Exploitation of Sugarcane Bagasse and Environmentally Sustainable Production, Purification, Characterization, and Application of Lovastatin by Aspergillus terreus AUMC 15760 under Solid-State Conditions.

Using the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region for identification, three strains of Aspergillus terreus were identified and designated AUMC 15760, AUMC 15762, and AUMC 15763 for the Assiut University Mycological Centre culture collection. The ability of the three strains to manufacture lovastatin in solid-state fermentation (SSF) using wheat bran was assessed using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). The most potent strain was strain AUMC 15760, which was chosen to ferment nine types of lignocellulosic waste (barley bran, bean hay, date palm leaves, flax seeds, orange peels, rice straw, soy bean, sugarcane bagasse, and wheat bran), with sugarcane bagasse turning out to be the best substrate. After 10 days at pH 6.0 at 25 °C using sodium nitrate as the nitrogen source and a moisture content of 70%, the lovastatin output reached its maximum quantity (18.2 mg/g substrate). The medication was produced in lactone form as a white powder in its purest form using column chromatography. In-depth spectroscopy examination, including 1H, 13C-NMR, HR-ESI-MS, optical density, and LC-MS/MS analysis, as well as a comparison of the physical and spectroscopic data with published data, were used to identify the medication. At an IC50 of 69.536 ± 5.73 µM, the purified lovastatin displayed DPPH activity. Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis had MICs of 1.25 mg/mL, whereas Candida albicans and Candida glabrata had MICs of 2.5 mg/mL and 5.0 mg/mL, respectively, against pure lovastatin. As a component of sustainable development, this study offers a green (environmentally friendly) method for using sugarcane bagasse waste to produce valuable chemicals and value-added commodities.

A Comprehensive In Silico Study of New Metabolites from Heteroxenia fuscescens with SARS-CoV-2 Inhibitory Activity.

Chemical investigation of the total extract of the Egyptian soft coral Heteroxenia fuscescens, led to the isolation of eight compounds, including two new metabolites, sesquiterpene fusceterpene A (1) and a sterol fuscesterol A (4), along with six known compounds. The structures of 1-8 were elucidated via intensive studies of their 1D, 2D-NMR, and HR-MS analyses, as well as a comparison of their spectral data with those mentioned in the literature. Subsequent comprehensive in-silico-based investigations against almost all viral proteins, including those of the new variants, e.g., Omicron, revealed the most probable target for these isolated compounds, which was found to be Mpro. Additionally, the dynamic modes of interaction of the putatively active compounds were highlighted, depending on 50-ns-long MDS. In conclusion, the structural information provided in the current investigation highlights the antiviral potential of H. fuscescens metabolites with 3ß,5α,6ß-trihydroxy steroids with different nuclei against SARS-CoV-2, including newly widespread variants.

The Antioxidant and Antitumor Efficiency of Litophyton sp. Extract in DMH-Induced Colon Cancer in Male Rats.

One of the most common tumors to cause death worldwide is colon cancer. This study aims to investigate the antitumor potency of Litophyton sp. methanolic extract (LME) against DMH-induced colon cancer in adult male rats. Group (1) normal rats served as the control, group (2) normal rats were ip-injected with LME at a dose of 100 µg/kg/day, group (3) DMH-induced colon cancer animals, and group (4) colon cancer-modeled animals were treated with LME (100 µg/kg/day) for six weeks. The results revealed that injection of LME markedly regenerated the colon cancer pathophysiological disorders; this was monitored from the significant reduction in the values of serum biomarkers (CEA, CA19.9, AFP), cytokines (TNF-α and IL1ß), and biochemical measurements (ALAT, ASAT, urea, creatinine, cholesterol, and triglycerides) matched significant increase of apoptotic biomarkers (CD4+); similarly, colon DNA fragmentation, MDA, and NO levels were down-regulated. In contrast, a remarkable upregulation in colon SOD, GPx, GSH, and CAT levels was noted. Moreover, the colon histopathological architecture showed obvious regenerations. Chromatography of LME resulted in the purification of two polyhydroxylated steroids (1 and 2) with potential cytotoxic activities. LME performed therapeutic potential colon tumorigenesis; therefore, LME may have a promising chemo-preventive feature against colon cancer, probably via enhancement of the apoptosis pathway, improvement of the immune response, reduction of inflammation, or/and restoration of the impaired oxidative stress.

Ellagitannins and simple phenolics from the halophytic plant Tamarix nilotica.

