Necessary Usage of Antibiotics in Animals

Animals could become sick at any time of their lives, just like all people exposed. Many of the antibiotics administered to animals are identical to or closely drugs used in human. All animal species in general and food-producing animals, in particular, are commonly exposed to antibiotics to treat and prevent infectious diseases or to promote growth. Antibiotics would not be necessary if animals were raised differently under good veterinary and husbandry practices that were less crowded and more sanitary. The proper and responsible use of antibiotics in veterinary medicine mandate an active cooperation between all the interested parties involved in livestock production cycles. All parties are invited to act together to ensure the ultimate goals of maintaining the efficacy and safety of veterinary antibiotics and complying the established maximum residue limits (MRLs) of the products of animal origin intended for human consumption. Antibiotics as hazardous substances should be applied and directed during the different steps starting from prescription until ensuring the withdrawal period under the supervision of professionals and veterinarians. Practices indicated that there is a need to improve sensitivity testing services and facilities before prescribing the proper antibiotic

Synthesis, reactions and biological evaluation of benzyltriazolophthalazine derivatives

A series of triazolophthalazine derivatives (4-22) were synthesized and characterized. The structures of the newly synthesized compounds were confirmed by spectral data. The newly synthesized compounds were also screened for their antimicrobial activity

Evaluation of near-surface groundwater aquifers through integrated geophysical and geodetic measurements

Abstract Extensive geophysical and geodetic measurements were carried out to evaluate the groundwater aquifer, trace the basement relief, as well as detect the igneous intrusions and structural elements (mainly faults) that affect the occurrence of groundwater in the study area. The fieldwork included resistivity sounding, a geomagnetic survey, and Global Positioning System measurements. The magnetic results showed the presence of a group of main faults in East-west trend at the western part of the area and major fault at the northern part of the area of NW-SW trend. The findings also showed the presence of two igneous rock intrusions located in the middle of the eastern part of the valley. Pronounced differences in the depths of basement rocks have been identified, ranging between 0 and 900 m from the surface. Both high horizontal movements and high shear strain rates have been found to be concentrated at the southeast of the study area and it was noted that high stress was accumulated along the main observed faults and at the main groundwater aquifers. The geoelectrical results confirmed the presence of two aquifers; a shallow aquifer (Quaternary aquifer) that narrows northwards and a Nubian sandstone aquifer, which considered the main aquifer. The Nubian sandstone aquifer carries groundwater in the region, which overlies the last geoelectric unit represented by the basement complex layer and geological structures affecting the potential availability of groundwater in the study area, as proved by the geomagnetic survey and stress accumulation

An artificial gorilla troops optimizer for stochastic unit commitment problem solution incorporating solar, wind, and load uncertainties

The unit commitment (UC) optimization issue is a vital issue in the operation and management of power systems. In recent years, the significant inroads of renewable energy (RE) resources, especially wind power and solar energy generation systems, into power systems have led to a huge increment in levels of uncertainty in power systems. Consequently, solution the UC is being more complicated. In this work, the UC problem solution is addressed using the Artificial Gorilla Troops Optimizer (GTO) for three cases including solving the UC at deterministic state, solving the UC under uncertainties of system and sources with and without RE sources. The uncertainty modelling of the load and RE sources (wind power and solar energy) are made through representing each uncertain variable with a suitable probability density function (PDF) and then the Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS) method is employed to generate a large number of scenarios then a scenario reduction technique known as backward reduction algorithm (BRA) is applied to establish a meaningful overall interpretation of the results. The results show that the overall cost per day is reduced from 0.2181% to 3.7528% at the deterministic state. In addition to that the overall cost reduction per day is 19.23% with integration of the RE resources. According to the results analysis, the main findings from this work are that the GTO is a powerful optimizer in addressing the deterministic UC problem with better cost and faster convergence curve and that RE resources help greatly in running cost saving. Also uncertainty consideration makes the system more reliable and realistic

Synthesis and Reactions of Some New Diiodocoumarin Derivatives Bearing Side Chains and Some of Their Biological Activities

Abstract The synthesis of 6,8-diiodocoumarin derivatives (2-6) by condensation of 3,5-diiodosalicylaldehyde (1) with active methylene compounds is described. Reaction of 6 with malononitrile afforded two products pyridine and ethylidine malononitrile derivative

