Dr Mohammed Mahmoud Youssif

Paediatric surgery requires specialised skills, acquired through different traditional and newly applied training methods. However, there are several challenges in paediatric surgery training worldwide, especially among low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), due to limited resources and increased workload.

Paediatric surgery requires specialised skills, acquired through different traditional and newly applied training methods. However, there are several challenges in paediatric surgery training worldwide, especially among low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), due to limited resources and increased workload.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is known to have an impact on the health of the male reproductive system. It is linked to low sperm quality, increased oxidative stress, and an increased generation of reactive oxygen species in the seminal fluid. Pomegranate extract has phenolic compounds and significant protective properties against oxidative stress, male sex hormone disruptions, and sperm abnormalities.

OBJECTIVE: The current study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Pomegranate Peel Extract Nanoparticles (PPENPs) on male fertility in diabetic rats.

METHODS: DM was induced in rats by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg). Twenty-four rats were divided into four groups, 6 rats in each group: control, DM, DM+empty NPs (60 mg/kg, orally), and DM+PPENPs (60 mg/kg, orally).

RESULTS: Administration of PPENPs increased the levels of insulin, FSH, LH, testosterone, catalase, glutathione reduced, and semen fructose. PPENPs also improved sperm quality, as seen by improvements in sperm morphology, motility, count, and the ability of metabolically active spermatozoa to convert blue resazurin dye to pink resorufin. However, PPENPs decreased levels of glucose, malonaldehyde, nitric oxide, and sperm abnormalities. Also, histological investigation of the PPENPs showed improvement in testis tissue architecture and increased the diameter size of seminiferous tubules and germinative layer thickness.

CONCLUSION: Our investigation proved that the treatment of PPENPs has a protective effect on the reproductive system of male diabetic rats, improving fertility parameters, healthy sperm profiles, and the antioxidant system.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is known to have an impact on the health of the male reproductive system. It is linked to low sperm quality, increased oxidative stress, and an increased generation of reactive oxygen species in the seminal fluid. Pomegranate extract has phenolic compounds and significant protective properties against oxidative stress, male sex hormone disruptions, and sperm abnormalities.

OBJECTIVE: The current study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Pomegranate Peel Extract Nanoparticles (PPENPs) on male fertility in diabetic rats.

METHODS: DM was induced in rats by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg). Twenty-four rats were divided into four groups, 6 rats in each group: control, DM, DM+empty NPs (60 mg/kg, orally), and DM+PPENPs (60 mg/kg, orally).

RESULTS: Administration of PPENPs increased the levels of insulin, FSH, LH, testosterone, catalase, glutathione reduced, and semen fructose. PPENPs also improved sperm quality, as seen by improvements in sperm morphology, motility, count, and the ability of metabolically active spermatozoa to convert blue resazurin dye to pink resorufin. However, PPENPs decreased levels of glucose, malonaldehyde, nitric oxide, and sperm abnormalities. Also, histological investigation of the PPENPs showed improvement in testis tissue architecture and increased the diameter size of seminiferous tubules and germinative layer thickness.

CONCLUSION: Our investigation proved that the treatment of PPENPs has a protective effect on the reproductive system of male diabetic rats, improving fertility parameters, healthy sperm profiles, and the antioxidant system.

Abstract Introduction Surgical care in first-referral hospitals (FRHs) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is poorly characterized. Inguinal hernia repair can act as a good tracer condition. This study aimed to evaluate the variation in hernia repair across different hospital types in LMICs. Methods We conducted a secondary analysis of an international prospective cohort study of hernia surgery. Data was collected from consecutive patients undergoing primary inguinal hernia repair between 30 January and May 21, 2023. We characterized patients from LMICs, comparing first-referral, secondary, and tertiary hospitals. Emergency surgery, financing methods, mesh use, and complications were defined as key performance measures relevant for FRHs. A multilevel logistic regression model was used to test associations between complications and hospital type. Results This analysis included 8155 patients undergoing hernia repair across 328 hospitals in 55 LMICs. Most patients were male (89.8%, 7324/8155), of working age (mean age 41.6, SD 25.3). Emergency surgery rates were similar across first-referral, secondary and tertiary hospitals (11.1%, 10.9%, and 9.6%, respectively). Patients in FRHs were most likely to experience out-of-pocket payments (31.4%, 9.4%, and 17.4%). They also had lower rates of mesh use (71.9%, 82.1%, and 84.1%) and higher postoperative complication rates (19.1%, 12.5%, and 14.0%), although complications were similar after adjustment (adjusted odds ratio 1.71, 95% CI 0.83?3.54, p = 0.148). Discussion This sample of FRHs is capable of delivering simple elective surgery, reducing the burden on subsequent referral hospitals. To scale these surgical pathways, FRHs need support to increase the use of mesh and ensure cost protection for patients.

