Impact of heavy metals on the food web in the Mediterranean lagoon, Lake Burullus, Egypt

Research on the impact of heavy metals and their accumulation in ecosystem elements of Lake Burullus is still scarce. Therefore, this study focuses on the relationship between the levels of heavy metals in the lake water, plankton communities and Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). The mean annual concentrations of Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Pb and Cd in water and fish samples were 527.8, 366.7, 162.6, 137.3, 119.8 and 3.6 μg l−1, and 70.8, 43.6, 8.05, 1.2, 0.14 and 0.045 µg g−1 dry weight (d.w.), respectively. The study demonstrated the relationship between the accumulation of metals in fish muscles and their levels in the lake water (p < 0.05; r = 0.7–0.9), with the metal content in O. niloticus muscles being mostly below the permissible limits. The obtained results showed that the levels of the metals in the lake water are not correlated with phytoplankton and zooplankton, and their groups, except copper and zinc, are negatively correlated with phytoplankton (r = −0.45 and −0.58, respectively). The study concluded that the concentrations of the analyzed metals in Lake Burullus did not reach the effective levels that would have a significant impact on the distribution of phytoplankton and zooplankton, or a hazardous effect on O. niloticus and its safety for human consumption.Research on the impact of heavy metals and their accumulation in ecosystem elements of Lake Burullus is still scarce. Therefore, this study focuses on the relationship between the levels of heavy metals in the lake water, plankton communities and Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). The mean annual concentrations of Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Pb and Cd in water and fish samples were 527.8, 366.7, 162.6, 137.3, 119.8 and 3.6 μg l−1, and 70.8, 43.6, 8.05, 1.2, 0.14 and 0.045 µg g−1 dry weight (d.w.), respectively. The study demonstrated the relationship between the accumulation of metals in fish muscles and their levels in the lake water (p < 0.05; r = 0.7–0.9), with the metal content in O. niloticus muscles being mostly below the permissible limits. The obtained results showed that the levels of the metals in the lake water are not correlated with phytoplankton and zooplankton, and their groups, except copper and zinc, are negatively correlated with phytoplankton (r = −0.45 and −0.58, respectively). The study concluded that the concentrations of the analyzed metals in Lake Burullus did not reach the effective levels that would have a significant impact on the distribution of phytoplankton and zooplankton, or a hazardous effect on O. niloticus and its safety for human consumption

Screening the Responsible Impact of Fourteen Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Genotypes against Osmatic Water Stress Mediated through PEG6000 in Terms of Seed Germination and Early Seedling Growth Stage in Search of Promising Drought Tolerant Genotypes under in vitro Condition

Seed germination is considered one of the first and critical fundamental life stage of a plant. So, the success in growth and yield production is depending on this stage. A way to overcome the negative effects of deficit water stress on plant production is development of drought tolerant genotypes. With this view an in vitro experiment was attempted to measure and quantify the negative effects of osmatic PEG6000 stress on seed germination and early seedling growth stage of fourteen wheat genotypes to determine the relevant response of studied genotypes with identifying resistant genotypes toward high stress of PEG6000. To achieve this purpose, the experiment was assigned in a split plot arrangement in two factorial CRD fashion projection with three replications under five levels of PEG6000 factors (Ψs) {0% (0 Mpa), 5% (-0.3 Mpa), 10% (-0.6 Mpa), 15% (-0.9 Mpa) and 20% (-1.2 Mpa) w/v} to establish artificial drought stress to assess the progressive effect. The observations are converted into its effects in terms of fifteen biological attributes included (germination percentage, germination index, seedling length, relative percentage of seedling length, reduction percentage of seedling length, seedling fresh weight, relative percentage of seedling fresh weight, reduction percentage of seedling fresh weight, seedling dry weight, relative percentage of seedling dry weight, reduction percentage of seedling dry weight, tissue water content, vigor index, tolerance index and coefficient of relative inhibition). The experiment was repeated for confirmation and the results were similar. The results appeared that the germination percentage was not found as effective indicator of genotypic variation for PEG6000 stress at early seedling stage. Moreover, degree of PEG6000 stress tolerance at early seedling growth stage did not maintain in all studied wheat genotypes. Therefore, the authors were done PCA plots and Euclidean distance analysis to distinguish and clear superiority PEG6000 stress-tolerant genotypes. Overall, genotypes Gimeza-12, Sakha-94, Katela, and Sids-12 are relatively drought tolerant genotypes as they showed a better performance degree of survival on high levels of induced PEG6000 and the remaining genotypes had an intermediate response toward the induced PEG6000. This method can be recommended as a tool for determining the mechanisms to the plant breeder for suitable rapid detection criteria of screening drought tolerant genotypes in a large population incorporate with the reduced cost and labor to initiate breeding programs to develop better drought tolerant genotypes as a best parents for genetic characterization through QTL analysis of mapping population derived from them

