Experimentally evaluation of high-performance concrete mixes used for tunnels and containing silica fume and polypropylene fiber after exposed to high temperatures

This work introduces an experimental study to evaluate the effect of elevated temperatures on the mechanical properties of high-performance concrete (HPC) mix with changes in Water-Cementitious ratios, W/(C+SF), Silica Fume percent, SF, and Polypropylene, PP, fiber contents. This mix was typically designed to satisfy the requirements of tunnel concrete. The compressive and indirect tensile strengths were measured at room temperature, RT, and after exposure to 400°C and 800°C. Moreover, SEM micrograph and EDS spot analysis tests were done to evaluate the effect of elevated temperatures. Fifteen mixes of HPC with different ratios of W/(C+SF), SF, and PP fiber were tested. According to the test results, the compressive strength values of design mixes increased significantly after exposure to 400°C. Moreover, using SF = 10%, the results indicated remarkable improvements in the compressive strength at 400°C and 800°C, in the case of the W/(C+SF) ratio of 0.31. On the other hand, the highest effect of the presence of PP fibers was 0.211, depending on variable ratios of the W/(C+SF) ratio and the SF content. In the case of PP=0.106 and SF=10%, the mass loss was higher at exposure to temperatures of 800°C

Design of gain schedule fractional PID control for nonlinear thrust vector control missile with uncertainty

The purpose of this paper is to control the trajectory of the nonlinear missile model in the pitch channel by using Fractional PID controller (FPID) and Gain Schedule Fractional PID controller (GSFPID). FPID and GSFPID with nonlinear missile model are designed where their parameters are tuned by Simulink design optimization in the Matlab toolbox. This optimization method gives the optimal parameters that achieve the best tracking with step unit reference signal. The GSFPID controller compensates the restrictions that represent physical limits of actuators in the pitch channel. The GSFPID with nonlinear missile model is designed in two phases. The first phase is the boost phase where the thrust force is maximized and the second phase is sustain phase where the thrust force is minimized. The equations of motion for nonlinear missile model with FPID and GSFPID are modelled mathematically in the Matlab-Simulink environment. The results of FPID and GSFPID controllers with the nonlinear missile model are presented and compared. The wind effect and the dynamic uncertainties effects are researched and the results are compared. The closed-loop nonlinear system is linearized by the Simulink linear analysis tool at critical operating point t = 5.8 sec and the stability is studied

EXPLORING THE ANTIPARASITIC ACTIVITY OF MEDICINAL PLANTS

Parasitic disease is one of the most important challenges impacting a large number of people. Worldwide, more than three billion cases of parasitic disease are reported yearly. Due to the resistance of parasite to the synthetic drugs, it is necessary to search for alternative sources. Plants contain different phytoconstituents with different biological activities.  Many previous researches showed that many plants exerted antiparasitic activity due to its secondary metabolites. This review highlights the antiparasitic effects of different medicinal plants and mentions the mode of action of different phytochemicals against parasites. In conclusion, the medicinal plants play a vital role as antiparasitic agents, but further studies are needed to isolate and test the active constituents of the medicinal plants as antiparasitic agents targeting to enter the drug discoveryarea.                          Peer Review History: Received 20 July 2020; Revised 11 August; Accepted 26 August, Available online 15 September 2020 Academic Editor: Dr. DANIYAN Oluwatoyin Michael, Obafemi Awolowo University, ILE-IFE, Nigeria, [email protected] UJPR follows the most transparent and toughest ‘Advanced OPEN peer review’ system. The identity of the authors and, reviewers will be known to each other. This transparent process will help to eradicate any possible malicious/purposeful interference by any person (publishing staff, reviewer, editor, author, etc) during peer review. As a result of this unique system, all reviewers will get their due recognition and respect, once their names are published in the papers. We expect that, by publishing peer review reports with published papers, will be helpful to many authors for drafting their article according to the specifications. Auhors will remove any error of their article and they will improve their article(s) according to the previous reports displayed with published article(s). The main purpose of it is ‘to improve the quality of a candidate manuscript’. Our reviewers check the ‘strength and weakness of a manuscript honestly’. There will increase in the perfection, and transparency. Received file:                Reviewer's Comments: Average Peer review marks at initial stage: 5.5/10 Average Peer review marks at publication stage: 7.0/10 Reviewer(s) detail: Dr. Marwa  A. A. Fayed, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sadat City, Egypt, [email protected] Dr. Mahmut Yıldıztekin, Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University, Turkey, [email protected] Similar Articles: A STUDY ON DIFFERENT PLANTS OF APOCYNACEAE FAMILY AND THEIR MEDICINAL USES A REVIEW ON MEDICINAL USES OF DIFFERENT PLANTS OF EUPHORBIACEAE FAMIL

Productivity of 18F-FDG-PET/CT Diagnostic Tool in the Management of Pediatric Lymphoblastic Lymphoma

