Fabrication of Unique Mixed-Valent CoICoII and CuICuII Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) for Desulfurization of Fuels: A Combined Experimental and Theoretical Approach toward Green Fuel.

Herein, metal-organic framework (MOF)-based adsorbents are designed with distinct hard and soft metal building units, namely, [Co2ICoII(PD)2(BP)] (Co_PD-BP) and [Cu2ICuII(PD)2(BP)] (Cu_PD-BP), where H2PD = pyrazine-1,4-diide-2,3-dicarboxylic acid and BP = 4,4'-bipyridine. The designed MOFs were characterized via spectral and SCXRD techniques, which confirm the mixed-valent states (+1 and +2) of the metal ions. Topological analysis revealed the rare ths and gwg topologies for Co MOF, while Cu-MOF exhibits a unique 8T21 topology in the 8-c net (point symbol for net: {424·64}). Moreover, severe environmental issues can be resolved by effectively removing heterocyclic organosulfur compounds from fuels via adsorptive desulfurization. Further, the developed MOFs were investigated for sulfur removal via adsorptive desulfurization from a model fuel consisting of dibenzothiophene (DBT), benzothiophene (BT), and thiophene (T) in the liquid phase using n-octane as a solvent. The findings revealed that Cu_PD-BP effectively removes the DBT with a removal efficiency of 86% at 300 ppm and an operating temperature of 25 °C, with a recyclability of up to four cycles. The adsorption kinetic analysis showed that the pseudo-first-order model could fit better with the experimental data indicating the physisorption process. Further, the studies revealed that adsorption capacity increased with the increasing initial DBT concentration with a remarkable capacity of 70.5 mg/g, and the adsorption process was well described by the Langmuir isotherm. The plausible reason behind the enhanced removal efficiency shown by Cu_PD-BP as compared to Co_PD-BP could be the soft-soft interactions between soft sulfur and soft Cu metal centers. Interestingly, density functional theory (DFT) studies were done in order to predict the mechanism of binding of thiophenic compounds with Cu_PD-BP, which further ascertained that along with other interactions, the S···π and S···Cu interactions predominate, resulting in a high uptake of DBT as compared to others. In essence, Cu_PD-BP turns out to be a promising adsorbent in the field of fuel desulfurization for the benefit of mankind.

210Po and 210Pb radioactivity levels in local and imported tobacco used in Palestine and Jordan.

This study aimed to assess the concentrations of 210Po and 210Pb in various tobacco samples from Palestine and Jordan. Cigarette smoking is recognized as a significant contributor to the radiation dose received by individuals, primarily due to the elevated levels of 210Pb and 210Po found in tobacco. The analysis revealed that the average concentrations of 210Po in locally sourced tobacco and cigarette samples in Palestine are 16.8 ± 2.3 mBq/g and 18.5 ± 2.0 mBq/g, with a total average of 17.8 ± 7.4 mBq/g (15.5 mBq/cigarette). Similarly, the average concentrations of 210Pb in these samples are 18.5 ± 2.6 mBq/g and 20.3 ± 2.2 mBq/g, with a total average of 19.6 ± 8.1 mBq/g (17.0 mBq/cigarette). In Jordan, the average concentrations of 210Po in cigarette samples and narghile tobacco are 20.1 ± 2.4 mBq/g and 18.3 ± 4.1 mBq/g, with a total average value of 19.6 ± 9.9 mBq/g (18.0 mBq/cigarette), while the average concentrations of 210Pb are 22.2 ± 2.6 mBq/g and 20.2 ± 4.5 mBq/g, with a total average value of 21.6 ± 10.8 mBq/g (19.9 mBq/cigarette). The annual effective doses resulting from inhalation were calculated for smokers of these samples. The findings revealed that the levels of 210Po and 210Pb radioactivity in certain investigated samples exceeded the results of studies in many countries of the world. The associated effective doses per year from smoking for all brands products in Palestine range from 34.7 µSv/y to 186.5 µSv/y with an average of 109.5 µSv/y, while in Jordan 54.5 µSv/y to 289.1 µSv/y with an average of 130.9 µSv/y.

Synthesis of silver and copper nanoparticle using Spirulina platensis and evaluation of their anticancer activity.

