Intrinsic relationship of outdoor activities between climate change and coastal management: Fresh evidence from the spatial analysis of China.

By utilizing the mediation effect model and the spatial Durbin model, this research investigates the influence that environmental restrictions have had on marine pollution in 38 coastal prefecture-level cities from the years 2000-2018. In order to gain a comprehensive understanding of the effect that environmental legislation has on contamination in offshore regions as well as its primary goal, the research takes a variety of different approaches into consideration. Following are the findings from the study; Firstly, pollution levels in coastal marine areas tend to rise at first and then fall when environmental laws are enacted, illustrating a non-linear pattern known as an inverted "U" shape. In order to improve the maritime environment through environmental legislation, it is crucial to support new green technologies. There is a "U" shaped linkage amongst environmental legislation and development of environmentally friendly technologies. Spatial spillover effects may allow for the regulation of coastal city environments to affect marine pollution in neighboring areas. Secondly, there is also an inverted "U" pattern visible in the impact trajectory of this effect. According to the results of this research, it is crucial to set up a strict and factually sound regulatory framework in the field of marine environmental governance. It is also suggested that local context be taken into account while crafting environmental regulating regulations. Also, it's crucial to promote development, dissemination, and use of green technology by completely capitalizing on the innovation's conduction effect. Thirdly, promoting cooperation efforts among areas to avoid and control such pollution is essential, and the transfer and management of offshore pollution between regions must be a top priority.

Study of gene polymorphisms in Toll-like receptor 2 in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Objectives: Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) is a multifactorial disease that results from the interaction between multiple genetic factors. ALL is characterized by uncontrolled production of hematopoietic precursor cells of the lymphoid progenitors within the bone marrow. The development of hematological malignancies has been associated with malignant-like cells that express low levels of immunogenic surface molecules, thus, facilitating their escape from cellular antineoplastic immune responses. This risk may be partly influenced by variations in polymorphic genes that control immune function and regulation. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are well known pattern recognition receptors playing key role in innate immune response. Abnormal expression and dysregulation of TLRs will provide an opportunity for cancer cells to escape from the immune system and enhance their proliferation and angiogenesis. Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) play an essential role in innate immunity. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are present in a number of TLR genes and have been associated with various disorders. Methods: In this study, 265 subjects have been divided into two groups included 150 patients with ALL and115 healthy volunteers. All subjects were genotyped using TaqMan PCR techniques. In total, Five SNPs were statistically evaluated in the TLR2 (rs1898830 A/G, rs3804099 T/C, rs3804100 T/C, rs1339 T/C, and rs1337 C/G), which may influence the susceptibility of ALL. Minor allele frequency and genotype distribution were compared across the study groups, and the relative risk and differences between patients and controls were estimated. Moreover, the mRNA expression level was evaluated in patients with ALL and the matched healthy individuals by Real-Time Quantitative Reverse Transcription PCR (qRT-PCR). Results: TLR2 rs1898830 A/G; rs3804099 T/C; rs3804100 T/C; rs1339 T/C, were significantly decrease the risk in our population, overall and for certain subtypes and ALL samples exhibited significant increase in the mRNA levels of TLR2. Conclusions: This study shows that TLR2 could be an independent prognostic factor of ALL risks in the Saudi population. Suggesting that genetic variation in genes associated with an immune response may be important in the etiology of ALL. In addition, the results herein revealed that TLR2 overexpression is associated with ALL and has diverse biological significance in the context of the complex relationship between inflammation and cancer development. Therefore, these data could open further studies to explore the possible clinical relevance of TLRs as pathological markers for Leukemia and enhance the strategies regarding hematological malignancies prevention based on their gene expression.

Cellular patterning and cyto-architectural organization of the skin of electric catfish (Malapterurus electricus, Siluriformes) with a particular emphasis on its ampullary electroreceptor.

