The Flip of the Coin of Personalized Cancer Immunotherapy: A Focused Review on Rare Immune Checkpoint Related Adverse Effects

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are a type of cancer immunotherapy that has provided a tremendous breakthrough in the field of oncology. Currently approved checkpoint inhibitors target the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA4), programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1), and programmed death-ligand 1(PD-L1). One of the most known complications of these advances is the emergence of a new spectrum of immune-related adverse events (irAEs). In this chapter, we will focus on selected rare or very rare irAEs, shedding the light on the other side of the coin of personalized cancer immunotherapy. We will also discuss general management approach of irAEs with an in-depth look on each one of these rare irAEs. The chapter will also cover principles of immunotherapy rechallenge post-occurrence of irAEs, and the impact of irAEs incidence on the efficacy of ICI. We will discuss some of the rare or very rare irAEs including cutaneous irAEs, immune-mediated Hypophysitis, hematological irAEs, ophthalmic irAEs, checkpoint inhibitor pneumonitis (CIP), neurologic irAEs, infectious irAEs, and cardiac irAEs. This chapter tried to highlight the significance of identifying emerging rare and very rare irAEs while considering initial assessments and management approaches identified in various clinical practice guideline and primary literature data

Flexible Bench-Scale Recirculating Flow CPC Photoreactor for Solar Photocatalytic Degradation of Methylene Blue Using Removable TiO 2

TiO2 immobilized on polyethylene (PET) nonwoven sheet was used in the solar photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB). TiO2 Evonik Aeroxide P25 was used in this study. The amount of loaded TiO2 on PET was approximately 24%. Immobilization of TiO2 on PET was conducted by dip coating process followed by exposing to mild heat and pressure. TiO2/PET sheets were wrapped on removable Teflon rods inside home-made bench-scale recirculating flow Compound Parabolic Concentrator (CPC) photoreactor prototype (platform 0.7 × 0.2 × 0.4 m3). CPC photoreactor is made up of seven low iron borosilicate glass tubes connected in series. CPC reflectors are made of stainless steel 304. The prototype was mounted on a platform tilted at 30°N local latitude in Cairo. A centrifugal pump was used to circulate water containing methylene blue (MB) dye inside the glass tubes. Efficient photocatalytic degradation of MB using TiO2/PET was achieved upon the exposure to direct sunlight. Chemical oxygen demand (COD) analyses reveal the complete mineralization of MB. Durability of TiO2/PET composite was also tested under sunlight irradiation. Results indicate only 6% reduction in the amount of TiO2 after seven cycles. No significant change was observed for the physicochemical characteristics of TiO2/PET after the successive irradiation processes

Prevalence and some risk factors with therapeutic trial of sheep dermatophytosis in Egypt

Dermatophytosis is a fungal disease that affects the superficial skin layers and hair of farm animals all over the world including Egypt. Despite being a self-limiting disease, it has serious effects on public health and devastating economic losses due to its serious skin damage, a long course of treatment, and loss of weight. This study determines the most prevalent species of dermatophyte in sheep and identifies the incriminated species by both microscopic and culture methods with an assessment of animal and environmental risk factors. Moreover, it evaluates the effectiveness of three antifungal compounds (tioconazole cream and clotrimazole spray, and fluconazole capsule), on twenty-four naturally infected sheep. One hundred and three sheep from Sharkia and Dakahalia governorates were examined with clinically suggestive lesions from 2018 to 2019. 47.6% of the cases were positive for the dermatophyte infection either by clinical signs, microscopic or culture, or both. The highest registered infection rate is in males, at the age of ˂ 6 months, and in the winter season. Three antifungal medications are used for the first time in the treatment of ovine dermatophytosis. They are proved to have been effective in subsiding skin lesions with hair growth to return to its normal clinical state with a 100% curative rate. The treatment with preferable and easily applicable topical cures, especially tioconazole cream, is highly effective in the short run. This cream treatment is easily applicable and provides a good alternative to the traditional antifungal medication for sheep. Consequently, such treatment can reduce the possibility of spreading the infection by other animals, and may allow the adaption of efficient control measures

