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2021
Selim, S., W. Abuelsoud, M. M. Al-Sanea, and H. AbdElgawad, Elevated CO2 differently suppresses the arsenic oxide nanoparticles-induced stress in C3 (Hordeum vulgare) and C4 (Zea maize) plants via altered homeostasis in metabolites specifically proline and anthocyanin metabolism, , vol. 166, pp. 235 - 245, 2021. AbstractWebsite

Nano-sized arsenic oxide nanoparticles (As2O3-NP) limit crop growth and productivity. As2O3-NP represent a strong environmental hazard. The predicted rise in future atmospheric CO2 could boost plant growth both under optimal and heavy metal stress conditions. So far, the phytotoxicity of As2O3-NP and their interaction with eCO2 were not investigated at physiological and metabolic levels in crop species groups such as C3 and C4. We investigated how eCO2 level (620 ppm) alleviated soil As2O3-NP toxicity induced growth and mitigated oxidative damages through analysing photosynthetic parameters, primary (sugars and amino acids) and secondary (phenolics, flavonoids and anthocyanins) metabolism in C3 (barley) and C4 (maize) plants. Compared to maize, barley accumulated higher As2O3-NP level, which inhibited growth and induced oxidative damage particularly in barley (increased H2O2 and lipid peroxidation). Interestingly, eCO2 differently mitigated As2O3-NP toxicity on photosynthesis, which consequently improved sugar metabolism. Moreover, high carbon availability in eCO2 treated plants directed to produce osmo-protectant (soluble sugars and proline) and antioxidants (anthocyanins and tocopherols). In the line with increased proline and anthocyanins, their metabolism was also improved. Notable differences occurred between the two plant species. The ornithine pathway was preferred in maize while in barley proline accumulation was mainly through glutamate pathway. Moreover, under As2O3-NP stress, barley preferentially accumulated anthocyanins while maize accumulated total phenolics and flavonoids. This work contributes to improving our understanding of the differences in growth, physiological and biochemical responses of major crops of two functional photosynthetic groups (C3 and C4 plants) under ambient and elevated CO2 grown under As2O3-NP stress.

Mohamed, B. A., N. Ellis, C. S. Kim, X. Bi, and W. - H. Chen, Engineered biochars from catalytic microwave pyrolysis for reducing heavy metals phytotoxicity and increasing plant growth, , vol. 271, pp. 129808, 2021. AbstractWebsite

Pb, Ni, and Co are among the most toxic heavy metals that pose direct risks to humans and biota. There are no published studies on biochars produced at low temperatures (i.e., 300 °C), which possess high sorption capacity for heavy metal remediation and reclamation of contaminated sandy soils. This research studied the effect of catalytic microwave pyrolysis of switchgrass (SG) using bentonite and K3PO4 to produce biochar at low temperature (300 °C) with high sorption capacity for reducing the phytotoxicity of heavy metals, and investigated the synergistic effects of catalyst mixture on biochar sorption capacity. The quality of the biochars was examined in terms of their impacts on plant growth, reducing phytotoxicity and uptake of heavy metals in sandy soil spiked with Pb, Ni, and Co. All catalysts increased the micropore surface area and cation-exchange capacity of biochars, and resulted in biochars rich in plant nutrients, which not only decreased heavy metal phytotoxicity, but also boosted plant growth in the spiked soil by up to 140% compared to the sample without biochar. By mixing bentonite and K3PO4 with SG during microwave pyrolysis, the efficacy of biochar in reducing phytotoxicity and heavy metals uptake was further enhanced because of the highest micropore surface area (402 m2/g), moderate contents of Ca, Mg, K, and Fe for ion-exchange and moderate concentration of phosphorus for the formation of insoluble heavy metal compounds. Generally, the biochar created at 300 °C (300-30KP) showed similar performance to the biochar created at 400 °C (400-30KP) in terms of reducing heavy metal bioavailability.

