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Showing papers by "Cairo University published in 2003"


Book ChapterDOI
01 Jan 2003
TL;DR: In this article, it is shown that the representation of a signal in the frequency domain is well localized in frequency, but is poorly localized in time, and as a consequence it is impossible to tell when certain events occurred in time.
Abstract: Conventionally, time series have been studied either in the time domain or the frequency domain. The representation of a signal in the time domain is localized in time, i.e. the value of the signal at each instant in time is well defined. However, the time representation of a signal is poorly localized in frequency, i.e. little information about the frequency content of the signal at a certain frequency can be known by looking at the signal in the time domain. On the other hand, the representation of a signal in the frequency domain is well localized in frequency, but is poorly localized in time, and as a consequence it is impossible to tell when certain events occurred in time.

2,317 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
20 Jul 2003-Virology
TL;DR: Analysis of sequences revealed a highly conserved organization for DNA beta molecules consisting of a single conserved open reading frame, an adenine-rich region, and a region of high sequence conservation [the satellite conserved region (SCR).

424 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Accumulated aluminum in brain and altered amino acid neurotransmitters are important mechanisms of aluminum neurotoxicity.

283 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The findings of this study may substantiate the value of scopolamine-induced amnesia in rats as a valid animal model to screen for drugs with potential therapeutic benefit in dementia.
Abstract: This study was designed to investigate if the impairment of learning and memory induced by acute administration of scopolamine (1.4 mg/kg ip) in rats is associated with altered brain oxidative stress status. The passive avoidance paradigm was used to assess retrieval memory of rats after scopolamine treatment. Following retrieval testing, biochemical assessments of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx), glutathione (GSH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels/activities as oxidative stress indices were performed. This study also investigated the effect of acute administration of Hypericum perforatum extract (4.0, 8.0, 12.0, and 25.0 mg/kg ip), containing flavonoids with documented antioxidant activity, on brain oxidative status of naive rats treated with amnestic dose of scopolamine. Results showed that administration of 1.4 mg/kg of scopolamine impaired retrieval memory of rats and that such amnesia was associated with elevated MDA and reduced GSH brain levels. In naive rats, which have not been exposed to conditioned fear, scopolamine administration also increased MDA and reduced GSH levels, although with an increase in brain GSHPx activity. Pretreatment of the animals with Hypericum extract (4, 8, and 12 mg/kg) resulted in an antioxidant effect through altering brain MDA, GSHPx, and/or GSH level/activity. Since oxidative stress is implicated in the pathophysiology of dementia, the findings of this study may substantiate the value of scopolamine-induced amnesia in rats as a valid animal model to screen for drugs with potential therapeutic benefit in dementia. Exposure of animals to conditioned fear may be suggested to impair the balance between the rate of lipid peroxidation and the activation of GSHPx as a compensatory antioxidant protective mechanism. It is also concluded that low doses of Hypericum extract, demonstrating antioxidant activity, may be of value for demented patients exhibiting elevated brain oxidative status. Since depression commonly coexists with dementia, Hypericum extract as a drug with documented antidepressant action may also be a better alternative than several other antidepressant medications that have not been evaluated to test their effect on brain oxidative status during amnesia.

212 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, an analysis of soil, vegetation types as well as structure and species distribution in 19 sites in El-Qaa plain along the Gulf of Suez (south Sinai, Egypt), and focuses on the environmental factors that control the species distribution.

