Prevalence, Pathogenicity, Virulence, Antibiotic Resistance, and Phylogenetic Analysis of Biofilm-Producing Listeria monocytogenes Isolated from Different Ecological Niches in Egypt: Food, Humans, Animals, and Environment

Serious outbreaks of foodborne disease have been caused by Listeria monocytogenes found in retail delicatessens and the severity of disease is significant, with high hospitalization and mortality rates. Little is understood about the formidable public health threat of L. monocytogenes in all four niches, humans, animals, food, and environment, in Egypt. This study analyzed the presence of L. monocytogenes collected from the four environmental niches and bioinformatics analysis was implemented to analyze and compare the data. PCR was used to detect virulence genes encoded by pathogenicity island (LIPI-1). prfA amino acid substation that causes constitutive expression of virulence was common in 77.7% of isolates. BLAST analysis did not match other isolates in the NCBI database, suggesting this may be a characteristic of the region associated with these isolates. A second group included the NH1 isolate originating in China, and BLAST analysis showed this prfA allele was shared with isolates from other global locations, such as Europe and North America. Identification of possible links and transmission pathways between the four niches helps to decrease the risk of disease in humans, to take more specific control measures in the context of disease prevention, to limit economic losses associated with food recalls, and highlights the need for treatment options

What is the Physiological Role of Matrin-3?

In mammals, Matrin-3 is a highly conserved inner nuclear matrix protein of 125 kDa. This protein has been implicated in various functions, including the maintenance of cell viability, proliferation and stemness, DNA protection, mRNA stability and transport of transcripts, and viral assembly as well as involvement in some neurodegenerative diseases. Yet, its physiological mode of action remains elusive. Here, we summarize the main data in the literature on matrin-3’s role in cells and suggest that its specific interaction with GRP78, a principal regulator of the unfolding protein pathway (UPR), may shed light on some of the functional activities associated with Matr3 Keywords: Matrin-3; Cell proliferation; DNA damage response; GRP78; UPR pathway; Mode of action; Matrin-3 downregulatio

Sjögren Syndrome Complicated by Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue Lymphoma and Lymphocytic Interstitial Pneumonia.

Sjögren syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disease with exocrine glands dysfunction and multiorgan involvement. It is associated with increased risk of lymphoproliferative disorders, especially B-cell marginal zone lymphoma. While the role of F-18 Fluorodeoxyglucose position emission tomography/computed tomography (F-18 FDG PET/CT) for evaluation of lymphoma has been established, its use in patients with a chronic history of SS to evaluate for possible lymphoproliferative disorders or multiorgan involvement is limited. We present a case of chronic SS in which F-18 FDG PET/CT demonstrated FDG avid intraparotid and cervical lymph nodes pathologically proven to be mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma. In addition, the patient had bibasilar cystic changes consistent with lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia

Spinal myoclonus as a rare presentation of neurological disease in Sudan

Background: Spinal Myoclonus is a very rare movement disorder characterized by myoclonic involvement of the whole body. Structural lesions are usually the cause ,but in primary spinal myoclonus the etiology remain un known. Case description: We presented a 50 years old farmer from east of sudan presented with jerky movement affecting whole of his body diagnosed clinically as spinal myoclonus .      laboratory study was normal, MRI brain &cervical&dorsal Spine were normal.The patient received clonezepam with marked improvement . CONCLUSION: In any case of spinal myoclonus EEG,EMG&MRI brain &spinal cord must be done to exclude structural lesions. Clonazepam is the drug of choice with magic improvement. in segmental spinal myoclonus botulinum toxin is the best treatment . Key words: Spinal Myoclonus ,Sudan

Predictors of COVID-19 Vaccination Rate in USA: A Machine Learning Approach

In this study, we examine state-level features and policies that are most important in achieving a threshold level vaccination rate to curve the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. We employ CHAID, a decision tree algorithm, on three different model specifications to answer this question based on a dataset that includes all the states in the United States. Workplace travel emerges as the most important predictor; however, the governors’ political affiliation (PA) replaces it in a more conservative feature set that includes economic features and the growth rate of COVID-19 cases. We also employ several alternative algorithms as a robustness check. Results from these checks confirm our original findings regarding workplace travels and political affiliation. The accuracy under different model specifications ranges from 80%–88%, whereas the sensitivity is between 92.5%–100%. Our findings provide actionable policy insights to increase vaccination rates and combat the COVID-19 pandemic