Case studies of magnetotelluric method applied to mapping active faults

Magnetotelluric method (MT) offers opportunity to detect crustal fluids along faults due to their high conductivity anomaly. Supposing that fluids deposited minerals in the conductive fractures (faults, dykes) decreasing the resistivity, the high seismicity in the area can be explained by the presence of these fluids. MT measurements were carried out in the period range 0.001–420 s crossing the Kalabsha fault (Aswan, Egypt) and Remiremont fault (Southern Vosges, France). In these work we detect geoelectrical resistivity anomalies of the Earth’s crust and link them to local seismic activity. Seismic events having magnitude (M<5) are found along fault zones in Kalabsha and Remiremont. The goals of our measurements are various. We would like to determine the precise location of the active faults, to study the connection of the Remiremont and Kalabsha seismicity to the MT resistivity structures, and to support the idea of the influence of the fluid-bearing conducting faults in the Remiremont and Kalabsha areas to the earthquake. These applications afford the unusual opportunity to study the percolation of water into the faults system and its effect on the seismicity, to reveal geological structures and the stress field covered by thin Quaternary formations. Data are analysed by 2D simultaneous inversion of both polarizations. The resulting models are compared with the local seismicity map. Our MT model reveals the conductive signature of the fault, as well as geological and tectonic stresses prevailing in active regions

Long-lasting relaxation of seismicity at Awan reservoir, Egypt, 1982-2001.

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The interaction and photostability of some xanthenes and selected azo sensitizing dyes with TiO2 nanoparticles

We have tested simple Graetzel-type solar cells using semiconductor thin films consisting of TiO2 nanoparticles and some electron injecting dyes. The possibility of using xanthenes (rhodamine 101, fluorescein and 5(6)-carboxyfluorescein) and selected azo dyes (alizarin yellow R, alizarin yellow 2G and carboxyaesenazo) as sensitizers has been explored. Fluorescence and electronic absorption measurements revealed complex formation between the chosen dyes and the surface of the colloidal TiO2. The apparent association constants (Kapp) of the surface complexes have been estimated and are correlated with the dyeinduced negative shifts of the reduction potential of colloidal TiO2 nanoparticles. Moreover, due to its utmost importance, photostability of the organic dyes in absence and presence of colloidal TiO2 nanoparticles and the influence of the used electrolyte have been examined. The results point to a remarkable enhancement of photostability in the presence of the electrolyte (I3−/I−), which is attributed to fast regeneration of the neutral dye via the redox couple of the electrolyte. Furthermore, photocurrent action spectrum of the fabricated and tested DSC shows the origin of photoelectric output to be optical absorption of the dye used

Solar photocatalytic treatment of industrial wastewater utilizing recycled polymeric disposals as TiO2 supports

Heavily contaminated industrial wastewater is treated using a homemade compound parabolic reactor utilizing recycled polymeric disposals as TiO2 supports. The recycled polymeric materials include cotton, cotton lycra, polyamide, paper, polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, and polyurethane. The loading of TiO2 onto different support materials was investigated to identify the optimal composite. The TiO2/polyethylene terephthalate collected from Factory i (PETi) composite was selected because of its durability, strong polymer-TiO2 binding, and significant photocatalytic activity. Infrared and scanning electron microscopy characterizations confirm the strong binding and homogenous distribution of TiO2 particles over the PETi surface before and after the photocatalytic process. The solar photocatalytic treatment of the sample wastewater resulted in significant photobleaching. A significant reduction in the chemical oxygen demand (COD) and mineralization percentages of up to 42% were reported. The increased biological oxygen demand to COD ratios indicate the formation of new biodegradable species, enabling further normal biological treatment. •Profoundly contaminated industrial wastewater is treated using CPC photoreactor.•Recycled polymeric disposals were utilized as TiO2 supports.•Photocatalytic treatment of wastewater resulted in significant photobleaching.•Mineralization percentages up to 42% inside the CPC reactor were reported.•Analyses suggest formation of biodegradable species, enabling biological treatment

Utilization of black liquor as concrete admixture and set retarder aid

The utilization of black liquor, produced by the pulp and paper industry in Egypt, as a workability aid and set retarder admixture has been investigated. This approach may help eliminate the environmentally polluting black liquor waste. It also provides a low cost by-product, which can be widely used in the construction industry. The properties of black liquor and its performance on concrete at two different ratios of water to cement have been studied. The results revealed that black liquor from rice straw pulp increases concrete workability, improves compaction, and reduces honeycombing. Moreover, it retards the initial and final set time and enhances uniform compaction. The effect of incorporating small portions of silica fume has been investigated. The ageing effect of this material over a period of one year, to determine its safe storage period, has been studied. Finally, this admixture was found to comply with the relevant Egyptian standards