204 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Several 1,3,4-trisubstituted pyrazole derivatives were synthesized and screened for their cytotoxic effect in a primary 3 tumor cell line test at 10(-4) M drug concentration, and all the tested compounds interfered with the migratory function of HUVECs in response to vascular endothelium growth factor (VEGF) rather than the endothelial cells proliferation.
Abstract: Several 1,3,4-trisubstituted pyrazole derivatives were synthesized and screened for their cytotoxic effect in a primary 3 tumor cell line test at 10(-4) M drug concentration. Compounds 19 and 20 reduced the growth of one or more of these cell lines to less than 32% and escalated up to evaluation in the full panel of 60 human tumor cell lines at a minimum of 5 concentrations at 10 fold dilutions. Compound N'-(1-[1-[4-nitrophenyl]-3-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl]methylene)-2-chlorobenzohydrazide 19 proved to be the most active of these derivatives with full panel median growth inhibition (GI50), total growth concentration (TGI) and median lethal concentration (LC50) mean graph mid-point (MG-MID) of 3.79, 12.5 and 51.5 microM, respectively. In addition, compounds 19, 39, 40, 41, 43, 45, 47 were tested for their antiangiogenic properties by testing their ability to inhibit human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) proliferation, cord formation and migration in response to chemoattractant. 3-Acetyl-2-(1-(4-nitrophenyl)-3-phenylpyrazol-4-yl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazoline 39 showed significant antiangiogenic profile at non-cytotoxic doses, with HUVEC proliferation inhibition IC50 of 7.60 microM, chemotaxis IC50 of 0.86 microM and was superior to the reference celecoxib 2 in both tests. Furthermore, in contrary to the references TNP-470 and celecoxib, all the tested compounds interfered with the migratory function of HUVECs in response to vascular endothelium growth factor (VEGF) rather than the endothelial cells proliferation.

202 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The results indicate that both N.O and TQ possess gastroprotective effect against gastric lesions which may be related to the conservation of the gastric mucosal redox state.

194 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Occupational exposure to OP pesticides was associated with deficits in a wider array of neurobehavioural functions than previously reported, perhaps because of higher exposure in this population.
Abstract: Aims: To identify neurobehavioural deficits among workers exposed to organophosphorous (OP) pesticides in their occupation. Methods: This study was conducted during the period when pesticides were applied to cotton crops in the fields in Menoufiya Governorate, Egypt. Fifty two occupationally exposed male workers were compared to 50 unexposed male controls who were similar in age, socioeconomic class, and years of education (⩾12 years). All participants completed a questionnaire (assessing personal, occupational, and medical histories), general and neurological clinical examination, neurobehavioural test battery (including tests for verbal abstraction, problem solving, attention, memory, and visuomotor speed), personality assessment, and serological analysis for serum acetylcholinesterase. Results: After correcting for confounders of age and education, the exposed participants exhibited significantly lower performance than controls on six neurobehavioural tests (Similarities, Digit Symbol, Trailmaking part A and B, Letter Cancellation, Digit Span, and Benton Visual Retention). A longer duration of work with pesticides was associated with lower performance on most neurobehavioural tests after adjusting for multiple comparisons. Although serum acetylcholinesterase was significantly lower in the exposed than the control participants, it was not significantly correlated with either neurobehavioural performance or neurological abnormalities. Conclusions: Occupational exposure to OP pesticides was associated with deficits in a wider array of neurobehavioural functions than previously reported, perhaps because of higher exposure in this population. Moderate chronic OP exposure may not only affect visuomotor speed as reported previously, but also verbal abstraction, attention, and memory.

