transporters, two common mechanisms leading to adverse drug effects. In vitro experiments showed that fb-PMT exhibited weak reversible inhibition of CYP2C19 and CYP3A4.

Delayed seropositivity is associated with lower levels of SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels in patients with mild to moderate COVID-19.

Background: Patients with COVID-19 can develop a range of immune responses, including variations in the onset and magnitude of antibody formation. The aim of this study was to investigate whether SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels vary in patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 in relation to the onset (days) of their post-symptom seropositivity and to explore host factors that may affect antibody production METHODS: This was a prospective, multiple measurements study involving 92 PCR-confirmed patients with mild to moderate COVID-19. Antibody testing for anti-nucleocapsid (anti-NP) and spike proteins (anti-S) was performed using ELISA tests.

Environmental health aspects and microbial infections of the recreational water : Microbial Infections and Swimming pools.

Background: Swimming pools are places for practicing sports, recreation, relaxation, and socialization. However, swimming pools can expose swimmers to physicochemical and microbiological risks. Accordingly, we studied the environmental health aspects and microbial infections for such recreational water aiming to disclose the possible risks they pose on swimmers.

Asymptomatic versus symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection: a cross-sectional seroprevalence study.

Background: Although symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection predisposes patients to develop complications, the asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection state is of public health importance being a hidden source of infection. Moreover, the asymptomatic state may camouflage the actual burden of the disease.

Methods: Data of 1434 seropositive participants for SARS-CoV-2 spike (anti-S) and/or nucleocapsid antibodies (anti-N) were retrieved from a larger cross-sectional survey on COVID-19.

GC-MS Analysis and Microbiological Evaluation of Caraway Essential Oil as a Virulence Attenuating Agent against .

The emergence of resistant microbes threatens public health on our planet, and the emergence of resistant bacteria against the most commonly used antibiotics necessitates urgent alternative therapeutic options. One way to fight resistant microbes is to design new antimicrobial agents, however, this approach takes decades of research. An alternative or parallel approach is to target the virulence of bacteria with natural or synthetic agents.

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis A, B and C Among a Sample of Refugees in Egypt: An Exploratory Survey.

Background: Estimating the prevalence of infectious diseases, including viral hepatitis, among refugees is important for evaluating their health needs and predicting the burden on the health system of the host country. This study aimed at estimating the seroprevalence of viral hepatitis among refugees in Egypt.

Methods: This cross-sectional study involved a heterogeneous group of 501 refugees.

Anti-Spike and Neutralizing Antibodies after Two Doses of COVID-19 Sinopharm/BIBP Vaccine.

Host response to COVID-19 vaccines is partially evaluated through the estimation of antibody response, specifically the binding anti-spike (anti-S) and the neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) against SARS-CoV-2. Vaccine-induced humoral response affects decisions on the choice of vaccine type, vaccine acceptance, and the need for boosting. Identification of risk factors for poor antibody response helps to stratify individuals who might potentially require booster doses.

Glycerol as a new mobile phase modifier for green liquid chromatographic determination of ascorbic acid and glutathione in pharmaceutical tablets.

Fixed dose combinations of glutathione and ascorbic acid are marketed due to the synergetic effect of glutathione, which regenerates ascorbic acid, potentiates its action and prolongs its antioxidant potential. In this work, glycerol was introduced for the first time as a green mobile phase modifier for liquid chromatographic determination of glutathione and ascorbic acid in pharmaceutical tablets. The viscosity barrier was overcome by using water as a co-fluidifying solvents and by controlling the column temperature.

Eco-friendly adsorbents based on abietic acid, boswellic acid, and chitosan/magnetite for removing waste oil from the surface of the water.

Petroleum oil leakage and industrial oily waste on the water surface are sustainable pollutions. The removal process by eco-friendly adsorbents is a critical challenge. It also requires sustainable treatment.

Pathological responses and survival outcomes in patients with locally advanced breast cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy: a single-institute experience.

Background: Pathological complete response (pCR) is a surrogate for the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT) in locally advanced breast cancer (LABC). We analyzed the predictive clinical factors for pathological responses and survival outcomes in a cohort of Egyptian patients.

Methods: We evaluated the medical records of patients with breast cancer who received NCT in our academic institute.

Effect of poultry offal silage with or without betaine supplementation on growth performance, intestinal morphometry, spleen histomorphology of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings.

Fishmeal (FM) is the main protein source in fish feed. However, it is quite expensive due to its limited resources. Therefore, finding a dietary alternative to the FM to sustain fish production is crucial, and the current study was performed to assess the impact of poultry offal silage (POS) with or without betaine supplementation; as an effective and cheaper alternative to FM; on feed efficiency, growth performance, spleen morphology and intestinal morphometry of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings.

Methylene Oxidation of Alkyl Sulfates by Cytochrome P450 and a Role for Conformational Selection in Substrate Recognition.

Cytochrome P450 (P450) is a flavoprotein reductase-heme fusion protein from the bacterium that has been well-characterized in many biophysical aspects. Although the enzyme is known to catalyze the hydroxylation of medium and long-chain fatty acids at high rates, no definitive physiological function has been associated with this process in the organism other than a possible protective role. We found that P450 rapidly hydroxylates alkyl sulfates, particularly those with 12-16 carbons (i.

extract down-regulates protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B expression in a rat model of type 2 diabetes mellitus: a new insight into its antidiabetic mechanism.

var. Jack (FD) is a well-known plant used in Malay folklore medicine to lower blood glucose in diabetic patients. For further research of the antihyperglycemic mechanisms, the protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B)-inhibitory effect of FD was analysed both and To optimise a method for FD extraction, water, 50, 70, 80, 90 and 95 % ethanol extracts were prepared and determined for their total phenolic and triterpene contents, and PTP1B-inhibition capacity.

A Role for the Orphan Human Cytochrome P450 2S1 in Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid -1 Hydroxylation Using an Untargeted Metabolomic Approach.

Cytochrome P450 (P450) 2S1 is one of the orphan P450s, known to be expressed but not having a defined function with an endogenous substrate or in drug oxidations. Although it has been clearly demonstrated to catalyze reductive reactions, its role in NADPH-dependent oxidations has been ambiguous. In our efforts to characterize orphan human P450 enzymes, we used an untargeted liquid chromatography-mass spectromterymetabolomic approach with recombinant human P450 2S1 and extracts of rat stomach and intestine, sites of P450 2S1 localization in humans and animals.

Bioactive glycoalkaloides isolated from Solanum melongena fruit peels with potential anticancer properties against hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is progressively increasing tumor with lack of accurate prognosis and inadequate systemic treatment approaches. Solanum sp. (such as Solanum melongena) is a folk herb which is reported to possess anticancer properties.

High efficacy of generic and brand direct acting antivirals in treatment of chronic hepatitis C.

Background: Direct acting antivirals (DAAs) are highly effective for treatment of hepatitis C (HCV) but brand products are priced beyond the means of most low and middle income countries (LMICs). Although a few DAAs are offered at reduced prices in access programs, they are still beyond affordability in limited resource settings with a large HCV infected population. Cheap generics might fill this economic need, but studies comparing their clinical efficacy to that of original products are limited.

Foliar spraying of salicylic acid induced accumulation of phenolics, increased radical scavenging activity and modified the composition of the essential oil of water stressed Thymus vulgaris L.

Polyphenolic compounds are considered valuable secondary plant metabolites owing to the myriad of biological activities they exert. This study aimed to investigate the effect of applying various concentrations of the plant growth regulator, salicylic acid (SA), on Thymus vulgaris L. while subjecting the plant to decreasing amounts of irrigation water.