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HCV is a major risk factor for HCC; however, the exact mechanism of hepatocarcinogenesis is still not fully understood. Host genetic factors have been reported to play a significant role. Experimental studies support the tumor inhibitory effect of vitamin D on HCC cells. Several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been depicted in the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene. We aimed to assess whether any of these polymorphisms could be significantly associated with increased risk of HCC. This study was conducted on 76 patients with HCV-related liver cirrhosis (48 patients had HCC on top of cirrhosis, and the other 28 had liver cirrhosis only). All patients underwent full medical history assessment, clinical examination, laboratory investigations, abdominal ultrasonography, and genotyping of the VDR gene. HCC patients had a significantly higher frequency of ApaI CC genotype compared with those patients without HCC. There is no statistically significant difference between the studied groups at any TaqI genotypes, but the carriage of the ApaI CC genotype had a significant association with liver disease severity in both patients groups compared with ApaI CA/AA genotypes. The carriage of the ApaI CC genotype was an independent predictor for HCC in HCV-related liver cirrhosis. VDR ApaI polymorphism is significantly associated with the development of HCC; thus, ApaI CC genotype could be used as an important molecular marker to predict the risk of HCC in patients with HCV-related liver cirrhosis.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) lacks estrogen, progesterone, and human epidermal growth factor receptors and has a poor prognosis as it is resistant to chemotherapy. A new treatment option for this type of cancer may be by putting these malignant cells into dormancy. The oocyte’s embryonic milieu presents a unique tumor reversion microenvironment by inducing growth arrest and changing cells’ phenotypes. We conducted an in-silico study to determine the most likely oocyte extract (OE) proteins involved in inducing dormancy using HDock, CluPro, and molecular dynamic (MD) simulation. Results showed low energy scores for complexes between OE proteins and four surface markers: K1C14, CLD3, CLD4, and ITA6. Apolipoprotein A1 (APOA1) and Apolipoprotein C3 (APOC3) showed the highest stability and affinity with these four surface markers: K1C14, CLD3, CLD4, and ITA6. These proteins are involved in key tumor-related pathways such as angiogenesis, proliferation, apoptosis, and migration. This will pave the way for exploring novel therapeutic options to induce dormancy in TNBC cells.

The most popular and economically important traditional dairy products in Egypt are raw milk, Karish cheese (an Arabian dairy product made from defatted cow milk) and Zabady (an Arabian yoghurt made from buffalo and cow milk). In this study, 302 traditional dairy samples including raw milk (120), white Karish cheese (118), and Zabady (64) were analyzed for aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) during different seasons in 2016 and 2017. Contamination of raw milk samples with AFM1 was 21.6% and 18.3% in samples collected in the two respective years with percentages of 100% and 90.9% exceeding the legal European limit (0.05 µg L−1). In Karish cheese samples, the contamination level was 33.9% and 44.6%, in the 2 years examined with percentages of 90.47% and 80% that were above the European limit (0.25 µg kg−1). In the case of Zabady, the AFM1-positive samples were 12.5% and 18.75%, and all of them were above the European limit (0.25 µg kg−1). However, average toxin concentration in Zabady was lower than that detected in milk and cheese. Despite the seasonal variations influencing the occurrence of AFM1 in the three dairy products, the AFM1 levels in samples collected in winter were significantly (P ≤ 0.001) greater than those collected in summer. The contamination levels of AFM1 in the traditional dairy products consumed in Egypt; represent a serious health risk. It is urgent to inspect dairy farms for contamination with aflatoxins in a regular manner.