Corona discharge has been recognized for centuries, with sailors reporting the bluish glow of St. Elmo’s fire on ship masts during storms. In the early development of high-voltage engineering, researchers such as Townsend and Peek described the physical basis of this phenomenon as the ionization of air around a conductor when the electric field exceeds the strength of the surrounding medium. The result is a partial discharge that produces visible light, hissing sounds, ozone, and other reactive gases, while also creating radio interference and ultraviolet radiation. In modern transmission systems, these effects appear as wasted power, accelerated wear of insulators, shortened equipment lifetime, and environmental concerns. Although corona has been studied for decades, it continues to challenge the reliable and economical operation of high-voltage networks, particularly under changing weather conditions. This study investigates the phenomenon by analyzing its causes, effects, and mitigation strategies through a combination of theoretical modelling, simulation, and statistical analysis. Using MATLAB Simulink and Python, simulations were conducted under varying environmental conditions—including temperature, humidity, and pressure—as well as electrical parameters such as voltage and conductor design, using observed data to ensure practical relevance. Comparable data sources may be used in other national or regional contexts. Key statistical techniques, including linear and multiple regression, analysis of variance (ANOVA), t-tests, and Monte Carlo simulations, were applied to determine the most influential factors affecting corona discharge losses. Results confirmed that higher voltage levels and unfavorable environmental conditions significantly increase corona loss, while increased conductor spacing and the use of corona rings emerged as the most effective mitigation strategies. An economic analysis based on probabilistic modelling estimated potential annual savings of up to 455 million Egyptian pounds (EGP) for the Egyptian grid, serving as a representative case study. The analytical framework is general and can be applied to other national transmission systems with appropriate data. The findings offer data-driven insights for improving transmission efficiency, minimizing power losses, and enhancing the overall reliability and cost-effectiveness of high-voltage power systems.

A novel bi-ligand nickel-based metal–organic framework (Ni-BTC-PYDC MOF) was synthesized using benzene tricarboxylic acid (BTC) and pyridine-2,3-dicarboxylic acid (PYDC) as ligands. This MOF showed improved surface area, structural stability, and electron transfer compared to mono-ligand Ni-MOFs. Characterization by SEM, EDX, EDS mapping, XRD, and FT-IR confirmed its enhanced morphology and nickel content. The catalyst rapidly reduced methyl orange (MO) dye in water, achieving rapid and significant decolorization within 90 s using sodium borohydride (NaBH₄) under mild conditions. It maintained high activity over ten reuse cycles with minimal loss, performing best at pH 5 due to efficient hydride generation and proton-assisted electron transfer. These findings demonstrate that the bi-ligand Ni-MOF is a promising, stable, and reusable catalyst for removing toxic azo dyes from wastewater.

ABSTRACT Herein, highly fluorescent sulfur and nitrogen co-doped carbon dots (N, S-CDs) had been employed as a fluorescent probe to analyze Cu2+ in drinking water. The biogenic creatinine is known to form a stable complex with Cu2+; hence, it was rationally selected as a bioinspired nitrogen substrate for the first time to enhance N, S-CDs selectivity towards Cu2+. Moreover, the literature was surveyed to guide the selection of sulfur and carbon sources to optimize N, S-CDs quantum yield (QY), so thiourea and disodium edetate are co-carbonized with biogenic creatinine at 270°C for 40?min and characterized using different techniques. The resulting N, S-CDs have a homogeneous particle size distribution and high QY (60.5%?±?2.09%, n?=?5). The produced N, S-CDs fluorescence intensity (FI) had been quantitatively quenched by Cu2+, achieving a detection limit reached of 0.07??M. The developed environmentally friendly and sustainable platform, according to the results of three widely greenness assessment tools and the innovative RGB 12 model, had been successfully employed to detect Cu2+ in drinking water with excellent recovery. Finally, as this sensing platform is rapid and selective, it can be successfully employed to determine the Cu2+ in real-life applications.

