Interleukin-17A and Interleukin-17F Gene Polymorphisms in Egyptian Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C and Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Objective: Interleukin IL-17A and IL-17F are critical cytokines involved in inflammatory processes. Genetic variations in IL-17A and IL-17F might be linked to chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and an increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a cancer associated with long-term inflammation. This study aims to examine the relationship between specific polymorphisms in IL-17A (rs2275913) and IL-17F (rs763780) and their association with HCV-related HCC in an Egyptian population.

Correction: Design, synthesis, and studies of new quinazolinones tagged thiophene, thienopyrimidine, and thienopyridine scaffolds as antiproliferative agents with potential p38α MAPK kinase inhibitory effects.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1039/D4RA06744D.].

Epidemiological Characteristics and Maternal Risk Factors of Microtia and Aural Atresia in Kazakhstan.

 Microtia and aural atresia present congenital ear anomalies that affect external ear and are associated with conductive hearing loss. Both anomalies result from exposure to various prenatal risk factors, most common during the first trimester of pregnancy.  This study was aimed at epidemiological analysis of microtia/atresia and associated risk factors in the Kazakhstani population.

Performance of 1-year-old camel calves fed a basal ration of alfalfa hay supplemented with different levels of concentrate.

Background: The use of a high-concentrate diet in fattening camels may have significant effects on growth performance and digestion as well as economic returns. This experiment was designed to study the effects of feeding different levels of concentrate in their diet on growth performance and digestion in a desert climate.

Methods: Eighteen 12-month-old male camel calves were used, and divided into three treatments of six each.

Age-threshold for increased risk of developing back disorders: prospective cohort with 74 000 individuals from the UK Biobank.

Objective: To investigate the prospective associations between age and the risk of low back disorders (LBD), dorsal disorders (DD), and cervical disorders (CD), and to identify a potential age-threshold for increased risk of back disorders.

Methods: Prospective cohort from the UK Biobank comprising adults with no history of back disorders. We examined different ages and their association with the risk of back disorders derived from diagnoses of hospital registers.

Emergence of a novel reassortant highly pathogenic avian influenza clade 2.3.4.4b A(H5N2) Virus, 2024.

Reassortant highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N2) clade 2.3.4.

Chronic pain after colorectal cancer treatment: A population-based cross-sectional study.

Aims: With the recently validated tool for estimating chronic pain after colorectal cancer surgery, the aims of this study were to calculate the prevalence and to identify predictive risk factors for chronic pain after colorectal cancer treatment.

Method: Clinical data from colorectal cancer patients treated between 2001 and 2014 were obtained from the Danish Colorectal Cancer Group database. In 2016, all survivors were invited to participate in a national cross-sectional questionnaire study on long-term functional outcomes, including the chronic pain questionnaire.

Lipoic acid improves wound healing through its immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects in a diabetic mouse model.

Objectives: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease that has become more prevalent worldwide because of lifestyle changes. It leads to serious complications, including increased atherosclerosis, protein glycosylation, endothelial dysfunction, and vascular denervation. These complications impair neovascularization and wound healing, resulting in delayed recovery from injuries and an elevated risk of infections.

Retraction: The anti-Alzheimer potential of : an investigation supported by and approaches.

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.1039/D2RA01340A.].

Effect of 8-Oxo-1,-Ethenoadenine Derivatives on the Activity of RNA Polymerases from SARS-CoV-2 and .

Bacterial and viral RNA polymerases are promising targets for the development of new transcription inhibitors. One of the potential blockers of RNA synthesis is 7,8-dihydro-8-oxo-1,-ethenoadenine (oxo-εA), a synthetic compound that combines two adenine modifications: 8-oxoadenine and 1,-ethenoadenine. In this study, we synthesized oxo-εA triphosphate (oxo-εATP) and showed that it could be incorporated by the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase of SARS-CoV-2 into synthesized RNA opposite template residues A and G in the presence of Mn ions.

Chitosan-based Schiff base polymer derived from acetyl triazolyl uracil: Synthesis, characterization, evaluation of antimicrobial and antioxidant activities, and density functional theory calculations.

