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We report a comparative study of the heating response of hematite (α-Fe2O3) and NiFe2O4 nanoparticles under an alternating magnetic field. In addition, Langevin model and the law of approach to saturation (LAS) are used to confirm the magnetic behavior and to determine the effective anisotropy constant (Keff). Magnetic measurement at room temperature showed superparamagnetic behavior for both samples. This behavior is corroborated by the successfully fitting into Langevin function for paramagnetic materials. We find that α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles has high saturation (2.46 emu/g) compared to the bulk value and Keff (3.12 × 103 erg/cm3), while saturation and Keff for NiFe2O4 nanoparticles are 18.8 emu/g and 2.8 × 104 erg/cm3 respectively. The specific absorption rate (SAR) is investigated under an alternating magnetic field and as a function of concentration (5,10,20 mg/mL) and amplitude of the applied magnetic field (90,130, 170Oe).The SAR and intrinsic loss power (ILP) values obtained for both samples indicated best heating of NiFe2O4 nanoparticles compared to α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles. We showed also that both samples did not reach hyperthermia temperature (42 °C) but maintain a good temperature rise and the SAR values follows linear response theory (LRT). Finally, the contribution of each mechanism in the heat dissipated by α-Fe2O3 and NiFe2O4 nanoparticles were investigated.

Graphical abstract, Highlights • Tetracyclines’ detection rate was higher than sulfonamides’ in Tilapia fish samples. • Tetracyclines showed higher sensitivity than sulfonamides to the thermal processing of fish through grilling and frying. • The thermal stability of antibiotics was arranged as SMT > SDM > SMX > CTC > TC > OTC., The current study was conducted to determine sulfonamides (SAs) and tetracyclines (TCs) residuals in farmed Nile Tilapia fish (Orechromis niloticus) using the solid phase extraction (SPE) technique and high performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD). As well, to assess the potential health risk due to the consumption of contaminated fish following its household thermal processing. Tilapia samples were collected from four governorates in Egypt; El-Fayoum, Giza, Cairo, and Alexandria. The results showed that 56.3 % (27 out of 48 samples) of fish samples were free of antibiotics, while 10.4 % and 33.3 % of samples were contaminated by SAs and TCs, respectively. Besides, oxytetracycline (OTC) showed the highest detected concentrations ranged from 52.8 to 658.5 (μg/kg), followed by chlortetracycline (OTC) (35.89–109.76 μg/kg), and tetracycline (TC) (68.8–96.7 μg/kg). While the detected SAs were between 32.89 μg/kg (sulfamethazine: SMT) and 136.43 μg/kg (sulfadimethoxine: SDM). As well, sulfamethoxazole (SMX) showed an average concentration of 52.41 μg/kg. Notably, only 7 samples (out of 21 positive samples) had residual levels exceeded the permissible limits. The study also concluded that freezing fish at −18 °C for one week had no significant effect on the stability of SAs and TCs. As well, SAs showed more stability than TCs against the thermal processing for fish. Indeed, the stability of SAs and TCs antibiotics was arranged in a descending order, shown as follows: SMT > SDM > SMX > CTC > TC > OTC. Eventually, no potential risk to the Egyptian population was found from the consumption of the contaminated fish samples by SAs and TCs.

The existing study was designed to inspect the toxicological consequences of two pesticides; lambda-cyhalothrin (LCT) and methomyl (MTM) and their combination on Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) behaviors, oxidative stress, hepato-renal function indices and microarchitectural alterations. In addition, the efficiency of taurine (TUR) to rescue their toxicity was also considered. Juvenile O. niloticus were assigned into eight groups. The control and TUR groups were fed on a basal diet and TUR-enriched (10 g kg

