An eco-friendly and facile method for oil-water separation using the bio-Zn oxide-based superhydrophobic membrane.

This manuscript presents a novel approach for developing an environmentally friendly and effective oil-water separation membrane. Achieving a superhydrophobic (SH) coating on textile fabric (TF) involved a two-step process. Initially, the surface roughness was enhanced by applying bio-zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles obtained from Thymbra spicata L. Subsequently, the roughened surface was modified with stearic acid, a material known for its low surface energy. The bio-ZnO nanoparticles exhibit a circular morphology with an average size of 21 nm. The coating demonstrated remarkable mechanical stability, maintaining SH properties even after an abrasion length of 300 mm. Chemical stability studies revealed that the prepared membrane retained SH properties within a pH range of 5-11, which ensures robust performance. Absorption capacity measurements showcased different capacities for n-hexane (Hex), corn oil (C.O), and silicone oil (S.O), with consistent performance over 10 absorption-desorption cycles. High oil-water separation efficiencies were achieved for hexane, C.O, and S.O, emphasizing the coating's versatility. Flux rate measurements demonstrated that oil passed through the membrane efficiently, with the highest flux observed for Hex. The prepared SH membrane has superior mechanical and chemical stability and high separation efficiencies, which positions it as a promising candidate for diverse industrial applications.

Eco-friendly approach for the fabrication of biо copper based superhydrophobic coating on steel metal and its corrosion resistance evaluation.

This study presents an eco-friendly approach for constructing superhydrophobic (S.H.) coatings on steel surfaces. The biо Сu nanoparticles are synthesized using a biоgenic process. Two types of coatings, Ni-Ѕ.Α and Ni-biо Сu-Ѕ.Α, were developed and characterized. The EDX results confirm the successful fabrication of two distinct coatings on the steel substrate: one involving the modification of nickel with stearic acid, Ni-Ѕ.Α, and the other involving the modification of nickel with both bio-Cu and stearic acid, Ni-biо Сu-Ѕ.Α. The SEM results revealed that the S.H. coats exhibit circular microstructures which contribute to the surface roughness. The contact angles of water droplets on the Ni-Ѕ.Α and Ni-biо Сu-Ѕ.Α coatings were measured at 158° ± 0.9° and 162° ± 1.1°, respectively. Chemical stability tests demonstrated that the Ni-Ѕ.Α coating maintains its S.H. behaviour in a pH range of 3-11, whereas the Ni-biо Сu-Ѕ.Α coating exhibits excellent chemical stability in a broader range of pH (1-13). The coating's mechanical stability was evaluated through abrasion tests. The Ni-Ѕ.Α coating retained its S.H. properties even after an abrasion length equal 1100 mm, while the Ni-biо Сu-Ѕ.Α coating maintained its S.H. behaviour till an abrasion length equal 1900 mm. The corrosion behavior and protective properties of the S.H. coatings were studied via electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potentiodynamic polarization (PDP) techniques. The PDP and EIS findings demonstrated that both Ni-Ѕ.Α and Ni-biо Сu-Ѕ.Α coatings significantly reduced the corrosion rate compared to uncoated steel.

Bio-copper nanoparticle-based superhydrophobic membranes for sustainable oil/water separation.

The effective separation of oil and water presents a significant global challenge due to the growing prevalence of industrial oily wastewater. In this investigation, a superhydrophobic (SP) coating based on bio-copper (Cu) was successfully created using the grape seed extract and applied onto a textile fabric (TF) to create a highly efficient membrane for oil-water (O-W) separation. The characteristics of the resulting bio-Cu nanoparticles, including surface area, morphology, and composition, were examined. The developed SP TF (STF) membrane, based on bio-Cu, underwent extensive analysis of its wettability, morphology, surface composition, oil absorption capacity, O-W separation performance, flux rate, mechanical stability, and chemical stability. The STF membrane exhibited excellent SP properties, with a high-water contact angle of 156° and a low water sliding angle of 2°, indicating its exceptional ability to repel water. Furthermore, the membrane demonstrated a remarkable oil absorption capacity, separation efficiency, and the flux rate toward three different oils (diesel, corn oil, and kerosene). It displayed good mechanical and chemical stability, with the ability to withstand abrasion and immersion in solutions of different pH values for varying exposure times. These findings highlight the potential of the bio-Cu-based STF membrane as an effective and durable solution for O-W separation applications.