Three new [nilotinins M8‒M10 (1‒3)] and two known [tamarixinin A (4) and gemin D (5)] ellagitannins and seven simple phenolics [gallic acid (6), methyl gallate (7), 3,4-di-O-methylgallic acid (8), ellagic acid (9), 3-O-methylellagic acid (10), methyl ferulate 3-O-sulphate (11), and 7,4'-di-O-methylkaempferol (12)] were isolated from the halophytic plant Tamarix nilotica (Ehrenb.) Bunge (Tamaricaceae). Their structures were determined based on intensive spectroscopic studies and comparisons with reported data. Compounds 4, and 6-8 were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against lung adenocarcinoma cell line (A549) and anti-leishmanial activity against Leishmania major. Compounds 4, 6 and 7 showed promising cytotoxic properties against A549 (IC50 29 ± 2.3, 10.5 ± 0.7, and 20.7 ± 1.9 µg/mL), while compounds 4 and 7 showed higher growth-inhibitory effects against L. major promastigotes (IC50 40.5 ± 2.7 and 38.4 ± 2.5 µg/mL), as compared with the standards doxorubicin (IC50 0.42 µg/mL) and miltefosine (IC50 9.43 µg/mL), respectively.

Antileishmanial and lung adenocarcinoma cell toxicity of Withania somnifera (Linn.) dunal root and fruit extracts.

This study aims to evaluate the anti-Leishmania major and the lung adenocarcinoma (A549) cytotoxicity of Withania somnifera root and fruit. The total extracts were obtained by homogenisation in aqueous MeOH, and the sub-extracts [n-hexane, ethyl acetate (EtOAc), n-butanol (n-BuOH), and methanol (MeOH)] were obtained by flash chromatography. The activity evaluation showed that n-BuOH sub-extracts from root and fruit exhibited noticeable antileishmanial promastigote properties. The n-hexane and EtOAc sub-extracts from both organs, and the MeOH sub-extract from the fruit exerted mild to moderate effects on the promastigotes. In-vitro growth-inhibitory test results on axenic amastigote and cytotoxicity testing on macrophages (RAW264.7), the parasite-host at the amastigote stage, revealed that the activity was mainly concentrated in the root EtOAc and n-BuOH sub-extracts and to a lesser extent the fruit MeOH and EtOAc, and the root n-hexane sub-extracts. Only the roots' EtOAc and n-BuOH sub-extracts demonstrated low cytotoxicity on the A549 cell line.

Diterpenes and sterols from the Red Sea soft coral Sarcophyton trocheliophorum and their cytotoxicity and anti-leishmanial activities.

The ethyl acetate and dichloromethane-soluble fractions, from a soft coral Sarcophyton trocheliophorum total methanolic extract, exhibited significant anti-leishmanial and cytotoxic activities. These active fractions yielded a new cembranoid diterpene (1), two known analogues [sarcotrocheliol (2) and sarcophine (3)], and two sterols [(24S)-24-methylcholesterol (4) and gorgosterol (5)]. The structure of the new diterpene (1) was determined via a detailed analysis of its spectroscopic data. Compounds 3 and 5 demonstrated noticeable cytotoxicity on A549 (IC50 17.4 ± 1.9 µg/ml) and HepG2 (IC50 17.7 ± 1.5 µg/ml) cell lines, respectively. None of the isolates 1‒5 showed detectable anti-leishmanial activity (IC50 >100 µg/ml).

Cytotoxicity and chemical profiling of the Red Sea soft corals Litophyton arboreum.

The objective of this research was to evaluate the cytotoxic activities of the fractions and isolated compounds of the soft corals Litophyton arboreum against A549, MCF-7 and HepG2 cell lines by MTT assay method, and to chemically investigate the various metabolites of its total extract using LC-HR-ESI-MS metabolomic profiling. The metabolomic profiling revealed the presence of various metabolites, mainly sesquiterpenes and steroids reported for the first time in L. arboreum. Additionally, eight compounds (1-8) have been isolated from the n-hexane-chloroform (1:1) fraction that exhibited noticeable activity towards A549, MCF-7 and HepG2 cell lines. The steroids (5 and 6), and the sesquiterpene (1) exerted noticeable activity against A549 cell line (IC50 28.5 ± 4.4, 36.9 ± 2.9 and 67.3 ± 9.9 µM/mL, respectively) compared to etoposide as standard cytotoxic agent (IC50 48.3 ± 7.6 µM/mL). Compound 6 also exhibited cytotoxicity against MCF-7 cell line (IC50 55.3 ± 4.9 µM/mL).

