Damanhour University

Background Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a staple food for nearly half the global population, with rice grain quality (RGQ) and yield being the most valuable attributes for consumers and food security. RGQ encompasses multiple interconnected features including physical appearance, cooking properties, biochemical composition, nutritional components, and sensory aspects. Methods This study evaluated the agronomic performance of four commercial rice cultivars (Giza 178, Sakha 108, Sakha Super 300, and Egyptian Yasmin) during the 2022 and 2023 growing seasons. The experiment was conducted at the Rice Technology Training Center in Alexandria using a randomized complete block design with three replications. A cultivars were selected based on their commercial significance and diverse genetic backgrounds to represent the primary rice varieties grown in Egypt. Results Analysis of variance revealed significant genotypic effects (p < 0.001) for most traits, with notable genotype × environment interactions in milling quality and water uptake characteristics. Multivariate analyses, including Principal Component Analysis (PCA), hierarchical clustering, and correlation analysis, provided complementary evidence for cultivar differentiation. PCA demonstrated that 94.2% of total variance was explained by two principal components, with Yasmin distinctly clustering in the positive quadrant of Dim1, showing superior performance in nutritional and cooking parameters (protein: 8.51%, fiber: 0.33%, water uptake: 439.45%, elongation: 60.73%). Hierarchical cluster analysis revealed two distinct trait groupings: physical-processing parameters and nutritional-functional attributes. Cultivar Super 300 demonstrated superior performance in physical-processing metrics (milling yield: 71.69%, grain hardness: 6.56), while Yasmin exhibited exceptional nutritional-functional characteristics. Furthermore, correlation analysis revealed significant relationships among quality parameters (p < 0.001), particularly between physical characteristics and milling traits (r = 0.99), and among nutritional components (r = 0.87–0.99). Conclusion The integrated multivariate approach identified Yasmin as the superior cultivar for nutritional and cooking qualities, while Super 300 excelled in physical parameters, providing comprehensive insights for developing cultivars with optimized quality profiles tailored to specific market demands and consumer preferences.

Insomnia is a typical sleep disorder in which an individual finds it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep resulting in poor daytime functioning and decreased health and quality of life. The orexin system, which regulates wakefulness and arousal, is often overactive in individuals with insomnia, disrupting normal sleep patterns. Lemborexant, a dual orexin receptor antagonist, works through the inhibition of the orexin system, thus facilitating increased sleep onset and maintenance of sleep. This systematic review and meta-analysis seek to determine the effectiveness and safety of lemborexant in the treatment of insomnia. A comprehensive search was conducted on PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library, from inception to September 2024. Four randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the efficacy and safety of lemborexant for patients with confirmed DSM-5 diagnosis of insomnia as compared to placebo were included. By adopting a random-effect inverse variance model, RevMan was used to pool dichotomous and continuous data. We employed the ROB2 methodology to evaluate the quality of the evidence, so ensuring the reliability of the findings obtained throughout these investigations. Four studies with a total of 1976 patients were included. Lemborexant was superior to placebo in decreasing sleep onset latency and wake after sleep onset: (MD = − 9.23 min, P = 0.02 and MD = − 19.9 min, P < 0.0001) with 5 mg and (MD = − 12.56 min, P = 0.004) and (MD = − 22.24 min, P < 0.0001) with 10 mg, respectively. In addition, sleep efficiency was statistically significantly higher in the lemborexant group (MD = 6.08%, P < 0.0001) and (MD = 7.46%, P < 0.0001) with 5 mg and 10 mg, respectively. Regarding safety analysis, Treatment emerged adverse events (TEAEs) and somnolence were statistically significantly higher in the lemborexant group (RR = 1.94, P < 0.0001) and (RR = 4.95, P < 0.0001), respectively. In accordance with this systematic review and meta-analysis, lemborexant is an effective pharmacotherapy for the treatment of insomnia as it improves sleep onset latency, wake after sleep onset, and sleep efficiency. Both formulations of 5-mg and 10-mg doses were well tolerated with no significant difference in their effect; however, somnolence was more common relative to placebo. Lemborexant appears to fill a therapeutic gap in the treatment of insomnia but should be used with caution and smaller dose (5 mg) in those who are at risk of developing an excessive daytime somnolence state.

