Correlation of Muscle Invasion in Bladder Cancer with Cell Adhesion Properties and Oncoprotein Overexpression Using E-Cadherin and HER2/neu Immunohistochemical Markers.

BACKGROUND: Most of bladder cancers are proven to be of urothelial origin (transitional cell carcinomas). Above 75% of them are of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) type at presentation and the remainder are MIBC. Recent studies suggest that both are most probably two different categories based on both the histopathological and molecular features. The comprehensive understanding of the biomarkers expression in both categories will help in understanding the molecular event underlying each of them and may provide possible chances for targeted therapeutic options. AIM: This study aims to study the differential expression of both E-cadherin and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) in the two categories of bladder cancer NMIBCs and MIBCs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 40 blocks were collected retrospectively from cases of cancer bladder, segregated as 20 cases NMIBCs and 20 cases MIBCs, subjected for E-cadherin and HER2 immunostaining. RESULTS: E-cadherin showed positive expression in 65% of cases of NMI group and in 10% of the MI group, with high statistical significance (p < 0.001). Regarding HER2, positive expression was seen in 25% of NMI cases and in 90% of MI cases, with statistical significance (p < 0.001). Comparison of the results of both markers and their correlation per case showed that 90% of tumors with muscle invasion were E-cadherin negative and HER2 positive. CONCLUSION: The significant association of loss of E-cadherin immunohistochemistry expression and positive HER2 overexpression in MIBC versus NMIBC figured out more differences between the two categories and added to the understanding of their biology. The possibility of validation of HER2-targeted therapy in MIBC cases is now strongly suggested

Time-Delay Systems: Modeling, Analysis, Estimation, Control, and Synchronization

Editorial to cover the S

Impact of the follicular fluid Coenzyme Q10 level in women undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) on the pregnancy rate

Background: The most crucial problem with in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles is still oocyte quality. The women age and the condition of their ovarian reserve are the primary determinants of oocyte quality. Objectives: to assess the effects of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) on the result of pregnancies and the coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) value in follicular fluid (FF) in the women who had the procedure. Patients and methods: this cohort investigation was conducted on 81 infertile patients (age between 20-42 years, both normal or poor responders’ patients and patients with unexplained infertility) who underwent ICSI cycles. Results: patients were divided into two groups: the pregnant group (n= 32) and the non-pregnant group (n= 49).There was a statistically insignificant difference in antral follicle count (AFC), number of retrieved oocytes, number of embryos, number of metaphase II (MII) oocytes, and maturation index between pregnant and non-pregnant females. CoQ10 level in FF was substantially greater in pregnant than non-pregnant females. Conclusion: FF CoQ10 levels were positively correlated with eventual embryo quality and rates of conception. Our findings might be in favour of CoQ10 supplementation in women undergoing IVF for enhancement of the ovum and embryo quality

Effects of oral ginkgo biloba extract on pregnancy complicated by asymmetrically intrauterine growth restriction: a double-blinded randomized placebo-controlled trial

Objectives: to evaluate the effect of oral ginkgo biloba extract (GB)) on asymmetrical intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Study Design: A randomized trial conducted at Assiut Women Health on 226 pregnant women with asymmetrical IUGR. The patients randomly received GB extract or placebo for 6 weeks. The main outcome measures were improvement in fetal weight and feto-maternal blood flow. The data were analyzed by Student’s t- test and chi-squared tests. Result: There was a significant increase in the estimated fetal weight in the GB group (3047+ 127 gm) when compared to the placebo group (2734+ 127 gm) (p= Conclusions: GB extract improves placental functions, Doppler indices and fetal weight in pregnancies complicated with IUGR fetuses

Effects of oral ginkgo biloba extract on pregnancy complicated by asymmetrically intrauterine growth restriction: a double-blinded randomized placebo-controlled trial

Objectives: to evaluate the effect of oral ginkgo biloba extract (GB)) on asymmetrical intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Study Design: A randomized trial conducted at Assiut Women Health on 226 pregnant women with asymmetrical IUGR. The patients randomly received GB extract or placebo for 6 weeks. The main outcome measures were improvement in fetal weight and feto-maternal blood flow. The data were analyzed by Student’s t- test and chi-squared tests. Result: There was a significant increase in the estimated fetal weight in the GB group (3047+ 127 gm) when compared to the placebo group (2734+ 127 gm) (p= Conclusions: GB extract improves placental functions, Doppler indices and fetal weight in pregnancies complicated with IUGR fetuses