Sustainable synthesis of superhydrophobic textile filters for oil/water separation using biomass waste-derived Bio-Ag nanoparticles.

Separation of oil and water has become a daunting task at a global scale due to the frequent presence of industrial oily wastewater. This study describes the synthesis of a Bio-Ag nanoparticle and its utilization in fabricating superhydrophobic (SH) films on textile fibers for separating oil-water mixture. The Bio-Ag nanoparticles were prepared from grape seed extract. The study examined various aspects of the synthesized SH textile fiber, including its morphology, wettability, surface composition, chemical stability, mechanical stability, oil absorption capacity, oil-water separation performance, and flux rate. The results indicate that the developed Bio-Ag-based SH textile filter has excellent SH properties, with a low water sliding angle of 1° and a high water contact angles of 159°. The SH textile filter exhibited good separation efficiency, oil absorption capacity, and flux rate toward silicone oil, toluene, and petroleum ether. The SH textile filter also demonstrated satisfactory chemical and mechanical stability. The developed Bio-Ag-based SH textile filter has the potential to be an efficient material for oil-water separation applications.

Fabrication of biochar-based superhydrophobic coating on steel substrate and its UV resistance, anti-scaling, and corrosion resistance performance.

In this study, we report an eco-friendly and facile process for the synthesis of biochar, BC, and a cobalt-biochar nanocomposite, Co-BC, using rice straw biomass. We constructed two superhydrophobic coatings on steel substrates using potentiostatic electrodeposition of nickel-modified biochar, Ni@BC, and nickel modified by cobalt-biochar nanocomposite, Ni@Co-BC, then, these coatings were soaked in an ethanolic stearic acid solution. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed that the stearic acid-grafted Ni@BC coating, Ni@BC@SA, and the stearic acid-grafted Ni@Co-BC composite, Ni@Co-BC@SA, were well grafted on the steel surface. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the superhydrophobic coatings have nanoscale features. Atomic force microscopy results showed that the Ni@Co-BC@SA coat had higher roughness than Ni@BC@SA, resulting in higher superhydrophobicity. The water contact angles for Ni@BC@SA and Ni@Co-BC@SA coatings were 161° and 165°, respectively, while the values of water sliding angles for both coatings were 3.0° and 1.0°, respectively. Quantitative estimation of the scale inhibition efficiency revealed that the Ni@Co-BC@SA coating exhibited greater efficiency compared to the Ni@BC@SA coating. Additionally, the Ni@Co-BC@SA coating demonstrated improved corrosion resistance, UV resistance, mechanical abrasion resistance, and chemical stability compared to the Ni@BC@SA coating. These results highlight the superior performance of the Ni@Co-BC@SA coating and its potential as a highly effective and durable superhydrophobic coating for steel substrates.

Studying the actions of sage and thymoquinone combination on metabolic syndrome induced by high-fat diet in rats.

OBJECTIVE: High-fat diet is one of the most imperative risk factors for cardiovascular disorders. Thymoquinone (TQ) is one of the active pharmacological components of Nigella sativa (black cumin). Salvia officinalis L. (sage) has been demonstrated to have diverse pharmacological actions. The main objective of this study was to determine the effects of sage and TQ combination on hyperglycemia, oxidative stress, blood pressure, and lipid profile in rats fed with a high-fat diet (HFD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Wistar male rats were divided into five groups; normal diet (ND) and HFD, in which rats were fed with a normal diet or HFD for 10 weeks, respectively. In HFD + sage group, animals were administered sage essential oil (0.052 ml/kg) orally along with HFD. In HFD + TQ group, rats were administered TQ (50 mg/kg) orally with HFD. In HF + sage + TQ group, animals received sage + TQ along with HFD. Blood glucose (BGL) and Fast serum insulin (FSI) levels, oral glucose tolerance test, blood pressure, liver function tests, plasma, and hepatic oxidative stress markers, antioxidant enzymes, and glutathione content, and lipid profile were measured. RESULTS: Sage and TQ combination decreased the final body weight, weight gain, BGL, FSI, and Homeostasis Model Assessment-Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR). The combination also lowered systolic and diastolic arterial pressures and liver function enzymes. The combination deterred lipid peroxidation, advanced protein oxidation product, and nitric oxide amplification, as well as restoring the superoxide dismutase, catalase activities, and glutathione content in plasma and hepatic tissue. Sage and TQ combination reduced the plasma total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels and amplified high-density lipoprotein (HDL). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the current study verified that sage essential oil, together with TQ exhibited hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, and antioxidant actions and thus could be a valuable addition to diabetes management.

