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Background A safe and effective vaccine is the ultimate key to mitigating the COVID-19 pandemic. Vaccine acceptance is influenced by various factors, including perceptions about the vaccine’s safety and side effects. The side effects vary depending on the type of the vaccine, but they are mainly mild, local, temporary, and self-limiting. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out at Tanta University Hospitals, including 1246 healthcare workers who received either the first or the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, selected via a systematic random sampling technique using a self-administered structured validated questionnaire for data collection from November 2021 to January 2022. Qualitative data were presented as frequencies and percentages and analyzed using Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests. Results The prevalence of one or more side effects was 91.3%. Among participants, about two-thirds believed in vaccine safety and its necessity (65.4% and 63.6%, respectively). Significantly more participants (46.9%) were concerned about AstraZeneca thrombotic complications than other vaccine types. The top five side effects reported by participants were injection site pain (64.8%), sense of fatigue (57.1%), headache (49.9%), muscle pain (48.7%), and fever (46.5). Most of the side effects were significantly higher among participants vaccinated with AstraZeneca. Side effects impacted work capacity of 23.4%, which was significantly higher among participants who received AstraZeneca (33.6%). Conclusion Participants had a good level of belief in vaccination safety and necessity. Healthcare workers who got the AstraZeneca vaccination reported more adverse effects than other vaccines. Injection site pain, fatigue, headache, muscle pains, and fever were the most frequently reported side effects. More research on vaccination safety is needed to understand the long-term adverse effects of vaccinations better, improve the public trust, and accelerate vaccine adoption.

Background Research is essential for advancing medical knowledge and improving patient care. However, research capacity and output are low in low- and middle-income countries due to various challenges, including a lack of research training among medical students. Integrating research training into undergraduate medical curricula can help address this issue. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2022 and March 2023 among 462 undergraduate medical students at Tanta University, Egypt to assess their knowledge, attitudes, and perceived barriers toward conducting research. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS. Results Nearly half (49.8%) of the students had an acceptable level of knowledge about research concepts while over two-thirds (66.2%) had a positive attitude. The most common barriers were lack of funding, time, and training in research methods. Previous research training was reported by 66.7% of students, but less than half had participated in or presented research. Students in the competency-based program had significantly higher knowledge and more positive attitudes than those in the mainstream program. Knowledge level was positively correlated with attitude. Conclusion While attitudes were generally positive, improvements are needed in research training and opportunities among undergraduate medical students at Tanta University to help address low research capacity challenges in low- and middle-income countries. Integration of formal research training into the curriculum may help increase knowledge and participation in research.

Stripe rust, induced by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici , is the most harmful and prevalent disease in temperate regions worldwide, affecting wheat production areas globally. An effective strategy for controlling the disease involves enhancing genetic resistance against stripe rust, achieved through Egyptian breeding efforts not previously conducted on wheat genotypes. The resistance level to stripe rust in thirty-eight wheat genotypes was assessed using marker-assisted selection methods. The investigation suggests that wheat breeding programs can utilize slow-rusting Yr genes, which are effective resistance genes, to develop novel genotypes with stripe rust resistance through marker-assisted breeding. Based on the four disease responses of the wheat genotypes under investigation, the results categorized the genotypes into three groups. The first group included resistant genotypes, the second group exhibited a slow-rusting character with the lowest disease symptom rates, and the last group displayed the highest disease characteristics rates throughout the three seasons, comprising fast-rusting genotypes. The rust-resistant genes identified were Yr5 , Yr9 , Yr10 , Yr15 , Yr17 , Yr18 , Yr26 , Yr29 , Yr30 , and Yr36 . Genes Yr26 , Yr30 , and Yr36 were present in all genotypes. Genotypes Misr3, Misr4, Giza168, Giza167, Giza170, Giza171, Gemmeiza9, and Gemmeiza10 carried the Yr9 gene. Only one genotype, Sids13, was found to have the Yr17 gene. Genes Yr18 and Yr29 were identified in Sids14, Giza168, Giza170, Gemmeiza9, and Gemmeiza10. However, none of the wheat genotypes showed the presence of Yr5 , Yr10 , or Yr15 . Several backcrossing generations were conducted to introduce the Yr5 and Yr10 genes into susceptible genotypes (Misr1, Misr2, and Gemmeiza11). These genotypes are cultivated globally and are known for producing high-quality flour, making them of great importance to farmers. The study demonstrates significant potential for enhancing wheat genotypes for stripe rust resistance and increased production.

