The present study investigated effects of environmental relevant concentrations of 4-nonylphenol (0.05 to 0.08 to 0.1 mg/l) on the reproduction and embryonic developmental stages of catfish (Clarias gariepinus). To determine the effect of 4-nonylphenol on reproduction; catfish were exposed to three concentrations of 4-nonylphenol in a flow-through-system during spawning period (some for one week and other for two weeks). At an estimated 4-nonylphenol concentration the fertilization rate and hatching rate were significantly decreased with 4-nonylphenol concentrations increasing while the incubation period, the mortality rate and malformed embryos ratio were increased. Also, the development of embryos and larvae was affected by 4-nonylphenol in terms of morphological changes and histopathological alterations.

Spoilage date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) fruits were used as substrate for acetone, butanol and ethanol (ABE) production by mixed culture of Clostridium acetobutylicum ATCC 824 and Bacillus subtilis DSM 4451. B. subitlis was used to consume O2 and maintain strict anaerobic conditions for ABE production by the strictly anaerobic C. acetobutylicum ATCC 824. The total ABE production of 21.56 g L−1 was achieved at 75 g L−1 spoilage date fruits homogenate. The maximum ABE productivity of 0.30 g L−1 h−1 and ABE yield of 0.42 were obtained at 75 g L−1 spoilage date fruits homogenate by mixed culture without addition of a reducing agent and N2 flushing. Addition of yeast extract (5 g L−1) or ammonium nitrate (1.6 g L−1) to spoilage date fruits homogenate significantly enhanced ABE production. The combination of yeast extract and ammonium nitrate markedly increased ABE production. These results suggest that spoilage date fruits can be efficiently used for commercial ABE production. The described protocol did not require addition of any costly reducing agent to medium or flushing with N2 to ensure anaerobic conditions. This will makes the anaerobic fermentation of date fruits homogenate more economical and reduces the cost of ABE production

Spoilage date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) fruits were used as substrate for acetone, butanol and ethanol (ABE) production by mixed culture of Clostridium acetobutylicum ATCC 824 and Bacillus subtilis DSM 4451. B. subitlis was used to consume O2 and maintain strict anaerobic conditions for ABE production by the strictly anaerobic C. acetobutylicum ATCC 824. The total ABE production of 21.56 g L−1 was achieved at 75 g L−1 spoilage date fruits homogenate. The maximum ABE productivity of 0.30 g L−1 h−1 and ABE yield of 0.42 were obtained at 75 g L−1 spoilage date fruits homogenate by mixed culture without addition of a reducing agent and N2 flushing. Addition of yeast extract (5 g L−1) or ammonium nitrate (1.6 g L−1) to spoilage date fruits homogenate significantly enhanced ABE production. The combination of yeast extract and ammonium nitrate markedly increased ABE production. These results suggest that spoilage date fruits can be efficiently used for commercial ABE production. The described protocol did not require addition of any costly reducing agent to medium or flushing with N2 to ensure anaerobic conditions. This will makes the anaerobic fermentation of date fruits homogenate more economical and reduces the cost of ABE production

The kinetics of chromic acid oxidation of chondroitin-4-sulfate polysaccharide as sulfated carbohydrates at a constant ionic strength of 4.0 mol dm−3 has been investigated, spectrophotometrically. The reaction kinetics showed a first-order dependence in chromic acid and fractional-first-order kinetics with respect to the chondroitin-4-sulfate concentration. The influence of [H+] on the reaction rates showed that the oxidation process is acid-catalyzed. Added Mn2+ ions indicated the formation of Cr(IV) as intermediate species. A kinetic evidence for formation of 1:1 intermediate complex was revealed. The kinetic parameters have been evaluated and a tentative reaction mechanism in good consistent with the kinetic results obtained is discussed.

The kinetics of chromic acid oxidation of chondroitin-4-sulfate polysaccharide as sulfated carbohydrates at a constant ionic strength of 4.0 mol dm−3 has been investigated, spectrophotometrically. The reaction kinetics showed a first-order dependence in chromic acid and fractional-first-order kinetics with respect to the chondroitin-4-sulfate concentration. The influence of [H+] on the reaction rates showed that the oxidation process is acid-catalyzed. Added Mn2+ ions indicated the formation of Cr(IV) as intermediate species. A kinetic evidence for formation of 1:1 intermediate complex was revealed. The kinetic parameters have been evaluated and a tentative reaction mechanism in good consistent with the kinetic results obtained is discussed.