The functional morphology of the skin of Malapteruridae is presumably evolved to cope with a diversified range of ambient physiological, environmental, and behavioral conditions. Herein, we firstly characterized the microstructures and intriguing patterning of the skin of twelve adult electric catfish (Malapterurus electricus, Malapteruridae) using histological, histochemical, immunofluorescent, and ELISA standard methodology. The skin comprises three sequentially-oriented layers: the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis with a significantly increased thickness of the former. The epidermis contains four types of cells: the surface epithelial cells, mucous cells, granular cells, and club cells. We defined distinctive ampullary electroreceptors in the outer epidermis that possess flask-shaped sensory crypt containing electroreceptor cells together with vertical collagen rods. Dermis and hypodermis are composed of connective tissue; however, the former is much more coarse and dense with comparable reactivity for Masson-Goldner trichrome (MT). Placing our data in the context of the limited body of previous work, we showed subtle changes in the expression of mucin subunits together with cytoskeletal fractions of collagens, myosin, F-actin, keratins, and tubulins. Taken as a whole, our results convincingly showed that the skin of M. electricus shares some structural similarities to other Siluriformes, however, it has some functional modifications that are implicated in protection, defense, and foraging behavior.

Genomic Exploration: Unraveling the Intricacies of Indica Rice Oryza sativa L. Germin-Like Protein Gene 12-3 (OsGLP12-3) Promoter via Cloning, Sequencing, and In Silico Analysis.

Germin and Germin-like proteins (GLPs) are a class of plant proteins that are part of the Cupins superfamily, found in several plant organs including roots, seeds, leaves, and nectar glands. They play a crucial role in plant defense against pathogens and environmental stresses. Herein, this study focused on the promoter analysis of OsGLP12-3 in rice cultivar Swat-1 to elucidate its regulation and functions. The region (1863bp) of the OsGLP12-3 promoter from Swat-1 genomic DNA was amplified, purified, quantified, and cloned using Topo cloning technology, followed by sequencing. Further in silico comparative analysis was conducted between the OsGLP12-3 promoters from Nipponbare and Swat-1 using the Plant CARE database, identifying 24 cis-acting regulatory elements with diverse functions. These elements exhibited distinct distribution patterns in the 2 rice varieties. The OsGLP12-3 promoter revealed an abundance of regulatory elements associated with biotic and abiotic stress responses. Computational tools were employed to analyze the regulatory features of this region. In silico expression analysis of OsGLP12-3, considering various developmental stages, stress conditions, hormones, and expression timing, was performed using the TENOR tool. Pairwise alignment indicated 86% sequence similarity between Nipponbare and Swat-1. Phylogenetic analysis was conducted to explore the evolutionary relationship between the OsGLP12-3 and other plant GLPs. Additionally, 2 unique regulatory elements were modeled and docked, GARE and MBS to understand their hydrogen bonding interactions in gene regulation. The study highlights the importance of OsGLP12-3 in plant defense against biotic and abiotic stresses, supported by its expression patterns in response to various stressors and the presence of specific regulatory elements within its promoter region.

Photodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on soil surface: Kinetics and quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) model development.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have attracted much attention because of their widespread existence and toxicity. Photodegradation is the main natural decay process of PAHs in soil. The photodegradation kinetics of benzopyrene (BaP) on 16 kinds of soils and 10 kinds of PAHs on Hebei (HE) soil were studied. The results showed that BaP had the highest degradation rate in Shaanxi (SN) soil (kobs = 0.11 min-1), and anthracene (Ant) was almost completely degraded after 16 h of irradiation in HE soil. Two quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) models were established by the multiple linear regression (MLR) method. The developed QSAR models have good stability, robustness and predictability. The model revealed that the main factors affecting the photodegradation of PAHs are soil organic matter (SOM) and the energy gap between the highest occupied molecular orbital and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (Egap). SOM can function as a photosensitizer to induce the production of active species for photodegradation, thus favoring the photodegradation of PAHs. In addition, compounds with lower Egap are less stable and more reactive, and thus are more prone to photodegradation. Finally, the QSAR model was optimized using machine learning approach. The results of this study provide basic information on the photodegradation of PAHs and have important significance for predicting the environmental behavior of PAHs in soil.

Silver incorporated SeTe nanoparticles with enhanced photothermal and photodynamic properties for synergistic effects on anti-bacterial activity and wound healing.

