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Abstract Background The Convolvulus genus is distributed all over the world and has a long history in traditional medicine. As nanotechnology expands its reach into areas like drug delivery and biomedicine, this study intends to assess the potential of Convolvulus arvensis L. extracts as anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer agents, along with chemical profiling of the methanolic (MeOH) extract active ingredients. Methods The chemical composition of an 85% MeOH extract was investigated by liquid chromatography with an electrospray source connected to mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS). Both the 85% MeOH extract and n-butanol fraction of C. arvensis were loaded for the first time on alginate/chitosan nanoparticles. The 85% MeOH extract, n-butanol fraction and their loaded nanoparticles were tested for their cytotoxicity, anticancer, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activity (against pathogenic bacteria, E. coli and S. aureus). Results The chemical investigation of 85% MeOH extract of C. arvensis underwent LC-ESI-MS analysis, revealing twenty-six phenolic substances, of which 16 were phenolic acids, 6 were flavonoids, 1 glycolipid, 1 sesquiterpene and 2 unknown compounds. The FT-IR spectra confirmed the encapsulation of the 85% MeOH extract and n-butanol fraction onto alginate/chitosan nanoparticles and small size obtained by TEM maintained them nontoxic and enhanced their anti-inflammatory activity (the IC50 was decreased from 1050 to 175 µg/ml). The anti-cancer activity against HepG2 was increased and the cell viability was decreased from 28.59 ± 0.52 to 20.80 ± 0.27 at a maximum concentration of 1000 µg/ml. In addition, the MIC of encapsulated extracts was decreased from 31.25 to7.78 µg/ml in E. coli (Gm-ve) and from 15.56 to 7.78 µg/ml in S. aureus (Gm + ve) bacteria. Conclusion Both alginate and chitosan are excellent natural polymers for the encapsulation process, which affects positively on the bioactive constituents of C. arvensis extracts and improves their biological properties.

Abstract Background V pattern identification is essential for proper strabismus management. Graded recession is a tailored approach to treat inferior oblique overaction (IOOA). The aim is to evaluate the efficacy of graded recession of inferior oblique muscle for correction of different grades of V pattern. Methods Forty patients from 3 to 18 years old with V pattern strabismus and primary IOOA were evaluated by prism cover test to assess the grade of IOOA and amplitude of V-pattern. Graded recession of IO muscle depends on the amplitude of the V-pattern and degree of IOOA. Eight mm recession for amplitude 15 PD to 20 PD and mild IOOA (10 PD-15 PD or + 1) ,10 mm recession for amplitude 20–30 PD and moderate IOOA (15–25 PD or + 2) and maximum recession for amplitude more than 30 PD and marked IOOA (≥ 25 PD or + 3). Simultaneous correction of the horizontal deviation was performed. Follow up after I week,1 month ,3 month and 6-month. Trial Registration Number (TRN) (NCT05786053) on 23/3/2023. Results The mean age of the study patients was 9 ± 4.261. Twenty patients (50%) had V-pattern esotropia, 12 (30%) exotropia, 4 (10%) orthotropic and four (10%) had Dissociated vertical deviation (DVD). Four cases 10% were of grade 1, 20 cases (50%) grade 2 and 16 cases (40%) were of grade 3. Of eighty eyes, 66 eyes (82.5%) were fully corrected with no residual IOOA, and 14 eyes (17.5%) were under corrected. V-pattern was corrected in 28 cases 70% and only 12cases (30%) had residual V-pattern grade 1. Conclusions Graded recession is an effective procedure for correction of V pattern strabismus with various grades of primary inferior oblique overaction. It can be tailored according to the the degree of IO overaction which is significantly related to the grade of V pattern. The 8 mm recession for IO was significantly related to recurrence or inadequate break of the V pattern in our studied cases. The grade of IOOA correlates with the amplitude of V-pattern. The amount of recession was planned according to preoperative IOOA and grade of V-pattern with frequent undercorrections obtained by the standard 8 mm recession. A + 2 overaction merits a 10-mm recession of the inferior oblique. A + 3 or + 4 overaction merits a 14-mm maximal recession.

