The Extractive Sector: Real Estate Urbanism in Greater Cairo and its Toll on the Environment

A Global Trend Climate change compounds existing vulnerabilities that are produced by a continual interaction of political, economic and social processes (Hassanain and Martina 2021). The forces of capital constantly reconfigure city spaces to maximize the value of assets and resources. The conversion of city spaces into separate archipelagos for investment – rather than parts of a social and natural ecosystem – forces the city’s users to accept the production of an urbanization surplus, whic..

The Effects of Dietary Supplementation and Product Formulation on the Oxidative Stability of Lipids and Proteins in Meat and Meat Products

Meat and processed meats are largely consumed in the western world, but lately there has been a great concern about their possible negative impacts on human health. Consequently, there is growing interest among food scientists to better understand the diverse chemical and microbial modifications that take place during processing and storage and that can compromise the nutritional characteristics and safety of such products. In the past decades, attention has been addressed towards the study of lipid oxidation and microbial deterioration in meat and meat products, whereas the occurrence and impact of protein oxidation has been disregarded. Since protein oxidation can take place in living tissues, scientists are currently interested in highlighting its influence on meat quality and human nutrition. Recent studies have contributed to solid scientific knowledge regarding basic protein oxidation mechanisms, and in several methodologies to assess such degradation process in food. In accordance with this vision, the general objective of this PhD thesis was to study the effects of dietary supplementation, product formulation and storage conditions on the oxidative stability of lipids and proteins in meat and meat products, with the final aim to better understand the trends of these oxidative processes in such products in order to identity strategies to improve their overall quality

Predictors For TESE Outcomes and Fertility Potentials Among Infertile Adult Men

Background: Spermatogenesis is an essential process for human reproduction.   Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and testosterone play vital roles in the development and maturation of sperm. Growth hormone (GH) is thought to play a role in the reproductive system of both males and females. Growth Hormone deficiency can lead to reproductive problems. Aim: to assess predictors of fertility potentials and TESE outcomes among adult males. Methods: we enrolled 162 males and assessed FSH, LH, basal GH, clonidine (GH) stimulation test one time and insulin stimulation test in another time. We designed a predictive model to identify the fertility potentials, Fertility Score= 4.442 + (Basal GH*0.074) + (GH_CLON*0.035) - (FSH*0.021) (BMI*0.062)- (Smoker*0.429). The net result of this equation should be approximated to the nearest integer to predict the fertility status where, 1=TESE Negative, 2= TESE Positive, 3=Oligozoospermia, and 4= Fertile control. Results: multivariate analysis showed smoking status, testicular volume, BMI, Serum FSH, basal GH are not predictors for fertility potentials. GH after clonidine and after insulin stimulation GH after clonidine stimulation correlates positively with total motile count. Other semen parameters do not correlate with basal GH or GH after insulin or clonidine stimulation. Receiver Operator Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis is used to detect the cut off levels at which sperm recovery yield change. For the GH assessment only, the basal GH could be applied to predict the SRR in men with azoospermia, AUC=0.672 (95% CI: 0.499 to 0.844). Growth hormone after clonidine (AUC= 0.510) or Insulin stimulation (AUC=0.556) and therefore, cannot differentiate between TESE positive and TESE negative cases. Conclusion: Basal, post clonidine GH levels, has BMI and smoking are predictive factors for fertility potentials, our model have high sensitivity in predicting fertility potentials among positive TESE males. Basal GH can significantly predict TESE negative males

INSIGHTS INTO THE ROLE OF MORUS ALBA IN REVERSING OBESITY-ASSOCIATED HEPATIC STEATOSIS AND RELATED METABOLIC DISORDER IN RATS

