Molluscicidal and Mosquitocidal Activities of the Essential oils of Thymus capitatus Hoff. et Link. and Marrubium vulgare L.

A destilação por arraste a vapor dos óleos essenciais de partes aéreas de Thymus capitatus Hoff. et Link. e de Marrubium vulgare L. coletadas na costa norte do Egito resultaram em rendimento de 0,5% e 0,2%, respectivamente. Resultados de análises por cromatografia gasosa acoplada à espectrometria de massas de ambas as amostras possibilitaram a identificação de 96,27% e 90,19% dos constituintes químicos respectivamente de T. capitatus e M. vulgare. Verificou-se predomínio de constituintes oxigenados (88,22% para T. capitatus e 57,50% para M. vulgare, principalmente fenóis, como carvacrol (32,98%) e timol (32,82%) no óleo essencial de T. capitatus, e timol (34,55%) no óleo essencial de M. vulgare. Avaliou-se a atividade dos óleos essenciais obtidos contra adultos e ovos de Biomphalaria alexandrina, bem como em larvas e pupas de Culex pipiens. A CL50 e CL90 do óleo essencial de T. capitatus em moluscos adultos foi respectivamente 200 e 400 ppm/3hrs, enquanto para o óles essencial de M. vulgare verificou-se CL50 e CL90 de 50 e 100 ppm/3hrs, respectivamente. Além disso, M. vulgare apresentou atividade ovicida, com CL 100 de 200 ppm/24 horas, enquanto o óleo essencial de T. capitatus não demonstrou atividade ovicida. Verificou-se ainda atividade mosquitocida, com CL50 e CL90 de 100 e 200 ppm/12hrs respectivamente para larvas, e 200 e 400 ppm/12hrs contra pupas de C. pipiens.Steam distillation of essential oils of aerial parts of Thymus capitatus and Marrubium vulgare L. collected at North cost of Egypt yielded 0.5% and 0.2%, respectively. Results of Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses of the two samples identified 96.27% and 90.19% of the total oil composition for T. capitatus and M. vulgare, respectively. The two oil samples appeared dominated by the oxygenated constituents (88.22% for T. capitatus and 57.50% for M. vulgare), composed of phenols, mainly carvacrol (32.98%) and thymol (32.82%) in essential oil of T. capitatus, and thymol (34.55%) in essential oil of M. vulgare. It was evaluated the molluscicidal activity of T. capitatus and M. vulgare essential oils on adult and eggs of Biomphalaria alexandrina as well as their mosquitocidal activity on Culex pipiens. The LC50 and LC90 of T. capitatus essential oil against adult snails was 200 and 400 ppm/3hrs, respectively, while for M. vulgare it was 50 and 100 ppm/3hrs, respectively. Moreover, M. vulgare showed LC100 ovicidal activity at 200 ppm/24 hrs while T. capitatus oil showed no ovicidal activity. It was verified mosquitocidal activity, with LC50 and LC90 of 100 and 200 ppm/12hrs respectively for larvae, and 200 and 400 ppm/12hrs respectively for pupae of C. pipiens

Toxoplasma gondii: Prolonged in-vitro maintenance of virulent tachyzoites in fluid media at low temperatures

Background: Prolonged maintenance of infective Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites (T.g.T.) is an important subject for research purposes. This study aimed to evaluate four serum free fluid media for prolonged in vitro maintenance of T.g.T.Methods: The four fluid media Phosphate buffered saline (PBS) pH 7.2 and Roswell Park Memorial Institute (RPMI-1640) with or without 3% fetal bovine serum (FBS) were evaluated for maintenance of virulent T.g.T. The four media were tested after incubation at three different temperature degrees in the darkness.Results: Prolonged maintenance period for infective T.g.T. was recorded especially in the absence of FBS supplement. RPMI without FBS was able to maintain infective T.g.T. for 16 days post incubation (dpi) at refrigerator temperature. This period decreased to 10 dpi and 6 dpi after incubation in the same media at 18–22 oC and 37 oC, respectively. Cultivation of T.g.T. in RPMI supplemented with 3% FBS and in PBS proved to maintain infective T.g.T. for 14 dpi at refrigerator temperature, and for 9 and 5 dpi when the two media were incubated at 18–22 oC and 37 oC, respectively. Shorter periods for keeping the T.g.T. infectivity were recorded using PBS supplemented with 3% FBS under all tested temperature conditions.Conclusion: This method allows economic long-lasting maintenance of tachyzoites for 16th dpi in RBMI that can be reactivated by reinoculation in mice.Keywords:  Toxoplasma gondii, Tachyzoites, Fluid media, Temperatur

