Treatability Study of Car Wash Wastewater Using Upgraded Physical Technique with Sustainable Flocculant

Grease, oil, hydrocarbon residues, heavy metals, and surfactants are all present in car wash wastewater (CWW), which all can have detrimental effects on the environment and human health. This study was designed to assess CWW treatment using an upgraded physical technique combined with a range of conventional and more sustainable coagulants. Physical treatment effectively lowered the oil and grease (O&G) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) of the CWW by 79 ± 15% and 97 ± 1.6%, respectively. Additional treatment was provided using chemical coagulation–flocculation– settling. In jar test studies, humic acid (HA) and alum were found to provide significantly higher turbidity removal, 79.2 ± 3.1% and 69.8 ± 8.0%, respectively, than anionic polyacrylamide (APA), 7.9 ± 5.6% under influent turbidity values from 89 to 1000 NTU. Overall physical/chemical treatment of CWW yielded 97.3 ± 0.8% COD removal, and 99.2 ± 0.4% O&G removal using HA and alum. Due to the numerous problems created when using synthetic coagulants, naturally occurring coagulants that have no impact on human health, such as HA, are highly desirable options. The findings of this study show that treating CWW provides several advantages for sustainable development, health and well-being, and raising public knowledge and support for water reuse

Diverse Glycosides from Gardenia latifolia with Antiviral Activity and Chemosystematic Significance

Several influenza pandemics have impacted our life, each with variable prevalence and severity. In a search for natural antivirals, further phytochemical investigation of Gardenia latifolia Aiton, Rubiaceae, was conducted. As a result, five structurally diverse glycosides were isolated, offering valuable chemotaxonomic data. Using the crystal violet technique, three isolates, canthoside C, (6R,7S,8S)-7α-[(β-d-glucopyranosyl) oxy] lyoniresinol, and ecdysanrosin A, were evaluated for their anti-influenza A (H1N1) activities. Based on previously reported anti-inflammatory activity of the guaiane class, we investigated the inhibitory effect of (1R,7R,8S,10R)-7,8,11-trihydroxy-guai-4-ene-3-one 8-O-β-d-glucopyranoside, a rare guaiane sesquiterpene glucoside, on inducible nitric oxide (NO) production by Griess assay. Regarding antiviral assay, canthoside C was the most active. It considerably inhibited H1N1 infectivity at an IC50 value of 10.93 µg/ml, showing a selectivity index (SI) of 12.88, compared with acyclovir as a standard. Besides, ecdysanrosin A displayed a moderate selective antiviral activity with an IC50 value of 28.03 µg/ml. Considering their low cytotoxicity on the host cells, canthoside C and ecdysanrosin A have additional merit as potential antiviral agents. Despite the claimed anti-inflammatory activity of guaianes, (1R,7R,8S,10R)-7,8,11-trihydroxy-guai-4-ene-3-one 8-O-β-d-glucopyranoside showed a limited anti-inflammatory activity. [Figure not available: see fulltext.

Functionalizing building envelopes for greening and solar energy: Between theory and the practice in Egypt

The building sector is one of the most resource-intensive industries. In Egypt, buildings consume 60% of electricity, produce 8% of CO2 emissions, and anthropize agricultural land, peri-urban and urban landscapes. To compensate for these consumption patterns, building envelopes can become productive in terms of greening and energy production. This encompasses the implementation of productive building systems that include (a) greening systems such as building-integrated vegetation and agriculture systems and (b) solar energy systems such as building-applied and integrated photovoltaics. For Egypt, the transformation toward more productive buildings still lacks a holistic understanding of their status and implementation requirements. This paper undergoes a comprehensive analysis of the two systems’ classifications, benefits, challenges, and implementation aspects based on a thorough assessment of 121 studies and 20 reports addressing them. This is coupled with a contextual analysis using questionnaires (n = 35) and semi-structured interviews (n = 13) with Egyptian experts and suppliers. Results showed that a large variety of systems is studied in literature and exists in the local market. Among the most purchased productive building systems in the Egyptian market, according to experts, are hydroponics (selected by 75% of respondents), planter boxes/pots (50%), roof-mounted photovoltaic panels (95%), and solar water heaters (55%). The main benefits of greening and solar energy systems are identified as enjoying the greenery view (95%) and reducing energy expenses (100%), respectively. The high initial cost was considered the main barrier for both systems. Multiple commonalities between the two systems in terms of spatial and environmental applicability aspects (e.g., accessibility and safety, net useable area, sun exposure, wind exposure) and environmental performance aspects (e.g., energy demand and emissions reduction, heat flow reduction) were identified. Lastly, we highlight the importance of analyzing integrated solutions that make use of the identified synergies between the systems and maximize the production potentials

Applicability of PV rooftops versus agriculture rooftops in the residential buildings of Nasr city, Cairo

