The dramatic increase in the use of nanoparticles (NPs) in a variety of applications greatly increased the likelihood of the release of NPs into our ecosystem. To the best of our knowledge, there is still no report on the impact of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) on pomegranate callus. Pomegranate is a tropical and subtropical countries' shrub, which provides food supplement and various pharmaceutical and medicinal applications. Here, we investigated the effects of both ZnO NPs and its bulk on growth and some metabolic activities of pomegranate (Punica granatum) callus. Growth parameters in callus exposure to high concentrations of ZnO (50-200 µg ml-1) were reduced. Different concentrations of ZnO NPs and bulk did not affect the content of potassium (K) and phosphorus (P). In comparison to control, uptake of Zn was enhanced in pomegranate callus exposed to either ZnO NPs or its bulk. Some metabolic activities and transmission electron microscope (TEM) images were evaluated at three levels (0, 10 and 150 µg ml-1) of ZnO NPs and its bulk. Soluble proteins were decreased upon exposure to 10 and 150 µg ml-1 of ZnO NPs and bulk. Stimulation of soluble carbohydrates content of treated callus at the highest concentration of ZnO NPs was observed, while there was no effect of ZnO bulk on it. Internalization and accumulation of nanoparticles were observed in the tested-callus. From these results, we could consider the toxicity effects of ZnO NPs and bulk on pomegranate and other plants.

The dramatic increase in the use of nanoparticles (NPs) in a variety of applications greatly increased the likelihood of the release of NPs into our ecosystem. To the best of our knowledge, there is still no report on the impact of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) on pomegranate callus. Pomegranate is a tropical and subtropical countries' shrub, which provides food supplement and various pharmaceutical and medicinal applications. Here, we investigated the effects of both ZnO NPs and its bulk on growth and some metabolic activities of pomegranate (Punica granatum) callus. Growth parameters in callus exposure to high concentrations of ZnO (50-200 µg ml-1) were reduced. Different concentrations of ZnO NPs and bulk did not affect the content of potassium (K) and phosphorus (P). In comparison to control, uptake of Zn was enhanced in pomegranate callus exposed to either ZnO NPs or its bulk. Some metabolic activities and transmission electron microscope (TEM) images were evaluated at three levels (0, 10 and 150 µg ml-1) of ZnO NPs and its bulk. Soluble proteins were decreased upon exposure to 10 and 150 µg ml-1 of ZnO NPs and bulk. Stimulation of soluble carbohydrates content of treated callus at the highest concentration of ZnO NPs was observed, while there was no effect of ZnO bulk on it. Internalization and accumulation of nanoparticles were observed in the tested-callus. From these results, we could consider the toxicity effects of ZnO NPs and bulk on pomegranate and other plants.

The dramatic increase in the use of nanoparticles (NPs) in a variety of applications greatly increased the likelihood of the release of NPs into our ecosystem. To the best of our knowledge, there is still no report on the impact of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) on pomegranate callus. Pomegranate is a tropical and subtropical countries' shrub, which provides food supplement and various pharmaceutical and medicinal applications. Here, we investigated the effects of both ZnO NPs and its bulk on growth and some metabolic activities of pomegranate (Punica granatum) callus. Growth parameters in callus exposure to high concentrations of ZnO (50-200 µg ml-1) were reduced. Different concentrations of ZnO NPs and bulk did not affect the content of potassium (K) and phosphorus (P). In comparison to control, uptake of Zn was enhanced in pomegranate callus exposed to either ZnO NPs or its bulk. Some metabolic activities and transmission electron microscope (TEM) images were evaluated at three levels (0, 10 and 150 µg ml-1) of ZnO NPs and its bulk. Soluble proteins were decreased upon exposure to 10 and 150 µg ml-1 of ZnO NPs and bulk. Stimulation of soluble carbohydrates content of treated callus at the highest concentration of ZnO NPs was observed, while there was no effect of ZnO bulk on it. Internalization and accumulation of nanoparticles were observed in the tested-callus. From these results, we could consider the toxicity effects of ZnO NPs and bulk on pomegranate and other plants.

The widespread use of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) has raised concerns over their potential toxic impacts on ecosystem and human health due to their release from various products to the environment. Solanum nigrum L. is recognized as phytoremediation plant and high tolerance in the metal-stressed environment. Murashige and Skoog (MS) nutrient media supplemented with five CuO NPs levels were evaluated for their effects on the callus of S. nigrum. In excess of CuO NPs, S. nigrum tissues showed a reduction in dry weight of tissue, free amino acids, and potassium contents. We also observed increased levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and soluble carbohydrates. In addition, Cu accumulation in callus was increased with increasing CuO NPs concentration in the medium (50-200 µg/ml).

The PI3K signaling pathway is involved in the regulation of cancer cell growth, motility, survival and metabolism. This pathway is frequently active in many different types of cancer as breast, prostate and multiple myeloma. Targetable genetic aberrations in this pathway give the researchers many opportunities for the development of targeted therapies for different types of cancer. The high frequency of mutations in this pathway in multiple types of cancer has led to the development of small-molecule inhibitors of PI3K, several of which are currently in clinical trials. However, several feedback mechanisms either within the PI3K pathway or in compensatory pathways can render tumor cells resistant to therapy. Here, we give insight into the importance of the PI3K pathway as a target for cancer therapy and discuss the potential clinical efficacy of PI3K inhibitors. We mainly focused on the roles of PI3K signaling pathway in three cancer cell types including breast cancer, prostate cancer and multiple myeloma cancer.

