COVIR: A virtual rendering of a novel NN architecture O-Net for COVID-19 Ct-scan automatic lung lesions segmentation.

With the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) spread, causing a world pandemic, and recently, the virus new variants continue to appear, making the situation more challenging and threatening, the visual assessment and quantification by expert radiologists have become costly and error-prone. Hence, there is a need to propose a model to predict the COVID-19 cases at the earliest possible to control the disease spread. In order to assist the medical professionals and reduce workload and the time the COVID-19 diagnosis cycle takes, this paper proposes a novel neural network architecture termed as O-Net to automatically segment chest Computerised Tomography Ct-scans infected by COVID-19 with optimised computing power and memory occupation.

Bacillus sp.: A Remarkable Source of Bioactive Lipopeptides.

Surfactin, one of the best lipopeptide surfactants, was first isolated from Bacillus sp. in 1969. Since then, Bacillus sp.

Plasma secretome analyses identify IL-8 and nitrites as predictors of poor prognosis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients.

Predicting tumor recurrence and death in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) remains to date challenging. We here analyzed the plasmatic secretomes of NPC untreated and relapsing patients, and explored possible correlations with the clinical and pathological features and survival characteristics of the corresponding patient cohorts, with the aim of identifying novel prognostic biomarkers. This study included 27 controls, 45 untreated NPC and 11 relapsed patients.

Therapeutic Outcome of Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidative Medicines on the Dermonecrotic Activity of Cerastes cerastes Venom.

Envenomation by Cerastes cerastes often results in local dermonecrotic lesions. While immunotherapy is effective in reversing systemic symptoms, this strategy remains deficient in counteracting the extended dermonecrosis induced from the bite site. In this study, the therapeutic effect of pharmacological drugs on the dermonecrotic activity of the venom was investigated.

Dual-layer collimator for improved spatial resolution in SPECT with CZT camera: an analytical and Monte Carlo study.

Current hole matching pixel detector (HMPD) collimators for SPECT imaging exist in two configurations: one hole per pixel (1HMPD) or four holes per pixel (4HMPD). The aim of this study was to assess the performance of a dual-layer collimator made by stacking up these two collimator types (1H/4HMDP) for low- and medium energy gamma emitters..

Germline mutations of the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene in Algerian familial adenomatous polyposis cohort: first report.

Background: Familial adenomatous polyposis (known also as classical or severe FAP) is a rare autosomal dominant colorectal cancer predisposition syndrome, characterized by the presence of hundreds to thousands of adenomatous polyps in the colon and rectum from an early age. In the absence of prophylactic surgery, colorectal cancer (CRC) is the inevitable consequence of FAP. The vast majority of FAP is caused by germline mutations in the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) tumor suppressor gene (5q21).

Re-analyzing the SARS-CoV-2 series using an extended integer-valued time series models: A situational assessment of the COVID-19 in Mauritius.

This paper proposes some high-ordered integer-valued auto-regressive time series process of order p (INAR(p)) with Zero-Inflated and Poisson-mixtures innovation distributions, wherein the predictor functions in these mentioned distributions allow for covariate specification, in particular, time-dependent covariates. The proposed time series structures are tested suitable to model the SARs-CoV-2 series in Mauritius which demonstrates excess zeros and hence significant over-dispersion with non-stationary trend. In addition, the INAR models allow the assessment of possible causes of COVID-19 in Mauritius.

High-fat/high-carbohydrate-diet short- and middle-term effects on gerbil adrenal zona fasciculata histology.

The adrenals synthesize many hormones involved in the regulation and maintenance of homeostasis. To understand the pathophysiological changes during the development of obesity, a histological study of the adrenal was performed in gerbils receiving a high-fat/high-carbohydrate-diet (HFC) for 8 or 12 weeks. Compared to the controls, the HFC diet increased body weight.

Assessment of Boron Diffusivities in Nickel Borides by Two Mathematical Approaches.

In the work of this contribution, two kinetics models have been employed to assess the boron diffusivities in nickel borides in case of Inconel 718 alloy. The first approach, named the alternative diffusion model (ADM), used the modified version of mass conservation equations for a three-phase system whilst the second one employed the mean diffusion coefficient (MDC) method. The boron diffusivities in nickel borides were firstly evaluated in the interval of 1123 to 1223 K for an upper boron concentration of 11.

Monte Carlo study of organ doses and related risk for cancer in Algeria from scattered neutrons in prostate treatment involving 3D-CRT.

The present study aimed to evaluate organ doses and related risk for cancer from scattered neutrons involving 3D Conformational Radiotherapy (3D-CRT) for patients with prostate cancer in Algeria based on Monte Carlo technique and to estimate the secondary cancer risks. To this purpose, a detailed geometric Monte Carlo (MC) modeling of the LINAC Varian 2100C combined with a computational whole-body phantom was carried out. The neutron equivalent doses were calculated in-field and out-of field of patient's organs using the phase-space method.

Hepatic inflammation and liver fibrogenesis: A potential target for the treatment of cystic echinococcosis-associated hepatic injury.

To investigate the effect of cystic echinococcosis (CE) on liver damage, we developed a secondary experimental echinococcosis in Swiss mice by intraperitoneal inoculation of viable protoscoleces. Mice were randomly allocated into three groups: Ctrl group, PBS group, and CE group. Mice were euthanized and associated indications were investigated to evaluate inflammatory and fibrotic responses in liver.

Optimization of citric acid production by using two downgraded Algerian date varieties.

In the present work, the GHARS and the MECH DEGLA downgraded date varieties were used in a fermentation medium in order to produce citric acid by the . The biochemical characteristics of the dates were investigated, along with the chemical and physical characteristics of the solutions of both samples. The analyzed parameters included the moisture and sugar content, the ash residual, the pH values, and the electrical conductivity.