BACKGROUND: Lymphoblastic lymphoma (LL) comprises approximately 20% of childhood non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL); however, few studies had investigated the role of 18F-FDG-PET/CT in pediatric LL patients. We aim in this study to assess the role of 18F-FDG-PET/CT in the initial staging of newly diagnosed pediatric patients with LL as well as in the assessment of response after induction chemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective study enrolled biopsy proven newly diagnosed pediatric LL patients presenting in the Children Cancer Hospital Egypt (CCHE) during the period from October 2014 to October 2016. 18F-FDG-PET/CT was done initially before therapy and after induction chemotherapy in all patients. The patients were followed until the end of April 2018 (mean 23.5 months). RESULTS: All lymphoma involvement lesions (n = 43) were FDG avid and the intensity of nodal FDG uptake was variable. Two patients (11%) had bone marrow (BM) involvement by < 25% blast cells with corresponding positive BM focal uptake in 18F-FDG-PET/CT (SUVmax = 4 and 4.5). Evaluation post induction phase; CT detected 8 residual lesions in 8 patients (44.4%), while 18F-FDG-PET/CT detected only 3 Deauville-positive residual lesions in 3 patients (16.6%). No intensification of therapy was done in all post-induction positive patients. Repeated 18F-FDG-PET/CT at week 18 for post-induction patients revealed cleared all Deauville-positive residual lesions. On the other hand, repeated CT at week 18 detected regression but still residual in 4/8 (50%) post-induction CT lesions with clearance of the rest (50%). CONCLUSION: In initial staging, 18F-FDG-PET/CT is a useful tool for disease extent evaluation of pediatric LL. Moreover, it could provide a diagnostic hint for BM involvement. 18F-FDG-PET/CT done after induction therapy has a good negative predictive value with higher specificity than CT alone, but is not an indication for treatment intensification due to false positive results. However, larger sample size is required for better conclusion

Diagnosis of papilledema and pseudopapilledema using optical coherence tomography

Background: Papilledema is a common clinical problem where the ophthalmologist plays an important role in its diagnosis. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) provides high resolution images of the retina and the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL).Objective: The aim of the work was early and non- invasive diagnosis of papilledema and differentiating it from pseudopapilledema using optical coherence tomography (OCT).Patients and methods: This observational case control study included a total of 45 eyes stratified into 3 equally groups, 15 each, (Group-1): eyes of healthy normal subjects, (Group-2) eyes with papilledema and (Group-3) eyes with pseudo-papilledema. Patients presented at Ophthalmology Outpatient Clinic, Zagazig University Hospitals. Follow-up visits included an interview with the patient for assessing the presence of ocular symptoms, and for ophthalmologic examination to register all the clinical findings.Results: There is statistically significant difference between the studied groups regarding result of fundus examination. Normal control group had normal appearance of fundus. Concerning pseudo papilledema, 73.3% had crowded disc and 26.7% had dusen. Concerning papilledema, 40% had mild lesion, 20% had moderate and remaining 40% had severe lesion. There is statistically significant difference between the studied groups regarding morphological changes. Crowded disc and buried optic disc drusen occurred in 73.3% and 26.7% of pseudopapilledema group respectively). There is statistically significant difference between the studied groups regarding superior RNFL. On LSD comparison, the difference is significant between each individual groups. There is statistically significant difference between the studied groups regarding inferior RNFL.Conclusion: It could be concluded that spectral domain optical coherence tomography can differentiate between papilledema, pseudopapilledema, and a normal disc

The COVID-19 Pandemic: A Comprehensive Review of Taxonomy, Genetics, Epidemiology, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Control

A pneumonia outbreak with unknown etiology was reported in Wuhan, Hubei province, China, in December 2019, associated with the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market. The causative agent of the outbreak was identified by the WHO as the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), producing the disease named coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). The virus is closely related (96.3%) to bat coronavirus RaTG13, based on phylogenetic analysis. Human-to-human transmission has been confirmed even from asymptomatic carriers. The virus has spread to at least 200 countries, and more than 1,700,000 confirmed cases and 111,600 deaths have been recorded, with massive global increases in the number of cases daily. Therefore, the WHO has declared COVID-19 a pandemic. The disease is characterized by fever, dry cough, and chest pain with pneumonia in severe cases. In the beginning, the world public health authorities tried to eradicate the disease in China through quarantine but are now transitioning to prevention strategies worldwide to delay its spread. To date, there are no available vaccines or specific therapeutic drugs to treat the virus. There are many knowledge gaps about the newly emerged SARS-CoV-2, leading to misinformation. Therefore, in this review, we provide recent information about the COVID-19 pandemic. This review also provides insights for the control of pathogenic infections in humans such as SARS-CoV-2 infection and future spillovers

