Dr Mohammed Mahmoud Youssif

The integration of Renewable Energy Sources (RESs) into active distribution networks presents a
trade-off between loss reduction and operational uncertainties, as well as challenges to network
stability. This paper proposes a novel techno-economic multi-objective function (MOF) to opti-
mize the sizing and placement of RESs, fuel cells, and shunt capacitors. The proposed MOF
maximizes the hosting capacity and voltage stability while minimizing power losses, voltage
deviation, and costs. The proposed MOF utilizes the electric eel foraging optimization (EEFO)
algorithm, which was benchmarked against seven metaheuristic algorithms (GA, PSO, GWO,
SMA, MPA, AHA, and ARO) and tested on the modified IEEE 69-bus system under uncertainty.
Simulation results demonstrate the superior performance of the EEFO-based MOF, achieving a
69.48% reduction in power losses. Under uncertain conditions, it attained the best overall per-
formance: the lowest loss (9.46 kW), minimal cost ($226/h), least land use (5604.3 m²), and
highest hosting capacity (55.1%).

Smart energy management is critical for reducing household electricity costs and addressing rising demand. While appliance scheduling is often explored under dynamic pricing schemes, this study demonstrates its effectiveness under Inclining Block Rate (IBR) tariffs—commonly used in developing countries and currently applied in Egypt. This paper proposes a Mixed-Integer Quadratic Programming (MIQP) model for optimal appliance scheduling, incorporating user-defined daily budget limits, utility preferences, and photovoltaic (PV) integration under net metering. The model is validated using synthetic test cases and empirical data from a household survey, alongside actual solar generation profiles. All analyses reflect Egypt’s residential IBR tariff structure and PV feed-in rates as of 2023. Results show that low-income households (350 kWh/month) with a 2.5 kW PV system achieve full energy self-sufficiency under a 5 EGP/day budget, generating a surplus. Without PV, the same group meets essential needs under a 15 EGP/day budget with a net expense of 11.55 EGP/day. High-income households (1000 kWh/month) reach maximum utility under a 60 EGP/day budget. These findings confirm that appliance load scheduling is viable and impactful under IBR tariffs. Sensitivity analysis results demonstrate that beyond a certain threshold, increasing the daily budget limit yields no further gains in user satisfaction. This highlights the optimal budget levels households should aim for under the IBR tariff. The model offers a scalable, budget-aware framework to support smart energy management and PV adoption across Egyptian households and similar emerging-economy contexts.

High-fat diet (HFD) consumption disrupts the gut microbiome, instigating metabolic disturbance, brain pathology, and cognitive decline via the gut-brain axis. Probiotic and prebiotic supplementation have been found to improve gut microbiome health, suggesting they could be effective in managing neurodegenerative disorders. This study explored the potential benefits of the probiotic strain Lactobacillus plantarum 20174 (L. plantarum), prebiotic Asparagus officinalis (A. officinalis) extract, or their synbiotic combination against HFD-induced cognitive dysfunction and neurodegeneration in rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed either a normal diet or an HFD for 24 weeks. Starting from week 13, rats on either diet were divided into vehicle-, prebiotic-, probiotic-, and synbiotic-treated subgroups. Rats received their assigned intervention for 12 more weeks. Prebiotic, probiotic, or synbiotic treatment reverted HFD-instigated alterations in hippocampal amyloid beta, p-tau, α-synuclein, and BDNF levels, leading to restored cognitive function. The tested therapies also improved the HFD-disrupted lipid profile. Interestingly, probiotic and synbiotic therapies attenuated oxidative stress and inflammation, reinstated neurotransmitter balance, and mitigated the energy deficit in HFD-fed rats. Furthermore, L. plantarum and Asparagus administration modulated gut microbiota composition by raising Lactobacillus species and reducing Coliform and Staphylococci bacteria as well as fungi populations. These findings suggest that the oral consumption of A. officinalis prebiotics and/or L. plantarum probiotics alleviates HFD-induced cognitive deficit and neurodegeneration through modulation of the gut-brain axis with superior restorative effects being achieved by synbiotic treatment.

To investigate osteogenic potential of biodegradable nanostructured Cu/W/Co in Fe-Mn alloys for maxillofacial applications in an in vivo model. Nanostructured FeMn, FeMnCu, FeMnW FeMnCo alloys were fabricated. Ten mongrel dogs were included where five mandibular defects were induced in each dog. Defects were randomly allocated into 5 groups ((M) control defects covered by bone disc, (M0) implanted by FeMn alloy, (M1) implanted by FeMnCu alloy, (M2) implanted by FeMnW alloy, (M3) implanted by FeMnCo alloy). Dogs were euthanized at 12 weeks for cone beam computed tomography, histologic and immunohistologic evaluation, and gene expression of osteopontin and osteocalcin. Defects implanted with metal demonstrated thicker bone trabeculae mixed with lamellar bone while control defects (M) demonestrated immature woven bone. Quantitative evaluation of bone area %, area % of mature bone and expression of osteopentin and osteocalcin bone markers revealed a statistically significant highest bone area % and maturation in group M3 compared to M2, M1, M0, and M group. A statistically significant increase in bone area % and maturation was recorded in M2 group compared to M1, M0, and M groups. A significantly increased bone area % and maturation was recorded in M1 compared to control M group and also between M0 and M group. Incorporating Cu/W/Co into Fe-Mn alloys enhanced biocompatibility and improved bone regeneration suggesting its suitability for use in various orthopedic and dental applications. Biodegradable metal alloys could improve patient outcome, reduce the need for additional surgeries to remove nonbiodegradble implants. Biodegradable metal alloys could improve patient outcome, reduce the need for additional surgeries to remove nonbiodegradble implants.

