Induction of defensive enzymes in sunflower plants treated with agrochemicals against Macrophomina phaseolina

This study was carried out for the estimation of polyphenols (TP) and induction of oxidative enzymes polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD) in sunflower plants through seed immersion in agrochemicals of salicylic acid (SA) and water soluble chitosan (CH) in addition to a conidial suspension of Trichoderma harzianum and then analysis of plant content of carbohydrates and protein. The highest level of PPO 253.3 U ꞏ min –1 was detected in 50 ppm SA for 6 h. Next was T. harzianum when catalyzed PPO with 193.67 U ꞏ min –1. Peroxidase was substantially catalyzed in accordance with the increment of inducers. Sunflower roots induced TP with up to 4.88 mg ꞏ g –1 in plants treated with SA at 50 ppm for 6 h and then declined with an increasing SA dose. The total carbohydrate content in leaves of 320 mg ꞏ 100 g –1 was found in treatments of CH at 50 ppm for 6 h. In roots, a carbohydrate content of 500 mg ꞏ 100 g –1 was observed using CH 75 ppm for 6 h. Trichoderma harzianum remarkably increased proteins in leaves and roots by up to 25% compared to 16.9% in the control. These results suggest that inducing the plants’ own defense mechanism by applying salicylic acid and chitosan and bio-control of T. harzianum may offer alternative methods for controlling charcoal rot of sunflower due to the creation of defensive enzymes and could support plant vigor by enhancement of its protein and carbohydrate content

The Quality of Educational Services Provided by the Arab Academy– Faculty of Finance and Banking from Graduate Students' Perspective, Sana’a

هدف البحث إلى التعرف على مستوى جودة الخدمة التعليمية المقدمة للطلبة في كلية العلوم المالية والمصرفية بصنعاء، من  وجهة نظر الطلبة الدارسين فيها، واستخدم لهذا الغرض استبانة محكمة احتوت على ستة من المحاور المتمثلة في: المناهج الدراسية، والوسائل التعليمية الداعمة، والخدمات المكتبية، والهيئة التدريسية، وخدمات القبول والتسجيل، والبنية التحتية. وكانت مشكلة البحث تدور حول السؤال الرئيس التالي: ما مستوى جودة الخدمات التعليمية المقدمة من كلية العلوم المالية والمصرفية بالأكاديمية العربية – صنعاء؟ تكون مجتمع البحث من (397) طالباً وطالبة بحسب إحصاءات الكلية، حيث تم اختيار عينة عشوائية بلغت (150) طالباً وطالبة، وقد استخدم الباحثون المنهج الوصفي للوصول إلى النتائج الآتية: وقد أظهرت النتائج أن مستوى جودة الخدمات التعليمية المقدمة من كلية العلوم المالية والمصرفية بالأكاديمية العربية – صنعاء بلغ درجة رضا عالية من وجهة نظر الطلبة الدارسين فيها. ولا يوجد اختلاف في آراء الطلاب فيما يتعلق بمستوى جودة الخدمات التعليمية المقدمة من كلية العلوم المالية والمصرفية بالأكاديمية العربية – صنعاء يعزى لمتغيرات: الجنس، والعمر، والتخصص، والبرنامج الذي يلتحق به الطالب، وتحمل المصاريف الدراسية. الكلمات المفتاحية: جودة الخدمة، الأكاديمية العربية، الدراسات العليا.The objective of this Study was to investigate the opinions of graduate students on the level of quality of educational services at the Faculty of Finance and Banking in Sana’a. The researchers used a questionnaire to collect the data. The questionnaire consisted of six sections: textbooks, instructional aids, library services, faculty, admission and registration procedures, and infrastructure. The main research question focused the level of the quality educational services provided at the faculty of Finance and Banking in Sana’a. The population of the study consisted of 379 students where 150 were randomly selected.  To answer the research question, the researchers used  the descriptive method. to The research results showed that the  students had a high satisfaction level of the services provided. In addition, the results showed that there were no differences among graduate students’ opinions based on gender, age, program, area of specialization, and payment of tuition fees. Keywords: Service quality, Faculty of finance and banking, Graduate studies

Troubled Waters: Threats and Extinction Risk of the Sharks, Rays and Chimaeras of the Arabian Sea and Adjacent Waters

