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The most abundant organic carbon source on Earth is cellulosic materials. Its main resources are crop straws which are not commonly used and produce environmental pollution. These resources can be a site of biological hydrolysis to primary sugars by cellulase enzymes, in which avicelase is the most efficient enzyme in the cellulase family. This work aimed to clone the avicelase gene, transfer it to E. coli, optimize its expression, saccharify rice straw to its primary sugars, and ferment it to bioethanol. The avicelase gene was cloned from the Bacillus subtilis strain and cloned into two E. coli (i.e., DH5α and Bl21) strains. The optimized avicelase activity was described by testing the effect of different media and growth conditions including different carbon and nitrogen sources, as well as pHs and shaking or static conditions. Avicelase enzyme was extracted and used to saccharify rice straw. The obtained glucose was subjected to fermentation by Saccharomyces cerevisiae F.307 under an aerobic condition growth for the production of bioethanol. The ethanol yield was 5.26% (v/v), and the fermentation efficiency was 86%. This study showed the ability to clone one of the cellulolytic genes (i.e., avicelase) for the valorization of rice straw for producing renewable energy and bioethanol from cellulolytic wastes such as rice straw.

Background and Objective: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is associated with autoimmune thyroid disease and is thought to be one of the most frequent endocrine diseases in women of reproductive age. This research aims to compare the levels of TSH, LH, Insulin, HOMA-IR, and testosterone in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) versus healthy subjects of same age and BMI. Methods: This case control study was conducted among 100 patients who referred to Al-elwyah Teaching Hospital. The samples were selected on the basis of symptoms of hypothyroidism, and fertility problems, and polycystic ovary syndrome in two groups of 50. They were diagnosed by specialized doctors in the hospital. The first group consisted of fifty healthy women, and the second group also consisted of fifty women with polycystic ovary syndrome, reproductive problems, and hypothyroidism. Hormonal analyses were performed using a ready-made kit according to the manufacturer's instructions, Roche Cobas, using an ELISA microplate analyzer. Findings: Mean body mass index, insulin, HOMA-IR, testosterone, anti-TPO, anti-TG, thyroid stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone, as well as age group (31-40) were respectively as follows: (35.96±0.34, 23.12±0.31, 6.64±0.07, 98.80±0.75, 7.70±0.10, 10.27±0.30). LH and anti-TG insulin levels were positively correlated with their BMI. There was also an inverse relationship between body mass index and HOMA-IR, and between anti-TG and testosterone. Conclusion: The results of the study showed that in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome, increased risk of thyroid disease is related to increased thyroid autoantibody markers and measured hormones, insulin and HOMA-IR.

The present study looks for components in seminal plasma (SP) and/or serum that are closely related to in vivo fertility of buffalo bulls. Fourteen healthy mature buffalo bulls were classified according to their in vivo fertility into fertile (n = 10) and subfertile (n = 4) groups. Semen and serum samples were collected from all animals for 12 replicates. The collected ejaculates were examined for sperm characteristics before being centrifuged to collect SP for hormonal (FSH, LH, testosterone, and IGF-1), biochemical [total antioxidant capacity (TAC), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), fructose, total protein, albumin, triglycerides, cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL)] and proteomic (SDS-PAGE) analyses. Likewise, serum levels of FSH, LH, testosterone, IGF-1, glucose, total protein, albumin, triglycerides, cholesterol, and HDL were determined. All sperm characteristics and the majority of sperm kinematics were (P < 0.01) different between fertile and subfertile groups. Seminal and serum levels of FSH, LH, testosterone, and IGF-1 were higher (P < 0.01) in the fertile group, but only seminal fructose, total protein, albumin, triglycerides, cholesterol, and HDL were higher (P < 0.01) in the fertile group. Moreover, the fertile group had greater TAC, CAT, GPx, and NO, but the subfertile group had greater MDA. Protein bands of 14, 15, 26, 30, and 55 kDa were larger and denser in the SP of the fertile group but were smaller and faint to absent in that of the subfertile group. Also, the protein fractions of detected protein bands demonstrated a substantial influence of fertility on those of 16, 26, 30, and 55 kDa. In conclusion, sperm characteristics and kinematics with serum, and/or seminal hormonal and biochemical components, should be evaluated for reliable prediction of buffalo bull fertility. Furthermore, protein bands of 26, 30, and 55 kDa may represent fertility-associated proteins in buffalo bull SP.