Abstract Background Trichinellosis, a zoonosis caused by the genus Trichinella, is a widespread foodborne disease. Albendazole, one of the benzimidazole derivatives, is used for treating human trichinellosis, but with limited efficacy in killing the encysted larvae and numerous adverse effects. Cyperus rotundus L. is a herbal plant with a wide range of medicinal uses, including antiparasitic, and is frequently used in traditional medicine to treat various illnesses. Methods LC-ESI-MS was used to identify the active phytoconstituents in the methanol extract (MeOH ext.) of the aerial parts of C. rotundus and its derivate fractions ethyl acetate (EtOAc fr.), petroleum ether (pet-ether fr.), and normal butanol (n-BuOH fr.). The in vivo therapeutic effects of C. rotundus fractions of the extracts were evaluated using the fraction that showed the most promising effect after detecting their in vitro anti-Trichinella spiralis potential. Results C. rotundus extracts are rich in different phytochemicals, and the LC-ESI-MS of the 90% methanol extract identified 26 phenolic compounds classified as phenolic acids, flavonoids, and organic acids. The in vitro studies showed that C. rotundus extracts had a lethal effect on T. spiralis adults, and the LC50 were 156.12 µg/ml, 294.67 µg/ml, 82.09 µg/ml, and 73.16 µg/ml in 90% MeOH ext., EtOAc fr., pet-ether fr. and n-BuOH fr., respectively. The n-BuOH fr. was shown to have the most promising effects in the in vitro studies, which was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. The in vivo effects of n-BuOH fr. alone and in combination with albendazole using a mouse model were evaluated by counting adults in the small intestine and larvae in the muscles, in addition to the histopathological changes in the small intestine and the muscles. In the treated groups, there was a significant decrease in the number of adults and larvae compared to the control group. Histopathologically, treated groups showed a remarkable improvement in the small intestine and muscle changes. Remarkably, maximal therapeutic effects were detected in the combination therapy compared to each monotherapy. Conclusion Accordingly, C. rotundus extracts may have anti-T. spiralis potential, particularly when combined with albendazole, and they may be used as synergistic to anti-T. spiralis medication therapy.

Artemisia plants process potential bioactive secondary metabolites such as artemisinin and essential oil. They are useful in controlling potential pests and microbes and have a therapeutic effect. The commercial production of artemisinin and essential oil is limited to regarding the worldwide demand. Urgent attempts must be undertaken to improve the production of bioactive secondary metabolites. The objectives of this experiment were to increase the production and improve the quality of bioactive secondary metabolites in order to limit the use of agrochemicals. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted during the 2018 and 2019 seasons. Treatments included three elicitations (gamma irradiation, nano-selenium, and chitosan) and three kinds of fertilizers (NPK, Moringa leaf extract, and humic acid). The experiment was conducted as a factorial with a completely randomized block. The designs and treatments were arranged in a split–split plot with three replicates. A single application of elicitors showed that chitosan > nano-selenium, chitosan > gamma irradiation, and Moringa > humic acid > NPK in plants’ artemisinin and essential oil content, while the interaction showed a significant synergistic relationship between elicitors and the fertilizers in enhancing the quantity and quality of artemisinin and essential oil of Artemisia plants. Without using any pesticides, there was no infection that appeared in Artemisia plants, this could be due to the enhancement of bioactive secondary metabolite production.

