Effect of bee venom on rat glucocorticoid receptor beta: a therapeutically model of rheumatoid arthritis

This study aim to use bee venom as alternative medicine for treatment of rats induced with rheumatoid arthritis. Forty rats used for this purpose which divided into four groups, three groups induced with rheumatoid arthritis and one group considered as control group that subdivided into control negative and control positive (rheumatoid group). All the groups induced with rheumatoid arthritis injected with bee venom with different doses (high 40 μg/kg and low dose 10 μg/kg) and different times (after 5 days and after two weeks from CFA injection and along with CFA injection). Glucocorticoid receptor beta used as a biomarker which suggested function as negative regulator determine glucocorticoid sensitivity in target tissues and as an endogenous inhibitor for glucocorticoid action. The high and low dose showed significantly decrease in GCRβ as compared with control group and non-significant between rheumatoid and both along CFA and after 5 days of CFA injection. The pretreatment high and low dose revealed significant decrease in GCRβ compared with Rheumatoid group and non- significant as compared with control group in low dose bee venom treatment. Also, depending on hand paw edema assessment, a weak evidence about anti-inflammatory effects of bee venom has shown. From our data we concluded that bee venom prevents GCRβ elevation especially in pre-treatment group this may result assess to anti-inflammatory effect but the safety of this toxin still needed for another study. Clinically no evidence about the treated effect of bee venom on rheumatoid arthritis in rat

Winter grazing and pasture erosion

Winter precipitation, whether it\u27s rain, sleet, or snow, can lead to pasture erosion. Grazing livestock on frozen soil usually causes minimal pasture damage, but grazing pasture when soil is wet or muddy can lead to soil compaction, erosion, and long-term damage to pasture sod. Producers who manage livestock on pasture should consider the potential of soil erosion from winter grazing, particularly on sloped areas

A decade-long silent ground subsidence hazard culminating in a metropolitan disaster in Maceió, Brazil

Ground subsidence caused by natural or anthropogenic processes affects major urban areas worldwide. Sinkhole formation and infrastructure fractures have intensified in the federal capital of Maceió (Alagoas, Brazil) since early 2018, forcing authorities to relocate affected residents and place buildings under demolition. In this study, we present a 16-year history (2004–2020) of surface displacement, which shows precursory deformations in 2004–2005, reaching a maximum cumulative subsidence of approximately 200 cm near the Mundaú Lagoon coast in November 2020. By integrating the displacement observations with numerical source modelling, we suggest that extensive subsidence can be primarily associated with the removal of localized, deep-seated material at the location and depth where salt is mined. We discuss the accelerating subsidence rates, influence of severe precipitation events on the aforementioned geological instability, and related hazards. This study suggests that feedback destabilization mechanisms may arise in evaporite systems due to anthropogenic activities, fostering enhanced and complex superficial ground deformation

Crustal Structure of Iraq from Receiver Functions and Surface Wave Dispersion

We report the crustal structure of Iraq, located in the northeastern Arabian plate, estimated by joint inversion of P-wave receiver functions and surface wave group velocity dispersion. Receiver functions were computed from teleseismic recordings at two temporary broadband seismic stations in Mosul (MSL) and Baghdad (BHD), separated by approximately 360 km. Group velocity dispersion curves at the sites were derived from continental-scale tomography of Pasyanos (2006). The inversion results show that the crustal thicknesses are 39 km at MSL and 43 km at BHD. Both sites reveal low velocity surface layers consistent with sedimentary thickness of about 3 km at station MSL and 7 km at BHD, agreeing well with the existing models. Ignoring the sediments, the crustal velocities and thicknesses are remarkably similar between the two stations, suggesting that the crustal structure of the proto-Arabian Platform in northern Iraq was uniform before subsidence and deposition of the sediments in the Cenozoic. Deeper low velocity sediments at BHD are expected to result in higher ground motions for earthquakes

EVALUATION OF HERBICIDES PALLAS AND LIMITLESS IN CONTROLLING THE NARROW AND BROAD LEAVE WEEDS WITHIN WHEAT CROP FIELDS AND THEIR EFFECT ON GRAIN YIELD AND IT'S COMPONENTS