Heavy metals (HM) are widespread contaminants of water affecting aquatic organisms and aquatic ecosystems. Indian lotus, Nelumbo nucifera (Gaertn.), is a beneficial medicinal plant that exhibits several pharmacological properties. It is hypothesized that incorporation of Indian lotus leaf (ILL) powder may be able to alleviate toxic effects exerted by a mixture of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and zinc (Zn) in Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.). A total of two hundred and forty fish were randomly allocated into eight groups in triplicate, in a bifactorial design (4 ILL levels × 2 HM exposures). The fish in the first four groups were fed on a basal diet (39.9% crude protein) that was enriched with 0.0, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.4% ILL (in G1–G4, respectively), with no HM exposure. In the remaining four groups, fish were fed with the same diets and, in addition, were exposed to 1/20 of the 96 h-LC50 of Pb, Cd, Hg, and Zn mixture (in G5–G8, respectively), for 45 days. The HM exposure significantly elevated the levels of serum alanine and aspartate aminotransferases, creatinine, urea, malondialdehyde, and activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX). The expression level of hepatic metallothionein (MT) was up-regulated as well as high residual levels of HM in fish musculature were recorded in the HM-exposed fish. Two-way ANOVA revealed that all the studied variables were significantly affected by the ILL supplementation, HM exposure, and their interaction. Moreover, levels of MDA, CAT, SOD, and MT showed significant positive correlations with HM concentrations. Moreover, necrosis and degeneration of hepatopancreatic cells with congestion, hyperplasia, and fusion of gills lamellae were observed in HM-exposed fish. Interestingly, ILL supplementation, especially in the fish fed with 0.2 and 0.4% ILL, was observed to reduce the HM concentration in the fish body, resulting in the reduction of its toxic effects on the biochemical and antioxidant activities. These results demonstrated that dietary ILL supplementation could protect Nile tilapia against the toxic effects of HM, and therefore, may serve as a beneficial feed additive for application in the aquaculture industry.

This work was performed to investigate the effect of the dietary addition of lemon, Citrus limon (L.) Burm. peels on the growth performance, antioxidant activity, immune status, and disease resistance against Aeromonas hydrophila in two common freshwater fish species (Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus and African catfish, Clarias gariepinus). The fishes were randomly distributed at 10 fish per 60 L aquariums, and fed on three different diets (a control basal diet and two supplemented diets with 1% and 2% dried C. limon peels powder) for 45 days. The growth performance was insignificantly decreased in Nile tilapia fed on 2% followed by 1% C. limon peels supplemented diets and in African catfish fed on 2% C. limon peels when compared with the control fishes. Serum glucose was decreased with increasing levels of C. limon peels (2% followed by 1%) in Nile tilapia diets, whereas no significant effects were observed in African catfish. The cortisol levels remained unchanged in both fish species. However, significant elevation (p

Graphical abstract, Highlights • The studied samples (juices, flavored yogurts and carbonated drinks) were mostly free of Pb, Cd and Cr. • Concentrations of Fe, Mn and Ni were above the recommended permissible limits in most of the beverage samples. • Canned beverages were most contaminated by toxic elements as compared to the plastic bottled beverages., Heavy metals are elements present in trace quantities in the environment and, in small concentrations, they play important roles for the living organisms yet it can cause toxicity if exceeded the recommended levels. Toxic metals contamination is an important environmental problem that was mainly manifested in the growing industrial cities where the levels in toxic metals exceeded the recommended levels leading to the increase of several health problems (that vary from memory disorder to carcinogenic diseases). The main sources of food contamination by toxic metals are the increase in petroleum fuels exhausts and the addition of fertilizers and metal-based pesticides during farming processes. Nowadays, the non-alcoholic drinks represent one of the highest consumption groups worldwide especially in the Middle East and Islamic countries. The current work aims to investigate the safety of some non-alcoholic beverages (carbonated drinks, flavored yogurt drinks and juice drinks) from toxic metal contamination in the Egyptian market. The study revealed that non-alcoholic beverage samples (juices, flavored yogurts and carbonated drinks) in the Egyptian market are mostly free of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and chromium (Cr) contamination. On the other hand, the results of current beverage samples indicate that iron (Fe), manganese (Mn) and nickel (Ni), except Mn in juices and carbonated drinks, were presented in concentrations above the recommended permissible limits of both the World Health Organization (WHO) and Egyptian Ministry Health (EMH). Meanwhile, Cu was found in concentrations below the recommended permissible limits.

