Minimizing the residual topography effect on interferograms to improve DInSAR results: estimating land subsidence in Port-Said City, Egypt

The accurate detection of land subsidence rates in urban areas is important to identify damage-prone areas and provide decision-makers with useful information. Meanwhile, no precise measurements of land subsidence have been undertaken within the coastal Port-Said City in Egypt to evaluate its hazard in relationship to sea-level rise. In order to address this shortcoming, this work introduces and evaluates a methodology that substantially improves small subsidence rate estimations in an urban setting. Eight ALOS/PALSAR-1 scenes were used to estimate the land subsidence rates in Port-Said City, using the Small BAse line Subset (SBAS) DInSAR technique. A stereo pair of ALOS/PRISM was used to generate an accurate DEM to minimize the residual topography effect on the generated interferograms. A total of 347 well distributed ground control points (GCP) were collected in Port-Said City using the leveling instrument to calibrate the generated DEM. Moreover, the eight PALSAR scenes were co-registered using 50 well-distributed GCPs and used to generate 22 interferogram pairs. These PALSAR interferograms were subsequently filtered and used together with the coherence data to calculate the phase unwrapping. The phase-unwrapped interferogram-pairs were then evaluated to discard four interferograms that were affected by phase jumps and phase ramps. Results confirmed that using an accurate DEM (ALOS/PRISM) was essential for accurately detecting small deformations. The vertical displacement rate during the investigated period (2007–2010) was estimated to be −28 mm. The results further indicate that the northern area of Port-Said City has been subjected to higher land subsidence rates compared to the southern area. Such land subsidence rates might induce significant environmental changes with respect to sea-level rise

Liver glycogen stores via 13C magnetic resonance spectroscopy in healthy children: randomized, controlled study

BackgroundOwing to its role in glucose homeostasis, liver glycogen concentration ([LGly]) can be a marker of altered metabolism seen in disorders which impact health of children. However, there is a paucity of normative data for this measure in children to allow comparison with patients, and time-course assessment of [LGly] in response to feeding has not been reported. 13C-magnetic resonance spectroscopy (13C-MRS) is used extensively in research to non-invasively assess liver metabolites in adult health and disease, but similar measurements in children are lacking.ObjectiveThe main objectives were to quantify the depletion of [LGly] after overnight fasting, and the subsequent response to feeding.DesignIn a randomized, open-label, incomplete block design study, healthy, normal-weight children (8-12y) attended 2 evening visits, each separated by ≥5 days and directly followed by a morning visit. An individually tailored, standardized meal was consumed 3-hours prior to evening assessments. Participants then remained fasted until the morning visit. [LGly] was assessed once in the fed (20:00hrs) and fasted state (08:00hrs) using 13C-MRS. After the 8:00hrs assessment, 200ml of a mixed-macronutrient drink containing 15.5g (402kJ) or 31g carbohydrate (804kJ), or water only, was consumed, with 13C-MRS measurements then performed hourly for 4h. Each child was randomized to 2 of 3 drink options across the 2 mornings. Data are expressed as mean (SD).ResultsTwenty-four children (13F:11M) completed the study (9.9(1.1)y, BMI percentile 45.7(25.9)). [LGly] decreased from 377.9(141.3) to 277.3(107.4) mmol·l-1 overnight; depletion rate 0.14(0.15) mmol·l-1·min-1. Incremental responses of [LGly] to test drinks differed (P<0.001), with incremental net AUC of [LGly] over 4h (i.netAUC240min) being higher for 15.5g (-67.1(205.8) mmol·l-1·240min; P<0.01) and 31g carbohydrate (101.6(180.9) mmol·l-1·240min; P<0.005) compared to water (-253.1(231.2) mmol·l-1·240min).ConclusionAfter overnight fasting, [LGly] decreased by 22.9(25.1)%, and [LGly] i.netAUC240min was higher after subsequent consumption of 15.5g and 31g carbohydrate, compared to water.Clinical Trial Registry number: NCT04278209 (www.clinicaltrials.gov

Outcomes of Patients Undergoing Closed Traction Coronary Endarterectomy: A Long-Term Single Center Study

