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Neogene palaeoenvironments and hydrocarbon potential in the Nile Delta, Egypt: Palynological evidence from an onshore well

Research Abstract

Palynological organic matter (POM) of the Neogene succession from the Sidi Salim-1 well, located in the onshore Nile Delta, Egypt (Eastern Mediterranean), suggests a wide range of environments, from deltaic to offshore marine. These environments were discriminated by the overall palynofacies composition, including indicative dinoflagellate cysts, mainly Spiniferites and Selenopemphix. Near-shore marine environment was interpreted for the Middle Miocene (Langhian–Serravallian) Sidi Salim Formation. Deltaic to shallow marine environments were suggested for the Qawasim (Miocene) and Kafr El Sheikh (Pliocene) formations, while the distant (offshore) marine setting was established in the Pliocene Abu Madi Formation. This deeper environment, of the Abu Madi Formation, can be used to confirm a previous documentation of an Early Pliocene progressive drowning of an incised valley, related to the Messinian Salinity Crises (MSC) events, by the late Messinian sea level drop in the Mediterranean. Suboxic to anoxic conditions existed during deposition of the investigated well succession. Anoxia was confirmed by the occurrence of imprints of pyrite crystals across much of the well succession. The occurrence of abundant Poaceae pollen may suggest widespread dry grassland vegetation during deposition of the Neogene sedi-ments of the well. In a regional context, the Neogene environments in the Nile Delta area vary according to the relative position of the investigated sediments, due to structural, palaeogeographic and basinal settings. The recovered palynofacies fluctuated between amorphous organic matter (AOM)-dominated and phytoclast-dominated categories, mostly of the kerogen type II, which is capable of producing oil and gas. The visual assessment of the spore coloration index (SCI) of thin-walled trilete spores in the well section, shows values ranging between 5 and 8, confirming a thermally mature organic matter and,consequently,can be potential source rocks.

Research Authors
Mennat-Allah T. El Hussieny, Magdy S. Mahmoud , Amr S. Deaf
Research Date
Research Department
Research Journal
Palaeoworld
Research Pages
1-20
Research Publisher
Elsevier
Research Vol
34
Research Website
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palwor.2025.200966
Research Year
2025

First evidence of Campanian-Maastrichtian shallow marine deposits from eastern Atlantic margin (Douala sub-basin, Cameroon): Palynological and sedimentological approaches

Research Abstract

Integration of facies analysis with organic microfossils (mainly dinoflagellate cysts) provides insights into the paleoenvironmental reconstruction of the onshore part of the Douala sub-basin of Cameroon. Nine lithofacies were identified, grouped in three main facies agglomerate/conglomerates, sands/sandstones and clay facies were identified. These facies reflect periodic proximal to distal sediment inputs, under changing water level, most likely controlled by climate and tectonics. The recovered dinoflagellate cysts were essentially composed of Cerodinium granulostriatum, Glaphyrocysta microfenestrata, Lejeunecysta sp. and Senegalinium laevigatum, along with Longapertites marginatus, Spinizonocolpites echinatus and Spini- zonocolpites baculatus as significant terrestrial pollen. The dinoflagellate cysts were indicative of a shallow marine environment, affected by freshwater influx, under fluctuating dysoxic-anoxic, suboxic-anoxic and oxic states. These paleoenvironmental characteristics are consistent with the Upper Cretaceous sedimen- tary cycle of the Douala sub-basin, which terminated during the Maastrichtian, with a rapid and differen- tial marine regression. The recovered organic-walled palynomorphs were a powerful biostratigraphic tool in the correlation of Campanian-Maastrichtian in the area and surroundings.