Ten specimens of coral reefs were collected from the Red Sea in the Ein El-Sukhna region. Fungal isolation was done using two media, Dextrose Yeast Extract Agar (DYA) and Rose Bengal Agar (RBA). The morphological traits identified 18 fungal isolates belonging to the phyla Ascomycota, Mucoromycota and Deuteromycota. Five genera in three orders have been isolated: Eutrotiales (Aspergillus, Penicillium and Byssochlamys), Mucorales (Rhizopus) and Moniliales (Curvularia). The heat mapping clustering of the isolated fungi declared that Aspergillus and Penicillium were the most frequently isolate fungi in coral reefs. It was found that A. fumigatus colonised eight coral samples with 80% colonisation rate. Moreover, about 50% of the isolated fungal species were specific to one coral reef only such as A.candidus and A.carneus isolated from Isophyllastrea rigida only, A.japonicus and A.ochraceopetaliformis from Glaxaea fascicularis, A.niger van Tieghem from Porites astreoides, A.sydowii, A.terreus and P.waksmanii from Cladocora arbuscula, P.janthinellum from Pterogorgia guadalupensis and Curvularia tuberculata, Byssochlamys spectabilis and Rhizopus oryzae from Acropora humilis. Biological activities (antimicrobial, antioxidant antiradical and cytotoxicity) of the most predominant fungal species were investigated. The antimicrobial activity of coral fungal filtrates were investigated against six pathogenic bacteria including Escherichia coli ATCC11775, Neisseria gonorrhoeae ATCC19424, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC10145, Streptococcus faecalis ATCC19433, Staphylococcus aureus subsp. aureus ATCC25923, Bacillus subtilis subsp. spizizenii ATCC6633 and two pathogenic yeast including Candida albicans ATCC7102 and Candida parapsilosis ATCC22019. Most of these fungal filtrates exhibited moderate to high antibacterial activities against both gram positive and gram negative bacteria, however it showed relatively low bioactivity towards the pathogenic Candida species. Investigating the free radical scavenging activity using DPPH reagent showed low to moderate bioactivities. The highest cytotoxic activity against liver cancer cell line Hep-G2 with an IC 50 values of 18.8 µg/ml was exhibited by Aspergillus ochraceopetaliformis MN083316 and a metabolomics study was done on the ethyl acetate extract of this strain using LC-ESI-MS fingerprints leading to the isolation and purification of compound 1. Using 1D and 2D NMR techniques compound 1 was identified as ditryptophenaline. Compound 1 exhibited a strong antimicrobial, antioxidant activities as well as cytotoxic activities against MCF-7 and HEPG2 with IC 50 values of 5.8 and 7.6 mmole, respectively. The objective of this study, isolation of Coral-reef associated fungi and studying their biological activities to produce the most active secondary metabolite which might possess a novel biological activity.

Background Effective time management and nursing competence are crucial for nursing students’ academic and professional success. Educational leadership may play a mediating role in strengthening the relationship between time management skills and nursing competence. However, limited research has examined this potential mediation in the nursing education context in Egypt. Aim To investigate the mediating role of educational leadership in the relationship between time management and nursing competence among undergraduate nursing students. Methods A descriptive comparative cross-sectional study was conducted, involving a sample of 532 undergraduate nursing students selected using systematic random sampling. Data collection tools included the Educational Leadership Scale for Nursing Students, the Nurse Competence Scale, and the Student Time Management Scale. All instruments were translated into Arabic and validated for the study population. Data were analyzed using correlation and mediation analysis to assess the relationships between variables. Results The study revealed that nursing students’ educational leadership is strongly associated with both their competencies ( r  = .504, P  < .001) and time management skills ( r  = .238, P  < .001), while competencies also showed a moderate positive correlation with time management ( r  = .394, P  < .001). Age, academic year, and family income were significantly associated with differences in educational leadership, competencies, and time management. Moreover, structural equation modeling showed that time management had a significant direct effect on both educational leadership (B = 0.411, P  < .001) and competencies (B = 0.024, P  < .001), while educational leadership significantly influenced competencies (B = 0.48, P  < .001). Importantly, educational leadership mediated the indirect effect of time management on competencies (B = 0.567, P  < .001). Conclusion Educational leadership plays a mediating role in the relationship between time management and nursing competence, highlighting the importance of leadership development in nursing education programs. Nursing curricula should incorporate leadership training to improve students’ time management skills and competencies, ultimately enhancing their preparedness for professional practice. Implication Nursing curricula should prioritize the integration of leadership development and time management skills into both theoretical coursework and clinical practice. To achieve this, actionable leadership training strategies could include the implementation of structured leadership workshops and seminars that focus on key competencies such as communication, decision-making, conflict resolution, and team management. Clinical trial number Not applicable.

