Interaction effect between mineral zinc-nitrogen fertilization mixture and organic fertilization as compost on yield, nutrients uptake of rice and some soil properties

To study the effect of organic fertilization as compost (20 m3 fed-1), mineral Zinc-Nitrogen fertilization mixture (three Zinc levels (0, 8 and 16 kg Zn fed-1) and three nitrogen rates (0, 30 and 60 kg N fed-1 were mixed alternately) on growth, grain and straw yields, N, P and K uptake for rice crop (Oryza sativa), variety Giza 178, two field trials at El-Serw Agricultural Research Station, Damietta governorate were conducted through summer seasons of 2015 and 2016. Plant height, dry matter, grain and straw yields also, N, P and K-uptake in grain and straw yields increased with increasing levels of zinc and nitrogen fertilization. Moreover, use organic fertilization as compost gave the highest values of the previous parameters. Applying of 16 kg Zn fed-1 + 60 kg N fed-1 with 20 m3 compost fed-1 gave the highest plant height, dry matter, grain and straw yields and N, P and K-uptake in grain and straw. Therefore, it preferably adds 16 kg Zn fed-1 + 60 kg N fed-1 with 20 m3 compost fed-1 to produce a high crop of rice under saline soil condition in North Delta. Concerning to soil properties after rice harvest, mixture 16 kg Zn fed-1 + 60 kg N fed-1 with 20 m3 compost fed-1 surpassed all other treatments in improving soil properties, since available NPK and organic matter content had increased while soil EC and pH in the root zone was decreased

Parameters' Effect on Weld Quality for Dissimilar Spot Welding Between Ferritic Stainless Steel and Low Carbon Steel Sheets

Abstract: This work discusses the effect of main controlling parameters of spot welding process on the quality of dissimilar welded joint between ferritic stainless steel grade 430, FSS with 0.5 mm thickness and low carbon steel, LCS with 0.6 mm thickness sheets. Parameters studied were welding current, welding time and electrode pressure. Metallurgical and mechanical characteristics were determined through microstructure, tensile shear and microhardness examinations. The results of this study showed that the suitable electrode pressure in this dissimilar combination of steels; FSS and LCS; was 0.2MPa (2 bar). It was found also that the welding current is the most influential parameter on weld quality. The best weld strength was obtained at 3.4 KA. Increasing welding current and welding time up to certain level increases the joint strength, after this level the joint strength decreases. Investigations showed also that the dominant structure of the nugget is martensite. The fracture due to tensile shear test was mainly intergranular in ferritic stainless steel side and the fracture mode was button pullout

Mannose-binding lectin deficiency in preterm neonates

Background: Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) is a collagenous protein that plays a role in innate immunity. MBL deficiency is associated with an opsonization defect and has been associated with recurrent infections, especially in immunocompromised individuals. Neonates are considered to be immunocompromised because adaptive immunity has not yet been developed. Objective: This study was done to evaluate the levels of MBL in premature neonates and to determine the relation between MBL deficiency and development of sepsis. Methods: This case- control study was conducted on 64 neonates classified into 2 groups; 39 preterm neonates with gestational age (G.A) <36 weeks and 25 healthy full term neonates. Measurement of mannose-binding lectin (MBL) serum level was done on the first day of life using ELISA technique. Results: Mean MBL plasma level was found to be lower in preterm than full term neonates, yet this difference did not reach statistical significance. There was a negative correlation albeit an insignificant one, between MBL level and GA. The deficient group (those with MBL level ≤0.7μg/ml) had higher incidence of sepsis, albeit an insignificant one, than the non deficient group. A highly significant positive correlation was demonstrated between MBL plasma level in neonatal and umbilical cord blood samples. Conclusion: Premature neonates have low MBL serum levels which could be measured in either their venous or umbilical cord blood efficiently. Further studies are needed to investigate the relationship between MBL deficiency and neonatal sepsis and whether measuring MBL levels might be used to identify which neonates are prone to infections.Keywords: Mannose binding lectin, neonates, preterm, sepsisEgypt J Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2010;8(2):75-8

Design, synthesis and cytotoxic evaluation of 2-amino-4- aryl-6-substituted pyridine-3,5-dicarbonitrile derivatives