Urban rooftops in the Egyptian built environment are a clear example of a massively wasted re-source. They can contribute to energy and food production as well as increase the return on in-vestment in the real estate sector by implementing Agri and PV rooftop systems. The paper aims at tapping into the unexplored case of multi-unit residential buildings of Cairo to assess the Agri and PV systems’ applicability on their rooftops. For this purpose, it conducts a spatial analysis for one of the Cairene middle-income districts; Nasr city. Overlaying multiple layers of applicability aspects derives a conclusion about the percentage of applicable rooftops for Agri versus PV systems in the district’s different blocks typologies

EFFECT OF SOME FERTILIZATION TREATMENTS ON GROWTH, PRODUCTIVITY AND CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS OF ROSELLE (HIBISCUS SABDARIFFA L.). PLANTS

A field experiment was conducted during 2015 and 2016 seasons at the Experimental Farm, Horticulture Dept., Fac. Agric., Benha Univ. to evaluate the effect of some fertilization treatments [10, 20 and 30 m3 compost/fed + bio fertilizer (nitrobein + phosphorein + potassiumag)] when compared with the recommended dose of chemical fertilizer in the  presence of micro-nutrients Fe + Mn + Zn foliar spraying (0.0, 50, 100 and 150 ppm) as well  as their interaction between them on some growth parameters, yield and chemical constituents of roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) plants during 2015 and 2016 seasons.   In this respect, all applied fertilizer treatments statistically and positively affected each of plant height, number of leaves, branches and fruits/plant, fresh and dry weight of leaves, branches and sepals/plant, sepals anthocyanin and vitamin-C content, leaf N, P, K, total carbohydrates, Fe, Zn and Mn content and total indoles but they decreased the values of total phenols contents, especially T2 treatment (the recommended dose of chemical fertilizer) or 30 m3 compost/fed + bio fertilizer (nitrobein + phosphorein + potassiumag), with the exception of sepals acidity with none significant differences in the two seasons. Also, all concentrations of micro-nutrients Fe + Mn + Zn significantly improved all the aforementioned parameters, especially using the high rates. Additionally, the highest values of plant height, number of leaves and branches/plant, fresh and dry weight of leaves and branches/plant, number of fruits/plant, seed yield/plant (g), leaf N, P, K, total carbohydrates, Fe, Zn and Mn content, total indoles as well as the lowest values of total phenols contents were recorded by the combined treatment between T2 recommended dose chemical fertilizer and 150ppm Fe + Mn + Zn acid in both seasons. Moreover, the combined treatment between T5 (30 m3) compost/fed + bio fertilizer  and 150 ppm Fe + Mn + Zn gave the highest values of fresh and dry weight of sepals/plant sepals acidity, sepals anthocyanin and vitamin-C content of roselle plants as compared with control in both seasons. Furthermore, the combined treatments of T4 (20 m3) compost/fed + bio fertilizer and 150 ppm Fe + Mn + Zn induced high significant increments in this concern in the two seasons. Consequently, it is preferable to treat roselle plants with the combined treatment between T2 (recommended dose of chemical fertilizer) or T5 (30 m3) compost/fed + bio fertilizer (nitrobein + phosphorein + potassiumag) and Fe + Mn + Zn at 150 ppm for enhancing growth and productivity of this plants

Evaluation of Propolis Gel in Two Different Polymeric Systems as an Adjunctive Aid to Non-Surgical Therapy in the Management of Stage III Grade B Periodontitis: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: The goal of this study was to clinically evaluate the effect of propolis gel in different polymeric systems as an adjunct to non-surgical therapy in the management of periodontitis patients. Methods: A total of 30 patients with stage III grade B periodontitis were divided into the following three groups: group I patients, who received propolis in a chitosan polymer gel with non-surgical therapy, group II patients, who received propolis in a polyox polymer gel with non-surgical therapy, and group III patients who served as a control treated with non-surgical therapy only. Clinical parameters were assessed at baseline, one month, and three months. Results: At three months, the mean gingival index (GI) of groups I and II was the same (0.6 ±0.52), and there was no change in the mean GI in group III. There was a reduction in the mean probing depth (PD) in group I (4.80 ±0.63) and group II (4.90 ±0.74) at the end of the study. The greatest percent gain in clinical attachment level (CAL) was noted in group II (17.26 ±6.71) followed by group I (5.93 ±9.87), whereas the least percent decrease was noted in group III (3.67 ±7.77). Conclusion: The adjunctive use of propolis in a polyox polymer with non-surgical therapy demonstrated superior clinical results over the use of propolis in a chitosan polymer in periodontitis patients

Preparation and Characterization of Vanadium Pentoxide Using Spray Pyrolysis Technique

A chemical spray pyrolysis technique was used to deposit a vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) thin films on glass substrate with a deposition temperature ranged from 300°C to 500°C in step of 50°C. From ammonium meta vanadate aqua precursor solution molarity of (0.1 M) was used as a source of vanadium. The effect of deposition temperature on structure, morphological, electrical conductivity and optical properties wasanalyzedat constant preparation time, solution molarity and the distance between spray nozzle and substrate.X-ray diffraction patterns shown that an orthorhombic cubic structure withgrowth along (001) plane. With increasing the substrate temperature, the electrical conductivity was increased, and the scanning electron microscopy clarified that the crystallinity of V2O5 thin films was effectively modified. The optical results revealed that energy band gap of V2O5 films deposited at 400oC, 450oC and 500oC is 2.38 eV for direct allowed transition. Based on the observed results the V2O5 phase can be well controlled by altering the substrate temperature. All prepared thin films up to 400oC show transparency in both visible and near IR region

Production of Polysaccharides (Xanthan gum) by Xanthomonas campestris pv. Sesame

Many microorganisms and plants were found produce polysaccharides which are widely varying in their composition and structure. The extracellular polysaccharide produced by   Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris, is chemically analyzed and used industrially. However, only the xanthan gum which was ranking as the best among the ten polysaccharides was used commercially in large amounts. The xanthan gum has numerous applications in food and other industries. The present study was aiming to investigate the capacity of X; campestris pv. sesami for the production of xanthan gum, using culture media containing different carbon sources. The properties of the produced material were investigated (pH, viscosity, and chromatographic analysis using thin layer chromatography).  The results showed that the weight of the product was increasing with time reaching about 9.8g at the tenth day compared to only 2.1g on the second day. The results of the effect of different carbon sources indicated that sucrose was the best giving 9.0 g in the 7th day compared to only 1.5g by raffinose. The pH was changing from 6.7 at the beginning of the experiment to 4.2 in the tenth day. However, the viscosity of the inoculated sucrose medium was found to increase from 2.4 unit at the second day to 9.7 units after ten days. Analysis on paper chromatography showed that the produced polysaccharide contains mannose, glucuronic acid, glucose, rhamnose but no ribose nor trehalose or fructose were detected. The results indicated that the investigated bacterium was producing large amounts of xanthan gum. Although, Xanthan gum was discovered in 1950s its substantial commercial production began in 1964 and in 1969, the USA, Food and Drug Administration authorized its use in food. Xanthan gum, now has numerous uses in food and other industries. Further studies should be carried on other isolates  of the bacterium   X. campestris pv. sesami and more chemical analysis are needed

Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography of Preclinical Chloroquine Maculopathy in Egyptian Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

Purpose. To evaluate the role of spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in early detection of Chloroquine maculopathy in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Methods. 40 left eyes of 40 female rheumatoid arthritis patients who received treatment chloroquine for more than one year were recruited in the study. All patients had no symptoms or signs of Chloroquine retinopathy. They were evaluated using SD-OCT, where the Central Foveal Thickness (CFT), parafoveal thickness and perifoveal thickness, average Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer (RNFL) thickness, and Ganglion Cell Complex (GCC) measurements were measured and compared to 40 left eyes of 40 normal females. Results. The mean CFT was found to be thinner in the Chloroquine group (238.15 µm ± 22.49) than the normal controls (248.2 µm ± 19.04), which was statistically significant (p value = 0.034). The mean parafoveal thickness was lesser in the Chloroquine group than the control group in all quadrants (p value 0.05) in all quadrants. No significant difference was detected between the two groups regarding RNFL, GCC, or IS/OS junction. Conclusions. Preclinical Chloroquine toxicity can lead to early thinning in the central fovea as well as the parafoveal regions that is detected by SD-OCT

Cognitive Functioning in a Pilot Sample of Childhood Cancer Patients in Egypt

Abstract A subset of cancer survivors experience cognitive deficits that can last for many years after the completion of chemotherapy. The etiology of this problem is largely unknown, so the present study aimed to assess cognitive functioning in childhood patients with cancer and to investigate the proposed disposing factors including variables related to disease, treatment, and some socio-demographic characteristics. In a case control study parents of 67 cancer patients aged 8-12 years, completed the parent proxy report of PedsQL™ 3.0 Cognitive Functioning Scale (Arabic versions), as well as a separate sheet for socio-demographic data. Control group consisted of 37 healthy subjects from the same age group were subjected to the same methodology for comparison. All patients under the study have successfully accomplished their treatment protocol and were in complete remission during the evaluation. Hematological malignancies represented 70.1% of the patients sample, with the highest proportion for ALL (52.2%). Brain tumors represented 40% of the solid malignancies (29.9% of the study patients). Cognitive functioning score was significantly lower in the solid group (69.6±37.3) compared to the hematologic group (85.1±22.2) (t = 2.1, p =0.038). Cognitive functioning score was also lower in solid group versus control subjects (p =0.047), while it showed no significant difference between hematological malignancies and control group. Older age at diagnosis, urban residence, illiterate mothers, higher duration of treatment as well as long duration of hospital admission were associated with a lower cognitive score in the solid tumors group compared to hematological group