Background—Coronary endarterectomy (CEA) is an option for treating severely diffused coronary artery diseases; however, many surgeons avoid performing it due to its complexity and reported controversial results. Therefore, we aimed to review the results of patients undergoing CEA within coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods—This is a retrospective observational study evaluating the results of patients undergoing CEA within CABG surgery between March 2003 and February 2018. Follow-up via active personal and/or telephone interviews was performed to evaluate long-term clinical outcomes. The study endpoints included early postoperative incidence of myocardial infarction or cardiac mortality, long-term survival, and freedom from major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE). Results—A total of 326 patients were included in this study for evaluation. The patients’ mean age was 67 years; 88% were male, and most presented with three-vessel disease, reporting a mean SYNTAX score of 33.1 ± 12. Approximately 5.5% (n = 18) of the patients had undergone previous CABG surgery. A total of 394 CEAs within a mean of 4.3 ± 1.1 grafts per patient were performed. The indication for CEA was either totally (n = 111, 28.2%) or sub-totally (n = 283, 71.8%) occluded coronary arteries. Early results included perioperative myocardial infarction in eight (2.4%), stroke in eight (2.4%), and in-hospital mortality in thirteen (4.0%) patients. Long-term clinical follow-up reported mortality in 27.6% and overall incidence of MACCE in 41.4% of the patients at the ten-year follow-up. Conclusions—Patients with severe and diffuse CAD are difficult candidates for surgical revascularization. CEA offers an option to allow complete revascularization, even in the case of chronic occlusion, when the myocardium is still viable. The closed traction CEA technique presented here is our preferred method; it achieves satisfactory short- and long-term results

Pneumocephalus resulting from chest infection complicated by pleural-subarachnoid fistula

Pleural-subarachnoid fistula is a rare type of Cerebrospinal fluid fistula with less than 60 cases reported in the literature. Here we present a case of 55-year-old female patient, known case of acute myeloid leukemia on chemotherapy, who developed pleural-subarachnoid fistula due to invasive atypical apical lung fungal infection. All of the reported cases in the literature were secondary to trauma or post-surgery. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of pleural-subarachnoid fistula developed as sequela of fungal infection

Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Provoke Apoptosis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma through Knocking Down the STAT3 Activated Signaling Pathway: In Vivo and In Vitro Study

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common type of liver cancer and is a leading cause of death worldwide. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is involved in HCC progression, migration, and suppression of apoptosis. This study investigates the apoptotic effect of the dietary antioxidant (n-3 PUFAs) on HepG2 cells and analyzes the underlying molecular mechanisms of this effect both in vivo and in vitro. In vivo study: Seventy-five adult male albino rats were divided into three groups (n = 25): Group I (control): 0.9% normal saline, intraperitoneal. Group II: N-Nitrosodiethylamine (200 mg/kg b.wt) intraperitoneal, followed by phenobarbital 0.05% in drinking water. Group III: as group II followed by n-3 PUFAs intubation (400 mg/kg/day). In vivo study: liver specimens for biochemical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical examination. In vitro study: MTT assay, cell morphology, PCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemical analysis. n-3 PUFAs significantly improved the histopathologic features of HCC and decreased the expression of anti-apoptotic proteins. Further, HepG2 cells proliferation was suppressed through inhibition of the STAT3 signaling pathway, cyclin D1, and Bcl-2 activity. Here we report that n-3 PUFAs may be an ideal cancer chemo-preventive candidate by targeting STAT3 signaling, which is involved in cell proliferation and apoptosis

Influence of Nano-Chitosan Loaded with Potassium on Potassium Fractionation in Sandy Soil and Strawberry Productivity and Quality