Research Authors
Milan Stafford Tchouatcha,Cecile Olive Mbesse,Magdy Salah Mahmoud , Amr Said Deaf ,Jeannette Ngo Elogan Ntem ,Miran Mostafa Khalaf
Research Date
Research Journal
Geosystems and Geoenvironment
Research Pages
1-18
Research Publisher
Elsevier
Research Vol
4
Research Website
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geogeo.2025.100421
Research Year
2025

Miocene to Pleistocene sporomorphs and dinoflagellates from plankton-dated sediments in the NDO B-1 well, offshore Nile Delta, Egypt

Research Abstract

Based on well-preserved palynomorphs a biostratigraphic assessment of the Miocene to Pleistocene succession
in the NDO B-1 well, Nile Delta area, Egypt, is presented. Terrestrial pollen and spores are relatively more abundant
and diverse in their spectra than the marine dinoflagellate cysts, which has enabled their semi-quantitative
estimation. Dinoflagellate cysts are investigated on a qualitative basis. Two informal spore-pollen zones and
seven informal zones based on dinoflagellate cysts are suggested and calibrated by planktonic foraminifera and
calcareous nannoplankton zones in the well; on a local scale they can be useful in the Nile Delta area. The results
were compared with the Cenozoic palynomorph associations in the Mediterranean and Paratethyan realms. The
dinoflagellate cyst taxa around the Messinian–Zanclean boundary in the well log lack characteristic brackish
Paratethyan taxa, which is probably due to a disconnection or limited water circulation between the Paratethys
and the eastern Mediterranean at the Messinian–Zanclean boundary or related to a stratigraphic bias.

Research Authors
Magdy S. Mahmoud , Mennat-Allah T. El Hussieny and Amr S. Deaf
Research Date
Research Department
Research Journal
Acta Geologica Polonica
Research Pages
1-22 (e59-e59)
Research Publisher
Polish Academy of Sciences
Research Vol
75(4)
Research Website
https://scholar.google.com.eg/scholar?oi=bibs&cluster=15980257689161828129&btnI=1&hl=en
Research Year
2025

Bakhite. Pyridine Derivatives as Insecticides. Part 7. Synthesis, Characterization and Insecticidal Activity of Some New 1-AminoN-substituted-6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-thieno[2,3-c]isoquinoline-2-carboxamides and Their 1-(1- Pyrrolyl) Analogues.

Research Abstract

One of the main causes propelling the development of new insecticidal active agents is the exponential rise in resistance to traditional chemical pesticides. One approach to solving this issue is to investigate novel types of insecticidal substances with unique ones. In this paper, various series of 6,7,8,9-tetrahydrothieno[2,3-c]isoquinolines were synthesized starting from 7-acetyl-4-cyano-1,6-dimethyl-6-hydroxy-8-aryl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydroisoquinoline-3(2H)-thiones 2a–c. Thus, compounds 2a–c were reacted with some halogeno reagents, namely: N-aryl-2-chloroacetamides 3a–fN-(naphthalen-2-yl)-2-chloroacetamide (3g), N-(4-phenylthiazol-2-yl)-2-chloroacetamide (3h), and N-(benzthiazol-2-yl)-2-chloroacetamide (3i), in the presence of anhydrous sodium carbonate, to give the target compounds, 1-amino-N-substituted-6,7,8,9-tetrahydrothieno[2,3-c]isoquinoline-2-carboxamides 4a–i5a–c6, and 7, respectively. Compounds 4f,g,i6, and 7 underwent a Paal–Knorr reaction upon treatment with 2,5-dimethoxytetrahydrofuran in boiling glacial acetic acid, to give the corresponding 1-(1-pyrrolyl)-6,7,8,9-tetrahydrothieno[2,3-c]isoquinoline-2-carboxamide derivatives 8f,g,i9, and 10. Using elemental and spectral investigations, the structures of every chemical were described. The insecticidal activity of a majority of recently synthesized compounds against the nymphs and adults of A. craccivora was assessed, and encouraging findings were found.

Research Authors
Esraa Khamies, Talaat I. El-Emary, Awad I. Said, Mohamed A. Gad, Shams H. Abdel-Hafez, Islam S. Marae, Abdelhamid A. E. Soliman, and Etify A. Bakhite
Research Date
Research Department
Research Journal
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
Research Member
Research Pages
18592–18601
Research Publisher
ACS
Research Vol
73
Research Website
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.jafc.5c01363
Research Year
2025

Light-driven self-sterilizing cotton fabric and drug delivery: improvement of the antimicrobial activity of 4-sulfo-1,8-naphthalimide via its dendrimer and metallic dendrimer formation.

