Green methodologies in organic synthesis: Microwave assisted solvent- and catalyst-free synthesis of enaminones and their conversion into 1,3,5-trisubstituted benzenes as well as 3-aroyl-6-substituted pyridines

Enaminones were obtained in good yields via condensing methyl ketones with (N,N-dimethylformamide dimethyl acetal) DMF-DMA under microwave irradiation in absence of solvent. These enaminones were readily converted into 1,3,5-trisubstituted benzenes. Reacting enaminones in presence of ammonium acetate has afforded pyridine derivatives

Energy Production from Sewage Sludge in a Proposed Wastewater Treatment Plant

The implemented technologies for sewage sludge processing are still very limited in Egypt. Unfortunately, dealing with the produced sludge is mainly given to the drying process through natural drying beds neglecting quality of the dried sludge. The undertaken work is devoted to provide a design proposal for a typical wastewater treatment plant suitable for the small communities on a very limited area of land compared to that required to construct the conventional treatment plant that serves the same population. The proposed sewage treatment plant is certainly beneficial in reducing the capital costs by 26%, in addition to about 20% reduction in the running costs. On the other hand, electricity generated from energy produced by anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge reduces the electrical power requirements from the main grid network to about 27% in the proposed wastewater treatment plant

Arylazoazines and arylazoazoles as interesting disperse dyes: Recent developments with emphasis on our contribution laboratory outcomes

In this review, we report a survey on the synthesis and application of arylazoazines and arylazoazoles as versatile disperse dyes. Recent reports on the synthesis of arylazonicotinates via condensing arylhydrazonals with active methylene nitriles in acetic acid in presence of ammonium acetate is surveyed. The scope and limitations of this synthetic approach which in some cases afford pyridazinones or arylazonicotinates is defined. Microwave assisted as well as ultra sound assisted synthesis of arylazopyridones as established marketed dyes is also surveyed. Conversion of these arylazopyridones into arylazothienopyridones that can de converted into arylazoisoquinoline derivatives is discussed. Synthesis of arylazopyrazoles and pyrazolopyrimidines via microwave or ultra sound is discussed. The utility of the synthesized compounds as well as antimicrobial disperse dyes and efforts to define their potentialities are also covered

Investigating the Main Factors of Neighbourhood Morphology Affecting Social Cohesion: SEM-PLS Analysis Approach

In a particular geographic location, a collection of individuals who share the same services and a certain amount of social cohesion is referred to as a neighbourhood. This research was conducted to present a model that examines several hypotheses regarding the impact of neighbourhood morphology and its main factors on the social cohesion of a neighbourhood and its subdimensions. To assess the extent of each factor of neighbourhood morphology affecting social cohesion and its subdimensions, a mixed research approach was followed. A structured questionnaire survey was undertaken on a random sample of residents of two neighbourhoods in New Borg Al-Arab City in Egypt with the involvement of 193 participants. After performing a measurement model analysis on the gathered information, the data were then subjected to a structural model analysis using Smart PLS 3.2.6. Internal consistency reliability, convergent validity, and discriminant validity are evaluated during the assessment of reflective measurement models in PLS-SEM. After proving the reliability and validity of the measurement models, the structural model is evaluated including examining the model's prediction ability and the links between its constructs. Regarding the main hypothesis, we concluded that neighbourhood morphology significantly affects social cohesion. Moreover, the subdimensions of neighbourhood morphology affect the subdimensions of social cohesion resulting in 22 hypotheses

Urban Morphology vs. Social Cohesion: a Study of Two Neighbourhoods in New Borg Al-Arab City, Egypt

Physically and socially, cities are tied together through neighbourhoods that make up their urban fabric. This research hypothesizes that the levels of Social Cohesion in a specific neighbourhood will differ based on the Neighbourhood’s Physical Characteristics. This aspect is crucial for politicians responsible for new urban communities in Egypt. The main contribution of this research is to propose and test a model for comparing the levels of Social cohesion in various neighbourhoods. This is done through mixed research methods ranging from a qualitative stage including the literature review of the main neighbourhood design characteristics and social cohesion domains to a quantitative stage including statistical analysis for two neighbourhoods in New Borg Al-Arab City that differ from each other in their Morphological pattern. The data collected from the questionnaire were analyzed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS V26). Regarding the investigation of the main variables, this research concluded that there are significant differences in neighbourhood morphology between the two neighbourhoods, while there were no significant differences in social cohesion between the two neighbourhoods. And this result differs when investigating the subdimensions of the model, where there are significant differences in the levels of some of the subdimensions of Social Cohesion between the two neighbourhoods