Vibration Signature of Roller Bearing’s Faults

Centrifugal pumps are widely used in many industrial applications. Defective pumps cause higher rate of energy loss with related overall performance degradation. Mechanical components fail due to decrease in pump’s strength or an increase in the force acting on it. Rolling bearings are one of the major components of the centrifugal pumps. Bearings are critical mechanical components in industrial machines. Bearing failure is often attributed to be one of the major causes of breakdown. Early detection of undesired conditions during the operation of the centrifugal pump has become very important in order to avoid consequential damages. Early detection is also vital for increasing availability and reliability. Automated health monitoring can reduce the outage time and repair costs. Using vibration analysis technique to monitor and evaluate the health of the machines has become an important technique in this field. In this research, we studied the vibration signatures of healthy and faulty conditions of the bearings of a pumping system. The pumping system consists of centrifugal pump and electrical motor. The vibration signatures analyze the bearing status with respect to the normal operation. The paper shows how to identify if there is a problem in the outer race of the Bearing Pass Frequency Outer Race (BPFO)

Pilot Experimental Tests on Punching Shear Strength of Flat Plates Reinforced with Stirrups Punching Shear Reinforcement

Flat plates are favor structure systems usually used in parking garages and high-rise buildings due to its simplicity for construction. However, flat plates have some inherent structural problems, due to high shear stress surrounding the supporting columns which cause a catastrophic brittle type of failure called "Punching Shear Failure". Several solutions are used to avoid punching shear failure, including the use of drop panels or punching shear reinforcement. The latter is being a more sophisticated solution from the structural ductility, the architectural and the economical point of view. This study aims at investigating the effect of stirrups as shear reinforcement in enhancing the punching strength of interior slab-column connections. A total of four full-scale interior slab-column connections were tested up to failure. All slabs had a side length of 1700 mm and 160 mm thickness with 200 mm x 200 mm square column. The test parameters were the presence of shear reinforcement and stirrups concentration around the supporting column. The test results showed that the distribution of stirrups over the critical punching shear zone was an efficient solution to enhance not only the punching shear capacity but also the ductility of the connection. Furthermore, the concentrating of stirrups shear reinforcement in the vicinity of the column for the tested slabs increases the punching shear capacity by 13 % compared to the uniform distribution at same amount of shear reinforcement

PREPARATION AND EVALUATION OF ANTHRALIN BIODEGRADABLE NANOPARTICLES AS A POTENTIAL DELIVERY SYSTEM FOR THE TREATMENT OF PSORIASIS

Objective: Anthralin is one of the most effective drugs in psoriasis management. However, its side effects and unfavourable physicochemical properties limit its clinical use. Therefore, the objective of this study was to prepare and evaluate poly (ethylene glycol)-block-poly (ε-caprolactone) (PEG-b-PCL) nanoparticles as a potential delivery system for anthralin.Methods: PEG-b-PCL nanoparticles were prepared by the co-solvent evaporation method and evaluated using a variety of techniques. The effect of drug/polymer weight feed ratio on the nanoparticle size, drug loading capacity and encapsulation efficiency were studied. Drug release kinetics were studied using the dialysis bag method. Nanoparticle size was measured using dynamic light scattering and confirmed by transmission electron microscopy measurements.Results: PEG-b-PCL formed spherical nanoparticles having a diameter of 40 to 80 nm based on the polymer and level of drug loading. The size observed by TEM measurements was slightly smaller than that obtained by DLS due nanoparticle dryness during measurement. Drug loading capacity increased with increasing the drug/polymer ratio and a maximum loading of ~25% was obtained. Anthralin encapsulation in the nano particles resulted in ~120-fold increase in its aqueous solubility. Anthralin was released from the nanoparticles over a prolonged period of time where ~ 45% was released in 48 h.Conclusion: These results confirm the utility of PEG-b-PCL nanoparticles in enhancing the aqueous solubility and sustaining the release of athralin. Therefore, they might be used as a potential delivery system for the treatment of psoriasis.Â

Pilot Experimental Tests on Punching Shear Strength of Flat Plates Reinforced with Stirrups Punching Shear Reinforcement

Flat plates are favor structure systems usually used in parking garages and high-rise buildings due to its simplicity for construction. However, flat plates have some inherent structural problems, due to high shear stress surrounding the supporting columns which cause a catastrophic brittle type of failure called "Punching Shear Failure". Several solutions are used to avoid punching shear failure, including the use of drop panels or punching shear reinforcement. The latter is being a more sophisticated solution from the structural ductility, the architectural and the economical point of view. This study aims at investigating the effect of stirrups as shear reinforcement in enhancing the punching strength of interior slab-column connections. A total of four full-scale interior slab-column connections were tested up to failure. All slabs had a side length of 1700 mm and 160 mm thickness with 200 mm x 200 mm square column. The test parameters were the presence of shear reinforcement and stirrups concentration around the supporting column. The test results showed that the distribution of stirrups over the critical punching shear zone was an efficient solution to enhance not only the punching shear capacity but also the ductility of the connection. Furthermore, the concentrating of stirrups shear reinforcement in the vicinity of the column for the tested slabs increases the punching shear capacity by 13 % compared to the uniform distribution at same amount of shear reinforcement