Construction of superhydrophobic graphene-based coating on steel substrate and its ultraviolet durability and corrosion resistance properties.

For the first time, a facile and environmentally friendly approach for producing high-quality graphene from the biomass of banana leaves is described in this paper. Two rough coats of Ni-graphene, Ni@G, and Ni-graphene doped with chromium, Ni@Cr-G, were created on steel substrates by electrostatic deposition. These coatings were then submerged in an ethanolic solution of myristic acid, MA, to produce a superhydrophobic, SHP, surface. The Raman spectra demonstrated that the generated graphene was of high quality. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy findings confirm the modification of the Ni@G coating by MA, Ni@G@MA, and the modification of the Ni@Cr-G composite with MA, Ni@Cr-G@MA. The results of the scanning electron microscope revealed that the created SHP coatings have nanoscale features. The wettability results showed that the water contact angle values for Ni@G@MA and Ni@Cr-G@MA coatings are 158° and 168°, while the water sliding angle values for both coatings are 4.0 o and 1.0°, respectively. The atomic force microscopy results show that both Ni@G and Ni@Cr-G coatings increase the roughness of the steel. The chemical and mechanical stability of the Ni@Cr-G@MA coating was higher than those of the Ni@G@MA coating. The coated steel by Ni@Cr-G@MA exhibits UV stability up to 110 h, while the SHP-coated steel by Ni@G@MA exhibits UV stability for 60 h. The potentiodynamic polarization results show that the value of the corrosion current density for bare steel is 13 times that of steel coated with Ni@G@MA, and 21 times that of coated steel with Ni@Cr-G@MA. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, EIS, results show that the charge transfer resistance for steel coated with Ni@G@MA is 38 times that of bare steel, while steel coated with Ni@Cr-G@MA is 57 times that of bare steel. Potentiodynamic polarization and EIS results show that the SHP Ni@Cr-G@MA film exhibits higher corrosion resistance than Ni@G@MA film.

Fenugreek seed and cape gooseberry leaf extracts as green corrosion inhibitors for steel in the phosphoric acid industry.

Phosphoric acid is the core material for the fertilizer industry; however, it is incredibly corrosive to manufacturing plants' structures, mainly steel. Corrosion is one of the most severe problems encountered during phosphate fertilizer manufacturing. Recently, plant extracts have been commonly used as corrosion inhibitors because they are cheap and environmentally friendly. Steel corrosion in a 20% aqueous phosphoric acid solution in the absence and presence of fenugreek seed (Fen) or cape gooseberry leaf (CgL) extracts was investigated using the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy technique, potentiodynamic polarization measurement, scanning electron microscope, and quantum chemical calculations. Fourier Transform Infrared, FTIR, was used to identify the functional groups in Fen and CgL extracts. The inhibition efficiency for steel in 20% aqueous phosphoric acid was roughly equal to 80% for 0.4 g/L CgL and 1.2 g/L Fen extracts. A scanning electron microscope showed that the chemical constituents of extracts block the surface roughness of steel, decreasing the corrosion rate. The activation parameters indicated the effectiveness of the extracts at a higher temperature. Measurements of the potential of zero charges showed that the steel surface is positively charged in the phosphoric acid solution. Quantum chemical computations were also employed to examine the corrosion inhibition mechanisms of the natural extracts.

Fabrication of a biological metal-organic framework based superhydrophobic textile fabric for efficient oil/water separation.

