Comparative Study between Neopterin and Alvarado Score in the Diagnosis of Acute Appendicitis and Its Severity

BACKGROUND: Acute appendicitis (AA) remains a complex case even for experienced surgeons. Rate of negative appendectomy is 5–40% and delayed intervention result in perforated appendicitis in 5–30% of cases. AIM: The aim of the study was to evaluate NPT as a marker for the diagnosis of AA concerning its severity. And compare the diagnostic value of it with the ALV scoring system. METHODS: One hundred twenty patients presented with signs and symptoms of AA and underwent appendectomy, only 84 patients proved to be AA by histopathological examination, were included in the study. Blood samples for neopterin (NPT) estimation and Alvarado (ALV) score was calculated. Control group consists of 45 healthy individual. RESULTS: NPT levels were significantly higher in patients’ group than control with p = 0.001 at a cutoff point 5.3 nmol/L. The diagnostic accuracy of NPT was higher than ALV score. NPT sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 85.4%, 76.9%, 89%, and 70%, respectively. CONCLUSION: NPT significantly elevated in patient with AA and has a high diagnostic accuracy, with correlation to clinical features and severity of the inflammation

Intelligent and secure real-time auto-stop car system using deep-learning models

In this study, we introduce an innovative auto-stop car system empowered by deep learning technology, specifically employing two Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) for face recognition and travel drowsiness detection. Implemented on a Raspberry Pi 4, our system is designed to cater exclusively to certified drivers, ensuring enhanced safety through intelligent features. The face recognition CNN model accurately identifies authorized drivers, employing deep learning techniques to verify their identity before granting access to vehicle functions. This first model demonstrates a remarkable accuracy rate of 99.1%, surpassing existing solutions in secure driver authentication. Simultaneously, our second CNN focuses on real-time detecting+ of driver drowsiness, monitoring eye movements, and utilizing a touch sensor on the steering wheel. Upon detecting signs of drowsiness, the system issues an immediate alert through a speaker, initiating an emergency park and sending a distress message via Global Positioning System (GPS). The successful implementation of our proposed system on the Raspberry Pi 4, integrated with a real-time monitoring camera, attains an impressive accuracy of 99.1% for both deep learning models. This performance surpasses current industry benchmarks, showcasing the efficacy and reliability of our solution. Our auto-stop car system advances user convenience and establishes unparalleled safety standards, marking a significant stride in autonomous vehicle technology

Isolation and characterisation of actinomycin D producing Streptomyces spp. from Sudanese soil

Sudanese soil is an unexplored source of antibiotic-producing microorganisms. Here, we reported the screening of soil samples from Sudan for actinomycetes that have antibacterial activity. Two isolates, AH11.4 and AH47, displaying a broad antimicrobial spectrum were selected for further study. Morphological, physiological and biochemical studies indicated that the two isolates are Streptomyces spp. 16S rDNA sequencing confirmed that the closest matches were to other Streptomyces, but phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that the Sudanese strains were on a different node to previously identified strains. The antibiotic activity was isolated by preparative High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and determined to be primarily actinomycin D on the basis of UV, 1H- and 13CNMR, and MS analyses. One strain also produced actinomycin X2 and aB. These strains are distinct from the known producers of actinomycin, thus are new sources of these antibiotics.Keywords: Screening, antibiotic, antitumour, identificationAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(19), pp. 2624-263

Comparison of Serum IgG Antibody Test with Gastric Biopsy for the Detection of Helicobacter Pylori Infection among Egyptian Children

