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Abstract This study involved synthesis of a novel antibacterial heterocyclic compound, sodium 2-(2-(3-phenyl-1, 2, 4-oxadiazol-5-yl) phenoxy) acetate abbreviated as Na-POPA. Further development of a biocompatible, pH-responsive hydrogel drug carrier prepared utilizing the natural polymers gelatin and sodium alginate. The compound loaded on the hydrogel represented new drug delivery system. Comprehensive characterization of Na-POPA was performed using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR), carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance (¹³C NMR), and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). The compound was loaded onto the sodium alginate/gelatin hydrogel carrier under feasible experimental conditions. The successful incorporation of Na-POPA into the hydrogel matrix was confirmed via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), powder X-ray diffraction (pXRD) analysis and FT-IR spectroscopy. Cytotoxicity assays revealed that the all the loaded and unloaded compound induced cell toxicity at large concentration much lower than many reported results. The hydrogel reduced the inherent cytotoxicity of Na-POPA and enhanced its biocompatibility. The release kinetics of Na-POPA from the hydrogel were evaluated spectrophotometrically at different pH conditions simulating biological fluids. The release rate at pH 1.2 was greater than the release at pH 6.8, with a higher cumulative release observed at pH 6.8. The release kinetics obeyed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model, indicating a controlled release mechanism influenced by the hydrogel’s physicochemical properties. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry further confirmed that the compound release was pH-dependent. The high swelling and solubility at pH 6.8 enhance the release. The larger amount released at 6.8 (target intestine) because of more solubility, leaching and swelling rather than shrinking.

Abstract Background Hepatosteatosis is considered a universal problematic health due to bad lifestyle. Thereby, the current study evaluates the influence of the Cicer arietinum polyunsaturated fatty acids (CAP) and newly synthesized C. arietinum polyunsaturated fatty acids phytosome (CAPP) against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) persuaded through a high-fat diet (HFD) in addition to tamoxifen (TAM) in male albino rats. Forty-eight rats were separated into eight groups (6 rats/group). Rats of the control group were administered distilled water for 45 consecutive days, while phosphatidyl choline (PC), CAP, and CAPP groups administered distilled water (15 days), afterward administered PC, CAP, and CAPP, respectively (500 mg/kg b.wt), orally for 30 days. All the previous groups fed normal diet for the 45 days, while NAFLD rats feed HFD for 45 days and receive TAM (200 mg/kg b.wt, i.p) daily for 15 days, followed by administration of vehicle, PC, CAP, and CAPP orally for another 30 days. Results Hepatosteatosis was appraised biochemically by significant increase in the concentrations of serum AST, ALT, γGT, LDH, ALP, total bilirubin, total lipid, triglycerides, fatty acid synthase (FAS), stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD-1), and LDL-cholesterol, as well as hepatic total lipids and triglycerides. In addition, a significant decline in serum total protein, albumin, and HDL-cholesterol concentrations was observed in comparison with the control group. NAFLD induces oxidative stress by noteworthy increase in hepatic MDA, H2O2, and meaningful reduction in hepatic GSH, SOD, GST, GRD, and CAT levels as compared with the corresponding control group. Liver histological changes were noted in the NAFLD group as compared to the control. Interestingly, CAP and CAPP treatments modulate the abnormal effects of NAFLD in all the previous parameters. For the histological changes caused by NAFLD, the liver tissue appeared nearly normal after the treatment with CAP and CAPP. Conclusion CAP and CAPP administration may have a potential role in alleviating hepatosteatosis. This may relate to its downregulation against FAS, SCD-1, and oxidative stress.

Abstract This study investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with the product Hilyses on growth performance, feed utilization, nutrient composition, hematological parameters, serum biochemistry, immune function, antioxidant status, and digestive enzyme activity in juvenile Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus, initial body weight 4.24 ± 0.01 g). The fish were fed diets supplemented with Hilyses at concentrations of 0, 1, 2, or 3 g/kg for a period of 8 weeks. The results showed that supplementation with Hilyses at levels up to 2 g/kg diet significantly improved final body weight, weight gain, specific growth rate, feed efficiency ratio, protein efficiency ratio, apparent protein utilization, and energy utilization compared to the control diet without Hilyses. Carcass crude protein content and moisture were significantly higher in Hilyses-fed groups, while crude lipid content decreased at the 3 g/kg supplementation level. Hilyses supplementation enhanced various hematological parameters, including increased red blood cell count, total leukocyte count, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, and mean corpuscular volume. Serum biochemistry and immune function markers like total protein, albumin, complement component C3, IgM, and IgG were significantly elevated in the 2 and 3 g/kg Hilyses groups. Antioxidant enzyme activities (catalase, glutathione peroxidase, total superoxide dismutase) were enhanced, and lipid peroxidation was reduced, in the 2 g/kg Hilyses group. Digestive enzyme activities, particularly protease and lipase, were also improved with Hilyses supplementation. Histological examination showed reduced lipid deposition in the liver and increased branching of intestinal villi at the 2 g/kg Hilyses level. Overall, these results indicated that dietary Hilyses supplementation at 2 g/kg diet optimizes growth, feed utilization, nutrient composition, hematology, immunity, antioxidant status, and digestive function in juvenile Nile tilapia.