In response to the industry's difficulty in properly separating oily wastewater discharge, researchers are investigating enhanced oil/water separation materials. In this work, a cost-effective and environmentally friendly superhydrophobic textile fabric was fabricated for effective oil-water mixture and emulsion separation. A biological metal-organic framework consisting of copper as a core metal and aspartic acid as a linker (Cu-Asp MOF) was used to improve the surface roughness of the pristine textile fabric, and stearic acid was used to lower its surface energy. The thermal gravimetric analysis investigated the prepared Cu-Asp MOF's thermal stability. X-ray spectroscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy studied the crystal orientation and chemical composition of the Cu-Asp MOF, Cu-Asp MOF@SA, pristine textile fabric, and superhydrophobic textile fabric, respectively. The surface morphology of the pristine and modified textile fabric was studied by scanning electron microscope. The wettability results showed that the prepared superhydrophobic textile fabric has a water contact angle of 158° ± 1.3 and water sliding angle of 2° ± 0.2°. The prepared superhydrophobic textile fabric showed excellent oil-water mixture and emulsion separation performance, oil absorption capacity, chemical stability, mechanical abrasion resistance, and a high flux rate. These outstanding characteristics of the prepared superhydrophobic textile fabric greatly increase the possibility for practical applications.

Fabrication of eco-friendly graphene-based superhydrophobic coating on steel substrate and its corrosion resistance, chemical and mechanical stability.

Superhydrophobic coatings were successfully fabricated on steel substrates using potentiostatic electrodeposition of Ni and Ni-graphene, Ni-G, coatings followed by immersion in an ethanolic solution of stearic acid, SA. Rice straw, an environmentally friendly biomass resource, was used to synthesize high-quality graphene. The Raman spectra proved the high quality of the produced graphene. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, FTIR, results showed that the Ni coating grafted with stearic acid, Ni-SA, and the Ni-G composite grafted with stearic acid, Ni-G-SA, were successfully deposited on the steel substrate. The scanning electron microscope, SEM, results showed that the prepared superhydrophobic coatings exhibit micro-nano structures. The wettability results revealed that the values of contact angles, CAs, for Ni-SA and Ni-G-SA coatings are 155.7° and 161.4°, while the values of sliding angles, SAs, for both coatings are 4.0° and 1.0°, respectively. The corrosion resistance, chemical stability, and mechanical abrasion resistance of the Ni-G-SA coating were found to be greater than those of the Ni-SA coating.

Potential genetic biomarker of Saudi Arabian patients with colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths globally. We implemented a comprehensive literature review regarding CRC genetics studies to offer a perception into the genes associated with CRC recognized in Saudi patients. Definite genetic variants in ABCB1, ADIPOQ, CTNNB1, SFRP3, LRP6, CYP19A1, PARP-1, TDG genes exhibited significant protection against CRC development in Saudi population. Whereas, other gene mutations in ABCB1, ABCC1, CASR, IL-17F, NOTCH1, NOTCH4, PRNCR1, TDG, TLR2, TLR4, TLR-9, TSLP, TSLPR and TNF-α genes showed irrelevant correlation with CRC risk in Saudi Arabia. On the other hand, specific mutations in ABCC1, ADIPOQ, CYP1A1, KIR, IL-17A, MMP2, NOTCH3, PRNCR1, RETN, TDG, TLR2, BRAF, PARP-1, TLR4, TLR-9, TNF-α, TSLP and XRCC1 genes demonstrated a substantial augmented CRC risk development in Saudi patients. Furthermore, ATR, ATM, BMI1, CCAT1, Chk1, Chk2, COX-2, FoxM1, FSCN1, Ki67, MALAT1, miR-29, miR-34a, miR-92, miR-182-5, PANDAR, PIK3CA, TIGAR over-expression revealed a robust association with CRC in Saudi Arabia (KSA). Moreover, gene alterations in APC, EGFR, FBXW7, TP53, PTEN, K-ras genes were concomitant in CRC. As well as, lower expression of MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2, EPCAM and MUTYH genes were recognized in LS patients and future CRC Saudi patients. These gene mutations may be used as diagnostic and/or prognostic genetic markers in CRC Saudi patients and could offer a potential therapeutic target for CRC management.

Identification of epilepsy concomitant candidate genes recognized in Saudi epileptic patients.

