The current Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted and changed lives on a global scale since its emergence and spread from China in late 2019. It has caused millions of infections, and ...thousands of deaths worldwide. However, the control of this pandemic still remains unachievable in many African countries including Egypt and Nigeria, despite the application of some strict preventive and control measures. Therefore, this study assessed the knowledge, attitude, and perceptions of Egyptians and Nigerians towards the COVID-19 pandemic. This study was designed as a cross-sectional community-based questionnaire survey in both countries. Participants' demography, knowledge, attitude, and perceptions towards the COVID-19 outbreak were obtained using a convenience sampling technique. Data collected were subjected to descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis. A total of 1437 respondents were included in this preliminary report. The mean knowledge score was 14.7±2.3. The majority of the respondents (61.6%) had a satisfactory knowledge of the disease. Age (18-39 years), education (College/bachelors), and background of respondents were factors influencing knowledge levels. The attitude of most respondents (68.9%) towards instituted preventive measures was satisfactory with an average attitude score of 6.9 ± 1.2. The majority of the respondents (96%) practiced self-isolation and social-distancing but only 36% follow all health recommendations. The perception of most respondents (62.1%) on the global efforts at controlling the virus and preventing further spread was satisfactory with an average score of 10.9 ± 2.7. Only 22% of the respondents were satisfied with their country's handling of the pandemic. An apprehensive understanding of the current status in Africa through studies like KAP is crucial to avoid Africa being the next epicenter of the pandemic. For the populace to follow standard infection prevention and control measures adequately, governments need to gain the trust of citizens by strengthening the health systems and improving surveillance activities in detecting cases, to offer the optimum health services to their communities.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Acetone is a well-known volatile organic compound that is widely used in different industrial and domestic areas. However, it can have dangerous effects on human life and health. Thus, the ...realization of sensitive and selective sensors for recognition of acetone is highly important. Among different gas sensors, resistive gas sensors based on nanostructured metal oxide with high surface area, have been widely reported for successful detection of acetone gas, owing to their high sensitivity, fast dynamics, high stability, and low price. Herein, we discuss different aspects of metal oxide-based acetone gas sensors in pristine, composite, doped, and noble metal functionalized forms. Gas sensing mechanisms are also discussed. This review is an informative document for those who are working in the field of gas sensors.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
The objective of this work is to seek a highly sensitive gas sensor for the detection of sulfur dioxide (SO2) by investigating the impacts of passivation as well as metal doping of armchair-edge ...graphene nanoribbon (AGNR) on the adsorption capacity. Herein, two AGNR based sensor materials for SO2 are passivated with hydrogen and nitrogen (AGNRH and AGNRN) then investigated theoretically using density functional theory (DFT). The results demonstrate that AGNRH is more sensitive to SO2 gas than AGNRN with −0.532 eV adsorption energy (Ead) and 0.05 e charge transfer (ΔQ). Furthermore, two more sensor materials are examined via doping AGNRH and AGNRN with platinum: Pt-AGNRH and Pt-AGNRN. Interestingly, the adsorption energies and charge transfer increased remarkably to −6.327 eV (almost 12 times the non-doped case) and 0.373 e, respectively, for the case of the SO2/Pt-AGNRH system. The same trend is observed as well for the case of SO2/Pt-AGNRN. The significant improvement of the adsorption parameters specifies that Pt doping has a considerable impact on enhancing the sensing performance of passivated AGNR toward the detection of SO2 gas.
•AGNR sensor materials were investigated for SO2 sensor using DFT calculation.•The response was analyzed using: adsorption energy and distance, charge transfer, density of states, and band structure.•The effect of passivation with H and N on the response parameters was tested.•The response was enhanced by doping AGNR with Pt.•The adsorption energy of gases increased up to 12 times as a result of doping with Pt.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
The FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) gene is mutated in approximately one third of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), either by internal tandem duplications (FLT3-ITD), or by a point ...mutation mainly involving the tyrosine kinase domain (FLT3-TKD). Patients with FLT3-ITD have a high risk of relapse and low cure rates. Several FLT3 tyrosine kinase inhibitors have been developed in the last few years with variable kinase inhibitory properties, pharmacokinetics, and toxicity profiles. FLT3 inhibitors are divided into first generation multi-kinase inhibitors (such as sorafenib, lestaurtinib, midostaurin) and next generation inhibitors (such as quizartinib, crenolanib, gilteritinib) based on their potency and specificity of FLT3 inhibition. These diverse FLT3 inhibitors have been evaluated in myriad clinical trials as monotherapy or in combination with conventional chemotherapy or hypomethylating agents and in various settings, including front-line, relapsed or refractory disease, and maintenance therapy after consolidation chemotherapy or allogeneic stem cell transplantation. In this practical question-and-answer-based review, the main issues faced by the leukemia specialists on the use of FLT3 inhibitors in AML are addressed.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Nanocomposites of metal oxide are considered promising candidates for developing novel gas sensors of exceptional performance. Composite SnO2–Fe2O3 nanoparticles are produced in this work by a ...modified sole-gel method, and tested for their gas response towards H2S gas in air. The nanoparticles are deposited on a printed substrate with interdigitated electrodes to produce gas sensor devices. Electrical characteristics of the produced devices are tested by means of impedance spectroscopy and revealed an activation energy of 0.13±0.01eV. The sensors exhibit novel characteristics where they are functional at room temperature for low H2S concentration of 2.5 ppm. The practical production process, low power demand, enhanced sensitivity, and low recovery and response times of the fabricated sensors specify their potential for practical implementation for applications of portable gas sensors. Furthermore, the utilization of magnetic nanoparticles enables the recycling of nanocomposites for further applications.
