Occurrence of Helminths in the Great Cormorants, Phalacrocorax carbo, in Qena, Egypt

Three adult female cormorants, Phalacrocorax carbo, were found dead in Qena province, Egypt in December 2016. They were immediately sent to the Laboratory in Faculty of Science, South Valley University, Egypt, for necropsy. Apparently, the birds had no gross lesions or suffered from injured or damaged tissue. Complete evisceration of internal organs was performed, and birds were subjected to a full parasitological examination for the detection of helminths. Helminthiasis was only detected in the gastrointestinal tracts. Among the recovered helminths, three trematodes, one tapeworm, and three nematode species were found. Digeneans were identified as Clinostomum complanatum (n=3; at the first part of the oesophagus), Ribeiroia ondatrae (n=2; at the middle part of the oesophagus), and Paryphostomum radiatum (n=3; in the small intestine). The revealed cestodes species (n=one; in the small intestine) were identified as Paradilepsis scolecina. Lastly, the recovered nematodes (n=3; in the stomach) were identified as Contracaecum rudolphii, Contracaecum microcephalum, and Contracaecum chubutensis. It was noted that mixed infection of all helminth species was found in a single bird. Moreover, another bird also presented with mixed infection of Contracaecum spp. and digeneans. Histopathological examination revealed leucocytic infiltration surrounding the embedded digeneans, hyperplasia of the proventricular wall, as well as necrosis with remnants of degenerated trematodes. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study revealing Clinostomum complanatum, Ribeiroia ondatrae, Paryphostomum radiatum, Paradilepsis scolecina, Contracaecum rudolphii, Contracaecum microcephalum, and Contracaecum chubutensis in the great cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo, in Egypt

Structural templating as a route to improved photovoltaic performance in copper phthalocyanine/fullerene (C60) heterojunctions

We have developed a method to improve the short circuit current density in copper phthalocyanine (CuPc)/fullerene (C60) organic solar cells by ~60% by modifying the CuPc crystal orientation through use of a molecular interlayer to maximize charge transport in the direction between the two electrodes. Powder x-ray diffraction and electronic absorption spectroscopy show that a thin 3,4,9,10-perylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride interlayer before CuPc growth templates the CuPc film structure, forcing the molecules to lie flat with respect to the substrate surface, although the intrastack orientation is unaffected. This modified stacking configuration facilitates charge transport and improves charge collection

Prevalence, Distribution Pattern and Pathological Alterations of Gastro-intestinal Helminthosis in Domestic Ducks in Beni-Suef, Egypt

`           In Egypt, scarce literature on helminthosis in aquatic birds, particularly ducks, were reported. Therefore, the current study was conducted to explore the prevalence of helminth infections, and the associated histopathological alterations, in domestic ducks in Beni-Suef, Egypt. Accordingly, a total of 510 ducks (260 native, 150 mallard and 100 Muscovy) were collected from villages and local markets to screen the gastrointestinal helminthosis during the period from October 2018 to November 2019. It was found that the overall prevalence was 13.92% (71/510). Among those, 11 (2.16%) ducks had mixed infections. The recovered species were 8 tapeworm species and 5 nematode species. Among tapeworms, Raillietina tetragona was the most prevalent (1.96%; 10/510) followed by R. cesticillus (1.57%; 8/510), Amoebotaenia cuneata (1.18%;6/510), Cotugnia digonopora (0.98%;5/510), R. echinobothrida (0.78%; 4/510), Hymenolepis apodemi-like (0.78%; 4/510), Choanotaenia infundibulum (0.59%; 3/510) and H. carioca (0.39%; 2/510). Among nematodes, the most prevalent species was Ascaridia galli (5.10%; 26/510) followed by Heterakis gallinarum (1.76%; 9/510), Subulura brumpti (0.59%; 3/510), Trichostrongylus tenuis (0.2%; 1/510) and Epomidiostomum uncinatum (0.2%; 1/510). The highest prevalence was recorded in native breed, while the lowest was in Muscovy ducks. Seasonally, the highest prevalence was detected in autumn and summer, while the lowest infection rate was recorded in winter. Histopathologically, diffuse degenerative changes and necrosis of intestinal mucosa as well as hyalinosis of the muscular layer were predominant. Further studies on other aquatic birds in Egypt are urgently demanded to verify helminth parasites posing on the associated risk factors to minimize economic losses resulted from mortalities induced by those parasitic infections. Moreover, regular control programming including effective treatment is highly recommended.&nbsp

Effect of Modifying Mechanical Ventilator Trigger Sensitivity on Arterial Blood Gases in ICU Patients