Cytotoxic polyhydroxy sterols from the Egyptian Red Sea soft coral Sarcophyton acutum.

The methanolic extract and its sub-extracts (viz, n-hexane, DCM, EtOAc and MeOH) of the soft coral Sarcophyton acutum were evaluated as anti-Leishmania major and as anticancer (against the HepG2, MCF-7, and A549 cell lines) using the MTT assay. Six polyhydroxy sterols (1-6) were isolated from the most active cytotoxic and anti-leishmanial EtOAc-soluble fraction. Their structures were established as two new polyhydroxy sterols, acutumosterols A (1) and B (2), and four known structural analogues (3-6) by intensive spectroscopic analyses, and by comparison with data of related compounds. Compound 4 exerted noticeable cytotoxicity against HepG2 cell line (IC50 17.2 ± 1.5 µg/mL), while the other pure isolates showed weak to moderate cytotoxicity (24.8 ± 2.8-57.2 ± 5.2). The results were discussed in relation to the structural features of these closely related sterols.

Field data-based mathematical modeling by Bode equations and vector fitting algorithm for renewable energy applications.

The power system always has several variations in its profile due to random load changes or environmental effects such as device switching effects when generating further transients. Thus, an accurate mathematical model is important because most system parameters vary with time. Curve modeling of power generation is a significant tool for evaluating system performance, monitoring and forecasting. Several numerical techniques compete to fit the curves of empirical data such as wind, solar, and demand power rates. This paper proposes a new modified methodology presented as a parametric technique to determine the system's modeling equations based on the Bode plot equations and the vector fitting (VF) algorithm by fitting the experimental data points. The modification is derived from the familiar VF algorithm as a robust numerical method. This development increases the application range of the VF algorithm for modeling not only in the frequency domain but also for all power curves. Four case studies are addressed and compared with several common methods. From the minimal RMSE, the results show clear improvements in data fitting over other methods. The most powerful features of this method is the ability to model irregular or randomly shaped data and to be applied to any algorithms that estimating models using frequency-domain data to provide state-space or transfer function for the model.

Studies on granuloma formation in Syrian hamsters experimentally infected with Schistosoma mansoni.

The formation of granuloma in Syrian hamsters was studied. The granulomatous reaction started with accumulation of T-cells which subsequently attract the eosinophils by their products, then aggregation of eosinophils and neutrophils around the living egg(s) to destroy egg shell. Consequently, the eosinophils immediately attack the miracidium and release their cytotoxic products to dissolve it. Later on, the macrophages accumulate, in cooperation with eosinophils, release their fibrogenic factors, stimulate the formation of granulomatous tissue and ultimately fibrosis takes place. The dissolving of both egg shell and miracidium by eosinophilic products proves their ability to deal with both egg shell (hard part) and the miracidium itself (soft part) and this confirms their great ability to play a main role in the immunity against helminthic infection. The different morphological variations of the granuloma are included and the role of other inflammatory cells is also discussed.

Psammomys obesus Cretzschmar, 1828 and zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in Sinai Peninsula, Egypt.

In the Middle East, the fat sand rat Psammomys obesus is the most important reservoir host of zoonotic cutaneous leishmamiasis (ZCL). It is the most incriminated host in outbreaks. Two P. obesus caught in Wadi El Gedeiret (Al Arish, North Sinai) were found naturally infected with Leishmania major as indicated by enzyme electrophoresis. In Egypt, the already known reservoir hosts are Gerbillus pyramidum I. Geoffroy St. Hilaire, 1825; Meriones crassus Sundevall, 1984 and Meriones sacramenti Thomas, 1922. The hostal role of P. obesus was discussed.

Studies on the sacculant portion of the kidney of Biomphalaria glabrata Say (1818) as a haemopoietic organ.