Mechanical Ventilation: Relationship Between Body Mass Index and Selected Patients’ Outcomes at a University Hospital in Cairo

Background: Mechanical ventilation is a life-saving management approach for critically ill patients. However, it has certain negative consequences which may affect patients' outcomes. Among factors that could adversely influence the prognosis of these patients is the body mass index (BMI). Aim of the study: to investigate the relationship between BMI and selected outcomes of critically ill mechanically ventilated patients. Research Design: A descriptive correlational research design was utilized Research questions: a) what is the BMI profile of mechanically ventilated patients admitted to critical care units over a period of six months? b) What is the relationship between body mass index and frequency of organ dysfunction, length of ICU stay, weaning from mechanical ventilation, and the mortality rate among adult critically ill mechanically ventilated patients? Setting: different intensive care units of a university hospital in Cairo. Sample: A purposive sample of 30 critically ill patients connected to mechanical ventilators for at least 72 hours. Tools of data collection: Three tools were utilized to collect data pertinent to the current study: tool 1: patients’ demographic and medical data, tool 2: BURNS Wean Assessment Program (BWAP) checklist, tool 3: Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA score) tool. Results: More than three quarters (77%) of the studied sample were males, and more than one quarter (26.7 %) were in the age group of 18-28 and 40-50 years old respectively, with a mean age of 39.766 ± 13.51. Two thirds (66.7%) of the studied sample had normal BMI. No significant statistical relationship was found between BMI and ICU length of stay and mortality rate among the studied sample, (X2= 11.31, P value < 0.79), (X2 = 0.15, P value < 0.928) respectively. No significant statistical relationship was found between BMI and the weaning trials from mechanical ventilation (X2= 0.15, P value < 0.928). No significant statistical relationship was found between BMI and the occurrence of organ dysfunction (X2 = 2.54, P value < 0.637). Conclusion: BMI in the current study was not found to have relationship to weaning from MV, length of ICU stay, occurrence of organ failure, and mortality rate. Recommendations: Nutritional status of critically ill mechanically ventilated patients must be considered in their management; meticulous nutritional assessment must be done for all critically ill mechanically ventilated patients to enable in monitoring their progress and outcomes; development of a comprehensive assessment tool that facilitates inspection and early detection of problems/complications among mechanically ventilated patients' documentation system must include patients' nutritional assessment data such as anthropometric measurements (height, weight) to facilitate calculation of BMI. Keywords: Mechanical ventilation, body mass index, organ dysfunction, length of ICU stay, weaning from mechanical ventilation, mortality rat

1,2,3-Triazolyl-tetrahydropyrimidine conjugates as potential Sterol Carrier Protein-2 Inhibitors: Larvicidal activity against the Malaria Vector Anopheles arabiensis and In Silico Molecular Docking Study

Alteration of insect growth regulators by the action of inhibitors is becoming an attractive strategy to combat disease-transmitting insects. In the present study, we investigated the larvicidal effect of 1,2,3-triazolyl-pyrimidinone derivatives against the larvae of the mosquito Anopheles arabiensis, a vector of malaria. All compounds demonstrated insecticidal activity against mosquito larvae in a dose-dependent fashion. A preliminary study of the structure–activity relationship indicated that the electron-withdrawing substituent in the para position of the 4-phenyl-pyrimidinone moiety enhanced the molecules’ potency. A docking study of these derivatives revealed favorable binding affinity for the sterol carrier protein-2 receptor, a protein present in the intestine of the mosquito larvae. Being effective insecticides against the malaria-transmitting Anopheles arabiensis, 1,2,3-triazole-based pyrimidinones represent a starting point to develop novel inhibitors of insect growth regulators.Fil: Venugopala, Katharigatta N.. Durban University Of Technology; Sudáfrica. King Faisal University; Arabia SauditaFil: Shinu, Pottathil. King Faisal University; Arabia SauditaFil: Tratrat, Christophe. King Faisal University; Arabia SauditaFil: Deb, Pran Kishore. Philadelphia University Jordan; JordaniaFil: Gleiser, Raquel M.. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinar de Biología Vegetal (P). Grupo Vinculado Centro de Relevamiento y Evaluación de Recursos Agrícolas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Chandrashekharappa, Sandeep. National Institute Of Pharmaceutical Education And Research, Raebareli; IndiaFil: Chopra, Deepak. Indian Institute Of Science Education And Research Bhopal; IndiaFil: Attimarad, Mahesh. King Faisal University; Arabia SauditaFil: Nair, Anroop B.. King Faisal University; Arabia SauditaFil: Sreeharsha, Nagaraja. Vidya Siri College Of Pharmacy; India. King Faisal University; Arabia SauditaFil: Mahomoodally, Fawzi M.. University Of Mauritius; MauricioFil: Haroun, Michelyne. King Faisal University; Arabia SauditaFil: Kandeel, Mahmoud. Faculty Of Veteinary Medicine; Egipto. King Faisal University; Arabia SauditaFil: Asdaq, Syed Mohammed Basheeruddin. Almaarefa University; Arabia SauditaFil: Mohanlall, Viresh. Durban University Of Technology; SudáfricaFil: Al-Shari, Nizar A.. Jordan University Of Science And Technology; JordaniaFil: Morsy, Mohamed A.. King Faisal University; Arabia Saudita. Faculty Of Medicine; Egipt