Impact of opioid-free analgesia on pain severity and patient satisfaction after discharge from surgery: multispecialty, prospective cohort study in 25 countries

Background: Balancing opioid stewardship and the need for adequate analgesia following discharge after surgery is challenging. This study aimed to compare the outcomes for patients discharged with opioid versus opioid-free analgesia after common surgical procedures.Methods: This international, multicentre, prospective cohort study collected data from patients undergoing common acute and elective general surgical, urological, gynaecological, and orthopaedic procedures. The primary outcomes were patient-reported time in severe pain measured on a numerical analogue scale from 0 to 100% and patient-reported satisfaction with pain relief during the first week following discharge. Data were collected by in-hospital chart review and patient telephone interview 1 week after discharge.Results: The study recruited 4273 patients from 144 centres in 25 countries; 1311 patients (30.7%) were prescribed opioid analgesia at discharge. Patients reported being in severe pain for 10 (i.q.r. 1-30)% of the first week after discharge and rated satisfaction with analgesia as 90 (i.q.r. 80-100) of 100. After adjustment for confounders, opioid analgesia on discharge was independently associated with increased pain severity (risk ratio 1.52, 95% c.i. 1.31 to 1.76; P < 0.001) and re-presentation to healthcare providers owing to side-effects of medication (OR 2.38, 95% c.i. 1.36 to 4.17; P = 0.004), but not with satisfaction with analgesia (beta coefficient 0.92, 95% c.i. -1.52 to 3.36; P = 0.468) compared with opioid-free analgesia. Although opioid prescribing varied greatly between high-income and low- and middle-income countries, patient-reported outcomes did not.Conclusion: Opioid analgesia prescription on surgical discharge is associated with a higher risk of re-presentation owing to side-effects of medication and increased patient-reported pain, but not with changes in patient-reported satisfaction. Opioid-free discharge analgesia should be adopted routinely

Effect of the use of dexmedetomidine as a local anesthetic adjuvant to bupivacaine 0.125% in epidural labor analgesia: randomized controlled study

Abstract Background Multiple methods exist for the management of pain during normal labor. Epidural analgesia has been reported to be an effective method in that perspective. The current study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to local anesthetics in epidural analgesia for pregnant females presented for normal delivery. Sixty pregnant females were included in this prospective randomized study, and they were divided into two equal groups: control group which received bupivacaine alone and dexmedetomidine group that received bupivacaine with dexmedetomidine. The primary outcome was the onset of analgesia, while the secondary outcomes included the duration of analgesia, hemodynamic changes, labor progress, neonatal outcomes, and maternal complications. Results Dexmedetomidine group was associated with earlier onset of analgesia (P ˂ 0.001), prolonged duration (P ˂ 0.001), and lower need for top-up doses (P ˂ 0.001) compared to control group. Also, sedation and maternal satisfaction were significantly better in the same group (P = 0.001, 0.025; respectively). Labor progress parameters and neonatal outcomes were comparable between the two groups. Dexmedetomidine group has lower heart rate and mean arterial blood pressure compared to the control group. Despite of dexmedetomidine group had higher incidence of hypotension and bradycardia, it was statistically insignificant when compared to control group. Conclusions Dexmedetomidine is a reliable and an effective adjuvant to the local anesthetics in epidural analgesia during normal delivery as it resulted in earlier onset and significant prolongation of the analgesic time with decrease in the top-up doses intake. Trial registration Pan African Clinical Trial Registry (PACTR201710002664704). Register on 3 October 2017. </jats:sec