Bacteria invade the host's immune system, thereby inducing serious infections. Current treatments for bacterial infections mostly rely on single modalities, which cannot completely inhibit bacteria. This study evaluates the therapeutic potential of SeTe-Ag NPs, designed with excellent photo responsiveness, with a particular focus on their dual-action antibacterial effect and wound healing properties. SeTe-Ag NPs exhibited promising synergistic antibacterial effects due to their superior photothermal and photodynamic properties. The investigation records substantial zones of inhibition of bacteria, demonstrating potent antibacterial effect. Furthermore, upon the irradiation of near-infrared (NIR) light, SeTe-Ag NPs exhibit remarkable antibiofilm and wound-healing capabilities. Overall, this study shows the applications of NIR-active SeTe-Ag NPs, which serve as a versatile platform for biomedical applications.

Enhanced removal of bisphenol S in ozone/peroxymonosulfate system: Kinetics, intermediates and reaction mechanism.

The degradation process of bisphenol S (BPS) in ozone/peroxymonosulfate (O3/PMS) system was systematically explored. The results showed that the removal efficiency of BPS by O3 could be significantly improved with addition of PMS. Compared with ozonation alone, the pseudo-first-order constant (kobs) was increased by 2-5 times after adding 400 µM PMS. In O3/PMS system, accelerated removal of BPS was observed under neutral and alkaline conditions. The removal efficiency of BPS reached 100% after 40 s of reaction at pH 7.0, with the kobs of 0.098 s-1. Moreover, Cu2+ had a catalytic effect on the O3/PMS system, because it could catalyze the decomposition of ozone and PMS to produce •OH and SO4•-, respectively. Electron paramagnetic resonance illustrated that •OH and SO4•- were the reactive species in O3/PMS system. Twelve intermediates were identified by mass spectrometry, and the degradation reactions in O3/PMS system mainly included hydroxylation, sulfate addition, polymerization and ß-scission. Finally, the toxicity of the products was evaluated by the EOCSAR program. Our results introduce an efficient method for BPS removal and would provide some guidance for the development of O3-based advanced oxidation technology.

NIR light-activated nanocomposites combat biofilm formation and enhance antibacterial efficacy for improved wound healing.

Nanoparticle-based therapies are emerging as a pivotal frontier in biomedical research, showing their potential in combating infections and facilitating wound recovery. Herein, selenium-tellurium dopped copper oxide nanoparticles (SeTe-CuO NPs) with dual photodynamic and photothermal properties were synthesized, presenting an efficient strategy for combating bacterial infections. In vitro evaluations revealed robust antibacterial activity of SeTe-CuO NPs, achieving up to 99% eradication of bacteria and significant biofilm inhibition upon near-infrared (NIR) irradiation. Moreover, in vivo studies demonstrated accelerated wound closure upon treatment with NIR-activated SeTe-CuO NPs, demonstrating their efficacy in promoting wound healing. Furthermore, SeTe-CuO NPs exhibited rapid bacterial clearance within wounds, offering a promising solution for wound care. Overall, this versatile platform holds great promise for combating multidrug-resistant bacteria and advancing therapeutic interventions in wound management.

Exploring the Combined Effect of Exercise and Apigenin on Aluminium-Induced Neurotoxicity in Zebrafish.

Aluminium (AL) is a strong environmental neurotoxin linked to neurodegenerative disorders. Widespread industrial use leads to its presence in water systems, causing bioaccumulation in organisms. This, in turn, results in the bioaccumulation of AL in various organisms. Several studies have highlighted the benefits of enhanced physical activity in combating neurodegenerative diseases. Meanwhile widespread presence of apigenin in aquatic environment has been largely overlooked, in terms of its potential to counter AL-induced neurotoxicity. The combined impact of exercise and apigenin in mitigating the effects of AL-induced neurotoxicity in aquatic animals remains unexplored. Hence, the objective of this study is to determine whether the combined treatment of exercise and apigenin can effectively alleviate the chronic neurotoxicity induced by AL. Zebrafish that were exposed to AL showed behaviours resembling anxiety, increased aggression, unusual swimming pattern, and memory impairment, which are typical features observed in Alzheimer's disease (AD)-like syndrome. Combined treatment of exercise and apigenin protects zebrafish from AL-induced neurotoxicity, which was measured by improvements in memory, reduced anxiety and aggression, and increased levels of antioxidant enzymes and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. Furthermore, AL exposure is associated with increased expression of genes related to neuroinflammation and AD. However, synergistic effect of exercise and apigenin counteract this effect in AL-treated zebrafish. These findings suggest that AL is involved in neurodegenerative diseases in fish, which could affect the integrity of aquatic ecosystem. Hence, there is a strong correlation between enhanced physical activity, apigenin, and the well-being of the ecosystem.

