ABSTRACT Soil salinization is more aggravating than ever before and techniques are needed to mitigate this problem; understanding salinity-fertilizer relationship is of considerable economic importance for promoting crop growth and productivity in saline soil. A pot experiment was done in a greenhouse to determine whether the N could alleviate the negative effect of different salts compositions on the growth, and physiological attributes of the two most used Sudan sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) cultivars (Wadahmed and Tabat). The plant was subjected to the salt stress at 0, 0.3419 M NaCl, and 0.1408 M Na2SO4, and four levels of N application 0, 4, 8, and 12 g N kg-1 soil, designated as N0, N1, N2, and N3, respectively. Results showed that Na2SO4 was reduced plant height, leaf area index, number of leaves, dry weight (DW), chlorophyll a, total chlorophyll content, and increased soluble protein content, activities of peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) activities by 16.4%, 29.7%, 61.5%, 28.7%, 39.6%, 12.7%, 99.7%, 34.3%, 51.8%, respectively, when compared with the non-saline treatment. The Na2SO4 salt had a more harmful effect than NaCl. This study revealed that N fertilizer was successful for alleviating the adverse impacts of both types of salt. In this study, 12 g N kg-1 soil was most effective on most of the measured parameters of two sorghum cultivars. These findings demonstrated that the N soil amendment application could alleviate the harmful impact of salinity. ‘Wadahmed’ was more tolerant to salinity stress than ‘Tabat’ during the boot stage of sorghum plant.

Resumen Nuestra investigación consiste en el estudio experimental del aerogenerador vertical de forma H. El estudio representa el efecto del número de palas en la variación del número de rotaciones del aerogenerador vertical, la relación de velocidad par, la potencia de la turbina eólica y la fuerza de torsión. El aerogenerador de eje vertical en forma de H se llevó a cabo en el hall de la Universidad de Biskra, donde la investigación se manifestó en el estudio de las dimensiones impuestas en el experimento a partir de la longitud de la hélice y la extensión de su curvatura en el ancho. de la hélice; también registramos cada uno de los números de rotaciones de los aerogeneradores de eje vertical. Evidentemente, se ha comprobado que el coeficiente de energía eólica aumenta con el aumento del número de palas. Se observa además que un mayor número de palas, igual a 20, dio una alta velocidad del viento de 15,2 m / s, el número de rotaciones igual a 239,2 rpm. Los diversos parámetros como el coeficiente de potencia, el cociente de velocidad y el cociente del área de la sección de paso de fluido para cada uno fueron establecidos por un modelo con errores bajos y con una aproximación perfecta.

Abstract Our research consists of the experimental study of the vertical wind turbine of form H. The study represents the effect of the number of blades in the variation of the number of rotations of the vertical wind turbine, the speed ratio, torque, the power of the wind turbine, and the torque force. The H-shaped vertical axis wind turbine was carried out in the hall of the University of Biskra, where the research was manifested in the study of the dimensions imposed in the experiment from the length of the propeller and the extent of its curvature in the width of the propeller; we also recorded each of the numbers of rotations of vertical axis wind turbines. Evidently, It has been proven that the wind energy coefficient increases with the increase in the number of blades. It is further noted that a higher number of blades- equal to 20- gave a high wind speed of 15.2 m / s, the number of rotations equal to 239.2 rpm. The various parameters such as the power coefficient, the speed quotient, and the quotient of the area of the fluid passage section for each were established by a model with low errors and with a perfect approximation.

BACKGROUND: Identifying coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine acceptance and associated factors among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in the Middle East and North Africa region is important to meet the need for broad-scale vaccination against COVID-19 OBJECTIVES: To investigate the COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rate and factors among PLHIV in the Middle East and North Africa region METHOD: An online cross-sectional survey was conducted among PLHIV currently living in Egypt, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia between March 2021 and August 2021 RESULTS: Of the 540 respondents, 19.3% reported already being vaccinated against COVID-19 (n = 104), 32.0% responded 'definitely yes' (n = 173), and 13.3% responded 'probably yes' (n = 72) for intention to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, with an overall COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rate of 64.6% among PLHIV in the region. The most significant predictors of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance included feeling less worried about COVID-19 transmission post-vaccination (221.0% higher odds), and believing the disease is vaccine-preventable (160.0% higher odds). Reported barriers to COVID-19 vaccine acceptance include concerns about vaccine effectiveness and belief that HIV medications protect against COVID-19 transmission, living in a rural area and reporting less-frequent engagement with HIV care. Nine out of 10 participants reported that the chances of them getting COVID-19 vaccine would increase if given adequate information and if their doctor recommended it CONCLUSION: Findings of the study can help researchers, health officials, and other health system actors understand the predictors and barriers to COVID-19 vaccine acceptance reported by PLHIV. This understanding could inform the future planning of interventions tailored to PLHIV