Abstract In this research, different Co2+ doped ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) were hydrothermally synthesized by an environmentally friendly, sustainable technique using the extract of P. capillacea for the first time. Co-ZnO was characterized and confirmed by FTIR, XPS, XRD, BET, EDX, SEM, TEM, DRS UV–Vis spectroscopy, and TGA analyses. Dislocation density, micro strains, lattice parameters and volume of the unit cell were measured using XRD results. XRD suggests that the average size of these NPs was between 44.49 and 65.69 nm with a hexagonal wurtzite structure. Tauc plot displayed that the optical energy bandgap of ZnO NPs (3.18) slowly declines with Co doping (2.96 eV). Near complete removal of the ciprofloxacin (CIPF) antibiotic was attained using Green 5% of Hy-Co-ZnO in the existence of visible LED light which exhibited maximum degradation efficiency (99%) within 120 min for 30 ppm CIPF initial concentration. The photodegradation mechanism of CIPF using Green Hy-Co-ZnO NPs followed the Pseudo-first-order kinetics. The Green Hy-Co-ZnO NPs improved photocatalytic performance toward CIPF for 3 cycles. The experiments were designed using the RSM (CCD) method for selected parameters such as catalyst dosage, antibiotic dosage, shaking speed, and pH. The maximal CIPF degradation efficiency (96.4%) was achieved under optimum conditions of 39.45 ppm CIPF dosage, 60.56 mg catalyst dosage, 177.33 rpm shaking speed and pH 7.57.

Abstract Background There are a significant number of female athletes competing at the highest levels of sport. But, women are still largely underrepresented in scientific literature. The female menstrual cycle is characterized by variations in circulating hormone levels, which may have an impact on performance. Aim This study aimed to assess the impact of hormonal changes through different menstrual cycle phases on hand grip strength, pulp pinch strength, three fingers pinch strength, and lateral pinch strength of athletic and non-athletic girls. Methods An observational case control study was conducted on forty post-pubertal girls, their ages ranged from 16 to 22 years old, and their body mass index (BMI) ranged from 18.5 to 25 kg/m2. They were divided into two groups: athletic group of twenty basketball and tennis players recruited from basketball and tennis teams at Mena Garden City Club, 6 October Club, and Shooting Club October and non-athletic group of twenty non-sportive undergraduate students from Faculty of Physical Therapy, Misr University for Science and Technology. Hand grip strength was evaluated by Jamar hand dynamometer, while pulp pinch strength, three fingers pinch strength, and lateral pinch strength were evaluated by Jamar pinch gauge through three different menstrual cycle phases (follicular, ovulatory and luteal phases). Results Statistical analysis demonstrated a significant increase in handgrip strength, pulp pinch strength, three fingers pinch strength, and lateral pinch strength in non-athletic group. Also, there was a significant increase in three fingers pinch strength and lateral pinch strength in athletic group during the ovulatory phase across the menstrual cycle (p 0.05). Conclusion Hormonal changes during menstrual cycle phases do not alter handgrip strength, pulp pinch strength performance for athletic girls. But, they alter hand grip strength, pulp pinch strength, three fingers, and lateral pinch grip strength performance for non-athletic girls. Trial registration The protocol of the study was registered in clinical trials.gov PRS (Protocol Registration and Result System (registration No. NCT06086262 ), Registered on 17 October 2023). The study received ethical approval from the Institutional Review Board of the Faculty of Physical Therapy at Cairo University prior to its beginning (approval No P.T.REC/012/003358) .

Abstract Photodegradation is considered a significant method engaged for the elimination of organic pollutants from water. In this work, hydrothermal cobalt-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles (Hy-Co–ZnO NPs) loaded with 5, 10, and 15% cobalt were prepared in a hydrothermal way and were investigated as a photocatalyst for the Ciprofloxacin (CIPF) degradation under visible irradiation using LED-light. Characterization approaches such as FTIR, XRD, XPS, DRS UV–vis spectroscopy, SEM, TEM, BET, EDX and TGA were used for the investigation of the fabricated Hy-Co–ZnO NPs. The studies indicated that 10% Hy-Co–ZnO NPs was the most efficient catalyst for the CIPF photolysis compared to ZnO NPs and other Hy-Co–ZnO NPs with 5 and 15% cobalt content. Higher photocatalytic activity (> 98%) of 20 mg/L of CIPF solution was attained within 60 min. The reaction kinetics showed that the first-order model is suitable for displaying the rate of reaction and amount of CIPF elimination with R 2 = 0.9883. Moreover, Central composite design (CCD) optimization of the 10% Hy-Co–ZnO NPs was also studied.

Abstract From the perspective of environmental protection, the highly efficient degradation of antibiotics and organic dyes in wastewater needs to be tackled as soon as possible. In this study, an ecofriendly and green cube-shaped cobalt-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles (Co–ZnO NPs) photocatalyst using Pterocladia Capillacea (P. Capillacea) water extract loaded with 5, 10, and 15% cobalt ions were formed via co-precipitation process to degrade antibiotics. The prepared Co–ZnO NPs were tested as a photocatalyst for the photodegradation of ciprofloxacin (CIPF) in the presence of a visible LED-light source. Co–ZnO NPs have been obtained through the co-precipitation method in the presence of P. Capillacea extract as a green capping agent and reducing agent, for the first time. Several characterization techniques including FTIR, XRD, BET, XPS, TEM, EDX, SEM, TGA and DRS UV–Vis spectroscopy were applied to study the prepared Co–ZnO NPs. XRD results suggested that the average size of these NPs ranged between 42.82 and 46.02 nm with a hexagonal wurtzite structure. Tauc plot shows that the optical energy bandgap of ZnO NPs (3.19 eV) gradually decreases to 2.92 eV by Co doping. Examinations showed that 5% Co–ZnO NPs was the highest efficient catalyst for the CIPF photodegradation when compared with ZnO NPs and other 10 and 15% Co–ZnO NPs. A 10 mg/L solution of CIPF was photo-degraded (100%) within the first 15 min irradiation. The kinetics showed that the first-order model is suitable for displaying the rate of reaction and amount of CIPF elimination with R 2 = 0.952. Moreover, central composite design optimization of the 5% Co-doped ZnO NPs was also investigated.

Abstract Background Coelomic fluid, a pharmacologically active compound in earthworms, exhibits a range of biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer. However, the biological activities exerted by the coelomic fluid can be restrained by its low bioavailability and stability. Liposomes are progressively utilized as an entrapment system for natural bioactive compounds with poor bioavailability and stability, which could be appropriate for coelomic fluid. Thus, the present study was designed to fabricate, characterize, and evaluate the stability of liposomal formulation for Allolobophora caliginosa coelomic fluid (ACCF) as a natural antioxidant compound. Methods The ACCF-liposomes were developed with a subsequent characterization of their physicochemical attributes. The physical stability, ACCF release behavior, and gastrointestinal stability were evaluated in vitro. The biological activities of ACCF and its liposomal formulation were also determined. Results The liposomal formulation of ACCF had a steady characteristic absorption band at 201 nm and a transmittance of 99.20 ± 0.10%. Its average hydrodynamic particle size was 98 nm, with a PDI of 0.29 ± 0.04 and a negative zeta potential (-38.66 ± 0.33mV). TEM further confirmed the formation of vesicular, spherical nano-liposomes with unilamellar configuration. Additionally, a remarkable entrapment efficiency percent (77.58 ± 0.82%) with a permeability rate equal to 3.20 ± 0.31% and a high retention rate (54.16 ± 2.20%) for ACCF-liposomes were observed. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) result demonstrated that ACCF successfully entrapped inside liposomes. The ACCF-liposomes exhibited a slow and controlled ACCF release in vitro. Regarding stability studies, the liposomal formulation enhanced the stability of ACCF during storage and at different pH. Furthermore, ACCF-liposomes are highly stable in intestinal digestion conditions comparable to gastric digestion. The current study disclosed that liposomal formulation potentiates the biological activities of ACCF, especially antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and thrombolytic activities. Conclusion These promising results offer a novel approach to increasing the bioaccessibility of ACCF, which may be crucial for the development of pharmaceuticals and nutraceutical-enriched functional foods.

Abstract Background The present study assesses the role of polyherbal formula (LACTN) against sodium oxalate (NaOx)—stimulated urolithiasis prophylactic and curative. Forty-eight rats were separated into the following regimen’s groups: Groups I, II, III, and IV (prophylactic groups). Group I (control group) received saline as vehicle. Group II (urolithiatic group) received 70 mg NaOx / kg b.wt, i.p. Groups III and IV received LACTN and cystone prophylactic (500 and 750 mg/kg b.wt, respectively) from 1st day to 7th day of urolithiasis induction. Groups V, VI, VII, and VIII (curative groups): these were divided into the prophylactic regimes, but LACTN and cystone were administered from 7th day to 14th day of urolithiasis induction. Results Urolithiatic rats co-/post-treated with LACTN and cystone elevated the urinary volume significantly (P

Insulin-loaded nanofibers were prepared using chitosan as a natural polymer. The loaded insulin with polyethylene oxide was used for preparing monolayer batch S1. Nanofiber S1 was coated by seven layers of film on both sides to form batch S2 as a sandwich containing Layer A (CS, PEG and PEO) and Layer B (PEG and PEO) using electrospinning apparatus. SEM, TEM and FT-IR techniques were used to confirm the drug loading within the composite nanofibers. The in vitro activity that provided a sustained and controlled release of the drug from the nanofiber batch was studied at different pH values spectrophotometrically using a dialysis method. In batches S1 and S2, the release of insulin from nanofiber proceeds via burst release necessary to produce the desired therapeutic activity, followed by slow step. The rate and the percentage release of insulin in batch S2 are found to be higher at all pH values.

Purpose: To compare the nanoleakage between bulkfill and incremental-fill resin composites in class II slot preparations for primary and permanent teeth restored by the snowplow technique. Materials and Methods: Class II slots were prepared in 32 M (16 exfoliated/extracted primary and 16 permanent molars). Optibond All-InOne self-etching adhesive was applied and cured. A flowable composite, Premise, was then injected into the gingival seat without curing using the snowplow technique. Cavities were restored using Sonicfill/bulkfill or microhybrid Herculite composites. Energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry was used to assess nanoleakage as silver deposition percentages along the axial and cervical walls. Multivariate analysis of variance was used to assess the effect of tooth type (primary and permanent teeth) and placement technique (bulkfill and incremental techniques) on nanoleakage at the axial and cervical walls. Results: Bulkfill restorations had significantly greater nanoleakage than incremental restorations at the cervical walls in primary and permanent molars (mean = 1.21 vs 0.49 in primary molars and 0.76 vs 0.24 in permanent molars). Equivalent results were observed at the axial walls of the restorations (mean = 0.66 vs 0.14 in primary molars and 0.28 vs 0.08 in permanent molars, with a P value of

Abstract Background Children with cerebral palsy (CP) are at high risk for dental caries. Alteration of some salivary properties encountered among them compared to healthy children, could play a role in this elevated risk. Objectives The aim of the present study was to assess salivary physicochemical properties; including total antioxidant (TAC), flow rate, viscosity, pH and buffering capacity, as well as Streptococcus mutans level among children with CP, also to correlate these variables to their caries experience. Materials and methods This case control study included 80 children with CP, study group (SG) and matched number of healthy children for control group (CG). Interview-based questionnaire, clinical examination, salivary biochemical and microbiological investigations using MALDI-TOF were done. Results In SG, the caries experience in primary teeth dmft and S. mutans log value were significantly higher than CG (P = 0.039, P = 0.002) while unstimulated salivary flow rate, buffering capacity and salivary TAC were significantly lower (P

الأهداف: هدفت هذه الدراسة إلى تحليل حوكمة الذكاء الاصطناعي من منظور حقوق الإنسان. بدأت الدراسة بتحديد العلاقة بين الذكاء الاصطناعي وحقوق الإنسان من خلال تقييم الفرص والمخاطر التي يشكلها الذكاء الاصطناعي على حقوق الإنسان، وبيان مدى كفاية قواعد القانون الدولي لحقوق الإنسان لحماية الأفراد من هذه المخاطر. بالإضافة الى ذلك هدفت الدراسة إلى تقديم منهج لتنظيم عمل الذكاء الاصطناعي وحوكمة تطويره بما يتلاءم مع احترام حقوق الإنسان. المنهجية: تم اتباع المنهج الاستقرائي التحليلي من خلال استقراء أثر الذكاء الاصطناعي على حقوق الإنسان، وتحليل أهم الصكوك الدولية المعنية بحماية حقوق الإنسان ذات العلاقة، وبيان دورها في تنظيم عمل هذه التقنيات وحوكمتها للحفاظ على حقوق الأفراد وكرامتهم الإنسانية. النتائج: توصلت الدراسة الى عدة نتائج، منها: إن الذكاء الاصطناعي يفتح آفاقًا جديدة للتطور الحضاري البشري؛ لكنه في الوقت نفسه، يجلب العديد من المخاطر الاجتماعية والقانونية على الأفراد والدول. وقد توصلنا أيضا الى أن القواعد القانونية العامة المنظمة لحقوق الإنسان المنصوص عليها في مختلف الصكوك الدولية غير كافية لاستيعاب التطورات الهائلة لتقنيات الذكاء الاصطناعي. الخلاصة: وجوب تطوير تقنيات الذكاء الاصطناعي من خلال نهج قائم على قيم أخلاقية راسخة، ومبادئ احترام حقوق الإنسان، بالإضافة الى أهمية توحيد المبادئ العامة أو تبنّي مبادئ توجيهية لتنظيم عمل تقنيات الذكاء الاصطناعي بشكل دولي تحت مظلة هيئة الأمم المتحدة. وتم التأكيد على وجوب إشراك جميع الجهات ذات الصلة كالحكومات والمنظمات الدولية والخبراء مستقلين المعنيين بالذكاء الاصطناعي في صياغة هذه المبادئ التوجيهية.

The school type can greatly affect the posture and psychological state of adolescent girls by controlling many factors, such as school bag load and way of carriage, furniture-anthropometry degree of matching, and availability of resources. This study aimed to compare postural changes and psychological aspects of adolescent Egyptian girls, attending two different school types: public versus private schools. An observational study was conducted on 200 adolescent girls, whose ages ranged from 14 to 17 years, with a body mass index of 19–25 kg/m2, selected from two different school types (two public and another two private) at El-Sharkia government, Egypt. They were assigned into two equal groups: group (A), including 100 public schoolgirls, and group (B) involving 100 international schoolgirls. Postural and mechanical changes were assessed at the head, rib cage, shoulders, hips, and knees in both groups by the Posture Screen® Mobile app and a photographic method from lateral and frontal views while standing. Assessing anxiety, depression, and stress signals was done using depression anxiety stress scales-21. The girls of public and international schools had different schoolbag characteristics but assumed the same poor posture. The results indicated more significant changes in the public schoolgirls of group (A) (p ˂ 0.05) in the head shift, shoulder tilting, hip shift, hip tilting, total shift, and total tilting, compared to the international girls of the group (B), while there were more changes in head weight, and effective head weight, indicating more forward head in the international girls of the group (B). For psychological aspects, the public-school girls had statistically significantly higher stress and anxiety scores (p ˂ 0.05) than the international schoolgirls. Thus, it could be concluded that the school type may affect the posture and psychology of Egyptian adolescent girls, as the girls at the public schools had more coronal postural changes together with more stress and anxiety than the girls enrolled in the private schools, while girls of the private schools had more forward head posture.

The present investigation is designed to evaluate the ameliorative efficacy of spirulina and its active constituent, C-phycocyanin, on hepatorenal injury induced by titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs). Forty-eight male albino rats were randomly divided into six groups: control group, Spirulina treated group, C-phycocyanin treated group, TiO2 NPs treated group, TiO2 NPs+ Spirulina treated group and TiO2 NPs+ C-phycocyanin treated group. The estimation of hepatic and renal function markers and oxidative status as well as histopathologic alterations in hepatic and renal tissues were analyzed. Spirulina and C- phycocyanin treatments caused significant improvement in all hematological indices such as RBCs, Hb, HCT, and total and differential WBCs relative to the untreated TiO2 NPs group. Also, spirulina and C-phycocyanin treatments significantly alleviated hepatic enzymes and bilirubin concentrations. Oral administration of spirulina and C- phycocyanin decreased total cholesterol and triglycerides content significantly. Both Spirulina and C- phycocyanin attenuated creatinine, urea, and uric acid significantly. Furthermore, the present study revealed that spirulina and C- phycocyanin significantly increased hepatorenal antioxidants content and retard malondialdehyde (MDA) formation. Histopathological examinations displayed that both spirulina and C- phycocyanin treatments repaired mostly the abnormal architecture of hepatic and renal tissues induced by TiO2 NPs. In conclusion, the modulatory role of spirulina and C-phycocyanin may be due to their strong antioxidative effects and other active constituents of spirulina.

High-heeled shoes adversely affect spinal curvature, increase the risk of low back pain, and disturb the normal gait pattern. The purpose of this study was to examine, from a biopsychosocial point of view, the combined effect of wearing two different heel heights and of hormonal oscillation throughout different phases of the menstrual cycle on spinopelvic alignment. Notably, 70 females with an average age of 20.42 ± 1.51 years participated in this study, wearing each female two different heel heights as follows: low (2.5 cm) and high (7 cm). Spinopelvic alignment was evaluated by rasterstereography formetric 3D analysis during early follicular, ovulatory, and mid-luteal phases of the menstrual cycle. Statistical analysis showed that there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) on spinopelvic alignment [kyphotic angle (KA), trunk inclination (TI), and pelvic inclination] between wearing low- or high-heeled shoes during early follicular, ovulatory, and mid-luteal phases of the menstrual cycle. Considering that high-heeled shoes are traditionally associated with femininity, body image, beauty, and charm, this research has important biopsychosocial implications that should be explored in detail in future studies.

Abstract The effect of contact time and temperature on the formation of trihalomethanes (THMs) was studied during the chlorination of Khandaq El-Sharqi canal, Egypt, under laboratory condition. Samples were collected from four positions of Khandaq El-Sharqi canal (Itay El-Baroud, Dinshal, Damanhour and El-Zawya). Increasing trihalomethanes formation has been observed with increasing contact time and temperature. In the presence of excess chlorine, trihalomethanes formation proceeds as a pseudo-first-order reaction. The rate constants of the formation of trihalomethanes at different temperatures (10, 20, 30 and 40 °C) were calculated. Values of rate constant given for chloroform (CFM), bromodichloromethane (BDCM), dibromochloromethane (DBCM) and total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) approached each other, whereas chloroform attained a higher value for each temperature. Thermodynamic parameters of activation (ΔH #, ΔS # and ΔG #) for the formation of trihalomethanes were calculated by least square procedure program at 25 °C. The data showed that there is no significant change observed in ΔG #, and this is presumably due to the compensation between ΔH # and ΔS # to each other.

The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of dietary inclusion of fermented poultry by-product meal (FPBM) on growth performance, digestive enzymes activity, innate immunity, and antioxidant capacity in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). A basal diet containing fish meal and soybean meal was considered as a control (Con), and four other diets were produced by inclusion of 10, 20, 30, or 40% FPBM (FPBM10, FPBM20, FPBM30, and FPBM40 diets). The experiment was done in triplicates (20 fish per replicate) and the fish were fed the test diets to visual satiety twice daily for 8 weeks. The groups of fish fed the FPBM10 and FPBM20 diets showed significantly (P < 0.05) higher weight gain and specific growth rate, and lower feed conversion ratio than those fed the Con and FPBM40 diets. Moreover, inclusion of 40% FPBM led to significant reduction of feed intake compared to the other treatments. FPBM at all the tested levels improved intestinal protease activity and lipase activity was enhanced at 10–30% inclusion levels. Furthermore, the FPBM10 and FPBM20 groups revealed significantly higher amylase activity than the other treatments. The FPBM10 group exhibited significantly higher phagocytic activity than the control group and phagocytic index was enhanced by dietary inclusion of 10–30% FPBM. However, inclusion of over 30% FPBM led to significant reduction of lysozyme, phagocytic, and bactericidal activities compared to the control group. Further, FPBM10 and FPBM20 diets increased the serum IgM levels, while NBT was significantly increased by feeding FPBM10 diet compared with FPBM30 and FPBM40 groups (P < 0.05). The group fed the FPBM30 diet showed significantly higher glutathione peroxidase activity than the control group. According to the analysis of the data by the polynomial regression, the inclusion of FPBM at 11.17–25.14% can be applied effectively in the diets of tilapia for better growth performance and health condition.

Phytochemical study on 80% ethanolic extract of Callistemon viridiflorus Sims fruits (CVF) resulted in isolation of five phenolic compounds 1; Gallic acid, 2; Ellagic acid, 3; Reynoutrin, 4; Methoxy ellagic acid, 5; Quercetin. Petra/Osiris/Molinspiration (POM) analyses predicted that Reynoutrin and Quercetin have interesting potential activities, also Reynoutrin is found to be safer in relation to Quercetin. 80% ethanolic extract of CVF, Reynoutrin and Quercetin displayed remarkable immunomodulatory activity, as increased proliferation of RAW 264.7 macrophage cells by 1.48, 1.51 and 1.46 fold respectively. 80% ethanolic extract of the C. viridiflorus fruits showed significant cytotoxic activity against P388 leukemia cells (IC50 = 15.11 µg/ml), followed by Quercetin (IC50 = 21.5 µg/ml) then Reynoutrin (IC50 = 33.32 µg/ml). Keywords: POM analyses, Callistemon viridiflorus, Polyphenols, Immunomodulatory, Cytotoxic

Abstract The present study was designed to evaluate the protective effects of echinochrome (Ech) on intrahepatic cholestasis in rats induced by a single (i.p.) injection of alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT) (75 mg/kg body weight). The rats were pre-treated orally for 48hr (one dose / 24hr) with Ech (1, 5 and 10 mg/kg body weight) or ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) 80 mg/kg body weight drug then, injected with ANIT. ANIT markedly increased serum activities of alanine amino transaminase (ALT), aspartate amino transaminase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), which was accompanied by a massive inflammation of epithelial cells on bile duct at 24h after ANIT injection. ANIT also increased the levels of total protein (TP), total bilirubin (TB), direct bilirubin (DB), indirect bilirubin (IB), however decrease albumin content (ALB). In addition ANIT increased hepatic MDA and NO level and decreased GSH level and GST activity. The Ech exerted hepatoprotective and anticholestatic effects as assessed by a significant decrease in the activities of serum AST, ALT and ALP, and the levels of TP, TB, DB and IB as well as liver MDA level and NO level. In conclusion, Ech was found to possess hepatoprotective effect against intrahepatic cholestasis induced by hepatotoxin such as ANIT.

Using synthetic antibiotics/chemicals for infectious bacterial pathogens and parasitic disease control causes beneficial microbial killing, produces multi-drug resistant pathogens, and residual antibiotic impacts in humans are the major threats to aquaculture sustainability. Applications of herbal products to combat microbial and parasitic diseases are considered as alternative approaches for sustainable aquaculture. Essential oils (EOs) are the secondary metabolites of medicinal plants that possess bioactive compounds like terpens, terpenoids, phenylpropenes, and isothiocyanates with synergistic relationship among these compounds. The hydrophobic compounds of EOs can penetrate the bacterial and parasitic cells and cause cell deformities and organelles dysfunctions. Dietary supplementation of EOs also modulate growth, immunity, and infectious disease resistance in aquatic organisms. Published research reports also demonstrated EOs effectiveness against Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, Gyrodactylus sp., Euclinostomum heterostomum, and other parasites both in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, different infectious fish pathogenic bacteria like Aeromonas salmonicida, Vibrio harveyi, and Streptococcus agalactiae destruction was confirmed by plant originated EOs. However, no research was conducted to confirm the mechanism of action or pathway identification of EOs to combat aquatic parasites and disease-causing microbes. This review aims to explore the effectiveness of EOs against fish parasites and pathogenic bacteria as an environment-friendly phytotherapeutic in the aquaculture industry. Moreover, research gaps and future approaches to use EOs for sustainable aquaculture practice are also postulated.

Antioxidant therapy has been thought to be effectual for the prevention and treatment of various diseases including diabetes. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the potency of Paracentrotus lividus extract (PLE) for alleviating the complications that resulted after induction of the diabetic rat models (T1DM and T2DM) using high fat diet (HFD)/streptozotocin (STZ). Thirty six male Wistar albino rats were assigned into normal control, T1DM and T2DM untreated, and PLE treated diabetic rat groups. Induction of T1DM was performed by streptozotocin injection (60 mg/kg of dissolved in sodium citrate buffer, 0.1 mol/L, i.p). T2DM induction through 4 weeks of high fat diet (HFD) intervention was followed by a single low dosage of STZ (30 mg/kg dissolved in 0.1 mol/L citrate buffer at pH 4.5, i.p). Both diabetic rat models showed a significant increase in serum; levels of fasting glucose, total protein, bilirubin, activities of arginase, transaminases (AST and ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), γ glutamyl transferase (GGT), lipid profile parameters, and liver malondialdehyde (MDA). However, T1DM and T2DM rats have decreased levels of serum insulin, and liver glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), glutathione reduced (GSH), nitric oxide (NO), and antioxidant enzymes. Furthermore, the present study showed the hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, and antioxidant potency of the PLE as confirmed by its ability for ameliorating most of the alterations caused in the studied parameters of diabetic rats. In conclusion, PLE may be useful as therapy against oxidative stress and liver damage in both types of diabetes mellitus and is therefore recommended for further studies.

The prevalence of antibiotic resistance has resulted in the need for new approaches to be developed to combat the previously easily treatable infections. This work aims to evaluate the antifungal and antioxidant effects of the chitosan, as a new alternative or complementary anti-fungal drug, alone or in combination with amphotericin B against a pathogenic Candida albicans in mice. Eighty neutropenic infected mice were randomly assigned into four main groups (20 mice/group). The 1st group was treated with saline, neutropenic infected (NI group) (IPC group, invasive pulmonary candidiasis), the 2nd group was treated with chitosan (ED50) (CE group), the 3rd group was treated with amphotericin B (150 mg/kg) (AMB group) and the 4th group was treated with chitosan plus amphotericin B (CE + AMB group). Treatment was started at 24 h after fungal inoculation and was administered for 3 consecutive days. All the previous treatments demonstrated notable growth inhibition against a C. albicans isolate as indicated by measuring the mean diameter of the inhibition zone. Compared with IPC group, CE, AMB, and AMB + CE-treated animals had 73%, 87%, and 90% reduction in fungal burden, respectively. Furthermore, treatment with CE and/or AMB for 24 and 72 h significantly decreased MDA, SOD, CAT and NO levels and increased GSH and in the lung tissues as compared with the infected untreated group. In conclusion, CE treatment, with the combination of antifungal therapy, can alleviate oxidative stress and lung injury associated with IPC in neutropenic mice.

The present study aimed at verifying the usefulness of dietary 2.5% bee-pollen (BP) or propolis (PROP) to overcome the genotoxic and endocrine disruptive effects of malathion polluted water in Oreochromis niloticus (O. niloticus). The acute toxicity test was conducted in O. niloticus in various concentrations (0–8 ppm); mortality rate was assessed daily for 96 h. The 96 h-LC50 was 5 ppm and therefore 1/5 of the median lethal concentration (1 ppm) was used for chronic toxicity assessment. In experiment (1), fish (n = 8/group) were kept on a diet (BP/PROP or without additive (control)) and exposed daily to malathion in water at concentration of 5 ppm for 96 h “acute toxicity experiment”. Protective efficiency against the malathion was verified through chromosomal aberrations (CA), micronucleus (MN) and DNA-fragmentation assessment. Survival rate in control, BP and PROP groups was 37.5%, 50.0% and 100.0%, respectively. Fish in BP and PROP groups showed a significant (P

