Biological control of Phlebotomus papatasi larvae by using entomopathogenic nematodes and its symbiotic bacterial toxins.

The sand fly Phlebotomus papatasi is an important disease-bearing vector. Five entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) - Steinernema carpocapsae DD136, Steinernema sp. (SII), S.

Validity and Reliability of Interactive Virtual Reality in Assessing the Musculoskeletal System: a Systematic Review.

Purpose Of Review: Assessment of the musculoskeletal system requires consideration of its integrated function with the nervous system. This may be assisted by using valid and reliable methods that simulate real-life situations. Interactive virtual reality (VR) technology may introduce various auditory and visual inputs that mimic real-life scenarios.

Protective effect of thymoquinone against lung intoxication induced by malathion inhalation.

Malathion is considered one of the vastest pesticides use all over the world. Malathion-inhalation toxicity commonly occurred in many occupational farmers. Therefore, this study aimed to ameliorate the possible malathion-induced pulmonary toxicity through thymoquinone administration.

Association of Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) 4G/5G Polymorphism and Susceptibility to SLE in Egyptian Children and Adolescents: A Multicenter Study.

Background: Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) is a key molecule residing at the nexus between thrombosis and inflammatory processes. Recently, PAI-1 and its gene expression have emerged as a potential candidate for autoimmune disorders such as SLE.

Objective: To investigate whether the PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphism at position -675 could be a genetic marker for susceptibility to childhood-onset SLE and development of lupus nephritis among Egyptian children and adolescents.

Deep learning model for classification and bioactivity prediction of essential oil-producing plants from Egypt.

Reliance on deep learning techniques has become an important trend in several science domains including biological science, due to its proven efficiency in manipulating big data that are often characterized by their non-linear processes and complicated relationships. In this study, Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) has been recruited, as one of the deep learning techniques, to be used in classifying and predicting the biological activities of the essential oil-producing plant/s through their chemical compositions. The model is established based on the available chemical composition's information of a set of endemic Egyptian plants and their biological activities.

An analytical study of the factors that influence COVID-19 spread.

The outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to constitute an international public health emergency. Seasonality is a long-recognized attribute of many viral infections of humans. Nevertheless, the relationship between environmental factors and the spread of infection, particularly for person-to-person communicable diseases, remains poorly understood.

The NAFLD-MAFLD debate: Eminence vs evidence.

Debates are inevitable in science and could be a powerful tool for addressing controversial topics as it promotes critical thinking and inspires individuals to consider alternate viewpoints. However, debates can help only to identify the issues that need to be clarified to address this question, but it can never help resolve the controversy itself. In the era of evidence-based medicine, the need for an evidence-based debate is mandatory.

Improving management of hospitalised patients with COVID-19: algorithms and tools for implementation and measurement.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic represents an unprecedented challenge to healthcare systems and nations across the world. Particularly challenging are the lack of agreed-upon management guidelines and variations in practice. Our hospital is a large, secondary-care government hospital in Kuwait, which has increased its capacity by approximately 28% to manage the care of patients with COVID-19.

Correction to: Rapid guide to the management of cardiac patients during the COVID-19 pandemic in Egypt: "a position statement of the Egyptian Society of Cardiology".

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.

Presentation, management, and outcomes of STEMI in Egypt: results from the European Society of Cardiology Registry on ST elevation myocardial infarction.

Background: Apart from few small single-center studies, there are limited data about STEMI patients in Egypt. Nineteen Egyptian centers (with and without PCI facilities) participated in this registry with 1356 patients who were compared to 7420 patients from other ESC countries. The aims of this study were to describe the characteristics of patients with STEMI, to assess STEMI management patterns particularly the current use of reperfusion therapies, to evaluate the organization of STEMI networks across Egypt, to evaluate in-hospital patient outcome, and to compare Egyptian patients with other ESC countries.

Disparities of demographics, clinical characteristics, and hospital outcomes of AMI pilgrims vs non-pilgrims-tertiary center experience.

Background: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is usually caused by rupture of an atherosclerotic plaque leading to thrombotic occlusion of a coronary artery. Cardiovascular disease has recently emerged as the leading cause of death during hajj. Our aim is to demonstrate the AMI pilgrim's related disparities and comparing them to non-pilgrim patients.

Rapid guide to the management of cardiac patients during the COVID-19 pandemic in Egypt: "a position statement of the Egyptian Society of Cardiology".

COVID-19 pandemic poses an enormous challenge to healthcare system in Egypt. This document is a position statement from the Egyptian Society of Cardiology. It aims to provide information to cardiovascular healthcare providers in Egypt to guarantee delivery of quality patient care and ensure adequate levels of protection against infection during the COVID-19 pandemic.

One-Step Synthesis of Polypyrrole-Coated Gold Nanoparticles for Use as a Photothermally Active Nano-System.

Objective: This paper introduces a simple one-step and ultra-fast method for synthesis of highly photothermally active polypyrrole-coated gold nanoparticles. The synthesis process is so simple that the reaction is very fast without the need for any additives or complicated steps.

Methodology: Polypyrrole-coated gold nanoparticles (AuPpy NPs) were synthesized by reacting chloroauric acid (HAuCl) with pyrrole (monomer) in aqueous medium at room temperature.

Combined Mini-Parasep SF and Nanogold Immunoassay Show Potential in Stool Antigen Immunodetection for Giardiasis Diagnosis.

