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Introduction. Asherman syndrome (AS) is a symptomatic intrauterine adhesion caused by endometrial basal layer fibrosis as a result of either uterine cavity surgery or infection leading to many complications. There is a concern to repair the injured tissues by using bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs). We aimed in this study to develop an animal model of AS and evaluate the anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects of BM-MSCs in this model through histological, immunohistochemical, and morphometric studies. Material and methods. Forty-two adult female adult albino rats were divided into (i) donor group composed of 2 rats used for isolation and propagation of BM-MSCs, and (ii) experimental groups: 40 rats equally divided into 4 groups: GpI (control), GpII (AS model), GpIII (BM-MSCs-treated AS rats), GpIV (untreated AS rats). Histological staining and immunohistochemical (IHC) detection of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and nuclear factor-kappa beta (NF-kB) were performed. The results were evaluated by morphometric and statistical analysis. Results. Significant endometrial thinning, fibrosis, and degeneration of the endometrial epithelium with a significant decrease in PCNA and VEGF immunoexpression and a significant increase in NF-kB immunoexpression were detected in GpII and GpIV groups. These changes were substantially reversed in BM-MSCs-treated animals. Conclusions: BM-MSCs treatment resulted in substantial improvement of intrauterine adhesion in the rat model of Asherman syndrome. (Folia Histochemica et Cytobiologica 2020, Vol. 58, No. 3, 208-218)

Globally, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) presents a clinical and financial burden, as it is often diagnosed at a later stage. Cisplatin is one of the most commonly used chemotherapeutics for treating various types of solid tumours; however, it is a double-edged sword due to its cytotoxic effects. Consequently, we hypothesized that combining cisplatin with melatonin could be effective in treating HCC. Additionally, melatonin may mitigate the severe adverse effects of cisplatin on normal cells through its cellular protection, immunomodulation, and antioxidant activities. Forty male adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups: Group 1( n =  8), negative control group. HCC was induced in 32 rats with diethyl nitrosamine and carbon tetrachloride injection. Following induction, rats were divided into group 2 (HCC): diseased control; group 3 (HCC-Cis): HCC rats received cisplatin (2.5 mg/kg I.P. once every week for 3 weeks); group 4 (HCC-Melatonin): HCC rats received melatonin in drinking water (20 mg/L for 3 weeks); and group 5 (HCC-Cis-Melatonin; Combined therapy): the HCC rats received both cisplatin and melatonin . HCC group revealed significant elevation in ALT, AST, and AFP associated with increased TNF-α and MDA levels. Hepatic tissue exhibited a significant increase in VEGF, MDM2, COX-2, and miR-155, and a decrease in caspase-3 associated with hepatic damage, ballooning of hepatocytes, and increased BCL-2 and CD68 immunostaining. Although cisplatin was able to induce HCC apoptosis by COX-2 and MDM2/p53/ miR-155 modulation, it aggravated normal hepatocytic damage that was improved by the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of melatonin. In conclusion, melatonin and cisplatin co-administration may be a viable strategy to preserve liver function by shielding healthy hepatocytes from the cytotoxic effects of cisplatin.

Immigrant parents experience challenges raising adolescent children, including cultural adaptation, language barriers, and generational differences, and how these impact adolescent development in bicultural contexts. Relatively little is understood about immigrant parents raising first-generation adolescents. The purpose of this study, grounded in Baumrind’s parenting style theory and Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory, was to explore the lived experiences of immigrant parents raising first-generation adolescents in the United States using a qualitative phenomenological approach. This study employed semistructured interviews with 12 immigrant parents of first-generation teenagers aged 13-19, with data analyzed thematically to identify patterns and themes in participants’ experiences. Key findings revealed the importance of adopting authoritative parenting styles that balance warmth and control, fostering open communication, addressing challenges related to peer influence, and cultural adaptation. Parents emphasized the value of active listening and open communication while navigating external challenges. The study concluded that immigrant parents might benefit from culturally responsive support systems to address their unique challenges. Recommendations include implementing community programs that promote cross-cultural understanding and equipping parents with tools to strengthen family dynamics. The implications for positive social change include fostering healthier parent-teen relationships, reducing intergenerational conflicts, and supporting immigrant families’ successful integration into American society.