Suppression of Phospholipase Dγs Confers Increased Aluminum Resistance in Arabidopsis thaliana

Aluminum (Al) toxicity is the major stress in acidic soil that comprises about 50% of the world's arable land. The complex molecular mechanisms of Al toxicity have yet to be fully determined. As a barrier to Al entrance, plant cell membranes play essential roles in plant interaction with Al, and lipid composition and membrane integrity change significantly under Al stress. Here, we show that phospholipase Dγs (PLDγs) are induced by Al stress and contribute to Al-induced membrane lipid alterations. RNAi suppression of PLDγ resulted in a decrease in both PLDγ1 and PLDγ2 expression and an increase in Al resistance. Genetic disruption of PLDγ1 also led to an increased tolerance to Al while knockout of PLDγ2 did not. Both RNAi-suppressed and pldγ1-1 mutants displayed better root growth than wild-type under Al stress conditions, and PLDγ1-deficient plants had less accumulation of callose, less oxidative damage, and less lipid peroxidation compared to wild-type plants. Most phospholipids and glycolipids were altered in response to Al treatment of wild-type plants, whereas fewer changes in lipids occurred in response to Al stress in PLDγ mutant lines. Our results suggest that PLDγs play a role in membrane lipid modulation under Al stress and that high activities of PLDγs negatively modulate plant tolerance to Al

Mortality Among Adults With Cancer Undergoing Chemotherapy or Immunotherapy and Infected With COVID-19

Importance: Large cohorts of patients with active cancers and COVID-19 infection are needed to provide evidence of the association of recent cancer treatment and cancer type with COVID-19 mortality. // Objective: To evaluate whether systemic anticancer treatments (SACTs), tumor subtypes, patient demographic characteristics (age and sex), and comorbidities are associated with COVID-19 mortality. // Design, Setting, and Participants: The UK Coronavirus Cancer Monitoring Project (UKCCMP) is a prospective cohort study conducted at 69 UK cancer hospitals among adult patients (≥18 years) with an active cancer and a clinical diagnosis of COVID-19. Patients registered from March 18 to August 1, 2020, were included in this analysis. // Exposures: SACT, tumor subtype, patient demographic characteristics (eg, age, sex, body mass index, race and ethnicity, smoking history), and comorbidities were investigated. // Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary end point was all-cause mortality within the primary hospitalization. // Results: Overall, 2515 of 2786 patients registered during the study period were included; 1464 (58%) were men; and the median (IQR) age was 72 (62-80) years. The mortality rate was 38% (966 patients). The data suggest an association between higher mortality in patients with hematological malignant neoplasms irrespective of recent SACT, particularly in those with acute leukemias or myelodysplastic syndrome (OR, 2.16; 95% CI, 1.30-3.60) and myeloma or plasmacytoma (OR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.04-2.26). Lung cancer was also significantly associated with higher COVID-19–related mortality (OR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.11-2.25). No association between higher mortality and receiving chemotherapy in the 4 weeks before COVID-19 diagnosis was observed after correcting for the crucial confounders of age, sex, and comorbidities. An association between lower mortality and receiving immunotherapy in the 4 weeks before COVID-19 diagnosis was observed (immunotherapy vs no cancer therapy: OR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.31-0.86). // Conclusions and Relevance: The findings of this study of patients with active cancer suggest that recent SACT is not associated with inferior outcomes from COVID-19 infection. This has relevance for the care of patients with cancer requiring treatment, particularly in countries experiencing an increase in COVID-19 case numbers. Important differences in outcomes among patients with hematological and lung cancers were observed

