Modified Canny Detector-based Active Contour for Segmentation

In the present work, an integrated modified canny detector and an active contour were proposed for automated medical image segmentation. Since the traditional canny detector (TCD) detects only the edge’s pixels, which are insufficient for labelling the image, a shape feature was extracted to select the initial region of interest ‘IROI’ as an initial mask for the active contour without edge (ACWE), using a proposed modified canny detector (MCD). This procedure overcomes the drawback of the manual initialization of the mask location and shape in the traditional ACWE, which is sensitive to the shape of region of region of interest (ROI). The proposed method solves this problem by selecting the initial location and shape of the IROI using the MCD. Also, a post-processing stage was applied for more cleaning and smoothing the ROI. A practical computational time is achieved as the proposed system requires less than 5 minutes, which is significantly less than the required time using the traditional ACWE. The results proved the ability of the proposed method for medical image segmentation with average dice 87.54%

Modified Canny Detector-based Active Contour for Segmentation

In the present work, an integrated modified canny detector and an active contour were proposed for automated medical image segmentation. Since the traditional canny detector (TCD) detects only the edge’s pixels, which are insufficient for labelling the image, a shape feature was extracted to select the initial region of interest ‘IROI’ as an initial mask for the active contour without edge (ACWE), using a proposed modified canny detector (MCD). This procedure overcomes the drawback of the manual initialization of the mask location and shape in the traditional ACWE, which is sensitive to the shape of region of region of interest (ROI). The proposed method solves this problem by selecting the initial location and shape of the IROI using the MCD. Also, a post-processing stage was applied for more cleaning and smoothing the ROI. A practical computational time is achieved as the proposed system requires less than 5 minutes, which is significantly less than the required time using the traditional ACWE. The results proved the ability of the proposed method for medical image segmentation with average dice 87.54%

Better Heat And Power Integration Of An Existing Gas-oil Plant In Egypt Through Revamping The Design And Organic Rankine Cycle

Objective: The current study aims mainly to Maximize Condensate Recovery (NGLs), focusing on a gas processing train of Gas-Oil Separation Plant (GOSP) located in Egypt with a capacity of 4,230 kmole/h. Methods: The research study accounts for the constraint of Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) specification, which makes the storage in floating roof tanks is of a great risk. The study proposes the installation of the cryogenic train that recovers condensates (C4+). This train comprises of compression unit, expansion unit, three-phase separators and a re-boiled absorber. The problem of RVP will no longer exist because of the re-boiled absorber achieving RVP according to export specifications (RVP below 82.74 kPa). Heat integration is applied over the whole process to minimize the reliability of the external utilities. Further, an Organic Rankine cycle (ORC) is introduced to the existing unit for more heat integration to develop useful work from process waste heat. Furthermore, both environmental emissions of CO2 and economic implications are investigated. Results: Energy integration played a vital role in decreasing the compressing power by about 31%, the cooling load by about 81%, and eliminating the heating load leading to zero CO2 emissions. Conclusion: The new energy-integrated retrofit scenarios exceed the recommended revamping schemes by previous works and base case in all aspects of condensate recovery, energy-saving, environmental concerning and economics

Assessment of the Relation between Serum Carcinoembryonic Antigen and Tumor Node Metastasis Staging of Colorectal Cancer

Background: Although awareness via cancer screenings and the knowledge of therapy modalities has increased, the burden of colorectal cancer (CRC) is much more pronounced in developing countries. Objective: This study was aimed to estimate serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels in preoperative CRC patients and to determine the associations between serum CEA levels and tumor node metastasis (TNM) stage.Patients and methods: This cross-sectional study included 36 patients with CRC (stages IV) attending at Department of General Surgery, Zagazig University Hospitals. Patients scheduled preoperatively for sigmoidoscopy were prepared by an enema and examined by using standard video endoscopes. The CEA levels were estimated preoperatively for all patients. Results: CEA level among the studied cases ranged from 0 to 23 ng/dl with mean 6.39 ng/dl and median 4.5ng/ml. Also 58.3% had CEA level ≤ 5 ng/ml. There were no statistical significance relations between the CEA and age or sex distribution. But there was a statistical significance increase in frequency of smoking among cases had CEA level >5 ng/ml. There was no statistical significance relation between site and diameter of lesions and CEA level among the studied cases.Conclusions: It could be concluded that there is a meaningful link between TNM stage and CEA level. However, normal levels of CEA will not rule out CRC diagnosis, and these patients should be investigated in detail

New Method of Synthesis of Calix-4-arenes as Analytical Reagent for Spectrophotometric Determination of Iron (III)