In this paper, sol-gel technique was used to prepare Gd-doped γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles and their heating efficiency for magnetic hyperthermia application was investigated. The obtained nanoparticles are characterized by several techniques. The structural properties are performed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDAX) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), while the morphology is investigated by Transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The magnetic properties and heating ability under an alternating magnetic field are performed by vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and magnetherm respectively. XRD, XPS and TEM results confirmed the maghemite (γ-Fe2O3) phase, the presence of Gd ions and crystallinity. VSM hysteresis loops showed a negligible coercive field and remanence suggesting superparamagnetic behavior, which was also confirmed by Langevin method. Heating efficiency under an AC alternating magnetic field measurements showed that doped and un-doped samples display high heating ability and reached magnetic hyperthermia (42 °C) in relatively short times with shorter time (∼2 min) observed for γ-Fe2O3 compared to 6 min for Gd (5%) doped γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles. The specific absorption rate (SAR) values decreased with increased concentration of Gd but remain considerable for all doped samples (up to 40W/g for Gd (5%)). The high crystallinity, superparamagnetic behavior and good SARs values make these nanoparticles a promising candidate for hyperthermia application.

Reproductive efficiency is one of the most critical factors affecting the productivity and profitability of the sheep industry. Therefore, the goal of this study is to identify candidate genes and/or loci that could be used for improving prolificacy in Egyptian sheep breeds. We selected four genes (GDF9, BMP15, BMP6 and BMPR1B), because of their previously reported contributions to sheep prolificacy and ovulation rate, to explore the effects of their variants on Egyptian sheep breeds as well as the effect of their expression level on follicular maturation. Sequence analysis of the four genes in Rahmani rams revealed seven SNPs, three of them are novel. The detected SNPs were genotyped in both Rahmani and Ossimi breeds. Association analysis showed that two SNPs located in GDF9 and BMPR1B are in association with litter size. Analysis of the mRNA transcripts in different ovarian cells and tissues showed that GDF9 and BMP15 transcripts are expressed exclusively by oocytes, however, their levels are significantly reduced in poor qualities oocytes, which underlines their importance in oocyte ovulation. The most interesting findings are the expression of BMPR1B mRNA in oocytes, granulosa, cumulus cells and corpora lutea along with BMP6 mRNA. This observation suggests that BMP6 would be the most likely ligand regulating follicular maturation and ovulation rate through BMPR1B. Also the presence of their transcripts in corpora lutea suggests the role these two genes in controlling luteolysis. However further studies are required to confirm these suggestions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report about the expression of BMP6 and BMPR1B in sheep cumulus cells and corpora lutea.

Distributed generations (DGs) have been utilized in some electric power networks. Power loss reductions, voltage improvement, increasing reliability, postponement of system upgrading and environmental friendliness are some advantages of DG-unit applications. This paper presents a new optimization approach that employs a flower pollination algorithm (FPA) to determine the optimal DG-unit’s size and location in order to minimize the total system real power loss and improve the system buses voltage. The FPA is a new metaheuristic optimization technique and it is inspired by the reproduction strategy of the flow pollination process of flowering plants. To reveal the validity of the FPA algorithm, IEEE 33-bus, 69-bus and 136-bus radial distribution test systems are examined with different test cases of the objective function using the MATLAB. Furthermore, the results obtained by the proposed FPA algorithm are compared with other metaheuristic optimization techniques such as backtracking search optimization algorithm, artificial bee colony, and selection algorithm. The outcomes verify that the FPA algorithm is efficient, robust, and capable of handling mixed integer nonlinear optimization problems.