Al-mahallawi, A. M., D. Ahmed, M. Hassan, and D. A. El-Setouhy, Enhanced ocular delivery of clotrimazole via loading into mucoadhesive microemulsion system: In vitro characterization and in vivo assessment, , vol. 64, pp. 102561, 2021. AbstractWebsite

This work aimed to formulate clotrimazole (CLZ), a water-insoluble antifungal drug, into a chitosan-coated microemulsion system for achieving enhanced ocular delivery. In this study, CLZ loaded microemulsions were firstly prepared according to 22 × 31 full factorial design in order to investigate the influence of different formulation variables on microemulsion properties. The selected microemulsion formulation (F4: oleic acid, Cremophor EL: Transcutol HP (1:1) and water (20, 70 and 10%, w/w, respectively)) showed nanosized spherical globules with a droplet size of 229.1 ± 0.989 nm, polydispersity index of 0.5085 ± 0.0095, and zeta potential of −33.3 ± 0.98 mV. The selected microemulsion was then coated with low molecular weight chitosan to increase the contact time with the eye surface. In vivo studies in albino rabbits demonstrated the superiority of chitosan-coated microemulsion over the uncoated microemulsion and drug suspension formulation concerning sustainment of antifungal activity over the eye surface. Moreover, the in vivo, ocular tolerance and histopathological studies conducted using male albino rabbits proved the safety of the prepared microemulsions after topical ocular application. Generally, the obtained results confirmed that CLZ chitosan-coated microemulsion could be promising for ocular CLZ delivery.

Al-mahallawi, A. M., D. Ahmed, M. Hassan, and D. A. El-Setouhy, Enhanced ocular delivery of clotrimazole via loading into mucoadhesive microemulsion system: In vitro characterization and in vivo assessment, , vol. 64, pp. 102561, 2021. AbstractWebsite

This work aimed to formulate clotrimazole (CLZ), a water-insoluble antifungal drug, into a chitosan-coated microemulsion system for achieving enhanced ocular delivery. In this study, CLZ loaded microemulsions were firstly prepared according to 22 × 31 full factorial design in order to investigate the influence of different formulation variables on microemulsion properties. The selected microemulsion formulation (F4: oleic acid, Cremophor EL: Transcutol HP (1:1) and water (20, 70 and 10%, w/w, respectively)) showed nanosized spherical globules with a droplet size of 229.1 ± 0.989 nm, polydispersity index of 0.5085 ± 0.0095, and zeta potential of −33.3 ± 0.98 mV. The selected microemulsion was then coated with low molecular weight chitosan to increase the contact time with the eye surface. In vivo studies in albino rabbits demonstrated the superiority of chitosan-coated microemulsion over the uncoated microemulsion and drug suspension formulation concerning sustainment of antifungal activity over the eye surface. Moreover, the in vivo, ocular tolerance and histopathological studies conducted using male albino rabbits proved the safety of the prepared microemulsions after topical ocular application. Generally, the obtained results confirmed that CLZ chitosan-coated microemulsion could be promising for ocular CLZ delivery.

Biccard, B. M., L. du Toit, M. Lesosky, T. Stephens, L. Myer, A. B. A. Prempeh, N. Vickery, H. - L. Kluyts, A. Torborg, A. Omigbodun, et al., Enhanced postoperative surveillance versus standard of care to reduce mortality among adult surgical patients in Africa (ASOS-2): a cluster-randomised controlled trial, , vol. 9, issue 10, pp. e1391 - e1401, 2021. AbstractWebsite

