Levels of Salivary IFN-gamma, TNF-Alfa, and TNF Receptor-2 As Prognostic Markers in (Erosive) Oral Lichen Planus

To explore the feasibility of detecting salivary levels of IFN-γ, TNF-α, and sTNFR-2 from erosive oral lichen planus (ELP) patients for clinical application, 20 ELP patients were enrolled in the study as were 20 age-sex-matched controls. From all subjects, saliva level of the tested biomarkers was determined by ELISA. Salivary profiles were assessed in ELP patients by ELISA after being treated with prednisone. A significantly higher level of IFN-γ (P ≤ .01), TNF-α (P ≤ .0001), and sTNFR-2 (P ≤ .01) was detected in ELP patients before treatment than in controls. Following treatment, the salivary levels of IFN-γ (P ≤ .01), TNF-α (P ≤ .05), and sTNFR-2 (P ≤ .01) decreased significantly when compared to their pretreatment levels. This study demonstrated that salivary IFN-γ, TNF-α, and sTNFR-2 can be detectable in ELP patients and decreased significantly after treatment with prednisone, which may reveal the possibility of using these disease-related biomarkers in diagnosis and monitoring

Prediction of Modulus of Rupture from Modulus of Elasticity for Some Egyptian Hardwoods

The MOE and MOR of 112 air-dry small, clear specimens (2 x 2 x 30 cm) of six species of hardwoods grown in Egypt were determined. Simple linear regression analysis revealed that MOR is highly correlated with MOE of Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Khaya senegalensis, Tamarix articulata and Casuarina spp. However, the "r" values for Jacaranda ovalifolia and Melia azedarach were not significant. In addition, covariance analysis showed that the six regressions equations have different slopes and Y-intercepts and therefore cannot be grouped. The only grouping was that between the regression lines of the first three species mentiones above.Introducing specific gravity in the regression equation did not result in improving the correlation coefficients, except in the case of Casuarina spp. Using specific gravity alone for predicting the MOR was found to be unreliable due to the relatively low "r" values obtained for the species except in the case of Casuarina spp

Biofortification of staple crops to eliminate human malnutrition: contributions and potential in developing countries

Micronutrient malnutrition is a global health challenge affecting almost half of the global population, causing poor physical and mental development of children and a wide range of illnesses. It is most prevalent in young girls, women, and pre-school children who are suffering particularly from the low consumption of vitamins and micronutrients. Given this global challenge, biofortification has proven to be a promising and economical approach to increase the concentration of essential micronutrients in edible portions of staple crops. Produce quality and micronutrient content can be further enhanced with the use of micronutrient fertilizers. Especially developing countries with a high percentage of malnourished populations are attracted to this integrated biofortification, combining modern agronomic interventions and genetic improvement of food crops. Consequently, maize, rice, wheat, beans, pearl millet, sweet potato, and cassava have all been biofortified with increased concentrations of Fe, Zn, or provitamin A in various developing countries. Today, there are several large-scale success stories in Africa and Asia that support the research and development of biofortified crops. In this review, we summarized what has been achieved to date and how edible crops can be further improved by integrating agronomic and genetic strategies to upgrade the nutritional status of children and adults around the world

Efficacy of fertilizing method for different potash sources in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) nutrition under arid climatic conditions

Precise choice of potassium (K) source and application method does matter for its cost-effectiveness. This study was aimed to evaluate the best source and method of K fertilizer application to improve cotton productivity and profitability under an arid climate. Three different K sources (KNO3, K2SO4 and KCl) were applied at 100 kg ha-1 by four methods, i.e. a) basal application, b) side dressing, c) fertigation and d) foliar application of 2% K2SO4. The highest productivity and profitability were recorded with K2SO4 applied as foliar application. Total boll weight per plant was similar in foliar applied K2SO4 and basal application of KNO3. Better boll opening in foliar applied K2SO4, perhaps, played decisive role for increased seed-cotton yield. For basal application and side dressing, KNO3 produced the highest seed-cotton yield, but the benefit cost ratio was better for foliar applied K2SO4. In crux, foliar application of K2SO4 might be opted to improve the seed cotton yield, fiber quality and net returns under the arid climate. However, soil K application through K2SO4 and/or KNO3 is essential to balance the K removal from soil

Study of the effect of HFE gene mutations on iron overload in Egyptian thalassemia patients