Recently, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) established a prospective value in aquaculture; however, extensive use afflicts fish and environment. Therefore, the current study represents a premier report to investigate the acute exposure of African catfish, Clarias gariepinus (B.) to AgNPs and the ethological alterations in a static renewal system. Additionally, AgNPs impact on blood profile, stress, brain activity, and branchial oxidative stress parameters were evaluated. Fish (50.71 ± 3.85 g) were exposed to different concentrations (0, 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 mg L−1) of AgNPs for 96-h without water exchange. Finney's probit analysis was used to estimate the 96-h LC50 value of AgNPs which recorded 21.38 mg L−1. In comparison to the control, the AgNPs exposed fish exhibited different ethological responses such as surfacing for gasping air, restlessness, slow swimming movement, aggressiveness, and nervousness and the scores of these behaviors and mortalities reached the high values with increasing AgNPs concentrations. There were marked reductions in hematological indices (RBCs, Hb, Hct, and WBCs), acetylcholine esterase (AChE) activity, and oxidative stress indices (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and reduced glutathione content (GSH)) of exposed groups in an AgNPs dose-dependent manner relative to the control group. On the contrary, the levels of stress-mediated indices (glucose and cortisol) and 8 hydroxy 2 deoxyguanosine (8OH2dG) were markedly decreased in all AgNPs exposed groups as compared with the control group and the reduction increased with increasing the exposure concentration. We concluded that AgNPs exposure of C. gariepinus induced marked alterations in behavior, blood profile, neurological, and branchial antioxidant parameters, and the 96-h LC50 of AgNPs was 21.38 mg L−1 and this provides a basis for future applying AgNPs as a safe therapeutic agent after considering the acute toxicity.

The therapy of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) stays a challenging issue. During the last decade, there has been an interest in the expansion of anti-diabetic drugs especially those of natural sources. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the anti-hyperglycemic and the anti-hyperlipidemic effects as well as the anti-oxidant activities of navel orange hydroethanolic extract and its constituting flavonoids naringin and naringenin on nicotineamide (NA)/streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 2 diabetic rats. To induce T2DM, 16h-fasted rats were intraperitoneally injected with STZ at dose of 50mg/kg body weight (b. w.), 15min after the intraperitoneal administration of NA (120mg/kg b. w.). The NA/STZ-induced type 2 diabetic rats were orally treated with navel orange peel hydroethanolic extract, naringin and narengenin at dose level of 100mg/kg b. w./day for 4 weeks. The treatments with navel orange peel hydroethanolic extract, naringin and narengenin potentially alleviated the lowered serum insulin and C-peptide levels, the depleted liver glycogen content, the elevated liver glucose-6-phosphatase and glycogen phosphorylase activities, the deteriorated serum lipid profile, and the suppressed liver antioxidant defense system of NA/STZ-induced type 2 diabetic rats. The treatments also enhanced the mRNA expression of insulin receptor β-subunit, GLUT4 and adiponectin in adipose tissue of STZ/NA-induced type 2 diabetic rats. In conclusion, the navel orange peel hydroethanolic extract, naringin and naringenin have potent anti-diabetic effects in NA/STZ-induced type 2 diabetic rats via their insulinotropic effects and insulin improving action which in turn may be mediated through enhancing insulin receptor, GLUT4 and adiponectin expression in adipose tissue.

FexOy nanoparticles have been prepared by hydrothermal technique in the absence and presence of 5% polymer blend of PVA/PVP as structure-directing agent. The as-prepared nanoparticles have been characterized by powder x-ray diffraction (XRD), ultraviolet visible light spectroscopy (UV–Vis), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). TEM, and HRTEM results revealed that the as-prepared nanoparticles were single crystalline and had semi-spherical morphology. Also, the results revealed that the presence of the polymer blend served as a structural controlling agent as the presence of the polymer blend produced Fe3O4 (magnetite) nanoparticles selectively rather than γ-Fe2O3 (maghemite) nanoparticles. The reasons behind the impact of polymer blend were investigated. This method represents a facile and polymorphs-selective synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles for different applications.

