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This study was conducted to investigate if silymarin can prevent the adverse effect of oxidative stress induced by carbon tetrachloride(CCl4) on some characters of male rat reproductive system. Twenty male albino rats were divided into 4 groups, 5 for each included, control group, CCl4 group, silymarin group and silymarin plus CCl4 group. Groups with silymarin received dose (150mg/kg) and group with CCl4 received (3ml/kg) at the end of experiment. The period of the study was 35 days. CCl4 can induce male reproductive toxicity through damage testis structure, weights, reduction in epididymis, sperm count, morphology, viability and motility. Silymarin plays its antioxidant role with scavenging free radical resulted by CCl4 and showed significant increasing in body and testis weight, normal sperms counting and vital sperms in compared to CCl4 group.

A novel orange-coloured bacterium, designated strain SYSU D00508T, was isolated from a sandy soil sampled from the Kumtag Desert in China. Strain SYSU D00508T was aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, oxidase-positive, catalase-positive and non-motile. Growth occurred at 4–45°C (optimum 28–30°C), pH 6.0–9.0 (optimum pH 7.0–8.0) and with 0–2.5 % NaCl (w/v, optimum 0–1.0 %). The major polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), unidentified aminolipids (AL1-3) and unidentified polar lipids (L1-5) were also detected. The major respiratory quinone was MK-7 and the major fatty acids (>10 %) were iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C15 : 1 G. The genomic DNA G+C content was 42.6 %. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain SYSU D00508T belonged to the family Chitinophagaceae and showed 93.9 % ( Segetibacter koreensis DSM18137T), 92.9 % ( Segetibacter aerophilus NBRC 106135T), 93.0 % ( Terrimonas soli JCM 32095T) and 92.8 % ( Parasegetibacter terrae JCM 19942T) similarities. Based on the phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic data, strain SYSU D00508T is proposed to represent a novel species of a new genus, named Aridibaculum aurantiacum gen. nov., sp. nov., within the family Chitinophagaceae . The type strain is SYSU D00508T (=KCTC 82286T=CGMCC 1.18648T=MCCC 1K05005T).

Two strains designated as SYSU D01084

A Gram-staining-negative, strictly aerobic, non-motile strain, SYSUP0001T, was isolated from tubers of Gastrodia elata Blume. The 16S rRNA gene sequence result indicated that SYSUP0001T represents a member of the genus Sphingomonas , with the highest sequence similarity (97.7 %) to the type strain of Sphingomonas ginsengisoli . SYSUP0001T grew at 14–37 °C and pH 6–8, with optimum growth at 28 °C and pH 7. Tolerance to NaCl was up to 3 % (w/v) with optimum growth in the absence of NaCl. The respiratory quinone was Q-10. The major fatty acids were C18 : 1ω7c, Summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c/C16 : 1ω6c), and C16 : 0. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), sphingoglycolipid (SGL), phosphatidylcholine (PC) and four unidentified polar lipids (L). The DNA G+C content was 67.5 %. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) values between SYSUP0001T and closely related members of the genus Sphingomonas were below the cut-off level (95–96 %) for species delineation. On the basis of the phenotypic, phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic characterizations, SYSUP0001T represents a novel species of the genus Sphingomonas , for which the name Sphingomonasmesophila sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SYSUP0001T (=KCTC 62179 T=CGMCC 1.16462T).