SUMMARY: This research was designed to investigate the potential protective effect of vitamin C supplementation against hepatocyte ultrastructural alterations induced by artemether (antimalarial drug) administration. Twenty-four adult male albino rats were used in this study and were divided into four groups (n=6). Group I served as a control and rats in group II administrated artemether (4 mg/kg B.W) orally for three consecutive days. Group III administered artemether plus a low dose of vitamin C (2.86 mg/kg/l water) while group IV received artemether plusa high dose of vitamin C (8.56 mg/kg). At the end of the experimental period (14 days), the harvested liver tissues were examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and blood samples were assayed for biomarkers of liver injury and oxidative stress. Artemether significantly (p<0.05) augmented biomarkers of liver injury such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and oxidative stress such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), Glutathione Peroxidase (GPX), and caused degeneration and damage of the rough endoplasmic reticulum and disrupted mitochondria. The blood sinusoids were also damaged with distortion of their canaliculi. Administration of vitamin C showed improvement of liver biomarkers, and liver parenchyma, especially in a high dose of vitamin C.We concludes that vitamin C is a partial protective agent against artemether-induced liver injury.

RESUMEN: Esta investigación fue diseñada para investigar el posible efecto protector de la vitamina C contra las alteraciones ultraestructurales de los hepatocitos, inducidas por la administración de arteméter (medicamento antipalúdico). En el estudio se utilizaron 24 ratas albinas macho adultas y se dividieron en cuatro grupos (n = 6). El grupo I fue designado como control y las ratas en el grupo II se adminstró Arteméter (4 mg / kg de peso corporal) por vía oral durante tres días consecutivos. En el grupo III se administró arteméter, además de una dosis baja de vitamina C (2,86 mg / kg / l de agua) mientras que el grupo IV recibió arteméter más una dosis alta de vitamina C (8,56 mg / kg). Al final del período experimental (14 días), los tejidos hepáticos recolectados se examinaron por microscopía electrónica de transmisión (MET), y las muestras de sangre se analizaron en busca de biomarcadores de daño hepático y estrés oxidativo. El arteméter aumentó significativamente (p <0,05) los biomarcadores de daño hepático como alanina aminotransferasa (ALT), aspartato aminotransferasa (AST) y estrés oxidativo como superóxido dismutasa (SOD), glutatión peroxidasa (GPX) y causó degeneración y daño de la retículo endoplásmico rugoso y mitocondrias alteradas. Los sinusoides sanguíneos también fueron dañados con la distorsión de sus canalículos. La administración de vitamina C mostró una mejoría de los biomarcadores hepáticos y el parénquima hepático, especialmente en una dosis alta de vitamina C. Concluimos que la vitamina C es un agente protector parcial contra la lesión hepática inducida por arteméter.

SUMMARY: A scientific determination of fertilization ability of the sperm can be made by motility, viability and morphological examinations that are called as potential fertility criteria. Some previous studies documented only the total morphological defect rates without including the morphologic subjects. As it is recorded in many studies, the success of IUI, ICSI and IVF depends mainly on the quality of the collected semen. 1) Determine and classify the common morphological defects and rates of sperms. 2) Analyze the effect of age on the sperm abnormalities and to assess the impact of environment on changing normal sperm characteristics. 3) Determine the common types of semen abnormalities (Asthenoterato-zoospermia, Asthenozoospermia, Azoopyospermia, Azoospermia, Hypospermia, Oligoasthenoteratozoospermia, Oligoasthenozoopyospermia, Oligoasthenozoospermia and Teratozoospermia). 4) Determine the range of teratozoospermic index (TZI) and sperm deformity index (SDI). A prospective case series study for 566 men of infertile couples who were requesting semen analysis was applied to those came to the ULTRALAB laboratory center main campus and ULTRALAB branch of the Sudan Assisted Reproduction Center (SARC), Khartoum, Sudan. Data collection was done for 20 months from April 1st, 2010 to December 31st, 2011. analysis of semen samples was done using Computer Assisted Semen Analysis (CASA). 1) The study demonstrates that there are differences in normality and abnormality of sperm morphology parameters of sperm between Sudanese population and other studies including WHO standards. 2) SDI and TZI were higher in overall semen as well as in abnormal semen samples. 3) Common semen abnormalities were oligoasthenoteratozoospermia, asthenoteratozoospermia and asthenozoospermia. There are differences in sperm morphology of both normal and abnormal parameters between Sudanese population and other studies including WHO standards.

