Ashraf Abu-Seida

This study aims to predict the behavior of different tomato rootstocks under drought stress conditions. SCoT and CDDP analyses were employed to characterize the genetic relatedness among a commercial drought-sensitive tomato hybrid (cv. Bark) and four wild tomato accessions (LA2711, LA1995, LA3845, and LA4285) known for their tolerance to adverse conditions. The Bark plants were grafted onto the aforementioned wild accessions and self-grafted as control, and then the behavior of all graft unions was followed under normal and drought stress conditions. Our results showed a general genotype-dependent better growth and yield of heterografts than autografts under all growth conditions. Furthermore, clustering analysis based on growth, yield quantity and quality traits, and the leaf content of minerals, ABA, GA3, and proline, in addition to the activity of APX, POD, and DHAR reflected the same grouping pattern of the studied rootstocks exhibited by SCoT and CDDP. The identical grouping pattern supports the utilization of SCoT and CDDP as a robust screening tool helpful to predict the physiological and agronomical behavior of grafting on different tomato rootstocks. Furthermore, grafting could be a cost-efficient alternative method to improve drought tolerance in sensitive tomato genotypes.

With the ongoing advances in sensor technology and miniaturization of electronic chips, more applications are researched and developed for wearable devices. Hydration monitoring is among the problems that have been recently researched. Athletes, battlefield soldiers, workers in extreme weather conditions, people with adipsia who have no sensation of thirst, and elderly people who lost their ability to talk are among the main target users for this application. In this paper, we address the use of machine learning for hydration monitoring using data from wearable sensors: accelerometer, magnetometer, gyroscope, galvanic skin response sensor, photoplethysmography sensor, temperature, and barometric pressure sensor. These data, together with new features constructed to reflect the activity level, were integrated with personal features to predict the last drinking time of a person and alert the user when it exceeds a certain threshold. The results of applying different models are compared for model selection for on-device deployment optimization. The extra trees model achieved the least error for predicting unseen data; random forest came next with less training time, then the deep neural network with a small model size, which is preferred for wearable devices with limited memory. Embedded on-device testing is still needed to emphasize the results and test for power consumption.

BACKGROUND: Melasma is a challenging pigmentation disorder.

OBJECTIVE: To assess and compare the efficacy of tranexamic acid (TXA) intradermal microinjection alone versus its combination with low-power, low-density fractional CO2 laser in a sequential pattern in melasma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study included 29 patients with melasma. Half of the face was randomly assigned to fractional CO2 laser; the other half to TXA. This split-face session was repeated every 6 weeks for 3 sessions. In between, TXA was applied to the full face every 2 weeks. Treatment duration was 4 months. Dermoscopy, melanin index (M.I), and erythema index (E.I) were evaluated at baseline and 4 weeks after the last session.

RESULTS: Melanin index, E.I, total dermoscopic score and different dermoscopic patterns of pigmentation, and vascular features showed significant reduction posttreatment on both sides of the face. No statistically significant difference was found regarding the degree and percentage of improvement in M.I, E.I, and total dermoscopic score between both sides.

CONCLUSION: Tranexamic acid microinjection alone or combined with low-power, low-density fractional CO2 laser in a sequential pattern are comparatively effective and safe for melasma treatment; however, combined treatment is recommended. Dermoscopy is an essential noninvasive tool in the assessment of melasma and monitoring patients' response to treatment.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to compare transvaginal (TVS) and transabdominal (TAS) ultrasonography precision in to evaluate the lower uterine (LUS) thickness in women with a previous Cesarean section at the term pregnancy; to be an effective method for assessment of previous cesarean scar strength.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted at kasr el-ainy Hospital in Egypt. From May to November 2020, we admitted 130 pregnant women at term with a previous cesarean section for an elective cesarean delivery. Lower uterine segment thickness was obtained using both transvaginal ultrasound and transabdominal ultrasound before the cesarean. The exact thickness of the lower uterine segment was recorded using a sterile metal ruler before the neonate had been delivered.

RESULTS: The mean thickness of the lower uterine segment obtained by transabdominal ultrasound was 5.2 ± 1.6 mm and 4.8 ± 1.33 mm by transvaginal ultrasound, then compared each of them to the mean actual thickness, which was 4.5 ± 1.22 mm. The lower uterine segment thickness with transabdominal ultrasound showed a good correlation (r = 0.722) with the actual thickness, the correlation with transvaginal ultrasound was better (r = 0.944). A cut-off value transvaginal ultrasound of 3.65 mm with 90.8% sensitivity and 65.6% specificity.

CONCLUSION: Transvaginal ultrasound is more accurate in assessing the thickness of the lower uterine segment than transabdominal ultrasound. A total lower uterine segment thickness of <3.65 is considered a thin scar, and <2.85 mm is associated with a higher risk of uterine dehiscence. The trial was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov registry with clinical trial. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04687891.

Temperature strongly impacts the rates of physiological and biochemical processes, which in turn can determine the survival and population size of insects. At low temperatures performance is limited, however, cold tolerance and performance at low temperature can be improved after short- or long-term acclimation in many insect species. To understand mechanisms underlying acclimation, we sequenced and compared the transcriptome of the blowfly Chrysomya megacephala under rapid cold hardening (RCH) and long-term cold acclimation (LCA) conditions. The RCH response was dominated by genes related to immune response, spliceosome, and protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum with up-regulation during recovery from RCH. In contrast, LCA was associated with genes related to carbohydrate metabolism and cytoskeleton branching and stabilizing. Meanwhile, mRNA levels of genes related to glycerophospholipid metabolism, and some heat shock proteins (Hsps) were collectively up-regulated by both RCH and LCA. There were more genes and pathway adjustments associated with LCA than RCH. Overall, the transcriptome data provide basic information of molecular mechanisms underpinning the RCH and LCA response. The partly independent molecular responses to RCH and LCA suggest that several avenues for manipulating cold performance exist and RCH might be more effective as it only triggers fewer genes and affects the general metabolisms less. These observations provide some appropriate methods to improve cold tolerance of C. megacephala, and hold promise for developing an extended use of mass-reared C. megacephala with better cold performance as a pollinator of crops at low temperatures.

It is recommended not to use transdermal fentanyl (Fe) patches (TFP) in cancer cachexia but TFP may be the only available option for pain. Limited evidence suggests lower Fe absorption from TFP in cachexia. We describe a case of metastatic breast cancer with refractory cachexia. Her pain was uncontrolled on TFP and was route switched and drug rotated to intravenous morphine (M). We were conservative and did not use the 1:100 TFP to oral M conversion ratio. Assuming opioid needs were similar before and after switch/rotation, the suitable conversion ratio in this case was about 1:25. Absent clear guidelines on converting from TFP in cachexia, it is better to avoid TFP. When essential to use TFP in cachexia, caution should be taken when switching from TFP to avoid overdose.