تم استخدام الشمع البرافيني المدعم برغوة النحاس بوصفه مادة خزن حراري وتوظيفه ضمن المدخنة الشمسية ثنائية المجرى للحصول على تأثير التهوية او التهوية مع التبريد ألترطيبي خلال وبعد غياب الشمس. المدخنة الشمسية تم تنصيبها ضمن الجدار المواجه الى الجنوب لغرفة الاختبار المعزولة حراريا والتي تم فيها اختبار المدخنة الشمسية ضمن زاوية عمل مختلفة (60o, 45o and 30o) ولثلاثة انواع من المداخن الشمسية وهي المدخنة ذات الممر الهوائي الأحادي والمزدوج فضلا عن المدخنة ذات الممر الهوائي المزدوج ذي ماص حراري بشكل صندوق خزن حراري يحوي مادة الشمع البرافيني المدعم برغوة النحاس. تم بناء برنامج محاكاة لحل النموذج الحسابي للجزء غير المستقر (العابر) وذلك باستخدام طريقة الحجوم المحددة، حيث ان انتقال الحرارة وخزنها تم تمثيله عن طريق المعادلات الحاكمة (معادلة) الطاقة والتي تم استخدامها بشكل دالة لدرجة الحرارة، كذلك تم توظيف طريقة الحرارة النوعية المكافئة لوصف خزن الحرارة في المنطقة الثنائية الطور الانتقالية والتي تعد من أسهل الطرائق وادقها المستخدمة في وصف انتقال الحرارة وخزنها في المادة ثنائية الطور والمتحوله من الصلب الى السائل وبالعكس وبفعل كسب او فقدان الحرارة. النتائج العملية أشارت الى زيادة الموصلية الحرارية بعشرة اضعاف للمادة ثنائية الطور بعد تدعيمها برغوة النحاس، بينما تأثير التهوية يبقى فعالا ولمدة ساعات مع تأثير اقل بعد غياب المصدر الحراري (الشمس) وبالاعتماد على السعة الحرارية المخزونة. بينت النتائج العملية ان اكبر معدل تدفق كتلي للهواء تم تسجيله بمقدار36.651 kJ/hr. والتي عندها قيمة معامل التدفق المحسوب لهذه المنظومة بمقدار 0.371. كذلك اظهرت النتائج العملية أفضل زاوية عمل 45o-60o، وان نسبة اقتراب درجة حرارة الهواء من درجة حرارة السطح الماص والتي اظهرت اعلى قيمة عند المدخنة الشمسية ثنائية المجرى, اظهرت النتائج العملية ان المدخنة الشمسية ذات مواد الخزن الحرارية تظهر تأثير لفترة طويلة حتى بعد غياب الشمس لكن مع تأثير حراري اقل نتيجة الحفاظ على درجة حرارة مستقرة تمثل درجة الانصهار للمادة الثنائية والتي تحدد فيها درجة الحرارة بالثبات على الرغم من اكتساب الحرارة، النتائج أشارت الى اعلى كفاءة لخزن الحرارة ضمن مادة الخزن المركبة وبمقدار 47% عند اعلى مقدار للإشعاع الشمسي 780W/m2 ضمن ظروف الاختبار عند وقت الاختبار 12:00 pmوالسبب في ذلك يعود الى اكتساب الهواء المار في المدخنة جزء من الحرارة المخزنة لدوام استمرارية عمل المنظومة وهذا يحدث بسبب فرق درجات الحرارة , بينما سجل مجموع الطاقة خلال مدة الشحن الحراري بمقدار18460 kJ . النتائج الحسابية أظهرت سلوكا منطقيا لذوبان الشمع وتصلده خلال مدة شحن الحرارة واطلاقها بوجود الرغوة المعدنية، مع تقارب منطقي للنتائج النظرية من العملية وبمعدل خطا يصل الى 16.8% حيث تم اعتماد طريقة الحرارة النوعية المكافئة لحساب الحرارة المخزونة في المادة ثنائية الطور المدعمة برغوة النحاس.

A Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, non-motile strain, SYSUP0003T, was isolated from tubers of Gastrodia elata Blume. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain SYSUP0003T belonged to the genus Paracoccus , with the highest sequence similarity to the type strain of Paracoccus sediminis (97.5 %). Strain SYSUP0003T grew at pH 6.0–8.0 and 4–30 °C with optimum growth at pH 7.0 and 28 °C. Strain SYSUP0003T could tolerate up to 1 % (w/v) NaCl and grew optimally in the absence of NaCl. The isoprenoid quinone of strain SYSUP0003T was Q-10. The major fatty acids were C18 : 0, C16 : 0, C10 : 0 3-OH and summed feature 7. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), aminophospholipids (AL), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), phosphatidylcholine (PC) and four unidentified polar lipids (L). The genome size was 3 204 685 bp, with a DNA G+C content of 69.7 mol%. The average nucleotide identity values between strain SYSUP0003T and P. sediminis DSM 26170T (ANIm 84.2 %, ANIb 75.6 %), Paracoccus solventivorans DSM 6637T (ANIm 84.5 %, ANIb 76.9 %) and Paracoccus alkenifer DSM 11593T (ANIm 84.3 %, ANIb 77.3 %) were below the cut-off level (95–96 %) for species delineation. Based on phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular characterizations, strain SYSUP0003T represents a novel species of the genus Paracoccus , for which the name Paracoccus endophyticus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SYSUP0003T (=KCTC 62180T=CGMCC 1.16545T).

A gene encoding a β-xylosidase (designated as Thxyl43A) was cloned from strain Thermobifida halotolerans YIM 90462T. The open reading frame of this gene encodes 550 amino acid residues. The gene was over-expressed in Escherichia coli and the recombinant protein was purified. The monomeric Thxyl43A protein presented a molecular mass of 61.5 kDa. When p-nitrophenyl-β-d-xylopyranoside was used as the substrate, recombinant Thxyl43A exhibited optimal activity at 55 °C and pH 4.0 to 7.0, being thermostable by maintaining 47% of its activity after 30 h incubation at 55 °C. The recombinant enzyme retained more than 80% residual activity after incubation at pH range of 4.0 to 12.0 for 24 h, respectively, which indicated notable thermostability and pH stability of Thxyl43A. Moreover, Thxyl43A displayed high catalytic activity (> 60%) in presence of 5–35% NaCl (w/v) or 1–20% ionic liquid (w/v) or 1–50 mM xylose. These properties suggest that Thxyl43A has potential for promoting hemicellulose degradation and other industrial applications.

A Streptomyces isolate, designated strain SYSU D8023T, was isolated from a desert sand sample collected from Gurbantunggut desert, China. The characterisation of the isolate was achieved using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. The isolate was found to be Gram-positive and aerobic. The strain was found to be able to grow at 14–50 °C, pH 6.0–9.0 and in the presence of up to 7% (w/v) NaCl. Strain SYSU D8023T contains LL-diaminopimelic acid as a cell wall diamino acid. The polar lipids were identified as diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol mannoside, an unidentified glycolipid and an unidentified phospholipid. MK-9(H6) and MK-9(H8) were detected as the respiratory quinones, and anteiso-C15:0, iso-C16:0 and anteiso-C17:0 as the predominant fatty acids. Pairwise comparison of the 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain SYSU D8023T has a sequence identity of 97.9% to Streptomyces barkulensis RC 1831T. The DNA G + C content of strain SYSU D8023T was determined to be 70.1 mol%. Based on the analyses of the phenotypic, genotypic and phylogenetic characteristics, strain SYSU D8023T was concluded to represent a novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces desertarenae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the species is SYSU D8023T (= CGMCC 4.7455T = KCTC 49023T).

Strain SYSU D8008T was isolated from a desert sand sample collected from Saudi Arabia. The strain was observed to be Gram-stain positive, non-motile and aerobic. It can grow at 15–37 °C, pH 6.0–10.0 and can tolerant up to 7% (w/v) NaCl. Pairwise comparison of the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain SYSU D8008T shares high sequence similarities with Georgenia deserti SYSU D8004T (96.8%) and Georgenia halophila YIM 93316T (96.8%). Menaquinone MK-8(H4) was detected as the respiratory isoprenologue. The polar lipid profile of strain SYSU D8008T was found to consist of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, two phosphatidylinositol mannosides, an unidentified glycolipid and an unidentified phospholipid. Strain SYSU D8008T was found to contain anteiso-C15:0 and iso-C15:0 as the predominant fatty acids. Galactose, glucose and rhamnose were detected as the whole cell sugars. Based on the phenotypic, genotypic and phylogenetic characteristics, strain SYSU D8008T can be differentiated from other closely related members of the genus Georgenia. The strain SYSU D8008T, therefore, is concluded to represent a novel species of the genus Georgenia, for which the name Georgenia alba sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SYSU D8008T (= CGMCC 1.15800T = KCTC 39988T).