Background Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) remain major public health issues. Although the primary and secondary prevention of RHD through appropriate management of bacterial pharyngitis and ARF are well-described in the literature, few studies address the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of developing countries. We aimed to evaluate the KAP of the frontline physicians in Egyptian university hospitals regarding pharyngitis and ARF. Methods We employed a cross-sectional design between September 1st, 2022, and January 31st, 2023 using a self-administered questionnaire in 21 Egyptian universities. The questionnaire was developed based on previous studies and recent guidelines and included four domains: sociodemographic data, knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding pharyngitis and ARF. We utilized both online (Google Forms) and paper surveys. Frontline physicians, including interns, residents, and assistant lecturers, were conveniently invited to participate. Furthermore, with the help of participating phycisians in recruiting their colleagues, we utilized the snowball method. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 27 software. Results The final analysis included 629 participants, of whom 372 (59.1%) were males and 257 (40.9%) had direct contact with ARF patients. Most participants (61.5%) had a fair knowledge level while 69.5% had a fair level of practice regarding ARF and pharyngitis. Higher satisfactory knowledge levels were noted regarding pharyngitis (17.1% vs. 11.3%; p -value: 0.036) and ARF (26.8% vs. 18%; p -value: 0.008) among physicians dealing directly with ARF cases compared to physicians in departments not dealing directly with ARF cases. Physicians in Cairo region universities had significantly higher levels of satisfactory knowledge about ARF compared to Delta and Upper Egypt region universities ( p  = 0.014). Delta region universities showed significantly lower levels of practice compared to Cairo and Upper Egypt region universities ( p  = 0.027). The most frequently recognized barriers against health promotion were low socioeconomic status (90.3%) and lack of adequate public education (85.8%). Conclusions Despite the fair knowledge and practice levels towards bacterial pharyngitis and ARF among participants, many gaps were still identified that might contribute to RHD prevalence. Educational interventions should be implemented by updating the local guidelines in Egypt for diagnosis and management based on the most recent guidelines.

Surface roughness is an important factor influencing subsea cable/umbilical–soil interaction. The cable/umbilical goes through several steps before being laid on the seabed, including production, spooling, unspooling, and installation on the seabed. Yet, there is no standard method for assessing the outer sheath roughness, whether extruded or roving, of subsea cables/umbilicals, and outer sheath roughness has not been measured in many cable/umbilical–soil test datasets. The lack of a universally agreed method for assessing and preparing surface roughness stems from the diverse applications of cables/umbilicals, each of which is subject to varying environmental conditions and operational requirements. Such diversity complicates the establishment of a single standard. The objective of this paper is to present the measurements used to determine the surface roughness of the extruded outer and roving outer sheath of subsea cables/umbilicals. The surface roughness of the outer sheath of subsea cables/umbilicals is required for the soil interface direct shear tests, and the corresponding results are essential for determining the friction factors of the cable/umbilical–soil interaction on the seabed.

There is currently a rising interest in reusing and repurposing offshore facilities through decommissioning; however, major challenges arise, such as size, weight, sea depth, planned use, and location. This article aims to discuss the philosophy that needs to be adopted for field redevelopment, particularly when existing platforms must be preserved and integrated into new greenfield facilities. The article also discusses the concept of weight shedding during the decommissioning of offshore facilities to either extend the life of existing platforms or provide clear space for new equipment to be installed by removing unnecessary components and structures. The above aspects of decommissioning are investigated through the redevelopment of a case study of a mature offshore oil field located in shallow water. The study indicated that weight shedding presents a favourable method for decommissioning offshore installations and can effectively lower expenses, minimise environmental consequences, and optimise the use of resources.

