Ashraf Abu-Seida

The present descriptive study investigated the challenges experienced and the coping strategies used by Egyptian university educators from different institution types while teaching online during the pandemic. The cross-sectional study drew participants (N = 222) from three different academic institution types, private universities, public universities, and adult education institutions, who responded to a survey that examined the technical, professional, administrative, social, and psychological challenges teachers encountered as well as their coping strategies. Data were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. Results indicated that the challenges and coping strategies reported by teachers varied according to the teaching context and the requirements of each academic institution. The most reported challenges experienced were exhaustion, internet problems, technical issues, and anxiety. Despite the challenges, participants reported a few positive effects, including feeling more productive, being motivated to learn something new, feeling appreciated by the students and administration, and feeling confident using online teaching tools. Results also revealed that the participants used social and professional strategies to cope with the circumstances accompanying the sudden shift to online teaching. The results indicated how challenges faced by educators from different institution types may diminish with more training on, and experience with, online teaching, forming communities of practice as well as other coping strategies they developed. Such findings should be helpful to educators, institutions, and policymakers in different academic institutions all over the world and in various teaching contexts.

We systematically investigated the behavior of the α-decay half-lives (Tα) for 20 isotopic chains of even–even nuclei, from 78Pt to 116Lv. Tα is calculated within the preformed cluster model. The α-core potential is determined by the double-folding model based on the M3Y-Reid nucleon–nucleon interaction. The Coulomb potential is also microscopically calculated by the folding procedure. To confirm our results, we used four different parameterizations of the involved proton and neutron densities, which are consistent with extensive microscopic calculations and electron scattering data. The results correlate the logTα behavior for the isotopes of an element with their proton energy levels. We found a clear similarity in the behavior of logTα with the number of neutrons of the daughter nuclei (Nd) for specific isotopic chains. The proton pairs forming the α-particles that emitted from the isotopes of the similar chains belong to the same proton energy level. We pointed out some neutron magic and semi-magic numbers corresponding to characteristic minima in the logTα variation with Nd. We interpreted these magic (semi-magic) numbers as the total number of neutrons filling the upper neutron level in the parent nucleus.

Aim The aim of this study was to report the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, causes, management, and outcome of neovascular glaucoma (NVG) in a tertiary facility in Egypt (Glaucoma Care Clinic at Cairo University Hospitals).
Patients and methods The demographic and clinical data of 251 eyes diagnosed with NVG were retrospectively studied. The antiglaucoma medications and interventions used for management were reviewed with analysis of the outcome in the form of success rate, final visual acuity (VA) and intraocular pressure (IOP). Complete success was defined as an IOP between 6 and 21 mm Hg without topical or systemic glaucoma medications with preservation of presenting VA.
Results NVG was diagnosed in 7.9% of all glaucoma patients in our clinic. The prevalence was more in men (58.8%), and the mean age was 56.5±11 years. Diabetic retinopathy was the most common cause for NVG (61.4%), followed by central retinal vein occlusion (21.4%). The presenting VA was light perception (LP) or less in 45% of the eyes. Diode laser cyclophotocoagulation was the most common treatment modality used (57%), followed by antiglaucoma medications only in 28% and finally surgery in 15% of the patients. Complete success in the diode group was achieved in 73.43% of the cases compared with 68.42% in the surgery group, with no statistically significant difference (P=0.522). The effect of an intravitreal injection of antivascular endothelial growth factor on the final IOP was significant (P=0.024).
Conclusions NVG has a high prevalence in our glaucoma patients. The patients presented very late, with nearly half of the patients having VA of LP or less. This led to decreased resort to surgical intervention. Diode laser cyclophotocoagulation was the main treatment modality used, with significant control of the IOP.