Under sandy soil conditions, increasing the efficiency of potassium (K) fertilizers is considered to be a major limiting factor for improving the productivity and quality of fruit crops. In this context, utilizing nanotechnology has emerged as a novel technique to increase the efficiency of K applications. In our study, two field trials were conducted, in two consecutive seasons (2019/2020 and 2020/2021), to compare the effects of nano-chitosan loaded with K as a foliar treatment with those of conventional soil applications of K on plant growth, yield, and quality of strawberry plants grown in sandy soil. Strawberry plants were treated with 12 different treatments, which were replicated three times in a randomized complete block design in each growing season. Potassium sulfate (K2SO4, 48% K2O) was applied to the soil at a rate of 150.0 kg acre−1 (recommended rate, 100%). Meanwhile, the spraying of nano-chitosan loaded with K was applied at 1000 mg L−1 as a control. In addition, K2SO4 was applied either individually or in combination at the rate of 112.5 or 75.0 kg acre−1 with four nano-chitosan-K dosages (250, 500, 750, and 1000 mg L−1). After harvesting, soil samples were collected and prepared to determine K fractions. As well, plant samples were collected to determine the vegetative growth parameters and the foliage content of NPK and chlorophyll. Eventually, the yield traits and quality parameters were evaluated. A principal component analysis was conducted to determine the interrelationships of the treatments’ averages and their effects on yield components and quality traits. A combined analysis was performed for the two studied seasons and the values were the mean of six replications. The results indicated that the application of common K fertilizer (150.0 kg K2SO4 acre−1) resulted in the maximum increase in soluble and exchangeable K in the soil, which was comparable to those observed with 112.5 kg K2SO4 acre−1 + 1000 mg L−1 nano-chitosan-K and 112.5 K2SO4 acre−1 + 750 mg L−1 nano-chitosan-K. The total yield, marketable yield, and fruit firmness were all significantly increased by the latter two treatments compared to the control group. Furthermore, plots treated with 112.5 kg K2SO4 acre−1 + 1000 mg L−1 nano-chitosan-K significantly increased the total soluble solids, vitamin C levels, acidity, total sugar, and anthocyanin levels in strawberry fruits. In conclusion, under sandy soil conditions, the utilization of nanoparticles could be an indispensable tool for manipulating fertilization management when cultivating strawberries. The K status of the soil was improved by applying 75% of the recommended dose of mineral K in combination with 1000 or 750 mg L−1 of nano-chitosan-K, without compromising strawberry yield or quality

Effect of Titanium and Vanadium on Antioxidants Content and Productivity of Red Cabbage

The present work studied the effect of foliar spray of different concentrations of titanium (Ti, applied as titanium dioxide) and vanadium (V, applied as vanadium pentoxide) on growth, chemical composition, antioxidant contents, antioxidant enzymes, antioxidant capacity, yield and quality criteria of red cabbage plants. For this purpose, 2.0, 4.0 and 6.0 mg L&minus;1 of Ti and V were used to treat red cabbage plants. The control plants were treated with tap water. Our results showed that plants treated with 4.0 mg L&minus;1 of Ti recorded the highest values of plant growth and bioactive compounds, while antioxidant capacity was decreased compared to the other treatments. In addition, plants treated with Ti and V at 2.0 and 4.0 mg L&minus;1, respectively, showed higher values of all of the growth, yield, non-enzymatic antioxidants and antioxidants enzymes&rsquo; parameters compared to the untreated plants. Based on the obtained results, it could be concluded that the low concentrations of both Ti and V (2.0 and 4.0 mg L&minus;1) were able to enhance red cabbage growth and yield, as well as the antioxidant contents, enzymes and capacity

Effect of Titanium and Vanadium on Antioxidants Content and Productivity of Red Cabbage

The present work studied the effect of foliar spray of different concentrations of titanium (Ti, applied as titanium dioxide) and vanadium (V, applied as vanadium pentoxide) on growth, chemical composition, antioxidant contents, antioxidant enzymes, antioxidant capacity, yield and quality criteria of red cabbage plants. For this purpose, 2.0, 4.0 and 6.0 mg L−1 of Ti and V were used to treat red cabbage plants. The control plants were treated with tap water. Our results showed that plants treated with 4.0 mg L−1 of Ti recorded the highest values of plant growth and bioactive compounds, while antioxidant capacity was decreased compared to the other treatments. In addition, plants treated with Ti and V at 2.0 and 4.0 mg L−1, respectively, showed higher values of all of the growth, yield, non-enzymatic antioxidants and antioxidants enzymes’ parameters compared to the untreated plants. Based on the obtained results, it could be concluded that the low concentrations of both Ti and V (2.0 and 4.0 mg L−1) were able to enhance red cabbage growth and yield, as well as the antioxidant contents, enzymes and capacity