Hepatoblastoma survival and the prognostic role of cancer stem cell markers

Purpose: Hepatoblastoma (HB) is an embryonal tumor of the liver that occurs in infants and young children. Complete surgical resection and cisplatin-containing chemotherapy are crucial for cure in HB. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) constitute a newly identified subpopulation, which may differentiate into heterogeneous progenies of malignant cells. The aim of this study was to assess the survival outcome and the prognostic value of CSCs markers (CD133, CD90 and CD44) in a cohort of HB patients from Egypt.Methods: Disease status of 43 HB patients was evaluated at the main checkpoints of therapy and during follow-up. Treatment included surgical tumor resection and systemic chemotherapy (cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil, doxorubicin, and vincristine). Protein and RNA expressions of CD44, CD 90 and CD 133 were assessed by immunohistochemistry and quantitative PCR. Results: The OS for all patients was 58.2 at 4 years. Patients with localized disease stages (I&II) had a better OS than those with advanced stages (III&IV) (81.9% versus 30%, p<0.001). Total surgical resection was superior to incomplete/no resection (83.8% versus 25.2 %; p<0.001). The OS was significantly correlated with tumor response (p<0.001) and each of CD44, CD 90, CD 133 expression (p<0.001) whereas reduced DFS was associated with CD44 and CD133 expression (p<0.001).Conclusion: Localized disease is associated with higher OS than more advanced stages III and IV. Complete surgical resection facilitated with systemic preoperative chemotherapy in initially irresectable cases can improve survival in HB while CSC markers (CD133, 44, and 90) can predict survival and response to treatment in HB patients.-------------------------------------------------------------Cite this article as:Fawzy M, Bahnassy A, El-Wakil M, Abdel-Sayed A.  Hepatoblastoma survival and the prognostic role of cancer stem cell markers. Int J Cancer Ther Oncol 2014; 2(1):02011.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.14319/ijcto.0201.

Cognitive Functioning in a Pilot Sample of Childhood Cancer Patients in Egypt

Abstract A subset of cancer survivors experience cognitive deficits that can last for many years after the completion of chemotherapy. The etiology of this problem is largely unknown, so the present study aimed to assess cognitive functioning in childhood patients with cancer and to investigate the proposed disposing factors including variables related to disease, treatment, and some socio-demographic characteristics. In a case control study parents of 67 cancer patients aged 8-12 years, completed the parent proxy report of PedsQL™ 3.0 Cognitive Functioning Scale (Arabic versions), as well as a separate sheet for socio-demographic data. Control group consisted of 37 healthy subjects from the same age group were subjected to the same methodology for comparison. All patients under the study have successfully accomplished their treatment protocol and were in complete remission during the evaluation. Hematological malignancies represented 70.1% of the patients sample, with the highest proportion for ALL (52.2%). Brain tumors represented 40% of the solid malignancies (29.9% of the study patients). Cognitive functioning score was significantly lower in the solid group (69.6±37.3) compared to the hematologic group (85.1±22.2) (t = 2.1, p =0.038). Cognitive functioning score was also lower in solid group versus control subjects (p =0.047), while it showed no significant difference between hematological malignancies and control group. Older age at diagnosis, urban residence, illiterate mothers, higher duration of treatment as well as long duration of hospital admission were associated with a lower cognitive score in the solid tumors group compared to hematological group

Green Synthesis, Characterization, Antimicrobial and Anticancer Screening of New Metal Complexes Incorporating Schiff Base

A Schiff base ligand of o-vanillin and 4-aminoazobenzene and its transition metal complexes of Ni(II), Co(II), Zn(II), Cu(II), Mn(II), and Zr(IV) were prepared under microwave irradiation as a green approach compared to the conventional method. The structures of new compounds have been characterized and elucidated via elemental and spectroscopic analyses. In addition, magnetic susceptibility, electron spin resonance, and electronic spectra of the synthesized complexes explained their geometrical structures. The thermal stability of Cu(II), Zn(II), and Zr(IV) complexes was studied by thermo-gravimetric analyses (TGA). Coats–Redfern and Horowitz–Metzger equations were used to calculate the thermal and dehydration decomposition activities of proposed structures kinetically. Surface morphologies of the solid compounds were imaged by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The particle size of prepared complexes was measured by using a particle size analyzer at a diffraction angle of 10.9°. The geometry structures of the synthesized compounds were verified utilizing electronic spectra, ESR spectrum, and magnetic moment value. The newly synthesized compounds were screened for antimicrobial activity. Also, the anticancer activity of the free Schiff base ligand and its metal complexes were studied against two cell lines: human colon (HCT-116) and human liver cancer cells (HepG-2). The obtained results showed that the Cu(II) complex displayed the highest cytotoxic activity (IC50 = 18 and 22 μg/mL for HepG-2 and HCT, respectively) compared to the free Schiff base ligand.publishedVersio

Safety and efficacy of venous mechano-chemical ablation of the great saphenous vein

Introduction: Endovenous mechano-chemical ablation of the incompetent great saphenous vein (MOCA) is a new technique that combines mechanical endothelial injury and infusion of a sclerosant agent. Material and methods: This is a prospective study was conducted on 40 patients who presented with the chronic venous disease at Kasr Al Ainy outpatient vascular surgery clinic with CEAP classification namely C2-C6. Results: A total of 40 patients were presented with great saphenous vein incompetency, the mean age was (30), 23 patients were male and 17 were female. The vein occlusion rate at one month was 93 percent and at six months was 87 percent respectively. Conclusions: Endovenous mechanochemical ablation is a safe and effective method for the management of incompetent great saphenous veins compared to open surgery