Acute lower respiratory tract infection due to respiratory syncytial virus in a group of Egyptian children under 5 years of age

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background and aim</p> <p>Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the most important causes of acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRTI) in infants and young children. This study was conducted to describe the epidemiology of ALRTI associated with RSV among children ≤ 5 years old in Egypt.</p> <p>Patients and Methods</p> <p>We enrolled 427 children ≤ 5 years old diagnosed with ALRTI attending the outpatient clinic or Emergency Department (ED) of Children Hospital, Cairo University during a one- year period. Nasopharyngeal aspirates were obtained from the patients, kept on ice and processed within 2 hours of collection. Immunoflourescent assay (IFA) for RSV was performed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>91 cases (21.3%) had viral etiology with RSV antigens detected in 70 cases (16.4%). The RSV positive cases were significantly younger than other non-RSV cases (mean age 8.2 months versus 14.2 months, p <0.001). RSV cases had significantly higher respiratory rate in the age group between 2-11 months (mean 58.4 versus 52.7/minute, p < 0.001) and no significant difference in the mean respiratory rate in the age group between 12-59 months. More RSV cases required supplemental oxygen (46% versus 23.5%, p < 0.001) with higher rate of hospitalization (37.1% versus 11.2%, p < 0.001) than the non-RSV cases. 97% of RSV cases occurred in winter season (p < 0.001).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>RSV is the most common viral etiology of ALRTI in children below 5 years of age, especially in young infants below 6 months of age. It is more prevalent in winter and tends to cause severe infection.</p

Internet-based search of randomised trials relevant to mental health originating in the Arab world

BACKGROUND: The internet is becoming a widely used source of accessing medical research through various on-line databases. This instant access to information is of benefit to busy clinicians and service users around the world. The population of the Arab World is comparable to that of the United States, yet it is widely believed to have a greatly contrasting output of randomised controlled trials related to mental health. This study was designed to investigate the existence of such research in the Arab World and also to investigate the availability of this research on-line. METHODS: Survey of findings from three internet-based potential sources of randomised trials originating from the Arab world and relevant to mental health care. RESULTS: A manual search of an Arabic online current contents service identified 3 studies, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PsycINFO searches identified only 1 study, and a manual search of a specifically indexed, study-based mental health database, PsiTri, revealed 27 trials. CONCLUSION: There genuinely seem to be few trials from the Arab world and accessing these on-line was problematic. Replication of some studies that guide psychiatric/psychological practice in the Arab world would seem prudent

Bioactive brominated oxindole alkaloids from the Red Sea sponge Callyspongia siphonella

In the present study, LC-HRESIMS-assisted dereplication along with bioactivity-guided isolation led to targeting two brominated oxindole alkaloids (compounds 1 and 2) which probably play a key role in the previously reported antibacterial, antibiofilm, and cytotoxicity of Callyspongia siphonella crude extracts. Both metabolites showed potent antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus (minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) = 8 and 4 µg/mL) and Bacillus subtilis (MIC = 16 and 4 µg/mL), respectively. Furthermore, they displayed moderate biofilm inhibitory activity in Pseudomonas aeruginosa (49.32% and 41.76% inhibition, respectively), and moderate in vitro antitrypanosomal activity (13.47 and 10.27 µM, respectively). In addition, they revealed a strong cytotoxic effect toward different human cancer cell lines, supposedly through induction of necrosis. This study sheds light on the possible role of these metabolites (compounds 1 and 2) in keeping fouling organisms away from the sponge outer surface, and the possible applications of these defensive molecules in the development of new anti-infective agents

Biallelic variants in SLC38A3 encoding a glutamine transporter cause epileptic encephalopathy

