Molecular markers as a prognostic system for hepatocellular carcinoma

AbstractThe gene expression profile p16, c-erbB-3 and bcl2 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with and without associated HCV infection, was assessed. Forty-eight subjects were included in the study and divided equally into two groups: HCC with and without HCV associated infection. Adjacent paracancerous tissues were assessed as control samples. Correlations with various clinico-pathological parameters of the tumour were assessed: stage, grade, and tumour size. The c-erbB-3 oncogene was expressed in 83.33% (40/48) of the total HCC sample and in 31.25% (15/48) of the noncancerous lesions. C-erbB-3 was expressed in 87.5% (21/24) of the HCC cases with associated HCV infection and in 79.16% (19/24) of the HCC cases without associated HCV infection. Gene expression of c-erbB-3 was significantly correlated with the clinico-pathological parameters of the tumour. P16 gene expression was found in 12.5% (6/48) of the total HCC sample and in 25% (12/48) of the para-cancerous lesions. P16 was expressed in 12.5% (3/24) of HCC cases with and without associated HCV infection. Gene expression of p16 exhibited significant negative correlation with clinico-pathological parameters of the tumour. Bcl2 gene expression was found in 20.8% (10/48) of the total HCC sample and in the para-cancerous lesions. Bcl2 was expressed in 20.8% (5/24) of the HCC cases with and without HCV associated infection. Gene expression of bcl2 did not show significant correlations with the clinico-pathological parameters of the tumour. In conclusion, gene expression profiles of p16 and c-erbB-3 could be used as prognostic molecular markers in HCC

Pyran-Squaraine as Photosensitizers for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells: DFT/TDDFT Study of the Electronic Structures and Absorption Properties

In an effort to provide, assess, and evaluate a theoretical approach which enables designing efficient donor-acceptor dye systems, the electronic structure and optical properties of pyran-squaraine as donor-acceptor dyes used in dye-sensitized solar cells were investigated. Ground state properties have been computed at the B3LYP/6-31+G** level of theory. The long-range corrected density functionals CAM-B3LYP, PBEPBE, PBE1PBE (PBE0), and TPSSH with 6-311++G** were employed to examine absorption properties of the studied dyes. In an extensive comparison between experimental results and ab initio benchmark calculations, the TPSSH functional with 6-311++G** basis set was found to be the most appropriate in describing the electronic properties for the studied pyran and squaraine dyes. Natural transition orbitals (NTO), frontier molecular orbitals (FMO), LUMO, HOMO, and energy gaps, of these dyes, have been analyzed to show their effect on the process of electron injection and dye regeneration. Interaction between HOMO and LUMO of pyran and squaraine dyes was investigated to understand the recombination process and charge-transfer process involving these dyes. Additionally, we performed natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis to investigate the role of charge delocalization and hyperconjugative interactions in the stability of the molecule

Reliability of candida skin test in the evaluation of T-cell function in infancy

Background: Both standardized and non-standardized candida skin tests are used in clinical practice for functional in-vivo assessment of cellular immunity with variable results and are considered not reliable under the age of 1 year. We sought to investigate the reliability of using manually prepared candida intradermal test in the evaluation of T cell function in infants during their second year of life.Methods: Twenty-five healthy infants were tested with manually prepared intradermal candida test. Cultured lymphocytes were stimulated with phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and gamma interferon (IFN-γ) levels were measured in the culture supernatant of stimulated and non-stimulated samples using ELISA.Results: The enrolled infants were 14 to 24 months old (mean 19.2 ± 3.13 months). They were 17 boys (68 %) and 8 girls (32 %). Candida skin test was positive in 17 out of the 25 infants (68%). All infants showed increased IFN-γ levels after PHA stimulation (mean ± SD: 0.83±0.29 ng/ml) compared to basal levels (mean ± SD = 0.16 ± 0.16 ng/ml). The increase of IFN γ levels after PHA stimulation ranged from 1.54 to 38 folds. Infants with positive and negative candida tests showed comparable results in terms of clinical and immunological assessment except for weight percentiles for age that were higher among candida positive group.Conclusion: Candida intradermal test is a cost-effective simple test for evaluation of T cell function with 70 % sensitivity in healthy infants above the age of one year.Keywords: Candida, IFN-γ, infants, intradermal, lymphocyte proliferation, PHA stimulation, T cell, Tuberculi

Analysis of Solar Photovoltaic Panel Integrated with Ground Heat Exchanger for Thermal Management

