Minia University

About: Minia University is a education organization based out in Minya, Egypt. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Medicine. The organization has 4967 authors who have published 8986 publications receiving 108384 citations.

Removal of three nitrophenols from aqueous solutions by adsorption onto char ash: equilibrium and kinetic modeling

Abstract: In this research, the removal of 2,4 dinitrophenol, 2 nitrophenol and 4 nitrophenol from aqueous solution using char ash from animal bones was investigated using batch technique. Three 2-parameter isotherms (Freundlich, Langmuir, and Temkin) were applied to analyze the experimental data. Both linear and nonlinear regression analyses were performed for these models to estimate the isotherm parameters. Three 3-parameter isotherms (Redlich-Peterson, Sips, Toth) were also tested. Moreover, the kinetic data were tested using pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order, Elovich, Intraparticle diffusion and Boyd methods. Langmuir adsorption isotherm provided the best fit for the experimental data indicating monolayer adsorption. The maximum adsorption capacity was 8.624, 7.55, 7.384 mg/g for 2 nitrophenol, 2,4 dinitrophenol, and 4 nitrophenol, respectively. The experimental data fitted well to pseudo-second order model suggested a chemical nature of the adsorption process. The R2 values for this model were 0.973 up to 0.999. This result with supported by the Temkin model indicating heat of adsorption to be greater than 10 kJ/mol. The rate controlling step was intraparticle diffusion for 2 nitrophenol, and a combination of intraparticle diffusion and film diffusion for the other two phenols. The pH and temperature of solution were found to have a considerable effect, and the temperature indicated the exothermic nature of the adsorption process. The highest adsorption capacity was obtained at pH 9 and 25 °C.

An external pilot study to test the feasibility of a randomised controlled trial comparing eye muscle surgery against active monitoring for childhood intermittent exotropia [X(T)]

Abstract: Introduction The evidence base for the treatment of strabismus (squint) is poor. Our main aim is to improve this evidence base for the treatment of a common type of childhood squint {intermittent exotropia, [X(T)]}. We conducted an external pilot study in order to inform the design and conduct of a future full randomised controlled trial (RCT). Methods Children of between 6 months and 16 years with a recent diagnosis of X(T) were eligible for recruitment. Participants were recruited from secondary care at the ophthalmology departments at four UK NHS foundation trusts. Participants were randomised to either active monitoring or surgery. This report describes the findings of the Pilot Rehearsal Trial and Qualitative Study, and assesses the success against the objectives proposed. Recruitment and retention The experience gained during the Pilot Rehearsal Trial demonstrates the ability to recruit and retain sites that are willing to randomise children to both trial arms, and for parents to agree to randomisation of their children to such a study. One child declined the group allocation. A total of 231 children were screened (expected 240), of whom 138 (60%) were eligible (expected 228: 95%) and 49 (35% of eligible) children were recruited (expected 144: 63% of eligible). Strategies that improved recruitment over the course of the trial are discussed, together with the reasons why fewer children were eligible for recruitment than initially anticipated. Attrition was low. Outcome data were obtained for 47 of 49 randomised children. Trial processes and data collection The Trial Management processes proved effective. There were high levels of completion on all of the data collection forms. However, the feedback from the treatment orthoptists revealed that some modifications should be made to the length and frequency of the health service assessment and travel assessment questionnaires, thus reducing the burden on participants in the main trial. Modifications to the wording of the questions also need to be made. Monitoring of bias Children who recruited to the trial were older and had more severe strabismus than those children eligible but declining participation. Strategies to account for this in a full trial are proposed. Reasons for participation or declining study These were identified using qualitative interviews. The principal reasons for declining entry into the study were strong preferences for and against surgical treatment. Harms There were no serious unexpected adverse events. Two children had overcorrection of their X(T) with reduction in binocular vision following surgery, which is in line with previous studies. No children in the active monitoring arm developed a constant strabismus although two showed some reduction in control. Conclusions The SamExo study has demonstrated that it is possible to recruit and retain participants to a randomised trial of surgery compared with active monitoring for X(T). For longer-term full RCTs, in order to maximise the generalisability of future studies, consideration needs to be given to planning more time and clinic appointments to assess eligibility and to allow consideration of participation; the greater use of research nurses for recruitment; and accommodating the strong preferences of some parents both for and against surgical intervention. Trial registration Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN44114892. Funding This project was funded by the NIHR Health Technology Assessment programme and will be published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 19, No. 39. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.