The solute carrier (SLC) superfamily encompasses >400 transmembrane transporters involved in the exchange of amino acids, nutrients, ions, metals, neurotransmitters and metabolites across biological membranes. SLCs are highly expressed in the mammalian brain; defects in nearly 100 unique SLC-encoding genes (OMIM: https://www.omim.org) are associated with rare Mendelian disorders including developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (DEE) and severe neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). Exome sequencing and family-based rare variant analyses on a cohort with NDD identified two siblings with DEE and a shared deleterious homozygous splicing variant in SLC38A3. The gene encodes SNAT3, a sodium-coupled neutral amino acid transporter and a principal transporter of the amino acids asparagine, histidine, and glutamine, the latter being the precursor for the neurotransmitters GABA and glutamate. Additional subjects with a similar DEE phenotype and biallelic predicted-damaging SLC38A3 variants were ascertained through GeneMatcher and collaborations with research and clinical molecular diagnostic laboratories. Untargeted metabolomic analysis was performed to identify novel metabolic biomarkers. Ten individuals from seven unrelated families from six different countries with deleterious biallelic variants in SLC38A3 were identified. Global developmental delay, intellectual disability, hypotonia, and absent speech were common features while microcephaly, epilepsy, and visual impairment were present in the majority. Epilepsy was drug-resistant in half. Metabolomic analysis revealed perturbations of glutamate, histidine, and nitrogen metabolism in plasma, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid of selected subjects, potentially representing biomarkers of disease. Our data support the contention that SLC38A3 is a novel disease gene for DEE and illuminate the likely pathophysiology of the disease as perturbations in glutamine homeostasis

A Shigella boydii bacteriophage which resembles Salmonella phage ViI

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Lytic bacteriophages have been applied successfully to control the growth of various foodborne pathogens. Sequencing of their genomes is considered as an important preliminary step to ensure their safety prior to food applications.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The lytic bacteriophage, ΦSboM-AG3, targets the important foodborne pathogen, <it>Shigella</it>. It is morphologically similar to phage ViI of <it>Salmonella enterica </it>serovar Typhi and a series of phages of <it>Acinetobacter calcoaceticus </it>and <it>Rhizobium meliloti</it>. The complete genome of ΦSboM-AG3 was determined to be 158 kb and was terminally redundant and circularly permuted. Two hundred and sixteen open reading frames (ORFs) were identified and annotated, most of which displayed homology to proteins of <it>Salmonella </it>phage ViI. The genome also included four genes specifying tRNAs.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This is the first time that a Vi-specific phage for <it>Shigella </it>has been described. There is no evidence for the presence of virulence and lysogeny-associated genes. In conclusion, the genome analysis of ΦSboM-AG3 indicates that this phage can be safely used for biocontrol purposes.</p

Genomic, Proteomic and Physiological Characterization of a T5-like Bacteriophage for Control of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli O157:H7

Despite multiple control measures, Escherichia coli O157:H7 (STEC O157:H7) continues to be responsible for many food borne outbreaks in North America and elsewhere. Bacteriophage therapy may prove useful for controlling this pathogen in the host, their environment and food. Bacteriophage vB_EcoS_AKFV33 (AKFV33), a T5-like phage of Siphoviridae lysed common phage types of STEC O157:H7 and not non-O157 E. coli. Moreover, STEC O157:H7 isolated from the same feedlot pen from which the phage was obtained, were highly susceptible to AKFV33. Adsorption rate constant and burst size were estimated to be 9.31×10−9 ml/min and 350 PFU/infected cell, respectively. The genome of AKVF33 was 108,853 bp (38.95% G+C), containing 160 open reading frames (ORFs), 22 tRNA genes and 32 strong promoters recognized by host RNA polymerase. Of 12 ORFs without homologues to T5-like phages, 7 predicted novel proteins while others exhibited low identity (<60%) to proteins in the National Centre for Biotechnology Information database. AKVF33 also lacked the L-shaped tail fiber protein typical of T5, but was predicted to have tail fibers comprised of 2 novel proteins with low identity (37–41%) to tail fibers of E. coli phage phiEco32 of Podoviridae, a putative side tail fiber protein of a prophage from E. coli IAI39 and a conserved domain protein of E. coli MS196-1. The receptor-binding tail protein (pb5) shared an overall identify of 29–72% to that of other T5-like phages, with no region coding for more than 6 amino acids in common. Proteomic analysis identified 4 structural proteins corresponding to the capsid, major tail, tail fiber and pore-forming tail tip (pb2). The genome of AKFV33 lacked regions coding for known virulence factors, integration-related proteins or antibiotic resistance determinants. Phage AKFV33 is a unique, highly lytic STEC O157:H7-specific T5-like phage that may have considerable potential as a pre- and post-harvest biocontrol agent

Rationalization of Water Consumption for Taro Plant through the Rationing of Irrigation and Expand the Plant Ability to Resist Stress Conditions

