مؤشرات أداء التجارة الخارجية الزراعية العربية

The foreign trade has important implications on economic development. The most important implication in this regard is the development of exports towards reduction of the trade deficit and improving the terms of trade. In addition, when the national economy holds considerable agricultural resources, the foreign trade policies become key issues in the development program towards achieving considerable self-sufficiency rates for major food groups. In this context the study aimed at conducting an analytical study of the agricultural foreign trade performance over the past two decades through some major relevant indicators. The study relied on published data from relevant regional and international organizations and relevant studies. Low share of the Arab states' agricultural exports in the global market indicated that the vulnerability of the Arabic market with the global market was much higher than the degree of influence. The total value of commodity exports of 21 Arab countries was less than 5% of the total volume of world merchandise exports. Such value contained oil exports during the period 2004-2011. The Arabic States with large agricultural resources that had the highest share in the world merchandise exports, were also exporting oil. Such countries included Sudan, with a share of 0.52% and Egypt with a share of 0.2%. Therefore, the individual Arabic countries rush to join individually the World Trade Organization had made their economies prey to the rigid terms of trade liberalization. If they were joined the °organization as a common market, they would be able to get some privileges or ease the burden of the conditions that many of them have shown inability to meet them. The market share of agricultural commodity exports of Arab states did not exceed 1% of the agricultural commodity exports in the global market. While total merchandise exports had achieved on average a trade surplus of 45% (2004-2008), there was deterioration in such surplus to 13% in 2011, the average Arab agricultural exports covered only 24% over the period 2004-2008 and dropped to 20% in 2011. This low rate of coverage was consistent with the poor performance of the Arab agricultural trade in other measured indicators and as a result of the slow growth of II e Arabic agricultural exports versus accelerated world agricultural market growth. Fish and vegetable group, unlike the rest of the commodity groups, had achieved surplus during period (2004-2011), despite fluctuating in such surplus rate. There were two profound food commodities groups that achieved a surplus in exports value above imports. These were e fruits and tubers (potatoes). Although Arab self-sufficiency ratio above 100% in fruits and legumes, their exports value covered only 85%of their imports, indicating a failure of terms of trade, i.e. the average unit value of exports, were higher than the average unit value of imports,. The export policies succeeded partially in some food commodities, the agricultural policies of the Arab States have generally failed to develop the foreign trade performance. The empirical evidence was that the terms of trade indices gave a positive result in five years in only one country (Palestine), followed by Algeria (in three years), the remainder of the Arab countries have achieved this result just either in two separate years or only in one yea

Magnetite nanoparticles inhibit tumor growth and upregulate the expression of p53/p16 in Ehrlich solid carcinoma bearing mice.

BACKGROUND: Magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs) have been widely used as contrast agents and have promising approaches in cancer treatment. In the present study we used Ehrlich solid carcinoma (ESC) bearing mice as a model to investigate MNPs antitumor activity, their effect on expression of p53 and p16 genes as an indicator for apoptotic induction in tumor tissues. METHOD: MNPs coated with ascorbic acid (size: 25.0±5.0 nm) were synthesized by co-precipitation method and characterized. Ehrlich mice model were treated with MNPs using 60 mg/Kg day by day for 14 injections; intratumorally (IT) or intraperitoneally (IP). Tumor size, pathological changes and iron content in tumor and normal muscle tissues were assessed. We also assessed changes in expression levels of p53 and p16 genes in addition to p53 protein level by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Our results revealed that tumor growth was significantly reduced by IT and IP MNPs injection compared to untreated tumor. A significant increase in p53 and p16 mRNA expression was detected in Ehrlich solid tumors of IT and IP treated groups compared to untreated Ehrlich solid tumor. This increase was accompanied with increase in p53 protein expression. It is worth mentioning that no significant difference in expression of p53 and p16 could be detected between IT ESC and control group. CONCLUSION: MNPs might be more effective in breast cancer treatment if injected intratumorally to be directed to the tumor tissues

EGFR/ER\u3b2-Mediated Cell Morphology and Invasion Capacity Are Associated with Matrix Culture Substrates in Breast Cancer.

Breast cancer accounts for almost one in four cancer diagnoses in women. Studies in breast cancer patients have identified several molecular markers, indicators of aggressiveness, which help toward more individual therapeutic approaches. In triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) overexpression is associated with increased metastatic potential and worst survival rates. Specifically, abnormal EGFR activation leads to altered matrix metalloproteinases\u2019 (MMPs) expression and, hence, extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation, resulting in induced migration and invasion. The use of matrix substrates for cell culture gives the opportunity to mimic the natural growth conditions of the cells and their microenvironment, as well as cell\u2013cell and cell\u2013matrix interactions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of EGFR inhibition, estrogen receptor beta (ER\u3b2) and different matrix substrates [type I collagen and fibronectin (FN)] on the functional properties, expression of MMPs and cell morphology of ER\u3b2-positive TNBC cells and shER\u3b2 ones. Our results highlight EGFR as a crucial regulator of the expression and activity levels of MMPs, while ER\u3b2 emerges as a mediator of MMP7 and MT1-MMP expression. In addition, the EGFR/ER\u3b2 axis impacts the adhesion and invasion potential of breast cancer cells on collagen type I. Images obtained by scanning electron microscope (SEM) from cultures on the different matrix substrates revealed novel observations regarding various structures of breast cancer cells (filopodia, extravesicles, tunneling nanotubes, etc.). Moreover, the significant contribution of EGFR and ER\u3b2 in the morphological characteristics of these cells is also demonstrated, hence highlighting the possibility of dual pharmacological targeting

Down-Regulation of the Proteoglycan Decorin Fills in the Tumor-Promoting Phenotype of Ionizing Radiation-Induced Senescent Human Breast Stromal Fibroblasts

Down-regulation of the small leucine-rich proteoglycan decorin in the stroma is considered a poor prognostic factor for breast cancer progression. Ionizing radiation, an established treatment for breast cancer, provokes the premature senescence of the adjacent to the tumor stromal fibroblasts. Here, we showed that senescent human breast stromal fibroblasts are characterized by the down-regulation of decorin at the mRNA and protein level, as well as by its decreased deposition in the pericellular extracellular matrix in vitro. Senescence-associated decorin down-regulation is a long-lasting process rather than an immediate response to γ-irradiation. Growth factors were demonstrated to participate in an autocrine manner in decorin down-regulation, with bFGF and VEGF being the critical mediators of the phenomenon. Autophagy inhibition by chloroquine reduced decorin mRNA levels, while autophagy activation using the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin enhanced decorin transcription. Interestingly, the secretome from a series of both untreated and irradiated human breast cancer cell lines with different molecular profiles inhibited decorin expression in young and senescent stromal fibroblasts, which was annulled by SU5402, a bFGF and VEGF inhibitor. The novel phenotypic trait of senescent human breast stromal fibroblasts revealed here is added to their already described cancer-promoting role via the formation of a tumor-permissive environment

Human Leukocyte Antigen Class II Alleles (DQB1 and DRB1) as Predictors for Response to Interferon Therapy in HCV Genotype 4

Human leukocyte antigens class II play an important role in immune response against HCV. We investigated whether HLA class II alleles influence susceptibility to HCV infection and response to interferon therapy. HLA-DRB1 and -DQB1 loci were genotyped using PCR-SSO Luminex technology. According to our regimen, 41 (66%) of patients achieved sustained virological response to combined treatment of IFN and ribavirin. Frequencies of DQB1*0313 allele and DRB1*04-DRB1*11, DQB1*0204-DQB1*0313, DQB1*0309-DQB1*0313, and DQB1*0313-DQB1*0319 haplotypes were significantly more frequent in nonresponders than in responders. In contrast, DQB1*02, DQB1*06, DRB1*13, and DRB1*15 alleles were significantly more frequent in responders than in nonresponders. Similarly, DRB1*1301, DRB1*1361, and DRB1*1369 alleles and DRB1*1301-DRB1*1328, DRB1*1301-DRB1*1361, DRB1*1301-DRB1*1369, DRB1*1328-DRB1*1361, and DRB1*1328-DRB1*1369 haplotypes were significantly found only in responders. Some alleles and linkages showed significantly different distributions between patient and healthy groups. These alleles may be used as predictors for response to treatment or to susceptibility to HCV infection in the Egyptian population

Graph represents the XRD pattern of synthesized MNPs shows the formation of Fe₃O₄ based on the comparison of their XRD patterns with the standard pattern of Fe₃O₄ (04-013-9808).

<p>The diffraction peaks are quite identical to characteristic peaks of the Fe₃O₄ crystal with the cubic spinal structure.</p

<i>Actinidia deliciosa</i> Extract as a Promising Supplemental Agent for Hepatic and Renal Complication-Associated Type 2 Diabetes (In Vivo and In Silico-Based Studies)

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a chronic metabolic condition associated with obesity, oxidative stress-mediated inflammation, apoptosis, and impaired insulin signaling. The utilization of phytochemical therapy generated from plants has emerged as a promising approach for the treatment of diabetes and its complications. Kiwifruit is recognized for its substantial content of antioxidative phenolics. Therefore, this work aimed to examine the effect of Actinidia deliciosa (kiwi fruit) on hepatorenal damage in a high-fat diet (HFD) and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced T2D in rats using in vivo and in silico analyses. An increase in hepatic and renal lipid peroxidation was observed in diabetic rats accompanied by a decrease in antioxidant status. Furthermore, it is important to highlight that there were observable inflammatory and apoptotic responses in the hepatic and renal organs of rats with diabetes, along with a dysregulation of the phosphorylation levels of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), protein kinase B (Akt), and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling proteins. However, the administration of kiwi extract to diabetic rats alleviated hepatorenal dysfunction, inflammatory processes, oxidative injury, and apoptotic events with activation of the insulin signaling pathway. Furthermore, molecular docking and dynamic simulation studies revealed quercetin, chlorogenic acid, and melezitose as components of kiwi extract that docked well with potential as effective natural products for activating the silent information regulator 1(SIRT-1) pathway. Furthermore, phenolic acids in kiwi extract, especially syringic acid, P-coumaric acid, caffeic acid, and ferulic acid, have the ability to inhibit the phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) active site. In conclusion, it can be argued that kiwi extract may present a potentially beneficial adjunctive therapy approach for the treatment of diabetic hepatorenal complications

HR-TEM image of the prepared MNPs capped with ascorbic acid shows that particles have spherical shape with average size of 20.0±2.0 nm.

<p>HR-TEM image of the prepared MNPs capped with ascorbic acid shows that particles have spherical shape with average size of 20.0±2.0 nm.</p

Bars represent distribution of iron in skeletal muscles and ESC tumor tissue of Ehrlich bearing mice groups.

<p>Asterisks indicate a statistically significant difference compared with other groups.</p