Phylogenetic Diversity and Antimicrobial Activities of Culturable Endophytic Actinobacteria Isolated from Different Egyptian Marine Sponges and Soft Corals

A cultivation-based approach was employed to isolate and compare the endophytic culturable actinobacterial diversity associated with different Egyptian marine sponges and soft corals. A total of 13 culturable actinobacteria isolates were obtained, five of which isolated from different sponges, two (AE27 and AE32) and three (AE29, AE41 and AE46) were isolated from Haliclona sp. and Callyspongia sp. collected from Sharm El-Sheikh and Hurghada, Egypt, respectively. Eight were isolated from different five soft corals, out of them two (AE2 and AE19), two (AE3 and AE15), two (AE20 and AE23), one (AE35) and one (AE13) were isolated from Rhytisma sp., Xenia sp., Lobularia sp., and Dendronephthya sinaiensis (collected from Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt) and the Dendronephthya hemprichi (collected from Hurghada, Egypt), respectively. The 16S rRNA genes of the 13 actinobacteria isolates were amplified and sequenced (GenBank Accession numbers JF292923 – JF292930 and JF319146 – JF319150). A BLAST analysis revealed that the 13 actinobacteria isolates belonged to three known families and genera. Six strains isolated from all sponges and soft corals belonged to the genus Streptomyces (AE15, AE19, AE20 and AE35, isolated from soft corals; Xenia sp., Rhytisma sp., Lobularia sp., and Dendronephthya sinaiensis as well as AE29 and AE41, isolated from sponges; Callyspongia sp., respectively). Six strains (AE2, AE3 and AE23, isolated from soft corals; Rhytisma sp., Xenia sp. and Lobularia sp. as well as AE27, AE32 and AE46, isolated from sponges; Haliclona sp. and Callyspongia sp., respectively) belonged to the genus Nocardiopsis. Only one isolate (AE13) derived from Dendronephthya hemprichi was belonged to the genus Pseudonocardia. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that four culturable actinobacteria strains (AE2, AE27, AE32 and AE46) were more distantly related to other previously published Nocardiopsis dassonvillei. Screening for antimicrobial activity revealed that out of the 13 culturable actinobacteria isolates, only five (AE15, AE19, AE20, AE29 and AE41) belonged to the genus Streptomyces have anticandida or anti-positive Gram bacteria activity

Camel Milk Modulates the Expression of Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor-Regulated Genes, Cyp1a1, Nqo1, and Gsta1, in Murine hepatoma Hepa 1c1c7 Cells

There is a traditional belief in the Middle East that camel milk may aid in prevention and treatment of numerous cases of cancer yet, the exact mechanism was not investigated. Therefore, we examined the ability of camel milk to modulate the expression of a well-known cancer-activating gene, Cytochrome P450 1a1 (Cyp1a1), and cancer-protective genes, NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (Nqo1) and glutathione S-transferase a1 (Gsta1), in murine hepatoma Hepa 1c1c7 cell line. Our results showed that camel milk significantly inhibited the induction of Cyp1a1 gene expression by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), the most potent Cyp1a1 inducer and known carcinogenic chemical, at mRNA, protein, and activity levels in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, camel milk significantly decreased the xenobiotic responsive element (XRE)-dependent luciferase activity, suggesting a transcriptional mechanism is involved. Furthermore, this inhibitory effect of camel milk was associated with a proportional increase in heme oxygenase 1. On the other hand, camel milk significantly induced Nqo1 and Gsta1 mRNA expression level in a concentration-dependent fashion. The RNA synthesis inhibitor, actinomycin D, completely blocked the induction of Nqo1 mRNA by camel milk suggesting the requirement of de novo RNA synthesis through a transcriptional mechanism. In conclusion, camel milk modulates the expression of Cyp1a1, Nqo1, and Gsta1 at the transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels

EXPERIMENTAL SHEAR RESISTANCE EVALUATION OF ORDINARY AND PERFOBOND Y-SHAPED SHEAR CONNECTORS

Composite structures refer to two load carrying structural members that are integrally connected and deforming as a single unique unit using shear connectors. The use of shear connectors enhances the development of longitudinal shear forces at the steel-concrete interface. The objective of this research is to study the structural behavior of a proposed separated Y-shaped shear connector. The suggested investigated Y-shaped shear connector is intended to be an improvement to the structural response of the conventional perfobond shear connector. Accordingly, this paper carries out six push-out tests on the separated Y-shaped shear connector according to EC4. The experimental work is performed in the Reinforced Concrete and Heavy Structures Laboratory at the Structural Engineering Department, Tanta University, Egypt. The key parameters affecting the behavior of the shear connector in the current investigation are the height, the thickness and the Y-shaping of the shear connector. Also, the effect of hole existence is investigated. Other parameters such as the length of the connector, the concrete strength and the slab geometry are kept the same for all specimens. Based on the performed tests, the results show that the proposed separated Y-shaped shear connector has higher shear resistance than that of the conventionalperfobond shear connector. Also, the proposed connector shows better ductile behavior than the conventional perfobond connector. Moreover, results proved that increasing the connector thickness has a significant effect on the connector behaviour by increasing its shear resistance. Furthermore, as the height of the connector increases, the shear capacity increases. Finally, from the presented results it is clarified that the proposed separated Y-shaped connector is better and more economical than the conventional perfobond connector

Chromosome 22 microdeletion in children with syndromic congenital heart disease by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH)

Congenital heart diseases (CHDs) are the most common of all birth defects. Congenital heart disease may occur as an isolated malformation or may be part of a syndrome. One of the most common syndromes associated with CHDs is the 22q11.2 microdeletion syndrome, the various conditions associated with del22q11 include DiGeorge syndrome (DGS), velocardiofacial syndrome (VCFS), conotruncal anomaly face syndrome (CTAFS), and others. The abnormalities associated with this syndrome include parathyroid hypoplasia, thymic hypoplasia, immune defect, cleft palate, and abnormal facies. The cardiac defects are usually derived from conotruncus. The aim of the study was to detect the prevalence and the most common or frequent clinical manifestations of chromosome 22q11.2 microdeletion among children with syndromic congenital heart disease. The study was conducted on 20 children with syndromic CHD presenting to the Menoufiya University Hospitals, Egypt. Their ages ranged from 10 days to 12 years. Cytogenetic study and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) were performed in the patients. The study revealed that 2 patients were with chromosomal aberrations [one with 46,XY, add (13)(p13) & the other with 47,XX,+13]. In addition, FISH revealed 4 patients (20%) with 22q11.2 microdeletion syndrome. The congenital heart malformations detected in patients with 22q11.2 microdeletion were somewhat unexpected and included VSD, ASD, PDA, and double outlet right ventricle. The most frequent extracardiac features were hypocalcemia, microcephaly, brain atrophy, epicanthus, low set posteriorly rotated ears, micrognathia, and anemia. The extracardiac features were in some cases subtle. It is concluded that 22q11.2 microdeletion is not uncommon and its manifestations are highly variable. This entails that screening for the microdeletion by FISH should be performed in all patients with syndromic CHD especially those with hypocalcemia, microcephaly, brain atrophy, epicanthus, low set ears, posteriorly rotated ears, micrognathia, and anemia. In addition, patients with minor features and those with non-conotruncal heart disease should not be excluded from the screening for 22 microdeletion.Keywords: Chromosome 22 microdeletion; Syndromic congenital heart disease; DiGeorge syndrome; Hypocalcemia; Velocardiofacial syndrom

Effect of physical therapy rehabilitation program (exercise-therapy) on Irritable Bowel Syndrome

