Mosquitoes feed on blood which is a key marker in fo rensic applications. We identified the impact of female Culex pipiens age on person identification using Short Ta ndem Repeats analysis (STRs) via blood present in their abdomen and established a corre lation between mosquito age and Red Blood Cells (RBCs) degradation as indicator about time passed after blood feeding. Human DNA from adults was reduced in samples from 0 and 2 days old than 4-10 days old. These samples failed to supply full STRs profiles (0 and 2 days old females supplied 11 and 10 sites). Older females supplied all of the 14 STRs. Temporal count of RBCs from female s with different ages after mosquito feeding revealed faster degradation of RBCs in blood drawn from older females (4-10 days old) than those of younger samples (0 and 2 days old). Age of mosquito has a key impact on forensic use of mosquitoes

Mosquitoes feed on blood that is a marker in forensic research. Culex pipens mosquitoes imbibed human blood and cultured, after ethanol-killing or keeping them alive, for 0, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h and followed by blood count. Red Blood Cells (RBCs) count in living mosquitoes sh owed reduction at 24 h after blood feeding while in ethanol - killed females the reduction was in a time dependent manner. White Blood Cells (WBCs) count showed a similar pattern in living mosquitoes however, in killed mosquitoes the reduction was rapid betw een 24 - 48 h with significant reduction at 48 h. using different blood groups did not affect RBCs and WBCs degradation in living or dead mosquitoes. This indicated that the approximate time after mosquito bite can be determined (without impact from the type of blood group) by the RBCs and WBCs count in living and dead mosquitoes, respectively.

Microbial lipase today occupies a place of prominence among biocatalysts owing to their ability to catalyze a wide variety of reactions in aqueous and non aqueous media. In this study, Aspergillus terreus showed high lipase production in submerged culture (15.463 ± 0.39 U/mg). The optimum conditions for lipase production by A. terreus were pH range 7-9, a temperature of 30-45ºC for a period of 6 days and ionic strength 60 mM NaCl. Lipase production was also detected when A. terreus was grown on different hydrocarbons, olive oil or tween 80 but not on sugars indicating that the enzyme is inducible by hydrocarbons as well as oils. The kinetics studies showed that the Km value for A. terreus was 8.12 μmol, the optimum pH for lipase activity was 6, the optimum temperature was 30 ± 1ºC and lipase activity could tolerate high levels of ionic strength; however the fungal growth and lipase productivity were very sensitive to increase ionic strength.

Microbial lipase today occupies a place of prominence among biocatalysts owing to their ability to catalyze a wide variety of reactions in aqueous and non aqueous media. In this study, Aspergillus terreus showed high lipase production in submerged culture (15.463 ± 0.39 U/mg). The optimum conditions for lipase production by A. terreus were pH range 7-9, a temperature of 30-45ºC for a period of 6 days and ionic strength 60 mM NaCl. Lipase production was also detected when A. terreus was grown on different hydrocarbons, olive oil or tween 80 but not on sugars indicating that the enzyme is inducible by hydrocarbons as well as oils. The kinetics studies showed that the Km value for A. terreus was 8.12 μmol, the optimum pH for lipase activity was 6, the optimum temperature was 30 ± 1ºC and lipase activity could tolerate high levels of ionic strength; however the fungal growth and lipase productivity were very sensitive to increase ionic strength.

Background: Wound healing in diabetes mellitus is a complex multi-stage process that requires the proper function of multiple systems. The mechanisms of impaired wound healing of diabetic wounds are still poorly understood. Therefore, various interventions are being used for wound management without great success. Bee products have various properties that make them an important addition to the diabetic wound management. Methods: This review summarized previous and recently published papers of the effects of two bee products, propolis and bee venom, on the wound healing. The main results were obtained from preclinical experimentation. Results: Diabetes mellitus compromises immune system, increases infections, impairs wound healing, and affects cells and factors involved in the wound healing. There is an increasing interest in natural products in modern medicine as part of disease management. Bee products are natural substances that others and we have explored some of their biological activities and applications in the treatment of various diseases. Some of these products are bee venom and propolis. These products have analgesic, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. In addition, both propolis and bee venom contain considerable amounts of antioxidants that have a great role in accelerating wound healing. Conclusion: There is sound rationality and scientific data for using propolis and bee venom in diabetic wound healing. We believe that topical application of propolis in addition to bee venom might have a place in repairing damaged tissues and accelerating the healing of diabetic wounds.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Impaired wound healing is considered to be one of the most serious complications associated with diabetes as it significantly increases the susceptibility of patients to infection. Propolis is a natural bee product used extensively in foods and beverages that has significant benefits to human health. In particular, propolis has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects that could be useful for improving wound healing. In this study, we investigated the effects of topical application of propolis on the healing and closure of diabetic wounds in a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type I diabetic mouse model. METHODS: Sixty male mice were distributed equally into 3 experimental groups: group 1, non-diabetic control mice; group 2, diabetic mice; and group 3, diabetic mice treated daily with a topical application of propolis. RESULTS: We found that diabetic mice exhibited delayed wound closure characterized by a significant decrease in the levels of TGF-β1 and a prolonged elevation of the levels of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α) and MMP9 in wound tissues compared with control non-diabetic mice. Moreover, the wound tissues of diabetic mice showed a marked reduction in the phosphorylation of Smad2 and Smad3 as well as a marked reduction in collagen production. Interestingly, compared with untreated diabetic mice, topical application of propolis significantly enhanced the closure of diabetic wounds and decreased the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and MMP9 to near normal levels. Most importantly, compared with untreated diabetic mice, the treatment of diabetic mice with propolis significantly enhanced the production of collagen via the TGF-β1/Smad2,3 signaling axis in wounded tissues. CONCLUSION: Our findings reveal the molecular mechanisms underlying the improved healing and closure of diabetic wounds following topical propolis application