•H2S gas sensors were produced based on SnO2–Fe2O3 composite nanoparticles.•The nanoparticles were produced by a modified sole-gel method.•The sensors were functional at room temperature for H2S concentration of 2.5 ppm.•The response and recovery times of the produced H2S sensors ranged between 1.4 and 2.5 min.•H2S response was assigned to release of free charges upon adsorption of oxygen ions on reactive sites.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Role of biofilm in disease development and enhance tolerance to antifungal drugs among Candida species has necessitated search for new anti-fungal treatment strategy. Interference in pathogenic ...biofilm development by new antifungal compounds is considered as an attractive anti-infective strategy. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate Thymus vulgaris essential oil and its major active compound, thymol for their potential to inhibit and eradicate biofilms alone and in combination with antifungal drugs against Candida spp. with especial reference to Candida tropicalis. Anti-candidal efficacy of T. vulgaris and thymol in terms of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was first determined to select the sub-MICs against C. albicans and C. tropicalis. Biofilm formation in the presence and absence of test agents was determined in 96-well microtiter plate by XTT reduction assay and effect of essential oils at sub-MICs of the test agents on biofilm development on glass surface was analysed by light and scanning electron microscopy. Synergistic interaction between essential oils and antifungal drugs were studied by checkerboard method. Effect of sub-MIC of T. vulgaris (0.5×MIC) and thymol (0.5×MIC) on biofilm formation showed a significant reduction (P<0.05) in biofilms. Light microscopy and SEM studies revealed disaggregation and deformed shape of C. albicans biofilm cells and reduced hyphae formation in C. tropicalis biofilm cells at sub-MICs of thymol. Significant effect of T. vulgaris and thymol was also recorded on pre-formed biofilms of both C. albicans and C. tropicalis. T. vulgaris and thymol also showed synergy with fluconazole against both in planktonic and biofilm mode of growth of C. albicans and C. tropicalis. However, synergy with amphotericin B is clearly evident only in planktonic Candida cells. Thyme oil and thymol alone or in combination with antifungal drugs can act as promising antibiofilm agent against drug resistant strains of Candida species and needs further in vivo study to synergise its therapeutic efficacy.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Brassinosteroids (BRs) are polyhydroxylated steroidal plant hormones that play pivotal role in the regulation of various plant growth and development processes. BR biosynthetic or signaling mutants ...clearly indicate that these plant steroids are essential for regulating a variety of physiological processes including cellular expansion and proliferation, vascular differentiation, male fertility, timing senescence, and leaf development. Moreover, BRs regulate the expression of hundreds of genes, affect the activity of numerous metabolic pathways, and help to control overall developmental programs leading to morphogenesis. On the other hand, the potential application of BRs in agriculture to improve growth and yield under various stress conditions including drought, salinity, extreme temperatures, and heavy metal (Cd, Cu, Al, and Ni) toxicity, is of immense significance as these stresses severely hamper the normal metabolism of plants. Keeping in mind the multifaceted role of BRs, an attempt has been made to cover the various aspects mediated by BRs particularly under stress conditions and a possible mechanism of action of BRs has also been suggested.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NUK, OBVAL, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Metal-oxide nanoparticles are regarded as favorable candidates for different device applications including gas sensors. Decoration of nanoparticles with smaller ones of different types enables taking ...advantage of the physical and chemical characteristics of both core and decorate nanoparticles. Fe3O4 nanoparticles decorated with CuO are produced in this work by a coprecipitation method and investigated for their application for H2S gas sensor devices. The average size of Fe3O4 nanoparticles is 33.33∓5.55nm while the average grain size of the CuO nanoparticles is 9.72∓1.39nm. Gas sensors are fabricated by depositing dispersed nanoparticles on substrates with pre-printed interdigitated electrodes. Impedance spectroscopy is utilized to investigate the electrical characteristics of fabricated devices, where their activation energy is evaluated to 0.386±0.076eV. The fabricated sensors are found to be selective to H2S and sensitive to low concentrations, as low as 1.0 ppm, with minimum response time of 1.0 min. The produced sensors indicate potential for field applications due to their various features that include simplified and practical fabrication procedure, low power needs, high sensitivity, reasonable response time, and magnetic properties of nanoparticles that facilitate their recycling.
•H2S gas sensors were produced based on nanoparticles of Fe3O4 decorated with CuO.•The nanoparticles were synthesized by a coprecipitation method.•The sensors were sensitive at room temperature for H2S concentration of 1.0 ppm.•The minimum response times was 1.0 min.•The sensors were stable for multiple application cycles.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Summary
Awake tracheal intubation has a high success rate and a favourable safety profile but is underused in cases of anticipated difficult airway management. These guidelines are a comprehensive ...document to support decision making, preparation and practical performance of awake tracheal intubation. We performed a systematic review of the literature seeking all of the available evidence for each element of awake tracheal intubation in order to make recommendations. In the absence of high‐quality evidence, expert consensus and a Delphi study were used to formulate recommendations. We highlight key areas of awake tracheal intubation in which specific recommendations were made, which included: indications; procedural setup; checklists; oxygenation; airway topicalisation; sedation; verification of tracheal tube position; complications; management of unsuccessful awake tracheal intubation; post‐tracheal intubation management; consent; and training. We recognise that there are a range of techniques and regimens that may be effective and one such example technique is included. Breaking down the key practical elements of awake tracheal intubation into sedation, topicalisation, oxygenation and performance might help practitioners to plan, perform and address complications. These guidelines aim to support clinical practice and help lower the threshold for performing awake tracheal intubation when indicated.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
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