This work aimed to study the effects of recreational diving and snorkeling on the distribution, diversity, and abundance of surgeonfishes in six northern islands, different in their diving and snorkeling load, at the Hurghada area in the Egyptian Red Sea waters. SCUBA diving survey was conducted in summer 2019 using transect technique in the reef flat and reef slope in the study sites to compare total and single surgeonfish species census among sites and microhabitats. A total of six species of surgeonfish belonging to three genera were recorded during the current survey, including Zebrasoma xanthurum, Zebrasoma desjardinii, Acanthurus gahhm, Acanthurus sohal, Naso lituratus, and Naso unicornis. Z. desjardinii was the most abundant species, recording 41.2% relative abundance, followed by Acanthurus sohal (19%). In all sites, surgeonfish species diversity and average/total abundance in reef flat was always higher than that recorded in the reef slope. Meanwhile, the recreational effect results showed that, in reef flat habitats, surgeonfishes total/average abundance was inversely related to the numbers of divers and snorkelers across survey sites. In contrast, deeper habitat at the opened reef edge exhibited inverse distribution pattern, whereas, the obtained results showed that surgeonfish preferred the reef edge when the diving activities load increased.

Background: The plant kingdom is considered one of the most common sources for structural and biological diversity. In particular, the wild category acquires our attention to investigate the phytochemical and the biological evaluations. Methods: Dobera glabra was exposed to phytochemical examination using HPLC-ESI-MS analysis. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using carrageenan-induced rat paw edema model, whereas both the central and peripheral analgesic activities were tested via hot plate test in rats and acetic acid-induced writhing in mice, respectively. Results: Twenty phenolic compounds of D. glabra aqueous leaves extract were emphasized by liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Moreover, D. glabra exhibited both anti-inflammatory and peripheral analgesic activities. Furthermore, D. glabra significantly decreased the immune expression of MMP-9, TNF-α and TGF-β1 in the hind paw of rats. Conclusion: D. glabra possess peripheral anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects in rats mediated through its anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The activity of D. glabra leaves extract might be attributed to the presence of hydroxy and keto structures.

Thomas Alloum was an English artist, painter topographical engineer, and member of the Royal Institute of British architects. He designed several build structures in London such as the Christ Church in Highbury in 1850 and the library of William Brown, as well as a lot of structures in Liverpool (1857-1860). In addition he designed the tower of Saint Leo de Garis church, near Tottenham in 1860. Most of his structures followed the Gothic style, and he was known by his several topographical works which were used to illustrate travel books since 1820 when he traveled all over the United Kingdom and Europe. In 1834, he traveled to Istanbul and began to draw a lot of his paintings during his journeys through Anatolia, Syria, and Palestine. The outcomes of these journeys were published in 1838. In addition, he worked on church paintings in Minor Asia, which were published in two volumes by Robert Walsh. This paper examines the Turkish structures by Thomas Alloum during his stay in Turkey through several painting. In addition, it compares them to the remaining structures.

Schistosomiasis remains to be the most common fibrotic disease resulting from inflammation and deposition of scar tissue around trapped parasitic eggs in the liver. Though chemotherapy eradicates matured worms efficiently and prevents the accumulation of schistosome eggs, fewer effective drugs are directed to reverse the present hepatic fibrosis. Therefore, treatment targeting hepatic fibrosis associated with schistosomiasis remains a challenging proposition.

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) is important food in daily human diets. Root rot disease by Fusarium oxysporum caused huge losses in tomato quality and yield annually. The extensive use of synthetic and chemical fungicides has environmental risks and health problems. Recent studies have pointed out the use of medicinal plant essential oils (EOs) and extracts for controlling fungal diseases. In the current research, Mentha spicata and Mentha longifolia EOs were used in different concentrations to control F. oxysporum. Many active compounds are present in these two EOs such as: thymol, adapic acid, menthol and menthyl acetate. These compounds possess antifungal effect through malformation and degradation of the fungal cell wall. The relative expression levels of distinctly upregulated defense-related WRKY genes (WRKY1, WRKY4, WRKY33 and WRKY53) in seedling root were evaluated as a plant-specific transcription factor (TF) group in different response pathways of abiotic stress. Results showed significant expression levels of WRKY, WRKY53, WRKY33, WRKY1 and WRKY4 genes. An upregulation was observed in defense-related genes such as chitinase and defensin in roots by application EOs under pathogen condition. In conclusion, M. spicata and M. longifolia EOs can be used effectively to control this plant pathogen as sustainable and eco-friendly botanical fungicides.