Parasiticidal Efficacy of a New Formulation of Silver Nanoparticles on Trichinella spiralis in vitro

This research illustrates the development of a new sliver nanoparticle (Ag-NPs) formulation. Its shape, size, solubility, and stability were characterized using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM 3D), Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM 2D), Atomic Force Microscope (AFM), and Zeta size and Zeta potential. Exposure of Trichinella spiralis adult worms to 3, 6, 9 and 12 ppm of Ag-NPs each for 3,6,12 and 24 h. In vitro revealed a direct relation between mortalities and the tested drug concentration and exposure time. Anti- T. spiralis effect of Ag-NPs was evaluated by assessing mortality rate and damage in DNA by comet assay and by SEM analysis. Mean mortalities increased from 6.66% after exposure to 3.0 ppm/1 h to 100% after exposure to 12.0 ppm/12 h. The calculated LC50 was 3.0 ppm/10 h, 6 ppm/6 h, 9.0 ppm/4 h and 12.0 ppm/ 3.30 h, while LC100 was 9.0 ppm/24 h and 12.0 ppm/12 h. DNA genotoxic damage of dead worms was directly related to Ag-NPs concentrations for 12h using comet assay as expressed by variations in the percentage of DNA in the tail segment, tail length (μm), tail moment (μm), and olive tail moment. No significant difference (p ≤ .05) between the recorded mortalities and DNA damage between that obtained using the Ag-NPs LC100 and that recorded using Albendazole (50 mg/kg B.W.) for 12 h. SEM images on dead worms revealed clear morphological alteration, multiple vesicles, and blebs, detachment of the epidermis and the sub-epidermal layer with partial sloughing of the cuticle, and loss of normal creases, ridges, and annulations. These morphological alterations were directly related to the concentration of the tested Ag-NPs. The tested new formulation of Ag-NPs appears to be effective in the control of Trichinellosis as an alternative to other resistant drugs

Performance, Blood Lipid Profile, and the Expression of Growth Hormone Receptor (GHR) and Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1) Genes in Purebred and Crossbred Quail Lines

The aim was to evaluate the performance, blood lipid profile, and the relative expression of growth-related genes in purebred white and brown quail lines and their crossbred lines. A total of 240 one-day-old Japanese quail chicks of white and brown line, their crossbred line (WBQ: male white × female brown), and reciprocal crossbred line (BWQ: male brown × female white) were divided into four equal groups (60 birds each). The white quail line showed significantly higher final body weight, daily gain, and feed intake compared with the other quail lines (p < 0.001). Meanwhile, both crossbred quail lines (WBQ and BWQ) showed significantly lower FCR compared with both purebred quail lines (p = 0.001). Both crossbred quail lines showed greater dressing percentages compared with both purebred quail lines (p = 0.038). The brown quail line showed significantly (p = 0.05) higher levels of serum triglycerides and VLDL compared with the white and BWQ lines. The WBQ crossbred line exhibited significantly higher mRNA expression of GHR and IGF-1 genes compared with other quail lines (p < 0.001). Both crossbred lines (WBQ and BWQ) exhibited negative heterosis percentages for body weight (−4.39 and −3.90%, respectively) and feed intake (−10.87 and −14.59%, respectively). Meanwhile, heterosis percentages for FCR (−6.46 and −9.25%, respectively) and dressing percentage (7.54 and 6.38%, respectively) were improved in both crossbred lines. The WBQ line showed high heterosis percentages for the expression of GHR and IGF-1 genes (52.28 and 88.81%, respectively). In conclusion, the WBQ line exhibited significantly greater dressing percentage and better FCR, as well as higher mRNA expression of GHR and IGF-1 genes. These results may be helpful to improve breeding programs and to develop commercial lines of meat-type Japanese quail

Ti3C2Tx-Au hybrid composites-based electrochemical biosensors for calreticulin biomarker detection