Eco-friendly NP synthesis appears to be gaining traction faster than ever before due to its ease of synthesis, low cost, nontoxicity, and renewable nature. The current study uses phytochemical-rich Pistacia leaf extract to develop a biogenic process for carrying out environmentally sound synthesis on NiO NPs. In this context, we synthesized NiO NPs/Pistacia and studied the construction using a variety of analytical characterization techniques, including FT-IR, FE-SEM, EDX-elemental mapping, TEM, and XRD. We investigated the use of NiO NPs/Pistacia as a recyclable productive nanocatalyst for the one-pot synthesis of 3-Methyl-4-aryl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridin-6(7H)-ones using multicomponent collection of aldehydes, 5-methylpyrazol-3-amine, and Meldrum’s acid. Consequently, we were able to obtain positive results with high yields and re-use the catalyst for six consecutive periods. Using the DPPH (diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging experiment, the antioxidant test was investigated while considering its possible bioapplications, yielding a noteworthy potential. It showed notable cytotoxic action when the study was expanded to include using the MTT colorimetric method to limit the proliferation of hepatoma cancer cell lines (HepG2 and Hep3B).

Background Cadmium is a highly toxicant heavy metal that poses serious risks to aquatic organisms, animals, and humans. Recent studies have investigated using biological chitosan nanoparticles (Bio-CHNPs) as a potential solution to alleviate the harmful effects of Cd exposure, particularly in aquaculture. Bio-CHNPs have gained attention for their applications in drug delivery and biomedical research, indicating their potential utility in addressing environmental toxicity. Objective This research aims to explore the effectiveness of Bio-CHNPs in mitigating cadmium chloride (CdCL 2 ) toxicity in African catfish ( Clarias gariepinus). Methods One hundred and twenty (n = 120) catfish were divided into 4 groups; G1 (control); G2, intoxicated with 10% LC 50 of CdCL 2 ; G3 received 3 g/kg of Bio-CNPs; G4, treated with 10% LC 50 of CdCL 2 and Bio-CNPs 3 g/kg feed. Results CdCl 2 exposure resulted in severe liver, intestine, and kidney damage, which was evidenced by alterations in biochemical parameters, hormonal imbalance, DNA damage, and micronucleus formation. Antioxidant defense mechanisms were compromised, as the activities of Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC), and Catalase (CAT) were reduced. mRNA expression levels of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-8, and LBP were also significantly elevated following CdCl 2 exposure. Conversely, Bio-CHNPs treatment showed antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, greatly lowering the biochemical, genotoxic, and histopathological effects induced by CdCl 2 . Conclusion The outcomes of this study are indicative of the potential of Bio-CHNPs as a promising aquaculture feed supplement, with a dual advantage of antagonizing the toxicity of environmental pollutants like Cd and imparting antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects. Bio-CHNP supplementation can be a viable strategy for remedying aquatic environmental heavy metal pollution, with the ultimate safeguarding of human health and ecosystem balance.

Background Emergency nurses frequently encounter death and experience significant levels of death anxiety, impacting their mental well-being and professional performance. Objective Explore the levels of resilience and death anxiety among emergency nurses and examine the relationship between these two constructs. Research design Following STROBE guidelines, a cross-sectional descriptive correlational design was employed, with data collected from 417 emergency nurses in three hospitals. Tools The Socio-demographics Data Sheet, the Arabic Scale of Death Anxiety, and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale were utilized for data collection. Results Results indicated average moderate levels of resilience and death anxiety among participants. A negative correlation was observed between resilience and death anxiety, suggesting that as resilience decreased, death anxiety tended to increase. Significant associations were found between death anxiety and gender, age, and years of experience. The stepwise hierarchical linear regression analysis of substantial factors predicting death anxiety among emergency nurses revealed that resilience, years of experience, and gender were significant predictors of death anxiety, explaining 10.2% of the variance. Conclusion and nursing implications These findings underscore the importance of addressing mental health challenges among emergency nurses and highlight the need for interventions aimed at promoting resilience and mitigating death anxiety. By fostering a supportive environment and providing resources for mental health, healthcare institutions can empower emergency nurses to thrive in their demanding profession while delivering optimal care to patients in critical situations. Clinical trial number Not applicable.

