Diverse psychological consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic have been reported for 6 months after infection. We conducted a prospective study to evaluate the psychological impact of COVID-19 ...infection in newly diagnosed cases that were followed up at 1, 6, and 9 months after infection. 137 people were recruited and divided into four groups based on the COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines. They were evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Post-traumatic stress disorder Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), and Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90). We found that 9 months after infection, patients continued to report poor sleep (74.5%), PTSD (78.3%), somatization (17%), anxiety (17%), aggression (5.7%), phobic anxiety (4.7%), psychoticism (1.9%), paranoid (3.8%), and obsessive-compulsive (9.4%) symptoms, as well as depression and interpersonal sensitivity. The most significant risk factors for psychiatric complications were older age, level of education, smoking, hospitalization duration, hypertension, and critical severity. The negative mental health effects of COVID-19 persist after hospital discharge, and many patients continue to experience moderate-to-severe issues that may endure for 9 months. Notably, there was a progressive improvement in these symptoms over that time.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OBVAL, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
The structural behavior prediction of the multistory reinforced concrete (RC) buildings with masonry infill walls (MIWs) during earthquakes is challenging. This paper presents a nonlinear ...macromodeling strategy seeking a simple, reliable, and low-cost computational analysis of the multistory RC buildings that comprise MIWs, and that use frames or shear walls (SWs) for resisting the lateral load. The strategy employed four plastic hinge (PH) models for tracking the deformations (flexural, shear, and torsion) of the frame elements and joints, a multilinear plastic link for modeling the MIW, and a nonlinear multilayer shell element for modeling the SW. A flexural PH model characterized by discretization into fibers, a recommended position, and an iterative estimating for the PH length using a distinct formula for each loading level was proposed. This strategy was validated through eleven macromodels investigating four bare frames, four MIWs frames, and a SW where the average ultimate lateral load error was 9.2%, 3.6%, and 0.4%, respectively. Finally, the structural behavior of real ten-story buildings with/without MIWs was investigated. The results showed that the MIWs increased the shear capacity and the lateral stiffness with an average of 44.3% and 118.6%, respectively. Also, both the frames buildings with MIWs and the bare SWs buildings showed approximately equal lateral load capacities. Local damages in the RC vertical elements and yielding of the MIWs were recorded simultaneously. However, the MIWs yielding (and also failure) occurred earlier for the frames buildings compared with the SWs buildings in which the stress was relaxed in their MIWs.
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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
Introduction
The prescription of an effective and well-tolerated antituberculosis (TB) treatment regimen is an important step in the management of TB.
Objective
The aim of the present study was ...comparison between fixed-dose combination (FDC) anti-TB drugs and separate drug formula (SDF) not only in pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) but also in extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB).
Patients and methods
A total of 240 patients with TB were included in the present study: 122 patients had PTB and 118 had EPTB. Both patients with PTB and those with EPTB were divided into two groups according to receiving FDC or SDF. All patients had baseline clinical and laboratory data, including blood picture, liver function tests, renal function tests, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, uric acid, and chest radiography. Follow-up clinical, laboratory, and radiology assessments were done during the course of treatment. Patients who received FDC and those who received SDF were compared for clinical, laboratory, radiological improvement, and sputum conversion in PTB during the course of treatment; moreover, they were compared for drug tolerance, compliance with treatment, and development of adverse effects.
Results
Both FDC and SDF in PTB and EPTB had comparable effect with respect to clinical improvement, and also sputum conversion in PTB; significant change in liver function was observed in PTB among those who received FDC, but better radiological clearance was detected with SDF. Both regimens were comparable with respect to compliance and adverse effects, except for more gastric disturbance with FDC.
Conclusion
SDF is recommended in patients with borderline liver function, gastrointestinal troubles, and presence of extensive radiological infiltrate.