Covalent loading or directional binding of biomolecules on gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) could lead to better results than simple direct adsorption for an enhanced ELISA application. The use of Mini-Parasep solvent-free (SF) without ether or ethyl acetate for the clean and efficient concentration of protozoa cysts, it is a single-use device for in vitro diagnostic use only. In this work, we used Mini-Parasep SF for the detection of giardia cysts in comparison to direct smear and Merthiolate-Iodine Formaldehyde Concentration (MIFC) technique in addition to its use in antigen detection by AuNPs biomolecule loading using rabbit polyclonal antibodies (pAb) against purified Giardia antigen (PGA).

Submacular perfluorocarbon liquid: long-term follow-up.

Purpose: To report the long-term follow-up of patients with inadvertent retained submacular perfluorocarbon liquid (PFCL) bubbles after vitrectomy surgery.

Background: PFCL has unique chemical and physical features which facilitate displacement of subretinal fluid from central toward periphery allowing intraoperative reattachment of the mobile retina and manipulation of the anterior part of the detached retina without performing drainage retinotomy. Despite these advantages, PFCL droplets may be inadvertently retained in the submacular space.

Triclosan treatment to pregnant albino rats affects offspring numbers and the liver of both the pregnant rats and their offspring, and these effects are ameliorated by co-treatment with bee honey.

We have assessed the effects of the broad-spectrum bactericide triclosan on the liver of pregnant albino rats and their offspring, and evaluated the protective potential of bee honey, which has radical-scavenging properties. The study involved treatment of 72 pregnant rats followed by examination of the pregnant rats and their offspring. The pregnant rats were divided equally into six groups (I-VI), each of which was subdivided equally into two Subgroups (A and B).

Hepatoprotective action of papain-hydrolyzed buffalo milk protein on carbon tetrachloride oxidative stressed albino rats.

Buffalo skim milk retentate was hydrolyzed with papain for 4 h (enzyme:substrate, 1:200), resulting in a retentate hydrolysate (RH) with a degree of hydrolysis of 23%. We then investigated the potential hepatoprotective activity of RH at 250 and 500 mg/kg of body weight per day on carbon tetrachloride (CCl)-induced oxidative stress in albino rats. Liver biomarkers (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and lactate dehydrogenase), kidney biomarkers (urea, creatinine), and serum lipid profile (total lipids and triglycerides) were measured, in addition to histopathological status.

Merits of Different Ventricular Lead Locations on Left Ventricular Myocardial Strain and Dyssynchrony in Patients with Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy.

Background: The idea behind cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is to pace both ventricles resulting in a synchronized electro-mechanical coupling of the left ventricle (LV), meaning every effort should be made to improve the percentage of CRT responders.

Objectives: This study aimed at demonstrating the short-term effect of right ventricular apical (RVA) and mid-septal (RVS) lead locations combined with different LV lead positions on LV myocardial strain, dyssynchrony, and clinical outcomes.

Methods: We examined 60 patients with indication for CRT before and after 6 months of implantation for clinical outcome and CRT response (6-min walk test [6MWT], NYHA class, decrease in left ventricular end systolic volume [LVESV] by >15%), dyssynchrony, and myocardial strain.

Serum Vitamin D Levels in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients Before and During Treatment.

Background & Aims: Hepatitis B is a potentially life-threatening liver infection and it is a major global health problem. Over the past decade, numerous studies have reported that patients with CLD, especially HCV-positive and HBV-positive patients, have decreased 25(OH) D levels. The current study was designed to assess the serum levels of vitamin D [25(OH) D3] in chronic hepatitis B patients, before and during treatment with antiviral therapy.

Left ventricular function outcome after coronary artery bypass grafting, King Abdullah Medical City (KAMC)- single-center experience.

Background: Coronary artery bypass grafting is known to be associated with better outcome in ischemic heart disease patients with low ejection fraction. We aim to demonstrate the effect of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) on left ventricle (LV) systolic function and to identify the predictors that adversely lead to postoperative poor outcome.

Result: This is a cross-sectional prospective study; we included 110 patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 50% who underwent CABG with a mean age of 56.

Meteorological factors affecting the risk of transmission of HPAI in Miyazaki, Japan.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks engender a severe economic impact on the poultry industry and public health. Migratory waterfowl are considered the natural hosts of HPAI virus, and HPAI viruses are known to be transmitted over long distances during seasonal bird migration. Bird migration is greatly affected by the weather.

Liver stiffness measurements and FIB-4 are predictors of response to sofosbuvir-based treatment regimens in 7256 chronic HCV patients.

: To assess the role of baseline liver stiffness (LS) by Transient elastography (TE) and FIB-4 in the prediction of virological response to sofosbuvir - based regimens in chronic HCV patients.: A retrospective, multicenter study including 7256 chronic HCV patients who received different sofosbuvir-based regimens. Baseline demographic and laboratory data were recorded.

The Egyptian health map: a guide for evidence-based decisionmaking.

Background: The Egyptian health system is characterized by the multiple entities in charge of service regulation, financing and provision. Moreover, health outcomes in Egypt mirror epidemiologic transition; increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and persistent high levels of selected communicable diseases (CDs) place a huge financial burden on the health system's limited resources. This together with financial inefficiencies aggravate inequality in health services coverage and health outcomes.