Research Abstract

The search for new bioactive substances with microbiological activity is dictated by the increasing resistance of the drugs used in clinical practice against various pathogenic microorganisms. In this respect, particular attention is paid to the modified dendrimers with biologically active substances and their metal complexes. This work describes synthesizing and characterizing a new copper complex of first-generation polypropylene imine (PPI) dendrimer, modified with 4-sulfo-1,8-naphthalimide. The new metallodendrimer [Cu2(E)(NO3)4] has been characterized by IR and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. Two copper ions were found to form a complex with the dendrimer ligand. Cotton fabrics were treated with the dendrimer ligand (E), its monomer structural analog (M), and metallodendrimer. The microbiological activity of the three compounds and the treated cotton fabrics with them has been tested in the dark and after light irradiation against bacterial strains: Gram-positive B. cereus and Gram-negative P. aeruginosa. The results showed that the metallodendrimer was slightly more effective than the dendrimer ligand E and monomer M, and their activity was enhanced after light irradiation. The increase in antimicrobial activity after light irradiation was due to the generation of highly reactive singlet oxygen, which damages bacteria’s cell membrane, leading to their inactivation. The similar activity against both types of bacteria indicates that all three compounds can be classified as broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents. The virucidal effects of the studied compounds were also tested against human adenovirus type 5 (HAdV5) and human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV-S2) after 30 min/60 min. The newly synthesized compounds showed no activity against HAdV-5, but the activity against HSV-2 viruses increases with the prolongation of their interaction.

Research Authors
Staneva, D., Said, A.I., Grozdanov, P.; Nikolova, I.; Stoyanova, R.; Jordanova, A.; Grabchev, I.
Research Date
Research Department
Research Journal
Photochemical & Photobiological Sciences
Research Member
Research Pages
593–606
Research Publisher
Springer
Research Vol
24
Research Website
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s43630-025-00710-1
Research Year
2025

Conjugated Microporous Polymer Containing Pyrene and Dibenzo[g,p]chrysene Moieties as A Luminescent Powerhouse for Multi-Target Sensing and Environmental Safety. Microporous and Mesoporous Materials

Research Abstract

Conjugated microporous polymers (CMPs) have emerged as highly versatile materials, garnering significant attention in recent years due to their unique structural and functional properties. This study presents the development and synthesis of a CMP based on Py-TBNBZ, achieved via a well-established [4 + 4] Schiff base reaction. The reaction involves two primary building blocks: 4,4′,4″,4‴-(pyrene-1,3,6,8-tetrayl)tetrabenzaldehyde (PyBZ-4CHO) and 4,4′,4″,4‴-(dibenzo[g,p]chrysene-2,7,10,15-tetrayl)tetraaniline (TBNBZ-4NH2). The structural and morphological characteristics of the synthesized Py-TBNBZ CMP material were systematically analyzed using advanced experimental techniques, confirming the successful formation of a robust framework. The Py-TBNBZ CMP prepared in this study showed a BET surface area (SBET) of 497 m2 g−1Thermal analysis indicated a decomposition temperature (Td10) of 476 °C and a notable char yield of 74 wt%, as confirmed through BET and TGA measurements. One of the most notable features of the Py-TBNBZ CMP is its strong fluorescence, which enabled its application in chemical sensing. The material exhibited exceptional sensitivity and selectivity, allowing for the detection of K+ and Fe2+ ions and precise pH monitoring over a broad pH range (pH 2–10). The underlying sensing mechanisms were investigated and elucidated. Additionally, the Py-TBNBZ CMP demonstrated remarkable adsorption capabilities for hazardous gas vapors, including ammonia (NH3) and hydrogen chloride (HCl), underscoring its potential for environmental remediation. The flexibility of the Py-TBNBZ CMP distinguishes it from other CMPs and porous materials, enabling superior performance, enhanced applicability, and improved operational efficiency. This work highlights the advanced capabilities of Py-TBNBZ CMP and contributes to the ongoing development of innovative materials for adsorption, environmental protection, and next-generation sensing technologies.