The present research displays the green synthesis of stable silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) and copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO-NPs). The aqueous solution of Spirulina platensis (blue green algae) source was used as a reducing and capping agent and this study assessed the cytotoxicity of Ag- and CuO-NPs on three cancer cell cultures: A549 (lung cancer), HCT (human colon cancer), Hep2 (laryngeal carcinoma cancer) and normal cell (WISH). For NPs characterization, the UV/Vis spectroscopy was used where their formation and crystallinity were proven with λmax values for Ag- and CuO-NPs of 425 and 234 nm, respectively. According to X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Ag-NPs were spherical in shape (size 2.23-14.68 nm) and CuO-NPs were small (size 3.75-12.4 nm). Zeta potential analysis showed the particles potential, which was recorded by -14.95 ± 4.31 mV for Ag-NPs and -21.63 ± 4.90 mV for CuO-NPs. After that, Ag- and CuO-NPs were assessed for anticancer properties against A549, HCT, Hep2 and WISH. IC50 of Ag-NPs recorded 15.67, 12.94, 3.8 and 10.44 µg/ml for WISH, A549, HCT and Hep2, respectively. IC50 for CuO-NPs was recorded as 32.64, 54.59, 3.98 and 20.56 µg/ml for WISH, A549, HCT and Hep2 cells, respectively. Safety limits for WISH and A549 were achieved 98.64% by 2.44 µg/ml and 83.43% by 4.88 µg/ml of Ag-NPs, and it was found to be 97.94% by 2.44 µg/ml against HCT, while that for Hep2 is 95.9% by 2.44 µg/ml. Concerning the anticancer effect of CuO-NPs, the safety limit was recorded as 88.70% by 2.44 and 98.48% by 4.88 µg/ml against WISH and A549, while HCT reached 89.92% by 2.44 µg/ml and Hep2 was 83.33% by 4.88 µg/ml. Green nanotechnology applications such as Ag-NPs and CuO-NPs have numerous benefits of ecofriendliness and compatibility for biomedical applications such as anticancer effects against cancer cells.

Facile One-Pot Three Component Synthesis, Characterization, and Molecular Docking Simulations of Novel α-Aminophosphonate Derivatives Based Pyrazole Moiety as Potential Antimicrobial Agent.

An efficient method has been developed for the synthesis of novel α-aminophosphonates (AAP) (3 a-m) through a one-pot three-component reaction of 1,3-disubstituted-1H-pyrazol-5-amine, aromatic aldehydes, and phosphite using lithium perchlorate as catalyst. All newly synthesized compounds were characterized via different spectroscopic techniques. The synthesized compounds' mode of action was investigated using molecular docking against the outer membrane protein A (OMPA) and exo-1,3-ß-glucanase, with interpreting their pharmacokinetics aspects. The results of the antimicrobial effectiveness of these compounds revealed a broad spectrum of their biocidal activity and this in-vitro study was in line with the in- silico results. Additionally, it has been demonstrated that these compounds exhibited a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) with significant activity at low concentrations (7.5-30.0 mg/mL). Further, the radical scavenging (DPPH* ) activity of the synthesized compounds fluctuated, with compounds 3 h, 3 a, and 3 f showing the highest antioxidant activity. Overall, the formulated compounds can be employed as antimicrobial and antioxidant agents in medical applications.

Effects of tidal volume challenge on the reliability of plethysmography variability index in hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgeries: a prospective interventional study.

BACKGROUND: The plethysmography variability index (PVI) is a non-invasive, real-time, and automated parameter for evaluating fluid responsiveness, but it does not reliably predict fluid responsiveness during low tidal volume (VT) ventilation. We hypothesized that in a 'tidal volume challenge' with a transient increase in tidal volume from 6 to 8 ml Kg- 1, the changes in PVI could predict fluid responsiveness reliably. METHOD: We performed a prospective interventional study in adult patients undergoing hepatobiliary or pancreatic tumor resections and receiving controlled low VT ventilation. The values for PVI, perfusion index, stroke volume variation, and stroke volume index (SVI) were recorded at baseline VT of 6 ml Kg- 1, 1 min after the VT challenge (8 ml Kg- 1), 1 min after VT 6 ml Kg- 1 reduced back again, and then 5 min after crystalloid fluid bolus 6 ml kg- 1 (actual body weight) administered over 10 min. The fluid responders were identified by SVI rise ≥ 10% after the fluid bolus. RESULTS: The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for PVI value change (ΔPVI6-8) after increasing VT from 6 to 8 ml Kg- 1 was 0.86 (95% confidence interval, 0.76-0.96), P < 0.001, 95% sensitivity, 68% specificity, and with best cut-off value of absolute change (ΔPVI6-8) = 2.5%. CONCLUSION: In hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgeries, tidal volume challenge improves the reliability of PVI for predicting fluid responsiveness and changes in PVI values obtained after tidal volume challenge are comparable to the changes in SVI.

