The acetaminophen is an antipyretic and nonopioid analgesic that is prescribed for the management of fever and mild to moderate pain. The detection of acetaminophen by ZnO and ZnO@Chitosan-modified electrodes made of glassy carbon was compared. Acetaminophen was detected using surfaces of ZnO and ZnO@Chitosan over a 10–50 µM concentration range. The detection limits for ZnO and ZnO@Chitosan were anticipated to be 0.94 and 0.71 μmol L−1, respectively. In a wide range of acidic, neutral, and basic mediums with varying pH values, the impact of a change in solution pH on acetaminophen sensitivity was investigated. Electrokinetic studies were used to evaluate the acetaminophen detection efficiency. The charge transfer resistance (Rc) for various surfaces was measured using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Using DFT studies, the synergistic effect of chitosan on zinc oxide was also shown. The Forcite model was used to calculate the surface interactions between chitosan and zinc oxide. Acetaminophen adsorption on the chitosan surface was also studied using the B3LYP density functional method.

PURPOSE: To describe and report the results of a zip-up modification for loop myopexy for facilitating a muscle union procedure in heavy eye syndrome.

METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted on patients with heavy eye syndrome in whom the modified surgical technique was performed. Superior and lateral rectus muscle bellies were approximated using a suture 4 to 5 mm from the muscle insertion. Muscles were then zipped together by 5-0 polyester sutures placed in an anteroposterior direction using a hand-over-hand technique. Details of the surgical technique were reported. Ductions, versions, and angles of strabismus were evaluated before and after surgery. Complications were reported.

RESULTS: A total of 8 patients were identified (mean age: 60.8 ± 7 years). Mean axial length was 33.2 ± 1.2 mm. Mean preoperative horizontal and vertical angles of deviation were 78 ± 20 prism diopters (PD) (range: 50 to 120 PD) and 34 ± 4 PD (range: 30 to 40 PD), respectively. Preoperative limitation of abduction and elevation was -4 to -5 in all patients. An average of seven to eight sutures were used. No intraoperative complications were reported. In 7 patients, both vertical and horizontal angles of deviation were reduced to within 8 PD from orthophoria and limitation of ductions was reduced to null or -1 after surgery. Undercorrection occurred in 1 patient with bilateral heavy eye syndrome who had unilateral surgery. No recurrences developed over a median of 6 months of follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS: A zip-up modification for loop myopexy can facilitate the surgical procedure to achieve a satisfactory outcome in heavy eye syndrome. .

Zinc is an essential element affecting immune responses in aquatic organisms. In the present research, the immunomodulating effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) was studied in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). The minimum inhibitory concentration of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) for Aeromonas hydrophila was estimated at 60 µg/mL. To evaluate the efficacy of ZnO NPs for improving disease resistance against A. hydrophila, three hundred fish were divided into 5 groups. Fish in the group T1 maintained on the control feed, T2 and T3 feed on ZnO at 60 and 30 µg/g, while T4 and T5 received ZnO NPs at 60 and 30 µg/g, respectively for 8 weeks. Immune responses were evaluated by determining the phagocytic activity, serum antibacterial activity, lysozymes, respiratory burst activity, and also gene expression of immunoglobin M-2, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, heat shock proteins, IL-10, insulin growth factor 1, transforming growth factor-β2, superoxide dismutase enzyme, and catalase enzyme genes. Results indicated that groups that received ZnO NPs have exaggerated immune response and upregulation in the most of expressed immune-related genes. After the feeding trial, all groups were experimentally infected with A. hydrophila, and the mortality rate was monitored. Among all the treated groups, a higher survival rate and disease resistance were observed for fish that received ZnO NPs at 30 and 60 µg/g. The inclusion of ZnO NPs in O. niloticus feed improves both fish immune response and disease resistance against A. hydrophila.