Introduction: HSV is a common human pathogen that lead to lifelong latent infection. Maternal infections may be associate with transmission to the fetus. The risk factors associated with HSV 2 seropositivity in pregnant women in Iraq are not well studied. Aim: The present study conducted to verify the prevalence of HSV 2 infections in women with bad obstetric history (BOH) in Kirkuk Governorate. Material and Methods: HSV 2 seropositivity among women aged 14 to 48 years was investigated by determination of HSV 2 IgG and IgM in a prospective, case control descriptive study. Results: The overall HSV 2 seroprevalence was 29.9%, with a non significant difference between women with BOH and women with normal pregnancy. HSV 2 IgM, as an indicator of current infection was demonstrated in 2% of the studied population, and was significantly (P=0.002) higher in women with BOH compared to women with normal pregnancy. Both HSV 2 IgG and IgM were significantly varied with age groups, with trends of increasing with older ages. HSV 2 IgG was statistically significantly higher in working women (P=0.03) as compared to housewife. Conclusions: Significant association was found between HSV 2 seroprevalence and education levels, residence, smoking and animal exposure. Presence of pregnancy in women with HSV-2 latent infection was a risk factor for development of BOH.

This study focuses on the magnificent decoration of a painted and gilded wooden panel with signs of fungal biodeterioration caused by Aspergillus species in the Mausoleum of Sultan al-Ashraf Qaytbay, Cairo, Egypt. Numerous spectroscopic analyses and investigation techniques, including Scanning Electron Microscope Equipped with Energy Dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM–EDX), Fourier Transform Infrared analysis (FTIR), and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) have been used to study the materials that comprise this painted and gilded wooden panel composition. Aspergillus niger , A. flavus , and A. terreus were recognized as isolated fungi, and their accession numbers are OQ820164, OQ820163, and OQ820160, respectively. The findings showed that the wooden support is of pinewood ( Pinus halepensis ), the white priming layer on top of the wooden support was identified as gypsum, the blue paint layer has been proposed to be Azurite, Au (gold) was the primary composition of the gilding layer, while Pb (lead) was detected in some spots, suggesting the use an alloy of gold with lead, and finally, animal glue was the bonding medium. Based on these findings, mimic samples with identical substrates and structural components have been designed, and the biodeterioration signs by the growing of the three Aspergillus species— A. niger , A. flavus and A. terreus were evaluated via SEM and color change. However, A. niger was discovered with density growth on surfaces of pinewood, gypsum, and Azurite and with less growth on the gilding layer after 6-month incubation. This contrasts with A. terreus and A. flavus , which had greater density growth on Azurite and stucco than on pinewood and less growth on the gilding layer. The used analytical methods with detailed analyses revealed the novelty and significant future aspects of the conservation of the painted and gilded wooden panel. Particularly given that this location is used for prayer and is crowded with people five times a day, which increases the accumulation of fungi and negatively affects both the historic Mosque and the worshippers' health.

Background Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide, with increasing evidence linking metabolic dysregulation, such as insulin resistance and chronic inflammation, to its development and progression. A potential useful predictor of CRC risk is the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, a marker for insulin resistance that is determined using fasting triglyceride and glucose levels. The purpose of this systematic review was to assess the relationship between the TyG index and CRC and ascertain whether the TyG index is associated with the development and outcomes of CRC. Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis was reported in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Comprehensive searches of PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and World Health Organization Virtual Health Library were conducted in 24th March 2025 to find studies assessing the relationship between the TyG index and CRC. Results of association between TyG index and CRC were summarized and a meta-analysis was done to calculate pooled hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence interval (CI). Results A total of eight studies were included in the systematic review, of which five met the criteria for inclusion in the quantitative synthesis. The pooled analysis showed that the hazard of developing CRC was significantly greater for those with a higher TyG index (HR = 1.18; 95% CI: 1.12–1.25; P  <.001). In addition, meta-analysis indicated that hazard of developing CRC significantly increased for each one-unit increase in the TyG index (HR = 1.28, 95% CI: 1.18 to 1.39, P  <.001). Conclusion Higher TyG index level is substantially linked to an elevated hazard of developing CRC. Therefore, the TyG index can be a useful tool for CRC risk identification. Standardizing cut-off values and researching clinical applicability in various populations should be the main goals of future research. Due to the limitations posed by the small number of studies, further prospective studies are needed to generate more robust and generalizable evidence.

