Mucormycosis related knowledge among a sample of the general population in Egypt

In the fight against COVID-19, the mass usage of broad-spectrum antibiotics and steroids may result in the development or worsening of a pre-existing fungal disease. The researchers conducted the current study among a sample of the general population in Egypt to assess their mucormycosis-related knowledge. The current work was an exploratory cross-sectional study performed via an online survey. The investigators conducted a convenience sampling by looking for large-networked groups on Facebook; 473 completed the questionnaire. It included: socio-demographics, 28 knowledge questions addressing definition, risk factors, modes of transmission, symptoms, and prevention of mucormycosis, and sources of knowledge. The median total knowledge percent score was 58 (9-38). The least median percent score was 25 (0-83) for prevention knowledge. The comparison between knowledge percent score and participants' demographics showed no statistically significant difference. However, the participants working in the medical field had a higher median knowledge percent score, with a p-value <0.05. The major sources of information were cited as being the internet and social media. Despite being educated, and most of the enrolled individuals were university graduates, most participants had insufficient mucormycotic knowledge. This emphasizes the importance of conducting mucormycosis awareness campaigns for the public

Forensic dissection of lip print as an investigative tool in a mixed Egyptian population

Background: Identification is a major problem facing forensic practitioners, DNA and finger prints are highly useful but sometimes aren’t easily collected from the crime scene. Lip print could be useful in this field being unique to each individual.Aim: The current study aimed at detecting the frequency and gender relation of lip print pattern in an Egyptian sample.Methodology: Samples were collected on white copy paper, divided into four quadrants then examined with magnifying lens for pattern distribution.Results: The study showed that pattern IV was the most frequently represented pattern in the study sample, pattern I & II were more prevalent in males and females respectively. Prevalent pattern in Cairo and Lower Egypt was I while it was IV in Upper Egypt.Conclusion: The lip print pattern can differ due to gender and geographical origin in Egyptian subjects.Keywords: Lip print, Egypt, Gender, Geographical distribution, Identification, Anthropology. Gender differenc

An inverted virtual faculty development program for remote teaching: pilot for replication

Background: Due to the COVID 19 pandemic, all the universities worldwide are experiencing a paradigm shift to online learning. Baby boomers and Generation X need to cope with the challenging transformation, so an emerging need for a faculty development program was needed towards achieving the goal of that transformation. Objectives: To describe and assess an inverted virtual faculty development program (VFDP) that was designed and implemented for the first time in the school to equip educators with the necessary technology competencies for remote online learning. Methods: An interventional prospective study held in a university setting post need analysis conduction to prioritize the required technological skills for faculty members. The program was designed to integrate five essential skills needed to by faculty members to teach remotely. The intervention comprised attending five virtual sessions after watching a pre-distributed material, then evaluated using the Kirkpatrick model.Results: Almost 81% of faculty members completed the program and 80 % of participants were satisfied with the content of the program. There was a statistically significant difference between the perceived ability of the participants to share and record video lectures before and after the VFDP (p value <0.001). The percentage of the departments that applied the program components showed that 96% of them were able to record lectures. In addition, 80% of them were able to develop online quizzes. Conclusion: The inverted virtual faculty development program (VFDP) has supported the participating faculty in developing their needed technological competencies required to bridge the gap of remote teaching/learning

Study a Structural Behavior of Eccentrically Loaded GFRP Reinforced Columns Made of Geopolymer Concrete

This study investigated a modern composite material, which is a short geopolymer concrete column (GPCC) reinforced by GFRP bars. The structural performances of GPCC subjected to eccentric load were studied and compared to the normal strength concrete column (NSCC) reinforced by steel bars. In this study, the primary experimental parameters were the reinforcement bars types, load eccentricity, and concrete types. Seven short columns were tested: three normal strength concrete columns reinforced by steel bars, three geopolymer concrete columns reinforced by GFRP bars and one normal strength concrete column without reinforcement. The model dimensions chosen in the present study was a square section of 130×130 mm and a total height of 850 mm. It was shown that the steel bars contribute about 16.47% of column capacity under concentric load. Comparing with the normal strength concrete column, a geopolymer concrete column reinforced by GFRP bars showed a little increase in ultimate load (5.17%) under concentric load. Under the load eccentricity of 130 mm, a geopolymer concrete column reinforced by GFRP bars showed a significant increase in the ultimate load (69.37%). Under large eccentricity, a geopolymer concrete column reinforced by GFRP bars has an outstanding effect on the columns' ultimate load capacity. Also, the sine form can be utilized for GPCC to find the lateral deflection along with the column high at different load values up to the failure

Synthesis of new hybrid quinazoline compounds as antiproliferative agents for breast and colon cancer treatment