Background: Despite the fact that mechanical ventilation is an essential part in management of critically ill patients, mechanically ventilated patients have a higher risk of complications, which can lead to increased morbidity and mortality. Objective: This study aimed to study the effect of training inspiratory muscle through modifying mechanical ventilator (MV) trigger sensitivity on arterial blood gases in mechanically ventilated patients. Patients and Methods: Sixty adult patients diagnosed with acute respiratory failure, needed to be intubated and connected to mechanical ventilated. They were from both gender and their ages ranged from 50 to 70 years. The patient were chosen from Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Department of Chest Diseases, Cairo University Hospitals. They were randomly assigned into two equal groups. Group (A): included thirty patients who received training for inspiratory muscle through modifying MV trigger sensitivity plus usual physical therapy. Group (B): included thirty patients who received usual physical therapy only. Results: The results showed a significant increase in partial arterial pressure (PaO2) in both groups, this increasing was significantly higher in  patients who received training for the inspiratory muscle plus the usual chest physical therapy than patients who only received usual chest physical therapy (P-value < 0.001). The results showed no significant change in neither power of hydrogen (pH) nor partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2). Conclusion: Training to inspiratory muscles in mechanically ventilated patient through modifying mechanical ventilator trigger sensitivity can produce a significant increase in partial arterial pressure (PaO2). Although it has no effect in pH nor PaCO2

Strukturna svojstva i UV – NIR apsorpcijski spektri bezmetalnih tankih slojeva ftalocijanina

The structural properties and absorption spectra of H2Pc thin films have been studied. The films used in these studies were thermally evaporated on glass/quartz substrates with thickness ranging from 60 to 460 nm. The XRD studies of H2Pc thin films showed that the as-deposited films have α-form with monoclinic system. The mean crystallite size (L), the dislocation density (δ) and the strain (ξ) were evaluated. The molecular structure of H2Pc thin films is confirmed by analysis of (FTIR) spectra. The surface morphology of H2Pc thin films was examined by scanning electron microscope. The absorption spectra of H2Pc recorded in the UV – VIS – IR region for the as-deposited and the annealed thin films of different thickness have been analyzed. The spectra showed two absorption bands namely the Q-band and the Soret (B)-band. The Q-band shows its characteristic splitting (Davydove splitting) with ∆Q = 0.21 eV. Values of some important optical parameters, namely optical absorption coefficient (α ′ ), molar extinction coefficient (εmolar), half-band-width (∆λ), electronic dipole strength (q 2 ) and oscillator strength (f) were calculated. The fundamental and the onset of the indirect energy gaps were also determined as 2.47 and 1.4 eV, respectively.Proučavali smo strukturna svojstva i apsorpcijske spektre tankih slojeva H2Pc. Te tanke slojeve, debljine 60 do 460 nm, naparavali smo na staklene i kremene ploče. Proučavanje rendgenograma je pokazalo da su neobrađeni tanki slojevi monokliničke α-strukture. Odredili smo srednju veličinu kristalita (L), gustoću dislokacija (δ) i naprezanje (ξ). Potvrdili smo molekulsku strukturu tankih slojeva H2Pc analizama FTIR spektara. Površine slojeva ispitivali smo pretražnim elektronskim mikroskopom. Analizirali smo apsorpcijske spektre neobrađenih i opuštenih tankih slojeva različite debljine u UV – VIS – IR području. Ti spektri pokazuju dvije apsorpcijske vrpce, Q-vrpcu i Soretovu B-vrpcu. Q-vrpca pokazuje svoju značajku (Davydovog) cijepanja sa ∆Q = 0.21 eV. Izveli smo vrijednosti važnih optičkih parametara: optičkog apsorpcijskog koeficijenta (α ′ ), molarnog koeficijenta gašenja (εmolar), poluširine pojasa (∆λ), elektronskih dipolnih jakosti (q 2 ) i oscilatornih jakosti (f). Odredili smo osnovne energijske procijepe i početke neizravnih energijskih procijepa od 2.47 odnosno 1.4 eV

Characterization and Optical Properties of the Single Crystalline SnS Nanowire Arrays

The SnS nanowire arrays have been successfully synthesized by the template-assisted pulsed electrochemical deposition in the porous anodized aluminum oxide template. The investigation results showed that the as-synthesized nanowires are single crystalline structures and they have a highly preferential orientation. The ordered SnS nanowire arrays are uniform with a diameter of 50 nm and a length up to several tens of micrometers. The synthesized SnS nanowires exhibit strong absorption in visible and near-infrared spectral region and the direct energy gapEgof SnS nanowires is 1.59 eV

Thin films of fluorinated 3d-metal phthalocyanines as chemical sensors of ammonia: an optical spectroscopy study

A comparative study of the sensor response toward gaseous ammonia of hexadecafluorinated 3d-metal phthalocyanine (MPcF16, MCu(II), Co(II), Zn(II), Ni(II)) thin films was performed using complementary experimental (viz., surface plasmon resonance, SPR, and IR absorption spectroscopy) along with theoretical (density functional theory calculations, DFT) techniques. SPR measurements revealed changes of both thickness and optical parameters (refraction indices and extinction coefficients) of the MPcF16 films caused by adsorption of NH3. The MPcF16 species studied exhibited the following order of sensor response: ZnPcF16>CoPcF16≥CuPcF16>NiPcF16. A good correlation was found between the DFT calculated (B3LYP/6-311++G(2df,p)) binding energies, experimentally measured shift of the selected IR bands, and the optical sensor response. Apart from this, we performed a detailed assignment of all intense..