To evaluate the effect of physical therapy rehabilitation program consisted of moderate intensity aerobic exercise training (60% MHR) (Maximum Heart Rate) treadmill training on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptom and quality of Life in post cholecystectomy patients. Thirty post cholecystectomy patients complaining from irritable bowel syndrome were recruited for this study; age ranged from 25 to 40 years, Patients were divided randomly into two equal groups, Group (A): received 4 weeks moderate intensity aerobic training program (60% MHR treadmill training (3 sessions per week) plus routine medical treatment protocol, Group (B): received routine medical care only. Patients assessed by Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptom Severity Score (IBS-SSS) and Irritable Bowel Syndrome Quality of Life (IBS-QOL), Assessment was carried out before treatment and 4 weeks after treatment in both groups. Results showed that there was a significant decrease in post treatment values of IBS-SSS and IBS-QOL in comparison to pre-treatment values at both groups with (p-value < .001). Comparison between both groups post treatment showed significant difference in IBS-SSS and IBS-QOL variables, in group (A) more than group (B). Moderate intensity aerobic exercise training (60% MHR) for 4 weeks is effective in treatment of IBS post cholecystectomy through reducing IBS symptoms and improving Quality of Life

Mycobacterial CYP121 as a target for anti-TB drug discovery

Despite the introduction of the first line treatment regimen forty years ago and the continuous trials since that time to introduce new regimens, tuberculosis (TB) is considered to be the cause of considerable mortality worldwide. Recent research highlighted the Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb)CYP450s as potential drug targets. This article reviews mycobacterial CYP121 as a target for anti-TB drug discovery

Application of energy management coupled with fuel switching on a hydrotreater unit

AbstractIn the last decades, saving energy and protecting environment became the most important topics for search and survey. The energy engineer for any chemical process is obliged by restrictions of “Kyoto Protocol” for limitation of carbon dioxide emissions from fuel combustion, so he does his best to reduce utility consumption and thus reduce gas emission. Proper designing of the heat exchanger network (HEN) for any process is an effective and successful method to minimize utility consumption and therefore minimize gas emission (mainly carbon gases (CO2) and sulfur gases (SOx)). Fuel switching coupled with energy targeting achieved the least gas emission. In this work we choose a hydrotreater unit of a petroleum refinery as a case study due to its effective role and its obvious consumption of utility. We applied the methodology of energy targeting through HEN design (using pinch technology) at several values of mean temperature difference (ΔTmin); where the maximum percentage of energy saving was 37% for hot and cold utility which directly leads to percentage reduction of gas emission by 29% for CO2 and 17% for SOx. Switching fuel oil to other types of fuel realized gas emission reduction percentage where the maximum reduction established was through natural gas fuel type and reached 54% for CO2 and 90% for SOx. Comparison between existing design and the optimum ΔTmin HEN led to few modifications with the least added capital cost for the hydrotreater existing design to revamp it through four scenarios; the first one depended on fuel switching to natural gas while the second one switched fuel to diesel oil, in the third scenario we applied heat integration only and the fourth one used both of heat integration and fuel switching in a parallel way

Magnetocaloric Effect of Micro- and Nanoparticles of Gd5Si4

Materials exhibiting a large magnetocaloric effect (MCE) at or near room temperature are critical for solid-state refrigeration applications. The MCE is described by a change in entropy (ΔSM) and/or temperature (ΔTad) of a material in response to a change in applied magnetic field. Ball milled materials generally exhibit smaller ΔSM values compared to bulk; however, milling broadens the effect, potentially increasing the relative cooling power (RCP). The as-cast Gd5Si4 is an attractive option due to its magnetic transition at 340 K and associated MCE. Investigation of effect of particles size and transition temperature in the binary material, Gd5Si4, can lead to development of functionally graded bulk material with higher MCE and RCP than the traditional bulk materials. A two-step ball-milling process, in which coarse powder of Gd5Si4 was first milled with poly(ethylene glycol) followed by milling in heptane was used to produce fine particles of Gd5Si4 that showed a broad distribution in particle size. Magnetic measurement on the milled sample obtained after washing with water show a decrease in Curie temperature and significant broadening of the magnetic transition. Compared to bulk Gd5Si4, the maximum MCE of the milled samples is also reduced and shifted down by close to 30 K, but the MCE remains substantial over a broader temperature range. The RCP of both milled samples increased 75% from the bulk material