RESUMEN: Se realizó una determinación científica de la capacidad de fertilización de los espermatozoides mediante motilidad, viabilidad y exámenes morfológicos denominados criterios de fertilidad potencial. Algunos estudios previos documentan solamente el total de las tasas de defectos morfológicos sin incluir a los sujetos morfológicos. Como se registra en muchos estudios, el éxito de IUI, ICSI y FIV depende principalmente de la calidad del semen recolectado. Los objetivos de este trabajo fueron: 1) Determinar y clasificar los defectos morfológicos comunes y las tasas de espermatozoides; 2) Analizar el efecto de la edad en las anomalías de los espermatozoides y evaluar el impacto del medio ambiente en el cambio de las características normales de los espermatozoides; 3) Determinar los tipos comunes de anomalías en el semen (astenoterato-zoospermia, astenozoospermia, azoopiepermia, azoospermia, hipospermia, oligoastenoteratozoospermia, oligoastenozoopermia, oligoastenozoospermia y teratozoospermia); 4) Determinar el rango del índice teratozoospérmico (TZI) y el índice de deformidad del esperma (IDE). Se realizó un estudio prospectivo de series de casos en 566 hombres, de parejas infértiles, que solicitaban análisis de semen en laboratorios ULTRALAB y la sucursal de ULTRALAB del Centro de Reproducción Asistida de Sudán (SARC), Jartum, Sudán. La recolección de datos se realizó durante 20 meses, desde el 1 de abril de 2010 hasta el 31 de diciembre de 2011. El análisis de las muestras de semen se realizó mediante el análisis de semen asistido por computadora (CASA). Existen diferencias en la normalidad y anormalidad de los parámetros de la morfología de los espermatozoides entre la población sudanesa y otros estudios, incluidas las normas de la Organización Mundial de la Salud. Los parámetros SDI y TZI fueron más altos en el semen general, así como en muestras de semen anormales. Las anomalías comunes del semen fueron oligoastenatoatoospermia, astenoteratozoospermia y astenozoospermia. Existen diferencias en la morfología de los espermatozoides de los parámetros normales y anormales entre la población sudanesa y otros estudios que incluyen las normas de la Organización Mundial de la Salud.

SUMMARY: Origanum vulgare Linn has traditionally been used as a diuretic and antispasmodic. Therefore, we investigated the active extract of Origanum vulgare for possible andrological effect and preventive effects against testicular damage using ethylene glycol rat model of testicular damage, to rationalize its medicinal use. Male Wistar rats received lithogenic treatment comprising of 0.75 % ethylene glycol injection twice with one day interval, then in drinking water, active extract of Origanum vulgare treatment (20 mg/kg) was given for 3 weeks to prevent toxic damage including loss of body weight gain and appetite, Following oral administration of EGME, a rapid decrease in testis weight associated with testicular cell damage was observed. Origanum vulgare treatment (20 mg/kg) prevented as well as reversed toxic changes including loss of body weight gain.

RESUMEN: Origanum vulgare Linn se ha usado tradicionalmente como diurético y antiespasmódico. Por lo tanto, investigamos el extracto activo de Origanum vulgare por su posible efecto andrológico y efectos preventivos contra el daño testicular utilizando el modelo de rata de etilenglicol de daño testicular. El objetivo del estudio fue racionalizar su uso medicinal. Su utilizaron ratas Wistar macho que recibieron un tratamiento litogénico de una inyección de etilenglicol al 0,75 %, dos veces con un intervalo de un día, y luego se administró en agua potable. Se administró el extracto activo del tratamiento con Origanum vulgare (20 mg / kg) durante 3 semanas con el objetivo de prevenir el daño tóxico, la pérdida de peso corporal y el apetito. Tras la administración oral de EGME, se observó una rápida disminución del peso de los testículos asociada al daño de las células testiculares. El tratamiento con Origanum vulgare (20 mg / kg) logró prevenir y revertir las alteraciones tóxicas, incluyendo la pérdida de peso corporal.