This work aimed to synthesize a new acetyl triazolyl uracil (UT) compound and subsequently utilize it to obtain a new chitosan-based Schiff base polymer (CH-UT). The new derivative was characterized using elemental analysis, FTIR, HNMR, XRD, TGA, DSC, and SEM analyses. Both UT and CH-UT were evaluated for their antibacterial activities against various Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.

Epidemiologic threats and outcome of evolving COVID-19-associated mucormycosis from a referral hospital in Egypt.

Introduction: The present study aimed to explore the epidemiologic threats and factors associated with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-associated mucormycosis (CAM) epidemic that emerged in Egypt during the second COVID-19 wave. The study also aimed to explore the diagnostic features and the role of surgical interventions of CAM on the outcome of the disease in a central referral hospital.

Methodology: The study included 64 CAM patients from a referral hospital for CAM and a similar number of matched controls from COVID-19 patients who did not develop CAM.

Microwave Surface and Lamb Waves in a Thin Diamond Plate: Experimental and Theoretical Investigation.

Microwave surface and Lamb waves in a multilayered piezoelectric "Al-IDT/(AlSc)N/(001)[110] diamond" structure designed as a SAW resonator were studied using both the experimental and modeling methods. In this structure, it is possible to generate Rayleigh, surface horizontal (SH) and Lamb waves simultaneously. The successful excitation of Lamb waves at operating frequencies up to 20 GHz has been obtained.

Bioactive Fused Pyrazoles Inspired by the Adaptability of 5-Aminopyrazole Derivatives: Recent Review.

Heterocyclic compounds, especially those containing the pyrazole moiety, are highly significant in organic chemistry and possess remarkable and diverse biological properties. The 5-aminopyrazole derivatives are key starting materials for the synthesis of numerous bioactive compounds such as pyrazolopyridine, pyrazolopyrimidine, pyrazoloquinazoline, and pyrazolotriazine derivatives. Many compounds inspired by the 5-aminopyrazole derivatives possess a wide spectrum of biological activities and medicinal applications such as antioxidants, anticancer agents, enzyme inhibitors, antimicrobials, and anti-tuberculosis activities.

Detection of Insulin in Insulin-Deficient Islets of Patients with Type 1 Diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is related to the autoimmune destruction of β-cells, leading to their almost complete absence in patients with longstanding T1D. However, endogenous insulin secretion persists in such patients as evidenced by the measurement of plasma C-peptide. Recently, a low level of insulin has been found in non-β islet cells of patients with longstanding T1D, indicating that other islet cell types may contribute to persistent insulin secretion.

Au Acyclic (Amino)(N-Pyridinium)carbenoids: Synthesis via Addition of 2-PySeCl to Au-Bound Isonitriles, Structures, and Cytotoxicity.

In this study, we report the first example of acyclic (amino)(N-pyridinium)carbenoid gold(III) complexes synthesized via a coupling reaction between 2-pyridylselenyl chloride and Au(I)-bound isonitriles. The reaction involves an initial oxidative addition of the Se-Cl moiety to Au(I), followed by the nucleophilic addition of the pyridine fragment to the isonitrile's C≡N bond, furnishing a metallacycle. Importantly, this is the first example of the pyridine acting as a nucleophile towards metal-bound isonitriles.

Antibacterial and Antifungal Activities of Linear and Cyclic Peptides Containing Arginine, Tryptophan, and Diphenylalanine.

We have previously reported peptides composed of sequential arginine (R) residues paired with tryptophan (W) or 3,3-diphenyl-L-alanine residues (Dip), such as cyclic peptides [RW] and [R(Dip)], as antibacterial agents. Herein, we report antibacterial and antifungal activities of five linear peptides, namely ((DipR)(WR)), ((DipR)(WR)), ((DipR)(WR)), ((DipR)(WR)), and (DipR)R, and five cyclic peptides [(DipR)(WR)], [(DipR)(WR)], [(DipR)(WR)], [(DipR)(WR)], and [DipR], containing alternate positively charged R and hydrophobic W and Dip residues against fungal, Gram-positive, and Gram-negative bacterial pathogens. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of all peptides were determined by the micro-broth dilution method against , , , , , , , , and .