SummaryBackground
Risk of mortality following surgery in patients across Africa is twice as high as the global average. Most of these deaths occur on hospital wards after the surgery itself. We aimed to assess whether enhanced postoperative surveillance of adult surgical patients at high risk of postoperative morbidity or mortality in Africa could reduce 30-day in-hospital mortality.
Methods
We did a two-arm, open-label, cluster-randomised trial of hospitals (clusters) across Africa. Hospitals were eligible if they provided surgery with an overnight postoperative admission. Hospitals were randomly assigned through minimisation in recruitment blocks (1:1) to provide patients with either a package of enhanced postoperative surveillance interventions (admitting the patient to higher care ward, increasing the frequency of postoperative nursing observations, assigning the patient to a bed in view of the nursing station, allowing family members to stay in the ward, and placing a postoperative surveillance guide at the bedside) for those at high risk (ie, with African Surgical Outcomes Study Surgical Risk Calculator scores ≥10) and usual care for those at low risk (intervention group), or for all patients to receive usual postoperative care (control group). Health-care providers and participants were not masked, but data assessors were. The primary outcome was 30-day in-hospital mortality of patients at low and high risk, measured at the participant level. All analyses were done as allocated (by cluster) in all patients with available data. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03853824.
Findings
Between May 3, 2019, and July 27, 2020, 594 eligible hospitals indicated a desire to participate across 33 African countries; 332 (56%) were able to recruit participants and were included in analyses. We allocated 160 hospitals (13 275 patients) to provide enhanced postoperative surveillance and 172 hospitals (15 617 patients) to provide standard care. The mean age of participants was 37·1 years (SD 15·5) and 20 039 (69·4%) of 28 892 patients were women. 30-day in-hospital mortality occurred in 169 (1·3%) of 12 970 patients with mortality data in the intervention group and in 193 (1·3%) of 15 242 patients with mortality data in the control group (relative risk 0·96, 95% CI 0·69–1·33; p=0·79). 45 (0·2%) of 22 031 patients at low risk and 309 (5·6%) of 5500 patients at high risk died. No harms associated with either intervention were reported.
Interpretation
This intervention package did not decrease 30-day in-hospital mortality among surgical patients in Africa at high risk of postoperative morbidity or mortality. Further research is needed to develop interventions that prevent death from surgical complications in resource-limited hospitals across Africa.
Funding
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists.
Translations
For the Arabic, French and Portuguese translations of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.

Song, Y., D. Wu, A. W. Mohamed, X. Zhou, B. Zhang, and W. Deng, "Enhanced Success History Adaptive DE for Parameter Optimization of Photovoltaic Models", Complexity, vol. 2021: Hindawi, pp. 6660115, 2021. AbstractWebsite

In the past few decades, a lot of optimization methods have been applied in estimating the parameter of photovoltaic (PV) models and obtained better results, but these methods still have some deficiencies, such as higher time complexity and poor stability. To tackle these problems, an enhanced success history adaptive DE with greedy mutation strategy (EBLSHADE) is employed to optimize parameters of PV models to propose a parameter optimization method in this paper. In the EBLSHADE, the linear population size reduction strategy is used to gradually reduce population to improve the search capabilities and balance the exploitation and exploration capabilities. The less and more greedy mutation strategy is used to enhance the exploitation capability and the exploration capability. Finally, a parameter optimization method based on EBLSHADE is proposed to optimize parameters of PV models. The different PV models are selected to prove the effectiveness of the proposed method. Comparison results demonstrate that the EBLSHADE is an effective and efficient method and the parameter optimization method is beneficial to design, control, and optimize the PV systems.

Amer, E. M., E. M. Abdelsalam, Y. A. Attia, M. M. Saleh, M. Salah, M. A. Moselhy, A. S. Ali, and M. Samer, Enhancing the Performance of Microbial Fuel Cells by Installing an Air Pump to the Cathode Chamber, , vol. 64, issue 10, pp. 5471 - 5476, 2021. AbstractWebsite

The microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are biochemical devices in which bacteria create electrical power by oxidizing simple compounds such as glucose as well as complex organic matter in wastewater. In this study, pumping air into the cathode chamber and its effect on microbial fuel cell performance was investigated. The metabolism of bacteria existed in wastewater was responsible for the generation of bioelectricity. The developed MFC system was designed by utilizing phosphate buffer to operate the system at controlled pH equal 7 and at a stable temperature of 30oC. It was found that increasing oxygen supply to the cathode chamber has a positive effect on the cell performance by increasing the voltage value. Generally, the efficiency of microbial fuel cell was enhanced in the case of cathodic chamber aeration in comparison to the case of no aeration was applied. It was found that the voltage increased in the case of oxygen supply to reach 0.45 mv with a stability over the 138 h of the experiment compared to the case of no aeration was applied where the voltage reached only 0.2 mV with stability in one case and 0.4 mV after 78 h of operation with instability in the second case. Therefore, the performance of the microbial fuel cell improved. It can be concluded that oxygen concentration affects both reaction kinetics and final power efficiency.

Ali, M. A., M. Kabil, R. Alayan, R. Magda, and L. D. Dávid, Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Performance in Egypt: An Empirical Study Based on the Global Entrepreneurship Index (GEI), , vol. 13, issue 13: MDPI, 2021. Abstract
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Mai Abuowarda, M., H. O. AbuBakr, E. Ismael, M. Shaalan, M. A. Mohamed, and S. H. Aljuaydi, Epidemiological and genetic characteristics of asymptomatic canine leishmaniasis and implications for human Leishmania infections in Egypt, , 2021. Abstract
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Mahdy, O. A., S. Z. Abdel-Maogood, M. Abdelsalam, M. Shaalan, H. A. Abdelrahman, and M. A. I. A. SALEM, "Epidemiological study of fish-borne zoonotic trematodes infecting Nile tilapia with first molecular characterization of two heterophyid flukes", Aquaculture ResearchAquaculture Research, vol. 52, issue 9: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, pp. 4475 - 4488, 2021. AbstractWebsite

Abstract Fish-borne zoonotic trematodes (FBZT) are extremely important zoonotically and can infect humans via the consumption of poorly cooked fish containing active metacercariae. In this context, the present study aimed to update the epidemiological information of FBZT among Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) collected from Giza and Fayoum Governorates. Concerning the molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of adult flukes from experimentally infected pigeons and histopathological alterations of both larval and adult trematode flukes. Oreochromis niloticus were found to be infected with different encysted metacercaria (EMC); Prohemistomum, Haplorchis and Pygidiopsis species from wild caught in Giza and farmed fish in Fayoum with the total mean of prevalence that 81.89 ± 6.48, 18.03 ± 2.9 and 34.64 ± 3.42 respectively. Three recovered flukes from experimentally infected domestic pigeons (Columba livia domestica); Prohemistomum vivax, Haplorchis pumilio and Pygidiopsis genata in their small intestine. First molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of heterophyid flukes; P. genata and H. pumilio. The sequences obtained in this study were registered in the GenBank with accession numbers (MT672308.1 and MT707975.1) respectively. Moreover, constructing a phylogeny and phylogenetic relationships between two heterophyid species was performed through analytic study of the second internal transcribed spacer nuclear ribosomal genes (rDNA-ITS2). Phylogenetic analysis of P. genata and H. pumilio showed 99.42% nucleotide similarity with that sequence from Israel (AY245710) and 99.71% from Vietnam (EU826636.1). In addition, histopathological alterations of EMC and adult flukes induced necrosis of fish muscle bundles and a severe inflammatory response with muscular necrosis in intestinal tract of infected pigeons.

