Offshore Stone Columns Under Embankment With Embedded Pipes

A breakwater embankment was constructed as part of a settling basin for the intake of a thermal power plant in the north of Egypt. The 440-m long breakwater surrounds the intake basin which has an area of about 18000 m2. Sea water is supplied to the intake basin through 50 concrete pipes embedded in the breakwater. Subsurface soil conditions in the area indicated that the embankment would be founded on soft silty clay underlain by a layer of silty sand. Results from the settlement analysis showed that the embedded pipes could not tolerate the predicted differential settlement in the embankment. Accordingly, it was determined that the embankment could not be founded on natural soil and that this soil would require improvement using stone columns. Offshore stone columns were constructed using the blanket method utilizing two vibro flotation probes. The layout was designed such that the stone columns were arranged in a triangular pattern below the embedded pipes, and in a rectangular pattern elsewhere. This paper presents the design method using numerical modeling to show the amount of expected settlement with and without stone columns. The method of construction is discussed showing how the stone columns were constructed using the blanket method. The full-scale load test that was constructed offshore to validate the design is described. The results from the load test and post-construction settlement readings indicated that the stone columns proved to be an efficient and economical solution in reducing the differential settlement to tolerable limits for the embedded pipes

Prognostic utility of negative stress/rest myocardial SPECT studies among patients with different clinical categories of chronic kidney disease: Data from an Egyptian cohort

AbstractPrognostic value of negative myocardial SPECT study is well established. However, patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are a special group showing increased risk of cardiac events. We thought to investigate the prognostic value of negative SPECT study among patients on regular hemodialysis compared to other clinical categories of CKD.Methods186 consecutive patients with CKD and negative SPECT study were enrolled. 93 (50%) were on hemodialysis with an eGFR<30mL/min/1.73m2 (Group I); 25 (13.4%) had uncomplicated renal transplantation with eGFR between 45 and 90mL/min/1.73m2 (Group II) and 68 (36.6%) with CKD on conservative management and no prior history of hemodialysis (eGFR between 30 and 60mL/min/1.73m2), Group (III). End points (CD, STEMI/NSTEMI, need for revascularization and hospitalized HF) were traced at 6months, one year and 2years.ResultsTotal events in all groups were 5 (2.70%) at 6months, and 18 (9.70%) and 36 (19.30%) at one year and 2years respectively. At one year 16 (17.20%) cardiac events happened in Group I compared to one (4.0%) and one (1.50%) event(s) in Groups II and III respectively (p values 0.001). At 2years, 29 (31.20%) cardiac events happened in Group I while 2 (8.0%) and 5 (7.30%) happened in Groups II and III respectively (p values 0.01, 0.001 respectively). eGFR and duration of hemodialysis were the independent predictors of cardiac events.ConclusionDespite negative MPI study, patients on hemodialysis showed higher event (including CD, STEMI/NSTEMI and revascularization) rate at one and 2years of follow-up compared to other clinical categories of CKD

Comparative study of the osteogenic potential of mesenchymal stem cells derived from different sources

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can regenerate missing tissues and treat diseases. Hence, the current work aimed to compare the proliferation rate and the osteogenic differentiation potential of bone marrow MSCs (BMSCs), gingival MSCs (GMSCs) and submandibular MSCs (SMSCs). MSCs derived from bone marrow, gingiva and submandibular salivary gland were isolated and cultured from rats. The proliferation capacity was judged by MTT proliferation Assay. Osteogenic differentiation was assessed by Alzarin red stain and quantitative RT-PCR was performed for Runx-2 and MMP-13. The highest significant proliferation was estimated in the BMSCs compared to GMSCs and SMSCs (p-value was < 0.01). All studied cell types formed mineralized nodules as stained with Alizarin Red stain at the 3rd passage of differentiation. However, BMSCs seemed to generate the highest level of mineralization compared to GMSCs and SMSCs. RT-PCR revealed that the expression of Runx-2 and MMP-13 mRNAs was significantly increased in the BMSCs compared to GMSCs and SMSCs (p-value was < 0.01). BMSCs displayed maximum osteogenesis results followed by the GMSCs and lastly by the SGSCs. Thus, it could be recommended that GMSCs can be used as a second choice after BMSCs when bone tissue reconstruction is needed

HPLC-DAD stability indicating determination of nizatidine in bulk and capsules dosage form

AbstractThis work describes the stability-indicating determination of the H2-receptor antagonist nizatidine in its bulk and capsules dosage form using high performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detector (HPLC-DAD). The developed method involved the use of Thermo Hypersil BDS-C8 (4.6×250mm, 5μm particle size) column and a mobile phase composed of 0.05M phosphoric acid and acetonitrile (50:50, v/v). The mobile phase was pumped at a flow rate of 1mL/min. Quantification of nizatidine was based on measuring its peak area at 320nm. The retention time for nizatidine was about 3.61min. The reliability and analytical performance of the proposed HPLC procedure were statistically validated with respect to linearity, range, precision, accuracy, specificity, robustness, detection and quantification limits. Calibration curve of nizatidine was linear in the range of 5–50μg/mL with correlation coefficient >0.9999. The drug was subjected to forced-degradation conditions of acidic and basic hydrolysis, oxidation, dry heat and UV photolysis where it showed considerable degradation in basic and oxidative conditions. The proposed method proved to be specific and stability-indicating by resolution of the drug from its forced-degradation products. The validated HPLC method was applied to the analysis of nizatidine in capsules dosage form where it was quantified with recoveries not less than 98.2%. Assay results were statistically compared to USP 2011 pharmacopeial method where no significant difference was observed between the proposed and reference methods

siRNA blocking of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) attenuates pathology in annonacin-induced tauopathy in mice

