Differential Impact of Specific Amino Acid Residues on the Characteristics of Avian Influenza Viruses in Mammalian Systems.

Avian influenza virus (AIV) H9N2 was declared to be endemic in birds of the Middle East, in particular in Egypt, with multiple cases of human infections. Despite concerns about the pandemic threat posed by H9N2 AIV, due to the fact that its receptor specificity is similar to that of human influenza viruses, its morbidity and mortality rates in humans are so far negligible. However, the acquisition of specific adaptive amino acid (aa) mutations in the viral polymerase can enhance cross-species transmission of the virus itself or of reassortants, which gained these changes.

Robust Antiviral Activity of Santonica Flower Extract () against Avian and Human Influenza A Viruses: and Chemoinformatic Studies.

The evolution of drug-resistant viral strains following natural acquisition of resistance mutations is a major obstacle to antiviral therapy. Besides the improper prescription of the currently licensed anti-influenza medications, M2-blockers and neuraminidase inhibitors, to control poultry outbreaks/infections potentiates the emergence of drug-resistant influenza variants. Therefore, there is always a necessity to find out new alternatives with potent activity and high safety.

Clinical and Prognostic Significance of Baseline Serum Vitamin D Levels in Hospitalized Egyptian Covid-19 Patients.

Background And Aim: Vitamin D is a hormone with essential roles in both cellular metabolism and immunity. It controls calcium homeostasis and modulates innate and adaptive immune system responses. Many studies suggested an association between vitamin D deficiency and clinical outcomes of covid-19 infection, while others failed to document such a relation.

Significance of elevated serum and hepatic NOD-like receptor pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) in hepatitis C virus-related liver disease.

NOD-like receptor pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) is a microbial and danger signal sensor that acts as a regulator of inflammation via activation of Caspase-1 (CASP1) and has been identified as a major contributor to human liver diseases. The present study was conducted to investigate the association between NLRP3 and the progression of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related liver disease. Serum NLRP3 levels were analyzed in 49 patients with chronic HCV infection and 18 healthy controls and liver tissues from 34 patients were examined to assess the protein expression of NLRP3 and its activation marker CASP1 using immunohistochemical staining.

Design of a Novel Compact MICS Band PIFA Antenna for Implantable Biotelemetry Applications.

An implantable stacked planar inverted-F antenna (PIFA) for biotelemetric communication in the 402-405 MHz Medical Implant Communications Service (MICS) frequency band is designed and fabricated. With the proposed PIFA structure, a slot on each radiating patch was embedded, resulting in a size reduction of 0.013 λ and a compact size of 10 × 10 × 1.

Enzyme Profiling and Identification of Endophytic and Rhizospheric Bacteria Isolated from .

Endophytic and rhizospheric bacteria isolated from halophytic plants support their host to survive in hyper-saline soil. These bacteria are also known to produce various enzymes with potential industrial applications. In this study, the endophytic and rhizospheric bacteria were isolated from collected from Karachi, Pakistan, and their ability to produce various extracellular enzymes was assessed using commercial and natural substrates.

Secondary caries and marginal adaptation of ion-releasing versus resin composite restorations: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

This systematic review was aimed to evaluate occurrence of secondary caries and marginal adaptation in ion-releasing materials versus resin composite. Electronic search of PubMed, Scopus, and Open Grey databases with no date or language restrictions until May 21st, 2021, was conducted. Randomized clinical trials that compared ion-releasing restorations versus resin composite were included.

Synthesis, biological evaluation and molecular docking of new triphenylamine-linked pyridine, thiazole and pyrazole analogues as anticancer agents.

A new series of pyridine, thiazole, and pyrazole analogues were synthesized. The pyridone analogues 4a-e were synthesized by treating N-aryl-2-cyano-3-(4-(diphenylamino)phenyl)acrylamides 3a-e with malononitrile. Many 4-arylidene-thiazolidin-5-one analogues 6a-d were obtained by Knoevenagel reactions of 4-(diphenylamino)benzaldehyde (1) with their corresponding thiazolidin-5-one derivatives 5a-d.

Immunogenicity and effectiveness of a bivalent influenza A/H1N2 vaccine strain against seasonal human influenza A viruses in mice.