This work was designed to monitor and track Salmonella spp. in the different internal organs (heart, liver, spleen, and caecum) of 247 bird species (chickens n=176, chicks n=47, ducks n=15, and ducklings n=9) with variable ages in two governorates; El-Fayoum and Beni-Suef, Egypt. Besides assessing the antimicrobial activity of antibacterial agents, essential oils, oils nano-emulsion, and their interactions with each other against salmonellae isolates for their control at the farm level. All samples were collected aseptically for further microbiological and serological investigations. Moreover, the efficiency of essential oils and oils nano-emulsion (thymol, carvacrol, basil, and cinnamon) against recovered Salmonellae were tested using the agar dilution method. A total of fourteen Salmonella serotypes were detected from different investigated internal organs (heart, liver, and spleen), and the three most predominant serovars were S. virchow (17.14%), S. infantis (11.43%), and S. anatum (11.43%). The resistance profile of Salmonella spp. referred to 47.14%, 40.0%, 31.43%, 25.71%, 21.43%, 21.43%, and 21.43% against ampicillin, chloramphenicol, gentamicin, aztreonam, cefazolin, cefotaxime, and tobramycin, respectively. The ability of essential oils (carvacrol oil 0.01%, basil 0.1%, cinnamon 0.01%, and thymol oil 0.01%) to inhibit the growth of Salmonellae differed significantly at 34.29%, 17.14%, 11.43%, and 1.43%, respectively (p

A gene encoding chitinase from B. subtilis has been isolated after optimization of PCR conditions. It was cloned with two different prometers, T7 promoter of the pJET1.2/blunt cloning vector and the SP6 promoter of pGEM®-T Easy vector. After transforming E. coli DH5α, two transformants were selected, CHI-NRC-4 from the first vector and T-CHI-NRC-6 from the second vector, and used for further studies. The complete CDS sequence of chitinase gene was determined and submitted to GenBank with the accession number KX268692.1. Culture supernatants of E. coli (CHI-NRC-4) and E. coli (T-CHI-NRC-6) were investigated for their inhibitory effect on M. javanica egg hatch under laboratory conditions. Result showed up to 96% inhibition in egg hatching due to both E. coli transformants as compared to control which reflect the same expression efficiency of both used prometers. A greenhouse experiment was carried out to evaluate the nematicidal effect of culture supernatants of the two transformts E. coli (CHI-NRC-4) and E. coli (T-CHI-NRC-6) against M. javanica infected eggplant. Obtained results showed a significant reduction in nematode population in soil and roots and enhancement in eggplant growth parameters as compared to control. Keywords: Gene cloning, Chitinase, Nematode, Meloidogyne javanica, Eggplant

The aim of this study is to construct a new recombinant strain able to degrade cellulose efficiently. The endo-β-1, 3-1, 4 glucanase (bgls) gene was cloned from Bacillus subtilis BTN7A strain by using PCR technique. The specific primers of bgls gene were deduced. Optimization of PCR mixture and program were identified. The nucleotide sequence of bgls was placed in the public domain (GenBank accession number KM009051.1). The obtained bgls DNA was cloned with pGEM®-T Easy Vector. The recombinant plasmid designated as Bgls-NRC-1 was transformed into E. coli DH5α. The successful cloning of the bgls gene was tested either by PCR or by evaluating its expression in its new bacterial host. The bgls gene was expressed efficiently in E. coli and the enzyme activity of the transformant was compared to the enzyme activity of the donor bacterial strain. The new constructs produce much higher enzyme yields than the donor bacterial strain, they produce about 29% and about 57% higher cellulase specific activity at 37 °C and 55 °C respectively. Optimization of cellulolytic activity of the new recombinant strain were described. The effect of minimal medium supplemented with CMC or cellulose, or complete medium (LB) on bgls expression were tested, the order of cellulase activity production was CMC27.2 > cellulose 21.9 > LB 19.8 U/mg protein, respectively at 24 h. CMC was proved to be the best medium for cellulase production. Results also showed that double the initial inoculum resulted in more cellulase activities in all media. Keywords: Bacillus subtilis, Endo-β-1, 3-1, 4 glucanase, PCR, Gene cloning, Gene expression, Cellulolytic activity

