Abstract The nutritional profile, especially amino acid profile, determines the quality and commercial value of insect protein products. Multiple previous studies have used spectroscopy technologies and machine learning algorithms to predict essential amino acid content in various foods and feeds. However, these approaches were not applied for predicting essential amino acid content in insects before. In this study, 200 insect samples containing 9 commercial insect species were collected. Machine learning methods were applied to build the prediction models to predict amino acid content using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) raw spectra and first derivative. For all amino acids, partial least square regression, decision tree and radial basis artificial neural network exhibited high performances to predict essential amino acids. Model performances were improved for some amino acids using first derivative than using raw spectra. The highest performance (coefficient of determination: 0.97, root mean square error of prediction: 0.05 g/100 g and ratio of performance: 4.07) was achieved for phenylalanine prediction using radial basis artificial neural network modeling. The high model performance indicates the potential of applying FTIR and subsequent machine learning modeling for fast and non-destructive prediction of amino acid of insect products.

Abstract Background: Ant venoms express surface molecules that participate in antigen presentation involving pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. This work aims to investigate the expression of MHC-II, CD80 and CD86 on the polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) in rats injected with samsum ant venom (SAV). Methods: Rats were divided into three groups - control, SAV-treated (intraperitoneal route, 600 μg/kg), and SAV-treated (subcutaneous route, 600 μg/kg). After five doses, animals were euthanized and samples collected for analysis. Results: The subcutaneous SAV-trated rats presented decreased levels of glutathione with increased cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Intraperitoneal SAV-treated animals displayed significantly reduced concentrations of both IFN-γ and IL-17 in comparison with the control group. However, intraperitoneal and subcutaneous SAV-treated rats were able to upregulate the expressions of MHC-II, CD80 and CD86 on PMNs in comparison with the control respectively. The histological examination showed severe lymphocyte depletion in the splenic white pulp of the intraperitoneal SAV-injected rats. Conclusion: Stimulation of PMNs by SAV leads to upregulation of MHC-II, CD 80, and CD 86, which plays critical roles in antigen presentation and consequently proliferation of T-cells. Subcutaneous route was more efficient than intraperitoneal by elevating MHC-II, CD80 and CD86 expression, disturbing oxidative stability and increasing lipogram concentration.

Background and Objectives: Obsessive symptoms among children and adolescent age groups are increasing, an observation made by mental health professionals working with this age group. Our epidemiological study targeted secondary school students to estimate the prevalence of obsessive symptoms, obsessive compulsive disorder and their different obsessive compulsive contents. Methods: The study is cross sectional carried on 1299 secondary school students, the sample size was chosen based on an estimated Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) prevalence of 2% in literature. Equal samples were recruited from the 3 educative zones in Alexandria Governorate. Obsessive compulsive symptoms were assessed by the Arabic version of Lyeton obsessive inventory child version LOI-CV. Students scoring above 35 were subjected to the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview for children MINI-KID Arabic. OCD patient students detected by MINI-KID were assessed by psychiatric interview to confirm fulfilling criteria of OCD according to DSM IV-TR criteria. Different obsessive compulsive symptoms were assessed by a standardized questionnaire. Results: Among the studied sample (n = 1299), 201 students scored > 35 on LOI-CV i.e. 15.5% of the total sample have OCS. The prevalence of OCD among studied sample was 2.2% as 29 students from the OCS students were fulfilling diagnostic criteria for OCD according to DSM-IV TR. Common obsessive symptoms were of excessive conscience 65.5%, blasphemous 55.2%, repeated words 51.7% and sexual obsessions 48.2%. Conclusions: The prevalence of obsessive compulsive symptoms is high among adolescent age group. Cultural impact should be considered to better understand obsessive phenomenology, raising the importance of OCD study from a transcultural perspective.

Background and Objectives: Dopaminergic neurotransmission is implicated in stress responses. The dopamine D2 receptor gene (DRD2) has been studied by the authors to assess its possible role as a predictor of those who are at a higher risk to develop PTSD after major psychological trauma. Methods: Over one year period 75 children and adolescents 6-18 yrs of age who had been exposed to moderate to severe burns were recruited from the burn unit at the Alexandria University Hospital for the study. Patients and their family were interviewed within the first 10 days of exposure. After signing a written consent form a 2 ml blood sample was obtained for genetic studies of the TaqA1/A2 polymorphism site of the DRD2 gene. Patients were reevaluated three and six months later for assessment of PTSD. Results: Among the 75 children recruited in the study, 26 died due to their burn injury, 19 dropped out as parents refused follow up and 30 continued the study follow up visits. Fourteen carried the A1A2 genotype. Of these 11 (78.6%) developed PTSD. Sixteen carried the A2A2 genotype. Of these only one child (6.3%) developed PTSD. The results were significant at p < 0.001 with a relative risk 12.5. Conclusions: Following exposure to severe stress, the presence of the Taq A1 allele of the DRD2 gene results in a significant increase in the risk of developing PTSD.