194 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Resistance to most relevant antimicrobials was commonplace among the Gram-negative bacilli; however, most remained susceptible to imipenem, calling for a nationwide surveillance programme to monitor microbial trends and antimicrobial resistance patterns in Egypt.
Abstract: Antimicrobial resistance among bacterial pathogens is a global problem, but in Egypt data are sparse. We reviewed the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of bloodstream isolates of Gram-positive cocci and Gram-negative bacilli in five hospitals in Cairo, Egypt, from 1999 to 2000. In addition, susceptibilities of non-bloodstream isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Enterococcus spp. were analysed. High rates of resistance were found in most of the bacteria studied. In the hospitals, a variety of methods were used for identification and susceptibility testing, but in the laboratories quality controlled strains were utilized routinely, to ensure accurate performance of the assays. Only 29% of Staphylococcus aureus isolates and 23% of coagulase-negative staphylococcal isolates were oxacillin susceptible. Both groups of staphylococci were also highly resistant to erythromycin, co-trimoxazole, clindamycin and doxycycline; all isolates were susceptible to vancomycin. Susceptibility of S. pneumoniae isolates to penicillin, ceftriaxone and fluoroquinolones was 63%, 84% and 82%, respectively. Vancomycin susceptibility of the enterococci was 96%; susceptibility to high-level gentamicin and streptomycin was 54% and 48%, respectively. Resistance to most relevant antimicrobials was commonplace among the Gram-negative bacilli; however, most remained susceptible to imipenem. The percentage of bloodstream isolates of Escherichia coli susceptible to common antimicrobial agents was as follows: ampicillin (6%), ampicillin-sulbactam (38%), co-trimoxazole (38%) and aminoglycosides (52%). The susceptibility of isolates of E. coli, Klebsiella and Enterobacter spp. to ceftazidime was 62%, 40% and 46%, respectively. This suggests a potentially high rate of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) and/or Amp-C enzyme production. These results call for a nationwide surveillance programme to monitor microbial trends and antimicrobial resistance patterns in Egypt.

184 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The Microtensile bond strength (microTBS) and failure mode of resin cements bonded to composite and ceramic CAD/CAM blocks following various surface treatments are investigated and all control and adhesive treated groups of the ceramic substrate showed premature debonding during cutting.

171 citations


Proceedings ArticleDOI
21 Jul 2003
TL;DR: The paper surveys the developments of the last 10 years in the area of camera self-calibration and presents the basic theories behind the different self-Calibration techniques and discusses the ideas behind most of the self- Calibration algorithms.
Abstract: The paper surveys the developments of the last 10 years in the area of camera self-calibration. Self-calibration is an attempt to calibrate camera by finding intrinsic parameters that are consistent with the underlying projective geometry of a sequence of images. In order to solve this problem, the camera intrinsic constraints have been used separately and in conjunction with camera motion constraints or scene constraints. Most self-calibration algorithms are concerned with unknown but constant intrinsic camera parameters. Recently, camera self-calibration in the case of varying intrinsic camera parameters was also studied. We present the basic theories behind the different self-calibration techniques and discuss the ideas behind most of the self-calibration algorithms.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The molecular structures and spectral properties of α-haloketones as well as their syntheses are analyzed and reviewed in this paper, where their reactivity towards oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur nucleophiles, carboxylic acids, carbon nucleophilic, alkenes, and alkynes are discussed.
Abstract: The molecular structures and spectral properties of α-haloketones as well as their syntheses are analyzed and reviewed. Their reactivity towards oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur nucleophiles, carboxylic acids, carbon nucleophiles, alkenes, and alkynes are discussed.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is found that Egyptians resemble other Caucasians with regard to allelic frequencies of the tested variants of NAT2, GST and MDR-1, and more closely resemble Africans with respect to the TPMT*3C allele.
Abstract: Aims The goal of this study was to determine the frequencies of important allelic variants in the TPMT, NAT2, GST, SULT1A1 and MDR-1 genes in the Egyptian population and compare them with the frequencies in other ethnic populations. Methods Genotyping was carried out in a total of 200 unrelated Egyptian subjects. TPMT*2 was detected using an allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. TPMT*3C and NAT2 variants (*5,*6 and *7) were detected using an allele-specific real-time PCR assay. Detection of GSTM1 and GSTT1 null alleles was performed simultaneously using a multiplex PCR assay. Finally, a PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay was applied for the determination of TPMT*3A (*3B), SULT1A1*2 and MDR-1 (3435T) variants. Results Genotyping of TPMT revealed frequencies of 0.003 and 0.013 for TPMT*3A and TPMT*3C, respectively. No TPMT*2 or *3B was detected in the analysed samples. The frequencies of specific NAT2 alleles were 0.215, 0.497, 0.260 and 0.028 for *4 (wild-type), *5 (341C), *6 (590A) and *7 (857A), respectively. GSTM1 and GSTT1 null alleles were detected in 55.5% and 29.5% of the subjects, respectively. SULT1A1*2 was detected at a frequency of 0.135. Finally, the frequencies of the wild-type allele (3435C) and the 3435T variant in the MDR-1 gene were found to be 0.6 and 0.4, respectively. Conclusions We found that Egyptians resemble other Caucasians with regard to allelic frequencies of the tested variants of NAT2, GST and MDR-1. By contrast, this Egyptian population more closely resemble Africans with respect to the TPMT*3C allele, and shows a distinctly different frequency with regard to the SULT1A1*2 variant. The predominance of the slow acetylator genotype in the present study (60.50%) could not confirm a previously reported higher frequency of the slow acetylator phenotype in Egyptians (92.00%), indicating the possibility of the presence of other mutations not detectable as T341C, G590A and G857A. The purpose of our future studies is to investigate for new polymorphisms, which could be relatively unique to the Egyptian population.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a fraction of design space technique was proposed for quantifying the prediction capability of a design by quantifying variance dispersion graphs (VDGs) in a fixed design space.
Abstract: Variance dispersion graphs (VDGs) are useful when comparing competing designs on a fixed design space, but they do not address the prediction capability of a design. A proposed fraction of design space technique gives more detailed information by quanti..

