ABSTRACT Introduction: The current coronavirus pandemic has greatly strained the limited resources that had previously maintained the sustainability of the high-cost cardiothoracic surgeries in low-income countries like Egypt. Methods: Hospital databases and patients’ records were reviewed to evaluate the impact of the pandemic on the workflow and waiting lists. Postoperative patients were contacted by telephone for follow-up, as well as preoperative patients whose operations were cancelled. Regular virtual meetings were held, and residents were asked to discuss the stresses, challenges, and their suggestions for the gradual resumption of services. Residents’ logbooks were evaluated to assess the disruption of the surgical exposure compared to 2019. Results: While thoracic surgeries have continued to thrive, cardiac surgeries have witnessed the worst consequences, including cancellation of all surgeries, expansion of waiting lists, patients’ non-compliance with follow-up, and impaired surgical exposure of junior residents. Conclusion: The gradual recovery of cardiac surgery services in Alexandria (Egypt) is being carefully planned, taking into consideration the backlog of cases and the shortage of screening kits. Careful tiering and triaging of patients by a multidisciplinary team, as well as seeking alternative assessment tools for trainees, are the main lines of our action plan.

ABSTRACT A total of 593 samples of Lethrinus lentjan (Lacepede, 1802) were collected from the Red Sea, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to study their productive biology and spawning season of the local population. Sampling was carried out on a monthly basis for a period of one year. The monthly sex ratios indicated that females were dominant throughout the study period, with an overall male:female sex ratio of 1:7.98, although males were larger than females. The highest monthly performance maturation index (PMI), as well as the male and female gonadosomatic index (GSI) and ovarian maturation rate (OMR) were observed in February and March. Histological examination of the gonads confirmed the process of sexual transformation in this fish species, wherein individuals mature first as female, and then change sex to male (protogynous hermaphroditism). Histological sections also showed that the sexual maturation of males of L. lenjtan comprised three main stages, while the sexual development of females could be classified into four main stages. Extended spawning in the form of batches released during different months throughout the year were recorded for this fish species, with the main spawning season in February and March, and an additional, shorter spawning season in September.

Abstract This study aims to elucidate the beneficial effect of Punica granatum L., Lythraceae (pomegranate) peel extract in the management of colon cancer induced intrarectally with N-methylnitrosourea. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were administered N-methylnitrosourea (2 mg in 0.5 ml water/rat) intrarectally three times/week for five weeks to induce colorectal cancer, followed by treatment with either 5-fluorouracil (12.5 mg/kg, i.p.) or Punica peel extract (2.25 or 4.5 g/kg, p.o.). Developed tumor elevated plasma TGF-β, and Bcl2, serum epidermal growth factor, carcinoembryonic antigen, colon cancer specific antigens, and matrix metalloproteinase-7. Besides, immune-histochemical studies revealed an increase in COX-2, cyclin D1 and survivin content, as well as upregulation of the expression of colonic β-Catenin, K-ras and C-myc genes. These results were further supported by the histological findings. Punica peel extract-treated rats, particularly those treated with a high dose, exhibited a marked reduction in the aforementioned parameters and improved the histological organization of the colon tissue. These alterations were consistent with those mediated through 5-fluorouracil. The present study encourages the use of P. granatum L. against colon cancer. Because Punica peel extract promotes apoptosis, mitigates inflammation and suppresses tumor cell proliferation in vivo, the potential mechanism underlying these activities might depend on the inhibition of the Wnt/β-Catenin signaling pathway.