Hydrogeochemical characteristics and air quality risks associated with gold mining operations in Egypt using geochemical modeling and risk indices.

The success of industrial operations depends on the effective identification, appraisal, and mitigation of possible hazards and associated environmental concerns. This report provides a complete review of environmental management techniques at the Sukari Gold Mine (SGM), located in the southeastern desert of Egypt. Extensive environmental measurements were taken to assess air and water quality, identify hazards, and analyze risks on the SGM premises. Air quality and noise intensity levels were measured at 39 places around the mine's working region. The findings found noncompliance with the Egyptian Environmental Law's (EEL4/94) noise exposure limitations, with the Power Generator House having the maximum noise levels at 107 dB. Remedial measures such as personal protective equipment (PPE) and exposure limit reduction strategies are being considered to address elevated noise levels. Measurements of particulate matter (PM10) and noxious gases (e.g., CO, SO2, NO2, HCN, and NH3) were conducted in workplace and ambient environments. Elevated PM10 concentrations were particularly concerning in underground regions, forcing the deployment of water depression techniques and improved PPE measures. While gas emissions from most activities remained under regulatory limits, select zones showed hydrogen cyanide (HCN) levels that exceeded permitted thresholds, necessitating specific control actions. Using hazard index (HI) and risk rating assessments, this study found different risk profiles across SGM's workplaces, focusing on high-risk regions for focused intervention. Additionally, a water assessment near a Tailing Storage Facility (TSF) was conducted to monitor the impact of mining activities on groundwater quality. The study revealed that groundwater in the region belongs to the Na-K-Cl-SO4 and Ca-Mg-Cl-SO4 water classes, with potential degradation attributed to high mineralization processes induced by aquifer materials and seawater intrusion. The findings underscore the importance of ongoing monitoring, control measures, and implementation of programs to ensure environmental sustainability and minimize risks associated with mining activities in the Sukari Gold Mines. This research highlights the imperative of continuous monitoring, proactive control measures, and the implementation of environmental initiatives to ensure the sustainability of mining operations within the Sukari Gold Mines.

Evaluation of Cellular Changes and Immunohistochemistry Expression of p53 and p16 in the Oral Mucosa Among Saudi Smokers.

BACKGROUND: Smoking is a well-known risk factor for various health problems, including oral cancer. P16 and P53 proteins are involved in cell cycle regulation and proliferation, and their expression levels can provide insights into cellular health. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the cellular changes and immunohistochemistry expression of p53 and p16 in the oral mucosa among Saudi smokers. METHOD: In a cross-sectional study obtained by scraping the buccal mucosa, 1000 samples were collected from 2022 to 2023. All of the study's participants were Saudi citizens of both genders. Seven hundred cigarette smokers and 300 nonsmokers made up the controls, using two sampling techniques: initially purposive and then snowball sampling. The materials were subjected to immunohistochemical analysis for P16 and P53 protein overexpression. The samples were scored based on the percentage of positively stained cells and staining intensity. The data were analyzed using SPSS, and categorical variables were identified as frequencies and percentages using the chi-squared test; a value of (P<0.05) was considered significant. RESULT: Cigarette smokers demonstrate significantly higher rates of cytological inflammation, reverse cytological infection, atypia, and binucleated/multinucleated cells compared to nonsmokers, with an overall abnormal result rate of 46% versus 18.7%, respectively (P=0.024). The study found higher P53 and P16 expression among smokers (7.14% and 2.14%, respectively) compared to nonsmokers (0.1% and 0.33%) (P=0.038). No significant differences were observed in P53/P16 expression across age groups (P=0.72) or between male and female participants (P=0.25). CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the detrimental effects of smoking on cellular health and reinforce the importance of smoking cessation in reducing the risk of developing cytological abnormalities and associated diseases. These results highlight the association of smoking with increased biomarker expression, emphasizing its relevance in understanding oral health risks.

Green synthesis of nanosized N,N'-bis(1-naphthylidene)-4,4'-diaminodiphenylmethane and its metal (II) complexes and evaluation of their biological activity.