The term immunity signifies all those properties of the host which confer resistance to a specific infectious agent. This resistance may be of all degrees ranging from complete to incomplete susceptibility. The defensive functions is performed by various cellular and humoral components which interact with each other producing a co-ordinated immune response directed towards eliminating the pathogen or minimizing its danger. Snails as other members of the Animal Kingdom have their own immune system. The present study concentrated on the sacculant portion of the kidney of B. glabrata as a haemopoietic stem cell. The histological picture of this portion in the kidney as well as in-vitro culture was studied. (I) The histological studies showed that (a) the sacculant portion constituted the last fifth of the kidney highly folded with primitive epithelial tissue, (b) amoebocytes (10.7 +/- 0.98m) rounded, oval or amoeboid, showing flattening and spreading when encapsulated around foreign particles, when doing so, both the cytoplasm and nucleus were more basophilic, (c) the haemocytes in the sacculant portion were distributed either as clustering forming amoebocytic plugs or dense aggregation or being normal in distribution (d) there was a significant correlation between haemocytic diameter and shell weight and between shell weight and shell diameter but no significant correlation between haemocytic diameter and shell diameter. (II) The in-vitro studies showed that (a) The medium 199 and fetal calf serum (3:1) produced higher number of granulocytes, (b) the cells differed in shape and size from those shown in histological studies of the kidney itself (c) the majority of the cells were large sized granulocytes and very few small sized hyalinocytes, (d) granulation of cytoplasm took place in the culture medium used more than in the sacculant portion, (e) only the smaller granulocytes showed greater ability for mitotic division. The results were photographed and discussed.

Abnormal distribution of the histocompatibility antigens (HLA) in lousy patients.

The histocompatibility antigens have important functions in the development of the immune response, in the development of immunologic tolerance and in the resistance and susceptibility to diseases. In the present study, the frequency of the human leucocytic antigens (HLA) were studied in 31 lousy children with Pediculus h. capitis (head lice) and 14 adults with Phthirus pubis (pubic lice) to evaluate the immune response in their pathogenesis. The patients (children and adults) were parasite-free as indicated by urine, stool and blood analysis and clinical examination. A significant increase was found between HLA-A11 and, -B5 and lousy children with P. h. capitis and between HLA,-A11, -B5 and -B27 and lousy adults with P. pubis. The association between HLA antigens and parasitic infection was discussed.

Studies on anopheline larvae in El Faiyum Governorate, Egypt.

In Egypt, malaria is still reported as sporadic cases or small outbreaks particularly in El Faiyum Governorate. This paper aimed to identify and to study the breeding and seasonal activities of anopheline larvae. Spot light surveys were carried out in five different ecological areas (Karoun Lake, El Fedemean, El Siliyien, Kom-Osheim and Sinouris) from September 1991 to August 1992. Three species of Anopheles larvae were encountered: A. (Cellia) pharoensis (43%), A. (Cellia) sergenti (29.8%) and A. (Cellia) multicolor (27.2%). Several type of breeding places were encountered for the three species. A. pharoensis preferred clear, shallow, stagnant water with thick growth of vegetations an shae especially in rice fields. A. sergenti preferred clean, shallow to deep stagnant or slow-moving water with vegetations especially in small water collections in grassy areas and under palm trees. A. multicolor preferred shallow, stagnant water, sometimes partially exposed to sunlight especially in seepage water. The breeding waters for the three species were alkaline. Seasonal study of the anopheline larvae were conducted in three villages: Abheit El Hagar, El Zawia El Khadra and Tersa, in Sinouris Center during the year 1993. A. pharoensis larvae were abundant in the three villages in June, July, August and September with a peak in June. No breeding was noticed in January and February. A. sergenti larvae were abundant from September to November in the three villages, the lowest density was recorded in January and July in Abheit, in April in El Zawia and in June in Tersa. No breeding in February in the three villages was noticed and also in March in Abheit and Tersa. A multicolor larvae were recorded in Abheit and Tersa. In Abheit, the highest density was recorded in November with no breeding in January, February, March and June while in Tersa, the highest density was recorded in October and November with no breeding in January, February, March, April, July and December. The whole results were discussed.

Demodex (follicular mite) infesting a boy and his pet dog.

Intense iritation and dermatitis, somewhat resembling that produced by scabies can result from various mites living as temporary ectoparasites on the skin of man. Demodex folliculorum is a worm-like mite that infests hair follicles above the level of sebaceous glands in various mammals. In this paper, Demodex folliculorum was recovered from a boy and his pet dog. Both the boy and the dog were successfully treated with permethrin.

Risk of hepatitis "E" virus infection among some schistosomiasis patients in Egypt.