A compound of Calix-4-arenes was prepared, as a sensitive and selective spectrophotometric method was proposed for the rapid determination of Iron (III) in analytical sample, the proposed method was based on the formation blue complex with Calix-4-arenes as a chromogenic reagent that has a highly absorption at λmax 592 nm. The reaction was instantaneous at pH=7.0, the absorbance of complex was stable for about 24hr. Linearity was observed from 1.18 -8.0 μg.ml-1 with detection limit of 0.75μg.ml-1. Recovery and relative error values of precision and accuracy of method were found to be R.S.D.% = 0.92%, Re% = 99.45% and Erel = 0.55 % . The nature of complex showed that (Metal : Ligand) ratio was 1:1 at pH=7and the stability constant of ( 0.422x1010 L1.mole-1). The influence of chemical iand physical parameter and are evaluated . The proposed method was applied successfully to determine Fe (III) in analytical sampl

Physical pegylation enhances the cytotoxicity of 5-fluorouracil-loaded PLGA And PCL nanoparticles.

Purpose : The main goal of this study is to evaluate the impact of physical incorporation of polyethylene glycol (PEG) into 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-loaded polymeric nanoparticles (NPs). METHODS: The 5-FU-loaded NPs were prepared utilizing a simple double emulsion method using polycaprolactone (PCL) and polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) with or without PEG 6000. The surface charge, particle size, and shape of NPs were evaluated by standard procedures. Both Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction spectra of the 5-FU loaded NPs were compared against the pure 5-FU. The in vitro release profile of 5-FU from the NPs was monitored by the dialysis tubing method. Cell death and apoptosis induction in response to 5-FU NP exposure were measured by MTT and Annexin-V/7-amino-actinomycin D (7-AAD) assays, respectively, in Daoy, HepG2, and HT-29 cancer cell lines. RESULTS: The 5-FU loaded NPs were found to be spherical in shape with size ranging between 176±6.7 and 253.9±8.6 nm. The zeta potential varied between -7.13± 0.13 and -27.06±3.18 mV, and the entrapment efficiency was between 31.96% and 74.09%. The in vitro release of the drug followed a two-phase mode characterized by rapid release in the first 8 hrs followed by a period of slow release up to 72 hrs with composition-based variable extents. Cells exposed to NPs demonstrated a significant cell death which correlated with the ratio of PEG in the formulations in Daoy and HepG2 cells but not in HT-29 cells. Formulations (F1-F3) significantly induced early apoptosis in HT-29 cell lines. CONCLUSION: The physical PEGylation significantly enhanced the entrapment and loading efficiencies of 5-FU into NPs formulated with PLGA and PCL. It also fostered the in vitro cytotoxicity of 5-FU-loaded NPs in both Daoy and HepG2 cells. Induction of early apoptosis was confirmed for some of the formulations

Novel docetaxel chitosan-coated PLGA/PCL nanoparticles with magnified cytotoxicity and bioavailability

In the present study, docetaxel (DTX)-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and polycaprolactone (PCL) nanoparticles were successfully prepared and coated with chitosan (CS). The prepared nanoparticles (NPs) were evaluated for their particle size, zeta potential, particle morphology, drug entrapment efficiency (EE%), and in vitro drug release profile. The anticancer activity of DTX-loaded NPs was assessed in human HT29 colon cancer cell line utilizing MTT assay. The pharmacokinetics of DTX-loaded NPs was monitored in Wistar rats in comparison to DTX solution. The prepared NPs exhibited particle sizes in the range 177.1 ± 8.2-287.6 ± 14.3 nm. CS decorated NPs exhibited a significant increase in particle size and a switch of zeta potential from negative to positive. In addition, high EE% values were obtained for CS coated PCL NPs and PLGA NPs as 67.1 and 76.2%, respectively. Moreover, lowering the rate of DTX in vitro release was achieved within 48 h by using CS coated NPs. Furthermore, a tremendous increase in DTX cytotoxicity was observed by CS-decorated PLGA NPs compared to all other NPs including DTX-free-NPs and pure DTX. The in vivo study revealed significant enhancement in DTX bioavailability from CS-decorated PLGA NPs with more than 4-fold increase in AUC compared to DTX solution. In conclusion, CS-decorated PLGA NPs are a considerable DTX-delivery carrier with magnificent antitumor efficacy

Loading celecoxib into solid lipid nanoparticles significantly enhanced the anticancer activity