Performance Evaluation of Solar Pump for Landscape Irrigation System

Experiments were performed at a private garden in Al-Qaddbah, Al-Gharbia Governorate, Egypt. The latitude and longitude of the experiment site are 30°56'37''N and 30°47'01'' E, respectively, and the altitude equals 30 m, at the 2019 season, the total landscape area (13.5m x 9m) was divided into 6 treatments each of an area (20.25 m2), three plots were operated using solar system while the other three plots were operated using electric system. The irrigation systems were similar, 4 multi-stream sprayers, (90◦) and the distance between the sprayers was (4.5*4.5 m), different operating times were applied on each plot, under local climatic and working conditions. All the plots were planted with turfgrass (Passpalm10). The obtained results show, at solar energy powered system, uniformity coefficient increased from (65% - 75%) at operating time (10 –30 min), then it decreased during operating time (40 - 60 min), while at electric energy powered system the averages of the uniformity coefficient were (76% - 80%), at operating time (10 –40 min), while at operating time (45 - 60 min) the uniformity coefficient decreased to (75%), due to the silt clogging in the sprayers' filters. The energy saving reached (63%) with solar energy operation rather than electric energy operation in the summer season. The least total cost was (351 L.E/m2/year) at the landscape area (A3 60.75m2), which was irrigated on 3 cycles per day to give the highest uniformity coefficient (75%). When operating the solar batteries at full charge 3 - 4 times for a plot area of (20.25 m2). The hydraulic power obtained was (17.86 –26.74 W), the sprayer radius was (5.3 –5.8 m), at an average pressure of (1.9 -2.5 bar) which gave the best uniformity coefficient. The turf quality index was higher using electric motor rather than solar motor

Monitored Variations in Microbial Load of Aquacultured Tilapia Fish in Kafr El-Sheikh and El-Faiyum Governorates, Egypt

The main aim of the Egyptian government is not only to increase tilapia fish production, but also to improve the quality of the fish produced. Contaminated water causes damage to farmed fish and is also considered an important factor affecting the fish quality. To avoid losses in fish farms, it is critical to obtain information on the microbial load. This research aimed to study the microbial load in four fish farms in the governorates of Kafr El-Sheikh and El-Faiyum (two farms in each governorate), in Egypt. Water and fish samples were collected at various locations within each farm pond for two seasons (autumn and spring) to assess the microbiological characteristics. Total coliform count of aquaculture water samples was the highest mean count of 3.93×103±1.81×103 CFU/ml in farm (3) of El-Faiyum. However, Clostridium counts were highest in farm (2) of Kafr El-Sheikh at 1.85×102 ±1.76×102 in autumn of 2021. Total coliform count (1.196×103±8.38×102) was the highest in farm (1) of Kafr El-Sheikh in spring 2022. Also, Salmonella spp. was only detected in farm (2) of Kafr El-Sheikh in autumn 2021, but in spring 2022 it was positive in farm (3) of El-Faiyum. Nevertheless, Listeria spp. was not detected in the aquaculture water samples examined. In addition, Salmonella spp. was detected in farm (1) of Kafr El-Sheikh and in farms (3 and 4) of El-Faiyum in spring 2022. It was concluded that the presence of pathogenic bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella and Clostridium in fish samples in some farms in Kafr El-Sheikh and El-Faiyum may contribute to foodborne illness. So that, the microbiological criteria are recommended to be applied as guidelines to develop additional control programs in fish farms. This can help in the pollution control of the agricultural drainage water that is used in aquaculture; consequently, prevent the growth and toxin production by pathogen

Promoting fractional frequency reuse performance for combating pilot contamination in massive multiple input multiple output

Massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) improves spectrum efficiency by increasing the capacity of the wireless structure. Therefore, massive MIMO is promising for fifth generation (5G) wireless communications. In massive MIMO, channel estimation is a crucial part that should achieve reliable performance. Pilots are sent from the end-users to be used for estimating the channel. However, the problem of interference in pilot contamination affects the performance for cell-edge users. Specifically, pilot contamination appears when the same pilot sequence is utilized at the same time by more than one terminal. This lead to an inaccurate estimation of the channel. Consequently, the decoded data will not be reliable. For mitigating these pilot contamination effects, an enhanced fractional frequency reuse (eFFR) scheme is proposed that uses an algorithm in the allocation of pilot sequences to end users’ devices based on the locations of the users from the target base station (BS). The simulation results exhibit that the proposed scenario outweighs the traditional FFR within both signal to interference, and noise ratio (SINR), and capacity. Consequently, the suggested scenario enhances the performance of more than 80% of the cell terminals and the other 20% of the terminals have a slightly lower performance compared to the FFR