Effect of plant spacing and pruning on vegetative growth, yield and fruit quality of introduced mango cultivars

   Kitchener is the most extensively cultivated mango cultivar in the Sudan. However, this cultivar is not popular in export markets due to its high fiber content. Hence, internationally popular mango cultivars have been recently introduced to the Sudan from South Africa. They  include Tommy Atkins, Kent, Keitt, Haden and Sensation. An experiment was conducted in Kamleen nursery, Gezira State, Sudan, during June 2008 to May 2011, to investigate the effects of plant spacing and pruning on vegetative growth, yield and fruit quality of these introduced mango cultivars compared to the local cultivar, Abusamaka . The trees were planted at a spacing of 5x5m and 10x10 m and subjected to three types of pruning, namely, pruning to two branches, three branches, tip pruning and control. Treatments were arranged in a split-plot design with three replicates. Plant spacing was assigned to the main plots and pruning treatments to the sub-plots. Results showed that the wider spacing resulted in significantly larger canopy diameter and larger number of fruits per tree than the closer spacing in all cultivars and seasons. However, the closer spacing resulted in significantly larger number of fruits/ha and  higher total yield/ha than the wider spacing due to the larger number of trees/ha. Pruning of mango trees to three main branches resulted in significantly the highest yield components and total yield, followed by two branches, tipping and the lowest yield components were produced by the un-pruned control. The introduced mango cultivars had significantly more vigorous vegetative growth, earlier in flowering, higher yield components and total yield and better fruit quality than the local cultivar Abusamaka. It could be concluded that the introduced cultivars Tommy Atkins, Kent and Keitt are promising cultivars to be grown in the Sudan using the high density planting system and pruned annually for high production of good quality fruit.        يعتبر الصنف كتشنر أكثر أصناف المانجو انتشاراً في السودان ولكنه غير مرغوب في أسواق الصادر نسبة لاحتوائه على نسبة عالية من الألياف. لذلك فقد تم استجلاب بعض الأصناف المرغوبة عالمياً من جنوب أفريقيا ، وقد شملت هذه الأصناف تومي أتكنز ، كنت ، كييت ، هادن وسنسيشن. أجريت التجربة بمشتل الكاملين ، ولاية الجزيرة ، خلال الفترة من يونيو 2008 حتى مايو 2011م لمعرفة تأثير أبعاد الزراعة والتقليم على النمو الخضري ومكونات الانتاج والانتاجية  ونوعية الثمار لهده الأصناف المستوردة مقارنة بالصنف المحلى أبوسمكة. زرعت الأشجار على مسافات 5x5 م و10x 10 م وتم تقليمها بثلاثة طرق للتقليم على النحو التالي : تقليم على فرعين وتقليم على ثلاثة أفرع وتقليم القمم النامية للأفرع وغير مقلمة للمقارنة. استخدم تصميم القطع المنشقة بثلاث مكررات، حيث اسندت القطع الرئيسية لأبعاد الزراعة والقطع الفرعية لطرق التقليم. اظهرت النتائج أن مسافات الزراعة 10x10م اعطت معنوياً أفضل نمو خضري وأكبر عدد الثمار للشجرة الواحدة بالمقارنة مع 5x5م فى كل  المواسم. أبعاد الزراعة  5x5 م اعطت معنوياً أعلى عدد للثمار وأعلى انتاجية للهكتار نسبة للعدد الكبير من الاشجار فى الهكتار. تقليم أشجار المانجو لثلاثة أفرع أعطى معنوياً أعلى انتاج يليه التقليم لفرعين ثم تقليم القمة وأدنى انتاجية كانت فى الاشجار غير المقلمة. الأصناف المستوردة اعطت معنوياً أفضل نمو خضري وأعلى انتاجية وأفضل نوعية للثمار بالمقارنة مع الصنف المحلي أبوسمكة. خلصت الدراسة إلى أنّ الاصناف المستوردة تومي اتكنز وكنت وكيت هى أصناف واعدة يمكن زراعتها فى السودان بطريقة الزراعة المكثفة وتقليمها سنوياً للحصول على أعلى انتاج من الثمار عالية الجودة