BACKGROUND: In developing countries, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is mainly acquired during childhood and may be a predisposing factor for peptic ulcer or gastric cancer later in life. Noninvasive diagnostic tools are particularly useful in children for screening tests and epidemiological studies. Data on serologic testing of children are lacking. Accurate noninvasive tests for diagnosing Helicobacter pylori infection in children are strongly required.AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of a serological test (serum IgG antibody for H. pylori) in Egyptian children with recurrent abdominal pain necessitating endoscopy.SUBJECTS AND METHODS: One hundred children, referred to the endoscopy unit at Mansoura University. Upper endoscopy was done for each with rapid urease test (RUT) and histological examination as the gold standard test for detection of H. pylori infection. Serum samples were collected for detecting IgG for H. pylori infection.RESULTS: The mean age of the subjects included in the study was 7.23 ± 1.94 year. Serological test (IgG to H. pylori) was positive in 60% of all cases. A highly significant association between the standard test and the serological test at a cutoff > 10 U/ml at p = 0.001 were detected for the diagnosis of H. pylori infection. The sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, and negative likelihood ratio for the IgG antibody a cutoff > 10 U/ml, were 96.5%, 93%, 13.83, 0.038 respectively.CONCLUSION: Serum IgG antibody to H. pylori infection has a high diagnostic value and can be considered as a suitable and reliable noninvasive test for detection of H. pylori infection

LC-MS/MS Tandem Mass Spectrometry for Analysis of Phenolic Compounds and Pentacyclic Triterpenes in Antifungal Extracts of Terminalia brownii (Fresen)

Decoctions and macerations of the stem bark and wood of Terminalia brownii Fresen. are used in traditional medicine for fungal infections and as fungicides on field crops and in traditional granaries in Sudan. In addition, T. brownii water extracts are commonly used as sprays for protecting wooden houses and furniture. Therefore, using agar disc diffusion and macrodilution methods, eight extracts of various polarities from the stem wood and bark were screened for their growth-inhibitory effects against filamentous fungi commonly causing fruit, vegetable, grain and wood decay, as well as infections in the immunocompromised host. Ethyl acetate extracts of the stem wood and bark gave the best antifungal activities, with MIC values of 250 ug/mL against Nattrassia mangiferae and Fusarium verticillioides, and 500 ug/mL against Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus. Aqueous extracts gave almost as potent effects as the ethyl acetate extracts against the Aspergillus and Fusarium strains, and were slightly more active than the ethyl acetate extracts against Nattrassia mangiferae. Thin layer chromatography, RP-HPLC-DAD and tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), were employed to identify the chemical constituents in the ethyl acetate fractions of the stem bark and wood. The stem bark and wood were found to have a similar qualitative composition of polyphenols and triterpenoids, but differed quantitatively from each other. The stilbene derivatives, cis- (3) and trans- resveratrol-3-O-b-galloylglucoside (4), were identified for the first time in T. brownii. Moreover, methyl-(S)-flavogallonate (5), quercetin-7-b-O-di-glucoside (8), quercetin-7-O-galloyl-glucoside (10), naringenin-40-methoxy-7-pyranoside (7), 5,6-dihydroxy-30,40,7-tri-methoxy flavone (12), gallagic acid dilactone (terminalin) (6), a corilagin derivative (9) and two oleanane type triterpenoids (1) and (2) were characterized. The flavonoids, a corilagin derivative and terminalin, have not been identified before in T. brownii. We reported earlier on the occurrence of methyl-S-flavogallonate and its isomer in the roots of T. brownii, but this is the first report on their occurrence in the stem wood as well. Our results justify the traditional uses of macerations and decoctions of T. brownii stem wood and bark for crop and wood protection and demonstrate that standardized extracts could have uses for the eco-friendly control of plant pathogenic fungi in African agroforestry systems. Likewise, our results justify the traditional uses of these preparations for the treatment of skin infections caused by filamentous fungi.Peer reviewe