Background: HFE gene mutations have been shown to be responsible for hereditaryhemochromatosis. Their effect on iron load in β-thalassemia patients and carriers remains controversial.Objectives: We aimed to determine the prevalence of HFE gene mutations (C282Y and H63D) in β-thalassemia patients and carriers and to investigate its effect on their serum ferritin levels.Patients and methods: A total of 100 β-thalassemia subjects; 75 patients and 25 carriers were screened for HFE gene mutations by PCR-RFLP. Serum ferritin measured by ELISA was evaluated in relation to HFE mutations.Results: Twenty-eight β-thalassemia patients (37.3%) were heterozygotes for H63D mutation (H/D), 8 (10.7%) were D/D and 39 (52%) were negative (H/H). Among carriers, 4 (16%) were D/D and 21 (84%) were H/H homozygotes. C282Y mutant allele was not detected in any of the subjects. Serum ferritin levels were significantly higher in β-thalassemia patients heterozygotes or homozygotes for H63D mutation compared to those without mutation (p= 0.000). Carriers homozygotes for H63D mutation showed significantly higher serum ferritin levels compared to those without mutation (p< 0.001).Conclusion: Homozygosity for H63D mutation tends to be associated with higher ferritin levels in beta-thalassemia patients and carriers suggesting its modulating effect on iron load in these cases

Constrained Probabilistic Continuous Review Inventory System with Mixture Shortage and Stochastic Lead Time Demand

This paper derives the probabilistic continuous review backorders and lost sales inventory system when the order cost is a function of the order quantity. Our objective is to minimize the expected annual total cost under a restriction on the expected annual holding cost when the lead time demand follows some continuous distributions by using the Lagrangian method. Some published special cases are deduced and an illustrative numerical example with some graphs is added

INCREASED URINARY 8-OXO-7,8-DIHYDRO-2′-DEOXYGUANOSINE EXCRETION IN A SAMPLE OF EGYPTIAN CHILDREN WITH BETA THALASSEMIA MAJOR: MARKER FOR LIPID PEROXIDATION-INDUCED DNA DAMAGE

Objective: The objective of this research was to evaluate oxidative stress status in children with β-thalassemia major.Methods: Our study was conducted in children with β-thalassemia aged from 5 to 15 years. Investigate the urinary excretion of human 8-oxo-7,8- dihydro-2′-deoxyguanosine, which will be analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. To investigate serum levels of antioxidant enzymes include glutathione s-transferase (GST) and catalase (CAT).Results: We found a significant elevation of the urinary 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2′-deoxyguanosine level with p=0.001 compared to control group, a significant reduction of both GST and CAT p=0.05 and 0.03, respectively, compared to control group. There was a significant negative correlation between urinary 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2′-deoxyguanisine and CAT level, r=−0.378, p=0.016, hemoglobin - r=−0.610, p=0.001, hematocrit (%) - r=−0.478, p=0.002, while a significant positive correlation between urinary 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2′-deoxyguanisine and alanine aminotransferase - r=0.547, p=0.001, and serum ferritin - r=0.391, p=0.013. There was a significant negative correlation between CAT and serum ferritin - r=−0.320, p=0.44.Conclusion: We conclude that the strongly increased urinary excretion 8-oxo-7,8=dihydro-2′-deoxyguanisine indicates elevated lipid peroxidation induced DNA damage in internal organs such as the liver. These highly pro mutagenic lesions may contribute to the increased risk of thalassemia patients to develop hepatocellular carcinoma

Ehrlichia chaffeensis tandem repeat proteins and Ank200 are type1 secretion system substrates related to the repeats-in-toxin exoprotein family

Plant science

EFFECT OF NITROGEN AND POTASSIUM FERTILIZATION ON YIELD AND FRUIT QUALITY OF MANGO KEITT CV. TREES GROWN UNDER OPEN FIELD AND SHADING CONDITIONS

This study was carried out during three successive seasons of 2010/2011, 2011/2012 and 2012/2013 in a private orchard at 76 km Cairo, Alex. Desert road  to investigate the effect of nitrogen and potassium fertilization treatments and shading with white net on yield, and fruit quality of three-years-old mango (Mangifica indica L.) cv. Keitt grafted on sucary seedling rootstocks planted at 2.5×2.5 meters apart grown in sandy soil under drip irrigation system with wells water .This experiment included nine treatments of fertilization: T1= N 80+ K2O 80 Kg/Fed., T2= N 80+ K2O 100 Kg/Fed., T3= N 100+ K2O 80 Kg/Fed., T4= N 100+ K2O 100 Kg/Fed., T5= N 120+ K2O 80 Kg/Fed., T6= N 120+ K2O 100 Kg/Fed.,T7= N 150+ K2O 80 Kg/Fed., T8= N 150+ K2O 100 Kg/Fed. and control (T9) = N 133+ K2O 90 Kg/Fed.. The results cleared that mango Keitt cv. trees grown under white net shading condition significantly increased yield (kg)/ tree, number of fruit set/ panicle, fruit weight, TSS and ascorbic acid content. Trees supplied with 150 Kg/Fed. nitrogen + 100 Kg/Fed. potassium exhibited the highest yield (kg)/tree, number of fruit set/panicle and  fruit weight under shade . Moreover, the best fruit peel color was achieved with trees received 100 kg/feddan of nitrogen +100 kg/feddan of potassium and grown under screenhouse conditions during the three studied seasons. The higher significant value of acidity and TSS were recorded in trees supplied by 120 units of nitrogen + 100 units of potassium during first and third season. Whereas, the control treatment attained a maximum ascorbic acid content