The current study was conducted to investigate the possible ameliorative role of zinc nanoparticles (Zn NPs) against silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs)-induced oxidative and apoptotic brain damage in adult male rats. Twenty-four mature Wistar rats were randomly and equally divided into four groups: control group, Ag NPs group, Zn NPs group, and Ag NPs + Zn NPs group. Rats were exposed to Ag NPs (50 mg/kg) and/or Zn NPs (30 mg/kg) daily by oral gavage for 12 weeks. The results revealed that exposure to Ag NPs significantly increased malondialdehyde (MDA) content, decreased catalase and reduced glutathione (GSH) activities, downregulated the relative mRNA expression of antioxidant-related genes (Nrf-2 and SOD), and upregulated the relative mRNA expression of apoptosis-related genes (Bax, caspase 3 and caspase 9) in the brain tissue. Furthermore, severe neuropathological lesions with a substantial increase in the caspase 3 and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunoreactivity were observed in the cerebrum and cerebellum of Ag NPs-exposed rats. Conversely, co-administration of Zn NPs with Ag NPs significantly ameliorated most of these neurotoxic effects. Collectively, Zn NPs can be used as a potent prophylactic agent against Ag NPs-induced oxidative and apoptotic neural damage.

The current study was conducted to investigate the possible ameliorative role of zinc nanoparticles (Zn NPs) against silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs)-induced oxidative and apoptotic brain damage in adult male rats. Twenty-four mature Wistar rats were randomly and equally divided into four groups: control group, Ag NPs group, Zn NPs group, and Ag NPs + Zn NPs group. Rats were exposed to Ag NPs (50 mg/kg) and/or Zn NPs (30 mg/kg) daily by oral gavage for 12 weeks. The results revealed that exposure to Ag NPs significantly increased malondialdehyde (MDA) content, decreased catalase and reduced glutathione (GSH) activities, downregulated the relative mRNA expression of antioxidant-related genes (Nrf-2 and SOD), and upregulated the relative mRNA expression of apoptosis-related genes (Bax, caspase 3 and caspase 9) in the brain tissue. Furthermore, severe neuropathological lesions with a substantial increase in the caspase 3 and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunoreactivity were observed in the cerebrum and cerebellum of Ag NPs-exposed rats. Conversely, co-administration of Zn NPs with Ag NPs significantly ameliorated most of these neurotoxic effects. Collectively, Zn NPs can be used as a potent prophylactic agent against Ag NPs-induced oxidative and apoptotic neural damage.

ABSTRACTLeafhoppers (family: Cicadellidae) are among the most common plant sap-sucking pests, causing damage to wild and agronomic plants worldwide. The current paper aims to assess the zoogeography, diversity and population dynamics of the leafhopper species in an agricultural land converted ecosystem. Twenty species (two identified only to the genus level) belonging to 17 genera, 10 tribes, and three subfamilies were collected from Toshka Region, Aswan Governorate, Egypt, in 2020. The most common cicadellid species was Orosius albicinctus, representing 46.7% of the total catch. Low values of species richness and diversity were measured for leafhopper species as compared with those reported in our recent study carried out in Alexandria and Qena governorates. In sum, conversion of any natural ecosystem to agricultural land uses may cause declines in insect diversity. However, desert conversion may increase the diversity pattern of some insect pests. Analysis of the zoogeographic affinities of the leafhopper species from Toshka Region indicated a closer affiliation to the Palaearctic Region (35%) than any other region. Most leafhopper populations exhibited a unimodal seasonal pattern and were abundant in hot and dry months (May?September). The abundance of some leafhopper species correlated positively with temperature (seven species) and negatively with relative humidity (nine species). Six of these species correlated with both variables. This study is the first to investigate leafhopper communities in a converted ecosystem of Toshka Depression, Western Desert.