Mahmoud, M. A., M. M. Attia, M. Abdelsalam, D. A. Abdel-moneam, and M. A. Z. Ewiss, "Ergasilus extensus and bacterial co-infection in flathead grey mullet, Mugil cephalus (Linnaeus, 1758), are associated with pathological changes and immunological gene expression alterations", Aquaculture ResearchAquaculture Research, vol. 52, issue 12: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, pp. 6143 - 6151, 2021. AbstractWebsite

Abstract We studied the ectoparasite, Ergasilus extensus or gill lice in gills from farmed grey mullet, Mugil cephalus. Streptococcus agalactiae and Enterococcus faecalis were also studied and isolated from infected fish. We identified these pathogens using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Our analyses revealed high homology percentages with identical sequences in GenBank. Moreover, phylogenetic tree analysis confirmed S. agalactiae and E. faecalis from other close related pathogens. We also used quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) to investigate cell-mediated immunity in infected fish with this co-infection. Enhanced cell-mediated immunity was observed as a function of increased interleukin 1 ? (IL-1?) and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNFα) levels. Histopathological examinations revealed the presence of haemorrhaging and many parts of the parasite near infected gill lamellae. Also, bacteria aggregated as multiple cocci close to areas of parasite attachment, together with eosinophilic granular cell infiltration. Hepatic tissue showed haemorrhaging and melanophore aggregation with vacuolar degeneration observed in hepatocytes.

Mahmud, S., A. A. Elfiky, A. Amin, S. C. Mohanto, E. Rahman, U. K. Acharjee, and A. Saleh, "Erratum: Targeting SARS-CoV-2 nonstructural protein 15 endoribonuclease: an in silico perspective (Future Virology (2021) 16:7 (475-489) DOI: 10.2217/fvl-2020-0233)", Future Virology, vol. 17, issue 5, pp. 341, 2021. AbstractWebsite

Following publication of the Short Communication by Shafi Mahmud, Abdo A Elfiky, Al Amin, Sumon Chandro Mohanto, Ekhtiar Rahman, Uzzal Kumar Acharjee & Abu Saleh, 'Targeting SARS-CoV-2 nonstructural protein 15 endoribonuclease: an in silico perspective', which appeared in the July 2021 issue of Future Virology 16(7), 475-489 (2021), it has been brought to our attention that there was an error regarding the phrase "in the active site"and "into the active site". This has now been corrected as follows: In the Abstract, the phrase "Moreover, saquinavir and aprepitant make nonbonded interactions with Leu201 in the active site cavity of Nsp15, while the drug valrubicin interacts with Arg199 and Leu201"has been corrected to "Moreover, saquinavir and aprepitant make nonbonded interactions with Leu201 near the active site cavity of Nsp15, while the drug valrubicin interacts with Arg199 and Leu201"In the Results, the phrase "Table 1 lists the formed interactions established upon docking the best three drugs (saquinavir, valrubicin and aprepitant) into SARS-CoV-2 Nsp15 active site"has been corrected to "Table 1 lists the formed interactions established upon docking the best three drugs (saquinavir, valrubicin and aprepitant) near the SARS-CoV-2 Nsp15 active site"The legend of Table 1, "Interactions established upon docking the drugs saquinair, valrubicin and aprepitant into the active site of SARS-CoV-2 nonstructural protein 15."Has been corrected to "Interactions established upon docking the drugs saquinair, valrubicin and aprepitant near the active site of SARS-CoV-2 nonstructural protein 15."In the Discussion, the phrase "Moreover, the binding of these three drug molecules in the active sites of Nsp15 may contradict viral infection."has been corrected to "Moreover, the binding of these three drug molecules near the active sites of Nsp15 may contradict viral infection."The authors and editors of Future Virology would like to sincerely apologize for any inconvenience or confusion this may have caused our readers. © 2022 Future Medicine Ltd.

Soliman, M. H., A. M. Abdulmajeed, and A. M. Abu-Elsaoud, "Ethylene: A Key Regulatory Molecule in Plant Appraisal of Abiotic Stress Tolerance", Plant Growth Regulators for Climate-Smart Agriculture: CRC Press, 2021. Abstract

Ethylene is a simple gaseous phytohormone, a hydrocarbon C2H4, with various roles in the regulation of plant development, growth and stress responses, and whole biological processes. Ethylene modifies efficiency and all functions by sharing information with other signalling pathways in regular and stressful ecosystems. It can achieve a variety of different metabolic mechanisms with significant results based on the accumulation rate and plant sensitivity. The results indicate that ethylene generates dual properties in acceptable tolerances through the cellular and molecular regulation of plant mechanisms. This book helps to better understand the potential mechanisms in natural and stressful situations as a signal molecule in plant production and development. In addition, a study explores how ethylene signalling has been used as signals for some alternating pathways in agriculture. This chapter studies the adaptation and responses of plants under various stress factors as well as the response of various kinds of ethylene.