A sensitive biosensor is critical for early breast cancer treatment and prognosis. Herein, a label-free electrochemical immunosensor is proposed for the sensitive detection of calreticulin (CALR), a new breast cancer biomarker. The biosensor relied upon an electroactive hybrid of ultra-thin Ti3C2Tx nanosheets preadsorbed with Au NPs and methylene blue (MB)(MB–Ti3C2Tx–Au), which served as redox-active centers and an electroactive probe to detect CALR biomarkers respectively. The detection mechanism followed a simple inhibition strategy, where the optimal differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) response of preadsorbed MB over the Ti3C2Tx–Au electrode decreased in proportion to the concentration of CALR biomarkers owing to the formation of the antibody-antigen immunocomplex. The biosensor could detect CALR-biomarker in the concentration range of 0.0015 to 0.94 ng mL−1 with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.28 pg mL−1 and showed excellent antifouling properties against commonly encountered biomolecules such as hemoglobin (Ig), immunoglobulin G (IgG), neuron-specific enolase (NSE), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF). The proposed strategy provides an efficient method for utilizing MXene nanosheets to construct advanced biosensors with promising clinical applications

Overview of MXene/conducting polymer composites for supercapacitors

Both MXene and conducting polymers are hot research topics on electrode materials for supercapacitors (SCs). The combination of these two different types of materials can solve the defects that exist when they are used as electrode materials alone. Based on theoretical capacity, specific surface area, mass load, flexibility and excellent mechanical properties, MXene/conducting polymers composites demonstrate their potential to become advanced electrode materials. In order to further illustrate the changes brought about by these composites, a large number of examples of MXene/conducting polymers as electrodes are described in details. In general, this review covers the latest developments in the study of SCs based on MXene/conducting polymers composites, including materials preparation, electrode materials, symmetrical supercapacitors (SSCs) and asymmetrical supercapacitors (ASCs). This article aims to understand the application of MXene/conducting polymers composites in the research of SCs, and provides a guideline for further research of these promising materials

Viscoelastic and Properties of Amphiphilic Chitin in Plasticised Polylactic Acid/Starch Biocomposite

The enhancement of the PLA thermomechanical properties is significant due to its suitability as a replacement for primary synthetic polymer use in diverse industrial production. The amphiphilic chitin was used as a compatibilizer in PLA/starch biocomposite. The properties of plasticised polylactic acid blended with starch, and amphiphilic chitin was studied for enhanced thermomechanical and viscoelastic properties. Chitin was modified using acetylated substitution reaction and blended with plasticised PLA/starch biocomposite. The biocomposite was prepared with combined compression and melt extrusion techniques. The biocomposite’s thermomechanical, thermal, mechanical, and morphological properties were studied using dynamic mechanical analysis, TGA-DSC, tensile test, and scanning electron microscopy. The storage and loss modulus were significantly enhanced with increased amphiphilic chitin content. Similarly, the single peak of tan delta showed good miscibility of the polymeric blend. Additionally, the modulus increases with frequency change from 1 Hz to 10 Hz. The thermal stability of the biocomposite was observed to be lower than the neat PLA. The tensile properties of the biocomposite increased significantly more than the neat PLA, with P4S4C having the highest tensile strength and modulus of 87 MPa and 7600 MPa. The SEM images show good miscibility with no significant void in the fractured surface. The viscoelastic properties of PLA were enhanced considerably with plasticizer and amphiphilic chitin with improved biodegradability. The properties of the biocomposite can be adapted for various industrial applications

Progress and current challenges for CO2 capture materials from ambient air

As a major component of greenhouse gases, excessive carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere can affect human health and ecosystems. Therefore, the capture and transformation of CO2 has attracted extensive attention in academic circles in recent years. Direct air capture (DAC) of CO2 is a technology developed in recent years that can capture and collect CO2 directly from the ambient air, which is a potential negative CO2 emission technology. Currently, DAC technology is being promoted worldwide. Therefore, given the lack of a timely review of the latest developments in DAC technology, an appropriate and timely summary of this technology and a comprehensive understanding of it is necessary. In this paper, we review the research progress of adsorbent materials for directly capturing CO2 from ambient air in recent years, including liquid-based absorbent, solid adsorbent, and moisture-swing adsorbent. How their chemical composition, structure, morphology, modification method affects their performance and long-term use is thoroughly discussed. In addition to efficient CO2 adsorption properties, designing low-cost sustainable materials is critical, especially for practical applications. Therefore, the technical and economic evaluation of CO2 adsorbents directly capturing from ambient air is reviewed. This review is of great significance for researchers to fully understand the development status and future trends of direct capture of CO2 from ambient air