The present study is dealing with an ecofriendly and green biological route for extracellular biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using the endophytic fungus Cladosporium sphaerospermum F16 (KU199685). The biosynthesised AgNPs were characterised using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results showed the formation of stable, well-dispersed and spherical crystalline AgNPs with an average size 15.1 ± 1.0 nm and zeta potential of about −41.2 ± 0.5 mV. Optimisation of AgNPs synthesis prepared under different reaction conditions such as: pH, temperature, silver nitrate concentration and time of synthesis reaction to increase the AgNPs production. Meanwhile, the optimum conditions for maximum AgNPs production were pH (7), silver nitrate (5 mM) and incubation time (5-7 days). Interestingly, the fungal exo-metabolities were found to reduce silver ions into AgNPs within10 min after heating the reaction mixture (50-70 °C) as indicated by the developed reddish brown color compared to 30 min under room temperature.

Mycogenic synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) was carried out in the present investigation using an aqueous extract of endophytic non-pathogenic Alternaria solani F10 (KT721914). The mycosynthesized AgNPs were characterized by means of spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. The surface plasmon resonance found at 430 nm confirmed the formation of stable AgNPs for several weeks at room temperature. Also, the results revealed the formation of spherical and monodispersed AgNPs with an average size of 14.8 ± 1.2 nm. The FT-IR spectrum suggested that the fungal extracellular proteins and secondary metabolites had the role in Ag reduction and AgNPs capping of which protein Ag nanoconjugates were formed. Furthermore, the mycosynthesized AgNPs exhibited potent antifungal activity against different pathogenic isolates of the same Alternaria solani fungus, the causal pathogen of tomato early blight disease. The antifungal efficiency of the AgNPs at 1, 5 and 10 ppm were evaluated for 8 days after incubation by measuring the inhibition rate of fungal radial growth. The results were further supported by investigating fungal hyphae morphology alteration by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Treated fungal hyphae showed formation of pits and pores. Also, the mycosynthesized AgNPs were able to pass and distribute throughout the fungal cell area and interact with the cell components.

The economic losses of fruits due to the post-harvest diseases exceeded 50% of the total production. Although control of post-harvest pathogens still relies mainly on fungicides, but the emergence of fungicide-resistant strains and environmental problems stimulated the search for ecofriendly alternatives. In this study, three isolates of Alternaria alternata were isolated from pear fruits, naturally have symptoms of Alternaria rot disease. The pathogenicity test confirmed that A. alternata AUMC11410 was the most aggressive isolate causing the highest rotted area on the pear fruits. Herein, four tested essential oils of Ocimum basilicum, Eucalyptus globulus, Rosmarinus officinalis and Viola odorata exhibited antifungal impacts against A. alternata AUMC11410. Viola odorata had the highest fungicidal effect on the mycelia growth of the pathogen producing reduction up to 92.50%. By evaluation of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), V. odorata oil showed MIC value at 0.4 µl/ml. Subsequently, application of V. odorata oil (0.4 µl/ml) reduced the percentage of Alternaria rot disease by 75.0 and 62.5% both before and after the pathogen inoculation. The GC-MS analysis of the V. odorata oil revealed that, it was rich in bioactive ingredients such as benzyl benzoate (8.0% of total ingredients), β-ionone (5.04%), α-hexyl cinnamaldehyde (2.93%), 6-methyl γ-ionone (2.29%) and β-linalool (1.16%). Furthermore, it had some monoterpenoids and their derivatives, namely; p-cymene, dihydro-α-terpineol, p-menth-3-en-9-ol, 1,4-cineole, p-menth-6-en-2-one, citronellyl formate, β-citronellol, linalyl acetate and isobornyl acetate that collectively amounted 5.53% of the total ingredients. In conclusion, V. odorata oil included bioactive compounds that may be responsible for this fungicidal effect against the pathogen. Therefore, application of V. odorata oil may be considered as a promising ecofriendly precautionary measure for controlling the post-harvest diseases of pear fruits.