Characterizing the morbid genome of ciliopathies

Background Ciliopathies are clinically diverse disorders of the primary cilium. Remarkable progress has been made in understanding the molecular basis of these genetically heterogeneous conditions; however, our knowledge of their morbid genome, pleiotropy, and variable expressivity remains incomplete. Results We applied genomic approaches on a large patient cohort of 371 affected individuals from 265 families, with phenotypes that span the entire ciliopathy spectrum. Likely causal mutations in previously described ciliopathy genes were identified in 85% (225/265) of the families, adding 32 novel alleles. Consistent with a fully penetrant model for these genes, we found no significant difference in their “mutation load” beyond the causal variants between our ciliopathy cohort and a control non-ciliopathy cohort. Genomic analysis of our cohort further identified mutations in a novel morbid gene TXNDC15, encoding a thiol isomerase, based on independent loss of function mutations in individuals with a consistent ciliopathy phenotype (Meckel-Gruber syndrome) and a functional effect of its deficiency on ciliary signaling. Our study also highlighted seven novel candidate genes (TRAPPC3, EXOC3L2, FAM98C, C17orf61, LRRCC1, NEK4, and CELSR2) some of which have established links to ciliogenesis. Finally, we show that the morbid genome of ciliopathies encompasses many founder mutations, the combined carrier frequency of which accounts for a high disease burden in the study population. Conclusions Our study increases our understanding of the morbid genome of ciliopathies. We also provide the strongest evidence, to date, in support of the classical Mendelian inheritance of Bardet-Biedl syndrome and other ciliopathies

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Improvement of renal oxidative stress markers after ozone administration in diabetic nephropathy in rats

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Several complications of diabetes mellitus (DM) e.g. nephropathy (DN) have been linked to oxidative stress. Ozone, by means of oxidative preconditioning, may exert its protective effects on DN.</p> <p>Aim</p> <p>The aim of the present work is to study the possible role of ozone therapy in ameliorating oxidative stress and inducing renal antioxidant defence in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Six groups (n = 10) of male Sprague Dawley rats were used as follows: Group C: Control group. Group O: Ozone group, in which animals received ozone intraperitoneally (i.p.) (1.1 mg/kg). Group D: Diabetic group, in which DM was induced by single i.p. injections of streptozotocin (STZ). Group DI: Similar to group D but animals also received subcutaneous (SC) insulin (0.75 IU/100 gm BW.). Group DO: In which diabetic rats received the same dose of ozone, 48 h after induction of diabetes. Group DIO, in which diabetic rats received the same doses of insulin and ozone, respectively. All animals received daily treatment for six weeks. At the end of the study period (6 weeks), blood pressure, blood glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA_1c), serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), kidney tissue levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxide (GPx), aldose reductase (AR) activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration were measured.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Induction of DM in rats significantly elevated blood pressure, HbA_1c, BUN, creatinine and renal tissue levels of MDA and AR while significantly reducing SOD, CAT and GPx activities. Either Insulin or ozone therapy significantly reversed the effects of DM on all parameters; in combination (DIO group), they caused significant improvements in all parameters in comparison to each alone.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Ozone administration in conjunction with insulin in DM rats reduces oxidative stress markers and improves renal antioxidant enzyme activity which highlights its potential uses in the regimen for treatment of diabetic patients.</p