This study proposes an Enhanced Binary Kepler Optimization Algorithm (BKOA-MUT) improves feature selection (FS) by integrating Kepler’s planetary motion laws with DE/rand and DE/best Mutation Approach. BKOA-MUT balances exploration and exploitation, effectively guiding search for optimal feature subsets. BKOA-MUT was evaluated using k-Nearest Neighbors (k-NN) and Support Vector Machine (SVM) on 25 UCI benchmarks, including three large-scale ones. It outperformed recent Meta-heuristic Algorithms (MHAs) in accuracy, feature reduction, and computational efficiency. The algorithm showed rapid convergence, minimal feature selection, and scalability, making it a robust and adaptable tool for enhancing FS in machine learning, validated through the Wilcoxon rank-sum test.

Introduction Traumatic brain injury (TBI) refers to an impact of the brain within the skull resulting in an altered mental state. The study aim is to determine the effect of a high dose of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on biochemical and inflammatory markers of neuronal damage and clinical outcomes in patients with moderate to severe TBI. Methods A randomized open label-controlled trial was conducted on 40 patients with moderate to severe TBI patients presented to the emergency unit within < 24 h since the trauma occurred and randomized into NAC and control groups 20 patients each. Serum samples for evaluation of biomarkers: malondialdehyde (MDA), interleukin-6 (IL-6), neuron-specific enolase (NSE), and S100B were withdrawn at baseline and on day 7. The patients were followed for 7 days and evaluated clinically by the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). Results There was a significant decrease in NSE and MDA levels on day 7 from baseline in NAC group (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001). Also, S100B and IL-6 decreased significantly in NAC group on day 7 from baseline (p = 0.003 and p < 0.001 consequently) compared to control group. Moreover, patients in NAC group showed a significantly shorter length of stay at intensive care unit (ICU) (p = 0.038). There was a significant increase in GCS in NAC group on day 7 from baseline (p = 0.001). Conclusion Adjunctive early use of high-dose NAC significantly reduced inflammatory and oxidative markers and had neuroprotective effect which may be a novel treatment option for moderate to severe TBI patients. Trial registration Pactr.org identifier: (PACTR202209548995270) on 14 September 2022.

The majority of lung cancer cases are non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) which continues to be a serious global health concern. Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-α) pathway is a promising therapeutic target because it has a vital function in advanced non-small cell lung carcinoma. Antiangiogenic multi-kinase inhibitor, sorafenib may have a part in regulating HIF signaling in cancer. As a result, there is now more interest in employing it to target hypoxia-driven pathways in non-small cell lung cancer, especially when paired with natural bioactive products such as dauricine which is a naturally occurring alkaloid molecule targets multiple cellular pathways to provide strong anticancer effects. To examine molecular impacts of combining dauricine with sorafenib on HIF-mediated signaling pathways in human lung cancer cell lines. Cell viability was assessed using MTT assay in A549 and H1975 lung tumor cell lines. Levels of key proteins (AKT, mTORC1, HIF-1 α, ERK, VEGF, Cyclin-D1, BCL2, and E-Cadherin) were measured by ELISA.A colorimetric test was utilized to assess the activity of caspase-3, as a marker of apoptosis. qRT-PCR was employed to identify PI3K and VEGFR2 genes expression. Combination of sorafenib and dauricine significantly enhanced cytotoxicity compared to either agent alone. This combination also led to a marked reduction in VEGFR2, PI3K expression and VEGF, AKT, mTOR, HIF-1α, BCL2, ERK and E-Cadherin, and Cyclin-D1 levels. In addition, there was a significant increase in caspase-3 activity. Dauricine potentiates antitumor effects of sorafenib in human NSCLC by modulating HIF-1α-mediated pathways that are involved in several cancer hallmarks. This combination shows promise as a potential lung cancer treatment approach.