A novel endophytic actinobacterium, designated strain EGI 6500139T, was isolated from the surface-sterilized roots of Anabasis aphylla L., collected from Xinjiang, northwest PR China, and subjected to polyphasic taxonomic characterization. Strain EGI 6500139T formed sparse aerial mycelium with rod-like spores. Whole-cell hydrolysates of the isolate contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as the cell-wall diamino acid, glucose as major sugar, and mannose, galactose, xylose and ribose as minor sugars. The polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol mannoside, one unidentified glycolipid, one unidentified phospholipid and four unidentified polar lipids. The major fatty acids identified were anteiso-C17 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0. The predominant menaquinones detected were MK-11 and MK-11(H2). The G+C content of the genomic DNA of strain EGI 6500139T was 70.4 mol%. Strain EGI 6500139T showed the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Glycomyces lacisalsi XHU 5089T (96.3 %). Phylogenetic analysis showed that strain EGI 6500139T fell within the clade of the genus Glycomyces , and formed a clade with G. lacisalsi XHU 5089T and G. albus CCTCC AA 2013004T. Based on phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data, strain EGI 6500139T represents a novel species of the genus Glycomyces , for which the name Glycomyces anabasis sp. nov. (type strain EGI 6500139T=JCM 30088T=KCTC 29495T) is proposed.

A draft genome sequence of Jiangella alba YIM 61503T revealed a genome size of 7,664,864 bp arranged in 33 scaffolds. The genome was predicted to contain 7196 predicted genes, including 51 coding for RNA. Phylogenetic and comparative analyses of the draft genome of J. alba YIM 61503T with the available genomes of other Jiangella species suggested a proximal similarity between strains J. alba YIM 61503T and J. muralis DSM 45357T, while indicating a high divergence between J. gansuensis YIM 002T and other Jiangella species. The genome of J. alba YIM 61503T also revealed genes involved in indole-3-acetic acid biosynthesis and an alkylresorcinols gene cluster. Further, detection of phosphotransferase genes in the genome of all Jiangella species indicated that they can uptake and phosphorylate sugars. The presences of TreX-Z, TreS and OtsA-OtsB genes in some of the Jiangella strains also indicated a possible mechanism for their tolerance of high salinity. Besides providing new insights into its genetic features, our results suggested that J. alba YIM 61503T could be a potential strain for further genome mining studies. The release of this genome may, therefore, provide a better prospect for understanding "evolutionary taxonomy" about this genus in future.

Two extreme halophilic archaeal strains, SYSUA9-0T and SYSUA9-1, were isolated from Ebi lake of Xinjiang, China. The colonies were Gram-negative, coccoid, and non-motile. Strains were aerobic and grew at 25–50 °C (optimum at 37 °C), in the presence of 10–35% (w/v) NaCl (optimum at 20–22%), and pH 6.0–8.0 (optimum at 7.0). The 16S rRNA gene sequence result revealed that the two strains were closely related to Haloprofundus marisrubri SB9T (92.7% similarity). The DNA–DNA hybridization value (97% ± 1%) suggested that SYSUA9-0T and SYSUA9-1 were similar; however, their sequence similarities with other archaeal members suggested that they were novel candidates. The genomic G + C content of SYSUA9-0T was 66.9%. The average nucleotide identity value between SYSU A9-0T and Haloprofundus marisrubri SB9T was 69.1%, which was far below the cutoff value (95–96%) proposed to define the species boundary. The polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol (PG), phosphatidylglycerolphosphate methylester (PGP-Me), sulfated mannosyl glucosyl diether, mannosyl glucosyldiether, and four unidentified glycolipids. Phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and comparative genome analysis suggested that SYSU A9-0T and SYSU A9-1 represent a novel species of a new genus within the family Haloferacaceae, for which the name Halegenticoccus soli gen. nov., sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain is SYAUA9-0T (= KCTC4241T = CGMCC 1.15765T).

