Analytical Studies on the Radionuclide Levels of Sediment and Water in an Agricultural Environment in the Egyptian Delta

This paper is an environmental investigation of the concentration values of radioisotopes and hazardous elements, aimed to shed light on industrial pollution and the effect of using fertilizers in the period of irrigation water drainage from cultivated lands, especially in the River Nile, irrigated, and draining channels in the middle portion of the Egyptian river delta. Different samples were analyzed, both for water and sediment. Many physical and chemical characteristics of samples were investigated. Among them are the quantitative measure of the acidity or basicity of aqueous or other liquid solutions (pH), grain size, and the total organic matter content (TOM) have been determined for sediments. pH and TDS, beside other types of pollutants, were determined for water samples. The water and sediment samples pH are slightly alkaline. The mean value of TDS for water samples is 488 mg/l, while he usual TDS value in river is 500 mg/l. The TOM values show that the sediment samples are poor in organic matter content. The bicarbonate range in the water samples is smaller than the same range in river water. The levels of Ra-226, Th-232, and K-40 activity in sediments are highly correlated. Natural radionuclides seem to correlate with the artificial Cs-137 in sediment. For this peruse, a 240 cm3 high-purity germanium reagent Type-B was used to quantify the levels in each sample with a relative accuracy of 50 %. The radioactive element K-40 is having a typical value of 12.5 Bq/kg. The concentrations of both Cu beside Zn in water samples is smaller if compared with values that quoted by the WHO, the US-EPA, and the EC. It was also found that the average levels for both Cd and Mn are found to be close to the internationally recommended levels. The water and sediments in the southern part of the canal contain higher concentrations of heavy metals and radioactive isotopes than in the rest of the canal

Fractional Effective Quark-Antiquark Interaction in Symplectic Quantum Mechanics

We investigate within the formalism of Symplectic Quantum Mechanics a two-dimensional non-relativistic strong interacting system that represents the bound heavy quark-antiquark state, where it was considered a linear potential in the context of generalized fractional derivatives. For this purpose, it was solved the Schr\"odinger equation in phase space with the linear potential. The solution (ground state) is obtained, analyzed through the Wigner function comparing with the original solution, the Airy function for the meson $c\overline{c}$. The identified eigenfunctions are connected to the Wigner function via the Weyl product and the Galilei group representation theory in phase space. In some ways, compared to the wave function, the Wigner function makes it simpler to see how the meson system is non-classical.Comment: 7 pages, 2 figure

From scaling up to sustainability in HIV: potential lessons for moving forward

Background: In 30 years of experience in responding to the HIV epidemic, critical decisions and program characteristics for successful scale-up have been studied. Now leaders face a new challenge: sustaining large-scale HIV prevention programs. Implementers, funders, and the communities served need to assess what strategies and practices of scaling up are also relevant for sustaining delivery at scale. Methods: We reviewed white and gray literature to identify domains central to scaling-up programs and reviewed HIV case studies to identify how these domains might relate to sustaining delivery at scale. Results: We found 10 domains identified as important for successfully scaling up programs that have potential relevance for sustaining delivery at scale: fiscal support; political support; community involvement, integration, buy-in, and depth; partnerships; balancing flexibility/adaptability and standardization; supportive policy, regulatory, and legal environment; building and sustaining strong organizational capacity; transferring ownership; decentralization; and ongoing focus on sustainability. We identified one additional potential domain important for programs sustaining delivery at scale: emphasizing equity. Conclusions: Today, the public and private sector are examining their ability to generate value for populations. All stakeholders are aiming to stem the tide of the HIV epidemic. Implementers need a framework to guide the evolution of their strategies and management practices. Greater research is needed to refine the domains for policy and program implementers working to sustain HIV program delivery at scale

