Investigation of the Gum Stock Behavior of Polyurethane Crosslinking Matrix by Adding Triol Diol Mixtures for the Application of Composite Solid Rocket Propellants

The addition of some advanced additives to improve the mechanical properties of polyurethane (PU) polymeric matrix, which acts as a binder system in composite solid rocket propellants (CSRPs), is a target for the energetic materials researchers. In this investigation, 45 compositions of different crosslinked PU matrices were produced to demonstrate the effect of adding crosslinking mixture (CM) on the mechanical capabilities of polyurethane gum stock. The crosslinking mixture (CM) is composed of a triol crosslinker, trimethylolpropane (TMP), and a chain extender, 1,4-butanediol (BD). For comparison, traditional PU samples without crosslinking additives were formulated. As a prepolymer, HTPB was used with a curing agent (HMDI). The research was carried out with different ratios of TMP to BD, different curing ratios (NCO/OH=0.7, 0.9, and 1.1), and crosslinking mixture contents in the range of 0-5 wt.%. The mechanical characteristics of all the cured formulations were measured. It was demonstrated that changing the ratio of TMP to BD has a significant impact on the mechanical performance causing a wide range of elongation and strength qualities. Increasing the wt.% of triol crosslinker in the sample enhanced the tensile strength, whereas the strain has been decreased. The addition of diol chain extender increased the strain rate of the samples. The mechanical parameters were adjusted simply by employing the crosslinking ingredients to get exceptional mechanical characteristics at each NCO/OH curing ratios. Also it was concluded that PU samples of curing ratio (NCO/OH= 0.7-0.9) with TMP:BD (1:1) showed a promising results and could be used according to the requirements of the rocket system designers

Diffusion weighted MRI in evaluation of transplanted kidney: Preliminary clinical experience

Purpose: To evaluate the diagnostic performance ofDiffusion Weighted (DW) magnetic resonance(MR) imaging in evaluation of transplantedkidneys.Patients and methods: One hundred twelve patientswith transplanted kidney from live kidney donorswere evaluated with coronal T2w and DW MRI ofthe kidney. There was 86 males and 26 females andthe mean age was 26.911.5ys (range 10-55).Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) wascalculated and the kidneys studied for any areasdiffusion restriction. Our patients classified into 2groups: Group 1 included 81 patients with stablekidney function and normal serum creatinine andthe second group included 31 patients with alteredkidney function, it includes 18 patients with chronicnephropathies and 13 patients with acute cellularrejection.Results: The mean ADC values for group 1 was2.70.26 x 10-3 mm2 /sec (range 1.93-3.6). In casesof chronic nephropathies, the mean ADC valueswas 2.30.22mm2/sec (range 2.05-2.77) while incases of acute cellular rejection it was1.80.2mm2/sec (range 1.7-2.2). When we use the2.4mm2/sec as a low cutoff ADC value fordiagnosis of normal kidney function, the sensitivity,specificity and overall accuracy for DWI MRI was80%, 96% and 93.5% respectively.When we used the ADC value of 2mm2/sec as acutoff value between acute cellular rejection andchronic nephropathies, the sensitivity, specificityand overall accuracy of DWI MRI was 90%, 98%and 90% respectively.Conclusion: In this relatively large study includingstable and abnormal function in transplantedkidneys, we can conclude that DW MRI isrelatively a new technique that allows diagnosis oftransplanted kidney with normal and alteredfunction

Study of microRNAs-21/221 as potential breast cancer biomarkers in Egyptian women

microRNAs (miRNAs) play an important role in cancer prognosis. They are small molecules, approximately 17–25 nucleotides in length, and their high stability in human serum supports their use as novel diagnostic biomarkers of cancer and other pathological conditions. In this study, we analyzed the expression patterns of miR-21 and miR-221 in the serum from a total of 100 Egyptian female subjects with breast cancer, fibroadenoma, and healthy control subjects. Using microarray-based expression profiling followed by real-time polymerase chain reaction validation, we compared the levels of the two circulating miRNAs in the serum of patients with breast cancer (n = 50), fibroadenoma (n = 25), and healthy controls (n = 25). The miRNA SNORD68 was chosen as the housekeeping endogenous control. We found that the serum levels of miR-21 and miR-221 were significantly overexpressed in breast cancer patients compared to normal controls and fibroadenoma patients. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis revealed that miR-21 has greater potential in discriminating between breast cancer patients and the control group, while miR-221 has greater potential in discriminating between breast cancer and fibroadenoma patients. Classification models using k-Nearest Neighbor (kNN), Naïve Bayes (NB), and Random Forests (RF) were developed using expression levels of both miR-21 and miR-221. Best classification performance was achieved by NB Classification models, reaching 91% of correct classification. Furthermore, relative miR-221 expression was associated with histological tumor grades. Therefore, it may be concluded that both miR-21 and miR-221 can be used to differentiate between breast cancer patients and healthy controls, but that the diagnostic accuracy of serum miR-21 is superior to miR-221 for breast cancer prediction. miR-221 has more diagnostic power in discriminating between breast cancer and fibroadenoma patients. The overexpression of miR-221 has been associated with the breast cancer grade. We also demonstrated that the combined expression of miR-21 and miR-221can be successfully applied as breast cancer biomarkers