Previous research has shown that the effects of different drugs on the growth rate of blow flies vary by species, which can influence the determination of the minimum post-mortem interval (PMImin​). In this study, we assessed how morphine affects the development, growth, and survival rate of Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius, 1794), a forensically important blow fly species, and whether these effects are dose dependent. We also measured morphine concentrations in insect samples (3rd -instar larvae and puparial cases) and in various post-mortem tissues of rabbits (cardiac blood, skeletal muscle, and liver). Rabbits were administered two lethal doses of morphine hydrochloride (5 and 10 mg/kg), then sacrificed, and tissue samples were collected for toxicological analysis. At a controlled temperature of 37 °C, newly hatched larvae (1–2 h old) were placed on the rabbit carcasses and randomly sampled at 12 h regular interval (12–132 h) to determine larval development time, puparial development time, larval mortality, larval length, and larval weight. Changes in these insect parameters led to an underestimation of PMImin by up to 15.92 h if the presence of morphine was not considered. Moreover, morphine concentrations in all insect samples (180 and 223 ng/g in the 3rd instar larvae; 40 and 45 ng/g in the puparial cases after treatment with 5 and 10 mg/kg of morphine hydrochloride, respectively) and rabbit tissues (1129 and 2564 ng/g in the cardiac blood; 1777 and 2823 ng/g in the liver; 825 and 1070 ng/g in the skeletal muscles after treatment with 5 and 10 mg/kg of morphine hydrochloride, respectively) were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography system equipped with a binary pump and UV detector. Morphine can affect the development of different life cycle stages of Ch. megacephala, highlighting the importance of accounting for its presence when determining PMImin ​ in such conditions. The data obtained could aid in criminal investigations. Although a concentration-dependent effect has been discussed, the use of whole animal carcasses may lead to uneven distribution of the drug, and concentrations in the areas from which larvae are feeding may differ significantly due to ante-mortem processes in the body.

This research study investigated the production and properties of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles derived from corn husks and their priming effects on wheat plant proliferation and antioxidant mechanisms compared to the nutri-priming technique under regular irrigation and drought-stressed conditions. Transmission and scanning electron microscopy (TEM and SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX), and X-ray diffraction confirmed the nanoparticles’ hexagonal morphology and typical dimensions of 51 nm. The size and stability of these nanoparticles were assessed through the size distribution and zeta potential analysis, indicating reasonable stability. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) detected the newly formed functional groups. This study emphasized the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and phenolic compounds in plant responses to nanoparticle treatment, particularly in detoxifying harmful radicals. The research also examined the activity of antioxidant enzymes, including peroxidase (POX), catalase (CAT), and glutathione reductase (GR), in alleviating stress caused by oxidation while subjected to various treatments, including micronutrient seed priming with DR GREEN fertilizer. Some biochemical compounds, such as total phenolics (TPCs), total flavonoids (TFCs), and total hydrolysable sugars, were estimated as well to show the effect of the different treatments on the wheat plants. The findings suggested that ZnO nanoparticles can enhance antioxidant enzyme activity under certain conditions while posing phytotoxic risks, underscoring the complexity of plant–nanoparticle interactions and the potential for improving crop resilience through targeted micronutrient applications.

Background: The dried ripe fruit of Serenoa repens (W. Bartram) Small (Arecaceae) is traditionally used for urinary tract disorders, infertility, and prostate hyperplasia in men and for hormonal disturbances and infertility in women. Aim: This paper aims to introduce a collective overview of S. repens research regarding its ethnopharmacological uses, chemical constituents, pharmacological effects, and toxicity. This was performed to identify the research gaps in current studies on S. repens, and suggest potential avenues for further investigation.Method: A review of the literature on S. repens was conducted from inception to December 2023. The data was acquired through Egyptian Knowledge Bank (EKB), Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, PubMed, and Elsevier databases. Furthermore, a bibliometric analysis of research output on S. repens was conducted until December 2023 using the Scopus database. Data was analyzed, and VOSviewer software was used to visualize the relationships between authors, countries, and keywords in the retrieved documents. Results: S. repens is reported to exhibit anti-androgenic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-proliferative, and apoptotic activities, thereby alleviating symptoms associated with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and chronic prostatitis. Phytosterols (mainly β-sitosterol) and fatty acids (predominantly lauric and oleic acid) were regarded as the chief active constituents responsible for such activities.Conclusions: Based on this review, using S. repens extract in BPH management has been the focal point over the last few years. Recently, interest has been raised in other androgen-related conditions, such as androgenetic alopecia, yet these uses are still under investigation. To maximize the medicinal uses of S. repens, we suggest that more research to be performed to unveil new phytochemicals and their biological activities.

