Micro- or nanoplastics, which are fragmented or otherwise tiny plastic materials, have long been a source of environmental worry. Microplastics (MPs) have been well documented to alter the physiology and behavior of marine invertebrates. The effects of some of these factors are also seen in larger marine vertebrates, such as fish. More recently, mouse models have been used to investigate the potential impacts of micro- and nanoplastics on host cellular and metabolic damages as well as mammalian gut flora. The impact on erythrocytes, which carry oxygen to all cells, has not yet been determined. Therefore, the current study aims to ascertain the impact of exposure to various MP exposure levels on hematological alterations and biochemical indicators of liver and kidney functions. In this study, a C57BL/6 murine model was concentration-dependently exposed to microplastics (6, 60, and 600 μg/day) for 15 days, followed by 15 days of recovery. The results demonstrated that exposure to 600 μg/day of MPs considerably impacted RBCs’ typical structure, resulting in numerous aberrant shapes. Furthermore, concentration-dependent reductions in hematological markers were observed. Additional biochemical testing revealed that MP exposure impacted the liver and renal functioning. Taken together, the current study reveals the severe impacts of MPs on mouse blood parameters, erythrocyte deformation, and consequently, anemic patterns of the blood.

Three new series of isoquinolines, that is, 7-acetyl-3-acetonylsulfanyl-8-aryl-1,6-dimethyl-6-hydroxy-5,6,7,8-tetrahydroisoquinoline-4-carbonitriles (3a–c); 3-acetonylsulfanyl-8-aryl-1,6-dimethyl-7,8-dihydroisoquinoline-4-carbonitriles (4a–c); and 7-acetyl-8-aryl-1,6-dimethyl-3-ethylsulfanyl-7,8-dihydroisoquinoline-4-carbo-nitriles (6a,b) were carefully synthesized. Also, pyrazoloisoquinoline 7 was used as a precursor for synthesis of 7-ethylsulfanyl-4-phenyl-1-thiocarbamoyl-3,5,9a-trimethyl-3a,4,9,9a-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-g]isoquinoline-8-carbonitrile (8); 7-benzyl-sulfanyl-4-phenyl-1-thiocarbamoyl-3,5,9a-trimethyl-3a,4,9,9a-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-g]isoquinoline-8-carbonitrile (9); and 7-ethylsulfanyl-1-(4-oxo-4,5-dihydrothiazol-2-yl)-4-phenyl-3,5,9a-trimethyl-3a,4,9,9a-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-g]isoquinoline-8-carbonitrile (10). Moreover, the crystal structures of two representative compounds were …

The holo-parasitic weed Orobanche crenataForrsk. is a threat to economically important legumes and vegetables in Mediterranean countries, including Egypt. The crenate broomrape attacks several wild and cultivated plant 
species, and documentation of new hosts of the parasite is always required. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first report of parasitism of the crenate broomrape on two ornamental species, Arctotis fastuosaJacq. and Callistephus chinensis(L.) Nees. (Asteraceae). We also recorded for the first time its parasitism on the wild weeds (Ammi majusL., Lactuca serriolaL., andMelilotus indicus(L.) All.) and the cultivated plant species (Carthamus tinctoriusL. and Tropaeolum majusL.) from Egypt. The occurrence of O. crenata parasitism was confirmed by the attachment of its haustoria to the roots of host plants. The incidence of crenate broomrape disease was estimated for the seven species. The study also provides a morphological description of the polymorphic O. crenata on the samples from Egypt and determines the most useful characteristics for its easier identification in the field.

Stomata are key cellular structures for gas and water exchange in plants and their development is influenced by 
several genes. We found the A. thaliana bagel23-D(bgl23-D) mutant showing abnormal bagel-shaped single guard cells. The bgl23-D was a novel dominant mutation in the A. thaliana cellulose synthase-like D5(ATCSLD5) gene that was reported to function in the division of guard mother cells. The dominant character of bgl23-D was used to inhibit ATCSLD5 function in specific cells and tissues. Transgenic A. thaliana expressing bgl23-DcDNA with the promoter of stomata lineage genes, SDD1, MUTE, and FAMA, showed bagel-shaped stomata as observed in the bgl23-Dmutant. Especially, the FAMA promoter exhibited a higher frequency of bagel-shaped stomata with severe cytokinesis defects. Expression of bgl23-DcDNA in the tapetum with SP11promoter or in the anther with ATSP146promoter induced defects in exine pattern and pollen shape, novel phenotypes that were not shown in the bgl23-Dmutant. These results indicated that bgl23-D inhibited unknown ATCSLD(s) that exert the function of exine formation in the tapetum. Furthermore, transgenic A. thaliana expressing bgl23-DcDNA  with SDD1, MUTE, and FAMApromoters showed enhanced rosette diameter and increased leaf growth. Taken together, these findings suggest that the bgl23-Dmutation could be a helpful genetic tool for functional analysis of ATCSLDs and manipulating plant growth.