Condensation of ecofriendly synthesized 4,4'-methanedianiline with 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde produced a (1:1) octopus-like Schiff base mixed ligand. Reaction with Co(OAc)2⋅H2O, NiCl2⋅6H2O, Cu(OAc)2⋅H2O and Zn(OAc)2⋅2H2O metals furnished their complexes in high yield and purity. All new structures were fully characterized by various spectroscopic and spectrometric measurements. The complexes exhibited high thermal stability up to 700 °C, leaving nearly 40% of their mass as residues. Antimicrobial screening results exhibited moderate activities towards all studied microbes. Antioxidant screening was concentration dependent, and their activities were in the order Ni(II) > Zn(II) > Cu(II) > Co(II) complexes. The NO inhibitory effect revealed that the nickel complex exhibited the highest activity, whereas the cobalt complex showed the lowest inhibition. All compounds showed a significant lipid peroxidation inhibitory effect against oxidative stress. The complexes significantly diminished the TBARS level, and the nickel complex exhibited the highest inhibition at p < 0.01. Antioxidants stress the oxidative damage induced by iron, indicating that the nickel complex has the highest reducing activity. The inhibitory effect against acetylcholine esterase showed that the copper complex has the highest activity. Membrane stabilization activities clearly indicated that most compounds can improve the integrity of the cells and stability of their membrane, and this result may be related to their antioxidant capacity to protect against cytotoxicity. The nickel complex exhibited a stronger total antioxidant capacity than the other complexes. The biological and antioxidant capacities of these complexes may make them promising candidates in pharmaceutical applications.

Human Schistosomiasis mansoni associated with hepatocellular carcinoma in Egypt: current perspective.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. It was reported to account for about 4.7 % of chronic liver disease in Egyptian patients. The present study aimed at studying the different factors that may be implicated in the relationship of schistosomiasis mansoni with HCC in Egypt. A total of 75 Egyptian patients with primary liver tumours (HCC) were enrolled in this study. They were subjected to full history taking and indirect hemagglutination assay (IHA) for the diagnosis of schistosomiasis. According to the results, the patients were categorized into two groups: Group I: 29 patients with negative IHA for schistosomiasis and hepatitis C virus (HCV) positive with no history or laboratory evidence of previous or current Schistosoma mansoni infection. Group II: 46 patients with positive IHA for schistosomiasis and HCV positive. The significant higher proportion of HCC patients in the present study had concomitant HCV and schistosomiasis (61.3 %) compared to HCC patients with HCV alone (38.7 %) suggesting that the co-infection had increased the incidence of HCC among these patients. Analysis of the age distribution among HCC patients revealed that patients in Group II were younger in age at time of diagnosis of HCC with mean age 57.1 years, as compared to patients in Group I with mean age 64.3 years with a highly significant statistical difference between the 2 groups. HCC in Group II was more common in rural residents while it was more common in urban areas in Group I with a significant statistical difference between the 2 groups. Analysis of the sex distribution among the studied groups showed that HCC was more common in males than females in both groups. As regards the aggression of HCC, it was more commonly multifocal and larger in size in patients with concomitant infection than in patients with HCV alone.

Schistosoma mansoni infection: is it a risk factor for development of hepatocellular carcinoma?

The burden of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Egypt has been increasing with a doubling in the incidence rate in the past 10 years, which necessitates the investigation of the possible risk factors to its development. The present study aimed at investigating the role of Schistosoma mansoni infection as a risk factor for development of HCC. Five hundred parasite free mice were categorized into four groups: Group I (induction of carcinoma by diethylnitrosamine (DEN)), Group II (DEN+Infection), Group III (Infection) and Group IV (Control). Groups I and II were further subdivided into 4 subgroups according to the dose of DEN given. Serum samples from each group were examined for levels of tumor markers alpha fetoprotein (AFP) and ferritin by ELISA, then mice were sacrificed and subjected to histopathological examination of their livers. These were repeated every week till the end of the experiment. The results of the histopathological examination clarified the role of S. mansoni in enhancing and aggravating the carcinogenic effect of DEN; dysplastic changes appeared earlier, with a higher grade and with a smaller dose of DEN in Group II compared to Group I. Serum levels of tumor markers showed earlier statistically significant differences in Group II than in Group I when compared to Group IV. We conclude that S. mansoni accelerates hepatic dysplastic changes in the presence of other risk factors making cancer appear early and with a more aggressive nature, compared to the same risk in absence of schistosomiasis.