Comparison of Mycotoxin Contamination levels of Local and Imported Corn in Iraq

The study included determining pollution level of mycotoxin (aflatoxin, Ochratoxin, T2 / HT2) in local and imported corn in Iraq because it causes health damage and economic losses. In this study, 100 samples were collected from 50 samples of local corn, and 50 samples of imported corn and assed for mycotoxins test using ELISA technique and the results indicated the presence of the highest infection rates of mycotoxin in the local corn especially aflatoxin, where 28 sample at 56% were ranged between (20.1 - 157) ppb, which is higher than the allowable limits and 22 samples at (44%) were ranged between (5.1 to 2.9) ppb which is within the allowable limits , T2 / HT2 in 16 samples at (32%) of the total samples recorded less than (150) PPb which ranged between lowest value (25.8) ppb and the highest value (74.5) ppb and 34 samples at 68% with the value(0.0)ppb were is within the allowable limits, Ochratoxin, in 33 sample at 66% of the total samples less than(15) PPb recorded readings were  ranged between lowest value (1.5) ppb and the highest value (14.3) ppb, and 17 samples at  34% with the value (0.0)ppb,  which is also within the allowable limits in our country. Imported corn recorded readings in 24 samples at 48% as found by the three toxins and ranged the results of aflatoxin between the lowest value (0.8) PPb and the highest value (5.6) ppb and 26 samples at 52% with the value (0.0)ppb and T2 / HT2 results were ranged between the lowest value (3.1) ppb and the highest value (148) ppb and 26 samples at 52% with the value (0.0) ppb ochratoxin results were ranged between the lowest value (1.1) ppb and the highest value (5.7) ppb, and 26 samples at 52% with the value (0.0)ppb   and all of these results are within the allowable limits in our country. So we conclude from this study that the local corn was highest mycotoxin contamination than imported corn

Porous and highly responsive polymeric fabricated nanometrices for solubility enhancement of acyclovir; characterization and toxicological evaluation

Solubility is one of the major factors which affects several therapeutic mioeties in terms of their therapeutic efficacy. In the current study, we presented a porous and amorphous nanometrices system for the enhancement of the solubility of acyclovir. The polymeric network was fabricated by crosslinking polyethylene glycol-6000, polycaprolactone, and β-cyclodextrin with methacrylic acid by optimizing free radical polymerization technique using methylene bisacrylamide as a crosslinking agent. The formulated nanometrices were then characterized by zetasizer, FTIR, PXRD, Scanning electron microscopy, Thermogravimetric analysis, swelling, sol-gel fraction, drug loading, stability, solubility, and in-vitro dissolution analysis. Since the formulated system has to be administered orally, therefore to determine the in-vivo biocompatibility, nanometrices were administered orally to experimental animals. SEM images provided a rough and porous structure while PXRD showed an amorphous diffractogram of the unloaded and loaded nanometrices. Moreover, the particle size of the optimum loaded formulation was 25 nm higher than unloaded nanometrices due to the repulsion of the loaded drug. A significant loading of the drug with enhanced solubility and dissolution profiles was observed for the poorly soluble drug. The dissolution profile was quite satisfactory as compared to the marketed brand of drug which depicted that the solubility of the drug has been enhanced. Toxicity study conducted on rabbits confirmed the biocompatibility of the nanometrices. The systematic method of preparation, enhanced solubility and high dissolution profile of the formulated nanometrices may be proved as a promising technique to enhance the solubility of poorly aqueous soluble therapeutic agents

Experimental and in silico evaluation of Carthamus tinctorius L. oil emulgel: a promising treatment for bacterial skin infections

