SAID SHEHATA

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a severe complication of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), characterized by persistent fever, systemic inflammation, and organ failure. Its clinical features may overlap with hemophagocytic syndrome, Kawasaki disease, macrophage activation syndrome, and toxic shock syndrome.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate how universal adhesives affected the proliferation of gingival fibroblasts and human dental pulp stem cells by measuring cell viability at different time points: 1 min, 1 h, and 6 h. The measurement of TNF-α levels after 6 h was performed to assess any inflammatory reactions or cytokine release triggered by the materials. The antimicrobial properties against Lactobacilli and Streptococcus mutans, using the agar diffusion assay after 24 h were assessed. The single-bottle adhesives tested were: Huge Bond (Huge Dental, USA), Single Bond Universal (3 M, USA), and G-Premio BOND (GC, Japan). Huge Bond and Single Bond showed a marked decrease in cell viability after 6 h, with Single Bond exhibiting the most significant reduction (p < 0.0001). Huge Bond exhibited the highest TNF-α expression, followed by Single Bond and G-Premio. Huge Bond stands out for its superior performance against both bacterial strains (p = 0.0001). Methacrylate monomers are mostly associated with cytotoxicity if not fully polymerized because they have the ability to leach and harm dental pulp cells and gingival fibroblasts. All three materials have initial antimicrobial activity associated with the acidic monomer that was prominent with Huge Bond and G-Premio.

The outcome of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is heterogeneous, with both patient-related and disease-related factors contributing to an individual patient’s likelihood of achieving a therapeutic response and survival. The Calcitonin Receptor-Like (CALCRL) gene, which encodes the calcitonin receptor-like receptor, has emerged as a point of interest in studying AML. Its expression levels may hold clinical relevance and contribute to the prognostic assessment of AML patients. In the current study, we evaluated CALCRL gene expression levels to verify their possible association with the clinical and laboratory characteristics of AML and to clarify its potential role as a molecular prognostic marker in a cohort of Egyptian AML patients. Methods: CALCRL gene expression was estimated in 80 newly diagnosed adult Egyptian AML patients by quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Results: CALCRL gene expression in AML cases ranged from 0.11 to 104.11, with a median value of 2.1. It was higher in AML cases compared to controls; however, the difference was not statistically significant. AML cases were stratified into high and low CALCRL expression groups. Overall survival (OS) was higher in CALCRL-low compared to CALCRL-high expressers, yet the difference was not statistically significant. There was no statistical difference between CALCRL-high and CALCRL-low expressers regarding their complete remission rate (CR) and relapse-free survival (RFS). However, the incidence of relapse was higher in CALCRL-low expressers. In our study, the median age of the AML cases was 43 years. OS was significantly longer in CALCRL-low expressers, while RFS was significantly longer in CALCRL-high expressers younger than 43 years old. Conclusion: Studying CALCRL gene expression in larger cohorts and over longer follow-up periods is highly recommended to gain deeper insight into its functional role in oncogenesis and chemoresistance, as well as its potential as a molecular prognostic marker and future therapeutic target.

West Africa faces significant challenges from land degradation and desertification, exacerbated by variables such as fluctuating rainfall and vulnerable soils. Approximately 46% of the land in this region is affected by degradation processes, necessitating a nuanced understanding of spatial variations for efficient land management. This study assesses land sensitivity to desertification using two methodologies: the original MEDALUS framework implemented in Google Earth Engine (MEDALUS-GEE) and an enhanced Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process-based MEDALUS model (FAHP-MEDALUS). The research incorporates 17 ecological and management factors to derive soil, vegetation, climate, and management quality indices, ultimately creating the Environmental Sensitivity Area Index (ESAI). The MEDALUS-GEE approach identified 40.43% (approximately 2.14 million km2) of the study area as fragile and 19.54% (around 1.03 million km2) as critical. In contrast, FAHP-MEDALUS showed a higher sensitivity, classifying 50.77% (roughly 2.69 million km2) as fragile and 37.57% (approximately 1.99 million km2) as critical, thus detecting a more extensive range of highly critical areas. Crucial findings indicate that integrating FAHP-based weighting methods enhances model sensitivity and environmental coherence by accounting for uncertainty in the importance of each factor. The analysis ranks intensive agriculture, low rainfall, steep slopes, high bulk density, water erosion, and poor soil organic matter and vegetation density as the primary triggers of land degradation in West Africa. Furthermore, the FAHP-MEDALUS methodology augments assessment reliability by incorporating fuzzy logic, reducing subjectivity, and improving regional sensitivity differentiation compared to traditional models. Ultimately, the synergy of FAHP and MEDALUS within a geospatial framework presents a robust and adaptable approach for assessing desertification, enabling targeted restoration strategies. This contributes significantly towards achieving land degradation neutrality and fulfilling Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 15 in semi-arid regions of Africa.

