The Effect of Carbofuran and Endosulfan on the African Catfish, Clarias Garieplnus

This study was undertaken to determine the toxic effects of sub-lethal concentrations of carbofuran and endosulfan on some behavioural, morphological, biaccumulation, biochemical, histopathological, and molecular aspects of the freshwater African catfish, Clarias gariepinus. The toxicity of carbofuran and endsulfan was ascertained by estimating the LC₅₀. The calculated 96-h LC₅₀ values of carbofuran and endosulfan for juveniles of Clarias gariepinus were found to be 10.4 p.p.m and 2l.6 p.p.b respectively, under tropical condition. The test fish swam erratically, struggled to breath, often swam to the surface, followed by loss of equilibrium. The color of the skin became progressively pale during the period of the test, The liver glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) and acetycholinesterase (AchE) were determined photometrically. Within 16 days of treatment, the activity levels of GOT and GPT were significantly (p<0.05, p<0.01, p<0.001) increased by 203% and 121% for carbofuran and 167% and 195% for endosulfan respectively, whereas, AchE activity levels were inhibited following exposure to the test pesticides. With no exceptions, the in vivo and in vitro effects of carbofuran and enosulfan on GOT, GPT and AchE were qualitatively similar. The pesticide concentration in the tissues was in the order of liver> intestine> gill> brain> muscle. The highest concentration of the test pesticides (353.47 µg/g carbofuran and 1409.35 µg/g endosulfan) were found in the liver 24 hours after treatment. Liver lesions were observed following exposure to both pesticides. The evidence of pesticide accumulation was elucidated by necrosis and damaged fish liver. The depletion in the protein content was observed following exposure to carbofuran and endosulfan. The RNA concentrations were significantly decreased in Clarias gariepinus exposed to both pesticides, whereas, DNA concentrations tend to remain constant. The DNA molecular weight of the control fish was found to be about 16832 bp, whereas, the DNA molecular weights of carbofuran and endosulfan exposed fish were 14505 and 14505 bp respectively. The liversomatic index decreased to 2.11 for carbofuran and 1.59 for endosulfan in comparison to control. The biochemical, molecular, bioaccumulation, histological, behavioural and morphological techniques employed in this study may be used to detect and assess any pesticidal pollution in the aquatic environment at an early stage of pollution

Numerical Study of the Behaviour of Embankment Constructed over Soft Soil Stabilized with Ordinary and Geosynthetic - Reinforced Stone Columns

Structures constructed on soft soils may undergo significant settlement, local or global instability, and a significant lateral displacement of the soft soil layer. Ordinary stone columns (OSC) and stone columns strengthened with geosynthetic reinforcement reduce settlement and improve the subsoil's bearing capacity. Numerical analyses have been performed using a 3-dimensional finite element program (PLAXIS3D) to investigate the time-dependent behavior of embankments resting on stone columns constructed in very soft clay. The geosynthetic encasement is the more typical type of reinforcement; however, laminated layers can be adopted in this study. The geosynthetics material was used to strengthen the OSC in the form of vertical encasement, horizontal stripes, and combined vertical-horizontal reinforcement and vertical-basal geogrid reinforcement (BGR). This research compares these forms of reinforcement on embankment behavior. The research results showed that using the encased stone column (ESC) and the vertical-horizontal reinforced stone columns (V-HRSC) have provided a considerable improvement in the lateral deformation of the column over its length, generation, and dissipation of excess pore pressure, and settlement. An increase in factor of safety (FOS) against failure of the embankment was observed by 53% using the ESC compared to untreated soil. Using the horizontal geosynthetic layer (HGL) and the (BGR) after encasing the stone columns has no effect on the safety factor as the failure mechanism converted from deep-seated to surface failure

The synergistic reno-protective effect of Rhizophora mucronata and Avicennia marina aqueous extracts against diabetes induced renal changes

