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Underground water is the main and probably the only source of drinking and irrigation in New Valley Governorate (Egypt). To assess water suitability for such purposes, 30 well-water samples (80–1300m depth) were collected from three oases i.e., El-Kharga, Baris and El-Dakhla. The pH values of these waters ranged from 6.5 to 7.88. SO 4 2 − was the dominant anion in such waters while Ca2＋ was the dominant cation. Concentrations of both ions (SO 4 2 − and Ca 2 + ) exceeded the maximum allowable limits for drinking and irrigation purposes. Although sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) values did not exceed “10” in all waters samples; however, Mg-hazards and low infiltration rate might threaten the suitability of water for irrigation in many locations. Concentrations of Zn, Mn, Cu, Pb, Cd, As and Se were below the maximum allowable concentrations suggested by FAO for irrigation water. On the other hand, Fe was the only potentially toxic element (PTE) whose concentrations exceeded the permissible levels of WHO regulations for drinking water. According to the principal component analysis (PCA), these metals were originated from natural (Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu) and anthropogenic (As, Pb, Cd and Se) sources. Their existence represents potential chronic threats to children, particularly Fe, Mn, Pb and As. Moreover, the majority of water samples were within the moderate grade of irrigation quality index while exhibited low grades for the drinking quality index. Accordingly, more attention should be paid towards improving the quality of underground water in New Valley governorate for either drinking or irrigation purposes.

Background: In Saudi Arabia, the incidence and mortality rates of breast cancer are high. Although current treatments are effective, breast cancer cells develop resistance to these treatments. Numerous studies have demonstrated that active compounds in plant extracts, such as the phenolic compound Rosmarinic Acid (RA), exert anti-cancer effects. Objective: We investigated the anticancer properties of methanolic crude extracts of seedlings and calli of Rosmarinus officinalis and Coleus hybridus, two Lamiaceae species. Methods: MCF-7 human breast cancer cells were treated with methanolic crude extracts obtained from plant calli and seedlings generated in vitro, and cell proliferation was evaluated. Transcriptional profiling of the seedling and callus tissues was also conducted. Results: The mRNA expression levels of RA genes were higher in C. hybridus seedlings than in R. officinalis seedlings, as well as in C. hybridus calli than in R. officinalis calli, except for TAT and C4H. In addition, seedling and callus extracts of both R. officinalis and C. hybridus showed anti-proliferative effects against MCF-7 cells after 24 or 48 h of treatment. Discussion: At a low concentration of 10 μg/mL, C. hybridus calli and seedling extracts showed the most significant anti-proliferative effects after 24 and 48 h of exposure (p < 0.01); controls (doxorubicin) also showed significant inhibition, but lesser than that observed with C. hybridus (p < 0.05). Results with R. officinalis callus and seedling extracts did not significantly differ from those with untreated cells. Conclusion: Methanolic extracts of R. officinalis and C. hybridus are potentially valuable options for breast cancer treatment.

The presence of inorganic pollutants such as Cadmium(II) and Chromium(VI) could destroy our environment and ecosystem. To overcome this problem, much attention was directed to microbial technology, whereas some microorganisms could resist the toxic effects and decrease pollutants concentration while the microbial viability is sustained. Therefore, we built up a complementary strategy to study the biofilm formation of isolated strains under the stress of heavy metals. As target resistive organisms, Rhizobium-MAP7 and Rhodotorula ALT72 were identified. However, Pontoea agglumerans strains were exploited as the susceptible organism to the heavy metal exposure. Among the methods of sensing and analysis, bioelectrochemical measurements showed the most effective tools to study the susceptibility and resistivity to the heavy metals. The tested Rhizobium strain showed higher ability of removal of heavy metals and more resistive to metals ions since its cell viability was not strongly inhibited by the toxic metal ions over various concentrations. On the other hand, electrochemically active biofilm exhibited higher bioelectrochemical signals in presence of heavy metals ions. So by using the two strains, especially Rhizobium-MAP7, the detection and removal of heavy metals Cr(VI) and Cd(II) is highly supported and recommended.