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain C8-1T, was isolated from the rhizosphere soil of Nicotiana tabacum L. collected from Kunming, south-west China. The cells showed oxidase-positive and catalase-positive reactions. Growth was observed at 10–40 °C, at pH 6.0–8.0 and in the presence of up to 1 % (w/v) NaCl, with optimal growth at 30 °C and pH 7.0. The predominant isoprenoid quinone was Q-8. The major fatty acids were identified as iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 and iso-C17 : 1ω9c. The cellular polar lipids contained diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, five unidentified phospholipids and two unidentified aminophospholipids. The genomic DNA G+C content was 70.7 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain C8-1T should be assigned to the genus Lysobacter . 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity analysis showed that strain C8-1T was closely related to Lysobacter cavernae YIM C01544T (98.6 %), Lysobacter soli DCY21T (97.6 %), Lysobacter panacisoli CJ29T (97.3 %), Lysobacter firmicutimachus PB-6250T (97.3 %), Lysobacter niastensis GH41-7T (97.3 %) and Lysobacter gummosus KCTC 12132T (97.1 %). DNA–DNA hybridization data indicated that the isolate may represent a novel genomic species belonging to the genus Lysobacter . Polyphasic taxonomic characteristics indicated that strain C8-1T represents a novel species of the genus Lysobacter , for which the name Lysobacter tabacisoli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is C8-1T (=KCTC 62034T=CGMCC 1.16271T) .

Alfalfa sprouts are well known for their nutritive values. Although there are several studies reported the positive impact of elevated CO2 (eCO2) on plants, there are no in-depth, comprehensive studies on how eCO2 could improve the sprouting of plant seeds. Herein, the production of health-promoting metabolites was determined in eCO2 (620 ppm)-treated Alfalfa sprout cultivars (Giza 1, Nubaria and Ismailia 1). eCO2 increased the photosynthetic process and pigment contents, which consequently induced carbohydrates, proteins, fats and fiber accumulation. eCO2 also boosted the levels of vitamins, phenolics, flavonoids and mineral individuals and enhanced the antioxidant capacity of alfalfa sprouts. Interestingly, eCO2 reduced the antinutritional factor l -canavanine content in Ismailia 1 cultivar and improved the anti-inflammatory activities through inhibiting cyclooxygenase-2 and lipoxygenase activity. Therefore, eCO2 is a promising approach to improve the health-promoting prospective of alfalfa sprouts to be a valuable source of nutritious and bioactive compounds in our daily diet.