This research aimed to improve the oral bioavailability of Sorafenib (SF) and overcome multidrug resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma cells based on P-glycoprotein (P-gp) inhibition strategy. Four nanocrystal formulations (F1–F4) were developed using Labrasol® (LB) or Gelucire® (GL) as stabilizers as well as P-gp inhibitors. The prepared SF nanocrystal (SF-NC) formulations were characterized in vitro and in vivo. The results of in vitro studies showed that LB-based nanocrystals (F2) prepared using 0.02% LB, significantly reduced the crystal size and improved the aqueous saturation solubility of SF compared to the GL-based nanocrystals. Crystal morphology analysis of SF-NC (F2) revealed a uniform arrangement of nanosized crystals with significantly smaller particle size compared to plain SF. Furthermore, in vitro cytotoxicity studies showed that LB had no significant effects on cell viability of MDR-HepG2 and SF-resistant Huh-7 cells and can be considered safe in the in vivo environment at concentrations more than 10 times its corresponding concentration in SF-NC. However, LB-stabilized SF-NC significantly reduced IC50 values in MDR-HepG2 and SF-resistant Huh-7 cells compared to plain SF. In vivo absorption studies revealed that SF-NC significantly increased the rate and extent of absorption with a 1.27-fold increase in relative bioavailability. The developed SF-NC stabilized by LB as a P-gp inhibitor is expected to be a promising approach to improve oral bioavailability and restore SF's activity against multidrug-resistant hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

The functional morphology of the digestive system in monogeneans is important in understanding feeding behaviour, dietary intake, and metabolic activity of the caecal epithelium. The present study used light and transmission electron microscopy to reveal detailed structure of the pharynx and gastrodermis of the viviparous gill monogenean Macrogyrodactylus clarii to compare with the congeneric skin monogenean Macogyrodactylus congolensis and other gyrodactylids. The basic components of the pharynx and gastrodermis of M. clarii are similar to M. congolensis. The pharynx comprises two regions: an anterior highly muscular region and a posterior glandular syncytium with 6 protrusible papillae. The syncytial epithelium lining the mouth and pharyngeal cavity is a modified layer with its own cell bodies, and not an extension of the general body tegument. Eversion of the pharynx has not been observed, but we postulate on the mechanism by which the pharynx and associated muscular structures function during feeding.TEM observations confirmed the similarity between the digestive system of M. clarii and M. congolensis with notable exceptions: the absence of melanin pigments and microorganism-like structures, presence of unique gastrodermis outgrowths, fibrotic vacuoles and small electron-dense secretory bodies and finally formation of deep intestinal crypts with numerous parallel intestinal lamellae in M. clarii. We discuss the possible roles of the luminal lamellar loops, gastrodermis outgrowths, deep intestinal crypts, lipid-like droplets, fibrotic vacuoles and different types of vesicles and vacuoles present in the gastrodermis cytoplasm.

Background Variceal bleeding is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among patients with cirrhosis. While both transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) and endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) are utilized for variceal rebleeding prevention, their comparative efficacy and safety remain debated. Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to compare TIPS with EVL for variceal rebleeding prevention. A comprehensive search of electronic databases on PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science identified 16 studies meeting inclusion criteria. Data on outcomes including gastrointestinal bleeding, variceal rebleeding, hepatic encephalopathy, treatment failure, and mortality were extracted and analyzed. Results TIPS was associated with significantly lower rates of gastrointestinal bleeding (RR = −0.69, 95% CI [−0.92, −0.47], P < 0.001), variceal rebleeding (RR: −0.99, 95% CI [−1.2, −0.79], P < 0.001), and bleeding from banding ulcers (RR: −1.51, 95% CI [−2.75, −0.27], P = 0.02) compared to EVL. However, TIPS was linked to higher rates of hepatic encephalopathy (RR: 0.44, 95% CI [0.18, 0.71], P < 0.001) and treatment failure (RR: −1.29, 95% CI [−2.01, −0.57], P < 0.001). No significant differences were found in mortality, liver failure, hepatocellular carcinoma, or other clinical outcomes between the two interventions. Conclusion TIPS demonstrates superiority over EVL in reducing variceal rebleeding and gastrointestinal bleeding. However, it is associated with higher rates of hepatic encephalopathy and treatment failure. Individualized treatment decisions should consider patient characteristics and treatment goals to optimize outcomes in variceal bleeding management. Further research is warranted to refine treatment strategies and minimize adverse events associated with both interventions.