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This paper introduces a novel approach for producing the sought layouts that integrates the highly sophisticated graphical capabilities of computer-aided design (CAD) platforms with the robust search and optimization capabilities of genetic algorithms (GAs).

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, controlled crystallization of selected bioglasses to their corresponding bioglass-ceramics was carried out by using diloatometric measurement and differential thermal analysis (DTA).

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A percutaneous access to the S3 spinal region was achieved through the posterior tibial nerve through the Stoller Afferent Nerve Stimulator, simple, easy, without complications and cost-effective.
Abstract: Background/Aims: To assess the results of peripheral neuromodulation for the treatment of fecal incontinence (FI) resulting from uninhibited rectal contraction (URC) or uninhibited anal sphincter relaxation (UASR). Methods: The work comprised 32 patients (age 38.2 ± 6.7 years; 22 women) with FI in whom conventional therapy had failed before enrollment in the study. Twenty-six had URC and 6 UASR. Peripheral neurostimulation was effected by posterior tibial nerve stimulation using a Stoller Afferent Nerve Stimulator (UroSurge, Coralville, lowa, USA). The needle was introduced into the skin cephalad to the medial malleolus. Stimulation (parameters: 0.5–10 mA, 200 µs, 20 Hz) was performed every other day for 4 weeks. Functional assessment was done by a questionnaire (incontinence score: 0–20) and physiologic studies. Results: Group 1: 17 patients (13 URC, 4 UASR) had FI improvement, recording a mean score of 1.7 of 20. Group 2: 10 patients (8 URC, 2 UASR) had fair improvement (score 8.6). Group 3: 5 patients had poor results (score 14.8). Rectometric recording showed improvement in groups 1 and 2. Recurrence of symptoms occurred in 8 patients; 6 improved after retreatment. Conclusions: A percutaneous access to the S3 spinal region was achieved through the posterior tibial nerve. Improvement of FI was achieved in 78.2%. The technique is simple, easy, without complications and cost-effective. It can be done as an outpatient procedure or by the patient at home. The results need to be reproduced on a large number of patients.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: PFM contractions led to a decline of detrusor and increase of urethral pressures and suppressed the micturition reflex, a action presumably mediated through the "voluntary urinary inhibition reflex", and the results of the current study encourage the treatment of overactive bladder with PFM contracts.
Abstract: A recent study by the senior author demonstrated that striated urethral sphincter contraction effected the inhibition of vesical contraction and suppression of the desire to micturate, an action suggested to be mediated through the "voluntary urinary inhibition reflex". We hypothesized that the effect of pelvic floor muscle (PFM) exercises on the overactive bladder was mediated through this reflex action. The current communication investigates this hypothesis. A total of 28 patients (mean age 44.8+/-10.2 years, 18 men, 10 women) with overactive bladder and 17 healthy volunteers (mean age 42.6+/-9.8 years, 12 men, 5 women) were enrolled in the study. The vesical and posterior urethral pressures were determined before and after vesical filling reached the volume at which urge in control subjects, and involuntary voiding in the patients, occurred. Intra-abdominal pressure was recorded to obtain detrusor pressure readings. The bladder was refilled to the above volume and the subject asked to hold PFM contractions for 10 s during which the vesical and posterior urethral pressures were recorded. In healthy volunteers, the mean detrusor and posterior urethral pressures at urge to void were 30.6+/-4.8 SD and 18.7+/-3.3 