In this study, respiratory viral pathogens were screened using real-time RT-PCR in 86 broiler chicken flocks suffering from respiratory diseases problems in 4 Egyptian governorates between January 2012 and February 2014. The mortality rates in the investigated flocks ranged from 1 to 47%. Results showed that mixed infection represented 66.3% of the examined flocks. Mixed infectious bronchitis (IBV) and avian influenza (AI)-H9N2 viruses were the most common infection (41.7%). Lack of AI-H9N2 vaccination and high rates of mixed infections in which AI-H9N2 is involved indicate an early AI-H9N2 infection with a potential immunosuppressive effect that predisposes for other viral infections. High pathogenic AI-H5N1 and virulent Newcastle disease virus (vNDV) infections were also detected (26.7% and 8.1%, respectively). Interestingly, co-infection of AI-H9N2 with either AIV-H5N1 or vNDV rarely resulted in high mortality. Partial cell-mediated immunity against similar internal AI genes, as well as virus interference between AI and vNDV, could be an explanation for this. Highly prevalent IBV and AI-H9N2 were isolated and were molecularly characterized based on S1 gene hypervariable region 3 (HVR3) and hemagglutinin gene (HA) sequences, respectively. IBV strains were related to the variant group of IBV with multiple mutations in HVR3. Though AI-H9N2 viruses showed low rate of evolution in comparison to recent strains, few amino acid substitutions indicative of antibody selection pressure were observed in the HA gene. In conclusion, mixed viral infections, especially with IBV and AI-H9N2 viruses, are the predominant etiology of respiratory disease problems in broiler chickens in Egypt. Further investigations of the role of AI, IBV, and ND viruses’ co-infections and interference in terms of altering the severity of clinical signs and lesions and/or generating novel reassortants within each virus are needed.

Background Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria normally live in the intestines of people and animals. Most E. coli are harmless and the treatment of the infection could be achieved by using antibiotics, however the effectiveness is still debatable and needs more investigation. Objective Researching the inhibition resonance frequency of square amplitude modulating waves (QAMW) that can inhibit the growth activity of E. coli and its ability to make division. Methods A range of different extremely low frequencies of square amplitude modulated waves (QAMW) from 0.1 to 1.0 Hz from two generators with a constant carrier frequency of 10 MHz, amplitude of 10 Vpp, modulating depth ± 2 Vpp and constant field strength 200 V/m were used to treat E. coli cells at 37 °C. Results The exposure of E. coli to 0.3 Hz QAMW for 90 min was the most inhibited frequency where the bacterial growth inhibited by 42.3%. Furthermore, a significant increase in antibiotic susceptibility to protein and cell wall inhibitors was investigated. Also, results of the chromosomal DNA sequences, dielectric relaxation and TEM indicated highly significant molecular and morphological changes after the exposure. Conclusions We concluded that the exposure of E. coli to QAMW at the inhibiting frequency interfered with the bioelectric signals generated from the bacteria during the cell division and changed the cellular activity and DNA sequences, and these changes lead to a significant inhibition of the bacterial growth. This is a new promising technique that aids to avoid the repetitive use of antibiotics against the bacterial pathogens.

A novel actinobacterial strain, designated SYSU K12189T, was isolated from a soil sample collected from a Karst cave in Xingyi county, Guizhou province, south-western China. The taxonomic position of the strain was investigated using a polyphasic approach. Cells of the strain were observed to be aerobic and Gram-stain positive. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities and phylogenetic analysis, strain SYSU K12189T is closely related to the type strains of the genus Microlunatus, Microlunatus parietis 12-Be-011T (98.5% sequence similarity), Microlunatus nigridraconis CPCC 203993T (98.4%) and Microlunatus cavernae YIM C01117T (96.6%), and is therefore considered to represent a member of the genus Microlunatus. DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain SYSU K12189T and related type strains of the genus Microlunatus were 10%) were found to be anteiso-C15:0, iso-C15:0, iso-C16:0 and iso-C14:0. The polar lipids were found to contain diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, three glycolipids and two unidentified lipids. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain SYSU K12189T was determined to be 69.4 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic, genotypic and phylogenetic data, strain SYSU K12189T is concluded to represent a novel species of the genus Microlunatus, for which the name Microlunatus speluncae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SYSU K12189T (= KCTC 39847T = DSM 103947T).