Short-term outcomes of reduced versus conventional ports in sleeve gastrectomy: A controlled clinical trial.

Aim: The study aims to compare the short-term outcomes of reduced ports sleeve gastrectomy versus conventional five ports sleeve gastrectomy in postoperative weight loss, morbidity rate, pain, and resolution of obesity-related diseases. Materials and Methods: One hundred forty patients were equally allocated to reduced ports (n = 70) and conventional ports (5 ports) Laparoscopic Gastrectomy groups. The primary outcomes are postoperative pain by numeric rating score, cosmetic visual analog score, satisfaction visual analog score, operative time, and hospital stay. The secondary outcomes are postoperative complications and comorbidity resolution. Results: The numeric rating score for pain assessment was statistically significantly lower in the reduced ports group compared with the conventional ports group at 2, 6, 12, and 24 hours, postoperatively (P < .001). Cosmetic visual analog score was statistically significantly higher in the reduced ports group compared with conventional ports group at 2 and 3 months follow-up (P < .001 and P = .008, respectively). Patient satisfaction visual analog score was statistically significantly higher in the reduced ports group than the conventional ports group at 2 and 3 months follow-up (P < .001 and P = .032, respectively). Conclusion: Reduced ports laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is safe and feasible in patients with body mass index (BMI) up to 50 kg/m2. It is cosmetically well appreciated with noticeable patient satisfaction. It should be practiced with regularity. Further trials should be considered in patients with high BMI (>50 kg/m2).

Crossbreeding impacts on caecal bacterial count and antibody titres in chickens.

1. A crossbreeding experiment was conducted using 20 sires and 120 dams from each Fayoumi (F) and Rhode Island Red (R) breeds. The F1 chicks of ½F½R and their reciprocal ½R½F crosses were used to estimate direct, maternal and heterotic effects.2. The caecal bacterial counts of Salmonella typhimurium and Enterococcus faecium and the IgA, IgG and IgM antibody titres were determined. Chicks of each genetic group (120 birds) were divided into three groups (40 birds per group) and chicks of the first group were assigned as the control group, while the second group was inoculated with S. typhimurium and E. faecium at 7 and 10 d of age (106 cfu/chick) and the third was inoculated with S. typhimurium at 10 d of age (106 cfu/chick).3. The generalised least square procedure was used to estimate cross-breeding effects. The S. typhimurium counts in the R breed was highly significant, followed by ½F½R cross, ½R½F cross, and F breed. The differences among genetic groups in E. faecium counts and caecal pH was not significant. The estimates of IgA, IgG, and IgM antibody titres were highly significant in the F breed, followed by ½R½F cross, ½F½R cross, and the R breed.4. The estimates of direct additive effects were highly significant F breed for the counts of S. typhimurium and antibody titres of IgA, IgG, and IgM. The maternal effects were highly significant F breed for S. typhimurium, E. faecium count, and antibody titres of IgA, IgG, and IgM. Estimates of direct heterosis were significant for S. typhimurium count and IgA antibody titre but not significant for E. faecium count, caecal pH, and antibody titres of IgG and IgM.5. The results showed that the Fayoumi breed could be used in breeding programmes to improve immunity traits against S. typhimurium in chickens.

Fabrication of gelatin/silk fibroin/phage nanofiber scaffold effective against multidrug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

OBJECTIVE: The alarming rise of multi-drug resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa has prompted the World Health Organization to consider it a serious threat to human health. Although phage (Phg), an effective antibacterial treatment option, can maintain long-term infectivity via lyophilized storage, freeze-drying can be expensive and time-consuming. Thus, we propose electrospun gelatin/fibroin (G/F) nanofibrous formulation for dehydrating and storing phage against MDR P. aeruginosa. SIGNIFICANCE: The formulation of phage within the nanofibrous structure of the electrospun G/F scaffold would result in antimicrobial activity against MDR P. aeruginosa leading to enhanced wound healing. METHODS: Phg effective against MDR P. aeruginosa was isolated, characterized and loaded within G/F nanofibers by electrospinning. Morphology, crystallinity and thermal stability as well as the antimicrobial activity and the biocompatibility of the developed G/F/Phg nanofibers were determined. RESULTS: Phg-loaded G/F nanofibers revealed an amorphous structure with good thermal stability at temperatures below 300 °C and exhibited effective antibacterial activity against MDR P. aeruginosa with ∼2 log reduction in the bacterial count which increased to ∼4 log reduction in bacterial count after 16 h as compared to both the G/F nanofibers and the negative control. Lack of cytotoxic effects on cultured fibroblasts supported the biocompatibility of G/F/Phg nanofibers. CONCLUSION: The developed G/F/Phg nanofibers are able to maintain the viability of phage and represent a promising antimicrobial dressing for wounds infected with MDR P. aeruginosa.