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding three levels of concentrate 2%, 3%, and 4% with or without additives of N-carbamylglutamate (NCG) on the digestibility, feed efficiency, and daily gain of Shami goats. Twenty-four male goats were used aged 8-10 months with an initial weight 32.687 ± 1.52kg divided into six treatments in a 2×3 factorial experiment/ Completely Randomized Design. Individual feeding was used for 70 days preceded by 14 days as an adaptation period. The results of increasing concentrate showed a non-significant increase in nutrients intake with superiority of NCG treatments and a significant increase (P<0.01) of ether extract intake. Non-significant increase in digestibility with increasing feed intake. Significant increases (P<0.01) in total and daily gain of 3% concentrate with or without NCG and non-significant increases for final weight. The better feed efficiency with 3% concentrate then 2% and 4% respectively. In conclusion: A level of feeding 3% had a positive effect on animal performance and the best for fattening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Root-knot nematodes (RKNs) are one of the major constraints of vegetable cultivation worldwide. Chemical nematicides, the primary management tool for over 50 years, have a negative impact on the environment and the ineffectiveness after prolonged use. Biological control using eco-friendly rhizosphere bacteria antagonistic to nematodes is one of the alternative approaches. The objective of this study was to improve the nematicidal activity of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens subsp. plantarum SA5 and Lysinibacillus sphaericus Amira strain against RKN Meloidogyne incognita, using the protoplast technique. Their fusants were tested for their chitinase and nematicidal activity using bioassay and greenhouse experiments. The selected fusants from the two bacterial strains were more effective in killing M. incognita J2 under laboratory conditions. Percentage mortality after 24 h of exposure were 70.85, 84.69, 95.56, 94.99, 100, and 89.46% due to the parental strains B. amyloliquefaciens and L. sphaericus and the fusants Bas3, Bas6-2, Bas8, and Bas11, respectively. There was a positive correlation between the chitinase production and the nematicidal effect of the bacterial strains. Under greenhouse conditions, Bas8 which produced the highest amount of chitinase induced the greatest reduction in nematode counts and gave the best results in shoot length and fresh and dry weights as compared to control. Chitinase production of fusant was much higher under solid-state fermentation (SSF) than submerged fermentation conditions. The recorded chitinase produced by B. amyloliquefaciens, L. sphaericus, and Bas8 were 0, 1393, and 3399 units (μg NAG/ml enzyme/h), respectively, under solid-state fermentation and 90, 85, and 143 units (μg NAG/ml enzyme/h), respectively, under submerged fermentation conditions. Protoplast fusion was a powerful technique in improving nematicidal activity. Chitinase production is an important factor in improving the nematicidal activity of such microorganisms. The obtained improved fusant could be used as a biological control agent for M. incognita.

Staphylococcus aureus(S. aureus) is a major cause of mastitis in dairy animals and a serious pathogen affecting human health. The current study was designed to investigate the extent of S.aureus in milk samples collected from dairy animals as well as human clinical samples,beside determination of its antimicrobial susceptibility pattern. Also, the prevalence of both mecA and vanA genes among some selected methicillin-resistant isolates was investigated. Out of 120 milk samples obtained from different animals (cows, buffaloes, sheep, and goats), 81 (67.5%) samples reacted positive for S. aureus, whereas 67 (74%) out of 90 human samples were found positive for S. aureus. Disk diffusion susceptibility testing revealed that S.aureus isolates of humans were more resistant than thoseof animals against all tested antimicrobials except for clindamycin. A high rate of multi-drug resistance (MDR) and mecA gene was recorded in S. aureusof both animals and humans. Surprisingly,vanAgene, which is responsible for vancomycin resistance was detected only in S. aureus isolated from animal milk. To the best of ourknowledge, it is the first record of vanA gene in S. aureus recovered from animals.

Food contaminated with multiple antibiotic-resistant S.aureus can be a major threat to the public health. The purpose of this study was to isolate S.aureus from different food sources, determine their antimicrobial susceptibility as well as detection of mecA gene among some resistant isolates. Out of 125 samples, 19 S.aureus isolates were isolated, and the antimicrobial susceptibility testing showed high resistance against kanamycin, penicillin G, oxacillin, erythromycin and tetracycline were the most resistant antimicrobials agents. All the tested isolates isolates were multiple drug resistant (MDR).Eight out of 19 isolates were phenotypically resistant to oxacillin as well as they were carriers for mecA gene.