Degradation of Butylated Hydroxyanisole by the Combined Use of Peroxymonosulfate and Ferrate(VI): Reaction Kinetics, Mechanism and Toxicity Evaluation.

Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), a synthetic phenolic antioxidant (SPA), is now widely present in natural waters. To improve the degradation efficiency of BHA and reduce product toxicity, a combination of peroxymonosulfate (PMS) and Ferrate(VI) (Fe(VI)) was used in this study. We systematically investigated the reaction kinetics, mechanism and product toxicity in the degradation of BHA through the combined use of PMS and Fe(VI). The results showed that PMS and Fe(VI) have synergistic effects on the degradation of BHA. The effects of operational factors, including PMS dosage, pH and coexisting ions (Cl-, SO42-, HCO3-, K+, NH4+ and Mg2+), and different water matrices were investigated through a series of kinetic experiments. When T = 25 °C, the initial pH was 8.0, the initial BHA concentration was 100 µM, the initial concentration ratio of [PMS]0:[Fe(VI)]0:[BHA]0 was 100:1:1 and the degradation rate could reach 92.4% within 30 min. Through liquid chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-TOF-MS) identification, it was determined that the oxidation pathway of BHA caused by PMS/Fe(VI) mainly includes hydroxylation, ring-opening and coupling reactions. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations indicated that •OH was most likely to attack BHA and generate hydroxylated products. The comprehensive comparison of product toxicity results showed that the PMS/Fe(VI) system can effectively reduce the environmental risk of a reaction. This study contributes to the development of PMS/Fe(VI) for water treatment applications.

Parasitological, Serological and Molecular Prevalence of Trypanosoma evansi among Arabian Camels (Camelus dromedaries) with Evaluation of Antitrypanosomal Drugs.

PURPOSE: This study was carried out to assess the prevalence of Trypanosoma evansi infection in naturally diseased Dromedary camels in Dammam, Eastern region of Saudi Arabia. The detection of Trypanosoma evansi was performed using the parasitological, serological, and molecular diagnosis and a comparison between such methods were analyzed. In addition, evaluation of therapeutic efficacy of selected antitrypanosomal drugs, cymelarsan and quinapyrmine (aquin-1.5), was trialed for treatment of diagnosed infected cases. METHODS: A total 350 randomly selected camels were evaluated using thin blood smear (TBS), RoTat1.2 PCR and CATT/T. evansi techniques. RESULTS: The total prevalence was 6.9%, 7.7%, and 32.8% by TBS, RoTat1.2 PCR and CATT/T. evansi techniques, respectively. Although PCR detect T. evansi in more samples than TBS, the agreement was good (K = 0.9). Among the CATT/T. evansi results, PCR detect T. evansi in 12 and 15 CATT positive and negative camels, respectively, with low agreement (Kappa = 0.1). The use of cymelarsan and quinapyramine sulfate in the treatment of naturally infected cases demonstrated a very efficient therapeutic response. CONCLUSION: It was found that 1. Comparing the CATT/T. evansi and PCR results, the positivity of CATT was higher than PCR detection, while the agreement was poor (K = 0.1). 2. Cymelarsan and aquin-1.5 proved to be effective in the treatment of naturally infected camels, but cymelarsan presented with higher effectiveness (100%) than aquin-treated camels (83.3%). a 3. The use of cymelarsan and CATT is recommended for disease treatment and control.

Determination of dose- and time-dependent hepatotoxicity and apoptosis of Lanthanum oxide nanoparticles in female Swiss albino mice.