Introduction: Celecoxib (CXB), COX-2 enzyme inhibitor, has been approved recently for the treatment of colorectal polyps. Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) have turned out to be an attractive carrier alternative to liposomes and polymeric nanoparticles due to superior stability and biocompatibility. This work aimed to optimize CXB-loaded SLN for colon delivery with high potential toward enhancing the anticancer activity. Methods: An ultrasonic melt-emulsification method was employed in this work for the preparation of SLN. Briefly, an emulsion was formed after mixing melted lipid with heated aqueous surfactant solution heated to equal temperature by probe-sonication and dispersed in chilled distilled water for 10 minutes. The physical attributes were characterized for their particle sizes, charges, morphology, and entrapment efficiency (%EE), in addition to DSC and FTIR. The in vitro drug release profiles were evaluated and the anticancer activity was examined utilizing MTT assay in three cancer-cell-lines; HT29, Daoy, and HepG2. Results: All the prepared SLN formulations exhibited particle sizes in the nano scale ranging from 238nm to 757nm. There was dependence on the type and ratio of the surfactant used and the nature of lipid combination. The zeta-potential values (mv) were mostly in the -30s mv indicating higher stability potential of all SLN formulations. The minimum %EE was found equal to 86.76% (F9) which is advantageous of the method for large scale production. The disappearance of CXB characteristic melting peak from DSC thermograms of all formulations elucidates the amorphous nature of the SLN-entrapped CXB. The SEM images indicated the spherical nature of the SLN and CXB loading. The in vitro release profile showed a slow constant rate with no burst release which is uncommon with SLN. Both F9 and F14 showed a complete CXB release within 24-hour with only 25% within the first 5 hours. This makes them suitable for colonic targeting. F9 exhibited a significant % cell death in the three tested cancer cell lines after only 24 hours incubation and maintained the effect for 72 hours. In the case of F14, the significant % cell death was achieved with HT29 cell line after 24 hours and only after 72 hours for HepG cells, while non-significant effect was observed with Doay cells. Conclusion/Implications: The produced CXB-loaded SLN showed unique properties of slow release with no burst in addition to high %EE. The anticancer activity was extremely significant for one formulation in both HepG and HT29 cells which is highly promising

PEGylation of PLGA and PCL nanoparticles enhanced the cytotoxicity of loaded 5-flurouracil

Introduction: The high metabolic rate and the short biological half-life of 5-flourouracil (5-FU) required a continuous administration of large doses and consequently resulting in high profile of adverse effects. Incorporation of 5-FU into biodegradable nanoparticles (NPs) would enhance the therapeutic efficacy through prolongation of the biological half-life and the duration of tumour exposure to 5-FU. This study aimed to monitor the effect of physical incorporation of PEG on the attributes of 5-FU-loaded polymeric NPs. Methods: An emulsification-solvent evaporation technique was employed for the preparation of 5-FU-loaded NPs using polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) and polycaprolactone (PCL). The effect of incorporating polyethylene glycol (PEG6000) was also investigated. The prepared NPs were evaluated for their particle sizes and morphology and characterized by FTIR and X-ray diffraction. The in vitro drug release profiles were evaluated and the anticancer activity was assessed utilizing MTT assay Daoy, HepG2, and HT29 cancer-cell-lines. Results: The NPs average sizes were between 176±6.7-253.9±8.6 nm and zeta potential between -7.13± 0.13 and -27.06±3.18 mV. The 5-FU %EE of ranged between 31.96-73.54% and enhanced significantly by PEG incorporation. The SEM images showed spherical particles with smooth surfaces. The in vitro release studies showed an initial rapid 5-FU release up to 8 h followed by a slow release ranging from 36 to 84% after 72 h. The higher was the ratio of PEG, the faster was the drug release rate. Significant % cell death was achieved with all the prepared NPs in the three tested cancer cell lines after 48 and 72 hours incubations. The PEG ratio correlated well with the magnitude of cell death in both Doay and HepG cells only. Conclusion: The physical PEGylation resulted in significant increase in the entrapment and loading efficiency of 5-FU in both PLGA and PCL NPs. They also improved both the drug release profile and the extent of in vitro cytotoxicity in both Doay and HepG2 cancer cell lines

Identifying promising GSK3β inhibitors for cancer management: a computational pipeline combining virtual screening and molecular dynamics simulations

Glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3β), a serine/threonine protein kinase, has been discovered as a novel target for anticancer drugs. Although GSK3β is involved in multiple pathways linked to the etiology of various cancers, no specific GSK3β inhibitor has been authorized for cancer therapy. Most of its inhibitors have toxicity effects therefore, there is a need to develop safe and more potent inhibitors. In this study, a library of 4,222 anti-cancer compounds underwent rigorous computational screening to identify potential candidates for targeting the binding pocket of GSK3β. The screening process involved various stages, including docking-based virtual screening, physicochemical and ADMET analysis, and molecular dynamics simulations. Ultimately, two hit compounds, BMS-754807 and GSK429286A, were identified as having high binding affinities to GSK3β. BMS-754807 and GSK429286A exhibited binding affinities of −11.9, and −9.8 kcal/mol, respectively, which were greater than that of the positive control (−7.6 kcal/mol). Further, molecular dynamics simulations for 100 ns were employed to optimize the interaction between the compounds and GSK3β, and the simulations demonstrated that the interaction was stable and consistent throughout the study. These hits were also anticipated to have good drug-like properties. Finally, this study suggests that BMS-754807 and GSK429286A may undergo experimental validation to evaluate their potential as cancer treatments in clinical settings