ABSTRACTObjective: The goal of the present study was to examine the viability of Morus alba (M. alba) ethanolic extract in repression of obesity-associatedhepatic steatosis and related metabolic disorder; dyslipidemia, hyperinsulinemia, and glycemic status.Methods: Adult female albino rats were randomly assigned into four groups, eight rats each as follows: Group (1) control group received standardrodent diet for 24 weeks. The other three groups administered high cholesterol diet for 12 weeks and served as obese group, M. alba-treated group,and simvastatin-treated group.Results: The current results showed an increment in thoracic circumference (TCX) and abdominal circumferences (AC) as well as body mass index(BMI) in obese group. In addition, dyslipidemia, hyperinsulinemia, hyperglycemia, and insulin resistance have been elucidated in obese group.Moreover, hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and bilirubinvalues were significantly increased in obese groups versus control group. On the other hand, administration of ethanolic extract of Morus alba orsimvastatin could significantly lessen BMI and in addition to improve dyslipidemia in obese group. Glucose, insulin levels, and insulin resistance valuein serum samples demonstrated a significant reduction in obese group upon treatment with M. alba ethanolic extract or simvastatin. Furthermore,noticeable depletion in hepatic MDA, NO contents, serum ALT, AST activities, and serum bilirubin level was recorded as a result of treatment witheither ethanolic extract of M. alba or simvastatin. Histopathological examination of liver tissue showed ballooning degeneration in the hepatocytes(hepatic steatosis) associated with inflammatory cells penetration in portal zone in obese group. Meanwhile, the treatment of obese groups withethanolic extract of M. alba or simvastatin was found to restore the structural organization of the liver.Conclusion: The present findings provide a novel aspect for understanding of the role of M. alba against obesity-associated liver diseases and relatedmetabolic disorder. The mechanisms underlying these effects seem to depend on the hypolipidemic potential, anti-inflammatory property, andantioxidant activity of its phytochemicals.Keywords: Obesity, Morus alba, Dyslipidemia, Hyperinsulinemia, Hyperglycemia, Hepatic steatosis

Simulation study of thermally initiated rail defects

Ultrasonically detected ‘squat type’ rail defects are becoming increasingly common on railways throughout the world. On the London Underground (LU) these defects are found on three lines. Focussing on the difference between these lines and others on the LU network has identified vehicles with modern AC traction characteristics as a common theme found only on problem lines. Metallurgical analysis of the defects found that the mechanisms for generation and growth are not consistent with conventional rolling contact fatigue, with evidence of significant thermal input. The defects are only found on open sections. The most susceptible areas to the defects are those where low-speed running is more common. A mathematical model of the traction package has been used to examine the forces and thermal input generated at the wheel–rail interface with modern wheel-spin control systems under wheel slip and adhesion recovery conditions. The outputs have been analysed to assess whether sufficient forces and temperatures are generated to explain the observed rail damage. The results suggest that under certain circumstances wheel-spin recovery generates sufficient rail surface energy for martensitic transformation. Additional modelling suggests that thermal input from wheel- spin aids crack propagation and that regions of slightly degraded (wet as opposed to leaf or oil contaminated) rail adhesion are sufficient to initiate these flaws

Development and validation of stability indicating spectrophotometric and HPTLC methods for determination of acemetacin

Three simple and sensitive methods were developed for the determination of acemetacin (ACM) in presence of its degradation product, indomethacin (DEG). Several methods were evaluated and are presented. Method A was based on measuring the peak amplitude of the first derivative of the ratio spectra 1DD at 244 nm. In method B, mean centering of ratio spectra method (MCR) was applied, which depends on measuring the mean centered values of ratio spectra of ACM at 234 nm. Method C provided separation of ACM from its DEG on pre-activated silica gel 60F254 HPTLC plates using hexane:ethyl acetate:glacial acetic acid (6:4:0.3, v:v:v) as developing system followed by scanning at 254 nm. The suggested methods were validated in compliance with the International Conference on Harmonisation (ICH) guidelines and were successfully applied for quantification of ACM in its commercial capsule. The proposed methods were also statistically compared to a reported HPLC method with no significant difference in performance; indicating the ability of the proposed method to be reliable and suitable for routine analysis of drug product

The Impact of Thyme and Oregano Essential Oils Dietary Supplementation on Broiler Health, Growth Performance, and Prevalence of Growth-Related Breast Muscle Abnormalities

