A closer look at the high burden of psychiatric disorders among healthcare workers in Egypt during the COVID-19 pandemic

Amr Ehab El-Qushayri,Abdullah Dahy,Abdullah Reda,Mariam Abdelmageed Mahmoud,Sarah Abdel Mageed,Ahmed Mostafa Ahmed Kamel,Sherief Ghozy 한국역학회 2021 Epidemiology and Health Vol.43 No.-

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to examine the prevalence of psychiatric disorders among Egyptian healthcare workers (HCWs) during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. METHODS: Six databases were searched for relevant papers. The quality of the selected articles was measured using the Na-tional Institute of Health quality assessment tool. We used a fixed-effects model when there was no heterogeneity and a ran-dom-effects model when there was heterogeneity. RESULTS: After screening 197 records, 10 studies were ultimately included. Anxiety was the most commonly reported psychi-atric disorder among HCWs, with a prevalence of 71.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 49.4 to 86.9), followed by stress (66.6%; 95% CI, 47.6 to 81.3), depression (65.5%; 95% CI, 46.9 to 80.3), and insomnia (57.9%; 95% CI, 45.9 to 69.0). As measured using the 21-item Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale, the most common level of severity was moderate for depression (22.5%; 95% CI, 19.8 to 25.5) and stress (14.5%; 95% CI, 8.8 to 22.9), while high-severity anxiety was more common than other levels of se-verity (28.2%; 95% CI, 3.8 to 79.6). CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative effect on Egyptian HCWs’ psychological well-being. More psychological support and preventive measures should be implemented to prevent the further development of psychiatric ill-ness among physicians and other HCWs.

Ethanol-induced PGE₂ up-regulates Aβ production through PKA/CREB signaling pathway

Gabr, Amr Ahmed,Lee, Hyun Jik,Onphachanh, Xaykham,Jung, Young Hyun,Kim, Jun Sung,Chae, Chang Woo,Han, Ho Jae Elsevier/North Holland [etc.] 2017 Biochimica et biophysica acta Vol.1863 No.11

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Ethanol abuse aggravates dementia-associated cognitive defects through the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathophysiology. Beta-site APP-cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) has been considered as a key regulator of AD pathogenesis by controlling amyloid beta peptide (Aβ) accumulation. In addition, previous studies reported that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and neuroinflammation have been proposed in ethanol-induced neurodegeneration. Thus, we investigated the role of ER stress and PGE<SUB>2</SUB>, a neuroinflammation mediator, in the ethanol-stimulated BACE1 expression and Aβ production. Using the human-derived neuroblastoma cell line SK-N-MC, the results show that ethanol up-regulated BACE1 expression in a dose-dependent manner. Ethanol stimulated reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, which induced CHOP expression and eIF2α phosphorylation. PBA (an ER stress inhibitor) attenuated the ethanol-increased cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression and PGE<SUB>2</SUB> production. By using salubrinal (an eIF2α dephosphorylation inhibitor) or <I>EIF2A</I> siRNA, we found that eIF2α phosphorylation mediated the ethanol-induced COX-2 expression. In addition, COX-2-induced BACE1 up-regulation was abolished by NS-398 (a selective COX-2 inhibitor). And, PF-04418948 (an EP-2 receptor inhibitor) pretreatment reduced ethanol-induced PKA activation and CREB phosphorylation as well as ethanol-stimulated Aβ production. Furthermore, 14-22 amide (a PKA inhibitor) pretreatment or <I>CREB1</I> siRNA transfection suppressed the ethanol-induced BACE1 expression. In conclusion, ethanol-induced eIF2α phosphorylation stimulates COX-2 expression and PGE<SUB>2</SUB> production which induces the BACE1 expression and Aβ production via EP-2 receptor-dependent PKA/CREB pathway.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Ethanol induces BACE1 expression and Aβ production. </LI> <LI> Ethanol-produced ROS stimulates eIF2α phosphorylation and CHOP expression. </LI> <LI> ER stress enhanced by ethanol stimulates COX-2-mediated PGE2 production, which is critical for BACE1 expression. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

An Analysis of Effective Throughput in Distr ibuted Wir eless Scheduling

RADWAN AMR MOHAMED ADEL AHMED AHMED 한국멀티미디어학회 2016 멀티미디어학회논문지 Vol.19 No.2

Several distributed scheduling policies have been proposed with the objective of attaining the maximum throughput region or a guaranteed fraction throughput region. These policies consider only the theoretical throughput and do not account the lost in throughput due to the time complexity of implementing an algorithm in practice. Therefore, we propose a novel concept called effective throughput to characterize the actual throughput by taking into account the time complexity. Effective throughput can be viewed as the actual transmitted data without including the control message overhead. Numerical results demonstrate that in practical scheduling, time complexity significantly affects throughput. The performance of throughput degrades when the time complexity is high.