Polymorphic characterisation of gallinacin candidate genes and their molecular associations with growth and immunity traits in chickens.

1.Four gallinacin (GAL) genes were assessed by Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) to characterise these genes in Fayoumi (F) and Rhode Island Red (R) breeds and their crosses of Rhode Island Red × Fayoumi (½R½F) and Fayoumi × Rhode Island Red (½F½R).2.Genes examined were GAL2, GAL3, GAL4 and GAL5. The molecular associations between the SNPs of the gallinacin genes and body weight, caecal bacterial count and the serum antibody titres of IgA, IgG and IgM were determined. In the R breed, the frequency of TC genotype was higher than TT and CC genotypes for the GAL3 gene. The GG genotype frequency was higher than AA and AG genotypes for the GAL4 gene in the other genetic groups, and the CA genotype frequency was higher than CC and AA genotypes in crosses for the GAL5 gene.3.In all populations, the frequency of the C allele was higher than the T allele for the GAL3 gene, the G allele was higher than the A allele for the GAL4 gene and the C allele was higher than the A allele for the GAL5 gene. The observed heterozygosity in R, ½R½F and ½F½R was 0.476, 0.375 and 0.158 for the GAL3 gene, 0.458, 0.615 and 0.250 for the GAL4 gene and 0.053, 0.792 and 0.739 for the GAL5 gene, while the expected heterozygosities were 0.490, 0.430 and 0.145 for the GAL3 gene, 0.430, 0.348 and 0.219 for the GAL4 gene and 0.229, 0.478 and 0.496 for the GAL5 gene, respectively.4.On a molecular level, the genotype TT was significantly higher for body weight than TC and CC genotypes in the GAL3 gene. Birds with the GG genotype had a significantly lower Salmonella typhimurium count than birds with AA genotype in the GAL4 gene. Birds with the genotype AA had higher significant body weights than those with CC and CA genotypes in the GAL5 gene.5.The results indicated that the GAL3, GAL4 and GAL5 genes are potential candidates for selection programmes to improve S. typhimurium resistance and body weight in chickens.

Kappa free light chains is a valid tool in the diagnostics of MS: A large multicenter study.

OBJECTIVE: To validate kappa free light chain (KFLC) and lambda free light chain (LFLC) indices as a diagnostic biomarker in multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS: We performed a multicenter study including 745 patients from 18 centers (219 controls and 526 clinically isolated syndrome (CIS)/MS patients) with a known oligoclonal IgG band (OCB) status. KFLC and LFLC were measured in paired cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum samples. Gaussian mixture modeling was used to define a cut-off for KFLC and LFLC indexes. RESULTS: The cut-off for the KFLC index was 6.6 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 5.2-138.1). The cut-off for the LFLC index was 6.9 (95% CI = 4.5-22.2). For CIS/MS patients, sensitivity of the KFLC index (0.88; 95% CI = 0.85-0.90) was higher than OCB (0.82; 95%CI = 0.79-0.85; p < 0.001), but specificity (0.83; 95% CI = 0.78-0.88) was lower (OCB = 0.92; 95% CI = 0.89-0.96; p < 0.001). Both sensitivity and specificity for the LFLC index were lower than OCB. CONCLUSION: Compared with OCB, the KFLC index is more sensitive but less specific for diagnosing CIS/MS. Lacking an elevated KFLC index is more powerful for excluding MS compared with OCB but the latter is more important for ruling in a diagnosis of CIS/MS.

A comparison of GenomEra® GBS PCR and GeneXpert ® GBS PCR assays with culture of GBS performed with and without broth pre-enrichment.