The extinction risk of sharks, rays and chimaeras is higher than that for most other vertebrates due to low intrinsic population growth rates of many species and the fishing intensity they face. The Arabian Sea and adjacent waters border some of the most important chondrichthyan fishing and trading nations globally, yet there has been no previous attempt to assess the conservation status of species occurring here. Using IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Categories and Criteria and their guidelines for application at the regional level, we present the first assessment of extinction risk for 153 species of sharks, rays and chimaeras. Results indicate that this region, home to 15% of described chondrichthyans including 30 endemic species, has some of the most threatened chondrichthyan populations in the world. Seventy-eight species (50.9%) were assessed as threatened (Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable), and 27 species (17.6%) as Near Threatened. Twenty-nine species (19%) were Data Deficient with insufficient information to assess their status. Chondrichthyan populations have significantly declined due to largely uncontrolled and unregulated fisheries combined with habitat degradation. Further, there is limited political will and national and regional capacities to assess, manage, conserve or rebuild stocks. Outside the few deepsea locations that are lightly exploited, the prognosis for the recovery of most species is poor in the near-absence of management. Concerted national and regional management measures are urgently needed to ensure extinctions are avoided, the sustainability of more productive species is secured, and to avoid the continued thinning of the regional food security portfolio

Effects of Curcumin and Tetracycline Gel on Experimental Induced Periodontitis as an Anti-Inflammatory, Osteogenesis Promoter and Enhanced Bone Density through Altered Iron Levels: Histopathological Study

Adjunctive use of antimicrobials with scaling and root planing (SRP) is necessary to better eradicate dental biofilm. Tetracycline (T) is the most commonly used antimicrobial; however, it has limitations. This study evaluates the effect of curcumin (CU) as adjunct to SRP on inflammatory markers, collagen fiber deposition, and altered iron level. A total of 32 Wistar rats were divided into five groups: no experimental periodontitis (healthy control), experimental periodontitis (EPD), EPD treated with SRP alone (SRP), EPD treated with SRP+T (SRP+T), and EPD treated with SRP+CU (SRP+CU). After 2 and 4 weeks of treatment, tissue samples were assessed by hematoxylin and eosin, and special stains (Perls’ stain and Masson’s Trichrome) for counting of inflammatory cells, angiogenesis, collagen fibers, and iron deposition. Significant reductions in inflammatory cells infiltration and alveolar bone resorption with angiogenesis and collagen fibers deposition were detected after 2 and 4 weeks in both SRP+T and SRP+CU groups. SRP+CU resulted in a significant reduction in osteoclast numbers (week 2) and iron deposition (week 4) in bone trabeculae as compared to SRP and SRP+T groups. The adjunctive use of CU showed comparable results to T in the reduction in inflammation and bone resorption. Furthermore, CU has potential osteogenesis and healing effects

Electrochemical C–H/C–C Bond Oxygenation: A Potential Technology for Plastic Depolymerization

Herein, we provide eco-friendly and safely operated electrocatalytic methods for the selective oxidation directly or with water, air, light, metal catalyst or other mediators serving as the only oxygen supply. Heavy metals, stoichiometric chemical oxidants, or harsh conditions were drawbacks of earlier oxidative cleavage techniques. It has recently come to light that a crucial stage in the deconstruction of plastic waste and the utilization of biomass is the selective activation of inert C(sp3)–C/H(sp3) bonds, which continues to be a significant obstacle in the chemical upcycling of resistant polyolefin waste. An appealing alternative to chemical oxidations using oxygen and catalystsis direct or indirect electrochemical conversion. An essential transition in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries is the electrochemical oxidation of C–H/C–C bonds. In this review, we discuss cutting-edge approaches to chemically recycle commercial plastics and feasible C–C/C–H bondsoxygenation routes for industrial scale-up

Electrochemical C−H/C−C bond oxygenation: A potential technology for plastic depolymerization

Herein, we provide eco‐friendly and safely operated electrocatalytic methods for the selective oxidation directly or with water, air, light, metal catalyst or other mediators serving as the only oxygen supply. Heavy metals, stoichiometric chemical oxidants, or harsh conditions were drawbacks of earlier oxidative cleavage techniques. It has recently come to light that a crucial stage in the deconstruction of plastic waste and the utilization of biomass is the selective activation of inert C(sp3)−C/H(sp3) bonds, which continues to be a significant obstacle in the chemical upcycling of resistant polyolefin waste. An appealing alternative to chemical oxidations using oxygen and catalysts is direct or indirect electrochemical conversion. An essential transition in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries is the electrochemical oxidation of C−H/C−C bonds. In this review, we discuss cutting‐edge approaches to chemically recycle commercial plastics and feasible C−C/C−H bonds oxygenation routes for industrial scale‐up

PERCEIVED ACADEMIC AND PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS AMONG ADOLESCENTS IN UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: ROLE OF GENDER, AGE, DEPRESSION, AND HIGH EXPECTATION OF PARENTS