A multi-sectoral intervention model to scale up family planning services utilization at the primary health care level: evidence from a priority district, Fayoum governorate, Egypt

Background: Egypt is one of the most populous countries in the Middle East and Africa. Evidence from developing countries revealed that increasing family planning use is associated with substantial declines in fertility and population growth. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of implementing a multisectoral intervention model on the family planning utilization at the Primary Health Care (PHC) level in a priority district, Fayoum governorate, Egypt.  Methods: A quasi-experimental design was conducted from July 2016 to September 2016. The model targeted 10 PHC units out of 23 at Tamia district, with two types of interventions; health sector and non-health sector related interventions carried out in the intervention units and their catchment areas. The family planning utilization of the intervention units (n=10) was compared to the control units (n=13). Additionally, the overall family planning utilization at the district level was measured.  Results: Following the implementation of the interventions, the overall family planning utilization at the district level showed a significant increase in mean ± Standard Error of the Mean (SEM) of new family planning clients (44.4±11.0vs. 63.3±13.8; P= 0.006) recording 43% change. The mean ± SEM of intrauterine devices dispensed from the intervention units significantly increased by 391% (3.5±1.0 vs. 17.2±3.3; P=0.002). Findings from the control units didn't reveal significant increase regarding the dispense of any family planning method.  Conclusion: Mobilizing and optimizing resources use, empowering district authorities and strengthening collaboration across sectors were key drivers of the success of this model in scaling up family planning services utilization.  &nbsp

Genotyping of PPAR-γ gene polymorphism in Egyptian neonates affected with sepsis disease and its severity

Background: Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor gamma (PPARγ) is a ligand-dependent transcription factor involved in inflammatory process. PPAR-γ gene was mentioned as having a modulating role in the pathological status of sepsis. The present study aimed to make a correlation between The Pro12Ala polymorphism in PPAR-γ gene and occurrence of neonatal sepsis and its severity among a sample of Egyptian neonates suffering sepsis.Subjects and methods: This case-control study included 30 neonates (11 females and19 males) newly admitted with neonatal sepsis at the intensive care unit (NICU) (mean age 10.3 days ± 6.23). The control group included 50 age and sex matched neonates (23 females and 27 males) (mean age 10.20 days ± 5.36 days). All the neonates (preterm and full term) included were with clinical signs and laboratory data consistent with neonatal sepsis. Genotyping for PPARc gene region harboring the Pro12Ala variant locus were carried out using Tetra ARMS technique.Results: About 56.7% of the patients group was homozygote (GG) for polymorphic locus (coding for Alanine/Alanine) while 30% was heterozygote for polymorphic locus (CG) (coding for Proline/Alanine) and up to 13.3% was homozygote for the polymorphic locus (CC) (coding for Proline/Proline). Compared to the control group where homozygotes for CC were the most prevalent (90%) and the CG were 10% with absence of GG genotypes. There was a strong  statistical significant difference between patients and the normal control group as regards  prevalence of PPAR-γ gene  polymorphism in occurrence of neonatal sepsis and its severity. Also, there were strong relation between genotype GG and low birth weight, neonatal fever, prematurity and depressed neonatal reflexes.Conclusion: PPAR-γ gene has been suggested to be a candidate gene for neonatal sepsis. Therefore, Pro12Ala polymorphism might be useful in predicting the risk factor of neonatal sepsis and its severity

Association of macrophage migration inhibitory factor promoter polymorphism -173G/C with susceptibility to childhood asthma

Abstract Introduction: macrophage migration inhibitory factor (miF) is a proinflammatory cytokine that plays an important role in the pathogenesis of asthma. Polymorphisms associated with inflammatory diseases exist in the promoter region of miF, which alter its expression. We aimed to study the association of MIF promoter polymorphism -173G/C with childhood asthma. (p = 0.019, OR = 3.12,. Material and methods: in this case-control study, we recruited 60 pediatric patients with bronchial asthma and 90 age-and sex-matched healthy controls. MIF-173G/C was genotyped using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCr-rFlP). Results: Genotype distribution between cases and healthy controls was statistically evaluated. Our results revealed that the frequency of the MIF-173C allele was significantly higher in children with asthma than in the control group (p = 0.002, odds ratio [OR] = 3.61, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.63-7.97). The frequency of the MIF-173CC genotype was higher in the asthmatic children than in the controls (p = 0.028, OR = 6.24, 95% CI = 1.24-31.29). Comparing carriage of the MIF-173C allele in pediatric patients with asthma with that observed in healthy controls (GC + CC vs. GG) revealed a positive association with the disease Conclusions: These results suggest that MIF-173G/C polymorphism confers an increased risk of susceptibility to the development of childhood asthma in an Egyptian population