Bioactive compounds extracted from marine organisms showed several biological activities. The present study is an extension of our earlier studies where we assessed the antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic activities of ethanol, methylene chloride, ethyl acetate, acetone, and chloroform crude extracts of sponges: Negombata magnifica (NmE) and Callyspongia siphonella (CsE) against cancer cells. Herein, we are extending our previous findings on both sponge species depending on an alternative methanol extraction method with more advanced molecular biochemical insights as additional proof for anticancer and antimicrobial activity of N. magnifica and C. siphonella. Therefore, sponge specimens were collected during winter 2020 from the Dahab region at the Gulf of Aqaba. Each sponge was macerated with methanol to obtain the crude extracts; NmE and CsE. GC–MS analysis presented a total of 117 chemical compounds; 37 bioactive, 11 represented previously as constituents for a natural organism, and 69 had no biological activities. NmE dose-dependently inhibited the growth of HepG2, MCF-7, and Caco-2 carcinoma cell lines compared to CsE, which unfortunately has no antiproliferative activity against the same cancer cells. NmE was found to induce G0/G1 cell cycle arrest in HepG2 cells with its inhibition for CDK6, Cyclins D1, and E1 in HepG2, MCF-7, and Caco-2 cells. NmE also activated ROS production in HepG2 cells and induced apoptosis in HepG2, MCF-7, and Caco-2 cells via an increase in pro-apoptotic protein Bax, caspase-3, and cleavage PARP, and a decrease in anti-apoptotic protein BCL2. Unlike its anticancer potential, CsE exhibited clear superior results as an antimicrobial agent with a wider range against six microbial strains, whereas NmE showed a positive antibacterial activity against only two strains.

Abstract Background Gall crabs were described 150 years ago, but little is known about their biology, ecology, and taxonomy. Studying the breeding season can facilitate the understanding of the adaptive strategies and reproductive potential of gall crab and its relationship with the environment and other species. Results Growth and reproductive biology of the coral gall crab, Hapalocarcinus marsupialis, were studied at Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea, Egypt. A total of 209 specimens were collected from different reef depths during 2014. Relationship between carapace width (CW) and total body wet weight (W) was represented as log W = 0.190 + 2.87 log CW. Growth generally shows negative allometric pattern. While the relation between CW and CL is represented by log CL = 0.019 + 1.009 log CW. This relation is linear and shows an isometric regression coefficient. The overall value for “Kn” is varied from 0.8 to 1.24, with an average of 1.11 ± 0.13, and denotes fitness for females. H. marsupialis shows clear sexual dimorphism and has lengthy definite breeding season characterized by carrying eggs throughout the year. The incubated eggs are semi spherical in shape, with diameter ranges according to maturity stages between 10 and 50 μm. The color of incubated eggs is also varied according to the developmental stage. Most females attain sexual maturity between 2.0 and 2.49 mm CW. Juveniles were recorded during year except the months of January and October. Fecundity varied from 10 to 740 eggs, with an average of 230 ± 173 eggs/female, showing linear relation with carapace width. Significant relationship between carapace width and fecundity was represented by log F = 0.22 + 2.39 log CW. Conclusion The present study emphasized the reproductive biology of H. marsupialis and explained the size structure, sexual dimorphism, breeding season, fecundity, size at first maturity, and juvenile’s recruitments in the three selected sites Dahab, Nuweiba and Taba along the Gulf of Aqaba.