cm H(2)O, respectively. On PFM contraction, the detrusor pressure declined to 11.6+/-1.4 cm H(2)O (P<0.01) and urethral pressure increased to 139.8+/-17.4 cm H(2)O (P<0.001). In patients, the mean detrusor and posterior urethral pressure readings when the bladder was filled to the volume which induced involuntary incontinence, were 28.2+/-4.2 and 17.3+/-3.4 cm H(2)O, respectively; on PFM contractions, the detrusor pressure decreased to 10.6+/-2.1 cm H(2)O (P<0.01), while urethral pressure increased to 86.6+/-7.9 cm H(2)O (P<0.001) and voiding did not occur. In conclusion, PFM contractions led to a decline of detrusor and increase of urethral pressures and suppressed the micturition reflex. These contractions appear to induce their effect by preventing internal sphincter relaxation produced by the micturition reflex. Failure of the internal sphincter to relax seems to cause reflex detrusor relaxation, an action presumably mediated through the "voluntary urinary inhibition reflex". The results of the current study encourage the treatment of overactive bladder with PFM contractions.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The aim is to verify the effect of circumcision on female sexuality and to define the need for clitorolabioplasty in cases where the boy is circumcised and the girl is not.
Abstract: Aim: To verify the effect of circumcision on female sexuality and to define the need for clitorolabioplasty in these cases. Methods: Thirty uncircumcised controls, 30 minorly circumcised, 30 minorly circumcised mutilated, and 57 circumcised cases having clitoral cysts were selected on random bases at Kasr El Aini School of Medicine. Sexuality was assessed by a special questionnaire sheet prepared by the authors to fit the circumcised cases. Clitorolabioplasty and clitoral cyst excision were also done in cases of sexual defects. Results: Sexuality was not affected in minorly circumcised cases. However, sexuality was markedly affected in the mutilated cases. The scores for sex desire and arousal and for orgasm were especially affected in such cases. These defects were not detected in cases having clitoral cysts until late, when cysts enlarged. The role of clitorolabioplasty in restoration of sexuality was confirmed. The loss of certain clitoral and labial bulk, necessary for orienting the woman towards her genitalia and initiating her interest in their function, was responsible for the occurrence of such defects; this was able to be restored by surgery. Conclusion: Counseling parents about these sexual defects and asserting the need for correcting the mutilation, which resulted from these circumcisions, are effective steps in banning such procedures.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Prevalence of T. gondii in free range chickens and ducks and phenotypically they were not type I because type I strains are lethal for mice was assessed, and infections with mixed genotypes were not found.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It was found that compounds3a and9b possess potent antibacterial activity compared to the standard tetracycline.
Abstract: Several fused triazolo and ditriazoloquinoxaline derivatives such as 1-aryl-4-chloro-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalines (3a-d), 4-alkoxy[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalines (4a,b), 4-substituted-amino-[1,2,4] triazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalines (5a-h), 1-(aryl)-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-4(5H)-thione (6), 4-(arylidenehydrazino)1-phenyl-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalines (10a-e) and [1,2,4]ditriazolo[4,3-a:3',4'-c]quinoxaline derivatives (11-13) have been synthesized and some of these derivatives were evaluated for antimicrobial and antifungal activity in vitro. It was found that compounds 3a and 9b possess potent antibacterial activity compared to the standard tetracycline.