BACKGROUND: Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) is a chronic autoimmune disease caused by the selective destruction of pancreatic β cells, followed by hyperglycemia, oxidative stress and the subsequent extensive impairment of immune cell functions, a phenomenon responsible for the development of chronic diabetic complications. Propolis, a natural bee product that is extensively used in foods and beverages, significantly benefits human health. Specifically, propolis exerts antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects that may improve diabetic complications. To further elucidate the potential benefits of propolis, the present study investigated the effect of dietary supplementation with propolis on the plasma cytokine profiles, free radical levels, lipid profile and lymphocyte proliferation and chemotaxis in a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type I diabetic mouse model. METHODS: Thirty male mice were equally distributed into 3 experimental groups: group 1, non-diabetic control mice; group 2, diabetic mice; and group 3, diabetic mice supplemented daily with an ethanol-soluble derivative of propolis (100 mg/kg body weight) for 1 month. RESULTS: First, the induction of diabetes in mice was associated with hyperglycemia and significant decreases in the insulin level and the lymphocyte count. In this context, diabetic mice exhibited severe diabetic complications, as demonstrated by a significant decrease in the levels of IL-2, IL-4 and IL-7, prolonged elevation of the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) and altered lipid profiles compared with control non-diabetic mice. Moreover, antigen stimulation of B and T lymphocytes markedly reduced the proliferative capacity and chemotaxis of these cells towards CCL21 and CXCL12 in diabetic mice compared with control mice. Interestingly, compared with diabetes induction alone, treatment of diabetic mice with propolis significantly restored the plasma cytokine and ROS levels and the lipid profile to nearly normal levels. Most importantly, compared with untreated diabetic mice, diabetic mice treated with propolis exhibited significantly enhanced lymphocyte proliferation and chemotaxis towards CCL21 and CXCL12. CONCLUSION: Our findings reveal the potential immuno-modulatory effects of propolis, which acts as a natural antioxidant to enhance the function of immune cells during diabetes.

An active non-destructive detection system for special nuclear materials (SNMs) such as 235U has been developed for container inspection at sea ports. The SNMs can be detected by using nuclear resonance fluorescence (NRF) with a quasimonochromatic gamma-ray beam provided from a laser Compton Scattering (LCS) source. We have studied the optimum geometry for the detector array by Monte Carlo simulation code, GEANT4, which has been modified to take into account all physical processes in NRF. The simulation code has been checked by the experimental data taken in New-SUBARU and HIgS facility. NRF yield at different scattering angles were examined with different thickness of 235U target. The result shows that the backward angle is the optimum geometry for NRF detection in terms of NRF yield and S/N ratio caused by atomic scattering. Realistic simulation for a container cargo has been performed. Detector array of 100 LaBr3(Ce) detectors has been examined with 3 different size of crystals. Consequently, we can demonstrate the ability of the proposed inspection system.

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Abstract: Spiders are one of the more diverse arthropod taxa, ranking seventh in global diversity, which makes them a fascinating group to study [1]. The correct identification of many spider species is considered problematic due to complex variation in morphology [2]. The Egyptian spider fauna are incompletely known due to scarcity of studies on this group especially in Upper Egypt. So, the present key for identifying terrestrial spiders at Qena Governorate is a part of a comprehensive study conducted at the region to study the ecology and taxonomy of this group. The present key was designed to facilitate identification of terrestrial spiders at Qena Governorate using their morphological characteristics. Samples of spiders were collected during a period of one year (from February, 2012 till January, 2013) from six different sites covering Qena governorate. Qena (15-260 N, 32-500 E) is located at Upper Egypt about 600 Km south of Cairo and 60 Km north of Luxor and 260 Km west of the Red Sea. Climate of Qena is hot, dry in summer and cold in winter. It rarely rains. Also, it receives a large quantity of solar radiation; especially in summer. Sampling methods of spiders included hand picking, sweep net and pitfall trap. Survey results revealed the occurrence of 14 families that included 23 genera and 23species. The present key for the collected families and species was designed and illustrated using taxonomic characteristics of each species.