Interaction effect between mineral zinc-nitrogen fertilization mixture and organic fertilization as compost on yield, nutrients uptake of rice and some soil properties

To study the effect of organic fertilization as compost (20 m3 fed-1), mineral Zinc-Nitrogen fertilization mixture (three Zinc levels (0, 8 and 16 kg Zn fed-1) and three nitrogen rates (0, 30 and 60 kg N fed-1 were mixed alternately) on growth, grain and straw yields, N, P and K uptake for rice crop (Oryza sativa), variety Giza 178, two field trials at El-Serw Agricultural Research Station, Damietta governorate were conducted through summer seasons of 2015 and 2016. Plant height, dry matter, grain and straw yields also, N, P and K-uptake in grain and straw yields increased with increasing levels of zinc and nitrogen fertilization. Moreover, use organic fertilization as compost gave the highest values of the previous parameters. Applying of 16 kg Zn fed-1 + 60 kg N fed-1 with 20 m3 compost fed-1 gave the highest plant height, dry matter, grain and straw yields and N, P and K-uptake in grain and straw. Therefore, it preferably adds 16 kg Zn fed-1 + 60 kg N fed-1 with 20 m3 compost fed-1 to produce a high crop of rice under saline soil condition in North Delta. Concerning to soil properties after rice harvest, mixture 16 kg Zn fed-1 + 60 kg N fed-1 with 20 m3 compost fed-1 surpassed all other treatments in improving soil properties, since available NPK and organic matter content had increased while soil EC and pH in the root zone was decreased

Molecular identification of actinomycetes with antimicrobial, antioxidant and anticancer properties

The objectives of this study were to isolate and identify the actinomycetes strains from the soil and marine sediments and to evaluate the antimicrobial, antioxidant and cytotoxic activity of their bioactive secondary metabolites. Eight actinomycetes strains were isolated from soil and marine sediment samples collected from different areas in Egypt. Only three actinomycetes exhibited a wide spectrum of antimicrobial activities. They were active in vitro against microbial pathogen viz: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Aspergillus parasiticus, Fusarium solani and Fusarium oxysporum. These promising isolates were selected and identified using molecular identification technique and identified as Streptomyces spp. The crude extracts from the three Streptomyces exhibited potent antimicrobial activities against a set of microbial pathogens as well as antioxidant and anticancer activity in human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HepG2). The crude extract of Streptomyces isolate D showed antitumor activity with lC50 0.85 µg/ mL. Forty compounds were identified from the two most promising ethyl acetate extracts of culture broth of Streptomyces sp. (D-EGY) by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry analysis. It could be concluded that the streptomycetes isolated from the Egyptian environment are promising candidates as antimicrobial, antioxidant and anticancer.The objectives of this study were to isolate and identify the actinomycetes strains from the soil and marine sediments and to evaluate the antimicrobial, antioxidant and cytotoxic activity of their bioactive secondary metabolites. Eight actinomycetes strains were isolated from soil and marine sediment samples collected from different areas in Egypt. Only three actinomycetes exhibited a wide spectrum of antimicrobial activities. They were active in vitro against microbial pathogen viz: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Aspergillus parasiticus, Fusarium solani and Fusarium oxysporum. These promising isolates were selected and identified using molecular identification technique and identified as Streptomyces spp. The crude extracts from the three Streptomyces exhibited potent antimicrobial activities against a set of microbial pathogens as well as antioxidant and anticancer activity in human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HepG2). The crude extract of Streptomyces isolate D showed antitumor activity with lC50 0.85 µg/ mL. Forty compounds were identified from the two most promising ethyl acetate extracts of culture broth of Streptomyces sp. (D-EGY) by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry analysis. It could be concluded that the streptomycetes isolated from the Egyptian environment are promising candidates as antimicrobial, antioxidant and anticancer

Disparities in prevalence and barriers to hypertension control: a systematic review