Tauopathy is a pathological hallmark of many neurodegenerative diseases. It is characterized by abnormal aggregates of pathological phosphotau and somatodendritic redistribution. One suggested strategy for treating tauopathy is to stimulate autophagy, hence, getting rid of these pathological protein aggregates. One key controller of autophagy is mTOR. Since stimulation of mTOR leads to inhibition of autophagy, inhibitors of mTOR will cause stimulation of autophagy process. In this report, tauopathy was induced in mice using annonacin. Blocking of mTOR was achieved through stereotaxic injection of siRNA against mTOR. The behavioral and immunohistochemical evaluation revealed the development of tauopathy model as proven by deterioration of behavioral performance in open field test and significant tau aggregates in annonacin-treated mice. Blocking of mTOR revealed significant clearance of tau aggregates in the injected side; however, tau expression was not affected by mTOR blockage

Influence of pravastatin chitosan nanoparticles on erythrocytes cholesterol and redox homeostasis: An in vitro study

AbstractThe objective of this study was to develop and characterize chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs) to increase efficacy of pravastatin (PR) on erythrocytes redox status. CSNPs and PR loaded CSNPs (PRCSNPs) were prepared by ionic gelation method. The particle size, zeta potential, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to investigate physicochemical characters of the prepared nanoparticles. The present results revealed that CSNPs and PRCSNPs have nanosize about 90nm with spherical shape, positive zeta potential and prolonged PR release. Moreover, DSC and FTIR indicated no chemical interactions between PR and CS. In vitro studies revealed that, erythrocyte uptake of PR from PRCSNPs was higher than free PR solution. Incubation of erythrocytes in high cholesterol plasma, hypercholesterolemia (HC), increases membrane cholesterol, erythrocyte hemolysis, oxidized glutathione (GSH), protein carbonyl (PCC), and malondialdeyhe (MDA). However, HC significantly decreases PR uptake by erythrocytes, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) catalase (CAT) activities, reduced GSH and nitrite levels compared to control. By contrast, treatment of HC with PR plus CS as free drug or nanostructure formula keeps the measured parameters at values near that of control. The effect of CSNPs and PRCSNPs on redox status of erythrocytes was more prominent than free drugs. In conclusion, PRCSNPs are promising drug carrier to deliver PR into erythrocytes, moreover, PRCSNPs possess promising characteristics with high biological safety for treatment of HC induced disruption of redox homeostasis

Diagnostics and outcome predictorso drug induced liver injury: a single center prospective study

Background: Although drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is a rare clinical event, it carries significant morbidity and mortality. The diagnostic approach of DILI is still challenging because of lack of reliable markers that would allow distinguishing DILI from other causes of liver injury. Objective: To study the demographic, clinical and laboratory characteristics, and their relation to outcome of patients with DILI. Patients and Methods: Case control study conducted on 80 participants divided into two groups; Group I 40 patients with acute DILI and Group II 40 patients with acute viral induced liver injury. Subjects were systematically evaluated for clinical and laboratory characteristics, other etiologies, severity of DILI with application of Roussel Uclaf Causality Assessment Method (RUCAM) and liver biopsy whenever feasible and were all followed for 6 months thereafter. Results: Diclofenac was the most incriminated drug in DILI group (16 cases, 40%). Hepatocellular injury pattern was more common (28 cases, 70%). Infection with acute hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis A virus (HAV) were the commonest etiology of viral hepatitis (32 cases, 80%). All patients with acute viral hepatitis, improved with no recorded mortality nor chronicity. While 6 patients (15%) with DILI died. Conclusion: The diagnostic approach of DILI is still rudimentary and inaccurate and require high index of suspicion and thus, careful assessment is required to distinguish DILI from other causes of liver injury

Potentially toxic elements in saltmarsh sediments and common reed (Phragmites australis) of Burullus coastal lagoon at North Nile Delta, Egypt: A survey and risk assessment

