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In Egypt, basalt manufacturing generates waste materials at a rate of about 33%. The disposal of basalt waste through the manufacturing of cementitious materials is an economically feasible approach. This work involved the fabrication of a one-part slag/basalt waste geopolymer cement (GP) enhanced by nano-TiO2. The physico-mechanical properties of the different GP mixes were investigated. The durability against fire at up to 750 °C, sulfate (SO4−2) attack, and irradiation with significant dosages of γ-rays at up to 1500 kGy were assessed. Phase composition and microstructure were explored through various techniques as XRD, TG, and SEM. The findings demonstrated that basalt incorporation up to 20% within the GP mix boosted its mechanical characteristics after 28 and 90 days of curing by 8.5 and 2.5%, respectively, while 60% replacement diminished the strength by 30%. Slag/basalt GP showed a comprehensible resistance to SO4−2 ions attack, and its strength was intensified by 14% after 4 months of immersion. Additionally, the blended GP mixes could preserve 40% of their strength after being exposed to 1500 kGy of γ-rays and about 50% of their strength after firing at 750 °C. Admixing GP by NT showed a synergic impact for diminishing setting times, boosting compressive strength by 5 ~ 15% compared to reference mix along with an improvement in the microstructure. Furthermore, distributing NT through GP greatly improved durability after firing at 500 and 700 °C and irradiating with high dosages of γ-rays. This feature is mostly connected to the catalytic capabilities and filling activities of NT in boosting geopolymerization processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The current study was conducted to investigate the quality assessment of some fish (Tilapia, Mullet, Mackerel, and Sardine) consumed in Sharkia province, Egypt using chemical parameters (pH, TMA, TBA, and TVN), bacteriological analyses (S. aureus, E. coli, and Salmonella), and sensory attributes. The histamine content of analyzed fish was also investigated, along with the effect of gamma irradiation (Dose 0, 1, 3, 5 KGy) on its level. The results indicate that the overall grades of organoleptic evaluations were acceptable and all examined fish samples were within the histamine permissible limit. All the fish samples tested were found to be below the allowable Egyptian Standards for pH, TMA, TBA, and TVN. Furthermore, the obtained results revealed that the maximum viable count of S. aureus isolates was detected in sardines. Tilapia and mullet were the most contaminated fish with E. coli (73%). Mullet was the most abundant fish contaminated with Salmonella spp (53%), while sardine was the least frequent (20%). On the other hand, the histamine level was reduced significantly (p < 0.05) and progressively in a dose-dependent manner as the gamma irradiation dosage increased in fish fillet artificially inoculated with histamine. The treated fish fillet with a dose of 5 KGy gamma radiation had the lowest mean value (5.27±0.78).Iin conclusion, application of gamma irradiation can considerably minimize the danger of histamine poisoning related with fish and fish products deterioration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Forty-six Streptomyces strains were isolated from paintings and stone surfaces from Tell Basta and Tanis tombs (80km south-east Cairo, Egypt). Eight of these strains were selected to determine their sensitivity against 13 antibiotics. In general, high levels of resistance could be observed. Gentamycin, spiramycin and doxycycline were the most effective antibiotics against the majority of strains under study. Due to the observed antibiotic resistances, gamma irradiation was studied as a possible alternative to inhibit microbial growth. Isolated bacteria were exposed to different doses of gamma irradiation (5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 kGy). The growth of all Streptomyces isolates except S. canarius was completely inhibited at 25 kGy. The applied doses of gamma irradiation did not cause any observable alterations or colour changes to pigments and binding media (arabic gum, animal glue and egg-yolk) used in the paintings. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Silymarin, a flavonoid extract obtained from seeds of silybum marianum, is commonly used in the treatment of liver diseases of varying origins. It is of special medical importance for Egyptians due to the large incidence of liver diseases in Egypt. It is a complex of silybin, silydianin and silychristin. It is capable of protecting liver cells directly by stabilizing the membrane structures, including endoplasmic reticulum, by an effective decrease in membrane permeability and a change in their lipid content. The present study aimed to investigate , evaluate and confirm the radioprotective role of silymarin against liver disorder from the histological point of view. Material and Methods: Fourty, adult male albino rats have been used for this study and classified equally into 4 groups; normal rats, γ-irradiated(5Gy) rats, silymarin administrated and γ-irradiated rats, control rats (treated with silymarin only). Silymarin was administered by oral gavage ,at a dose of 70mg/kg, one hour before irradiation. Liver sections were made from each group and stained with H&E. Results: The histological examination of liver sections of γ-irradiated rats resulted in many pathological criteria such as hydropic degeneration, cytoplasmic vacuolation, pyknosis, karyolysis, nucleoli disappearance, necrosis, leucocytic infiltration and liver cell degeneration. Silymarin treatment prior to irradiation succeeded to minimize the deleterious effects of γ-irradiation in the hepatic tissue and support the liver to initiate a phase of recovery , regeneration and tissue healing . Conclusion: These results suggest that the radioprotective role of silymarin for the hepatic tissue was confirmed. It helps the liver tissue to overcome the degenerative changes of γ-irradiation where the liver tissue gradually restored its normal histological pattern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving the treatment efficiency of sludge in Alexandria, Egypt, was studied to improve the primary and secondary sludge treatment efficiency, different doses ranging from 0.25 to 6 kGy of ionizing radiation were proposed and evaluated. The scope of This study is to assess the radiation-based treatment efficiency from physical, chemical, and biological perspectives and to compare between the conventional treatment method and the radiation-based treatment technology. To evaluate the performance of each treatment system, pH, oil and greases concentrations, total solid concentrations, BOD concentrations, COD concentrations, parasites, and microorganisms were assessed in the primary and secondary samples at different radiation doses (from 0.25 to 6 KGy), and in the conventionally treated samples. Irradiation by gamma radiation with a dose ranging from 0.25 to 6 kGy was efficient in reducing some of the physical contaminants. Oil & greases, Total Solids, BOD, COD concentrations were reduced significantly (p < 0.001) in a dose-dependent manner. Either primary or secondary sludge samples, total solid reduced significantly to about one-third of control concentration at six kGy. Six kGy able to reduce the BOD and COD concentrations in the primary sludge samples to that of the treated (after sludge dewatering) samples or less respectively and saved the secondary treatment stage. In primary and secondary sludge samples culture, E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Vibrio spp were isolated as heavy growth on different culture media in the samples before radiation. After exposure to increasing doses of radiation, the number of isolated organisms decreased, however, the growth of Proteus, Acinetobacter, and vipro organisms was detected but in small numbers. No growth of any organism was noted at 5 kGy. On the other hand, in the secondary sludge samples, Proteus was isolated as heavy growth before radiation and After exposure to increasing doses of radiation, Moraxella spp. organisms were detected but in small numbers. By increasing the radiation doses, the free-living ciliates were decreased in the primary and secondary sludge samples. The free-living ciliates disappeared completely at 3 kGy. In the primary and secondary sludge samples, free-living ciliates reduction efficiency at 0.25 kGy was equivalent to the conventional treatment methods. So, we can conclude that radiation technology using Gamma rays at a dose higher than 5 kGy with a dose rate of 1.095 kGy/h is an effective technology for domestic and industrial waste sludge treatment from the environmental perspective and an experimental pilot plant study is required to optimize the cost of wastewater treatment through the use of irradiation technology., (Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)