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of thyme and oregano essential oils (as growth promotors), individually and in combination, on the health, growth performance, and prevalence of muscle abnormalities in broiler chickens. Six hundred day-old Cobb 500 hybrid chickens were randomized into four dietary treatment groups with three replicates each. Chicks in the control group (C) received a basal diet, while the experimental treatment groups received basal diets containing 350 mg/kg of thyme oil (T1), 350 mg/kg of oregano oil (T2), and 350 mg/kg of thyme and oregano oil (T3). Growth performance parameters were evaluated at 14, 28, and 42 days. The broilers in treatments T1 and T2 had significantly higher body weights than the control group. The feed conversion ratio was the lowest in chicks who received oregano oil, followed by those fed thyme oil. The overall prevalence of growth-related breast muscle abnormalities (including white striping and white striping combined with wooden breast) in groups receiving essential oils (T1, T2, and T3) was significantly higher than in the control group (C). The thyme and oregano oil diets showed no significant differences in antibody titers against Newcastle disease or interferon-γ (INF-γ) serum levels. In conclusion, thyme and oregano oils had a positive impact on the growth performance of broiler chickens but increased the incidence of growth-related breast muscle abnormalities

Validated stability indicating methods for determination of nitazoxanide in presence of its degradation products

AbstractThree sensitive, selective and reproducible stability-indicating methods are presented for determination of nitazoxanide (NTZ), a new anti-protozoal drug, in presence of its degradation products. Method A utilizes the first derivative of ratio spectra spectrophotometry by measurement of the amplitude at 364.4nm using one of the degradation products as a divisor. Method B is a chemometric-assisted spectrophotometry, where principal component regression (PCR) and partial least squares (PLS) were applied. These two approaches were successfully applied to quantify NTZ in presence of degradation products using the information included in the absorption spectra in the range 260–360nm. Method C is based on the separation of NTZ from its degradation products followed by densitometric measurement of the bands at 254nm. The separation was carried out on silica gel 60F254, using chloroform–methanol–ammonia solution–glacial acetic acid (95:5:1:1 by volume, pH=5.80) as a developing system. These methods are suitable as stability-indicating methods for the determination of NTZ in presence of its degradation products either in bulk powder or in pharmaceutical formulations. Statistical analysis of the results has been carried out revealing high accuracy and good precision

QUERCETIN MITIGATES TOXICITY AND OXIDATIVE STRESS MOTIVATED BY BISPHENOL A IN LIVER OF MALE RATS

Objective: Epidemiological reports have indicated a correlation between the increasing of bisphenol A (BPA) levels in the environment and the incidence of hepatotoxicity. The present study aimed to evaluate the protective effect of quercetin on oxidative stress, inflammatory markers, apoptotic and antiapoptotic markers in the liver tissue of the bisphenol A treated rats.Methods: Forty-eight male Wistar rats were divided into six groups; Group(1): Negative control group (Con), Group(2): Corn oil control group orally administered 1 ml of corn oil/rat daily for two months (Corn), Group(3): Olive oil control group orally administered 1 ml olive oil/rat daily for two months (Olive), Group(4): Quercetin (Qu) control group orally received Qu dissolved in olive oil (50 mg/kg b. wt.) daily for two months (Qu). Group(5): Positive control group orally received Bisphenol A (BPA) dissolved in corn oil in a dose of 50 mg/kg b. wt. daily for two months (BPA), Group(6): Quercetin treated group orally administered 50 mg/kg b. wt. of BPA and treated with Qu (50 mg/kg b. wt. Orally) daily for two months (BPA+Qu).Results: BPA exposure resulted in significant elevations of oxidative stress, as evidenced by the increased malondialdehyde level and glutathione-S-transferase activity associated with significant decrease in glutathione peroxidase activity in the liver tissue. Moreover, BPA caused an up regulation in the values of liver function enzymes. Also, BPA produced a significant elevation in the hepatic Interleuckin-6 (IL-6) and caspase-3 levels with a significant decline in antiapoptotic protein B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl2) level in liver tissue. Quercetin significantly attenuated the BPA-evoked liver oxidative stress and modulated the activities of liver function enzymes. In addition, treatment of quercetin with BPA resulted in an improvement of IL-6 and caspase-3 levels associated with a significant increase in hepatic protein Bcl2 expression.Conclusion: These data suggest that quercetin protects rat liver from BPA-induced oxidative stress, probably via its antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects. So, Quercetin is a promising pharmacological agent for preventing the potential hepatotoxicity of BPA following occupational or environmental exposures.Keywords: Bisphenol A, Quercetin, hepatotoxicity, Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory effect, Antiapoptotic effec