Burullus lagoon is the second largest lake in Egypt. However, there has never been a comprehensive survey which studied nineteen potentially toxic elements in sediments and plants and evaluated the associated potential risk. Thus, we aimed to study the total and potentially available content of As, Al, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Sb, Se, Sn, Tl, V, and Zn in the sediments and common reed (Phragmites australis) at thirty two sites along the entire lagoon and connected drains. Contamination Factor (CF), Pollution Load Index (PLI), Geo-accumulation Index (Igeo), and Enrichment Factor (EF) were calculated to assess the grade of contamination. Element accumulation factor (AF) and bio-concentration ratio (BCR) were also calculated. Aluminum showed the highest median (mg kg−1) total content (41,200), followed by Fe (30,300), Mn (704.7), V (82.0), Zn (75.5), Cr (51.2), Cu (47.8), Ni (44.3), As (31.9), Tl (24.6), Co (21.4), Se (20.3), Sb (17.6), Sn (15.6), Mo (11.3), and Hg (16.6 μg kg−1). Values of the EF, CF, and Igeo showed that the sediments were heavily contaminated with As, Sb, Se, Tl, Mo, Sn, Co, Ni, and Cu. The drained sediment had significantly higher values of total and potentially available element content than the lagoon sediments. Sediments of the middle and western area showed significantly higher contents of total and available elements than the eastern section. The BCR and AF values indicate that the studied plant is efficient in taking up high amounts of Zn, Fe, As, Sn, Tl, Ni, Mo, Mn; then Co, Cu, and V. The results exhibit a dramatic contamination at certain sites of the lagoon, and the studied PTEs have a predominant role in contamination-related ecological risk. Further investigations concerning redox-induced mobilization of PTEs in sediments, the risk of fish contamination and the potential health hazards are highly recommended

Clinical characteristics of depression among adolescent females: a cross-sectional study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Adolescents rarely seek psychiatric help; they even hesitate to disclose their feelings to their parents. However; the adolescents especially the females experience depressive symptoms more frequently than general population. Do they experience classic depressive symptoms? Are there symptoms specific to this subpopulation?</p> <p>Aim of the study</p> <p>Through this study, the authors aimed to estimate the prevalence of depressive disorders in Egyptian adolescent female students. They also expected a characteristic profile of symptoms for the adolescent females. However available literature provides no guidance in the description of this profile of symptoms.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A number of 602 adolescent females were interviewed, and subjected to General Health Questionnaire (GHQ); Children Depression Inventory (CDI), Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis-I Disorders (SCID-I), then Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (Ham-D). Results were analyzed by the use of SPSS-15.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The study revealed the prevalence of depression in the sample of the study to be 15.3% (measured by CDI), and 13.3% (measured by SCID-I). Fatigue was the most common presenting depressive symptom (81.3%), in addition to other emotional, cognitive and physiological symptoms. Suicidal ideations were the most common suicidal symptoms in depressed adolescent females (20%), with 2.5% serious suicidal attempts.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The somatic symptoms were by far the most common presenting symptom for female adolescents suffering from depressive disorders. Depressive phenomena including unexplained fatigue, decreased energy, psychomotor changes, lack of concentration, weight changes and suicidal ideations may be the presenting complaints instead of the classic sad mood.</p

Molecular identification of actinomycetes with antimicrobial, antioxidant and anticancer properties

The objectives of this study were to isolate and identify the actinomycetes strains from the soil and marine sediments and to evaluate the antimicrobial, antioxidant and cytotoxic activity of their bioactive secondary metabolites. Eight actinomycetes strains were isolated from soil and marine sediment samples collected from different areas in Egypt. Only three actinomycetes exhibited a wide spectrum of antimicrobial activities. They were active in vitro against microbial pathogen viz: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Aspergillus parasiticus, Fusarium solani and Fusarium oxysporum. These promising isolates were selected and identified using molecular identification technique and identified as Streptomyces spp. The crude extracts from the three Streptomyces exhibited potent antimicrobial activities against a set of microbial pathogens as well as antioxidant and anticancer activity in human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HepG2). The crude extract of Streptomyces isolate D showed antitumor activity with lC50 0.85 µg/ mL. Forty compounds were identified from the two most promising ethyl acetate extracts of culture broth of Streptomyces sp. (D-EGY) by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry analysis. It could be concluded that the streptomycetes isolated from the Egyptian environment are promising candidates as antimicrobial, antioxidant and anticancer.The objectives of this study were to isolate and identify the actinomycetes strains from the soil and marine sediments and to evaluate the antimicrobial, antioxidant and cytotoxic activity of their bioactive secondary metabolites. Eight actinomycetes strains were isolated from soil and marine sediment samples collected from different areas in Egypt. Only three actinomycetes exhibited a wide spectrum of antimicrobial activities. They were active in vitro against microbial pathogen viz: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Aspergillus parasiticus, Fusarium solani and Fusarium oxysporum. These promising isolates were selected and identified using molecular identification technique and identified as Streptomyces spp. The crude extracts from the three Streptomyces exhibited potent antimicrobial activities against a set of microbial pathogens as well as antioxidant and anticancer activity in human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HepG2). The crude extract of Streptomyces isolate D showed antitumor activity with lC50 0.85 µg/ mL. Forty compounds were identified from the two most promising ethyl acetate extracts of culture broth of Streptomyces sp. (D-EGY) by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry analysis. It could be concluded that the streptomycetes isolated from the Egyptian environment are promising candidates as antimicrobial, antioxidant and anticancer