Publications by authors named "Zakaria Mohamed"

There is merit in investigating novel therapeutic molecules that hit vital targets during the viral infection cycle disrupting the interaction between SARS-CoV-2's spike glycoprotein and the host's angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor, potentially offering new avenues for treatment. Accordingly, lipid-based vesicular systems like liposomes or niosomes are frequently utilized to overcome these hurdles. Thus, chemically synthesized compounds were encapsulated within PEGylated bilosomes (PBs) to improve their solubility and intestinal permeability, thereby enhancing their anti-SARS-CoV-2 effectiveness.

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Article Synopsis
  • Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) have been increasingly connected to genetic mutations, particularly in the KCNB2 gene, which plays a vital role in neuronal function.
  • Mutations in KCNB2 disrupt potassium channel inactivation, leading to conditions such as autism spectrum disorders, intellectual disabilities, and epilepsy.
  • The review highlights the need for further research addressing the molecular mechanisms of KCNB2, its cognitive effects, and potential treatments, including pharmacological approaches and gene therapy.
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In this paper, we examine the filamentous cyanobacterial strain NILCB16 and describe it as a new species within the genus . The original population was sampled from a mat growing in an irrigation canal in the Nile River, Egypt. Initially classified under or the strain is a potential producer of the toxins microcystin and β-N-Methylamino-L-Alanine (BMAA).

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Article Synopsis
  • - This text refers to a correction made to an article previously published with the DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1329431, indicating that some information or data was amended.
  • - The correction aims to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the research findings presented in the original article.
  • - Readers should refer to this correction for updated and corrected details related to the study discussed in the article.
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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.

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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.

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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.

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Article Synopsis
  • - Lipid-based vectors, especially cationic lipids, have emerged as promising alternatives to traditional therapies for serious diseases like cancer, demonstrating potential through increasing clinical trials for gene therapy using lipoplexes.
  • - Although lipid-based vectors have lower transfection efficiency compared to viral vectors, they offer advantages such as reduced toxicity, lower immune response, targeted delivery, and ease of large-scale production.
  • - Researchers are exploring key factors that affect the effectiveness of lipoplex delivery, such as structure and stability, to improve customized formulations for more effective gene therapies.
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Diabetic nephropathy represents one of the main long-term complications in T2DM patients. Cigarette smoking represents one of modifiable renal risk factors to kidney damage due to lead (Pb) exposure in these patients. Our goal is to investigate serum copeptin and Kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) and urinary lead (UPb) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients even smokers and non-smokers groups and compared to corresponding health controls and assess its associations with Angiotensin-Converting enzyme Insertion/Deletion polymorphism [ACE (I/D)] polymorphism in diabetic nephropathy progression in those patients.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Background: Natural killer (NK) cells are important components of adaptive and innate immune responses. NK cell subsets have different functions and may play a role in vascular disorders. This study aimed to evaluate the proportions of NK cells and their subsets to determine whether they can be used as markers of venous thrombosis and to identify whether there was a link between NK cell proportion and citrullinated histone (H3) levels.

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The evolution of a safe and effective therapeutic system to conquer SAR-CoV-2 infection deemed to be a crucial worldwide demand. Curcumin (CUR) is a phytomedicinal polyphenolic drug that exhibited a well-reported anti-SAR-CoV-2. However, the therapeutic activity of CUR is hindered by its poor intestinal permeability and diminished aqueous solubility.

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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).

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Background: One of the major issues affecting global health is Diabetes mellitus (DM), not only in terms of the disease itself but also its complications. Macrovascular complications are both common and serious, affecting many patients. This study aimed to assess fasting C-peptide levels and correlate them with the severity of the peripheral arterial disease complicating type 2 DM (T2DM).

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This review highlights the largely understudied behavior of gliding locomotion, which is exhibited by a diverse range of animals spanning vertebrates and invertebrates, in air and in water. The insights in the literature gained from January 2022 to December 2022 continue to challenge the previously held notion of gliding as a relatively simple form of locomotion. Using advances in field/lab data collection and computation, the highlighted studies cover gliding in animals including seabirds, flying lizards, flying snakes, geckos, dragonflies, damselflies, and dolphins.

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Antibiotic-resistant bacteria represent a serious public health threat. For that reason, the development of new and effective antibiotics to control pathogens has become necessary. The current study aims to search for new microorganisms expressing antibiotic production capacity.

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The incidences of antimicrobial resistance in particular, Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) have increased during the last two decades. However, conventional dosage forms are unable to evade the barrier effect of the stratum corneum to permit deep penetration of the skin to resolve deep skin infections. There is, therefore, an urgent need for an advanced drug delivery system.

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Aims/introduction: Peripheral artery disease (PAD) serves as a risk factor for diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). PAD pathology involves atherosclerosis and impaired immunity. Non-classical monocytes are believed to have an anti-inflammatory role.

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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.

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