Introduction: Academic learning is the most important source of stress among young students worldwide and appears to be quite severe in eastern countries. We aimed to examine the relationship between academic stress and depression among adolescents. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among adolescents in United Arab Emirates using the Perceived Stress Scale – 14 (PSS-14) and Educational Stress Scale (ESS) for Adolescents (English and Arabic versions). Results: The overall PSS was high in 186 (20%) of the respondents, and moderate in 695 (76%). A multiple regression model of predictors of the PSS showed statistically significant correlations between the total PSS-14 scores and age (p<0.0004), gender (p<0.0001), and grade (p<0.001). A multiple regression model of the PSS-14 questionnaire as predictors of the ESSA revealed that Four variables on PSS-14 were statistically significant predictors of the ESSA: history of depression (p<0.0001), content with academic achievement (p<0.0001), high academic expectation of parents (p<0.003), and a believe capable of meeting parental expectations (p<0.0001). Conclusions: Adolescents with severe academic stress need to be identified early. We suggest that an interdisciplinary team in the schools including student advisors and counselors be developed to further address stressors. In addition, students should be taught different stress management techniques such as cognitive behavioral skills to improve their ability to cope with school demands. The identification of stressors may lead to strategies that might address the quality of teaching and mental health evaluation among adolescents

Polymeric complex nanocarriers of Mangifera indica gum & chitosan for methotrexate delivery: Formulation, characterization, and in vitro toxicological assessment

Methotrexate (MTX), a widely used chemotherapeutic drug, exhibits significant potential in the treatment of various solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. However, its therapeutic efficacy is often hampered by suboptimal pharmacokinetic profiles, causing drug resistance and a shortened plasma half-life. In recent years, in light of these challenges, a demand has arisen for novel strategies to augment the therapeutic potential of methotrexate. The present study presents an innovative approach in the development and evaluation of non-toxic nanocarriers designed for methotrexate delivery, using a biopolymer matrix comprised of Mangifera Indica gum (MIG) and chitosan (CS), employing the coacervation technique. The optimization process, guided by central composite design, was utilized to attain an optimal formulation containing 0.02% w/v% MIG and 0.01% w/v% CS. The characterization of optimized formulation revealed smooth, spherical nanoparticles (229.7 nm diameter, PDI 0.296) with 69.5 ± 2.0% entrapment efficiency. Additionally, a pH-dependent sustained release of the MTX for up to 24 h was found using in-vitro drug release analysis. Furthermore, the optimized formulation displayed significant cytotoxic effects in an MTT assay, highlighting its potential as an effective carrier for the delivery MTX to cancer cells. These findings offer valuable insights into pH-responsive drug delivery to tumor cells and underscore the promising therapeutic efficacy of MIG/CS nanoparticles, positioning them as a compelling option for novel pharmaceutical formulations

Long-term investment in shark sanctuaries

[Extract] Shark sanctuaries, defined as national prohibitions on the commercial fishing and trade of sharks, provide globally important refuges for some shark species. The Maldives has earned international acclaim for being a sanctuary and reaps considerable economic benefit from shark dive tourism. Despite its success in shark conservation, the country may repeal or weaken its sanctuary legislation based on the desire to benefit economically from shark fishing and perceptions of increased conflict between fishers and sharks due to depredation (when sharks take or damage catches). Although recent pandemic-related disruption of tourism likely fueled this initiative, it may have been inevitable given that revenue generated from shark tourism does not directly benefit communities that once fished sharks and now experience depredation

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Not AvailableThe extinction risk of sharks, rays and chimaeras is higher than that for most other vertebrates due to low intrinsic population growth rates of many species and the fishing intensity they face. The Arabian Sea and adjacent waters border some of the most important chondrichthyan fishing and trading nations globally, yet there has been no previous attempt to assess the conservation status of species occurring here. Using IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Categories and Criteria and their guidelines for application at the regional level, we present the first assessment of extinction risk for 153 species of sharks, rays and chimaeras. Results indicate that this region, home to 15% of described chondrichthyans including 30 endemic species, has some of the most threatened chondrichthyan populations in the world. Seventy‐eight species (50.9%) were assessed as threatened (Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable), and 27 species (17.6%) as Near Threatened. Twenty‐nine species (19%) were Data Deficient with insufficient information to assess their status. Chondrichthyan populations have significantly declined due to largely uncontrolled and unregulated fisheries combined with habitat degradation. Further, there is limited political will and national and regional capacities to assess, manage, conserve or rebuild stocks. Outside the few deepsea locations that are lightly exploited, the prognosis for the recovery of most species is poor in the near‐absence of management. Concerted national and regional management measures are urgently needed to ensure extinctions are avoided, the sustainability of more productive species is secured, and to avoid the continued thinning of the regional food security portfolio.Not Availabl