COVID-19 Pandemic Fuels Rise in Cybercrime: Egypt Case Study

Since the declaration of COVID-19 as a pandemic by the World Health Organization, economies and daily life in many countries have been significantly affected. To mitigate the spread of the virus, various measures such as travel restrictions, lockdowns, and stay-at-home orders have been implemented worldwide. Consequently, there has been an increased reliance on internet-based methods to ensure public safety and continue essential activities. However, this increased online presence has also provided cybercriminals with opportunities to engage in malicious activities, exploiting the pandemic for financial gain. This study aims to provide a brief review of the cyber activities associated with the COVID-19 outbreak and investigate the extent of cybercrime during this period. A cross-sectional survey was conducted online, involving 400 internet users, to assess the occurrence of cybercrime during the pandemic. The findings indicate that victims of cybercrime encompass not only individuals who use online directories but also those engaging in routine internet searches and email communications. The study reveals that cybercrime has a detrimental impact on users' online experiences, potentially leading them to limit their online activities and resort to offline alternatives. The objective of this research is to comprehensively study cyber-attacks, analyzing the concept and variations of cyber-attacks before and during the COVID-19 pandemic era, in order to identify patterns, trends, and the overall impact of cybercrime on individuals

Patterns of drug abuse in Upper Egypt: cause or result of violence?

Abstract Background Drug abuse and violence both are dangerous phenomena in all countries. The relation between drug abuse and violence is obscure, and what comes first is the question. This study clarifies the changes in drug abuse patterns in Upper Egypt and the association between drug abuse and different types of violence. Method Three hundred patients seeking medical advice in Mental Health Hospital participated in this study. After obtaining their informed written consent, they underwent urine analysis to determine the abused drug and filled up a questionnaire to determine the type of violence. In this study, the patients were asked to fill out two types of scales: Adolescent Alcohol and Drug Involvement Scale (AADIS) and the Modified Overt Aggression Scale (MOAS). Results Patterns of drug abuse have been changed in Upper Egypt since the appearance of tramadol. The age of onset of abuse was 17.5 ± 5.5 years old. The age of 21–30 years old is the age of adult which is mostly affected. Most of the patients use combination of tramadol and others like alcohol, cannabis, other opioids, but 25% use tramadol alone. The type of violence changes from one drug abuse to another; auto-aggression was found in cannabis, while aggression towards objects and others was found in tramadol, inhalants, and other opioids. Conclusion Drug abuse is a direct cause that increases the violence in the community. Types and degree of violence differ according to the drug abuse type

Monosodium glutamate affects cognitive functions in male albino rats

Abstract Background Monosodium Glutamate is a silent toxin in our food, especially our kids’ food. Some of the products in the market contain MSG in a level exceed the European limit. Method Sixty male albino rats divided into three groups, control group, and treated groups, the first with a low dose of MSG (1/20 LD50) and the second with a high dose of MSG (1/10 LD50). All animals examined for cognitive function, serotonin level. The second part in this study, examination of some commercial food for the presence of MSG and its level by HPLC. Results MSG affected the cognitive function of treated rats in small and high doses of MSG. The weight of the animals in treated group with a high dose of MSG was significantly increased in comparison with the control group. Also, the cognitive function of the rats administered MSG affected significantly either in low dose and in high dose. Some of the studied commercial food in the market like Kapsa and Indomi contains a higher level of MSG more than the European limit. Conclusion MSG has many dangerous effects on health especially kids, so it is so necessary to declare its presence or absence and level on the labels of the products

Toxic metal(loid)-based pollutants and their possible role in autism spectrum disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication, and stereotypic behaviors. Many studies support a significant relationship between many different environmental factors in ASD etiology. These factors include increased daily exposure to various toxic metal-based environmental pollutants, which represent a cause for concern in public health. This article reviews the most relevant toxic metals, commonly found, environmental pollutants, i.e., lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), aluminum (Al), and the metalloid arsenic (As). Additionally, it discusses how pollutants can be a possible pathogenetic cause of ASD through various mechanisms including neuroinflammation in different regions of the brain, fundamentally occurring through elevation of the proinflammatory profile of cytokines and aberrant expression of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-\u3baB). Due to the worldwide increase in toxic environmental pollution, studies on the role of pollutants in neurodevelopmental disorders, including direct effects on the developing brain and the subjects' genetic susceptibility and polymorphism, are of utmost importance to achieve the best therapeutic approach and preventive strategies