Aim The aim of this study was to report the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, causes, management, and outcome of neovascular glaucoma (NVG) in a tertiary facility in Egypt (Glaucoma Care Clinic at Cairo University Hospitals).
Patients and methods The demographic and clinical data of 251 eyes diagnosed with NVG were retrospectively studied. The antiglaucoma medications and interventions used for management were reviewed with analysis of the outcome in the form of success rate, final visual acuity (VA) and intraocular pressure (IOP). Complete success was defined as an IOP between 6 and 21 mm Hg without topical or systemic glaucoma medications with preservation of presenting VA.
Results NVG was diagnosed in 7.9% of all glaucoma patients in our clinic. The prevalence was more in men (58.8%), and the mean age was 56.5±11 years. Diabetic retinopathy was the most common cause for NVG (61.4%), followed by central retinal vein occlusion (21.4%). The presenting VA was light perception (LP) or less in 45% of the eyes. Diode laser cyclophotocoagulation was the most common treatment modality used (57%), followed by antiglaucoma medications only in 28% and finally surgery in 15% of the patients. Complete success in the diode group was achieved in 73.43% of the cases compared with 68.42% in the surgery group, with no statistically significant difference (P=0.522). The effect of an intravitreal injection of antivascular endothelial growth factor on the final IOP was significant (P=0.024).
Conclusions NVG has a high prevalence in our glaucoma patients. The patients presented very late, with nearly half of the patients having VA of LP or less. This led to decreased resort to surgical intervention. Diode laser cyclophotocoagulation was the main treatment modality used, with significant control of the IOP.

Circulating microRNAs (miRs) have attracted a great deal of attention as promising novel markers for various diseases. Our study aimed at evaluating the clinical utility of specific types of plasma miRs as diagnostic biomarkers in early-stage breast cancer (BC) patients and to study their relation with breast cancer gene 1 (BRCA1) and breast cancer gene 2 (BRCA2) mutations in BC patients and high-risk females. The study included 45 early-stage BC patients (30 non-familial and 15 familial), 15 high-risk subjects and 20 clinically healthy females as control. Using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), the relative expression levels of some plasma miRs (10b, 21, 155, 145 and let-7c) were determined in breast cancer patients and high-risk, compared to controls. Also, multiplex PCR was applied for the detection of 185delAG and 5382insC mutations in BRCA1 gene, and 6174delT mutation in BRCA2 gene using multiplex PCR and mutations were confirmed using High Resolution Melt (HRM) technique. Plasma miR-10b and miR-21 levels were significantly up-regulated, while miR-155 and miR-let-7c levels were significantly down-regulated in BC patients and high-risk subjects, compared to controls. MiR-21 was significantly up-regulated, whereas miR-155 level was significantly down-regulated in patients with lymphatic invasion. MiR-21 was showed a significant association with mutation in exon 2 of BRCA 1 in high-risk individuals. Deregulated expression of miR-10b, miR-21, miR-155, and let-7c serves as a potential non-invasive diagnostic marker in early-stage II BC, and surveillance biomarkers for individuals at a higher-expected risk of developing BC. Also, high-risk individuals harbor classical mutations in BRCA1 gene, considering it a high priority for these individuals to have a strict follow-up.

<div><p class="Pa6"><strong><span lang="EN-GB">BACKGROUND: </span></strong><span lang="EN-GB">Little is known about the extent of Egyptians’ awareness regarding the relationship between nutrition and cardiovascular health.</span></p></div><div><p class="Pa6"><strong><span lang="EN-GB">AIM: </span></strong><span lang="EN-GB">This study seeks to evaluate people’s awareness through an online cross-sectional survey to determine the knowledge gaps.</span></p></div><div><p class="Pa6"><strong><span lang="EN-GB">METHODS: </span></strong><span lang="EN-GB">This cross-sectional study was conducted through an online survey using a convenience sampling technique. The participation required being an adult Egyptian (≥18 years old). A pre-tested electronic-questionnaire included three sections: Socio-demographic data, a self-reported history of chronic and cardiac diseases, and 15 questions addressing dietary risk factors and protective factors. Six hundred and thirty-two participants completed the questionnaire.</span></p></div><div><p class="Pa6"><strong><span lang="EN-GB">RESULTS: </span></strong><span lang="EN-GB">The mean age was 28 ± 8 years. More than 80% of the participants were males. Of 632 participants, 233 had poor awareness. The median knowledge percent score was 62 with interquartile range (52, 71). About 85.4% of the participants were ready to change their eating habits and follow a healthy diet to maintain their health. The participants were interested in knowing more about healthy food and how to prepare healthy balanced meals (71.7% and 62.2%, respectively). Females, university-educated, employed, and Upper Egypt residents demonstrated deep awareness (p-value = 0.02, 0.011, 0.05, and 0.012, respectively). Intriguingly, friends and social media were the primary sources of nutritional knowledge.</span></p></div><div><strong>CONCLUSION: </strong>The participants’ knowledge is poor regarding the relation between nutrition and cardiovascular health. This study emphasizes the urgent need to raise public awareness as a precaution against cardiovascular diseases.</div>