A Gram-positive and non-motile actinobacterium, designated strain EGI 60016T, was isolated from healthy roots of Glycyrrhiza uralensis F. collected from Xinyuan County, Xinjiang Province, China. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain EGI 60016T was found to show 97.5 and 97.3 % sequence similarities to Nesterenkonia rhizosphaerae EGI 80099T and Nesternkonia massiliensis NP1T, respectively. The neighbour-joining phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain EGI 60016T formed a distinct clade with N. rhizosphaerae EGI 80099T and N. massiliensis NP1T. The polar lipids detected for strain EGI 60016T were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, an unidentified glycolipid, an unidentified lipid and an unidentified phospholipid. The DNA G+C content was determined to be 64.1 mol%. Other chemotaxonomic features of strain EGI 60016T included MK-7, MK-8 and MK-9 as the respiratory quinones, and anteiso-C15 : 0 and anteiso-C17 : 0 as the major fatty acids. Based on the results of the phylogenetic analysis supported by morphological, physiological, chemotaxonomic and other differentiating phenotypic characteristics, strain EGI 60016T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Nesterenkonia , for which the name Nesterenkonia endophytica sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is EGI 60016T (=CCTCC AB 2017176T=NBRC 112398T).

A Gram-positive and aerobic actinobacterium, strain SYSU D8006T, was isolated from a desert sand sample collected from Gurbantunggut desert, China. Phenotypically, the strain was found to grow at 14–50 °C, pH 6.0–9.0 and in the presence of up to 4% (w/v) NaCl. The chemotaxonomic features of strain SYSU D8006T included menaquinone MK-9(H4) as the respiratory quinone, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositol mannoside as known polar lipids, iso-C15:0, iso-C16:0, C17:1ω8c and C18:1ω9c as the predominant fatty acids, and arabinose, galactose and glucose as the whole cell sugars. Strain SYSU D8006T shared the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence identity with Blastococcus jejuensis DSM 19597T (98.2%). Based on the analyses of the phenotypic, genotypic and phylogenetic characteristics, strain SYSU D8006T is characterized to represent a novel species of the genus Blastococcus, for which the name Blastococcus deserti sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SYSU D8006T (= CGMCC 1.15935T = KCTC 49026T = CPCC 204618T).

Background: Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a major cause of mortality, yet its epidemiological and outcome data in hospitals from Saudi Arabia are limited. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence, risk factors and outcomes of SCA in a teaching hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Methods: This retrospective study included all patients aged ≥18 years with SCA who were resuscitated at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, between January 1 and December 31, 2016. Data were retrieved from the hospital medical records as flow sheets designed in accordance with the Utstein-style recommendations. Factors relating to mortality were analyzed using descriptive analyses and chi-square test. Results: A total of 429 cases of SCA met the inclusion criteria, and its prevalence was 7.76 cases/1000 adult hospital admission. Of these, 61.3% were male, and the mean age was 58.4 years, with 36.6% aged >65 years. Only 3.5% were outside-hospital cardiac arrests. The most common initial rhythm was pulseless electrical activity/asystole (93.2%), while ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation was documented in only 29 cases (6.8%). The overall rate of return to spontaneous circulation (ROSC) was 56.2%, and 56.8% in cases of in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA). Patients with SCA due to sepsis had significantly increased mortality (P < 0.000; odds ratio [OR] = 0.24 [0.12–0.47 95% confidence interval [CI]]), while those with SCA due to respiratory causes had significantly better survival outcomes (P = 0.001; OR = 2.3 [1.5–3.8 95% CI]). No significant differences in outcomes were found between other risk factors, including cardiac causes. Conclusion: In this population, the prevalence of SCA in adults was higher than reported in many similar studies. Further, sepsis was found to affect the survival rate. Although the rate of ROSC for IHCA patients was favorable compared with other studies, it is relatively poor. This finding signifies the need to identify and control risk factors for SCA to improve survival.