The experiment was conducted at the fields of the Abu Ghraib Research Station's Agricultural Research Department, Ministry of Agriculture during 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 Seasons, this study was aimed evaluation herbicides for controlling narrow and broad weed. The experiment included the use of Pallas OD herbicide, with an application rate of 500 ml. ha-1 and Limitless WG with application rate 400 g. ha-1 + 500 ml. ha-1 activator in addition to free weed treatment and weedy control treatment. A randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates was used. Limitless herbicide treatment achieved the lowest mean number of weeds, which were 1.3 and 2.3 plants. m-2 with a control rate of 93.44% and 91.1%, in comparison to the weedy treatment, it decreased the dry weight of the weed (1.97 and 3.22 g. m-2) with an inhibition rate of 88.46% and 87.1% for the two seasons, respectively, which had the most weeds on average, at 22.67 and 28.7 plants. Throughout the two seasons, the weed plants with the highest average dry weight were 19.12 and 24.86 g. m-2. The number of weeds and plants.m-2 and the control rate were identical between the control treatments using Limitless and Pallas. The number of grains and spikes increased (by 39.2 and 43.20 percent, respectively) with the Limitless therapy. In comparison to the weedy treatment, spike-1 increased grain productivity by 56.9% and 66.47% for both seasons, with a percentage of 32.7% and 36.08%, weight of 1000 grains at a rate of 27.47% and 24.83%. It can be concluded that weed herbicides with low and high concentrations can be used to kill weeds in wheat fields

Performing the Egyptian revolution : origins of collective restraint action in the Midan

This research was supported by a Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland grant.In January/February 2011, the world watched with admiration the Egyptian revolution that toppled President Housni Mubarak. The demonstration in Midan al-Tahrir (Liberation Square in central Cairo), which was the nucleus of the revolution, highlighted a largely spontaneous, civil and peaceful political performance. However, this performance was temporary, contradicting subsequent bloody conflicts in post-revolutionary Egypt. This article examines the socio-political origins of the Midan performance. It argues that the demonstrators exercised collective restraint, which was temporary but necessary, in order to topple Mubarak. Building on Norbert Elias’ civilising process theory and social movements literature, it is argued that the origins of this performance are found in a collective knowledge of regime strategy and narrative, Egyptian socio-political values and existing repertoires of contention. Drawing on primary sources and semi-structured interviews, the article contends that the demonstrators exercised collective restraint to reframe regime narrative and draw public support for the revolution.PostprintPeer reviewe

The RdgC protein employs a novel mechanism involving a finger domain to bind to circular DNA

The DNA-binding protein RdgC has been identified as an inhibitor of RecA-mediated homologous recombination in Escherichia coli. In Neisseria species, RdgC also has a role in virulence-associated antigenic variation. We have previously solved the crystal structure of the E. coli RdgC protein and shown it to form a toroidal dimer. In this study, we have conducted a mutational analysis of residues proposed to mediate interactions at the dimer interfaces. We demonstrate that destabilizing either interface has a serious effect on in vivo function, even though a stable complex with circular DNA was still observed. We conclude that tight binding is required for inhibition of RecA activity. We also investigated the role of the RdgC finger domain, and demonstrate that it plays a crucial role in the binding of circular DNA. Together, these data allow us to propose a model for how RdgC loads onto DNA. We discuss how RdgC might inhibit RecA-mediated strand exchange, and how RdgC might be displaced by other DNA metabolism enzymes such as polymerases and helicases

Impacts of the Cairo Metro

The Cairo Metro the first in Africa and the Middle East is a two-line system, heavily-used. Data from the operator and a direct passenger survey are used to illustrate patterns of use and draw policy implications for other systems. While current revenue exceeds operating costs, cross-subsidies may exist between different passenger groups as a result of highly-discounted student season tickets. A fare increase in 1996 is used to estimate short-run elasticity of demand with respect to price, approximately 0.2, a similar figure to other metro systems. Substantial use is made of motorised feeder modes, notably shared taxis (paratransit minibuses). The high level of use occurs despite a substantial premium over other public transport fares, and lack of integrated ticketing. A likely explanation is that the fares are reasonable compared with incomes, and that the price differential is offset for many users by the time savings vis a vis congested traffic conditions.Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies. Faculty of Economics and Business. The University of Sydne