Saudi Genome program is a revolutionary nationwide transformation initiative of Saudi Vision 2030. The program goals are to recognize and reduce the incidence of genetic diseases in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Accordingly, the program will establish the foundation for personalized and genomic medicine in the KSA. Epilepsy has a high prevalence in KSA reaching around 6.54 of 1000 individuals with a subsequent massive financial burden. One of the main risk factors for this high prevalence and associated with increased risk of epilepsy development is consanguinity marriage, which is traditional in KSA. In this review, we executed a comprehensive state-of-art literature review regarding epilepsy genetics to offer a perception into the genes associated with epilepsy recognized in Saudi epileptic patients. Several genes' mutations were incorporated in this review including AFG3L2, ASPM, ATN1, ATP1A2, BMP5, CCDC88A, C12orf57, DNAJA1, EML1, ERLIN2, FRRS1L, GABRG3, NRXN3, MDH1, KCNJ10, KCNMA1, KCNT1, KIAA0226, OPHN1, PCCA, PCCB, PEX, PGAP2, PI4K2A, PODXL, PRICKLE1, PNKP, RELN, SCN2A, SCN1B, SLC2A1, SLC19A3, SLC25, SIAH1, SYNJ1, SZT2, TBCK, TMX2, TSC1, TSC2, TSEN, WDR45B, WWOX, UBR, UGDH, and YIF1B. For each of these genes, we tried to explain a little about the gene associated proteins and their roles in epilepsy development.

Fabrication of durable superhydrophobic/oleophilic cotton fabric for highly efficient oil/water separation.

In the present work, dopamine is self-polymerized on cotton fabric by a simple deep-coating method and followed by modification with an ethanolic solution of palmitic acid: a superhydrophobic/oleophilic cotton fabric was obtained. The as-prepared cotton fabric exhibits a superhydrophobic character with a water contact angle of 157o. The absorption capacity of as-prepared superhydrophobic/oleophilic cotton fabric in n-hexane, petroleum ether, and silicone oil was determined. The results show that silicone oil has the highest absorption capacity while n-hexane has the lowest value. The absorption capacity is nearly constant even after ten cycles, indicating the efficient recyclability of the as-prepared superhydrophobic/oleophilic cotton fabric for oil separation. The as-prepared superhydrophobic/oleophilic cotton fabric shows excellent separation efficiency, high flux rate, and excellent chemical and mechanical stability.

Subchronic administration of mitoxantrone and the influence of enzyme inhibitors on its induced cardiotoxicity in mice: role of NRF-2/CYP2E1.

OBJECTIVE: Mitoxantrone (MTX)- induced cardiotoxicity is a clinical concern that is limiting its use. The aim of this paper, therefore, was to investigate the subchronic administration of MTX plus nonspecific/specific inhibitors of CYP450/2E1, to assess the extent of oxidative-induced injury by measuring levels of oxidative cardiac and injury biomarkers in mice and to evaluate the effects of CYP2E1 on caspase 3 activity and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor-2 (NRF-2). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mice (n = 32) were divided into four treatment groups of eight: control, MTX, MTX + 4-methlypyrazole (4MP) and MTX + disulfiram (Disf). After 6 weeks of treatments, blood and heart samples were collected. RESULTS: Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LCMS) analysis of MTX-treated plasma samples revealed several metabolites with different retention times. Cardiac antioxidant enzymes and creatine kinase (CK) levels were not significantly different among the groups. However, cardiac troponin and caspase 3 activity were significantly raised, with increased CYP2E1 expressions and reduced NRF-2 expression. Tissue damage was observed in all the treatment groups, including MTX, leading to the conclusion that MTX-induced cardiotoxicity was mediated by CYP2E1 activity, which initiated caspase 3 production, and decreased NRF-2 expression. CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, agents that inhibit CPY2E1 expression might attenuate MTX-induced cardiotoxicity by increasing NRF-2 expression.

Iron deficiency anemia in an Egyptian pediatric population: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to assess the frequency of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and associated sociodemographic factors among children between 6 months and 12 years of age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study enrolled 300 children from June 2011 to June 2012 visiting the pediatric outpatient clinics of Al-Fayoum University Hospital. Data were collected using a structured interview questionnaire. Sociodemographic variables studied included sex, residence, family size, fathers' education, mothers' education, and crowding index. Included patients were evaluated clinically and laboratory for complete blood picture, serum iron, serum ferritin, and transferrin saturation. RESULTS: It was found that 64% of studied children had IDA (20% mild, 41.7% moderate, and 2.3% severe). The logistic regression analysis found that children from rural areas, those from low social class and those of low maternal educational level had a higher risk for IDA than other children. Infants with IDA were found to consume foods with low iron content 50% below recommended daily allowance. CONCLUSION: The high frequency of IDA is a severe public health problem in developing countries like Egypt, especially in children from rural areas, those from low social class and those of low maternal educational level. Iron-rich foods should be advised by health care providers. Prophylactic iron supplements should be given to all infants from 6 to 23 months.