A synbiotic composed of alginate nanoencapsulated prebiotic (pomegranate peel phytogenics) and multi-species probiotics (Lactococcus lactis, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus paracasei, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae) has been developed as a potential eco-friendly alternative to antibiotics. The physicochemical properties of the encapsulated synbiotic were evaluated, and its gastric and storage tolerance, as well as its antioxidant and antimicrobial activity, were tested and compared to that of the non-encapsulated synbiotic (free synbiotic). The results showed that the prebiotic pomegranate peel ethanolic extract contained seven phenolic compounds, with cinnamic being the most abundant (13.26 µL/mL). Sodium alginate-CaCl2 nanocapsules were effective in encapsulating 84.06 ± 1.5% of the prebiotic’s phenolic compounds and 98.85 ± 0.57% of the probiotics. The particle size of the alginate-CaCl2 nanoencapsulated synbiotic was 544.5 nm, and the polydispersity index and zeta potential values were 0.593 and −12.3 mV, respectively. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the alginate-CaCl2 nanoencapsulated synbiotic had high thermal stability at high temperatures, with only 2.31% of its weight being lost within the temperature range of 70–100 °C. The count of viable probiotics in the nanoencapsulated synbiotic was significantly higher than that in the free synbiotic after exposure to gastric acidity and storage for six months at room temperature. The percent inhibition values of the nanoencapsulated synbiotic and ascorbic acid (as a standard antioxidant) were comparable and significantly greater than those of the free synbiotic. The half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of the nanoencapsulated synbiotic and ascorbic acid were significantly lower than those of the free synbiotic (3.96 ± 0.42 µg/mL and 4.08 ± 0.79 µg/mL for nanoencapsulated synbiotic and ascorbic acid, respectively, vs. 65.75 ± 2.14 µg/mL for free synbiotic). The nanoencapsulated synbiotic showed the highest significant antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli (ATCC 8739). Both the nanoencapsulated and free synbiotics showed antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538), similar to that of gentamicin, although the nanoencapsulated synbiotic showed significantly higher inhibition activity compared to the free synbiotic. The nanoencapsulated synbiotic showed antimicrobial activity comparable to gentamicin against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 90274), whereas the free synbiotic showed the least antimicrobial activity (p < 0.05). Both synbiotics showed significantly higher antimicrobial activity against Salmonella typhi (ATCC 6539) than gentamicin. Both synbiotics showed antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus, with a stronger effect observed for the nanoencapsulated synbiotic. However, the activity of both synbiotics was significantly lower than that of fluconazole (an antifungal drug).

Background Bacillus thuringiensis ( Bt ) utilization as a biological control agent is highly recommended due to its safety, specificity, and efficiency. Importance of the entomocidal Cry proteins secreted by Bt is dramatically increased subsequent Cry genes transformation into a number of economic crops, rendering them protection against insect attack. In the last decade, insect resistance against transgenic Bt crops is gradually raised in several lepidopteran pests. A better understanding of the processing of Bt Cry1C toxin in the larval midgut of the lepidopteran pest species, the cotton leaf worm, Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.), is very important to characterize the main regulatory elements of Bt tolerance. Results The present study aimed to define factors that are involved in insect tolerance toward Bt Cry1C through evaluating the mRNA level of trypsin (Try), aminopeptidase N (APN), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), cadherin (Cad), and cytochrome P450 (CYP) in both susceptible and cry1C tolerant strains of S. littoralis . Total RNAs were extracted from susceptible and tolerant strains to construct cDNAs. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) showed a significant upregulation of CYP gene in tolerant strain. In contrast, the levels of expression of Try, ALP, and Cad were significantly downregulated in tolerant strain. APN relative mRNA expression did not show significant differences between susceptible and tolerant strains. Histologically, the midgut of late third-instar larvae of tolerant population S. littoralis showed vacuolization of the epithelium and disruption of both the peritrophic membrane and the striated boarder compared to the susceptible strain. Conclusions Obtained data indicated a relationship between exposing to Bt Cry1C toxin and alteration of CYP, Try, ALP, and Cad expression in midgut of S. littoralis . These results may be an evidence for the important roles of CYP, Try, ALP, and Cad in the resistance development and toxicity to Bt Cry1C . The results are useful for further illustrating of Bt Cry1C processing and S. littoralis tolerance.