Phytoplankton communities of North African wetland lakes: the CASSARINA Project

Abstract: Seasonal variations in phytoplankton species composition (frequencies) and densities (cell numbers) in nine North African coastal lakes selected in Morocco (Merja Sidi Bou Rhaba, Zerga and Bokka), Tunisia (Chitane, Ichkeul and Korba lakes) and Egypt (Edku, Burullus and Manzala lakes) were investigated during 1998. The main aim was to provide gase-line information about overall phytoplankton diversity and how phytoplankton characteristics differ between these contrasting aquatic systems. Water samples were collected at approximately three monthly intervals and phytoplankton analysis revealed marked seasonal and spatial differences in the quantitative and qualitative composition of the communities at each site. The Egyptian lakes generally had larger crops (Manzala and Burullus had mean crop densities of more than 104 cells ml−1) but in the western North African sites only Korba and Sidi Bou Rhaba had closely comparable densities. Algae belonging to Bacillariophyceae, Chlorophyceae, Chrysophyceae, Cyanophyceae, Dinophyceae and Euglenophyceae were recorded. Taxa representative of all these algal groups occurred in two lakes (Korba and Manzala) but at the other seven sites only some of the groups were present. The Chlorophyceae was the most dominant group in lakes Burullus, Manzala, Korba and Sidi Bou Rhaba whereas Bacillariophyceae were dominant in lakes Zerga, Bokka and Edku. In Ichkeul and acidic Chitane the Dinophyceae and the Cyanophyceae were the dominant groups, respectively. The maximum percentage of Euglenophyceae occurred in Edku Lake but this group was absent in Sidi Bou Rhaba and Ichkeul. Cyanophyceans were present in significant numbers in all investigated lakes except in Ichkeul. A total of fifty-three genera were recorded, 17 of Chlorophyceae, 18 of Bacillariophyceae, 11 of Cyanophyceae, 3 of Chrysophyceae, 2 of Euglenophyceae and 2 of Dinophyceae. The maximum number of species (34) occurred in Burullus Lake and the minimum (6) in Ichkeul Lake. Only one lake (acidic Chitane) possessed species indicative of oligotrophic conditions. The Nile Delta lakes were the most species diverse sites. The phytoplankton communities of the nine North African lakes were composed entirely of cosmopolitan species but with one new species (Cyclotella choctawatcheeana) was recorded for the region. The data presented provide a contemporary account of the levels of algal diversity present in these sites at the end of the 20th century. The relevance of phytoplankton communities to assessment of lake status and future monitoring studies in the region is emphasised.

Human recombinant soluble ACE2 (hrsACE2) shows promise for treating severe COVID-19.