Effects of percutaneous coronary intervention on death and myocardial infarction stratified by stable and unstable coronary artery disease: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background: In patients presenting with ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) reduces mortality when compared with fibrinolysis. In other forms of coronary artery disease (CAD), however, it has been controversial whether PCI reduces mortality. In this meta-analysis, we examine the benefits of PCI in (1) patients post–myocardial infarction (MI) who did not receive immediate revascularization; (2) patients who have undergone primary PCI for ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction but have residual coronary lesions; (3) patients who have suffered a non–ST-segment–elevation acute coronary syndrome; and (4) patients with truly stable CAD with no recent infarct. This analysis includes data from the recently presented International Study of Comparative Health Effectiveness with Medical and Invasive Approaches (ISCHEMIA) and Complete versus Culprit-Only Revascularization Strategies to Treat Multivessel Disease after Early PCI for STEMI (COMPLETE) trials. Methods and Results: We systematically identified all randomized trials of PCI on a background of medical therapy for the treatment of CAD. The ISCHEMIA trial, presented in November 2019, was eligible for inclusion. Data were combined using a random-effects meta-analysis. The primary end point was all-cause mortality. Forty-six trials, including 37 757 patients, were eligible. In the 3 unstable scenarios, PCI had the following effects on mortality: unrevascularized post-MI relative risk (RR) 0.68 (95% CI, 0.45–1.03); P=0.07; multivessel disease following ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction (RR, 0.84 [95% CI, 0.69–1.04]; P=0.11); non–ST-segment–elevation acute coronary syndrome (RR, 0.84 [95% CI, 0.72–0.97]; P=0.02). Overall, in these unstable scenarios PCI was associated with a significant reduction in mortality (RR, 0.84 [95% CI, 0.75–0.93]; P=0.02). In unstable CAD, PCI also reduced cardiac death (RR, 0.69 [95% CI, 0.53–0.90]; P=0.007) and MI (RR, 0.74 [95% CI, 0.62–0.90]; P=0.002). For stable CAD, PCI did not reduce mortality (RR, 0.98 [95% CI, 0.87–1.11]), cardiac death (RR, 0.89 [95% CI, 0.71–1.12]; P=0.33), or MI (RR, 0.96 [95% CI, 0.86–1.08]; P=0.54). Conclusions: PCI prevents death, cardiac death, and MI in patients with unstable CAD. For patients with stable CAD, PCI shows no evidence of an effect on any of these outcomes

Machine Learning Approaches for Short-Range Wind Power Estimation: A Perspective

The evolution of wind energy production, especially in near and offshore farms, has seen significant advancements due to the integration of novel technologies and the reduction in economic costs. This paper reviews the work in the domain of wind power estimation, emphasizing the innovative approaches leveraging satellite data and artificial intelligence (AI) methodologies. A notable method integrates Sentinel satellite imagery analysis in a two-phased approach, combined with machine learning techniques, to forecast wind speed. This method utilizes sentinel-1 and sentinel-2 satellite images for wind speed and bathymetry analysis, respectively. Furthermore, a hybrid forecasting model, comprising the generalized regression neural network (GRNN) and the whale optimization algorithm (WOA), has been introduced. Another pivotal advancement comes from the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), which has revamped its wind power forecasting system. This enhancement focuses on short-term forecasting, uncertainty quantification in wind speed prediction, and the prediction of extreme events like icing. The integration of numerical weather prediction with machine-learning methods, such as the fuzzy logic artificial intelligence system, has further elevated the accuracy and efficiency of these forecasting models. Collectively, these advancements offer a comprehensive perspective on the future of shortrange wind power estimation