The role of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inflammatory markers in the progress of Alport syndrome in Egyptian children.

Background: Chronic inflammation and its control are crucial to the responses of glomerular and renal tubular cells. This contributes to the pathogenic mechanisms and advancement of the disease in Alport syndrome. The study aimed to elucidate the role of cyclooxygenase-2, Interleukin 4, Plasminogen activating inhibitor 1, and Prostaglandin E2 in the development and course of Alport syndrome.

Prevalence and molecular characterization of Ascaridia galli in chickens from Minoufiya Governorate, Egypt.

Ascaridia galli causes weight loss, emaciation, anemia, decreased egg production, and sometimes, intestinal obstruction and death in birds, leading to economic losses in the poultry industry. This research aimed to record the occurrence of A. galli in free-range chickens at farmers' houses in three villages in Ashmoun City, Minoufiya Governorate, Egypt.

Phytochemical investigation, role in wound healing process and cytotoxicity of Sphagneticola trilobata: In vitro, in vivo and in silico approach.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Sphagneticola trilobata was traditionally used to alleviate wounds using topical plant preparations. The precise mechanism of the plant responsible for its wound healing effect are still unclear. Although the plant was reported to be cytotoxic, there is a lack of reported data regarding its cytotoxic impact on skin cancer.

Therapeutic potential of siRNA PMP22-SQ nanoparticles for Charcot-Marie-Tooth 1A neuropathy in rodents and non-human primates.

Small interfering RNA (siRNA) has shown promising results for the treatment of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease 1A (CMT1A) caused by overexpression of peripheral myelin protein (PMP22), leading to myelin dysfunction and axonal damage. Recently, we developed siRNA PMP22-squalene (SQ) nanoparticles (NPs) for intravenous use. Three consecutive injections of siRNA PMP22-SQ NPs at a cumulative dose of 1.

Secondary metabolites of Alternaria alternate appraisal of their SARS-CoV-2 inhibitory and anti-inflammatory potentials.

This study identifies the secondary metabolites from Alternaria alternate and evaluates their ACE-2: Spike RBD (SARS-CoV-2) inhibitory activity confirmed via immunoblotting in human lung microvascular endothelial cells. In addition, their in vitro anti-inflammatory potential was assessed using a cell-based assay in LPS-treated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells.

Multiple Gene Deletion Mutants of Equine Herpesvirus 1 Exhibit Strong Protective Efficacy Against Wild Virus Challenge in a Murine Model.

Background: Equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV1) is a ubiquitous viral pathogen infecting the equine population worldwide. EHV1 infection causes respiratory illness, abortion, neonatal foal mortality, and myeloencephalopathy. The currently available modified live EHV1 vaccines have safety and efficacy limitations.

Designing and Fabrication of Nano-Hydroxyapatite and Curcumin-Loaded Chitosan/PVA Nanofibrous Mats for Potential Use as Wound Dressing Biomaterials.

Chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol nanofibrous mats loaded with nano-hydroxyapatite and/or curcumin are successfully fabricated by the electrospinning method for the first time. Nano-hydroxyapatite is prepared by the co-precipitation method. The XRD pattern of calcined powder at 700 °C for 2 h reveals the presence of hydroxyapatite as a sole phase.

Realization of Intermolecular Interactions as a Basis for Controlling Pervaporation Properties of Membranes Made of Aromatic Polyamide-Imides.

New aromatic co-polyamide-imides (coPAIs) containing both carboxyl and hydroxyl groups in the repeating units were synthesized for the first time. Transport, thermal and morphological properties of dense nonporous membranes from PAIs obtained using the diacid chloride of 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-1,3-dioxoisoindoline-5-carboxylic acid and diamines 5,5'-methylene-bis (2-aminophenol)) and 3,5-Diaminobenzoic acid, taken in molar ratios of 7:3, 1:1, and 3:7, have been studied. High levels of membrane permeability accompanied by high selectivity for mixtures of liquids with significantly different polarities were determined by realization of intra- and intermolecular interactions in polymer, which was proved by thermal analyses and hydrodynamic characteristics of coPAIs.