The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance

INTRODUCTION Investment in Africa over the past year with regard to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing has led to a massive increase in the number of sequences, which, to date, exceeds 100,000 sequences generated to track the pandemic on the continent. These sequences have profoundly affected how public health officials in Africa have navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. RATIONALE We demonstrate how the first 100,000 SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Africa have helped monitor the epidemic on the continent, how genomic surveillance expanded over the course of the pandemic, and how we adapted our sequencing methods to deal with an evolving virus. Finally, we also examine how viral lineages have spread across the continent in a phylogeographic framework to gain insights into the underlying temporal and spatial transmission dynamics for several variants of concern (VOCs). RESULTS Our results indicate that the number of countries in Africa that can sequence the virus within their own borders is growing and that this is coupled with a shorter turnaround time from the time of sampling to sequence submission. Ongoing evolution necessitated the continual updating of primer sets, and, as a result, eight primer sets were designed in tandem with viral evolution and used to ensure effective sequencing of the virus. The pandemic unfolded through multiple waves of infection that were each driven by distinct genetic lineages, with B.1-like ancestral strains associated with the first pandemic wave of infections in 2020. Successive waves on the continent were fueled by different VOCs, with Alpha and Beta cocirculating in distinct spatial patterns during the second wave and Delta and Omicron affecting the whole continent during the third and fourth waves, respectively. Phylogeographic reconstruction points toward distinct differences in viral importation and exportation patterns associated with the Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants and subvariants, when considering both Africa versus the rest of the world and viral dissemination within the continent. Our epidemiological and phylogenetic inferences therefore underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic on the continent and highlight key insights and challenges, for instance, recognizing the limitations of low testing proportions. We also highlight the early warning capacity that genomic surveillance in Africa has had for the rest of the world with the detection of new lineages and variants, the most recent being the characterization of various Omicron subvariants. CONCLUSION Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve. This is important not only to help combat SARS-CoV-2 on the continent but also because it can be used as a platform to help address the many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats in Africa. In particular, capacity building for local sequencing within countries or within the continent should be prioritized because this is generally associated with shorter turnaround times, providing the most benefit to local public health authorities tasked with pandemic response and mitigation and allowing for the fastest reaction to localized outbreaks. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

Enhancing E-Learning with Blockchain: Characteristics, Projects, and Emerging Trends

Blockchain represents a decentralized and distributed ledger technology, ensuring transparent and secure transaction recording across networks. This innovative technology offers several benefits, including increased security, trust, and transparency, making it suitable for a wide range of applications. In the last few years, there has been a growing interest in investigating the potential of Blockchain technology to enhance diverse fields, such as e-learning. In this research, we undertook a systematic literature review to explore the potential of Blockchain technology in enhancing the e-learning domain. Our research focused on four main questions: (1) What potential characteristics of Blockchain can contribute to enhancing e-learning? (2) What are the existing Blockchain projects dedicated to e-learning? (3) What are the limitations of existing projects? (4) What are the future trends in Blockchain-related research that will impact e-learning? The results showed that Blockchain technology has several characteristics that could benefit e-learning. We also discussed immutability, transparency, decentralization, security, and traceability. We also identified several existing Blockchain projects dedicated to e-learning and discussed their potential to revolutionize learning by providing more transparency, security, and effectiveness. However, our research also revealed many limitations and challenges that could be addressed to achieve Blockchain technology’s potential in e-learning

Association of Serum 25-Hydroxyl Vitamin D Deficiency and Age-Related Cataract: A Case-Control Study

Purpose. To study the relation between the serum 25-hydroxyl vitamin D (OH D) level and the occurrence of age-related cataract in a case-control study. Patients and Methods. 325 cataract patients and 385 control individuals of both sexes were examined for the 25-OH D level using the chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA) technology. Results. Mean 25-OH D level in cataract patients was 7.6 ± 5.5 ± 11.2 ng/mL and median was 5.6 (2.6–31.9), while in the control group, mean 25-OH D level was 18.5 ± 9.6 ng/mL and median was 17.8 (3.4–37.8) (p value < 0.001). There was a statistically significant difference among the different types of cataracts with the lowest level in nuclear cataract. Conclusion. 25-OH D levels in all enrolled individuals were below the reference levels with a severe deficiency in cataract patients. These results might highlight the role of deficiency of 25-OH D in age-related cataract patients

Corneal Endothelial Cell Density and Morphology in Healthy Egyptian Eyes

Purpose. To evaluate the corneal endothelial cell density and morphology in normal Egyptian eyes. Methods. In total, 568 healthy eyes of 568 Egyptian volunteers aged 20 to 85 years were examined using noncontact specular microscopy for the central corneal thickness (CCT), mean endothelial cell density (MCD), coefficient of variation (CV) in cell area, mean cell area (MCA), and hexagonal cell (Hex) percentage. Variables were compared between sexes and between different age groups. Results. The mean CCT, MCD, and MCA were 514.45 ± 43.04 μm, 2647.50 ± 382.62 cells/mm2, and 390.59 ± 149.94 μm2, respectively. MCD and MCA showed no significant differences between men and women (P=0.171 and 0.099, respectively), whereas CV (%) and Hex (%) showed significant differences (P=0.024 and 0.015, respectively). CCT (P=0.007, r = −0.113) and MCD (P<0.001, r = −0.357) exhibited a significant negative correlation with age, whereas CV (%) (P<0.001, r = 0.341) and MCA (P=0.008, r = 0.111) exhibited a significant positive correlation. The mean rate of endothelial cell loss from 20 to 85 years of age was 0.3% per year. Conclusions. Our results provide normative data for the corneal endothelium in healthy Egyptian eyes, thus increasing the knowledge base for corneal endothelial cell parameters in healthy Egyptian eyes. Furthermore, our findings can be used as baseline values for comparisons between Egyptian and other populations and for studies of the endothelial cell reserve and capacity for intraocular surgery and corneal transplantation