Endocrine, energy, and lipid status during parturition and early lactation in indigenous goats native to the Algerian Sahara.

Background And Aim: Goats are widely distributed in southwest Algeria. The Saharan goat is perfectly adapted to the harsh conditions of arid areas, and it is characterized by resistance to long photoperiod and reduced metabolic needs, allowing the survival of its offspring by maintaining lactation. Several studies have demonstrated that parturition and lactation are critical periods that induce hormone, energy, and lipid status changes in mammals.

WITHDRAWN: Distribution of the Novel RFRP-3/receptors system in the epididymis of the seasonal desert rodent, Gerbillus tarabuli, during sexual activity.

This article has been withdrawn at the request of the author(s) and/or editor. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. The full Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal can be found at: https://www.

Vasopressin and oxytocin expression in hypothalamic supraoptic nucleus and plasma electrolytes changes in water-deprived male .

In mammals, plasmatic osmolality needs to be stable, and it is highly related to the hydric state of the animals which depends on the activity of the hypothalamic neurohypophysial system and more particularly by vasopressin secretion. Meriones, a desert rodent, can survive even without drinking for more than one month. The mechanism(s) by which they survive under these conditions remains poorly understood.

Quorum quenching and anti-biofilm activities of halotolerant Bacillus strains isolated in different environments in Algeria.

Aims: The current study aimed to screen Bacillus strains with wide-spectrum quorum quenching (QQ) activity against N-acyl-l-homoserine lactones (AHLs), helpful in controlling virulence traits in Gram-negatives, including biofilm formation and also with anti-biofilm activity against Gram-positives.

Methods And Results: A total of 94 halotolerant strains of Bacillus isolated from soil and salt-lake sediment samples in Algeria were examined for the presence of QQ activity against AHLs, the presence of the aiiA gene, encoding an AHL lactonase enzyme typical of Bacillus spp., antimicrobial and anti-biofilm activities against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Streptococcus mutans.

Evaluation of the biogas potential of a lignocellulosic residue.

Anaerobic digestion (AD) or methanization is a biological process that allows the treatment of organic wastes and the production of renewable energy as biogas. This research describes assessment and optimization of dates pedicels rich in organic components under the conditions of mesophiles in co-digestion in association with the cattle manure and sludge of the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). To realize this objectives, we investigated the impact of substrate load (date pedicel) on the co-digestion anaerobic of date pedicels and the sludge in wastewater treatment plants.

Effects of temperature and relative humidity on the COVID-19 pandemic in different climates: a study across some regions in Algeria (North Africa).

After more than a year from the first confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) disease, the role of meteorological factors in the transmission of the virus still needs to be correctly determined. In this scenario of deep uncertainty, the present study aims to investigate the effects of temperature and relative humidity on daily new cases of COVID-19. For this purpose, the COVID-19's development of infection in fourteen Algerian cities characterized by different climatic conditions, during the period from April 1, 2020, to August 31, 2020, has been investigated.

Aluminum dispersed bamboo activated carbon production for effective removal of Ciprofloxacin hydrochloride antibiotics: Optimization and mechanism study.

The central composite rotatable design (CCD) of response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize aluminum dispersed bamboo activated carbon preparation. The independent variables selected for optimization are activating agent (AlCl) concentration (mol/L), activation temperature (°C), and activation time (min.).

Prevalence Of Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria Isolated From Burn Wounds In Algeria.

We conducted a thirty-four-month retrospective study in the Burns Center from June 2015 to 30 April 2018. A total of 1585 burn wound swabs were taken from 258 admitted patients, of both sex and average age from 2 to 84 years old. Out of the 1585 burn wound swabs, 79.

Application of BiZnO Sillenite as an Efficient Photocatalyst for Wastewater Treatment: Removal of Both Organic and Inorganic Compounds.

This work aims to synthesize and characterize a material that can be used as an effective catalyst for photocatalytic application to remove both organic and inorganic compounds from wastewater. In this context, sillenite BiZnO (BZO) in a pure phase was synthesized using the sol-gel method. Before calcination, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis was done to determine the temperature of the formation of the sillenite phase, which was found to be 800 °C.

Growth Kinetics and Some Mechanical Properties of Plasma Paste Borided Layers Produced on Nimonic 80A-Alloy.

Plasma paste boriding was employed in order to produce the boride layers on Nimonic 80A-alloy. The process was carried out at temperatures of 1023 K, 1073 K and 1123 K for 3, 4 and 6 h in a gas mixture of 50% H-50% Ar. Borax paste was used as a boron source.

Dietary Diversity as a Risk Factor for Obesity in Algerian Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Although the incidence of "diabesity" (coexistence of type 2 diabetes and obesity) is alarmingly increasing in Algeria, the diet-diabesity link has not been well defined. This study aimed to explore the association between dietary diversity score (DDS) and obesity among Algerian type 2 diabetic patients. It was a cross-sectional observational study involving 390 type 2 diabetic patients.

Impact of Acquisition Protocols on Accuracy of Dose Calculation Based on XVI Cone Beam Computed Tomography.

Purpose: The objective of this work is to study the impact of acquisition protocols on the accuracy of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT)-based dose calculation and to determinate its limits from image characteristics such as image quality, Hounsfield numbers consistency, and restrictive sizes of volume acquisition, compared to the CT imaging for the different anatomy localizations: head and neck (H&N), thorax, and pelvis.

Materials And Methods: In this work, we used a routine on-board imaging CBCT of the XVI system (Elekta, Stockholm, Sweden). Dosimetric calculations performed on CT images require the knowledge of the Hounsfield unit-relative electron density (HU-ReD) calibration curve, which is determined for each imaging technology and must be adapted to the imaging acquisition parameters (filter/field of view).