Background: Recent studies and reports have documented the ability of the co-circulating seasonal influenza A/H1N1 (ancestor: 2009 pandemic H1N1) and A/H3N2 to exchange their genetic segments, generating a novel H1N2 strain in different geographical localities around the world with an ability to infect human. This raises concerns and triggers alarms to develop a multivalent vaccine that can protect against the documented H1- and H3-type human influenza A viruses (IAVs).

Results: Here, we generated a PR8-based vaccine strain that carries the HA gene segment from the contemporary H1N1 virus while the NA gene segment was derived from a currently circulating influenza A/H3N2 strain.

Risk of serotonin syndrome in acutely ill patients receiving linezolid and opioids concomitantly: a retrospective cohort study.

Introduction: Linezolid is an oxazolidinone antibiotic with a reversible, non-selective, monoamine oxidase inhibitory effect. Combining linezolid with serotonergic agents may increase serotonin syndrome (SS) risk.Linezolid is recommended in patients with suspected or confirmed resistant Gram-positive bacterial infections, especially if vancomycin cannot be used.

Synthesis and characterization of new 1,3,4-thiadiazole derivatives: study of their antibacterial activity and CT-DNA binding.

1,3,4-Thiadiazole molecules (1-4) were synthesized by the reaction of phenylthiosemicarbazide and methoxy cinnamic acid molecules in the presence of phosphorus oxychloride, and characterized with UV, FT-IR, C-NMR, and H-NMR methods. DFT calculations (b3lyp/6-311++G(d,p)) were performed to investigate the structures' geometry and physiochemical properties. Their antibacterial activity was screened for various bacteria strains such as , ATCC 13048, , , , and Gram positive such as ATCC 25923, ATCC 7644, , , ATCC, , , , alfa , and found to have an inhibitory effect on and , while molecules 1, 3 and 4 had an inhibitory effect on and alpha .

Microshear Bond Strength of Bioactive Materials to Dentin and Resin Composite.

Objectives:  The aim of this study was to comparatively evaluate microshear bond strength (μSBS) of bioactive ionic resin composite and resin-modified glass ionomer liner (RMGI) to dentin and resin composite.

Materials And Methods:  The enamel of 11 posterior molar teeth was removed to expose dentin and then placed in acrylic blocks. Each specimen received three microcylindrical Tygon tubes filled with bioactive ionic resin composite (Activa Bioactive base/liner (PULPDENT: , MA, USA)), RMGI (Riva light cure SDI LTD, Bayswater, Australia), and resin composite (Filtek Z350xt, MN, USA).

Durability of antibodies post vaccination with two doses of inactivated BBIBP-CorV vaccine.

Background: Breakthrough infections post-COVID-19 vaccination occur with the emerging variants of the SARS-CoV virus which might be either due to the newer variants escaping immune response or the waning of antibodies over time. However, there is lack of long-term follow-up evidence on the waning of immune response following inactivated COVID-19 vaccine.

Methods: A retrospective, observational study was conducted on serum samples of individuals who had received two doses of BBIBP-CorV vaccine.

Cloning, functional characterization and evaluating potential in metabolic engineering for lavender ( +)-bornyl diphosphate synthase.

We isolated and functionally characterized a new ( +)-bornyl diphosphate synthase (( +)-LiBPPS) from Lavandula x intermedia. The in planta functions of ( +)-LiBPPS were evaluated in sense and antisense transgenic plants. The monoterpene ( +)-borneol contributes scent and medicinal properties to some plants.

Polyimide Layers with High Refractivity and Surface Wettability Adapted for Lowering Optical Losses in Solar Cells.

The performance of photovoltaics with superstrate configuration is limited by the rigidity and low refractivity of a classical glass cover. In this work, two polyimides (PIs) and two copolyimides combined in the main chain cycloaliphatic moieties, aromatic sequences, chalcogen atoms, and having/lacking fluorine atoms, are proposed as shielding covers for solar cells. The samples containing small cycloaliphatic moieties displayed high transmittance above 80% at 550 nm.

Chemistry and the Potential Antiviral, Anticancer, and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Cardiotonic Steroids Derived from Toads.

Cardiotonic steroids (CTS) were first documented by ancient Egyptians more than 3000 years ago. Cardiotonic steroids are a group of steroid hormones that circulate in the blood of amphibians and toads and can also be extracted from natural products such as plants, herbs, and marines. It is well known that cardiotonic steroids reveal effects against congestive heart failure and atrial fibrillation; therefore, the term "cardiotonic" has been coined.