A field experiments were conducted at Horticulture Research Station,&nbsp;El-Kanater&nbsp;El-Khiria, Horticulture Research Institute, Agriculture Research Centre, Egypt during 2016 and 2017 seasons to investigate the effect of different irrigation water levels i.e.,100, 75 and 50% of the crop evapotranspiration (ETc) and foliar application with some stimulant substances i.e., proline at 150 mgl-1, potassium silicate at 2500 mgl-1 and putrescine at 10 mgl-1 as well as mulching treatments i.e., black polyethylene plastic, rice straw and sawdust mulches individually or in combination of treatments on vegetative growth characteristics, some bioconstituents, total yield and its components of taro plant under drip irrigation system and results interpreted. The results showed that that increasing water stress level from 75% to 50% of Etc decreased gradually all studied growth characteristics of taro plant (plant height, leaves number plant-1, lamina dry weight plant-1 and leaf area (cm2) plant-1 in the two seasons. In addition, increasing irrigation water stress resulted in decreasing of photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a, b and carotenoids) content in taro leaves. Moreover, the&nbsp;increase&nbsp;in&nbsp;water shortage&nbsp;is regularly increased the proline content and antioxidant enzymes activity i.e., superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) in taro leaves compared to the full irrigation level (100% of ETc). Furthermore, different estimated yield characteristics of taro plant i.e., main corm length (cm), main corm diameter (cm), corms number plant-1, corms fresh weight (kg) plant-1, main corm fresh weight (g), corms fresh weight (kg) plot-1, corms fresh yield (ton) fed.-1 and corm dry matter % as well as taro corm bioconstituents of N, P, K, crude protein and starch contents decreased by reducing irrigation water levels. In this respect, water stress level at 50% of ETc recorded the highest reductions in different estimated characteristics compared to 75% of ETc level and unstressed plant (100% of ETc). Regarding, the effect of foliar application with stimulant substances and mulching treatments, proline at 150 mgl-1 followed by potassium silicate at 2500 mgl-1 and putrescine at 10 mgl-1 as well as black polyethylene plastic mulch were the most effective treatments, respectively. As for the effect of interaction, the results showed that all the interactions between irrigation water levels and foliar spray with the stimulant materials as well as mulching treatments increased different estimated traits of taro plant i.e., vegetative growth characteristics, bioconstituents, yield and its components as well as water use efficiency compared to the control. In this respect, foliar spray with proline at 150 mgl-1 was the most superior treatment followed by putrescine at 10 mgl-1 and potassium silicate at 2500 mgl-1 under water stress levels i.e., 75 and 50% of ETc when compared with the untreated plants during 2016 and 2017 seasons. In general, it could be noticed that the applied stimulant substances i.e., proline, putrescine, potassium silicate and black plastic mulch treatments could partially reduce the harmful effects of drought stress on growth, bioconstituents, corms yield and its quality of taro plant

Calorimetric studies of chalcogenide glasses in the system Se-S

Differential scanning calorimetry measurements under non-isothermal conditions were performed on the chalcogenide glasses Se98−x Sx Sn2 (x = 8, 18) and Se77 S20 X3 (X = Sn, Pb). The values of the glass transition temperature and crystallization temperature were found to depend on the heating rate. The activation energy for the glass transition and the activation energy for crystallization were calculated from the heating rate-dependence. The thermal stability and the glass forming tendency were calculated and they were found to have the same trend

Physicochemical studies on sunflower oil blended with cold pressed tiger nut oil during deep frying process