Controlling hypertension (HTN) remains a challenge, as it is affected by various factors in different settings. This study aimed to describe the disparities in the prevalence and barriers to hypertension control across countries of various income categories. Three scholarly databases—ScienceDirect, PubMed, and Google Scholar—were systematically examined using predefined search terms to identify potentially relevant studies. Original research articles published in English between 2011 and 2022 that reported the prevalence and barriers to HTN control were included. A total of 33 studies were included in this systematic review. Twenty-three studies were conducted in low and middle-income countries (LMIC), and ten studies were from high-income countries (HIC). The prevalence of hypertension control in the LMIC and HIC studies ranged from (3.8% to 50.4%) to (36.3% to 69.6%), respectively. Concerning barriers to hypertension control, patient-related barriers were the most frequently reported (n = 20), followed by medication adherence barriers (n = 10), lifestyle-related barriers (n = 8), barriers related to the affordability and accessibility of care (n = 8), awareness-related barriers (n = 7), and, finally, barriers related to prescribed pharmacotherapy (n = 6). A combination of more than one category of barriers was frequently encountered, with 59 barriers reported overall across the 33 studies. This work reported disparities in hypertension control and barriers across studies conducted in LMIC and HIC. Recognizing the multifactorial nature of the barriers to hypertension control, particularly in LMIC, is crucial in designing and implementing customized interventions

Screening fungal endophytes derived from under-explored Egyptian marine habitats for antimicrobial and antioxidant properties in factionalised textiles

Marine endophytic fungi from under-explored locations are a promising source for the discovery of new bioactivities. Different endophytic fungi were isolated from plants and marine organisms collected from Wadi El-Natrun saline lakes and the Red Sea near Hurghada, Egypt. The isolated strains were grown on three different media, and their ethyl acetate crude extracts were evaluated for their antimicrobial activity against a panel of pathogenic bacteria and fungi as well as their antioxidant properties. Results showed that most of the 32 fungal isolates initially obtained possessed antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. The most potent antimicrobial extracts were applied to three different cellulose containing fabrics to add new multifunctional properties such as ultraviolet protection and antimicrobial functionality. For textile safety, the toxicity profile of the selected fungal extract was evaluated on human fibroblasts. The 21 strains displaying bioactivity were identified on molecular basis and selected for chemical screening and dereplication, which was carried out by analysis of the MS/MS data using the Global Natural Products Social Molecular Networking (GNPS) platform. The obtained molecular network revealed molecular families of compounds commonly produced by fungal strains, and in combination with manual dereplication, further previously reported metabolites were identified as well as potentially new derivatives

Assessing the Advantages, Limitations and Potential of Human Primary Prostate Epithelial Cells as a Pre-clinical Model for Prostate Cancer Research

Choosing an appropriate cell model(s) is the first decision to be made before starting a new project or programme of study. Here, we address the rationale that can be behind this decision and we summarize the current cell models that are used to study prostate cancer. Researchers face the challenge of choosing a model that recapitulates the complexity and heterogeneity of prostate cancer. The use of primary prostate epithelial cells cultured from patient tissue is discussed, and the necessity for close clinical-academic collaboration in order to do this is highlighted. Finally, a novel quantitative phase imaging technique is described, along with the potential for cell characterization to not only include gene expression and protein markers but also morphological features, cell behaviour and kinetic activity

Burnout among surgeons before and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: an international survey

Background: SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has had many significant impacts within the surgical realm, and surgeons have been obligated to reconsider almost every aspect of daily clinical practice. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study reported in compliance with the CHERRIES guidelines and conducted through an online platform from June 14th to July 15th, 2020. The primary outcome was the burden of burnout during the pandemic indicated by the validated Shirom-Melamed Burnout Measure. Results: Nine hundred fifty-four surgeons completed the survey. The median length of practice was 10 years; 78.2% included were male with a median age of 37 years old, 39.5% were consultants, 68.9% were general surgeons, and 55.7% were affiliated with an academic institution. Overall, there was a significant increase in the mean burnout score during the pandemic; longer years of practice and older age were significantly associated with less burnout. There were significant reductions in the median number of outpatient visits, operated cases, on-call hours, emergency visits, and research work, so, 48.2% of respondents felt that the training resources were insufficient. The majority (81.3%) of respondents reported that their hospitals were included in the management of COVID-19, 66.5% felt their roles had been minimized; 41% were asked to assist in non-surgical medical practices, and 37.6% of respondents were included in COVID-19 management. Conclusions: There was a significant burnout among trainees. Almost all aspects of clinical and research activities were affected with a significant reduction in the volume of research, outpatient clinic visits, surgical procedures, on-call hours, and emergency cases hindering the training. Trial registration: The study was registered on clicaltrials.gov "NCT04433286" on 16/06/2020