PurposeThe current study aimed to develop a topical herbal emulgel containing Carthamus tinctorius L. (CT) oil extract, which has been scientifically proven for its antibacterial and antioxidant activities for the ailment of bacterial skin infections.MethodThe CT emulgel was formulated by response surface methodology (RSM) and was evaluated by various parameters like extrudability, spreadability, pH, viscosity, and antibacterial and antioxidant activities. Molecular docking was also performed using AutoDock.ResultsAmong all formulated CT emulgels, F9 and F8 were optimized. Optimized formulations had shown good spreadability and extrudability characteristics. Sample F8 had % inhibition of 42.131 ± 0.335, 56.720 ± 0.222, and 72.440 ± 0.335 at different concentrations. Sample F9 had % inhibition of 26.312 ± 0.280, 32.461 ± 0.328, and 42.762 ± 0.398 at concentrations of 250 µg/ml, 500 µg/ml, and 1,000 µg/ml, respectively, which shows that both samples F8 and F9 have significant antioxidant potential. Optimized CT emulgels F8 and F9 had significant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli at p-value = 0.00, the Emulgel-F8 shows zone of inhibition of 24 mm for E-coli and 19 mm for S-aureus. Emulgel-F9 shows zone of inhibition of 22 mm for E-coli and 15 mm for S-aureus while pure CT- Oil extract shows zone of inhibition of 25 mm for E-coli and 20 mm for S-aureus and ciprofloxacin used as standard shows 36mm zone of inhibition against both E-coli and S-aureus. The comparative investigation through molecular docking binding affinities and interactions of ligands with various target proteins provides insights into the molecular processes behind ligand binding and may have significance for drug discovery and design for the current study.ConclusionThe current study suggests that C. tinctorius L.-based emulgel has good antioxidant and antibacterial activities against E. coli for the treatment of bacterial skin infections

Psychotherapy as a treatment modality for psychiatric disorders: Perceptions of general public of Karachi, Pakistan

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Psychiatric disorders affect about 450 million individuals worldwide. A number of treatment modalities such as psychotropic medications, psychotherapy and electroconvulsive therapy can be used to treat these disorders. Attitudes of general public play a pivotal role in effective utilization of mental health services. We explored the perceptions of general public of Karachi, Pakistan regarding psychotherapy.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A cross-sectional study was conducted in Karachi, Pakistan during July-August, 2008. A three-step sampling strategy and a structured questionnaire were employed to survey knowledge and perceptions of adult general public about psychotherapy. Descriptive statistics were used for baseline characteristics. Logistic regression models were used to investigate any significant associations between baseline characteristics of the participants and their perceptions.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The study sample comprised of 985 individuals (536 males; 531 financially independent) with an average age of 36.7 years (SD 13.54 years) and 12.5 years (SD 3.09 years) of education were included. Majority (59.4%; n = 585) claimed to be aware of psychotherapy as a treatment option for psychiatric disorders but 47.5% of these (n = 278/585) failed to identify its correct definition. Concerns voiced by the participants about psychotherapy included stigma (48.7%) and breech in confidentiality (39.5%); 60.7% opined it cost effective and 86.5% favored its use as an adjuvant modality. A preference for psychotherapy as the treatment strategy for psychiatric disorders was demonstrated by 46.6% (n = 459/985). Younger, more educated, financially independent and female participants were more likely to prefer psychotherapy as were those who deemed it cost effective.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Positive attitudes regarding the acceptability, clinical utility and cost-effectiveness of psychotherapy were observed in a sample representative of general public of Karachi, Pakistan. These findings highlight its potential utility for devising pragmatic mental health strategies in the face of limited resources.</p

Adapting Agriculture to Climate Change: A Synopsis of Coordinated National Crop Wild Relative Seed Collecting Programs across Five Continents

The Adapting Agriculture to Climate Change Project set out to improve the diversity, quantity, and accessibility of germplasm collections of crop wild relatives (CWR). Between 2013 and 2018, partners in 25 countries, heirs to the globetrotting legacy of Nikolai Vavilov, undertook seed collecting expeditions targeting CWR of 28 crops of global significance for agriculture. Here, we describe the implementation of the 25 national collecting programs and present the key results. A total of 4587 unique seed samples from at least 355 CWR taxa were collected, conserved ex situ, safety duplicated in national and international genebanks, and made available through the Multilateral System (MLS) of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (Plant Treaty). Collections of CWR were made for all 28 targeted crops. Potato and eggplant were the most collected genepools, although the greatest number of primary genepool collections were made for rice. Overall, alfalfa, Bambara groundnut, grass pea and wheat were the genepools for which targets were best achieved. Several of the newly collected samples have already been used in pre-breeding programs to adapt crops to future challenges.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio