Prediction of water table in an alluvial aquifer using modflow

Groundwater is the main source of water in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). A larger part of groundwater is founded in alluvial (unconfined) aquifers. Prediction of water table elevations in unconfined aquifers is very useful in water resources planning and management. During the last two decades, many aquifers in different regions of the KSA experienced significant groundwater decline. The declines in these aquifers raised concerns over the quantity and quality of groundwater, as well as concerns over the planning and management policies used in KSA. The main objective of this study was to predict water table fluctuations and to estimate the annual change in water table at an alluvial aquifer at wadi Hada Al Sham near Makkah, KSA. The methodology was achieved using numerical groundwater model (MODFLOW). The model was calibrated and then used to predict water table elevations due to pumping for a period of 5 years. The output of the model was found to be in agreement with the previous records. Moreover, the simulation results also show reasonable declination of water table elevations in the study area during the study period

Compliance to patching in the treatment of amblyopia

AbstractPurposeTo evaluate compliance of amblyopic patients to patching, and to identify reasons of poor compliance and suggest methods to overcome the problem.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional, retrospective study that included 37 families with a child diagnosed with unilateral amblyopia (age range 3–16years) and attending the Pediatrics Ophthalmology clinic at the King Abdulaziz University Hospital (a tertiary eye hospital). Data were collected through interviews and from hospital charts. In the interviews we asked questions that sought information with regard to four aspects (domains); knowledge, attitude, insight and community’s effect. A score representing each domain was given to every family then we correlated these scores with family’s compliance percentage.ResultsWhen correlated with compliance, the insight and attitude domains showed a statistically significant correlation; p-value 0.002 and 0.004, respectively. However, the knowledge and community’s effect domains were not; p-value 0.084 and 0.114, respectively. Other qualitative factors affecting compliance were identified with open questions. Quotes from families of what they think can improve compliance are shown.ConclusionTo improve compliance, merely educating patients is not sufficient and more efforts should be undertaken toward ensuring true sense of the problem and its impact. Factors affecting compliance due to the physical properties in the patch itself should be addressed too (heat, irritation, poor adhesive material and design)

Characterization of polygalacturonases from fruit spoilage Fusarium oxysporum and Aspergillus tubingensis

We reported the partial purification and characterization of polygalacturonases from fruit spoilage Fusarium oxysporum and Aspergillus tubingensis isolated from banana and peach, respectively. By using diethylaminoethyl (DEAE)-Sepharose column, one and two forms of polygalacturonases were separated from F. oxysporum (PGase) and A. tubingensis (PGaseI and PGaseII), respectively. The polygalacturonases examined had higher affinity toward various polygalacturonic acids and pectins. The apparent Km and Vmax values were reported for the enzymes. Acidic pH optima (4.0 to 6.0) was also reported for the enzymes. Optimal temperature and thermal stability of the enzymes showed a range from 40 to 60°C. The effect of metal cations on the enzymes was studied. The most chemical compounds caused moderate inhibitory effect except benzoic and citric acids which had strong inhibitory effect on the polygalacturonases. The benzoic and citric acids were used as antifungal compounds for F. oxysporum and A. tubingensis. The citric acid was found to be more effective against fungal growth than benzoic acid.Keywords: Fruit, spoilage, Fusarium oxysporum, Aspergillus tubingensis, polygalacturonas

Bilateral acute angle closure glaucoma after hyperopic LASIK correction

AbstractAcute angle closure glaucoma is unexpected complication following laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). We are reporting a 49-years-old lady that was presented to the emergency department with acute glaucoma in both eyes soon after LASIK correction. Diagnosis was made on detailed clinical history and examination, slit lamp examination, intraocular pressure measurement and gonioscopy. Laser iridotomy in both eyes succeeded in controlling the attack and normalizing the intraocular pressure (IOP) more than 6months of follow-up. Prophylactic laser iridotomy is essential for narrow angle patients before LASIK surgery if refractive laser surgery is indicated

Protective role of flaxseed oil against lead acetate induced oxidative stress in testes of adult rats

Even though the toxic effects of lead compounds had been studied over many years, inconsistent results have been obtained about their oxidative stress in the testes of adult rats. Lead acetate (20 mg/kg) alters the histology of testes as well as enhances lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide production in both serum and testes with concomitant reduction in glutathione (GSH) and antioxidant enzymes as catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Moreover, lead acetate induced DNA fragmentation in testes of rats. Treatment of rats with flaxseed oil (1000 mg/kg) resulted in marked improvement in all studied parameters. On the basis of the aforementioned results, it can be hypothesized that flaxseed oil is a promising natural product to protect against lead acetate induced oxidative stress and toxicity in rats.Key words: Lead, flaxseed oil, oxidative stress, testes, rat

Protective effect of berberine chloride on Plasmodium chabaudi-induced hepatic tissue injury in mice