Osteoblast-Based Therapy—A New Approach for Bone Repair in Osteoporosis: Pre-Clinical Setting

Mahmoud Nadia Samy,Mohamed Mohamed Ragaa,Ali Mohamed Ahmed Mohamed,Aglan Hadeer Ahmed,Amr Khalda Sayed,Ahmed Hanaa Hamdy 한국조직공학과 재생의학회 2020 조직공학과 재생의학 Vol.17 No.3

BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis is a metabolic bone disease characterized by low bone density resulting in increased fracture susceptibility. This research was constructed to uncover the potential therapeutic application of osteoblasts transplantation, generated upon culturing male rat bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) in osteogenic medium (OM), OM containing gold (Au-NPs) or gold/hydroxyapatite (Au/HA-NPs) nanoparticles, in ovariectomized rats to counteract osteoporosis. METHODS: Forty rats were randomized into: (1) negative control, (2) osteoporotic rats, whereas groups (3), (4) and (5) constituted osteoporotic rats treated with osteoblasts yielded from culturing BM-MSCs in OM, OM plus Au-NPs or Au/ HA-NPs, respectively. After 3 months, osterix (OSX), bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP), sclerostin (SOST) and bone sialoprotein (BSP) serum levels were assessed. In addition, gene expression levels of cathepsin K, receptor activator of nuclear factor-jb ligand (RANKL), osteoprotegerin (OPG) and RANKL/OPG ratio were evaluated using real-time PCR. Moreover, histological investigation of femur bone tissues in different groups was performed. The homing of implanted osteoblasts to the osteoporotic femur bone of rats was documented by Sex determining region Y gene detection in bone tissue. RESULTS: Our results indicated that osteoblasts infusion significantly blunted serum BALP, BSP and SOST levels, while significantly elevated OSX level. Also, they brought about significant down-regulation in gene expression levels of cathepsin K, RANKL and RANKL/OPG ratio versus untreated osteoporotic rats. Additionally, osteoblasts nidation could restore bone histoarchitecture. CONCLUSION: These findings offer scientific evidence that transplanting osteoblasts in osteoporotic rats regains the homeostasis of the bone remodeling cycle, thus providing a promising treatment strategy for primary osteoporosis.

Fibrin Sealant and Lipoabdominoplasty in Obese Grade 1 and 2 Patients

Amr Abdel Wahab Mabrouk,Hesham Aly Helal,Soha Fathy Al Mekkawy,Nada Abdel Sattar Mahmoud,Ahmed Mohamed Abdel-Salam 대한성형외과학회 2013 Archives of Plastic Surgery Vol.40 No.5

Background Ever since lipoabdominoplasty was first developed to achieve better aesthetic outcomes and less morbidity, the rate of seroma formation, especially in obese patients, has disturbed plastic surgeons. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of fibrin sealant in the prevention of seroma formation after lipoabdominoplasty in obese patients. Methods Sixty patients with a body mass index (BMI) between 30 and 39.9 were assigned randomly to 1 of 2 groups (30 patients each). Group A underwent lipoabdominoplasty with fibrin glue, while group B underwent traditional lipoabdominoplasty; both had closed suction drainage applied to the abdomen. The patients’ demographics and postoperative complications were recorded. Seroma was detected using abdominal ultrasound examinations at two postoperative periods: between postoperative days 10 and 12 and, between postoperative days 18and 21. Results The age range was 31 to 55 years (38.5±9.5 years) in group A and 25 to 58 years (37.8±9.1 years) in group B, while the mean BMI was 31.4 to 39.9 kg/m2 (32.6 kg/m2) in group A and 32.7 to 37.4 kg/m2 (31.5 kg/m2) in group B. In group A, the patients had a complication rate of 10% in group A versus 43% in group B (P<0.05). The incidence of seroma formation was 3% in the fibrin glue group but 37% in the lipoabdominoplasty-alone group (P<0.05). Conclusions Lipoabdominoplasty with the use of autologous fibrin sealant is a very effective method that significantly reduces the rate of postoperative seroma.