Microbial Degradation, Spectral analysis and Toxicological Assessment of Malachite Green Dye by .

Malachite green (MG) dye is a common environmental pollutant that threatens human health and the integrity of the Earth's ecosystem. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential biodegradation of MG dye by actinomycetes species isolated from planted soil near an industrial water effluent in Cairo, Egypt. The isolate St 45 was selected according to its high efficiency for laccase production.

Synthesis and electrochemical performance of α-AlO and M-AlO spinel nanocomposites in hybrid quantum dot-sensitized solar cells.

The aim of this study is to describe the performance of the aluminum oxide nanoparticle and metal aluminate spinel nanoparticle as photo-anodes in quantum dot photovoltaic. By using a sol-gel auto combustion method, AlO NPs, CoAlO, CuAlO, NiAlO, and ZnAlO were successfully synthesized. The formation of AlO NPs and MAlO (M=Co, Cu, Ni, Zn) nanocomposite was confirmed by using several characteristics such as XRD, UV-Vis, FTIR, FE-SEM, and EDX spectra.

Cardiac autonomic neuropathy linked to left ventricular dysfunction in type 1 diabetic patients.

Unlabelled: Type 1 diabetes is a major cause of cardiovascular death; diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is the most important cause of mortality among diabetic patients. There is an increasing body of evidence that the most important inducer of DCM is microvascular injury. The aim of this study is to establish a potential relationship between low frequency/high frequency (LF/HF) ratio and DCM and to set a possible predictive cutoff of LF:HF ratio for early detection of DCM.

Color stability and surface roughness of ormocer- versus methacrylate-based single shade composite in anterior restoration.

Background: The blending ability of universal shade composites and their stability in the oral environment are of great concern in restoring anterior teeth. This study aims to evaluate and compare the color stability and surface roughness of two single-shade composite restorations, ormocer-based composite (OBC) and methacrylate resin-based composite (RBC), after storing them in different staining media.

Materials And Methods: In this study, two universal shade composite restorative materials were tested: a nanohybrid OBC (Admira fusion X-tra, Voco) and a supra-nanofilled RBC (Omnichroma, Toukyama).

White matter hyperintensity distribution differences in aging and neurodegenerative disease cohorts.

Introduction: White matter hyperintensities (WMHs) are common magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in the aging population in general, as well as in patients with neurodegenerative diseases. They are known to exacerbate the cognitive deficits and worsen the clinical outcomes in the patients. However, it is not well-understood whether there are disease-specific differences in prevalence and distribution of WMHs in different neurodegenerative disorders.

Synthesis of Potential Antiviral Agents for SARS-CoV-2 Using Molecular Hybridization Approach.

We synthesized a set of small molecules using a molecular hybridization approach with good yields. The antiviral properties of the synthesized conjugates against the SAR-CoV-2 virus were investigated and their cytotoxicity was also determined. Among all the synthesized conjugates, compound showed potential against SARS-CoV-2 and low cytotoxicity.

Folic Acid Reinforces Maize Tolerance to Sodic-Alkaline Stress through Modulation of Growth, Biochemical and Molecular Mechanisms.

The mechanism by which folic acid (FA) or its derivatives (folates) mediates plant tolerance to sodic-alkaline stress has not been clarified in previous literature. To apply sodic-alkaline stress, maize seedlings were irrigated with 50 mM of a combined solution (1:1) of sodic-alkaline salts (NaHCO and NaCO; pH 9.7).

Metal-organic frameworks for advanced transducer based gas sensors: review and perspectives.

The development of gas sensing devices to detect environmentally toxic, hazardous, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) has witnessed a surge of immense interest over the past few decades, motivated mainly by the significant progress in technological advancements in the gas sensing field. A great deal of research has been dedicated to developing robust, cost-effective, and miniaturized gas sensing platforms with high efficiency. Compared to conventional metal-oxide based gas sensing materials, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have garnered tremendous attention in a variety of fields, including the gas sensing field, due to their fascinating features such as high adsorption sites for gas molecules, high porosity, tunable morphologies, structural diversities, and ability of room temperature (RT) sensing.