Assessment of Plasma N-Terminal Pro-Brain Natriuretic Peptide and CRP in Patients with Severe Sepsis, Septic Shock and Acute Heart Failure

Background: Increased plasma levels of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) have been identified as predictors of cardiac dysfunction and prognosis in congestive heart failure and ischemic heart disease. In severe sepsis patients, however, no information is available yet about the prognostic value of natriuretic peptides in Egyptian patients. Aim: The aim of the present work is to study the relationship between amino-terminal pro-BNP, C-reactive protein in one hand and the severity of organ dysfunction and mortality on admission  in the other in patient with severe  sepsis and septic shock.Patients and methods: This study population consisted of ninety patients aged >18 years, who were admitted to the internal medicine department ICU, Kasr El-Aini Hospitals, Cairo University and enrolled within 24 hours of admission to the ICU with severe sepsis, patients with septic shock, patients with acute decompensated heart failure and patients who developed severe sepsis while in the ICU. The patients were divided to 3 groups, Group I (septic shock), group II (severe sepsis) and group III (heart failure). Plasma N-Terminal Pro-Brain Natriuretic Peptide and CRP were measured.Results: There was higher CRP level in group I (69.56 ± 38.01) compared to group II (41.70 ± 25.34) with a significant p value (0.002). There was higher level of NTproBNP in group I (2809.73 ± 2362.32 pg/ml) compared to group II (2595.13 1968.39 pg/ml) and group III (789.37 ± 348.01pg/ml)   with a statistically significant p valueConclusion: NT-pro BNP values are increased in severe sepsis and septic shock. Values are significantly higher in non survivors than survivors. Elevated concentrations of serum CRP on admission are indicators of an increased risk of severe sepsis, septic shock and death

SARS‐CoV‐2 infection of companion animals in Egypt and its risk of spillover

Abstract Background Reverse zoonoses occur because of interactions between humans and animals. Homology of ACE‐2 cell receptors in different hosts and high mutation rate of SARS‐CoV‐2 enhance viral transmission among species. Objectives This study aimed to investigate spillover of SARS‐CoV‐2 between humans and companion animals. Methods A cross‐sectional study was constructed using nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal swabs, serum and blood samples collected from 66 companion animals (33 cats and 33 dogs) that were in contact with SARS‐CoV‐2‐positive owners from December 2020 to March 2021. Swabs were screened by rRT‐PCR and some positive cases were confirmed by partial spike gene sequencing. Clinical pathology and pathological studies were also performed. Results Our findings revealed that 30% of cats (10/33) and 24% of dogs (8/33) were SARS‐CoV‐2 positive. While 33% of these animals were asymptomatic (6/18), 28% showed mild respiratory signs (5/18) and 39% displayed severe respiratory signs (7/18) including 4 dead cats 40% (4/10). Partial spike gene sequencing of 6 positive samples collected in December 2020 were identical to SARS‐CoV‐2 that was detected in humans in Egypt in that time frame. Clinical pathology findings revealed thrombocytopenia, lymphocytopenia, as well as elevated levels of D‐dimer, LDH, CRP, and ferritin. Post‐mortem and histopathological examinations illustrated multisystemic effects. Conclusions There is a potential occurrence of SARS‐CoV‐2 spillover between humans and pet animals. Impacts The present study highlighted the potential occurrence of SARS‐CoV‐2 spillover between humans and their companion animals. Biosecurity measures should be applied to decrease spread of SARS‐CoV‐2 among humans and pet animals

Detecting Spatially Localized Exciton in Self-Organized InAs/InGaAs Quantum Dot Superlattices: a Way to Improve the Photovoltaic Efficiency

Abstract This paper reports on experimental and theoretical investigations of atypical temperature-dependent photoluminescence properties of multi-stacked InAs quantum dots in close proximity to InGaAs strain-relief underlying quantum well. The InAs/InGaAs/GaAs QD heterostructure was grown by solid-source molecular beam epitaxy (SS-MBE) and investigated via photoluminescence (PL), spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE), and picosecond time-resolved photoluminescence. Distinctive double-emission peaks are observed in the PL spectra of the sample. From the excitation power-dependent and temperature-dependent PL measurements, these emission peaks are associated with the ground-state transition from InAs QDs with two different size populations. Luminescence measurements were carried out as function of temperature in the range of 10–300 K by the PL technique. The low temperature PL has shown an abnormal emission which appeared at the low energy side and is attributed to the recombination through the deep levels. The PL peak energy presents an anomalous behavior as a result of the competition process between localized and delocalized carriers. We propose the localized-state ensemble model to explain the usual photoluminescence behaviors. The quantitative study shows that the quantum well continuum states act as a transit channel for the redistribution of thermally activated carriers. We have determined the localization depth and its effect on the application of the investigated heterostructure for photovoltaic cells. The model gives an overview to a possible amelioration of the InAs/InGaAs/GaAs QDs SCs properties based on the theoretical calculations