Maternal knowledge regarding the neonatal danger signs (NDSs) plays a fundamental role in early detecting neonatal health conditions, decreasing untreated symptoms, and improving optimal infant development. This study aimed to determine the level of maternal knowledge about NDSs and identify associated socio-demographic factors among Egyptian mothers. A cross-sectional study was conducted in healthcare facilities through face-to-face interviews from January to March 2025. We included mothers older than 18 years with infants aged 1–24 months. Mothers were recruited through a multistage stratified sampling technique from nine Egyptian governments selected from all Egyptian geographical sectors. The Arabic Questionnaire to assess the Knowledge of Neonatal Danger Signs (AQ-KNDS) was used for assessing maternal knowledge with a score ranged from 1 to 16. Multiple linear regression model identified predictors of knowledge score. Of 1831 participating mothers representing 96.3% response rate, 31% were under 25, 97.3% were married, and 58.7% were living in urban areas. The median score of maternal knowledge was 14.0 (IQR: 13.0–16.0). 75.8% of mothers scored above 75.0%. Beheira governorate had the highest median knowledge score while New Valley had the lowest (15.0 (13.3–16.0) vs. 13.0 (12.0–14.0), P  < 0.001). Higher-educated mothers had a significantly higher knowledge scores compared to lower education (median (IQR) 15.0 (13.0–16.0) vs. 14.0 (13.0–16.0), P  = 0.006). The multivariable linear regression model predicted the higher knowledge score was due to living in rural areas ( β = 0.44; 95% CI 0.23–0.66); P  = 0.001), attending antenatal follow-ups ( β = 0.53; 95%CI 0.30–0.76; P  = 0.001), and seeking information from healthcare providers (β = 0.93; 95%CI 0.60–1.25; P  = 0.001). These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted educational campaigns, particularly in underserved and remote areas. Strengthening antenatal services and leveraging trusted information sources could enhance early recognition of danger signs and timely medical intervention, ultimately contributing to reduced neonatal mortality rates in Egypt.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation with Spirulina platensis (SP) on the productive performance, carcass characteristics, behavior, blood serum metabolites, hematological indices, and economic efficiency of Fayoumi broiler chickens for a 56-day. In total, 120 one-day-old broiler chicks were randomly distributed among four dietary treatments with three replicates (n = 10/group) for 8 weeks. The dietary treatments were a control basal diet without SP and the same basal diets supplemented with 0.25, 0.5, or 1.0% SP. Birds fed 1% Spirulina-supplemented diets recorded significantly (p < 0.05) higher body weight, weight gain, and feed conversion ratio and less overall feed intake and feeding behavior than those in the control group. No significant changes (p > 0.05) were recorded in the dressing percentage or the relative weights of internal organs among the different experimental groups, except for the thymus. Diets containing 0.5 or 1.0% SP saw an increase (p < 0.05) in serum total protein and globulin and a reduction (p < 0.05) in serum cholesterol concentration. The lymphocyte percentage in birds fed SP diets was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than in birds fed the control diet. These results suggest that adding SP up to 1% to the broiler diets could positively affect some important blood biochemical parameters, enhance their immunity response, and improve their growth performance. However, from an economic point of view, supplementation with 0.25% of SP is recommended for Fayoumi broiler chickens.

Background/Objectives: Drug repurposing offers a time- and cost-efficient strategy for accelerating the development of anticancer therapies by leveraging the established safety profiles of existing pharmaceuticals. This study aimed to investigate the anticancer potential of three tetracycline analogues chemically modified tetracycline-3 (COL-3), doxycycline (DOX), and minocycline (MIN) in leukemia models, with a particular focus on their cytotoxic effects and modulation of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway. Methods: Cytotoxicity was evaluated in K562, KG-1a and Jurkat cell lines using luminescence-based viability assays, whereas the mechanisms of cell death were analyzed by Annexin-V/7-AAD staining and Western blotting. Results: COL-3 displayed the highest cytotoxic potency across all cell lines, with Jurkat cells showing the greatest overall sensitivity. Flow cytometry revealed that tetracycline analogues primarily induced apoptosis, although the molecular mechanisms differed between cell lines. In K562 and KG-1a cells, apoptosis occurred largely through JAK2/STAT3-independent mechanisms, involving differential regulation of BCL-2 family proteins: COL-3 reduced BCL-2 expression, whereas DOX and MIN increased BAX expression. In contrast, Jurkat cell apoptosis correlated with suppression of phosphorylated JAK2 and STAT3 and downregulation of BCL-2, implicating a JAK2/STAT3-dependent mechanism. Conclusions: Taken together, these findings demonstrate that tetracycline analogues exert cell line-specific anticancer activities through distinct molecular pathways. Among them, COL-3 emerges as the most potent analogue and acts through both JAK/STAT-dependent and -independent mechanisms. This work supports further investigation of COL-3 as a candidate for drug repurposing strategies in hematological malignancies.