BackgroundMass rearing cost of Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is one of the critical methods for the successful utilization of Baculovirus pathogenicity and sterile insect technique (SIT). Effectiveness of both SIT and S. littoralis Nucleopolyhedrosis Virus ( Spli NPV) was assessed in response to plant-based diet and substitution of agar with commercial sources of gelling components as feed.
Results
Pupal and adult recoveries produced by castor bean leaves were significantly high, followed by the agar-based diet. Moreover, larval durations were significantly prolonged for (starch + gelatin)-based diet than the other dietary diets. Obviously, Spli NPV pathogenicity against the larvae reared on (starch + gelatin)-based diet was 2.5 and 2 times higher than those reared on castor leaves and agar-based diet, respectively. Contrary to expectation, the sterility doses of male moths produced by castor leaves and agar-based diet were relatively similar.
Conclusion
The findings suggest that the lowest cost diets (starch + gelatin)-based diet could be used effectively for increasing the Spli NPV pathogenicity, while either castor leaves or agar-based diet could be considered as a promising choice for SIT program.

A major cause of economic losses among cattle breeders is calf diarrhea; bovine coccidiosis can cause a severe constriction on animal productivity and is associated with diarrhea. This study aimed to investigate the biochemical, and oxidative stress parameters in diarrhetic buffalo calves. A total number of 16 buffalo calves enrolled in this study. Calves aged between 3 and 6 months and divided into diarrhetic calves (N = 10) and healthy calves (n = 6). Clinical signs were recorded, and fecal samples were taken and examined for the presence of Eimeria oocytes. A total of 10 ml of blood was withdrawn from the jugular vein to estimate superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total protein, albumin, zinc, and copper. The most recorded signs were diarrhea and unthriftiness. Macroscopic findings showed offensive odor diarrhea. Mucous was detected in fecal samples. Significant elevation in MDA along with a significant reduction in zinc, copper, TAC, SOD, catalase, and GPx was recorded in diarrhetic calves compared to control calves. Diarrhea in calves caused by Eimeria spp. is associated with oxidative status in the form of elevated oxidative side (MDA) and severe depletion in antioxidant side (SOD, GPX, CAT, and TAC). Reduction in trace minerals was recorded and could be attributed to its role in the formation of antioxidant enzymes and their subsequent depletion.

The availability of fresh frozen (FF) tissue is a barrier for implementing RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) in the clinic. The majority of clinical samples are stored as formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues. Exome capture platforms have been developed for RNA-seq from FFPE samples. However, these methods have not been systematically compared. We performed transcriptomic analysis of 32 FFPE tumor samples from 11 patients using three exome capture-based methods: Agilent SureSelect V6, TWIST NGS Exome, and IDT XGen Exome Research Panel. We compared these methods to the TruSeq RNA-seq of fresh frozen (FF-TruSeq) tumor samples from the same patients. We assessed the recovery of clinically relevant biological features. The Spearman’s correlation coefficients between the global expression profiles of the three capture-based methods from FFPE and matched FF-TruSeq were high (rho = 0.72–0.9, p < 0.05). A significant correlation between the expression of key immune genes between individual capture-based methods and FF-TruSeq (rho = 0.76-0.88, p < 0.05) was observed. All exome capture-based methods reliably detected outlier expression of actionable gene transcripts, including ERBB2, MET, NTRK1 , and PPARG . In urothelial cancer samples, the Agilent assay was associated with the highest molecular subtype concordance with FF-TruSeq (Cohen’s k = 0.7, p < 0.01). The Agilent and IDT assays detected all the clinically relevant fusions that were initially identified in FF-TruSeq. All FFPE exome capture-based methods had comparable performance and concordance with FF-TruSeq. Our findings will enable the implementation of RNA-seq in the clinic to guide precision oncology approaches.