Hamouda, M. E., and C. Pasquero, European extreme precipitation: The effects of spatio-temporal resolution of the data, , vol. 33, pp. 100337, 2021. AbstractWebsite

European wintertime precipitation is known to be skilfully estimated in reanalysis data and model simulations since it is highly correlated with large scale, low frequency modes of variability, namely the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). Since the NAO is mainly a wintertime mode of variability, the skill of estimating precipitation becomes more limited in other seasons, most importantly in summer, when precipitation is mainly a result of mesoscale convection. In this study, we use the Weather Research and Forecast (WRF) model, to show the added value of using a high resolution, convection-permitting model to estimate precipitation extremes. The results show that WRF succeeds to correct the failure of ERA-Interim reanalysis to capture the positive trends over the last decades of European extreme precipitation in summer and transition seasons, that are indicated by observational data (E-OBS) and previous literature. Partial improvements are evident using ERA5 reanalysis, specifically in Spring and in Autumn. In winter, changes in European extreme precipitation over the last decades are dominated by variations in the NAO index, and are well reproduced both in reanalysis data and in the high resolution WRF downscaling.

Mohamed, M. A. E. - H., and M. E. - S. El-Mahdy, "Evaluation of climate change impact on extreme temperature variability in the Blue Nile Basin, Ethiopia", Geoscientific Instrumentation, Methods and Data Systems, vol. 10, issue 1, pp. 45-54, 2021. Abstract
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Ramzy, I., R. Fouad, R. Salama, Z. abdellatif, A. Elsharkawy, N. Zayed, M. Elsharkawy, W. elakel, and N. Bakheet, Evaluation of red cell distribution width to platelet ratio as a novel non-invasive index for predicting hepatic fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C, , vol. 22, issue 1: Elsevier, pp. 6 - 11, 2021. Abstract
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Mahmoud, M., A. M. Hasanin, M. Mostafa, F. Alhamade, B. Abdelhamid, and M. Elsherbeeny, "Evaluation of super-obesity and super-super-obesity as risk factors for difficult intubation in patients undergoing bariatric surgery", Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases, vol. 17, issue 7: Elsevier Inc., pp. 1279 - 1285, 2021. AbstractWebsite
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Mohamed Ibrahim, O., R. M. Ibrahim, D. H. Abdel-Qader, A. Z. Al Meslamani, and N. Al Mazrouei, "Evaluation of Telepharmacy Services in Light of COVID-19", Telemedicine and e-Health, vol. 27, issue 6, pp. 649 - 656, 2021. AbstractWebsite

Background: Telepharmacy services are expected to have an important role in increasing access of patients to pharmaceutical care and reducing potential dispensing errors in community pharmacies. Objective: To assess the predictors for effective telepharmacy services on increasing access of patients to care and reducing dispensing errors in community pharmacies. Method: This is a prospective study carried out for 4 months in 52 community pharmacies across the United Arab Emirates (UAE) using disguised direct observation. Multivariable logistic regression was used as a tool to predict factors associated with effective telepharmacy services in improving dispensing safety and increasing access of patients to pharmaceutical care. Data were entered and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software version 26. Results: Pharmacist recommendations related to COVID-19 at pharmacies with telepharmacy (n = 63,714) versus those without remote services (n = 15,539) were significantly more likely to be (1) contact the nearest testing center (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 7.93), (2) maintain home quarantine (AOR = 5.64), and (3) take paracetamol for fever (AOR = 3.53), all were significant results (p < 0.05). Rates of medication dispensing errors (MDEs) and its subcategories, prescription-related errors, and pharmacist counseling errors across pharmacies with telepharmacy versus those without remote services were (15.81% vs. 19.43%, p < 0.05), (5.38% vs. 10.08%, p < 0.05), and (10.42% vs. 9.35%, p > 0.05), respectively. However, pharmacies with telepharmacy were more likely to include wrong patient errors (AOR = 5.38, p < 0.05). Conclusions: Telepharmacy can be used as a tool to reduce the burden on the health care system and improve drug dispensing safety in community pharmacies. © Copyright 2021, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers 2021.