The use of photovoltaics (PVs) to power reverse osmosis (RO) desalination can potentially break the dependence of this desalination process on conventional energy sources (oil, coal, electricity from national grid), reduce operational costs, and improve environmental sustainability. In this paper, a methodology for the optimal sizing and performance evaluation of a stand-alone PV system to power an RO desalination unit is presented. This unit covers the water needs of inhabitants of a small isolated village called Mrair-Gabis, near the Ajdabiya city in north-eastern Libya. A photovoltaic-reverse osmosis (PV-RO) system offers good possibilities for satisfying this need. Due to the many technical problems with batteries, as well as their high cost, the system studied in this paper will not consider the use of batteries; the viability of a batterryless system is facilitated by the high solar radiation at the selected site, and long daily average insolation duration. From the water consumption records it was noticed that during some days in summer the water produced by the RO unit does not meet the water demand; on the other hand, during some days of the month there will be an excess of water production. The above considerations led to the design of a freshwater tank, to cover the potable water needs for people in cases of the desalination unit breaking down, either due to tech-nical problems or on the cloudy days. The purpose of the water tank is therefore to store excess water when production exceeds supply. Simulations were carried out using MATLAB Software to size and assess the performance of a stand-alone PV system. The computer program can be applied to any site with different weather conditions.

BACKGROUND: Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induces hepatotoxicity in animal models, including the increased blood flow and cytokine accumulation that are characteristic of tissue inflammation. The present study investigates the hepato-protective effect of rutin on CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. RESULTS: Forty male Wistar rats were divided into four groups. Group I (control group) received 1 mL/kg of dimethyl sulfoxide intragastrically and 3 mL/kg olive oil intraperitoneally twice a week for 4 weeks. Group II received 70 mg/ kg rutin intragastrically. Groups III and IV received CCl4 (3 mL/kg, 30 % in olive oil) intraperitoneally twice a week for 4 weeks. Group IV received 70 mg/kg rutin intragastrically after 48 h of CCl4 treatment. Liver enzyme levels were determined in all studied groups. Expression of the following genes were monitored with real-time PCR: interleukin-6 (IL-6), dual-specificity protein kinase 5 (MEK5), Fas-associated death domain protein (FADD), epidermal growth factor (EGF), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), Janus kinase (JAK), B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl2) and B-cell lymphoma-extra-large (Bcl-XL). The CCl4 groups showed significant increases in biochemical markers of hepatotoxicity and up-regulation of expression levels of IL-6, Bcl-XL, MEK5, FADD, EGF, STAT3 and JAK compared with the control group. However, CCl4 administration resulted in significant down-regulation of Bcl2 expression compared with the control group. Interestingly, rutin supplementation completely reversed the biochemical markers of hepatotoxicity and the gene expression alterations induced by CCl4. CONCLUSION: CCl4 administration causes alteration in expression of IL-6/STAT3 pathway genes, resulting in hepatotoxicity. Rutin protects against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity by reversing these expression changes.

Background: Cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase (CGTase) from Amphibacillus sp. NPST-10 was successfully covalently immobilized on aminopropyl-functionalized silica coated superparamagnetic nanoparticles; and the properties of immobilized enzyme were investigated. The synthesis process included preparing of core magnetic magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles using solvothermal synthesis; followed by coating of Fe3O4 nanoparticles with dense amino-functionalized silica (NH2-SiO2) layer using in situ functionalization method. The structure of synthesized Fe3O4@NH2-SiO2 nanoparticles was characterized using TEM, XRD, and FT-IR analysis. Fe3O4@NH2-SiO2 nanoparticles were further activated by gluteraaldehyde as bifunctional cross linker, and the activated nanoparticles were used for CGTase immobilization by covalent attachment. Results: Magnetite nanoparticles was successfully synthesized and coated with and amino functionalized silica layer (Fe3O4/NH2-SiO2), with particle size of 50-70 nm. The silica coated magnetite nanoparticles showed with saturation magnetization of 65 emug-1, and can be quickly recovered from the bulk solution using an external magnet within 10 sec. The activated support was effective for CGTase immobilization, which was confirmed by comparison of FT-IR spectra of free and immobilized enzyme. The applied approach for support preparation, activation, and optimization of immobilization conditions, led to high yields of CGTase immobilization (92.3%), activity recovery (73%), and loading efficiency (95.2%); which is one of the highest so far reported for CGTase. Immobilized enzyme showed shift in the optimal temperature from 50 to 55ºC, and significant enhancement in the thermal stability compared with free enzyme. The optimum pH for enzyme activity was pH 8 and pH 7.5 for free and immobilized CGTase, respectively, with slight improvement of pH stability of immobilized enzyme. Furthermore, kinetic studies revealed that immobilized CGTase had higher affinity toward substrate; with k m values of 1.18 ± 0.05 mg/ml and 1.75 ± 0.07 mg/ml for immobilized and free CGTase, respectively. Immobilized CGTase retained 87% and 67 of its initial activity after 5 and 10 repeated batches reaction, indicating that immobilized CGTase on Fe3O4/NH2-SiO2 had good durability and magnetic recovery. Conclusion: The improvement in kinetic and stability parameters of immobilized CGTase makes the proposed method a suitable candidate for industrial applications of CGTase. To best of our knowledge, this is the first report about CGTase immobilization on silica coated magnetite nanoparticles.