Sunflower oils were blended with different levels of cold pressed tiger nut oil. Blended oils were obtained by mixing tiger nut oil with sunflower oil at the volume ratios of 0:100, 10: 90, 20: 80, 30: 70, 40: 60, 50:50 and 100: 0. The effects of deep frying on physico-chemical parameters (Free Fatty Acid (FFA), Peroxide Value (PV), thiobarbituric acid value (TBA), iodine value, Total Polar Compounds (TPC), color and viscosity) were evaluated over 30 hours of the frying process. The total phenolic content of native oils was determined. GLC analysis was performed to illustrate the fatty acid composition of sunflower oil, tiger nut oil and binary mixtures of them as well as their oxidation rates. The pure and blended oils were heated at 180 °C ± 5 °C, then frozen French fried potatoes were fried every 30 min. Oil samples were taken every 5 h and the entire continuous frying period was 30 h. The results showed that fresh sunflower oil had significantly the highest value of COX (7.25); while tiger nut oil had significantly the lowest (2.24). Mixing sunflower oil with different levels of tiger nut oil led to an increase in its stability against oxidation. The phenolic content of cold pressed tiger nut oil was about 3.3 times as high as that of sunflower oil. The analytical data showed that the lowest deterioration during the frying process occurred in tiger nut oil and the highest in sunflower. The changes in the physico-chemical parameters were controlled and significantly (P &lt; 0.05) decreased when tiger nut /sunflower oil (W/W) proportions were varied between 20/80 to 50/50. The obtained results indicate that mixing sunflower oil with cold pressed tiger nut oil increased the stability and hence improved the quality of sunflower oil during the frying process.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Aceites de girasol se mezclaron con diferentes niveles de aceite de chufa prensado en frío. Se obtuvieron mezclas de aceite de chufa con girasol en las proporciones: 0:100, 10: 90, 20: 80, 30: 70, 40: 60, 50:50 y 100: 0. Se ha evaluado el efecto del proceso sobre los parámetros físico-químicos (ácidos grasos libres (FFA), índice de peróxido (PV), índice de ácido tiobarbitúrico (TBA), índice de yodo, compuestos polares totales (TPC), color y viscosidad) tras 30 horas de fritura. Se determinó también el contenido fenólico total de los aceites originales. Mediante GLC se determinó la composición de ácidos grasos de los aceites de girasol, de chufa y las mezclas binarias de ellos, y se calculó el tipo de alteración. Los aceites originales y sus mezclas se calentaron a 180 °C ± 5 °C, a continuación, se frieron patatas pre-fritas congeladas cada 30 min. Se tomaron muestras de aceite cada 5 horas y el período completo de fritura continua fue de 30 h. Los resultados mostraron que el aceite de girasol original tenía un valor significativamente más alto de COX (7,25), mientras que el aceite de chufa presentó el valor más bajo significativamente (2,24). Las mezclas de aceite de girasol con crecientes niveles de aceite chufa lleva a aumentar la estabilidad frente a la oxidación. El contenido fenólico del aceite de chufa prensado en frío fue 3,3 veces superior que el del aceite de girasol. Los datos analíticos mostraron que el menor deterioro durante el proceso de fritura se produjo en el aceite de chufa y el más alto en el de girasol. Los cambios de los parámetros fisicoquímicos controlados fueron disminuyendo significativamente (P &lt; 0,05) cuando las proporciones chufa / aceite de girasol variaron entre 20/80 y 50/50 (W/W). Los resultados obtenidos indican que el aceite de girasol mezclado con aceite de chufa prensado en frío aumenta la estabilidad y por lo tanto mejora la calidad del aceite de girasol durante el proceso de fritura

Using Biochar and Nanobiochar of Water Hyacinth and Black Tea Waste in Metals Removal from Aqueous Solutions

The treatment of heavy metal-contaminated water is challenging. The use of nanomaterials from many environmental wastes is promising for removing metals and contaminants from aqueous solutions. This study is novel in using nanobiochar of water hyacinth (WH) and black tea waste (TW) as a promising approach to water decontamination owing to its unique properties that play an effective role in metal adsorption. The mono- and multi-adsorption systems of cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), and nickel (Ni) on biochar and nanobiochar of water hyacinths (BWH and NBWH) and black tea waste (BTW and NBTW) were investigated in this study as potential low-cost and environmentally friendly absorbents for the removal of previously mentioned heavy metals (HMs) from aqueous solutions. The WH and TW were collected from the locality, prepared, and kept until used in the experiment. Nanobiochar was prepared by grinding, characterizing, and storing in airtight containers until used. A batch experiment was designed in mono- and competitive systems to study the adsorption equilibrium behavior of HMs on biochar and nanobiochars. The Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm models were fitted to the mono- and competitive-adsorption equilibrium results. The Freundlich isotherm model provided a better fit. Furthermore, it was noticed that NBWH and NBWT efficiently removed the Cd in the mono-system by ≥99.8, especially in the smaller concentration, while NBWT and BTW removed ≥99.8 and 99.7% in the competitive system, respectively. In the mono- and competitive systems, the nanobiochars of NBTW removed more than 98.8 of Cr. The sorbents were less efficient in Ni removal compared to Cd and Cr. However, their effectiveness was very high also. The results revealed that Cd was the highest metal removed by sorbents, nanobiochars were better than biochars to remove the HMs, and the results also indicated that co-occurrence of multi-metals might fully occupy the adsorption sites on biochars and nanobiochars