The use of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as a marker for COVID-19 infection in Saudi Arabia: A case-control retrospective multicenter study

Objectives: To assess the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) diagnostic and prognostic value in the context of Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) infection in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A case-control study in which 701 confirmed COVID-19 patients (of which 41 were intensive care unit [ICU]-admitted) and 250 control subjects were enrolled. The study was conducted retrospectively in October on patients admitted to 3 separate hospitals in Saudi Arabia namely: King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz University Hospital (Riyadh), Ohud Hospital (Madinah), and Nojood Medical Center (Madinah) between May and September 2020. Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio was calculated based on absolute neutrophil and lymphocyte count. Institutional ethical approval was obtained prior to the study. Results: Patients (median age 35 years), of which 54.8% were females, were younger than the control cohort (median age 48 years). Patients had significantly higher NLR compared to the control group. Intensive care unit admitted patients had significantly higher platelet, WBC and neutrophil counts. The ICU patients’ NLR was almost twice as of the non-intensive patients. The NLR value of 5.5 was found to be of high specificity (96.4%) and positive predictive value (91.4%) in diagnosing COVID-19. Furthermore, it had a very good sensitivity (86.4%) in predicting severe forms of disease, such as, ICU admission. Conclusion: Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio is an important tool in determining the COVID-19 clinical status. This study further confirms the prognostic value of NLR in detecting severe infection, and those patients with high NLR should be closely monitored and managed

Molecular epidemiology of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea due to Clostridium difficile and clostridium perfringens in Ain Shams University Hospitals

Background: As we are living in the era of antibiotic overuse, antibiotic associated diarrhea (AAD) is considered now a distinct health problem with a need for more attention. Aim of the Study: was to perform a highly specific detection and definition of pathogenic Clostridium perfringens and Clostridium difficile related AAD in children compared to adults and geriatircs. Patients and Methods: One hundred and fifty patients diagnosed for AAD were included in this study (50 children, 50 adults and 50 geriatric patients). All of them were subjected to full medical history including complete therapeutic history of antibiotics and collection of stool sample during the attack for detection of Clostridium perfringenes enterotoxin (CPEnt) and Clostridium difficile cytotoxin by (EIA) kit. PCR detection of Clostridium perfringenes cpe gene (Coding gene for CPEnt) was performed as well. Results: Results showed that prevalence of Clostridium difficile cytotoxin was 24% while Clostridium perfringenes enterotoxin was 12% as detected by EIA in faecal specimens as a whole. Detection of cpe gene by PCR was positive in 16% of all cases. Children (OR: 4.2, 95% CI: 1.3-14.8, P_0.01) and geriatric patients (OR: 3.4, 95% CI: 1.2-13.5, P_0.02) were significantly more prone to Clostridium difficile AAD compared to adults. Also, childhood was a significant risk for Clostridium perfringens AAD (OR: 2.1, 95% CI: 0.54-7.4, P_0.04). In Conclusion: children and geriatric patients are more vulnerable to develop AAD with antibiotic abuse compared to adults. Abbreviations: AAD=Antibiotic associated diarrhea, CI=Confidence interval, ELISA=Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, OR=Odd ratio, PCR=Polymerase chain reaction. Keywords: Antibiotic-associated diarrhea, children, Clostridium perfringens, Clostridium difficile. Egypt. J. Hum. Genet Vol. 8 (2) 2007: pp. 121-13

Effects of microwave heating on the thermal states of biological tissues

A mathematical analysis of microwave heating equations in one-dimensional multi-layer model has been discussed. Maxwell's equations and transient bioheat transfer equation were numerically calculated by using finite difference method to predict the effects of thermal physical properties on the transient temperature of biological tissues. This prediction of the temperature evolution in biological bodies can be used as an effective tool for thermal diagnostics in medical practices. Key words: Microwave heating, Maxwell's equations, bioheat, multi layer. African Journal of Biotechnology Vol.2(11) 2003: 453-45