This study was designed to compare the performance of GeneXpert® and GenomEra® group B streptococcus (GBS) PCR assays, held up against standard culture of GBS performed with and without broth pre-enrichment. In Denmark, the strategy for preventing early onset GBS infection (EOGBS) is risk factor based. Three hundred and sixty six women fulfilling one or more of the criteria for presence of risk factors for EOGBS were prospectively included. Rectovaginal swab samples were taken intrapartum and tested bed-site by the GenomEra® and the GeneXpert® GBS PCR assays and cultured at the microbiology laboratory using Granada agar plates with and without prior growth of sampling material in selective enrichment broth. Among 366 participants tested intrapartum, 99 were GBS-positive by culture, 95 by GenomEra, and 95 by GeneXpert. Compared with culture, the GenomEra and the GeneXpert performed with a sensitivity of 91.8% and 91.7% and a specificity of 98.1% and 97.3%, respectively. A combined reference standard was established by defining true positives as either culture-positive samples or culture-negative samples where both the GeneXpert and the GenomEra GBS PCR assays were positive. Using this, the sensitivity increased to 92.2% and the specificity to 99.6% for GenomEra and to 92.0% and 96.8% for GeneXpert. The use of selective broth enrichment found only three additional GBS culture-positive samples. The performance of the two PCR methods examined was very similar and close to the findings by culture, and both PCR assays are thus applicable as rapid intrapartum bed-site tests.

Green synthesis of sulfur nanoparticles using Ocimum basilicum leaves and its prospective effect on manganese-stressed Helianthus annuus (L.) seedlings.

A novel green approach was utilized to fabricate sulfur nanoparticles (SNPs) with the aid of Ocimum basilicum leaves extract. The effective formation of the synthesized SNPs was examined and approved using UV-visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The average particle size was 23 nm with spherical shape and crystalline in nature. In the pot experiment, the synthesized SNPs were applied with different concentrations (12.5, 25, 50, 100 and 200 µM) as pre-soaking to Helianthus annuus seeds and irrigated with 100 mM MnSO4. As a result of manganese (Mn) exposure, the harvested 14-day sunflower seedlings showed a significant decline in the growth parameters (shoot length, leaf area and the relative water content of both shoot and root), photosynthetic pigments, mineral content (N, P, K, Ca, and Mg), and protein content compared to the control. The root length, electrolyte leakage, Na and Mn levels, metabolites content (amino acids, protein, glycine betaine, proline, and cysteine) were greatly raised as affected by Mn stress. Mn toxicity reduction using SNPs was demonstrated, as the medium doses enhanced seedlings growth, photosynthetic pigments, and mineral nutrients. Application of SNPs decreased Mn uptake and enhanced S metabolism through increasing cysteine level. Likewise, SNPs elevated seedlings water content and eliminated physiological drought via increasing osmolytes such as amino acids and proline. It can be concluded that green-synthesized SNPs had the potential to limit the deleterious effects of Mn stress.

Sulfur nanoparticles mediated improvement of salt tolerance in wheat relates to decreasing oxidative stress and regulating metabolic activity.

Salinity is a critical issue impairing the growth and productivity of most crop species through the mediated ionic and osmotic imbalances. As a way forward, the current study was tailored to elucidate the capacity of sulfur nanoparticles (SNPs) to amend salinity consequences on growth and physio-biochemical attributes of wheat. In a controlled experiment, wheat seeds were primed for 12 h with either 100 µM SNPs or deionized water then sown in plastic pots containing 5 kg clay-sand mixture (2:1 w/w). A week later, pots received NaCl (100 or 200 mM) as a sole treatment or in combination with SNPs and after three weeks the data of morph-bio-physiological traits were recorded. Salinity decreased growth rate, pigmentation, protein, amino acids, cysteine, ascorbate, flavonoids and phenolics content in wheat leaves. Plants pre-treated with 100 µM SNPs showed improved growth rate, pigmentation, nitrogen metabolism as well as non-enzymatic antioxidant contents as compared with salinized treatments. Neither salt nor SNP treatments affected photosynthetic performance rate (Fv/fm), however both treatments induced glutathione content. SNP treatment retrieved the undue excessive activities of catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) besides the increased level of proline caused by salt stress. Likewise, 100 µM SNPs rebalanced the declined nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium contents and decreased sodium uptake caused by salinity. On the whole, priming with 100 µM SNPs improved photosynthetic pigments, nitrogen metabolism, antioxidant status and ionic relations contributing to the enhancement of growth attributes in wheat under salinity.