AbstractThe present study aimed to investigate the protective role of berberine (BER) against Plasmodium chabaudi-induced infection in mice. Animals were divided into three groups. Group I served as a vehicle control. Group II and group III were infected with 1000 P. chabaudi infected erythrocytes. Group III was gavaged with 100μl of 10mg/kg berberine chloride for 10days. All mice were sacrificed at day 10 post-infection. The percentage of parasitemia was significantly reduced more than 30%, after treatment of mice with BER. Infection caused marked hepatic injuries as indicated by histopathological alterations as evidenced by the presence of hepatic lobular inflammatory cellular infiltrations, dilated sinusoids, vacuolated hepatocytes, increased number of Kupffer cells and the malaria pigment, hemozoin. These changes in livers led to the increased histological score. Also, infection induced a significant increase in liver alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase and a significant increase in the total leucocytic count. Moreover, mice became anemic as proved by the significant decrease in erythrocyte number and haemoglobin content. BER showed a significant protective potential by improving the above mentioned parameters. Based on these results, it is concluded that berberine could offer protection against hepatic tissue damage

Enhancement of alpha amylase production by Aspergillus flavus AUMC 11685 on mandarin (Citrus reticulata) peel using submerged fermentation

Mandarin peel as submerged fermentation (SmF) source was tested for the production of alpha amylase enzyme by strain of Aspergillus flavus AUMC 11685. Incubation period, concentration of substrate, temperature, pH and size of inoculum were optimized to achieve the maximum production of alpha amylase enzyme by Aspergillus flavus using mandarin peel. The maximum production of alpha amylase enzyme by Aspergillus flavus was recorded at 4-5 days of incubation, 3% substrate concentration, inoculum concentration 10%, temperature 28-40°C and pH 4-5.5. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.81827

Identifying leaf rust resistance gene Lr19 in durum wheat using simple sequence repeat (SSR) marker

Leaf rust, caused by Puccinia triticina Eriks., is an important disease affecting durum wheat (Triticum turgidum ssp. durum) worldwide, particularly in the Mediterranean region. The disease can be controlled through the use of plant host resistance. Based on seedling resistance tests of 103 durum genotypes against a bulk of P. triticina, urediniospores were previously collected from Syria and Lebanon during 2007/08 and 2008/09 growing seasons. Percentage of resistance in the durum set tested was up to 52%. The resistant genotypes might have one of the following resistance gene(s): Lr15, Lr 19, Lr 24, Lr 25, Lr 27 +31, Lr 28 and Lr 29. Results revealed that the Gb/130-bp polymorphic band was linked to Lr19 and Sr25. In this study, twelve genotypes carrying resistance to Lr19 and Sr25 have been identified (Azeghar2, Rutucha1, Ammar9/Azeghar2, Ammar9/Terbol97-4, T.polonicum9/Ch1//Icamor-TA04-68/3/Icamor-TA04-69//(Lahn/ Ch1)2519, Arislahn5//Icamor-TA04- 63/Icasyr1, T.dicoccum1/Ch1//Ammar8/3/Bonadur/Icamor-TA04-63, Mrb3/ T. urartu500651/4/Icamor- TA04-63/3/Bcr/Gro1// Mgnl1, SwAlg/Gd1-81 //Ch1-48, Icamor-TA04-1//Mgnl3/Ainzen1, 319-ADDO/5/D68-1- 93A-1A//Ruff/Fg/3/Mtl5/4/Lahn, and Mrf1/Stj2/3/1718/BT24//Karim). Promising results on Gb/130-bp and genotypes carrying Lr19 and Sr25 will be used in a marker assisted selection of the durum breeding programs in the Mediterranean region.Key words: Puccinia triticina, durum genotypes, Syria, Lebanon, Lr19, Sr25, Gb primer

Synthesis, Characterization, and Biological Activity of N1-Methyl-2-(1H-1,2,3-Benzotriazol-1-y1)-3-Oxobutan- ethioamide Complexes with Some Divalent Metal (II) Ions

A new series of Zn2+, Cu2+, Ni2+, and Co2+ complexes of N1-methyl-2-(1H-1,2,3-benzotriazol-1-yl)-3-oxobutanethioamide (MBOBT), HL, has been synthesized and characterized by different spectral and magnetic measurements and elemental analysis. IR spectral data indicates that (MBOBT) exists only in the thione form in the solid state while 13C NMR spectrum indicates its existence in thione and thiole tautomeric forms. The IR spectra of all complexes indicate that (MBOBT) acts as a monobasic bidentate ligand coordinating to the metal(II) ions via the keto-oxygen and thiolato-sulphur atoms. The electronic spectral studies showed that (MBOBT) bonded to all metal ions through sulphur and nitrogen atoms based on the positions and intensity of their charge transfer bands. Furthermore, the spectra reflect four coordinate tetrahedral zinc(II), tetragonally distorted copper(II), square planar nickel(II), and cobalt(II) complexes. Thermal decomposition study of the complexes was monitored by TG and DTG analyses under N2 atmosphere. The decomposition course and steps were analyzed and the activation parameters of the nonisothermal decomposition are determined. The isolated metal chelates have been screened for their antimicrobial activities and the findings have been reported and discussed in relation to their structures