Evaluation of Three Molecular Methods of Repetitive Element Loci for Differentiation of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP)

Amr El-Sayed,Abdulwahed Ahmed Hassan,Saleh Natour,Amir Abdulmawjood,Michael Bülte,Wilfried Wolter,Michael Zschöck 한국미생물학회 2009 The journal of microbiology Vol.47 No.3

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the efficiency of three methods to determine the molecular diversity of 34 Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) strains isolated from 17 cattle herds. The applied methods included the analysis of sequence polymorphism of the mononucleotide (G1 and G2) and trinucleotide sequences (GGT) of the Short Sequence Repeats (SSR) and the determination of size polymorphism of 9 different Mycobacterial Interspersed Repetitive Units (MIRU) and 6 Variable Number Tandem Repeats (VNTR). Sequence analysis of SSR of 34 isolates showed 4, 6, and 2 alleles of G1, G2, and GGT repeats, respectively. The amplification of the investigated 9 MIRU units revealed only two discriminatory genotyping systems (MIRU2 and MIRU3). Out of 6 VNTR PCR differentiation methods, only one method could be recommended for genotyping purposes. The profile 7g-12g-4ggt-II-b-2 of the combination systems G1-G2-GGT-MIRU2-MIRU3-VNTR1658 dominates among the examined isolates and was detected in 14.7% of the isolates. The use of certain repetitive loci of SSR, MIRU, and VNTR techniques in this study showed greater potential than others for the characterization of MAP isolates. The recommended loci can be used for the epidemiological tracing of MAP field strains and to determine the relationships between isolates in different herds.

Fibrin Sealant and Lipoabdominoplasty in Obese Grade 1 and 2 Patients

Mabrouk, Amr Abdel Wahab,Helal, Hesham Aly,Al Mekkawy, Soha Fathy,Mahmoud, Nada Abdel Sattar,Abdel-Salam, Ahmed Mohamed Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surge 2013 Archives of Plastic Surgery Vol.40 No.5

Background Ever since lipoabdominoplasty was first developed to achieve better aesthetic outcomes and less morbidity, the rate of seroma formation, especially in obese patients, has disturbed plastic surgeons. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of fibrin sealant in the prevention of seroma formation after lipoabdominoplasty in obese patients. Methods Sixty patients with a body mass index (BMI) between 30 and 39.9 were assigned randomly to 1 of 2 groups (30 patients each). Group A underwent lipoabdominoplasty with fibrin glue, while group B underwent traditional lipoabdominoplasty; both had closed suction drainage applied to the abdomen. The patients' demographics and postoperative complications were recorded. Seroma was detected using abdominal ultrasound examinations at two postoperative periods: between postoperative days 10 and 12 and, between postoperative days 18 and 21. Results The age range was 31 to 55 years ($38.5{\pm}9.5$ years) in group A and 25 to 58 years ($37.8{\pm}9.1$ years) in group B, while the mean BMI was 31.4 to 39.9 $kg/m^2$ (32.6 $kg/m^2$) in group A and 32.7 to 37.4 $kg/m^2$ (31.5 $kg/m^2$) in group B. In group A, the patients had a complication rate of 10% in group A versus 43% in group B (P<0.05). The incidence of seroma formation was 3% in the fibrin glue group but 37% in the lipoabdominoplasty-alone group (P<0.05). Conclusions Lipoabdominoplasty with the use of autologous fibrin sealant is a very effective method that significantly reduces the rate of postoperative seroma.