Mohamed Ibrahim, O. H., R. M. Ibrahim, N. K. Al-Tameemi, S. Bahy Mohammed Ebaed, N. Al Mazrouei, and K. Riley, "Evaluation of the use and attitudes of pregnant and postpartum women towards medicine utilisation during pregnancy in the United Arab Emirates: A national cross-sectional study", International Journal of Clinical Practice, vol. 75, issue 9, 2021. AbstractWebsite

Introduction: Pregnancy period is of high concern to every woman. Knowledge about medication use needs to be highlighted at such a critical stage. Objective: This study aimed to assess pregnant and postpartum women's use and attitude regarding the utilisation of medications during pregnancy in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Methods: A self-administrated survey was distributed among 500 pregnant and postpartum women randomly selected from the general population of five different cities within the UAE: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, AL Fujairah and Ajman over a period of 3 months. All analyses were two-sided, and a P-value of ≤.05 was taken as the cut-off for statistical significance. Results: Overall, 434 participants took part in the survey. Forty-one percent of respondents reported that they use drugs during pregnancy, and the most frequently used medications during pregnancy were multivitamins, analgesics and folic acid. Moreover, 77.9% of female participants acquired their knowledge from their gynaecologists. Only 21.7% of respondents reported that the pharmacist provided enough information during dispensing. Most ladies had an uplifting mentality towards medicines, but they believed pregnant ladies should be more wary with respect to medication use during pregnancy. A significant association was found between participants’ nationality and occupation, and attitudes about medications (P <.001), where women with Arab nationality and those with health-related careers agreed that they have a higher threshold for using medicines during pregnancy. Conclusion: During pregnancy, ladies were more moderate and doubter towards the drug, healthcare providers should know about such mentalities while encouraging pregnant ladies to take prescription. © 2021 John Wiley & Sons Ltd

Elhelw, R., M. El Hariri, D. Hamza, M. Abuowarda, E. Ismael, and H. Farag, Evidence of the presence of Borrelia burgdorferi in dogs and associated ticks in Egypt, , vol. 17, issue 1: BioMed Central, pp. 1 - 9, 2021. Abstract
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Saber, M., T. Boulmaiz, M. Guermoui, K. I. Abdrabo, S. A. Kantoush, T. Sumi, H. Boutaghane, D. Nohara, and E. Mabrouk, "Examining LightGBM and CatBoost models for wadi flash flood susceptibility prediction", Geocarto International, vol. 36: Taylor & Francis, pp. 1 - 26, 2021. Abstract

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Alharbi, B. M., A. H. Elhakem, G. S. H. Alnusairi, M. H. Soliman, K. R. Hakeem, M. M. Hasan, and M. T. Abdelhamid, "Exogenous application of melatonin alleviates salt stress-induced decline in growth and photosynthesis in Glycine max (L.) seedlings by improving mineral uptake, antioxidant and glyoxalase system", Plant, Soil and Environment, vol. 67, issue 4, pp. 208 - 220, 2021. Abstract
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Al-Mushhin, A. A. M., S. H. Qari, M. A. Fakhr, G. S. H. Alnusairi, T. S. Alnusaire, A. A. ALrashidi, A. A. H. A. Latef, O. M. Ali, A. A. Khan, and M. H. Soliman, "Exogenous Myo-Inositol Alleviates Salt Stress by Enhancing Antioxidants and Membrane Stability via the Upregulation of Stress Responsive Genes in Chenopodium quinoa L.", Plants, vol. 10, issue 11, pp. 2416, 2021. AbstractWebsite