The present study was aimed to extract and purify inulin from chicory roots and evaluate the physicochemical properties and functional groups of the purified inulin for comparison with those of ...standard chicory inulin. This study investigated the impact of various inulin concentrations on of low-fat yoghurt quality, including physicochemical, microstructural, textural and sensory properties, the impact of inulin as a prebiotic on the growth and viability of synbiotic yoghurt. The characteristics of the microstructure were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). For functional group detection, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used. For separate and quantify of inulin content determination were performed on a high-pressure liquid chromatography combined with refractive index detector (HPLC-RID) method. The evaluation of inulin extracted from chicory roots revealed a white powder with a natural taste and no off flavours. Inulin was less sweet than sugar (sucrose) and was moderately soluble in water, colourless, and clear to hazy, with a pH of 5.84. Chicory inulin showed a high content of reducing sugars (4.9%). The addition of inulin at 1% enhanced the microstructural, textural and sensory properties of yoghurt compared to those of the control, and this yoghurt can be considered a functional synbiotic product because it contains both probiotics (>6 log cfu g−1) and prebiotics. The inulin addition to the probiotic yoghurt improved the viability of S. thermophilus, L. bulgaricus, L. acidophilus and B. bifidum during storage. Overall, low-fat synbiotic yoghurt containing 1% inulin was comparable in its performance features to the full-fat probiotic yoghurt control.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Context: LHX4 is a LIM homeodomain transcription factor involved in pituitary ontogenesis. Only a few heterozygous LHX4 mutations have been reported to be responsible for congenital pituitary hormone ...deficiency.
Subjects and Methods: A total of 136 patients with congenital hypopituitarism associated with malformations of brain structures, pituitary stalk, or posterior pituitary gland was screened for LHX4 mutations.
Results: Three novel allelic variants that cause predicted changes in the protein sequence of LHX4 (2.3%) were found (p.Thr99fs, p.Thr90Met, and p.Gly370Ser). On the basis of functional studies, p.Thr99fs mutation was responsible for the patients’ phenotype, whereas p.Thr90Met and p.Gly370Ser were likely polymorphisms. Patients bearing the heterozygous p.Thr99fs mutation had variable phenotypes: two brothers presented somato-lactotroph and thyrotroph deficiencies, with pituitary hypoplasia and poorly developed sella turcica; the youngest brother (propositus) also had corpus callosum hypoplasia and ectopic neurohypophysis; their father only had somatotroph deficiency and delayed puberty with pituitary hyperplasia. Functional studies showed that the mutation induced a complete loss of transcriptional activity on POU1F1 promoter and a lack of DNA binding. Cotransfection of p.Thr99fs mutant and wild-type LHX4 failed to evidence any dominant negative effect, suggesting a mechanism of haploinsufficiency. We also identified prolactin and GH promoters as potential target genes of LHX4 and found that the p.Thr99fs mutant was also unable to transactivate these promoters.
Conclusions: The present report describes three new exonic LHX4 allelic variants with at least one being responsible for congenital hypopituitarism. It also extends the phenotypical heterogeneity associated with LHX4 mutations, which includes variable anterior pituitary hormone deficits, as well as pituitary and extrapituitary abnormalities.
Objective
The aim of the present study was to report the experience of a tertiary-care center in Makkah, Saudi Arabia in managing cases of functional aphonia.
Study settings and design
A case series ...study was conducted at the Phoniatrics Outpatient Clinics of King Abdullah Medical City in Holy Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
Materials and methods
Cases with functional aphonia managed by modified voice therapy technique in the period from March 2011 to January 2016 at the Phoniatrics Outpatient Clinics were recruited. Management consisted of auditory perceptual assessment, acoustic analysis, laryngeal examination, and voice handicap index measurement. All these parameters were recorded for each case before and after management.
Statistical analysis
Data were analyzed using statistical package for the social sciences version 16, and data were subjected to descriptive as well as inferential analyses.
Results
A total of 15 patients with functional aphonia were managed. One female patient had an exceptionally long period of aphonia, and her case is presented separately. The success rate of the procedure used for management was 100%.
Conclusion
Using the nonphonatory function of vocal folds in a modified manner by experienced therapists leads to recovery of voice regardless of the period of aphonia.
Highway infrastructure projects always have negative impacts on the sustainable development objectives. However, the construction of these projects will not be stopped due to their importance for the ...fulfillment of the nations’ economic, social and civilization development. Hence, it is necessary to find solutions for improving their performance toward the sustainability approach. One of these solutions is to quantify the highway projects’ sustainability before starting in their execution. This will guide the decision-makers to adopt the suitable alternative and policy for the development of sustainable highway infrastructure. Previous studies did not adequately integrate the sustainable development dimensions in the construction of highway infrastructure projects, which represents an obstacle to the effective evaluation of highway projects’ sustainability. Addressing this issue, this research proposes an integrated index capable of appraising the sustainability performance of highway projects. The research data were collected from a questionnaire survey conducted with Egyptian experts with lengthy experience in the construction of highway infrastructure projects. Fuzzy set theory and the analytic hierarchy process were utilized to develop the composite highway sustainability index (CHSI). A case study was conducted to elucidate application of CHSI. The study offers the decision-makers an effective methodology to assess the sustainability of their highway infrastructure projects in early planning phases.
