Abstract Background Presystolic waves are often found during Doppler evaluation of the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) in hypertensive individuals. LV stiffness and altered LV compliance are potential mechanisms for presystolic waves. Objectives This study's objective was to examine the relationship between presystolic wave and subclinical left ventricular (LV) impairment in asymptomatic individuals with essential hypertension. Methods This observational research comprised 87 individuals with essential hypertension. All patients had two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography performed. Based on the existence or absence of a presystolic wave, patients were separated into two groups. Using speckle-tracking echocardiography, subclinical LV systolic impairment was identified. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 20.0. The significance level adopted in the statistical analysis was 5%. Results The mean age of the studied patients was 51 ± 9 years, with a male percentage of 57.4%. Among them, 57 patients (65%) had a presystolic wave, and 30 (35%) did not. Left ventricular mass index (LVMI) was greater in patients with a presystolic wave in comparison with patients without it (105.8 ± 16.1 g/m2 versus 99.8 ± 9.47 g/m2, p-value = 0.03). Left atrial volume index (LAVI) was higher in patients with a presystolic wave in comparison with patients without it (28.9 ± 5.25 ml/m2 versus 26.3 ± 2.74 ml/m2, p-value = 0.016). Patients with presystolic wave demonstrated LV diastolic dysfunction more than patients without it (p-value = 0.024). Left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LVGLS) was lower in patients with a presystolic wave in comparison with patients without it (-20.2 ± 2.55 versus -21.7 ± 2.27 % with p-value = 0.008). Patients with presystolic wave demonstrated more subclinical LV systolic dysfunction than patients without it (p-value = 0.025). Conclusion The presystolic wave was linked to subclinical LV impairment. The existence of a presystolic wave may indicate hypertensive people who are at risk of developing overt heart failure. LVOT (LVOT studys study s (LV hypertension 8 twodimensional dimensional performed groups speckletracking speckle tracking identified 200 20 0 20.0 5 5% years 574 4 57.4% them 65% 65 (65% 3 35% 35 (35% not LVMI (LVMI 105.8 1058 105 (105. 161 16 1 16. gm2 gm g m2 m g/m 998 99 99. 947 47 9.4 pvalue p value 0.03. 003 0.03 . 03 0.03) LAVI (LAVI 28.9 289 28 (28. 525 25 5.2 mlm2 mlm ml ml/m 263 26 26. 274 2 74 2.7 0.016. 0016 0.016 016 0.016) 0.024. 0024 0.024 024 0.024) LVGLS (LVGLS 20.2 202 (-20. 255 55 2.5 21.7 217 21 7 -21. 227 27 2.2 0.008. 0008 0.008 008 0.008) 0.025. 0025 0.025 025 0.025) failure 20. 57.4 6 (65 (35 105. 10 (105 94 9. 00 0.0 28. (28 52 5. 2. 001 0.01 01 002 0.02 02 (-20 21. -21 22 000 0.00 57. (6 (3 (10 0. (2 (-2 -2 ( (1 (- -

Resumo O cravo (Dianthus caryophyllus ‘Servantes’) é uma flor e corte popular e economicamente viável, amplamente utilizada na indústria florística. Apesar disso, a senescência pós-colheita ocorre em poucos dias, sendo um problema limitante na comercialização de flores de cravos cortadas. Assim, realizou-se a pesquisa para investigar o impacto de óleos essenciais como o óleo de árvore de chá (TTO), óleo de semente de abóbora (PSO), óleos essenciais de semente de Moringa (MEO), e óleos de Eucalipto (EEO), como soluções conservantes ecologicamente corretas para melhorar a qualidade e a longevidade das flores de cravo. As flores de cravo cortadas foram submetidas a diferentes concentrações (250 e 500 mg L-1) de todos os óleos essenciais utilizados na solução de vaso. Os resultados revelaram que a maior vida útil de vaso e a máxima absorção total da solução pelo cravo cortado ocorreu nos tratamentos com óleo TTO ou PSO a 500 mg L-1 na solução conservante em comparação com o controle (água destilada). Enquanto o maior peso relativo fresco indicado com 500 mg L-1 PSO, a maiores valores de clorofila a e b, carotenóides totais, açúcares totais, conteúdo fenólico total nas folhas, conteúdo de antocianina e atividade enzimática em pétalas tratadas com 500 mg L-1 de (TTO) e (PSO). Além disso, todos os tratamentos de óleos atuaram diminuindo a atividade bacteriana em comparação com o controle. Também, o menor crescimento bacteriano ocorreu no terceiro dia com o uso 500 mg de L-1 TTO e PSO. Entretanto, observando um estado primário de vasos de xilema de hastes tratadas com 500 mg L-1 de TTO e 500 mg L-1 de PSO, comparando com água destilada, a aplicação do óleo essencial neste estudo como conservante natural em solução conservante como alternativa aos produtos químicos pode ser de grande valor ambiental e econômico. Dianthus ‘Servantes Servantes ‘Servantes’ viável florística disso póscolheita pós colheita dias Assim realizouse realizou se TTO, , (PSO) MEO, MEO (MEO) EEO, EEO (EEO) 250 (25 50 L1 L 1 L- destilada. destilada . destilada) b totais folhas (TTO Também Entretanto econômico (PSO (MEO (EEO 25 (2 5 2 (