Bile duct ligation (BDL) is a well established experimental model of extrahepatic cholestasis. Cholestasis leads to progressive liver injury culminating in cirrhosis and liver failure. Prolonged cholestasis, characterized by retention of bile compound, may cause renal damage, which sometimes leads to renal failure. The present study aimed to elucidate the curative effect of sepia ink extract against cholestasis induced renal and lipid metabolism disturbances. Fifty-four male Wistar albino rats (Rattus norvegicus) were divided into two main groups, the Sham-operated control (18 rats) and bile duct ligated (BDL) group (36 rats). BDL groups were treated orally with sepia ink extract (200 mg/kg body weight) for 7, 14, and 28 days. The underlying physiological studies were investigated using lipid profile, kidney function tests and histopathological examination. There was a significant decrease in total lipids, triglycerides, cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol in addition to kidney function tests; urea, uric acid and creatinine of BDL group after treated with ink extract. The histopathological examination of the kidney treated with ink extract revealed mild degeneration in renal tissue architecture, as compared to BDL groups. In conclusion, sepia ink extract provides an antioxidant capacity in vitro and curative strategy against the kidney dysfunctions induced by BDL.

The analysis undertaken in this paper applies a multimarket model to simulate two policy measures based on the assumption that the government of Sudan would pursue two policies on the Gezira scheme the biggest irrigated scheme in Africa in attempts to achieve food self-sufficiency from wheat (major food crop), or to improve the foreign exchange earnings from cotton (major cash crop) through expanding their portions of cultivated land. The paper investigates the implications of each scenario on crops output, food self-sufficiency indicators and tenants’ welfare. Findings show that, the food security scenario raises self-sufficiency from wheat by 40% and reduces it for sorghum by 4%. However, it reduces the welfare level as the earnings from exports and revenues from tariffs decline. The foreign earning scenario on the other hand, improves the overall foreign earnings and enhances farmers’ welfare. Nonetheless, the study suggests that none of the two policies would achieve both objectives alone, hence it is recommended that, both policies are to be considered in a policy package that considers as well other related components.

Previous Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) research has shown that technology is beneficial for promoting language learning, but some teachers neither use technology as an assisted tool nor integrate it into their language classrooms. It has also been argued that the integration of technology has been unsuccessful in Kuwait. This study aims to explore the factors influencing teachers' use of technology in English as a foreign language (EFL) classroom in Kuwaiti government primary schools. More specifically, it aims to highlight factors promoting and hindering EFL teachers' use of technology. For the purpose of this study, 55 questionnaire responses were collected from different primary school teachers in Kuwait, followed up with 15 semi-structured interviews. The study findings show that Kuwaiti primary school EFL teachers who participated in the current study demonstrated positive attitudes towards using technology and acknowledged the implementation of some cutting-edge technologies in their classrooms. Enhancing students' language learning, innovation and school support were the main factors that encouraged the participating teachers to use technology. Other factors hindered the use of technology; particularly those related to lack of parental support, personal expenses and health problems, teachers' lack of skills and training, poor classroom infrastructure, and time constraints/workload. The findings also reveal that the lack of professional development training workshops provided by the Ministry of Education led the Kuwaiti teachers to rely more on informal training in which they worked and learnt together with their colleagues in small sub-groups to improve their use of technology. The study findings have implications for policymakers and other stakeholders intending to integrate technology in Kuwaiti primary schools.

Concatenation codes have attracted a great deal of interest since their discovery. They have been successfully used in digital communication systems in order to achieve reliable transmission on a noisy channel. In this paper, three models of concatenation codes are designed and tested over AWGN and frequency selective Rayleigh Fading (FSRF) channels. The first model uses convolution codes as outer and inner codes. The second model uses convolution code as the outer code and Reed-Solomon code as the inner one. While in the third model, the Reed-Solomon code is used as the outer code and the convolution code as the inner one. The performance comparisons among these models show that the last model gives better performance in both of the transmission channels considered and for different types of modulation. It attains a maximum gain of (3dB) in SNR over other models in AWGN channel while attains (8 dB) gain for FSRF channel case when bit error rate (BER) equals to 8*10-3.

The current study is a quantitative research that examined the mean differences of the students' attitude towards reading, based upon several demographic variables (such as gender, grade level and social media devices usage) The researchers used the Students' Reading Attitude Survey (SRAS) as the dependent variable; the sample consisted of 812 young elementary students (from the 5th and 6th grade) randomly selected from public schools. The research findings revealed that Kuwaiti students possess favorable attitudes toward both leisure and academic reading. Girls showed more positive attitudes toward reading than boys did. Younger students from the 5th grade showed more positive attitude toward reading than those of the 6th grade. Nevertheless, the results indicated that having an account in Instagram, Snap chat, or YouTube, or possessing a smart device had a negative effect on attitudes towards reading. This study is expected to help curriculum designers, education policy makers, and English teachers to promote independent reading amongst school students and enable them to move beyond traditional books by encouraging them to form a community of life-long readers in the Arab world.