Study of obesity associated proopiomelanocortin gene polymorphism: Relation to metabolic profile and eating habits in a sample of obese Egyptian children and adolescents

AbstractBackgroundMelanocortinergic system represents a known system involved in the central regulation of body weight with the central proopiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons forming a potent anorexigenic network. Polymorphisms in the POMC gene locus are associated with obesity phenotypes.AimTo assess the contribution of the POMC gene 9-bp insertional polymorphism in the susceptibility to obesity and its relation to body mass index (BMI) and adiposity-related co-morbidities in obese children and adolescents; as well as binge eating behavior.Patients and methodsFifty obese children and adolescents with simple obesity were screened for Binge Eating Disorder (BED) by The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), they were compared to 50 age, sex and pubertal stage-matched non obese controls. Anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, abdominal ultrasound for fatty liver, measurement of fasting lipid profile, fasting insulin, fasting blood glucose and assessment of POMC gene 9-bp insertional polymorphism were done.ResultsObese patients had significantly higher anthropometric measurements, blood pressure percentiles, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and fasting lipid profiles, and higher frequency of occurrence of non alcoholic fatty liver disease and BED. Allelic frequencies of POMC gene 9bp insertional polymorphism were comparable in patients and controls (p=0.956). Fasting insulin levels were significantly higher in the heterozygous cases having the polymorphism than in wild homozygous cases; whereas no difference was observed among the controls.ConclusionThis polymorphism was associated with higher fasting insulin levels in the obese patients only. These findings support the hypothesis that the melanocortin pathway may modulate glucose metabolism in obese subjects indicating a possible gene-environment interaction. POMC variant may be involved in the natural history of polygenic obesity, contributing to the link between type 2 diabetes and obesity

Production and Immobilization of Halophilic Invertase Produced from Honey Isolate Aspergillus niger EM77 (KF774181)

Honey isolate Aspergillus niger EM77 was a good halophilic invertase producer in the presence of wheat bran as a complete medium (114.55 U/g), using solid state fermentation technique. Different parameters influence the enzyme productivity such as different pH values, temperature, incubation period, nitrogen and carbon sources were investigated. The optimum pH, temperature and incubation period for enzyme production were 5.5, 30oC and 72 hrs, respectively. Sucrose at 2 % was more suitable carbon source for invertase production (144.39 U/g) and (NH4)2SO4 at 0.15 % was the ideal nitrogen source. Among different metals ions MnSO4 enhanced the enzyme productivity than other tested ions to 194.71 U/g. The partially purified enzyme was successfully entrapped in polyvinyl alcohol sponge shielded with agar starch layer (PVAsp Gs) and achieved 71% immobilization yield. The optimum conditions for immobilization were: pH 5.2, an incubation time of 15 min and a protein concentration of 250 mg/ml. Immobilized enzyme was reused 12 times with 29% activity loss. The free enzyme lost its activity completely at 70˚C after 45 minute and the immobilized form retained 80% of its activity at the same condition.The free and immobilized form reported extreme halophilic property since the highest enzyme activity was obtained between 3.5- 5 M

Treatment of Atrophic Acne Scars with Platelet Rich Plasma Gel and Micro-needling

Background: Following the advancements in the treatment of acne, post-acne scarring is still a widespread problem. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) gel is one formulation with beneficial biological or medicinal qualities that aid in the management of post-acne scarring. Objective: It was the goal of this work to evaluate the utilization of treatment of post-acne scars with micro-needling and plasma gel. Patients and Methods: Patients with post-acne scars were recruited from the university hospital's dermatology and venereology outpatient clinic. Our study was based on 23 patients (8 males= 34.8%, 15 females= 68.2%) having 3 skin types (II, III, IV); skin type III patients representing 56.2% of total patients, most of these patients have scars for less than 10 years. Dermapen has been done to the face then the PRP gel has been applied combined with microneedling to the post-acne scars. We performed four sessions of the previous treatment with two weeks intervals then one month’s follow-up. Results: The baron, as well as Goodman scale improvement significantly post-treated with Platelet Rich Plasma Gel Combined with micro-needling, where 69.6% of cases become grade1 post-treatment, drop grade 3 to be (8.7%) post-treatment compared to (47.8%) pre-treatment the difference statistically significant p=0.022. Furthermore, all grade4 fade out post-treatment p=0.008. Conclusion: Dermapen combined with plasma gel is a promising effective therapeutic modality for atrophic acne scars