Research Authors
Mohamed, G. M*.; Basit A.; Madhu, M.; Aravinthkumar, K .; Said, A.I.; Manjo, D.; Tseng, W; Kuo, S.*
Research Date
Research Department
Research Journal
Microporous and Mesoporous Materials
Research Member
Research Pages
113620
Research Publisher
ElSeiver
Research Vol
391
Research Website
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1387181125001349?via%3Dihub
Research Year
2025

New pyrrolo[3,4-d] isoxazolidines hybrid with furan as antitumor agents and multi-target enzyme inhibitors: Synthesis and in silico study

Research Abstract

Herein, new Pyrrolo[3,4-d] isoxazolidines hybrid with furan were synthesized by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of nitrone 2 with N-substituted maleimides 3a-j. The synthesized compounds were screened in vitro cytotoxic assay against four cancer cell lines namely, HeLa, HEPG-2, HCT-116 and MCF-7 using doxorubicin (DOX) as a reference using MTT assay. The results demonstrated that compounds 4b and 4j exhibited the highest antitumor activity with IC50 =6.22–16.44  μM in comparable to DOX (IC50 = 4.17–5.57μM). The most active hybrids 4b and 4j were further subjected to multi-targeting assays against EGFR, VEGFR-2, and Topo II. They showed good to moderate inhibitory activities. In addition, flow cytometric analysis of 4b and 4j inhibited cell population of MCF-7 cells in the S phase. Compound 4b, and 4j were further evaluated using molecular docking and dynamics simulations (20 ns) and the EGFR, TOPII, or VEGFR-2 receptor protein. All the data sets accurately predict the strongest binding affinity for the selected compounds, as evidenced by the highest free binding energy from MM/GBSA calculations and significant amino acid steric interactions. Furthermore, the RMS/RMSF/Rg/SASA dynamics parameters show the formed complexes demonstrate satisfactory stability. The ADMET properties indicate that the selected new ligands have shown a promising drug-like profile and can be considered potential candidates for future anti-cancer therapies, with perspective validating their anticancer activity by in vitro studies.

Research Authors
Said, A.I.*; Ewes, W.A.*; hamdi, A.; El-Rashedy, A.A.; Ahmed, M.*
Research Date
Research Department
Research Journal
Bioorg. Chem.
Research Member
Research Pages
108377
Research Publisher
Elseiver
Research Vol
159
Research Website
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0045206825002573?via%3Dihub
Research Year
2025

New photoactive water-soluble polypropylene imine dendrimer modified with 1,8-naphthalimide and Nglucosamine and studying its photophysical and antibacterial photodynamic activity

Research Abstract

Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy is one of the effective strategies for facing the resistance of pathogenic microorganisms of traditional antibiotics. In connection with this, new effective compounds are being sought, increasing their biological activity upon irradiation. In this work, a new polypropylene imine (PPI) from the first generation was synthesized and modified with 1,8-naphthalimide, to which a sulfonyl chloride group (D1) was introduced at the C-4 atom, from which after interaction with glucosamine, a dendrimer containing a sulphonamide group (D2) was obtained. The photophysical characteristics of dendrimer D2 were investigated in five organic solvents of different polarity and aqueous media. It was found that the absorption and fluorescence maxima are slightly affected by the polarity of the solvents. Excimer and monomeric fluorescence were also recorded with dendrimer D2 in an aqueous solution. Dendrimer D2 was deposited on the surface of the cotton fabric, and its release from the cotton fabric was studied for 4 h in a phosphate buffer at 37 °C. The antimicrobial activity of dendrimer D2 was investigated in meat-peptone broth (MPB) against Gram-positive B. cereus and Gram-negative P. aeruginosa and on cotton fabric compared in the dark and after irradiation with sunlight. It has been found that after irradiation with light, the activity of D2 and cotton fabrics is enhanced due to their antimicrobial photodynamic activity. Additionally, light can be utilized to self-sterilize cotton fabrics when treated with D2. 