Abstract Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus ‘Servantes’) is a popular and economically cut flower widely used in the florist industry. However, post-harvest senescence occurs in a few days and limits the cut carnation flowers’ commercialization. Therefore, this research was performed to investigate the impact of essential oils such as tea tree oil (TTO), pumpkin seed oil (PSO), Moringa seed essential oils (MEO), and Eucalyptus oils (EEO), as eco-friendly preservative solutions to enhance the quality and longevity of carnation flowers. Carnation cut flowers were submitted to different concentrations (250 and 500 mg L-1) of each essential oil used in the vase solution and the experiments were carried out as a completely randomized design in three replicates. The findings revealed that the longest vase life and the maximum total water solution uptake in cut carnation were achieved when treated with either TTO or PSO oil at 500 mg L-1 in solution preservative as compared to the control (distilled water). While the highest relative fresh weight was observed at 500 mg L-1 PSO, the highest chlorophyll a, b, total carotenoids, total sugar, total phenolic content in leaves, anthocyanin content, and enzyme activity in petals at 500 mg L-1 TTO and PSO. Additionally, all treatments of selected oils have positively declined the bacteria activity compared to control. Also, the lowest bacteria growth on third day with 500 mg L-1 TTO and PSO. However, observing a prim state of xylem vessels with TTO 500 mg L-1and PSO 500 mg L-1, comparable with distilled water, the application of essential oil in this study as a natural preservative in preservative solution as an alternative to chemicals could be of environmental value and great economic. Dianthus ‘Servantes Servantes ‘Servantes’ industry However postharvest post harvest commercialization Therefore TTO, , (TTO) (PSO) MEO, MEO (MEO) EEO, EEO (EEO) ecofriendly eco friendly 250 (25 50 L1 L 1 replicates L- water. . water) b carotenoids sugar leaves Additionally Also L1and Land 1and L1, 1, economic (TTO (PSO (MEO (EEO 25 (2 5 2 (

Resumo A salinidade é um estresse abiótico que afeta o crescimento e a produção das plantas. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar o efeito do vermicomposto e dos efeitos da salinidade sobre os parâmetros morfológicos e fisiológicos de Calliandra haematocephala. O experimento foi realizado com tratamentos de vermicompostagem a 5%, 10%, 15% e 20% além do controle, tratamentos de salinidade a 1000, 2000 3000 ppm além do controle (água da torneira, 280 ppm). Os resultados indicaram que o aumento do nível de salinidade resultou em redução no crescimento vegetativo e nos parâmetros de floração (altura da planta, número de ramos/planta, diâmetro do caule, comprimento da raiz, massa fresca e seca das folhas, raízes/planta, número de flores/planta, bem como pesos frescos e secos de flores/planta), clorofilas totais, carboidratos totais, K+%, Ca2+% % e relação K+/Na+, enquanto aumentou prolina, Na+ e Cl−% nas plantas. As atividades das enzimas catalase (CAT), superóxido dismutase (SOD), ascorbato peroxidase (APX) aumentaram significativamente com a elevação do nível de salinidade de 0 a 3000 ppm. A aplicação de vermicomposto em qualquer concentração teve efeito positivo sobre o crescimento vegetativo e parâmetros de floração, clorofilas totais, carboidratos totais, absorção de nutrientes, relação K+/Na+, teor de prolina, atividades enzimáticas e redução do acúmulo de íons tóxicos Na+ e Cl−% nas folhas. Com base nos resultados, a aplicação de vermicomposto a 20% é recomendada para aliviar os efeitos nocivos da salinidade em plantas de Calliandra haematocephala irrigadas com água salina em concentração de até 3000 ppm. 5 5% 10 10% 15 20 1000 200 300 torneira 28 . ppm) altura planta ramosplanta ramos ramos/planta caule raiz folhas raízesplanta raízes raízes/planta floresplanta flores flores/planta , flores/planta) totais K K+% Ca2 Ca Ca2+ KNa Na K+/Na+ prolina Cl Cl− CAT, CAT (CAT) SOD, SOD (SOD) APX (APX nutrientes 1 2 100 30 K+ K+/Na (CAT (SOD 3