In spite of high solar radiation being an advantage for the performance of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, the caused high surface temperature of the panel surface reduces their efficiency, as well as lifetime span due to cyclic thermal stresses. PV panels are deteriorating due to two setbacks from a harsh climate: shallow temperatures during the night leading to condensation and overheating during the day leading to reduced efficiency. The present paper discusses and resolves the two setbacks in the PV performance by cooling the panel during the day and heating the panel during the night using water circulation in a ground embedded heat exchanger. Experimental and numerical methods were used to carry out the investigation on the influence of the proposed technique on the PV performance. Following the experiments, a computational model has been developed to simulate the experimental set-up. Two PV modules have been tested simultaneously in outdoor environment; one is bare and the second is integrated with ground heat exchanger. Results revealed that the integrated heat exchanger has managed to reduce the PV surface temperature by around 8oC during the daytime and rise the PV surface temperature by around 3oC more than the due temperature, at which condensation takes place during the night time. The developed technique has proved to be highly efficient as a PV thermal control method.The authors acknowledge PETRONAS – Malaysia for the financial support of the research under research grant YUTP-FRG, CS: 015LC0-206. Also, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP), Malaysia is acknowledged for the logistic and technical support to carry out the research in the solar site of the solar thermal advanced research centre [STARC]

Hen’s egg white hypersensitivity among a group of Egyptian atopic children

Background: Egg allergy is potentially life-threatening. The prevalenceof egg allergy in Egypt is still unclear. This study is to evaluate thefrequency of egg hypersensitivity in a group of Egyptian atopic children.Methods: Eighty allergic children were enrolled, each is subjected toclinical evaluation, skin prick testing (SPT) using a commercial eggwhite extract, and serum egg white specific IgE (SpIgE) estimation. Sixpatients with suspected egg allergy consent to perform open oral eggchallenge. Results: Twenty-eight patients had history of exacerbation oftheir allergic diseases upon exposure to egg white, of these patients, 8had negative SPT and serum egg white SpIgE. SPT was positive in 25(31.2%) patients, of these patients, 3 (4%) were +3, 22 (28%) were +2,of whom 5 patients tolerate eggs without adverse effects. Serum eggwhite SpIgE was positive in 19 (24%) patients with a mean of 0.81 IU/ml(range: 0.35-4.52 IU/ML). Egg white allergy based on positive history,positive SPT and/or egg white SpIgE was detected in 23 (28.8%)patients. Open oral egg challenge was positive in one patient withpositive history but negative tests giving an overall frequency of eggallergy of 30 % (n=24).While egg white SpIgE did not correlate with theages, positive SPT was significantly more frequent among youngerpatients (t= 1.7, p=0.02). Egg sensitization and allergy did not affect theseverity of asthma (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Although positive SPT/ serumspecific IgE to eggs are good tools for diagnosis, oral food challengeremains the gold standard in suspected cases. Further wide-scale studiesare needed to outline the real prevalence of egg allergy in Egypt.Keywords: Egg allergy; children; skin prick test

Theoretical and Experimental Sets of Choice Anode/Cathode Architectonics for High-Performance Full-Scale LIB Built-up Models

To control the power hierarchy design of lithium-ion battery (LIB) built-up sets for electric vehicles (EVs), we offer intensive theoretical and experimental sets of choice anode/cathode architectonics that can be modulated in full-scale LIB built-up models. As primary structural tectonics, heterogeneous composite superstructures of full-cell-LIB (anode//cathode) electrodes were designed in closely packed flower agave rosettes TiO2@C (FRTO@C anode) and vertical-star-tower LiFePO4@C (VST@C cathode) building blocks to regulate the electron/ion movement in the three-dimensional axes and orientation pathways. The superpower hierarchy surfaces and multi-directional orientation components may create isosurface potential electrodes with mobile electron movements, in-to-out interplay electron dominances, and electron/charge cloud distributions. This study is the first to evaluate the hotkeys of choice anode/cathode architectonics to assemble different LIB–electrode platforms with high-mobility electron/ion flows and high-performance capacity functionalities. Density functional theory calculation revealed that the FRTO@C anode and VST-(i)@C cathode architectonics are a superior choice for the configuration of full-scale LIB built-up models. The integrated FRTO@C//VST-(i)@C full-scale LIB retains a huge discharge capacity (~ 94.2%), an average Coulombic efficiency of 99.85% after 2000 cycles at 1 C, and a high energy density of 127 Wh kg−1, thereby satisfying scale-up commercial EV requirements

Mesoscopic open-eye core–shell spheroid carved anode/cathode electrodes for fully reversible and dynamic lithium-ion battery models

