Introduction: Blood and blood products transfusion is an essential therapy for many patients. However, it carries therisk of transmission of infection. The hepatitis B virus can be transmitted by blood transfusion. This highlightsthe importance of combined HBsAg and anti-HBc screening to eliminate blood-transmitted HBV.Aim of work: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of HBV among vaccinated multi-transfused patients in Egypt.
Material and methods: The study was conducted on 805 multi-transfused patients who were followed up at theoutpatient hematology clinic at Cairo University Children’s Hospital. Plasma blood samples were collected for an HBVrapid screening test, and serum samples were collected for serological and molecular analysis of positive cases.
Results: The results of this study results of HBV screening using RDT revealed three positive cases out of 805. The firstcase showed HBsAg positive, HBsAb negative, HBcAb positive, and HBeAg positive, as well as a high viral load. Thesecond case showed HBsAg positive, HBsAb negative, HBcAb positive, HBeAg negative, and an intermediate viral load.The third case showed HBsAg negative, HBsAb positive, HBcAb positive, HBeAg negative, with an undetectable titer.
Conclusions: HBV infection persists among multi-transfused and previously vaccinated children. Therefore, the postimmunizationimmune status of these patients should be assessed, and strict hemovigilance should be followed.

Sea cucumbers, belonging to class Holothuroidea, are marine invertebrates with substantial bioactive compounds and nutritive value. This study presents a multiplex metabolomics approach to dissect between winter and summer samples of two Red Sea cucumbers: Holothuria atra and Actinopyga crassa. LC-MS and GC-MS followed by multivariate data analyses were employed for metabolites profiling and seasonal biomarkers assignment for each species. A total of 314 metabolites were annotated in both species belonging to amino acids, sugars, sugar alcohols, acids, triacylglycerides (TAGs), phospholipids, lyso-phospholipids, sphingolipids, phosphatidylcholines, diacylglycerols, different glycolipids, and others, adding to the nutritive value of sea cucumber. GC-MS analysis revealed for amino acids i.e., alanine as the main polar primary metabolite class in sea cucumbers. LC-MS analysis targeting non-polar metabolites revealed TAGs as the main class followed by phospholipids and lyso-phospholipids. Multivariate orthogonal partial least square discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) revealed that A. crassa is enriched in alanine and lactic acid than H. atra versus higher levels of pyroglutamic acid and ethanolamine and TAGs in the later. Summer A. crassa was distinguished from its winter specimen by its higher TAGs, glycine and glycerol levels versus enrichment of winter samples in lyso-phospholipids, isoleucine, and proline. Such metabolomic study revealed for A. crassa and H. atra richness in nutrient metabolites, alongside collection season effect on their amino acids and lipids profiles.

Examining the mechanistic cellular responses to heat stress could aid in addressing the increasing prevalence of decreased fertility due to elevated ambient temperatures. Here, we aimed to study the differential responses of oocytes and granulosa cells to thermal fluctuations due to seasonal differences. Dry beef cows (n = 10) were housed together, synchronized and subjected to a stimulation protocol to induce follicular growth before ovum pick-up (OPU). Two OPU’s were conducted (summer and winter) to collect cumulus-oocyte-complexes (COCs) and granulosa cells. In addition, rectal temperatures and circulating blood samples were collected during OPU. Oocytes were separated from the adherent cumulus cells, and granulosa cells were isolated from the collected OPU fluid. RNA was extracted from pools of oocytes and granulosa cells, followed by library preparation and RNA-sequencing. Blood samples were further processed for the isolation of plasma and leukocytes. The transcript abundance of HSP70 and HSP90 in leukocytes was evaluated using RT-qPCR, and plasma cortisol levels were evaluated by immunoassay. Environmental data were collected daily for three weeks before each OPU session. Data were analyzed using MIXED, Glimmix or GENMOD procedures of SAS, according to each variable distribution.

Ovarian follicular fluid (FF) is a dynamic environment that changes with the seasons, affecting follicle development, ovulation, and oocyte quality. Cells in the follicles release tiny particles called extracellular vesicles (EVs) containing vital regulatory molecules, such as microRNAs (miRNAs). These miRNAs are pivotal in facilitating communication within the follicles through diverse signaling and information transfer forms. EV-coupled miRNA signaling is implicated to be associated with ovarian function, follicle and oocyte growth and response to various environmental insults. Herein, we investigated how seasonal variations directly influence the ovulatory and anovulatory states of ovarian follicles and how are they associated with follicular fluid EV-coupled miRNA dynamics in horses.

This study aimed to prepare a combined self-nanoemulsifying and self-assembled cubic nanoparticles (SNE/SAC) lyophilized tablet eliciting biphasic release pattern escorted with enhanced bioavailability for drugs hampered with slow dissolution and poor absorption. The antimuscarinic Darifenacin hydrobromide (DRF) was selected as a model drug used to treat overactive bladder-associated nocturia. The DRF-SNE/SAC lyophilized tablet was prepared so that upon reconstitution a mixture of DRF-loaded cubic nanoparticles and nanoemulsion dispersion is obtained. The nanoemulsion portion is responsible for the fast release followed by controlled release of the remaining dose loaded in cubic nanoparticles. A comparative pharmacokinetic study adopting randomized crossover design in male albino rabbits versus marketed product Frequefenacine® tablet was performed. Half of the dose (52.05% ± 4.21%) was rapidly released in the first 4 h followed by sustained release of the remaining drug where (90.16% ± 8.85%) was released in 24 h. The tested system showed 2.45 folds higher % relative bioavailability and 1.57 folds higher Cmax with 1.62 longer residence time relative to reference product. The results endow the ability of the developed DRF-SNE/SAC lyophilized tablet to be considered as a propitious approach for the treatment of overactive bladder-associated nocturia without midnight dose administration.