Purpose: To evaluate newly synthesized fuoryl quinazoline derivatives for antitumor efficacy.Methods: Fuoryl quinazoline derivatives were synthesized and the structures of the synthesized compounds were characterized using standard techniques. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) technique was used to assess the anti-proliferative properties of the synthesized derivatives in vitro.Results: All quinazoline compounds displayed cytotoxic activity against breast and colon cancer cell lines to varying degrees. Compound IXa with acetohydrazide moiety was the most effective on MCF7 and HCT116 cell lines, with half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 16.70 and 12.54 μM, respectively.Conclusion: N'-benzylidene-2-((2-(furan-2-yl) quinazolin-4-yl) oxy) acetohydrazide IXa showed the strongest anti-proliferative activity against MCF-7 and HCT116 human cancer cell lines

Improved bioavailability of timolol maleate via transdermal transfersomal gel: Statistical optimization, characterization, and pharmacokinetic assessment

AbstractTimolol maleate (TiM), a nonselective β-adrenergic blocker, is a potent highly effective agent for management of hypertension. The drug suffers from extensive first pass effect, resulting in a reduction of oral bioavailability (F%) to 50% and a short elimination half-life of 4h; parameters necessitating its frequent administration. The current study was therefore, designed to formulate and optimize the transfersomal TiM gel for transdermal delivery. TiM loaded transfersomal gel was optimized using two 23 full factorial designs; where the effects of egg phosphatidyl choline (PC): surfactant (SAA) molar ratio, solvent volumetric ratio, and the drug amount were evaluated. The formulation variables; including particle size, drug entrapment efficiency (%EE), and release rate were characterized. The optimized transfersomal gel was prepared with 4.65:1 PC:SAA molar ratio, 3:1 solvent volumetric ratio, and 13mg drug amount with particle size of 2.722μm, %EE of 39.96%, and a release rate of 134.49μg/cm2/h. The permeation rate of the optimized formulation through the rat skin was excellent (151.53μg/cm2/h) and showed four times increase in relative bioavailability with prolonged plasma profile up to 72h compared with oral aqueous solution. In conclusion, a potential transfersomal transdermal system was successfully developed and the factorial design was found to be a smart tool, when optimized

Evaluation of Podocalyxin level in pre-eclampsia with severe features' patients: a cross-sectional study

Background: This study aims to evaluate the level of podocalyxin (PCX) in preeclampsia with severe features patients and correlate it with the results of laboratory tests.Methods: The current study was a cross-sectional study conducted in Assiut Women Health Hospital between April and October 2018.  The study included 60 patients divided into two groups; Group (A): 30 patients diagnosed to have preeclampsia with severe features and Group (B): 30 patients as normal control group. Complete laboratory investigations with measurements of the PCX level was performed for all study participants.Results: No statistically significant difference between the study group and control group according to blood urea (p= 0.339) and serum creatinine (p= 0.801).There was statistically significant difference between the study group and control group according to PCX level (p= 0.001); the mean PCX was 3340.0 ± 2394.6 in the study group versus 1083.5±1400.2 in the control group. Univariate analysis revealed podocalyxin was not correlated with clinical data or laboratory investigations.Conclusions: Podocalyxin levels were significantly elevated in preeclampsia

On Hardy-Hilbert-type inequalities with α-fractional derivatives

In the current manuscript, new alpha delta dynamic Hardy-Hilbert inequalities on time scales are discussed. These inequalities combine and expand a number of continuous inequalities and their corresponding discrete analogues in the literature. We shall illustrate our results using Hölder's inequality on time scales and a few algebraic inequalities

Constructed wetland for sustainable and low-cost wastewater treatment: review article

There is a growing need for more sustainable wastewater treatment technologies to provide non-conventional water sources. Constructed Wetland systems (CW) are viewed as a low-cost treatment technology with proven treatment efficiency. CWS can treat a variety of contaminants using low energy and natural systems by altering various design parameters. There are two configuration types of constructed wetlands: vertical (VF) and horizontal flow CW (HF). Both configurations have been widely adopted in both large and pilot scale studies with proven records of reasonable wastewater treatment efficiency. The current article reviews the recent development of CW technology and highlights the main achievements and successful applications for wastewater treatment at various locations. The review has indicated that a considerable removal efficiency is attained while using engineered CW systems with variable treatment rates for various pollutants. The treatment efficiency is a function of various parameters including wastewater type, scale dimensions, applied plant and the retention time. The review compared the treatment efficiency for both VF and HF and has revealed that various removal rates of BOD, COD, TSS, TN, TP and NH₄ was attained using both configurations. Yet, the removal efficiency in the case of VF was slightly higher compared with the HF with an average treatment level of 77% and 68% was achieved in both systems, respectively. The review revealed that the CW is an effective and sustainable technology for wastewater treatment with the initial influent level, microbial biofilm, detention time, plant species and configuration among the most dominating parameters that are directly controlling the removal rates