Alzheimer disease (AD) is the main cause of dementia worldwide. AD is a progressive brain neurodegenerative disease due to genetic and environmental factors that induce a progressive accumulation of intracellular hyperphosphorylated tau protein and extracellular amyloid protein (Aβ). However, anti‐AD medications cannot reverse the fundamental AD neuropathology due to amyloid plaques and related oxidative stress and inflammatory reactions. Thus, targeting other pathways might be reasonable in the management of AD particular in alleviation of AD neuropathology and related reactions. Serotonin (5HT) neurotransmitter plays a crucial role in preventing neurodegeneration and related oxidative stress and inflammatory reactions. In addition, serotonergic system is highly dysregulated in many neurodegenerative diseases including AD. Deregulation of serotonin synthesis and its receptors are involved in the pathogenesis of AD . Therefore, this review we shall discuss how serotonergic system is affected in AD, and how 5HT modulators can reverse AD neuropathology and alleviate the associated neuropsychiatric disorders in AD patients.

Climate change has a significant impact on the ecosystem and will therefore impact the chemicals used in the agricultural sector. This relationship represents an area of growing concern as the delicate balance between environmental conditions, agricultural practices, and chemical compound behavior is disturbed. This imbalance leads to harmful effects on the environment and humans. One of the main ways climate change affects pesticide toxicity is through changes in temperature and precipitation patterns, which affect groundwater contamination and pesticide stability. Many pesticides become more easily evaporated in warmer conditions, increasing the likelihood of inhalation by humans and wildlife. Climate change also impacts agricultural pests’ life cycles and population dynamics. As temperatures rise and precipitation patterns shift, many pest species may expand their geographic ranges, adapt to new climatic conditions, and develop resistance to commonly used pesticides. This can lead to the increased application of pesticides, further growing their toxicity effects. Climate change will likely increase the movement of pesticides away from their intended targets, polluting the environment and endangering public health. Increased temperatures are anticipated to result in more pesticide volatilization, meaning more pesticides will end up in air rather than on their application targets.

The challenges of climate change represent a major problem for food safety around the world. Long-term changes in patterns of temperature, precipitation, humidity, and extreme weather events are affecting agricultural activities, crop production, and the nutritional quality of most food crops. The allergy of germs, microorganisms, and pests to environmental factors has revealed that climate change is leading to the emergence of invasive stranger species that harm the health of plants and animals. Warming of surface seawater and increased input of nutrients lead to an abundance of toxin-producing algae causing rampant seafood contamination. Global efforts are continuing to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases and mitigate the effect of climate change on feed safety related to plant, animal, human, and environmental health. This chapter discusses the impact of climate change on food safety and the efforts made internationally to decrease the microorganisms, chemicals, and biological contaminants that affect the health of plants, animals, and humans.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive demyelinating disease of the CNS, characterized by inflammation, the formation of CNS plaques, and damage to the neuronal myelin sheath (Graphical abstract). Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is involved in various metabolic disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. FGF21 and its co‐receptor β‐Kloth are essential in the remyelination process of MS. Metformin, an insulin‐sensitizing drug that is the first‐line treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), may have a potential neuroprotective impact by up‐regulating the production of FGF21, which may prevent the onset of neurodegenerative diseases including MS. The purpose of this review is to clarify how metformin affects MS neuropathology mechanistically via modifying FGF21. Metformin increases the expression of FGF21. Metformin also increases the expression of β‐Klotho, modulates oxidative stress, reduces glutamate‐induced excitotoxicity, and regulates platelet function and coagulation cascades. In conclusion, metformin can enhance the functional activity of FGF21 in counteracting the development and progression of MS. Preclinical and clinical studies are warranted in this regard.