Ameliorative effect of vitamin C on cypermethrin-induced hepatotoxicity and renal malfunction of adult male rats.

Cypermethrin is a widely used insecticide belongs to type II pyrethroids. It is highly used in developing countries to control many species of insects as it plays an important role in pest control. Vitamin C is an important intracellular antioxidant against insecticides. The aim of the present study is to analyze the toxic effects of cypermethrin (CYP) and the positive effect of vitamin C (VC) with graded doses (0 CYP, 200 VC, 12 CYP and 12 CYP+200 VC mg/kg body weight of male rats/day) for 30 days on liver and kidney functions. Moreover, antioxidant enzymes, oxidative stress markers, glycogen and glucose levels and also serum lipid profile were studied. Also, this study aimed to evaluate the possible protective role of vitamin C against cypermethrin toxicity

Field assessment of corn yield losses and compensatory yield for infested plants by Lepidopteran stem borers in different sowing dates at El-Behiera governorate, Egypt.

Whenever the determination of yield loss and economic injury levels are essential tools for initiating integrated pest management (IPM) programs in the maize field, the assessment of compensatory yield is very important for determinate the accurate losses in the field and the recovery power for the maize verity. The present study aimed to estimate the yield losses of three maize varieties due to Sesamia critica and Ostrinia nubilalis, infestation; regression between maize yield losses and percent of infestation and determine the compensatory yield arising in intact plants as a result of absence or dead (caused by infestation) of adjacent plants under field conditions in El-Behiera governorate. The present results showed that yield losses resulting from S. cretica infestation in early sowed maize ranged from 5.29 – 32.17%. In case of maize that sowed in recommended date “June”, yield losses due to S. cretica was slightly decreased, and it accompanied with O. nubilalis infestation in two fields, which increased the total yield losses. A simple linear regression turned out between the percentage of infestation of S. cretica or O. nubilalis and percentage of yield losses, with R2 values 0.84 and 0.45, respectively. The yellow corn was more tolerant to stem borers infestation than white corn with percentages of increase rate in compensatory yield 27.07 %. Whenever the determination of yield loss and economic injury levels are essential tools for initiating integrated pest management (IPM) programs in the maize field, the assessment of compensatory yield is very important for determinate the accurate losses in the field and the recovery power for the maize verity. The present study aimed to estimate the yield losses of three maize varieties due to Sesamia critica and Ostrinia nubilalis, infestation; regression between maize yield losses and percent of infestation and determine the compensatory yield arising in intact plants as a result of absence or dead (caused by infestation) of adjacent plants under field conditions in El-Behiera governorate. The present results showed that yield losses resulting from S. cretica infestation in early sowed maize ranged from 5.29 – 32.17%. In case of maize that sowed in recommended date “June”, yield losses due to S. cretica was slightly decreased, and it accompanied with O. nubilalis infestation in two fields, which increased the total yield losses. A simple linear regression turned out between the percentage of infestation of S. cretica or O. nubilalis and percentage of yield losses, with R2 values 0.84 and 0.45, respectively. The yellow corn was more tolerant to stem borers infestation than white corn with percentages of increase rate in compensatory yield 27.07 %.

The Possible Effects of Sodium Nitrite and Sodium Benzoate as Food Additives on The Liver in Male Rats

Common food additives endorsed by Food and drug Organization "FDA" are utilized to preserve taste. The display think about examined the perilous impacts of sodium nitrite, sodium benzoate and their blend which utilized in fabricating of the food additives on a few biochemical parameters and histo-pathological examination in male rats. Male rats were divided into four groups; group I utilized as control, group II and III were treated orally with sodium nitrite NaNO2 (80 mg/kg BW) and sodium benzoate (SB) (200 mg/kg BW), separately. Group IV was treated orally with the blend of sodium nitrite and sodium benzoate. Rats were managed their dosages each day for 8 weeks. It appeared that sodium nitrite, sodium benzoate and their blend (NaNO2 and SB) initiated a critical increment within the serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase "AST", alanine aminotransferase "ALT". Antioxidant proteins (GSH, CAT) within the liver tissue recorded a decrease while, MDA recorded an increase action level within the tested groups. Over expression in p53 happened in exploratory groups which were treated by NaNO2, SB and their blend. The present study concluded that the blend of food additives can actuate harmfulness within the liver of rats. In conclusion, it is noted that food additives induced hepatotoxicity within the liver. It diminished the antioxidant chemicals (GSH, CAT) and elevated the activity level of the MDA and increment tumor silencer quality p53 in liver tissue. Food additive substances caused changes in biochemical parameters (ALT, AST). The utilization of food additives must be diminished. The usage of the mixture of sodium nitrite and sodium benzoate induced changes in biochemical parameters and immune-histopathology.