This study was carried out to demonstrate hepatitis "E" virus antibodies (IgG) among individuals living in different rural areas. The study included 200 individuals. One hundred were suffering from S. mansoni as confirmed by stool egg count, rectal snip, abdominal ultrasound and liver biopsy. The second hundred (Group II) were parasite-free individuals serving as normal control. The main symptoms of group I were dyspepsia, fatigue, dysentery, bleeding per rectum and hepatomegaly. There was no significant difference in the transaminase levels (SGPT and SGOT) between both groups. The prevalence of HEV-ab (ab (IgM) among group I was 31% and group II, 14% with a highly significant increase in group I. There was no correlation between the number of egg count in stools and HEV infectivity. Thus, the prevalence of HEV was higher in the rural areas and in schistosomiasis patients in particular, due to low sociohygienic conditions under which the patients are living. Also schistosomiasis may play a role in virus infection by altering the immune system.

Studies on the bionomics and vector competence of adult anopheline mosquitoes in El Faiyum Governorate, Egypt.

Malaria is by far the most important parasitic tropical disease, causing great suffering and loss of money and life. Its prevalence and incidence varies throughout the world. In Egypt, it is an ancient disease. Nowadays, it causes sporadic cases and sometimes limited outbreaks, mainly in El Faiyum Governorate where it has been endemic since several decades. It seems that the environmental and climatic conditions e.g. population habits and the fauna and flora favour the indigenous transmission in this governorate. To carry out feasible anti-vectorial measures, all vectorial activities should be critically known. This paper aimed to throw some light on the parasitological aspects of adult anopheline mosquitoes in El Faiyum Governorate. The results showed the presence of four species of Anopheles; (1) A. (C.) Pharoensis, (2) A. (C.) sergenti, (3) A. (C.) multicolor and (4) A. (A.) tenebrosus (= coustani). The most common species was A. pharoensis, followed by A. sergenti and A. multicolor. The least common was A. tenebrosus. The highly infested area with Anopheles species was Sinouris and the least was El Siliyien. The bionomics and the vector competence of the adults of the four species were studied.

Endothelial tissue pathological alterations demonstrated in mice naturally infected with Sarcocystis.

Comparative electron microscopical study showed a spectrum of cytopathological changes ranging from exudative to obstructive inflammation of the vascular endothelium in mice naturally infected with Sarcocystis. The endothelial cells changes were characteristic of necrotizing vasculitis and ischaemic injury indicating loss of metabolic integrity and impaired perfusion. Signs of chronic inflammation and reflecting macrophage-lymphocyte interaction were also evident. The fact that the endothelial affection was not a consistent feature in all infected mice, indicates that such cytopathological alterations may often be temporary and repairable or more likely they are genetically predisposed.

Antibodies against toxoplasma in commensal rodents trapped in Riyadh Region, Saudi Arabia.

Toxoplasma gondii, that protozoal parasite which causes toxoplasmosis, pays no respect to boundaries of Zoology and Geography. It has been reported in a large number of birds and mammals including man from nearly all over the world. In Saudi Arabia, the incidence of human infection ranges between 21% and 49.3%. In this paper, the level of antibodies against Toxoplasma in sera of different species of rodents was measured by the indirect haemagglutination tests (IHA). The seropositivities ranged between 12.5% (Mus musculus) and 41.7% (Rattus norvegicus). The overall rate of infection was 35.6%. The role played by rodents in the spreading of the Toxoplasma infection was discussed.

Natural Leishmania infections in two stray dogs and two Gerbillus pyramidum in Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt.

In Egypt, zoonotic cutaneaus leishmaniasis (ZCL) and infantile visceral leishmaniasis (I.VL.) have been documented. Recently, in Dakahlia Governorate, three cases of indigenously acquired leishmaniasis (two VL. and one ZCL) have been reported. This paper aimed to search for the animal reservoir (s) of these two types of zoonotic leishmaniasis. Commensal and wild rodents as well as stray dogs were collected from concerned areas. Their role as animal reservoirs were investigated parasitologically (dogs and rodents) and serologically (rodents). Seropositivities as measured by the indirect haemagglutination tests were detected in six Rattus norvegicus (up to 1/256), two Acomys c. cahirinus (up to 1/128) and four Gerbillus pyramidum (up to 1/1024). However, Leishmania parasites were demonstrated as amastigotes (smear) and promastigotes (culture) in only two G. pyramidum. On the other hand, amastigotes of Leishmania parasites were demonstrated in splenic smears of two stray dogs, one from Bilkas Center and one from Dikarnis Center. Cultures of the splenic materials of dogs were not successful. The results indicated high probability for the presence of at least one focus of cutaneous leishmaniasis and one focus of visceral leishmaniasis. It is concluded that visceral leishmaniasis must be in mind when dealing with fever of obscure origin with hypersplenism or other suggestive manifestations.