Abstract Salinity is one of abiotic stress that affects plant growth and production. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of salinity and vermicompost on morphology and physiology parameters of Calliandra haematocephala. The experiment was carried out with salinity treatments at 1000, 2000 3000 ppm in addition to the control (tap water, 280 ppm), vermicompost treatments at 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% in addition to the control. The results indicated that increasing level of salinity resulted in reduction in vegetative growth and flowering parameters (plant height, number of branches/plant, stem diameter, root length, fresh and dry weights of leaves and roots/plant, number of flowers /plant, as well as fresh and dry weights of flowers /plant), total chlorophylls, total carbohydrates, K+%, Ca2+%, and K+/Na+ ratio, while increased proline, Na+ and Cl−% in the plants. Catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), Ascorbate peroxidase (APX) enzyme activities significantly increased with elevating salinity level from 0 to 3000 ppm. Application of vermicompost with any concentration had a positive effect on vegetative growth and flowering parameters, total chlorophylls, total carbohydrates, nutrient uptake, K+/Na+ ratio, proline content, enzyme activities and reducing accumulation of Na+ and Cl−% toxic ions in leaves. Based on the results, application of vermicompost at 20% recommended for alleviating the harmful efects of salinity on Calliandra haematocephala plants irrigated with saline water at concentration up to 3000 ppm. production 1000 200 300 tap 28 ppm, , ppm) 5 5% 10 10% 15 15% 20 height branchesplant branches branches/plant diameter length rootsplant roots roots/plant /plant /plant) chlorophylls carbohydrates K K+% Ca2 Ca Ca2+% KNa Na K+/Na ratio Cl Cl− CAT, CAT (CAT) SOD, SOD (SOD) APX (APX uptake content 100 30 2 1 K+ Ca2+ (CAT (SOD 3

Abstract Healthcare professionals use a variety of drug information sources to fulfill their clinical needs and medical practice. The aim of present study was to assess the sources of drug information among hospital’ prescribers and evaluate their prescribing behavior in Saudi hospitals. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among randomly selected hospital’ prescribers using a self-administered questionnaire. The response rate to the survey was 64.29%, with a ratio of 76.44% male and 23.56% female. The internet 137(60.89%) and textbooks 86(38.22%) were the prevalent sources for drug information used. Up-To-Date 107(47.56%), Medscape 105(46.67%) and FDA 74(32.88%) were the common electronic drug sources used. About 151(67.11%) of hospital’ prescribers considered the pharmacist as a reliable drug information source. The most favored drug requests by hospital’ prescribers from the pharmacists were drug alternatives 110(48.89%) followed by drug interactions 94(41.78%), side effects 78(34.67%) and indications 60(26.67%). Therapeutic efficacy 168(74.67%) and drug availability 73(32.44%) were the main factors contributed to the selection of drugs. This study shows some differences in hospital prescribers’ perceptions of sources of drug information depending upon their background and clinical practice. Therefore, knowing appropriate drug information used by hospital’ prescribers is fundamental for drug efficacy and safety in clinical practice.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a novel sickness that emerged worldwide as an unprecedented crisis and led to major effects on the daily life of the general public as well as negative impacts on their mental well-beingAIM: This study aimed to assess satisfaction with life and psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic in EgyptSETTING: An online study was conducted in EgyptMETHODS: A cross-sectional online survey was fulfilled by 1056 Egyptian adults from 06 to 13 June 2020. Psychological distress and satisfaction with life were measured by Arabic validated versions of the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLSRESULTS: About half of the surveyed respondents (51%) were satisfied with their life, whilst 57.4% experienced severe psychological distress. The independent predictors of satisfaction with life are being married, satisfactory income, low distress, moderate distress and high distress (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.2, 3.0, 2.5, 6.9, 5.2 and 2.1, respectively). Being a female, having secondary education, > secondary education, unsatisfactory income and presence of mental illness are the independent predictors of mental distress (AOR = 2.3, 3.9, 1.9, 1.9, 1.6 and 4.0, respectivelyCONCLUSION: The study provides evidence about the high prevalence of psychological distress during the peak period of Egypt's COVID-19 pandemic. The study results highlight the enhancement of development interventions to promote psychological well-being and feeling of satisfaction with life during the pandemic

INTRODUCTION: Leptospirosis is a re-emerging zoonotic disease of humans and animals worldwide. The disease is caused by pathogenic species of the genus Leptospira. These organisms are maintained in nature via chronic renal infection of carrier animals, which excrete the organisms in their urine. Humans become infected through direct or indirect exposure to infected animals and their urine or through contact with contaminated water and soil. This study was conducted to investigate Leptospira infections as a re-emerging zoonosis that has been neglected in Egypt. METHODS: Samples from 1,250 animals (270 rats, 168 dogs, 625 cows, 26 buffaloes, 99 sheep, 14 horses, 26 donkeys and 22 camels), 175 human contacts and 45 water sources were collected from different governorates in Egypt. The samples were collected from different body sites and prepared for culture, PCR and the microscopic agglutination test (MAT). RESULTS: The isolation rates of Leptospira serovars were 6.9%, 11.3% and 1.1% for rats, dogs and cows, respectively, whereas the PCR results revealed respective detection rates of 24%, 11.3% and 1.1% for rats, dogs and cows. Neither the other examined animal species nor humans yielded positive results via these two techniques. Only six Leptospira serovars (Icterohaemorrhagiae, Pomona, Canicola, Grippotyphosa, Celledoni and Pyrogenes) could be isolated from rats, dogs and cows. Moreover, the seroprevalence of leptospiral antibodies among the examined humans determined using MAT was 49.7%. CONCLUSIONS: The obtained results revealed that rats, dogs and cows were the most important animal reservoirs for leptospirosis in Egypt, and the high seroprevalence among human contacts highlights the public health implications of this neglected zoonosis.