Nanosized lanthanum oxide particles (La2O3) are commonly utilized in various industries. The potential health risks associated with La2O3 nanoparticles, cytotoxic effects at varying doses and time intervals, and the mechanisms behind their induction of behavioral changes remain uncertain and necessitate further investigation. Therefore, this study examined in vivo hepatotoxicity, considering the quantity (60, 150, and 300 mg/kg) and time-dependent induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) over one week or 21 days. The mice received intraperitoneal injections of three different concentrations in Milli-Q water. Throughout the experiments, no physical changes or weight loss were observed among the groups. However, after 21 days, only the highest concentration showed signs of anxiety in the activity cage (p < 0.05). Subsequently, all animals treated with La2O3 NPs exhibited a significant loss of learning and memory recall using the Active Avoidances test, after 21 days (p < 0.001). Markers for anti-reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) were significantly upregulated in response to all concentrations of NPs after seven days compared to the control group. This was confirmed by a significant increase in glutathione peroxidase (Gpx1) and pro-apoptotic Caspase-3 expression at the lowest and highest doses. Additionally, both transcription and protein levels of the anti-apoptotic BCL-2 surpassed P53 protein in a dosage-dependent manner, indicating activation of the primary anti-apoptosis pathway. After 21 days, P53 levels exceeded BCL-2 protein levels, confirming a significant loss of BCL-2 mRNA, particularly at the 300 mg/kg concentration. Furthermore, a higher transcription level of Caspase-3, SOD, and Gpx1 was observed, with the highest values detected at the 300 mg/kg concentration, indicating the activation of cell death. Histopathological analysis of the liver illustrated apoptotic bodies resulting from La2O3 NP concentration. The investigation revealed multiple inflammatory foci, cytoplasmic degeneration, steatosis, and DNA fragmentation consistent with increased damage over time due to higher concentrations. Blood samples were also analyzed to determine liver enzymatic changes, including alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and lipid profiles. The results showed significant differences among all La2O3 NP concentrations, with the most pronounced damage observed at the 300 mg/kg dose even after 21 days. Based on an animal model, this study suggests that La2O3 hepatotoxicity is likely caused by the size and shape of nanoparticles (NPs), following a dose and time-dependent mechanism that induces the production of reactive oxygen species and behavioral changes such as anxiety and memory loss.

Advanced Equilibrium Modeling for the Synergetic Effect of ß-Cyclodextrin Integration on the Adsorption Efficiency of Methyl Parathion by ß-Cyclodextrin/Exfoliated Kaolinite Nanocomposite.

Exfoliated kaolinite nanosheets (EXK) and their hybridization with ß-cyclodextrin (ß-CD/EXK) were evaluated as potential-enhanced adsorbents of methyl parathion (MP) in synergetic investigations to determine the effects of the different modification procedures. The adsorption behaviors were described on the basis of the energetic steric and energetic factors of the specific advanced equilibrium models (monolayer model of one energy). The functionalization process with ß-CD enhanced the adsorption behaviors of MP considerably to 350.6 mg/g in comparison to EXK (291.7 mg/g) and natural kaolinite (K) (244.7 mg/g). The steric studies revealed a remarkable improvement in the quantities of the existing receptors after exfoliation (Nm = 134.4 mg/g) followed by ß-CD hybridization (Nm = 162.3 mg/g) as compared to K (75.7 mg/g), which was reflected in the determined adsorption capacities of MP. Additionally, each active free site of ß-CD/EXK can adsorb about 3 molecules of MP, which occur in a vertical orientation by types of multimolecular mechanisms. The energetic investigations of Gaussian energy (<8.6 kJ/mol) and adsorption energy (<40 kJ/mol) validate the physical adsorption of MP, which might involve the cooperation of dipole bonding forces, van der Waals, and hydrogen bonding. The properties and entropy values, free enthalpy, and intern energy as the investigated thermodynamic functions declared the exothermic and spontaneous behaviors of the MP adsorption.