Stress and depression of university students in Egypt during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract Background: Mental health issues have been increasing globally, especially among university students. The pandemic of COVID-19 has aggravated this pre-existing and serious problem. This study aimed to assess the stress and depression levels and mental health status of Egyptian university students during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted on medical and non-medical Egyptian university students. A total of 1470 participants completed the electronic anonymous online survey containing Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Perceived Stress Scale(PSS). Results: Of the 1470 participants, 10.9% have moderately severe depression and 6.1% have severe depression. Moreover, 77.6% reported moderate stress, 16.3% reported low stress, and 6.2% reported high stress. There was strong positive correlation between depression and stress among participants (r = 0.815) (p &lt; 0.001). The significant predictors for depression were age between 18 and 20 years, female sex, presence of chronic diseases, and presence of friends or relatives diagnosed with COVID-19. The significant predictors for stress were age between 18 and 20 years, female sex, presence of friends or relatives diagnosed with COVID-19, and medical faculties.Conclusions: During the COVID-19 pandemic, a majority of university students of Egypt showed moderate to high level of stress, and about one-third of them had moderate to severe depression. Younger age, female sex and having a relative or friend diagnosed with COVID-19 were significant predictors for high stress level and depression. Psychological interventions for university students during the COVID-19 pandemic are strongly recommended to promote their mental health and improve academic achievement.</jats:p

Repair bond strength of dual-cured resin composite core buildup materials

AbstractThe reparability of dual-cured resin composite core buildup materials using a light-cured one following one week or three months storage, prior to repair was evaluated. Two different dual-cured resin composites; Cosmecore™ DC automix and Clearfil™ DC automix core buildup materials and a light-cured nanofilled resin composite; Filtek™ Z350 XT were used. Substrate specimens were prepared (n=12/each substrate material) and stored in artificial saliva at 37°C either for one week or three months. Afterward, all specimens were ground flat, etched using Scotchbond™ phosphoric acid etchant and received Single Bond Universal adhesive system according to the manufacturers’ instructions. The light-cured nanofilled resin composite (Filtek™ Z350 XT) was used as a repair material buildup. To determine the cohesive strength of each solid substrate material, additional specimens from each core material (n=12) were prepared and stored for the same periods. Five sticks (0.8±0.01mm2) were obtained from each specimen (30 sticks/group) for microtensile bond strength (μTBS) testing. Modes of failure were also determined. Two-way ANOVA revealed a significant effect for the core materials but not for the storage periods or their interaction. After one week, dual-cured resin composite core buildup materials (Cosmecore™ DC and Clearfil™ DC) achieved significantly higher repair μTBS than the light-cured nanofilled resin composite (Filtek™ Z350 XT). However, Clearfil™ DC revealed the highest value, then Cosmecore™ DC and Filtek™ Z350 XT, following storage for 3-month. Repair strength values recovered 64–86% of the cohesive strengths of solid substrate materials. The predominant mode of failure was the mixed type. Dual-cured resin composite core buildup materials revealed acceptable repair bond strength values even after 3-month storage

Impact of heavy metals on the food web in the Mediterranean lagoon, Lake Burullus, Egypt