The study aimed mainly to explore the customary judgment in the study area from the viewpoint of respondents, identify their personal and social characteristics, and determine barriers faced the local judgment and their suggestions to overcome it. Data were collected from 33 proposed respondents distributed on seven tribes in North Sinai governorate, using questionnaire form during May 2010. Frequencies, percentages, and average were used for data display. Findings show that about one third of respondents are illiterate, 81.8% of them are located in the category of high leadership, and 72.7% of them are highly exposed. The most important criteria of the selection of customary judges are heredity, biography, and social status. The main sanctions imposed by local judges are fines (camels), oath, and compensation. The most important obstacles facing customary judgment are the highly expenses incurred by the judges in the transition to conflect place and communication, with weak financial potential of some judges, and relying on the judicial wisdom and sideburns only without reference to the experienced people, especially in the emerging issues on the Sinai community

This study aims to investigate the bioaccumulation Tissues. The experiment was carried on for 28 days, meanwhile sampling fish weekly. With continued exposure, the accumulations were increased and fish progressively lost their ability to respond to this increase in exposure period. The control group displayed normal behavior during the test period. The lowest concentrations (10 and 15 mg/L Cr6+) had similar behavior to that of the control group. From the dose 20 mg/ L Cr6+, the fish started to show behavioral disorders. 25 mg/L Cr6+ and at the highest concentration (30 mg/L Cr6+) onwards, there was shivering, rather high respiratory disorder and swimming in capsized position in the following order the concentrations of Cr in gills were almost twice, three and four times as high as in the muscle at 20, 25 and 30 ug/L Cr6+ mediums, respectively. The Cr accumulation on the skin of Tilapia for all experimental concentrations was nearly twice as much as in the muscle of samples at the end of experiment.

This report describes in vitro micropropagation of Boscia senegalensis, so-called famine foods, that helped the people in Darfur and Kordofan, Sudan survive during the 1984–1985 famine. Four types of explants prepared from green mature zygotic embryos were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium augmented with 1–5 mg/L 6-benzyladenine (BA). The highest number of shoots per explant (14.3±0.9) was achieved on MS medium supplemented with 3 mg/L BA, while the highest shoot length [(3.5±0.4) cm] was obtained with 1 mg/L BA. The shoot cluster, when subcultured to its same medium, significantly increased the rate of shoot multiplication by the end of the third subculture. The maximum mean number of shoots per explant (86.5±3.6) was produced after three multiplication cycles on 3 mg/L BA-supplemented medium. In vitro induced shoots were excised and rooted on half strength MS medium fortified with 0.25 mg/L indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) to obtain complete plantlets. B. senegalensis-regenerated plantlets obtained in vitro for the first time, were hardened and 95% survived under greenhouse conditions.

The effects of different methods of storage on some physical and chemical properties of sun-dried Faba beans were studied. Studied methods of storage were: storage in Makamer (the method most commonly used in Egypt), in tin cans after heating the seeds at 70°C for 2 h, and in tin cans without heating the seeds. The Faba bean seeds (variety Giza 2) were stored for 3, 6 and 9 months in all studied methods. The physical properties studied were seed weight, volume of seeds, bulk density, hydration and swelling coefficients and the percentage of hulls to dehulled seeds. Chemical properties studied were moisture, protein content, total sugar, reducing and non-reducing sugars, starch, phytic acid, ash and minerals such as phosphorus, calcium, iron and magnesium. Storage of Faba bean seeds in Makamer was superior to other methods. Also Faba bean seed can be heated at 70°C and stored in tin cans when required in house.

The effects of the stewing process on some physical properties, organoleptic qualities, chemical composition of unstored and stored faba beans were studied. Hydration and swelling coefficients, as well as organoleptic qualities, were affected significantly by stewing the faba bean seeds. The protein content was decreased noticeably more in stewed faba beans made from seeds stored in tin cans than those stored in Makamer (pits). Total sugars, reducing and non-reducing sugars, starch and pectin contents present in unstored and stored faba beans were decreased after stewing the seeds. Stewing of stored beans either in Makamer or tin cans after heating led to marked reductions in ash, phosphorus, iron, calcium, magnesium and phytic acid contents.

In patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the left ventricle appears bulbous in the apical region and narrowed at the base during diastole, resembling a tear drop. This appearance is due, in part, to disproportionate septal hypertrophy.