The leak of hydrocarbon-carrying pipelines represents a serious incident, and if it is in a gas line, the economic exposure would be significant due to the high cost of lost or deferred hydrocarbon production. In addition, the leakage of hydrocarbon could pose risks to human life, have an impact on the environment, and could cause an image loss for the operating company. Pipelines are designed to operate at full capacity under steady-state flow conditions. Normal operations may involve day-to-day transients such as the operations of pumps, valves, and changes in production/delivery rates. The basic leak detection problem is to distinguish between the normal operational transients and the occurrence of non-typical process conditions that would indicate a leak. To date, the industry has concentrated on a single-phase flow, primarily of oil, gas, and ethylene. The application of a leak-monitoring system to a particular pipeline system depends on environmental issues, regulatory imperatives, loss prevention of the operating company, and safety policy rather than pipe size and configuration. This paper provides a review of the recommended guidance for leak detection of subsea pipelines in the context of pipeline integrity management. The paper also presents a review of the capability and application of various leak detection techniques that can be used to offer a roadmap to potential users of the leak detection systems.

Twenty-three wheat genotypes were evaluated for stripe and leaf rusts, caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici and Puccinia triticina f. sp. tritici, respectively, at seedling and adult stages under greenhouses and field conditions during the 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 growing seasons. The race analysis revealed that 250E254 and TTTST races for stripe and leaf rusts, respectively were the most aggressive. Eight wheat genotypes (Misr-3, Misr-4, Giza-171, Gemmeiza-12, Lr34/Yr18, Lr37/Yr17, Lr46/Yr29, and Lr67/Yr46) were resistant to stripe and leaf rusts at seedling and adult stages. This result was confirmed by identifying the resistance genes: Lr34/Yr18, Lr37/Yr17, Lr46/Yr29, and Lr67/Yr46 in these genotypes showing their role in the resistance. Sids-14 and Shandweel-1 genotypes were susceptible to stripe and leaf rusts. Twelve crosses between the two new susceptible wheat genotypes and the three slow rusting genes (Lr34/Yr18, Lr37/Yr17, and Lr67/Yr46) were conducted. The frequency distribution of disease severity (%) in F2 plants of the twelve crosses was ranged from 0 to 80%. Resistant F2 plants were selected and the resistance genes were detected. This study is important for introducing new active resistance genes into the breeding programs and preserving diversity among recently released wheat genotypes.

Wheat stem rust caused by Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici is one of the most destructive wheat diseases worldwide. Identifying stem rust races in general, Ug99 lineage particularly, and determining resistance genes are critical goals for disease assessment. Thirty wheat varieties and monogenic lines with major stem rust resistance genes (Sr) were examined here over the course of three succeeding seasons from 2020 to 2022. Fourteen stem rust races have been identified in ten African countries, as well as Central and West Asia and North Africa (CWANA) and ten European countries. The Ug99 group (Clade I) included four races (TTKSK, TTKST, TTKTK, and TTKTT) and was reported in five African countries (Egypt, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda) and Iran, but none of the European countries. On the other hand, none of the races in Clade III-B (TTRTF) and Clade IV-B (TKTTF and TTTTF) were found in Egypt. Furthermore, Egyptian races were clustered separately from races identified from other countries, and six races were found only in Egypt, including PKSTC, RKTTH, TKTTC, TTTSK, TCKTC, and TKTTH. Races from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, and Iran were all closely associated with one another, according to correlation analysis. However, most races identified from other investigated regions, including Eritrea, Spain, Ethiopia, Morocco, Italy, Poland, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, were adversely linked with Egyptian races. The diagnostic 350 bp long PCR fragment linked with virulence to Sr31, Clement (Sr31), and Brigardier (Sr31) was used to identify the TTKSK (Ug99) race. The identification of the regional associations and genetic diversity of newly emerged races within the Ug99 lineage of P. graminis tritici in Africa, Asia, and Europe is one of the key goals of this study. It will help plant breeders to develop new resistant lines against the virulent races, especially TTKSK (Ug99) and TTTSK. This helps in ensuring global food security in the context of climate change.