ABSTRACTLeafhoppers (family: Cicadellidae) are among the most common plant sap-sucking pests, causing damage to wild and agronomic plants worldwide. The current paper aims to assess the zoogeography, diversity and population dynamics of the leafhopper species in an agricultural land converted ecosystem. Twenty species (two identified only to the genus level) belonging to 17 genera, 10 tribes, and three subfamilies were collected from Toshka Region, Aswan Governorate, Egypt, in 2020. The most common cicadellid species was Orosius albicinctus, representing 46.7% of the total catch. Low values of species richness and diversity were measured for leafhopper species as compared with those reported in our recent study carried out in Alexandria and Qena governorates. In sum, conversion of any natural ecosystem to agricultural land uses may cause declines in insect diversity. However, desert conversion may increase the diversity pattern of some insect pests. Analysis of the zoogeographic affinities of the leafhopper species from Toshka Region indicated a closer affiliation to the Palaearctic Region (35%) than any other region. Most leafhopper populations exhibited a unimodal seasonal pattern and were abundant in hot and dry months (May?September). The abundance of some leafhopper species correlated positively with temperature (seven species) and negatively with relative humidity (nine species). Six of these species correlated with both variables. This study is the first to investigate leafhopper communities in a converted ecosystem of Toshka Depression, Western Desert.

Icariin (ICA), a main active compound of the Epimedium genus, is used as an aphrodisiac in traditional Chinese herbal medicine. Despite its therapeutic efficacy, ICA displays reduced oral absorption, and therefore, low bioavailability hindered its clinical application. Implementing nanotechnology in the field of formulation has been a focus to improve the efficacy of ICA. In this regard, polymeric nanoparticles find a potential application as drug delivery systems. A nanosphere formula was designed, aiming to improve the drug's efficacy. The proposed ICA nanosphere formula (tocozeinolate) was optimized using D-optimal response surface design. The concentrations of ICA (X), D-α-tocopherol polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS, X), zein (X), and sodium deoxycholate (SDC, X) expressed as percentages were investigated as quantitative independent variables. As per the experimental design, 23 formulations were developed, which were investigated for particle size (PS, nm), zeta potential (ZP, mV), and entrapment efficiency (EE, %) as response parameters. Numerical optimization and desirability approach were employed to predict the optimized variable levels that, upon combination, could result in minimized size and maximized zeta potential and ICA entrapment. The optimized ICA-tocozeinolate nanospheres showed a particle size of 224.45 nm, zeta potential of 0.961 mV, and drug entrapment of 65.29% that coincide well with the predicted values. The optimized ICA-tocozeinolate nanospheres were evaluated for sexual behavior in Wistar male rats compared to raw ICA at equivalent doses (20 mg/kg). In vivo assessment results showed significant sexual behavior enhancement by the optimized formulation, as evidenced by decreased average time of both mount latency (ML) and ejaculation latency (EL) to almost half those of raw ICA. Additionally, intromission latency (IL) time was reduced by 41% compared to the raw ICA. These results highlighted the potential of the proposed ICA-tocozeinolate nanospheres as a promising platform for improving the delivery and efficacy of therapeutic agents.

Visual Question Answering is an extremely active research area in which the computer is given an image, a question in natural language, and it is required to give a correct answer to the question according to the semantics of the input image. The ability of VQA system to answer new questions about unseen images during training process is one main measure of effectiveness of the VQA model and this capability is called Zero-Shot VQA, but VQA datasets suffer from some problems that hinder good evaluation on models trained on these datasets. Firstly, Testing instances are not chosen perfectly to address how much the trained model accomplish the task of asking about new concepts that is not presented during training process. Secondly, most of visual question answering datasets suffer from problems in their contents such as small dataset size, leakiness of explicitly defined question types, and question types have abused evaluation scores that makes it difficult to evaluate algorithms on them. So models are not perfectly evaluated on such datasets. In order to avoid those evaluation obstacles, experiment is done on TDIUC dataset which has explicitly defined 12 question types, data are redistributed for zero shot task by re-splitting it to new training, val, and test instances such that test instances contains new concepts that is not presented in training data. Evaluation is done using methods that give a more representative measure of accuracy over all question types( Simple Accuracy, AMPT, HMPT) and one more evaluation schema(GMPT) is proposed for evaluating accuracy which is more expressive. Experiment shows that evaluation results on TDIUC dataset before redistributing train, val, and test sets for Zero Shot purpose gives inaccurate indicator of model performance (around 20% higher performance)