Interference Effects of Salinity on Growth and Some Metabolic Activities of Two Chlorella Species

The unicellular green algae Chlorella minutissima and Chlorella oocystoides were isolated from different regions in Upper Egypt. The effect of different concentrations of salinity (100, 250 and 500 mM NaCl) on growth parameters (optical density, dry weight, and total photosynthetic pigments) and primary products (total carbohydrates, total proteins, and lipids contents) were measured after 7 days. The growth parameters, and the primary products of Chlorella minutissima and Chlorella oocystoides were significantly increased at lower and moderate concentrations (100 and 250 mM NaCl). Under higher concentration 500 mM of NaCl, the growth parameters, and the primary products (total carbohydrates, and total proteins) were significantly decreased. However, the lipid contents were markedly increased.Keywords: Chlorella minutissima, Chlorella oocystoides, cell growth, total carbohydrates, total proteins and lipid contents

DISEASE COMPLEX IN TOMATO CV. 035 INVOLVING MELOIDOGYNE INCOGNITA AND FUSARIUM OXYSPORUM F. SP. LYCOPERSICI

Experiments in this investigation indicated that the tomato cv. 035 is moderately resistant to Meloidogyne incognita (Mi) and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (Fol) since it supports a low population of Mi nematode and retarded fusarial damage in single infections while the plant vigor was unaffected adequately. This resistance was decreased as increased of inoculum levels (from 100 to 2000 IJ2) of Mi and (from 102 to 1010 propagules) of Fol indicating that this resistance is mainly density-dependent. However, co-infection by both pathogens a lesser margin of simulative effect on root galling and wilt severity was occurred. Therefore, wounding by invading IJ5 of Mi proved to be unimportant for establishment of Fol wilt fungus. The results indicated also that, the sequence of infection by nematodes and fungus can predispose the host plant to attack by the other. As with Mi pre infection, nematode causes changes in host that predispose it to fungal attack leading to severe wilt expression. Likewise, pre-infection with for allowed not only more nematode penetration but also more nematode developed than in fungus. Accordingly, the present results led to the fact that, the interactions between Mi nematode and Fol wilt fungus are physiological rather than physical

Efecto de la técnica de energía muscular versus la técnica de Graston sobre el dolor de cuello inespecífico

Antecedentes: Numerosas investigaciones se han llevado a cabo con el fin de determinar la estrategia de fisioterapia más eficaz para el tratamiento del dolor de cuello inespecífico (NSNP). Propósito: contrastar los resultados de la Técnica de Graston (GT) y la Técnica de Energía Muscular (MET) tanto en la intensidad del dolor como en la discapacidad funcional en pacientes con NSNP. Métodos: Cuarenta y dos (30 hombres y 12 mujeres) pacientes con NSNP divididos aleatoriamente en tres grupos: Grupo A: recibieron técnica de Graston y tratamiento de fisioterapia tradicional (TPT), Grupo B: recibieron técnica de energía muscular y TPT, y Grupo C: recibieron TPT solamente. La intervención tuvo una duración de 12 sesiones (3 por semana). Al inicio y al final de la cuarta semana, se utilizó una escala analógica visual para cuantificar la intensidad del dolor y un cuestionario de índice de discapacidad del cuello (NDI) para medir la discapacidad funcional. Resultados: Hubo efectos significativos de tiempo (pre/post) y grupo de intervención (Graston, MET, convencional) e interacción significativa sobre el dolor y la discapacidad (p<0,05). El grupo MET tuvo mayores cambios en el dolor que los grupos Graston y control (p<0,05). Sin embargo, no hubo diferencias significativas entre grupos en el cambio funcional. Conclusión: GT y MET tuvieron efectos similares sobre la función en pacientes con NSNP, pero MET tuvo efectos más altos sobre la reducción del dolor.Background: Numerous researches have been carried out in order to determine the most effective physical therapy strategy for treating nonspecific neck pain (NSNP). Purpose: To contrast between the outcomes of Graston Technique (GT)and Muscle Energy Technique (MET)on both pain intensity and functional disability in patients with NSNP. Methods: Forty-two(30 males and 12 females) patients with NSNP divided randomly into three groups: Group A: received Graston Technique and traditional physiotherapy treatment (TPT), Group B: received muscle energy technique and TPT, and Group C: received TPT only. Intervention lasted for 12 sessions (3per week). At the start and finish of the fourth week, a visual analogue scale was used to quantify pain intensity and a neck disability index (NDI) questionnaire was used to measure functional disability. Results: There were significant mean effects of time (pre/post) and intervention group (Graston, MET, conventional) and significant interaction on pain and disability (p<0.05). MET group had higher changes in the pain than both Graston and control groups (p<0.05). However, no significant differences among groups in the functional change. Conclusion: GT and MET had similar effects on the function in patients with NSNP, but MET had highereffects on reducing pain

Interference Effects of Salinity on Growth and Some Metabolic Activities of Two Chlorella Species

The unicellular green algae Chlorella minutissima and Chlorella oocystoides were isolated from different regions in Upper Egypt. The effect of different concentrations of salinity (100, 250 and 500 mM NaCl) on growth parameters (optical density, dry weight, and total photosynthetic pigments) and primary products (total carbohydrates, total proteins, and lipids contents) were measured after 7 days. The growth parameters, and the primary products of Chlorella minutissima and Chlorella oocystoides were significantly increased at lower and moderate concentrations (100 and 250 mM NaCl). Under higher concentration 500 mM of NaCl, the growth parameters, and the primary products (total carbohydrates, and total proteins) were significantly decreased. However, the lipid contents were markedly increased

In Vitro and In Silico Antioxidant Efficiency of Bio-Potent Secondary Metabolites From Different Taxa of Black Seed-Producing Plants and Their Derived Mycoendophytes