Role of Inflammatory Cytokines in Obese and Nonobese Diabetic Children

BACKGROUND: Obesity is an expanded health problem worldwide and it is blamed for a startling rise in type 1 diabetes (T1DM), the interaction between obesity, autoimmune processes, and glucose homeostasis is a growing field of study. AIM: This study was undertaken to predict the role of the inflammatory cytokines (interleukin [IL]-17 and IL-10) as biomarkers in early screening for obesity and T1DM and to determine the relation of inflammatory cytokines with diabetic complications especially nephropathy. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The target group consisted of 92 children with type 1 diabetes children who were diagnosed according to the criteria provided by American Diabetes Association Diabetic; cases were divided into two groups, Group 1 (overweight and obese diabetics) and Group 2 (normal weight diabetic children). The levels of serum IL-17 and IL-10 were assayed in these children by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Serum triglycerides (TG) and cholesterol levels were measured as well as urinary microalbumin level was estimated for detection of nephropathy. RESULTS: Diabetic overweight and obese children exhibited significantly 3.8 folds more at risk to be bad glycemic control than diabetic children with normal body mass index (BMI). Furthermore, overweight and obese diabetic children displayed significantly 15 times more at risk of having nephropathy than diabetic children with normal BMI. Low serum level of IL 10 and high level of IL 17 showed a significant association with high BMI in diabetic children. High HBA1c, low IL 10, and long disease duration were significantly considered as predominant risk factors for diabetic nephropathy in diabetic children. CONCLUSION: The obtained data from these investigations proved that overweight and obese children have a low serum level of IL-10 and high serum IL-17 levels. The relationship between IL-10/IL-17 can be applied as a good marker for the inflammatory state and these inflammatory interleukins can be employed as biomarkers in early screening for obesity and T1DM. Furthermore, these interleukins can be utilized as a predictor for early diabetic complications, particularly nephropathy

Bactericidal Efficacy of Cold Plasma at Different Depths of Infected Root Canals In Vitro

Objectives: Cold plasma (CP) has been shown to be effective even against multiresistant microorganisms. As previous investigations on the effect of CP in root canals showed promising results, the aim of the present study was to analyze the bactericidal efficacy of CP in different depths of infected dentin. Methods: 32 standardized root canals of human mandibular premolars were infected with Enterococcus faecalis and incubated for one week. Specimens were randomly selected for one of four disinfection methods: control (5mL NaCl), 5mL chlorhexidine (CHX), CP alone (CP), and a combination of 5mL CHX and cold plasma (CHX+CP). CHX was ultrasonically activated for 30s, while cold plasma was used for 60s in the root canals. Dentin samples at depths of 300, 500 and 800 µm were obtained and diluted serially. Colony forming units (CFUs) were counted on agar plates after 24h of incubation. Results: The highest overall logarithmic reduction factors (RF) were obtained from CHX+CP (log RF 3.56 p<0.01; Mann-Whitney U test), followed by CP (log RF 3.27 p<0.01) and CHX alone (log RF 2.65 p<0.01) related to the control. All disinfection methods showed significantly lower CFU counts compared to the control group in 300 µm and 800 µm (both p<0.01, Kruskal-Wallis test). Discussion: The adjuvant use of CP might be beneficial in highly infected root canals to improved disinfection. However, the disinfection effect against Enterococcus faecalis of CP is comparable to ultrasonically activated CHX

ZBED6 Modulates the Transcription of Myogenic Genes in Mouse Myoblast Cells

ZBED6 is a recently discovered transcription factor, unique to placental mammals, that has evolved from a domesticated DNA transposon. It acts as a repressor at the IGF2 locus. Here we show that ZBED6 acts as a transcriptional modulator in mouse myoblast cells, where more than 700 genes were differentially expressed after Zbed6-silencing. The most significantly enriched GO term was muscle protein and contractile fiber, which was consistent with increased myotube formation. Twenty small nucleolar RNAs all showed increased expression after Zbed6-silencing. The co-localization of histone marks and ZBED6 binding sites and the effect of Zbed6-silencing on distribution of histone marks was evaluated by ChIP-seq analysis. There was a strong association between ZBED6 binding sites and the H3K4me3, H3K4me2 and H3K27ac modifications, which are usually found at active promoters, but no association with the repressive mark H3K27me3. Zbed6-silencing led to increased enrichment of active marks at myogenic genes, in agreement with the RNA-seq findings. We propose that ZBED6 preferentially binds to active promoters and modulates transcriptional activity without recruiting repressive histone modifications

Impact of resonance decays on critical point signals in net-proton fluctuations

The non-monotonic beam energy dependence of the higher cumulants of net-proton fluctuations is a widely studied signature of the conjectured presence of a critical point in the QCD phase diagram. In this work we study the effect of resonance decays on critical fluctuations. We show that resonance effects reduce the signatures of critical fluctuations, but that for reasonable parameter choices critical effects in the net-proton cumulants survive. The relative role of resonance decays has a weak dependence on the order of the cumulants studied with a slightly stronger suppression of critical effects for higher-order cumulants