Aim: The aim of our study was polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection of the genes responsible for the multiple antibiotic resistance S. aureus isolated from food of animal origin in Egypt. Materials and Methods: A total of 125 samples were randomly collected from milk, meat, and their products from Giza and Beni-Suef Governorates markets. The S. aureus isolates were subjected to antimicrobial sensitivity tests using four antibacterial disks (Oxoid), and then the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed for detection of antibiotic resistance genes. Results: Out of 125 samples, 19 S. aureus isolates were detected. All detected isolates were multiple drug resistance (MDR). The penicillin-, erythromycin-, kanamycin-, and tetracycline-resistant isolates were examined by PCR for resistance genes blaZ, (msrA, ermB, and ermC), aac(6')aph (2''), and tetK. The isolates harbored these resistance genes with percentage of 100% (100%, 0%, and 100%), 62.5%, and 100%, respectively. Conclusion: Contaminated foods of animal origin may represent a source of MDR S. aureus that can be a major threat to public health.

Cellulase producing bacteria were isolated from both soil and ward poultry, using CMC (carboxymethylcellulose) agar medium and screened by iodine method. Cellulase activity of the isolated bacteria was determined by DNS (dinitrosalicylic) acid method. The highly cellulolytic isolates (BTN7A, BTN7B, BMS4 and SA5) were identified on the basis of Gram staining, morphological cultural characteristics, and biochemical tests. They were also identified with 16S rDNA analysis. The phylogenetic analysis of their 16S rDNA sequence data showed that BTN7B has 99% similarity with Anoxybacillus flavithermus, BMS4 has 99% similarity with Bacillus megaterium, SA5 has 99% homology with Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and BTN7A was 99% similar with Bacillus subtilis. Cellulase production by these strains was optimized by controlling different environmental and nutritional factors such as pH, temperature, incubation period, different volumes of media, aeration rate and carbon source. The cellulase specific activity was calculated in each case. In conclusion four highly cellulolytic bacterial strains were isolated and identified and the optimum conditions for each one for cellulase production were determined. These strains could be used for converting plant waste to more useful compounds.

Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) are promising delivery carriers that have been utilized for formulation and delivery of various drugs. For topical administration, they are usually incorporated into gel or cream to increase their residence time, which is time-consuming process and could affect their stability and characteristics. Preparation of solid lipid nanoparticles based semisolid formulations could have potential pharmaceutical applications. The aim of this study was to formulate the corticosteroidal drug, diflucortolone valerate (DFV) into topical semisolid SLN formulations using a rapid cheap one-step process. SLN formulations were developed using a high-shear homogenization combined with sonication, using different types of solid lipids (e.g., Geleol®, Precirol® ATO5, Tristearin® and Compritol® 888ATO) and Poloxamer® 407 as a surfactant. Selection of the lipids and using high lipid concentration were the key elements to get semisolid formulation immediately after sonication without incorporating the nanoparticles into a gel or a cream base. DFV SLN formulations possessed average particle size ranging from 203.71 ± 5.61 to 1421.00 ± 16.32 nm with a narrow size distribution and possessed shear thinning behavior. Incorporation of lipid based surfactants (Labrasol® or Labrafil®) was found to significantly increase DFV encapsulation efficiency (up to 45.79 ± 4.40%). Semisolid DFV-loaded SLN with high drug encapsulation efficiency and acceptable rheological behavior for topical preparation could be prepared in a one-step process.

Micro-Grid (MG) with hybrid power resources can supply electric loads independently. In case of surplus power, the neighborhood micro-grids can be integrated together in order to supply the overloaded micro-grid. The challenge is to select the most suitable, optimal and preferable micro-grid within a distributed network, which consists of islanded MGs, to form that integration. This paper presents an intelligent decision-making criteria based on the Weighted Arithmetic Mean (WAM) of different technical indices, for optimal selection of micro-grids integration in case of overloaded event due to either unusual increase in consumed power or any deficiency in power generation. In addition, overloading is expected due to excess increase or decrease in weather temperature. This may lead to extreme increase of load due to increase of air conditioning or heating loads respectively. The proposed arithmetic mean determination based on six multi-objective indices, which are voltage deviation, frequency deviation, reliability, power loss in transmission lines, electricity price and CO2 emission is applied. This work is developed through three main scenarios. The first scenario studies the effect of each index on the integrated micro-grid formation. The second scenario is the biased optimization analysis. In this stage, the optimal micro-grids integration is based on intentionally chosen multi-objective index weights to fulfil certain requirements. The third scenario targets the optimal selection of the multi-objective indices’ effectiveness weights for power system optimum redistribution. The sharing weights of each index will be optimally selected by Water Cycle Optimization Technique (WCOT) and Genetic Algorithm (GA) addressing the system optimal power sharing through optimum micro-grids re-formation (integration). WCOT and GA are simulated using MATLAB (R2017a, The MathWorks Ltd, Natick, MA, USA). The developed work is applied to a distributed network which consists of a five micro-grid tested system, with one overloaded micro-grid. The three modules are utilized for multi-objective analysis of different alternative micro-grids. Both WCOT and GA results are compared. In addition, it is investigated to find and validate the optimum solution. Final decision-making for optimal combination is determined, aiming to reach a perfect technical, economic and environmental solution. The results indicate that the optimal decision may be modified after each individual index weight exceeds a specific limit.