Journal ArticleDOI
01 Dec 2003-Chest
TL;DR: In this article, the association of pulmonary hypertension with pulmonary artery calcifications and hyperparathyroidism in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) receiving regular hemodialysis was studied.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the electrical properties, shrinkage, porosity and X-ray diffraction analysis for Mg-Ti ferrite of the general formula Mg 1+ xTixRyFe2 � 2xyO4; x=0.5, y=0, 0.025 and R=(Nd, Gd and La) were studied.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a hybrid approach to segmentation of global markets is proposed, where a universal perspective on market segmentation is used to aid global marketers in identifying similarities across national boundaries while assessing within country differences.
Abstract: This study introduces a hybrid approach to segmentation of global markets. It examines an integrated inventory of macro‐ and micro‐bases associated with segmentation of world markets. The paper calls for a universal perspective on market segmentation to aid global marketers in identifying similarities across national boundaries while assessing within‐country differences. The main conclusion of this research is augmentation of the argument that a hybrid/universal market segmentation strategy should serve as the conceptual link and action mechanism that provides substance and rationale to striking a trade‐off between the two indispensable global strategy ends of standardization and adaptation. This balanced relationship can only be created when focus is devoted to building brand equity through emphasizing a global consumer orientation.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: There is no evidence of clinical superiority in clinical pregnancy rate for rFSH over different urinary-derived FSH gonadotrophins, including the cost, patient acceptability, safety and drug availability, in an IVF/ICSI programme.
Abstract: Background The study aim was to analyse the results of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing recombinant FSH and urinary-derived FSH gonadotrophins [hMG, urinary purified FSH (FSH-P) and highly purified FSH (FSH-HP)] in an IVF/ICSI programme. Methods All published truly RCTs using a long protocol of GnRH agonists for down-regulation, were reviewed. Data of pregnancy rate per started cycle were extracted, and odds ratios (OR) calculated using a fixed effect model. Subgroup analysis was carried out to compare recombinant FSH (rFSH) with each product (hMG alone, FSH-P alone and FSH-HP alone). Results There was no statistically significant difference in the pregnancy rate per started cycle between rFSH and urinary-derived FSH gonadotrophins (OR 1.07; 95% CI 0.94-1.22). Subgroup analysis showed no statistically significant difference in the pregnancy rate per started cycle between rFSH versus hMG (OR 0.81; 95% CI 0.63-1.05), rFSH versus FSH-P (OR 1.24; 95% CI 0.98-1.58) and rFSH versus FSH-HP (OR 1.14; 95% CI 0.94-1.40). There was no significant heterogeneity of treatment effect across the trials. Conclusions There is no evidence of clinical superiority in clinical pregnancy rate for rFSH over different urinary-derived FSH gonadotrophins. Additional factors should be considered when choosing a gonadotrophin regimen, including the cost, patient acceptability, safety and drug availability.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the role of additives such as Mg, Cu, Be, Ag, Ni, and Zn on the microstructural characteristics of grain refined, Sr-modified eutectic A413.1 alloy during solution heat treatment was investigated.
Abstract: A study was carried out to determine the role of additives such as Mg, Cu, Be, Ag, Ni, and Zn on the microstructural characteristics of grain refined, Sr-modified eutectic A413.1 alloy (Al-11.7% Si) during solution heat treatment. For comparison purposes, some of the alloys were also studied in the non-modified condition. The alloys were cast in a steel permanent mold preheated at 425°C that provided a microstructure with an average dendrite arm spacing (DAS) of ∼22 μm. Castings were solution heat treated at 500 ± 2°C for times up 24 h, followed by quenching in warm water (at 60°C). Microstructural analysis of the as-cast and heat-treated castings was carried out using optical microscopy in conjunction with image analysis. Phase identifications were done using the electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) technique. In the as-cast condition, the addition of 0.42 wt% Mg to the unmodified alloy produced relatively large Si particles compared to the base A413.1 alloy. The Si particle size remained more or less the same with increase in solution treatment time and Mg level. Both Mg2Si and Al2Cu phases were observed to dissolve almost completely after 8 h solution time, while the Al5Cu2Mg8Si6 and α-Al15(Mn,Fe)3Si2 phases were found to persist even after 24 h. The β-Al5FeSi iron intermetallic platelets (possibly nucleated on SrO particles during solidification) underwent partial dissolution by the diffusion of Si atoms into the surrounding aluminum matrix after 24 h solution treatment. The presence of Ni and Cu (dissolved) in the α-Fe phase contributes to its stability during solution treatment. The modification effect of Sr on the β-Al5FeSi platelets is intensified in the presence of Zn.