Background: Non Specific Neck pain (NSNP) can be defined as mechanical pain that arises between the occiput as well as the third thoracic vertebra with no specific explanation. Purpose: To differentiate between the effects of sustained natural apophyseal glides (SNAGs) against integrated neuromuscular inhibition technique (INIT) in patients suffering from Non-Specific Neck Pain (NSNP). Methods: Sixty individuals were divided into three equivalent groups at random. Conventional Physiotherapy treatment was given to all groups A, B and C, whereas Group B was given SNAGs and Group C was given also the INIT approach. The assessments were conducted with the use of VAS, pressure algometer, CROM, neck disability index. Results: Statistical analyses (MANOVA, ANOVA, and post-hoc tests) indicated that the differences were statistically significant (P = 0.001) in Pain, Rt Rotation, Lt Rotation and PPT and (P = 0.0001) IN Flexion, Extension, Rt Lateral Flexion, Lt Lateral Flexion, and NDI, indicating that Group C and Group B were more effective than Group A in improving outcomes. The results for Groups B and C were not significantly different. Group C showed the most significant improvement, then followed by Group B, and finally Group A. Conclusion: Adding SNAGs or INMI to conventional program is beneficial in management NSNP. Fundamento: El dolor cervical inespecífico (PNIN) se puede definir como un dolor mecánico que surge entre el occipucio y la tercera vértebra torácica sin una explicación específica. Propósito: Diferenciar entre los efectos de los deslizamientos apofisarios naturales sostenidos (SNAG) frente a la técnica de inhibición neuromuscular integrada (INIT) en pacientes que padecen Dolor Cervical Inespecífico (NSNP). Métodos: Sesenta individuos fueron divididos en tres grupos equivalentes al azar. Se administró tratamiento de fisioterapia convencional a todos los grupos A, B y C, mientras que al Grupo B se le administraron SNAG y al Grupo C también se le administró el enfoque INIT. Las evaluaciones se realizaron con el uso de EVA, algómetro de presión, CROM, índice de discapacidad del cuello. Resultados: Los análisis estadísticos (MANOVA, ANOVA y pruebas post hoc) indicaron que las diferencias fueron estadísticamente significativas (P = 0,001) en Dolor, Rotación Rt, Rotación Lt y TPP y (P = 0,0001) EN Flexión, Extensión, Flexión Lateral Rt, Flexión Lateral Lt e IDN, lo que indica que el Grupo C y el Grupo B fueron más efectivos que el Grupo A para mejorar los resultados. Los resultados para los grupos B y C no fueron significativamente diferentes. El Grupo C mostró la mejora más significativa, luego seguido por el Grupo B y finalmente el Grupo A. Conclusión: Agregar inconvenientes o INMI al programa convencional es beneficioso en el manejo de NSNP. Enquadramento: A dor cervical inespecífica (DCI) pode ser definida como dor mecânica originada entre o occipital e a terceira vértebra torácica, sem uma causa específica. Objectivo: Diferenciar os efeitos dos deslizamentos apofisários naturais sustentados (DANS) versus a técnica de inibição neuromuscular integrada (INIT) em doentes com dor cervical inespecífica (DCI). Métodos: Sessenta indivíduos foram divididos aleatoriamente em três grupos equivalentes. O tratamento fisioterapêutico convencional foi administrado a todos os grupos (A, B e C), enquanto o Grupo B recebeu DANS e o Grupo C recebeu também a abordagem INIT. As avaliações foram realizadas através de uma escala visual analógica (EVA), algómetro de pressão, amplitude de movimento cervical (ADM) e índice de incapacidade cervical. Resultados: As análises estatísticas (MANOVA, ANOVA e testes post-hoc) indicaram diferenças estatisticamente significativas (P = 0,001) na Dor, Rotação à Direita, Rotação Lateral e Dor Postural Total (DPT), e (P = 0,0001) na Flexão, Extensão, Flexão Lateral Direita, Flexão Lateral e Distúrbios Neuromusculares Involuntários (DNMI), indicando que os Grupos C e B foram mais eficazes do que o Grupo A na melhoria dos resultados. Os resultados para os Grupos B e C não foram significativamente diferentes. O Grupo C apresentou a melhoria mais significativa, seguido do Grupo B e, por último, do Grupo A. Conclusão: A adição de medidas para aliviar o desconforto ou de agentes bloqueantes neuromusculares não invasivos (ANNI) ao programa convencional é benéfica na gestão dos bloqueios neuromusculares não simpáticos (BNNS).

One of the commoly used chemotherapeutic agents is 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU). Unfortunately, the clinical administration of 5-FU is complicated with serious cardiotoxic effects and the safe use becomes an urgent task in cardio-oncology. Till now, there are no studies discussed the role of empagliflozin (EMP) against 5-FU cardiotoxicity. Thus, we investigated this effect and the involved mechanisms in 5-FU induced heart injury. Forty male rats of Wistar albino species were used and divided randomly into four groups. Group I is the control group, group II is EMP given group, group III is 5-FU cardiotoxic group and group IV is 5-FU plus EMP group. 5-FU (150 mg/kg) was administered as a single intraperitoneal (i.p.) dose on 1st day to induce cardiotoxicity with or without EMP (30 mg/kg/d) orally for 5 days. The dose of 5-FU is relevant to the human toxic dose. Our data showed that 5-FU given group caused cardiotoxicity with significant increase of serum cardiac enzymes, toll like receptors, enhancement of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), interleukin1β (IL1β), IL6, myeloid-differentiation-factor 88 (MYD88), heart weight, malondialdehyde (MDA), tumor-necrosis-factor-alpha (TNFα), sodium glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2), P53 and caspase3 expression with clear histopathological features of cardiotoxicity. Moreover, there is a significant decrease in reduced glutathione (GSH) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Interestingly, co-administration of EMP could ameliorate 5-FU induced biochemical and histopathological changes. This effect may be due to modulation of SGLT2, decreasing inflammation, oxidative stress and apoptosis with downregulation of an essential inflammatory cascade that mediates 5-FU cardiotoxicity; TNFα/TLR/NF-κB.