Atmospheric methane isotopic record favors fossil sources flat in 1980s and 1990s with recent increase.

Observations of atmospheric methane (CH4) since the late 1970s and measurements of CH4 trapped in ice and snow reveal a meteoric rise in concentration during much of the twentieth century. Since 1750, levels of atmospheric CH4 have more than doubled to current globally averaged concentration near 1,800 ppb. During the late 1980s and 1990s, the CH4 growth rate slowed substantially and was near or at zero between 1999 and 2006. There is no scientific consensus on the drivers of this slowdown. Here, we report measurements of the stable isotopic composition of atmospheric CH4 ((13)C/(12)C and D/H) from a rare air archive dating from 1977 to 1998. Together with more modern records of isotopic atmospheric CH4, we performed a time-dependent retrieval of methane fluxes spanning 25 y (1984-2009) using a 3D chemical transport model. This inversion results in a 24 [18, 27] Tg y(-1) CH4 increase in fugitive fossil fuel emissions since 1984 with most of this growth occurring after year 2000. This result is consistent with some bottom-up emissions inventories but not with recent estimates based on atmospheric ethane. In fact, when forced with decreasing emissions from fossil fuel sources our inversion estimates unreasonably high emissions in other sources. Further, the inversion estimates a decrease in biomass-burning emissions that could explain falling ethane abundance. A range of sensitivity tests suggests that these results are robust.

Chronic Hypertension in Pregnancy: New Concepts for Classification and Management.

Chronic hypertension in pregnancy is traditionally classified according to degree of blood pressure (BP) elevation. Alternatively, stratifying women as high or low risk based on the etiology of hypertension, baseline work-up, and comorbid medical conditions will better inform clinicians about thresholds to initiate antihypertensive therapy, target BPs, frequency of antepartum visits, and timing of delivery. Women classified as high-risk chronic hypertension as described here require stricter BP management and more frequent follow-up visits as their associated rates of adverse maternal and/or fetal/neonatal outcomes appear higher than women classified as low-risk chronic hypertension. The latter group can in most cases be managed similarly to the general obstetric population.

Synthesis of recyclable carbon/lignin biocomposite sorbent for in-situ uptake of BTX contaminants from wastewater.

In this work, both palm-date pits and pulping black liquor industrial wastes were recycled as low-cost starting materials for the production of three series of granule activated carbon (gAC)/Kraft lignin (KL) (gAC/KLx, x = 33, 50 and 67%) biocomposites using a one-pot solid-state method. The gAC/KLx biocomposites with defined characteristics were examined towards batch adsorption of BTX (Benzene, Toluene, and Xylene) in multi-solute salty wastewaters. Optimization of adsorption performances under different experimental conditions were carried out using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Adsorption modeling versus contact time (0-12 h) and BTX concentrations (150-2250 mg/L) were examined using non-linear forms of nine kinetic and five isotherm equations to best understand gAC/KL0.5 suitability for BTX sorption/recovery processing. Accordingly, the gAC/KLx at KL blended ratio of 50% was found to be the topmost to achieve the highest BTX capacity even at broad ranges of water salinity (0-100 g/L) and pH (3-9) values. The adsorption mechanism found to best described by physico-sorption (E ≈ 0.12-1.38 kJ/mol) via the hydrophobic interaction and diffusion mechanisms. In respect to gAC/KL0.5 affinities, the sorption capacity followed the descending sequence of X ≥ T > B. Particularly, the maximum theoretical BTX capacity using the best fitted Langmuir-Freundlich model (L-FM) for gAC/KL0.5 was found to be slightly higher than obtained by gAC (363.9 and 360.1 mg/g, respectively), along with higher initial sorption (h) rate (≈742.47 mg/g.h) than of gAC (≈559.85 mg/g.h) and KL (≈22.22 mg/g.h). Batch BTX sorption/recovery processes and estimated cost suggested the effective utilization of gAC/KL0.5 as a promising in-expensive sorbent (0.31 ±â€¯0.05 US$/kg) for commercial decontamination of petroleum hazardous (BTX) pollutants from wastewaters up to five reuse cycles.

Utilization of blue panic (Panicum antidotale) as an alternative feed resource for feeding Barky sheep in arid regions.