A Decision Tree Based Ultra-high-speed Protection Scheme for Meshed MMC-MTDC Grids with Hybrid Lines

Gaballah Amr,Abu-Elanien Ahmed E. B.,Megahed Ashraf I. 대한전기학회 2024 Journal of Electrical Engineering & Technology Vol.19 No.2

The reliable operation of modular multi-level converter based multi-terminal high voltage direct current (MMC-MTDC) grids requires high-speed and selective DC line protection. A single-ended protection technique is proposed for MTDC grids with ofshore wind farms and hybrid lines that involve overhead lines and submarine cables in series. Positive and negative poles’ currents at one end of each line section are analyzed using discrete wavelet analysis (DWA). To classify fault type and identify fault zone, a fne decision tree is supplied with an energy index and the envelope slop of detail 1 coefcient (D1) obtained from DWA. Only 0.2 ms following the fault inception are needed for calculating the energy index and the envelope slope to perform relay functions. The approach was tested on a three-terminal two-poles ± 400 kV MMC-MTDC model. The simulation results validate the efectiveness of the suggested protection technique under various fault scenarios, even with up to 200 Ω fault resistance. The proposed technique is not only able to detect the faulty line, but also it identifes overhead line faults and submarine cable faults for hybrid type lines. Moreover, the proposed technique is not afected by wind power injection changes, AC faults, or data noise. The simulated model was produced in the MATLAB/Simulink platform

Multipurpose Treatment of Cellulose-Containing Fabrics to Impart Durable Antibacterial and Repellent Properties

Nabil A. Ibrahim,Ahmed Amr,Basma M. Eid 한국섬유공학회 2020 Fibers and polymers Vol.21 No.3

Development of multifunctional cellulose-containing fabrics has been highly demanded both by the textile finisherand the textile consumer. Herein, proper finishing formulations comprise the following ingredients individually and incombination: a reactant crosslinker (Fixapret® ECO), hydrolysed 3-glycidyl-oxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPTMS), as a cocrosslinkerand fixing agent, a flurochemical water/oil repellent agent (Asahi Guard® AG-925), silver nanoparticlesdispersion (AgNPs), as antibacterial agent along with metal salt catalyst, especially AlCl3, were applied to various cellulosecontaining fabrics, using a pad-coating impregnation method, to add new multifunctional properties like anti-crease, water/oilrepellent, antibacterial functionality as well as thermal stability. The degree of improvement in the imparted functions isgoverned by type of substrate, extent of modification and/or crosslinking, amount/location/distribution as well as fixation ofthe added active ingredients. Also, the obtained results clearly demonstrated that the created multifunctional properties arenot seriously decreased even after 15 washing cycles. Various characterization techniques were used, and the possibleinteractions among the nominated components and the treated substrates were also suggested.

Yogurt Containing the Probacteria Lactobacillus acidophilus Combined with Natural Antioxidants Mitigates Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiomyopathy in Rats

Nashwa M. Abu-Elsaad,Ahmed G. Abd Elhameed,Amr El-Karef,Tarek M. Ibrahim 한국식품영양과학회 2015 Journal of medicinal food Vol.18 No.9

Probiotics and antioxidants have a definite improving effect in cardiovascular diseases. This study aims at mitigating doxorubicin toxicity on cardiac function through consuming a functional food. Five groups of adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were used along 22 weeks. Group I received 30 g/kg/day food enriched with yogurt, green tea extract, and carrots (80, 0.84, and 100 g/kg diet, respectively) from the first week, group II received carvedilol 30 mg/kg/day orally from week 17, group III received both carvedilol and tested food, and groups IV and V were + ve and –ve control groups, respectively. In week 17, cardiomyopathy was induced by i.p. injection of 2.5 mg/kg doxorubicin every 48 h for 2 weeks. Histopathological and electrophysiological examinations and biochemical analysis were done. Lipid peroxidation, antioxidant effect, heart failure compensatory mediators, and proinflammatory cytokines were assessed. Tested food normalized time between the start of Q wave and the end of T wave on electrocardiogram (QT interval) and heart rate compared to the doxorubicin group (P < .05). It also improved hypertrophy indicated by a significant (P < .05) decrease in heart/body weight ratio, angiotensin-II (Ang-II), and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) serum levels. Histopathological examination of cardiac sections from the tested food group revealed less marked vacuolization and low perivascular fibrosis percentage (0.7803 ± 0.04). A significant (P < .001) decrease in serum creatine kinase-membrane bound, lactate dehydrogenase, triglycerides, cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) levels was observed in addition to an increase in serum Na+/K+ ATP1A1 and cardiac reduced glutathione (GSH) levels. Tested food also lowered the inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) serum levels significantly (P < .01). Probiotic food containing Lactobacillus acidophilus, green tea, and carrots can improve membrane integrity and cardiac contractility in doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy by decreasing TNF-α, IL-6, MDA, increasing GSH, and modulatingcompensatory mediators such as Ang-II and ANP.