Abstract: A recent study by Zoufaly et al. published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine describes encouraging data from the first severe COVID19 patient successfully treated with human recombinant soluble angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (hrsACE2). The published data document upon treatment of an adaptive immune response, the disappearance of the virus swiftly from the serum, the nasal cavity and lungs, and a reduction of inflammatory cytokine levels that are critical for COVID-19 pathology. Notably, the use of hrsACE2 did not impede the generation of neutralizing antibodies, leading to a significant clinical improvement of the treated patient. A pandemic spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for more than one million deaths due to COVID-19. Therefore, important insights into the viral pathophysiology may facilitate the search for an effective vaccine and treatment option. In addition to finding viral replication inhibitors, another strategy is to block the cellular target of the virus, angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2). ACE2 is a crucial receptor target of SARS-CoV-2, which plays a vital role in the pathogenesis of COVID-19, as it enables viral entry into target cells (Fig. 1). The binding affinity between ACE2 and the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein is 10to 20-fold higher compared to that with the RBD of SARS-CoV, which likely underpins the higher pathogenesis of SARSCoV-2 infections. ACE2 is a transmembrane protein typically known for its carboxypeptidase activity and its physiological role in the renin-angiotensin system. ACE2 hydrolyzes angiotensin II to its metabolite, angiotensin 1–7 and angiotensin I to angiotensin 1–9 to protect diverse tissues from injury (Fig. 1). ACE2 is expressed in several human organs at varying levels. It is highly expressed in the lungs (on the surface of type II alveolar epithelial cells), heart (on myocardial cells, coronary vascular endothelial cells, and vascular smooth muscle), kidney (on proximal tubule cells), and small intestine (on the enterocytes). While membrane-bound ACE2 may mediate cell entry of SARSCoV-2, a genetically modified soluble form of ACE2, called hrsACE2, may decrease cell entry of SARS-CoV-2 competing for membranebound ACE2. APN001 is a hrsACE2 designed by Apeiron Biologics to imitate the human enzyme ACE2. As such, it may decrease cell entry of SARS-CoV-2 to minimize lung injury, and multiple organ dysfunction (Fig. 1). Experimental support for this theoretical idea has come from in vitro studies showing that hrsACE2 reduces viral growth of SARS-CoV-2 by a factor of 1000–5000 in cell-culture, engineered human blood vessels and kidney organoids. To date, hrsACE2 has been documented to be safe and tolerable in 89 healthy volunteers in phase-I studies and patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome in phase-II clinical studies. APN01 as a promising therapeutic against COVID-19 has appealing potential and sound underlying scientific rationale. Here, Zoufaly and colleagues described a case of a 45-year-old woman that was hospitalized with a 7-day history of cough, fatigue, muscle aches, fever, and severe shortness of breath, in addition to 4-day history of nausea and diarrhea. She was diagnosed as having COVID-19 through a reverse transcriptasepolymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) from a nasopharyngeal swab. After this diagnosis, she was treated with hydroxychloroquine and the anticoagulant, nadroparin. This treatment was ineffective providing no clinical change in the patient’s condition with the chest x-rays demonstrating increasing bilateral, multifocal, and peripheral ground-glass opacities. Nine days after the onset of symptoms, the patient received hrsACE2 twice daily for 5 min by intravenous infusion. Administration of hrsACE2 was continued as scheduled for 7-days and was well tolerated with no clear drugrelated side effects. A marked reduction in serum angiotensin II levels with concomitant increases in angiotensin 1–7, angiotensin 1–9, and their metabolite angiotensin 1–5 was observed after the first dose of hrsACE2. These changes were sustained through the observation period. Significant ACE2 activity was observed 7-days after administration of the last dose of hrsACE2. In addition, marked decreases in the concentrations of critical cytokines implicated in COVID-19 pathology to include interleukin IL-6, chemokine IL-8, as well as the soluble receptor for advanced glycation end product, the inflammation marker ferritin, tumor necrosis factor α, surfactant protein-D, C-reactive protein, and angiopoietin 2 were observed. The copy number of SAR-CoV-2 decreased dramatically from 32,000 copies per mL 2 days before administration of hrsACE2 to 2,500 and 270 copies per mL after the first and second day of hrsACE2 treatment, respectively, with rapid clearance from the patient’s plasma during daily testing until the end of the observation period. Furthermore, hrsACE2 injection did not reduce the generation of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgA and IgG antibodies. Angiotensin II levels returned to pre-treatment levels within 48 h after cessation of hrsACE2, matching previous data on its half-life in humans. On day 57, the patient was discharged from the hospital after significant clinical improvement. While promising, we must be mindful that this represents a single observation. Nonetheless, the results, in this instance, clearly demonstrate that SARS-CoV-2 disappeared rapidly from the serum and gradually from the nasal cavity and lungs following hrsACE2 treatment. Whether this marked reduction in viral load reflects the effect of hrsACE2 or the natural course of the disease in this patient is