Adverse Effect of Mixture of Food Additives on Some Biochemical Parameters in Male Albino Rats

The present study investigated the unsafe impacts of sodium nitrite, sodium benzoate and their mixture which is utilized in fabricating of the food on some biochemical parameters in male albino rats. Rats (40) were divided into four groups as follows: group 1 used as the control, group II and III were treated orally with sodium nitrite nano2 (80 mg/kg BW) and sodium benzoate (SB) (200 mg/kg BW), respectively. Group IV was treated orally with a mixture of sodium nitrite and sodium benzoate. Rats took their respective doses every day for 8 weeks. The obtained results showed that sodium nitrite, sodium benzoate and their mixture (nano2 and SB) initiated a diminished within in the activity of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, and GSH) within the kidney, while, MDA recorded a highly significant activity level within experimental groups. Urea and creatinine mean levels were were expanded within plasma of the experimental rats. In the histology of the kidney, sections appeared edema with few mononuclear leukocyte cellular infiltrations, shrinkage of glomeruli. The severity of these changes increased in the experimental group which treated by the mixture of sodium nitrite and sodium benzoate. Overexpression in p53 occurred in experimental groups that were treated by nano2, SB and their mixture. The present study concluded that the mixture of food additives can induce toxicity in the kidney of rats. It is obvious that food additives induced nephrotoxicity within the kidney. It decreased the antioxidant enzymes (GSH, CAT, and SOD) and increased MDA. Increase tumor suppressor gene p53 in kidney tissue. Food added substances caused changes in biochemical parameters as in creatinine and urea. The utilization of food additives must be decreased. The presence of more than one type of food additives on our food and the usage of the mixture of sodium nitrite and sodium benzoate initiated changes in biochemical parameters and immune-histopathological changes.

Exposure Dose of Bacteria and Fungi in a Public Primary School in Beni Suef, Upper Egypt

Potential health risk due to the exposure of bacteria and fungi is mainly related to the concentration of respirable airborne bacteria and fungi in indoor environments. Schools buildings represent an important category of indoor environments. This study aimed to evaluate the concentration and size distribution of bacteria and fungi in classrooms of a public primary school in Beni Suef, Egypt. In addition, the indoor exposure dose (IED) of bacteria and fungi were estimated for children and teachers. A six-stage Andersen impactor was used for collecting the bacterial and fungal particles. Indoor average concentration of bacteria was 1120±458 CFU/m3 while the corresponding fungal concentration was 291±89 CFU/m3. Bacterial level is almost twice the World Health Organization guideline value of 500 CFU/m3 while the fungal level is underestimated. Respirable fraction (<5 µm), that can reach to the lower airways of the lung, of bacteria was 79% while the corresponding respirable fraction of fungi was 90% of the total concentration. The size distribution of bacteria was bimodal in nature and the fungal size distribution was unimodal with lower dispersion than bacteria. IED of bacteria was 211 CFU/kg and 70 CFU/kg for children and teachers, respectively. While the fungal IED was 55 CFU/kg and 18.2 CFU/kg for children and teachers, respectively.