Purpose: To synthesize novel pyridine derivatives and evaluate their efficiency as potent inhibitors of cyclin dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) enzyme for cancer therapy.Methods: Pyridine scaffold were synthesized using one-pot multicomponent condensation reaction of arylidine with different primary amines. The cytotoxic potential of the new compounds was assessed using various cell lines. Furthermore, molecular docking studies based on the crystal structure of CDK2 was carried out to determine the possible binding modes that influence the anticancer activities.Results: The results indicate that one-pot multicomponent reaction generated a series of functionalized pyridines with good yield. In vitro cytotoxicity study revealed superior cytotoxicity of the designed compounds against prostate and cervical cancer cell lines compared to 5-fluorouracil (standard anticancer compound) with half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 0.1 – 0.85 and 1.2 –74.1 μM, respectively. Finally, molecular modeling simulation of the newly synthesized compounds showed that they fit well and are stabilized into CDK2 active site via hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions.Conclusion: The results indicate that the newly synthesized pyridine can exert potent anticancer activity presumably via inhibition of CDK2. However, this will need to be confirmed in in vivo studies

Enteral L-Arginine and Glutamine Supplementation for Prevention of NEC in Preterm Neonates

Objective. Evaluating the efficacy and safety of arginine and glutamine supplementation in decreasing the incidence of NEC among preterm neonates. Methods. Prospective case-control study done on 75 preterm neonates ≤34 weeks, divided equally into L-arginine group receiving enteral L-arginine, glutamine group receiving enteral glutamine, and control group. Serum L-arginine and glutamine levels were measured at time of enrollment (sample 1), after 14 days of enrollment (sample 2), and at time of diagnosis of NEC (sample 3). Results. The incidence of NEC was 9.3%. There was no difference in the frequency of NEC between L-arginine and control groups (P>0.05). NEC was not detected in glutamine group; L-arginine concentrations were significantly lower in arginine group than control group in both samples while glutamine concentrations were comparable in glutamine and control groups in both samples. No significant difference was found between groups as regards number of septic episodes, duration to reach full oral intake, or duration of hospital stay. Conclusion. Enteral L-arginine supplementation did not seem to reduce the incidence of NEC. Enteral glutamine may have a preventive role against NEC if supplied early to preterm neonates. However, larger studies are needed to confirm these findings. This work is registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01263041)

Pre-formulation and systematic evaluation of amino acid assisted permeability of insulin across in vitro buccal cell layers

The aim of this work was to investigate alternative safe and effective permeation enhancers for buccal peptide delivery. Basic amino acids improved insulin solubility in water while 200 and 400 µg/mL lysine significantly increased insulin solubility in HBSS. Permeability data showed a significant improvement in insulin permeation especially for 10 µg/mL of lysine (p < 0.05) and 10 µg/mL histidine (p < 0.001), 100 µg/mL of glutamic acid (p < 0.05) and 200 µg/mL of glutamic acid and aspartic acid (p < 0.001) without affecting cell integrity; in contrast to sodium deoxycholate which enhanced insulin permeability but was toxic to the cells. It was hypothesized that both amino acids and insulin were ionised at buccal cavity pH and able to form stable ion pairs which penetrated the cells as one entity; while possibly triggering amino acid nutrient transporters on cell surfaces. Evidence of these transport mechanisms was seen with reduction of insulin transport at suboptimal temperatures as well as with basal-to-apical vectoral transport, and confocal imaging of transcellular insulin transport. These results obtained for insulin is the first indication of a possible amino acid mediated transport of insulin via formation of insulin-amino acid neutral complexes by the ion pairing mechanism

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Global economic burden of unmet surgical need for appendicitis

Background: There is a substantial gap in provision of adequate surgical care in many low-and middle-income countries. This study aimed to identify the economic burden of unmet surgical need for the common condition of appendicitis. Methods: Data on the incidence of appendicitis from 170 countries and two different approaches were used to estimate numbers of patients who do not receive surgery: as a fixed proportion of the total unmet surgical need per country (approach 1); and based on country income status (approach 2). Indirect costs with current levels of access and local quality, and those if quality were at the standards of high-income countries, were estimated. A human capital approach was applied, focusing on the economic burden resulting from premature death and absenteeism. Results: Excess mortality was 4185 per 100 000 cases of appendicitis using approach 1 and 3448 per 100 000 using approach 2. The economic burden of continuing current levels of access and local quality was US $92 492 million using approach 1 and$73 141 million using approach 2. The economic burden of not providing surgical care to the standards of high-income countries was $95 004 million using approach 1 and$75 666 million using approach 2. The largest share of these costs resulted from premature death (97.7 per cent) and lack of access (97.0 per cent) in contrast to lack of quality. Conclusion: For a comparatively non-complex emergency condition such as appendicitis, increasing access to care should be prioritized. Although improving quality of care should not be neglected, increasing provision of care at current standards could reduce societal costs substantially