This paper studies the effect on the rate of growth of carbon dioxide emission in seaports’ atmosphere of replacing a part of the fossil fuel electrical power generation by clean renewable electrical energies, through two different scheduling strategies. The increased rate of harmful greenhouse gas emissions due to conventional electrical power generation severely affects the whole global atmosphere. Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases emissions are responsible for a significant share of global warming. Developing countries participate in this environmental distortion to a great percentage. Two different suggested strategies for renewable electrical energy scheduling are discussed in this paper, to attain a sustainable green port by the utilization of two mutual sequential clean renewable energies, which are biomass and photovoltaic (PV) energy. The first strategy, which is called the eco-availability mode, is a simple method. It is based on operating the renewable electrical energy sources during the available time of operation, taking into consideration the simple and basic technical issues only, without considering the sophisticated technical and economical models. The available operation time is determined by the environmental condition. This strategy is addressed to result on the maximum available Biomass and PV energy generation based on the least environmental and technical conditions (panel efficiency, minimum average daily sunshine hours per month, minimum average solar insolation per month). The second strategy, which is called the Intelligent Scheduling (IS) mode, relies on an intelligent Reconfigured Whale Optimization Technique (RWOT) based-model. In this strategy, some additional technical and economical issues are considered. The studied renewable electrical energy generation system is considered in two scenarios, which are with and without storage units. The objective (cost) function of the scheduling optimization problem, for both scenarios, are developed. Also, the boundary conditions and problem constraints are concluded. The RWOT algorithm is an updated Whale Optimization Algorithm (WOA). It is developed to accelerate the rate of reaching the optimal solution for the IS problem. The two strategies simulation and implementation are illustrated and applied to the seaport of Damietta, which is an Egyptian port, located 10 km to the west of the Nile River (Damietta Branch). The scheduling of PV and biomass energy generation during the different year months is examined for both strategies. The impact of renewable electrical energies generation scheduling on carbon dioxide emission and consequently global warming is discussed. The saving in carbon dioxide emission is calculated and the efficient results of the suggested models are clarified. The carbon dioxide emission is reduced to around its fifth value, during renewable energy operation. This work focuses on decreasing the rate of growth of carbon dioxide emission coming from fossil fuel electrical power generation in Egypt, targeting, sustainable green seaports, through three main contributions in clean renewable electrical energies scheduling,. The contributions are; 1-presenting the eco-availability mode for minimum gifted biomass and PV energy generation, 2-developing and progressing the IRWOT scheduling strategy for both scenarios (with and without storage unit), 3-defining the scheduling optimization problem boundary conditions and constraints.

This paper presents an efficient Cuckoo Search Optimization technique to improve the reliability of electrical power systems. Various reliability objective indices such as Energy Not Supplied, System Average Interruption Frequency Index, System Average Interruption, and Duration Index are the main indices indicating reliability. The Cuckoo Search Optimization (CSO) technique is applied to optimally place the protection devices, install the distributed generators, and to determine the size of distributed generators in radial feeders for reliability improvement. Distributed generator affects reliability and system power losses and voltage profile. The volatility behaviour for both photovoltaic cells and the wind turbine farms affect the values and the selection of protection devices and distributed generators allocation. To improve reliability, the reconfiguration will take place before installing both protection devices and distributed generators. Assessment of consumer power system reliability is a vital part of distribution system behaviour and development. Distribution system reliability calculation will be relayed on probabilistic reliability indices, which can expect the disruption profile of a distribution system based on the volatility behaviour of added generators and load behaviour. The validity of the anticipated algorithm has been tested using a standard IEEE 69 bus system.