To investigate osteogenic potential of biodegradable nanostructured Cu/W/Co in Fe-Mn alloys for maxillofacial applications in an in vivo model. Nanostructured FeMn, FeMnCu, FeMnW FeMnCo alloys were fabricated. Ten mongrel dogs were included where five mandibular defects were induced in each dog. Defects were randomly allocated into 5 groups ((M) control defects covered by bone disc, (M0) implanted by FeMn alloy, (M1) implanted by FeMnCu alloy, (M2) implanted by FeMnW alloy, (M3) implanted by FeMnCo alloy). Dogs were euthanized at 12 weeks for cone beam computed tomography, histologic and immunohistologic evaluation, and gene expression of osteopontin and osteocalcin. Defects implanted with metal demonstrated thicker bone trabeculae mixed with lamellar bone while control defects (M) demonestrated immature woven bone. Quantitative evaluation of bone area %, area % of mature bone and expression of osteopentin and osteocalcin bone markers revealed a statistically significant highest bone area % and maturation in group M3 compared to M2, M1, M0, and M group. A statistically significant increase in bone area % and maturation was recorded in M2 group compared to M1, M0, and M groups. A significantly increased bone area % and maturation was recorded in M1 compared to control M group and also between M0 and M group. Incorporating Cu/W/Co into Fe-Mn alloys enhanced biocompatibility and improved bone regeneration suggesting its suitability for use in various orthopedic and dental applications. Biodegradable metal alloys could improve patient outcome, reduce the need for additional surgeries to remove nonbiodegradble implants. Biodegradable metal alloys could improve patient outcome, reduce the need for additional surgeries to remove nonbiodegradble implants.

A scaffold hybridization approach was utilized to enhance the antitumor and carbonic anhydrase inhibitory activity of our oxindole and coumarin lead compounds (V and X). Two oxindole-coumarin hybrids 6c and 6e showed broad spectrum of anticancer activity with NCI full panel MG-MIDs of 5.01 and 6.31 µM, respectively. They revealed GI of a single digit micromolar concentration against 46 and 39 cell lines, respectively. An apoptosis dependent mechanism is suggested for the potent anticancer activity of compounds 6c and 6e via the increase in the BAX/BCL-2 ratio and enhancement of the expression levels of caspase-9 and the tumor suppressor p53. While this structure hybridization resulted in enhanced antitumor activity, it resulted in moderate CA IX and XII inhibitory activity. The potent anticancer compound 6e was among the most active inhibitors of the tumor associated CA IX and CA XII in this study (K = 1.8 and 2.1 μM, respectively). As a result, even compound 6e's moderate CA IX/XII inhibitory activity may have synergistic effects contributing to its increased tumor growth suppression and proapoptotic activity. Moreover, compound 6e revealed a nonsignificant cytotoxicity toward the normal kidney epithelial Vero cell line and was totally inactive against the cytosolic isoforms CA I and CA II (K = > 100 μM) which mitigate its side effect as chemotherapeutic agent and enforce its safety profile.

BACKGROUND: Trichinella spiralis, a globally widespread zoonotic parasite, poses significant health and economic burdens due to its complex life cycle and the scarcity of effective, multi-stage treatments.

METHODS: This study investigated the therapeutic potential of a novel curcumin-olive oil nanocomposite (CO-NC) against three critical stages of T. spiralis infection in a murine model: adult worms (3-5 days post-inoculation, dpi), newborn larvae (8-10 dpi), and encapsulated larvae (33-35 dpi). CO-NC exhibited potent, stage-specific, and dose-dependent antiparasitic activity.

RESULTS: Remarkably, a 100 mg/kg dose achieved complete eradication of both newborn and encapsulated larvae, mirroring the efficacy of the current standard treatment, albendazole (50 mg/kg). This high dose also significantly reduced adult worm burdens by 91.6%. Even at a lower dose of 50 mg/kg, CO-NC demonstrated substantial activity, reducing adult worms and encapsulated larvae by 55.2% and 43.8%, respectively. Beyond its direct antiparasitic effects, CO-NC (100 mg/kg) significantly mitigated infection-induced oxidative stress by restoring key redox markers in muscle and intestinal tissues, including xanthine oxidase, glutathione, malondialdehyde, and total antioxidant capacity. Furthermore, complementary in vitro studies revealed superior anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties of CO-NC compared to crude curcumin and standard reference compounds at their respective IC values.

CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight CO-NC as a promising multi-faceted therapeutic candidate for trichinellosis, offering potent antiparasitic efficacy comparable to albendazole alongside valuable antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. This integrated approach underscores the potential of CO-NC as an innovative and comprehensive solution for the challenges posed by T. spiralis infections.