BackgroundLeukocyte platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), a second-generation blood-derived concentrate, has been thoroughly studied. Decreasing the relative centrifugation force during PRF production is said to enhance the contents of cellular and growth factors, which subsequently improves their therapeutic impact.

Aim

To evaluate the low-speed centrifugation concept used in the preparation of PRF and compare it to high-speed centrifugation.

Patients and methods

Eighty healthy volunteers participated in our study, and they were divided into two equal groups (group I and group II). Three noncoagulated blood samples were withdrawn from each volunteer. Two protocols were selected for the preparation of the PRF clot: a high-speed protocol at 2400 rpm for 10 min (group I) and a low-speed protocol at 1200 rpm for 10 min (group II).

Results

The three PRF clots were examined: the first for macroscopic and histological analysis, the second for scanning electron microscopy, and the third for cellular counts using an automated hematology analyzer, as well as for measuring the concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor and transforming growth factor β1 in the fluid exudate produced from its compression. The PRF prepared using the low-speed protocol had higher concentrations of cellular components, vascular endothelial growth factor, and transforming growth factor β1 than those prepared with the high-speed protocol. PRF prepared using a low-speed protocol is sufficient and offers better quality than that prepared using a high-speed protocol.

The holobiont" refers to the plant and its associated microbiota that are pivotal to the plant's health, fitness, and survival. By in vitro culturing and functionally characterizing members of the plant microbiota, their specific roles in influencing plant responses to environmental changes can be determined and manipulated to foster sustainable agriculture and ecosystem management.

Phytohormones play an important role in plant adaptation to the environment by regulating stress responses via a dynamic system. Conventional techniques used in assessing the concentrations of phytohormones can only give a static picture at a certain moment, hence, the dynamic physiological processes that influence stress resistance cannot be analyzed. There is a need to change the paradigm of analysis from a static approach to a dynamic multi-scale imaging and monitoring approach. In this paper, we review the recent developments in bioelectronics and optoelectronics that enable the observation of phytohormone at different biological levels. Finally, we look at the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the data analysis of multiple sensors and present the concept of the "Dynamic Plant Digital Twin."

Phytohormones play an important role in plant adaptation to the environment by regulating stress responses via a dynamic system. Conventional techniques used in assessing the concentrations of phytohormones can only give a static picture at a certain moment, hence, the dynamic physiological processes that influence stress resistance cannot be analyzed. There is a need to change the paradigm of analysis from a static approach to a dynamic multi-scale imaging and monitoring approach. In this paper, we review the recent developments in bioelectronics and optoelectronics that enable the observation of phytohormone at different biological levels. Finally, we look at the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the data analysis of multiple sensors and present the concept of the "Dynamic Plant Digital Twin."

INTRODUCTION: The development of novel anticancer agents targeting DNA replication and repair mechanisms remains a priority in leukemia therapy. In this study, newly synthesized derivatives incorporating bis-indole and pyrazolo[3,4-]pyridine scaffolds were evaluated for their antiproliferative potential against leukemia cell lines.

METHODS: The antiproliferative activity of the synthesized compounds was assessed in four cancer cell lines, including acute myeloid leukemia (MV4-11) and chronic myeloid leukemia (K562). Growth inhibition (GI) values were determined. DNA relaxation assays were performed to evaluate inhibition of topoisomerase I and IIα activities. Cell cycle distribution, apoptosis induction, and DNA damage response markers were analyzed using cellular and molecular assays. Combination studies were conducted using CHK1, ATR, and PARP-1 inhibitors.

RESULTS: Compounds , , and demonstrated the most potent antiproliferative activity, with GI values below 2.5 μM in leukemic cell lines. Compound exhibited notable cytotoxicity, with GI values of 1.1 μM (MV4-11) and 2.7 μM (K562). Compounds and significantly inhibited topoisomerase I activity and effectively suppressed topoisomerase IIα-mediated DNA relaxation. Cellular studies revealed S-phase cell cycle arrest, activation of apoptotic pathways (caspase cleavage and PARP-1 degradation), and induction of DNA damage response markers (γH2AX, p-CHK1, p53). In MV4-11 cells, combination treatment with CHK1 or ATR inhibitors resulted in pronounced synergistic cytotoxicity, whereas co-treatment with a PARP-1 inhibitor produced minimal synergy.

DISCUSSION: These findings identify bis-indole and pyrazolo[3,4-]pyridine derivatives, particularly compound , as potent dual topoisomerase inhibitors with significant antileukemic activity. Their ability to induce DNA damage and enhance cytotoxicity in combination with DNA damage response inhibitors highlights their potential therapeutic value, especially in combination strategies targeting replication stress pathways in leukemia.

Elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.) has been traditionally implemented in diverse preparations such as herbal teas, syrups or juices as remedies for respiratory, febrile and other health conditions. Phytochemical and chromatographic analyses of different organs mapped their metabolite profiles and allowed identification, and sometimes isolation, of their main bioactive compounds.