Plant germination and production of callus from the yellow hornpoppy (Glaucium flavum): the first stage of micropropagation.

The yellow hornpoppy, Glaucium flavum Cr. (Fam. Papaveraceae) is a perennial herb, distributed in the Mediterranean region, including Egypt. The plant contains many benzyl isoquinoline alkaloids from the aporphine type such as glaucine, isoboldine, 1-chelidonine, 1-norchelidonine and 3-O-methylarterenol, making it to display various medicinal activities including antitussive, anticancer, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiviral, hypoglycemic, analgesic, antipyretic, bronchodilator and anti-inflammatory effects. The plant is now rare and endangered in the Egyptian flora due to urban sprawl. The present study looks into Glaucium flavum seeds' in vitro germination as well as the ability of the explants taken from the growing seedlings to form stable callus lines in order to enable micropropagation as a way to save the rare plant. The study also scans the production of different medicinally valuable alkaloids, particularly glaucine, in produced callus.

Differential induction of enzymes involved in anaerobic metabolism of aromatic compounds in the denitrifying bacterium Thauera aromatica.

Differential induction of enzymes involved in anaerobic metabolism of aromatic substrates was studied in the denitrifying bacterium Thauera aromatica. This metabolism is divided into (1) peripheral reactions transforming the aromatic growth substrates to the common intermediate benzoyl-CoA, (2) the central benzoyl-CoA pathway comprising ring-reduction of benzoyl-CoA and subsequent beta-oxidation to 3-hydroxypimelyl-CoA, and (3) the pathway of beta-oxidation of 3-hydroxypimelyl-CoA to three acetyl-CoA and CO2. Regulation was studied by three methods. 1. Determination of protein patterns of cells grown on different substrates. This revealed several strongly substrate-induced polypeptides that were missing in cells grown on benzoate or other intermediates of the respective metabolic pathways. 2. Measurement of activities of known enzymes involved in this metabolism in cells grown on different substrates. The enzyme pattern found is consistent with the regulatory pattern deduced from simultaneous adaptation of cells to utilisation of other aromatic substrates. 3. Immunological detection of catabolic enzymes in cells grown on different substrates. Benzoate-CoA ligase and 4-hydroxybenzoate-CoA ligase were detected only in cells yielding the respective enzyme activity. However, presence of the subunits of benzoyl-CoA reductase and 4-hydroxybenzoyl-CoA reductase was also recorded in some cell batches lacking enzyme activity. This possibly indicates an additional level of regulation on protein level for these two reductases.

Water contamination and esophageal cancer at Gassim Region, Saudi Arabia.

Between January 1980 and December 1982, 183 patients with histologically confirmed carcinoma of the esophagus who were referred to a tertiary referral hospital were studied. Thirty-two (17%) patients were referred from Gassim Region at the north central part of Saudi Arabia. In contrast, only 5% of total cancer patient referrals were from this area. A case-control study showed a significant regional difference within Saudi Arabia and the most referrals from Gassim area. A prospective case-control study showed persistently high numbers of referrals from that region during 1983-1987. When patients from Gassim Region were compared with those referred from other locations, no statistical differences were noted between the two groups except for the source of drinking water. Water analysis from Gassim area showed a high solid content with elevated levels of calcium, magnesium, and to a lesser extent, chromium iron, cadmium, and cobalt. Traces of petroleum oil were found in five of six water samples from Gassim during 1983, compared with 3 of 49 samples from other areas. Mutagenicity tests on water specimens form Gassim Region indicated the presence of possible carcinogens. It is being suggested that the high prevalence of esophageal cancer in this region may be related to contamination of water by impurities such as petroleum oils. Malnutrition, particularly vitamin A deficiency, as well as other factors may have promoted such malignancies.