Oxidative stress is involved in the pathophysiology of multiple health complications, and it has become a major focus in targeted research fields. As known, black seeds are rich sources of bio-active compounds and widely used to promote human health due to their excellent medicinal and pharmaceutical properties. The present study investigated the antioxidant potency of various black seeds from plants and their derived mycoendophytes, and determined the total phenolic and flavonoid contents in different extracts, followed by characterization of major constituents by HPLC analysis. Finally, in silico docking determined their binding affinities to target myeloperoxidase enzymes. Ten dominant mycoendophytes were isolated from different black seed plants. Three isolates were then selected based on high antiradical potency and further identified by ITS ribosomal gene sequencing. Those isolated were Aspergillus niger TU 62, Chaetomium madrasense AUMC14830, and Rhizopus oryzae AUMC14823. Nigella sativa seeds and their corresponding endophyte A. niger had the highest content of phenolics in their n-butanol extracts (28.50 and 24.43 mg/g), flavonoids (15.02 and 11.45 mg/g), and antioxidant activities (90.48 and 81.48%), respectively, followed by Dodonaea viscosa and Portulaca oleracea along with their mycoendophytic R. oryzae and C. madrasense. Significant positive correlations were found between total phenolics, flavonoids, and the antioxidant activities of different tested extracts. The n-butanol extracts of both black seeds and their derived mycoendophytes showed reasonable IC50 values (0.81–1.44 mg/ml) compared to the control with significant correlations among their phytochemical contents. Overall, seventeen standard phenolics and flavonoids were used, and the compounds were detected in different degrees of existence and concentration in the examined extracts through HPLC analysis. Moreover, the investigation of the molecular simulation results of detected compounds against the myeloperoxidase enzyme revealed that, as a targeted antioxidant, rutin possessed a high affinity (−15.3184 kcal/mol) as an inhibitor. Taken together, the black seeds and their derived mycoendophytes are promising bio-prospects for the broad industrial sector of antioxidants with several valuable potential pharmaceutical and nutritional applications

Effect of Muscle Energy Technique versus Graston Technique on non-specific neck pain

Article accepted. The article will be published here soon. Pending final quality checks

AI-based investigation and mitigation of rain effect on channel performance with aid of a novel 3D slot array antenna design for high throughput satellite system

Rain attenuation poses a significant challenge for high-throughput communication systems. In response, this paper introduces an artificial intelligence (AI) model designed for predicting and mitigating rain-induced impairments in high-throughput satellite (HTS) to land channels. The model is based on three AI algorithms developed using 3D antenna design to characterize, analyze, and mitigate rain induced attenuation, optimizing channel quality specifically in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The study evaluates various parameters, including rain-specific attenuation, effective slant path through rain, rain induced attenuation, signal carrier-to-noise ratio, and symbol error rate, for five conventional modulation schemes: Quadrature Phase-Shift Keying (QPSK), 8-Phase Shift Keying (8-PSK), 16-Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (16-QAM), 32-QAM, and 64-QAM. Additionally, the paper introduces a new database detailing rain-induced attenuation in HTS channels in the UAE at different frequencies using measured rainfall intensities. The paper concludes by proposing a smart antenna design with a frequency diversity technique for fade mitigation. Results indicate that rain-induced attenuation varies significantly based on rainfall rate and frequency. Specifically, at 25 GHz and a rainfall rate of 100 mm/h, the rain-induced attenuation can reach as high as 15 dB, resulting in a significant decline in signal quality and link performance. The proposed AI model demonstrates the ability to intelligently predict rain-induced attenuation and channel quality for various rainfall rates and frequencies. This information can be valuable for optimizing satellite link design and operation, ultimately enhancing the reliability and quality of satellite communications. The proposed two-slot smart antenna design utilizes frequency diversity to effectively mitigate rain attenuation, contributing to the overall improvement of link reliability and quality

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

Laparoscopy in management of appendicitis in high-, middle-, and low-income countries: a multicenter, prospective, cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Appendicitis is the most common abdominal surgical emergency worldwide. Differences between high- and low-income settings in the availability of laparoscopic appendectomy, alternative management choices, and outcomes are poorly described. The aim was to identify variation in surgical management and outcomes of appendicitis within low-, middle-, and high-Human Development Index (HDI) countries worldwide. METHODS: This is a multicenter, international prospective cohort study. Consecutive sampling of patients undergoing emergency appendectomy over 6 months was conducted. Follow-up lasted 30 days. RESULTS: 4546 patients from 52 countries underwent appendectomy (2499 high-, 1540 middle-, and 507 low-HDI groups). Surgical site infection (SSI) rates were higher in low-HDI (OR 2.57, 95% CI 1.33-4.99, p = 0.005) but not middle-HDI countries (OR 1.38, 95% CI 0.76-2.52, p = 0.291), compared with high-HDI countries after adjustment. A laparoscopic approach was common in high-HDI countries (1693/2499, 67.7%), but infrequent in low-HDI (41/507, 8.1%) and middle-HDI (132/1540, 8.6%) groups. After accounting for case-mix, laparoscopy was still associated with fewer overall complications (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.42-0.71, p < 0.001) and SSIs (OR 0.22, 95% CI 0.14-0.33, p < 0.001). In propensity-score matched groups within low-/middle-HDI countries, laparoscopy was still associated with fewer overall complications (OR 0.23 95% CI 0.11-0.44) and SSI (OR 0.21 95% CI 0.09-0.45). CONCLUSION: A laparoscopic approach is associated with better outcomes and availability appears to differ by country HDI. Despite the profound clinical, operational, and financial barriers to its widespread introduction, laparoscopy could significantly improve outcomes for patients in low-resource environments. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02179112