BACKGROUND: Insulin pump therapy improves glycemic control in children with type 1 diabetes but is associated with technical and dermatological complications that can impact adherence. Research on these adverse effects in pediatric populations is limited.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate short- and long-term complications of insulin pump therapy in pediatric patients in Saudi Arabia, focusing on technical malfunctions, dermatological issues, and patient satisfaction.

DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey-based study conducted in multiple centers in Taif, Saudi Arabia.

METHODS: Fifty-nine parents of children with type 1 diabetes who used insulin pumps provided data for the study. Participants reported technical issues, skin-related complications, and overall satisfaction. IBM SPSS Statistics version 27.0.1 was used to conduct the statistical analysis.

RESULTS: Technical complications were frequent, with 64.4% experiencing tube blockages, 39.0% reporting needle dislodgment, and 39.0% observing air bubbles in the tubing. Dermatological issues included discomfort at the infusion site (54.2%), skin pigmentation (45.8%), and scarring (55.9%), with lipohypertrophy (22.0%) posing a concern for insulin absorption. Longer pump use was significantly associated with increased complications, particularly tube blockages and skin pigmentation. Despite these challenges, 84.7% of participants recommended insulin pumps over multiple daily injections.

CONCLUSION: Technical and dermatological complications were common, increasing with longer pump use. Proper infusion site rotation, infusion set management, and improved patient education are key to reducing adverse effects. To improve safety and efficacy, future studies should concentrate on infusion set change patterns, newer pump technologies, and standardized guidelines.

BACKGROUND: Insulin pump therapy improves glycemic control in children with type 1 diabetes but is associated with technical and dermatological complications that can impact adherence. Research on these adverse effects in pediatric populations is limited.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate short- and long-term complications of insulin pump therapy in pediatric patients in Saudi Arabia, focusing on technical malfunctions, dermatological issues, and patient satisfaction.

DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey-based study conducted in multiple centers in Taif, Saudi Arabia.

METHODS: Fifty-nine parents of children with type 1 diabetes who used insulin pumps provided data for the study. Participants reported technical issues, skin-related complications, and overall satisfaction. IBM SPSS Statistics version 27.0.1 was used to conduct the statistical analysis.

RESULTS: Technical complications were frequent, with 64.4% experiencing tube blockages, 39.0% reporting needle dislodgment, and 39.0% observing air bubbles in the tubing. Dermatological issues included discomfort at the infusion site (54.2%), skin pigmentation (45.8%), and scarring (55.9%), with lipohypertrophy (22.0%) posing a concern for insulin absorption. Longer pump use was significantly associated with increased complications, particularly tube blockages and skin pigmentation. Despite these challenges, 84.7% of participants recommended insulin pumps over multiple daily injections.

CONCLUSION: Technical and dermatological complications were common, increasing with longer pump use. Proper infusion site rotation, infusion set management, and improved patient education are key to reducing adverse effects. To improve safety and efficacy, future studies should concentrate on infusion set change patterns, newer pump technologies, and standardized guidelines.

Herein, we report the controlled formation of silica/magnetite core–shell nanostructures and their potential utilization as sensors for the
real-time detection of nickel ions with different concentrations in
aqueous solutions. Nickel ions were presented in this work as example of
contaminants. When coupled with quartz crystal microbalance (QCM)
technology, the prepared core–shell nanostructures were found to exhibit
high sensitivity and a prompt response toward the presence of nickel ions
in an aqueous environment. The robust structure of the silica core and the
increased surface area provided by the magnetite shell enhance the
adsorption of metal ions. The pH of the solution was found to have a
strong impact on the sensing performance of the core–shell structure.
Optimal sensor performance was observed at neutral pH, demonstrating the
potential of this system for continuous environmental monitoring of nickel
ions pollutants.