Background: The conventional medications of diabetes mellitus have many side effects that bring to diabetic cases, so there is a need for introducing natural remedies with antidiabetic effect. The objectives of this study aimed to evaluate the hypoglycemic and antidiabetic effects of aqueous extracts of a mixture of R. mucronata and A. marina against experimentally streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats and to assess its efficacy in alleviating diabetes-induced impact on kidney function.Methods: Sixty rats distributed into four groups (n=15) were used in this study. They included the control, STZ-induced diabetic, STZ-induced diabetic treated with a mixture of Rhizophora mucronata and Avicennia marina extract and non-diabetic group received a mixture of Rhizophora mucronata and Avicennia marina extract. After 6 weeks of treatment, the biochemical and histological alterations were investigated in all rats.Results: Daily oral administration of a mixture of R. mucronata and A. marina leaves extract to STZ-induced diabetic significant (p≤0.001) increase serum insulin levels and reduced fasting blood glucose levels, serum BUN and uric acid compared to the untreated diabetic rats. This mixture also improved the renal degeneration and inflammation induced by diabetes and reduced the number of the apoptotic cell in both renal cortex and medulla.Conclusions: The mixture of R. mucronata and A. marina extract significantly improve the diabetes-associated biochemical and histopathological renal changes indicating its potential effect as a natural nephroprotective agent against diabetic-induced nephropathy

First Record of a Spotted Fever Group \u3ci\u3eRickettsia\u3c/i\u3e sp. and \u3ci\u3eTheileria annulata\u3c/i\u3e in \u3ci\u3eHyalomma dromedarii\u3c/i\u3e (Acari: Ixodidae) Ticks in the United Arab Emirates

Rickettsiosis and theileriosis can cause mortalities in camel populations. This study was conducted to achieve 2 objectives: (1) to detect the presence of SFG Rickettsia sp. and Theileria sp. in Hyalomma dromedarii Koch, 1844 (Acari: Ixodidae) ticks and (2) to determine their prevalence in the tick population on the sampled camel farms in Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Camel ticks (H. dromedarii) were collected from a total of 625 one-humped camels (Camelus dromedarius) in 22 sampling locations in Al-Ain, UAE. Tick samples were analyzed by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). An SFG Rickettsia sp., which was 99% similar to Candidatus \u27Rickettsia andeanae\u27 and Rickettsia endosymbionts, was detected only in 2011 and its prevalence in the sampled ticks was 1.12%, while Theileria annulata was detected in both years with a prevalence of 2.3% and 1.60%, respectively. Additionally, T. annulata was present in all of the sampling zones (east, west, north, and south) of the study area, whereas SFG Rickettsia sp. was limited to 2 zones only (east and south). The geographic distributions of SFG Rickettsia sp. and T. annulata showed no overlap throughout the entire study area except in one location in which both of the disease agents were present. This study is the first published record on the presence of SFG Rickettsia sp. and T. annulata in camel ticks in the UAE. In addition, the current study should serve as a foundation for more studies leading to a better understanding of the reservoir potential of camels and the risk posed by these 2 disease agents to camels and other livestock

Bioaccumulation of Carbofuran and Endosulfan in the African Catfish Clarias gariepinus

The African catfish Clarias gariepjnus was exposed to a sublethal dose of 14ecarbofuran and 14G-endosulfan. Mter 1, 6, 12, 24, 72 and 144 h, the fish were removed and insecticide residues determined in the liver, intestines, gills, brain and skeletal muscles. Highest levels of residues, per g dry weight of tissues, was found in the liver (354 ± 6 Jlg carbofuran and 1409 ± 43 ng endosulfan after 24 h) followed by the intestines (239 ± 1 Jlg carbofuran and 1147 ± 21 ng endosulfan after 72 h), the gills (108 ± 2 Jlg carbofuran and 817 ± 19 ng endosulfan after 24 h), brain (57 ± 2 Jlg carbofuran after 24 h, 555 ± 19 ng endosulfan after 72 h) and skeletal muscle (25 ± 1 Jlg carbofuran after 144 h and 364 ± 13 ng endosulfan after 6 h). The residue levels were rapidly accumulated in the tissues. Based on the levels of pesticide residues after 1 h, all the tissues recorded very high levels of residues after 6 h. After reaching maximum levels in the tissues at various times of exposure, the residue levels in all the tissues began to decrease over time