Annually, a growing demand was noted for replacing petroleum fuels with second-generation eco-friendly fuels like dimethyl ether (DME). Methanol dehydration into DME process has been considered as one of the potential pathways for the manufacture of a clean fuel. However, stable, and active catalyst is exceedingly requisite for generation of DME particularly at reasonably low temperature. In the current study, zirconia incorporated AlPO 4 tridymite microporous molecular sieve catalysts were fabricated by a hydrothermal method in the presence of triethylamine (TEA) as a structure directing agent. The catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and N 2-sorption assessments. Catalysts’ acidity was estimated by decomposition of isopropanol …

A novel series of nanostructured catalysts composed of Al₂O₃ supported on a phosphorous (P) modified mesoporous carbon (ACP) derived from orange peel residues was formed. The formed, 1−7% (w/w) alumina/ACP, catalysts were investigated for conversion of methanol to dimethyl ether (DME) as a promising hydrogen carrier. The catalysts were characterized with a group of standard characterization techniques. Increasing of alumina loading caused remarkable structural and textural changes. Thus, new bands due to Al–O–P was detected by ATR−FTIR, which was confirmed by XPS as due to surface AlPO₄ species. However, no crystalline Al₂O₃ and/or AlPO₄ nanoparticles were detected by XRD or HRTEM. Meanwhile, the mesoporous surface texture was preserved. The loading of alumina led to increasing of Brønsted acidic sites population. The catalyst exhibited high conversion of methanol and complete …

Over the past years, non‐stop research and development has continued to find the most suitable bleaching sequence for each source of fibrous raw materials, both wood and non‐wood, by improving mixing technology. In this work, the role of ozone bleaching and nano‐filler loading on the quality of papermaking from sorghum bagasse as an alternative available agriculture residue in Egypt was studied. We bleached the sorghum Kraft pulp using D₀EOD₁ and ZEOD sequences to achieve a final high brightness and suitable mechanical strength. The quality of the pulp obtained is proved to be excellent for paper industry. CaCO₃ nano‐filler was applied on bleached pulp sheets in order to decrease the production costs through increasing filler loading. The FTIR spectrum of this filler loaded on the pulp indicates the existence of some kind of bonds between them. In addition, it was observed that the particle size was …

Wound infections with rising incidences of multi-drug resistant bacteria are among the public health problems worldwide. The current study describes wound dressing materials made from biodegradable polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) combined with AgNPs and gelatin (AgNPs/Gelatin/PHB). Microbial PHB was mixed with gelatin (1:2) to form a polymer matrix which was loaded with different concentrations of AgNPs (8.3–133 μg/mL). The statistical results of AgNPs synthesizing based on Box-Behnken design revealed that 1.247 mM silver nitrate and 24.054 % of Corchorus olitorius leaf extract concentration at pH (8.07) were the optimum values for the biosynthesis. UV–Vis spectroscopy, FTIR study and XRD reflects that nanoparticles are formed. The UV–Vis spectroscopy of Gelatin/PHB/AgNPs exhibited two specific bands at 298 nm and 371 nm, which confirm the formation of the conjugate. AgNPs had MICs and MBCs …

The prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria has recently increased dramatically, seriously endangering human health. Herein, amoxicillin (Amoxi)-conjugated gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were created as a novel drug delivery system to overcome MDR bacteria. MDR bacteria were isolated from a variety of infection sources. Phenotype, biotype, and 16S rRNA gene analyses were used for isolate identification. Additionally, Juniperus excelsa was used for the production of AuNPs. The conjugation of AuNPs with Amoxi using sodium tri-polyphosphate (TPP) as a linker to produce Amoxi-TPP-AuNPs was studied. The AuNP and Amoxi-TPP-AuNP diameters ranged from 15.99 to 24.71 nm, with spherical and hexagonal shapes. A total of 83% of amoxicillin was released from Amoxi-TPP-AuNPs after 12 h, and after 3 days, 90% of the medication was released. The Amoxi-TPP-AuNPs exhibited superior antibacterial effectiveness against MRSA and MDR E. coli strains. Amoxi-TPP-AuNPs had MICs of 3.6–8 µg mL⁻¹ against the tested bacteria. This is 37.5–83 fold higher compared to values reported in the literature. Amoxi-TPP-AuNPs exhibit a remarkable ability against MRSA and E. coli strains. These results demonstrate the applicability of Amoxi-TPP-AuNPs as a drug delivery system to improve therapeutic action.