The Effect of ZJXG Decoction on The Serum Level of Growth Hormone and The Expression of GH Receptor in Callus

The aim of experiment was to investigate the effects of Zhuangjin XuGu decoction (ZJXG decoction) on growth hormone (GH) serum and GH receptor (GHR) expression in callus. The femur fracture animal models were generated in 72 Wistar rats by cutting femur transversely at the middle point. The rats models were administered orally ZJXG decoction for 28 days. Anatomy, X-ray and hematoxylin- eosin (HE) staining were used to observe the healing process in rats. The expression of growth hormone receptor (GHR) in fibroblasts and osteoblasts in callus was evaluated by immunohistochemical assay (IHC). The serum level of GH was passed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Anatomy, X-ray and H-E staining indicated that the fibrous callus at the fracture-end increased and the fibrous granular tissue changed gradually to fibrous, cartilaginous and osseous callus. IHC and ELISA showed that after 28 days of ZJXG Decoction treatment, that GH in the fibroblasts and osteoblasts of callus and their serum level increased significantly. These results suggested that ZJXG decoction could enhance the fracture healing by enhancing GH activity and promoting the expression of GHR in the fibroblasts and osteoblasts of callus in rats.

The microbial consortia directed evolution towards plastic degradation – the key to waste management?

The rampant use of plastics and their disposal into waste are adding to the problems of pollution. The resistance of plastics to bio-degradation is an added advantage for its significant use but the same property creates havoc when the plastic products are disposed off as waste in massive amounts. The property of micro-organisms to evolve quickly brings answers to even the most impossible situations. The current and several other reports show that the plastic is bio-degradable. The current report shows the action of consortia of microbes isolated from a plastic dumping site can lead to degradation of the polymer. The microbial consortia isolated from plastic dumping site when made to grow in controlled conditions in presence of basal media with plastic as sole source of carbon for an extended period of time, aberrations were observed on surface of the plastic. The proteins reported till date in plastic degradation when analysed in-silico for their homologs in all domains of life, they were found to be significantly similar to proteins of cutinase, hydrolase, lipase and some hypothetical proteins. This shows that the plastic degrading proteins have possibly evolved from these protein families.

Anti-herpetic activity exopolysaccharides produced by different species of lactic acid bacteria

In the present work, it was shown that, in non-toxic concentrations, all EPSs which were isolated from lactic acid bacteria have significant anti-HSV-1 activity affecting various stages of the virus reproduction. It was demonstrated that the use of ESPs leads to the normalization of the life cycle of cells infected with the herpes simplex virus to the level of uninfected cells. It was found that EPS 26a produced by Lactobacillus sp. possesses multiple antiviral effects as it exhibits virucidal activity, blocks adsorption, penetration of the virus into cells and the release of viruses, and reduces the infectious titer of herpes simplex virus by 97-99%, indicating its considerable anti-herpetic activity.

Dog Nose to E-Nose in Disease Diagnosis

Dog has natural gift of better smelling power which can be exploited for several purposes and disease diagnosis is one amongst them. The work on the use of dog nose in disease diagnosis is in preliminary stage. The electronic noses/e-noses are sensor based physical devices which are used to detect and analyse the various volatile organic compounds (VOCs) specific for health disorders including cancer to metabolic and infectious diseases. The sensor based disease diagnosis is also in preliminary stage. The data generated through studies conducted on disease diagnosis using one of the best noses of the universe may improve the sensitivity and specificity of existing e-noses to add par and this refined artificial intelligence, web data bases and sophisticated hardware and software may play in future a major role in field of diagnosis, monitoring and surveillance of human and animal diseases.

Influence of engineered nanoparticles on growth parameters and photosynthetic pigments of Triticum durum L. under salt stress

Salinity stress is a major limitation to global crop production. Wheat is one of the world’s crops has salt sensitive characteristics than other crops. Meanwhile, rapid advancement of nanotechnology is introducing more and more engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) in agricultural soil . While some negative effects of ENPs on plant health at very high concentrations have been reported, more beneficial effects at low levels are increasingly noticed. Calcium phosphate nanoparticles (CPNPs) are one of the most widely used nanoparticles to interact with ecosystem and of great interest in agricultural sciences. The current study evaluates the effect of Calcium phosphate nanoparticles on germination percentage and early growth rate of wheat (Triticum durum L.) germinated under sodium chloride stress. As compared to the control, the results clearly showed that germination percentage not affected after NPs treatments whereas growth, fresh mass and dry mass of seedlings were highly increased at low levels of CPNPs . As salt concentration increased, chlorophyll a, b and carotenoids contents decreased. The results revealed that CPNPs interacted with salt stressed seedlings caused an increasing in photosynthetic pigments as compared to the control.