Abstract Research on the impact of heavy metals and their accumulation in ecosystem elements of Lake Burullus is still scarce. Therefore, this study focuses on the relationship between the levels of heavy metals in the lake water, plankton communities and Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). The mean annual concentrations of Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Pb and Cd in water and fish samples were 527.8, 366.7, 162.6, 137.3, 119.8 and 3.6 μg l−1, and 70.8, 43.6, 8.05, 1.2, 0.14 and 0.045 μg g−1 dry weight (d.w.), respectively. The study demonstrated the relationship between the accumulation of metals in fish muscles and their levels in the lake water (p &lt; 0.05; r = 0.7–0.9), with the metal content in O. niloticus muscles being mostly below the permissible limits. The obtained results showed that the levels of the metals in the lake water are not correlated with phytoplankton and zooplankton, and their groups, except copper and zinc, are negatively correlated with phytoplankton (r = −0.45 and −0.58, respectively). The study concluded that the concentrations of the analyzed metals in Lake Burullus did not reach the effective levels that would have a significant impact on the distribution of phytoplankton and zooplankton, or a hazardous effect on O. niloticus and its safety for human consumption.</jats:p

The Effect of Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Their Conditioned Media Topically Delivered in Fibrin Glue on Chronic Wound Healing in Rats

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) represent a modern approach for management of chronic skin injuries. In this work, we describe BM-MSCs application versus their conditioned media (CM) when delivered topically admixed with fibrin glue to enhance the healing of chronic excisional wounds in rats. Fifty-two adult male rats were classified into four groups after induction of large-sized full-thickness skin wound: control group (CG), fibrin only group (FG), fibrin + MSCs group (FG + SCs), and fibrin + CM group (FG + CM). Healing wounds were evaluated functionally and microscopically. Eight days after injury, number of CD68+ macrophages infiltrating granulation tissue was considerably higher in the latter two groups. Although—later—none of the groups depicted a substantially different healing rate, the quality of regenerated skin was significantly boosted by the application of either BM-MSCs or their CM both (1) structurally as demonstrated by the obviously increased mean area percent of collagen fibers in Masson’s trichrome-stained skin biopsies and (2) functionally as supported by the interestingly improved epidermal barrier as well as dermal tensile strength. Thus, we conclude that topically applied BM-MSCs and their CM—via fibrin vehicle—could effectively improve the quality of healed skin in chronic excisional wounds in rats, albeit without true acceleration of wound closure

Assessment of Soil Capability and Crop Suitability Using Integrated Multivariate and GIS Approaches toward Agricultural Sustainability

Land evaluation has an important role in agriculture. Developing countries such as Egypt face many challenges as far as food security is concerned due to the increasing rates of population growth and the limited agriculture resources. The present study used multivariate analysis (PCA and cluster analysis) to assess soil capability in drylands, Meanwhile the Almagra model of Micro LEIS was used to evaluate land suitability for cultivated crops in the investigated area under the current (CS) and optimal scenario (OS) of soil management with the aim of determining the most appropriate land use based on physiographic units. A total of 15 soil profiles were selected to characterize the physiographic units of the investigated area. The results reveal that the high capability cluster (C1) occupied 31.83% of the total study area, while the moderately high capability (C2), moderate capability (C3), and low capability (C4) clusters accounted for 37.88%, 28.27%, and 2.02%, respectively. The limitation factors in the studied area were the high contents of CaCO3, the shallow soil depth, and the high salinity and high percentage of exchangeable sodium (% ESP) in certain areas. The application of OS enhanced the moderate suitability (S3) and unsuitable clusters (S5) to the suitable (S2) and marginally suitable (S4) categories, respectively, while the high suitability cluster (S1) had increased land area, which significantly affected the suitability of maize crop. The use of multivariate analysis for mapping and modeling soil suitability and capability can potentially help decision-makers to improve agricultural management practices and demonstrates the importance of appropriate management to achieving agricultural sustainability under intensive land use in drylands.</jats:p