Role of serum glypican-3 in the diagnosis and differentiation of small hepatocellular carcinoma from hepatitis-C virus cirrhosis

Background: Serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) has insufficient sensitivity and specificityfor detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Recently, glypican-3 (GLP-3) was suggested as a new biomarker for the detection HCC.Objectives: To determine the role of serum GLP-3 levels in the early diagnosis and differentiation of small (3 cm or less in diameter) HCC from liver cirrhosis. Also, to correlate GLP-3 levels to clinico- laboratory data.Methods: The study included sixty patients; 30 of them with hepatitis C virus (HCV) cirrhosis, and 30 patients with proved HCC. In addition, 20 healthy subjects were included as a control group. Clinical and radiological features (abdominal ultrasonography and/or abdominal triphasic computed tomography) were recorded. Liver function tests, complete blood cell count, and serum AFP were measured. Serum GLP-3 values were determined by an ELISA technique.Results: Serum levels of GLP-3 were significantly elevated in patients with HCC compared with HCV cirrhosis group (p< 0.001). Also, these levels were significantly elevated in these two patients’ groups versus controls (p<0.001). Also, serum GLP-3 levels with cut-off value of P240 ug/L, had a higher sensitivity (100%) and same specificity (93.3%), than AFP with cut-off value of P200 ng/ ml, for detection of HCC. Moreover, GLP-3 levels showed a higher sensitivity than AFP (50% vs.41.7%), for detection of small HCC. The combined use of both markers (i.e. when either one of the two markers positive) improved the specificity to 88.9%. Regarding unicentric HCC, GLP-3 at cut-off value of 6580 ug/L had better specificity than AFP at cut-off value of 6765 ng/ml (57.1% vs. 42.9%). The combined use of both markers improved the sensitivity and specificity to 82.6% and 71.4%, respectively. Conclusion: Serum GLP-3 levels are higher in HCC versus HCV cirrhosis, which can differentiate HCC from liver cirrhosis. Also, serum GLP-3 is highly sensitive and specific for detecting HCC. Moreover, GLP-3 is more sensitive than AFP for the detection of small HCC. Furthermore, a combination of both serum markers yielded an improved specificity and both sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of small and unicentric HCC, respectively.Keywords: Serum tumor marker Alpha-fetoprotein Early hepatocellular carcinoma Diagnosis

Effect of root-knot nematode and two species of crown gall on antioxidant activity of grape leaves

Agrobacterium tumefaciens and Agrobacterium vitis significantly reduced the entire criteria (galls, embedded stages, final population, Pf/Pi and egg production) of the root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita, when they were in concomitance with grape (Vitis vinifera var) superior roots. Greater suppression in such criteria was observed with high inoculum levels (5X107 cfu/pot) than with lower (2.5X107 cfu/pot) ones. All treatments resulted in the increase of leaves contents of H2O2 and lipid peroxidation (TBARS) dramatically, which were considered the most damaging stresses in plant cells. The contents of AsA, GSH, TPH and PAL specific activity increased as a strongly antioxidant defense compound against induced oxidative damage. In addition, the increase in the activity of various antioxidant defense specific enzymes (SOD, APX, CAT and GST) represented the protective activity used to counteract the oxidative injury promoted by nematode and nematode-bacteria infections. The rate of the chemical increase was significantly higher in interaction treatments than in the leaves of plants treated singly with M. incognita. Moreover, higher inoculum levels resulted in higher values of the measured chemicals. Symptoms appearance at low levels of nematode and bacterial treatments were significantly preceded by significant induction of AsA, GSH and TPH contents, and APX, CAT, SOD, GST and PAL activities in grape leaves. However, under high levels of nematode and bacteria, an obvious depletion at all non-antioxidants enzymes’ levels and antioxidants enzymes’ activities was observed. It is supposed that stimulated antioxidative processes contributed to the suppression of necrotic symptom development in grape leaves depending on the level of pathogen inoculum.Key words: Meloidogyne incognita, grape, crown gall, Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Agrobacterium vitis,antioxidant activity