Research Authors
Said, A.I.; Staneva, D.; Atanasova, D.; Jordanova, A.; Grabchev, I.
Research Date
Research Department
Research Journal
Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology A: Chemistry.
Research Member
Research Pages
116306
Research Publisher
Elseiver
Research Vol
46
Research Website
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1010603025000462?via%3Dihub
Research Year
2025

Cytotoxicity and immunological impact of Trypanosoma sp. infection on blood parameters of wild African catfish, Clarias gariepinus

Research Abstract

Fish trypanosomiasis is a common blood parasitic disease transmitted by aquatic invertebrates, such as leeches. This study
aims to shed light on the cytotoxicity of Trypanosoma sp. on erythrocytes and its impacts on the innate immune response
(serum lysozyme activity, nitric oxide production, phagocytic activity, serum total protein, and globulin) in wild African
catfish, Clarias gariepinus. One hundred catfish were examined using blood smears stained with Giemsa and confirmed with
PCR. The prevalence of infection was found to be 10% by microscope detection and 15% by PCR. The morphological identification
of Trypanosoma as Trypanosoma mukasai was determined. Additionally, this study included previously undescribed
features of Trypanosoma, such as the width of the anterior and posterior body, the length of the posterior pale region, and
the number of folds. Various alterations in erythrocytes were observed, totaling 54.57%. Nuclear abnormalities, including
fragmented nuclei, eccentric nuclei, and micronuclei, were also reported. Infected fish showed a reduction in serum total
protein and globulin levels, while nitric oxide production, lysozyme activity, and phagocytic activity exhibited a significant
increase compared to non-infected fish. We believe that our findings will contribute valuable data to the morphological and
molecular identification of Trypanosoma sp. in African catfish, as well as their cytotoxic impact.

Research Authors
Alamira Marzouk Fouad, Rasha S. A. Abd El‑Lateif, Haitham G. Abo‑Al‑Ela, Sara Salah Abdel‑Hakeem
Research Date
Research Department

Nanolayered Structures and Nanohybrids Based on a Ternary System Co/Ti/Zn for Production of Photo-Active Nanocomposites and Purification of Water Using Light

Research Abstract

Water pollution has emerged as a major challenge for the scientific community because of the rapid expansion of the population and the industrial sector in the world. The current study focuses on introducing a new track for designing new optical nanocomposites for purifying water in addition to providing a new additive for building new nanohybrids. These targets were achieved through building a ternary system of Co/Ti/Zn nanocomposites and nanolayered structures. The Co/Ti/Zn nanolayered structures were prepared and intercalated by different kinds of organic acids: monocarboxylic and dicarboxylic acids. Long chains of organic acids were used to construct series of organic–inorganic nanohybrids. X-ray diffraction, thermal analyses, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy confirmed the formation of nanolayered structures and nanohybrids. The optical properties of the nanolayered structure showed that the Co/Ti/Zn LDH became photo-active compared with the usual Al/Zn LDH because of the reduction in the band gap energy from 5.3 eV to 3.3 eV. After thermal treatment, a highly photo-active nanocomposite was produced through observing more reduction for the band gap energy to become 2.8 eV. In addition, the dye of Acid Green 1 completely decomposed and converted to water and carbon dioxide during 17 min of UV radiation by the dual Co/Ti-doped zinc oxide nanocomposite. In addition, the kinetic study confirmed that the high optical activity of the dual Co/Ti-doped zinc oxide nanocomposite accelerated the degradation of the green dyes. Finally, from these results it could be concluded that designing effective nanocomposite for purification of water was accomplished through converting 2D nanolayered structures to a 3D porous structure of Ni/Ti/Zn nanocomposites. In addition, a new additive was achieved for heterostructured hybrids through building new Co/Ti/Zn/organic nanohybrids

Research Authors
Osama Saber , Aya Osama , Nagih M. Shaalan and Mostafa Osama
Research Date
Research Department
Research Journal
Nanomaterials
Research Year
2024
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