The KCNB2 gene and its role in neurodevelopmental disorders: Implications for genetics and therapeutic advances.

Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are increasingly linked to genetic mutations that disrupt key neuronal processes. The KCNB2 gene encodes a crucial component of voltage-gated potassium channels, essential for regulating neuronal excitability and synaptic transmission. Mutations in KCNB2 typically alter potassium channel inactivation, leading to various NDDs, including autism spectrum disorders (ASD), intellectual disabilities (ID), and epilepsy.

Accumulation of microcystin toxin in irrigation water and alfalfa (Medicago sativa) forage plant, and assessing the potential risk to animal health.

Microcystin (MC) toxin produced by cyanobacteria has become a significant concern for societies worldwide. The risk of MC in drinking water has been assessed to human health. Nonetheless, its risk to animal health has not been thoroughly evaluated.

Biodegradation of the cyanobacterial toxin anatoxin-a by a Bacillus subtilis strain isolated from a eutrophic lake in Saudi Arabia.

Anatoxin-a (ATX-a) is a neurotoxin produced by some species of cyanobacteria. Due to its water solubility and stability in natural water, it could pose health risks to human, animals, and plants. Conventional water treatment techniques are not only insufficient for the removal of ATX-a, but they also result in cell lysis and toxin release.

Microcystin levels in irrigation water and field-vegetable plants, and food safety risk assessment: A case study from Egypt.

Microcystin (MC), a hepatotoxin that is harmful to human health, has frequently increased in freshwaters worldwide due to the increase in toxic cyanobacterial blooms. Despite many studies reported the human exposure to MC through drinking water, the potential transfer of this toxin to human via consumption of vegetables grown on farmlands that are naturally irrigated with contaminated water has not been largely investigated. Therefore, this study investigates the presence of MC in irrigation water and its potential accumulation in commonly consumed vegetables from Egyptian farmlands.

Mistreatment of nurses by patients and its impact on their caring behaviors: The roles of psychological detachment and supervisor positive gossip.

Background: Mistreatment by patients is a detrimental phenomenon predominant in healthcare organizations. However, there is a lack of nursing literature regarding the underlying mechanisms and boundary conditions that exist between mistreatment by patients and its detrimental consequences.

Aim: By integrating the Job Demands-Resources Model and the Conservation of Resources Theory, the study aimed to unveil the mediating role of psychological detachment from work in the relationship between mistreatment by patients and nurses' caring behaviors, as well as the moderating effect of supervisor positive gossip.

Comparison of the efficacy of parent-mediated NDBIs on developmental skills in children with ASD and fidelity in parents: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Background: Recently, studies on behavioral interventions for autism have gained popularity. Naturalistic Developmental Behavior Interventions (NDBIs) are among the most effective, evidence-based, and widely used behavior interventions for autism. However, no research has been conducted on which of the several NDBI methods is most effective for parents and children with autism spectrum disorders.

Presence of the neurotoxin β-N-methylamino-L-alanine in irrigation water and accumulation in cereal grains with human exposure risk.

The present study demonstrates the presence of the neurotoxin β-N-methylamino-L-alanine and its cyanobacterial producers in irrigation water and grains of some cereal plants from farmlands irrigated with Nile River water in Egypt. BMAA detected by LC-MS/MS in phytoplankton samples was found at higher concentrations of free form (0.84-11.

Evaluating the Effect of TeamSTEPPS on Teamwork Perceptions and Patient Safety Culture among Newly Graduated Nurses.

Background: Quality healthcare delivery is contingent upon effective teamwork and a patient safety-focused culture. TeamSTEPPS offers an evidence-based framework that enhances these competencies. However, the impact of TeamSTEPPS on newly graduated nurses, who undergo a significant transitional phase, has yet to be comprehensively explored.

Altered intra- and inter-network brain functional connectivity associated with prolonged screen time in pre-school children with autism spectrum disorder.

Prolonged screen time (ST) has adverse effects on autistic characteristics and language development. However, the mechanisms underlying the effects of prolonged ST on the neurodevelopment of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) remain unclear. Neuroimaging technology may help to further explain the role of prolonged ST in individuals with ASD.

Performance evaluation of seeds aqueous extract for removing and microcystins from municipal treated-water.

Toxic microcystins (MCs) produced by cyanoprokaryotes -particularly by the cosmopolitan cyanobacterium - pose adverse effects on aquatic organisms and their ecosystem and may also cause serious impacts on human health. These harmful monocyclic heptapeptides are the most prevalent cyanotoxins reported in freshwaters and must be eliminated for avoiding MCs release in receiving water bodies. Hence, this work aimed to test the efficacy of seeds water-based extract (MO) as a natural coagulant for removing cyanobacteria (especially ), microalgae, and its associated MCs from pre-treated municipal wastewaters.

Efficacy of differential reinforcement of other behaviors therapy for tic disorder: a meta-analysis.

Introduction: Recently, studies on behavioral tic suppression techniques have gained popularity as opposed to pharmacological alternatives that often have potentially dangerous side effects. Differential Reinforcement of Other Behaviors therapy (DRO) is one such behavioral technique whose efficacy in tic suppression has been experimentally demonstrated albeit in studies with very few patients, and lacking statistical power. Here, we conducted a meta-analysis of these studies to improve their overall power and explore whether DRO intervention is really effective for tic suppression.