Currently, the contamination of water with different insecticides like profenofos (PFF) is a critical concern in the aquatic ecosystem. There are limited studies available on the negative impacts of PFF on common carp fish (Cyprinus carpio L.). Therefore, the existing study was designed to investigate the effect of PFF exposure (1/10 of the 96 h-LC50) on the neurobehavior, growth performance, chemical composition, oxidative status, DNA damage, apoptotic status and histological indices of the brain and gill tissues. In addition, this study seeks to detect the ability of geranium essential oil (GEO) dietary supplementation to mitigate the negative impacts of PFF. Accordingly, a total of 120 healthy fish were divided into four groups: the control group, fed on basal diet only; the other groups were fed on a basal diet supplemented with 400 mg kg-1 GEO, basal diet and PFF in water (PFF group), and supplemented diet with GEO and PFF in water (GEO + PFF), respectively, for 60 days. The results showed that PFF significantly reduced fish growth performance, crude protein, and lipid contents. It caused several behavioral alterations including spiral movement, decreased activeness, and changes in feeding behavior. Moreover, PFF increased the DNA tail length, tail moment, and the level of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine. Histologically, PFF induced a wide array of circulatory, inflammatory, regressive and progressive alterations in the brain and gill tissues. PFF significantly downregulated Bcl-2 and upregulated caspase-3 immuno-expression in both organs. Further, it considerably depleted the antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase. The GEO supplementation did not reach the respective control values but markedly improved most of the behavioral, physical, biochemical, oxidative, apoptotic, and inflammatory markers, altered by PFF exposure. It also protected the gill and brain tissues from the branchial and encephalopathic effects of PFF. These findings suggest that GEO dietary supplements could be advantageous for mitigating PFF negative impacts and presenting a promising feed additive for common carp in aquaculture.

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a monogenic neurodevelopmental disorder caused primarily by mutations in the MECP2 gene. This study presents the spectrum of MECP2 mutations in 50 Egyptian RTT females with identified gene mutation. Molecular analysis was carried out by direct sequencing of the gene coding region, followed by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) for patients without detected pathogenic variation. In total, 23 different disease-causing mutations, including 5 novel frameshift mutations, have been reported. In the study cohort, T158 M is the most common mutation (18%), followed by R270X (14%). Large rearrangements account for 10% of cases intensifying the emergency of gene quantitative analysis. This study provides an effective and simple instrument for molecular analysis of MECP2 gene and genetic counseling of RTT cases.

This paper presents the results of an experimental program aimed at using expanded polystyrene (EPS) wastes in developing lightweight mortar and masonry solid brick units of adequate mechanical and thermal characteristics for use in building and construction applications. Five dosages of EPS were used to partially substitute the sand in the mix, namely; 0, 10, 15, 20 and 26 kg/m3. The results showed that the density, compressive strength, tensile strength, static modulus of elasticity, and coefficient of thermal conductivity decrease with the increase of the EPS dosage in the mix. The results showed also that the proposed EPS solid bricks possess adequate strength for non-loadbearing applications have superior thermal properties.

The present study investigated the possible effect of profenofos (PFF) on hepato-renal functions, non specific-immunity, and oxidants/antioxidants status in common carp, Cyprinus carpio (L.), and the supportive role of geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) essential oil (GEO). A static 96-h acute toxicity test was performed to determine the 96-h LC50 of PFF in common carp fingerlings and it was found to be 47.46 μg L−1 calculated by Finney probit analysis. One hundred and twenty fish were randomly allocated into four groups in triplicate. The first served as control and second groups were fed on basal diets that were enriched with 0.0 and 400 mg kg−1 of diet GEO, respectively without PFF exposure. The third and fourth groups were fed on the same diets and in addition, were exposed to 1/10 of the 96 h-LC50 of PFF (4.74 μg L−1), respectively for 60 days. The results revealed that the PFF exposure induced marked increases in the levels of serum alanine and aspartate aminotransferases (ALT and AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatinine, urea, cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), and malondialdehyde (MDA). Meanwhile, the serum total protein (TP), globulins, glucose, lysozyme activity, complement3 (C3), nitric oxide (NO), and hepatic antioxidant enzyme activities as well as the reduced glutathione (GSH) content were markedly declined in the PFF-exposed fish compared to the control group. Additionally, vacuolation, pyknosis, and degeneration of hepatocytes and epithelial cells of renal tubules with mononuclear cell infiltration were observed. A strong caspase-3 and weak BCL-2 immunohisto-reactivity in the liver and kidney tissues of PFF-exposed fish were noted respective to the control. Interestingly, GEO supplementation improved these variables with nearly restoring to control values with improving the histological architecture of liver and kidney tissues. The apoptotic condition of the examined tissues was markedly restricted in the combination group than PFF-exposed group. These results concluded that GEO has ameliorative influence against toxic impacts of PFF on hepato-renal functions, immunological parameters, and oxidative stress in common carp, and therefore, maybe a valuable candidate as a dietary supplement in aquaculture.