This study aimed at elucidating effects of replacing sorghum with blue panic (BP) on total dry matter intake (TDMI), average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), apparent nutrient digestibility, blood biochemical constituents, rumen fermentation patterns and economic feasibility of Barky male lambs. Fifteen lambs (av. BW, 22.5 ± 1.6 kg) were randomly allotted into 3 treatments (n = 5/group). Control lambs were given a diet of concentrate mixture (CM) plus sorghum (S), BP50% lambs were given a diet of CM plus (S: PB 1:1) and BP100% lambs were given CM plus PB. The experiment lasted for 54 days. At the last week of the experiment, the apparent nutrient digestibility coefficients were determined using lignin contents of feeds and faeces as an internal marker. Blood samples were collected at weeks 3, 5 and 7 to determine serum biochemical parameters. Results showed that TDMI significantly (P < 0.05) influenced by diet, whereas ADG was not affected. Mean FCR values were 5.67, 5.46 and 5.86 for control, BP50% and BP100%, respectively. Neither nutrients digestibility nor ruminal fermentation parameters were affected (P > 0.05) by total replacement of sorghum with BP. Likewise, none of the serum biochemical constituents were different in BP than in control lambs. This study concluded that BP grass would be considered as one of the promising tropical green forages in the arid regions as an alternative feedstuff in case of shortage of green fodders.

Antibacterial activity of Salvadora persica against oral pathogenic bacterial isolates.

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to determine the antibacterial activity of Salvadora persica extract against bacteria isolated from dental plaque of patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Out of 40 different clinical specimens collected from patients suffering from plaque-induced gingivitis, 12 Staphylococcus aureus and 8 Streptococcus sp. isolates were recovered. The isolates were screened for their biofilm-forming capacity using tissue culture plate (TCP), tube method (TM), and congo red agar (CRA) method. Antibacterial activity of methanolic S. persica extract as well as of commercial antimicrobials against tested isolates was performed. High-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) and gas chromatography-MS (GC-MS) analysis were performed for S. persica crude extract and its volatile oil, respectively, to determine their constituents. RESULTS: Out of 20 isolates, 80%, 85%, and 90% showed positive results using TM, CRA, and TCP, respectively. The highest antimicrobial activity of methanolic S. persica extract was observed at 200 mg/ml. HPLC-MS analysis shows many polyphenols in S. persica extract such as Chrysin-8-c-ß-D-glucopyranoside, ferulic acid, gallic acid, and stigmasterol. Chemical composition of the essential oil of S. persica was determined by GC-MS yield; a mixture of monoterpene and hydrocarbons. The major compounds were butylated hydroxytoluene followed by benzene (isothiocyanatomethyl). CONCLUSION: Methanolic extract of S. persica had significant antibacterial effect against S. aureus and Streptococcus sp. isolates, and it may be gave a good alternative method for controlling oral pathogen.

Combination of essential oil and ciprofloxacin to inhibit/eradicate biofilms in multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae.

AIM: This study aimed to test biofilm inhibition activities of each of essential oils (EOs), main compounds of EOs and enzymes against pathogenic Klebsiella pneumoniae. METHODS AND RESULTS: The effect of seven EOs and three enzymes was tested on formation and eradication of K. pneumoniae biofilm. Peppermint oil showed a robust biofilm inhibitory effect, causing inhibition that ranged from 69·2 to 98·2% at 5 µl ml-1 . Thyme oil was found to have the best biofilm eradication ability, causing eradication that ranged from 80·1 to 98·0% at 10 µl ml-1 . The most effective EOs were analysed by GC/MS, to determine the major chemical constitutes of each oil. Pure menthol was found to cause 75·3-97·5% biofilm inhibition at 2·5 µg ml-1 , whereas thymol caused 85·1-97·8% biofilm eradication at 5 µg ml-1 . However, moderate inhibition activity was detected for α-amylase and bromelain, while poor activity was detected for ß-amylase. Ciprofloxacin combination with thyme oil and thymol was found to enhance antibiotic activity, and affect biofilm cell viability. The observed inhibitory/eradication activity on K. pneumoniae biofilms was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. CONCLUSIONS: Thyme and peppermint EOs, and their active components are promising antibiofilm agents alone and/or in combination with ciprofloxacin to inhibit/eradicate biofilms of K. pneumoniae. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The presented results suggest the potential application of EOs against infections, caused by biofilm-producing K. pneumoniae, to prevent biofilm formation or decrease their resistance threshold. Moreover, the combination of EOs with ciprofloxacin minimizes the antibiotic concentration used and accordingly the potential accompanying toxic side effects.