On modeling two immune effectors two strain antigen interaction

In this paper we consider the fractional order model with two immune effectors interacting with two strain antigen. The systems may explain the recurrence of some diseases e.g. tuberculosis (TB). The stability of equilibrium points are studied. Numerical solutions of this model are given. Using integer order system the system oscillates. Using fractional order system the system converges to a stable internal equilibrium. Ulam-Hyers stability of the system has been studied

A snapshot of noncommunicable disease profiles and their prescription costs at ten primary healthcare facilities in the in the western half of the Cape Town Metropole

Objectives: There has been a rapid increase in the prevalence of  noncommunicable diseases globally. It is thought that this increase will have the greatest impact on developing countries, such as South Africa, where it will adversely affect quality of life and increase healthcare costs. This research was conducted to determine the disease profile and cost of treating patients at 10 facilities in the western half of the Cape Town Metropole.Design: An analytical, cross-sectional study was carried out in order to interpret the cost of the medication in relation to the patient disease profile.Setting and subjects: Data were collected from 10 facilities in the western half of the Cape Town Metropole over a threemonth period.Outcome measure: The outcome measure was the disease profile of  patients attending the facilities and the cost of prescriptions for these patients.Results: Most patient visits to the community health centres were to treat chronic diseases (82%). The disease profile of patients was as follows: 58.96% had hypertension, 19.67% diabetes, 12.14% asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and 21.80% arthritis. It was found that 65% of patients with a chronic condition had co-morbidities. The cost ofprescriptions was significantly higher (p-value < 0.001) for chronic  conditions than for acute conditions. The number of comorbidities per patient also influenced the cost of the prescriptions.Conclusion: The results indicated that most of the adults attending public sector facilities in the western half of the Cape Town Metropole have  chronic diseases and that the cost of treating these conditions is  significantly greater than that of treating acute conditions. An integrated approach to the management of chronic diseases is important in  low-resource settings for the efficient utilisation of limited resources

Applications of machine learning to water resources management: A review of present status and future opportunities

Data availability: No data was used for the research described in the article.The corrected proof will be replaced by version of record in due course.Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Water is the most valuable natural resource on earth that plays a critical role in the socio-economic development of humans worldwide. Water is used for various purposes, including, but not limited to, drinking, recreation, irrigation, and hydropower production. The expected population growth at a global scale, coupled with the predicted climate change-induced impacts, warrants the need for proactive and effective management of water resources. Over the recent decades, machine learning tools have been widely applied to various water resources management-related fields and have often shown promising results. Despite the publication of several review articles on machine learning applications in water-related fields, this review paper presents for the first time a comprehensive review of machine learning techniques applied to water resources management, focusing on the most recent achievements. The study examines the potential for advanced machine learning techniques to improve decision support systems in the various sectors within the realm of water resources management, which includes groundwater management, streamflow forecasting, water distribution systems, water quality and wastewater treatment, water demand and consumption, hydropower and marine energy, water drainage systems, and flood management and defence. This study provides an overview of the state-of-the-art machine learning approaches to the water industry and how they can be used to ensure water supply sustainability, quality, and flood and drought mitigation. This review covers the most recent related studies to provide the most recent snapshot of machine learning applications in the water industry. Overall, LSTM networks have been proven to exhibit reliable performance, often outperforming ANN models, traditional machine learning models, and established physics-based models. Hybrid ML techniques have exhibited great forecasting accuracy across all water-related fields, often showing superior computational power over traditional ANNs architectures. In addition to purely data-driven models, physical-based hybrid models have also been developed to improve prediction performance. These efforts further demonstrate that Machine learning can be a powerful practical tool for water resources management. It provides insights, predictions, and optimisation capabilities to help enhance sustainable water use and management and improve socio-economic development, healthy ecosystems and human existence.EPSRC project reference 2339403 to S. Sayed and A. Ahmed