There is a growing global demand on bio-hydrogen production (BHP) using costless and wastes material. Herein we demonstrate the possibility to produce high yield of hydrogen using a new bacterial strain grown on acidic hydrolyzed cyanobacterial biomass as a costless carbon feedstock under various iron concentrations. We used E. coli DH701 mutant and new strain Brevibacillus invocatus SAR isolated from Assiut city soil samples. The mentioned new strain was identified morphologically, biochemically and by molecular analysis using 16S rDNA sequence. Limitation of iron induced BHP in tested cyanobacteria. Iron concentration (0.045 mM) enhanced hydrogenase activity and cumulative hydrogen evolution in the investigated cultures. B. invocatus yielded 3.3 mol H2/mole glucose and 3.8 mol H2/mole reducing sugar (algal biomass), while the mutant strain yielded 1.78 mol H2/mole glucose and 3.4 mol H2/mole reducing sugar (algal biomass). Thus, the use of algal biomass induced higher potency of BHP especially at 0.045 mM iron.

There is a growing global demand on bio-hydrogen production (BHP) using costless and wastes material. Herein we demonstrate the possibility to produce high yield of hydrogen using a new bacterial strain grown on acidic hydrolyzed cyanobacterial biomass as a costless carbon feedstock under various iron concentrations. We used E. coli DH701 mutant and new strain Brevibacillus invocatus SAR isolated from Assiut city soil samples. The mentioned new strain was identified morphologically, biochemically and by molecular analysis using 16S rDNA sequence. Limitation of iron induced BHP in tested cyanobacteria. Iron concentration (0.045 mM) enhanced hydrogenase activity and cumulative hydrogen evolution in the investigated cultures. B. invocatus yielded 3.3 mol H2/mole glucose and 3.8 mol H2/mole reducing sugar (algal biomass), while the mutant strain yielded 1.78 mol H2/mole glucose and 3.4 mol H2/mole reducing sugar (algal biomass). Thus, the use of algal biomass induced higher potency of BHP especially at 0.045 mM iron.

There is a growing global demand on bio-hydrogen production (BHP) using costless and wastes material. Herein we demonstrate the possibility to produce high yield of hydrogen using a new bacterial strain grown on acidic hydrolyzed cyanobacterial biomass as a costless carbon feedstock under various iron concentrations. We used E. coli DH701 mutant and new strain Brevibacillus invocatus SAR isolated from Assiut city soil samples. The mentioned new strain was identified morphologically, biochemically and by molecular analysis using 16S rDNA sequence. Limitation of iron induced BHP in tested cyanobacteria. Iron concentration (0.045 mM) enhanced hydrogenase activity and cumulative hydrogen evolution in the investigated cultures. B. invocatus yielded 3.3 mol H2/mole glucose and 3.8 mol H2/mole reducing sugar (algal biomass), while the mutant strain yielded 1.78 mol H2/mole glucose and 3.4 mol H2/mole reducing sugar (algal biomass). Thus, the use of algal biomass induced higher potency of BHP especially at 0.045 mM iron.

The characterization of phyco-based synthesis of TiO2 NPs from Spirulina platensis (GSSp.TiO2 NPs) and the efect of such biosynthesized nanoparticles on morphology, growth, ultrastructure and enzymatic of the same alga have been studied. These nanoparticles have a good solubility, are stable in water and the average size was 17.3 nm. GSSp.TiO2 NPs aggregated and adsorbed on S. platensis membrane. Penetration and entrance of the nanoparticles into the Spirulina cells were also recorded which stimulated cell wall deformity, plasmolysis, and damage to both cell wall and plasma membrane, combined with the appearance of notch-like structure. A positive signifcant correlation was recorded between all applied concentrations of the biosynthesized nanoparticles and the antioxidant activities (CAT and APX) and LOX. More than 160 mg/l of GSSp.TiO2 NPs have a harmful impact on S. platensis, so nanoparticles have to be managed before disposal to protect our health and ecosystem.

Co-deprivation of some photosynthetic electron transport mineral pairs is sought for enhancing antioxidant accumulation in a local isolate of Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis, to improve their nutritional value and economic feasibility. The omitted element pairs were iron and sulfur ( FeS), manganese and iron ( MnFe) and nitrogen and sulfur ( NS); chosen on the basis of their strong mediation in redox activities (Fe, Mn or S) or as sinks (N or S) of photosynthetic electrons. Antioxidant contents were estimated in 15 days old cells as growth of Arthrospira was not deteriorated by depriving the studied mineral pairs on the one hand and older cells tend to accumulate secondary compounds than younger ones whose bioenergetics are diverted into vegetative growth on the other hand. Iron sulfur, followed by iron manganese deprivation, induced the highest rates of photosynthtic oxygen evolution and respiratory oxygen uptake. Nitrogen sulfur starved cells, however, seem just survived as the increment of their dry mass relative to the inoculum was insignificant; they exhibited the lowest rates of photosynthesis with significantly enhanced respiration. A positive correlation between dry mass allocation and antioxidant accumulation can be deduced in the following order: FeS N FeMn N NS. Vitamins A and tocopherols exhibited significant rise per unit dry mass (about fourfold that of the control) at FeS while total antioxidants, reducing power and phenolics were more than doubled. FeMn pair deprivation sustained growth but did not enhance the accumulation of the targeted antioxidants. Under NS deprivation, neither Vitamin A nor tocopherols was enhanced although total antioxidants, reducing power and total phenolics were significantly higher than in control cultures. Soluble carbohydrates and free amino acids did not exhibit significant alterations in response to the imposed deprivations, indicating that enhancing the antioxidant accumulation did not take place at the expense of growth or primary metabolism in Arthrospira.