Background. Multiple myeloma (MM), an almost incurable disease, is the second most common blood cancer. Initial chemotherapeutic treatment could be successful; however, resistance development urges the use of higher toxic doses accompanied by hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The establishment of more effective treatments that can overcome or circumvent chemoresistance has become a priority.We recently demonstrated that venom extracted fromWalterinnesia aegyptia (WEV) either alone or in combination with silica nanoparticles (WEV+NPs) mediated the growth arrest and apoptosis of prostate cancer cells.In the present study, we evaluated the impact of WEV alone and WEV+NP on proliferation and apoptosis of MM cells. Methods.The impacts of WEV alone and WEV+NP were monitored in MM cells from 70 diagnosed patients. The influences of WEV and WEV+NP were assessed with flow cytometry analysis. Results. WEV alone and WEV+NP decreased the viability of MM cells.Using a CFSE proliferation assay, we found that WEV+NP strongly inhibited MM cell proliferation. Furthermore, analysis of the cell cycle using the propidium iodide (PI) staining method indicated that WEV+NP strongly altered the cell cycle ofMMcells and enhanced the induction of apoptosis. Conclusions. Our data reveal the biological effects of WEV and WEV+NP on MM cells that enable these compounds to function as effective treatments for MM.

In the present study the protective role of quince leaf extract against the adverse impacts of ultraviolet radiation-A (UVA) on some tissues of Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) was considered. Fishes were classified into four groups: control, UVR-treated group (for 3 days/for 3 h/day), UVR-treated group (for 3 days/for 3 h/day) with adding 10 ml of quince extract, and UVR-treated group (for 3 days/for 3 h/day) with adding 20 ml of quince leaf extract. Blood smears and sections of the liver, and skin were processed routinely for H & E paraffin embedding technique. Some UVA-induced malformations were recorded in the red blood cells including crenated cells (Cr), Acanthocytes (Ac), tear drop-like cells (Tr) and sickle cells (Sk). Also, UVA-induced disorganization of the normal architecture of hepatic tissues with lipidosis was evident. Hypertrophy and vacuolated club cells were recorded in skin exposed to UVA. In conclusion, quince leaf extract has a valuable antioxidant protective role to prevent and/or repair the histopathological changes induced by UVA.

In the present study the protective role of quince leaf extract against the adverse impacts of ultraviolet radiation-A (UVA) on some tissues of Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) was considered. Fishes were classified into four groups: control, UVR-treated group (for 3 days/for 3 h/day), UVR-treated group (for 3 days/for 3 h/day) with adding 10 ml of quince extract, and UVR-treated group (for 3 days/for 3 h/day) with adding 20 ml of quince leaf extract. Blood smears and sections of the liver, and skin were processed routinely for H & E paraffin embedding technique. Some UVA-induced malformations were recorded in the red blood cells including crenated cells (Cr), Acanthocytes (Ac), tear drop-like cells (Tr) and sickle cells (Sk). Also, UVA-induced disorganization of the normal architecture of hepatic tissues with lipidosis was evident. Hypertrophy and vacuolated club cells were recorded in skin exposed to UVA. In conclusion, quince leaf extract has a valuable antioxidant protective role to prevent and/or repair the histopathological changes induced by UVA.

In the present study the protective role of quince leaf extract against the adverse impacts of ultraviolet radiation-A (UVA) on some tissues of Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) was considered. Fishes were classified into four groups: control, UVR-treated group (for 3 days/for 3 h/day), UVR-treated group (for 3 days/for 3 h/day) with adding 10 ml of quince extract, and UVR-treated group (for 3 days/for 3 h/day) with adding 20 ml of quince leaf extract. Blood smears and sections of the liver, and skin were processed routinely for H & E paraffin embedding technique. Some UVA-induced malformations were recorded in the red blood cells including crenated cells (Cr), Acanthocytes (Ac), tear drop-like cells (Tr) and sickle cells (Sk). Also, UVA-induced disorganization of the normal architecture of hepatic tissues with lipidosis was evident. Hypertrophy and vacuolated club cells were recorded in skin exposed to UVA. In conclusion, quince leaf extract has a valuable antioxidant protective role to prevent and/or repair the histopathological changes induced by UVA.