We report on the key influence of mesoscopic super-open-eye core–shell spheroids of TiO2- and LiFePO4-wrapped nanocarbon carved anode/cathode electrodes with uniform interior accommodation/storage pockets for the creation of fully reversible and dynamic Li-ion power battery (LIB) models. The mesoscopic core–shell anode/cathode electrodes provide potential half- and full-cell LIB-CR2032 configuration designs, and large-scale pouch models. In these variable mesoscopic LIB models, the broad-free-access and large-open-eye like gate-in-transport surfaces featured electrodes are key factors of built-in LIBs with excellent charge/discharge capacity, energy density performances, and outstanding cycling stability. Mesoscopic open-eye spheroid full-LIB-CR2032 configuration models retain 77.8% of the 1st cycle discharge specific capacity of 168.68 mA h g−1 after multiple cycling (i.e., 1st to 2000th cycles), efficient coulombic performance of approximately 99.6% at 0.1C, and high specific energy density battery of approximately 165.66 W h kg−1 at 0.1C. Furthermore, we have built a dynamic, super-open-mesoeye pouch LIB model using dense packing sets that are technically significant to meet the tradeoff requirements and long-term driving range of electric vehicles (EVs). The full-pouch package LIB models retain a powerful gate-in-transport system for heavy loaded electron/Li+ ion storage, diffusion, and truck movement through open-ended out/in and then up/downward eye circular/curvy folds, thereby leading to substantial durability, and remarkable electrochemical performances even after long-life charge/discharge cycling

Knowledge and practice related to compliance with mass drug administration during the Egyptian national filariasis elimination program

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) has been targeted for global elimination by 2020. The primary tool for the program is mass drug administration (MDA) with antifilarial medications to reduce the source of microfilariae required for mosquito transmission of the parasite. This strategy requires high MDA compliance rates. Egypt initiated a national filariasis elimination program in 2000 that targeted approximately 2.7 million persons in 181 disease-endemic localities. This study assessed factors associated with MDA compliance in year three of the Egyptian LF elimination program. 2,859 subjects were interviewed in six villages. The surveyed compliance rate for MDA in these villages was 85.3% (95% confidence interval = 83.9–86.5%). Compliance with MDA was positively associated with LF knowledge scores, male sex, and older age. Adverse events reported by 18.4% of participants were mild and more common in females. This study has provided new information on factors associated with MDA compliance during Egypt's successful LF elimination program

Relationship between posterior permanent dentition pattern and radiographic changes of the mandibular condyle

This study assessed the relationship between posterior permanent dentition and radiographic changes of the mandibular condyle. This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted on 300 panoramic radiographs of patients over 40 years of age (188 females and 112 males). Panoramic radiographs were evaluated for condylar changes such as flattening, subcortical sclerosis, subcortical cyst, erosion, osteophytes, and generalized sclerosis. Presence of muscle pain and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain and sounds, and history of TMJ trauma were also assessed. The occlusal scheme of posterior teeth was analyzed according to the Eichner’s index. The frequency of condylar changes was calculated in the right and left sides, and their association with posterior permanent dentition was analyzed by the Chi-square test (alpha = 0.05). The frequency of flattening, muscle pain, TMJ sounds, and erosion was 11.7%, 9.7%, 5.7%, and 3.7% in the right side, respectively. The frequency of flattening, muscle pain, erosion, and subcortical cyst was 12%, 9.3%, 5%, and 5% in the left side, respectively. The frequency of bilateral muscle pain, flattening, TMJ sounds, and TMJ pain was 18%, 16.7%, 11.7%, and 9.3%, respectively. Cases with TMJ trauma, generalized sclerosis, and osteophytes were few. According to the Eichner’s index, most patients with condylar changes had classes A and B, and a smaller percentage had class C. No significant difference was noted between healthy individuals and those with condylar changes regarding dentition patterns. No relationship existed between condylar changes and posterior permanent dentition pattern

Biocontrol of Some Fungal Pathogen that Cause Plant Diseases by Some Bio Agents

Fungal plant pathogens are among the most important factors that cause serious losses to agricultural products every year. Biological control of plant diseases including fungal pathogens has been considered a viable alternative method to chemical control. In plant pathology, biocontrol applied some microbes to suppress soil borne and airborne pathogens in an attempt to replace existing methods of chemical control by fungicides, which often lead to resistance in plant pathogens. In this review, we present the effect of mycorrhizae, actinomycetes and Trichoderma on plant growth and biocontrol of some fungal pathogens under stress conditions. The biological performance of mycorrhizae and Actinomycetes in soil is important for plant growth and development in stressed environments. In agriculture, plant growth promoting Actinomycetes can be used as biocontrol microorganisms and they had a big role in antibiotic production. They are well- known as active producers of a wide range of secondary metabolites, antibiotics and volatile organic compounds that can inhibit the growth of phytopathogenic fungi and bacteria. In particular, mycorrhizae and Trichoderma spores are found in soil and enhance both plant growth and decrease fungal infections. These antagonistic microorganisms are abundant in soils around the roots of economically and nutritionally valuable crops.  Their interactions with plant pathogens can significantly affect plant health in various ways. Different mode of actions of biocontrol-active microorganisms in controlling fungal plant diseases    include hyper parasitism, predation, antibiosis, cross protection, competition for site and nutrient and induced resistance. In conclusion, some microorganisms can used to suppress some phytopathogens and improve plant growth