OBJECTIVE: To report stillbirth and early neonatal mortality and to quantify the relative importance of different primary obstetric causes of perinatal mortality in 171 perinatal deaths from 7993 pregnancies that ended after 28 weeks in nulliparous women. METHODS: A review of all stillbirths and early newborn deaths reported in the WHO calcium supplementation trial for the prevention of pre-eclampsia conducted at seven WHO collaborating centres in Argentina, Egypt, India, Peru, South Africa and Viet Nam. We used the Baird-Pattinson system to assign primary obstetric causes of death and classified causes of early neonatal death using the International classification of diseases and related health problems, Tenth revision (ICD-10). FINDINGS: Stillbirth rate was 12.5 per 1000 births and early neonatal mortality rate was 9.0 per 1000 live births. Spontaneous preterm delivery and hypertensive disorders were the most common obstetric events leading to perinatal deaths (28.7% and 23.6%, respectively). Prematurity was the main cause of early neonatal deaths (62%). CONCLUSIONS: Advancements in the care of premature infants and prevention of spontaneous preterm labour and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy could lead to a substantial decrease in perinatal mortality in hospital settings in developing countries.

OBJETIVO: Informar sobre la mortinatalidad y la mortalidad neonatal precoz y cuantificar la importancia relativa de diferentes causas obstétricas primarias de mortalidad perinatal en 171 defunciones perinatales correspondientes a 7993 embarazos de más de 28 semanas en mujeres nulíparas. MÉTODOS: Se examinaron todos los casos de mortinatalidad y defunción precoz de recién nacidos notificados en un ensayo OMS de administración de suplementos de calcio para la prevención de la preeclampsia, llevado a cabo en siete centros colaboradores de la OMS en la Argentina, Egipto, la India, el Perú, Sudáfrica y Viet Nam. Usamos el sistema de Baird-Pattinson para asignar causas obstétricas primarias de muerte y causas clasificadas de mortalidad neonatal precoz mediante la Clasificación Estadística Internacional de Enfermedades y Problemas de Salud Conexos, décima revisión (CIE-10). RESULTADOS: La tasa de mortinatalidad fue del 12,5 por 1000 nacimientos, y la tasa de mortalidad neonatal precoz, de 9,0 por 1000 nacidos vivos. El parto pretérmino espontáneo y los trastornos hipertensivos fueron los casos obstétricos más comunes asociados a las defunciones perinatales (28,7% y 23,6%, respectivamente). La prematuridad fue la causa principal de las defunciones neonatales precoces (62%). CONCLUSIONES: Los progresos de la atención a los lactantes prematuros y la prevención del parto pretérmino espontáneo y de los trastornos hipertensivos del embarazo podrían propiciar una disminución sustancial de la mortalidad perinatal en los entornos hospitalarios en los países en desarrollo.

OBJECTIF: Faire état de la mortinatalité et de la mortalité néonatale précoce et quantifier l'importance relative des principales causes obstétricales de mortalité périnatale observées pour 171 décès périnatals liés à 7993 grossesses interrompues après la 28ème semaine chez des femmes nullipares. MÉTHODES: L'examen a porté sur tous les cas de mortinatalité et décès néonatals précoces signalés dans l'essai OMS de supplémentation calcique pour la prévention de la prééclampsie mené dans sept centres collaborateurs situés en Afrique du Sud, en Argentine, en Egypte, en Inde, au Pérou et au Vietnam. On a utilisé le système de Baird-Pattinson pour attribuer les principales causes obstétricales de décès et classé les causes des décès néonatals précoces sur la base de la Classification internationale des maladies et des problèmes de santé connexes, dixième révision (CIM 10). RÉSULTATS: Le taux de mortinatalité est de 12,5 pour 1000 naissances et le taux de mortalité néonatale précoce de 9,0 pour 1000 naissances vivantes. L'accouchement prématuré spontané et l'hypertension gravidique sont les problèmes obstétricaux les plus fréquemment à l'origine d'un décès périnatal (respectivement 28,7% et 23,6 %). La prématurité est la principale cause de décès néonatal précoce (62 %). CONCLUSION: Des progrès dans les soins aux prématurés et la prévention du travail prématuré spontané et de l'hypertension gravidique permettraient d'obtenir une diminution sensible de la mortalité périnatale en milieu hospitalier dans les pays en développement.