Linking abusive supervision to service sabotage through work alienation in nurses: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Abusive supervision has detrimental effects on nurses, but the mechanisms connecting abusive supervision to negative outcomes for nurses have not been well-established in the nursing literature.

Aim: This study aimed to investigate whether work alienation mediates the relationship between abusive supervision and nurses' service sabotage.

Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from November to December 2021 with 204 nurses working at a teaching hospital in Damanhour, Egypt.

Pediatric infection with the Omicron variant increases the risks of febrile seizures among COVID-19 infected children.

Background: The Omicron variant of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is less likely to cause severe disease in children than the other variants but has become an increasing cause of febrile seizures (FS) among children. In this case-control study, we aimed to examine the risk factors associated with FS in children infected with the COVID-19 Omicron variant and related treatment modalities.

Methods: This retrospective case-control study includes 113 subjects infected with the COVID-19 Omicron variant, grouped into 45 cases (those with FS) and 68 controls (those without FS).

Adenylate kinase 2 is a biomarker related to the prognosis of glioma and the immune microenvironment.

Background: Among the brain and the other central nervous system, gliomas are the most prevalent malignant primary tumors. Adenylate kinase 2 (AK2) is generally thought to be crucial for energy metabolism and signal transduction. Several disorders are correlated with its aberrant expression.

Serum hypomagnesemia is associated with febrile seizures in young children.

Background: Febrile seizures (FS) frequently manifest in children below 5 years of age. Although the exact etiology is still unknown, genetic predisposition, changes in neurotransmitter levels, and serum electrolyte imbalance are some of the known risk factors. This study examined the possible association between serum magnesium levels in children with FS compared to febrile children without seizures.

Biotransformation and detoxification of saxitoxin by Bacillus flexus in batch experiments.

Saxitoxins (STXs) are carbamate alkaloid neurotoxins produced by some species of cyanobacteria. They are water soluble and relatively stable in the natural environment, and thereby represent a risk to animal and human health through a long-time exposure. STXs cannot be sufficiently removed by conventional water treatment methods.

Effect of humble leadership on proactive work behaviour: The mediating role of psychological empowerment among nurses.

Aim: This study was designed to determine the effect of humble leadership on nurses' proactive behaviours at work through psychological empowerment.

Background: Nurse leaders' humility has a profound effect on enhancing nurses' proactive work behaviour; yet, the mechanism underlying this pattern of effect remains unknown.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in all nine Universal Health Insurance hospitals in Port Said, Egypt.

The link between microcystin levels in groundwater and surface Nile water, and assessing their potential risk to human health.

Although groundwater is an important source for drinking and irrigation water worldwide, particularly in arid countries, they have been paid little attention to their contamination with microcystins (MCs) compared to surface water. Our study is the fourth one reporting existence of MCs in groundwater due to surface-water and groundwater interaction. Dissolved MCs in groundwater were found with higher concentrations in summer (0.

Fungal biodegradation and removal of cyanobacteria and microcystins: potential applications and research needs.

Harmful cyanobacterial blooms (HCB) have severe impacts on marine and freshwater systems worldwide. They cause oxygen depletion and produce potent cyanotoxins that have detrimental effects on human and environmental health and deteriorate the water quality. Biological treatment of the water for control of cyanobacterial blooms and removal of cyanotoxins can be a more economical and environment-friendly way, as they do not result in production of undesirable by-products.

Thermostable Cellulase Biosynthesis from and its Utilization in Lactic Acid Production by Simultaneous Saccharification and Fermentation.

Cellulosic date palm wastes may have beneficial biotechnological applications for eco-friendly utilization. This study reports the isolation of thermophilic cellulase-producing bacteria and their application in lactic acid production using date palm leaves. The promising isolate was identified as by 16S rRNA gene sequencing.

Erratum to "Thermostable cellulase biosynthesis from and its utilization in lactic acid production by simultaneous saccharification and fermentation".

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1515/biol-2020-0019.].

Impacts of Microcystins on Morphological and Physiological Parameters of Agricultural Plants: A Review.

Cyanobacteria are a group of photosynthetic prokaryotes that pose a great concern in the aquatic environments related to contamination and poisoning of wild life and humans. Some species of cyanobacteria produce potent toxins such as microcystins (MCs), which are extremely aggressive to several organisms, including animals and humans. In order to protect human health and prevent human exposure to this type of organisms and toxins, regulatory limits for MCs in drinking water have been established in most countries.

Growth inhibition of Microcystis aeruginosa and adsorption of microcystin toxin by the yeast Aureobasidium pullulans, with no effect on microalgae.

This study evaluates the inhibitory effect of a yeast strain, Aureobasidium pullulans KKUY0701, isolated from decayed cyanobacterial bloom against harmful cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa and determines the ability of this strain to remove microcystin (MC) toxin from the water. The antialgal activity of this yeast strain was assayed by co-cultivation with M. aeruginosa, diatom, and green algal species.