Background and aim
The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in late 2019 caused a pandemic of acute respiratory disease, named coronavirus disease 2019 ...(COVID-19). COVID-19 became one of the most challenging health emergencies, hence the necessity to find different prognostic factors for disease progression, and severity. Membrane bound O-acyltransferase domain containing 7 (MBOAT7) demonstrates anti-inflammatory effects through acting as a fine-tune regulator of the amount of cellular free arachidonic acid. We aimed in this study to evaluate MBOAT7 expression in COVID-19 patients and to correlate it with disease severity and outcomes.
Methods
This case-control study included 56 patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis and 28 control subjects. Patients were further classified into moderate (n = 28) and severe (n = 28) cases. MBOAT7, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) mRNA levels were evaluated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) samples isolated from patients and control subjects by real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). In addition, circulating MBOAT7 protein levels were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
Results
Significant lower levels of circulating MBOAT7 mRNA and protein were observed in COVID-19 patients compared to control subjects with severe COVID-19 cases showing significant lower levels compared to moderate cases. Moreover, severe cases showed a significant upregulation of TNF-α and IL-1ß mRNA. MBOAT7 mRNA and protein levels were significantly correlated with inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-1ß, C-reactive protein (CRP), and ferritin), liver enzymes, severity, and oxygen saturation levels.
Conclusion
COVID-19 is associated with downregulation of MBAOT7, which correlates with disease severity.
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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
In human organs, potassium bromate (KBrO3) produces toxicity. The main causes of KBrO3 hepatotoxicity are the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and DNA damage. The purpose of this study is ...to show how ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) and extract loaded with nanogold particles (GBE@AuNPs) affect hepatotoxicity caused by KBrO3. The rats were separated into eight groups: control (group I), GBE (group II), AuNPs (group III), GBE@AuNPs (group IV), KBrO3 (group V), KBrO3 and GBE (group VI), KBrO3 and AuNPS (group VII), and KBrO3 and GBE@AuNPs (group VIII). KBrO3 generated DNA damage spots in a comet assay, which were associated with increased inflammatory indicators (IL-6), decreased anti-apoptotic Bcl-2, and increased apoptotic markers (Bax and caspase-3). The inflammatory, apoptotic, and ultrastructural alterations in liver tissue produced by KBrO3 were reduced in treated groups VI, VII, or VIII. The hepatotoxic effects of KBrO3 were reduced when GBE, AuNPs, or GBE@AuNPs were used; the particular GBE@AuNPs were the most effective.
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CEKLJ, 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
Many environmental hazards are due to chemical insecticides and enhance mosquito species' resistance. This problem is solved by using safer nanocides that reduce environmental pollution among ...integrated pest management (IPM) programs. Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) were green synthesized using
Cupressus sempervirens
, microwave (MW), and gamma irradiation (G) methods. Synthesized-SeNPs were characterized using UV–Vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Dynamic light scattering (DLS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Zeta potential analysis, and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Characterization revealed stable spherical particles with size 11-55 nm for SeNPs-MW (20 min) and 21-75 nm for SeNPs-G (40 KGy). Gamma and microwave irradiations play significant roles in increasing SeNPs yield and decreasing their size. The accumulative mortality of
Culex pipiens
complex larvae for SeNPs-MW and SeNPs-G at LC
50
were 28.25 mg/L and 31.28 mg/L. The accumulated selenium concentration was increased in SeNPs-G treated larvae and measured with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Ultrastructural study of the integument using TEM and light microscopy examination of midgut showed clear penetration and accumulation of SeNPs in exoskeleton and several deteriorations in epithelial cells. The results highlighted the important role of gamma and microwave irradiation with plant extract in synthesis and stabilization of SeNPs and their insecticidal efficacy against mosquitoes.
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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
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