Myo-inositol has gained a central position in plants due to its vital role in physiology and biochemistry. This experimental work assessed the effects of salinity stress and foliar application of myo-inositol (MYO) on growth, chlorophyll content, photosynthesis, antioxidant system, osmolyte accumulation, and gene expression in quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa L. var. Giza1). Our results show that salinity stress significantly decreased growth parameters such as plant height, fresh and dry weights of shoot and root, leaf area, number of leaves, chlorophyll content, net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, transpiration, and Fv/Fm, with a more pronounced effect at higher NaCl concentrations. However, the exogenous application of MYO increased the growth and photosynthesis traits and alleviated the stress to a considerable extent. Salinity also significantly reduced the water potential and water use efficiency in plants under saline regime; however, exogenous application of myo-inositol coped with this issue. MYO significantly reduced the accumulation of hydrogen peroxide, superoxide, reduced lipid peroxidation, and electrolyte leakage concomitant with an increase in the membrane stability index. Exogenous application of MYO up-regulated the antioxidant enzymes’ activities and the contents of ascorbate and glutathione, contributing to membrane stability and reduced oxidative damage. The damaging effects of salinity stress on quinoa were further mitigated by increased accumulation of osmolytes such as proline, glycine betaine, free amino acids, and soluble sugars in MYO-treated seedlings. The expression pattern of OSM34, NHX1, SOS1A, SOS1B, BADH, TIP2, NSY, and SDR genes increased significantly due to the application of MYO under both stressed and non-stressed conditions. Our results support the conclusion that exogenous MYO alleviates salt stress by involving antioxidants, enhancing plant growth attributes and membrane stability, and reducing oxidative damage to plants.

Alnusairi, G. S. H., Y. S. A. Mazrou, S. H. Qari, A. A. Elkelish, M. H. Soliman, M. Eweis, K. Abdelaal, G. A. El-Samad, M. F. M. Ibrahim, and N. ElNahhas, "Exogenous Nitric Oxide Reinforces Photosynthetic Efficiency, Osmolyte, Mineral Uptake, Antioxidant, Expression of Stress-Responsive Genes and Ameliorates the Effects of Salinity Stress in Wheat", Plants, vol. 10, issue 8, pp. 1693, 2021. AbstractWebsite

Salinity stress is one of the major environmental constraints responsible for a reduction in agricultural productivity. This study investigated the effect of exogenously applied nitric oxide (NO) (50 μM and 100 μM) in protecting wheat plants from NaCl-induced oxidative damage by modulating protective mechanisms, including osmolyte accumulation and the antioxidant system. Exogenously sourced NO proved effective in ameliorating the deleterious effects of salinity on the growth parameters studied. NO was beneficial in improving the photosynthetic efficiency, stomatal conductance, and chlorophyll content in normal and NaCl-treated wheat plants. Moreover, NO-treated plants maintained a greater accumulation of proline and soluble sugars, leading to higher relative water content maintenance. Exogenous-sourced NO at both concentrations up-regulated the antioxidant system for averting the NaCl-mediated oxidative damage on membranes. The activity of antioxidant enzymes increased the protection of membrane structural and functional integrity and photosynthetic efficiency. NO application imparted a marked effect on uptake of key mineral elements such as nitrogen (N), potassium (K), and calcium (Ca) with a concomitant reduction in the deleterious ions such as Na+. Greater K and reduced Na uptake in NO-treated plants lead to a considerable decline in the Na/K ratio. Enhancing of salt tolerance by NO was concomitant with an obvious down-regulation in the relative expression of SOS1, NHX1, AQP, and OSM-34, while D2-protein was up-regulated.

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