Abstract Background Gall crabs were described 150 years ago, but little is known about their biology, ecology, and taxonomy. Studying the breeding season can facilitate the understanding of the adaptive strategies and reproductive potential of gall crab and its relationship with the environment and other species. Results Growth and reproductive biology of the coral gall crab, Hapalocarcinus marsupialis, were studied at the Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea, Egypt. A total of 209 specimens were collected from different reef depths during 2014. The relationship between the carapace width (CW) and total body wet weight (W) was represented as Log W = 0.190 + 2.87 Log CW. Growth generally shows a negative allometric pattern, while the relation between CW and the carapace length (CL) is represented by Log CL = 0.019 + 1.009 Log CW. This relation is linear and shows an isometric regression coefficient. The overall value for “kn” is varied from 0.8 to 1.24, with an average of 1.11 ± 0.13, which denotes fitness for females. H. marsupialis shows clear sexual dimorphism and has a lengthy definite breeding season characterized by carrying eggs throughout the year. The incubated eggs are semispherical in shape, with diameter ranges according to maturity stages between 10 and 50 μm. The color of incubated eggs is also varied according to the developmental stage. Most females attain sexual maturity between 2.0- and 2.49-mm CW. Juveniles were recorded during each month of the year except in January and October. Fecundity varied from 10 to 740 eggs, with an average of 230 ± 173 eggs/female, showing linear relation with the carapace width. A significant relationship between the carapace width and fecundity was represented by Log F = 0.22 + 2.39 Log CW. Conclusion The present study emphasized the reproductive biology of H. marsupialis and explained the size structure, sexual dimorphism, breeding season, fecundity, size at first maturity, and juvenile’s recruitments in the three selected sites Dahab, Nuweiba, and Taba along the Gulf of Aqaba.

Rose is one of the most economically important ornamental crops in the world. In this study, we analyzed nine macro- and microelements in soils and petals of R. damascena Mill. cultivated in Shafa and Hada mountains. The amounts of the investigated macro- and microelements varied from one soil or petal sample to another and they were generally higher in most soil and petal samples of Shafa compared to Hada. On the other hand, the levels of the investigated elements in petal samples were not dependent on their levels in soil samples. While water extracts of the soil of farms of Shafa were slightly alkaline (pH 7.69), they were moderately alkaline (pH 8.04) in Hada farms. The amounts of oil produced by rose petals of Hada were relatively larger than those of Shafa. Amongst the five investigated constituents of the volatile oil of roses, the amounts of citronellol, geraniol, and eugenol were significantly larger in the volatile oil of rose petals of Hada compared to Shafa. This study suggests that the ecology of roses of both Hada and Shafa mountains is different and this is most likely reflected on the amount of volatile oil and its constituents. Therefore, further integrated multidisciplinary research correlating rose ecology, agronomy, and essential oil yield is highly recommended.

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The pandemic novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has resulted in enormous economic damage and an exclusive health crisis, so developing a cure for this respiratory infectious disease has proceeded forward at full speed. Natural products and herbal medicines with accepted safety profiles are considered promising sources for discovering new medication leads. Genus Marrubium was reported to exhibit potential antiviral and antioxidant activities. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the inhibitory activity of the total methanolic extract and its soluble fractions: (petroleum ether, methylene chloride, and ethyl acetate) of the aerial parts of Marrubium alysson L. against SARSCoV-2 main protease (Mpro). Also, they were quantitatively assayed for their phenolics and flavonoids contents, in addition to evaluating their antioxidant activity. The results showed that the petroleum ether fraction has the highest inhibitory activity against SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro) enzyme with IC50 value of 3.959±0.17 µg/mL compared to the reference tipranavir (IC50 1.89±0.08 µg/mL). The ethyl acetate fraction showed the highest total phenolics and flavonoids contents as well as the highest antioxidant activity (IC50 33.81±0.15 µg/mL) compared to the reference L-ascorbic acid (IC50 30.43±0.14 µg/mL). It could be concluded that soluble fractions of the total methanolic extract of Marrubium alysson L. may be used as an alternative source for developing new natural inhibitors against the main protease enzyme and may be suggested for the treatment of COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]