URINARY MARKERS OF OXIDATIVE DNA DAMAGE IN TYPE 1 DIABETIC CHILDREN: RELATION TO MICROVASCULAR COMPLICATIONS

  Objective: Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a widespread metabolic disease, which frequently carries with it a significant impact on human health. Oxidative damage and tissue inflammation have been claimed to be a typical pathogenic component for the progression of diabetic complications. We aim in this study to explore the relation of urinary 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) (as a marker of nucleic acid oxidation) to microvascular complications in T1DM.Methods: A case–control study, enrolling 45 T1DM children and an equivalent number of healthy subjects, was performed. Full clinical examination and anthropometric measurement were performed to all subjects. Urinary assessment for 8-oxodG and albumin was done in addition to blood sampling for lipid profile and glycated Hb (HbA1c) assay. Complete ocular examination for assessment of diabetic retinopathy (DR) was also done.Results: Levels of urinary 8-oxodG, serum cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein in cases were significantly higher than non-diabetics; these levels were likewise higher in uncontrolled T1DM patients in comparison with well-controlled T1DM subjects. Urinary 8-oxodG and HbA1c were significantly higher in diabetic patients with albuminuria and DR compared to patients without complications. Significant positive correlation was found between 8-oxodG with HbA1c (r=0.8, p&lt;0.01), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (r=0.4, p=0.02), and cholesterol (r=0.4, p=0.05).Conclusion: Urinary 8-oxodG was found to be a reliable marker for assessing oxidative DNA damage in T1DM and can be used in the determination of microvascular complications related to diabetes

Prevalence of Female Sexual Dysfunction among Psoriatic Females: a Cross Sectional Case Controlled Study

Introduction: Sexual relationships are an integral part of females psychological and physiological wellbeing. Objectives: The study aimed to identify prevalence and impact of Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD) in women affected with psoriasis. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 150 married females who were interviewed to answer Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire and were divided into two groups: the first group included 100 female patients complaining of psoriasis (50 suffering from moderate psoriasis and 50 with severe psoriasis). The disease severity was graded according to the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) while the second group included 50 age matched women who served as controls. Results: Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) in psoriasis female groups was higher than that in the control group (47%, 24%, P < 0.05). The mean total scores of FSFI ranged from 12.30 to 34.20 and were significantly lower in the severe PASI affected group (22.34 ± 5.35) when compared to moderate PASI group (26.24 ± 2.67) or control group (28.79 ± 2.22). In addition, total scores were significantly lower among moderate PASI affected females when compared to control group. Conclusions: Sexual dysfunction should be routinely investigated in female patients with psoriasis in the case of moderate-severe disease due to its negative impact on quality of life. Further research over the effect of certain interventional programs on FSD should be considered for patients suffering from psoriasis

Molecular generation and characterization of an efficient recombinant vaccine for avian influenza A/H5N8 in Saudi Arabia

Purpose: To characterize a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N8 for engineering recombinant 6-+ 2 vaccine strain based on reverse genetic technology. Methods: A total of 135 swab samples from various birds were collected from different parts of Saudi Arabia as part of an influenza surveillance activity. The samples were checked for influenza virus infection using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Furthermore, Avian influenza H5N8 (A/chicken/KSA/1-NRC/2018), was used for the generation of H5N8 vaccine strain. The vaccine was tested on specific pathogen-free (SPF) chicken purchased from a local market. Results: The results indicate that the candidate vaccine (rgH5N8/KSA) induced specific neutralizing antibodies in chicken, and thereby protected the chickens from subsequent infections of H5N8. Conclusion: The study reinforces the development of a vaccine against avian influenza H5N8 virus isolated in Saudi Arabia, suggesting its possible application against the influenza virus associated with bird fl

Measurement of the top quark mass using single top quark events in proton-proton collisions at root s=8 TeV

Peer reviewe

Search for single production of vector-like quarks decaying into a b quark and a W boson in proton-proton collisions at root s=13 TeV

Peer reviewe