Samsum ant venom modulates the immune response and redox status at the acute toxic dose in vivo

Background:Ant venoms express surface molecules that participate in antigen presentation involving pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. This work aims to investigate the expression of MHC-II, CD80 and CD86 on the polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) in rats injected with samsum ant venom (SAV).Methods:Rats were divided into three groups - control, SAV-treated (intraperitoneal route, 600 μg/kg), and SAV-treated (subcutaneous route, 600 μg/kg). After five doses, animals were euthanized and samples collected for analysis.Results:The subcutaneous SAV-trated rats presented decreased levels of glutathione with increased cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Intraperitoneal SAV-treated animals displayed significantly reduced concentrations of both IFN-γ and IL-17 in comparison with the control group. However, intraperitoneal and subcutaneous SAV-treated rats were able to upregulate the expressions of MHC-II, CD80 and CD86 on PMNs in comparison with the control respectively. The histological examination showed severe lymphocyte depletion in the splenic white pulp of the intraperitoneal SAV-injected rats.Conclusion:Stimulation of PMNs by SAV leads to upregulation of MHC-II, CD 80, and CD 86, which plays critical roles in antigen presentation and consequently proliferation of T-cells. Subcutaneous route was more efficient than intraperitoneal by elevating MHC-II, CD80 and CD86 expression, disturbing oxidative stability and increasing lipogram concentration.

Obsessive compulsive phenomenology in a sample of Egyptian adolescent population

Background and Objectives: Obsessive symptoms among children and adolescent age groups are increasing, an observation made by mental health professionals working with this age group. Our epidemiological study targeted secondary school students to estimate the prevalence of obsessive symptoms, obsessive compulsive disorder and their different obsessive compulsive contents. Methods: The study is cross sectional carried on 1299 secondary school students, the sample size was chosen based on an estimated Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) prevalence of 2% in literature. Equal samples were recruited from the 3 educative zones in Alexandria Governorate. Obsessive compulsive symptoms were assessed by the Arabic version of Lyeton obsessive inventory child version LOI-CV. Students scoring above 35 were subjected to the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview for children MINI-KID Arabic. OCD patient students detected by MINI-KID were assessed by psychiatric interview to confirm fulfilling criteria of OCD according to DSM IV-TR criteria. Different obsessive compulsive symptoms were assessed by a standardized questionnaire. Results: Among the studied sample (n = 1299), 201 students scored > 35 on LOI-CV i.e. 15.5% of the total sample have OCS. The prevalence of OCD among studied sample was 2.2% as 29 students from the OCS students were fulfilling diagnostic criteria for OCD according to DSM-IV TR. Common obsessive symptoms were of excessive conscience 65.5%, blasphemous 55.2%, repeated words 51.7% and sexual obsessions 48.2%. Conclusions: The prevalence of obsessive compulsive symptoms is high among adolescent age group. Cultural impact should be considered to better understand obsessive phenomenology, raising the importance of OCD study from a transcultural perspective (AU)

The A1 allele of the DRD2 TaqA1/A2 polymorphism as risk factor for PTSD

Background and Objectives: Dopaminergic neurotransmission is implicated in stress responses. The dopamine D2 receptor gene (DRD2) has been studied by the authors to assess its possible role as a predictor of those who are at a higher risk to develop PTSD after major psychological trauma. Methods: Over one year period 75 children and adolescents 6-18 yrs of age who had been exposed to moderate to severe burns were recruited from the burn unit at the Alexandria University Hospital for the study. Patients and their family were interviewed within the first 10 days of exposure. After signing a written consent form a 2 ml blood sample was obtained for genetic studies of the TaqA1/A2 polymorphism site of the DRD2 gene. Patients were reevaluated three and six months later for assessment of PTSD. Results: Among the 75 children recruited in the study, 26 died due to their burn injury, 19 dropped out as parents refused follow up and 30 continued the study follow up visits. Fourteen carried the A1A2 genotype. Of these 11 (78.6%) developed PTSD. Sixteen carried the A2A2 genotype. Of these only one child (6.3%) developed PTSD. The results were significant at p < 0.001 with a relative risk 12.5. Conclusions: Following exposure to severe stress, the presence of the Taq A1 allele of the DRD2 gene results in a significant increase in the risk of developing PTSD (AU)