Multiple mechanisms contribute to impaired diabetic wound healing including impaired neovascularization and deficient endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) recruitment. Bee venom (BV) has been used as an anti-inflammatory agent for the treatment of several diseases. Nevertheless, the effect of BV on the healing of diabetic wounds has not been studied. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the impact of BV on diabetic wound closure in a type I diabetic mouse model. Three experimental groups were used: group 1, non-diabetic control mice; group 2, diabetic mice; and group 3, diabetic mice treated with BV. We found that the diabetic mice exhibited delayed wound closure characterized by a significant decrease in collagen production and prolonged elevation of inflammatory cytokines levels in wounded tissue compared to control non-diabetic mice. Additionally, wounded tissue in diabetic mice revealed aberrantly up-regulated expression of ATF-3 and iNOS followed by a marked elevation in free radical levels. Impaired diabetic wound healing was also characterized by a significant elevation in caspase-3, -8 and -9 activity and a marked reduction in the expression of TGF-β and VEGF, which led to decreased neovascularization and angiogenesis of the injured tissue by impairing EPC mobilization. Interestingly, BV treatment significantly enhanced wound closure in diabetic mice by increasing collagen production and restoring the levels of inflammatory cytokines, free radical, TGF-β and VEGF. Most importantly, BV-treated diabetic mice exhibited mobilized long-lived EPCs by inhibiting caspase activity in the wounded tissue. Our findings reveal the molecular mechanisms underlying improved diabetic wound healing and closure following BV treatment. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Multiple mechanisms contribute to impaired diabetic wound healing including impaired neovascularization and deficient endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) recruitment. Bee venom (BV) has been used as an anti-inflammatory agent for the treatment of several diseases. Nevertheless, the effect of BV on the healing of diabetic wounds has not been studied. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the impact of BV on diabetic wound closure in a type I diabetic mouse model. Three experimental groups were used: group 1, non-diabetic control mice; group 2, diabetic mice; and group 3, diabetic mice treated with BV. We found that the diabetic mice exhibited delayed wound closure characterized by a significant decrease in collagen production and prolonged elevation of inflammatory cytokines levels in wounded tissue compared to control non-diabetic mice. Additionally, wounded tissue in diabetic mice revealed aberrantly up-regulated expression of ATF-3 and iNOS followed by a marked elevation in free radical levels. Impaired diabetic wound healing was also characterized by a significant elevation in caspase-3, -8 and -9 activity and a marked reduction in the expression of TGF-β and VEGF, which led to decreased neovascularization and angiogenesis of the injured tissue by impairing EPC mobilization. Interestingly, BV treatment significantly enhanced wound closure in diabetic mice by increasing collagen production and restoring the levels of inflammatory cytokines, free radical, TGF-β and VEGF. Most importantly, BV-treated diabetic mice exhibited mobilized long-lived EPCs by inhibiting caspase activity in the wounded tissue. Our findings reveal the molecular mechanisms underlying improved diabetic wound healing and closure following BV treatment. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

In dry sliding surfaces, one of the central phenomena during mechanical contact is the material transfer and accumulation between the surfaces, calledgalling failure. For example, in sheet metal forming process, galling is the major cause of reducing life of both tool and formed sheet. Galling is an inherently multiscale processes. In laboratory scale experiments, a clear evidence of improved galling resistance of alloyed steels upon inclusion carbides and/or nitrides has been reported. However, the relevant mechanisms are still obscure as they occur at atomic scale. Hence, atomistic simulations become an indispensable tool for better understanding and explaining these mechanisms. Here we report our molecular dynamics results about the influence of nano-sized cementite particles on the wear mechanisms of bcc-iron sheet during dry sliding. We find that the average frictional force (decreases) whereas the normal force (increases) for iron-cementite/iron system. Adhesion force between self-mated iron/iron and cementite/iron surfaces has been determined and we found that iron/cementite surface exhibits lower adhesive force than that of iron/iron surface. The variation of adhesion force with temperature was investigated up to 700 K and we found that the adhesive force generally decreases with increasing temperature.

In sheet metal forming operations, adhesive wear is the main cause of tool damage as sheet material is transferred to the tool surface during the forming operation. Means of reducing adhesive wear are of high interest for the metal forming industry.In the present work, molecular dynamics simulations were used to investigate influence of alloying iron with vanadium on adhesive properties in contact with iron. The results showed that adhesion, quantified by the work of adhesion, decreased as the vanadium content increased. Highest reduction was obtained for 10 at.% vanadium which corresponded to a decrease in adhesive work of approximately 10%.

Schistosomasis is one of the most tropical neglected diseases (NTDs), which have very complex antigenically different life stages. So that studying the effect of each antigen on cellular immune response is required. Three schistosomal antigens were used CAP, SEA and SWAP separately in vivo. Blood parameters and lymphocytes blastogenesis were evaluated. The most changes were reported in WBCs and differential cells with maximum immune response after 33 dpv in CAP and 47 dpv in SEA and SWAP. These changes reflected the defense and cellular immune response for each antigen.

Schistosomasis is one of the most tropical neglected diseases (NTDs), which have very complex antigenically different life stages. So that studying the effect of each antigen on cellular immune response is required. Three schistosomal antigens were used CAP, SEA and SWAP separately in vivo. Blood parameters and lymphocytes blastogenesis were evaluated. The most changes were reported in WBCs and differential cells with maximum immune response after 33 dpv in CAP and 47 dpv in SEA and SWAP. These changes reflected the defense and cellular immune response for each antigen.

Schistosomasis is one of the most tropical neglected diseases (NTDs), which have very complex antigenically different life stages. So that studying the effect of each antigen on cellular immune response is required. Three schistosomal antigens were used CAP, SEA and SWAP separately in vivo. Blood parameters and lymphocytes blastogenesis were evaluated. The most changes were reported in WBCs and differential cells with maximum immune response after 33 dpv in CAP and 47 dpv in SEA and SWAP. These changes reflected the defense and cellular immune response for each antigen.