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Patients receiving propolis showed a marked reduction in the incidence and severity of nocturnal attacks and improvement of ventilatory functions and the findings suggest that the aqueous propolis extract tested is potentially effective as an adjuvant to therapy in asthmatic patients.
Abstract: The aqueous extract of propolis has been formulated as a nutritional food product and administered, as an adjuvant to therapy, to patients with mild to moderate asthma daily for 2 months in the framework of a comparative clinical study in parallel with a placebo preparation. The diagnosis of asthma was made according to the criteria of patient classification of the National Institutes of Health and Global Initiative for Asthma Management. At inclusion, the pulmonary forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) as a percentage of the forced vital capacity (FVC) was more than 80% in mild persistent cases, and between 60 and 80% in moderate persistent cases, showing an increase in the degree of reversibility of > 15% in FEV1. All patients were on oral theophylline as controller therapy, none was receiving oral or inhaled corticosteroids, none had other comorbidities necessitating medical treatment, and all were from a middle-class community and had suffered from asthma for the last 2-5 years. Twenty-four patients received the placebo, with one drop-out during the study, while 22 received the propolis extract, with no drop-outs. The age range of the patients was 19-52 years; 36 were male and 10 female. The number of nocturnal attacks was recorded on a weekly basis, while pulmonary function tests were performed on all patients at the beginning of the trial, 1 month later and at the termination of the trial. Immunological parameters, including various cytokines and eicosanoids known to play a role in asthma, were measured in all patients at the beginning of the trial and 2 months later. Analysis of the results at the end of the clinical study revealed that patients receiving propolis showed a marked reduction in the incidence and severity of nocturnal attacks and improvement of ventilatory functions. The number of nocturnal attacks dropped from an average of 2.5 attacks per week to only 1. The improvement in pulmonary functions was manifested as a nearly 19% increase in FVC, a 29.5% increase in FEV1, a 30% increase in peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), and a 41% increase in the forced expiratory flow rate between 25 and 75% of the vital capacity (FEF25-75). The clinical improvement was associated with decreases by 52, 65, 44 and 30%, respectively, of initial values for the pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, ICAM-1, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8, and a 3-fold increase in the 'protective' cytokine IL-10. The levels of prostaglandins E2 and F2alpha and leukotriene D4 were decreased significantly to 36, 39, and 28%, respectively, of initial values. Patients on the placebo preparation showed no significant improvement in ventilatory functions or in the levels of mediators. The findings suggest that the aqueous propolis extract tested is potentially effective as an adjuvant to therapy in asthmatic patients. The benefits may be related to the presence in the extract of caffeic acid derivatives and other active constituents.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined the impact of country political, financial, and economic risks on stock market volatility and predictability in the Middle East and Africa (MEAF) region.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The MeOH extract and the EtOAc-sol fraction were found to demonstrate significant inhibition of NO formation in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated murine macrophages J774.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The immune response profiles produced were unique to each antigen but no clear "winner" or "winners" were identified, however, markers for both resistance and susceptibility to re-infection were identified for each molecule indicating which types of responses to aim for in vaccination and which ones to avoid.