Genetic Cross-Talk During Head Development in Drosophila

The dorsal head vertex of Drosophila is specified mainly by the orthodenticle (otd) gene. The expression and the function of otd are regulated by the concerted action of many genes including hedgehog (hh) and notch (N). These genes are components of a meshwork of signaling transduction pathways that interact to form the dorsal head capsule of the fruit fly. Loss-of-function Hh mutants lack ocelli; however, loss-of-function N mutants lack a different domain of the dorsal head vertex. This report provides new evidence that the Hh and N pathways are two epistatic signaling cascades that act genetically upstream of the dorsal head capsule specification gene

Fine structure of the integument of Argas (Persicargas) persicus (Oken) (Ixodoidea: Argasidae)

The integument of Argas persicus was investigated using light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The study revealed that two layers, viz. an outer epicuticle and an inner procuticle, form the cuticle. The epicuticle includes wax, cuticulin and protein epicuticular layers. The wax layer carries numerous crater-like deposits, oval or circular discs and numerous infoldings. The procuticle contains an exo-, endo- and a subcuticle.Underlining the cuticle, flattened epidermal cells are connected via desmosomes and contain rough endoplasmic reticulum, free ribosomes and mitochondria. Scattered dermal glands are located beneath the cuticle and are continuous with the outside through dermal ducts and surface pores

AndroShield:automated Android applications vulnerability detection, a hybrid static and dynamic analysis approach

The security of mobile applications has become a major research field which is associated with a lot of challenges. The high rate of developing mobile applications has resulted in less secure applications. This is due to what is called the “rush to release” as defined by Ponemon Institute. Security testing—which is considered one of the main phases of the development life cycle—is either not performed or given minimal time; hence, there is a need for security testing automation. One of the techniques used is Automated Vulnerability Detection. Vulnerability detection is one of the security tests that aims at pinpointing potential security leaks. Fixing those leaks results in protecting smart-phones and tablet mobile device users against attacks. This paper focuses on building a hybrid approach of static and dynamic analysis for detecting the vulnerabilities of Android applications. This approach is capsuled in a usable platform (web application) to make it easy to use for both public users and professional developers. Static analysis, on one hand, performs code analysis. It does not require running the application to detect vulnerabilities. Dynamic analysis, on the other hand, detects the vulnerabilities that are dependent on the run-time behaviour of the application and cannot be detected using static analysis. The model is evaluated against different applications with different security vulnerabilities. Compared with other detection platforms, our model detects information leaks as well as insecure network requests alongside other commonly detected flaws that harm users’ privacy. The code is available through a GitHub repository for public contribution

Lumbar unilateral laminotomy for bilateral decompression in lumbar spinal stenosis

Background: Multiple surgical approaches are existing for the management of lumbar canal stenosis.Objective: This study was conducted to assess the outcomes of unilateral laminotomy with bilateral decompression in such cases.Patients and methods: This prospective study was conducted at Mansoura University Hospitals, and we included a total of 12 cases with lumbar canal stenosis. All cases underwent unilateral laminotomy with bilateral canal decompression during the period between July 2017 and July 2018. Post-operative outcomes included ODI, and VAS score for both leg and back pain.Results: The age of the cases ranged between 38 and 62 years. We included 7 males and 5 females. ODI, lower extremity, and back pain showed a significant decrease after the operation (p < 0.05).Conclusion: Unilateral laminotomy with bilateral canal decompression is a safe and feasible approach to managing LSS. Excellent outcomes are expected regarding leg pain and quality of life, while slight improvement is anticipated regarding low back pain

Influence of low grade exercise on skeletal scintigraphy using Tc-99m methylene diphosphonate

BACKGROUND: Tc-99m methylene diphosphonate [MDP] bone scan is the basis of the skeletal imaging in nuclear medicine being a highly sensitive tool for detecting bone diseases. Mechanical stimulation induced by low grade exercise or whole-body vibration appears to be advantageous regarding the maintenance and/or improvement of skeletal mass in humans. We aimed to assess the physiological influence of low grade exercise on the quality of skeletal scintigraphy using Tc-99m MDP. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Tc-99m MDP bone scan was done for 92 volunteers [Group 1; G1]. Five days later, the same subjects were re-scanned [Group 2; G2] after an exercise on treadmill for 5 minutes. Image quality was assessed using quantitative measures whereby equal regions of interest (ROI) were drawn over the femoral diaphysis, and the contralateral adductor area. The total number of counts from the bone [B] ROI and soft tissue [ST] ROI was expressed as a ratio [B:ST ratio] and a mean value for each was established. RESULTS: Statistically significant difference was found between the B:ST ratio means [p = 0.001] in G1 and G2. CONCLUSION: This study raised a physiological influence of low grade exercise on the image quality of tc-99m MDP skeletal scintigraphy by increasing MDP osseous uptake