Relationship of Oxidant and Antioxidant Markers to Asthma Severity in Egyptian Asthmatic Children

BACKGROUND: Asthma is a chronic airway disease which is characterized by oxidant antioxidant imbalance with the generation of oxidative stress related mediators.AIM: The study aimed to evaluate the role of asymmetric dimethylarginine, and malondialdehyde as oxidant markers and serum paraoxonase activity as an antioxidant marker in asthma, and to determine their relationship to the asthma severity and lung function among asthmatic children in Egypt.PATIENTS AND METHODS: This case control study was conducted on sixty patients with asthma compared with sixty apparently healthy children of matched age and sex.RESULTS: Serum concentrations of oxidant markers as asymmetric dimethylarginine and malondialdehyde were significantly increased in asthmatic patients while anti-oxidant marker as paraoxonase activity was significantly decreased compared to healthy controls (P &lt; 0.05). ANOVA test revealed highly significant elevation of the serum concentrations of oxidant markers while anti-oxidant marker was significantly decreased in severe asthmatic patients (P &lt; 0.001) compared to the patients with moderate and mild asthma respectively. Serum malondialdehyde concentration was a strong predictor of asthma severity by multiple regression analysis (P &lt; 0.05).CONCLUSION: The study revealed an imbalance between oxidative and antioxidant defence systems in asthmatic children. Serum concentration of malondialdehyde was the most predictive biomarker having a significant association with asthma severity

Neurocognitive Function and Its Related Potentials in Children with Beta Thalassemia Major: An Egyptian Study

BACKGROUND: Repeated blood transfusions and hemolysis in β-Thalassemia major children lead to iron overload in various organs, including the brain which may cause neurodegeneration. AIM: To evaluate intelligence quotient in children with β-thalassemia major and healthy counterparts and to assess risk factors that cause cognitive problems. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This case-control study was performed on 50 children aged 6-16 years old with β-thalassemia major as patients group and compared with 50 healthy children as a control group of matched age, sex, and social class. Cognitive functions were evaluated by using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children. Serum ferritin and iron were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: There were significantly lower mean performance and full-scale IQ scores of patients group in comparison with controls, whereas no significant differences between both groups as regards to a verbal IQ score. In thalassemic children, block design, comprehension and arithmetic were negatively correlated with age of disease onset, duration of illness and onset of chelation therapy. Serum iron and ferritin were negatively correlated with similarities and digit span. Serum iron levels were negatively correlated with performance IQ score. CONCLUSION: Children with β-thalassemia major need to receive more academic attention and cognitive assessment to improve their IQ

Effect of Denture Base Reinforcement Using Light Cured E- Glass Fibers on the Level of Salivary Immunoglobulin A

BACKGROUND: A gap still exists between in vitro and clinical studies concerning the biocompatibility of the material in the oral environment and their potential to cause immunological undesirable side effects. The uses of glass fibres to improve the mechanical properties of acrylic resin denture base polymers are well documented in vitro. AIM: The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of denture base reinforcement using light-cured E- glass fibres mesh on the level of salivary immunoglobulin A (S-IgA) in patients wearing complete dentures. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fourteen completely edentulous patients, in need of complete dentures, participated in the study. The patients were divided into two groups (n = 7) according to the treatment protocol. In the first group, patients received conventional heat-cured acrylic resin dentures. In the second group, the mandibular dentures were reinforced using light cured resin impregnated E glass fibres mesh. In both groups, salivary samples were collected using passive drool technique. The level IgA was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique at different time intervals. Statistical analysis was carried out using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey`s post-hoc test and independent t-test. The significant level was set at P ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: Acrylic resin dentures and reinforced ones demonstrated an increase in the mean values of IgA level at the end of the follow-up intervals. And this increase was statistically significant (P ≤ 0.05). Although, the reinforced dentures revealed higher mean values, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P &gt; 0.05) CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitations of the present study, the following could be concluded: (1) the insertion of complete dentures induced changes in the level of IgA; and (2) denture base reinforcement using light cured resin impregnated E-glass fibres mesh had a similar effect to that of heat cured acrylic resin on the level of IgA