Abstract Metal halide perovskite semiconductors have demonstrated remarkable progress not only in photovoltaics and X-ray detection but also in laser technologies. Particularly appealing is the simplicity with which micro-crystallites can be epitaxially grown, thereby forming micro-resonators suitable for lasing. Here, the laser threshold is optimized by selecting excitation laser parameters and by improving material quality. The latter process is conducted for formamidinium lead tribromide, emitting in the green spectral range. Depending on the growth method and parameters, the sizes of the micro-resonators can be tuned between ≈3 and 23 micrometers. Under laser excitation systematically lower thresholds are observed for micro-resonators in the 4?7 micrometer size range, than for larger ones, irrespective of growth method. Among three optimized growth methods, epitaxial growth via antisolvent vapor-assisted crystallization exhibits the smallest threshold powers, indicating the highest material quality. This conclusion is supported by hyperspectral microscopic luminescence imaging and by transient photoluminescence. The best laser structures exhibit record threshold powers for epitaxially grown perovskites, indicating that the selected antisolvent vapor epitaxial growth holds great promises also for other perovskite materials.

Background and study aim: Sepsis is the most common cause of death in liver cirrhosis patients. Aim: Evaluation of neutrophil and monocyte CD64 and HLA-DR as early biomarkers predicting sepsis in liver cirrhosis. Patients and Methods: This case-control study involved 70 cirrhotic patients (35 with sepsis and 35 without) and 30 healthy individuals. Laboratory studies were performed, including CD64 and HLA-DR using flow cytometry along with sepsis index (SI). Results: Patients were mainly males (80%), aged 62.17 ± 7.56, and 64.69 ± 11.64 years in group 1&2 respectively. Mono CD64% at Cut-off: >62.9 showed AUC: 0.676, Sensitivity: 80.0%, Specificity: 60.0%, PPV: 66.7%, and NPV: 75.0%, while Mono CD64 MFI at Cut-off >9.5 showed AUC: 0.659, Sensitivity: 94.29%, Specificity: 37.14%, PPV: 60.0%, and NPV: 86.7%. Combinations of CRP+ Lactate+ Mono CD64%+ Mono revealed AUC: 0.929, Sensitivity: 82.86%, Specificity: 91.43%, PPV: 90.6%, and NPV: 84.2% Mono CD64% and CD64 MFI (0.003; 0.03] respectively. Regression analysis defined Mono CD64% >62.9 (OR 6], Mono CD64 MFI >9.5 (OR 9.75) CRP >32.4 (OR 13.5), lactate>1.93 (OR 12.08) and ALBI score>0.01 (OR 6) all as factors affecting early sepsis in cirrhosis. Conclusion: Mono CD64% and Mono CD64 MFI proved efficacy as early septic biomarkers with higher efficacy when combined with traditional inflammatory markers in liver cirrhosis patients.

Background and study aim: Sepsis is the most common cause of death in liver cirrhosis patients. Aim: Evaluation of neutrophil and monocyte CD64 and HLA-DR as early biomarkers predicting sepsis in liver cirrhosis. Patients and Methods: This case-control study involved 70 cirrhotic patients (35 with sepsis and 35 without) and 30 healthy individuals. Laboratory studies were performed, including CD64 and HLA-DR using flow cytometry along with sepsis index (SI). Results: Patients were mainly males (80%), aged 62.17 ± 7.56, and 64.69 ± 11.64 years in group 1&2 respectively. Mono CD64% at Cut-off: >62.9 showed AUC: 0.676, Sensitivity: 80.0%, Specificity: 60.0%, PPV: 66.7%, and NPV: 75.0%, while Mono CD64 MFI at Cut-off >9.5 showed AUC: 0.659, Sensitivity: 94.29%, Specificity: 37.14%, PPV: 60.0%, and NPV: 86.7%. Combinations of CRP+ Lactate+ Mono CD64%+ Mono revealed AUC: 0.929, Sensitivity: 82.86%, Specificity: 91.43%, PPV: 90.6%, and NPV: 84.2% Mono CD64% and CD64 MFI (0.003; 0.03] respectively. Regression analysis defined Mono CD64% >62.9 (OR 6], Mono CD64 MFI >9.5 (OR 9.75) CRP >32.4 (OR 13.5), lactate>1.93 (OR 12.08) and ALBI score>0.01 (OR 6) all as factors affecting early sepsis in cirrhosis. Conclusion: Mono CD64% and Mono CD64 MFI proved efficacy as early septic biomarkers with higher efficacy when combined with traditional inflammatory markers in liver cirrhosis patients.